I wonder if the 4400 ES has two HDMI outputs? They are pretty cagey with the "high-definition video distribution to a second zone" comment. Methinks it's one HDMI output and the second zone would have to go component. Dang it.
And when are they going to incorporate some decent video processing? Faroudja DCDi is weak--they might as well leave video processing off completely if that's the best they can do.
Video processing is useless. First of all, I had the CEO of Anchor Bay (DVDO) demo their primo upconversion to me and others in hopes of selling it to us for use in a product, and it's useless. Upconversion doesn't add any useful info to the video signal.
Second of all, virtually any HDMI input you use will have HDCP on it, and thus cannot be modified in any way in the amp (except stripping the audio) and thus cannot be upconverted, downconverted or superimposed over.
So you can pretty much ignore all upconversion between resolution in amps, HDCP makes it useless. Conversion from component to HDMI is useful (and this does it fine).
I'm sure the 4400 is like the 5300, in that the 2nd zone can only use component, s-video or composite plus audio. You can configure the rear surround amps (the ones only used for 7.1 audio, not 5.1) to output the 2nd zone audio amplified. The 3rd zone is audio only.
The 2nd zone does no video conversion, so if you are inputting HDMI you will get nothing out the 2nd zone video. If you are inputting composite you will get nothing out the 2nd zone component video jacks.
Basically, think of the additional zones as audio only.
“An engineer explained to us that hundreds of ear impressions were gathered in the name of research, and while each one obviously boasted its own unique shape and size, one single characteristic remained uniform across the board: the entrance into the ear canal is not a perfect circle, it's an oval.”
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I wonder if the 4400 ES has two HDMI outputs? They are pretty cagey with the "high-definition video distribution to a second zone" comment. Methinks it's one HDMI output and the second zone would have to go component. Dang it.
And when are they going to incorporate some decent video processing? Faroudja DCDi is weak--they might as well leave video processing off completely if that's the best they can do.
What receivers would your recommend in the sub-$1000 price range then?
I like how the Sony receivers integrate with my PS 3 and soon to be Sony LCD.
I got my 5300 for $870 from Butterfly Photo (plus 2.5% cash back through fatwallet). I got it a few weeks ago. I had no problems with them.
Video processing is useless. First of all, I had the CEO of Anchor Bay (DVDO) demo their primo upconversion to me and others in hopes of selling it to us for use in a product, and it's useless. Upconversion doesn't add any useful info to the video signal.
Second of all, virtually any HDMI input you use will have HDCP on it, and thus cannot be modified in any way in the amp (except stripping the audio) and thus cannot be upconverted, downconverted or superimposed over.
So you can pretty much ignore all upconversion between resolution in amps, HDCP makes it useless. Conversion from component to HDMI is useful (and this does it fine).
Oh no, here I go again.
I'm sure the 4400 is like the 5300, in that the 2nd zone can only use component, s-video or composite plus audio. You can configure the rear surround amps (the ones only used for 7.1 audio, not 5.1) to output the 2nd zone audio amplified. The 3rd zone is audio only.
The 2nd zone does no video conversion, so if you are inputting HDMI you will get nothing out the 2nd zone video. If you are inputting composite you will get nothing out the 2nd zone component video jacks.
Basically, think of the additional zones as audio only.
Excuse me, I paid $988 shipped from butterflyphoto. Where did I get that other price from?