HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

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Podcast #1181: YouTubeTV Price Increase and Keep Connect and TV Warranty Service Dec 20, 2024

On this week’s show we discuss Braden’s YouTubeTV price increase as well as a discussion on how to reboot your internet modem when it locks up even if you aren’t home. One of our listeners, Josh in Huntsville AL, shares his experience dealing with warranty service on a large screen TV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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YouTube TV price update

Braden received the following email from YouTubeTV raising his TV service costs by $10:

YouTube TV has always worked hard to offer you the content you love, delivered the way you want, with features that make it easy to enjoy the best of live TV.

To keep up with the rising cost of content and the investments we make in the quality of our service, we’re updating our monthly price from $72.99/month to $82.99/month starting January 13, 2025.

We don’t make these decisions lightly, and we realize this has an impact on our members. We are committed to bringing you features that are changing the way we watch live TV, like unlimited DVR storage and multiview*, and supporting YouTube TV’s breadth of content and vast on-demand library of movies and shows.

The price of your YouTube TV Base Plan membership will change in your first billing cycle on or after January 13, 2025, and will be charged to your payment method on file going forward. To view your current plan, go to Settings > Membership for updated information. If you are currently on a trial or promotional price for the Base Plan, that promotion is still honored and unchanged.

We hope YouTube TV continues to be your service of choice, but we understand that some of our members may want to cancel their subscriptions. As always, family managers have the ability to pause or cancel anytime. You can find more information in our Help Center.

With lots of exciting shows and live events ahead in the new year, we’ll continue to strive to deliver the best of TV, all in one place. Thank you for being a loyal YouTube TV member.

Sincerely,

The YouTube TV team

Cable Internet Going Down While Away

On a recent trip Ara’s cable modem locked up and would not come back online until he returned home and cycled power. So how do you prevent this from happening again? Ara takes a look at a solution called Keep Connect, a $50 device that monitors your internet connection and reboots the system when connection to the internet is lost.

Features:

Automatic Router Rebooter / Reset - Stop manually restarting your router! Automate the process to ensure highly reliable internet connection uptime
Constantly Monitors Router and/or Modem Internet Health. Keep Connect provides 24/7/365 protection to ensure that your smart home and connected devices are always online and available.
Notifications - Free Texts or Emails from Keep Connect notifying you of detected eventsif you choose to enter your phone number/email. You may also choose No Notifications.
Perfect for Smart Home Reliability - Schedule Periodic Resets to keep your connection fresh and fast.
Premium Cloud Services App Available (iOS App Store and Google Play Store) - Our Premium Keep Connect Cloud Services platform allows using our Online/Mobile App to monitor many locations in one place as well. Cloud Services allows remote management of devices at all locations as well as heartbeat monitoring of your Keep Connects to notify you in the event of an ISP internet outage at one of your sites.

Large TV Warranty Experience

I’ve meant to write about my TCL TV experience for quite some time. What can I say, life is just busy. I have two more kids than Braden!

When I heard a couple of weeks ago a question about warranty experiences for large TVs, I thought I had put off writing this story long enough.

After listening to Braden hype up TCL TVs for at least a couple of years, as well as reading many reviews for TVs and watching the developing technology trends at the time, in September 2020 I ordered a TCL 75R635, a so-called 6-series Roku 4K QLED 75-inch TV with a respectable 240-zone backlight array. The TV had been announced earlier in the year, perhaps at CEDIA or CES and I was ready to replace my 10-year old Panasonic plasma HD TV with this TCL model. I watched over the next many months for the TV to become available. While I hoped for a sale, I also knew from watching similar TVs that the stock tended to get bought out pretty quickly. Amazon finally had the TV available to order in September 2020 and I ordered immediately for a retail price of $1399 plus tax. I received it on October 3.

The TV worked great for about 6 months. In late March 2021, the screen suddenly and mysteriously slowly faded to a sort of dark backlit state in the middle of whatever my wife was watching. A backlight was on, but no picture elements were displayed. You could still hear the TV making sounds associated with navigating the menu when pushing buttons on the remote. I started a warranty claim March 31 nothing I was well within the 1-year warranty period. I don’t recall exact timing, but a service tech was scheduled to attempt to repair the TV within 10 days. The day he was supposed to come, he called me beforehand and said he’d already been trying to repair the same model TV for another purchaser. He asked me a couple of questions about what the TV was doing. His conclusion over the phone and based on trying to work on the same model of TV was that it was not repairable and he would elevate the case to sending a replacement.

Here is where the process got a little frustrating. TCL honored the claim. However, the process became surprisingly slow. As I said, I don’t recall exactly when the service tech came, but if it was Day 10, that would have been April 9. TCL told me on April 23 the TV was finally being shipped. It was considered a freight shipment, so TCL handed me off to Pilot Deliveries from that point forward. I had to contact Pilot to arrange delivery if you can believe that! I also had to coordinate with Pilot to pick up the defective unit. I did all of this. By May 3, I still had not received the replacement. It took another call to TCL at this point to investigate the problem because tracking showed it bouncing all over the map. I think it came from China. Landed in California, then I think it made it to Nashville, then Chattanooga, back to Nashville, and hopped over me in Huntsville to wind up in Mobile, Alabama.

By this point, Pilot seemed to finally acknowledge they weren’t handling this delivery well. It did get flown one last time to Huntsville. Then they sent the TV on an unmarked box truck (No "Pilot" markings) with a kid who was maybe 20 to deliver the TV to my home. The TV was the only thing on the truck. And, it had fallen over which I suspected when I came around to the back of the truck and saw the driver just finishing standing the box back up. The driver admitted this was the case when I asked. But, jumping to the end, the TV has always worked fine. I had to help get the very large box in the house because they should have sent two people to handle this delivery. This was May 6 when I finally took possession. So, a little over 5-week process. I never expected it to take that long.

The rumors amongst forums at the time were that because this was most likely a first production run model (remember, I bought it as soon as it was available), there were manufacturing defects. And the failure itself was likely because TCL was wiring the backlight array in-series, so if one light goes out, they all stop working. I think the “dark light” that we could see came from the edges, so maybe the light array was separated into zones somehow. I guess I’ll never really know.

Finally, some anecdotes:

Anecdote #1: I am a sentimental sort and I was a little sad to see the original go as me and my kids had broken in that first TV watching the then new Mandalorian series which we greatly enjoyed.

Anecdote #2: My “finance committee” hates it when we spend “large” amounts of money all at once. In all those years I was listening to you guys, doing research, and waiting for the TV to become available, I banked my Amazon credit card reward points just for a TV. When the time came, I only paid $61.02 out of pocket for this TV.

We’ve greatly enjoyed the TV ever since. I couldn’t swing $4000-$5000+ at the time for the 55-inch OLEDs that were out then. But the TCL has always been enjoyable. HDR and Dolby Vision content especially look great for deep dark blacks. Would I buy one similar to this again? Maybe—the technology continues to improve even in just the last 4 years and prices have also come down. There are lots of options. Honestly, I think more about a short throw projector for my next TV based on Ara's experiences.

Hope you and the listeners enjoy this story about my warranty experience.

Josh

Huntsville, AL

Podcast #1180: Christmas Classics and where you can stream them Dec 13, 2024

On this week’s show we give you ten Christmas Classics and where you can stream them. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news stories.

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10 Christmas Movies and Where to Watch Them

Each time this year our family loves to settle in and watch Christmas movies that are loaded on our Plex Server. This year one of my daughters decided to watch the 1994 version of Miracle on 34th Street when I said to her the quality of the movie was better than I remembered, our Plex Server has a DVD rip, she said that she was watching on Disney+. This got me thinking which of my favorite Christmas movies are available to stream and on what service. So for this episode we give you ten Christmas Classics and where you can stream them.

Die Hard, 1988 IMDB Rating 8.2/10 — Peacock, Hulu
Elf, 2003 IMDB Rating 7.1/10— Max, Hulu
Home Alone, 1990 IMDB Rating 7.7/10— Disney+
How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, 1966 IMDB Rating 8.3/10 — Peacock, Fubo
It’s a Wonderful Life, 1946 IMDB Rating 8.6/10 — Prime
Miracle on 34th Street, 1947 IMDB Rating 7.9/10 — Paramount+
Miracle on 34th Street, 1994 IMDB Rating 6.6/10 — Peacock, Disney+
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 1989 IMDB Rating 7.5/10 — Hulu, Max
The Santa Clause, 1994 IMDB Rating 6.6/10 — Disney+
White Christmas 1954 IMDB Rating 7.6/10 — Prime

Podcast #1179: Could Legacy Audio Brands Disappear Next Year? Dec 06, 2024

On this week’s show we ask “Could Legacy Audio Brands Disappear Next Year?” We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Hisense 85" Class R6 Series 4K UHD Roku Smart TV

Could Legacy Audio Brands Disappear Next Year?

Major audio brands, including Denon, Marantz, Klipsch, and Pioneer, are facing potential extinction as their parent companies, Masimo and Voxx International, struggle with significant financial difficulties.

Masimo, having acquired Sound United's brands for $1.532 billion in 2022, reported a decline in consumer audio revenue from $171.5 million to $161.4 million, leading to a loss of $31.3 million, including $12.9 million in Q3 alone. Similarly, Voxx International witnessed a 35% drop in consumer electronics sales and a 15.4% overall revenue decline, exacerbated by a $40 million court judgment and halted production of key brands due to licensing issues.

The declines are attributed to a post-COVID market slump, where the surge in sales during the pandemic is now reversing, alongside structural corporate issues and shifting consumer preferences.

The post-COVID slump

The pandemic created a surge in home audio sales as people built home offices and upgraded their living spaces. But those golden days are over. Since 2022, sales have crashed by up to 30% in some cases.

For example, Voxx International’s consumer electronics dropped by 35% partly because people aren’t spending like they used to. Even turntables, which were flying off the shelves during lockdown, are now collecting dust in warehouses.

The corporate structure problem

The problems run deeper than just sales.

Masimo, a medical tech company, lacks the expertise to run an audio business. They’re experts at hospital equipment, but high-end speakers are a different game entirely.

Voxx faces similar challenges. They can’t even make Pioneer products anymore because of licensing issues!

Perhaps because of these misalignments, both companies are trying to squeeze unrealistic profits out of these brands (around 300% to 500% margins).

That’s like trying to sell a $100 pair of headphones for $500.

Voxx did manage to cut costs by $5.3 million in Q2, but their operating losses continue to mount.

Basically, managing multiple classic brands under one corporate umbrella has only added to their struggles, spreading resources thin and diluting brand identities.

The changing consumer market

Consumer preferences have also changed dramatically:

Young music fans prioritize convenience over traditional hi-fi setups. They’re not looking for massive speaker setups anymore. Instead, they look for portable, budget-friendly solutions that fit their lifestyle better.
Serious audiophiles are turning to vintage equipment, which often matches or exceeds new products in quality and value.
Some Chinese manufacturers have come in to offer the same things luxury audio brands do but at less cost. So, customers have been leaning towards them more in recent years.

Podcast #1178: Happy Thanksgiving Nov 28, 2024

On this week’s show The HT Guys are thankful for our family, friends and listeners! This is a shortened podcast with emails and the week’s news.

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Happy Thanksgiving!

Podcast #1177: Black Friday 2024 Nov 22, 2024

On this week’s show we take a look at some great Black Friday deals to set up a home theater. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Starling Home Hub

Black Friday Deals

Best Buy Black Friday Deals

Hisense - 85" Class QD6 Series QLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2024) $649.99 Save $450 Was $1,099.99
Sony - 77" Class BRAVIA 8 OLED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2024) $2599.99 Save $400 Was $2999.99
Insignia™ - 55" Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $229.99 Save $120 Was $349.99
Pioneer Elite - VSX-LX105 7.2 Channel Network AV Receiver $499 Save $300 Was $799

Costco Black Friday Deals

Samsung 70" Class - DU6900D Series - 4K UHD LED Smart TV $479.99 Save $50 Was $529.99 (Includes 3 Year Warranty)
LG 75" Class - QNED90 Series - 4K UHD MiniLED LCD TV $1599.99 Save $200 Was $1799.99 (5 year Total Coverage with Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan)

Other Deals

Roku Smart TV – 65-Inch Select Series 4K HDR $378 Save $71.99 Was $449.99
TCL 98-Inch Q65 QLED 4K UHD Smart TV with Google TV $1449.99 Save $1550 Was $2999.99
Insignia™ - 32" Class F20 Series LED HD Smart Fire TV $74.99 Save $55 Was $129.99
Apple AirPods Pro 2 Wireless Earbuds $189 Save $60 Was $249
Apple AirPods (3rd Generation) $94 Save $75 Was $169
Blink Mini 1080p Security Camera $17.99 Save $12.00 Was $29.99
Blink Outdoor 4 - Battery-Powered Smart Security 3-Camera System $99.99 Save $160 Was $259.99
Roku Streaming Stick 4K Streaming Device 4K/HDR/Dolby Vision with Voice Remote with TV Controls $34.99 Save $15 Was $49.99
Roku Premiere | 4K/HDR Streaming Media Player $18 Save $21.99 Was 39.99
SVS Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase $499 Save $200 Was $699
Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh wifi router (newest model) 3 Pack $349.99 Save $200 Was $549.99
CINEMA 1200 SOUND BAR 5.1.4 SYSTEM $799 Save $1100 Was $1899
SVS and RSL speakers are running great sales on their speakers

Podcast #1176: Flatten Your Warped Vinyl and Pause Your Streaming Services Nov 15, 2024

On this week’s show we take a look at a device that claims it will flatten your warped vinyl. Then we ask is there anything that can be done to prevent subscribers from pausing the streaming services. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

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Record Pi Vinyl Flattener

A couple of episodes ago we talked about a turntable that uses suction to make warped records flat. Ara joked about taking a blow dryer and heating up the record and then just unwarping it. Well it turns out that there is a product that essentially does this. One of our listeners, Matthew Dropco, pointed us to a product that flattens your vinyl!

The Record Pi ($275) vinyl flattener is an innovative solution tailored for fixing warped vinyl records, featuring a patent-pending integrated system comprising three essential components: the Record Pi Device, Record Pi Temperature Controller, and Record Pi Heating Case. The Record Pi Device is engineered using premium steel alloy, ensuring an even distribution of heat while securely holding the record to apply uniform flattening pressure with heavy metal alloy plates and protective Groove Guards. The Temperature Controller offers precise temperature regulation within 1°F of the target range of 100 to 145°F, allowing users to remotely adjust settings via internet connectivity using either Google Android or Apple iOS devices, provided a compatible Wi-Fi router is available.

The Record Pi Heating Case not only warms the device during use but also serves as a practical storage solution when not in operation. The product comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee (with the buyer covering return shipping) and a two-year limited warranty, providing confidence in its durability and effectiveness. Weighing 16 lbs, the Record Pi is designed for US standard voltage of 110V but can also be used internationally with the appropriate voltage converter, ensuring its versatility for vinyl enthusiasts everywhere.

What can streaming services do to keep customers from pausing subscriptions?

We found an article over at TheStreamable.com opining about “What can streaming services do to keep customers from pausing subscriptions”. We have some thoughts on this as well!

As streaming services in the U.S. approach market saturation, the focus has shifted from acquiring new customers to retaining current ones. Recent data reveals a significant rise in viewers pausing their subscriptions, increasing from 29.8% in 2022 to 34.2% in early 2024. Many consumers are not dissatisfied with their services; rather, they find it hard to justify the cost until new desirable content is available.

To address this issue, streaming providers are exploring various strategies. Current efforts include enhancing bundling options, as surveys indicate that bundled services can significantly decrease cancellations. Recent bundles, such as the Disney+, Hulu, and Max combination, aim to encourage user loyalty.

Additional strategies could involve allowing customers to temporarily pause their subscriptions while keeping their accounts active. For example, Hulu could offer a one-time 30-day pause option at a lower rate, such as on an ad-supported plan, to keep users engaged without full financial commitment. Overall, creative retention strategies beyond simple discounts may be essential for preventing subscription pauses.

Podcast #1175: Tips for Buying your 4K TV on Black Friday Nov 08, 2024

On this week’s show we take a quick look at a $20 set of earbuds, the Soundcore A30i. We also get you ready for your Black Friday TV shopping with 10 tips. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

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Soundcore A30i by Anker

The Soundcore A30i are earbuds that are housed in a lipstick-shaped case. They are lightweight and comfortable, ensuring they feel almost weightless during use. These earbuds have “noise cancellation” but I’d say it's more like noise isolation. Going from ANC to passthrough was almost imperceptible in the amount of sound coming from the outside. Since they do block out sounds, they work well in noisy environments.

In terms of audio quality, the soundcore A30i delivers decent sound once you set the EQ. I was not happy with any of the preset EQ modes. But increasing the bass and treble yielded a nice sound. This is done through the soundcore app. You can turn on a 3D surround sound effect via the app as well. But after about 30 seconds it was turned off.

Additionally, the earbuds feature four microphones equipped with AI technology that Anker claims yields crystal-clear calls, regardless of location. Not so! I made three test calls and everyone of them sounded bad to the person on the other end. When I reconnected with my AirPods the people I was talking with said it was much better. Range wasn’t very good either. I put my phone on my workbench and by the time I got to the edge of my garage there were dropouts. I tested this multiple times.

So is it all bad? Is there any redeeming features? Well yes there is, it only costs $20! For twenty dollars this makes a great stocking stuffer for a younger child who may be prone to losing things. They are also a good backup for when your Airpod Maxs start to hurt your ears. Sometimes you need to give your ears a break from the vice that’s on your head!

Tips for Buying your 4K TV on Black Friday

Buying a new 4K TV can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience due to the variety of options available. With Black Friday deals right around the corner we want you to consider a few things before you go out hunting. Here are steps you need to take to ensure you get the best TV for your budget:

Budget - This has to be the first consideration. Everything else is impacted by cost. Fortunately, you can get higher quality TVs for less money than when we first started doing Black Friday episodes. Once you set your budget and determine size (next tip) you can begin to decide on the other criteria.
Screen Size: Choose the right size for your room. This is where you would expect us to come up with some cool formula about seating distance and screen size. Not us! Measure your available space and put the largest screen that will fit. Of course after you consider the remaining items on this list. Also, don’t be opposed to knocking down walls or buying new furniture to gain a few more inches of diagonal ;-)
Display Technology - You’ll have to decide between OLED, QLED, and LED. Each has their place and will have an impact on screen size. By that we mean a larger OLED will cost more than an LED so you may not get the size you want. But in a nutshell
1. OLED - Offers superior picture quality with deeper blacks and vibrant colors, ideal for dark rooms.
2. QLED - Provides bright colors and is better in well-lit rooms, but can have slightly less contrast than OLED.
3. LED - Generally more affordable but may not offer the same level of picture quality as OLED or QLED.
Refresh Rate - If you're watching sports or into gaming. Higher refresh rates can provide even smoother visuals. If you watch movies and TV shows any TV on the market will have sufficient refresh rates.
HDR Support - High Dynamic Range (HDR) enhances picture quality significantly by offering a brighter, more vibrant image with better contrast. Look for TVs that support multiple HDR formats, such as HDR10, Dolby Vision, or HDR10+. But make sure it has Dolby Vision at the very least.
Smart Features - Most modern TVs have smart capabilities. Check the operating system and pre-installed apps. Ensure it supports the streaming services you use (like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, etc.). If you get a smoking deal on a TV that does not have the smart apps you are looking for, don’t write it off. You can buy an AppleTV, Roku, etc with the money you saved.
Audio Quality - This is a non issue. We assume ALL TVs have lousy speakers. So consider also buying a sound bar (if you don’t already own one) while you are out buying your TV. Of course we recommend that you eventually buy a multi channel system that includes a receiver and 5.1.2 speakers!!
Connectivity - Ensure the TV has ample HDMI ports, including HDMI 2.1 if you plan to connect next-gen gaming consoles. This is less important if you have a receiver doing the source switching.
Viewing Angle - If you have a large room or plan on watching from different angles, consider a TV with good viewing angles. OLED TVs are the best. But if your viewing is head on this becomes less of an issue.
Warranty and Customer Service - Finally, look at the manufacturer’s warranty and customer service reputation. A good warranty can provide added peace of mind as can buying a brand that has a good reputation. Using a particular credit card may extend the warranty. Likewise buying from Costco will do the same. Don’t pay for extended warranties. If they throw them in, great! But if a TV is going to fail it “typically” will do so within the warranty period. It's an odds game but the odds are in the consumer’s favor.

By following these steps, you'll be better equipped to choose the right 4K TV for you. Happy Hunting!

Podcast #1174: Video Trends Nov 01, 2024

On this week’s show we discuss the Tivo Video Trends Report and we read your emails and and take a look at the week’s news.

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10 of the world's most expensive turntables | What Hi-Fi?

TiVo Video Trends Report

As we look at the content ecosystem in Q2 2024, consumers are noticeably scaling back their spend on content and as a result, the number of sources they utilize for video. In this iteration of the Video Trends Report, we continue to see respondents supplement their video bundle and save money by turning to ad-supported services. In fact, the ratio of SVOD consumers utilizing lower-cost, ad-supported tiers has increased across the board, while the share of consumers utilizing ad-free SVOD services has dropped almost 18% year-over-year.

Some key findings:

84.5% of respondents are prone to browsing before landing on a show or movie.
77.8% of all respondents noted that they are at least tolerant of ads.
63% of respondents noted reducing their entertainment spending.
61.7% of respondents noted using at least one AVOD/FAST service in Q2.
22% of Pay TV subscribers cut the cord then later resubscribed to traditional TV service.

Average number of video sources reverting back to 2022 levels

Q2 22/Q2 23/Q2 24

Average Total Services 9.9 10.9 9.1

Avg Paid Services 6.7 6.9 5.7

Avg Non-paid Services 3.2 4.0 3.4

Household income does have an impact on the number of sources used, but it does not appear to be as substantial of a driver as demographics like age or geography. At the low end of less than $20K you have about 10 sources for 2023 and 2024. Households with incomes of $200K or more saw an increase from 10 sources in 2023 to about 14 in 2024.

Percentage of Respondents Who Watch on Each Device

Q2 22/Q2 23/Q2 24

TV 81.0% 78.9% 81.3%

Smartphone 50.6% 60.2% 51.8%

Tablet 29.2% 30.9% 25.3%

Computer 36.6% 37.3% 33.7%

When it comes to discovery methods, the percentage of those who find out about new TV shows or movies from commercials has declined 3% year-over-year. In comparison, word of mouth and recommendations from friends continue to remain the most commonly used method of discovery.

Top Methods of Discovery

% of all respondents/YoY Change

Word of mouth / friends 50.1% +4.8%

Commercials or ads that run during other shows 40.6% -2.9%

Social media 39.7% +2.3%

Streaming apps / home screen / carousel ads 39.3% +5.9%

Suggestions in my pay-TV channel guide or menus 27.9% +1.0%

Print, outdoor and/or online banner advertisements 14.3% +6.9%

News articles or stories outside social media 9.7% -6.7%

Emails or newsletters from streaming services 9.6% -0.1%

Radio 7.8% +0.7%

Daily viewership is largely consistent; Importance of local news drops 5% YoY. Fifty Four percent think local content is somewhat or very important compared to 59% in Q2 2023. Twenty One percent of all time spent watching video is spent watching local content, compared to 22.6% in Q2 2023.

27% of car owners report watching video in the car. This is down 13% from last year.

Top Reasons for Watching Video In-Car

To pass the time while waiting in the car 49.6%

To keep children entertained 45.1%

To pass the time on long road trips 34.7%

To pass the time while commuting 31.6%

To pass the time while filling up at the gas station 26.8%

To watch something immediately/couldn’t wait to watch it later 20.0%

To pass the time while charging an electric vehicle 18.4%

SVOD churn declines as more respondents turn to ad-supported tiers. Eighty Four Percent utilize SVOD services. This is a slight decline from 88.0% this time last year.

SVOD Viewing Habits

TV 67.9%

Smartphone 12.5%

Computer 11.5%

Tablet 8.%

Transactional video on demand (TVOD) usage takes a hit in Q2 2024; Amazon remains firmly at the top. Forty Four percent use a TVOD service. This is down about 6% from 50.8% in Q2 2023, seemingly driven primarily by a decrease among pay-TV subscribers.

Number of TVOD purchases per year Q2 2022 9.1%, Q2 2023 11.3%, Q2 2024 7.3%

Forty Six percent have not gone to the movie theater in over a year. In fact, only 32.2% report that they’ll most likely see a new movie in the theater (down roughly 2% year-over-year), compared to 55.5% who would most likely wait to stream it.

Reasons respondents prefer to stream new releases at home

It costs us more than $30 to actually go to the movies 46.7%

It’s too much of a hassle to go to the movie theater 33.2%

You can’t pause the movie at the theater 30.7%

I have a great TV/sound system at home 29.6%

I have better snacks at home 26.1%

The movie theaters near me aren’t very good 15.6%

Movie theater seats are uncomfortable 15.1%

Other theatergoers are loud, rude, etc. 14.9%

You don’t have to sit through ads and previews at home 14.8%

I don’t want to get sick 10.9%

Sixty Seven percent of all free AVOD/FAST viewers noted watching some form of free live streaming TV or FAST channels, which in Q2 2024 accounts for roughly 51% the viewing time of all free AVOD/ FAST services. This has remained relatively flat year-over-year.

Top Free AVOD/FAST Services (Most popular to least popular)

Tubi
Pluto TV
Roku Channel
Freevee
Samsung TV Plus
Crackle
Vudu
Global TV
Plex
CBC Gem

Ad Tolerance by Service Type

Averse to ads (avoid watching ads during video)
Tolerant of ads (don't mind watching ads sometimes)
In favor of ads (I prefer to watch ads during video instead of paying)

Averse/Tolerant/In Favor

Pay TV 23.7% 63% 13.3%

SVOD (Ad-Supported) 17.0% 69.5% 13.6%

SVOD (Ad-free) 24.3% 64.2% 11.5%

Free AVOD/FAST 20.7% 65.1% 14.2%

VMVPD 26.8% 60.9% 12.3%

Social Video/UGC 22.1% 65.3% 12.6%

Free AVOD/FAST users report the excessive and repetitive nature of ads as top reasons for their ad-aversion.

Podcast #1173: Halloween Movies Oct 25, 2024

On this week’s show we take a look at the Pro-Ject 12.2 turntable and ask who is this for. And since it's Halloween we give you a list of five Halloween movies that you can watch with the family. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Pro-Ject‘s Flagship Signature

The Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 turntable looks like an amazing electronic device that is also art. But from a music lover's point of view, is the price tag of $14,999 worth it? Pro-Ject has made a name for itself as a pioneer in high-end technology and they say that the craftsmanship justifies the cost, but from a purely music lover’s point of view, it's ludicrous to spend that kind of money on a record player. But we get it, this product seems more like a luxury statement than a necessary audio component. So we’ll ask our listeners the question of whether anyone truly requires a turntable that costs more than many people's monthly rent.

When you read the product info it's clear they are not talking to us: “With painstaking hand-polished metal parts and a chassis that involves 10 layers of paint”, so who is this really for? They do use terms like "anti-resonance" and "precision CNC machining." Maybe I need to use terms like that in my speaker ads on Etsy. Precision cuts and only the best glue make my speakers the best out there. LOL, Actually, I wish I had a CNC machine to make precision cuts!!

What it boils down to is, does the average (or even audiophile) music lover need their vinyl spinning on a platter that weighs almost 25 pounds? Especially when even some budget turntables can deliver decent sound quality for a fraction of the price.

In the end consider this, all cars can get you from point A to point B, so why do some people drive expensive high end cars? Well it's about performance and in some cases image. There is an absolute measurable difference driving a Porsche vs a Honda Accord. I’m not so sure you can say that about the Pro-Ject 12.2. Well unless you are going to build a shrine to it and display it prominently in your music room. It ships in November. Full Product Information…

The HT Guys List of Halloween Movies to Watch

As Halloween approaches, it's the perfect time to gather your friends and family for a spooky movie marathon. Whether you're a fan of classic horror, light-hearted thrills, or animated fun, there’s something for everyone in the spirit of the season. Here is a HT Guys list of five highly rated Halloween movies that you can enjoy in your home theater. Grab your popcorn and enjoy these Halloween favorites!

Halloween (1978) (IMDB Rating 7.7) - Directed by John Carpenter, this classic slasher film introduces Michael Myers. Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois, to kill again.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (IMDB Rating 7.9) - This animated musical by Tim Burton combines Halloween and Christmas themes as Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, attempts to take over Christmas.
A Quiet Place (2018) (IMDB Rating 7.5) - A suspenseful thriller about a family living in silence to avoid creatures that hunt by sound, appealing to teens who enjoy intense storytelling.
Ghostbusters (1984) (IMDB Rating 7.8) - Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) (IMDB Rating 8.1) - A classic animated special that follows the Peanuts gang as they wait for the Great Pumpkin on Halloween night.

Podcast #1172: Fall TV Line up and Braden is Back! Oct 18, 2024

On this week’s show Braden is back!! We discuss if greed threatens to ruin the revival and go over the 2024/2025 TV season. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Vinyl sales drop 33⅓ as greed threatens to ruin the revival

Vinyl sales are slumping after years of growth. Is greed killing the golden goose of old-school audio? Full article here…

2024 TV Season Snapshot

Fox:

Renewed Fox TV shows returning in fall 2024

Dramas: 9-1-1: Lone Star, Accused Comedies: Bob's Burgers, Krapopolis, The Simpsons Unscripted: The Floor, Hell's Kitchen, The Masked Singer, Crime Scene Kitchen

Renewed Fox TV shows returning midseason

Dramas: Alert: Missing Persons Unit, The Cleaning Lady Comedies: Family Guy, Animal Control, The Great North, Grimsburg Unscripted: Extracted, LEGO Masters, MasterChef, Name That Tune, Next Level Chef, Special Forces: World's Toughest Test

New Fox TV shows for the 2024-2025 season

Dramas: Rescue: HI-Surf, Murder in a Small Town, Doc (midseason) Comedies: Universal Basic Guys, Going Dutch (midseason) Unscripted: Extracted (midseason)

Canceled Fox TV shows that won't be back in 2024

Housebroken

NBC:

Renewed NBC TV shows returning in fall 2024

Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, Chicago P.D., Found, The Irrational, Law & Order, Law & Order: SVU, Lopez vs. Lopez, Night Court

Renewed NBC TV shows returning midseason

Deal or No Deal Island

New NBC TV shows for the 2024-2025 season

Brilliant Minds, Happy's Place, St. Denis Medical, The Americas (midseason), Destination X (midseason), The Hunting Party (midseason)

Canceled NBC TV shows that won't be back

Extended Family, La Brea, Magnum P.I., Quantum Leap, Transplant

CBS:

Renewed CBS TV shows returning in fall 2024

48 Hours, 60 Minutes, Blue Bloods, The Equalizer, FBI, FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, Fire Country, Ghosts, NCIS, The Neighborhood, Survivor, S.W.A.T.

Renewed CBS TV shows returning midseason

NCIS: Sydney

New CBS TV shows for the 2024-2025 season

Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Matlock, NCIS: Origins, Poppa's House, The Summit, Watson

Canceled CBS TV shows that won't be back

Bob Hearts Abishola, CSI: Vegas, Loteria Loca, NCIS: Hawai'i, So Help Me Todd, Young Sheldon

ABC:

Renewed ABC TV shows returning in fall 2024

Dramas: 9-1-1, Grey's Anatomy

Comedies: Abbott Elementary

Unscripted: Dancing with the Stars, Shark Tank, America's Funniest Home Videos, Press Your Luck, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Renewed ABC TV shows returning midseason

Dramas: The Rookie, Will Trent

Comedies: The Conners

Unscripted: American Idol, The Bachelor, Celebrity Jeopardy!, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, What Would You Do?

New ABC TV shows for the 2024-2025 season

Dramas: High Potential, Doctor Odyssey

Unscripted: The Golden Bachelorette, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (midseason)

Docuseries: Scamanda

Canceled ABC TV shows that won't be back

Station 19, The Good Doctor, Not Dead Yet

CW:

Renewed CW TV shows returning in fall 2024

Dramas: Sullivan's Crossing, Superman & Lois

Comedies: Children Ruin Everything

Unscripted: Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Penn & Teller: Fool Us

Sports: Inside the NFL

Renewed CW TV shows returning in 2025

Dramas: All American, Wild Cards

New CW TV shows premiering in fall 2024

Dramas: Joan

Unscripted: Trivial Pursuit, Scrabble, The Wranglers, WWE NXT (Broadcast Television Debut)

New CW TV shows premiering midseason

Dramas: Good Cop/Bad Cop, Sherlock & Daughter

Canceled CW TV shows that won't be back

Dramas: All American: Homecoming (final season airing in summer 2024), Walker, The Spencer Sisters

Comedies: Run the Burbs, Everybody Burns

Podcast #1171" We Catch Up with Email and News Oct 11, 2024

On this week’s show Ara catches up with email and news. Braden is back next week! Also, sorry for the aggressive noise gate. Trust me it's better than hearing me wheeze!

News:

Other:

Podcast #1170: Ara (and Braden's) Origin Story Oct 04, 2024

I got home late last night and thought I could put a regular show together. Well I couldn’t. So instead this is my (and Braden’s) Origin story.

Podcast #1169: The State of Consumer Video: Transitioning from Cable to Streaming Sep 27, 2024

The State of Consumer Video: Transitioning from Cable to Streaming

The landscape of consumer video has experienced a significant transformation over the past two decades, moving from the traditional cable television and movie theater experience to the era dominated by streaming services. Before the streaming revolution, cable television was the main way we consumed content, offering viewers a set number of channels bundled within packages that often included sports, news, series, and movies. Viewers scheduled their lives around broadcast times, and rentals of physical media like VHS and DVDs provided an alternative for those who sought to enjoy movies at home. While this landscape offered a reliable viewing experience, it was also limited by the constraints of channel programming and geographical restrictions regarding content access.

One of the most notable changes in this new age of video consumption is the impact of streaming on live sports. Previously, fans would rely on cable networks for airtime of their favorite sports teams, creating predictable viewing habits. However, with the advent of streaming, the broadcasting rights for sports have become increasingly fragmented. Leagues like the NFL, NBA, and MLB have sought to maximize profits by licensing content across multiple platforms. This has led to challenges for fans who may need to subscribe to several services—often at a premium—to catch games from their favorite teams. The complexities of accessing live sports have frustrated fans, particularly those less tech-savvy or unfamiliar with navigating multiple apps and platforms. Consequently, many fans feel that the accessibility and enjoyment of live sports have diminished, as the once straightforward experience of flipping on the TV to catch a game has morphed into an increasingly intricate endeavor.

Convenience represents another important aspect of the current state of consumer video. The rise of streaming services has undeniably enhanced the ability to watch content on demand. Rather than adhering to predetermined broadcast schedules, viewers can enjoy shows and movies whenever it suits them, utilizing smartphones, tablets, and smart TVs to access content anywhere. However, this convenience is tempered by the challenges of searching for content. With an overwhelming number of options available, finding a specific show or movie can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. In practice, many users find that they are better off searching through Google than relying on the clunky search functions offered by various streaming services. Despite advancements in technology, the complexity of content discovery remains a significant pain point for consumers in this new era.

Quality, both in streaming technology and the resulting content produced, has improved significantly since the early days of streaming. High-definition and, more recently, 4K streaming have elevated viewers' experiences, offering sharper images and better sound quality than many traditional cable broadcasts. In addition, the influx of investment in original programming from platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime has resulted in a wealth of quality content that often surpasses what is offered on cable. Audiences now have access to diverse genres, innovative storytelling, and international content that previously would have been hard to find. Yet, as the volume of content increases, concerns persist about the saturation of the market and whether the overall quality will continue to maintain its standards amidst an ever-expanding catalog.

Despite the many advantages that streaming offers, the economic implications for consumers cannot be overlooked. A common assertion is that streaming is a cheaper alternative to traditional cable, but this perspective can be somewhat misleading. As streaming platforms invest heavily in securing broadcasting rights for popular sports and producing high-quality original content, the costs for consumers can accumulate rapidly. Many people find themselves subscribing to multiple services to access all the content they desire, resulting in monthly bills that may rival, if not exceed, the cost of traditional cable packages. While the value that consumers receive has shifted from purely a cable-dependent model to a more content-competitive landscape, the overall expenditure on video viewing is increasingly a question of balancing financial considerations against personal entertainment preferences.

In conclusion, the state of consumer video has undergone a seismic shift characterized by both newfound convenience and emerging complications. As the industry moves forward, it remains essential for content providers to streamline content discovery and access while also ensuring the quality of both the delivery mechanisms and the programming. Navigating the complicated terrain of fragmented sports broadcasting, the ease of on-demand viewing, improvements in streaming quality, and the associated costs will define the consumer video experience for years to come. As we look ahead, finding a harmonious balance between the diverse content available and the economic realities will likely be the key to ensuring a satisfying viewing experience for all.

Podcast #1168: Best Streamer for 4K Content Sep 20, 2024

On this week’s show we look at the best Streaming Service for 4K content according to CNET. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Best Streaming Service for 4K Content - CNET

When looking for the best 4K content on streaming services, the top contender is Netflix. It does cost extra to get the higher quality, but it's one of the easiest platforms to use with a fair amount of good original content, regular updates and optimized features. While Max and Apple TV are also good choices, they aren't as good as Netflix. Full article here…

Podcast #1167: Best of CEDIA 2024 Sep 13, 2024

On this week’s show DJ gives us a recap of what he liked at CEDIA and we go through the What Hi-Fi Best of Show winners. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Unfolded Circle

What Hi-Fi? Best of Show Awards Winners

SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle - Ultra Evolution is a complete reimagining of speaker design for SVS. This unprecedented marriage of acoustic design breakthroughs and passion for audio excellence has never existed and elevates the new series into the echelon of the finest loudspeakers in the world. Consisting of seven new models with advancements in driver design, cabinet architecture, and component materials, Ultra Evolution ushers in a new era of reference quality sound that transcends their class. $5K per pair for the top of the line Pinnacle.
Sony Electronics BRAVIA Theater Quad Wireless Speaker System - The true sound of cinema. With four wireless speakers and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, our flagship Home Theater System brings the true sound of cinema home. $2500
Sony Electronics BRAVIA 9 65” class Mini LED QLED 4K HDR Google TV - Thousands of Mini LEDs are precisely controlled by XR Backlight Master Drive™ to deliver authentic contrast and our brightest ever 4K TV. Access billions of accurate real-world colors with QLED technology and XR Triluminos Pro™. XR Processor™ intelligently enhances every scene in real-time boosting color, contrast, and clarity. $3K
Sony Electronics BRAVIA Theater U Wearable TV Speaker - Experience true surround sound audio with Sony’s 360 Spatial Sound Personalizer technology. Enjoy crystal clear sound with newly developed upward-facing X-Balanced Speaker Unit. Connect to your devices with a stable Bluetooth connection. $300
Sony Electronics BRAVIA Projector 9 VPL-XW8100ES - Up to 3,400 lumens of brightness, generated by a long-lasting laser light source, for vibrant images even on a large screen. Native 4K SXRD panel provides full 4K resolution with 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. XR Processor for projector brings you the best of Sony’s image processing. $32K
Sony Electronics BRAVIA Theater Bar 8 with 11 speakers, Dolby Atmos®/DTS:X® - Hear cinema-style surround sound all around you with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping. Sound is auto calibrated to your room’s characteristics with Sound Field Optimization. Supports industry-standard audio formats including Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X®, and IMAX® Enhanced. $700
Kaleidescape, Inc. Kaleidescape Terra Prime 123TB Solid-State Movie Server - Terra Prime movie servers store Kaleidescape movies, TV series, and concerts. Kaleidescape movies have lossless audio and reference video, are downloaded asynchronously and then played back from local storage. This enables playback with full fidelity, irrespective of internet connectivity. Couldn’t find pricing for the 123TB but the 31TB goes for $25K
Coastal Source Coastal Source CUBE™ Subwoofer - The CUBE Subwoofer enhances the Coastal Source Outdoor Experience by providing high-performance bass (low-frequency) in a small and elegant package. CUBE makes outdoor music more three-dimensional. It provides audiophile bass from a classic, compact shape that blends into your landscape and provides years of outstanding performance in even the most challenging environments. Pricing TBD
Linkplay Technology Inc. WiiM CI MOD A80 - Combines an ESS 9018K2M DAC with a TI TPA3255 Class-D amplifier, delivering 60W per channel at 8 ohms, and supporting the latest Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 technologies. The inaugural batch of these products is scheduled to ship by October 2024.
Hisense PX3-PRO Laser Cinema - The World's First Designed for XBOX UST Projector - With the HSR 240 high refresh rate and low-latency mode, get ready for smooth, lag-free gaming. $3.5K
Hisense C2 Ultra - C2 Ultra redefines what’s possible in home cinema. Featuring Hisense's advanced Tri-Chroma laser technology, the C2 Ultra delivers breathtaking visuals with 3,000 ANSI lumens of brightness and a 2,000:1 contrast ratio, ensuring that every scene is vivid and lifelike. This model also boasts IMAX Enhanced and Dolby Vision® certification, providing a cinematic experience that rivals the best theaters. The built-in JBL 2.1 channel audio system, complete with a subwoofer, delivers powerful, room-filling sound that complements its top-tier visual performance. The C2 Ultra is the ultimate choice for those who want an all-in-one premium entertainment solution. $3K
L-Acoustics Xi Series - The Xi Series offers a range of installation-focused coaxial enclosures with distinct formats, bandwidth, and SPL specifically tailored for short-throw applications. These enclosures provide pristine sound quality and discreet design, allowing them to integrate elegantly into venues requiring natural and powerful sound.
Meridian Meridian Ellipse - Meridian Ellipse is the third loudspeaker to emerge from our Extreme Engineering Programme, producing a natural, authentic and lifelike sound which is immersive and room-filling. Ellipse is designed for music enjoyment: with a bass response usually associated with much larger speakers, Ellipse has complete control over the sound it plays, so your music is projected into the room with clarity and authority. $3K

Podcast #1166: CEDIA Expo 2024 Sep 06, 2024

On this week’s show DJ travels to Denver CO to attend CEDIA and we get a field report. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Radio Shack Catalogs

CEDIA EXPO 2024

CEDIA Expo, the only show dedicated to residential tech, will connect home tech pros in Denver, CO, September 5-7, 2024. The CEDIA Smart Home Technology Conference will run September 4-6, 2024. CEDIA Expo 2024 will also be co-located with the Commercial Integrator Expo.

Podcast #1165: Is Now the Time for Smell-O-Vision? Aug 30, 2024

On this week’s show Ara and DJ discuss data usage in a world that is relying more and more on streaming for entertainment. They also discuss a future where you can smell what is going on on screen. They also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Many U.S. Broadband Users Consume More than 1 TB of Data Each Month

More than 18% of U.S. broadband users now consume 1 terabyte or more of data each month, according to the latest quarterly report from OpenVault. Full article here…

MovieScent brings sense of smell to home entertainment

Elevated Perceptions, a specialist in the realm of immersive gaming and entertainment experiences, has unveiled MovieScent, an AI-powered device that releases real-time scents based on events and environments within movies, TV shows, televised sporting events and streams. Full Article here…

Podcast #1164: Are Gigabit Powerline Ethernet Adapters Worth it? Aug 23, 2024

On this week’s show we discuss a couple of solutions to Chuck’s Ethernet problem including a revisit of Powerline Ethernet Adapters. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Nexuslink Gigabit Powerline Adapter

A few weeks ago one of our listeners asked us for help trying to run Ethernet data over an HDMI cable. Today, in our email segment, we discussed a novel approach to his problem by just using the HDMI cable as an Ethernet cable by simply removing the connectors and using the existing wires.

There is another approach, one that we have discussed many many years ago, using Powerline Adapters. Back in the day, we were happy getting one or two Mbps via these cables and for what we were doing back then it was good enough. However, streaming companies increased their data rates to improve quality and suddenly this approach was dead. If it weren’t for listening to a podcast recently I would have never thought to consider this approach.

The podcast made the claim that Powerline adapters have gotten much better. To the point where they can reach gigabit speeds. Very skeptical, I went on Amazon and bought the cheapest adapters I could find, the Nexuslinlk G.HN 1200 Wave 1 Powerline Adapter Kit (GPL-1200-KIT) for $40.

Features:

Includes everything you need in order to turn your electrical outlets into an ultra fast network. Expand your internet anywhere in the home with up to 16 devices in one network.
Enhance your network performance for streaming and gaming. Reduces Lag and dropped frames using LDPC/FEC (Forward Error Correction) technology.
Designed for high density environments (eg. Apartments, business offices, condos, hotels, etc.) using NDIM Signal Segregation Technology.
Delivers better real world performance with unique G.hn algorithms that improve upon older powerline standards. Technology like MIMO Dual Phase Technology delivers a faster and more reliable connection and LDPC to reliably cross phases
Installing Ethernet Cable can be expensive and troublesome. Get a strong, direct internet connection without the trouble.

Setup:

Plug one device into a wall socket and connect the provided Ethernet into your router. It is important that the device is plugged directly into the wall. We tested with extension cables and socket expanders and found they degrade the speed. We also found that wiring into a switch slows the signal down a bit. But to be honest we don’t know if that was because we plugged into a switch or that particular wall socket was noisier than the rest.

The second adapter can be plugged in anywhere you need a network connection. In our test we chose a socket on the kitchen island and then wired into a laptop. The entire process took about ten minutes.

Performance:

To measure performance we ran a speed test. We did multiple tests.The fastest time were:

Ping 16ms Down 64.13Mbs Up 51.34

Typical speeds were off by three or four Mbps both up and down. For comparison. Using wifi at that location saw:

Ping 116ms Down 272.56Mbs Up 109.23

Which is significantly faster!

So is it worth it?

The speeds we got in our test were nowhere near what was advertised in the product literature. Your results may vary so keep that in mind. However, if you have a spot where your wifi can’t reach and you don’t want to run Ethernet cables, this solution is recommended without hesitation. At 40 dollars getting 60Mbps to your entertainment system will more than allow you to stream 4K!

Podcast #1163: Streamers to Keep and How Going to the Movies is Changing Aug 16, 2024

On this week’s show Ara and DJ discuss what streaming services to keep and which one to let go. We also look at how going to movies are changing through charts and graphs. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

onn. Google TV 4K Pro Streaming Device (New, 2024), 4K UHD resolution, Dolby Vision & Dolby ATMOS, Hands-Free Voice Control, Smart Hub

I'd Keep Peacock but Skip These Streaming Services in August 2024

Streaming TV will really take off in the fall when shows like “Agatha All Along” and “The Penguin” hit the scene, but August isn't dry at all. The “Umbrella Academy” bows out for good on Netflix while “KAOS” and “A Good Girl's Guide to Murder” debut. But there are at least two streamers -- that aren't Netflix -- with worthy lineups this month, and Peacock is one of them. Full article here…

How Going to the Movies Is Changing, in Charts

We received an email from one of our listeners (John Lyman) in the Wall Street Journal titled - How Going to the Movies Is Changing, in Charts (paywall). John was kind enough to paste the charts in his email for our review. So here is our take on how going to the movies is changing.

Podcast #1162: HDTV Stress Test Key Findings Aug 09, 2024

On this week’s show DJ Briggs (Bright Side Home Theater) joins me while Braden is taking the month off. We discuss the Key Findings from the RTINGS.COM HDTV Stress Test and we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Key Findings From Running 100 TVs for Over 10,000 Hours RTINGS.COM

We have been following RTINGS.COM’s accelerated longevity test on 100 TVs pretty much from the beginning. They started this experiment back in October 2022. They have some key findings out which led them to conclude that thin LCD TVs break faster under prolonged use. They concluded:

The goal of RTINGS.com's ongoing 100 TV longevity test is to push TVs to the limits of their durability to examine failure points as they happen. One clear trend we've observed and investigated is that thin, edge-lit LCD TVs fail prematurely compared to LCD TVs with other backlighting technology.

The results of this investigation are unequivocal: edge-lit TVs are inherently prone to significant durability issues, including warped reflector sheets, cracked light guide plates, and burnt-out LEDs due to concentrated heat. These problems manifest after prolonged use at maximum brightness, posing a significant risk to their long-term reliability.

This analysis, corroborated by real-world observations, highlights a crucial consideration for consumers and the industry. As manufacturers continue to push for thinner designs, addressing these durability concerns is imperative to ensure consumer satisfaction and trust. For consumers in the market for an LCD TV to whom the durability of their purchase is important, we recommend prioritizing models with better heat distribution, such as direct-lit or FALD TVs, for improved longevity and performance.

Podcast #1161: Entry Home Theater System Aug 02, 2024

On this week’s show we look at the Best Home Theater Systems of 2024 according to CNET. Then we define a system that actually is a home theater system! We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Best Home Theater Systems of 2024

When we saw this article over at CNET we remembered the days of Home Theater in a Box setup. Do those even exist anymore? Anyway, we checked out this article wondering what is considered the Best Home Theater System. We came away thinking we may have taken steps backwards for the sake of simplicity. Full article here…

Best Budget Soundbar - Roku Streambar Street Price ~$125
Best Budget Surround Sound Speaker Package Klipsch Reference Theater Pack 5.1 System Street Price ~ $400
Best Bookshelf Speakers Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2 Street Price ~$400
Best Home Theater Soundbar System Vizio Elevate Street Price ~$700
Best 8K receiver Onkyo TX-NR6100 Street Price ~$475

If you are looking for a capable but value 5.1 system we have designed a “Home Theater in a Box System” for you! Our system will cost you more. However, it will sound much better! And for the record, we receive nothing from the manufacturers.

For speakers - The RSL CG3M 5.1 home theater system. This is a 5.1 system that includes four bookshelf, one center, and one subwoofer. The cost is $850.

For the receiver - Denon AVR-X1800H. It's a 7.2 or 5.2.2 receiver (room for growth) that supports all the things we care about! It goes for $560.

Total cost $1410. Yes, that’s $535 more than the Onkyo and Klipsch system from the CNET article but it's much better and can grow with you.

Podcast #1160: The Best HTDVs for the Summer - RTINGS.COM Jul 26, 2024

On this week’s show we take a look at the summer’s best TVs according to RTINGS.COM. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

The Best TVs - Summer 2024 - RTINGS.COM

RTINGS.COM has published an article “The 8 Best TVs - Summer 2024” and we take a look at four of them. The article has the entire list.

Best Budget TV - Hisense U6/U6K (Street Price $780 for 75” if you can find it)

If you want to spend less, the best budget TV we've tested is the Hisense U6/U6K. It delivers a surprisingly great performance for the price. The Hisense has excellent contrast, so dark scenes look amazing in a dark room, with little blooming around bright areas of the screen. It also has good peak brightness in SDR and decent reflection handling, so glare isn't an issue in a brighter room. It has an excellent color volume, making this TV very colorful overall. It's bright enough in HDR for a pleasant viewing experience, and just like the Hisense U7N, it supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, although it doesn't support advanced DTS audio formats. Full Review…

Mixed Usage 7.4, TV Shows 6.9, Sports 7.0, Video Games 7.8, HDR Movies 7.5, HDR Gaming 8.0, PC Monitor 7.7

Best Mid-Range TV - LG B3 OLED (Street Price $1800 for 77”)

The LG B3 OLED is the best mid-range TV we've tested if you want something cheaper and still want high-end features. It's a great mid-range TV and can be an excellent entry point into the OLED market. The TV has all the features of the more expensive LG C3 OLED, but the B3 is dimmer and has only two HDMI 2.1 ports. It still delivers outstanding picture quality, especially in a dark room, with its near-infinite contrast ratio delivering deep, inky blacks with no distracting blooming. Its built-in webOS platform is just as fast on this lower-tier model, and it still has very good image processing, so it has no issues upscaling lower-resolution content if you watch DVDs, cable boxes, or Blu-rays. It also has Dolby Vision HDR and supports DTS advanced audio formats, which is great for physical media as it tends to use DTS for their audio tracks. Full Review…

Mixed Usage 8.7, TV Shows 8.3, Sports 8.5, Video Games 9.3, HDR Movies 8.8, HDR Gaming 9.0, PC Monitor 9.2

Best Bright Room TV - Sony BRAVIA 9 QLED (Street Price $3500 for 75”)

If you need a TV for a room with a lot of lights on, the Sony BRAVIA 9 QLED is an amazing option. Its superb reflection handling and SDR brightness mean it easily overcomes glare in the brightest rooms, so you aren't distracted by reflections on your TV screen. As impressive as this TV is in a bright room, it's also spectacular for use in a dark room. It has exceptional contrast that delivers incredibly deep blacks that are close to what you get from an OLED, with almost no blooming, thanks to its highly effective local dimming control. It's also a great option for 4k Blu-ray collectors or those looking to get the most out of high-quality streaming services due to its support for Dolby Vision and DTS audio formats. Full Review…

Mixed Usage 8.8, TV Shows 8.4, Sports 8.3, Video Games 9.1, HDR Movies 9.0, HDR Gaming 9.0, PC Monitor 8.7

Best Home Theater TV - Sony A95L OLED (Street Price $5000 for 77”)

If you're looking for the absolute best TV for a home theater setup and don't care as much about the price, check out the Sony A95L OLED. Although it's a very similar TV to the Samsung S90C OLED, it's better for home theaters thanks to its advanced video format support. Compared to Samsung's HDR10+ format, the Sony TV supports the more popular Dolby Vision HDR, so you'll enjoy the most advanced HDR experience possible from almost any source. Sony's processing does a better job following the content creator's intent, so the brightness and colors of HDR content look the way they're supposed to. It also offers better audio format support than the Samsung, including DTS:X passthrough over eARC, so you can simplify your connection to your audio-video receiver by running everything through your TV without sacrificing audio quality. Full Review…

Mixed Usage 9.2, TV Shows 8.9, Sports 9.1, Video Games 9.3, HDR Movies 9.3, HDR Gaming 9.1, PC Monitor 9.4

Podcast #1159: Apple TV vs Google TV Jul 19, 2024

On this week’s show we have an AppleTV and a native GoogleTV comparison from a listener. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Apple TV vs Google TV - John Lyman

Around Thanksgiving the finance committee allowed me to purchase a new Hisense U7K 75” 4K TV. However, once I got the TV setup and ready to go, something weird happened with my Apple TV that I had been using on the TV in that room. Max just stopped working. I did all the troubleshooting to no avail. I decided that I would give the built in Google TV a shot to see if that could be a long-term solution. Over the course of six months I went back and forth with the two platforms and took notes. I thought I would write up my findings for everyone.

