How important is HDMI?


I have purchased my LCD TV (HDMI equipped) and my revel speakers, in the process of creating my home theater. My question is just how important is HDMI? There seem to be some wonderful values on equipment form fellow members, that quite honestly I could not otherwise afford, but they all seem to lack HDMI. Would I be better off with less expensive equipment with HDMI 1.3 or should I consider some the higher end equipment that may be lacking HDMI? I realize this is somewhat a broad question, but your thoughts would be appreciated.
charlie1
Rxlarry99, unless things have changed, DVI connections, pass the video signal only. They don't do the audio.
Larry;

You will be okay if the extra weight is on the DVI end, not the HDMI.

You would still be better off using a cable with HDMI at one end and DVI at the other.

I have an older 5 channel processor (Anthem AVM-2)with of course no HDMI inputs. I would like to continue to use it.

I have the same pre/pro and love with no intentions of abandoning it any time soon.

For us to get the best of both worlds we need to send the video directly to the display via hdmi from the BD player and use the analog outs from a player that decodes the new codecs internally. Use the Direct inputs we have on the left rear of the AVM 2.

The trick is finding a player that can do ALL the new codecs AND has analog outs.

From my limited research there are only four nad two of them aren't on the market yet.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=980672

hope this helps.