Is HDMI worth the upgrade?

It depends on how critical video switching is to you. Video switching is not critical to me since it is only HD-cable or DVD as choices. Both run directly into the TV HDMI inputs which are easily switched between sources. It also means that I can turn the TV on cable and not have to power up the processor and amp for sound or video switching. HDMI picture output is superb.

I bought an excellent audio processor cheaply(Meridian 561) that lacks advanced video outputs that I did not really need to run multi-channel movie soundtracks.

with HDMI 1.3 and 1.4 come some audio features.
I'm not an HT guy, using only 2.1, but if I were interested in the advanced BR features, I'd be tempted in the the new pre/pro direction....

Unless your BR player or other source could manage it for you

HDMI can also help you cut down on cabling (video + multichannel audio through one cable), if "cable sprawl" is an issue for you.

I think quality wise you will be missing the 2 new surround codecs. I forget what they are called.

Some factors affecting pricing of aV processors & receivers is the truncated time frame from one itteration to another. Annually and sometimes less than annually, newer models come onto the HT scene… from about every manufacturer.

As for the latest receiver iterations in past years they’ve almost completely done away with standard transformered power supplies by moving into class D amps. Thus lightening the overall weight and size of the multi ch units while allowing for as good power output or more. then networking was/is being added. Now the onset of another iteration of HDMI.

Hardware always supercedes software. Plenty of 1080P displays were in the stores well before there were many 1080{P disc choices. Now with 3D displays it’s the same thing again. With multi ch controllers

Then there’s the ongoing tech aimed at the video and audio chips. New ones or new themes on older ones are coming along pretty quickly.

That said, HDMI 1.3a encompasses a ton of audio codecs and does an exemplary job with video. There’s not a diff in the connectors from the orig 19 pin sorts, but the tech inside the components has been elevated to allow for greater bandwidths to be passed along the cable. The $$$ savings from needing only the one cable is quite attractive. All by itself

I like HDMI a lot. For what it is it’s a tuff feature to better without significantly greater outlays of cash. One wire for mere pennies brings all the digital realm to your beck and call. True color. DSD audio. HD Dolby. Etcup conversion of the video format, lip sync is easier than ever. etc.

Many processors & receivers are notoriously poor investments given their less than stellar reps for resale. Albeit, the good ones last very long and offer loads of bang for buck going in. I think they change almost as fast as personal confusers. Most often however the procs usually offer either better performance or greater flexibility, or both, albeit again, for a greater premium initially.

I’d opt for current tech in the area I could afford over a previous killer proc that has no such existing tech built into it. Given the advances in video chips and HDMI 1.3a or greater, alone.

I think with all the digital tech that seems to be whizzing by us these days, one just has to figure out what they want to do and find those pieces that’ll be compatible and required and get in where one fits in.

I’m quite happy staying a step or two behind bleeding edge technology. It’s less costly that way. That and the fact I’m not keen on keeping one eye on my HT display and the other on the changing electronic resale market.