How many video input slots are will there be on the 997, i.e. how many video devices can I connect and switch between?

The Sherwood Newcastle R-972 product spec lists 4 rear A/V inputs and 1 front A/V input. Which comes to 5 total video devices.

Is the 997 expected to have the same number?

Since the 4 HDMI and 3 component video inputs (as well as the digital audio inputs) should all be assignable, will I be able to connect up 5 video devices to the rear, such as:

• 4 * HDMI + 1 * (component + digital audio)
  or
• 3 * HDMI + 2 * (component + digital audio)

and switch between them?

Thanks,

The 997 should have the same complement of inputs and outputs, albeit with the addition of balanced pre-amp outputs in place of the amps. The rear panel of the R-972 shows four HDMI inputs and three component inputs. It also have four AV rear inputs, one AV front input, and two rear audio inputs. There are also four rear optical, one front optical, and two rear coaxial digital audio inputs. How the unit allows inputs to be configured to use those connections will probably not be clear until we have a manual in hand.

What we do know currently is that the 990 allows the front AV input to be assigned to rear panel component, DVI, and digital audio inputs. We also know that the 990's 7.1 Direct input can be assigned to any component or DVI input. We can make assumptions based on that, and those assumptions would suggest that your scenario is reasonable, but I am not ready to plan any cabling or component arrangements based on those assumptions until I can see a manual.

Thanks, gonk. Informative as always!

Gonk, interesting point about waiting until you see a manual. Does Outlaw have any predictable approach to when they make their new product manuals available? Are they ever available before the product ships? It really would be good to get my hands on one before pulling the trigger (whenever that occurs).

It will probably show up shortly before the product starts shipping, but based on past products I don't know that it will be more than a few days.