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In this episode we talk all about scalers.  We'll define what they are, what they do, and why you might want to use one.  Then we get specific with a review of the DVDO iScan HD+.

 

The main purpose of a video scaler is to process video content to match the native resolution of your display.  It can also act as a de-interlacer.  In some circumstances this will up convert video, for example converting DVD or standard definition content to be displayed on an HDTV set.  In other circumstances it will down convert video, such as displaying HDTV on an EDTV monitor.

 

The Review Unit:

We had a chance to review the DVDO iScan HD+ high-resolution video scaling processor and A/V switcher.

 

The video scaler function will re-format video signals to a myriad of output formats and resolutions and process the video to present the best quality from the source material as possible. The resultant video signal is compatible with the High Resolutions your HDTV was designed to display.

 

The de-interlacing function will process the video to remove interlaced lines resulting in sharper image. 

 

So does this $1500 scaler improve video quality? The short answer is YES.  We fed standard definition TV and VHS  videotapes as well as high definition programming through this unit all with excellent results. 

 

For the TV signal we connected a Direct TV tuner via composite connections directly to a High Definition LCD monitor. At close range the picture looked extremely bad. Artifacts were visible on all source material. We then routed the signal through the scaler and the picture quality was dramatically improved. There were still artifacts visible but you had to be very close to the screen to see them. The picture was noticeably sharper and smother. With a good SD source the picture almost look like HD. VHS tapes were improved and looked acceptable on a high definition screen. However, the iScanHD+ can not perform miracles so don't expect HD quality from your old VHS tapes. Especially on large screen TVs.

 

We also connected a the iScan to an EDTV plasma monitor.  In viewing HDTVcontent through the iScan (down converted to the native 480p resolution of the monitor) we saw a makred impreovement in clarity and detail.  As we expected, DVD quality with or without the iScan made almost no difference, if any.  Standard definition TV, however, did improve when run through the DVDO unit.

 

The iScan HD+ is easy to use and setup. There are eight inputs for composite,  S-Video, and component connections. It outputs DVI or two flavors of VGA (component or RGB).   There are also four digital audio inputs that can be assigned individually to any of the video inputs.

 

The unit can be set up via the front panel or by using the remote control and the on screen menu. Each input can be setup independently of each other and stored inside the iScan HD+ for use each time a particular input is selected.

 

Where we think the iScan HD+  can really shine is as a video hub. You can run all your audio and video through this box and have one connection to your TV set at the TVs native resolution.

Some Features of the DVDO iScan HD+

• Convert input resolution to any output resolution between 480p and 1080p
• Motion and source adaptive video deinterlacing for NTSC (3:2 and 2:2 pulldown; video) and PAL/SECAM (2:2 pulldown; video) sources
• Flexible Digital Audio switching and routing - four audio inputs and two audio outputs
• Flexible Input and Output Aspect Ratio Control
  
• Full-frame Timebase Correction
• Digital Audio Delay technology to match Audio & Video timing

Video Output Resolution 

• Predefined resolutions

• Digital Television standards
• 480p, 576p, 540p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p
  

• PC standards
• VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA
• Plasma resolutions: 852x480, 1280x768, 1024x1024, 1366x768
• DLP resolutions: 1280x720, 1024x576, 848x600
• DILA resolutions: 1400x1050, 1365x1024, 1400x788CRT resolutions: 1280x960, 1440x960, 1440x1152

• User customizable output resolution from 480p up to 1080p

Conclusion:

The iScan HD+ will Up/Cross/Down convert all your video from a variety of sources. It is HDCP compliant over DVI so you your current equipment will work with next generation DVD. The iScan HD+ can be used an A/V hub, switching all your audio and video sources with automatic video processing for each source.  But at $1500 it is not meant for everyone. If you are the type of person that is constantly adjusting your settings to maximize the picture quality or if you have recently bought a 1080p TV iScan HD+  will help you maximize your picture quality.