Cheapass Home Theatre System?

[Trakan]

I'm looking to buy a cheap DVD Player/Home Theatre system. I found this one, (http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1066094899378&skuId=6074623&product CategoryId=pcmcat40200050002&type=product) which I think is the best for that price and seems to be the one I like the most. Anyone of any cheaper ones? I know this isn't a very high end system, I am only going to use it for my 12x12 foot room. I'm sure I could blow the roof off of a room this size with a system like that.

Also, can I hook this up to my TV if I don't have speaker jacks, etc? All I have are inputs for S-Video, composite cables, etc.

I need the price range to be around $100-$120.

Thanks!

[mmn]

Question - do you want it to have a DVD player built in, or do you plan on hooking this thing up to your TV and video game systems?

[Trakan]

Question - do you want it to have a DVD player built in, or do you plan on hooking this thing up to your TV and video game systems?

It needs to have the dvd player. Is it possible to hook it up to my game systems as well?

[peteloaf]

A theater system like that will have inputs for your game sysytems. However if you want to hear TV channels through it you'll have to get a stereo vcr and use it to get the channels and run the sound out from it...

[mousin]

craigslist.org

[Trakan]

A theater system like that will have inputs for your game sysytems. However if you want to hear TV channels through it you'll have to get a stereo vcr and use it to get the channels and run the sound out from it...

Hmm, link?

[Trakan]

Well, I ended up getting the one in the link in the OP. I LOVE IT! It's more than what I need. I can hook up all of game systems to it, which is great. Can somebody tell me what I need to get the TV Channels to come through and what cord I need to hook up my Xbox to the optical out to get Dolby Surround? Links please? Thanks.

[Kaijufan]

I have a question about 5.1, and this looks to be as good of place as any to ask it.
If I wanted 5.1 surround sound for my Xbox (for the games and the movies) would I need to buy a decoder with my speakers, or does the Xbox decode 5.1 surround?

[$hady]

i'm a bigger cag than you for surround sound i just sit in my computer chair and spin as i watch tv and play video games and listen to music.


BEST TURNAROUND SOUND EVAR!!!!!!!!

[Trakan]

I have a question about 5.1, and this looks to be as good of place as any to ask it.
If I wanted 5.1 surround sound for my Xbox (for the games and the movies) would I need to buy a decoder with my speakers, or does the Xbox decode 5.1 surround?

I'm almost positive that the Xbox and newer PS2's can decode 5.1 surround sound. I think I just need the optical cord/cable. Somebody point me in the right direction!

[Spruce]

I have a question about 5.1, and this looks to be as good of place as any to ask it.
If I wanted 5.1 surround sound for my Xbox (for the games and the movies) would I need to buy a decoder with my speakers, or does the Xbox decode 5.1 surround?

I'm almost positive that the Xbox and newer PS2's can decode 5.1 surround sound. I think I just need the optical cord/cable. Somebody point me in the right direction!

And where exactly do you think that optical cord goes...? It doesn't go straight to the speakers. You'll need some kind of receiver/amp/what-not that decodes the signals. Dolby Digital will play over regular stereo sets (not in surround of course) however DTS must be piped through a DTS compatible decoder...

That help...?

Also, to answer Trakan, you'll need either the Xbox High Def pack or the Xbox Advanced AV Pack. They both give you the optical out but one gives you an S-video plug and the other gives you a component out. Both of them have regular yellow/red/white cables on them as well for some reason.

[Trakan]

I have a question about 5.1, and this looks to be as good of place as any to ask it.
If I wanted 5.1 surround sound for my Xbox (for the games and the movies) would I need to buy a decoder with my speakers, or does the Xbox decode 5.1 surround?

I'm almost positive that the Xbox and newer PS2's can decode 5.1 surround sound. I think I just need the optical cord/cable. Somebody point me in the right direction!

And where exactly do you think that optical cord goes...? It doesn't go straight to the speakers. You'll need some kind of receiver/amp/what-not that decodes the signals. Dolby Digital will play over regular stereo sets (not in surround of course) however DTS must be piped through a DTS compatible decoder...

That help...?

Also, to answer Trakan, you'll need either the Xbox High Def pack or the Xbox Advanced AV Pack. They both give you the optical out but one gives you an S-video plug and the other gives you a component out. Both of them have regular yellow/red/white cables on them as well for some reason.

Alright, thanks man. It would be going through my DVD player, and the guy told me I'd be able to play it through optical out, I'd just need the cord. Was he right or was he just bullshitting me?

[Spruce]

Alright, thanks man. It would be going through my DVD player, and the guy told me I'd be able to play it through optical out, I'd just need the cord. Was he right or was he just bullshitting me?

Well, according to your OP :

System includes 500-watt Dolby Digital home theater receiver with integrated DVD player, 5 satellite speakers and a 100-watt powered subwoofer

You should be fine. Yours has the DVD player integrated right into it. Some receivers are seperate (like mine) so you can buy all your parts seperately (this lets you upgrade in steps over time...a little like a PC. So, for movies it will decode on its own, for video games you would need to plug the optical cord from the Xbox AV pack into your receiver/DVD player and it should work provided it has the available input. Just remember, when in doubt, check the manual.

[Trakan]

Cool. Thank you. You've been a huge help.

