Baraka.

Thanks to everybody for your suggestions! Now I have a good handle on things, I think.

My next order of business is upgrading my equipment. Though, with the economy being what it is, that could be a problem. My current receiver is the Pioneer VSX-1016TXV. It doesn't have HDMI audio, which is a problem, since my player is the PS3 Slim, and I'm connected with optical for audio. This means only downmixed 2.0 PCM on the advanced HD audio, unless I'm mistaken (regular DD and DTS play fine).

So I guess I'm looking for a good receiver that would let me correctly hear the HD audio, but price is a big thing. Basically, the best bang for the buck.

P.S.: Right now I'm looking at the Pioneer Elite VSX-21TXH, which can be had for around $430 or so. Wonder if this is a good receiver and a good deal, or whether there's something along the same price range, yet better technically.

Anyone?

You might look into Onkyo. I've had good luck with them. Since your player can decode HD audio, you don't need that in your receiver. You just need one that accepts HDMI. You should be able to find a good one for $200-$300.

I'm one of those people that wants to see the receiver say what it's playing and which channels are active. So I want the PS3 to bitstream to the receiver and the receiver do the decoding. Plus I like my current Pioneer receiver, even though it's obviously outdated by now. I think I'll go with the VSX-21TXH.

Of course, the real crimp in the budget is upgrading the projector to 1080p. My current projector is the Panasonic PT-AE900U (720p model). It does a great job of displaying 1080i and 1080p material, though. ProjectorCentral says: "Furthermore, HDTV 1080i is remarkably tight on the AE900--the signal was compressed so cleanly into the 720p matrix that it was difficult to tell whether 720p or 1080i was in use." However, I still want to get a true 1080p projector. Just wondering if it's worth doing, whether there will be a huge difference. I'm thinking of the PT-AE4000U, which is Panasonic's latest 1080p projector.

i am going to really shock you now:

I HAVE GONE BLU AS WELL !!!




ps. but i am taking my slipsleeve addiction with me

YOU?!?



Hypocrite!

(Welcome to the dark side....)

yeah, ì know, now i can`t even bitch about warner`s barebones
dvd release policies anymore
but with prices and the way the whole situation was going, a switch was
inevidable sooner or later
i finally found the player i wanted and why should i spent the same amount
of money on dvds, when i can get better definition for pretty much the same buck. i just have the bad feeling that
prices are lowered now to addict newcomers and when they`re hooked,
prices will rise again, just like with drug dealers
anyhow, i made the switch at free will and not because i studio like warner
decided it was time for me