MY PICK: TV One C2-1250
LIST PRICE: $1,795
WHAT I LIKE ABOUT IT: I first got interested in TV One at the 2005 NAB Expo where I saw its forthcoming C2-7200 switcher/scaler. Its feature set was impressive, but our needs were for something less expensive, but still powerful. That's when I discovered the C2-1250. For a low-cost scaler/switcher, it's very enticing because it has future expandability. If I have a customer that needs more VGA, Composite, Component, or S-Video inputs, they need only to add a module to the unit that will accomplish this. When I found out they had added edge blending capabilities to the switcher, I was sold.
I WOULD CHANGE: The on-screen menu system is not as easy to configure as a display on the unit might be (which is available for extra money). The controls also have a bit of a learning curve to them. Other improvements I would make would be a pass-through VGA connection and a stronger output signal.
WHERE I USED IT: When we were designing our trade show booth, we wanted to create a large-screen video presentation with a short throw distance and an abnormal, “eye-catching” aspect ratio. We created a 9-foot, 3-inch by 3-foot, 9-inch video projection system using two Eiki XB28 projectors and two C2-1250s. We played video from the VGA port of a MacBook Pro and ran the signal through a video distribution amplifier into the two C2-1250s.
MY RESULTS: Each C2-1250 is responsible for playing either the left or right side of the video, with a roughly 200 pixel data doubled overlap area, and each scales and aligns the image on the screen properly in correlation to the projector placement. The C2-1250 then adds a gamma fade to the overlapped edge and provides visual compensation for the white- and black-balance of the projectors. We've used this solution in three trade shows so far, and the setup time initially took two to three hours; subsequent setups are less than an hour.
MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONSVideo inputs:Composite Video, 2x BNC
S-Video (YC), 2x 4-Pin Mini-DIN
YUV/YPbPr, 1x BNC
Computer input:RGB/YPbPr, 1x HD15 (Loop-thru only)
Analog RGBHV, RGBS, RGsB, YPbPr
PC Resolutions: Any up to 2048 x 2048
HDTV resolutions: Any up to 1080p
Maximum horizontal scan rate: 150kHz
Computer compatibility: PC, Macintosh, Workstations
Audio inputs: 4x unbalanced via terminals
Audio output: Unbalanced via terminals
Control: Local via Front Panel & OSD, RS-232, Infrared remote
Dimensions: (H x W x D) 1.6 inches x 8.6 inches x 5.8 inches
Weight: 2.6 pounds
Brad Weston is the President of Renewed Vision in Atlanta. Renewed Vision creates commercial and custom software for video projection, video walls, lyric projection, and virtual venue projection.
