JVC DLA-RS15 Projector - Image Quality1

Posted on October 10, 2013 by Art Feierman

Shadow Detail Performance

Not the best but very, very, good is how I describe the DLA-RS15's dark shadow detail abilities.

The RS15, may not match the best at revealing dark shadow detail, but it is close. It's definitely better than the Epson 8500UB which I use as a reference, as a projector who's shadow detail performance is acceptable, yet still below other projectors. When compared to projectors with excellent dark shadow detail, the RS15 is close. Definitely closer to the best, than to the definitely acceptable Epsons.

In other words. It's fine. Next!

And Consider this: Regarding dark shadow detail, working against the JVC RS15 are its inherently excellent black levels. That means that the same near blacks on the JVC will be darker than on a projector with inferior black level performance. That also means that the detail may be there, just harder to see, simply because it's darker. I've owned the older RS20 for almost a year, and have no problem with JVC's dark shadow detail performance.

All that said, the RS15, isn't quite in the same league in blacks as my RS20, or the RS25. As a result, it's dark shadow detail is actually a little better than the more expensive JVCs.

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Below, InFocus SP8602 on the left, JVC RS15 on the right. The $5000 InFocus is definitely one of the RS15's direct competitors. Look to the trees and shrubs on the far right, beyond the train tracks.

The first set of comparison images is from Space Cowboys. This is a very dark scene with Clint Eastwood on Blu-ray disc. The photos are intentionally way overexposed. Look for the blacks in the shades, and the details in those shades in the form of the white trim. (At this level of overexposure, don't even worry about the skin tones, as in these types of overexposed photos they always look terrible). I do mention elsewhere the slight green-blue in the dark areas. They are much exaggerated here, but you can see that the other projectors exhibit less green in the walls.

First image is the JVC DLA-RS25, then the Sony VPL-VW85, and the Mitsubishi HC7000. The last two in the sequence are the Panasonic PT-AE4000 and the Epson Home Cinema 8500UB.

JVC DLA RS15

VPL VW85

HC7000

PT AE4000

PT AE3000U

8500UB

Again, from Space Cowboys, this is a cropped image. The right side is very bright (so dynamic irises will not be effective). The DLA-RS15 (top left) shows very respectable shadow detail in the dark areas of the satellite. Next to it on the first row, is the Epson Home Cinema 8500UB/Pro Cinema 9500UB, Those images are followed by the Optoma HD8600 and the Sony VPL-VW85 (second row). The third row is the Mitsubishi HC7000 (left), and the Sony VPL-HW15.

JVC DLA RS15