Importance of HDMI in AVRs

[no. 5]

All though they will eventually move DVD-A and SCDA to HDMI right?

You bet!

HDMI v1.1 handles DVD-A, and v1.2 handles SACD.

 

[highfihoney]

This issue is driving me nuts! Please, can some one finally put this HDMI discussion to bed? At this moment, is HDMI connectivity important in an AVR? Especially since most of 'em only have switching capabilities and no processing and/or (up)converting capabilities. Is it worth the extra money?

Put in other words...if you were to buy a new AVR right now, would it have HDMI or not?

Thanks in advance!

IMO its a complete waste of cash to buy a reciever based on a connection alone.

You will not be future proofing your system by jumping the gun & leaping on the hdmi bandwagon,2 years from now it'll be something entirely different that makes this years model's totally obsolete.

 

[Tom Andry]

2 years from now it'll be something entirely different that makes this years model's totally obsolete.

That's the case if you are talking about HDMI or just about anything else. There is always something better on the horizon but the reality is, when you have the money, buy the best you can with the funds at hand. Two years ago we were waiting for HDMI 1.3, last year it was for universal HD/BR players, now it's receivers to decode Dolby True HD and for universal HD/BR players to come down in price... you can wait yourself into never making a purchase.

 

[markw]

That's the case if you are talking about HDMI or just about anything else. There is always something better on the horizon but the reality is, when you have the money, buy the best you can with the funds at hand. Two years ago we were waiting for HDMI 1.3, last year it was for universal HD/BR players, now it's receivers to decode Dolby True HD and for universal HD/BR players to come down in price... you can wait yourself into never making a purchase.

This is why I would just as soon keep audio and video switchng separate. It's not that complex and most certainly allows for more versatility.

 

[no. 5]

This issue is driving me nuts! Please, can some one finally put this HDMI discussion to bed? At this moment, is HDMI connectivity important in an AVR? Especially since most of 'em only have switching capabilities and no processing and/or (up)converting capabilities. Is it worth the extra money?

Put in other words...if you were to buy a new AVR right now, would it have HDMI or not?

Thanks in advance!

IMO, HDMI is only necessary if you want 1080p (as I don't think that component video switches in receivers have enough bandwidth), and multiple players that support hi-rez audio (i.e. a DVD-A/SACD player and a HD DVD player and a Blu-ray player) because I don't recall ever seeing a receiver that has more then one six-channel analogue input.

But I can think of more AVRs that work as HDMI repeaters then AVRs that work as HDMI switches, and you may be happy to learn that in my research on the subject, I have found a good number of AVRs transcoed to HDMI (i.e. "up-convert").

 

[nasd90]

Yes, 1080p

No. 5 & Others,

I did a search but didn't find this post until 3/4 of the way down the results page.

In any case, I quote:

"But I can think of more AVRs that work as HDMI repeaters then AVRs that work as HDMI switches, and you may be happy to learn that in my research on the subject, I have found a good number of AVRs transcoed to HDMI (i.e. "up-convert")."

I purchased a Marantz SR8001 mainly because it had a great reputation, powerful and because it had 4 HDMI INPUTS. Well, it doesn't SWITCH the HDMI ports nicely. This is a MUST for me & my wife. I want to be able to go, OK HDMI1 that's the XBOX, OK HDMI2 that's the PS3, OK HDMI3 that's the AppleTV... The Marantz is convoluted. I don't need it to upconvert, I do everything 1080p, no cable television... all HD-DVD or BluRay or Games. I just need it to do HDMI Switching without a headache.

Can anyone help steer me in the right direction ??

I'm thinking that the Yamaha - Pioneer avenue is the right way to go.

THANK YOU

Nick

 

[mdrew]

Nasd,

I also responded to your other thread. I think you’re being slightly dramatic with your post above. The SR/8001 is not without its flaws and irritating nuances just like every other receiver and pre / pro on the market, but one thing it does VERY WELL, is switch HDMI sources. This is reported over and over again just about anywhere this receiver is discussed. It’s one of the very few receivers that plays nicely with other HDMI components. You are in for a big disappointment if you think you will find a receiver that does this better. Are there better receivers out there, sure there are. For this price? That’s debatable depending on what features are important to you. I would put it on par with a very small gathering though.

