Toshiba HD-A2

Pros: Absolutely crystal clear picture perfect and awesome sound

Cons: I have heard some bellyache about not being able to achieve 5.1 sound except through the HDMI cable but that is simply not true.

Summary: I just got this yesterday in the mail from OnSale.com at a super deal (purchased on sale for $385 plus free shipping) The construction of this machine is definately of the most streamlined and advanced design out there and is very well made. For the money I think it is an excellent buy. I popped in my Serenity HD-DVD and it produced an absolutely fabulous picture down to the minute hairs on the characters and outstanding color saturation. The Serenity DVD is recorded in 5.1 and my Onkyo HTS790 (purchased for $399.99 from Circuit City.com) is connected to it via digital optical cable and positively confirmed that it was playing in 5.1. Then I put in the standard DVD movie Gladiator recorded in 6.1 and again my onkyo positively confirmed that it was playing in 6.1 and I could hear the individual sounds coming from each speaker (the side rear and back rear in my 7.1 system combined since the movie was a 6.1 and not a 7.1 which I am anxiously waiting for) This system is connected to my Vizio 50" HDTV by the way in case you were wondering what I was viewing it from (purchased also from Circuit City.com for $1500) Honestly I don't know what everyone is bellyaching about in regards to their not being able to get 5.1 sound out of the HD-A2. Perhaps a better reading of the instructions might help. Anyway, this system makes for one tremendous home theater (sort of makes it hard to want to go out to the movie theater anymore except to see new releases but their sound doesn't match the sound of this system)