A few caveats:

This is my first experience with Google TV
The Google TV is the built in version on my TV
I live in the Apple ecosystem and I have owned every Apple TV from the 1st gen to the current. So, I do know the Apple TV a lot better, but I did my best to be fair.

User Interface

Apple TV: The user interface is very nice, it seems lighter, crisp and clean. You can easily design the Home Screen the way you would like it laid out and create folders. I have a folder for my main TV/Movie apps, then one for sports, another for movies, etc. Because you can customize the Home Screen it is very easy to navigate to where you want to go.

Google TV: When you open it, you are at the top of google TV page with their offerings and everything is laid out in rows. The App icons seem smaller than apps on the Apple TV and smaller than the “Google Recommended” apps. You must scroll past those to get to your apps. I have not found a way to rearrange the main page so I can move my apps above the recommended offerings. You can move your apps in the order you would like but it is not as nice. I did try to find out if you can use folders on Google TV and it does not look like you can. The interface is what it is.

Remotes:

Apple TV: The metal Siri remote in my opinion is one of the best remotes out there. I can control 98% of what I need to use from that one remote. The other 2% is for those times I can’t find a digital copy of a movie I own and need to use the Blu-Ray or tweak the picture of the TV. Very quick to navigate with the remote around the Apple TV. Also, the iPhone companion remote is really good too.

Google TV: The remote that came with the TV controls my HT gear and if I used Google home I’m sure the remote's mic would give me voice control of lights and thermostat similar to the Apple remote. Additionally, I find swiping over the touch-enabled clickpad much easier than clicking up/down/left/right buttons on the TV’s remote. I didn’t have luck setting up the iPhone remote with the TV, this is probably a me item and I didn’t spend a lot of time worrying about it.

Apple TV+ vs Google TV’s Home app:

Both apps have a lot in common, like Movie/TV suggestions, an area for your purchased content, etc. Apple’s implementation is self-contained and can be placed anywhere on your home screen. Google’s version is fixed at the top of the screen and you must scroll down the screen to get to your apps.

Picture quality, audio and App Responsiveness:

So the last test was to actually watch some video to see if there was any difference.

The setup:

Internet – AT&T 1.0 GPS fiber, using a TPLink Mesh router – delivering 300 Mbs to the TV
Denon AVR-X3200W receiver – running Dolby Atmos
Speakers – RSL home theater package, 12” RSL speedwoofer and mirage omni-directional Atmos speakers

I set up both the TV and my Apple TV for Dolby Vision and started watching content on both services. One thing I couldn’t do was turn on Dolby Vision for the Google TV which shocked me. The TV did auto switch and even though HBO Max said the movie was in Dolby Vision it would only do HDR. I tried to figure out the issue but couldn’t quickly find an answer. I quickly realized that any movie purchased from the Apple store was of higher quality than those from any of the streaming companies both in picture and sound.

I watched a few scenes from the latest Aqua man as there were some really dark scenes with good color and then some Star Wars. With the Google TV setup to use HDR and the TV in the Movie preset, the picture was good. The AppleTV produced a little bit better picture with the same TV preset. The AppleTV sounded better too. I could hear some additional sounds on the AppleTV that I couldn’t hear while using GoogleTV.

The biggest difference was App responsiveness. When opening an app on the AppleTV, its click and it opens. GoogleTV took a few seconds. Then clicking the play button would buffer for about 10-20 seconds before playing and the picture was lower resolution for a few seconds. The video on the AppleTV started right up and I didn’t notice any picture issues.

Built in vs Stand Alone Box

Built in OS strengths:

Built into the TV
Pretty easy to setup right out of the box
Integrated into the TV and remote

Stand Alone Strengths:

Both hardware and software designed for a singular purpose
Not TV dependent
You can take it with you when you travel
If new features are not supported due to hardware limitations you can buy a new STB

Built in OS weakness:

If new features are not supported due to hardware limitations you are stuck
Hardware more likely designed for the TV and the OS a secondary
If you have multiple TVs with different OSes you will have an inconsistent experience
May cause you to stay within a manufacturer’s product line to keep the same OS within the home
Can become slower than the stand-alone devices over time

Stand Alone weakness:

They cost extra
Hard to switch eco-systems due to cost of devices if you wanted to

Summary:

I was really surprised by a few things after doing the comparison. The first being the lack of Dolby Vision on the Google OS built into my Hisense TV. The option was not available for the Google Home app. I usually leave the TV in Dolby Vision on the Apple TV as I find the picture pretty good with all content and I’m not a fan of my TV’s auto switching (going black for a few seconds).

The second was the difference in app responsiveness and picture start up times. The Apple TV was quicker in both aspects. The last was the difference in the quality of purchased movies from Apple versus the streamers and purchases from Amazon. Streamers and Amazon were inferior to the same content from Apple. I did not compare streamers and Amazon versus Google using native apps on the GoogleTV.

Bottom line I believe an Apple TV is like a well-made German car, over engineered, nice looking with features you didn’t know you wanted until you lose them. Google OS is your typical mid-range SUV that everyone makes, most people drive and they all look similar and they get the job done of getting you from here to there.

Podcast #1158: “Must Keep” TV Brands and 5 Reasons to Upgrade Your TV Jul 12, 2024

On this week’s show we look at the “Must Keep” TV brands and 5 surefire signs it’s time to upgrade your TV according to Tom’s Guide. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

‘Must-Keep’ TV Brands

A survey of 1,400 U.S. consumers aged 12 and up conducted in May found Netflix was the top choice for consumers for the fifth straight year, with ABC, Prime Video, CBS and Fox all finishing in the top five. Full article here…

5 surefire signs it’s time to upgrade your TV

It's no secret that TVs always improve year-over-year, whether that's because they offer higher brightness, better color vibrancy, better contrast or some mixture of the three. That said, unless you have plenty of cash to spare and make it your passion project, it’s unlikely you’re upgrading every year. Full article here…

Podcast #1157: Is Music Getting Worse? Part 2 Jul 05, 2024

On this week’s show we continue our discussion of Rick Beato’s argument that music is too easy to make. We read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Is Music Getting Worse? - A listener followup

I just listened to your podcast episode “Is Music Getting Worse,” related to Rick Beato’s YouTube video, which I also watched a few days ago. He raised some intriguing points, both about changes over the years with sampling, autotune, and quantization, as well as how AI will undoubtedly impact the industry as well. It's a fascinating and complex topic, and I wanted to share some thoughts.

First off, my daughter is a professional opera singer, so I am very sensitive to the fact that I would not want artists who are deep in their craft to be supplanted by technology. Losing the human aspect altogether would be a tragedy for us all, whether as creators or as consumers of music. Selfishly, for my daughter and for all artists, I want humans to be respected and compensated for the obvious heart and soul that they put into their craft.

With respect to AI, one major and well-founded concern is that relying too heavily on AI could lead to a homogenization of music, where unique, human-driven creativity could become overshadowed by algorithms, resulting in music that degrades to the mean and lacks soul. Which I would argue has happened well before AI has come on the scene.

Having said that, AI also has the potential to enhance music production by automating tedious tasks and providing new tools for musicians, which could free up artists to focus more on the creative aspects of their work.

One aspect that often gets overlooked in these discussions is that music production isn't just about the creative performers—the singers and musicians. It involves a vast array of professionals, including audio and sound engineers, mastering engineers, and various other technical experts who all play a crucial role in shaping the final product. The Beatles used these talented engineers at Abbey Road to come up with iconic sounds that would never have been achievable by the members of the Beatles alone. So, one must ask, where is the line?

As AI improves and enables the creation of individual tracks, or stems (currently most AI song generators provide fully formed sound waves), it could open up new avenues to innovate and bring different types of music together by mixing and arranging music in virtually unlimited ways.

While the focus tends to be on how AI might impact the creative people who write, sing, and play songs, it's also worth considering how it could empower the broader community of producers. This technology might unlock new channels of creativity and collaboration that we haven't even imagined yet.

In addition, for the creators, the use of AI song/sound generators as “sketch pads” for fleshing out songs, similar to how demo tapes were used prior to final recording, is a fascinating thought exercise. It could serve as a tool to experiment and develop ideas before committing to a final version. Or to bring an idea to a group of real musicians to refine and play live.

I’m a child of the 70s and 80s. I love Cheap Trick and the Scorps! I also love British new wave, Alt and Psychedelia. To “prove” a point, I used a service called UDIO. It is one of the services that you mentioned are being sued at the moment. I prompted the AI to give me song snippets in the style of British pop, Alt Rock, Psychedelia, etc. I took a bunch of these song snippets and stitched them together in a DAW (Digital Audio Workstation), very much the same way that music producers currently “create” full-blown songs. I have attached the MP3 for your listening “pleasure” (take with a big grain of salt!).

I share this with you as a simple example of what could be. It is not a great song by any means; it’s derivative, it’s corny, and it will never make the charts, but that’s not the point. If it was streaming at a bar in the background, I wouldn’t think it was horrible; in fact, it might be great background music for that setting. And this is version 1 of this new technology. What will it be like in the next 5-10 years? I’ve been listening to you guys for at least that long. Think about how the audio and video industries have changed so dramatically during that time, whether with the 400-pound TVs you guys referenced or in the quality of streaming vs physical media we have seen over that time.

You guys questioned whether AI would be successful in music. I only have to look at throngs of people going to EDM concerts where there is no band, just a DJ playing “stream of consciousness” with audio loops to know that this technology will definitely have a place. The questions are, where, to what extent and how will the money flow??

Eager to hear your thoughts. Great show, and I appreciate your perspectives on all things home audio, video, and automation.

Joe Albanian

Podcast #1156: Is Music Getting Worse? Jun 28, 2024

On this week’s show Ara and Braden discuss a video made by Rick Beato where he posits that new music is getting worse. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Others:

The Real Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse

Robert Spivack sent us an email with a link to this Rick Beato video titled The Real Reason Why Music Is Getting Worse. This immediately appealed to me since I spend a lot of time creating speakers to make the music I listen to sound as good as it possibly can.

Podcast #1155: Harmony Remote Replacement Contender Jun 21, 2024

On this week’s show we give a brief lesson on American Antitrust law and how it applies to Hollywood. We also review the SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote. Is it a Harmony Replacement? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

SofaBaton X1S Review

We have been searching for a Harmony Replacement since they discontinued what we felt was the best “consumer grade” remote on the market. We reviewed the SofaBaton X1 last november and felt it came close to being the Harmony Replacement. It worked but it still had some rough edges.

Well, SofaBaton is back with the X1S ($189.99). The X1S has enhanced performance and compatibility compared to the X1. The X1S boasts features like “Raise to Wake” and supports a vast array of devices, over 500,000 across IR, Bluetooth, and WiFi thanks to its use of the “cloud code library”.

There is even a Smart SofaBaton App, that allows you to manage devices, personalize buttons and activities. The X1S makes use of a hub that offers 360 degree control, 40 foot infrared range, and has support for IR blasters for devices in different rooms or in cabinets.

There is also support for hands free control with Alexa and Google Assistant, personalized macro buttons, and API integration allows for third parties to further expand on the X1S’ capabilities. The X1S also has backlit buttons, and a 45 day battery. The full feature list is below:

Features:

SofaBaton X1S Universal Remote:

Enhanced performance and compatibility over X1
Supports 500,000+ devices (IR, Bluetooth, WiFi)
Includes powerful cloud code library

Smart SofaBaton App:

Device management and customization
Favorite channel organization
Remote tracking and phone backup control

Effortless OneClick Activities:

Initiates predefined device settings with one command
Example: "Music Time" activity for automated device control

Powerful Hub:

360degree control
40foot infrared range
2 IR blasters for signal coverage
Can be hidden in cabinet
Voice Control with Alexa and Google Assistant

Personalized Macro Buttons:

Customizable key functions
Create sequences for complex operations

API Integration:

Integration with other applications
Personalized control through simple configurations

Highlight Design:

Raise To Wake function
Backlight buttons
Rechargeable battery lasting up to 45 days
Thumb scroll wheel for quick device switching

Setup:

The setup process started out intuitive, but it required additional effort and time to fine tune the configuration. The Harmony had some configuration issues too but the X1S was a little more cumbersome. Once you grasp the app's workflow you can work through the issues. The app provides a step by step guide to help you quickly connect your devices. Like other remotes you can personalize buttons and set up macros for specific functions allowing you to customize the remote to suit your preferences.

It took me 90 minutes to get my system (AppleTV, Oppo UHD Player, SONY TV, and Yamaha Receiver) up and running. Like the Harmony, once you have added your devices you then create activities. Then you test and then you tweak and you finally get it dialed in.

One oddity was how the remote dealt with power. It has a concept of the steady state of the power setting for each device, which I thought was odd. So our tip is just say that your devices are always powered off. Then go into the startup settings and add the power on command for your devices. Do the opposite for the shutdown settings. This caused me at least 30 minutes of grief in setting it up. But once the setup was done the remote worked flawlessly!

Performance:

The SofaBaton X1S remote’s build quality is top notch! And battery life is as advertised. The display is simple, clean and nothing fancy. I had to add delays between some commands for some activities to respond properly. The scroll wheel on the X1S is tighter and smoother than the X1, providing a more precise user experience. The inclusion of a USB C charging port allows usage while charging which is a nice added touch.

Syncing commands from the phone to the remote takes a long time which can be annoying while making tweaks to dial in the exact commands you want. But once it's set up you no longer have to worry about this. Also, the battery charging level is only visible from the main screen. It would be nice if you could see it from any screen.

We have used the remote for over a week and the family approves. No missed commands, easy to use. I still like my Harmony a little better but I am confident that the Sofabaton will improve with better configuration software and become the replacement to the Harmony we have all been wanting!

Pros:

Pleasing design and buttons with solid tactile response.
Backlit buttons are great for dark rooms.
The IR blaster sends signals omnidirectional.
Handy "find the remote" button.

Cons:

The setup process proved challenging, particularly concerning the power settings. An unusual default configuration involved separate power on and power off buttons for each device, such as my receiver and TV.
No Direct Number input
No Dock for charging. Plugging in a cable is cumbersome
Sync times are too slow
The remote does not emit IR commands.

Podcast #1154: Potential Ways AI Can Enhance Home Automation Jun 14, 2024

On this week’s show we look at the best movie scenes to test your home cinema according to Denon and we examine Potential ways AI can enhance home automation. As usual, we read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Best Movie Scenes to Test Your Home Cinema According to Denon

What’s the purpose of a decent AV Receiver and surround speaker setup? To bring real cinema feeling to your home, with all the room-shaking bass, stuff flying all around and the feeling you are pulled directly into the action. Here are three outstanding movie scenes to really test your home theater’s ability to suspend disbelief. Full article here…

Potential Ways AI Can Enhance Home Automation

AI can significantly enhance home automation by enabling smarter and more intuitive control of various devices, leading to increased convenience, energy efficiency, and security. Here are several ways AI can help in home automation:

Voice Programming

AI-powered virtual assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple's Siri can enable voice commands to program automations. Instead of using the GUI to select lights that you want to turn on at sunset. You will be able to just say something like: A-Lady set a routine turn on the family room lamp and the kitchen lights and the living room lamp fifteen minutes after sunset. And turn them off at 11:30 every day of the week. Or once it learns your routines you may just have to say: S-Lady turn on the appropriate lights fifteen minutes after sunset and off at 11:30 every day of the week.

Intelligent Automation

AI algorithms can learn household routines and preferences over time to automate tasks like adjusting the thermostat based on weather forecasts, turning off lights when rooms are unoccupied, or setting the coffee maker to start brewing when you wake up. This takes what our thermostats do today but applies it across all your devices.

AI algorithms can further optimize energy usage by intelligently controlling heating, cooling, and lighting based on factors like electricity rates, thereby reducing energy consumption and utility bills.

Predictive Maintenance

AI can monitor the performance of smart home devices and predict potential failures before they occur, allowing for proactive maintenance and potentially avoiding costly repairs. Especially handy for stuff like water heaters and air conditioners.

Enhanced Security

AI-powered cameras and sensors can analyze activity patterns to detect suspicious behavior, alert homeowners of potential threats, and even differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar faces to prevent false alarms.

Personalized Experiences

AI can tailor home environments to individual preferences, such as adjusting lighting, music playlists, or room temperatures based on the occupants' habits, schedules, and comfort levels.

Remote Monitoring and Control

AI enables homeowners to remotely access and control smart devices from anywhere using smartphones or other connected devices, offering peace of mind and flexibility. You can already do this with the big three with little to no networking skills required. But we envision a day when you don’t need Homekit or Google Home to get this type of functionally without any knowledge of networking

Data Insights

AI can analyze data from various sensors and devices to provide insights into home usage patterns, energy consumption, and potential areas for improvement.

By integrating AI technologies into home automation systems, homeowners can enjoy a more comfortable, convenient, and efficient living environment while also potentially saving time, energy, and money.

Podcast #1153: Matter - is now the time? Jun 07, 2024

On this week’s show, Ara has a conversation with Robert Spivack of DoItForMe.Solutions about the state of “Matter”. Not on a metaphysical level! We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Deals on OLED TVs at Best Buy

LG 55-inch C3 Series OLED 4K TV: $1,300 Save $100 BestBuy
Samsung 65-inch S95C OLED 4K TV: $2,300 Save $300 Best Buy
Sony 65-inch Bravia XR A80L OLED 4K Google TV: $1,800 Save $200 Best Buy
LG 77-inch B3 Series OLED 4K TV: 1,800 Save $200 Best Buy

What is the state of Matter

Ara has a conversation with Robert Spivack of DoItForMe.Solutions about the state of “Matter”. Not on a metaphysical level! ;-) Robert is a home automation technologist and he’ll help you with your smart home and back control of your home automation system. You can find Robert at www.doitforme.solutions or give him a call at (408) 647-4687.

More information about Matter can be found here Connectivity Standards Alliance.

Podcast #1152: The History of VHS May 31, 2024

On this week’s show we ask you to try an experiment with your friends and family. We also look at the history of VHS. Finally we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Home Cinema Viewing Experiment

The other day we were watching a movie on Netflix and between my wife, brother-in-law, and his wife I noticed that everyone was periodically glancing at their phones. This kind of irritated me mainly because I have spent a lot of money on sound and picture and thought, they might as well be watching on a phone or tablet.

The next night, I asked my wife and kids to not only silence their phones but also put them away. We watched a movie and the family was a bit irritated. It seems that the only place they can really immerse themselves into a movie is actually at the cinema. I encourage you to try the following experiment:

Minimize Distractions - this is any distraction digital or otherwise.
Silence your devices - Put phones and tablets on silent and turn off any notifications on all the devices within ear shot.
Quiet Environment - Choose a time when household noise is minimal. Shut doors and windows if external noise is an issue.

History of VHS

VHS, or Video Home System, was a home video recording format developed by JVC (Victor Company of Japan) in the 1970s. It became one of the dominant formats for home video playback and recording during the 1980s and 1990s.

Here is a brief history of VHS:

Development - JVC unveiled the VHS system in Japan in 1976, offering consumers the ability to record and play back video content on videocassette recorders (VCRs) using magnetic tape. VHS was in direct competition with Sony's Betamax format, but thanks to longer recording time and lower production costs, VHS eventually emerged as the preferred choice among consumers.
Market Dominance - Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, VHS gained widespread popularity and became the standard format for home video recording and distribution. Major Hollywood studios began releasing movies on VHS, leading to a booming rental market, especially with the rise of video rental stores like Blockbuster.
Format Wars - The battle between VHS and Betamax is often cited as one of the most famous format wars in consumer electronics history. Despite Betamax's superior picture quality, VHS's longer recording time and lower cost attracted more consumers and content producers. By the late 1980s, VHS had clearly won the format war, leading to the eventual decline of Betamax.
Expansion into Other Markets - VHS technology expanded beyond home video recording to become a standard format for recording television shows, archiving video content, and even for use in educational and industrial settings.
Evolution and Decline - VHS continued to evolve with the introduction of VHS-C (compact VHS) for camcorders and Hi-Fi stereo sound capabilities. However, with the emergence of digital video formats like DVDs and later Blu-ray discs, VHS began its decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The last known major Hollywood film released on VHS was in 2006.
Legacy - Despite its eventual obsolescence, VHS left a lasting impact on the home entertainment industry. Its widespread adoption paved the way for the concept of home video consumption and laid the foundation for the home entertainment market we see today.

VHS was a revolutionary technology that revolutionized the way people consumed and enjoyed video content at home. While it has been replaced by newer digital formats, its legacy as a pioneering home entertainment medium remains significant.

Podcast #1151: Could Venu Sports Put Cable TV Out of Business? May 24, 2024

On this week’s show TCL introduces new TVs and Soundbars for 2024 and can the newly named Venu Sports streaming service make cable operators obsolete? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

TCL Launches 2024 Home Theater Lineup With Multiple TV And Sound Bar Offerings

TCL is expanding its offerings for 2024 with the launch of an expansive TV and soundbar portfolio. The new releases include TV and sound bar models for multiple price points. The new TCL TV lineup aims to provide a home theater solution for virtually every need across its Smart S Class and QLED Q Class, along with an expanded range of sizes from 32″ to 115″. Full Article here…

TCL Q Class Smart TVTCL’s new Q Class Smart TV models utilize Quantum Dot technology featuring UltraWide Color Gamut for enhanced QLED color. The TCL Q Class includes the Q65, Q68, QM7 and QM8 models, including three new 98” TVs and the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV. While TCL’s 98″ TV offerings can satisfy virtually any cinephile or sports enthusiast, the 115″ QM89 is TCL’s top-of-the-line QD-Mini LED TV for those looking to create or upgrade their theater room with an elevated viewing experience.

TCL S Class Smart TV

The S Class family of smart TVs include the S2 and S3, which will carry over into 2024’s lineup. New to this year is the S5, which includes TCL’s AiPQ Processor for enhanced image processing. Additionally, 55″+ S Class models feature Game Accelerator 120 for 120 VRR gaming.

TCL Q Class Sound Bar: High Quality Home Theater

The Q Class is TCL’s premium sound bar family, supporting Dolby Atmos for high-quality home theater audio. The Q75H is a 5.1.2 sound bar featuring built-in side surround speakers, while the Q85H is a 7.1.4 sound bar that adds wireless rear speakers, incorporating rear Dolby Atmos up-firing drivers.

TCL S Class Sound Bar: Home Theater Made Simple

The new S Class sound bars include TCL’s S45H and S55H models, now upgraded with Dolby Atmos and Auto Room calibration. These models also include other key features such as DTS Virtual:X Virtual 3D Surround, HDMI with eARC, Bluetooth, TCL TV Ready capability, and are wall mountable.

Venu Sports and ESPN DTC Could Sink U.S. Pay TV Operators

According to Aluma’s Michael Greeson, the sports JV alone could cause 10% of users to cut the cord, and that would ‘severely diminish the ability of operators to stay afloat’ Full article here…

It boils down to the fact that the U.S. pay TV industry could face a lot of competition due to the newly named sports streaming service “Venu Sports”. A recent survey indicated that about 32% of traditional cable subscribers and 38% of IPTV subscribers indicated some level of "likelihood" that they'd sign up for the new service.

The article says that if pay TV providers lose 10% of their customers due to the new service, it will severely diminish the ability of pay TV operators to sustain their businesses. Additionally, the impending direct-to-consumer launch of ESPN by Disney is also anticipated to pose a threat, with a significant percentage of potential ESPN subscribers indicating a likelihood to cancel their pay TV service, potentially impacting operators further.

These developments could have a detrimental impact on the pay TV industry, endangering the survival of operators struggling with declining subscriber bases. Side note - if the joint venture intends to rely on pull from those who have completely cut the cord, they can forget about it. Only 9% are legitimate prospects for the service.”

Podcast #1150: Ara Buys a New TV May 17, 2024

On this week’s show Ara gets a new TV! It came down to a UST Projector and a Mini LED. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

SportsNet Pittsburgh launches direct-to-consumer streaming service

My ideal TV has no tuner, no speakers and no smart platform

I’ve had my current TV for about a year now, and do you know how many times I’ve used its built-in tuner? None. I’ve not even plugged in the aerial. I’ve not used any of the built-in apps, either, and the built-in speakers have emitted a sound only a handful of times, and only because the connected sound system didn’t automatically switch on as it should have. Full article here…

New TV for Ara

Ara’s original Vizio P-Series UHD TV finally gave out. After posting this information on X, he received a few suggestions on how it could possibly be revived. Unfortunately nothing worked. Vizio customer service even offered to help resolve the issue. But after ten years of trusty service, it was time to move on.

Ara posted to X that it was between a Sony Mini LED and an AWOL UST projector. The response was mixed. So where did he land?

The field was quickly narrowed down to:

The AWOL LTV-2500 4K 3D Triple Laser Projector $3000 + $1000 for a 100” screen.

Bring The Cinematic Experience to Your Home: AWOL VISION LTV-2500 powered with a cutting edge Triple Laser without Color Wheel Technology, Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos 4K UHD Resolution, HDR10+, 3D available, brings you a stunning 150", 4K Movie Theater experience. Coupled with exceptional audio immersion technology with Dolby Atmos, LTV-2500 is the most colorful with details' ultra short throw 4K laser projector for controlled light environment.

and

The BRAVIA XR 75” Class X93L Mini LED 4K HDR Google TV (2023) $2500

The Cognitive Processor XR™ delivers a picture with wide dynamic contrast and natural colors, replicating how we see the real world. See ultimate contrast from thousands of Mini LEDs and billions of accurate colors, all precision-controlled by the XR Backlight Master™ Drive and XR Triluminos Pro™.

The winner is…. The Sony Bravia.

The Process:

Cost was a factor but not as big a factor as Lina not wanting to rearrange the artwork above the current TV.
Some on X said that the UST was only an option if I had good control of the light in the room. Even my first gen UST looks decent in full daylight and it does not have the lumens of this projector. So that was not and issue that disqualified the UST
While I would have liked a 100” screen. The 75” Sony is a small step up from the 70” Vizio.
Tip! Regardless of choice I was going to have to get rid of my old Vizio. I’m thinking I’d have to call my trash company and pay to have it hauled away. So I thought let me try to see if someone wanted a free broken UHD TV. And to my surprise, four people reached out to me. The person who ended up with it worked at a youth center and had a friend who fixed TVs. So he came and picked it up and just like that, problem solved.
Once the Bravia was delivered I simply plugged the cables in exactly as the Vizio. The output of the Yamaha RX-850 to the eARC port, power, and Ethernet. It's actually pretty heavy (97 lbs or 42Kgs). I powered it up and went through the setup. By the way, I did not accept anything that I interpreted as them spying on me. The TV is also a GoogleTV. I did not log into my account.
For calibration I selected cinema mode and turned off motion flow and automated adjustments. I did enable calibrated mode for any programming that sends that info in the stream.
First issue… My Yamaha for some reason would not pass HDR data even though it says it will. Solution… Connect Oppo and AppleTV to the Sony and use eARC for audio,
Second issue…I could not send ATMOS data through to the receiver because it does not support eARC. Not a big deal because this is the family room and there is no ATMOS. But I also can’t get Dolby digital. Solution… Set AppleTV to force DD 5.1 and set Sony to pass signal untouched to Yamaha. Not the best solution but hey! I don’t have to explain to my wife why we now need a new receiver. There is a high probability that there will be a new receiver purchased on Black Friday!
The picture looks phenomenal! A few times I caught myself saying it's like looking out a window. The colors are so saturated and beautiful! And while the black levels are not like OLED. They are quite good! No regrets. Not even a letter ;-)
Review to come after I have had a chance to use the TV and dial it in.

Podcast #1149: Wired vs Wireless Multi-Zone Audio May 10, 2024

On this week’s show we discuss the merits of an expensive wired whole home audio streamer vs putting one together with Airplay 2 or Chromecast. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Juke+ Audio Streamer

Juke+, as described on their website, is an audio distribution system designed to provide high-quality sound across multiple rooms in a house. It runs about $2,500 and that’s without speakers. So here is our question; do you think it's worth the money when you can put a high end wireless system together including speakers for significantly less money?

First let’s take a look at what the $2500 Juke+ System gets you:

Audio Quality and Control - The Juke+ system can power 6 audio zones with 12 speaker channels at 100 watts per channel, ensuring pristine audio quality. Users can fine-tune the audio settings in each room through an app-controlled audio equalizer for optimal sound customization.
Wireless Control - The Juke Audio application enables comprehensive control of the audio system via Android and Apple devices. Various features include playing to any combination of zones, independent volume control for each zone, simultaneous streaming from multiple users/devices, and access through a web interface on PCs.
All-in-One Solution - The Juke system integrates the functions of powering, controlling, and streaming audio to multiple speaker sets throughout the house, eliminating the need for separate receivers, streamers, or in-wall controllers.
Airplay 2 Integration - Juke displays connected speaker zones as independent Airplay inputs, facilitating streaming from Apple devices to specific audio zones. Users can group zones directly within the Airplay menu and stream to Juke and other Airplay 2 devices simultaneously, maintaining audio sync.
Spotify Connect Support - Each connected speaker zone is independently recognized in Spotify, allowing premium users to stream content seamlessly. The Juke app's grouping feature enables setting multi-zone endpoints in Spotify for convenient whole-house or room-specific playback.
Bluetooth Connectivity - Juke supports Bluetooth streaming from any compatible device, allowing users to play content without relying on a local Wi-Fi network.
Juke+ provides multiple options to enjoy TV audio through its audio distribution system.

Wireless Audio from Apple TV via Airplay - You can wirelessly send audio from any app on Apple TV to Juke using Airplay over the Wi-Fi network.
Bluetooth Connectivity from Compatible Smart TVs - Juke supports receiving audio from compatible Smart TVs via Bluetooth.
Hardwired Connection from TV to Juke - For a more traditional setup, you can run a hardwired connection from the audio output of your TV back to the Juke system.

Our wireless system consists of a Belkin SoundForm Connect AirPlay 2 Adapter or a Chromecast Audio ($80) and a pair of Audioengine A5+ ($500 per pair) for a grand total of $580 per zone or $3480 for six zones with speakers included! Similar passive speakers from Audioengine cost $400 which would bring a similar system to $4900. A difference of $1420.

Let’s see if you miss anything:

Audio Quality and Control - You can control each room with any app that plays music on your phone or tablet but you can’t set separate EQ. +1 to Juke+
Wireless Control - Our system does the same as the Juke+. No advantage to either
All-in-One Solution - Our system does the same as the Juke+. No advantage to either
Airplay 2 Integration - If you use the SoundForm you have identical capabilities. However, if you use a Chromecast you have capability that the Juke+ does not have. +1 to our DIY system
Spotify Connect Support - if you have the Spotify app on your device you essentially have this capability through Airplay or Chromecast. No advantage to either
Bluetooth Connectivity - The Audioengine A5+ supports AptX while the Juke+ supports Bluetooth 5. +1 to our DIY
TV Support - identical capabilities. No advantage to either

Our DIY system is better in two categories and equivalent in all others. Room EQ being the only category that the Juke+ is better. Plus you save $1420! Our DIY system is not meant for everyone. Our speakers are harder to discretely place throughout your house. In addition the Juke+ gives you greater choice in speaker selection since you don’t have to limit yourself to powered bookshelf or desktop speakers.

However, you don’t need to buy expensive speakers for all zones. But this applies to both systems. You could also use the Airplay2/Chromecast capability of your receiver to add a zone for essentially no cost and add the ability to EQ a room.

So what do you think? Which system would you choose?

Podcast #1148: 2024 TV Season Wrap Up May 03, 2024

On this week’s show you get what you pay for! Ara’s experience buying cheap automated wall plugs. Plus we wrap up the 2024 TV season and read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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You get what you pay for!

Recently I purchased some thread based wall plugs to turn a night light on at sunset and off at sunrise. It was an extremely inexpensive Wemo plug that ran on thread. I was excited because thread based products are extremely fast and reliable. Well that’s what I thought.

Wemo Smart Plug with Thread - I bought them for $80 for a four pack. You can get them for $30 individually.

I deployed four, Two lose connection with the thread router every few days. Unplug and plug back in and repeat.
Two are rock solid
Belkin Customer Service won’t refund my money because its well past the 30 days.
No info on a firmware update
Useless product!

GE CYNC Indoor Smart Plug, Matter Compatible $30 for three pack

This product has no support for Homekit so this was a good test to see if a Matter plug would work in an Homekit environment.
Connecting to my home is just as easy as a Homekit device.
Worked for three days and then disconnected. Unplug and plug back in did nothing. Did full reset and the device can not be added to homekit or GE Cync app. DOA
Added a second plug to my home. Just as easy as the first. Three days later, we are still in business.
I have not contacted customer support.
Other than the device failing, connecting a matter plug to Homekit was trivial.

Eve Energy - (Matter Compatible) $40

I currently have four plugs deployed for six months
They are connected using thread and bluetooth
Super fast and super reliable
You get what you pay for

2024 TV Season Wrap Up

Although this year's TV Season got a late start, we did have one however short it was. It seems like we just got new episodes and now we are looking at season finales. But even with shortened TV seasons, executives have to make tough decisions on what shows get another season and which ones say good-bye. The following is what TV Line is reporting for the end of the 2024 Television Season:

ABC

9-1-1: Officially renewed for Season 8
Abbott Elementary: Officially renewed for Season 4.
The Conners: A safe bet.
The Good Doctor: Officially canceled; series finale airs this Spring.
Grey’s Anatomy: Officially renewed for Season 21.
Not Dead Yet: Could go either way.
The Rookie: Officially renewed for Season 7
Station 19: Officially canceled; series finale airs this Spring.
Will Trent: Officially renewed for Season 3

CBS

Blue Bloods: Officially canceled; series finale airs in Fall 2024.
Bob Hearts Abishola: Officially canceled; series finale airs May 6.
CSI: Vegas: Officially canceled.
The Equalizer: Officially renewed for Season 5
Elsbeth: Officially renewed for Season 2
FBI: Officially renewed (through Season 9)
FBI: International: Officially renewed for Season 4
FBI: Most Wanted: Officially renewed for Season 6
Fire Country: Officially renewed for Season 3
Ghosts: Officially renewed for Season 4
NCIS: Officially renewed for Season 22
NCIS: Hawai’i: Officially canceled.
The Neighborhood: Officially renewed for Season 7
So Help Me Todd: Officially canceled.
S.W.A.T.: Officially uncancelled, renewed for Season 8
Tracker: Officially renewed for Season 2
Young Sheldon: Officially canceled; series finale airs May 16; spinoff ordered

FOX

9-1-1: Lone Star: Season 5 delayed until Fall 2024.
Accused: Too early to tell.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit: Too early to tell.
Animal Control: Officially renewed for Season 3.
Bob’s Burgers: Officially renewed for Season 15.
The Cleaning Lady: Could go either way.
Family Guy: Officially renewed for Season 23.
The Great North: Could go either way.
Grimsburg: Officially renewed for Season 2.
HouseBroken: In perpetual limbo.
Krapopolis: Officially renewed for Seasons 2 and 3.
The Simpsons: Officially renewed for Season 36.

NBC

Chicago Fire: Officially renewed.
Chicago Med: Officially renewed.
Chicago P.D.: Officially renewed.
Extended Family: Could go either way.
Found: Officially renewed for Season 2.
The Irrational: Officially renewed for Season 2.
Law & Order: Officially renewed.
Law & Order: Organized Crime: A safe bet.
Law & Order: SVU: Officially renewed.
Lopez vs. Lopez: Could go either way.
Night Court: A safe bet.
Quantum Leap: Officially canceled.

The CW

All American: Too early to tell.
All American: Homecoming: Too early to tell
Sight Unseen: Too early to tell
Sullivan’s Crossing: Officially renewed for Season 2.
Superman & Lois: Officially canceled; final season premiere date TBD.
Walker: Too early to tell.
Wild Cards: Could go either way.

Podcast #1147: Is QDEL The Future of Display Technology Apr 26, 2024

On this week’s show we look at the Nielsen “The Gauge™” report for March 2024 and the new Sony Bravia Line of TVs. We also ask if QDEL is the future of TV Technology. We round out the show with your emails and a look at the week’s news.

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Neilsen’s Total TV and Streaming Snapshot

Nielsen today released The Gauge™ report for March 2024, which revealed that TV usage changes from February to March were very similar to those exhibited in the same interval last year, as seasonality—of both content and viewing behavior—has started to take effect. As such, the 3% drop in overall TV usage in March does not come as a surprise, but a closer look at shifts in viewing behavior over a longer period of time highlights greater changes across the broader media landscape. Full Press Release here…

Sony Bows New Premium Bravia Mini-LED TVs

Sony unveiled four new Bravia TV models, “flagship” and “premium” mini-LED editions, the Bravia 9 and Bravia 8, respectively, a “core” full-array LED Bravia 7, and a “standard” direct LED Bravia 6. Full Article Here…

Is QDEL The Future of Display Technology

In the realm of premium display technologies, Quantum Dot Electroluminescent (QDEL) is emerging as a promising innovation that could potentially replace OLED in high-end TVs and monitors. Unlike traditional LEDS, QDEL displays do not require a traditional backlight; instead, they utilize quantum dots as the light source, offering various advantages in terms of image quality, affordability, and longevity. So what makes QDEL so enticing to TV manufacturers?

Evolution from OLED

With OLED technology becoming more common and affordable, the focus has shifted toward identifying the next breakthrough in consumer display technology. While concepts like Micro LED, transparent screens, and foldable displays are under development, quantum dots have surfaced as a leading contender to address key user concerns effectively.

Quantum Dot Technology

Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that emit light when subjected to an electric current, offering superior color accuracy and brightness compared to traditional displays. QDEL leverages quantum dots to produce vibrant colors, high brightness, and enhanced energy efficiency without relying on a separate backlight system.

Advantages of QDEL

Wider Color Gamut: QDEL displays are expected to surpass QD-OLEDs in terms of color accuracy and vibrancy, enhancing the viewing experience for consumers.
Improved Brightness: By using quantum dots as the light source, QDEL screens can achieve higher brightness levels, making them suitable for various environments, including well-lit rooms.
Cost Efficiency: The elimination of backlight components in QDEL technology may lead to more affordable displays for consumers in the future.
Burn-In Resistance: QDEL displays are designed to be resistant to issues like burn-in, which have been a concern with certain display technologies.

Nanotechnology Development

Nanosys, a leading quantum dot supplier, is actively involved in developing QDEL technology under the name NanoLED. This innovative approach aims to enhance display performance while offering a competitive edge in the premium display market.

QDEL represents a promising advancement in display technology, offering a backlight-less solution with improved color reproduction, brightness, affordability, and durability. As the industry continues to evolve, QDEL stands out as a technology to watch for enthusiasts and consumers looking for the next generation of premium displays.

Podcast #1146: Mini-LED vs OLEd and AXPONA 2024 Apr 19, 2024

On this week’s show we compare Mini-LED vs OLED and we put a high end listening room based on products that were exhibited at this year’s AXPONA show. We also read your email and look at the week’s news.

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Mini-LED vs OLED

We are asked from time to time to recommend a particular TV or in some cases a technology. Right now, in our opinion, the best TV technology is OLED. But is it really the best overall? Let’s take a look at OLED vs mini-LED in six important criteria.

Sharpness and Resolution: Both OLED and Mini-LED TVs typically offer 4K resolution, with some models supporting higher resolutions. Therefore, in terms of sharpness and resolution, it's a tie between OLED and Mini-LED.
Black Levels: OLED TVs excel in producing true blacks by individually turning off pixels. Mini-LED displays have not completely achieved this level of per-pixel control. In this aspect, OLED emerges as the winner for its superior black levels.
Brightness and Contrast: OLED TVs offer deep blacks for infinite contrast ratio, while Mini-LED TVs can achieve higher brightness levels. Mini-LED takes the lead in brightness, while OLED wins in terms of contrast ratio.
Color Quality: OLED TVs typically exhibit excellent color quality, often surpassing 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Although Mini-LED TVs may not reach these levels, this is more due to other factors like color filters rather than the Mini-LED technology itself. The winner in color quality is OLED.
Viewing Angles: OLED TVs generally have wider viewing angles compared to LCD TVs, including those using Mini-LED technology. While Mini-LED TVs can vary based on the type of display used, OLED usually outperforms them in terms of viewing angles.
Size and Price: In terms of size, both OLED and Mini-LED TVs are available in various sizes to suit different preferences. However, traditionally, OLED TVs have been more expensive compared to Mini-LED TVs, which could be a consideration for some buyers. Price and size considerations may vary based on individual preferences and budgets.

So which one wins? It's our opinion that OLED has the absolute best picture but mini-LED is very close and unless you are looking at them side by side you won’t notice. It really comes down to cost and since you can buy some really big mini-LED TVs for a quarter of the price, we give the nod to mini-LED.

AXPONA 2024

AXPONA 2024 wrapped up last week. What is AXPONA you might ask? From their website: AXPONA is a three-day experience featuring multiple hotel floors packed with over 200 listening rooms. The Expo Hall featuring The Record Fair, The Ear Gear Experience, and seminars. Whether you’re a serious audiophile, a newcomer to high-end audio or simply a music lover, you’ll find everything you need to immerse yourself in your favorite sounds.

It's very similar to “The Show” that we have out here in CA every year. This year it will be June 7-9 in Costa Mesa so come out and let’s all go! While AXPONA exhibited products that most of us can buy, there are some that, quite frankly, are priced for people fly on their own jets. They probably don’t even listen to podcasts, so let’s make fun of them!! Kidding of course. Today, our very rich uncle who has $150,000 laying around has asked us to put a system together so he can listen to his extensive vinyl collection!

Transrotor Tourbillon FMD

The Tourbillon FMD is a premium turntable model with high-end features designed to deliver exceptional performance in the audio playback experience.

The Transrotor Tourbillon FMD stands out as a top-of-the-line turntable with innovative features and premium construction materials aimed at audiophiles seeking unparalleled sound quality and precision in vinyl playback. With its advanced FMD bearing technology, dual tone arm support, and included accessories, it offers a premium and comprehensive audio experience for discerning enthusiasts in the high-end turntable market.

$60K with Cartridge

Fern and Roby Amp No. 2

Amp No. 2 is our second collaboration with Michael Bettinger who has been designing and building amplifiers for nearly 40 years. Integrated amps make building a great high fidelity audio system easy. Our goal in this project was to produce something that will turn your living room into the best listening room possible. Fewer components, cables, and cost, but delivering world class audio into your home. $8500 (Add $350 if you want Isolation Feet)

Acora SRB Reference Loudspeaker

Acora Acoustics loudspeakers are constructed using hand crafted, specially treated granite enclosures. The rigidity of granite far exceeds that of traditional particle board or wood enclosures. One of the benefits of this is as the SRB’s drivers move to push air / create sound, the enclosure isn’t absorbing this energy and dulling or smearing the sound. Another benefit of the Acora enclosure is it does not need internal bracing to “stiffen” the enclosure. This means no additional reflections inside the enclosure that will vibrate the low frequency driver and smear the sound. The SRB also utilizes world class drivers and a hand built crossover network, however the real secret to the Acora Sound is that you only hear these, not the enclosure.

Sensitivity 86.5 db

Frequency Response 43Hz - 35KHz

58 lbs each

$37,000 pair

Podcast #1145: Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier Review Apr 12, 2024

On this week’s show we preview the upcoming WiFi 7 specification and we review the Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier Review. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

WiFi 7 May be What We Have All Been Waiting For

Why WiFi 7 is the future of wireless technology

As of now, the finalized specifications for WiFi 7 (also known as 802.11be) have not been officially released, as the standard is still in development. However, based on industry discussions and proposals, some expected features of the proposed WiFi 7 specification include:

Increased Speeds: WiFi 7 is anticipated to offer even higher data rates than its predecessors, potentially reaching multi-gigabit speeds
Enhanced Efficiency: Improved spectrum efficiency will allowi for better performance in crowded environments and increased capacity for simultaneous connections.
Low Latency: WiFi 7 is likely to target reduced latency to support real-time applications such as online gaming, video streaming, and video conferencing with minimal delay.
Advanced Security:
Multi-User MIMO: More advanced Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) technology
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA): The use of OFDMA will enhance spectral efficiency and enable better resource allocation for various types of traffic.
Improved Beamforming: Enhanced beamforming techniques will optimize signal transmission and reception, improving network coverage and reliability.
Wider Spectrum Utilization: WiFi 7 may explore the use of new frequency bands or spectrum sharing techniques to accommodate more devices and applications and deliver better performance.
IoT Optimization: Features tailored for Internet of Things (IoT) devices to support the increasing number of connected devices and diverse IoT applications.
Power Efficiency Enhancements: Efforts to improve power efficiency to extend battery life in wireless devices and reduce energy consumption overall.

It's important to note that these features are based on expectations and early proposals for WiFi 7. The final specifications may vary as the standard progresses through the development and approval process.

Technics SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier Review

Listening to music takes three elements, the music itself, the speakers, and the amplification. If one of these elements is not up to the task, your entire experience will be less than desired. Great speakers take high quality audio to even higher levels. The converse is also true, poor quality audio files will sound even worse.

There is a middle layer that we don’t talk about as much, and that’s the amplification. Back in the 70’s all we cared about were watts! The more, the better! As a teenager I did not appreciate that not all power is created equal. Smart amplifier design can make your music sound even better and that’s what the engineers at Technics have done with the SU-GX70 Network Audio Amplifier (MSRP $1999.95).

The GX70 is a box that has something for everyone. First and foremost it's a digital amplifier that outputs a total of 80 Watts into 8 ohms and supports a ton of physical connections including: Line level x2, phono, HDMI ARC, optical x2, coaxial, USB Type A, USB Type B. Supporting HDMI ARC allows you to connect your own speakers as a soundbar alternative.

As far as wireless connection goes, you have Wi-fi, ethernet, Bluetooth, Google Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2. DAB (Digital Audio Broadcast) and FM. You can also get access to Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz through the app.

Hi Res is supported via the USB port with a DAC that can decode 32-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD512 files and it can handle MQA streams from Tidal. This is one versatile integrated amp!!

Setup

To connect the GX70 to the network you use the Apple Home (or Google Home) app. Which seemed odd to us since there is a remote control and display screen. But once you are connected to your network you can use the Technics Audio Center App to control the system. Actually, the only reason you would need the app is if you want to send MQA streams to the amp. All the radio stations that are available through the app are available on your phone or tablet via apps source apps like iHeart Radio. You can tweak the amp to dial it in for your speakers through a calibration on the amp. But it sounded really good right out of the box.

We’ll give it an 8 out of 10 for setup, knocking off two points because you have to use Apple/Google Home to get it connected to your network. The aforementioned remote is a better way to use and interact with the amp. You pretty much just need to connect your speakers and you are good to go.

Sound

To test the audio we turned to the HT Guys Listener Playlist (Playlist available on iTunes, Amazon, and Spotify) and listened via Airplay2, Bluetooth, and USB. All the music was played in the highest fidelity available on the platform. Both Airplay and Bluetooth lowered quality to fit within the limits of the protocol. It should be noted that the GX70 does not support AptX.

We’ll discuss Airplay and Bluetooth together and sum it up by saying the quality was good. The only thing we’ll say is that these formats work well for convenience without sacrificing too much quality. When listening to music while doing something else, this is a nice feature. But for really listening to music we used the USB connection.

Once connected to Listened to Steely Dan, Deacon Blues (24 bit 192kHz) across three different speakers and found that the GX70 helped capture nuances in the music that we had never heard before. The sound was clean and precise. In Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Tin Pan Alley his voice was so smooth and raspy but in a good way! It's like the amp gave it more power and weight!

But can it make your walls rattle? You would think at 80W total that this was not a possibility and depending on your speakers it's not. If you have power hungry speakers they will push the amp to its limits. However, if you have efficient speakers, it will fill the room with sound. More than we were expecting. For that we turned to UFO Strangers in the Night Live, which is an excellent album from the 1970’s, but the recording wasn’t the best. We’ll say this, the GX70 attached to Ascend Acoustics Sierra-1s, which are not extremely efficient speakers, got loud enough to where family members asked to turn down the music!

Conclusion

What we liked

A plethora of input sources (both wired and wireless)
Build Quality is first rate
LCD and Remote make it easy to use and setup
Outstanding detailed sound quality

Needs Improvement

Two app setup
Would like to see Aptx for high quality audio from mobile devices.
Needs a tad more power

The GX70 offers an elevated listening experience that brings music to life with clarity, depth, and immersive soundstaging making it a top choice for those who are serious about their music.

Podcast #1144: Spring Break Apr 05, 2024

On this week’s show the HT Guys are on spring break but no worries we still have a brief show for you. Are Sports Fans willing to pay $50 a month to stream their favorite teams? We have a couple of emails and news stories.

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Other:

Smart devices are turning out to be a poor investment

57% of Sports Fans Willing to Pay $50 Monthly For Live Streaming App

More than 57% of TV sports fans said they would pay $50 monthly for a sports-only streaming app service in a February online survey of 2,000 respondents conducted by CasinoReviews.net, an advocate for online wagering. Full article here…

Podcast #1143: SVS Officially Launches the Ultra evolution Line Mar 29, 2024

On this week’s show SVS officially launches their Ultra Evolution Speakers, Amazon Echo Dot with LED Display is the best home automation device, and RTINGS.com is not impressed with the Formovie UST Projector. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

Apple TV+ Is the New HBO | WIRED

SVS Launches Ultra Evolution Speakers

We had Nick Brown and Smith Freeman on the live stream last Friday where we talked about the speakers and had a fun time. At that time we could not discuss all the details of their new Ultra Evolution speakers. Well this week SVS announced the availability and pricing.

From the Press Release:

At first glance, the most striking design feature is the acoustically centered time alignment cabinet architecture. A curve in the front baffle aligns the sound emanation point of the tweeter and each driver on a vertical plane ensuring sound from each driver arrives at a listener’s ear in the exact same instant. This maximizes phase coherence for a more convincing and immersive soundstage with pinpoint accuracy and imaging.

For the tower models specifically, midrange drivers and woofers positioned above and below the tweeter allow for seamless crossover blending to create an idealized “point-source” where sound flows from a single point in front of the speaker to optimize dispersion characteristics.

The diamond-coated aluminum dome tweeter is also completely new for SVS. Using a modern technology called vapor deposition, a layer of diamond carbon is grown on the surface of the aluminum dome to improve rigidity and critical acoustic properties. This breakthrough in material science raises the frequency response well beyond the limits of human hearing resulting in effortless, airy, and unveiled highs with no measurable distortion. It also pushes low frequency extension of the tweeter deeper for more seamless blending with the midrange.

Details and pricing on the new models are included below.

