oh, and pioneer elite and pioneer dvd players are horrible for video quality!!!!!!!!! if only they could get their act together and get some proper dvd players. i had the elite dv-37 and any large amount of solid color looked like a brick wall on my 65" hd-rptv. so it went off to another happy customer on ebay, muhahah. denon is the best out right now at any price.

Is 2900 worth the extra bucks over 2200? I want one around 500 but not over 750 max.

looking at the shootout i would say definitely. you should be able to haggle one for $750 or less online or at a store. i have found my local denon dealer to be very generous with dvd player prices, now if i can only wear him down on other things... :-)