Yes, you can choose betweem 0 and 7.5 IRE on all inputs, including HDMI.

And the video settings are also adjustable on HDMI.

Thanks Rdjam.

When I referred to PC vs video levels I was not thinking about IRE 0/7.5.
AFAIK IRE 0/7.5 only applies to a NTSC signal not PAL and defines the level for black.
By video vs PC levels I was thinking about those DVD players with a DVI output that uses PC level signal ( 0-255 levels) vs video/studio (16-235).
F.ex. my Denon player has a setting for selecting 0 or 7.5 ire and another for selecting normal and enhanced black (video/PC levels) on the DVI output.
There may be problems if the Vantage is expecting DVI/HDMI video levels and receiving pc video levels. I think the DVDO VP30 has this setting.

I'm not an expert so maybe someone more knowledgeable than me can explain this.

I bet the squeezed image will correct itself if you choose "Anamorphic " on the Vantage, Pelzi.

I did the same thing with the VGA connect of my X360. Im sorry I missed that earlier, my little baby woke up and it was my turn to get up with him. I was still somewhat asleep when I posted that. :)

Jason, set your Vantage to Anamorphic, Im sorry I did not catch that either. I hope that helps.

Thanks Rdjam.

When I referred to PC vs video levels I was not thinking about IRE 0/7.5.
AFAIK IRE 0/7.5 only applies to a NTSC signal not PAL and defines the level for black.
By video vs PC levels I was thinking about those DVD players with a DVI output that uses PC level signal ( 0-255 levels) vs video/studio (16-235).
F.ex. my Denon player has a setting for selecting 0 or 7.5 ire and another for selecting normal and enhanced black (video/PC levels) on the DVI output.
There may be problems if the Vantage is expecting DVI/HDMI video levels and receiving pc video levels. I think the DVDO VP30 has this setting.

I'm not an expert so maybe someone more knowledgeable than me can explain this.
Hi Pedro,

Yes, I have the Denon 3910 and it is set to Normal and 7.5 (everything else is 0).

This is the only setting on the Denon that allows it to properly pass Blacker-than-Black and Whiter-than-White information, if it is encoded on the DVD.

As a result, I set the input on the Vantage (for the Denon) to O IRE, which means that it will expect 0 to 254 values from the Denon. Although these are technically PC values, there is much content on DVD that have BTB and WTW, so I prefer this setup.

If you have set you Denon to clip BTB and WTW, then you would set the Vantage to 7.5 IRE setting for your player, in which case, it will pull the values it receives from your player (stretching it to fit 0 to 254). This would not be my preferred setup for the Denon.

All other settings for video (ie Color, Contrast, Brightness, etc, can still be used to tweak the video from the Denon).

Hope this helps...

Hello Rdjam,

Thank you for your help. I understand now :)

Catdaddy67 you were right that fixed it. Now the only issue I am having is the 480i output of the Sony 975 and the Vantage do not get along. It works fine going direct.

I'm confused (again :) ):

Isn't this right?:

0 IRE (on Vantage, not in general) = PC levels = 0 to 255
7.5 IRE (also on Vantage) = video levels = 16 to 235

My assumption, though it was not clear at all in the Vantage manual, is that those two values (0 IRE and 7.5 IRE) in the Vantage setup determine what levels (video or PC) any particular input is expecting. This is very confusing, as IRE values are strictly used in labeling analog signal voltages, and have no meaning whatsoever with digital signals, though people incorrectly use them all the time.

This is very confusing, as IRE values are strictly used in labeling analog signal voltages, and have no meaning whatsoever with digital signals
Bob,

You're right but on the Denon 3910 and for that matter on the 5910, IRE 0/7.5 do have a significant effect on the digital outputs either DVI or HDMI. In theory they shouldn't but they do. :confused:
I've tested an Ayre DX7 which has IRE correctly implemented and changing it doesn't affect the DVI digital output.
So when using the Vantage you'll have to choose which one to use since they effect the video signal.
I don't have the Vantage yet but Rdjam has found the best settings for use with the Vantage and Denon.
But you're right, all this is a bit misleading since IRE units are just a representation of analog output voltage, 7.5 IRE being 53.6mV and 0 IRE=0mV. Both represent the level chosen for the analog output of black.
But since I'm no expert I'll better wait for one to explain all this. :)

Jason, set your Vantage to Anamorphic, Im sorry I did not catch that either. I hope that helps.

Tested every aspects before but no luck. :(

This was confirmed earlier. From what I read, not all players do 480i HDMI the same way. Some needs special treatment to be compatible.

Jason Yeo: so how does it compare to the A1XV ? since it can't do NTSC properly now, I guess u can only compare PAL disks. So in PAL are they the same (film/video)?

Did not really compare the PAL and video materials since I do not watch them usually.

I remember PAL materials looks nicer on Gennum than HQV regardless of the tests results, I could be wrong though .

Maybe someone else from UK can answer you better . ;)

I don't have the gennum, so I can't compare, but I will say that PAL material is simply stunning on the Vantage.

I have been going back and forth comparing the picture with and without the vantage. The picture is slightly better with the vantage vs. the internal Ruby scaler using SD DVD as a source. I do notice though that the picture is darker coming out of the scaler. I have not adjusted the picture at all. Is there are default setting that should be adjusted on this unit or should I adjust at the projector? Sorry if these questions are basic but this is my first scaler.

Playing with Vantage for a week!
So far so good.

Good News.

New firmware patch to resolve the image horizontal off-centred issue with Vantage's HDMI 720p60Hz output to the Marantz S4 has been tested and found to work well. The image is now correctly centred on the screen without having to adjust the S4 projector. Should work with the Ruby as well.

Looking forward to see the firmware patch officially posted on CalibreUK's website.

Yup , I have also upgarded to the new 1.1.2B firmware and the 720p/60hz works fine now. Thanks to patrick from Calibre .

Hi,

Any word on other thinhgs that the 1.1.2b firmware upgrade will address?

God bless...

Mark

I have been going back and forth comparing the picture with and without the vantage. The picture is slightly better with the vantage vs. the internal Ruby scaler using SD DVD as a source. I do notice though that the picture is darker coming out of the scaler. I have not adjusted the picture at all. Is there are default setting that should be adjusted on this unit or should I adjust at the projector? Sorry if these questions are basic but this is my first scaler.

I have found the exact opposite results. What are you using as a test pattern source, Avia, DVE, etc.? I think you have the Sony 975 DVD right?

One place I can really see it is in CH 6 of Shrek II in the night scene when the king goes to the pub to find a "solution to his Ogre problem":D I see a more 3D image with better black details.

Yup , I have also upgarded to the new 1.1.2B firmware and the 720p/60hz works fine now. Thanks to patrick from Calibre .
Hmph...I volunteered to beta test software revisions, yet I have not heard one word from Calibre. I guess I don't qualify, or my problems are not severe enough...:(

Or maybe they just haven't made any headway with the HDMI/HDCP problems. Right now I think that HDMI connectivity issues continue to be the single largest problem plaguing the Vantage, yet these problems don't appear to be getting any attention. I hope that behind the scenes Calibre are hard at work solving these very genuine issues, as these problems are on the border of being intolerable in my setup.

I just spoke with Patrick, the lead software engineer at Calibre, and I feel much better now....:)

I'm happy to report that they are hard at work on the HDMI/HDCP issues.

I just spoke with Patrick, the lead software engineer at Calibre, and I feel much better now....:)

I'm happy to report that they are hard at work on the HDMI/HDCP issues.You the man Bob. :cool:

Bob, Im glad you got in touch with them. Tell them that if they dont get that fixed and also the SDI cards out soon that mbrian is going to be calling them.

Hmph...I volunteered to beta test software revisions, yet I have not heard one word from Calibre. I guess I don't qualify, or my problems are not severe enough...:(

Or maybe they just haven't made any headway with the HDMI/HDCP problems. Right now I think that HDMI connectivity issues continue to be the single largest problem plaguing the Vantage, yet these problems don't appear to be getting any attention. I hope that behind the scenes Calibre are hard at work solving these very genuine issues, as these problems are on the border of being intolerable in my setup.

Bob , according to Patrick , this 1.1.2B is exactly same as 1.1.2 except addressing the 720p/60hz thru hdmi issue only . Haw and I have the same problem and so we are the best persons to try it out .

I think there should be a new firmware out soon . Just be patience :D

Bob, Im glad you got in touch with them. Tell them that if they dont get that fixed and also the SDI cards out soon that mbrian is going to be calling them.
Oh no, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy...:D

Mbrian has adopted several alias nicks now and has been a thorn in my side in the HTPC forum posting all of his misinformation. Be glad that he seems to have left this end of the forum for now...:)

I'm glad to hear that Calibre seems to be being so responsive!

Ok - now I have a suggestion :D

It's not a bug fix so much as a feature.

I'd like to be able to "freeze" a frame (whether by remote or by PC control) and download the freeze frame to my PC via USB or whichever.

I'm testing a bunch of stuff as sources right now and I'd really like to get the actual pure freeze frame image, instead of trying to snap cruddy images with my digital camera that do the Vantage no favours, perceptually. See my thread in HTPC section http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=7470539#post7470539

Can we have a freeze frame function? huh, huh, please?

ALSO -- on a more practical note - I'd like to see more custom IR remote codes, so that I can enter them in my Harmony. Stuff like aspect ratio, zoom mode, input source selection, etc - would be VERY helpful.

Cannot find selections of output colourspace in vantage so I hope they can include this . Trying with my pj and it always lock at RGB output thru hdmi .

Latest news from Patrick . The ver 1.1.2b is going to put on calibre website .

Oh no, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy...

Mbrian has adopted several alias nicks now and has been a thorn in my side in the HTPC forum posting all of his misinformation. Be glad that he seems to have left this end of the forum for now...

Ill have to check it out. :)

Latest update has now been uploaded to the site and is available

http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php

Please ensure you check the download instructions first

I am having some odd annoying problem with my Vantage that I hope someone can help me out with. First of all, the Vantage is directly hooked up at 1080p to Sharp 45" LCD panel. While watching anything, I can see a very light band that scrolls from the bottom of the screen to the top. The band tends to very slightly discolor that part of the screen. It is more noticeable in areas where there is a black background. Anyone else having the same problem?

That is a ground loop and/or hum problem. As a quick test, try using a three prong to two prong A/C adapter or if you happen to have a cable box hooked up, tyr unhooking that as they are notorious for leaking noise thru the grounds.

Are you using a quality Surge Protector and A/C Line conditioner?

It is a ground loop problem. My guess is the display is plugged into a different circuit than your processor/sources. The two prong cheater test is for diagnostics only. Not a safe solution but fine for testing. As Dave says, the hum, visible as a rolling bar, could also be coming from the cable line. Disconnecting the box is the diagnostic for that. Fixes (filters or coupling transformers) are available to solve both problems.

It is a ground loop problem. My guess is the display is plugged into a different circuit than your processor/sources. The two prong cheater test is for diagnostics only. Not a safe solution but fine for testing. As Dave says, the hum, visible as a rolling bar, could also be coming from the cable line. Disconnecting the box is the diagnostic for that. Fixes (filters or coupling transformers) are available to solve both problems.

I dont have a cable box... I use Directv and everthing is pluggled into a Surge protector which is then connected into a Furman Line conditioner.

Which unit should I use the 3 prong to 2 prong converter on?

Abbas

Abbas. Give me a call (240 876 2536) and I can walk you through isolating what is happening. Start with the display unconnected to a source. Then add only the processor and see if any change. ETC ETC.

Hey all,
Sorry i've been a lilttle MIA.
I got a question on DVD players hooked up to the VHD. My player, Esoteric UX-1 is Hi End universal player with DVI output. I was debating on selling it and getting a Sony 777es. The reason is, if my VHD is outputting 1080p to my set do i get any benefit in PQ from the Hi End player with DVI than the Sony 777es player with Componet.

Abbas. Give me a call (240 876 2536) and I can walk you through isolating what is happening. Start with the display unconnected to a source. Then add only the processor and see if any change. ETC ETC.

Mark & Dave - Thank you for the advice. I spent most of Sunday dis-assembling all the cables in my wall built-in entertainment center and as it turns out the Vantage was NOT plugged in to the same circuits as the other components. Once I moved it over, the problem dis-appeared.

Thanx again,

Abbas

That is excellent Abbas. I'm glad Mark and I could help:)!!!

Hey all,
Sorry i've been a lilttle MIA.
I got a question on DVD players hooked up to the VHD. My player, Esoteric UX-1 is Hi End universal player with DVI output. I was debating on selling it and getting a Sony 777es. The reason is, if my VHD is outputting 1080p to my set do i get any benefit in PQ from the Hi End player with DVI than the Sony 777es player with Componet.

Yes, you're usually better off going DVI/HDMI than component because you then skip a D-A and A-D conversion which usually introduces some artifacts and softening of the image.

The best bet if you have a scaler is to use 480i HDMI (only a few players have this like the Pioneer Elite 59 and 79 AVi and the Sony DVP-NS975) or an SDI modified DVD player, but I don't think VHD has implemented the SDI card yet.

This involves the audio side of the vhd. I have my a1 hd-dvd > vhd via hdmi>to meridian 861 via coax. I am unable to get anything but 2 channel pcm from hd-dvd's. There is no problem with getting dd or dts from the a1>vhd via hdmi> meridian 861 via coax when using sd-dvd's. Anyone have better luck?

Yes, you're usually better off going DVI/HDMI than component because you then skip a D-A and A-D conversion which usually introduces some artifacts and softening of the image.

The best bet if you have a scaler is to use 480i HDMI (only a few players have this like the Pioneer Elite 59 and 79 AVi and the Sony DVP-NS975) or an SDI modified DVD player, but I don't think VHD has implemented the SDI card yet.Dave,

So you're telling me that the 480i HDMI output, out of one of those players, will have a better picture than my 1080i DVI output from my DVD player?? :confused:
Is S-Video the same 480i or is that diffrent?

Yes, that's what I'm saying, if you're passing that 480i HDMI signal on to an outboard scaler like the VHD which should have better deinterlacing and scaling than what's built into upconverting DVD players. (Except maybe the Denon 5910:D)

That's the reason for using an outboard scaler in the first place. If the one built into your DVD player, satellite/cable box, projector, HDTV, etc was better, why would you bother getting a scaler???

