HDMI 1.3 question

[gizzer777]

Ok...Now that HDMI 1.3 has been announced ( i presume the connector will also be different)...what will this do to the early adopters of either BR or HD-DVD? I presume there will be adapters etc but will there be a significant change in PQ (sure sounds like it...as in color rendition)

For example,,,,I can see a slight difference betweeb component and HDMI in on my current setup...HDMI seems a bit crisper and the colors are a bit better saturated. ( I know this is not supposed to be the case...I am using "Better Cables (brand)" Components so it is not my cables either)

I am still locked into the orig HDMI standard with 2 TV sets purchased (1 plasma and 1 RP LCD) this year and have no intention of replacing them for at least 3-5 years more!

TIA
Jeff

 

[Ilya]

HDMI 1.3 is backward compatible. HDMI 1.3 devices can be connected to devices with earlier versions of HDMI (of course you will not be able to take advantage of the new features in that case). This means we can upgrade one item at a time. We certainly don't have to through away all our components immediately. Just when we plan our next big purchase we better take into account this new format.

Here is my personal take:

HD-DVD: I wouldn't be able to postpone the purchase of the player for a year. Being able to watch HD movies in the best possible quality today, is too valuable for me. Definitly worth $500. I do understand, that I will most likely find myself buying another player (be it Blu-ray or HD DVD) a year or two from now. That's ok with me.

Blu-ray: Because the price is much higher than that of HD DVD, the decision is more difficult here. I think I will wait to see what happens with this format. Perhaps will buy a second-generation player, hopefully with HDMI 1.3 in it.

A/V Receiver: I am certainly not going to spend a grand or more on any receiver that doesn't have HDMI 1.3 and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD processing. It's those new audio formats, where HDMI 1.3 matters a lot! I will wait.

TV set: depends on the size and the price range. For a low-end HDTV I wouldn't wait for HDMI 1.3 - I don't think it will make that much of a difference. For a high-end set or projector, I think I would wait.

 

[gizzer777]

As Usual Ilya...THANKS for your take! You are one logical and informed person!

I knew that 1.3 was backwards compatible but am still curious what effect HDMI 1.3 will have on PQ!

Until I see a better upconversion (or more titles in HD) I am still waiting on a dual format player before replacing my Pioneer Elite 59i!

This reminds me so much of the VHS/Beta war....even thoughh Beta had the better PQ (IMHO) VHS still won duer to legal issues!

Thanks again
jeff

 

[jgantert]

I agree, except for the TV. I don't see any advantage to HDMI 1.3 on the TV sets. Heck, my TV with DVI-HDCP will still be fully functional for a quite a while. The biggest advantage will be the new audio formats. So you will need to wait on the next gen HD DVD or BR player and the next gen audio receiver.

-John

 

[Ilya]

I agree, except for the TV. I don't see any advantage to HDMI 1.3 on the TV sets.

One example is Color Depth. Current HDMI spec supports up to 24 bits. The new 1.3 HDMI Spec will support 30-bit, 36-bit and 48-bit depth. Low-end TV sets will not be able to resolve this of course even if they have HDMI 1.3. But I am dieing to see how the picture will look at a 30+ bit color depth on a high-end projector!

 

[gizzer777]

Exactly

One example is Color Depth. Current HDMI spec supports up to 24 bits. The new 1.3 HDMI Spec will support 30-bit, 36-bit and 48-bit depth. Low-end TV sets will not be able to resolve this of course even if they have HDMI 1.3. But I am dieing to see how the picture will look at a 30+ bit color depth on a high-end projector!

Ilya put into words exactly what I was thinking...Should be a dramatic improvement...even though I am completely satisfied with my cuyrrent setup...ESPECIALLY THE PLASMA 42"!

problem is that you just cannot keep up with this stuff unless you are "John Bearsfoot Tipton" (If you do not know who he was...you are a youngin!

Hey...was just thinkin...what if they made HD for my Mini Cooper? Ya know I would be first in line for that!!!

Jeff

 

[T2k]

Umm I hate to burst the bubble but which TV can display 32bit let alone higher?

PS: plasma lacks the resolution of even an average LCD, so it's kinda moot to praise the plasma...

 

[gizzer777]

Correct again

Umm I hate to burst the bubble but which TV can display 32bit let alone higher?

PS: plasma lacks the resolution of even an average LCD, so it's kinda moot to praise the plasma...

yep, I agree, but I also have a 50" 2006 Mits RP HDTV, and the richness of color does not compare to the Plasma. The same was true for my previous Panasonic RP LCD...so ...go figure!

it is always in the eye of the beholder!