The JVC DLA-NZ8 builds on what JVC has already done so well with the previous NX series by adding new features such as HDMI 2.1 and bringing solid state laser light sources to more affordable offerings—all while maintaining what we have come to expect from JVC’s excellent picture quality and contrast.

For about $6,000 more you get better brightness, better contrast, e-shiftX which can deliver an 8K image resolution and better colors due to the projector’s support for Wide Color Gamut. Everything else is practically the same. Are these enough for the extra price? That’s really up to you to decide.

Positioned in the middle position in JVC’s line of 8K laser home theater projectors, the DLA-NZ8 lays claim to the status of the sweet spot by offering greater picture brightness, substantially higher static contrast ratio and an innovative 8K/Optical Image Shift system than the entry-level DLA-NZ7. e-shiftX, which makes 8K images even more impressive and detailed. At the same time, we managed to offer a significantly lower price in comparison with the top DLA-NZ9 projector.

In terms of other features, there's the HDMI 2.1 inputs with support for 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz – the latter being good news for gamers, as is an input lag of 38ms. The projector is much faster at locking onto video signals, and changing the lens memory is quicker as well. There's an effective remote, intuitive menu system, and flexible installation – although anyone thinking of ceiling mounting should bear in mind that this beautifully engineered projector is extremely big and heavy. It's also expensive, although in fairness so is all of JVC's new line-up, and interestingly the NZ8 finds itself with no direct competitor. If you already own the DLA-N7 it's hard to justify the additional cost of upgrading, but if you want uncompromising performance, and you have deep enough pockets, this projector is the best in its class.

The JVC DLA-NZ8 isn’t cheap, but if you’re serious about home cinema you won’t find a better specified or more feature-packed 4K projector. The picture quality benefits from class-leading blacks, state-of-the-art HDR tone mapping, and cutting-edge 8K/e-shiftX processing. There’s also a laser light source with a very long lifespan, and HDMI 2.1 inputs for added future proofing.

This feature-packed 4K beamer delivers stunning images that benefit from class-leading blacks, state-of-the-art HDR, and cutting-edge 8K processing. A laser light source offers longer life, while HDMI 2.1 adds future-proofing; but the JVC DLA-NZ8 is a serious projector with an equally serious price.

Peerless performance, long-life laser lighting and unrivalled features make JVC's DLA-NZ8 the 4K HDR projector to beat in its class.