Home theater system question...please help?

-Okay...I am in the market to buy a new TV and a home theater system. Went to brands mart and the kid showed me some stuff and turns out he wasnt giving bad advice...I just wanted to double check on a few things before I fully commit and thought my Y! Answers crew might help out as always...my questions are:



1. If I will be mostly watching blu-rays and playing xbox...do I really need to have a receiver that does the 1080p up-conversion?

2. what is your take on a 5.1 vs 7.2 channel receiver? I am looking at the Bose 5.1 Accoustimass System, so I think 7.2 would be unnecessary (even though upgrading later would be a good option to have)

3. I am looking at Onkyo receivers, I've heard some good stuff about them, and the two choices are:

a) TX-NR609

b) TX-NR509

***the biggest difference is that one is 5.1 and the other 7.2, the 609 is THX certified (im not sure what that really does for me)...and also the 609 has the upconvert option...but the price is just about twice as much of the 609.



This will most likely be used in my bedroom, and later to be used in a living room...so I do not need to have the top of the line...somewhere in the middle is fine with me...highly doubt I will be upgrading and adding speakers here and there but im not opposed to it...just trying to save money...if you have recommendations on speakers or receivers (I am willing to blow about $1500 on the system, and obviously if I can be around the $1000 mark for a really nice set up...ID LOVE YOU FOR SUGGESTING IT :D)



Thanks for your help!I would recommend a Denon Receiver like the avr 591 OR avr 791 over the Onkyo 509 although the 609 seems to be OK...Onkyo has been cutting corners in there entry level line receivers for some reason and so I would not recommend the NR 509 seems that the higher up you go in there line the better job they do and the less likely a chance you will get burned...its not because its 7.2 but just better amps and for many other reasons also..another good choice would be the Pioneer VSX 521 just a better receiver in that price range.

Speakers take a look at Boston Acoustic Polk Audio and Jamo before the Bose; Bose are just over priced for what you get....