Pardon me for starting another one of these threads.

I’m looking for a bright, good color accuracy out-of-the-box, 720p DLP projector, and my budget is $1300. I was waiting for the Mitsubishi 3100 (and almost bought it when I was in Japan this summer), but I guess it’s not coming here. Now I see the Marantz 4001 mentioned frequently in the discussions for good 720p pjs, and I like what I read. Then the DT500 and Z3000 are often mentioned in the same breath. Are they different in terms of brightness and color accuracy OotB? Is there any reason to go with one over the other? 3 year warranty and the sealed optics are certainly nice if they are the same performance wise.

And last but not least, did I mention all the pjs I should be looking at? I already ruled out the Sharp MKII, Samsung 710, and an Optoma 720p whose name escapes me. Thanks for your input.

the vp4001 is basically the same (possibly improved upon but not 100% confirmed) version of the sharp xv-z3000. the xv-z3000 is the big brother of the sharp dt-500 so to answer your question to some extent the vp4001 is a better projector than the dt-500.

the vp4001 is also stated to be factory tuned to d6500. i don't know if it's as accurate out of the box as say a samsung 710ae but from what i have read thus far i'm going to assume that it is more accurate than the dt-500 and the dt-500 is said to be very good out of the box.

if your budget is 1300 then the vp4001 is a great choice and i would only be hesitant if fan noise were a problem but in it's best settings it's pretty darn quiet and really only gets loud when you shut it down or if you put it into high altitude mode.

ps. keep in mind that it's a short throw projector. for the average user it wants to work in the 9-13 ft placement range.

for the record i have a z3000 and it's awesome.

The Marantz is the Sharp but with better optics and improved circuitry. If you are looking at Sharp, get the Marantz while they can still be had.

The Marantz is the Sharp but with better optics and improved circuitry. If you are looking at Sharp, get the Marantz while they can still be had.

no offense but that is pure speculation util proven beyond a shadow of a doubt but regardless the vp4001 can be had for less than the z3000 so it's a much better deal.

no offense but that is pure speculation util proven beyond a shadow of a doubt but regardless the vp4001 can be had for less than the z3000 so it's a much better deal.

What's the speculation? That it is a Sharp or that it is an improved Sharp?

that no one other than marantz will comment on what the supposed changes are and no visual evidence has ever been provided to backup the supposed claim.

no one knows if it's a DC3 (i personally find this one highly unlikely)
no one knows if it uses minolta optics (possibly but who is to say that the sharp doesn't?)
no one knows if it is accurately d65 set (i find this likely though)

beyond that the two pj's are identical save color and the shape of the recess where the toip controls are located.

A quick review of the specifications provided by the manufacturers shows that Marantz is using custom optics and with the Marantz firmware installed and set, you have a better machine. But, as you say, since you can find the Marantz < $1200 at least for now, it is a better buy even if they were the same machine.

I own the Marantz VP4001 and called them to confirm a few things...

DC3? According to them the answer is no. It is a "tweaked" DC2 type chip.

Optics? Konica/Minolta according to them. I'm not sure what the Sharp uses.

Circuitry? Not sure. I didn't ask specific questions on this... But they did say that their PJ is essentially a tweaked version of the Sharp. Whether it's better or not I cannot say since I've never seen a direct comparison to the Sharp.

I own the Marantz VP4001 and called them to confirm a few things...

DC3? According to them the answer is no. It is a "tweaked" DC2 type chip.

Optics? Konica/Minolta according to them. I'm not sure what the Sharp uses.

Circuitry? Not sure. I didn't ask specific questions on this... But they did say that their PJ is essentially a tweaked version of the Sharp. Whether it's better or not I cannot say since I've never seen a direct comparison to the Sharp.


I think they call that the DC2+ chip, if i remember right. Circuitry is the wrong word for it, I meant firmware and possibly the video processing chipset itself has been tweaked.

Regardless, it's not like it's phenomenally better, just the Marantz touch added to a stock PJ, which must be pretty good to start with because Marantz selected it to tweak.

Owned them both--although not at the same time. The only major difference i have noticed--pure amateur here--is that the color green is more accurate on the Marantz out of the box--less lime colored. I am sure someone with better vision might notice other things, especially if you had them side by side. Both of them have a great picture--deep blacks, great contrast, lots of light!

