HDTV
Alright, first thing's first—we need to talk HDTVs again. With the game looming, you may be thinking about an upgrade or, in some cases, your first HDTV set. In this economy, spending money is always an issue, but at this point, waiting for even cheaper HDTVs will probably keep you on the sidelines for a good long while. In the meantime, you are missing out on all the crystal-clear action. I mean, even The Simpsons are going high-def this year.

No worries though—retailers are busting out some great deals on HDTVs in anticipation of the Super Bowl crowd. Here are some examples:

• Westinghouse 32'' 1080p LCD HDTV for $364.99 (normally $564.99—use this rebate form).
• Samsung 40'' 1080p LCD HDTV for $1,108.83 plus free shipping and a $200 gift certificate to NFLShop.com (normally $1,699.99—use this gift certificate claim form. Valid through 1/31).
• Vizio 42'' 1080p Widescreen LCD HDTV (factory refurbished) for $589.97 (normally $999.99).
• Toshiba 42" 1080p LCD HDTV for $749 plus free shipping (normally $1,399. Use coupon code "MMCHTV50").
• Toshiba Regza 46'' 1080p LCD HDTV for $999.99 plus free shipping (normally $1,499.99).
• Sharp Aquos 52" 1080p LCD HDTV for $1,449.99 plus free shipping (normally $2,099.99. Use coupon code "MMCHTV50").
• Walmart's Super Bowl HDTV sale—$100 off/$100 Walmart gift card included (for example: 32'' Samsung for $498, 46'' Sony for $1,298).

If you decide to take advantage of these sales or any others you may have found through shopping comparison sites like PriceGrabber.com and Shopping.com, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. Most importantly, you need to know which HDTV is going to work for you and your budget. Our guide How to Choose and HDTV Like a Pro and the followup How To Buy and HDTV Today (Or Any Day) will give you all the information you need to make smart decisions.

It's a good idea to carry around a web-enabled cellphone to comparison shop in the store, or have a friend at a computer standing by. If they have an in-store pickup service, that could lead to even bigger savings—not to mention a guarantee to have your TV before the game on Sunday.

What To Watch Out For
As always, it's almost always a good idea to avoid pricey warranties, profit-heavy accessories like HDMI cables and unnecessary services offered in the store. There is a 99% chance you are getting screwed.

Don't fall for liquidation sales. You may feel that the demise of Circuit City presents an ideal opportunity to score some new gear for the game. The reality is, if you're not constantly cross-checking those supposedly slashed prices, quite the opposite may be true.

It Isn't All About the TV
The Super Bowl isn't just about a big HDTV. It's about people getting together, getting drunk and yelling at that HDTV. It's also a good time to pick up some of the extras you are going to need like cool remotes, cooking equipment, and other football-related gear. Here are some of the best deals going:

Remotes:
• Logitech Harmony 550 Universal Remote Control for $59.97 plus free shipping (normally $99.97)
• Logitech Harmony 610 Universal Remote Control for $49.99 (normally $79.99)

Other Home Entertainment Gadgets:
• Sling Media Slingbox Pro-HD for $259.99 (normally $299.99)
• Cambridge Soundworks Surround Speakers for $99.99 (normally $299.99)
• Polk Audio Two-way Floorstanding Loudspeaker for $99.99 plus free shipping (normally $199.99)
• Pioneer HTP-2920 5.1 Surround-Sound System for $199.99 plus free shipping (normally $329.99)

Gaming:
• Madden 2009 on PS3 for $36.99 plus free shipping (normally $56.99 / Great for exacting revenge on a blown season. Damn you Giants!)

