I agree the 990's age is a good reason it has so many composite/S-video and corresponding stereo inputs but as you noted the Onkyo continues the tradition of including so many legacy inputs. A quick check of Anthem's AVM-40/50 shows it does the same. I guess these connections are pretty cheap in comparison to the phono components. No doubt we will need a certain number of these inputs/outputs if nothing else for convenience (e.g. composite out for an auxiliary screen for those that have projectors) but I think it is time to start paring them down. If nothing else fewer connections might allow designer/manufactures to spread the connections out and make it easier to plug and unplug cables! Tight connectors in tight spaces make for colorful language at times. The current method of handling extra zones seems to be the most cost effective way; no need for the extra DSP section.