New HDMI formats/need for HDMI switching

univera

I've been trying to wade through the HDMI pro's and cons for quite some time. Beyond the debate over whether there is any difference in video/sound quality, convenience is an obvious benefit. I have also seen some new HDMI formats mentioned in threads on this forum.

My question is 1): what are the new formats (what is their improvement or difference from standard HDMI?)

2) My NAD AVR does not have HDMI switching capabilities. Besides not being able to use HDMI connections for video switching, what potential downsides are there both in current HDMI and known, upcoming HDMI formats? I seem to recall some upconverting players like the Oppo not being able to upconvert thru component, but that might have been fixed. And, the new Oppo won't have any component connections. To be clear, I am NOT using any HDMI connections whatsoever at the moment.

My thought is to possibly sell my brand new AVR and go with a dedicated pre-pro and seperate 5 channel amp. I would think that I would take less of a potential hit down the resale line by having a 5 channel amp and seperate pre-pro since the amp won't become outdated but a fixed amplification inside an AVR will eventually lose its value at a higher percentage than even a dedicated pre/pro. I would like to buy the NAD pre-pro, but if HDMI is truly needed, I'm not really advancing myself. Thanks.

okiepolkie

I wouldn't base a pre-pro/receiver decision on HDMI yet. There are cost effective solutions right now that that can be implemented with reasonable results. The most reasonable one right now would be the sherwood/newcastle hdmi switcher: http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_hsb600.html
It will even upconvert component video to hdmi, which could be used if your receiver upconverts to component video, and you just want to run one cable to a tv or projector. The component video cable from the receiver could be sent to the sherwood piece, then send the hdmi to the display.

univera

Thanks, OP. That piece is $300.00 and will likely become an unneccesary piece, don't you think? And, what about having another piece inline in terms of signal loss?

MikeC78

If your other components don't benefit from HDMI connections and you plan on upgrading them later, I'd wait until the new HDMI 1.3 receivers come out early next year.

The Oppo will upconvert via component with a firmware hack. You can read more on that over at AVSforum.

Mike

univera

MikeC78 wrote:

If your other components don't benefit from HDMI connections and you plan on upgrading them later, I'd wait until the new HDMI 1.3 receivers come out early next year.

The Oppo will upconvert via component with a firmware hack. You can read more on that over at AVSforum.

Mike

Mike, right now, my t.v. has several HDMI connections. I am trying to understand what HDMI 1.3 is and if it will be something of which I will take advantage. I don't have a prog. scan DVD player at the moment but Oppo seems like the best player for the money with fringe benefits included. Other than video switching, is there any "need" or disadvantage by not having HDMI, now or in the known future of HDMI?

MikeC78

HDMI 1.3 is nothing that you'll be able to take advantage of at the moment. There is nothing on the market yet that is 1.3 compliant, it's for advanced audio features such as 7.1 TrueHD I believe? There aer some other advanced audio codecs that I'm not aware of either?

There are pros and cons with HDMI. One is HDCP issues. Some components and receivers are very picky with passing HDMI. Example: My Moto 6412/3 HD cable box will not pass HDMI through my Pio 74 receiver. I have to run it directly to my plasma and run audio seperatly to my receiver. HDMI has some issues at the moment since it's so new. Things are getting better, and it also seems that everything is comming to a standard with HDMI. HDMI is nice, in most cases you only use one wire for audio and video. (No cable clutter) HDMI is reported to have better picture quality. Some people say there is no difference. I believe the picture is better in my eyes.

Mike

disneyjoe7

My Onkyo AVR doesn't do HDMI also, but my TV as 2 HDMI inputs. So my DirecTV receiver is output HDMI to the TV and the Optical output goes to the AVR, it works great. I did think if my DVR had HDMI output also, I might save a Optical cord for the DVR if I put the Optical output from the TV, but the TV wouldn't not put DD5.1 output. I don't know if I will update my AVR in the future for switching my HDMI inputs unless it will put the AVR menu over the video output. Right now I think my AVR will only do this over S-Video not even component cable output.