Ultra Evolution Pinnacle: 3-way floorstanding speaker - $4,999.98/pair
Ultra Evolution Titan: 3-way floorstanding speaker - $3,999.98/pair
Ultra Evolution Tower: 3-way floorstanding speaker - $2,999.98/pair
Ultra Evolution Bookshelf: 2-way bookshelf speaker - $1,199.98/pair
Ultra Evolution Nano: Compact 2-way bookshelf speaker - $899.98/pair
Ultra Evolution Center: 3-way center channel speaker - $799.99
Ultra Elevation: Versatile home theater speaker with multi-angle wall/ceiling mounting bracket - $899.98/pair

Ultra Evolution Nano and Ultra Evolution Tower models will ship later in Q2.

Finish options will be limited at launch. All models will soon be available in Piano Gloss Black, Piano Gloss White, and Premium Black Oak Wood Veneer finishes.

All SVS products are backed by a five-year unconditional warranty, 45-day in-home trial, fast and free shipping, expert lifetime support, SoundPoints loyalty program, and all the guarantees of the SVS Customer Bill of Rights.

Amazon Echo Dot with Clock Best Smart Home Device Overall?

I was reading an article on Tom’s Guide titled “The best smart home devices in 2024” and saw that they deemed the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock ($50) as the best smart home device overall. I wondered why? Once you dive in, you can see how they got there. From the article:

The name says it all: this is an Echo Dot with a clever LED clock built in its face. However, this seemingly simple addition adds a ton of functionality to the Echo Dot, making an even better smart home companion. In fact, we wish more smart home companies took Amazon's cue and make minor — yet effective — enhancements to already excellent devices.

I started searching online and found other reviewers saying the same thing. The Dot does everything you’d expect a device of this type to do but it's the LED that sets it apart from its competition. And if you read some of the 65,000 comments you’ll see a lot of others agree! The LED can display a clock, timers, weather, song titles, and more.

So do you think a $50 smart speaker with an LED display is worthy of the title “Best Smart Home Device”?

Here is what some owners are saying:

Replaced my 20 year old alarm clock
I was looking for an "Atomic" alarm clock which automatically sets the current time and found this.
I bought this Echo Dot for our bedroom when the old alarm clock finally quit working. This is bright, lights up when you speak and shows the time in the dark. Love it!
A great clock for any room

RTINGS what are you doing?

Over at AVS forum a thread caught our eye titled “RTINGS what are you doing?”. The author of the thread was not happy with a review of the Formovie UST Projector the site had posted. RTINGS gave the projector a 7.1 out of 10 for movies. Reading through the thread it was clear that owners of the Formovie were upset. One poster thought it was possible that the RTINGS methodology may be suspect.

Question for our listeners. If you own a product and are happy with it do you seek out reviews? If they differ from your opinions does it bother you?

If you remember in 2023 Projector Central did a laser projector showdown where the Formovie UST Projector won best Best Ultra Short Throw Projector. So it may have been in the AVS forum posters mind that the Formovie was a really good projector. Projector Central did not say best projector but best ultra short throw projector. Most people agree that UST projectors are not as good as long throw projectors but they do have the ability to be viewed in rooms with plenty of ambient light.

RTINGS strictly looks at the measurements it takes objectively. When they did, the Formovie UST projector did not fare well. If you look at the scores from the shootout you see that it didn’t do much better than what RTINGS said it did. If RTINGS did a UST shootout the F ormovie may have been the best one. It's just not the best projector.

Podcast #1142: Audiophile Myths Mar 22, 2024

On this week’s show we take a look at some audiophile myths and debunk them. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

TV Station Launches Multiple 4K Broadcasts OTA on ATSC 1.0

Audiophile Myths

Why do some in our hobby spend so much money on their gear? And for this discussion we are not talking about reasonably priced quality products that can cost a few thousand dollars. We’re talking about really expensive stuff like speakers that cost $20,000 each, speaker wire that costs $100 a foot, or any other product that needlessly separates you from your money all in the name of squeezing out the last bit of performance. On today’s show we will dispel a few Audiophile Myths and hopefully save you money and help you get more out of the equipment you own.

Myth: Even though people cannot hear frequencies above 20 KHz, it is important that audio equipment be able to reproduce higher frequencies to maintain clarity.

Fact: Producing sounds at a frequency beyond what humans can hear is not sonically useful. However, a good amplifier and speaker generally have a frequency response beyond the limits of hearing. Conversely, the lack of an extended response can indicate that the amplifier designers cut some corners. Keep in mind you don’t have to pay a lot of money for this. A Fosi amp goes for $100 and produces frequencies from 20Hz to 20kHz.

Myth: Gold-plated connectors sound better than connectors made of standard materials (Copper, Nickel. Or Tin).

Fact: Gold does not oxidize, and oxidized connectors can cause problems. With that said, gold on it's own will not make your audio better. As far as oxidation goes, good quality wire and connectors will take years to oxidize under normal circumstances. Don’t waste money on gold plated when copper will do the exact same thing!

Myth: Speakers Need Time to Break In

Fact: I used to believe this based on my own listening. But there was no way for me to actually remember what my speakers sounded like from day one to compare them with day five after 30 hours of use. It wasn’t until I saw objective tests performed on speakers when they were new and again when they were used for 30 hours. The wave forms were sonically identical. Conclusive scientific results. End of story!

Now some bigger drivers like woofers and subwoofers use spiders as stiffening agents instead of thicker, more rigid materials in their production. These do lose stiffness in their suspension with use, but it usually happens within minutes — not hours or days.

Myth: All acoustic treatments will improve the sound.

Fact: You can’t throw up acoustic treatments just anywhere and expect an improvement in sound. Acoustic treatments are made to address specific problems. With that said, if you have a room with bare walls and wood or tile floors, get soft materials on the walls and rugs on the floor. In this case dampening the echos will help. But to do a full treatment you need to be more exact,

Here is a list of articles from Audioholics that can help you treat your room. “Room Reflections and Human Adaptation for Small Room Acoustics,” “Early Reflections and Bass for Small Room Acoustics,” and “Early Reflections in Home Theater Rooms: Beneficial or Detrimental?”

Myth: Speakers need to be isolated to get the most out of them.

Fact: Well designed loudspeakers don't transmit much mechanical energy through their enclosures. Loudspeakers are transmitting most of their energy into the air which then exerts force on objects in the room. You are likely getting more vibrations from pressure waves hitting other objects in the room as opposed to the cabinet vibrating.

In my room I have played some of my speakers at very loud volumes. I then touched the drivers on the speakers that were adjacent and there was some movement. I’m not sure that they did anything to distort the sound in the room, but they were vibrating more than the cabinets of the speaker that I was using. There may be some aesthetic reasons you may want to isolate your speakers including pads to protect your floor.

Myth: All your speaker wire should be the same length.

Fact: Speed of electricity is 186,000 miles a second. That means that a 5 meter and 10 meter cable have statistically no difference as to when the signal gets to the drivers. But using similar length speaker wire will increase the resale value of your speakers should you choose to sell them!

Myth: You need to break in your speaker wire.

Fact: Yes!! Do not drive them past 10 for the first 12,000 miles. After that if your amp goes to 11, have at it!!

Seriously, when it comes to speaker wire buy high quality wire. Just don’t pay exorbitant prices. Solid copper 14 Gauge speaker wire should not cost you more than $25 for fifty feet. If you are doing short runs (less than ten feet) you can use higher gauge wire and save some copper both figuratively and literally!! Well provided you are paying in coins anyway.

Podcast #1141: Streaming! Is it Going to Get Worse? Mar 15, 2024

On this week’s show we discuss John Campeas video where he claims streaming is about to get a lot more expensive and irritating. We also take a look at the top ten shows both domestically and globally at Netflix and Vudu is now officially “Fandango at Home”. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Vudu Is Now Called ‘Fandango at Home’

Here is what you need to know:

FandangoNow users will need to move their accounts to Vudu
Once FandangoNow users move their accounts to Vudu and log in again, they’ll be able to access their libraries and promo codes.
Vudu users won’t need to take any action unless they want to link their existing Fandango account.
Vudu and FandangoNow subscribers can also use the same username and password to log in on the rebranded service.
Users won’t lose any content from their libraries
Under Fandango at Home, users can take advantage of new Vudu gift cards, reward loyalty programs, and partner programs coming soon.
Clicking on the “Buy Tickets” link goes to the Fandango website. If you don’t have an account you’ll have to create a seperate one to purchase movie tickets. No word on when or if the two sites will be merged.
From the Fandango website you can preorder food and drinks after you buy tickets. Available at select theaters.

The Top Ten TV shows on Netflix

Netflix Top Ten TV Globally

# Title Weeks in Top 10 Hours Viewed Runtime Views

1 The Gentlemen: S1 1 81,500,000 6:41 12,200,000

2 Avatar The Last Airbender: S1 3 65,700,000 7:15 9,100,000

3 The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping: Limited Series

1 22,700,000 3:12 7,100,000

4 Hot Wheels Let's Race: S1 1 16,300,000 4:02 4,000,000

5 Love Is Blind: S6 4 43,800,000 12:42 3,400,000

6 One Day: Limited Series 5 20,400,000 6:40 3,100,000

7 American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders: Season 1

2 8,900,000 3:44 2,400,000

8 Blood & Water: S4 1 10,500,000 4:40 2,200,000

9 Resident Alien: S1 4 16,200,000 7:33 2,100,000

10 The Tourist: S2 1 11,300,000 5:45 2,000,000

Netflix Top Ten TV in The US

The Program: Cons, Cults and Kidnapping: Limited Series 3 Globally
The Gentlemen: Season 1 1 Globally
Love Is Blind: Season 6 5 Globally
Avatar The Last Airbender: Season 1 2 Globally
American Conspiracy: The Octopus Murders: Season 1 7 Globally
Furies: Season 1 N/A Globally
The Tourist: Season 2 10 Globally
The Signal: Limited Series N/A Globally
Hot Wheels Let's Race: Season 1 4 Globally
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Season 1 N/A Globally

How Streaming Is About To Get A Lot More Expensive And Irritating

We received an email from John pointing us to this video:

How Streaming Is About To Get A Lot More Expensive And Irritating

The Host John Campea had some really good thoughts on why Streaming is about to get a lot more expensive.

Podcast #1140: The 5 Best 80-85 Inch TVs - RTINGS.com Mar 08, 2024

On this week’s show we look at using a two channel powered speaker with ARC as a soundbar alternative and we look at the best 85” HDTVs you can purchase today. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

Best Smart Home Gadgets To Avoid The Cloud

Kanto's new active speakers - with HDMI ARC - could be a nifty soundbar alternative

The new Kanto Ren are well-connected, featuring an HDMI input for hooking up to a TV as well as a USB-C input for playing files up to 24-bit/96kHz from a source player. An optical Toslink supports up to 24-bit/96kHz transmission, and there's a single RCA input alongside a 3.5mm jack. If you don't want to plug in directly, they're also kitted out with Bluetooth 5.3. Outputs, meanwhile, come courtesy of a single sub-out line and a single USB Charge.

The new units are supplied with a remote control and feature a choice of two extra sound modes – vocal boost and night mode. The latter does one of two things. if a subwoofer is connected, the sub-out signal will be switched off and the low-frequencies will only be emitted from the speaker itself. If no subwoofer is connected, the Ren's bass will be reduced, presumably so as not to disturb your lower-floor neighbors when they're trying to get some kip. There's also a quarter-inch hole at the base of the units for mounting.

The new units will be on sale from July, priced at $599 per pair, and are available in a choice of six colors: black, cream, white, green, brown and orange.

Potential system to rival the Kento Ren for $250 less:

Arylic Bluetooth aptX HD Stereo Amplifier $140 paired with RSL CG3M BOOKSHELF SPEAKER $210 for the pair total cost $350

The 5 Best 80-83-85 Inch TVs - Winter 2024 RTINGS.com

We talk about large format HDTVs all the time and they range in super expensive to pretty darn cheap. But what are you getting for your money. RTINGS.com has posted their list of the 5 Best 80 - 85 inch TVs. We run them down for you on today’s show.

Best 80-85 Inch TV

The best TV you can buy that's available in 80+ inches is the LG OLED83C3PUA ($3596). It's an excellent TV with stunning picture quality, especially in a dark room. It looks amazing in the dark thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio that results in perfect inky blacks, with no distracting blooming or halos around bright highlights or subtitles. Combined with its high peak brightness and wide color gamut, the latest movies and shows in HDR look amazing. It's no slouch in a bright room either, as it's bright enough to fight glare, and its reflection handling is fantastic.

Mixed Usage 9.0, TV Shows 8.6, Sports 8.8, Video Games 9.4, HDR Movies 9.0, HDR Gaming 9.1, PC Monitor 9.4 See full test results.

Best Bright Room 80-85 Inch TV

If you're rarely in a completely dark room, check out the Sony XR-85X95L ($4498) instead. It's a slightly larger TV than the LG C3 OLED, making it the best 85-inch TV you can get if you want something slightly bigger. It doesn't have the same perfect black levels as the OLED, but it has a truly incredible contrast ratio and black uniformity, leading to extremely deep blacks. Plus, it gets much brighter than the LG, so it's a better choice if you're in a very bright room, as it can overcome more glare. It also delivers brighter highlights in HDR. This, combined with its excellent color gamut, makes it an impressive choice for watching content in HDR10 or Dolby Vision HDR.

Mixed Usage 8.6; TV Shows 8.3, Sports 8.4, Video Games 8.9, HDR Movies 8.8, HDR Gaming 8.9, PC Monitor 8.7 See full test results.

Best Mid-Range 80-85 Inch TV

If you don't want to spend an arm and a leg but still want good picture quality, then a mid-range TV like the Hisense 85U8K ($2198) is a good alternative. It's significantly cheaper than the Sony X95L or LG C3 OLED but still delivers amazing picture quality. It's just as bright as the Sony, and its contrast is almost as good due to a better overall local dimming solution. The Hisense displays a wide color gamut, has surprisingly good image processing, and supports advanced audio and video formats like our top two picks, so it's an amazing home theater TV for a lower price than the Sony or the LG.

Mixed Usage 8.5; TV Shows 8.0, Sports 7.9, Video Games 8.8, HDR Movies 8.8, HDR Gaming 8.9, PC Monitor 8.5 See full test results.

Best Lower Mid-Range 80-85 Inch TV

If you're on a budget but want better picture quality than the budget option below, the Hisense 85U7K ($1798) is the best lower mid-range TV we've tested available in an 80 to 85-inch size. It's a great TV, with very good picture quality and a wide selection of additional features. It's basically a dimmer Hisense U8/U8K with a nearly identical feature set. It's still bright enough for a pleasant viewing experience in bright rooms. Its contrast, while worse than the picks above, is excellent overall, leading to deep blacks in dark rooms. Like its more expensive sibling, it's a stellar home theater TV with very good image processing and support for HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and advanced DTS audio formats.

Mixed Usage 8.2, TV Shows 7.8, Sports 7.8, Video Games 8.7, HDR Movies 8.3, HDR Gaming 8.7, PC Monitor 8.5 See full test results.

Best Budget 80-85 Inch TV

If you're on a budget and want a large TV, you'll have to spend more than if you were getting a smaller size. However, a few budget-friendly models are available in larger sizes, like the TCL 85Q650G ($998). It's a decent overall TV that doesn't cost nearly as much and still has much to offer. Unlike the models above, this TV doesn't have local dimming to improve its contrast, so it doesn't look as good in a dark room. It also doesn't get as bright or emphasize highlights like the Hisense U7K/U75K does, but it's still good enough to overcome glare in a bright room. Like the Hisense TVs, the TCL supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, but it doesn't have good image processing, so it's not a great choice for a home theater setup.

Mixed Usage 7.3; TV Shows 6.9, Sports 6.9, Video Games 7.9, HDR Movies 7.2, HDR Gaming 8.0, PC Monitor 7.7 See full test results.

Podcast #1139: Top Streaming Programs and Fun Automations Mar 01, 2024

On this week’s show we run down the top ten streaming shows of 2023 and give you ten cool automations for your home. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

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What REALLY Happens Backstage in Live Broadcasts - INSANE Adrenaline!

10 most streamed shows of 2023 According to Neilson

Here are the 10 most streamed shows of 2023, according to Neilson, along with how many minutes that it’s been watched last year:

10) “Supernatural”: 22.8 billion minutes

9) “Heartland”: 22.8 billion minutes

8) “Friends”: 25 billion minutes

7) “Gilmore Girls”: 25.2 billion minutes

6) “The Big Bang Theory”: 27.8 billion minutes

5) “Cocomelon”: 36.3 billion minutes

4) “Grey’s Anatomy”: 38.6 billion minutes

3) “NCIS”: 39.4 billion minutes

2) “Bluey”: 43.9 billion minutes

1) “Suits”: 57.7 billion minutes viewed

When it comes to original streaming shows, “Ted Lasso” topped the list with an impressive — but notably lesser — 16.9 billion minutes viewed. No other original streaming show cracked 15 billion minutes viewed last year.

When it comes to streaming movies, Disney’s 2016 hit “Moana” topped viewership minutes with 11.6 billion minutes viewed. No other streaming movie topped 10 billion minutes viewed.

Combining the total viewership minutes of “Ted Lasso” and “Moana” brings you to 28.5 billion. That’s less than half the total minutes viewed of “Suits,” a show that ended nearly four years ago.

Ten Cool Home Automations

Home automation has come such a long way since the Insteon X10 systems of the 1980s and 1990s. Today there are numerous systems available and just about all of us have some form of automation that we use daily. We pulled together 10 cool automation routines that you may want to try yourself.

Have your lights slowly dim just before bedtime. I was a skeptic when I saw this as an option but when I go to bed I do some reading and having the lights dim as I do is a nice way to doze off. I started out with the dimming taking 10 minutes. I liked it so much I now start it a full 30 minutes before my “official” bedtime.
Set the lights to randomly flash to make it appear as if you’re home when away. We all have lights that turn on automatically. This takes it to the next level. You could define a set of routines that only work when you set a “Vacation Mode” on your system. Set up different ones for each day of the week.
Flash your lights when your doorbell rings. This is handy if you are out in the garage, basement, or any other room where you can’t hear the doorbell. Comes in handy if you are blasting music. For bonus points you can have your wireless speakers play Men at Work’s Who Can it Be Now.
Create individual access codes for kids, guests, and extended family members. Then, get a phone notification when specific people arrive home.
Have a certain song play out your speakers when certain people arrive. Just like walk up music for baseball. It's fun and you know who just walked in or opened the garage.
Install a sensor on or inside your mailbox that alerts you when your mail has arrived/been picked up. I also set a virtual light switch that gets set to on when the sensor goes off. That way if I miss the actual notification I can see that the virtual light is on in my automation app. I clear it when I get the mail.
One button press turns on all lighting for a given room, floor or entire house. Great for when you are walking into a dark house or to scare away someone who should not be there.
At night, when motion is sensed, ramp lights to 15% (just enough light to see, not to be blinded).
Set your door to automatically lock after a set amount of time has passed. With most smart locks, you can pick intervals between 30 seconds and one hour long.
Dinner Bell. Set an automation tied to a button that plays a dinner bell through your wireless speakers that dinner is ready. Can also just send out a notification if people are outside.

Podcast #1138: Who Needs to Buy Physical Media? Feb 23, 2024

On this week’s show we take a brief look at a $120 wireless HDMI solution and we ask, who Needs to Buy Physical Media? We also read your emails and take a look at the news.

News:

BMOSTE Wireless HDMI Transmitter and Receiver

Small transmitter and receiver. About the size of USB Stick
Dual-Band WI-FI. Long range (30m) stable connection
Plug and play
1080p
$120

Easily to setup but you need to provide power via the USB cable that is included. My Macbook Pro and Projector USB did not have enough power to run the device. I needed to add an external power supply to make it work. Once it was connected I immediately saw my computer screen.

The picture looked good with no breakups while the laptop was in the same room. There was a lag that was noticeable and made it quirky to use the mouse. I think for gaming this is going to be a big issue. But for watching movies it's not really an issue at all.

When I moved the laptop into another room that was about twenty feet away with two walls between the transmitter and receiver, the picture froze . However putting the laptop in the room directly behind the projector with one wall had no impact on the picture. If the TX and RX are in the same room you will have no issues. One wall will probably work but it will decrease the distance that you can transmit. Two walls will probably not work.

If you need a wireless 1080p solution you can’t beat this device on size and cost. Just keep distance and the number of walls you are going through in mind. We’ll take a look at their 4K solution which is much bigger in size and costs about $50 more.

Who Needs to Buy Physical Media

Last week we received an email from a listener named Bob with a link to an article that discussed what “forever” means in the terms of digital content. The article pointed out that a streaming service owned by Sony was dumping libraries after April 2nd. You may not have heard about this because the streaming service is for Anime and is called Funimation. It's not like you’ll be losing movies from Warner Brothers or Sony Pictures.

There is a lot of talk about physical media vs digital. Which one would you rather have and use? Do you even need discs anymore? In this episode we will examine why or who would want to buy physical discs. Let’s take a look at one of the biggest movies of last year and determine if you should buy the disc, buy the digital version, rent, or stream the movie.

Oppenheimer - The story of American scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer and his role in the development of the atomic bomb.

UHD - $23 includes Blu-Ray and Digital Code
Blu-Ray - $18 include DVD and Digital Code
Amazon Prime Video/AppleTV $19.99
Amazon Prime Video/AppleTV Rent $5.99
Peacock included with Service

With all these options what makes the most sense? Are you going to watch it over and over in a theater that you spent thousands of dollars on and want every ounce of performance out of your system? Then by all means get the UHD Disc. That will be your best looking and sounding experience. You have a digital code as well, so if you just want to watch Oppenheimer for the tenth time without having to go through your library to find the disc and pop it into your player, you can call it up on whatever STB you use.

If you just want to watch it once, even in your theater that cost thousands of dollars, rent it on Apple, Amazon, Vudu, or whatever service you use. If you decide later that you want to watch it once or twice more, you’re still ahead of the game! There may be a slight perceivable degradation in quality but is it worth $12-$18 to barely notice an improvement in picture and sound?

If you are sitting in a room with an awesome OLED and a high quality soundbar you may want to sign up for Peacock and stream it through the service for $12 a month. This option allows you to stream the many other shows available and then cancel if you don’t find more value. Peacock allows you to stream Oppenheimer for $6 if you don’t mind limited commercials. Only do this if there are other shows/movies you want to check out otherwise you can rent it for $6 on the various platforms without commercials.

Disc sales have been declining for the last five years as people switch to streaming services to watch movies instead of disc purchase and rentals. There are less and less reasons for studios to manufacture discs. Those who like to have the physical copy of the disc are the vast minority.

Whether you use Vudu, Amazon, or Apple, you have a huge library at your fingertips. Buy the digital copy of the movies you like to watch on repeat, rent the ones you want to watch once. Hell we’ll say it, it's like having a Kaleidescape! If your hangup is quality, the difference in quality is pretty small because the compression and broadband speeds have both improved in the last ten years. And when noticeable, it's still not like comparing Standard Definition to High Definition. It's more like comparing 1080i to 720p ATSC from back in 2006. Both huge improvements over what we had been watching.

Our recommendation going forward is: If you have a large library of physical media, you can rip what you have and put it on a server. Plex is great and easy to use. For future titles, buy/rent on the digital store of your choice. If the title is supported by Movies Everywhere you can watch on multiple platforms across multiple apps!

Podcast #1137: The State of TV Viewership Feb 16, 2024

On this week’s show we take a look at a new report on the state of TV viewership. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. Finally We congratulate Eric Melton of Riverside CA on winning the CSS Audio Torii P2 Tower Speakers!

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Prime Video cuts Dolby Vision, Atmos support from ad tier—and didn’t tell subs | Ars Technica

The State of TV Viewership

Samba TV gathers viewership data via its proprietary Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) technology from tens of millions of opted- in Smart TVs. Samba TV’s ACR is integrated at the chipset level across 24 of the top Smart TVs sold in more than 100 countries globally and captures content that crosses the TV screen, regardless of source. This results in unbiased, comprehensive viewership insights from around the world.

In this report, Samba TV first-party data is supplemented with data from a nationwide survey conducted within the U.S. from 8/22/23- 8/30/23 among 2,507 adults by HarrisX. Results were weighted for age, gender, region, race/ethnicity, and income where necessary to align them with their actual proportions in the population.

Monthly cable or satellite TV subscription

Gen Z 39%
Millennials 47%
Gen X 47%
Baby Boomers 57%

Total TV hours watched: OTT & linear

OTT Linear

Q3 ‘22 1.40M 22B

Q4 ‘22 1.39M 23B

Q1 ‘23 1.45M 23B

Q2 ‘23 1.30M 18.5B

Q3 ‘23 1.75M 21.5B

Q4 ‘23 1.62M 21.5B

What TV Services viewers are watching less because they are watching FAST?

18% Transactional video-on-demand(TVOD) services (Pay per view or rent through Amazon or Apple )
22% Virtual pay-TV services (IPTV)
23% Traditional broadcast/pay-TV services
32% Subscription video-on-demand(SVOD) services (Netflix Etc)
34% Not watching less of any service

Subscribers to virtual multichannel TV services watch eight TV channels, on average, compared to 10 TV channels for traditional multichannel TV households, according to a recent Kagan US Consumer Insights survey. Video cord cutters and cord nevers who receive over-the-air local broadcast TV programming report watching three to four TV channels.

Percentage of Cable and Satellite subscribers said they watch:

ABC 62%
CBS 60%
NBC 60%
Fox 50%
ESPN 39%
HIST 38%
TNT 34%
DISC 33%
USA 33%
TBS 32%

Top TV Channels for IPTV subscribers

ABC 45%
CBS 43%
NBC 40%
Fox 37%
ESPN 31%
HBO 26%
DISN 26%
FX 26%

Top three SVOD Services for Cable and Satellite subscribers

Netflix 52%
Amazon Prime Video 49%
Hulu 32%

Top four SVOD Services for IPTV subscribers

Netflix 62%
Amazon Prime Video 60%
Hulu 55%
Disney+ 43%

Top three FAST Services for Cable and Satellite subscribers

Tubi 22%
Pluto TV 22%
Freevee 17%

Top four FAST Services for IPTV subscribers

Tubi 34%
Pluto TV 33%
Roku Channel 32%
Freevee 26%

Percentage of population that streams content on mobile

Gen Z 91%
Millennials 88%
Gen X 73%
Baby Boomers 43%
Silent 30%

Most popular program amongst single program viewers for the second half of 2023

Netflix Quarterback S1
Disney+ Ahsoka S1
AppleTV+ Hijack S1
Prime Video Jack Ryan S4
Max And Just Like That S2
Paramount+ Special Ops Lioness S1
Hulu The Kardashians S4

45% of households that watched the top bingeable premieres of the second half of 2023 finished the season in five days.

68% of U.S. adults identify themselves as binge-watchers, while 76% of millennials do.

89 out of the 100 most watched linear programs of the second half of 2023 were related to sports. 76% of those 89 programs were NFL football.

Top five second half of 2023 linear programs

ABC - Monday Night Football - Kansas City Chiefs vs Philadelphia Eagles
NBC - Sunday Night Football - New York Jets vs Kansas City Chiefs
ABC - Monday Night Football - New York Jets vs Buffalo Bills
NBC - Sunday Night Football - San Francisco 49ers vs Dallas Cowboys
NBC - Sunday Night Football - Dallas Cowboys vs Philadelphia Eagles

Top five second half of 2023 linear programs (excluding sports)

NBC - 97th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
CBS - 60 Minutes 11/26 - Rise; Sealand; Ancient Vines
CBS - 60 Minutes 12/10 - The Resistance; Red and Green; Novak Djokovic
CBS - 60 Minutes 10/29 - Vice President Harris; A Quiet Invasion; The Air We Breathe; The State of the Blues
CBS - 60 Minutes 9/17 - President Zelenskyy; Into the Streets; Prime Time in Colorado

Despite the resounding success that Barbie vs. Oppenheimer saw, one pre-pandemic behavior has stuck around: strong viewership once these movies hit streaming platforms. While many movies land on paid video-on-demand platforms like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video first, the data shows that it isn’t until these titles hit popular streaming platforms for free that viewers opt to watch, making rights to these movies a huge win for streamers.

Average number of TV ads seen per day by the top 50% of linear TV households was 150

Average number of TV ads seen per day by the bottom 50% of linear TV households was 13

3 in 4 U.S. adults look at a mobile device while watching TV

8 in 10 of those U.S. adults look at a mobile device more than half the time while watching TV

1 in 3 U.S. adults shop online while streaming TV

47% of Gen Z has subscription cycled in the past 6 months

61% of Gen Z is unreachable via traditional TV

76% of Gen Z hears about new TV shows and movies through social media

60% of millennials watch live sports on TV

73% of millennial parents subscribe to a streaming service just for their children

76% of millennials classify themselves as binge watchers

Podcast #1136: Password Sharing Crackdown Feb 09, 2024

On this week’s show we discuss how Boutique Blu-ray labels are keeping physical media alive, we give you the pros and cons of streaming vs physical media and we talk a bit about password sharing. Plus we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

Lovesac - Sactionals with StealthTech Sound + Charge

Boutique Blu-ray Labels Keep Physical Media Alive — and Preserve Film History in the Process

The supposed demise of physical media has been well covered and long lamented, with each passing year bringing reports of yet another nail in the coffin of the once flourishing DVD and Blu-ray market. Fall 2023 brought a double whammy of bad news: Netflix shipped its final discs to customers before closing up its DVD department for good, and a month later, Best Buy announced that it would be phasing out the sale of physical media. Yet, while DVDs are no longer the massive revenue generator for studios that they were throughout the first decade of the 2000s, it has never been a better time to be a physical media enthusiast. Thanks to independent labels like Criterion, Kino Lorber, Shout! Factory, Arrow, Imprint, Indicator, and many others, every month sees the release of well over a dozen exceptional titles, often lovingly restored and with indispensable scholarly extras. Full article here…

Blu-ray vs Streaming

4K Blu-ray discs run at up to 128Mbps. This is the amount of data sent to your screen every second. By contrast, streaming services tend to top out at around 17Mbps. This also means you’ll get better color and blacker blacks via disc since there will be compression artifacts with streaming.

As far as audio goes, Dolby Atmos is available both on disc and via streaming, but streaming services deliver it in the compressed Dolby Digital+ format while discs have the full Dolby TrueHD track. If you want DTS:X, you need to be watching on a disc. Here the difference is not as great. Compressed Dolby Digital+ is almost indistinguishable from True HD.

Some players may add noise, fan noise into your environment. During loud passages this is not an issue. But if there are long periods of low volume some players can actually be distracting. Of course if you have a good setup, you AV gear will be out of sight and out of earshot.

If your setup consists of a 60” or less TV with a soundbar, this may all be moot for you.

You can’t beat the convenience of streaming either. Buy once, stream everywhere, including at 30,000 feet!

Password Sharing

With an increasing number of streaming services following Netflix’s and Disney+'s lead in cracking down on password sharing, one in three U.S. TV content viewers (33%) are still borrowing log-in credentials or sharing the costs of at least one streaming service they can access, according to findings from Horowitz’s "State of Media, Entertainment, and Tech: Disruptions" report.

Main Drivers

Someone I know already had an account
I can’t afford it at this time
I am just doing it to access a specific show/type of content for a short period of time.”

Concerns

23% very worried access will be blocked
26% somewhat worried access will be blocked

Half of those who borrow the log-in or share the cost for Netflix, Max, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and Paramount+ would be willing to pay the full price for those services if they were not able to share anymore.

Password Sharing By Age

18-34 54%
35-49 37%
50+ 17%

Think it is unethical

18-34 13%
35-49 24%
50+ 41%

Younger viewers are also more likely to believe it is OK to password share even with people who are not family members.

Podcast #1135: Studio Report Card & TV Winners and Losers for 2023 Feb 02, 2024

On this week’s show we look at the Box Office Report Card for the major studios and we review the TV Winners and Losers for 2023. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

Enter to win custom built Torii P2 Tower Speakers

Entry Page

Box Office Report Card: Grading Disney, Warner Bros. and Other Studios on 2023 Movies

Where would the 2023 box office be without the bomb and the bombshell? Full article…

TV Winners And Losers Of 2023

It’s been a big year for TVs. Across the board, from OLED and QLED to mini-LED, the best TV technologies have only gotten better – but it’s clear that some display types have fared better than others, and that consumer demand is continuing to shape the market in some interesting ways. Full article here…

Podcast #1134: Victrola Hi-Res Carbon Turntable Review Jan 26, 2024

On this week’s show we review the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon Turntable that retails for $599. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Samsung expands self-repair program to include home entertainment devices

CSS-Audio Torii Tower Youtube Shorts Playlist

Victrola Hi-Res Carbon Turntable

In an era dominated by digital music and streaming, the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon Turntable emerges as a beacon of nostalgia, offering a captivating journey back to the golden age of vinyl - but with a few modern twists. Designed for discerning audio enthusiasts and music aficionados alike, this remarkable record player promises superior performance and effortless setup, making it a highly recommended addition to any audiophile's collection. It retails for $599.

Overview

Product highlights:

semi-automatic belt-driven turntable
built-in Bluetooth with high-quality aptX HD and aptX Adaptive streaming to compatible speakers and headphones
anti-resonant die-cast aluminum platter
straight carbon fiber tonearm
Ortofon 2M Red moving magnet cartridge on removable curved headshell included
auto-stop feature (user must select "auto-stop" using button on rear of turntable)

platter starts spinning when you hover the tonearm over the leading edge of a record
platter stops spinning at the end of a side

switchable built-in phono preamp
adjustable anti-skating and counterweight
speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 rpm

Connections:

gold plated RCA output with ground for making wired connection to an existing hi-fi system
detachable power cord

Performance specs:

wow and flutter: 0.175%
signal-to-noise ratio: 45dB

Setup

The Victrola Hi-Res Carbon is designed to be user-friendly, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free setup process even for those new to turntables. As soon as you open the box, before you even pull the player out, you’re greeted with a clear diagram and description of the 7 steps required to get the unit to start playing records. The diagram has clear and concise instructions guiding you through each of the fairly typical steps involved in setting up a turntable. If you’ve done it before, you know the steps; if you’ve never done it, the steps are simple. It is the easiest record player we’ve ever set up. Depending on how you opt to install, you can be listening to vinyl in under 5 minutes.

The turntable has two output options, there are RCA connectors in the back that you can run to a traditional amplifier and speakers. But it also has Bluetooth - so you can send your music to your bluetooth speakers totally wirelessly. We set it up so we could test both options. For the RCA wired connection we used a Yamaha A-S701 amplifier powering a set of Ara Derderian signature tower speakers. For Bluetooth we got our hands on a couple different pairs of AptX headphones. We didn’t have any AptX wireless speakers to test with, but the headphones gave us a pretty good idea of what to expect. All told, from unboxing to savoring the first notes of your cherished records, the entire experience is streamlined and simple.

Performance

As simple as it is to install, where the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon truly shines is in its exceptional audio performance. We compared it with Braden’s current record player, a Yamaha MusicCast VINYL 500 turntable that retails for $100 more than the Victrola at $699. The audio performance difference between the two was astonishing. We would play a song from an album on one player, then transfer the record to the other player and listen to it again. The first time we went from Yamana to Victrola, we had to double check that nobody bumped the EQ. The base was cleaner and more pronounced, everything in each song we tested just sounded better, clearer, more dynamic coming from the Vicrtola.

It’s rare for one piece of home audio gear to so wildly change your view of the world. Listening to records is a fun, nostalgic experience. Oftentimes you revel in and enjoy some of the static, the crackling and popping that we remember so fondly from our youth. But with records, we never really stop to ask ourselves if what we’re hearing is the best that record can sound. You pull out a record, you play it, and that’s it. But the Victrola has changed, at least Braden’s approach, to record players - it made every record we played sound better than his Yamaha.

Next step was testing Bluetooth performance. You’d be surprised how rare AptX still is in headphones, so we had to procure a few pairs to make sure we were hearing the best the Victrola could offer, and it did not disappoint. While the listening experience is vastly different between a pair of tower speakers and a pair of wireless headphones, The Victrola performed incredibly well. The music sounded clear, clean and very rich. We can imagine that paired with a set of high quality AptX wireless speakers, the Victrola will blow you away.

To be fair, the Yamaha has a few more bells and whistles than the Victrola, which may explain the higher price tag. In addition to Bluetooth (tho not AptX), the Yamaha has MusicCast built-in so you can send the audio around your house if you have a MusicCast compatible system. It also allows you to stream music services with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2 or Spotify Connect and has voice control with A-Lady and Google Assistant devices or S-Lady via AirPlay 2. With records, you have to flip them or change them every 4-5 songs. The streaming capabilities of the Yamaha allow you to listen to music without as much maintenance, which can come in handy at times. Not to be outdone, Victrola offers an upgraded version of the Hi-Res Carbon called the Stream Carbon that works with Sonos - it retails for $799. If you’re in the Sonos ecosystem, it’s worth a look.

Aesthetically the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon is gorgeous. Minimal, clean, very sleek. Its stylish and subtle design not only exudes elegance but also ensures stability and durability. Crafted from premium materials, this record player is built to last, promising years of sonic bliss and conversations started. While the Yamaha includes a built in dust cover, the Victrola includes a removable dust cover. The built-in cover is very convenient, but there’s no denying how great the Victrola looks with the cover removed while you’re spinning a record. With the Yamaha it always sits under the plastic cover, but in the open air the Victrola looks like a statement piece.

Conclusion:

For those seeking a record player that harmonizes impeccable performance with ease of setup, the Victrola Hi-Res Carbon is an excellent choice. Its user-centric design, exceptional sound quality, and meticulous craftsmanship make it a strong contender for anyone who loves vinyl or for those who think they might enjoy getting into vinyl. It more than delivers on the pristine and vibrant sound quality that you didn’t know you were missing. Marry the Hi-Res Carbon with a pair of high res Bluetooth AptX speakers and you have a turntable-in-a-box system that will put any of the all-in-one units on the market to shame - and the setup is just as simple! If you’re in the Sonos ecosystem, check out the Stream Carbon. What you lose in Bluetooth you gain in Sonos integration and an app for setup.

Podcast #1133: Best of CES 2024 Jan 19, 2024

On this week’s show Ara and DJ of Brightside Home Theater Podcast rundown the best of CES 2024. Are also reads your emails and takes a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

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The Best of CES 2024

Samsung’s glare-free OLED TV - Samsung has developed a Glare-Free technology that it claims will be great in both low light and brighter rooms, won’t be affected by viewing angles, and won’t mess with contrast or colors either. Look for this in the S95D and S90D. People who have seen this tech say “It's where light goes to die”. The Best TV according to The Verge and Best Audio/Video according to Digital Trends and CNET [Best of CES 2024]

TCL QM89 115-inch QLED TV - the world’s largest QD Mini LED TV! With a 115” screen, the new mega-size 115QM89 truly becomes the ultimate home theater. This model includes QD Mini LED ULTIMATE with a massively high 20,000 dimming zones. It also incorporates the TCL AIPQ ULTRA Processor, as even more horsepower is needed for such high zone control to ensure huge, yet pristine images. This new 115” model includes all the features of the other QM8 models, plus a 6.2.2 Channel Speaker system for truly room filling sound. Best Audio/Video according to Digital Trends

Samsung The Premiere 8K - The Premiere 8K is the world’s first projector offering wireless connectivity. Removing the need for cables, this solution allows consumers to keep their living spaces neat and tidy. The ultra-short throw projector comes packed with smart features — such as picture-off premium home audio, cloud gaming, always-on voice with far-field mic and four multi-view screen splits — to extend usability and provide almost increased use cases. The projector incorporates Samsung’s patented “Sound-on-Screen” technology, integrating the top speaker module and software algorithms for an immersive sound experience. Best projector according to Tech Radar (best Gadgets)

Hisense 110UX TV - The 110UX incorporates over 40,000 backlight zones across a 110-inch screen. That high-output mini-LEDs produce 10,000-nit maximum brightness which is about five times brighter than the typical high end TV. Hisense says the 110UX can achieve 95% of the BT.2020 Spec. No mention on HDR support but why would they build a TV like this and not support Dolby Vision? No pricing of availability has been announced. Best Audio/Video according to Digital Trends

Ballie - Introduced in 2020 Ballie is a smart home companion that welcomes users home by taking care of household tasks, displaying the day’s events and sharing weather updates. It got an upgrade thai year and has added a moving projector, in case you want it to display a workout video onto your wall or project a little greeting message on your floor when you come home. Most irrationally loved product according to The Verge and Engadget [Best of CES 2024]

Lockly Visage and Philips Palm Recognition Deadbolt- TechRadar (The Best smart Home Tech)

Sennheiser Momentum 4 True Wireless - adding Qualcomm's new chip with Snapdragon Sound for CD-quality audio if you have a compatible phone, but they're also ready for the future of regular Bluetooth with support for Bluetooth 5.4 and LE Audio and Auracast. Best Headphones according to Tech Radar (best Gadgets) and Engadget [Best of CES 2024]

LG Signature OLED T - it's only available in 77”. It uses LG’s wireless transmission technology so the only wire running to the television is power. A separate box that can be placed up to 30 feet away from the TV transmits source video. Future versions could go bigger or smaller depending on customer feedback. Pricing has not been set. Best in show according to The Verge and Best TV according to Tech Radar (best Gadgets) and Best Audio/Video according to Digital Trends and Engadget [Best of CES 2024] and CNET [Best of CES 2024]

Samsung HW-Q990D - This soundbar features a 11.1.4-channel configuration, immersive Dolby Atmos sound and supports pass through of content in 4K 120Hz. It analyzes audio and uses AI to optimize sound for the perfect experience across a wide range of content. Best Soundbar according to Tech Radar (best Gadgets)

Samsung Music Frame - According to Samsung this customizable speaker seamlessly blends into its environment by camouflaging as a modern picture frame that can display art or photography. It features built-in woofers along with intelligent audio processing for a premium audio experience. Using Q-Symphony technology, it provides surround sound when paired with 2024 Samsung TVs and soundbars or can operate as a standalone wireless speaker. [No pricing or availability announced] TechRadar The Best smart Home Tech and Best Audio product according to The Verge and Engadget [Best of CES 2024]

Nanoleaf Essential Matter series - TechRadar (The Best smart Home Tech)

EcoFlow Delta Pro Ultra - You can start out with just one battery and inverter ($5,799) that can power your home’s essential devices for a couple of days and then build up to a bigger system with up to three inverters and 15 batteries that could power the entire home for over a month. Best Smart Home Product according to The Verge and Engadget [Best of CES 2024] and CNET [Best of CES 2024]

XGIMI Aladdin - Aladdin is a ceiling light that's also secretly a projector and a Bluetooth speaker. There's no price or release date for the Aladdin yet, but the Japanese model it's based on retails for ¥129,800 (which is around $895 / £700 / AU$1,330). TechRadar (The Best smart Home Tech)

Not Home Tech related but we briefly mentioned it on the last show. The Withings BeamO won many awards. The $250 product is a “multiscope.” that combines a body temperature sensor, an electrocardiogram, an oximeter and a digital stethoscope into one surprisingly light consumer device that promises to make it easier to collect basic health metrics at home.

Podcast #1132: CES 2024 Jan 12, 2024

It's that time of year where the tech world descends on Las Vegas for CES. On this week’s show we discuss a few announcements that we found interesting. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

The BEST Streaming! | Wakanda Forever 4K UHD HDR Streaming Review

CES 2024

TCL 115” Mini LED TV - For 2024, TCL introduces the world’s largest QD Mini LED TV! With a 115” screen, the new mega-size 115QM89 truly becomes the ultimate home theater. This model includes QD Mini LED ULTIMATE with a massively high 20,000 dimming zones. It also incorporates the TCL AIPQ ULTRA Processor, as even more horsepower is needed for such high zone control to ensure huge, yet pristine images. This new 115” model includes all the features of the other QM8 models, plus a 6.2.2 Channel Speaker system for truly room filling sound. Full Press Release on all Mini LED TVs can be found here. Estimated Price $20K

Also - TCL introduced several new product lines with NextGen TV tuners. This comes after LG said it would not include ATSC 3.0 tuners back in September due to patent concerns.

TCL Q75H is a 5.1.2 Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar. In addition to the features of the S55H, the Q75H includes the Ray-Danz Acoustic Wave-Guide Reflectors to direct sound across the width of the room. This model also includes a Center Channel Speaker, built-in tweeters, built-in up-firing Dolby Atmos Speakers, and built-in Side Surround Speakers.

TCL Q85H is a 7.1.4 Channel Dolby Atmos Sound Bar. Stepping up from the Q75H, it adds rear speakers that are wireless but also include rear up-firing Dolby Atmos Drivers. The Q85H creates a truly enveloping sound, and a sound experience that needs to be auditioned. Press Release

LG Transparent OLED - Called OLED T, it's only available in 77”. It uses LG’s wireless transmission technology so the only wire running to the television is power. A separate box that can be placed up to 30 feet away from the TV transmits source video. Future versions could go bigger or smaller depending on customer feedback. Pricing has not been set.

Also - LG revealed that the company’s new OLED TVs for 2024 will be the first sets to feature a Dolby Vision Filmmaker Mode. Filmmaker Mode, it’s a standardized picture preset for TVs that was developed by the UHD Alliance in response to filmmakers unhappy with the way their films looked on most TVs, with inaccurate color and aggressive motion “smoothing” being two of the main sticking points.

Full LG CES info can be found here

Philips 5000 Series Wi-Fi Palm Recognition Smart Deadbolt - With this Philips smart lock, the world's first deadbolt with palm recognition, enjoy the most secure and convenient unlocking experience. Or unlock with a key, PIN code, or the Philips Home Access app to make returning home stress-free. The Smart Lock will go on sale in the US early this year and will retail for $360.

Lockly - With Visage you can unlock your property by simply approaching it, or with your Apple Home Keys or Apple Watch. Integrate with your smart home devices with Matter™ Arriving this summer.

Samsung Anti Glare OLED - Samsung has developed a Glare-Free technology that it claims will be great in both low light and brighter rooms, won’t be affected by viewing angles, and won’t mess with contrast or colors either. Look for this in the S95D and S90D. People who have seen this tech say “It's where light goes to die”.

Also - Samsung launched a new “map view” for SmartThings. It shows an interactive map of your home complete with the location of any smart home devices within. Maps can be created manually or automatically with the help of a photo of an existing floor plan or with a lidar-enabled Samsung device, like the company’s forthcoming Ballie robot or new JetBot robot vacuum. Maps have to be generated using the SmartThings app on a smartphone or tablet. But once that’s done, they’ll display on supported Samsung TVs, the screen of the Samsung Family Hub smart fridge and Samsung’s M8 monitors.

Nanoleaf - Nanoleaf announced the launch of several new Matter-enabled lighting options, including its first outdoor lights. The company is also debuting a new music feature using Orchestrator software for the Nanoleaf Desktop App, which will use real-time music analysis to create light shows that match with the beat. Orchestrator is able to connect directly with the sound source of a computer for a more accurate real-time audio visual experience. They are also taking pre-orders for the Nanoleaf Skylight. The Skylight is a square-shaped modular ceiling light panel setup that is hardwired and supports up to 100 squares. Prices start at $250 for a 3 panel starter pack.

SVS Ultra Evolution Series - The design is not what you typically see in a speaker. It has curves and interesting angles. Being a person who builds speakers I understand that where you place the drivers impacts how they sound. So I can only assume it means that SVS has spent a lot of time designing an enclosure that gives you the most precise sound available. I am looking forward to getting some of these to evaluate. The speakers are scheduled to begin shipping near the end of Q1 2024. No word on pricing.

Podcast #1131: Why You Need a 4K Disc Player Jan 05, 2024

Happy New Year! We are excited to be back for another year. On this week’s show we look at five reasons why you need a 4K Blu-ray player. We also have a backlog of emails and news.

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Other:

5 reasons why you need a 4K Blu-ray player

It’s hard to deny that streaming has overtaken disc-based formats like Blu-ray and DVD as the main method for watching movies at home. The best streaming services like HBO Max (now just Max), Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video offer a wide selection of movies, and smaller services like The Criterion Channel, Shudder, Mubi, and many others are there to fill in any gaps for film fanatics with a wide assortment of classic, genre, and independent fare. Full article here…

Happy New Year! Dec 29, 2023

We are taking the week off. Happy New Year from the HT Guys!

Podcast #1130: Inflation is up but Electronics have never been Cheaper! Dec 22, 2023

On this week’s show, Inflation is up but Electronics have never been Cheaper! We also read your emails and the week’s news. There is no show next week. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from the HT Guys!

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The 100 Greatest Shows of all Time

Inflation is up but Electronics have never been Cheaper!

On last week’s show I said that a $4600 TV would have cost $26000 in 1975. I even went to a calculator to get my result. But when I entered the amounts I had the years reversed. Instead of getting what $4600 today would be worth in 1975 I got what $4600 in 1975 would be worth today. For the record, $4600 in 1975 was worth $805. I got a couple of emails from listeners and a phone call from DJ of Brightside Home Theater telling me I was wrong. But in speaking with DJ I realized what I was trying to say and had a week to get it straight.

The main point I was trying to make was that a TV of the caliber of the 77” Sony OLED ($4600) would cost more than the equivalent of $4600 in 2023. For this analysis we will consider the cost of electronics as a percentage of the median income vs today.

Median income

1970 ~$8,500
1975 ~$11,500
1979 ~$16,000
2023 ~$99,000

Here are some TV of the day:

Basic Bedroom TV 1970 Admiral Color TV - 12” Admiral Precision crafted K-10 Chassis $249.95. In today’s dollars $1978.03. As a percentage of income 2.3% in 1970 dollars

Generic Family TV 1975 Montgomery Wards Brand TV - 25” Solid State Chassis, bright super vivid picture tube, twin 4” speakers etc $499.99. In today’s dollars $2853.58. As a percentage of income 4.3% in 1975 dollars.
Large format Screen 1979 General Electric Widescreen 1000 75” 4:3 TV with an option for a VCR sold for $2800. The VCR Option cost $1000. In today’s dollars $11842.10 and $4229.35. As a percentage of income 17.5% and 6.25% respectively in 1970 dollars.

Now let's look at comparable setups today.

Small Bedroom TV - I am going to say that a 43” Vizio V Series would be the equivalent of the 12” admiral. It goes for $250 or 2.5% of the median income. You can say that it's essentially the same percent of the median income. But what you get is 100 times better than the best TV of the day. You can even find something cheaper with minimal effort.

Generic Family TV - I am going to say that the Best Buy Insignia line fits that niche. For this one we will go with the 65" F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV at $330. Which is 3.3% of the median income. It's 1% cheaper in equivalent dollars but again, you get 100 times the performance.
Large format Screen For this we will use the TV that started this whole conversation, the 77” Sony OLED for $4600. That is 4.6% of today’s median income which is 13% less than the 75” GE. And throw in an AppleTV instead of the VCR for $200 or less than 1% and you have a system we could only dream about in 1979!

So yes things cost way more today than a couple of years ago, but at least our electronics are cheaper than ever! And just for fun, here is an ad for a Sony front projection system from 1983.

