FWIW I used the analog outputs of my Panny DMP-BD80 into my 970 specifically because, as Gonk mentions, there is no HDMI on the 970.

I then upgraded to the 975 using the HDMI output of the Panny and that gave marked better performance than the Panny-970 Combo.
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975/7075/SMS-1
Aperion Verus Grand Towers & Bookshelves, Verus Forte Center, Infinity Surrounds, Ultra-X12
Oppo BDP-203, XBOX360, Xbox One
LG 65" OLED
RR2150 w/Klipsch SCR-2