in building a new house from scratch, would you recommend a whole house surge protector and line filter (if so who makes them), or am i better off going with a surge and line filter in my rack system for my HT?

Both. The whole-house protector is most effective against external problems but a local in-rack device will add protection for any incursions directly in the house circuitry.

Leviton, Intermatic and Panamax all make good whole house surge suppressors. I plan on going with the Intermatic IG2401EH when it's time (soon)