Most high-end home theaters use a device called a scaler, which converts ordinary video from sources such as DVD and VHS tape into the high-resolution video that today’s best video displays deliver. Last year, Faroudja rocked the industry (as much as it is possible for a scaler company to rock the industry) by producing the Native Rate Series scalers, which the company designs specifically for whatever resolution is perfect for your video projector or plasma TV. Now, Faroudja has upped the ante by putting a DVD player inside the scaler, which keeps the video signal digital as long as possible for maximum picture quality.

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Back of the NRS Digital Cinema Source shows outputs for digital video and RGB analog video. (Click image to enlarge)

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The NRS-Digital Cinema Source is designed for a high-end, big-screen system, where its video benefits will be most obvious. Most inexpensive scalers use widely available video processing chips, but Faroudja uses its own proprietary chips, which from past experience we know to provide excellent picture quality. The DVD player itself also benefits from high-end design touches, intended to reduce interference and improve picture and sound quality. Besides being able to use the DVD player, you can plug in all of your other video sources so they get the benefit of the NRS scaling.

Other than the DVD player, the DCS is identical to other Native Rate scalers. It offers inputs for any consumer video source device, from VHS composite video to high-definition TV. It has the usual outputs for connection to video projectors and plasma TVs, plus there is an output for DVI, or Digital Video Interface, which is one of two new standards for transporting digital video. The DVI output facilitates a full digital connection to a DVI-equipped display device, for maximum video quality without unnecessary conversions to and from analog video. The unit can also translate component high-definition video signals to RGB (red/green/blue), which is necessary for some projectors, and which could save you needing to buy a separate converter. I asked for a unit designed for 1024-by-768 resolution, to match the Zenith DLP projector I am using.

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The NRS comes with two remotes. This one controls the DVD player functions. (Click image to enlarge)

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The unit comes with two remotes. I was disappointed with the DVD remote, which looked like it should be part of a budget unit set. Fortunately, your installer can order a free programmable remote that controls both units. This remote is backlit, and can control other devices in your system. (It is similar to the Proton SRC-2010.) Faroudja says it ships the inexpensive remotes instead of the fancy one because most people discard scaler remotes in favor of a more sophisticated controller.

Setup of the scaler was simple; the menu system is well thought-out and fairly intuitive. The procedure does not require use of a special setup DVD, thanks to the DCS’s built-in test patterns. Many video projectors “bleed” light out beyond the picture edges; the DCS’s blanking function prevents this. The DCS can move the picture up, down, left or right as necessary, and offers adjustable gray bars that help prevent screen damage when you are watching conventional 4:3 video on a wide-screen (16:9) set. The DCS also incorporates aspect ratio control, so it can adapt conventional 4:3, letterboxed 4:3 (with black bars on top and bottom of the picture) and 16:9 anamorphic video to either a 4:3 or 16:9 screen. It accepts NTSC (U.S. and Japan) and PAL (most of Europe) video, too.

The DVD interface, however, was primitive, and annoying at times, in odd contrast to the excellent scaler menu. The monochromatic on-screen menus look like something from a first-generation DVD player, and the remote’s tiny buttons are almost impossible to use in the dark. Definitely opt for Faroudja’s unified remote or, even better, a Crestron or AMX touchscreen.

I was delighted with the Digital Cinema Source’s picture quality. One of my favorite scenes from Star Trek: Insurrection—the beginning sequence with the haystacks—looked perfect, with none of the breakup and flutter in the hay that I have seen with almost every other scaler. In general, the DCS produced the sharpest, most filmlike pictures I have seen from the Zenith in hundreds of hours of use. The picture looked even better than what you see at the average commercial theater.

To see what the scaler could do on its own, I used my Toshiba SD-4700 DVD-Audio/Video player in regular interlaced video mode, connected to the DCS’s component inputs. Again, I was impressed with the picture quality; it was far better than I have yet seen from the Zenith DLP and the SD-4700 with any other scaler. In fact, the quality was surprisingly close to what I achieved with the DCS’s internal DVD player.

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The NRS scaler comes with two remotes. This one controls only the scaler functions.  (Click image to enlarge)

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Does the DCS make sense? Absolutely. It is perfect for big-screen home theaters where its quality can come through, or in situations where you can use the DVI output. Of course, the DCS could be overkill for more modest home theaters, but in such situation a stand-alone Native Rate scaler (sans DVD), used in conjunction with a good DVD player, would prove more practical at only a small cost in picture quality.

I think the DCS concept is good, but I do wish the DVD player were better-integrated with the scaler. Is this nitpicking? Maybe, but a luxury product like this deserves attention to every detail. Regardless, if maximizing picture quality is your goal, the Faroudja NRS-DCS sits at the top of the video food chain.
DESCRIPTION
Video processor/scaler with built-in DVD drive. Plays DVD-Video, CD, CD-R, MP3 CD, and other formats. Converts conventional NTSC video into high-resolution video for display on video projectors, plasma TVs, etc. Converts component HDTV signals to RGB.

CONNECTIONS
Inputs: composite video, S-video, component video, RGB (HDTV/PC pass-through), DVI. Outputs: component/RGBHV video (on 5 BNC and 15-pin D-sub connectors), DVI, coaxial digital audio (RCA and BNC), and AES/EBU digital audio. RS-232 port for external control.

DIMENSIONS/RESOLUTION
DIMENSIONS: 1,024 x 768 pixels (for test unit; other resolutions available)
RESOLUTION: 5.8 x 17.3 x 13.5 inches (hwd)

PRICE/CONTACT
PRICE: $10,000
CONTACT: 408-735-1492
www.faroudja.com