Confused about digital-to-analog converters

[audioflyer]

In choosing between DVD players, if I am using the HDMI connection to my HDMI switching capable receiver to my HDMI TV, should I even be considering a DVD player's video D/A converter specs or is it a moot feature since I am using all digital connections - thus you would not be employing the video D/A converter so no reason or benefit to pay extra for a DVD player with 216 MHz/11-bit high resolution video D/A converter vs. a 54 MHz/10-bit high resolution video D/A converter? However, it would be an important consideration if I were using the componet conections since they are analog and not digital, right? Am I thinking about it correctly or not? Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[MDS]

Yes, you are thinking about it correctly. If you are using digital audio connections the device receiving the bitstream will be doing the D/A conversion. In the case of Video using component video connections the receiver or DVD player will convert to analog but the display is going to convert it right back to digital, assuming a digital HDTV. Using HDMI, the video DACs are a moot point too.

The reason some higher end players and/or receivers may offer better DACS is because they have to meet the lowest common denominator because not everyone has the same sink devices. That's the reason even high end receivers still have composite and s-video inputs when very few people actually need them nowadays.

 

[audioflyer]

Thanks!

Thanks for your reply. Between the receivers and dvd players it would seem we may be paying for a lot of duplication and optional functionality we may not actually need or ever use, with the DACs and the decoders, etc., but I realize it is not practical to expect a customized reciever built just for me and still get a mass-market discount so I really should not complain. But when I do buy a BR disc player I will opt for one with the HD audio decoders and the multichannel anolog outputs since my receiver doesn't have those particular decoders, and I will at least know I did not pay twice for those HD decoders. Ha!