Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: Alternative content scaler/processor recomendation.

This is topic Alternative content scaler/processor recomendation. in forum Digital Cinema Forum at Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE.

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Posted by Stephen Furley (Member # 1277) on 02-08-2016, 05:39 AM:

We have a Cine-IPM 2k. I like it, but it does have some problems. The main ones are:

Only two inputs which are really of any use for anything.

Only one digital input.

Not HDCP compliant.

HD-SDI option module very expensive, even used ones.

There's a possibility of some funding to add a new unit. I'd want to keep the Cine-IPM for analogue signals, it handles 'difficult' signals better than anything else I've used, but install a new processor for digital video.

Don't need some of the things that the Cine-IPM can do, e.g. multiple systems to create video walls etc. Something much simpler would do. Basic specification:

At least two DVI-D/HDMI inputs.
HDCP compliant.
At least one HD-SDI/3G-SDI input.
2k output.
Built-in audio de-embedder for HDMI could be useful.
If possible 1U high.
Reasonably inexpensive.
Controllable from Ethernet or serial.

I need to put in a proposal within the next few days; any suggestions for models which might be worth looking at?

Posted by Steve Guttag (Member # 268) on 02-08-2016, 09:26 AM:

If I may ask...why bother with a scaler? Get a suitable (e.g. AJA) HDSDI to HDMI converter and then use a suitable HDMI switcher. Just what are you scaling at this point? Can't everything else be 1080? DCinema projectors can handle 1080 just fine.

As for dembedder...2-channel or multichannel? 2-channel...there are tons (er many Kgs)...multi-channel...almost none if you need to handle high-bandwidth suff like DTS Master Audio or Dolby True HD...Crestron has the lock on those, at the moment, and it isn't cheap.

There is the Christie (Geffen made) SKA-3D that will do all but the HDSDI and act as your sound processor for everything. It is 2U tall and isn't cheap.

There are also HDMI-HDMI scalers so you could use an HDMI switcher with a scaler on its output to ensure everything is "uniform" to the projector.

There is also the option of just getting a consumer A/V receiver and using it as your switcher/dembedder. but it will be FAR form 1U tall but it will likely be "cheap". Just watch out on HDCP issues.

Posted by Dave Macaulay (Member # 813) on 02-08-2016, 10:41 AM:

There are some Kramer units that will do almost what you want, but HD-SDI inputs is unusual in an inexpensive scaler. Converting to HDMI is a good option.
Kramer units are 1RU, pass through HDMI digital audio plus split it out as S/PDIF and analog stereo but Blu-ray hi def audio options are not supported (as far as I know).
The VP-728 we generally use is good for HDCP: I have never tried connecting a VGA monitor as well as the projector to see if it's rigidly compliant... but it works with the HDMI output going into a compliant projector's DVI input, or an IMB/IMS HDMI input.

Posted by Pete Naples (Member # 761) on 02-09-2016, 03:56 AM:

Stephen,

Calibre Scaler

HQView400DC should suit your needs.

We've got quite a few out there now, Picturehouse Cinemas use them too.

Made in the UK!

Not stupidly expensive either.