Sorry for not being more exact. Obie-fl is right as I said it and Gonk is right about what I meant to say. HDMI 1.1 is 8 channel high bitrate and 1.2 effectively adds SACD and computer support. But remember that when 1.3 comes it will require new chips--it is not a software upgrade. I was talking about audio bitstream copy protection as well. You tell me--will HDMI 1.3 with HDCP protect the AUDIO to the studios' satisfaction? We are assuming it will be acceptable for the digital Video. It remains to me seen if they leave out people with non-digital hi-res connections. I hope they don't.

As far as HDMI's value today, it is getting better but it is not yet there. Not all devices carry multi-channel signals even if they have HDMI connections. Lots of handshake problems have been reported too. You are right about digital bass management--that's why I wanted Firewire, but there is another solution. Bass management in the DVD-A/SACD-player. Not a perfect solution but it works for some (like my Denon-3910).

I would point readers to the Outlaw 990 support faq which explains their decision to go with DVI.

Q. Why does the Model 990 have DVI switching instead of HDMI?
A. At this time we believe that the more stable DVI format is a more appropriate choice, since it is well established and totally compatible with HDMI from a video standpoint. Unfortunately, HDMI is still a moving target, with the 1.2 specifications still awaiting final release. More importantly, there is a big unknown regarding the specifications of the ñnextî version of HDMI that will allow transport of Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD data streams. (Indeed, the actual specs for the two codecs, themselves, have not been released either.) At this time it is impossible for the Outlaws or anyone else to know if a hardware, rather than software upgrade will be required to accommodate those two new formats on HDMI and with existing DSP engines. Quite frankly, we preferred to select a viable digital video format that is useable today rather than risk a high-cost solution that appears not to be ready for prime time.

See also:
http://www.sherwoodusa.com/new.html

I used to say I would wait for the day that formats sorted out. It will not happen soon. Buy and be happy. If HDMI works for you that's great. I wouldn't hold my breath that a new DVD-HD player will allow you to get 7.1 digital of any kind into the upgraded Anthem, but if it does, I may consider buying it.