Meridian MF10 Projector = JVC DLA-RS2 plus Ripoff

[admin]

It's not uncommon the see manufacturers occasionally re-brand a product with their own moniker and sell it as their own. We've seen this in the past with Rotel re-branding APC power conditioners, and Atlantic Technology reboxing the same AV processor it sold under the Outlaw Audio moniker. None of it is really criminal and most times (as in the Rotel example) it simply allows customers to have matched components and maintain the uniform look of a branded system. Sometimes, as in the case of Meridian's latest product, it really seems like it's all about finding a new way to make money off unsuspecting consumers.


Discuss "Meridian MF10 Projector = JVC DLA-RS2 plus Ripoff" here. Read the article.

[rynberg]

nah, you'll have to do more than that to sell a rebadged Onkyo for twice the price. For starters, you'll have to replace that godawful and dated looking front panel/display with a nice stylish curvaceous 1/8-inch thick sheet of metal and a modern looking display panel. That will cut into your profits slightly... Then again, I'm sure potential Meridian projector customers would eat it right up as is....

[InTheIndustry]

Note: The title of my post is meant in a tongue n' cheek manor & not to be taken as an assault on the article, which I feel warrants a healthy discussion.

JVC sells it's DILA engine to several different companies. Leading me to ask the question: Who's worse, the drug dealer or the one who supplies them?

In my opinion, neither are really out of line as long as what they are doing to the projectors is R&Ding the heck out of it to eek out every possible ounce of performance (much like a professional car tuner). But, as the article, asked: What's the REAL difference?

Sharing platforms and parts is incredibly common throughout the A/V industry (not to mention ALL of manufacturing across the globe) and is not just limited to projectors. InFocus sells it's DLP projectors to Knoll who makes custom "adjustments". Sharp has sold one of their models to Marantz, who changed the lense and tweaks the software. Runco and Vidikron are based off of similar shared DLP platforms as well. If you look at the design and layout of the DILA pieces they all have the same fundamental chasis and specs: Front side vents, lense in the center, incredibly high contrast ratio, and lumens on the lower side of sub 1K. I have very strong suspicions that Sony's SXRD projectors are based off of JVC's DILA too. I would like to investigate this more because after looking at the chasis and specs it's really peculiar. Besides that, I have almost little faith in Sony to actually "make" anything.

Last years Meridian piece retailed at $25K and came with their out-board Faroudja video processor. Meridian, however, claimed to have tested and calibrated each and every pixel so that out of the box the projector would be absolutely perfect. I called them once to inquire about this piece and did some investigating on it. The processor it came with was fairly pricey as a seperate box. At the time, JVC offered a $12K version of the RS1 that came with a DVDO video processor. JVC told me that they dropped the processor variation because of slow sales and because they were wanting to blow the comparable Sony DILA piece out of the water. The Sony sold @ $10K. Sony also had a souped up version of this projector that was $20 - $30K if I remember right

Cineversum is another company who's "Black Wing" projectors are based off the JVC platform as well. The Black Wing Three ($13,500 - $17,800) is available with something called a CV Master. This is a video processor who's chasis looks IDENTICAL to the DVDO models. Hmmmmmm, ponderous as to what the real world differences are, isn't it?

Dream Vision is another company that uses the JVC.

A year / year 1/2 ago Vidikron even used this platform in two (I think it was two) of it's 1080P projectors.

The Usual Suspects:
Attachment 5693 RS2

Attachment 5694 Black Wing Three

Attachment 5695 Dream Vision

Attachment 5696 Sony VW60

These are just the ones I know of off the top of my head.

[InTheIndustry]

The processors i mentioned in my above post:

Attachment 5698

Attachment 5699

[Dezoris]

What about the optics?

[mtrycrafts]

The Usual Suspects:
Attachment 5693 RS2

Attachment 5694 Black Wing Three

Attachment 5695 Dream Vision

Attachment 5696 Sony VW60

These are just the ones I know of off the top of my head.

Yes, but those all look different from each other, unlike the two in the article.

[Clint DeBoer]

They don't specify in the released info - making it seem all the more suspicious that it's identical. The thing that singles out Meridian is the fact that they didn't even redo the case - it's the exact chassis with a new white logo.

I did get an email indicating that there may be some unlocked software and precalibrated color settings. With an ISF calibration costing around $300, this is hardly anything to compensate for the additional $7k in price. In addition, both lenses are spec'd the same in terms of glass and pieces.

[InTheIndustry]

They don't specify in the released info - making it seem all the more suspicious that it's identical. The thing that singles out Meridian is the fact that they didn't even redo the case - it's the exact chassis with a new white logo.

Can you blame them? Have you seen the going rate on projector cases these days? Oil is killing that market!

The Meridian logo is a classic, Clint. What's the problem?

I called somone I know over at DVDO and got the skinny on the two processors I mentioned in my earlier post. I'll reply with that info as well as address the optics comment (a potentially VERY good point) another member provided. If, Clint, the optics are indeed the same and all that Meridian really did was "calibrate" the thing to ISF, that's fairly sad.

I can't wait to call Meridian NA tomorrow and ask a few questions only to get the ol': "Meridian's British and the Euro is killing the dollar right now, therefore we HAVE to add 90% to the cost of our products".

Initial word on the street: After some software tweaks, Cineversum got the fan noise down in their Black Wing line to 3db quiter than the JVC pieces. I have a phone apointment tomorrow with them and have several questions regarding their "tweaks" and processor. I've spoken to them several times before and really like the people over there. They understand the industry very well and are straight shooters. I'll be back with more info. Hopefully they offer up something more exciting than fan noise reduction.

[InTheIndustry]

Yes, but those all look different from each other, unlike the two in the article.

LOL!

That they do.

Personally I really think the Dreamvision projectors are really neat looking. They're available in several different colors and finishes.

Attachment 5700 Wait a minute! Haven't I seen that processor before? (See my 2nd post in this thread)

[cwall99]

My Chevy Trailblazer is, for all extents and purposes, the exact same vehicle as my neighbor's GMC Envoy. Oh, sure, he's got a few options I don't have, but, by and large, they're identical trucks or SUVs or station wagons or whatever the heck it is these stoopic things are. Anyhow, I'm pleased that I didn't pay the $5,000 premium to have better ads on television.

So, why should the audio industry be any different?

Given the crazy amounts of research everyone on here seems to do, I'm surprised that stories like this one aren't more the norm.