D-ILA Technology by JVC

The First Steps...

Developed by the Hughes-JVC Technology Corporation, the D-ILA process has now been included in the new range of video projectors produced by JVC. The following machines - DLA G11, DLA G15, DLA-S15G, DLA-M15U, ILA-200G and DLA-M4000LU all use the same procedure for video processing. The manufacturers are thus clearly showing their intentions, hoping in the short term to flood the computer and Home Video markets in proposing this new generation of products.


D-ILA Technology

The D-ILA system ("Direct-Drive Image Light Amplifier") is based on a light amplifier managed by a unique chip with a size of 0.9 inches. This downsized chip is supplied with light via a signal emitted and transported by a lamp associated with a polarised prism. The chip, which manages the digital processing of the image, disposes of a high density of pixels (1.4 million) and an important aperture coefficient. As a result, the addition of these elements procures a remarkable efficiency in terms of luminescence, able to attain 4000 lumens ANSI on some machines.

These complementary elements allow performances (luminosity and resolution), that are markedly higher than traditional LCD, whose architecture can hinder tiny parts of the light source and as a result, degrade the image, the artefacts being generated by the structure of the LCD.

Furthermore, it should be noted that the perfect vertical alignment of the liquid crystals integrated in the layer of D-ILA allow the projection of an image with much better quality contrast and colour than average.


Xenon Lamp

JVC have also included a Xenon lamp in their latest models.

[A reminder: a Xenon lamp is made up of a bulb of reinforced glass, encapsulating two electrodes and Xenon gas. This element, only recently put on sale to the general public, is nevertheless not in its infancy, because it equips the greater part of all cinema projectors.]

This lamp provides a stronger intensity and thus constitutes a much more luminous source – perfectly white. It also assures extreme precision in the colour scale and in saturation, maintaining moreover a highly stable colorimetric temperature during the entire life span of the lamp (1000 hours) - as opposed to UHP lamps, whose performance slips with time.

In addition, as is now customary on a greater part of video projectors, the user disposes of functions such as an indicator of the remaining life of the lamp, or an automatic Stand-By mode, which guarantees security and economy.

Above all, it’s worth mentioning that the lamp is designed and placed in such a way as to allow the user him or herself to change the element at any moment, without having to pass by the after sales service department.


Correction and reformatting of signals

Developed in parallel with the D-ILA project by the JVC laboratories, the Correction Gamma Digital functions on a digital rate of 10-bits. This provides a scale of greys as well as a colorimetric reproduction with a coherence which is singularly more precise than with most diffusion procedures. In any case, the manufacturer associates a conversion circuit (DPC) with this tool, allowing for the projection of images in XGA “expanded” (1024 x 768 pixels), S-VGA (800 x 600 pixels) and VGA (640 x 480 pixels), not to forget S-XGA with point-to-point precision (1280 x 1024 pixels).


Simplicity of Installation and Adjustments

Given the large number of positions that can be envisaged (ceiling, table, etc.), all the versions proposed offer multiple configurations, whether it be on the floor, table, ceiling, or even inverted as in frontal or rear projection.

The inclusion on all models by the brand of a “Quick Start” interface allows all the adjustment menus to be managed by the OSD. Designed for simple and efficient use, it allows the user to start the machine up virtually instantly once it’s plugged in.

Finally, the mono-lens concept allows for a big saving on convergence adjustments, while the power of the zoom and the focus greatly reduce the constraints of projector framing. Moreover, the keystone adjustment (included on all machines) is undertaken electrically, as is the case with other lens adjustments.