I just bought a Samsung PN58C8000 and got free the Samsung BD-C6900 http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/tv-vi...il&tab=spec and a review here http://reviews.cnet.com/blu-ray-players-...tml?tag=rvwBody

I have the 990 and up to now had my Directv HR24, Direct Tivo, and Oppo 970 running via component to the 990 so it was doing all the switching. Now after getting the Samsung C8000 which does 3D I need to run both the HR24 (Directv 3D channels) and the 6900 BR directly to the tv via HMDI (Tivo and Oppo are still running via component to 990).

Since I have a MX-810 running Activity macros with some video sources going through the 990 and some directly to the tv it's really not that big of a deal. All audio is going through the 990.

Okay would I be better served just using the optical out of the BR, or since it has 7.1 analog outputs (TrueHD etc.) using that? Would the analog outputs make a huge difference?

Do I understand correctly that if you used the BR 7.1 analog outputs then you would be relying on it to handle bass management which probably isn't as good as the 990? Maybe other disadvantages I haven't thought of?

I had always planned on buying the Oppo 83 as my first BR but it doesn't do 3D and I got the 6900 for free. I always liked the fact that the Oppo 83 did a great job handling regular Dvds so if it can be updated to 3D or Oppo releases a new 3D BR I still might consider one of those.

I really don't know how well the 6900 does upconversion compared to other BR's (not counting the Oppo 83).