Best Streaming Media Players
The top-rated Netgear Digital Entertainer HD EVA8000 has unique features like Flickr photo streaming, Apple and Windows Media DRM support, and DVR capabilities.
PC World Staff
Bottom Line:
This compact, easy-to-set-up streamer lacks Wi-Fi, and rival streamers deliver better audio output.
PC World Rating:
67 (Fair)
- Price when rated: $180
- Ease of setup: Very Good
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Good/Very Good
- Networking: ethernet only
- HD video: up to 1080i
- PCW Rating: 67 Fair
- Manufacturer Url:
- Last Rated: June 19, 2007
Bottom Line:
This is a great audio server that happens to connect to your TV. Other products stream video better, though.
PC World Rating:
68 (Fair)
- Price when rated: $249
- Ease of setup: Poor
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Good/Poor
- Networking: ethernet, 802.11a+g, Wi-Fi
- HD video: up to 720p; 2.5 mbps video streams
- PCW Rating: 68 Fair
- Manufacturer Url:
- Last Rated: June 19, 2007
Bottom Line:
This player handles many formats but calls for lots of tech savvy. You can add your own hard drive.
PC World Rating:
69 (Fair)
- Price when rated: $300
- Ease of setup: Poor
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Good/Very Good
- Networking: ethernet, 802.11g, Wi-Fi
- HD video: up to 1080p
- PCW Rating: 69 Fair
- Manufacturer Url:
- Last Rated: June 19, 2007
Bottom Line:
The CS510 has great sound and extras like weather info, but it suffers from awkward slide-show viewing.
PC World Rating:
73 (Good)
- Price when rated: $249
- Ease of setup: Good
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Good/Good
- Networking: ethernet, 802.11g, Wi-Fi
- HD video: up to 1080i
- PCW Rating: 73 Good
- Manufacturer Url:
- Last Rated: June 19, 2007
Bottom Line:
The DSM-520 delivers great sound; its standard-definition video was sometimes a little blocky, however.
PC World Rating:
76 (Good)
- Price when rated: $210
- Ease of setup: Good
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Fair/Good
- Networking: ethernet, 802.11g, Wi-Fi
- HD video: up to 1080i
- PCW Rating: 76 Good
- Last Rated: June 19, 2007
Bottom Line:
Apple's video receiver is stylish and easy to set up, but you're confined to iTunes-supported content.
PC World Rating:
79 (Good)
- Price when rated: $299
- Ease of setup: Superior
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Superior/Good
- Networking: ethernet, 802.11g, Wi-Fi
- HD video: up to 720p decode; upscales to 1080i
- PCW Rating: 79 Good
- Last Rated: June 25, 2007
Bottom Line:
Though pricey, the EVA8000 offers versatile features and DRM support that you won't find anywhere else.
PC World Rating:
82 (Very Good)
- Price when rated: $350
- Ease of setup: Good
- Standard-definition/high-definition video quality: Very Good/Very Good
- Networking: ethernet, 802.11g, Wi-Fi
- HD video: up to 1080p
- PCW Rating: 82 Very Good
- Last Rated: June 19, 2007
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