I would have loved Firewire too but hey I'll take HDMI. Sure HDMI is a moving target but I'd take it today just for the DVD-A and SACD support and the prospect of PCM hi-res 8-channel software down the road. I have no problem with the new audio codecs getting decoded in the players, if anything that will leave more horsepower in my PrePro to do other cool things like room correction EQ-ing. I believe HDMI is a viable solution today but I think people get hung up over the HD-DVD and the HDCP FUD.

I'm in no hurry to upgrade to HD-DVD but I'm starting to hear and see things that indicate Blu-Ray may get here faster then I originally thought. We should hear a lot more at CES in January. It's anyone’s guess though as to whether the new audio formats will be supported.

I’ve also been a big proponent of keeping analog video out of the PrePro but with HDMI I’ve done a 180 and wouldn’t mind having one super processor doing my audio and video. I wouldn’t even bother with analog video scaling just give me a PrePro with nothing but digital A/V inputs. Shot give me digital outputs too and I’ll have an all digital system with smart digitally powered speakers.