The JVC DLA-HD750 takes the DNA from its excellent predecessors and somehow improves on them.

Lets get this out of the way. There were only two things wrong with the predecessors of this projector: color and noise.

That was pretty much it, and to be honest, they didn’t get in the way. The image that the DLA-HD1, HD100 and various other siblings created was simply stunning, thanks to the highest native contrast ratio I’ve measured this side of a CRT.

And amazingly, the DLA-HD750 is even better.

When I say highest contrast ratio, I don’t mean “this one’s good, but that one’s better.” I mean “this one’s good, but that one’s fraking gorgeous.”

Still, despite the truly amazing contrast ratios, HD1 and HD100 weren’t perfect. The color, for one, was an issue. The color points were quite over saturated. Everything was a little too colorful. While not objectionable to most, this wasn’t, shall we say, reference.

Then there was the noise. The HD1 came out at a time when projector companies were spreading their focus to other aspects of the projector experience, like audible levels of noise. Certain companies, like Mitsubishi and Sony, revealed projectors that were so quiet as to be more unobtrusive than projectors had ever been. Well, not so much with the JVC’s.

But that image…

So here we have the first major redesign of the line. The new cabinet has graceful curves that are far prettier than its forbears; there is a trick lens cover that slides in and out. They’ve even added an iris! (Well, sort of). But most of all, it’s quiet.

Real quiet. Hunting rabbits quiet. So quiet in fact, that I can’t tell which is quieter, this or the stunningly quiet Sony VPL-VW70. I guess I’ll give it to the Sony only because the JVC has a little more of a high-pitched whine to its sound, but really, I’m splitting hares (look at that, a pun!).

THX'd

The HD750 has been worked over by the minds at THX, a process we have written about. Their handiwork is perhaps most evident in the picture mode labeled — wait for it — “THX.” In this mode, the projector takes on a different feel, one of a professionally calibrated display.

The color temperature goes to 6500K, the gamma gets changed, and perhaps most significant, the color points change. They go from pretty-but-oversaturated to pretty close to accurate.

I like accurate.

What I don’t like is the electronic nannying. Once you get into the THX mode you are locked out of several picture functions like gamma and color temperature. This is unnecessary and rather patronizing.

What if we want nearly everything the THX mode has to offer, but want a different gamma? It’s our projector, why shouldn’t we be allowed to change it? It’s not like the theater this is going into is going to be THX-certified itself. Worse, this lockout doesn't allow you to adjust or fine tune the color temperature —  something that needs to be done as all screens are slightly different.

Other picture modes allow you to mimic the THX mode however close (or not) you want, but being locked out of menu settings rubs me the wrong way for some reason.

All is forgiven

I’ll live, because the picture is simply fantastic. The incredible contrast ratio is still the name of the game, putting just about every display to shame (in some ways, even the vaunted KURO plasmas).

The depth and punch to the image really is that much better than other displays.

Sure, products like Sony's VW70 are getting closer, but JVC is still a step beyond. When the screen goes black for a moment, say between scenes in a movie, even in a dark room, it looks like the projector is off.

In addition to the two lamp modes, there is a 16-step iris to fine tune the light output to your screen so you can have the absolutely deepest blacks, regardless of screen size.

You may not be able to tell (or perhaps mind) the difference between 16 foot-Lamberts and 11 foot-Lamberts in a dark room, but a corresponding drop in black level will be noticeable.

The color points, at least in the THX mode, are much closer to accurate than previous models, though they're still not precisely "accurate."

Detail and noise levels (the video kind) are excellent.

It can resolve a 1-pixel on/off pattern. With 480i content, lots of detail is pulled from the image and the 3:2 sequence is correctly identified.

A great scaling DVD player, or external scaler, may help a little but not a lot. With 1080i, the HD750 deinterlaces correctly and picks up the 3:2 sequence with nary a hitch.  

Not to be left off the 2.35:1 wagon, there is a mode to vertically stretch such content.

A few piffling issues: The remote’s amber color is straight out of 1985 and the sound the lens cover makes when it opens or closes is straight out of Norelco. That’s about it. Seems like a tough projector to live with, doesn’t it?

In case your local dealer doesn't have the DLA-HD750, its twin is the DLA-RS20. The only difference is gold trim to the 750’s silver.

The DLA-HD750 is one of the best projectors on the market. There are a few areas where its direct competitor, the Sony VPL-VW70, has a lens up. But really, it all comes back to that contrast ratio. Mmmmm, contrast ratio. Can't be beat.

PRICE: $7499.95
CONTACT: 800.252.5722, jvc.com