Crescendo Sys RTC2000 and gamma

Hi Scott -

Looks like no SMD, right? Do you have a BOM for the other parts, and are you available for a little handholding after construction? I'm interested, but I've got to warn you, I have a tendency to move at a glacial pace on some of these projects. - Pat

There was some noise about Kim possibly including Gamma-Correct-O-Matic, unless I'm hallucinating (a distinct possibility.) If so, why not give it to Kim to 'speremint with?

Scott, jtnfoley,

I am indeed working on the Gamma enhanced transcoder and in order to do that I noticed I needed to make the zero blacklevel circuit more robust than the one now present. The schematic is finished and I just started on the layout. I would be nice though to have a board that I could connect to the existing one to check some more stuff out.


Kim

Please make sure that new transcoder has a 5BNC output.

Absolutely Scott - we all stand to benefit if you and Kim get something good going here. Kim - go for it , buddy. - Pat

Pat, Scott,

Thanks for giving me this opportunity. I will built up the board and send it to Pat after I have experimented with it. I think I have an idea for a really nice enhancement to the circuit.


Kim

Will it be able to be retrofitted to the existing transcoder?

It will require a board swap, the case will stay the same.


Kim

Cool. I am dying to get ahold of this! Will there be a discount upgrade for those willing to do the case swap themselves?

Are you going to offer two versions in the future, or will the current version be discontinued?

Thanks,
Dave

Garyfritz offered me his V1.0 board so I can use to test it and I have gladly accepted, thanks Gary.

An update on the low level gamma correction. I have found a system whereby I can control the amount of correction using one potmeter for all three channels. In order to keep the cost down I will use the existing 'blacklevel' control to do this so I don't have to redesign the case as well. This means that the blacklevel will not be at 0V DC anymore but that should not be a problem for anyone. I expect to have both versions available into the near future since the gamma enhancement takes up additional components and a larger PCB thereby increasing the cost.

I will make a board swap available at a friendly price for those that want to do it themselves. It is really simple though. Just remove four screws at the bottom, lift the top and the rear panel with print attached, remove the rear panel from the old print and mount it on the new print. Assemble in reverse order.


Kim

I see that you've been busy since we had lunch, Kim. Keep up the good work, buddy.

Scott - you have PM. Thanks again - Pat

Kim It's great to hear this new transcoder/Gamma enhancement circuit will soon be available . Can you give us more info on how many inputs you are planning and what type of connectors will be available ? Will there be a passthru mode for both circuits ?

At this moment it is planned as a upgrade to the existing RTC2000, meaning in the same case with the same connectors and the Gamma works on the passthrough as well. I should also able to make an ISS version of this.

Much later I have a much more elaborate one planned with BNC's and all, but that will take some more work.

Any news on this RTC2000 with gamma? Looking at purchasing one of your transcoders Kim but would rather wait for a version with a little bit of gamma boost (which my Dish/Expresvu 6000 HDTV receiver really needs).

Kal

Funny you should mention this Kal. I'm meeting Kim today for lunch to pick up the first demo unit to run through this weekend. Then it's off to Dave's. Kim mentioned that he has a couple more being build currently, but I think he may be wanting to get our feedback first to make sure that there are no modifications needed.

I'll post my report on Monday. Stay tuned....

Hey Matt! Small world... you must be the local guy that Dave (Person99) was mentioning to me yesterday in email... Hence the reason I started searching and came back here. (full loop).

Let us know how it goes. If it works as expected my $$ is ready to spend.

kal

Yep. That would be me. Kim and I work pretty close to each other, so we get together for lunch from time to time.

Err.....make that the following Monday (30th). I'm going to have to use Dave's power supply.

Any more news on the crescendo update? I'd love to add GC to mine.

I made some simulated plots to show what the gamma correction is going to do. There are two of them, the top trace shows the output with no gamma correction, the bottom plot shows maximum gamma correction. The user can set the amount of gamma anywhere in between these extremes by turning a single potmeter.

At design time I can change the maximum gamma curve as well, if people are interested I can give a few examples so we can make a choice.


Kim

I think I may be needing a a new Kimcoder or Kimcoder II.

We call him RTC2200

Why not give a large enough range to allow for a large gamma boost if people want it? Those that don't won't use as much of a boost. Or is it a question of potentiometer sensitivity/range? If you go with too large a range will it be hard to adjust? One option to get around that is a multi-turn pot instead of the usual pot with 270 degree turn. The pot doesn't have to be accessible from the outside either... I don't mind having to pop the cover to adjust if need be since it's a one time thing.

Kal

Great work Kim !

You can put me down for one but is there any chance I can get one with BNC connectors which might require a custom case ? Don't mind spending the extra money for a custom job . Absolutely love your current transcoder !



Tom.W