Hello all,

I'm a big DVD phreak just like the rest of you, but I'm wanting a better system at home. The problem is, I don't know squat about home theater and stuff. I mean I know what speakers do, but I have no clue what I need a receiver for or what I need to get some good sound pumping in my room.

I've got a small 19" TV right now, that's mono, (blahh) and a Panasonic DVD player, that has stereo audio outs and inputs as well as the standard video out.

My question is, what do I need to have stereo sound in my room?

I'm not really that concerned with surround sound, but just having decent stereo. I thought about purchasing some speakers, but I'm not sure if I need anything else. My logic is, just get some speakers that take RCA inputs and connect the audio outs on my DVD player to the inputs of the speakers and start watching. Is that it or what else do I need? I hear a lot about receivers, but what would I use that for? Someone help!!! Thanks.

I don't mean to be rude, but are you serious?

that might work if you tape the speakers to your head...

frankly, if you're serious, i would start with a new TV.

but if it must be stereo and you want a cheap way out, just pick up one of those little mini-stereos from sony, sanyo, etc. just be sure it has RCA inputs on the back and an "aux" setting.

If you're really that unfamiliar with technology -- which I find hard to believe -- I suggest you go buy a home-theater-in-a-box like the Kenwood HTB-503. For about $500, you will get a highly-regarded surround sound system that will be easy for you to purchase and assemble. There are also some cheaper alternatives, but seeing as how you are a DVD phreak you will no doubt want to purchase a decent surround system. You cannot simply connect speakers to line-level outputs on the back of your components, you need a reciver/amplifier to amplify the sound.

If your a beginner, this HT bug will bite hard and you will be upgrading for the next ten years so save up, hold off for a while and buy a full 5.1 system. It will be much cheaper in the long run!

As one who's recently been bitten by the HT bug, I'd have to agree with Fhrx. Don't buy something you're just going to want to upgrade in a few months/years. I've found I get a lot more out of watching my DVDs (even videos) with my new 5.1 system. Now, on the flip side, you don't necessarily have to go hog-wild with buying this new system. I'd suggest going with a "home theater in a box" system, too... in addition to the base cost of that HTiaB system, you're also going to need cables and maybe speaker stands, which also cost more money than you might think. Having a 5.1 capable amp and speakers is MUCH different than having five different speakers set around your room that play the same exact sounds. If you're happy with the size of your TV, hang onto it... it sounds like you're bummed about it being mono, but if you get a surround system, you can use it as your sound source instead of your TV. I have my TV speakers turned off and use my surround system as my audio output.

If you honestly think that you will never want a surround sound system (which I doubt, since you said you were a DVD phreak), then get one of those all-in-one shelf systems and enjoy. However, if you think you'll be wanting surround sound in the future, save up about $500-$700 (or get a good same-as-cash financing deal... thank you Best Buy!), and get a lower-end system that will STILL sound pretty darn good. http://www.audioreview.com is a great place to start drooling... uh, I mean, shopping.

If you really have no intention of getting anything more than stereo output, you may also want to try getting some decent multimedia speakers and an adapter to convert from RCA to minijack. I'm sure you will be able to find such systems for well under $100 that even come with a subwoofer. Granted, the quality won't be all that, but it's a (small) step up from what you have now.