Basement TV and Equipment

[LA_MERC_Wetzny]

I need some suggestions for new components in my basement.

TV is to be 42' with surround, can be a flat panel.

DVD or Blue Ray?

Surround Sound system and receiver.

Budget is moderate...


Thanks all!!

Wetz

[LA_MERC_th33_r00k]

Mod budget = $5k?

[LA_MERC_Wetzny]

Mod budget = $5k?

NO... In this economy??? If there was a (not going to say Republican, because that no longer means what it formerly did) conservative in Congress or the White House MAYBE... But I'm going to say 2k... at the top end.

[LA_MERC_T4rg3T]

42" LCD's are pretty hard to come by. It's either 40", 46", or 52".

I'd say a 120hz Sony or Samsung as both of those are great LCD panels. You also might look at what they call a "theater in a box" for the rest.

[LA_MERC_T4rg3T]

40"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889102269

46"
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16889102270

1080p upscaling with wireless Rear speakers
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16882676123

[LA_MERC_th33_r00k]

Product Details:

Samsung 460CX 46" LCD TV

46IN LCD HDTV 1080P 1920X1080 3000:1 BLK VGA DVI SVID CVBS 8MS
46" - 1920 x 1080 - HDTV
SKU #: U45577 List Price Your Price
Model#: 460CX $1,922.00 $1,344.75

Product Details:

Philips 52PFL3704D 52" LCD TV

Close

52IN WS LCD HDTV 1080P 1920X1080 BLK 4HDMI SVID SPKR TUNER
52" - 16:9 - 1920 x 1080 - Dolby, Surround - HDTV
SKU #: V46924 List Price Your Price
Model#: 52PFL3704D/F7 $1,699.99 $1,532.72

[LA_MERC_MadMAX]

Just don't buy a crappy "Home Theater in a Box" surround sound system - get a *real* reciever, and *real* speakers - you'd be surprised how big of an impact good sound can have in the overall experience.

A good budget system would be a set of Klipsch "Quintets", ($500) a 10" Klipsch Sub ($400) and a Yamaha 5.1 reciever ($200) - anything less spent on audio would just be a waste of money IMHO - I'd just as soon listen to the TV speakers as have to endure "surround sound" pumped out of an overgrown boom-box.

If you HAVE to for budget reasons, buy a receiver, 2 speakers and a sub - add the satellites & center channel later. A good 2.1 system is WAY better than a crappy 5.1-7.1 any day!