JVC DLA-NP5

JVC's latest projector doesn't need lasers to be brilliant

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The DLA-NP5 is JVC's most affordable D-ILA projector for 2022 and with the company's cheapest laser D-ILA models setting you back well into six figures, we have a funny feeling that interest in the lamp-based NP5, with its native 4K resolution, could be seriously high.

By using a lamp rather than lasers, JVC is able to sell the NP5 for 7.5 lakh. This compares with 711.99 lakh for the step-up, laser-toting DLA-NZ7. Sony's upcoming XW5000, which will offer a native 4K resolution and laser projection for a lesser price, looks set to give the NP5 some stiff competition. But if the NP5 can maintain the sort of contrast for which JVC's D-ILA technology is legendary, it could well still feel worth the extra.

No lightweight

The word that best describes the DLANP5 is brute’. It really is a substantial thing; half a metre wide by nearly halfa metre deep and, perhaps most strikingly of all, a seriously chunky 23cm tall.

Its bulk establishes right away that, despite its entry-level’ positioning, this is still very much a serious home cinema projector likely to find its way into a dedicated cinema room rather than a living room. It's not unattractive for all its heftiness, though, thanks to its rounded corners and heavy-duty finish. It’s just not living-room levels of attractive. It is, however, the only model in JVC's 2022 D-ILA range to be available in white or black colour options.

The DLA-NP5 is built around JVC's D-ILA optical system. This JVC-exclusive variant of liquid crystal on silicon technology has been renowned for years now for its ability to deliver black levels that other projector technologies still can't match today. There are no moving elements such as DLP colour wheels) involved with D-ILA technology either, so you don't have to worry about things such as rainbow-effect RGB striping, or fizzing noise.