Does anybody know how good the Marantz VP8600 projector is?

Consumer Reports rates it just behind the Sharp XV-Z3000.
but this is when the VP8600 was a lot more expensive.

there are no good reviews that I can find anywhere.

it seems like the VP8600 was a flop.

it has a minolta lens and a DC2 chip. I was only able to find one person on AVS who has one and it seems to be a nice machine. Quiet according to specs.

I friend of mine has one. It is very large and heavy (at least when compared to the AX-100). It is very quiet, has no HDMI and the contrast ratios offered on this machine are beaten by the Marantz vp4001. Additionally, it is not a bright projector.

For the money, there are better options to be had.

thanks for letting me know. they had them at a good discount but it is over now.. so thanks to you post I will not loose sleep over this. I was told by a Marantz dealer that it is better than the VP4001 though.

I friend of mine has one. It is very large and heavy (at least when compared to the AX-100). It is very quiet, has no HDMI and the contrast ratios offered on this machine are beaten by the Marantz vp4001. Additionally, it is not a bright projector.

For the money, there are better options to be had.

FYI, I would not bother to listen to a word consumer reports has to say about projectors

FYI, I would not bother to listen to a word consumer reports has to say

fixed

I would take it over a 4001 at the same price. The 4001 is not brighter than this in its best mode but the 4001 has greater flexibility to be brighter if needed. We have installed them and I always liked this particular model. It was definitely a sleeper model and was never a big seller because spec wise it didn't match up to other things in its price range. Even now it doesn't hit the right price point, when the 12KII and S4 going for at the same price or for a little more it is tough to get excited about this model.

It didn't have the bells and whistle the others claim but has a very good picture, is extremely quiet, has a great lens, comes with an adapter for HDMI, good processing and is built like a tank. It is not very aesthetic and has an industrial/ utilitarian look to it.

One big fault of this PJ was that its lamp is not designed to be user replaced. It can certainly be done by the user as it is not that difficult. But, not as simple as most. I predict this PJ will be reduced even more to get rid of the remaining ones and might be a good deal if near $1k.

Bob

BobL:

I agree that the 8600 is a good projector, but at it's price point it is easily beaten by other offerings. Also, I am confused by your statement that the 8600 is brighter than the vp4001? The Spec sheets claim vp4001 at 1200 lumen, the 8600 at 800 lumen

http://us.marantz.com/Products/1908.asp

http://us.marantz.com/Products/1478.asp

One other downside to the 8600 that I noticed....when viewing directv and swithcing channels between standard def and hi-def....the 8600 takes way too long to bring up a picture....the screen goes black for about 1-2 seconds.

Withhout question, the 8600 is a tank.

Not sure why this 4000 hrs lamp technology could not be used in more PJs.

Anyway, how does this PJ compare to say the 7210 and H710AE?

8600 is brighter in best mode not in their brightest mode.

Just purchased form 2nd act;had a 33% off coupon;then they changed the coupon to 40% off the day they shipped it out;still no response to my email form them.Anyways the projector is huge compared to my older Benq;case gets pretty warm all over right away;also a real pain when switching from say 480p to 720p takes forever to lock on;can hear it trying to lock oninside the case; picture is good;but think it's way over hyped retail price;I paid $575. including shipping;eh;will mess with it a little more and probably take a loss and sell it on ebay;from the few reviews I read sounded pretty good;all I can say is there are tons of 720p;this one is eh?so-so;oh;yeah think old crts' as far as size goes for any consid. ceiling mounting.

You'll find it hard to find anything better in the 720p category than this Marantz. You'll find it impossible to find anything better for $575. But it's your money. :)

I wouldn't compare this to an old CRT when ceiling mounting. I mean it is big, the size of a beefy AV receiver even, but not that big. I will let you know in 2 weeks when my room is done and I actually have it hanging from the ceiling. :)

By the way, I love the picture so far and I have yet to really do any sort of calibration.

