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DVDO iScan HD+ Video Processor Toshiba 52HM84 DLP Rear Projection Monitor

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Equipment Review

DVDO iScan HD+ High-Definition Video Processor

Analog/Digital Video Scaler & A/V Switcher

G r e g R o g e r s

S P E C I F I C A T I O N S

Introduction
The iScan HD+ ($1,499) is an upgraded version of Anchor Bay Technologies flagship DVDO video processor. The original iScan HD scaled 480i and 480p analog and digital video to any format from 480p to 1080p. The iScan HD+ adds upconversion, cross-conversion, and downconversion for high-definition 720p and 1080i DVI signals. HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection) processing has also been added to provide compatibility with all DVI and HDMI source components and displays.

Inputs: Nine video inputs Two Composite inputs accept standard NTSC, PAL, and SECAM signals Two S-Video inputs accept standard NTSC, PAL, and SECAM signals Two Component Video inputs (YPbPr or RGB/S) process 480i, 480p, 576i, 576p signals; pass-through 720p and 1080i High Definition signals One VGA Analog Pass-through inputVGA HD-15 connector One DVI inputDVI-I connectorprocesses 480p, 576p, 720p, 1080i with or without HDCP One SDI inputOptional Four digital audio inputscan be assigned individually to any of the video inputs: Two Digital Optical inputs Two Digital Coaxial input Accepts S/PDIF Dolby Digital, DTS, LPCM @ 44 ksps to 96 ksps, 16 bits to 24 bits Outputs: One Digital Video OutputDVI-I connector One Analog Video OutputVGA HD-15 connector RGB or YPbPr color space Separate H&V sync, composite sync, or sync-on-video (bi-level or tri-level sync) Two digital audio outputs One Digital Optical output One Digital Coaxial output Controls: Infrared remote control with direct access codes or manual controls on front panel Functions accessible via either On Screen Display (OSD) or front-panel LED display Fully programmable controls for each separate video input with non-volatile memories: Automatic input source detection & input priority selection Input aspect ratio select: 4:3 fullframe, 4:3 letterbox, 16:9 fullframe or custom input aspect ratio Output aspect ratio select: 4:3, 16:9 or custom output aspect ratio Flexible horizontal and vertical Zooming & Panning controls 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 Profile RS-232 automation/control interface with upgradeable software for future-proof design 27 built-in test patterns for ease of set up Power: Universal AC mains input: 100 - 240 VAC @ 50 - 60 Hz Consumption: < 30W Sleep mode: Automatic 30 second timeout indicated by power indicator color change Physical: Dimensions (WHD In Inches): 17 x 10.4 x 2.2 (43.3cm x 26.3cm x 5.5cm) with desktop feet Standard 19-inch 1U 1.75-inch rackmount option Weight (In Pounds): Unit (without power supply): 6.4 (2.9 kg) Price: iScan HD+: $1,499, SDI Option: $399 Manufactured In The USA By: DVDO Home Theater Products by Anchor Bay Technologies, Inc. 300 Orchard City Drive, Suite 131 Campbell, California 95008 Tel: 866 423 DVDO www.dvdo.com

The iScan HD+ renders DVD Movies with a naturalness that approaches the most desirable qualities of cinema.
DVDO refers to the iScan HD+ as a video scaling processor and A/V switcher because it also includes four digital audio inputs, and provides adjustable audio delay to compensate for video processing delays anywhere in the video system. I reviewed the iScan HD in Widescreen Review Issue 87, August 2004. For this review, I tested all of the previous functions and the new iScan HD+ functions, plus the optional ($399) SDI (serial digital interface) video input card that wasnt available for the earlier review.

Appearance
The iScan HD+ features the same low profile case as its predecessor. The 1.75-inch high, all-metal cabinet and front panel are finished in black with light-gray nomenclature. All illumination from the front panel indicators and display window can be turned off for use in a dark theatre, and the processor operates silently without a fan.