DVDs:
• NFL History of the Pittsburgh Steelers on DVD for $13.99 (normally $26.98)
• Pittsburgh Steelers: Super Bowl Champions on DVD for $8.86 (normally $19.98)
• Any Given Sunday on DVD for $4.86 (normally $14.96, and Wilson's favorite Oliver Stone film)
• Friday Night Lights for $3.15 (normally $12.98)
• Remember the Titans for $5.73 (normally $14.99)
• The Comebacks on DVD for $4.99 (normally $14.98)
• Jerry McGuire on DVD for $8.99 plus free shipping (normally $19.95)
• Little Giants on DVD for $6.99 (normally $14.97)
• The Waterboy on DVD for $8.26 plus free shipping (normally $19.99)
• We Are Marshall for $4.99 (normally $14.98)

Grills:
• Tool Box Jumbo Grill with Stand for $24.97 (normally $99.99)
• Coleman Outdoor Grill and Stove for $32.36 (normally $82.99, in Target stores only)
• Hamilton Beach HealthSmart Grill for $18.99 (normally $36.11)
• George Foreman Champ Grill for $19.99 (normally $39.99)

Beer and Popcorn:
• A handful of deals and rebates on beer (This is what it is all about)
• Nostalgia Movietime Popcorn Maker for $22.54 (normally $36.23)
• Presto PopLite Hot Air Popcorn Popper for $14.99 (normally $29.99)
• Orville Redenbacher's Original Popping Corn Kernels for $6.95 (normally $26.95)

For the Ladies:
• Football for Dummies for $7.99 (normally $19.99)
• Arizona Cardinals earrings for $5.99 (normally $21.95)
• Arizona Cardinals apron for $12.95 (normally $14.95)
• Pittsburg Steelers earrings for $3.99 (normally $13.95)
• Pittsburg Steelers apron for $12.95 (normally $14.95)
• 5 lbs. of Holiday Chocolate for $1.49 (normally $24.99 - use coupon code "AVA910")

Hobomodo:
• Mini Football for $0 (use fake e-mail address, could possibly be spam)
• 1,200 Digital Photo Prints for $0 (use coupon code "FREE800")
• Diet Dr. Pepper for $0
• Orville Redenbacher Natural Gourmet Popcorn for $0
• Bruce Springsteen Songs for Guitar Hero World Tour for $0 (valid until 2/04)
•3D glasses for Super Bowl commercials for $0 You may want to hold on to these.

Now get out there and enjoy the game. And I would like to take this opportunity to say that the last six weeks or so of the Giant's season made me want to puke. If I wanted to see a team look like crap, I would go back to a standard-def TV.

Prof. Dealzmodo is a regular section dedicated to helping budget-minded consumers learn how to shop smarter and get the best deals on their favorite gadgets. If you have any topics you would like to see covered, send your idea to tips@gizmodo.com, with "Professor Dealzmodo" in the subject line.

Both Rolling Stone and the Times Online have written about the US's superhero phenomenon. Labeled by some as a post-9/11 response and apparently spurred by Obama's call for "active citizenry," everyday people are dressing up in spandex to patrol the streets in a manner reminiscent of The Watchmen. From Times Online:

They must stand for unambiguous and unsponsored good. They must create their own Spandex and rubber costumes without infringing Marvel or DC Comics copyrights, but match them with exotic names..They must shun guns or knives to avoid being arrested as vigilantes, even if their nemeses may be armed. Their best weapon is not muscle but the internet – an essential tool in their war on crime is a homepage stating the message of doom for super-villains.

If the rules sound unfair, it's only because they are. Rolling Stone explains that fair isn't necessarily the point.

As the superheroes see it, the fact that they can't project energy bolts or summon force fields only adds to the purity of their commitment. Their heroism, in a sense, derives from their lack of powers. What they have instead is the power to craft themselves anew. "This whole movement is more than just fat guys in spandex," insists Superhero, himself a brawny guy in head-to-toe spandex.

If anyone's interested, here's a guide I assembled anticipating just this sort of movement. To the cave that is in no way affiliated with DC trademarks! [Rolling Stone and Times Online via BoingBoing]

Buying continual replacements is quickly going to create a massively expenses bill, so we say, just stick with this alternative instead. Sure, it may not be miniature and cool, but at least it's big and ugly. If that isn't a selling point, having physical characteristics in common with your flash drive should have you sold. [Oh Gizmo!]

Here are the Gizmodo Super Bowl Spot Awards, where we picked our favorites, giving each one its own special designation. You'll be able to click and play each one of our embedded selections, and don't forget to check out our pick for best commercial of the night:

Funniest Animals: Blockbuster: Mouse

For some reason, the animals aren't doing it for us that much anymore, but the play on words with a mouse clicking and dragging had us mildly chuckling.

