Mother’s Day is  a time to commemorate Motherhood and to show our appreciation for the hard working Mum and her tireless contribution to our lives.  Mother’s Day is also a chance to reunite and bring families closer together.

Mother’s Day is often celebrated with the giving of presents and special treats, and in this spirit we offer 6 Thoughtful Mother’s Day Gift Suggestions to show a token of our appreciation and to make her feel special this Mother’s Day.

Personalised Mother’s Day Presents

Make your words as sweet as they can be, enter a personalised message set in chocolate alphabet truffles.  Try out the interactive message maker online and get your Mother’s Day chocolates by post.

Rasul Exotic Body Treatment

For a special pampering, consider the Rasul Exotic Body Treatment for 2 people as a relaxing health spa mothers day gift – a traditional Arabian cleansing ritual, which will leave you feeling pure and calm, and your skin beautifully exfoliated.

Also consider the Rasul Herbal Steam Temple experience that gives you the memorable treatment of a mudpack and steam bath.

Florentyna Eau de Toilette 100ml

Make a lasting impression with the beautiful scent of Florentyna, this perfume from Marks and Spencer’s looks and smells reassuringly expensive and is great value at £12 per 100ml.

“A classic floral fragrance with sophisticated top notes of gardenia blended with a harmony of jasmine, lily of the valley, orange blossom and subtle musk undertones”

30 Minute Flight Simulator Flying Experience

If you are really stretching yourself for unique ideas for mothers day gifts, this flight simulator flying experience is both extra-ordinary and thrilling.

Weekend Collection Curvy Leather Double Handle Overnight Bag

Here’s a practical, useful, vibrant and stylish Mother’s Day gift suggestion: The Weekend Collection Curvy Leather Double Handle Overnight Bag is available in 7 bold colours to suit every taste.

PAIR FRENCH EMPIRE ORMOLU CANDELABRAS CANDLESTICKS

This french pair of empire style candle sticks are highly valued at £650 – a unique and exclusive mother’s day gift idea for the mother that appreciates antiques and fine ornate workmanship. Standing firmly on a square black Italian marble base, these candle sticks are three branched and add style and opulence to a variety of interior schemes.

What date is Mothers Day?

3rd of April is Mother’s Day in UK – and you may find it noteworthy that the Mother’s Day UK date is different to the U.S. which is commemorated on the second Sunday in May (which falls on 8 May 2011 this year).

Digital Cameras are just great, don’t you think? For those of us who are old enough to remember the days of old film cameras – Those big, bulky, horrible looking things that required the use of disposable flashes and rolls of sensitive camera film, the answer is almost certainly going to be yes. The advantages of digital cameras are numerous; nowadays they are small and compact, so you can take your camera anywhere at all without being inconvenienced, you can save hundreds and hundreds of photos on your memory card, you don’t have to wait around to get your pictures developed, and if you’re at all competent with a computer you can even edit your pictures!

But did you realise there are a lot more practical uses for your digital camera that will make your life a whole lot easier? Well if not, read on…

8.  Protect Yourself

By snapping a few photos of the existing blemishes in newly rented flats or hire cars, you can save yourself from losing your deposit or being charged unwarranted fees for damage you didn’t cause.

7.  Don’t Get Lost

How many times have you found yourself lost while travelling on holiday in some unfamiliar town or city? If you’re at all unsure of where you’re staying, take a few snaps of landmarks near your parking spot or hotel before you go wandering off. That way, you’ll be able to ask someone local how to find your way back.

6.  Keep Track of the Kids

One of the biggest concerns of any parent is being separated from their kids while in a crowded or unfamiliar place. With your digital camera you can quickly snap a few pictures of them beforehand, so if you do become separated you’ll have a photo to hand you can show to a police man.

5.  Make Digital Notes

A digital camera is a great way to help you remember things. Anytime you see a hairstyle you like, recipes you want to copy or if you need to remember the name of a street, a few pictures will make sure that you never forget.

4.  Put Things Back Together

Anytime you need to take something apart to try and fix it, whether it’s a simple thing like an electric plug or something more complex like your laptop, take a few photos before you start dismantling everything. This way, you’ll have a guide to follow when it comes to putting it all back together.