Inputs And Outputs

The rear panel includes nine video and four digital audio inputs. There are two composite video (RCA jacks), two S-video (4-pin mini-DIN), and two component video inputs (RCA jacks), in addition

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to a dedicated analog pass-through input (15-pin D-sub connector) and an HDCPcompatible DVI input for digital video signals. An optional SDI input accepts 480i (or 576i) digital YCbCr video from any standard-definition source with a professional SMPTE 259M SDI output. There are two video outputsa 15-pin D-sub connector for analog YPbPr or RGB signals, and a DVI-I connector that provides only digital RGB signals. Only one output can be active at a time. The iScan HD+ will process and scale 480p, 576p, 720p, and 1080i digital RGB signals from the DVI input. All other DVI formats are passed through to the DVI output without processing. DVI input signals with HDCP are not available from the analog output in accordance with HDCP licensing requirements. The two analog component video inputs are unique. They have four RCA jacks to accept YPbPr or RGB/S signals. RGB/S signals, which are most commonly used in Europe, have a separate composite sync signal on a fourth cable. The iScan HD+ will upconvert analog 480i/p and 576i/p signals, while analog high-definition signals (720p/ 1080i) are passed through to the analog video output without processing. This permits analog signals from a set-top box or digital VCR that produces multiple SD and HD formats to be connected to a single input. The analog pass-through input handles any type of YPbPr or RGB video signals, but it provides no YPbPr/RGB transcoding (color space conversion) or analog-to-digital conversion. There are four digital audio input jacks two optical (TOSLink) and two coaxial (RCA). The digital audio inputs can be individually assigned to any of the video inputs. There is one optical (TOSLink) and one coaxial (RCA) digital audio output, which are both active simultaneously. The rear panel includes an RS-232 port for control or firmware upgrades, and a 6volt DC input jack for the external power supply module.

C O N N E C T O R S

also dedicated buttons on the front panel and the remote control to directly select these submenus or their functions. Individual items within the submenus can be selected using the cursor navigation buttons on the remote control, or by cycling through the menu items using the front panel buttons. To simplify the initial set up, the front panel includes a column of individual LED indicators for each of the Output Setup items. The remote control includes dedicated buttons for each of the nine video inputs. There are also dedicated buttons for each input aspect ratio, and the Zoom, Pan, Info, and Test Pattern functions. The remote control buttons are not backlit, but they have distinctive shapes, glow in the dark, and are grouped by function.

Input Adjust
The Input Adjust submenu includes Border Level, Overscan, Line Offset, DVI Input, VCR Mode, Film Mode, Auto (Input) Priority, Audio Input, and AV LipSync. The Border level sets the brightness of the borders, which is useful to reduce differential phosphor aging (burn-in) on CRT or plasma displays. Overscan enlarges the image by up to 20 percent in both the vertical and horizontal dimensions to eliminate ragged edges on incoming video frames when borders are not desired. The Line Offset function adjusts the vertical image position when using the optional SDI input. The DVI Input function provides an option to pass through all DVI signals to the DVI output without processing, but signals without HDCP are still processed for the analog output. The VCR Mode controls output timing to improve VCR picture stability. Film Mode (Auto/Bias/Off) permits film source detection to be biased toward film or turned off. Auto Priority assigns a priority order for the automatic video input selection mode. The Audio input control assigns the audio inputs to the video inputs. The iScan HD+ automatically adds the correct amount of digital audio delay to match the delay of its internal video processing, which varies depending on whether the incoming signal is interlaced, progressive, or simply passed-through. The AV LipSync control permits additional delay (up to 77 ms or more) in millisecond increments to be added to the digital audio to compensate for video delay in displays or other video processing components.

Input Select
The Input Select submenu provides a list of all nine video inputs (including SDI) and Auto. The Auto mode automatically selects the active video input with the highest priority based on the Auto Input Priority, which is set in the Input Adjust submenu. I preferred to select the input directly with the dedicated remote control buttons.

