This is the definitive spec sheet on the DVDO iScan VP50:
The iScan VP50 is a high-definition video processor and A/V hub that converts standard or high definition (including 1080p) from your HD-DVD player, Blu-ray Disc player, HD-DVR, game console, or PC to any output resolution between VGA and 1080p, including popular HDTV resolutions such as 720p and 1080i.
VRS Precision Deinterlacing technology by Anchor Bay - 480i/576i/1080i 10-bit Motion, Edge & Source Adaptive Deinterlacer
o Five-field motion adaptive deinterlacing
o Edge adaptive processing to produce smooth diagonal edges
o Three frame video processing delay (Max)
o Game Modes with very low latency (sub-1 frame delay/2 frame delay with Edge adaptive processing)
Arbitrary cadence detection (any:any) to detect non-standard cadences in input signals.
o Reliable 2:2 pull-down detection for 50Hz countries
o Detection of 2:2 to/from 3:2 crossfades and out of phase 3:2 crossfades
o Detection of multiple source types within a frame for example video titles over film
o Bad edit detection and compensation to minimize artifacts caused by sequence breaks in film content
VRS Precision Video Scaling II - Anchor Bay's High perforance 10-bit Scaling technology
PReP - Anchor Bay's unique Progressive ReProcessing technology which recovers the original interlace signals in standard 480p/576p and even 1080p signals so it can be processed by ABT's Precision Deinterlacing technology.
Progressive Cadence Detection of 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080p input signals to allow source-locked framerate output of film-based content (24/48/72Hz)
Anchor Bays Rightrate - High-Performance TearlessFramerate Conversion which enables 24/48/72Hz or 25/50/75Hz output of film-based content. Outputs include 1080p-24 and 1080p-48.
Anchor Bay's Precision Gamma Correction - Individual R/G/B Adjustments
Anchor Bay's Precision A/V Lipsync - Intelligent digital audio delay technology to match Audio and Video timing
Anchor Bay's AutoVFR - Intelligent Component Video Inputs with Automatic Video Format Routing
Anchor Bay's AutoCUE-C - Automatic Chroma Upsampling Error detection and correction
4 HDMI Inputs which process 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p-50/60, 1080i-50/60, 1080p-24/25/50/60, qnd VGA-SXGA@60Hz signals
Analog HD Transcoding and Processing
Input Aspect Ratio Controls
Presets: 4:3 full frame, 4:3 letterbox, Panorama (non-linear stretch), 16:9 full frame or user-defined aspect ratio (10)
Flexible Horizontal and Vertical Zooming & Panning controls
Overscan Adjustment per input
Output Aspect Ratio Controls
Presets: 4:3, 16:9, 2.35:1 or custom output aspect ratio
Separate Display/Screen Adjustments
Underscan Adjustment to eliminate Overscan inherent in a display
10 User-Defined 'Display Profiles' - For multiple display, framerate, and image shift configurations (10)
10-bit 300MHz Instrumentation Quality DACs (2x Oversampling for 1080p)
Full-frame Timebase Correction
High performance, multi-standard video decoder (10-bit: 480i/576i; 12-bit: 480p/576p/720p/1080i)
High-quality super-adaptive comb filter with 2D Y/C separation
Flexible Digital and Analog Audio switching and routing - 4 HDMI audio/video inputs, 5 assignable audio inputs (4 digital, 1 analog) with 1 HDMI audio/video output and 2 active digital audio outputs.
