albo7 is just plain wrong. the ps3 plays trueHD and DTS HDMA tracks, no problem.

now, i hate to throw around unfounded accusations of bias, but the first paragraph of that review gives me major pause about the objectivity of what is to follow . . . .

"They say luck favors the prepared. It also doesn't hurt to be in the right place at the right time. Whatever. The planets aligned in my favor, resulting in my being one of the few reviewers handpicked by Kaleiedescape co-founder and COO, Cheena Srinivasan, to audition and preview their latest addition."

that's exactly what the PS3 does do- it just outputs the result in LPCM instead of re-encoding it using a lossy codec like the 360. The ps 3 method is definitely preferable.

and what are you talking about losing the ability to use the 'bells and whistles' on your AVR with lpcm? That's so uninformed it's not even funny! Bass management, delays, matrixing- all are available on either LCPM or bitstream signals. worst engadget poll ever.

Basically, it really doesn't matter. the only possible inherent advantage for bitstream is that since the data is still packet-ized then traveling over the HDMI cable, you have better jitter resistance. But that assumes the receiver doesn't use a data buffer and reclock on the HDMI inputs, which eliminates the jitter, and is fairly common these days.
Seriously badly worded poll here, engadget.

xa2 is a bit softer and more film like, the a30 and a35 are sharper.
i prefer the xa2.

isn't the point of this device that you wouldn't need wireless speakers?

Of course! any fact that doesn't fit your worldview must be the result of bias, it's the only explanation!

what the hell are you talking about? HD-DVD has DRM as well.
the hysteria here is surprising.

the discs themselves certainly are more advanced than HD-DVD. hardcoat rules!