congratulations mdwolman it sounds like you went for the works iam very happy for you thats definately going to be my next tv when funds are available.

be sure to post some pictures if you can and once again congrats.

Mike,

Did you ever decide on a pair of peripheral speakers?

That is a beautiful television, I got mine a couple of months back and its truly wonderful. I use Sky+ HD and have just baught the new Sony BDP-S360 blu-ray player for it at £179!  The Beo4 remote controls it too.

Watching and indeed listening to Blu-ray discs on the BV8-40 is simply stunning and fabulous!

You will love it!

Paul Winn wrote:

just baught the new Sony BDP-S360 blu-ray player for it at £179! 

I see that your player is advertised as having: 

Quick Start Mode: Quick Start Mode lets you begin operating your Sony Blu-ray Disc player approximately six seconds from the time it's powered on.

How quick is "Quick"?  

I have been very disappointed with all the BR players I have seen (including PS3 and the BV7-40) -- the loading of the BR disc's menu takes about 30 seconds.

Thanks, I didn't go for speakers yet...I think I'm going to ease myself in first, although I do still like the look of the BL4's....maybe next year! Thanks again for all the advice!

Mike