After setting up my 970 fully I ended up not having enough video inputs on the back of the unit to do what I wanted to do. The 990 has one additional input. My wife also doesn't like the fact the inputs can't be named. I wouldm\n't have a problem learning what's what , but my set up needs to be as user friendly as possible so I can at least explain to my wife over the phone what buttons she has to push. I've ordered the 990 and I'm sending the 970 back this week.