Podcast #1129: The 7 Best TVs For your Holiday Shopping Dec 15, 2023

On this week’s show we look at the 7 best TVs for your Holiday Shopping. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

The 7 Best TVs For your Holiday Shopping

If you are looking for an idea for a family gift for the holidays we have you covered. These are the 7 best TVs to make your holidays a little brighter. Plus these TVs will make watching the Rose Parade a spectacle of color and detail. This is comes from RTINGS.com

Best Cheap TV

TCL S4/S450G (50” $240 - 85” $799) - If you want something cheap that gets the job done, the TCL S4/S450G is the best widely available cheap TV we've tested. It's an okay entry-level TV, delivering a surprisingly good picture quality for a cheap TV. It's a decent choice for a dark room, with its satisfactory contrast ratio and decent black uniformity. It has good reflection handling, so even though it doesn't get very bright, it's certainly good enough for a moderately lit room. The TV supports Dolby Vision HDR, but it isn't nearly bright enough for it to matter. Full Review here… Mixed Usage 6.7, TV Shows 6.3, Sports 6.2, Video Games 7.1, HDR Movies 6.9; HDR Gaming 7.3

PC Monitor 6.6

Best Budget TV

Hisense U6/U6K (55” $448 - 75” $798) - If you want to spend less, the best budget TV we've tested is the Hisense U6/U6K. It delivers surprisingly great performance for the price. The Hisense has excellent contrast, so dark scenes look amazing in a dark room, with little blooming around bright areas of the screen. It also has good peak brightness in SDR and decent reflection handling, so glare isn't an issue in a brighter room. It has an excellent color volume, making this TV very colorful overall. It's bright enough in HDR for a pleasant viewing experience, and just like the Hisense U8/U8K, it supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR, although it doesn't support advanced DTS audio formats. Full Review here… Mixed Usage 7.4, TV Shows 6.9, Sports 7.0, Video Games 7.8, HDR Movies 7.5, HDR Gaming 8.0, PC Monitor 7.7

Best Upper Mid-Range TV

LG C3 OLED (42” $896 - 83” $3996) - If you want a good home entertainment OLED but don 't want to get the expensive Sony A95L OLED, check out one of the best upper mid-range TVs we've tested, the LG C3 OLED. It's a premium TV that delivers stunning picture quality, especially in dark rooms; thanks to its near-infinite contrast ratio, there's no blooming around bright objects. It gets bright enough to fight glare even in moderately-lit rooms, and the reflection handling is incredible, but it doesn't use quantum dot technology, so colors aren't as bright as some of our other picks. The LG partly makes up for it with its versatility, as it has very good image processing, Dolby Vision HDR support with Dolby Vision gaming at 120Hz, and can passthrough advanced DTS audio formats. Like the Sony TVs, the LG supports Dolby Vision HDR, which is more widely used than Samsung's competing HDR10+. Full Review here… Mixed Usage 9.0, TV Shows 8.6, Sports 8.8, Video Games 9.4, HDR Movies 9.0, HDR Gaming 9.1, PC Monitor 9.4

Best Bright Room TV

(Sony X93L/X93CL (65” $1598 - 85” $3498) - If you mainly watch TV in a bright room, a TV with an LED backlight and higher peak brightness, like the Sony X93L/X93CL, is a better choice than the top two picks on this list. It's an excellent TV with impressive picture quality and an incredible peak brightness that helps it overcome glare in a bright room. It still looks good in a dark room thanks to its high contrast ratio and Mini LED local dimming feature, but there's more distracting blooming around bright highlights and subtitles in darker scenes compared to an OLED TV. Full Review here…

Mixed Usage 8.5, TV Shows 8.2, Sports 8.3, Video Games 8.8, HDR Movies 8.5, HDR Gaming 8.8, PC Monitor 8.6

Best Home Theater TV

Sony A95L OLED (55” 2498 - 77” $4598) - If you're looking for the absolute best TV for a home theater setup and don't care as much about the price, check out the Sony A95L OLED. Although it's a very similar TV to the Samsung S90C OLED, it's better for home theaters thanks to its advanced video format support. Compared to Samsung's HDR10+ format, the Sony TV supports the more popular Dolby Vision HDR, so you'll enjoy the most advanced HDR experience possible from almost any source. Sony's processing does a better job following the content creator's intent, so the brightness and colors of HDR content look the way they're supposed to. It also offers better audio format support than the Samsung, including DTS:X passthrough over eARC, so you can simplify your connection to your audio-video receiver by running everything through your TV without sacrificing audio quality. Full Review here… Mixed Usage 9.2, TV Shows 8.9, Sports 9.1, Video Games 9.3, HDR Movies 9.3, HDR Gaming 9.1, PC Monitor 9.4

Best TV

Samsung S90C OLED (55” $1497 - 77” $2497) - The best TV we've tested is the Samsung S90C OLED. It's a fantastic TV with a great selection of extra features and incredible picture quality. It looks fantastic in a dark room thanks to its nearly infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity, with no distracting blooming around bright areas of the screen. HDR content looks fantastic thanks to its high peak brightness, wide color gamut, and incredibly vibrant and realistic colors. Unlike some other TVs, the Samsung model doesn't support Dolby Vision HDR, nor does it support advanced DTS audio formats. It does support Samsung's less widely used HDR10+ format, which looks just as good as Dolby Vision. It's available in four sizes, 55, 65, 77, and 83 inches, although the 83-inch model uses a WOLED panel, so it looks different than the smaller sizes. Full Review here… Mixed Usage 9.0, TV Shows 8.6, Sports 8.9, Video Games 9.4, HDR Movies 9.0, HDR Gaming 9.3, PC Monitor 9.5

Podcast #1128: Network TV's Fallish Schedule Dec 08, 2023

On this week’s show, now that the SAG strike is over we take a look at the network TV lineup. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

Network Premiere Schedule Post Strike

CBS

Sunday, Feb. 11:

"Tracker" - approximately 10 pm EST/7 PST

Monday, Feb. 12:

"The Neighborhood" Season 6 - 8 pm
"Bob Hearts Abishola" Season 5 - 8:30 pm
"NCIS" Season 21 - 9 pm
"NCIS: Hawai'i" Season 3 - 10 pm

Tuesday, Feb. 13:

"FBI" Season 6 - 8
"FBI: Internation" Season 3 - 9 pm
"FBI: Most Wanted" Season 5 - 10 pm

Thursday, Feb. 15:

"Young Sheldon" Season 7 - 8 pm
"Ghosts" Season 3 - 8:30 pm
"So Help Me Todd" Season 2 - 9 pm
"Tracker" (regular time slot) - 10 pm

Friday, Feb. 16:

"S.W.A.T." Season 7 - 8 pm
"Fire Country" Season 2 - 9 pm
"Blue Bloods" Season 14 - 10 pm

Sunday, Feb. 18:

"The Equalizer" Season 4 - 8 pm
"CSI: Vegas" Season 3 - 10 pm

Wednesday, Feb. 28:

"Survivor" Season 46 - 8 pm

Thursday, Feb. 29:

"Elsbeth" Series premiere - 10 pm

Wednesday, March 13:

"The Amazing Race" Season 36 - 9:30 pm

NBC

Most NBC series are eyeing 13-episode seasons.

Saturday, Dec. 23:

Extended Family (Series premiere) - 8 pm
Night Court (Special holiday episode) - 8:30 pm

Monday, Jan. 1

AMERICA’S GOT TALENT: FANTASY LEAGUE (Series premiere) - 8 pm

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Night Court (Time period premiere) - 8 pm
EXTENDED FAMILY (Time period premiere) - 8:30 pm

Tuesday, Jan. 9

La Brea (Final season premiere) - 9 pm
Found (First of final two episodes of season) - 10 pm

Wednesday, Jan. 17

Chicago Med (Season premiere) - 8 pm
Chicago Fire (Season premiere) - 9 pm
Chicago P.D. (Season premiere) - 10 pm

Thursday, Jan. 18

Law & Order (Season premiere) - 8 pm
Law & Order: SVU (Season premiere) - 9 pm
Law & Order: Organized Crime (Season premiere) - 10 pm

Friday, Jan. 19

Transplant (Time period premiere) - 8 pm

Monday, Jan. 29

The Irrational (First of final four episodes of season) - 10 pm

Monday, FEB. 26

The Voice (Season premiere, part 1) - 8 pm
DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND (Season premiere) - 9:30 pm

Tuesday, Feb. 27

The Voice (Season premiere, part 2) - 8 pm

Monday, March 4

DEAL OR NO DEAL ISLAND (Time period premiere) - 10 pm

ABC

Monday, January 22nd

The Bachelor Season 28 - 8pm
20/20 "True Crime Edition" - 10pm

Wednesday, February 7th

The Conners Season 6 - 8pm
Not Dead Yet Season 2 - 8:30pm
Abbott Elementary Season 3 (one-hour premiere) - 9pm
Judge Steve Harvey - 10pm

Wednesday, February 14th

Abbott Elementary (single episode) - 9pm
(TBA) - 9:30pm

Sunday, February 18th

American Idol Season 22 - 8pm
What Would You Do? - 10pm

Tuesday, February 20th

Will Trent Season 2 - 8pm
The Rookie Season 6 - 9pm
The Good Doctor Season 7 - 10pm

Thursday, March 14th

9-1-1 Season 7 (ABC premiere, formerly on Fox) - 8pm
Grey's Anatomy Season 20 - 9pm
Station 19 Season 7 - 10pm

Fox

Tuesday, Jan. 2

Celebrity Name That Tune (winter premiere) - 8 pm
THE FLOOR (series premiere) - 9 pm

Wednesday, Jan. 3

I Can See Your Voice (season premiere) - 8 pm
WE ARE FAMILY (series premiere) - 9 pm

Sunday, Jan. 7

GRIMSBURG (special preview) - 8 pm
Krapopolis - 8:30 pm
Bob’s Burgers - 9 pm
The Great North (season premiere) - 9:30 pm

Mondays, beginning Jan. 22

TMZ Investigates (season premiere) - 8 pm
America’s Most Wanted (season premiere) - 9 pm

Sunday, Jan. 28

Next Level Chef (special preview) - 10 pm

Thursdays, beginning Feb. 1

Next Level Chef (time slot premiere) - 8 pm
Farmer Wants a Wife (season premiere) - 9 pm

Sundays, beginning Feb. 18

The Simpsons - 8 pm
Krapopolis - 8:30 pm
The Great North (time period premiere) - 9 pm
GRIMSBURG (time period premiere) - 9:30 pm

Tuesdays, beginning Mar. 5

The Cleaning Lady (season premiere) - 8 pm
Alert: Missing Persons Unit (season premiere) - 9 pm

Wednesdays, beginning Mar. 6

The Masked Singer (season premiere) - 8 pm
Animal Control (season premiere) - 9 pm
Family Guy (spring premiere, new time slot) - 9:30 pm

Podcast #1127: Hisense U7K and Nanoleaf Holiday Lights Review Dec 01, 2023

On this week’s show Ara discusses his automated Holiday lights by Nanoleaf. And John Lyman was kind enough to review the 75” Hisense U7K which he picked up for $999! We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Nanoleaf Christmas Lights Review

I recently bought the Nanoleaf Smart Holliday String lights for the sale price of $90. They are now at the regular price of $100 at the Nanoleaf Website. I just installed them and have mixed feelings about them.

Features:

250 Addressable LEDs | 20m

16+ Million Colors and Tunable Whites

Use with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Matter over Wi-Fi
Control with Attached Controller, Nanoleaf App or through a Smart Home Ecosystem

I connected the lights to my home prior to putting them up under my eaves. It was pretty straight forward and like pretty much every smart home product you buy it needed a firmware upgrade. The whole process took about ten minutes.

Installation is like any other Christmas light installation right down to the frustration with the LEDs not wanting to lay flat against the eaves. Be prepared to do a lot of clamping to make your lights look like good little soldiers. The first pass was to make the lights completely hidden under the eaves. When it was complete, it looked good but not nearly bright enough to give the desired effect.

Round two was to remove the lights that took forever to get perfectly installed and attach them to flush to the bottom of the eaves. Again taking time to make the wire look as uniform as possible. The lights don’t look like Christmas lights and being flush should placate any HOA that has rules about leaving your Christmas Lights up all year long.

Using the new configuration delivered the desired effect of being able to change how my lights look just by pressing a button. There are a lot of different scenes that people have developed so finding something you like is very easy. I may add a thin track to hide the wire but for now I am happy with the lights. There are other options out there that are far more sophisticated and can produce a dazzling light show. But those cost ten times the Nanoleaf’s $100 price tag.

Chuck Ackermn’s Amazing Light Show

Hisense U7K Review

From time to time our very talented listeners share a review of a product that they have been using. Today, John Lyman was kind enough to review the 75” Hisense U7K which he picked up for $999!

Features:

Mini-LED - Full array local dimming

Quantum Dot technology creates over a billion shades of color

HDR - Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.

144Hz Game Mode Pro

2.1.2 50W driving 5 speakers including rear ‘overhead’ speakers and a built-in subwoofer

Hands Free Voice Control

Google TV
Supports HDMI 2.1, Apple Home, Apple AirPlay, Wifi 6E, Wisa, NextGenTV

Four or five years ago we redid our media room to make it more usable. The downside was I lost my beloved projector and 110” screen. I originally replaced the projector with a 70” Vizio E Series after holiday pricing and our Costco rebate. I paid about $250 knowing I would be upgrading down the road.

This fall I was given the green light from the financial committee that I could upgrade the TV. As much as I wanted a bigger screen, we decided that a 75” would be the best fit for the space and keep it safe from our 14-year-old son. I started doing my research on the web and came away with a short list of TVs that was made shorter when a lot of last year's models were not available.

I ended up with about 8 TV’s (Samsung, LG, etc.) in the under $1300 range and did a RTings shoot-out between them using their TV compare feature. This gave me three finalists. A Vizio P Series Quantum (2021 model), TCL Q7 and the Hisense U7K.

The Hisense U7K came out with the best overall score 8.2 with sports and TV viewing receiving a 7.8 and movies receiving an 8.3. These are the 3 things I care most about. The TCL Q7 came in a close second.

I then looked for an online review and saw great reviews about the Hisense and TCL - finding comparisons to the 2021 P Series was much harder. Basically, it became a coin toss between the TCL Q7 and Hisense U7K. Reviewers liked both TV’s.

I ended up picking the Hisense - why you ask - because I’m a good dad and they offered a free copy of NBA 2k24 Black Mamba edition with purchase (see above about my 14-year-old son). Once I had the TV here I found this review from Caleb at Digital Trends Hisense U7K ULED mini-LED TV review: | Digital Trends basically calling it the Best TV for most people. I have also recommended this TV to my boss who purchased the TV.

Once the TV arrived it took me about 45 minutes or so to get setup and mounted to my wall and hooked up to my Apple TV. Out of the box the picture was good but with a little too much motion control. However, once I turned on Dolby Vision on my Apple TV and selected Dolby Vision dark mode on the TV, the picture with a little fine tuning was amazing. I have since fine-tuned the Dolby Vision custom for a great picture and family approved. This TV has so many options to adjust the picture with detailed white balance if you are so inclined. However, I started with the RTings Dolby vision settings and then tuned in what looked good for our family.

It was time to watch content so as a service to the audience I have sat down over the past few weeks and watched John Wick 1-4 along with football and redzone. I picked the John Wick movies to watch in their entirety because they are really good movies, they have a lot of dark and bright content, and fast-moving action. I have also watched John Wick 1 many times, so I was familiar with the film.

I streamed 1-3 through my Apple TV library (I own those) and # 4 on Starz. I was amazed by how good the picture was and looking at John Wick in evening shots with black suit, black shirt, tie, and hair you could make out the different shades of black easily. Nothing looked washed out. The blacks looked really good. In #4, the puffs of blood were red and visible. I noticed how sharp and clear everything looked and the definition between black and bright objects seemed perfect. I didn't notice any blooming scenes. I did get distracted when I was looking at everything and noticing the fine details but the action as it was so good and easy to follow.

I then watched about 8 - 007 title sequences and as a bond fan who has seen all these movies multiple times, I know them well. During the white circle bouncing around the black screen, I could sometimes see a little blooming (more so with Connery and Moore), but you had to be looking. I was amazed at the different levels of black in those scenes and noticed things I had never noticed in my many years of watching bond films. I have also watched clips from Aquaman (for the color) during the fight in the Italian village again I was blown away by the color and brightness that was just right. Watching football is really nice. I could make out the color of some of the players' eyes. The color is great and once I had the motion setting dialed in everything was crystal clear and realistic.

My son has enjoyed his gaming on this TV (plays a lot of Madden) and the picture does look better than before (sorry I’m not much of a gamer and you don’t get many words from a 14 year)

One con that has been mentioned in reviews is the viewing angle but the 75” uses an IPS panel for better off angle viewing and the picture is very good. The 65” and smaller use an ADS I believe.

I paid $999 for the TV but I’m seeing holiday pricing of $900. This TV had the same price as the TCL Q7 when I was purchasing it. I believe that Hisense, TCL, and other lower mid name recognition brands are using lower price point to get their name out in the market and build market awareness and will eventually raise their prices. It doesn’t hurt that they manufacture a lot of their components.

TV Settings:

I started at RTings website (https://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/hisense/u7k-u7-u75k/settings) and scrolled down to the Dolby Vision settings and then tweaked some and here are my current settings (but I’m still having fun tweaking as always:

General - Automatic Light Sensor - Off

Brightness settings:

Local diming - High

Brightness - 100

Contrast 55

Black level 0

Dark Detail - Off

Active Contrast - Low

Color:

Color 60

Hue 0

Color Temperature - Standard

Clarity

Sharpness 10

Super Resolution - Off

Smooth Gradient low

Noise reduction - low

MPEG Noise resolution - Low

Motion Enhancement - Film

Motion Clearness - Off

Podcast #1126: HT Guys Go Down Memory Lane Nov 23, 2023

On this week’s show the HT Guys take a trip down memory lane and discuss what they are thankful for. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Club Hotel - Book a Reservation! - Each room has a 40" TCL Roku TV and high speed internet.
Button Worx - Remote Control Button Repair

Mark’s Wyze Garage Door Controller Installation Hints

Close all the apps on the smartphone. Shut it down and restart it, opening only the Wyze app and home Wi-Fi software.
I have an eero Wi-Fi system. I enabled "Legacy Mode" in case the camera had trouble with IPV6. Also, I disabled the 5 Ghz band for 10 minutes because the camera uses the 2.4 Ghz band.
I used my eero Guest Network to set up the camera because it is far less crowded that my "regular" eero network.
The QR code's 8 ½ x 11-inch size made it too big for a single panel of my garage door. I solved this by scanning the letter-size QR code, and then printing it at 60 pct. so it would fit on a single panel. This way, when the garage door opens and closes, it doesn't crease or wrinkle the QR code sticker.
I had a licensed electrician connect the two wires to my garage door opener, which was installed in 2006. My reasoning was that I know nothing about electrical wiring, and if anything went wrong, the electrician could fix it. Nothing went wrong, and the electrician did the hook-up in 15 seconds.
A-Lady integration involved setting up the Wyze "skill," which was easy and which the Wyze directions explained.

HT Guys Reminisce about the early days of their Podcast

This is the link to the winner of the HT Guys Ultimate Home Theater contest from 12 years ago.

Become part of the Dolby Digital Experience

Podcast #1125: Black Friday Deals Nov 17, 2023

On this week’s show it's time for Black Friday! We scoured the Internet to find you the best deals! We also read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Top 5 Smart Home Products for 2023 from CEDIA Expo - Can you afford them?

Back Friday Deals

Best Buy

Roku TV 55" Plus Series 4K QLED TV: was $499 now $399

TCL 65" Q5 4K QLED TV: was $599 now $399

Insignia 55" F30 4K Fire TV: was $399 now $259

Samsung 50" 4K TV: was $379 now $299

LG 55" UQ70 4K TV: was $499 now $299

Roku TV 75" Plus Series 4K QLED TV: was $999 now $799

Beats Flex Wireless Earbuds: was $69 now $49

Google Nest Cam (Indoor/Wired): was $99 now $69

Amazon

Ring Video Doorbell (Satin Nickel) bundle with Echo Show 5 (3rd Gen) $65

Amazon eero Pro 6E mesh Wi-Fi System | Fast and reliable gigabit + speeds | supports blazing fast gaming | Coverage up to 6,000 sq. ft. | 3-pack, 2022 release $400

TCL 55-Inch Q6 QLED 4K Smart TV with Google (55Q650G, 2023 Model) $350 was $500

Denon

AVR-X6700H 11.2 Ch. 140W 8K AV Receiver with HEOS® Built-in $1,999.00 Price reduced from $2,999.00

AVR-S660H 5.2 Ch. 75W 8K AV Receiver with HEOS® Built-in $379.00 Price reduced from $499.00

Denon Noise Cancelling Earbuds True Wireless In-Ear Headphones with active noise canceling $79.00 Price reduced from $159.00

Target

75” TCL 4K UHD HDR LED TV with GoogleTV $530 regularly priced $600 in store

65” LG 4K OLED Smart TV $1600 regularly priced $2000 in store

55” LG 4K UHD Smart LED TV $350 regularly priced $400 in store
No name wireless in-ear headphones $15 regularly priced $20 in store

Walmart

Apple Airpods starting at $59 up to $200 for AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Case (USB‑C)

50” ONN Roku TV $148

Roku Premiere | 4K/HDR Streaming Media Player Wi-Fi® Enabled with Premium High Speed HDMI® Cable and Simple Remote $19

Sony WF-C500 Truly Wireless in-Ear Headphones $29

Costco

LG 77" Class - OLED G3 Series - 4K UHD OLED TV - Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan Bundle Included for 5 Years of Total Coverage $3500

LG 70" Class - UR8000 Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV $500

Samsung 85" Class - CU7000D Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV $900

Sony WH1000XM5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Over-the-Ear Headphones - Black $329 (Save $70)

SVS

Prime Bookshelf Speaker $300 each speaker regularly priced $350 each

Prime Tower: Premium Black Ash $500 regularly priced $600

3000 Micro: Piano Gloss Black Subwoofer $800 regularly $900

AWOL

LTV-3000 Pro Plus Free 100''-120'' ALR Screen Bundle $4000 Regular price $5400

Monoprice

Monolith by Monoprice THX-265B THX Select Certified Dolby Atmos Enabled Bookshelf Speaker (Each) $269.99 was $399.99

Monolith by Monoprice Encore B5 Bookshelf Speakers (Each) $49.99 was $149.99

Monoprice SSW-12 12in 150-Watt Powered Slim Subwoofer $134.99 was $219.99

All other deals

Podcast #1124: Vertical Framing Movies and TV Nov 10, 2023

On this week’s show Vertical Framing of content is becoming a big thing now. Will this affect how movies and TV are shot? A listener talks about how he solved his parent’s remote control problem. We also read your emails, and we had a bunch of good ones. We also take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Vertical Framing of content

What is Vertical Content?

Vertical content is a media type consumed vertically on the screen. It is unlike horizontal content that is seen on desktop computers and television.

This content type is a natural progression that stems from the growing popularity of mobile devices. Because more people are using smartphones, which generally have a vertical orientation, they are now browsing content online using the default vertical orientation of mobile devices.

Just for Social?

Producers understand that some of what is being shot will end up on social media in the form of advertisements. But simply cropping a movie will not yield quality results. Instead, shots are being redone on set with social in mind. To the point where special brackets are made to accommodate flipping a camera on it's side. Right now this is limited to advertisements but what happens if they shoot entire features this way?

Dual Framing

Someone who’s become particularly used to dealing with it is Anna Gudbrands, a London-based cinematographer whose work includes short-form pieces for Relentless, Wonderbra and Zegna’s campaign with Jose Mourinho. Gudbrands’ recent projects have, she says, heavily involved dual framing.

“I've been doing a lot of fashion and skincare in the summer... almost every single job I do now, they want an option for 9:16 which is Instagram, but they want the hero to be 16:9. It’s a situation that inevitably involves compromise.

Should Studios Start Using Dual Framing in Feature Films?

Remote option

An Idea from a listener Rob

Listening to this week's show and the discussion for a remote that’s easy to use, I will mention another option. The Echo Cube, I have it set up for my parents and they love it. They can tell the TV to turn on or off, the Ring doorbell shows up in the corner if someone’s at the door, and now after switching to YouTube TV fully they can just tell it to “----tune to ABC'' and it works, with DirecTV it wouldn’t always respond correctly to changing channels via voice. I have also upgraded to the premium Echo remote with the 2 programmable buttons along with the 4 standard ones. Now they have quick buttons to the services they use the most, YTTV (button 1), Peacock (button 2) and the ones for Prime, Netflix etc. The other great thing about this option for them is they can just say “Echo watch the Thursday Night game” and it switches over. (I have changed the Cube’s name from Alexa to Echo to keep the Kitchen Echo from responding).

Honestly the hardest part for them was getting out of the habit of channel numbers and going with channel names-they were so used to “Tune to Channel 7” instead of “tune to ABC'' etc. But now that they have gotten the hang of it they really like it, my Mom has no issue changing to Peacock to watch Days of Our Lives and then changing back to traditional TV. One other note on the remote, if you use the upgraded remote with YTTV you can change channels up/down like linear TV and if you change around your guide to be those you watch most of the time it actually is a nice option.

I am personally using an Apple TV that can offer some of these same things, but YTTV hasn’t enabled channel changing via a Home Pod so at this point I’d say the Echo beats the Apple TV if you mostly watch traditional TV.

Podcast #1123: Sofabaton X1 Smart Remote Control Nov 03, 2023

On this week’s show Ara discusses the addition of some inexpensive acoustic panels to his recording room and we have a listener review of the Sofabaton X1 Smart Remote. We also read your emails and take a look at some of the week’s news.

News:

Other:

CSS Audio for your DIY Speaker Kits

Sonic Acoustics Panels

$25-30 for a 12 pack Hex Shape
14" X 12" X 0.4"
No adhesive included.
Simple Installation

Amazon has plenty of acoustic panels to choose from including many with decorative prints. The entire treatment cost me $100.

Sofabaton X1 Smart Remote Control

I was looking for a product for my father-in-law to simplify the 3 remotes needed to control his TV, cable, and Roku. The Sofabaton is described on Amazon as “The most advanced X1 universal remote comes with a hub that can control most of your home entertainment devices. The powerful database is compatible with up to 500,000 IR & Bluetooth devices, From your TV, and gaming console, to your AV receiver and Blu-Ray, even your Philip Hue, Sonos Speaker.” At the time of purchase it was $189.99. Here are my thoughts on the product.

Packaging / Presentation

The packaging was nicely done, similar to what you expect from a high end phone...each of the included components nestled neatly in their allotted spots.

Remote Description

The remote is narrow, about 2 “ x 7 1⁄2 “ long. It's a matte black finish all the way around with a slightly rubberized feel to it. The screen itself is relatively small - a little less than 2”x 1 1⁄2 . As you would expect with that size, the button layout is minimal. It has a scroll wheel - up, down, left, right - and basic buttons below such as volume, channel, etc. The buttons are lit for night viewing or a dark theater which is a nice feature. The included hub is a glossy black and about the size of a glass coaster or a deck of cards. Also included are 3 infrared blasters - one single and one with 2 blasters on 1 wire. Lastly, there is a power adapter for the hub and another USB-C cable to charge it.

Programming

Programming has to be done via the sofabaton app on your phone. You must link the hub and remote together, then add your devices. They are searchable if you don't know your model numbers. If you know your exact model, obviously that will speed things up. I didn't have to, but the Sofabaton remote can learn your device, or you can contact customer support and ask them to add your device if necessary. Once that is done, it will confirm your power configuration for that device. For example, does your device have a separate on/off switch. Once that is done you can add Activities , like Watch TV or Play Music. I made a “watch tv “ activity. This macro turns on the TV, soundbar, and Roku to the correct input. After the commands are finished the remote controls the Roku and volume on the soundbar.

Performance

To summarize my experience, in a nutshell I must say there is a bit of a learning curve. I am used to using 3 different remotes. I know what I need to do. It took a while to get everything dialed in right. I had to experiment with the IR blasters and move them around to get a good signal to the device.

When syncing the Hub I needed to try again by re-pairing with the button on the back. Adding devices took a while. I thought it was stuck because upon loading a device, it seemed like I lost my wi-fi connection until I realized it was just loading all the device info. When you finish an activity and something doesn't work, there is an option on your app to repair it. You can reconfigure any of the buttons to do what you want them to do. I made one of the colored buttons on the bottom to go right to the TV sleep menu. After you make a change it'll sync to the remote.

After using it for roughly 2 weeks I feel more comfortable with it. I would get confused with the clicker wheel which in turn navigates the screen on the remote and the up/down left/right enter button in the middle which operates the device itself. The back arrow button at the top right that’s for going back to activities, devices, or settings on the remote isn’t easily reachable.

I also learned I cannot turn on my PS5 via bluetooth because Sony doesn't allow third party vendors to access it via bluetooth. There is a workaround by having the activity switch to the playstation HDMI input, which will turn it on. With my setup this isn't necessary because the controller turns it on anyway and it automatically switches.

ConclusionI would say this isn't for everyone because there is a long set up process and many potential bugs/issues along the way. If you're easily frustrated, not willing to put in the time to set it up correctly and allow yourself an adjustment period, this is not the remote for you. With that said i think this remote IS for many people of the HDTV and Home Theater podcast family. It's a nice blend of “higher than average knowledge” of home theater, but not so high that you need a PHD in software engineering to figure it out. I hope this helps and I'd be happy to assist anyone if they have further questions.

Podcast #1122: Matter Supports New Devices and are you a Quiet quitter? Oct 27, 2023

On this week’s show we look at the new devices supported by Matter 1.2 and we ask you if you are a Quiet Quitter of your pay TV service. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Fix your remote buttons with ButtonWorx
Find on-line content with reelgood.com.

Matter 1.2

The new device types supported in Matter 1.2 include:

Refrigerators – Beyond basic temperature control and monitoring, this device type is also applicable to other related devices like deep freezers and even wine and kimchi fridges.
Room Air Conditioners – While HVAC and thermostats were already part of Matter 1.0, stand alone Room Air Conditioners with temperature and fan mode control are now supported.
Dishwashers – Basic functionality is included, like remote start and progress notifications. Dishwasher alarms are also supported, covering operational errors such as water supply and drain, temperature, and door lock errors.
Laundry Washers – Progress notifications, such as cycle completion, can be sent via Matter. Dryers will be supported in a future Matter release.
Robotic Vacuums – Beyond the basic features like remote start and progress notifications, there is support for key features like cleaning modes (dry vacuum vs wet mopping) and additional status details (brush status, error reporting, charging status).
Smoke & Carbon Monoxide Alarms – These alarms will support notifications and audio and visual alarm signaling. Additionally, there is support for alerts about battery status and end-of-life notifications. These alarms also support self-testing. Carbon monoxide alarms support concentration sensing, as an additional data point.
Air Quality Sensors – Supported sensors can capture and report on: PM1, PM 2.5, PM 10, CO2, NO2, VOC, CO, Ozone, Radon, and Formaldehyde. Furthermore, the addition of the Air Quality Cluster enables Matter devices to provide AQI information based on the device’s location.
Air Purifiers – Purifiers utilize the Air Quality Sensor device type to provide sensing information and also include functionality from other device types like Fans (required) and Thermostats (optional). Air purifiers also include consumable resource monitoring, enabling notifications on filter status (both HEPA and activated carbon filters are supported in 1.2).
Fans –Matter 1.2 includes support for fans as a separate, certifiable device type. Fans now support movements like rock/oscillation and new modes like natural wind and sleep wind. Additional enhancements include the ability to change the airflow direction (forward and reverse) and step commands to change the speed of airflow.

Are you a quiet Quitter?

We received an email from long time listener Mike LaBorde with a link to an article at TV Tech titled The `Quiet Quitters' of Pay TV Continue to Grow. Mike suggests that he is one and as I thought about my situation I decided I am one as well. So what is a Quiet Quitter and are you one of us?

A Quiet Quitter is someone who has largely stopped viewing pay TV programming but hasn’t dropped their pay TV subscription or “cut-the-cord.”

According to Inscape’s recent Q2 2023 TV Market Trends report, about 5% of U.S. cable/satellite households have outright quit viewing content via their satellite and cable TV options in the second quarter of the year.

Inscape found that 9% reduced their cable/satellite viewing by 75% or more from Q2 2022 to Q2 2023 (to account for viewing seasonality), but didn’t fully quit. Additionally, 8.4% of U.S. cable/satellite households had a drop of 50-75% in cable/satellite viewing time in Q2 2023 from Q2 2022.

I did some analysis on my own viewing habits and here are the numbers. Back in 2000 I spent one hour in the morning watching TV, mostly news, and four hours in the evening from 6:00 - 10:00 Monday through Friday. That is a total of five hours a day. I now listen to podcasts as I get ready in the morning which by itself reduces my pay TV usage by 20%. In the evening I watch Youtube for about 30 minutes and then I may turn to linear television for about 30 minutes to an hour while I wait for the family to assemble and watch TV. At this point I've already cut 1 ½ hours of my normal viewing.

Once we’ve settled in to watch TV for the evening it's not from the live TV or the DVR but rather from Hulu, Peacock, Paramount, Max, or Netflix. On a non-sports evening I have cut my linear TV by as much as 90%. So why do I keep my subscription?

It's those pesky sports teams that I follow. It's no fun watching delayed. You have to watch them live. The Dodgers, Kings, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, and to a lesser degree Tennessee Volunteers keep me paying for DirecTV Stream. We also will record Hallmark Christmas movies and watch them during the holiday season. I count DVR’s programming a pay TV. You really have to ask yourself, is it worth it to pay $90 a month just to watch 25% of what you used to on a pay TV service. Unfortunately being a big sports fan has it's costs!

According to Inscape data, while streaming commands 56.5% of overall TV viewing time, that falls to 23.1% for sports and 14.7% for news. Cable/satellite/antenna, meanwhile, accounts for 43.5% of overall TV viewing time, but dominates in sports (76.9%) and news (85.3%).

Alternatively I can find a way to get my sporting fix through add-on services like “At Bat” for baseball and “Sunday Ticket” for Football but when you add everything up it more or less costs the same amount as having a pay TV service. So you may as well just pay for pay TV on the odd chance you have nothing to watch and all you have is Nick at Nite or TV Land!

Podcast #1121: 5G Broadcast can Challenge ATSC 3.0 Oct 20, 2023

On this week’s show discuss the new Pro-Ject Dark Side of the Moon Turntable and talk about five mistakes to avoid with your earbuds. We finish up with a discussion about 5G Broadcast. Can it do what ATSC 3.0 can. We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Aqara Smart Video Doorbell G4

The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable

The Dark Side of the Moon album is recognized for its artwork almost as much as the music. It shows an enigmatic prism that reflects beams of light into space. It’s a magical and mystical theme that illustrates the band‘s complex sound pallet. For us, it was a no-brainer to create a turntable based on this concept & image.

The result is an extraordinary turntable unlike any the audio market has seen. With high-quality materials were able to implement the core aspects of the artwork. The plinth is made of MDF- a dense, sturdy, resonance-absorbent material. The stainless steel axle of the heavy aluminum sub platter rotates in a bronze bushing. An AC motor drives the sub-platter & platter with a silicon drive belt.

The low-resonance tonearm is a completely new design. It’s definitely one of the highlights of this turntable. The combination of black aluminum & acrylic parts is an eye-catcher to say the least. The supplied Pick it PRO Special Edition MM phono cartridge delivers the rich sonics you would expect from Dark Side of the Moon turntable. With the addition of the LED-backlit rainbow, the turntable looks even more impressive in low light.

As with all Pro-Ject turntables, The Dark Side of the Moon Turntable is handmade with care in Europe! Pre-order with November Delivery $1999.00

5 wireless earbuds mistakes you're probably making

Get the best performance and user experience from your wireless earbuds by avoiding these common mistakes. Full article here…

Don't skip the ear fit test - using the correct ear tip size for your ear canal is paramount to achieving optimal audio performance and the best noise-canceling experience.
Don’t leave Active Noise Canceling on - The processing power required to analyze ambient noise levels and cancel them out has a big impact on energy consumption of your wireless earbuds, and can shorten battery life significantly.
Check Audio Settings - make sure you're connected via the highest wireless audio codec over Bluetooth that your earbuds can support from a similarly codec compatible playback device.
Take better care of the charging case - Keeping your earbuds on charge overnight might feel convenient but it could be detrimental to the lifespan of the charging case's internal battery. Longer than necessary recharges can put a strain on the battery, degrading the battery cells and significantly shortening capacity.
Download the app and use it periodically - companion apps provide numerous ways to enhance the listening experience through features like adaptive audio, noise canceling modes, and adjustable EQ settings. You will also need the app to upgrade firmware.

What is 5G Broadcast?

5G Broadcast is a one-to-many technology where all mobile device viewers receive the live event through the 5G network. As the devices are effectively passive, adding more devices doesn’t affect the network at all. Therefore, all users have the same high-level quality of experience and service.

Although live video distribution is very important, 5G broadcast/multicast does not necessarily mean mobile TV. In fact, 5G is bringing new broadcast and multicast capabilities to the whole ecosystem. These can include software updates over the network to cars, phones, and other wireless devices

What are some applications:

Live events (sporting, festivals, and breaking news) are suitable for the one-to-many distribution model over 5G.
Public safety messages are one of the basic 5G broadcast tasks. Think Weather, Flood, Fire etc
Automobile manufacturers can update software and firmware as well as media and entertainment systems. 5G Broadcast can help with OTA real-time traffic and V2X delivery. V2X is a system under development that allows vehicles to communicate with each other.
5G multicast can enhance the fan experience in new ways and also bring benefits for MNOs. Venue casting can bring the live experience to the home.
5G can help improve the VoD experience by helping offload 35% of the traffic on mobile networks.

Do we need this?

Podcast #1120: HDR Formats Compared Oct 13, 2023

On this week’s show Ara orders Holiday lights that he plans on leaving up year round. We also compare the HDR formats and explain terms to help you understand what it all means. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Canceled TV program “Turn On”

Matter Smart Holiday String Lights

Get festive with Nanoleaf Smart Holiday String Lights ($199 Pre-order)! The perfect decoration for your tree, or throughout your home to bring out the holiday spirit. Customizable color palettes and lighting animations set the Christmas mood in an instant, with just the touch of a button or a simple voice command. Sync with your favorite holiday songs to watch as your lights dance to the beat. Designed for both indoor and outdoor use.

250 Addressable LEDs | 20m

16+ Million Colors and Tunable Whites

Use with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or Matter over Wi-Fi
Control with Attached Controller, Nanoleaf App or through a Smart Home Ecosystem

Requires a Matter compatible smart home hub and iOS/tvOS 16.5+ or Android OS 8.1+ to connect to a smart home ecosystem.

Differences Between HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision - RTINGS.com

I was reading an article (Differences Between HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision) over at RTINGS.com to see which HDR format they thought was the best. In the article they did an excellent explanation of what HDR is and what terms like bit depth and tone mapping are. We throw those around all the time but have never really explained what they are and why you should care. So this week we do that!

Podcast #1119: AppleTV is the Best? and the Tablo OTA DVR Oct 06, 2023

On this week’s show we discuss a video where Caleb Denison of Digital Trends, says the AppleTV is the best at streaming your video and we have a review of the Tablo TV Over the Air DVR. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Dolby Atmos FlexConnect

How You Stream Matters

We received a couple of emails (one from Stan and one from John) this week pointing us to an article and video stating that how you stream your content affects what you see. The article is from Dark Horizons and the video is on Youtube (Apple TV Best for Netflix? Right Time To Buy a TV? | You Asked: Ep. 7).

The video host, Caleb Denison of Digital Trends, says the AppleTV is the best, although he prefers using Google TV. So how did he come to this conclusion?

Some TVs or set top boxes limit color bit depth to 4:2:0, which means more color banding just because you are watching on that particular platform. Many platforms may have that setting as the default so check to make sure you have an option to change it. Without going into a ton of detail, 4:4:4 is 100% of the chroma information, 4:2:2 is 50% and 4:2:0 is 25%. If you have Dolby Vision enabled on an AppleTV you will not have an option to select a Chroma setting. It will be 4:2:2 by default.

Some platforms do not allow buffering. As a result you will never achieve the full 4K you are paying for. Caleb does not say which platforms do this. But if you have 4K with a slower data rate it won’t be difficult to determine if your system is buffering or not.

Another issue is with frame rate. Some will not give you 24 fps but will instead convert it to 30 fps.

So why the AppleTV? According to the host, “It’s the one with the least amount of questions and just enough controls available. It also comes with the fewest number of headaches, and for that I’m willing to pay a little extra. It’s not perfect, but it is the least flawed and sadly I think that’s where we’re at right now with streaming.”

Tablo TV Over the Air DVR

Over the years we have had a chance to review a lot of personal DVRs. Most of which have come and gone. Some had stand alone hardware and others required a PC. Some had built-in tuners and others required an external tuner. Today we take a quick look at a DVR that is a stand alone box no bigger than an AppleTV or Roku streaming box with two built in ATSC 2.0 tuners. That device is the Tablo 4th generation that goes for about $110.

Features:

Watch, pause and record live broadcast TV from your antenna.
Record 50+ hours and never miss a moment with 128GB of onboard recording storage. Can expand up to 1000+ hours with an external hard drive
Tablo lets you watch TV anywhere in your home on any smart device.
Record and watch live TV, subscription-free (Internet service is required).
Quick and easy setup.

Setup

Plug in power, Ethernet, and an antenna and you are ready to scan for channels. I initially had issues with the Tablo giving me location errors and stopping the install process there. I contacted their Customer Support and they acknowledged the error and informed me of a server issue they were experiencing. Once those were resolved the process resumed without a hitch. The only complaint I had was that it took too long to download the channel guide. But I was being impatient.

Performance

Once you complete the install and setup you can start watching TV and recording programs. I won’t go into the details on how to do this because it's very intuitive and you’ve all done this before. In addition to the channels you receive over the air, Tablo has some FAST channels that include news, sports, old TV shows, and more.

You watch on your Tablet or phone and on Set Top boxes. Currently Roku, fireTV, android TV, GoogleTV, iOS and Android are supported. AppleTV, Samsung TVs, WebOS, and Vizio TVs are coming soon. Two devices can watch/record live TV simultaneously and up to six can watched recorded or streamed content simultaneously. Picture quality is good, but we are talking 1080i or 720p OTA, so don’t expect the same as 4K HDR content you get from AppleTV or Netflix.

The user interface is very intuitive and easy to navigate. Setting up recordings is simple. Recorded programs are grouped together based on series. Guide information is available and I haven't been prompted to pay for it which is a big plus over other DVRs.

There is no way to watch your content when you are away from home so consider that when making your buying decision. Also, a pleasant surprise is that you can record FAST channels and skip commercials. I’m not sure other devices let you do that.

In all, this is a great device if you are looking for a DVR like you used to have back in the day. You can watch anywhere in the house and, soon enough, on any device. If you want to stream your content outside your home, this product is not for you. Perhaps someday that capability will be added, but not today.

Podcast #1118: The History of Dolby Laboratories Sep 29, 2023

On this week’s show we take a look at the history of a company that is synonymous with home theater, Dolby Laboratories. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Hisense Smart Short Projector Renewed

The Dolby Laboratories History Story in Chronological Order

1965 - Dolby Laboratories is a longtime innovator of developing electronic devices and systems to improve recorded sound. Founded by Ray Dolby in 1965, the company’s first development was Dolby A-type noise reduction. It was basically a specially designed electronic circuit contained in a compact metal case. It was not a recording machine, but it could be attached to a recorder to improve its sound.

1966 - Dolby creates first product to reduce noise in music recordings.

1968 - Ray Dolby next developed a consumer version of the Dolby A system at the urging of Henry Kloss, an American audio pioneer and president of KLH Research and Development Corporation. The result was the 1968 introduction of Dolby B-type noise reduction, intended for home tape recorders. Following a relocation of the company from London to San Francisco, Dolby B was released into the world. Designed primarily for cassettes, it went on to completely alter the way music was both recorded and received world-over. It was simple and cheap, and by the mid-70s it was the standard for all cassette tapes – and is the type of noise reduction and is still used to this very day. Yes – people still like their cassette tapes!

1971 - The first film with Dolby sound was A Clockwork Orange (1971), which used Dolby noise reduction on all pre-mixes and masters, but a conventional optical sound track on release prints.

1974 - Callan was the first film with a Dolby-encoded optical soundtrack.

1975 - Dolby Laboratories introduced Dolby Stereo, a product aimed at motion picture producers and theaters. Dolby Stereo was used with existing 35-mm optical soundtracks, but with important changes. At the studio, stereo soundtracks were recorded using Dolby equipment. At the theaters, a Dolby unit and new loudspeakers were added to the existing projection equipment. The result was much higher sound quality.

1976 - The first true LCRS (Left-Center-Right-Surround) soundtrack was encoded on the movie A Star Is Born in 1976. In less than ten years, 6,000 cinemas worldwide were equipped to use Dolby Stereo sound. Dolby reworked the system slightly for home use and introduced Dolby Surround, which only extracted a surround channel, and the more impressive Dolby Pro Logic, which was the domestic equivalent of the theatrical Dolby Stereo.

1977 - Star Wars opens with Dolby Stereo®.

1982 - the company was receiving $6 million annually in licensing fees from approximately 125 audio equipment manufacturers. With circuits in about 70 million different consumer products, Dolby had a monopoly in the consumer noise reduction field. In the 1980s, virtually all pre recorded cassettes used Dolby B.

The first major threat to Dolby's positioning began quietly in 1980, when dbx--a Newton, Massachusetts company--sold its system to several audio manufacturers, including the major Japanese company Matsushita Electric. In April 1982, the competition began to look more serious. Dbx pulled ahead of Dolby, developing the first miniature noise-reduction circuit for Walkmen, which at this time represented the fastest-growing consumer audio segment. Dbx, which had been developed in 1971, was a serious threat to Dolby because it reduced background noise by 40 decibels, a considerable improvement over Dolby's 10.

Initially, high prices had made dbx unfamiliar to consumers, but the system was favored by recording professionals. By 1982, dbx had already far overtaken Dolby and held 70 percent of the commercial recording equipment market. In response to the threat posed by dbx's competition, Dolby introduced an upgraded version of its system, Dolby C, as well as a portable product.

1986 - Dolby Spectral Recording (or SR) worked on magnetic soundtracks for film as well as music cassettes, producing digital clarity from an analog sound system. Dolby SR used the same basic principle as Dolby's original circuit, monitoring the sound signal and adjusting frequency boost to suit the loudness level, with different signal levels boosted at different amounts. The result was a system that was dynamic and almost infinitely flexible. The system was used by many professional studios instead of digital recording, and in 1988 Dolby SR was in use at movie theaters showing the films Robocop and Space.

1992 - Dolby achieved $40 million in revenues, with a third from royalty payments that headed straight to the bottom line. Dolby sound reduction was now featured on approximately 380 million tape players, boom boxes, headphones, and car stereos, as well as a few billion audio-cassette packages.

Dolby developed a digital surround sound compression scheme for the cinema. Dolby Stereo Digital (now simply called Dolby Digital) was first featured on the 1992 film Batman Returns. Introduced to the home theater market as Dolby AC-3 with the 1995 laserdisc release of Clear and Present Danger.

The format did not become widespread in the consumer market, partly because of extra hardware that was necessary to make use of it until it was adopted as part of the DVD specification. Dolby Digital is now found in the HDTV (ATSC) standard of the United States, DVD players, and many satellite-TV and cable-TV receivers. Dolby developed a digital surround sound compression scheme for the TV series The Simpsons.

1998 - First live HDTV broadcast with 5.1-channel Dolby Digital audio.

1999 - Star Wars: Episode I—The Phantom Menace debuts in Dolby Surround EX.

2007 - Dolby announced the arrival of Dolby Volume at the International Consumer Electronics Show.

2010 - Dolby introduced Dolby Surround 7.1, and set up theaters worldwide with 7.1 surround speaker setups to deliver theatrical 7.1 surround sound. The first film to be released with this format was Pixar's Toy Story 3 which was later followed by 50 releases using the format. About eighty percent of films released are mixed in Dolby Surround 7.1 by default.

2014 - Dolby introduced its Dolby Atmos, a new cinematic technology adding overhead sound, first applied in Pixar's motion picture Brave. In July 2014, Dolby Laboratories announced plans to bring Atmos to home theater. The first television show to use the technology on disc was Game of Thrones.

Dolby launches Dolby Vision™.

2019 - Dolby adds Atmos to hundreds of newer songs in the music industry.

Podcast #1117: Network TV Scrambles to Fill Out Their Schedules Sep 22, 2023

This week we discuss how the network TV programmers are dealing with the SAG and WGA strike. We also give you some alternative ways to deal with the strike. Plus we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

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Other:

LUBA AWD 5000: Perimeter Wire Free Robot Lawn Mower Owner Quick Review

LUBA AWD Series is the first and only Perimeter Wire Free Robot Lawn Mower that can handle complex lawns up to 5000 ㎡ (1.25 acres) with 75% slope (37°). MSRP $2,599

Since you guys talk about home automation, I figured I would tell you about my new toy. I bought a Mammotion Luba robot lawn mower and it is awesome! You don’t have to bury a line for your perimeter. It uses GPS/RTK technology and you drive it around the perimeter of your lawn so it knows the area. Then it mows. It does straight lines and not just the random all over thing and you can alternate what direction it goes. When it gets down to 15% battery, it just automatically goes to the dock and recharges and then continues where it left off after. It has a motor on each wheel so it is all wheel drive and durable and heavy so it can climb up to 37 degree grade of a hill. It also looks like a formula one race car. If it starts raining it will go back and wait too. It is pretty sweet! It mows my lawn 3 times a week while I am working and so no more allergies. I do the edging and weed eating once every other week and that is it. Automation! Love it!

Jason Petty

The SAG and WGA strike continues

The SAG and WGA strike has been going on for a couple of months now. Have you noticed anything missing? If you haven’t, you're not the only one. Negotiations broke down shortly after the strike started but this week they have started up (Writers Guild Says Negotiations Set to Resume Wednesday). In the meantime networks have come up with a strategy to get you through the TV season and we have some ideas as well. This show is in place of our yearly new Fall TV preview.

Bill Maher was slated to bring his show back without the writers but has since put that idea on hold since negotiations have started up. Good idea? Should he just go for it? (Bill Maher Becomes First Host to Make Late-Night Return Without Writers)

CBS decided to start broadcasting its premier episode of Yellowstone. It originally debuted on the Paramount Network back on June 20, 2018 and got 6.6 million viewers for CBS. When you consider that brand new episodes of The Equalizer, wish was in the same time slot last year, garnered 6.47 million viewers last season. This may not be a bad idea!

Disney announced that 10 Monday Night Football games will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN. ABC had planned to run two hours of Dancing With the Stars from 8 p.m. - 10 p.m. on Mondays, with new reality spinoff The Golden Bachelor airing at 10 p.m.

The network has decided to pair The Golden Bachelor with nine-year-old sibling Bachelor in Paradise to fill Thursday primetime, while DWTS will move to Tuesdays, starting September 26.

The MNF average audience was 22.6 million viewers across ESPN, ESPN 2 and ABC for its season-opening matchup. Which was a record.

ABC's entire Thursday night lineup consists of game shows: "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune," "Press Your Luck" and "The $100,000 Pyramid." The ABC has no new scripted programming on its fall schedule. On Fox Gordon Ramsay will work double shifts with shows airing on two nights.

Survivor and The Amazing Race moving to 90-minute episodes this fall

If you are missing late night hosts, they have created a podcast for you. Jimmy Kimmel, John Oliver, Seth Meyers, Stephen Colbert and Jimmy Fallon. They are planning to release 12 episodes with the guys talking about their time in Hollywood with some comedy bits thrown in. .

Three streamers are in good position to weather the strike according to Forbes from the article:

Discovery+ (Now Max)

Which one is in the best shape? That appears to be Discovery+ (which recently merged with corporate sibling Warner Bros.’ HBO Max to become the megastreamer Max), and that makes sense. Before the merger, Discovery+ was known for its unscripted content, reflecting the Discovery family of cable brands from TLC to HGTV to Food Network, which is relatively cheap to produce and easy to make a lot of. Ninety-five percent of Discovery+ content is unscripted, according to Parrot’s research.

Peacock

Ranked second is NBCUniversal’s Peacock—40% of its content is unscripted. With rights to Bravo hits like the Real Housewives franchise and Vanderpump Rules, Peacock is well situated to thrive without new scripted content. To wit, the recent Vanderpump season 10 reunion part one drew 514,000 households when it was released on Peacock on May 25, according to Samba TV, with a Bravo audience of 1.1 million households. So there’s clearly an appetite for such shows even well into their runs.

Paramount+

Paramount+ had the third-highest level of unscripted fare, 35%. Fully a fifth of its viewership comes from unscripted programs, driven largely by mega-hit RuPaul’s Drag Race, which also airs on Hulu, and CBS programs such as Survivor.

What about the Emmys?

The Television Academy and Fox TV, which was scheduled to air the show this year, initially kept the original Sept. 18 show date in place, with hopes the strikes would end quickly. But with no realistic prospects for resolution, Fox and the academy decided in mid-August to change the show date to Jan. 15, 2024

The new date looked a long way off when it was scheduled, but Emmy organizers may have to face the prospect that the strikes could still be going on in January. Writers have currently been off the job for 4 1/2 months, the actors for two months. The stoppages spilling into next year would make them historically long, and go well past initial predictions. Prolonged strikes could mean another Emmys postponement, or a show transformed into a glorified news conference, as happened with some awards during the pandemic.

Our Picks for rewatching or watching for the first time if you missed it.

Community - Six seasons of gut busting laughter! If you only watch a couple of episodes don’t miss the paintball episodes
Bosch - Seven seasons. A crime procedural based on the best selling novels by Michael Connelly.
Chuck - Five Seasons. When a computer geek inadvertently downloads critical government secrets into his brain, both the CIA and the NSA assign an agent to protect him and exploit his newfound skills.
White Collar - Six seasons. A white-collar criminal agrees to help the FBI catch other white-collar criminals using his expertise as an art and securities thief, counterfeiter, and conman.
Castle - Eight seasons. A suave, best-selling author teams up with a strait-laced detective to solve crimes in New York City.

