And I can't seem to use the search function to dig up any relevant, existing Blu-Ray threads, so here goes:

I have a Sony DVD player that came as part of a whole home theater system, so it has the six speakers as well as the six speaker output plugs in the back of the player.

I was at Costco and Target today, idly looking at Blu-Ray players, and noticed that the stand-alone players, even the Sony models, do not have the extra audio output sockets on the back of the player--just the sockets for the component video output.

Is it even possible to buy a Blu-Ray player that will simply allow my existing speakers to plug into it for 5.1 sound, or would I have to buy an all-new Blu-Ray home theater package?

Maybe if I spice up the topic title a bit, I'll get more of a response...

Can't speak specifically to your issue (model number?), but I know I used to have a Sony bundle system that had proprietary speaker connections which meant it couldn't really work with other components... YMMV, of course.

I guess I just assumed that the DVD companies, eager to push this new technology, would have made it far easier and more practical to upgrade. Live and learn.

(And I tried to add an "NSFW" to the topic title the other night, but I guess it didn't work.)

Mostly they use the HDMI outputs, with compatible equipment, in favor of component connections. The HDMI cable carries both audio and video signals. That's why you see devices with fewer connections available than in the past.