JVC DLA-NZ500 Native 4K Laser Home Theater Projector

The JVC DLA-NZ500 brings JVC's native 4K D-ILA technology and laser illumination into a compact projector designed for serious home theaters.

With three native 4K D-ILA imaging devices, a 2,000-lumen BLU-Escent laser, 40,000:1 native contrast, Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR and a newly designed 80mm fully motorized lens, the NZ500 delivers the deep blacks, image depth and natural cinematic presentation that have made JVC projectors a favorite for dedicated theaters.

For someone who wants true native 4K JVC performance without stepping into the larger NZ800 or NZ900 platforms, the NZ500 is a great place to start.

True Native 4K D-ILA

The NZ500 uses three 0.69-inch native 4K D-ILA devices with a native resolution of:

4096 × 2160

There's no pixel shifting required to create its 4K image.

JVC's latest D-ILA devices improve pixel flatness and alignment while maintaining the high native contrast that is one of the biggest advantages of the technology.

The result is a detailed image with excellent dimensionality and smooth, natural reproduction.

40,000:1 Native Contrast

The NZ500 delivers:

40,000:1 native contrast

JVC's dynamic laser control can further adjust light output according to the image and completely shut down the laser during a full-black frame for an Infinity:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

But native contrast is what really matters during actual movie scenes.

Better black levels give an image depth. Dark scenes retain detail instead of looking washed out, while bright objects have greater impact against a genuinely dark background.

That's one of the reasons JVC remains such a strong choice for a properly designed dedicated theater.

2,000-Lumen BLU-Escent Laser

The NZ500 uses JVC's BLU-Escent laser light source to produce up to:

2,000 lumens

Expected laser life is approximately:

20,000 hours

Light output can be adjusted across 101 individual steps, allowing the projector to be precisely matched to the screen size, screen gain and desired brightness of the theater.

Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR

HDR is particularly challenging for projection because movies are mastered for displays capable of brightness levels that a projector can't reproduce.

JVC's Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR addresses this by analyzing HDR10 content scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame and dynamically adjusting tone mapping around the projector's available dynamic range.

The NZ500 also uses DML and MaxCLL metadata when determining HDR levels.

Instead of applying a single fixed tone curve to an entire movie, the projector continually adapts to the content being shown.

Deep Black Tone Control

JVC's Deep Black Tone Control works with Frame Adapt HDR to improve reproduction of the darkest portions of HDR images.

This helps preserve gradation and shadow detail in difficult scenes while taking advantage of the NZ500's native D-ILA contrast.

HDR10, HDR10+ & HLG

The NZ500 supports today's major HDR formats, including:

• HDR10
• HDR10+
• HLG
• Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR
• Deep Black Tone Control

HDR10+ provides dynamic metadata on a scene-by-scene basis, while JVC's own Frame Adapt HDR provides dynamic tone mapping for conventional HDR10 material.

Newly Designed 80mm 4K Lens

JVC equips the NZ500 with a newly designed 80mm 4K-compatible lens using:

• 15 lens elements
• 11 groups
• 1.6× motorized zoom

The lens is designed to maintain the resolution of the native 4K D-ILA devices across the entire screen.

Fully Motorized Lens

The NZ500 provides fully motorized:

• Focus
• Zoom
• Lens Shift

Lens shift reaches:

• ±70% Vertical
• ±28% Horizontal

Throw ratio is:

1.34–2.14:1 for 16:9

This gives a professional installer substantial flexibility when determining projector placement.

Lens Memory & CinemaScope

The NZ500 can store five installation modes.

Stored settings include lens control, pixel adjustment, masking, anamorphic settings, screen adjustment, installation style, keystone and aspect ratio.

That makes the NZ500 a strong option for theaters using a 2.35:1 or 2.39:1 CinemaScope screen, where different settings can be recalled for widescreen movies and conventional 16:9 content.

The projector also supports anamorphic modes for systems using an external anamorphic lens.

Vivid Picture Mode

The NZ500 includes JVC's Vivid picture mode for SDR material.

It's designed to provide brighter, richer color for content such as animation and other SDR programming where a more dynamic presentation may be preferred.

