Thanks for all the info guys - nice little debate there too!

I'm gonna go ahead and get an upconverting player (when it comes on sale), and the $12 radio shack 6' cable. Only 6', and nothing in between that could possibly mess with a digital signal anyway. I'll might get an expensive cable too (with the expectation that it will probably be returned) to do mine own little test.

Either way, the DVD player in my bedroom died, so the cheaper Sony currently attached to my 46" TV will be moved to the bedroom, so it won't be wasted anyway.

Thanks again!