Connecting a Plasma and a projector to one scaler

Why would you need to split them passively? Because if you did, that WOULD be bad --- you'd get signal degradation.


However, there are other options, called "distribution amplifiers," that have one or two RGB inputs and 2 to 4 RGB outputs. They are powered and require a power supply, but they buffer and amplify the output and that makes a huge difference; I use one for a long cable run to avoid image ghosting, for example.


Extron makes them -- www.extron.com, and they're about $100-150 US each.


As far as having various memory presets for different displays, many scalers do that. The Rock+, Vigatec and Faroudja all have memory presets that can be used that way, I believe.


What you describe is pretty simple. Good luck!


Cheers

Um... DA's do not stop ghosting. Ghosting is caused by impedance mismatches or open video paths, DA's do not deal with that.


Also, a DA for a long run is not really needed unless we are talking about a run over about 50-100 feet. But that is another story alltogether


A DA takes one signal and then using an Amplifier it makes many copies of it. all the same voltage and everything else.


So, in answer to the original question, just find your self a DA with al least 200 MHz of bandwidth and you should be fine. FOr best results, only get one with two outputs as there are other issues possibly if you had say 6 outputs and only used two.


Ebay always seems to have lots of DA's on it.


Also, there are numerous Scalers on the marketplace. Some have two independantly amplified outputs. So you may not even need a DA. Just check on that option as well.

I use a D-ILA and a Sony F500. Two display devices driven simultaneously. The Sony is very forgiving. But only one source input at a time can be selected. The same output goes to each set of connectors (RGBHV and VGA). If you wanted to stop watching the plasma and start watching the D-ILA, you would need to turn the D-ILA on, and select the appropriate output formatting (which can be set to only one value at a time for each of the inputs). If you could have your source device drive two vigatec VGA inputs, then a single IR command would select the D-ILA - associated input and the format would come with it. Failing that, you would need to select a different outut format setting when going the D-ILA [which could be programmed into a Pronto or similiar].


These comments apply to the GVC-1280 (SDI). Don't know about the other choices.


These comments assume that you wish to do the formating in the Vigatec rather than somewhere else (e.g., Dilardized D_ila).


Vince


PS (edit) It is slightly frightening to post your reply and see that Dizzman posted right ahead of you. There will be only dead bodies left on the field and no questions left to slay. But we seem to have passed quietly. You are supposed to take that as a compliment Dizzman.

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Thanks Vlubbers and everybody


I have a Theta Casanova with 2 S Video outs, will that do? why did you choose the Vigatec over the Faroudja NR? is it because of the SDI input or overall picture quality? I am planning to buy a DVD with SDI out.

QUOTE]Originally posted by Vlubbers
I use a D-ILA and a Sony F500. Two display devices driven simultaneously. The Sony is very forgiving. But only one source input at a time can be selected. The same output goes to each set of connectors (RGBHV and VGA). If you wanted to stop watching the plasma and start watching the D-ILA, you would need to turn the D-ILA on, and select the appropriate output formatting (which can be set to only one value at a time for each of the inputs). If you could have your source device drive two vigatec VGA inputs, then a single IR command would select the D-ILA - associated input and the format would come with it. Failing that, you would need to select a different outut format setting when going the D-ILA [which could be programmed into a Pronto or similiar].


These comments apply to the GVC-1280 (SDI). Don't know about the other choices.


These comments assume that you wish to do the formating in the Vigatec rather than somewhere else (e.g., Dilardized D_ila).


Vince


PS (edit) It is slightly frightening to post your reply and see that Dizzman posted right ahead of you. There will be only dead bodies left on the field and no questions left to slay. But we seem to have passed quietly. You are supposed to take that as a compliment Dizzman. [/quote]

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I'm doing this. I have a D-ILA, and a direct view, and I use my Casa Nova to split the S-Video out of a Tivo box to each of my displays. Works fine. Actually, the S-Video out of the Nova goes to a scaler (HTPC, actually), that then talks to the D-ILA via VGA. But, same difference - it used to work when I had svid going straight to the projector.


However, you don't want to do this if you can help it - S-Video will be much worse than RGB. If your scaler outputs RGB, and doesn't have multiple outputs, use a DA.


- Dave

Thanks Vlubbers and everybody,


I have some more questions please:


I've just checked the Vigatec web site and read about the aspect ration conversion feature, how does this feature look like? is it OK or does it have noticeable artifacts?


how was the SDI improvement over the DVD that you were using before?


Thanx again
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