Which do you find better? The Pearl or one of the new Blu-Ray players? Does it matter if the DVD player is feeding the Pearl via Component?

If you want a good upscaling option that is a great match for the Pearl, then go with the cheap version of the PS3. The upscaling of a PS3, with updated firmware, will definitely outdo sending a signal to the Pearl alone. It will also outdo or at least match any other consumer "built in" upscaler out there. It can't match the dedicated upscaler units, but those cost big bucks.

As a bonus, you also will have access to Blu-ray movies, and these will blow any upscaled DVD picture out of the water.

Yes, it does matter if you send the signal via component or HDMI. If you have the option, keep all of the DVD signal digital by using the HDMI connection. For hi-def discs, remember that component connections will limit playback just based upon how they are designed to work.

If you want a good upscaling option that is a great match for the Pearl, then go with the cheap version of the PS3. The upscaling of a PS3, with updated firmware, will definitely outdo sending a signal to the Pearl alone. .

Agree 100 percent. I was using a Panny DVD player outputting 480i over component and letting the Pearl scale. I recently switched to a PS3 connected via HDMI. The difference in the PQ was very noticable on standard DVDs and obviously far superior with BD disks. Love the PS3.