Any experience with Kramer scaler/switchers?
 

Title asks the question. I have a Kramer VP-719xl currently being used as a projection input switcher. It's about to be replaced with a newer model that accepts more HDMI inputs. Upon googling, I've found out it has a built in proc-amp and tbc. Considering the reputation of the Kramer brand, I was wondering if this might be a viable option to add to my capture chain?

No model number for the one you're considering?

To clarify, the unit model number I stated, VP-719xl, would be the one I'm considering. I work in a house of worship with many multimedia projection stations. This unit is about to be decommissioned. Looking to extend its life by using it for my personal projects.

Ohhhhhh.

Well, it's worth trying, right?

My only experience testing a scaler is the Vidikron DVS3500 (rebadged Faroudja DVP3000) which is 10 years older than your Kramer. I think it received rave reviews in its day for its deinterlacing and scaling, but I found it to be pretty crummy for use as a proc amp + TBC. Just because something outputs constant sync doesn't mean it will do a good job decoding unstable sync from the source. It internally dropped lots of frames from the start of a tape that other devices were able to display just fine. And in turns of proc amp, its luma dynamic range was too small, so super-brights got clipped.

Thanks for your input, msgohan. I am aware that a stand alone tbc or proc amp would, in most cases, perform much more efficiently. In my case, this unit was designed for commercial input switching and scaling. My assumption was the internal tbc and proc amp would be minor in effect. Just enough to handle mostly already stable signals. You're right, all I can do is try!

This is especially the issue with consumer analog formats: VHS, VHS-C, Video8, Hi8, Betamax
Or even semi-pro/prosumer formats: S-VHS, S-VHS-ET, S-VHS-C

The ability to output stable sync doesn't mean it will fix bad input.

This is why broadcast-grade TBC is often useless for VHS/etc sources. Wrong tool for the task. :rats:

I typed "contact sync"? I meant "constant".

Looks like constant to me. :wink2::P