What the AV processor does
The AV processor decodes immersive audio, manages speaker channels and bass, performs room optimisation and usually switches HDMI sources.
What a video processor does
A dedicated video processor can specialise in scaling, aspect ratios, geometry, subtitle handling, dynamic tone mapping and display-specific optimisation.
Dynamic tone mapping
Projectors have limited peak luminance compared with direct-view displays. External video processing can therefore devote substantially more processing power to mapping HDR content into the projector’s usable range.
Where they sit in the chain
In many cinemas the source passes through the AV processor and video processor before reaching the projector. Exact order depends on HDMI topology, audio extraction and equipment capabilities.
Avoid unnecessary double processing
Once an external processor is doing a task deliberately, duplicate scaling or tone mapping elsewhere in the chain should be managed carefully.
Why video processing belongs in system design
madVR Envy and Lumagen are considered as part of the complete cinema signal path because their benefits are closely tied to projection, HDR and aspect-ratio management.