3.  Use it as a Map

By taking a close up shot of maps at places like amusement parks or large shopping malls, you’ll be able to check your whereabouts anytime, without needing to stop at every information desk to ask.

2.  Record Your Contact Information

There are few things more upsetting than losing your digital camera, along with all of those irreplaceable holiday snaps that you’ll never get to see again. So why not take a photo of your id, such as your passport or something with your phone number and address on it? That way, if you do lose your digital camera and it’s found by an honest soul, they’ll know who to return it to.

1.  Stay in Touch

If you have a digital camera phone, you’ll be able to stay in touch and share the things you see with your friends and family back at home. Whenever you go anywhere, simply take a few photos and send them straight to your friends, or upload them to a social media site and all your loved ones will be able to see what you’re doing, as you’re doing it!

Just why is there such a fuss being made over multi gyms these days? These exercise machines are proving to be hugely popular when compared with other kinds of gym equipment you can use at home. So what is all this craze about?

The fact is, a multi gym is going to improve your life. Why? Because of the huge number of exercises you’re able to do on them. And as everyone knows, exercise leads to a much better quality of life for anyone prepared to make the effort. Multi gyms don’t just specialise on one part of the body, instead the exercises you can do on them target several different parts of the body. With some machines, it’s possible to do up to fifty different exercises!

Look Better = Feel Better

One of the best ways of improving your overall health and fitness is through building up and toning your muscles. This has been scientifically proven time and again. It’s possible for almost anyone to build up their muscles with a multi gym at home, so no matter if you are 18 or 80 years old, you’ll not only look better but you’ll feel a whole lot better too.

Slow Down Those Advancing Years

One of the most debilitating effects of ageing is that your muscle tissue and bones weaken over time. One of the biggest contributing factors to this is the lack of proper muscle tone and strength. However, by doing regular weight training on a multi gym, it’s possible to support bones and joints, strengthen muscle tissues and increase co-ordination and mobility, thus leading to a longer and much better quality of life as you get older.

Lose Weight and Stay In Shape

Perhaps you could do with shedding a few pounds, or maybe you just want to keep yourself in shape? Many people don’t find the time to get down to a gym regularly or go for a run, but with the multi gym on hand, you don’t have to.

Muscles will burn calories even while you’re not doing anything, so building them up is a really good way to lose some pounds. Even at rest,  one pound of muscle can burn up to 10 calories each day.

Owning a multi gym at home means you have access to a safe and convenient way to tone and build up your muscles in your own time, leading to a range of positive benefits in your life.

When people go to purchase cookware they often let price, trendy designs or ease of cleaning guide them. And although these are all things one should consider prior to buying pots and pans, one essential element that all cooks should weigh is the materials used in making the cookware.

Your cookware will perform, clean-up and be maintained differently depending upon its composition. Here’s an overview of the different kinds of basic materials utilized in creating pots and pans and how they’ll influence your experience in the kitchen.

Aluminium

People often gravitate towards aluminium for two reasons—it is lightweight and comparatively inexpensive. Although aluminium conducts heat quickly and evenly, the major drawback with pure aluminium cookware is that it is affected by alkaline and acidic foods, which will cause this metal to corrode, creating an off-taste in the food you’re preparing. For this reason, aluminium is most often used as the primary conducting material in cookware and then coated with another material to protect the overall integrity of the pot or pan and the taste of the food.

Anodized Aluminium

Aluminium cookware that has an anodized coating performs well in terms of conducting heat, while the coating resists alkaline and acidic foods and enables easy clean up of the various vessels. However, foods that are highly acidic or alkaline will compromise the coating and damage the finish. Another drawback to cooking items in anodized aluminium kitchenware is that these dark-toned pots and pans can make it difficult to observe changes in food as it’s cooked. Anodized aluminium cookware should not be cleaned in the dishwasher. This will discolour and ruin the finish.

Cast Iron

Most cooks agree that a kitchen is not complete without at least one or two cast iron pans. These types of pots and pans are preferred due to the fact that they heat slowly and evenly and once hot, they retain their temperature nicely. They are also moderately priced.

