What are Video Scalers and Video Converters?
Calrad's new series of intelligent video scalers are a new way to think about converting, adapting and switching all types of video signals. The digital and analog HDTV converters and scalers provide a multitude of options from one format to another or digital to analog and analog to digital conversion. Rather than generating an output that is dependent on the input format. A video scaler is able to produce a converted image in a wide range of resolutions and refresh rates, completely independent of the original, incoming video format. Calrad's OSD (On Screen Display) interface is used in the converters and scalers to indicate a visual reference of signal type and available menu items, while providing adjustments of input and output signal resolutions, brightness, contrast, color, RGB, color channel gain, horizontal and vertical position and other vital settings of the unit.

What are Video Test Pattern Generators?
Calrad has 2 high performance PC / HDTV test pattern generator models. One for analog, component / VGA signal outputs and the other is DVI or HDMI signal outputs. The video output provides rock solid images that are adjustable to a wide range of resolutions and up to 27 industry standard video patterns. Calrad's compact lightweight unit is perfect for bench or field testing of signal cable feeds on all Plasma, LCD, DLP display devices. Spot signal and display problems in the early stages of installation.

What are Video Baluns?
A balun is a device that joins a balanced line (one that has two conductors, with equal current in opposite directions, such as a twisted pair cable) to an unbalanced line (one that has just one conductor and a ground, such as a coaxial cable). The concept and process of sending various electrical signals over twisted pair dates back some 25 years, in the late 1970's Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) cabling was originally developed by the computer industry for transmitting low data rate signals over computer networks. Digital data signals are relatively forgiving and can tolerate substantial interference and degradation before affecting the integrity of the signal. Unfortunately, most of these early devices provided poor performance and inadequate noise immunity and no ground loop isolation, which prohibited them from being used for other applications. Other early adopters of this technology included the security CCTV field for video surveillance camera's and equipment. But today's balun technology is going Hi-Tech, using 100 Ohm (UTP) solid conductor cables to send Data, Video, Audio & Control signals long distances over off the shelf Category 5 (CAT5E) or Category 6 (CAT6) cables. Balanced networking cables are changing the distribution schemes of signal delivery in residential and commercial applications. Using this technology for mid to long runs can both cut costs and reduce installation time.