Don't you wonder sometimes about sound and vision? So sings David Bowie on the song of the same name.
The answer is, yes - quite a lot, actually.
Though should I wish to watch Bowie, or anyone else for that matter, up close, loud and impressive within the snug confines of my lounge, presently I do so by pulling the cathode-tube model television several feet closer, thus elevating the humble 21-incher to a much magnified status.
At a guess (and maths was never a strong point) I'd say halving the distance between viewer and TV equals double the screen size.
Therefore an appliance bought for the purpose of watching the 1995 Rugby World Cup (a good buy given it was a tournament in which Jonah Lomu trampled a few Englishmen) does a good impression of a 42-inch model, particularly once the grubby prints of small boys are erased.
However, no tears will be shed should the TV's 14-year unbroken run end.
Indeed, the spectre of such an occasion prompts technological salivation and a mantra likely to invoke the exotic.
"1080P", "Blu-ray" or, wait for it, "home theatre"... mmmm.
Regardless of budget, it's important to consider the size of the room that will house your new screen.
A 60-inch TV might not seem big when displayed amid rows of other showroom appliances, but get it home and it might resemble that black monolith around which the Neanderthals gather in 2001: A Space Odyssey.
If you are a bit strapped for cash, think about a 42-inch model, or even a 32-inch one; either is probably fine if you plan to sit just a couple of metres from it in your lounge.
If you already have the flash flat-screen telly, congratulations - you're on your way.
But, as Bowie's words remind us, you might like to consider the sound aspect.
Without a subwoofer, centre, front and rear speakers and an amplifier capable of separating and powering all channels, your movie-watching experience will be a bit like eating an ice cream without the chocolate and nuts.
Thus a call is made to the Dunedin head office of Strawberry Sound.
A firm with its roots in the live sound and recording industry, it now satisfies the ever-growing home theatre market (as do other companies in Otago), specialising in custom installations.
Asked for details of four sample home theatre packages, sales consultant Cain Lindegreen provides a list that varies wildly in price.
But that's the point: there's no harm in dreaming.
• Option 1 (a basic, separate-component system): 32-inch NEC LCD TV; Denon AVR1509 receiver; Denon DVD1740 DVD player; Tannoy SFX5.1 subwoofer and satellite speaker package.
Total: $3347 (incl GST).
• Option 2 (a solid, good-quality system): 32-inch Loewe Connect LCD TV; NAD T737 receiver; NAD T535 CD/DVD player; Tannoy Arena subwoofer and satellite speaker package.
Total: $9896 (incl GST).
• Option 3 (a high-quality system): 46-inch Loewe Individual Compose LCD TV (with full HD, two digital tuners and 160GB hard drive), Loewe sound projector, Loewe Blu-ray DVD player, Highline subwoofer.
Total: $24,996 (incl GST).
• Option 4 (top-of-the-line system): 1080P Sim2 HD-380 projector; Denon AVPA1 power amplifier; Denon AVCA1 pre-amplifier; Denon 3800 Blu-Ray DVD player; PSB Synchrony One speakers (front and rear); Velodyne DD-18 subwoofer.
Total: $81,893 (incl GST).
Of course, there are cheaper options out there.
Many major brand appliance stores are selling high-definition televisions for under $2000.
You can also get what's termed a "home theatre in a box" system, comprising an AV receiver (an amplifier capable of sending sound to centre, front and rear speakers and subwoofer) and accompanying DVD player and speaker package for much less.
Be careful, however: despite their output (wattage) claims, some of these units produce up to 10% total harmonic distortion (THD).
In comparison, the fine print of many high-quality systems would read about 0.1% THD.
Frankly, 10% THD at full output is virtually unlistenable.
You are much better off buying a unit with lower wattage and better THD specs than a more powerful receiver that delivers a dirty signal.
Regardless of make or model, speakers need to be placed carefully if you are to get the best out of a surround-sound system.
If you plan to spend big bucks with a specialist firm, chances are they will calibrate your set-up for you.
However, there are some among us (you know who you are) who don't mind spending hours moving items to and fro before settling on what they believe is a prime position.
The danger here is that a sound effect, be it from Gollum, Marty, Melman or Darth Vader, might arrive in the wrong ear.
And that could be a pain in the rear (speaker).
• A few tips
Do you actually need a home theatre set-up?Ask yourself: how often do I watch movies at home? If it's only once or twice a month, does that justify the cost?
Do you prefer to listen to music rather than watch concerts on the big screen? If so, it might be better spending money on a nice stereo system.
Strawberry Sound sales consultant Cain Lindegreen says : "People tend to get swept up in the idea of home theatre... but if you've got $3000 to spend and you're more into music, the result is you only need to get two speakers instead of six".
> When budgeting for components (not including the TV), Lindegreen advises spending roughly a third on a DVD/CD player, a third on an amplifier/receiver and a third on speakers.
> Ensure the correct balance of sound. Lindegreen: "The majority of modern home theatre receivers have calibration microphones built into them. But I still reckon people are best to do it with their ears.
"Your ears are specific to you; you like things the way you hear them. You can always go back to the calibration microphone."
> Size up the situation. A big screen is not as much a problem as too small a screen, but beware of overpowering a room.
Lindegreen: "Cut out a piece of cardboard the size of the potential screen and hang it on the wall, look at it and think: `If that was black, what's that going to look like in my room?'."
> Trust your own judgement. Do some reading into specifications before being dazzled by in-store jargon. Remember, some sales assistants are paid on a commission basis.
Lindegreen: "How do you know if a stereo is good? Well, you listen to it. How do you know if a TV is good? Look at the picture. Your eyes know what they see."
> But... beware of what's on screen. A lot of stores play digital animation - Ice Age, anyone? - on their big screens. Try to watch something else.
Instead, Lindegreen suggests The Rolling Stones: "If you can make Keith Richards look good, then digital animation will look even better".
