Hey Ritz, by looking at your system I am sure you enjoy the heck out of it, so I am with in saying f'em. Just enjoy your system, and enjoy what is down the pipe without the pressure to keep up with the very latest gear cuz right now that is impossible...

The fast pace of technology can be daunting at times, and we all have to choose where on the curve we want to climb aboard. My issue with the two HD optical formats isn't due to any inherent fondness for the status quo or even the new generation of audio formats that aren't directly compatible with my audio gear (the new formats use more bandwidth, and so need new methods of delivering the audio from one place to another - perfectly reasonable, and I'll adopt them as my upgrade process rolls their way). My issue is with the industry's decisions to create two very similar competing products out of sheer greed and stubbornness and then (more problematic for me) burden those two formats with an array of "security features" that include what basically amounts to a slap in the face to most of HDTV's early adopters. Is a purely digital video signal path an inherently better arrangement? Heck yes, especially for digital displays like LCD and DLP! DVI and HDMI are both good things in concept, and pretty successful in application. Is a digital signal path the only way to deliver HD resolutions? Obviously not, since there are many millions of HD displays in use today that lack any digital video input. So why restrict the video in these new formats to digital? Even though I waited long enough to get into HDTV to hear early warnings of the choice and to make sure my display had DVI so I don't have to upgrade my display before considering one of these formats, I find the decision distasteful.

The whole thing reminds me of DVD-Audio and SACD: the new format offers the potential for better audio and video quality, but in both cases you need some appropriate hardware to fully appreciate the benefits offered beyond the previous format (decent surround system and, for the HD-DVD/Blu-ray pair, an HD display). Combine this hardware "learning curve" with the market confusion of two separate, non-compatible options, and both formats will suffer for it. I've said before that I believe even a single unified HD optical disc format would face an uphill battle in the marketplace. Where DVD offered a slew of improvements over its predecessor the VHS tape (improved picture quality and audio that could be appreciated even on a basic TV, audio options such as commentary tracks and alternate languages, optional subtitles and closed captions, extra material, greater durability in the face of repeated use, and no need to rewind), an HD version of the DVD can only offer better audio and video, and even then only if your gear is good enough to reveal it. I'm afraid that the format war and the potential unhappiness of early adopters over the decision to "plug the analog hole" of component outputs will hurt both formats. The worst part? When those two formats languish (as has largely happened with DVD-Audio and SACD), we lose out on the opportunity for a lot of great entertainment content that could have come to market if the format(s) did well enough. I'd be excited about a HD optical disc format coming at the end of this year even though I probably wouldn't pick one up for at least a year, if the format were geared toward the consumer. Alas, that doesn't look to be the case.

8 track or cassette, beta or VHS, DVD-Audio or SACD, DTS-HD or TrueHD, HD-DVD or Blu-ray, yeah know what really sucks... it is that not always does the better format win. If you all cannot even duke it out and can up with a winner how in the heck can the average joe a) pick a winner b) buy the right hardware with the right connectors, and c) set every up properly to actually get the quality that he thought he was buying????

Yeah know what really sucks... it is that not always does the better format win.

This is a very true statement Kosman, and another reason to hold on tight and wait this crazy ride out. We are in for a long ride in regards to the format wars; and which format is going to come out on top is any mans guess. I feel assured that when the format wars are over or a clear victor has emerged, that the Outlaws will appropriately respond. It isn’t over till it's over. In the mean time lets enjoy what we do have, the 990 at a great $ value, with lots of bells and whistles such as DVI video switching, numerous processing modes, very good two channel audio, etc... etc...etc... I find myself enjoying the 990 more every day, it's hear, it's now, and it's happening in my theater room today.

Even in two years the crazy ride will not be over. There will be something else coming around the horn. That is what makes this passion so good, it is never over and the crazy ride is always on!

I agree with Gonk. Its not a question of complaining about new stuff coming out. We are all technology fanatics, Gonk was one of the first to own the 990 sight unseen. I upgrade my PC and components all the time. The complaint is that what is guiding the choices being made for the future is greed and old thinking and it is ruining progress. This killed DVD Audio and SACD. They never took off and became obsolete to newer inferior technology (MP3, WMA). Now music lovers can NOT get their favorite music in high definition audio!!! It does not exist! Progress in audio was held back by the mess HDDVD is getting ready to create again. You either have the ancient CD format or a compressed version of this old technology. The sad thing is that by never taking off we never get to enjoy the benefit of these technologies. Therefore, people who love technology and change are affected negatively by this crazy ride, not positively. Now the industry is assuring that the new format will not work on the majority of HDTVs out there. How quickly will something be adopted when the consumer wont see a benefit unless they upgrade EVERYTHING? And to top it off, after you upgrade everything you might have aligned yourself with the loser. What if by the time the HDDVD dust settles we have all moved on to getting movies over high speed links via a compressed high def stream from our cable provider or Internet movie site?????? It would be another great technology (like DVDAudio and SACD) that we never had a chance to enjoy to the fullest that was supplanted by something inferior. Normally I am very excited about new technology. This is one of the first times that I am taking the wait and see attitude. Especially in light of the fact that I have already been burned by my HDTV with its sinful analog only inputs! ; )