HDMI 1.3 and audio - do I need that?

chuckken2 · Post by **chuckken2** » Tue Dec 26, 2006 11:43 pm

1.3 is worthless since the players decode internally and send lossless through to current HDMI receivers. I don't think 1.3 receivers will be here till 2008 or later (not that I care). Like 1080P....it's all marketing hype anyways. Richard, the new Pioneer Elite Blu-Ray is the player to get. Does 1080P/24 and "does not lock-up"...

.... I dumped my PS3's already. I'm not much of a game player and without decent IR codes that player is worthless to me....Looking forward to the Elite which should be shipping from VE in a couple days...

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 7:42 am

1.3 is worthless since the players decode internally and send lossless through to current HDMI receivers.

?
Only 1.3 or analog outs support lossless such as TrueHD. You can send the DD+ bitstream and the DTS equivalent currently.

chuckken2 · Post by **chuckken2** » Wed Dec 27, 2006 4:06 pm

No, Richard you "can" currently right now receive TrueHD audio from the Toshiba HD-DVD player through HDMI to an HDMI receiver. That was part of the HD-A1's 2.0 upgrade...(you didn't know that?)...

The new HD-A2 already has the 2.0 upgrade and also supports TrueHD audio through HDMI.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 3:48 pm

We are both correct. With further studying and a reply from Rodolfo...

You can send the decoded linear PCM version of DTS-HD or TrueHD via HDMI out to your HDMI equipped A/V receiver just like doing it with analog. Unlike the multichannel analog inputs HDMI retains the ability to use the digital signal processing of your receiver from different sound fields to room and speaker placement correction.

You must have HDMI 1.3 to send any of the HD audio bitstreams off the disc to your receiver which will do the decoding. Whether or not this is a better solution is open ended and the importance of that will depend on the end user. Think of this like internal scaling and external scaling; having this capability allows you to bypass the internal decoder of the source. A perfect video example is SDI video from a DVD player; that is the raw video bitstream coming off the disc to feed an external scaler bypassing everything else in the player.

You must have HDMI 1.3 on the receiver for HDMI video switching if you want to maintain 1.3 capability from source to display such as deep color.

And thanks for the post... I now own a Pioneer VSX81TXV!

chuckken2 · Post by **chuckken2** » Fri Dec 29, 2006 7:36 pm

Richard...I wanted to get back to you before you pulled the trigger...

I have 2 Pioneer Elite receivers...both with HDMI, unfortunately the Pioneer doesn't pass 1080P through it's HDMI switching...I have the VSX-74TXvi and also the VSX-84TXsi which has a built in scaler but it also will not pass a 1080P signal...What you would have to do is get a HDMI switcher such as the Gefen 4X2 (four inputs and 2 outputs) and run your HDMI devices into the switcher and then have one output go to the projector and the other output go to your receiver for the lossless sound...(are you with me?)...I regret not buying this Denon...which "does" pass 1080P through it's 3 inputs....(so you would not need the Gefen switcher in the path.....)...Check it out...If there is a way to return the Pioneer because you just bought it, I would nab this Denon....It's 1080P capable and a couple notches above the Elite I'm afraid....

I posted this site because normally this receiver is about 4000.00 ...Here it is only 2999.99

http://www.bestbuyplasma.com/Plasma/Pro ... _AVR4806CI

Richard...If you decide to go the cheaper route (like I unfortunately have to now)...Buy your switcher here.... http://www.lenexpo-electronics.com/ It is 100.00 cheaper than buying straight from Gefen and I already checked, [all their units have the new PCM chip for lossless]...

...(God, this hobby is expensive...BUT I LOVE IT!!!)...

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 7:32 am

unfortunately the Pioneer doesn't pass 1080P through it's HDMI switching...I have the VSX-74TXvi and also the VSX-84TXsi

?

Mine passes 1080P...

Thanks for the post on the switcher! Could come in handy down the line...

chuckken2 · Post by **chuckken2** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:25 am

Richard...I think you missed my point. Mine will pass 1080P through "passthru" BUT, then you don't have the audio!...are you with me? When you use the passthru function.the audio doesn't come through...The receiver is only acting like a extender. so then if I set my VSX-84TXsi to one of the resolution setting, 480i, 480P, 720P, or 1080i, well obviously well then the sound comes through, but only one of "those" resolutions passthrough for the video signal...I haven't tried the VSX-74TXvi which is similar to your receiver and "doesn't" have a built in scaler. But I assumed that it acts the same as the VSX-84 as far as the passthrough, but come to think of it, maybe the built in scaler is what is messing it up as far as passing the 1080P signal "and" getting the sound through HDMI....Hmmmmm.

chuckken2 · Post by **chuckken2** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 9:41 am

Richard!...NEVER MIND!....I am such an IDIOT!...I have a setting I didn't know I have on the 84...call "PURE" in which if I set it to that then whatever HDMI signal is sent will passthrough both the audio and video...There is also a "passthru" mode in which only the video will go through. So now I am set!....and have an extra 4X2 Gefen switcher that I really don't need...I'll keep it anyway....I'll probably use it again somewhere down the road.....

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:36 pm

Glad to hear you figured it out... I was wondering how that could be since the 84 is more expensive and the same generation!

These are very complex products. I nearly posted for some help because I could not get the Toshiba player to work with it while the PS3 was fine... somehwere along the way it either changed to component or somehow it was set for component rather than HDMI...

chuckken2 · Post by **chuckken2** » Sat Dec 30, 2006 2:54 pm

Richard, have you ordered your HD-AX2 yet?...Mine will be here this coming Saturday...It's shipping from VE on the 3rd...I'm gonna have the Pioneer Elite for Blu-ray and the Toshiba HD-AX2 for HD-DVD...(both with 1080P/24 output capability!...

Looking forward to visiting with you and discussing our toys...

I'm thinking in a couple weeks if that's good for you...I'll PM you...Have fun with that Panny!...