It is possible for your vehicle to get the same audio experience as in the home theater. A DVD car receiver surround sound is what you will most likely need. The options of obtaining a true 5.1 surround system are on the market for purchase. A true 5.1 theater system comprises of two front speakers, a center speaker, two rear speakers, and a sub woofer for low-end sound (frequencies). This is generally the same type of setup within a vehicle.
What do I need to get for the theater experience in my vehicle?
You can purchase an in-dash DVD player or Dolby Digital®/DTS®-compatible DVD player to a separate component called a surround-sound decoder. One of the most common connections between the components is the digital optical cable; check your components to ensure that they are compatible. If not, there may be an adapter that might be available for purchase.
Once the car DVD player or receiver is connected to the decoder via the optical cable, you can then run the output audio to separate amplifiers to provide amplification for the two front speakers, the center speaker, and the rear speakers. It is possible to run the signal back from the decoder into the DVD receiver and use the receiver to send the audio signal. If you have a DVD receiver that has this capability, then you do not need a separate amplifier for the front and rear speakers. In general, you may need a separate amplifier for the sub woofer. These speakers may also be self-amplified as well. The amplifier is built into the sub woofer, which makes purchasing a separate amplifier for it unnecessary.
Do I have any other options?
Well, you can install a DVD player/receiver that already has the surround sound capability built in already. These car DVD players can process the digital sound signal internally (no need for an external unit like the one I described above). It will give you all of the necessary speaker outputs for the front, center, and rear speakers. You may still need to buy an amplifier and sub woofer or an amplified sub woofer (amp is built into the sub woofer) to complete the audio system.
Another option may be that you can purchase a multiple channel theater component. These units have all of the amplifiers and outputs for the necessary 5 speakers (front, center, and rear), as well, an output for a sub woofer amplifier, built in.
Take a look at the diagram below for an idea of how your setup may look like:
