External Scaler/deinterlacer To Clean Up Foxtel Signal

[DuyKha]

What scaler/deinterlacer are you using to clean-up the Foxtel SD signals for you projector / TV?

I'm currently sending a Foxtel SD signal to a Sony 52" X series lcd. The results on film material are reasonable but when it comes to video (sports, music videos, etc) the results are terrible - sports on ESPN is nearly unwatchable!

I've come across DVDO VP30/50 on basic searches on this forum. Are there cheaper non-HTPC solutions which will do a good job?

I was also thinking of using the scaler to do the vertical stretching for a CIH setup on a JVC HD1 projector which I have on order.

Cheers, DuyK

[big_marcelo]

What scaler/deinterlacer are you using to clean-up the Foxtel SD signals?

I'm currently sending a Foxtel SD signal to a Sony 52" X series lcd. The results on film material is reasonable but when it comes to video (sports, music videos, etc) the results are terrible - sports on ESPN is nearly unwatchable!

I've come across DVDO VP30/50 on basic searches on this forum. Are there cheaper non-HTPC solutions which will do a good job?

I was also thinking of using the scaler to do the vertical streching for a CIH setup for a JVC HD1 projector which I have on order.

Cheers, DuyK

Hey DuyK,

I use a VP50 with a NEC 50 and have foxtel IQ - connected via component to the scaler.

It does help a lot - however I would only suggest the VP50 if the Sony accepts 1:1 signal - otherwise you'll be double scaling the signal - and although it will improve, it may not be worth the expense.

Also, fast moving pictures, like sport is not LCDs strong point, even though the X series is top notch, a scaler may not help you there - I don't know for sure.

if you mainly want the scaler to use with foxtel/SD signals, the VP30 should be enough - and you can pick them up on ebay or Lenexpo Electronics in the US (they have B stock at very reduced prices) - I bought 3 units from Lenexpo - top service and fast shipping.

You should try to read up the US forums (AVS Forum) and check if users have hooked up the Sony to a scaler and what the results are ...

I bought a scaler first and then went on the hunt for a panel which accepted 1:1 signals from the scaler... not many panels accept 1:1 signals.... specially over HDMI

Best of Luck!

Cheers,

Marcelo

[norpus]

Duyk, I use the VP30 with the abt102 deinterlacer card upgrade for Fox IQ and I highly recommend it - I use it even for a big pj screen. If you don't need to deinterlace 1080i, this is a less expensive choice than the vp50

[DuyKha]

Thanks Marcelo & norpus for the info.

I think most of what I'm seeing (and not liking) is related to the Sony not doing such a great job at deinterlacing the video signal (eg. combing). Lcd related motion blur is not a problem for my eyes on this TV. My main concerns were that if the Foxtel video signal looked quite bad on a 52" set it would be terrible on a 100" projected image (as I don't know how good the JVC will be at dealing with the Foxtel signal).

norpus: I thought that the VP30 was capable of deinterlacing a 1080i signal - is this right?

I'm in Melb: is CAV the only retailer I can demo a VP30?

Cheers, DuyK

[Gino]

Bang for your buck.. the Lumagen Vision HDP's are a steal right now.

[Gino]

I forgot to mention, the HDP's are capable of deinterlacing 1080i, something the VP30 can't do. They also allow 11 point adjustments of gamma and grey scale from 0-100IRE, something the iScan VPx series can't do right now. And IIRC, they allow some adjustment of the primaries (don't quote me on that, I could be getting mixed up with the upcoming Lumagen Radiance series)

[DuyKha]

I forgot to mention, the HDP's are capable of deinterlacing 1080i, something the VP30 can't do. They also allow 11 point adjustments of gamma and grey scale from 0-100IRE, something the iScan VPx series can't do right now. And IIRC, they allow some adjustment of the primaries (don't quote me on that, I could be getting mixed up with the upcoming Lumagen Radiance series)

Gino,

I know you're into real serious equipment so I have to ask: about how much am I looking at for a HDP and can I get this locally? Ambertech has the DVI model on their website for $2000 but not the HDP.

Also, I read in your other posts that you were thinking about the Radiance - does this mean that there will a used HDP on offer when the Radiance is out?

