I am probably the LEAST informed about anything involved with a HT system so i have come here to ask for help on my choices. I will not buy these items all at once, and i want a budget system, but want to pay more for better quality. these item's price is just about right for me so when makin a recomendation, please make it similiarly priced unless those extra dollars REALLy make a difference! Remember... i kno NOTHING when it comes to HT so please dont say i am the greatest idiot or put my limited knowledge down.. i am here to learn!

For my TV..
Probably the greatest equipment when it comes to HT... I thought of buying an 32 inch Wega... is this any good for watchin DVD's and such? Everyone seems to have one, and most are happy with their purchase. Any better solutions for watching DVD's and also some regular TV on? Whats the deal with this FPTV, RPTV, and HDTV? Aslo.. which one does the Wega classify into if not these 3? 16:9, 4:3, and sum other screen sizes pop out frequently when talkin bout TVs, and where does the WEga also fit in? I dont have a controlled lighting room so take that into count too.

For my DVD Player..
I kno i will go with the Panasonic RV-31 because i have heard many good recommendations for it in many forums.. but if this product actually sucks.. please tell me!

For my Speakers..
Now i have pretty much no idea what to get.. i was thinking of getting the DigiTheater DTS for my sound solution mainly because i am a computer freak and kno that this is a great system (well compared to computer speaker's that is) .. but i am pretty damn sure there are many better choices.. so please name a few!

Well.. please help me and comment alot to help me become more aware of these HT terms and more aware of HT systems in General.. THanks Alot!

It would help if you could do this...

1- Post your budget...what is the total you can shell out forthis stuff.

2- Do you have anything already?

3- Where is the system going?

4- How large is the room you are putting this in?

5- Will the audio be used strictly for HT? Or music as well? xx%/xx%?

A couple of quick comments.

The Wegas are a 4:3 TV. Real nice picture, but I feel that they are a little overpriced. What is your TV budget?

I love my Panasonic RV-31. IMO, the best DVD player for under $200.

I have never listened to the DigiTheater DTS. The specs are not very impressive. I have never found a Home Theater in a Box system (5 speakers, sub, and receiver sold together) that I liked. For a few hundred more dollars ($800-1000), you can have a wonderful system with quality components that you purchase seperately. The difference will be phenomenal. You go from a system that won't sound as clear or as loud as any real audio system to a system that will blow away any Bose system, anything from Best Buy or Circuit City, or all but multi-thousand audiophile systems.

1. Gonna spend bout 1500-3000 on the TV, 100-200 for the DVD player, and bout 1000 for the sound

2. I got none of the above cept a DVD player i have for my comp and listen to on my Klipsch 4.1, but i wanna system for my living room

3. Umm.. the system is going.. to my living room

4. The room is a typical living room size.. not too big, but moderately sized without controlled lighting

5. Audio and TV will be used mostly for movies and serving an HT function.. id say 70%, rest is just watching tV and some occasional music..

and Skar, i really do wanna get this wonderful sound system.. but unfortuneately.. i dont know ANy brands or items that can do this... mind naming a few? i hear the paradigm brand is good and Bose is basically a mediocre system that costs too much.. Any recommended speakers and recievers ppl?

Thx alot for the info.. i can only hope that i receive more feedback here!

Paradigm is a great company for value. A system like this should be in your price range:

Receiver: Onkyo TX-DS 595 Online Price $369
Fronts: Paradigm Phantoms Retail Price $399 a pair
Center: Paradigm CC-170 Retail Price $199
Rears: Paradigm Atoms Retail Price $179 a pair
Sub: Sony WM-40 Online Price $139

You should be able to get the Paradigm speakers for 10-20% off by bargaining at your local dealer. Figure 10% off on the speakers and I get:

$369
$139
$777 - $78 = $699
+___
$1207

I know that is a little more than your target price, but every component in this system is an outstanding value. Your range for your TV is very large. A $200 difference in a TV is no where near as big as a $200 difference in audio at your price points.

But if $1000 is an absolute limit, try a system like this:

Receiver: Onkyo TX-DS 494 Online Price $257
Fronts: PSB Alpha A/V Online Price $187 a pair
Center: PSB Alpha Center Online Price $149
Rears: PSB Alpha Mini Online Price $142 a pair
Sub: Sony WM-40 Online Price $139

$257
$187
$149
$142
$139
+____
$874

This is another system where everything provides incredible value.

Note: Online Prices obtained using www.pricescan.com

These are not the best systems money can buy. But they are better than ANY home theater in a box and they will compare favorably to many systems costing hundreds or thousands of dollars more.

I just got that sub and watched a few movies... very impressive for that price...i haven't had time to really test it but i am sure it is fine since i only hear good things about it... however it weighs 40 lbs so shipping on an item like that won't be cheap.

Hmm.. Thx alot skar.. i think i will go with ur recommendations... make my TV bit less expensive and spend that xtra 200 for the great sound!

Once again! thx!

I second this is the way to go. At this price range the $200 added to the sound system will make a big difference and not really hurt your display quality.

some people on the audioreview.com say they got that sub at sears and they just printed the the inetshopping.com page to get a price match so you don't have to pay the shipping.

I have done a lil bit of research and realized taht many people are ALSO recommending the Paradigm ADP-170 rather than the Atoms for surround/rear speakers..

Once again keep in mind i kno not much about HT speakers, and HAVE NOT tested either of em.. but i am leaning a lil more towards the ADP-170 as they were specifically constructed for the rear speaker use... Also.. the Sony sub seems to be great with all the good reviews around it.. but how does it compare to other subs around that price range.. i couldnt find much info on it and i wanted to consult the professionals!

(Btw... The Phantoms, Onkyo Reciever, Panasonic DVD player were RIGHT on the mark and i kno i will purchase em soom.. Thx again skar)

Ive posted here to ask which would YOU guyz recommend? The ADP-170 or the Paradigm Atoms SOLELY on its use as rear speakers? Thx alot again... the info i got here is really priceless and i have come to love this place!

I prefer a conventional direct radiating speaker like the Atoms for my rears. But many people prefer a di-polar design like the ADP-170.

The dipole design creates a large diffuse soundfield so you feel surrounded by sound. A conventional speaker is better at pinpointing and providing localization of surround effects. It is a matter of personal preference. I suggest auditioning both at a local hi-fi shop. I would compare ADP-170's to the Paradigm Titans since the Atoms are much smaller than the ADP-170's.

The bottom line is that both speakers will sound great, just different.

WEGA.. OVERLOAD!

There are so many different models! arrggg.. So first and foremost.. what is the difference between the FS,FV,S,V, and the almighty XBR? Also.. the #s that come after the model.. what do they mean? (like the Sony KV-32FS_ _) I see that the XBR is more expensive than the rest by a few hundred dollars and im wondering why... I am like literally off my seat trying to fumble around the differences.. and i barely see any.. Any help Sony Wega owners and why u bought ur particular model rather than another?

Thx!

Make sure to listen to the setup before you buy. It is a good system, but your ear may a slightly different sound.

Good luck.