I have a 5 year old Marantz VP-12S2 projector that has developed a problem with vertical lines running through the picture all the time. An experienced service person, as well as Marantz, have decided the problem is with the DLP "engine" which costs $4,500 to replace and can't be repaired. I think I'd be better off replacing rather than repairing.

I have been very happy with the projector and would like to get something that will provide a similar picture. It's ceiling mounted in a theater will very little ambient light. The projector is approximately 17 feet from a 120 inch screen. The ceiling is high and the projector is mounted on a hanging bracket that puts it just at the top of the screen. I mostly watch DVDs and high def cable TV.

I would appreciate any suggestions. The original theater installers are recommending another Marantz for around 6k. My service guy suggests a commercial projector (Mitsubishi HD4000) for a lot less money.

try the new 1080p marantz for just a little more than your 6k ask Jason Turk here on AVS for an exact quote, I can tell you that you are close to a 1080p vp15 Marantz

Hey Mike,

A few questions you might want to think about for your situation. Would you want to stay with DLP? Do YOU want to stay with Marantz? Also, what size are you going down to? Once you or we here on the forum can find out some of those answers we can sort of stear you in a direction that offers more concrete suggestions.

I would like to speak to the commercial projector comment by the original installers. There are projectors in every price range, but commercial projectors are usually for one thing alone. Brightness. They lack many of the things that help you enjoy your movies and TV watching in your theater.

Home Theater projectors provide greater color reproduction and uniformity, optics, build quality, contrast ratio and image quality. I wouldn't want you to sacrifice that. The best part is many home theater projectors offer all that at 6k or less.

Richard

I'm really pretty much a novice when it comes to projector technology. I've been very happy with the picture on my old Marantz, so I want to reproduce what I've been getting. If that means staying with DLP then thats what I'll do. I'm leary of Marantz, although everyone else I speak to seems to think this is an isolated problem. I wasn't planning to do this replacement, so I'd like to keep the new projector as reasonable as possible.

I have a 5 year old Marantz VP-12S2 projector that has developed a problem with vertical lines running through the picture all the time.

I'm having the EXACT same problem...very eerie...I just noticed it for the first time yesterday...exact same projector as well.

It's not a huge issue as of yet as it's only visible on predominantly black images (end credits, for example) but I'd imagine it's the same issue

Luckily projector prices have come down somewhat...I think Marantz is way overpriced.

What do you guys think of this as a replacement?
Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema 1080:
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=63066957

1080p output capable
12,000:1 contrast ratio
HDMI 1.3/Deep Color compliant

Sounds amazing (on paper at least) to me...and for only $4,000 it's less than half the price of the Marantz

I understand your feelings on being leary of Marantz, just understand it's by far the exception more than the rule.

As someone (SGMD1) else mentioned the 1080p Epson, which is a different look altogether. That brings up the question of stay DLP or look at some of the other projectors like SXRD by Sony or LCOS by JVC and others or the Epson. They both offer different looks though and you should go see some if you're planning on getting a new projector.

Richard

thanks. Just wondering, since I've been so happy with the DLP technology, should I just stick with the same? To my untrained eye, all projectors look good when optimized in someone's showroom. Are there particular projectors I should look at for my theater's setup (120 inch screen, little ambient light, projector mounted on a high ceiling about 17 feet from the screen)?

try the new 1080p marantz for just a little more than your 6k ask Jason Turk here on AVS for an exact quote, I can tell you that you are close to a 1080p vp15 Marantz

Can't believe the new VP-15S1 could be a "little" above $6K.

Close to 9K would be a more realistic quote to expect. Are you referring to the VP12S4, perhaps?

I have a 5 year old Marantz VP-12S2 projector that has developed a problem with vertical lines running through the picture all the time. An experienced service person, as well as Marantz, have decided the problem is with the DLP "engine" which costs $4,500 to replace and can't be repaired. I think I'd be better off replacing rather than repairing.

I have been very happy with the projector and would like to get something that will provide a similar picture. It's ceiling mounted in a theater will very little ambient light. The projector is approximately 17 feet from a 120 inch screen. The ceiling is high and the projector is mounted on a hanging bracket that puts it just at the top of the screen. I mostly watch DVDs and high def cable TV.

I would appreciate any suggestions. The original theater installers are recommending another Marantz for around 6k. My service guy suggests a commercial projector (Mitsubishi HD4000) for a lot less money.

Mike, sorry to hear about your problem with the projector.

If you give me all your information I can try to help you out. Please PM me your Name, Email Address, Serial #, Purchase Date, and all the repair information (Service Center contact information and the name of the Technician who has been working on your unit).