Thank you! What would I do without y'all? Yes, we decided we are not astute enough to notice the difference between 720 and 1080 on a 32" screen! LOL Thanks for explaining the Netflix to an old lady. I gather that the content is blasting away out there -- all of it -- all the time. I'm not ordering a fresh version of whatever movie be taken out of storage and sent to ME. It's already 'out there'. I'm just being permitted to 'grab it' -- I can start viewing any part I want of what I've ordered. This isn't like waiting for an AdobePub book to be available from my library, where the library has X numbers of the product to lend. Um...so what if every person in the USA asked to view "The Grapes of Wrath" right now? Could everyone get it immediately -- no limit to how many people access the same thing? Both the TV salesperson at Sears and the Blu-Ray salesperson at Costco told us the cable here (Oceanic on Maui) provides only 720 at best. We currently have a Digital cable box; it's a substiture for the HD cable box we ordered in January. The HD box was 'out of stock' -- as we learned only when the installer showed up. The HD is to be installed Monday afternoon. I hope I see a lot more difference with the HD; I saw very little improvement with the Digital over plain cable. (Diital and HD is the same price: $7/month. Makes me wonder.) Oceanic offers a landline/broadband bundle I could use if I bought my own router. However, my dealings with Oceanic over this box have not been positive. (Hours on hold. Mixed up orders. Installer shows up with wrong box. HD boxes 'out of stock' for a MONTH just between Oahu and Maui?) We have no choice of cable provider in this condo; it's Oceanic. So, I need to ask Hawiian Tel for 1.5 - 3.0 mpbs broadband? Will every router push that? I was unable to register the Blu-Ray w/Sony/Netflix, but that may be because our leased router is failing -- or we have insufficient bandwidth from Hawaiian Tel? I'm probably ahead to continue leasing (a replacement router) so that Hawaiian Tel will be responsible for maintaining the router/service for guests.