Filmmaker Mode

Filmmaker Mode is also included for viewers who want to minimize unnecessary processing and preserve a presentation closer to the creator's original intent.

Professional Calibration

The NZ500 is ISFccc certified and supports JVC's Auto Calibration system.

Professional calibration can optimize:

• Color balance
• Gamma
• Color space
• Color tracking
• Screen characteristics

A 6-axis Color Management System also provides individual adjustment of red, green, blue, cyan, magenta and yellow.

HDMI Connectivity

The NZ500 provides:

• 2 HDMI inputs
• 32Gbps data rate
• HDCP 2.3
• 4K/60p input support

This provides the connectivity needed for modern UHD movie players, streaming devices, media servers and AV processors.

Built for Professional Integration

The NZ500 is ready to become part of a professionally integrated theater.

Control capabilities include:

• Control4 SDDP
• LAN / IP control
• USB backup of installer settings

That means the projector can operate as part of a complete theater system rather than as a standalone component.

Compact New Chassis

JVC redesigned the optical unit, lens and circuit board for this generation, resulting in a chassis approximately 35% smaller than the previous DLA-NZ7.

The heat exhaust has also been moved to the rear, improving installation flexibility.

At just over 32 pounds, the NZ500 is considerably easier to incorporate into a theater than many traditional native 4K projectors.

Key Specifications

• Display Technology: 3-Chip D-ILA
• Native Resolution: 4096 × 2160
• Native 4K: Yes
• Light Source: BLU-Escent Laser
• Brightness: 2,000 Lumens
• Laser Life: Approximately 20,000 Hours
• Native Contrast: 40,000:1
• Dynamic Contrast: Infinity:1
• HDR: HDR10, HDR10+, HLG
• Dynamic Tone Mapping: Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR
• Deep Black Tone Control: Yes
• REC.709 Coverage: 100%
• Color Depth: 12-Bit
• Lens: 80mm, 15-Element / 11-Group
• Zoom: 1.6× Motorized
• Focus: Motorized
• Lens Shift: Motorized
• Vertical Lens Shift: ±70%
• Horizontal Lens Shift: ±28%
• Throw Ratio: 1.34–2.14:1 for 16:9
• Screen Size: 60"–200"
• Installation Memories: 5
• HDMI Inputs: 2
• HDMI Bandwidth: 32Gbps
• Maximum 4K Input: 4K/60p
• HDCP: 2.3
• ISFccc Certified: Yes
• Auto Calibration: Yes
• Control4 SDDP: Yes
• Fan Noise: 23dB
• Dimensions: 17-23/32" W × 7-5/32" H × 18-7/8" D
• Weight: 32.2 lbs.
• Warranty: 3 Years Parts & Labor / First-Year Advanced Exchange

NZ500 or NZ700?

The NZ500 gets you into JVC's native 4K laser platform while retaining many of the technologies found in the NZ700.

Both offer native 4K D-ILA, an 80mm motorized lens, Gen2 Frame Adapt HDR, Deep Black Tone Control, HDR10+, five installation memories and the same compact chassis.

The NZ700 steps up primarily in two important areas:

Brightness: 2,300 vs. 2,000 lumens
Native Contrast: 80,000:1 vs. 40,000:1

For larger screens or a theater where maximizing black level and HDR performance is the priority, the NZ700 is the logical step up.

For more moderately sized dedicated theaters, the NZ500 delivers the core JVC experience at a more accessible point in the lineup.

Experience the JVC DLA-NZ500 at The Grid HiFi

The Grid HiFi is your JVC projection and private cinema expert in Houston, Texas.

Getting the projector right is only part of getting the theater right.

Screen size, screen material, gain, throw distance, seating distance, room dimensions and ambient light all affect the image you ultimately see.

The Grid designs the entire cinema as a system.

We can properly specify the DLA-NZ500 for your room, calculate projector placement and screen size, select the right projection screen, integrate your AV processor and sources, and professionally install and calibrate the completed system.

We can also design the immersive audio system and integrate Control4 automation, lighting control, motorized shades, theater seating and architectural acoustic treatments into a complete private cinema.

Contact The Grid HiFi for JVC DLA-NZ500 demonstrations, system design, professional installation and calibration.