You've finally taken the plunge and invested in a large screen TV, but found out pretty much straight away that the sound is thin and not deserving of the term "home theatre". So where to next?
There is no doubting that if you take the time to craft a system around your living area you'll end up with a better experience than what is offered here, but if you want a set-and-forget cinema these units offer a suitable compromise.
Only one of the products below offers a true upgrade path -- the Sony MUTEKI and so if you're new to home cinema and think you might upgrade sooner rather than later then this is the one to consider -- you just need to supply the DVD player. Upgrading the speakers later to the B&W 685 Theatre surround set, for example, would bring tremendous benefits. (Of course, it would also quadruple the price.)
If you're looking for minimal intrusion into your living room then the Philips set offers just two speakers -- the main unit, which is wall mountable, and a sub -- but you'll still need to hide the cabling.
The Samsung HT-TXQ120T and LG LH-RH9695IA, on the other hand, are your more traditional HTIB systems and would look smart in most lounge rooms.
Samsung HT-TXQ120T 
The Samsung HT-TXQ120 is a rock solid audio system that rivals component-level kits in sound quality. This, however, is not the case for the video department with its just above-average visuals.
LG LH-RH9695IA Home Theatre
This is a great sounding and great looking unit that will work well in medium-sized rooms, and considering its hard disk drive, it is reasonable value for money.
Philips SoundBar HTS8100
The Philips SoundBar HTS8100 is good value for money, and able to deliver powerful movie soundtracks and excellent video quality via the HDMI output.
Sony MUTEKI HTDDW1600
The Sony MUTEKI may not be hi-fi, but for sheer bang-for-buck it's a solid first choice for budding home theatre enthusiasts and party-goers.
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