New DVDO iScan VP30 - Page 19

You are definately right there! 'Flexible' appears to mean, they can 'curve somewhat', these are incredibly stiff cables. But I see it as a benefit, less tangling

I'm a fan of BlueJeansCable as well, purchased 25" DVI and that thick bundled component cable from them and I'm happy with the price and the performance.

But does put extra strain on the input that's got all the weight on it. Thinking about cutting open the jacket to relieve the strain.

I do not have BJC cables, but I've made nearly identical component ones for myself. They are....not floppy. And could disable a burglar about as well as a Louisville Slugger. But try making the same cable with RG-6QS with copper-covered-steel conductors. THEN you'll see what "inflexible" is for comparison.

I support them in my rack with wireties as that thick one will definitely put a strain on the jacks.

When reading the faq's on the dvdo site, "if the incoming HDMI signal has HDCP then the vp30 cannot output this audio using the optical or co axial digital outputs, only the HDMI output. "

Does this mean that my receiver has to have HDMI input to enable me to use the HDMI outputs on my sources?

thanx
Rob

Crap, I didn't notice that. Now I wish they had a couple more optical inputs.

Wow...that's not trivial. I went to the web site, and checked the FAQ section again. It sounds pretty clear from the description that it won't output an audio signal on either the optical or coaxial output connections if HDCP is present on one of the HDMI inputs.

This makes it worthless for what I want to do, which is to get my old receiver out of the loop. I especially don't want to have to buy a new receiver with HDMI inputs. I was going to order a VP30 this weekend, but not if it works like that.

Ray

Are we sure this is the case? Josh?

I agree this is not a trivial issue.

From a previous post, it seems like it will output the audio on either Optical or Coax to your AVR. See Josh response below. One can assume that almost all DVD content is HDCP. Hopefully, this works as advertised below or I will need to cancel my order.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Horst

This brings up an interesting question. If the scaler takes the audio/video output of say a DVD player and strips the video part of it for display through the HDMI output, how will the audio be connected to a receiver or processor?

How about optical or coax digital. [/color]

Wow, that is an issue. All of my HDMI components also have a digital audio output. I guess in theory if the audio was present on the HDMI signal, then the VP30 would not allow the signal to move from the VP30 to my audio processor? How about if I just run the audio from the digital audio out to the VP30. Would it then allow the signal to pass? Thanks. SJ

Guys

I am looking for an opinion on whether you think that the VP30 would be overkill for my situation. Here is my setup

TV Panasonic TH-42PD25U ED Plasma
Iscan Ultra
SAT T60 DirecTivo
Dish PVR
Panasonic XP30 DVD
Phillips 727 DVD player (for PAL stuff)

I bought the Ultra to improve the picture from my two satellite receivers (90% of our viewing) which it did, but it also caused a problem which I am hoping that the VP30 could help with. I occasionally see a slow down of PAL content that has been converted to NTSC. I think this is a problem with the Ultra being confused between film and video mode. I have heard that this is not a problem on the HD/HD+. Anyone got any thoughts?

At the moment I don't need the HDMI inputs.I almost jumped on the HDTivo this month but couldn't pick up locals over the air so cancelled it. However I can see me having at least one HD satellite receiver by next summer for the World Cup.

I like the idea of the built-in test patterns and the lip sync delay plus the ability to scale the output to match my display, but is this thing overkill for an ED plasma?

The preorder date is getting close and I am on the fence. No good asking the boss what she thinks as I know what her answer will be!

Any thoughts would be appreciated

Wow what a dumb "feature". This tells me if the DVD player sends both HDCP video and audio to the VP30 through HDMI, then the VP30 will only output the audio through the HDMI out. My chances of getting audio from this configuration is to have a projector with digital audio outputs, hope the DVD player can output digital audio from the COAX or SPDIF while outputting video from HDMI, or spend more money on a new preamp/pro or receiver that does not have this "feature". Josh, did I understand this correctly?

I'd like clarification on this as well, however the way I read it is a little different. It is my assumption that:

If the HDMI input is HDCP encrypted, the VP30 cannot separate the video and audio from the HDMI feed and split them to separate outputs.

However, if you connect both an HDMI input (for video) and regular digital audio input (Toslink or coax) to the VP30, the VP30 should be able to pass the digital audio to its Toslink or coax output.

It's one extra cable, but it's not like the VP30 will force you to buy a new receiver with HDMI inputs to decode your audio.

Josh, is that correct?

hmmmm....so...Hopefully Josh will be able to clarify after CEDIA. How can the VP30 NOT be able to feed a receiver via optical/coax with HDMI sources? This excludes sooooo many users. Sooo? How much time do we have before the powerbuy officially goes forward? Last day to cancel?

In order to do this, it would have to be able to read the aspect ratio flags on the disc, which is something only a DVD player/HTPC can do. Once the video signal leaves the playback source, all the receiving video processor sees are 720x480 pixels coming in. It has no way of knowing what aspect ratio the movie is.

I think this is correct:

many members have a similar problem with Cablecard displays that shut off the digital audio because the 'copy never' flag is mistakenly set by the cablecos: this has to do with HDCP requirements

Josh Z and markrubin,

I see. Thats not so bad. But that somewhat limits one of the major upsides to the VP30. It's use as a hub just took a blow. So instead of runs of HDMI cables, we'd still have to have runs of coax/digital cables as well. Not a huge deal I guess just more cumbersome.

But come to think of it, IF this is a HDCP requirement, then all processors would/should present the same problem, correct? If this is more of a legal requirement we need some less law abiding processor manufacturers.

Or "leaked" firmware. While they're at it, how about "leaked" firmware that disables HDCP altogether?

George,

I like how us Bay Area guys think. Maybe we should go and have a talk with the folks at ABT down in Campbell.

Andy

There are only 4 digital audio inputs though. I will have 4 components using the HDMI inputs, 1 using the component, and 1 using the Svideo. They all have digital audio outputs. If I can't get the audio out of the HDMI then I will have to keep my Digital audio switcher in the mix since the VP30 won't have enough digital audio inputs. They should have added 2 to 4 more digital audio inputs if you can't get the audio out of the HDMI input. I was really hoping to be able to ditch my digtal audio switcher.

I am thinking the audio question may be just a typo. For example, I have a Mitsubishi RPTV with a CableCard slot. It also has a digital audio output that will route audio back to a receiver/processor from "digital channels", so I can't imagine there's any kind of HDCP restriction on audio.

-John

That's what I was thinking that HDCP applies only to the video portion & not the audio portion so in theory you should be able to route audio out of HDMI inputs to the optical or coaxial outputs of VP30. I guess we will find out for sure once Josh returns from CEDIA.

ahhhhhhh.....a man after mine own heart

My only question is still how the VP30 stacks up against the Dragonfly. Any thoughts from CEDIA goers?
Javry

Keep an eye on this: http://www.audioholics.com/cedia/

If you have a SDI modded DVD player you would be OK even if this is correct. Is that right?

Welcome back Josh! How was your CEDIA?

Mike