Hi guys, I have a client - I've tried to offload a Calibre HD unit to him but he wants to get a Gefen unit or DVDO unit.

He will have an AV receiver that is switching his analog sources (up to 1080i) into a single component out and his 1080p source (HDMI) will be seperate (his current AV box doesn't switch HDMI)

He watches a lot of old VHS tapes as well. On paper, the Gefen (link below) doesn't seem to do anywhere near the processing that say, the Calibre does. I've suggested we try it out and A/B test it to see how he likes it.

Has anyone had experience with all 3 of these units? The Gefen is only $450 US - the other boxes are way more but seem to do a lot more.

Here's a link to one:
http://cgi.*********.au/GEFEN-HDMI-VIDEO-SCALER-LINE-DOUBLER-1080p-EXT-HOMETS_W0QQitemZ280127708879QQihZ018QQcategoryZ14962QQssPage NameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Anyway, comments welcomed and appreciated.

Kind regards

OK .. I'm sorry guys, I just found the Gefen thread. I feel like a dufus now.

Anyway, if there's anything further to add here, that's fine too :)

Kind regards

Gefen do a really good VXP powered scaler, but it's only HD SDI in & DVI out (or the otherway round). It doesn't have all the switching and transcoding functions of other scalers, but the sheer performance is all there. Mad Mr H put his Gefen up against my Vantage, and the Gefen was a bit sharper, the Vantage had a bit less noise, but the differences were really small. I'd expect the VP50 to be similar.

The cheap Gefen scaler seems to be getting a very poor reputation these days. Just look at Gefens own forums.

Nick

I would concur. Gefen cheap unit is more of a switch than a scaler. Avoid.......

Gordon

a year or two ago, I spoke with Hagai Geffen about the possibility of them improving their VP capabilities. I guess they are looking for mostly low-end high quantity items.

The company has a good reputation, I hope they do get into better high end stuff.

I saw the Calibre unit here at CEDIA. It absolutely rocks! The Gefen scaler is a simple gaming scaler. Even the company reps say its no good for HT. I haven't seen the DVDO in a real HT setup. (At the show DVDO is running a competitive side by side vs. Calibre, but it to show off the fact that DVDO has a low-lag gaming mode. It is odd that they chose to show this as a shootout since I think most people would be more interested in real home theater. Oh well.