Cast iron is versatile due to the fact that it can be used on top of the stove and in the oven. Although they are prone to rusting, staining and pitting, with the right care cast iron cookware will last a lifetime.

In caring for cast iron, you never want to wash it in soapy water. The preferred method of cleaning is to wipe it clean with a paper towel, running hot water over any food that’s been cooked onto the surface. Wash in warm water, dry thoroughly and then prior to storing coat lightly with oil. This process will prevent rusting and preserve the surface.

Lined Copper

One of the aspects that cooks like about lined copper is its responsiveness to heat and changing temperatures. It will get warm quickly, maintain its temperature under steady heat and cool down once the heat is turned down or removed. Lined copper is expensive, but this versatile material is extremely efficient in terms of preventing the burning or overcooking of foods.

When it comes to upkeep, lined copper cookware should be cleaned gently in warm, soapy water and the copper bottoms treated with copper polish to prevent discolouring. Do not use abrasive cleaners or place in the dishwasher. Depending on how often these pans are used, their interiors need to be re-tinned every two to four years.

Non-Stick

Non-stick cookware is coated on the inside with a synthetic material that helps prevent food from sticking. You’ll often find that aluminium is the base metal used in these types of pots and pans. One drawback occurs when attempting to cook at high heat due to the fact that the non-stick coating can impede the heating of the interior of the pan. Kitchenware featuring a non-stick coating is attractive because less fat can be used in food preparation, clean-up is usually effortless and foods that are sensitive to sticking, over-heating or burning are less likely to do so. Never use abrasive cleaners or metal utensils with non-stick surfaces. Such items will scratch and compromise the effectiveness of the surface.

Stainless Steel

Cookware made from stainless steel is durable, resisting denting, discolouration and pitting. Just about any type of food can be cooked in this type of moderately priced pan. The primary problem with stainless steel is its tendency to heat unevenly.

The solution to this dilemma is to include in each vessel a thick copper or aluminium core that helps increase overall conductivity. In the best stainless steel pots and pans, the core runs up the walls of the vessels, ensuring that heat is evenly distributed on all sides of the pan. Stainless steel cookware that includes a heavy metal core will be higher priced than the type that is simply composed of stainless steel.

These days, there’s a bewildering array of laptops available. At first glance, finding the one that’s right for you might seem daunting. However, it’s easier than you think if you forget the sales-speak, the gimmicks and the fads and concentrate on what that laptop can do for you.

What Sort of User Are You?

Laptop users fall into six general types. Once you identify which category you belong to, it’s just a matter of taking into account what applications you are going to be running, how powerful your machine needs to be and what connections you’ll need for your peripherals.

Home User

A typical home user will use their laptop for a wide range of purposes, from surfing and messaging to storing home photos and playing music. You might even be running VOIP applications, so the best machine will be a mid-range multi-purpose laptop. If the laptop is to be shared with other members of your household, portability may also be a factor in your decision.

Suggestion: Pentium Dual Core or Celeron processor by Intel with 2GB RAM, (try to stretch to 3GB). These days you’ll want a hard drive with a minimum capacity of 100GB. 250GB would be better, especially if you’re sharing with other users.

Business User

Business users will need something that can run typical office applications such as word processing and spreadsheets, so, again, a mid-range machine should suffice. Portability could be important, especially if the user is commuting with the laptop, or your job involves a lot of travel. Ideally, a business user will be looking for a sturdy machine that is capable of running any applications specific to their company’s business.

Suggestion: Core2Duo with a minimum processor speed of 2Ghz; more, if your company is using power-hungry applications. 3GB of DDR2 memory should do the job, along with a hard drive of at least 100GB capacity. Choose a machine with 802.11g wireless and a good battery life for working on the move.

Gamer

Gaming laptops might be used primarily for fun, but these are serious machines with state-of-the-art CPUs and high-end video cards – essential for running the latest PC games.

High performance means advanced cooling systems and many professional gamers believe only a desktop PC can deliver the goods when it comes to gaming. Powerful video cards tend to be bulky and games played on a laptop generally won’t have the resolutions of games played on desktops. Laptops do offer a next-best-thing solution for those who travel to participate in gaming events.

