[eawil]

I am new to the video processor world, so forgive me if anything I ask seems "silly".


I am hoping to purchase hardware that will allow me to do the following:

1) "Convert" a pure 720p signal to a 1080i signal (component video I/O)

2) Allow me to select between multiple component video inputs

3) Convert between a computer (VGA) signal and component video


If this can't be done in one box, are the multiple pieces of hardware that can do this? Also, am I asking the right questions? Is there an easier way to do all of this?


Thanks for any help that you can provide.

 

[oferlaor]

1. Any scaler capable of 540p might work. A scaler with 1080i output is a difficult proposition, as most scalers now output progressive only. However, 540p is very similar resolution.


In any case, you should expect degredation in picture quality as a result!! The only way to get it right is to have the scaler upscale to 1080p and then interlace the signal. I'm not aware of any scaler out there today that can do that.


2. Most scalers have 1 or 2 component inputs at the most. The main exception, I believe is the Lumagen series scalers that have configurable inputs (i.e., you can configure it to have multiple component inputs). It only switches & scales SD component signals, though!


3. Depending on whether or not you need a standard ATSC resolution, this can be difficult or easily done. If it's relatively a simple resolution, an HDTV capable transcoder (e.g., KeyDigital has one, Audio Authority has one - but you'll need to contact the vendors to check if your video settings will work with these transcoders) might work. If it's a resolution that the transcoder can't handle, you might need a full blown HD scaler for that (the only one I'm aware that does this today is the Key Digital HD LEEZA).

 

[gtrogue]

You should check out the Holo3Dgraph II + HDAUX . The software is still in development but it is a pretty powerful deinterlacer/scaler especially if you have a PC in your setup already.


It has all kinds of input and output options including DVI, component, composite, s-video, and SDI. The HDAUX allows the card/software combo to handle video switching (including PC output) so you only need one connection to your display.

 

[eawil]

Thank you both very much for the input. Now I guess I have to decide if I want to spend the money to do that.