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Video Processors: Learn the Basics
Key Digital's Mike Tsinberg explains the basics of video processors.
Video processors, such as this Key Digital KD-VPHD2, can be used to remove video noise from an image and to provide switching between several sources.
As the end of the year rapidly approaches, are you prepared to sell a complete video package to your customers?
Don't overlook video processors, which provide a number of benefits, including:
The Basics: Video processors are devices that take in video signal input, apply beneficial modifications and output the content. Processors can be internal or external (as stand-alone components). They offer improved functionality over that which comes inherent to the internal processing of source and display equipment.
What does a video processor do?
A good video processor will take into account factors, like motion, film or video origin, noise character and desired picture setting of the user, to create the best picture.
Motion is important because our vision changes when we look at stationary objects as opposed to moving objects. The film-as-video origin creates a special case when the film is 24 frames per second (fps) and the video display is 60 fps.
Noise can be generated by the camera, film scanner or graphics inserted on top of the picture.
By setting desired brightness, contrast aspect ratio and level of edge enhancement, video processors work on all these factors to produce the best possible picture.
With high definition (HD), why would a consumer need a video processor?
HD does not change the fundamental issues I just raised.
When HD is displayed on a larger-sized screen (42-inch and larger), pixel density is lower and processor artifacts show the same issues that are seen in standard-definition (SD) pictures on a small screen.
In the era of HD, processing becomes even more important because customers purchase their flat screen to have the best match for HD content on the largest possible screen.
The problem is that most of the channels on cable and satellite are still 480i SD, which forces viewers to watch low-resolution content on large screens that highlight artifacts more vividly.
What are some of the performance traits that installers should look for when evaluating a video processor?
Motion artifacts, jitter or tailing, jagged diagonal edges, distorted picture near overlaid graphics ...
The most important test is to spend an hour watching TV with an adjusted processor and then without the processor.
You will see -- there are many not-so immediately obvious processing effects that contribute in our mind to a satisfying picture.
Can a processor integrate into a home theater or multiroom A/V system?
Yes, processors can work with any source, including computers for home theater.
What are some of the standard technologies a processor should offer?
It is good to show potential clients resultant picture uniformity from many different sources and formats. It's beneficial to show them long-term testing results from testing groups, too.
It is also good to perform one-hour test results with and without a processor. This helps the sales people show customers the cost savings and convenience that processors provide.
Don't overlook video processors, which provide a number of benefits, including:
- transcoding of analog formats to digital
- removal of video artifacts
- consolidation of sources provided by single-cable output
The Basics: Video processors are devices that take in video signal input, apply beneficial modifications and output the content. Processors can be internal or external (as stand-alone components). They offer improved functionality over that which comes inherent to the internal processing of source and display equipment.
What does a video processor do?
A good video processor will take into account factors, like motion, film or video origin, noise character and desired picture setting of the user, to create the best picture.
Motion is important because our vision changes when we look at stationary objects as opposed to moving objects. The film-as-video origin creates a special case when the film is 24 frames per second (fps) and the video display is 60 fps.
Noise can be generated by the camera, film scanner or graphics inserted on top of the picture.
By setting desired brightness, contrast aspect ratio and level of edge enhancement, video processors work on all these factors to produce the best possible picture.
With high definition (HD), why would a consumer need a video processor?
HD does not change the fundamental issues I just raised.
When HD is displayed on a larger-sized screen (42-inch and larger), pixel density is lower and processor artifacts show the same issues that are seen in standard-definition (SD) pictures on a small screen.
In the era of HD, processing becomes even more important because customers purchase their flat screen to have the best match for HD content on the largest possible screen.
The problem is that most of the channels on cable and satellite are still 480i SD, which forces viewers to watch low-resolution content on large screens that highlight artifacts more vividly.
What are some of the performance traits that installers should look for when evaluating a video processor?
Motion artifacts, jitter or tailing, jagged diagonal edges, distorted picture near overlaid graphics ...
The most important test is to spend an hour watching TV with an adjusted processor and then without the processor.
You will see -- there are many not-so immediately obvious processing effects that contribute in our mind to a satisfying picture.
Can a processor integrate into a home theater or multiroom A/V system?
Yes, processors can work with any source, including computers for home theater.
What are some of the standard technologies a processor should offer?
- Motion assisted de-interlacing
- 3:2 and 2:2 pull down
- 2-D noise reduction
- AR adjustments
- all picture adjustments
- H and V positioning
- SV, CV, VGA, component and HDMI to HDMI conversion
- 1080p and VESA resolutions on the output
It is good to show potential clients resultant picture uniformity from many different sources and formats. It's beneficial to show them long-term testing results from testing groups, too.
It is also good to perform one-hour test results with and without a processor. This helps the sales people show customers the cost savings and convenience that processors provide.
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About the Author
Robert Archer, Senior Editor, CE Pro
Bob is an audio enthusiast who has written about consumer electronics for various publications within Massachusetts before joining the staff of CE Pro in 2000. Bob is THX Level I certified, and he's also taken classes from the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) and Home Acoustics Alliance (HAA). In addition, he's studied guitar and music theory at Sarrin Music Studios in Wakefield, Mass.
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