Charlie is right on about ordering the 1050 and giving it a try.Set it up in your system ,dial it in and really give it the tests you consider important. As far as optical input problems I have used both now for 6 months and it been working great. Ive just tried the "s" video and its o.k. too. Ive really had no "quirks" at all. I kinda doubt you find to many receivers at $499 that sound like the 1050 does.