Marantz UD9004 HDMI Outputs

[Gremal]

The Marantz UD9004, striving for optimal video and audio, was designed to output the video and audio via separate HDMI outputs (see upper right area of rear panel, to the left of the fan). Isn't this a serious design flaw since AV receivers/preamps use a single input when switching between sources? Wouldn't you need to have two inputs selected simultaneously to handle both the audio and video from the UD9004, or does the video HDMI output carry all the corresponding audio content?

[JJ]

That's quite interesting. I don't suppose the good lads at Marantz would've forgotten such an obvious fact - perhaps they assume you will route all sound to your pre/pro and route the video directly to your television/projector?

[callas01]

Perhaps they felt that you could output the video straight to the TV and then the Audio Only to your Receiver???

[prerich]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

That's quite interesting. I don't suppose the good lads at Marantz would've forgotten such an obvious fact - perhaps they assume you will route all sound to your pre/pro and route the video directly to your television/projector?

That's the purpose, its not a design flaw - some people do not want their receiver doing any video processing at all - ergo HDMI video straight to the projector or video monitor, and audio straight to the processor or receiver - makes total sense to me

[Gremal]

Originally Posted by prerich

That's the purpose, its not a design flaw - some people do not want their receiver doing any video processing at all - ergo HDMI video straight to the projector or video monitor, and audio straight to the processor or receiver

But don't most people use their receiver/preamp as a switcher to select the video source? You don't have to process the video signal but it would be nice to select it using one device (receiver/preamp). The real question is whether there is any sonic advantage to stripping the audio stream from the video stream and outputting as separate HDMI.

[JJ]

Originally Posted by prerich

That's the purpose, its not a design flaw - some people do not want their receiver doing any video processing at all - ergo HDMI video straight to the projector or video monitor, and audio straight to the processor or receiver - makes total sense to me

Ah, Rich, how have you been? I've been absent lately, good to see the old crowd is still around!

[puccainbkk]

Hi-end BD player need 2xHDMI .. I maybe get UD9004 too but Denon A1 is kind of twin and cost less than UD9004

[prerich]

Originally Posted by JJxiv1215

Ah, Rich, how have you been? I've been absent lately, good to see the old crowd is still around!

Doing well, had to forgo my Oppo purchase - my wife just had a total hysterectomy - I'd rather have my wife than an Oppo any day ! How are things doing with you!?

[Gremal]

Hope your wife is doing ok, Rich. That can be traumatic.

I just was told by Kal Rubinson of Stereophile that the Marantz outputs both the audio and video signal through the video output. The audio output is for CD/SACD/DVD-A.

I'm actually thinking of selling my SACD player and getting this unit now.

Mods, if any of you are reading this and want to delete "serious design flaw" from the thread title, that would be appreciated.

[kevin741]

Originally Posted by Gremal

The Marantz UD9004, striving for optimal video and audio, was designed to output the video and audio via separate HDMI outputs (see upper right area of rear panel, to the left of the fan). Isn't this a serious design flaw since AV receivers/preamps use a single input when switching between sources? Wouldn't you need to have two inputs selected simultaneously to handle both the audio and video from the UD9004, or does the video HDMI output carry all the corresponding audio content?

The audio out is to bypass the 5.1-7.1 sacd analog outs the video is for the blu-ray / dvd both outs support audio and video they just label them to make it easy for some one hooking it up to a processor. I hope that helps.

[gonk]

If you are using a receiver or surround processor for both audio and video processing, you would use just one of those HDMI outputs. If, on the other hand, you have a separate video processor (as a fair number of people do have) then you run into a problem: HDMI has lumped audio and video into a single cable, and you need to send the audio and video to separate devices. That is why Marantz and Denon have provided two HDMI outputs on their flagship BD players. It allows the audio to go to a surround receiver or processor and the video to go to a standalone video processor.

[mbar321]

This is actually the cleanest way to use the HDMI output. The HDMI video signal should not be compromised when routing to the display or the video processor. Also the audio signal should not be compromised when routed to the receiver or surround processor.

By providing separate HDMI outputs you are getting the best signal path to the display (or video processor) and the audio processor. Either signal can be degraded otherwise. The weak point in most audio processors is the video processor and the weak point in most video processors is the audio processor.

Applause to Marantz for providing the purest connection configuration. All Blu-ray players should have at least two active HDMI outputs. They are a few other units that provide this capability. Now, someone needs to offer a player that does it cost at an affordable price point.