I'm hoping that white square is a firewire port, that would partially smooth over the lack of HDMI input. Maybe it is just me but the big advantage of HDMI is not switching or cable management but the all digital high bandwith path into the Pre/Pro. Why buy a fancy processor if you have to bypass the digital section and just pass through the analog hi-res signals? This will become even more important once the HD versions of DD and DTS get here. I'm thinking the Outlaws have to get this 990 out fast or it will be obsolete in six months.

HDMI has been approved for DVD-Audio for some time I believe the Pioneers and Denons and maybe others are already doing it.