Can i feed 480i (or 576i - PAL) using powerstip (HTPC) into a scaler (iScan VP50). Is it a good option comparable or better than 480i or 576i DVD players? Will it pass BTB & WTW? I am using a scaler as it's easier to use for my parents than a lot of HTPC setups for TV. I wish to use HTPC with X-FI Elite Pro for sound so I'm thinking I may as well use it as my DVD player also... What do you think? HTPC outputing 480i or 576i or DVD player???
Thanks.

this would not work very well at all, get a SDI dvd player and you will be in business with the scaler

-Gary

probeski,

I'm confused. You say people find the HTPC difficult to use. Certainly understandable if your not familiar with how to make your HTPC easy-to-use. However you say you want to keep your HTPC and feed it into a scaler which doesn't solve the easy-to-use problem at all (unless I'm completely misunderstanding what you mean by easy-to-use).

I would recommend 1 of 2 options:

1) Get a DVD STB and feed it to the scaler at 480i

2) Learn how to make your HTPC easy-to-use and forget about the scaler.

You can send an SDI connection from your HTPC to an external scaler for DVD playback using an Sigma Designs REALmagic Xcard and a PMS SDI Xcard converter (http://www.pixelmagicsystems.com/products/sdi/xcard_converter.htm) which will produce an image on par with the image from an SDI modified DVD player as described by Gary above. If you are setting up a media server this isn't a bad option although for just playing back discs, it would be a lot simpler to just connect a DVD player (which outputs 480i over HDMI) to the VP or output the DVD image directly from the HTPC to your display.

yes I forgot about that Rick ;) thanks

-Gary