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VP-12S2 Video Projector
Marantz Raises the Bar-¦Again!
Through improved design techniques and the introduction of the new HD2 Mustang chipset from Texas Instruments,
we have achieved what others thought impossible. With a measured contrast ratio of 2600:1, Marantz has more than
doubled the best contrast of any of the previous generation DLP projectors. The result? Deep rich blacks that rival even
the best 3 gun CRTs.
DLP -„¢ Technology
The VP-12S2 is one of the first video projectors in the world to make use of Texas Instruments new HD2 1280x720
DMD -„¢chip in DLP -„¢technology. This new chip has many benefits over previous attempts at using DLP in home theater.
Earlier DLP -„¢projectors were technically 4:3 devices that were primarily designed for commercial applications. While they
had many advantages over LCD, the fact is that they were still 4:3. While this aspect ratio is more than adequate for
standard NTSC and PC display, it creates a whole new set of problems when attempting to display widescreen images. By
design limitations, a 4:3 DMD-„¢ chip cant turn off all of the unused pixels when displaying 16:9 sources and since the
world is moving in a widescreen direction, this resulted in an annoying halo effect around the screen when any aspect
ratio other than 4:3 was used. The new VP-12S2 with its 921,600 pixels, a color wheel that spins at 5x the 60 Hz video
frequency and new internal masking technologies, is more than capable of displaying any NTSC or HD source with
breathtaking sharpness, detail, and contrast. And, when you are watching an image that doesnt require the use of all of the
pixels, you will see nothing other than breathtaking artifact-free video.
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Faroudja Processing
Todays video sources have two different configurations: interlaced and progressive. They also have many
different resolutions: from 702 x 480 pixels of interlaced video in the NTSC format all the way up to 1280 x
780 pixels progressively scanned or 1920 x 1080 pixels displayed in an interlaced fashion for HDTV. In order
to fill the screen on a fixed resolution device like the VP-12S2 with its 1280 x 720 pixels, and maintain HD
picture quality, extremely high quality video processing is required. For the VP-12S2, Marantz turned to the
best: Faroudja Laboratories, the inventor of the first high quality line doubler, the originator of inverse telecine
processing (better known as 3:2 pulldown), and three time Emmy
®award winner for excellence in video imagery.
Suffice it to say that the VP-12S2 has the best video processing available today in an all-in-one product.
How it Works -Incoming video is decoded by a Faroudja video decoder. Faroudja has long been known for
offering the best color decoding technology. The VP-12S2 offers patented 10-bit adaptive comb filtering with
Cross-Color suppression (rainbow pattern artifact) and a two line Time Base Corrector. Then, Bandwidth
Expansion is applied to the color signal for further improvements in color resolution. Finally the signal is
deinterlaced and enhanced by their world renowned processing including the patented Directional Correlational
Deinterlacing (DCDi
-„¢) circuit, which applies new motion adaptive deinterlacing that prevents the introduction
of motion artifacts and jagged edges from video signals that originated from video cameras (such as with sporting
events, live camera feeds and music videos). Patented 3:2 pull-down circuit with advanced edit detection is used
for video signals that originated from film cameras for exact reconstruction of the original film frame without
introducing motion artifacts. The advanced edit detection is critical to track today's videos that typically are filled
with fast edits that combine both film and video originated sources. Finally the image is scaled to the native 1280
x 720 rate defined by the DMD
-„¢panel. This sophisticated circuitry also offers 4 different aspect ratios, (Full,
Normal, Through, Zoom), which will allow any shape of image to be viewed in the best light (no pun intended).
Minolta Optics
All of this excellent picture circuitry wont do any good if you cant get the image to the screen properly. For this
reason we chose custom ground optics by Minolta, long known for its incredible lenses in its professional and
consumer cameras. These optics feature a sealed light path so that the normal dust and smoke that exist in a
typical home environment wont ever intrude on the image. There is even a special long throw version of the
VP-12S2 which allows for back of the room, or even out-of-the-room installation options.
The Picture
All of the above amounts to a picture that has to be viewed to be believed. With any source from a VCR up to
the best HDTV, the VP-12S2 displays a vivid, accurate image free from visible artifacts. With a bright 700 ANSI
lumens and 2600:1 contrast ratio, the picture can even be enjoyed in rooms that have less than ideal lighting
control. The VP-12S2 projects an image that is ideal for the new breed of gray screens that are specifically
designed for solid state projection.
Calibration and Flexibility
The VP-12S2 is the first DLP front projector that offers a DVI-D input for perfect transmission and display of
compatible digital signals from set-top boxes, DVDs or any of the newer digital formats that allows for this type
of digital signal path. This results in the elimination of extra stages of video processing, yielding an even cleaner
more detailed picture. In addition to all of the great custom inspired features of the last generation, the VP-12S2
features a new fine adjustment menu that allows full gray scale adjustments, and complete control over all aspects
of the Faroudja processing. This allows the installer or technician to fine tune the picture to an even higher level
of performance.
The VP-12S2
To see the best in video projection, quit looking at this brochure and visit an authorized Marantz dealer today.
