If you think I should base my console decision strictly on gaming, I might post a thread in GD about it and check to see which one has the exclusive games that I'd be interested in. I'm leaning toward the PS3 though, and it sounds like you're reinforcing/agreeing with that. Plus, not having to buy a separate BluRay player is a big bonus.

Thanks for the tips. How much more do you think I should spend on speakers, for a full surround set? Any brands/models in particular you'd recommend?

I also know next to nothing about receivers, but I've been watching werldhed's thread to get some ideas. I've looked around at some online. It seems strange that they're all still so big. Not that it matters in any way, but they look like they're the exact same size as they were in the late 80's, while everything else has gotten smaller. Again, not that it matters.

I don't really understand the fundamental difference between regular stereo receivers and home theater receivers, but I guess since I'd like to have radio through I would need to get a stereo receiver? I'll probably look for one with satellite radio as well.

just checked out the price of internal bluray drives and they're almost half what I expected... and most of them seem to be hd-dvd/bluray combo drives.

I think I'll pick one up sometime very soon.

I don't need write functionality yet...

Yeah, $300 on speakers is pretty low. I've just got bookshelf Cerwin-Vegas and a 10" 400 watt Infinity sub and I've got over $900 in my speakers. Don't skimp on sound, it is a major part of the movie and gaming experience.

the speaker question you'll have to figure out if you want something for now or get pieces and build on that which would be a better option sound quality wise. you'll need to figure out your budget for the speaks, but that's where i'd put the majority of my money other than the display. speaker listening is extremely subjective so you'll need to take a listen to a few sets or pairs, whichever way you decide to go.

i hear ya on receivers, but with the wattages creeping up and getting more bang for the buck, the chassis needs room to breath because those components get smokin' hot.

So what output does a PC use for this -- the VGA connector doesn't output the same quality as HDMI, does it?

If so, it almost seems like a no-brainer to go this route, as long as the remote provides the same functionality as it does with a normal DVD player.

For speakers, just build it piece by piece. First, a decent pair of fronts, then the center, then the surrounds then a sub. Just wait 6 months or so between each purchase. That's what I did. You can pickup something halfway decent for each stage for $150 or so, except maybe the sub.
fronts $150 for the pair
center $150 Don't skimp, something like 60% of the info in a movie comes from the center channel.
surrounds $150 for the pair
sub $300 or so, a good 8" or decent 10" should be good enough for a room of your size (sounds about like mine 20'x18', viewing position is 13' from the TV)
That's only $750 total and you'll be happier in the long run. Granted it won't be top-end gear, but it will sound quite a bit better than some system in a box for the same price.

As for TV size:
http://www.carltonbale.com/2006/11/1080p-does-matter/

This would require a sound card that supports at least 5.1 as well, I guess.

How is Linux support for this sort of thing, any idea? Are there pretty solid drivers and software out there for everything? The BR player and media center would be a pretty important part of the whole system, so I'd like to be able to get everything running, and then just leave it alone for the most part -- i.e. not having to update drivers/software to get around problems all the time, that sort of thing.

Is there anyone here who runs a Linux media center already?

re: the ps3 media capabilities - for me tversity works better on the ps3 compared to my 360 (less hang ups) and it was easier to network it to my server compared to the 360. that's just my experience, but it is what it is.

i hear ya on the 50, that's what i got, but it was a bit of a jump over a 46 money wise. i'm glad i did though, because at 10 ft, sometimes i complain i shouldn't have gone bigger.

Yep, thanks Therac, it doesn't sound like I'll be going with Linux for a BR player.

We could probably start a whole new thread on how I feel about DRM, copy protection and rights to create media in BR format. But the important thing to me right now is that it works reliably, and it sounds like Linux may still take some time to get there.

I've picked up Ronin

sounds good rookeh, keep us posted, or i'll bump this bitch.

There are better pictures of it here

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/pay ... views.html