Suggestion: Get the highest spec machine you can afford. Look out for a high end video card with a minimum of 4GB of super-fast RAM. Serious gamers will have no choice but to go for a high performance desktop.

Design/Music User

To run design and music recording applications, you are going to need a high-end machine. More specifically, for music recording applications, you’ll be looking for a top-of-the-range sound card, perhaps with a break-out box for interfacing with instruments. Designers working with applications such as Photoshop will be looking for a powerful CPU and a high end video card. Both design and music applications require big hard drives for storage, masses of memory and a powerful CPU.

Suggestion: Many users believe that Apple’s range of laptops, such as the MacBook Pro are tailor-made for design and sound applications.

Desktop User

Laptops have come a long way in the last five years, both in power and aesthetically, which begs the question: why bother with a desktop PC at all? Generally, they take up much more space and involve unsightly wiring. Many of today’s laptops come with the same specification as mid-range desktops, so many users are replacing bulky, unsightly desktop computers with stylish high performance laptops. These machines tend to be a lot bigger than traditional laptops and obviously aren’t as portable. Large tiltable screens (sometimes with touchscreen functionality) of 20 inches or more are the norm, very often in widescreen format for watching movies.

Suggestion: Models, such as Sony’s Vaio series offer high processing speeds, Blu-ray optical drives and the power to run high-definition video. These are the sort of features you should be looking for if you are looking for a laptop to replace your home desktop PC.

Student

The ideal laptop for a student user will largely depend on the subjects being studied. Design, music and gaming applications will obviously demand a higher end specification. Most students, however, will want to combine portability along with economy, so if the machine is just for study, surfing and word processing applications, the best option here may be an ultra-portable Netbook. These are generally low power systems with a small CPU – but big battery life.

Suggestion: Small, portable and sturdy is important here if the machine is going to be commuting to college daily. A Netbook with a built in webcam would be ideal. For something with more power, something similar in spec to the business user’s model will be able to handle the most arduous student tasks.

Power to the people.

So now you know what type of user you are, what should you be looking for next? CPU processing speeds range greatly. Traditionally, laptops didn’t have the power of desktops, but all that has changed with Intel’s Dual Core CPUs. Consider a quad core processor for high-end use. But, whatever laptop you opt for always ensure a reputable brand of CPU, such as Intel or AMD Sempron.

Storage.

Nowadays hard drives are capable of holding massive amounts of data. One terabyte drives have become common. How much storage space you need will depend on what you use it for. If you keep most of your information backed up on a primary PC or back-up drive, then a smaller drive will do.

Don’t forget your memory.

2GBs of Ram should be enough for student users. However, business and home users should be looking at between 2GB and 4GB. Gamers and high end application users will be looking for anything up to 8GB, basically the maximum their motherboard will support.

Screen Size

The more portable your laptop needs to be, then the more screen size you will have to sacrifice. Most Netbook screens are no larger than 11 inches, but if you’re replacing a desktop or using your laptop for watching movies, then the bigger, the better. Many laptop screens now come in widescreen formats for this purpose.

Fit for Purpose.

Always take into account the primary uses for your laptop. If you’re mainly going to be watching movies, make sure you get a widescreen laptop with HD capability. If you’re going to be on the move a lot, you’ll want a sturdy machine that’s easily portable.

Many laptops come with integrated card readers. Get one that’s compatible with your needs. For example, you might need a card reader that’s compatible with the memory card from your phone. Finally, check you have all the right connectors for your peripheral devices and enough USB ports for your needs.

Don’t forget wireless connectivity. Most laptops come with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi these days. Ensure you have the options you need to connect with your peripherals.

Buying Tips

So you know what specification you’re looking for and you’re ready to hand over your hard-earned cash for the laptop of your dreams? What should you be looking out for?

Even if you’re looking to save money by buying online, it makes sense to go to the High Street and experience the machines first hand. When it comes to buying a laptop, it can really pay to buy quality branded components, such as the CPU and hard drive. Always buy a brand you know and trust.

Don’t forget to try out the keyboard. Does it feel comfortable for you?

When it comes to costing your package, take into account add-ons such as the operating systems and basic software, such as security or word processing applications.

