The world of premium home theater has evolved dramatically in recent years, with laser projectors now representing the gold standard for image quality and longevity. Let's compare two standout options: the JVC DLA-NZ700 ($8,999) and Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 ($31,998), which represent different approaches to achieving home theater excellence.
Both projectors use reflective display technologies, but with different implementations. The JVC NZ700 employs D-ILA (Digital Light Processing by Reflection) technology, while Sony uses SXRD (Silicon X-tal Reflective Display). These are both variants of LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) technology, which combines the best aspects of LCD and DLP projectors.
The key difference lies in how they handle contrast and black levels. JVC's D-ILA technology has historically led the industry in native contrast, and the NZ700 continues this tradition with an impressive 80,000:1 native contrast ratio. This means that even before any dynamic adjustments, the projector can display very deep blacks alongside bright highlights - crucial for that true theater experience.
The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 offers higher brightness at 3,400 lumens compared to JVC's 2,300 lumens. However, raw brightness numbers don't tell the whole story. The JVC achieves 100% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space (the standard used for digital cinema), while the Sony reaches 95%. This means the JVC can reproduce a wider range of colors accurately.
In real-world use, both projectors are bright enough for most home theater applications. The Sony's extra brightness might be beneficial in rooms with more ambient light, but in a properly darkened theater room, the JVC's superior contrast ratio will likely provide a more impressive image.
Both projectors handle HDR content, but with different approaches. The JVC uses Frame Adapt HDR technology, which analyzes content scene-by-scene to optimize HDR presentation. This is particularly effective because HDR content can vary widely in how it's mastered.
Sony's XR processor takes a more sophisticated approach to upscaling and processing, which can be particularly noticeable with 1080p content. If you have a large library of HD content, this might be a consideration.
Gaming has become increasingly important for projector buyers, and both manufacturers have responded. The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 shows impressive gaming chops with just 9ms input lag at 4K/120Hz, while the JVC also supports 4K/120Hz but with slightly higher latency.
Both projectors support HDMI 2.1 features like Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which automatically switches to game mode when it detects a gaming console.
Installation flexibility can make or break a projector purchase. The Sony offers slightly more generous lens shift capabilities, which can be crucial in challenging installation scenarios. However, the JVC's more compact size might make it easier to place in some rooms.
Both projectors feature motorized lens controls and memory positions, allowing you to save different aspect ratios for various content types.
The price difference between these projectors is substantial. At $8,999, the JVC NZ700 represents excellent value in the high-end projector market, especially considering its performance. The Sony's $31,998 price point requires serious justification.
For most users, the JVC offers a better value proposition. Its combination of excellent contrast, accurate colors, and solid gaming support hits all the right notes for a modern home theater projector. The Sony's advantages in brightness and processing, while real, may not justify the significant price premium for most users.
Both projectors use laser light sources rated for approximately 20,000 hours of use. This means no lamp replacements and consistent brightness over the life of the projector. Both manufacturers have good track records for reliability and support.
Choose the JVC DLA-NZ700 if:
Choose the Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 if:
For most home theater enthusiasts, the JVC DLA-NZ700 represents the sweet spot of performance and value. Its class-leading contrast ratio and excellent color reproduction make it a standout choice for movie watching, while its gaming capabilities are more than adequate for most users.
The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 is an excellent projector with some unique strengths, but its price premium makes it a harder sell unless you specifically need its particular combination of features or have challenging installation requirements.
