I bought an A2 for $98 @ Wally world. I had determined to wait this war out another year, but at that price, couldn't say no. Since then, I bought one of the Samsung 5000 duo players b/c I liked HDM and wanted some of the titles BD had. The 5000 has so much potential, but is just not cutting it atm. Firmware has not come out and we are getting way too many different answers from them on when or even if it will. Not too sure I'll keep it beyond my return window of Jan 31. We'll see. If they don't fix it or put in writing when they will, I will return it and buy a stand alone BD later this year. I may wait until BF to buy it and just suffer not having BD for now. BD just seems to have way too many playback issues right now. I know HD DVD had some as well, but seems like not as many and not as long as BD.
I was really pulling for Toshiba and HD DVD. If the prices keep dropping on the players and I can find a new (or even used, if it's low enough) XA2 or even a third gen high end player for HD DVD, I will. I will also keep buying the discs. The biggest thing I would have against the A2 is no 1080p. I don't have a display that I can use it on atm, but will look at a new 1080p pj buy the end of the year, depending on my financial situation (Strat, you are really having a negative influence on my optomism for the economy!) and what I can find.
I'm a little perturbed at the DLP group for not putting out 3 chip players to compete with all the new LCD units coming out. LCD is going to blow right by them if they don't do something. I like DLP better, but won't pay a big up-charge to get it.