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HDTV Starter Systems

Last year we assembled two starter systems (see Podcast 132 for details) that we felt were a nice entry into the world of HDTV and Home Theater. This year we do the same. Last year Braden designed a system with a 42 inch plasma, 5.1 sound, upconverting DVD player and a universal remote all for $3032. Ara's system included a 56 inch LCoS rear projection, 5.1 sound, upconverting DVD player and a universal remote all for $3359. Both systems cost less than our original HDTVs did by themselves. So for this year we have:

Braden:

1) Panasonic TH-50PX77U 50" 720p Plasma HDTV  ($1587 Buy Now)

• 1366 x768 Native Resolution
• Up to 10,000:1 Contrast Ratio
• Integrated ATSC Tuner
• EZ Sync™ HDAVI Control allows for quick and easy setup with components
• 2 HDMI inputs

    Panasonic plasma - enough said.

2) Onkyo TX-SR605 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver - ($380 Buy Now)

• 7-channel with 90 watts per channel. 
• Dual HDMI 1.3 inputs  with composite/S-Video/component signal up-conversion and DCDi deinterlacing technology from Faroudja. 
• Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Decoders. 

    This is a no brainer component!

3) Klipsch 7.1 Bookshelf home theater system - total price $1596 (find a dealer)

• 1 RC-52 center channel speaker
• 2 RB-51 bookshelf speakers (front)
• 4 RS-10 surround speakers
• 1 RPW-10 subwoofer

    Again, Klipsch speakers - enough said.  Get the power and quality of the movie theater in your home theater.  Klipsch will let you search for theaters in your area that use their speakers.  The Regal theater in Foothill Ranch uses them.

4) Toshiba HD-A3 720p/1080i HD DVD Player - ($215 Buy now)

• HD DVD Playback
• DVD/CD Playback
• Upconversion for SD
• 720p/1080i resolution
• Includes Warner Bros' 300 HD DVD and Universal's The Bourne Identity HD DVD (packaged inside)

    A very solid upconverting DVD player even if HD-DVD loses.  But until then, you get to watch Transformers.

5) Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control. Street Price ($130 Buy Now) 

• Optimized for complicated HDTV and PVR systems
• Quickly choose a 16:9 or 4:3 ratio depending on the program source
• Includes a sleek docking station that keeps the remote fully charged
• Color LCD is both functional and stylish, with user-customizable backgrounds, button icons and text
• On-screen battery level indicator shows you charge status

Total Price: $3908

OK, so it really isn't a starter system - I get that.  But if I had to buy all new components, these are the ones I'd look at first.  You can save $300 by starting with a 5.1 surround system, with an eye on a future upgrade.  That drops the price to $3608.  Last year my TV was a 42" 720 plasma for $1300, this year we stepped up to a 50" for only $200 more.  The speakers I spec'ed last year were decent, the Klipsch speakers this year will rock your neighborhood.  The Harmony 880 is a no brainer.


Ara:

1) Samsung HLT5687SAX 56" Slim LED Engine 1080p DLP HDTV - ($1635 Buy Now)

• 56" LED light engine DLP HDTV
• 1920 x 1080-pixel resolution; 10,000:1 Contrast ratio
• Measures 50.4"(W) x 34.9"(H) x 14"(D).; 69 Lbs
• 3 HDMI

    Great combination of TV size, screen size, and picture quality. Ready for 3D when content and players become available.

2) Onkyo TX-SR605 7.1 Channel Home Theater Receiver - ($380 Buy Now)

• 7-channel with 90 watts per channel. 
  
• Dual HDMI 1.3 inputs  with composite/S-Video/component signal up-conversion and DCDi deinterlacing technology from Faroudja. 
  
• Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Decoders. 
  

    This is a no brainer component!

3) Aperion Audio Intimus 532 Harmony 7.1 Speaker System ($1339)

• Great Acoustics
• High Quality
• Full Price Trade-Up Program
• 10 Year Warranty

    You even get a free 30 day in home audition! Ara owns these speakers and is extremely pleased with the performance.

4) Oppo Digital DV-980H Up-Converting Universal DVD Player with HDMI and 7.1CH Audio ($169)

• Full 1080p up-conversion
• DVD Audio and SACD support
• Optomized for high-fidelity audio

    If you want to wait out the format war this player will get you through it. Even if you decide to move to next generation disc this player will serve you well for audio or as a second player in another room

5) Logitech Harmony 880 Remote Control. Street Price ($130 Buy Now)

• Optimized for complicated HDTV and PVR systems
• Quickly choose a 16:9 or 4:3 ratio depending on the program source
• Includes a sleek docking station that keeps the remote fully charged
• Color LCD is both functional and stylish, with user-customizable backgrounds, button icons and text
• On-screen battery level indicator shows you charge status

Total Price: $3653

Last year Ara's starter system cost $3359 and required about $300 in shipping costs. This year the System comes in at $3653 but its really not a starter system. The speakers are first rate and something you can keep for years. Plus this year we moved up to a 7.1 speaker system. Last year I only spec'ed a 5.1 system. The receiver decodes Dolby True HD and DTS HD and upconverts SD. The TV is is roughly the same but you get the rich colors of the Samsung LED light engine in a slimmer housing for $300 less. You can drive the system with a Harmony 880 for less than last year as well. If you chose to go next generation disc you can add $100 to the cost and you would have a system that we would be proud to show off to friends and family. Like last year, shipping will add about $300 to the total cost. Did we say starter?