Staycation is the new black

July 15, 11:09 AMLA Home Technology ExaminerMarshal Rosenthal

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In today’s economy, where everyone is cutting back, vacations are undergoing a metamorphoses. Rather than venturing out on long trips, with all the associated costs, people are turning inward: enjoying the wide realm of electronic and digital entertainment that is waiting in their own homes or apartments, and looking towards enjoying the sites and sounds of their own neighborhood.
 

What’s the use of having that high-def flat panel or HDTV if it’s not being used? For less than the cost of a hotel room for your family, a satellite provider company like the DISH Network will install a dish (often at no cost) and hook up satellite receivers (which can include digital recorder capabilities and the ability to watch one channel while another records). Plus provide a wide variety of packages of channels to watch (many in HD). Suddenly the whole word is now at your fingertips, as well as world-class documentaries and blockbuster movies with all the visual and aural oomph of going to the movies.

And if your sound system is too darned loud for the neighbors to handle, you can always put on a comfortable pair of headphones to personalize the experience - for example Phiaton’s new PS300 which cradles the ears with great, dynamic sound while upping the comfort level through a lightweight design and genuine leather ear coups and soft ear pads.

And what about those video games lying around? Isn’t it time to hook up the Nintendo Wii or Playstation 3 or Xbox 360 to your big screen. Rather than sitting back while the kids take over, make gaming an ‘event” the whole family can share in. As an example, get hold of the new Ghostbusters video game and have contests for who can catch the most ghosts, or avoid being slimed (don’t forget that you can rent games now just as easily as movies, from places like Blockbuster and GameFly).

And that goes too for films to watch on DVD, or better yet Blu-ray (Netflix being a place you can rent both from, and which will deliver to your door if you prefer not to go get them). That’s helped along by the Blu-ray players now being a lot more affordable and even with added features once thought unimaginable - for example, Sony’s new BD-S560 Blu-ray player which can wirelessly connect to your home network for all kinds of interactivity. That means it can easily be taken from one room to the next without worrying about wires). So after playing the Ghostbusters video game you can watch how the boys did it back in the day by watching the Blu-ray Ghostbusters movie (newly enhanced but with all its 1980’s goodness intact).

And because BD-Live interactivity is part of all of the new Blu-ray discs, timely and updated features and trivia and games can now be accessed that weren’t available through the disc when it first came out.

Or if you made the trek to the movie theaters to see the latest Transformers film (hope you dialed back on eating all those Nachos...), the next night you can gather the family together to take on those Deceptacon villains with Activisions video game, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Or watch a sporting event together and then take each other on with Wii Sports and even, if you’d like, go for accessories like baseball bats or tennis rackets from 3rd party companies to make the game seem more real.

Or you can sing your hearts out with video games like Singstar or pick up Guitar Hero or Rock Band and get the whole family rocking. Or even pick up your iPod for a little Karaoke if you’d like (for that you’d need Griffin’s iKaraoke for iPod mike that “turns” off the vocals from the tunes being played). And don’t forget to cheer your favorite singer or player on to greatness!

And what about getting outside? Rather than gassing up the car for an extended road trip, take short jaunts to the library or a nearby park and make a day of it. But even when dealing with mere minutes, rather than days, those with children will find the need to keep them occupied in transit. A solution, one passing the baton from the video game console in the home, is to let the kids carry along that Nintendo DS/DSi portable game system - but also bring along the 10 in 1 Essential Travel Kit. Besides featuring a protective case and cover for the portable (and replacement stylus), a hard case for those game cartridges and nicknacks, a car charger insures the battery won’t die at the most inopportune time.

Meanwhile for the adults carting around a netbook, light as they are and convenient to use, don’t do so well out and about once the battery goes.. So grownups get the Starter Kit 5 in 1 for Netbooks  instead: an adapter charger to plug into the car, along with a screen shield and cleaning cloth Plus a cushioned fabric case and even a drawstring bag. Toss the kit into the glove compartment and forget about problems.

So if the thought of not being able to travel has got you in the doldrums, it’s time to look around at all you can do right at home. Non-voyage everyone!