That's one reason I like the PS3 so much. They say it's "future proof". You can download software updates from Sony's site, or just pop in a brand new video game, they have the new software loaded on them if they're made after an update is available. I'm pretty sure you can do that with some of the other Blu Ray players on the market too. For any reviews on specific models, I got to the AVS Forums. You're getting reviews from actual consumers there, plus they post a lot of good deals on the dvd's.
As far as special features go, I really don't care too much about them. If a movie just has the original trailer and maybe a gag reel and deleted scenes I'm happy. For me the improved picture quality is the reason to buy them. Most of my blu ray dvds are of movies that were made in the past couple years, when HD cameras were really used a lot. But I have "Die Hard" on blu ray and it's like watching a new movie. The picture is much more crisp than any other version I've ever seen of the movie. You can pick out the pinstripes on Ellis's suit! But it's probably not as detailed as a movie that is made today. I read something on that digitalbits site the other day where the reviewer said something along the lines of "You can't expect a movie like 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' to look as good as a modern movie like 'Cars', but what you are getting is a movie thats as close to how good it looked in theaters originally as you're ever going to get."
And all of those cheap movies I mentioned are brand new. I don't buy previously viewed ones any more. Another good thing about blu rays though, is that they are tougher than standard dvds so you're less likely to get a scratched one if you rent a lot.
All of this is a moot point without an hdtv set though. I just got a 40" Sony and I swear, if all I could watch was the Discovery Channel, I wouldn't mind a bit. :D
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