Home Theater in a Box

[Chacranajxy]

Recently watching DVDs on my PS2, I realized how much it sucks as a DVD Player, and I really want to move on to something better to watch DVDs on. I'm looking at some of the all-in-one home theater kits that come with a DVD Player and a 5.1 system, and I'm wondering, what's good? Right now, I've only really looked at Panasonic's HT700, which looks good and is around $280 after discounts. I'm looking for one that can be found for under $300 (preferebly closer to $250) online and that has both a a good DVD Player and a 5.1 system. Any suggestions?

[next]

I own the HT700. It is a great choice. Never had a problem. Plays VCD and SVCD for me just fine.

I made a point of narrowing down my choices as far as HT all in ones based on the following:

1. It had to have enough power. The 700 fit the bill.

2. Price.

3. Quality. Panasonic rates well here.

4. Not to introduce a wild card here but the HT700 also plays DVD-Ram. Which is a feature of the newer Panasonic offerings.

Actually my fourth point closed the deal for me. I learned to appreciate the DVD-Ram format.

A great player with great home theatre sound. And very flexible.

[vtecwil]

Build it yourself from components . The amps in those all in one systems suck , I dont care who makes it . I am not trying to downgrade those people who buy all in one systems , but how much quality do you think you are getting from those packages . Do your self a favor and build it yourself , you'll be glad you did .

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Build it yourself from components . The amps in those all in one systems suck , I dont care who makes it . I am not trying to downgrade those people who buy all in one systems , but how much quality do you think you are getting from those packages . Do your self a favor and build it yourself , you'll be glad you did .

Been there done that. I have and have not been let down. My main system is a combination of what you suggest.

The one feature I appreciate with the HT "all in one solution" is that everything works. And it sounds darn good. Providing you purchase from a quality provider.

The Panasonic HT700 does that and as the original poster suggested it can be purchased for much less than what it might cost to roll your own.

[BJ_M]

i just bought a pioneer 520 system to use in a spare room .. 5disk dvd player , 500 watts , etc .. sounds fine (surrounds are a weak point) and looks good and good quality image .. a 10,000$ system is isnt ... but for 399$ CND ($300US) it is a good buy .. plays everything ive tried in it also ..

this is it http://www.aaacamera.com/pioneer_htp520.htm but you can find them cheaper on-line also .. i got one in canada at future shop during thier labour day sale for 399CND

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i just bought a pioneer 520 system to use in a spare room .. 5disk dvd player , 500 watts , etc .. sounds fine (surrounds are a weak point) and looks good and good quality image .. a 10,000$ system is isnt ... but for 399$ CND ($300US) it is a good buy .. plays everything ive tried in it also ..

this is it http://www.aaacamera.com/pioneer_htp520.htm but you can find them cheaper on-line also .. i got one in canada at future shop during thier labour day sale for 399CND

Weak surrounds may be a function of the brand. I was surpised at the seperation of sound based based on my experience. Power may be the issue.

It may depend on the options available. For example my experience has provided a choice of sound options. I can usually land on one that fits the flick.

Always a choice regardless of the setup has been my experience.

[vtecwil]

I just dont like the specs on those all in one amps . Way too much harmonic distortion , and I cant stand hiss . When I have the volume set at 50 % and theres silence in the movie thats what I want to hear . When the guns start blazing I want the pictures to rattle on the wall .

System :
JVC RX-888VBK receiver 100x5
JVC S500BK DVD player
KLH 10 in. 100 watt sub
JBL surround and center speakers
SONY WEGA 32 in. XBR monitor

[andkiich]

vtecwil has the right idea. Get the best pieces and put them together. It might be a little more expensive in the beginning, but later on if you decide to upgrade, you'll be glad you spent the extra.

[The village idiot]

For a small room, like say a dorm room, those all in one systems are perfect! The multi disk players are good for those multi disk VCD's.

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I just dont like the specs on those all in one amps . Way too much harmonic distortion , and I cant stand hiss . When I have the volume set at 50 % and theres silence in the movie thats what I want to hear . When the guns start blazing I want the pictures to rattle on the wall .

System :
JVC 555BK receiver 100x5
JVC S500BK DVD player
KLH 10 in. 100 watt sub
JBL surround and center speakers
SONY WEGA 32 in. XBR monitor

I have not heard a "hiss" with the unit that was in the original poster's question.

Have you tested the unit? Have not heard the hiss.

[vtecwil]

Okay here are the specs for Panasonics HT-700 .





