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Q, I got a Focus Enhancements CS-1 a couple of months ago at a price that beats even the VP30 pre-order. The CS-1 is older and doesn't have the input/output flexibility of the VP30, but it does use the same Sil chip. I'm also using a much different display (a 61" JVC HD-ILA).My initial impression is that the CS-1 makes a subtle but noticeable improvement, although the degree of improvement is dependent on the source. Non-HD cable is cleaned up a bit, which leads me to believe that the CS-1 does a better job than my TV's internal video processing. For DVD I only use the CS-1 to scale the output from my Denon 2200, Compared to my Oppo outputting at 720p it is a toss-up, probably more a function of the different deinterlacing chips than anything else. I'm still tweaking the CS-1 for LD (the big reason that I wanted it in the first place) but haven't had a chance to calibrate with my LD of A Video Standard. My anticipation is that the CS-1 will make the most difference there.With respect to your situation, I can only imagine that the VP30 would offer the same type of subtle benefit, and since you are using a much smaller screen, it will likely be even more subtle. Since you already have a great DVD player using the same chip, I wouldn't expect any significant improvement there. SD from satellite would probably be improved, depending on the quality of the source to begin with. All in all, though, my guess is that the difference you see on screen wouldn't justify the purchase.So does that mean I'm saying don't buy it? Nope. I think you should, because I know how good the price is, and like you mentioned, it isn't that much more than buying an HDMI switcher. The flexibility the VP30 adds would be worth the difference in price, and should you upgrade to a larger screen, the video processing of the VP30 would come into play. If nothing else, though, you should be able to use the VP30 as a hub once you start adding HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players.Plus, the icing on the cake is that once DVDO offers its next generation model with improved video processing (perhaps 1080p processing), you'll be able to take advantage of the trade-in policy. So if I were in your shoes, I'd probably stay on the list.
So do you have the VP30 now?
That makes sense. That Monoprice switcher also is a new variable. I've had my eye on it, too.
I currently have an Oppo hooked up to my display's HDMI input, but I also have an HD cable box and D-VHS player that use HDMI, but I use component because I only have the one HDMI input. Add Blu-Ray (I'm more inclined to go that way over HD-DVD once there are actually movies available),
...and that Monoprice switcher starts to come in handy. I could use HDMI for all of my sources.
Plus, Shawn Fogg from AVS and the Lexicon forum has a box he calls the universal translator that I think will allow that Monoprice switcher to integrate with my Lexicon MC-8. I choose the Oppo input, it chooses the corresponding input on the switcher. I pick Blu-Ray, it switches to that input.
As for the ABT upgrade, I've seen rumblings and look forward to reading the real reports. By the time you upgrade your display to something larger, you should have all kinds of choices if you want a top-notch scaler. In the meantime, the setup you have now ain't too shabby..
I haven't seen the backlighting thread. This forum?
As for Shawn's Universal Translater, I think Secrets took a look at one a few weeks ago. It should give you all the information you need. I think Shawn is more a hobbyist than a manufacturer, but he's made switch-boxes to allow connection of multiple DVD-A/SACD players to Lex products and so forth. The article on the translator points out the pitfalls of trying to get different gear to communicate with one another when they were never intended to do so from the beginning, but from reading Shawn's posts on the Lexicon forum I know that he has a translator working in his setup. You can find some information by doing a search on the Lexicon forum, too.
QIf you're using any 1080i sources (HD-DVD, satellite HD, etc) you should avoid the VP30 for now, and consider a Gennum VXP or Realta HQV scaler. The "old" Sil504 of the VP30 is performing a simple "bob" with 1080i, but the new chips (Gennum and Realta) are doing true inverse telecine (film mode) and per-pixel motion adaptive de-interlacing in video mode with BOTH 480i AND 1080i...The Vantage HD would be a better choice. The upcoming Crystalio II or Algolith Dragonfly also. The Anthem D2 is a pre/pr ...
Overkill? I'd say yes.The VP30 would have been worthwhile because I know what you would have been paying with that special pre-order. At that price, even if I had a small display I might have jumped on it, knowing that I would get a generous trade-up for the next iScan product. The Gennum and Realta scalers cost significantly more. While the VP30 may have only given you a small improvement on your set, at least the cost wouldn't have been so great.Eventually you'll upgrade and get a larger display. By that point, who knows what scalers might be around. Might as well wait.
