81LumagenReprint 3/1/04 1:01 PM Page 1 Equipment Review Lumagen VisionPro™ Video Processor, Video Upconversion & Signal Switching G REG R OGERS Lumagen VisionPro™ Reviewer’s Choice The Lumagen VisionPro™ Video Processor is the type of product that I like to review. First and foremost, it delivers excep- tional performance. Second, it’s an out- standing value. It provides extremely flexi- ble scaling functions and valuable input switching that isn’t included on more expen- sive processors. Third, it works as adver- tised, without frustrating bugs or design errors that compromise video quality or ren- Specifications: der important features inoperable. Inputs: Eight Programmable Inputs (BNC); Composite (Up To 8), S-Video (Up To 8), Manufactured In The U.S.A. By: Component (Up To 4), Pass-Through (Up To 2), “...blends outstanding picture SDI (Optional) Lumagen, Inc. Outputs: YPbPr/RGB (BNC) 15075 SW Koll Parkway, Suite A quality with extremely Video Processing: 3:2 & 2:2 Pulldown Beaverton, Oregon 97006 Reconstruction, Per-Pixel Motion-Adaptive Video Tel: 866 888 3330 flexible scaling functions...” Deinterlacing, Detail-Enhancing Resolution www.lumagen.com Scaling Output Resolutions: 480p To 1080p In Scan Line Product Overview Increments, Plus 1080i Dimensions (WHD Inches): 17 x 3-1/2 x 10-1/4 Price: $1,895; SDI Input Option, $400 The VisionPro ($1,895) provides two important video functions—upconversion and source switching. The versatile video processing algorithms deliver extensive more to upconversion than scaling. Analog rithms to enhance edge sharpness while control over input and output formats. Video source signals must be digitized, and stan- virtually eliminating edge-outlining artifacts. enthusiasts and professional calibrators, dard-definition interlaced video must be The scaling algorithms also provide extensive can optimize the image format for each converted to progressive video. Then the image sizing and output format options. standard-definition source in a home theatre. progressive video can be scaled to create There are eight analog video inputs, and the desired number of horizontal lines per SDI Input an optional SDI digital video input ($400). frame. If 1080i signals are required, pro- All eight analog inputs accept composite or gressive frames must be converted back Sadly, the analog signal quality of many S-video signals, or up to four inputs can be into interlaced fields. Finally, the digital DVD players is rather poor. Edge outlining used for 480i YPbPr component video signals. video fields or frames may be converted to and ringing artifacts can severely compro- Alternatively, two of the latter inputs accept analog YPbPr or RGB component video to mise image quality, and are often worse on YPbPr or RGBHV pass-through signals. drive a high-resolution projector or monitor. progressive outputs than interlaced outputs. The VisionPro provides YPbPr or RGB Every step in the upconversion process Digital and analog filters in the digital-to- output signals with a complete selection of visibly affects picture quality, and each element analog converter system are the main cul- sync options. It produces virtually any pro- is addressed in the VisionPro design. It utilizes prits. Unfortunately the problems are not gressive video format between 480p and 10-bit over-sampled analog-to-digital and limited to lower-priced players—many high- 1080p and also generates 1080i for CRT- digital-to-analog converters to improve signal er-end DVD players are the worse offenders. based rear-projection TVs. linearity and reduce video noise. A Silicon Consequently, it’s not surprising that DVD Image SiI-504 digital processor provides players with Digital Visual Interface (DVI) digital Upconversion optimal inverse-telecine deinterlacing for film- video outputs have been well received. A DVI sources and motion-adaptive deinterlacing for output bypasses the digital-to-analog conver- Consumer upconverters are usually original interlaced-video sources. Lumagen sion in the DVD player to eliminate a major called video scalers, but there is much developed its own proprietary scaling algo- source of artifacts. For the same reason, video Page 1/6 www.WidescreenReview.com • Issue 81 • February 2004 1 81LumagenReprint 3/1/04 1:01 PM Page 2 Equipment Review enthusiasts were adding SMPTE 259M serial formats are output with ITU Rec. 709 high- ration memories. A SAVE command is pro- digital interfaces (SDI) to DVD players long definition color matrix encoding. So unless vided to separately store each individual before DVI outputs began to appear. SMPTE a display has a user selectable option to configuration in non-volatile memory, which 259M is a professional SDI standard that trans- apply Rec. 709 color decoding to 480p sig- will be retained when the unit is unplugged. ports uncompressed 480i (or 576i) YCbCr digital nals, that YPbPr format should be avoided. video