I am getting a Diamond Mitsubishi 65" DLP with the 120 hz processor, and I want to get a new Blu-ray and Surround System as well. Does anybody have any suggestions as to type of Blu-ray and Surround System to go with it? I dont mind spending a little bit, up to $1000, but I cant afford more. The guy at Ultimate electronics suggested a Yamaha surround and BD player. I am just not sure if that is the best bang for my buck so to speak.

Also, I remember some discussion about cables as well. Anyone have suggestions as to cable alternatives to Monster?

Thanks for any ideas...

Edit: I was just looking at the Sony BDP-350 and I think it will do nicely. Does anybody here have one already? or other sony Blu-ray?

I'm not a audio genius but when when we got our new setup we opted for the Bose 3-2-1 II system because it had all the features we wanted, is compact (speakers and tuner) and really has great sound. We've gone through a few surround sound/home theatre systems...this one is cool because it's simple. We could disconnect it tomorrow and put it somewhere else easily, which I really like.

At least you know not to buy Monster.

For cables, you buy from one of these two places:

http://www.bluejeanscable.com
http://www.monoprice.com

For speakers -- Bose is overpriced for what you get. They're literally like the Monster cable of the speaker world. I'm not an expect on what to get at that price range, but others (AJ?) might have some good pointers.

As for a BluRay player -- I would hold off a few more months as I don't believe that one is Profile 2.0 compliant. You don't want to have to buy a new player in a few months just to be able to view all of the features of the disk. At least, that's what I would do (and am doing).

Thanks fez. The Sony player is firmware upgradeable to 2.0, whatever that means. The 550 is 2.0 ready out of the box, but it has a $550 price-tag as well. Thanks for the tip...

Like Fez, I'm a huge fan of Blue Jeans Cables...I don't even consider anything else anymore. For budget receivers, I don't think you'll notice much difference from one to the next, so just get the least expensive one that has all the features you need.

Does the 1000 budget include the receiver and BD player? If so, that doesn't leave much for speakers. I would go to avsforum.com in the speaker section and ask them what the latest and greatest budget speaker is. Usually there is some $150/pair speakers that are giant killers and you can pick up for the time being. For name brands, I've always liked the Paradigm Atoms, but they've overhauled them to where they're a bit more substantial and might be out of your price range now. I'd focus on getting the best pair of mains and a matching center, and then you can put just about anything in back. Is it better to have matching speakers in back? Sure it is. But for surround effects, even crap speakers can add to the movie experience.

With all due respect to blzrul, I don't recommend Bose at all. Bose is a genius marketing company and, as Fez said, you basically pay a whole lot of money for a very average product. If you like the idea of really small speakers, then check out the offerings from www.orbaudio.com. You'll pay a fraction of the price and get much better sound. I really like these little guys for surrounds...in fact, I like them so much that I have them running in back with my $5k main speakers up front. I don't know if you're married, but they have very high WAF, too.

I'd still wait until the holidays to buy a BD player -- I have a feeling that they should all be Profile 2.0 by then and that there will be some price movement to make it more attractive for people to buy. The prices can't stay this high forever if Sony wants people to start buying Blu-Ray disks (they're not selling very many players or disks yet)

I would advise against the projection. You might get a bigger screen for the price, but you'll regret it it in the long run. Go LCD.

Plenty of excellent suggestions already but allow me to weigh in with my opinion:
- Can you go a couple of inches smaller on the TV and spend that saved dough on the sound system ? Better not to skimp on sound
- Don't buy Bose. I have heard 3 different Bose systems in different (home) environments and they suck.
- If you still stick to your total $1000 budget, I can suggest HTD as a speaker company. I have their old Level 3 speakers and they are very very good for the price. I believe their new Level 2s are in-between their old Level 2& 3. In this link, I totalled up ~ $700 for a set of 5 including 2 floor-standing, 2 bookshelf and 1 center. They may even give you a discount if you buy the set.
http://www.htd.com/cabinet-speakers/level-two-speakers

- If you really want to buy tiny speakers, see the 'pods' on HTD's website. Note HTD has a 30 day money back guarantee so all you will be out is the shipping cost.
- I suggest NOT buying a sub-woofer right now to stay within budget. When you have saved some extra money, buy a really good sub-woofer (SVS, HSU or Velodyne are examples).
- No comments on the BD player as I don't have enough knowledge on that. Fez's opinion should be all you need anyway.

Well, a PS3 is a no brainer for a BD player. It is one of the best players, upgradeable and also a great game system. Not to mention some other nice features.

No IR remote is a deal killer for anyone with a universal remote.

I highly recommend SVS. I have one of their subs in my theater and it rocks. Of course it'd kill your budget, as I spent more on the sub than your whole speaker budget... But they have cheaper options that are good -- I just went WAY overkill.

And yet another reason not to get into BD quite yet.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/15/warne...or-the-holidays

For the money, I like Onkyo as far as surround goes. Not super high end, but when you compare the quality to others in the same price range it blows them away.

As far as BR goes, I would also wait until stuff comes delivered with 2.0, and there is no doubt you will save at least $100.00 if not more, if you wait until the holidays.

You can use the cheap NYKO remote that comes with a usb dongle. It will give you most functions. No on/off but not real important since usually you put in and take out a disc. I'm using it with a Harmony 890 with no problems.

What a kludge.

Why didn't they spend the 10 cents for an IR sensor?

Looks like you should pass on the BDP-350:

"it literally feels like a $20 DVD player in the hand -- no way Sony has $400 of electronic components in this thing."

http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/16/hands-o...hd-frivolities/

but curiously enough, Sony mentions that "a firmware update enabling BD-Live is planned [for] later this year."

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/07/16/sonys...r-now-shipping/

More reason to wait until later in the year.

No idea-but doesn't matter to me since it is all behind the wall and in my basement!

Who are we talking to in this thread ? The OP did not reply to a single post !

Actually, I did. And have been checking back for new info.

I will definitely wait on the sony 350. I also like the idea of the ps3 for the player, but i have some questions. Do you get a remote of some kind at least to control the BD? does it upconvert old dvd's?

For stereo now I have an Onkyo system now thats about 4 years old. Its a 7.1, but the problem is, it has no hdmi ports. That is the main reason I am looking for a new one. I want to use the receiver as hub/switch to control all devices. That's why i was just looking at the receivers, because i was going to keep the Onkyo speakers for a while until I could save up for some better ones...

Do you get a remote of some kind at least to control the BD: Yes
does it upconvert old dvd's: Yes

Here is a link to a CNET article about using the PS3 as a Blu-Ray player
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-100162...etfd.blogs.item

Yeah, that'd be because there's nothing better out there yet. Best of the worst.

Wait a few more months for the good stuff (then again, the BDA's been saying that for 2 years....)

Thanks for that link, Gimpy. That was a nice read. I am a little unclear if they actually used a $5000 video processor to enhance the picture. That would kind of defeat the purpose, i think. Overall, I agree that the PS3 is probably the best choice right now.

I am going to wait for a while to see what happens.

Another option...

Microsoft Readying Blu Ray Drive for Xbox 360