home theatre advice, blu ray and receiver

[colsankey]

So I have a TON of FS gift cards and some stuff is reasonably discounted right now at FS for the week.

Looking to get a blu ray player, a receiver and maybe s ub. I have some older speakers I'd like to use for now and I'll get on the upgrade train later on down the road.

Any suggestions for choices? I'd like to spend less than 650 on the BR player and receiver. Current TVs a Veiwsonic 32" 1080p with 2 HDMI ports and I have an xbox 360 as my only "peripheral" to also plug in (component + 2 channel sound with the current cable)

I usually keep up to date on TVs, etc but I'm really stuck on the BR and receiver.. is there much of an honest diffrent between the LG $189 players on sale for $139 and the $399 undiscounted panasonics?

Stuff like:

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10132742&catid=

vs

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10124075&catid=25323&logon=&langid=EN

vs

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10121144&catid=

[Hakkola]

PS3. Play Bluray, stream HD content from your computer, save it on the PS3 HD etc...

[eblend]

Samsung with the dark knight movie is all you will need, and a good price profile 2.0 player. From what I read about that player it plays MKVs via USB as well.

[colsankey]

So I think I'll get tha BR player, not really looking for a PS3 atm.. if I game it's on my PC.

Any receiver suggestions?

[TE4MFaint]

BDP1600T for $136 @ Visions. Comes with Darknight.
BDP3600T for $257 @ Visions if you want wireless, but in my honest opinion its no biggie to do the updates with a hardwire, just get the 1600. Best bang for you buck.

As far as a reciever goes. I`ve always liked the Onkyo TXSR607B. Or the new HTRC160.

[teknical]

That Samsung with TDK is a very good deal.

If you can go a little higher, i would suggest this AVR:
http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10127294&catid=10551&logon=&langid=EN

I upgraded from my entry level HK AVR-154 to the Pioneer and have no complaints or regrets whatsoever! :thumbsup:

Sony: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?sku_id=0665000FS10126710&catid=10551&logon=&langid=EN

This Sony seems like a good Receiver, little less wattage per channel but it's definitely in the price range. Maybe someone who has this particular Receiver could chime in and let us know how it is?