iScan HD+
DVDO iScan HD+ FAQs
- What is the iScan HD+?
- What is the difference between the iScan HD and iScan HD+?
- What video inputs does the iScan HD+ have?
- What signal does the iScan HD+ output?
- What audio formats can the iScan HD+ support?
- Tell me more about the DVI connections on the iScan HD+
- What kind of aspect ratio control does the iScan HD+ offer?
- What video processing technology does the iScan HD+ use?
- How does the iScan HD+ handle different input signals and how can these signals be output from the iScan HD+?
- Tell me more about the lipsync correction on the iScan HD+
- How do I benefit from the iScan HD+'s audio delay feature if my video source only has a standard analog audio output (i.e. plain L/R RCA plugs)?
- Does the iScan HD+ have On Screen Display (OSD)?
- Tell me more about the frame rate conversion feature on the iScan HD+
- How does the iScan HD+ detect incoming signals?
- What kind of power supply does the iScan HD+ come with?
- I have an A/V receiver to handle the switching of my A/V sources. How should I hook up the iScan HD+ in my set-up?
- Will the iScan HD+ improve the picture quality of standard definition channels from my satellite system (DSS)?
- What does the color of the power LED on my iScan HD and HD+ mean?
- What do the different frame-rate options mean?
The DVDO iScan HD+ is a high-resolution video scaling processor & hub that converts standard-definition video content from your DVD player, VCR, PVR, satellite receiver, game console, or PC to any output resolution between 480p and 1080p, including the popular HDTV resolutions such as 720p and 1080i.
The iScan HD+ brings a host of new Video Scaling features to the DVDO iScan product family, while adding robust Digital Audio switching, routing, and processing technology. For the sophisticated home theater, and audio/video presentation systems, the iScan HD+ makes the perfect centralized control and processing hub.
2. What is the difference between the iScan HD and iScan HD+?
The major difference between the iScan HD and iScan HD+ is in the operation of the DVI input and output. Otherwise, both models have the same performance, including inputs and outputs. The iScan HD+ also has more adjustments for the input and output aspect ratio and display profiles (more info: iScan HD+ 6.7-2.91 Software Release).
The iScan HD+ is HDCP compliant and processes HD formats (720p, 1080i) as well as SD formats (480i/p, 576i/p) on its DVI input. The iScan HD is HDCP agnostic and supports "processing of" SD formats (480p, 576p) on its DVI input. The iScan HD will pass-through all HDCP signals regardless of resolution on its DVI input. The summary of the differences is given in the table below
| DVI Input | iScan HD | iScan HD+ |
| HDCP (480i/p,576i/p,720p,1080i) | Pass-through | Process |
| Non-HDCP (480p,576p) | Process | Process |
| Non-HDCP (720p,1080i) | Pass-through | Process |
| Other resolutions | Pass-through | Pass-through |
3. What video inputs does the iScan HD+ have?
The iScan HD+ has 2 Composite video, 2 S-video (Y/C), 2 Component video (YPbPr), 1 analog wideband pass-through and 1 DVI inputs.
| 2 Composite video inputs |  |
| 2 S-Video (Y/C) inputs |  |
The composite and S-video inputs accept standard definition NTSC (480i) and PAL/SECAM (576i) signals. These standard definition signals are deinterlaced and scaled by the iScan HD+.
| 2 Component video (YPbPr) inputs |  |
(The component inputs also have an additional sync connector 
to accept RGB/S signals, commonly found in Europe).
The component inputs accept YPbPr or RGB/S formats. 480i and 576i signals are deinterlaced and scaled, 480p and 576p inputs can be scaled, while higher resolutions formats (e.g. 720p or 1080i) are automatically routed through the iScan HD+ to the analog output without any processing.
This means that the component inputs will automatically convert to pass-through mode if the incoming signal is a high definition signal, and send the signal through to the analog output unchanged.
