mdrew,
I agree with you, I plan on getting a full 1080 HD, just for the 1080i. I am not saying it is a waste.... if the price is right or even if they are the same $$$$....
Hell, I am looking for a 1080 HDTV, but I am not going to fret over it.
Therein lies the problem with the transmittion of a 1080p signal unless it recieves 1080p/24 most HD TV's cannot accept this, so you end up taking 1080p dropping it to 1080i via HDMI then the tv upscales it back to 1080p.

Pioneer sc-1525
M80 HG Cherry