HDMI questions, please HELP ME!!

[Telemundo]

Hi, i'm looking into a new display and it has 2 HDMI inputs. To be more specific...it's actually the Pioneer 5040 plasma. The DVD player also has one HDMI output. Since there's no receiver or preamps out there with either DVI or HDMI output how can I use the speakers instead of the TV speakers when I want to watch movies? I went to my local GoodGuy's store and sales rep told me that HDMI is backwards compatible with DVIs, but that doesnt really help me much since my display and dvd player has HDMI not DVI. He also told me that I can just hook up the DVD player with the display thru HDMI connection. And use either the digital coax or the digital optics from the DVD player to the preamp. That doesnt sound quite right to me, because HDMI carries up to 8 channels of audio, and if HDMI is hooked up how can the sound go thru the digtal coax or the optics? And if it does wouldnt there be some kinda of signal degradation thru it? As of current availibity issues, am I better off finding a display that has DVI instead of HDMI?

[danger boy]

DVI is video only. HDMI is audio and vido together. i don't know of any receivers that use HDMI yet. stay tuned. it's coming

[jrausch]

Telemundo,

The main benefit of HDMI is the elimination of multiple cables to do the x-fer job. This format saves consumers money and creates an easy way to hook up your components without the big cable mess. This will most likely be a standard over DVI as soon as an industry standard is set. 1 good HDMI cable for $100 or a DVI/fiber setup for $200. Until this becomes a standard among components it will not yet serve it's purpose. You may have to use HDMI to DVI converter cables if you plan on using them in near future. Your in a transition period with HDMI and you'll just have to weigh out your options.

[Airplay355]

put then we all know there will people who will say that the seperation is better. like some people who refuse receivers because the amp and pre/pro share the same power supply. lol

[thehalo8]

Check out the new Onkyo TX-NR1000 that was shown at CES this year. It is modular, so you can swap out cards for updated hardware!!!! It will have HDMI available when it comes out too. Below is just of one link talking about it....

http://forums.designtechnica.com/showthread.php?threadid=3624