Considering that Pittsburgh already nabbed "one for the thumb," it's safe to say they're just going for history now. The Steelers and Cardinals didn't meet during the regular season this year (a shame, we know), but you can bet both clubs are ready for what's coming when February 1st rolls around. In fact, the only question remaining is this: are you? If you've suddenly found yourself shocked and unprepared, follow us past the break for our guidance on blowing out
Super Bowl XLIII.
The HDTV
We just detailed the HDTVs that are
destined to arrive on store shelves over the course of this year, but
NFL fanatics looking to upgrade their set prior to February need something good
right now. For those who've been losing sleep over how to spend that wad of cash cluttering up their front pocket, we can't recommend the
65-inch LaserVue from Mitsubishi highly enough. Sure, it'll set you back seven large, but you can count on wooing at least a hundred or so individuals that'll be more than happy to pay for the privilege of watching it. Stepping down a bit in terms of budget, there's always the 52-inch Sony
BRAVIA KDL-52XBR6 ($3,699) -- which should melt the hearts of flat-panel lovers -- or the 52-inch Toshiba
REGZA 52XV545U at just $2,499. Plasma aficionados can't go wrong with the Pioneer
KURO PDP-6020FD ($5,500), while true bargain shoppers should be pleased with VIZIO's 55-inch
VF550XVT1A 120Hz HDTV ($1,799).
If the idea of being restricted to an unchangeable panel size has you all worked up, fret not -- these things called
projectors are really ill. For $3,500, it's tough to ignore Sony's 1080p
VPL-HW10, which has been deemed awesome by just about
every Earthling to ever see it in action. 'Course, those really living life to the fullest won't likely pass up an opportunity to install SIM2's
$36,495 C3X LUMIS HOST, but those unwilling to duck under 1080p
and pay over two grand will find their perfect match in the
Sanyo PLV-1080HD. Given just how rough the economy is, we also felt it prudent to include a 720p option, and Sharp's
PG-F255W DLP beamer should provide loads of smiles for just $999.
The Signal
For the first time since the tail end of the 1997 NFL season,
NBC will be the network broadcasting the Super Bowl. It'll be shown in gorgeous 1080i, and the tilt itself will be preceded by a three hour edition of
Today live from Tampa (the matchup's host city). Also of note, Super Bowl XLIII will be the last Super Bowl shown in the United States in digital
and analog formats (or
at least we hope), though Hawaii residents will have to scoot over to the mainland to catch the completely not-riveting analog broadcast given their state's
proactive stance on the
digital TV transition. The clearest, most highly recommended way of tuning in is via
OTA antenna. If you're close enough to a local NBC tower, just throw up an
antenna, tap into your ATSC tuner and enjoy. If not, you'll need to phone up your local pay-TV provider (AT&T, Verizon, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Cablevision, etc.) and see if they can't deliver your locals (or just NBC) in high-definition. If that fails, you can also call up DISH Network or DirecTV, but again, make absolutely certain they offer your locals in HD before signing the dotted line. Regardless of which option you choose, just make darn sure you aren't stuck watching the game in SD.
[
Image courtesy of Troika / NBC]
The HTPC
Given that Alienware
axed what would've definitely been a recommendation here, we're left with one fewer option for the HTPC category this year. We can't help but toss in the
Denali Limited Edition from Niveus for those with gobs of cheddar, and
Cannon PC's family is equally awesome but nearly as pricey. The most cost effective option, however, is likely to come from
Okoro Media Systems. The
2009 OMS-LX100 comes stocked with a very capable OTA tuner, though users looking to record pay-TV channels can equip it with an ATI Digital CableCARD tuner. Though, we should mention that folks with loads of free time and a DIY gene or two can probably find a better value in just crafting their own HTPC -- might we recommend
this beastly enclosure?
The HD DVR
The standalone HD DVR is a dying breed, but we saw a
huge release late last year in the
DTVPal DVR. Once known as the
EchoStar TR-50, this digital-to-analog converter / HD DVR hybrid device can handle 30 full hours of high-def material from local networks or 150 hours of SD material. For those into a thing called overkill, there's also the
Digeo Moxi, an $800 standalone recorder that offers up 500GB of storage alongside dual-tuner multistream CableCARD support.
The Audio
Probably the most difficult portion of this equation is the audio. For those cramped in a studio apartment, we can wholeheartedly recommend Yamaha's
YSP-3050 Digital Sound Projector. If you've a bit more space to spare, the
BDV-IT1000ES and BDV-IS1000 HTIB systems bring full scale surround sound in compact packages. If you're ready to go all out (er, all out as far as packaged systems are concerned), it'll be tough to beat the value proposition in Onkyo's
HT-S9100THX. The big spenders in attendance can piece together a system utilizing Klipsch's
Palladium /
Icon separates, but you might want to consider bolting 'em to the floor if you're inviting friends over. Just sayin'.