DuyK

[norpus]

DuyK

I believe Gino currently has the VP50 - the main advantage over Vp30 is its 1080i deinterlacing processing power

I bought my VP30 off Geoff at e-home in Carnegie Melbourne - not sure if he has demo model in but I'm sure he could arrange

[Gino]

Gino,

I know you're into real serious equipment so I have to ask: about how much am I looking at for a HDP and can I get this locally? Ambertech has the DVI model on their website for $2000 but not the HDP.

Also, I read in your other posts that you were thinking about the Radiance - does this mean that there will a used HDP on offer when the Radiance is out?

DuyK

As I said, the HDP is a good entry level. I'm not sure about local distributors... rrp is US$1199... this was $1499 not long ago. I could probably bargain it down with my contacts over there to US$1050+delivery.

The DVI model is ok, that one is US$999 rrp, so that seems expensive. The DVI is only limited to output 800p though.

And Norpus is right, I'm using the VP50 atm. Am looking at grabbing the CrystallioII or the new Radiance's when they are out.

[DuyKha]

As I said, the HDP is a good entry level. I'm not sure about local distributors... rrp is US$1199... this was $1499 not long ago. I could probably bargain it down with my contacts over there to US$1050+delivery.

The DVI model is ok, that one is US$999 rrp, so that seems expensive. The DVI is only limited to output 800p though.

And Norpus is right, I'm using the VP50 atm. Am looking at grabbing the CrystallioII or the new Radiance's when they are out.

Great news regarding the price of a HDP from the US - factoring in a exchange rate of 0.75 and duties/taxes at about 20% I will be looking at under AUD$1700 delivered. This is within my budget for a scaler (also saving for a scope screen + anamorphic and a HD DVD player so things are a bit tight atm).

I will search the UK forum to see if people are having good results from the HDP + JVC HD1 + CIH screen.

Thanks Gino & norpus for your help! I will definately try and demo both the HDP and VP30 before making a final decision.

Duyk

[big_marcelo]

Great news regarding the price of a HDP from the US - factoring in a exchange rate of 0.75 and duties/taxes at about 20% I will be looking at under AUD$1700 delivered. This is within my budget for a scaler (also saving for a scope screen + anamorphic and a HD DVD player so things are a bit tight atm).

I will search the UK forum to see if people are having good results from the HDP + JVC HD1 + CIH screen.

Thanks Gino & norpus for your help! I will definately try and demo both the HDP and VP30 before making a final decision.

Duyk

the HDP is excellent... I was actually looking at it when I bought my DVDO HD+ ... however back then, the HDP was about $2k dearer ....

Other good points about Lumagen are that they are solely on the video processor market, and they have shown a decent commitment to customer care and firmware development - something that DVDO has dissapointed me of late - ie: focusing on the chip/OEM business and lack of firmware development ...

plus, the lumagen HDP does 1080i per pixel motion adaptive deinterlacing for film.... so the HD DVD player you buy will defiintely benefit from it .... as will most HD TV programmes, which are shot on film ... Lumagen's scaling is also better, and unoficially, the scaling algorith acts as a Noise Reduction engine also ... its far ahead from DVDO on these features... even regarding the DVDO VP50 .... which is US$3k

just make sure you read the manual thoroughly before attempting to install it.... however once you understand its 'logic' its pretty straight forward ...

also, ensure your Amp does lipsync delay, as the lumagen doesn't have any audio processing abilities I think ... just video.. which is fine for most cases anyway ....

let us know how you go ...

[DuyKha]

also, ensure your Amp does lipsync delay, as the lumagen doesn't have any audio processing abilities I think ... just video.. which is fine for most cases anyway ....

let us know how you go ...

The HDP is sounding better and better. From the cursory search of the website it looks like it does video only. I will check my amp (denon 3805) to see if it has lipsync delay ... fingers crossed as I don't think I can factor in an amp upgrade at this stage!

I will keep you guys posted,

Duyk

[DuyKha]

Guys,

This is a pretty niave question (as we don't have the HD1 yet in Oz!) but I will ask anayway:

How do you think the scaling and deinterlacing performance of the HDP will compare with the Gennum in the JVC HD1? I just wanted your thoughts ... in the meantime I will see if the answers are in the UK forum.

Cheers,

[big_marcelo]

Guys,

This is a pretty niave question (as we don't have the HD1 yet in Oz!) but I will ask anayway:

How do you think the scaling and deinterlacing performance of the HDP will compare with the Gennum in the JVC HD1? I just wanted your thoughts ... in the meantime I will see if the answers are in the UK forum.

