I've got a Marquee 8000 CRT, an old (and dying) CrystalImage scalar. My current inputs are a DVD player and Comcast cable (SD and HD from a Moto 6412). I'm connecting to the 8000 using RGBHV.

In the future, I'd like to keep Comcast cable, change to a Bluray player, and add an Xbox. What are my options for a new scalar? Of course, I'd like to keep the price reasonable, say below $2000.

The CRT won't support HDMI, so that (and my budget) seems to rule out high-end boxes like the Lumagen Radiance.

Lumagen is still selling the HDQ/HDP, but that seems to be very old technology. Suggestions?

There are both DVI and HDMI VIM's available for the Marquee chassis (8000 included). Google around for "Moome HDMI".

The very old technology in the HDQ/HDP has still not been beaten by any of their competitors when it comes to scaling and calibration tools. Their multi point parametric gamma tool is great for use with crt projectors. For film source sd and hd they are pretty great....de-interlacing of material recorded with video cameras is where they fall short compared to some of the competitors. I think for your budget there has to be a compromise and only you can decide where it will be...with sports/studio based tv or with film.

Gordon: My impression of the HDQ/HDP is that they were not as good with TV. I watch more TV these days than movies, so that is my priority.

Axatax: so then one option would be to change from RGBHV cabling from the scalar to HDMI? OK, so then which scalar? Radiance is out of my budget. DVDO Edge looks interesting (and the price is right), but some of the messages on the vast DVDO Edge thread seemed to imply that it is not optimal for CRTs. Is that correct? What would I be giving up by going with the DVDO Edge?

Axatax: so then one option would be to change from RGBHV cabling from the scalar to HDMI? OK, so then which scalar? Radiance is out of my budget. DVDO Edge looks interesting (and the price is right), but some of the messages on the vast DVDO Edge thread seemed to imply that it is not optimal for CRTs. Is that correct? What would I be giving up by going with the DVDO Edge?

assuming you can get HDMI into you pj, the Edge should be wonderful. - at least, it functions seamlessly with my Runco 980Ultra (Nec PG9x.) - I'm using the original Wyman DVI card in a sony switcher, then running rgbhv to the pj.

Looks better than my VP50 feeding straight rgbhv; tho that would be another way to go, I guess - grab a VP50 used. Tho I'd still give the edge to the Edge, if you can find an hdmi or dvi input.

edit: optimal - depends on what res you want to run. Edge only gives me 1080i 60 or 720p 60. (or 50 for Pal Land) No custom timings - but in my case, they aren't needed. Have tried multiple res, framerate, and timings with my VP50. At least in my case, the Edge works just as nicely. - no 960p /72 - but I don't care.

At least in my case, the Edge works just as nicely. - no 960p /72 - but I don't care.

This is the bugger for CRT, as 960p72 is the sweet spot for most 8" sets. Without the ability for 72Hz, you will have judder with film sources. A used VP50 paired with a Moome HDMI card will get you there under $2K.

If video is your primary concern, the lack of 72Hz on the Edge may not be an issue.

Is the Moomie HDMI card still available? When I did a search for it, it said it was sold out as of July 2008.

Is the Moomie HDMI card still available? When I did a search for it, it said it was sold out as of July 2008.

He's doing another Marquee batch with HDMI 1.3. No ETA yet.

This is the bugger for CRT, as 960p72 is the sweet spot for most 8" sets. Without the ability for 72Hz, you will have judder with film sources. A used VP50 paired with a Moome HDMI card will get you there under $2K.

If video is your primary concern, the lack of 72Hz on the Edge may not be an issue.

Maybe that's it - I watch a lot of HD sports and HD programming - which is all 60, afaik. But I feed the edge 1080p24 from BD and HD-DVD - and it gets converted nicely; I rarely see enough judder to make me wish I was using the VP50. And being lazy, I prefer not having to switch output res on the vp, and memory blocks on my pj, as I go back and forth between 60 hz and 72 hz. At least on my setup, film looks better thru the Edge, displayed at 1080i60, than HD video does when I forget and have the pj at 720p72 or 960p72. That combination has rendered NASCAR unwatchable, using the VP50 and my NEC.:o

But either way, you'll have to get some kind of converter card or box, in order to use one of the newer gen vps. How nasty are the HDFurys? - aren't they based on the Wyman design?

How nasty are the HDFurys? - aren't they based on the Wyman design?

Nothing wrong with them, but the internal cards make me feel all warm 'n fuzzy.

A used VP50 paired with a Moome HDMI card will get you there under $2K.


true - but an Edge with a Wyman gets you there for under $1K. :p:D:p

like most anything - you gets what you pays for ;) only M1911 knows how what the last 5-10% is worth to him.

Am I correct that my 8000 won't do 1080p? I thought the best it can do is 720p or maybe 1080i?

like most anything - you gets what you pays for only M1911 knows how what the last 5-10% is worth to him.

It's worth a lot. But the Mistress of Finance is a tightwad, and I don't want to sleep in Chateau Bowow for the rest of my life...

There ya go - if you're like me, and running at 1080i or 720p anyway, go with the Edge.

I would say no, it may do 1080p, but the resulting display will be so soft that you won't be able to watch it - at least that is how it is on mine - so far out of bandwidth specs that to realistically handle it, I have to run at 1080p48. (another reason for VP50 ;)) But wife refuses to watch at 48hz and I can't stand it at 1080p.

the last 10%? if that's really what you're after, grab one of the 9" marquees, or a G90 - and then pair with a Radiance. :D imho, the VP50 isn't going to gain you diddly squat....that's why mine is for sale, while it's still worth a bit more than my new Edge. Maybe 2-3% - but you're giving up noise reduction and edge enhancement. That's why I reckon its a wash at best - at least for my application.

Unless your pj is very touchy (and I am Sgt Shultz as far as Marquees go) - the Edge should suit you fine until your 8000 dies. And by then - VP50Pros and G90s should be available as a pair for under 3k. :p

and I am Sgt Shultz as far as Marquees goMe too. That is why I have a shop set it up and calibrate it for me. I've tried in the past and realized I'm out of my depth and don't have the time and desire to figure it out. I just want it to work.

Dude! then all you want and need is some kind of dvi/hdmi card, and the Edge. While others lament the lack of options on it - that very lack makes the Edge virtually plug and play. Up and running faster than my VP30 or VP50; my only problem (and wasn't actually a problem) was that my DVI card has an EDID telling the HDMI device that its a 1080p device. So the Edge very nicely defaults to 1080p output. No biggy - I have to navigate a couple menus to swap res back to 1080i, and its ready to run.

By the time you get one, the new firmware will be out (also far easier to upgrade than previous DVDO products - so again, no worries) and you won't believe what you're seeing, coming out of your pj. :)