Engadget HD Review: RazorVision HDMI video cable
By Matt Burns 
posted Oct 9th 2006 4:56PM
posted Oct 9th 2006 4:56PM
We do apologize up front that these pics are by way of a digital camera but there currently isn't any effective way to get screen captures via HDMI. Something about copy protection crap but these pictures do give you a good indication that the cables do provide a different picture. We are having a hard time calling it a better picture cause the video processor does produce a lot of noise, especially on standard definition programming. Some of the time though, the colors are deeper and more rich but for the most part we have found these cables to mess up the over all image by increasing the contrast to an unbearable level. Maybe this is what the engineers where shooting for but it sure doesn't improve our calibrated HDTV. We do have to say that once in a while, when the on-screen conditions are right, the blue's are more blue, the reds are deeper and the greens are vibrant, but it isn't at all consistent.
We honestly have to say that these $249 cables are not for those looking to get the most accurate picture. The do produce a brighter, more vivid experience but by no means is it a technical better image. Take a look at the images below though and maybe the 'enhanced' picture is just what you are looking for.
Normal on the left and enhanced on the right
Normal on the left and enhanced on the right
Enhanced
Normal
Normal on the left and enhanced on the right
Normal on the left and enhanced on the right
Enhanced
Normal
Boxed
Unboxed
I actually think the normal cable looks better
Spend the money on an ISF calibration. It'll improve the picture from ALL of your sources! No snake oil in an off-white, plastic box needed.
I second that. Normal looks better. Samsung has DNIe to "enhance" image quality as well. It can look good in certain areas, scenes, etc. but once you stip it down and eventually turn it off you find an even better picture 'underneath' that was previously hidden.
I have seen something almost identical in Cyberlink's PowerDVD player (version 6 I think). I have a HTPC and when I play back HD content (recorded transport stream then converted to MPEG2) in PowerDVD there is a menu option to do some enhancement. I can't remember exactly what the name is, but I swear it did the same thing. You can even do it split-screen. It runs the CPU utilization up fairly high when it's turned on. It's not critical, but it did usually make the picture look a little better, especially ocean/nature/landscape type stuff. I didn't like it turned on for movies though.
Normal looks better - save your money!
If you want to crush your black and increase your contrast, 2 steps up on contrast and 2 steps down on brightness should get the same result.
I would have to agree that the normal looks better. The image is crispier and brighter in my opinion.
It looks like you lose too many details in the dark areas. If you want to throw away money, I'll give you my PayPal address; you can just send it to me!
What is to say that has already been said? This is a cheap gimmick that basically tweaks contrast and brightness and artificial edge enhancement to make the picture look 'better'.
"Spend the money on an ISF calibration." Yeah, because that piuece of paper they got means they are the best of the best at calibrating something.
On the side-by-side images it appears that the processed image would be better, but on the whole-frame images the unprocessed images does appear to be more natural. Very odd.
Rod
$250? Hahahahaha. Wow. Do they think the HT enthusiasts that have money to spend are idiots? I mean come on. It's obviously crushing blacks, a dynamic enhancement like suped up contrast, gamma, etc. This is no processor, and it makes the picture worse. Lastly, GROSSLY overpriced. LOL
I hope you didn't pay for that thing. What a joke. If you care enough to have a good picture, spend that on a calibration!
Was that an HR20 acting as your DVR or WMCE?
Rick - It is a Motorola 6412 HDTV tuner/DVR from Comcast - and no...I didn't pay for the cables.
Yeah-- I don't get it...calibration would be more effective--
"Click on for screenshots (big pics so slow load times for dial-up) that will let you come to your own conclusion on whether these are something you need to add to your high-def gear."
Is there such a thing as a person with High-Def and Dial-up?