Cheers,

HD deinterlacing in the Genumm should be better... but the HDP shouldn't be too far behind either...

[norpus]

The HDP is sounding better and better. From the cursory search of the website it looks like it does video only. I will check my amp (denon 3805) to see if it has lipsync delay ... fingers crossed as I don't think I can factor in an amp upgrade at this stage!

I will keep you guys posted,

Duyk

Yes you will be OK with the 3805 - personally I don't bother with lipsync

[Gino]

HD deinterlacing in the Genumm should be better... but the HDP shouldn't be too far behind either...

agreed, but the HDP should also offer further features/flexibility

[DuyKha]

you guys are getting me so pumped about the HDP that I might even move it above the scope screen on my list of things to buy

This HT stuff is way too addictive

Thx fellas

[Gino]

hehe, yes gotta love it. Your enthusiasm is making me want to buy a HDP and I don't even need one

[DuyKha]

hehe, yes gotta love it. Your enthusiasm is making me want to buy a HDP and I don't even need one

lmao Don't do it ... save your money and go for a beta Radiance instead ... go on you know you want to

[The_Preacher1973]

Guys,

This is a pretty niave question (as we don't have the HD1 yet in Oz!) but I will ask anayway:

How do you think the scaling and deinterlacing performance of the HDP will compare with the Gennum in the JVC HD1? I just wanted your thoughts ... in the meantime I will see if the answers are in the UK forum.

Cheers,

In theory, they should both be identical for deinterlacing film based material. Actually, since the Lumagen can do inverse telecine deinterlacing and send it at 24hz, it will actually be better for 60 hz film based material (HD-DVD,blu ray and NTSC movies) as it won;t suffer from motion judder.

For deinterlacing video material (sports and many TV shows) the Gennum should be superior. The Lumagen cannot do diagonal interpolation for 1080i material and it's motion adaptive interlacing for SD is extremely ordinary.

This is all in theory based on the potential of the various processors. In reality it may be very different. Lumagen live and breathe video processing and as such have extracted every last drop of performance out of their antiquated architecture. JVC on the other hand have very little experience with the video processing side of things. Consdering they can't even transcode 4:2:2 video into 4:4:4 reliably, I seriously doubt they'll be using the Gennum to its full potential. Hopefully they have a development team to work on this throughout the life of the HD1, providing updates the same way companies like Lumagen and DVDO do.

And if you have the Lumagen, you can check to see what signals it does better than the JVC and vice versa. You can then decide how to send the signal to get the best of all worlds. Use the Lumagen to deinterlace HD-DVD/BluRay for judder free performance and use the JVC for video (sports) material.

[DuyKha]

Preacher,

I was thinking of getting a Tosh HD-XE1 to do HD DVD at 1080p24 (when available on a future firmware) to the JVC HD1. I wonder whether the Lumagen would do a better job?

In any case I need an external processor for Foxtel viewing on the Sony LCD.

Looks like more reading up on the Lumagen and I will try and demo a VP30/50 this weekend.

Cheers,

[RodN]

I was thinking of getting a Tosh HD-XE1 to do HD DVD at 1080p24 (when available on a future firmware) to the JVC HD1. I wonder whether the Lumagen would do a better job?

1080/24p from the Toshie to 1080/24p to the projector needs neither scaling nor deinterlacing. So in this senario there is no job to be done as such. Definitely needed for foxtel or vertical stretch though.

[DuyKha]

Thax nobby - I was a bit confused so was trying to find out how the video in stored on HD DVD. So are you saying it's 1080p/24Hz (for some reason I thought 1080p/60Hz - have to reread the HD DVD software sections!) and therefore can be sent directly from HD-XE1 to the JVC.

Thanks,

[The_Preacher1973]

Thax nobby - I was a bit confused so was trying to find out how the video in stored on HD DVD. So are you saying it's 1080p/24Hz (for some reason I thought 1080p/60Hz - have to reread the HD DVD software sections!) and therefore can be sent directly from HD-XE1 to the JVC.

Thanks,

Both BRD and HD-DVD are stored on the disc as 1080P/24.

So if you get a player that will output this then as nobby states you won;t need a processor. A lot of the players though only output 1080i60.

[DuyKha]

Thanks guys. Things are clearer now.

Will be demoing a VP30 this weekend at CAV in melb.

Cheers,