Hoping for the s-am-e in the no-tto-odistant, my fine Cornish pirate
MDB, I've been happier and happier with my new mediacentre PC running XBMCbuntu hooked up to my plasma via HDMI; great picture quality even with online-services like 4OD (didn't think it was possible really, given results on laptop and PS3), great sound quality too, none of the digital mud I get from my laptop.
I've never considered getting a surround system, I've not got over the mental block that two ears = two speakers = enough, when I've grown 8 ears I might consider 7.1
Pretty sure I've read about wireless HDMI sender/receivers somewhere? Or get a small computer like a Revo or even a Raspberry Pi for your a/v needs. I actually use a desktop PC but it's overkill and a bit visible, I'm not too bothered about component æsthetics though.
And thanks for the comment on our balance, can't remember being strict at all though

OK maybe once and I'm still not sure about the decision.
Maybe twice. That's just me though, the other mods are like an offshoot of Golden Dawn, takes all my energy to keep them in line.