Yes, S-video is still just 480i NTSC video. It is better than composite because it separates the luminance (B&W) and chrominance (Color) signals into two channels instead of being a "composite" of the two which means you are limited in bandwidth for each of those signals.

Hi chris03053,

With a 480i output, the DVD player outputs the native DVD resolution. It is like a digital video transport. The VHD will do all the video processing i.e. deinterlacing and scaling. The VHD has better deinterlacing and scaling than the best DVD player.

With a 1080i DVI output, the DVD player does the scaling from 480i to 1080i, while the VHD deinterlaces 1080i to 1080p. You will not be using the VHD to its fullest potential.

So yes, 480i HDMI input into VHD will produce a better picture than 1080i DVI input into VHD. The price of the DVD player with 480i HDMI output doesn't really matter as it is being used only as a digital video transport. The VHD does all the video processing.

S-Video is analog, not digital like HDMI.

Now i know what you guys are talking. Sorry i'm a little slow in this technology. :p
But we still have to wait for the SDI to come out from Calibre before we can do anything in the SDI department.
Is there a pool going on for when it will come out? :D

That is excellent Abbas. I'm glad Mark and I could help:)!!!


Dave and Mark - actually I was wrong. The problem still exists. I was watching 24 tonight and it was very noticeable. I know for a fact everything goes thru one circuit now. Do you think I should use the 3 prong to 2 prong adapters? The Vantage has only 2 prongs but I have check the rest of my units to see what they have.

Abbas

I have a Samsung HDTV that has a 1080p capable VGA input (PC D-Sub connector). Would the analog RGBHV signal from the VHD's 15HDD connector be compatible with my input?

I wouldn't see why not as long as they both give and receive the same timings, etc. Sometimes PC VGA inputs don't like RGB video resolutions, etc.

Read the HDTV manual, ask around here at AVS and maybe even call tech support to ensure their VGA input can accept a 1080p video input before making that investment though.

Doesn't that TV have HDMI and if so, can that accept 1080p?

Doesn't that TV have HDMI and if so, can that accept 1080p?
This is a HLR model. It has HDMI inputs but they are not 1080p compatible. BTW, I've recently sent an email to Calibre on the question but have not received a response yet (though, it's probably too soon to expect one). Thanks.

OK, how well does it do 1080i to p deinterlacing in your set? If it's pretty good, you may get better benefit by going 1080i thru HDMI and keeping it digital and letting the HDTV do the deinterlacing. But that kind of defeats the purpose of using the HQV chip in the VHD which I am certain does a better job of deinterlacing 1080i.

That all depends on how well the VHD does D-A conversion and how well the HDTV does A-D conversion.

The only thing you can do there is try them both and see which one results in better performance.

If the VHD were going into something like a CRT pj it might not make as big a difference.

OK, how well does it do 1080i to p deinterlacing in your set? If it's pretty good, you may get better benefit by going 1080i thru HDMI and keeping it digital and letting the HDTV do the deinterlacing. But that kind of defeats the purpose of using the HQV chip in the VHD which I am certain does a better job of deinterlacing 1080i.

That all depends on how well the VHD does D-A conversion and how well the HDTV does A-D conversion.

The only thing you can do there is try them both and see which one results in better performance.

If the VHD were going into something like a CRT pj it might not make as big a difference.
I would agre with Dave on this.

The only caveat is that I would pass any native 1080i straight to your set.

For any sources like 480i/576i, etc that are being scaled up, I would *want to* let the Vantage do the job of deinterlacing and scaling first, but I don't know if the Vantage outputs interlaced 1080i - I never tried..

Yeah, after I said that I wasn't too sure if it did either:( He may have to go out with the VGA.

Does your HTDV take 1080p on it's YPbPr component inputs? If so, I think you can change the colorspace to YPbPr out of the VHD.

Does your HTDV take 1080p on it's YPbPr component inputs? No. It takes 1080p over the VGA input only.

The primary reason I'm considering the Vantage-HD is to improve the PQ for the overwhelming amount of SD my cable company still pushes at me. I figured that if I were going to go for a better approach to 480i de-interlacing (and scaling), I might as well go all the way to 1080p via the Vantage (HQV) rather than stopping at 720p or 1080i. I guess I'll wait a while, and if I'm still not "happy," I'll grab a Vantage and give it a try.

Ok, I just finished reading all 19 pages of this post and was surprised to see almost no mention of audio problems with your Vantage HD. It may just be a problem with my particular unit but I cannot get it to pass a DTS or DD signal either through the Toslink or Digital connection, I only get 2 channel PCM.

I'll add some other notes that I didn't see addressed.

I see a lot of talk about DVI vs HDMI and the basic signals being the same. This is quite true but what nobody has mentioned is that in every equipment I have looked at the unit will use a different receiver chip for DVI than they do for HDMI. Almost everyone uses parts from Silicon Image and a common DVI receiver is their SiI163B while the HDMI receiver of choice is the SiI9031. Just thought I'd post that fact since I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

Has anyone noticed that the sheet metal is completely unfinished (not painted or powder coated)? Not a big deal of course but we are buying retail products (high end no less) and I've NEVER seen this before in ANY consumer equipment (even $70 VCRs). All those blue wires that are displayed in the unit are jumper wires used to fix problems that were found AFTER the PCB was fabricated. I come from a manufacturing background and I can tell you that this is not standard practise to release a product like this to the public. One or 2 OK, but there are quite a few of these and even soldered to very fine pitch memory part. OK, so the unit still functions fine with these jumpers BUT with all the delays in getting these units out I would have expected them to have run another batch of PCBs. BTW, those small circles are called vias and are used to connect traces from different layers in the PCBs. You cannot design a quality multilayer PCB without using these and typically the amount of them is not an issue. They do become an issue when they are used in controlled impedance paths in the circuit but since we are seeing good images with the VHD I would say that the design is OK.

I can't recall if my fan is noisy since it currently isn't hooked up because of the audio problems I have. It's pretty easy to test the effectiveness of a replacement fan though by placing a thermocouple at the heatsink (as close the device package as possible) and check the temperature with different fan settings. I don't recall the power dissipation specs of the HQV but you definitely should be able to cool the part without making too much noise.

Talk about noise, I also have the NEC TheaterSync and that unit is louder than most PCs I have. It is actually almost too annoying to even use the unit. I won't comment on the VFD or it's lack of inputs so the VHD wins hands down on that part but a front panel display would be VERY nice. The NEC, CII, and VP30 all have them so I consider this an omission on Calibre's parts. A nice Noritake VFD costs less than $20 so I can't understand why Vantage wouldn't include one.

Yes, I also have a Denon DVD player (1920 and 5910) and I couldn't believe it would lock up (had to pull the power cord). This happened on the VP30 and I could have sworn it was a problem with the VP30. Now after reading posts here about the VP30 and VHD I see that this has been a common bug for everyone.

Anyone using a Dish Network PVR921? I also get problems with that unit even though it only has a DVI out.

Thanks to all!

George

Hi Everyone - I got a confirmation message from Calibre this morning that the Vantage HD supports PCM audio up to 8 channels to be passed through over HDMI. I'm assuming they meant up to 96/24, which is the 1.1 HDMI limitation, I think.

I'll be testing this out tonight.

I'm going to send the A1 HDMI to the Vantage, then to the Denon 3806 HDMI, then HDMI out to the HD2K pj DVI.

No. It takes 1080p over the VGA input only.

The primary reason I'm considering the Vantage-HD is to improve the PQ for the overwhelming amount of SD my cable company still pushes at me. I figured that if I were going to go for a better approach to 480i de-interlacing (and scaling), I might as well go all the way to 1080p via the Vantage (HQV) rather than stopping at 720p or 1080i. I guess I'll wait a while, and if I'm still not "happy," I'll grab a Vantage and give it a try.

OK, that sounds like a plan. If/when you are ready, give me and AVS a call for that Vantage:)

Ok, I just finished reading all 19 pages of this post and was surprised to see almost no mention of audio problems with your Vantage HD. It may just be a problem with my particular unit but I cannot get it to pass a DTS or DD signal either through the Toslink or Digital connection, I only get 2 channel PCM.

I'll add some other notes that I didn't see addressed.

I see a lot of talk about DVI vs HDMI and the basic signals being the same. This is quite true but what nobody has mentioned is that in every equipment I have looked at the unit will use a different receiver chip for DVI than they do for HDMI. Almost everyone uses parts from Silicon Image and a common DVI receiver is their SiI163B while the HDMI receiver of choice is the SiI9031. Just thought I'd post that fact since I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

Has anyone noticed that the sheet metal is completely unfinished (not painted or powder coated)? Not a big deal of course but we are buying retail products (high end no less) and I've NEVER seen this before in ANY consumer equipment (even $70 VCRs). All those blue wires that are displayed in the unit are jumper wires used to fix problems that were found AFTER the PCB was fabricated. I come from a manufacturing background and I can tell you that this is not standard practise to release a product like this to the public. One or 2 OK, but there are quite a few of these and even soldered to very fine pitch memory part. OK, so the unit still functions fine with these jumpers BUT with all the delays in getting these units out I would have expected them to have run another batch of PCBs. BTW, those small circles are called vias and are used to connect traces from different layers in the PCBs. You cannot design a quality multilayer PCB without using these and typically the amount of them is not an issue. They do become an issue when they are used in controlled impedance paths in the circuit but since we are seeing good images with the VHD I would say that the design is OK.

I can't recall if my fan is noisy since it currently isn't hooked up because of the audio problems I have. It's pretty easy to test the effectiveness of a replacement fan though by placing a thermocouple at the heatsink (as close the device package as possible) and check the temperature with different fan settings. I don't recall the power dissipation specs of the HQV but you definitely should be able to cool the part without making too much noise.

Talk about noise, I also have the NEC TheaterSync and that unit is louder than most PCs I have. It is actually almost too annoying to even use the unit. I won't comment on the VFD or it's lack of inputs so the VHD wins hands down on that part but a front panel display would be VERY nice. The NEC, CII, and VP30 all have them so I consider this an omission on Calibre's parts. A nice Noritake VFD costs less than $20 so I can't understand why Vantage wouldn't include one.

Yes, I also have a Denon DVD player (1920 and 5910) and I couldn't believe it would lock up (had to pull the power cord). This happened on the VP30 and I could have sworn it was a problem with the VP30. Now after reading posts here about the VP30 and VHD I see that this has been a common bug for everyone.

Anyone using a Dish Network PVR921? I also get problems with that unit even though it only has a DVI out.

Thanks to all!


GeorgeGeorge,
I have my 921 connected to the VHD using a DVI/HDMI cable and using the optical thru the VHD. I have no problems with sound or picture.
Just on my VHD HDMI 1 input is not working. Waiting for replacement.
Cheers,
Chris

Looks like I'm going to try and get a replacement tomorrow and we'll see what that does for me.

Chris: So assumming you subscribe to the HD channels, are you able to receive DD 5.1 coming out of the VHD going into some surround sound processor? Since the 921 only has optical out that's what I'm using for audio but going to my processor I'm using the digital RCA.

Looks like I'm going to try and get a replacement tomorrow and we'll see what that does for me.

Chris: So assumming you subscribe to the HD channels, are you able to receive DD 5.1 coming out of the VHD going into some surround sound processor? Since the 921 only has optical out that's what I'm using for audio but going to my processor I'm using the digital RCA.George,

I have optical coming out of VHD and going into my processor (BK50) I believe you have to use the same sources both ends (optical in & out or digital rca in & out) My 921 and Sony DVD Megaplayer i'm using the optical going into the VHD and i'm using Digital rca from a other DVD player going into the VHD, but that one i'm using the Digital rca coming out of VHD and going into the BK Digital input.

On the HD programs i do get the 5.1. Just the other night i had it on "Rave" HD ch. great picture and the 5.1 sound was there.

Good luck on the replacement, i'm still waiting for a replacement for my VHD.

Hi Guys,

Are you aware of any reason why my vendor is unable to get the Vantage - I have an order standing since Nov. '05?

I know there have been a number of issues, but what is the state of production at this moment?

Just curious.

Thanks!

Hi Guys,

Are you aware of any reason why my vendor is unable to get the Vantage - I have an order standing since Nov. '05?

I know there have been a number of issues, but what is the state of production at this moment?

Just curious.

Thanks!Wow, your vendor should have had you on top of the list. What happen? Did he forget you?
Somebody from Calibre had written that there was a small problem and that they are back in the saddle.

Chris:

Toslink or coax digital carry the same signal. Toslink receivers convert the optical signal into electrical which is then passed onto the DAC. Usually this conversion occurs right in the Toslink connector so that makes me think maybe I've got a bad toslink connector since you're reporting that PCM signals are being passed through the VHD.

George

Hi Guys,

Are you aware of any reason why my vendor is unable to get the Vantage - I have an order standing since Nov. '05?

I know there have been a number of issues, but what is the state of production at this moment?

Just curious.

Thanks!

Just cancel that order and call us here at AVS:)!!! That's quite a long time to wait and pretty poor CS if you ask me:rolleyes:

We could have some as soon as next week or possibly in about two weeks.

Just cancel that order and call us here at AVS:)!!! That's quite a long time to wait and pretty poor CS if you ask me:rolleyes:

We could have some as soon as next week or possibly in about two weeks. Dave,
Put one on hold for me :)
Jason (aka MIA) :) knows what it's all about.
Thanks

PS Any news on the SDI??

Knows what what's all about??? I'm corn-fused;)!!!

I have heard nothing on SDI yet, sorry.

Hi David - any idea when they are hoping to ship the HDMI expansion card?

Nothing on my end on that either, sorry:(

I'm meeting up with Ed Hart of Calibre tomorrow to exchange my unit. I see that people want to know about the SDI and HDMI cards, anything else I can pass along?

I'm meeting up with Ed Hart of Calibre tomorrow to exchange my unit. I see that people want to know about the SDI and HDMI cards, anything else I can pass along?George,
You must be the "man" I tried calling him for the past 2 days and nobody is there. Tell him Chris needs a replacement too. :)

I see a few questions about the HDMI & SDI expansion cards and timescales.

Both are in development now and have been for some time. When the Vantage was originally due to ship late Nov/early Dec '05 we planned these boards would ship by end Q1 '06. In spite of the delays to Vantage, we haven't suffered as badly with these expansion boards and current plans are to have them finished for release sometime in June '06.

