Surround sound system for under $500?

I have a Samsung 61" rear projection TV and now I would like to add a surround sound system, should I stick to a Samsung system or is it ok to use other brands? I need a complete system (including DVD player)

It's okay to you any brand that has compatible terminals -which most will. For $500, I usually recommend the following system:

- DVD Player - JVC HR-XVC16BUS

- Receiver - Onkyo TX-S504 (or Pioneer VSX-516K)

- Speakers - Dayton HTS-1200

- Powered Sub - Dayton SUB-120

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_ For $500, I would go for the OPPO DV-981HD ($229) and the 5.1 Infinity TSS-450($299).

The oppo will give you great dvd picture and the Infinity will give you pretty good sound. You can read more about these items as the are reviewed extensively on the internet.

GL. There's no reason whatsoever to stick with Samsung equipment--any other brand will work just fine with your TV.

Your best bet is probably to go with a "Home Theater in a Box" system--this will include everything you will need.

Consumer Reports did a review of such systems in their November 2006 issue (available at many libraries). The Sony HT-7000DH ($500) rated very highly, and comes with a separate DVD player. The report recommends as "Best Buys" the Panasonic SC-HT740 ($335) and the Samsung HT-Q45 ($295). Both of these systems include an integrated 5-disc DVD changer in addition to all the speakers, etc.