I'm a self-confessed music and surround sound receiver fanatic who has found the joys of high quality films within the confines of my own home. Now that's out of the way the question is, why would you need a home cinema set-up? In the end, isn't home cinema nothing more than slightly better sound for your television programs, that incidentally don't have a particularly high quality audio feed in any case?

A few years ago I would have said that was accurate, however then along came a not inconsequential invention called high-definition TV. Now personally I believe the difference it makes to have a high-definition television is immense, it's tricky to express to a person that hasn't viewed the technology precisely how clear and crisp and altogether more involving the image is.

At first though there were very few channels which utilised the high-definition TVs available, the equipment was in advance of the content. Recently things have changed, regularly the bigger channels will in addition offer an equivalent HD broadcast, and even the minor broadcasters are now starting to get involved. Additionally the current trend where HD ready and full HD televisions are decreasing in cost significantly, making home cinema setups again more affordable. Give consideration to Blu-ray and premium-quality DVD films and it becomes plain to see that there are many high-definition sources to be had.

If we have established that HD sources are increasing swiftly and are readily available then of course it is reasonable to expect that if you are watching movies in the finest visual quality existing, do you not want the same high standards in your sound?

One of the first things you notice when you visit the multiplex, is the explosive volume coming at you in peaks and troughs as a story unfolds. The noise hitting you from all directions and the size of the large screen. Each piece of this serves to get you totally engrossed in the feature. The best way I know how to describe a home theater installation is to state that if done correctly you are able to experience a comparable frill whilst sitting in your own home. No more paying exorbitant fees at the refreshment stand; just get the whole family on the settee or ask your mates around for movie evenings and have a similar experience.

A regular misconception is that home theater is expensive and sometimes, it is. But the same is true of many hobbies if taken to extremes, for instance driving a Ford or a RollS Royce, the latter being very much more costly. Numerous affordable options are open to the bargain hunter currently, beginning with sub $200 complete home theater in a box style packages, which bundle a home theater receiver and surround sound speakers in one box. Stand alone components that allow you to tailor a system to your precise needs are also very reasonably priced. Companies such as Samsung, Yamaha and Onkyo have wide ranges to suit all budgets. The point I am making here is that it isn't incredibly expensive today, so don't allow price alone to be the deciding factor.

So it's not tremendously costly, you in all probability have a suitable television and you can have excellent times with friends. Give home theater a go; once the choice is taken you're unlikely to be sorry.