HD home theater scalers

Gefen today unveiled two new scalers -- the Home Theater Scaler and Home Theater Scaler Plus (shown at right) -- to support source switching, standard to high-definition (HD) scaling, and enhanced audio support. Both models support a variety of high quality video interfaces with each output in multiple, high definition resolutions up to 1080p. Users can view different video sources in HD on any digital display with support for HDMI (high bandwidth digital multimedia interface) connectors. Separate audio inputs and outputs enable users to select auditory options to enhance the HD viewing experience, while both the Home Theater Scaler and Home Theater Scaler Plus work with many electronic devices including digital video displays and projectors. Gefen's Home Theater Scaler is priced at $450 while the Home Theater Scaler Plus ships for $500.

The Gefen Home Theater Scaler features two HDMI inputs each with digital audio (optical TOSlink and coax S/PDIF) support, two component video inputs each with analog (RCA stereo) audio, and one HDMI output with separate digital and analog audio out connectivity.

The HDMI with audio inputs allow users to connect DVI sources and digital audio devices to the new scalers, and audio from each source is output in multiple formats: embedded in the HDMI format and channeled separately to the digital and/or analog audio out ports. Additionally, video is output in scalable HD resolutions that are fully HDCP compliant.

"Video adaptive de-interlacers, high performance frame rate converters, and advanced color engine technologies ensure vivid and dynamic images are delivered with crystal clear clarity. Digital audio delays ensure perfectly synched audio and video," said Gefen.



The company's Home Theater Scaler Plus functions like the Home Theater Scaler, but supports a different set of inputs which include one component input with analog audio alongside one composite or S-Video input with analog audio and two HDMI inputs with digital audio. Both models guide users through selections and preferences using on-screen menus controlled by an infrared remote, and when all inputs are connected users can easily switch between sources.

by MacNN Staff