David Katzmaier,
Senior Editor
December 2, 2008
So you've got a new HDTV and you're proud that you didn't break the bank. But you're wondering what else you can grab that doesn't cost a fortune yet takes advantage of your new TV's higher-definition. Look no further than our budget list of add-ons and accessories.
"Accessories" for an HDTV start with cables, and while we highly recommend getting cheap HDMI cables, the list doesn't stop there. Philips' universal remote control lacks the easy programming of a Harmony, but it's cheaper. Insignia's Blu-ray player costs less than $170, leaving some cash to actually buy discs. If you'd rather forgo Blu-ray for now, Panasonic's entry-level DVD recorder can play DVDs via HDMI and serve as a makeshift DVR. The $99 Roku box lets you stream Netflix videos, and HD capability is coming soon. Sony's single-speaker home theater speaker system isn't the cheapest on the market, but solid performance makes it the best value.
Finally, the biggest bang for your buck comes courtesy of the Xbox 360. Not only can it play games (duh), but it can also stream Netflix in HD now, serve up videos and music from a windows PC, and play DVDs. We can't think of a better way to spend $300 on your HDTV.
| Product name | ||||||
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| Price | $103.99 | Check Prices | $159.99 to $195.85 | $99.99 | $246.99 to $299.99 | $269.99 to $299.99 |
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| Review date | August 17, 2007 | August 18, 2008 | July 16, 2008 | March 03, 2009 | June 05, 2008 | October 15, 2008 |
| The Bottom Line | Philips' superb Prestigo SRU8010 will appeal to TV-centric users looking for a universal remote that's both affordable and easy to set up. | The Insignia NS-BRDVD is competent as a relatively cheap, barebones Blu-ray player, but better players are coming and the Sony PlayStation 3 is a superior option for those with just a little more cash. | Outstanding recording quality and tons of features, like flexible recording speed and chasing playback, make the Panasonic DMR-EA18K an excellent all-purpose DVD recorder. | The one-two punch of Amazon and Netflix makes the Roku Player an enticing choice for anyone looking for a simple, convenient, and affordable alternative to cable or satellite TV. | Sony's HT-CT100 soundbar/subwoofer audio system is a phenomenal value that sounds great with movies and music. | Now that Blu-ray has become the pre-eminent high-definition standard for discs, the Xbox 360 has yet to support it, but it still remains an excellent game console with a superior game library and online experience. |
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