GatorDeb

In three months I will have $2100 for a digital camcorder, mobo/CPU/memory, and a HTIB. That's $650 each (so that the tax takes me close to the $700 mark).

What do you recommend? From which store?

After a Stereo RF headset and 13" TV, this will rule (getting a new TV separately).

Thanks!

Rypro 525

just go to any major superstore and get a nice 500 watt sony htib with a 50 watt subwoofer for around 500

eMMCe

a lot of people seem to like the kenwood HTB-504...it has prologic II and a powered sub.

dmvsvk

I bought a Sony HTIB for $500 for the bedroom and I'm pretty happy with it. It doesn't compare to my living room system but it puts out a pretty good bang for the buck. I was really quite pleased with the output from the sub.It has decent output for an 8" driver. Whatever you buy make sure it has component outputs on the dvd player, it has a powered sub and not just a bass reflex woofer, and it has DTS. These seem to be the main features that some of the systems in your price range leave out.

skar

I recommend spending $1000 on home theater seperates, since $300 will buy you a great motherboard with CPU and memory. Remember that computer gear gets outdated very quickly, while a great set of speakers will last many years. Also I believe that you will notice the difference in home theater gear more than getting the absolute latest CPU.

hypeiv

Most HTiB's are not good values so I agree with skar, If you want to go nice (but still in your price range, kinda)i would say get

245 (shipped) - JBL NSP1 from etronics.net

170 (shipped) - Sony SAWM40 from inetshopping.com

that leaves about $235 for a reciever which is kinda limited but there are a few good choices that are a little more.

Yamaha HTR-5540 - crazyeddie.com for about $270 (shipped)

Sony Sony STR-DE685 - 1800nicebuy.com for about $265 shipped... this one cuts a little on sound quality but gives you some nice features like Pro Logic II and componet video switching.

other recievers in that range are: Onkyo TX-SR500 and the Kenwood VR-6050 you can find the both online for a little more.

One HTiB that i heared and actually think its a good value is the Pioneer HTD-510DV it comes with a dvd player and can be found shipped for under $400.

Electric2k

I agree pretty much with above. You can get the Onkyo 500 receiver for about $300, which should blow away pretty much all HTIB components. The speaker recommendations above are quite good for a budget theater, you might also consider the Klipsch Quintet speakers (you can get a set for about $300-350).

I put together a budget HT for my cousin that has the Klipsch, the Sony SAWM40, and an Onkyo 494 (the 500 is the replacement model) for about $850 (and he paid close to retail on the above, so you can get it cheaper). It sounds VERY nice on HT, I was quite impressed that a budget HT could sound that good.

The HTIB route I would go on as a LAST resort. Seriously.

bfrank

The sony HTIB's all have a single full range drive in the speakers. You are better off with the speakers in your TV. If you go this direction look for a two way system. Also so take receivers straight from the standard line which are good for upgrading. Many use cost reduced receivers which are crap.

navajo

I have bought the Pioneer HTB510 and love it. Great sound and great picture. I bought it for about $410 with taxes. And so you know it comes with a 1 year manufactor's warranty. I think it is a good way to go if you want to buy one thing to satisfy your DVD player and HTIB needs but if you want better sound, you have to spend more money on seperate components.

hypeiv

I forgot about the Klipsch Quintet thats a good set, A few of my friends love them way more than the JBL's but I personally like the JBL's better. Most of the HT stores in my area have both sets set up so you can most likely find a place to listen to them both.

I agree with skar in that $700 is way too much to spend on CPU/mobo/RAM you can get a retail athlon 2200 for about $230 shipped a good mobo for about $100 and another $100 for ram. That will give you more money to spend on your HT and Camcorder, which are two things you dont need to upgrade nearly as often as you do a computer.

BigStinky

If I were researching budget systems I'd include Cambridge and Energy in my "look and see" list:

Cambridge's budget line - around $300:
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/p...le4_ht_blk.htm

main list:
http://www.cambridgesoundworks.com/product_list.htm
________

Energy's "Take 5.2" budget system:
http://www.energy-speakers.com/take5...rs_system.html

Plus Energy is a Canadian company so if you decided to buy Energy spkrs. and a separate Receiver you could save a few $ buying from a Canadian mail-order company. I think the exchange rate is like $1.50 Candian = $1.00 U.S.

- this is where I bought my (slightly more expensive) Energy speakers - http://www.audioshop.on.ca/links1.htm

GatorDeb

I was thinking P4 2.2GHZ 512 megs of RDRAM. Is the 2000+ Athlon XP with 512 of SDRAM enough for heavy-duty video capturing, editing, and burning? (I have a 100 gig 8meg cache WD hard drive, AIW Radeon).

navajo

Just remeber that your burst speed and your front bus speed are the 2 most important features about the MB. it doesn't matter if you have P4 2.2 GHZ or a P3 1.4GHZ if those 2 numbers are the same, than they are equally as fast.

GatorDeb

Question about digital camcorders... is it just like copying from hard drive to hard drive? I.e. will a $1,000 camcorder give me the same quality as a P4 2GHZ 512 RDRAM AIW Radeon? If so, I might just get a 1k camcorder and a 1k HTIB.

tmbc

If you go with amd, which I encourage you to do, make sure to get a DDR capable motherboard and DDR ram.

mikehunt

also most of the sony sets use a stupid proprietary connector for the speakers and speaker wire

lindslp

GatorDeb: I have Kenwood HTB-502 that I am willing to sell. I upgraded over a year ago and don't use it anymore. If your interested e-mail or post a reply here.

GatorDeb

Sorry I don't buy anything without a written warranty that my protection club can double But thanks for the offer!

lindslp

If makes a difference I have it under warrenty until 06/2003.

GatorDeb

Most warranties I believe are not transferrable. That's still 11 months as opposed to 2 years of warranty

lindslp

I hope I can sell it to someone nearby. That way if there ever is a problem I can take care of it. Good luck on your future purchases.

VHS?

I have the Kenwood VR-407 and I have been very happy with it.
The sub alone makes it worth it!This thing is thundering!
The Kenwood series of HTIB are really good and not bad on price either.
Infact,the one I have got very good reviews by many audio/video magazines.

Try here Kenwood HTIB series and take a look.
Some very affordable sets that have some good reviews.

jsqrd

You can get the Klipsch Quintet on ubid for $39.00 ea. I just sold 4 of these and a KC C1 center for $180. Nice little speakers for the price. I have read that the ENERGY TAKE 5 HT is a nice set-up.

TexasCC

Nobody has mentioned the Onkyo LSV-950 Envision HTIB. I was under the impression that it was one of the best buys out there. It has a progressive scan DVD player and powerful sub. Does anyone have any personal experience with this model?

ckolchak

i've had the same Kenwood system as VHS? since feb '01, and i have to say its served me pretty well.
if the system is going to be 90% HT i would rec. if you can pick it up for under $500.
i think i'm starting to outgrow it now, though, and am in the process of looking for some speakers, and once i have those i'll be looking into a new reciever and eventually a much better sub.

the system works very decent for movies, but it is terrible for music, imo.

looking for speakers is tough though. everytime i come back from a store, i'm convinced that the $1k+ i'll be spending on the upgrade will be worth it, but when i actually play a dvd with a decent soundmix on this little bugger, i have to wonder if an upgrade is really going to be worth it.
next time i head to the audio shop, i'll be taking some of the worst sounding mono titles i have with me to see if that $1k is going to improve these.

if not, i may just put the upgrade on the back burner.