Hey, thanks a lot. On the basis of Rick's post I have decided to get the better model - thanks for confirming I made a good choice. The other stuff all looks reasonable? I'm especially concerned about the speakers, but people seem to really like them... The other option I was looking at was:

Ventriloquist VT-12
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vt-12.html

STF-2 Subwoofer
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/stf-2.html

I have the X-series subwoofer, and the Monitor 0.5's and love them. Would definitely buy any of their stuff again. If your wife lets you, you might consider the X-series towers for your front surround speakers. If you listen to music much, they would give you great sound for a 2.1 setup.

I also definitely 2nd calling them. I did and they gave me an extra discount and allowed me to package the X-series sub with the monitors. They will work with you to get a great system and will also recommend a reciever which pairs well with the speakers.

I emailed them at sales@av123.com a few days ago and got nothing back. I guess I'll try calling. Thanks.

This is their contact page: http://www.av123.com/about_contact.php

Sales Support
email -- sales@av123.com
telephone (USA toll-free) -- 877-543-7500, menu option 1

Quick question, how the [censored] do I stop the huge jumps in changes in sound when Im watching movies and dvds. I have my lcds optical out going into my surround sound, so the tv does all the output, and the "smart" sound is turned on (ive tried it both ways), but every time I watch an action movie an explosion will wake the neighbors but I can barely hear dialog. or am I deaf?

Weird. For this model Amazon was $400ish about a week ago then went up to $500ish a few days ago now is this price.

Just got the long mail order HDMI cable today along with a Toslink cable for my CD player. Am waiting on one more speaker (MC 300 from Cambridge Soundworks to add to the two I already have, these will be the front array).

Even with three mismatched (at this moment) speakers the Onkyo still sounds great. I have speaker placement problems (the TV had to be in the corner) but I think I may end up with something semi-balla if I put some thought into the arrangement.

Anyway, reading the AV forums makes my eyes bleed despite great advise (suggestion: avoid information overload and read the sticky posts).

I'm tired and munching out, hope my post makes semi-sense.

~ Rick

How badly am I going to get raped if I just buy everything from Amazon? Doesn't seem like it will be too bad. Especially since I'll take advantage of the Harmony Remote + Receiver deal and save like $200 that way, apparently.

Probably not too bad although the big unit (the TV) I'd rather get from a local B&M (in case it has to be returned). Note that you often won't get everything you order directly from Amazon; a lot of their electronics are subbed out to other sellers and they simply handle the order. So shipping could be higher than you would think since things may come from all over.

You might want to compare Crutchfield with JR or some of the other big online retailers.

Definitely get cables online; the B&M chains have to compete on cost with the online sellers on the centerpiece items so they really try to make it up on cables (especially an item like an HDMI cable).

~ Rick

I would be careful for anything expensive whether it comes from Amazon or someone else. Some things Amazon sell themselves so you get better warranty guarantees and the free shipping.

Cables - go to monoprice for cheap but good quality. If you want something a little bit higher quality, Blue Jeans Cable has incredible stuff at relatively inexpensive prices (all under $50)

Bought my 61" DLP from Amazon. Free shipping. No problems with it. Apparently, if the TV is DOA, the delivery dudes will just pack it back up and put it back on the truck. (Unfortunately, that's only good for problems that are obvious on first power on).

Honestly, I dont see how returning stuff to Amazon (take it to UPS) is any harder than taking it to Best Buy or whatever. I'm just going to get it wherever I can easily get the cheapest price: Amazon or B&M.

What's a proportional amount to spend on a sound system having bought a Samsung LE46M87 - 46" LCD TV and Toshiba HD-E1 HD DVD player? Total cost ~£1650.

Is it better to get seperate speakers? Any suggestions for what I should get that I can find in the UK? Is it a smart idea/technically feasible to plug my laptop into the TV, get a blu-ray burner for my desktop, and play blu-ray movies through the network?

it's only harder in the sense that you need to find a box (if you threw the original out) and sometimes have to pay for postage.

hey guys, quick question.

i'm getting a 42in Panasonic plasma, should I get 720p or 1080p? I plan on having this TV for the next 5-7 years

i read that 1080p might not matter for a smaller sized set, is this right? or is 1080p going to be so prevalent in the future that i should just spend the extra?

