Page 1 of looking for inexpensive 5.1 decoder and speaker package

Anyone got any suggestions where to start looking for something like this?

I`ve already got the player (no internal decoder) so something inexpensive to rig it up to would be good, with a decoder built into the subwoofer or something like that. Ideally it would be able to take a vcr input aswell but it`s not essential.

Any good deals that anyone knows of?

Thanks

With out knowing your price range its hard to recommend a system.But take a look at http://www.videologic.com/Products/homeentertainment.asp

i think they are great value for the performance.

how about this one, I`ve got an earlier version the DX333, which looks virtually identical except no speaker stands and all 5 satellites are the same rather than the bigger centre speaker.

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/commerce/command/ExecMacro/ols_prod_detl.d2w/report?prrfnbr=5125423&prmenbr=6970&type=big&thisMode=ols&cgrfnbr=775359

This item was edited on Monday, 20th January 2003, 17:05

Thanks that should get me started.

I`m looking at spending up to about £250.

What are your experiences with sub/sat systems? I`m not expecting something so meaty it tears the room apart, but I`m curious as to whether these kind of systems sound a bit thin. Any comments would be helpful as places like Argos don`t exactly have these systems set up for you to trial instore

to be honest I`m fairly new to this myself and the only other system I`ve heard was a mate whose got a huge dennon receiver, tanny fronts, mission rears and a sub that literally shook the floor beneath my feet.

My little cheap sub/sat set up pales by comparison though it cost about an eighth of what his cost. The 90 watts sound perfectly adequate for my average sized lounge and if i get it anywhere three quarter volume the wife turns it down. Even at full volume there is still llittle distortion. The DD sounds good to me but it has no DTS and for a first system its fine. I would imagine it`s the sort of system you either start with or have in a bedroom if you`ve got another expensive setup.

I`ll probably keep this for a year or so and then sell it on to buy something at the next level. Shouldn`t be too difficult to sell on as a starter system.

Thanks, that`s useful info.

Jon, check out the articles from our very own Westy:
http://www.dvd.reviewer.co.uk/news/columns.asp?Index=6800&Section=163&Columnist=6574

Hopefully this will be of some help!

Anil

Thanks that`s helpful.

Thanks for the info too- i`ve been looking for a home cinema package as well, and found it very useful. I found the perfect package for me on http://www.superfi.co.uk/index.cfm/page/moreinfo.cfm/Product_ID/1314
which is very reasonable.

floyd

The Sony "Babe" system looks like it might be the one for me to get me going. It seems to be about the only one to offer DPL2, DD and DTS for a low(ish) price.

Amazon.co.uk do it for £240 inc free shipping. Anyone know if it`s cheaper elsewhere. I`ve looked around a few places and most are about £30 more expensive.

Thanks everyone for your help, although I`m still open for suggestions if anyone`s got any as I`ll be mulling this one over for a week or so yet