Computers: multimedia unleashed .

Growing sales of digital cameras, MP3 players, and digital video gear have turned many home computers into a repository for digital photos, music, and video. To tap into all that content, manufacturers are making personal computers and the peripherals to which they connect increasingly compatible with home entertainment systems.

These new multimedia options aren't for everyone. But if you long to listen to your MP3 collection in the living room or use your PC as a digital video recorder, here are some recent developments you need to know about:

Media sharing. New devices called digital or network players, or media receivers, let you use a home network to transmit audio, photos, or video from your PC to a TV or stereo elsewhere in the house, where they can be enjoyed on a bigger screen and better speakers. For our assessment of several of these receivers, see page 34.

Media Center "light." Recently, Dell, HP, and other PC makers began offering Microsoft's Windows Media Center Edition (MCE) as a standard operating system (or for a small fee) on desktops priced about $500 and above. Media Center's main advantage over other versions of Windows is its simpler interface for playing DVDs, CDs, and MP3s and for viewing photos and video.

One of MCE's heralded features, a TiVo-like onscreen guide that can find and record TV programs, is useful only if your PC is equipped to receive TV broadcasts. But a TV tuner and a remote are a $100 to $200 option.

Entertainment PCs. In late 2004, Intel unveiled its design for a remote-controlled computer, called an entertainment PC, meant for the living room. Like a stereo receiver, it has rear jacks for a VCR and other gear; an onscreen guide can find and record TV programs or download MP3 music. So far, only HP and a few lesser-known brands offer these PCs, starting at about $1,600.

In 2006, Intel plans to introduce an improved design it calls Viiv, which will feature an instant-on button and promises to easily link the PC to MP3 players, VCRs, and home theater components.