Complete NOOB, don't know where to start

[bruss01]

Ok, I have been setting up tv and other electronic equipment since back when you could take the vacuum tubes out of the back of the tv and take them to the tube testing machine at Sears and buy any new tubes you needed. But I'm finding that this new generation of stuff is really confusing me. The last TV I bought was in 1998 and it still works perfectly to this very day. I have hooked up the VCR, DVD player, the satelite receiver, an XBOX 360, and even an external speaker set to this TV and all works just fine.

I've been waiting for the next generation of technology to become relatively mature (or at least get thru the most awkward stages of puberty) before investing any more money in AV equipment. As a result, I've been waiting until the HD vs Blu-Ray division got settled - now that the dust has settled, I'm looking again.

But it's bewildering - for instance, what is a "receiver"? I already have a satellite receiver, and I don't need a converter for rabbit ears. Is this simply related to the sound system? I have a set of powered 5.1 speakers plugged into my tv (I know they're not producing 5.1 sound but they're better than the tv speakers). Will a modern tv/dvd work without one? In other words can I connect my speakers directly without having to go thru an audio receiver unit? Yes, I would expect to get better sound thru a special unit, but I WILL have to do this upgrade project in stages, and I don't want to get painted into a corner where I have a lot of equipment that can't be used because it's "incompatible". I guess I need to know what is "necessary" vs what is "recommended" or "preferred". What will work, what won't kind of stuff.

Since our DVD player just died, for instace, can I get a Blu-Ray player and be able to watch it on our old 1998-era TV? I'd like to be able to enjoy movies while waiting to acquire the TV (likely 4th qtr this year) and while it's possible to watch them on the XBOX, it's definitely a kludge.

Anybody got a link to a site with some good basic MODERN info for someone who's fallen behind the times? I want to get back up to speed before making any irrevocable decisions.

What I'm thinking so far:
TV - Samsung Touch of Color 52"
BD - Samsung BD-1500
(didn't plan to buy both from the same mfr, just happened that way, but are there any hidden up-sides of doing this?)

Thanks anyone for throwing a NOOB a bone...