2. home-theater
  3. 1200951509

HDMI 1.3 Audio Signal - Good Enough, or no?

I own an Arcam AVR350. As many know, this AVR, among a few others, eschews the HDMI connection for audio (providing switching for video only), citing it as a path largely inferior to other alternatives for truly quality audio reporoduction. Even with the introduction of HDMI 1.3, Arcam stands by the decision they made with respect to HDMI 1.1 and appears to have no plans to accommodate the HDMI audio path in the near future.

My question is whether most folks think that audio quality considerations in a home theater environment are important enough such that the HDMI 1.3 audio route would be "good enough" for HDTV and HD/Blue-Ray DVD. Or, is it really only a factor if you are using the AVR with both an HD cable/satellite receiver AND a high-quality audio source like SACD or DVD-A?
4yanx
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
When Wes Philips (of Stereophile) watched a demo of an HD DVD with Dolby TrueHD soundtrack transmitted over HDMI 1.3 to a new Onkyo RECEIVER, he said it was the best surround sound he had ever heard.

YMMV, I suppose.

OTOH, you may get pretty close to that with uncompressed PCM over HDMI 1.1.
rwwear
2,902 posts
 
HDMI doesn't work with SACD I don't believe. But it is the only real way to pass the new hi-def audio soundtracks.
4yanx OP
1,576 posts
 
That's what I mean RW - meaning that NOT using HDMI may (or may not) be only important when you are using your AVR in conjunction with, say, an SACD. Also, whether having an AVR which CAN utilize the HDMI audio signal is really anything more than a convenience in using less cabling and whether a sacrifice in audio quaility, if any, is significant.
kr4's avatar
kr4
3,719 posts
 
SACD, DVD-A, Dolby True-HD and dts MA are superb, lossless, multichannel, high resolution codecs via HDMI. Wes is right.

Kal
mrmikesmail
37 posts
 
I think it really depends on the quality of your equipment. Currently only mid-fi companys have come out with the latest audio formats with the really high end companys still waiting in the wings, so I guess it would depend on your definition of quality.

I myself fall into the mid-fi group and am considering jumping into the foray with a unit from Integra. Everything I have read seams to indicate that the quality of sound for sacd and dvd-a really benefits from the new room EQ's that most new receivers come with. HDMI not only reduces the amount of cables but also reduces at least one d/a conversion for those of us who use bass management and/or EQ.

FWIW, dvd-a and sacd can be passed through hdmi depending on the player and proccessor. I think Arcam is missing the boat as more higher end units start using hdmi. As`Rwwear states, it is the only way to pass uncompressed pcm, Dolby Digital HD and DTS HD Master wich all can be superior to CD.
More to discover