HD Advisor July 17th - Finally Legal!

[Attebery]

http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/sh..._Turns_21/3061

[crazzeto]

with regard to the HTIB, given the low budget I would just look for something from a recognizable name brand. You're not going to get anything terrific, but you'll at least get better than TV speakers quality, and it won't catch fire (more than likely).

[CLARKETRON3000]

I'm curious to know what people think about paint screens rather than fabric/material screens. i know a lot of people have used the screen "goo", and not been a huge fan of the quality or the price involved, but I've also recently come across paintonscreen paint which seems to have a lot of high profile clients (like museums and such).

as for HTIB.... maybe things are slightly cheaper in the states than here in canada, but unfortunately, my answer is that no, you can't get anything decent for $300USD.
the only thing i can possibly say is at least consider getting a separate speaker set + receiver. personally, i'm a fan of the H/K umbrella (harman/kardon, infinity and JBL) and infinity and jbl both have nice 5.1 packages - pair it up with an h/k amp and you're set.

[Josh Z]

Originally Posted by CLARKETRON3000

I'm curious to know what people think about paint screens rather than fabric/material screens. i know a lot of people have used the screen "goo", and not been a huge fan of the quality or the price involved, but I've also recently come across paintonscreen paint which seems to have a lot of high profile clients (like museums and such).

I haven't used screen paint myself, but I know that it's a popular low-cost alternative. My fear is that the texture of the wall beneath the paint would show through in the image. With actual screen material, you have better control over the surface.

[fondoo]

For HTIB, I've had success with Onkyo, and the reviews I've read for their HTIBs are consistently good. For $300, you can get a decent 5.1 system that will handle basic surround sound (i.e., no HD codec decoding, but this IS $300). The included speaker wire in their systems has to be upgraded, but that's not surprising. Yes, audiophiles will cry foul, but I think the average movie watcher will be happy, especially given the low cost.

[CLARKETRON3000]

Originally Posted by Josh Z

I haven't used screen paint myself, but I know that it's a popular low-cost alternative. My fear is that the texture of the wall beneath the paint would show through in the image. With actual screen material, you have better control over the surface.

the other proponents i've heard talk about the fact that the screens themselves are prone to say... kid damage. with a wall of paint, at least you can easily paint right back over it.

i know you'd have to take special care to get a nice smooth wall, but with the money you'd save over a screen, you could hire someone to do a really nice smoothing job. additionally, you're not restricted to screen size either. you could even make it so that your 2.35 movies have the same height and not be constrained by the width of your screen.

unfortunately, my basement isn't developed yet, so this isn't an issue just yet... but it's something i keep toying with as i figure i should have this decision made before i finish the basement (or whether to use a projector at all!)

[mightymouseusf]

Originally Posted by fondoo

For HTIB, I've had success with Onkyo, and the reviews I've read for their HTIBs are consistently good. For $300, you can get a decent 5.1 system that will handle basic surround sound (i.e., no HD codec decoding, but this IS $300). The included speaker wire in their systems has to be upgraded, but that's not surprising. Yes, audiophiles will cry foul, but I think the average movie watcher will be happy, especially given the low cost.

I started with Onkyo HTIBs and have been using them ever since. I currently own the HT-S9100THX which CNet reviewed as the best HTIB available. Now obviously you wont be gifting that monster, but the lower end Onkyo's that I've used have all been quite good as far as "bang for your buck" goes. I'd put Onkyo HTIBs up against any other manufactures offerings at the same price point. They're also very readily available on Amazon and Newegg. I'd say give them a shot.

[beezball]

I have spent a lot of time and research into putting together my home theater and have been greatly satisfied with my Yamaha products. So when my friend basically posed the same question for himself, I recommended the Yamaha YHT-390BL. And even I was impressed by the quality for the price.

You can get it for right at three hundred at pricegrabber.

[GardenVariety]

You can buy an amazing quality Carada screen for around $500 that compares to Stewart at 1/4 of the price. Also, it will look great with velvet trim and great image quality. I don't see the need for Goo screens unless you are really broke.

[RBBrittain]

The Sony HT-SS360 is just within your price range at several sites; you may also be able to find last year's version, the HT-SS2300 (which I have), at a similar price. Though audiophiles may find fault with it, mine sounded noticeably better than the Samsung HTIB it replaced; and it has a digital amp like some higher-end AVRs.

