Yes I included the AVRs with 7.1 outputs that include Audyssey or some other ARC. Since it is an "Entry level" processor, trying to convince someone just getting into this wonderful hobby that they would also have to shell out for an amp when they can get the whole rig with an amp that is upgradable later is going to be a challenge.

On the other hand, there are many people already IN the hobby who have amps and may be looking for a low cost/high performance processor to mate up with an amp that was cast aside in the last upgrade so that they have a modestly priced, but great sounding, system for a second room.

Should be VERY interesting.

We'll know more when the specs are made public with respect to the video processor. The Onkyo 818 has the kitchen sink for under $1000. I know that Outlaw can't match the pricing or production of Onkyo, but I am hoping that they can produce a product with excellent video and audio processing. If this unit can satisfy those areas, then maybe the lack of room correction won't be that much of a set back with acceptance.

I can see audio processing but why do we need video processing besides good switching and perhaps scalup for legacy equipment? Can't we just pass the processing on to the Monitor?

Thanks Bob

I agree, Bob. Make it best SQ with good switching. My preference is to let the OPPO's (and other players) do the upscaling.

Yes you can pass the processing to the monitor, but in this day and age of cable/satellite boxes, streaming devices, blu-ray players, etc., a lot of people run everything through their AVR or pre/pro and use one HDMI out to their monitor/TV. Yes the Oppo is a fine processor but not everyone has one or in fact feels the need to buy one. Some may feel that the best set up for them is to "Pass" everything to their AVR/processor and then scale, enhance and unitize noise reduction as well as the many other filters available. Also, not all monitors/TV's have great processor's in them.

My intention of my post was referencing what Onkyo is doing with their 818 and the cost that it is selling for as well as the previous post by others that were disappointed with the lack of room correction. My thought was that if the new Outlaw unit had very good to excellent audio and video processing, that maybe the features that would not make it a deal breaker for some.

Bobm and Hank:

If all you are interested in is SQ (and no room correction or video processing), why not buy a hdmi switch and any number of previous generation pre-pro's. Anything from a 990 to a AVM-30 seem to be available for under $700. For probably around $1100, an OPPO BDP-105 might be meet your needs as well.

So I agree with H. Stevens and believe that the 975 needs to have some compelling feature besides SQ.

I think the additional feature needs to be video processing and it won't take much to meet or exceed what is done in most TVs. That said I hope it has the ability to bypass the video processing by source just in case I get a newer Oppo or it turns out I prefer to let my Pioneer handle the processing. Regardless, HDMI switching, the ability to handle the new sound codecs that will get rid of a big tangle of wires and the ability to easily handle multiple HDMI sources (e.g. BD/DVD, cable box, XBox and Apple TV) may make this processor a hit at the right price.

[quote=H Stevens]Yes you can pass the processing to the monitor, but in this day and age of cable/satellite boxes, streaming devices, blu-ray players, etc., a lot of people run everything through their AVR or pre/pro and use one HDMI out to their monitor/TV. /quote]

I agree and that is the only way I would want my setup to work, thus you need good switching at a minimum. My Yam does a fine job at switching and I am happy to leave the processing up to the display device. I do understand your point, just thought if they had to cut something out why not the vid processing, heck some of the super expensive pro/pros do.

Bob

That was my point also. Some of the old/used processors out there do not have what I call state of the art SQ. Anyway, the product will be what it will be.