Gonk,
If I understand you correctly, 7.1 Direct is the only way to input the BDPs analog output into the 990 and it essentially bypasses the 990s processing altogether. If I want an alternate setup such that the BDP is using the 990s processing I can use an optical out of the BDP and into the 990 and assign it to the correct DVI channel. This would use the BDP for video processing and the 990 for audio. Is this correct? At the moment I don't own any Blu-rays but I can upscale the DVDs with the BDP thru the HDMI => DVI connection and get sound either through 7.1 direct or optical depending on what processing I want. Originally I was thinking I could assign the analog output of the BDP to the analog input on the 990 and and then use the 990s processing. I tried that, but I get no throughput to the amp when setup that way.