I ordered mine (trade-in to VP50)direct from the USA. That's not a possibility in Spain?

Apparently, the International Straight purchases (not trade-ins) have to go thru the national distributor :(

I thought the VP50 was shipping with a video pass-thru option or is that still slated for future firmware?

Anyone with a Samsung HL-S series care to comment on getting the VP50. The xx87/xx88 models accept 1080p 1920x1080. I'm not sure if this signal forces the unit into native mode producing 1:1 pixel mapping even though overscan is on. Unfortunately the overscan "off" in the SM does not stick during power cycles on the xx87.

Right now I use a SA 8300HD with output forced to 1080i and the set deinterlaces to 1080p. If I set the 8300HD to "pass-through", the VP50's scaling/deinterlacing and outputting 1080p should be better than whatever the STB and display is doing. Like I said, I'm not sure if the HL-S further processes a 1080p input due to overscan.

I think this is whats going on but feel free to set me straight. :)

Thanks

I don't have the HLS, I have the previous model, the HLR. But the first thing I do with my set when I turn it on is check for 1:1 mapping with the pattern on the VP50/VP30. Then it only takes 5 seconds to go into the service menu and change. 90% of the time I need to turn the overscan setting on, then off again. The other 10% of the time the NR feature has changed, which takes another 5 seconds to change. Since the bulb needs to warm up it's really no big deal. Of course it would be better not to have to do it at all, but I'm surprised they didn't correct it with the HLS models.

I thought the VP50 was shipping with a video pass-thru option or is that still slated for future firmware?

I thought that was the case also and I know for sure some
Beta Testers said it was there.

I'm looking to get a scaler, either the Crystalio II or the VP50. Any thoughts on which is the better unit with regards to added detail and picture quality? I realize the Crystalio II is more money, but is it a better performer? Any help would be great. Thanks.

Apparently, the International Straight purchases (not trade-ins) have to go thru the national distributor :(
I have sent you a PM.

So, is everyone else's video better, or at least the same as the VP30? Hooked mine up last night, admittedly only long enough to get the thing working. Ran at 720p into my 980 Ultra; everything, including menues from the VP, was considerably softer than the VP30 I disconnected.

Bum unit, some secret setting I'm missing? Will have more time to play and adjust tonight, but on first glance, it is less than a stunner. Will see if it is any better on HD source tonight - thing is, since the menus generated by the VP50 look nasty, I have a hard time imagining that the source can be any better, regardless of what the source is.

You must have a problem with your unit. The menus and image quality should be at least the same as the VP30 for all but 1080i deinterlacing, which of course the VP50 should look better.

aaronwt, it may ease your mind to know that you can bet your Eliab tunings are still valid with the VP50. I own a ColorFacts Spectroradiometer setup and have measured the color bars and grayscale out of the HD+, VP30, & VP50 each time I upgraded. Each model reads exactly the same on my setup. There were reports that the VP50 was "darker" than the VP30. My eyes and measurements refute this. My setup is a 720p Samsung very similar to your 1080p set. The VP50 is connected via HDMI. My measurements of component are less diligently recorded, but what data I have indicates that there has not been a major change in the levels for analog out either.

I have measured an Accupel signal generator on my setup and it reads identically to the iScan test patterns. In terms of output levels these boxes are reference. That's one of the reasons I love these DVDO processors so much. You never see a reference grade singal out of a consumer device.

- Collin
I think aaronwt was questioning, as was I, sspears remark about no 1080i passthrough,

Originally Posted by sspears
You are not getting 1080i pass through on the VP50 like you did on the VP30. This is one reason 1080i to 1080i out does not look as good.

I think we are both looking for some clarification on exactly what he means as the statement at face value is rather disconcerting.

Yes. If you are using HDMI from the source, get two HDMI switchers. You can get a 2-way mechanical switcher for under $30. You'll need 3 additional HDMI cables. Around $7 if you know where to look. Have one switcher before the VP50, the other after. The one before will be turned around, so it's really a switched splitter. The one after will function in the ordinary way, as a source selector. One path out from the splitter goes through the VP50, the other goes straight to the selector. Now you can switch A-B by pressing two buttons.

If you are using component from the source, then it's even easier; just switch inputs on the monitor.
Good idea - thx!

Yes. If you are using HDMI from the source, get two HDMI switchers. You can get a 2-way mechanical switcher for under $30. You'll need 3 additional HDMI cables. Around $7 if you know where to look. Have one switcher before the VP50, the other after. The one before will be turned around, so it's really a switched splitter. The one after will function in the ordinary way, as a source selector. One path out from the splitter goes through the VP50, the other goes straight to the selector. Now you can switch A-B by pressing two buttons.

If you are using component from the source, then it's even easier; just switch inputs on the monitor.

I would expect to run into serious handshake issues when switching.

A simple pass-through switching command within the VP50 is my preferred route. Isn't this available?

_____
Axel

I just put a deposit down on the new Sharp 52" D62 LCD and a VP50. I intend to run HDMI from my SA8300hd cable box to the VP50, upconvert to 1080p and run that resolution via HDMI to the LCD. I am hoping that the standard definition channels look a heck of a lot better than they do without the VP 50. I can barely stand to watch sd after watching hd channels. I do not think the Sharps do a very good job of scaling on their own and I am hoping the VP50 will be noticeably better in pq. I would love to get some input on this.

I thought the VP50 was shipping with a video pass-thru option or is that still slated for future firmware?If you are talking about passing through unrecognized resolutions over HDMI, I cannot make that happen. The iScan's LED goes green, showing an un-processable signal, but its video output just stays solid blue. The same input signal works fine if connected directly to my display. I was waiting to post about this until today, because I just got a Gefen DVI Detective. Now I am sure my source computer's output signal stays constant no matter what it's connected to -- no more messing with powerstrip, etc. My diagnosis is that digital passthrough of unrecognized signals doesn't work. Any resolution my computer makes that the iScan can't process results in a blue screen, not passthrough.

Has anyone else gotten passthrough working? Will this be fixed? DVDO's website says it should already be working -- there isn't some hidden setting or something, is there?

is anyone running their vp50 at 1080p into a native 1080p resolution set (1x1 pixel matched), such as the sony a2000/xbr2, jvc d-ila, samsung dlp, etc?

i'm wondering what people's opinions are regarding the best 1080p display, once the video signal processing issues/limitations are moved from the tv set to the outboard processor.

is anyone running their vp50 at 1080p into a native 1080p resolution set (1x1 pixel matched), such as the sony a2000/xbr2, jvc d-ila, samsung dlp, etc?

i'm wondering what people's opinions are regarding the best 1080p display, once the video signal processing issues/limitations are moved from the tv set to the outboard processor.

I will be doing that tomorrow into my HP MD6580N DLP. I just got the VP50 late this afternoon and I don't want to yank my former VP out of the datastream until after Battlestar Galactica tonight. :)

is anyone running their vp50 at 1080p into a native 1080p resolution set (1x1 pixel matched), such as the sony a2000/xbr2, jvc d-ila, samsung dlp, etc?

i'm wondering what people's opinions are regarding the best 1080p display, once the video signal processing issues/limitations are moved from the tv set to the outboard processor.

I'm a strong proponent of the Samsung DLPs. They can be calibrated to an astonishingly accurate level for a consumer display. Unlike most displays they've got completely adjustable color gamuts. I put together some notes on my calibration of my HLP Samsung here : http://www.gadgetbench.com/hlp-notes.php.

My personal experience is with their 720p sets, but in the 1080p realm the HL-SXX88s seem the ones to get. Note that the HL-SXX78 cannot 1:1 pixel map so avoid those.

- Collin

I would expect to run into serious handshake issues when switching.

A simple pass-through switching command within the VP50 is my preferred route. Isn't this available?

_____
Axel
Heres the response from DVDO I just received:

Thank you for taking time to send us your e-mail. There is no pass-through mode at this time for the unit. This should be a future software update in coming firmware. If you have any further questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me either by phone or e-mail.

Not yet, but hopefully soon.

Makes it look more and more like DVDO developed the VP50 hardware platform and ported across the VP30 firmware almost untouched apart from 1080p support, and put in on the market. They are just now beginning to develop/refine the firmware to support all of the promised features. All a bit sly in my opinion.

"There is no pass-through mode at this time for the unit. This should be a future software update in coming firmware."Wasn't DVI/HDMI passthrough supposed to be added to the HD+, then the VP30, and it never was? Now DVDO advertises on its website that the VP50 has it, but it doesn't. Should I even hope that it will actually come? I hate being negative, but is the advertising not a lie? Is this an unfair comment? The VP50 is quite a good scaler, and I expect I'll keep it, but I hate being misled about this detail.

In the meantime, now I have to go buy an HDMI switch to do what the VP50 won't. At least the problem is solvable.

is anyone running their vp50 at 1080p into a native 1080p resolution set (1x1 pixel matched), such as the sony a2000/xbr2, jvc d-ila, samsung dlp, etc?

Yes, I have two VP50s. One is driving a Samsung HL-S5088 RP and the other is driving a Marantz VP11S1 FP.

Makes it look more and more like DVDO developed the VP50 hardware platform and ported across the VP30 firmware almost untouched apart from 1080p support, and put in on the market. They are just now beginning to develop/refine the firmware to support all of the promised features. All a bit sly in my opinion.

nope! ;)

-Gary

nope! ;)

-GaryThat sounds like good news in disguise Gary. Can you expound please?

is anyone running their vp50 at 1080p into a native 1080p resolution set (1x1 pixel matched), such as the sony a2000/xbr2, jvc d-ila, samsung dlp, etc?

i'm wondering what people's opinions are regarding the best 1080p display, once the video signal processing issues/limitations are moved from the tv set to the outboard processor.

Just got a 70" XBR2 today. Have only started playing with it, but I am driving it 1080p, and checkerboard/vertical line/horizontal line all seem to show it doing 1:1.

Did use the test patterns to do initial tweaking - great write up in the manual! I think I'll need to tweak colors a bit, but even with just contrast/brightness adjust, and turning off most of the set's enhancements, the picture is gorgeous!

But, I'm getting a some overscan on the set, apparently natural on a RPTV. What's best, adjust underscan, or play with resolutions? (or live with the overscan?)

Thanks.

Also, a question about audio and the VP50 (no, not dropouts.)

Despite the fact that I have the speakers turned off on the XBR2, it complains on every video switch about an unrecognized audio signal coming in on the HDMI input. Is there any way with the VP50 to strip off the audio from the HDMI output?

Thanks!

eric

Now that the VP50's are making their way out here, does anyone know when the first FIRMWARE update will be released with the PRep feature among other fixes?? DVDO has been real silent on any firmware schedule.

But, I'm getting a some overscan on the set, apparently natural on a RPTV. What's best, adjust underscan, or play with resolutions? (or live with the overscan?)
Isn't the overscan on RPTV's an optical phenomenon and therefore not adjustable if you maintain 1:1 pixel mapping? What I am saying is that the 1920x1080 pixel image from the VP is mapped exactly onto the XBR2's 1920x1080 chip, but the image is optically over-maginified by the projection lens so that a bit the edges of the image are cut off by the screen frame. The only way to see the full 1920x1080 image would be to change the focal length of the projection lens.

Is this correct?

Yes, overscan is almost always an optical phenomenon.

Your choices are to adjust the raster size (HSIZ, VSIZ) for CRT RPTV's, adjust lens zoom and/or focal length for any RPTV, or do scaling for non-CRT RPTV's which would depart from 1:1 pixel match.

Yes, overscan is almost always an optical phenomenon.

Your choices are to adjust the raster size (HSIZ, VSIZ) for CRT RPTV's, adjust lens zoom and/or focal length for any RPTV, or do scaling for non-CRT RPTV's which would depart from 1:1 pixel match.

That's what I was guessing. This is LCoS, so only scaling as a solution, and then give up the 1:1 match.

Am I right in assuming that if there was some service manual adjustment for the focal length, I'd lose the crispness of the picture in its center? (Probably better a question for the XBR2 thread, but no one has a lot of practical experience with them yet.)

eric

Stacey.....I have the same setup as you a VP50 and the VP11. I hope to get some quality time in with these babies this weekend...but its Canadian thanksgiving here......damn.

So how do you like the combo....

That's what I was guessing. This is LCoS, so only scaling as a solution, and then give up the 1:1 match.

Am I right in assuming that if there was some service manual adjustment for the focal length, I'd lose the crispness of the picture in its center? (Probably better a question for the XBR2 thread, but no one has a lot of practical experience with them yet.)

eric
Why cant you simply use the "underscan" feature of the VP50?

Why cant you simply use the "underscan" feature of the VP50?

I can, but if I'm understanding all the pieces correctly, then I lose the 1:1 mapping, and then am scaling HD signals, instead of just de-interlacing. That would mean gaining picture, but potentially introducing scaling artifacts.

Do I understand this correctly?

eric

I can, but if I'm understanding all the pieces correctly, then I lose the 1:1 mapping, and then am scaling HD signals, instead of just de-interlacing. That would mean gaining picture, but potentially introducing scaling artifacts.

Do I understand this correctly?

eric

Not if I have understood it correctly. ;)

As I understand it - well, this part I actually know - you don't lose 1:1 pixel mapping by using Underscan.

However - you do as you say process HD material, and what you do is "shrink" the video, so you lose some resolution. How much resolution you lose for how much Underscan you use, I don't know.

Ok last night with the VP50 I lost all audio over HDMI with one of my HDTiVos. I had been doing alot of switching back and forth between the menus and the viewing channels. So I guess it was switching between pcm and DD5.1, then the audio went out for DD. It would only show two channels on the receiver but I couldn't hear anything. As soon as I would go into the TiVo menus I could hear the TiVo sounds. The other inputs were still fine. So I reset the VP50 and everything was fine again. So I then went to my other HDTiVo and tried the same thing again. And again I lost the HDMI audio. SO now I went into both TiVo menus and turned the sound effects completely off. I rebooted/reset the VP50 and and put all my settings back and tried the same thing again. This time I didn't loose the audio when switching back and forth between the menus. There must be something with the HDMI and switching quickly between PCM and DD with the HDTiVos. But it's still fine now. Except for that complete loss of audio I still haven't had any momentary audio dropouts. I'll try it again this weekend to see if I can trip it up, but I think since I turned off the menu sounds it will be ok now.

Do you have to turn off overscan in the SM on your HL-S5088? I'm wondering if I send the HL-S5087 a 1080p 1920x1080 signal if I will have 1:1 pixel mapping problems with the overscan on since the overscan on/off toggle wont "stick" on the 5087.

Basically, does anyone know if the set processes (do any scaling) a native 1080p singal on these sets?

Thanks


Yes, I have two VP50s. One is driving a Samsung HL-S5088 RP and the other is driving a Marantz VP11S1 FP.

Ok last night with the VP50 I lost all audio over HDMI with one of my HDTiVos. I had been doing alot of switching back and forth between the menus and the viewing channels. So I guess it was switching between pcm and DD5.1, then the audio went out for DD. It would only show two channels on the receiver but I couldn't hear anything. As soon as I would go into the TiVo menus I could hear the TiVo sounds. The other inputs were still fine. So I reset the VP50 and everything was fine again. So I then went to my other HDTiVo and tried the same thing again. And again I lost the HDMI audio. SO now I went into both TiVo menus and turned the sound effects completely off. I rebooted/reset the VP50 and and put all my settings back and tried the same thing again. This time I didn't loose the audio when switching back and forth between the menus. There must be something with the HDMI and switching quickly between PCM and DD with the HDTiVos. But it's still fine now. Except for that complete loss of audio I still haven't had any momentary audio dropouts. I'll try it again this weekend to see if I can trip it up, but I think since I turned off the menu sounds it will be ok now.

Exactly my experience with my HD Tivo. I too have disabled sound effects and so far so good, although its only been several days.

New owner of VP50 and my first video processor. This morning I also had an audio problem over HDMI. The VP50 is connected to a DirecTV HD-250 (Tivo model) via HDMI and Anthem AVM20 via TOSLINK. I was switching output formats and between HD and SD channels. At a point I switched to an HD channel (DD 5.1 sound) and instead of normal sound got noise. Switching back to SD channel, the sound appeared normal. I put everything in standby and then back on but didn't fix the problem. The only way to fix the problem was to unplug the VP50. Once I reset it that way, everything was back to normal. By the way I've never had any audio dropouts just this one sound problem (which probably wouldn't have occurred if I hadn't been changing stuff around so much).