For example, a video source device which can output standard definition interlaced (480i/576i), standard definition progressive (480p/576p) and/or high definition (720p/1080i) can be attached to just one component input and the iScan HD+ will adapt to the input signal with the correct behavior. This is called "AutoVFR™", for Automatic Video Format Routing.| 1 analog passthrough input |  |
The VGA HD-15 input connector is for analog pass-through only - i.e., the iScan HD+ won't scale a signal from that input. It accepts computer video, standard definition progressive signals (480p/576p) and high definition signals (720p/1080i).
| 1 DVI input |  |
The DVI input can function as an input or as a pass-through. The iScan HD+ automatically detects whether it can process the incoming DVI signal, and changes to pass-through mode when it can't.
The iScan HD+ does process an HDCP-encrypted signal and output the signal on the DVI output with the HDCP encryption intact. If the input signal is HDCP-encrypted then the analog outputs of the iScan HD+ must be turned off for legal constraints.
If the incoming signal is not HDCP protected, and if it is at a resolution of 480p, 720p or 1080i, then it can be scaled by the iScan HD+ and output as an analog component, analog RGBHV, or DVI signal.
4. What signal does the iScan HD+ output?
There is one analog output and one DVI output.
The analog output colorspace can be either RGB or component, YPrPb. Sync options for the output video include separate H & V syncs, separate composite sync, or sync on the video. Sync on video can be either bi-level or tri-level sync. In addition, the separate sync signals can be inverted if required. To use the iScan HD+ with a display with component video inputs or separate RGBHV inputs, you will need to purchase a breakout cable as it does not come with the unit. These cables are available on our web site (Component Breakout cable, RGBHV Breakout cable) as well as through our resellers.
The iScan HD+ is fully configurable with respect to output resolution and aspect ratio. There is a wide range of standard output formats supplied. Predefined formats include 480p, 576p, 540p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, VGA, SVGA, XGA, SXGA, various plasma resolutions (852x480, 1280x768, 1024x1024 ALiS, 1365x1024, etc.), DLP resolutions (1280x720, 1024x576), various DILA resolutions (1400x1050, 1365x1024, etc.), and various CRT resolutions (1440x960, 1440x1152, etc.).
Alternatively, it is possible to easily define an output format. This can all be done from the front panel of the iScan HD+ or with the On Screen Display (OSD) using the remote control without the need to use any PC-based programming tools. Typically, you'd probably just start from one of the predefined formats and modify it to fit your needs.
Also, if you need something very close to a predefined resolution, it's a simple matter to just tweak it a little to get what you want. For instance, if you need 854x480 instead of 852x480, you can just increase the horizontal active video area by 2 pixels.
5. What audio formats can the iScan HD+ support?
The audio section of the iScan HD+ supports S/PDIF formatted audio with sample rates ranging from 32kHz to 96kHz. It will likely handle sample rates beyond this range, but is only guaranteed to support sample rates within this range. The iScan HD+ will pass digital audio having any bit-depth resolution up to 24 bits, at all supported sample rates.
The iScan HD+ will also pass compressed digital audio (e.g. Dolby Digital or DTS) provided the audio bitstream has been properly formatted for S/PDIF (IEC60958 or EIAJ-CP1201 standard) transmission by the digital audio source (according to international standard IEC61937). The iScan HD+ does not alter the sample rate, format, or content of the digital audio whatsoever; it merely inserts a programmable delay into the transmission path.
Users should take care to use proper digital audio cables in order to guarantee valid audio reception and re-transmission. Both coax and optical cables should have high-quality, positive mating connectors at both ends. Coax cables should have a 75-ohm characteristic impedance. The use of couplers or other types of adapters to extend the digital audio cabling is not recommended.
6. Tell me more about the DVI connections on the iScan HD+
The DVI input and output connectors on the iScan HD+ are both DVI-I connectors, but the signaling is DVI-D. The reason for the DVI-I connectors is to allow both types of DVI cabling to be used. If the iScan HD+ had DVI-D connectors, then you couldn't plug a DVI-I cable/connector into the unit. The iScan HD+ can also accept HDMI signals from HDMI sources when connected with an HDMI-to-DVI adapter or cable which is available commercially or from our online order page.
