I would probably also go to Best Buy or Circuit City in your case. I think Mshan has gone overboard (ie, not idiot proof). Your friends sound like they just want to watch movies, and would not appreciate a Videophile setup. Onkyo makes nice stuff at a good price. Boston Accoustic speakers are fine. Get them some fatter gauge speaker wire (12 awg) than the typical thin (16 awg cable). Also, get something better than the plastic $5 interconnect and video cables.
home theater in a box?
I need to get a gift for a family member who is not an audio enthusiast but wants a home theater starter. Smallish room and I want an idiot proof set up for about 1,000$. I have looked at the sony, polk, boston acoustics and others, but I am so far removed from this midfi arena I am very hopeful someone in audiogon nation has some experience here. thanks.