CEDIA Expo Results - HDMI 1.3 update

[JimPullan]

Well, I'm back from the 2006 CEDIA Expo that was held in Denver, CO and here is a summary of what the Exhibitors were showing. Two main areas stood out as the 'theme' of the show, they were 1080p and Integration. Everyone was showing 1080p displays and projectors, pre-amps and receivers were displaying 1080 switching capability, Upsampling DVD Players to 1080p, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. A visually impressive show.

I visited the HDMI Licensing, LLC booth and found out the following regarding the HDMI 1.3 Standard, the Chipset, and who'll have it soon, and who'll have it in the near future.

SONY PS-3 will include the HDMI 1.3 specifications and chip when it is introduced shortly. Toshiba's 2nd generation HD-DVD Player to be introduced at the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas, NV in January and will include HDMI 1.3 . They have licensed the following manufacturers to utilize the HDMI 1.3 chip in their product lines. Many of these entities will be displaying this technology at CES and product availability shortly there after.
This is not a exhaustive list, but that which they shared with me. Many more will soon be licensed. Arcam, Anthem, B&K, Bang & Olufsen, Bryston, bel canto, Denon, DirecTV, Echostar, Integra, Krell, Lexicon, Marantz, Mark Levinson, McIntosh, NAD, Pioneer Elite, Sherbourn, Sherwood, Snell, Sony, SunFire, Theta, Thiel, Toshiba, Yamaha. More licenses are pending.

HDMI Licensing, LLC has indicated that the majority of its licensee's will be introducing compliant products in the 1st and 2nd quarter 2007, NOT during this Christmas Season 2006!! So, we will just have to be patient if this specific feature is important to you. Expect to see Pre-Amp/Processors, Receivers, DVD Players, Displays and Projectors, to be implementing this new standard as they introduce new products.

Sony indicated it will include the HDMI 1.3 into their 2nd generation Blu-Ray Player after the holiday season, sometime in the 1st or early 2nd quarter.
So, if you want the HDMI 1.3 now, buy it in their PlayStation 3 coming out soon and use it as your DVD Player!!!

It was a good show, but nothing earth shattering or truly amazing. Personally, I'm simply going to wait until the HDMI 1.3 is available across the board before I do any upgrading. See, I'm disciplined !!!

Jim