Rox_Boseafus

I am about to purchase a Home Theater System. I only have $500.00 and I MUST have very small speakers (so they are not very noticeable). So hear are a few questions.

1. I want the system to have 5.1 and DTS so I thought I would go with the SONY 820 system. http://www.800.com/prod.asp?p=3404
Any opionions about this system?

2. I have read about the importance of many input "options" on the reciever. But, I am confused on what they would be used for, especially the S-Video input. I assume that I will hook up my dvd player to the TV using my "component" cables and then hook up the audio from the DVD player to the reciever. Is this correct?

3. Kenwood makes a similar reciever but it has more that one S-Video inputs. Basically, I want to know what I can hook up to the S-Video inputs and do I really need more than one input.

4. Any other advice you could give me about what I should look for would be greatly appreciated.

[This message has been edited by Rox_Boseafus (edited December 28, 2000).]

Cardiff Giant11

quote:<HR>Originally posted by Rox_Boseafus:
I am about to purchase a Home Theater System. I only have $500.00 and I MUST have very small speakers (so they are not very noticeable). So hear are a few questions.

1. I want the system to have 5.1 and DTS so I thought I would go with the SONY 820 system. http://www.800.com/prod.asp?p=3404
Any opionions about this system?


3. Kenwood makes a similar reciever but it has more that one S-Video inputs. Basically, I want to know what I can hook up to the S-Video inputs and do I really need more than one input.

[This message has been edited by Rox_Boseafus (edited December 28, 2000).]<HR>

Unless you absolutley need speakers as small as the sony's, I would not reccomend that system. All the speakers are full range and the woofer is only 6 1/4 inches in diameter. By contrast, the Kenwood HTB-503 which you mentioned http://www.800.com/prod.asp?p=2911 comes with a similiar reciever and better main and center channel speakers. However, this system is so so for music as the speakers aren't great and the reciever has a very high THD rating. If it's for movies only this would be a good bet. If you're looking for a home theater in a box that is good for both, the Onkyo HT-484 is a nice all around package http://www.800.com/prod.asp?p=3952 Comes with two way speakers for all channels(unlike the Kenwood or sony) and an 8" powered woofer along with the Onkyo TXDS-484 reciever, which is an excellent entry level DD/DTS reciever. I've got it and am very pleased with it for music and movies. Another option is Yamaha's home theater in a box http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=...242&e=11000210 it's a bit more expensive but the reciever is the best one of the bunch. If you need to spend 500 and no more, I would go with the onkyo. The kenwood is nice, but for me the onkyo is a much better deal if for no other reason than it comes with better speakers. Good luck and enjoy whichever one you get.

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Dave My DVDs(Not updated anymore since DVD Tracker uncooly started charging). My Humble Home Theatre

[This message has been edited by dfbennett (edited December 28, 2000).]