FIFA World Cup 2010: tech shootout!
The countdown to the FIFA World Cup is on! Here's all the best tech gear to catch all the action from South Africa.
If you're a football fan or even just have a casual interest in the World Cup then there are more ways to enjoy the games than ever before.
World Cup 2010 is the most advanced broadcast of the competition ever, and now thanks to Optus and Virgin Mobile, you can even watch it on the go — for free! We've picked the best phones to watch the game on live below.
But if you'd prefer to watch the games in your lounge room instead we have assembled a selection of TVs, video recorders, and for the ultimate big-screen experience — projectors!
Now it doesn't matter where you are because you are sure to have the best World Cup experience ever. Go the 'Roos!
Ole 3D
Back in 2006 several broadcasters were experimenting with HD, most of them in fact — but not SBS. Its World Cup coverage was defiantly in standard definition. It's a surprise then to see it leap HD completely and go straight for 3D. While our recent poll suggests that 3D is still a bit hit-and-miss it adds … ahem … an extra dimension to the coverage.
The broadcaster will show fifteen games in 3D including Australia-v-Germany. While you'll need a TV that will display 3D, such as the Samsung C7000, you may also want to invest in a PVR so you can watch the game in 3D later. The only device that's announced this capability so far is theTiVo Media Device though we've had success with Sony's PlayTV and suspect that most should work.
Best televisions for the World Cup
Let's get this out of the way first — you don't need a 3D television to watch the World Cup. It will be perfectly good in 2D.
Best PVR for the World Cup? 10 compared
So you want to watch every one of Australia's games for the World Cup, but what if you don't want to stay up till 5am to do it?
Best 1080p projectors on a budget
With the World Cup finally upon us it pays to think outside the square when looking for a big-screen football experience, and a projector gives you a much bigger picture for your money than a television ever could.
Best phones for World Cup fever
If you can't, or won't, get to a TV to watch Harry Kewell and the crew then make sure you have your mobile phone handy.