UNLESS you plan on stepping up to higher performance and much pricier separates (an A/V preamplifier/surround sound processor and a separate component multichannel power amplifier), an all-in-one surround sound A/V receiver will likely be the central hub of your entire home theater surround sound entertainment system. Surround sound receivers perform many important functions within a home theater.

An A/V receiver provides the brains (digital HD audio/video signal processing, conversion, and source switching), the brawn (amplification for driving 5 to 7 speakers), and compatibility with all sorts of A/V equipment (inputs and outputs). You'll need to separately purchase speaker wire and a subwoofer cable to connect your speakers, and cables to connect source components to the receiver.