Entertainment Center: TVs, Stereos, VCRs and DVDs - Surround sound system suggestions for a small basement?

I'm in the process of finishing my basement. I'm devoting one part of the basement as a TV viewing area. I'd like to set-up a surround sound system. I've got an LCD TV and a DVD player. I have basic stereo speakers, but I need a new receiver.

Should I get a theater in a box, or would I be better off getting individual pieces? Can anyone recommend a good website for guidelines on speaker positioning based on space? As you may tell, I'm pretty ignorant in this area, so any help is greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Hello,

Theater in a box systems can be just as good as buying seperate. It really depends on your budget.

For proper speaker setup, take a look at this link courtesy of Crutchfield.

http://www.crutchfieldadvisor.com/ISEO-rgbtcspd/learningcenter/home/speaker_placement.html

I have owned Onkyo receivers for decades and love them. I would recommend them too anyone. They have models fitting most budgets.

If you choose to get a seperate receiver, they sell home theater speakers in a package.

I am running a Onkyo TX-SR805 receiver with some nice Infinity speakers. I am very pleased.

Be careful with HTIB. Most will not allow you to hook up external digital sound. So if you ever get sattelite or digital cable or go HD, you may not be able to get the surround sound. When shopping for HTIB, look for digital cable and/or fiber optic inputs.

BTW - I, too, recommend Onkyo.

Mark and Bob,

Thanks.

Guy