Add-On HDMI Transcoders (and) Affordable Pre/Pros w/ HDMI

[jcPanny]

Emotiva

I am using the Emotiva LPA-1 amp with a lower end Yamaha receiver as pre-pro. This is a good option if you want reasonably priced seperates now. The Yamaha RX-V661 will process HDMI audio and has pre-amp outputs for $400.

I plan to upgrade to an LMC-1 pre/pro for an SQ upgrade from my current receiver. I think that all the problems and quirks have been addressed with firmware updates to the pre-pro. For more details, check the AV123 and Emotiva forums. Also, the LMC-2 will be out by early next year and will include 4 HDMI inputs, autosetup, etc. for about $700. Existing owners of a pre-pro can upgrade for about $350.

 

[Mike1234]

Ok buddy.... now is the time that you take a step back, and do some research about what it is you are looking for.... please check out this thread... http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=789994

Warp

Thanks warp. I just read that thread carefully. I'm now thinking I should buy players with built-in decoding and go analog to the receiver. HDMI technology is just to volatile right now.

How many components do you think you will have that may need switching? Will you go into hi def DVds where the new lossless audio and 1080p would need it, unless the DVD player will decode and pass the lossless analog to the receiver via the 5.1 or higher analog audio cables?

I'm ugrading to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray soon. I'm not yet sure what components to buy so I don't yet know how many HDMI inputs I'll need but I want all the features and quality I can afford. What else is new? I would certaily like to hear what uncompressed high resolution digital audio sounds like!! If HDMI audio is/are a separate inputs, I may need 2 for audio and two for video. I don't yet know whether I'll have a combi player or separate pieces. I'm guess I'm flying deaf, dumb and blind

EVERYONE ELSE: Thanks for the input. I'll look into your suggestions!!

 

[jcPanny]

HDMI audio

Mike,
Read a couple of the AH primers on HDMI, HD, and cables.
If you are considering a new HD player, check the specs because many are scrapping the analog output option. Entry level players like the Toshiba HD-A2 have HDMI A/V output and digital optical, thus, HDMI audio processing on the receiver is the only way to take advantage of the latest audio formats.

Also note, any receiver that can process HDMI audio also does HDMI switching and has an HDMI output to you display. Most or all receivers with HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 audio processing can receiving the LPCM audio stream from an HD player. HDMI 1.3a is nice, but not required on the receiver.

 

[Mike1234]

I've been reading too. It doesn't surprize me that newer HD players are not offering analog outputs. I speculate this is so because the next generation pre/pros and receivers will have multiple HDMI inputs with built-in conversion.

Yes, it seems that the real need for HDMI 1.3 is several months in the future.

Mike,
Read a couple of the AH primers on HDMI, HD, and cables.
If you are considering a new HD player, check the specs because many are scrapping the analog output option. Entry level players like the Toshiba HD-A2 have HDMI A/V output and digital optical, thus, HDMI audio processing on the receiver is the only way to take advantage of the latest audio formats.

Also note, any receiver that can process HDMI audio also does HDMI switching and has an HDMI output to you display. Most or all receivers with HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 audio processing can receiving the LPCM audio stream from an HD player. HDMI 1.3a is nice, but not required on the receiver.

 

[terrylittledad]

Is there a Dvd recorder that accepts HDMI or component video?

Hello everyone,
I have looked all over the place for a way to run an upconverting DVD player/recorder the way we used to run our old VCR's. We'd hook up the tv cable to the vcr and then from the vcr to the tv. That way when we put in a tape it would just play and when we stopped the tape it would go back to the cable. No pressing the input button.
My question is: is there a DVD recorder that will accept either HDMI (preferred of course) or component video so that I can maintain the HD signal from my Cox HD set top box?

Thanks for this great forum!
Terry

 

[szhjcn]

Okay... obviously I don't understand how HDMI works. I have yet to find a thread that explains HDMI functionality in detail but I'll keep searching.

I guess I just need a switcher?? I want HDMI video and audio capability for my next system. Although HDMI may never catch on fully, as I've read in other threads, I see no reason to self-limit.

EDIT: I've read about HDMI and I understand that it's a versatile high bit-rate uncompressed digital format. I guess what confuses me is its implementation into and within the pre/pro. What's happening and where?

Hate to break the news to you buddy but HDMI will be the way of the future (till the next bigger better thing comes along).

