In a home theater world that's beginning to be dominated by solid state projectors, the JVC DLA-NP5 is an excellent example of how good a lamp-based projector can be. Both SDR and HDR performance are superb, especially when using Frame Adapt HDR or the new HDR10+ support JVC offers. And keeping their 3D support is sure to please a number of potential buyers. The drawbacks are few and minor (the remote can be a bit annoying during calibration and the auto iris can exhibit some pumping), though they include the expected extra cost from a light source that runs on lamps—$600 every couple years for a new lamp, depending on your viewing hours. That said, JVC has made yet another world-class projector that has a sharp 4K picture, deep blacks, and excellent HDR performance with JVC's Frame Adapt HDR.

With the high-end JVC models adding BLU-Escent laser light sources and also a pretty massive premium to the entry point, it is nice to have an option that offers much of the same features and performance attributes (certainly true of the NZ7), but bulb based instead of using the laser source. While £7,500 is still a fairly large amount of coin, it is certainly a more attainable level for many more users than the NZ models and you get superb image quality to boot.

To a home cinema newcomer the image of the NP5 is generally superb with a beautiful colorimetry and a native contrast still unequaled. As a veteran, I must admit that the magic did not take. I remain unsatisfied, golden key from the Award drawer left hanging around my neck, mainly because of an image that is too soft for my eyes, and to my ears an operating noise that is much too high in HDR mode (lamp high).

If you can’t afford one of JVC’s new laser projectors, this lamp model is a mighty fine back up plan