Video Processors/Scalers and HDMI 1.3 (DTS-HD)

[chambeaj]

I am currently trying to decide what external scaler, video processor to go for. Was very keene to place an order for a Crystalio II.

However, it occurred to me that with HDMI 1.3 supposably being formalised by mid 2006 all the current scalers are going to be useless once HDMI 1.3 equipped HD/Blu-Ray players hit the market in 2007.

To make matters worse most (if not all DVD players) only have one HDMI output. Consequently, if the video processor does not support HDMI 1.3 then how on earth will one connect the player to a display via a scaler and to an HDMI 1.3 equipped Audio processor for decoding of the native DTS-HD,Dolby True HD audio streams.

[ailean]

If you can find a 1.3 audio processor/amp then you just connect the 1.3 source to the 1.3 amp and then then amp to the video processor and then the video processor to the display.

1.1 sources can go via the video processor to give you extra hdmi switching (with Opti/Coax to amp for normal DD/DTS).

Chances are with HDMI 1.3 you'll see sources released first, followed by switches, video processors, displays and finally amps (at least high end amps). So you may have a while to wait before it's an issue.

[chambeaj]

Originally Posted by ailean

If you can find a 1.3 audio processor/amp then you just connect the 1.3 source to the 1.3 amp and then then amp to the video processor and then the video processor to the display.

1.1 sources can go via the video processor to give you extra hdmi switching (with Opti/Coax to amp for normal DD/DTS).

Chances are with HDMI 1.3 you'll see sources released first, followed by switches, video processors, displays and finally amps (at least high end amps). So you may have a while to wait before it's an issue.

Problem with that approach is that the audio processor/av amp has to be turned on all the time. Also if the amp is fed with HDMI 1.3, then surely the output from the amp will also be HDMI 1.3 (unless it can be configured to output video only!!) and consequently will be rejected by the video processor - back to square one!

Its a shame manufacturers do not take a modularized approach to their products so that the HDMI section could be replaced by inserting a new card.

[creative-av]

Originally Posted by chambeaj

Its a shame manufacturers do not take a modularized approach to their products so that the HDMI section could be replaced by inserting a new card.

Exactly what Panasonic do with the PHD series!

Steve