Scaler and HDMI for Pioneer 503MXE plasma needed

[midlander]

I'm looking for a scaler for my 3rd gen Pioneer PDP-503MXE plasma to give me a better picture and HDMI inputs. I've been searching here and Google, but cannot find whether the KeyDigital HD Xplorer or Aurora TVP-500F input cards will work. They only mention that they replace the newer Pioneer 5003 and 5004 input cards (mine is equiped with the 5002). Would I be better off buying an external scaler and connecting it to my plasma via DVI? (Bearing in mind the 503MXE only accepts PC resolutions via DVI). Also, an external scaler could be used in the future should I change the screen.

Any advice greatly appreciated.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Yes you can run an external scaler, and the screen using PC resolutions is a benefit as it means the screen will leave the (superior) video processor to do all the hard work. Your screen I know works particularly well with video processors.

You will get HDMI/DVI inputs, however you won't get the all-important HDCP compatibility. You would need some kind of (essentially illegal) device to remove the copyright encryption from the signal in between it going from the video processor into the plasma screen. However I must warn, we've just randomly had some of these fail in the field so they can't really be regarded as a perfect solution.

For the moment if you don't have a HDMI source this is no problem, a video processor getting component, RGB, SDI feeds etc can still happilly communicate with the DVI port on your MXE. It's when you get Sky HD (and want to use HDMI rather than component) or a HDMI DVD player that this is more important.

When you do replace the plasma screen, the processor is just unplugged from one and into another!!

[midlander]

Thanks for the reply Liam.

I'll probably go for the external scaler as you recommend (more futureproof). What would be your choice in the £500 - £1000 region? I'd need component in and DVI out at 1280x768 @ 60Hz.

Just out of interest, would a HD Xplorer card work in my Pioneer or is it too old?

Regards

Martyn

[creative-av]

Hi Midlander,

I think your MXE may just be too old for the HD explorer card. For your budget you are looking at a new LumagenDVI(SRP £825) or maybe a second hand Lumagen HDP if you can get one. A new HDP has SRP £1299.

Steve

[Liam @ Prog AV]

No I don't think you'll get a explorer card in there. But there is a HDMI-DVI converter on the market and one or two other ways to get protected signals into your screen.... The one I had that I thought had randomly failed in the field, thankfully hadn't! Just seemed to hiccup when the clients TVDrive updated itself.

Anyways, my only recommendation for that budget is Lumagen DVI @ £825. Does up to 768p/1080i output and has immense processing power for the price. If you can though, the HDP @ £1,295 does give even more processing power (10bit to 8bit) and also has more advanced HDTV processing and output up to 1152p resolution!! This would then cover your HD needs now, and with next gen boxes, and with your next (possibly 1080p resolution) display.

[iss10]

Originally Posted by Liam @ Prog AV

Yes you can run an external scaler, and the screen using PC resolutions is a benefit as it means the screen will leave the (superior) video processor to do all the hard work. Your screen I know works particularly well with video processors.

You will get HDMI/DVI inputs, however you won't get the all-important HDCP compatibility. You would need some kind of (essentially illegal) device to remove the copyright encryption from the signal in between it going from the video processor into the plasma screen. However I must warn, we've just randomly had some of these fail in the field so they can't really be regarded as a perfect solution.

For the moment if you don't have a HDMI source this is no problem, a video processor getting component, RGB, SDI feeds etc can still happilly communicate with the DVI port on your MXE. It's when you get Sky HD (and want to use HDMI rather than component) or a HDMI DVD player that this is more important.

When you do replace the plasma screen, the processor is just unplugged from one and into another!!

When does the HDCP compatibility become applicable? i.e. when will HDCP cause you problems?

Thanks,

[creative-av]

HDCP is a copyright encryption method applied by manufacturers to their equipment and by the film companies to their material.

Basically, as most HDMI equipped products enforce it, when you connect two HDMI products they perform a hand-shake and confirm with each other that they have legal HDCP encryption keys.

The other scenerio is when the source material, i.e. a dvd, has a flag on it which says that the material can only be transmitted over a digital connection that is HDCP enabled. So, as Liam states above, when connecting SkyHD to your panel via a HDMI-DVI connection, you may not get a picture because HDCP is being enforced.

Steve

[Liam @ Prog AV]

With a non-HDCP screen you basically cannot use anything with a HDMI socket nor any DVD plauyer with a DVI socket. All will "ask" the screen for a HDCP "handshake" which the screen will not be able to return, hence no image.

You can use component from Sky HD (which I thought was very impressive on a Crystalio II running to a 50" Fuji this week) and SDI or component for DVD.

[iss10]

so basically it would probably better to invest in a HD Xplorer card or similar, to be able to obtain HDCP compatibility (to view DVD's and HD signals). And then further down the line, a scalar could come into play.

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Originally Posted by iss10

so basically it would probably better to invest in a HD Xplorer card or similar, to be able to obtain HDCP compatibility (to view DVD's and HD signals). And then further down the line, a scalar could come into play.

That or a new screen LOL!!

[creative-av]

I'm sure we said above that the Xplorer card will not work with the 503 panel.

Your only option is to use one of the Digital-Analogue converters so that you can use HDCP enabled source devices or buy a new panel as Liam suggested.

The Fuji 58 series gets my vote - what do you think Liam

Steve

[Liam @ Prog AV]

Originally Posted by creative-av

The Fuji 58 series gets my vote - what do you think Liam

Well I dunno... you've gotta look at the pros and cons... other products on the market... what your needs and wishes are... OF COURSE THE FUJITSU!!!

[creative-av]

There you go midlander. Myself and Liam have made an execuitive decision for you and you now have to buy the Fujitsu

[sprout]

Originally Posted by iss10

so basically it would probably better to invest in a HD Xplorer card or similar, to be able to obtain HDCP compatibility (to view DVD's and HD signals). And then further down the line, a scalar could come into play.

See my for sale thread for the "Latest" available HD Xplorer card the KD-PC2

sprout

[KenB2]

Hi,

Another option would be a second hand Crystalio VP2300. I found they work well with the 503mxe (via DVI) - mines still going strong - I also have no HDCP support on that set-up, but have got away with it so far (not for much longer I suppose).

I have been holding off on upgrading the 503MXE, since I got into front project recintly (and spent all my money) - but those new Pioneer 8th generation panels sound temping (better start saving the pennies)

I have got to the point now of just hanging onto the 503 to see how much longer it keeps going

At the time I bought it, there where lots of FUD around that the things wouldn't last five seconds - yes, the picture was never that great, but I have found it reliable - pretty impressive considering the complexity of the thing.

It makes a good room heater too

Ken B.