The evolution of televisions has been so ongoing that people never stop to realize just how “bad” each precision generation was before. Add the mass acceptance of a TV being the all-encompassing display and it’s no wonder that few even bother to change any of the factory default settings once they get their new TV home. But there has always been those who wanted a bit “more” from their TV, specifically to increase the visual acuity of the images. This enhancement has typically taken the form of independent devices with esoteric names and masses of connections. But thanks to DarbeeVision, if you can plug a HDMI cable into a like-named slot you’re well on your way to enjoying what the DVP-5000S Video Processor can bring to your TV’s display.
The DarbeeVision DVP-5000S Video Processor is at its heart a video processor (yes it IS part of the name). But before we get into the details of how it modifies/alters a video signal, let’s deal with the simplicity of setting it up. Barely bigger (and thinner) than a paperback book, the DVP-5000S is lightweight enough to be placed to the side of the TV. The DVP-5000S is also an unassuming black so as to avoid causing reflections or attracting attention and has LEDs to indicate its varying status (these LEDs can be dimmed, which is sensible — red for power, blue for an active HDMI signal and green for the system itself being active). You plug the included AC plug into a wall outlet — first making sure your country’s outlet plug has been chosen and the adapter is in place (as it comes with the fixings for working in multiple countries). The video signal that is heading for the TV goes into the HDMI input on the DVP-5000S, with another HDMI cable going from the HDMI output over and into the TV’s input. The DVP-5000S doesn’t care what video signal it is receiving — it can be from a cable box/satellite receiver or a Blu-ray player, etc. — so those with multiple components might want to first go through a switching box or, as is the simplest route, into an AV Receiver with its HDMI out going to the DVP-5000S rather than the TV. Since the DVP-5000S is HDMI 1.4 compliant, it will transmit a 3D signal and 1080p high resolution without incident.
The DVP-5000S includes and works through an infrared remote and so must have a line-of-sight to receive commands (although bouncing IR beams off walls often is a matter of course and there is a 360 degree IR sensor). To further this aim, DarbeeVision also includes an IR extender cable.
Retailing for $249 (more than reasonable as it is genre-specific product), for those who are willing to go the extra mile for getting the best quality picture that they possibly can, the DVP-5000S can be seen as integral part of the video signal will become evident every time the TV is turned on. It is designed to work with HDTVs (Full HD 1080p) and of course can be used with a 1080p front projector and it’s here where a large image (80, 90, 100″+) can be accessed and seen for the changes the video processor brings. An immediate way to determine the effect of one of the settings (as well as “prove” that the video signal is indeed being modified) is to turn it between on and off and see the changes in the imagery being immediately displayed.
Now to get to the nitty-gritty (as it were). In use, the most immediate response seen is an increase in the “pop” factor — which is to say that he image becomes more lifelike, with a higher level of detail and definition that creates the “3D” effect TV manufacturers often speak of. Obviously the DVP-5000S can’t create definition on its own, but it does have the ability to enhance what is there without causing a coarseness as a result. There are three presets to choose from — High-Def, Gaming and Full Pop. High-Def expects the image to be that of a TV show or movie and so works to increase the effectiveness of the black levels and overall definition. Gaming is a bit more “pushy” and strives to take the graphics and pump them up so as to be more pronounced, since there’s very little worries of humans being part of what will be seen (CGI people don’t count). The Full Pop grinds the video signal to its nth degree and for some will be the most impressive, while for others it will seem to be too much. That’s why there are these three choices to make, but also why there’s that bypass mode for comparing directly to the unmodified image. And why the video modifications/enhancement are also user adjustable.
The DarbeeVision DVP-5000S Video Processor isn’t meant to augment a TVs adjustable settings — its purpose is to replace them entirely outside of the realm of simple color/brightness/contrast control. There’s no argument that its use will change the video image and cause the display to present its imagery in a different manner, which for many will prove to be the most desirable thing to have happen to their TV.
