Montréal-based Algolith is demonstrating its new Flea HDMI digital video enhancer here at the CEDIA Expo. About the size of a paperback book, the little processor greatly reduces annoying “mosquito noise� in high-def images. The improvement is evident in split-screen demos.

The addition of HDMI connectivity and new updates to Algolith’s operating software improve the Flea HDMI’s ability to address “blocking� in highly compressed images; the HDMI protocol supports all standard, enhanced and high-definition digital video standards. The device reduces noise and artifacts introduced by compressed digital video signals from such sources as DVDs, satellites, digital cable, PVRs and Home Theater PCs.

The improvement is especially noticeable when the Flea is used with large-screen displays and projectors that tend to magnify image artifacts. Compression noise artifacts (“mosquito noiseâ€?) are reduced using a proprietary pixel-based algorithm that blends and diminishes 8×8-pixel block structures in MPEG images, improving the clarity of fast-moving action scenes. “Advanced motion adaptive temporal filteringâ€? eliminate video noise due to poor reception and low light. The result: sharp, noise-free pictures. MSRP is $995.