I don't have my 990 infront of me so I'll ask this question, and hopefully you can undestand so here goes:

I've found no BluRay Player with the 7.1 analog out that will do the "DD+ PLIIx" for the matrixed 7.1 on a DD 5.1 disc. Since most discs are still 5.1, I want to be able to do similar to what "Dolby Digital + PLIIx" will do now for a digital connection, but over the 7.1 analog input. Is this possible with the 990?

Surround processing (such as Pro Logic IIx) cannot be used with the 990's 7.1 analog input. That input receives bass management, channel delay, and channel trim only.

The only thing I can think of would be to use splitters on the rear or surround channels. Not exactly an ideal situation and probably more problematic than it is worth.

The problem with such splitters is that it rules out listening to 7.1 tracks without downmixing them to 5.1.

Ok good info- in that case I wonder if it be best to ALSO hook up an optical out from the BluRay to another input of the 990 that way it will do 7.1 with standard discs. Then use the 7.1 input on TrueHD.

It'd work, but really unless the player offers some form of matrix processing (even just a simple steering logic similar to what the 980H and 983H from OPPO Digital provide for their 7.1 analog outputs) you are going to hit a compromise somewhere. Without that, when you run into those TrueHD, multichannel PCM, and DTS-HD MA tracks that are only 5.1 you are going to get just 5.1 via multichannel analog or settle for lossy DD/DTS 5.1 that you can expand to 7.1. Messy, isn't it?...

Yea that's for sure, there's so many formats out there that it makes your head spin... and I'm an enthusiast and work in the industry.

Guess the solution is to get a BluRay player that has the 7.1 analog output, pipe it to my 990 for now.

Then, get the 997 when it comes out which has TrueHD/DTS- HD Master Audio and hook up via HDMI...

In the meantime what about something like a PS3- which does not have the analog 7.1. I'm guessing the best compromise would be the optical output... since the 990 does not have HDMI...

With the PS3 and a 990, you will be using optical output so instead of the new audio formats you'd get the DD or DTS core tracks. It's not the end of the world - that's how my Panasonic BD30 and 990 work together, and it's still good stuff even if it isn't the best it can be.