For existing 990 owners -- would be nice to have a box that takes HDMI in and has high quality analog outputs. So, 2-4 HDMI connectors in, 8 analog audio outputs to the 990, and HDMI (+DVI?) out for video.

I'd think for around $200 this would be a good sell to many existing non-HDMI capable pre/pro and receiver owners. Sell it packaged with the audio cables for under $300 and you make even more.

Interesting idea, but I don't know how feasible it really is or how much of a market it would have. I assume we're talking about converting the multichannel PCM signal carried by HDMI to multichannel analog audio? The only sources which will be carrying a digital audio signal over HDMI that can't be had from the source on coaxial or optical are HD-DVD and Blu-ray, and in both cases all early players should include 7.1 analog outputs that will employ DAC's capable of easily matching or topping any DAC's Outlaw could put in such a device. Plus, I can't imagine both HDMI video switching and eight channels of DAC's fitting into a chassis for less than $500 or so. Heck, the Gefen 2x1 HDMI switch by itself sells for $250.

You're right, I was thinking HD-DVD / Blu-ray for the audio signals which are beyond the bandwidth capabilities of optical or coax SPDIF output. My assumption is/was that the players analog outputs would be marginal, particularly after the 4-figure first generation players. I'm an HTPC user myself, and when the newer cards come out with audio over HDMI, this would also be useful there. HDMI switching solutions will be a standard feature on Sub-$200 receivers in the next couple years, so the fact that the current switching devices are so expensive is not of great concern to me.

Here's an example of the type of PC card where this would become useful (no analog breakout, just HDMI and SPDIF):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814102032

I would pay $500 for such a switch, with 7.1 audio outputs. I have not seen any of the new HD nor BluRay players with this feature.

This is an interesting idea.


I wouldn't mind seeing this idea coupled with : http://ubb.outlawaudio.com/ubb/ultimatebb.php?/ubb/get_topic/f/7/t/000219.html

There's units FAR cheaper than that available (monoprice)

Early adopters of HD displays that have no HDMI or DVI inputs for video will need some form of 'converter' that works for video as well as the audio.