How does 480i DirecTV look using the various iScans? I have an old standard def DirecTivo and a new HDTV but hate the new HD DTV PVR. If the iScan can breathe new life into my old DTV-Tivo, that would be fantastic.

Any observations and advice would be much appreciated.

I can't answer how DirecTv would look with an iScan but my guess is it wouldn't wow you because the original signal is heavily compressed. If you hate the HR20 (new HD DVR) you can get a HR10 (tivo based) but you would be limited to select HD channels. I have both and have come to say they both have their strengths and weaknesses but the HR20 is the here and now.

FWIW I have an old Directv tivo HDVR2 that fed a plasma using svideo. The picture stunk big time. Low contrast, dark, etc. They are all junk. But I got a VP50 to put the HDVR2 through, I was not expecting much. However, it blows me away. High quality SD channels look almost HD, the depth, color, etc. is nothing short of amazing. I too was looking at the Iscan some time ago. I can't speak for the Iscan but the VP50 from the same company is really worth it if you have a big investment in your system. Keep in mind the VP50 does have a special card that specifically enhances 480i which the Iscan does not.

I dont have a huge investment in my system (its big for me) but I am not a huge audio/video-phile either - it does what I want:

Sony KDS-55A2000 SXRD TV
Toshiba XA2 HD-DVD player
Yamaha RX-V661
Energy RVS series LCR speakers (oldies but goodies)
Energy Veritas 2.0 CM presence, surround LR, surround back

DirecTV HR20 PVR (that I hate but use because its HD)
DirecTV Tivo unit (that I want to use because I LOVE the Tivo UI)

I was thinking of the DVDO VP30 with the ABT102 card - if the picture is even close (80%) of the HR20, thats good enough for me. I know the big difference between the VP50 and VP30 is deinterlacing of 1080i but if the VP30 with the 102 card will make my 480i Tivo look good at 1080, thats okay with me.

Thoughts?

I got a VP50 to put the HDVR2 through, I was not expecting much. However, it blows me away. High quality SD channels look almost HD, the depth, color, etc. is nothing short of amazing.

That statement is HYPE... BIG TIME! To say that DTV SD through the VP50 is "almost HD" is laughable. I have an HR10-250 running through the VP50 and I would say that you honestly get a 10-20% picture improvement MAX . It is nowhere near HD quality.

CD

Well I don't agree with the above statement , I have an extron scaler running s-video in from my dvr and it looks near high def to me, Now I do agree that direct tv's signal blows big time knowing for sure since I had direct tv before and I changed over to dish network and it has a better and cleaner picture than dtv.
Now I have had other so-so scalers before but this extron is no joke, and as for sdi out of my dvd player it has a wonderful picture and I can compare it to my Toshiba's hd A-1's picture to say the least,
so what I think it all comes down to is if the image coming into the scaler is clean you will get an even better picture from your scaler.
Also tweaking , using better quality cables and taking the time to get it right you can have good quality video without braking the bank.

running s-video in from my dvr and it looks near high def to me,

Now that's some real unprecedented pseudo HD ********! :D

CD

What makes you such an expert?
Have you seen my display? If you have'nt then who indeed full of ********?

:D

joneiche,

PM me if you want an honest idea of what a VP30 or 50 can do for DTV SD,

CD