is 1080p Marketing Hype?

[CaptainJack]

Interesting thread about 1080p.
I've got a question about 1080i to 1080p. I've got the JVC
HD61FH96 that is 1080p but "it will not accept a direct, native 1080p source signal at it's inputs"
(from a review).
Because I'm waiting for the Sony BDP S550 player (my Denon AVR-3805 doesn't have HDMI, so,
since my sound system is a THX 7.1, I'm waiting for a good player that has
7.1 anolog outputs) I can't test it yet with my JVC, but I'm
assuming I'm going to have to set output from the Sony to
1080i and let the JVC upgrade to 1080p.
I'm lucky that the JVC doesn't do the 50% game of de-interlacing (i.e. it has motion adaptive de-interlacing) but because I'm now diving in head first in to Blu-Ray (I've bought over 40 disks in the last two weeks), I am concerned about what the final PQ is going to be having to go though i to p conversion.
Do any of you have any experience with this process or any
thoughts about the outcome?
Thanks,
Jack