Host Brian Cooley with David Ebersole and Todd Hughes after their home entertainment upgrade, Los Angeles, Calif.

Budget Allocation

Spend 50-to-60-percent on the TV.

Allow for 30-to-40 percent to go to the rest of the components:


AV system

Speakers

DVD player

Receiver, or the Home theater in a box system.


About 10 to 20-percent will be spent on cables and furniture and even a universal remote.

Pitfalls to Avoid

Don't forget to price out your cables because they can add up.

Don't go with the first salesman who approaches you. Do your homework. FINE LIVING and CNET.com editors have done extensive research on equipment and accessories.

A $5,500 Home Theater Upgrade

In the TV Special The Home Entertainment Upgrade, David Ebersole and Todd Hughes set aside a budget of $5,500 for their home theater system. They followed the advice of CNET.com editors and chose the following equipment:

Description	Model	Price Range
46-49" rear projection TV  HD-Ready or Capable (15'6" viewing distance.)	46" Samsung DLP HLM467	$3,300
Home Theater in a Box:  AV Receiver and Surround Sound Speakers	Onkyo HT-S770/777C	$699
Progressive Scan DVD player	Onkyo DV-CP702	$199
DirecTV HD DVR	HR10-250 HD TiVO DirecTV Box	$999
HD Monthly Charge	DirecTV HD Service	Free for first six months,  $10.99/month thereafter
DVD to calibrate system yourself	Avia Guide to Home Theater (1999)	$45
Universal Remote	Harmony Remote H659	$113 - $199
Necessary cables/connectors		$200
Equipment Carts	Ikea	$79
	Approximate Total	$5,634

Tuning In to Tuners
HD Capable/Ready TV requires a separate HD tuner, but allows for evolving technology. If you have an HD ready or capable TV, you can buy or rent the necessary tuner from your HD provider. Your HD provider should install the tuner and make sure it's working properly.

Speaker Balance
Balancing speakers is easier and more accurate with an inexpensive sound pressure level (SPL) meter.