My screen is a Fujitsu P42HHA30WS which is a 1024 x 1024 ALIS screen. However the MAIN supported signals listed in the manual doesn't list that resolution, although I can change to that resolution and the screen doesn't complain. Closest is 1024 x 768 (XGA). I've tried that output format, 720p and 1080i and to my uninformed eye, 1080i looks best for both SD (output from HD-250 at either 480i or 1080i) and my Denon 5900 DVD player outputing at either 480p or 1080i. Now this seems strange as I would have expected at least 720p or XGA to look better as that avoids additional reinterlacing/deinterlacing as I understand things (for 1080i).

So what is the best forum to ask questions about the best way to setup/configure my equipment and what is happening when both input and output resolutions are at 1080i? As I'm a newbie with my new processor, there may be others that have the same or similar equipment and can offer advice as to the best options for my setup.

Thanks

Rand

Can anyone confirm if they are getting the USB adaptor with their units now?

New owner of VP50 and my first video processor. This morning I also had an audio problem over HDMI.


Rand,

Did your HDTivo get the 6.3a update? I've read that many have had issues with the upgrade and DD5.1.

My setup: Panny 50" 8uk w/HDMI, Sony 975 dvd, HR10-250 Tivo (DirecTv).

Will a VP50 do anything for me?

Thanks.

Can anyone confirm if they are getting the USB adaptor with their units now?

My VP50 just came in this week but it was missing both the rackmount kit and the USB-to-Serial adapter. I just sent e-mail to DVDO this morning about this and asking for clarification around the RMA # confusion I have been reading about here.

Thanks Clark. Can anyone please post if their unit included the USB adaptor and rack mount ears?

Thanks Clark. Can anyone please post if their unit included the USB adaptor and rack mount ears?

I don't think any have, for speed I'm guessing they shipped the units out as fast as they could unload them from the crate. :)

My guess is that the ears and usb/serial are in a stock pile at the DVDO warehouse and they intended on using up the 'sugar mountain' by putting them in the VP50 box but to save time repacking every box they didn't bother with the initial batches (like they didn't bother with the 3rd gen promised pass-thru ;) ).

They may just not have had enough to go round so thought best to only send them out to customers who asked/complained about them.

Would it be really cheeky to send my email now before the VP50 arrives? :D

As I understand it - well, this part I actually know - you don't lose 1:1 pixel mapping by using Underscan.

However - you do as you say process HD material, and what you do is "shrink" the video, so you lose some resolution. How much resolution you lose for how much Underscan you use, I don't know.
There is a 1:1 pixel match or lack thereof between the video processor output and the TV. There is another 1:1 pixel match or lack thereof between the source device and the video processor input.

If you had a 1:1 pixel match without using the underscan option and then you turn on underscan between the source and the processor, you will lose the 1:1 pixel match when you consider the entire video signal path. You also lose the 1:1 pixel match if you modify underscan between the processor and the TV other than optically.

"Changing the focal length" (an optical method) also involves changing the distance between the display element(s) and the lens(es) and/or between the lens(es) and mirror and/or between the mirror and screen. This may or may not be easy or possible.

Thanks Clark. Can anyone please post if their unit included the USB adaptor and rack mount ears?

Neither was included with mine I purchased through AVS and received just yesterday/Fri.

It would be good if either DVDO (Josh?) and/or AVS (Jason?) could comment if/when those missing items will be shipped and what the process it to get them. Does every customer have to contact their sales contact individually??

____
Axel

Kraigk,

My Directv HD box is the Tivo HD-250 and it's software version is 3.1.5f-01-2-357. That 6.x update may be for Directv's newest HD PVR not the one I have, but no, my box is not running the 6.x software.

Thanks

Rand

Yes, I agree it would be good if Josh would comment on their strategy plan to get those items out to the early birds. :)

Can someone describe what "1:1 Pixel Mapping" refers to? I have VP50 that I just received on Thursday, but have no idea what 1:1 really means. Is this a setting I should ensure is set correctly within the 50? Is it something I need to make adjustments to obtain? Im lost :confused:

Thx in advance.

there is a lot written about 1:1 pixel mapping.

It is very important, otherwise, much of what the VP will do is a waste.

check the archives.

My Directv HD box is the Tivo HD-250 and it's software version is 3.1.5f-01-2-357. That 6.x update may be for Directv's newest HD PVR not the one I have, but no, my box is not running the 6.x software.

I am getting a lot of audio drop outs lately with the HD-250 and the VP50. I am running 6.3a on my TiVo. I don't know which device is at fault given all of the HD-250 owner complaints about audio dropouts with 6.3a. :)

there is a lot written about 1:1 pixel mapping.

It is very important, otherwise, much of what the VP will do is a waste.

check the archives.
Thx - I will search away.

New owner of VP50 and my first video processor. This morning I also had an audio problem over HDMI. The VP50 is connected to a DirecTV HD-250 (Tivo model) via HDMI and Anthem AVM20 via TOSLINK. I was switching output formats and between HD and SD channels. At a point I switched to an HD channel (DD 5.1 sound) and instead of normal sound got noise. Switching back to SD channel, the sound appeared normal. I put everything in standby and then back on but didn't fix the problem. The only way to fix the problem was to unplug the VP50. Once I reset it that way, everything was back to normal. By the way I've never had any audio dropouts just this one sound problem (which probably wouldn't have occurred if I hadn't been changing stuff around so much).

My screen is a Fujitsu P42HHA30WS which is a 1024 x 1024 ALIS screen. However the MAIN supported signals listed in the manual doesn't list that resolution, although I can change to that resolution and the screen doesn't complain. Closest is 1024 x 768 (XGA). I've tried that output format, 720p and 1080i and to my uninformed eye, 1080i looks best for both SD (output from HD-250 at either 480i or 1080i) and my Denon 5900 DVD player outputing at either 480p or 1080i. Now this seems strange as I would have expected at least 720p or XGA to look better as that avoids additional reinterlacing/deinterlacing as I understand things (for 1080i).

So what is the best forum to ask questions about the best way to setup/configure my equipment and what is happening when both input and output resolutions are at 1080i? As I'm a newbie with my new processor, there may be others that have the same or similar equipment and can offer advice as to the best options for my setup.

Thanks

Rand

Its probably a bug on the VP50, because the VP30 will do that hooked up from a Directivo, using HDMI audio. When I had the VP30 hooked up that way it would work awhile but sooner or later the audio would stop. So I just use optical instead. I haven't tried it again with the new dvdo, but I think it would still do it.

The same thing would happen using a cable box SA8300, but more often than with the Tivo. I think quite a few bugs that are on the VP30 went to the VP50.

bump

Can someone describe what "1:1 Pixel Mapping" refers to? I have VP50 that I just received on Thursday, but have no idea what 1:1 really means. Is this a setting I should ensure is set correctly within the 50? Is it something I need to make adjustments to obtain? Im lost :confused:

In short:

Digital displays like LCD, DLP, and plasma have a fixed native resolution. For example, 720p (1280x720) or 1080p (1920x1080), among many others. Whatever that is will be the TV's one and only resolution. Any type of signal input into the TV must be converted to that resolution. The display will have a scaling chip inside to handle that.

The point of a video processor is to do your scaling externally and to bypass the (usually inferior) scaling chip inside the display. So if your TV is 1920x1080, you want to set your video processor for 1920x1080 and feed that directly into the TV. Ideally, you will get "1:1 pixel mapping", meaning that every pixel coming out of the video processor gets put up on the screen in the exact same spot without any additional scaling happening inside the TV.

The problem that occurs is that many TVs will not accept their native resolution as an input signal. Many others may claim to have a certain native resolution but actually use something slightly different, so that when you feed it the resolution stated in the manual the TV still scales it anyway.

To verify if 1:1 pixel mapping is working, turn on the VP50's test patterns and go to the 3rd pattern, which should be a grid of tiny black and white pixels in a checkerboard pattern. If everything is working, the image should be perfectly stable. From a distance, the screen will look gray, but when you move close you'll see individual black and white pixels next to one another. This means that you're successfully bypassing the TV's scaler.

If 1:1 mapping is not working properly, the image will be very streaky and noisy, because the original single black and white pixels fed into the TV are being duplicated and interpolated by the set's scaler, breaking the checkerboard pattern.

bump

You bumped an extremely active thread whose last post was barely an hour before yours? Why?

A couple of people have asked what benefit there may be with the VP50 feeding a 720p display. I received my VP50 on Friday and had a chance to hook it up and to do some evaluation on my BenQ 8720 720p FP. Below are my initial thoughts:

480i Source

This looks noticeably better on the VP50 then the VP30. While the signal is still garbage (GIGO,) it is clearner on the VP50.

720p Source

No change. Which is a good thing in my case as my display is 720p native. This means the VP50 isn't doing anything it should not be doing with this source.

1080i Source

Wow! There is a huge difference deinterlacing 1080i to allow the VP50 to scale to 720p. I was watching the Florida vs. LSU game last night and it was breathtaking. The VP50 wins this battle hands down compared to the VP30.

Other odds and ins:

HD-XA1 Source

Whenever I had my XA1 HD-DVD player through HDMI to the VP30, the curtain would close, and I would get an HDMI error on the Tosh. I am glad to say that this is no longer the case with the new VP50. I was able to hook up the XA1 without issues using HDMI. This alone make the purchase worth while to me. The 1080i deinterlacing is the icing on the cake!

Just some basic thoughts,

Jay

480i Source

This looks noticeably better on the VP50 then the VP30. While the signal is still garbage (GIGO,) it is clearner on the VP50.


Wow "noticeably better" ! Looks like the full 10bit path does make a big difference in SD processing.

I'm not sure if I've seen anyone else report this. A couple times an hour, I get a second or so of a blue screen. I'm watching an HR10, so I rewind, and it doesn't repeat at the same spot.

Configuration:

HR10, 1080i out, component into the VP50

VP50, 1080p out framerate unlocked, into Sony 70" XBR2

Right now, it appears pretty random, I keep looking for common patterns to it. I've seen it happen when watching both HD and SD material, but I am sending everything 1080i to the VP50 (sure wish I had that native resolution feature on the HR10...)

Anyone else see this? Thanks.

eric

I'm not sure if I've seen anyone else report this. A couple times an hour, I get a second or so of a blue screen. I'm watching an HR10, so I rewind, and it doesn't repeat at the same spot.

Configuration:

HR10, 1080i out, component into the VP50

VP50, 1080p out framerate unlocked, into Sony 70" XBR2

Right now, it appears pretty random, I keep looking for common patterns to it. I've seen it happen when watching both HD and SD material, but I am sending everything 1080i to the VP50 (sure wish I had that native resolution feature on the HR10...)

Anyone else see this? Thanks.

eric

I have seen this as well. I attributed it to the station changing resolution during broadcast, but since you are converting everything to 1080i and feeding it to the VP50 and seeing the same thing, I will now have to rethink my assumption.

Jay

Is anyone else experiencing a video problem with their VP50 of what looks like vertical pinstripes on the processed source image? Here is a partial screen shot of what I'm seeing, using the splash screen of my Oppo DV-970HD DVD player as an example (the background is supposed to be just a solid blue field):

http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/3120/img5198ll4.jpg

This problem does seem most noticeable on solid blue fields (and it is not at all on solid fields of certain other colors), but it's also quite noticeable to me on plenty of regular movie scenes as well. These pinstripes are not visible on any of the VP50's on-screen displays or the blue screen that it generates itself-- they're only on the input source image-- but I do see them on every input format, resolution, and source that I have tried (HDMI, component, and S-video; 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i; Oppo DV-970HD DVD player, Motorola DCT6412 phase III DVR, and Pioneer HLD-X9 LD plater). Output setup settings and aspect ratio settings don't seem to affect the problem, although the spatial frequency of the stripes is slightly higher when the source is HD compared to SD. My VP30 (with firmware 1.07) does not have this problem with the exact same input devices, display (NEC HT1000 XGA DLP projector), and settings.

I have reported this problem to DVDO, along with a different problem I've been having with the VP50 (garbled bottom half of picture with 1080i source, which only happens with my not-so-common combination of 4:3 display and 2.35:1 screen), and they acknowledged a problem that they were working on a software fix for-- but it wasn't clear to me whether that statement covered this pinstripe problem too. I'm interested to know if anyone else has seen this (I would have thought that it would have been mentioned here), or am I the only one? I'm worried that there might be a hardware defect in my particular unit.

Thanks,

-- Peter

Peter,

First unit I had had a similar thing. Blue and red backgrounds I'd notice the pinstripes. Got a new unit and have had no problems. What does your firmware say? My first unit noted no firmware number just x.x. My working unit had 1.0. I'd ask ABT/dealer for a new unit. I have pics somewhere of the same findings.

AndyN,

Thanks, that's very useful to know. My VP50 does report version 1.00, so I wonder if this problem is unrelated to the firmware version.

-- Peter

P.S. For those asking about the missing USB-to-Serial adapter: I asked DVDO about that too, and they said that they are shipping it to me separately, and I have since gotten a tracking number email.

Peter,

This is what I was getting initially.

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/NdNLA32/Ruby/IMG_0478a.jpg
http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k187/NdNLA32/Ruby/IMG_0470.jpg

Very disappointing news on the VP50 that arrived on Friday. I went to hook it up today and discovered that HDMI Input 1 does not work. I spent hours trying to figure out what was going on when I switched my input cables for HDMI 1 and 2 and then the input that didn't work on 1 was working fine on HDMI Input 2. It also appears HDMI Input 4 is not working either athough I didn't do a swap on that port--it reports no signal from my SA8300HD box.

In both cases, HDMI Inputs 1 & 4 report no signal input.

I would have thought that DVDO had better quality control or at least tested all ports prior to shipment the way Dell runs its machines through an automated test when they come off the assembly line.

So I sold my Vantage HD and shipped it off yesterday. What a mess. I have an Octava HDMI switch to put in in place of the DVDO for the time being.

I have seen this as well. I attributed it to the station changing resolution during broadcast, but since you are converting everything to 1080i and feeding it to the VP50 and seeing the same thing, I will now have to rethink my assumption.

Jay

Switched to 720p out of the HR10 for the Fox HD NFL game, still saw the blue screen a couple of times.

In short:

Digital displays like LCD, DLP, and plasma have a fixed native resolution. For example, 720p (1280x720) or 1080p (1920x1080), among many others. Whatever that is will be the TV's one and only resolution. Any type of signal input into the TV must be converted to that resolution. The display will have a scaling chip inside to handle that.

The point of a video processor is to do your scaling externally and to bypass the (usually inferior) scaling chip inside the display. So if your TV is 1920x1080, you want to set your video processor for 1920x1080 and feed that directly into the TV. Ideally, you will get "1:1 pixel mapping", meaning that every pixel coming out of the video processor gets put up on the screen in the exact same spot without any additional scaling happening inside the TV.

The problem that occurs is that many TVs will not accept their native resolution as an input signal. Many others may claim to have a certain native resolution but actually use something slightly different, so that when you feed it the resolution stated in the manual the TV still scales it anyway.

To verify if 1:1 pixel mapping is working, turn on the VP50's test patterns and go to the 3rd pattern, which should be a grid of tiny black and white pixels in a checkerboard pattern. If everything is working, the image should be perfectly stable. From a distance, the screen will look gray, but when you move close you'll see individual black and white pixels next to one another. This means that you're successfully bypassing the TV's scaler.

If 1:1 mapping is not working properly, the image will be very streaky and noisy, because the original single black and white pixels fed into the TV are being duplicated and interpolated by the set's scaler, breaking the checkerboard pattern.

Josh :),
If you would stop using "TV" as reference to a "display" or "display device" I will send you $1.00 for each correct occurrence.
If you do not change your ways I will go nutz seeing "TV" again even if it is a tv that your referring to.
My mental health is in your hands :D.

If you would stop using "TV" as reference to a "display" or "display device"...
Sorry Jimmy, I beg to differ. I use "TV" in this context all the time.

Sure to drive you nuts:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

Obviously a 768 line display won't match a 720p input signal but some people may prefer at least having the ability to shrink the picture to occupy exactly 720 lines.

I just put a deposit down on the new Sharp 52" D62 LCD and a VP50. I intend to run HDMI from my SA8300hd cable box to the VP50, upconvert to 1080p and run that resolution via HDMI to the LCD. I am hoping that the standard definition channels look a heck of a lot better than they do without the VP 50. I can barely stand to watch sd after watching hd channels. I do not think the Sharps do a very good job of scaling on their own and I am hoping the VP50 will be noticeably better in pq. I would love to get some input on this.

I am anxious to read your findings. I am considering purchasing the same combo (52" D62 with VP50). I never watch SDTV, but I do watch a lot of HDTV and standard DVD. Since the Sharp does not have the best processor, I want to know how the DVDO improves the picture.

