Hi all, thanks in advance for your advice.

I am doing some modest upgrades to my TV room, and resurrecting a surround setup that was killed by a trim carpenter a couple of years ago.

Originally, I set up Energy Take 5 speakers with a Sony A/V receiver about 8-10 years ago. I know there are better options now, but I'm happy with these speakers/sub and want to keep them for now. The speaker wiring is behind drywall, and adding two more rear speakers for 7.1 would be very difficult.

HD was not an option last time I set this up, but now I currently have a 50" Toshiba Plasma with two HDMI inputs (720p). I am using DirecTV, but haven't yet upgraded to the HD. We watch a lot of DVDs from Netflix and the kids game some, although I restrict them to an older CRT TV because I'm a little scared of burn-in on the Plasma (we have an Xbox 360, currently being repaired, and a PS2). I also have an Apple TV hooked to the Plasma via HDMI and use it as our primary "stereo."

What I'm planning is to buy an Onkyo 605, which seems to be at a good price/performance point and hook it up via HDMI, so that my wife has the simplest possible setup.

I like the HD and good sound, but anything at all complicated to use is a non-starter with the wife.

I welcome any suggestions

I owned the Energy Take 5 system when it was introduced. I'm sure you'll be fine with those satellites for now. You also have the Energy sub correct?

First, how large is your room? If you are sittting say 10-15' from that plasma, you're probably not missing much from HD. The 605 is a great option because it is affordable and allows you to utilize HDMI for your setup. If you are sitting a closer distance to the plasma, I would seriously consider an HD source such as the PS3 (gaming and movies) or possibly an entry HD-DVD player. The Hd players should hit the $200 mark in the next couple of months. I purchased an HD-A1 from ebay for $99 last week.

Keep in mind, however, that HDMI may present some compatibility issues. It's not always as simple as the one cable one button operation that it seems.

Now if you really want excitement, read through the projection areas here at AVS. With your existing components plus the 605, an additional $800 could really get you into front projection with a bang ($600 Aver PH530 720P DLP & a pull-up Elite 100" or pulldown Dalite HP).

My room is about 24' square (it was originally a carport, now is a media room/den with a cathedral ceiling)

I am about 12' from the TV on the couch.

I do have the Energy Sub, and actually upgraded from the standard one (to 12" IIRC) because of the size of the room. They really sounded great back in the day.

Tonight I am soldering extensions onto the speaker wires to bring them to the new location for the receiver, and will probably go pick up the 605 tomorrow from circuit city.

You're right about front projection--I have one I use at work for giving talks and running video. Occasionally we set it up for "movie night."