Both projectors represent the current state of the art in home theater projection, but JVC's more accessible price point makes it the more practical choice for most high-end home theater builds. The value proposition of the NZ700 is simply too strong to ignore, delivering 90-95% of the Sony's performance at less than a third of the price.
| JVC DLA-NZ700 | Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 |
|---|---|
| Price - Core consideration for value assessment | |
| $8,999 | $31,998 |
| Native Resolution - Determines basic image sharpness | |
| 4096 x 2160 (True 4K) | 3840 x 2160 (True 4K) |
| Brightness - Critical for room flexibility and HDR impact | |
| 2,300 lumens (good for dedicated theaters) | 3,400 lumens (better for rooms with ambient light) |
| Native Contrast Ratio - Key for image depth and realism | |
| 80,000:1 (class-leading performance) | Not specified (likely lower than JVC) |
| Color Gamut Coverage - Important for color accuracy | |
| 100% DCI-P3 | 95% DCI-P3 |
| HDR Support - Affects modern content playback | |
| HDR10, HDR10+, HLG with Frame Adapt | HDR10, HLG with Dynamic Tone Mapping |
| Gaming Features - Critical for modern gaming | |
| 4K/120Hz, moderate input lag | 4K/120Hz, 9ms input lag at 4K/120Hz |
| Lens Features - Impacts installation flexibility | |
| 1.6x zoom, ±28% horizontal, ±70% vertical shift | 2.1x zoom, ±36% horizontal, ±85% vertical shift |
| Light Source Life - Long-term ownership consideration | |
| 20,000 hours (laser) | 20,000 hours (laser) |
| Processing Technology - Affects image quality and upscaling | |
| Frame Adapt HDR, MPC | XR Processor, Superior upscaling capabilities |
| Physical Size - Installation consideration | |
| 17.75" x 7.25" x 18.87" (more compact) | 18.13" x 8.38" x 20.38" (larger) |
| Weight - Installation consideration | |
| 32.2 lbs | 31 lbs |
| Warranty - Purchase protection | |
| 3 years parts & labor | 3 years parts & labor |
The JVC DLA-NZ700 at $8,999 offers significantly better value than the Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 at $31,998, delivering comparable performance in most areas at one-third the price.
The main differences are brightness (Sony: 3,400 lumens vs JVC: 2,300 lumens), contrast ratio (JVC leads with 80,000:1), and gaming performance (Sony has lower input lag).
The JVC DLA-NZ700 generally offers better picture quality with superior contrast and black levels, though the Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 has advantages in brightness and upscaling.
The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 has superior gaming performance with 9ms input lag at 4K/120Hz, making it the better choice for serious gamers.
Both projectors feature laser light sources rated for 20,000 hours of use, which equals about 10 years of typical viewing.
The Sony BRAVIA Projector 9's higher brightness (3,400 lumens) makes it better suited for rooms with ambient light compared to the JVC's 2,300 lumens.
Yes, both the JVC DLA-NZ700 and Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 support true 4K resolution (3840x2160) and HDR content.
The Sony offers more generous lens shift capabilities, making it more flexible for challenging installations, while the JVC is more compact and lighter.
While both projectors perform best in controlled lighting, the Sony's higher brightness makes it more versatile in varying light conditions.
The JVC DLA-NZ700 is generally better for movies due to its superior contrast ratio and black levels, providing a more cinema-like experience.
Both handle HDR well, with the JVC DLA-NZ700 using Frame Adapt HDR and the Sony BRAVIA Projector 9 using Dynamic Tone Mapping. The JVC's superior contrast gives it an edge in HDR performance.
The JVC DLA-NZ700 offers excellent value at its price point, while the Sony's significantly higher price makes it harder to justify unless specific features like gaming performance or installation flexibility are crucial.
We've done our best to create useful and informative comparisons to help you decide what product to buy. Our research uses advanced automated methods to create this comparison and perfection is not possible - please contact us for corrections or questions. These are the sites we've researched in the creation of this article: simplehomecinema.com - soundapproach.com - jvc.com - projectorreviews.com - valueelectronics.com - youtube.com - crutchfield.com - stereonet.com - projectorcentral.com - manual3.jvckenwood.com - projectorcentral.com - worldwidestereo.com - formovie.com - electronics.sony.com - sonypremiumhome.com - thesonyshop.ca - crutchfield.com - youtube.com - valueelectronics.com - greatsoundsav.com - pro.sony - skybygramophone.com - avsforum.com - projectorcentral.com - projectorscreenstore.com