That's the best I can tell you right now, but once we have confirmed dates they will be on the website and the Distributors will get a heads-up in advance.


Cheers,


Zax
(Yes, I work for Calibre - but am not present at AVS forum in any offical Company Representative capacity!)

I see a few questions about the HDMI & SDI expansion cards and timescales.

Both are in development now and have been for some time. When the Vantage was originally due to ship late Nov/early Dec '05 we planned these boards would ship by end Q1 '06. In spite of the delays to Vantage, we haven't suffered as badly with these expansion boards and current plans are to have them finished for release sometime in June '06.
One little question: Will the SDI expansion add 1 or 2 HD-SDI ports? Thanks!

Thanks Zax - Great news! I'm looking forward to it.

One little question: Will the SDI expansion add 1 or 2 HD-SDI ports? Thanks!Yes, make it 2 :)

Ok, I just finished reading all 19 pages of this post and was surprised to see almost no mention of audio problems with your Vantage HD. It may just be a problem with my particular unit but I cannot get it to pass a DTS or DD signal either through the Toslink or Digital connection, I only get 2 channel PCM.

I'll add some other notes that I didn't see addressed.

I see a lot of talk about DVI vs HDMI and the basic signals being the same. This is quite true but what nobody has mentioned is that in every equipment I have looked at the unit will use a different receiver chip for DVI than they do for HDMI. Almost everyone uses parts from Silicon Image and a common DVI receiver is their SiI163B while the HDMI receiver of choice is the SiI9031. Just thought I'd post that fact since I didn't see it mentioned anywhere.

Has anyone noticed that the sheet metal is completely unfinished (not painted or powder coated)? Not a big deal of course but we are buying retail products (high end no less) and I've NEVER seen this before in ANY consumer equipment (even $70 VCRs). All those blue wires that are displayed in the unit are jumper wires used to fix problems that were found AFTER the PCB was fabricated. I come from a manufacturing background and I can tell you that this is not standard practise to release a product like this to the public. One or 2 OK, but there are quite a few of these and even soldered to very fine pitch memory part. OK, so the unit still functions fine with these jumpers BUT with all the delays in getting these units out I would have expected them to have run another batch of PCBs. BTW, those small circles are called vias and are used to connect traces from different layers in the PCBs. You cannot design a quality multilayer PCB without using these and typically the amount of them is not an issue. They do become an issue when they are used in controlled impedance paths in the circuit but since we are seeing good images with the VHD I would say that the design is OK.

I can't recall if my fan is noisy since it currently isn't hooked up because of the audio problems I have. It's pretty easy to test the effectiveness of a replacement fan though by placing a thermocouple at the heatsink (as close the device package as possible) and check the temperature with different fan settings. I don't recall the power dissipation specs of the HQV but you definitely should be able to cool the part without making too much noise.

Talk about noise, I also have the NEC TheaterSync and that unit is louder than most PCs I have. It is actually almost too annoying to even use the unit. I won't comment on the VFD or it's lack of inputs so the VHD wins hands down on that part but a front panel display would be VERY nice. The NEC, CII, and VP30 all have them so I consider this an omission on Calibre's parts. A nice Noritake VFD costs less than $20 so I can't understand why Vantage wouldn't include one.

Yes, I also have a Denon DVD player (1920 and 5910) and I couldn't believe it would lock up (had to pull the power cord). This happened on the VP30 and I could have sworn it was a problem with the VP30. Now after reading posts here about the VP30 and VHD I see that this has been a common bug for everyone.

Anyone using a Dish Network PVR921? I also get problems with that unit even though it only has a DVI out.

Thanks to all!

George
The two channel audio problem sounds like a setting on your player, George.

OK, I got my replacement VHD from Ed on Friday night and my problem is still with me. My unit and Ed's were shipped from the same batch of production so it's possible that they both have the same defect.

I have a Dish Network PVR921 connected to the VHD with a DVI-HDMI cable for video and optical toslink for audio. From the VHD I have a digital coax going from teh VHD to my surround sound processor and I have a HDMI-HDMI cable going to my DLP. If you go into the 921's menu's you have 3 choices for digital audio output format. I ran some tests and here's my results:

Results with VHD in the signal path:

921 Setting
======== ======================
DD Only : No sound on TV and SSP display stereo mode but no sound
PCM Only : Audio on TV and SSP display stereo mode but no sound
DD/PCM : No sound on TV and SSP display stereo mode but no sound


Results with the VHD removed from the audio path

921 Setting
======== =====================
DD Only : Sound and mode is DD 5.1
PCM Only : Stereo, no sound
DD/PCM : Sound and mode is DD 5.1




So am I totally missing something or does the audio portion of the VHD that I have corrupt?

Thanks,
George

OK, I got my replacement VHD from Ed on Friday night and my problem is still with me. My unit and Ed's were shipped from the same batch of production so it's possible that they both have the same defect.

I have a Dish Network PVR921 connected to the VHD with a DVI-HDMI cable for video and optical toslink for audio. From the VHD I have a digital coax going from teh VHD to my surround sound processor and I have a HDMI-HDMI cable going to my DLP. If you go into the 921's menu's you have 3 choices for digital audio output format. I ran some tests and here's my results:

Results with VHD in the signal path:

921 Setting
======== ======================
DD Only : No sound on TV and SSP display stereo mode but no sound
PCM Only : Audio on TV and SSP display stereo mode but no sound
DD/PCM : No sound on TV and SSP display stereo mode but no sound


Results with the VHD removed from the audio path

921 Setting
======== =====================
DD Only : Sound and mode is DD 5.1
PCM Only : Stereo, no sound
DD/PCM : Sound and mode is DD 5.1




So am I totally missing something or does the audio portion of the VHD that I have corrupt?

Thanks,
GeorgeGeorge,

I'll check tonight and see what settings i have in my 921s audio.

Chris

Is anyone finding that their Vantage fan has gotten louder, even at a prolonged off state? There anyway to cure this?

George,

Have you checked in the Vantage's "configuration menu" that you have the right number of channels set for the HDMI audio? I believe default is 2, but there are others to choose from.

regards,


Zax

Is anyone finding that their Vantage fan has gotten louder, even at a prolonged off state? There anyway to cure this?
I find that when it is plugged out and cools down, the fan is louder than normal until it warms up again.

The rest of the time I don't notice it at all. But I do accept that there seems to be a fair bit of variability in what users are reporting, so I guess some are just louder than others.

Anyone found a slower, larger aftermarket fan for the Vantage yet? This would help those who have louder ones.

I'm guessing those manufacturers who make aftermarket super-silent cooler fans for graphics chips would probably make something that could fit?

Between the fans in my DishHD, Tivo and VHD you can hear them if you're sitting in the room with nothing on, I try not to veg out in that room.
But i can understand if there is a quiet, scary moment you might hear the fans.
Plus I have my stuff in a rack system about 20' away so it's not bad.

Chris

My fan has been very quiet in the past. Recently though, the last few days .. it has been making a pretty loud work of it. I finally unplugged it last night.

Ill use it again here later on today. and see if the noise goes away again.

My fan is pretty loud. It seems that it might be a little louder than I remember when I first fired the VHD up. I've been in the habit of unplugging the unit if I'm not going to be in the room for a bit. Recently, after plugging the unit back in, the box was back to factory defaults (what a pain). So for now, I'm resigned to just leaving the box powered and humming.

For all of you Vantage HD users I have some basic connection questions for the non HD sources and the issues with varying aspect ratio content that those throw up. I know rdjam is in the UK so maybe he has some insights into the UK issues where this is more of a problem than in other countries as many of our SD TV sources are 16x9 anamorphic but some material is still 4x3 - there are even channels where the adverts are 16x9 anamorphic but the programmes are 4x3.

Anyway how does the vantage HD cope with such content does it just stretch the 4x3 content to 16x9?

Also for SD sources such as a Sky digibox of Freeview box what are the best connection solutions?

Finally for SD material from HD STBs should one use the STBs HD output or use one of the SD outputs and let the vantage do the scaling?

Your thoughts would be appreciated.

:confused: At last I could spend a few hours with a Vantage HD (upgraded to 1.1.2). The limited trial time is due to the fact that my dealer in Stockholm only has 1 exemplar which he uses for demonstrations with many potential customers. I am an "ordinary" user, which means that the Vantage was hooked up to the following equipment:

Pioneer 506 XDE 50'' plasma display (might be the same as 506 Elite in the US) with
HDMI in;

Denon DVD A11 (5900 in the US), providing DVI 480p, 720p and 1080i as well as component out, connected to the Vantage with a DVI-HDMI cable + component cable;

Motorola digital cable TV set top box (SD) with RGB scart out, connected to the component input on the Vantage with a RGB scart to 4 RCA cable;

Denon AVC A11XV amplifier (4806 in the US, without the tuner).

The limited time did not allow more elaborated tests. I have compared the PQ of SD digital
cable TV with and without the Vantage and the PQ from the DVD A11 with different
settings of the DVI output as well as with component signal, all with and without the
Vantage.

The Pioneer plasma does not accept it's own native resolution (1280x768) through HDMI;
it does accept 1280x720. Considering that this is Pioneer's "top of the line" model I find
this rather odd.

Using different combinations of settings of the user adjustable picture parameters in the
Vantage I found almost no improvement in the PQ of digital cable TV. I could notice slight
improvement on those channels which already have tolerable PQ; on those with lousy PQ
no improvement.

I have tested several DVDs with coding quality varying from poor to very good. Overall,
the Vantage improved the PQ of the best DVDs slightly, while I could not detect any
improvement with the poor ones. Component out from the Denon was a little better
than DVI on some DVDs, no difference on others. DVI 720p was better than 1080i in most
cases. The main problem is, of course, that the Denon cannot feed the Vantage with
a completely unprocessed signal (i.e. 576i).

After this short test I am not convinced that the Vantage HD is an optimal solution for
my particular setup. Has anyone tried the VHD with similar equipment?

Andy

Andy,

I think you would have been testing the Vantage with it's hands tied behind it's back. Scalers only work at their best when they are fed video that is native to the source (480i/576i in this case), and output video that is native to the display. That means the scaler does all the signal processing, and the player and the display do none of it.

That is the whole point of a scaler - it's video processing is better than that of the source or the display. By taking 480p or 720p out of the player (which has done the de-interlacing and perhaps some scaling and other processes) and feeding 720p to the display (which scales again) the scaler is left to do almost nothing!

Perhaps a DVD-A11 and a PDP506 is entirely unsuitable for any scaler, but there are some other options. This might be surprising, but you may have got better results by taking analogue interlaced component video from the player and connecting the scaler to the display with VGA. Analogue interfaces can be good if they are implemented well. (I'm typing this using a 1920x1200 monitor running at 75Hz - beyond the HDMI(A) spec, but pixel-perfect over VGA!)

I couldn't guarantee that would work properly with your set-up, but I don't think you would have come to the same conclusion.

Nick

I have been playing with a new Vantage HD for a couple weeks and the result is pretty disappointing. Maybe someone can tell me what is the weak link.

The setup I'm testing is strictly DVD. I have an NEC XG-1100 CRT projector which is getting RGBHV from the Vantage at 1280x720x60. Input is component video from a Panasonic RP-91. The RP-91 has an SDI card, but of course I can't use it with the Vantage.

My old processor was a Key Digital Leeza (original one).

I set up the Vantage using Digital Video Essentials. Overall the picture is slightly softer with the Vantage, probably due to component video vs. SDI with the KD. It also has a slightly more "artificial" look, a bit less film like.

On very high quality DVDs such as Superbit 5th Element, Star Wars III (latest one, Sith whatever), or Digital Video Essentials the Vantage looks very good. I notice improvement dark scene detail and gray linearity. Color is probably better too, but I haven't calibrated for it. Some kinds of common artifacts are definitely improved, particularly banding.

On DVDs that are not the best quality, the picture is really not good. Bright scenes are washed out, blacks are crushed, very artificial look to the picture. Meet Joe Black and Serendipity (my wife's collection, honest) are not watchable.

I have to suspect my aging Panasonic DVD is probably just lousy by component. I have never used component having added SDI from the beginning. I have an SDI card on order from Calibre, but no word on delivery. In the mean time I plan to borrow and try a Denon DVD-2910 and try it using component just to compare.

I also will hook up my HD cable box and try it. I already have the projector converged to 1080i natively from the cable box via a Key Digital component to RGBHV converter, and the picture is great. So it will be interesting to see how the Vantage compares at 720p output and 1080i output. The NEC can't really do 1080p, so I won't be testing that.

I have been testing a Vantage HD for 2 evenings.
My system: Barco Graphics 808s, Pixelmagic MB-200 mediabox, Pixelmagic VP2300 (Crystalio 1)
For the test the MB-200 was connectied with a HDMI cable to the VHD. MB200 was set to 1080i 60 Hz output and 1080i 50 Hz output. A vga-BNC break-out cable to my BNC cables to the projector.

I had some issues during setup to get the full 1080P window on my CRT (timing issues, fase was at is bottum limit and still image to large). With some tweaking on the VHD i have only ~2% overscan left.

The de-interlacing of 1080i is much better than the BOB my
Crystalio-1 does. I now see what i was missing all the time. (used a Snazzio for a while)

I have had a demo session with a Crystalio-2 as well. That looks also very good, but is quite expensive. Hard to say which one is better since 2 weeks in between viewing.

Thanks for the feedback, jacovn. How does the Vantage-HD compare to your Crystalio I with DVD content?

Thanks for the feedback, jacovn. How does the Vantage-HD compare to your Crystalio I with DVD content?
I have not done direct comparisations as my DVD player is connected via SDI to my crystalio 1, and there is no SDI input on the Vatange yet.
Component would have been possible, but since the SDI mod was done the component signal is not 100% stable any more. Also my cables were much to short (Meridian DVD player with BNC outputs for component)
I will tonight re-connect my crystalio-1 (and re-setup the 1080P timings on the CRT)

What i did run was the HQV test disc via the MB200. The sigma's chip own de-interlacing (outputting 480P/720P via HDMI) was quite a bit worse than the Vantage (very clear with all the 'jaggies' tests) When outputting 480i through component the vantage did a much better job.
I will re-run the HQV test on the Crystalio-1. Also i will bring that to the Crystalio-2 owner (Dutch distributor) so we can run those tests also on the gennum chip.

Sounds great - thanks!

