An AV receiver or otherwise known as a home theater receiver, is really the heart of a home theater system. It provides most of the inputs and outputs that you connect everything to, including your television, providing users an easy and cost-effective way of centralizing their home theater system.
AV receivers are certainly for folks who enjoy movies, and not just music. Folks whose main interest is in music and obtaining the best from their collection of CDs and LPs, a stereo amplifier is what they should be looking for. Movie buffs wanting to enjoy their favorite flick in the comforts of their own home, would be looking at an AV receiver so they get to enjoy movie soundtracks in all their glory.