Creating a Home Theater System on a Budget

Saving money is the name of the game nowadays. But, you want entertainment too. Then, why not set up your own home theater system. Learn how to set up a home theater system on a tight budget

Surround Sound

Home theater systems are great ways to save money on entertainment for you and a loved one or you and your family, especially during a down economy. But, affording a home theater can be a different story. How do you going about setting up a home theater on a tight budget?

Well, the first thing that you want to do is look around your own house to see what’s already available. Many people have previously bought some version of surround sound for their house. Simply use what you have. If your home theater speakers don’t have the latest technology, it’s no big deal. As long as you can hear the sound from several angles, you’re good to go.

If you don’t have a surround sound system, you may be interested in purchasing what’s known as a Home Theater-in-a-box solution. These systems come with much of the necessary equipment (except the TV and DVD player) that you will need to start your home theater. But, you should sample the system before you buy it to see if it will work for your needs. Often the sound is not the greatest on the cheaper systems.

Choosing the TV and DVD Player

Perhaps the biggest part of your home theater is the television. If you’ve recently bought a new HD television, you’re probably set. If not, you need to shop around for the best prices. Also, while 50+ inch LCD or Plasma televisions are great, they’re not necessary. A nice 42-inch flat screen television will do the trick just as well. Check out some of the cheaper retailers like Walmart or Costco. Often, they have Samsung or similar quality flat screen televisions for right around the $1,000 mark.

Another feature that is completely necessary for your home theater system is a great DVD player. You may want to spend some extra money here and purchase a Blu-ray Disc Player since this is the format that the movie studios are now using, and they give the best quality. But, if you can’t afford the Blu-Ray Disc Player right now, don’t worry about. Purchase a nice HD DVD player. Plus, you’ll save money on the DVDs since Blu-ray discs are still very expensive.

On a budget, you can look to spend about $2,000 on your home theater plus your monthly bill to your satellite or cable company and the purchase of the DVDs. In the long run, however, you’ll still save money, especially since most movie theater runs for a family of four could run over $100 each time.