Home theater has come a long way in the last few years. Home cinema has become the new trend. Everybody wants the best TV, the best sound system and the best set-up for a quality viewing experience. Home cinema has become the tool of the trade and one of the integral parts of the home theater experience is the sound system.

There are two types of sound systems nowadays: Component systems and home theater in a box systems. Component systems are put together piece-by-piece whereas home theater in a box systems come as is. Companies like Sony, Panasonic and Samsung are just some of the many manufacturers that offer home theater in a box systems, also known as HTIBs.

Most beginning audiophiles start with a HTIB. They come as pre-packaged home theater systems with a DVD player, surround sound system and what you need to hook up the system to your TV. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to set-up for even the most basic home theater expert. They can also be found in most electronic stores. The downfall to HTIB systems is that the cables that come with them are pretty standard. If you are spending the money to go with a HD television with all the bells and whistles, why would you want just the very basic of cables? Owners will then spend a few hundred dollars more on cables in addition to the system they just purchased.

Component systems are designed by the individual buyer in most cases. From front, rear and center channels to the receiver, DVD player and beyond, each part of the system is built to the owner's specifications. Some will mix and match company components, others will stick with one company and find the right pieces for each part needed. Cables, connections and other system parts can all be custom-designed and purchased to get a superior audio and video performance in correlation to the TV purchased.

When it comes down to it, choosing the right type of system depends on several factors. You have to ask yourself what you want to get out of your home theater experience. If you are spending the money, why not build your own component system? If you do not want to spend that amount of money, going with a HTIB might be the best way to get a decent system within your price range.