The "Dark" Side of Going All HDMI

[kennyt]

The step up in audio is HUGE even on a simple receiver based system. Once you hear the new codecs or even MCPCM you will not want to go back to lossy DD and DTS. It's sort of like going from .WAV or AIFF to MP3.

[ivan]

Actually the headphone thing will work. But, another solution is to take the analog output from your DVD player, and run that to any of the available headphone amps, then you have volume control right where you sit, and the picture will still be displayed. Another option is if your reeiver downconverts HDMI to analog, the record out is not volume dependent, and you gain the ability to listen to ANY source plugged into the receiver, not just the DVD player.

[CarbonJoe]

I have the Monoprice 4x2 HDMI switch. You can send any of the 4 inputs to either of the two outputs, or to both outputs. I have a DVR and PS3 connected to the switcher, with one of the outputs to the Onkyo 605, and the other directly to the Samsung HL-T5087. Works great. I can have either source piped through the 605/ HT speakers, or just use the TV's speakers.

Highly recommended. Only about $85, too.

[kennyt]

Nice solution Carbonjoe!

[DaViD Boulet]

The step up in audio is HUGE even on a simple receiver based system. Once you hear the new codecs or even MCPCM you will not want to go back to lossy DD and DTS. It's sort of like going from .WAV or AIFF to MP3.

Agreed 100%

It's one reason why I'm so thrilled that BD (with a 100% track record for lossless from Sony, Disney, Fox and MGM) won out. Hopefully Paramount, Universal, and Warner will step up with lossless on EVERY high-def title.

Upgrading to my Marantz 8002 HDMI-equipped receiver was a revelation. For years I had remembered how much better the PCM on my laserdiscs sounded compared to the "MP3" sound of Dolby Digital on DVD. Now that wonderful "laserdisc sound" is back... this time in full 5.1 with a 1080p picture.

[gbeenie]

Originally Posted by TheMoose

Welcome to the forums!

Couldn't you just turn the AVR volume to zero & use the TV speakers?
The HDMI cable carries both audio & video so you should have the signal going to your TV speakers.

Actually, lots of A/V receivers do not send the original audio from the source HDMI component out along the "TV out" HDMI.