Home theater essentials
Maybe you waded through my recent Top 5 TV�s, which actually was 9 of the damned things.
Well, to
reward you for that, I�ve got the perfect side dish: Top 5 home video gear to go with that new HDTV!
And yes, it�s actually 5 � no pesky ties!
Let�s go.
Warming things up at #5, Roku XDS streaming player.
You want to join the whole �screw you cable
company� movement�?
This is the best way to do it for a little money -- $100.
You�ll get Netflix,
Amazon, Pandora as well as MLB TV and Hulu Plus for a fee.
Not iTunes or YouTube support, though.
This thing won�t raise a vein on your forehead when setting it up.
And we like this XDS version for its
USB port for playing your own movies off a thumb drive.
#4 is the Slingbox Solo, our favorite placeshifting device.
Now, I think the Slingbox is something of a
niche device; You either don�t need one, or absolutely love it.
It takes whatever�s on at home and
streams it to just about computer, smartphone or other connected device that can run the sling
software.
It�s great if you have a pricey live sports package you waste a bunch of when you�re away
from the house.
You can get one of these guys for as little as $160.
Coming in at #3 is the Samsung BD-C6500 Blu-ray deck, our favorite straight up BD deck.
Even if you�re
just lukewarm on Blu-ray, like yours truly, this box gets you streaming services like Netflix, Vudu and
YouTube, 7.1 surround outputs and 1 gig of storage onboard and built-in Wi-Fi.
Plus Samsung is pushing
their own Apps platform so you�re just about guaranteed of an Apple-like array of apps you can load on
this box to make it a do-all home media terminal.
Get one of these for under $200 bucks and even if you
NEVER play a Blu-ray disc it�s a good idea.
At #2 we have the Harmony One do it all -- and make it easy � unified remote.
These guys sort of own
this space, and the model One is the sweet spot of their line.
You program tasks like �play DVD in 5.1
audio via HDMI input 2� or �watch live TV with audio on the soundbar and a 4:3 aspect ratio� with single
macros that are programmed via a web service.
You just press one button.
Yeah, kinda pricey at $250
list and maybe $170 street, but you tell me know expensive that is next time you�re screwing around
trying to get something to play right while your spouse stares at ceiling wondering why they married a
dork.
OK, before we hit the #1 present you should give your TV, look at how many TV�s we own these days:
Latest Nielsen numbers show just 17% of scraping by with one TV.
28% of us have two.
55% of us have
three�or MORE!
In fact the AVERAGE is now 3 per household.
�
OK, let�s reveal the #1 best piece of home video gear to hook up to at least one of those TV�s: It�s the
Sony PS3 Slim.
Just about the priciest thing on the list at $350, but still the best value.
Games, Blu-ray,
online streaming from its service as well as the others like Netflix.
And since Sony says the PS3 will get a
3D Blu-ray update later this year, you�ve got future proofing � but you will need a new 3D TV�and
that�s another Top 5.
Full details on all of these are at Matt Moskoviak�s list on CNET � keep an eye on it if you�re in the
market, this is a hot sector and new products pop up every few weeks.
Just go to CNET, click the Home
Video category, then Best Home Video products�or go to our Top 5 home at top5.cnet.com
Up Next
iPhone 14 is Missing These 5 Features
Up Next
iPhone 14 is Missing These 5 Features
Top 5 new Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors
Top 5 new Samsung Galaxy S22 rumors
Top 5 iPhone 14 Rumors
Top 5 iPhone 14 Rumors
Top 5 most exciting Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors
Top 5 most exciting Galaxy S22 Ultra rumors
Windows 11: Will Microsoft learn from past mistakes?
Windows 11: Will Microsoft learn from past mistakes?
Top 5 most exciting iPhone 13 rumors
Top 5 most exciting iPhone 13 rumors
5 cheaper alternatives to the AirPods Pro
5 cheaper alternatives to the AirPods Pro
2021 iPad Pro: The best new features
2021 iPad Pro: The best new features
5 ways to get more out of Netflix
5 ways to get more out of Netflix
2021 MacBook Pro: What to expect
2021 MacBook Pro: What to expect
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
Meta Expands Its Mixed Reality Beyond the Quest Headsets Explainer
Meta Expands Its Mixed Reality Beyond the Quest Headsets Explainer
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
What AirPods Rumors Tell Us About Apple's Health Ambitions
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
Apple May Give FineWoven Accessories One More Season
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
US vs. TikTok: What Happens Next
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Robosen's Megatron Transformer Is Too Much Fun for an Evil Robot
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
Battle of the Humanoid Robots: MenteeBot Is Ready
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
2025 Audi Q6, SQ6 E-Tron: Audi's Newest EV Is Its Most Compelling
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Hands-On with Ford's Free Tesla Charging Adapter
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
Nuro R3 is an Adorable Self-Driving Snack Bar
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Latest How To All how to videos
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
Tips and Tricks for the AirPods Pro 2
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
How to Watch the Solar Eclipse Safely From Your Phone
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro