DVI Output
Goldmund, with the Eidos 38D, then the Eidos 18D, introduced a very important new feature : The Digital Video Output.
This is a revolutionary advance equivalent to the replacement of the LP by the Compact Disc in 1984.
Any future Video product, either DVD player, Video Processor, Video Projector or Plasma Screen will have to be designed taking this changed into account.
Instead of carrying the Video signal in analogue as it has been the case before the Video signals will now be run in digital, with the following advantages :
- Digital cables are less damage for the Video signal than analogue cables as they are for the Audio signal.
- The DVD recorded signal is already digital. In DVD player, the digital Video signal used for the digital Video Output is extracted before any D/A circuitry. As it is now well known, these Video D/A circuits are a serious performance limitation, proof is the war between manufacturers insisting in their promotional material on the chip they use.
- Without doubt, digital Projectors (LCD, DLP, DILA) are replacing progressively their analogue counterpart. Feeding such a projector with an analogue signal induces the need of an A/D circuit, even more detrimental than the D/A counterpart in the DVD player. Top A/D circuits are expensive and totally useless if the signal is coming in digital format.
- Video processors, with their analogue inputs (RGB, component Video, S-Video or composite) and analogue outputs are usually working in fact in the digital domain, so they also need built-in D/A and A/D circuit, once again useless, expensive, and detrimental for the final performance. Keeping the signal digital allow to suppress these unnecessary circuits as well as their cost and performance loss. More, the traditional line doubling or quadrupling is totally useless since the digital signal is already progressive.
- The Scaling circuit built-in projectors and Plasma screen is critical for the final image quality. Their high cost makes the manufacturer compromise in performance. Scalers outside the projector or Plasma screen are usually better, but again need A/D and D/A circuit to be inserted between the source and the projector or screen. The Goldmund “Digital Direct” principle will bring on the market less expensive but much better scalers, made to receive, scale and output a digital signal.
Goldmund by keeping all its Video components to work in the digital domain will provide better image quality and simpler cabling with better circuits for the same cost. This is why Goldmund refused to introduce any Video component until technology allowed to make the whole path in digital. That’s what Goldmund called the “Digital Direct” Principle.
