I thought the PS3 and Panasonic were the only two BD players that DID support the new codecs.
The PS3 does not have analogue, 8 channel outs though. Unless you have HDMI 1.1, you won't get to here uncompressed PCM (which would be shame cause it sounds terific). If you have HMDI 1.2, you will also get a great SACD player with the PS3. It sounds/plays SACD's better than my Oppo 970.
With the PS3 you also get a mini HTPC. You can load CD's / DVD's onto the hard drive. Then there's the Ethernet support if you're into that.
It's friggin weird using a game machine for disk play back, but I think it's the best BR machine out there right now.
If you do get it, make sure you pick up the DVD remote. I'm using the game controller and it's a PITA.
PS: seeing how you got me into the whole HD game, I really hope I can help get you into BR and blow another grand or so it!!
