I am extremely uncertain in what direction I should go in. Unfortunately my budget is around $400 tops. Basically, I love my 50" Panasonic 1080p plasma, and it even displays SD cable just fine, but I am not too happy in the way it upscales the Wii or other older video game consoles using S-Video. I'd really like an upscaler that will upscale from s-video and component to HDMI.

I can't really find a clear answer on if Focus Enhancements makes any good upscalers or not. I was about to buy one until I googled a bit and saw tons of complaints. I'd consider a receiver as well but it seems like such a waste since I already have a receiver that works just fine; it just doesn't upscale. A dedicated upscaler seems like my best bet (especially if it does a better job than a receiver) but again, I'd like to hear it from the geniuses here first.

If there's something in my budget that does a great job I'd appreciate any recommendations from you guys.

Too bad you missed the DVDO EDGE Power buy for 499. That's an awesome price when comparing this unit to other video scalers on the market.

I was in teh same boat, stuck with a yamaha 4600 which is a very nice receiver audio wise, but no upscaling to HDMI, HDMI 1.1 only, no OSD over HDMI and 1080I only scaling really made me want to get rid of it. I found the EDGE on recommendation from the audioholics forum (he pointed me here actually). Now my video processing problems are outside the scope of the receiver. Going separates is really the way to go. Now I get to keep my awesome Yamaha until it dies and I'll just send it 7.1 PCM over HDMI while it has nothing to do with actually displaying the video.

It can still be found for around 525 as a refurb and just over 6 new. I might be wrong, but I'm not sure if there's much on the market that will do it for 400. Most other decent processors are 2K+

There is a wealth of information to be found here (http://retrogaming.hazard-city.de/). It depends on what you're looking for.

I can't imagine any receiver under $400 doing a better job than your panasonic. I currently use an XRGB2+ and a DVDO EDGE. Faaaar better than feeding signals into my receiver (onkyo 805) or my monitor (westinghouse w4207) direct. The holy grail for scaling games would be the Denon DVP-602CI, but that's $2500.

I suspect you might be referencing Wii VC games, or systems pre-PS2. In that case you're dealing with 240p signals, and many, MANY pieces of gear can't deal with that properly.

Give that site a read. Maybe if you're really lucky Fudoh will share some of his wisdom with you here... :)

Thanks a lot of the recommendations!

I checked up on the DVDO EDGE. Seems great, hopefully I can get it back at around $400. The reason I am apprehensive (too cheap) to pay more is the TV itself was only $1300; I'd feel pretty strange spending a third of that on an upscaler so my Sega Saturn and Wii games look better :)

The thing that confused me about the DVDO EDGE was that it seemed like it had too many unnecessary inputs. Why all the HDMI? Just using it as a switch or something? Who needs an HDMI source upscaled? Seems like the thing would be a bit cheaper if it had no HDMI ports (except out of course) and just composite, S-video, and component.

Thanks a lot of the recommendations!

I checked up on the DVDO EDGE. Seems great, hopefully I can get it back at around $400. The reason I am apprehensive (too cheap) to pay more is the TV itself was only $1300; I'd feel pretty strange spending a third of that on an upscaler so my Sega Saturn and Wii games look better :)

The thing that confused me about the DVDO EDGE was that it seemed like it had too many unnecessary inputs. Why all the HDMI? Just using it as a switch or something? Who needs an HDMI source upscaled? Seems like the thing would be a bit cheaper if it had no HDMI ports (except out of course) and just composite, S-video, and component.

No problem. Just to check--are you using RGB cables? The EDGE can accept RGBHV, and I believe RGBs. Your vintage systems will look 1000x better with RGB if you are currently using composite, or even s-video. The difference will be less apparent vs component.

I'm currently using all the HDMI inputs (ok, not the front one) on my EDGE. Great auto switch, plus it lets me set per-input rules for deinterlacing, aspect ratio, picture controls, game mode, audio delay, colour space in and out...I could go on. Great for those who like to have complete (OK, no CMS so not complete) control over their signals. Really tough to beat at its price.

Good luck!

Just to check--are you using RGB cables? The EDGE can accept RGBHV, and I believe RGBs. Your vintage systems will look 1000x better with RGB if you are currently using composite, or even s-video. The difference will be less apparent vs component.


I am a bit confused. Do you mean RGB cables like VGA? Do you mean RGB out to my TV? My TV does have RGB but it will not do 1080p with that input unfortunately.

