My granddad just recently came into a crapload of extra cash (no, no one died), and has decided to give his home theater a mega-sized upgrade. Since I'm the only one in the immediate family that's technically savvy (read: I can use the Internet), he asked me for some advice. I figured that I'd suggest some of the best technology available. This is what I plan to tell him so far:

1080p HDTV: Panasonic Viera TH-50PZ800U
7.1 Channel Sound System: Cambridge SoundWorks Newton MC650HD 5.1 Home Theater System + 2 MC650HD Speakers*
Profile 2.0 BD/DVD Player: Panasonic DMP-BD50

Right now, he could get these for $6,400 (and that's without searching for a deal, which I'm sure we can find). Are these good choices? Does anybody have any suggestions?

*CNet's best-reviewed 7.1 System was the MC600HD set-up, but that is no longer being produced, so I simply went with the most advanced model available.

I'd put the emphasis on the speakers, and the quality of hardware used to place them. You want good speaker cable, and maybe cable guides as well. Receivers can be changed easily, but your speakers are going to be on the wall for a while. Don't skimp there.

when you say best technology available...are you saying money is not an issue? if so, there are better tv's than that panasonic.

Depends on your budget. You can always go projector,screen it depends on how far you want to go.

Don't forget the 'extras' that make Home Theater - comfortable seating and decent remote.

Depending on there budget.

How much is a crapload? could be only 10k to some others a crapload is like 100k. You should explain how much he's willing to spend. If you have lot of money. I'd suggest remodeling and making an actual theater. 3 chip DLP projector with the best of the best speakers, screen, cables, lighting, seats, acoustic panels, remote, ect.