Stack your system full of software without paying a penny, with our guide to essential downloads

Play your video, photo and music files on your TV from a networked PC. We put five network players to the test

Easy to use, and with space for a second SATA disk, but it struggles with small files and is overpriced for the features.

Plenty of features for such a small box. If you don’t already have a wireless router, this is a fantastic choice.

Superb performance, quiet running and excellent value for home use, especially if you want to stream media.

Not the fastest or quietest here, but it does offer some unique business benefits.

Great performance, near-silent running and the FTP server make the Buffalo a great alternative to the Maxtor.

Quick-release hard disks can’t make up for design flaws.

One of the cheapest 500GB drives here, but this is reflected in the lack of features and slow transfer speeds.

Packed with features, and with great performance, the only disadvantages are the price and the short warranty.

Share and back up music, photos, video and documents on your network with a high-capacity NAS drive.

It lacks Wi-Fi, but is otherwise an excellent budget video-streaming choice

Video support isn’t the best, but the PS3 remains a superb piece of kit

Poor coverage means the Zyxel isn’t a bargain.

Stunning design and innovative features make the Squeezebox extremely desirable, despite the price.

The USB port is a great feature, but we’d still choose the Squeezebox.

Ideal for streaming music wirelessly or listening to Internet radio, but the iRadio suffers from a few design niggles.