There are average home theatre systems and then there are spectacular home theatre systems. What makes the best isn't necessarily the pricing, it's more in the sights, sounds and atmosphere that's created when an entire system is moved into a room and is fired up.

Finding the best in home theatre systems can be a tricky prospect. There's so much to consider, it can make a person's head spin. To make it a little more simplistic, there really are only four basic components to consider when choosing to put together a system. Each one, however, is very important. This isn't to say that pricing needs to be outrageous either. There are some great systems that have been built using budget products. As long as the components are well chosen and installed correctly, a $1,000 system can seem like a $10,000 system to a homeowner.

The four major areas to spend time researching buys for a home theatre system are:

* Projector or television: Home theatre systems can involve projector screens or they can involve actual larger screen televisions. Both have their perks, but they should be chosen carefully. Things to consider here are pricing, room size, screen size and even personal tastes. Some people simply love the look of a projection screen, while others prefer the sleek appeal of a giant plasma screen television hanging on the wall. What's right and what's best depends on who is buying the equipment.

* Sound system: Don't discount the importance of having surround sound to make a home theatre system really stand out. One of the biggest things that sets the movie theatre experience apart from watching television is the sounds. These can be achieved at home - even on a budget. Just look for the best set up within personal means and remember there should be multiple speakers and a control system for a true surround sound experience.

* Auxiliary devices: A projector and a surround system can be very lonely without a good DVD player, VCR or other movie-playing device. Whether you intend to pipe in movie downloads from a computer or you want to play your own DVDs on your new big screen, these devices are key in making a home theatre function properly. Fortunately, these devices offer very good options in just about every price range imaginable. A $40 DVD player can work extremely well when put in the mix with a higher priced television and surround sound system.

* Furniture: This might not seem like a major component for a home theatre system, but it is. A theatre room won't get the use it's intended for if people aren't comfortable sitting in it. This is especially the case for planned movie marathons. The more comfortable and functional the furniture the better. Plus, the furniture can even be designed to really add to the atmosphere, as well.

There are a lot of things to consider when putting together a home theatre system. As long as the four major components are covered and covered well, a room should function to its owner's expectations. Bringing the movie theatre experience home doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg, but it does require some planning.