Sorry Jimmy, I beg to differ. I use "TV" in this context all the time.

Sure to drive you nuts:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/video.htm

I looked at the site and even they don't have "TV" in their "index of terms".

Alls OK Alan, I see through your "I do it too", your trying to get my "$1.00 "display device offer. :)

No more OT, I give up.

This weekend my VP50 decided that it was not going to pass any more Dolby Digital audio over HDMI from my HD DirecTivo. This of course took some time to track down to the DVDO though in hindsight I should have suspected it right off the bat. It took an unplug from the wall of the VP50 to get it to pass DD again. How about a front panel reset button? The video segment on the VP30 and VP50 has worked extremely well for me, but I am so very tired of audio problems with these things. My HD+ was perfect in regards to audio. What the heck happened? Its been a year and as far as I can tell nothing has improved. It is a huge blemish on an otherwise fine product.

My receiver does everything I need right now except it does not have an audio delay feature which I require in my setup. Anybody have any recommendations for an audio delay box? I remember something from some company called Felston.

- Collin

I've been following your posts with interest Collin. Did you eventually get in contact with DVDO re putting you on the testing team, or di they contact you? As you apparently live close to them, I would have thought, or think, that with your background, you would make an excellent tester.

I've been following your posts re audio drop-outs with much interest Collin. Are you on the DVDO tesing team yet? With your background, your should be in a very good postion to help in tracking this long lasting bug down.

installed the VP50 - signal to the panel is fine, HDMI from the 970 is fine... but all my images via component are coming through not dinterlaced properly .. look aweful.... have done one reset... not avail... i'm powercycling it now...

at least the controls from the VP30 work on the VP50 inlcuding the discreete remote commands....

My software version is X.xx... I don't have the option to save to other 'display profiles' anymore.... argh..... has anyone experienced this? do I need to upgrade the firmware?

the deinterlacing on the component inputs only looks passable on game 1 .. but there's still lots of line twitching/anti-aliasing... the rest shows a lot of jaggies and frame rate issues....

is almost as if the component inputs where expecting a progressive signal and where not deinterlacing it..... argh .....

I've been following your posts with interest Collin. Did you eventually get in contact with DVDO re putting you on the testing team, or di they contact you? As you apparently live close to them, I would have thought, or think, that with your background, you would make an excellent tester.

Nope. No contact from DVDO, though I haven't done anything more proactive about getting in touch with them than posting here. I do think I could help them out if they wanted. I've loosely mentioned my credentials here. I have a lot of experience debugging this sort of problem on a different interconnect.

- Collin

Nope. No contact from DVDO, though I haven't done anything more proactive about getting in touch with them than posting here. I do think I could help them out if they wanted. I've loosely mentioned my credentials here. I have a lot of experience debugging this sort of problem on a different interconnect.

- Collin
Collin,

what firmware are you using?

do you know where I can download the 1.0 from?

Cheers,

Marcelo

Nope. No contact from DVDO, though I haven't done anything more proactive about getting in touch with them than posting here. I do think I could help them out if they wanted. I've loosely mentioned my credentials here. I have a lot of experience debugging this sort of problem on a different interconnect.

- Collin
Would probably be good etiquette to give Josh a ring and have a discussion on all of this - even better, arrange a face to face meeting with him as you're quite close by from what I remember you saying in an earlier post.

Collin,

what firmware are you using?

do you know where I can download the 1.0 from?

Cheers,

Marcelo

Mine is running v1.00. It's what came on the device. As far as I know it is not available for download anywhere.

- Collin

Mine is running v1.00. It's what came on the device. As far as I know it is not available for download anywhere.

- Collin
thanks Collin,

I tried a hard reset a couple of more times..... no go ... I even changed the power supplies... the vp50 is slightly larger then the vp30... it's not that either...

so I unplugged the vp50 and I'm using the vp30 again... will wait from the feedback from DVDO of what I need to do... if I can download the new firmware and if that solves it....

argh.....

the deinterlacing on the component inputs only looks passable on game 1 .. but there's still lots of line twitching/anti-aliasing... the rest shows a lot of jaggies and frame rate issues....

is almost as if the component inputs where expecting a progressive signal and where not deinterlacing it..... argh .....

Big,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble too... I'm still pulling my hair out...

See my post here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=733540

Thanks, and good luck

RoydRage

Big,

I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble too... I'm still pulling my hair out...

See my post here:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=733540

Thanks, and good luck

RoydRage

thanks Royd,

I've plugged my VP30 back in and I'm waiting to hear from DVDO .... I've tried everything I could...

This weekend my VP50 decided that it was not going to pass any more Dolby Digital audio over HDMI from my HD DirecTivo. This of course took some time to track down to the DVDO though in hindsight I should have suspected it right off the bat. It took an unplug from the wall of the VP50 to get it to pass DD again. How about a front panel reset button? The video segment on the VP30 and VP50 has worked extremely well for me, but I am so very tired of audio problems with these things. My HD+ was perfect in regards to audio. What the heck happened? Its been a year and as far as I can tell nothing has improved. It is a huge blemish on an otherwise fine product.

My receiver does everything I need right now except it does not have an audio delay feature which I require in my setup. Anybody have any recommendations for an audio delay box? I remember something from some company called Felston.

- Collin
When that happened to me I just did a soft reset (from the menu)and that worked and quickly reset it. I was able to repeat it with my other HDTiVo when I quickly toggled between the menu and live TV. I turned off the menu sounds and couldn't cause that problem again by toggling between Live and the menu. Everything has been fine since.
As far as the audio delay, the VP50 does that.

I'm having some audio problems as well. The VP stops processing audio. I can hear a fluttering sound. I have to do a Factory reset to get rid of it. It has happened 3 or 4 times since I got the VP50. It seems to happen during an input or channel change. It also happenend once or twice with the VP30, but seems to happen more often with the VP50 for some reason.

I have also had a few momentary audio dropouts.

i've also asked this over at the video calibration thread but i wanted to get input from vp50 users as well (and i hope to be an owner soon.......jason says mine should arrive shortly)

are there any different issues that arise in calibrating a 1080p display with a 1080p input source? i'm thinking of a set like a sony sxrd or jvc d-ila, fed by a vp50 converting multiple sources to 1080p.

is the calibration identical to that for a 1080i set, and if not, what should the customer look for/ask for?

is the test equipment generally available to isf calibrators capable (i.e. ready) to do 1080p calibrations?

typically, a calibration would be done for each video input on a set, i.e. OTA HD, SD cable, DVD input, etc.

with a video processor such as a vp50, where multiple sources are switched at the vp50, would it make sense to have/store multiple tv set calibrations based on the source into the vp50 (assuming the set was able to store multiple settings for a single input)?

If 1:1 mapping is not working properly, the image will be very streaky and noisy, because the original single black and white pixels fed into the TV are being duplicated and interpolated by the set's scaler, breaking the checkerboard pattern.
Very helpful - thx!

typically, a calibration would be done for each video input on a set, i.e. OTA HD, SD cable, DVD input, etc.

with a video processor such as a vp50, where multiple sources are switched at the vp50, would it make sense to have/store multiple tv set calibrations based on the source into the vp50 (assuming the set was able to store multiple settings for a single input)?

I would think you want to do one setting for the display (based on the test patterns from the VP50), and then use the VP50 for the individual adjustments for each source.

Is there are reason I'm missing that would lead to different settings based on source in the display?

eric

I know with my calibrations I've had the set calibrated for my primary source. With my last calibration this was the HD-A1 HD DVD player. All settings in the VP30 were zero for that source. Then adjustments had to be made in the VP30 for my other sources since I run all video through the VP30(now VP50) and use one input on my display.

I'm having some audio problems as well. The VP stops processing audio. I can hear a fluttering sound. I have to do a Factory reset to get rid of it. It has happened 3 or 4 times since I got the VP50. It seems to happen during an input or channel change. It also happenend once or twice with the VP30, but seems to happen more often with the VP50 for some reason.

I have also had a few momentary audio dropouts.

I believe this is the same problem that several of us with HD Tivos are experiencing. In the future, try unplugging your unit instead of factory reset (you won't lose all of your settings). A possible solution for HD Tivo users has been to disable menu sound effects.

I would think you want to do one setting for the display (based on the test patterns from the VP50), and then use the VP50 for the individual adjustments for each source.

Is there are reason I'm missing that would lead to different settings based on source in the display?

eric

let me give you an example.

if i had no vp50, i would calibrate separate settings to watch 1080i OTA hdtv and 480i SD coming from a cable box (and possibly different settings for digital SD and analog SD). i can imagine different settings for sharpness, noise reduction, etc being esstential to making SD programming more acceptable.

in my specific case, i use BTV (BeyondTV) to record programs that may be broadcast at 1080i, 720p or 480i and use networked media players at my TV sets to connect via hdmi. my vp50, when it gets here, will scale all of these to 1080p but i can imagine that the 480i material might benefit from different settings, as they do without an outboard signal processor.

theoretically, any noise reduction is best done before scaling, but until a noise reduction functionality is added by dvdo, the only place i can do that is at the tv set
(assuming it helps at all post-vp50)

i guess this leads to another question: are there settings in the vp50 that should vary according to source (480i, 720p, 1080i)?

i guess this leads to another question: are there settings in the vp50 that should vary according to source (480i, 720p, 1080i)?

The VP50 will save Input Settings for each individual res per input socket automatically, on top of that you can save additional input profiles if you have different sources on the same socket that output the same res (like two dvd players via a componet switch box).

So basicly you calibrate the ONE output profile/display using the VP50 test patterns then use the Input Settings for each source/res to match that using the split screen test patterns and the supplied DVD (ISO it for your media boxes).

The VP50 will save Input Settings for each individual res per input socket automatically, on top of that you can save additional input profiles if you have different sources on the same socket that output the same res (like two dvd players via a componet switch box).

So basicly you calibrate the ONE output profile/display using the VP50 test patterns then use the Input Settings for each source/res to match that using the split screen test patterns and the supplied DVD (ISO it for your media boxes).


that's good......the downside still seems to be that 1080p into most sets (such as the jvc d-ila) disables NR in the set, and that most people cite NR settings as the key to getting acceptable cable 480i performance

so if the vp50 has no noise reduction, it will be interesting to see how 480i upscaled to 1080p looks, forgoing any NR in the tv set.

of course, once the vp50 supports NR (f/w upgrade or future product upgrade), all the pieces of the puzzle will be in place.

Does anyone out there have a vp50 going into a jvc xxFN97 (or sony sxrd or similar) at 1080p
who can comment on SD video performance?

that's good......the downside still seems to be that 1080p into most sets (such as the jvc d-ila) disables NR in the set, and that most people cite NR settings as the key to getting acceptable cable 480i performance

so if the vp50 has no noise reduction, it will be interesting to see how 480i upscaled to 1080p looks, forgoing any NR in the tv set.

of course, once the vp50 supports NR (f/w upgrade or future product upgrade), all the pieces of the puzzle will be in place.

Does anyone out there have a vp50 going into a jvc xxFN97 (or sony sxrd or similar) at 1080p
who can comment on SD video performance?

1080p into SXRD PJ for me. SD analog stations are ugly but its ugly on all my TV's. Digital cable 480i is decent. Pretty clean. A little soft but ok.

Does anyone out there have a vp50 going into a jvc xxFN97 (or sony sxrd or similar) at 1080p
who can comment on SD video performance?

I'm feeding my XBR2 at 1080p, SD coming from DirecTV. Turned off noise reduction and all other enhancement features on the XBR2.

What can I say - SD quality depends on how much bandwidth DirecTV decides to allocate. Some is amazingly good, some is fuzzy as can be. Second biggest impact is probably the quality of the program itself, and third is probably the processing in the VP50/XBR2.

Does anyone out there have a vp50 going into a jvc xxFN97 (or sony sxrd or similar) at 1080p
who can comment on SD video performance?

I am feeding a Sony KDS60A2000 @1080P from the VP-50.

480i from Oppo 970 is fantastic. FWIW I input the same 480i directly to the Sony and it was poor

480i from cable DVR is very good on the movie channels and fair to very good on other digital channels. Analog SD ispoor to fair. My cable Co has fiber system which helps.

SD from Dish 622 is only good since I can not output at 480i easily-I am outputting 1080i to VP-50. I watch SD on Dish so seldom its not worth a different setup

thanks for all the feedback on the vp50 & sxrd's at 1080p...........i'm looking at getting either the jvc 56fh97 or the sony 55a2000 (i only have 52 inches of width to work with :( )

from the sound of this, it seems that, while SD quality will always vary greatly with the signal source, using the vp50 to upscale and deinterlace 480i to 1080p (with no NR at the set) will be at least as good as feeding the 480i to the set and letting the set do both scaling, deinterlacing and NR. (did i reach a fair conclusion there??)

when my vp50 gets here this week, it will be fed by a zensonic z500 network media player. the vp50 will output to a sony 30xs955 crt set via hdmi, until i decide on the jvc vs. sony (which i'm sure i'll have to do quickly once the vp50 gets into my system)

dlm: did you have a chance to compare the jvc and sony before getting the a2000?
any thoughts on the choice between these?

...
when my vp50 gets here this week, it will be fed by a zensonic z500 network media player. .....

Very interesting! Please keep us posted about your findings.
____
Axel

Just a quick question to those out there who are losing audio when switching fomats:

I had a total audio loss while using an HDMI audio out, but at the same time this was happening, the SPDIF output (which I use simultaneously) was still active. I noticed this because my audio was still running in the game room outside my theater. Is this the case for all of you? Also, I noted that instead of pulling the power plug on the entire VP50, but simply hot-plugging the HDMI output, I got audio back over HDMI - is this the same for you guys?

Cheers!

-LD :cool:

I'm posting here cause I don't know where to ask otherwise, sorry for the little ot :)

I've did an international trade-in Pro->VP50 on 29/09 and my cc was charged about 30 minutes after the order (I say this just because the website states that they charge when they ship).
On 5/10 i've sent an email to "sales@dvdo.com" and "upgrade@dvdo.com" just to know some news about the status of the order.
Since I still haven't received any answer the question is: what's the usual behavior of DVDO about email communication? No news = no mail?

Sorry again for the OT and thanks in advance,
Zan.

Edited the e-mail addresses, i had post the incomplete ones because I was unsure about forum policy, now they're complete :)

I'm posting here cause I don't know where to ask otherwise, sorry for the little ot :)

I've did an international trade-in Pro->VP50 on 29/09 and my cc was charged about 30 minutes after the order (I say this just because the website states that they charge when they ship). On 5/10 i've sent an email to "sales@" and "upgrade@" just to know some news about the status of the order.
Since I still haven't received any answer the question is: what's the usual behavior of DVDO about email communication? No news = no mail?

Sorry again for the OT and thanks in advance,
Zan.

you should re-send an email to sales@dvdo.com - the are normally very quick at returning emails.

I have bought my international upgrade to vp50 on 8/25/2006.

...and up to now I got nothing !

Has anyone from germany get the vp50 ?

:( at this weekend I get my new Pearl an have no scaler...

Marc

I have bought my international upgrade to vp50 on 8/25/2006.

...and up to now I got nothing !

Has anyone from germany get the vp50 ?
Nope, no sign of my VP50 yet.

I've did an international trade-in Pro->VP50 on 29/09 and my cc was charged about 30 minutes after the order (I say this just because the website states that they charge when they ship)

Zan - my cc was charged immediately afterwards also, but apparently it just a hold on that amount, but not actually charged, this was verified with cc bill. last week, they charged the cc and it showed up on my bill.

Marcello - did you order through avs... when, and did synergy (local aus distro) send the vp50 to you and when?

Marc - I ordered 8/24 and no sign either, but I guess my cc was charged so it's on its way

See my earlier post...I'm in Spain, did the AVS international straigth purchase pre-order and supposedly the spanish distributor will contact me. However, I talked to the distributor last week, they told me VP50 arrives november at the earliest, no pricing known, and worst of all, they say they know nothing of the AVS pre-order.

I hav e contacted DVDO and AVS about this, we'll see what happens but the spanish distributor sure does not instill a lot of confidence. Perhaps you guys should contact your national distributor and see what's up.

Zan - my cc was charged immediately afterwards also, but apparently it just a hold on that amount, but not actually charged, this was verified with cc bill. last week, they charged the cc and it showed up on my bill.

Marcello - did you order through avs... when, and did synergy (local aus distro) send the vp50 to you and when?

Marc - I ordered 8/24 and no sign either, but I guess my cc was charged so it's on its way

bought it from a US Reseller when it was first released, received mine on Monday ... only got charged last wednesday when it was shipped - no import charges, GST, etc...

