Panamorph DCR-J1 Anamorphic Lens System Installation Guide
- June 11, 2024
- Panamorph
Table of Contents
DCR-J1
Anamorphic Lens System
INSTALLATION GUIDE
(Phillips #2 screwdriver required)
Installation Guide
DCR-J1 Anamorphic Lens System
See www.panamorph.com for JVC projector
compatibility
Specifications: 6.3” (160mm) diam x 4.25” (108mm) depth. 2 lbs (0.9 kg). Allow
2” (51mm) in front of projector for installation. See back page for warranty.
IMPORTANT THEATER GUIDANCE
- Projection screen should be flat, in the 2.4:1 aspect ratio and with a minimum 1.5″ border.
- Projector should be horizontally centered on the screen +/- 3 inches with minimal horizontal lens shift. Projector vertical position should ideally be between -5” and +12” from the top of the screen for best performance. Beyond these limits may prevent the beam from passing through the lens at low throw ratios.
- Throw ratio (throw distance divided by screen viewable width) should be at least 1.4:1.
DCR-J1 Installation Steps
-
INSTALL THE DCR LENS RETAINER. Use projector lens shift to center the projector lens in its opening. Remove the two front Phillips assembly screws from the lens/mount assembly and remove the rear retainer (it comes loosely assembled).
Squeeze the retainer with locking tab disengaged to fit into the projector lens opening and then relax it so that it nests into the inner rim of the opening with the prongs level and closest to the ceiling.
Once nested, engage the locking tab to prevent release.
-
PREPARE THE PROJECTOR. Adjust the projector roll, tilt and/or yaw so the projector test pattern lines are square to the screen edges. Now, show a 2.4:1 movie and set the JVC anamorphic menu setting to Anamorphic C. Adjust the projector zoom and vertical lens shift so the movie pattern is centered on the screen. Make sure the projector lens is clean and as dust free as possible.
-
INSTALL THE DCR LENS. After removing the rear DCR lens cover, install the DCR lens/mount assembly over the retainer prongs; remove the front protective film; rotate the assembly so that any visible edges of the movie appear the same on the left and right; then insert and tighten the two assembly screws to secure (do not over tighten).
-
ADJUST THE LENS TILT AND PROJECTOR SHIFT. Adjust the projector lens zoom to fill the width of the screen with the movie. Tilt the DCR lens in its mount and adjust the projector vertical lens shift to make sure the beam is getting through the DCR lens to fill the screen. There is only a slight variation in vertical image height with this adjustment but experimentation may lead to the best fit. Lock the DCR lens tilt by tightening the single Phillips tilt lock screw (do not over tighten). As desired you may want to adjust the projector pixel alignment (see JVC projector instruction manual).
-
DECIDE HOW TO WATCH 16:9 CONTENT. The “classic” mode to watch 16:9 content is to set the projector anamorphic mode to Anamorphic D.
However, Anamorphic C, Anamorphic Off or Zoom will better fill the full cinema format screen with 16:9 content with various tradeoffs worth exploring.
Note that menus are always created in 16:9 so some type of switch from Anamorphic C will be necessary to show complete menu content.
CEILING OR SHELF MOUNTING. Regardless of the projector orientation the
DCR retainer should be installed with the prongs closer to the ceiling so the
Panamorph logo is upright after installation.
ABOUT GEOMETRIC DISTORTION. Anamorphic vertical compression lenses create
a slight “barrel” shaped curvature especially at the edges of the image. The
amount of this distortion decreases as the projection distance is increased
for a given screen size. See the Image Geometry estimator in the Lens
Selector at www.panamorph.com for approximate
distortion to expect. Masking
the edges of the image by the screen border makes this distortion much less
noticeable especially for dramatic content.
CLEANING. Small amounts of dust and wipe marks are very noticeable on
lens surfaces with a high brightness projection beam but typically will not
impact the image as much as damage from excessive cleaning in pursuit of a
“perfect” optical surface. Occasionally blowing off the lens surfaces with
clean air is the best way to keep long term performance. If there is any
excessive residue or build-up then it is recommended that you clean the optics
with professional lens cleaning supplies such as from a camera store while the
lens is in front of the lit beam of the projector. This will allow you to
quickly see if the cleaning process is causing any damage.
LIMITED WARRANTY. Panamorph, Inc. warrants this product against any
change in performance or functionality for a period of twenty-four months from
our ship date. During this period, a unit may be repaired or replaced, at the
discretion of Panamorph, Inc., by returning it in its original packaging with
a copy of your receipt. This warranty does not cover damage resultant from
lack of prudent care, accident or misuse (including use with other products in
ways not intended); any cosmetic damage not reported within 15 days of
purchase; or any performance change caused by the environment in which it is
used. All damages are limited to the cost of the product. This warranty is not
transferable.
See www.panamorph.com settings with illustrations
for various content.
for projector viewing mode