Input Aspect Ratio

The Input Aspect Ratio submenu includes Input AR, Zoom, Pan, and Borders. The Input AR settings4:3 (full frame), (4:3) Letterbox, 16:9, or Presetresize input signals so they are properly displayed for the selected output aspect ratio. The Preset mode defaults to 16:9, but a custom aspect ratio can be stored for each input. Custom aspect ratios are created by modifying one of the standard aspect ratios using the Zoom and Pan controls. There are separate horizontal and vertical Zoom controls that magnify the image by up to 200 percent. Separate horizontal and vertical Pan functions move the displayed portion of the zoomed image around on the screen. The Borders function separately controls the width of horizontal and vertical masking that can be applied to the image.

Operation
The iScan HD+ can be operated from its front panel or from the infrared remote control. Functions can be selected and parameters adjusted using the on-screen menu or the large four-character front panel display. The latter is especially useful to select a compatible display format during the initial setup. The on-screen menu expands to show six submenusInput Select, (Input) Aspect Ratio, Input Adjust, Picture Control, Configuration, and Output Setup. There are
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Picture Control
The Picture Control parameters include Brightness, Contrast, (Color) Saturation, Hue, Sharpness, Y/C Delay, and CUECorrection (On, Off, Auto). Sharpness is an On or Off function for component video signals, but has an adjustable range of -5 to +7 for composite and S-video signals. The negative settings lower the frequency response, which is sometimes useful to reduce excessive edge enhancement on broadcast video and some DVDs, albeit at the expense of

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picture sharpness. A Sharpness control is not available for SDI or DVI input signals. CUE-Correction enables a chroma filter that is provided to eliminate the Chroma Upsampling Error (CUE) and the Interlaced Chroma Problem (ICP) that occurs in some MPEG video sources (DVD players, digital satellite receivers, etc.). The Picture Control parameters are stored separately for each input.

Power LED, User Mode, Serial Port Rate (1.2-57.6K), Factory Default, Software Update, and Information functions. If Auto Standby is enabled, the iScan HD+ will go into the Standby mode when the current input is inactive for more than 30 seconds. The Power LED function (On/Off/Auto) controls the behavior of the front panel Power LED. Factory Default resets all of the iScan HD+ settings to the known factory defaults. The Software Update function is used to load new firmware into the iScan HD. The Information item provides input and output status and the system version number. The User Mode (Normal/Advanced) provides the ability to customize the output video timing for a particular display. In the Normal mode the horizontal and vertical image position can be shifted in 1-pixel steps. The Advanced mode provides additional adjustments for the frame size, the image size and position, and the front porch, back porch, and sync width, in 1pixel increments horizontally and 1-line increments vertically. This permits the user to create any custom output format up to 1080p.

