fireplace
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Safretti's back with Double Vision hanging HDTV / fireplace combo
Nothing quite says "the holidays" like warming up to an artificial fire in a spacious, well-appointed apartment while watching a DVD of generic snow-filled landscapes. Unless you're in our family, in which case "the holidays" is more about drunken egg nog brawls and recrimination. Either way, it looks like the kids at Safretti have improved their hanging, portable fireplaces the only way, really, that it could be improved upon: by adding an HD LCD TV to the mix. We're not sure what the Netherlands-based company is charging for this, but seeing as how this purveyor of ultra-expensive home furnishings doesn't even have an office in the states (the closest is in Mexico, and the one in Liechtenstein refuses to answer our emails) we're pretty sure you can't afford it anyways. It comes in two sizes, featuring either a 37-inch or 47-inch TV. Get a closer look after the break.
Get stoked for 'My Fireplace' on Wii
Those fireplace DVDs are alright for creating a mood (specifically, the mood of wishing you had a fireplace) but they aren't very ... interactive, you know? That fire just sits there on the screen, faux-smoldering forever in an endless loop of artificial atmosphere. Wouldn't it be perfect if that were a game? Korner Entertainment S.L. thinks so. The ESRB just logged a rating for "My Fireplace," a Wii game (a WiiWare game, we hope) "in which players can tend to a virtual fireplace. Players can add logs to the fire, add decorations to the mantle, and pump air into the fireplace to keep the flames burning." This sounds like a hot property, but with nothing but an ESRB content description to go on, we can't shed any light on details like release date or price.
Cozy up to the virtual Xbox 360 fireplace
During this time of year, we begin feeling envious of those who are lucky enough to own a fireplace and can snuggle up next to it with a hot cup of cocoa and oversized blanket. For those who are beginning to feel the fireplace envy creep in, we recommend navigating to the Community Games section and downloading the newly released virtual fireplace. For "only" 400 Microsoft points, you can download Fireplace and own your very own Xbox 360 fireplace. This Fireplace "game" comes complete "realistic smoldering embers and flickering" and requires no skill to ignite. Check out the amazing Fireplace video after the break and wonder exactly why you haven't yet made the purchase.
Household heater meshes with LCD, acts like a fireplace
Not really keen on coughing up the dough required to retrofit a chimney in your domicile? Fret not, dear fireplace lovers, as a somewhat chintzy new device from Japan promises to provide the heat your body needs along with the (artificial) glow of slowly burning logs to boot. From what we can glean from the wonders of machine translation, this creature boasts an LCD which shows a heartwarming image of burning logs while the vents beneath actually warm your heart. Not bad for ¥25,800 ($241), not bad at all.[Via Dvice]
/silly: Anything else would be uncivilized
"Ah, there you are. Caught me in the midst of an epic tome, I must say. Please, do have a seat by the fire, and welcome... to Blade Masterpiece Theater. Zug zug, good chap."This week's dose of silly is a nice one panel sight gag that can be considered anything but high brow humor. I am fairly happy with how the shading came out on this one - once again I seem to be in good graces with the patron saint of Corel Painter, and I hope that particular buff doesn't fade any time soon. As always, I am constantly experimenting with the process I use to create these comics. In this particular instance, I left the sketch mostly intact, skipped the inking phase and went straight to coloring. The final results are less "clean" but more pleasing to the eye, I think. More experiments to follow in the coming weeks, I assure you.
Calling the shot: mounting / not mounting flat-panel above fireplace
While the question of hanging your new flat-panel above the fireplace or mantel has been around for years, it's about time the issue was actually tackled and looked at from a safety and feasibility standpoint. Admittedly, there are literally dozens of factors that can go into making said decision, and while no answer will be right for everyone, hopefully the following will lend a hand in easing your frantic mind. Granted, the more affluent homes that are often showcased in marketing promos make hanging a TV look like child's play, and while you may be able to cough up enough dough to let an experience installer come in and handle the dirty work for you, there's quite a few things (and alternatives) to consider. Of course, safety concerns surrounding recalled TV mounts, heat generated from a raging fireplace, and the actual wall material should be inspected first and foremost. Additionally, you should certainly consider just how difficult running every last cable (present and future) from your components below through the wall will actually (not) be, and for those working sans an AV cabinet, you might want to ponder just where you'll be placing those game consoles, receivers, and media players without ruining the overall allure. Still, there's no denying the attractiveness of a flat-panel HDTV hung neatly on a living room wall, but be sure and hit the links below and do a little planning of your own before pulling the trigger.Read - HDInstallers - Safety ConcernsRead - Audio / Video Interiors mounting walkthrough
Cal Spas' FRP-4300 fireplace touts iPod compatibility
After a chilly (albeit musical) stroll with your youngster, what better to have in your living room to warm you both up than a delightful fireplace? Of course, considering that you already passed up the iRocker chair, you'll likely be elated to know that CalSpas' FRP-4300 plays nice with your iPod. Adding yet another iProduct to the mix, this fanciful gas log fireplace comes in a two-piece configuration, boasts 65,000 BTUs, houses your Pod in a side-mounted alcove, sports twin four- x nine-inch speakers, and comes in 11 stucco colors. No word on pricing or availability, but considering that most of the nation is just rolling out of winter, you might be able to cut yourself a deal.[Via CNET]
Another plasma hiding fireplace
This is better than some of the furniture challenges we just heard about. There are some times that you just don't want to show off your flat panel. Of course, we can't think of one of the top of our heads, but there must be a time. Anyway, with a press of a button, you can hide that flat panel behind a nice marble fireplace. This new one adds space for some audio/video equipment under the fireplace which would also fry up any lingering dust bunnies among your wiring. This "hot" boy is available across the pond in the UK for $8,687.
