Is there really a major difference in audio as well as video picture and sound quality between an S-video set up and a componant set up between an LCD TV and a DVD player?further the TV can "only accept 480i " but the DVD can use the "progressive" scan capabilities.And secondly,what would you suggest for a decent home theater system for this set up
thank you

Hey there seahawk2,

First of all S-Video and Component cables do not pass any audio signal, only video. If your tv will only accept 480i, than a progressive DVD player is useless. To answer your question about picture quality, yes there is a great benefit to go with Component over S-video. First of all the color signals are seperated into their own channel. Also, Component can handle 480p, 720p, and 1080i with the right equipment. On my upstairs TV, which is HD Ready, I enjoy over-the-air HD broadcasts. The signal is passed from my HD tuner to my tv via component, you can't do that with s-video.

In regards to a new HT system, you need to give us more information. What is your budget and room size, would be a good start.

Welcome, by the way...

Hey thanks please pardon my ignorance on this video vs audio stuff.......... i'm kinda new at this LOL.But your answer to my question is ans was much appreciated..think I
ll go componant.As for the HT?,somehting small under $500 or so. the room is approx. 11X12

Help us out, seahawk. When you say HT, what are you looking for? Speakers? DVD player? Receiver? Everything together?

If your talking $500 total for a receiver and speakers, you'll probably have to go with an all-in-one type setup. Most decent receivers start in the $400-$500 range, not including speakers. I know Onkyo and Yamaha make some Home Theaters in a Box where you get the receiver and speakers, not sure if $500 will cover all of that or not..

front and rear speakers center speaker and sub probably with a dencent DVD player the rears wireless if possible.Doesnt have to be the best just has to sound good without breaking the bank.

Hmm, this is gonna be tough. For starters, and others will have their own opinions, I would eschew the center channel for now. You can do fairly well running front channels and a sub. Run the fronts in phantom mode to simulate a center--on a budget this is a good compromise.

I'm thinking small speakers like Axiom M2s or M3s can work. You can go factory outlet to save more.

If you shop around, you can find good DVD players for around a hundred or less.

Go to Monoprice for cables.

Sub is tough. Something like the AV123 x-sub is inexpensive and quite capable for your small room.

As for the surrounds, use any little speaker that makes sound. At least you can get a hint of surround sound. You can always upgrade later.

With a small budget you might want to think of starting to build in stages. You can add a center later. You can change your fronts and move the M2s to the back. Buy good bits and pieces where you can rather than getting one entire mediocre system right now.

The only all-in-one setup I've ever come across with wireless rear(surround) speakers was from Pioneer, I think it was the model HTP-440, not sure it is available anymore. I saw it at Walmart.

Just to be honest with you, you'll never get the same performance out of any all-in-one system that you would from a seperate receiver and good audiophile speakers.

You might be better off starting with a good lower priced receiver, and get some left/right decent bookshelf speakers. The center channel speaker can be simulated using the receiver's phantom mode. Later as you save money, you can continue to buy additional speakers to fill out a 5.1 or 7.1 system. That room is fairly large, so not sure a small cube speaker system will make you happy.

A buddy of mine went to best buy once, and got a crappy Sony all-in-one system. The speakers were smaller than my computer speakers. It sounded terrible and started to distort with the volume only 1/4 of the way up. He ended up talking it back and got another nicer all-in-one system from Yamaha. I does a much better job, but he had to spend about $700. It does not compare to true speakers, but works for him.

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Buy good bits and pieces where you can rather than getting one entire mediocre system right now.

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I started out with an HTIB, and eventually replaced everything and spent more money than I should have. It would have been nice to have one or two good pieces to build around. It may be a slow process, but believe me it will pay off in the end.