Different Brands for Different People.

• Apple laptops are popular with designers and musicians.
• Dell builds good all-round machines for home use. High end Dell machines can make a good choice for gamers.
• Lenovo‘s newest machines have excellent battery life – a good choice if you are a business user or student.
• Toshiba are now making very good all-purpose laptops that are positioned at challenging the rule of the family desktop. Toshiba machines also have a reputation for being reliable.
• Fujitsu laptops are renowned for low power consumption, durability and silent operation.
• Sony’s Vaio range is powerful, yet lightweight, making them good high performance portables.
• Asus are best known for their range of EEE PC Netbooks – perfect for lightweight student use.
• Samsung are gaining a reputation for building stylish laptops with good all-round specification.
• Hewlett Packard’s Compaq range comes with security functionality built-in. These have been purpose-built for the business market.

Future-proof your Purchase

Unlike desktops, laptops don’t last forever, so always think ahead. Laptops can become out-of-date very quickly. Check what components can be upgraded and what can’t, taking into account how you expect to use the machine in the future. With luck, you can expect a realistic lifetime for your laptop of about five years.

There are a lot of washing machines out there, so finding the right one for your family can be a bit of a maze. For a family washing machine, cheap is not always the way to go. A family washing machine could be used every day, so you need a proven washing machine brand that is reliable and hard-working. If you are really limited on budget, the Beko WM5100W may be a good option with its 5kg capacity. However, if you have more than four in your family, you should be looking at a capacity of 6Kg or more. The Siemens WM12S494GB will give you as much as a 40% increase in capacity and is very energy efficient with little extra power or water needed.

On top or out in front.

Where you’ll be keeping your washing machine and how much space you have for your machine is vital. When taking this into consideration, the layout of the area where you locate your machine will also have an impact on whether you go for a front-loader or a top-loader. Top-loaders are usually thinner, but front-loaders could be stacked, perhaps with a dryer. Top-loaders generally have a slower spin rate, but they are usually fitted with agitators, which some claim gives better cleaning results. Whirlpool does good top-loader washing machines. Their AWE6517 comes with a high energy rating, a 5kg load and a fast cycle, ideal for the smaller family.

A clean getaway.

The speed of the spin is important, especially if you don’t have a dryer, as this will have a big impact on how long it takes to dry your laundry. Obviously, the faster the spin, the faster the drying time. If you don’t have a dryer, look for a spin time of at least 1000rpm. Bear in mind though, generally, the faster the spin, then the bigger the price tag. Anything more than 1100rpm is regarded as overkill and the wear and tear of such speeds can result in a reduced life span for the machine.

What type of washing do you do? If you have a need for a specific type of washing such as silks or delicates, make sure your washing machine has a corresponding program. Many people find having an ‘express’ program handy, or energy-efficient cycle that can save you money and help the environment. The LG F1256QD has a wide variety of programs to suit everyone and costs significantly less than other brands.

Washer-dryers.

Of course, you could opt for a washer dryer to save space, which gives you a whole new range of options to choose from. Baumatic is a good brand for washer dryers. With a 10kg capacity the MEGA410W should satisfy the most demanding family’s needs.

See Also: Washing Machine Guide

When you think about it, your washing machine puts up with a lot. If you enjoy outdoor sports or have a young family, the machine has to work really hard to remove the dirt and grime that your clothes pick up in your everyday life. And if you use washable nappies instead of disposables…well let’s not even go there.

Yet most of us use the same cycle for everything. You just chuck in the clothes and turn the dial, and hope for the best. But this approach means that you do not get value for money from what was probably a hefty household investment.  Instead, follow these tips to help you get the most out of your washing machine.

Read the instructions

This may sound obvious, but if you do not use the appropriate program for the right wash load, your clothes will not last as long or look as good. This is particularly the case with delicates. So selecting the right settings means that you will not have to replace your clothes as regularly.

Clean it!

Depending on the model of washing machine, most makes have at least one filter. This has to be cleaned regularly, or the machine will not work efficiently and may clog. It’s best to check the instructions that came with the machine to make sure that you are doing this correctly. If you have lost them, telephone the manufacturer’s customer service line for help and advice.

