I definitely agree that HDMI has the potential to become a very convenient interface for digital sources. The ability to carry HD video signals as well as still having the pipe to handle a lot of digital audio data is very compelling. It'll be good to see that potential fully tapped. While we wait, though, it's at least good to see manufacturers beginning to think about providing DVI switching for the many people with DVI-equipped hardware already in their equipment racks.

It would help to have a higher definition picture, but it seems that the white square may be covering a circle? I think it's interesting how many different colors are used for the multi-channel ins and outs. Also, what is the plug next to the coaxial out?

The white square may have been photoshopped on to keep us from guessing something - that, or it's an odd port cover of some sort. They do also look to be using the THX color standard for multi-channel input and output (and they look to have gone to a 7.1 analog input rather than the 5.1 that the 950 has). The odd thing next to the coaxial out is either some sort of BNC connection (which would make sense for a component input if there were three of them) or a ground connection point - like maybe there's a phono input tucked in there. That would make sense, since they were developing one anyway for the RR2150. - I think everybody's going to be limited to some serious guesswork until we get a more hi-res picture or some direct information.

My guess is it's a USB port, but I could be way off.

Next to coax out is probably optical out.

I doubt seriously that it has a phono stage, more's the pity.

There's already an optical out directly above the coaxial out. gonk's guess sounds logical. I don't know what the whole section is for. The spacing just seems...odd. There are 2 pairs of red and white connections in with that mystery plug. One pair above and one below it.

Take a look at the small hole in the space next to the white square. Could that one be a USB port? It might be more the right size. There is something small with a label there.

One word: Woah...

My jaw has dropped and in a big way. My mouth has definately been shut. I can't wait to see and hear this at the NYC show. In fact Scott just bring mine to the show, so you can save me some coin on shipping.

Hmmm... I wonder if I'll have enough miles for a flight to NY for the show?

To avoid any incorrect speculation, the white block in the middle of the Model 990 rear panel image is the plastic dust cap that is there to protect the USB jack. Also on the subject of covered jacks, there are two groupings of jacks on the right side of the front panel, covered by caps in the photo. the one on the left has an optical input and the jack for the set up microphone included with the unit. The jack pod on the right has the analog left/right audio, composite video and S-Video jacks for the "Video 5" input.