Does the DVP-5000S have a place in your home theater?
When it comes to high definition video, the goal is always to have to the most mind-blowing image possible. The road to getting that image varies greatly and sometimes boils down to calibration either with a disc, settings from the internet, or hiring a professional. DarbeeVision is looking to simplify the process with their new DVP-5000S HDMI video processor which does the hard work for you and promises to improve the image quality of your show, movies, and even video games.
What is it?
The DarbeeVision DVP-5000S is an HDMI video processor that improves picture detail, contrast and depth all through a simple plug-and-play process.
The DVP-5000S is a small box that is plugged between any HDMI-compatible source and display (including 3D displays up to 1080p). Once installed and plugged in, the video processor improves detail, color vibrancy and color depth resulting in a noticeable improvement in image quality. Users can adjust the level of processing and even bypass it entirely if they choose.
I feel that the $200-$249 price tag is one major factor that may scare potential buyers. However, the DVP-5000S will be close to or cheaper than having a tech come out and calibrate your set. In the end, it will boil down to convenience and the willingness to spend nearly as much as a console or high-end Blu-ray player to get a better picture.
Users may also occasionally run into handshake issues due to HDCP. A simple restart resolves this but it is something that deserves mentioning. I will also add that improved picture quality was more apparent on screens 40 inches and up and only slightly noticeable on screens under 40 inches.
Why do you/don’t you need it?
The necessity of a DVP-5000S for your home theater boils down to price and being able to improve your picture in seconds versus visiting forums or buying a disc and doing it yourself. If you just want a better picture and price is no object, then the investment may be worth it.
My Take:
While I consider myself fairly tech-savvy and have calibrated the displays in my home with either Digital Video Essentials and Avia or with recommendations from forums, I was pleasantly surprised with how easy it was to setup the DVP-5000S. The controls and calibration were simple and easy to figure out. I had a beautiful picture in minutes with no complex menus or fine tuning. Image quality improvements were noticeable on most mediums, but gaming and hi-def cable channels looked particularly crisp with vibrant color. While the ease of use and set up were notable, the $200-$249 price tag (price varies by retailer) will definitely make home theater owners think before pulling the proverbial trigger on this device. If the device were $100-$150 less I think more people would want to give it a shot especially when ISF calibration from a big box retailer like Best Buy will run you $249 and up. I recommend this device to those who want to bump up picture quality ASAP versus reading forums or buying discs. If you are interested in picking up your very own DVP-500S you can find it here.
Unboxing
Product Video
[symple_box color=”blue” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]DVP-5000S review unit provided by DarbeeVision.[/symple_box]
