FREE “Theater Optimizer” from JVC

For the second time in two years JVC is combining a new Theater Optimizer smart function with their proven Frame Adapt HDR to JVC’s Native 4K and 8K e-shift projectors features to further improve the outstanding HDR picture reproduced by them. This new feature is a free firmware upgrade (Version 3.50) released in November 2020 on JVC models: DLA-NX5/7/9 and DLA-RS1000/2000/3000.

The Problem

In nearly all instances, HDR content looks terrible on home theatre projectors, especially when compared to a flat panel displays, be it LCD or OLED. HDR content on most projectors appears way too dark with crushing blacks and bright highlight details that are clipped to oblivion  

The Solution

JVC was one of the first companies to introduce intelligent HDR tone mapping in their projectors (originally starting with scene-by-scene HDR tone mapping, followed by a free firmware upgrade to the more accurate frame-by-frame HDR tone mapping).  

The main reason why tone mapping exists is to adapt the brightness found in HDR content to fit the limited brightness of a display. A flat panel TV’s brightness is consistent regardless of the room environment. However, the brightness of a projected image changes depending on things like the size of the screen, screen gain, throw distance, and lamp life. To precisely tone map, the projector’s processor needs to account for its exact brightness capability in your specific system.

Making The Solution Even Better

This month, JVC announced that they are adding even more precise HDR tone mapping to their RS-Series and NX-Series projectors called Theater Optimizer  

JVC’s new Theater Optimizer combines information provided by the user with the unit’s current status in order to provide a more accurate baseline on which it can apply Dynamic Tone Mapping (based on the Frame by Frame analysis provided by the previous firmware update)

The user inputs information on things like screen size in 16:9 and gain while the projector knows its lens zoom position (this is especially great for anybody who uses Lens Memory), lamp usage hours, and other relevant settings. Using this information, the projector automatically and more precisely adjusts for optimum tone mapping and brightness. This is an approximation, of course, but it’s still the best educated-approximation algorithm available on the market. In fact, this is the only scheme that takes screen size and gain into consideration. All other approximation algorithms on the market only based their calculations on lamp-hour only. 

Theater Optimizer and Frame Adapt HDR result in great looking HDR10 content while eliminating the hassle of having to constantly make manual Brightness and Contrast adjustments from bright to dark scenes or from movie to movie. That’s based in watching several HDR scenes on 5 different home theatres using JVC RS1000, RS2000 and RS3000  

Because of the Theater Optimizer, the new firmware also updates the projector’s menu layout and adds additional settings. For example, you may want to sometimes make some adjustments if you are going to look at your HDR content, Frame Adapt HDR now features five Brightness Level Steps instead of the old three. This results in a smoother and more accurate rendition of the HDR adaptations  

There are some additional improvements listed in the JVC press release:

• New CONTENT TYPE menu, which displays usable Picture Mode based on each input signal.
• A function which automatically switches to the optimal Color Profile according to the color gamut information of the content (Rec709, BT2020, etc)
• Added AUTO.PIC.MODE SELECT which switches the projector to the desired Picture Mode based on the input signal type (SDR/3D/HDR10/HLG)
• A new dedicated picture mode for Panasonic’s Ultra HD Blu-ray player DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray player.
• Improved JVC Calibration Software (not tested)

JVC Home Theater projectors also support HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) to ensure that users are ready for future live HDR broadcast and YouTube. HLG is based on a Gamma curve just like SDR, it does not need to be tone mapped by the projector.

Since most HDR10+ and Dolby Vision content are either backward compatible with or available in HDR10, JVC projectors also support HLG so you should be able to enjoy 99% of HDR content available on the market now and in the future.

Imagine, I used to upgrade my projector every year because there is always a big improvement or two that I want to have. Thus far, JVC have given their audience not one but two major improvements. These, to me, are equivalent to two major projector purchases!! 

Get the JVC NX5/7/9 or RS1000/2000/3000, and you’ll get the best performance projector, bar none, again and again without the need of constantly upgrading your projector.