Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Home Theater in a Box

I'm looking for a home theater in a box setup, doesn't need to be top of the line, or even mid range, don't need a thousand watts, just something simple for a couple hundred bucks, tried looking online and there's just so many different brands and options I have no idea what I should be looking for or where to start. How do you make an informed decision with so many options? I could read specs and reviews for months it looks like.

1st thing to consider are your programming sources, ie) what will you hook into this system. Yes, it will play DVDs and CDs in surround sound, BUT do you want to run satellite or digital cable sound thru it? If yes, then you need to make sure you have inputs for digital sound. This can either be digital coax (not the same as regular coax) or fiber optic, preferably both.

2nd thing to consider is how the wires are run. Some units in that price range take all sound to the sub first and then to the speakers. Will this setup work for you in your room?

3rd - ignore the wattage ratings. They are inflated and meaningless on the sytems you are looking at. You won't have to worry about offending neighbors with any $200 system. It just won't be that loud.

4th - This will sound harsh, but it is not intended that way. If you want it to go with an HDTV, don't even consider a system that cheap. I understand budget concerns. But you don't buy a 'vette and put $30 tires on it. Yes, there is a difference! Its better to wait until you can afford a better system.

Panasonic, Samsung, Sony are good names. The best in the low end systems is Onkyo, but it doesn't include a dvd player. But DVD players are cheap today. The Onkyo will cost a little more, but its worth it, IMHO.

Best option is to visit Circuit City and/or Best Buy and look at what they have. Avoid the sub-$100 off brand names and you won't go wrong.

I have about $6,000 in my system in the living room, but a couple of months ago, I bought a theater-in-a-box for the bedroom. I got a Koss unit from Sears that was under $200. It has DVD, plus inputs for cable and VCR, plus one optical input. The quality is nowhere close to my other system, but it beats the heck out of the TV speaker. The only downside was that the included wires were not quite long enough to place the rear speakers at the back of the room. A little wire splicing took care of that problem.

Nashcat

I'm not into big giant TV's or multi-thousand dollar audio systems, I just want better, more immersing audio than my JVC TV speakers put out. Also my TV manual says it's not compatible with progressive scan DVD players, so I don't want a setup with a DVD in it, just want to hook up my current DVD player, VCR, and cable box if possible.

Then look again at my points 1-3 and then visit a couple local electronics stores.

All DVD players, except perhaps the $15 specials, will play progressive scan. But not to worry, DVD players, by default, will not play progressive scan. You have to go into the set-up and manually switch it to progressive scan.
Progressive scan is used on EDTVs and HDTVs for a much better picture. It uses the component video cables (red, blue, green) only. You can't get ps using s-video, composite, or rf coax cables.

I you can find a cheap unit under $100, try crutchfield,

make sure you get one with dolby pro logic, 2. this is common to find and you will be much happier with it, than just surround sound or dolby prologic 1.

sporty

Kenwood makes some decent 5.1 and 6.1 setups that have all your speakers a powered sub and comes with a reciever and dvd player (separate units) that are fairly inexpensive. 500$ or less. They are not anything awsome but they were impressive for the cost.

You should consider piecing together a system also, basice reciever are real cheap and so are decent dvd players. and then you can mix and match speakers to your taste.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/allinonehometheatersystems/38/

something like this