Latency: Zero Introduces HD Video And Digital Audio Selector

[Gregg Lengling]

Latency: Zero unveiled the VS8HCA, a new, combined high-definition video, component video, and digital audio selector. The selector is designed to overcome the problem of limited high-definition and/or component inputs on today's HDTV monitors and projectors.

"As consumers are demanding increasingly higher quality video presentation, the use of component video outputs on consumer electronic devices is beginning to explode," said Rick Mann, President of Latency: Zero. "We see this both in a shift to progressive scan DVD players, in the growing availability of high-definition digital TV receivers, and with the success of HD-capable video game consoles."

"What is problematic," said Mann, "is that the latest displays, and even most leading-edge, component-capable A/V receivers have typically only one or two component inputs. This creates a severe limitation in how a multi-source system can be configured."

The Latency: Zero VS8HCA aims to solve this problem by giving the consumer eight high-bandwidth sets of component video inputs, each paired with a digital audio input. Under user control, any of the eight inputs may be selected to appear at the selector's output. Latency: Zero has provided two sets of component video outputs so that the user may feed two different display devices simultaneously, such as a video projector and a conventional direct-view monitor for daily viewing.

The video path features 97 MHz (-3 dB) video bandwidth and 0.1 dB variable gain over 45 MHz. Six of the digital audio inputs are optical (Toslink) and two are coaxial. There is one Toslink and one coaxial digital audio output, and audio is transcoded between both. All video connections are BNC, and a set of BNC-to-RCA adapters is included to facilitate connections to some video devices.

Power control and direct input selection is accomplished via an infrared remote control or RS-232 serial port. The enclosure features a black, brushed aluminum front panel and blue LEDs to indicate the currently selected input. A rack-mount adapter kit is available separately, and the unit requires 2U of rack space.

"The VS8HCA provides convenient, affordable expansion without requiring the owner to give up his or her investment in existing equipment," said Mann.

The VS8HCA is available through the Latency: Zero online store. The introductory suggested retail price, available for a limited time, is $899. The unit is covered under a one-year manufacturer's warranty. Details are available at www.latencyzero.com.