I am in the market for my first external video processor.

My budget is $1000 or less.

I am willing to consider stand alone or integrated with receiver.

I want excellent 480i deinterlacing to 480p from all 480i sources on Svideo, composite and component inputs- video source, film source, badly authored/flagged, etc.

Composite inputs should have excellent comb filtering, etc.

Excellent scaling from 480p to 720p/1080i/1080p would be a bonus, but I can live with the scaling in my projector, currently a 720p Epson Home Cinema 400. I doubt I'll have a 1080p projector for several years.

My belief is that my best choices are a receiver with HQV Reon VX chip like the Onkyo SR876 or the Edge.

Pluses/minuses of each from user experience?

Which would you pick and why?

Any other options?

I would highly recommend a dedicated video processor for the best video performance. If however you have another need to upgrade your audio, then the "dual" effect method is a good alternative (typically video isnt as good, but there are audio benefits).

I would highly recommend a dedicated video processor for the best video performance. If however you have another need to upgrade your audio, then the "dual" effect method is a good alternative (typically video isnt as good, but there are audio benefits).

Thanks for the input.

I think given my budget, I'll be going with the Edge if I can score one shipped for less than $600.

I don't think there is a better choice for a first time video processor, i.e. VP "virgins" :D

Indeed I agree (and that price should be no problem to find).

If you could find someone that did a "hold nothing back" implementation of the Reon, then it would be competitive with EDGE. However, such a device has not shown up in the market that I am aware of. The closest that has come has been in a few optical disc players, and even these are relatively constrained implementations.

Net-net: get the EDGE, and don't worry about having to upgrade audio and video at the same time anymore.

Bill

I will hold off on the Edge until the Realta based Gefen GTV-HTS-Pro reviews start rolling in ;)

If you could find someone that did a "hold nothing back" implementation of the Reon, then it would be competitive with EDGE. However, such a device has not shown up in the market that I am aware of. The closest that has come has been in a few optical disc players, and even these are relatively constrained implementations.

Net-net: get the EDGE, and don't worry about having to upgrade audio and video at the same time anymore.

Bill

Indeed. Most of the implemenation in audio receivers is poor at best. Though they will do a better job on some displays, they are never a good replacement for a VP. Not to mention some of the best ones video-wise (I won't name names) seem to sacrifice the audio to a degree.

I will hold off on the Edge until the Realta based Gefen GTV-HTS-Pro reviews start rolling in ;)

LOL, that piece of vaporware? Don't tell me it's actually getting ready to finally show up!

Indeed. Most of the implemenation in audio receivers is poor at best. Though they will do a better job on some displays, they are never a good replacement for a VP. Not to mention some of the best ones video-wise (I won't name names) seem to sacrifice the audio to a degree.

I'm not an audio snob- I want acceptable quality, but I don't nit pick.

I have no urge to upgrade from my Pioneer 1014 receiver in by basement theater. Heck, I'm content with the Panasonic XR55 in my den ;) As I have no plans to get BluRay, I'd rather conserve the cash for a good standalone VP plus an upgrade to a 12"-15" Parts Express Titanic subwoofer kit :D

I'm not an audio snob- I want acceptable quality, but I don't nit pick.

I have no urge to upgrade from my Pioneer 1014 receiver in by basement theater. Heck, I'm content with the Panasonic XR55 in my den ;) As I have no plans to get BluRay, I'd rather conserve the cash for a good standalone VP plus an upgrade to a 12"-15" Parts Express Titanic subwoofer kit :D

I think you are doing the right thing then.

Composite inputs should have excellent comb filtering, etc.

The Edge seems to. I'm very pleased with how it handles my laserdiscs over composite. It produces very few artifacts with the Snell Wilcox pattern on the DVE laserdisc.