Audio Video News

West Coast electronics chain Good Guys has been enormously successful in its effort to remake itself into an upscale specialty retailer. The company's partnership with Focus Enhancements is its latest move into high-quality video.

In mid-May, San Francisco-base Good Guys announced plans to carry Focus Enhancements' CenterStage line of video processors at its 71 stores in California, Nevada, Washington and Oregon.

CenterStage line of video processors work as "resolution multipliers" and are claimed to "dramatically improve the video quality of multiple source devices" by scaling video to the full native resolutions supported by any DTV-compatible monitor or display. Among Focus Enhancements products available through Good Guys are the $999 CenterStage CS-HD; the $1999 CS-1; and the $2,499 CS-2; top of the CenterStage line. Good Guys will carry the new CenterStage CS-HD at all 71 locations, with the CS-1 and CS-2 available as special orders.

The processors are differentiated according to anticipated use: the CS-HD is designed specifically for HDTV monitors; the CS-1 for high-definition plasma and projection displays; and the CS-2 for systems with HDCP/DVI capability. The CS-2 also offers time base correction, a feature usually found only on studio gear. All CenterStage processors feature composite, S-Video, YPrPb, RGB, 480/576p inputs, and can scale them to 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. Outputs include DVI, RGB or component, a 12-volt screen trigger, and HDTV pass-through.

The three models also have full input and output geometric adjustments; 4:3, 16:9, and anamorphic aspect ratios, and support 3:2 pull down detection and correction for viewing film-based sources. Picture adjustments include contrast, brightness, saturation, sharpness and hue. All adjustments can be made via remote control or front panel switches.

"With Focus Enhancements CenterStage video processors, our customers can enjoy the vibrant picture quality and resolution of digital television regardless of the video source," said Good Guys merchandising director Mike Mohan.