Sound is a major part of the movie experience. Past formats like VHS provided admirable sound quality when connected to a home theater receiver, but nothing rivals DVD for its superb digital sound. Unfortunately, the movie experience isn't the same when you connect your DVD player directly to your TV. Even though some TVs have good built-in speakers, the experience when playing the sound through the TV just doesn't bring the cinematic experience to life in your living room.
Although surround sound systems are becoming commonplace in homes today, many homes still rely on a television's internal speaker to produce all of the sound when playing DVDs. Since TV speakers aren't generally designed to provide a realistic and dynamic sound experience, the use of existing stereo equipment found in most homes can dramatically improve the DVD sound experience.
Most people have a stereo system for playing CDs and cassette tapes. It could be an older rack system with large floor standing speakers, or even a smaller bookshelf system with a built in CD or tape player. Even if the stereo is older and not up-to-date with current standards, it is still compatible with DVD players. Just about any stereo will be able to produce the dynamics of a DVD soundtrack better than a TV.
DVD players have a multitude of audio outputs on the back of the unit. Most DVD players have some form of digital output, either optical, coaxial, or both, but they also have a standard RCA-style analog stereo output. This analog stereo output can be connected to any audio device with a similar stereo input. All rack-style stereo systems since the 1960's will at least have one, and many bookshelf systems (but not all) will have one as well.
(If your DVD player only has one stereo output, but want it to function like it has two, you can split the audio output into two by using a 1 Male to 2 Female "Y" cable, or any other line-level splitting/distribution device.)
When a DVD is played, the sound will come directly through the stereo speakers, which should sound more lifelike and dynamic than it was through the television. If the sound is heavy in either bass or treble, check the tone controls on the stereo unit. They might be at their maximum setting. Adjust these controls to their neutral position for an increase in sound quality. As an added bonus, a CD that is played through the DVD player will also come through the stereo speakers. Enjoy the improved sound experience!