The Starter Set
For a young couple, living in the city often means having little space and less money. These two enjoy watching movies and listening to digital music--but not too loud, since the neighbors are likely to complain. Three home entertainment devices give them everything they need.
Estimated cost: $700 to $1100.
1) Midsize CRT television
Why: Delivers great picture quality for far less money than you'd pay for newer LCD, plasma, and projection technologies.
Key Features: Flat-screen tube for a truer picture (it doesn't distort straight lines the way a traditional CRT does); component-video inputs to accommodate the sharper output from a progressive-scan DVD player.
Recommended: 24-inch Sony FD Trinitron WEGA TV KV-24FS120, $320; 27-inch Toshiba FST Pure 27AF44, $400
2) 5.1 home theater in a box
Why: Single slim component combining receiver and DVD player takes up little room; comes with all the speakers and connecting wires you need, at a relatively low price.
Key Features: Dolby Digital sound provides theater-like audio; component output supports superior progressive-scan video.
Recommended: Pioneer HTD-540DV, $325; Panasonic SC-HT07, $400
3) Wireless digital audio receiver
Why: Lets you stream digital music from your PC to your stereo from a distance.
Key Features: Included Wi-Fi adapter connects to your wireless home network; easy-to-use remote allows you to change songs without getting up from the couch.
Recommended: Netgear MP101, $129; Slim Devices Squeezebox, $279
- Place the center speaker above the television, and put the left and right speakers on either side of the television at the listener's ear level.
- Get high-quality speaker and video cables, but don't bother springing for the fanciest (and priciest) ones around. Try a midpriced alternative like Acoustic Research cables.
- Avoid no-name components. Getting them serviced might be difficult and could cost more in the end.
Ad Choices