[denisincalif]

After a few back-and-forth posts with Wayde, who also voted for it, I voted for the Samsung BD-UP5000. Its specs are great. As has been discussed in the official BD-UP5000 thread, we all know it is going to require firmware updates before it actually delivers on its audio specs. And it also requires an already-released firmware update to remove some incompatibilities with some of the latest discs (such as 3:10 To Yuma). But two different reviewers have issued glowing reports on its video quality. And one of those reviewers had just installed the firmware update that was released a few days ago and it worked as advertised. Upgrading firmware sounds like it should be easy, because the player has an Ethernet port and can handle direct downloads (but I don't have the player yet and so haven't actually tried it).

I am keeping my fingers crossed that the audio-related firmware arrives in May as promised, and letting my order for the BD-UP5000 stand.