JVC shows first 8K e-shift native 4K projector at IFA 2018... and it looks fantastic

Had there been an award for best projector demonstration at IFA 2018, JVC would probably have won it. The brand used the Berlin tech show to unveil a new generation of native 4K projectors, including the world’s first home theatre model able to project an 8K image.

There are three models in the new range. Headlining is the DLA-NX9, the world’s first 8K e-shift projector, with support for two native 4K models, the DLA-N7 and the DLA-N5. They will be available from October, with distribution through Invision UK.

Demonstrations of the DLA-NX9 at the show were stunning. The model combines 8K e-shift pixel shifting with a 100mm diameter 18-element, 16-group all-glass lens to ensure high resolution into the extreme corner of the screen. Five special low dispersion lens suppress chromatic aberration and bleeding.

JVC uses a variety of techniques to reduce light scattering and light diffraction to improve brightness and black level. Even on a very large screen there was no visible pixel structure.

JVC’s newest 0.69 inch native 4K D-ILA device has a3.8 ㎛ pixel pitch. 8K e-shift technology doubles the resolution of the projector by shifting pixels diagonally by 0.5 pixel, and applies Multiple Pixel Control, to create an 8.8 million pixel (7680 x 4320) image.

The DLA-NX9 also boasts Auto Tone Mapping to maximise HDR10 content by automatically adjusting settings based on the HDR10 mastering information MaxCLL (Maximum Content Light Level) / MaxFALL (Maximum Frame Average Light Level). 

All three models use a UHP mercury lamp. The DLA-NX9 is rated at 2,200 lumens, while the DLA-N7 and DLA-N5 are 1,900 lm and 1,800 lm respectively. There is compatibility for BT2020 wide colour gamut and 10 bit gradation.

Native contrast on the DLA-NX9 is cited at 100,000:1, which translates to a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 1,000,000:1. An Intelligent Lens Aperture automatically controls the black level. The DLA-N7 is 80,000:1/ Dynamic 800,000:1, while the DLA-N5 is native 40,000:1/ Dynamic 400,000:1.

Both the DLA-NX9 and DLA-N7 adopt a new cinema filter, which claims to achieve a wide colour gamut beyond DCI-P3.