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IF Everything Else were equal, MIGHT let that be a deciding factor.

Otherwise - and based upon reports of Samsung's LACK of support for their older blu-ray players (albeit from an admittedly small sample size) - would not put any value on that.

In fact, rather like the Recommendation to IGNORE the Web Apps on the "Smart Tvs" - from any company - and instead pick up an external box for that function.

We have a handful of components that were supposedly designed with "Future Upgrades" in mind - whether by swapping cards, or plugging a new board into an "Expansion Slot." Exactly NONE of these has ever received a PHYSICAL update - only downloadable Firmware / Software updates, and even at that (for the most part) only within the first year or two of ownership.

Unless you are buying TRULY High-End gear - like, for example, a RED Camera - would not count on very much R&D going to Upgrading older models.

There can ALWAYS be Exceptions, of course...

I would go by PQ, not web packages. And Panny has the edge there. You might want to consider the ST50 as well. You can easily upgrade firmware on the Panny with an internet connection. And for streaming, BluRay payers do a better job than displays anyway. And then there's reliability and customer service, where IMO Panny is the winner over Samsung.

Not even Samsung is specific about what will be offered through that port. I can't help but imagine what can happen to microprocessors hanging off the back of a plasma. Also, Samsung can't even get the features of E8000 working right, why wouldn't this be just as frustrating for an owner? IMO, not even that justifies the buzz of a Samsung.