pradike
11-13-2003, 11:44 AM
Hee is an update regarding the Marantz VP1 and VP2 Front Projector lamp flicker issue:
The November 2003 issue of Stereophile Guide to Home Theater magazine has a review of the VP2 in it (and rates it as a great projector). At the end of it, there is reference to the flicker issue. The writer reiterates what has been reported in a number of other places -- the issue stems from an inventory of bad bulb units made by a vendor NO LONGER USED by Marantz. Their new bulb units supposedly do not have this problem.
As a VP2 owner myself, I called Marantz, and they confirmed this. Since I had only about 100 hours on my bulb, they asked me to contact the dealer where I bought the projector, and have them complete an RA (return authorization) form). This provides the means to have the dealer return the old bulb unit back to Marantz. My dealer did this, had the bulb in 3 days, replaced my old unit with a new one, and sent the old one back.
Please note that Marantz customer service was professional, friendly, and overall excellent in handling this!
I've had the new bulb unit 1 week now (maybe 15 hours use), and have seen NO flicker whatsoever...so far the change has eliminated the problem. If this changes, I will post again, but I suspect this should resolve the matter.
One additional point. Unlike some other projectors, the lamp/bulb is not a simple standalone unit. It is contained within a "lamp assembly unit". This means that you have to replace the whole assembly unit (which isn't rocket science), and not just the lamp - no big deal, but certainly different.
The November 2003 issue of Stereophile Guide to Home Theater magazine has a review of the VP2 in it (and rates it as a great projector). At the end of it, there is reference to the flicker issue. The writer reiterates what has been reported in a number of other places -- the issue stems from an inventory of bad bulb units made by a vendor NO LONGER USED by Marantz. Their new bulb units supposedly do not have this problem.
As a VP2 owner myself, I called Marantz, and they confirmed this. Since I had only about 100 hours on my bulb, they asked me to contact the dealer where I bought the projector, and have them complete an RA (return authorization) form). This provides the means to have the dealer return the old bulb unit back to Marantz. My dealer did this, had the bulb in 3 days, replaced my old unit with a new one, and sent the old one back.
Please note that Marantz customer service was professional, friendly, and overall excellent in handling this!
I've had the new bulb unit 1 week now (maybe 15 hours use), and have seen NO flicker whatsoever...so far the change has eliminated the problem. If this changes, I will post again, but I suspect this should resolve the matter.
One additional point. Unlike some other projectors, the lamp/bulb is not a simple standalone unit. It is contained within a "lamp assembly unit". This means that you have to replace the whole assembly unit (which isn't rocket science), and not just the lamp - no big deal, but certainly different.