Podcast #1116: CEDIA 2023 with DJ from Bright Side Home Theater Sep 15, 2023

This week DJ Briggs from BrightSideHometheater.com joins the show to discuss what he saw at CEDIA. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Hisense upstages TCL by adding a gigantic 100-inch mini-LED TV

2023 CEDIA Expo Best of Show Winners

Last week the Custom Electronic Design And Installation Association better known as CEDIA had their annual show in Denver CO. On today’s show we will discuss some of the awards that were given out. CEDIA is the global industry association and central touch point for smart home technology, provides members with cutting-edge education, develops standards to ensure the highest levels of professionalism, and is the industry's only certifying body. CEDIA furthers collaboration with architects, designers, builders, and homeowners to deliver technology solutions that allow families to experience their best moments in life in the comfort of their own homes.

Below are the awards from Residential System, TWICE and What Hi-Fi. We are not going through the entire list but we pick products that we feel our listeners not only are interested in but can afford to buy (well some of them anyway). We also have a bonus section where DJ Briggs of BightSideHomeTheater.com gives us his list of five things he thought were super cool. Check out his podcast to find out why he felt that way.

Residential Systems entries were judged through the lens of the residential integrator, while TWICE based theirs on a consumer electronics retail view and What Hi-Fi? from the home entertainment enthusiast perspective.

Residential Systems Best of Show Awards Winners

AWOL Vision AWOL Vision 150” 4K 3D RGB Laser Projector LTV-3500 Pro $6000

All the AWOL Vision laser projectors have been officially Dolby Vision certified by Dolby Lab The Dolby Vision feature can be activated by updating the incoming September 2023 version firmware wirelessly regardless of when you bought it.
True 3500 ANSI Lumens, the LTV-3500 UST projector is the brightest, triple-laser 4K UST projector on the market.
Cinematic 3D Display
With high enough brightness even during the day, LTV-3500 4k laser projector is the best choice for you. Paired with our ALR Day light projector screen, LTV-3500 delivers bright and sharp details even under high ambient light, no need for blackout curtains.
The AWOL VISION UST 4K projector covers 107% of the top BT 2020 Color Gamut. It reaches 147% of DCI-P3 used for digital movie theater projection, giving you superior contrast and color accuracy.

Epson America, Inc. Epson EpiqVision Ultra LS800 4K PRO-UHD Ultra Short-Throw 3-Chip 3LCD Smart Streaming Laser Projector $3500

Picture sizes up to 150" in 16:9
Modern Low Profile Design
4K PRO-UHD Resolution¹
3-Chip 3LCD Technology
10-Bit HDR Color
4,000 Lumens of Color & White Brightness²
Over 2,500,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
2.1 Audio System by Yamaha
Three HDMI 2.0 Ports (1 ARC)
16.7ms Input Lag – Ideal for Gaming
Built-In Android TV³
Easy Setup App for iOS & Android
2-Year Limited Warranty
Available in Black or White

Ethereal 8 Meter Velox Passive HDMI Cable $240

Supports up to 48Gbps, 4K/120, 8K/60 & Dynamic HDR
Advanced features in metallurgy, topology, dielectric and shielding
3mm Shield Strip-back - helps to reduce 6G jitter
100% Copper Shielding - reduces EMI
Bypass ground - provides better return loss
Conductors direct solder to connector
Audio Return Channel (eARC and ARC)
Grip-Lox™ terminal

Furrion Aurora 2.1 Outdoor Soundbar Speaker with Wireless Subwoofer $770

Six speaker system with bass radiator for powerful sound output
130W of explosive, high-definition audio
Wireless 8" subwoofer to add more bass
Speaker Frequency response: 200Hz-18kHz
Subwoofer frequency response: 16Hz-256Hz
Multiple equalizer settings for customized audio tuning
Bluetooth® 5.0 enabled for easy pairing with TV and other mobile devices
HDMI and optical inputs for connecting devices
IP45-rated weatherproof housing to protect against the elements
Weatherproof remote control, HDMI ARC cable and mounting brackets included

Furrion Aurora Sun 4K UHD LED Outdoor Smart TV with HDR10 starting at $3000

Smart platform powered by webOS Hub allows for streaming your favorite apps, movies and shows
4K ultra-high definition
HDR10 Technology
Anti-glare, 1500-nit LED screen
RangeXtend™ external antennas for stronger WiFi signal
IP54 rated, weatherproof housing
Works with Furrion Aurora Soundbar, mounts & covers
XtremeShield™ IK08-rated impact-resistant screen for protection against collisions and scratches
Connects to Furrion soundbars via Bluetooth, HDMI or optical inputs

HD Anywhere uControl Smart Remote

uControl is a smart home system that focuses on the things you do in your home everyday. From enjoying your favorite TV shows, immersing yourself in music or effortlessly changing the lighting to suit your mood, all from one unified, universal and unintimidating interface.

PSB Speakers Alpha IQ Powered Speakers $1300/pr

A simplified approach to audio, the Alpha iQ comes equipped with a built-in digital amplifier and BluOS streaming so you can access and control everything from streaming services and digital music collections to EQ settings and multi-room speaker management. A versatile addition to any home audio system, whether in a stereo set-up, home theater, TV speaker or as bookshelf speakers.

¾” (19mm) Aluminum dome tweeter with ferrofluid neodymium magnet
4” (100mm) Polypropylene mid-bass driver with steel basket and rubber surround
Tuned port and DSP-enabled bass extension
Built-in network streamer based on BluOS platform
Audiophile-grade DAC supports resolution up to 24-bit/192kHz
Supports Apple AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, Spotify Connect and Tidal Connect

Sony Electronics BRAVIA XR 65” Class A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV $3500 65” $5000 77”

Sony Electronics STRAZ5000ES Premium ES 11.2 CH 8K A/V Receiver $2100

Sony Electronics STRAZ7000ES Premium ES 13.2 CH 8K A/V Receiver $3300

Sony Electronics VPL-XW6000ES 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel $12000

Sony Electronics VPL-XW7000ES 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel $28000

StormAudio ISR Fusion 20 AV Receiver

Based on the award-winning ISP Elite MK3 platform, the Immersive Sound Receiver Fusion 20 is a 20-channels processor integrating 16 channels of the latest Edge amplification technology from Danish based ICE Power, exhibiting extremely low noise and distortion levels with 150W (8ohm) per channel, and up to 500W (8ohm) when bridged.

TWICE Best of Show Awards Winners

AWOL Vision AWOL Vision 150” 4K 3D RGB Laser Projector LTV-3500 Pro $6000 - see above

Ethereal 8 Meter Velox Passive HDMI Cable $240 - see above

Hisense 100″U8K $10,000

See News Story

Samsung 77” Class S95C OLED 4K TV $4200

Samsung 98” Class Neo QLED 8K TV (QN990C) $40000

Samsung 85” Class The Terrace 4K TV (Outdoor TV Full Sun) $20,000

Samsung HW-Q990C Soundbar 11.1.4 ch. Wireless Dolby ATMOS Soundbar $1600

Sony Electronics BRAVIA XR 65” Class A95L QD-OLED 4K HDR Google TV $3500 65” $5000 77”

Sony Electronics VPL-XW6000ES 4K HDR Laser Home Theater Projector with Native 4K SXRD Panel $12000

Sony Electronics STRAZ7000ES Premium ES 13.2 CH 8K A/V Receiver $3300

Sony STRAZ3000ES Premium ES 9.2 CH 8K A/V Receiver $1700

Sony STR-AN1000 7.2 Channel 8K A/V Receiver $700

What Hi-Fi? Best of Show Winners

Hisense L9H TriChroma Laser UST Projector ($5500 - $6500)

Trichroma™ Triple-Laser Light Engine
4K Resolution
25,000 hour lifespan
Reaches over 1 billion colors (107% of BT.2020 color space)
New Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) Screen
3000 ANSI lumens brightness
2,000,000:1 Dynamic Contrast Ratio
Google TV
Dolby Vision / Dolby Atmos
3 HDMI (2 x 4K@120hz,1 x eARC)
Smooth Motion and MEMC
Game Mode
ATSC 3.0
Wi-Fi 6e
Wi-Fi 6e
40-Watt Built-in Speakers
Sizes: 100” and 120”
Availability: Summer 2023

Sony HT-S2000 3.1ch Dolby Atmos® Soundbar $300

The HT-S2000 soundbar delivers high-quality audio and an upscaled cinematic surround sound experience for all your content. Built for the Sony ecosystem, this soundbar solution is compatible with Sony SA-SW3, SA-SW5 subwoofers and SA-RS3S rear speakers and integrates fully with BRAVIA XR™ TVs.

DJ Briggs CEDIA Wrap

Top 5 Room Experiences

(5) JVC (8 New Projectors 6 8K and 2 4K)

Amazing 8K Picture
Amazing 4K HDR
Stewart Screen
Great Next Gen (2) tone mapping

(4) Sony 7000 Projector and 7000 Receiver

Fantastic Overall Experience
No Amps
4 ohm Kef Speakers
No Video Processing
180” firehawk 1.3 gain Stewart Screen
$68K for EVERYTHING in the room

(3) SVS

No roof
PB 16 Ultras ($2900) ROCKED the Media Floor
Bang & Olufsen right next to them and they were drowning them out and they were IN A ROOM and B&O was in the open 🤣

(1B) Trinnov

Custom built room in Italy
Perfectly curated Home Theater Experience
24 subs
WaveForming!!
Barco
MadVR
Seamore Excellence AT screen
Amazing Bass Equalization

(1A)Grimani

Anthony Grimani/Storm Audio/Seymore Excellence/Row One Seating

Perfectly curated Home Theater Experience
Grimani Speakers
Barco
MadVR
Seamore Excellence AT screen
Future Tech we can all look forward to!!
WINNER 🍿

Podcast #1115: Should IPTV Streamers be Treated like Cable Companies? Sep 08, 2023

This week look at what would happen if Instagram and TikTok allowed 10 minute short video clips. Also, we breakdown why local network affiliates are trying to convince the FCC to start treating IPTV Streamers like cable TV providers. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

A New Paradigm in Immersive Audio Design Excellence

Instagram is internally testing the ability to create Reels up to 10 minutes long

By increasing the time limit on Reels from three minutes to 10, Instagram would be aligning its short-form video product with TikTok, which expanded its maximum video length to 10 minutes back in February 2022. The change would also put Reels in competition with YouTube. Full Article Here…

Local ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Owners Demand The FCC Reclassify YouTube TV, Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, & More As Cable TV Companies

In a nutshell - A bunch of affiliate stations are asking the FCC to treat IPTV streamers like cable companies. Which would force the streamers to negotiate directly with the TV station owners.

If local TV stations win, Fubo, Hulu, and others wouldn’t be able to strike deals directly with Paramount for all CBS stations. Instead, they will need to go to each individual owner of each local TV station.

For the record - CBS owns 14 stations throughout the US.

California — Los Angeles — KCBS
California — San Francisco — KPIX
California — Sacramento — KOVR
Colorado — Denver — KCNC
Florida — Miami — WFOR
Illinois — Chicago — WBBM
Maryland — Baltimore — WJZ
Massachusetts — Boston — WBZ
Michigan — Detroit — WWJ
Minnesota — Minneapolis — WCCO
New York — New York — WCBS
Pennsylvania — Philadelphia — KYW
Pennsylvania — Pittsburgh — KDKA
Texas — Dallas/Fort Worth — KTVT

The net result would mean that live TV streaming services would need to pay a $1.23 fee per subscriber every year for the FCC regulatory fee imposed on cable TV companies. It's our take that the amount would start at $1.23 and go up very quickly.

So Nexstar Media Group, Sinclair, E.W. Scripps, and Gray Television want to cut out the big networks and negotiate directly to bring their locals to streaming services. They hope to get better deals than what the parent companies have agreed to. They argue that the current situation is unfair to local station owners.

The argument is that the deals as they exist today don't give local stations enough money to produce local news.

For now, it looks like local station owners are ready for a long fight to get what they believe will be a better deal for them.

Thoughts on the situation:

I never understood why any local network could charge for cable access? What did they do before cable? We could barely watch some channels in the 70s. After cable they all came in clear. If anything, they should have been paying the cable companies to carry the channels.
Let’s say Hulu and the rest of them just say forget it! What happens? - The only real impact that I see is with the NFL
Why wouldn’t Nexstar just tell the networks that they want a bigger cut and have one big voice when negotiating? Sounds like the networks screwed the affiliates.
What do local stations provide? In the old days they would provide weather traffic and sports. Now I get real time traffic on my phone as well as weather and sports scores. For breaking news, I follow my affiliate and if something big is happening locally I jump on their news stream. Maybe they should cut their budgets and have one newscast in the morning and evening.
Are they really locally owned when a company like Sinclair owns multiple stations across the US?

Podcast #1114: Where to Watch College Football Sep 01, 2023

This week is the start of the college football season and we help you find where your favorite team’s games can be watched. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

College Football - Where can you find it?

It's probably the best time of year. You have Baseball wrapping up, the air is cooling down, and it's college football season. There are so many games and leagues but where can you watch your favorite team? We have done the research and this is where you can find the leagues and games for free.

Conference Networks

Many conferences have their own 24/7 network that carry more than just football. But on Saturdays in the fall they are all about football! Here is where you will find four of the most popular conference networks

Pac - 12 - Spectrum, xfinity, Cox, dish, SlingTV, Frontier, Fubo, Vidgo Full List can be found here.

Big Ten - Fox Sports App with TV provider credentials. AT&T U-verse, Cox, DirecTV/DTV Stream, Dish, Frontier, Fubo, Google Fiber, Hulu Live, Filo, Sling, Virgo, Youtube TV

SEC - AT&T U-Verse. Cox. DIRECTV/Stream, DISH, Spectrum, Xfinity, Verizon Fios. Streaming on Hulu, Sling TV, YouTube TV

ACC - Youtube TV, Hulu, Spectrum, DIRECTV/Stream, Dish Network, Sling TV, Cox

Broadcast Networks

In addition to their own networks, the conferences have contracts with the broadcast networks to air the biggest games of the week.

ABC: ACC, American, Big 12, Pac-12, championship games (ACC, American, Big 12 and Pac-12 in odd-numbered years), Citrus Bowl, LA Bowl and Las Vegas Bowl

CBS: SEC, Big Ten, Mountain West, SEC Championship Game, Commander-in-Chief's Trophy games (include Army-Navy) and Sun Bowl

Fox: Big 12, Big Ten, Mountain West, Pac-12, championship games (Big Ten, Mountain West, and

Pac-12 in even-numbered years) and Holiday Bowl

NBC: Notre Dame, Big Ten

The CW: ACC

Cable Networks

The cable networks get in on the action as well!

CBS Sports Network: Army, C-USA, MAC, Mountain West, Navy, UConn, C-USA Championship Game and Hula Bowl

ESPN networks (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPNews, ESPN3 and ESPN+): ACC, American, Big 12, Big Ten, C-USA, MAC, Pac-12, SEC, Sun Belt, UMass, championship games (MAC and Sun Belt) and most bowl games including the entirety of the College Football Playoff

Fox Sports 1: Big 12, Big Ten, Mountain West and Pac-12

Fox Sports 2: Mountain West

Peacock: Notre Dame, Big Ten

If your team is involved in a huge game (or playing Notre Dame) look for them to be on the broadcast networks or ESPN. If you went to a less competitive major conference school, their games will be on the networks overflow channels like FS1, Peacock, Espn the Ocho , etc, Unless they are playing Notre Dame. Then they will be on display for what inevitably will be the smaller schools' Superbowl.

IPTV Services

DirecTV Stream

FuboTV

Hulu Plus Live TV

Sling TV

YouTube TV

Base price

$75 per month for 75-plus channels

$75 per month for 100-plus channels

$70 per month for 90-plus channels

$40 per month for 30-plus (Orange) or $45 for 40-plus (Blue) channels

$73 per month for 100-plus channels

Free trial

Yes

ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC channels

Yes, in many markets

ABC, Fox and NBC only in select cities (Blue only)

Yes, in many markets

Simultaneous streams per account

20 (in home, 3 outside of it)

10 (in home, 3 outside of it)

2 ($15 option for unlimited)

1 (Orange), 3 (Blue)

3 ($20 adds unlimited plus 4K streams)

Family member/user profiles

Yes

Cloud DVR

Yes (20 hours, unlimited for $10 a month)

Yes (1,000 hours)

Yes (unlimited)

Yes (50 hours, 200 hours for $5 a month)

Yes (unlimited)

Fast-forward through or skip commercials with cloud DVR

No (yes with $15 option)

Yes

Podcast #1113: Vintage Stereo Gear Aug 25, 2023

This week a listener asks if his separates from the 80s are as good as his more modern home theater equipment. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Vintage vs Modern Gear

We received the following email from Chris asking us to take a look at Vintage vs Modern Gear:

In your latest episode, you were discussing receivers. And I got to thinking:

Are the receivers of today drastically better than the component stereo systems of the 80s?

So if today, you put a component system from the 80s in the same environment as a receiver from the 2020s, could you tell the difference?

We have seen the resurgence of the turntable, will we also see the resurgence of the component stereo? Separate tuner, amp, equalizer, etc.

Can you explain a little in layman's terms the way the music is delivered today via compression and frequency reduction (Spotify, XM, Apple Music, etc)?

Meaning does the vinyl LP for example, go from -20 kHz to +140 kHz whereas streaming compresses to -10 kHz to +80 kHz, so you could get a better audio experience with vinyl?

Vintage Gear

Size and Weight - Vintage amplifiers are heavy by today's standards. In their heyday, owning one that weighed fifty to one hundred pounds wasn't unheard of. A majority of that weight came from the massive transformers housed inside. Those large transformers let the amplifier drive demanding speakers with ease and let the system run at a higher current.

Most vintage receivers used Class A/B amps, which were more efficient and ran cooler than their Class A counterparts.

Power - During the "power wars" of the '70s and '80s, manufacturers kept increasing how much power their amps could output, really pushing the limits of the amplifier technology of the time. For example, the Pioneer SX-1980 from 1978 cranked out an astonishing 270 watts per channel.

Electronics - a majority of amps were hardwired and didn't have an over-reliance on a circuit board, meaning they were more user serviceable if you knew what you were doing, and often cheaper to fix if you didn't.

New Gear

Performance - Class A/B amps sound better today than ever, given the significant improvements in transformer technology and component circuitry. Modern amplifiers have less distortion than older ones, and you get better performance for a lot less money.

It's a digital world - With modern amplifiers and receivers, you're gaining modern connections. From HDMIs to optical and coaxial connections, having digital inputs on your amplifier means you can hook up your TV, gaming consoles, CD player, and more. The sound quality is clearer and more precise. You can also use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi and an app-based interface to stream your music for extra convenience.

Which one sounds better?

Ready for our non-answer? It depends. There are certainly receivers from the 70s and 80s that sound better than receivers built today. But you are talking about the high end products. For example, the classic Pioneer SX1980 is rated at 0.03% THD and back in 1980, it would cost you $1,295 to pick one up. That's about $5,450 in today's dollars. Yamaha’s A-S501 is rated at 0.019% THD, and can be had for $549.

Vinyl vs Digital

Frequency response - Both can reproduce sound that is beyond what a human can hear.

It comes down to how the digital music is sampled and in some cases compressed. Low quality mp3 and AAC files throw away much of the recording so you are not getting all of the original. Let’s put that aside because none of us listen to low quality music. There is a debate, however, about high quality mp3 and AAC (anything greater than 256Kbps sampled at 44.1KHz) vs lossless. I personally can’t hear the difference and have done many blind A/B tests with those who claim that they can hear the difference only to conclude that none of my self proclaimed audiophile friends can hear the difference either. I won't say that no one can hear the difference reliably, but I will say that the number of those who can is very small.

When it comes to vinyl it's a preference for the sound. I prefer the clean sound of high quality digital. It's easy to take my entire library with me everywhere I go. Braden loves his vinyl. It's warmer and more nostalgic. One is not better than the other, it's a personal preference.

I am happy that I can now have an audio experience that was only available to people with deep pockets back in the 80s. Today, everyone can have a system that my 20 year old self only dreamed about. And you can take it on the go!

Podcast #1112: Listener Speaker Configurations Aug 18, 2023

This week Braden tells his Soundbar saga and Ara bought an Airpod Max. We also have early results of our Listener Speaker Configuration Survey. Plus we read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Listener Speaker Configurations

On the last show we asked you to tell us what type of speaker configurations you are listening to. This week we will give you the results and provide you some resources for getting the most out of your setup.

Atmos 32%

7 Channel 32%

5 Channel 32%

Soundbar 2 channel 26.5%

6 Channel 6%

9 Channel 3%

Dolby Speaker Setup Guides

Small Den/Bedroom ~250 Square feet Soundbar or 2.1

Family/Bonus Room up to 300 square feet 5.1

Greater than 300 square feet 7.1 - Consider seating as well. 7.1 systems need space behind the seating positions to be properly configured.

Atmos

There is an option in all of the above scenarios for Atmos. The question is whether it's worth it or not. Ask yourself the following questions:

Are you more concerned about sound effects vs sound quality. If the answer is yes, put more of your budget towards Atmos capability.
Is your room big enough to fully utilize Atmos speakers? While you can put Atmos anywhere, do you need it? A 5.1 system in a small room will provide you with a dynamic experience that can overwhelm the senses. Is there someplace else you can put resources to improve the experience like room treatments or better front speakers?
How much content do you watch that has Atmos? Of course this can change as more movies and TVs are mixed for Atmos.
Do I have a good subwoofer? You will get more bang for your buck improvement in your theater with a properly sized and configured subwoofer than by adding Atmos.

Podcast #1111: Samsung 89" Micro LED and AV Receivers We Don't Talk About Aug 11, 2023

This week Samsung is bringing an 89” Micro LED TV to market and it will only cost you $102,000USD. We also take a look at AV receivers that we don’t typically talk about. And as usual we read your emails and look at the week’s news stories.

News:

Other:

LEICA CINE 1 THE ART OF HOME CINEMA.

Samsung’s Stunning 89-Inch MicroLED TV Could Be What’s Next After OLED

When it comes to the best TVs, one of the biggest challenges is figuring out which display technology is truly the best. One of the contenders? MicroLED, which promises a serious upgrade over existing MiniLED technologies. Full article here…

Receivers We Don’t Typically Talk About

We get questions about receiver recommendations and we typically stay with brands we have experience with. We have never had someone come back at us to complain about a Denon, Yamaha, or Marantz receiver. We run these in our homes everyday so we feel confident recommending them to you. But there are other brands that have loyal followings that you may want to consider. These brands are typically more expensive and full featured. Below are the lowest cost receivers from brands we don’t typically talk about.

Arcam AVR10 7.2-channel home theater receiver with Bluetooth® and Apple AirPlay® 2

The AVR10 is a high-performance audio/visual receiver that delivers stunning realism for the ultimate home cinema experience. With an impressive 12-channel surround solution and featuring all the latest CODECs from Dolby, DTS, Auro-3D and IMAX Enhanced, the AVR10 exemplifies sound quality and engineering excellence. Audiophile listening experiences are optimised with full 12-channel Dirac calibration on board as well as simple streaming with a mobile device using the native app of choice via Apple AirPlay2 or Google Chromecast. You can find the Arcam AVR10 at Crutchfield for $2200

NAD T 758 V3i A/V Surround Sound Receiver

A performance update to our award-winning T 758 A/V Surround Sound Receiver, the T 758 V3i continues NAD’s ‘simple is better’ design philosophy by delivering a fluid user-friendly experience. From lifelike surround sound performance to heart thumping power, the T 758 V3i is a true treat for the senses. Employing NAD’s proprietary MDC technology, the T 758 V3i is ready for future upgrades and features. With 4K UltraHD video, the T 758 V3i offers a vivid and engaging presentation when it comes to the latest in digital video technology. Complete with AV presets that are yours to customise, the T 758 V3i gives you total control of what you hear and how you see it. The NAD AV Remote iOS app to make your smartphone a remote control is available as a free download. Available at NAD’s website for $1699.

Emotiva BasX MR1L 9.2 Channel Dolby Atmos® & DTS:X™ Cinema Receiver

How long have you been waiting for a receiver that can actually deliver the superb uncompromising performance of separate components? The BasX MR1L cinema receiver combines a high performance 13.2 channel immersive surround sound processor, and an audiophile quality 9 channel amplifier, in a single chassis. The processor section of the MR1L supports 4k UHD video, including HDR and Dolby Vision, enhanced ARC (eARC), and the latest Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X™ immersive surround sound formats. The MR1L features six HDMI 2.0b video inputs, all of which support 4k UHD HDR video, and includes support for enhanced ARC (eARC). Included with the MR1L is a measurement microphone and the latest version of EmoQ, our well-regarded automatic room correction system. The MR1L also offers multiple analog and digital audio inputs, and an integrated Bluetooth receiver with aptX. Available at Emotiva’s website for $1599.

Anthem MRX 540 8K 5.2-channel home theater receiver with Dolby Atmos®, Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, and Apple AirPlay® 2

Anthem's MRX 540 8K receiver is an excellent option for creating a high-performance home theater in a smaller room. It has everything you need — fantastic A/V processing, robust amplification, and exceptional room calibration — without extra channels of power that would go unused.

This upscale receiver is an especially good choice if you plan to play premium content through it — like 4K Blu-ray discs or uncompressed music files from a high-resolution library. It even has the latest HDMI technology for 8K video sources, including premium gaming consoles.

The MRX 540 8K is engineered to squeeze every drop of detail out of these high-res formats, and that's why it's worth considering over more modestly priced 5.1-channel receivers. Available at Anthem’s website for $1900.

Podcast #1110: Sony HT-AX7 Portable Theater System Review Aug 04, 2023

This week we take a look at the best speakers for 2023 that are priced between $50 and $1000. And Ara reviews the Sony HT-AX7 Portable Theater System from Sony. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Best Stereo Speakers for 2023

Whether you're shopping for bookshelf models or a pair of floorstanders, these are the best speakers for the money. Full article here…

HT-AX7 Portable Theater System with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping

The Sony HT-AX7 is a portable Theatre System with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology that attempts to bring cinematic surround sound to any room. It is a portable speaker system that has two detachable speakers that can be placed behind you to create a sound bubble that, according to Sony, will make you feel completely immersed in sound. We saw reviews and were excited to buy the $500 speaker and put it through it's paces.

Features:

Cinematic sound. Anywhere
When Sound Field effect is off, place the three speakers in the corners of your room for whole room audio
No wires - battery rated to last for 30 hours. 10 min Quick Charge will get you 2.5 hours
Weighs 3 pounds (1.4 Kg) so it's easy to transport

Setup

This was trivial. From the time I took it out of the well packaged box to when I was listening to sound took about five minutes. And I was going slow! All you need to do is pair the speaker with your device and start watching something. You can use the Sony Home Entertainment app to tweak it a bit more. But beyond that there isn’t much to do.

Performance

I had high hopes that this would be something cool. But it's important to note that Bluetooth does not support Dolby Digital and the box does not have a Dolby or DTS logo anywhere so all the spatial sound is completely synthetic and processed by the HT-AX7.

Top Gun Maverick was the first movie watched and quite frankly the experience was underwhelming. I could barely hear anything coming out of the satellite speakers. I went into the app and maxed out the volume for the speakers which made a big difference. In some respects the satellite speakers enhanced the experience but I wouldn’t say it was immersive.

Then I watched the opening sequence to 6 Underground which has the most action packed opening sequence I have seen in a long while. It's the perfect scene to show off your Atmos system. Watching on my ipad with the front speaker two feet in front of me and the surround speakers one foot behind me. I did get a more realistic surround experience than just watching on my iPad. But it wasn’t until I balanced the surround speakers on their sides and aimed them right at my ears that I began to really think that this product was something pretty cool.

The experience was similar to the old Dolby Pro Logic surround from the 90s. And I did not feel as though I was in a sound bubble like the marketing material claims. By comparison, my Atmos system makes you feel like you are on the street in the Italian square that the opening sequence was shot in.

Spatial Audio from Apple Music sounded fuller and did make the experience more immersive. But from an audio point of view the quality wasn’t as good as my Audioengine Desktop speakers. In general I was not impressed with the sound from the speakers. It was a bit thin and there was no LFE output that would allow me to add the low end with a subwoofer. But still much better than your speakers on your devices.

When the satellite speakers are connected to the main unit it functions like any other wireless Bluetooth speaker. However, there is no support for Airplay. If you remove the satellites and turnoff the sound field effect you get three speakers playing the same thing. It's a nice way to fill a room with ambient music for get togethers.

Who is this device for?

Someone with deep pockets who wants to improve the audio experience when watching movies on a tablet, phone, or PC. It is kind of cool sitting on your bed watching something on your personal device in surround sound. But at $500, I think the market for this device is small.

Podcast #1109: Are We at Peak TV? Jul 28, 2023

This week we ask if we are at “Peak TV”. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

DoItForMe Solutions
Samsung’s The Wall Completes Luxurious Home Theater - Phil Truby

Are We at Peak TV?

Listener Stan from Pittsburg sent the following email that we wanted to discuss in some detail.

This article has me wondering whether the days of significantly improving TV technology will end in the near future. Why spend money on technology upgrades or picture quality when there is more money to made by turning cheap televisions into advertising platforms. For videophiles, maybe there will only be one or two brands with fewer high picture quality models to choose from with much higher prices. I hope I am wrong.

What do the HT Guys think?

LG is transforming its TV business – expect more ads & services - FlatpanelsHD

Thanks for the great podcast.

Stan Liang

Pittsburgh Pa

Podcast #1108: SAG/WGA Strike Jul 21, 2023

This week take a deep dive into the SAG and WGA strike. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

CLZ movie database

What does the WGA and SAG strike mean and how will it affect TV and Movie Production

This marks the first time since 1960 that both unions are on strike simultaneously. Here is a list of the issues;

We're Fighting for the Survival of Our Profession

What striking members are not allowed to do:

No acting or singing or stunts.
No interviews to promote movies or shows.
No piloting on-camera aircraft
No puppeteering
No performance capture or motion capture work.
No re-recording dialogue, voice acting, narration and stunt coordination
No promoting new projects—including tours, personal appearances, and attendance at premieres and screenings
No Interviews, as well as podcast appearances and promotion on social media.
No awards campaigning, such as appearances at “for your consideration events,”
Actors cannot appear at any conventions, fan expos or festivals
Members must also “instruct their agent and/or other representatives to discontinue conducting negotiations on their behalf with the studios

Podcast #1107: Things that Bugged Me about The Walking Dead and Are We at peak TV Jul 14, 2023

This week Ara explains why he gave up on “The Walking Dead” and we ask if we are at “Peak TV” we also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

The Entire Timeline of The Walking Dead and its new spinoffs explained

It’s been a really, really long time since that fateful day when Rick Grimes woke up to an apocalyptic nightmare in 2010. How long, exactly? Let’s dive into The Walking Dead’s timeline and figure out what’s going on. Timeline here…

Things that bugged me about The Walking Dead:

Not once in the seven seasons I watched the show did anyone try to locate short wave radio and make contact beyond their local area.
While I understand food was available in the urban areas, why not try to get out to areas of the country that were not populated.
When a living being dies they decompose in a few months. Why then do the walking dead not decompose but stay intact until their heads are blown off
The walking dead slow down in cold weather. Why not go north in the winter and clear out huge swaths of land/city and build defenses that walking dead can’t get through?
There are very few animals. If they didn’t turn into the walking dead animals, where did they go?

Are you at Peak TV?

Many consumers are either at or near their maximum number of TV services and do not plan to spend any more money on subscriptions. Full article here…

Podcast #1106: Update on the "Telly" TV and the Best 75" TV Jul 07, 2023

This week we found out more about the Free Telly TV and their user agreement. We give you three options for the best 75 inch TV and we read your email and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

More Info on the Telly TV User’s Agreement and Other Details

Originally planned to ship at the end of June it has not happened nor has a new ship date been announced. However, the company plans to start contacting the first recipients in the coming weeks. Presuming everything goes according to plan
Telly’s chief strategy officer Dallas Lawrence said. “Beta Users are leaving the bottom screen on and we anticipate this will only increase as the second screen becomes the unifying smart hub in the household, connecting all of your smart devices from music to news to voice assistants and more.”
Telly announced that new DIRECTV STREAM customers will receive priority when it comes to being selected to receive one of the company’s free smart TVs.
No Blocking Second Screen - If a Telly user does block the secondary screen, which displays advertisements as well as news and sports headlines, weather reports, and other information, they’d be violating the Telly service agreement and could potentially face a stiff fine.
Telly owners must use the dual-screen TV as the “primary TV in the household in the living room

Best 75-Inch TVs for 2023: LG, TCL, Samsung and More Tested and Reviewed

There's a lot to consider when it comes to buying a new TV, including the display type, resolution, operating system and more. But the most important factor is the size. And here at CNET, our general advice is that bigger is usually better, especially if you're looking to get the most bang for your buck. To help you find the right big-screen TV for your needs and your budget, we've rounded up some of the best 75-inch TVs on the market right now. Full article here…

TCL 75R655 Best 75-inch TV for the money $1275 at Amazon

For the last five years the TCL 6-Series has been our favorite TV for the money, and the newest version -- also known as the R655 series -- is no exception. This TV has an excellent image thanks to mini-LED tech and well-implemented full-array local dimming that helps it run circles around just about any other TV at this price. It improves upon the previous R635 series with improved gaming extras and a new center-mount stand that you can elevate to make room for a soundbar. And finally, the Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite

LG OLED77C2P Best high-end 77-inch for the money $2746 at Amazon

The C2 represents the pinnacle of picture quality at a price that's admittedly high, but not too crazy. It beats any non-OLED TV on this list, including the Samsung QN90B below, with its perfect black levels, unbeatable contrast and superb off-angle viewing. It also has superb gaming features, making it the perfect companion to an Xbox Series X or S, PlayStation 5 or both. The C2 comes in a variety of sizes as well, although the bigger models are expensive.

Vizio M75QXM-K03 Best 75-inch picture for tighter budgets $998 at Amazon

The Vizio MQX is one of the least expensive TVs to feature full-array local dimming, which lets it reproduce TV shows, movies and games with enough contrast and pop to do HDR justice. The MQX has fewer dimming zones than more expensive TVs like the TCL 6-Series -- 42 on the 75-inch size -- but that's more than enough for excellent overall picture quality, with bright highlights, dark black levels, punchy contrast and accurate color.

Podcast #1105: Amazon's New Internet Service and Prime Smart Home Products Jun 30, 2023

This week we look at Amazon’s new home Internet service as well as a sneak peak at the best early Prime Day smart home products. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Everything We Know About Amazon’s New Home Internet Service, Including Price & Launch Date

The deadline for Amazon to have an operational home internet service is coming up fast. Well, it may be a few years away there is a lot to do to meet the FCC deadline or risk losing the spectrum it needs.

This new home internet service from Amazon is currently code-named Project Kuiper. According to Amazon’s CEO, it is now one of the main focuses of the company. Full Article here…

From Smart Speakers to Smart Plugs, These Are the Best Early Prime Day Smart Home Deals So Far

Amazon devices, Philips Hue lights, Kasa plugs, and even iRobot Roomba vacuums are on sale ahead of Prime Day 2023. Full article here…

Vacation Message Jun 23, 2023

No show this week as we take some time away with our families. We’ll be back next week!

Podcast #1104: New Apple Music Features - Bestjoy Super Remote - Cable TV Turns 75 Jun 16, 2023

This week we take a look at six new features that Apple Music is getting and we give you our take on the BestJoy Super Remote. Unfortunately we’re still looking for a Harmony Replacement. Did you know Cable TV is 75 years old this month? We look back at where cable started and where it is now. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Apple Music is getting 6 new features

Apple Music subscribers are set to see several new free features when they update to iOS 17 later this year. Full Article Here…

Collaborative Playlists
Take over your car’s radio with SharePlay
Apple Music Sing gets a camera
Go backstage with Song Credits
Access all Apple Music radio shows
Apple Music’s new look and other small updates

The Bestjoy Super Remote

The Bestjoy Super Remote SR001 ($160) is a super remote control that combines audio and video control and can control a series of home devices such as air conditioners, lights and curtains, providing a simpler configuration process and a more powerful functional experience.

I had the following issues:

There were no Volume Up or down buttons for my Yamaha receiver. I did have the remote learn their commands and they worked fine.
I found selecting activities to be a bit confusing likewise I felt switching between devices was cumbersome.
For the price that this remote costs I would expect that an activity with a TV, streamer, and receiver would automatically select the appropriate buttons on the remote.
Programming the remote is too cumbersome and non-intuitive

Cable Turns 75 this Month

The beginning of cable TV goes back to June of 1948 when John Walson set up an antenna on top of a mountain near the city of Mahanoy City, PA. From there he strung a cable down the mountain to a point in the city that allowed TV signals to be received by homes that connected to it. That essentially was the first cable service in the United States. Believe it or not, that “cable” company is still running today.

1948 - FCC freezes new broadcasting licenses and cable grows considerably.

1962 - FCC prevents cable companies from importing signals from far away, halting the industry in its tracks.

1972 - HBO is launched as the nation's first pay-TV network. Cable is back in business!

1976 - WTBS is launched. broadcasting from Atlanta and using satellites to become the nation's first superstation. The Atlanta Braves gain fans from all over the country.

1984 - Congress passes the Cable Communications Policy Act, loosing restrictions and appropriating funds for continued growth. Cable grew so rapidly that by 1990, there were more than 50 million subscribers across the country and at least 79 networks, an increase from just 28 at the beginning of the decade. Some of the networks that launched during this time included: Showtime Nickelodeon, USA Network, ESPN, CNN, MTV, The Disney Channel, AMC, FX

1990 - Cable subscribers reach 50 million and there are at least 79 networks available to consumers.

1992 - Congress passes the Cable Television Consumer Protection Act that freezes prices and requires cable companies to carry local channels for free.

2000 - 2007 - The average cable subscriber has access to more than 50 channels. To fuel growth, things such as high-definition broadcasting, DVR service, on-demand programming, premium channels, interactive guides, and much more became new features and eventually standards. Cable companies begin to add high-speed internet which may have hastened the cable company’s demise as a TV provider. It also may be what saves them as a viable company.

2007 - Netflix launches its streaming platform, setting the stage for the current upheaval and uncertainty in the industry.

Podcast #1103: Get the Most out of Your UHDTV and the Apple Vision Pro Jun 09, 2023

This week we look at 9 tips that will get the most out of your LG C3 and G3 OLED TVs. These tips can find equivalents on pretty much any UHD TV. And Apple introduced its challenger into the VR goggle arena with the Apple Vision Pro. Will it succeed? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

9 Essential (But Simple) Tips To Get The Best Out Of Your LG OLED TV

Easy picture setting changes for the new LG C3 and G3 and by extension all UHD TVs. Full article…

Apple Vision Pro

Watch the Video

So what is the Apple Vision Pro? Quoting Apple’s video its "a revolutionary spatial computer that seamlessly blends digital content with the physical world." Apple has developed a new operating system that features a three dimensional interface. So this is much more than a VR gaming headset, although you can game with it. I have to say, it's got me intrigued enough to consider spending the $3,499 as a late Christmas gift to myself. It will be available in Apple retail stores in the U.S. only in early 2024.

From Apple:

A singular piece of three-dimensionally formed and laminated glass is polished to create an optical surface that acts as a lens for the wide array of cameras and sensors needed to blend the physical world with digital content. The glass flows into the custom aluminum alloy frame that gently curves around the user’s face, while the modular system allows for a tailored fit to accommodate a wide range of people. The Light Seal is made of a soft textile, and comes in a range of shapes and sizes, flexing to conform to a user’s face for a precise fit. Flexible straps ensure audio remains close to the user's ears, while a Head Band — available in multiple sizes — is three-dimensionally knitted as a single piece to provide cushioning, breathability, and stretch. The band is secured with a simple mechanism, making it easy to change to another size or style of band.

You control the Vision Pro with your eyes, hands, and voice. You can browse through apps by simply looking at them, tapping your fingers to select, flicking your wrist to scroll, or using voice to dictate. It also supports Apple's Magic Keyboard and Magic Trackpad.

It has an ultra-high-resolution display system with 23 million pixels across two micro-OLED displays – more than a 4K for TV for each eye. Vision Pro uses high-speed cameras and a ring of LEDs that project invisible light patterns onto the user's eyes to track gaze. The headset also contains the M2 chip paired with a new "R1" chip, dedicated toward real-time sensor processing.

It also has a new Spatial Audio system with two individually amplified drivers inside each audio pod, which delivers Personalized Spatial Audio based on the user's own head and ear geometry. It can match the sound to an environment using audio ray-tracing. The headset is capable of running for two hours on a single charge.

Podcast #1102: Netflix Password Sharing - Best OLEDs - Wifi 6E Jun 02, 2023

This week we help you find ways around the Netflix password sharing crackdown and we look at the best OLED TVs according to Tom’s Guide and we help you decide if an upgrade to wifi 6E is in order. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news stories.

News:

Other:

Three crafty ways YOU can get around Netflix's crackdown on password sharing

Netflix finally cracked down on password sharing this week, sending 'freeloaders' hysterical — but savvy users have already come up with an easy workaround. Full article …

Just don’t log on to Netflix via your smart TV or streaming box - Netflix defines what they think of as your household by the preferences you manage on the main TV you use, whether it's a smart TV, like Roku, or a streaming box, like AppleTV or Amazon Fire Stick.
Set-up auto-forwarding for the email verification codes - Netflix set up a roadblock and sends the account's primary owner a verification code every time they or someone else tries to log on from a new wireless network. There are many easy ways to have all those verification number emails, from info@account.netflix.com, auto-forwarded to your distant, beloved household members and friends
Log-in on the account holder's Wi-Fi - Because Netflix uses the IP address and wireless of the primary account holder as part of its definition of the household, you should be in great shape if you can log into Netflix, at least once in while, from the Wi-Fi connection at the account owner's home.

Best OLED TVs in 2023: LG, Samsung, Sony and more

The best OLED TVs are coveted for their excellent picture reproduction, phenomenal motion processing and top-of-the-line upscaling. With unbeatable black levels and perfect contrast, they offer a cinema-like experience for not that much more money than a traditional LED-LCD or QLED TV. Full article here…

Wifi 6E Do you Need it?

Wifi is a big part of our home theaters. Not everyone has a wired connection at every entertainment area or speaker location. So wifi picks up the slack. As we have seen first hand, too many devices result in some wonky wifi. And with so many devices requiring a network connection we need some way to get all our devices connected. Is Wifi 6E the solution?

So what is Wifi 6E? Well for this we have to go back to April of 2020 when the FCC opened up the 6GHz frequencies for unlicensed use. That opened up 21 new channels for compatible devices to use! If you are using a Wifi 6 device you are still fighting over the 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies although it makes better use of them.

What are the benefits?

Speed > 1Gbps
Latency
Only devices that support Wifi 6E are here. 2.4 and 5 GHz frequencies are used on all other wifi protocols
WPA 3 is mandatory for all Wi-Fi 6(E) Certified. As a result, 6GHz WiFi traffic is more secure than ever and 6GHz networks are harder to hack.
Wifi Sleeping allows devices to go to sleep and free up the spectrum for other devices. This also increases battery life

What devices are supported? (Partial List)

Google Pixel 6 and 6 Pro
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra
Xiaomi Mi 11
Galaxy Z Fold 3 5G
MacBook Pro (14-inch, 2023) or MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2023)
Mac mini (2023)
iPad Pro 11-inch (4th generation) or iPad Pro 12.9 inch (6th generation)
Netgear Orbi Wi-Fi 6E $1100
Netgear Nighthawk RAXE500 $550
Linksys Atlas Max 6E $800
TP-Link Archer AXE75 $180 (no Mesh system available)

Do you need it?

If you are a gamer and want super low latency and don’t have a hard wired setup, yes. If you have an entertainment center and have no way of physically connecting to the network, maybe. You’ll only get the benefit if your TV or set top box supports it. You may be better off waiting until more devices support it and prices come down. However, for more basic, household use, a typical mesh system will work just fine.

Podcast #1101: HBO Max is Now Just Max - LG C2 OLED - Canceled TV Shows May 26, 2023

This week HBO Max is now just Max. Ara gives his impressions of his LG C2 OLED and we look at the shows that were canceled at the end of this season. We also read your emails and go through the week’s news.

News:

Other:

HBO Max is now Max

If you’re a current subscriber, your account should switch over automatically.
If you’re not a subscriber and you want to take a look at all the changes, can you can get a 7 day trial
4K ATMOS Dolby Vision - Checked out Shazam. Looked quite impressive but a few fast pans stuttered. Otherwise it looked and sounded quite good
I ended up canceling my Discovery+ subscription since the same content is available with your Max subscription
You can download titles for offline viewing. This was not possible with Discovery+ although it looks like this has been added to the Discovery app. I haven’t checked for this feature in a while so it may have been possible for a while now

Max subscription plans

Ad-Lite

Ad-Free

Ultimate

Monthly price

$10

$16

$20

Number of screens you can watch at the same time

Number of offline downloads

100

HD available

Yes

4K Ultra HD available

Yes

LG C2 OLED

42” $900 up to 83” for $3950
α9 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K adapts to the content you're watching, automatically adjusting the TV's settings for improved picture and sound quality
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG
webOS
Google Assistant / Alexa

We have come a long way in TV design and technology. The TV that the C2 replaced was a very old Samsung 720p LCD. The screen size was 37” and the TV barely fit into an armoir in our bedroom. The new LG C2 OLED is 42 inches and fits in the same area with no issues. The larger screen made a huge difference. The picture is stunning, clear, and sharp.

I used the image presets as this TV is primarily used for night time viewing. I settled on ISF night mode. It seems a bit cool for my liking so I will probably tweak it to warm up the image. The color is quite good. LG claims the Evo panel’s color saturation to be around 100% of the DCI-P3 color space. Other reviewers have noticed that the color desaturates with off angle viewing. In my very informal tests, this was barely noticeable to my eye. If I hadn’t read anything about it I probably wouldn't have even noticed. But keep this in mind if you have seating that is off angle. Regardless, it's a ten fold improvement over the LCD it replaced.

I have yet to really play with LG’s filmmaker mode but even without it the TV has an incredible picture. The only thing I can compare it against was my old Panasonic plasma but much better.

I didn’t do anything with the sound beyond the standard as it is typically watched at night so the sound is not usually at a loud level. If you buy a larger version of this TV we would recommend just connecting to a soundbar or better yet, a full fledged audio system.

webOS has almost all the apps you’ll need including IPTV providers with the exception of DirecTV Stream. If you are only streaming movies and some live TV, there is no need for an external box. But if there are some special news and information apps that your streaming box has it's easy enough to switch between the two.

The LG Magic Remote wasn’t very magical in my opinion. I mean as a regular remote it worked well. But the pointer version was just not precise enough for my liking. The remote has a microphone that allows you to search for content with your voice. There are dedicated buttons to take you directly to Netflix, Disney Plus, Prime Video, and Rakuten. There are even dedicated buttons for the Google Assistant and Alexa.

LG sells higher end models but if you are moving from a LCD based TV you will be really impressed with this TV. Save some money and go with the C2 model!

TV Shows that were Canceled after this Season

The list of returning shows is quite large so we thought it would be better to just give you a list of the shows that were canceled this season. Our source for this information is TV Guide

ABC

The Goldbergs: Ending with Season 10

CBS

NCIS: Los Angeles: Ending with Season 14

NBC

The Blacklist: Ending with Season 10
Kenan: Canceled after two seasons

Fox

Duncanville: Canceled after three seasons
Monarch: Canceled after one season
The Resident: Canceled after six seasons

The CW

DC's Stargirl: Ending with Season 3
Tom Swift: Canceled after one season

Disney+

Big Shot: Canceled after two seasons
Mighty Ducks: Game Changers: Canceled after two seasons
The Mysterious Benedict Society: Renewed for Season 2
National Treasure: Edge of History: Canceled after one season
Willow: Canceled after one season

Paramount+

Blood & Treasure: Canceled after two seasons
Why Women Kill: Canceled despite previous Season 3 renewal

Peacock

Queer as Folk: Canceled after one season
Rutherford Falls: Canceled after two seasons

Podcast #1100: How Long until Cable and Satellite go Full IPTV May 19, 2023

This week we have a big show for you! We announce the winner of our speaker giveaway, talk about the “Telly”, a free TV with a second screen for ads. We also take our monthly look at the RTINGS.COM longevity tests and finally we discuss why cable companies may want to forgo hardware and just go IPTV. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Winner of Reclaimed wood Speakers - Russell Cain Bastrop, Texas

The streaming wars are over, and it’s time for media to figure out what’s next

I’m calling it. The Streaming Wars are over. 2019-2023. RIP.

The race between the biggest media and entertainment companies to add streaming subscribers, knowing consumers will only pay for a limited number of them, is finished. Sure, the participants are still running. They’re just not trying to win anymore. Full article here…

Key points:

The media and entertainment industry is currently focused on raising prices and cutting costs.
Disney lost 4 million Disney+ subscribers in the quarter, most of which came from India.
At some point, the industry will need a new growth narrative. The most obvious candidate is gaming.

RTINGS.COM Longevity Test Update

How long until Cable and Satellite go 100% IPTV?

WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, a leading broadband services provider, today announced the company has signed an agreement with Google to offer YouTube TV as its dedicated live television offering. Through this partnership, consumers can purchase WOW!'s fastest, most reliable Internet, together with the industry-leading YouTube TV service, all on one convenient WOW! monthly bill. Full Press Release…

Podcast #1099: Bluetooth Turntables and FAST TV May 12, 2023

This week we ask whether you really need a Bluetooth enabled turntable and are products like the Anker X600 Boombox going to turn off people to “Spatial” audio. Finally, we look into FAST TV services. We also read your emails and the week’s news!

News:

Other:

Bluetooth Turntable - Yes or No?

The Audio Technica AT-LPW50PB (MSRP $449) is a fully manual, belt-drive turntable designed to give you optimal high-fidelity audio reproduction from vinyl. It features an anti-resonance 30 mm thick MDF (medium density fiberboard) plinth, with a high-gloss, piano-black finish, to dampen low-frequency acoustical feedback, and a sensor-monitored motor to ensure accurate platter rotation speeds of 33-1/3 and 45 RPM.

Listener Question about the Anker x600 “Boom Box

We received the following email from an anonymous listener and felt it warranted further discussion

Anker Motion X600

Pluto TV

For a while now we have been asking who would watch FAST TV. FAST stands for Free Ad-Supported Streaming Television. And there are a lot of ways to get it. This week Ara decided to download Pluto.TV and check it out for himself.

The first thing you notice is that the interface is similar to any of the other IPTV services. Pluto’s channels are grouped by category. Food, Sports, Music, Entertainment, and the list goes on. They even have an on demand section that is a mixture of classics like In Harm’s Way with John Wayne to more modern fare like 13 hours. They have game shows, home improvement, cooking, sports and the list goes on. There is no shortage of content.

There are plenty of news channels but not all localities are covered. For instance, Los Angeles has one local news station. And there are no live sports that we could find. Regardless, you can’t beat the price of free! Just today the NHL announced that it is creating a FAST channel to be distributed first to Roku and then other providers. It will contain content from the NHL’s past games, playoffs, and all star games.

Pluto, like other FAST services, are supported on just about every platform from phones to tablets and set top boxes and many TVs.

We can’t see any downside because the price is perfect! Free. Download all the services and you will always find something to watch.

Podcast #1098: ATSC 3.0 Encryption - Sony TV Pricing and Apple's VR Headset May 05, 2023

This week we look at a new technology that may transform the earbuds you currently own. Also, Sony released pricing on their new 2023 models and would you watch sports with a VR headset? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

The future of audio? World’s first solid-state speakers may transform earbuds

Solid state drives transformed computer storage, offering greater capacity that proved cheaper and more reliable. And much smaller! You might not have heard about it, but solid-state tech also handily changed the market for condenser mics, offering smaller devices that are easier to incorporate with other circuits. They’re just better – and cheaper. Full article here…

Sony releases its 2023 TV prices

If you’re in the market for a new TV and you’ve been patiently waiting to see how much Sony is asking for its 2023 models (and when you can buy them), today’s the day you find out. Unless of course, you’ve been waiting to see what Sony wants for its latest flagship, the A95L 4K QD-OLED. In that case, we’re the bearers of bad news: That model, in all three of its planned sizes (55-, 65-, and 77-inches,) is still MIA, and Sony hasn’t indicated when that will change. Full article here…

Apple's VR Headset Could Immerse You in Sports

The Apple VR/AR mixed reality headset is one of those products that's perpetually rumored but never seems to materialize — though it sounds like that's about to change. With Apple's WWDC 2023 looming, we could finally get an official glimpse at this device, rumored to be shipping later this year. Full article here…

Podcast #1097: Should you Buy a LG C3 OLED and a Speaker Giveaway Apr 28, 2023

This week we have four reasons to buy and three reasons to skip the LG C3 OLED and the top 5 TV picks for all budgets. We also read your emails and the week’s news!

