DVDs an ideal technology for home theater -- they make full use of all that high-end technology. If you've already invested in a surround-sound system and a big-screen TV, you should definitely pick up a DVD player. The players are relatively inexpensive -- you can get a basic model for less than $150 -- and the format is quickly gaining acceptance, with more and more DVD movies being released every month. DVDs have already taken the place of laser discs, and will eventually take the place of VHS tapes. In the near future, DVD players will probably be as common as VCRs.

             At this time, most DVD players do lack one of the most useful capabilities of a VCR -- they can't record video; they can only play it. There are a few DVD recorders on the market, but these run upwards of $1,000.

             So, should you go ahead and get a DVD player or wait for DVD recorders to drop in price? As with any home electronics, it's largely a guessing game of when the current DVD players will be outdated. It may take a while for DVD recorders to become standard equipment, and when they do, you can expect them to be much more expensive than ordinary players. So, if you're already putting a home entertainment system together, you would probably do best to go ahead and pick up a standard DVD player.