JVC throws out the iris but still achieves 10,000:1 contrast ratio

Most projectors claim to have a very high contrast ratio along the lines of 10,000:1 - 15,000:1 reach this number with an adjustable iris. The aperture changes size and allows for light to flood in and out, but JVC has taken the conventional design and kicked it to the curb. Their design doesn't utilize a dynamic iris but can still achieve the highly sought after contrast ratio of 10,000:1. We don't know how they did it and we really don't think they are going to tell us in detail as this is a feat of technology -- that's if it looks and works good. This model is currently just a prototype and there isn't any word of product just yet although we are sure if this system works like they say, we will see this guy sometime soon.

[via HDBlog]

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2006 2:43PM]

From JVC U.S. PR Rep: A prototype of this projector was shown off-site at CEDIA, and a press release was issued noting our plans to market it in the U.S. No price has yet been set, but it will be priced below $7,000. P.S. -- It's a 1080p projector.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2006 6:38PM]

Maybe they are modulating the light (oh-no, an original thought not). There is a heck of a lot more than just quoting figures. For instance, it is not surprising a lot of the marketed values can only be achieved through either severe calibration or accepting a departure of what America uses for its light temperature value. Japan is using something more inclined to 9000K while we typically calibrate to 6500K.

Let us know what you find out and when you find a person on the planet, no the known universe, that actually achieves the marketed value.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 26th 2006 11:01PM]

My guess is that they are modifying the gamma table in real time. Since they are not using an iris, and they are certainly not modifying the light directly, this is all that makes sense. By modifiying the gamma table they can bias the granularity of response (accuracy withing a smaller dynamic range) as well as the overall response to achieve accurate, high dynamic range modulation of the output signal. This would be very clever if this is what they are doing.

[(Unverified) Posted Sep 27th 2006 2:23AM]

It seems that JVC developped new DILA panels and this wonderful high contrast result has to see with it :)