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 Serato Video General Discussion
Scan Converter Question
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Scan Converter Question

DJ JT Stevens 12:34 AM - 7 January, 2012
Hey everyone. I had a video gig last night at what will hopefully become a weekly venue. Everything went really well but the video quality was a bit sub par for my liking (the owner and everyone else didn't seem to notice and/or care though, go figure) so I'm looking for some feedback and advice.

Here's how I connected...I hooked up my Macbook to their scan converter by connecting a DVI to VGA adapter to my DVI port, connecting a VGA cable to the adapter, then running the VGA cable to their converter. A coax cable with a composite adapter then plugs into the converter and pipes into the house video system. They're using a box like this.

www.amazon.com

I'm hoping to improve the video quality and I'm thinking using a different converter might help. I've read a lot on here about the AverMedia Quickplay. It looks solid, but if their system is just composite video am I going to benefit at all from using one? It seems to be more useful for component and s-video installations.

Also, I'm sure my source files aren't helping. Currently most of my videos are from 8th (yeah yeah, I know) but I plan on signing up for SmashVids and DTV soon. I'm sure the source files are most of the problem but I wanted to test video dj'ing out first before subscribing to the more expensive pools.

I guess my main question is whether I should upgrade the converter at all or if vids from SV and DTV are going to make the bigger difference. Thanks in advance for helping out a video newb.
DJ JT Stevens 1:07 AM - 7 January, 2012
One last thing...would a display port to VGA adapter make any difference or is the adapter that I'm using good enough?

www.amazon.com
phatbob 1:12 AM - 7 January, 2012
That is a pretty basic converter. I've got one but wasn't impressed by it.

I ended up getting a Kramer VP-501xl which produces a noticeably better picture.

Some people use an Extron converter too, do a search for that.

Never used the Quickplay so can't comment on it.

You'll never get a truly awesome picture via composite, sadly.

Used 8th for a while, been with SmashVidz for a few months and I can assure you, quality wise Smash dumps on 8th from a GREAT height.
Res-Q 9:51 AM - 7 January, 2012
comparing 8th and SV is like comparing a paper plane with a Nasa shuttle, you will see and hear the difference, nuff said.
Dj Nyce 6:12 PM - 7 January, 2012
i've used the quick play and the extron vsc-500 and 700. the 700 imho is the best not because of quality but because of the features.

as far as quality, in my experience, the using the quick play with component video cables provided similar quality to 500. you could not tell the difference. no other people may say otherwise. but my testing was pretty exhaustive and included random people judging the quality.

if you play videos every week, it is probably in your best interest to step up to the vsc-500 or the kramer. but the aver media quick play is still an excellent choice.
DJ JT Stevens 6:55 PM - 7 January, 2012
Thanks guys.

@phatbob

I had a feeling I could only expect so much from a composite input. In your experience, have you noticed if a higher quality converter produces better output via composite or are they all the same in that regard? Thanks for the info on the Kramer too.

@Res-Q

Haha, nicely put. That's what I figured. I need to get on that SV train quickly.

@Dj Nyce

Thanks for the info on the Extron vs the Quickplay. The 500 is in my price range and looks like a good choice. Rather get one of those now then get the Quickplay only to step up to the 500 in a few months. Did you get a chance to test the composite input on them at all? My main concern is that a composite video system is only going to provide a certain level of video quality regardless of which converter I use.
Dj Nyce 1:08 AM - 8 January, 2012
composite on the quickplay looks like sheer garbage. if you are not using s-video or component the quickplay is a no go.

if i were going to purchase, i would get the quickplay first, then the extron. but if you can get the extron you'll be set for life.
phatbob 1:13 AM - 8 January, 2012
Keeping in mind the fundamental limitations of a composite connection, I CAN see the difference between my cheap converter and my Kramer, definitely.
DJ JT Stevens 9:34 PM - 8 January, 2012
Sounds good, thanks again guys. Looks like I'll be ordering a 500 soon. Going to take a better look at the setup too when I'm there this week to see if any other adjustments can be made.
DJ JT Stevens 8:56 PM - 18 January, 2012
Hey all, hope I can hit you up for some direction again.

