Hi Kristen,

My wife and I do the same with Netflix twice a month, plus we have a DVR so were able to record shows that may be on during the week we can't catch and watch them on the weekend.  Also if people are on a budget you can purchase previously viewed DVD's or buy them at Halfprice.com. I recently purchased a Sony DVP-NS700 ( see my review here on Crutchfield ). and a Samsung LN37A450 for my Family room and it improved our movie watching dramatically. We already had the 5.1 System there but didnt have the High Def Televison..so now were set.

Nice one Kristin!! Finally someone addressing the most important aspect = Budget! The A/V world can be somewhat unforgiving if one wants half-way decent quality, but it can still be had it just might require a bit more work and even some waiting. All in all it is an investment and as you point out, there can be dividends in future savings by using the gear to it's full potential.

I have had to build my system slowly. I've had to wait and save for most of my gear, but it was worth it. (Not sure if I am done yet or not - there is the question of a subwoofer). It could be said that I am a "poor man's audiophile".

Here's how I am using my gear: I'm more music then anything else so movies were not a tempting form of entertainment for me and I'm extremely picky on movies anyway. However, I have one or two TV programs I like to watch, but it was costing me over $100 per month just for two channels on basic cable service. I'm not much into console gaming at all, but I like to bang about a bit with games on the PC once in a blue moon.

I think the TV was the important money-saving link for me after the initial sticker shock. When I'm not listening to music or working on the computer or whatever or watching a DVD, I have a powerful laptop and a broadband internet connection which I hook up to the TV and watch any TV program I want streaming right over the internet. It's even better than cable! All I pay for is the Internet which is well less than half the price of basic cable TV. Live concerts are a thing of the past for me as well (haven't been to one in years). Too expensive and the seating is not so good. I think it's better just watch a DVD of a concert. For purchasing any DVDs I may want, I just wait for a killer sale someplace.

Sadly, my DVD recorder is RIP, but I plan on replacing it in future as soon as I have the money and can find a good one.

I have not tried Netflix (though I know a lot of folks who think it's the greatest thing and it probably is from what I can see), but for me it would not be very cost effective because yes, I really am that picky about movies.

Hi .. Kristen, select the space in which the home theater will be located I think a important point before heading out to the store to buy electronic equipment or furnishings for the home theater and determine what your budget is with regard to equipment and choose items which will go perfectly within your new home theater... good info, I am looking forward to read... ;-)