JVC DLA-NP5 4K Projector Ships March 2022

For those of you that want the performance of a JVC projector, but can’t swing the high prices of the newest laser offerings, JVC has news for you. Today at CES 2022, they announced that the new JVC DLA-NP5 (and its sister, the DLA-RS1100) 4k projector will ship in March. This is their only lamp-based offering for the year and it rounds out the newest projectors from the company. Let’s take a closer look.

JVC DLA-NP5 Important Features

JVC has a laundry list of features of the DLA-NP5. Here is a bullet-point breakdown of what we think are important:

• Price: $7k ($4k less than the least expensive laser offering)
• Dual HDMI 2.1 inputs supporting HDCP 2.3, 48Gbps, and 4k/120 (no 8k/60 support)
• HDR support – HDR10 and HDR10+
• Dynamic Frame by Frame tone mapping
• Auto Picture Mode Select
• 1900 Lumens brightness

JVC DLA-NP5 Feature Overview

If that bullet-point list isn’t enough, let us explain. The JVC DLA-NP5 shares the same lens with all but the top tier laser offerings. This means you get motorized zoom, lens shift, and focus. The panel is 4k native so you don’t have to worry about any pixel shifting to create a 4k image. The JVC DLA-NP5 has nearly the same brightness as the NZ7 laser offering (2200 compared to 1900 of the NP5).

What’s particularly exciting is the futureproofing of the offerings. The JVC DLA-NP5 can accept a 4k/120 signal and is compatible with the latest version of HDCP (2.3 at this printing). While it can’t accept an 8k/60 signal (it can’t display it anyhow), it can output 4k/120 natively. This should make gamers wanting a very big screen very happy.

Most importantly for those that care about the very best picture is the inclusion of JVC’s Frame Adapt HDR and Theater Optimizer features. These can take the raw HDR signal and tone map it frame-by-frame for the most dynamic color possible. While, in theory, HDR10+’s metadata should create the same picture, too often the metadata isn’t correct. Frame-by-frame dynamic tone mapping often gives users the best picture.

Lastly, the JVC DLA-NP5 projector will remember your setting for each type of picture more. So SDR (2D), SDR (3D), HDR, and HLG will only have to be set once. After you calibrate for each of these picture modes, the projector will remember your settings. Very convenient!

Our Take

Sure, laser-driven projectors seem like the new hotness that everyone is talking about. We get it. But the JVC DLA-NP5 shares the same lens and lens features as the laser-driven DLA-NZ7. It has the same frame-by-frame dynamic tone mapping. It can display 4k/120. Plus it is nearly as bright and has the same native contrast. All that for $4000 less. While it might not have the cache of a laser projector, you’ll certainly have a lot more cash in your pocket.