civicguy Posted June 6, 2006 Posted June 6, 2006 Sorry if this is stupid question. I going to buy a LCD soon but realised that.. (1) I need 1 HDMI for DVD player (I am eyeing the Denon :'() (2) From the thread on Starhub HD trial, it seemed that the Starhub HD cable box will, in the future when it is rolled out, use HDMI too ? So, should not I get a LCD with at least TWO (2) HDMI input ? But there are not many LCD with 2 (or at least what I can afford). I trying to avoid like my current situation when I run out of component video inputs ;D ;D Is there such a thing like HDMI switch ? ??? ??? Or buy an expensive AVR that has HDMI switching ? ??? ???
varun1624705824 Posted June 6, 2006 Posted June 6, 2006 (2) From the thread on Starhub HD trial, it seemed that the Starhub HD cable box will, in the future when it is rolled out, use HDMI too ? Desray's comment in the Starhub HDTV trial thread indicates that the difference between HDMI and component from the HDTV box is not discernible. FWIW, the difference between HDMI output and component output from my Denon 3910 onto my Bravia V 40" is not discernible either (at least not to me). The HDMI and component cables in question are monoprice. So, should not I get a LCD with at least TWO (2) HDMI input ? Like you mentioned, there aren't very many that support this and those that do might not be the best. AFAIK, only the Hitachi 8800 and Toshiba's range of LCDs carry 2 HDMI inputs. Do note that the Toshiba WL66 series has been well received by owners in the UK, so it may well be a good set despite the low price. Check whether the 66 series carries 2 HDMI ports - I know the 58 series does. Is there such a thing like HDMI switch ? ??? ??? Or buy an expensive AVR that has HDMI switching ? ??? ??? Yes, there are HDMI switches. And yes, there are AVRs that support HDMI switching, such as the Denon 3806. - V.
civicguy Posted June 7, 2006 Author Posted June 7, 2006 Check whether the 66 series carries 2 HDMI ports - I know the 58 series does. Ya. The 66 series have only 1 HDMI. Surprisingly the older one 58 series have 2 Weird. Maybe 66 series is their attempt to sell more LCD to the mainstream ?
varun1624705824 Posted June 7, 2006 Posted June 7, 2006 Ya. The 66 series have only 1 HDMI. Surprisingly the older one 58 series have 2 Weird. Maybe 66 series is their attempt to sell more LCD to the mainstream ? You're probably right. There's been a fair amount of speculation about this on other boards... e.g. the build quality of the 58 is far and away superior to that of the 66... The specs point in another direction though. Simpler to just buy what is currently acknowledged as the best. :-) - V.
Xtra Posted September 14, 2006 Posted September 14, 2006 Anybody could provides specs, details, price on AV Receiver with HDMI switching? See link : http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=41324.0
varun1624705824 Posted September 14, 2006 Posted September 14, 2006 There are plenty of receivers with hdmi switching. I'd wager that pretty much ANY current model receiver supports this. - V. Anybody could provides specs, details, price on AV Receiver with HDMI switching? See link : http://www.xtremeplace.com/yabbse/index.php?topic=41324.0
htfreak Posted September 14, 2006 Posted September 14, 2006 The upcoming Yammie 2700 receiver will have the ability to switch 3 HDMI inputs which should be sufficient for most homes. Alternatively, you can always get those dedicated HDMI switchers from Gefen and Monoprice which offers HDMI switching for at least up to 5 ports.