If you constantly stick to low temperatures for cost and environmental reasons, it is advisable to do a boil wash about once a month to make sure that there is no fungal build up in the machine.

Try 30˚C

Notwithstanding your monthly boil wash to clean out the system, consider switching to 30˚C for everything else to save money and the environment. This may not be appropriate for a grubby football kit or a washable nappy, but lightly soiled everyday clothes should be fine at this temperature.

Keep it level

Finally, if your washing machine has been working strangely or erratically and making funny noises, check whether or not it is level before telephoning an engineer. The machine is full of complex components that work best when the machine is on an even surface. You could save yourself the cost of an expensive call out charge by placing a coaster under one corner!

See Also:  Washing Machine Guide

Most people who have a microwave just use it for reheating leftovers or warming ready meals. Generally seen as the poorer relation of the gas or electric oven, the microwave is stuck in the corner of 95% of family kitchens, underused and unloved

But have you ever considered your microwave to be an eco-warrior? Using between 30% and 70% less energy than your electric oven, it is one of the most efficient ways to cook food. This saves you time and money – and of course leaves a smaller carbon footprint than its more conventional cousins. And given that little or no fat or water is required, microwaving fruit and vegetables preserves the goodness they contain because you do not end up pouring the water soluble vitamins and minerals down the sink when you are draining them.

If you are the person who ends up cleaning the kitchen most regularly, you’ll note that microwaves do not get as dirty as mainstream ovens so this is another advantage.

Of course, the microwave will never and should never replace more traditional cooking methods. Roast potatoes, grilled steak and slow cooked casseroles would not taste the same if they were prepared in the microwave. But what can the home cook do to get more use out of hers?

Read the instructions

Often binned or filed days after purchasing an electrical item, the instructions can offer you valuable advice about using your microwave. Learning to use the following functions can guarantee foolproof results and perfectly cooked food.

• Weight based cooking – If you programme in the foodstuff’s weight and size, the microwave will work out exactly how long it will take to cook, and automatically stop when the food is done.
• Combination modes – Learning how to use combination modes can overcome some commonly held objections that cooks have about microwaved food. For example, combining convection and radiation as methods of cooking mean that the food is cooked quickly, but also has the flavour that comes from being cooked in an oven. Roasting a chicken is a key example here.
• Use the microwave as a “shortcut”. Cooking does not have to be an either/or choice. Softening onions in the microwave or using it to partially cook potatoes before baking or roasting them can save you valuable time without significantly impairing the flavour.

Microwave “tricks”

There are a number of “tricks” that you can try with your microwave, that make your life easier.

• Drying herbs – place fresh herbs between two layers of kitchen towel and nuke on full power for a minute and a half. The herbs should just be starting to crumble, so store them in an airtight jar for future use.
• Smarten up soups – microwave cubes of fresh bread for five minutes and you will have fresh croutons, which will provide a professional finishing touch to any home made soup.
• Peel onions – In a sealed pyrex dish, microwave a whole onion for a minute and a half. The skin will come off easily.

All in all, your microwave can do so much more than you have given it credit for. Perhaps the key to unlocking its powers is the way that we perceive this valuable piece of kitchen equipment. Think of it as a versatile cooking device rather than a ready meal heater, and you could consider using the microwave for more and more dishes.

Paper maps are a thing of the past. When it comes to finding your way, an in-car satellite navigation thing is the way forward, especially now, when a basic GPS Sat Nav system is relatively inexpensive and simple to use.

These days, Sat Nav systems are capable of doing much more than simply helping you get to where you’re going. Many come with Bluetooth and can be synced with your phone. Some offer live traffic updates. Many come with added features to entertain you while you drive. Take all of this into consideration before you make your choice.

Some of the best brands are TomTom and Garmin. Not only have these companies some of the best Sat Nav systems on the market, they can also provide all the accessories you’ll ever need.

Let’s take a look at a few of the features you need to know about before you rush out to get your sat nav system, as how you use your system will have a big impact on your choice and how much you pay.

Portability – if you have more than one vehicle or use a company car during the working week and a family car at the weekend, you might want to aim for a portable, light and easy to install device such as the TomTom One V4.