HMDI routed through an audio processor isn’t just about switching. It’s about hearing Lossless (uncompressed) audio from HD sources. Band width limitations exclude all other digital connections to transmit this audio stream. If you have a BR or HD player, you will need HDMI audio processing to enjoy Lossless sound threw a digital connection. Otherwise, you will be stuck with the multi channel analogue inputs, providing the player has the analogue outputs. (most do not)

Is there a difference in sound quality between Lossless sound and what you get from coax / toslink?? Absolutely. The comparison I use (and believe to be accurate), is similar to comparing sound you get from WMA and SACD. I am a confirmed HD junky now. I am buying all the BR / HD disks I can to replace the SD disks I have in my collection. Not only is the picture better, by far, but the audio is simply amazing. It’s a whole new movie watching experience.

 

[no. 5]

I just need it to do HDMI Switching without a headache.

mdrew touched on this; the deference between a receiver that acts as a HDMI switch and one that works as a HDMI repeater is, both will switch between HDMI sources, but a 'HDMI repeater' will use the audio stream, whereas a 'HDMI switch' will not.

 

[dvc dude]

No. 5 & Others,

I did a search but didn't find this post until 3/4 of the way down the results page.

In any case, I quote:

"But I can think of more AVRs that work as HDMI repeaters then AVRs that work as HDMI switches, and you may be happy to learn that in my research on the subject, I have found a good number of AVRs transcoed to HDMI (i.e. "up-convert")."

I purchased a Marantz SR8001 mainly because it had a great reputation, powerful and because it had 4 HDMI INPUTS. Well, it doesn't SWITCH the HDMI ports nicely. This is a MUST for me & my wife. I want to be able to go, OK HDMI1 that's the XBOX, OK HDMI2 that's the PS3, OK HDMI3 that's the AppleTV... The Marantz is convoluted. I don't need it to upconvert, I do everything 1080p, no cable television... all HD-DVD or BluRay or Games. I just need it to do HDMI Switching without a headache.

Can anyone help steer me in the right direction ??

I'm thinking that the Yamaha - Pioneer avenue is the right way to go.

THANK YOU

Nick

I have a Yammie 2500 without HDMI. I wanted the convenience of HDMI but was not ready to upgrade AVR yet. I bought a switch and it works great.

This was my solution:
http://www.radiient.com/s.nl/it.A/id.30/.f?sc=2&category=41

 

[GlocksRock]

how did you connect the swtich to the receiver? Did you use the RS-232 port?

 

[nasd90]

MDREW,

I appreciate your response, though I haven't been able to play with the SR8001 since my post. I am fully aware of the benefits of 1080p HD and I'm hooked too. And yes, I can be dramatic yet just trying to rip this wide open. I always tell people when they email that though email is an incredible invention of the internet, it cannot convey tone. This also goes for forums/letters/newsgroups.

But when I was reading the SR8001 manual it said to 'power-down' other HDMI devices and that I think is ridiculous.

I totally believe you that this is one of the best receivers and it works 'well' with HDMI... BUT HOW ?

I don't want to turn other HDMI devices off just so I can use another one. I keep my PS3 which runs Linux on most of the time so I can just jump on it, check my email, research whatever... then go to the XBOX store to check a download, then watch a tv show on Apple TV. Maybe Switch is the wrong term. And yes, a switch will route audio. This is more for the other guy who chimed in.

FORGET THE WORD 'SWITCH'... I just need to CYCLE BETWEEN HDMI INPUTS.

In any case, let me know.

Thank you

Nick





Is there a difference in sound quality between Lossless sound and what you get from coax / toslink?? Absolutely. The comparison I use (and believe to be accurate), is similar to comparing sound you get from WMA and SACD. I am a confirmed HD junky now. I am buying all the BR / HD disks I can to replace the SD disks I have in my collection. Not only is the picture better, by far, but the audio is simply amazing. It’s a whole new movie watching experience.
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