JVC HD-Z70RX5 rear projection television

Upside

JVC's aimed straight at the large end of the rear pro market with their new HD-Z70RX5, a 70-inch model that trumps the largest screens its competitors have to offer (such as the 62-inch Toshiba 62JM9UA or the 60-inch Sony Grand WEGA KFWS60S1). The JVC is also available in a smaller 56-inch model for AU$6999.

The widescreen set features JVC's proprietary D-ILA projection technology, which has been in use in JVC's high end projector range for a few years now. D-ILA has similarities to both DLP and LCD rear pros -- DLPs in that it's a transmissive technology (where light is reflected off liquid crystal chips) and LCDs in that three chips are used to create an image (one for each primary colour). JVC says D-ILA avoids the pitfalls of both DLP and LCD -- it supposedly has no 'screen door' effect that can occur with some LCDs and doesn't have the 'rainbow' effect that can happen with DLPs. We'll have to wait until we see a review unit from JVC before we concur.

What the HD-Z70RX5 definitely does have is some impressive specs, including a 1280x720 pixel high resolution screen, HDMI capability, two component inputs, a 20W speaker system and more. With a standard silver and black finish, the design of the television is understated rather than stylish, and measures in at 1626 x 1167 x 519mm (WxHxD) and weighs 72kg.

Downside

We're starting to sound like a broken record here, but what do we consumers have to do to get high definition digital tuners to be standard in high definition sets? An analog tuner, particularly at this size, will just look plain average.

Outlook

JVC's certainly got the price right for this model -- at AU$8799, the HD-Z70RX5 is only about AU$1000 more expensive than the 60-inch Sony offering, plus it gives you 10-inches more of screen real estate. The HD-Z70RX5 is scheduled for release this November.