Hello All!
Let's say I am watching a movie with a progressive scan JVC DVD connected to a plasma with a component to 15pin VGA cable through a JVC A/V selector with component in/out. There's a scene with a camera pannnig, the image moves from left to right or there's an actor in motion (running, whatever). That motion is not always smooth. The images are sometimes out of focus while in movement the the motion stops and everything is back as it should be. Do I need a video scaler or something?

It is a Sony Plasma PFM42B2

Sure sounds like you're describing motion artifacts that occur when film is transferred to video. An external scaler device could help or not, depending on the quality of the scaler.

Faroudja has made a very healthy living with their processors. At a recent CEDIA, they had two dvd drives, two identical plasmas, and only one native rate processor. The drives were synchronized on the same movie scene loop (gladiator), and it was startling how much better the Faroudja looked.

Well.... your dealing with a Commercial grade Plasma panel. It was never designed with motion in mind...... Put some Digital Signage on that baby... Ora and Powerpoint presentation, and you'll be thrilled....

Back to the Question though....

Yes, a scaler will definatly help your picture... This is one of the primary reasons commecial Plasmas are so much cheaper than residential.... Your Panel more than likely doesnt have any 2:3 pulldown conversion at all (Please dont correct me on the 2:3/3:2 thing... been visited before) so Movies are going to get a bit choppy.....

Now, I dont have the specs on the Sony in fornt of me right now... Maybe it does have some sort of pulldown conversion..... But an External Scaler is going to do a much better job. If budget permits.... The Faroudja products are awesome.... For something cheap and highly effective, look for the TVone AVM-3700... Astonishing what that box does for the money.