The DVI input can function as an input or as a pass-through. The iScan HD+ automatically detects whether it can process the incoming DVI signal, and changes to pass-through mode when it can't.
If the incoming signal is not HDCP-encrypted, and if it is a 480p, 576p, 720p or 1080i resolution signal, then it can be scaled by the iScan HD+ and output as an analog or digital signal. All other resolutions will be passed through to the DVI output.
If the incoming signal is HDCP-encrypted, and if it is a 480p, 576p, 720p or 1080i resolution signal, then it can be scaled by the iScan HD+ and only output on the DVI output with HDCP-encryption. All other resolutions will be passed through to the DVI output.
Note that if you have an HDCP source and a non-HDCP display, you will probably not get a picture, whether or not you use the iScan HD+.
7. What kind of aspect ratio control does the iScan HD+ offer?
The iScan HD+ offers full control over the input and output aspect ratio.
Input aspect ratio
With respect to input aspect ratios, a full range of control is offered by the iScan HD+. There are 3 predefined input aspect ratio settings:
4:3 fullframe
4:3 letterbox
16:9 fullframe
You may also specify any other active aspect ratio for the input by manually zooming/panning the input image. This also allows the user to reformat the image in any way desired, so the iScan HD+ doesn't enforce a set of fixed aspect ratios.
If you would like to zoom in on the image to remove the small black letterbox bars found with a 1.85:1 source on a 16:9 display, then you can simply do so without having to guess at the numeric aspect ratio which would do this.
Output aspect ratio
The iScan HD+ supports 4:3 and 16:9 output aspect ratios, which are the aspect ratios of the majority of displays today.
8. What video processing technology does the iScan HD+ use?
The iScan HD+ uses a SiI504 chip to deinterlace incoming Standard Definition signals (480i/576i). The scaling engine is a custom design of our own which introduces minimal phase and amplitude errors and provides better performance than we've seen in competing products. The scaler can scale up or down, so it can handle all types of aspect ratio conversions, unlike some other scaling products.
Anchor Bay's technology is known as Precision Video Scaling™.
For fixed pixel displays (plasma, DLP, LCD, LCOS), all Standard Definition signals have to be deinterlaced and then scaled to the native resolution of the display in order to produce a correct picture.
Using the iScan HD+ to deinterlace and scale Standard Definition signals to the native resolution of your fixed pixel display should in most cases allow you to automatically bypass the video processor built into your display.
9. How does the iScan HD+ handle different input signals and how can these signals be output from the iScan HD+?
The iScan HD+ can deinterlace standard definition interlaced (480i/576i) signals on its analog inputs and scale progressive (480p/576p) signals, but it can not scale high definition (720p/1080i) signals on its analog inputs. The component inputs of the iScan HD will automatically convert to pass-through mode if the incoming signal is a high definition format, and will send the input signal through to the analog output unchanged. The DVI input on the iScan HD+ can scale 480p, 720p and 1080i signals with or without HDCP-encryption.
Note that the iScan HD+ does not perform analog transcoding - i.e., it will not convert a pass-through HD analog input in YPbPr to RGB on the output. If your HDTV signal is in YPbPr format it will appear that way at the analog output as well. If the signal is in RGBHV format, then it will be RGBHV at the output as well. Further, the iScan HD+ will not transcode an HD component signal (720p/1080i) to the DVI output.
| Input Signal | What iScan HD+ does to the signal |
Component Output |
RGBHV Output |
DVI Output |
| Composite Video (480i/576i) | Deinterlaced /Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| S-Video (480i/576i) | Deinterlaced /Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Component Video (480i/576i) | Deinterlaced /Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Component Video (480p/576p) | Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| Component Video (720p/1080i) | Passed Through |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Component Video (all other resolutions) | Passed Through |
Yes |
No |
No |
| Component Video (on Analog Pass-Through Input) | Passed Through |
Yes |
No |
No |
| RGBHV (on Analog Pass-Through Input) | Passed Through |
No |
Yes |
No |
| DVI (480i with HDCP) | Passed Through |
No |
No |
Yes |
| DVI (480p without HDCP) | Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| DVI (480p/720p/1080i with HDCP) | Scaled |
No |
No |
Yes |
| DVI (720p/1080i without HDCP) | Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
| DVI (all other resolutions) | Passed Through |
No |
No |
Yes |
| SDI (480i/576i) | Deinterlaced /Scaled |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
10. Tell me more about the lipsync correction on the iScan HD+
The iScan HD+ has 4 digital audio inputs: 2 optical and 2 coaxial, each of which can be assigned to any of the video inputs. When you switch to a particular video input, then the audio input which has been user-assigned to that video input will also be selected. For example, when you switch to Video 1, then the audio input which has been user-assigned to Video 1 will also be selected.