Hey guys,

Just got my new Sony 400Mega player with SDI. I'm all exited to hook it up to my Vantage-HD and see what all the commotion with SDI is all about.

Hey, wait a minute. My VHD doesn't have SDI. :eek:
Oh well, i'll just hook it up with HDMI for now.

Check out the 2nd picture, where am i going to put the new player?

Hope you guys don't mind the pictures. :)

Just got my replacement VHD today and no it does not have SDI. :(
Well, i got alot of things to do tonight and Sunday, hey it's going to rain all weekend. :)

BTW are all the lcd lights in the front panel the same color? The middle one is clear and the two outer ones are frost color, is that the right term? Just notice it.

Stay tuned......

Does the Vantage have the capability to accomplish non-linear scaling of 4:3 content to 16:9?

Hey guys,

Just got my new Sony 400Mega player with SDI. I'm all exited to hook it up to my Vantage-HD and see what all the commotion with SDI is all about.

Hey, wait a minute. My VHD doesn't have SDI. :eek:
Oh well, i'll just hook it up with HDMI for now.

Check out the 2nd picture, where am i going to put the new player?

Hope you guys don't mind the pictures. :)

Chris,

What resolution are you using for HDMI???

*Latest information on Calibre Vantage-HD*

Vantage-HD has to be able to re-program its internal HDMI EDID eeproms during a
firmware update via USB, or during a change of HDMI receiver/repeater mode
selected via the System menu.

Some HDMI sources prevent this occurring since they fail to correctly monitor
the HDMI hotplug line. This can lead to the HDMI EDID eeprom becoming
corrupted with subsequent loss of HDMI input audio, or total loss of HDMI input
capability.

To avoid this, it is strongly recommended that there are no HDMI devices
connected to any HDMI input on Vantage-HD when performing a firmware update via
USB, or when changing the HDMI receiver/repeater mode via the System menu.
After changing the HDMI receiver/repeater mode, do not power down Vantage-HD
and do not re-connect any HDMI sources for at least 1 minute.

Should this not have been observed, the HDMI EDID eeproms' data can be repaired
by disconnecting all HDMI sources, then changing the HDMI receiver/repeater
mode first one way, then the other, via the System menu, with a pause of
approximately 1 minute between each change.

Sorry for getting back late, parents house got flooded with all this rain.
Dave, i had it on 1920x1080i and got nothing. Then tried the other settings and nothing. I thought i was all set when i wrote the previous post.
Both HDMI inputs on the VHD work, I tried my DishHD and there was no problem switching from 1 & 2 on VHD.

What is it with these DVD players?? I figured New DVD player with HDMI output there would be no problem. I can get sound, i'm using Coaxal, but no picture.
Oh man..........Chris,

What resolution are you using for HDMI???

Did anyone find a solution for the Sony NS975v hdmi 480i output to VHD?

Did anyone find a solution for the Sony NS975v hdmi 480i output to VHD?

I am not sure if this applies to you, but I know that Calibre is working on a firmware update that addresses some issues related to certain DVD players sending incorrect or non-existent AVInfoframes. This also applies to SDI (480i) conversion to DVI, which contains no AVInfoframes information.

Maybe this will fix your issue.

Alan

I am not sure if this applies to you, but I know that Calibre is working on a firmware update that addresses some issues related to certain DVD players sending incorrect or non-existent AVInfoframes. This also applies to SDI (480i) conversion to DVI, which contains no AVInfoframes information.

Maybe this will fix your issue.

Alan
Yes, I'm refering to the HDMI 480i incompatibility with the Sony that Dave reported in the early thread. Any idea when is the release date?

Yes, I'm refering to the HDMI 480i incompatibility with the Sony that Dave reported in the early thread. Any idea when is the release date?

I was told that they are trying to get it released before Infocomm, which starts next weekend.

Great! Thanks for the info.

I had the Vantage-HD at my house for a couple of days connected with the RGBHV output to my retubed Barco 1209s. Had some problems getting the picture correctly on the 1920x1080 output signal. In the end I managed to get it working with a different H-phase setting in the projector and adjusting the (limited output signal setting) in the Vantage, but with about 7% of the picture on both sides missing. So that is something that needs to be adressed by Calibre.

Components used were a MyHD-DVI connected to the HDMI input, a Meridian G91 DVD-player connected to the component input and a JVC VCR connected to the S-Video input.

Deinterlacing on 1080i materiaal was indeed very very good. Hardly no errors to be found, except sometime a little line twitter, but that could be to related to the source material. Upscaling of 720p material revealed no softness the picture. The CUE correction does not do a very good job of masking the CUE problems from the MyHD.

However I was very disappointed with 480i/576i material. The Realta made the picture look far too 'digital' It 'overprocesses' the picture, that is the only way I can explain it. Watching SD cable TV through the S-Video input was amazing to see what the Realta made of that bad signal.

So I can see it's potential, but for DVD material the Faroudja 2200/2300 is still ahead of the Realta. Strange but true.


I also had a look a the Crystalio II with Gennum processing. Which is also doing an excellent job on 1080i. Here 480i/576i processing is very good. Switching between the onboard Faroudja FLI2300 and the Gennum, it is obvious that the Gennum gets an little bit more detail and depth from the picture.

So I'll either stick with the Faroudja for DVD processing combined with a Vantage for HD. But most likely I'll opt for a Crystalio II.

Thanks for the detailed evaluation RobboNL (and others), I'm sure lots of people will find it useful - including us. We discussed your findings here at Calibre and would make the following comments;


i) A picture positional/size error on the RGBHV connection via a projector suggests that the projector was not able to accept the 1080 mode from Vantage-HD correctly, rather than being anything to do with Vantage-HD itself. This would account for the lack of size, also the positional error and also would cause the picture quality to suffer. The 1920x1080 output mode timings/settings are shown towards the end of the Vantage-HD user manual so could be compared with those in the projector manual to see where the differences are. It is certainly true that Vantage-HD is primarily designed to work with digital display devices - LCD/DLP/DILA/LCOS projectors, plasmas and LCDs. It does work with CRT projectors, but that is not what its default settings are optimized for.

A later software release will allow user programmable output modes so that conversely the default projector settings can be programmed into Vantage-HD. This is not expected to be ready until at least July.

ii) Some DVD players actually de-interlace and re-interlace 480i/576i output material which causes dreadful artifacts, but that does not sound like what was seen, although it is still possible - the configuration of the DVD player should be checked carefully and also its S-Video output should be tried out to see if that actually gives a better image, strangely it can sometimes.

However, the usual reason for an over-processed look is that the MPEG or TNR settings were much higher than the player or material required. Faroudja 2200/2300 do not do any motion adaptive temporal noise reduction, or any MPEG noise reduction. So yes, in that comparison the signal really is processed less. These filters can be turned off on Vantage-HD if desired.

There is also an upgrade due for release early June which includes an upgrade to the internal Teranex processing algorithms, this will further improve all processing, but in particular 480i.

When correctly configured, Vantage-HD will outperform all current Faroudja or Gennum de-interlacing, but to do a like for like comparison you do have to be careful to ensure that other processing or the display device/source themselves are not affecting what is viewed.

We do make some of our professional products using the Faroudja 2200 device and it is very good, but Vantage-HD is much better overall. Users may find also that Faroudja 2200/2300 are easily able to get confused by broken cadences in film-originated material and by mixed film/video material, whereas Vantage-HD follows such changes and source material errors and automatically adapts its processing quickly and accurately.

Also, the comment that Vantage-HD is very good with a very bad signal is aaccurate, it is particularly effective on signals which are dreadful to start with.


Anyone who wants to see how to best configure a Vantage-HD is welcome to visit our booth at Infocomm in Orlando in June where we will be very pleased to give user training/demonstrations. We'll also be at CEDIA in Denver in September where the same service will be available. For those in the UK, we will be supporting our UK Distributor, Invision, at CEDIA UK 20-22nd June.


Cheers,


Zax (yes I work for Calibre and just for a change I'm posting in an official capacity!)

Anyone who wants to see how to best configure a Vantage-HD is welcome to visit our booth at Infocomm in Orlando in June where we will be very pleased to give user training/demonstrations. We'll also be at CEDIA in Denver in September where the same service will be available. For those in the UK, we will be supporting our UK Distributor, Invision, at CEDIA UK 20-22nd June.


Cheers,


Zax (yes I work for Calibre and just for a change I'm posting in an official capacity!)

Zax,

Thanks for the "official" comments and the update. We are excited to see your company being responsive to our A/V community and striving to improve an already impressive product.

Alan

Zax,

Have you guys tried a Sony DVP-NS975V DVD player at 480i thru HDMI??? If not, I highly suggest you do and report back what the problem may be, either in the Sony or the VHD or a combo of both.

You can get one of these for about $200 US or less, so it's well worth the investment and probably worth it to you guys since there are MANY Sony DVD players on the market that your VHD will be potentially connected to.

If you want, I work for AV Science and have the Sony. Send me another VHD and I will gladly run any tests you desire.

Thanks for your time:)

Here's an off-the-wall question: will the HDMI daughterboard be upgradeable (v2 or somesuch) to HDMI 1.3, once those chipsets are available?

Thanks for the detailed evaluation RobboNL (and others), I'm sure lots of people will find it useful - including us. We discussed your findings here at Calibre and would make the following comments;


i) A picture positional/size error on the RGBHV connection via a projector suggests that the projector was not able to accept the 1080 mode from Vantage-HD correctly, rather than being anything to do with Vantage-HD itself. This would account for the lack of size, also the positional error and also would cause the picture quality to suffer. The 1920x1080 output mode timings/settings are shown towards the end of the Vantage-HD user manual so could be compared with those in the projector manual to see where the differences are. It is certainly true that Vantage-HD is primarily designed to work with digital display devices - LCD/DLP/DILA/LCOS projectors, plasmas and LCDs. It does work with CRT projectors, but that is not what its default settings are optimized for.

I also tried the 1280*720 resolution, and found no problems there. Just had to make some minor adjustment to my existing 720p setting. The problem with 1920*1080 for my setup looked like the left side of the picture was blanked in the Vantage. Moving the picture to the right with H-phase, resulted in problems at the right side. So there was a too small a 'window' to display the picture. Using the positioning options in the Vantage only solved the problem for a small part.

A later software release will allow user programmable output modes so that conversely the default projector settings can be programmed into Vantage-HD. This is not expected to be ready until at least July.

That's good news, and should solve the problem above.

ii) Some DVD players actually de-interlace and re-interlace 480i/576i output material which causes dreadful artifacts, but that does not sound like what was seen, although it is still possible - the configuration of the DVD player should be checked carefully and also its S-Video output should be tried out to see if that actually gives a better image, strangely it can sometimes.

Ofcourse the DVD player was connected/setup the same way (480i/576i out from the component output using Belden cables) as with my current Faroudja based scaler.

However, the usual reason for an over-processed look is that the MPEG or TNR settings were much higher than the player or material required. Faroudja 2200/2300 do not do any motion adaptive temporal noise reduction, or any MPEG noise reduction. So yes, in that comparison the signal really is processed less. These filters can be turned off on Vantage-HD if desired.

I tested with both NR setting on and off. Most of the time all settings were off.


There is also an upgrade due for release early June which includes an upgrade to the internal Teranex processing algorithms, this will further improve all processing, but in particular 480i.


Sounds good!


When correctly configured, Vantage-HD will outperform all current Faroudja or Gennum de-interlacing, but to do a like for like comparison you do have to be careful to ensure that other processing or the display device/source themselves are not affecting what is viewed.

We do make some of our professional products using the Faroudja 2200 device and it is very good, but Vantage-HD is much better overall. Users may find also that Faroudja 2200/2300 are easily able to get confused by broken cadences in film-originated material and by mixed film/video material, whereas Vantage-HD follows such changes and source material errors and automatically adapts its processing quickly and accurately.

Also, the comment that Vantage-HD is very good with a very bad signal is aaccurate, it is particularly effective on signals which are dreadful to start with.


Anyone who wants to see how to best configure a Vantage-HD is welcome to visit our booth at Infocomm in Orlando in June where we will be very pleased to give user training/demonstrations. We'll also be at CEDIA in Denver in September where the same service will be available. For those in the UK, we will be supporting our UK Distributor, Invision, at CEDIA UK 20-22nd June.


Cheers,


Zax (yes I work for Calibre and just for a change I'm posting in an official capacity!)

Thanks for your comments.

I am hoping the new firmware include selecting different colourspace on hdmi output , a split screen to identify before and after and a passthru mode for all input resolutions .

I'm trying to resolve my audio issues. I did an HDMI audio input to HDMI audio out. I get no sound. Then I tried optical to HDMI audio out. No problem there. No receiver in the loop and when Vantage is removed from the chain everything works fine.

Also HDMI 480i with my SA 8300HD produced no picture. Latest firmware.

Update: Looks like an HDMI issue and I've reported this to Calibre. Hope for a fix soon.

Hi,

Well I now have a Vantage HD and have done so for a few days. It seems excellent but I have a couple of oddities and a query.

First last night I was playing with my Sky HD source (input via component) and suddenly all the channels were displayed with the picture rolled about a 1/3 of the way round (ie the join btween top and bottom of the picture was in the bottom third of the screen). Eventually switcihing the Vantage off and on and changing input settings it righted itself but just wondered if anyone else had seen this and had a definitive way to undo it.

Secondly does anyone know if there is an IR code to allow quick / simple changing from anamorphic SD to 4x3 SD it seems to be extremly complicated to perform this move?

sounds like a bug, you should contact them about it. I think they were planning on adding discrete codes to the mix too.

Any chance you could post some pictures of the unit and the GUI?

sounds like a bug, you should contact them about it. I think they were planning on adding discrete codes to the mix too.

OK thanks.

Any chance you could post some pictures of the unit and the GUI?

Haven't people already done this? What sort of pictures do people want?

i) A picture positional/size error on the RGBHV connection via a projector suggests that the projector was not able to accept the 1080 mode from Vantage-HD correctly, rather than being anything to do with Vantage-HD itself. This would account for the lack of size, also the positional error and also would cause the picture quality to suffer. The 1920x1080 output mode timings/settings are shown towards the end of the Vantage-HD user manual so could be compared with those in the projector manual to see where the differences are. It is certainly true that Vantage-HD is primarily designed to work with digital display devices - LCD/DLP/DILA/LCOS projectors, plasmas and LCDs. It does work with CRT projectors, but that is not what its default settings are optimized for.

