Search for A-V Receiver with HDMI (v. 1.3) Inputs/Outputs

[fpnovak]

I am repopulating my HT- room, (moving my older equipment downstairs).
I've decided on my second (or third) gen. HD DVD player; I've even narrowed my HDTV choices down to 2 or 3 options. My problem is that I am stuck "in neutral" until I can find an A-V Receiver that will handle my requirement of "Lossless Audio" transmission.
I am waiting for an A-V receiver with at least 2, preferably 3 HDMI Inputs-BUT i WANT THEM TO BE HDMI version 1.3!. I love my Denon 3805; but to my knowledge Denon has not produced a receiver with HDMI (v.1.3).
I like the features on the Marantz SR8001, but it's HDMI (v.1.2).
Version 1.2A won't cut it either.
In all the collective wisdom (out there), can anyone tell me who has made (or is making) an A-V Receiver with 7.1 lossless audio, HDMI (v.1.3) capacity?. I would be grateful.

--Stuck in Neutral,
-fpnovak

[Tombanjo]

The new Onkyo line has the 1.3 HDMI connections. The 605 has 2/1 and the 805 has 3/1. I think the 605 is available now and the 805 will be soon.

[AlanBrown]

The new Onkyo 875 will have HQV processing, onboard hi-rez audio format decoding for the hi-def DVDs, THX Ultra2, and other goodies [ http://www.productwiki.com/onkyo-tx-sr875/ ]. The 905 will add an HD Radio tuner. These two models are coming between now and the end of August. There is also the Onkyo Pro tuner/processor/preamp that has the same feaure pack as the 905 but no amplifiers.

The new Denon line has lots of new tricks as well. I haven't seen anything published yet on them.

[Tombanjo]

I profess ignorance to the workings of these HDMI connections, as I am waiting until my now antique Sammy DLP conks out beofre replacing it, but doesn't the HDMI cable act as an audio/video pass through from DVD player to receiver? In other words, why does the Onkyo need to further process the auido signal? Don't the Blu ray and HD DVD players do all that stuff?

[Rodolfo]

Tombanjo,

You are in the right track. Version 1.3 of HDMI on the receiver would not be enough unless the receiver has the Dolby True HD and DTS HD and Master Audio decoders into it.

Not having it means that the decoding has to happen on the player and HDMI would transport the PCM version of the decoded channels, which is fine for even HDMI version 1. If that is the case then you need a Hi Def DVD player with those decoders, and the content of course.

The ideal scenario is to have both and you make your own selection of what sounds better.

1.3 brings lip sync if you have that problem, so HDMI would transport the data that would make the audio delay adjusted to the video, a feature that in some receivers is done manually, and in many others do not even exist.

In other words, look for features, decoders, etc. not just the HDMI version, a manufacturer that implements 1.3 is not obliged to implement all the hi-bit audio decoders.

In your case if you have or can get a player with the decoders you want, having HDMI of any version would be able to transport those channels to the receiver even when not having the decoders, not the perfect scenario, but enough to enjoy the hi-res audio.

Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra

[aaronstout]

Rodolfo,

Maybe this is letting the cat out of the bag, but didn't you state recently that HD DVD will never be allowed to pass those advanced audio codec streams across the HDMI v1.3 connection to the AVR to be decoded?

It was unclear to me if this is also true for Blu-ray players, but it has me wondering why I'm considering the new Denon 4308 which does have the decoders and HDMI v1.3. But, if I will never be able to allow the AVR to decode the streams, am I wasting my time/money here?

I do plan to go the Blu-ray direction, so if this is possible with that format, I guess I am good to go...

AaronS

[Rodolfo]

aaron,

I realize the subject is confusing, courtesy of both formats.

The feature you are talking about is the pass-thru of sound track "without" the mixed audio features such as director comentary etc., not the streaming of all the mix via HDMI 1.3.

That pass-thru feature with only the soundtrack is something that HD DVD would have difficulty in approving, I wrote a complete article but is on the queue of publication.


The entire zoo is out, not only the cats.

Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra

[fpnovak]

Rodolfo,
I'm perplexed. Are you saying that if I purchase an A-V Receiver that decodes all the new codecs (e.g. DTS Master Audio)- which apparenly the new Onkyo TX-SR875 can do; that I still won't be able to enjoy the improved audio quality when playing a HD-DVD on the second gen. Toshiba (HD-AX2) that offers one of the new codecs (thus far I have only seen DD True HD)? IF your answer if that I won't, be able to...Why?
Thx,
fpnovak

[Rodolfo]

fpnovak,


I was only responding to the question related to the future "pass-through" feature of soundtrack only, without the mixed added audio.

If the receiver has HDMI inputs and can handle PCM multichannel coming from the HDMI connection you should be able to enjoy the improved audio that the player will decode and convert to PCM, without needing a receiver with the decoders into it.

In that scenario the player has to have the decoders you need, the receiver HDMI inputs, any version. Some players do not have the decoders or implemented them as 2.0 channels only, some were upgraded by firmware.

This applies to both formats, any generation of players.

Not having a receiver with HDMI with PCM ability would still allow you to hear the legacy DD and DTS soundtrack, DD at up to 640Kbps, a double up improvement over regular DVD.

Not having a player with those decoders requires a) a new A/V receiver to have them and b) the player to stream the mixed soundtrack to it (again, I am not referring to the stripped soundtrack of the future pass-through" feature), and c) both with HDMI 1.3 version to channel the stream (although DTS HD runs over 1.1 and 1.2 as well because the specs were modifed to allow for that).

Having a new receiver with the hi-bit decoders and a player that can stream out the native disc soundtrack/audio via HDMI, even when not having the decoders within the player, will save you from upgrading the player (unless you want decoders at both ends to pick the ones doing a better job).


Best Regards,

Rodolfo La Maestra

[rfowkes]

In regards to receivers and pre-pros offering HDMI 1.3 and decoding, here's an interesting perspective from DENON that I found on the web:

http://www.listenup.com/Content/Partner ... lmadge.php

Apparently Denon will be offering HDMI 1.3 (actually 1.3a) on all their new models and a lot of decoding as well (depending on the model number chosen). I'm sure we'll see a lot of this stuff at CEDIA 2007 in Denver come September. Right now I'm using a Denon 3806 (two HDMI 1.1 inputs) quite successfully with my HD-DVD player (Toshiba HD-XA2) going to one HDMI input and my Blu-ray player (PS3) goinmg to the other HDMI input. Since both players decode all the pertinent HD audio codecs there is absolutely nothing lost when using HDMI 1.1. I am looking forward to having the option to choose where the decoding is done (in the player or in the pre-pro/AVR) as Rodolfo mentioned for maximum flexibility but at this point what I have can handle anything I feed it.

I have to believe that a lot more manufacturers besides Onkyo and Denon are pursuing the same path in regards to HDMI units.

Hope this information helps.