Agreed--For a TV, I'd pay the difference and go with a major brand (Sony, Samsung, Panasonic...and on a budget Vizio)
The Insignia blu ray players are a good value.
Yep. With $600, I'd avoid a HTIB and buy separate pieces. You can get a very capable AVR for $250-300. Then your priorities are center channel > left and right fronts > sub >>>>>> rears.
Some would argue that the sub has a bigger effect and thus more important than your left and rights.