The digital audio outputs provide a delay which matches the video processing delay of the iScan HD+. Note that this delay will vary depending on the current configuration and processing mode of the iScan HD+. For example, if an input signal is just being passed through with no video processing, then there will be no delay added. 50 Hz sources will require a different amount of delay than 60 Hz sources, and frame rate conversion requires more delay than no frame rate conversion.
The correct audio delay for all inputs is set automatically, so you need to do nothing extra to match audio and video delays. In addition, there is a user-adjustable delay which can be added or subtracted on top of the automatically set delay for problem sources.
Anchor Bay's digital audio technology is called "Precision AV Lipsync™".
11. How do I benefit from the iScan HD+'s audio delay feature if my video source only has a standard analog audio output (i.e. plain L/R RCA plugs)?
Only digital inputs are provided on the iScan HD+. If analog inputs are needed, then a separate third-party Analog to Digital (A/D) audio converter is required.
12. Does the iScan HD+ have On Screen Display (OSD)?
Yes, there is an OSD that allows you to control all the major parameters: output resolution, input and output aspect ratio, frame rate conversion, picture controls, and audio delay
There's also a LED display on the front panel, mainly for initial setup purposes when you may not have a picture on your display yet. Most functions are accessible via either the OSD or the front-panel display, although a few are only found via the OSD.
13. Tell me more about the frame rate conversion feature on the iScan HD+
There are 3 basic operating modes for frame rate (or vertical frequency) conversion:
- Source-lock mode where the output frame rate exactly matches the input frame rate.
- Arbitrary output frame rate which is not locked to the input.
- Progressive source-lock mode with frame rate conversion to an even multiple of the source frame rate. 24 Hz film-source material using a 3:2 pulldown pattern can be output with 2:2 pulldown at 48 Hz or 3:3 pulldown at 72 Hz. 25 Hz film-source material using a 2:2 pattern can be output using 3:3 pulldown at 75 Hz. These output rates are fully locked to the original 24 or 25 Hz source rate and are not actually 'floating' as with a several other scaler products which offer 72 or 48 Hz output frame rates without really locking to the original film source rate.
14. How does the iScan HD+ detect incoming signals?
The iScan HD+ has been designed to detect which of the eight possible input devices is turned on and is generating an active signal, and then to automatically switch to that input. With this capability, you can switch inputs simply by turning one input device on or by turning another device off.
The iScan HD+ also includes an "Input Priority" option which specifies which of the inputs to use when they are multiple active inputs.
There is also automatic source detection, so you can let the iScan HD+ do the switching if you wish. When you select an input source, one of the selections is "Auto", which is the iScan's automatic source switching. When in auto mode, the iScan HD+ will consult an internal priority list for the inputs (the list is user-configurable) and will choose the highest priority input that has an active signal.
15. What kind of power supply does the iScan HD+ come with?
The iScan HD+ comes with a universal 6VDC @ 5A AC to DC external power adapter, which accepts 100-240 VAC at 50/60Hz.
16. I have an A/V receiver to handle the switching of my A/V sources. How should I hook up the iScan HD+ in my set-up?
It is not necessary to route all the video signals through your A/V receiver. While this can be convenient, the iScan HD+ can also handle all the video switching for you (assuming you don't have more than 1 DVI source or more than 2 of any other type source format) and will also maintain A/V synchronization for all audio signals you choose to feed through it. In general, it's a good idea to minimize the amount of video switching that you're doing and the number of components that a video signal is routed through - i.e., you may not want to route everything through the receiver.
