Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Video swithcing with new Meridian PJ

I just ordered the new Meridian/faroudja MF-1 projector- It does not come with any video switching- Since my 861 nor my 800 has any video cards -what is the best way to do switching- I have the 800(V3), D-vhs., sat. and maybe a HD DVD- I would like to keep it simple- thanks

http://www.extron.com/product/listbytype.asp?subtype=12

Probably a good place to start.

Seems to me you will have a number of analog sources so you need a good analog switcher. I dont know what kind of control system you have, but given the other hardware you have there, I would recommend you have a good control solution on hand.

btw- I want to hear all about this PJ when you have it up and running! Do you have it set up to do Cinemascope (2.35:1)?

best regards,
Jerry

Best solution, in my view, would be to use an external video scaler...that said, these are in state of evolotion as new a generation of products based on the Silicon Optics HQV as well as the Gennum XVP will be released within the next 6 to 9 months -- some are already out there..

If possible I would hold out for one of these, otherwise I would look at the Lumagen HDPro which can do motion adaptive 1080i deinterlacing..

Sorry Faroudja/M...will I am a string supporter of your audio side -- see below sig -- I believe others do a better and more cost effective video processing...

Jerry- Yes I am planning to go with a 130" wide 2.35 screen-Have not decided on control system- i am open to ideas that are not overly costly=

IMHO you should expect to spend a few grand on a control system given your equipment. Its not just the hardware, its the programming and most importantly the time to debug. While I can personally program Crestron, or used to be able to before they changed the software, I hired a custom installer to do this for me because my time is better spent else where. What I like about my setup is I put a DVD into the 800, go sit down and let the technology fade into the background.

If you want to talk to the guy who did mine, I live in Westchester NY and he works nationally, I am happy to give you the info. Shoot me an email at z8mania@mac.com

best regards,
Jerry

Take a look at the Home Theatre Controller by Control 4.

It is basic but works really well.

Lots cheaper than Crestron and remarkably good.

I have work with both.

bebop86:

Not to be the voice of disent BUT...I use to have a Crestron system and what can I say other than WHAT A ROYAL PITA...every single time I wanted to change the programming, even by a tweak here and a tweak there, it was a fight...finally got completely tired of depending on the installer to come and do the reprogramming...too much dependence and too costly..

That said, I did a lot of searching and landed with RTI's system which in, in my view, has a number of advantages which include:

-- Better balance of hard/soft buttons
-- Boolean command functionality
-- Excellent graphics templates
-- Scalability (i.e. IR, RF, RS-232, WiFi)
-- Very easy to program

In the event that the above tweaked your interest then goto www.rticorp.com

Hope the above is useful...

Sorry - as a supplement - the control 4 should not be used for video - just control.

hey - can I use a 562.3- for my analog ( LD,D-vhs) will this work with the 861?? then maybe the 421 for HDMI switching>>- can these work flawlessly together by remote??

Although I do not know about d-vhs, both HDDVD and your sat receiver can handle HDMI/DVI, so why not just use the HDMAX 421 as your video switcher. That is waht I use and it works very well. Surely the MF1 has some kind of component inout as well as HDMI? If so, just run your d-vhs player directly to the projector. IMO, now is not the time to buy an expensive scaler - I plan to wait until they are HDMI 1.3 capable. As long as your MF-1 will do 10801 to 1080p conversion, I think you will be just fine.

Simon

PS - I would get your 800 upgraded to v4 also!

thanks- I think I will get the 800 up to speed- Can I do that myself or does it have to be shipped-I found a 562.3 on Agon and if possible I thought it would handle my analog(LD, etc) ant thoughts-