SP2 and Video Switching

sikoniko · « **on:** 6 Apr 2006, 04:40 pm »

I look at the feature set of the new Anthem D2 and it looks sweet. It has a built in Gennum scaler.

I am thinking heavily on getting an external video scaler and the SP2. My concern is with the future of the SPV2(?). Would this be redundant, and almost equal in cost to the scaler, to only deliver hdmi 1.3?

I think Bryston should be able to make a decision, at this point, how they are going to deliver hdmi 1.3. Ideally, I would like to see where the SP2 could be sent back and have 1 hdmi 1.3 slot added to the rear of it. That way if someone wanted to get a scaler now, they wouldn't be investing in that, and then getting another video switcher (SPV2) down the road, to only be used for hdmi 1.3 audio. seems that it would only add to the complexity and further costs. Especially since a lot of people use scalers already, or will be doing it in the future.

The other option would be to use a scaler in the SPV2, and let us know that is the intention so we don't waiste our money on buying a scaler now. Again, I think Bryston owes current, and future customers that information now, to help "protect the investment."

The problem is, HDMI 1.1 and now 1.2 is here now and consumers need solutions now, but we want to know that our investment is smart.

When will 1.3 come? anyones guess, but that means we have to go a year or so of manually switching cables or buying another solution, to make our systems work now.

Phil A · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 05:18 pm »

I don't think HDMI 1.3 will be a year away. CEDIA is in Sept. and CES in Jan. I would think it will be a done deal before CEDIA and so that by CES we would at a minimum see prototypes if not actual production models of new receivers and players. By the way, HDMI 1.2a is the latest, I believe adopted in Dec. 2005.

sikoniko · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 07:03 pm »

Quote from: Phil A

I don't think HDMI 1.3 will be a year away. CEDIA is in Sept. and CES in Jan. I would think it will be a done deal before CEDIA and so that by CES we would at a minimum see prototypes if not actual production models of new receivers and players. By the way, HDMI 1.2a is the latest, I believe adopted in Dec. 2005.

prototypes by next january, that would mean available about this time next year?

so back to my original question, what to do now?

gostan · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 08:29 pm »

I agree that it would be helpful to have some type of answer on this, but I doubt that Bryston is going to go with any video scaling in the SPV2 as Bryston is not really a so-called "video" company. And based upon previous "up in the air" answers on this forum as to how hdmi would be looped on future upgraded SP2's and SPV2, I doubt that Bryston is ready to provide more definitive information as to these future upgrades.

But, you are entitled to an answer as it would be very costly to many of us to have to be obligated to purchase a switcher from Bryston in order to accomplish any future hdmi audio and video upgrades in order to be able to listen/view the new HD formats.

James Tanner · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Apr 2006, 07:25 pm »

HI All - some feedback.

The SPV2 is just offering transcoding between formats, and not scaling.
If your purchasing an external scaler, then they almost always include video switching which would make the SPV2 redundant. For the customer who is going to use the scaler built into his display/projector, the SPV2 will be a good choice.

Regarding HDMI: Do you ignore HDMI audio alltogether, and just include it on the SPV2 (since most sources will include SPDIF outputs anyways).

james

nicolasb · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Apr 2006, 10:56 am »

Quote from: James Tanner

If your purchasing an external scaler, then they almost always include video switching which would make the SPV2 redundant.

Except that it remains the only way to get an on-screen display out of an SP2.

sikoniko · « **Reply #6 on:** 11 Apr 2006, 11:48 am »

Quote from: James Tanner

HI All - some feedback.

The SPV2 is just offering transcoding between formats, and not scaling.
If your purchasing an external scaler, then they almost always include video switching which would make the SPV2 redundant. For the customer who is going to use the scaler built into his display/projector, the SPV2 will be a good choice.

Regarding HDMI: Do you ignore HDMI audio alltogether, and just include it on the SPV2 (since most sources will include SPDIF outputs anyways).

james

Thanks for replying James.