Adjustments
The Brightness control was correctly calibrated for analog input signals with 7.5 IRE black-level setup, SDI digital signals, and DVI input signals with DVI-Video levels (16235). Below black levels on those signals were correctly processed for the analog and DVI outputs. There is no specific mode for analog signals without 7.5 IRE setup, but the Brightness control can be increased to produce the correct black level (the Contrast control should also be re-adjusted). Below black input signals are clipped slightly below black on analog signals without 7.5 IRE setup. If DVI input signals with DVI-PC levels (0-255) are used, the Brightness and Contrast controls can be recalibrated to produce the correct output signal levels. The YPbPr color decoding for analog 480i/p signals was almost perfect. I made a slight saturation correction that would only be noticed on color bar test patterns. The SDI YCbCr color decoding was perfect on test patterns. There is no hue adjustment for YPbPr/YCbCr signals, but none should be necessary with a good quality source component. The color saturation control is active for all processed input signals, which is quite useful with some oversaturated DVDs. The hue control is available for Svideo and composite video sources. The CUE Filter produces a slight vertical blur along the horizontal edges between colors in split color bar patterns. That vertical filtering removes the dark streaking from DVD players or other sources that suffer from the infamous chroma upsampling error. The Auto mode correctly turned the filtering off for the AccuPel generator and a DVD player that doesnt have the CUE problem. But since automatic filters might be fooled, it may be best to keep it off if your DVD player does not have the CUE problem. However, if you know that a particular DVD produces the Interlaced Chroma Problem (ICP), you may want to set it to Auto for that DVD. The chroma response for S-video signals extended to about 1.6 MHz on the AVIA Pro Polyphasic Chroma Sweeps. (The iScan HD measured about 2.5 MHz, which I rechecked again for this review.) The SDI chroma response was flat to the maximum 3.375 MHz limit of 480i digital video, and rolled off only slightly at 3.375 MHz for the YPbPr analog inputs. There was no visible delay between the luma and chroma components of YPbPr, YCbCr, or Y/C (S-video) signals. The Y/C delay adjustment, which is intended to correct for delays in signals entering the processor, is too coarse to be of much
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Output Setup
The Output Setup submenu includes Analog/Digital, Output Format, Output Aspect Ratio (16:9 or 4:3), (analog) Sync Type, (analog) Color Space (YPbPr or RGB), and Frame Rate Conversion. The Analog/Digital function enables either the analog output, or the DVI digital output with DVI-Video levels (16-235) or DVI-PC levels (0-255). The DVI output is digital RGB only. The Output Format function provides 29 preset output formats that include the standard 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p video formats, plus special formats to match plasma displays, D-ILA projectors, and other products. A custom output format can also be created without using external software. The Sync Type selects bi-level, tri-level, composite, or any combination of separate positive or negative polarity HV sync signals. Frame Rate Conversion is one of the best iScan HD+ features, and it will be explained later.

Configuration Control
The Configuration Control submenu includes Test Patterns (select), Auto Standby, HDCP Mode (Auto, On, Off),

R E M O T E
4

Test Patterns
The iScan HD+ has 27 built-in test patterns, which include Brightness and Contrast, Geometry, Color Bars, Gray Windows/Ramps, Checkerboards, Crosshatch, Focus, Pixel Lines, and a Frame Rate pattern. The latter two patterns are useful to ensure the iScan HD+ is set up to take best advantage of the displays native resolution and frame rate capabilities. Other patterns can be used to calibrate the display to the standard output levels of the iScan HD+. Unique half-transparent Black/White and Color Bar patterns allow the Picture Adjustment controls of the iScan HD+ to be calibrated by directly comparing its standard output levels to input signals received from a calibration DVD or a separate test pattern generator.

Technical Notes
The iScan HD+ has a Philips SAA7119 Video Decoder with 10-bit analog-to-digital converters running at 54 MHz for 4x oversampling of incoming 480i signals and 2x oversampling of 480p signals. A 4-line 2-D adaptive comb filter for Y/C separation of composite video signals is included. A Silicon Image SiI504 digital video processor performs inverse-telecine deinterlacing for 480i film sources, and motion-adaptive deinterlacing for 480i original interlaced video sources. The analog output utilizes an Analog Devices ADV7311 with 12-bit digitalto-analog converters.
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value. It altered the signal timing in onepixel steps from -4 to +3 pixels. The 6.75 MHz single-pixel burst from the AccuPel generator and the 6.75 MHz vertical line pattern from AVIA: Guide To Home Theater showed only slightly reduced contrast and no aliasing bands, indicating a minimal frequency response roll-off for 480i and 480p analog input signals. There was no visible loss of contrast for upconverted SDI and DVI input signals. The YPbPr passthrough mode exhibited a modest loss of contrast in the 37 MHz single-pixel burst of the 720p and 1080i AccuPel Multiburst patterns. There was only a barely-noticeable loss of contrast in the 37 MHz burst through the dedicated analog pass-through input. The iScan HD+ doesnt store separate picture parameters for the analog and DVI outputs, so the Picture Adjust controls may need to be changed if the output is switched between DVI and analog signals. You can avoid this by carefully calibrating the DVI and analog signal inputs on your display(s) to match the iScan HD+ outputs.

