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Tuesday 08 January 2008 Q&A: HDMI has advantage over optical digital

A The optical digital audio connection is used in conjunction with the TV's digital tuner. Many HDTV owners use an antenna with their HDTV to watch local HD channels. When you tune a channel with the TV's digital tuner, a signal will be sent to the optical output. By connecting the TV's optical output to a surround receiver, you can enjoy your programming in surround sound just as if it were from a DVD. (Please note that not all programming is broadcast in surround, so sometimes, for example on a news program, you will only hear the front speakers.)
HDMI stands for High-Definition Multimedia Interface and for most applications it is considered superior to an optical connection. Unlike the optical connection discussed above, which only carries digital audio signals, HDMI carries both audio and video signals. HDMI transfers uncompressed digital signals for better audio/video quality and incorporates elements of DRM (Digital Rights Management) to prevent copying. This was done at the behest of movie studios and other content providers.
Besides the potential for better video and sound quality, a big advantage to HDMI is you only need one connection between components. Years ago you needed a component video connector (comprising three cables) and a stereo audio connection to connect a DVD player to a TV. Now, one HDMI cable does it all and the connection is quick and easy (though one must insert the cables carefully to avoid bending the pins.)
If you have an HD DVD or Blu-ray player, an HDMI receiver that supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD decoding is a must! The best entry-level option I know of is the Onkyo TX-SR605, which retails for less than $499.
Speaking of HDMI connections, I've harped on it again and again and given this column's subject matter, today will be no exception. There's no need to spend $150 on an HDMI cable, and the reason that is all you usually see in stores is because the retailer wants you to think that's the going rate. You can get a premium quality HDMI cable from MonoPrice.com for less than $5, a savings of $146 per cable. If you are connecting a cable box, a DVD player, and a receiver to a TV, that's four cables and a savings of almost $600. Use the savings to get a better receiver, a better TV, or better speakers.

2. Onkyo TX-SR674 (black)

Editors' rating: 8.4

The good: This 7.1-channel A/V receiver offers HDMI video and multichannel audio switching for two HDMI sources and converts analog video sources to the HDMI output. The Audyssey 2EQ automatic calibration is the most advanced autosetup ever offered by Onkyo. Extras include XM Satellite Radio capability with XM HD Surround, as well as an optional iPod dock.

The bad: No phono input.

The bottom line: The Onkyo TX-SR674's stellar feature set and first-rate sound quality put it the top tier of midprice HDMI A/V receivers.

Read CNET's full review

Credit: CNET

DVI with your HDTV: digital video nirvana? | Connections

Saturday Feb 11, 2006 c|net High-def video coming from HD-DVD, Blu-ray, and in all likelihood, other future high-def video sources will be available only via HDMI outputs (which are copy-protected by a standard known as HDCP). The same video from those sources will be "down-rezzed" to sub-HD resolutions when output via the component-video ports. As such, you'll want products--video players, A/V receivers, and TVs--that can pass the full-resolution HDMI signals throughout your entire home-theater system.

Once you've committed to an A/V receiver than can handle HDMI, the key features you want to look for are:

1. HDMI switching: Look for receivers with as many HDMI inputs as possible. The ability to switch between multiple HDMI sources will become more important as more HDMI-equipped video sources are released in 2006 and beyond. By contrast, some early HDMI- equipped receivers, such as the Panasonic SA-XR70, had only a single HDMI input and output, which doesn't really deliver any advantage to your home theater.

2. Analog-to-digital video conversion: The first generation of HDMI-equipped receivers, such as the Onkyo TX-NR1000 and the Yamaha RX-V4600, kept the all-digital HDMI signals and the analog A/V signals (composite, S-Video, and even high-definition component) separate, so you'd be forced to run multiple cables to your HDTV and switch back and forth between inputs. Most newer HDMI-capable receivers include the ability to convert analog video input to digital, so everything is conveniently output through a single HDMI cable. But you'd be well advised to step up to a receiver that can handle...

3. De-interlacing of analog video (480p output via HDMI): The analog-to-digital video conversion is great, but many older HDTVs can't accept a 480i signal when it's passed via HDMI. Newer HDMI receivers alleviate this problem by de-interlacing analog video or displaying it in a DVD-worthy progressive-scan (480p) format, which should work with any HDTV or HD monitor equipped with an HDMI input. The JVC RX-D702B and the Sony STR-DA7100ES are examples of two such receivers we've tested that have this ability, and the forthcoming Yamaha RX-V2600 and the Denon AVR-4306 (full reviews for both will be posting later in February) take the de-interlacing feature to the next level by scaling any incoming video source to your choice of HD resolutions (720p, 1080i, and--eventually--1080p).

Now with all that said, keep in mind that none of the receivers currently available will be able to decode the DTS-HD and Dolby HD tracks on upcoming Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, though they will play back the DVD-style Dolby Digital and DTS legacy soundtracks on those discs. If that's important to you, you should hold off. If not, I'd recommend getting an HDMI receiver that handles all three of the features I've listed above. Right now, that limits you to the JVC RX-D702, the Denon AVR-4306, the Yamaha RX-D2600, and the Sony STR-DA7100ES--with the promising Denon AVR-2807 coming soon, followed by many more models later in 2006.
--John Falcone, senior editor

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