The YSP-4100 is a sophisticated, modern and convincing attempt to produce surround sound from one box

You get plenty for your money with the HT-BD1250 – but if you can rustle together a little extra, there are better alternatives

This may well be the neatest home cinema system ever conceived - if you're still persevering with your TV's speakers, you have to hear Q-TV2

A great Blu-ray system blessed with fantastic picture quality and excellent sound

Bit of a let-down, really. For all its unlikely low-frequency ability, the Panorama doesn't add up

Quality home cinema convenience for really not very much money at all

For most users most of the time, and especially in light of its value, this is a winner

An immaculate all-round performance - for the money it's a sensational machine and extremely difficult to beat

The Pioneer is a very capable and appealing machine

The 3310 is very accomplished but it just lacks the wow factor needed to justify a full five-star rating

A good option, especially if you're a fan of Pioneers. However, it can just be bettered in the performance-per-pound stakes

This could be the sweet spot of Denon’s latest home cinema amps – the 2310 is a superb machine for the money

An attractive, feature-packed player that deserves to be auditioned

There are nearly always compromises with budget kit: the BD-P1600 is no different but it remains a compelling option on a budget

It's nigh-on impossible to gripe with what's on offer here for $269

Yet another solid Sony: not as seductive as some in the range, perhaps, but impossible to dislike

The S760 is a remarkable achievement, delivering peerless performance at a more-than-reasonable price

Leaner and fitter for the fight, this is the best PS3 yet, and a decent alternative to a standalone BD player

A fine concept hampered by some iffy execution, the ALFiE gets enough right to warrant consideration as a second system. The user interface will try your patience, though

For spacious rooms and the style-conscious home cinema fan, the Samsung is well worth a look, but we wish that centre was better