Benefit of 2 x HDMI Input

[Jon12345]

I am trying to decide on which Pioneer 43" plasma to buy. The XDE has 2 HDMI inputs but what does that mean in practical terms to me?

I want to use it with SKY+, perhaps a home theatre system and maybe an Xbox 360.

 

[kjt2004]

Jon

Maybe not so much an issue at present but in the next year this type of connection will probably be equivalent to say component or scart in the future. As more and more devices come with this connection as standard , well thats my interpretation anyways

regards

 

[johnelf]

Hi

HDMI is the new High Definition connection, replacing the french scart lead.

Remember when tv's first had scart connections, first it was one, then, if you are lucky two, now it is not uncommon to have four!

Go for as many HDMI inputs as you can, you will need them for SKY HD, HD DVD, PS3, blue ray, and all the latest gear!

Regards

John

 

[guv69]

Jon

Maybe not so much an issue at present but in the next year this type of connection will probably be equivalent to say component or scart in the future. As more and more devices come with this connection as standard , well thats my interpretation anyways

regards

Indeed. How many devices used a USB port? What doesnt now?

It may not happen overnight, but its bound to happen.

 

[Dom996]

Two's better than one, that covers HDTV and HDMI DVD Player. Though a point to be made I guess is that in the future 2 won't be enough. There are already some HDMI switchers out there, plus AV amps with the appropriate switching.

 

[Jon12345]

If there are some HDMI switchers out there, does that mean I only need one and then I can use a switch?

 

[Dom996]

Less convenient, though many are small and have their own remote, but the short answer I guess is yes.

 

[symphara]

There are HDMI switchers - for example Gefen does a whole array of them - but they're quite expensive. A 2x1 HDMI switch is around 200 quid, and a 4x1 is around 300, so you should take this into consideration if choosing between FDE and XDE.

 

[MAW]

That's a bit over the top for an HDMI switch. And they are increasingly common on AV amps. That way makes the most sense really. The M bit stands for multimedia. I for one see no point whatsoever with sending up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio up to my display. I want that bit at my amp. The amp then deals with the audio, sends the signal o to the display for the video bit. So for me, just 1 HDMI/DVI port is enough.

 

[symphara]

That's a bit over the top for an HDMI switch. And they are increasingly common on AV amps. That way makes the most sense really. The M bit stands for multimedia. I for one see no point whatsoever with sending up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio up to my display. I want that bit at my amp. The amp then deals with the audio, sends the signal o to the display for the video bit. So for me, just 1 HDMI/DVI port is enough.

I agree, and not over the top but pure extortion, however if you're in a similar position such as myself (my amp doesn't have HDMI switching), or you aren't going to buy an amp at all (the OP didn't indicate precisely), then you're kinda stuck, so if you can, maybe it doesn't hurt just getting 2 from the beginning.

 

[malcolm mccabe]

I have also heard rumours that SKY will not have component outputs on there boxes in the future, but will output in HDMI only.

 

[Superwof]

That's a bit over the top for an HDMI switch. And they are increasingly common on AV amps. That way makes the most sense really. The M bit stands for multimedia. I for one see no point whatsoever with sending up to 8 channels of uncompressed audio up to my display. I want that bit at my amp. The amp then deals with the audio, sends the signal o to the display for the video bit. So for me, just 1 HDMI/DVI port is enough.

I have been thinking in this direction too, only wonder if you have to switch on the amp all the time to loop the signal thru to the screen. As I am thinking of buying a 436RXE (1x HDMI) I will have speakers on board that are probably good enough to watch the evening news, so I would not have to turn on the amp all the time. Would any of the current HDMI switching amps allow for a passiv (power off) HDMI signal transfer? If not, I guess I'm better of with a 436XDE or maybe PV60....

 

[Dutch]

There is definitely a component video output on the Sky HD box, in addition to various others.

www.sky.com/hd

Steve