The Sil504's performance was good at the time of its introduction, but superior de-interlacing is available these days. One sorely missing feature is angle-adaptive video mode de-interlacing (removes the jaggies). Per-pixel motion adaptive de-interlacing is capable of producing sharper images for video mode, but is also much more expensive these days. Lumagen did announce the Radiance processor which will utilize the Silicon Optix HQV system.

When it comes to film mode, most de-interlacers do a good job now. Combing due to bad edits are inevitable, but are fairly rare for NTSC content. PAL content does comb more often.

The second part of the equation is scaling. With one word, Lumagen's homegrown scaling algorithms are amazing. Sharpness is maintained even with custom resolutions, there is no edge ringing, and the image is just plain great! I personally prefer the Lumagen scaling algorithms to virtually every other I've compared them to on real life content.

The lack of ringing on Lumagen' scaling algorithms is distinct and unmistakable. A 2.35:1 image that has black bars above and below the image shows almost no ringing between the image and the black bars – something that is very difficult to achieve.

Most of the video path today is handled on a 10 bit level, and Lumagen is making efforts to complete the data path and make it exclusively 10 bit throughout the processor. This should further reduce rounding errors and increase the range of colors, as well as help reduce banding.

The scaling algorithms have an unexpected feature of slightly reducing mosquito noise. This is not an advertised feature of the unit, but Lumagen does privately confirm that mosquito noise is reduced, although not completely eliminated by the processor.

1080i Cadence Detection

A long awaited feature of this unit was recently released, triggering this review as well. It wasn't that long ago when there were only precious few devices capable of doing proper 1080i cadence detection de-interlacing. These often had other problems (e.g., price, inadequate SD de-interlacing performance).

The VisionPro HDP changes this equation. Not only is it reasonably priced, it can now scale both digital (DVI/HDCP) and analog (component) high definition signals, including 1080i, 720p, 1080i50, and 720p50. 1080i signals now have working cadence detection.

Testing with Return of the King 1080i, I received a pristine image, with details as never seen before. I could now distinctly see each hair follicle on Gandalf's white beard.

Calibration

One of the latest trends for PQ (Picture Quality) junkies is the subject of calibration. Most displays offer simple adjustments to assist with calibration, such as crude color temperature controls and bias/gain settings. Some higher end projectors do offer custom per-color gamma control, but this should be a standard feature for every display. Even with such high end displays, they often provide a single custom calibration graph, and neglect to allow us to customize it on a per-input basis.

Lumagen provide an advanced color calibration system. Color calibration can be done on either 2, 5, or 11 points. The calibration system allows you to use built-in patterns (0-100 IRE) or supply your own (DVE/AVIA/etc.). When using external sources, the display also provides an indication of the IRE level at the center of the screen, quite useful for determining the best position to adjust.

When adjusting calibration, one can select the position of the adjustment (in gamma graphs, this would equate to moving adjustment points left and right), the IRE level (this lets you calibrate without changing the display's preset gamma), and the individual color values. This let me use my GretagMcbeth EyeOne beamer to receive a flat D65 calibration across the board. The resulting image is precise, skin tones are fleshy and accurate. People look real instead of typical pinkish/redish TV replicas.

Color calibration can be saved on a per-input, per-memory setting. Memories and calibrations can be easily copied from any input or memory to any other input or memory with a simple click of a button. While it may sound complex, this allows for such amazing flexibility that is unparalleled in the world of consumer video processors.

Just in case you made a mistake, shutting down the unit and turning it on flushes any setting changes you may have made. To save everything, you must explicitly save the configuration. The unit also allows you to undo the last change and go back a full revision. This is a very useful feature for those of us who make "Duh" type mistakes that are immediately recognizable just after you save your settings.

The Lumagen website provides not only access to all the official firmware releases (not just the latest one, but also quite a few versions back), but also a configuration software that lets you upload and download configuration settings. This is useful for archiving your settings as well as allow installers to prepare a few potential scenarios and install them directly without having to do all the work in front of their customer.

Conclusions

The Lumagen VisionPro HDP offers excellent flexibility and strength at a very reasonable price. HDTV and film (most DVDs) look spectacular with the unit. The calibration features are unique, and the overall picture quality is fantastic (video mode de-interlacing for SDTV could definitely be improved though).

The unit requires somewhat of a learning curve and is more suitable for advanced/pro users and installers. This is definitely not a device that inexperienced consumers could or should be able to configure.

Those who can harness its potential will greatly enjoy this processor's stellar performance and bang/$ ratio.

The HDP was awarded Secrets Best of 2005 for video processors.
 

- Ofer LaOr -

Mr. LaOr is Editor of Hometheater.Co.Il, a Hi-Fi magazine published in Israel. He is also the moderator for the AVS Forum Video Processing section.