You're watching NFL Football wrong -- here's the gear you need [Buyer's Guide]
Even though the 2015 NFL season is entering week 4, it feels like it is just beginning. Why? Many people, myself included, associate football with the fall season. The cool crisp air conjures pigskin memories.
As wonderful as watching NFL football is, many people are doing it wrong. If you are just casually spectating on an old television set, you are missing out. Here is some tech you should own to properly watch the games.
First things first, you should have a good TV. Prices have dropped dramatically over the years, and a huge 1080p set can be had for a steal. Check out this 50 inch Vizio model for $528. This thing has great specs and features at a really affordable price.
Do shop around though, as there are plenty of great deals. One of my favorite deal sites is Techbargains, and it has a dedicated section for televisions here. Stick with well-known retailers and quality name-brands and you should be fine.
Some will suggest buying a 4K set, but I think that is wasted money at this time. Future-proofing isn't always a wise financial move, so I would save money and stick with 1080p for now.
Where should you spend that saved money? On audio. Many people neglect the sound of football games, and that is sad. For true immersion, you should ditch your television's speaker and add a secondary option instead.
Understandably, buying a receiver and 5.1 setup can take up a lot of room and look messy, so a soundbar is a wise alternative. I have been testing the all-new JBL SB250 (which will be available to buy shortly), and I am in love. The soundbar connects to your TV using an included optical cable. The soundbar then transmits audio wirelessly to the included subwoofer, making for a clean and simple installation.
When watching football, sitcoms or movies, the audio -- especially voices, are loud and clear. The subwoofer offers thumping bass, which enhances the overall experience of what you are watching. When watching football, it can sound like you are in the stadium.
The $299 SB250 includes Bluetooth too, so you can connect your devices to play music. This works wonderfully for when friends or family stop by, as it fills the room with great sound. It comes with a tiny remote to control everything too.
If you want to control multiple devices, say your TV and audio equipment, using only one remote, you cannot go wrong with a Logitech Harmony. The company's top-of-the line Elite model is insanely good, but it is expensive and may offer more than you need.
The beautiful thing about the Harmony line is that they have different price points to meet many budgets. You can check out more here. All of Logitech's remotes are awesome, and my colleagues Alan Buckingham and Mark Wilson swear by them.
Fantasy Football has exploded in popularity lately, so many people, myself included, watch games while also monitoring fantasy team performance. If you are a hardcore fantasy football addict, the Xbox One is awesome.
When coupled with the NFL app, and connected to your TV service using HDMI pass-through, the console will allow you to see stats on your TV as you watch the game. Check out the video below. It is amazing.
Connecting your cable box and/or Xbox One to your television will require HDMI cables. Buying expensive cables is foolish, as there are plenty of quality low cost models all over Amazon. My pick for best HDMI cables, however, is the VisionTek HDMI Pivot Cable.
VisionTek's offering has solid construction and an affordable price, but more importantly, the ends pivot so they are easier to plug in at tight angles. You can buy them here.
What gear do you use to watch the NFL? Tell me in the comments.
Photo Credit: El Nariz / Shutterstock