THX is, from what I understand, both certification to a standard (which can be applied to pre/pros and receivers, or to speakers, subwoofers, and I believe even source devices like DVD and LaserDisc players) and a processing method meant to most properly match a theater environment (reserved for pre/pros and receivers). Think of it as "better" Dolby Digital, so to speak. RAF (a moderator at Home Theater Forum) observed yesterday that his beta testing experience with the 950 left him feeling that it met or exceeded THX's "Ultra" level requirements (the Ref30 is not "Ultra" rated, by the way). Some people feel that THX is really valuable, but a lot of others consider it a waste of money if the equipment is designed well. I personally lean toward the latter, and so have been glad to see Outlaw skip THX in their products.

IEEE 1394 ("firewire") is used some, I believe, to connect DV camcorders. It will also probably be used for digital output of DVD-Audio and SACD signals, but currently the encryption standards haven't been agreed to so it's still in limbo. As for digital video (HDTV, etc.), I think DVI (digital video interface) will probably be adopted, not IEEE 1394. Check out the chart -- there's a lot of fuss about firewire on the forums, but not even the new Pioneer Elite and Denon super-receivers include it (although the Denon has a proprietary digital interface for DVD-Audio -- yuck). For that matter, even the $9000 Lexicon MC-12 currently lacks firewire, although there is the capability to add a card later that could provide it.

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Gonk