So in basic this scaler is not suited for Barco CRT's ?
I had exactly the same problems with my BG808s

Will the update give control over front and back porch of the analogue output ?

Have anyone tried the Oppo 970 HDMI into the Vantage HD?
I got no picture into my Vidikron VisionOne CRT projector using the Oppo HDMI at any resolution 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i.
When the Oppo is off, I can bring up the VantageHD menu, but when the Oppo is on (no disc inserted), I got no output from VantageHD, even the menu does not come thru, seems like the output is just muted.
Both HDMI inputs behaves the same. Composite output of Oppo into VantageHD is working fine.
When I switch inputs from HDMI to Component, I can see the Vantage HD displays the Oppo logo for a split second before changing to component input.
I am wondering if the problem is specific to my unit or everyone else is seeing the same thing? I have emailed Calibre and still waiting for reply.

So in basic this scaler is not suited for Barco CRT's ?
I had exactly the same problems with my BG808s

Will the update give control over front and back porch of the analogue output ?Doesn't the VantageHD generate the wrong POLARITY sync pulses for Barco CRTs? At least with some of the ports?

Nick

Doesn't the VantageHD generate the wrong POLARITY sync pulses for Barco CRTs? At least with some of the ports?

Nick

Wrong polarity would result in no picture at all.

This problem is definitely caused by wrong timings in the 1920x1080 signal.

Sounds like the timings in the old RCA DTC-100 DirecTV HDTV receiver:rolleyes: That gave many people fits with the Barcos if I remember right.

I configured my Vantage for LCD and 1920x1080p.... I have a 1080p input capable LCD, the menu system does not fill the entire screen. Top to bottom is fine - the sides have black bars about 2-3 inches on each side.

I would assume it would fill the entire screen. Is this normal?

My friend is having the exact same problem. My VP30 works fine on his display so it has to be something wrong with the Vantage.

Hmmm... weird. No one else notices this? Or, are there few sets with 1080p inputs?

Have anyone tried the Oppo 970 HDMI into the Vantage HD?
I got no picture into my Vidikron VisionOne CRT projector using the Oppo HDMI at any resolution 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i.
When the Oppo is off, I can bring up the VantageHD menu, but when the Oppo is on (no disc inserted), I got no output from VantageHD, even the menu does not come thru, seems like the output is just muted.
Both HDMI inputs behaves the same. Composite output of Oppo into VantageHD is working fine.
When I switch inputs from HDMI to Component, I can see the Vantage HD displays the Oppo logo for a split second before changing to component input.
I am wondering if the problem is specific to my unit or everyone else is seeing the same thing? I have emailed Calibre and still waiting for reply.

I spoke with them at infocom this week and they indicated a fix end next week for the 480i HDMI and a major upgrade at the end of the month.

Hi,
Secondly does anyone know if there is an IR code to allow quick / simple changing from anamorphic SD to 4x3 SD it seems to be extremly complicated to perform this move?

According to the CALIBRE people at INFOCOMM the new upgrade will allow just that using the red button on the remote.

A dual SDI card is also on display.

A dual SDI card is also on display.
Dual HD-SDI? This is the first time I'm hearing this. I've repeatedly tried to find out whether the HD-SDI expansion card will offer one or two connectors and I never got any useful reply.

Dual HD-SDI? This is the first time I'm hearing this. I've repeatedly tried to find out whether the HD-SDI expansion card will offer one or two connectors and I never got any useful reply.

I saw the the dual HD-SDI expansion card myself on display. It will support both HD and SD. Price won't be cheap though.

I saw the the dual HD-SDI expansion card myself on display. It will support both HD and SD. Price won't be cheap though.
Ok, thanks for the information!

Can you explain what HD SDI is

Is it going to output 1080i similar to what regular DVD players output 480i with their SDI

I have not heard of an SDI mod on a HD-DVD or BluRay Player

Can you explain what HD SDI is

Is it going to output 1080i similar to what regular DVD players output 480i with their SDI

I have not heard of an SDI mod on a HD-DVD or BluRay Player
HD SDI is to BluRay/HD-DVD/HD-STBs what SDI is to DVD/SD-STBs. PixelMagic is planning to offer a HD-SDI mod kit for HD source devices. However, some people say that it's unlikely that PixelMagic will be able to do so technically. We'll have to wait and see.

Yes, basically manufacturers didn't mind if you could tap into the digital stream with DVD, but with BRD and HD-DVD there are elements of the license which prevent them from allowing the digital stream to be available on chip pins - we'll have to wait and see what the reality is.

What I don't understand is why no one has managed it with HD TV receivers or D-theater yet.

I spoke with them at infocom this week and they indicated a fix end next week for the 480i HDMI and a major upgrade at the end of the month.

Calibre has been very responsive to my emails and helpful in assisting trouble shooting this issue with the Oppo 970HD @480i HDMI. Unfortunately as far as I can tell, this combination is not compatible currently, and I don't know if it's the Oppo or the VantageHD is at fault. I just hope Calibre get their hands on an Oppo 970HD and provide a firmware fix; end of next week would be great for me, just in time for a professional calibration of the VantageHD & VisionOne CRT projector.

Calibre has been very responsive to my emails and helpful in assisting trouble shooting this issue with the Oppo 970HD @480i HDMI. Unfortunately as far as I can tell, this combination is not compatible currently, and I don't know if it's the Oppo or the VantageHD is at fault. I just hope Calibre get their hands on an Oppo 970HD and provide a firmware fix; end of next week would be great for me, just in time for a professional calibration of the VantageHD & VisionOne CRT projector.

Glad to hear that. Thsy seem commited to the end user. Keep us updated about the fix when it's available.

I get slight stuttering with all of my sources going through the VHD. The stuttering comes and goes and is most noticeable on slow pans, though it can be seen at other times as well. Is anyone else getting this or could there be a problem with my unit? I am not running any extra filters, just going straight through the VHD outputting 1080p to my Ruby.

source -> HDMI switcher -> VHD -> Ruby = stuttering
source -> HDMI switcher -> Ruby = no stuttering

This has been happening since day one, but I kept looking for problems with my sources, cables, and just about anything other than the Vantage-HD, but now I am convinced that it is definitely happening in the VP. Anyone else with this issue?

Calibre has been very responsive to my emails and helpful in assisting trouble shooting this issue with the Oppo 970HD @480i HDMI. Unfortunately as far as I can tell, this combination is not compatible currently, and I don't know if it's the Oppo or the VantageHD is at fault. I just hope Calibre get their hands on an Oppo 970HD and provide a firmware fix; end of next week would be great for me, just in time for a professional calibration of the VantageHD & VisionOne CRT projector.
I am using an Oppo 970H at 480i over HDMI and it works just fine, but I am not all that impressed with its performance. My Toshiba HD-A1 upconverting SD DVD to 1080i looks considerably better, though I really would have thought that the HQV chip would have done a better job at scaling/deinterlacing.

And of course they both suffer from stuttering...:(

I am using an Oppo 970H at 480i over HDMI and it works just fine, but I am not all that impressed with its performance. My Toshiba HD-A1 upconverting SD DVD to 1080i looks considerably better, though I really would have thought that the HQV chip would have done a better job at scaling/deinterlacing.

And of course they both suffer from stuttering...:(

No stutering for me. Well I'm glad the Oppo is working with Vantage. I'm disappointed that it didn't look good unlike Levesque experience with his Gennum VXP.

I saw the the dual HD-SDI expansion card myself on display. It will support both HD and SD. Price won't be cheap though.
Any sign of the HDMI daughtercard or pricing for it?

Any sign of the HDMI daughtercard or pricing for it?

No.

Hello, I'm french, it is my first post on AVS forum.

Thanks to this thread, I bought a vantage HD and it works very fine with my LCD in VGA mode and my DVD source in component.

I have a question about 4/3 and 16/9 ratio management with the vantage HD.

I have plugged a Set top box on vantage and some program are in 4/3 format. How can manage easily this format with the vantage ?

Thank you.

Alex

Sorry for my english.

I have a question about 4/3 and 16/9 ratio management with the vantage HD.

I have plugged a Set top box on vantage and some program are in 4/3 format. How can manage easily this format with the vantage ?

There is no easy way - you can change the format manually in the setting but it is a selection of IR key codes and not a single command. I have asked Calibre about this and they are looking at ways to improve things.

We are quite lucky in the UK from that standpoint as most major broadcasters are in 16x9 and so the amount of 4x3 material is quite small. It is still an issue on some of the satellite channels though that haven't moved to 16x9 even though their content has.

There is no easy way - you can change the format manually in the setting but it is a selection of IR key codes and not a single command. I have asked Calibre about this and they are looking at ways to improve things.

We are quite lucky in the UK from that standpoint as most major broadcasters are in 16x9 and so the amount of 4x3 material is quite small. It is still an issue on some of the satellite channels though that haven't moved to 16x9 even though their content has.

Ok thank you. I hope Calibre updates firmware to add a simple command to change ratio from 4/3 to 16/9 and vice versa.

For the moment, I set PICTURE FORMAT at NORMAL and I adjust the size manually.

About PICTURE FORMAT : I don't understand how the CROP mode works. When I select this aspect, the picture loses its shape. When can I use this mode ?

Alex

Ok thank you. I hope Calibre updates firmware to add a simple command to change ratio from 4/3 to 16/9 and vice versa.

For the moment, I set PICTURE FORMAT at NORMAL and I adjust the size manually.

About PICTURE FORMAT : I don't understand how the CROP mode works. When I select this aspect, the picture loses its shape. When can I use this mode ?

Alex

Hang in there, there will be a major software upgrade at the end of that that includes the changes you mentioned using the red button on the remote.

Ok, thank you.

Alex

Hi guys,

just to confirn in next few days the new FW will be released (HDMI compatibility and other features)

I have a Marantz DV9500 and a Pioneer 989AVi-S. no way to connect them through the HDMI to the VHD. with the new FW update, should be solved HDMI problems.

ciao

I have a Marantz DV9500 and a Pioneer 989AVi-S. no way to connect them through the HDMI to the VHD. with the new FW update, should be solved HDMI problems.


I am very interested in Pio 989AVi-S... :p

Ciao sta..

Guys, I seem to know you :D
How do you got the info?

Guys, I seem to know you :D
How do you got the info?

Epiguren power!!

Sorry... news about release date of HD-SDI expansion card?

Epiguren power!!

Sorry... news about release date of HD-SDI expansion card?

Accdg to Calibre it's already available and I've seen it displayed.

Accdg to Calibre it's already available and I've seen it displayed.

pretty good.

at Calibre UK they told me the HD SDI kit will be available within June, so we won't wait for a long time.

many cheers to the Epiguren crew ;)

on Saturday I experienced another problem with the HDMI input. the new SKY HD decoder cannot be displayed through the HDMI connection. same problem of the DVD players....I'm going crazy. :(

on Saturday I experienced another problem with the HDMI input. the new SKY HD decoder cannot be displayed through the HDMI connection.

The issue with Sky HD (in the UK) may well be a HDCP handshaking issue. Although Sky HD doesn't enforce any HDCP security it seems that it does require the display device to be HDCP compliant.

As well as Sky HD I have plugged in a HUMAX HDCI2000 via HDMI and it worked perfectly. So the issues seem to be down to the HDCP handshaking.

If you have a HDMI/HDCP screen this shouldn't happen - if you have an analogue screen then technically it won't work as Calibre follow the rules and the final display device is not HDCP.

Any one here uses VHD with Optoma H78? I have this combination and it won't work. When connected together the H78 simply displays no signal. I have checked all input signals and they are OK. I also have tried different cables and using 2 different switch between the equipments, but no luck. My local distributor is working with this issue, but if there's anyone who got this combination running, I would like to have your advice how to get them work together.

Hi,

Has anyone been using the HDMI output from an HD-DVD player into the VHD? Does it take the 1080/24psf and scale it to 1080p/60hz?

Thanks

God bless....

Mark

The issue with Sky HD (in the UK) may well be a HDCP handshaking issue. Although Sky HD doesn't enforce any HDCP security it seems that it does require the display device to be HDCP compliant.

As well as Sky HD I have plugged in a HUMAX HDCI2000 via HDMI and it worked perfectly. So the issues seem to be down to the HDCP handshaking.

If you have a HDMI/HDCP screen this shouldn't happen - if you have an analogue screen then technically it won't work as Calibre follow the rules and the final display device is not HDCP.

I do have that STB! (HUMAX HDCI 2000) and I don't suffer any problem!

my projector is a Sharp XV-Z2000, so HCDP shouldn't be a problem, but unfortunately, it is.

Same in Italy with SKY. at the moment HDCP protection seems to be deactivated.

let's wait for that new FW.

Alan, have you experienced stuttering with Sky football matches?
configuration: HUMAX 1080i > Vantage 720p through HDMI

Any one here uses VHD with Optoma H78? I have this combination and it won't work. When connected together the H78 simply displays no signal. I have checked all input signals and they are OK. I also have tried different cables and using 2 different switch between the equipments, but no luck. My local distributor is working with this issue, but if there's anyone who got this combination running, I would like to have your advice how to get them work together.

did you try disconnecting all the HDMI sources?

Alan, have you experienced stuttering with Sky football matches?
configuration: HUMAX 1080i > Vantage 720p through HDMI

Not with the VHD on my sacreen - at least not that I noticed though didn't do much testing as I also have Sky HD. I have the HUMAX plugged into a Pioneer curent generation 43" plasma direct via HDMI and it works but my Brother In Law complained about stuttering on some of the moving football shots.

So it isn't the Vantage - I had put it down to the screen but it might be the HUMAX.

Do you only see this on football?

Do you only see this on football?

Is that "our" football or yours;)?!?!?!? I am going thru NFL withdrawal as our season doesn't start for another few months:(!!! At least you have the World Cup.

Any one here uses VHD with Optoma H78? I have this combination and it won't work. When connected together the H78 simply displays no signal. I have checked all input signals and they are OK. I also have tried different cables and using 2 different switch between the equipments, but no luck. My local distributor is working with this issue, but if there's anyone who got this combination running, I would like to have your advice how to get them work together.

Optoma Hx series DVI port has its issues and it is not surprising some devices won't do handshake with it. If you do find a solution. Please let us know.

Is that "our" football or yours;)?!?!?!? I am going thru NFL withdrawal as our season doesn't start for another few months:(!!! At least you have the World Cup.

