Just started learing about hdtvs

[tsh]

I bought a Toshiba model number 51H64 about 2-3 years ago. I never knew anything about HDTV and I just recently purchased the proper cables and started reading up about HDTV. My TV is still in "torch mode" with minor changes I made to prevent any kind of damage. I read this topic here http://www.projectorcentral.com/good_video.htm and your site http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=1440 I am wondering if the “AVIA Guide to Home Theater” is the best option for me to properly set up my HD screen? I noticed the AVIA guide was made in 1999. Any thing more recent out, or is this the best guide to buy for someone like me trying to manually get the best picture possible?

I also heard about Digital Video Essentials (DVE) DVD / Digital Video Essentials (DVE) HD-DVD / Sound & Vision Home Theater Tune-Up (co-developed by AVIA and S&V)/ I remember reading people saying AVIA has more features. I want all I can get

I am also trying to purchase a surround sound entertainment system but I have no idea what to buy. I would like something mid range priced but there are too many speaker systems to pick from. I am not very picky when it comes to sound. Any recommendations would be very helpful. Digital or analog

[Crazybob]

I like Pioneer A/V equipment. I have had my receiver for about 9 years now & have never had a problem with it & it gets heavy use. It has Dolby Pro Logic & Dolby Digital, plus DSP modes. As far as speakers I like having large front left & right's(DCM speakers, don't know if they still make them) so I get good sound when just listening to CD's with 2 channels. I use an Infinity center speaker on top of the HDTV which sounds good. I think my rear speakers are Radio Shack brand, but I don't have them hooked up now since I am trying to figure out how to route the wires in my Apartment I live in. Can't use my powered Infinity sub woofer either since I am on the top floor of my Apartment building & the neighbors downstairs would probably kill me! One nice thing about my A/V receiver is that you can shut off the rear & subwoofer speakers.

I would recommend just going out to Best Buy or Circuit City or some other electronics store & listen to there stuff in the demo room where they have there A/V equipment. If you have a favorite DVD and CD with good audio range to try in there equipment it might help also to decide.

Good Luck!

Bob
:)

[kevinw]

Sound and Vision is the easiest to use. All are over kill IMO for the average home user. More for the AV tech/ISF person.

You might reconsider sound. Half of the experience is audio. Not saying you need to drop thousands of dollars but a reasonable investment is needed. There are many entry level AV receivers on the market - Denon, Onkyo and Yamaha for example are some of the best. Speakers are important too. Figure a budget and look through out the net for separates, packages or HTIB (Home Theater in a Box)