We’ve added three products to The List for October. Printer specialist HP put a color scientist in charge of creating the company’s first rear-projection TV, a 65-inch 1080p monster no less, and just about slam-dunked it. Escient gets a nod for making its highly evolved FireBall music-server technology available for half the cost of prior models. Pioneer’s latest Elite A/V receiver, though pricey, is a solid performer with integrated iPod control and XM-readiness. For the full review of any other product here, go to soundandvisionmag.com. All prices are manufacturers’ list, which may bear no resemblence to actual selling prices. Check with authorized dealers for current pricing.Panasonic Onyx TH-42XVS30U 42-in plasma
$6,500, May 2005
Not the cheapest 42-inch plasma HDTV, but stunning to look at in every way.
panasonic.com
Pioneer PDP-4350HD 43-in plasma
$5,000, May 2005
Style, great features, and a clear, natural picture further cement Pioneer as a plasma leader.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Dell W4200 42-in plasma
$2,599, September 2005
With its crisp, natural picture, excellent tuner, and low price, this could be the sweetest flat-TV deal going.
dell.com
Sony Qualia 006 70-in SXRD
$13,000, May 2005
This high-end set featuring 1080p-resolution LCoS technology is simply the best RPTV we’ve tested.
sony.com/qualia
RCA Scenium Profiles HD61THW263 61-in DLP
$7,999, December 2004
Excellent performance in an unusually trim DLP projector, just 7 inches deep.
rca.com
HP Pavilion MD6580n 65-in DLP
$5,500, October 2005
A loaded feature set combined with a mammoth 1080p picture that holds its own against Sony’s $13,000 Qualia 006.
hp.com
Mitsubishi WD-52627 52-in DLP
$3,699, September 2005
1080p resolution, a super-smooth picture, deep blacks, and vibrant color create a winning combo.
mitsubishi-tv.com
Sharp XV-Z2000 DLP
$4,000, July/August 2005
Fine HDTV home theater performance with the benefits of DLP at a sensible price.
sharpusa.com
Sony Cineza VPL-HS51 LCD
$3,500, April 2005
There’s terrific value in this LCD projector that delivers great HDTV and progressive-scan DVD images.
sonystyle.com
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Denon DVD-3910 universal HDMI player
$1,499, January 2005
Superb video upconversion and onboard bass management for all formats.
www.usa.denon.com
Lite-On LVW-5045 DVD/hard-disk recorder
$399, July/August 2005
Ease of use and convenient high-speed dubbing from hard drive to DVD make this deck a winner.
liteonamericas.com
Panasonic DVD-S77 HDMI player
$250, September 2005
Progressive-scan video that’s a cut above typical DVD players.
panasonic.com
Panasonic DMR-ES10 recorder
$200, June 2005
An entry-level recorder with solid video quality and good editing chops.
panasonic.com
Kaleidescape movie server
$22,500 and up, Feb/March 2004
Now in its second generation and still the ultimate hard-disk movie player.
kaleidescape.com
Xperinet Polaris video/music server
$6,995, June 2005
Hard-disk-based movie and music distribution in a “poor man’s Kaleidescape.”
xperinet.com
Escient FireBall DVDM-300 music server/DVD controller
$4,999, June 2005
A proven hard-disk music system with flawless DVD changer control.
www.escient.com
Escient Fireball SE-80 music server
$999, October 2005
A new low price for Escient’s friendly Music Manager user interface, along with wireless PDA control and other features.
www.escient.com
Denon AVR-5805
$6,000, May 2005
10-channel behemoth with high-end sound and truly amazing multiroom flexibility.
www.usa.denon.com
Onkyo TX-NR1000
$5,000, June 2005
Excellent performance, sophisticated features, and a future-proof modular chassis.
onkyousa.com
Yamaha RX-Z9
$4,499, May 2004
THX Ultra2 certification, 51 surround programs, 9 channels — and that’s just the beginning.
yamaha.com/yec
Pioneer VSX-74TXVi
$1,700, October 2005
Well-executed iPod control through the receiver remote and display, XM satellite-radio capability, and powerful sonics.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
Denon AVR-3805
$1,199, July/August 2004
A versatile mix of high power, thoughtful features, and performance.
www.usa.denon.com
Yamaha RX-V657
$550, September 2005
Integrated XM satellite radio tuning, good sound, plus Yamaha’s extensive surround mode options.
yamaha.com/yec
Marantz SR4500
$430, July/August 2005
Strong power reserves and some sophisticated user adjustments belie its low price.
marantz.com
Pioneer VSX-815
$365, July/August 2005
Easy auto setup stands out at this price and combines with solid audio performance.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
MartinLogan Fresco
$5,970, January 2004
Turns ears and eyes with the spacious sonics from its dipole drivers and its sexy good looks.
martinlogan.com
B&W FPM
$4,650, January 2004
The Flat Panel Monitor system delivers high-end sound from speakers just 4 inches deep.
bwspeakers.com
Definitive Technology Mythos
$3,694, January 2004
DefTech invented the high-performance “plasma speaker” with this slim, aluminum-enclosure system.
definitivetech.com
Atlantic Technology FS-3200
$2,465 to $2,660, April 2005
Most of the performance of AT’s 4200 system in a cheaper, flat-screen-friendly package.
atlantictechnology.com
Infinity TSS-4000/1100
$2,394, September 2005
An all-around great-sounding and good-looking on-wall/freestanding system.
infinitysystems.com
Magnepan Magneplanar MC-1
$2,250, April 2005
Thin dipole-panel speakers that deliver remarkably three-dimensional and accurate sound.
magnepan.com
Energy Take Series
$2,225, July/August 2005
Extends the high-value tradition set by the original Take 5 series in a stylish new design.
energy-speakers.com
Definitive Technology Mythos Gem
$2,048, June 2005
Mythos junior at an affordable price, with a kick-ass mini-sub thrown in.
definitivetech.com
Paradigm Cinema 110
$800, April 2005
An excellent-sounding and stylish compact system with dipole surrounds — a rarity at this price.
paradigm.com
HSU Research Ventriloquist V-12/STF-1
$500, October 2004
Cleverly designed 6.1-channel system that represents the pinnacle of value.
hsuresearch.com
Klipsch iFi iPod sound system
$400, May 2005
The best-sounding iPod speaker add-on we’ve tried to date.
klipsch.com/ifi
iriver H10 portable music player
$250, July/August 2005
At the price of an iPod Mini, the 5-GB H10 throws in a color display, photo playback, FM radio, and a recorder.
iriveramerica.com
Yahoo Music Unlimited download service
$6.99 a month, July/August 2005
It won’t do iPod, but it’s the best deal on the Web thanks to the low price and a feature-laden interface.
yahoo.com
Polk Audio XRt12 XM satellite radio tuner
$330, Feb/March 2005
Notable sound quality and a TV output for viewing channel data make this a worthy add-on.
polkaudio.com
Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote control
$250, July/Aug 2005
This advanced model boasts a full-color LCD screen, but any Harmony remote is a good remote.
logitech.com