From smart projectors and AV receivers to a top-notch network, here are our network setup tips for Super Bowl party success.
Hut hut, touch down, the Super Bowl is swiftly approaching!
Are you ready? Are you excited?
Maybe your perfect home cinema set-up still needs some work in order to be ready for the big day. Don’t worry though, we’ve got you covered with this guide on exactly what you need for Super Bowl Party Success as an IT provider. Of course, you’ll want to flex your IT skills to all your friends and family, and hosting a Super Bowl event with a top-notch immersive experience is the way to do exactly that.
Hosting a Super Bowl party is an exciting time for football fans and party-goers alike. It’s a day filled with anticipation, where friends and family gather to cheer for their favorite team, watch the halftime show, and enjoy commercials that are as much a part of the spectacle as the game itself. To ensure that your Super Bowl party is a touchdown, paying attention to your device and network setup is crucial. This will not only enhance your viewing experience but also keep your guests entertained and connected throughout the event.
Read on to find out our top recommendations for setting up the perfect Super Bowl event.
- Prepare Your Devices
- Optimize Network Configuration
- Multi-Device Setup
- Troubleshoot
- Enhance Your Super Bowl Party
1) Preparing Your Devices for the Super Bowl Party
Ensuring Your TV and Streaming Devices Are Ready
First things first, you’ll need somewhere to watch the Super Bowl. A lot of TV makers are slashing prices right now ahead of the Super Bowl, so it’s an excellent time to pick up a good deal.
You’ll probably want something big for the game that’s 75 inches. Check out these ideas for the best Smart TVs to invest in right now. There are many options on the market right now, but you’ll quickly find that size, display technology, and smart app capabilities are the key drivers in pricing.
You could also take another route and go for a smart projector.
Smart projectors are portable, include the latest display technologies, and have integrated functionalities. They can basically do everything TVs can but on a much bigger screen and with more bells and whistles.
They are portable too so you can move them wherever you want. You could even watch the Super Bowl outside if it’s warm enough where you live or from the Hot Tub if it is not.
Some projectors do have issues with brightness so be careful of that and read reviews on this topic. A solid smart projector with adequate brightness might eat into your budget quite a bit too so take that into consideration when deciding.
Sound System Setup for the Ultimate Experience
With a smart projector or smart TV in hand, now you’re getting pretty serious about your home cinema set-up. The next item on your shopping list should be a good audio video receiver (AV receiver).
An AV receiver may seem like just another black box, but it’s really so much more.
AV receivers are key to truly creating that immersive sound experience linked from your speakers to your projector.
An AV receiver will enable you to experience the highs and lows of the game in a next-level way that is immersive and engaging. You’ll feel the narrative of the game in a whole new way.
Learn all about the best AV receivers on the market right now
Cables, cables, cables
Cables and service providers go together like the Super Bowl and a good chili recipe.
So it probably goes without saying that you’ll need good quality cables to connect all your gear together.
The AV receiver will act as the brains of the operation but you’ll need to connect it to your speakers, TV, or projector and streaming box via cabling.
Choose cables with the latest specs such as HDMI 2.1 for your video cable needs. This allows for processing the latest technologies.
You’ll also need to ensure you have a good streaming box to get access to the game. Here are some recommendations for the best streaming boxes available right now.
2) Reliable Network Setup for Seamless Streaming
These are the very important network setup tips for Super Bowl party success. You’ll need a couple of things to create the best possible network setup for the Super Bowl.
A good Network Switch
Since you’ll be adding so many new devices to your network, you’ll need a good network switch to plug them into.
Switches are simple to get your head around. They allow you to have more networked Audio/Video devices in your set-up than what a standard router would provide.
Check your ISP
You’ll also need a reliable Internet Service Provider (ISP) to get a good quality connection for watching the game.
