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[ChrisF]

This is exactly the right forum.  A lot of us are running modded Xboxes as media center devices with HDTV and audio equipment.

$1K is going to fall short though to get you solid audio and visual.  The X1 is a DLP projector and the best bang for the buck out there.  I believe it's native 600x800.  It gets rave reviews and nothing without going much higher gives you the same quality.

As far as audio...just like anything else, people's definition of quality varies.  But if you are going to something from nothing I imagine just about anything is decent.  Make sure you have an optical input or two for 5.1 from the Xbox.  I'd put my money into the X1 and either wait or get something very low end on this side leaving room for future upgrade.

The best website for projectors is www.avsforum.com (they have multiple projector forums).  I'm sure you can find some recomendations for home theater in a box type packages - personally, I'd wait for a killer deal on a cheapy that meets your needs as it's not worth paying up and stretching to get more expensive but still shitty stuff and getting to the fair range is going to cost you more money that you have allotted.

[boom]

There was a sale at circuit city I believe, with a projection TV 52in for like a grand or so. It was in the flyer. I might be wrong about the size, but check the site if you want...

[morgant6911]

The basics for getting 5.1 sound out of your Xbox.


You need a Dolby Digital Decoder. Most receivers that you buy nowadays come with this already built in.

Next, your Xbox needs to have optical or digi-coax out. You can do this 2 ways:

1. Buy the Xbox upgrade kit
2. Do it yourself using the tutorials on the website.

You run the digital sound connection to your receiver, which is hooked into your speakers and enable it via the Xbox dashboard, and you will have True DD on games that support it.

If you are on $1000 for both audio and video, I highly suggestion a home theater in a box from Onkyo. I have the HT-S760 and it rocks for the price.

[bp193]

[exiztone]

Hey,
Sorry, this thread vanished from my mind. Thanks for the e-mail bp193. Yep, $899 is pretty good. So is the $99.99. I guess I'll have a dollar and a cent in change too.

I'm going to look at these products in a bit more detail and look for sellers on the European market.

Cheers
- Tim

[Redemption]

ok i'll tell you straight up for projector listen to bp193 but for audio no WAY. If you get that system you will regret it later even if it IS only $100. I paid $300 for my Sony receiver and around $500 for a speaker pack(5.1) from Infinity. i get 100 watts a channel of very crisp clean sound and the sub I believe is 300 or 400. The receiver i got for free actually, i only paid the $500 because it was an after thanksgiving day sale so was great. I recommend just looking at Circuit City, or BestBuy. The BEST place if you want to order online though is Crutchfield.com they have the best items you can buy for audio, visual, or basically anything electronic i'd recommend checking it out for both the projector AND the audio system. I don't have an Advanced AV pack for my box because my TV is a 20" panasonic and not really worth payin $20 just for the sound(it still works great even without the dolby surround natural, and downstairs I have a bigger system+tv anyway so if i really wanted i could take my box downstairs for a 36" and a stereo pumpin like 400watts a channel out so it's not bad) but for $1000 you'd be VERY hardpressed to afford both a projector and audio system. 2 of my friends have projectors, and the bulbs ALONE(have to replace once a year or 2) cost $800 a piece so that might tell you if you're gettin a good projector, expect a few $K

[preiter]

I always wanted a projector myself, but in your price range you might be better off with a RP TV.

I'd also spend a bit less on the TV and more on the sound, but that's my preference.

Look at PC-based 5.1 systems for inexpensive surround sound. I use the Logitech Z-580 myself. It's 5.1 with build in Dolby Digital/Pro-Logic, optical and coaxial inputs. Sounds great for games and movies, not as good for music (except techno), but at that price you aren't going to get a great system for music AND surround.

If your budget is fixed, don't forget to accound for the cost of cables and adapters, they can add a bundle.

[dogmanky]