Well, I got the $98 A2 on Friday morning and have watched several movies over the weekend. Here are my early impressions:
First, about my setup. I've got a 60" Sony SXRD TV, a Sony STR-895 receiver and Cambridge Soundworks speakers. So I use HDMI for video to the TV and optical to the receiver. Receiver only does 5.1.
So I've watched transformers, happy feet, evan almighty, knocked up, and parts of planet earth.
All I can say so far is "WOW". The HD picture I get from the player is so much clearer than the picture I get from HD cable. It definitely gives that real movie theatre experience.
The sound (DTS 5.1) also blowns me away. Not sure I'll ever care about 7.1 or lossless audio as this sounded amazing.
Finally, I tried a couple of regular DVDs and did notice an improvment in picture via the upscaling on this player.
In conclusion, I couldn't be happier with this purchase. Now I'll just wait till I can get a blu-ray player for under $150.
