is there any time table to get OSD via the component output? is it even possible? i've moved all my equip to a closet and i didn't realize how frustrating it can be to not know volume or surround modes, etc.

I assume that you are referring to the "pop-ups" rather than the menu OSD. Assuming that to be the case, then it is not possible when viewing component video or DVI video sources because the 990's video switching does not allow overlaying video onto video sources that are input via component or DVI.

that is correct, i'm looking for the pop-ups like volume, surround formats, etc.

is it a absolute that can't be changed or something that can be modified via software upgrades?

thank you gonk!

It's very much a hardware limitation - to preserve the image quality for component video sources (which routinely range from 480p all the way up to 1080i) and still allow information to be overlayed on top of the incoming video signal, it would take a lot more processing power in the video switching section, resulting in a substantial cost impact. They got around this problem for the setup menu by simply shutting off the incoming signal and throwing up a black 480i screen with the menu superimposed on that, but I doubt any of us want to have our video black out every time we change volume or the audio format changes.