Terrapolitan: Thanks - I agree with the black vs silver comment
I'm not too bothered about the absence of a dvd. I don't have an extensive DVD collection and what I have can be put on the Mac with easy access via Apple TV. Furthermore, looking 12 months out, I think downloads will increasingly be the way to purchase video.
I had BV5 and then swap to BV7-40 before I swap to BV9 and......there is no choice. If $ is no problem the only way to go is BV9
Some fellow member here thinks BV7-40 MKIII is better picture then BV9, but BV7 has long way to go to match BV9
For the speaker your choice is perfect!. And you can pilot all current Blueray DVDs with BV9/7 and Playstation 3 (Not power on/off, and no linkroom)
Playing Blueray DVDs on BV9 is just one word....STUNNING
And Apple-Tv can you pilot to with Beo4/5, but not use scrolling
I have BL 3500 in my bathroom, but you need a Beo4. Another choice is BL 2000
Good luck