You should have an initial authorisation against your card at purchase to verify it's valid but it shouldn't show up on the monthly balance.

At the point where DVDO ship the batch of VP50s to your local distributor they will make the actual charge for the full amount (including international surcharge +$250 and AVS discount -$x00).

Either when that crate arrives or when DVDO send the list of purchases to the distributor they may contact you direct to verify address and trade-in details (this seems to be how it's going in the UK).

The distributor should then send out the VP50s to each person on the list.

You then need to return any trade-in box to the local distributor who should pass the details of it to DVDO so that they can credit you the trade-in value.

At least that's how it's going in the UK, the first units are meant to be arriving on our door steps this week.

When asked originally our local distributor didn't know anything about the trade in either and only quoted local prices and availability dates. It maybe that only one person (DVDOs main contact) at each place knows about it as it's a deal with us and DVDO direct not really anything that the local distributor is offering.

If you don't get a response from DVDO try there international sales guy, he's probably the one talking to your distributor to sort out the deal.

While waiting for my VP50 ...

HD-A1 : Currently use HDMI and analog outs.
Denon 4306 : insert between A1 and Vp50?
Fuji P50XTA51UB: Doesn't specifically indicate that it will accept 1366 x 768 as an input resolution
Comcast HD DVR output 1080i

My expectation is that VP50 will at least improve SD-DVD, smooth out some horizontal movement, and perhaps clean up some cable tv - but is this over-complicating the system for what it can offer (without 1:1 mapping)?
Will signal converters in 4306 handicap the process?

The spdif for audio will work fine for cable and regular dvds, but am I up the creek for the analog outs from a1 (dolbyTRU)?


ok... back to Gear Lust 12-step program.
Breathe ...

My VP 50 is working!!! :)


I installed V1.0 of the software (upgrade from x.xx) , took about 40 minutes. Did a hard reset, just in case.

All the jaggies I was seeing on the component inputs are gone. The picture is a bit sharper then before, a little more 'solid', and I have no more jaggies on graphic overlays (mixed mode) as I used to have on my vp30/ABT102 ....

So, even without HD inputs yet... the VP50 is doing all I wanted it to do for now... improve SD and be future proof....

I've got to sort it all out now, plug/unplug everything and pack the VP30 to ship back ......

Thanks DVDO & Lenexpo for the prompt technical support!

Cheers,

Marcelo

I wonder what the percentage is of people who are happy that they bought the vp50 ?

I wonder what the percentage is of people who are happy that they bought the vp50 ?
The question is really "are you happy?"

A couple of people have asked what benefit there may be with the VP50 feeding a 720p display. I received my VP50 on Friday and had a chance to hook it up and to do some evaluation on my BenQ 8720 720p FP. Below are my initial thoughts:

480i Source

This looks noticeably better on the VP50 then the VP30. While the signal is still garbage (GIGO,) it is clearner on the VP50.

720p Source

No change. Which is a good thing in my case as my display is 720p native. This means the VP50 isn't doing anything it should not be doing with this source.

1080i Source

Wow! There is a huge difference deinterlacing 1080i to allow the VP50 to scale to 720p. I was watching the Florida vs. LSU game last night and it was breathtaking. The VP50 wins this battle hands down compared to the VP30.

Other odds and ins:

HD-XA1 Source

Whenever I had my XA1 HD-DVD player through HDMI to the VP30, the curtain would close, and I would get an HDMI error on the Tosh. I am glad to say that this is no longer the case with the new VP50. I was able to hook up the XA1 without issues using HDMI. This alone make the purchase worth while to me. The 1080i deinterlacing is the icing on the cake!

Just some basic thoughts,

Jay

I agree with you. I am using the VP50 since a week with a Infocus IN76 and the end result is just amazing. My sources are Oppo970HD, HD DVD A1, Explorer 8300HD

Just got an e-mail notification that my card has been credited the trade in amount for the VP30

That reminds me. I need to send DVDO an email so I can get an RMA for my VP30 so I can get my credit also.

That reminds me. I need to send DVDO an email so I can get an RMA for my VP30 so I can get my credit also.

I just used my order number for my RMA (as suggested on the website). Within a couple of days after they received my VP30, the promptly issued the credit. SJ

I’ve got a new ‘issue’ …..



When driving my panel @ 1:1 (NEC XR5, 50”, connected via HDMI), from time to time (ie: 1-5 times per minute), a white line appears on the top left of my display for a bout .5 seconds – one pixel tall and varying between say 50-100 pixels wide ….. very weird….



It doesn’t happen @ 720p, 480p or 1080i (all 60hz).



I cannot eliminate it with overscanning on the VP50 – my normal setting is about 5% overscan … even if I take it to 15% I can still see it …. Which makes me think its not a source related problem ….



I also tried setting different deinterlacing modes… it happens in all of them



It clearly happens when there’s an ad break, and what looks like video graphics come in, flying words, etc…. it happens in other modes also, but whenever there is a mix mode, I think, its easier to spot it.



I’m using the same standard settings which comes with the VP30 – 1365 x 768 (never had this issue with the VP30 on any resolution, including 1:1) ….. has there been a change in the settings from the VP30 to the VP50 for this resolution?



Its just a bit annoying.

send an email to DVDO - waiting for feedback.... probably something to do with the front/back porch, etc....

I agree with you. I am using the VP50 since a week with a Infocus IN76 and the end result is just amazing. My sources are Oppo970HD, HD DVD A1, Explorer 8300HD

Have you ever compared the Oppo/VP-50 to the HD-A1 Straight in...

And what did you find?

I've got the Oppo 971w/SDI to the VP-50 Vs. A HD-XA1

Thanks,

RoydRage

Anyone with a SA8300HD using the VP50. Let's assume that overscan can not be defeated. I know the display is lopping off about 5% and upscaling.

The VP50 will be outputting 1080p/60 (1920x1080) to a set (HLS5087) that can accept and display this resolution.

Do you feel there is improvement in the upscaling/deinterlacing of the VP50 over the SA8300HD outputing 1080i and the display deinterlacing to 1080p.

I could try and get Samsung to swap my set for a 5088 that can defeat overscan but this is my 3rd set and "knock on wood" has had no problems for 3 mths and I'm afraid to test the waters with a new one.

Thanks

p.s. I debated this in my mind and don't feel there is any harm in giving it a try based on the 30 day return policy if I'm not happy with the VP50. (ie don't see any improvement)

My VP50 is arriving tomorrow. Very excited to see the performance of the VP50 with HD running to the Sony Pearl projector.

So I will have a Panasonic Blu ray player on Friday. Would you suggest I send in 1080i or 1080p to the VP from the Panny. I know I can A/B it to death once I get it but I was hoping for some good opinions form VP50 owners out there... :)

big_marcelo

For whatever this is worth, I am experiencing the same problem as you, the white line in the upper left of my display (and at approximately the same frequency).

I examined 480i & 1080i sources from both my HD STB and DVD player (both using HDMI) and the white line is present in all scenarios.

I am sending a 1366x768p signal out of the VP50 to my Panasonic 50PHD7UY via HDMI for 1:1 mapping. I also have overscan activated (3.8%). I have tweaked the native settings (H Sync/V Sync, etc) to better align the image on my panel, so your thought of front/back porch is plausible as the root of the problem. I did not experience this with the VP30 either. Furthermore, as you mention, it doesn’t happen @ 720p, 480p or 1080i (all 60hz).

So, hopefully DVDO will get back to you with an explanation/fix.

-Matt

So I will have a Panasonic Blu ray player on Friday. Would you suggest I send in 1080i or 1080p to the VP from the Panny. I know I can A/B it to death once I get it but I was hoping for some good opinions form VP50 owners out there... :)

The Panny is a 1080i player with a deinterlacer built in. I don't know how good the Panny's deinterlacer is, but the one in the VP50 is one of the best on the market. I would expect that running 1080i to the VP50 would yield the best PQ, but you'll have to do an A/B to be certain.

- Collin

So I will have a Panasonic Blu ray player on Friday. Would you suggest I send in 1080i or 1080p to the VP from the Panny. I know I can A/B it to death once I get it but I was hoping for some good opinions form VP50 owners out there... :)
if the panasonic ca nsend 1080p24 direct from the disc, that would be best.... but most BR players only output 1080i, the 1080p conversion is done via a 'common' chipset within the player....

the later case, it would be best to output 1080i and let the VP50 do its thing ......

big_marcelo

For whatever this is worth, I am experiencing the same problem as you, the white line in the upper left of my display (and at approximately the same frequency).

I examined 480i & 1080i sources from both my HD STB and DVD player (both using HDMI) and the white line is present in all scenarios.

I am sending a 1366x768p signal out of the VP50 to my Panasonic 50PHD7UY via HDMI for 1:1 mapping. I also have overscan activated (3.8%). I have tweaked the native settings (H Sync/V Sync, etc) to better align the image on my panel, so your thought of front/back porch is plausible as the root of the problem. I did not experience this with the VP30 either. Furthermore, as you mention, it doesn’t happen @ 720p, 480p or 1080i (all 60hz).

So, hopefully DVDO will get back to you with an explanation/fix.

-Matt

Hey Matt,

DVDO thinks it could be the panel's anti-burn in measures... but I have mine all disabled... and it didn't happen with the Vp30, like you said....

I also have overscan @ about 5%, so it cater for all my sources....

the funny thing is if I enable the orbiter 2 (which makes images larger), the white line doesn't appear.... if I use the Display to zoom in even on 1:1, the white line doesn't appear ..... which confirms the white line is a product of the VP50 and not the display ......

got my fedex notice today with a tracking number.......a friday delivery date is 'estimated' on the fedex website and my vp50 has been entered into the system at a fedex facility in upstate NY, only 322.17 miles away (according to mapquest)

:rolleyes:

Thanks for sharing that info with all of us Cat6man!

To anyone with a Sony DHG-HDD250/500 (DVR), do NOT change the resolution while connected to the VP50(or VP30 for that matter) while using the audio out from the HDMI cable, it crashes the audio input on the HDMI and you need to do a reset on the video processor to get it to work again. Just a headsup.

To anyone with a Sony DHG-HDD250/500 (DVR), do NOT change the resolution while connected to the VP50(or VP30 for that matter) while using the audio out from the HDMI cable, it crashes the audio input on the HDMI and you need to do a reset on the video processor to get it to work again. Just a headsup.

I have TWO HDD500's hooked to my VP50. When I power everything up - I
have to INTENTIONALLY change the resolution - because the HDD500 does
not like the HDMI connection to the VP50. I change resolution with NO
Problems.

I don't run ANY AUDIO through the VP50 - it can't be trusted!

Of course it can be trusted.

Of course it can be trusted.

Sure - that explains why half of the posts on here are about
Audio DropOuts. I'd Love to trust it - but not until the complaints
go away. I just run the audio to the AVR and I get no dropouts
and no switching problems.

Same here through the VP50.

Hi,

i have get this message from dvdo, about international order:

We’ve had unexpected iScan VP50 supply issues with our contract manufacturer. We haven’t shipped iScan VP50 units to Germany yet.

We are planning to ship them next week when we get new units.

Sorry for the delay.

This is not very fine!

Thus to international buyers applies not 45 September but 60 September :mad:

I think this is not OK, because I get an Info from DVDO before 14 days that they want ship the VP50 last week to germany!

Marc

Marc, supply issues can happen, especially with brand new products like this. I'm also waiting for mine here in Germany, but well, you know: Patience is a virtue.

I was hopeful that this whole audio dropout thing wouldn't hit me, but it just did for the first time, after ~20 hours of use. It was quite brief, similar to what I'd get when a computer occasionally skips a little on playback due to it doing something like checking email in the background -- I have trained myself to hardly even notice such events, and I might not have had I not been paying attention for it. Yes, DVDO should probably fix it, but some of the other features that could be improved are far more important to me, honestly. I guess everyone has a different pet issue; this one I could live with, but I hope for the sake of those who care more that they get it fixed soon.

I was hopeful that this whole audio dropout thing wouldn't hit me, but it just did for the first time, after ~20 hours of use. It was quite brief, similar to what I'd get when a computer occasionally skips a little on playback due to it doing something like checking email in the background -- I have trained myself to hardly even notice such events, and I might not have had I not been paying attention for it. Yes, DVDO should probably fix it, but some of the other features that could be improved are far more important to me, honestly. I guess everyone has a different pet issue; this one I could live with, but I hope for the sake of those who care more that they get it fixed soon.

Yes I could handle once every 20 hours but once an hour means I've never be able to watch a movie without missing a potentially major line....

"Luke, I am your [audio dropout]"
"Noooooo". :rolleyes:

Like you say it's evident of PC issues where the audio process isn't given enough priority from the CPU. Did the HD have dedicated hardware where the VPx0 shares on the FPG?

Yes, once every 20 hours would be like not having any at all. :)
So far, my VP50 after 2 night's worth of viewing has completely behaved itself. No dropouts or video pixelisation yet - that's about 8 hours worth of viewing so far. No lockups either yet, but it's very early days for that to be meaningful just yet.

Very happy with it - the remote has a much better range - more oopmh out of the remote itself has made all the difference. Fan is dead quiet - can't be heard above other clicking noises in my cabinet like those coming from instant replay STB HDUs.

SD is definitely an improvement over the VP30 - markedly so. Some people may not be able so see it though, if your display can't be 1:1 pixel mapped. SDI on the OPPO 971 really shines now - better than HDMI (480/576i) out of the 970HD we discovered in a one to one comparison using DVDO's VRS test DVD.

The only "negative" I've noted so far is the very loooooong time it now takes to switch between an SD source and any HDMI source (about 5 seconds). All my HDMI/DVI sources are without HDCP, so handshaking is not to blame here. Switching back again to an SD(Component or Video) source only takes about 2 seconds though. On the other hand, the audio "recovery" or un-muting time after a switchover is now faster than it was with the VP30 /Vs 1.1.

All in all, I'm very pleased so far. The improvement in SD is really remarkable and makes the trade-in to the VP50 almost worth it in itself. And yes, not to forget, 1080i de-interlacing is also way better.

P.S. Had a bit of a fiddle with the sharpness settings on SD since I first made this post eralier this evening. The difference between the VP30 and VP50 is one calibration point at the start of the sharpness range. In other words, the VP50 at a sharpness of -1, looks much the same as a VP30 with it set to 0. Can't remember how well (quality wise) the sharpness worked on the VP30 - rarely used it beyond having it set to 1 on most SD sources. The VP50 on 0 is certainly cleaner than the VP30 was on 1 though - more 3D like (wish there was/is a better definition of PQ [once you run out of resolution and the like] other than saying it's more 3D like). But, have DVDO simply changed the range on the VP50 by adding a negative value at the start, i.e if you set the VP30 to sharpness of 2, would that give the same result? Hmm... I wonder. Maybe some of you who still have the VP30 could do a quick comparison.

Like you say it's evident of PC issues where the audio process isn't given enough priority from the CPU. Did the HD have dedicated hardware where the VPx0 shares on the FPG?

FPGAs are not like a general purpose processor running custom software. It's actually more like a chip that can be programmed to make another chip. You tell it how you want all the gates wired up and then it becomes a deinterlacer or scaler or whatever. With a design like this you don't get thread priority problems like are common on the desktop. There can however be obscure edge case bugs and clocking problems that appear to be similar.

Nonetheless audio is handled by dedicated hardware on the iScans. The VP30 and VP50 use an AKM AK4588. The HD+ used a Cirrus Logic chip of some sort.

- Collin

They shiped 2 days ago to *.nl will not be long now..
picked it up today :cool:

Eliab set my sharpness to 0 for the VP30 since it was adding something to the picture it shouldn't like most sharpness controls. I have the VP50 set on -1 on all my sources. Mine usually only takes a couple of seconds to switch between sources,SD to HDMI, HDMI to SD. About once every 10 times it will take 5 to 10 seonds to link with my HDTiVos.
Still no audio dropouts for me. The only problem I had was directly releated to the HDTiVo where the DD audio dropped out. Since turning off the menu sounds this has not happened. I've got over 25 hours of viewing from HDMI sources with audio and no audio problems. I've watched around 6 hours from an SD tiVo using the optical input with no audio dropouts yet.

All in all, I'm very pleased so far. The improvement in SD is really remarkable and makes the trade-in to the VP50 almost worth it in itself.



Hey Phil,

I also found the VP50 PQ more 3D like.... almost like going from HDMI to SDI on the oppo comparisson we did, don't you think?

very happy with it... besides the white line thing... which Matt also has on 1:1 mode on his panasonic... and not previously seen on his VP30 either....

let's hope a firmware fixes that.....

