CEDIA: LG, JVC and Sony debut LCoS-based 3D front projectors

New 3D projectors, which promise the most theater-like viewing experience, continue to be big news at this week's CEDIA trade show. LG Electronics, JVC and Sony all debuted their first models, all of which use LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) optical engines. They join the new 3D models from Mitsubishi and Runco that we reported on yesterday.

Based on what we've seen so far, it looks like $5,000 is the entry point for 3D projectors, although most models will cost considerably more. Here's the breakdown of the latest 3D projector announcements:

Sony
Sony's first 3D projector is the VPL-VW90ES, priced at $10,000. The 1080p projector, which works with active shutter 3D glasses, uses Sony's LCoS-based SXRD technology, and includes a 240Hz frame rate, plus auto-iris technology that adjusts the aperture based on onscreen content. The VPL-VW90ES will be available in November, and comes with a built-in sync transmitter and two pairs of active shutter glasses, which also work with the company's 3D LCD TVs.

The JVC DLA-X7 front projector.
Photo: JVC

JVC
JVC announced six new 3D-enabled 1080p projectors—three in its Professional products group and three in its Consumer Electronics group (Procision-series DLA-X9, DLA-X7 and DLA-X3 products), which will be our focus here (features are comparable). All use JVC's LCoS-based D-ILA optical engine, feature a dynamic iris, a 120Hz frame rate, and come with two 3D-capable HDMI 1.4 inputs. In addition, all support the frame-packing (Blu-ray), side-by-side (broadcast) and top-bottom 3D formats, and use an external sync transmitter, which is optional on some models.

All the new 3D projectors will be available in November. The flagship DLA-X9 model ($12,000) has a higher contrast ratio, comes with two pairs of active shutter 3D glasses, and has a 3-year warranty. The step-up DLA-X7 ($8,000)—like the X9, a THX-certified projector with a more advanced color management system—has a higher claimed contrast ratio than the entry-level DLA-X3 model ($4,500). Both come with a 2-year warranty, and you have to buy the active shutter 3D glasses ($180 per pair) and sync transmitter ($80) separately.

LG Electronics
The company's first 3D projector, the $15,000 CF3D, works with lightweight passive polarized, rather than active shutter, 3D glasses. The projector, which uses an LCoS-based optical engine, is a single-lens model (unlike Runco's passive polarized model, which has two lenses) capable of throwing a 100-inch image when mounted about 10 feet from the screen. It includes a 120Hz frame rate, 3D-capable HDMI 1.4 inputs, and comes with six pairs of passive 3D glasses. Like other projectors that work with polarized glasses, it requires a special silver screen.

We'll be keeping our eye out for additional 3D projector announcements, especially those offered at lower prices, or models that will work with passive polarized glasses, which have until recently only been available in theaters. While we'd love to shed the bulkier active shutter glasses, given the high projector price and the need for a special silver screen, it looks like going the polarized route will be expensive for some time to come.

—James K. Willcox