The Seating
The NFL-themed home theater chair market is pretty much on
lock down, so if you're looking to spruce up your seating arrangement for the big game, you'll be forking out around a grand apiece for an
NFL Dreamseat. Now, we don't doubt these things are comfortable, but unless you've seriously got this whole "life" thing figured out, you might be better off with lawn chairs and officially licensed team stickers.
The Eats / Drinks
Make no mistake -- any decent party host better have copious quantities of wings, Doritos, nachos and Fruit-by-the-Foot on hand. Now that we're up to speed on our common knowledge, may we also suggest
Micro Matic's v-POD. This masterful beverage dispenser / LCD TV enables your guests to line up for a refill without missing a single minute of the action / commercials, which is pretty darn thoughtful if we should say so ourselves. Of course, we wouldn't recommend an open bar if you plan on recouping any of the $3,000 that this will cost you, but to each his / her own.
The Pre-Game Game
Remember that HDTV you just bought? Yeah, that device that left a monumental hole in your wallet. There's no need to let it go to waste in the run-up to kickoff, so why not fire up the trusty PlayStation 3, pop in Madden NFL '09 and plug in a few
XCM Dominator joysticks? We hear that Rapid Fire mode comes in handy when linked to the "Stiff Arm" button.
The Payback
You won't catch us endorsing the act of gambling, but we won't kid ourselves and believe that not a single one of you will have anything riding on the outcome of this one. For anyone watching the Vegas lines, you'll know that the Cards are the long shot, but why not throw your chips on the over and really make this interesting? Oh, and cash / pink slips are totally last year -- might we recommend forcing the loser to
fly you to Akihabara on their dime in order to pick up your favorite Asian gadget? Or what about insisting that they ditch their favorite PMP in favor of a Coby
MP836 for a solid year? If neither of those options sound interesting, just make the losing party "invest" a cool $1,000 in InPhase's holographic storage solution. Seems like it
could really use another round of capital.
[
Image courtesy of ZubazPants]
Obviously, we wouldn't be shocked to find that your favorite wares weren't listed here, so be our guest and shout our your recommendations in comments below!
See just how far we've come:
posted Jan 22nd 2009 1:00PM
Arizona will win this. Similar to the first year NE won it, they are flying under the radar and are playing the "no respect" card. Everyone expects Pittsburgh to win. Talk is just about "by how many points". Same thing happened when NE beat STL. Same thing happened last year when NYG beat NE. They have something to prove. And will on February 1st.
And as odd as it sounds, say it with me: Hall-of-Famer Kurt Warner
No Pittsburgh will win. It was obvious to most that considering how well the Giants played the Patriots in the season finale that they would probably win. I don't recall the Rams vs Patriots super bowl season much. Pittsburgh is by far a better team the Cards have just gotten lucky all year.
But they said that about Atlanta, Carolina, and Philly too.
Not really I could see them beating Philly and Atlanta which they did. Carolina was the only team they shouldn't have beaten and had Delhomme not played the worst game of his career the Cards would have lost.
I want the cardinals to lose or die on the plane ride to Tampa. I don't care about by how many points, I just want them to suffer and die. (Hint: I live in Philly).
As for the TV's - I have to disagree slightly. The LaserVue is a nice TV, but its 11" deep! And I bought a Pioneer PDP-6020FD for $3675.99 - nowhere near the $5,500. Where are you getting your prices? Worst-Buy?
What about the Panasonic 65" plasma? Sure, it shows 50 less lines of resolution during fast motion than the Kuro - but it still beats EVERY LCD every made, EVER. 320 - 600 lines of res on motion? Pfft. Untill they come out with a 240Hz LED LCD - I would recommend against LCD.
We need 60"+ OLED TV's.
LOL +1 to Engadget for learning how to use Live Trace on that logo. The type looks hideous, btw.
@ NHAnimator, in response to your avatar:
Go G-Men!
@alexmueller Dropping 33 on Carolina in the playoffs is not lucky. Hell dropping 30 on any NFL is not lucky.
If you mainly start your offensive possessions in your opponents territory how do you not expect to put 30 points up? I think you missed my point.
Aw, gee guys. I just saw the 'Part IV' and it reminded me of those fascinating giveaways you have. It would have been fantastic to see you giving away that monstrous LaserVue.
I'm gonna be watching it on my 11" OLED. Small I know, but the image is so crisp!
LOL ya I bet it is! I bet it's got a million to one ratio too!
But truthfully, I think you should trade your XEL1 for that Panny MadMike was talking about.
GO CARDINALS!!
+1 For Cardinals
GO STILLERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! N-@
i don't really have any stock in either team, i'm just rooting for a good game :)
also, if you don't watch the super bowl you're not a true American.
I've "blown" out my fair share of "super bowls" a huck a huck a huck
Or go to a friendswith a big screen and bring a six pack. Spending the $8 and the drive is better than doing the clean up the next day. For sho!
friends are deep frying a turkey. combine that with a keg of good beer and i'm going to be one happy camper when the cardinals win.
happy birthday to me!?!?!? yay
My name is caboose..
P.S. give the points Pitts going to win.. shut down Fitz, and James, and Warner.. muahahhaha. low scoreing game.. take Pitts and the under paralay your 1,000 into $5000, eat that warran buffet!!?!
Happy Birthday... i guess no one took the hint.. :-(
I heard that Warren Buffet eats $5,000 every day for breakfast.
Also, happy birthday!
I bought the Sony KDL52XBR6 from abt. http://www.abt.com/product/36864.html for over 1k less than that. Loving it. Boldin's going to have a monster game and become a Bear next year...
i got that tv too, and a great deal from circuit city, in store deal after new years, for 1600, and a free blue ray for 200, so 1800 for the tv. not bad steal.
Aw I love Abt! You can find anything there! I was there last week to get the same TV and they had this awesome promotion going on where you buy that and get a FREE BDPS550 Blu Ray player! The BR player usually goes for $318, so getting really sealed the deal. Now I can use that money to bet on the winner...Pittsburgh!
Wait, you paid $200 for your free blu-ray player? If that's the case why is Circut city going out of buisness?
I called Pitts vs Carolina in the superbowl halfway thru the season...i was so wrong...i even said maybe Eagles vs Pitt..wrong again...
Anyways, Cardinals will choke. Cmon...Cardinals?, with a name like that its not even exciting...
Can't afford a new home theater just yet, but I did get a sweet deal on a couple of Fatheads! They will have to do...
I give the game to Pittsburgh and, if the officiating is anything like it was during Superbowl XL, so does the league.
Pissburgh is going to lay a big fucking egg.
GO CARDS!
Oh no! I don't have cable service, or any means of receiving live television in my home. I knew there must have been a drawback to going full internet for my television programming. I know - I'll take the wad of cash I've saved by not having cable, and go out to see the game!
Seriously, it's not worth the $675 per year I would have to spend on HD cable for a half dozen events I'd like to watch live.
Buffalow wild wings will let you watch anything you want to watch in HD, just give them money for a beer.
Wow, look at all the sports-fans on 'ol Engadget. Are you all going to have a cup of beer while enjoying the sporting event?
Gonna represent the hometown: go Tampa, and thanks for firing Jon Gruden and Bruce Allen!
Steelers take this one with pure force, James Harrison is going to make Kurt Warner wish he was still bagging groceries.
I'd root for the Nazi's and Al Qaeda before I'd ever root for the Steelers. With that said go Cards!
......yeah I'm a Ravens fan! :)
I'll be watching on a Samsung 52A650 LCD. Best bang for the buck 52" LCD on the market.
You can be damn sure you're being spied on by the NSA right now.
Why would you want to use a joystick to play Madden? It only has one analog stick, as opposed to the two on a 360 or PS3 controller, and the second stick is essential for hits and running moves.
one more for the thumb? thats only five, steelers have played 6 and won 5 super bowls! its more like one for the wong (if you know what I mean!) GO STEELERS!
Come on engadget, the only plasmas you can recommend are super high end or super low end? How about a middle of the ground? I'll take plasma any day of the week over LCD, but the recommendations here are shit.
Born n raised in Pittsburgh, go Steelers!!!
P.S. 37K is ridiculous it should pay my taxes with a price that high
Yeah I didn't think about that.....but then again I have nothing to hide. GO RAVENS!
*Oh and I guess I can say hats off the the Steelers. They have had one heck of a season so far with Big Jen and company.
I'm stuck in the UK and so I'll be luck to catch the game on any type of TV. But I'm sure if I buy the barman a round they'll tune into Sky Sports - which, by the way, has the worst football analysis I've ever heard. Go Steelers!
Well, I guess I am stuck with my 2 yr old Sony 46XBR3 to watch the Superbowl.....woe is me
Actually, it is the best TV I ever had and do not regret the price I paid for it 2 yrs ago......
Steelers have a way with crushing small helpless birds.
Cardinals are gonna kick there ass.
Baltimore, we played a hell of a game, were be in it again next year baby
Hey yeah! RAVENS BABY!
take Cardinals and the Under... better yet... Tease it to Cards +13 and under 52.5
The chairs are WAY cheaper and more options at http://www.scorehere.com/products/search/chair
You think when they hit 50, they'll cave and drop the oh-so-macho roman numeral marketing? I mean, it would be "SUPER BOWL L". Just doesn't kick without the "XL" in it.