Top PQ though .... can't wait to see a good working HD PVR here in Australia so I too can have 1080i sources with my VP50!!!

Never thought SD could look this good..... :)

Zan - my cc was charged immediately afterwards also, but apparently it just a hold on that amount, but not actually charged, this was verified with cc bill. last week, they charged the cc and it showed up on my bill.

Marcello - did you order through avs... when, and did synergy (local aus distro) send the vp50 to you and when?

Marc - I ordered 8/24 and no sign either, but I guess my cc was charged so it's on its way
Gino, have you received yours yet??

This is not very fine!

Thus to international buyers applies not 45 September but 60 September :mad:

I think this is not OK, because I get an Info from DVDO before 14 days that they want ship the VP50 last week to germany!

Marc

Don't get too mad, I didn't received even that mail so here in italy (maybe I'm the only one i've did the trade-in? Didn't read about anyone in italian forums too) will be prolly 75 or 90 september :(

Bye,
Zan.

I was hopeful that this whole audio dropout thing wouldn't hit me, but it just did for the first time, after ~20 hours of use. I guess everyone has a different pet issue; this one I could live with, but I hope for the sake of those who care more that they get it fixed soon.

Hey Sid, this is a big, hairy, wet pet peeve for me. Keep listening - in my experience, with 2 VP30s and now the 50, they seem to learn how to have dropouts. Actually thought they had fixed it on one of the earlier 30 firmwares, only to have it start showing up after a week or so. Same with 50 - or at least, the first couple hours were clean, now can count on several per dvd.

And while you can "train" yourself to ignore them, just ask yourself - would you keep your receiver/prepro if you knew it was going to stop functioning at least once per hour?

I've had eye injuries - I can live without an eye for a week. I've gigged with a broken finger on my left hand (and I'm a guitarist - that's bad!) - humans are pretty danged adaptable. But for 3K, should we have to?

Jon please understand that is happening for very few people, it is not the VP50 VP30 entirely to blame

the systems that have dropouts need some blame placed on the pre-amp or receiver

Like I had explained some time ago, this type stuff has been going on for years, Dish Network optical outputs randomly dropping out on some receivers, HD cable boxes dropping out on B&K stuff, some Denon dvd players dropping out on a few receivers, pre-amps not liking M-Audio digital output's, MYHD HDTV card digital output dropping out with some setups, catch my drift? ;)

this type stuff happens quite often in the HT world, my advice to anyone who has any device that gives dropouts on your receiver/pre-amp is to replace that receiver/pre-amp, if the VP50 does it, replace your receiver/pre-amp with any model you want as long as it has lip-sync control or tests to not give audio dropouts from the VP50

again this is very common, I have heard of this so many times in the past 5 years that I can't even begin to count it, I gave a few examples above and will try to think of some more, it's partially in the receiver/pre-amp ' s buffer and error control, I have 1 crap receiver that doesn't do it, my main HT Pre-Amp does

-Gary

I have TWO HDD500's hooked to my VP50. When I power everything up - I
have to INTENTIONALLY change the resolution - because the HDD500 does
not like the HDMI connection to the VP50. I change resolution with NO
Problems.

I don't run ANY AUDIO through the VP50 - it can't be trusted!

The only problem is with the audio, not the video, and only the audio via HDMI.

The only problem is with the audio, not the video, and only the audio via HDMI.


I agree - the only problem is with Audio via HDMI. And of course that is what
we would all like to see work - with no glitches.

The Video processing is STUNNING @ 1080p on my Ruby.

However - I have yet to figure out how to get the HDD500 - {WHEN TURNED
ON} to think everything in the HDMI chain is good. I have the HDD500 set
to 1080i output - but when it turns on - it comes up in 480i mode. Then I
have my Crestron Control system programmed to change it back to 1080i.

OTHER than that minor glitch - All is Well.

humans are pretty danged adaptable. But for 3K, should we have to?Yes, the product should have long outstanding bugs that annoy many people fixed. Since there are limited resources to fix them, DVDO has to prioritize. If I were magically in charge of that priority and acting selfishly, I would have other things worked on first. DVDO, being responsible to all its customers and not just me, surely has this audio thing near the top of the list, though, and I don't blame it. Even though my one dropout hasn't annoyed me much, these dropouts still make the company look bad and likely drive some people to competitors' products.

the systems that have dropouts need some blame placed on the pre-amp or receiverPerhaps. But if the iScan HD didn't have exhibit this problem and none of my other digital audio sources do either, then it is a problem that DVDO should be able to fix.

if the VP50 does it, replace your receiver/pre-amp with any model you want as long as it has lip-sync controlI use the game mode deinterlacing with some sources and the video/film deinterlacing with others. I have some sources that must use an unlocked framerate, while most can be locked at 60Hz. So my processing delay varies a lot from source to source, and the audio needs to be routed through the iScan for its variable delay. Also, it keeps the video and audio switching together so I'm never looking at one thing and hearing another. It's a good thing the audio dropout thing hasn't bothered me much so far. ;)
(I probably just cursed myself by saying that.)

The only problem is with the audio, not the video, and only the audio via HDMI.

The only dropout I did have was from an optical input. That was from my initial viewing when I was switching back and forth between HDMI. My audio over HDMI from my Sony 975 DVD player and my HDTiVos has been excellent going to a Denon 3806.

I'm pretty sure I get (rare) audio dropouts via optical. This is on my vp30 though. Not got the 50 yet, UK customs are kicking them around in a warehouse.

What's this white line thing ?

Hey Matt,

DVDO thinks it could be the panel's anti-burn in measures... but I have mine all disabled... and it didn't happen with the Vp30, like you said....

I also have overscan @ about 5%, so it cater for all my sources....

the funny thing is if I enable the orbiter 2 (which makes images larger), the white line doesn't appear.... if I use the Display to zoom in even on 1:1, the white line doesn't appear ..... which confirms the white line is a product of the VP50 and not the display ......

big_marcelo,

Thanks for the info...

Yeah, I also disable the wobbling effect on my panel.

I reset the output resolution to one of the predefined ones 1366x768 (2) and fiddled with one of the Horizontal timing/sync settings (I don't remember which one) to adjust the frame geometry. As a result I haven't seen the white line appear, although I only monitored it for about 20 min. Therefore, I don't know if this is a long term solution. Granted I am not an expert on all the sync/timing features and how they relate to each other, but if the white line disappears, I'm happy!

-Matt

Jon please understand that is happening for very few people, it is not the VP50 VP30 entirely to blame

I beg to differ - it is happening to enough people that Ofer told us to be quiet, and keep it under our hats. If it was just me, as you tend to imply, why silence one lone gadfly?

the systems that have dropouts need some blame placed on the pre-amp or receiver

again this is very common, I have heard of this so many times in the past 5 years that I can't even begin to count it, I gave a few examples above and will try to think of some more, it's partially in the receiver/pre-amp ' s buffer and error control, I have 1 crap receiver that doesn't do it, my main HT Pre-Amp does

-Gary

How slowly do I have to type? If it was a problem with my pre's error control, buffer, etc, then the POC would be giving me fits with all digital inputs. It Does Not. The only problem comes with the DVDO in the chain.

I'm not Sherlock freaking Holmes, but if there are errors that require correction to such a degree that my pre can no longer correct them, and the errors are ONLY present when the DVDO Vp is in the chain, I think I know where they are coming from. Anyone want to raise their hands and make a guess?

So I guess you can say it is my pre's fault, since it can't compensate for the gross errors and glitches that are introduced by the VP30/50. Go back to the poll Ofer told us to hide. I am not the only one. My gear does work with every other piece I connect to it, just not those that have DVDO on the front panel.

If Josh gives me a THX sticker, to cover the DVDO, then would it work?

Would REALLY like to see THX cert - if that were ever to occur, wouldn't that imply that the VP would then function with my THX pre?

big_marcelo,

Thanks for the info...

Yeah, I also disable the wobbling effect on my panel.

I reset the output resolution to one of the predefined ones 1366x768 (2) and fiddled with one of the Horizontal timing/sync settings (I don't remember which one) to adjust the frame geometry. As a result I haven't seen the white line appear, although I only monitored it for about 20 min. Therefore, I don't know if this is a long term solution. Granted I am not an expert on all the sync/timing features and how they relate to each other, but if the white line disappears, I'm happy!

-Matt

To remove the white lines on all four sides, what I did was to define my HD+ (still waiting for my VP50. I am in London, UK) to output a resolution of 1382 X 778p. I have a Panny 50PHD7 panel. The HD+ is sending this res to the panel. The good thing is that I can still achieve a 1:1 pixel mapping with the Panny (as verified by the checkerboard test screens).

PS: the reason I set the output res to 1382 by 778 is so that the enlarged output res is as near to 16:9 format as possible.

Also, you will need to go into the Panny's Hor/Ver settings to centre the picture on the panel.

No more white lines from this on ... :D Hope this works for you.

To remove the white lines on all four sides, what I did was to define my HD+ (still waiting for my VP50. I am in London, UK) to output a resolution of 1382 X 778p. I have a Panny 50PHD7 panel. The HD+ is sending this res to the panel. The good thing is that I can still achieve a 1:1 pixel mapping with the Panny (as verified by the checkerboard test screens).

PS: the reason I set the output res to 1382 by 778 is so that the enlarged output res is as near to 16:9 format as possible.

Also, you will need to go into the Panny's Hor/Ver settings to centre the picture on the panel.

No more white lines from this on ... :D Hope this works for you.

Thanks Eye in the Sky, I will give that a whirl, to see if it manages a more stable picture between all sources. Although I have managed to remove the white lines, so far, I still get shifted images between different sources, that's why I use the overscan feature.

I do have an observation for you or anyone else interested in commenting. I use the VP50's frame geometry feature to align the picture, and when I actually view a picture, whether it be from a STB or DVD player, the picture is shifted. I assume this has to do with video timings and such, but don't know if this is absolutely true or why it even happens.

Regards,

-Matt

To remove the white lines on all four sides, what I did was to define my HD+ (still waiting for my VP50. I am in London, UK) to output a resolution of 1382 X 778p. I have a Panny 50PHD7 panel. The HD+ is sending this res to the panel. The good thing is that I can still achieve a 1:1 pixel mapping with the Panny (as verified by the checkerboard test screens).

PS: the reason I set the output res to 1382 by 778 is so that the enlarged output res is as near to 16:9 format as possible.

Also, you will need to go into the Panny's Hor/Ver settings to centre the picture on the panel.

No more white lines from this on ... :D Hope this works for you.
Thanks, I'll try fiddling some more...

but the white line only appears say 1-3 times per minute, is only on the top left side of the display and 1 pixel tall by about 50-100 wide.... and flashes only for .5 second or so ...very strange...

I'm using the same pre-defined setting as the vp30 (1365 x 768), didn't make any changes to it.....

If I zoom out using the VP50, I still see the white line flash.... so, its not a source issue.....

at the moment I have turned on the orbiter mode 2 on my NEC XR5 display(which slightly increases the size of the images), so I'm seeing much less white line flashes..

and it doesn't happen in any other resolution (480p, 720p, 1080i) - this could be the fact that the panel is overscanning the white flashes, which it doesn't do on 1:1 mode....

picked it up today :cool:

Hmm i pride myself of having the first one everytime, but ive been so busy moving and work (about 1km from the dealer hehe) i didn't call yet.

Maybe this weekend,

Daniel.

...if it was a problem with my pre's error control, buffer, etc, then the POC would be giving me fits with all digital inputs...

...I guess you can say it is my pre's fault, since it can't compensate for the gross errors and glitches that are introduced by the VP30/50...

...If Josh gives me a THX sticker, to cover the DVDO, then would it work...

Very valid points - all of them. I do recall though, that DVDO had said that they recognize that audio errors are being introduced by the VPxx hardware. Really the only way to tell if the input signal is causing issues in the VPxx is to eternally have the "info screen" on and watch the audio format info that they added in late May of this year.

As for the output problems - I know that DVDO has made admissions that they are causing several different types of audio problems. I would imagine that the "promise" that audio issues are the top of the priority heap is why we haven't seen a public VP50 beta version of the PReP software yet (if audio ain't fixed = no service release).

As a two times owner of iScan VPxx series, I'm patiently awaiting the software that fixes the most significant bugs I've been waiting for: Audio, Discreet IR over time. If they get these fixed (at all), no other product on the market can match the VPxx boxes - and no-one else will have PReP in the near term (I think ABT threw the A/V industry a great curve-ball with that one).

Cheers!

-LD :cool:

P.S. It would likely be reasonable to assume they won't try to test the VP50 as THX until audio is addressed, I think the order of operations was a little mixed up there... :rolleyes:

The range for the sharpness adjustment on the VP-30 was 0~+7. I noticed that the range on the VP50 is -1~+6. Is anyone else seeing this?

The range for the sharpness adjustment on the VP-30 was 0~+7. I noticed that the range on the VP50 is -1~+6. Is anyone elde seeing this?

Yes. I always left my VP30 on "1". The VP50 on "1" looks too sharp. "0" on the VP50 looks about how I remember "1" looking on the VP30.

- Collin

Thanks collinp. What is the range on your VP50? Mine starts at minus 1 and goes to +6. the 30 started at 0 and went to plus 7.

Jon, I am wasting my breath I guess, it's combos of gear, nothing more nothing less, not 100% DVDO's fault nor 100% XXXX's fault(insert pre-amp brand)

the audio dropouts are very much a minority and it's just a roll of the dice combo of VP50 and audio gear that produces this

some devices cannot be made to be 100% free of audio arrors, in that case pre-amp and receiver makers should make more "robust" gear to deal with this

the list is a mile long of single pieces of HT gear that give random audio dropouts on various different gear

-Gary

Jon, I am wasting my breath I guess, it's combos of gear, nothing more nothing less, not 100% DVDO's fault nor 100% XXXX's fault(insert pre-amp brand)

the audio dropouts are very much a minority and it's just a roll of the dice combo of VP50 and audio gear that produces this

some devices cannot be made to be 100% free of audio arrors, in that case pre-amp and receiver makers should make more "robust" gear to deal with this

the list is a mile long of single pieces of HT gear that give random audio dropouts on various different gear

-Gary

To that point, in my case, the combination of a HR10-250 feeding audio via toslink to a VP50, which feeds audio via coaxial to a Theta Casanova, causes my Theta to completely freeze up (no response to buttons, power switch, etc.) occasionally when switching out of a dolby digital signal. I have to unplug the Theta to fix the problem.

I thought about trying to get Hughes/DirecTV, DVDO and Theta engineers in the same room to try and work it out, but decided life is too short...

eric

Thanks collinp. What is the range on your VP50? Mine starts at minus 1 and goes to +6. the 30 started at 0 and went to plus 7.

Mine too.

- Collin

P.S. It would likely be reasonable to assume they won't try to test the VP50 as THX until audio is addressed, I think the order of operations was a little mixed up there... :rolleyes:

I should hope - ONLY mentioned it because I thought that THX certification was thrown out somewhere 5 or 10 pages back. :) I can't see it happening either, but again, I got the impression that the next batch would have the THX cert, including sticker on the front. Must be hallucinating again. ;)

Jon, I am wasting my breath I guess, it's combos of gear, nothing more nothing less, not 100% DVDO's fault nor 100% XXXX's fault(insert pre-amp brand)


-Gary

Yes, in this case, AFAIC, you are. As, it appears, am I. I would not own a piece of audio gear that couldn't produce audio. Duh. I'm sorry you have raft's of stuff that doesn't work. The absolute ONLY reason I am keeping the VP is that I have a very nice CRT - I need something to scale SD bb and football up to a reasonable res. The VP/ABT102 combo does a wonderful job of that. As good as anything I know of, for the money I want to spend. And being an audio freak, I want lipsynch, don't want to have to dial it in for every different input and scaling combination. As soon as something else comes out that does this, I'll be moving on, letting you keep waiting for the next firmware release. :(

DVDO can get away with this cuz they're the only game in town. At least in my price range. Nobody's giving me free beta units, or maybe I'd be more understanding. I have to email, call, and hold my breath until I'm blue, just to get my refund credit from DVDO. Please don't lecture me.

