- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 7,061
With the current proliferation and upcoming introduction of a lot of HDMI sources more and more people (including myself) are looking toward upgrading our equipment to eventually take advantage of all the new audio formats and provide some switching capabilities for multiple video and audio sources. Unfortunately, HDMI is an evolving standard and with the recently introduced 1.3 version will finally address some of the audio issues as well as increase the capabilities of the video side of things (which probably won't impact the picture as much as the sound.) And even with the introduction of HDMI 1.3 that doesn't mean that source material will automatically provide all the new sound modes (TrueHD, etc. etc.) right out of the box. I'm guessing that it will be probably 3Q 2007 before a lot of this sorts out and the pre-pros and receivers I see at CEDIA 2006 will only be the first wave of evolving standards.
A couple of years ago, when Outlaw Audio was getting ready to introduce its new 990 pre-pro, Peter Tribeman of Outlaw took a lot of flack for sticking with DVI switching for this updated model of the Outlaw 950. I personally saw him defending the choice to eschew HDMI circa 2004 in favor of DVI (video only) digital input and output for the 990. I can still hear his words at the NY Home Theater Expo:
(Note: at the time, HDMI 1.1 was just being introduced). A couple of people in the crowded demo room snickered a bit and considered this some sort of rationalization for the Outlaw product not being "cutting edge." Guess what - As the title of this thread says - Peter was right! And some people are finding this out the hard way with HDMI equipped processors/receivers that won't handle all the new audio formats that are promised on HD-DVD and Blu-ray.
Before I go any further I just want to point out that I don't work for Outlaw. I was the first beta tester for their 950 pre/pro over four years ago but I moved on to a Lexicon MC-8 in order to provide some additional audio flexibility. I still use Outlaw amps, but that isn't germane to the current discussion. What I'm trying to say is that this isn't necessarily an endorsement for Outlaw products but just an acknowledgement of their position on the state of HDMI at the time. In my opinion they were spot on.
With the evolution of HDMI standards and the introduction of 1.3 and some of the new HD audio sources I'm once again looking to upgrade my Lexicon MC-8 to something that will allow me to eventually use the new HD audio processing (when it's finally introduced.) Unfortunately, at this time Lexicon has entered the HDMI a/v world with their megabucks MC-12 HD and, for my needs it is woefully lacking. For one thing it's currently HDMI 1.1 compliant. Just as importantly, it won't handle 1080p, just 1080i. So much for trying to stay a bit ahead of the A/V curve. I'm better off, for the moment, sticking with external HDMI video switching and scaling (my DVDO VP30 HD serves me well at the moment for the video end of things) and using the Lexicon to process the audio end of things. I realize that this limits my use of some of the newer HD audio streams (when they become actual product on a large scale) but since the MC-8 can handle 5.1 audio inputs it can still pass through the new audio formats that can be delivered that way for now.
Naturally, this will all work a lot better (and involve simpler connectivity) once the multiple input HDMI 1.3 receivers and pre/pros reach the market and are reviewed. However, since a lot of this depends on either the player or the pre/pro decoding the HD audio stream there are bound to be some false starts and the inevitable bumps in the road. I'm fairly certain I'll see a lot of HDMI 1.3 "capable" boxes at CEDIA 2006 but that's only part of the story for the reasons cited above.
In a perfect world my next pre/pro would not only have HDMI 1.3 A/V switching and processing capabilities but it would also allow for HW upgrades via a modular chassis and also be "firmware Friendly." But that's probably too much to ask for both cost considerations and the need to be able to sell us the next "latest/greatest" box. (Tongue loosely planted in cheek with that last remark.)
But I've got to hand it to Peter Tribeman and Outlaw. Recent history has proven that their position was the prudent one. And I'm not quick to hand out complements to people in the industry - especially Red Sox fans!
(just kidding)
A couple of years ago, when Outlaw Audio was getting ready to introduce its new 990 pre-pro, Peter Tribeman of Outlaw took a lot of flack for sticking with DVI switching for this updated model of the Outlaw 950. I personally saw him defending the choice to eschew HDMI circa 2004 in favor of DVI (video only) digital input and output for the 990. I can still hear his words at the NY Home Theater Expo:
(Note: at the time, HDMI 1.1 was just being introduced). A couple of people in the crowded demo room snickered a bit and considered this some sort of rationalization for the Outlaw product not being "cutting edge." Guess what - As the title of this thread says - Peter was right! And some people are finding this out the hard way with HDMI equipped processors/receivers that won't handle all the new audio formats that are promised on HD-DVD and Blu-ray.
Before I go any further I just want to point out that I don't work for Outlaw. I was the first beta tester for their 950 pre/pro over four years ago but I moved on to a Lexicon MC-8 in order to provide some additional audio flexibility. I still use Outlaw amps, but that isn't germane to the current discussion. What I'm trying to say is that this isn't necessarily an endorsement for Outlaw products but just an acknowledgement of their position on the state of HDMI at the time. In my opinion they were spot on.
With the evolution of HDMI standards and the introduction of 1.3 and some of the new HD audio sources I'm once again looking to upgrade my Lexicon MC-8 to something that will allow me to eventually use the new HD audio processing (when it's finally introduced.) Unfortunately, at this time Lexicon has entered the HDMI a/v world with their megabucks MC-12 HD and, for my needs it is woefully lacking. For one thing it's currently HDMI 1.1 compliant. Just as importantly, it won't handle 1080p, just 1080i. So much for trying to stay a bit ahead of the A/V curve. I'm better off, for the moment, sticking with external HDMI video switching and scaling (my DVDO VP30 HD serves me well at the moment for the video end of things) and using the Lexicon to process the audio end of things. I realize that this limits my use of some of the newer HD audio streams (when they become actual product on a large scale) but since the MC-8 can handle 5.1 audio inputs it can still pass through the new audio formats that can be delivered that way for now.
Naturally, this will all work a lot better (and involve simpler connectivity) once the multiple input HDMI 1.3 receivers and pre/pros reach the market and are reviewed. However, since a lot of this depends on either the player or the pre/pro decoding the HD audio stream there are bound to be some false starts and the inevitable bumps in the road. I'm fairly certain I'll see a lot of HDMI 1.3 "capable" boxes at CEDIA 2006 but that's only part of the story for the reasons cited above.
In a perfect world my next pre/pro would not only have HDMI 1.3 A/V switching and processing capabilities but it would also allow for HW upgrades via a modular chassis and also be "firmware Friendly." But that's probably too much to ask for both cost considerations and the need to be able to sell us the next "latest/greatest" box. (Tongue loosely planted in cheek with that last remark.)
But I've got to hand it to Peter Tribeman and Outlaw. Recent history has proven that their position was the prudent one. And I'm not quick to hand out complements to people in the industry - especially Red Sox fans!
(just kidding)