It won't accept bitstreamed HD audio over HDMI (as some Onkyos & Yamahas will); but unlike most other HTIBs or low-end AVRs in this range, the 360/2300 *will* handle LPCM of up to 7.1 over HDMI 1.1 or 1.2 connections (don't ask me what it does to the extra 2 channels). Thus, you *will* get lossless LPCM audio from BD players with built-in TrueHD and/or DTS-HD MA decoders, such as the PS3 (which I have), as well as from LPCM BDs. Unless you insist on bitstreaming or 8-channel analog audio (edit: NOT a big deal for me), that's all you really need for HD audio, especially from BD players that don't support TrueHD or DTS-HD MA bitstreaming (like the PS3).

Other than that, the 360/2300's biggest problem is its unusual 3-ohm speakers, so if you upgrade to a stand-alone AVR later on you'll have to get new speakers (which is a good idea anyway).

If you do go another route, please notice that *NOT* all AVRs with HDMI inputs can actually *receive* HD audio, like the 360/2300 does. Many low-end stand-alone AVRs today have "pass-through" HDMI ports, which merely pass the audio along to the TV; those AVRs are limited to DD/DTS 5.1 or LPCM 2.0 over optical or coax, unless they also have 8-channel analog audio (most don't). Unfortunately, HDMI audio terminology isn't always clear in AVR specs; to be sure, check its setup instructions--"pass-through" models say you *must* have a separate audio connection to go with HDMI video, while better models will not. (Or, you can just pay more for an AVR with TrueHD and/or DTS-HD MA decoders, which require HDMI 1.3 so they can handle LPCM 7.1 also; but those are mostly outside your price range.)

Edit: The main reason I got the 2300 is that it & the 360 were the only units I could find on the market that received LPCM audio over HDMI (which the PS3 outputs) without having to pay extra for TrueHD & DTS-HD MA decoders (which the PS3 doesn't need).

Final edit (I swear): I am NOT a Sony fan; the only Sony products I own are the 2300, the PS3 & related accessories, and an old phone. To me, most Sony products are overpriced just for the Sony name; that's why my HDTV is a Vizio. However, the 360/2300 is worth it IMO.

[RBBrittain]

Originally Posted by beezball

I have spent a lot of time and research into putting together my home theater and have been greatly satisfied with my Yamaha products. So when my friend basically posed the same question for himself, I recommended the Yamaha YHT-390BL. And even I was impressed by the quality for the price.

You can get it for right at three hundred at pricegrabber.

Looked at the manual; it won't receive audio over HDMI--same for the newer model, the YHT-391BL. They do have a 6-channel analog input, which will handle HD audio from some players; however, the manual says all digital sound processing is disabled when you select that input.

You have to go TWO levels up in Yamaha's HTIB line, to the YHT-591BL ($650 MSRP, $600 at Newegg), to get one that handles HDMI audio--bitstreaming as well as LPCM; that's about twice the OP's budget. OTOH, the Sony models I posted are right at the OP's budget and *do* receive LPCM HDMI audio (though not 6- or 8-channel analog audio).

Edit: Onkyos are about the same--the cheapest one I found at Newegg that could do HDMI audio is the $590 HT-S6100. As with Yamahas, everything cheaper than that only does "pass-through" HDMI.

[damonous]

Regarding the reader's question about HTIB systems, I would 100% agree with RBBrittain above, in that the real question is: do you want to give them a system that can process audio via HDMI? --Because if you do, your choice is very limited.

Now, if you aren't concerned with lossless audio for them, ... well, what's the big question, really? Aren't the various Panasonic, Sony, & Samsung HTIB systems available in the $200-300 price range more than sufficient? --I mean, I don't think there's some "magic find" around that no one's ever heard of. If you need 5.1 speakers and a receiver device, and you don't want to get an absolute crap Coby, RCA or some other bargain-basement system, there really is no other choice. I'd probably stick with a Panasonic. Generally good build, and very robust sound. I have a 2.1 system from them for a secondary system of mine that just has really incredible sound for it's size/function.

[kelsci]

ONKYO HTS-3200
This set-up was just reviewed on Cnet and might do the job. I believe it is available at Crutchfield at under $350.

[blasto172]

Originally Posted by kelsci

ONKYO HTS-3200
This set-up was just reviewed on Cnet and might do the job. I believe it is available at Crutchfield at under $350.

I'll also give my recommendation to onkyo. I got my start with one of there 6.1 systems about 5/6 yrs ago. I'm still using the sub and speakers with my onkyo 805 receiver till I have a house and funds to upgrade.