Anchor Bay announced recently the introduction of their latest high-performance video processor, the DVDO iScan Duo. With 8 HDMI 1.3 inputs, 2 HDMI 1.3 video/audio outputs, and an HDMI 1.3 audio only output, plus an array of image and system controls designed for custom integrators, the Duo delivers performance previously unavailable at its suggested retail price of $1,299. Initial shipments of the iScan Duo are scheduled for late September 2009.

"Our motivation to create the DVDO iScan Duo came from the enormous success of our EDGE video processor," said Doug Fealtman, CEO of Anchor Bay. "As the first high quality affordable video processor, EDGE generated enormous interest from custom integrators and serious videophiles. Their requests for additional controls and functionality demonstrated to us the high value of creating a product to bridge the gap between the EDGE and the industry reference DVDO VP50Pro video processors. The iScan Duo delivers world-class video performance with the level of control integrators require."

Providing seamless integration into even the most sophisticated home theater environment, the Duo's 8 HDMI 1.3 inputs process signals up to 1080p resolution at 24, 50, or 60 Hz and are compatible with Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS-HD, and DTS-HD Master audio formats. Dual HDMI 1.3 outputs enable the simultaneous use of two Deep Color displays, with up to 12-bit output at 1080p-60. An additional HDMI 1.3 audio-only output makes for a convenient and efficient connection to an A/V receiver or audio processor.

Additional video inputs include 2 component (YPbPr or RGB/S), 3 composite, 1 S-Video and 1 VGA for PC applications. Digital audio inputs include 1 coaxial and 3 Toslink optical, plus 2 analog RCA stereo pairs. Each audio input can be assigned to any video input. One optical digital output and one coaxial digital output are also provided for audio connections to A/V receivers without HDMI inputs.

The iScan Duo automatically detects the display's preferred format and outputs it to the display, making setup a breeze. Formats can also be customized, up to 1080p60, and 1080p24. Additional resolutions are provided for PC use, such as 1920x1200.

Thirty-five built-in test patterns are available to optimize display settings. Setup is accomplished using an intuitive on-screen display, with an additional two line 20-character display on the iScan Duo's front panel.

The iScan Duo's VRS technologies include: Precision Deinterlacing™; Progressive Re-Processing (PReP™); Precision Video Scaling II™; Mosquito Noise Reduction; Fine Detail Enhancement; Edge Enhancement; Progressive Cadence Detection™; Rightrate™ Framerate Conversion; Precision A/V Lipsync™; AutoVFR™; and Auto CUE-C™.

In the iScan Duo, all sources can be scaled up to 1080p resolution at 10 bits, through Anchor Bay's Precision Video Scaling II. Precision Deinterlacing is a 10-bit source, motion and edge adaptive deinterlacing, working with 480i, 576i and 1080i resolutions. It provides five-field motion adaptive deinterlacing, and edge adaptive processing with a maximum three-frame video processing delay, and will lock onto any cadence.

DVDO's unique PReP (Progressive Re Processing) is able to undo poor deinterlacing performed by source components (DVD players, set-top boxes, etc.), by restoring the original interlaced signal, which then enables the use of Precision Deinterlacing to produce a superior picture.

Accurate playback of film-based content is assured by Progressive Cadence Detection and Right Rate framerate conversion, which enable 24/Hz and 25Hz output from film-based content at 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080p resolutions
Mosquito Noise Reduction reduces the video noise typically present in compressed SD and HD source material. Fine Detail Enhancement finds and extracts fine details in low resolution and overly compressed images, and Edge Enhancement sharpens image edges, without ringing.

Precision A/V Lipsync uses an intelligent digital audio delay technology to eliminate problems with video lag. It automatically compensates for the video processing delay of the Duo, and provides manual adjustment for delays present in sources.

AutoVFR™ intelligent component video inputs provide automatic video format routing, and AutoCUE-C™ technology automatically detects and removes chroma artifacts caused by incorrect upsampling of chroma signals by MPEG decoders in source components.

For gamers, the iScan Duo's Game Mode has very low latency to ensure that gaming performance will not suffer due to video processing delays. The edge adaptive processing mode has less than one frame delay.

The iScan Duo also provides full-frame timebase correction, and its overscan and underscan features allow the entire active image to be displayed on any display, regardless of its capability.

The processor can be controlled with its dedicated IR remote control, front panel controls, or through an RS-232 serial port. Its back panel includes an IR remote input and output jack for use with an IR repeater. A mini USB port allows connection to a PC or Mac for firmware upgrades. Two 12V Triggers are provided to control other components such as screens and projectors.

The iScan Duo is rack-mountable, using the supplied rack mount kit.