Once I get everything (receiver, speakers, dvd player) what kind of power surge should I get?
Should I get http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8296952&st=power+surge&type=product&id=1172881564111
Is there something better and maybe cheaper than the monster surge protector?
Should I get http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8296952&st=power+surge&type=product&id=1172881564111
Is there something better and maybe cheaper than the monster surge protector?
You don't need anything that fancy - and definitely go for a UPS unit, not just a surge protector.That thing does nothing to protect your eauipment in the case of brownouts, power loss, etc. RPTVs in particular should be on a UPS so if the power goes out the fan is still running to cool the light assembly.
I was told a 650 VA unit was good for most HT setups unless you have some very powerful equipment (like this one, maybe):
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7424575&type=product&id=1122655672527
I got this one:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=1122654249041&type=product
because they had a REALLY good deal on them and I didn't mind going a little fancier than the APC design.
I don't know about any software that comes with them, as I am not using it to auto-shutdown anything. I figure if the power goes out I will know it and can turn off things myself.