Video converter VP-724DS

Video switchers and converters are indispensable tools for video professionals.Video switchers and converters are essential tools in the realm of audiovisual production, broadcasting, and multimedia content creation. I have worked on the field and own devices on this category myself.

Video switchers, also known as vision mixers or production switchers, are extensively used in live productions such as television broadcasts, concerts, sports events, and conferences. They enable seamless switching between multiple video sources, such as cameras, computers, and playback devices, allowing directors to control the visual content in real-time.

Video converters are essential for ensuring compatibility between different video formats, resolutions, and signal types. They enable the integration of diverse equipment and devices that may not natively support the same video standards, such as HDMI, SDI, VGA, DVI, or DisplayPort. Video converters are often employed to integrate legacy equipment with modern AV systems or to bridge the gap between analog and digital technologies. Video presentation scalers and switchers with multiple analog and digital inputs can be used to get your material scaled up or down to a single analog and/or digital output display format.

One of the video converters I own is Kramer VP-724DS (product that is discontinued years ago). The Kramer VP-724DS Seamless Switcher/Scaler was advertised as ideal for the following typical applications: Presentation and conference room systems, production studios, rental and staging. The VP-724DS is an enhanced version of the popular earlier VP-720DS and VP-723DS models. Kramer Electronics introduced VP-724DS at Infocomm 2003. VP-724DS was later replaced with VP-724XL.

Kramer VP-724DS is amulti-standard video to RGBHV scaler that can convert video, s-Video, component video (SDTV and HDTV), VGA-through-UXGA, and DVI-D signals to ten user-selectable pixel rates: VGA (640×480), SVGA (800×600), XGA (1024×768), SXGA (1280×1024), UXGA (1600X1200), 1024×852, 1024×1024, 1366×768, 1365×1024 and 1280×720. The output signal from VP-724DS is in RGBHV format coming out of VGA connector. When VGA was widely used, it was a very useful device for connecting different formats to one video projectors. Nowadays when most video connections are HDMI, this converter can be used in modern systems when the VGA output is connected to an external VGA-HDMI video converter and output resolution set to something suitable for HDMI video. I have a suitable VGA-HDMI adapter that can do that (not an optimal solution because there is extra conversion steps from video to VGA and then VGA to HDMI, but works).

VP-724DS can also act as 7-input Seamless Presentation switcher. The scaler provides fade thru black switching between inputs and includes a picture-in-picture inserter, allowing the insertion of any video source into a graphics background and vice versa. It can also scale, zoom, freeze and locate the inserted image anywhere on the screen. Kramer’s proprietary Fade-Thru-Black (FTB) Switching allows fade to and from black for glitch-free and smooth switching. A built-in time-base corrector stabilizes video sources with unstable sync. Freeze frame and zoom are also supported.

While VP-724DS interfaces are mostly analogue, it internally uses digital signal processing. VP-724DS digitally reprocess the signal to correct mastering errors, and can gegenerate the video at a higher line and pixel rate format that matches the native-resolution video for LCD, DLP and Plasma displays. VP-724DS allows allow scaling of any graphics resolution to any other resolution (scaling for example, a VGA input to an UXGA output, or an SXGA input to an SVGA output, etc).

The machine incorporates an unique graphics-scaling engine with image enhancement algorithms, which are built into the firmware. The Kramer VP-724DS is specifically designed to improve video quality by reducing Chroma noise. The VP-724DS incorporate a full scale ProcAmp for video and audio correction and enhancement, and offers 3:2/2:2 pull down. The device can convert between each of the following Aspect Ratios: Normal, Wide Screen, Pan & Scan, 4:3 Output, and 16:9 Output.

In top of that, it includes a built in Picture-in-Picture inserter, allowing the insertion of any video source into a graphics background and vice versa, as well as allowing the inserted image to be sized and positioned anywhere on the screen. In addition, the PIP can display a Split-Screen (2 images side by side). The device also supports audio channels switching – audio channels are switched in audio follow video mode.

The VP-724DS unit can be controlled via front panel touch keys, infrared remote control, and RS-232. The device features an on-screen
display for making the adjustments. It is housed in a 19” 1U, rackmountable metal enclosure and uses a universal 100-240VAC automatic power supply.

SPECIFICTIONS

Signal Format Type: Analog Format
Model: VP-724DS
Special Effects: Output Image Scaling
Brand: Kramer Electronics
Compatible Mount: Rack Mount
Connectivity: Component
Type: Presentation Switcher
Features: Video Scaler
Number of Outputs: 1
MPN: VP-724DS
Number of Inpu ts: 8
Video Format: HD
Bundle Listing: No
Form Factor: Rack-Mountable
Video Input: DVI-I
Video Output: VGA/SVGA/XVGA
Functions: Video Presentation Switcher Scaler

SUPPORTED OUTPUT RESOLUTIONS:
VGA (640 x 480),
SVGA (800 x 600),
XGA (1024×768),
SXGA (1280×1024),
UXGA (1600 x1200),
1024 x 852,
1024 x 1024,
1366 x 768,
1365 x 1024,
1280 x 720,
480p,
720p,
1080i.

Resolutions configuration

Product videos:

VP724DS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16F-Q5bgEbE

VP724DS
Kramer VP-723DS Scaler/Switcher – The LaserRot Review
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHT4eMGziLY