10 mistakes to avoid when buying home entertainment

Dreaming in high-def this holiday season? If you plan to buy a high-tech goody such as a DVD player, a streaming device, or a fancy TV for that special someone (or maybe yourself--after all, you've been good this year, right?), take a look at our top 10 tips for home entertainment shoppers. Just because you're spending a bundle doesn't mean you should throw common sense to the wind. Read up.

	Don't get something too complicated. Nowadays we have DVD players that play MP3s, TVs with wireless, and digital video recorders with Ethernet. If you are buying a gift for Grandpa, avoid complex convergence gadgets. Stick with gifts that have a clear, single purpose and pay attention to CNET's design ratings to spot easy-to-use gear.
	Don't get the geek a doorstop. On the other hand, the resident geeks on your list surely know exactly what they want. If you mistakenly give a subpar product, they'll smile thinly, mouth an unconvincing "thanks," and return it posthaste. Unless you feel comfortable (read: nerdy) enough to power shop for the latest gear, go ahead and spoil the surprise by asking first.
	Don't match a DVD player with an old TV. This mistake is made by millions of gift buyers every holiday season; don't be one of them. DVD players require at least composite-video inputs to deliver their pretty pictures to the screen. If your recipients' TV has only an RF input, which is the case with most older or inexpensive sets, include an RF modulator as a stocking stuffer. Or you could just throw in a new TV, too.
	Don't oversize or undersize the TV. If you're feeling generous enough to give that special someone a big-screen TV this holiday, be sure not to go too big. On the other hand, a set that's too small will probably go right back to the store. To get the right size screen, scope out the room where the lucky couch potato is going to be vegetating, then consult our screen size guide.
	Don't get burned by plasma. If you're feeling even more generous, maybe you'd like to put somebody permanently in your debt by buying a plasma TV. Your intentions are noble, but you should be aware that not all big, expensive, sexy, flat TVs are created equal; some are downright lemons. Shop around carefully and read up on the top plasma TVs before you splurge on that lucky stiff--or on yourself.
	Don't sell TiVo short. If your giftee is a real TV fanatic, you may be considering replacing his or her old VCR with a DVD recorder. But hold your reindeer! Most DVD recorders still can't hold a candle to TiVo and other hard drive-based DVRs when it comes to recording TV shows. If you want the perfect gift for a TV junkie, investigate a standalone DVR or call your cable or satellite provider to ask about its DVR offerings.
	Don't forget the remote. If you think your potential recipient has too many remotes, you could save him or her (and maybe yourself) headaches and clear up the coffee table by investing in a good universal remote. A/V nerds tend to accumulate remotes like The Simpsons episodes and don't remember how nice a single remote can be to use. Remind 'em this year.
	Don't buy stuff that needs other stuff to function. A/V receivers, for example, need a set of six speakers to work their magic. Unless you're also planning to buy those speakers, get your recipient a complete home theater instead. These little beauties combine receivers and a speaker, and some even include the DVD player.
	Don't buy gear that's difficult to set up. Ever watch someone spend the rest of the champagne-addled holiday afternoon trying to shove tab A3 into slot A7 on a "some assembly required" gift? That someone isn't a prime candidate for a complex home-theater system. Try going for simpler, cooler, and self-contained devices--such as a portable DVD player--that can be up and running in moments. Instant gratification.
	Don't get something ugly for someone beautiful. The biggest trend in home entertainment gear is toward visually appealing gadgets. If your potential recipient cares more about how something looks than about what it can do, focus on slim, silver, design-intensive gear and don't be too concerned about the reviewers' performance quibbles.