Audio Video News

JVC announced a number of new additions to its lineup of video displays at January's CES. But the company showed at an off-site hotel and there just wasn't time to get to it. At a recent event in the Los Angeles area JVC exhibited its new models for dealers and the press.

The new JVC flat panel line will consist of five models, all of them LCDs. Three 768p HDTVs will arrive in May, in 26-, 32-, and 37-inch (diag.) sizes. The prices range from $1399.95 for the 26-inch LT-26X787 to $2499.95 for the 37-inch LT-37X787.

Two JVC 1080p flat panels are expected in July, at 40-inches (the LT40FN97, $3799.95) and 46-inches (The LT-46FN97, $4599.95).
JVC's Genessa 32-bit CPU handles all video processing and scaling chores for all inputs, converting all incoming source material to the panels' 1080p native resolution. (JVC's press release states that it "up-scales any video source to display at full high-definition 1080p, which is patently misleading.) These 1080p models feature two component inputs, two HDMI inputs, a computer input, and two IEEE 1394 ports.

Perhaps more interesting for big screen fans are JVC's updated HD-ILA rear projection sets. Three of the sets, at 56-, 61-, and 70-inches, employ native 1080p D-ILA technology. A dynamic iris, new this year, has been incorporated into all of theses sets to lower the black level and improve shadow detail. As with the 1080p flat panel LCD sets, each of these 1080p HD-ILA designs offers two component inputs, two HDMI inputs, a computer input, and two IEEE 1394 ports. The sets will be available in July at the following prices: the 56" HD-56FN97 for $2799.95, the 61" HD-61FN97 for $3799.95, and the 70" HD-70FN97 at $5499.95.

All of JVC's new 1080p designs will accept native 1080p sources at their HDMI inputs.

In addition, three new JVC 720p HD-ILA models arrived in stores in March, at 52-, 56-, and 61-inches. This series tops out with the HD-61G787 at $3499.95. New this year in the 720p models is a multi-step (but not dynamic) iris.