Festive entertainment
Have yourself a tech-happy Christmas as we give you the lowdown on the latest home entertainment equipment
Monpoli unit from Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1JD, Tel 01273 206123, Fax 01273 206789 studio@design-interiors.com
Whether you’re settling down to watch the seasonal re-runs or working your way through the Ugly Betty box-set, there’s never been a better time to bring your home entertainment experience into the 21st century. Bewildered by all the technology? Latest Interiors gets the popcorn in, opens the instruction manuals and finds a seat…
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You can always take it slowly, asking Santa for just one or two new gadgets. Top techno gifts for Christmas 2007 include a Slingbox (around £130), a device that will turn almost any internet-connected Windowsbased (or Mac) computer into a personal TV, via a single live TV stream re-routed from your aerial, cable or set-top box.
Get wired for sound, and upgrade your hi-fi to an MP3-based system. Vinyl addicts need not despair, as you can transfer your old vinyl to CD or MP3 format with an Ion iTTUSB turntable (around £120).
Fancy a big new telly but don’t know which to choose? Plasma and LCD TVs are two different technologies trying to do the same thing: produce crystal clear, colour-filled images on a wide, thin screen. Each has its pros and cons – LCD TVs use less power and are generally lighter and stronger; plasma TVs give better moving colour and can be bigger and cheaper. On balance, a plasma TV will give you a large screen at a reasonable price, but if you leave your TV on a lot and want to use it as a computer too, choose an LCD. Look out for new eco-friendly features: John Lewis have just launched the Cello LCD TV, a 19” HD ready LCD TV with a unique ‘power off’ feature on the remote control, helping to reduce costs and energy consumption (www.johnlewis.com).
Gold Globe system with real gold leaf, Design Studio, 58 Western Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 1JD, Tel 01273 206123, Fax 01273 206789 studio@design-interiors.com
System addicts
For a total techno makeover, home cinema systems are still the last word in entertainment. Generally, they fall into two categories: all-in-one dedicated systems, and separates. All-in-ones are popular with first-timers for their simplicity, but while systems built around high quality separates may seem complex, chosen and assembled correctly they offer advantages such as superior stereo playback. Individual elements can also be upgraded to incorporate new technology or features that suit your taste and space such as a projector and holographic screen.
For the truly technologically enlightened, a custom or multi-room installation is the ultimate indulgence: a fully integrated music and video system serving several rooms. Lighting, curtain and even security systems can also be integrated into a central control. If only it could cook the turkey, too…
Samsung Blu-ray player £399 from www.johnlewis.com
