[NewMexLurker]

I also have the Sony BDP-S300. It replaced an Oppo standard DVD player, one of the expensive models with 1080i upconverting capability. I was very happy with the picture from the Oppo, but the standard DVD upconvert on the Sony BluRay puts it to shame. I don’t know if it’s because the Sony upconverts to 1080p, or if it is something else, but a standard DVD played on the Sony looks terrific on my 52” LCD flatscreen. Not quite as good as a real BluRay, but pretty darn close. Close enough that I would never consider replacing a standard DVD that I already own with a newly purchased BluRay version.

[Myrddin]

I have many standard DVDs that look great with the 1080p upconvert on the Sony BDP-S300. Just because the title is on a BluRay disk is no guarantee that the video will look better. The studios have been re-releasing old titles on BluRay. Some of them stink. The only extra value offered is the additional material from the gag reels, interviews with the stars and director and often background on how the movie was shot. The Italian Job on BluRay has a very fine background on how the movie was shot. The same goes for the release of Dante's Peak.