New Marantz VP-12S2 Video Projector Focuses Clearly On High Performance With Advanced DLP™ Technology

ITASCA, IL, September 27, 2002—Reinforcing its position as a leading manufacturer of high-end video projection display devices, Marantz America today announced the introduction of its VP-12S2 High-Definition Projector featuring DLP™ technology. The ultimate-performance VP-12S2 incorporates the new Texas Instruments Mustang/HD2 DLP™ technology, a DVI digital video input and additional refinements to deliver a remarkable new level of high-definition image quality.

The Ultimate High-Definition Video Projector Successor to the company's highly acclaimed VP-12S1 projector, the Marantz VP-12S2 sets new standards in high-end video projector performance and custom installation flexibility. The VP-12S2 employs the latest Texas Instruments Mustang/HD2 chip in conjunction with a 1280 x 720 pixel panel and leading-edge DLP™ technology to produce images with higher brightness along with improved black level and an improved 2600:1 contrast ratio-yielding extraordinary resolution, picture quality and color accuracy.

To bring out the best the projector's DLP™ engine can deliver, the VP-12S2 utilizes Minolta lenses specially-built for Marantz. These custom lenses have double-sealed optics and mechanisms to prevent light leakage, keep out dust and eliminate the "halo" effect that can degrade image quality in other projector designs.

Further enhancing image quality, the VP-12S2 features progressive scan output with 3:2 pulldown detection and utilizes three Faroudja chipsets, which incorporate patented DCDi™ Directional Correlational Deinterlacing technology, plus video decoding and enhancement technologies to deliver unsurpassed image quality from any video source.

The DCDi™ circuit eliminates motion artifacts such as jagged edges seen on moving angled lines in video images, when converting standard interlaced video signals to progressive scan output. The video decoder accepts digitized composite or S-video inputs and generates decoded luminance and chroma signals using Faroudja's patented 2-D adaptive comb filtering technology, providing far better performance for moving images than standard comb filtering and also stabilizing the image output from poor-quality video sources. The video enhancer provides a number of benefits including improved fine detail, image texture and edge sharpness, to create a more realistic, high-definition-like picture.

The VP-12S2 is compatible with virtually every digital and analog video program source, and includes a DVI digital video input to accept the signal from a DTV set-top box, DV camcorder or other digital video source and maintain a pure digital signal path from source to display. In addition, the VP-12S2 provides high-bandwidth HD component video, component video, S-video and composite video connections as well as analog RGB computer inputs.

The projector can operate in either native progressive scan mode or upconvert video sources, depending on the signal source. The VP-12S2 can display a native 720p progressive scan image from a DVD-Video player, HDTV set-top box or computer up to XGA resolution, or an upconverted image from any NTSC source, as well as 480i and 1080i images.

Designed for Custom Installation Versatility The Marantz VP-12S2 is designed for maximum custom installation flexibility, and offers a wealth of operational and convenience features including a new menu system that facilitates setup and calibration. The projector can be optimized to display both 16:9 widescreen or standard 4:3 aspect ratios with four viewing modes-Theater, Standard, Dynamic and User. The VP-12S2's Lens Shift feature enables the image to be shifted up or down and projected through the upper or lower portion of the lens; this function and its horizontal keystone correction enables the VP-12S2 to achieve correct picture geometry if the projector is not mounted exactly parallel to the screen.

The Marantz VP-12S2 is calibrated to three color temperatures including correct NTSC 6500° color temperature, and it also features selectable black level adjustment to achieve optimum image quality with any video source.

For integrated operation in a custom installation, the VP-12S2 includes remote in/out connections, an RS232C control port and two DC trigger connections that can trigger two different operations-for example, the VP-12S2 can be set to reconfigure a dual-aspect ratio projection screen whenever the aspect ratio of the program source changes from 16:9 to 4:3. All functions are accessible via the VP-12S2's remote control and on-screen menu.

The Marantz VP-12S2 will be available October 2002 at a suggested retail price of $12,499.

Marantz America is committed to upholding the tradition of technological superiority initiated by founder Saul Marantz over forty-five years ago. In keeping with this emphasis on quality, Marantz audio and video components are carried only by the nation's premier independent audio/video specialty retailers.

DLP is a trademark of Texas Instruments.