Great PJs for the price.

bdbaba

A few online merchants has it listed as HD2+ DC3. Whether this means it is DC2, "tweaked" (that's a new one on me) DC2 or DC3, I'm not sure it matters much when one sees the PQ it puts out. It can be had for just over 1200 and comes with a 3-year warranty.

Thank you everybody.

Between the Sharp MarkII and VP4001 which one would you buy?

Between the Sharp MarkII and VP4001 which one would you buy?

You mean XV-Z12000MK2? If so, general feeling is that it's better than VP4001.

While comparing XV-Z3000 with VP4001, don't forget 3-year warranty with Marantz vs 1-year for Sharp. One wouldn't be sorry with any of the above. For the sake of disclaimer, I am a VP4001 owner.

Between the Sharp MarkII and VP4001 which one would you buy?

A few considerations since they are both excellent PJs.

The MKII is a long throw PJ and will most likely require a High Power screen with the PJ positioned at the top of the screen with possibly a narrower viewing cone. 1-year warranty.

The VP4001 is short throw, limited offset and has 3-year warranty. Bright enough to use any screen material. Possibly runs hotter than the MKII.

I am a VP4001 owner also and have not seen the MKII to determine which to buy based on PQ only, I just had to rule out the MKII because of its long throw.

The Sharp MarkIIs are running out at vendor selling at the low price.

How about VP4001 vs Optoma HD7300 with the scaler?

Can someone direct me to the place where I can get the Marantz for just over $1200? A PM will be fine.:)

Can someone direct me to the place where I can get the Marantz for just over $1200? A PM will be fine.:)

Can someone direct me to the place where I can get the Marantz for just over $1200? A PM will be fine.:)

The price for a Marantz vp4001 is not $1,200 it is

Total: $1249.98 wish shipping included.

All you need to do is google 2nd2011 and you will get all the info needed .

there are not many units left so good luck. Ask for Mark r .


952 746-3321

Thanks guys for the responses!

I realize now it helps people give more accurate advice if we state (via UserCP above) where we live. Thanks to the wonders of modern marketing, models are often not available or have different model numbers in different regions. I would add this thread and throw this log onto the fire... (Jones Rush helpfully noted that in German reviews 0 is the ideal so lower numbers are better)...

Mitsubishi HC3100 http://www.cine4home.com/reviews/pro...1100Review.htm
Evaluation Overall : 1,6 (Good+)
Equipment 1,8 (Good +)
Operation 1,7 (Good +)
Technology 1,8 (Good +)
Picture 1,75 (Good -)
Price \ Performance 1,2 (Very Good -)

Sharp XV-Z3000 http://www.cine4home.de/tests/projek.../Z3000Test.htm (in German)
Bewertung gesamt : 1,8 (Gut +)
Ausstattung 1,8 (Gut)
Bedienung 2,3 (Gut -)
Technik 1,8 (Gut +)
Bild 2 (Gut)
Preis Leistung 1,4 (Sehr Gut -)

Mitsubishi HC-1100
Evaluation Overall : 1,9 (Good)
Equipment 2 (Good)
Operation 1,8 (Good +)
Technology 2,2 (Good -)
Picture 2 (Good)
Price \ Performance 1,2 (Very Good -)

Those are DLP. If LCD is ok with you there is the Panasonic AX-100 and this too, among others.

Epson TW700
Bewertung gesamt : 1,5 (Sehr Gut -)
Ausstattung 1,3 (Sehr Gut -)
Bedienung 2,3 (Gut -)
Technik 1,3 (Sehr Gut -)
Bild 1,7 (Gut +)
Preis / Leistung 1,0 (Sehr Gut)

http://cine4home.de/tests/projektoren/EpsonTW700/TW700Test.htm
http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fcine4home.de%2Ftests%2Fprojektoren% 2FEpsonTW700%2FTW700Test.htm&langpair=de%7Cen&hl=en&ie=UTF8

I think you may have mentioned you are in the USA, those Mits models may not be available there, but the 1500 is, though its just a 1000, the Mits above are more next generation. US buyers can get the Marantz mentioned earlier instead of the Sharp.

Epson AFAIK their models support all languages and voltages, and have a 2 year global warranty. I wish other firms had such enlightened marketing. (I read that the Epson TWS700 is called the 810 is the USA... guess marketers everywhere have to earn their living...)