Hi ktkelly, I take it from your questions that you feel that I need to use the HT as the hub instead of the TV? Here is the information about the units. HT does not pass componet video, it does pass composit video (both yellow RCA and S-video). The DVD/VHS does not have progressive scan. HT receiver does have DD/DTS decoding through coaxial cable. I have the Samsung DLP HL-S6187W. I may get a HD cable box when the cable company offers more than 5 or 6 channels. Thanks for your time.

jejvtr, FWIW: The arrangement I suggested for the surrounds is directly from DOLBY LABS specs. Now if they who invented Dolby Surround don't know where the speakers should go, then I suppose no one does. Crutchfield? Now there's a true professional outfit. Sort of like Best Buy/Circuit City for the internet. Gauranteee they know ALL there is to know (sarcasm if you don't recognize it) about AV systems. "You offer such great advice and in such a polished tone, it makes me want to hang on your every word, follow all your threads and responses - let me guess you are in your 20's and you really do "know it all" don't you? (sic)" I'm sorry I don't come across with a "polished tone" as you would like. But it REALLY bothers me when someone NOT in this profession gives such glaringly incorrect advice. I have a difficult time being politically correct when dealing with ignorance. My bad that. But I can't see sugar coating it. Out of ignorance you gave bad advice. And, to me, giving bad advice is stupidity. I equate that ging of bad advice with giving road directions when you really don't know the way. Not a smart thing to do. And FYI I actually do not claim to "know it all". And, unless I started in this industry before I was born, I am not some 20 year old (30 or 40 either for that matter).

Not an area of expertise for me, but with no replies I can fill you in a little. Wireless systems are making inroads, the technology and transfer rates are getting there...but "wireless" speakers, while they don't need speaker wire, still need line voltage, or household current, to work. If you can't get your specific system hammered out, at least try to anticipate the locations of your speakers, as well as the location of your theater/TV components. Then you can at least run speaker wire through the walls/ceilings. The drywall crew can do their thing, and then when your speakers do get installed the speaker wire will already be in place. Conduit for "future proofing" could be an option, but in your case, just running the speaker wire now would suffice. You could even run wire below the floor for seat rumblers. Subwoofers can be located most anywhere, but you'll usually need line voltage available so the subwoofer can be plugged into the wall, plus a cable running from the receiver to the subwoofer. If you have your screen location chosen, you'll typically want: 1) a center speaker, located centered and just below the screen. 2) front left and front right speakers, located...yup, to the left and right of the screen. 3) left and right rear surround speakers. if the room is open behind the seating area, then these are usually put in the ceiling. 4) subwoofer. As far as sales people giving you the ambiguous design vs budget run-around...yeah, that happens. It is good to have a ballpark estimate, as systems can run form a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. However, it seems like you're just doing surround "TV" versus a full-blown home theater, so they should winnow their offering to you based upon the practicality of what you are trying to accomplish. The best thing to do is to hear the speakers and decide what sounds good to your ears. In a basic setup, decent in-wall and in-ceiling speakers can be had for roughly $150 each, +/- $25. You can get a very good free-standing subwoofer for $250-$350. Mongo

A comment on the debate of wifi vs. wired - we live in a 6,000sqf 1860s home. It's built very solidly, which has proven to be quite the problem with the wifi signal. Not to mention all the interference and channel problems with having 8 security cameras on the network. And everything could be ground to a halt when my sister showed up with her multiple baby video monitors. Regular boosters did nothing to help with the signal. And while there were tweaks one could make to tings like the cameras to get things on different channels and working, it was constant work and trial and error. The final solution, after countless tech people worked on it, was wireless access points in various spots all over the house. But all those access points had to be connected to a switch next to the router. So a tech guy came and ran ethernet cord all over the house, some inside the walls, some outside the house. All to get these various spots wired. All in the pursuit of reliable wireless. I completely agree that wifi is the future. Heck, it's the present. But I would expect a lot more clarity around how this company is planning on delivering "robust" wifi to the entire home - and surrounding the home, since I also expect to be able to use my laptop on my patio. Because as wifi keeps getting better and faster, we are using it more and more and the data keeps getting bigger and bigger. I would want wired protection to ensure that my wifi could keep up with the growing demands placed on it. As for the debate over cat5e or cat6 cables - I am no expert. But I remember being on this board about 15 years ago, and people talking about how cat5 was a nice "future-proof" solution, but not necessary as the less expensive cables could keep up with the workload just fine. I think people always underestimate how quickly technology keeps evolving. I would personally throw the best cord you can afford at it right now. Because, having had a lot of Ethernet wires run outside my house, I can attest that you will regret missing this opportunity while the walls are open.