Review: JVC NZ9 8k Home Theater & Gaming Laser Projector

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Third Time’s The Charm

While the NZ7 and NZ8 are no joke, the DLA-NZ9 is JVC’s 3rd generation laser projector and flagship model of their brand-new NZ series which includes a lineup of 8K, 3 D-ILA chips, single laser Home Theater and Gaming projectors which feature dual 48 Gb HDMI2.1 HDCP2.3 inputs to handle the next generation of UHD content and a low latency mode to enhance your gaming experience.

In short: These projectors are ready to handle whatever movie, show, or game you want to throw at them. Trust us, Donkey Kong looks amazing on this thing.

NZ Series of JVC Projectors

(Left to right) NZ9, NZ8, NZ7

The History Behind JVC

JVC was established in Yokohama, Japan in 1927. They have a rich history of innovation and firsts, like the world’s first VHS format video recorder (suck it, Beta Max).

Currently, JVC ProHD cameras are professional monitors that are used at broadcast and network TV facilities. JVC projectors have also been the top choice in cockpit and control tower simulators for training commercial airline or fighter pilots for the US military. There’s no better scenario for realism and fast response than those.

Fit & Finish

The NZ9 is a beast of a projector, but it has to be to pack in all of these incredible features. Its dimensions are 19 11/16” W x 9 7/32”H x 20 13/16” D and weighs 55.7lbs.

It’s so big that most standard universal brackets can’t handle its weight or mounting pattern (which is 337mm by 290mm). So, you must get a beefier bracket to hang it properly.

Please keep that in mind when you’re looking into hanging it in your theater. Safety first, use all the right hardware. You only want it to SEEM like everything is falling around you in a movie.

Connections

The NZ9 has two 48Gbps HDCP2.3 HDMI 2.1 inputs, one RS232 input (to connect to an automation system to get the highest level of control), one USB for service and upgrades, one RJ45 for network, one 1/8” 12volt 100 mA trigger output (to help drop down a screen for a mixed use room), and one 3D synchro to connect an optional 3D emitter making it one of the few projectors that still does 3D!

Specs

The NZ series has three 4K Direct Image Light Amplification chips which are JVC's Liquid Crystal On Silicon (or LCOS) technology and their 3rd generation Single BLU-Escent laser. The JVC NZ9 boasts an incredible resolution of 8192 x 4320 (using the JVC proprietary 8K/e-shiftX technology with 4-direction shift reproduces 8K-quality images) shown through an 18 element, 16-group 100mm all-glass lens assembly in a full aluminum barrel.

As JVC manufactures their D-ILA chips, they test them for quality and capability. The higher rated chips end up in the higher-level projectors, and the NZ9 gets the top 1% produced.

8k e-shift
JVC DLA-NZ9 D-ILA Premiere Laser 8K Home Theater and Gaming Projector
JVC DLA-NZ9 D-ILA Premiere Laser 8K Home Theater and Gaming Projector

Gaming and Movies

The JVC NZ9 is primed for the next generation of gaming consoles and immersive cinema experiences handling up to 8k/60p and 4K/120p signals and everything in between. Just make sure you are using an HDMI 2.1 cable, so you have the speed you need for maximum resolution. Your cable must be rated for 48 Gbps otherwise you’ll be losing out.

The NZ series is ready for gaming. It handles the highest resolutions while offering Low Latency mode down to an estimated 3-6 frames to reduce your latency for traditional gaming consoles, and your high-powered gamer PCs.

Color Profiles/Picture Modes

Picture Modes include Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) and High Dynamic Range (HDR). With HDR it’s capable of the following video formats: HDR10+ / HDR10 (with Standard HDR10, frame adaptive HDR, or Panasonic’s exclusive HDR Optimizer) and HLG.

HDR10+ is a dynamic format and is being used on more and more Ultra HD discs as well as by streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Paramount+, Hulu and more. HDR10+ increases its candela per square meter (or NIT) from a range of 300-1000 nits to a solid 1000 nits and the color depth increases from 10-bit to 12-bit.

On the remote, you’ll have access to adjust and change the color profile and really take control of your experience and adjust the color profile to match what you’re watching.

Final Thoughts

This is JVC’s 3rd generation Blue Laser projector, which means they’ve learned a thing or two from previous models and have listened to you, the consumer, and adjusted and improved to match your needs, now and in the future.

Also, patience is key when it comes time to calibrate the NZ series. JVC is recommending 400 hours of use before you fine tune it to your room and do an ISF calibration.

Overall, the NZ9 will bring home the cinematic experience you deserve, while faithfully replicating the depth and brilliance of color that HDR is providing to the highest quality.

Your home will be the best theater in town, so I hope you’re charging admission!

Make sure to watch our full video above to learn all you need to know about the JVC NZ9 and to see an in depth comparison between the NZ9, NZ8, and NZ7.

JVC DLA-NZ9 D-ILA Premiere Laser 8K Home Theater and Gaming Projector

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