Comments on: The Orientation: High-Definition Multimedia Interface http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/ Gadgets, gear and computer hardware. Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:53:09 -0500 hourly 1 By: marina difesa it http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-955133 marina difesa it Thu, 04 Dec 2008 03:41:11 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-955133 The topic is quite curious, i must say The topic is quite curious, i must say

]]> By: Jack Hughes http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-843707 Jack Hughes Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:49:26 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-843707 Well put JP. Just want to add one thing. You have a Blu Ray player that has decoded True HD or DTS HD Master Audio and sends it PCM to the a/v receiver. HDMI 1.1 cables and circuitry(ports) support this. At this point you do not need the a/v receiver to decode. You just need an a/v receiver that has HDMI 1.1 circuitry that doesn't ignore the audio part of the signal. It's not necessary to spend all that extra money on an a/v receiver that has 1.3 circuits designed for bitstream so the receiver can decode. Actually, the receiver in this scenario has not decoded anything. It simply allows the audio to be heard (which the HDMI 1.1 should do in the first place) and they force you to buy a higher end receiver. I've wasted money if I bought a Blu Ray that can decode the lossless format if the receivers are only set up to accept the signal so that the receiver can decode it. Well put JP. Just want to add one thing. You have a Blu Ray player that has decoded True HD or DTS HD Master Audio and sends it PCM to the a/v receiver. HDMI 1.1 cables and circuitry(ports) support this. At this point you do not need the a/v receiver to decode. You just need an a/v receiver that has HDMI 1.1 circuitry that doesn’t ignore the audio part of the signal. It’s not necessary to spend all that extra money on an a/v receiver that has 1.3 circuits designed for bitstream so the receiver can decode. Actually, the receiver in this scenario has not decoded anything. It simply allows the audio to be heard (which the HDMI 1.1 should do in the first place) and they force you to buy a higher end receiver. I’ve wasted money if I bought a Blu Ray that can decode the lossless format if the receivers are only set up to accept the signal so that the receiver can decode it.

]]> By: JP http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581789 JP Fri, 01 Feb 2008 13:46:15 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581789 The only time Anyone should plunk down major cash for HDMI cables is on a long run...>15 feet. Otherwise, if you're paying $25 for an HDMI cable, you're paying too much. PC Magazine studied cables from Monster vs. generic brands, and they found the generics actually performed slightly better. In my own experience with generic HDMI 6ft or less, I've had absolutely no problem between my projector, Oppo HDMI switcher, PS3, HD-A2 and Apple TV. Other points: 1.3 is a gimmick right now, and here's why: Lossless audio is supported by every spec version of HDMI, not just 1.3. In HDMI version 1.0, data is supported at a max of 4.9 Gbps. (Considering the fact that the highest data rate a Blu-ray disc can play back is at around 50 Mbps, the "older" HDMI cables can support the finest content available, no problemo.) 1.3 supports decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio in the RECEIVER, in addition to the PLAYER. Thing is, ALL players currently have the ability to decode those new audio formats and send those streams losslessly to your receiver via bitstream......so all that 1.3 gives you is a choice: decode the stream in your receiver, or your player. And since most receivers on the market today can NOT decode those formats, AND since it's the same lossless audio whereEVER you decode, it doesn't matter at all -- you're still gettin' the good stuff. 1.3 also supports Deep Color, a feature which no content currently supports -- be it Blu-ray or HD DVD or HDTV programming. So, save yourselves some money and get some cheap, delicious cables at Amazon. Or learn more about the HDMI specs by listening to the HT Guys, episode #204. The only time Anyone should plunk down major cash for HDMI cables is on a long run…>15 feet. Otherwise, if you’re paying $25 for an HDMI cable, you’re paying too much. PC Magazine studied cables from Monster vs. generic brands, and they found the generics actually performed slightly better. In my own experience with generic HDMI 6ft or less, I’ve had absolutely no problem between my projector, Oppo HDMI switcher, PS3, HD-A2 and Apple TV.

Other points:

1.3 is a gimmick right now, and here’s why:

Lossless audio is supported by every spec version of HDMI, not just 1.3. In HDMI version 1.0, data is supported at a max of 4.9 Gbps. (Considering the fact that the highest data rate a Blu-ray disc can play back is at around 50 Mbps, the “older” HDMI cables can support the finest content available, no problemo.)

1.3 supports decoding of Dolby True HD and DTS Master Audio in the RECEIVER, in addition to the PLAYER. Thing is, ALL players currently have the ability to decode those new audio formats and send those streams losslessly to your receiver via bitstream……so all that 1.3 gives you is a choice: decode the stream in your receiver, or your player. And since most receivers on the market today can NOT decode those formats, AND since it’s the same lossless audio whereEVER you decode, it doesn’t matter at all — you’re still gettin’ the good stuff.

1.3 also supports Deep Color, a feature which no content currently supports — be it Blu-ray or HD DVD or HDTV programming.

So, save yourselves some money and get some cheap, delicious cables at Amazon. Or learn more about the HDMI specs by listening to the HT Guys, episode #204.

]]> By: James Talvy http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581485 James Talvy Fri, 01 Feb 2008 02:49:58 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581485 I have yet to find that these hyped up Monster cables and such are really worth it... It's digital data traveling 6 feet... If the cable isn't defective it will be fine... mine are. I'd much rather pay $10 instead of $50 and save 80% and put that $40 towards a nice blue ray player... when talking about a typical setup you may have 2 or 3 HDMI cables and then you have a cool $120 bucks already... not "a bit extra" That's my 2 cents.... I have yet to find that these hyped up Monster cables and such are really worth it… It’s digital data traveling 6 feet… If the cable isn’t defective it will be fine… mine are.

I’d much rather pay $10 instead of $50 and save 80% and put that $40 towards a nice blue ray player… when talking about a typical setup you may have 2 or 3 HDMI cables and then you have a cool $120 bucks already… not “a bit extra”

That’s my 2 cents….

]]> By: Adam http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581444 Adam Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:33:15 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581444 Sent to you via 40ouncebeer.com Sent to you via 40ouncebeer.com

]]> By: Adam http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581436 Adam Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:12:45 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581436 Winner's choice. Winner’s choice.

]]> By: Peter Ha http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581435 Peter Ha Fri, 01 Feb 2008 01:09:56 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581435 A six-pack of PBR? Dude, how about some 40s of OE? A six-pack of PBR? Dude, how about some 40s of OE?

]]> By: Adam http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581430 Adam Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:56:50 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581430 Love these orientations- but I'll take the points. Eli's going to come through. Let's put a 6 pack of PBR on it. Love these orientations- but I’ll take the points. Eli’s going to come through. Let’s put a 6 pack of PBR on it.

]]> By: Peter Ha http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581429 Peter Ha Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:53:29 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581429 That's right, Jonah. But sometimes it's worth it to spend a bit extra on stuff like this. Of course, there are probably some that are decent quality for under $50 as opposed to spending $100. That’s right, Jonah. But sometimes it’s worth it to spend a bit extra on stuff like this. Of course, there are probably some that are decent quality for under $50 as opposed to spending $100.

]]> By: Jonah Horowitz http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/comment-page-1/#comment-581428 Jonah Horowitz Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:50:41 +0000 http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/01/31/the-orientation-high-definition-multimedia-interface/#comment-581428 Just for the record, you can buy an HDMI cable for $10, not $100. Just don't buy them at your local electronics retailer. Even amazon.com has them for $12. Just for the record, you can buy an HDMI cable for $10, not $100. Just don’t buy them at your local electronics retailer. Even amazon.com has them for $12.

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