Poll: Would you buy a Gefen Gennum VXP Video processor for $ 1200

Yes, I would definitely buy it. There's no reason for both versions not to exist. Just make a new box for the HD-SDI-to-DVI scaler that does use the Gennum VXP, add at least one component or RGB input and one or two HDMI inputs and we're there. Dump one HD-SDI input if that would bring the cost down. Or, alternatively, use the same box, dump both HD-SDI inputs and add as many analog and HDMI input as is practical. I can get along with either solution - I really don't understand why no one at Gefen has considered them.

Their response is quite frankly mystifying. A $1200 VXP scaler would be unprecedented. Are they not aware that Pixelmagic can't keep the $4500 C2's in stock?

I really don't see any of their products targeted at "home" users (whatever that means) to begin with. ALL of their converter devices, by their very nature, cater to a niche.

I would certainly buy it, provided it had selectable output resolution (720p, 1080i, 1080p), a 1080p24 output mode with inverse telecine, and limited (i.e. on/off) options for noise reduction and detail enhancement.

I'm not sure the number of inputs would be enough for my needs. I'd rather drop all analog inputs and go 4x HDMI in instead. With such an input configuration, if the support was good and all necessary features would be implemented (custom resolutions, custom timing, YCbCr 480i/576i input, 24/50/60Hz output, etc), I might be interested.

it would have to support inverse telecine for 1080i60 sources and of course fully tweakable custom timings to allow anyone to achieve 1 to 1 pixel mapping, or run their desired resolution (this includes interlaced resoultions up to 1080i100).

Of course it should be a digital-only unit, but I would expect a maximum of 2 HDMI inputs (simply due to the competitive pricing). 4 inputs should be left to higher priced units

Hai,

I think it would be interesting for sure but making a $1200ish processor also means people will put more demand on what it does and i can see how gefen might not want to
get into the extra support/updates/upgrade issues. Also any price differences could be matched by companies like optoma who is clearly able to drop the price on their unit if they want if you look at the combi prices of their scaler+projectors.

Daniel.

If it was simply an HDMI version of their HD SDI to DVI scaler (which MadMrH has bought and we have assessed extensively and found to be very professinally implemented)

Then - you bet!

Nick

I have tried to find a analog and/or digital to HD-SDI converter, but the only ones I've found so far cost $800+, making the Gefen HD-SDI-to-DVI Scaler much less atttractive. If there's such a device for $400 or so, I'd sure like to know about it.

It would have to have additional features for me to be interested:
1. Test patterns (a reasonable amount thereof)
2. custom timing for output
3. Sufficient inputs and variations on inputs
4. Discrete IR codes
5. Support for custom aspect ratios (in and out)
6. hopefully some control over gamma and 11pt color calibration (not critical, but definitely welcome)

Anyway, I can only hope that Gefen is watching this thread and taking notes

I really hope Gefen will do something about this candidate killer project. Going by the price and performance of their HD SDI/DVI scaler, I think they have the opportuntity to clean up here. A full width slim black or silver box would seal it.

Nick

Remember the chip inside doesn't gaurantee a level of quality. I'd buy a $1200 VXP processor if it was good enough to be worth $1,200. But if it's just another OEM chip in a box type jobby then I'd respectfully pass.

I would expect such a unit might not have brilliant A-D conversion for example, or maybe will lack in features such as gamma adjustment. Scaling and deinterlacing isn't the only reason to by a VP, and VXP scaling is not much better than other scaling on the market either. So basically you're getting an excellent deinterlacer and hoping that all the other stuff around it isn't gonna break your picture on it's way through!!

Most definitely yes! The're soo close, if only there was a third version of the (HD SDI/DVI) scaler, but just DVI/HDMI VXP scaler, HDCP compatible. Are you listening Gefen The A/D for any other components could be done by any modern mid to hi spec receiver...

This reminds me of the early day of consumer IT, when 4Gb hard drives and 64Mb graphics cards were about the cost of a modern complete Core2 system (Yes I bought them, ouch!).

In my view, the days of $5000 VPs are numbered

Hi Liam,

I don't think we have to worry about whether it delivers. Gefen have already shown what they can do with the SDI versions that already have the DVI interfaces. (Delivered the best pictures I think I've ever seen, that is.) All they would need to add is the missing piece - DVI/HDMI inputs and output. I think I would be pretty confident about buying one without even seeing it first.

regards, Nick

I'm not so confident. Something always comes along every few months or so delivering the world at a budget price. But then we get down to it and we miss parametric grayscale tracking, or genlock, or the inputs or configurability let it down. Or it can't get 576i HDMI from a sky box (UK) and has pants a-d conversion on the RGB input and no Prep type function. Or it won't do 1080p48 as an output, or has a fan that sounds like a helicopter taking off! I'll wait til I see it i think. Set it up correctly, and then carry out a proper comparison with what else is on the market. You'd have to be mad to buy blind from a company that's barely been in the VP market before now! I'm not denying i'm not excited about it, but we've been here before and been let down before e.g. average at best scaling in the VP50 after promises of Crystalio quality image at 2/3 the price... Vantage HD all the power of the HQV, but all the bugs too it turns out. I'm still running my humble HDQ because one thing or another has stopped me using something else

keep at least one component, one SVHS, one composite, and one VGA analouge output/input with custom resolutions/timing.
I dont want HDCP crippled HDMI out, to be the only output or input option