Faroudja Inside
By Thomas J. Norton July 1, 2005 — Genesis Microchip, the parent company of Faroudja, has completed a licensing agreement with UK-based Meridian Audio Limited, giving Meridian the right to promote Genesis' Faroudja technologies, products, and brands worldwide. The agreement authorizes Meridian to incorporate, manufacture, and distribute Faroudja's video technologies and home theater solutions as part of its audio/video product line. Meridian will also work with Genesis to develop advanced video processing algorithms for use in future Meridian products.

All but two stand-alone Faroudja products—the new DVP-1080 video processor and the current DILA1080pHD projector (review in process)—will be discontinued. The DVP-1080 will be built by Meridian in the UK, while the projector will be produced both in the UK and, for the US market, at Meridian's facilities in Atlanta, Georgia. Both products will continue to carry the Faroudja brand name, though the labeling of future Meridian products with "Faroudja Inside" is still undecided.

Many of the engineers who developed Faroudja's current technology will continue to work at Genesis. The present Faroudja facility in San Jose, California, will be downscaled and reorganized to provide a liaison between Genesis and Meridian. It will also provide ongoing support for Faroudja products sold before the change. Genesis will continue to update, manufacture, promote, and market the Faroudja-based video processors that have found their way into video displays, DVD players, and other video products from dozens of manufacturers.