Best symphonic virtual instrument? GPO, MOTU, EeatWest... Any advice?

I am thinking about buying a good symphonic instrument and have read some reviews and heard on-line samples of GPO, MOTU and EastWest.

I'm a video editor masquerading as someone who knows something about music (!) so I consider myself no more than intermediate quality. I mean, I've played keyboard and guitar in front of an audience as part of a group but as for composing, I am somewhat new to it.
I'd like to create sound tracks for some of the videos I'm doing.

Anyway, I am considering GPO because other people recommend it and the price is right, but I am worried about spending a lot of time in post adding effects and tweaking the sound, eg: panning, reverb etc etc.
Has anyone got GPO? Is it true that to get the most out of it you've got to fiddle with it a lot in post?
And, is it true that the volume of the sound can only be controlled by the mod-wheel (not the actual key velocity) which means you've got to play one-handed?

MOTU Symphonic I heard was was not so good and hungry on resources...

EastWest I'm leaning toward because it's more "out of the box" which doesn't require me to spend lots of time in post tweaking it.
But there's so much choice, Gold version, Platinum, Platinum Pro XP(!). I'm confused as to which one to buy.

Does anyone own all three, or can give me some advice?

Thanks,,

I have GPO (Kontakt-based), Philharmonik (Sampletank-based), and the portion of VSL that's bundled with Kontakt 2. I may consider adding Kirk Hunter Sapphire (which requires Kontakt 2 or 3). Philharmonik Classik Edition is on special right now for $99, until the end of August.

EWQL is transitioning from the NI player to their "Play" interface. I don't know if Play is stable yet, and some don't like the Pace dongle copy protection. The reviews of MOTU SI on KVR were not very positive last time I looked.

Other libraries include Peter Siedlaczek's classical orchestra (Kontakt-based) and Sonivox (aka Sonic Implants) - it was GVI-based but Tascam has discontinued GS & GVI, I heard they're going to develop their own player.

One thing to be aware of is that some libraries are "dry" (no reverb etc applied), others are "wet" (natural hall reverb was used for recording the instruments). This may have an effect (pardon the pun) on your choice. IIRC GPO is "dry", EQWL and I think Philharmonik are "wet", someone correct me if I'm wrong there.

Doug

Thanks all... I heard that GPO has a Sonar page and that other users share their .cwp project files.
I think this will be a good way of learning if I can look at someone else's project.

One thing that puts me off about GPO is the use of the mod wheel for volume/timbre control. :s
Is their an option now for key-velocity or is it still that way?

As for EWQL Symphonic, there are too many different versions (Gold, Platinum, Silver etc etc) for
me to make a decision yet.