JVC-DLA-RS4200-NZ900-8K-Laser-Projector-Review

JoeRod

5/27/24

JVC DLA-RS4200/NZ900 8K Laser Projector Review

There is nothing more exciting than the start of Summer except the start of Summer with new projectors launching! Having just had the 4100/NZ9 hanging very recently from my ceiling, I was not sure how the 4200/NZ900 was going to compare? Was it going to be more or less the same or was it going to redefine the market like last time? I will say it lands somewhere in between which is still saying a lot considering the large amount of success the 4100/NZ9 has had. Let’s dive in!

Looking at the specs and highlights above it's easy to grab the main reasons why the 4200/NZ900 leaps over the the previous models. The third generation Laser Bluescent light source is rated at 3300 lumens. Depending on your screen size it can make a difference. More importantly is the noise or I should say lack thereof. I just for fun ran the Laser at 100 and I could barely hear it. Those that know me know that I have been a huge Sony fan for the past decade. Well, this new JVC gen matches or even possibly surpasses Sony. I am thrilled to not hear it (for the most part) since that was the main complaint I heard (no pun intended.) Native Contrast is now increased to 150k. Very impressive! And it "shows" on your screen! Another Sony offering being offered this round is the new VIVID picture mode. I was able to watch Luka hit a game winning three pointer to keep the Mavs rolling in the playoffs and the image was spectacular. I tried a few football highlights which were very reminiscent of my past Sony models. That is the biggest compliment I can give. I am very excited for football this Fall...

As if those weren't enough reasons to jump in right away the image processing is definitely better. The 4200/NZ900 is sharper! The cool aspect of me being able to do this quick Review is having the other projectors to compare. Watching movies with real-time comparing has helped with being able to make my official statements. Of course those are my opinions based on my own eyes. Well, mine and my guests. I have had five different people here who have all came to the same conclusion as mine...

Let's not forget the all glass lens. This makes a world of difference with the 4200/NZ900 as it also did with the previous models. The corner to corner 8K resolution insures you will have a sharper, more detailed image, across your entire screen. Jumping right in with a few Movies we firsthand could see the difference...

The very first movie we watched was Civil War. This one proved rough on the nerves but did have plenty of eye shocking moments which just made our jaws drop. Some night time driving scenes showed vivid fires in the nearby forests and cities. There was also really detailed flyovers which made us feel like we were at an air show. Reference moments for sure! The Fall Guy was a fun action thrill ride with the perfect amount of comedic moments. We really liked it! The image was very crisp (as was the soundtrack) but close-ups showed every single pore on the actor's faces. This movie had exquisite detail in every scene. Then Sunday we landed on Godzilla Kong The New Empire. Kong's face just had so much detail. We could see individual hairs! Godzilla's rugged body also showed how much detail they put into the graphics in this one. Sound was also well done. Then on Memorial Day we decided to watch Twister with one of our all time favorites Bill Paxton. This one was in HD. This was a fun test to let the JVC upscale it. Terrific job! Then of course we watched the trailer to the new Twisters coming soon... Great Movie weekend!

From my 4100/NZ9 Review: "Let's take a quick minute to discuss the remote. I am so used to the Sony remotes but will say the JVC is very nice as well. It is easier to see the backlit white on the JVC that's for sure. It is well laid out and has the direct buttons to some of the most needed options. For example Picture Mode, CMD, MPC e-Shift 8K, the Advance Menu, Hide feature and of course gamma and Lens Control are there as well as a couple others. As you can see from the pic it is a nice remote that gets the job done!"

Some notable settings that I prefer which are very much like the 4100/NZ9... Natural picture Mode to my eyes out of the box give the best image for movies. I did play around with User 1 some. I again, prefer High-res 1. This time like mentioned above I really like the Vivid picture mode for Sports. This has been long overdue and I am so happy JVC listens! JVC's Frame Adapt HDR function, which uses a proprietary algorithm to instantaneously analyze the maximum brightness of any HDR10 content per scene or per frame and perform real-time tone mapping to optimal dynamic range for video projection, has evolved into the second generation (Gen2). The algorithm for tone mapping has been fully reexamined to achieve HDR images with higher definition. Furthermore, the proprietary algorithm for tone curve selection has also been improved to reproduce HDR images that are brighter, more colorful and have a wider dynamic range. I do have a MadVR Envy MK2 which does all of my heavy lifting but I am going to have to say the newer JVCs have closed the gap between them even more. They are getting on their heels but of course an Envy is capable of so many other video adjustments and cool features. Just don't be surprised if one day sooner (like the next gen of JVCs) they have caught up to high end Video Processors. At least where DTM is concerned...