P.S. Had a bit of a fiddle with the sharpness settings on SD since I first made this post eralier this evening. The difference between the VP30 and VP50 is one calibration point at the start of the sharpness range. In other words, the VP50 at a sharpness of -1, looks much the same as a VP30 with it set to 0. Can't remember how well (quality wise) the sharpness worked on the VP30 - rarely used it beyond having it set to 1 on most SD sources. The VP50 on 0 is certainly cleaner than the VP30 was on 1 though - more 3D like (wish there was/is a better definition of PQ [once you run out of resolution and the like] other than saying it's more 3D like). But, have DVDO simply changed the range on the VP50 by adding a negative value at the start, i.e if you set the VP30 to sharpness of 2, would that give the same result? Hmm... I wonder. Maybe some of you who still have the VP30 could do a quick comparison.
Has anyone had a good look at this whilst they still have their VP30? Looks like my memory served me well in that the VP50 and VP30 both have the same range of sharpness control - the VP50 just has it offset by going from -1 to 6 instead of 0 to 7 as on the VP30.

I received VP50 some day ago(Here is South korea).
I have Marquee 9500 CRT projector , and 4 unit different HD settop box and gefen 6x2 hdmi switcher.
This gefen hdmi switcher have HDCP strip out function.
I connected Samsung T165 and JVC DVHS with 1394.
Then T165 connect to Gefen switch and Gefen HDMI output connect to VP50 HDMI 1 input
and connect VP50 RGB OUT to my 9500 CRT projector.
I tested with Some D-THEATER Tape. it works perfectly , i can see VP50 RGB out in my system.
i connect T165 and VP50 directly, it don't work RGB out.
I bought Gefen HDMI switch two year ago. i think it is first production unit

Jon, I am wasting my breath I guess, it's combos of gear, nothing more nothing less, not 100% DVDO's fault nor 100% XXXX's fault(insert pre-amp brand)

the audio dropouts are very much a minority and it's just a roll of the dice combo of VP50 and audio gear that produces this

some devices cannot be made to be 100% free of audio arrors, in that case pre-amp and receiver makers should make more "robust" gear to deal with this

the list is a mile long of single pieces of HT gear that give random audio dropouts on various different gear

-Gary

i'm not so sure this is true Gary...i have the audio dropouts too occasionally (or rather complete loss of audio and need to unplug the DVDO to reset it), but I only get it with HDMI...if i run audio through toslink into DVDO i dont seem to get this problem. If it was a rare combo of my HD Tivo, Denon AVR4800 and the DVDO wouldn't I get this with either audio connection? I think it's obvious there is a bug there in the VP50 and I'm confident DVDO can fix it...in the meantime I have some extra cables in there.

bought it from a US Reseller when it was first released, received mine on Monday ... only got charged last wednesday when it was shipped - no import charges, GST, etc...

Marcelo, didn't you order your vp50 from Lenexpo ? Mine was sent by Lenexpo on 4 October (3/10 US time), it arrived in Sydney on Sunday and it was not clear by custom until Wednesday and I received mine on Thursday.

Marcelo, didn't you order your vp50 from Lenexpo ? Mine was sent by Lenexpo on 4 October (3/10 US time), it arrived in Sydney on Sunday and it was not clear by custom until Wednesday and I received mine on Thursday.
yap, Lenexpo... just returned my old VP30 today via UPS ....

lucky mine was cleared immediately by customs... had it on Monday .....

watching minority report ... .great PQ... had 3 audio dropouts (near the end now) ... just not sure if its the Oppo or the DVDO ... I think its the oppo.....

I had a STB (Dish ViP211) connected to a VP30 via HDMI (for video) and via Toslink (for audio). Also had a DVD player (Denon 2910) connected to the VP30 via SDI and Toslink. From the VP30, took audio out via Toslink to an AV receiver (Yamaha 2600) and video out via HDMI to a display (Sony XBR1). Audio dropouts via the VP30 were so rare (no more than 1 or 2 a month) they were a non issue.

When I got the VP50, I connected it to the STB and DVD player the same as the VP30. In the first 30 minutes of watching TV from the STB, I had six audio dropouts, and in the first 30 minutes of watching a movie from the DVD player, I had one audio dropout. It was time for a change.

I pulled the Toslink cable from the STB, but HDMI alone caused HDMI audio gray outs and at other times it caused a complete loss of audio.

Next, I pulled all HDMI, SDI and Toslink cables from STB and DVD player, and removed the Toslink cable connecting the VP50 to the AV receiver. Wanting to bypass the VP50 for audio, I connected the STB and DVD player to the AV receiver via HDMI, and connected the AV receiver to the VP50 via HDMI. Set the VP50’s audio input to “off.” Had that connection for a week and had no audio dropouts, no HDMI gray outs and no complete loss of audio.

A few days ago, decided it was time for another change because I didn’t like the loss of my SDI cable in the setup described in the previous paragraph. I pulled all HDMI cables from the STB, DVD player, and AV receiver. Still wanting to bypass the VP50 for audio, I connected the STB and DVD player to the AV receiver via Toslink. For video I connected the STB via HDMI and the DVD player via SDI to the VP50. So far I have not had any audio problems with this setup, but it is too soon to say for certain.

Now that I have found a way to work around my audio problems, its time to sit back and enjoy the improved PQ from the VP50, but I do hope that DVDO finds a solution to the audio problems because I would like to go back to the connections I had for the VP30.

You have learned, like many of us, how to preserve your sanity regarding audio dropouts and the VPxx. ;)

Still wanting to bypass the VP50 for audio, I connected the STB and DVD player to the AV receiver via Toslink. For video I connected the STB via HDMI and the DVD player via SDI to the VP50. So far I have not had any audio problems with this setup...

As I prepare to add HD-DVD to my setup (HD-DVR STB, 480iDVD player), I am thinking of taking your route. The sad part for me is that I use the VP50 (and VP30 before that) for switching sources easily - nearly as useful as the actual scaling features. By doing this, I will face more complex programming of my RF remote and/or lose my current one-touch setup. Especially considering I'll need to use HDMI for the HD-DVD player if I want TrueHD (if that's really worth it vs. coax/optical). Naturally, I would much prefer to have the audio bugs eradicated so that I can continue to simply press one button on my MX3000 remote and select HDMI1,2,3, etc. from the VP50 and have all sources readily available and synched together, since all of my equipment is out of sight in an equipment closet.

Just run the HDMi from HD DVD player through your receiver first to extract the audio before going to the VP50. This is what I do with my HD-A1 and my Denon 3806 receiver. My other sources go to the VP50 first along with HDMI audio or coaxial/optical audio depending on the device. I've never used the MX3000 remote but if it's like the Harmony remotes you shouldn'thave any problem programming the remote for any situation.

Just run the HDMi from HD DVD player through your receiver first to extract the audio before going to the VP50. This is what I do with my HD-A1 and my Denon 3806 receiver. My other sources go to the VP50 first along with HDMI audio or coaxial/optical audio depending on the device. I've never used the MX3000 remote but if it's like the Harmony remotes you shouldn'thave any problem programming the remote for any situation.

aaron,

I may well end up doing that. I realize I am being nit-picky here (though it seems these audio issues should be resolved and not need work-arounds). But, I have truly gotten lazy and used to having all my choices on one remote screen - the VP50 screen - where I just choose the input and all else is automatic. In this new scenario, surely I can program the remote to add a macro to then tell the AVR to also switch inputs, but that's less simple and far less elegant - especially when showing off in your HT to gullible friends! :D And, like I said, I'm lazy and prefer simplicity. But your advice is sound (no pun intended). Thanks

I have been playing with the new Panasonic Blu ray player/VP50 for the past few hours. I have only been able to send in 1080i (which still looks fantastic). When I go straight to my Ruby I can do 1080p. According to the setup screen on the Panny the VP50 does not accept 1080p. Now I know 1080i is what I idealy want to send to the VP50 anyway, but I just wanted to do some A/B comparisons... Does the VP50 not accept 1080p signals?

Does the VP50 not accept 1080p signals?The iScan does not list 1080p in its EDID information, which may be causing your problem. It tells connected source devices that it can accept 800x600@60Hz, 640x480@60Hz, 1024x768@60Hz, 1280x1024@60Hz, 720p, and 1080i.

Here's how my computer breaks down it's EDID in detail. I'm posting it, even though it's long, because I found it interesting, and others probably will, too. You can see that it also omits 480p, for example, but it can accept and process it if the device delivers it anyway. It may or may not actually be able to accept 1080p. Either it won't, or I couldn't get the timings right when I was also testing it for 1920x1200 (which it cannot accept).

DDC block report generated by SwitchResX for display
iScan VP50

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 A B C D E F
-----------------------------------------------------
0 | 00 FF FF FF FF FF FF 00 04 54 30 35 01 00 00 00
1 | 24 10 01 03 80 50 2D 78 0A 0D C9 A0 57 47 98 27
2 | 12 48 4C 21 08 00 81 80 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 01
3 | 01 01 01 01 01 01 01 1D 80 18 71 1C 16 20 58 2C
4 | 25 00 C4 8E 21 00 00 9E 01 1D 00 72 51 D0 1E 20
5 | 6E 28 55 00 C4 8E 21 00 00 1E 00 00 00 FC 00 69
6 | 53 63 61 6E 20 56 50 35 30 0A 20 20 00 00 00 FD
7 | 00 2D 41 0F 44 0F 00 0A 20 20 20 20 20 20 01 4B

-----------------------------------------------------
Valid DDC block: checksum passed

EDID Version........1.3
Manufacturer........ABT
Product Code........12341 (3035) (3530)
Serial Number.......1

Manufactured........Week 36 of year 2006
Max H Size..........80 cm
Max V Size..........45 cm
Gamma...............2.20

DPMS Supported Features:
------------------------


Display type:
-------------
RGB color display


Input signal & sync:
--------------------
Digital

Color info:
------------
Red x = 0.625 Green x = 0.280 Blue x = 0.155 White x = 0.283
Red y = 0.340 Green y = 0.595 Blue y = 0.070 White y = 0.298

Established Timings:
--------------------
800 x 600 @ 60Hz
640 x 480 @ 60Hz
1024 x 768 @ 60Hz

Manufacturer Reserved Timings:
------------------------------

Standard Timing Identification:
-------------------------------
#0: 1280 x 1024 @ 60Hz (8180)

Monitor Description blocks:
---------------------------
Descriptor #0 is Timing definition:
Mode = 1920 x 540 @ 60Hz
H. Active...............1920 pixels
H. Blanking.............280 pixels
V. Active...............540 lines
V. Blanking.............22 lines
HSync Offset............88 pixels
HSync Pulse Width.......44 pixels
VSync Offset............2 lines
VSync Pulse Width.......5 lines
Pixel Clock.............74.25MHz
Horizontal freq.........33.75kHz
Vertical freq...........60.05Hz
H Image Size............708mm
V Image Size............398mm
H Border................0 pixels
V Border................0 lines
Interlaced
Sync: Digital separate with
* Positive vertical polarity
* Positive horizontal polarity

Descriptor #1 is Timing definition:
Mode = 1280 x 720 @ 60Hz
H. Active...............1280 pixels
H. Blanking.............370 pixels
V. Active...............720 lines
V. Blanking.............30 lines
HSync Offset............110 pixels
HSync Pulse Width.......40 pixels
VSync Offset............5 lines
VSync Pulse Width.......5 lines
Pixel Clock.............74.25MHz
Horizontal freq.........45.00kHz
Vertical freq...........60.00Hz
H Image Size............708mm
V Image Size............398mm
H Border................0 pixels
V Border................0 lines
Non-Interlaced
Sync: Digital separate with
* Positive vertical polarity
* Positive horizontal polarity

Descriptor #2 is Monitor name:
iScan VP50
Descriptor #3 is Monitor limits:
Horizontal frequency range.......15-68 kHz
Vertical frequency range.........45-65 Hz
Maximum bandwidth unspecified

Very good post! Can someone from DVDO give an answer as to whether the VP50 will ever be able to accept 1080p...

from the DVDO website .....



The iScan VP50 also adds:
World Class 1080i Deinterlacing - Motion, Edge and Source-Adaptive Processing
Complete processing of 1080p for PC, HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats as well as upcoming PS3 Ability to update all processing algoriths through software updates
Progressive Source Input Cadence Detection (Source-Locked Output without Deinterlacing)

also, the discrete remote commands for the VP50 only work for a while after I do a powercycle (same as the VP30) .... its stops working after a couple of hours.... I hope DVDO is working on a fix for it.... it would be nice for it to work all the time since I could have all the macros set up properly on the Pronto ....

The iScan does not list 1080p in its EDID information, which may be causing your problem. It tells connected source devices that it can accept 800x600@60Hz, 640x480@60Hz, 1024x768@60Hz, 1280x1024@60Hz, 720p, and 1080i.

Here's how my computer breaks down it's EDID in detail. I'm posting it, even though it's long, because I found it interesting, and others probably will, too.

Good stuff! Thanks for posting it.

Joe, save the headache, you have the VP50, you have zero need to send 1080p to the VP50, zero, it is 1080i processed to 1080p inside the Panny so it isn't even worth looking at

enjoy the Panny ;)

-Gary

from the DVDO website .....Yes, but the website also says it passes unrecognized digital resolutions and includes a USB adapter and rackmount ears. The website doesn't mention audio problems. User reports seem to be the final word here, not the website. Have any users gotten it to accept 1080p input?

Personally, I don't need that feature right now and can't definitively test it, but it would still be useful to people for a few reasons. It might still be nice to have the iScan perform other adjustments besides deinterlacing and scaling, like gamma or framerate conversion. Also, now that XBox 360 and soon PS3 will be able to output variable resolutions all the way from 480i to 1080p, the iScan has to handle all those resolutions, or else in the near future users will have to unplug the console from the iScan and plug directly into the display if they want to use a 1080p game or movie.

...Does the VP50 not accept 1080p signals?

No problems here feeding the VP50 1080x1920@59.94Hz (DVI) from my HTPC.
____
Axel

No problems here feeding the VP50 1080x1920@59.94Hz (DVI) from my HTPC.

I tried my MacBook Pro into the VP50 and I couldn't set it to 1920x1080p, only 1080i. I'm guessing it just wont let me because the VP50's EDID info doesn't include it but if i could force it somehow it would probably work.

Very good post! Can someone from DVDO give an answer as to whether the VP50 will ever be able to accept 1080p...
What are you talking about? :confused: I feed my VP50 1080p 24Hz (converted to 48Hz by the VP50) or 60Hz (passthrough) from my HTPC with no problem. So the answer is yes the VP50 does take 1080p or at least mine does. :D

Gary I know I don't need the VP50 to accept 1080p from the Panny. I was just curious is all. That is weird because the only way the Panny sends 1080p is directly to my ruby. Like I said though, I do think the picture looked great having the Panny take the 1080i from the Panny. We watched Dinosaur last nite and some of the scenes looked real...

While waiting for my Sony 70XBR2 I've been intently reading up on VP's. I found this interesting article, Are You Getting All of the HDTV Resolution You Expected? (http://www.hometheatermag.com/hookmeup/1106hook/), which reports that 80% of HDTV's tested failed a 1080i 3:2 cadence pull down test. My 70" was not tested, but the A2000 model failed. This surprises me. For standard def, 3:2 pull down is a given, but I guess not for HD.

Is this how the VP50 improves HD PQ?

What artifacts would you see if 1080i 3:2 is not done properly? How will I know if my set is doing it correctly (I don't have an HD DVD to do the same test)? According to the article, "Without HD inverse telecine, the television's processor may discard up to half of the image resolution...during horizontal pans." Is this something easily seen? Obviously manufacturers don't think so.

the Panny must be like the Sammy and not let display resolutions be output that it thinks can't be accepted by the display, I friggin hate HDMI gear like that :mad:

-Gary

Unfortunately that is one of the downsides of HDMI... To many different types not getting along... :confused:

Jon, I am wasting my breath I guess, it's combos of gear, nothing more nothing less, not 100% DVDO's fault nor 100% XXXX's fault(insert pre-amp brand)

the audio dropouts are very much a minority and it's just a roll of the dice combo of VP50 and audio gear that produces this

some devices cannot be made to be 100% free of audio arrors, in that case pre-amp and receiver makers should make more "robust" gear to deal with this

the list is a mile long of single pieces of HT gear that give random audio dropouts on various different gear

-Gary

I'm not sure I completely agree with your statement, but am living with dropouts. If I didn't want them (I get them with HDMI and coax/toslink), I would go direct to my Sunfire TGIV (not sure if this product is considered "robust"). When I do this, I never get dropouts and never got them with my previous DVDO product. Maybe they will find out why this is at some point. SJ

yap, Lenexpo... just returned my old VP30 today via UPS ....

lucky mine was cleared immediately by customs... had it on Monday .....

watching minority report ... .great PQ... had 3 audio dropouts (near the end now) ... just not sure if its the Oppo or the DVDO ... I think its the oppo.....
Yes, you are definitely lucky as Aust. custom cleared your item as it arrives. I have just tested my vp50 today against vp30 and HD+. I have to say the PQ
improvement of VP50 over VP30 is much greater than I expected, the flash tone
is more natural and even more realistic than VP30, SD PQ looks more 3D than VP30. Overall another great product from DVDO. I didn't have the issue with component input but I do see the white line flash at the bottome of the screen.

from the DVDO website .....

