I think TLS is right on many points, but one: HT Manufactures don't want you to have same piece of equipment for years - the only solution for gradual upgrade path is separates, unfortunately this is very tiny and highly overpriced market. They will go out and make sure your current equipment will be old in 2 years and obsolete in 5-6 that's regardless on current baseline features (like lossless audio and 1080p)
What seems like "very adequate video resolution" today most likely will be VHS like compared to Ultra HD which already producing concept models.
Will all my desire to invest into initial high quality and expensive product and hold onto it for year, current reality is 100% opposes this model, unfortunately. No one can stop the tech progress and who knows what will be the standard in 10 years.....
(Speakers I thing are different story since speaker technology hasn't really changed all that much in last (at least) 30 years)
I doubt in the domestic situation going above 1080p will bring much benefit.
As far as sound is concerned discrete loss less seven channels with extended frequency response is going to be adequate now and into the future.
I don't think adding height channels will catch on. Talking of that, my rig gives excellent height localization with a standard configuration.
There is a huge chorus in Tannhauser that has a trumpet fanfare right up in the heights of the Festspielhaus in Baden Baden. The trumpets come from way up in the heights on this rig.
I used this as a demo recently and the visitor was looking for the height speakers! I have other examples also. So in a good system there is enough information in the seven channels to project audio images all over the place.
What it really boils down to is having really good core functions. The better the rig the less the need for bells and whistles.
You need smooth frequency response, low distortion, superior signal to noise, huge headroom, wide dynamic range, accurate decoding, good ergonomics and a good selection of inputs and that's about it really.
For power amps you need lots of power and for it to be very unfussy about load. You want them rock solid stable with very low distortion and good signal to noise ratio.
I hardly use my pre pro remote. The two knobs on my Marantz AV 8003 do most of the work one as the selector, the other volume.
As far as Audyssey is concerned, the only benefit I got was setting the delays. That was an audible benefit as it takes account of delays due to factors other than distance.
My test gear had already done the leveling. The frequency response correction was a negative.
I really encourage more people to look at separates. The power amps of receivers are really puny. Most have their speakers seriously underpowered. I'm pretty sure I would cook a receiver in one evening of grand opera.
So it would have to be something really spectacular to make me change my pre/pro for anything other than failure.
Core functions are what counts. I can play a 50 year old turntable with a forty year old cartridge and arm and still get results that will best most systems.
Good gear is highly resistant to becoming obsolete.
I really dislike the idea of having to change equipment every year or two.
I already had to change a pre pro once because of HDMI issues, and the loss less codecs. That Rotel unit was also poor in some core functions.
The unit I have now has excellent core functions and unless it blows up, it stays.
Consumers need to educate themselves better on what core functions are and their importance to sound quality. We would be better of with fewer functions at the lower price point and put the money where it counts.
For that matter I suspect most would get far better results with a two channel system, with good amplification and two really good speakers, than having eight budget speakers and a poor receiver.
I have a very good two channel system downstairs and it is very effective.
So if the budget is tight invest in core functions not over the top functionality.
