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

After running several sources through the AT-Line-EX, including a Laserdisc player and VCR, I found that it did improve the overall image quality for both, but the Laserdisc and VHS sources retained some softness. Upscaled VHS and Laserdisc definitely did not look as good as Upscaled DVD.

Also, when visually comparing the upscaled images of the Atlona AT-LINE-EX with standard DVDs input at 480i resolution via composite and component video connections vs the upscaling capabilities of the DVDO EDGE video scaler used as reference under the same connection conditions, I found that the AT-LINE-EX did not deliver the same level of upscaling detail, and provided only basic video noise reduction settings and no advanced edge enhancement options.

On the other hand, the Atlona AT-LINE-EX does a satisfactory job in minimizing deinterlacing and scaling artifacts, such as jaggies and moire patterns, but the softness of detail is important to point out here, especially when compared with the DVDO Edge video scaler and OPPO DV-983H upscaling DVD player used for comparison.

In the case of the Atlona AT-LINE-EX using the composite video input option, the artifacts, on the whole, are minimized, but there could be improvement made in increasing image detail in the upscaling process.

In additional tests, the AT-LINE-EX recognized and processed the important 3:2 and 2:2 frame cadences but did show some instability on some of less commonly used cadences, such as the 5:5, 6:4, and 8:7 anime cadences. For an explanation of frame cadences, refer to the HQV Film Cadence Page.

In addition, although the AT-LINE-EX does have three video noise reduction settings, there could still be improvement in this area in relation to the video scaler and upscaling DVD player used for comparison.

For a more detailed look at the video performance of the AT-LINE-EX, also check out a Video Performance Test Results Gallery.

Audio Performance

Keeping in mind that the primary purpose of the AT-LINE-EX is to provide audio/video switching and scaling, there isn't much to say about audio, except that all the audio signals originating from both analog and HDMI sources passed through the AT-LINE-EX with no noticeable changes.

On the other hand, if the intention of the AT-LINE-EX is also to be a hub for audio/video sources, it lacks audio connection flexibility by requiring composite, S-video, and component video sources to share one set of analog stereo inputs and by also not including any digital optical or digital coaxial audio connectivity.

What I Liked About the AT-LINE-EX

1. Easy to install and use. You just plug your source components and then connect the HDMI output to your HDTV or video projector.

2. 1080p upscaling capability from all input sources. You have the option of setting scaled output to either 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p. However, it must be noted that 1080p/24 is not support.

3. HDMI output. You must an HDTV or video projector with either an HDMI or DVI-HDCP input. To use the DVI connection option, you will need to use an HDMI-to-DVI conversion cable or plug.

4. Compact and simple remote control. The remote control is extremely small with easy-to-read buttons. However, since it is so small, it is easy to misplace.

5. Compact cabinet size. The actual dimensions of the AT-LINE-EX are only 13.6 inches wide x 1.8 inches high x 6.7 inches deep, which makes it very easy to place on a rack or shelf, or on top of a DVD player.

What I Didn't Like About the AT-LINE-EX

1. Only two HDMI inputs. With the increased numbers of HDMI-equipped devices, it would be advantageous to include at least 3 or 4 HDMI inputs instead of just two.

2. Composite, S-Video, and Component Video inputs share same audio inputs. There are two sets of composite, S-video, and Component video inputs, but each each set shares a single analog audio input connection. It would have been nice to include separate audio inputs tied to each type of video input connection.

3. No digital optical or digital coaxial audio inputs. In addition to the lack of additional audio inputs, is no digital optical or digital coaxial audio input option for any of the video inputs.

4. Video upscaling performance not as good as comparison unit used. In using a variety of sources, the overall deinterlacing/scaling performance was not as good as the scaler and upscaling DVD player used for reference.

5. No advanced video adjustments provided to tweak scaling performance. Although there some basic picture adjustment and video noise reduction settings, there are no advanced setting options for edge enhancement or separate settings adjustment settings within primary color.

6. Image is overscanned. I noticed that the upscaled images displayed on the HDTVs used for this review revealed a slight overscanning, when compared to the same sources connected directly to the HDTV.

Final Take

As mentioned previously, after running several sources through the AT-Line-EX, I found that it did improve overall image quality, but still retained some softness.

Also, when comparing the performance of the Atlona AT-LINE-EX with the upscaling capabilities of the DVDO EDGE video scaler used as reference under the same conditions, the AT-LINE-EX did not deliver the same level of upscaling detail, and did not offer the same tweaking flexibility.

Also, all analog video inputs (composite, S-Video, and Component) share a single set of analog stereo inputs, limiting audio connection flexibility. In addition, there are only two HDMI inputs and no digital optical/coaxial audio inputs.

Based on performance, features, and connectivity options, I give the Atlona AT-LINE-EX a rating of 3.5 Stars out of 5.

For an additional look and perspective on the features, functions, and performance of the Atlona AT-LINE-EX check out my Short Review as well as my Photo Profile and Video Performance Tests.

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Disclosure: Review samples were provided by the manufacturer. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.