Software Upgradeable
Predefined output resolutions for Plasma, DLP, LCD, LCOS, and CRT-based displays:
480p (720x480)
576p (720x576)
720p (1280x720)
1080i (1920x1080)
1080p (1920x1080)
VGA (640x480)
SVGA (800x600)
XGA (1024x768)
SXGA (1280x1024)
848x600
852x480
1024x576
1024x1024 (ALIS)
1280x768
1280x960
1365x1024
1366x768
1365x768
1400x788
1400x1050
1440x960
1440x1152
User customizeable output resolution from 480p (720x480) to 1080p (1920x1080)
Technical Specifications
Inputs
Twelve Video Inputs Available
Two Composite (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Two S-Video (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Two Component (YPbPr or RGB/S) processes 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p, 1080i
One RGBHV/Component (BNC-style connectors) processes 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA@60Hz
Four HDMI processes 480i/p, 576 i/p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p-50/60, VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA@60Hz
One Optional SD-SDI (Serial Digital Interface) processes 480i/576i
Nine Audio Inputs
Four HDMI (HDMI v1.2)
Two Coaxial Digital
Two Optical Digital
One Analog Pair (L/R)
Outputs
One Analog Video Output
Using High Quality BNC-style connectors
Configurable for YPbPr, RGBHV, RGB/S, or RGB
One Digital Audio/Video Output
Using HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connector
Configurable for YCbCr or RGB
Also carries audio (HDMI v1.1)
Two Digital Audio Outputs
One Coaxial Digital
One Optical Digital
Controls
Front Panel
Infrared remote control with direct access codes or manual controls on front panel
Functions accessible via either On Screen Display (OSD) or 2 line, 20 character front-panel LED display
RS232 port for software downloads and automation.
Fully programmable controls for each separate video input with non-volatile memories:
- Automatic input source detection & input priority selection
- Picture controls with memory for each input: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Hue, Y/C Delay, Sharpness
Output Controls: Analog/Digital, Format/Resolution, Aspect Ratio, Sync Type, Colorspace (RGB or YPbPr),
Frame Lock, Display Profiles (10)
35 Built-in test patterns for ease of set up
Power
Universal AC mains input: 100 - 240 VAC @ 50-60 Hz
Consumption <45W
Sleep Mode - automatic 30 second timeout indicated by power indicator color change
Physical Dimensions
10.4x17x2.2 (26.3cmx43.4cmx5.5cm) with feet
10.4x17x1.8 (26.3cmx43.4cmx4.6cm) without feet
Available Accessories
Rack Mount Kit
SD-SDI Input Module
Silver Front Bezel
USB-to-Serial Adapter
FAQs:
Q: What are these 'Game Modes' ?
A: These modes can reduce the amount of video delay to less than a single frame. In many competitive processors the effects of applying complex algorithms to the video image results in upwards of a seven frame delay. This can inhibit the real-time performance for gamers who want instantaneous response to react to stimuli and to realize peak performance from their application. The VRS Precision Deinterlacing Game Modes will reduce frame delay down to slightly less than one frame of video.
Q: What comes on the 'VRS DVD' that ships with the VP50?
A: The DVD that comes with the VP50 includes many test patterns to assist the you in optimizing the setup and to evaluate the performance of your iScan VP50 (or any other video processing). This DVD was produced by Stacey Spears and Don Munsil (S&M) and I strongly believe that this will be the Reference DVD that everyone uses to compare video processing from now on.
The Static Patterns include:
Picture Controls (Brightness/Contrast, Color/Tint, Y/C Delay, and Resolution)
Geometry (Frame Geometry, Image Cropping, Cross Hatch - Coarse, Cross Hatch - Fine, and Focus)
Gray Scale (10IRE - 100IRE Windows and Gray Ramp)
Half Patterns (Black/White, Color 7 Bars 75, Color (7) Bars 100, Color (8) Bars 75 and Color (8) Bars 100 - These are the 'other half' of the test patterns which are built into the iScan VP50)
The Motion Patterns include:
Chroma Upsampling (ICP, 2-2, and 2-3)
Source Adaptive (Film, Film Detail, and Synthetic Wedge - Each test patterns has 2-2, 2-2-2-4, 2-3-2-3, 2-3-3-2-2, 2-3-3-2, 3-2-3-2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-4, 8-7-8-7 cadences as well as a sped up cadence and bad-edits)
Edge Adaptive (Jaggies at 45/20/10 degress, Jaggies at all degrees, Video sequences which have very difficult diagonals: 'Ropes', "Ship' , 'Hockey', and Bridge')
Mixed Mode (Horizontal Text and Vertical Text)
Montage
There is also a Demo Loop which goes through all of the deinterlacing evaluation content.
The Source Adaptive 'Film' and 'Film Detail' content should be familiar to everyone, they are the infamous Cafe scene (ever wonder what happens after the bum gets the newspaper?) and Super Speedway, respectively.
Q: Can I purchase an iScan VP50 with the SDI input module installed.
