Scaler/Switcher

[Brad Weber]

Let me first say that I am making these points because they are common situations and not to make an issue out of this particular instance.

Originally Posted by jameyp

My purpose in buying this unit was to switch between a variety of mixed sources. If it can not scale well then it is useless to me. If I were going to match input res to output res I would have just bought a switcher. I don't think you accurately assessed the situation to call me on my statement about scaling.

A switcher/scaler or seamless switcher is often required to accommodate multiple sources, some of which may have limited and/or fixed outputs. That does not mean that you may not benefit from selecting the device outputs and adjusting the sources where you can in order to minimize the scaling required.

Originally Posted by jameyp

No the Kramer does nor specifically say this unit is for me, but I am using it well within this specs of the manual. The unit even comes with several widescreen configurations, that if they actually worked I would be happy with. The units I have are sloppy at latching on to a signal even when I give it a specific timing setup.

The unit says in the manual it fully supports up to 1600x1200 and even using standard 4x3 resolutions the unit still has issues.

This is something I learned from experience but one has to be careful of how you interpret some specifications. A device may handle 'up to' 1600x1200 resolutions for both inputs and output, but is that actually saying that it will necessarily handle every possible resolution up to 1600x1200? I learned after similar experiences to yours that it is always a good idea to look at manuals and try to verify what specific resolutions and formats are supported.

The example I gave with the flat panel is a good one. That involved a native 1920x1080 display that accepts even higher resolutions. When the 1366x768 image from laptop would not display everyone else assumed that something was significantly wrong, it was only because I had been through similar situations before that I knew it could simply be a signal compatibility issue. It turns out that the display apparently will not accept a 1366x768 resolution signal and I had to change the laptop to be something like 1360x768 and that displayed just fine. Ironically the 1024x768 native projector being fed the same signal via a DA displayed both the 1366x768 and 1360x768 signals.

I'll add that in my experience the 1280x800 resolution, which is apparently native for your projector, is one resolution that is more often an issue as it is not as common as many others.

Originally Posted by jameyp

Look the two 724s I have are junk. Tapping on the unit should not distort the image. This is either a defect or design flaw. The 728 and every other scaler I have access to (ie. extron) do not distort while tapping on the box.

Which is exactly why I noted earlier that the tapping the enclosure affecting the image seemed by itself more indicative of a problem.

[JTCadenceInc]

It sounds like the Folsom Presentation Pro will do what you need on the video end. Why do you want a switcher that controls audio and video anyway? Seems like the audio end of thing would be controlled with a mixing board. The Pres Pro has very minimal latency, I believe in the 5ms region, but varying depending on what the signal/source are. Screen Pro sounds to be a bit over kill for what you are trying to do, IMHO anyway. Save some $ and go with the Pres Pro.

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by JTCadenceInc

Why do you want a switcher that controls audio and video anyway? Seems like the audio end of thing would be controlled with a mixing board.

I've found that some people prefer to just deal with a single video related input to their audio mix while others do not want to potentially deal with having to accommodate four, six or even eight stereo audio inputs that correspond to the sources run into the video/graphics switcher. This is one of those areas where there are different ways to approach it based on the specific situation.

[six5tring]

Originally Posted by JTCadenceInc

Why do you want a switcher that controls audio and video anyway?

The pres pro you suggest deals with audio too

[jameyp]

Update - Kramer has offered for me to keep the 728. They have also offered to visit to see the problem with the 724 in the field. They have spent a lot of time trying to resolve this issue. I respect this and am grateful to finally have a working solution after a month of uncertainty.

It is possible that the two 724 units I tested are the exception rather than the rule with this model. The two I tested are sensitive to their environment....

In the end Kramer has "made it right" (to borrow a quote from Holmes on Homes).

[six5tring]

Just a sde note... I have secured a 747 for an install I shall be doing in a few weeks. Will run it through its paces as soon as I can to see how it fair against the big boys!

Ben

[Brad Weber]

Originally Posted by jameyp

Update - Kramer has offered for me to keep the 728. They have also offered to visit to see the problem with the 724 in the field. They have spent a lot of time trying to resolve this issue. I respect this and am grateful to finally have a working solution after a month of uncertainty.

It is possible that the two 724 units I tested are the exception rather than the rule with this model. The two I tested are sensitive to their environment....

In the end Kramer has "made it right" (to borrow a quote from Holmes on Homes).

Glad to hear that it looks like things will work out!

[jav818]

Hello guys,
we are changing our scaler, we have a Extron IN1508 that is in our church audio at the moment. It works great and we are thinking of selling to someone from church, Its used but has been taken really good care of. Its a great item, email me if you are interested. We are asking for $800. .

[JereNet]

Originally Posted by jav818

Hello guys,
we are changing our scaler, we have a Extron IN1508 that is in our church audio at the moment. It works great and we are thinking of selling to someone from church, Its used but has been taken really good care of. Its a great item, email me if you are interested. We are asking for $800. .

Go with the Extron IN1508. It has all the inputs I saw mentioned, and will work perfectly!! My church has had one for about 3 years, and has had no problems what so ever. It's relatively cheap, and incredibly high quality. The only problem is it can get a little warm, but not a huge deal, just don't set something on top of it. Also, jav818, that is a good price, if I knew I'd be needing one soon, I'd buy it from you.