600 watts of total system power in surround mode: 55W x 4 @ 6 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD (front and rear-surround left/right) + 160W @ 6 ohms, 1kHz, 10% THD (center channel) + 220W @ 4 ohms, 100Hz, 10% THD (subwoofer)

Notice the non standard ohm level that the power is rated at . They do this to make the system seem more powerful than it really is . Industry standard for a home system is 8 ohms .

Notice the level of total harmonic distortion . 10 percent , this is very high .

Note the high center level . For true 5.1 surround all 5 / 6 channels should be equal .

Here are the specs for my JVC RX-888VBK .
Front channels : 100 watts per channel , min RMS , driven into 8 ohms at 1 khz with no more than 0.8 % total harmonic distortion .

Center channel : 100 watts min RMS , driven into 8 ohms at 1 khz with no more than 0.8 % total harmonic distortion .

Rear channels : 100 watts per channel , min RMS , driven into 8 ohms at 1 khz with no more than 0.8 % total harmonic distortion .

You do the math .

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vtecwil - sounds like a great system. Like I mentioned before I also have a build your own system very similiar to yours (a bit better actually). But I believe the original poster had this question:

Recently watching DVDs on my PS2, I realized how much it sucks as a DVD Player, and I really want to move on to something better to watch DVDs on. I'm looking at some of the all-in-one home theater kits that come with a DVD Player and a 5.1 system, and I'm wondering, what's good? Right now, I've only really looked at Panasonic's HT700, which looks good and is around $280 after discounts. I'm looking for one that can be found for under $300 (preferebly closer to $250) online and that has both a a good DVD Player and a 5.1 system. Any suggestions?

The HT700 performs very well. No "hiss" in my experience. It is a great value.

The Circuit City site has a nice review and comment section that rates this product very high. The comments are from users that have actually tested the unit. No "hiss" complaints on record.

I would recommend staying away from lower end products in this catagory. Names like "Classic" and "Koby" for example. Yes - hiss complaints.

But for the $250 - $300 price point this unit performs very well. A leap ahead from a PS2.

No hijacking the thread please.

[The village idiot]

And who cares if the outputs are rated at 6 ohms. the speakers that come with it are matched to work with that amp. They put a great deal of thought into how they can make it cheap but still sound good. I've used old Yamaha theater in a box setups (dolby pro logic) that had only 10 watts per rear channel. Sounded like crap until I used the Yamaha matched speakers. then it was almost acceptable. Still a little under powered for some movies. Those Panasonics are nice for the money, and the effort involved with seting them up. As I said, perfect for a small room. Not ideal for a main movie room.

[69Dartman]

Some folks don't want the hassle of buying a expensive receiver or complete separates and tryin to hook it all up and get it all balanced out. Or they just don't have at least 2 grand or more for good midfi stuff. If they like the sound of a box system and can afford it that's just great for them. I have a Onkyo 777, 2 DVD players, a Laser disk player, a outboard amp for the passive 12 inch sub, A old but nice Panasonic 27 inch superflat TV, 2 SVHS VCR's, a bunch of extra amps I can use, 5 really nice speakers and the sub. I couldn't just run out and buy this stuff all at once, I bought it as good deals came up and my requirements changed.
The Onkyo alone was 750 bucks and that was a pretty smokin deal at the time.
Also they seem to keep coming up with the new improved flaver of the month for home theater....kinda like computers.......hmmmm.....!
And if you want to get real picky if they rate a amp at X watts at 1k they are cheating also. It might put out 100 watts at 1khz or higher and only 40 watts at 20 hz. Also the better amps will put out more power at lower ohms and not distort or overheat and shut down. You need lots of dynamic power/current to really drive some speakers at the nasty loads they represent.
But a couple of watts on really eficient speakers is pretty loud so that's one way small systems can pull it off.
You can always buy better stuff later and sell or put your old stuff to use elsewhere.

[AlfB]

Take a look at the specs for most of the receivers in the "Home Theatre in a Box" and you will find most have Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) of 10%. That is very high compared to most standard receivers. If you want to go the route of a system in a box, look at the Sony stuff. I forget the exact models but one is something-740 and another is HT1700D. They are going to be around $300-500 and have pretty decent sounding receivers with powered subwoofers and a NS315 DVD player. The TDH on the Sony is like 0.8%.

[Hatz]

So does anyone know about the Onkyo HT-S760?

I am looking at this one and it seems pretty good. I already have the Liteon LVD-2001 so I don't need a system with a DVD player.

As far as I can see, the specs on the Onkyo site say THD is .08% (all channels).

Is this good? Is this a good system to get for home theater in a box....I heard they make great products. Just haven't had time to listen to one yet.

Hatz