The need for HDMI?

nooshinjohn
nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
I am NOT starting a cable bashing thread here. I seek to understand the value/need for HDMI vs COMPOSITE cables. I am wanting to replace my Yamaha RXV-861, which has HDMI 1.3... I am having trouble finding a pre/pro that supports 7.1 and HDMI 1.3 or any HDMI for that matter in a price range that I am looking to be in (1000.00 or less) So the question is will I be able to detect much of a difference between HDMI/Composite?

My TV is an LG 42" lcd with 1080p and I do also run a sony Blu-ray.
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
Post edited by nooshinjohn on

Comments

  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited April 2009
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  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2009
    HDMI provides an one cable connection over anything else. As anything would require video and audio cables. HDMI can offer higher res sound over optical a plus with your Blu-Ray.

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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited April 2009
    so, does anyone make an affordable pre whith hdmi 1.3 or should I stay with my Yami for a while longer?
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • disneyjoe7
    disneyjoe7 Posts: 11,435
    edited April 2009
    Pre you got me on that one, but I think you may wish to keep it separate somewhat. 2 channel vs. HT ;) At least thats my thinking.

    Speakers
    Carver Amazing Fronts
    CS400i Center
    RT800i's Rears
    Sub Paradigm Servo 15

    Electronics
    Conrad Johnson PV-5 pre-amp
    Parasound Halo A23
    Pioneer 84TXSi AVR
    Pioneer 79Avi DVD
    Sony CX400 CD changer
    Panasonic 42-PX60U Plasma
    WMC Win7 32bit HD DVR


  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited April 2009
    The Integra DHC-9.9/OnkyoPro PR-SC886p and the Marantz AV-8003 both support 7.1, plus HDMI 1.3.

    There are several others, but these are the two that came to mind. They're both slightly above your price range of 1000 though...more in the 1300-1400 range.

    HDMI is necessary in order to get the newest sound codecs, Dolby True HD and DTS HD Master Audio.
    The nirvana inducer-
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,794
    edited April 2009
  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,195
    edited April 2009
    John, you seriously have to ask that?
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited April 2009
    .... So the question is will I be able to detect much of a difference between HDMI/Composite?

    Absolutely. Composite is the lowest quality video connection option.
    It also will not do High Def.

    I can only imagine that you actually meant Component?? Composite is a single yellow color coded RCA connection. Component is 3 separate Red, Green and Blue color coded RCA connections.

    I am also pretty sure that you won't get Full 1080p via Component due to HDCP copy protection. That and I don't think the lossless HD audio formats are available unless you use HDMI.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
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  • messiah
    messiah Posts: 1,790
    edited April 2009
    treitz3 wrote: »
    John, you seriously have to ask that?

    Was your response helpful?
    "They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety."
    Benjamin Franklin, February 17th, 1775.

    "The day that I have to give up my constitutional rights AND let some dude rub my junk...well, let's just say that it's gonna be a real bad day for the dude trying to rub my junk!!"
    messiah, November 23rd, 2010
  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,794
    edited April 2009
    messiah wrote: »
    Was your response helpful?

    Yep. Makes him think about the answer to his own question as opposed to expecting what he wants to hear from others.
  • NotaSuv
    NotaSuv Posts: 3,858
    edited April 2009
    I love a good pie...............
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited April 2009
    mmadden28 wrote: »
    Absolutely. Composite is the lowest quality video connection option.
    It also will not do High Def.

    I can only imagine that you actually meant Component?? Composite is a single yellow color coded RCA connection. Component is 3 separate Red, Green and Blue color coded RCA connections.

    I am also pretty sure that you won't get Full 1080p via Component due to HDCP copy protection. That and I don't think the lossless HD audio formats are available unless you use HDMI.

    yes... I meant component... my bad...:o I was llokng adt a Sunfire tgp5 but found in only handles HDMI 1.1 and does not do audio thru the HDMI, hence my question.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited April 2009
    If you want high def picture and sound it is a one cable solution vs. 11.

    You can try to route a single HDMi cable or you can route a component cable (with the 3 wires associated with it) for picture and 8 cables for sound (assuming 7.1 audio).

    Between the two - I go HDMi, but it is your choice.

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited April 2009
    lightman1 wrote: »
    Yep. Makes him think about the answer to his own question as opposed to expecting what he wants to hear from others.

