This might not be the right area for this so I apologize in advance.

I purchased a Samsung LN52A650 and plan to purchase a Panasonic DMP-BD55K or a 35K. The difference, from what I've read is that you have to have 7.1 receiver to use the 35K. There is at least $150 difference.

I have a regular JVC DVD player that acts as a receiver, it's 5.1. I've just shelled out more than I have for the TV so I'm trying to set everything else up good but inexpensive.

Here is where I need help.

A) Since I'm going to get a Blu-ray player what kind of receiver do I need? If I get a 7.1 receiver then I can save money on the Blu-ray player.

B) Can I use my same speakers?

C) How can I hook up my Wii to the new TV? Is there are more "hightech" way than how it's hooked to the tube TV? (HDMI)

D) What cables are needed to hook the Blu-ray to the HDTV?

E) How can I use the TV as a monitor for my laptop? I have an older Dell Inspiration 6000.

F) I have no experience with HDTV... any suggestions on what to do or not do, please.

Thanks for reading

I've just shelled out more than I have for the TV so I'm trying to set everything else up good but inexpensive.

...at least you were honest with yourself. Don't buy anything other than an antenna.

A. Forget it for now.
B. Yes
C. Use the cables that come with the Wii
D. See A
E. Assuming the TV has a VGA port you simply use a VGA cable to connect from the VGA out port of the laptop to the VGA in port of the TV
F. Put up an antenna and enjoy free HDTV for a while.......

Edited. Removed wrong information. Was thinking of DMP-BD30.

For more information see the Bluray Player forum.

Simple version:
DMP-BD35 has no ability to DECODE new HD audio formats.
DMP-BD55 has built in DECODER.

Not correct. I own the BD35, and it does in fact decode every advanced format. The difference is that the BD55 has 7.1 *analog* output (and DivX decoding, and a blue light, and optical coax out, and special vibration reducing feet), which the BD35 doesn't. However, if you have a receiver that accepts multichannel LPCM via HDMI (which it sounds like the OP does not), then you can play all advanced audio out that way. For the OP, it doesn't sound like it'll make a difference since he doesn't have a receiver anyway.

So now I need a receiver that will work with the 35 .... suggestions?

Not correct. I own the BD35,

I stand corrected. I was thinking of the BD30.

So now I need a receiver that will work with the 35 .... suggestions?

The DMP-BD35 WILL work with your current AVR assuming you have optical digital (toslink) input (most do).

Using optical you will still get sound it just will be DD or DTS only. No "HD audio". The DD or DTS sounds very good (higher bitrate than DVD) so it may be enough.

Might be a good idea to get DMP-BD35 now hook it up to your existing AVR and if/when you feel the need to upgrade get a new HDMI AVR. Any HDMI AVR will work as long as it accepts multichannel audio over HDMI. Some low end AVR acts only as a switch and will use words to the effect of "HDMI switching" or "HDMI pass through" that wouldn't work.