I've been reading the forum for a long time, but rarely post. I am new to the Home Theater game, have been doing research, but have lots of questions. I am looking to you all for some help and suggestions.

This home theater is a TV/Family room. It is going to be used for mostly TV watching, along with movies. Also, the receiver needs to have a second zone so I can output to another amp and feed the whole house audio (or, let me know of a better way...).

I am not a video/audiophile by any stretch. I am looking for a nice looking and sounding system that won't break the bank, and be somewhat future proof.

I am starting from scratch, and have 0 componets.

The speakers, other than center channel and sub, need to be in the ceiling.

I am fine buying internet direct components (like emotive receivers/amps) if it makes sense.

In short, here is what I need (and what I am leaning towards):

TV ($2k):
Mitsubish DLP - WD57732. 1080p.

Cable Provider:
Verizon FIOS

Receiver ($1.5k):
Yamaha RX-V2700 due to its 3 HDMI 1.2 connections, and networking capabilities.

DVD Player ($200):
I am thinking a nice $150-$200 upscaling DVD player (maybe Oppo?). Then, around X-mas time or so, I will buy a Blu-Ray or HD-DVD.

Whole House Distribution ($750):
Home Theater Direct (HTD)

5 In-ceiling Speakers for Surround Sound in TV Room ($400-$1000):
Home Theater Direct ($400)
Speakercraft AIM7 ($1000)

Center Channel ($250)
No ideas.
Maybe Home Theater Direct Level 3.

SubWoofer ($500)
No ideas.
Maybe Home Theater Direct Level 3.
Maybe Outlaw Audio.

11 Speakers for Background Listening Throughout rest of House ($600):
Home Theater Direct (HTD)

Well, whattya think???

Thanks in advance for your help.

Bump - any help/suggestions appreciated.

drop the up converting dvd player, just get a decent progressive dvd player, the Yamaha receiver will up convert it for you, you can up convert everything plugged into it if you choose to set it like that, and id look into the definitive technology in wall subs, they have one for around 500$ and a friend of mine has it and he loves it, im actually looking into it for myself, and for whole house audio distribution id look at a russound, you can get there good stuff pretty decently priced on ebay, or i would look into an abus system, there cheap and pretty good, and i would look into a projector(i saw the sony vw50 for 3k at a lot of sites) and look at the "black flame light fusion" (http://www.lumenlab.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=13897) mix for the screen, its in the DIY screen section it works great in ambient light conditions look at those pics, and its availible for purchase at this site premixed (http://xtreme-fusion-screens.com/blackflame.html)
thats all i have to say, good luck

I would spend less on the receiver and more on the speakers, but that's just me. I also agree, I'm not sold on upconverting either, I've got a $70 progressive scan DVD player and it looks just fine on my 106" screen.

Figure out how many components you are going to need to connect to your TV. Do not overy buy on the receiver, over buy on the speakers, the speakers will last far longer than the receiver. My theater was about what you are looking at, I have 2k in a display device, $700 receiver, $70 dvd player, $399 for my Xbox 360, and a Dish Network box. I have 6.1 surround the speakers including the sub were just under $3K. I've got $1200 in seating (and that was the deal of a life time). The room was open studs and insulation when we moved in so another 4K in drywall, paint, and labor. My theater is only about half of the area we drywalled and painted so that's a bit high for construciton.

What you want to do is up to you, that's why most post's like this don't get many responses. You need to do the leg work, crunch the numbers, and have fun. Take your time getting there IS half the fun.