Hello, I just bought my Samsung HDTV (32') and I want to buy a home theater to go with it, all of these for my small bedroom.

I'm on a limited budget and I can't go over $400. (500 would be a sacrifice)

So here are my options

Panasonic SC-PT760 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System
(http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/panasonic-sc-pt760/4505-6740_7-32815242.html?tag=prod.txt.1)

Panasonic SC-PT960 Deluxe 5 DVD Home Theater System (http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/panasonic-sc-pt960/4505-6740_7-32815243.html?tag=box4505)

and my last option (it would be a sacrifice because of the price)

Sony DAV-HDX500/i BRAVIA Home Theater System (http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/sony-bravia-theater-dav/4505-6740_7-32331406.html?tag=box4505)

and here are some suggestions form avsforum members:

Onkyo HT S5100 - home theater system - 7.1 channel (http://shop2.frys.com/product/5586550;jsessionid=s++Q4cALOyGOZ2ryzQLyFw**.node2?site=sr:SE ARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG)

Onkyo HT-SR700 (http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-SR700&modelid=149&group_id=1&detail=1)

any suggestions are welcome.

Great question, but probably best suited for another section of the board.

You'll probably get a better response at the Home Theater In-A-Box board in the Audio section.

Good luck.

^^ What he said

Your links are broken. If you're posting in this forum, I'll assume you have a 360. If so, you'll need at a bare minimum a receiver that accepts digital audio via fiber optic. Typically, the htib's from the big CE companies are very skimpy in terms of connectivity.

Something like this (http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?productid=HT-SR700&modelid=149&group_id=1&detail=1) would work as a good starter system and be within your budget.

http://shop2.frys.com/product/5586550;jsessionid=s++Q4cALOyGOZ2ryzQLyFw**.node2?site=sr:SE ARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG

This one is good if you like silver. It also comes in black and is cheaper at Crutchfield. But if you want HDMI audio you'll need something different.

thanks, I don't know why the amazon links don't work. I'll try to fix them.

I updated my links so you can help me choose which is better...sorry for the double post

I'ld opt for a more expensive setup. Don't be afraid to buy used either. I got everything for just a hair over 1grande (sub and receiver is new) as I patiently waited looking. I'ld opt for a cheap system as in that Pioneer system for about $100. It's not the greatest but neither is a HTIB setup. You pay to play, and since you aren't paying too much, might as well save some cash. My buddy said his Pioneer 360 HTIB system is the best bang for the buck, I mean $100!

I don't have any experience with these myself, but they seem to fit within your budget:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?DID=7&PartNumber=300-696

Sound wise, this should sound better than most HtiB set-ups mainly due to the subwoofer.

You should be able to find a receiver for under $200.00 as well. Parts express has some or you could try www.froogle.com.

Certainly you already have a DVD player in addtion to the X360's, right?

Agreed to go to the home theater section with this post....but I'll throw what little I know out there anyways. Ive owned a panasonic HTIB and it was actually a pretty good system. Powered a small room with ease. With that kind of budget you probably are going to have comparable sound quality across the board...........just pick the feature set you like the most, check out the reviews on circuitcity.com or cnet.com, and dive in. If you were spending $2000 Id be more concerned about it.

I recently bought the Onkyo 5100 HTIB system.

I've been very happy with it so far. Would have been nice to have HDMI audio (it only passes video via HDMI) - but oh well - the price was right at $449 when I bought it.

I have my cable box running into it via coax for surround and hdmi directly to my Panasonic 50" plasma for non-surround (and video obviously).

I have my PS3, XBOX 360 and Toshiba A35 hd-dvd hooked up to it via HDMI and the HDMI out to my 2nd HDMI jack on my Panasonic plasma. The audio from the PS3/Xbox 360 is via optical and my HD-DVD is via Coax (through a monoprice optical to coax changer).

Since this was just for my "man cave" gaming area I wasn't really worried about HDMI audio or any sort of audiophile quality and so far I'm very impressed with the Onkyo 5100 and would recommend it to anyone that's not hung up on having to have HDMI audio. If you really want HDMI audio then you should look elsewhere.

Here's another I've been checking....Sony BRAVIA Theater System (DAVHDX576WF) - Black (http://reviews.cnet.com/home-theater-systems/sony-bravia-theater-dav/4505-6740_7-32887799.html?tag=prod.txt.1)

Do you have a Circuit City near your house? Listen to the Onkyo and they'll blow any similarly priced Sony or Panasonic out of the water.

