BEST BLU RAY PLAYER
Sony
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BDPS500B
RRP $999
Sony's S300 entry-level Blu-ray player left us wanting more, but it's higher-end but still highly affordable big brother, the S500B, did no such thing. This player has super-keen control over both audio and video, playing HD content better than any other player we've so far come across. Worth mentioning that it only plays Profile 1.0, so it's not the most future-proofed player in the world, but you could always upgrade at a later date.
BEST PVR
Beyonwiz
DPH1
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RRP $TBC
This is more than just a PVR, Beyonwiz aims to be your home entertainment "epicentre." The idea is that this player is networkable, so you can play movies and music stored on a PC via the Beyonwiz. It can receive HD TV broadcasts and record it once you've attached an external USB hard disk drive. This is one versatile player.
BEST HOME THEATRE KIT UNDER $2,000
Mordaunt Short
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Alumni
RRP $1,499
Proving you don't need to shell out too much for a decent home theatre sound system, this Mordaunt Short kit comprises of five satellite speakers and a subwoofer – Tannoy Australia throws in the mounting brackets too. Featuring a beautifully schmick design, this sub/sat system has a seamless soundscape.
BEST HOME THEATRE KIT OVER $2,000
Bowers & Wilkins
MT-30
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RRP $3,894
A treat for both the eyes and the ears, this B&W system, with its metal alloy enclosures intelligent cable management and robust build quality, takes sub/sat design to the next level. Performance is outstanding. Stereo music sings, while multi-channel mode delivers a seamless, supremely entertaining soundstag. A class act.
BEST DVD RECORDER
Pioneer
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DVRLX60D
RRP $999
If networking and hard drives are still scary concepts for you – why not try a DVD recorder? Think of it as a VCR that uses blank DVDs instead of blank tapes. But the bonus with this
Pioneer model is that it also sports a 250GB hard disk drive – so you can record all your favourite eps of Underbelly to watch later, and have the option of copying them to DVD as well.
BEST DVD PLAYER
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RRP $349
Although Blu-ray has become the last next-gen disc format left standing, that's not to say that a good DVD player won't get a lot of mileage out of your movie collection. Cue the 1740. This DVD player features HDMI connectivity and will upscale your standard def DVD collection up to 1080p.
