I could really use some help with a final decision. I've got the 1080p bug and am ready to upgrade my Marantz VP12s2 after several years of enjoyment. I figured I would swap it out with a VP11s1....but now a number of people are telling me to save some cash and go with the JVC DLA-RS1. My current sources are the DirecTV HD-20, and Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray both fed through an Immersive Simmetry (out of business). I guess I'm gonna need a to use the processor in the projector or get a new processor too, that can handle 1080p. Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated.

I'd wait to make a decision until AFTER the RS1 has been released, and people have had a chance to live with it for a while and a couple of good professional reviews have been published. Right now the VP11s1 is very much a known quantity, but it will be at least a month or two before you can say the same about the RS1. Actually, if you are looking for a 1080p DLP to replace your old Marantz, I think that the Sharp XV-Z20000 is a better projector for the money than the VP11s1. It's street price is not that much more than the RS1.

On the other hand, if you just can't wait and you are not wedded to DLP, I'd go ahead and get the RS1 simply because it's so much cheaper than the Marantz. If you don't like it, you could sell it on eBay and then get whatever you want.

I too have the 1080p bug and, like you, am uncertain as to what to do...I had ordered a Meridian MF-1 but cancelled that when I started to hear about the RS-1 as there was no point in spending three times the price with "near equal" performance...I had decided to go with the RS-1 but am now "stand -of-fish" as none of the current crop of AFFORDABLE (i.e. read under $20,000) 1080p projectors have adequate brightness for my liking...yes the MF-1 throws a gorgeous picture but, for whatever reason, I like a brighter picture, in other words, I want a bright projector with great contrast...as an aside, the SIM HT5000 would work but is, at least for me, cost prohibitive.

A little while ago I saw an InFocus 777 and was stunned by the depth of the image-- much deeper and more 3D like than either the Sharp 20000 or Sony Pearl that it was compared to. As such my current thinking is to try and pick up a top-of-the-line 3-chip DLP projector (i.e. InFocus 777, SIM C3x, etc.) for a "reasonable price" recognizing that it will have zero resale value (and thus act as a backup) in a year or two by which time the 1080p projectors will be BOTH brighter and cheaper...a finalpoint, and I can not emphasize this enough, per my eye a kickasss 720p 3-chipper will outperform most (and possibly all) 1 chip 1080p DLP units...

An edit: Were I to go to a 1080p unit my first choice would be the Marantz 11S1 as I have not seen the RS-1. In other words, the Marantz, to my eyes, is the best 1080p projector THAT I HAVE SEEN, for < $20,000.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

I too have the 1080p bug and, like you, am uncertain as to what to do...I had ordered a Meridian MF-1 but cancelled that when I started to hear about the RS-1 as there was no point in spending three times the price with "near equal" performance...I had decided to go with the RS-1 but am now "stand -of-fish" as none of the current crop of AFFORDABLE (i.e. read under $20,000) 1080p projectors have adequate brightness for my liking...yes the MF-1 throws a gorgeous picture but, for whatever reason, I like a brighter picture, in other words, I want a bright projector with great contrast...as an aside, the SIM HT5000 would work but is, at least for me, cost prohibitive.

A little while ago I saw an InFocus 777 and was stunned by the depth of the image-- much deeper and more 3D like than either the Sharp 20000 or Sony Pearl that it was compared to. As such my current thinking is to try and pick up a top-of-the-line 3-chip DLP projector (i.e. InFocus 777, SIM C3x, etc.) for a "reasonable price" recognizing that it will have zero resale value (and thus act as a backup) in a year or two by which time the 1080p projectors will be BOTH brighter and cheaper...a finalpoint, and I can not emphasize this enough, per my eye a kickasss 720p 3-chipper will outperform most (and possibly all) 1 chip 1080p DLP units...

An edit: Were I to go to a 1080p unit my first choice would be the Marantz 11S1 as I have not seen the RS-1. In other words, the Marantz, to my eyes, is the best 1080p projector THAT I HAVE SEEN, for < $20,000.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.


Joel Have you seen a Benq W10000 or a Optoma H81 yet? Do no not write them off yet. You will be surprised once you get these units calibrated how they look. I to have seen the 777 and the 20000 and you would be amazed by the other 2 when see them in calibrated setup.


Dale

The sim2 HT3000 is the best one I have seen, and is now the same price as the VP11S1 in the UK, don't know about the US. Of course, I would check out the HD1 before making any decisions.

Joel Have you seen a Benq W10000 or a Optoma H81 yet? Do no not write them off yet. You will be surprised once you get these units calibrated how they look. I to have seen the 777 and the 20000 and you would be amazed by the other 2 when see them in calibrated setup.


Dale

Dale, no I have not seen either the Benq W10000 or the Optoma H81 which is I have not made a reference to them...that said, I personally will not consider the Optoma as I previously had the H79 inmy house and had a bad experience with them. I will try to see the Benq.

as a Marantz 11-S1 owner I will tell you that its a solid performer and throws an amazing picture, I have mine paired with a dalite highpower screen so brightness is not an issue, as a matte of fact the iris is closed down and its still plenty bright, im about to bring the Marantz to another level with the ISCO III anamorphic lens I just ordered, it comesd down to this, you already know the quality and performance of the S2 and you can be rest assured that even greater performance is in the 11S1 BUT it will cost you, so if its out of your budget at this time I can whole heartedly recommend the 1080p BENQ without question as long as you use a current quality scaler, I have seen it with my own eyes.