First here's a video on what one of these can do. apologies for the bad quality, this video isn't my upload.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P56Wzrdm9us

I've seen this device from time to time, but yesterday took the time to learn more about it. I was hoping that these would be classed as an old technology, and thought I could pick one up on ebay for $50.

Hell I was wrong. It seems these things are just rediculously hard to find, and I think the reality is if one does come up, I'd be paying thousands of dollars for it. But then this is the conclusion I've come to with the very (and I mean) very limited amount of information there seems to be about this wonderful tool on the internet.

Apparently the story is that they were first released in 1983 by Fairlight and manufactured by the company up to 1989; this despite the fact that they were selling well. The company went belly up during 1989 and then was restructured, thus these CVI's weren't made anymore.

I guess I'm wondering are these still available, but just under a different name? I was hoping to get one of these. and have it setup in my chain as camera > Fairlight CVI > Computer > Sony Vegas 8.