Where to start
HDMI is needed for 1080P as component doesn't support the bandwidth last time I actully looked into it. True Dolby/DTS also flows out on the HDMI allowing for the 1 cable to do it all. Now there is a point of the handshake needed so if one component is older than the others ie. HDMI1.1 vs 1.3a there will be some issues there, no video but the audio still feeds through, or so I have heard. With your size screen 720P is all you really need so HDMI is not required, until you spring for the 68" 1080P
Analog outputs (for SACD and DVD-A? 5- 7 channel?) do not come standard.
Right now the PS3 is still the best deal for Blue Ray. The other threads have the new Toshibas as the best bang for the buck in HD.
I am sure you have been over to AVS forums to see what they say. I have also found some interesting things at
Afterdawn
