The perfect screen
TVs aren’t the only display options anymore – projectors and collapsible screens have become a popular alternative for those who have the space. Viewers want the biggest, clearest image possible, but this may lead consumers into overestimating the optimal device size for their room, which can cause eyestrain while watching for extended periods.

There is an equation to calculate the perfect screen size for a theater – multiply the distance, in inches, between the seating area and the screen by 0.84. This formula gives you the screen size that will be clearest to viewers in those seats without visual discomfort. Whether a shopper wants an LCD TV or a digital projector, he or she can find the perfect device to buy for their theater.

Surround sound
A common problem for people who are building their home theaters is placing speakers in a spot where the audio sounds great throughout the entire room. Consumers without a sound engineering background generally resort to trial and error as they find the perfect location for their sound system.

A surround sound system eliminates the need to test and relocate audio devices. However, stereo sound quality lags behind surround sound, and listeners can immediately hear the difference. Speakers that cut down on distortion have the clearest sound even at high volumes.

A media hub
A home theater would be wasted without a device to view movies and television shows. Consumers can find the best media hub for their needs by thinking about what they want to watch. For those who prefer a device that is multifunctional, game consoles such as the PS3 or Xbox 360 may be the way to go. In addition to being able to play games, most offer the ability to stream content from companies like Netflix and Amazon. The Xbox 360 offers access to ESPN 3 and live broadcasts from the sports network, while the PS3 also offers apps from the NHL, NFL, and MLB.

What is most important for you when building a home theater? Which gadgets do you think will create a better viewing experience?

Using a mobile device has become second nature for most. A Pew research study found that approximately one-quarter of people are using their smartphones to send texts, check social networks and browse the web during commercial breaks, rather than channel-surfing. This is what multi-screen viewing is all about – always having a device on and in your face, providing advertising space and a constant stream of entertainment.

This explains why phones like the Galaxy SIII, the Galaxy Note and the HTC One are offering displays pushing the 5-inch mark, catering to consumers who will probably eventually stream television programs to their phones from sites like Hulu or Netflix. These “phablet” devices, functioning as a smartphone but nearly big enough to pass for a Nexus 7, are combining the best aspects of both devices into one package that may someday dominate the television experience as well.

This idea is nothing new to computer enthusiasts. Many companies and individuals utilize multiple monitors enabling them to multitask and potentially, be more productive. Perhaps this is the mindset which has carried over to the television world.

While watching television, do you check your cell phone or tablet? Or are you able to stay focused for the entire program, commercials included? Let us know in the comments below!

Plasma
The first type of HDTV to become available, plasma TVs are also some of the most interesting. That’s because they don’t require backlighting of any kind. The image is created by moving phosphors suspended in a liquid solution (referred to as plasma) and change based on electrical currents sent through them. Most monitors and televisions, such as in an LCD TV, need to be backlit so the image created by the chemical particles can come through, but the phosphors in a plasma TV are themselves illuminated.

LCD TV
Most people already have this part of the recipe down, but those who don’t probably don’t understand what they’re missing. Besides offering video in crisp 1080p resolution, an LCD TV can be hooked up to any number of PC components to become essentially a giant computer monitor. This will form the majority of the parts of your command center that are visible.

PC
When creating a media PC, some people prefer to use a dedicated desktop computer while others would rather have a laptop they can take with them wherever they go. In any event, you’ll need a computer with an HDMI cable that can reach the wall-mounted LCD TV.

Mouse and keyboard
There’s nothing wrong with using a mouse and keyboard that connects to your computer with wires, but it will probably be more convenient (and quite a bit more attractive) if you make it a wireless mouse and keyboard. This way, you can sit on your couch and navigate the internet or your computer without needing to lean forward or worry about tripping people.

Hard drive
If you’re going to be using your command center to watch movies, listen to music, play games or entertain yourself with any other sort of media, you’ll probably want to start downloading video and other files. In this case, you’ll start collecting a lot of data you won’t ever want to delete. Upgrade your computer with an internal or external hard drive so you can build an impressive (but invisible) media library available at the touch of a keyboard.

Communications
What really makes a wall-mounted computer a command center is the ability to visually communicate with anyone you want to. If you purchase a webcam and microphone, you’ll be able to sit on your couch and take a break from the latest episode of your favorite show by video chatting with a friend who appears full-sized on your wall.

We still haven’t heard anything directly from Google but rumors are circulating that the company is working to break into the hardware industry. Google is currently working toward buying Motorola Mobility for $12.5 billion and it is expected that Motorola would be the manufacturer of the entertainment device.