It enables you to simply connect a display device (TV or projector) with A/V content providers (DVD, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, HD Satelitte systems, Cable etc..) from what I understand you will not be able to view HD content without it (i.e. in the US they were talking of blocking HD content over analogue).

HDMI provides Digital Audio and Video over a single cable plus intelligence (effectively handshaking between devices).

You can down convert HDMI to DVI if you only want the video, the 'video' does not loose any quality, you just loose the audio and 'handshaking' to do this.

There are also several versions of HDMI each adds additional functionality. Also there are limitations on the cable lenghts depending on the version and the cable (thicker cables were introduced to reach beyond 5 metres ?)

This will be the 'standard' interconnect for some time (will replace the scart connector in Europe).

The problem with early TV's are that they only had one HDMI connector, later ones have 2 or 3. If you have more devices than inputs then you will need a HDMI switcher.

If you explain exactly what you are trying to achieve then I am sure someone here will be able to help out.

What's annoying in 'high end' systems is not having a 'Video' only solution for this cable (i.e. the ability split the video only to have a thinner calbe or longer cable run possibility for projector setups).

Hope this helps, not sure if these details are added later or not.

 

[szhjcn]

Thanks warp. I just read that thread carefully. I'm now thinking I should buy players with built-in decoding and go analog to the receiver. HDMI technology is just to volatile right now.




I'm ugrading to HD-DVD and Blu-Ray soon. I'm not yet sure what components to buy so I don't yet know how many HDMI inputs I'll need but I want all the features and quality I can afford. What else is new? I would certaily like to hear what uncompressed high resolution digital audio sounds like!! If HDMI audio is/are a separate inputs, I may need 2 for audio and two for video. I don't yet know whether I'll have a combi player or separate pieces. I'm guess I'm flying deaf, dumb and blind

EVERYONE ELSE: Thanks for the input. I'll look into your suggestions!!

MIKE - There is NO way you can avoid HDMI especially if you are considering Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. You CANNOT transmit TrueHD or DTS-HD over optical or digital co-axial!! There is not the bandwidth. Also the player has to decode the audio (in order to be able to mix PIP audio etc..). This can only be sent over HDMI to the receiver/amp/pre-amp. (This is my understanding anyhow and knowing what these Forums can be like I will be promptly corrected if I step out of line).

Must admit what I don't understand (yet) is what is the purpose of the TrueHD and DTS-HD decoders in these new PrePro's (guess for other sources like Cable TV, satellite etc..)

I've recently order about 26 Blu-Ray discs and was going to buy PS3 form the US (I live in Europe). Now have to decide if this is the right option as I will either have to upgrade my PreAmp (Denon AVP-A1) or buy a dedicated Blu-Ray player with Analogue outs to get TrueHD (and DTS-HD which is currnetly not available on the PS3 but may come with a firmware upgrade). But saying that not many titles have TrueHD on yet or DTS-HD so for now I'm not sure if it matters. Next year there will be new hardware coming out as the CE's are catching up then I can re-think the option, in hte meantime I will have a great Blu-Ray player, media player games machine etc.. all for a reasonable price till I see what next year brings.

I will of course have to buy a HDMI switcher as I need to be able to use my code-free DVD player over HDMI as well as the PS3.

Hope this helps, and I hope this information is accurate as you know this will be rebutted quickly if not.

 

[szhjcn]

Hello everyone,
I have looked all over the place for a way to run an upconverting DVD player/recorder the way we used to run our old VCR's. We'd hook up the tv cable to the vcr and then from the vcr to the tv. That way when we put in a tape it would just play and when we stopped the tape it would go back to the cable. No pressing the input button.
My question is: is there a DVD recorder that will accept either HDMI (preferred of course) or component video so that I can maintain the HD signal from my Cox HD set top box?

Thanks for this great forum!
Terry

AS far as I know and for 'logical reasons this does not exist and will not eixst for some time due to worries of Pirating. iLink/Firewire exists so you can transfer digitally from your Camcorder to a DVD recoder though.

 

[Mike1234]

szhjcn,

Thank you for helping to clarify some of my fuzzyiness regarding HDMI. I have concluded that I need a pre/pro with built-in HDMI switching and it might as well be v1.3. I suspect that limitations of the HDMI cable format will necessitate yet another format war between "them". Oh well... we pays our moneys and "they" takes it

Mike