What is an HDMI input?

As an addendum to my previous post, if you do a Google search for "HDMI 1.1, HDMI 1.3" there are many questions out there regarding the possible obsolesence of the current HDMI 1.1 when the 1.3 format comes out. I hope I'm not breaking any rules by pasting these, but here are some excerpt quotes from the top few Google listings:

***...When asked why, Hipps responded, "HDMI is a moving target. With the HDMI 1.3 standard probably 2 years away, any of today's HDMI devices risk obsolescence. Rather than have a $4,000 audio receiver be viewed as obsolete because it can't support HDMI 1.3, we'd prefer to offer..."***

***(5) HDMI v 1.1 is already hitting the shelves, with v 1.2 on the way, and v 1.3 in the next couple of years (v 1.3 will deliver higher res 5.1 digital audio). What will be the backward compatibility of these versions?***

***...Also as I am sure you are all aware the standards have not settled down yet 1.2 has just be ratified but they are now working on 1.3, so introducing a decoder that will be out of date very soon didn't make sense...***

I'm having difficulty finding a straight answer on this.
The actual (official) HDMI website is here: http://www.hdmi.org/
But even here I couldn't find clear answers regarding issues such as backward compatibility etc. of 1.3 with today's 1.1.

Anyone?

http://www.superaudio-cd.com/newsitem.php?=88
Looks as if HDMI 1.2 will handle both sa-cd and dvd-a 5.1.

Gentlemen,
For your information - Radio Shack is apparently going with Monster brand cables in the future (go figure), so they are blowing out their Rat Shack brand HDMI and DVI cables stupid cheap - like $12.99, from $120. Get 'em while they last - I picked up a bunch for friends for the future -
15-1064 - 12 ft DVI
There's a 6 ft. DVI for the same price - don't know the part number.
15-1085 - 6 ft HDMI

My cable box has a DVI output. My TV has HDMI input. Is there any rational for using a DVI --> HDMI cable, and using interconnects from set top to TV? Or am I better off simply using component cabling? (All runs under 2 meters.)