HDMI, is it neccessary?

[HP666]

I'm in the market for a new receiver and was wondering what everyine thought of the whole HDMI thing. Should I really get one with HDMI? I know I can run my HDTV and stereo without it. Or would I be foolish not to get one with the HDMI keeping the futue in mind?

[goatmother]

If you plan on using blu-ray/HD-DVD's or playing PS3 games in all their glory than HDMI is something I'd go with. Of course you could play the buy cheaper now and wait for prices to drop somewhat as well.

[aht3]

OK..if you are not overly concerned with uncompressed audio, you can get a receiver that does not have HDMI and feed your HDMI device right to the monitor and send the fiber to the receiver. If you look around, you can find some pretty good receiver out there whose prices have been slashed since the proliferation of HDMI. If you are short on HMDI ports on the TV, you can get a switch for not a lot of coin. Just a suggestion. Have a good one.

[AudiblConoiseur]

Does anyone know the difference in quality of picture if using an HDMI cable v/s component (R/G/B)? I just picked up an AR 12'HDMI cable last night for a killer price and hooked it up. I think things look pretty good but I am not sure how much better without same source and side by side comparison. I could keep both connected and use the source button on the Sami to chage... didn't try that yet. Anyway, anyone have any input? Oh, now I know what the Sami sounds like as I have never played sound through it in over two years! Would have been nice to have that perceived center channel with my 2.0 setup I had for a while!

[mystro]

AudiblConoiseur, this Thread of yours should be posted at "Off-topic Discussion", it is okay with me lah. :D

[AudiblConoiseur]

I only asked b/c someone else started this thread on the topic. Respect!

[TAllen01]

From what I have read in HT magazine and Sound and Vision and on-line reviews, the general consensus has been that component picture is slightly softer than the HDMI picture. Personally, I was not able to see a difference when I switched from component to HDMI when I got a new receiver, but it made wiring MUCH simpler (i.e., no separate audio cables). I did not do any direct, switched comparisons, however.

[jmprader]

HDMI is great, but...

while I'm a little rusty on HDMI updates, I seem to recall that there is a throughput issue for current HDMI devices and the new HD/Blue Ray source devices. Apparently some issues exist with anti-piracy technology built into the spec as well.

HDMI 1.3/1.3a technology is apparently necessary to squeeze all the performance capability out of the new source devices and discs. No current receivers have it, though I am not sure about any kilobuck processors and 1.3 spec interconnect/cables, but I'm sure someone else here possessed of more up to date knowledge than I have can chime in.

There were some early issues reported with HDMI where users had sound sound/picture time sync issues, I recall it was brand centered to some extent. I was able to create a similar situation on my father-in-laws set up when he wanted to have the ability to use internal TV speakers sometimes and 5.1 other times. On my own, straightforward, set up, it is not a problem and I truly appreciate one connector/digital solutions to cable clutter made possible by HDMI connections.

Hope this doesn't create more confusion.