Buying a Home Theatre system

I bought my TV today and will be picking it up tomorrow. My current DVD player isn't proscan. Will that effect how the dvds will play on my new TV? Right now, I'm looking at this system:

Philips 1,000 Watt Home Theater w/ USB, Model: HTS3450/37.

It isn't very expensive so I'm sure there is a lot better out there. But, I'm looking to spend about $200.

It'll look just fine without the progressive scan - there won't be any distortion or anything like that.

For an entry level home theater system, I really recommend Onkyo - something like this. It doesn't come with a DVD player, but I think they make the highest quality product in the "first system" price range. The one I linked is $209 at amazon right now, and I think that's a steal. Consider the features you want, too - I think digital inputs are a must, but you may not. Also, you'd have to buy a separate progressive scan DVD player, so weigh the options.

If I was buying a new DVD player today, I would make sure to get an upconvert one.

DrunkenSleipnir wrote:

It'll look just fine without the progressive scan - there won't be any distortion or anything like that.

For an entry level home theater system, I really recommend Onkyo - something like this. It doesn't come with a DVD player, but I think they make the highest quality product in the "first system" price range. The one I linked is $209 at amazon right now, and I think that's a steal. Consider the features you want, too - I think digital inputs are a must, but you may not. Also, you'd have to buy a separate progressive scan DVD player, so weigh the options.

Wow. Thanks. This is a better deal because I can then buy a DVD player that upscales.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll use my current DVD player until I can get both.

thanks.

I was just browsing in a stereo store the other day. They had a couple of Onkyos out on demo, and there was a CD in one of them. I thought it sounded quite good! This was a $500 system, and I'd strongly suggest you go up to the $500-$700 range for a 5.1 system with a receiver.... but at that level, the Onkyo seemed excellent. This was a quick impression, using music I didn't know well, but I think I'd probably be pretty happy with it, particularly at that price.

Make sure it has all of the inputs you need.

I recently got a Yamaha HT and something that annoys me is that the Receiver displays Composite video inputs only through its Composite video output. I would like to use only one connection from the Receiver to the TV but I have to change the source on the TV when I change from Component to Composite input on the Receiver. I don't know if this a limitation of every Receiver but I doubt it.

*Edit*
This doesn't mean I don't like my HT. I love it and think is a good investment if you use your TV for anything, be it gaming, movies or just watching TV. Now I enjoy playing music and watching concerts at the living room, which I never thought of doing before. Hope you enjoy it a lot!

I have this receiver and these speakers and it makes for a mighty fine system. The second zone powered output is great for the speakers on my deck as well. If you're going to go components, be sure to get a system without a built-in DVD player lest it be obsolete much sooner. Plus, DVD stand-alone players are so cheap now.

I bought an Onkyo 6.1 speaker package a while back and have been very pleased with it. I only paid about $200 for the speakers. I've since replaced the mains, but still use the woofer, center channel and surrounds.

I have a Harman/Kardon receiver that I'm really impressed with as well.

Onkyo is pretty well thought of for stereos/home theaters in a box. If you're looking for an upconvert DVD player, Oppo's a pretty good, maybe a little pricier than the usual $120-150 ones you'll see at Best Buy.

Onkyo destroys the other popular companies in the $500 price range on the Home Theater in a Box stuff.

The receivers are generally more fully featured, the sound is better... there's just no reason to buy any of the other stuff unless you're planning on spending more.

I still dream of someday owning a nice Denon Receiver and a set of Cinema speakers from Paradigm.

Malor wrote:

I was just browsing in a stereo store the other day. They had a couple of Onkyos out on demo, and there was a CD in one of them. I thought it sounded quite good! This was a $500 system, and I'd strongly suggest you go up to the $500-$700 range for a 5.1 system with a receiver.... but at that level, the Onkyo seemed excellent. This was a quick impression, using music I didn't know well, but I think I'd probably be pretty happy with it, particularly at that price.

I picked up an Onkyo Receiver and 7.1 speaker system from Vaan's when I bought my projector a year ago. I love it.
Great sound. Nice look. Simple interface. Lots of hookups. I recommend looking into it!

EDIT,
Speaking of which... I was looking into adding a CD player to the mix. So far I've been using it for Movies and Gaming, but listening to music on my computer speakers seems.... inadequate somehow. Any suggestions while we're on the topic? Onkyo has a 6 disc changer for $199 list (around $150 from actual vendors) has anyone tried this?

I use last years model of this Sony as both a CD player and DVD player in the front room. I got the old model for $40 or so, and don't know what the differences are between models. The one I have uses coax digital out and progressive scan through component. Interface is simple, sound is good through Dolby Digital or DTS, it saves your spot on DVDs even if you remove them and watch other stuff between (I love that feature :)). No upscaling - I wasn't going to spend the extra money on that feature, but I'm not everyone else.

DrunkenSleipnir wrote:

this Sony

That's almost the exact same player I have right now! I can't confirm model numbers, but you're right! It's a pretty neat DVD/CD player for the money. Also using the Coax and the Components gives a nice clear 480p image and awesome sound if your system can take the Dolby signal.

My one gripe with using this player as a CD player: the overall volume level is almost 50% lower than all of my other components. I have to crank my system up to 35-40 to get 'adequate' rumble on my action flicks and techno trash music. While I can shake the floor with my PS2 and 360 in the mid 20s.

That's why I'm looking into a dedicated music player... that and the DVD player takes FOREVER to eject a disc sometimes.

Yeah, if you're looking for something to play music exclusively, probably want to get a dedicated player. I actually ended up ripping most of my CDs to my PC, and network the music to my receiver. Before that, I just had an iPod plugged in with an RCA connector. Simple solutions, and all that