It pains me to write this. But, I need some help. There are too many choices out there!

When I bought my RS1 recently, I hadn't really thought about a constant image height (CIH) set-up. However, since then I've redone my screen and purchased a horizontal stretch lens. CIH really is totally cool!

But, since the RS1 has no vertical stretch capability, I have no alternative but to zoom out if I want to see true 2.37:1 movies.

So, I'm considering a video processor and need your candid suggestions based upon your experience.

My primary goal is to stretch my blu-ray 1080p signal via HDMI at 24hz. If that's all the video processor did, I'd be happy.

Of course, cleaning up standard DVDs would be great as well. Noise reduction and compression artifact clean-up would be fantastic. And getting rid of jaggies is always good.

I don't need a color management system because I actually don't mind the RS1's colors. (No tomato throwing, please.) I also don't need more than a couple of inputs. Maybe two HDMI and a component or two.

I've considered selling my RS1 for another projector, but let's not go there with this thread, ok?

So far, I like the things I've heard about the Crystalio II VPS3100; the user interface seems clean, etc. The price seems fair as well. I really haven't decided how much I want to spend, except that I'm willing to pay more for greater performance, of course.

Your thoughts and stories, both good and bad, would be greatly appreciated.

It pains me to write this. But, I need some help. There are too many choices out there!

When I bought my RS1 recently, I hadn't really thought about a constant image height (CIH) set-up. However, since then I've redone my screen and purchased a horizontal stretch lens. CIH really is totally cool!

But, since the RS1 has no vertical stretch capability, I have no alternative but to zoom out if I want to see true 2.37:1 movies.

So, I'm considering a video processor and need your candid suggestions based upon your experience.

My primary goal is to stretch my blu-ray 1080p signal via HDMI at 24hz. If that's all the video processor did, I'd be happy.

Of course, cleaning up standard DVDs would be great as well. Noise reduction and compression artifact clean-up would be fantastic. And getting rid of jaggies is always good.

I don't need a color management system because I actually don't mind the RS1's colors. (No tomato throwing, please.) I also don't need more than a couple of inputs. Maybe two HDMI and a component or two.

I've considered selling my RS1 for another projector, but let's not go there with this thread, ok?

So far, I like the things I've heard about the Crystalio II VPS3100; the user interface seems clean, etc. The price seems fair as well. I really haven't decided how much I want to spend, except that I'm willing to pay more for greater performance, of course.

Your thoughts and stories, both good and bad, would be greatly appreciated.

What's your budget?

Edit: sorry just saw the 'haven't decided how much to spend' part.

If noise and artifact reduction is important to you, I think you have to look into the current gen of processors: Crystallio II, VP50Pro, RadianceXD. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think these capabilities exist on say the VP50 or Lumagen HDQ or older.

Dave,
Yup, those seem to be the three main contenders. Are there others?
Has anyone done a feature/price comparison?

Crystalio II VPS3100: $3,000
Anchor Bay's VP50Pro: $3,500
Lumagen Radiance XD: $4,000

My problem is that there are SO MANY features in this products, with upgrades happening frequently, I don't know how to judge them against one another on performance, ease of use and flexibility.

For example, I see no reference to mosquito noise reduction with the VPS3100.
I see no reference to supporting 1080p24hz with the Radiance XD.

At this point, I've really enjoyed reading JoeRod's user report regarding the Crystalio II VPS3100... are there other posts that give user experiences the the other processors that I'm missing? (Thanks, Joerod!)

VT Pete: The Radiance hardware supports 1080p24. It's not implimented in firmware yet.

The current Vision series of Lumagen processors all do everything you want. In fact the HDP seems to be ideal for your needs.

Gordon

which video machine is best for a vw60 projector

is there much difference of the picture because the vw60 has drc?

Gordon,
The Lumagen HDP would do the trick, and the price is nice and low these days, but before I give up 1080p24 input, I want to consider other options. I have to wonder, if it only takes 1080i60 input, what's the image quality coming out look like VS a machine that takes 1080p24 input?

IE, if the difference is not apparent by the normal human, that's great... but I'm pretty picky and would hate to have buyer's remorse because I bought a machine that resulted in an image that looked worse than had it not been going through the scaler in the first place. (1080 images, that is.)

-Pete

I found this to be a good combo for me: Lumagen HDQ + Toshiba XA2 + PS3. The HDQ has no noise/artifact cleanup, but the only source media I am interested in doing that to is SD-DVD, and the filters on the XA2 do a good job for me. Depending on the number of digital inputs you need, the HDP can also work well. In fact, I could have gotten away with the HDP as I send HDM (XA2 and PS3) to my receiver first to get the PCM audio, then to a single input on the Lumagen. I find the price/performance ratio of the "older" Lumagens to be the best bang for the buck. As to 24p input, I find this to be a non-issue - my receiver won't pass 1080p, so I send 1080i - the HDQ does IVTC and outputs 1080p48 to my Pearl, works great. The HDx line will accept up to 1080p30 on the inputs, but there might be somes issues with 1080p24 that need a firmware update pending Lumagen.

Usual,
Mucho gracias! That's the kind of input I love! Many, many thanks.
-Pete