So I've had no luck finding a VSC 500. However I came across an Extron VSC 700 on eBay for $300. There are no accessories, only the head unit itself.

www.ebay.com

There is another VSC 700 for $645 but it looks like this one has the actual signal converter box which is probably why it's more expensive. Forgive my ignorance, but I'm guessing I need both parts to properly utilize the VSC 700 correct?

www.ebay.com

I did a search for some Kramers and found a 501XL for a decent price. Phatbob, this is the one you have correct? Does it only process s-video and composite?

www.ebay.com

There's also a listing for a 701 but it looks like the difference between the 501 and 701 is the max resolution, the 701 being only 1024x768.

www.ebay.com

The Kramers look like a good deal but I'd like to have the option to do component as well so I can cover just about all possible scenarios. Although I suppose I could just pick up a QuickPlay to have on hand if needed for component hookups.

Thoughts? Thanks again in advance.
e.rich 9:22 AM - 19 January, 2012
i made an offer on that 700. offer him $200 for it and he'll take it.
DJ JT Stevens 2:36 PM - 19 January, 2012
Do I need the secondary box that's shown in the second link? Or does the main box itself have connections in the back?
Joshua Carl 3:04 PM - 19 January, 2012
700 is a steal at that price....even $500
Most people just roll with the Extron 500 (that what I have)

Thats all you would pretty much need if you were running Component
www.extron.com
if its broken, extron is a great company, they will fix it, and not rape your wallet...

even though I have it.
Ive been using this:
www.grandtec.com
you can find them new between 90-400

you dont have to be overly concerned with this JT:
"There's also a listing for a 701 but it looks like the difference between the 501 and 701 is the max resolution, the 701 being only 1024x768"

the 2nd display on your mac should be in this ball park.... anything more is overkill
(theres a long thread on Ideal 2nd display resolutions round here somewhere I started)
remember; videos from services are 640/480 or 720/360 or 640x360 or some varient in that ball park.... the HD video we do are 1280x720 so its getting down to counting pixels
DJ JT Stevens 3:18 PM - 19 January, 2012
Thanks JC, I appreciate the feedback. I think I'll make that guy an offer today and see if he bites. Looks like that unit is being liquidated from a company who either no longer needs it or went under. The IT guy in me sees "HR" on the label and automatically thinks it was something the human resources department used to use.

Does the 700 have a composite input also? Unfortunately the place that I'm doing video at now only has a composite setup.

I saw that thread about optimal secondary display resolutions before, I'll have to find it again. I'm not running HD videos yet and probably won't be for awhile so I'm sure there will be some good info for me in there.
e.rich 5:03 PM - 19 January, 2012
Those leasing companies dump these things for cheap. That's how I got my 500 for $80. I figured I'd try it again with this one. Since I don't really need it I figured it best to share the info.

You should be able to run the 'green' output as your component if I remember correctly.
DJ JT Stevens 5:19 PM - 19 January, 2012
Thank you e.rich, good looking out. I owe you one. Going to make him an offer now.
DJ JT Stevens 5:27 PM - 19 January, 2012
So I definitely don't need the second box shown in this listing?

www.ebay.com
Joshua Carl 5:29 PM - 19 January, 2012
thats the back of the box in that picture.
DJ JT Stevens 5:34 PM - 19 January, 2012
You know what, I had a feeling that might have been the case. Haha. Just made him an offer, let's see if he accepts. I'll let you guys know if I'm the happy owner of a VSC 700 soon.
e.rich 5:38 PM - 19 January, 2012
Make sure you pick up some BNC connectors too.
DJ JT Stevens 5:53 PM - 19 January, 2012
Thanks again e.rich. RCA female to BNC male right?

www.cablestogo.com
e.rich 5:59 PM - 19 January, 2012
Yep.
Dj Nyce 7:03 PM - 19 January, 2012
i just purchased a Extron VSC700, BBG6A and CLK100 on ebay for $158. ebay=best thing since sliced bread
DJ JT Stevens 8:38 PM - 19 January, 2012
Damn, doesn't look like my offer was accepted. The listing is gone now too. Did he accept yours e.rich?
DJ JT Stevens 8:39 PM - 19 January, 2012
I take that back, he accepted it! I swear eBay is being wonky. Didn't see that until I refreshed a few times.
e.rich 5:26 PM - 23 January, 2012
I declined his offer. I didn't really need a 2nd unit. I just put in an offer for a buddy who needed one. Glad you ended up with it.
DJ JT Stevens 5:32 PM - 23 January, 2012
Thanks again e.rich. It came in today. Looking forward to heading home and testing it out.
e.rich 9:39 PM - 23 January, 2012
awesome. congrats homie.