Is a scaler required?

[MickB]

Hi,
my current set-up involves Sky HD (720p), and a Samsung HD950 (720p via component).

These are feeding my PD proj, which has a native res of 1280X720.

Question is:
Is there any point in adding a scaler to my signal path?

Thanks,

Mick

[creative-av]

Mick,

There is always a point in adding a scaler

First of all you'll be able to get 1:1 pixel mapping for your pj. Secondly you you get all the other, more important, benefits of a scaler which are the advance colour controls, de-interlacing algorithms, gamma & greyscale control and lastly the upscaling features.

Depending on your budget the Lumagen range start at £825 SRP to £1599 SRP. Right at the top is the Crystalio II which is £2999 SRP to £3699 SRP.

Check out some of the other threads in the forum to see what others have thought.

Steve

[tryingtimes]

Hi Mick
Yes, even though you've got your Sky box set to 720p - the actual broadcast is 1080i - an external scaler will do a much better job of deinterlacing than the sky box or the projector.
Just out of interest have you tried setting your Sky box at 1080i and seeing whether the projector does a better job of deinterlacing?
Similarly with the DVD player.

[MickB]

Hi,
thanks for the responses. I've tried setting SKY HD to 1080i, but this produces an unstable picture (image moves up/down by a couple of lines).

I can see why retailers want to sell their products, but surely if the input signals are set at 720p, this is unnecessary?

I'd appreciate a response from a non-retail perspective....

Thanks

[tryingtimes]

Hi Mick
It's a tricky one.
A lot of a scaler's ability is getting rid of visable artefacts. But I don't really want to inform you of all the things which 'might' be wrong with your picture. I may just make you notice things you never had before and I don't like doing that.
It's best if you describe what annoys you about your current setup and then we might be able to tell you how a scaler will help.

[creative-av]

You've hurt my feelings Mick. Thinking I am only here to take your money!

Have a search around the forum and you will see lots of views on how and why a scaler makes a difference to your system.

Steve

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Don't want to bog you down with another retailer perspective. But a common misconception is to assume all a video processor does is rescale. This is a small (very small in fact) part of it's job. Hence why so many people try to force use of the phrase video processor not scaler!

It's important to not lose detail when scaling, but this is just an output function. The bulk of the work goes into filtering errors, correcting colour shifts, cleaning noise, and of course doing the 1080i conversion from your Sky HD box (the 720p output is awful, all HD on Sky is 1080i broadcasted then converted by the cheapo chip int he box) and the 480i/576i conversion from your DVD player. Please do have a search around for similar subjects on this forum, plenty of non-retailer comments I'm sure! I'll keep my nose out now!!!!

[MickB]

Hi,
sorry, didn't mean to upset anyone, and advice should never be turned down, and I certainly shouldn't form an opinion until I have as much input as possible, and I value all responses.
I didn't realise that Sky HD used 1080i native, and I can now see that using an external device for this may improve the signal quality,

Thanks,
Mick

[creative-av]

Was only joking with you Mick.

You are dead right to get as many opinions as possible as it is your money you are spending and your eyes that will be viewing the final picture!

Liam has made the right point above in that so many people do only think that the £1500 box they have just bought is only there to upscale!

Steve