Budget AV Setup

[MattMoore]

Afternoon all,

I'm moving house in the next month and I'd like to get an AV setup organized before I move in. Its a rented property but the lounge requires decorating and new carpets when I move in, so I'd like to get cables run etc before decorating for a really clean setup.
As the title suggests this will be a budget build, I expect to be piecing together the system over the next few months as funds allow, but I would like to get all of the cabling organized before decorating.

The TV I currently have will be too small for the new lounge so a new TV will be first on the list.
This is the first time I have done this before so I'm just getting to grips with all of the terminology and equipment that I will require.

The room is approx 11' square, but I will confirm these measurements after I have revisited the property this weekend. I would like to connect a Virgin/Sky+ box, Nintendo Wii, Dvd/bluray player & Xbox 360 to the TV.

The equipment which I will be looking for is:

TV
AV receiver
Front speakers
Rear speakers
Centre speaker
Sub
Cabling

I'm not sure which size TV will be optimal for this size room, I'm assuming something in the 42" region?

I think that most of the equipment will be second hand, as I've always found with careful selection I can get great products for not a lot of money. I'm assuming that in the AV world there are items which punch way above their weight as in other areas too(I'm thinking of Mk1 MX5 here & the Seiko monster watch etc) The only exemption to this will probably be the TV as I would like a 5 year guarantee for this.

So what I would like to know is some specific items that I should be looking out for on the AV forums. eBay, gumtree etc.

Also, I would like to purchase all of the cabling within the next fortnight so that it is ready to go, what cabling should I be looking to buy? Also what is the best way to run speaker cable to the rears, would it be possible to lay them before the carpet goes down?

Thanks

Matt