more difficult because there is no 3-2 field cadence to optimally deinterlace those sources. Motion-adaptive deinterlacing algorithms vary from product to product, and there is usually a tradeoff between picture sharpness and various types of deinterlacing artifacts, such as jaggies and line twitter. The Video Essentials Montage provides a collection of reference segments that stress video-source deinterlacing. The iScan HD+ appears to take a middle of the road approach between picture sharpness and artifacts. The zoom into the leafy tree was clear with a just a bit of flicker, and there were minimal jaggies on the bobbing frozen branch. The waving American flag produced jaggies and a bit of color-bleed between the red and white stripes, and there was significant line twitter on the zoom out of the city. Basketball broadcasts, perhaps the most difficult test for video-source deinterlacing, exhibited good sharpness but significant jaggies and some line twitter, as the camera panned across lines and logos on the court.

480i Deinterlacing
The Silicon Image SiI504 and a companion processor perform 480i inverse-telecine (film-mode) deinterlacing for movies and motion-adaptive deinterlacing for original interlaced-video sources. Inverse-telecine processing provides progressive video free of deinterlacing artifacts, when it can lock onto the 3-2 field pulldown cadence that results from transferring 24 frame-per-second film to 60 field-per-second interlaced video. Each film frame is reconstructed as a 480p progressive-video frame, and then the 480p frame rate must be converted to 60 frames-per-second to be compatible with most progressive video displays. The last step is accomplished by repeating a frame three times and the following frame twice (a 3-2 frame sequence) to produce five video frames for every two film frames. The SiI504 is one of the best integrated circuit solutions for standard-definition inverse-telecine deinterlacing. It handled the film to video transitions on the Video Essentials Montage Of Images perfectly. The iScan HD+ didnt always lock onto the 3-2 field cadence immediately when starting from a chapter break, but it played through those same chapter breaks without a glitch. I only noticed a few film-mode deinterlacing artifacts during months of DVD movie viewing with the iScan HD (which uses the same deinterlacing components), and none during my relatively shorter viewing time with the iScan HD+. Deinterlacing original interlaced video sources, such as broadcast sports, is much
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1080i Conversion
The iScan HD+ doesnt have inversetelecine or motion-adaptive deinterlacing for 1080i sources. Instead, each individual 1080i field is directly scaled to the desired progressive frame format (480p, 720p, 1080p, etc.). That produces somewhat softer images than the more sophisticated deinterlacing techniques, but it avoids some of the artifacts associated with motion-adaptive deinterlacing. While inverse-telecine deinterlacing for 1080i film sources is always preferable, only a very few projectors have that capability. Most fixed-pixel projectors and flat-panel monitors utilize similar field-based interpolation to convert 1080i video fields to progressive frames at their native resolution. The video quality of this technique depends on the sophistication of the scaling algorithms, so in many cases the iScan HD+ will improve their picture quality with 1080i sources.

Scaling
The 480i/480p to 720p scaling performance is exceptional. There is almost no visible edge outlining around vertical lines in the Sharpness pattern from the AccuPel HDG-3000 Calibration Generator using the video edge mode, which is equivalent to the analog signal edge transition rate from a standalone DVD player. There is only faint outlining, about 3 to 4 (720p) pixels wide, around vertical lines using the AccuPel fastedge (PC-like) transitions. Outlining above and below horizontal lines is about 2 to 3

