Waddup millz, I would say the quickplay is a 7/10 and the Kramer and extrinsic 500 is 9.5/10. A 10 would be the quality of the older macbook pro, before the went minidisplay.

I get a better picture with the Extron 500, but Im getting horizontal lines/blocking with it. I dont get the blocking with the Aver, but the quality is at least 35% less with the Aver....

500 is on point, but I do get wavy lines, almost looks like I'm looking at the video through a chain link fence, very suttle, but still there.

500 here, happy with it so far. Of course I miss my old MBP output.

500 here too, definately happy with it quality is much better than quickplay, although I do love my quickplay too (but the quickplay looks like a toy really, and I dont think it will last long).
The 500 is as easy to use/set up as the quickplay, which is great, basically its plug and play.
I have yet to notice those horizontal lines Millz & Puma (I might need to pay more attention?).
Do you get those lines on all outputs?

its just happens at hard lines (like faces, text etc) turning the filter/flicker to zero helps but doesnt cure it. I guess I was expecting something much better for the amount I paid.

i'll have to look again when I spin video and take a pic close up. Definitely way better than the grandtec.

i usually just plug it in and go, haven't messed with any settings yet.

^^^same for me

I use the 500 and never get any of these lines. Wonder why all the differences?

what output are you using?

I am using the VGA in and the component out.. However I realized that I also have a Extron DA RGB/YUV series box after my 500. This is an extron distribution amp that splits my signals for me. lol and sometimes I use the s-video out to the extron V-4 as well.

Next time I set-up I'll look at it without the amp or extron in place.

I'm assuming the RGB is the best way to go out of the Extron correct? Is there a noticeable difference? Just curious.

Dumb question. What do I need to use composite out of this thing. Just a bnc to composite and a composite cable

I think so Puma. I ordered 3 more bnc adapters and I'm gonna buy a composite cable for that spot I did a few weeks back that only has that type of connection. I'm curious to see if the videos will look any better using that output.

You can also do a pairing of 2 of the BNC's that sum for a s-video output. They have special adapters you can easily find on the web for that.

On the composite out just use the VID output. Radio Shack usually has the BNC to RCA adapter you can use....you just plug your composite cable to that.

im not getting a huge difference between RGB and composite.

You should be. Colors, saturation...even refresh rate should be noticeable.

i was on the phone with extron for an hour today just working on some ish. What do you guys have me set to: Fit ?

Nice, I have to use the composite for the first time this weekend and I don't want to use the old grandtec.

scaling = Fix
arrangement = mix
enable frame blending checked, but I think that should be off

preview
a/r = none
update rate = medium

Fit not Fix

puma, justin and everyone who owns a 500, can you take a jpg pic of the output on a lcd tv and email it to me millz@smashvidz.com ? Im trying to see what everyones looks like vs mine. TYIA

I'll trey and do it today if possible.

Output using s-video and I'll use a smash video

not s video, composite only

...please

Millz, Are you thinking you don't have a 500?

(mine's 200 miles away at the club so I cannot send picture until this weekend :) )

I just want to make sure that theres nothing wrong with mine.

I'm going to pick up a bnc to composite now.

I'll email when I get it tested out.

I just dont like the horizonal looking lines. spend all that money and still isnt right :X

Millz,

Backtrack your problem. Just hook up to one TV with the laptop right next to it and no other devices / long cable runs and see if you have this issue.

ive tested everything. the thru vga works beautifully, vga straight to tv works the same. composite and component looks ehhhhhhhhhh

Composite I can see but component is basically the same as VGA so there should be no difference there. Another test you can try is to grab a VGA to component cable and see if you have this same issue. Go out VGA then distribute component.

One more thing...are you sure that you are using the right component output. There are three RCA jacks which are color-coded green, blue, and red. They are labeled either Y, B-Y, R-Y, or alternatively Y, Pb, Pr, or Y, Cb, Cr. For practical purposes they are all the same thing, just make sure the colors match up on both ends.

Super sorry for the basics as I know you understand this....just making sure you haven't overlooked anything :)

I have checked those things, yes. I dont have a vga to component adapter. Ill pick one up here shortly, but regardless most of my gigs only have composite, so thats where Ive been doing most of my testing.

