HDMI RECEIVER: Worth it or NOT

mKvDuBBy

Sorry for posting to many NEWBIE questions. I am stuck on getting a receiver with an HDMI input and output. I am going to be running my PS3 and HD samsung upconverter player. What is the best way to go with this. I was looking into the HK AVR-445 (HDMI), and the HK AVR-635 (NO HDMI). I would not know how to get the best out of the PS3 and The DVD player. how would I hook it up? Sorry for the questions again.

ben62670

Its best to skip as many components as possible to ensure good quality. IE hook up directly to the TV. It all depends on what your TV has for inputs.

Deadof_knight

simply use the digital out to the reciver and the hdmi straight to the tv that way you can watch tv with out the receiver on if you like. I like it that way so the kids and momma can watch tv with out messing without using the receiver all the time. But its there when we want it. If done the other way your receiver will have to be to use the Tv all the time.

ben62670

Deadof_knight wrote:

simply use the digital out to the reciver and the hdmi straight to the tv that way you can watch tv with out the receiver on if you like. I like it that way so the kids and momma can watch tv with out messing without using the receiver all the time. But its there when we want it. If done the other way your receiver will have to be to use the Tv all the time.

An excelent point

fireshoes

Are you going to use the PS3 for Blu-Ray? If so, get the HDMI receiver.

snow

also make sure if you do buy a reciever with hdmi inputs that it is one with hdmi 1.3 inputs. versus the older style. the older ones arent capable of carrying the newest digital formats. REGARDS SNOW

Holydoc

snow wrote:

also make sure if you do buy a reciever with hdmi inputs that it is one with hdmi 1.3 inputs. versus the older style. the older ones arent capable of carrying the newest digital formats. REGARDS SNOW

Is there any receivers out there that have HDMI 1.3 inputs? They don't do anything with the sound if they do right?

Personally I would wait, if possible, until the new receivers come out that can utilize the HDMI 1.3 for high definition sound decoding as well as picture.

Schwingding

At this point in the HDMI game I would hold out for a HDMI version 1.3 receiver. Are there any at present? I'm not sure. I run all of my video components into my receiver via HDMI - the TIVO and the Blue ray player.

You don't need a 1.3 receiver to play the latest lossless formats IF your DVD player decodes them and can send them via PCM as most can. However, very few, if any of the current HDDVD/BD players can decode all of them. So the receivers can't NOR can the players, so the best you get at present, even with HDMI 1.3 is downmixed output when your player encounters a DTDHD/MA or other track it doesn't understand. You can experience LPCM glory with HDMI 1.1 from a BD or HDDVD player, but not yet with DTS/MA, etc..

mKvDuBBy

Yeh I just bought a used HK AVR635 from ebay. And once the newer HDMI receivers are out and cheap then I will venture off and go that route.

cheddar

Schwingding wrote:

At this point in the HDMI game I would hold out for a HDMI version 1.3 receiver. Are there any at present? I'm not sure. I run all of my video components into my receiver via HDMI - the TIVO and the Blue ray player.

You don't need a 1.3 receiver to play the latest lossless formats IF your DVD player decodes them and can send them via PCM as most can. However, very few, if any of the current HDDVD/BD players can decode all of them. So the receivers can't NOR can the players, so the best you get at present, even with HDMI 1.3 is downmixed output when your player encounters a DTDHD/MA or other track it doesn't understand. You can experience LPCM glory with HDMI 1.1 from a BD or HDDVD player, but not yet with DTS/MA, etc..

There are no 1.3 high def decoding components out there at present. However, CES showed off a sherwood (what I would think is the budget entry point) and a denon pre/pro (the beginnings of the high end) that will probably be out by summer. So wait. The good stuff is coming and you'll be kicking yourself if you're at the mercy of whatever player and firmware update you have on the 1st gen players. IMHO anyways.

snow

cheddar wrote:

There are no 1.3 high def decoding components out there at present. However, CES showed off a sherwood (what I would think is the budget entry point) and a denon pre/pro (the beginnings of the high end) that will probably be out by summer. So wait. The good stuff is coming and you'll be kicking yourself if you're at the mercy of whatever player and firmware update you have on the 1st gen players. IMHO anyways.

agreed. wait. future proof yourself as much as possible. i have a friend that is kicking himself for buying an adcom 880 preamp for 2200.00 that doesnt have hdmi. REGARDS SNOW

okiepolkie

The Cambridge Audio 640R has hdmi 1.3 switching, but I'm not sure what formats it decodes over hdmi.