If you run your video and audio sources to the iScan HD+ first, you can then use the switching capabilities of the iScan HD+ instead of the A/V receiver. The audio output of the iScan HD+ can feed the A/V receiver and it can then do the audio processing (outside of simple audio delay to match A/V sync).
An alternate method would be to use the A/V receiver as the audio switcher and run a single digital output to the iScan HD+. To do so, the receiver needs to have a digital processing loop - i.e., you can select a source with the preamp, send it out a digital output to an external processor of some sort (in this case, the iScan HD+), and then send it back into the preamp for audio processing. The iScan HD+ will provide an audio delay which exactly matches the video processing delay. The A/V receiver will do everything else. There are very few receivers with this kind of functionality.
If the A/V receiver has a global delay function, then you could use this to delay the audio to match the video. However, you'll have to match the delays yourself, and you won't make use of the iScan HD+'s ability to change the delay based on the type of video processing being performed.
17. Will the iScan HD+ improve the picture quality of standard definition channels from my satellite system (DSS)?
Picture improvement of standard definition satellite channels is often very subjective, and depends to a great deal on exactly which aspects of the image are objectionable.
If you have a standard definition satellite feed which is loaded with compression artifacts or is blurry because of bandwidth limitations, then the iScan HD+ (or most other video processors, for that matter) may not bring much improvement to the picture.
However, the iScan HD+ may react better to this type of problem than your display would, but that very much depends on the specific display you use. If your source is reasonably clean, then the iScan HD+ should do a good job of making it look good on the big screen.
If your complaints are in regards to the display's deinterlacing or scaling capabilities, then the iScan HD+ should be a noticeable improvement.
18. What does the color of the power LED on my iScan HD+ mean?
iScan HD+ power LED color table:
| LED | Description |
 |
Standby mode |
 |
Analog Passthru input (VGA HD-15) is selected. HD format (720p, 1080i) is present on the component input and is being passed through to the analog output. The iScan HD+ is passing through the DVI input to the DVI output |
| Green w/ Red LED by 'Input Select' Unit is active but the selected input is not active |
|
 |
(Flashing) The iScan HD+ is passing through the DVI/HDCP input signal but the display is not HDCP compliant (DVI or Analog) |
 |
The iScan HD+ is processing the input |
 |
(Flashing) The iScan HD+ is processing the DVI/HDCP input signal but the display is not HDCP compliant (DVI or Analog) |
19. What do the different frame rate options mean?
- First of all, note that there are separate settings for 60 Hz sources and 50 Hz sources. This allows you, for instance, to configure the iScan's output to behave differently with NTSC and PAL sources. One potential advantage of this is that if you have a display which only works at a single frame rate - say, 60 Hz - that you can have the iScan run in locked mode (see below) for 60 Hz sources but convert all 50 Hz sources to the 60 Hz frame rate the display needs.
- Locked mode (1:1). This means that the iScan's output frame rate tracks the input rate - i.e., the output rate is locked to the input rate. In the 1:1 mode - i.e., 60 Hz source-locked to 60 Hz, and 50 Hz source-locked to 50 Hz - there is always exactly one output frame for every input frame/field. This mode has the advantage that there are never any dropped or repeated frames (unless the source itself does this). One disadvantage of this mode is that when the video source is changed, the iScan has to re-lock to the new input signal timing. This causes a disruption in the iScan's output signal while the locking process occurs, and can cause many displays to loose sync to the iScan's signal and temporarily blank.
- Unlocked mode. This means that the iScan's output frame rate is independent of the input rate. Regardless of any variations in the input, the output frame rate will be fixed at the specified value. This mode results in the most stable output signal as it's independent of any changes in the input signal. Unlike the locked mode(s), the iScan's output signal timing will not be disrupted when the input source is changed. However, it's guaranteed to cause dropped or repeated frames as the input and output frame rates are not the same. Note that regardless of what number the unlocked output frame rate is set to, it will never be identical to the input rate in this mode as the output signal timing is independent of the input timing. These dropped/repeated frames can result in visible irregularities in smooth motion, sometimes called motion judder or stutter.
