Having the BDP-83 for just a short while, I found the 7.1 direct for DVD's much better than the optical. I'm not sure why, but with the optical I have to turn the volume up quite a bit more to reach the same db as I did with the 980H or the 7.1 direct. The 7.1 direct is much more open and clear. There is a huge difference and I didn't notice this much of a difference with the 980H direct or digital, nor did I notice a big decibel difference. I have the BDP-83 set at 192 LPCM.

Gonk... I believe and your wife had the same experience?

Fantastic palyer. Very fast compared to my Pioneer BDP-51FD