DVDO Edge video scaler or AVR upscaling?

[admin_exported]

Does anyone use a seperate box for video scaling like the DVDO Edge?

I know that there are more expensive scalers out there, but are they really worth it when some of the latest AVRs (i.e. Onkyo 608) have what appears to be good scalers for HDMI - HDMI upscaling? I am mainly looking at upscaling DVD and Sky SD channels to 1080p.

Also, what tv screen size makes the use of a good quality scaler worth the money. That is, if you take a 37" or 42" tv, will it make that much of a difference compared to 46" & 50" tvs?

I'm taking a long time before I take the plunge to upgrade my whole system, so it'simportant to me that I look for the right euipment and specs. Typically, I will be looking at 42"/46" TV, AVR (Onkyo 608, Yamaha 1067, etc), so trying to decide the best way to maximise the PQ for DVDs and SD Sky channels.

Thanks for any advice.

Pauled.

 

[Cookie Monster]

Hi,

Looked at this myself but decided against it for several reasons. If you do your research you will see that the Scaler uses an Anchor Bay Chip set. Can't remember the no. of the chipset but if you google 'Anchor Bay' you will find the manufactures website.You will see that the Chipset and scaling options are now available in a multitude of AV Recievers ( Know it was used in both Middle Denon AV Reciever range and BD players). These are now available for far less than the DVDO and in one perfect unit.

Decided to use my Sky Box for scaling, its not bad but the quality of you're TV will support SD nearly as well. Thing is, scaling depends more on the quality of the source than the scaling ability per se.Think Sunday Paper DVD's vs Revenge of the Sith - One looks awful, one looks like HD when scaled.

If you have a massive SD compilation i guess it may be worth looking at a BD player that supports Anchor Bay or similar tech. For Sky, freeview etc. may not be worth it as low bitrate,compressed channels, especially music channels, are probably not going to look that great. Guess it may be useful for projectors though.

 

[Anonymous]

I too thought about a video scaler. I did a lot research. They are much more popular in the states than over here. The Lumagen Radiance seems to be the Rolls Royce of the pack but cost a fortune. The dvdo edge got some publicity as it was priced very reasonably and apparently is quite good but cant light a candle to the lumagen.

In the end I had trouble believing I would get a decent return on my investment, even at the price of the dvdo edge and didnt bother pursuing. Trouble with these products is you are going to struggle to find a dealer who will lend you one or has one in stock that you can see in a demo room and assess for yourself whether its worth the extra cash.

I did have my TV ISF calibrated by a chap with all the tools and qualifications who knew what he was doing & for the money that was well worth doing.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks to you both for your informative replies, and you have confirmed much of what I have been thinking. That is, get a decent AVR that has the appropriate scaling technology (but of course focusing on the SQ to get the right amp/speakers rather than HDMI upscaling being the overing factor).

One further question in that there was a reecent post over the last week where a Denon AVR user had his SkyHD box set to AUTO and having his avr doing the upscaling as it did a bette rjob than the Sky HD box. Problem was that when switching between SD & HD channels and vice-versa he experienced a 4 second delay before the picture came on the tv. So, my question is if this is a common issue where you have the avr doing the scaling with the Sky HD box set to AUTO? Is it the same with Yamaha, Onkyo, Pionner, etc, or should the Denon not be causing a delay (handshake issues?)?

Pauled.

 

[Anonymous]

pauled51:

One further question in that there was a reecent post over the last week where a Denon AVR user had his SkyHD box set to AUTO and having his avr doing the upscaling as it did a bette rjob than the Sky HD box. Problem was that when switching between SD & HD channels and vice-versa he experienced a 4 second delay before the picture came on the tv. So, my question is if this is a common issue where you have the avr doing the scaling with the Sky HD box set to AUTO? Is it the same with Yamaha, Onkyo, Pionner, etc, or should the Denon not be causing a delay (handshake issues?)?

Pauled.

Yes, as its an issue at the Sky+HD box end as it selects the resolution the channel is broadcast at, not an HDMI handshake problem at the AVR end.

Hope this helps.

 

[Anonymous]

Just to clarify, are you saying that when the Sky HD box is set to AUTO there is a delay as it selects the resolution of the channel when you change channels - so that the delay is subsequently seen at the tv end? If so, why is there no delay when the Sky HD box is set to 1080i, as it surely still needs to select the resolution of a channel before upscaling it?

Just trying to fully understand why all AVRs employing upscaling will have a delay when used in conjunction with Sky HD set to AUTO. It follows therefore that I would also see a delay if I were to insert a DVDO Edge into the configuration instead of an avr?

Thanks.

Pauled.

 

[Anonymous]

pauled51:
Just trying to fully understand why all AVRs employing upscaling will have a delay when used in conjunction with Sky HD set to AUTO. It follows therefore that I would also see a delay if I were to insert a DVDO Edge into the configuration instead of an avr?

Thanks.

Pauled.

When the SkyHD box is set to auto resolution it will switch output resolution depending on the material. When the output resolution changes this causes an HDMI resync with device on the other end. The HDMI resync can be observed as short delay and/or flickering blank/green image depending on the combination of products. All HDMI products (including the Edge) should resync on input res change irrespective of brand.

If the SkyHD output is set to forced 720p/1080i there is no change in the HDMI output resolution ergo so HDMI resync. However you're then dependent on the quality of de-interlacing and scaling (and re-interlacing with SD output at 1080i) of the SkyHD box with for SD material. Plus you lose original content aspect control.

D

 

[Anonymous]

Das,

Thanks for explaining that, all clear now.

I guess it's depenedebt on how much better the scaling is (on say the avr) to whether the delay is worth it, or indeed if it is that annoying.

I'll certainly look for the right avr for both sq and upscaling, and then see how it works for me.

Pauled.

 

[Anonymous]

pauled51:
Das,

Thanks for explaining that, all clear now.

I guess it's depenedebt on how much better the scaling is (on say the avr) to whether the delay is worth it, or indeed if it is that annoying.

I'll certainly look for the right avr for both sq and upscaling, and then see how it works for me.

Pauled.

Lots of variables but generally the SkyHD box can struggle with SD material. Plus not all SkyHD boxes are made by the same manufacturer.

ABT's PReP (progressive re-interlacing) feature can help when you're forced to use a source that doesn't support unmolested 576i for SD over HDMI. Several AVR's i.e.Yamaha, Denon use an ABT video processing solution and some may support the PReP feature. It's really important to check that PReP is specifically supported as some manufacturers don't implement all features available on the ABT chip.

D

 

[Anonymous]

HI , I have been using a DVDO Edge for the last couple off years. I use it with a Humax HDR Freesat box. In that time I have had no problems whatsoever with it. As another person has pointed out , there are quite a few AV amps using the same Anchor Bay processing chip. However none of them will have the range and Flexibility of Features that the Edge has. Anchor bay has a regular policy of upgrading the software on it (via a really easy to complete software upgrade procedure on line), The last upgrade added 3D compatibility to the mix !. I paid 699.00 for mine , you could probably get one for 450.00 Now. It's definitely worth closer investigation.