- Locked mode (2:2 or 3:3). For standard definition interlaced sources the iScan can detect 2:2 and 3:2 pulldown cadences and convert these to either a 2:2 or 3:3 frame repetition rate. The main advantage of this is for 60 Hz sources using 3:2 pulldown, as the irregular 3:2 pattern can be converted to 2:2 at 48 Hz or 3:3 at 72 Hz. In these modes, each original film frame is repeated exactly 2 or 3 times, respectively, and motion is therefore smoother. Note that these modes are only useful when the video source is film-based - i.e., 3:2 pulldown for 24 Hz film on 60 Hz sources, and 2:2 pulldown for 25 Hz film on 50 Hz sources. If the source is not film-based, then the end result is a lot like unlocked mode without that mode's stability advantages.
- Motion-judder test pattern. The iScan has a built-in test pattern generator to help you determine which frame rates your display supports. This is the test pattern with the vertical bar which pans horizontally back and forth across the screen. Note that this test pattern is used to determine the capabilities of your display, and does not provide any indication of motion smoothness (or lack thereof) in the iScan's output. The test pattern is used with the unlocked output mode of the iScan. You set the (unlocked) output frame rate to be the one you're testing your display for, and observe if the back and forth panning motion of the test pattern is smooth or if it jerks or stutters. If the former, then the display supports that particular resolution and frame rate without performing any frame rate conversion of its own; if the latter, then the display is performing frame rate conversion on the signal.
- Examples. These configuration options provide a lot of flexibility to deal with differing source and display characteristics. Let's look at a few examples:
a) The display only supports 60 Hz input. In this case, the iScan must produce a (nominal) 60 Hz output. For 60 Hz sources you can run in either 1:1 source-locked mode, or in unlocked mode with the output frame rate set to approximately 60 Hz. You might choose unlocked mode if the display takes a long time to re-sync to new inputs and you channel-surf a lot. Locked mode will provide the smoothest motion and guarantee no dropped or repeated frames. For 50 Hz sources, you'd set the iScan's output to unlocked with a (nominal) 60 Hz frame rate. This will result in some motion irregularities as the iScan periodically repeats frames to convert the 50 Hz input to the 60 Hz output rate, but since the display only supports 60 Hz inputs there's not much you can do.
b) The display only supports 50 Hz input. This is the opposite of case A, and the required configuration is also the opposite - i.e., the output frame rate for 60 Hz source should be set to 50 Hz unlocked, and the rate for 50 Hz sources can be set to either 1:1 locked or unlocked at 50 Hz (for all the same reasons noted in the first example).
c) The display supports a wide range of frame rates (e.g., a CRT projector). In this case you can configure things most any way you like. If motion judder with 3:2 pulldown bothers you, then use the iScan's 48 Hz or 72 Hz source-locked output options for film-based 480i sources. If not, then 60 Hz locked is a good choice. For 50 Hz sources, unless you notice display flicker at 50 Hz, you'd probably want to run at 50 Hz locked to avoid repeated/dropped frames.
d) A digital display supports a narrow range of frame rates, either around 50 Hz or 72/75 Hz. If the display supports both 50 Hz and 48 Hz, and the primary use of 60 Hz source is film-based material, then you would likely want to configure the iScan as 48 Hz source-locked for 60 Hz sources, and 50 Hz locked (or unlocked, if desired) for 50 Hz sources. If the higher frame rate (72/75) is desired or required, then both source types can be configured for the 3:3 source-locked output option. For non-film material you may find that there's too much motion stutter, although that tends to be a very personal thing as not everyone perceives this the same way (as with low frame rate display flicker).
For additional product support, contact Anchor Bay:
Toll free: 1-866-423-DVDO (3836)
Email: help@anchorbaytech.com
Office hours are 9am-5pm PST Monday-Friday excluding holidays.