It might be a genlock issue. Turn everything off then make sure that you hook it up, turn on the Extron unit first then turn on the Mac. See if that does anything.

what model Kramer is everybody talking about here?

extron vsc 500, not kramer

there was a Kramer mentioned by Niro

aaah I C.

well were stuck on the extron right now, not sure of the kramer model #

Kramer model is VP-501XL. It's good, but it doesn't have component, just S-Video and Composite. The conversion is as good as the Extron, but it is a lot smaller and easier to carry around. Oh and it has a crappy power cord, kramer will send you a new one, when the joint frays.

After having my extron for a while now I can really say how much I HATE having to carry this to all my gigs.

How expensive (ballpark) would it be to run HDMI or VGA to the DJ booth (we have 6 TVs, the furthest one from the booth is prob 100ft max)

The manager has run stuff to the TVs before so he knows how to get in the roof and feed everything through I would just need to get all the supplies (of course they would reimburse me)

Running VGA wouldnt be much. Problem is, do the tvs have VGA in.

No pics yet millz. Was in editing mode and didn't get a chance to test it out.

i got the bnc's to composite so I'll test out today.

I don't mind carrying the extron, I fit all my gear plus my 17 mbp in my dj bag. Just have to carry my stand and 57. I even fit the grandtec in there, for the just in case moments

Well the TV's are all flat panel white Samsungs, I'll have to check but let's say they do in fact have VGA input. What kind of cost am I looking at and what parts are needed?

Tons of vga cables and a video splitter

Thanks for being so specific asshole.

no prob dub.

haha.

Depends on how far the tv's are from the splitter.

10 50ft vga cables could be $30 each so that's $300 right there.
or go vga baluns, but the baluns are $100+ a pair

You better hope that the TV's also have a VGA loop-thru or else you are going to get killed on the VGA splitter

Furthest one isn't more than 100ft and there are two that far. All the others are within 50ft.

Now I really want to know if the TV's have VGA inputs. Do most Samsung LCD's come with VGA inputs? The screens are 32" I believe and can't be more than 2 or 3 years old.

What do you mean Justin Allen?

Having a VGA loop-thru allows you to basically keep your cable run down to short lengths. You have a VGA in on the back and you have a VGA out on the back.

The end result is that you only have 1 VGA cable back to the booth that feeds all the TV's. remember VGA is the same as Component so you can switch back and forth with no issues. (You may have a component out on your TV's.)

We need the model number to check on that

Think of the loop through on the extron. You can plug your mac into the extron and still use the vga to plug into a tv or projector from the extron.

Oh ok I get it. Yeah I'll get the model number tomorrow. I wouldn't mind the hassle of helping the club run all the cables if it means I get a better picture and don't have to take my extron with me there every week. I'm the only video DJ there so if I want this done I gotta do it myself.

My guess is that the TVs do NOT have a vga thru.

I found an 8 port VGA splitter on Amazon for less than $100. Wonder how good it works.

Like an 8 port VGA splitter on Amazon for less than $100 :) A decent one will be at least three times that.

I've played at a few clubs with a VGA/Splitter from Monoprice, I think it's about $80. They also have cheap Baluns there, but I believe they're powered. The thing to do is to put the splitter half way between you and the furthest TV. So than you Run a 25-30 ft cable to the splitter and the same to the TV's. 25-50 VGA cables at OME type computer stores are pretty cheap.

Millz, hit me up later. Gonna Go snowboarding again, blue bird and 9" inches of new. I didn't get any lines on my unit. The size is at 512x512.

Anyone is more than welcome to misquote the above statement, but that only shows your true inner thoughts.

well........ fuck.

The thing is I'm going to two different rooms. The room that I DJ in is about 100 ft from the 2 TV's at the bar (which are the two most important if you ask me) and then in my room I have 4 TV's (furthest one is maybe 30 ft away from the booth)

What's wrong with the $80 splitter? The picture will look like ass?

Niro thank you sir :)

No worries Jack, have you tried the output configuration. Also older TVs are crappy. Nothing wrong with the monoprice splitter.

Thanks for the confirmation Niro. I'll try that. I know the cheap bastards aren't gonna go for a $300 splitter. I'm working with like a $200 budget I'm assuming.

Im using a vizio 60htz 42 inch tv for testing. Im goin to do some more testing here this afternoon.

