I'm amazed at the amount of features you can get in a receiver now for under $600.
I definitely vote for option #2. You are adding way more versatility per dollar by adding a receiver vs the nice but very highly priced BD-player.
The two receivers are both great. I give the Onkyo the upper hand for the reasons you have mentioned. Also, although hardly a deal breaker, the thoughtfulness of putting a 7th HDMI input in the front may come in handy over the years as more and more laptops and portable devices come with HDMI out built in or via a companion cradle.
My one gripe on both, only one HDMI out. However, that only deters me for my own purposes and this is not about me, it's about you. That's right, I said it, but for just this one topic only.....
