Faroudja VP400a opportunity

[Mike in Va]

Hi folks, I've got an opportunity to purchase the line quadrupler above and I was wondering if it was a good idea.

My video system's centered around a Meridian G-68 processor and probably a Piioneer Elite plasma or a Sony Ruby. I've seen an NTSC signal to a Barco 808 with and without this processor, with showing a dramatic improvement.

Is this needed if I'm already using a G-68 processor? Does something else in the system do the upconversion?

Thanks for the help.

Mike

[Duane]

What is the asking price?
For the digital displays you intend to use,I wouldn't believe that the quad would be a major benefit.I've seen the unit you're looking at working with CRT front projectors,in my case a couple of Vidikrons (Electrohome) and the image was about as good as it got.For smaller displays,your improvement may not be that dramatic.The Faroudja does provide a some video enhancements that could not be gained from the front projectors contols,but again,this may be a moot point,since the displays already have the video processing built into them.
Would you be able to demo the quad with your intended display units before buying it?

[Mike in Va]

Thanks for the comeback, Duane.

The Faroudja was in service in theater near me, and I might be able to get it for under $1000, I've seen one advertised for $850.

I'll probably get to give it a look first.

What is pushing my interest was how good a standard dvd looked after processing through this thing, but if the Pioneer plasma, Meridian G-68, or Sony Ruby has an effective upconverter, I probably won't need this. This processor was used to upconvert NTSC video that fed a Hughes/JVC 360 projector in a facility that was built before HD was commonly available.

I went to Meridian and Pioneer's website and they don't mention (or I missed it) upconverting, going to look at Sony's now. I'd love a Ruby, but may have a light competition issue.

Thanks again.

Mike

[Duane]

Mike,

My encounters with this particular Faroudja was with CRT front projectors.None of those projectors had built in scan converters,so it was crucial to have a doubler,tripler or quad in order to eliminate the scan lines and other NTSC standard artifacts.The Faroudjas were THE benchmark in scalers back then.There were others to follow,but Faroudja stood pretty much in a class alone.It was a jaw dropping experience,albeit an expensive one.
That being said,the prices started to come down in scalers and manufactures were incorporating them all into one package.The Elite plasma will have on as will the Sony.They all seem to do a good job.
The Faroudja would improve the image on these two,but would the cost of the Faroudja be something you could live with.IMHO,you would best to exhibit it with your intended display systems.With a CRT front projection system,it's a no brainer.
I cannot comment on the Meridian.No personal experience.

Good luck

Duane

[Jesse Garron]

I think other machines will do the upconvertng for you -- either the display itself, or:

Insted of the Quadrupler you could get a Toshiba HD DVD player for 5 hundy. It plays HD discs, but also upconverts SD discs.

I have a satelite receiver that upconverts SD DVD for my CRT front projector, but it still pales in comparrison to HD. You can upconvert 4x, but the starting point is only a SD DVD.

Also, you can get a really nice CRT for the price of the Rudy.