What to Look for in My First HT Receiver?

[mjcmt]

I have been into high end audio for many moons and have good knowledge on audio...

...but I am an absolute novice on HT so I am looking for advice on setting up a contemporary entry level HT system utilizing HDMI. The room size is 14'x22' but seating is 12' from screen.

I currently have a Oppo HD-970 universal player that will output audio and up sampled video (as well as 480i video) through its HDMI connection so I am looking for a HT receiver to handle the A/V duties.

I currently have a HDTV with DVI so I use a HDMI to DVI connector for the video and send analogue audio from the Oppo to a high end 2 channel system.

I will be getting a 37" LCD flat panel with HDMI at a later date, but I need a recommendation for a HDMI capable receiver to handel switching and processing. Or maybe send Oppo's good quality HDMI up sampled video signal to the LCD panel.

What should I look for in a receiver and what are some product recommendations?

I have speakers for now and will choose speakers to compliment the receiver at a later date.

[krips]

What is your budget? What is the room size that this will be going in?
There are a few things you want to look for in receivers AFAIK:
1) Weight
2) Connections
3) Output (RMS watts @ 20hz-20khz, <.1%thd @ 8ohms)

[Azeke]

Indeed budget seems the primary consideration at this point, prior to any valid recommendations.

Also, have you considered separates as a option?

Just food for thought.

Peace and blessings,

Azeke