signals on a single 75-ohm coax cable. When the SDI option is included the Remote Control Lumagen recently added an optional SDI AUX BNC jack becomes the serial digital input to the VisionPro. This connection bypass- video input. Otherwise, the AUX jack can be The infrared remote control buttons are es digital-to-analog (D/A) conversion in a DVD used as a TTL-level input to turn on the backlit and feature distinctive sizes and shapes player and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion in VisionPro or as an output to turn on another that make it a pleasure to use in a dark the- the video processor. That eliminates DVD player device. The VisionPro does not have a DVI atre. Menu, OK, Exit, and cursor buttons edge artifacts, potential noise and jitter from output, which would complete a purely digi- provide intuitive navigation of the OSD (on- D/A and A/D conversions, and it maintains the tal video path to a DLP projector. screen display) menu system. A numeric full luma and chroma resolution of DVD images. An RS-232 connector is provided to oper- keypad provides direct selection of any of ate the VisionPro from a personal computer the nine inputs. There are also dedicated Appearance or home theatre controller, or to update the buttons for selecting the A and B configura- firmware with new enhancements. The RS- tion memories, and the 4:3 (1.33:1), LBOX, The VisionPro has a black-anodized, 232 serial interface commands are included 16:9 (1.78:1) or 1.85:1 input aspect ratios. brushed-aluminum front panel with only three in the User Manual, and firmware enhance- There are also component configuration buttons and a backlit LCD status display. The ments are documented and posted on the files (.ccf) for a Pronto remote control posted on all-metal case is entirely black and occupies a Lumagen Web site (www.lumagen.com). the Lumagen Web site (www.lumagen. com). 17- x 10.25-inch footprint. Adapters are includ- An external power module supplies 5-volts ed for mounting in a standard 19-inch rack DC through a cable to a rear panel jack. The OSD Menus (2-RU, 3.5-inch height). There is no fan, so power module includes a separate power cord the video processor operates silently. to connect to the AC power line, and an LED that The most commonly used VisionPro features indicates when the module is receiving power. are arranged into four menu groups—IN, Inputs And Outputs OUT, MISC, and SAVE. Some additional setup Configuration functions are not included in the OSD menus, The rear panel includes eight analog video Memories and must instead be accessed by entering a inputs that can be configured to accept a short numeric sequence on the remote control. variety of signal formats. All eight analog Configuration memories store all of the set- That simplifies the on-screen menu struc- inputs can be designated to accept com- tings that apply to processing the video signals ture and prevents a user from making inad- posite or S-video (Y/C) signals, or four of (pass-through signals are not processed). vertent changes to basic setup parameters. the inputs can be selected to accept YPbPr Each of the eight analog video inputs, plus the standard-definition interlaced component optional SDI input, has two configuration Input Features video signals. Two of the latter four inputs memories (MEMA/MEMB) that are unique for can also be used as pass-through inputs for each input. By default, all configuration mem- The IN menu functions can be individually YPbPr or RGBHV signals. The pass-through ories share the same output format. But the calibrated for each input source. The PDSTL inputs are buffered and provide 300-MHz user can also choose to save independent and ENHNCE settings in the ADJ submenu nominal bandwidth for high-definition video output formats for each configuration memory. should be made prior to adjusting black signals, but only standard-definition inter- The configuration memories are selected level, contrast, color saturation, and hue in laced signals can be deinterlaced or scaled. with the MEMA and MEMB buttons on the the COLR submenu. High quality 75-ohm BNC jacks are provid- remote control. The dual configuration PDSTL (pedestal or setup) should be set ed for all video inputs and outputs, which are memories for each input provide a number to match the nominal black level (0 or 7.5 preferable for their superior electrical and of useful possibilities. The MEMA configura- IRE) of each input signal. The standard for mechanical properties. Lumagen includes a tion memories could be used to store set- composite and S-video signals is 7.5 IRE in selection of conversion cables and adapters to tings that are optimized for critical movie North America. The black level for YPbPr accommodate consumer video sources that viewing in a totally dark theatre, while the signals is usually 0 IRE, which follows the use RCA or 4-pin mini-DIN connectors.