For top performance, many people choose to assemble individual components and speakers into a beautifully matched system.

The numbers are truly astounding. Sales figures of DVDs have surpassed those experienced during the introduction of CD, and DVD titles are rapidly displacing VHS titles in many rental and retail outlets. My local Borders doesn't sell VHS tapes anymore, except exercise and children's tapes. Unless you've been living on a desert island (and even those are becoming rather well-connected) you probably have a DVD-Video player of some kind and are pleased with its performance. But, if you have only a minimal investment in DVD, you might consider upgrading to a more sophisticated system; only then will you realize what you are missing.

When the DVD-Video format was first introduced, many early adopters purchased a DVD player and connected it to their stereo receiver, perhaps replacing their venerable VHS player. That arrangement certainly lets you enjoy DVD-Video's excellent picture on your television, and listen to soundtracks in stereo. But stereo playback robs you of one of the best parts about DVD-Video, and that is surround sound, played back just as it is in movie theaters. Only when you have surround sound at home can you even begin to enter the world of home theater.

With surround sound, sound effects wrap around the room, sneaking up behind you and enveloping you with a thrilling sense of ambience. Terrific stuff, but making the transition from a stereo listening room to a 5.1 home theater can be expensive, confusing, and time-consuming. A/V receivers, Dolby Digital and DTS decoding, subwoofers, center channel speakers, and multichannel amplifiers might be required to equip a good sounding home theater. And all you wanted to do was watch a movie on a Friday night, right?