Home Theatre System

[Jimbo282]

Well I'm looking to get a home theatre system and I was lookin in the 300 dollar range. I will be using this with my xbox also if it makes a difference. I don't know what exactly I should be looking for in a home theatre system so any help would be appreciated.

So far I have come across these ones which look nice:

Panasonic SC-HT820S 5-Disc DVD/VCR Home Theatre System - Online Only
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10060344&catid=20311

Philips HTS3410D/37 1-Disc Home Theatre System
http://www.bestbuy.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0926INGFS10059830&catid=20311

The Panasonic seems to have the most features with the most power and has the 5-disc changer (not very important) and has abetter frequency range. Also it doesn't have 2way speakers how is that going to affect the sound??

Can someone point me in the right direction because I have no idea what features give better sound than others.

[smirnoff]

what do you need?

do you have a vcr and dvd already?

if so then another isn't needed and combo setups tend to be less of both.

haveing both already would mean all you need is a good reciever and speakers.

i myself got a jvc recciever and speakers that only cost 60 dollars and the sound out of them makes the neighbours think theres a earthquake going on...lol.

side note..the later is sold out and the former is crap.

[Mouse]

I read that as the speakers cost $60, surely not the receiver too??

[smirnoff]

lol

i lucked out on the speakers at all places factory direct (even they goof and sell something good now and then).

the reciever i bought was jvc for 249.

http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10041481&catid=10551

not the best or one with the most toys but one that covers most of it anf has more then enough power.

its always good to remember that good cables are a must.

did a lot of checking around and reading reviews on stuff before buying anything.

[Exmortis]

and has abetter frequency range.

Don't bother to take that into account. HTIB systems (Home Theater In a Box) are made cheap so they sell cheap. You will not get a performance that will make you notice a difference in frequency range. And the system is specifically made to drive those specific speakers. You will most probably have problems upgrading later to better speakers.

Here, have a look at the Home Theater Handbook (http://www.polkaudio.com/home/library/downloads/hthandbook.pdf) from Polk Audio.

And many HTIB systems are very limited in terms of ports in the back. You may not be able to connect many devices to it. And why not go 7.1?

[Jimbo282]

Well cost is the main issue here and it's only going in my bedroom. If I had the money and a living room I definatley would go 7.1 and get best of the best but that just aint gonna happen. I got a chance to listen to the philips HTS3410d and found them a really nice sound quality compared to the other HTIB they had at BestBuy. Futureshop has absolute crap on sale unless your willing to pay 500+ for just a receiver. The philips also has the component input, along with s-video and two vga inputs which is perfect for what I have. I don't have a very big bedroom so this system suits me perfect.

Has anyone experienced this system?

[smirnoff]

theres been a few that had heating problems do to bad transfomers and the trays are flimsy.

but for bedroom use it should work.

[Jimbo282]

Yes, I did notice the majority of the HTIB had flimsy trays but I really can't ask too much for only 299.99. Once I'm outta school and have a decent job I'll be able to afford a much nicer setup. Just want someting basic that will let me enjoy 5.1 audio with my games and movies. And if it does break I do have my modded xbox which has nice tray and media centre capabilities :D

[AMD]

$300 will buy you a proprietary receiver/DVD combo and ultra high distortion el-cheapo computer speakers.

Save your money; buy something of good quality later.

[Exmortis]

The philips also has the component input, along with s-video and two vga inputs which is perfect for what I have.

I understand the budget part. I was once a student too living of macaroni and cheese. :D But know that you won't be able to upgrade with ease later. And don't bank too much on the features you quoted above. HTIBs are made compact and small so the circuitry seperating the video processing and audio processing are very close to each other and can cause interferences that you may notice on large screens. Might as well buy an external component switcher for better quality, but I really wonder why it's a good feature for you... Aside from the DVD player, what other component sources you have? HDTV receiver?

Obviously, if component is a plus for you, then it probably means you're going to use that on a big screen TV. And I'm intrigued by the claim that is also supports VGA switching. Are you sure it's not HDMI? The "Video Monitor Output" feature mentioned on the site only means standard composite video out. It does not refer to a computer monitor.

[Jimbo282]

Well no I really don't have much use for component but if the option of it ever came about I could use it. I'm only using it on a 20" flat-screen Prima (yes I'm a student :D)
and you're correct I meant composite not vga my bad :p

I also know that this system cannot be upgraded at all and if it could I probably wouldn't want to...It's really just a system to get me by in the next 2 years while I get the rest of my life in order before I go spending it all on a home theatre :D