The HDTV revolution has been a real boon for our household. As our neighbours upgrade from old-fashioned television to bona fide home theatre systems, they kick their “obsolete” sets to the curb where Mike and I scoop them up and cart them home. Once, we actually knocked on a door to see if there was a remote to go with the cast-off. There was. They’re both still working perfectly in our den.
Of course, the nice people at LG had no way of knowing this when they invited me to a recent product showcase at Toronto’s Intercontinental Hotel. The object of the game was to promote their sexy, new line of LCD flat screens, Blu-Ray players, notebook computers and network storage devices that can house every digital file in your life — movies, songs, photos — and wirelessly stream them to your gargantuan 55″ TruMotion flat screen ($5,500).
Since I don’t have a tech fetish, what really interested me were the pointers about optimal TV placement. Our host, Frank, advised us to get comfortable in our designated TV-watching chair or sofa and to wait 20 minutes until we had slouched into true couch potato mode; only then should we measure eye level, which is where the centre of the screen should be positioned. All those design shows installing televisions above fireplace mantles are missing the mark . . . by about four feet!
While I concede that I’m not a gadget guy, there was one device in the LG parade that I was not only taken with, I’m actually considering buying . . .
The LG Sound Wing, above, is an all-in-one device that would actually my make life better and easier, not just better-looking. The “micro audio” machine is designed to approximate surround sound without all the additional speakers and wiring. The best part is that it’s also a DVD player AND an iPod dock and it retails for just $299! Frank said that while people obsess about screen size and picture quality, the most important factor in “the cinematic experience” is actually the audio. The Sound Wing replicates surround sound with aural-delay technology that makes it feel like the sound is really moving around the room. Cool!
September 30th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I consider myself a ‘Luddite Lite’ and have only recently even aquired the technology to watch a movie at home…BUT I like the look of the above ‘gadget’ as wll. Who knows I may even buy one and join the technical revolution a few years late!
September 30th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
That would be ‘as well’, need more coffee.
September 30th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
LOVE THIS POST! The LG Sound Wing is really cute and would elminate all the bulky stuff I have in my rec. room. Thanks for the tip!
I can’t wait until more of this technology becomes wireless. Imagine how clean and fresh a space would look without a single cord. Oh the possibilities!!!
September 30th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
proper placement is so important. we recently bought a new couch which is slightly higher than our old one. after a few hours in front of the tv, we realized it felt way off. all it took was a little adjustment – 4″ legs on the bottom of the tv stand from ikea (14$) and it was perfect. looks sweet too!