If you are planning to use the 981HD's multichannel analog output, I'd much rather have a long HDMI run (12' is still well under the length limit for HDMI) than a long analog audio run. Personally, I'd put the 981HD in the equipment rack and just run video to the TV. If you think you'll have a second HDMI or DVI video source, I'd go ahead and set up the 990's DVI switching and make things simpler for later. Otherwise, it's just as easy to run straight to the display.