Why two HDMI outputs? It doesn't seem that the second HDMI output can be used in a zone-2 fashion (?).

It is for systems that have both a direct-view HD display (LCD or plasma) and a front projector. Splitting HDMI is a tricky proposition, mainly because of HDCP, so what the 886 does is provide two outputs and a control to toggle between them. Only one of the outputs is active at a time, which avoids problems with HDCP handshaking.

It's also a feature I greatly wish would have been included on the 997. I was very disappointed that Outlaw left that one off.

Is there a valid reason to not use a DVI cable to feed the video signal to my display since I do not use its speakers. I am replacing my 990 in my main system with the 886 and if there is no advantage to the HDMI cable for the new display technologies I would just as soon keep the DVI hookup because it will never get loose. Can the DVI cable handle the new bandwidth requirements of 1.3 or not?

DVI can handle 1080p video. After all, it was designed for PC's, where resolutions in the 1920x1080 range are hardly uncommon and interlaced video's been out of the equation for at least 15 years. I don't recall if it requires dual-link DVI or if single-link will suffice. Does your display use DVI, or are you converting to HDMI at that end? If it uses DVI, I'd definitely stick with a DVI cable. If it uses HDMI, I'd want to look at how I'm supporting the DVI-to-HDMI adapter so that the weight doesn't pull the HDMI connector loose from the display.

The support issue is exactly what I want to avoid. The display has both inputs but is now using the HDMI. When I connect the 886 I was going to switch it around so the HDMI comes from the 886 and the DVI is the input to the TV. Sounds like it should work fine.

The video portion of the signal over DVI and HDMI are essentially identical.

And the second HDMI port is indeed essential for TV + FP systems.

Well, I finally got my PR-SC886 installed in my system. It sounds pretty good and I have not run Audyssey yet. Had to get sub splitter from R-shack to hook up both subs to the output.Still tryin to figure out the inputs and what sounds best as an output. It doesn't seem to have a 2.1 upsample mode like the 990 although "stereo" comes pretty close. From what I have heard so far its is very quiet and no hum even after moving all the cables around.