I am a bit confused. Do you mean RGB cables like VGA? Do you mean RGB out to my TV? My TV does have RGB but it will not do 1080p with that input unfortunately.
I'll take that as a "no". ;)

Being in North America, I just learned about this a while ago. Over in Europe their televisions have a connection called SCART (forgive me if you know this). It can carry an RGB signal, and there were RGB SCART cables made for many "retro" gaming systems.

You could buy one of said cables, hook it up to something like the EDGE, and it would scale it up to 1080p for you.

Here's a good primer (http://nfggames.com/atarilabs/meat/2000/1201_videoprimer.shtml) on RGB gaming. Great site (http://www.gamesx.com/) with lots of info.

Essentially, if you're using composite or even s-video the scaler can only help you so much. Garbage in, Garbage out, right? I'm guessing your Saturn would look hella nice via RGB. I'm still shopping for cables for mine...

Thanks a lot of the recommendations!

I checked up on the DVDO EDGE. Seems great, hopefully I can get it back at around $400. The reason I am apprehensive (too cheap) to pay more is the TV itself was only $1300; I'd feel pretty strange spending a third of that on an upscaler so my Sega Saturn and Wii games look better :)

The thing that confused me about the DVDO EDGE was that it seemed like it had too many unnecessary inputs. Why all the HDMI? Just using it as a switch or something? Who needs an HDMI source upscaled? Seems like the thing would be a bit cheaper if it had no HDMI ports (except out of course) and just composite, S-video, and component.

if you are patient, a used one or two will start popping up and it will probably be in your price range...

as far as "why so many hdmi inputs?"... because it's built for "today's world"... and yes, there are PLENTY of hdmi sources that you'd want to use the processing in the edge for... off the top of my head, 4 in my setup (set top box, roku netflix player, appletv and dvd player)...

heck, 6 really isn't enough... i needed to add in a 3X1 switch as well... :)

I'll take that as a "no". ;)

Being in North America, I just learned about this a while ago. Over in Europe their televisions have a connection called SCART (forgive me if you know this). It can carry an RGB signal, and there were RGB SCART cables made for many "retro" gaming systems.

You could buy one of said cables, hook it up to something like the EDGE, and it would scale it up to 1080p for you.

Here's a good primer (http://nfggames.com/atarilabs/meat/2000/1201_videoprimer.shtml) on RGB gaming. Great site (http://www.gamesx.com/) with lots of info.

Essentially, if you're using composite or even s-video the scaler can only help you so much. Garbage in, Garbage out, right? I'm guessing your Saturn would look hella nice via RGB. I'm still shopping for cables for mine...

This is great information. The only console I'll have with S-video is the Sega Saturn. I was totally aware of scart but I didn't know I could buy a scart cable for my US Saturn and it would work. That's awesome information! Thanks!

if you are patient, a used one or two will start popping up and it will probably be in your price range...

as far as "why so many hdmi inputs?"... because it's built for "today's world"... and yes, there are PLENTY of hdmi sources that you'd want to use the processing in the edge for... off the top of my head, 4 in my setup (set top box, roku netflix player, appletv and dvd player)...

heck, 6 really isn't enough... i needed to add in a 3X1 switch as well... :)

Wow, what does an upscaler do for 1080p sources? I'm confused. If you have a 1080p source how would this device do me any good?
The only situation I could think of (and correct me if I'm wrong) is if you have an HTPC and whatever DVD player program you use does a lousy upscale job. When I watch DVDs on my PC in full screen on my TV they look awful but on the PS3 they look wonderful.

Wow, what does an upscaler do for 1080p sources? I'm confused. If you have a 1080p source how would this device do me any good?
The only situation I could think of (and correct me if I'm wrong) is if you have an HTPC and whatever DVD player program you use does a lousy upscale job. When I watch DVDs on my PC in full screen on my TV they look awful but on the PS3 they look wonderful.

you are making the mistake of thinking that all hdmi sources are 1080p... i listed out 4 in my system alone for you...

The thing that confused me about the DVDO EDGE was that it seemed like it had too many unnecessary inputs. Why all the HDMI? Just using it as a switch or something? Who needs an HDMI source upscaled? Seems like the thing would be a bit cheaper if it had no HDMI ports (except out of course) and just composite, S-video, and component.

Well, initially I wanted something to extract audio from my HDMI sources, send it to my receiver and TV at the same time so I wouldn't lose HDMI 1.3 functionality. This does just that with the dual HDMI output. My current receiver actually does upscale all inputs to component in 1080i, but won't send that over HDMI and I didn't want component and HDMI going to the TV.

They holy grail of this external component (imho) is that I can watch TV with the receiver off. I live in an inner city condo and have a conscious (sometimes). Unless I've got my F*** U hat on, I can watch some family guy at 2am without dual subwoofers.