Quote:
The iScan VP50 also adds:
World Class 1080i Deinterlacing - Motion, Edge and Source-Adaptive Processing
Complete processing of 1080p for PC, HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats as well as upcoming PS3 Ability to update all processing algoriths through software updates
Progressive Source Input Cadence Detection (Source-Locked Output without Deinterlacing)

If that's true then why does 1080i from My Cable box to the VP-50 To my Pio Display look So much worse than going straight from the Cable box to the display... I don't complain at all about Audio dropouts like everyone else... I just expect the VP to NOT make my picture worse than the source from the SA8300 If they don't institute a Pass Through, I guess I just have to take the VP-50 out...

Doesn't ANYONE See this? :eek:

RoydRage

Gary I know I don't need the VP50 to accept 1080p from the Panny. I was just curious is all. That is weird because the only way the Panny sends 1080p is directly to my ruby.

The player likely will not enable 1080p output unless it confirms 1080p compatibility during the HDMI handshake. The Samsung Blu-ray player had this problem at first, which I caught during beta testing. DVDO issued a firmware update that corrected the handshake issue and now the Samsung will send 1080p successfully to the VP50.

There must be another handshake issue with the Panny. If you report this to DVDO, they might be able to fix it in a future firmware.

It is always hard to predict how a particular display will interact with a particular VP. In my case I went through KD HDMI 4X1 switcher/scaler & Lumagen HDQ with my InFocus 7200 with some degradation in picture quality & sync issues. At this point only IScan products seem to work well with it therefore I have stopped experimenting with any more VP's. I certainly have to agree with people who are having audio dropouts & HDMI issues with STB's as from my own experience in my setup VP30 was more stable compared to VP50 without any other components being changed in the setup. 1080i deinterlacing is great with VP50 but now I have to put up with more frequent audio dropouts & sometimes flaky HDMI handshake issues with Dish 211 which never was a problem with VP30.

I have the Panny Blue Ray set at 1080P connected via HDMI to my VP-50 with no problems at all. My display is a Samsung HLS5688.

I have the Panny Blue Ray set at 1080P connected via HDMI to my VP-50 with no problems at all. My display is a Samsung HLS5688.

Hi TWD,

Have you tried between 1080i and 1080p from the panasonic to see which one looks best?

I would be interested in your feedback.

cheers,

Marcelo

If that's true then why does 1080i from My Cable box to the VP-50 To my Pio Display look So much worse than going straight from the Cable box to the display... I don't complain at all about Audio dropouts like everyone else... I just expect the VP to NOT make my picture worse than the source from the SA8300 If they don't institute a Pass Through, I guess I just have to take the VP-50 out...

Doesn't ANYONE See this? :eek:

RoydRage

there must be something wrong with one of your pieces of equipment, even possibly DVDO ....

Yes, you are definitely lucky as Aust. custom cleared your item as it arrives. I have just tested my vp50 today against vp30 and HD+. I have to say the PQ
improvement of VP50 over VP30 is much greater than I expected, the flash tone
is more natural and even more realistic than VP30, SD PQ looks more 3D than VP30. Overall another great product from DVDO. I didn't have the issue with component input but I do see the white line flash at the bottome of the screen.

I was watching Gladiator last night (for the 10th time it seems ...) and I couldn't stop going oohh.... aahh.... how good does that look?? so 3D!! and, I'm not the kind of person to praise PQ that much..... I normally tend to pick the flaws in it as a rule.....

Besides the white line flash (which I'm getting around it with the plasma doing some overscanning - which is not ideal.... but I'll live) - I'm really happy with the performance on the VP50 ..... don't get me wrong, the VP30 was great... but this is fantastic performance.... good SD looks like HD ....

also, as I mentioend on another thread, on the VP30 I would keep on chopping and changing the deinterlacing mode, as I saw a lot of mistakes on the auto mode..... on the VP50 I always leave it on auto and don't have any issues with it... works well ....

there must be something wrong with one of your pieces of equipment, even possibly DVDO ....

Big,

How can that be when my 1080i to the Display W/0 the VP-50 is the best PQ I've EVER SEEN?

And the 50 does just great with 480i & 720p from broadcast, And also great with 480i from SDI with Oppo?

It's just that the 50 can't do as well de-interlacing 1080i, and bringing it back to where it was again without making it look worse... I only need a Pass thru, and my problems would be solved. I could get the improvement from the VP-50 on 480i, and 720p, and not get degraded 1080i from superior sources, I'm not picky, I don't complain about audio dropouts, But I can't take losing PQ on my best sources. And DVDO doesn't seem to want to help me.

Thanks,

RoydRage.

Royd, how does your Display handle 1080i? (Does your display have a native resolution?) What is your output setting for your VP50?

Royd, how does your Display handle 1080i? (Does your display have a native resolution?) What is your output setting for your VP50?


Gino,

1080i Looks best on this display, and several people who have them including dealers back me up on that.

the Native Res is 1365X768, But the panel won't display that on any imput

Best result with the VP-50 is outputting 1080i 60 locked... no matter what is inputted...

It's just when you input Good 1080i with the VP-50 outputting 1080i the signal looks worse...

Now everything else looks better thru the VP-50, but the good 1080i is my best result with this panel, and I can't handle losing it. :(

Thanks,

RoydRage

Not a good day for my VP-50. On two occasions, I had the audio flutter problems, where there is no audio; just a fluttering sound. I had to do factory rest to clear it. This proble is input related. In this case, I was watching DVD. I paused it and when I returned the player to play it happend. I then checked the the other HDMI inputs and they were OK. When I returned to the DVD input, it was still screwed up.

Just now I tried to use the horizonal and vertical shift and it doesn't work. Any ideas on this?

The VP50 seems to be a lot more buggy then the VP30.

...And DVDO doesn't seem to want to help me...

I'm not sure this is a fair comment - considering you are speaking about a single (and new) feature, that being pass-through.

I would think that it's reasonable to assume that if you've called or emailed tech support, that they would have at least listened to you if not given you the immediate answer. I would further assume that MY problem with the VP50 AND VP30 - relating to audio might be higher on their "to do" list, then the discreet IR fix, then PReP (and in that order).

I'd further presume you've emailed this information to DVDO tech support (help@dvdo.com last I checked):

1. The exact model display you're using...
2. The type of source is generating the 1080i signal you're feeding to the VP50...
3. The original resolution of the content at broadcast (i.e., is the source scaling?)...
4. The meathod of deinterlacing is the display using (BOB, Weave, or deinterlacer chipset like VXP, HQV, proprietary?)...

These answers should give them a bit more to go on - and if you emailed them that on friday, make sure you wait until Monday afternoon before giving up :) .

If I recall correctly, you were trying to get native or 1080p24 in another thread - what came of that? did you try the 1365x768@72Hz and the other timings I suggested for 24Hz? I never saw the answer to that...

I have to again comment on the issue of using consumer gear that doesn't do exactlty what you want it to - if the plasma can't take native, I'd be surprised to find out that the iScan had anything to do with that issue (as user-configurable as it is).

...best result with the VP-50 is outputting 1080i 60 locked... no matter what is inputted...

This really looks like the classic "I can't get past my display's processing" problem. I've seen this too often with Pioneer consumer plasmas (althouught that new Pro-FHD1 is sexy at 1080p-60).


Cheers!

-LD :cool:

In the manual on page 15, it shows an input select option for automatic active input detection and selection. The menu on my VP50 doesn't show this. Is anyone seeing this on the Input Select menu?

I want to know how your Panny is outputting 1080p to the VP50 and mine isn't? It looks better than great though sending 1080i. We watched CLICK tonite and I was very impressed... I almost forgot I wan't watching HD DVD... :D Seriously...

Hi Joerod,

I went into the set-up mode and selected Auto. I checked on the VP info page and it says it is receiving 1080P-60Hz. What type of display do you have? Does it accept 1080p? If not, maybe it has something to do with the HDMI handshaking.

BTW- Does the Hor. and Ver. shift work on your VP50?

Hey TWD, You mean the setup mode on the Panasonic? I have a sony ruby. I have been sending it 1080p from the VP50 (or straight from the Panny)... It's when I send the Panny to the VP50 it for some reason restricts it to 1080i... And yes info says input is 1080i... I will try and go to setup in the morning and select AUTO for the resolution... Like I have posted before I know I am at the absolute pinnacle of picture Q sending 1080i and have the VP do its inverse telecine with motion and edge adaptive deinterlacing but I like to know that the VP50 can take a 1080p signal... Inquiring minds want to know. Plus if yours TWD is accepting and mine isn't could there be something wrong with it??? :confused:

For those of you already with HD DVD.... If you output HDMI from your HD DVD player into the VP50, what comes out of the digital output (coax/toslink) of the VP50? Can the digital output be decoded to 5.1? Thanks. SJ

BTW- Does the Hor. and Ver. shift work on your VP50?

just in case, u did set the screen AR / display AR correctly right ? To have the vert shift available the screen AR must be > display AR , i.e. one is 2.35 one is 16:9.
(I dun have a VP50, but the HD+/VP30 I had all have no problem shifting. For the VP30 occasionally there was a bug saving the shifts in a profile though)

c722 - Thanks, that was it.

SJHT - I am able to receive DD and DTS via toslink.

Joerod - yes the set-up in the Panny. My VP has no problem receiving a 1080P input. This is via HDMI.

Coll. I will try this setting on the Panny and see if I can atleast compare... Thanks!

Coll. I will try this setting on the Panny and see if I can atleast compare... Thanks!
joerod, here is my suggestion. For best results and no judder send a 1080i signal from the BD player to the VP50 and output a 1080p 48Hz (or 24Hz) to your Ruby. I believe that you will need to use the DVI port for that input. I do this on my HD10K from my HD-DVD player and once you get used to watching film without judder you will never go back.

Just yesterday I started noticing the flashing white line segment in the upper left corner of my VP50's scaled image much like big_marcelo has described. I would have thought that I would have noticed it if it had been happening before (and I never noticed it with my VP30). I haven't had much of a chance to experiment with the effect of different settings on it yet (my output format is XGA, my screen aspect ratio at the time was 1.96:1, and the input was HDMI @ 480i with 1.33:1 aspect ratio), but it's definitely not in the source image (it remained in the upper left corner of the scaled image even if I cropped the source image with a wider aspect ratio setting).

(I am still waiting for more feedback from DVDO regarding the vertical pinstripe problem I described earlier, which I am now noticing the effect of in almost all normal video images.)

-- Peter

Just yesterday I started noticing the flashing white line segment in the upper left corner of my VP50's scaled image much like big_marcelo has described

I see it too, but mainly from an HD DVD player when it has black at the top.

I also get the white line sometimes. I'll have to pay attention to what the sources and configs are when it happens. I get perfect 1:1 on my display, which I also use as a computer monitor and is definitely not the problem.

(I am still waiting for more feedback from DVDO regarding the vertical pinstripe problem I described earlier, which I am now noticing the effect of in almost all normal video images.)

-- Peter

Peter did you see the pictures I posted earlier? Is your vertical pinstripes the same? If so I think you should just return the unit.

Peter did you see the pictures I posted earlier? Is your vertical pinstripes the same? If so I think you should just return the unit.

AndyN,

Yes, I did see your photos, thanks. My pinstripes are similar to yours in geometry, although not necessarily in color-- yours seemed to be different in color from the surrounding picture, whereas mine always seem to be the same hue as the surrounding picture but just either brigher or darker (it seems like it could be a bad memory/register bit for luminance values around the input stage of the scaling engine).

I do expect that I need to return the unit (I've been putting off sending in my VP30 because of this), but I've been waiting for some further email responses from DVDO. I guess that they've been especially busy recently-- I'll probably try calling them tomorrow.

-- Peter

I finally had time this weekend to take the HD+ out of the rack and install the VP50. Played around with it a bit on Sunday and pretty quickly stumbled on the audio drop out issue. Here is how I have things setup:

Sources
DirecTV H10 receiver - HDMI to VP50 (HDMI1)
Denon DVD-2900 - Component video to VP50 (Comp1) and coax digital audio to VP50 (coax1)
XBOX360 - Component video to VP50 (Comp2) and coax digital audio to VP50 (coax2)

Outputs
Video - HDMI out to DVI input on InFocus 7205 FP
Audio - optical digital audio out to Marantz SR-8200 A/V receiver

I played some XBOX360 this weekend for about 2 hours and experienced 3 audio drop outs. The wife and I also watched a DVD last night (Corpse Bride) and experienced 2 audio drop outs during the film. The drop outs were about 1-2 seconds in length. I never had any of these types of issues with the HD+. I will be contacting DVDO later this afternoon to report the specifics.

got my vp50 on friday, then had to wait until monday to install it since i was away all weekend........but now it is in.

my 'phase 1' installation feeds a sony 30xs955 crt at 720p, while i try to decide between a 1080p-capable sony kds-55a2000 or a jvc hd56fn97........the vp50 helped me narrow down my choices (and get ready to pull the trigger after 2 years of evaluations - hey, i can't help it, i'm an engineer) since i no longer have to worry about the quality of the video signal processing/de-interlacing/scaling in the tv set.

setup was a breeze but i am very limited by my source material at this time since the network media player in the system (jvc version of iodata linkplayer2) cannot support 480i output, only 480p........i also have a zensonic z500 and will test that for 480i output tonight, but i'm guessing the sigma 8620 is the limitation here

therefore, i'm currently stuck with the truly lousy de-interlacing of the sigma 8620 chip for all my 480i video recordings (made with BTV). 720p will go through just fine and i'll scale 1080i shows to 720p in the vp50 (haven't done that yet.......darn it, i had to go to work this morning after installing the vp50)......haven't played with any other settings yet either

a couple of questions:

1. would you suppose i would benefit if i scaled the 480i shows to 1080i in the network media player, then used the vp50 to deinterlace and scale to 720p?
of course, i'll try it and see if i like it, but was wondering if folks thought that the double scaling would be more than offset by proper de-interlacing, which the 8620 does poorly.

2. obviously, the PrEP (re-interlacing) feature mentioned earlier is the ideal answer to this problem.
does anyone know if there is any timetable, even approximate? (other than when it's ready?)

Josh: if you're out there, please put PrEP near the top of your feature list. network media player and satellite users are all lusting for this feature to unlock the processing wizardy locked away from us in the vp50

3. no audio problems here.......i left my optical audio connection from the network media player to my yamaha receiver untouched.......i use a prontproNG remote so switching inputs at the receiver is no big deal (now i need to integrate the vp50 commands into my pronto configuration pages)

overall, a very happy consumer on the way to total video happiness when i get my 1080p LCoS set and solve my network media player output settings issue.

:)

time to get going on phase 2 (picking one of those 2 tv sets)

Catman - without connecting audio thru the VP50, you won't get audio problems. While the VP series is evil, it doesn't sneak back up the cables, and into other units to booger up the audio - it just does that to audio signals that are sent to and thru it. :)

(ok - not evil, maybe just possesed.)

FWIW, you really want to find a way to get 480i to the VP - I went backwards, from HDMI output back to component from STB, just so I could get 480i into mine. My HDMI only outputs 480p, and the difference is VERY noticeable.

I finally had time this weekend to take the HD+ out of the rack and install the VP50. Played around with it a bit on Sunday and pretty quickly stumbled on the audio drop out issue. H The drop outs were about 1-2 seconds in length. I never had any of these types of issues with the HD+. I will be contacting DVDO later this afternoon to report the specifics.

Good luck - congrats on scoring a very nice vp. But you have stumbled on the same audio issue that many (or few, if you believe Gary) of us have. I'm using an older Denon - the 1600, but the end result is the same. You'll probably have the same dropouts with tv also, but one never knows if it is the tv signal or the vp causing those dropouts. When it is the same dvd player you've been using for years, and it plays up, you know you are one of the lucky few. (or many, according to me ;))

If DVDO ever gives you a substantive answer or solution, PLEASE let us know. -I haven't had one in 10 monthes now, but who knows, you may be the first.

