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Home Theater Help

Hello all-

I am in the market for a home theater system this christmas, and I know next to nothing about them. I am looking for any help anyone is willing to give. Is there a brand I should avoid? What are the most important things to remember when looking for one? My budget is around $200-250, but I'm not going to pass up a $300 system if it's a great deal. Remember, I'm a beginner, so be nice.

Thanks in advance for any help.
 
For that amount of money, I would recommend a THX certifed Logitech, Klipsch, or Creative Labs 5.1 (or 7.1)other speaker system ($200-$300 on eBay). You can get this set that has wireless rear speakers so that you wouldn't have to worry about running wires. They have enough power to make you deaf and enough superwoofer power to impress.
 
You won't get a real Home Theater system for $250.

The best you can expect is a very basic very cheap HTIB system.
 
Originally posted by: CocoGdog
For that amount of money, I would recommend a THX certifed Logitech, Klipsch, or Creative Labs 5.1 (or 7.1)other speaker system ($200-$300 on eBay). You can get this set that has wireless rear speakers so that you wouldn't have to worry about running wires. They have enough power to make you deaf and enough superwoofer power to impress.

I dont think he is just looking for speakers. I think he wants an entire HT system (amp, tuner, dvd, speakers, etc)
 
Originally posted by: akshatp
You won't get a real Home Theater system for $250.

The best you can expect is a very basic very cheap HTIB system.



What's wrong with this system?
Doesn't look cheap to me.


Model
Brand SAMSUNG
Model HTQ40
Features
Features Samsung's versatile HT-Q40 Home Theater Audio System delivers 800 watts of audio power through 5.1 channels, enhanced by Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS decoders. The fullfeatured unit offers the convenience of a 5-disc changer, as well as improved USB Host Play, which lets you plug and play your portable digital devices without loading software?all enhanced by progressive scan technology. Many audio & video formats are supported, including MP3, WMA, MPEG, DivX, and JPEG.
Spec
Player Type 5-Disc DVD Changer
Compatible Discs CD/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW
Channels 5.1
Speakers Configuration Frequency response:
Satellite: 145Hz~20KHz
Subwoofer: 35Hz~140Hz
Main Set: 20Hz~20 KHz
Speakers Power Rating Total power output: 800W rms
FM/AM Tuner FM tuner
Preset memory: 30
Input Audio in: aux1/aux2
Optical digital in: 1
Mic jack: 2 (6.3)
Output Component video out: 1
Composite video out: 1
Headphone jack: 1 (3.5)
Dimensions 16.9" x 3.0" x 15.0"
Weight 11.0 lbs.
 
Originally posted by: DaedalCipher
Originally posted by: akshatp
You won't get a real Home Theater system for $250.

The best you can expect is a very basic very cheap HTIB system.



What's wrong with this system?
Doesn't look cheap to me.


Model
Brand SAMSUNG
Model HTQ40
Features
Features Samsung's versatile HT-Q40 Home Theater Audio System delivers 800 watts of audio power through 5.1 channels, enhanced by Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS decoders. The fullfeatured unit offers the convenience of a 5-disc changer, as well as improved USB Host Play, which lets you plug and play your portable digital devices without loading software?all enhanced by progressive scan technology. Many audio & video formats are supported, including MP3, WMA, MPEG, DivX, and JPEG.
Spec
Player Type 5-Disc DVD Changer
Compatible Discs CD/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW
Channels 5.1
Speakers Configuration Frequency response:
Satellite: 145Hz~20KHz
Subwoofer: 35Hz~140Hz
Main Set: 20Hz~20 KHz
Speakers Power Rating Total power output: 800W rms
FM/AM Tuner FM tuner
Preset memory: 30
Input Audio in: aux1/aux2
Optical digital in: 1
Mic jack: 2 (6.3)
Output Component video out: 1
Composite video out: 1
Headphone jack: 1 (3.5)
Dimensions 16.9" x 3.0" x 15.0"
Weight 11.0 lbs.


Looks like you have found what you are looking for. Welcome to AT.
 
Originally posted by: DaedalCipher
I don't understand.

You came in here asking for a Home Theater system under $250. I explained to you that a HT system comprising of a seperate Amp, DVD Player, speakers, etc is unattainable at that price, and all you will get is a cheap HTIB system.

You replied and said that the Samsung HTIB looks good to you and doesn't look cheap. So I say to you again, it looks like you have found what youa re looking for.

Just to be clear, the Samsung HTQ40 is a basic, cheap HTIB system and in no way can be compared to a Home Theater System. But you get what you pay for.

 
ahhhh. Well, I wasn't expecting anything great and I wouldn't want to waste anything more than that on the tv I have. So if what you're saying is that for a HTiB that system is pretty good, and there is nothing I really have to watch out for except to realize that I am not getting a whopping good system, then ok. Thanks for the help. Anyone else with their two cents, please throw them in teh ring.
 
SONY has one DAVDX255 (i think) which is about 250 right now from BBY.. sounds decent.. for a cheapie system.. but then BBY sells horrid HTiBs IMHO..

but for that price its not a bad deal. it sounds good to most ppl.


 
Originally posted by: DaedalCipher
Originally posted by: akshatp
You won't get a real Home Theater system for $250.

The best you can expect is a very basic very cheap HTIB system.



What's wrong with this system?
Doesn't look cheap to me.


Model
Brand SAMSUNG
Model HTQ40
Features
Features Samsung's versatile HT-Q40 Home Theater Audio System delivers 800 watts of audio power through 5.1 channels, enhanced by Dolby Digital, Dolby Pro Logic and DTS decoders. The fullfeatured unit offers the convenience of a 5-disc changer, as well as improved USB Host Play, which lets you plug and play your portable digital devices without loading software?all enhanced by progressive scan technology. Many audio & video formats are supported, including MP3, WMA, MPEG, DivX, and JPEG.
Spec
Player Type 5-Disc DVD Changer
Compatible Discs CD/CD-R/CD-RW/DVD/DVD-R/DVD-RW
Channels 5.1
Speakers Configuration Frequency response:
Satellite: 145Hz~20KHz
Subwoofer: 35Hz~140Hz
Main Set: 20Hz~20 KHz
Speakers Power Rating Total power output: 800W rms
FM/AM Tuner FM tuner
Preset memory: 30
Input Audio in: aux1/aux2
Optical digital in: 1
Mic jack: 2 (6.3)
Output Component video out: 1
Composite video out: 1
Headphone jack: 1 (3.5)
Dimensions 16.9" x 3.0" x 15.0"
Weight 11.0 lbs.

I have a Samsung HTIB with similar specs (not sure if it's the exact same model or not). I've been pleased with it for what we paid, which was ~$200. Its Divx capabilities are far far better than the Philips Divx player everyone raves about (which fails on a lot of movies). I can't think of a single complaint other than of course the sound quality isn't fantastic. It has so-so bass (there but not "theatrical"), lacks midrange punch, but again for the money, it has far exceeded my expectations.
 
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