Home-theater enthusiasts have a lot to play with this year, as top-quality HDTVs, media streamers, headphones, and music players from Apple, Samsung, Sonos, and Western Digital, among others, make our list.
Samsung UN55C8000
LCD HDTV; $2900 Slim and sexy, this LED-backlit TV has it all--slick design, lots of features, and excellent image quality. Did we mention that this 55-inch TV is less than an inch thick? (#11 in the PCWorld 100)
Samsung UN55C8000 review | samsung.com
Samsung LN46C650
LCD HDTV; $1100 The LN46C650, an inexpensive HDTV set that lacks the LED backlighting and 240Hz refresh rates of rivals, nonetheless clobbers them in image quality. It's a better TV, yet it costs about $2000 less than its nearest competitors. (#20)
Samsung LN46C650 review | samsung.com
Apple TV
Media streamer; $99 Want to stream your iTunes library--including your home movies and iPhoto pics--to your TV? The Apple TV does all that and streams Netflix,too, with typical Apple flair. (#21)
Western Digital WD TV Live Plus
Media streamer; $150 The WD TV Live Plus network media player edges out the better-known Roku with its mix of online streaming services and its ability to stream your content via a network or a USB drive. (#22)
Western Digital WD TV Live Plus review | wdc.com
Sonos ZonePlayer S5
Networked audio player; $399 The S5--an affordable version of the impeccable Sonos audio system--looks a bit like a high-end iPod dock but can also play music from your hard drive, as well as from online services such as Pandora and Rhapsody. The sound is fabulous. (#30)
Sonos ZonePlayer S5 review | sonos.com
SlingPlayer Mobile
Mobile app; $30 per month This app plays the live cable TV you get at home on your mobile device. In the past year Sling Media has dramatically improved the SlingPlayer app, which runs on cellular and Wi-Fi networks. (#48)
