The 980H that Og33 is using and the BDP-83 both offer a few things that are essential to connecting directly to an amp: volume control (something that many DVD players lack but is critical to allowing this arrangement to work), bass management (fixed 80Hz crossover, so it's not exactly sophisticated, but it's there), channel trim, speaker delays (albeit less sophisticated than a surround receiver or processor would normally offer), and Pro Logic II processing (enabled in a setup menu, not as easily controlled as with a surround receiver or processor). As Og33 notes, it means your home theater has exactly one surround sound source available (no way to use a cable or satellite receiver, media player, or game console with your amp and speakers).