scaler with HDSDI output

[david.elsbury]

Looking for recommendations for a scaler, must have vga and dvi/hdmi in, must accept various resolutions, must output HDSDI. (if it also output hdmi that'd be a bonus).

 

Someone at work decided that a Panasonic HS410 would make an excellent conference switcher. Since that purchase, we've now got a couple of Pulse 2 units, but this week because I'm needing a specific feature set I am back with the panny mixer.

 

currently for guest pc input we use grass valley any-> sdi boxes. Great, IF you can make the sending device match the format and frame rate of the switcher, which can be hard on a device that turns up minutes before show time.

 

I know Crestron do a scaler box but it's only an hdmi out. But basically whatever you plug in, it will scale to your resolution and output settings.

 

thoughts appreciated :)

 

David

[Dave m]

You need to get the instruction book for,the 410 and check stuff (unless you already have it)

I have a four year old HS400 and it is great although the setting up can get annoying but the issues that you might have is that the dvi/vga input card is very particular about the computer inputs and I can only get one out of six MacBooks to connect without hassle. It plays ball on dual screen but then powerpoints makes it play up

Also the hd-SDI inputs is 1080/50i only (at 1080) and it distorts a 50p signal so you might have to convert files if running off say, a blackmagic hyper deck as playback VTR

[david.elsbury]

The issue isn't the DVI input card (or the on board DVI input) since I can get into that quite fine. The issue I have is when running external computers via SDI.

 

And I'm not sure what you mean about the fact that it only runs at 1080/50i- if I select 720/50 in the 'system' menu then I have to lock cameras and the laptop that I tried to input via the grass valley box to 720/50, otherwise it just doesn't register.

 

Thanks

David 

[Pete McCrea]

We have the AV-HS400 with additional DVI card, so understand the pain when you need to get additional laptops in over the existing inputs. Our expensive answer - ImagePRO. Alternatively we go cameras to AV-HS, then that into ScreenPRO II or PDS, if the latency issues are acceptable. But sounds like that route might not work for you.

 

There also seem to be people raving about the Datavideo DAC-70 for cross converting. Seems to tick the boxes you're after, but no idea on cost in the southern hemisphere.

 

Blackmagic have just launched the Teranex Mini Convertors that look to be better than the Miniconvertors for HDMI to HD-SDI. Again not used, and only seen the press release on Tuesday. Be interested to get my hands on them and see if they'll actually 'process' stuff, I.e reclock a 49.99hz signal to 50hz….

[Dave m]

what I meant was that the mixer is fussy about it"s inputs compared to some and you can't just plug and play mixes of cameras and allow the mixer to sort it out.

 

I was having issues with a known good apple ProRes file from a hyper deck that played fine but the mixer wouldn't accept it as it was 1080/50p

[Pete McCrea]

Yes the AV-HS series is a vision mixer, so has no scaling, apart from on the additional input cards. So you have to match the sources to the system resolution, so 1920x1080@50i throughout or which ever is your chosen resolution. Which is pretty standard for a vision mixer rather than a presentation switcher.

[AHYoung]

well being as I myself specified exactly a panasonic hs410 and can attest that it is indeed an fine choice, and id use it over the pulse anyday if only for the control surface and multiviewer

im assuming that what you need is the means to plug in all manner of random stuff in. Personally I just set everything to 1080i50 and use black magic hdmi - sdi miniconvertors , however if I need scaling id use the lone dvi in. four of the inputs have upconvertors built in so its not really as stoic about res as you might think. If you want to be able to plug anything in id suggest a datavideo DAC-70. This has vga / hdmi and sdi in, and up down and cross converts to sdi and hdmi so its pretty much an anything in solution and its got very many uses and its a usefull get out of trouble box.