Thread: newbie home theater question.

After reading some of this , maybe I will increase my budget limit. Sounds like if a save a little longer I can get what I want. Will 500.00 any closer?? That will not take much longer than the 300 dollars I already have in the budget. More money just means more time till a can get it, I have waited this long..a little more will not hurt.

I have never been totally happy with an all in one HT system. They usually skimp in several areas, and inputs is one of them. I have also started looking for a setup for my bedroom set, and am learning about the current state.

First, the sonys that they sell as HT systems at Sams and the like have absolutely NO inputs. They are designed to connect to the TV output and provide a better sound. However they count on all switching being done by the TV.

Most of the HTIB systems only have 2 or 3 HDMI inputs. Worse, they are simply pass-through switching and don't handle the audio over HDMI. You still need to connect an optical or coax digital audio cable. They all come with 2 optical/1 coax inputs, but I believe that the coax is often shared with one of the opticals.

Many of the less expensive units will not do HDMI upconvert from composite or component inputs. This means that you end up running several cables from the receiver to the TV and still do switching at the TV.

Inputs, inputs, inputs. Even if you have enough for today, you won't be happy in 6 months when you decide to connect that new whizzy box. I always run out eventually.

You might want to consider buying an HDMI/Optical switcher from someplace like monoprice. If you can solve the switching, you might have a lower overall cost, and might be able to even live with the sony tv only box. That might be the best way to get it into your budget.

Originally Posted by rhdj

After reading some of this , maybe I will increase my budget limit. Sounds like if a save a little longer I can get what I want. Will 500.00 any closer?? That will not take much longer than the 300 dollars I already have in the budget. More money just means more time till a can get it, I have waited this long..a little more will not hurt.

$500 will get you close!!!! Check out the ONKYO 605 which has the HDMI output. you can get the receiver for under $400 and check out the Yambeka speakers. Brian still sells the old set for under $200 and they decent for what you need and there is a decent amount of bass where you won't need a sub (unless you really want one)

You can get cheap HDMI cables on Ebay or monprice that will work just fine.

I can't DITTO enough about the need to stay away from anything HTIB (or all-in-one)!

1. That budget doesn't get you much.

2. Sony isn't that good.

3. You can use coax instead of optical if you have digital audio coax outs.

$500 will get you in the game. Most home theater in a box systems aren't that good, and usually lack even basic input options, but there are exceptions. As mentioned earlier,
Shop Onkyo

has some great options, such as this system:

The Onkyo HT-SR800 - 7.1-Channel Receiver/ Speaker Package



It has two optical and two coaxial digital audio inputs, as well as a host of other input options. The speakers are OK, but definitely the best for this price range. Still, a 7.1 system for $320 shipped is hard to ignore.


For cables, all you need to do is go to
Monoprice.com


. Great cables, great service, rock-bottom prices.

You could get the HT-SR800 home theater system, all the cables you need and a Harmony 670 remote to control everything for less than $500, including shipping and sales tax. You'll get good sound, lots of expansion options and easy control without blowing your budget. Remember, there's lots of people on these forums who will give you the "for only $XXX.XX more..." advice because it is easy to spend other people's money.

Good find Griz, Nothing to fear about refurb products either.