Rich,
The Bluray pic (1080P) is outstanding, though 1080i not a slouch but to get the best, 1080P is the way to go. I think you can stay w/1080i until you upgrade the display and you wouldn't be too dissapointed BUT it's the new audio codecs that will make you want to upgrade the soundsystem. You may be able to get a blurayplayer where the analogue outs into preamp will give you the new codecs. Cost of entry-a bluray player and a few cables. The difference is staggering. I'm sure some of te guys (and gals) here can recommend a bluray player which encodes the new codecs and pass them trhough the analogue out. I have a pioneer elite and an LG, but not sure if it encodes it as I use HDMI out into a new receiver.
The Bluray pic (1080P) is outstanding, though 1080i not a slouch but to get the best, 1080P is the way to go. I think you can stay w/1080i until you upgrade the display and you wouldn't be too dissapointed BUT it's the new audio codecs that will make you want to upgrade the soundsystem. You may be able to get a blurayplayer where the analogue outs into preamp will give you the new codecs. Cost of entry-a bluray player and a few cables. The difference is staggering. I'm sure some of te guys (and gals) here can recommend a bluray player which encodes the new codecs and pass them trhough the analogue out. I have a pioneer elite and an LG, but not sure if it encodes it as I use HDMI out into a new receiver.