Please see my report from CES on the IR1000 for details of current and future format support: http://www.smr-home-theatre.org/ces2002/home_theater/page_01.shtml

I also specifically asked Peter Tribeman about the absence of a digital output. His answer was that they were concerned about getting wrapped up in a piracy debate. I don't think the absence of a digital connection should really concern anyone. It is unlikely that any extra a/d and d/a conversions will have a significant impact on the quality of streaming audio.