Video Processor Reviews

Darbee Visual Presence Darblet Video Enhancer Specs

Specs
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 3.1 x .6 x 2.5
Weight (ounces): 4.2
Price: $269 introductory price through September 14, 2012, then $349

Connections
Inputs: HDMI 1.4 (1); Remote Extender In, 3 Volt(1), 5VDC Power In (1)
Outputs: HDMI 1.4 (1)

Company Info
DarbeeVision, Inc.
(714) 931-5941
DarbeeVision.com

COMPANY INFO
DarbeeVision, Inc.
(714) 931-5941
darbeevision.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
kevon27's picture
Submitted by kevon27 on August 24, 2012 - 6:59am

I ordered the Darblet because of your glowing review. If I'm not impressed I'm gonna sue.

Rob Sabin's picture
Submitted by Rob Sabin on August 24, 2012 - 7:11am
Oh great... DEERING!!! ;-)
hawke47's picture
Submitted by hawke47 on August 25, 2012 - 2:44am

I swear, I was laughing out loud when I read this! I ordered mine today, too! I went on Amazon, and one of the authorized sellers was selling through Amazon, and within twenty-four hours, it was sold out! I emailed the manufacturer, and asked if there were any other authorized sellers aside from the ones they listed. He said folks can try "Sewell." Just Google the name, and you will find their website. If I have the chance, I will reply back with my thoughts after I connect it to my BenQ W7000.

By the way, what are you connecting yours to Kevon27?

-String

kevon27's picture
Submitted by kevon27 on August 25, 2012 - 5:12pm

I ordered my Darblet from Sewell and it will arrive this Monday.
I only have a LCD TV, Samsung 52" - Lns52a650 http://reviews.cnet.com/flat-panel-tvs/samsung-ln52a650/4505-6482_7-3288...
One concern I have is how I should "prepare" my TV before I connect the Darblet? Should I reduce contrast, turn off any Dynamic contrast settings, reduce the sharpness controls, etc, etc. I guess I would have to spend time adjusting and adjusting until I get what I want.

BobLindstrom's picture
Submitted by BobLindstrom on August 26, 2012 - 12:15pm

The best prep is to have the highest quality picture without the Darblet in the video chain and not making any special adjustment to accomodate the Darblet. The better looking your source content, the better the Darblet will perform.

Then, once you've inserted the Darblet in your chain (just before the display device is the best location for it), adjust only the Darblet to fine-tune its effect.

kevon27's picture
Submitted by kevon27 on August 27, 2012 - 7:47pm

I got it today and it's going back tomorrow.. NOT, NOT, NOT worth the money. The increase in detail is so damn subtle it's useless. Increasing detail above 55% gives a horrible image. Maybe you have to have a really crappy TV to get some benefit from this thing..
IMHO, don't waste time and money on this thing... I'll give it a 0 out of 10

kevon27's picture
Submitted by kevon27 on August 27, 2012 - 7:48pm

I got it today and it's going back tomorrow.. NOT, NOT, NOT worth the money. The increase in detail is so damn subtle it's useless. Increasing detail above 55% gives a horrible image. Maybe you have to have a really crappy TV to get some benefit from this thing..
IMHO, don't waste time and money on this thing... I'll give it a 0 out of 10

hawke47's picture
Submitted by hawke47 on August 28, 2012 - 9:43am

Mr. Deering?! Any ideas on what kevon27 could do? Which mode did you use?

hawke47's picture
Submitted by hawke47 on August 28, 2012 - 1:51pm

http://sewelldirect.com/returns.aspx

Sewell Direct's return policy, and procedure. It seems fairly easy.

chickennuggz's picture
Submitted by chickennuggz on August 29, 2012 - 10:44am

Thanks for posting a review about this! I've been reading in forums and thinking this sounded good. Your review lead me to buying it. Got it from Sewell http://sewelldirect.com/DarbeeVision-Darblet-HDMI-Video-Processor.asp

I think it does improve the picture. It made the video better on my 46" Toshiba. BUT, it's a big but, it's not quite enough for me to justify $300 on this thing for now. Maybe people will see a bigger difference on a bigger TV or different setup. I sent mine back and putting the money towards improving my sound system. Maybe in the future, I'll put the $300 back into buying a Darblet when I get a big bonus check :)

p5browne's picture
Submitted by p5browne on November 10, 2012 - 5:58pm

Before calibration: HD 50 to 60% was best. Settled at 55%.
After calibrating with Darbee inline: HD 60 to 80%, settled currently at 70%.
My LG 55LHX just loves it! As mentioned,(After initial playing wears off!), set and forget.
It's like taking a Senior Citizen, popping a stunning 25 year old woman in front of him, and watching his eyes light up! (Of course, all done while the wife isn't within viewing distance!)

jenny watson's picture
Submitted by jenny watson on December 20, 2012 - 9:12pm

The remote is also laughably bad. It is about the size of a credit card and again looks like something used for lab testing a prototype. It features the exact same controls as the front panel with some color-coding, but that is about it. Derby doesn’t score any points with fit and finish with this device.

Villas for Rent in France

p5browne's picture
Submitted by p5browne on December 25, 2012 - 11:07am

One warning about the Darbee Remote: Show it to your Wife, and explain what it is, before she throws it out as more garbage on your night stand. Once I set it where I wanted, hardly ever use it again except when visitors are over (HD 70%) (Maybe I should now put it in the drawer instead of on top!)
When shown to visitors, even the most amateur of viewers commented on how there was now more detail to the PQ.

StamosD's picture
Submitted by StamosD on January 2, 2013 - 7:08am

Download and view their video clips and photos.
I found the after processing image much worse than the original.
Picture seriously coarsened, much detail lost.
Dark areas darkened to black, light areas brightened.
Although contrast is increased, result is just crude.

If you can, try before you buy.

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