pixels, but slightly brighter. There is no significant difference in scaling performance between the fast analog edges and DVI signals from the AccuPel generator. I also tested 960p (1440 x 960) and 1080p scaling, which produced similar performance. When the YPbPr sharpness control is turned on, there is only the slightest increase in outlining brightness around vertical lines in the fast edge mode, and almost no increase in the video-edge mode, even though edges become visibly sharper. The YPbPr Sharpness control peaks up the frequency response around 3.5 MHz for 480i input signals (7 MHz for 480p input signals), which can be seen by increased brightness in Multiburst test patterns. Even without the sharpness control turned on, there is good response, without aliasing, in the 6.75 (13.5) MHz pixel burst. The analog signal outputs of DVD players and other video components often include edge overshoot and ringing that produce the same type of edge outlining artifacts as scaling. There is wide variability in the quality of analog signal outputs. The best products produce barely noticeable edge outlining, while others produce severe artifacts. The best way to avoid this additional source of image degradation is to use source components with digital video outputs. DVI or HDMI digital video outputs are now standard on high-definition set-top boxes and are becoming common on DVD players. The optional SDI digital video input on the iScan HD+ also provides the ability to use a source component equipped with a professional standard-definition SDI output. The SDI input only accepts 480i or 576i interlaced video, but that provides a means to use the iScan HD+ deinterlacing in addition to its high quality scaling. Its not possible to use the iScan HD+ deinterlacing with DVI or HDMI signals, because its DVI input does not accept 480i video. The scaling performance using 480i SDI signals was essentially the same as using 480i analog signals. The 1080i to 720p cross-conversion for DVI signals was exceptional on the static horizontal and vertical lines of the AccuPel Sharpness and Overscan patterns. There was about one pixel of outlining around vertical lines, and only a faint 1 to 2 pixels of outlining above and below horizontal lines. The single-pixel and two-pixel wide lines in the 1080i Multiburst pattern were widened, but there were no sharp aliasing lines, banding, or moir in the pixel bursts. When 720p DVI signals are input and output they pass through the iScan HD+ without scaling (i.e. pixel perfect), but the Picture Controls (Brightness, Contrast, Saturation) are

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enabled whenever the DVI pass-through mode is disabled. This can be useful when used with an older display that lacks those controls for DVI signals.

72 Hz Output
The 3-2 field pulldown cadence in filmsource video produces stutter when a smoothly moving object alternately appears in one position for three fields and then in its next position for only two fields. This is called judder in video terminology. Even when 480i film-sources are converted to progressive video, judder is still a problem when a 3-2 frame sequence is used to produce 60 frame-per-second video. One way to eliminate judder is to repeat each progressive frame exactly twice, or exactly three times. Since each progressive video frame corresponds to one 24 Hz film frame, repeating each frame twice produces 48 Hz progressive video, while repeating each frame three times produces 72 Hz progressive video. It is usually preferable to use a 72 Hz frame rate because 48 Hz produces wide-area flicker on CRT projectors and any dropped frames that occur from video edits are more noticeable at 48 Hz. The iScan HD+ will produce a 72 Hz (or 48 Hz) frame rate without judder from 480i film sources. It first performs inversetelecine deinterlacing to reconstruct the 24 Hz film frame and then locks the output frame rate to an exact multiple of that rate. That is necessary to ensure that 72 Hz video will always be produced by a 3-3 frame sequence and wont slip into a 4-2 frame sequence, which would make the judder worse instead of better. Many devices that produce 72 Hz video dont have this crucial ability to lock frame rates. Note: the actual video frame rates are usually 59.94, 23.976, and 71.93 Hz, rather than 60, 24, and 72 Hz. To benefit from the 72 Hz frame rate, you must have a display that will actually produce images at that incoming frame rate. Almost any CRT front projector or a CRTbased multi-scan direct-view monitor will display images at the incoming frame rate. But I dont know of any current fixed-pixel displays (DLP, LCD, or plasma) with that ability. Instead they convert the incoming frame rate to their own native frame rate, which is often 60 Hz. The iScan HD+ includes a smoothly-moving test pattern to determine if a display will actually produce the 72 Hz frame rate. It is equally revealing to simply watch the rolling credits at the end of a movie. If there is any jerkiness to the vertical movement of the credits, the display is probably not operating at the incoming 72 Hz frame rate.

