New 2017 JVC Models "Refresh" (RS420/520/620; X570/770/970)

[Dylan Seeger]

I went to a local home theater meet this evening. A local guy here owns an RS500 like me. He asked me if I could bring mine over to try out a stack setup to see how much better HDR would look with roughly double the brightness. When setting up the stack I noticed something odd. His RS500 seemed to appear more washed out than mine did. I didn't understand why until I looked at the lens. I could tell he had definitely "cleaned" it recently. I asked him how often he cleaned the lens and he told me he usually did it once every other month or so just to get the dust off of it. He said he was gentle using proper lens paper. But I could tell the damage was done. It was nothing obvious, but you could see what appeared to be a slight foggy-ness on the exit element due to what I assumed where micro-scratches from him cleaning off dust a dozen or so times since he bought it. The contrast on these projectors is high enough that even the slightest extra light scatter making it's way back inside the projector or even bouncing around the lens and then back on screen does visible damage with contrast in mixed-APL scenes. That's exactly what these micro scratches do. An all back image looked as dark as my RS500, but in other mixed content with both bright and dark elements his unit appeared more washed out when looking at those darker elements. I measured gamma just to be sure it wasn't related to that. I didn't mention anything to him as I don't think he noticed, but I definitely did as I was the one setting them up.

TL:DR - DO NOT TOUCH YOUR LENS if there is just dust on it. In fact, I'd go as far to say don't touch the lens unless there is something visible on screen due to stuck-on debris on the lens. It's just not worth it.

[AVSMike]

Yep, that is exactly what I have been telling people for years.

[woofer]

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TL:DR - DO NOT TOUCH YOUR LENS if there is just dust on it. In fact, I'd go as far to say don't touch the lens unless there is something visible on screen due to stuck-on debris on the lens. It's just not worth it.

Absolutely spot on advice!!

When i received my   2nd new JVC Z1  replacement , it somehow got contaminants on the lens during shipping ( see pic) .
When i notified JVC   , they promptly advised  NOT to touch or attempt to clean the lens. Instead they dispatched me "another"  new Z1 replacement.

[bmoney]

would using compressed air work?

[DavidHir]

I always knew how delicate lens coatings were from the days way back when I was into telescopes.  The general rule was don't clean anything unless you absolutely had to (something stuck that obstructs view, etc.).

I remember someone who had an RS57 posted in the classified section at the other site a while back who stated how he cleaned the lens every other month.  That was supposed to be a selling point.

[Dylan Seeger]

would using compressed air work?

I suppose that would be okay, but in reality I doubt enough dust would accumulate on the lens to make a visible difference in picture quality.

[AVSMike]

I suppose that would be okay, but in reality I doubt enough dust would accumulate on the lens to make a visible difference in picture quality.

Yep. I never used a manual lens cover on my projectors. A projector lens has an anti static dust coating on it. Even after several years of use, it did not have any affect on the image.

[DavidHir]

would using compressed air work?

Just don't hold it too close to the lens because of the hard force of the air.

I also seem to recall that there are contaminants in the can (or depending on the brand) which can come out in certain circumstances.  I would do homework on it if used.

But I really don't think anything is necessary.

 

[Dylan Seeger]

A lot of the canned air you find will have things like a bitterant chemical mixed in with the air so idiot kids looking to get high don't buy it.

[AVSCraig]

" Dust Off " compressed air should be fine. I've used it just to blow dust off the lens of various projectors. As previously stated, don't hold the can close. Don't shake the can either.

[DavidHir]

I really don't get Tom Norton's review ratings at S&V.

He gives the JVC X590 a 4/5 for performance and gives a 4.5/5 to the Epson 4000?    Maybe it's tied into price class, but still.

[AVSMike]

I really don't get Tom Norton's review ratings at S&V.

He gives the JVC X590 a 4/5 for performance and gives a 4.5/5 to the Epson 4000?    Maybe it's tied into price class, but still.

Yes, he needs to give an explanation of his rating system, because, I doubt even Epson would rate their 4000 as good as the JVC.

[AVSCraig]

It must be based on price categories. That would make sense.

[stridsvognen]

would using compressed air work?

I would never use compressed air, unless your 200% sure its clean, i seen to much stuff come out of air cans, and from compressors.

Using a rocket blower like the one you use for your canera sensor is my prefered tool.

[Harro]

I would never use compressed air, unless your 200% sure its clean, i seen to much stuff come out of air cans, and from compressors.

Using a rocket blower like the one you use for your canera sensor is my prefered tool.

First thing that I thought of was a enema dispenser. I guess dual usage if cleaned between usage.