Hey everyone. This is my first post on this website. I want to thank everyone who has posted because it has assisted me in narrowing my decisions of what to buy. There is just so much selection.

Here is what i am looking at buying:
Receiver - Pioneer VSX-1018TXV-K (I see nothing but great reviews)
TV - Samsung LN40A650
Blu Ray - Panasonic DMP-BD35
Speakers - Paradigm Cinema 110 5.1 System

I was curious if anyone can suggest anything else that I should maybe look at.

I have a family member at a big box store (the blue and yellow one) so I will be able to get a good deal from them, way better than anywhere else. The only problem is that they don't yet have the Panny Blu Ray and from what I have read it is great for the bang for the buck. My brother keeps preaching axiom, but they raised their prices. Oh and I want bookshelf or smaller and real surround speakers.

My only other question is I am looking at buying the 40inch LCD, should I be looking at 46inch. My relative said he could get it for practically the same price. I will be sitting 96 inches from the television. The room is about 11x17 and is my normal living not a rec room. I know it is preference but would 46 be too big? Would i see the pixels? I have looked at the FAQ and they just give me a range, one that would include both size tv's.

Anyways, enough rambling. I am just hoping some people can give me their two cents. I am so new and while it is not a lot of money for everyone, this is a big big purchase for me. I want to make sure I have done it right.

Thanks everyone and hope to talk to you more soon.

If you can afford the bigger TV and have the space for it, go with the bigger size.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=46708&highlight=distance+chart

Give this a read. You may decide to go with the 40"

It seems that according to most of the people in that link, bigger is always better. Once guy talks about watching a 80 television from 1.5 metres away!!! Here I am fretting over 40 or 46 inch tv from 8 feet. I think in three pages of posts I only saw one person who described enjoying a 40-42 from 8 feet, everyone else seems to have bigger. If I am to follow that forum I guess I am going for the 46.

Also I would suggest you order your cables from Monoprice and save some cash, don't believe them when they tell you you need there over priced cables.

It seems that according to most of the people in that link, bigger is always better. ... If I am to follow that forum I guess I am going for the 46.Do keep in mind that while sitting closer to a larger TV for DVD/HD/BR content is not an issue, you will most likely not be impressed with SD television content on a 46" @ 8'. If SD viewing will be kept to a minimum, then you shouldn't have anything to worry about!

(I sit 11' from my 51" HDTV. At first it was big...and then I felt it could always be a bit bigger. Which is why I will soon have a 100" screen at ~14-15' :))

I have a 46" TV that I watch from almost exactly 8' away, and it is definitely not too big. I am even considering 52" for my next TV. Sure, SD doesn't always look great on some of the lower quality channels, but DVDs and high quality SD channels (like TMN) look pretty good.