The price point is important (as I noted above). The 'laws do not need another $1200 - $1400 preamp/controller/decoder - unless they give us a cost effective unit also. To keep it in the $800 range (which means the Law boys can spend at least $300 on the hardware), forget about balanced audio lines in/out, up-convert or down-convert video to the HD HDMI ports is not absolutely necessary (but would be handy on at least one stream connection - set-up menus should be available on the HDMI signal), and extensive EQ on all analog channels is not necessary - just some basic bass management. Some of the newer 7.1 audio modes and passing the discrete signal from the disc out at least the fiber audio port (and coax port) would be very useful. At other places in the hideout, there have been extensive list for the new 990(Hitchman comes to mind), but those request sound more like a digital sound design workstation than an audio/video controllers for consummer home theater. It's OK to build the top-of-the-line box for the selected well-off few, if the realy nice and affordable box is made for the rest of us (for around $800) - i.e., the new 970, a.k.a. the 980.
Outlaws - Get cranking on the new box - we need it out here in the hinderlands.