I'm curious what you see in the specs that already looks behind. HDMI v1.4a was published last month. Trinnov is still new tech for the consumer market. PLIIz has been available for maybe a little over six months or so (don't recall a specific date).

You may be talking about network support. There's no mention of network connectivity, but even if it's not present that's a philosophical debate. We see folks wanting this sort of support in Blu-ray players and surround receivers. We even see it in HDTV's. Do we really want to own three or four different devices that can all access a DLNA server? Onkyo's been adhering to a "kitchen sink" approach to receiver design for several years now - if they see a feature that they might be able to shoe-horn in there, they add it. They're a bit obsessive that way. That doesn't mean every manufacturer should follow the same formula. Personally, I think that it starts to forget one of the benefits of separates. If I want a good network media appliance, I can get a separate unit - just like I already do for a Blu-ray player, cable/satellite box, and game console.

I've done firmware updates via network and USB. Both have their advantages. Some folks actually prefer the USB approach, as it tends to be faster and you have less chance of a power outage bricking the unit. USB also avoids the conundrum many folks still face of how to get a network connection at their equipment rack. From that standpoint, USB is easier to support. I'm equally content to do either.

[quote=rubbersoul]

3) the price point and promotional pricing of the Model 998 will be essentially the same as the aborted Model 997 ...

Barring any unforeseen complications or component price increases, this new processor will be close to the price range of the Model 997.

You may be talking about network support. There's no mention of network connectivity, but even if it's not present that's a philosophical debate. We see folks wanting this sort of support in Blu-ray players and surround receivers. We even see it in HDTV's. Do we really want to own three or four different devices that can all access a DLNA server? Onkyo's been adhering to a "kitchen sink" approach to receiver design for several years now - if they see a feature that they might be able to shoe-horn in there, they add it. They're a bit obsessive that way. That doesn't mean every manufacturer should follow the same formula. Personally, I think that it starts to forget one of the benefits of separates. If I want a good network media appliance, I can get a separate unit - just like I already do for a Blu-ray player, cable/satellite box, and game console.

Do you want it in the pre/pro (which may or may not already have a use for a network connection)? Or do you want it in the Blu-ray player, which because of BD-Live has a legitimate "need" for a network connection? I ask because I've been watching the tremendous debate surrounding and pressure regarding inclusion of network streaming capabilities in BD players since last year. We've been talking off and on for a few years now about a pre/pro as a media client, but in the last year the emphasis on these sorts of features in Blu-ray players has picked up a ton. Personally, I think that we're shoe-horning unnecessary functionality into the device either way, but if we've got the shoe-horn out, I wonder if the attention makes more sense aimed at a BD player?