    I know HDMI is the best way to go already. The question was will I SEE/HEAR an appreciable difference.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited April 2009
    I know HDMI is the best way to go already. The question was will I SEE/HEAR an appreciable difference.

    It depends on which has the better decoders - your Blu-Ray player or your TV and Pre/Pro.

    For digital signals like HDMi - the signal is decoded in your TV or Pre/Pro. For Analog signals like component or the 7.1 cables - everything will be decoded in your source (Blu-Ray player).

    Which looks or sounds better depends on which has the better decoders in it. (and in the case of analog - cables can make a big difference as well)

    Michael
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,329
    edited April 2009
    I always wondered this as well, with HDMI i get a better picture as far as audio i think it was the same.
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  • WilliamM2
    WilliamM2 Posts: 4,781
    edited April 2009
    I know HDMI is the best way to go already. The question was will I SEE/HEAR an appreciable difference.

    If you don't use HDMI, you will be limited to 1080i for Blu-Ray, and no upscaling of DVD's.

    As far as audio, the decoding in the player should be equal to the decoding in a reciever/pre-pro, BUT you will be limited to the bass management in the player. Most players have fixed crossover points, some as high as 120hz. Not ideal in most situations.
  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited April 2009
    I posted this on a different section of the website, so I'll post it here because it has to deal with a wire company that makes HDMI cables claiming it is future proof. Is this HDMI cable and it's claims legit?

    http://www.amazon.com/PROFESSIONAL-BDP-09FD-provides-lossless-supports/dp/9981737976/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1239571417&sr=8-3
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2009
    McLoki wrote: »
    For digital signals like HDMi - the signal is decoded in your TV or Pre/Pro. For Analog signals like component or the 7.1 cables - everything will be decoded in your source (Blu-Ray player).

    For lossless audio -- DAC (Digital/Analog Conversion) it makes a difference which DAC chips you use. Either in the Pre/Pro or the player (output to analog outs). For decoding the lossless audio signal (uncompressing TrueHD and DTS-HD MA into uncompressed PCM), it doesn't make much of a difference. You will get a lossless decoding either in the pre/pro or the player. And the PCM still needs to be processed and converted to analog in the pre/pro. And either bitstreaming to the pre/pro for decoding or decoding in the player and transferring the uncompressed PCM requires an hdmi cable, and it's still all digital no matter where the 'decoding' takes place.
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2009
    I should clarify that it's all digital unless you then use the player's DACs to convert the decoded PCM into analog and out to the player's analog outs.
  • digitalvideo
    digitalvideo Posts: 983
    edited April 2009
    cheddar wrote: »
    For lossless audio -- DAC (Digital/Analog Conversion) it makes a difference which DAC chips you use. Either in the Pre/Pro or the player (output to analog outs). For decoding the lossless audio signal (uncompressing TrueHD and DTS-HD MA into uncompressed PCM), it doesn't make much of a difference. You will get a lossless decoding either in the pre/pro or the player. And the PCM still needs to be processed and converted to analog in the pre/pro. And either bitstreaming to the pre/pro for decoding or decoding in the player and transferring the uncompressed PCM requires an hdmi cable, and it's still all digital no matter where the 'decoding' takes place.

    Both the Pioneer Elite SC-05/07/09 recievers claim they pass full HDMI through their recievers untouched with what they claim is a "Do no harm" approach.

    The new Oppo BDP-83 universal player coming out soon also claims their system will have direct DSD over HDMI and DSD to analog without going through a PCM conversion. It supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Does those features on those machines counter what you said in the above quote or no? I'm curious as to the advantages and disadvantages of direct DSD over HDMI and DSD to analog without going through a PCM conversion.
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2009
    Both the Pioneer Elite SC-05/07/09 recievers claim they pass full HDMI through their recievers untouched with what they claim is a "Do no harm" approach.

    The new Oppo BDP-83 universal player coming out soon also claims their system will have direct DSD over HDMI and DSD to analog without going through a PCM conversion. It supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. Does those features on those machines counter what you said in the above quote or no? I'm curious as to the advantages and disadvantages of direct DSD over HDMI and DSD to analog without going through a PCM conversion.