Jack, maybe check the frequency on the visio, also some TVs and projectors just look doodoo.

Oh and sorry for high-JACKing this thread (no pun)

@niro,

do you ever see the little wavy lines at Masa, or Del Rey. I get them at both and wonder if it's just the projectors or my settings.

I figured out my issues. For some reason, I was getting tears in the screen upon startup. It was just on the output window. I fixed it by accident actually. I minimized and refreshed the output window in M/E and that did the trick. The Extron really makes a huge different in quality vs the aver.

Glad you figured it out.

Millz, you should post this issue over on the ME site and see if it's something they can prevent for users in the future.

Ill hit up Nick +1

Shit, you didn't say you were on ME, I could have told you that. Naw, I'm glad it worked out.

yessir

how well doest the extron work with video sl? thinking about picking this one up...

Flawless. Transparent. Essential!

what about the kramer...I see one for 225.00 shipped...how does that compare?

have it in my basket...LOL

kramer 501 VL

i use that cheap Monoprice one and it works great. colours are fine picture quality is as good as RCA video can be.

for digital component.
give the grand tec hi-wire a try.... its shockingly good.

I got the extron and love it. Although I prefer when I just plug in vga and good to go, but I always bring the extron just in case.

Im noticing some ripping in my videos with my extron...Im going to send it back to the company when I get back from Djin overseas and see what they can come up with,

I've noticed some "tearing" as well, but there was no extron involved.
It was vga to a projector, but there is something else involved but not sure what. The video setup is behind the scenes and I don't have access to it.

I used Joshes Grand Tec Hi Wire when I was up spinning in Boston last week and it looked good. The only difference is the Extron has finer horizontal lines.

Have to look into that one

I use the Pctotv from KWorld its vga in and component out and has RGB & S-audio. I plug that into my JVC DVD recorder to make Video Mixes. Clear screen been using it for about 8 months. its the white one. I use it with a powered usb hub.

Que can I use it Friday?

Just got the Kramer 501 xl shipped for 225.00 worked like a charm...so simple and really clear! Very small and compact also. Used it Friday night at Cuban Pete's and workers told meit was the cleanest looking video from any VJ that spinned there!

I bought the Kramer too, after reading about it on here. A superb bit of kit, can't fault it's performance.

i just dropped my kramer 501 this weekend...the shit only plays in black & white now!

awww...that sucks djdaddydog! now I know not to drop mine LOL...try customer support?

Just copped a vsc500 for $80 off eBay. Can't wait to see the difference between that and my quickplay.

Big difference. Congrats.

Damn that's a score.

Thanks. I was shocked. Almost pulled the trigger on a 200 right before I was the 500. God bless large liquidators who don't know what they have.

Was = bought.

damn you. i was watching a few of them too. i forgot to stick to stick them in auction sniper.

haha yep.

15 seconds to go, put in your bid high enough to win, not overpay, or lose.

Ha. I used to use that all the time. Dude had it buy it now for $98 and a make offer option. Offered him $70 + shipping and he took it. I do need another one for a buddy's bar. Is the 200 acceptable and/or better than my quickplay?

That's my MAIN question with the Extron devices. Maybe someone call call the company and ask if there is any image quality difference between the 75, 100, 200, 500, 700, 1000

They seem to have a lot of models but not enough info from what I found.

I am happy with my 500 but if it ever takes a crap I would like to just buy the 100 if the quality is going to be the same.

Of course if I could get all my venues to go digital that would be first on my list.

I want to talk with someone who owns a 700 and see if its added filter really does alot...

i just copped a Extron VSC700, BBG6A and CLK100. video output is amazing.

Morning gays racking my head on this for months now i have a mid 2012 macbook pro thunderbolt. The club i am working in has 11 tvs chained to 1 RCA input going out to all eleven tvs any advise on a really good inexpensive converter.. i have tried the sorbent it is crap!! i see the video on the first tv then the quality gets worst on each tv Thank you

That's just how composite is.
It's was never designed for what clubs do with it

The way they have their system rigged up, it will probably look like crap no matter what you use.

They *should* be using a decent distribution amplifier, so that the source feed isn't getting overloaded by trying to drive eleven inputs.

I know it's been a while but Monoprice has 100 ft. HDMI for $70:
www.monoprice.com