Are JVC Televisions Good?

JVC televisions, particularly their LCoS-based projectors, handle motion differently than traditional film projectors. Film projection benefits from a “blanking period”—a shutter closing between frames—resulting in high motion resolution. Digital projectors, especially LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) models like those from JVC and Sony, lack this blanking period. They use a “sample and hold” method, updating only changed pixels without a black-out period. This limits motion resolution to around 300 lines.

Techniques like using a short-duration camera shutter during filming, as seen in “Saving Private Ryan,” aim to enhance motion resolution and clarity in fast-paced scenes. However, this added clarity can be lost when projected on displays without a blanking period due to inherent motion blur. This blur isn’t solely from the projector but also from the viewer’s eye perceiving the “sample and hold” display.

Motion interpolation (MI) technology can help mitigate this issue. A good MI system can significantly improve motion resolution, potentially restoring the clarity intended by filmmakers in action sequences. By doubling motion resolution, details lost in explosions and fast movement become more apparent. Advanced MI systems even allow for separate adjustments of motion clarity and smoothness, optimizing the viewing experience. The idea that MI is inherently flawed and should be avoided is often counterproductive, especially in home cinema setups.