DVDO, the creator of iScan, announced today the introduction of the DVDO Edge video processor/hub.
Edge upconverts all video formats, up to 1080P output, and improves image quality through its full complement of Anchor Bay’s Video Reference Series technologies. It is also a A/V hub, with 6 HDMI 1.3 “Deep Color” inputs, 2 HDMI 1.3 outputs and a complete array of analog and digital A/V connections. Its new user interface makes setup and operation simple, and there are a number of new customization features allowing users to personalize their own setups.
As an audio/video hub, the Edge handles 10 sources, with 6 HDMI 1.3 compliant inputs (including one hidden and accessible on the front panel). Two Component video inputs accept YPbPr and RGBS (one also accepts RGBHV as well). For other analog video signals, one Composite and one S-Video input are provided. For audio not carried on an HDMI input, there are four digital and one analog audio inputs that are assignable to any of the video inputs.
“Millions of customers have now upgraded to HDTVs, but as they add more sources like Blu-Ray players, portable media, cable boxes and satellite receivers, they find themselves running out of ways to connect them to their TV,” said Doug Fealtman, CEO of DVDO. “And then, once they’ve lived with HD picture quality, they want to find a way to raise the level of picture quality from lower resolution sources to match the capabilities of their HD display. The Edge was designed to seamlessly answer these challenges by connecting and enhancing all video sources and switch between them with the push of a single button.”
Only a single HDMI cable is needed to connect the Edge to the TV displays. All video sources, (including analog, are converted to HDMI. Edge has two HDMI 1.3 outputs, one for the display and a second that carries audio only for use with HDMI 1.3 enabled receivers and processors. For older receivers, an optical digital output is provided.
Aspect ratio controls allow for easy removal of the black bars in letterbox and pillar-box images, as well as correction for overscan and underscan. Preset aspect ratios include 4:3 full frame, 4:3 letterbox, 16:9 full frame, and panorama, which applies a non-linear stretch to 4:3 images to fill 16:9 screens.
Precision AV Lipsync eliminates “video lag” problems by automatically compensating for the video processing delay of the Edge, assuring that picture and sound are matched. For sources where a lip-sync delay is already present, the user can manually adjust the delay up to 200 milliseconds. (I wonder how well this works with video games like Rock Band?)
The Edge goes for $799 SRP and is scheduled to ship in mid to late September.
