Blu-Ray/Wireless home theater in a box suggestions

[ledvedder]

Hi all,

First time poster. I'm looking for a decent HTIB with blu-ray and wireless capabilities, that falls within the sub $300 range. So far, I've narrowed it down to these 3 units.

Amazon.com: Philips HTS3564/F7 Philips 3D Blu-Ray 5.1 Home Theatre System: Electronics
Amazon.com: Sony BDV-E3100 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System with Built-In Wi-Fi: Electronics
Amazon.com: LG Electronics BH6830SW 1000 Watt Blu-ray Home Theater System with Wireless Rear Speakers: Electronics

I'd actually prefer a 2.1 or 3.1 system, since I don't need or want to run the wires for rear speakers. But, I've been unable to find anything. I'm hoping for the experts suggestions from this forum. Looking forward to your knowledge and suggestions.

 

[BMXTRIX]

I can't scream this at you loud enough...

DON'T DO IT!!!

This is a huge rookie mistake to buy an 'all-in-one' unit. You can't connect your cable box, game system, or if the BD player fails, you can't connect a new BD player. It's basically a waste of money waiting to happen.

So, I will say, that if you had to go this route, you should get the Sony, but you should not go this route.

Instead, on keeping strictly within your budget, get a entry level quality home theater in a box (which is something of an oxymoron)...
Packaged Systems | Accessories4less

One of the first couple of systems would be easily comparable, or better than anything you have linked above.
Onkyo AVX-290 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package | Accessories4less
Onkyo HT-S3500 5.1-Channel Home Theater Package | Accessories4less

If you don't want the surround speakers, then don't hook them up! There is no requirement for this, and you can just run with a 3.1 system if you like. This is what I am doing in my family room.

You will need some halfway decent speaker cable, and this may be cheapest to get right from Accessories 4 Less when you order:
MONSTER CABLE S600-40 40ft Thx Speaker Cable w/Time Correct Windings | Accessories4less
I don't typically recommend Monster, but it is one of the cheaper options on their website and should work well in your setup.

Finally, an inexpensive Blu-ray player:
Amazon.com: Panasonic DMP-BD79 Blu-ray Player: Electronics
or
Amazon.com: Sony BDP-S5100 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi: Electronics

This entire setup allows for the following:
1. If your Blu-ray player fails, you can just get a new one and it won't bring down your entire system.
2. If you hate the speakers, you can easily upgrade them as budget and desire allows.
3. If you want to add more to the system, such as gaming, or your HD cable tuner, you can easily do so (4 HDMI inputs!)

Fully integrated home theater in a box kits are just horrendous because they typically don't allow for any of those options, and they are built so cheaply that the BD player often fails causing the entire unit to become worthless. An inexpensive home theater in a box kit, like the ones I linked, aren't a ton better in terms of sound. The speakers used are every bit as 'cheap' as those in the integrated kits, but they offer so much more long term usability, compatibility, and usefulness, that they make far more sense.

Oh, and it comes in right about $300 depending on exactly what you choose.

Please - keep asking questions if you have any that you want answered.

 

[ledvedder]

I can't scream this at you loud enough...

DON'T DO IT!!!

This is a huge rookie mistake to buy an 'all-in-one' unit. You can't connect your cable box, game system, or if the BD player fails, you can't connect a new BD player. It's basically a waste of money waiting to happen.

So, I will say, that if you had to go this route, you should get the Sony, but you should not go this route.

Instead, on keeping strictly within your budget, get a entry level quality home theater in a box (which is something of an oxymoron)...
Packaged Systems | Accessories4less

One of the first couple of systems would be easily comparable, or better than anything you have linked above.
Onkyo AVX-290 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver/Speaker Package | Accessories4less
Onkyo HT-S3500 5.1-Channel Home Theater Package | Accessories4less

If you don't want the surround speakers, then don't hook them up! There is no requirement for this, and you can just run with a 3.1 system if you like. This is what I am doing in my family room.

You will need some halfway decent speaker cable, and this may be cheapest to get right from Accessories 4 Less when you order:
MONSTER CABLE S600-40 40ft Thx Speaker Cable w/Time Correct Windings | Accessories4less
I don't typically recommend Monster, but it is one of the cheaper options on their website and should work well in your setup.

