It's been maybe 7 months since I looked at this forum. I was hoping that someone might jump in with some info, since it takes a long time to read through so many posts.

First, I'm kind of stuck on getting a 70" XBR2. My Pioneer receiver doesn't understand anything above component, so I would like to plug the HDMI cables directly into the set. Is it possible to get 5.1 surround back out of the set to the amplifier? The last time I looked the only thing you could get out of the set was stereo which would force me to use component video with audio going directly to the receiver.

I read an article that said that HDMI 1.3 wouldn't be available until next year. If you can get surround sound out of an XBR2, what components need to be 1.3?

I read quite a few posts on 60/70 XBR2 sets, and I didn't see complaints about green globs etc. Is that still an issue?

Lastly, who do you think has the best HD sat box, Dish or Direct?

I know these are a lot of questions, but I'm about to buy this set. If there is any big reason I should wait...I'll go nuts!

As far as the audio questions.....just run the HDMI for video straight from various components to the TV and the audio from each component (cable/sat box. DVD. etc) to your receiver via whatever it'll take for 5.1 (optical or coax).

AS far as HD boxes for sat, from I hear, both D* and E*'s HDDVR (seriously, go with a DVR) sound comparable. If you are a sat "Newbie", E* (Dish) is giving away the HDDVRs to new customers (will require a contract). D* (DirecTv) is still charging a $200 lease fee for theirs.

OTOH, D* has more local network HD signals available via sat than E* does. Only an issue if OTA HD is reliable/decent in your area or not.

Seems that for many here, E* has a slight edge in PQ over D*, despite D*'s claims of superior PQ.

Personally, I use digital cable. In my market, the PQ of HD and SD material I get from Comcast smokes both satcos. But that is not the case in every cable market.

hdmi 1.3 is supposed to be on new xbr5 sets due out later this year. very few complaints about color uniformity/tints/hazes on xbr2 sets to date. at this point it does not seem to be a reason to avoid these sets.

right now e* has far more hd channels and better pq than d*. d* is supposed to add 100 hd channels by years end, but they've promised stuff and not delivered in the past so who knows.

you might want to read up on the 2007 sxrd due to be released later this year on this forum and decide if you want to wait for these to be released as well as deciding which satco you want after d* starts their new hd programming

I don't know why I didn't see the solution of just plugging in the HDMI cables, muting the sound on the TV and running sound from the source to the receiver. But, you certainly helped clear my head on that one.

I think you are right about DVR. Here, only E* carries local channels. D* will get them directly. Local channels on E* are only standard def. Cable has one local in high def. I'm in Idaho Falls, ID, and they are a bit behind the bigger cities. In your area, do any of the sat providers offer high def local channels?

Most current HDTVs seem to have some sort of "speakers off" function as part of their audio menus. Due in part to most HDTV users also using some outboard audio (like a HT system).I'd just activate that.

As far as sat/cable stuff in central Cali......

In my area (Fresno, CA market), D* offers the Fresno NBC, CBS, ABC and FOX affiliates HD signals over sat and ALL SD locals as well.

E* currently carries NO HD locals here. Have to use an OTA antenna for those (although both D* and E* HD boxes can be fed antenna signals and tune/record OTA just like sat programming).

D* is launching new sats later this year. These may allow for more local netowrk HD to be passes via sat (likely where the "future of 150 HD channels" figure they tout really comes from). E* also would need to float some more birds into orbit before they can carry HD locals nationwide. They only handle HD locals in a select few markets as of now.

Comast Fresno carries ALL local HD and most multiplexed digital SD stuff available OTA. The big 4 nets + PBS and CW.

Thanks everyone.

How much later this year does anyone think the XBR5s with HDMI 1.3 will be out? 1.3 is supposed to have a lot of improvements, but I am so tired of waiting. I'm going to develop cataracts before "the" set comes out.