It sounds like you've got a good plan, bruce61. Have you considered using HDMI/DVI cables to switch both the DVD and the DirecTIVO through the 990 to a single input on the plasma? That would save you having to switch inputs on the TV manually? I'd also suggest a composite or s-video cable from the 990 to the plasma if you don't do the little 7" LCD, since you need some way to get to the OSD and a composite or s-video cable will be the least costly.