VIVID picture mode is sensational. Colors pop and the improved image processing really comes through nicely. It's easer to make out footballs, baseball, basketballs and hockey pucks as they are in full motion during their respective games. Helmets, grass (or turf) and uniforms were very reminiscent of the Sony models the past few years or more. I have a XW6000 here so I was able to do some quick comparisons. The 4200/NZ900 passes Sports with flying colors! Way more so than the previous gen.

3D, which far too many owners will never experience looks amazing. I am using a combination of JVC glasses and Hi Shock. I'm still using an Oppo 203 4K/3D Blu-ray player mainly for 3D titles. I've recently sold off the vast majority of discs in our house. We either Stream or use the Kaleidescape.

EQUIPMENT USED FOR ALL OR PART OF THIS REVIEW:

JVC NZ900, JVC NZ9, Sony XW6000ES, Kaleidescape Movie System, madVR ENVY Extreme MK2, Stewart Studiotek 144 ST100 16:9, McIntosh MX180, Marantz AV10, Apple TV 4K 2023, NVIDIA Shield Pro, ROKU Ultimate 2020, Datasat RA7300 Amps X 2, DirecTV 4K, Oppo UDP-203 4K Player, Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Ultra Blu-ray player, Furman Elite-20 PFI, Monster Power HTS 5100, AC INFINITY Component Coolers, Speakers: MARTIN LOGAN ILLUSION Center, IMPRESSIONS (Left and Right), VANQUISH (HEIGHTS & ATMOS & Top), AXIS (Backs), Subwoofers- Martin Logan BalancedForce 212 X 2, Seatcraft Equinox Seating with Sound Shakers, Remote: Harmony 1100, HARMONY ELITE. Cables: Audioquest shorter HDMI cables top to bottom. Audioquest (Cinnamon) and (Cherry 48)...

Worth mentioning that the same mount bracket works with the newer models as well! Also, I wanted to point out that the focus setting is even easier to get to the optimal sharpness sweet spot. I felt I had more push in the direction on the remote to get there. Lastly, I have not had a single HDMI issue using the Audioquest Cherry Cola 48. It's worth every penny because of that!

In my comparison I discussed if the NZ9 and the XW7000 were ever to mate we would have the best damn projector ever made. It would be the very best of both worlds. Well, JVC must have read that and decided to take that thought serious. They also went one step further adding even better DNA like from a high-end Video Processor to make it even more formidable. I used to tell everyone the past few years, if you're more into scary or sci-fi movies the JVC with its amazing, inky black levels (think night scenes and shadow detail) is the way to go. If you're more into Sports like football then Sony is your best bet. Also, if you're 50/50 with Movies and Sports then go Sony. Not anymore! The new JVC 4200/NZ900 is the closest can get today of having the absolute best of both worlds. If you remember JVC had released in very limited amounts, their 25 year anniversary special edition model. It was over the 4100/NZ9. The new 4200/NZ900 makes you feel as if you might now have it. Well, besides the cool jacket of course! I would say with the new Vivid mode it surpasses it. I said the previous flagship models not only raised the bar but reinvented it. In the intro I said the new JVC models landed somewhere in between a little and a lot better. Well, the more time we spend watching different material the more our eyes are seeing it differently. If you factor in that the MSRP is staying the same as the previous models, which came out over two years ago, it's looking a lot better. The previous NZ9/4100 models with their game-changing designs combined with the new 4200/NZ900 next level impressive features makes them very intoxicating. My inner eye candy extremist has never been happier! Success breeds followers and the new NZ900/4200 will have them in droves...

We are pleased to announce Dallas is going to be taking Xeljanz by Pfizer. It is the first FDA-approved pill of its kind, (JAK inhibitor) that treats moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. It was one heck of a struggle getting him approved since he is the first (we are told) in the United States taking it for FOP. We were denied a couple times then almost went to court then we were approved only to be denied again on a clerical error. Thankfully between Dr. Ballinger’s office and Optum Pharmacy we have it on the way! The Russian study we have seen shows zero flares and 31 percent more mobility in the patients taking it. Plus other amazing FOP parents from different countries have reached out to us. Dallas is already down to just 25% range of motion in his left arm so this could not come at a better time to try. Sometimes doing nothing is doing harm and Jax and I do not want 5 years to go by and this be considered the absolute best treatment for FOP and we passed. With all his current flare-ups on his back and now shoulder it’s time to at least try something else. With tolerance ratings graded as “good” and no severe adverse events registered we have nothing to lose. As I type this Dallas is chasing our big golden doodle Cooper around the house. We can only pray Xeljanz will help him to always be able to play with him….

Yes, I checked out JAWS 1 and 2 as well...