P

This thing is a steal today with that online coupon. I am very happy with mine. Once mounted, the size is irrelevant and I like the solid aluminum chassis for cooling purposes. Mine only gets warm/hot near the bulb.

you'll find it hard to find anything better in the 720p category than this marantz. You'll find it impossible to find anything better for $575. But it's your money. :)

+ 1,000

Today's 720p projectors are a toy compared to this machine. If you are only going to keep your projector for a year then by all means buy a plastic toy projector. if you plan on keeping it for a while then this is a good projector to buy. Look at the weight and build quality of the 8600 and compare it to lets say an HD65. If you are a movie lover and know anything about projectors then it should be a no brainer. As to the lumen output, if you want a 120" screen then set your system up so that you can use a DaLite HP screen or some other high gain screen. The 8600 and a 106" to 120" HP screen would provide a great HT image experience.

Where is the coupon and when does it expire , I might grab one of these at that price for my media room ;) .

Thanks ,
-Jason

Dagame, Just google the vendor name and coupons

Thanks , got it (another AVS'er PM'd me the link) ;) .

- Jason

2nd Act says that they are out of stock.:(

I noticed where it says OoS as well but it also says available in limted quantities so I called and the ext. 18 sales guy is gone for the weekend (have not bothered to call back and see if the main number will get anybody or if they are now gone for the day) .

- Jason

Could someone pm me the info on the coupon as well? Thanks!

Could I get that coupon link as well? Thanks.

all gone at RD...

After as many problems as I have had with my Planar PD-7130 I am starting to wish that I had gotten the Marantz VP-8600. My Marantz VP-12S4 has worked flawlessly.

They are gone at RD... any other options to grab this?

They are in stock here http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/MARVP8600S/Marantz/VP8600-projector-DLP-720p-high-definitiion-silver/1.html and here http://www.thenerds.net/MARANTZ.Marantz_800_Lum_311lb_WXGA_HD_DLP_Proj.VP8600.html?a ffid=8&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=VP8600^~^MARANTZ. Both appear to be reputable but they are about $200 more.

bguzman

I've had my VP8600 for about 8 months now (rear shelf mount), about 16ft back from a 106" Da-Lite HP screen. This thing is amazing. I don't regret a single thing. All of my sources (Xbox 360 (component), Panasonic BD-35K (HDMI), DirecTV HD (HDMI)) all look superb at 720p. This Sunday at the Superbowl will be the first time a good chunk of my friends have seen my setup. I'm expecting a lot of people to ask me when I hit the lotto to set up something so nice.

It will be our little secret how much I spent. I don't want the people who just spent $2000 on a puny 50" (relatively) LCD to get upset. :)

I've had same old little cheap plastic Benq since '03;the bulb getting up there;but still working great;I work hard and reward myself with a new toy every once in a while;saw the marantz at SecondAct;very few customer reviews for the thing;all I was saying;for a 6k+ list price the "wow" thing is more "eh";getting a lens;bulb;fan;chip and board;the build like a tank chasis;who's gonna buy a projector and kick it?!?the quiet fan;who out there doesn't crank it when watchin' movies or playing xbox.O'yeah and lastly...SecondAct kicks butt!!!refunded me the diff. on the new coupon to 40%;total price with ship was $519.!3rd time I've bought from them;highly recommend ClassAct/SecondAct

I crank it as much as anyone - more than my family/friends do - and my VP12S4 is still too loud. It's a problem during quiet scenes in a movie/game. Depending on where the projector is mounted, it varies.

I don't have the VP8600 though.

I crank it as much as anyone - more than my family/friends do - and my VP12S4 is still too loud. It's a problem during quiet scenes in a movie/game. Depending on where the projector is mounted, it varies.

I don't have the VP8600 though.

A big reason I bought the VP8600 versus competitive products was its reputation for being quiet. For example, the 4001 is supposed to have a better picture, but is much louder. You should have done your research before buying.

