Projector Reviews

Finding Faroudja
Faroudja has recently undergone some rather significant changes. To put it in the most spin-free manner possible, Faroudja as a stand-alone company (even as a subsidiary to parent company Genesis Microchip) no longer exists.

Genesis will continue to manufacture, refine, and market the Faroudja DCDi processing chip that has found its way into numerous video displays and DVD players. Genesis has also recently signed an exclusive agreement allowing Meridian Audio to design, manufacture, and market stand-alone products bearing the Faroudja name. Currently, only a few Faroudja-branded products remain in production, including the two reviewed here: the DILA1080pHD projector and DVP1080 video processor. The processor will be built exclusively by Meridian in its U.K. home facilities, the projector in both the U.K. and at Meridian's Atlanta, Georgia U.S. headquarters.

Future Faroudja products will likely bear the logo "Faroudja by Meridian." A small Faroudja office remains in San Jose, California to handle service and coordination between Faroudja and Meridian.

Only the future will tell how well this arrangement will work out, but at the recent CEDIA Expo 2005 Meridian noted that the most Faroudja dealers are still on board. Meridian dealers are also excited about the new opportunities this offers (though they will not automatically become Faroudja dealers).