Something Old, Something New, Something Red, Green and Blue

I have this déjà-vu feeling that I've reviewed this projector before. And in some ways, I have. Much of this projector is very similar to the VW70 I reviewed last year, which itself was similar to the VW60 and the 50 and so on.

Each generation, though, has had notable and noticeable improvements, each a step up from its predecessor. The new VW85 brings us a big jump not just in contrast ratio or brightness, but in resolution.

The best gear of the year, as picked by the editors of Home Entertainment.

Going Pro

There’s a new top pick in Epson’s already-crowded 3LCD projector line.

The Pro Cinema 7500UB utilizes the company’s most advanced imaging technologies and has its most thorough assortment of features, yet it carries a price tag of just $4,199.

Leave the lights on

If you’re considering a front projection system for your home theater but don’t have a dedicated light-controlled environment to put it in, you may want to check out one of the new high-contrast screens like Screen Innovations Black Diamond II.

Using a special screen design, these screens minimize ambiant light while still giving you a bright and punchy projected image.

Three. Two. The One.

Aptly named after the mythological Greek sun god, the helios is outfitted with not one but two 330-watt UHP lamps. These can be operated in single- or dual-lamp modes according to light output requirements.

This flexibility affords a wide range of installation and usage options, including the ability to have the projector put out a sufficiently bright image that allows daytime viewing in a high ambient light environment or dropping light output by half or more for nighttime viewing.

Real Wide Screen and No More Black Bars

One of the most common questions I get is about the black bars that appear above and below the image with many movies.

After all, a spiffy new HDTV and Blu-ray player will banish the black bars we had with DVDs and old TVs, right? Nope.

But with the right projector, screen, and lens, you can have CinemaScope in your home.

And no more black bars.

The Sony VPL-VW70 does black, it does bright, it does color and above all, it does it quietly.

I’m not sure how Sony does it, but it seems like with each new generation of projector, they somehow make them quieter.

This is kind of like saying, walking barefoot on moss was quiet, but not walking barefoot on moss is even quieter.

The JVC DLA-HD750 takes the DNA from its excellent predecessors and somehow improves on them.

Lets get this out of the way. There were only two things wrong with the predecessors of this projector: color and noise.

That was pretty much it, and to be honest, they didn’t get in the way. The image that the DLA-HD1, HD100 and various other siblings created was simply stunning, thanks to the highest native contrast ratio I’ve measured this side of a CRT.

And amazingly, the DLA-HD750 is even better.

Splendido Proiettore

“Hello, old friend”, I said to myself as we unpacked the Grand Cinema C3X 3-chip 1080p projector, which features the same gorgeous cabinetry of its 720p predecessor that we reviewed two years ago.

Unlike last time, when that earlier review sample showed up on my doorstep via overnight delivery, this latest model was hand-delivered by SIM2’s affable and knowledgeable Alberto Fabiano.

Bringing a Splash of Art Home

ArtScreen, from Vutec are more than just pieces of artwork.

In fact, each one serves a dual purpose. ArtScreen products transform and cover everything, including LCDs, video projection screens, plasma TVs and speakers with beautiful art. They add a splash of color and flair of to any home’s décor palette.

But which one to choose?