First: Home theater-in-a-box systems are reasonably priced. Complete systems start as low as $200, but can go as high $2,000 or more. You will find these home theater systems at just about any consumer electronics retailer, including Best Buy, Circuit City, and even Wal-Mart.

Second: Home theater-in-a-box systems contain most (or all) of the components needed for a basic Home Theater system, including all speakers, a surround sound receiver, in most cases a DVD/CD player or, in some cases, even a VCR and/or DVD Recorder.

Third: Home theater-in-a-box systems are compact. These systems are designed so as not to overwhelm a room. The central DVD/Receiver units are sometimes not much larger than a DVD player, although some systems do include separate DVD player/Receiver components. However, the speakers that are included are very compact, the five or six satellite speakers are small enough to be mounted unobtrusively in room corners or shelves. Even the included subwoofer is usually of very compact design so as can be placed easily in a corner or next to a chair or table without attracting attention - except the deep bass sound it generates.

Fourth: A home theater-in-box is easy to install and use; most all the connection cables are provided. All you need is a TV with AV inputs and Audio outputs, A HiFi VCR, and/or DVD Player (if one is not supplied), and you are set and ready to go. No special skills are required, just the ability to read simple instructions and diagrams. Also, most systems come with a remote control that is used for all the functions of the system.