[Spruce]

Not a problem. Glad I could help...and now that you've entered the wonderful world of surround sound I recommend the Die Hard: 5 Star Collection DVD. The C4 in the elevator shaft will make you wonder how you ever listened to boring old stereo before.

[DrunkTigerWoods]

I also got the same system and this cleared up some things for me. Any deals on a digital optical cable? I found a no name brand on amazon( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002MQGOK//qid=1104729127/br=2-3/ref=br_ts_full_e//103-6530720-7391801?v=glance&s=electronics&n=597566 ) for $3.25, would it be good enough or should I look for something else?

[Graystone]

parts express is a local place here in dayton ohio. good people there. try there website it might have cheaper shipping.


http://www.partsexpress.com/index.cfm

[doubledown]

I would personally get SEPERATE components. If your DVD player fails on a combo unit, it basically makes it useless. I know money is the factor when buying anything, but I may throw a few extra dollars out there and get something halfway decent.

[darkcrawlspace]

Can anyone recommend a good Home Theatre System for between $250-$300. I've been looking for the best one possible, but I just can't decide. I'm looking for atleast 600 Watts, with a DVD player (doesn't matter how many discs).

[mmn]

I also got the same system and this cleared up some things for me. Any deals on a digital optical cable? I found a no name brand on amazon( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002MQGOK//qid=1104729127/br=2-3/ref=br_ts_full_e//103-6530720-7391801?v=glance&s=electronics&n=597566 ) for $3.25, would it be good enough or should I look for something else?

Don't go cheap on a Digital Optical Cable. Its not like an A/V cable or something - cheapness WILL make a difference in sound quality. Throw down $15 or so and get yourself a nice name brand.

[DrunkTigerWoods]

I also got the same system and this cleared up some things for me. Any deals on a digital optical cable? I found a no name brand on amazon( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002MQGOK//qid=1104729127/br=2-3/ref=br_ts_full_e//103-6530720-7391801?v=glance&s=electronics&n=597566 ) for $3.25, would it be good enough or should I look for something else?

Don't go cheap on a Digital Optical Cable. Its not like an A/V cable or something - cheapness WILL make a difference in sound quality. Throw down $15 or so and get yourself a nice name brand.

Ive heard your side and Ive heard some say it doesnt matter. Though I think I'll wait a bit and get a better quality brand; unless someone can confirm the quality of this cable.

[Trakan]

Thanks for the help everyone. How can I get my TV channels working through this thing? Is it cheap? Thanks.

[mmn]

Thanks for the help everyone. How can I get my TV channels working through this thing? Is it cheap? Thanks.

Depends. Do you have digital cable? If so you should have a digital coax output that should plug somewhere into the back of the audio system. If not it should have the red/white audio out so you could at least get Dolby ProLogic out of it.

If no digital cable, your TV might have those outputs. If its a newer TV it should have a digital out, if its slightly older it probably will have a red/white audio out.

If you have neither of those options you may be able to go through your VCR, but I'm not 100% sure how that works. Same way I'd guess, only you'd probably have to have your cable running through the VCR. Then just use the red/white audio out and plug it into the back of your audio system.

[Trakan]

Thanks for the help everyone. How can I get my TV channels working through this thing? Is it cheap? Thanks.

Depends. Do you have digital cable? If so you should have a digital coax output that should plug somewhere into the back of the audio system. If not it should have the red/white audio out so you could at least get Dolby ProLogic out of it.

If no digital cable, your TV might have those outputs. If its a newer TV it should have a digital out, if its slightly older it probably will have a red/white audio out.

If you have neither of those options you may be able to go through your VCR, but I'm not 100% sure how that works. Same way I'd guess, only you'd probably have to have your cable running through the VCR. Then just use the red/white audio out and plug it into the back of your audio system.

Nope, no digital cable. I do have a TV that has red/white audio out. On the back of the DVD player, it has a few spots to put things in. It has:

Coaxial In, Coaxial Out, both of which are orange, and REC OUT, which are red and yellow.

[Trakan]

I think I just figured it out. I think I have too many things hooked up. I don't think I can have my PS2, GCN, Xbox, and TV hooked up to it.

[tokerblue]

I also got the same system and this cleared up some things for me. Any deals on a digital optical cable? I found a no name brand on amazon( http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002MQGOK//qid=1104729127/br=2-3/ref=br_ts_full_e//103-6530720-7391801?v=glance&s=electronics&n=597566 ) for $3.25, would it be good enough or should I look for something else?

Don't go cheap on a Digital Optical Cable. Its not like an A/V cable or something - cheapness WILL make a difference in sound quality. Throw down $15 or so and get yourself a nice name brand.
> Digital is digital. There is no difference in sound quality from one brand of toslink cables to another. It's 0's and 1's, it either works or it doesn't. However, I wouldn't buy a cheap cable because they tend to be made of cheap materials and would be more fragile. You can buy a decent cable like AR from BestBuy for about $15.

[gaelan]

Since everyone is talking audio...anyone have anything negative/positive to say about wireless speakers. The system is a Kenwood. I think it is a 500watt system, and the satellite speakers are wireless. Is there any reduction in sound quality using wireless speakers?

[doubledown]

Every review I've read about WIRELESS speakers is that they are JUNK. Not sure if they have got any better recently, but pretty much JUNK.