A: At this point, this card is purely a user/dealer-installable upgrades. Both are very easy to do and the installation of either will not void your warranty.
Q: Does the iScan VP50 use the same SDI input module or rack mounts as the iScan HD, HD+, VP20 and VP30?
A: Yes, the iScan VP50 uses exactly the same input module and rack mounts.
Q: Can the iScan VP50 take an HDMI input signal and output that same signal over the analog outputs?
A: If the input signal has HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) legally we must turn off the analog outputs. If the input signal does not have HDCP, then the iScan VP50 CAN output this signal as an analog signal (either RGB or component) at any resolution between VGA and 1080p.
Q: What features does the VP50 have, which the iScan VP20/VP30 do not have?
A: Precision Video Deinterlacing by Anchor Bay for SD (480i/576i) and HD (1080i) VP20/VP30 use the SiI504 for SD deinterlacing and both are upgradeable to the ABT102 (Precision Deinterlacing Card).
Progressive Cadence Detection of 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080p input signals to allow source-locked framerate output of film-based content (24/48/72Hz)
PReP, Progressive ReProcessing of 480p, 576p and 1080p signals
HDMI Inputs can process up to 1080p
VP20/VP30 can process up to 720p/1080i
The VP50 has Anchor Bay's Progressive ReProcessing (PReP) which allows the reinterlacing of an interlaced source whch is converted to progressive by the source. This allows Anchor Bay's high performance Precision Deinterlacing to dramatically improve the image that was previously processed by the source. This is particularly useful with cable and satellite set top boxes that do not output standard definition (480i/576i) at their native resolutions, they are deinterlaced to 480p or 576p. PReP can even be used with a 1080p source like a BD or HD-DVD player!
Q: If I connect an HDMI (audio/video) source to the iScan VP50 will I be able to get audio out via the optical/coaxial digital outputs?
A: In most cases the audio that is available on the HDMI connection will be available on the optical/coaxial audio outputs. Exceptions include MLP (DVD-Audio) and DSD (SACD) which SPDIF connections are incapable of carrying due to bandwidth limitations.
The iScan VP50 is a high-definition video processor and A/V hub that converts standard or high definition (including 1080p) from your HD-DVD player, Blu-ray Disc player, HD-DVR, game console, or PC to any output resolution between VGA and 1080p, including popular HDTV resolutions such as 720p and 1080i.
VRS Precision Deinterlacing technology by Anchor Bay - 480i/576i/1080i 10-bit Motion, Edge & Source Adaptive Deinterlacer
o Five-field motion adaptive deinterlacing
o Edge adaptive processing to produce smooth diagonal edges
o Three frame video processing delay (Max)
o Game Modes with very low latency (sub-1 frame delay/2 frame delay with Edge adaptive processing)
Arbitrary cadence detection (any:any) to detect non-standard cadences in input signals.
o Reliable 2:2 pull-down detection for 50Hz countries
o Detection of 2:2 to/from 3:2 crossfades and out of phase 3:2 crossfades
o Detection of multiple source types within a frame for example video titles over film
o Bad edit detection and compensation to minimize artifacts caused by sequence breaks in film content
VRS Precision Video Scaling II - Anchor Bay's High perforance 10-bit Scaling technology
PReP - Anchor Bay's unique Progressive ReProcessing technology which recovers the original interlace signals in standard 480p/576p and even 1080p signals so it can be processed by ABT's Precision Deinterlacing technology.
Progressive Cadence Detection of 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080p input signals to allow source-locked framerate output of film-based content (24/48/72Hz)
Anchor Bays Rightrate - High-Performance TearlessFramerate Conversion which enables 24/48/72Hz or 25/50/75Hz output of film-based content. Outputs include 1080p-24 and 1080p-48.