Phil1624705739 Posted September 14, 2006 Posted September 14, 2006 Desray's comment in the Starhub HDTV trial thread indicates that the difference between HDMI and component from the HDTV box is not discernible. FWIW, the difference between HDMI output and component output from my Denon 3910 onto my Bravia V 40" is not discernible either (at least not to me). The HDMI and component cables in question are monoprice. Remember there is HDCP which downscale HD through component-video. So it's still better to stick with HDMI regardless of whether u get a dual HDMI-equipped TV or HDMI switching AVR. Phil
varun1624705824 Posted September 14, 2006 Posted September 14, 2006 Phil, I'm a bit confused. Isn't this a problem only with ICT active? - V. Remember there is HDCP which downscale HD through component-video. So it's still better to stick with HDMI regardless of whether u get a dual HDMI-equipped TV or HDMI switching AVR. Phil
Phil1624705739 Posted September 14, 2006 Posted September 14, 2006 Phil, I'm a bit confused. Isn't this a problem only with ICT active? - V. Why put yourself at e mercy of e content providers and manufacturers? They are just waiting for the right moment to switch on the protection. It's just a matter of time IMHO. Phil
dannyhgt Posted September 15, 2006 Posted September 15, 2006 The Panasonic guy at Commex convinced me that you need 2. and says Sharp clearing their sets with only 1 HDMI input. He even say that in Japan, not allowed to sell HD TV with only 1 HDMI input anymore! I wonder how true this is.. anyway, I bite, and has bought the Viesta 32" for S$1600 with S$200 shopping vouchers thrown in. I think at S$1400 not too ex for a 2 HDMI input 32" LCD TV lah.. Pic quality looks very good to me. But then again, it replaced an 8 yrs old CRT TV in my bedroom.... ;D
armoury Posted September 15, 2006 Posted September 15, 2006 Personally, I'd take the view that the more HDMI inputs, the better. Whilst AVR switching does work, it means you are required to always switch on the AVR, and sometimes when watching plain old TV, or DVDs of non-action movies, and especially TV dramas or sitcoms, I don't feel the need or want to turn on the HT system. Which you can't avoid if everything is routed through the AVR as switcher. Also, it's always better to have direct connections from source to display. FWIW, I do see an improvement between HDMI and component on my Pioneer 969/434 combo. But YMMV.
maddog2020 Posted September 27, 2006 Posted September 27, 2006 From what I gather, component is better than HDMI in terms of picture output. HDMI only simplfies the connection between TV and player. If you want a better output, component is da way to go. As for the matter of 2 HDMI connection, from what i see they have 1 on the back panel and 1 on the side panel. Reson being that once mounted on the wall the HDMI connection on the back panel can't be use and as such some brands have taken the liberty of placing one on the side panel. This is the reason for some sets having 2 HDMI connection
varun1624705824 Posted September 27, 2006 Posted September 27, 2006 Well, mate, put simply, you gather wrong. HDMI preserves a signal in the digital domain, component does not and instead involves repeated conversions from digital to analogue and then back again to digital for processing in the television. HDMI (with HDCP) supports copy protection while component does not (and the implication of this, in the next 2 years, is that high definition content will be downscaled to low definition for most video content when viewed through component; note that this is not the case now but almost certainly will be in the next 2 years). There are other reasons - I'm sure the wiser folks on this board will be happy to help continue this thread. - V. From what I gather, component is better than HDMI in terms of picture output. HDMI only simplfies the connection between TV and player. If you want a better output, component is da way to go. As for the matter of 2 HDMI connection, from what i see they have 1 on the back panel and 1 on the side panel. Reson being that once mounted on the wall the HDMI connection on the back panel can't be use and as such some brands have taken the liberty of placing one on the side panel. This is the reason for some sets having 2 HDMI connection
maddog2020 Posted September 28, 2006 Posted September 28, 2006 Well, mate, put simply, you gather wrong. HDMI preserves a signal in the digital domain, component does not and instead involves repeated conversions from digital to analogue and then back again to digital for processing in the television. HDMI (with HDCP) supports copy protection while component does not (and the implication of this, in the next 2 years, is that high definition content will be downscaled to low definition for most video content when viewed through component; note that this is not the case now but almost certainly will be in the next 2 years). There are other reasons - I'm sure the wiser folks on this board will be happy to help continue this thread. - V. Thanks for your information. I did a little investigation and found that some folks have a different opinion about HDMI... Pls have a look at this link http://forum.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/34579/122868.html Pls don't take it as I flammin you or disrespecting your views but merely giving you another side of your opinion. Cheers
varun1624705824 Posted September 28, 2006 Posted September 28, 2006 Pls don't take it as I flammin you or disrespecting your views but merely giving you another side of your opinion. Don't worry - I'm thick skinned. ;-) Thing is, if HDMI isn't implemented well, component can actually look better. This is indeed the case on some TVs. However, it isn't future proof - the likelihood that the image constraint token will be implemented by studios on HD/B-DVD (in the not-so-distant future) is high enough to be a certainty. At that time, if you don't have HDMI with HDCP (and you can't implement HDCP on component), you're doomed to see your high def content in standard def. At that time, regardless of what the nay-sayers say, you're doomed. 'nuff said. :-) - V.
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