Should I wait for Hdmi 1.4

[hedgie]

Ok all what do you think,

I have an old(nearly 10 years) Yamaha AV amp with Composite video only. I would like to upgrade to an upscaling HDMI amp so I can have the Wii and all the other bits of domestic hardware, connected to the TV with one cable and a simple install.

I can get a nice Marantz HDMI amo today but its only HDMI 1.3.

HDMI 1,4 offers the following which I think should future proof my system for a few years plus the 1.4 version of the amp offers USB and proper iPOD connectivity.

Part of me wants a new system now, but the other part says wait for the 1.4 version of the amp and pay a bit more for the future proof.


Thoughts..........



HDMI 1.4 details below.

Audio Return Channel

The new specification adds an audio channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio “upstream” from a TV to an A/V receiver for processing and playback. In cases where a TV features an internal content source, such as a built-in tuner or DVD player, the Audio Return Channel allows the TV to send audio data upstream to the A/V receiver via the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.

3D

The 1.4 version of the specification defines common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices, enabling 3D gaming and other 3D video applications. The specification standardizes the input/output portion of the home 3D system, facilitating 3D resolutions up to dual-stream 1080p.

HDMI Ethernet Channel

The HDMI 1.4 specification adds a data channel to the HDMI connection, enabling high-speed, bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature can send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application. The HDMI Ethernet Channel allows internet-enabled HDMI devices to share an internet connection via the HDMI link, with no need for a separate Ethernet cable. It also provides the connection platform that will allow HDMI-enabled components to share content between devices.

4K Resolution Support

The new specification enables HDMI devices to support extremely high HD resolutions, effectively four times the resolution of a 1080p device. Support for 4K allows the HDMI interface to transmit digital content at the same resolution as the state-of-the-art Digital Cinema systems used in many movie theaters.

Expanded Support For Color SpaceS

HDMI now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras, enabling more accurate color rendering when viewing digital photos. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe®RGB, and Adobe®YCC601, HDMI display devices are capable of displaying more accurate, life-like colors when connected to a digital camera.

Content Type

This allows realtime communication between the TV and HDMI devices so that signal formatting information can be automatically transmitted to maintain proper image format and to eliminate the need for the user to adjust image settings.


HDMI Micro Connector (Type D)

The HDMI Micro Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin HDMI connector supporting up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices such as cell phones, portable media players, and digital cameras. This new connector is approximately 50% smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini connector.

Automotive Connection System (Type E)

The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification provides a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, car manufacturers now have a viable solution for HD distribution within a vehicle

Source and credits:

www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_1_4/index.aspx

www.hdmi.org

[SnoopZ]

I've read somewhere where HDMI might get replace with an ethernet cable so you can't really future proof, just buy what you want now.

Guy in the Sony centre demoing HDMI says that 3D does not actually require 1.4 the demo equipment was 1.3.

[zantarous]

1.3 is for 540p per eye, 1.4 will do 1080 per eye 3D. I am the sort of person that likes to have all the new stuff when I fork out and this is the sort of thing that would make me wait, but if 3D is not important to you then HDMI 1.3 will suffice as it does everything you need it to do.

[hedgie]

Thanks for the thoughts, I'm not too bothered about 3D but I think the Ethernet over HDMI might be worth waiting for.

Snoopz--I'm interested in where you got the hint that Ethernet might replace HDMI altogether. I would like to read up as much as I can because I think the network connectivity will be the big feature

[SnoopZ]

Originally Posted by hedgie

Thanks for the thoughts, I'm not too bothered about 3D but I think the Ethernet over HDMI might be worth waiting for.

Snoopz--I'm interested in where you got the hint that Ethernet might replace HDMI altogether. I would like to read up as much as I can because I think the network connectivity will be the big feature

This is where i read that a few companies were trying to replace it.

http://www.neowin.net/news/hdmi-to-b...ethernet-cable

[Xaccers]

Marantz SR7005 supposedly comes out in August, but it's about £1400 from what I've seen, and my gf says she's not willing to pay that much to replace her current amp

[hedgie]

Originally Posted by Xaccers

Marantz SR7005 supposedly comes out in August, but it's about £1400 from what I've seen, and my gf says she's not willing to pay that much to replace her current amp

Errmm, thats a bit outside my price range

I was thinking of either the NR1501 (About £280) or the NR1601 (about £450)

SnoopZ-Thanks.

[hedgie]

For those that are interested.

Details of the HD Ethernet protocol.........

http://hd.engadget.com/2008/12/15/va...ernet-over-et/

[zantarous]

Denon 1911 for about £450ish had 4x HDMI 1.4

http://www.avland.co.uk/aasp/denon/1...11/avr1911.asp