Tech Essentials for Game Day
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Tech for an amazing game day set-up at home
What Canadian doesn't love sports? Watching and admiring the athletic prowess of players who have trained for years to hone their skills in baseball, hockey, basketball, or even gymnastics is aspirational. But, most importantly, we're all about celebrating our country or favourite teams and players. That means Game Day is a big day in many households, whether you're watching alone, with your immediate family, best friends, neighbors, or a group.
You can make the experience awesome right from your home, with one central requirement: a big-screen television. Combine an HD (go all out with 4K or 8K!) television with a surround sound home theatre system and you'll have a set-up worthy of the envy of all your neighbours.
If you want to take the viewing experience outside for late-night events, a projector can kick things up the notch. Not only can you watch a game at up to 150 inches in size with some projectors, they're actually pretty easy to set up.
How to set up the perfect home theatre for watching sports
Indoors, position the television front and centre in the room so everyone can get a good view, no matter where they're sitting. Keep the room relatively dark and consider investing in smart lights you can dim or even change the colour of to match your team.
A 5.1-channel home theatre audio system with two front speakers, two at the back and a centre channel along with a receiver will provide an exciting audio experience. Or go full 7.1 by adding Dolby Atmos or DTS:X speakers up above so the sound rains down on you from up high, too. The fully immersive experience means you'll hear every cheer from the stands, every crack of the bat, and every splash of water as if you were right there. The enveloping sound adds another dimension to the experience when you play sports-themed video games to keep that competitive spirit alive as well. If you have limited space, you can also consider a premium soundbar that offers immersive audio.
Once taking things outside, use a 1,080p (at least 720p) portable projector or run the power cable to an outlet via extension cord. Project the video onto a white sheet or light-coloured surface, or invest in a projection screen you can roll up and set up on the side of the house or the fence. Access the game or event through a streaming service or app, set up lawn chairs (or invite neighbours to bring their own!) then enjoy. Alternatively, there are great outdoor TVs for a permanent set-up so you can access game days year 'round.
Creating a delectable snack spread and drink menu for family and friends
Watching sporting events and big games requires a great selection of drinks and snacks. And there are small appliances that can help you make them.
An air fryer, for example, is perfect for quickly frying everything from French fries to chicken fingers and wings, pizza rolls, and Jalapeno poppers. What better small appliance to make your famous spicy chili in then a slow cooker? When it comes to outdoor events, however, watching sports and BBQing go hand in hand. Complete the set-up by giving the experience an authentic stadium feel with your own popcorn machine.
Don't forget the steady flow of drinks using plenty of home bar accessories, from decanters to liquor dispensers and barware. A bar fridge is the perfect way to keep beverages and a fresh stock of refills for the chip dip, veggie sticks, and meat and cheese platters cool. Not only are bar fridges great to have close by inside the house, these are also useful outside. Then, you don't have to worry about using a cooler and ice, especially at night when it gets dark (bar fridges have interior lights!
Get more inspiration and ideas for a home theatre set up for game day:
Setting up your home theatre for game day
Cheer on athletes while entertaining friends and family
Home theatre systems buying guide
Premium TV's for your home theatre
Tech for an amazing game day set-up at home
What Canadian doesn't love sports? Watching and admiring the athletic prowess of players who have trained for years to hone their skills in baseball, hockey, basketball, or even gymnastics is aspirational. But, most importantly, we're all about celebrating our country or favourite teams and players. That means Game Day is a big day in many households, whether you're watching alone, with your immediate family, best friends, neighbors, or a group.
You can make the experience awesome right from your home, with one central requirement: a big-screen television. Combine an HD (go all out with 4K or 8K!) television with a surround sound home theatre system and you'll have a set-up worthy of the envy of all your neighbours.
If you want to take the viewing experience outside for late-night events, a projector can kick things up the notch. Not only can you watch a game at up to 150 inches in size with some projectors, they're actually pretty easy to set up.
How to set up the perfect home theatre for watching sports
Indoors, position the television front and centre in the room so everyone can get a good view, no matter where they're sitting. Keep the room relatively dark and consider investing in smart lights you can dim or even change the colour of to match your team.
A 5.1-channel home theatre audio system with two front speakers, two at the back and a centre channel along with a receiver will provide an exciting audio experience. Or go full 7.1 by adding Dolby Atmos or DTS:X speakers up above so the sound rains down on you from up high, too. The fully immersive experience means you'll hear every cheer from the stands, every crack of the bat, and every splash of water as if you were right there. The enveloping sound adds another dimension to the experience when you play sports-themed video games to keep that competitive spirit alive as well. If you have limited space, you can also consider a premium soundbar that offers immersive audio.
Once taking things outside, use a 1,080p (at least 720p) portable projector or run the power cable to an outlet via extension cord. Project the video onto a white sheet or light-coloured surface, or invest in a projection screen you can roll up and set up on the side of the house or the fence. Access the game or event through a streaming service or app, set up lawn chairs (or invite neighbours to bring their own!) then enjoy. Alternatively, there are great outdoor TVs for a permanent set-up so you can access game days year 'round.
Creating a delectable snack spread and drink menu for family and friends
Watching sporting events and big games requires a great selection of drinks and snacks. And there are small appliances that can help you make them.
An air fryer, for example, is perfect for quickly frying everything from French fries to chicken fingers and wings, pizza rolls, and Jalapeno poppers. What better small appliance to make your famous spicy chili in then a slow cooker? When it comes to outdoor events, however, watching sports and BBQing go hand in hand. Complete the set-up by giving the experience an authentic stadium feel with your own popcorn machine.
Don't forget the steady flow of drinks using plenty of home bar accessories, from decanters to liquor dispensers and barware. A bar fridge is the perfect way to keep beverages and a fresh stock of refills for the chip dip, veggie sticks, and meat and cheese platters cool. Not only are bar fridges great to have close by inside the house, these are also useful outside. Then, you don't have to worry about using a cooler and ice, especially at night when it gets dark (bar fridges have interior lights!
Get more inspiration and ideas for a home theatre set up for game day:
Setting up your home theatre for game day
Cheer on athletes while entertaining friends and family
Home theatre systems buying guide
Premium TV's for your home theatre