School me on Home Theater-in-a-box? Need some suggestions to look at

[sandm]

first step is to decide what you want it to do. you have bluray and you have I would guess some form of sat/cable receiver and want a receiver to switch them. if you are never using the bluray and don't plan on it, run the hdmi to the tv and use the red/white pair back to the audio input on your receiver and job done, no money spent. if you are happy with the current sound, then no reason to step to 5.1digital sound.

won't take advantage of the bluray output, but you can also run hdmi from sat/cable to tv, use the rgb from bluray to other tv input and then connect tv to one receiver input and bluray audio outs to another input and done. again no money spent but really not taking advantage of bluray quality and still no 5.1 sound.

if you want a new setup, go to bestbuy and tell the guy what you have. they will be able to show you several sets from different manuf. that will have a small amp/switching box for 2-3hdmi inputs, a 5ch speaker system and a powered sub in the $4-500 range that will sound good. it'll be easy to install, easy to switch and be a solid tv setup, although lack the quality of sound if you enjoy music on a 2ch mode..
one other option is to check craigslist if you live in a metro area. lots of audiophiles switching gear all the time and might be able to find a 7-900 setup for 4-500 that's gently used. find the right guy to demo it and they will also love to walk you through how to install and setup as well. did that with the guy that bought my old polk setup. we talked for almost 2hrs on the system.

my .02 at the end of the day... budget $69 for the harmony remote control if you havent.. http://www.logitech.com/en-us/produc...te-650?crid=60
that remote is the shizznit at controlling a multi-piece setup, great pricepoint, easy to use and even easier to program. It's my 3rd harmony and the best one yet. bought it 2 months ago..