What would you do? (inputs/sources)

Right now I'm running my XG off of a HTPC with a fusion HDTV 5 tuner, but I want to be able to use my cable box for encrypted channels as well as any other component/dvi/hdmi sources (hd dvd, ps3, etc), hence the need for some type of transcoder/input module.

The options from what I've researched are:

1. A DVI + component transcoder with gamma correction.

2. A NEC ISS as well as moome's ISS input card with gamma correction (probably the most expensive option).

3. moome's XG input card. The only problem is moome does not make the XG card with gamma correction. However, the advantage is that the input would be digital whereas with the other two options the input is RGB. I'm not sure how much of a difference this makes though.

Unfortunately there isn't a win-all solution because my budget is 250-350$, making a scalar far out of range. It's either gamma correction or digital input.

By the way, I plan on having the XG calibrated by Ken or Terry or whoever else at that expertise level sometime after I get all my sources setup.

So, what would you do?

The only thing about a scaler is I don't think there's much I'm going to scale. I don't have a DVD collection so I'd probably get a HD dvd player soon and rent HD DVDs from netflix or blockbuster. So really the only additional feature of the scaler over a transcoder with gamma is the ability to change the refresh rate, which I don't think is worth 700$. Now if I had a 9" CRT and needed to deinterlace 1080i to 1080p, then that would be another story. Is there any other feature of a scaler that I'm missing?

bumpty dump...now that everyone's back from the meet

The cable box has DVI and component.

I'm pretty sure I want this to be the one and only transcoder/input card/scaler so I'd like to just move to transcoding + gamma. I just can't justify spending $1000 on a scaler when the projector was nearly that much, especially when I'll be going to college in a year and a half. The RTC2200 (component transcoding + gamma) looks nice, unless HDMI/DVI/component direct input is that much better than RGB (see below).

I think what would help a lot in deciding this is knowing what kind of difference gamma makes as well as the difference between HDMI/DVI input and VGA input into the projector.

I also plan to have Ken calibrate once I get this situated. The whole point of getting the transcoder is so I can finally the XG calibrated. Ken actually said he wanted to come measure my light output while he was still in town, which would be a good opportunity to discuss a few issues I'm having that should be worked out before calibration.

As for the scanlines, I honestly don't know. I'm running 720p instead of 1080i because I was having some porch issues with 1080i on the HTPC. I know focus isn't that great since focusing a torus is more difficult, I don't know where to set scheimpflug (the manual doesn't include my setup), and the green astigmatism flares. Convergence is alright, but it can definitly get better. Right now its very watchable, looks better than anything I've seen (save other CRT setups) and has great black levels. I just need to get the rest of my sources setup and fix a few issues before I pay for a calibration.

So is there anything that will do component + DVI transcoding with gamma control? Moome said hes making a XG and/or external box that does component + DVI with gamma sometime in July, but I don't think I can wait until October. What about an external gamma device? From searching, it looks like theres a lot of Marquee and Sony stuff, but NEC gets no love .

Sorry, a scaler is completely off the table. It would take me nearly half of the summer working to earn enough money, and I don't think its worth it for a little better gamma control and the ability to change the refresh rate. Now if I had a 9"er and needed 1080p that would be a totally different story.

So you would recommend a longer RGBHV cable as opposed to a longer HDMI cable?

All my equipment is directly below the projector, so cable runs dont have to be more than 6ft all together. I was thinking of ouputting DVI directly into the HDfury and then go the 3ft/6ft to the kimcoder via VGA and then use a small breakout cable from the kimcoder to the projector? I'd need to output VGA from the HDFury to got to the kimcoder and by using the VGA as the longer cable run I could use the same VGA cable for the HTPC. How does this sound?

Also, where would you recommend cables from? I see a lot of people recommending monoprice, but 6$ cables aren't exactly comforting.

Thanks

Just curious as to why? (trying to learn here ).

So I can go 6ft to the HDFury via DVI and then a 6 inch RGBHV from the kimcoder to the projector
or
Connect the HDfury directly to the DVI device (or I could use a short cable here if that matters) and use a 6ft vga cable to a 6" RGBHV cable from the kimcoder.