Barco adds entry-level model to video scaler, scan converter, switcher range

Barco has announced the addition of an entry-level model to its series of all-in-one video scalers, scan converters and switchers. Building on the legacy of the ImagePRO and ImagePRO-II presentation switchers, the new ImagePRO-II Jr combines high-performance scaling with low total cost of ownership and is suitable for basic applications.

The new ImagePRO-II Jr was showcased at ISE 2014 and will be commercially available as of mid-March.

“As the industry standard for best-in-class signal conversion, our flagship ImagePRO-II presentation switcher has a proven track record and we are proud to further expand this product range with an entry-level model as a successor to our workhorses ImagePRO-HD and ImagePRO-3G,” comments Andreas Yerocostas, R&D director image processing at Barco. “From the simplest to the most complex applications, we can now meet any customer requirement for versatile and advanced switching – and not only for the rental and staging market, but for corporate AV and visitor attractions as well.”

The cost-effective ImagePRO-II Jr is an all-in-one video scaler, scan converter, switcher and transcoder that converts any input signal format to any output format. It supports Universal Analog, DVI single link, and SD/HD/3G SDI signal formats and provides loop-through outputs for the Analog, DVI and SDI input and genlock signals. Whether users are saving a setup for later, or need to copy a setup to multiple units, the incorporated USB backup-and- restore functionality makes configuration quick and easy. With features like HDCP and EDID management, multiple video effects and a web page interface, the ImagePRO-II Jr is the most advanced and flexible signal processor currently available at this price point.

Like the other ImagePRO-IIs, the ImagePRO-II Jr incorporates Barco’s custom-designed Athena scaler and allows for higher resolutions (up to WQXGA), higher frame rates, higher quality de-interlacing with advanced motion adaptive processing, faster source acquisition, enhanced colour depth, and native support for all of the latest computer signals. As formats and interface requirements frequently change, the Athena scaler is built to be adaptable, providing superior signal clarity while maintaining a low processing latency of only one frame.

Thanks to its intuitive user menu, the ImagePRO-II Jr can be easily controlled via the front panel, a web browser or a mobile device. As it is built to withstand the abuse of the road, the rugged ImagePRO-II Jr is also ideally suited for the live event industry, in addition to applications in the corporate AV and visitor attractions markets. What’s more, it takes up only 1 RU of rack space.