Marantz VP-12S4

[adk highlander]

I may have an opportunity to pick up one of these for under $3000. This is a 720p and my screen will be in the 96in range. Is a high quality single chip 720p DLP going to outperform a lower end LCD 1080p design?

My brain is stuck on 1080 and I don't know if I should just forget about the numbers and go with what may be a better unit. It is new in the box so I cannot test it.

Opinions??

 

[BMXTRIX]

I would be hard pressed to argue with your logic. For the money, it's a great deal, for the technology, it could pretty easily be considered outdated. I think the Marantz tends to cater to a higher end crowd with some excellent product, but there are value priced projectors out there which likely could nearly match it for thousands less when it was new.

Now with the 1080p models on the market, you can pick up a Epson 1080UB and get true 1080p from a projector with top shelf reviews, and you would likely get a mix of improvements as well as some losses. I expect the Marantz to have better overall processing, DLP color which is great, and punchier contrast. But, only minimally so as the Epson does great on all accounts, and includes 1080p resolution and is very flexible with placement and setup.

 

[adk highlander]

Thank you for the reply BMXTRIX. The Epson HomeCinema 1080 for around 2500 is the one I am saving for and planned on buying. I know the ProCinema 1080UB is well over 3500 and is a much better unit.

The Marantz does not have an auto iris but is that more important on an LCD based unit?

 

[ivseenbetter]

I was thinking of getting the Epson 1080ub as well. I decided to go with a 720p unit instead because I just don't think the 1080 units are as developed as the 720p DLP units. Of course, everybodies opinion will vary. Most likely you would be incredibly happy with either. In any case, I noticed that you mentioned the ProCinema is a much better unit. I have read several reviews that state the HomeCinema is the same unit as the ProCinema just without 2 ISF calibration saves. I would save some money and just pick up the HomeCinema 1080ub.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Thank you for the reply BMXTRIX. The Epson HomeCinema 1080 for around 2500 is the one I am saving for and planned on buying. I know the ProCinema 1080UB is well over 3500 and is a much better unit.

The Marantz does not have an auto iris but is that more important on an LCD based unit?

Not the Home Cinema 1080 - The Home Cinema 1080UB. It's the newer model and is the one that is getting the stellar reviews over the older 1080 model.

Auto iris is almost entirely an LCD thing to improve overall contrast ratio and most people end up turning it off after they get the projector. It really doesn't matter at all IMO. It's almost one of those either/or situations. The Marantz will have some better qualities, and the 1080UB will have some better qualities. Which one wins? Both! They are both excellent, so you aren't really picking between two lousy products and neither is obviously better, but I would personally be leaning towards the 1080UB.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, I think the Epson 1080UB would be my 2nd choice (1st choice is now Optoma HD81LV).

I mean if I were not getting the 81LV, I would get the 1080UB. Just keep in mind that any online price will be beaten by J&R Music World.

1080UB for $2,800:
http://www.projectorpoint.com/product/46284

So I would get J&R to sell it for $2,700 (including S/H).

My 3rd choice would be the Panasonic PT-F200U.