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If you have a WiFi local network, for instance linking your PC, your business laptop, the children’s PC and the family printer, then a wireless connection with the television becomes an option by installing a Digital Media Adapter (DMA). This could cost you anything from £100 to £200, although prices continue to fall.  It will give you access to all digital media saved on your computer – films, music, photos etc – for viewing on the television. Several DMA models are available and upgrades are frequent. Here is a selection:

The Philips SLM5500 is one of the pioneers. It calls itself a Wireless Multimedia Adapter and has been well received. You first download the Philips Media Manager software to your computer. The adapter connects with your wireless network and the Media Manager software searches for your audio visual files. A SCART lead is supplied, which you plug into the back of your television.

The Netgear Digital Entertainer - EVA700 is another option for connecting the TV, stereo or home entertainment system to your wireless network and the Internet. This device has a wireless facility for 802.11g, with the alternative of a wired Ethernet port to connect the EVA700 directly to your home network. The wired connection is probably best for High Definition, making use of the special HD component-video package which is incorporated in the device.

The EVA8000 Digital Entertainer HD is specifically designed for connecting to High Definition TV.

Once they are connected, the EVA700 and EVA8000 will seek out the other devices on the network. With  the software loaded to the computer they will identify your media files. The devices are compatible with Windows Media Connect.

The Pinnacle ShowCenter 250 is a multimedia adapter with SCART, composite and component video connections. It has 802.11g wireless built in. For camera and flash memory connections there is a USB port on the front of the device. 

The D-Link DSM-510 HD Wireless Media Bundle (below left) has a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connection. HDMI offers a pure digital connection for both audio and video. Other video connectors include component video, S-video, and composite output, so should be compatible with virtually any television. The DSM-750 (below right) offers higher specification.

The Linksys KiSS 1600 Network Media Player connects to the High Definition Television via HDMI, streaming content through a home network from your computer. The device also incorporates a DVD player that will upscale standard definition DVDs to 720p resolution.  It includes a USB port for streaming from portable hard drives, flash drives or portable media players.

For Vista Operating System Media Centre users Linksys also offers the DMA 2100 and DMA 2200. Both are able to pause, rewind and record live TV and are designed for HDTV. The DMA 2200 includes a DVD player for HD playback.

The Buffalo Link Theater Network Media Player

Buffalo's Link Theater Network Media Player is designed to link into your 802.11a/g wireless network and stream multimedia content from a Windows PC, as well as from the LinkStation storage device, a USB storage unit or DNLA (Digital Network Living Alliance) media server device. It can also be connected to the router by Ethernet.

The Link Theater has S-Video and SCART outputs for connecting to the TV.