That is correct.
VST Panner connect to the HT-RMU of the Mastering Suite, 128 channels capability with first 10 channels reserved for the 9.1 bed, the rest for the Objects.
You don’t need the RMU to pan objects, you can already do that with the Dolby Production suite.
The only thing you need a Mastering Suite/RMU for (Cinema RMU or Home Theatre RMU) is for Authoring/creating master files.
(And a few other features)
Mastering Suite is about 1000€ for just the software, dealers used to sell a 10.000€ machine to run it with MADI cards but I believe you can just buy the soft and build your own machine around it for MUCH less. Also, since it support ASIO drivers, I WANT to believe that you can use the upcoming RME AVB and DANTE interfaces with it.
As far as I understood, you still need an RMU. A Cinema or Home Theatre RMU
If you want to create masters for Cinema, then you will still need the Cinema RMU.
If you want to create masters for Blue Ray or any other Home Theatre application, then you need the Home Theatre RMU. ***
*** It might be though that with the Mastering Suite Dolby indeed has eleminated the use for a Home Theatre RMU.
But I highy doubt that this will be the case for the Cinema RMU, 'cause these units are “granted” to you.
You can only rent them, after your facility is Dolby Certified.
So -as usual- it still is a bit unclear.
Fredo