Finally, an inexpensive Blu-ray player:
Amazon.com: Panasonic DMP-BD79 Blu-ray Player: Electronics
or
Amazon.com: Sony BDP-S5100 3D Blu-ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi: Electronics

This entire setup allows for the following:
1. If your Blu-ray player fails, you can just get a new one and it won't bring down your entire system.
2. If you hate the speakers, you can easily upgrade them as budget and desire allows.
3. If you want to add more to the system, such as gaming, or your HD cable tuner, you can easily do so (4 HDMI inputs!)

Fully integrated home theater in a box kits are just horrendous because they typically don't allow for any of those options, and they are built so cheaply that the BD player often fails causing the entire unit to become worthless. An inexpensive home theater in a box kit, like the ones I linked, aren't a ton better in terms of sound. The speakers used are every bit as 'cheap' as those in the integrated kits, but they offer so much more long term usability, compatibility, and usefulness, that they make far more sense.

Oh, and it comes in right about $300 depending on exactly what you choose.

Please - keep asking questions if you have any that you want answered.

Thanks for the detailed response. I'm not very familiar with Onkyo. Do you recommend factory refurbished? The main reason I was looking at an all in one unit is because of space restrictions on my entertainment center. The shelf that I have for components only has room for 2 things, 1 already being my FIOS DVR.

 

[afterlife2]

How big is the room? For about $500 you can get a better system:

Amazon.com: Pioneer VSX-822-K 5.1-Channel Network Ready A/V Receiver: Electronics
2 pairs: Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed 80 Watt 2-Way Bookshelf Stereo Speakers SPBS22LR - Micro Center
1: Pioneer SPC-22 Andrew Jones Designed 90 Watt 2-Way Center Channel Speaker SPC22 - Micro Center
1: Dayton Audio SUB-1000 10" 100 Watt Powered Subwoofer 300-628

 

[BMXTRIX]

Thanks for the detailed response. I'm not very familiar with Onkyo. Do you recommend factory refurbished? The main reason I was looking at an all in one unit is because of space restrictions on my entertainment center. The shelf that I have for components only has room for 2 things, 1 already being my FIOS DVR.

Accessories 4 Less is authorized and you may want to consider an extended warranty, but really, they do a good job as a store.

Onkyo has long been one of the better entry level receivers out there. They focus on that market, and putting together decent packages for a fair price like no other company out there that I've seen. They are WORLDS better than Sony, LG, and Samsung at this. As well, their entry level A/V receivers offer an excellent level of quality for the money. Once again, far better than almost anyone else.

In the world of audio, names like Sony, Samsung, and LG are pretty much meaningless. Names like Pioneer, Denon, Yamaha, and Onkyo are almost always in the list. Samsung and Sony make some good TVs. LG makes a decent dishwasher maybe... maybe a washer/dryer? They make some of the least reliable A/V products I have ever seen.

I'm not sure what is up with your A/V cabinet, but the BD players are small, and you will have serious heat issues if it is enclosed and you try to stuff an A/V receiver into it. You may be better off with a speaker bar and a BD player, which is almost as bad as a home theater in a box integrated kit.

Oh, and as the follow up says, you get a lot more/better options with more money, but my recommendations do keep it within your budget.

 

[ledvedder]

What would you recommend for a blu ray player which has integrated ethernet (Netflix, etc.)?

 

[BMXTRIX]

The two I linked to both have that capability built in. Keep in mind, these are 'add-on' features, and not the primary purpose of such a box. The top complaints about ALL Blu-ray players is their functions which have nothing to do with Blu-ray capability.

If you want a good Netflix player, then perhaps any BD player will work, but if you aren't happy, then try a Roku player, which is designed as a streaming only product. Consider a Blu-ray player PLUS all that 'extra' functionality for $100 and how good it will be compared to a dedicated streaming device which also costs $100. You can see how the dedicated product may perform a lot better.

There is also just hooking a computer (laptop) up and using a wireless keyboard mouse. That can actually give you the best functionality and may be something you already own.

 

[ledvedder]

What can you tell me about the Audyssey feature? I see the HT-S3500 doesn't have it, but the HTS-5500 and AVX-290 have it.

 

[BMXTRIX]

Audyssey is a way to automatically setup your room for surround sound. Some like it, some don't. I do use it generally, just as it seems to make setting up surround sound a bit easier. It will identify your speakers for you, set distances, and do some basic calibration. It certainly is a very handy tool for first time guys, but certainly isn't required.