JVC DLA-NX7 4K Projector Review-Special Features 2

Posted on August 31, 2019 by Phil Jones

JVC DLA-NX7 4K Projector Review-Special Features 2: Lens Memory, Creative Frame Interpolation, 3D Ready

LENS MEMORY and INSTALLATION MODE

To have lens memory, the projector must have a motorized lens system which many home theater projectors still lack. This feature allows you, with a push of a button, to quickly change between different aspect ratios like 16:9 and 2.35:1 by making pre-saved changes to the zoom and shift settings.

This is great if you have a self-masking projection screen. You can also use the Lens Memory to switch aspect ratios on a fixed 2.35:1 aspect projection screen but when viewing 16:9 material, you will see “black bars” on the left and right sides.

This DLA-NX7 is also compatible with commercially available anamorphic lenses and ultra-wide format screens for an immersive movie theater experience. It also features a new scaling mode that is optimized for the full native 4,096 x 2,160 (17 x 9) resolution of the D-ILA device.

With lens memory, after you set it up you press one button on the remote and the image is sized to show the largest possible wide screen image on a 2.35:1 screen.

Beyond basic Lens Memory, the DLA-NX7 is also equipped with a new “Installation Mode” that saves and recalls up to 9 different combinations of settings including Lens Control, Pixel Adjustment, Mask, Anamorphic on or off, Screen Adjust, Installation Style, Keystone, Pincushion of lens settings, different aspect ratios, lens presets, convergence and screen masking positions.

CREATIVE FRAME INTERPOLATION

Every video company has some technology to reduce motion blur and improve the clarity of fast action content. JVC calls their system Clear Motion Drive (CMD). I never recommend anyone have it on when watching movies – it creates “soap opera” like video, changing the director’s intent. While motion processing normally isn’t required for 24P movie material, CFI can be beneficial when viewing sports. While I wouldn’t turn CMD on during normal HDTV viewing, except for sports content, you might like smooth motion effect more than I do. The nice thing is that JVC’s Clear Motion Drive includes multiple settings so you can dial in the effect to suit your personal taste. The lowest setting does a little more smoothing than some but is still relatively subtle. While I would usually turn all 3 settings to “OFF” I did set the Clear Motion to “low” with little soap opera effect.

MULTIPLE PIXEL CONTROL

This JVC new proprietary video processing technology lets you both sharpen very sharp portions of an image while further softening softer, out of focus areas, to add “Expressiveness” as JVC calls it. There are two setting presets which are “Standard” and “High-res.” There are also manual adjustments so you can also finetune the effect to suit your taste.

Since I am a picture purist I did not spend much time playing with the feature. I just turned the effect settings down to “0” or stuck with the Picture Modes to default values. While I believe you should never stray too far from the creator’s intend features like MPC, CFI, and various “Super-Resolutions”, dynamic sharpening are attempts to improve on the source material to make up for the flaws in the video content. It is up to each user to determine whether they find the effect pleasing or useful.

3D READY

For many owners upgrading to new projectors who already have 3D libraries, it is important to note that while most new 4K HDR Flat panels do not support 3D many new projectors from manufacturers including JVC, Sony, and Epson are 3D ready. It is nice that NX7 still supports 3D because users can still take advantage of the content they paid for.

Since I didn’t receive an optional JVC 3D Synchro Emitter (PK-EM2) and a pair of PK-AG3 3D Glasses, I didn’t get the chance to evaluate the 3D performance of the DLA-NX7. The EM2 uses radio frequency, which is almost always better than IR based systems, because moving your head to the side doesn’t cause the signal to drop out.

The last JVC we reviewed had respectable 3D but with a bit more artifacts than say a Sony or Epson. My understanding is JVC has continued to improve their 3D, even though I didn’t test it, I would recommend the PK-EM2. 3D may or may not have improved since I last tested, but either way, it should be fine for most.

Since 3D, like HDR demands a lot more brightness than standard 2D non-HDR content. (3D calls for about 3X the brightness of 2D) you would probably use every bit of the NX7’s claimed 1,900 lumen brightness. With the introduction of 4K HDR, 3D has become a secondary issue for most projector people so 3D performance of this JVC should be acceptable.