    DSD doesn't have anything to do with TrueHD and DTS-HD MA. I clearly stated I was talking about lossless audio.
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    One of our senior members was complaining about a pre/pro that does HDMI 'right' for all uses. Don't remember the thread.

    HDMI 1.1 can stream 7.1 LPCM at 96khz if it is 'audio enabled'. Personally, I don't think it's a terrible idea to get an AVR in that price range whose 'sound' you like and that has good DACs and use the pass through feature? The Pioneers suggested are nice. A moderately priced Harman Kardon, perhaps an AVR 354 might fill the bill at even less than 1000? Most all new mid-range AVRs can do HDMI and do it fairly well for a blu-ray player. The other thing to consider is that Pre/pros usually lag behind on this technology...which is what some of our long time members have been complaining about as well.

    Others can chyme in here? I'm currently using a mid-level Denon as a pre/pro...and I'm fairly happy with it?

    The Onkyo Integra 9.9 good by pricey...above your range!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

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  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2009
    cnh wrote: »
    One of our senior members was complaining about a pre/pro that does HDMI 'right' for all uses. Don't remember the thread.

    HDMI 1.1 can stream 7.1 LPCM at 96khz if it is 'audio enabled'. Personally, I don't think it's a terrible idea to get an AVR in that price range whose 'sound' you like and that has good DACs and use the pass through feature? The Pioneers suggested are nice. A moderately priced Harman Kardon, perhaps an AVR 354 might fill the bill at even less than 1000? Most all new mid-range AVRs can do HDMI and do it fairly well for a blu-ray player. The other thing to consider is that Pre/pros usually lag behind on this technology...which is what some of our long time members have been complaining about as well.

    Others can chyme in here? I'm currently using a mid-level Denon as a pre/pro...and I'm fairly happy with it?

    The Onkyo Integra 9.9 good by pricey...above your range!

    cnh


    With the wide availability of hdmi 1.3 components and lossless decoding these days, I wouldn't put an hdmi 1.1 AVR in the mix. You won't have the option to buy a blu-ray player without on-board lossless decoding in the future and still get at lossless audio via bistreaming to the AVR. Players with on-board decoding tend to cost more. There's nothing wrong with using an AVR as a pre/pro. But people tend to get pre/pros for their advantages outside of home theater.
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    I fully agree Cheddar,

    I was just wondering aloud because Njohn's Yamaha might actually have 1.1 HDMI enabled audio...I wasn't sure...but an 861 is a high enough model for that year! In which case he should be able to decode with the Sony and send out LPCM to the Yamaha?

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2009
    I thought the OP said his yammie was 1.3...
  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2009
    cheddar wrote: »
    I thought the OP said his yammie was 1.3...

    According to his manual that unit has 1.2a. Which should be fine? No? But he wants to replace the unit, 'upgrade' I suppose.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • cheddar
    cheddar Posts: 2,390
    edited April 2009
    That's what I got from him looking for a pre/pro. Maybe looking for something better for music listening.
  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 25,461
    edited April 2009
    cheddar wrote: »
    That's what I got from him looking for a pre/pro. Maybe looking for something better for music listening.
    Exactly... I thought my Yammi was 1.3HDMI but I stand corrected. I am happy with the Yamaha as a pre, but am concerned that the lack of depth I am getting from the Sig7 in two channel may be as a result of the synergy between the Sunfire and the Yammi may not be the best. Can anyone recommend a good match for the Sunfire? I love the amp, but have it listed on Agon because I dont like the two channel performance. If a better pre/pro will solve this I wil keep it in a heartbeat, otherwise I was considering a cinema 5/200 and either a set of silver7/9t's or cinema 2/300.

    As an aside, this place sucks!;) were it not for you guys I would have been happily listening to my **** system with a fat wallet instead of happily hearing the glorious joys of audio with an empty wallet!
    :p
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2300 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited April 2009
    I am NOT starting a cable bashing thread here........So the question is will I be able to detect much of a difference between HDMI/Composite?
    I posted this on a different section of the website, so I'll post it here because it has to deal with a wire company that makes HDMI cables claiming it is future proof. Is this HDMI cable and it's claims legit?


    How does this post have anything to do with the OP's question/topic? You really should start your own thread.
    ____________________
    This post is a natural product. The slight variations in spelling and grammar enhance its individual character and beauty and in no way are to be considered flaws or defects.

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