Re: Always a bit confused about Blu Ray players
Rule #1 to avoid confusion when buying electronics is never ask salesmen for advice. They often know only just enough to confuse themselves and everyone they talk to with half-truths and sometimes blatant falsehoods. On internet forums you get wisdom of the crowds, when someone posts incorrect information usually someone will come along to correct them.
What people are waiting for is not called "version 3.0", it's "Profile 2.0" aka "BD-Live" support. You may or may not want to hold out for this capability, the only significant thing it is adding is internet connected special features. It's possible that vendors like LG might also integrate this internet capability with downloadable movie services.
If you care about 2.0, the Samsung 1500 is supposedly upgradable to this, the PS3 definitely upgradable. The PS3's only real significant drawbacks are the lack of IR (so have to either use game controller, or buy their Bluetooth remote, or use a universal remote and either buy a 3rd party IR->bluetooth converter or IR->USB dongle), and extra noise. Sony & Panasonic 2.0 players are due out within a month or so according to reports.
If you don't care about the internet features, and don't play games, then there are plenty of choices but if you are interested in the newer audio codecs some may be better than others depending on what model receiver you have, whether it's new enough to decode the new codecs, or can only accept them via HDMI, or can only take analog multi-ch in.
