I was hoping to get some feedback on the following DLP projectors and how you would rate them (assume they will be used in a light controlled room). I’ve tried to include some basic info that I know about them. I realize that most of them are hard to come by now but from what I’ve read, they seem to be the high end 720p DLP projectors. While I haven’t included street prices, I have included a rating (1 be cheapest, 5 being most expensive). One way to rate them, if the Sharp XV-Z1200MK2 is the best, how would the SP7210 rate (ie: is it 85% as good as the Sharp).
Thanks,
Ken

Sharp DT-500
• 1 year warranty
• Short throw
• 17 % offset (I think)
• Probably the cheapest of the bunch if available – 1

Optima HD7100
• DC3
• 3 year warranty
• Short throw
• Some reported bulb issues
• Limited lens shift
• Not the brightest projector – probably the least bright of the bunch
• Probably a 2 on the price scale now (given rebate)

Infocus Screenplay 7210
• 2 year warranty
• DC3
• Probably the brightest of the bunch
• Not super quiet
• Out of box calibration
• Oldest of the bunch
• Probably a 2/3 on the price scale
Long throw, 17% offset (I think)

Marantz VP4001
• 3 year warranty
• Long throw
• Bright
• Lens shift (vert) (?)
• Probably a 4 on the price scale

Sharp XV-Z1200MK2
• Probably the most pricey of the bunch
• DC3
• 1 year warranty
• Lens shift (vert)
• Long throw
• Bright when both irises open.
• A 5 on the price scale

Just so ya know, the DT-500 is a light canon and is pretty much the same as the VP4001 minuse the second iris, which many may not even use.

Just so ya know, the DT-500 is a light canon and is pretty much the same as the VP4001 minuse the second iris, which many may not even use.

I have tried the DT-500 and now own the VP4001, and for me, the second iris is huge. I ended up selling the DT-500. With the second iris, the contrast ratio jumps from 2700:1 to over 4000:1. Some people care about that, and some people don't. You will loose brighness at the lower iris setting, but that also is personal taste.

I'd say that if contrast ratio is very important to you, then the Marantz and the Sharp XV-Z12K MKII are the best.

The Marantz and the DT-500 can be very bright is you want them to be.

Just a warning on the Marantz, though. Some of us are having some issues with bowing of the image. Some are worse than others. Mine is pretty bad and is currently being repaired. Check out the last 10 pages or so of the Marantz vp-4001 thread.

I have tried the DT-500 and now own the VP4001, and for me, the second iris is huge. I ended up selling the DT-500. With the second iris, the contrast ratio jumps from 2700:1 to over 4000:1.

See if he had bought the 3000 or Marantz he wouldn't have had to use those Xmax rope lights shine into his eyes! It is all about the right choices.:D

Hey Ken,

Where are you finding the Sharp DT-500 cheap?

Here are my rankings:

1. 12k MKII
2. VP4001 / DT-500 (tie - I don't buy into the malarkey that Marantz was trying to push on supposedly upgraded optics)
3. 7210 (very close 3rd)

I'd count out the Optoma due to reliability issues. See the thread in the $3k+ forum and you'll see what I mean.

See if he had bought the 3000 or Marantz he wouldn't have had to use those Xmax rope lights shine into his eyes! It is all about the right choices.:D

Actually, that only means my blacks would look EVEN better. :D

All excellent. The 12000 gets the nod if long throw works for you.

Marantz is a short throw. No lens shift.

The Marantz does not have lens shift, but it does have digital vertical image shift. It's a 1280x768 projector that uses 720 of those 768 for 16:9 material and can be shifted up or down 24 pixels (about 1.5 inches on a 100" screen).

Are these two (Maranthz and MKII) even available at a realistic price before any serious consideration?

Hi,
Thanks for the comments. Nice input. Looks like I didn't have all my facts right on the Marantz projector. It looks like the supply on the Marantz & Sharp projectors has dried up right now (I'd be lucky to spot on on the 'Bay' for a reasonable price). I think I might be forced to wait another month to see if any of these come back on the market or grab the 7210 if MurphyAgain can get Woot to set up a deal. I think the 7100 scares me a bit too much. Is it just me or does is seem like there is a gap in the $1100-$2000 price range right now for DLP projectors?

Thanks Again,
Ken

Deal now setup on woot by Murphy for a better price. Trying to decide now if to keep the 12K order or get the 7210.

Deal now setup on woot by Murphy for a better price. Trying to decide now if to keep the 12K order or get the 7210.Right there with you! What to do, what to do...

Right there with you! What to do, what to do...

I don't know man. 12k owners will say 12k and 7210 owners will say 7210. Not sure what the heck to do at this point. my 12k order has now been sent to the warehouse so most likely I'll be getting one if I do not cancel. Getting the 7210 will save a few hundred but the fan noise and fan coming on and off are the only things really making this a difficult decision. :(

Are these two (Maranthz and MKII) even available at a realistic price before any serious consideration?


I've seen the MKII go for under $1,100 several times.

I've seen the MKII go for under $1,100 several times.

where? please PM me.

The the ansi and on/off CR and lumen of these pj's?
I am not interested in DT-500 but Sharp MKII, IF 7210 and the optoma 7100 are good choices. If I recall correctly the Optoma had some issues other than lamp.