Calibre Vantage HD Scaler/Processor
Calibre announced what looks to be a killer video product this week; the Vantage HD video scaler/processor featuring the highly regarded Silicon Optix Realta HQV video processing engine. In addition to getting some of the best video processing around, you get a world class switcher as well. I see two additional perks that might make this product a home run for videophiles.
I would love to see this baby pared with a 1080p projector, such as the Sony Ruby. That would be pure video bliss!
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December 7th, 2006 at 10:20 pm
Gabe,
I was considering buying a Vantage HD and was trying to figure out which brand & type of HDTV to pair it with. Since Vantage HD will do the video processing it seems logical to avoid sets that position themselves with high-end video processing thus a higher price.
Also, will the Vantage HD make LCD comparable to Plasma? Should I go with a projector?
I was considering a Pioneer Elite but it seems that is a little overkill paired with the Vantage. Should I go for one of the low end entry level 50″ plasmas as long as they have HDMI/HDCP capability?
Am I making any sense? Any advice is welcome.
TIA
Steve Schiffer
steve@orlhomes.com
December 8th, 2006 at 12:22 am
>>> I was considering buying a Vantage HD and was trying to figure out which brand & type of HDTV to pair it with. Since Vantage HD will do the video processing it seems logical to avoid sets that position themselves with high-end video processing thus a higher price.
This is true in the sense that you don’t need a TV with a lot of processing power, but you still want the unit to have good display quality.
>>> Also, will the Vantage HD make LCD comparable to Plasma? Should I go with a projector?
LCD and Plasma differ because of the underlying technologies. No amount of video processing will make them look identical. It is a matter of personal preference. To me, plasma looks more like a tube TV (in essence each plasma pixel is like a mini tube), while LCD, DLP, and LCoS look more…well..digital. And there is nothing wrong with that. I have two LCD TVs, and really like the picture. I also have an LCD projector. I do crave better black levels and shadow detail, but the picture detail makes up for that most of the time. The best advice I can give is do your homework, and go out to SPECIALTY stores to view displays. There, you can usually get a better handle on the environment and have access to the controls of the display. That way you can get it looking more like what you will have at home.
As for whether you want a projector or regular display..this is a huge question. It depends on your room, install options, whether you can control the lighting, what it will be used for primarily, and other considerations. If you are creating a dedicated theater, I would definitely go projector, If it is for casual viewing in your bright living room, for example, a projector would most likely be less suited to that situation.
>>> I was considering a Pioneer Elite but it seems that is a little overkill paired with the Vantage. Should I go for one of the low end entry level 50″ plasmas as long as they have HDMI/HDCP capability?
Again, processing is only one part of the display technology. The Pioneer Elite plasmas are superb displays. The processor can feed the display its native resolution, if that’s what you prefer, and the display will simply look gorgeous. Specs can’t tell you everything that your eye can. I can’t suggest enough that you demo the units and see what looks best for you for the money you are willing to spend.