I bought this device it because it seems to rival that other systems that are in the 2-3k mark, plus I get what I want above plus all the other image processing features. Upscale SD signals from Wii, DirecTV, even de-interlace DirectTV 1080i, plus the noise reduction, lip sync, edge processing...Heck I can even do component out of the receiver with upscaled s-video back through it to upscale that and send it over HDMI 1080p via this bad boy.

If this thing isn't impressive, or I'm just too stupid to notice the difference, I'll be selling it and replacing with a 4.2 HDMI switch since more interested in NOT losing quality of HDMI 1.3 signals than I am interested in improving worse signals. Since my 4600 meets most upscaling needs I'll be ok, although, that won't meet your current need. Remember getting a receiver to do it might put you in the same circumstance I am in in a few years which is having an A/V receiver lacking in either the A or the V department rendering it useless. Keep in mind I paid $1300 and you are looking to spend $400. Separates is the way to go, and this is a great way to get started there.

Well you guys sold me on the DVDO Edge. But I am going to have to wait until I find it for that price you guys were lucky enough to get it at. It seems like I only missed it by a few days. Sucks, but I can wait!

I found SCART cables for the Saturn but the port is something I've never seen before. How would I hook it up to the DVDO Edge?

(also, excellent point jozeph78. I want to use my receiver sometimes but sometimes the internal TV speakers are good too. Great point!)

And HDGaming42, why do you use the XRGB2+ with the DVDO Edge? Isn't the DVDO Edge doing everything for you anyway?

...
I found SCART cables for the Saturn but the port is something I've never seen before. How would I hook it up to the DVDO Edge?...
And HDGaming42, why do you use the XRGB2+ with the DVDO Edge? Isn't the DVDO Edge doing everything for you anyway?

Two things. I use the XRGB2+ to add scanlines (http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/) to older games (I'm a sucker for the look of CRT), and it also converts the signal into something the EDGE is happy with.

For example--you would plug your Saturn SCART cable into the XRGB2+, and it outputs DB15 VGA. I then use a cable that adapts DB15 to 5xBNC, which is RGBHV and hooks into component 2 on the EDGE, which can accept such a signal.

There is no SCART connector on the EDGE, so you would either require a cable that adapts SCART to some form of RGB, or a unit like the XRGB2+. JFYI--the scanlines are optional.

You should do a bit of research on SCART for your Saturn. I'm not guaranteeing that European SCART will work with a US console--the Saturn is a bit down my list of priorities. I know the SNES will work with that combination, but can't confirm any others.

If you decide to go the XRGB2+ route you will also need a cable that converts European SCART to Japanese SCART, or you will blow the XRGB2+.

Who would have thought it would be this much work to make old games look good?! :)

Two things. I use the XRGB2+ to add scanlines (http://scanlines.hazard-city.de/) to older games (I'm a sucker for the look of CRT), and it also converts the signal into something the EDGE is happy with.

I'm with you on this, but I don't play older consoles (except for maybe the Saturn) on their true hardware. I do SNES through emulation (right now through the XBox, probably will switch to PC) and I definitely use scanlines. Takes all the blocky graphics away. I'd like to use original hardware, but let's face it. Paying $60 for used copies of the best games will get very costly!


For example--you would plug your Saturn SCART cable into the XRGB2+, and it outputs DB15 VGA. I then use a cable that adapts DB15 to 5xBNC, which is RGBHV and hooks into component 2 on the EDGE, which can accept such a signal.

There is no SCART connector on the EDGE, so you would either require a cable that adapts SCART to some form of RGB, or a unit like the XRGB2+. JFYI--the scanlines are optional.

You should do a bit of research on SCART for your Saturn. I'm not guaranteeing that European SCART will work with a US console--the Saturn is a bit down my list of priorities. I know the SNES will work with that combination, but can't confirm any others.

If you decide to go the XRGB2+ route you will also need a cable that converts European SCART to Japanese SCART, or you will blow the XRGB2+.

Who would have thought it would be this much work to make old games look good?! :)

Oof, this sounds like an incredible amount of money to spend and work just to get Saturn in RGB. I may just have to leave it with S-video (but still get one of them DVDO Edge's when the price is back at $499).

Before I seriously consider the DVDO Edge (I'm almost there), I wanted to be sure of something you guys are describing. Say I have my PC hooked up to my 1080p TV via HDMI. Right now it looks great but I am not too impressed with the way DVDs upscale on it. If I plugged the PC into the DVDO Edge, would it make DVD's/AVI's,etc. look better? Will it leave 1080p sources alone? I don't see why it should upscale my desktop if it's already running at 1920x1080.