You need a box to return to Best Buy also.

1) At that size, you'll probably never notice the difference between 1080p and 720p. (Actually, the picture needs to be really big and you have to sit really close to notice. I forget the exact numbers, but something like at 7 feet away from a 61" TV, most people can't see a difference.

2) Broadcast TV is not currently 1080p and probably won't be 1080p anytime in the near fuure. HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are the only ways to 1080p currently.

Does Panasonic even have a 1080p 42" out? But yes, you have to sit 5 feet or closer to a 42" TV to tell the difference between 1080p and 720p. I for one purchased a 42" Samsung Plasma about a month ago over the 40" 1080p Samsung LCD because of better picture quality. Only reason 1080p would have been nice is if I wanted to hook my computer to it.

Only thing in 1080p right now is HD And Blu-Ray DVD's. It will be 5-7 years before any stations are broadcasting in 1080p.

But if money is no object and you want a great future proof TV, Samsung is releasing 120hz LED backlit LCD's this month that should have a better picture than plasmas and are 1080p.

yeah panasonic has the PZ700U (i think that is the right model number). i saw this at circuit city a couple days ago and it looked pretty awesome. they had HD DVD playing on it, but not on the 720p version, so it is hard to say how the picture quality compares. i have seen some decent deals for this model (around $1,600) that it might be worth getting. OTOH, 720p would probably be perfectly fine at that size.

one question. I am in the market for a home theater system. Big flatscreen, surround sound. I seem to like Sony the best from what i've seen. Where is the best/cheapest place to buy this stuff? A few options being The Sony Store, a more broad electronics place like Futureshop, a department store like Sears (I guess Walmart too but I would rather avoid that hellhole), some small local shop, online stores, etc. thanks

Can't help you regarding best prices on a Sony big screen (I know Costco doesn't carry them, they do carry Panasonics). Best Buy is usually OK though. Walmart usually won't carry top brands like Sony. As an aside my parents love that top end 52" Sony LCD they bought just as it came out around Christmas.

For some of the other stuff consider Circuit City's online site with instore pickup. I got my Onkyo 7.1 receiver for a price equal to the best price I could find online without having to pay shipping (of course I had to pay sales tax).

I really like my Cambridge Soundworks MC300 speakers for the front array or three speakers. But there are many good speakers.

Don't buy cables at Best Buy or any other B&M store. The online links mentioned in this thread will give you a much better deal.

~ Rick

Online is where the best prices can often be found. I would check Amazon, but make sure that you are purchasing the product from Amazon itself, not one of its partners.

As for product choices, Sony does make very good stuff, but its prices are ridiculous. You can get a TV that is probably not "quite" as good, but almost unnoticeably so for considerably cheaper.

D,

At the very least, check a site like shopping.com that mines online stores for prices and factors in shipping to give you the lowest price. You'll easily be able to find some pretty good deals w/o a huge amount of trouble, and at the very least, it gives you a measuring stick to compare other offers to.

anyone,

what's the deal with this new LCD technology that's supposed to be coming out? i need a TV <$2k that has to be purchased from best buy (gift cards ) and by ~end of september

Samsung is coming out with LED backlit 120hz TV's. The 120 hz's tech has been out for several months and eliminates the problem LCD's have with fast motion. Localized dimming LED backlighting is the "holy grail" for LCD's allowing ridiculous contrast ratios and incredible picture quality. These technologies will finally make Plasam picture quality better than LCD's. Unfortunately you won't be able to get one of these TV's in September for under $2k. Let me know more about your needs and I can provide recommendations.

$2k budget, purchased only from best buy
viewing distance: 8-12 ft
usage: mostly sports and video games (the motion blur thing is a big issue), probably mostly non-HD programs/inputs
future: need it to last 5-10 years

i've been looking at the 42 or 50 inch Panny plasmas, they're 720p. haven't reached any conclusions yet though. never would have guessed TVs would be so complicated