Is there another kind of football this week :)

I was interested to hear that you are ahving the same issues with World Cup matches.

did you try disconnecting all the HDMI sources?


Don't have any. Topfield 5100 output is component and Denon 2910 is the same. I have ordered the OPPO 970, but it has not arrived yet.

Not with the VHD on my sacreen - at least not that I noticed though didn't do much testing as I also have Sky HD. I have the HUMAX plugged into a Pioneer curent generation 43" plasma direct via HDMI and it works but my Brother In Law complained about stuttering on some of the moving football shots.

So it isn't the Vantage - I had put it down to the screen but it might be the HUMAX.

Do you only see this on football?

ok, to be more precise, let's call "our" football, soccer :p

yes, only with soccer in HD. the Humax directly connected to the Sharp XV-Z2000 is perfectly fluid. I tried to force the de-interlacing method from auto to video, but the result didn't change. it's a very little stuttering. my friends noticed thet only after telling them abt it. :confused:

Don't have any. Topfield 5100 output is component and Denon 2910 is the same. I have ordered the OPPO 970, but it has not arrived yet.

pretty curious, but non too much on the VHD :rolleyes:

everybody's waiting for the new FW...but nothing today :(

The upgrade hopefully will be available on their website this Friday.

The upgrade hopefully will be available on their website this Friday.

Anyone know what the new firmware will actually include?

And from the comments made previously am I correct in saying that you have to record all your settings as they will be reset :(

"Anyone know what the new firmware will actually include?"

At least one thing it is supposed to have is the RS232 protocol added to it.

Shawn

mainly for the 480i HDMI issues.

oh fantastic! so tomorrow will be the great day!

hope 576i for the Old Continent won't be forgotten :p

hope 576i for the Old Continent won't be forgotten :p
Is there a problem with 576i in the current firmware?

oh fantastic! so tomorrow will be the great day!

hope 576i for the Old Continent won't be forgotten :p

well, not properly with 576i, but with HDMI connections in 576i (pioneer 989)

Is there another kind of football this week :)


Unfortunately...no:( Well I guess there is Canadian Football and the Ricky Williams saga:D!!!

mainly for the 480i HDMI issues.

That would be cool. Now I can at least consider it again with the Sony 975 and the new Oppo 970.

the new Oppo 970.
What problem with the Oppo 970H? I have been using it with my Vantage at 480i over HDMI with no problems whatsoever....It looks awesome!

Oh OK. I thought I heard that those two don't place nice together:rolleyes: Thanks for clearing that up Bob.

What problem with the Oppo 970H? I have been using it with my Vantage at 480i over HDMI with no problems whatsoever....It looks awesome!

Bob did you get the chance to do an A/B comparison with an 1080i input? Thanks.

That would be cool. Now I can at least consider it again with the Sony 975 and the new Oppo 970.

A major release around June 30. This would include additional feature and more function to the remote.

Thanks, I'll try to get another one here to demo.

Bob did you get the chance to do an A/B comparison with an 1080i input? Thanks.
No, not yet...Hopefully this eekend if I can scrounge up the time.

As I reported earlier in this thread, I had been having a problem with a stutter that I just couldn't seem to shake, and I even asked if anyone else had noticed the same problem.

Well, I think I finally found it. In the output menu of the Vantage, there is a control labeled "output frame rate" (or something like that...I'm going by memory) that has three choices, "50 hz", "59.94 hz" and "auto". Being in NTSC land and not owning any PAL material, I thought that "59.94 hz" would be the best choice - WRONG!! Just on a whim, I switched that setting to "auto" and all of my stuttering problems went away...:) (or at least so far).

What I would like to know is, WHY did this make a difference? Shouldn't 59.94 hz work just as well on NTSC material as the auto setting does? Can someone explain where my thinking has gone wrong?

No, not yet...Hopefully this eekend if I can scrounge up the time.

As I reported earlier in this thread, I had been having a problem with a stutter that I just couldn't seem to shake, and I even asked if anyone else had noticed the same problem.

Well, I think I finally found it. In the output menu of the Vantage, there is a control labeled "output frame rate" (or something like that...I'm going by memory) that has three choices, "50 hz", "59.94 hz" and "auto". Being in NTSC land and not owning any PAL material, I thought that "59.94 hz" would be the best choice - WRONG!! Just on a whim, I switched that setting to "auto" and all of my stuttering problems went away...:) (or at least so far).

What I would like to know is, WHY did this make a difference? Shouldn't 59.94 hz work just as well on NTSC material as the auto setting does? Can someone explain where my thinking has gone wrong?

Bob, I experienced stuttering sometimes and I forced 50 HZ. I will try with "auto" to see if even on PAL stuff the result's the same.

at the moment nothing new on the Calibre site....

18.18 in Italy, but the update is not on line.... :(

Bob, I think that's a bug that should be reported to Calibre. It should work fine on 59.94 Hz. I can't remember, is there a 48 or 72 Hz setting on the VHD?

18.18 in Italy, but the update is not on line.... :(

Those of us who have dealt with them before knew better. When they tell you "next week", they actually mean "next month".

You just have to wait till they have finished with their tea.

You just have to wait till they have finished with their tea. Do they put milk in their tea? :D






Sorry, it's still early for me.:)

Do they put milk in their tea? :D


Oh! I forgot to tell you. Many apologies! They are waiting for the cows to come.

Those of us who have dealt with them before knew better. When they tell you "next week", they actually mean "next month".

You just have to wait till they have finished with their tea.

LOL!

let's hope the cows are not mad and will produce the necessary milk for them!

3 out of 4 sources not working with the HDMI inputs is a number to be respected :rolleyes:

B I can't remember, is there a 48 or 72 Hz setting on the VHD?

no, just 50, 59.94 or auto.

Thanks Sta, I just don't understand that one:rolleyes:

LOL!

let's hope the cows are not mad and will produce the necessary milk for them!

3 out of 4 sources not working with the HDMI inputs is a number to be respected :rolleyes:
Hi sta - which sources are you having trouble with (sorry, I haven't been reading the full thread lately!). I've had trouble with my old Denon 3910, but haven't had trouble with Sky HD or my other sources?

Marantz DV9500
Pioneer 989AVi-S
SKYBOX HD (PACE)

BTW perhaps good news
http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php

rdjam,

Good to hear from you again. Thought they locked you up and threw away the key. :)Hi sta - which sources are you having trouble with (sorry, I haven't been reading the full thread lately!). I've had trouble with my old Denon 3910, but haven't had trouble with Sky HD or my other sources?

Newest firmware upgrade available now. (http://www.calibreuk.com/firmware_update.php)

June 2006

Vantage-HD Firmware Version 1.1.4 Beta

The following issues have been addressed & features added in this version:

* HDMI/HDCP issues in general & HDMI compatibility issues.
* HDMI inputs with incomplete or missing AVI info frames are now handled appropriately.
* Detail enhancement feature added: available from the Picture Controls -> Enhancement option.
* The Red button on the remote control now cycles the Picture format (aspect ratio) setting.
* Picture format & Contrast enhance settings are selectable by IR codes directly (see website for details).
* PIP off screen for certain combinations of overscan & picture format settings. The PIP is now floating & resizable:
o Use OK to toggle between position mode & size mode,
o Use up/down/left/right to move the PIP,
o Use up/right to make the PIP bigger, down/left to make the PIP smaller.
* Menu off screen for certain combinations of overscan & picture format settings when it projector mode. Parts of the menu still disappear but nothing important is lost, all information/options are still visible
* Two output modes have been added: 1365×768 & 1368×768GTF.

Vantage HD Firmware Version 1.1.4 Beta 26th June 2006

Got a Question? Download our FAQ Helpsheet:

Vantage-HD FAQs

I thought this firmware was meant to improve the internal Teranex algorithms, but no mention of that in the release notes?

I thought this firmware was meant to improve the internal Teranex algorithms, but no mention of that in the release notes?

There will be a major software upgrade at the end of the month.

Tried to download, but had error page.
Anybody else have better luck?

Man, that's good to hear. I hope they got it working with the Sony 975 DVD at HDMI 480i now:)

rdjam,

Good to hear from you again. Thought they locked you up and threw away the key. :)
Heh :) No, that hasn't happened yet, tho some may wish :D

How's the VHD? I'm looking forward to trying out this update... I haven't done any since the first update, so this is like an early Christmas present!

Tried to download, but had error page.
Anybody else have better luck?
Yes, I'm getting a 404, too.

I sent an email, so hopefully tomorrow (Wednesday) we'll get lucky!

I got the replacement and everything is working fine.
I also got a Sony 400 Mega player with SDI, so hopefully they come out with SDI so i can check it out.

Plus i'm waiting for my rack ears so i can get the VHD of a milk crate that i'm using.

Yes, i like early Christmas presents too. :D


BTW anybody else putting it in a rack system? Heh :) No, that hasn't happened yet, tho some may wish :D

How's the VHD? I'm looking forward to trying out this update... I haven't done any since the first update, so this is like an early Christmas present!

:) How about a poll? How are you mounting your Vantage? A shelf on a equipment rack, on top of another component, using a rack mount, on top of a milk crate, or other? I have it sitting on top of a spent beer keg. Actually a spent Bass Ale keg. Hope this vital info helps you somehow. :)

@Mark, how do you like the Vantage-HD?

Sorry guys, but it seems our webmaster was concentrating on his next cup of tea and managed to make a mess of the upload. ;)

It's being sorted this morning, thanks for your patience.


Zax
[Yes I work for Calibre, but prefer coffee to tea!]

Download is now available :cool:

:) How about a poll? How are you mounting your Vantage? A shelf on a equipment rack, on top of another component, using a rack mount, on top of a milk crate, or other? I have it sitting on top of a spent beer keg. Actually a spent Bass Ale keg. Hope this vital info helps you somehow. :)
Hehe :D

New Poll: "Which version of VHD firmware is your favourite?" (just kidding)

You know.. I've just realized I haven't done a poll in a couple of weeks - I'm going to get rusty if I'm not carefull! :)

Hi there,

Firstly, my apologies for the missing update, this was due to a human error and not a PC one. There was no tea or coffee were harmed in the process.

The updater is now on the website in its correct location and is ready to download

I too am a coffee person as well

:)

well, if coffee is, pls an italian espresso. get rid of those big cups of dirty water :p

BTW, I'll be able to test the new FW only this evening when back home.

let you know the result tomorrow.

New Poll: "Which version of VHD firmware is your favourite?" (just kidding)



the one that has still to come :D

Download is now available :cool:

Download is now available :cool:

Hi All,

I've just installed firmware 1.1.4 Beta and it was as easy to upgrade as the last time around.

One thing you may want to do BEFORE applying the update is to write down any of your configurations/settings as ALL memory is wiped out with this update.

With just a few moments of playing around, these are the noticable setting changes i could see.

- the OSD that appears when you activate an input now includes whether the input is Interlaced or Progressive (eg. the input will display as 720x480i ).

- the RED red button scrolls through the aspect modes (the more advanced - DISCRETE - codes aren't available on the PDF brochure, nor is the "custom" aspect mode)

- the setting where SHARPNESS was located is now called 'ENHANCEMENT'... and this takes you to a sub-menu where you can change the SHARPNESS, and also includes a NEW adjustment called DETAIL. (you apparently should turn OFF the MPEG setting if you use DETAIL).

- OSDs show up more centred than before.. and the CROP mode does not cut off the menu system as it did with older firmwares.

- Menus look slightly different (and darker).. and just a bit cleaner.

I can't comment on HDMI compatibility as BOTH of my digital sources are DVI based... both of which have always worked fine (if not a tad slow at being detected... thanks to HDCraP)

BTW just as an aside I have tested 1080p/60 from my PC DVI card through the Vantage and it worked a treat (though i definitely need a juicier video card to handle HiDef material material better... it's a killer on the processing and lagged in spots.. but i certainly know what all the fuss is about.. very exciting times ahead

thanks

Matt.G

Sorry guys, but it seems our webmaster was concentrating on his next cup of tea and managed to make a mess of the upload. ;)

It's being sorted this morning, thanks for your patience.


Zax
[Yes I work for Calibre, but prefer coffee to tea!]

We were told a major software upgrade will be available on June 30. Can you confirm this?

:) How about a poll? How are you mounting your Vantage? A shelf on a equipment rack, on top of another component, using a rack mount, on top of a milk crate, or other? I have it sitting on top of a spent beer keg. Actually a spent Bass Ale keg. Hope this vital info helps you somehow. :)

Are there any generic rack ears mount available?

Oh baby, i can't wait to install. :D Hi there,

Firstly, my apologies for the missing update, this was due to a human error and not a PC one. There was no tea or coffee were harmed in the process.

The updater is now on the website in its correct location and is ready to download

I too am a coffee person as well

:)

Oh baby, i can't wait to install. :D
Yep - just downloaded mine - so I'll get to try it tonight.

I'm especially keen to see the new detail settings and also to see if there's any difference to how the Sky HD sports looks.

Will definitely write down my settings (tho I expect some will probably need a little tweaking after the update).

Wow, finally my players work!

surely better Pio 989 in 576i than Marantz DV9500 in 576p.

did not test the new features yet, hope tonight.

Hi guys,

Sorry I'm so late getting back here, but I'll try to catch up now.
I can't remember, is there a 48 or 72 Hz setting on the VHD?
I know it has already been answered, Dave, but as it turns out it did not solve my stuttering problem completely, though it did help quite a bit.
We were told a major software upgrade will be available on June 30. Can you confirm this?
Is this version (1.1.4 beta) the firmware we have been promised, or is there yet another one to come in a couple of days? Logically it would seem that this is it, but if there is indeed another yet to come I will simply wait a couple of more days and just do the upgrade once.

Either way it sounds like there are some substantial improvements...Maybe I'll install this one anyway...:) My hopes are that this will fix my stuttering problems. If not, it looks like this unit might have to go back to Calibre since no one else seems to have the same problem.

Will definitely write down my settings (tho I expect some will probably need a little tweaking after the update).I'm not. I'm feeling CRAZY. :D

Hi Bob,

This is the upgrade promised to cover most of the fixes for issues reported to us since the launch of Vantage-HD, especially those concerning HDMI, and adding a couple of features such as the aspect ratio change via remote.

