Ok single mom here w/no electronic knowledge at all!! We would ''love'' to have a Home Theatre System...but our budget prevails. I have $150 GC to amazon that I would like to spend towards building our HTS. Here are our old components that we now have (PLEASE remember I don't know what I'm talking about here..smile)
TV 36" Toshiba (2yrs old)
Rack stero system (separate components..old Fisher system 4pcs...cass, CD, tuner, and then don't know what to call this piece..amp & where you select what you want to use cass, CD etc. Is this a receiver?)
We do have a DVD player but right now it's not hooked up when have been just using our PS2 instead.
We don't have any surround sound speakers. Should that be my first upgrade? Amazon has the Hitachi 702HT 5-Piece, 100-Watt Home Theater Sytem on sale w/free shipping for $100. Is that any good? I know it says I need a receiver...how do I know if this is what I have or not?
Can anyone help here?
Thanks!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bulldogs:

Rack stero system (separate components..old Fisher system 4pcs...cass, CD, tuner, and then don't know what to call this piece..amp & where you select what you want to use cass, CD etc. Is this a receiver?)<HR>

That piece is called an integrated amplifier. It's the same thing as a receiver, except with no tuner.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bulldogs:
We don't have any surround sound speakers. Should that be my first upgrade?<HR>

In order to benefit from surround sound speakers, you'll need a surround sound receiver. This means that the receiver is capable of taking the signal from your dvd player (and other sources too) and then sending information to more than 2 (typically 5, or 5 and a subwoofer) speakers.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bulldogs:
Amazon has the Hitachi 702HT 5-Piece, 100-Watt Home Theater Sytem on sale w/free shipping for $100. Is that any good?<HR>

You have a nice tv, and a dvd player, and a ps2. I wouldn't recommend this speaker set (which I admit that I haven't heard), unless you really don't care at all about sound quality and just want something to make surround sound with.

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bulldogs:
I know it says I need a receiver...how do I know if this is what I have or not?<HR>

This set, and any set of speakers you get, will require a surround sound receiver. Your system is only capable of stereo right now. See my comments above.

In order for you to get surround sound of any kind, you're going to need either surround speakers to add to your current set, or an entire new set of speakers (at least 4, but most likely 5 small speakers and a subwoofer). I'd recommend looking at speakers one or two notches up from the set you're looking at. Even if it means saving up a while before you can get them.

You will also need a surround sound receiver. These start at around $200, at least for ones that decode Dolby Digital and DTS, which is what most people here would recommend.

Feel free to
a) ignore my advice
b) ask any other questions that the info above might have brought up

[This message has been edited by stevevt (edited January 26, 2001).]

You shouldn't even start!

That's what I did, and now look at me. First, you get some speakers. Not good ones, just speakers. Then, you'll decide to upgrade your receiver, 'cause it'll make your speakers sound better. And you'll hook up BOTH your DVD and PS2, 'cause the receiver will allow multiples. Then you'll decide you need a sub. Then, we'll advise you to get Avia (Video Essentials is too hard to navigate) and an RS SPL (no one else makes one at that price, as far as I've found) so you can calibrate the speakers and the TV video. Then, you'll need a bigger better TV. Then, a personal digital recorder will look good. Then, you'll need new speakers to handle all of this. Then, your receiver won't have the newest DTS12.1. Then, you'll decide to get that nice SIMA switcher to handle all of your video input. Then, you'll want digital cable. Then your TV will need updating.

See where I'm going?

Seriously, it is more fun to upgrade each component, because you will notice the improvement, and there's always the thrill of BUYING NEW STUFF.

Good luck,
Scott
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Hi, my name is Scott, and I'm a HT addict.

This set, and any set of speakers you get, will require a surround sound receiver. Your system is only capable of
stereo right now. See my comments above.
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I'm trying to understand...No matter what I'm doing CDs, DVDs, PS2 or TV (DirecTV) the sound is coming out of my 2 Fisher speakers. So I have everything run thru my receiver to accomplish this, correct? But what you are saying is if I want more speakers, I have to upgrade the receiver? So if I buy surround sound speakers I have no way of hooking them up w/my current components, correct?

Thanks for trying to help me understand!!

quote:<HR>Originally posted by bulldogs:

No matter what I'm doing CDs, DVDs, PS2 or TV (DirecTV) the sound is coming out of my 2 Fisher speakers. 1.) So I have everything run thru my receiver to accomplish this, correct? 2.) But what you are saying is if I want more speakers, I have to upgrade the receiver? 3.) So if I buy surround sound speakers I have no way of hooking them up w/my current components, correct?

4.) Thanks for trying to help me understand!!<HR>

1. Yes
2. Yes
3. Yes.
4. No problem at all. More questions? I'm here all day.

You;ll want to upgrade your receiver, regardless. It is much easier to have multiple inputs (audio as well as video) if your receiver has multiple a/v input functions. And, when you look at receivers, try to find those that deliver the latest in technology for surround. Everyone agrees that DTS 6.1 is better than ProLogic, so if you get the latest technology now, you can wait longer to upgrade your receiver again (and you will eventually think about doing that).

Stereo sound is great (and I LOVE my Fisher fronts), but when you can hear background conversation from behind you in those TV scenes in bars (or courtrooms or malls or...) or when you hear the explosions on Omaha Beach from all over in Private Ryan), you'll go nuts.

Just be patient, so that your budget skills can keep pace with your desires. Or have good credit!

Dang...that was the wrong answer. I was hoping I could temp. use my receiver and buy SS Speakers now. Since I can only buy 1 piece at a time...if I buy a receiver my kids will say so what. If I could of bought speakers..they would of said WOW!

Well...now are there any suggestions for an inexpensive receiver? Preferably from Amazon?

Gosh, sorry to give you the answer you didn't want!

Go ahead and get surround speakers now, BUT... One) they won't give you tru surround sound, just more sound (if they don't overload your current receiver), and Two) don't get the cheapest you can find, look for a set that sounds good to you and you'll want to keep after you replace your receiver.

Upgrading the receiver is the next step. Once you get a true surround receiver, your kids will really say WOW!

So many opportunities and so little time! (And you know I'm just being sarcastic about my own purchasing habits, don't you? )




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Scott
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Hi, I'm Scott, and I'm an HT addict.