Make Sure Your Network and Devices are Online
Although Domotz is designed for business settings, there’s no harm in mixing business with pleasure. You might like to use Domotz at home for game day because you want to show off your IT skills to friends and family. Use Domotz to make sure all your crucial devices are performing well and are online. All the greatest and latest gear is one thing, but the most important step is making sure they work!
3) Simplifying Multi-Device Setup and Control
Coordinating Multiple Screens
With the prevalence of smart TVs, mobile devices, and tablets, setting up multiple screens around your party venue allows guests to catch the action from different angles and not miss a moment. Controlling access and usage through setting up guest Wi-Fi and managing bandwidth use ensures that your network remains stable and fast for everyone.
Configuring Guest Wi-Fi
You’ll definitely want to keep your guests connected during the game. If you’ve not already done so, configure a guest Wi-Fi network segregated from the main LAN that your devices are connected to. Setting up a guest network rather than allowing guests to connect to your main Wi-Fi network is a good security practice and will enable better network performance.
Managing Bandwidth Use
You’ll want to test out your network speed with the Domotz app before the game to make sure you’ve got a steady and reliable Internet connection. Depending on your set-up and number of guests, don’t be caught with too little bandwidth. The Super Bowl is being streamed in 4K this year, so expect bandwidth consumption on the order of 25 Mbps for that stream alone.
4) Troubleshooting Common Issues
Connectivity problems can arise, but knowing quick fixes can save the day. Whether it’s resetting your router or knowing when to call for professional help, being prepared is key. For example, if you use a network monitoring software like Domotz, you can use it to identify performance and configuration issues using our network troubleshooting feature.
Also, ensuring a continuous power supply through surge protectors and having backup power solutions can prevent unexpected interruptions. Again, in you have Domotz, you can remotely power cycle devices with Domotz in case you need to.
5) Enhancing Your Super Bowl Party
The Super Bowl is not just a game. It’s an annual celebration that brings friends and family together to enjoy thrilling sportsmanship, captivating halftime performances, and, of course, delicious snacks.
Enhancing your Super Bowl party can transform a simple gathering into an unforgettable experience, setting the stage for everyone to enjoy the spectacle with utmost excitement and comfort. Here are some ideas:
Lighting and Comfort
Set up smart Lights for ambiance. Thermostat settings for comfort.
Smart Assistants for Real-Time Updates
You can set up voice commands to control your devices in real time.
A Menu to Match Your Set-up
Alright, now you are nearly on your way to Super Bowl success.
- You’ve got your awesome cinema-like set-up
- A superfast network including guest Wi-Fi
- You’ve tested your network speed (with Domotz)
- You are monitoring your network (with Domotz) to make sure all your fancy new devices are online
Now you’ll need a great menu to accompany your stellar network set-up.
How about chili, nachos supreme, buffalo chicken wings, garlic bread, pizza, mac & cheese, or pigs in a blanket?
To help you create the perfect menu, check out these 83 Super Bowl food ideas that are better than a touchdown.
For your drinks menu, don’t shy away from getting creative too. What about beermosas, touchdown punch, or grilled cheese bloody mary’s?
Check out these super fun and creative Super Bowl drinks that are sure to score a touchdown with your guests.
Whatever you decide as a menu, make sure to use your favorite app to order your groceries in advance. Nobody likes a party with no food or drinks.
How Will you Watch the Super Bowl this Year?
So there you have our top network setup tips for Super Party Success. Hosting the perfect Super Bowl party is never an easy job but equipped with the right devices, network, monitoring tools, and food you’ll be all set for the big day.
On game day, don’t stress because Domotz will have your back. Use Domotz network monitoring software to make sure you have a solid connection, your guest network is up and running, and all devices are online and operational.
Whether you call it Super Bowl, super bowl or superbowl, we’d love to hear about the devices and gear that’s essential for your set-up this year.
Further reading:
- 4 easy steps to power cycle devices in Domotz
- 5 MSP Industry Trends
- Next-Gen Network Monitoring