I have been a proponent of using a 72 Hz frame rate to view movies in home theatres for many years. Most of us are so accustomed to judder while watching film transferred to video that we are conditioned to ignore it. But I feel more relaxed and sense that a sub-conscious level of tension has been eliminated while watching movies at 72 Hz. The iScan HD+ can only produce 48 Hz and 72 Hz judder-free video from 480i film sources, which requires that analog video or SDI input signals be used. It doesnt have the necessary circuitry to lock those output frame rates to 480p, 720p, or 1080i sources (even though its menu implies that all formats are frame locked). Also note that you should only use 48 Hz and 72 Hz frame rates with film-source video. Original 60 field-per-second interlaced video already produces motion without judder because each field captures an image at a different instant in time. When those interlaced fields are converted to progressive frames by motion-adaptive deinterlacing, each frame represents the same instant of time as one field. If that 60 Hz video is converted to 72 Hz or 48 Hz, every fifth frame must be repeated or eliminated, which creates judder. There are additional frame rate conversion features, including 50 Hz and 75 Hz output frame rates locked to 50 Hz, 576i interlaced film-sources. Unlocked output frame rates can also be adjusted in 0.01 Hz increments, but that is not useful for eliminating judder.

Viewing Impressions
I used a Runco IDP-980 Ultra CRT projector to view the iScan HD+ RGB analog output, and a Yamaha DPX-1100 720p HD2+ DLP projector to display its DVI output. The DPX-1100 produces a spatially pixel perfect image when driven by 720p digital video signals. Each source pixel is mapped to a single projector pixel without scaling or edge enhancementtherefore the DPX-1100 reveals the precise performance of the iScan HD+ deinterlacing and 720p scaling. I have been using the iScan HD video processor with my CRT projector since I reviewed it in Issue 87. For this review, I made direct comparisons between that iScan HD and the new iScan HD+ using 480i and 480p analog YPbPr signals, and 480p DVI signals, which are compatible with both processors. I didnt discern any differences in the exceptional performance of these video processors. I paid particular attention to the DVD examples that I had used in my previous review, and those

observations are repeated below. I also tested the iScan HD+ with 1080i HDMI signals from a JVC HM-DH5U D-VHS DTheater HDTV Recorder. To take best advantage of its excellent scaling, the iScan HD+ should be mated to the analog output of a DVD player that produces minimal edge outlining, or a digital video input should be used. Since the iScan HD+ is now HDCP compatible, it can be used with any DVD player that has a DVI or HDMI output. The optional SDI interface can be used with any standard-definition digital video source that has a professional SMPTE 259M SDI output. I used both 60 Hz and 72 Hz frame rates to view DVD movies with the CRT projector. I much preferred the 72 Hz frame rate because of the smoother, judder-free motion. The difference is clearly evident, whether watching an object move within a fixed frame or watching relative motion as a camera pans across a landscape. The slow movement of spacecraft in the Star Wars Trilogy illustrates the first case, and the long camera pan across the village roofs in the opening scene of Star Trek: Insurrection demonstrates the latter situation. You may be amazed how jerky film motion appears at 60 Hz after you see the same motion at 72 Hz. The iScan HD+ renders DVD movies with a naturalness that approaches the most desirable qualities of cinema, rather than turning a film experience into video. Beyond its ability to maintain the original cadence of film movement, it also delivers pristine image clarity without introducing distracting scaling artifacts or harsh edges. DVD transfers that have the most complex detail and fine structure, such as The Fifth Element or Mission To Mars, retain exceptional resolution after scaling and dont appear digitally embellished. If you prefer a slightly crisper image, the component video Sharpness control will enhance detail on good film transfers without adding objectionable edge outlining. However, it may exacerbate outlining on poor transfers that have excessive edge enhancement. The extraordinary restoration of the Star Wars Trilogy looks magnificent through the iScan HD+, and nothing less than a CRT projector will fully reveal all of the dark detail on these exceptional transfers. Both the digital video and YPbPr analog inputs preserve the image depth and noiseless near-black features within the Jawa Sandcrawler that imprisons R2-D2 and C3PO on Tatooine. The excellent signal linearity at the bottom of the gray scale also clearly delineates the subtle dark features of Darth Vader, even within the high contrast interiors of the Death Star.
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The opening scene of The Usual Suspects also demonstrates the low noise and excellent near-black linearity of the iScan HD+. Shadow detail delineation is superb on both the CRT projector and the high contrast HD2+ DLP projector, without resorting to unnatural gamma curves or artificially elevated black levels. This scene has good image depth in near darkness and exceptional contrast that is accentuated by the intensely bright flames. The excellent nearblack linearity and low noise of the iScan HD+ is particularly evident on the 1 to 10 IRE, 10-step gray scale pattern from the AccuPel generator. Another quality that is important for creating the cinema experience is color accuracy. The iScan HD+ can perform virtually perfect color decoding. Skin tones can be natural, even in films with deeply saturated color. Notting Hill is a fine example with a brilliant, vivid color palette and an assortment of realistic flesh tones. Of course, some DVD transfers are simply oversaturated, so its extremely valuable that this processor includes a color saturation control for all sources. I tested the new 1080i to 720p crossconversion feature of the iScan HD+ with DTheater movies and 1080i video broadcasts from a DVI-equipped set-top box. I used the DVI Input function to perform 1080i to 720p conversion in the iScan HD+, or to bypass the processor and pass the 1080i DVI signal to the DPX-1100. In the latter case, the