While the term entertainment device is pretty vague, it’s expected that it will likely have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities and be able to connect to other home electronics equipment.

But no one really knows for sure what the device will offer, and Google insiders are keeping their mouths shut so far. As of now, consumer electronics enthusiasts simply have to wait and see what Google has up its sleeves.

Here are the must-have items for your Super Bowl party:

• HDTV – You’ve been thinking about upgrading your television for a while, so when is there ever going to be a better time than now? Imagine how amazing it would be to watch every detail in stunning high definition on your new HDTV. You and your friends will feel like you’re at the game, while remaining warm and cozy at home.

• Home audio – Once you have the new HDTV, you can’t forget about outstanding audio output. Remember how loud your buddies get when the pass is dropped or the touchdown is scored? Consider how frustrating it will be if you can’t hear the game over the party. A new home audio system is definitely a must.

• Indoor grill – Freezing February temperatures doesn’t have to stop you from grilling up the football requirements like juicy hamburgers and hotdogs. Surprise everyone at your party with an indoor grill to cook up everybody’s favorite BBQ foods.

• Digital camera – Last but not least, capture all of the party’s good times and memories with a new digital camera. You can’t relive a celebration like this, so don’t miss a moment of it. Plus, a digital camera is something you will use all year long at events to come.

According to the study, there are several reasons for the decline. Increased poverty is leading more low-income households to bypass purchasing a TV and younger people opting to watch television shows through their computers. Nielsen is considering redefining the term “television household” to include internet viewers.

“We’ve been having conversations with clients,” said Pat McDonough, senior vice president for insights and analysis at Nielsen. “That would be a big change for this industry, and we’d be doing it in consultation with clients if we do it.”

The last time the number of TV households in the United States declined was 1992, and that came as the result of a poor economy, eventually rebounding in the mid 1990s. With the latest economic struggles faced by many Americans, it is not surprising to find out fewer people are purchasing TVs.

However, as most technology ages, the prices drop, offering more people the opportunity to buy high-definition TVs. When plasma products first hit the market, people spent thousands of dollars. Today, however, plasma TVs of the same size not only offer more efficient technology, they are also less expensive.

Whether this trend continues or not, new TVs continue to be released. Now, many providers offer 3D TVs. If you are considering purchasing a new TV, Newegg.com offers all of the best brands and products on the market.

Get it?  MAY THE FORCE/FOURTH be with you!

Don’t look at me that way. I didn’t make it up.

Anyway, to celebrate the holiday, Lucasfilm released some new details on their upcoming massive 9-disc Star Wars Complete Saga collection.  That’s set to arrive in September, but to help you bide your time, check out Simon Pegg and Nick Frost’s fan-remake on CollegeHumor.com.

However, HD projectors offer something TVs cannot: size. There are products on the market that dwarf HD TVs and can be adjusted as well. There is not a set size of a projector and Newegg.com offers products that can reach 300 inches.

Not exactly, but you know... close enough.

Rather than spending thousands on plasma or LCD TVs, HD projectors are a fraction of the cost. Now, TVs offer 3D viewing, but there are projectors that offer this capability too.

Projectors even host all of your favorite devices, including Blu-Ray players and video game consoles. Rather than switching cables to view a movie and then to play a video game, projectors allow you to change between preferences without the need for cables.

If you are looking to make an addition to your home, check out all of the great projectors on the market, rather than simply buying an HD television. If you want more size for your movies, games or TV shows, an HD projector is a different approach, but offers many of the same benefits as traditional HD TVs, as well as greater sizes.

Today, there are so many different TVs, making a choice can be mind-boggling. There are plasma, liquid crystal diode and light emitting diode televisions. There are also LED-LCD products for consumers and even 3D TVs. The big question, however, is which is the best technology for you?

As far as contrast levels go, plasma televisions provide darker blacks and brighter whites and greater color accuracy, edging out LCD TVs. However, LCD offers greater brightness and, in the power consumption area, LCD is the winner, using less energy than plasma.

The major advantage that may set plasma over the top from LCD TVs is the pricing. As plasma televisions increase in size, they generally offer greater savings than LCD, sometimes 30 to 40 percent more value, especially once the TV reaches 50-inches or more.

The great part about all of these unique TVs means finding the right product is possible. There are so many options out there, the only problem may be choosing the size and style best for you. Still having a hard time making a decision? Hop on over to Newegg.com to check out the latest and greatest TVs on the market.