Map coverage – all come with preloaded maps, so make sure yours covers the areas where you’ll be driving (such as abroad).

Accuracy – some GPS systems are better at giving directions than others. The whole point of sat nav is to stop you getting lost, so read Sat Nav forums to get an idea of the most accurate ones for your area. It’s not always the more expensive ones that do best in this respect. What’s important here is a connection to a good GPS system that is updated regularly with new roads and buildings. For example, the Garmin Nuvi 215 is a basic, affordable unit that comes highly recommended.

Processing time – systems that process data more slowly may not have updated your directions before you passed a certain point meaning you might have to turn back. If you need information quickly as you drive, then consider one with a faster, more powerful processor, such as the ones by Navigon.

Storage capacity – if you’re using your system in more locations, obviously you’ll need more storage space for the additional maps.

Additional features – If you simply want to know how to get from Point A to Point B, then a simple system with user-friendly features and perhaps even a music player will be what you’re looking for. Systems vary hugely from the most basic, to the most complex, at which point they may becomes less user-friendly. After all, do you really need to know how to get to Leningrad via New Delhi without using a motorway?

However, if you are looking for a high-end model that combines Sat Nav with Bluetooth phone pairing and a complete entertainment system, then one of Pioneer’s AVIC models might be just up your street.

If you’ve ever thought about building your own home theatre system, you will, no doubt, have come across a weird and wonderful range of audio formats, making it all more than a little confusing. Read on to find out what exactly they do and whether or not you actually need to know about them at all.

In reality, many of the abbreviations on the back of your DVD or Blu-Ray Player don’t mean that much at all. Many are just acronyms made up by marketers to make their equipment sound better than their competitors. THX, for example, isn’t even a sound format but a certification programme that states your equipment will play a movie the way the director intended it to be played.

The two digital audio formats you do need to concern yourself with are Dolby and DTS, both of which come in three different flavours of their own.

Before we delve into both, let’s look at the basics of surround sound. Surround sound, these days, comes in 5.1 or 7.1.  5.1 audio is five channels of sound corresponding to front right, front left, centre, back right and back left, along with a separate subwoofer channel, while 7.1 includes two side speakers.

Digital audio is made up of pulse code modulation, PCM, for short. This data is very bulky, so Dolby and DTS encode the information to make it more manageable. When you play it in a Dolby or DTS-compatible DVD player, Blu-ray or receiver, the data is decoded and sent to the speakers as analogue audio.

Dolby

Dolby comes in three common standards. Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby Digital. Dolby TrueHD is the highest quality as it consists of lossless uncompressed digital data. Generally, this is what’s used by Blu-Ray players and the PlayStation 3 and delivers audio in 7.1 at up to 18 megabits (Mbps).

Dolby Digital Plus delivers 7.1 too, but only up to 3 megabits per second. Still, it’s better than Dolby Digital which only manages 5.1 at 448 kilobits (kbps) on DVD and 640 kbps on Blu-Ray.

There is a separate Dolby standard you will have heard of and that is Dolby Pro Logic. This is worth mentioning as it is used to convert stereo signals from older movies into a format that can be played over 5 channels.

DTS

DTS (named after the company that created it, Digital Theatre Systems) also comes in three comparable formats: DTS-HD Master Audio is the equivalent of Dolby’s TrueHD, supporting a bitrate of up to 24 Mbps and up to 8 channels. Mind you, Blu-ray audio maxes out at around 3 megabits, so you’re unlikely to need that much.

DTS High Resolution Audio comes next supporting 8 channels up to 6 Mbps, followed by DTS Digital Surround Sound (used mostly for DVD) supporting 5.1 up to 1.5 Mbps. Although, again, DVDs rarely use all of this bitrate.

Finally, both Dolby and DTS have digital surround technologies that make 5.1 tracks sound like digital surround sound through stereo speakers or headphones.

And that’s really all you need to know about the basics of audio standards when setting up your home theatre. It’s worth remembering however that, although Dolby TrueHD and DTS High Resolution Audio are the best quality you can get, unless you have a state-of-the-art system, you’re unlikely to notice the difference between these formats and their mid-range companions.