Advantage to receiver with HDMI?

Elizabeth is correct! Many systems have (or will soon have) multiple HDMI compatable sources in use. My Cable Box and DVD player both have HDMI. Most TVs have a single HDMI port, so using the receiver as a switch allows you to use the superior HDMI output from both components.

Also, according to a review I read of the new Sony STR-DA7100ES, it upconverts analog signals to HDMI and uses its 12bit/216Mhz DAC to process the signal. Doing this would possibly allow you to only run one cable from your receiver to TV and simply connect all of your audio and video sources to the receiver. This would be especially nice for folks that have a wall mount TV or ceiling mount projector. You would only need to run one very thin cable through your wall to the TV, greatly simplifying installation.

Enjoy,

TIC

Or you could just buy a standalone HDMI switch...

Muzikat, HDMI = DVI + Coax Digital, more or less. Small form factor connector.

I'm curious about this also - I understand wanting to go from the components to the receiver (or Pre/Pro) with HDMI but doesn't HDMI also cary the audio signal? Don't we all want the audio signal to be heard thru speakers other than those built into the TV? If so, why would I want to connect to the TV with HDMI? I've asked several sales people and have not gotten an answer.

In addition to the above statements, some recievers will upsample all video to HDMI or DVI therefore you will only have to use one input on the TV. This much simplifies watching and listening because when you switch inputs on your reciever, the picture on the TV changes to the same as the reciever.

So I have a question to go with this.

I only have 1 piece of equipment thats HDMI and its my DV-59avi. Which way should I go?

dvd player -hdmi- reciever -hdmi- Media Reciever -standard cable- plasma
or
dvd player -hdmi- Media Reciever -standard cable - plasma
dvd player -digital coax- reciever
or
dvd player -hdmi- plasma
dvd player -digital coax- reciever

with so many options on cabling I'm having a hard time deciding which would be better. all hdmi would be more expensive but if theres an advantage in some way I might do it.

thanks