Starting out. - need your counsel

I recently upgraded my surround sound/HT system by replacing a Yamaha RX-V995 Receiver used as a preamp only and would recommend that particular unit highly as an affordable means to 5.1 processing. It's no longer made, but a lot of them were sold and I'm sure you could find a nice one on the used market - original retail started at 1K and declined to $800 when the replacement receiver was announced. It will decode DTS, Dolby Surround and Dolby Digital, has the 5.1 channel analog pass through, boasts remarkably good specs for the price, an analog volume control, and has 5.1 pre-outs to bypass the amplifier section of the receiver. (One of the few receivers in its class I could find that offered this feature). Also, for mass produced electronics, I have never encountered a company that builds stuff that lasts like Yamaha. I still use a turntable of theirs that I bought new in 1976. I know you said you wouldn't be using this for music, but you might want to look at the used market for some DTS music discs if you go that route. I have a few, and while not up to multichannel SACD standards, they offer a really expanded and improved music listening experience when the recordings are properly engineered. Best of luck with your search.

Thanks for your advice.
I'm going to pickup an inexpensive receiver from my local hi end dealer. Even though I buy my hi-end stereo stuff on A'gon I think new and inexpensive is the way to go in the family room - fewer headaches. If my gang uses it, I know where I can go for warranty work and even a loaner! He tells me that a new crop are about to come in that meet my needs. And he concurs with the advice I got here.

Try the Harman Kardon line of A/V receivers. I have the AVR7000 which is disco. Now the 8000 is out they all have DTS which is what you should look for if they have that they have everything else.