JVC HD-61887 HD-ILA RPTV

Unique Features

So on to the subject of this review––the 61"JVC HD-61887. As I mentioned earlier, HD-ILAis JVC’s unique take on LCOS, and this set uses a 3-chip HD-ILA system with a 1280 x 720 resolution set up in a 16:9 array. It also has JVC’s Genessa picture processing that now includes sharpness and noise reduction as well. This television is the largest in its 720p RPTV line,but there is also the 1080p line that has a 1920x 1080 HD-ILA array. There is a 70-inch unit in that, but you pay for the extra resolution, as the 61-inch model retails for $5,500. With the advent of 1080p high-definition DVD players,the 1080p television would be my choice, but it is hard to argue against the bang-for-the-buck afforded by this particular model. 

The JVC is a clean and handsome unit: From the front, it is hard to tell that it is not a Plasma,as it is perfectly flat and has a thin frame, and the speakers are in a small array underneath. It has to be put on top of a cabinet or a stand, and JVC also has a completely black model that I would probably prefer, as it would make the surround fade even more into the background.At 185⁄8inches deep, it fits on top of a normal entertainment cabinet without a problem, and at 95 pounds, it is easy enough for two people to maneuver into place. 

Installation/Setup/Ease of Use

Connectivity is excellent, with not only the normal Composite and S-video inputs (who uses these?), but also two Component and, more importantly, two HDMI inputs. I used a Time-Warner Scientific Atlanta 8300HD box hooked up via a Tributaries HDMI cable, and the Krell DVD Standard hooked up via a Tributaries Component cable. The cable box was set up to provide a 480p signal for regular television,and a 720p signal for high-definition viewing. 

The remote control for the JVC is standard television fare, also able to control other various components. It is a good remote—clearly labeled with large buttons—but it still has too many buttons, and they could be slightly better laid out. It is partly backlit, but the most annoying thing about it is the lack of direct input buttons. You have to cycle through the video inputs, which is way too slow of a process, as it takes the JVC about two seconds to lock into an input. The setup menu is fairly straightforward, allowing for the various picture and color controls (for which I used Video Essentials to calibrate). At first, I let the television run-in for about 24 hours straight, and then started watching it. This set does have a built-in HD tuner,as well as CableCARD capability. 

Final Take

The JVC has a very bright picture, and is easily able to overcome bright rooms. I started by watching regular analog television, and I must say that it took very little effort to calibrate this television right out of the box. The colors were on the hot side of natural, but not so much that it was truly bothersome. The television definitely displays a pincushion effect with non-widescreen programming—something that is really easy to see when the cable box guide is brought up. In that 4:3 mode, the picture is significantly pinched in the middle, and spreads outward, toward the top. From what I know,this is an issue with the lens itself and cannot be corrected. 

The picture processing for analog television is fairly good, but you do have to sit farther away from the television to appreciate it. The resolution is not fantastic (I really wished for the 1080p set at this point), and sitting too close causes blockiness, and some ghosting of images. There were definitely a number of artifacts with analog processing, showing that the internal processing was not necessarily the best.On the plus side, the picture was quite good when watching high-definition programming,and although it was not the clearest and sharpest resolution I have ever seen, the picture was very bright and extremely good for sports programming. This is a fabulous set for watching an HD football game, and your house will be-come the place to watch the Super Bowl. 

Switching to movies shows some limitations of the black level—a problem that is not exclusive to the JVC, as many fixed pixel displays have this issue. I had to find the balance be-tween black level and shadow detail, and I always prefer to have the highest black level that I can get. Even after calibrating the television this way, it was more than bright enough—even in a well-lit room, though definitely not in the suntan-causing arena.

Using the Krell DVD Standard through the Component inputs again showed some of the internal processing weaknesses of the JVC. The Krell is simply a superb unit putting out a fantastic, crisp 480p signal. The JVC is not the most convincing at upscaling this signal to 720p, eliminating some of the picture’s crispness and clarity. I would highly recommend using an HDMI upscaling DVD player (which are now common and inexpensive) with the JVC.  

I would also highly recommend this television with sources that use the HDMI inputs, and those that can upscale internally. Although this television does have flaws with internal processing and black-level detail, it is very hard to argue with a picture this large, this compellingly bright, for such little money. Those as picky as I am may end up buying one of the 1080p units,but I could easily live with this JVC on a daily basis.

Specifications

61" Rear Projection HD-ILA 16:9 Television 3-Chip DILA System (1280 x 720) ATSC/QAM/NTSC Tuner 2 HDMI/HDCP Digital Inputs; 2 HD Component Video Inputs; 2 S-Video Inputs; 4 A/V Inputs (1 Front, 3 Rear); RF Input V-Chip Built-in Speakers with Virtual Dolby Surround Dimensions: 573⁄8" (W) x 411⁄8" (H) x 185⁄8" (D) Weight: 95 lbs. Power Consumption: 205 watts Power Consumption/Standby: n/av MSRP: $3,800 JVC www.jvc.com