Do you want the flexibility to play other formats, such as upconverting DVD-V, DVD-A, SACD, and CD? If so, OPPO makes the best inexpensive (relatively speaking) universal player called the DV-980H at $169 direct, or if they have any left of the DV-983H, that one is a bit more expensive. OPPO is coming out with a new universal player that includes Blu Ray capability, which comes with a new and excellent upconverter and scaler by Anchor Bay Technologies. This model will be called the OPPO BDP-83. The specs of this are as follows: Complete Media Support: Blu-ray Disc - The high definition Blu-ray Disc format provides pristine video and audio quality for your home entertainment. BonusVIEW - BD "Profile 1.1" enables "picture-in-picture" and secondary audio features for viewing director or actor commentary while the main movie is playing. BD-Live - The BDP-83 support BD "Profile 2.0" and contains all necessary hardware - audio/video decoder, Ethernet port, and 1GB of internal storage - for BD-Live. DVD Up-Conversion - The BDP-83 uses the same VRS by Anchor Bay (DVDO) de-interlacing and scaling technology as in our award-winning DV-983H DVD player. The up-converted picture quality bridges the visual gap from your current DVD library to Blu-ray discs. SACD - The BDP-83 plays Super Audio CD (SACD) and supports both stereo and multi-channel high resolution audio programs. Users can select whether to output the DSD (Direct Stream Digital) signal in its native format or convert it into PCM. Additional Media Formats - Additional disc and file formats, such as audio CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD, AVCHD, MKV, and other audio/video/picture files on recorded discs or USB drives can be played back on the BDP-83. Unparalleled Video Quality: VRS by Anchor Bay - The BDP-83 incorporates Anchor Bay's award-winning Video Reference Series (VRS) technology, and delivers a picture that is cleaner, smoother, true-to-life and free of artifacts. Full HD 1080p Output - The BDP-83 features user selectable video output resolutions, including 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, and up to 1080p 50 or 60Hz. True 24p Video - Many Blu-ray Discs are recorded at 24 frames per second, the same frame rate as the original movie's theatrical release. The BDP-83 can faithfully redeliver the original frames using 1080p 24Hz output (compatible display required) for smoother motion and a flicker-free, film-like home theater experience. It can also restore the original 24 frames per second progressive-scan video from well-authored DVDs and output as 1080p 24Hz. Source Direct Mode - For users who wish to use an external video processor, high-end audio/video receiver or display, the BDP-83 offers a "Source Direct" mode. The original audio/video content on the discs is sent out with no additional processing or alternation. Multiple Zoom Modes - The BDP-83 supports multiple levels of aspect ratio control and image zooming, including a vertical stretch mode for customers with a 2.35:1 CIH (Constant Image Height) display system. HDMI - HDMI is an all digital interface for the cleanest possible connection. It delivers high-quality digital video and audio through a single cable. The BDP-83 features an HDMI v1.3 output with 30-bit and 36-bit Deep Color support. High Fidelity Audio: Dolby® TrueHD - Dolby TrueHD delivers lossless studio master quality audio designed specifically for high definition entertainment. The BDP-83 supports bit-stream output of Dolby TrueHD via its HDMI 1.3 output. It can also internally decode Dolby TrueHD into LPCM and output via HDMI or the 7.1ch analog audio output terminals. Other varieties of Dolby Digital audio formats are also supported. DTS®-HD - DTS-HD delivers up to 7.1 channels of surround sound and audio that is indistinguishable from (DTS-HD High Resolution) or identical to (DTS-HD Master Audio) the original studio master. The BDP-83 supports bit-stream output and internal decoding of DTS-HD High Resolution and DTS-HD Master Audio. Other varieties of DTS audio formats are also supported. 7.1-Channel Analog Output - Individual analog 7.1-channel surround outputs are ideal to connect to a 7.1-channel or 5.1-channel surround sound system. The BDP-83 delivers an incredible sound stage and an immersive surround experience. Dedicated Stereo Output - The BDP-83 features a dedicated 2-channel analog output with specially optimized Digital-to-Analog Converters and output driving stage. Digital Optical and Coaxial Outputs - For simple and easy connection to more traditional A/V receivers, the BDP-83 features both optical and coaxial outputs for digital audio. Ultimate Convenience: Dual USB Ports - Two USB 2.0 high speed ports are provided, one on the front panel and one on the back. Users can enjoy high definition video, high resolution photos and music directly from their USB drives. PAL/NTSC Conversion - The BDP-83 supports NTSC and PAL systems for both disc playback and video output. It can also convert content of one system for output in another. (Subject to DVD and BD region restrictions) Back-lit Remote Control - The BDP-83 comes with a fully back-lit remote control for ease of use in dark home theaters. With its ergonomic button layout and clear labeling, operating the Blu-ray Disc player is easier than ever. Universal Power Supply - The BDP-83 features a wide range world power supply that is compatible with the AC power of all regions. No worries about damaging the player due to incorrect power voltage. External IR - For integration into home theater control systems, the BDP-83 provides external IR remote IN and OUT ports. RS232 Control (optional) - For custom installation, the RS232 control option can be special ordered at an additional cost. HDMI CEC - HDMI Consumer Electronics Control simplifies the home theater by allowing a single remote control to operate multiple devices. Preliminary Specifications (Subject to Change) Designs and specifications are subject to change without notice. Disc Types* BD-Video, DVD-Video, AVCHD, SACD, CD, HDCD, Kodak Picture CD CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE BD Profile BD-ROM Version 2 Profile 2 (also compatible with Profile 1 Version 1.0 and 1.1) Internal Storage 1GB (Actual available storage varies due to system usage) Output Analog Audio: 7.1ch or 5.1ch, stereo Digital Audio: Coaxial, Optical HDMI Audio: Stereo, up to 7.1ch high-resolution PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD, bitstream or LPCM conversion of Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD High Resolution Audio, and DTS-HD Master Audio. Analog Video: Composite, Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr, 480i/480p, 720p/1080i available for non-restricted content only) Digital Video: HDMI with HDCP (NTSC: 480i/480p/720p/1080i/1080p/1080p24, PAL 576i/576p/720p/1080i/1080p/1080p24) Video Characteristics Composite Video Amplitude: 1.0Vp-p (75Ã) Component Video: Y: 1.0Vp-p (75Ã), Pb/Pr: 0.7Vp-p (75Ã) Audio Characteristics** Frequency: 20Hz - 20kHz (±0.4dB) Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >110dB Total Harmonic Distortion: General Specification Power Supply: ~ 100V - 240V, 50/60Hz AC Power Consumption: 35W (0.5W Standby) Dimensions: 430mm x 336mm x 77mm, 16-7/8 x 13-1/4 x 3 inches Mass: 5.1kg / 11.2 lbs Operating Temperature 5°C - 35°C 41°F - 95°F Operating Humidity 15% - 75% No condensation

You know, years ago consumer electronics were built like appliances - hardware that was designed to work as specified when built and sold. Occasionally, after the hardware design and release, problems would arise and "technical service bulletins" would be issued by the manufacturer and problems would be fixed, usually under warranty. Later on, with firmware (computer software) now controlling products, manufactures could make fixes with a firmware upgrade and avoid costly hardware changes. Next came, "why should we wait on releasing this product, when we can do it now and finish it up in firmware upgrades later that the customer can/has to do later on?" So now, with Blu-ray, we have both hardware manufactures and Blu-ray DVD authoring facilities and replicators, all taking the same approach - make the customer figure it out and try to correct it with firmware upgrades. It's the same mentality used in the computer industry to make their failings your responsibility to figure out and resolve. OK! Off my soapbox now! Sushipup, try doing a firmware upgrade from the onscreen menus, with an internet connection, and see if the manufacturer has not already addressed the hardware/software conflict. If, when trying to perform an upgrade, it fails, try downloading the appropriate file to a USB thumb drive or CD-R instead and installing that way - the mfg website will usually provide a text file describing how to do this.

I'd say it depends most on the source material. A Blu Ray disk has greater capacity than a DVD and so for a program or movie of a given length of time, it has room to store a higher definition (more clarity and sharpness) version compared to a DVD. That is, IF the production company chooses to put a higher definition version on the disk. An old DVD movie, for instance, will most certainly have a lower definition image than a newer movie on BR. You can buy a 6 foot long HDMI cable from Monster with all kinds of impressive (and nonsensical) specs for $59.95. Or, you can buy one from cables.com for $5.95. Or, you can get one free in the box your player came in. Or you can use a component connection with RCA plugs. So long as the cable, the plug connections and the plugs are in good condition for all the possibilities, neither you nor your TV set will know there's any difference between them.