HELP! First time buying a home theater system

[shockemags]

Hey guys. I just finished up my first year of college and I am going to move into my first apartment in the fall. I have decided I am going to purchase a basic home theater system. I will be working all summer and receiving some money in the early fall so my purchasing will take place some time in early August. I am looking to buy a nice 42-50 in. HDTV with at least a 1000 watt home audio system (HD upgrading DVD with surround sound; Speakers -Center, 2 front, 2 rear, and a sub.) I currently have a PS2 but eventually want to add a PS3, 360, Wii, or all of the above . Ha. I am planning on spending around $2000 for all of it. So I have some questions and highly appreciate any wisdom yall might have...

Questions
1. Plasma vs. LCD vs. DLP

2. 1080p vs. 1080i vs. 720p

3. Home theater... How do wireless rear speakers work?

4. What are some quality, inexpensive cables for making everything work?

5. Are the extended warranty programs worth the money?

Any and everything you would like to add...

Thank you.

ShockEm

[Tcarcio]

Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will get alot of help on this but I guess I could put in my 2 cents. It depends on alot of different things but if your room has alot of light an lcd would probably be the way to go,but if you can control the light I would choose a Plasma. I think the color is deeper and they are better for watching fast paced action like sports. On a set 42-50'' you would probably not see the difference between 1080p or 1080i unless you plan to sit 3 to4 feet away from the tv all the time so 1080i/720p should be fine and save you a couple of bucks. I cannot speak to wireless speakers but maybe someone else here can. As far as surround sound I am not to bid on HTIB so I would try to find a reciever either 5.1 or 7.1. Pioneer,Onkyo, makes some good fairly resonably priced HDMI recievers for around 500-600. And you should be able to find some speakers either online or at your local bb or cc. Do not overpay for wire, you can get good quality wire at www.monoprice.com or www.firefold.com Hope this helped.........

[dajohn29]

I would definitly go with the Sony Bravia 40 inch. Great PQ. For audio, thats more complicated. It depends on how many HDMI sources you will have. You mentioned an Xbox 360 and PS3. If u get the regular 360 with PS3, not to mention a cable box, you're best bet receiver is the Onkyo TX-SR605($499), 2 HDMI 1.3 inputs(meaning you get 5.1 PCM lossless, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD-Master Audio and all of the old Dolby and DTS formats) If you get the Elite, then you would need the Onkyo 705($799) or 805($999). They both have 3 HDMI 1.3 inputs and the only difference is that the 805 is THX Ultra 2 certified, not much of a difference. If you get the Elite, PS3, Cable/Satellite box, AND want the best audio out of HD DVDs, you would get a stand alone HD DVD player. That would bring your HDMI needs to 4 inputs, which brings us to the Onkyo 875($1599) it has 4 HDMI 1.3 inputs. The Wii is compatable with any receiver since the max audio it can do is Optical, and can only do component video. Now, speakers I would go with the Onkyo SKS-HT740, 7.1 surround sound. 7 speakers with 1 powered subwoofer. Pretty cheap now. Hope this helps.

[onavarr8]

I dont know how big your apartment may be but if there is room you could also consider an HD projector. You can find some pretty good prices for them, maybe about the same as hdtv and the image would be much larger than 50".
But I would only recommend that if you have good control of the lighting in the room because if there is too much light then image will not be as bright.

If you go with an hdtv I guess I would suggest either an LCD or DLP.....

[shockemags]

THANK YOU EVERYONE!!! That helped tremendiously. I feel confident I can find a good TV because I have some knowledge in that area and have been shopping. But I do think I need some help in the audio department...

So let's say I have $500-$750... What is the best system I can get with that money? (Remember I need to get a DVD player too)

Miscellaneous questions...

Is Vanns.com a legit website? Because they have some good deals and perks on TVs and audio.

As far as HDMI outlets on a TV, if I want to run everything (DVD, Video Game System) through the home theater. Do I have to have more than one HDMI port on the actually TV or just one to hook it up to the home theater system?

What are some tricks of the trade as far as setting up rear speakers and make it look neat without wires running down walls and across rooms? (Remember this is an apartment; I unfortunately can't drill and run them through the walls)

With the 360, Does the HD DVD drive play regular DVD as well? and is the Platinum edition worth the extra $100 or buy the controllers and memory card your self?

Thank you again for all of your help. I will keep yall update on any purchases and post pics once everything is set up...

-ShockEm

[dajohn29]

buy the Elite, it is definitly better. The 360 can only upscale to 1080p/i via VGA, and most tvs don't have this. The Elite will upscale to 1080p/i via HDMI, plus it can play HD DVDs (W add on) and gives you better audio than regular.

[glocks out]

Look for a late-model TV to save money on that. Everyone changes models in the summer so look at current models they're discontinuing. Sony has some 3LCD rear-projections that are really good, and Samsung's 720p DLPs you can get for super-cheap.

You can probably get the current Onkyo receiver they're replacing this year in August for pretty cheap (if you can track one down). This will give you HDMI audio and a lot of flexibility in connections.

Look at Oppo DVD players or even Sony or Pioneer have some HDMI upconverting DVD players at about $90 that are decent.

For speakers, I always recommend Monitor Audio because they sound a lot better than the price you're paying. Look at the Bronze line specifically. Outlaw Audio has a cheap subwoofer to match them with.

Wireless rear speakers may have time delay issues, but they should work for you. Search this forum for a thread on wireless rears.

[nelll]

I am going to do magic here so you better ask your girlfriend for the difference...

