I am now checking-out Marantz BD8002 with standard dvd up-converted by Realta in the player, and then Anchor Bay in the receiver. I don't see that Anchor Bay is doing anything but making the picture better. It certainly isn't noticeably worse. My standard def dvds look amazing.
I had to choose up-conversion on my receiver due to the fact I want my cable up-converted. The receiver only lets you choose up-conversion for all HDMI inputs, or passthrough for all.
The only feature I see so far that I don't like is the fact that I can't choose which HDMI input to up-convert, and which one not to. But as I said, I don't see it causing any problem with my picture. As far as I know, it may see a 1080p input, and not process it at all.
So far, just tickled.