vp8000
I am in a similar thought process. I have the 990/7700 combo and I am very happy with there performace. I purchased the 990/7700 at the Los Angeles Home Theater show for a steal. The 990's video processing and the marriage with my Infocus 7205 projector has been rated by my friends between good to outstanding on Blu-Ray. My SD are between very good to great. I have always believed that with standard DVD's besides the processing in any unit, receiver or other it is also the quality of the video and audio transfer when making the final product.
I have my Sony 550 hooked up using the multi-channel outputs. My projector is not 1080p but rather 1080i. The picture and sound are super.
The sacrifice that I had to make was giving up the availabilty of the SACD format on my Sony 777. With that being said I was considering an investing in a good switcher.
While I was very interested in the 997 and also the Integra 9.8 (still remain a loyal Outlaw, would never have purchased the 9.8) I am wondering HOW MUCH BETTER MY VIDEO AND AUDIO would be with the 997.

Frank