Hi guys,

I have a couple questions and I swear, I've spent a bit of time trying to do some research:


I bought a 42" Panny Plasma HDTV a few months ago and I just picked up an Oppo 970 this week (still unopened). Now, I need a cheap home theater system that sounds decent.

I know, I know, I don't need any "HTIB SUCKS!" comments. I just don't have $500+ to piece together a good system myself.

Anyways, on to the questions:

1) A lot of the HTIBs have a DVD player included. I pretty much have one of the best non HD-DVD/Blue-ray players already, so I don't need a DVD player with the HTIB. So, should I limit my search to those that don't come with one? On some, I see the DVd player and the receiver all mixed together and I'm guessing I'll have problems with those.

2) Is HDMI or an optical connection better quality for audio? I'm kind of confused - does an HDMI connection transfer audio AND video at the same time? I'm assuming HDMI is better because it's uncondensed . . .

3) What do you guys think about this one: http://www.amazon.com/Sony-HT-DDW900.../dp/B000ES8C2G Lots of good reviews on other sitse as well, and it has "HDMI passthrough." Um...good right? No??


Basically answers to the questions above and/or any suggestion or instruction as to how to get me hooked up will be greatly appreciated. The absolute max I can spend is really $250!

1. Yes, skip the DVD-all-in-ones. Saves money, and they are usually junk. (the player part)

2. HDMI is better, but not for DVD. For DVD, you are fine with optical.

3. Stay away from Sony for audio. The short story on Sony is....Video: good. Audio: bad. (at least in the 3 digit range) People have reported finding refurbed Onkyo HTiBs for around $200. I would prefer a refurb Onkyo to a Sony any day. www.accessories4less.com may seem like a ripoff site name, but I think they are still an authorized dealer.

IMHO, you'd be hard pressed to find anything remotely decent for $250. After getting a really nice TV, why skimp on the audio? I don't mean you have to go all out by any means, but $250 is not going to get much.

My recommendation would be to find a refurb receiver - check out the Onkyo site for some options (they have some in the $200 range, depending what you need for inputs), then find some inexpensive speakers to go with it. I think you can do surprisingly well if you bump your budget up closer to $400.

I got this 5 speaker set about a month ago for $169 shipped, and have been very happy (and I also have Paradigm, so am used to quality). Check out this thread for several reviews. I am in no way affiliated with the company, but have been extremely impressed - including the customer service after one of my speakers arrived with a crack.

I know I've seen some other options in the $200 range on AVS if you look around.

i've had an onkyo HTiB for years. Absolutely fantastic...until i just upgraded my receiver.

Hey, thanks for the comments guys. What do you mean by #2? HDMI is better but not for DVD? I assume you meant, audio? Just want to make sure...

Also, I'm not a major major audiophile - but I just want an immersive 5.1 system, hence the $250 budget.

Hmm...

On a sidenote...how would I connect my stuff? Dvd player directly to TV and then connect the dvd player to the receiver? That's what I did before...but then my surround sound system wouldn't work for regular TV, no?

HDMI is capable of transmitting higher quality audio than optical. But DVD doesn't have that higher quality audio available, only BD and HD-DVD do. So for a DVD setup, optical is more than enough quality. And frankly, with that budget, you won't get the HDMI features you might want anyway. It is fairly new in receivers and you'd have to spend more to get the best functionality. At least today, in a year or two that will change, I'm sure.

Yes to how you connect the DVD player. If you want the surround on for regular TV, you have to run audio wires to the receiver from your TV source. A cable box or the TV itself.

IMHO, it doesn't take an "audiophile" to detect good vs. bad sound. By going with that small of a budget, you would be doing a great disservice to a great TV you just got. That is just too little money to expect quality out of not only a receiver, but 6 speakers in addition. Increase your budget by $100-200, and you'll take a big leap in quality if you do your research.

Do some reading at AVS - I know there are threads regarding low budget options. I believe there's an HTIB specific forum.

Ok, so I need 2 sets of wires - one from the DVd player to the receiver and one from the TV to the receiver?


And, as far as systems go, how about the $100 refurbished onkyo on www.accessories4less.com and then a set of speakers for about $150-$170? How would that be?

HDMI to the TV and optical audio to the receiver. That's all you need.

The $100 receiver is pretty much the same as the one in the $170 Onkyo system there. If you can find better speakers than the Onkyo system for $150, that would be worthwhile. Otherwise, might as well go for the HTiB. There's a step up in receiver with the $260 HTiB, if that isn't outside your range.

I assume you're talking about the txsr304? I'm sure it would provide a great low price option. The only thing I'd say is to make sure it has enough inputs for your setup. For example, if you need to run optical from an HD cable/sat receiver (or built-in OTA antenna) and also optical from a DVD player, that receiver won't work because it only has 1 optical input. Maybe it will work for you, I'd just hate for you to grab a good buy that ends up worthless since you can't hook all of your equipment to it.

If you do go that route, check out the Yambeka speakers that I linked above. I personally own them, and there are a lot of reviews on the link I provided. I'm not saying they compare to my $2000 Paradigm setup, but I don't think you'd be able to beat them for $170!

Wow. They're doing 7.1 for under $199 shipped for members. The reviews are really great too. I think I might pull the trigger on this set.

oK, so HDMI from DVD player to TV

Next, optical connection from receiver to DVD player (for surround sound for dvd)


then optical or hdmi connection from receiver to TV (for surround sound from the TV)



3 connections? Or is there a simpler way of doing things.

I have 11 wires coming out of the back of my DVD player. The reason there are 11 is because my CD recorder died, so I removed #12. (ignoring the power cord) I don't think you want to know about the receiver.

3 wires for 3 devices is insanely simple. Congratulations.

I don't understand why people hate sony cause i have a 1 disc HTS & it works great, the DVD player will play the most scratched up pieces of garbage to the cleanest ones.
the audio isn't outstanding but its good, its better than alot of other highly priced systems (im talking to you BOSE).
it used to be $300 but now i think the price has gone down alot.

SONY-DVD Home Theatre System: DAV-DZ120

1-Disc vr, theres also a 5 disc vr but its harder to get the discs in the tray & its huge!

I'm with you Spiky, people don't want to see the back of the equipment closet for my theater.

I believe that we "people" rip on Bose even more than Sony, so that should please you. Sony lies egregiously in their specs and makes truly poor receivers. I'm happy you're happy with your Sony, I don't mean to make you unhappy. But, if you ever become unhappy, we would love to recommend something better.