CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

Dertah · Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Posts: 48 Location: Connecticut

Has anyone used the Marantz AV7005 Pre/Pro as a video scaler? It upconverts all inputs to 1080P via HDMI. I have a Vidikron Vision One (E-Home 9500LC clone) with a Moome HDMI input and am looking at the Marantz to replace my Lexicon MC-1. The alternative is saving money for a Radiance but at $3k to 4k (XS or XE) it may take a while. What are the benefits of the Radiance over using a processor such as the one in the AV7005? This may be a basic question and I suspect that either will be a big improvement over my current setup (Key Digital HD Leeza) which outputs RGBHV but I would appreciate any help. If this should be posted in the CRT section, please let me know.

**kal** · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2012 2:20 pm Post subject:

I have no idea what the Marantz does but it's likely just a really simple video scaler.

The Radiance does a million more things. Most that use it probably use it probably don't even use it as a scaler since few people still use standard definition resolutions.

See: http://www.curtpalme.com/Radiance.shtm

What sources do you have?

Kal

Dertah · Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Posts: 48 Location: Connecticut

Thanks for the response Kal. I suspected that the Radiance can do significantly more than the upconverter in the Marantz but I guess I just didn't understand exactly what it does and what the $3 to $4K gets me. I read the page you link to but can't say that I understand it all. What I did fully appreciate are the testimonials - which are excellent.

For various reasons (including replacing the bellows) my PJ needs to be completely setup from square one. I understand it would be best to have my video path complete before I go through the setup process. So I need to make a decision. Based on the auto functions that the Radiance can do perhaps I could save the cost of paying someone to do the PJ setup. I am comfortable with the geometry and focusing part but did not want to do the calibration, light metering etc.

I guess I am convinced that I need 1080P at 72hz and the Marantz can't do that but the Radiance can. That leaves the XS+ versus the XE+. I don't like the fact that the XS is less upgradeable. I spent a lot of money on the HD Leeza and now it is worth almost nothing. I like the fact that Radiance could last a long time - it even does 3D (which does not really matter to me but is cool).

If I did get the Radiance for video and the Marantz for audio would my signal path be: source to Radiance to Marantz to PJ all via HDMI? Am I correct that the HDMI signal has to get to the Marantz for audio processing? I know that it can pass through the video. Could I use the two HDMI outputs of the Radiance one for video to the PJ and one for Audio?

My sources will be largely blu-ray and DVD via hdmi. I also have an SDI modded DVD player that works with the Leeza. I have a significant number of laserdiscs as well that would have to be scaled. Lastly there is my cable box (also HDMI).

**kal** · Posted: Fri Jan 06, 2012 12:59 am Post subject:

Dertah · Joined: 11 Sep 2010 Posts: 48 Location: Connecticut

For those who are interested the Marantz AV7005 uses the Anchor Bay ABT2015 video scaling chip. From the manufacturer: "The chip features Anchor Bay's proprietary 10-bit Precision Video Scaling Engine that can independently scale an image horizontally and vertically to achieve an outstanding picture quality for today's demanding high resolution video displays."

A bit off topic but Kal says above that my Marquee 9500LC clone can do 1080P at 72 hz. Can anyone confirm that I can send a 1080p 72 hz signal from the Radiance xe+ to a Moome VIM-FULLHD V3 and that it will display correctly? I ask because the Moome spec sheet appears to be inconsistent on this point. Do I need to buy the Moome EXT or an HD Fury instead?

draganm · Joined: 08 Mar 2006 Posts: 8990 Location: Colorado

**kal** · Posted: Mon Jan 23, 2012 1:07 am Post subject:

Dragan makes a good point. For more info see his Marquee mods here: http://www.curtpalme.com/MarqueeHDmods.shtm
It helps bring the unit back up to spec (and often better than spec since newer parts are available than what was around when the projector was originally built).

Kal