News:

Other:

HT Guys Custom Reclaimed Wood Speaker Giveaway

4 Reasons To Buy And 3 Reasons To Skip the LG C3 OLED

With the LG C3 OLED starting to make its way into the wild, you might now be faced with a tough decision — should you buy LG’s new OLED TV or should you skip it? Full article here…

Reasons to buy the LG C3 OLED

The new Alpha a9 Gen 6 is a better processor
WebOS 23 lets you customize your picture without paying for calibration
Color and brightness are big improvements on older OLED TVs
It’s a great TV for gamers

Reasons to Skip the LG C3 OLED

It has lower brightness than LG G3 OLED
You won’t find an ATSC 3.0 tuner here
It’s more expensive than the LG C2 OLED

Tom’s Guide top 5 TV picks for all Budgets

Having covered tech and games full-time for the last decade now, I’ve spent a lot of time in front of a TV. Some of those TVs weren’t anything special — they were just run-of-a-mill LED-LCD TVs that didn't even have VRR or HDR — but these days, I only spend my time in front of the best TVs. Because I’m lucky enough to see all these screens first-hand, I’ve developed a real fondness for a few of them. Full Article Here…

Podcast #1096: Netflix to End Physical Disc Rentals Apr 21, 2023

This week Tom’s Guide reviews the Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TVs and Kef introduces their THX certified in-wall speakers. Then we go through the Netflix Timeline from start through the latest announcement that they are ending physical disc rentals. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV review: An outstanding value

The Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV is one of the least expensive TVs on the market, and it offers few fancy bells and whistles. But with a good smart interface and HDR color and sound capabilities unusual for its class, it’s a surprisingly good budget buy. Full article here…

Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV 55-inch (55R6A5R): $499.99
Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV 65-inch (65R6A5R): $649.99
Roku Plus Series 4K QLED TV 75-inch (75R6A5R): $999.99

Kef THX Certified In-wall Speakers (for the dare to dream crowd)

Create the ultimate home cinema experience with the latest additions to KEF’s impressive architectural speaker range; the first THX® Certified Dominus speaker from KEF, the Ci5160REFM-THX, as well as the Ci3160REFM-THX which is THX® Certified Ultra for high-impact cinema sound. These in-wall Ci-Reference speakers create a new level of entertainment in which movie lovers are enveloped in life-like sound and transported to a deeper, more thrilling audio experience.

Ci5160REFM-THX key features:

KEF’s first THX® Certified Dominus speaker – the powerful THX performance class for the largest private cinema spaces
Metamaterial Absorption Technology eliminates 99% of high-frequency distortion for pure, natural sound
Bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT driver array for exceptional acoustic accuracy
Four 160mm (6.5in.) bass drivers optimised for in-wall use
11mm thick precision-machined aluminium baffle designed to eliminate vibration and allows the drivers to perform at their best
Discreet design with best-in-class performance
Available in Aluminium Black/Grey finish
Paintable magnetic metal grille that fits effortlessly into the interior
Optional black cloth grille available as separate item

Ci3160REFM-THX key features:

THX® Certified Ultra for high impact cinema sound
Metamaterial Absorption Technology eliminates 99% of high-frequency distortion for pure, natural sound
Bespoke 12th generation Uni-Q with MAT driver array for exceptional acoustic accuracy
Two 160mm (6.5in.) bass drivers optimised for in-wall use
Discreet design with best-in-class performance
Available in Aluminium Black/Grey finish
Paintable magnetic metal grille that fits effortlessly into the interior
Optional black cloth grille available as separate item

Price and Availability:

Ci5160REFM-THX: [USD10,999.99 each]/ [Available now on http://kef.com]
Ci3160REFM-THX: [USD7,999.99 each]/ [Available now on http://kef.com]

Timeline of Netflix

Wikipedia Timeline of Netflix

Podcast #1095: Best Passive Bookshelf Speakers and is 1080p HDR all you Need Apr 14, 2023

This week we look at the best passive bookshelf speakers under $600. We also revisit the RTINGS.com long term burn in investigation and we ask the question, “Is 1080p with HDR all we really need?” Pulse we read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Other:

HT Guys Music Playlist on Spotify

The best passive bookshelf speakers for most people

We tested a bunch of five to six-inch speakers under $600 and picked our favorite. Full article here…

Longevity Burn-In Investigative Paths After 3 Months

RTINGS.com has been running a long term longevity test and we are more than three months in. The TVs are at 2400 hours of run time. If you watch your TV about 5 hours a day that’s equivalent to almost a year and a half in just over three months. So what are they finding? Here are just some highlights. RTINGS.com has a very thorough investigation and explanation found in the article link: Longevity Burn-In Investigative Paths After 3 Months

Three partial TV failures and one complete failure. The Samsung S95B OLED completely failed while the Hisense U7G, Sony X95J, and LG G2 OLED were deemed partial failures.
Both QD-OLED displays are showing signs of potential permanent image retention
Some of the Sony WOLED displays are also showing burn-in ( A8H, A80K, A80J, A90J, and A90K). After running a pixel refresh video they were able to nearly eliminate all image retention on the Sony A8H, A80K, and A90J. The Sony A80J and A90K, however, don't look any better, and it looks like this is a permanent burn-in on these two TVs.
There were significant brightness fluctuations on a handful of TVs. While some of this variation can be explained by the margin of error of the test equipment, a few TVs warranted a deeper look to determine what was going on.

HDR: Simply Better Pixels

Do We Really Need 4K if HDR is So Good? SMPTE Life Fellow Mark Schubin has compared formats, frame rates and HDR to show what provided the best data option. Full article here…

I asked Matthew Goldman, senior director, Media Engineering & Architecture for Sinclair Broadcast Group. and Tim Walker, senior product manager at AJA Video Systems the same visual quality question: With all things being equal, on a scale from 1 to 10, if 1080p SDR is a 1 and 4K HDR is a 10, where would you place 1080p HDR and 4K SDR?

Both answered exactly the same: 1080p HDR sits at 8, while 4K SDR sits at 4

Podcast #1094: New Pioneer Elite - Spatial Audio for Cars - End of Mini LED Apr 07, 2023

This week Pioneer introduces a new flagship receiver, the LX805, and we discuss whether Spatial Audio makes sense for cars and if Mini LEDs are on their way out. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

HT Guys Listen to their Vinyl Collection

Pioneer Elite Introduces New AVR For Elevating Audio Experiences

Pioneer Elite® is pleased to introduce a flagship audio video receiver (AVR) to its line up of advanced electronics that provides exceptional audio performance and studio-level processing for the discerning AV enthusiast. Packed with the most advanced immersive audio technologies, the all-new Elite VSX-LX805 11.4, 150 watt-per-channel network receiver has been meticulously engineered for enhanced immersive audio experiences. Full Press Release…

Spatial Audio makes more sense in a car than a living room, says Cambridge Audio

Spatial Audio makes more sense in a car than a home speaker, at the moment, says Cambridge Audio CEO, Stuart George.

George told What Hi-Fi? during an interview for our British Hi-Fi Week 2023 that, while the company is very interested in Spatial Audio, Cambridge Audio is only considering it for use in cars. Full article here…

Mini-LED TVs are hot right now — but a new report has bad news

OLED TVs like the LG C3 OLED and LG G3 OLED still have a long life ahead of them, but Mini-LED TVs like the Sony Bravia X95K and Samsung QN95B QLED… well, their time at the top of our best TV page could be coming to an end. Full article here…

Podcast #1093: Interview with Jeff Baron LA Underground DJ Mar 31, 2023

This week we have an interview with Jeff Baron, former DJ at KPFK Los Angeles around 1968, then KPPC-FM Pasadena in the early 70s and finally KMPX San Francisco also early 70s. We also read your emails and read the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Jeff started at KPFK Los Angeles around 1968, then KPPC-FM Pasadena in the early 70s and finally KMPX San Francisco also early 70s

Podcast #1092: A Speaker Selection Journey Mar 24, 2023

This week we go on a speaker evaluation journey with Ara and his daughter. But not before we read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Other:

JBL Speaker Makeover but I didn’t have a tweeter.

Bought Dayton Audio DC25T-8 1" Titanium Dome Tweeter for $17 a piece.

These tweeters are very efficient, 93db vs 88db for the entire 2500.

This mismatch was very off putting. The tweeter was overpowering the woofer and it was fatiguing to listen to.

So I researched how to reduce the high frequencies otherwise known as Tweeter attenuation

Tweeter attenuation is the reduction of voltage & power to a tweeter to decrease its volume output. This is usually done with a resistor network with values chosen to match the expected load of a stereo, amplifier, or speaker crossover.

Essentially what I did was cut the positive (red) lead and insert a resistor. There is a formula that is used to determine how much attenuation a specific resistor value achieves

So I bought a few resistors and went through the process of removing the tweeter and clipping in a resistor and listening. I used alligator clips during the testing phase and I soldered the final result and shrink wrapped the connection.

In my case I ended up with a 5 ohm resistor which resulted in a 9 db attenuation. So now the speaker is no longer excessively bright and the Dayton Audio tweeters are much better than the JBL titanium tweeters. There was much more detail and just the right amount of “brightness”.

You can do this if you have speakers that are bright as well. But you probably won’t need to go as high a value as I did since the mismatch was so large. Speakers are designed to work together so if the speakers are bright they were designed that way. But even still if you love you speakers but want to tame them a bit you can easily do this.

I created a video that I uploaded to YouTube. It's not a how to but it visually shows you what i am talking about. I even try to record the before and after using a good microphone. But it's impossible to hear the difference. In person the difference is dramatic. Just make sure you use audio grade resistors. Part Express has plenty and they are a couple of dollars each.

Once I had everything dialed in I wanted to do a blind listening test. For that I asked my daughter to be the guinea pig. She accepted and got a huge lesson in auditioning speakers. The speakers being auditioned:

JBL 2500 (Ara Redo all JBL components)
JBL 2500 (Ara Redo wit DA Tweeter and 5 ohm resistor)
JBL LX22 (Ara Redo)
CSS Audio Criton 2D Kit
Ascend Acoustics Sierra 1 (Ara Redo all Ascend Acoustics components)

We listened to the identical parts of each song on all speakers.

First Test

I asked her to pick a song that she liked. I don’t remember the name but it was by a band called Camino. I played it on all five different speakers and asked her if she had a favorite. To me it sounded terrible on all speakers. The mix was a jumble of sounds that was just bad. She actually agreed but selected the Ascend Acoustics as the best worst sounding example of crappy music. That was me editorializing.

Second Test

The first minute of “Wish You Were Here” by Pink Floyed. Wow! What a difference. I could see on my daughter's face that she was blown away by the imaging. The song starts out with an old timey AM radio feel in the right channel. Then when the effect disappears and the guitar comes up smack dab in the middle of your listening position. You just smile. I then start over and switch speakers. The other thing that I found interesting is that for most speakers she couldn’t tell which pair was on. By the end of the test, she started recognizing the characteristics of some of the speakers and was able to tell which ones were on. Test two goes to JBL 2500 with the DA tweeter.

We listened to seven total tracks with the results below:

Fifth of May by Zach Bryan - JBL 2500 with DA Tweeter
Dawns by Zach Bryan - JBL 2500 with DA Tweeter
Tin Pan Alley by SRV - CSS Audio (so much bass!)
Everything She Ain’t by Haily Whitters - JBL 2500 wit h DA Tweeter
I have Got You Under My Skin Live in Boston by Chris Botti featuring Katharine McPhee - Ascend Acoustics

In the end the JBL 2500 with the Dayton Audio tweeter was the speaker my daughter picked most. But all these speakers sounded really good. It really comes down to what kind of music you like listening to determine what speakers you will like. In reality all these speakers performed well. If you like bass heavy music then the CSS Audio speakers would be your go to. If you like clear detail then the Ascend Acoustics might be what you would go with. By the way, the CSS audio has great highs and the Ascend Acoustics has great lows. Just not as good as the other.

But what really surprised me is how well the modified JBL 2500 did against speakers costing $600 to $800 more. If you have any sort of wood working skills, you can build yourself some amazing speakers for a fraction of what you would pay for commercial products.

Our final recommendation is to consider the type of music you listen to and do research. Once you narrow it down, audition the speakers if possible. Take advantage of in home trials. Try to have them in the house at the same time and keep the ones that sound best. It's a lot of work but speakers practically last forever so choose wisely!

Podcast #109: Set up your Speakers Properly Mar 17, 2023

This week Ed Mullen and Nick Brown of SVS join the show to help you get the most out of your speakers. We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

Other:

For Bill, these are five great sounding vinyl records (in no specific order and not knowing his taste of music):

Any Dire Strait album
Fleetwood Mac - Rumors (Pallas Pressing)
Funkadelic - Maggot Brain
Dave Brubeck - Time Out
Radiohead - Ok Computer

Set up your Speakers Properly

A couple of months ago Stan from Pittsburgh sent us an email asking if we could do a feature on setting up speakers in rooms that may not be ideal. For that we turn to Ed Mullen Senior Director of Customer Service and Technology and Nick Brown Vice President of Marketing for SVS.

Home of the 45 day in home trial that includes free shipping and returns. Check out svsound.com for more details.

Podcast #1090: New Sony Bravia TVs and Why Movie Theaters Fail Mar 10, 2023

This week look at the new Sony Bravia line for 2023 and discuss why watching movies at home is better than in the cinema. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

HT Guys Music Testing Playlist

Sony 2023 Bravia TV

Sony Electronics Inc. announced its 2023 BRAVIA XR™ TV Lineup, with Cognitive Processor XR™, for the ultimate home entertainment experience. There are five new models in the BRAVIA XR line: X95L and X93L Mini LED, X90L Full Array LED, A95L QD-OLED and A80L OLED. All models are equipped with features to provide consumers with an immersive experience for watching movies, streaming apps, gaming and more. Full Press release…

2023 BRAVIA XR TVs have the updated Cognitive Processor XR, featuring the all new XR Clear Image on select models, which improves noise reduction and clarity with motion, reducing blur and creating scenes bursting with action. The Cognitive Processor XR enables better backlight control for increased local dimming zones, increased brightness and decreased blooming.

Additionally, each model offers Acoustic Center Sync, which synchronizes the TV's audio system with the center channel of a compatible Sony soundbar turning it into the center speaker for the ultimate, immersive at-home experience. For consumers looking for an even more immersive sound experience, each model also works with Sony soundbars to offer 360 Spatial Sound Mapping which generates phantom speakers and sound field optimization. New this year, the X95L features Acoustic Multi-Audio+™, using frame tweeters to elevate the sound in a way that matches the image on screen. The A95L and A80L models feature Acoustic Surface Audio+™ with actuators that vibrate to produce sound from the entire screen, perfectly matching with what's playing on screen.

The 2023 BRAVIA XR lineup also allows gamers to take their PlayStation® 5 gaming to the next level with exclusive features, including Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode, for optimized picture quality while gaming and streaming

Key BRAVIA XR lineup features:

Cognitive Processor XR with XR Clear Image: The Cognitive Processor XR replicates content the way people see and hear for an incredibly lifelike experience. The latest iteration of the Cognitive Processor XR for 2023 enters a new chapter in its development with advanced XR Clear Image. This technology further reduces noise and reduces blur in motion, creating scenes that burst with life.
Elevate the experience with Sony's sound products: Sony's new BRAVIA XR TVs are an excellent match for an array of Sony sound products, such as the HT-A9 Home Theater System or the HT-A7000, HT-A5000 and HT-A3000 soundbars. 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, a new frontier of spatial sound technology, is the latest addition to models HT-A7000 and HT-A5000. By calibrating sound to the chosen viewing room, the technology creates multiple optimally arranged phantom speakers for a wider and more immersive cinematic sound field.
Acoustic Center Sync: Pairs perfectly with Sony soundbars – Acoustic Center Sync synchronizes the TV speakers with select Sony soundbars and AV receivers to reinforce the center speaker channel for clearer, fuller dialogue and more immersive sound. When paired with Sony Home Audio products, consumers can expect a truly exceptional at-home movie viewing experience.
XR Backlight Master Drive and Mini LED: Powered by Cognitive Processor XR™, the XR Backlight Master Drive uses a Sony-developed local dimming algorithm to control thousands of tiny, ultra-dense Mini LEDs with absolute precision and independence, delivering extraordinary brightness, impressive dynamic range, deep blacks and beautifully natural colors.
Perfect for PlayStation® 5 and new Gaming functions: Gamers can take their PlayStation® 5 gaming to the next level with exclusive features Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Picture Mode that optimize picture quality while gaming and streaming. With the newly added Game Menu, it has never been easier to fine-tune gaming settings and assist functions. All the essentials are at the gamer's fingertips for on the fly adjustments. Additionally, the BRAVIA XR A95L features Multi View, making it easier than ever to watch walkthroughs side-by-side while the gamer plays their favorite titles.
BRAVIA CORE: The BRAVIA CORE app is a pre-loaded movie service that comes with five, 10 or 15 movie credits to watch the latest releases and popular classics and additional movies up to 24 months of unlimited streaming, with the purchase of a BRAVIA XR TV. With BRAVIA XR technology, Pure Stream™ and IMAX® Enhanced, content is delivered with stunning visuals and expressive sound quality. Featuring BRAVIA CORE Calibrated Mode, movies will automatically adjust to the optimal picture settings including IMAX® Enhanced mode to create a truly exceptional at-home movie viewing experience. Over time, the app experience will be enriched with new features.
Crunchyroll® remote button: The Crunchyroll remote button gives BRAVIA users one-touch access to one of the world's largest anime libraries, a collection of more than 18,000 hours of anime, comprising more than 44,000 episodes and feature films, translated in multiple languages. Simulcasting is also accessible, so Japanese titles can be watched from abroad following broadcast in Japan.
BRAVIA CAM: BRAVIA CAM can detect the viewer's position to optimize the picture and sound according to room environment and viewing distance.
Google TV: See 700,000+ movies and TV episodes, plus live TV, all in one place. Google TV brings everyone's favorite content from across apps and subscriptions and organizes them. Searching is easy- just ask Google. Try saying, "Hey Google, find action movies" to search across apps.
Built with sustainability in mind: During manufacturing, Sony is reducing overall plastic usage by approximately 60%, and is cutting emissions by approximately 15% by using smaller and lighter packaging during transportation.
All Eco settings in one place: The Eco dashboard keeps all user settings in one place, making it easier to change them individually or in one go. With the Easy Setup option, users can optimize settings for their viewing environment.

Pricing and Availability

Suggested retail price and retail availability will be announced in spring 2023. For more information on new Sony television models, please watch Sony's BRAVIA XR announcement video here or visit the BRAVIA XR website: https://electronics.sony.com/bravia-xr-TV.

To learn more about each US model, please visit the links below:

Bad Projection Is Ruining the Movie Theater Experience

Michelle Pfeiffer and Jonathan Majors look like crap. Usually, they’re two of the most radiant, dermatologically exceptional people in the world. But right now, they’re decrepit husks of themselves, their faces so drained of color that they could pass for cadavers. Full Article Here…

For quite some time we have been making the case that we prefer to watch movies at home. We have modest home theaters, nothing like the ones we show on our YouTube channel. However, in our modest theaters we have very large screens, Braden has an 86” Sony UHD and Ara has a 100” Optoma UST Projection system. We also have good speakers and sound systems to match. But come on, you seriously aren’t saying your audio and video quality are better than the cinema.

Getting back to the article, Jack Theakston, a projection specialist who works as a contractor at Dolby Laboratories and the article author visit flagship theaters and critique the experience. Jack immediately diagnoses the washed out issue: This is a 2-D showing of Ant-Man, but some neglectful employee has forgotten to remove the 3-D filter from the projector.

You can tell when it’s happening because if you look at the port-window glass, instead of a single image, you’ll see two, with one stacked on top of the other.” He points up to the booth behind us, and sure enough, there are two stacked beams.

So imagine you pay your hard earned money only to find that the movie looks like crap. Are you going to complain and see if someone can diagnose the issue? Would you ask for your money back?

The two go into another theater and find trailers that are playing on screen that’s creased and sagging. Almost as bad: The picture is trapezoidal instead of rectangular, a phenomenon known as keystoning, which happens when a projector is not set up perpendicular to the screen. It’s fixable with software, if one bothers to do it.

The two spending the day finding plenty of other issues;

A torn masking curtain
Out of calibration projectors
Noisy dine in service
Variable seat pricing

However, the Dolby consultant can look the other way on most issues with the exception of bad projection. “If a movie theater can’t perform its most basic function and deliver a sharp, well-lit image with the right colors and contrast, then we might as well knock it down and put up a bank.”

The pandemic hurt theaters but the problem started well before. Back in 2009 when theaters went digital. Chains and studios loved this because there were no more film that had to be shipped and threaded into projectors. Everything was beamed into the cinema and then to the projector. One projectionist could cover an entire cinema.

The new projectionist was more like an IT guy instead of a skilled technician who could maintain and troubleshoot issues like the washed out faces we discussed at the top of this feature.

One of the most common issues today are dim images. That’s because many of these projectors need new lamps that cost about $1500. Since cinemas are essentially broke they ride the old gear as long as they can, creating a situation where people can actually have a better experience at home.

Obviously this is not every theater, but enough to where people decide to stay home and stream. This starts the vicious cycle of cinemas not spending the money they need to in order to put out a quality product.

AMC announced that it will install laser projectors made by Barco in 3,500 of its U.S. theaters by 2026. These machines offer better brightness, colors, and contrast than standard digital projectors. They’re also bulb free and can run for 20,000 hours before needing a replacement. But by 2026 will it even matter?

So why doesn’t Hollywood do something about it. Jack argues that when there is a major hollywood premier the theater is gone through with a fine tooth comb to assure every aspect of the presentation is perfect. So our recommendation is, if you want to see a movie the way it was meant to be, go to a theater in Hollywood or New York. Otherwise get yourself a large OLED and have it professionally calibrated.

Podcast #1089: Freeform Radio of the 70s and 80s and Why Audio Reviewers Can't Hear Obvious Flaws Mar 03, 2023

This week we take a trip down memory lane and discuss Los Angeles free form radio from the 70s and 80s. We also discuss a technology that may make LCD TVs obsolete. And finally we talk about audio reviewers and whether it's worth listening to what they have to say. Plus we read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Other:

HT Guys Listener Playlist Thank you Joseph
MantelMount

Freeform Radio from the 1970s and 80s

The other day I was wondering about a DJ that used to work at KLOS in Los Angele. Her name was Linda McGinnis. She had a beautiful voice and was an excellent DJ. So I wondered if she was still on the radio someplace. As it turned out she had passed away in 2003. If you lived in San Diego or the Bay area during the 70’s and 80’s I am sure you heard her.

However, in doing my search I found a couple of recordings that some had done and digitized off of an old cassette tape and posted on the Internet. It was an hour of Linda’s daily show from October of 1981 replete with commercials of the day. It was a glorious trip down memory lane!

This started my trip down the rabbit hole! I found many other recordings from the DJs of KLOS and KMET all making me sad for the days when radio had true artists spinning the tunes. Back then, at least on freeform rock stations, DJs would curate music for you and help you discover artists and bands you never knew you needed to hear. For the past few days, I have been listening to these recordings in my car with a huge smile on my face.

Some DJs like Jim Ladd (from both KLOS and KMET fame) have freeform shows on Sirius radio. Jim can be found on Deep Tracks channel 27. Otherwise if you had a favorite DJ from your youth I recommend that you search his or her name and see if there are recordings from back in the day. You will thank me for this.

Surprisingly, Apple Music Radio is old school with it's DJs. My tastes have broadened to include country music so I listen to Apple Music Country and find their DJs are very much like the DJs of the 70s and 80s. They create sets based on their mood, time of year, or what their listeners are requesting. The DJs are in the industry and based in Nashville so they have their fingers on the pulse of what is happening in the country music scene.

I have discovered a bunch of country artists before everyone else in my circles. It's kind of fun being ahead of the curve like I was in highschool! I am giving my daughters music suggestions and they are wondering how on earth this old man knows about new artists before they do!!

I haven’t listened to the other Apple Music stations but I assume the same thing happens there. Do you have a favorite station that’s old school? Let us know because it's probably available through an app.

I am going to play about a minute of Linda on the radio. It made me sad and happy at the same time. Also, John in Cornwall there is a baseball comment in there that I hope you enjoy!

Linda McInnes, KLOS-FM Los Angeles, CA December 28, 1981 (Restored Unscoped)

Bob Coburn, Steve Downes, KLOS-FM Los Angeles, CA July 6, 1982-May 21, 1990 (Unscoped)

Meta-display concept could retire LCD panels in big-screen TVs

The metasurface display technology could replace the LCD layer in flat-screen televisions, bringing thinner panels, higher resolution, fast response times and lower power consumption. Full article here…

The metasurfaces are 100-times thinner than liquid crystal cells, offer a tenfold greater resolution and could consume less energy.
metasurface cells would replace the liquid crystal layer and would not require the polarisers, which are responsible for half of wasted light intensity and energy use in LCD displays.
The new technology pixels are made of silicon, which offer a long life span in contrast with organic materials required OLED. Moreover, silicon is widely available and cheap to produce.
The metasurface array could effectively just replace the liquid crystal layer in today's displays, which means manufacturers won't need to invest in brand new production lines to make panels.
The next phase of research will be building a large-scale prototype and generating images, which is hoped to be achieved within the next five years. Once the prototype has successfully generated high-definition images it is expected the technology will be integrated into flat screens and available to the public within the next 10 years.

A Room Full of Audio Reviewers Can't Hear Obvious Flaws

A couple months ago, I went to a press event I decided not to write about. The reason I demurred is that I could hear crackling and hiss coming out of the speakers when nothing was playing. But it occurred to me that no one else noticed that the system—a six-figure rig with some well known high-end gear in it—had the noise floor of a transistor radio playing static.

This is not the first or last time I've been in a room with audio reviewers who seemed to have no clue. I can recall one demo where the tweeter was blown on one of the speakers, and another where the source material turned out to be 96 kbps MP3.

No wonder some of these folks avoid double-blind tests like the plague.

Entire Thread on AVS Forum

Podcast #1088: Optimal Screen Size Feb 24, 2023

This week we ask the question, how big is too big? We discuss what is the optimal size screen for your viewing situation. We also give some recommendations for some large screen TVs. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

How Long Should A TV Last?

To try to answer this question, RTINGS.com decided to run 100 TVs that they still have in the lab from the last 2-3 years through a grueling 2-year accelerated longevity test to see how long they last. Each TV will run for either 20 or 15.5 hours per day, for a total of 126 hours per week, turning off eight times a day to simulate normal use. Every two months, they'll take uniformity and brightness measurements to see how they age over time and to look for any uniformity issues or change in brightness over time. Updates will be posted on their website (How Long Should A TV Last? Our 100 TV Accelerated Longevity Test - RTINGS.com) and their YouTube channel.

What is the Optimal Size and Placement of my 4K TV

We are asked from time to time what size TV should I buy for my room. We typically say, “No one has ever said I should have bought a smaller TV”. So we typically say buy the biggest one you can afford or that will fit in the room. No one has ever complained about this advice.

THX has some recommendations on how to calculate the optimal screen size for your room as well as where to place it. First let's take a look at placement. For optimal viewing, THX recommends that your line of sight be more or less aligned with the center of the screen. They suggest 15 degrees or less, above or below the center. Our recommendation is if the only place to mount the TV is over the fireplace, you should move!

For optimal distance from the screen in inches, divide the diagonal length by .835. So for a 70” screen the optimal distance is 7 feet (213 cm). The other way to use this formula is if you know the distance and want to calculate the optimal screen size if to take the distance in inches and multiply it by .835. So if you sit 10 feet (305 cm) away from where the screen would go, the optimal screen size is 100 glorious inches!

So what have we learned today? We learned that the HT guys have been successfully advising our listeners about screen size without the pesky use of math for years. Get the biggest size TV that you can afford that will fit in your room! Spouse approval optional. Just tell them Ara and Braden said it was OK.

Four Large TVs for under $1200 (Costco)

Samsung 75" - TU700D Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV $679.99

Features:

Smart TV Powered by Tizen
Crystal Processor 4K
Works with Alexa and Google Assistant
Crystal Display
3 Year Warranty + HDMI Cable

LG 75" Class - NANO80 Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV $899.99

Features:

α5 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K
Local Dimming
Active HDR10, HLG
$75 Streaming Service
Magic Remote

Sony 75" Class - X80CK Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV $1099.99

Features:

3 Year Manufacturer Warranty
1 yr. Bravia Core Streaming + 5 Movie Credits
Premium Backlit Remote w/ Finder Function
4K HDR Processor X1
TRILUMINOS PRO Color

LG 86" Class - UQ8000 Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV $1199.99

Features:

α7 Gen 5 AI Processor 4K
120 Hz Refresh Rate
AI Sound Pro
$75 Streaming Service
Magic Remote with NFC
Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan Bundle Included for 5 years of total coverage

Podcast #1087: Is ATSC Doomed to Fail? Feb 17, 2023

This week we take a look at what is next for the ATSC 3.0 transition and why we think it will not be as smooth as the ATSC 1.0 transition. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

What's Next for the ATSC 3.0 Transition?

Up until last week, all of the major parties involved in the transition from ATSC 1.0 to 3.0 appeared to be on the same page. Advocates touted the continuing progress in deployments, pointing to the fact that more than 60% of American TV households are capable of receiving NextGen TV. Although CES came and went with little news about NextGen TV, four of the world’s largest manufacturers now offer sets with 3.0 tuners with Sony making them available across its entire TV line. Full Article Here…

More Support Needed

NAB wants the FCC to promote ATSC 3.0 more prominently.
NAB’s highest priority request is that the FCC announce a cutoff similar to what it did with the ATSC 1.0 switchover.
ATSC 3.0 was announced in 2017.

A More Competitive Market

Touting the advantages of a standard that combines the flexibility of IP with far more efficient use of spectrum, the broadcasters told the commission that the deployment of 3.0 will help the industry better compete with streaming companies and similar Silicon Valley giants.
There were mandates in the early days of ATSC that required manufacturers to include ATSC 1.0 tuners in their products and to solve backward compatibility issues, ATSC converter boxes were available at no or little cost to consumers.
There were no streaming companies in 2009 that could produce a picture anywhere near what could be had OTA. Now 4K is everywhere. This makes it hard for broadcasters to compete.

Don’t Expect a Mandate

Today, support for a tuner mandate is practically non-existent. In the first transition, the CEA initially opposed the mandate but eventually manufacturers had to comply with FCC rules that were implemented in 2005. But that stipulation was also part of an agreement that set a hard deadline for the analog switch off. While NAB is pushing for such a deadline today, it has consistently supported a mostly market-driven approach for the transition to 3.0.
With both the NAB and CEA are opposed to a mandate, what compels TV manufacturers to include ATSC 3.0 when consumers are not asking for them?
TV sets that support NextGen TV represented only 8% of overall TV set sales in the U.S. in 2022 and CTA predicts that almost 5 million will ship to dealers in 2023, representing 12% of the total. It expects that share to hit 50% by 2025. These are mostly high end models. Sony is the only manufacturer that will include NextGen TV tuners on all their models.
CTA believes set sales will accelerate, but that broadcasters have to make a purchase more compelling by offering more than what they’re providing now. We have a classic chicken or egg situation here.
People are holding on to their TV sets much longer and those who have ATSC 1.0 TVs do not find the same compelling reason to switch over like the need to go from NTSC to ATSC. Realistically if you bought a high end 4K TV three years ago, you may not need to upgrade it for another ten years. The pool of potential upgraders is much smaller than in 2009.

What it Means for Broadcasters

Using 3.0 as a "data pipe" has been promoted as perhaps the “killer app” that will allow broadcasters to offer enterprise-level services such as software updates for anything from gaming systems to rental cars and providing live over the air streaming to vehicles and even playing a role in the slow but steady emergence of autonomous vehicles.
ATSC 3.0 technology is also being used to provide internet to areas that might not have access to traditional broadband.

Podcast # 1086: Listener Recommended Demo Material and New Sony Receiveers Feb 10, 2023

This week we list the content our listeners use to show off their systems whether it be for music listening or movie watching. Also, Sony announced five new receivers that we discuss. And as usual, we read your emails and go over the week’s news.

News:

Listener Recommended Music and Movie Demo Material

Music

JR - provided the following Spotify Playlist for Music Demos

Dan - Marcus Miller: Blast (from the album Marcus) Blast

Stan - Daddy's Gonna Pay For Your Crashed Car (U2) & the first three minutes, and Dear Prudence (Beatles)

Brian

Donald Fagen – The Nightfly – I.G.Y. (DSD64 5.1)
Foreigner – 4 – Waiting for a Girl Like You (DSD64 5.1)
The Alan Parsons Project – The Turn of a Friendly Card – Games People Play (DSD64 Stereo)
Heart – Dreamboat Annie – Crazy on You (FLAC 24bit/192kHz)
Steely Dan – Aja – Aja (DSD64 Stereo)
Aerosmith – Toys in the Attic – Walk This Way (DSD64 5.1)
Beck – Sea Change – Any Track! (DSD64 5.1)
Dire Straits – Brothers in Arms – Money for Nothing (DSD64 5.1)
Tears for Fears – The Tipping Point – Break the Man (Dolby Atmos)
Sting – Nothing Like the Sun – Englishman in New York (FLAC 24bit/96kHz)
Toto – IV – Africa (DSD64 5.1)

Curt - provided the following Spotify Playlist for Music Demos

John - My number one all time favorite test track that I have been using for over 30 years Is Supertramp’s song Fool’s Overture from their live album Paris. There is so much happening in the song in the different parts of the song. In the middle of the song it goes to all different sounds like a grandfather clock, wind blowing and then a great bass guitar building up to the second part of the song with a sax and other high pitch instruments and then it mellows down to a piano, drum and singer. This song gives me everything in one song to push and test speakers. Fleetwood Mac - Tusk (Bass) Rush - YYZ This instrumental track will put any speaker to the test. This is a very fast paced song with a lot of stereo testing as instruments move from one speaker to another (helps in speaker placing) and its fast. Chris Issak - Baby Did a very bad thing - he has an amazing voice and he can go from deep to very high

Mark - Chuck Mangione - Feels So Good

Poco - Heart of the Night

Poco - Crazy Love

From the Tommy Bolin album Private Eyes, Bustin' Out For Rosey, Sweet Burgundy, Post Toastee

Bill - here’s a track I use to show off my subs. It was recorded by the Yellowjackets (Galileo for Jaco) as a tribute to Jack Pastorius in the 80s so it has that digitally produced sound. I’ve had grown men giggle like a kid at about a minute in.

Enrique - Hans Zimmer: Live in Prague

Movies

DJ - District 9 start at 12:15 and at 12:24 the engine shuts off and you can feel it.

JR - Ride of the Rohiorrim scene in The Return of the King (Youtube Clip in 4K with Atmos of this scene)

Brian

Blade Runner 2049 – Intro Scene
Gemini Man – Intro Scene (Dolby Vision 4K60)
Mad Max: Fury Road – Intro Scene
Ready Player One – Race Scene
Midway – Pearl Harbor Attack Scene
Top Gun: Maverick – Mach 10 Scene
Top Gun: Maverick – 2 Minutes 15 seconds Trial Run Scene

Curt - The race scene from “Ready Player One” (Atmos!), train wreck scene from “Super 8” (not Atmos or DTSX, but awesome surround cacophony)

John - the end of John Wick when they are in the rain and talking. Also Aquaman the fight sequence about a third of the way in the Italian village.

Mark - Ready Player One, the race scene early in the movie, Dune, around 2 hours into the movie they place the devices to lure the worms, the bass is insane with that, The Dark Knight, when Batman is in the batcave and he's test firing a big gun, crazy bass there too

Enrique - Maverick (of course), Mad Max, Blade Runner 2049

Sony Electronics Launches new ES 8K AV Receiver Lineup

Sony Electronics Inc. announced its newest addition to the brand's AV receiver line. These receivers are the first from Sony to feature 8K and 4K/120 support as well as Sony's 360 Spatial Sound Mapping technology. These receivers were tuned by Sony engineers to provide the most immersive home theater experience yet. The new ES line features four new models built mainly for custom installation. Additionally, the STR-AN1000 receiver is created for consumers looking to upgrade their current home theater system. Full Press Release Here…

STR-AN1000 - 7.2 Channel 8K A/V Receiver (Pre-Order for $899.99)

7.2-channel A/V Receiver (165 W 6 ohms, 1 kHz, 1ch, THD 0.9%)
8K & 4K/120Hz HDMI Connectivity with HDMI 2.1 support (6-in/2-out)
Supports Dolby Atmos® & DTS:X® object-based sound decoding
Immersive audio with Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping

What is 360 Spatial Sound Mapping

By utilizing the positional information measured by Sony's Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX (D.C.A.C. IX), multiple phantom speakers are generated all around the room so cinema lovers can experience every breath, step, and word as if inside the film. D.C.A.C. IX, the latest auto-calibration technology developed by Sony, can correct the distance, angle, sound pressure and frequency response of each speaker by measuring the speaker placement in 3D using the supplied calibration microphone. This works alongside Auto Phase Matching which aligns the phase of different speakers. This means users can compensate for challenging speaker placement, delay or phase shift and feel fully immersed in a movie.

Additionally, enjoy music the way the artists truly intended with High-Resolution Audio for crystal clear precision. The ES series and STR-AN1000 also supports DSD (Direct Stream Digital) native playback, with no conversion involved so DSD content can be fully enjoyed without losing any of the original quality.

When connected to a BRAVIA XR TV with Acoustic Center Sync, the ES series and STR-AN1000 combine audio from the TV with the audio from the center speaker to create an incredible sound-from-screen experience. Dialogue will appear to come directly from the characters on the screen creating a much more immersive experience.

The ES Series models are available for presale at Sony Electronics.

STR-AZ1000ES: 7.2 CH (100W 8 ohms) A/V Receiver will be priced at MSRP $1,099.99

STR-AZ3000ES: 9.2 CH (120W 8 ohms) A/V Receiver will be priced at MSRP $1,699.99

STR-AZ5000ES: 11.2 CH (130W 8 ohms) A/V Receiver will be priced at MSRP $2,099.99

STR-AZ7000ES: 13.2 CH (150W 8 ohms) A/V Receiver will be priced at MSRP $3,299.99

The only real difference in features besides the number of amps and channels is that the 5000 and 7000 have three 12V triggers and the 1000 and 3000 only have one. The Standard AN1000 does not have a 12V trigger

Podcast#1085: Monoprice SS-Pro 8 Speaker Selector and Audio to Show Off Your Sound System Feb 03, 2023

This week give you our impression of the Monoprice SS-Pro 8 Speaker Selector, take a look at the streaming scorecard for 2022, and we wrap up with our list of music to demo your sound system. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Netflix: secret codes to unlock scores of hidden films and TV shows | Daily Mail Online

Monoprice SS-Pro 8 High Power Dual Source 300 Watt 8 Pair Impedance Matching Speaker Selector

The Monoprice SS-Pro 8 ($100) is a powerful and efficient dual source, audiophile grade speaker selector for up to 8 pairs of speakers. Featuring robust transformers, the SS-Pro 8 allows you to play all 8 pairs of speakers at once without damaging the amplifier, able to withstand up to 300 watts peak of power per channel. A front panel A/B switch allows you to choose between two amplifier sources, and easily removable snap-in connectors make installation easy. A rotary switch located on the rear panel can be used to set the appropriate impedance based on the number of pair of speakers connected.

8-zone speaker selector that allows you to connect up to 8 pairs of speakers or 8 listening zones and control each zone with front panel push-buttons
Utilizes audiophile-grade impedance-matching transformers to safely distribute maximum power throughout your system
Easy to use front panel switch to choose between sources
Designed for use with either 4 ohm or 8 ohm speakers
Protection circuit ensures your amplifier is protected

Streaming Scorecard for 2022

Amid all the doom and gloom in the streaming industry regarding slumping stock prices and hefty losses, streaming audiences continue to grow at a significant pace, with Americans streaming more than 19 million years worth of content last year, according to new data from Nielsen.

In total, Americans streamed more than 19.4 million years of content last year, up 27% about 15 million years in 2021. The increase was driven by the breadth of new and expanded services, coupled by the depth of content—particularly streaming originals, Nielsen reported. Full article here…

Rick Beato’s Preferred AV Demo List

Instead of the typical audiophile spin, music educator Rick Beato provides a musician’s perspective on how to choose and how to listen to music. Full article here…

From the article:

Throwing my two cents into this discussion, I like that Beato had many popular recordings in his list from artists as diverse as Jay-Z, Steely Dan and Linkin Park. It’s my opinion that besides the lack of knowledge audiophiles have on the production process and mastering in particular, the lack of emotional connection to a piece of music is where system demos most often fail with consumers.

Explaining mastering in the most basic of terms, it is the process in which engineers make sure a recording sounds balanced, full and even. The problem with a lot of popular music over the past few decades has been the issue in which the dynamics of recordings have been squashed or evened out in order for it to sound better on the radio or through a set of earbuds. The problem with heavy levels of mastering, which uses tools such as compressors and limiters, is these tools can remove the musicality and dynamics from a recording. Production professionals will sometimes refer to this trend as the “loudness wars.”

Using the criteria of content that people recognize and music that is well produced, including mastering that lets the music breath, here are some of my top demo choices:

Ara’s List:

Diana Krall Live in Paris - Fly Me to the Moon
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Tin Pan Alley
Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter
First 5 seconds of California Roll - Snoop Dog
Ennio Morricone - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Explosions in the Sky - Your Hand in Mine (Theme from Friday Night Lights Movie)
Madeline Edward - Mama, Dolly, Jesus
Michael Ray - Holy Water
Hailey Winters - Everything She Ain’t

Podcast #1084: Netflix Password Sharing - Netflix Top 10 Series - 4 ATMOS Sounders for 2023 Jan 27, 2023

This week we discuss Netflix and password sharing and while we are at it we countdown the top ten TV series streaming on Netflix. We wrap up with the Four of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars to look forward to in 2023. We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Streaming Password Crackdowns: 70% of Netflix Users Willing to Pay Full Price

Other streaming services may not fare as well, however, a new survey from Horowitz suggests Full Article Here…

Netflix Global Top 10 TV

Full list as well as lists from different countries

January 16 - January 22, 2023

TV (English)

WEEKS IN TOP 10

HOURS VIEWED

Ginny & Georgia: Season 2

87,400,000

Vikings: Valhalla: Season 2

55,530,000

Wednesday: Season 1

45,740,000

Ginny & Georgia: Season 1

43,290,000

That '90s Show: Season 1

41,080,000

Vikings: Valhalla: Season 1

25,370,000

Kaleidoscope: Limited Series

22,990,000

Emily in Paris: Season 3

15,550,000

New Amsterdam: Season 1

14,640,000

The Walking Dead: Season 11

11,800,000

Four of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars to look forward to in 2023

If you need an Atmos soundbar, 2023 may just be your year. Full article…

Podcast #1083: Home Automation Golden Rules and Switching Back to Cable Jan 20, 2023

This week we look at an article in the Washington Post that talks about Four Golden Rules of Home Automation and we discuss whether switching back to cable is worth it. We also have your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Other:

The Future of Screens Is So Top-Secret, I Can't Show It Yet - CNET

Home Automation Golden Rules

Washington Post columnist Geoffrey Fowler has four Golden Rules for automating your home. These rules were posted in the Washington Post online on January 6, 2023 (Your smart home can be dumb. Here’s how to do it the right way).

1) Don’t fall in the app trap! Be wary of installing any critical home feature that only works with an app. You need to be able to unlock your door or turn on lights the old fashioned way as a backup. This is why I stopped using Philips Hue bulbs, even though I know they have many fans.

2) Build your smart home in Switzerland … metaphorically. Many of these products limit your options. For example, Amazon’s smart plugs only work with Alexa. You might love Alexa today, but you don’t know what voice AI, smartphone or face computer you might be using in five years. If you can, pick products that say they work with Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit and a new smart home standard called Matter.

(Note: Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.)

3) Look out for spies. Some companies collect and store a suspiciously large amount of data. I’m looking at you, Amazon. In some cases, you can adjust settings to tell them to collect less information — our Privacy Reset guide can help. But the best products don’t live in the cloud and collect as little data as possible, like ones made by the brand Eve.

4) Security is your responsibility. You need a different password and two-factor authentication for every home product, or you’re inviting hackers into your home. Shira, I can tell you’re about to say, “This is why a dumb home is good!” But if you get this basic right, you’ll be fine.

Why I’m Switching Back to Cable TV

Cord-cutting—the act of ditching traditional cable TV—has been gaining popularity for over a decade. Streaming is great, but it’s not the home run it used to be. In fact, I made the decision to switch back to cable. Full Article here…

The author of this article goes through the same progression we have. In the Early days he says:

The rise of streaming live TV services came at a perfect time for me. I was living on my own for the first time, and cable wasn’t something I wanted to deal with. When Sling TV was announced, I was very excited, and I signed up immediately,

He does what we all did. Because there are no required boxes or commitments he tried them all! We both have done the same. And for one reason or another Braden ended up with YouTubeTV and Ara with DirecTV Stream.

His thoughts:

The early days of streaming live TV was great. The channel packages were small and very affordable. Most services let you choose from add-on bundles to expand your channel list. It was pretty easy to get the channels you wanted without much extra “fluff” jammed in.

However, in the years since, I’ve watched as these services have ballooned in channel lineup size and price. The dream of “al la carte TV” never really materialized. This brings us to today, where streaming live TV is not much different than cable TV.

All true! So the author looked at going back to cable.

To my surprise, I discovered I could save a whopping $30 per month (taxes and fees included) by ditching Sling TV and adding a TV package to my internet package. Ah, but I’ll need a clunky cable box again, right? Turns out Comcast finally gives you the option to only use the Xfinity Stream app.

As much as I don’t like Comcast, it was hard to pass up this deal. I could get the same channels I had, save $30 per month, and still watch it on my phone or smart TV—no extra hardware required. I never thought I would say this, but I am a cable TV customer again.

We are in the Cox Cable world and our plans would cost us about $115 more to get similar TV service and we would need a streaming box. Our current IPTV service runs us about $80 so it is not as cut and dry. Plus we don’t need a box! We will not be switching back to cable anytime soon!

Podcast #1082: Best of CES 2023 Roundup Jan 13, 2023

This week is our Best of CES 2023 roundup. We look at what popular websites saw as the best products from this year’s show. We have plenty of email and news to discuss as well!

Other:

CNET (Best of CES 2023: 7 Stunning Tech Innovations to Watch for This Year)

LG's 97-inch wireless OLED TV puts all others to shame
Samsung S95C 77-inch QD-OLED TV gives LG some competition

Tom’s Guide (Best of CES 2023 Awards: The top new tech)

BEST IN SHOW: LG SIGNATURE SERIES M3 OLED (WIRELESS)
BEST TV: SAMSUNG 77-INCH S95C QD-OLED
BEST AUDIO: RAZER LEVIATHAN V2 PRO SOUNDBAR
BEST SMART HOME DEVICE: WORX LANDROID VISION
BEST ROUTER: TP-LINK ARCHER BE900

The Verge (The Verge Awards at CES 2023)

Best TV: Samsung’s 77-inch S95C
Best in show Matter

Engadget (The best of CES 2023)

Best Home Theater Tech: LG Signature OLED M3

techRadar (15 best gadgets of CES 2023: the TVs, laptops, health tech, and more we loved)

JBL Bar 1300X

Cool Stuff that is not necessarily HT related

Podcast #1081: SVS Soundbase Pro Jan 06, 2023

Welcome back from your Holiday break! This week we have a review of the SVS Soundbase Pro. A powerful and compact integrated amplifier that should be on any music lover's short list of products to buy in 2023. CES started this week but due to the timing of our show schedule we’ll have that for you next week. We also have a backlog of your emails as well as the week’s news.

News:

SVS Prime Wireless Pro SoundBase

A few weeks ago we had Gary Yacoubian and Nick Brown of SVS on the show talking about their new Wireless Pro line of products. The Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speakers are a feature rich set of powered speakers which are available for $899.99 for the pair. The Prime Wireless Pro Soundbase is a smart wireless integrated amplifier that will add connectivity options to your older beloved speakers that were never dreamed of when they were originally built.

Ara owned the original version of the Soundbase for years and was extremely satisfied with sound but it lacked an important feature for him, Apple Airplay 2 support. The new Soundbase Pro fixed that issue and added many more features making the upgrade no-brainer. The original Soundbase cost $500, the new version costs $200 more. You may be asking, is the new Pro worth $200 more? The answer is yes! And we’ll tell you why.

The full specs are:

Amplifier Specs

300 Watt (150 watts x 2) Class-D Power Amp

Acoustic Data

Rated Bandwidth: 10Hz-20kHz (±1 dB)
SN Ratio: 90dB @1V input, 2 x 150W output
Power Amp: 300 watts RMS (150 watts x 2 into 4ohm)

Input Specs

HDMI audio input. Supports ARC and eARC
Left/Right RCA Input: Input Impedance: 20K
3.5mm Aux Input: Input Impedance: 20K
Toslink Optical Input: S/PDIF receiver works at a wide range of sampling frequencies up to 96kHz
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and aptX
6 front panel presets for one-touch access to music services and playlists
Ethernet
USB service port also for powering wireless accessories (See SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter)
3.5mm IR control input

Wireless Streaming Options

DTS Play-Fi: Lossless 192kHz/24-bit via Critical Listening Mode over WiFi
Apple Airplay 2 for iPhones and iOS devices, Chromecast for Android Phones and Devices: CD Quality
Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and aptX
Spotify Connect

WiFi Connectivity for Wireless Streaming - Native control via Apple Airplay 2 for iPhone and iOS, Spotify Connect, & Google Chromecast for Android Phones and Devices

App-Based Control over WiFi - Smartphone, tablet, or PC control with the DTS Play-Fi app

6 Custom Presets - 6 custom preset buttons on the front panel and remote provide instant access to your favorite podcast, playlist, streaming station, or other content, with a single touch.

Voice Control - Alexa, Siri, and Google voice commands via supported devices

Setup

Like the previous Sounbase, setup was simple. The first thing to do was get the unit onto your wifi and for that you need to download and use the DTS Play-Fi app. You will need to use this app if you want to listen to your music at 192kHz/24-bit for lossless streaming. More on that in a bit. You can also pair your devices via Bluetooth if you choose. Our primary listening mode was wifi for Airplay 2 and DTS Play Fi. We did, however, connect our MacBook Pro to the Sounbase via Bluetooth so we could listen via AAC just for comparison. Unfortunately Apple removed a developer option to allow you to connect via AptX so we were not able to evaluate this codec.

You can also use an RCA, 3.5mm, HDMI (Arc and eARC) or Toslink Optical to connect external devices to the SoundBase. There is also a Subwoofer output in case you want to connect a subwoofer. We could not find at what frequency the amp is crossed over for the subwoofer. The SoundBase also has an Ethernet jack for a hardwired connection to your network and a USB port for firmware upgrades.

The other thing worth noting is that the Soundbase Pro is small! It roughly measures 12X12X6 inches. It can fit anywhere. Also new for the Pro is a 3.15” wide display that will show you what is playing should you feel the need to walk up to it and look. The display lights can be dimmed or turned off making the front panel completely black. A great feature if you are using the amp to power some speakers for your TV.

Performance

Our listening was performed on CSS Audio Criton 2D speakers that Ara built a while back. They have great frequency response and good tight bass. We primarily listened to Heart Like a Truck by Lainey Wilson and Unholy by Sam Smith and Kim Petras (warning you won’t get this song out of your head when you hear it!). We also mixed in other songs that we are very familiar with for specific segments that we thought would push the Soundbase.

What can we say? We have come to expect high quality sound from SVS and the new Soundbase Pro delivers! It takes everything we loved about the original Soundbase and adds the features we were clambering for in the original.

The amplifier has plenty of power and it was put to the test. Ara’s neighbors can attest to that. It's probably more power than you will need but hey, it's always good to have power. They will drive anything from desktop to tower speakers with ease. Sound quality is excellent, as good as any two channel amp that we have used. Details come alive and are bright. One complaint we had was there is no way to adjust the treble. With my speakers the brightness of the sound was exaggerated at times.