Good luck - congrats on scoring a very nice vp. But you have stumbled on the same audio issue that many (or few, if you believe Gary) of us have. I'm using an older Denon - the 1600, but the end result is the same. You'll probably have the same dropouts with tv also, but one never knows if it is the tv signal or the vp causing those dropouts. When it is the same dvd player you've been using for years, and it plays up, you know you are one of the lucky few. (or many, according to me ;))

If DVDO ever gives you a substantive answer or solution, PLEASE let us know. -I haven't had one in 10 monthes now, but who knows, you may be the first.

I just called DVDO tech support and explained my problem. The tech stated that they are aware of the audio drop-out issues and that the dev team is currently working to fix this through a firmware update. I asked if he had an ETA and his guarded response was in the 2 week timeframe. He said that he understood that this issue had generated quite a bit of Internet activity since the VP50's release. I definitely hope this problem can be resolved because when we experienced the audio drop outs last night my wife immediately commented that this was never a problem on the HD+. Then she casually asked me how much I paid for it in that way only wives can do. :D

I definitely hope this problem can be resolved because when we experienced the audio drop outs last night my wife immediately commented that this was never a problem on the HD+. Then she casually asked me how much I paid for it in that way only wives can do. :D


Yup - my wife can't tell the difference with or without the ABT102 add-on, but give her a couple dropouts, and its an immediate, "What was that?" Maybe if the guys at DVDO used these at home, and had their wives watching and listening, THEN we'd get it fixed. :p

btw, and quietly so I don't annoy anyone, that is the same response I got when first reporting my VP30's audio dropouts, 3 or 4 firmware updates and 10 or 11 monthes ago. Just distract your wife whenever a dropout occurs - I use a well-timed coughing spell. ;)

Then she casually asked me how much I paid for it in that way only wives can do.

Sends a cold chill right up your spine, doesn't it? I've had the VP50 for a while now and have had a few audio dropouts and on a couple of DVD's I had a high-pitched chirp or squeal-like sound. Almost like it was a test signal locating a speaker. It was a bit annoying, then worrisome. A reset fixed all, but "reset" has become almost a "feature" of the VP50. And with mine tucked away, out of the room in an equipment closet, it's not that easy to do. Trust me when I say, the "wow factor" of your nice HT quickly dissipates when this starts and you jump up in the dark and run into a closet for a minute or two, followed by no picture, then picture, then sound again. I'm still trying to come up with an appropriate line other than, "sorry folks, back to the show...I hope".

Catman - without connecting audio thru the VP50, you won't get audio problems. While the VP series is evil, it doesn't sneak back up the cables, and into other units to booger up the audio - it just does that to audio signals that are sent to and thru it. :)

(ok - not evil, maybe just possesed.)



understood...that is why i left it alone!


FWIW, you really want to find a way to get 480i to the VP - I went backwards, from HDMI output back to component from STB, just so I could get 480i into mine. My HDMI only outputs 480p, and the difference is VERY noticeable.

until the re-interlace feature is available on the vp50, i plan to do just that, and run
component to the vp50.........i'm very glad to hear that someone has already(!) verified that it is worth the effort....that is just what i was hoping to hear :)

thanks

AndyN and Peter. I am getting the vertical banding (wide pin stripes) you guys are getting. Happens when inputting 1080i video. Talked to DVDO about it today. They believe it is software related rather than circuit related. According to the tech I spoke to, fixing this problem is their top video priority. Look for a software update in a few days to solve this problem as well as to implement Prep.

My guess is the stripes are caused by a slight timing error in the gated chips and that this is fixable via a download. BWTFDIK

AndyN and Peter. I am getting the vertical banding (wide pin stripes) you guys are getting. Happens when inputting 1080i video. Talked to DVDO about it today. They believe it is software related rather than circuit related. According to the tech I spoke to, fixing this problem is their top video priority. Look for a software update in a few days to solve this problem as well as to implement Prep.

My guess is the stripes are caused by a slight timing error in the gated chips and that this is fixable via a download. BWTFDIK

Thanks Mark. But why does it affect some and not others? I guess the up coming update would reset something for the affected VP's? My new box is fine.

I was hoping to hear what your thoughts were on the VP50's deinterlacing. You've always been pretty critical so it's a shame your box has the problem. Would've love to hear your impression of the Video 1080i deinterlacing.

FWIW, you really want to find a way to get 480i to the VP - I went backwards, from HDMI output back to component from STB, just so I could get 480i into mine. My HDMI only outputs 480p, and the difference is VERY noticeable.

just put a component connection from the network media player (set to 480i) to the vp50.....i concur, it definitely improves the image compared with outputting 480p from the 8620 chip.

in the short term, based on the specific file i'm playing back (have to remember what channel the program was recorded on!) with the networked media player, i'll have to

1) change the input on the vp50 between hdmi-1 and component-1
2) change the output of the network media player to (480i-comp, 720p-hdmi or 1080i-hdmi).........and of course there are no discrete codes for the network media player :( i'll have to see what i can whip up as a macro for the pronto remote

Yup - my wife can't tell the difference with or without the ABT102 add-on, but give her a couple dropouts, and its an immediate, "What was that?" Maybe if the guys at DVDO used these at home, and had their wives watching and listening, THEN we'd get it fixed. :p

btw, and quietly so I don't annoy anyone, that is the same response I got when first reporting my VP30's audio dropouts, 3 or 4 firmware updates and 10 or 11 monthes ago. Just distract your wife whenever a dropout occurs - I use a well-timed coughing spell. ;)

My wife also always says "What was that?" when the audio drops! I try to explain that it is the apparent incompatibility between my Sunfire TGIV and the VP50........ :)" She looks at me like I came from another planet :) :)

I also had dropouts on my VP30, but never on my iSCAN HD.... SJ

My guess is the stripes are caused by a slight timing error in the gated chips and that this is fixable via a download. BWTFDIK
I think that's a pretty good guess. Mine would be that there's a timing or design error in the FPGA route for the scaler which causes this. Only certain boxes are likely affected as the problem only surfaces with FPGAs from a particular process corner, or when a certain system configuration combination is used. A new version of the FGPA code can be downloaded via the firmwware update process and hopefully fix this. The short flashing line in the upper left corner of the image is probably something similar (but that is a guess).

- Dale Adams

I live in an NTSC region so I don't watch much PAL. Last night I watched some PAL material for the first time on the VP50 (one of those Cinema16 short film discs and the GetGray PAL disc) and got the occasional flashing white line in in the up left. It seems the white line reports are from the PAL folks. I have yet to see it on NTSC.

- Collin

I think that's a pretty good guess. Mine would be that there's a timing or design error in the FPGA route for the scaler which causes this. Only certain boxes are likely affected as the problem only surfaces with FPGAs from a particular process corner, or when a certain system configuration combination is used. A new version of the FGPA code can be downloaded via the firmwware update process and hopefully fix this. The short flashing line in the upper left corner of the image is probably something similar (but that is a guess).

- Dale Adams
Thanks for the explanation Dale.

So prep is coming soon? :)

Dale. It wasn't a guess! Boo.

Wouldn't a FPGA route error result in a slight timing error? Of course a slight timing error could result from a variety of other reasons. A pathway error from certain configurations as the root (pardon the intentional pun) cause is a good hypothesis considering that the error only occurs for some users.

My hypothesis, which is far far more than a guess, is that a small timing error would result in a uniform and precise anomaly, i.e., the repetitive, constant color, constant width, and constant spaced vertical stripes. Far be it from me to hypothesize regarding the origin of the timing error. :) I have neither sufficient information nor FPGA operational understanding to do that.

My wife also always says "What was that?" when the audio drops! I try to explain that it is the apparent incompatibility between my Sunfire TGIV and the VP50........ :)" SJ

dang -this gets less and less encouraging. Some posters on this thread, who will remain unnamed, say its just the odd pre or receiver. In 12 hours, we've added Marantz and Sunfire. Niether of which I would consider low rent, flaky, or poorly designed. Hmmmm

Gee Dale, wish you had a cause and fix for this as well as the stripe thing - since that is one problem that hasn't manifested for me yet. :rolleyes:

Josh. I hope you are laughing just a little bit reading these posts.

BTW guys. Fixing the audio drop out problems with HDMI use may be nigh impossible without hardware changes. Hardware over design (providing significantly in excess of theoretical buffering capacity) may be needed to compensate for incomplete compliance with the HDMI standard by source manufacturers. Not DVDO's fault.

Thanks for the info, Mark (although my pinstripes are visible with all input resolutions that I've tried: 480i/480p/720p/1080i-- they're just closer together with 720p/1080i).

Hmm, I got an RMA# this evening and had just got my VP50 all boxed up and labelled to go back (and reinstalled my VP30+102) before catching up on this thread. From all the evidence that I had collected (including recently trying a different Oppo DV-970HD and a couple of other displays) I was convinced that it wasn't just a software problem but a defective unit-- but I'm no FPGA design expert. And of course I would very much like to avoid the hassle and cost of shipping the unit back and forth (and the DVDO support representative that I spoke with said that they do not currently have any replacement units to send me-- I see that their web site says Temporarily Oversold), so if the DVDO engineers are confident that the vertical pinstripe problem is fixable via software, I guess that I will hold out for the coming update after all.

-- Peter

Just yesterday I started noticing the flashing white line segment in the upper left corner of my VP50's scaled image

-- Peter
I have the same problem from my BD player and the Meridian 800V4. all using HDMI
and different resolutions!
Also A friend of mine has the same problem with the one I installed at his place.
That`s an BD - VP 50 - Barco combo Her all component cables.
Both VP50 outputting 1080P 60Hz unlocked and Locked on the Barco.

All movies I have tested has been NTSC region 1 DVD`s

PerS

It seems the white line reports are from the PAL folks. I have yet to see it on NTSC.

My seeing of the flashing white line was with an NTSC DVD (a 4:3 black & white DVD, for what that's worth).

-- Peter

Thanks for the explanation Dale.
Just to be clear - that wasn't intended to be an explanation of what the problem is. It's an explanation of my guess of what the problem might be, and why it might be fixable with a firmware update. I have no inside information as to what the actual root cause of the problem is.

- Dale Adams

... so if the DVDO engineers are confident that the vertical pinstripe problem is fixable via software, I guess that I will hold out for the coming update after all.
I'd suggest that you get this assurance directly from an official representative of DVDO, preferably in writing, rather than second hand in this forum. There's a lot of speculation (myself included) and posturing going on here that may or may not bear any relation to reality.

- Dale Adams

Josh. I hope you are laughing just a little bit reading these posts.

BTW guys. Fixing the audio drop out problems with HDMI use may be nigh impossible without hardware changes. Hardware over design (providing significantly in excess of theoretical buffering capacity) may be needed to compensate for incomplete compliance with the HDMI standard by source manufacturers. Not DVDO's fault.

Yeah I don't hold much hope for HDMI generally ever to be problem free, but it would be nice to sort these issues for all of us who have no HDMI audio in or out within our setups.

I even ran my setup with no HDMI cables anywhere for a while, got rid of all the HDMI/HDCP glitches but alas still all the same audio dropouts when ever something went thru the VP30 (I never include unreliable sources like broadcast when I make these statements, only sources which have never had this issue when directly connected to by 'flaky' £3k amp. ;) ).

I did consider the fact that I may have to replace my amp but luckily from the recent poll there doesn't appear to be any brand which is immune. I'd probably wait for some HDMI 1.3 amp/pre's to appear anyway so I won't have to replace it again.

I do really really hope the 1.01 firmware helps reduce these issues as I plan to rewire my cabs when putting in the VP50... I'd really like to reduce the cables rather then add more to bypass the VP this time round.

I live in an NTSC region so I don't watch much PAL. Last night I watched some PAL material for the first time on the VP50 (one of those Cinema16 short film discs and the GetGray PAL disc) and got the occasional flashing white line in in the up left. It seems the white line reports are from the PAL folks. I have yet to see it on NTSC.

- Collin
I think I was the first one with the white line flash on the upper left corner.... in PAL land here in Aus..... good to see its not only me and there is a possible fix in the future!

Happens with both component and HDMI (oppo 970) sources ....

Hmm, I wonder if I have the same issue, but probably not:

I have noticed a very thin (approx 1 pixel wide) vertical line (steady, not flashing) at the far most right side when running refresh/frame rate of either 60Hz or 59.94Hz unlocked. With 48Hz it is gone. Output res is 1080 (Ruby). I tried various inputs (different sources/player, input res., connectors, and HDMI ports); results are the same. I do not have this issue when feeding those sources directly into the Ruby.

I tried all sorts of settings (zoom, borders) but neither one helped. Right now I am projecting a bit into the screen masking to cover up the issue a bit – not ideal.
_____
Axel

I'm glad I haven't had any of these annoyances. My VP50 has been flawless. No audio dropouts after two weeks and no vertical banding.

just put a component connection from the network media player (set to 480i) to the vp50.....i concur, it definitely improves the image compared with outputting 480p from the 8620 chip.


let me add that the improvement is not small! the 8620 really screws up the video.
the demo segments on the test dvd show this clearly.

now, until the network media player gets a pass-through mode so the output resolution equals the input's resolution, i have to use macros on my pronto remote to change output resolution per mpg file (i.e. 480i via component, 720p or 1080i via hdmi, depending on the mpg file being played back).

whipped up a little macro this morning that worked on the network media player:
(Example for 480i to 720p---have to remember which resolution was playing previously and which resolution to use for the current mpg file--yuck)

mute (yamaha), setup, pause 4 seconds, down, down, down, enter, down, down, down, down, down, enter, down, down down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, down, enter, pause 8 seconds, setup, hdmi-1 (on vp50), unmute

is that ugly or what? :eek:

BTW guys. Fixing the audio drop out problems with HDMI use may be nigh impossible without hardware changes. Hardware over design (providing significantly in excess of theoretical buffering capacity) may be needed to compensate for incomplete compliance with the HDMI standard by source manufacturers. Not DVDO's fault.

Fine, but what about all of the dropouts where there is no HDMI involved? I do not even have an HDMI device connected to the VP50 - still plenty of dropouts. I would really like to think that would be addressed and fixed. Josh had intimated that it would be - Dale, I was assuming that Josh was indeed an official representative of DVDO. If that is not so, perhaps he should take the DVDO tag off his sig.

...now, until the network media player gets a pass-through mode so the output resolution equals the input's resolution, i have to use macros on my pronto remote to change output resolution per mpg file (i.e. 480i via component, 720p or 1080i via hdmi, depending on the mpg file being played back)....

I have been looking in the menu for a ‘pass through command” as implied in the VP50 feature overview, but have not found anything yet. Now this sounds like there is no simple “pass through button” one could press, but one has to match the res/timing output manually depending on input. Am I missing something? If not, this would be extremely disappointing but I could imagine such feature could be very easily implemented with the next firmware update.
______
Axel

Just to be clear - that wasn't intended to be an explanation of what the problem is. It's an explanation of my guess of what the problem might be, and why it might be fixable with a firmware update. I have no inside information as to what the actual root cause of the problem is.

- Dale Adams

Dale,

Sorry to pry but are you still involved w/ DVDO operations? Or are you more a part of the coporate structure of ABT? Sounds like you're not so much involved in the acutaly product. Perhaps just the algorithms?

Fine, but what about all of the dropouts where there is no HDMI involved? I do not even have an HDMI device connected to the VP50 - still plenty of dropouts. I would really like to think that would be addressed and fixed. Josh had intimated that it would be - Dale, I was assuming that Josh was indeed an official representative of DVDO. If that is not so, perhaps he should take the DVDO tag off his sig.

I also don't use HDMI for audio and have dropouts....

Gotcha Gary - was only responding to Mark. It seems like the talk about audio dropouts will go on for so long, and then at a certain point, someone will bring out the red herring of HDMI. I'm willing to concede that HDMI is broken, and will never work - don't care. I just want the same rock-solid functionality of the HD and HD+, and I don't want to keep hearing that it is HDMI's fault, when HDMI is often not even being used in the systems that are having problems.

I don't use the audio functions but doesn't the VP50 delay the audio to match whatever video processing is being done? Could that be part of the problem? Could the delay be doing something that makes it just a little different than some sink equipment is used to, causing the dropouts?

Fine, but what about all of the dropouts where there is no HDMI involved? I do not even have an HDMI device connected to the VP50 - still plenty of dropouts. I would really like to think that would be addressed and fixed. Josh had intimated that it would be - Dale, I was assuming that Josh was indeed an official representative of DVDO. If that is not so, perhaps he should take the DVDO tag off his sig.
Josh is an official DVDO representative. If you were referring to my earlier comment about getting confirmation in writing that a problem is going to be fixed, note that that was in reference to the vertical stripe problem for which (I think) there's only a second-hand report that it will be fixed soon.

- Dale