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Video Review: Kramer VP-729 Presentation Scaler/Switcher
Kramer Electronics, an up-and-coming manufacturer of AV interfaces, specializes in feature-rich, affordable products. The ProScale VP-729 is the company’s latest offering, combining nine analog and digital video/audio inputs, IDT’s HQV video processing, and Ethernet connectivity, all at a very attractive price – just $1,595 MSRP.
We’ve come a long way from the days of big, hulking seamless switchers. The VP-729 is surprisingly compact, measuring just 1RU in height, and provides nine input selection buttons, three additional function buttons, and eight smaller buttons for accessing the menu and other functions, including navigation. A separate power switch is located on the far left, along with an IR control sensor.
Inputs/Outputs: Even though the VP-729 specifications call out nine video/audio inputs, there are actually ten of them – the tenth input is a USB 2.0 port that does double duty as a JPEG still image reader and a port for uploading firmware updates. Four of the 3x RCA analog video inputs can be configured to accommodate composite, S-video, and component (YPbPr) video signals, up to a maximum resolution of 1920x1080i 50/60.
Kramer has also provided two 15-pin VGA jacks, labeled “UXGA 1&2” on the front and back panels. These connectors will accept just about any RGBS/RGBHV signal format, up to 1920x1200 resolution with a 60Hz frame rate. Custom configurations in the ADVANCED menu will work with even higher image resolutions.
The last two inputs are HDMI 1.3 types, and also transport digital audio — a handy feature to have in a compact presentation switcher. The connectors are fully HDCP-compliant, so you can use consumer electronics devices including Blu-ray players and set-top receivers in your system as well.
All input signals are scaled and switched to a pair of video outputs. The first is another HDMI 1.3 jack, while the second is a 15-pin VGA connector. (You can drive both at the same time.) In addition, the VGA jack can work as a conventional RGBHV connection, or be configured to transport YPbPr signals on three of its pins.
As far as audio connections go, separate stereo RCA jack are provided for each of the four analog video inputs, while a pair of 1/8-inch mini phone jacks interface to PC audio. Embedded audio through the HDMI jacks moves around just as easily, and you can enable/disable the embedded audio stream from the menu.
The audio outputs consist of one pair of RCA jacks (analog stereo), plus a coaxial SPDIF output and the HDMI output jack. Kramer has also provided a RS232 port for remote control, plus an Ethernet jack for TCP/IP operation of the switcher/scaler.
Menus and adjustments:,Kramer has packed the VP-729 with just about every adjustment you could possibly want, from top-notch de-interlacing and 3:2 motion correction from the HQV processor to image warping, rotation, and digital zoom tweaks. These are all extremely handy functions to have at your fingertips when you are mounting a projector off-center or at a severe angle to the screen.
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Pete Putman heads ROAM Consulting LLC based in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. In addition, Putman maintains HDTVexpert.com, a fast-growing website that covers digital TV, HDTV, and display technologies.
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