LOS ANGELES  —  "Alias" spy-babe Jennifer Garner (search) is no stranger to sci-fi gadgets, gizmos and inventions, but now the actress will honor real-life Hollywood techies who create state-of-the-art moviemaking devices.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (search) announced Thursday that Garner will host the Scientific and Technical Awards on Feb. 14 at the Ritz Carlton Huntington Hotel in Pasadena.

The Valentine's Day event takes precedes the overall Oscar ceremony on Feb. 29. Garner will appear on the ABC telecast two weeks later to introduce a run-down of the sci-tech honorees.

Scientific and Technical Awards are presented by the Academy for devices, methods, formulas, discoveries or inventions of special and outstanding value to the arts and sciences of motion pictures.

Among the other honorary prizes, Garner will present the year's two honorary merit Oscars at the gathering. One will go to Bill Tondreau, a pioneer in robotic camera operations, and Digidesign, a company that makes digital-audio systems to edit movie soundtracks.

Previous sci-tech Oscar hosts have included "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" star Kate Hudson and actress Charlize Theron, who this year is nominated for best actress for "Monster."

In addition to her TV work on "Alias," Garner's film credits include "Pearl Harbor," "Catch Me If You Can," "Dude, Where's My Car" and "Daredevil."