Home Theater System? Help?

[VOL61]

Hey guys,
I am looking around online for a good home theater system with 1000 watts or over and a DVD player included. I want to make sure I get something that will work well with my DVR and Televison (42" panasonic EDTV (TH-42PD25)). I am unsure what kind of inputs and outputs I will need? I do have a HDMI input on the back of my TV. What about Digital audio inputs and outputs? As well as S-video? What about HDMI? Do I need all of these on the DVD? I am just lost?

any help would be appricated. I just want to improve my picture quality on my TV and want a true home theater sound.

Thanks,

[durl]

Since you're not getting many hits on this, I'll jump in to say that I don't have any experience with home theater systems that are composed of 5 speakers, sub, and DVD player. I know there are some decent ones out there. I would suggest checking over at www.avsforum.com to see what some over there suggest.

If you want the best performance and future connectivity, you'd be better off selecting your own receiver, DVD player, and matching speakers separately.

Hope that helps.

[Cholly]

I've tried answering this several times, but will try again. Durl is right -- avoid prepackaged systems. They generally have inferior components.Since you have an EDTV, there isn't much need to use HDMI input, althought if you are using a set top box that has HDMI output, use it, however, you'll still need to connect the digital output of the set top box to your home theater receiver.
Brands of reasonably priced home theater receivers: Onkyo (ok but there are better), Pioneer (ditto), Yamaha (excellent), Harman Kardon (excellent), Denon.
Speakers: Paradigm (excellent), Athena (very good), Klipsch (very good to excellent), Infinity (good to very good), Pioneer (okay), Bose (very good, overpriced),, Yamaha (okay)
DVD player -- virtually any progressive scan player. Use component video cables to connect to your TV.
Speaker wire: #16 or #14 speaker wire should be used if you are going long distance, use #14)
Don't use S-Video to connect your components to your TV.

Some of the receivers and speakers I've mentioned are available only at audio/home theater specialty stores. Others can be found at Best Buy and Circuit City stores and on their web sites. Stay away from products offered on eBay