This is all new to me..help!..

Hello all of you and thank-you for reading my post. To begin, I purchased a Vizio 47 LCD TV (model #SV1XVT)

I subscribe to HD cable from Cox. I will be buying a Blu-ray player and a PS3 soon. With that said, can someone direct me on a system that is not too pricey? I recently went to a Best Buy store and noticed the "theater in a Box" that go from $350-$699 Us Dollars. I believe the drawback is that these systems only have 1 HDMI input. It is my understanding that I will need 3 HDMI for what I have and will be getting soon, right?

Being a newbie, can someone lets say tell me what I can bet to build a system that is under $600? Should I be buying online? Should I wait for Black Friday?

I am open to any suggestion you can offer. I will keep this group informed as to which way I go with this. Thanks so much.
Jay
:confused:

Quick question - a PS3 is also a blu ray, so maybe you can expand your budget by 200 bucks and just buy the PS3? That will get you a better system. A lot of people on here will suggest an Onkyo HTIB (Home theatre in a box) but I prefer a put together system. Let me know how much music you plan on listening to, how much movies, how much gaming, etc. I think for 800 bucks you can get a very nice system. Also, what kind of speakers are you looking for? 7 speakers? 5 speakers? Many high quality systems have two larger tower speakers as front speakers, and bookshelves as surrounds. Some more info will help.

Welcome to the hobby.

OK. First - Why are you purchasing a Blu-Ray player AND a PS3 ?? :confused: The PS3 is one of the top ranking Blu-Ray players on the market .
So far as your AV system, I would suggest the Onkyo HT-S6100 or HT-S7100. You can find either one of these at www.accessories4less.com . If they are no longer in stock, get the Onkyo HT-S6200 or HT-S7200. Check www.amazon.com for these, if not available at Accessories4less. These are top of the line HTiBs, they have plenty of power, 4 HDMI inputs, decode every lossy and lossless codec there is and come with everything you need in the box. They can be set up as a 7.1 system or 5.1, whichever you prefer. However, you'll probably want to replace the supplied speaker wire with something a little thicker. 16 gauge wire would be the minimum I would go with. And, one good thing about the Onkyo systems - you can upgrade the speakers whenever you desire. Although the supplied speakers are good, there is always " bigger and better " to be had.
Most retail electronics companies have already posted their Black Friday sales, so check the web, and see if anyone is going have one of the Onkyos on sale. BTW, you'll probably get your best deals online. Also, be sure to go to www.monoprice.com for your cables and speaker wires. They have the absolute lowest prices, and their products are as good as, or better than, anyone's. Have fun putting your system together, and even more fun playing with it. :thumbsup:

UPDATE -

Accessories4less has the HT-S7100 for $520. Also, they will be announcing their Black Friday prices next week !!

-I meant to say I want to purchase a Nintendo Wii. Not a PS3. Sorry

-I am interested in a 5.1 system.

-Question: I listen to a local tech talk program on AM radio. The guy states that it would be best to purchase something that has DTS HD and DOLBY HD. I have seen this on blue-ray players and A/V receivers. Do both components need to have this feature? In other words, can I buy a blue-ray player that does not have it but the receiver does and it will work? (Hope that makes sense)

-Question: If I purchase the "Theater in the box" can I just connect that to a receiver that has multiply HDMI connections? (Again need to connect the TV, DVD, Cable box, Wii?(not sure), and a DVR (which I am on the fence of buying a Tivo or Moxi -any help on that?)

-Question: How are these components hooked up? (Does all of them get connected to the receiver and one out to the TV? Again I am totally new at this stuff.

- I came across a blu-ray player (model # bdp5010) on sale at Costco for $139.00. (any suggestions on this player)

-I will check out the links provided. Thanks

- Lastly, I came across these open items at Best Buys (any good?):

Pioneer VSX-819H-k - $305.99

AVR-354 - $269.99

I have a Harman Kardon AVR354. If it is that receiver, at that price, it's SPECTACULAR! Open item...is there something wrong with it? Does it come with a warranty??? If yes, I would buy that in a second, and for 400 dollars, you can add speakers to that which will rival the Onkyo system by far. As far as connections, HDMI cables are the best. I have one HDMI cable going from my TV to my Receiver, and everything else - Wii, Blu-Ray, etc. gets plugged into the receiver. The directions on most AVR's are quite clear...so much that when I started, i was able to figure it out, and I have no spacial intelligence. If you decide on this AVR, let me know what the remaining budget is for speakers and a sub. If your original was 700 (Can't remember, but think that was it) and the AVR is 270, then you have 430 bucks. It will be hard to find five great speakers and a sub for that much. There's nothing wrong with a HTiB, but I personally wouldn't do it. I think Onkyo makes decent AVR's, but they are not a speaker company. I would go with a speaker from a speaker company. Polk, Klipsch, AR, Definitive Technologies, etc.

I believe this would fit your needs best and is within your price range. Speakers are included which they are not with the two receivers you listed.

http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/ONKHTS7100DAM/Onkyo/Ht-s7100-7.1-channel-Receiver/-Speaker-Package-Black/1.html

I checked out the recommended website from previous post replies. There are actually 2 systems one dented and the other refurbished. My concern is I never purchased anything other than new. How reputable is this site in general; buying a product that’s been used/abused? What should I be looking for or asking if I was interested in buying these units?

I checked out the recommended website from previous post replies. There are actually 2 systems one dented and the other refurbished. My concern is I never purchased anything other than new. How reputable is this site in general; buying a product that’s been used/abused? What should I be looking for or asking if I was interested in buying these units?

These units are refurbished and checked thoroughly by the MANUFACTURER, much more so than a new unit would be. This site is one of a select few that are allowed to sell certified Onkyo refurbished equipment. Both myself and many friends have purchased much equipment from them over the years with excellent results and if there was any problem they were courteous and speedy in the resolution. I highly recommend them as the values, quality products and service can't be beat.

For someone who is just starting with HD audio and video, I think that purchasing an HTiB is the perfect thing. Everything is included, and you don't have to worry about compatibility issues. As stated in my previous post, the Onkyo HT-S7100 for $520 at Accessories4less would suit you perfectly. And it is upgradeable should you wish to do so in the future. And, as I stated, it does decode EVERYTHING from basic Dolby and DTS to Dolby TrueHD and DTS MasterAudio ( and everything in between ). Also, it can be configured for 5.1 or 7.1 audio. For the money, you can't beat it. Just hook all of your components into it via HDMI, and then run a single HDMI to your HDTV. The built in Audyssey system will set all of your speakers to the proper level and equalization settings. Go for it ! :banana: