onhometheater.com's
2002 Gift-Giving Guide
(All prices in US dollars.)
Compared to book lovers, chocoholics, and even
audiophiles, home-theater buffs are really hard to shop for. Not so much because
there aren't really cool gifts available as because they can be expensive.
If money's no obstacle, consider the ever-popular
projector/screen combination or a pretty plasma display device (make mine a 60").
Those are too obvious you say? Then consider something to sit on. A lot of home-theater
aficionados think those leather lounge versions of theater seating are nice, but ever
since I bought my Mission-style Barcalounger, I'm not one of them. It's better looking,
more comfortable, and cost about the same -- the only drawback is I have to remember not
to wear my bifocals if I want to lean all the way back. It's ironic that just when you
need to remember to take all this stuff with you everywhere you go, your memory starts to
fail.
But if you do need to keep it within reason, here are a few
ideas.
Pioneer DV-353 DVD player ($199): DVD is the
fastest-proliferating entertainment medium ever launched, but there are still lots of
folks who haven't leapt in yet. It's only a matter of time -- I saw a no-name unit for $89
at Costco last time I was there, so the players have reached the price where they are
impulse buys. Resist the impulse to buy one of uncertain provenance, however, and buy a
friend this inexpensive Pioneer instead (to be had for as little as $129 if you shop
aggressively). It's slim and good looking, and it's packed with goodies like a
10-bit/27MHz video D/A converter and proprietary error correction -- it even has
component-video output! Also Dolby Digital, DTS, and a 192kHz/24-bit DAC. Unlike many DVD
players, it'll play MP3.
Salamander Synergy SVDO Select three-shelf video stand
($349): If you know someone who is getting a new home theater this year, give 'em
something to put it on. This is exactly the part of the system everybody forgets they need
to buy, but it's essential to put that big TV on something solid and to have space nearby
for the other gadgets that go with it. Salamander's Synergy line is strong, handsome, and
can be outfitted with sides, a back, a door, decorative aluminum feet, casters, or even
spikes. Need storage? Add-on drawers are available too.
Universal multi-function remote control ($20 and up):
You decide just how generous you want to be. You can buy preprogrammed multi-function
remotes at Radio Shack for under $20 and models just keep adding functions and complexity
until you reach stuff like the Philips TSU-2000 Pronto Programmable Touch ($399), which
places absolutely no limits on how many devices it can control. The TSU-2000 boasts two
megabytes of memory, so it can replace every other remote in the house -- no more
coffee-table clutter. Of course, for simpler systems (or smaller budgets) those $20
wonders from the 'Shack can take you pretty far in that direction. Your home-theater buff
probably won't even know how much he wants this until after he's grown to rely on it. Then
he'll thank you. And if he doesn't, hide it -- he'll never remember where he stored all
the old ones!
Sennheiser RS 65 900MHz RF wireless headphones
($189): Whuffo? Two words: Late night. Or early morning. Or exer cycle. Home
theaters get used for everything from sleeping aids, to insomnia distractions, even
aerobic anti-boredom mechanisms. Actually, it doesn't matter why one member of the
household is up while the other is trying to work, sleep, or concentrate -- there are just
times you don't want to hear what your current lifetime companion is watching. That's when
wireless headphones are the answer to your prayers. No wires, no hassles! Everybody wins.
Photon II MicroLight ($19.98): These lithium
battery-powered squeeze-to-activate miniature LED flashlights are designed to attach to
your key chain and they emit a really bright red, orange, or yellow light for up to 100
hours (the super bright green, turquoise, blue, and white will burn through a battery in
only 12 to 14 hours). Why is this a gift for home theater? Because when you're watching
your high-definition projection system in the dark, a small, readily-to-hand light comes
in extremely useful when you need to make fine adjustments, write notes to yourself, or
simply find the remote. Besides, they're really cool.
HBO for a year (approximately $120): If you've got a
great home theater, you need something to watch and HBO is the cream of the crop, no
question about it. The Sopranos, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Six Feet Under,
The Mind of a Married Man, Sex and the City . . . and that's just the weekly
series. They make movies too. And broadcast in surround! If you know anyone with basic
cable or DirecTV who doesn't get HBO, give them a gift certificate for a year's
subscription and invite yourself over for your favorite shows. Hey, they won't mind --
after a gift like that, you're practically family!
After all, what says Happy Holidays! better than
family, home, and the warm glow of a high-resolution video monitor?
...Wes Phillips
wes@onhometheater.com
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