Chip-maker’s Delays Cause Home Theater Industry Woes Late in 2007

[HTRon]

Originally Posted by westcott

...

I purchased an HDMI switch that was not compatible with one or all of my components. This meant tearing my AV credenza apart so I could access the HDMI cable ports and manually connect everything directly to my projector. All the while, guests are watching in complete disbelief. Not something novices need to see in order to instill confidence in purchasing HD equipment.

I finally found an HDMI switch that works with all of my equipment but it sure was a bumpy ride.
...

Which switch didn't work for you, and which switch did, if I may ask?

[kennyt]

Originally Posted by RichS

One more thing, the HDMI physical connector itself sucks. Too easy for the plug to come loose or unseated. Couldn't they have at least used a little locking tab like the ethernet/phone connectors?

Hear Hear!

I've been saying this since day one! I wish they had kept something like DVI-D that allowed you to screw them down. FWIW you haven't lived until you break off the little circuit board that is inside the female end of an HDMI connector...... It's a truly religious experience knowing your attempt to connect your new device just ruined it! Fortunately I have only done it on a switcher that was under warranty (Gefen was kind enough to honor it too!) but it really put a damper on my fun that day, not to mention the emergency trip to BB for a temporary fix to the problem........

I of course fear this EVERY TIME I have to connect these damn things now, so I guess I am an HDMIaphobe!

[DaViD Boulet]

I tried to hook up my brother's SONY RPTV to his Time-Warner cable box via HDMI. It worked... for about 5 seconds and then intermittantly every 2-3 seconds. I went out and bought new HDMI cables thinking that I my have a defective set, same result. I then bought a cheap ($40) upconverting DVD player with HDMI output. It worked flawlessly. I called Time-Warner about the HDMI issue and they said (and I still cannot believe this!!!) they "provide the cable box, but do not provide support for HDMI users." This happened AFTER my brother switched from Direct TV at my request because the cable system gave him Hi-def HDMI at no additional monthly cost and equipment expense. That's what I get for trying to bring him into the audio/video revolution. Darn HDMI!!!

My comcast HDMI connection won't work properly with my HDMI receiver either.

It seems that cable companies are to blame... they aren't taking the time to design proper gear.

[westcott]

Originally Posted by HTRon

Which switch didn't work for you, and which switch did, if I may ask?

Monoprice did NOT work. It was the latest version.

Impact Acoustics worked flawlessly. I bought the 5x1 switch. You can get a 20% discount through Audioholics. It even picks up right where you left off when you change inputs and back again without skipping a beat. I wish I had bought it first!!!

[PalmHarbor]

I worked on a crew that built a Magnolia Room at Circuit City and not one set....not one uses HDMI to receive video. All were connected with component RGB cables..no matter what the price! All Magnolia Rooms
are built the same so that should tell you something about HDMI reliability.

[CliffH]

Originally Posted by RichS

FWIW, it can work...

In the last month, I have rebuilt my HT from the ground up (Merry Christmas!), and almost everything is connected HDMI and works perfectly...

Sources:
TiVo HD Series 3 DVR (HDMI to receiver)
Oppo DV-980H DVD/SACD/DVD-A/CD player (HDMI to receiver)
Samsung BD-UP5000 BluRay/HD-DVD combo player (HDMI to receiver)
XBox 360 (HDMI to receiver)
Roku Soundbridge M2000 network music player (digital optical to receiver)
Receiver: Denon 4308CI (HDMI to display)
Display: Pioneer Kuro PDP-6010FD

This system ROCKS and works flawlessly. HDMI can/does work - at least in my case with gear all released in 2007 (I believe).

Don't waste your money on Monster Cable HDMI cables... I'm using all monoprice.com cables at like 1/10th the price and everything looks/sounds perfect.

There's always cable creep though... I had to add an 8-port network hub behind the HT as 5 (!) of the components have ethernet ports.

One more thing, the HDMI physical connector itself sucks. Too easy for the plug to come loose or unseated. Couldn't they have at least used a little locking tab like the ethernet/phone connectors?


Thanks and Happy New Year to all!

Hi, can I ask where you got the Samsung BD-UP5000 BluRay/HD-DVD combo player. I have had one on order from One Call for about 2 months now and they say that it is not out yet.

Thanks

PS how do you like it?