I have the BDP-23FD (basically the Elite version of the 320) connected to an SC-07 receiver and honestly, PQLS isn't much of a feature. The difference in sound quality is almost negligible. Unfortunately, Pioneer BD players suffer from severe compatibility issues. If you are adamantly against the PS3 and want a true standalone player, go with the OPPO BDP-83. It is as close to the speed and reliability of the PS3 as you can get. I personally am a huge fan of the PS3 as a BD player. Of all my players, it is the only one that plays all of my discs.

Let me clarify my statement. There is a difference between LPCM and Bitstream, but it is not quality. It is volume/gain. I will admit the Bitstream is "louder" than the LPCM and that can lead to a perceived quality difference. I also found that if I raised the volume 3-5dB on LPCM playback the "difference" vanished. I still stand by my belief that the information you here is the same (at least on decent equipment).

I have tried both ways using my Pioneer Elite SC-07 connected to both the PS3 and Pioneer Elite SC-23FD. Using the same movie between each player with the SC-23FD bitstreaming I could not hear any intelligible difference. From what I have heard, the PS3 outputting LPCM is indistinguishable from a bitstreaming player.

I use my Vista/OSX86/Ubuntu 1000H eeePC now as my travel companion back and forth to Hong Kong. It works incredibly well and with an extra battery easily makes the trip.

I see that the rental system is FINALLY working on iTunes. What shocked me is that every movie (or at least every movie I looked at) was only available in "Fullscreen". I am sorry, but if that is the plan than they can forget it. I haven't watched a fullscreen movie (voluntarily) in more than 8 years.... I am not about to start now and pay a steep price to do it. What year is this again?

I am trying out the free trial now and I must say that I am at least impressed that they are offering downloads at 192kbps.... sure beats 128kbps. Yes, I agree DRM sux, but it is slowly becoming a fact of life. The interface is a little sluggish, but I expect that may change as the software exits beta. The one neat thing is you can watch music videos without even joining the service...