How Do You Connect?

[Michael.Schinke]

While in the midst of a bodily evacuation, I had opportunity to ponder the imminent and inevitable replacement of my BDP-S500 (No DTS-HD MA support ever? WTF!!) and I began thinking about what piece of equipment to get next. I began to think, not about what certain players DO offer, but what I, personally, could do without. My connection chain is all HDMI - player to receiver to monitor. I just replaced my receiver so I could take advantage of the lossless tracks (Seriously, no DTS-HD MA ever? WTHF!!!), eliminating the coax that has served me well for so long. I began to think that I have no need for any analog conversion equipment at all - no S-Video, no composite, no component, no stereo out, no multi-channel RCA. Technically I don't require the use of coax or optical out either, but sine these are necessary for those who don't have newer receivers, I can let them slide. One single, solitary HDMI output would fit my needs quite well. Since Blu-ray is obviously geared towards those whose equipment veers towards the higher rungs of the technological ladder, I was curious as to what your connection chain looks like. Are we yet at that point where we can begin phasing out all the extra D/A conversion parts? Or is it still a grim necessity that we hold on to such equipment for those who lag behind. Thoughts?