Meridian Shows 1080p D-ILA

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 9/13/2006

Denver – Meridian Audio, will show its latest lineup of high-definition video projectors and processors at CEDIA Expo.

The Austell, Ga.-base U.S. subsidiary of the U.K. high-end audio, video and home theater systems manufacturer continues to use its “Faroudja by Meridian” brand on video components, following the exclusive licensing deal struck last year with Genesis Microchip.

New to the line are a pair of three-chip DILA projectors, and a reference-quality video processor engineered. Both the DILA1080MF1 and DILA1080MF2 projectors employ three native 1920-by-1080p D-ILA chips (6.22 million pixels) for smooth images without visible pixel structure.

Both projectors are pixel-direct models without internal scalers, requiring the use of an outboard scaling component.

The MF2s omits the motorized zoom/focus optics found in the MF1. The feature is said to improve contrast performance. The MF1 also features a vertical lens shift of ± 60 percent making it extremely installer friendly.

The MF1 includes an advanced ultra-low-noise cooling system that, as well as minimizing noise, cools down the projector in just a minute or so after switch-off, Meridian said.

Both projectors accept 1080p signals via single DVI-D with HDCP inputs. Meridian said that multiple video inputs are not necessary since both projectors are designed for use with an outboard video processor, such as the new DVP1080MF.

That processor is designed to output 1080p signals from virtually any video source. This compact unit incorporates Faroudja’s TrueLife 12-step detail processing and DCDi motion-adaptive de-interlacing. Output to the projectors is handled through a DVI-D/HDCP connection.

The DVP1080MF incorporates flexible aspect-ratio control and image-shift options, as well as auto-detection of HD or standard-def input signals, and includes an internal test-pattern generator.

An alternative processor model, the DVP1080HD, which is available independently from the projectors, includes all the facilities of the DVP1080MF with the addition of multiple progressive analogue video outputs including RGBHV, component video, RGBS and RGsB.

Both the DILA1080MF1 digital projector (available in normal and short-throw versions) and the DILA1080MF2 digital projector are currently available as packages with the DVP1080MF, or on their own at the following suggested retail prices: The DILA1080MF1 is available for $20,995 in either normal or short-throw lens versions; the DILA1080MF2 is available for $14,500 with a normal lens, the DILA1080MF1 is available in a package with the DVP1080MF for $25,995.00; the DILA1080MF2 is available in a package with the DVP1080MF for $19,495.00; and the DVP1080HD is available separately for $6,995.00.