Friday is a day that many athletes, Canadians and obsessive Olympics fans (me) have been awaiting for a long time: the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada. Here are five gadgets that will deliver a medal-worthy viewing experience.
Since it was announced in 2003 that Vancouver would be hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics, I had planned to head to the Great White North being that I lived in California and it wouldn’t be a very long trip. But now that I’m living in a country far, far away (France), I’ll be resigned to watching the Games on a TV (or worse, streaming on my laptop).
But here’s some technological devices that I would prefer to use to watch my favorite sporting events:
1. High-Definition TV: If you can’t afford to go and be there in person, you might as well try to be as close as you can get. Check out CNET’s HDTV buying guide, and consider getting something above 27″ or 32″ so it will seem like someone is doing a triple axel into your living room.
2. TiVO/DVR: Being that the Games are on the West Coast of Canada this year, all the big events should be in primetime (and if they weren’t, NBC would dream up some ridiculous schedule to avoid the 2000 Sydney Games mess). However, some big events aired live might go late into the night for East Coast viewers (or if you don’t want to miss Curling semi-finals in the middle of the day), make sure you have some way to save all of that for later viewing.
3. Speakers: Full and loud surround sound really make sporting events come alive, from hearing an announcer scream out of control to all those cheers and cowbells from the spectators. (And you certainly don’t want to miss a word of all the corny commentary at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.) Make sure you get a sound system that works with whatever television you’re using. It seems like a no-brainer, but not everything is compatible. Check for plugs, cords - or consider getting a wireless system if your TV will receive the signal.
4. Slingbox: Traveling abroad? Can’t get to a TV but you’ll have a laptop or netbook? Set up a Sling Media Slingbox Solo before you leave so you can receive your home cable signal and watch your favorite events wherever you might be.
5. Acer Olympics Edition Notebook: For the ultimate Olympics aficionados (or anyone looking for a new laptop around this time), Acer announced in December some special editions of the Aspire 4810T and 1810TZ notebooks. Being an official sponsor of the Vancouver Games, Acer has imprinted the Olympic rings logo onto the palm rest of these two laptops to commemorate the event. The insignia will cost buyers an extra $30 and are available for pre-order.
