Mainstream HDTV accessories and add-ons
David Katzmaier,
Senior Editor
December 2, 2008
When we say "mainstream" we mean a home theater system centered on an HDTV that's neither bargain-basement nor pricey-penthouse. If that describes your television, read on to check out our recommended add-ons and accessories that will bring it to life.
"Accessories" for an HDTV starts with cables, and while we highly recommend getting less-expensive HDMI cables, the list doesn't stop there. Harmony makes the most-capable universal remotes, and the venerable 550 is still the best value in the company's lineup. Our favorite standalone Blu-ray player so far is the Panasonic DMP-BD35, which offers a great mix of features for an affordable price. If you'd rather ditch your cable company's DVR, the TiVo HD is a superb step-up, and includes serious streaming and multimedia options. Speaking of streaming and multimedia, iTunes junkies and movie fans can all find something to like when browsing Apple TV's prodigious list of content. No HDTV experience is complete without a moving surround-sound experience, courtesy of the Panasonic home-theater-in-a-box.
Rounding out the list is the PlayStation 3, the quintessential home theater jack-of-all-trades. Yes, it plays games, but it can also deliver the best Blu-ray experience of any player on the market, it stream videos and music from a networked PC, it download and play movies from the Sony store, it lets you browse the Web and play back videos from Hulu and YouTube, and it will wash your dishes. OK, it won't wash your dishes, but you get the idea. And at $400, the PS3 is still the best value of any high-definition home video product, period.
| Product name | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Check Prices | $169.95 to $469.99 | $244.53 to $299.99 | $175.00 | $249.99 to $429.95 | $259.99 |
| CNET editors' rating |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Average user rating | ||||||
| Review date | March 30, 2006 | October 15, 2008 | July 23, 2007 | March 22, 2007 | March 18, 2008 | October 08, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | The PC-programmable Logitech Harmony 550 universal remote control offers a sleek design, an impressive feature set, and a manageable price tag. | The Panasonic DMP-BD35 represents the best value in standalone Blu-ray players, with excellent image quality, a comprehensive feature set, and a price that's significantly lower than the PS3. | While it's not compatible with your cable company's interactive and video-on-demand services, the TiVo HD's excellent onscreen interface and long list of network and Internet features puts it in a class above the generic high-def DVRs offered by most cable providers. | With its enhanced iTunes video offerings, PC-free operation, and a lower price tag, the updated Apple TV is a compelling Internet-enabled entertainment device for the living room. | With a five-disc changer, wireless rear speakers, and an integrated iPod dock, the Panasonic SC-PT760 offers a solid value for anyone looking for an affordable all-in-one home theater solution. | Even though PS2 backward compatibility has been dropped from this version, the 80GB PS3 is still a superb Blu-ray player and high-definition game console. |
| Similar Products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products | Compare more products |
| Features | ||||||
| Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications | Full specifications |
| Buying choices |
|
|
|
|
||
- Reviews & advice
- Site map
- Editorial policies
- Meet the editors
- How we test
- Forums
- Internet speed test
- Popular topics
- Apple iPhone
- Apple iPod
- Cell phones
- Dell
- GPS
- LCD TV
- CNET sites
- CNET Site map
- CNET TV
- Downloads
- News
- Reviews
- Shopper.com
- More information
- Newsletters
- CNET Mobile
- Customer Help Center
- RSS
- CNET Widgets
- About CNET
-
TOP PRODUCTS FROM TOP BRANDS
