This maybe a dumb question, but here goes:

I have an HDTV from 2004, so I don't have an HDMI port, I have a DVI port. I just bought the DVI cord and I am ready to buy a BR Player now.

Will all BR players work with the DVI port? Do I have to do anything different on the settings on the player when setting up?

Thanks for anyones help!

Get a DVI-HDMI cable from Monoprice.com.

There is no provision for audio in this solution though, right? He'd need to run separate cables for the audio...

Correct!
DVI only carries a video signal.
Optical cable for the audio would be the next best option.

When we had a Mits RPTV it only had the DVI also. We got one of those switch boxes (DVI to HDMI) and it worked. The cable solution will work to if you need just one source. But as pointed out, no audio so you will need seperate cables/hookups. One thing also is your set 1080i and/or 720p? You'll still be able to do BD but not in it's 1080p format. Still a good picture.

This is where I am confused.

I went to Best Buy and they have a DVI to HDMI cable for 50 bucks. Is that all I need, or do I need a converter too?

Also, it sounds like I wont be getting the best quality because my TV isn't HDMI compatable?

Thanks! I'm glad you guys know alot about this subject.

Like someone else said, get an HDMI/DVI cable from Monoprice. It will be a lot cheaper than $50.

And you will NOT be getting the full video resolution from your TV when you buy a Blu-ray player. Blu-ray discs can go up to 1080p, but your TV will only go up to 720p or 1080i. My TV is the same way, but the picture improvement over DVD is still pretty substantial.

I only buy from Monoprice and they are much cheaper and great quality cables and accessories. It will probably cost you about $5-10 dollars for the HDMI/DVI cable over there.

Ill vouch for the picture quality for BD over DVD at 720p or even 1080i. I dont have a 1080p and movies are leaps and bounds better in picture quality over dvd even at 1080i on my old Plasma. Ill never buy a DVD again.

I use an HDMI/DVI cable, purchased from Monoprice as iNCREDiPiNOY suggested above. I send my audio to my HT receiver. If you want to use your TV speakers you will need to use the stereo outs from the BD player and connect them to your HDTV. Monoprice HDMI/DVI cables:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...02&cp_id=10231

If you have just a DVI cord, as your post suggests, you will need an HDMI/DVD adapter plug for one end so that it will connect to the HDMI port on the BD player. Those are also available from Monoprice. The plug would probably need to be male HDMI and female DVI, depending on what sort of DVI cable you have. For example:
http://www.monoprice.com/products/su...04&cp_id=10419

Other than that, connecting a BD player to a DVI input TV is pretty simple. If your HDTV is 1080i, just output that from the player. If it is 720/768p, try experimenting with different outputs from the player to see which looks best; many of those older HDTVs did an excellent job of converting signals and it might do a better job than the player.

If you can return the DVI cable, I suggest you get a regular HDMI cable and a DVI (male) to HDMI (female) adapter. This way, you will have a usable HDMI cable for your next TV (instead of a pretty much obsolete cable by then). Don't buy a DVI to HDMI cable, it will not carry audio if you ever try to make it an HDMI cable in the future with an adapter.

Like lizard said, use the DVI connection audio inputs if you're not running the audio to a Receiver.

That last two posts are full of good advice. I highly recommend Monoprice. They are tops in my book.

Before I bought my new TV (with HDMI in) I was running a HDMI to DVI cable to my old one (only had DVI in). That took care of video and ran an optical to the receiver from the Blu-ray player for audio. All cables happily purchased from Monoprice!

I have both a DVI to HDMI cable, as well as an adapter, back from the days I was in the exact same boat as you.
I'll be happy to sell you either one (or both) on the cheap.
Bought them both from Monoprice, and no longer need them.
Send me a PM if you're interested.

clappj
-Gold Trader

Thanks for all the great responses!