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Best Streaming Media Players

The stylish and compact Apple TV now lets you enjoy high-definition and standard-definition movie downloads from the iTunes Store.

PC World Staff

Friday, March 21, 2008, 11:00 AM PDT
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Rank Name PCW Rating
Streaming media players
1
BEST BUY
Apple TV
Apple TV
• Price when rated: $229
• Overall ease of setup: Superior
• SD/HD video quality: Superior/Good
• Networking: Ethernet, draft-802.11n Wi-Fi
• HD video: Up to 1080p (HDMI or component)
Check latest prices
Stylish and easy-to-set-up receiver is limited mostly to iTunes-supported content, but that includes downloadable movies.
(Last Rated: March 20, 2008)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
2
Netgear Digital Entertainer HD EVA8000
Netgear Digital Entertainer HD EVA8000
• Price when rated: $350
• Overall ease of setup: Good
• SD/HD video quality: Very Good/Very Good
• Networking: Ethernet, 802.11g Wi-Fi
• HD video: Up to 1080p (HDMI or component)
Check latest prices
Though pricey, the EVA8000 offers versatile features and DRM support that you won't find anywhere else.
(Last Rated: June 19, 2007)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
3
D-Link DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player
D-Link DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player
• Price when rated: $210
• Overall ease of setup: Good
• SD/HD video quality: Fair/Good
• Networking: Ethernet, 802.11g Wi-Fi
• HD video: Up to 1080i (HDMI or component)
Check latest prices
The DSM-520 delivers great sound; its standard-definition video was sometimes a little blocky, however.
(Last Rated: June 19, 2007)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
4
Ziova CS510 High Definition Network Media Player
Ziova CS510 High Definition Network Media Player
• Price when rated: $200
• Overall ease of setup: Fair
• SD/HD video quality: Good/Good
• Networking: Ethernet, 802.11g Wi-Fi
• HD video: Up to 1080i (HDMI or component)
Check latest prices
The CS510 has great sound and extras such as weather info, but it suffers from awkward slide-show viewing.
(Last Rated: June 19, 2007)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
5
Mvix Wireless HD Media Center MX-760HD
Mvix Wireless HD Media Center MX-760HD
• Price when rated: $300
• Overall ease of setup: Poor
• SD/HD video quality: Good/Very Good
• Networking: Ethernet, 802.11g Wi-Fi
• HD video: Up to 1080p (component or DVI)
Check latest prices
This player handles many formats but calls for lots of tech savvy. You can add your own hard drive.
(Last Rated: June 19, 2007)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
6
ZyXEL DMA-1000 Digital Media Theater
ZyXEL DMA-1000 Digital Media Theater
• Price when rated: $170
• Overall ease of setup: Very Good
• SD/HD video quality: Good/Very Good
• Networking: Ethernet only
• HD video: Up to 1080i (HDMI or component)
Check latest prices
This compact, easy-to-set-up streamer lacks Wi-Fi, and rival streamers deliver better audio output.
(Last Rated: June 19, 2007)
Full Review • Test Report
Pending
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