Anyone try and compare the Halcro SSP 100 or 80?

what are HDMI switching capabilites for Lexicon vs Halcro vs Meridien? I saw a review Halcro somewhere they encountered some issues...some players working some not, like the nwe Toshiba HD DVD players. Can anyone comment on the three unit's performance in this regard?

or, (hey I am a novice at this) is it better just to get a sep HDMI switcher and route audio signals to the pre/pro in general?

Henry,

I can only speak about the Halcro. It has HDMI video scaling and switching capability. The scaler is not very good, and many people just use it as a video switcher.

For HDMI Audio, the Halco will do DD, DTS, and only 2CH High-Res.

So, if you are using an HD-DVD player, you will have to use the Analog Outs of the player.

Regards,
Darrell

05-07-07: Henryhk
what are HDMI switching capabilites for Lexicon vs Halcro vs Meridien? I saw a review Halcro somewhere they encountered some issues...some players working some not, like the nwe Toshiba HD DVD players. Can anyone comment on the three unit's performance in this regard?

Most of the glitches were in the first year and a half with HDMI. From what I have heard lately, in the last year or so they have not had any problems. The scaler is good with the SSP-100, but it is not state of the art. Sonics are the main strenght of the Halcro. Sorry, can't comment vs Meridian and Lexicon, maybe Mjaudio and pramod can? I believe Mjaudio has a Toshiba HD player as well?

I used to track Lexicon closely when I owned an MC-12. They came out with an HD version of the MC-12, which handles audio and video via HDMI inputs. IIRC, it does video switching, but not scaling, and is rated for up to 1080i, but not 1080p. I would suggest going to www.smr-forums.com for user experiences with Lexicon.

The HD version of the MC-12 was considered an interim product. The people who follow Lexicon closely expect a new PrePro with a new architecture to replace the MC-12 at some point in the future.

Bruce

EandJ,

What are you using the SSP-100 to scale? I tried to let is upscale the Component signal from my SA 8300HD cable box, and it looked miserable.

That may be because it had to go from component to HDMI out of the Halcro, and to up-res from 480a to 720p. MY TV and cable box, both do this conversion better than the Halcro.

Can you share your positive experiences? I would love to get better scaling from my cable box.

Thanks,
Darrell