[drummermitchell]

Anybody here using one of these jvc's, looking for your impressions of each.
Been reading up on the RS-60 and it seems(at least to AVS threads)that the JVC's have a lumens issue.
only after a few hundred hrs their losing around 30% light from their bulbs,anyone going thru this.
I;'ve talked to a few dealers and non of their customers have reported this(so the dealer says).
Anyone own one of these as I'm debating whether to buy one or hold off.

[ajzepp]

I've taken an interest in the JVC projectors too, and it's really gotten frustrating. I thought these were like the holy grail of projectors at their price points, but seems as though the threads (I read the AVS threads like you did) are full of red flags.

I'm looking to upgrade from my Mitsu 4900 in the next month or two and I dont know what to do. I'm leaning toward just keeping it a while longer, cause I don't pull the trigger until I feel confident in the purchase.

[Phil A]

Don't forget CEDIA is around the corner in September and many of the new projectors get introduced.  So whether you're looking for a new model or a deal on an old one it might be good to wait a few months at this point.

[Phil A]

Here is the timing of CEDIA - http://www.cedia.net/expo/index2011.php

[kingdeezie]

You have to take the AVS crowd's perspective differently then you would take the perspective of your everyday person. They see things everyday people wouldn't see.

I own a JVC RS-40. I decided not to step up the purchase since 3D is still young, and I felt I could still get a significant amount of performance from the 40; much better then my Epson projector that I had had for four years.

The picture quality of the 40 is awesome. The blacks are super deep, the colors look very natural, the contrast is excellent.

Have I lost some brightness 300 hours into the bulb? Yes. But, I have headroom built in. I project onto a 110 inch screen 1.3 gain screen close to the minimum throw distance. I move the brightness up to compensate for the loss and the picture still kicks ass.

I play video games on it, watch movies, and TV. The PQ is sweet, and for the price you can negotiate to get it for; its a true bargain.

JVC usually gets projectors released in November; but sometimes they are delayed significantly. I was on the pre order list at AVS, and it was well into February and I didn't get one. I found one from a local dealer much quicker; but the bottom line is waiting till CEDIA for announcements might not produce a projector as quickly after as you would assume.

I would recommend the JVC to other people.

[rahimlee54]

I have read a few of those threads over at AVS, but after my first projector and reading all the reviews, if it is good enough for Art over at projectorreviews then it is good enough for anyone.  After reading for months and comparing, I bought based on his recommendation and everything he said was spot on.  So when I finally break down and upgrade my projector I am going to get whatever he is recommending at the time.  He is saying the JVCs are the best around, then I believe him.  I have seen a couple of the JVCs and I couldn't really see any problems, but I didnt spend alot of time with them.  Each projector will have it's problems so you pays your money, you takes your chances. 

[ajzepp]

Isn't 300 hrs a short amount of time to be losing brightness? I don't use a projector as much as I used to, but I typically go through at least one replacement bulb during the time I have the machine. If the JVC bulb is five bills, that thing better last at LEAST 3000 hrs and still have a pretty darn nice looking image.

The quote the AVS folks gave me for the RS40 is right in the sweet spot, so I would have no problem dropping that sort of green on this thing. But with the stories of bulbs exploding, losses in brightness, ghosting with 3D, etc., it's enough to make me wonder if this is the projector for me.

But you guys are right, the AVS crowd are some serious videophiles...but at the same time, I don't know if there is ANYONE on the last five pages of the official RS40 thread that is saying something similar to, "wow, I love this projector!" lol

[kingdeezie]

I don't know what is normal for bulb depreciation or not; I don't worry to much about the bulb because in any event bulbs suck, and they all eventually fail; some sooner then others. My Epson 1080UB bulb gave me 1200 hours before I should have replaced it and the picture got too dim.

Expecting a bulb to last 3,000 hours is not realistic. Just because its expensive, doesn't mean it should be expected to provide longevity; its like brakes on a sports car; just because it cost thousands to replace doesn't mean its going to last 40,000 miles. Some things are expensive because they are of higher quality, not because they last long. While it can be argued that the JVC bulbs are going quicker then expected; so far IME, it hasn't been enough for me to not completely enjoy the picture quality.

The JVC RS 40 smokes my Epson 1080UB which I had before it, not contest.

A lot of the people on AVS are also repeat JVC customers, and were turned off by long lead times, as well as over expectation. They too are also used to the excellent JVC picture quality as well, and were also probably looking for more then they got.

Its not a perfect projector, but as of now, there is nothing on the market that can compete with it as a complete a total package in its price range.

3D is in its infancy stages; NONE of the 3D projectors, even the 15K LG projector have unanimously been praised as perfect 3D replication. The 10K Sony has terribly DIM 3D performance that is almost unwatchable.

