Dad is a complex dude. Despite having so few apparent interests and hobbies, when it comes to Father's Day, he's impossibly hard to read when it comes time to narrow down the perfect gift. He's an enigma wrapped in old boxers and La-Z-Boy lining. Still, after years of teaching you to ride a bike, dodge a fist, act responsibly and hit a ball, doesn't he deserve something truly special? And no, we're not talking about a New York City Subway Map tie.
Dad has enough dorky ties, cufflinks and hammers to last a lifetime. Instead, get him something he really wants this year -- something high tech, and perhaps slightly geeky. If you can afford an HDTV, there are plenty to choose from, from the affordable to the super-expensive. If he already has a big-screen buddy, there are many other A/V-related options. Whether your motives are convenience, selfishness, or just to make your siblings look bad, these five items should surely make dad rethink your "knucklehead" status.
Our Five Sure Fire Father's Day Gifts
Dad loves his big-screen setup. Sadly, he doesn't get to use it all that much. During those many Spongebob and Dora marathons, dear dad can take this portable player to the basement, bedroom or bathroom -- and enjoy a little high-def entertainment.
Promising 3.5 hours of battery life, the DMP-500 has a 10.1-inch screen for viewing high-def movies almost anywhere. It's also perfect for family vacations, since the HDMI output allows for hooking up to any high-def TV. Also, if you don't pack a ton of movies, the DMP-500 features VIERA Cast for on-the-fly viewing of Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube and more. Also, when dad starts to forget what his family looks like, he can pop in an SD card and check out classic vacation shots or other memorable photos.
Sonos S5 Wireless Music System
As much as you hate to admit it, dad loves to rock out. Now he can torture everyone throughout the house, by carting the Sonos S5 from room to room. This wireless music system packs in two tweeters, two mid-range drivers and a subwoofer driver, so you can feel every beat of dad's music collection. Using the S5, he can access thousands of musical options, from any networked computer as well as Rhapsody, Pandora, Sirius, and about 25,000 web radio stations. If he starts grating on your nerves, program your iPhone or iPod Touch to control the unit wirelessly and drive him really crazy. That'll learn him!
Roku HD-XR Player
Every dad loves cheap thrills. So do you -- when it comes to a gift, anyway. Roku has put a lot of them into this box that's so compact, dad might actually think you used magic to make the TV more interesting. At $129.95, this is the top-of-the-line Roku box, offering wireless access to Netflix, MLB.TV, Ultimate Fighting content, and a slew of other entertainment. Some content is free (dad's favorite!) and some require fees. The best part about the box is that it supports HD, so even the free stuff will look sweet on his big screen TV. If your dad isn't all that fussy, the Roku HD and Roku SD are also available with lesser features at a lesser price.
OmniMount Power55 Remote-Controlled Mount
Dad has a favorite chair. That doesn't always mean he gets first dibs. For those times when the best seat is not immediately available, this unit can tilt, pan and swivel the TV until dad gets just the right viewing angle. The unit is controlled all from the touch of a button. Able to hold up to 110 pounds, the unit is designed for most flat panels ranging from 37 to 55 inches. The system is also able to remember any position that dad really, really likes -- three of them, actually. While dad could probably just get your brother to get up and move the TV, the Power55 also has safety benefits: It keeps that massive TV off the floor and away from the little ones, which is good for them and dad's other baby, the TV.
Caddyshack Blu-ray
Dad wants a hamburger. No, a cheeseburger. He wants a hot dog. He wants a milkshake... and he probably wants Caddyshack on Blu-ray. After all, dad does love golf -- and loves classic comedies even more. This fills the bill for both.
This is the film's first outing on Blu-ray. So if Chevy Chase, Bill Murray and Rodney Dangerfield aren't enough, dad should appreciate how Bushwood will look a little greener and the gopher will look, well... a little more fake. However, the extras, including a 37-minute documentary, are picked up from the standard-def DVD. Well... thank you very little. Still, it's a classic, it's still quotable, it's high-def, and it's perfect for dad.
