Which is the best way of up-converter?

[Walter Biscardi]

We use the AJA Kona 3 to upconvert DigiBeta directly from our J3 Playback machine.

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[Bob Zelin]

For a stand alone converter, the FS1 is the correct choice.

Bob Zelin

[Shane Ross]

The BEST way wasn’t listed…Terranex hardware upconvert. But of those listed, Bob’s right, the FS1 is the best way. But I am like Walter, I use the Kona 3, and also the Matrox MXO2, to do upconverts as I input.

Shane

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[Steve Oakley]

the MXO2 series products make very nice SD upconverts. in fact I had captured some SD material into HD without realizing it, until I went to place it in the FCP TL and it was already the right size 🙂 it looked really good for realtime.

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[Matthew Causon]

Hello Steve and Shane

I’ve read that there are some limitations on the upconvert of the MXO2 (16×9 etc.) Andy Mees covers it here:

https://forum.matrox.com/mxo/viewtopic.php?t=2375

Jon Thorn from AJA recently explained how AJA handles hardware upconvert:

‘We have several ways to upconvert 4×3 content to 16×9 with our desktop products. (And Ki Pro).

For archival material that may not withstand full upscaling, you can elect to perform a pillarbox; I specifically mention archival because many broadcasters specify that the volume of upconverted footage that is pillarboxed be very limited.

We also offer an anamorphic upconvert which produces optimal results when moving from an SD to HD signal; for example, anamorphic SD footage from the Panasonic SDX900 camera can produce very nice results when viewed as HD.

We also offer a “split the difference” upconvert to 14×9 which can be suitable in situations where items in frame simply cannot be zoomed to fill the frame at 16×9. You don’t see this all that much, but from time to time you do; I’ve seen it several times with sports footage for example and some television commercials.

Finally, we offer two 4×3 to filling of the full 16×9 frane options; zoom letterbox and zoom wide. Zoom letterbox may appear slightly distorted in most cases, while Zoom wide should appear as a faithful scaling up and filling of the frame without distortion.’

So whilst AJA are not keen to do feature comparisons (or any mudslinging) it might be good for Kane to know any differences that may exist specific to upscaling as his request is pretty specific.

BTW the hardware conversion on the FS-1 and Kona 3 are the same hi quality (and I think the LHi also). As you note Shane to go better you’d be in big $ territory, Terra or Snell.

Many thanks all

Matty Causon

Phosphor

EMEA Business Management for AJA Video Systems Inc.