HDMI AV preamp

[chatziva]

OK this is an interesting one.

I am trying to build a media center / AV system, which will do the following:

Inputs:
- From Audio Preamp (2x RCA)
- PS3 HDMI
- DVD-player HDMI

Outputs:
- visual to TV (HDMI)
- 7.1 audio to diy amp i.e 15x RCA

No problem I hear you say, just go and buy an AV amp. Most commercial AV amps can easily accommodate the above. They are effectively a decoder and amp in the same box. BUT

You can see my problem. What I want is to use a diy multi-channel amp. I think it will be cheaper and much much better (in terms of sound quality).

I have listened to entry level AV amps (which are still expensive) and the sound is not good. My diy LM4780-based amp easily outperforms these all in one AV amps.

So, What I really want is a AV PREamp, or a decoder only, which will separate the 7.1 sound (for my amp) and HDMI visual signal (for my tv).

Is there any solution to this?

Regards
Evan

[chatziva]

nothing?

[Dave]

Maybe this?

Products

[jkopanski]

AFAIK you can't just process signal from HDMI becouse of the HDCP encryption. You need table of 40 values needed to perform HDCP handshake in order to decrypt signal. Those values however are given only to vendors who payed for the license.

I think it would be best to use other output from your ps3/dvd-player.

Sorry for my poor english

[tiefbassuebertr]

read this:
Wapedia - Wiki: High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection
an this:
Wapedia - Wiki: HDMI

[chatziva]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The AV preamp looks good but after some market research, I reached the conclusion that they too expensive, as they are build for really high quality audiophile applications. And rightly so, this is a very specialized request.

As for delving into signal processing and stuff like that, I am completely out of my depth here. Too complex.

Actually some AV amplifiers (not budget ones) do come with preamp outputs but it's an overkill to buy an AV amp and not use the power amp stages.

The last option is of course to get 7.1 outputs directly from a DVD/BD player to the diy amp. The problem with that is that if you want to also have your telly and PS3 connected to the amp for 7.1, it would require a ridiculously complex input selector. Having said that, it's not impossible to build with some multi channel relays.

It's one of those cases where actually buying an AV amp off the shelf makes sense. And I don't like it!

Evan

[rsbonini]

I believe this is what you're looking for

audiolab

reviews are favourable, and I really like the minimalist design. somewhat out of my price range, but i work for a company that can get dealer price so, i may start saving my pennies!!

[chatziva]

that's exactly what I am looking for but ouch! pricey.

I can't find a processor for less than £700 anywhere

I wouldn't spend anything more than £300 for an AV processor.

If AV amps are available from £200, surely AV processors should be cheaper right?