Possibly a 997 with HDMI 1.4 would be great!

Like many other Outlaw enthusiasts, I was patiently waiting for the 997, but the wait caused me to really think about my needs.

Upon reflection, I realized that my main requirement was HDMI video and audio switching, to get away from the spaghetti at the back of my system and to enable all sources to be routed through the processor. This way my TV would show all control feedback, something that I lacked with my previous 950-based system.
I also realized that the Trinnov system, which initially was very appealing to me, was not likely going to make any dramatic differences in my sound, because my room is pretty much balanced already, requiring only minor tweaks to balance it out.

I am still a supported of Outlaw ... my LFM1 Plus subwoofer performs superbly and the 7100 power amp continues to deliver solid power for my needs, but given my re-think on my requirements I decided to go with one of the new Integra processors (DHC 40.1), which met my needs and performs well.

It will be interesting to see the reviews of the 970 when it finally comes out, I hope that it lives up to the high expectation of the Outlaw faithful.

Pete

I'm kind of on the fence at this point about a new processor. I have an 83SE, and I'd prefer to use analog inputs over HDMI since I made the 'investment' into the SE over the standard 83. My room isn't the greatest, and I'm sure I'd benefit from some kind of room correction (I liked Audyssey when I had it on an Onkyo receiver, and it did make a difference with movies). I still want 2 channel audio performance though, so I'm leaning toward something that 'lets the sound alone' for 2 channel performance and can offer room correction/processing for multichannel audio and movies. I too was waiting for the 997, but I'm not sure it's going to make it to market anytime soon, and even then the Trinnov implementation seems to be fraught with issues on Sherwood's 972. I'm believing Outlaw won't release the 997 before the bugs are worked out, but without it's own product to compete in this segment, it has to be really hurting their brand and bottom line, so the pressure for a release ASAP has to be there.

I guess if I want to get off the fence, from everything I've read the Onkyo 886 will do what I want.

I think most people reading this thread have been patiently waiting for the 997. I'm on that list. It seems like most of the issues with the 972 have been worked out, though it does seem like there is something going on with the "green screen" as a result of the HDMI handshake. Sherwood Newcastle already has units out with reviewers, so the unit has to be running pretty well for them to take that risk. So the question is, where is the 997? It has been some time since we had any kind of update. We all know that Outlaw said it would take longer than the original "60 day" number that had been thrown around, but I would think that by now, Outlaw would have some level of increased certainty of when they may actually release this thing. I had set aside some cash for the release of the 997, but I've begun to find other uses for my money since I have no idea when this thing will actually be released.

I agree it's time for some update. Just having another status update from Scott or Peter would be helpful.

I don't have a UMC-1, but don't think your summary is very accurate. All the reports of the video processing have been quite good. Whether it's better or worse than the Oppo I can't say, but the Oppo is very good. Many people would say there's no need to perform any processing from an excellent source like the Oppo.

I do agree that the Emo-Q auto calibration program doesn't sound ready for prime time yet. Emo needs to work on that, toss auto setup altogether, or license Audyssey or something similar (this option gets my vote).

After the firmware update, all the reports I have seen have been pretty positive (except for the Emo-Q issues). Notably and most importantly, reports of sound quality (and video quality) have been excellent.

My summary would be if auto-calibration is critical to you look elsewhere (at least for now), but otherwise the UMC-1 appears to offer lots of bang (and good SQ) for your buck.

Perhaps the 997 will be better, but it's really impossible to compare the two since the 997 doesn't exist yet.

No argument.
But wat does this processor get you ?
You could use it with a less expensive blu-ray player and still get fair performance.
I think thatat's critical, this is a processor that will give you fair performance.

I agree with you Jimmy about the UMC-1. I have had mine for a few weeks now and I am very pleased with the video performance but the main thing I got it for was hdmi capability. Movies in bluray look and sound great and the analog performance is good too.

I am using 2 channel stereo outs on my Oppo 83 and they sound very good with the UMC-1 for 2 channel music. SACD and DVD Audio sound fantastic also. I am on the original wait list for the Outlaw 997 but I thought I would try the UMC-1 for now.

Gosh, not trying to be argumentative either, but it's a pre-pro. It gets you pretty much what any other current pre-pro gets you.

Whether it's performance is "poor", "fair", "very good", or "excellent" is so subjective without doing some testing and head-to-head comparisons with other pre-pro's. I don't know of anyone who has done that yet, but I haven't heard anyone who owns one describe it's video or audio performance as only "fair" including those who have Oppo blu-ray players and are using the UMC-1's video processing.

Not trying to say it's the best piece of AV gear ever made. It just seems premature to say it only offers "fair performance" without doing some comparisons or testing.

MD,

Glad to hear the UMC is working well for you. I hope Outlaw can get the 997 to market soon. Competition is good for the consumer and will make each company's products better.

P.S. - Before someone says the 997 & UMC-1 are not competing products because of the price difference, case in point here: MDAnderson who was going to buy a 997 but purchased a UMC-1 instead, but sounds like he will still consider the 997 when it's released. The very definition of competing products.

P.S. #2 - Sorry to get the topic off track from the 997 to the UMC-1. This is Outlaw's forum/home, and I respect that. Just trying to correct what I perceived as partially inaccurate information regarding the UMC-1. Here's to hoping for more information on the 997. Like Outlaw, Emotiva also had lengthy news blackouts prior to the UMC-1's release, and it was very frustrating to their customers. Seems like strange behavior for an ID company.