“Is there a decent player for under $300 on the market, and is it worth my while to invest in one or just stay with the upconvert?”
Get a PS3. While it is more than $300, you can probably get a used one at a game store for $350. A remote (used) will be an additional $20. You also get the ability to stream media from your PC to the PS3 (Xbox360 also has this, but does not have BluRay).
PS3 comes with an HDMI connection, so there is no need for upgrades in the I/O department. Also, Sony has done a good job doing firmware updates so that your player stays compatible with the latest and greatest specs. It also has built in wireless ethernet as well as a wired ethernet port.
I hate to sound like such a PS3 fanboy, but I bought one of these more for the media center aspect and not so much the games. Now I am re-addicted to gaming (last new console I bought was Nintendo 64).
One thing to keep in mind though....BluRay really won’t improve older movies (in my eyes anyway). However, I noticed a considerable difference watching a newer movie like Casino Royale on BluRay vs. DVD (then again, Sony might have made a worse transfer just to sell BluRay to idiots like myself :-) ). Dolby 7.1 audio will blow you away, so budget for that as well :-)!!!!
As far as PS3 games go, just buy Warhawk....you don’t need anything else :-P :-)!!!! It’s the best online war game I have ever played...it’s more an arcade game than “strategery” based (although it can be strategy based if you want)...excellent if your entire day involves thinking and you need something to simply unwind :-)!
One more thing....PS3 will upconvert your DVDs.
Check Pricewatch, you can find one there for about $130 for your computer
but you'll also need the software and video cards to send to your HD screen.
That's how mine is set up. And BTW, WINDVD-9-plus mimics HD very very well
without all the fancy equipment, so long as you have a 1080p screen.
Warhawk is pretty cool, I bought it but barely play it though.
The problem I have is I can’t ever seem to be able to pull myself away from playing Battlefield 2142 on my PC to ever play PS3 games.
When My buddies come over though its Motorstorm, Burnout Paradise and GTA 4 craziness.