New Crystalio 2 VPS 3100

[welwynnick]

Its a while since I started a new thread here, but the arrival of the new Crystalio II VPS3100 seems to have gone unannounced, so I thought it was worth some recognition. The VPS 3300 & 3800 have been the video processors of choice for some time , but their price was getting more difficult to justify when the latest projectors include VXP or HQV standard processing for less money.

So the VPS3100 has been introduced with a reduced spec and a price of $2900 instead of $4500 or $5500. The omissions compared to the 3300 are:

• No analogue video or audio outputs.
• No SDI video inputs.
• RCA analogue video inputs instead of BNC.
• No 3D comb filter (for composite video inputs).
• No option of DCDi SD video de-interlacing.
• No PIP and PAP.
• No room-to room remote control

I'd say that was a well-chosen set of omission that would have very little inpact on most prospective users. The unit seems to have been simplified, too. The large rear panel of the 3800 was packed with connectors, but now it looks like the 3100 gets everything on on board, which must simplify things a bit.

http://www.crystalio.com/spec.html

Good move, I think.

Nick

[choddo2006]

Very interesting. Can you get SDI added later? Doesn't look like there's space there for an addon.

[cj]

What's going on with PMS? They seem to be getting quite a lot of bad press with regards to the CII.

[madshi]

Originally Posted by cj

What's going on with PMS? They seem to be getting quite a lot of bad press with regards to the CII.

I think the main problem is that they decided to cut the features of the integrated media player in the CII 3800 to the absolute minimum. IIRC the container and codec supports is extremely limited. Even their external media player boxes can do much more. And they are not top of the class, either. Obviously the CII 3800 owners are very disappointed (and maybe even angry) about that. Some people bought the 3800 based on their believe that the media player would be made equal to the external media players. There was no reason to believe otherwise from PixelMagic said about the 3800. But PixelMagic has decided that the 3800 media player only needs to offer very limited functionality.

However, from what I've heard the real video processing functionality in the CII is really good. Unless you need noise reduction and detail enhancement. Most of the competition have models in the market now with better noise reduction and detail enhancement functionality. But if you don't need that (or if you don't mind adding an Algolith Fly) the CII should be a very very good video processor.

[Rob100]

£1899 from CRT PJ's

http://www.crtprojectors.co.uk/crystalio_2.htm

[tryingtimes]

I seem to remember a post somewhere from PMS saying that the Sigma chip in the VPS3800 was used for more than just the media player (which is why it's in the VPS3300 as well), so that was one reason why it couldn't do exactly the same codecs as the HD MediaBox. I've tried to find the post again but can't.
I think they also saw the support nightmare that internet-sourced AVI files can be and wanted to avoid it on their flagship product - even PS3 with all it's horsepower and newest firmware only plays about half of the XviD files I throw at it.

Everyone buying VPS3800 now would know exactly what it can and can't do though. I have to say I still rate the internal Media player as the best quality DVD source I've got. It beats my Oppo 970 HDMI, my HTPC with theatertek/fddshow/radeon over DVI and HD MediaBox. Zero layer change too. The only thing I haven't compared it to is the Philips or Arcam SDI players - it would be interesting.

There was a time when I was grabbing every HD .ts file I could find and playing those too (and they looked great), but now that HD DVD and Blu Ray are more common, I find it too much like hard work locating them all. There's also the fact that many files are H.264 now. I still have a terrabyte of stuff though!
I've got a 1080i formula one clip showing Schumacher standing in front of a mesh grille and I always try it on any comparable device. C2 is still the best.


Back to the VPS3100 - I think they've found a good compromise of features for the majority of users as Nick says.

[madshi]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

I've got a 1080i formula one clip showing Schumacher standing in front of a mesh grille and I always try it on any comparable device. C2 is still the best.

Yeah, that's what other people also told me. The PQ of the internal media player is really great. Now I don't dare to dream about a CII with a Blu-Ray / HD DVD capable media player chip inside. Now that would be a dream machine...

[Barcoing Mad]

When I was considering going for either a 3300 or 3800, I wondered how many movies would be legally available to download as a supported format into the 3800.

Went for a 3300.

[Peter Baker]

I also have the 3300, and have to say I have been mightily impressed. In particular it does a stellar job in improving SD, both film and video sources, to a really good standard. On video, the ease of menu functionality to engage noise reduction for sports programmes is excellent. All in all, the user interface is a major plus.
On HD sources, it also does a good job, but the differenes are less marked. Finally, it enabled my installer to do a really good ISF very simply.

[choddo2006]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

I've got a 1080i formula one clip showing Schumacher standing in front of a mesh grille and I always try it on any comparable device. C2 is still the best.

Where might one acquire said clip? Sounds like just the thing I need.

[tryingtimes]

Originally Posted by choddo2006

Where might one acquire said clip? Sounds like just the thing I need.

That's a good question - I was grabbing clips from all over the place. I'll find out what it's called and how big it is and post here.
It's possible I can get it off the CII HDD via FTP, but I've never actually tried. I tend to just delete stuff and put more stuff on.

[tryingtimes]

So has anyone actually got a VPS3100?

[JohnWH]

Does the 3100 have the same inability to pass anything other than stereo audio over HDMI? This is, in my opinion, by far the biggest problem the 3300 and 3800 have right now as it somewhat limits their usefulness going forward.

John.

[tryingtimes]

I get 5.1 over the HDMI inputs John - (Coax output)

[JohnWH]

Originally Posted by tryingtimes

I get 5.1 over the HDMI inputs John - (Coax output)

Should have included 'PCM' in that sentence... It won't pass 5.1 PCM multi-channel audio afaik (or HD bitstream for that matter), this is a serious limitation.

John.