VideoProcessor
Latest
WinFast HPVC1100 is world's first external SpursEngine encoder
Toshiba's Cell-based SpursEngine HD video co-processor has made plenty of appearances within monstrous gaming machines, but this marks the very first time where it has stepped out of the laptop chassis and into a portable enclosure. Granted, the language barrier is killing us here, but it seems as if the Leadtek WinFast HPVC1100 wraps a SpursEngine encoder into an on-the-go solution that can be lugged around with a standard laptop in order to churn through video while on set, in the field or on the road. Other specs include 128MB of RAM, a PCI-Express slot and a weight of 1.54 pounds; there's no word just yet on pricing or availability. One more shot is after the break.[Via Akihabara News]
Cary Audio Designs ships award-winning Cinema 11v video scaler
Cary Audio Design's Cinema 11v video processor was shown off at last year's CEDIA, but it's finally getting its debut party at CEDIA 2008 next week. Don't think the unit hasn't been busy, though -- in the interim, it's been doing some kind of sci-fi time travel shenanigans and picked up a "2008 Product of the Year" award. Leaving aside the issue of general availability, we thought there were plenty of days left in the year. The Faroudja DCDi-powered unit promises to be the "highest-performing video scaler/switcher/processor available," which we think the folks at Silicon Optix might take issue with. The Cinema 11v certainly looks a treat (in a simple way), and sports six HDMI 1.3 inputs and a pair of outputs that can pump out a 120-Hz, 1080p signal sourced from composite, component, RGB or HDMI inputs. [Via Widescreen Review]Read - Cinema 11v wins award [PDF link]
Making a case for a "separates" approach to HD
It's no wonder HD fans have a high incidence of chronic upgrade-itis; it goes hand-in-hand with the forever forward march of technology. Most of us build our HT setups around an A/V receiver -- exotics aside, all the functionality in a receiver can provide good value. But when the upgrade fever strikes, replacing the bundled switching, decoding and amplifying tasks is a lot of "purchase inertia" to overcome. The system-building approach advocated by the linked article (written over a year ago) presents an interesting alternative to the receiver-based system: separate the video and audio chores. Admittedly we're into a fairly high price point here, probably in the $2k receiver range. But if that's how you roll, consider if the larger "up front" cost to a video processor and receiver fits with your view of "price vs. performance."
Anchor Bay's DVDO iScan VP50 goes 1080p-24
The always expensive (but equally coveted) DVDO HD video processor lineup just got even more attractive, as the Anchor Bay iScan VP50 can now take any SD or HD signal all the way to 1080p-24 without a hint of lag or artifacting. The free software update enables v1.04 of its "Film Technology" feature, which allows users to take any input (interlaced or progressive) and have it converted to 1,920 x 1,080 at 24 frames-per-second. So, how many of you are actually lucky enough to need this?[Via Audioholics]
Crestron intros DVPHD-PRO HD digital video processor
Just in case you were waiting for something a bit more sophisticated to drive that LCD4620, Crestron's DVPHD-PRO should make complex ads a whole lot more attractive. The self-proclaimed "advanced multi-window digital video processor and touchpanel interface" enables up to eight simultaneous video windows to be outputted onto a single HD display, as users can utilize four DVI inputs and four BNC arrangements (shown after the jump) to create an on-screen graphical montage. Moreover, the unit can handle both NTSC and PAL signals, is HDCP compliant, and boasts Crestron's 24-bit Isys graphics engine, which enables the creation of high-resolution images / backgrounds, dynamic text, and full-motion animations. Notably, the RS-232 and USB ports allow the box to be controlled via an external touchscreen monitor or whiteboard, and while pricing details aren't listed, we can't envision this bad boy coming without a serious premium.
HP's 30-inch LP3065 LCD monitor gets reviewed
Although the average consumer isn't likely to be in dire need of 2,560 x 1,600 pixels on their monitor, the competition is still very alive in the expansive LCD market, and while Dell, Quixun, Samsung, and Apple all have highly-regarded units of their own, it's about time HP's LP3065 hit the test bench itself. Touted as "late, but great," HP's rendition of the 30-inch monitor managed to top the 3007WFP in "brightness, contrast ratio, and color uniformity tests," though it was noted that results were still below expectations. ExtremeTech found the screen "easy on the eyes" and very tweakable using NVIDIA's control panel via their GeForce 8800 GTX; furthermore, Photoshop editing, DVD viewing, and handling basic, mundane office tasks all provided "results that were nothing short of spectacular." Overall, the LP3065 provided a "wider color gamut," a trio of HDCP-compliant dual-link DVI ports, and "gorgeous image quality," which may or may not be worth the extra $400 over Dell's basic 30-incher to you -- and while it received an "8 out of 10" rating as well as a coveted "Approved" label, you're still better off throwing down this type of coinage on twin 24-inchers if screen real estate is your number one priority.
