Agree about the components, but I'd say that the media player can also be a digital media player like The Popcorn Hour, which I have, or one of many other good brands like the WDTV Live. Or it can be a home computer with media player/DVR capabilities.

Cost of my HT is considerably less than yours, and I have pretty good stuff for my budget - LG LCD 42" HDTV at $500, Onkyo amp (refurb) at $300, speakers at $300, media player at $200. And one of my fav components - URC universal remote, at $150. Total - $1450.

halco

Based on function not cost you have a home theater. You underscore my point: a home theater is an assemblage of components and not necessarily the structure these components are within. When 1poorguy recommended those l/r speakers for your system he did it on cost/performance and not if these speakers would match your décor or ambience.

All this came about because a neighbor said his Old Faithful 28-in RCA CRT bit the dust and he wanted my recommendation on what to buy – but said, since the budget was limited – he couldn’t afford a ‘home theater’. His thought was one would cost multiple thousands.

Long story short: I cost out a 42-in. LCD, a small amp, and an inexpensive speaker set (we used his old DVD and VHS). We came in at about halco’s spending. Could it have been more? Sure. But why? Of course, if Rob wants to upgrade it will cost but he and Rose have a nice setup they and their grandkids can enjoy.

MichaelR