We can't ignore HDMI audio. future formats will depend on it. from what I have read, SPDIF doesn't have enough bandwidth to support the future codecs from Dolby and DTS.

It appears, to me, that the best option for consumers would be to ship the SP2 back to have 1 HDMI input added at some point. that way, consumers could find their own video switching selection, be it SPV2 or another alternative, and use the the one input to bring audio into the SP2.

I know someone mentioned adding a firewire port as an option, and having the SPV2 strip the video, while only sending audio to the SP2, but that might cause redundancy for those who use scalers to handle video as I don't believe scalers offer the 1394 port for audio out. I could be wrong though.

I think the big thing to consider is, we all know HDMI is coming, no matter what the flavor. Does anyone know if HDMI 1.3 will use the same adapter style? Will it be a software update to existing HDMI devices?

sikoniko · « **Reply #7 on:** 11 Apr 2006, 11:48 am »

duplicate..sorry

Phil A · « **Reply #8 on:** 11 Apr 2006, 01:41 pm »

I've heard rumors (don't know if it is true) that HDMI 1.3 may use different pin connections. There will be adapters I've heard though. You definitely can't ignore HDMI for the product line in audio as you have an obsolete product that can't handle the new formats as noted above. I've read that the Play Station 3 (scheduled for release this fall?) will be the first Hi-Def player to have HDMI 1.3.

gostan · « **Reply #9 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 03:01 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner

Regarding HDMI: Do you ignore HDMI audio alltogether, and just include it on the SPV2 (since most sources will include SPDIF outputs anyways).

james

Notwithstanding the wait for the HDMI 1.3 protocol to be approved, I think that this response may be an indication of how far away an HDMI upgrade path may be from Bryston.

James Tanner · « **Reply #10 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 03:17 pm »

Quote from: gostan

Quote from: James Tanner

Regarding HDMI: Do you ignore HDMI audio alltogether, and just include it on the SPV2 (since most sources will include SPDIF outputs anyways).

james
Notwithstanding the wait for the HDMI 1.3 protocol to be approved, I think that this response may be an indication of how far away an HDMI upgrade path may be from Bryston.

Yes true- Bryston will not be going down that road until all is sorted out.

james

sikoniko · « **Reply #11 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 03:27 pm »

Quote from: James Tanner

Yes true- Bryston will not be going down that road until all is sorted out.

james

and I can appreciate that. I don't want to send the unit back every other week to get an update. My concern is more or less that I don't want to buy a scaler now to address my video needs, and then down the road be required to purchase the SPV2 in order to get hdmi audio into the SP2.

I like that I can use the bryston to handle audio, and get an external source to handle video, but the two will need to "talk" in some way to get the audio out of the hdmi, and into the bryston.

My request is that you (bryston) keep this in mind when devising the solution down the road.

James Tanner · « **Reply #12 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 03:55 pm »

Quote from: sikoniko

and I can appreciate that. I don't want to send the unit back every other week to get an update. My concern is more or less that I don't want to buy a scaler now to address my video needs, and then down the road be required to purchase the SPV2 in order to get hdmi audio into the SP2.

I like that I can use the bryston to handle audio, and get an external source to handle video, but the two will need to "talk" in some way to get the audio out of the hdmi, and into the bryston.

My request is that you (bryston) keep this in mind when devising the solution down the road.

Point well taken.

james

sikoniko · « **Reply #13 on:** 12 Apr 2006, 07:03 pm »

Thanks James. I appreciate it.

Phil A · « **Reply #14 on:** 13 Apr 2006, 07:46 pm »

Here is a story relating to the timing of the Sony PlayStation 3:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117939258?categoryid=18&cs=1&s=h&p=0

"
The PlayStation 3 --- which is being called "the poor man's Blue-ray" --- is vital to Sony's plans because it plays Blu-ray discs as well as videogames.

Sony will roll out the PS3 by year end, in time for the holidays. If PS3 "delivers what everyone thinks it will, the game is up," Stringer boasts."