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Building a Home Theater System Without Hurting Your Wallet [that much]
By an Amazon.com customer
Onkyo HT-S7100 7.1 Channel Receiver and Speaker PackageOnkyo HT-S7100 7.1 Channel Receiver and Speaker Package
Buy new: $669.95 / Used from: $574.99
Receiver and speakers that I use, they sound great, and the receiver has a plethora of inputs. Can decode DTS Master Audio and Dolby TrueHD. Great companion to the PS3! Wire everything to here and send one HDMI cable out to the TV.
PlayStation 3 80 GBPlayStation 3 80 GB
Buy used from: $234.99
Said to be the best blu-ray player, and I totally agree. Decodes DTS Master Audio and sends it out to the receiver as 7.1 LPCM over an HDMI cable. Cable Setup: HDMI Cable (separate)
Sony Bravia W-Series KDL-40W3000 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTVSony Bravia W-Series KDL-40W3000 40-Inch 1080p LCD HDTV
Personally I have the Sony KDL-40S2000, but that is an older model. This model looks promising and got 5 stars (27 reviews). I have had good luck with sony tv's, and will keep purchasing them. 1080p 40 inch (modest size) and (as of writing) under 1200$.
Toshiba HD-A30 1080p HD DVD PlayerToshiba HD-A30 1080p HD DVD Player
Buy used from: $129.99
I have one of these and some HD-DVDs. If you have a modest-extensive HD-DVD collection, I'd recommend buying this as it will allow you to watch them. Cable Setup: HDMI Cable (separate)
TiVo TCD652160 HD Digital Video RecorderTiVo TCD652160 HD Digital Video Recorder
Buy new: Too low to display / Used from: $179.97
I personally do not like my cable company's STB (SA Explorer 4250HD) and I like to record TV so the TiVo HD just made sense... It's also THX certified. Cable Setup: HDMI Cable (separate)
WiiWii
Buy new: $199.99 / Used from: $184.99
I got the Wii two weeks after the release date, and loved it since then. Along with this get Super Smash Bros. or Animal Crossing. Cable Setup: Grab the component cables (separate)
PlayStation 2 Console - BlackPlayStation 2 Console - Black
Buy used from: $50.00
I added the PS2, because I have one, and I feel that it's got some great games, and the PS3 is not backwards compatible anymore :(. Cable Setup: Component Cables (separate) TosLink Cable (separate)
The Dark Knight (+ BD Live) [Blu-ray]The Dark Knight (+ BD Live) [Blu-ray]
Buy new: $14.99 / Used from: $11.60
Best movie I've ever seen, and had to add it to the list.
Queen: Rock Montreal & Live Aid [Blu-ray]Queen: Rock Montreal & Live Aid [Blu-ray]
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $16.28
Queen is one of my favorite bands and a great concert.