What's the first major American holiday after New Year's? The Super Bowl, of course. And today kicks off the one-month countdown to the Dolphins Stadium game. We don't know who's playing yet (we're betting on the Colts), but we do know we won't be scoring tickets...So we've decided to take advantage of the post-holiday deals and set up a home theater in plenty of time. Come Super Bowl week, all we've have to do is buy the beer and assemble the seven layer dip.
Let's start with the TV. Though bigger is better is certainly the prevalent mentality, if you don't have the space, it will look and feel strange. To identify the proper size of TV to purchase, measure the distance between where you're sitting and where the TV will live. You want there to be at least two times the TV's width between the two spaces. Right now, you can get your hands on a 50" HDTV for under $900 with flat or free shipping very easily. On eBay, I found about 175 listings, including 130 plasma, and some as low as $300 for a used model. I'm partial to the Samsung TVs because I like the design, usually they have a bit of color around the edges and the picture is always the highest of quality. Most of all, I've been a Samsug buyer in the past and am familiar with the layout of the inputs and have accessories that work well with their products. Samsung HDTV Plasma (buy it now price, $849, above right)
Surround sound is a must and can be super easy to set up thanks to wireless speakers. Altech Lansig's wireless home theater system is amazingly easy to set up and it's 5.1 surround sound will give your room the thump it needs to hear every tackle, whistle and yell in the game. There are two simple speakers--one connects to the TV and the other is plugged into an outlet somewhere behind your seating area. It MSRPs for $999.95 but I see several listings up on eBay with a price closer to $300. Altech Lansing Wireless Home Theater System (buy it now price, $299, above left)
A Super Bowl party just wouldn't be complete without a constant flow of beer, right? You can make that happen like never before thanks to a mini beer dispenser! (Helloooo...modern day keg party!) All you need to make one a center piece for the party is a mini keg, which you can pick up from most liquor stores, and a C02 cartridge. The device will keep your beer at the perfect temp and will give you a readout through a digital display to make sure it's just as you like it. The C02 cartridge, will assure you get a perfect pour each time and most listing include a few cartridges to keep you going strong. Avanti Mini Beer Keg Dispenser (buy it now price, $149.95, above left)
Of course you're going to be grilling up the goods for everyone, and thanks to the genius thoughts behind this George Foreman iPod ready grill, you can cook like never before. The grill works for indoor and outdoor cooking; there's an electric cooking thermometer; and it even comes witih a built-in iPod dock and a small speaker, so friends can take a break from the game and listen to tunes with you while you flip the burgers. George Foreman iPod Ready Indoor Outdoor Grill (buy it now price, $79, above center)
If white wine is more your style, then this Cooper Cooler is an excellent gadget for you. It cools down a bottle faster than putting it in the fridge. Just add water and watch the bottle spin it's way into the perfect temperature in no time at all. Copper Cooler Rapid Beverage Wine Chiller (buy it now price, $75, above right)
Cat Schwartz is eBay's technology expert.