JVC DLA-NX7 4K Projector Review-Special Features 2: Lens Memory, Creative Frame Interpolation, 3D Ready

LENS MEMORY and INSTALLATION MODE

To have lens memory, the projector must have a motorized lens system which many home theater projectors still lack. This feature allows you, with a push of a button, to quickly change between different aspect ratios like 16:9 and 2.35:1 by making pre-saved changes to the zoom and shift settings.

This is great if you have a self-masking projection screen. You can also use the Lens Memory to switch aspect ratios on a fixed 2.35:1 aspect projection screen but when viewing 16:9 material, you will see “black bars” on the left and right sides.

This DLA-NX7 is also compatible with commercially available anamorphic lenses and ultra-wide format screens for an immersive movie theater experience. It also features a new scaling mode that is optimized for the full native 4,096 x 2,160 (17 x 9) resolution of the D-ILA device.

With lens memory, after you set it up you press one button on the remote and the image is sized to show the largest possible wide screen image on a 2.35:1 screen.

Beyond basic Lens Memory, the DLA-NX7 is also equipped with a new “Installation Mode” that saves and recalls up to 9 different combinations of settings including Lens Control, Pixel Adjustment, Mask, Anamorphic on or off, Screen Adjust, Installation Style, Keystone, Pincushion of lens settings, different aspect ratios, lens presets, convergence and screen masking positions.

CREATIVE FRAME INTERPOLATION

Every video company has some technology to reduce motion blur and improve the clarity of fast action content. JVC calls their system Clear Motion Drive (CMD). I never recommend anyone have it on when watching movies – it creates “soap opera” like video, changing the director’s intent. While motion processing normally isn’t required for 24P movie material, CFI can be beneficial when viewing sports. While I wouldn’t turn CMD on during normal HDTV viewing, except for sports content, you might like smooth motion effect more than I do. The nice thing is that JVC’s Clear Motion Drive includes multiple settings so you can dial in the effect to suit your personal taste. The lowest setting does a little more smoothing than some but is still relatively subtle. While I would usually turn all 3 settings to “OFF” I did set the Clear Motion to “low” with little soap opera effect.

MULTIPLE PIXEL CONTROL

This JVC new proprietary video processing technology lets you both sharpen very sharp portions of an image while further softening softer, out of focus areas, to add “Expressiveness” as JVC calls it. There are two setting presets which are “Standard” and “High-res.” There are also manual adjustments so you can also finetune the effect to suit your taste.

Since I am a picture purist I did not spend much time playing with the feature. I just turned the effect settings down to “0” or stuck with the Picture Modes to default values. While I believe you should never stray too far from the creator’s intend features like MPC, CFI, and various “Super-Resolutions”, dynamic sharpening are attempts to improve on the source material to make up for the flaws in the video content. It is up to each user to determine whether they find the effect pleasing or useful.

3D READY

For many owners upgrading to new projectors who already have 3D libraries, it is important to note that while most new 4K HDR Flat panels do not support 3D many new projectors from manufacturers including JVC, Sony, and Epson are 3D ready. It is nice that NX7 still supports 3D because users can still take advantage of the content they paid for.

Since I didn’t receive an optional JVC 3D Synchro Emitter (PK-EM2) and a pair of PK-AG3 3D Glasses, I didn’t get the chance to evaluate the 3D performance of the DLA-NX7. The EM2 uses radio frequency, which is almost always better than IR based systems, because moving your head to the side doesn’t cause the signal to drop out.

The last JVC we reviewed had respectable 3D but with a bit more artifacts than say a Sony or Epson. My understanding is JVC has continued to improve their 3D, even though I didn’t test it, I would recommend the PK-EM2. 3D may or may not have improved since I last tested, but either way, it should be fine for most.

Since 3D, like HDR demands a lot more brightness than standard 2D non-HDR content. (3D calls for about 3X the brightness of 2D) you would probably use every bit of the NX7’s claimed 1,900 lumen brightness. With the introduction of 4K HDR, 3D has become a secondary issue for most projector people so 3D performance of this JVC should be acceptable.