Then it was time to have fun with test tones. Many amps can go low but can they rattle walls? This one can! To the point where Ara’s wife walked into the room asking if he was trying to shake things off of the shelves in the room next door. Speakers matter here so your results will vary depending on whether your speakers can handle low frequencies. Our testing went down to 20 hertz where it pushed the Criton 2Ds to its limits.

One complaint we had about the original Soundbase was a lack of Remote Control. SVS heard us and now includes a remote that allows you to select inputs, presets and control the volume from the comfort of your seat.

If you want to make use of the Critical Listening (192kHz/24-bit lossless streaming) mode you need to download the DTS Play-Fi app which is easy enough. But that’s where the ease stops. The DTS app is cumbersome to use and not intuitive. But once you figure it out you can activate the Critical Listening mode by tapping the Hi-Res button and listen in Hi-Res.

After listening via wifi and Airplay2 we switched over to Tidal. And the best way to describe the experience was that it sounded “louder and more defined”. It's not like we could hear frequencies that we couldn’t before. Its more like it sounded clearer and more detailed with a fuller bass. You could feel the kick drum in your chest. We could feel this with AAC as well but it's hard to explain, the Hi-Res just seemed to have a more pronounced impact. We really wish we didn’t need a Tidal subscription and could listen to Hi-Res via Apple Music!

Conclusion

The new Soundbase Pro takes everything we loved about the original and then adds a bunch of great features. After spending time with it, you’ll wonder how SVS packed all these features into a small yet powerful amp! If you are really into music you probably have some speakers that you really love. Odds are they are not wireless though. The SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase brings those speakers into the connected era with enough power to drive anything from bookshelf to towers. This is a great addition to any music lover’s setup. But hey, you don’t have to believe us. SVS offers a 45 day risk free in home trial with free shipping both ways. We will wager that if you try it you won’t ship it back!

New Years Message Dec 30, 2022

We are taking the week off to be with family. We'll be back at it in 2023.

Thank you all for listening and supporting our Podcast!

Happy New Year from the HT Guys!

Podcast #1080: WiFi 6 and Amplifiers don't have to Break the Bank Dec 23, 2022

This week we find out what makes wifi 6 something you’ll want to upgrade to, especially if you have a lot of IoT devices on your network. We also start a discussion on amplifiers. Do you need to spend thousands of dollars to get a quality amp? We also read your emails and talk about some of the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Wifi 6

We’ve talked about wifi 6 for some time now and have said it's better. But exactly how is it better than previous wifi standards. Today we’ll go through the main features and how it can help solve some of your wifi woes.

Key benefits of Wi-Fi CERTIFIED 6 technology include:

Higher data rates - 9.6 Gbps. That’s up from 3.5 Gbps on Wi-Fi 5 (theoretical maximums). Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) effectively shares channels to increase network efficiency and lower latency for both uplink and downlink traffic in high demand environments

Increased capacity - Multi-user multiple input, multiple output (multi-user MIMO) allows more data to be transferred at one time, enabling access points (APs) to concurrently handle more devices. The MIMO technology allows a router to communicate with multiple devices at the same time, rather than broadcasting to one device, and then the next, and the next. Right now, MU-MIMO allows routers to communicate with four devices at a time. Wi-Fi 6 will allow devices to communicate with up to eight.

Improved power efficiency - Target wake time (TWT) significantly improves network efficiency and device battery life, including IoT devices. This allows devices to plan out communications with a router, reducing the amount of time they need to keep their antennas powered on to transmit and search for signals. That means less drain on batteries and improved battery life in turn. This feature is meant more for smaller, already low-power Wi-Fi devices that just need to update their status every now and then. (Think small sensors placed around a home to monitor things like leaks or smart home devices that sit unused most of the day.)

Routers are on the market and range in price from about $100 for a basic setup to as high as $600 for Netgear Orbi whole house setup. A Linksys setup to cover a 3000 SF house will cost you about $300.

Amplifiers

XPA-7 Gen3 7 Channel Audiophile Home Theater Power Amplifier $2199

Audio

Power output: 200 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; all channels driven | 300 watts/channel RMS into 8 Ohms; two channels driven | 490 watts/channel RMS into 4 Ohms; two channels driven

Audiophile quality Class A/B output stage.

Balanced and unbalanced inputs for compatibility with a wide variety of preamps and surround sound processors.

Features

Fully modular construction for optimum flexibility.

Comprehensive yet transparent protection circuitry protects from most common fault conditions without degrading sound quality.

Hardware

Dimensions: 17” x 19” x 8” (including feet)

Weight: 53 pounds (unboxed)

Power Requirements: 100 – 250 VAC 50/60 Hz (automatically detected).

BasX A7 Seven-Channel Power Amplifier $699

Audio

90 watts RMS per channel into 8 Ohms; all channels driven | 120 watts RMS per channel; into 8 Ohms. two channels driven | 125 watts/channel RMS into 4 Ohms all channels driven; two channels driven | 175 watts RMS per channel; into 4 Ohms.

The BasX A7 combines classical audiophile amplifier architecture, based on a heavy-duty linear power supply, and a carefully designed high current short signal path Class A/B output stage, with advanced microprocessor-controlled monitoring and protection circuitry, to deliver superb sound quality

Unbalanced inputs

Hardware

Dimensions:

17” wide x 4” high x 15-1/2” deep (not including connectors).

21-1/2” wide x 8” high x 21” deep (boxed).

Weight:

30 lbs (unboxed)

36 lbs (boxed)

Podcast #1079: Buying Guide for your Audiophile, Movie Lover and Smarthome Enthusiast Dec 16, 2022

On this week’s show we look at an article at CE Pro which is a list of 12 products that CE Pro writer Bob Archer thought were 2022’s products of the year. We only look at two products. One that is unobtainium and the other a mere mortal can buy today. We also have a buying guide that is a bit different than our usual one. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Bob Archer’s 2022 Products of the Year

We found this article (Bob Archer's 2022 Products of the Year) at CE Pro which is a list of 12 products that CE Pro writer Bob Archer thought were, as the title suggests, 2022’s products of the year. We are going to highlight two products on the list, one is unobtainium and the other a mere mortal can buy today. The rest of the items on the list are things that most people can buy and a few that we dream of buying. Please check it out, it's linked in the show notes.

Unobtainium

DALI KORE Loudspeaker

Taking a step up into the rarified air of high-end audiophile speakers, the Danish company DALI applied its impressive R&D resources to the development of its $110,000 Kore loudspeakers. Emphasizing the company's fundamental audio philosophies and a return to its Danish roots through the use of Danish labor and raw materials, the KORE performs at extremely high levels. The 88dB, 4-ohm speaker delivers a frequency response of 26Hz to 34kHz and the statuesque speakers nicely complement a range of home designs and amplifiers to deliver lots of musical fun. By the way, each speaker weighs 148Kg (not pounds!!!). In pounds that’s 325!!!

I thought this was funny! From the user’s manual: Disposal - If you want to dispose of your DALI KORE speakers, don’t mix them with your general household waste. In accordance with EU legislation, a separate collection system for used electronic products enables private households in EU member states, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway to return used electronic products free of charge to designated collection facilities or to a retailer (if you purchase a similar replacement product). If you reside in a country not mentioned above, please contact your local authorities to determine the correct method of disposal and prevent any potential negative effects on the environment and human health

For Mortals

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 4K PRO-UHD Laser Projector

If the projector category had a pound-for-pound ranking like the UFC, the leader of the pack would be Epson’s LS12000 laser projector. The 2,700-lumen LS12000 features the company’s 4K PRO-UHD pixel shifting technology, along with its 32-bit ZX Picture Processor and laser light engine that delivers up to 20,000 of lamp life. The LS12000 produces nice levels of image brightness, color performance and image clarity. You can find these online for $5000. Projector Central rates this projector Performance 5 Stars, Features 4 ½ Stars, Ease of Use 4 ½ Stars, and Value 5 Stars.

Gift Buying Guide

We usually do a buying guide this time of year but you can sum it up like this. Go to Costco and buy an OLED or QLED TV by either Samsing, Sony or LG. And if you are budget conscious take a look at Vizio or TCL. Yes that is an oversimplification but this year we wanted to help you find something that the music, movie or smarthome lover will be thrilled to unwrap. So without further ado, here is our 2022 gift giving guide for Audiophiles, Movie Lovers and Smarthome Owners.

Audiophiles

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon EVO, Audiophile Turntable with Carbon Fiber tonearm, Electronic Speed Selection and pre-Mounted Sumiko Rainier Phono Cartridge $600.

The new Debut Carbon EVO represents the epitome of Pro-Ject’s philosophy: high performance, clean aesthetics, and superb value. The elegant, simple aesthetic is unmarred by gimmicky lights, sliders, and buttons. It is a pure, high-performance turntable.

Hi-Fi, The History of High-End Audio Design $85

"Gideon Schwartz's book goes on a visual journey through the innovative world of home stereo design, from the tank-like amplifiers of the ‘50s to the sleek streaming hubs of today. Hi-Fi's 272 pages are filled with photos of iconic systems, including Bose's earliest forays into loudspeakers, and Dieter Rams' famous all-white turntable design for Braun. Warning: Perusing this book may result in eBay-fueled debt."―Wired Online

Custom Audio Rack/Furniture (prices vary $250 up to $3000)

These stands are designed to be simple and elegant. Depending on your requirement, many designers can custom build something just for you! Typical designs come with enough shelf space to hold a turntable and amplifier with enough room left over for your record collection.

Movie Lover

Movie Posters - Movie posters are easy to find on Amazon or ebay. The real old ones are expensive but you can find replicas for as little as $10. Framing costs more.

Custom Acoustic Panels ($100 24”X24”X1”) - Get better sound while adding a nice visual element to your theater with acoustic panels.

Movie Logbook Notebook $26 - Sure you can set up a spreadsheet with this information but where's the fun in that! Keep this log book in your theater and keep a diary of what you watch and who you watched it with.

Home Automation

Starter Kit ($200) - There are so many starter kits out there but for this list we decided on simple lighting system to dip your toes in the automation arena. We also chose the philips hue lights because they are compatible with everything and will support matter soon. Start with one room and work your way up to your entire house.

Hubitat Elevation ($99.95) - For that someone who is a little more technical and does not want to be beholden to a cloud system for their home automation, this gift is ideal! By combining the advantages of local automation processing with cloud IoT connectivity, Hubitat's innovative Hubitat Elevation hub ensures personal data privacy and is more reliable and responsive than competitive cloud-based solutions. Hubitat Elevation is compatible with popular home automation devices, comes with a variety of built-in apps, and has an active user community to share ideas, insights and solutions.

Smart locks - There are plenty of smart locks out there to choose from. Last week we had a listener write in about his Level Invisible Lock. They range in price from $199 up to $399 depending on style and lock mechanism. The best thing about these locks are that they don’t need to change the style and look of the original lock. There are models by Schlage and Kwikset as well. But for these you really need to know the style and look of the lock you are replacing.

Podcast #1078: Is a DAC in your Future Dec 09, 2022

This week we talk about an article where the author claims that his budget OLED TV has ruined movie theaters for him. We also give you seven reasons why buying a DAC may be in your future. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

The Invisible Smart Lock

Buying a budget OLED TV has ruined movie theaters for me

We received an email from long time listener Olof (from Sweden) in which he sent us a link to an article “Buying a budget OLED TV has ruined movie theaters for me” and it got us wondering if others feel the same way. So let’s see why the author came to this conclusion.

7 reasons why a DAC could be your music purchase of the year

If you’ve never heard of a “DAC”, don’t worry, most people haven’t. The thing is, it is one of the best ways to improve the quality of the digital music we consume every day, whether that be through a phone, laptop or proper audio system. (Only listen to music exclusively through vinyl? This probably isn’t the article for you.) Full article here…

Podcast #1077: Interview With Gary Yacoubian and Nick Brown of SVS Dec 02, 2022

Interview With Gary Yacoubian and Nick Brown of SVS

SVS recently announced their new Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speaker and for today’s feature, Ara spoke with CEO and President Gary Yacoubian and Vice President of Marketing Nick Brown. They talk about this potential soundbar killer as well as a few other cool things SVS is working on.

News:

Frequency Response / Acoustic Data: Frequency Response: 42Hz – 25kHz (±3 dB)

Driver Specs: 1” Aluminum Dome Tweeter: FEA-optimized diffuser for airy and unveiled presentation, Aluminum dome for exceptional transient response

5.25" Mid-bass Driver: Polypropylene cone for excellent stiffness/mass ratio and pistonic behavior, Aluminum shorting ring to reduce gap inductance, lower distortion, and enhance high frequency response, Cast ABS-fiberglass composite basket ensures precision component alignment and excellent thermal transfer, Vented voice coil former minimizes air compression artifacts

Amplifier Specs: Dual Class-D Power Amps for Discrete Driver Bi-amplification 200 watt (50 watt x 4) RMS Power, Digital controlled tweeter-to-woofer crossover: 2kHz (12dB/octave slope)

Input Specs: HDMI audio input. Supports ARC and eARC, Left/Right RCA Input: Input Impedance: 20K, 3.5mm Aux Input: Input Impedance: 20K, Toslink Optical Input: S/PDIF receiver works at a wide range of sampling frequencies up to 96kHz, Bluetooth 5.0 with AAC and aptX, 6 front panel presets for one-touch access to music services and playlists

Ethernet, USB service port also for powering wireless accessories: See SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter

Podcast #1076: Happy Thanksgiving! Nov 25, 2022

This week we have a short Thanksgiving show. The HT Guys are thankful for our wonderful community of listeners and supporters who make doing this show worthwhile. Of course we will still read your emails and take a look at the week’s news!

News:

Other:

Syntax–Brillian Corporation

Customer Reviews: Olevia 42" 1080p Flat-Panel LCD HDTV TV-242TFHD - Best Buy

List of films set around Thanksgiving

Podcast #1075: Black Friday Roundup (Not our Best Show) Nov 18, 2022

This week we do our annual Black Friday Roundup. Unfortunately the retailers are turning it into a Black Friday month. It was hard to track down info specifically for Black Friday but we did. Honestly it's not our best work. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Check out BlackFriday.com for the latest deals

Podcast #1074: Matter Hubs and Sony Projectors Nov 11, 2022

This week our show really matters! We feature a few of the newly certified Matter controllers and we talk about what projector we would consider if we were building out a dedicated home theater. Plus we read your emails and news of the week.

News:

Other:

Matter Hubs

Hub M2 By Lumi United Technology Co., Ltd.

The Aqara Hub M2 is a smart home control center. It can be connected with a WiFi or Ethernet network, and supports interaction and connection with Aqara Zigbee accessories. It also has an IR remote control function, which can add and manage the control of different IR devices. The Aqara Hub M2 allows you to control your Aqara accessories more conveniently. It can also bridge the Zigbee accessories to Matter to realize the interconnection of devices between different ecological platforms. Company Website

Smart Wired Gateway Pro By Tuya Global Inc.

As the core of the IoT connection, the wired Matter gateway is the first gateway released by Tuya that supports Matter. It supports the communication protocol of Cable+Zigbee+Thread, that is, the uplink Ethernet connects to the cloud, and the downlink supports both Zigbee (compatible with the original Zigbee device ecology of Tuya) and Thread (Matter over thread) sub-devices.

This gateway has powerful localized management capabilities and high stability of multi-device control. It can be connected to all devices such as home automation, smart energy and home security systems to provide users with an intelligent control experience. Company Website

DIRIGERA hub for smart products By IKEA of Sweden

The hub is the bridge between your smartphone and your connected products

LG ThinQ By LG Electronics

Discover an easier way of smart home life with LG ThinQ. With LG ThinQ app, you can manage all your LG smart appliances and IoT devices in one place. More Info …

webOS TV By LG Electronics

LG Smart TV with Matter support will help users register and control Matter enabled home appliances around the TV. Users can maintain the list of Matter enabled devices around, and control using home dashboard application pre-installed on TV. Company Website

Philips Hue Bridge By Signify

The brains of the Philips Hue smart lighting system, the Hue Bridge allows you to connect and control up to 50 lights and accessories. Simply plug it in and use the Hue app to set routines, timers, custom light scenes, and more. It’s the Philips Hue Bridge that unlocks it all — including Matter. The Hue Bridge will support Matter with a software update, making all existing and new Hue lights and accessories automatically Matter enabled too (except the Hue Sync Box and dial of the Tap dial switch).

Sony Projectors Something to Consider for Your Home Theater

Sony recently announced three new projectors (VPL-XW7000ES, VPL-XW6000ES and the VPL-XW5000ES) which range in price from $27K at the high end and $6K for the 5000ES. All

three are SXRD panels with native 4K resolution. All three use the X1 Ultimate image processing. And all three use a laser light source that should last more than ten years if you watch your projector five hours a day.

A typical projector uses a lamp that would need to be replaced ten times in the time the Sony laser would last. They typically cost $50 to $100 depending on your projector, so over time this adds up! Plus the laser is much brighter so if you want to watch on a larger screen or in a room with ambient light these projectors have the chops to do so.

We have not seen these projectors in person but we have seen the previous versions when we were invited to a presentation at Sony Pictures in Culver City. What we saw at that time was quite impressive and those did not have the X1 Ultimate processor. If I (Ara) were building a dedicated theater today it would include the 5000ES. But only because I can’t afford the 6000 or 7000.

Podcast #1073: Top Ten Movie Rentals and Keeping Your Vinyl Clean Nov 04, 2022

This week we take a look at the week’s top ten movie rentals and we continue our feature on getting the best results when listening to vinyl. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Rank LW Rank Title Box Office (Millions)

1 New Bullet Train $103.32

2 1 Beast $31.85

3 New Fall $7.24

4 2 Jeepers Creepers Reborn $2.03

5 3 DC League of Super-Pets $93.36

6 4 Thor: Love and Thunder $343.26

7 5 Where the Crawdads Sing $90.23

8 New Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank $17.81

9 New Orphan: First Kill $5.41

10 6 Minions: The Rise of Gru $368.85

Breathing Life Back into Your Records

Last week we talked about cleaning your record needle for perfect playback based on an article sent to us from long time listener Stan. At that time he also sent us an article on cleaning your records. So this week we continue with our second installment. The following was taken from the Pro-Ject website.

Cleaning records revitalizes old and dirty records. If you don’t see scratches on your vinyl, most likely, the reason that your vinyl does not play as well as it should is because of lint, dust, and grime. Luckily, the most common reasons to clean vinyl records are easy to manage and take care of.

Clean records play with less distortion, and it helps the vinyl last longer because the friction that happens when dust is on the record will no longer happen. In fact, keeping your records clean can even extend the life of your record player’s stylus, which can save you from having to replace your record player needle. Your entire record collection will sound better with the right cleaning process than when you purchased it at the record store.

Record Washing

Of course, you can wash your records like you would your dishes. Simply put a few drops of dish soap into a tub of water. Avoid using tap water if you are creating your own solution. This will help to keep minerals that could damage the vinyl away from the records that you are cleaning. Di-ionized or distilled water is ideal for cleaning records. Never use Isopropyl alcohol in your vinyl cleaning solution because it removes the shine from the vinyl’s surface and makes it more vulnerable to damage.

Instead of making your own cleaning solution, you can purchase a record cleaning solution that will work for your entire collection. It can be purchased individually or in a cleaning kit like the Spin-Clean Vinyl Record Washer System. This is a full cleaning system with soft brushes, cleaning fluid, and microfiber cloths that won’t scratch the vinyl.

Once the record is clean, rinse the cleaning solution or any soap off with distilled water, being careful not to get the label wet. If water or cleaning solution does get on the label, make sure that you quickly blot it dry with a microfiber cloth, and don’t put it away with your other records until it completely air dries. This helps to ensure that the ink doesn’t bleed and the label doesn’t tear.

Always make sure that the records are dry before playing them on your player. It should also be allowed at least 30 minutes to dry before it is placed back in the sleeve because the excess moisture can damage the records and cause the inner paper sleeves to mold. One way to ensure this is avoided is to use plastic sleeves instead of the paper ones that come with most records.

Vacuuming Records

Vacuuming records is one of the better cleaning methods to consider using. Using a vinyl record cleaner that is vacuum-powered will suck up any dust and debris found in the grooves. Using the vacuum cleaner should be done after the record is brushed to remove excess dirt on the surface. The VC-E Compact Vinyl Record Cleaning Machine falls into this category of record cleaner.

Record vacuuming machines will apply a cleaning solution to the records, scrub them, and vacuum away all of the wet solution and debris. It is the superior way to clean vinyl because it combines all of the cleaning methods using a machine that is quick and safe for the records. It may not be the best option for someone who has just a few records because of the price of these machines, but if you have a larger collection of albums, it’s a solid investment to make.

Cleaning Records and Storing Without Worry

Once you have cleaned your record collection, you need to ensure that the vinyl does not get damaged or become warped because it is stored improperly. The first step that you need to take to keep your records safe is to store them in an inner sleeve that will not scratch the surface of the vinyl.

To add more protection, you should also use outer sleeves on your vinyl to keep the dust away from your records completely. Records should always be stored vertically because stacking them on top of each other on a shelf causes warping that hurts the sound quality.

Podcast #1072: Tips to Clean Your Record Needle to Improve Your Experience Oct 28, 2022

This week we spotlight some huge “desktop” speakers from Monoprice and take a look at why NFL fans want Youtube or Amazon Prime to pick up Sunday Ticket. We also give you some tips to keep your turntable in tip top shape. All that plus your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Toronto audiofest

Monolith by Monoprice MTM-100 100 Watt Bluetooth Powered Desktop Speakers

Product spotlight

The Monolith™ MTM Desktop Speakers (MSRP $499.99 direct from Monoprice) deliver stunning audiophile performance for your desktop! These speakers feature an accurate frequency response, exceptional sonic clarity, punchy, powerful bass, and present a spacious, and musical soundstage. Set up is a breeze: Connect easily through analog RCA and 3.5mm inputs or through the optical or USB digital inputs. Pair your device wirelessly using the Bluetooth® with Qualcomm® aptX™ HD Audio for high quality, CD audio level Bluetooth performance. A headphone jack adorns the front, allowing you to easily switch between the speakers and headphones. The Monolith MTM powered speakers are a perfect, great sounding addition to a home office, gaming, or bedroom system.

50 Watts per Speaker
Flat Frequency Response (50Hz ~ 20kHz)
Dual 4" Woofers per Speaker
1" Silk Dome Tweeter
5.25" Passive Radiator
45Hz-20Khz Frequency Response +/- 3db
Bluetooth 5 with aptX HD
Toslink Optical Input
USB-C Input
RCA & 3.5mm Inputs
Subwoofer Output
Front Headphone Jack
Remote Control
Dimensions (each) 6.3" x 14.0" x 7.9" (160 x 355 x 200 mm)

Survey: Fans Hope YouTube or Amazon Win the NFL Sunday Ticket Bidding War

Nearly two-thirds of NFL fans said they are most likely to subscribe to Sunday Ticket if it lands on either YouTube or Amazon Prime Video, according to a survey by The Streamable Full article…

How to Clean a Record Needle for Perfect Playback

We have talked about listening to music on vinyl lately and this prompted long time listener Stan to send in an article about cleaning your record needle for perfect playback. And with the Holliday’s quickly approaching some of you may be thinking about buying a turntable for yourself as a present. So if you currently own a turntable or are thinking of buying one, we thought this may be of help to you. The following was taken from the Pro-Ject website.

How a Dirty Turntable Stylus Impacts Sound Quality

Clean record player needles help prevent playback issues. When dust interferes with the stylus reading the record grooves properly, you will hear a slight scratching or popping sound when you play the records. If you hear these sounds, it’s time to inspect your record player’s stylus to see if there is any visible build-up that’s removable.

When a stylus is dirty, you are more likely to hear the needle jump as it navigates the turntable. This is referred to as record skipping, and it can affect the sound of the music. Dust and grime will also cause additional wear on the stylus tip, which will be heard as you play your music. If you don’t keep your stylus clean, it will wear down more quickly. In effect, a clean stylus will help you save money because you won’t need to replace it as often.

Tips to Follow when Cleaning a Turntable Needle

Cleaning a record needle should be done once a week. If listening to records is somewhat infrequent, you will be able to clean the needle every other week instead.
Most record player needles last for about 1,000 hours, so the first time you hear static during playback, it most likely only needs to be cleaned.
When using a brush to clean the tip of the stylus, make sure that you brush in the direction that the record spins. This helps to ensure that the cantilever is not damaged during the cleaning.
Even if your stylus looks clean, before playing a record, whether it’s new or used, use an anti-static record brush to ensure no dust is hidden in the grooves that will transfer to the needle.
When cleaning your stylus, use a cleaning solution to get a deeper clean when using a stylus brush.
If you are uncomfortable using a stylus cleaning brush on the tip of the stylus, try using a stylus cleaning gel pad. This method may cost more, but it’s an option that many feel is less abrasive than the brush bristles.

You may have also read forums about cleaning record needles with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. To start, gently place a small piece of the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser on the platter. These sponges can be purchased at any hardware store. It needs to be an all white pad because the blue ones are a bit more abrasive and could cause unwanted damage. Lower the tonearm down to touch the pad, and then raise it back up. Do this process about two to three times or until the debris is removed.

Vinyl Records Cleaning and Proper Storage Helps

Even if you clean your stylus every time you use your record player, there is a good chance that dust will transfer from your records unless you have clean vinyl as well. Cleaning records revitalizes them and gives you better sound during playback. We’ll discuss cleaning records next week.

No Show This Week Oct 21, 2022

No show this week.

Podcast #1071: Technics EAH-A800 Noise Canceling Over Ear Headphones Review Oct 14, 2022

This week we have a review of the Technics EAH-A800 Noise Canceling Over Ear Headphones and we read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Technics EAH-A800 Noise Canceling Over Ear Headphones Review

We have spent a lot of money on wireless earbuds over the years looking for that ultimate tradeoff in sound quality, fit, and noise cancellation vs portability. To date, we have found a few that we liked but have settled on the Technics EAH-AZ60 ($230 MSRP). Today we decided to look at our first full size over the ear headphones, the Technics EAH-A800 ($350 MSRP). What we give up in portability we expect to get back in sound quality and noise cancellation. Let’s see if that thought process pans out.

Features:

Polyurethane 3-Layer Diaphragm 40mm driver
8 distinct mics and advanced wind noise reduction
Dual Hybrid feedforward & feedback noise canceling with analog & digital processing
Cushioned, super-soft earpads that evenly distribute pressure for a stable fit, with a headband that reduces pressure across your entire head.
Multi-Point Connectivity lets you connect to more than 2 Bluetooth devices at once

Music Quality

Audio quality was quite good! We listened to the same music that we did for our AZ60 review (SRV - Tin Pan Alley, Snoop Dog - California Roll, Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter, Diana Krall - Fly Me to the Moon) and found that everything we like about the AZ60 was turned up a notch on the A800. The detail in the music was clear and precise; the bass was boomy, maybe a bit too boomy. But still very good. The place where these headphones shined was in the vocal range. You could hear texture in the voice of Diana Krall. It was very good.

Movies did really well too. Dialog was easy to understand and the noise cancellation made it easy to hear at lower levels. One issue we have is that on airplanes the dialog can be hard to hear. The A800 did an exceptional job with boomy special effects.

Telephone Quality

We don’t discuss telephone quality really on this podcast but the phone calls that I made and received were good. The listener on the other end had no issues hearing me and me them. If you work using headphones to make calls these will work just fine.

Comfort

The memory foam ear pads conform to your ear providing a comfortable fit that makes it easy to wear for hours. I wore them in the woodshop for three hours without issue. In fact they are the most comfortable headphones I have worn.

Noise Canceling

Noise canceling is good but not on par with some of the ear buds. One of the benefits of ear buds is that they can create a barrier that prevents noise from getting in and those with active cancellation can eliminate the rest. But here is the tradeoff, I have found that no matter what size silicone earpiece I use, they eventually lose their tight fit and let outside sound in. It's gradual so you don’t notice right away. If you are eating something it happens much faster.

These headphones make a tighter connection with the ears and never let go. I used table saws, planers, and sanders while wearing these headphones and never noticed an increase in outside noise coming through. The noise reduction made it easy to work with loud machinery without fatigue. Plus I got through more podcasts because I was able to continue listening while working with those tools.

If you need to hear something from the outside a simple tap to the earpad lets in the exterior sound. The amount of sound allowed in is set in the Technics Audio Connect App. You can also select the amount of noise cancellation in that app as well. Although that always amuses me. Why do people want less than max cancellation?

Battery Life

These things never run out of juice! They can give you anywhere from 30 to 60 hours of use depending on the noise cancellation and codec you are using. If you listen to AAC without noise cancellation you can get close to 60 hours. If you have max cancellation and hi res audio playing you can expect the 30 hours. I was using cancellation and AAC and didn’t need to recharge for over a week. About 35 hours. Also, if you run out of power, a fifteen minute charge can get you another 10 hours of noise canceled AAC music.

Room for Improvement

There is no AptX support which can limit the quality of what you are listening to. For instance Apple does not support LDAC. Many Android devices support it so keep that in mind. The noise canceling is good but not the best. Perhaps a firmware update can improve it. Lastly, these are expensive and there are other headphones that perform as well and cost less.

Podcast #1070: Best of Show Awards Winners Oct 07, 2022

This week we present the TWICE Best of show awards for the CEDIA show that took place last weekend. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Best Ultra Short Throw Projectors 2022 || AWOL LTV-3500, FORMOVIE Theater, XGIMI AURA

TWICE Best of Show Awards Winners

Crestron LED Light Fixtures - The modular design of Crestron LED light fixtures gives you unprecedented flexibility and control to complement any décor with the highest quality light. Options include adjustable, wall wash, fixed frame, pinhole fixtures, multiple enclosure possibilities, and square or round trims.
Epson Pro Cinema LS12000 Pro UHD Laser Projector - Utilizing an all-new Laser Array Light Source, the Pro Cinema LS12000 is capable of displaying a 4K picture on screen up to an astonishing 2,700 lumens for both color and white brightness2. And, when driven by a proprietary Epson ZX Picture Processor for powerful picture processing, the Pro Cinema LS12000 produces incredible brightness, color accuracy, and image detail to faithfully display all your content the way it was meant to be seen. $5000
Hisense PX1-PRO TriChroma Laser Cinema - The PX1-PRO features the award-winning TriChroma laser engine to achieve full coverage of the BT.2020 color space for a true-to-life picture. With its Digital Lens Focus the PX1-PRO delivers a razor-sharp 4K image in sizes from 90 to 130-inches. Add to that premium features eARC for lossless audio, Filmmaker Mode, and smart home integrations and you’ve got yourself an Ultra Short Throw brimming with entertainment potential. Support for Dolby Vision $3000
Hisense U8H - Featuring a Mini LED upgrade paired with Hisense’s ULED technology and Quantum Dot, the U8H delivers vibrant colors, impressive contrast, and its trademark bright picture for a fantastic HDR experience. For those looking for a stunning picture and a robust set of premium features, the U8H delivers. $1,500 for 75”
Kaleidescape Compact Terra 22TB Movie Server - The compact Terra 22TB can store over 350 4K UHD movies or over 650 movies with a mix of 4K UHD, Blu-ray, and DVD-quality titles, and serve up to 5 simultaneous 4K UHD playbacks. The compact Terra allows customers the flexibility to add playback zones and grow their movie collection over time. Up to four compact Terra servers can be combined in a single system for more storage. $11,000 plus you need Strato C players which are priced at $3,995 each.
LG CineBeam HU915QB Premium 4K UHD Laser Projector - The LG CineBeam HU915QB Projector is the total premium package for integrators and customers alike, offering a suite of CI-centric features, astonishing immersion with a 3-channel laser, plus an ultra-short 0.19 throw ratio. Install it just inches from the wall to give your customers dazzling color and contrast—all at epic proportions. $6,500
LG OLED Flex (Model LX3) - With LG OLED Flex, go from a flat display all the way to a spectacular 900R curve* until you find the ideal arc for total immersion. Simply press the curvature button on your remote control and explore 20 different levels of curve. LG hasn’t released pricing for its new LG OLED Flex TV, nor a release date.
Lutron Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System - The Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System offers both simple, wire-free installation and precise, automated control of daylight in our most refined aesthetic. Extend the ultimate in design flexibility to every room in every home - for both existing homes and new construction. This shade uses no more than six D-cell batteries, while still maintaining an industry-leading battery life of three to five years using fewer batteries.
Samsung Neo QLED QN100B 4K TV - Get immersed in this virtually edgeless, all picture 98” Class Infinity Screen television. Our best AI-Neural Processor always displays glorious 4K, powers the latest Smart TV Apps and fills the room with sound, all in an ultra-sleek high end metal design. Brilliant details in any light with Quantum Matrix Technology. Powered by a huge grid of Samsung’s ultra-precise Quantum Mini LEDs, it takes exact control of the individual zones of light in your picture for breathtaking color and contrast. No pricing yet. But the QN90A 98” is currently selling for $15,000. So probably close to that.
Samsung The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV - The Frame transforms to art when you're not watching TV. Choose from the Samsung Collection or upload your own pieces to reflect your personality. $3000 for 75” Frame extra but right now Samsung is running a promotion where the frame is free.
Sonus (NOT SONOS) faber Arena - Handmade in Italy by our experienced Artisans of Sound, Arena delivers the acoustic power and dynamics required for hi-performance home cinema with the Natural Sound signature, definition, and details for which Sonus faber has been long admired. Anchored by our patented subwoofer technology, ARENA is a step forward in your private home cinema innovation. Pricing… well if you have to ask…
Sony A95K - Discover the next dimension in entertainment with our breakthrough QD-OLED panel and ingenious, multi-purpose Dual Style design. See the world come vividly to life with unprecedented color and pure black contrast, powered by Cognitive Processor XR™. $3500 for 65”
Sony VPL-XW7000ES - The compact, beautifully styled VPL-XW7000ES blends effortlessly into today’s living spaces. The native 4K HDR laser projector features a long-lasting laser light source delivers an impressive 3,200 lumens brightness – plenty for vibrant, punchy pictures even in brightly lit living rooms, home cinemas and media rooms. $28000
Victrola Stream Carbon - Experience your vinyl like never before in rich, vivid sound via your Sonos system. The Victrola Stream Carbon has been certified by the Works with Sonos program, ensuring that the integration meets Sonos’ highest standards. Made from premium materials, the Victrola Stream Carbon features a sleek modern design that will be a statement piece in any environment. Equipped with a carbon fiber tonearm, meticulously machined aluminum headshell, and a premium Ortofon 2M Red cartridge, the Victrola Stream Carbon delivers on both sound and aesthetics. The easy-to-adjust tonearm counterweight provides the perfect downforce for dynamic frequency response and increased clarity. $800

For reference. Here are the Residential Systems Best of Show Awards Winners

Arlington Industries CH1
Autonomic Advanced Music Bridge
Crestron Home OS
Crestron LED Light Fixtures
DMF Lighting DMF Lighting iX Series
DreamScreen UltraWeave screen fabric
Hisense U8H
Hunter Douglas PowerView Gen 3 Automation
Integrated Fiber Platform IFP Connect
Just Add Power 718KVM and 749KVM transmitters
Kaleidescape, Inc. Compact Terra 22TB Movie Server
Legrand Shading Systems Designer Series Decorative Brackets and Hembar Endcaps
LG Electronics G2 OLED evo Gallery Edition TV
Lithe Audio Pro Series Wi-Fi Multiroom Ceiling Speaker
Lutron Electronics Palladiom Wire-Free Shading System
MetraAV Big Dog Power – Smart Power Distribution Unit (PDU)
Modulus Media systems Modulus M2
Natufia One
NETGEAR M4250 Desktop Models
One Firefly, LLC Video Pioneer
Orro Orro S
Planar Luxe UltraRes X 100
Portal.io ‘Payments’ by Portal.io
Quantum Media Systems Cinematic XDR LED Video Wall
Samsung The Wall All-in-One (IAB)
Samsung The Frame QLED 4K Smart TV
Savant Home backup & Restore
Shade Pocket Bracket
Sonus faber SPA Arena
Sony Electronics X95K
Sony Electronics HT-A7000
Victrola Stream Carbon
WALL-SMART for Savant Ascend Keypads

Podcast #169: 5 Ways Matter Will Disappoint and Denon 2022 Lineup Sep 30, 2022

This week we look at five ways Matter will disappoint you at launch. Spoiler, we don't think it will. We also take a look at the new lineup of Denon Receivers for 2022. We round out the episode with email and news.

News:

5 ways Matter will disappoint users at launch

After participating in a panel on Matter at Silicon Labs’ Works With event on Tuesday and conversing with attendees throughout the event, I think the initial response to Matter is going to be tepid at best and downright aggravated at worst. Full article here…

New Denon Receivers for 2022

The new A/V receivers all pass 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz signals via HDMI and are compatible with just about every HDR format(Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, Dynamic HDR, HLG, and BT.2020). Denon’s new line-up combines popular 3D formats such as Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X®, IMAX Enhanced and Auro 3D, along with Dolby Surround, DTS:X and others.

Finally, the new receivers all work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri for voice control of major functions, and Denon has added a new set of front panel indicators that visually confirm the kind of signal that’s being processed (4K/8K/HDR).

A-Series

AVR-A1H: AVR-A1H is the latest in Denon’s class-leading “A-Series” of receivers, designed to deliver the ultimate home-theater experience. With 15 channels of amplification, Denon’s most powerful transformer, carefully selected parts, and hefty, high-rigidity construction, the flagship AVR-A1H delivers a professional theater experience in your home cinema, perfect for cinephiles of the greatest caliber to fill large rooms with engulfing 3D sound. The A1H will support Dirac Live upgradability with a future software update. $6,499.00 Coming Soon!

X- Series

AVR-X580BT: The Denon AVR-X580BT offers an entry-level AV receiver for those looking to enhance their home theater set up. This powerful 5.2 channel AVR provides 70W per channel. Could not find pricing info

AVR-X2800H: Fill medium-sized rooms with more refined sound using this 7.2 channel AV receiver with 95W per channel. The Denon AVR-X2800H consists of increased HDMI 2.1 connectivity with three 8K inputs, which leads to supporting higher video resolution and refresh rates. $1,199.00 Available Now

AVR-X3800H: Powering 105W per channel, the Denon AVR-X3800H 9.4 channel 8K AV receiver delivers an enveloping 3D audio experience and amazing picture quality to satisfy the most discerning home theater enthusiast. The X3800 will support Dirac Live upgradability with a future software update. $1,699.00 Available Now

AVR-X4800H: This 9.4 channel AV receiver, powering 125W per channel, delivers breathtaking 3D audio that perfectly matches high-definition video up to 8K. With nine channels of amplification and up to four independent subwoofers, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X plus IMAX Enhanced and Auro 3D, this unit envelops large rooms in theater-quality sound. The X4800 will support Dirac Live upgradability with a future software update. $2,499.00 Coming Soon

S-Series

AVR-S570BT: For movie lovers looking to take the first step in upgrading their home theater experience or those who want better quality sound in a smaller space, this powerful 5.2 channel AVR, with 70W per channel, is the perfect entry-level accompaniment to any users’ set-up. The Denon AVR-S570BT is available in North America only. Could not find pricing info

AVR-S970H: Offering 90W per channel power, the Denon AVR-S970H 7.2 channel AV receiver consists of three 8K inputs, leading to an increased HDMI 2.1 connectivity and delivers support of higher video resolution and refresh rates. $899.00 Coming Soon

Podcast #1068: Sunday Ticket without the Satellite and The Fosi Digital Amp for Audiphiles Sep 23, 2022

This week we take an extended look at an email from Chris who is paying for two sports packages but still can’t watch all his team’s games. Is there a VPN solution? Did you know you can get Sunday Ticket from DirecTV without a Satellite? There are some limitations but we have the info. Finally we have a brief review of two portable amplifiers from Fosi Audio that pack a huge punch. All that plus your emails and the week’s news!

News:

Other:

VPN for dummies

I use Xfinity for cable & internet service in Central PA but also have an apartment in Central NC with ATT internet.

Back home, if I subscribe to MLB.tv, I can watch all games except for the Pirates and Phillies. My team is the Orioles.

In Central NC, the Orioles are blacked out even though the stadium is 5.5 hours away (it's only 3 hours from Central PA). Figure that one out...

Your show on 9/16 talked about Sling Box and VPNs.

I don't mind paying for a service but when you are paying (sometimes multiple times), it is frustrating to not get what you pay for.

(((Ara, you'd appreciate this-I am a Washington Capitals fan. I pay for the NHL Network, I subscribe to the ESPN+, and when I go to a youth hockey tournament, I cannot use my Roku in the hotel to watch a Caps game that night because it's on the NHL Network...which I pay for back home!)))

There are alot of YouTube videos about VPNs but a simple questions is:

what is the best way to use my laptop in Central NC and make it think I am in Central PA? Xfinity will only let you watch certain "To Go" channels if you are on your home wifi. NHL Network is one of them. I can record the event but then only watch it after it completes the recording.

Thanks guys.

Chris

Sunday Ticket without Satellite

NFL Sunday Ticket

Offer Details:

NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV service is only available to non-DIRECTV customers who live in select multi-dwelling unit buildings (apartments, condos, etc.,) nationwide in the U.S. where DIRECTV service is not available
Live in select areas within various metropolitan cities
Live in a residence that has been verified as unable to receive DIRECTV satellite TV service due to obstructions blocking access to satellite signals
Actively or previously enrolled college students
NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV U only available to students actively enrolled or previously enrolled within the last 18 months in post-secondary educational institutions from the date of purchase.
NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV consists of all out-of-market Sunday regular-season NFL games (based on customer's device location) broadcast on FOX and CBS.
Games broadcast by your local FOX or CBS affiliate will not be available in NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV.
Access via NFL SUNDAY TICKET App to only one game at a time based on device location.

If you qualify, here are the packages and prices:

NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV TO GO - $69.49 for four months or $277.96

INCLUDES

Enjoy every live out-of-market game every Sunday afternoon.(Eligibility restrictions and other conditions apply)
Watch on your compatible tablet, smartphone, laptop, or connected device like a game console
Get real-time stats and scores
Customize your Game Mix to watch up to 4 games of your choice on one screen
Track up to 20 of your favorite players with Player Tracker
Short Cuts: see whole games, commercial free, in 30 minutes

NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV MAX - $93.49 for four months or $373.96

INCLUDES

Enjoy every out-of-market NFL game LIVE, every Sunday(select int'l games excluded)
Watch on your compatible tablet, smartphone, laptop, or connected device like a game console
Get real-time stats and scores
Customize your Game Mix to watch up to 4 games of your choice on one screen
Track up to 20 of your favorite players with Player Tracker
Short Cuts: see whole games, commercial free, in 30 minutes
RED ZONE CHANNEL®
DIRECTV FANTASY ZONE CHANNEL®

Add NFL+ PREMIUM $48.00

Exclusive offer! Add NFL+ Premium to this NFLSUNDAYTICKET.TV package for $48.00 (currently retails for $79.99). Enjoy replays of NFL games all season long and more

Payment for MAX + NFL+ Premium must be made in full at checkout.

Fosi Audio Digital Amplifies

I was looking for a new amplifier to test my speakers more in different rooms of my house. So the amp needed to be small, high quality, and inexpensive. My searching around the internet landed me on Fosi. A company I had never heard of.

From the company’s web site:

Audio equipment company with a focus on HiFi sound Fosi Audio was founded in 2017 by a team of engineers and music lovers with the objective of delivering high-quality audio products. After years of research and development, we have mastered the art of miniaturizing HiFi sound and bringing it to any space, big or small. Fosi Audio’s range of products includes speakers, amplifiers, headphones, turntables, and other hi-end audio equipment. Our goal is to make audiophile-grade sound accessible to everyone and to further the advancement of music technology.

I first bought the BT20A ($75 direct from Fosi) which sounded really good.

Features:

Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz (±1 dB)
Output power: 100W + 100W
Input mode: Bluetooth and Analog
Bluetooth 5.0 core, up to 33ft connection range
Size Product Size: 130 x 100 x 35mm (5.1 x 3.9 x 1.4 inches)
Product Weight: 700g (1.5 lbs)

The device worked great and connected instantly.The sound was quite good and would work for any desktop or temporary use outdoors. This was just the thing I needed for verifying that any speaker I build passes audio. But being so impressed with how good they sounded without Hi-Res or even AptX I looked into their higher quality amp, the DA2120C ($160 direct from Fosi)

The 2120 is far more capable but only 80W a channel, which is imperceptible even at max volume. It takes twice the wattage to hear 3dB difference at the ear.

Features:

Frequency Range: 20Hz - 20kHz (±1 dB)
Size: 180 x 130 x38mm (7x5x1.5 inches)
USB Chip: Cmedia CM6642 SUPPORT 24bit/192Khz
Bluetooth Chip: Qualcomm QCC3031 Bluetooth 5.0 chip supports aptX, aptX-HD, SBC, AAC
Output Power: 2 × 80W at 10% THD+N Into 8 Ω

The main reason I decided to upgrade is that I want to put the highest quality audio through my speakers to determine their quality. The 2120 gives me a lot of connection options, Bluetooth, USB, optical, coaxial, and RCA. There is also a remote that you can use to select the inputs, switch modes, adjust the volume, bass, treble and EQ to dial in your sound.

The sound was outstanding. Listening to my favorites sounded as good as they did when using my SVS amp. Deep tight bass and bright highs. I find my latest speakers are a bit brighter than my typical JBL 2500 makeover. That is due to the fact that I ended up using a Dayton Audio 1 inch Titanium tweeter instead of the ones that come with the 2500. There is a video that goes along with this on our Youtube channel but we’ll link it here as well.

In my comparison of 24bit 192Khz audio vs what was being sent via AptX Bluetooth, I couldn’t hear a difference. As much as I tried I just couldn’t. It could be my ears, the speakers, or even the recording. But it did sound really good. So good that it may replace my SVS amp as my main amp for my office. If you are looking for a small portable amp check out the Fosi Audio BT20A and the DA2120C you will thank me!

For our listeners who listen to the end of the show. We are giving away the BT20A. Send an email to htguys@htguys.com with Bluetooth Amp in the subject line. We’ll pick a winner at random and announce it on next week’s show. We won’t mention this anywhere else so entries will be small. Contest open to anyone with a US mailing address. Entries must be received by Wed October 28th at Noon Pacific Time. Void where prohibited.

Podcast #1067: Fluid One: Next Generation Smart Home Control and Network TV Premiers Sep 16, 2022

This week we take a look at a startup home automation company, Fluid One. Their goal is to seamlessly connect your actions, your decisions, and your home. Then we go through the network shows and premiere dates. We also read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Fluid One: Next Generation Smart Home Control and Automation

We found a super interesting Kick starter project called Fluid One. It takes home automation into the AR realm and if it works is pretty cool. From the campaign page: At Fluid, we aim to seamlessly connect your actions, your decisions, and your home - making the environment around you its own responsive interface.They are trying to raise $100,000 but at the time of this writing have only secured about $9,500 from 40 backers.

We know what you’re thinking. Do we need another Home Automation controller? Probably not a typical one, but this one has some unique features that may appeal to some of you. Most notably, to control a device you simply aim your smartphone at it and the relevant controls appear on your screen. You can also use gestures with the phone like swiping up to turn something on or swipe down to turn it off.

Fluid One also makes setup straight forward as well. You aim your phone at the device, tap it and then select it from automatically discovered devices. This also places an air marker at the location. There are some aspects of the setup that the developers claim makes it simple but based on our experience some people will find it overwhelming. The whole concept of laying out the home floor plan including furniture placement is very cool and precise. But that will turn some people off.

Setting up Zones and automations as you walk through them are also very cool, but again, many people just want a few lights to turn on at sundown. So the question is who is this system for? Do we need a home automation system this sophisticated?

Smart Device and Phone Compatibility:

Fluid Lite comes directly compatible with all Homekit devices. To gain access to even more devices, Fluid One enables control over Homebridge, Home Assistant, and any IR devices, amounting to over 2000+ compatible integrations.

Fluid One will also be fully Matter compatible upon its upcoming release.

The lowest pledge for the Very Early Bird Fluid One Lite is $249 which gets you access to Fluid controls in a Primary Area in your home. When the product comes to market it will cost Retail $399.

INCLUDES:

4× Smart Node

ESTIMATED DELIVERY

Aug 2023

Only available in the United States

For $799 you get the Special Fluid One Pro which gets access to Fluid Controls in a Primary Area and Automation in a Primary Area plus four Extension Areas

INCLUDES:

8× Smart Node
Smart Hub

ESTIMATED DELIVERY

Aug 2023

Fall 2022 Premiers

It's that time of year when our favorite shows come back with new episodes and we get new content as well. The following is the release dates for new and returning shows on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and CW

ABC

ABC 2022-2023 Fall TV Lineup: New Shows and Trailers

Wednesday, Sept. 21

8 p.m.: The Conners

8:30 p.m.: The Goldbergs

9 p.m.: Abbott Elementary

9:31 p.m.: Home Economics

10 p.m.: Big Sky

Friday, Sept. 23

8 p.m.: Shark Tank

9:01 p.m.: 20/20 (two hours)

Sunday, Sept. 25

10 p.m.: The Rookie

Tuesday, Sept. 27

8 p.m.: Bachelor in Paradise

10 p.m.: The Rookie: Feds (NEW SERIES)

Sunday, Oct. 2

7 p.m.: America's Funniest Home Videos

Monday, Oct. 3

8 p.m.: Bachelor in Paradise

10 p.m.: The Good Doctor

Thursday, Oct. 6

8 p.m.: Station 19

9 p.m.: Grey's Anatomy

10 p.m. Alaska Daily (NEW SERIES)

ABC 2022-2023 Midseason Premieres

New seasons of A Million Little Things and The Wonder Years will premiere on ABC at midseason sometime in 2023. Additionally, Gina Rodriguez's comedy Not Dead Yet, Milo Ventimiglia's drama The Company You Keep, and the adaptation Will Trent will also premiere early next year.

CBS

CBS Lineup: All the New Shows and Trailers Coming in Fall 2022

Saturday, Sept. 17

10 p.m.: 48 Hours

Sunday, Sept. 18

7:30 p.m.: 60 Minutes

Monday, Sept. 19

8 p.m.: The Neighborhood

8:30 p.m.: Bob (Hearts) Abishola

9 p.m.: NCIS

10 p.m.: NCIS: Hawai'i

Tuesday, Sept. 20

8 p.m.: FBI

9 p.m.: FBI: International

10 p.m.: FBI: Most Wanted

Wednesday, Sept. 21

8 p.m.: Survivor

10 p.m.: The Amazing Race

Sunday, Sept. 25

8 p.m.: Big Brother

Thursday, Sept. 29

8 p.m.: Young Sheldon

8:30 p.m.: Ghosts

9 p.m.: So Help Me Todd (NEW SERIES)

10 p.m.: CSI: Vegas

Sunday, Oct. 2

8:30 p.m.: The Equalizer

9:30 p.m.: East New York (NEW SERIES)

Wednesday, Oct. 5

9 p.m.: The Real Love Boat

10 p.m.: The Amazing Race

Friday, Oct. 7

8 p.m.: S.W.A.T.

9 p.m.: Fire Country (NEW SERIES)

10 p.m.: Blue Bloods

Sunday, Oct. 9

10 p.m.: NCIS: Los Angeles

CBS 2022-2023 Midseason Premieres

Fans will have to wait until midseason to see CBS's TV adaptation of True Lies.

Fox

Fox Lineup: All the New Shows and Trailers Coming in Fall 2022

Sunday, Sept. 11

After NFL: Monarch (NEW SERIES)

Monday, Sept. 19

8/7c: 9-1-1

9/8c: The Cleaning Lady

Tuesday, Sept. 20

8/7c: The Resident

9/8c: Monarch (regular time slot)

Wednesday, Sept. 21

8/7c: The Masked Singer

9/8c: Lego Masters

Sunday, Sept. 25

8/7c: The Simpsons

8:30/7:30c: The Great North

9/8c: Bob's Burgers

9:30/8:30c: Family Guy

Thursday, Sept. 29

8/7c: Hell's Kitchen

9/8c: Welcome to Flatch

9:30/8:30c: Call Me Kat

Fox 2022-2023 Midseason Premieres

Fox's midseason debuts include 9-1-1: Lone Star, new dramas Accused and Alert, and new animated comedies Krapopolis and Grimsburg.

