My house was hit by lightning this summer and my old mac desktop was fried. The insurance company said it was valued around $1500. Since I had just bought a laptop, I decided to take the money instead.

Catch was, I only get $750 of it in cash. I get the second half only if I spend a total of $1500.

So I drop $650 on a PS3 in which they said was an acceptable item to purchase instead. This leaves me right at $850 to use on another electronic item. They seem fine with it be anything which could be purchased at Best Buy.

I honestly have no clue as what to get. It's a problem I want to deal with. ;) Any suggestions?

this would be a great oppertunity to improve GoTs standard of living - lol



I assume you already have the standard mancave touches. I say see if they can order a beer machine. It might come in the discuise of a coke machine, but when it enters the mancave it will transform into a cold malted beverage dispenser. I know BB sells appliances so it just might be possible.

lol @ GoT.

Jeff, is your PS3 gold plated or something? 650? I'm guessing that's with more than just the system?
Me, I'd just go to Best Buy and look around. There are tons of things you can find in there for that money, then find it online to buy it. :)

What about:
http://www.uncrate.com/men/images/2007/01/philips-hts8100-soundbar.jpg
That thing's a monster!
http://www.uncrate.com/men/gear/home-audio-speakers/philips-hts8100-soundbar/

and it's 799$ putting you right at 850.

I got the 80 GB version with two games and an extra controller. Add sales tax and you're around $650.

I'm loving GoT's suggestion. Mancave keg holder. :yes:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8193527&type=product&id=1164157296116

Goot lawd.

External hard drive for backups? You could go shopping on the Apple store for a new TimeCapsule if you have Leopard (and maybe it works without Time Machine, but I don't know).

Airport Extreme with 802.11N?

Surround sound setup? A small HDTV?

My Surround Sound system suggested is better than a PS3 or TV all by itself. Yes sir.

What is this TimeCapsule in which you speak?

I have the surround sound going already. The small HDTV may be a good option though that means another HD box from Comcast.

Ditch the cable, get Direct TV, Sunday Ticket, and a WHOLE LOT of beer...

Do they sell huge DVRs?

Do they sell huge DVRs?Yes. I've got one and I like it. It's not as good as a tivo, but it's HD and does the trick.

What is this TimeCapsule in which you speak?
Basically it's a wireless backup hard drive Apple announced today for laptop users with Time Machine.
http://www.apple.com/timecapsule/

It's not $850, but it's a few hundred anyway...

Ditch the cable, get Direct TV, Sunday Ticket, and a WHOLE LOT of beer...

whenever they decide to let multiple HD-DVR's out the door without having to pay an arm and a leg for it ... until then, I still need 2 HD-DVR's

Directv also is launching an OnDemand service. You can hook up to it now if you have an HR-20.

I'm reading about that now.

I wish they made a DVR which could be used with any cable or satellite service much like the typical VCR/DVD recorders do now.

I think you can get them (at least you could before HD), but then you have to use infrared to get the 2 to communicate with each other. It's a pain, but it works.

I used to have a ReplayTV device hooked up to a DTV box that would have just as easily worked with cable.

I'd want something I could use an HDMI cable with from the cable box to it, then, from it to the TV. It must be it can't sync up the cable/satellite system?

I'd need to record in 1080i. :brow:

Not sure whether or not a standalone Tivo will do that with both Comcast and DTV, but it should be possible.

I'm leaning towards a HD TV at the moment. I have a 36" monster that I've had for about 10 years. Thing is, it still looks good and I'd have to get another HD box from Comcast.

I don't $850 will get me much though.

Not sure if you can get these at Best Buy, and to be honest, I think the next generation will be much better, but I'm a gadget geek and this is definitely on my horizon as soon as some of the kinks get worked out... Micro Laptops (http://www.amazon.com/Asus-4G-Celeron-Processor-Preloaded/dp/B000YG646Y)

My big ol fingers would hit two or three characters on each stroke. :ha:

I'm reading about that now.

I wish they made a DVR which could be used with any cable or satellite service much like the typical VCR/DVD recorders do now.

You can build one ....

I have one with a Terabite of space RAID config that I built. There are simple programs that can be used to DVR on any cable system. My motherboard actually came with all I needed other then the program to change the chanel to select the programing I wanted.

Very niiiiiiiiiiice.

Does it do 1080i HD as well?