oppions wanted/go blu?

[digitalgliff]

Last week i purchased a magnavox blu-ray player for $180. I threw some standard dvd in it & i saw no improvement in PQ. ( Yes im using HDMI ) I also had my standard dvd player hooked up to my 50' vizio plasma so i could compare. I have no blu-rays, But all the articles i read state that it displays a good HD image.
I promised myself that if it didnt see a improvement in upscaleing i would return it, which i did. Now im wondering if i should go & buy it again & damn the upscale. IYO is blu-ray worth $180? ( im a tight wad ) Also if im not looking at upscaling a dvd image. (like i said earlier... no improvement) Would using the component cables i have ( i got suckerd into $60 monsters back in 99 ) Deliver just as good a HD picture?