As reported on below by Shane Buettner, JVC launched another new pair of video projectors, DLA-RS2 and the DLA-HD100. Both are essentially identical, apart from separate distribution channels: consumer for the RS2 and pro for the HD100. The RS1 and HD1 remain available.

It would have been nice to be able to compare the RS1 and RS2 directly, but the setup did not allow for this. The RS1 was also using a Panamorph anamorphic lens on a 2.35:1 screen while the RS2 was operated normally on a 16:9 screen. An auxiliary lens will reduce the contrast level slightly, even if it results in no distortion or other optical aberrations. While the RS1 showed no obvious losses from the extra lens, it would, theoretically at least, slightly exaggerate the claimed contrast benefits of the new RS2. And the new projector is said to offer twice the already impressive contrast of the RS1, even on an equal playing field!

I thought the program material limited the demonstrations a bit. A movie trailer, even on Blu-ray, is often slightly compromised compared to the same scenes in the movie itself. The RS2 did exhibit the same, slightly lighter corners that are visible in the RS1 when it displays a full black screen such as in fadeouts between scene.

But these are quibbles. Both projectors looked outstanding. My time watching them was severely limited by the need to move on to another press conference, but I plan to spend more time with them before the show is over. And, hopefully, more time with the RS2 in a full review. My current reference projector is the RS1, so a direct comparison will definitely be possible at that time.