What’s not to like about a video projection system that throws a dazzling 147-inch 4K image on the wall from only a few inches away? No need to run wires and hang a bulky box from the ceiling or build an alcove in the back of the room to hide it away. And no distracting shadows when Uncle Ted stands up in the middle of the movie to stretch…again. Even better, the Sony LSPX-W1S is 21 inches deep and stands only 10.5 inches off the floor. Its decorative aluminum grille lends an air of elegance, concealing the projector in what could easily be mistaken for a high-end baseboard heating unit.
I know you don’t want to be the guy or gal who gives questionable—OK, useless—
presents. Apart from the awkward head-nodding and forced smiles, the act of giving a bogus gift reflects badly on you, as in: I ran in Target a quarter to five on Christmas Eve and grabbed the first [tie/sweater/gloves/underwear] I saw. Don’t go there! We’ve already screened a dozen gifts for you at prices starting as low as 30 bucks. All you have to do is find a match for that special person(s) on your list. How hard can that be?
Imagine if you could focus sound the same way you beam light from a flashlight. Think of the possibilities. You could direct sound to Bill, and Betty, who’s sitting right next to him, wouldn’t hear a thing. Sort of like headphones without…uh… the ’phones.
AT A GLANCE Plus
Easy to use
Unstitched 360-degree photo and video
Compatible with standard tripod and GoPro mounts
Minus
No controls on the camera
Slightly soft video quality
THE VERDICT
While video quality lacks the crisp wow factor of modern GoPro footage, this
single-lens camera represents a huge step in the immersive video market.
Launched in 2013, VSN Mobil is a new face in the tech crowd, and the company just set the bar in the immersive video market with an action camera that shoots unstitched 360-degree video—the V.360º. Comprised of hand-plucked talent from Foxconn, General Dynamics, Motorola, Pininfarina, and Samsung, VSN Mobil has a leg up on the competition out of the gate. With a creative director from the design house that brought us the timelessly elegant Ferrari F40 and a head of engineering who previously served one of the world’s largest defense contractors, you would be correct to assume that the V.360º is equal parts beauty and brain.
A 65-inch Ultra HDTV from Sony, a guitar tone processor that turns any speaker into a guitar amp, JBL's new wireless outdoor speaker, and more new gear.
A mirror TV to spice up your kitchen, sweet sunburst speakers that echo an iconic guitar (can you guess which one?), a Bluetooth—yes, Bluetooth—turntable, a soundbar for Connoisseurs, and more.
You’ve got the gear, but when it comes time to show it off, can you walk the walk? There are many approaches to displaying or hiding your home theater equipment and a multitude of furniture, mount, and accessory products out there. Here are just a few that, we think, put their own unique spin on your personal space.
The most stylish DAC/amplifier you'll ever see, an AV cabinet made of reclaimed teak from a sunken naval vessel, another Atmos-enabled speaker, and more.