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I Just Don't Get Video

At this years CES, I was able to catch the Faroudja demo, which some of you may have also seen.

I rarely watch television and dont get too excited about video, but I must say it looked AMAZING -- a scene from a recent (?) movie showing a high school drum corp competition or something.

Because I am clueless about video, I felt a bit like the audio neophyte that may like what he hears but just has no idea what he is listening to or where or how to attribute the quality or critique various aspects of the sound.

From what little I now understand, that demo used Faroudja's new DLP front projector ($12,500?) and a combination DVD player and video processor that I think is about another $10,000. Didnt ask about the screen but I imagine it costs more than a bedsheet as well.

Unfortunately, 12,500 is a bit more than I want to spend on the projector and my wife is lobbying for a 50" flat plasma screen at the foot of the bed.

Therefore, could someone please explain video processors and how they would impact my watching Time Warner Cable in HD in New York City?

Would a processor dramatically enhance the occasional DVD on my Sony 9000 ES?

Would it make sense to invest in a processor even if I went with a more ordinary and less expensive -- albeit HD - display device?

Or -- extra credit !! -- is there a bargain out there for last years model where I can get 90% of Faroudja's demo for < 50% of the price?

Thanks
cwlondon
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
I guess when I see somethig great; I buy it;or it's little brother. You're going to be downsizing from the projectors mentioned. The best is always the best. WHY?? because it costs more. Do some looking around. Plasmas and these new tech rptv and entery level projectors ALL have trouble doing either blacks/ greys/shadow detail (darker sceens in movies) I say pick up a lower price plasma. The tech. changes so fast you'll want something better shortly. That way you wont loose to much. And, make the misses happy(which as we all know;makes us happier)Then get your self one of those 3 chip 25k Sim projectors. Oh yaa the Firehawk screen will be about 4k. No video processor needed unless you are using down-rez stuff like lazer/vhs tapes.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
If your putting this in your bedroom..forget a projector. I would go with a large plasma as your wife wants. If on the other hand, your setting this up in another room..forget the plasma and go with a projector. Even a cheap projector will blow the plasma away in overall enjoyment in a larger room size but would (could) be somewhat of a hastle to deal with in a bedroom/TV/dvd/sleeping type of setup IMO. You should find something with no problem @ or below $5,000 that has a great picture. I wish I could show you a screen-shot of even what my cheap little Infocus X1 projector looks like on my 100" screen with a progressive scan DVD player. You don't need to spend a ton of money with these new projectors and Televisions to get a great picture..they are getting THAT GOOD.

Dave
cwlondon OP
1,210 posts
 
Thank for the opinions so far.

Further to projectors, I already have a trusty Sony VPL 4000 Q 16:9 HDTV LCD which everyone raved about when it came out and at least used to be a bit of a cult item.

However, it is not terribly bright and the fan is a bit noisy even in a bigger room.

Will even the new cheapo projectors handily outperform the old benchmark Sony or should I just buy the plasma for the bedroom and use the projector in the living room while my wife watches the food channel or something?!

In any event, it sounds like Faroudja video processors arent exactly a high value item and wont be required for HDTV and DVD?
redkiwi
1,092 posts
 
I have a Sanyo plv-z1 projector - cheap and cheerful, but beats any Plasma I have seen hands down at a fraction of the price. Getting all carried away I tried a number of processors and either saw no meaningful improvement or a degraded picture. One of the problems is that the Sanyo already has an ok scaler, and adding more stages of A to D and D to A is hardly beneficial. Mine was only one experience, but I have heard some experts say that processors were sensible for the old CRT projectors but do not make much sense with today's digital projectors.
avguygeorge
2,300 posts
 
That's right these scalers inverters and such are for making your lazer discs/vhs tapes and interlaced dvd players and the like;look much better on your projector. i.e.480i material.Many have odd rez for Pal.Many of the projectors up convert prog. dvd to 720. (mine does)Which is about as good as can be had, without a computer program card.I have a dvi in,but no supporting player. The early dvi players are a mess./compatibility issues. The D1 and 931. Others are comming out. Then ya got 2 types of dvi inputs. Reminds me of when Quad sound came out in the '70s. This cart. would only work with Columbia/RCA or what ever incompatibility it was.
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