If the C1,2 had an HDMI port, could it....

[jprafter]

Hi, was wondering if anyone knows information on the following:

If the C1 or C2 had an HDMI (1.1-1.3) port (I know, very unlikely upgrade at this point), with the current hardware inside, could it accept and process Linear PCM (LPCM) uncompressed audio streams? So even if only one HDMI port was added in the upgrade panel, it would be useful using an HDMI switch.

I just wanted to know if it had been possible to upgrade our equipment without upgrading DAC's and other hardware.

Any input would be appreciated.

[Chris D]

You got the right idea--this is exactly what I've been asking for with the Parasound pre/pros. You'd have the Zhd do your HDMI switching, passing both HDMI audio and video out. Then you'd connect that to the Parasound pre/pro, inputting the HDMI audio and video, decoding the HDMI audio, and then outputting the HDMI video. So you'd only need one HDMI input and one HDMI output on the pre-pro itself, with the Zhd doing the switching.

Absolutely, though, this would require both hardware and software changes to the current line of Parasound pre/pros, should that ever happen. The Parasound staff has suggested to me that at this point, it's more likely for us to see NEW pre/pro models, than upgrade the current models to accept HDMI audio technology.

Believe, me, though, they've heard the message loud and clear, if from nobody else, then at the very least me, directly saying that we WANT high-res audio capability in Parasound pre/pros, which right now means HDMI audio decoding.

[jprafter]

Chris, Have they given you any idea on the ETA of new models?
From what I've read and seen, it appears that many companies will start releasing HDMI 1.3a equipment this fall. Onkyo Professional/Integra has already released an HDMI 1.3 pre/pro. I've even seen rumors of Denon separates.
I love my Parasound equipment; however, I now have a PS3 and plan on getting a good hybrid HDDVD/Blu-Ray player when they become more readily available. Optical/Coax connections are not the way to go with this type of equipment.
I just want to know if I should be looking elsewhere.

[Chris D]

Yeah, jp, no ETA at all of any kind. I would expect it to be way, wayyyyy off in the future, too, but who knows.

I'll post more soon about what I just did as a solution.

[Chetk]

Yeah, as much as I love my Halo C1, if Parasound doesn't do something soon, it looks like they may not get my $$$ for my next and last receiver purchase. To be honest, I'm pretty dissappointed with regards to the upgrade port on the C1 never being used.

If the high-def players continue to push decoding within the player and sending uncompressed PCM to the receiver via HDMI, then there's no reason for Parasound to take so long to release their products.

[Chetk]

Onkyo Professional/Integra has already released an HDMI 1.3 pre/pro. I've even seen rumors of Denon separates.

I have just returned from the Onkyo and Integra web sites. It appears as though their high-end HDMI 1.3a receivers don't have balanced outputs.

Are there any HDMI 1.3a (DTS-HD MA & TrueHD decoding) pre-processors out there that have balanced outputs? I don't need an amp built in.

[Kal Rubinson]

I have just returned from the Onkyo and Integra web sites. It appears as though their high-end HDMI 1.3a receivers don't have balanced outputs.

Are there any HDMI 1.3a (DTS-HD MA & TrueHD decoding) pre-processors out there that have balanced outputs? I don't need an amp built in.

??? The two pre/pros do have balanced outputs. (Using one now.) The receivers do not.

Kal

[Chris D]

Really, from Integra? Huh... must check out.

[Chris D]

Kal, I'm seeing only one pre-pro, the 9.8. Do you know of another one?

[Kal Rubinson]

Kal, I'm seeing only one pre-pro, the 9.8. Do you know of another one?

It has a clone: The Onkyo Pro PR-SC885P

Kal

[Chetk]

??? The two pre/pros do have balanced outputs. (Using one now.) The receivers do not.

Kal

Gotcha. I missed the seperates link. Question for you: If I use the PS3 to feed the DTC-9.8 1080p, can the DTC-9.8 downconvert the signal and send 1080i to the TV via the component output?

Or would I set the PS3 to output via HDMI, but tell it that my TV only supports 1080i?

Basically, my HDTV only has 1080i component inputs, but I really want the Lossless audio.

Thanks,
Chet

[Kal Rubinson]

??? First, I know nothing about PS3s or any other game system nor do I want to.
Second, my TV is 1080i and I use that setting on the 9.8. The sources are 1) an Oppo 980H set for 480i for DVDs or set for 1080i for SACD/DVD-A, 2) a Pioneer Elite BDP-HD1 set for 1080i, and 3) a Denon 3910 set for 1080i. All via HDMI.

[Chetk]

Ok, so, to confirm, if you send a 1080p signal to the 9.8 via HDMI, the 9.8 with send 1080i to the TV?

[Kal Rubinson]

Ok, so, to confirm, if you send a 1080p signal to the 9.8 via HDMI, the 9.8 with send 1080i to the TV?

Dunno. Will try it tomorrow.

Kal

[jprafter]

Kal, Do you have the Integra or Onkyo Pro? I may be leaning in this direction and wanted to know what you thought of the sound quality in relation to the Parasound C1/C2.