interesting replies. thanks SO MUCH peeps

I THINK I have this straight , but still one thing eludes me wee brain hehe.

up-converting is basically taking all video input of whatever source and outputting it via [1]HDMI to TV ( or component if that is the "best" out connection the receiver has?) like the v2500 has no HDMI so it would take all connections and output to TV via ONE component connect?

upscaling is the receiver changing the input to a higher standard? say 480p to 1080P? I assume that this is where the problems lie with connecting video sources via AVR? that the AVR just does not do a good job of it?

sorry for still wanting to be clear but...

I guess my next question would be why on earth would I want to upgrade to ANY of the AVR's I have listed? After reading these replies...what would be my gain? as the v2500 from what I have read is a solid AVR, AND it already paid for lol ....and the OPPO [presumably does a good job upscaling of the source to 1080i]

if a A.S.S.U.M.E. correctly , who are these AVR makers targeting to "upgrade" to their products with the HDMI in/out puts? especially when they don't appear to do a good job of it.

again I thank u all that have replied and that will reply.
Peace,
Stone__Man