JVC RS440 / 540 / 640 projectors

[schugh]

Hello, new member here. I currently have an Epson 6030 for 4 years which I continue to enjoy but am ready to step up to 4K and HDR. I have a dedicated room with no windows but the walls are not dark. The ceiling is the standard white and walls are some shade of brown almond along that line. The screen is 123" Stewart Cima.

I only use it for watching movies on disc. The occasional Netflix if I'm in the mood.

I've pretty well decided it will be the RS440 or RS540. But I just can't make up my mind between them.
Of course I understand the RS540 will be better but I am not a critical viewer and am wondering if it would be better for me to save the $1000. Will I really notice the difference in the blacks etc? Actually it's not something I think about even when watching standard BRDs on my Epson. Maybe I'm answering my own questions, I don't know.

Still does anyone have any advice? The emotional side says get the 540 and be happy but the brain says get the 440.

One additional technical question if anyone can answer.
My Epson has a dynamic contrast of 600,000:1. From what I understand the native contrast of the RS440 is 40,000:1 which translates to maybe a dynamic contrast of 400,000:1. Doesn't this mean my Epson should have slightly better blacks? Or is that not how it works?

[AVSMike]

440 has been discontinued for quite a while. JVC did not even have any 540's for a loing time, but we have some 540's coming in this week.

[AVSMike]

Looks like RS540's will be end of life pretty soon. Great projector for the money. 

[DavidHir]

Looks like RS540's will be end of life pretty soon. Great projector for the money.

Will JVC still be making parts (such as panels, etc.) for eshift unit repairs?

[Dylan Seeger]

Will JVC still be making parts (such as panels, etc.) for eshift unit repairs?

I'm fairly certain, by law in most countries, they're forced to keep repair parts in stock for a number of years.

[AVSCraig]

Isn't it 7 years in the US ? 

(a) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of not less than fifty dollars ($50) and not more than ninety-nine dollars and ninety-nine cents ($99.99), shall make available to service and repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the repair of a product for at least three years after the date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the three-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product.

(b) Every manufacturer making an express warranty with respect to an electronic or appliance product described in subdivision (h), (i), (j), or (k) of Section 9801 of the Business and Professions Code, with a wholesale price to the retailer of one hundred dollars ($100) or more, shall make available to service and repair facilities sufficient service literature and functional parts to effect the repair of a product for at least seven years after the date a product model or type was manufactured, regardless of whether the seven-year period exceeds the warranty period for the product.

[Dylan Seeger]

Yup, Craig! I think in some other countries it's 10 years.

[AVSMike]

Parts should be around for a lot longer than pretty much anybody on this forum keeps their projector.  

[AVSCraig]

Parts should be around for a lot longer than pretty much anybody on this forum keeps their projector.

Well, I still talk to folks using RS1's from 2007 / 2008 ! 

[DavidHir]

I'm fairly certain, by law in most countries, they're forced to keep repair parts in stock for a number of years.

I'm trying to recall the details exactly, but when my engine block deteriorated in my 60" SXRD RPTV (which was three years old) Sony offered me $300 or the opportunity to buy a discounted LCD.  This was part of the class action lawsuit against them regarding the matter with these TVs.  I don't know if they were offering engine block replacements, but perhaps there is a way around it with some other form of "compensation".

[Dylan Seeger]

I'm trying to recall the details exactly, but when my engine block deteriorated in my 60" SXRD RPTV (which was three years old) Sony offered me $300 or the opportunity to buy a discounted LCD.  This was part of the class action lawsuit against them regarding the matter with these TVs.  I don't know if they were offering engine block replacements, but perhaps there is a way around it with some other form of "compensation".

My guess is that this was the cheaper option for them to offer. I'd imagine that they still had to offer repair if the customer really wanted it.

[AVSMike]

My guess is that this was the cheaper option for them to offer. I'd imagine that they still had to offer repair if the customer really wanted it.

Yeah, but I don't think repair solved the problem, since they did not have parts for that TV that did not still have the problem.

[DavidHir]

It turned out to be a decent value in a way.  I ended up buying a 46" LCD for $400 (which was normally selling at $800) and gave it to my girlfriend's daughter to play video games...she is still using it today.  If I recall, the other option was a mid range 60" LCD at a much higher price...closest they could come to my 60" SXRD size.  I ended up buying a 65" ST30 Panasonic plasma at that time which smoked the SXRD even with a good engine block.  

[Schwa]

It turned out to be a decent value in a way.  I ended up buying a 46" LCD for $400 (which was normally selling at $800) and gave it to my girlfriend's daughter to play video games...she is still using it today.

I got the exact same deal and still have the 46” CCFL-backlit LCD in my “mother-in-law” room!

[AVSMike]

Looks like we are at the end of the road for the RS540. Today, JVC said to stop taking any more orders for this projector.