You're right, I was thinking HD-DVD / Blu-ray for the audio signals which are beyond the bandwidth capabilities of optical or coax SPDIF output. My assumption is/was that the players analog outputs would be marginal, particularly after the 4-figure first generation players. I'm an HTPC user myself, and when the newer cards come out with audio over HDMI, this would also be useful there. HDMI switching solutions will be a standard feature on Sub-$200 receivers in the next couple years, so the fact that the current switching devices are so expensive is not of great concern to me.