There is another upgrade due for release sometime over the next few weeks, subject to testing success, which is mainly to add features - some pre-planned (support for the imminent SDi input expansion board for example) and others requested by users such as yourself.

I would suggest that irrespective of the next upgrade, users should download this one anyway, if nothing else the 480i performance is improved.


As ever we will let you guys and the Vantage-HD distributors know when the next release happens.

Thanks again for your patience and support of Vantage-HD & Calibre.


Cheers


Zax
[Still working for Calibre :cool: ]

Hi Bob,

This is the upgrade promised to cover most of the fixes for issues reported to us since the launch of Vantage-HD, especially those concerning HDMI, and adding a couple of features such as the aspect ratio change via remote.

There is another upgrade due for release sometime over the next few weeks, subject to testing success, which is mainly to add features - some pre-planned (support for the imminent SDi input expansion board for example) and others requested by users such as yourself.

I would suggest that irrespective of the next upgrade, users should download this one anyway, if nothing else the 480i performance is improved.


As ever we will let you guys and the Vantage-HD distributors know when the next release happens.

Thanks again for your patience and support of Vantage-HD & Calibre.


Cheers


Zax
[Still working for Calibre :cool: ]


Do any of these upgrades pertain to improving the internal Teranex algorithms by Silicon Optix, as rumored, or are they Calibre software upgrades?

Hi Bob,

This is the upgrade promised to cover most of the fixes for issues reported to us since the launch of Vantage-HD, especially those concerning HDMI, and adding a couple of features such as the aspect ratio change via remote.

There is another upgrade due for release sometime over the next few weeks, subject to testing success, which is mainly to add features - some pre-planned (support for the imminent SDi input expansion board for example) and others requested by users such as yourself.

I would suggest that irrespective of the next upgrade, users should download this one anyway, if nothing else the 480i performance is improved.


As ever we will let you guys and the Vantage-HD distributors know when the next release happens.

Thanks again for your patience and support of Vantage-HD & Calibre.


Cheers


Zax
[Still working for Calibre :cool: ]


Zax, does this 1.1.4beta improved deinterlacing/ overall PQ or just fixes for issues ?

Will the next firmware include selecting of colorspace on HDMI output? Is it possible to do a pass thru features on hdmi input so that some can compare the display deinterlacing to vantage because there are more and more products using HQV REON,realta and gennum chip . :p

i had play with the new DETAIL feature and gotta say it does an amazing job of enhancing texture... the primary test piece was the 1080p quicktime trailer for Superman Returns and to see what it could do i paused on that extreme close-up of Lex toward the beginning of the trailer.
With the setting default at 50 the image looks great and very 3 dimensional.... but when pushed all the way up to 100 you could literally see the level of detail increase as the setting increased.. it was really quite scary... you could actually see the tiny hairs on lex's right side ear reveal themselves whereas at '50' there was just smooth detailed imagery for his ear... the 5 o'clock shadow above his lips suddenly became 8 o'clock shadow....
Depth perception is noticably improved on a whole.

I don't think this feature fairs quite as well with grainy material as it tends to make it stand out a little more (need to do more testing on SD material as i only sampled about 30 seconds of a season 1 "Friends" episode) ..

This DETAIL feature DOES NOT impair the image in the same way that SHARPNESS does with the excessive edge ringing... there was the smallest amount of ringing evident with the DETAIL setting at 100, it's really very light ..but is a little bit easier to identify when the screen is covered in text... like that white texted MPAA message on the green background.

Matt.G

Enhanced detail without an increase in noise sounds like a great enhancement.

Ok, I just had to take a few minutes and give my preliminary report:

This new upgrade rocks!!

Please understand that I only had about an hour to play with it, but there were some very definite improvements:

It solved ALL of my HDMI issues...:) As I previously reported, I was having problems with HDMI handshaking going into the DVI input of my Ruby. If I maintained a strict HDMI path from source to display, everything would work fine, but if I changed to DVI going into the display then 3 of my HDMI sources would not work. Here was the path that worked:

5 HDMI sources -> 5 X 1 HDMI switcher -> HDMI input on VHD -> HDMI input on Ruby

but the problem was that my DVI input is properly calibrated and there are also some strange gamma readings on my HDMI input (the curve is not good no matter how much I calibrate it). So tonight once I got everything working the way it was previously, I decided to try replacing the HDMI input on the Ruby with the DVI input, and though my hopes were not high, I was shocked to find out that everything works great!! :D Even when switching from one source to the other, the Vantage now takes a few seconds to negotiate the connection and then locks in beautifully. Since this was my single biggest problem with the VHD, I am one happy camper as you can imagine. Just the ability to use my DVI input has brought my system performance up to a whole 'nuther level! :D

Then I also got to play with my Oppo 970H outputting 480i over HDMI, which once again I had previously reported that my Toshiba HD-A1 did a better job upconverting SD DVD than the VHD did. Not any more! 480i performance is MUCH improved, and with the additional "detail" control (which I agree is amazing how it increases detail without adding noise or EE), in just a few minutes of tweaking I was able to match the output of the HD-A1, and I am now confident that with more tweaking I will be able to beat it quite easily.

I didn't notice any stuttering tonight, but that will take longer to pin down, as the stuttering has not been consistent and it is very minor (a lot of people wouldn't see it at all), so it will take extended viewing before I can make any determinations one way or the other.

So with tonight's quick tour of the new firmware I am extremely pleased with the results and headway made by Calibre, and give them a big thumb's up on this new release!!

A BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE AT CALIBRE!! You guys rock!

Thanks for the report Bob. Very encouraging.

My Vantage HD arrives tomorrow. It looks like I bought at just the right time.

Thanks for the report Bob. Very encouraging.

My Vantage HD arrives tomorrow. It looks like I bought at just the right time.

Thanks Bob. It make me feel good of my purchase. I'll test my setup this weekend and report back.

BTW, any chance to view the difference between oppo 480i and upconverted SD DVD?

as previously written, this beta is mainly to solve the HDMI compatibility problems and it seams they succeeded in it.

finally my two players work, so I have to decide now if selling the DV9500 and use the Pio 989 connected through HDMI at 576i, or wait for the SDI kit and use it whit the DV9500 modified.

in my opinion SDI link is always the best way to connect a PAL (NTSC) player to a video processor. everything but the Mpeg2 decoder is bypassed, in favour to a unprocessed serial digital signal to the Vantage.

Hi all,

I definitely hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I just performed the firmware upgrade (twice). The good news is that the update will scale the image from my SDI out (480i) as others have been reporting. The bad news is the when I set the output to 1080p for my HD2K, the picture shakes continuously. I could not get it to stop shaking even after doing the upgrade again. The only way I found to lock in the picture was to back the firmware down to 1.1.2. Once I did that, everything worked fine, but of course I can no longer view 480i input sources.

Hopefully this is an easy fix. Has anyone experienced the same problem with 1080p output? Please report your experiences.

I am very glad that Calibre is working to enhance the user experience by adding features. I look forward to the "release" firmware and continued updates.

Thanks,
Alan

Hello.

Very good release, big thanks to Calibre.

The negative point is that new 1366x768 modes do not work with my LCD sharp LC32GD7E. May be with the next release .....

Alex

Thanks for the feedback (mostly good I see), I have some responses for some of you.

Alan, could you confirm if your "shaky" 1080p output is 50 or 60Hz and does it happen irrespective of the input signal format (i or p?) and resolution? Could you drop a line to vantage-support@calibreuk.com I don't think I've seen anything on there from you about this.

Alex-t. We haven't changed the 1366 x 768 modes at all, we did add 1365 x 768 to suit some NEC plasmas and 1368 x 768 GTF (general timing format) but we haven't played with 1366 x 768 at all - if they worked before then they should work still! there are two choices, have you tried them both?


Cheers,



Zax

Thanks for the feedback (mostly good I see), I have some responses for some of you.

Alan, could you confirm if your "shaky" 1080p output is 50 or 60Hz and does it happen irrespective of the input signal format (i or p?) and resolution? Could you drop a line to vantage-support@calibreuk.com I don't think I've seen anything on there from you about this.

Alex-t. We haven't changed the 1366 x 768 modes at all, we did add 1365 x 768 to suit some NEC plasmas and 1368 x 768 GTF (general timing format) but we haven't played with 1366 x 768 at all - if they worked before then they should work still! there are two choices, have you tried them both?


Cheers,



Zax

Hello Zax.

Thank you for your post.

The two 1366x768 modes before 114beta did not work with my LCD (same thing with 1360x768).

It seems that SHARP uses particular timing for 1360x768 mode. My LCD is an european model : SHARP LC32GD7E HD ready.

I believe that calibre works about a new OSD function which allows to adjust the timing of the output resolution (as Crystalio II for example). Could you confirm that please ?

Thank you.

Alex

I have just upgraded to 1.1.4beta. First thing I realise is the output lock zt 59.94hz. Need to change manually to auto.Second thing is I need to recalibrate the brightness and contrast level again even using the old setting . The rest will check out later ..........

Zax,

It is still a no go for Optoma H78DC3 series. I was hopping that this firmware would make the necessary connection.

anybody who tried if RGBs is now working good without swapping red & green?

Thanks for the feedback (mostly good I see), I have some responses for some of you.

Alan, could you confirm if your "shaky" 1080p output is 50 or 60Hz and does it happen irrespective of the input signal format (i or p?) and resolution? Could you drop a line to vantage-support@calibreuk.com I don't think I've seen anything on there from you about this.

Cheers,

Zax

Zax,

I can confirm that the "shaky" picture occured when 1080p was set to 60Hz. I also tried the Auto setting, but it did not change anything. I'll send you an e-mail as well.

Thanks.
Alan

Hi Alan,

Could you please drop me a line on vantage-support@calibreuk.com with some details.

1. Input signal type/resolution or is it the same for all inputs?

2. HDCP encrypted material?

3. Source device?

4. Display device?

5. Vantage output, analog or HDMI? Any HDMI/DVI adaptor?

6. Serial # of your Vantage.


Cheers,


Zax

Zax,

I sent an email with the info you requested.

Thanks,
Alan

Hi Alan,

Could you please drop me a line on vantage-support@calibreuk.com with some details.

1. Input signal type/resolution or is it the same for all inputs?

2. HDCP encrypted material?

3. Source device?

4. Display device?

5. Vantage output, analog or HDMI? Any HDMI/DVI adaptor?

6. Serial # of your Vantage.


Cheers,


Zax

Zax,

Could please respond to the Optoma issue? There seems to be no response from Calibre regarding this problem.

Ned

My Vantage HD arived and I experienced some profound problems.

1. As others have reported, the HDMI output to my Optoma H79 yields no signal at all. Nothing. Type of input doesn't matter.
2. The analog output works and I was able to get a signal and use the menus to configure the display and inputs.
3. I couldn't get 480i HDMI input from the Pioneer 59avi to work either.
4. I noticed a HDMI mode setting, so I tried changing this in hopes of bringing life to the HDMI output. This didn't work. In fact, when I changed the setting from Receiver to Repeater the unit froze and became unresponsive to any user input.
5. I downloaded the newest firmware, which is supposed to fix HDMI issues. However, I could not get it to update. The update would begin and then freeze at 3% (I waited 30 minutes). I finally canceled the update and received the following message:

"The instruction at "0x00fd3b3f" referenced memory at "0x00af201c". The memory could not be "read." Click on OK to terminate the program.

All subsequent attempts to update with new firmware or even restore the earlier firmware had the same result. I later read on p.19 of the manual that changing the HDMI mode from repeater to receiver or vice-versa I should have first disconnected all HDMI inputs (I didn't). Failure to do so can corrupt the eeprom.

So now I'm screwed. I cannot get any image to appear on the display. I have apparently corrupted the eeprom, and I cannot get the updater to work to restore it.

I have contacted Calibre support about this, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about what I could do to restore the unit to functioning state?

The problem with making a digital connection to Optoma H78/79 projectors is bizarre. These are very popular PJs, and I know that others have reported the same problem. This problem must be addressed if I am to keep the Vantage HD.

Finally, I find it unacceptable in a consumer product for a user menu option (HDMI mode) to have the potential to corrupt the eeprom unless specific steps are taken in advance to avoid it. At a minimum, the menu should include a warning prompt that the user should continue only if all HDMI devices are disconnected. Second, what can one do if the firmware update process fails other than cancel it and try again?

I sold a VP30 and purchased the Vantage HD because I wanted better scaling and 1080i deinterlacing. However, based on this experience I can't help but conclude that this unit is not yet ready for prime time. The VP30 may not yield as good a picture, but geez at least it works.

Hi Tom,

Sorry to hear about all your problems, but maybe I can help.

First of all, unplug all HDMI and USB connections on the VHD and pull out the power supply connect so that the unit is physically disconnected from all power. This is important in order to attempt to reset the EEPROM state.

Then after about a minute or two, press and hold the right arrow key on the VHD and WHILE HOLDING IT reconnect power to the unit. Once you see the red LED come back on (it should be almost immediate) then you can release the the right arrow key.

Now, with your computer up and running and with the updater program running, plug in the USB cable. If you have several USB ports on your computer, be sure to use the same one that you originally used when you installed the software. If all is well, then you should get a message in the updater software saying that it found the Vantage-HD. If you don't get that message, then you are not communicating with the VHD and will need to uninstall the software completely (probably a couple of times to make sure that it will find the driver it needs) and then reinstall it again. If the software reinstalls correctly it will look for and install the driver again. If it doesn't find the driver, of course the software won't work. In my setup I had to reinstall the software 3 times before it installed correctly.

Once you are sure that you have established proper USB communication with the VHD, then go ahead and try to install the new firmware once again (the old firmware won't do you much good anyway).

I don't know if this will help, or if you have already tried these things, but it is worth a try. A few thoughts:

1. It is important to properly remove power from the unit in order to let any and all memory and EEPROMs reset. Sometime they become "stuck" until they are properly powered down and sometimes that takes several tries.
2. In all my years I have never seen an EEPROM that got ruined (corrupted beyond usability) because of a bad update, and my hopes are that the same is true here. Sometimes it just takes a lot of perseverance, but eventually the update should take <fingers crossed>.
3. I don't know what the deal is with HDMI/HDCP, but I have seen it lock up several devices hopelessly, and sometimes it would take several resets before I got them working again. HDMI/HDCP is a mess!!

Good luck and I'll check back here later tonight to see how you make out.

