Price: $300

What it is: This 1.1-inch-high set-top box connects to your home computer network (wired or wireless) so you can play media--digital photos, movies, and music--from your home computers on your TV.

Apple TV works with Mac computers and PCs running Windows operating systems, including Windows XP and Vista. Although the set-top box is geared for widescreen HDTVs, our testers found that Apple TV will also work with non-digital TVs that have more squarish screens with a 4:3 aspect ratio.

It can also connect to Apple's online iTunes store, but you'll have access to only snippets of a limited number of songs and videos. If you want the complete song or video, you'll have to download it to your computer first. We also found that you might have to use QuickTime Pro software ($30) to convert some digital video items--including some home videos you shot with your camcorder--before Apple TV will recognize them.