Two of the biggest TV events of the year loom on the horizon. They bookend the month of February like giant pillars.
On Feb. 6, all eyes will be on Arlington, Texas, for Superbowl XLV. Then the world’s TV viewers turn their attention to H
ollywood, for a night of glitz and glamour Feb. 27 at the Academy Awards.
So if you want to impress friends and family with the latest and greatest in home electronics, get busy buying.
Experts say that now actually is a great time to think about giving your home entertainment system a makeover.
“January and February is a phenomenal time to buy,” said Travis Picou, a home theater specialist at Best Buy in Seattle.
Many of the big electronics manufacturers are expected to roll out new models at the annual Consumer Electronics Show this month. That means that now is the time to snatch up great deals on top-end products from this year’s lineup.
There are lots of gadgets and gizmos to choose from, so we picked a few items that we think are the coolest things on the shelves:
3-D TV
Three-dimensional films have been around for decades, but they’re making a comeback at cineplexes and Imax big screens. Now, the technology has become a selling feature for home theaters. For less than $1,000 you can bring home a decent 3-D TV, Picou said.
I recommend sticking with established brands including Sony and Samsung for the best picture and reliability. Bells and whistles will add up.
Check the features because the better 3-D TVs have the technology to convert 2-D into 3-D. That should make the Hail Mary pass with seconds to go in the big game a little more exciting.
Wireless surround sound
Most consumer electronics reviewers agree that wireless home speaker systems really mean fewer wires, not the complete elimination of wires.
Rocketfish, the house brand at Best Buy, makes a functional system that easily transmits music around the house, not just to the back of the living room. It costs about $180 and is water resistant so you can play tunes on your patio during the summer.
Internet on TV
There are several products that allow people to use their TV screens as a gateway to content on the Internet. Several TVs and Blu-Ray players include the ability to plug into the Web, but nothing is sleeker or more satisfying than Apple TV.
At just $99, the little black box connects the TV to Netflix to stream movies instantly, or to other websites where TV shows and other content can be found.
Apple TV also lets people stream music from their computers or iPhones through the TV’s sound system or broadcast photos on that giant screen in the living room.
Really universal remotes
Let’s face it. The more components there are in a home theater setup, the more remote control devices there are to get stuck in the sofa cushions. Help comes as handy universal remote devices.
You can get one for as little as $25. The problem with the low end is that you still might have to fish out the original remote to trigger fancy functions.
Logitech’s Harmony One is widely considered the best on the market. It retails for about $150, can support up to a dozen gadgets and has a nifty LCD screen to keep track of everything.
Plus, the rechargeable device comes with a stand to give it juice, and make it easy to find the next day.
Jackson Holtz: 425-339-3447; jholtz@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