Anchor Bay's Precision Gamma Correction - Individual R/G/B Adjustments
Anchor Bay's Precision A/V Lipsync - Intelligent digital audio delay technology to match Audio and Video timing
Anchor Bay's AutoVFR - Intelligent Component Video Inputs with Automatic Video Format Routing
Anchor Bay's AutoCUE-C - Automatic Chroma Upsampling Error detection and correction
4 HDMI Inputs which process 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p-50/60, 1080i-50/60, 1080p-24/25/50/60, qnd VGA-SXGA@60Hz signals
Analog HD Transcoding and Processing
Input Aspect Ratio Controls
Presets: 4:3 full frame, 4:3 letterbox, Panorama (non-linear stretch), 16:9 full frame or user-defined aspect ratio (10)
Flexible Horizontal and Vertical Zooming & Panning controls
Overscan Adjustment per input
Output Aspect Ratio Controls
Presets: 4:3, 16:9, 2.35:1 or custom output aspect ratio
Separate Display/Screen Adjustments
Underscan Adjustment to eliminate Overscan inherent in a display
10 User-Defined 'Display Profiles' - For multiple display, framerate, and image shift configurations (10)
10-bit 300MHz Instrumentation Quality DACs (2x Oversampling for 1080p)
Full-frame Timebase Correction
High performance, multi-standard video decoder (10-bit: 480i/576i; 12-bit: 480p/576p/720p/1080i)
High-quality super-adaptive comb filter with 2D Y/C separation
Flexible Digital and Analog Audio switching and routing - 4 HDMI audio/video inputs, 5 assignable audio inputs (4 digital, 1 analog) with 1 HDMI audio/video output and 2 active digital audio outputs.
Software Upgradeable
Predefined output resolutions for Plasma, DLP, LCD, LCOS, and CRT-based displays:
480p (720x480)
576p (720x576)
720p (1280x720)
1080i (1920x1080)
1080p (1920x1080)
VGA (640x480)
SVGA (800x600)
XGA (1024x768)
SXGA (1280x1024)
848x600
852x480
1024x576
1024x1024 (ALIS)
1280x768
1280x960
1365x1024
1366x768
1365x768
1400x788
1400x1050
1440x960
1440x1152
User customizeable output resolution from 480p (720x480) to 1080p (1920x1080)
Technical Specifications
Inputs
Twelve Video Inputs Available
Two Composite (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Two S-Video (NTSC/PAL/SECAM)
Two Component (YPbPr or RGB/S) processes 480i/p, 576i/p, 720p, 1080i
One RGBHV/Component (BNC-style connectors) processes 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i, VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA@60Hz
Four HDMI processes 480i/p, 576 i/p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p-50/60, VGA/SVGA/XGA/SXGA@60Hz
One Optional SD-SDI (Serial Digital Interface) processes 480i/576i
Nine Audio Inputs
Four HDMI (HDMI v1.2)
Two Coaxial Digital
Two Optical Digital
One Analog Pair (L/R)
Outputs
One Analog Video Output
Using High Quality BNC-style connectors
Configurable for YPbPr, RGBHV, RGB/S, or RGB
One Digital Audio/Video Output
Using HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) connector
Configurable for YCbCr or RGB
Also carries audio (HDMI v1.1)
Two Digital Audio Outputs
One Coaxial Digital
One Optical Digital
Controls
Front Panel
Infrared remote control with direct access codes or manual controls on front panel
Functions accessible via either On Screen Display (OSD) or 2 line, 20 character front-panel LED display
RS232 port for software downloads and automation.
Fully programmable controls for each separate video input with non-volatile memories:
- Automatic input source detection & input priority selection
- Picture controls with memory for each input: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Hue, Y/C Delay, Sharpness
Output Controls: Analog/Digital, Format/Resolution, Aspect Ratio, Sync Type, Colorspace (RGB or YPbPr),
Frame Lock, Display Profiles (10)
35 Built-in test patterns for ease of set up
Power
Universal AC mains input: 100 - 240 VAC @ 50-60 Hz
Consumption <45W
Sleep Mode - automatic 30 second timeout indicated by power indicator color change
Physical Dimensions
10.4x17x2.2 (26.3cmx43.4cmx5.5cm) with feet
10.4x17x1.8 (26.3cmx43.4cmx4.6cm) without feet
Available Accessories
Rack Mount Kit
SD-SDI Input Module
Silver Front Bezel
USB-to-Serial Adapter
FAQs:
Q: What are these 'Game Modes' ?
