I have a Panasonic DVD player with HDMI, but I hook that directly to my projector, not through my receiver. My receiver does convert all inputs (composite/s-video) upto component, so my VCR/Satellite/HD receiver are all going to my receiver and then I just have one component out to my TV to save cables and clutter. I would take your time, there are lots of good AVR's from Denon, HK, Pioneer, Yammy that cost less and have the same bells whistles. For me it was the surround decoding, not all the extras they are putting into receivers these days that I'll never use.