projector does its own 1080i to 720p conversion. Both products interpolate individual 1080i fields into 720p frames, but the iScan HD+ produced slightly sharper horizontal and diagonal edges. The exceptional detail of the house interiors in The Haunting was just slightly better defined by the iScan HD+ conversion. There was also a minor improvement in the sharpness of lettering and closely-spaced horizontal lines in X-Men, and a little less line twitter as the camera moves vertically across the slats of a park bench. The iScan HD+ produced slightly more banding on the Digital Video Essentials 1080i chroma ramp test patterns than the DPX-1100 cross-conversion, but I couldnt find an example of this effect in a D-Theater movie. There was even more detail in 1080i college football broadcasts on CBS. The picture definition was superb, even with crossconversion to 720p, and there were exceptionally few jaggies and very little line twitter as the cameras panned across the lines and logos on the field. Although the iScan HD+ provides only a marginal improvement over the built-in conversion of the DPX1100, it should provide significantly better picture quality than the scaling built into some other fixed-pixel projectors and many flat panel displays.

An iScan HD to iScan HD+ board level upgrade is $399 from a DVDO Authorized Service Depot, or a $750 trade-in credit is available to iScan HD owners. There are also trade-in credits available to owners of several other DVDO video processors.

Summary
The DVDO iScan HD+ Video Processor is an important upgrade of the iScan HD. The addition of HDCP and high-definition DVI scaling and processing makes it compatible with any DVI or HDMI output from a DVD player, set-top box, or digital video source. It upconverts standard-definition video, scales digital high-definition video, and provides unique pass-through capabilities for high-definition analog video sources. It has seven analog video inputs, a DVI digital video input, and an optional SDI digital video input. It provides analog and DVI digital video outputs, with pre-configured and user definable formats that will match the native resolution of virtually any fixed-pixel display. Its ability to provide judder-free 72 Hz video for DVD movies is an immensely attractive feature for use with CRT front projectors. Finally, its four digital audio inputs with user adjustable audio delay is an extremely valuable solution to the lip-sync problem that plagues many home theatres. The DVDO iScan HD+ provides exceptional performance and value.

iScan HD+ Upgrades

Anchor Bay Technologies offers several generous upgrade paths to the iScan HD+.

Reprinted By
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