Sneaky Outlaws are probably going to release next generation Pre-Pro at this years Home Entertainment show in New York City. It will probably be based on Sherwoods new offering which would be great. What do you guys think? With Denon's great 4308CI sure to be displayed I think it would be the best opportunity to steal Denon's thunder and offer the New 999 Pre-Pro.
Denon's new reciever is here:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/show-report-ces-2007-page-49.html

We have seen Sherwood but here is a link:

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/show-report-ces-2007-page-12.html

From what we saw of the Sherwood at CES, it'd be a nice platform for Outlaw to build on (balanced outputs in place of the binding posts, ...), but I'm still dubious about Sherwood getting the receiver out by the end of the summer since the hardware sample at CES was still being modified (adding two more HDMI inputs). There's so much engineering to be done that I'd be absolutely stunned to see something with HDMI v1.3 before the end of the year from anybody short of Sony, Yamaha, Pioneer, or maybe Denon.

Of course, Outlaw could deviate from the 990 release model (announce it when the first shipment of product is on a freighter) and unveil the next generation product early...

OK: You caused me to surface for a brief moment


Jeff and all,

Logic would dictate that HDMI 1.3 will be included in our next processor. But that is still pretty far off. There is so much about that particular software that is still in flux,that despite their declarations, no comapny really knows when their products will be absoulutely ready for release, unless of course, they take a few feature shortcuts for now.

Chip configurations,(especially video)are literally changing monthly. Getting a handle on when and where to freeze a design is like trying to hug a cube of Jello-the harder you squeeze, the more it changes.

So before rumors start feeding on themselves, we are NOT showing a new processor in May. Our work in that area,(along with that of many other A/V companies) continues. We don't believe in miracles-just hard work.

Peter Tribeman

This makes sense, and is the reason that I've been guessing that the earliest we could see anything from anybody other than the huge manufacturers is the beginning of 2008. The HDMI v1.3 spec was only established last June, chip makers focused on transmitter chips first (mainly for the PS3, but also for the other Blu-ray and HD-DVD players that wre going to want to use them), and we're still seeing extensive problems with HDMI device compatibility (largely due to incorrect implementation of HDCP).

Sorry, did not mean to start a rumor, it was just a wrong hunch. I just thought with the Denon, and the Sherwood, technologies might be more along. Thankyou for your quick reply and sorry if I caused any grief.

- I wouldn't sweat it, Jeffrey. HDMI-related speculation is hard to avoid these days, and plenty of us are curious to see when it's all going to settle down.

Its nice to know that PeterT scans the forum on occasion. I like knowing Outlaw is working towards a processor with HDMI v1.3. Maybe "working" is waiting for consistent application of standards to insure products are compatible. The big manufactures can afford to be on the "bleeding edge" and run out some receivers with HDMI v1.1 or v1.2 to satisfy today's market demand while smaller companies are wise to hold fast. I hope Outlaw's patience (and mine!) is rewarded with a new processor at some point that appropriately handles v1.3 and includes a video processor.

Thanks Gonk, I guess the Outlaw upgrade bug is bothering me. Can you imagine the 999 with four HDMI inputs, and two outs with video processing from HQV realta? The unit would be untouchable with the latest codecs Dolby TrueHD DTS Master, it is going to be a beast well worth the wait.

It could certainly be interesting (and pretty fun, for that matter) to see what Outlaw and others can come up with once they have stable resources to design around.

I just bought the 990. Will Outlaw offer an upgrade?