2. home-theater
  3. 1008715846

Simple, one-box solutions for HT-- Recomendations?

OK, not really what we are about here, but the parents are looking to go DVD for x-mas and I volunteered to do them one better. I was hoping to pick up one of those one-box DVD/PRE/AMP/Reciever along with a subwoofer and 5 sattelites combos in the realm of around $5-600 just so they get to listen to their DVDs through more than the old TV set (which, honestly, they would be perfectly content to do). Anyone have any experience slumming with this sort of gear? Though I would like to do better, the parents aren't likely to tolerate anything more (in terms of the physical presense of the equipment), so I figured this might be the way to go. I was eyeballing the latest Sony version (all digital, fairly limited compatibility with, well, anything else, but likely sufficient to do the trick). Just wondering whether anyone had any pointers or preferences. (I might be able to pull of a seperate DVD, cheap reciever, and a satellite system -- but I'm on a rather short fuse time-wise....) Thanks.
mezmo
chaskelljr2001's avatar
chaskelljr2001
476 posts
 
Mezmo:

Here's a combination that ought to do the trick. It will be light years better than what they're likely to get from a one box solution. And now, without further ado, here's the combination that I was talking about.

(01). DVD Player -- Toshiba SD-1700 -- Retails for around $200.00, though you can probably get one for around $130.00 to $150.00 on sale.

(02). Audio/Video Receiver -- Onkyo TX-DS494 -- Retails for around $330.00, but you can probably get it for under $300.00, also on sale.

(03). Speaker System -- RCA/Radio Shack PRO-LX550 sattelite/PRO-C550 center channel system -- Retails for $750, but wait until they go on sale, that way, you can get this system for 50% off of retail (here's a trick around this situation..... get them a Radio Shack gift certificate for around $400.00 or so, and tell them that it is for their speaker system, and that they should wait until they go on sale). A subwoofer is optional. They can get a subwoofer later on when they get their tax refund. That is, if they want one. And even then, I guess a RCA/Radio Shack sub would be sufficient for them. Personally I wouldn't get one, but for your parents, it may suffice.

Good Luck and Merry Christmas.........

--Charles--

(02).
questforsound
126 posts
 
Hi

accually the Sony DAV-S500. is really very nice for what it is ...I bought one for my parents for the same reason ...

and I sell high end gear !!!

Go For it ....

stephen
ellery911
549 posts
 
Quality or lack there of is remembered long after the price is forgotten. Stick with 2 channel for home theater. I'm quite happy with mine and the bang for the buck is far greater.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Onkyo used to make a pretty nice one that was all-one. Just need speakers.
ellery911
549 posts
 
Buy a $99 dvd player...no frills & the pic will still be much better than vhs. Home Theater magazine recently had 3 seperate systems set up with a $1500, $3000 & $5000 budget. These included the T.V. sets, so you may be able to stay within your budget. For the $1500 one they used the Kenwood HTB504 (home theater in a box) which is a receiver 5 speakers + sub and all the cables you will need. For the DVD they recommended the Toshiba SD-2700 as it has quality inputs instead of just coaxial. You can read the article at www.hometheatermag.com in their archives section november 2001 issue. The article is titled "the good, the better & the best". Myself, I would still go for 2 channel with an old nad receiver, some used speakers & a sub & a new cheap dvd player.

Home theater mag says you can get the Theater in a box at www.sears.com

Happy hunting!
More to discover