A big reason I bought the VP8600 versus competitive products was its reputation for being quiet. For example, the 4001 is supposed to have a better picture, but is much louder. You should have done your research before buying.

BobL, will disagree with that.

I crank it as much as anyone - more than my family/friends do - and my VP12S4 is still too loud. It's a problem during quiet scenes in a movie/game. Depending on where the projector is mounted, it varies.

I don't have the VP8600 though.

What mode do you run your 12S4 in? I use economy and mine is quieter than my Planar 7130 on economy.

You are right I don't agree with the 4001 having a better picture. The 4001 has a lower overall black level but does not do as good at shadow detail as the 8600. The 4001 is also not as bright in its best mode where its on/off (not Ansi) contrast would be higher. Processing on the 8600 is better. The 4001 can be a bit brighter in its brightest mode but at a sacrifice of PQ, but a fair tradeoff for ambient light viewing. Pick the features that are most improtant to you.

The 8600 is quieter than either the S4 or the 4001. It is one of the few DLPs that compares to LCD PJs for being quiet.

Bob

What mode do you run your 12S4 in? I use economy and mine is quieter than my Planar 7130 on economy.

Normal. The thing isn't bright enough on normal, let alone economy.

You are right I don't agree with the 4001 having a better picture. The 4001 has a lower overall black level but does not do as good at shadow detail as the 8600. The 4001 is also not as bright in its best mode where its on/off (not Ansi) contrast would be higher. Processing on the 8600 is better. The 4001 can be a bit brighter in its brightest mode but at a sacrifice of PQ, but a fair tradeoff for ambient light viewing. Pick the features that are most improtant to you.

The 8600 is quieter than either the S4 or the 4001. It is one of the few DLPs that compares to LCD PJs for being quiet.

Bob

I guess I lucked out getting both a better picture and less Db. I was mostly focused on quiet due to my setup.

I see that the second place has increased the refurb price to $900 for when they get some more.

Thanks to BobL's positive comments, I went with the refurbished VP8600 for $800.

Wow, my wife and I can't believe how great the picture is for that price. I can hardly imagine a better picture.

The front row is at around 11 feet and the second row at around 16 feet from an 8 foot screen. Mine even came with zero hours on the bulb.

The fan is a bit louder than I expected. That may be the reason it was refurbished.

Here is my theater:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1116618

Hey;anyone that bought the VP8600 from SecondAct;anyone out there purchase their extended warrenty for the bulb?says up to 2 bulb replacements for 3 years;those things are goin' for $475.-$600.!SecondAct only wants $200. for the warrenty;and wow I must be really old;way back in the old days:70's-90's we'd go to the movies and people would be talkin';coughing;fartin';eating popcorn like it was their last meal on earth;now got own home theatre...the gal sitting next to me is talkin;coughing;fartin';eating popcorn like it was her last meal on earth;what is this fan noise everyone writes about???

Hey;anyone that bought the VP8600 from SecondAct;anyone out there purchase their extended warrenty for the bulb?says up to 2 bulb replacements for 3 years;those things are goin' for $475.-$600.!SecondAct only wants $200. for the warrenty;and wow I must be really old;way back in the old days:70's-90's we'd go to the movies and people would be talkin';coughing;fartin';eating popcorn like it was their last meal on earth;now got own home theatre...the gal sitting next to me is talkin;coughing;fartin';eating popcorn like it was her last meal on earth;what is this fan noise everyone writes about???

Google Mack or check with Bryan here at AVS for a warranty. A three year warranty (two lamp replacements) can be found for less than $100.

Normal. The thing isn't bright enough on normal, let alone economy.

What screen are you using? I use a 106" DaLite High Power and my image is bright and has a lot of pop when projector is on economy.

What screen are you using? I use a 106" DaLite High Power and my image is bright and has a lot of pop when projector is on economy.

Just some DIY projection material from RoseBrand. I actually don't like the stuff; it lets a lot of the light go right through it. I plan to build a new screen this year.