I have been a fan of Outlaw audio for number of years starting with a 950 processor and a 755 five channel amplifier. I still use my 755 multichannel amp but processor was replaced with 990 and now replaced with Emotiva UMC-1 My home theater system is comprised of 7.2 channels. For front two channel is powered by Adcom GFA 5800 amp. Two powered subwoofers are in my system but only one subwoofer is active at a time depending on playing music or movies.
I have been looking to upgrade my 990 processor for a little while mainly due to HDMI switcher and high definition audio codec. One thing for sure, my 990 has been performing flawlessly all those years in my home theater setup without one glitch. However due to earlier mentioned limitation regarding HDMI capabilities, I was looking for processor upgrade. Naturally I was looking into Outlaw processor 978 for my next upgrade and still waiting. I have been reading everything I can about next possible home theater processor upgrade which includes some usual big names like Denon, Marantz, Onkyo, Yamaha, Anthem, Pioneer, etc. as well as other internet direct sale company Emotiva. One thing common about all those other processors are that almost all of them have some type of issues big and small regarding HDMI problems. Some HDMI glitches that you can live with, while others are absolutely drive you crazy regardless which brands of that equipments.

After much reading, I have decided to purchase Emotiva UMC-1 even with all those well documented problems that users reporting in the forums. First it is cheap enough and has all the features that I was looking for in my home theater processor duty and although there seemed to be many unhappy owners, there were plenty happy owners as well when you consider its sound quality. So I took the chance, if I ended up not liking at all, I can hold until eventual Outlaw 978 introduction to the market and reevaluate my processor need. I received the UMC-1 early December last year and quickly hooked up everything replacing 990. This processor has its latest firmware installed by myself as soon as I received it. The installation went smoothly without too much trouble encountered; even their supposedly dreaded Emo-Q automatic room equalization went relatively trouble free. I did change few settings after Emo-Q ran through but generally all the settings were spot on to my liking.

Now for why I am writing this long post here, there were two issues related to UMC-1 and its HDMI problems and possible solution using upcoming HDS-12 developed by Transformative Engineering to be sold by Outlaw in near future. Here are my lists of equipments that are related to these issues:

Front projector: Panasonic PT4000

Sources: Sony BDP S550; Sony BDP S5000E; Time Warner Samsung HDMI/cable box;
Xbox 360; Wii; Xbox (older one)

Switcher: Monoprice switcher (component/optical)/HDMI to HDMI output

Processor: Emotiva UMC-1

HDMI cables: combination of Blue Jean and Monoprice

HDMI conditioner(?): Transformative Engineering HDS-12

What are my problems while using UMC-1? It involves with loosing video couple of seconds while watching a Time Warner cable channels and during Xbox 360’s certain game scene involving white flash something like flash/bang grenade. I don’t play games but my son was telling me about this and I witnessed the incident every single time he throws flash/bang grenade. But during Time Warner cable box playing, incident seems to be totally random. It loses video picture four or five times per hour although it comes right back, it was unacceptable situation. So I avoided this problem by hooking up using component and optical hook up until I can find the possible solution.

And out of nowhere I received this email from Outlaw asking if I was interested in beta tester for their new product called HDS-12, some type of HDMI conditioner. I quickly filled out their requested form just like everyone else did, fully expecting not to be picked. To my surprise, I got a call from Outlaw that I was selected to be their beta tester for this product. It was perfect timing for my problems. Within a week, I received the HDS-12 at my door step. This device is lot smaller than I thought. It is the size of typical multi USB switcher. It can be hide just about anywhere in your equipment rack.

My three sources (Time Warner cable box, Wii, Xbox 360) are connected using 30ft. long Blue Jean HDMI cable using switcher to UMC-1 and another 25ft. to my front projector. My two Bluray players are connected to UMC-1 using 6ft. long Monoprice HDMI cable. I tested all my HDMI cables to be good before I installed them. I installed HDS-12 before and after the UMC-1, just to check if it works out my video problems. And VOILA, this little device actually solved my video drop out problems. No more losing pictures during my Time Warner cable viewing! NOW I have to emphasize HDS-12 device worked out my HDMI video problems in MY HOME THEATER setup with MY EQUIPMENTS installed. With literally thousands of different HDMI combinations out there, this device may not work in your particular situation or it will possibly solve your HDMI conflicts like in my setup.

I do not understand its technical aspect of this device nor trying to figure it out but I am sure glad it works for me. I believe our very own Outlaw forum member 'gonk' knows lot more about this technology based on his posting from other site. I have been enjoying my home theater trouble free last several days watching various programs including couple of college BCS football games without losing one picture in the process. And I wanted to share this gem with others but I had to ask a permission from Outlaw staff. Finally earlier this afternoon, I had a call from Outlaw staff giving me a permission to share my findings with others.
This whole HDMI handshake debacle stumbles many of us but at least somebody out there trying to solve this issue for us. It is another piece of equipment that we have to deal with but I am glad companies like Outlaw and Transformative Engineering are providing us with an equipment that is more than just a signal booster. For now I am a very happy camper and enjoying my home theater. I know this is a long post but I wanted to be sure that I covered all the basics surrounding my problems and HDS-12 that I was beta testing. Hope you guys who have potential HDMI problems can be solved with this device.