It's Showtime

By Wilson Rothman

HIGHLY DEFINED

New flat-panel televisions are getting a lot of attention these days, but the better value may be rear-projection sets. A quick price check proves the point: a 56-in. Digital Light Processing (DLP) TV from Samsung costs $5,000, Philips' 55-in. Cineos lists for $4,200, and Sony's 60-in. LCD Grand WEGA is $4,000. By comparison, a 50-in. plasma set, while handsome and sleek, will run you $15,000. And rear-projection TVs have significantly slimmed down their rears, compared with older models, so you don't need a weight lifter to lug one into your den.

ALL BOXED IN

Home-theater-in-a-box systems are by far the hottest new category in home entertainment. The guts of these systems--the DVD player and amplifier--come packaged with the speakers and subwoofer needed for surround sound. Our top choice this season is the Panasonic SC-HT1000 ($999, left), which both plays and records DVDs. Another favorite is the Samsung HT-DB660 ($799, right), with front speakers that reflect sound off your back wall for the effect of full-range surround sound without the fuss of wiring up rear speakers.

Pioneer DVR-810H TiVo/DVD Recorder This dynamic duo lets you record TV shows with TiVo, then transfer your favorites to DVD for lifetime storage. pioneerelectronics.com ($1,200)