Quote:
Originally posted by AudioBear:
[QB]
I say a few years because the Anthem upgrade will not allow HDMI audio to be passed from HD DVDs or Blue Rays at full lossless resolution over 7.1 channels. That will require a new HDMI chipset to implement the as of now not finalized HDMI 1.3 standard. HDMI can carry 5.1 at high bitrates, however. That's maybe enough. Moreover, it may be that copy protection issues will inhibit full resolution digital transfer for quite some time. Content providers want to stop piracy so we may be using analog cables until they have a air tight copy management system. HDMI buys you nothing right now which is why Outlaw went with DVI. A wise choice. BTW, the Outlaw analog pass-through is transparent and clear as a bell.
AB - First off I'm pretty much in agreement with most of what you have said. However I think most of what you have said in the quoted text is not factual. Granted this is still an evolving technology but unless you know something I don't, the planned Anthem HDMI does in fact carry eight channels of Hi Resolution audio. Do you have a source for this information that says otherwise?

My understanding is that the new players will be decoding the new Hi-Res formats and sending full resolution eight channel PCM out the HDMI. I believe HDMI 1.1 will handle this without any problem. HDMI 1.3 I believe is adding the capability to send the raw undecoded bitstream data to the processor. There should be no loss in resolution with HDMI 1.1 that I'm aware of.

I also think you have your HDCP argument backwards. Much like in the Video world I believe they want to close the analog “hole” not prolong it. AFAIK the studios have signed off on HDCP although I hear there may be other content that may only be available via Internet connection or some such scheme.

I also disagree that HDMI doesn’t buy you anything today. It buys you two very important items over the present day non-HDMI devices. 1.) It allows a pathway for High resolution multi channel audio from DVD-As and the upcoming HD-DVDs and SACD with HDMI 1.2. 2.) It allows for digital bass management and other manipulations (Auto-EQ ect)in the PrePro without going through an unnecessary A/D conversion this is a big one for me.

For the record I’m a very happy 990 owner and almost picked up an Anthem D1 a few months back but am glad I didn’t. I view the 990 and all present PrePros as a stopgap device until the HDMI devices shake out.

Firewire would be cool but it appears to be pretty much dead in the water as far as hi res audio goes.
_________________________
My Home Theater Web Page