So I bought my parents a new TV for christmas. Its a 50" LCD. And I would like to buy them some type of surround sound / DVD player combo. But I am looking to set this up as simple as possable. They have Dish network HD cable. Right now I have a HDMI cable from the cable box to the TV. I would like to hook the cable box to the Audio receiver and then the TV. So they never need to change the input on the TV.

So when they want to play a DVD all they do is put the DVD in and hit play. Like you used to be able to do with VCR's. I am unsure weather this is possable or not. If i could find a receiver / DVD player that has hdmi input and output that would be best i think.

I am just looking for a nice system that puts out nice sound. Play DVD's and etc. something around 200-300$ if that is possable.

i posted this in the wrong section. so if someone can move this to the audio section that would be great.

Thanks

The more reviews I read the more I see that if you dont spend alot of money you really dont get much. Evertime I find one I think is half decent and stuff I read another review where it says it aint good.

The room this is going in is BIG. its 30'X50'X12' ceiling. So I would think it needs to be fairly powerful. What do you guys suggest for a dvd player / surround sound system for a room such as this.

Check out shoponkyo.com, they have some pretty nice systems.

I agree. I'd check out onkyo's site. If you are buying an all-in-one system IMO they are the brand to get. their refurbs are very good quality and would allow you a better system in your price range. if you sign up for club onkyo (free) you get 10% off or something. http://www.shoponkyo.com/products.cfm?grou...;subcat=Systems

I am looking at this system.

http://www.shoponkyo.com/detail.cfm?produc...1&ext_war=1

one thing Id like to figure out what they mean by"HDTV capable video switching"

Do these guys sell ones that are DVD players and Home Theaters? I am hoping for both.

I agree go Onkyo for the price range. You should just get a standalone DVD player, then hook both the cable and DVD player into the receiver, then the monitor out from the receiver to the TV. I am assuming this unit uses HDMI for the audio, not just a passthrough video switch. So double check all you need is HDMI cables, if so, its really easy, and you will get a better receiver and a better DVD player separately than by buying an all in one. Besides, ever own a TV/VCR combo...? Better to let them remain 'components'. As far as simplicity, the Onkyo's remote is easy to program (at least mine from 2 years ago is) for multiple devices, so you could set it up to do everything you commonly use.

Well I got my Onkyo home theater surround sound yesterday. And I am impressed by it. At first I hooked it to my DVD player via RCA cable. And put in a DVD. And I was not really impressed by the sound. Then I switched it over to a digital optical cable. And the good sound started comin. And I was impressed. Some thunder was on the DVD and the dog got scared and ran away. It was impressive.

Here is my new Question. If I wanted to upgrade this unit. What would be the best things to upgrade. I really like how it sounds. But that doesnt mean it cant sound better.

I already plan to upgrade the speaker wire. Thats a given.

But would better speakers make it sound better.

Also my TV has the ability to use the TV's speakers as the center speaker. What do you guys think about that idea. I have no idea how good the speakers are in the TV.

Also I am having trouble showing my family how to switch the inputs. I want to be able to use my dish network remote for everything. But I cant seem to get it to switch between the DVD/Tuner/TV inputs. And the surround sound remote does not operate the satalite receiver very good. I am thinking about telling them to just get up and hit DVD on the front of the dam thing. They got to put the DVD in anyways. And the satalite receiver remote controls the volume fine.

I am impressed by the sound quality of this thing.