An option for having some on-screen information is appealing to some users, while others don't want it. The Model 990's on-screen data is limited by the fact that component and DVI video switching couldn't handle text overlays onto the active video source. DVI on the 990 is purely switching, and the component switching of HD signals is similar (with the processor replacing the video signal entirely when providing the on-screen setup menu). A video processing section based on something like the Reon or Anchor Bay offers the ability to provide those overlays across the board, which could achieve what you are interested in on the Model 998.

Likewise, the front panel display is completely invisible to some users and is very important to others. Personally, we don't use the on-screen overlays on our Onkyo 885 but I do care about having a front panel with some useful and reasonably legible information.