Do you have a Circuit City near your house? Listen to the Onkyo and they'll blow any similarly priced Sony or Panasonic out of the water.
That's what did it for me - hdmi audio or not - the Onkyo sounded much better to my ears.

is there really a big difference regarding audio? becuase the lack of HDMI audio is a big turn off.

after full research these are my options so far. [p]
1-Sony Component Home Theater System HT-7200DH (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665361527) [p]
PROS: great sound( it's an actual receiver) , 3 HDMI's input. comes with a dvd player, supports HDMI video and audio. It is NOT just a passthroughCONS: speaker stands not included + the system is no looker (doesn't match my tv). [p]
2-Samsung HT-AS720ST (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=audiovideo&type=hometheater&subtype=hometheatersystems&model_cd=HT-AS720ST/XAA) PROS: definitely matches my tv, 2 HDMI inputs, great sound (a receiver) CONS: speaker stands not included + no dvd. 1 less HDMI than the sony 7200. HDMI doesn't pass audio, no component inputs. [p]
3-Sony Bravia DAV-HDX576WF (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665361521) PROS: It looks amazing, perfect match for my setup, 5 dvd changer, 2 wireless speakers, I pod dock. CONS: NOT AN ACTUAL RECEIVER. lacks HDMI inputs, less sound options that the other 2. Basically I just one this one because it looks so sexy and would match perfectly with my tv and later on ps3. [p]

is there really a big difference regarding audio? becuase the lack of HDMI audio is a big turn off.

after full research these are my options so far. [p]
1-Sony Component Home Theater System HT-7200DH (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665361527) [p]
PROS: great sound( it's an actual receiver) , 3 HDMI's input. comes with a dvd player, supports HDMI video and audio. It is NOT just a passthroughCONS: speaker stands not included + the system is no looker (doesn't match my tv). [p]
2-Samsung HT-AS720ST (http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=audiovideo&type=hometheater&subtype=hometheatersystems&model_cd=HT-AS720ST/XAA) PROS: definitely matches my tv, 2 HDMI inputs, great sound (a receiver) CONS: speaker stands not included + no dvd. 1 less HDMI than the sony 7200. HDMI doesn't pass audio, no component inputs. [p]
3-Sony Bravia DAV-HDX576WF (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665361521) PROS: It looks amazing, perfect match for my setup, 5 dvd changer, 2 wireless speakers, I pod dock. CONS: NOT AN ACTUAL RECEIVER. lacks HDMI inputs, less sound options that the other 2. Basically I just one this one because it looks so sexy and would match perfectly with my tv and later on ps3. [p]

It's best to save up a bit more To get HDMI audio for 7.1 channel lossless LPCM sound. I sen the Sony 720 for around 279.00 with has 3 HDMI inputs & 1 HDMI output. & supports 8.1 channels of lossless sound.. Plus you can get a good entry level package system for 300.00, or less used..

I know the 7200 claims audio over HDMI, but I'd have to check the manual for the specifics. & very few THIB support 7.1 lossless sound over HDMI.. I think it's always good to pay a bit more to future proof your investment.. You will thank me when you get your PS3..

If you don't need a tuner, a dvd player, a lot of bells and whistles, just something that is a 5.1 system for your 360, look at the Logitech Z5500. It's a high end, THX certified 5.1 surround sound system for PC's, but works great with my 360. It has a SPDIF (Coax) input, an optical input, and 3 more analog stereo or one more analog 5.1 input. It can be had for around $300, and will play louder than you will probably ever want to listen to it.

It is very basic, but that's exactly what I needed/wanted.

If you don't need a tuner, a dvd player, a lot of bells and whistles, just something that is a 5.1 system for your 360, look at the Logitech Z5500. It's a high end, THX certified 5.1 surround sound system for PC's, but works great with my 360. It has a SPDIF (Coax) input, an optical input, and 3 more analog stereo or one more analog 5.1 input. It can be had for around $300, and will play louder than you will probably ever want to listen to it.

It is very basic, but that's exactly what I needed/wanted.

I wouldn't call the Z5500 high end, buy for 200.00 they are very good PC/console speakers.

yeah i have the 5500 speakers,great speakers for their price range,cant really be beat

yeah i have the 5500 speakers,great speakers for their price range,cant really be beat
+1.

but just look around to get the best price for them...

i'd try to find the pioneer xbox system (htp-gs1) it should be cheaper (~100) and i honestly think it sounds as good or better than the z5500

^i heard the sub is pretty weak on the pioneers compared to the 5500s

also, for someone on a budget, the g51 is a nice set..... great price right now.

http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?sduid=234616&t=865144