Waiting for CEDIA might be your best option if you are not convinced, or are worried about potential issues.

I've had the projector since Febuary, and despite what the elite videophile might say about it; the picture is damn awesome, the projector looks super sweet, and I haven't had a minute of problem with it.

Dead Space 2 on it looks amazing; the deepest blacks I only thought possible on a plasma TV; its sweet.

 

[kingdeezie]

Isn't 300 hrs a short amount of time to be losing brightness? I don't use a projector as much as I used to, but I typically go through at least one replacement bulb during the time I have the machine. If the JVC bulb is five bills, that thing better last at LEAST 3000 hrs and still have a pretty darn nice looking image.

The quote the AVS folks gave me for the RS40 is right in the sweet spot, so I would have no problem dropping that sort of green on this thing. But with the stories of bulbs exploding, losses in brightness, ghosting with 3D, etc., it's enough to make me wonder if this is the projector for me.

But you guys are right, the AVS crowd are some serious videophiles...but at the same time, I don't know if there is ANYONE on the last five pages of the official RS40 thread that is saying something similar to, "wow, I love this projector!" lol

I went and read the thread on AVS...

There are quite a few issues that are floating around, but JVC has been taking care of people for the most part.

However, you are only focusing on the negative aspects in those threads. There are a lot of people talking about how great the image quality is....

One gentlemen commented how it bests his Samsung 58 inch 8000 series plasma, and I have to agree. I have the same TV as him in the family room for company and the kids, it came in second last year behind the Panny VT TVs for best new production mass market TV available.

The JVC equals its black levels, and produces an extremely natural picture in terms of color.

There are issues, but the projector itself offers great performance.

[ajzepp]

King: It's definitely refreshing to read your comments, so thanks for taking the time to do that.

I saw a couple of local a/v shops listed as dealers, so I was going to head over today on my day off to take a look at the JVC image. Unfortunately neither location has the projectors available, and one of them seems to be in the process of going out of business. 

The main reason I'm thinking a 3D projector might be the best way to go is due to the fact that so many 3D films have come to theaters in the last year. Two years ago there were hardly any, and then last year *bam* it seemed like everything was in 3D. So that basically means that when these titles hit BD, chances are they will have a 3D version. As I said above, I'm not 3D crazy, but it would be nice to have the option.

You know what's funny is that I seem to come across a lot of positive feedback for that <$1000 Acer 3D projector lol. I don't want to downgrade from what I have just to get 3D, cause my Mitsubishi still puts out a very nice image, but it's just funny that there is so much buzz about a budget machine, whereas people are super critical of the JVCs.

[drummermitchell]

Thanks for al the replies guys,after all the sifting I decided what's for me.
Yesterday I traded my DLA HD-250 for the RS-60 yesterday(got her for 76 tax incl. ).
So I got what I think was a pretty good deal.
Plugged her in last night just to set her up a bit.
Tonight I'll see what she can do.

[ajzepp]

That's a heckuva nice machine, DM! Congrats!  I hope you'll chime in and let us know what you think 

Also, can you comment on the 250 a little? Are you able to compare it to any other projectors you've seen? I've heard a lot of great feedback about it, and I have it on my short list.

[drummermitchell]

I had the HD-250 for about 4 months(160 hrs),I was awe struck(even right out of the box).
For 2995 I think she's superb.
That was my first projector,I have to say,having the HD-250 and then going to Cinemax to watch a few movies(on the curved screen).................THE JVC HD-250 is way better,I couldn't believe it.
Funny when you have a good machine and go out to just watch a movie,you really get to see what's really on the big screen.
I use a 16.9 106" flat dalite screen and I really like the(I should say)the pictures better on the HD-250
If I couldn't afford the RS-60,I'd definately keep the 250 ,but I traded up.

[ajzepp]

I had the HD-250 for about 4 months(160 hrs),I was awe struck(even right out of the box).
For 2995 I think she's superb.
That was my first projector,I have to say,having the HD-250 and then going to Cinemax to watch a few movies(on the curved screen).................THE JVC HD-250 is way better,I couldn't believe it.
Funny when you have a good machine and go out to just watch a movie,you really get to see what's really on the big screen.
I use a 16.9 106" flat dalite screen and I really like the(I should say)the pictures better on the HD-250
If I couldn't afford the RS-60,I'd definately keep the 250 ,but I traded up.

I know exactly what you mean, cause that's usually how I feel about the audio. The theater is obviously much louder than how I listen at home, but the sound quality can't compare to my Magnepan HT in terms of quality.

Thanks for the feedback about the 250...awe struck is a good thing