Sony 46" Grand WEGA Rear-Projection LCD HDTV 1080i
Model: KDF-46E2000


Sale: $1,059.99




HD DVD Player HD-A2
$399.00

(you know what that look's like.... )



Yamaha 810W 6.1-Ch. XM Satellite Radio-Ready Digital Home Theater Receiver:
$ 299.99




JBL 5.1-Channel Home Theater Speaker System with 100W Subwoofer
Model: SCS145.5S
Sale: $269.99






Acoustic Research 6' Digital Optical Cable
Model: DA081




$30.99




React HDMI Cable for PlayStation 3
Model: RTHD01



$59.99




TotaL: 2119.95............... you got what you paid for. Think positive, compare with people's set up in here all this is terrible but to the average families in USA this is a very good set up for beginners.

[glocks out]

Here's another setup with full HDMI capabilities including lossless audio. The speakers are a place people cheap out on, but I don't think that cheap speakers are worth what you pay for them (IMO).

Samsung HL-R5067W 50" DLP: $949
Def Tech ProCinema 80 5.1 system: $999
Sony STR-DG810: $349
Sony DVP-NS75H: $99
Monoprice 6ft HDMI (qty 2): $9.54

Total: $2,405.54

[shockemags]

First off, THANK YOU! I love both TVs. They're both in my top five. Now to the DVD/Audio...

I have been suggested to a Denon HTIB... It has a up scaling DVD, Receiver, 5 Speaker system, and a sub. As far as quality for the money is that a good idea?

I know I might be kicked off this board for this question and I preface it with my financial and living situation...

Is it the HD-DVD player worth it.?.. I won't be able to purchase many HD-DVDs.

Thank you again and sorry I need so much help in the Audio department.

P.S. Which is my best bet on the TV (These are my top 5) (I am attracted to the vanns.com bc of free shipping, tax free, free Harmony H659BLK universal remote, and $50 for Toshiba DR5 up-converting DVD player but I don't want to sacrifice quality)...

1. vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/details/457999904

2. ultimateelectronics.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=5855&itemType=PRODUCT&iProdu ctID=5855

3. ultimateelectronics.com/shopping/product/detailmain.jsp?itemID=6156&itemType=PRODUCT&iProdu ctID=6156

4. bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7834819&type=product&productCate goryId=pcmcat95100050016&id=1142297086995

5. bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8246873&type=product&productCate goryId=pcmcat95100050025&id=1168045339724

[ARPRINCE]

Well I wouldn't invest in an HTIB because it would limit your options for equipment connectivity in the future (in case you get yourself a PS3, 360, SACD player or what have you).

I purchased from Vanns before with no problems.

I have preference for DLP (I have a Samsung) and would get a 5 year extended warranty (EW) because the bulb replacement is a killer cost. It also has the color wheel so there are more moving parts. If you get LCD or Plasma, I would forgo EW (which I did on my Bravia).

Goodluck!

[glocks out]

I just saw a coupon in a Costco mailer for $20 off a logitech remote, pretty good deal.

As it pertains to the next-gen DVD formats, if I were in your situation I would wait it out, honestly. The HD-XA2 is a great HD DVD player, a bit slow and a bit pricey, but it has some of the best DVD upconverting hardware of any player. The Samsung BDP-1200 Blu-ray player is basically the same as the HD-XA2 (same chassis and processors). If you do get a PS3 you have Blu-ray automatically, and with the Xbox 360 the HD DVD add-on is sometimes available for as low at $72 - so if you HAD TO get in, those are the easiest ways to do it. You don't have to buy the movies either, Netflix and Blockbuster Total Access has Blu-ray and HD DVD movies (I use Netflix and love it).

When you look at a HTIB you need to make sure it has digital/optical audio inputs or you end up screwed with your game consoles.

Check out www.pricegrabber.com (do check on the sellers first on resellerratings.com)to find the best deal on a TV for you. You can search for TV type and size and find a whole selection. At this point in time I'm sure you'll be happy with any TV you can get, so just "go big" or whatever you want. Sony 3LCD and SXRD and Samsung DLP TVs are my favorite rear-pros (I own a E2000 series 3LCD and it really looks spectacular, much better than I thought it would).

[shockemags]

This is where I'm at right now...

TV
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ries/457999253

Free Universal Remote
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ries/410085845

HD-DVD (This board talked me into it)
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ries/487678362

A/V Receiver
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.process?Product=4162667

Surround Sound Speakers
http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/it...ries/544299412

Ipod Adapter
http://www.jr.com/JRProductPage.proc...oduct=4145545\

Everything has Free Shipping and is Tax Free. Total= $2039.93

Next...

What cables will I need? (I have a PS2)

Whats the best way to set up everything as far as HDMI, optical, etc?

Is the 7.1 worth it in an apartment or should I go with 5.1?

Any others words of wisdom. Thanks!

-ShockEm

[Ph8]

Shock, just a bit of advise...I would wait until it is closer to your purchase time to make decisions on the "bigger" items. From your 1st post you said you were going to purchase these in the fall, by that time prices will have dropped and new models will be out so at that time the suggestions could\and probably will be different. For cables you can go to Monoprice as they are highly recommended. As far as cables go you could purchase a cable management system for cheap. Right now I would be "testing" the technology that you are looking at to get a feel for what you really like. I personally have a DLP in the LR and a LCD in the Bedroom (I prefer the look of the DLP though)...As far as the audio you will be living in an Apt so a "small" system may be OK for now and then you would be able to upgrade when you move to a house....As far as connections go HDMI will probably be the choice for you and component (guess) for the Ps2.....

In the end though my best advise would be to wait, I get very excited about future purchases too, but I have learned especially with this type of purchase it is better to wait until you are close to your purchase. Go to the stores, play with the TVs see what your friends\family have and base your decision off of that remember we don't have o live with the decision you do Hope I could help out a little....

[glocks out]

You sound to have made a solid choice, but Ph8's advice is good.