One more thought:

If the software seems to be installed correctly and even after several VHD hardware resets it won't load, I would then try uninstalling the updater program and reinstalling it. If the driver is somehow corrupt, that could account for your problems as well.

When the software is already installed and you double click on setup.exe, it will come up with 3 choices - repair, modify, and remove (I think)...Just choose remove and let it do its thing. Then when you double click on setup.exe again, if you see those same 3 choices then the program has NOT been uninstalled correctly and needs to be uninstalled again. I also went into c:/program files/calibre/ and physically deleted any and all files in that directory as well as the directory itself. When the program has been properly uninstalled, you will see the EULA screen rather than facing those 3 choices. Then you can install the updater without any traces of the old install hanging around to cause you grief. Please realize that if you do a clean sweep like I just said that you will not have the old firmware there any more to reinstall, but like I said, it won't do you any good anyway. If you are really concerned, when you go into the Calibre directory, you just leave the old firmware file and delete the rest of the files, but I personally prefer to do a clean sweep.

Tom,

Bob gave a great advice on your situation. I don't think you did anything that is irreversible. People here switched from receiver to repeater mode all the time without removing any HDMI connections, so you're fine with that.

The handshake issue with Optoma is a big problem and we are still waiting for Calibre to respond. I hope they don't play the blame game as this is obviously not Optoma's. This is a very popular PJ on both side of the pond and I hope they realize that.

Bob:

I had done all of those things, except uninstalling the uploaded software and then reinstalling. I tried that and it made no difference. When I start the update, it finds the Vantage HD and then I get a message that reads "Downloading the image file. . ." and it just freezes there at 3% completed.

I'm guessing that the update requires non-corrupted eeprom to work. After all, it's an update, not a complete reformat. I corrupted the eeprom by changng the HDMI Mode without removing all HDMI devices. So now I don't have a valid firmware version to update.

This really makes me angry. This is consumer ergonomics 101. You don't put a choice in a user menu that, when selected, can make the unit non-functional. You put stuff like that in a service menu. At a minimm it should have a warning message.

This product simply is not ready for release to the public. They are still working out bugs and adding functionality. These HDMI problems are unique in my experience. Even the initially buggy Toshiba HD-DVD player connected fine to the H79 via HDMI. So does every other device I've ever attached to it. Not the Vantage HD.

I had a really nice image for about 20 minutes.

Tom,
Please refer to my earlier post.

When you say you have a nice image are you referring to analog connection via component or HD15 - RGBVH?

When you say you have a nice image are you referring to analog connection via component or HD15 - RGBVH?Yes.

I don't think you did anything that is irreversible. People here switched from receiver to repeater mode all the time without removing any HDMI connections, so you're fine with that.Maybe, but the manual says that doing so "can lead to the HDMI EDID eeprom becoming corrupted."

In any case, I don't know what I can do to get the firmware updater to work. Until I do I have a $2700 door stop.

Hi Gang,

I installed the new version, everything went ok with that.
Everything looks good, but my Esoteric UX-1 DVD player still wont work with the VHD HDMI. Haven't tried the Sony 400 cause i had given up on HDMI connection and i returned the HDMI cable.

So i'm on standby waiting for SDI.

I'm guessing that the update requires non-corrupted eeprom to work.
No, just a *working* EEPROM is needed. A corrupted one should be written over without issues. If you absolutely can not write to it, I suspect you have a non functioning EEPROM, a problem that would fall under manufacturing defects.
After all, it's an update, not a complete reformat.
Not really. Normally the entire EPROM is rewritten, not just a section of it. Since the code needs to be very compact and concise, often updates are intertwined with code that does not need rewriting. Since the file size and memory space is so small to begin with, normally the entire code is written to the EPROM, not just the updates.

It should also be a safe procedure, as the steps normally are:

1. Backup current EPROM to a file on the hard drive.
2. Test the EPROM for proper operation.
3. Read the new code into memory and verify data via checksums.
4. Write the new code to the EPROM.
5. Verify the new code by comparing the written code to the original file.

or variations on that sequence. The only place that problems normally occur happen when the writing to the EPROM is interrupted, leaving the EPROM with corrupted data. But a good routine should just wipe it clean and start over again to load the new code....IF the EPROM is functioning correctly. If you can't write the new code to it, I suspect that the EPROM itself is non-functioning and is not the result of anything that you did or even Calibre's fault. Sounds like a defective EPROM to me.

Other than retrying what I've already suggested several times, I don't have any other ideas. Like I said, experience has shown me that sometimes it takes several (or even many) tries before it works. I'm sorry that this has happened to you...what a bummer.

If I think of anything else, I'll post back here.

On a hunch, I tried installing the updater on another PC and trying the firmware update from there. This worked. The update proceeded normally.

So I have had a picture for about three hours and I've been testing this product. I'm sorry guys, but this scaler is something of a mess.

1. I can't get the HDMI output to work with my Projector (Optoma H79).
2. I can't get HDMI input to work with the Toshiba HD DVD player.
3. I can't get 480i HDMI input to work with my Pioneer 59avi.
4. In what is perhaps the most bizarre symptom, the SCALING just doesn't seem to work quite right. When I display 4:3 or 16:9 material from an HD cable channel, it displays properly. However, when I then change the channel to a SD station, the image shifts to the left and becomes a little stretched. Not enough to show obvious geometric distortion, but it's no longer a proper 4:3. It's more like 5:3. I can use the Input window shift and picture size adjustments to fix this, but if I do then the geometry is wrong on HD channels.
5. The gray scale, which was perfect before installation, required considerable readjustment. The scaler seemed to introduce a variable here that required adjusting out, though this mat be related to using the BNC connection to the PJ, rather than digital.

On the positive side, HD DVD and HD broadcast (on component) looked noticeably better through the Vantage HD than it did using the VP30, which doesn't properly deinterlace HD. Had I been able to use the HDMI input, HD DVD would have looked even better. The scaling is also cleaner than the VP30.

But taken as a whole, I can't live with this processor. I just don't think that it's a sufficiently mature consumer product. The HDMI support, even after the latest firmware update, is abysmal. If I would select one of my HDMI sources, I got no image, but when I selected another input the HDMI source would appear momentarily before the new input appeared on screen. Truly weird.

I think I'll try the Lumagen HDQ.

1. I can't get the HDMI output to work with my Projector (Optoma H79).
2. I can't get HDMI input to work with the Toshiba HD DVD player.
3. I can't get 480i HDMI input to work with my Pioneer 59avi.
Don't forget that HDMI/HDCP must be established from source to display, so if your H-79 does not work, then NONE of the HDMI connects will work, or at least the ones that are HDCP enabled. Once the H-79 works, then I suspect that ALL of them will work properly.

Do the same HDMI sources work when connected directly to the H-79?
5. The gray scale, which was perfect before installation, required considerable readjustment. The scaler seemed to introduce a variable here that required adjusting out, though this mat be related to using the BNC connection to the PJ, rather than digital.
All inpts need to be calibrated independently on the H79 (or any other projector), so if you were not using that one before, then it would follow that it would require calibration.
4. In what is perhaps the most bizarre symptom, the SCALING just doesn't seem to work quite right. When I display 4:3 or 16:9 material from an HD cable channel, it displays properly. However, when I then change the channel to a SD station, the image shifts to the left and becomes a little stretched. Not enough to show obvious geometric distortion, but it's no longer a proper 4:3. It's more like 5:3. I can use the Input window shift and picture size adjustments to fix this, but if I do then the geometry is wrong on HD channels.
Bizarre. I don't think that the VHD and and H-79 like each other at all. Your problems all seem to be centered on their interactions, not on that of the sources. Change the projector and I think you would have an entirely diferent experience.

The Lumagen will probably play a lot better with the H-79.

4. In what is perhaps the most bizarre symptom, the SCALING just doesn't seem to work quite right. When I display 4:3 or 16:9 material from an HD cable channel, it displays properly. However, when I then change the channel to a SD station, the image shifts to the left and becomes a little stretched. Not enough to show obvious geometric distortion, but it's no longer a proper 4:3. It's more like 5:3. I can use the Input window shift and picture size adjustments to fix this, but if I do then the geometry is wrong on HD channels.

5. The gray scale, which was perfect before installation, required considerable readjustment. The scaler seemed to introduce a variable here that required adjusting out, though this mat be related to using the BNC connection to the PJ, rather than digital.

On the positive side, HD DVD and HD broadcast (on component) looked noticeably better through the Vantage HD than it did using the VP30, which doesn't properly deinterlace HD. Had I been able to use the HDMI input, HD DVD would have looked even better. The scaling is also cleaner than the VP30.

I think I'll try the Lumagen HDQ.

I remember this happening to me on my RPTV. I use the picture shift and size adjustment and solved the problem without affecting the HD channel. As a mater of fact the HD channel is not affected no matter how much shift and resize I do on my SD channel but then again it is connected thru HDMI, that maybe the difference.

Bob, the FAQ indicated that the HD15 output will not output any HDCP input above 640x480. I wonder how is Tom able to get HD signal using the analog connection.

Hi ZAX -

More bad news here, I'm afraid!

I also have the HD2K, and the 1.1.4 beta has trashed the picture.

The image now appears in a small shrunken rectangle in the center of my screen, and it's all shaky and quavery.

Help!

Hi all,

I definitely hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I just performed the firmware upgrade (twice). The good news is that the update will scale the image from my SDI out (480i) as others have been reporting. The bad news is the when I set the output to 1080p for my HD2K, the picture shakes continuously. I could not get it to stop shaking even after doing the upgrade again. The only way I found to lock in the picture was to back the firmware down to 1.1.2. Once I did that, everything worked fine, but of course I can no longer view 480i input sources.

Hopefully this is an easy fix. Has anyone experienced the same problem with 1080p output? Please report your experiences.

I am very glad that Calibre is working to enhance the user experience by adding features. I look forward to the "release" firmware and continued updates.

Thanks,
Alan

My general impression is that the Vantage HD is a great product if you use the analog output and you watch mainly HD signals. High Def--video and film--looks better than I have ever seen it.

However, the digital path simply isn't reliable, at least based on my experience. Furthermore, I was underwhelmed by the unit's SD deinterlacing. I went back and forth between 480i and 480p output on a Panasonic S97. It was a close call, but in the end I think I preferred the Panny's deinterlacing.

The VP30 offers visibly better SD film deinterlacing, though the Vantage HD's scaling seems a little cleaner.

My general impression is that the Vantage HD is a great product if you use the analog output and you watch mainly HD signals. High Def--video and film--looks better than I have ever seen it.

However, the digital path simply isn't reliable, at least based on my experience. Furthermore, I was underwhelmed by the unit's SD deinterlacing. I went back and forth between 480i and 480p output on a Panasonic S97. It was a close call, but in the end I think I preferred the Panny's deinterlacing.

The VP30 offers visibly better SD film deinterlacing, though the Vantage HD's scaling seems a little cleaner.

Tom,

Are you able to get the hdmi to dvi work?

I've been very happy with the SD scaling, and was really looking forward to using the new "detail" option.

HDMI to DVI has worked fine for me, as the HD2K is a DVI input.

The only device I've had trouble with is the Denon 3910, but that doesn't get used much now anyway.

I'm just temporarily down about this display snag with 1.1.4, but it's the first problem I've had, so hopefully it'll be fixed soon. I'm just going to flash back one version in the meantime...

My general impression is that the Vantage HD is a great product if you use the analog output and you watch mainly HD signals. High Def--video and film--looks better than I have ever seen it.

However, the digital path simply isn't reliable, at least based on my experience. Furthermore, I was underwhelmed by the unit's SD deinterlacing. I went back and forth between 480i and 480p output on a Panasonic S97. It was a close call, but in the end I think I preferred the Panny's deinterlacing.

The VP30 offers visibly better SD film deinterlacing, though the Vantage HD's scaling seems a little cleaner.

Very interesting post...I have a VP30 too and have been thinking of a Realta-based processor.

Are you running your S97 at 480p into the Vantage and scaled to 720p?
If so, does this have a better result than using the VP30?
I guess my question is: in your opinion which processor is best for dvds?

Are you able to get the hdmi to dvi work?No.

I guess my question is: in your opinion which processor is best for dvds?As of now, I would say the VP30. The SIL chip that the VP30 uses is pretty much SOTA as far as SD deinterlacing for film sources. And yes, the Vantage was scaling the 480 signal up to 720p. I thought that scaling was very clean, better than the VP30. But over all, I slightly preferred the 480p output of the S97.

I don't have the VP30 anymore, so I cannot say for certain that I preferred the DVD image it provided. I'd have to go back and forth between the two to be sure. What I am sure about is how much better HD material looked when fed through the Vantage HD and the much better job the VP30 has done implementing HDMI. I found the Vantage HDMI virtually useless, though I may have a defective unit.

Tom,

Thanx for the reply.

It would be soooooo nice to have ONE vp box that delivers the goods for SD and HD.
Certainly, we can hope...it does appear that HQV has the potential to do this.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I am pleased to announce that we have published a schedule describing the various items in each of the forthcoming releases and the anticipated release date that we are working towards. :)

This can be found here;

http://www.calibreuk.com/release_schedule.php


All the Vantage distributors also have this schedule.


I can also confirm that we are looking at issues with Optoma H78 and JVC HD2K projectors for some of you and will update you as soon as we resolve them (which should be fairly quick now we have access to each, thanks to Optoma and JVC for their help so far).


For any of you having specific HDMI issues with products where others are not (Pioneer / Oppo DVD players etc.), have you compared notes, with those without problems, about which firmware version/revision you have in those products. We are told by the makers that some might need newer/later revisions depending on the products age and any other mods made, so it's worth checking.

Meanwhile, thanks for your continued support of Vantage-HD and Calibre and for those of your "across the pond" - Happy Independence Day !


Zax
{Yes I work for Calibre, boy it's hot here today!}

just seen the schedule for the next FW upgrade.

the most important one is abt. HD SDI that should be available in 15 days. my opinion is that to gain market, the porcessor has been lounched a little bit early and they're running to solve childhood problems.

so we just have be patience to have finally a great machine.

just seen the schedule for the next FW upgrade.

the most important one is abt. HD SDI that should be available in 15 days. my opinion is that to gain market, the porcessor has been lounched a little bit early and they're running to solve childhood problems.

so we just have be patience to have finally a great machine.


wow I thought it was anticipation, but now it's official. :p