Video converter LVP603S

A video wall is a collection of video displays tiled together to create a large single screen, often used to view large amounts of data. 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.

LED video walls require specialized video processors to manage and optimize the display of content across the array of LED panels. Video processors should support a wide range of input sources, including HDMI, DisplayPort, SDI (Serial Digital Interface), DVI (Digital Visual Interface), and VGA (Video Graphics Array). This versatility allows for easy integration with various devices such as cameras, computers, media players, and live production equipment. LED video walls come in different resolutions and aspect ratios. Video processors should be capable of handling the native resolution of the LED panels and efficiently scaling content to fit the screen size without compromising image quality. LED video walls come in different resolutions and aspect ratios. Also processing of brightness, gamma and other video properties are needed to get the optimal picture quality on various LED wall panels.

Today, the terms video wall processor and video wall controller are often used interchangeably. Their basic job is to split the video content for each display in a multi-display wall. A video wall processor is a video scaler that ensures that each source signal goes to the correct screen at the correct resolution. It acquires the image and sends it to each screen to be displayed as one large, cohesive image. The video processor is responsible for taking the various inputs and putting them together. An advanced video wall processor can take content from multiple sources and display it on multiple screens.

A video wall processor is similar to a traditional video scaler, but with greater input, output and processing power. Normally stage LED screen is equipped with video processors like 820C, LVP603s, LVP605S etc to realize multiple signal input requirement and image effect. Seamless switching between different input sources and smooth transition effects are essential for maintaining audience engagement and visual continuity. Video processors should offer features such as fade-in/fade-out, wipe, dissolve, and other transition effects.

VDWALL LVP603S has been at time been one of the best selling processor models in converting various signals for LED display. It seems that VDWALL LVP603S HD LED Video Switcher is a video converter that has been out of production for some time. VDWALL LVP603S HD LED Video Switcher is a video switcher and processor designed to drive LED video walls. This device supports 1920 x 1080 full high-definition input and output. Up to 4 of them can be used together to drive big LED wall installations.

I got one use VDWALL LVP603S video converter very cheaply several years ago. I don’t own a LED video wall, but I got it because this video switcher/converter can be used also without a video wall as a generic video switcher and converter (without LED wall output cards). For general purpose use this device can take video signal in many formats and output the signal in VGA and DVI formats (or formats supported by optional LED wall sender cards) to be displayed on LED video wall.

Features of VDWALL LVP603S HD LED Video Switcher:
1. 10+ Bit Faroudja® DCDI Cinema Processing
2. New Faroudja® Real Color®
3. Advanced 4×4 Pixels Interpolation Scaling Algorithm
4. HD Text, Flash, Graphics & Logo Overlay
5. Seamless Switching,Fade-in / Fade-out
6. Unrestricted HD Picture-in-Picture (PIP) & Picture-by-Picture
7. Independent H & V Scaling Ratios
8. HDMI 1.3a with HDCP, HD 1080p input
9. SDI. HDSDI(1080i) Input
10. 1920 x 1080 p or 1600 x 1200 output for single machine
11. Multi-machine in parallel, 6 x 6 in parallel can connect 11520 x 6480 LED screen
12. Fast 64-level output brightness adjustment
13. Easy setup and adjustment through keys on the panel
14. Press keys on frontal panel to directly select 7-channel input signal source, including:
1 x SDI/HDSDI
1 x HDMI(with HDCP)
1 x DVI
1 x VGA
1 x DP(DisplayPort)
2 x CVBS
15. 2 channels can be configured to connect external stereo audio, plus DP, HDMI and SDI audio,
there are 5-channel audio for synchronous switch
16. 2 LED Transmission Cards Built-in ability （The processor does not include the Transmission card.）

Here is a Connection Diagram from Vdwall LVP603S User Manual (https://www.manualslib.com/manual/713761/Vdwall-Lvp603s.html?page=5#manual) that shows the various connection options for video signals.

10+ Bit Faroudja® DCDI Cinema Processing
New Faroudja® Real Color®
Advanced 4×4 Pixels Interpolation Scaling Algorithm
HD Text, Flash, Graphics & Logo Overlay
SDI / HD-SDI / 3G-SDI ( 1080p ) Input
Seamless Switching,Fade-in / Fade-out
Unrestricted HD Picture-in-Picture (PIP) & Pi

I don’t have video wall myself, but there are also other applications that this box works well. This converter works well as a converter that converts different video formats to a format that can be easily connected to a big LCD screen or video projector. The “10+ Bit Faroudja® DCDI Cinema Processing” was considered to be “the state of art” video processing hardware when this device was introduced to market. I would call that they are still pretty decent quality (as long as you are happy with HDTV resolutions up to 1920×1080p@50Hz/60Hz).

The DVI and VGA output formats are nowadays considered to be a bit old fashioned interfaces, because pretty much every video display prefers HDMI input. The DVI output of this device can be connected to HDMI input with adapter cable – you get the video shown on the video display that support HDMI signals (but no sound through same cable). There are two DVI outputs in this device, but they both output the same signal. He manufacturer says in manual that you should not plug and unplug DVI cables when the device is powered up.

VGA/DVI Formats for output:
1024×768@60Hz/75Hz
1280×1024@60Hz/75Hz
1600×1200@60Hz
1920×1080p@50Hz/60Hz

This box works as a good quality video converter and switcher. In addition to traditional set of HDMI,DVI,VGA,DP(DisplayPort),CVBS inputs this this LVP603S converter supports input of SDI video signal (often used in professional video applications for long distance camera signals). There is also an audio signal switcher. This device takes normal mains power 100-240V AC. This device is somewhat heavy (5.6 kg) and makes some noise (sounds like it has fan inside). The device configuration and operation is normally done using front panel buttons and a small LCD display both in the front panel. There is an option for RS-232 computer controlling (which I have not tested).

Product info pages:
https://www.ledcontrollercard.com/english/led-video-processor/vdwall-lvp603s-hd-led-video-switcher.html
https://www.ledcontrolcard.com/product/vdwall-lvp603s-video-processor/

Manuals:
https://manualzz.com/doc/55227390/vdwall-lvp603-series-quick-use-guide
https://docplayer.net/53992485-Lvp603-led-video-processor-user-s-manual.html

How To Set VDWALL LED Video Porcessor Output Solution?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaRKxC8nYxg

Information on the video conversion technology used inside this converter (was once considered to be “the best”):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faroudja
https://www.hometheatershack.com/threads/faroudja-dcdi-cinema-vs-hqv-reon.19839/
https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_3/faroudja-dvp-3000-9-2000.html
https://forums.audioholics.com/forums/threads/what-is-so-great-about-faroudja.44465/
https://hometheaterhifi.com/volume_7_3/faroudja-dvp-3000-9-2000.html