What Would YOU Like in an AV3?

I do quite like Denson's idea that you can upgrade any of their pre-amps to also do multichannel with a card not unlike the old Naim phono boards. Shame I don't like the way they sound all that much!!!

Audio Only but with a HDMI input with HDCP the video can be ignored but it will allow the full benefit of the higher resolution of HD sources.

Decoding for HD sources.

Keep the pre amp BUT add digital out for the analog signal - this will let you digitise your old analog material via a high quality A2D

Link to a Naim AV Switcher.

But before this can we have an video switch.
Spec would be 4+ HDMI in
2 HDMI out - one for TV one for projector.
additional audio only HDMI out to link to AV3
COAX out from HDMI and legacy signals for compatibility with AV2.
4+ SVHS inputs for legacy - digitised to HDMI out. No need to scale as input device OR output device can do this.
Link from switcher to AV2/AV3 so when you switch video the sound will switch.

id like to see

full decoding and pass thru of all hd codecs via coax / hdmi / analogue / optical

id also like to see unity gain not restricted to 12'oclock , let us use the full potential of our front amps

leave the video out completely, as it can be done better by others

some form of room correction and user upgradeable software as and when released

it should also be card based as too have some futureproofing.

user configurable at time of build /purchase so as to have the right number of inputs and input spec for the individual

neil

quote:

leave the video out completely, as it can be done better by others

This might wreak havoc as regards lip sync–I vote for adding (at least HDMI) video switching and upscaling–it would make life much easier.

Speaking personally I can see this as where I part company with Naim, after MANY years.

IF they go down the line of including a middle/top rate pre in the AV3 this will be a facility that I won't be using, and will be one that boosts the cost above a level that makes it, for me, a practical consideration.

Personally I would want to see HDMI audio processing, an updateable codec engine, and probably (inevitably) a video switching unit with scaling.

Like the AV2 I would like a minimum pre section.

Ideally it would be nice to see a nod of compatibility with DVD-A, but I suspect this will be a step too far!

Delivered for £3-£4 it would be a serious consideration.

djftw - I like your thought, deliver an AV3 with a minimum pre section that is capable of being upgraded!

M

Definitely HDMI input, decoding of all the latest HD audio codecs, HDMI switching but not processing.

Based on what's implemented in the SUPERNAIT, I see no reason why a good preamp section need be expensive or off the cards–the volume control is where I expect to see room for the biggest increase in performance (say, a set of discrete resistor ladders a la the NAC112(x)).

Also–and this is not implemented in the n-Vi (as there are no video inputs)–I'd expect to see some sort of video overlay of surround mode, input stream type, etc., which would necessitate some sort of video processing. "Being done better by others" also suggests the notion of technology licensing as regards video algorithms....

Given HDMI inputs and a player capable of streaming MLP (as either Dolby TrueHD or multichannel PCM), DVD-A is a shoe-in.

If you include an HDMI input you MUST include at least video switching. If you don't, your (BluRay?) player would have to have two HDMI outputs or you'd have to put up with RGB/Component/S-Video, none of which can deliver 1080p (which is the whole point...)

simple hdmi switching for four sources

decode hd formats

and room eq

oh and soon

neill

2 x HDMI outputs

For those with, for example, a flat panel and a projector in the same room - switch any source to either display.

quote:

f you include an HDMI input you MUST include at least video switching. If you don't, your (BluRay?) player would have to have two HDMI outputs or you'd have to put up with RGB/Component/S-Video, none of which can deliver 1080p (which is the whole point...)

No you can get HDMI switches that have several inputs and output to 2 or more HDMI outputs all with HDCP. So no reason why you couldn't have an audio only HDMI out that feeds your AV amp from the video switch.

Stuart,

True but the idea is not to have the extra box to do the switching I'd have thought...

Here's my wish list > look in the crystal ball > or should I say brain-dump

Basically I'd like to have a combo pic/snd box focused on digital high def:

Since HDMI is the industry standard and only way to get the the best quality out of HDTV devices (be it picture or sound), unfortunately we don't have much choice there... I don't believe naim finds a legal way to send that over a DIN or burndy connection with HDCP
YUV can be switched off or scaled down to SD, and SPDIF has not enough bandwith for multichannel HD or PCM. HDMI v1.3a is min. to handle the new HD-surround-sound formats. So it needs a lot of those, say at least 6in + 2out.

About each 3 or 4 coax and optical inputs to support earlier digital devices like dvd-players with DVI output or HDMI of older kind without full sound support.
I know that coax is better, but a lot of those "cheap" consumer electronics (e.g. I am forced to use the *@&%!-cable-tv box of my provider, game consoles, streaming routers, ect.) only offers optical. So I often don't have enough of them. But I guess the importance of those will fade with better HDMI implementations.

It doesn't seem to make sense to me to separate picture and sound in 2 boxes when they come over 1 copyprotected cable. Or you will have to connect the separate boxes over HDMI again. Which will be even more problematic to this already delicate chain (HDCP, timing, handling, ect.)

Of course with all the features implemented that the hardware standard v1.3a brings along: decoding of all the new audio formats incl. lossless versions, auto lip-sync, deep color, ect.
Hi-Q deinterlacer (also for 1080i>p), scaler with adjustable overscan and blanking, a lot of different picture formats incl. dot-for-dot, faster game-mode, custom resolutions and for those cinemascope lenses, ect. -> the full package on digital level.

Analogue only a minimal support is needed for me. One of each input would be enough: multichannel + stereo for sound, yuv/rgb, s-video, cvbs for picture. Just as fallback, anything below component the quality is lousy, and is a legacy interface to me... Probably a stereo/front channels output for integration and YUV/RGB out for older beamers. If you need more analogue sound inputs, you can have them on the classic naim preamps.

Furthermore I d'like to have a display à la N-Vi and a few buttons for feedback and basic operation. A nice menu over the video output for the full configuration.

And not too much later a naim bd-1 player to go along

Quotation of G. Trappatoni "Ich habe fertig..." (for tonight)

happy listening/watching
Adrian

quote:

True but the idea is not to have the extra box to do the switching I'd have thought...

That would be great if the Video did not cause problems with the audio. Also I'm doubtful about a scaler being involved. I've a scalar in my DVD, Projector, TV etc. Assuming that AV3 owners are buying high quality video output devices then the scalars in these are in generally very good.

That said it would be great if the TV, Projector companies would supply non scaling devices as I end up paying multiple times for a scalar, once central scalar would allow me to but a better TV, Projector etc. Also with multiple scalars it's a pain finding which one to use, for example a m8 of mine was using his £200 DVD to scale into a £2000 TV - stopping the DVD scaling and getting the TV to do it gave a mutch better picture, me with an old plasma my Denon DVD gives a better picture.

To be honest I can't see the manufactures drooping scalars from their products it would reduce their perceived appeal (thank you marketing).

A bug-free machine.

sometime soon

i have only been waiting five years

now