Home theater

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.

Apple 40GB AppleTV

Apple's video receiver is stylish and easy to set up, but you're confined mostly to iTunes-supported content. On the other hand, that content now includes downloadable movies.

Netgear Entertainer HD EVA8000

The pricey EVA8000 offers versatile features and DRM support that you won't find anywhere else.

D-Link DSM-520 Wireless HD Media Player

The DSM-520 delivers great sound. Standard-definition video, however, was sometimes a little blocky.

Ziova CS510 High Definition Network Media Player

The CS510 has nice sound and extras like weather info, but suffers from awkward slide-show viewing.

Mvix Wireless HD Media Center MX-760 HD

This player handles many formats but calls for plenty of tech savvy. You can also add your own hard drive.

ZyXEL DMA-1000 Digital Media Theater

This compact, easy-to-set-up streamer lacks Wi-Fi, and rival streamers provide better audio output.