Atlona AT-LINE-EX HDMI Media Center Switcher and Scaler - Review

The Atlona AT-LINE-EX is an affordable, standalone, video switcher and scaler that can be used to connect up to six video input sources (2 analog, 2 PC, and 2 HDMI) and pass through or upscale those sources via HDMI to your HDTV. The Atlona AT-LINE-EX features 480p, 720p, 1080i, and 1080p scaling, NTSC/PAL bi-directional conversion, and Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio pass though via the HDMI inputs. The functions of the AT-LINE-EX can be controlled by the provided wireless remote control. After reading this review, check out additional details in my supplementary Photo Gallery and Video Performance Tests.

The features of the Atlona AT-LINE-EX include:

1. Up to 1080p video scaling via HDMI utilizing an Analog Devices (ADV7441A) processing chip.

2. PAL to NTSC or NTSC to PAL conversion - 50Hz/60Hz automatic conversion.

3. 3D Y/C separation Comb-filter to correct video static, artifacts, noise and colors.

4. 2 HDMI ver1.3, 2 Composite Video, 2 S-Video, 2 Component, 2 analog stereo inputs, 2 VGA for PC or Laptop monitor connections.

5. Video output: Single HDMI 1.3 with HDCP.

6. Operates through on-screen OSD menu control and remote control.

7. DTS-HD Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD compliant via HDMI connections.

8. Aspect Ratio 4:3 or 16:9. Picture Controls: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, Hue, Sharpness, and 3 additional picture modes.

9. Power: 5V DC Power Supply Adaptor (110/240v), Dimensions: 13.6 inches wide x 1.8 inches high x 6.7 inches deep, Net Weight: 3lb.

10. Package Includes: AT-LINE-EX Media Center, DC 5V/4A Power

Overview of HDMI

HDMI stands for High Definition Multi-media Interface. Get a closer look at an HDMI connector.

The Atlona AT-LINE-EX has the ability, with an HDMI output, to transfer a digital video signal directly, without conversion to analog. This results in a pure transfer of all of video information from the Atlona AT-LINE-EX to an HDMI or DVI-HDCP (via a connection adapter) equipped TV. In addition, HDMI can transfer both video and audio signals. In fact, the Atlona AT-LINE-EXhas two HDMI outputs, one for both audio and video, and one solely devoted to audio output only.

Overview of Video Upscaling

You can enable the Atlona AT-LINE-EX to either feed the digital video signal as either 720p, 1080i, or 1080p (in addition to 480p) to your television.

720p is essentially 1,280 pixels displayed across the screen horizontally and 720 pixels down the screen vertically. This arrangement yields 720 horizontal lines on the screen, which are, in turn, displayed progressively, or each line displayed following another.

1080i represents 1,920 pixels displayed across a screen horizontally and 1,080 pixels down a screen vertically. This arrangement yields 1,080 horizontal lines, which are, in turn, displayed alternately. In other words, all the odd lines are displayed, followed by all the even lines.

1080p represents the same pixel resolution as 1080i, however, the lines are displayed progressively, rather than alternately, providing a better visual look. Check out more details on 1080p.

The capability of a video scaler to output a video signal in 720p, 1080i, or 1080p format allows its video output to more closely match the capabilities of today's HDTVs.

Although this is not the same as watching your DVDs or other standard definition sources in true-high definition, you will experience increased detail and color you didn't think was possible; unless you purchase a HD-DVD or Blu-ray Player and view HD-DVD or Blu-ray Discs.

The upscaling function works best on fixed pixel displays, such as LCD or Plasma sets, the upscaling process may sometimes result in harsh images on standard CRT and Projection sets. In addition, if your television has a native display resolution other than 720p, 1080i, or 1080p, you can select the correct output resolution via the Atlona AT-LINE-EX or you can let the TV's on internal video processor rescale the incoming signal to its own specification, which can also yield different results on the final, displayed television image. The best option is to set the Atlona AT-LINE-EX to the correct output resolution that matches your HDTV.

Hardware Used In This Review

The additional home theater hardware used in this review included:

Home Theater Receivers: Onkyo TX-SR705, Harman Kardon AVR147.

Source Components: Panasonic DMP-BD60 (on review loan from Panasonic), OPPO DV-983H DVD Player (used for standard DVD upscaling comparison), and OPPO Digital DV-980H DVD Player (using standard definition Composite, S-Video, and Component Video outputs only), Panasonic LX-1000U Laserdisc Player, and an RCA VR725HF S-VHS VCR.

Video Scaler Comparison Unit: DVDO Edge.

Loudspeaker System 1 (7.1 Channels): 2 Klipsch F-2's, 2 Klipsch B-3s, Klipsch C-2 Center , 2 Polk R300s, Klipsch Synergy Sub10.

Loudspeaker System 2: (5.1 Channels): EMP Tek HTP-551 5.1 Channel Home Theater Speaker Package (EF50C Center Channel Speaker,4 EF50 Bookshelf Speakers, E10s Powered Subwoofer (on review loan).

TV/Monitors: A Westinghouse Digital LVM-37w3 1080p LCD Monitor, and Syntax LT-32HV 720p LCD TV. Displays calibrated using SpyderTV Software.

Audio/Video connections made with Accell, Cobalt, and AR Interconnect cables. 16 Gauge Speaker Wire used.

Software Used

The software used in this review included the following titles:

Blu-ray Discs (for 1080p HDMI pass-through testing): 300, Across The Universe, Alien vs Predator: Requiem, Chronicles of Narnia - Prince Caspian, Hairspray, I am Legend, Iron Man, Shakira - Oral Fixation Tour, Sunshine, The Dark Knight, The International, and Wall-E.

Standard DVDs: Crank, House of the Flying Daggers, Circle of Iron, Kill Bill - Vol 1/2, Lord of Rings Trilogy, Master and Commander, The Cave, U571, and V For Vendetta.

Laserdiscs: Jason and the Argonauts, Lawrence of Arabia, Jurassic Park.

VHS Tapes: Star Wars: Episode 1 - The Phantom Menace, Predator, Spartacus.

Deinterlacing and Upscaling performance for standard DVDs was tested using the Silicon Optix HQV Test Disc.

Proceed to Page 2 - Evaluation and Final Take.