A: These modes can reduce the amount of video delay to less than a single frame. In many competitive processors the effects of applying complex algorithms to the video image results in upwards of a seven frame delay. This can inhibit the real-time performance for gamers who want instantaneous response to react to stimuli and to realize peak performance from their application. The VRS Precision Deinterlacing Game Modes will reduce frame delay down to slightly less than one frame of video.
Q: What comes on the 'VRS DVD' that ships with the VP50?
A: The DVD that comes with the VP50 includes many test patterns to assist the you in optimizing the setup and to evaluate the performance of your iScan VP50 (or any other video processing). This DVD was produced by Stacey Spears and Don Munsil (S&M) and I strongly believe that this will be the Reference DVD that everyone uses to compare video processing from now on.
The Static Patterns include:
Picture Controls (Brightness/Contrast, Color/Tint, Y/C Delay, and Resolution)
Geometry (Frame Geometry, Image Cropping, Cross Hatch - Coarse, Cross Hatch - Fine, and Focus)
Gray Scale (10IRE - 100IRE Windows and Gray Ramp)
Half Patterns (Black/White, Color 7 Bars 75, Color (7) Bars 100, Color (8) Bars 75 and Color (8) Bars 100 - These are the 'other half' of the test patterns which are built into the iScan VP50)
The Motion Patterns include:
Chroma Upsampling (ICP, 2-2, and 2-3)
Source Adaptive (Film, Film Detail, and Synthetic Wedge - Each test patterns has 2-2, 2-2-2-4, 2-3-2-3, 2-3-3-2-2, 2-3-3-2, 3-2-3-2-2, 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-4, 8-7-8-7 cadences as well as a sped up cadence and bad-edits)
Edge Adaptive (Jaggies at 45/20/10 degress, Jaggies at all degrees, Video sequences which have very difficult diagonals: 'Ropes', "Ship' , 'Hockey', and Bridge')
Mixed Mode (Horizontal Text and Vertical Text)
Montage
There is also a Demo Loop which goes through all of the deinterlacing evaluation content.
The Source Adaptive 'Film' and 'Film Detail' content should be familiar to everyone, they are the infamous Cafe scene (ever wonder what happens after the bum gets the newspaper?) and Super Speedway, respectively.
Q: Can I purchase an iScan VP50 with the SDI input module installed.
A: At this point, this card is purely a user/dealer-installable upgrades. Both are very easy to do and the installation of either will not void your warranty.
Q: Does the iScan VP50 use the same SDI input module or rack mounts as the iScan HD, HD+, VP20 and VP30?
A: Yes, the iScan VP50 uses exactly the same input module and rack mounts.
Q: Can the iScan VP50 take an HDMI input signal and output that same signal over the analog outputs?
A: If the input signal has HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) legally we must turn off the analog outputs. If the input signal does not have HDCP, then the iScan VP50 CAN output this signal as an analog signal (either RGB or component) at any resolution between VGA and 1080p.
Q: What features does the VP50 have, which the iScan VP20/VP30 do not have?
A: Precision Video Deinterlacing by Anchor Bay for SD (480i/576i) and HD (1080i) VP20/VP30 use the SiI504 for SD deinterlacing and both are upgradeable to the ABT102 (Precision Deinterlacing Card).
Progressive Cadence Detection of 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080p input signals to allow source-locked framerate output of film-based content (24/48/72Hz)
PReP, Progressive ReProcessing of 480p, 576p and 1080p signals
HDMI Inputs can process up to 1080p
VP20/VP30 can process up to 720p/1080i
The VP50 has Anchor Bay's Progressive ReProcessing (PReP) which allows the reinterlacing of an interlaced source whch is converted to progressive by the source. This allows Anchor Bay's high performance Precision Deinterlacing to dramatically improve the image that was previously processed by the source. This is particularly useful with cable and satellite set top boxes that do not output standard definition (480i/576i) at their native resolutions, they are deinterlaced to 480p or 576p. PReP can even be used with a 1080p source like a BD or HD-DVD player!
Q: If I connect an HDMI (audio/video) source to the iScan VP50 will I be able to get audio out via the optical/coaxial digital outputs?
A: In most cases the audio that is available on the HDMI connection will be available on the optical/coaxial audio outputs. Exceptions include MLP (DVD-Audio) and DSD (SACD) which SPDIF connections are incapable of carrying due to bandwidth limitations.