Dumbass Award: FedEx - Office on the Moon

Guys, there is 1/6-G on the moon, not complete weightlessness. Yeah, the commercial was mildly funny but, comedy has to be based at least somewhat on reality, doesn't it? Dopes. FedEx made up for this goofiness later.

Best Shot of the Night: CBS cameraman gets drenched

Not a commercial, but the purple heart has to go to this intrepid CBS cameraman with his drenched Steadicam.

Not That There's Anything Wrong with That Award: Snickers: Kiss

Two tough-guy greasemonkeys have a Brokeback moment where they just can't resist chowing down on a Snickers bar. We could feel their pain when they ripped off those chest hairs. Ouch.

Gamers Favorite Award: Coke: Grand Theft Auto

Damned if this didn't look exactly like Grand Theft Auto. It was looking super-sharp in HD, too. Nice work, Coke.

Robot Overlord Award: GM Robot

We, for one, would not welcome a robot overlord as suicidal as this one. Even though we've already seen this spot, it mildly entertained us just the same.

Best Dick Joke: Sprint: Connectile Dysfunction

Sprint does have nice fast EV-DO connectivity, so we'll forgive them for this slight humor, equating boners with connecting up in the airport.

Living Life to the Fullest Award: Coke: "What else haven't I done?"

Poor guy. Never tasted a Coke before? What else hasn't he done ? Rock 'n roll, dude. Run with the bulls. Maybe this old codger should have stripped naked and run out on the field during halftime.

Best Animation Voices: Taco Bell: Lions

These two lions just seemed real to us, looking over the campers and trying to talk like Ricardo Montalban. Roll those Rs? No, still no.

Subtle Humor Award: Emerald Mixed Nuts: Robert Goulet

Many of us don't even know who Robert Goulet is; one kid back in the back said he looked like Hitler. But afternoons around three o'clock, sometimes we also have had our suspicions that Robert Goulet comes in and messes with our stuff. Maybe we should get some of these mixed nuts.

Funniest: FedEx Ground: Don't Judge

We're thinking that Harry, Bob, Joy, and Harry, and especially Mr. Turkey Neck, are aptly named.

Weirdest Award: Budweiser: Beer-Stealing Crabs

These crabs, looking like they've already been boiled and ready-to-eat, bow and worship a cooler full of Budweiser. Odd.

Best Editing: Izod: Phillips-Van Heusen

Techies at Autodesk gave us a sneak peek, showing us how this spot was edited using a high-end Autodesk Flame (formerly Discreet Flame) video and digital film compositing system. There is extraordinary subtlety in the spot, great use of music, speed effects, excellent color correction. It's a masterpiece of sleight-of-hand editing, much of which you can't even tell was done at all. It's magic.

Best Cinematography: Etrade: One Finger

This is about as good as shooting for high-end commercials gets, where every take in the spot was well-planned and perfectly executed. Plus, we especially like the way the cinematography was done with a wry sense of humor. It was effective as an advertisement, too. Who wouldn't like the idea of telling some expensive broker who uses a dartboard to pick your stocks where to go? All it takes is one finger.

Best Spot Overall: Coke: Happiness Factory

This spot is nothing new, but even so, it was the best spot on the entire Super Bowl slate. If we were going to spend $2.5 million to buy ad space on the Super Bowl, it would be to air a spot like this. We follow a coin into a Coke machine, and then a wild fantasy takes place, where we see the Coke being manufactured with love and kisses, gussied up into its bottle and then paraded out the other side. It's a gorgeous ad that wins our award as best Super Bowl spot overall this year. – Charlie White

LG Contest [LG Canada]

So if you buy a LG BH100 instead of the Toshiba HD-A1 and the Samsung BD-P1000, you save shelf space at the expense of cash ($1200 vs. $600 + $400).

More after the jump.

– Jason Chen

Thanks to Sizeasy!

The only downside is that..

the hard drive doesn't actually fit in the unit, so it just sits bare-assed on the outside.
Definitely cool though. – Jason Chen

Mod Page [Teque5]