NBC

NBC Lineup: All the New Shows and Trailers Coming in Fall 2022

Monday, Sept. 19

8 p.m.: The Voice

10 p.m.: Quantum Leap (NEW SERIES)

Tuesday, Sept. 20

8 p.m.: The Voice

10 p.m.: New Amsterdam

Wednesday, Sept. 21

8 p.m.: Chicago Med

9 p.m.: Chicago Fire

10 p.m.: Chicago PD

Thursday, Sept. 22

8 p.m.: Law & Order

9 p.m.: Law & Order: SVU

10 p.m.: Law & Order: Organized Crime

Saturday, Sept. 24

9 p.m.: Dateline Weekend Mystery

10 p.m.: SNL Vintage

Tuesday, Sept. 27

9 p.m.: La Brea

Friday, Nov. 4

8 p.m.: Lopez vs Lopez (NEW SERIES)

8:30 p.m.: Young Rock

NBC 2022-2023 Midseason Premieres

NBC's midseason and summer debuts include Night Court, Grand Crew, American Auto, and The Blacklist. NBC has yet to announce a release date for Magnum, P.I. after rescuing the reboot from CBS's scrap pile. Production is underway, so we're unlikely to see new episodes until midseason at the earliest.

The CW 2022-2023 Fall TV Lineup: New Shows and Trailers

Wednesday, Aug. 31

8 p.m.: DC's Stargirl

9 p.m.: Wellington Paranormal

9:30 p.m.: Wellington Paranormal

Sunday, Oct. 2

8 p.m.: Family Law

9 p.m.: Coroner

Wednesday, Oct. 5

8 p.m.: DC's Stargirl

9 p.m.: Kung Fu

Thursday, Oct. 6

8 p.m.: Walker

9 p.m.: Walker: Independence (NEW SERIES)

Friday, Oct. 7

8 p.m.: IHEARTRADIO Music Festival (Night One)

Saturday, Oct. 8

8 p.m.: IHEARTRADIO Music Festival (Night Two)

Monday, Oct. 10

8 p.m.: All American

9 p.m.: All American: Homecoming

Tuesday, Oct. 11

8 p.m.: The Winchesters (NEW SERIES)

9 p.m.: Professionals

Friday, Oct. 14

8 p.m.: Penn & Teller: Fool Us

9 p.m.: Whose Line Is It Anyway?

9:30 p.m.: Whose Line Is It Anyway?

Saturday, Oct. 22

8 p.m.: Criss Angel's Magic with the Stars (NEW SERIES)

9 p.m.: World's Funniest Animals

9:30 p.m.: World's Funniest Animals

The CW 2022-2023 Midseason Premieres

Fans will have to wait until midseason for new episodes of Riverdale, The Flash, Superman & Lois, and Nancy Drew. Gotham Knights will join the schedule in 2023.

Podcast #1066: Home Theater Trends Sep 09, 2022

This week we take a meta look at Home Theater Trends by comparing what different groups are saying. Let’s see if there are any common threads. We also read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Five Home Theater Trends

We decided to take a meta look at this subject by comparing what different groups are saying. Let’s see if there are any common threads.

First up is a West Palm Beach Company called ETC. The company’s vision is: “company vision is to enhance our customer’s lifestyle using technology to simplify their lives.”

Comfort is desired more than ever - Most of us think of a home theater as a mini-theater-like space complete with stadium seating. Some people still enjoy such a space, but the trends are evolving, and people are investing more in comfortable recliners or loungers to relax while binge-watching their favorite shows.

Multi-Use Rooms - Today many homeowners want to invest in home theaters, but they find it difficult to allocate an entire room to theater. This has resulted into a growing demand for modern home theaters, which allows homeowners to have a multi-use room where their whole family can sit together and have quality time. Home theater is now becoming the heart of the family by enabling people to watch movies, stream shows, or simply do gaming while sitting at their favorite place.

Screens - Screens make one of the most common elements of a home theater. A good quality and a high-resolution screen is a must whether you are investing in a home theater for watching a movie, series, gaming, or streaming. The screen is truly the key focus area of home theaters. It can make or break the look and feel of your home theater. The market is expanding with many good quality screen options for home theaters, which makes it one of the key trends that will stay longer than you think.

High Speed Internet - Today most people choose various OTT services available in the market to fulfill their entertainment needs. For feasible home theater installation, you need a good and reliable high-speed internet connection.

Soundbars - Music and sound fanatic homeowners usually have multiple speakers scattered across the room. But this isn’t viable anymore. Sleek soundbars are now increasingly becoming a common name in the home theater of this age. Today, homeowners can enjoy an elevated auditory experience with fewer wires and no clutter.

Next up is Elite Home Theater Seating. Elite Home Theater Seating (Elite HTS) is an internationally recognized manufacturer of ultra-luxury home theater seating for residential and commercial projects.

Color: Serene and Neutral Tones - The choice of color is a major factor in your home theater design because it sets the room’s tone. For 2022, we are going with a neutral color palette. Beiges, taupe’s, grey’s, and creams are a great starting point, offering a blank canvas that can make even a small home theater appear larger.

Furniture: Sculptured Curves - Curved furniture has proved to be a top trend in 2022. A curved form is interpreted as safe and welcoming. From subtly rounded to circular, curved furniture can add softness and a sense of effortless flow to your home theater.

Comfortable Lounge Seating - The desire for comfort remains a huge trend in home theater seating ideas in 2022. With families spending more time at home, homeowners have become very creative in finding new ways to enjoy the experience. The home theater is a place to go to relax and unwind, where comfort is key.

Multi-Functional Spaces - Turn your home theater into an “entertainment space” that can be used for activities that appeal to everyone in the family. Also referred to as a media room, multi-purpose, dual-purpose or hybrid room, your home theater can also be a place to listen to music, do a home workout routine or play video games.

Texture - Texture has always played a big role in interior design. This year, interior designers are predicting a huge uptick in textured materials that feel good to touch and are interesting to look at. Texture It is used to keep a space from feeling flat or one-dimensional and adds warmth and dimension. It can also be used to make a room pop. It has “visual weight,” drawing attention to itself, and creates contrast to help the room look balanced.

Residential Systems serves the custom home entertainment and automation design and installation professionals with solid business solutions to real-world problems.

Dedicated Spaces - Dedicated theater spaces are being specified and designed more than ever, possibly because consumers are tired of having multi-use spaces in every room of the home and want a room devoted to just being entertained. We are also seeing them being added to housing plans right from the start.

Streaming is King - Media production and consumption is extremely disruptive, and some might say out of control. It's such a big topic right now the CEDIA Expo keynote will feature Greg Durkin from Guts+Data who will focus on the streaming content conundrum, the overload felt by the consumer, and what integrators can do to help. These days most visual media are being streamed, but there are so many services it's hard to keep track of them all and remember what show is on which service.

Immersive Music and Atmos - Home theaters are not just for movies anymore immersive mu-

sic has contributed to the new ways people are using their media spaces, driven by the surge in popularity for Dolby Atmos technology by the consumer.

"So often we see that clients have not thought about how they may use their dedicated theater to listen to music," says Adam Pelz, CEO of Bespoke Home Cinemas. "Generally, consumers may be used to a 2-channel system or using headphones or Bluetooth connections in their car to listen to music. In our final walkthroughs with clients, we will spend a significant amount of time showing them what playing live concert recordings and high-fidelity music would be like in their theater environment. They leave in awe of the immersive experience."

Video Processors and Calibration - Those who have been around a few decades can remember the massive demand for video processors to go along with giant CRT projectors. Back in those days it was needed to take the lower quality media formats and reproduce them at a higher quality.

However, video processors are more necessary now than ever before. "Integrators need to understand and communicate to their customers that some level of dynamic tone mapping is required to get really good HDR quality; the way it is being handled without outboard video processing is poor at best,' he says. "We are seeing huge differences in the quality of the mid-line projectors when you add a video processor." Along with video processing, video and audio calibrations can take a well-designed system and put it over the top.

Video Walls - Video walls in the residential space took off back in 2017 with the introduction of The Wall by Samsung. These days there are options by the other top consumer brands and the trend is continuing to grow.

Podcast #1065: Albums, CDs, and Hi Res Digital - Listeners Chime In Sep 02, 2022

This week we have three features provided by our listeners. Scott Hawk has thoughts on why CDs were considered superior to albums in the early 80s. John Lyman compares Records vs Airplay and Digital lossless and Tim Klevar reviews the Airfly Bluetooth dongle and the Sony Mark V headphones. Plus we have listener emails and news.

CD’s Were Universally Recognized as Superior to Albums in the 1980s

By Scott Hawk

Back in 1985, cassettes were outselling records and you probably remember how terrible they were. Cheap housings made them wobbly inside your player. Cheap tape material gunked up the heads and reels of your cassette deck with soot. They used Dolby B or no noise reduction. All this got worse if you kept them in your car.

For many people, records were not much better. Few people cleaned their records so pops, hisses and cracks were common. Plus, the record undergoes wear with each play since the needle is physically touching the grooves. Plus, the stylus would also exhibit wear, reducing its ability to track the grooves on the record. A stylus starts off with a nice point but gets rounder over time. So, play a record 300 times and the wear on the stylus and record obviously effects the sound quality. Most turntables were belt driven and the belts had been stretched, dried out or slipping which caused all sorts of wow & flutter.

Now, enter the CD. Even though CD players were at first expensive, within a few years all CD players sounded alike. Everyone who listened to music got an upgrade. If you had a cassette tape, the new CD sounded amazing. And, if your tape was a few years old, the new CD sounded like it came from heaven. If you had a worn out record playing on a worn out turntable, you also got a major sound upgrade. And, if you listened to FM radio, you too got a huge sound upgrade. Plus, they sounded great on the first play and the 300th. CDs were also indestructible compared to tapes and records.

No wonder everyone raved about digital music.

So, what happened since then? Today, getting a good music experience is much simpler. Any phone with even basic headphones stream good sounding music. And, nice sounding music can even come from a bluetooth speaker. But to get music out of a turntable, you have to go through a process which has some attraction. It’s certainly more of a process than using your phone. That process has some allure to it and the music will sound different. People can decide for themselves if something that sounds different is actually better.

I think my own experience was not the most common. I was passionate about this as a kid. I saved up to buy a fancy direct-drive turntable, with a floating suspension and a carbon fiber tonearm. I bought a Shure cartridge, installed it myself and adjusted the tonearm, tracking pressure and tracking angle. I’d buy a new album and play it twice … once to remove any manufacturing artifacts and then again to copy it to a Hi-Bias or Metal tape with Dolby C noise reduction. I splurged on a 3-head tape deck and cleaned it (and my records) religiously. I’d only play the record again to replace the tape or make a mix tape. I was very particular in getting the tape to sound as close to the record as I could.

So … a friend gets a CD player and loans it to me. I go out and buy 2 CD’s … Don Fagan’s Nightfly and Dire Straits (first album). Holy cow … it blew away my ears. The highs on the cymbals were stunning. The dynamic range was astonishing. The extra thump of the bass gives me chills to this day. Even after all the effort I took to get the best sound, this new technology just ran the table.

Record vs Airplay and Digital lossless a Listener’s Test

By John Lyman

With all the discussion I was curious about the difference in the following three formats: Streaming via AirPlay 2, USB to Amp streaming at highest rate vs a record.

My setup for the test:

M1 iMac streaming to an Airport Express (Airplay 2) - digital output into the receiver (10 Feet away)
2019 16” MacBook Pro connected to Amp using USB output set to 24 bit 192Khz
Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo Turntable - connected to a Cambridge Audio phono amp
Amp is a Cambridge Audio CXA-81
Speakers are Wharfdale EVO 4.2
Sub is turned off and no EQ running
Using Apple Music for digital content

The songs I picked were determined by the few albums I have and those that are brand new. I also chose the first song on a side of the record so I was listening to the same thing from all sources. I played about 1:30 minutes of the song.

I went in the same order starting with streaming to Airplay, USB direct connect and then turntable.

Songs used

Elton John - Sweet Painted Lady (24 bit 44.1Khz lossless from Apple)
Neil Young - Old Man (24 bit 196 Khz)
Pink Floyd - Speak to Me/Breathe (24bit 96Khz)

Overall I noticed the same thing

Airplay had the narrowest soundstage, was the brightest sounding of all, and the instruments did not stand out as much. The horn on Sweet painted lady was not as pronounced. In the chorus of Old Man where its a higher pitch and louder - the other instruments get lost. Breathe you can’t tell there are two voice at the beginning

USB Connection While Painted lady was at the same stream quality I could hear a difference. The soundstage was larger and I noticed a horn that I did not in the Airplay 2. Old Man is where I really could hear the difference in the sound stage being a little wider and the instruments were clearer. When they get to chorus its not as bright as the Airplay and I could easily make out the other instruments. Breathe - I noticed there were at least two voices singing and again bigger soundstage

Album - WOW this blew me away on all three songs with a much warmer sound and clean. Sweet Painted Lady had a great soundstage, the horn came out great along with the other instruments. Old Man the chorus was not as high pitched as the others and I could make out more of the background singers. Speak to Me/Breathe - this is where I was blown away. In the digital version the jump between Speak to me and Breath is very pronounced there is no ramp up to the louder music you just jump there. On the album there was a ramp up and then the wall of music hit me.

Conclusion

I found that the higher bit rate/more information provided did create a better sound picture filling in the holes a little better because of the additional information. I would also say the direct connection does make a difference as I noticed with Sweet Painted Lady. However, with the majority of my listening being done during the work day or streaming around the house with a non-critical ear. I will continue to use Airplay 2 because it is easy. However, for critical listening I will be using either a Mac hooked up directly or an Album with a good bourbon.

Update

I wanted to send an update after this weekend. I was reading an article about Open Core Legacy Patcher (OpenCore Legacy Patcher) that allows a person to install the latest Mac OS on older machines. So I went through the process of updating my 2012 Mac mini that I use as media server. This allowed me to load Monterey on that machine and take full advantage of Apple Music lossless on the machine and also Airplay to the machine from other devices. I’m streaming the music over USB to my amp as it allows full 24/192 output (digital capped out at 24/96) when direct streaming.

I also received Supertramp’s Even in the Quietest moments original album. This album has a song called Fool's Overture that I have been using for speaker testing since the 90’s. A great song because of so many instruments and changes really puts speakers through its paces. So I listened to this song from the album and again I noticed a warmer and good sound stage.

To me the bottom line is that both lossless and vinyl sound great for those dedicated music listening times. The reason I believe those two give a better sound quality is similar to streaming vs a Blu-ray Disc the more information the better the end product will be and the better the sound stage.

Airfly & Sony Mark V A Listener’s Review

By Tim Klevar

The Airfly is everything it promises to be. I bought the Duo and it allows two devices to connect. If you have cup phones and earpods, this or the Duo Pro is for you. There are two models of the Airfly: Duo and Pro. Both allow for two devices to connect. The Pro provides an “Aux in” function. The Duo is about $10 less expensive than the Pro, although neither are more than $55. Mostly, I think, cars and other things do not need this.

I bought the Duo. It works well, it is “elegant” in its design and function. It only has two buttons with dots. There is a single dot and double dot button used to connect and select the devices. Pressing either button connects to the device that was paired on that button. It charges via a USB-C port and has a USB-C to USB-A cable included. It is only about 6 inches long, but enough to get from an IFE USB to the AirFly. It is pretty cool.

The Sony Mark V headphones are everything they promise to be. I agree with Tom’s and RTINGS analysis. While they do not come with aptX, they have the other main codecs, including LDAC. These seem to me to be better than the Bose 700’s, which likely will not be upgraded until next year. On the other hand, the Mark V uses BT 5.2 and I was able to get about 40+ feet away from the source with no dropoff in quality or squeaks/pops. It was just as clear as when I was in the room.

These work really well. They are not perfect. And pricey. But if you have the money, they are worth it. I believe it is better than the Bose 700s. The noise canceling is super and the sound is excellent. I do not have one of the subscriptions to try the spatial 360 stuff. The ear cups fit nicely over my normal sized ears and provide a snug fit. There are only two buttons, one to power on and one to change the noise canceling levels, of which there are about 6 or 7. I have not yet been on a plane to see about engine noise, but around the house, it is a “dark” zone when I have these on.

However, I notice that sometimes when I laugh or move my jaws just so, it pauses the video/audio stream and I have to double-tap the right cup to play again (I watch one or two episodes of Hogan’s Heroes or Bob Newhart to relax my mind before I go to bed). It is still pretty cool that when I take them off, the stream pauses and then resumes when I put them back on.

The connection via BT was clean, and the Duke Ellington I listened to was sensational. All ambient noise in my home office was eliminated. The app is a little lame, and to get the 360 Spatial, you have to use one of 5 services, one of which is TIDAL, but the others were obscure to me (Deezer, Artist, mugs.net,, Peertracks)

I particularly enjoyed being able to use the conductive touch feature to raise/lower the volume, skip ahead and such. Just a quick swipe on the left earcup was all that was needed. They also include a 3.5mm cable for a wired connection if you run out of juice, but they are supposed to last for 30 hours at full charge. A nice thing, you can get a couple of hours with a 3-5 minute charge, although with the advent of more in-seat power this is not really a “feature.”

In theory you can use Aa-Lady to do things with the app, but I have not been able to figure that out yet. I also Have had issues trying to update the firmware.

While I know that high-speed connectivity is coming, many do not have that and use the IFE system. This doohickey will let them use their BT headphones for which they paid a fortune.

Podcast #1064: OLED vs Mini-LED and the EISA Awards Aug 26, 2022

This week we look at why OLED TVs are losing the price war to Mini-LED and share some of the winners of the Expert Imaging and Sound Association EISA Awards. Plus we read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

Why OLED TVs Are Losing The Price War To Mini-LED

The picture quality benefits of the best OLED TVs are widely known and rightly lauded – if you want images with perfect blacks and detailed shadows, OLED has long been a go-to for discerning viewers. (Full article here…)

No budget OLED

Pricing levels for OLED panels remain prohibitively high and that’s even with the recent addition of Samsung Display to the supplier mix. The current situation simply doesn’t work for a budget b brand, one that’s focused on establishing market credentials while maintaining pricing aggressive enough to sway buyers over.

Enter mini-LED: the OLED alternative

Hisense expects to sell its 65-inch U8H mini-LED ULED TV for $950-$1,000. Samsung’s mini-LED-backlit QN90B Neo QLED TV displays deep blacks and detailed shadows – kind of like an OLED TV for $2500. That is $500 less than LG’s 77” C1 (2022). Note - there are other OLED models that are in the same price range or less than the Samsung QLED. Also you can buy a 2021 model of the C1 for about the same price as the QLED.

Competition

Competition will always force manufacturers to be more efficient and price competitive. Competition is coming at OLED on two fronts, other suppliers of OLED panels and mini-LED. One thing to consider is that Mini LED is new and thus has more room to improve the process and cost. This translates to really inexpensive mini-LED panels that may be too difficult for OLED to attain. Regardless of which technology wins, this is good for consumers. Either platform will provide you with an experience reserved only for the highest end consumers of just five years ago,

EISA awards

The Expert Imaging and Sound Association is the community of 60 technology magazines, websites and social media commentators from 29 countries, specializing in hi-fi, home theater, photo and video, in-car and mobile electronics. Every year the EISA jury of experts rewards the best products in each class with a coveted EISA Award. This week we’ll cover a few of the winners and link to the complete list (EISA AWARDS 2022-2023).

Hi-Fi

Floorstanding Speaker - Paradigm Founder 120H ($4499.00 Each)
Wireless Floorstanding Speaker - KEF LS60 Wireless ($6999.99 Pair)
Value Wireless Speakers - SVS Prime Wireless Powered Speakers ($600)
Vinyl System - Pro-Ject X2 B ($1799) & Phono Box S3 ($499.00)
Turntable - Thorens TD 1500 ($1,500 - $2500 depending where you find it)
Value Turntable - Argon Audio TT-4 (650 Euros)

Home Theater Audio

Best Buy Soundbar - TCL C935U We could not find the C935U on the TCL european website but based on specifications we think the Alto 8+ is the equivalent which goes for $279.99)
Home Theater Processor - Anthem AVM 90 ($7499)
Home Theater Amplifier - Trinnov Amplitude 16 ($12,500)
AV Receiver - Denon AVR-X1700H ($699.00)
Subwoofer - Perlisten D215 ($8995)
Media Player - Zidoo NEO S ($1300)
Speaker System - Perlisten S Series (Thousands and Thousands of dollars. If you have to ask you can’t afford it)

Home Theater Display and Video

Home Theater TV - Philips 65OLED 937 (We could not find any information on this TV)
Best Buy LCD - TCL 55C735 (US 5-Series) ($649.99)
Premium LCD - Hisense 65U8HQ ($1399.99)
Premium Mini LED - TCL 65C835 (US 8-Series) ($1999.99)
Premium OLED - SONY XR-65A95K ($3999.99)
UST Projector - XGIMI AURA ($2379) This was talked about last week. It is a single laser and finished 4th in that category.
Home Theater Projector - Epson EH-LS12000B ($4999.00)
Media Player - Zidoo NEO S ($1300)

Podcast #1063: Audiophile vs Audio Purist - 8 Reasons to buy Discs and UST Projector Showdown Aug 19, 2022

This week we are back from vacation and have a jam packed show. We start off with a Phoenix record store owner who set the audiophile world on fire over his claim that Mobile Fidelity a company that has prided itself on using original master tapes for its pricey reissues, had actually been using digital files in its production chain. Then we look at 8 reasons you should keep buying UHD discs. And we look at Projector Central’s 2022 Laser TV Showdown. All this plus the week’s news and your emails!

News:

Other:

How a Phoenix record store owner set the audiophile world on fire

In a sometimes halting video posted to the YouTube channel of his Phoenix record shop, the ‘In’ Groove, Esposito said that “pretty reliable sources” told him that MoFi (Mobile Fidelity), the Sebastopol, Calif., company that has prided itself on using original master tapes for its pricey reissues, had actually been using digital files in its production chain. In the world of audiophiles — where provenance is everything and the quest is to get as close to the sound of an album’s original recording as possible — digital is considered almost unholy. And using digital while claiming not to is the gravest sin a manufacturer can commit. Full Article Here…

Comments from Youtube video:

So basically, MOFI just proved that all these guys who swore they could tell analog from digital were just full of crap!! 🤣🤣🤣 Thanks MoFi for settling that tired old debate!

I think this introduces a new concept, that there is a difference between an “Audiophile” and an “Audiopurist”. The audiophile chases the best sound quality, whereas the audiopurist requires the media to be of a specific origin, and with no deviation, which can be digital or analog. I think the marriage of digital in the analog format works fantastic, and can produce results that are synergistic.

I personally attribute the magic of vinyl, regardless of the source the vinyl was made from, is the mechanical to electric conversion that occurs in the cartridge. It's differently nuanced then how a DAC converts its signal. I think that's why vinyl kills digital in terms of soundstage, and imaging.

This isn’t even remotely shocking to me all things considered. I spent all of 2020 investing so much into my system and high end audiophile vinyl to find CD counterparts matching or exceeding. I’ve collected vinyl for 15+ years and it’s a wonderful medium to enjoy music. But it’s all about the mastering. Digital mastering done right can be even better. This is proof.

8 reasons you should keep buying 4K Blu-ray discs

For true movie enthusiasts who value the highest quality viewing, movie discs are still the way to go. Here's why…

2022 Laser TV Showdown - Triple Laser Rankings

The results are in from the 2022 Laser TV Showdown hosted August 4th by ProjectorCentral and ProjectorScreen.com that faced-off 14 laser UST projectors, with newcomer Formovie capturing the top honor in the Triple Laser category and projection stalwart BenQ coming in first in the Single Laser category. Full article here…

The difference between the highest rated projector and lowest regardless of technology is 9.15 for the BenQ V7050i and 8.06 for the Optoma P2. That’s an 11% difference however the cost difference is $1200. You need to decide if that 11% improvement is worth the $1200.

Even more compelling is that the Hisense 100L5G came in second in the single laser category with a score of 8.90 just 2.5% less performance for $500 more. But the caveat here is that the Hisense comes with a 100” screen making it a better value than the BenQ

The best 3 Laser UST was the Formovie Theater (catchy name) with an overall score of 9.08 and costing $3000. $500 less than the BenQ. If that is not compelling enough it supports Dolby Vision!

A few months ago we talked with the CEO of AWOL about their new LTV-3500 which has Dolby Vision in Beta but it's big thing was that it has a super bright laser with a whopping 3500 lumens. And where this projector shined was in daytime viewing in a bright room. However it was at the low end on color gamut. It finished second to last and costs $4900. But in the category second to last is still really good with a score of 8.76 which is only 3% worse than the winner.

Notes - Since all these projectors were calibrated we have no way of knowing if one calibrator’s results vs another could have changed the results. Some of the results only a percent of two off. We’d like to see this done again using the preconfigured settings of the manufacturer. Because if they are pitching these projectors as large format TV replacements and not high end home theater units most people won’t get them calibrated.

Ara owns an Optoma P1 which was the predecessor of the P2. He really likes it so he is excited about where this category has gone. Every one of these projectors in the showdown is an improvement on P1. The Formovie Theater and the AWOL LTV-3500 are on his shortlist to replace his 4K LCD when it stops working.

Vacation Special - Best 65" TV for under $1K and The HT Guys were Pilots Aug 12, 2022

This week Ara is on vacation again but we didn't want to leave you hanging so we have a special show. We go back to the early 2000s and learn how Ara and Braden became pilots for a very brief moment. And we also look at the best 65" TV for less than $1000

Other:

Best 65-Inch TV Under $1,000 (RTINGS.COM)

The Hisense 65U8G is the best 65-inch TV under $1,000 we've tested (full review here). It's an impressive TV, with outstanding contrast, excellent black uniformity, and high HDR peak brightness. It has the Android TV smart platform built-in, with an easy-to-use interface with a large selection of apps, so you're sure to find your favorite streaming content. It supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, meaning you can get a great HDR experience from any streaming service or external source.

Visibility won't be an issue if you want to use it in a well-lit room, thanks to its excellent reflection handling and amazing SDR peak brightness. It's also an amazing TV for playing video games, with an excellent response time, resulting in very clear motion with little blur behind fast-moving objects. It has low input lag and supports both FreeSync and G-SYNC Compatible variable refresh rate technology, which can help reduce tearing in some games. It's also great for PS5 or Xbox Series S|X gaming, with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth on two ports.

8.4 Mixed Usage

8.6 Movies

8.2 TV Shows

8.0 Sports

8.8 Video Games

8.6 HDR Movies

8.8 HDR Gaming

8.3 PC Monitor

Pros:

Outstanding contrast.
High peak brightness.
Excellent reflection handling.
Excellent response time.

Cons:

Image degrades when viewed at an angle.

Podcast #1062: Video IPTV Service How to Stop Subscriber Loss for Cable and Satellite Aug 05, 2022

This week we take a look at a new IPTV service called Vidgo and the five reasons why services like Vidgo are taking subscribers away from Cable and Satellite TV Services. Can they stem the flow? Perhaps but it's unlikely they will do what is needed. We also read your email and the news of the week.

News:

Other:

NextGen TV: Auton, Anywave Launch Broadcast Internet Trial in Bend, Oregon | TV Tech

Vidgo IPTV Service

Stream with Vidgo for 110+ channels of LIVE sports, entertainment news, local, and so much more. Every Vidgo subscription gives you access to 14,000+ shows and movies, with 100+ hours of new content added daily. Timeless hits, blockbuster movies, classics, and new releases - all at your fingertips. Grab your popcorn and get comfy! More info…

5 Reasons The Cable and Satellite Services are losing Subscribers

We have talked about Cable and Satellite systems dying a slow death for quite some time. This is a slow death that has been going on for almost ten years. Today we talk about what is causing it and how the cable companies can not only reverse it but thrive.

The most obvious is that there are streaming alternatives that provide on demand entertainment. Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Apple as well as the networks provide streaming content. You no longer need a set top box provided by cable and satellite companies to watch anything that is being broadcast to the masses. Ironically you need high speed internet and for most of us that is being provided by cable companies. This is a missed opportunity for better bundles by cable providers.
We are no longer willing to pay for a ton of channels that we don’t watch. We joke about getting what we want (a la carte programming) is costing us more, which is true. However, for the same amount or slightly more money, we get an unproportionally large amount of programming. When we first opined that it would be great to just watch the channels we wanted and only pay for them, we had no idea what was coming in the way of content. There is just so much content out there that you have to subscribe to more services which ends up driving up the cost of your “TV” plan. And it is good content!! No more summer doldrums as far as TV programming goes. If you have a limited budget you now allocate it to other services and not cable or satellite.
Companies like ESPN, Discovery, and HBO have made their content available directly to the consumer. No need for a cable or satellite service to get some of the best programming on TV.
Cable and Satellite service costs have really risen to the point where the pain of separating is less than the pain of remaining on the service.
Back in the day if you wanted to watch something it had to be on TV. Now we watch on our phones, tablets and computers. It is so easy to take your content with you using streaming providers. Your entertainment is now portable both inside and outside the house. With IPTV every room in the house can easily be connected to your streamers. Gone are the days when adding a TV to a bedroom was an ordeal to string cable to it. Now if you have wifi you can add a TV.

So what can be done to reverse this trend? In our opinion there is nothing that can be done. However, the cable providers can steer into the skid and go full IPTV. We looked into adding a cable TV and an Internet bundles and on paper it looked comparable so why not just go with getting both services in one place.

Well it's the fees and hidden costs that get you. We could not find a true IPTV service through Cox. Sure they had an option where you could watch your TV on different devices. But all their plans required a set top box that you have to rent. Plus the costs are only guaranteed for two years and require a two year commitment. And to top it off, there are a bunch of fees that just break the bank and make this an uncompetitive choice for almost everyone.

For cable companies to survive, they have to stop being cable companies and embrace the fact that they are now primarily Internet Service Providers that can also offer IPTV at a lower cost that other IPTV services.

Podcast #1061: Braden's New Speakers Jul 29, 2022

This week we discuss Bluetooth getting it's biggest upgrade in years, NFL+ launching it's own streaming service and Braden tells us if his new speakers were worth the wait. Plus we read your emails and news of the week.

News:

Bluetooth is getting the biggest upgrade in years

This latest evolution to the Bluetooth specification known as Auracast enables Bluetooth streaming “to an unlimited number of nearby audio devices." - This has so many cool uses. Imagine being at an airport gate and being able to connect your headphones to your particular gate announcements. That way you never have to wonder if the last call to board that you just heard was for your flight or for the gate across the way. But more traditionally you can share your music with friends headphones or you can listen to the audio of a TV in a sports bar.

There is also the new LC3 codec, which is designed to be a much more efficient way to transmit audio. That either means much higher audio quality at the same bit rate than the current baseline SBC codec, or even slightly better audio quality at less than half the bit rate. A lower bit rate means lower power consumption, which should translate to longer battery life. This would be nice if you can decide which way to go. If you were going for a long bike ride you may forgo the highest quality for longer battery life.

Other features include better support for true wireless earbuds, since Bluetooth LE Audio allows each individual earbud to maintain its own separate connection with the source device. And it’s also hoped that, combined, all LE Audio’s features will serve as a massive benefit for future hearing aids.

The last thing that is left is whether or not it will be integrated into existing devices. While it may be possible to add support for Bluetooth LE Audio through updates in the present devices, most people might have to purchase better hardware.

NFL+

The National Football League (NFL) has launched its own streaming service called NFL+. Beginning with the 2022 season. There are two subscription options for NFL+. The basic plan costs $4.99 per month or $29.99 per year.

Live out-of-market Preseason games across devices
Live local and primetime Regular Season & Postseason games on your phone or tablet
Live game audio for every game (Home, Away, and national Calls)
NFL Library programming on-demand, ad-free

For $9.99 per month or $79.99 per year, the NFL+ Premium gives you all the features of the basic tier plus some extras.

Condensed game replays across devices (ad-free)
Coaches Film (which lets fans study the game in-depth)

Braden’s New Speakers

Braden took delivery of his new speakers (CSS Criton 2TD-X Tower Kit MSRP $1074) this week and we get his thoughts on hs Historic Speakers.

Specifications:

Crossover Point: 1800 Hz
Recommended Power: 20-100 watts
Nominal Impedance: 6 Ohm
Frequency Response:
+/- 1.5 dB from 35 Hz to 17 kHz anechoic
+/- 3 dB from 30 Hz to 20 kHz anechoic
20 Hz to 20 kHz in room
Sensitivity: 90 dB
External Dimensions: 44"H x 8.5"W x 10.5"D (111cm H x 21.5cm W x 26.6cm D)
Weight 36 lbs (16.3Kgs) each

Podcast #1060: Are TV Reviews Valid Any Longer and the New Vizio Lineup Jul 22, 2022

This week we discuss whether TV reviews are worth using on the current crop of TVs and we look at the US use of Smart TVs growing even beyond the pandemic induced growth of 2020. Vizio announced their new lineup with the glaring omission of a new P-Series model. And finally we read your emails and look at the week’s news.

News:

YouTube TV Hits 5M Subs
Hulu Driving More Subscribers For Disney Than Disney+
ESPN+ Price Hike Coming Aug. 23rd, Monthly Rate Jumps to $9.99
Why 2022 TV reviews are a HOT MESS (Digital Trends)

TV reviews in 2022 have gotten messy. From delayed delivery and restricted availability, to confusing firmware updates, and unnecessarily deep dives, TV reviews don't look anything like they used to, and that's become a problem. (Youtube Video)

Supply Chain issues causing delays in TV shipments which means it's harder to get TVs for review. Some reviewers have to go to the manufacturer’s site for review. But you are reviewing the TVs on the manufacturer’s terms which means you won’t necessarily get the full picture.
Because there is a lack of TVs that are available for review some reviewers dive so deep into the minutiae they may expose something that does not affect 99% of the watching experience but they complain loudly. Then the TV manufacturers, wanting no bad press, over react and fix the issue and inadvertently break something else. Which results in the TV you bought a month prior turning into a different TV due to a firmware update. This may or may not be a good thing. But it kind of does invalidate aspects of any previous reviews.

U.S. TV Homes Using A Smart TV To Stream Up 15 Percentage Points Since 2020

Hub Entertainment Research reveals the huge pandemic-era shift in consumption patterns. The big question in a post-growth era for Netflix: Is this shift still happening? Full article here…

New Vizio Smart TVs for 2023

Vizio has announced its 2023 collection of new M-, V-, and D-Series smart TVs. However, there weren’t any new P-Series products announced. Vizio says that its existing 65- and 75-inch P-Series Quantum TVs, and 85-inch P-Series Quantum X TV will all continue to be sold until at least the end of 2022. A quick search of the Vizio website showed none available. For reference, Vizio lists the 85” P Quantum X for $3100. It is possible that the high end chips required for these TVs are in short supply but we’ll have to wait until the end of the year for any info. Press release…

Vizio M-Series Quantum X

Specs:

Size options: 65- and 75-inch
4K resolution
Full Array LED with local dimming (FALD)
800 nits of brightness
Dolby Vision, HDR10+
120 Hz native refresh rate
AMD FreeSync
VRR
Wi-Fi 6E
Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in
Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit
Price: $850–$1,200

Vizio M-Series Quantum 6

Specs:

Size options: 43-, 55-, 65-, 70-, and 75-inch
4K resolution
Full Array LED
Dolby Vision, HDR10+
60 Hz native refresh rate - This is what saves you $250
AMD FreeSync
VRR
Wi-Fi 6E
Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in
Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit
Price: $350–$950

Vizio V-Series

Specs:

Size options: 43-, 50-, 55-, 58-, 65-, 70-, and 75-inch
4K resolution
Full Array LED
Dolby Vision, HDR10+
60 Hz native refresh rate - this and no Quantum color is why it's less expensive
AMD FreeSync
VRR
Wi-Fi 6E
Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in
Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit
Price: $289–$780

Vizio D-Series

Specs

Size options: 24-, 32-, 40-, and 43-inch
1080p resolution
Full Array LED
HDR Gaming
60 Hz native refresh rate
AMD FreeSync
VRR
Wi-Fi 5
Apple AirPlay 2 and Chromecast Built-in
Smarthome compatibility: Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit
Price:$160–$250

Podcast #1059: The Kaleidescape Jul 15, 2022

This week we have a special guest host DJ Briggs of “The Bright Side of Home Theater” podcast filling in for Braden. We do the usual things like read your email and discuss the week’s news. But we also discuss how much DJ loves his Kaleidescape video server.

News:

Compact Terra Movie Server

Storage for approximately 300 (18TB), 200 (12TB), or 100 (6TB) 4K movies
Downloads a 4K HDR movie in as little as 10 minutes, at up to 800 Mbps
Ability to play back and download content at the same time
Distributes up to 5 simultaneous playback streams in 4K HDR when connected to Strato C players

The compact size allows the server to be rack mounted side-by-side with the Strato C

Kaleidescape’s compact Terra movie server and Strato C movie players offer upgraded performance compared to Strato S, pulling key features from the top-level Terra sever into a smaller and less expensive package.

Strato C Movie Player

Plays movies from Terra, compact Terra, and Strato S
Compact and quiet for dense rack installations or local placement in a room
New wall mount option lets you mount the Strato C behind a TV for local placement
Ideal for additional viewing zones in residential and marine applications
Custom 1RU rack shelf with faceplates for one or two players sold separately

Kaleidescape designed the Strato C movie player to provide an immersive home cinema experience, with better audio and video playback quality than most commercial theaters. Strato C is a premium 4K Ultra HD movie player that supports high dynamic range (HDR) and lossless multichannel audio including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS:X, and DTS-HD Master Audio. Strato C plays movies from a Terra, a compact Terra, or a Strato S over a network, with bit rates up to 100 Mbps and frame rates up to 60 fps.

Vacation Special - Part of the HT Guys Origin Story Jul 08, 2022

This week Ara is on vacation but we didn't want to leave you hanging so we have a special show. We go back to the mid nineties and learn how Ara almost gave up software to become a projectionist. Enjoy!

Podcast #1058: Best Budget HDTV and A Streamer's Dream Site Jul 01, 2022

This week we take a look at the Hisense UG6 as the best budget TV (from RTINGS.com) and we take a look at a streamers dream site called “The Streamable”. Plus we read some listener emails and the week’s news.

News:

Best Budget TV (RTINGS.COM)

The best budget TV we've tested is the Hisense U6G (Full Review) (65” $549.99). It's a great all-around TV that delivers good picture quality and offers performance that rivals some more expensive options, but you won't get some of the same features. For example, it has fewer gaming features than both the Hisense U8G and LG C1 OLED, but if you don't need those features, it's a great choice that'll save you some cash. If you tend to stream a lot of content, you won't have to worry about getting an external streaming device because the built-in Android TV has a ton of apps available to download. Even if you watch content from a cable box, the picture quality is good because it upscales lower-resolution content without any issue.

It's also impressive when watching movies in dark rooms because it displays deep blacks with outstanding black uniformity. Unfortunately, if you want to enhance your movie-watching experience and connect a receiver, the U6G doesn't have eARC support to pass high-quality audio formats. If that's important to you, the Hisense U6GR is similar in performance and supports eARC. However, the U6G delivers the best picture quality for a budget TV and is easier to find.

8.0 Mixed Usage

8.3 Movies

7.8 TV Shows

7.7 Sports

8.2 Video Games

8.0 HDR Movies

8.1 HDR Gaming

7.9 PC Monitor

PROS

Excellent contrast.
Outstanding black uniformity.
Decent reflection handling.
Huge selection of streaming apps.

CONS

Image degrades when viewed at an angle.
Ads throughout the smart interface

The Streamable

The Streamable is a website that helps you find the best way to stream anything. If you have wanted to know how to watch a movie or even find out if a movie is available to buy, rent, or stream through a service this website is for you!

The website is full of useful information to anyone who streams their entertainment. There is a tool to help you find the best TV service for what you watch. It's called the “Service Matchmaker”. Here you can enter sporting teams or networks you are interested in and it will give you a list of services that support it. Note - the site makes a commission on any purchases you make through them.

Ara entered the Los Angeles Dodgers as a criteria and the only option was DirecTV Stream. Looks like he is not changing services soon. If I were a Rams fan Sling TV Orange package comes up as a possibility. However, so does DirecTV stream at a higher monthly cost. Even with the cost, Streamable says it's the better option based on the channels available and other features. But if I were strictly making a financial decision SlingTV is the way to go.

Searching Top Gun Maverick yielded “Top Gun: Maverick is not available to stream with a subscription service.” Nor did it provide any insight as to when it would be available for streaming. But searching for Jurassic World Dominion revealed that it will be available for streaming on Peacock on October 7. A little more than 90 days after it hit the theaters. Not day and date but not six months later either.

The site is pretty comprehensive in that you can search on sports, TV Series, movies, channels, devices, and more. It's really the streamers best friend.

What we’d like to see happen with streamable

Of course this is a pipe dream but why not. We’d like to see streamable integrated with smart TVs and set top boxes. It would also be nice if this integration automatically picked up the services you subscribe to. Displayed search results would be listed by the least expensive way to watch first with clickable links. If none of your services are able to stream a title then it would list options to stream if available, and clicking on them would take you to a one click signup page.

If you stream “The Streamable” should be your go to site!

Podcast #1057: DTS Play-Fi Soundbars Challenge WISA and 8K TV Sales Jun 24, 2022

This week we take a look at the top ten movies on Netflix and talk about DTS Play-Fi becoming a challenger to WISA with their new Play-Fi Soundbars. We also discuss why 8K TV sales are not really doing anything worldwide. Plus we read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Major Smart Home Milestone Achieved! Z-Wave Alliance Surpasses 4,000 Certified Devices
Amazon overhauls Fire TV user interface
Chromecast with Google TV users get first crack at profiles
Nokia Is Working On A Chromecast-Like Streaming Stick
Netflix's most watched films, ranked

The following are Netflix's most watched movies, based on Netflix's own reporting of total hours viewed in the first 28 days of each titles' release. Any changes are in bold text.

Red Notice, an action movie starring Dwayne Johnson, Gal Gadot and Ryan Reynolds -- 364 million hours.
Don't Look Up, a dark comedy with a star-packed cast -- 359.8 million hours.
Bird Box, a post-apocalyptic movie starring Sandra Bullock -- 282 million hours.
The Adam Project, a sci-fi adventure comedy -- 233.2 million hours.
Extraction, an action movie starring Chris Hemsworth-- 231.3 million hours.
The Unforgivable, a drama about a woman rebuilding her life after prison -- 214.7 million hours.
The Irishman, a period Mafia epic directed by Martin Scorsese-- 214.6 million hours.
The Kissing Booth 2, a teen rom-com sequel -- 209.3 million hours.
6 Underground, a Michael Bay explosion-fest starring Ryan Reynolds -- 205.5 million hours.
Spenser Confidential, an action-comedy starring Mark Wahlberg -- 197.3 million hours.

DTS Play-Fi Launches Play-Fi Home Theater for Soundbars

Play-Fi Home Theater Extended in TVs to support new Speaker Configurations. DTS Play-Fi Home Theater is both expanding the feature-set and availability. Full press release from DTS here…

Play-Fi Home Theater for Soundbars

Support for wireless surround sound has been added to the latest generation of Play-Fi soundbars, speakers and subwoofers. You can create a wireless home theater using multiple Play-Fi products as the cornerstone of your system. TYou can add up to two subwoofers and optional rear satellites or amplifiers for surround sound with support up to 7.2.4.

Play-Fi Home Theater for TVs Enhancements

Available beginning with 2022 TV models, Play-Fi Home Theater for TVs will allow Play-Fi speakers or amplifiers to be used either as stereo pairs with the TV, or alternatively to be used as left and right speakers with the TV serving as the center channel for a surround sound system. This functionality augments existing home theater functionality enabled in 2021 TVs including: Using the TV’s built-in speakers as the front channels of a surround system or upgrading them with a Play-Fi enabled soundbar to improve audio quality without wiring between TVs and external speakers or electronics. Select Philips TVs will be first to launch with these features.

New and Recently Launched Play-Fi Products

New products continue to launch featuring DTS Play-Fi in 2022 and more products are on the way. Products that have launched or are launching soon include:

Audiolab Omnia Streaming Amplifier
Hisense AX2106GW 2.1 Soundbar
Hisense U5120GW 5.1.2 Soundbar
Integra DRX-2.4, DRX-3.4, DRX-5.4 AVRs
Loewe klang bar5 mr 5.1.2 Soundbar
Loewe klang mr1, mr3, and mr5 Speakers
Onkyo TX-NR5100, TX-NR6050, TX-NR6100, TX-NR7100, and TX-RZ50 AVRs
Full 2022 range Philips Ambilight TVs running on Android TV
Philips Fidelio FB1 7.1.2 Soundbar
Philips Fidelio FW1 Subwoofer
Philips Fidelio FS1 Speaker
Philips B8907 Soundbar
Philips B8507 Soundbar
Pioneer VSX-LX105, VSX-LX305, VSX-LX505 AVRs
SVS Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speakers
SVS Prime Wireless Pro Streaming Amplifier

Products that Support Play-Fi Surround

There are two elements of product required for Play-Fi Surround. They are the concepts of the Master and its Surrounds. In order to have Play-Fi Surround, you need at least one product that can be the Master, and you need two to act in Surround as Left and Right respectively. Any Play-Fi product can act as Surround Left or Right, but the Master has special requirements, and is limited to select products.

The latest DTS Play-Fi soundbars will allow you to create configurations up to 7.2.4—complete with height channels for Dolby Atmos—simply by adding more Wi-Fi-connected Play-Fi speakers.

8K TV Adoption is Much Lower Than Expected

8K TV has been getting a lot of hype, especially from Samsung, but the latest numbers show that consumers aren’t taking the bait. Full article here…

According to a recent report from Omdia research only 350,000 8K TVs were shipped to dealers worldwide in 2021, which amounts to only 1.5% of total TV shipments. With Samsung offering the most models, 65% of the 250,000 were from them. What is interesting is that according to the report, Samsung didn’t ship any 8K TVs to Japan. What makes this significant is that Japan is the only country that actually offers 8K TV broadcasts on a limited basis.

By the end of 2022, the number of 8K TV households is expected to break down as follows:

REGION NUMBER OF 8K TV HOUSEHOLDS

Western Europe 305,000

North America 269,000

China 244,000

Asia and Oceania 121,000

Eastern Europe 115,000

Japan 48,000

Latin America and the Caribbean 43,000

The Middle East and Africa 37,000

World Total 1,181,000

The following factors affect 8K TV Adoption:

Although almost all TVs on store shelves 43-inches and larger are 4K UHD TVs, there are still millions of consumers that own 1080p Full HD sets and most of the content they are watching is HD and not even 4K.
Although 8K TVs work with content sources currently available and perform upscaling of 4K content, to take full advantage of an 8K TV you need access to content that has been made in native 8K. To date, there is very little content to justify the purchase of an 8K TV.
Even though 8K TVs offer more pixels per inch, it’s nearly impossible to notice an improvement in picture quality unless seated within a few feet from the screen. Our eyes simply can’t resolve 8K resolution at a real world seating distances.
In terms of streaming in 8K only YouTube, Vimeo, and a few other apps offer any 8K content and it is very limited. To stream 8K you need upwards of 50 Mbps or higher broadband speed.
There is no 8K TV broadcasting (except in Japan as mentioned previously). The ability to broadcast in 4K is still slowly being rolled out in the U.S. 8K TV broadcasting is a long way off.
Movie and TV studios don’t have an end-to-end 8K production and distribution capability of any consequence. Also, movie theater projectors currently in use are either 2K or 4K. This means that there is no incentive to make movies in 8K.
It has been indicated that the current UHD Blu-ray Disc format will be the last disc-based format available. There are no plans to make an 8K disc format available to consumers.
Although some PC and console gaming platforms are starting to include 8K gaming capability, there aren’t a significant number of 8K games being released.

Podcast #1056: Has Netflix Jumped the Shark and Broadlink's FastCon Smart Home Protocol Jun 17, 2022

This week we try to determine whether Netflix has jumped the shark and what they can do save the company. We also take a look at a new smart home protocol from Broadlink called Fastcon. It's highly reliable and very affordable. We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Has Netflix jumped the shark? - Listener email and discussion

Just been thinking about Netflix and wanted to share my thoughts

The old saying from Happy days when the Fonz jumped a shark tank on water skis and Happy Days was never the same.

Innovation & Interface

No one can say that Netflix was not an innovator in the DVD delivery and then streaming service. They showed everyone what could be done and pioneered the streaming services. A wise person in the software business who I work with to create our company’s digital platform told me this that our product was visionary and ahead of anything currently on the market. He then said let’s make sure that we keep pushing forward because the competition is coming and this is their starting point. Netflix in my opinion is no longer the innovator they once were and have fallen behind the crowd. I believe the lack of integrating into a box or TV streaming OS really hurts them. This is my main way to find new stuff to watch and the what’s next makes decisions easier. Their interface I believe is one of the worst of the main stream services. They have gone to allowing algorithms show you movies/shows that it thinks you would want to watch. I have a soft side I don’t always need to see thing blow up in what I watch. Trying to find the vast majority of their library is difficult. The other streaming service allow you to see everything they have very easily again in my opinion.

Cost of main stream streamers & Business Model

Netflix 4k streaming at $19.99
Disney Bundle – No ads 4k streaming - $19.99
Netflix - 1080P only - @ $15.49
HBO Max - 4k streaming @ $14.99
Disney Bundle adds - $13.99

All others are under $10 a month I believe

They raised their prices at the wrong time as inflation was starting to it creep up they raised the prices and in reality or the #1 & 2 highest priced streaming services as the Disney bundle is 3 separate services. Also, it was kick in the face to be charging $15.49 for 1080P streaming – this is when I said goodbye. I have kept my Paramount, Discovery, Apple TV+, subscription because their prices is low and upgraded to Peacock without commercials because the per month price is under $10. I do get the Disney bundle and HBO Max free and if I had to pay for them I would pay from HBO Max & Disney Plus – wait for the $1 deal from hulu to sign back up.

Their business model of binging is great for consumers but not the corporations. Once Netflix jumped the shark with their prices I decided I could just wait till the late summer and re-activate for a month or two to see all their good content and then put the service back on pause. Disney & HBO have the weekly release that to me makes more invested in their services and they have good content.

Future

Does NetFlix go the way of Blackberry, MySpace or can they reinvent themselves? This is the questions each stockholder is asking right now. If I were in charge first thing I would do is realize that I’m no longer the only big dog and be honest about my place in the streaming world. I would integrate with the Box and TV OS’s integrated search. I would redesign my interface. I would change my $15.49 price to allow for 4K streaming. I would not buy Roku as that does not help you but spend money. If your plan is to make it the only way to get Netflix then you really don’t know your place in the streaming war. If you want to buy something look for a content provider with a big catalog if there is one left. I hope Reid can see beyond his ego and reshape Netflix to be competitive and still deliver great content and reasonable price.

Roku Staffers Swirl in Netflix Acquisition Rumors

Roku stock was up nearly 10% Wednesday morning as internal discussions focus on the possibility of a tie-up with a streaming giant that suddenly needs help with advanced advertising Full article here…

Ad supported streaming? - With Roku Netflix would not have to share revenue with other hardware makers.

Broadlink FastCon Smart Home Protocol

We have spoken a lot about Matter this year as a way to unify the Smart Home market. Well there is another protocol that has recently been released that has some pretty cool features. We’re talking about the Broadlink FastCon Smart Home Protocol. FastCon BLE is a patented communication technology based on Bluetooth Low Energy developed by BroadLink, boasting many advantages over their previous Wi-Fi based smart products.

Benefits include:

Zero Setup: Power up > Device Appears
Batch Installation: Add up to 90 devices in one second
Super Mesh Network: Extends signal range up to 500m covering all your house even in commercial buildings. Max 250 devices require only one gateway - saves your cost and time implementing and won't crash your router anymore
No Internet Required: The fastest control experience is direct local access Almost all controls especially for lighting are operated locally (except voice control) Bluetooth connection enables you to control devices via App or switch at home No Account Required: Boot up, open the app and add your devices
Guaranteed Success Rate: 99.99% device discovery and control rate. Enhanced mesh repeating mechanism guaranteed the delivery of control commands but avoiding duplicated signals
Low Cost: Very cost-effective FastCon BLE Chipset, which lowers device cost

What devices are on the market?

Broadlink has a lot of devices and from what we can tell you can do your entire home with their devices and here is the kicker, their products are inexpensive. They even have an IR remote that allows you to integrate your smart home with your home theater.

The best way to get started is with a starter kit that consists of 3 A19 Bluetooth Color Changing Light Bulbs with Music Sync, 1 Wireless Scene Switch and a Hub. While the Hub is not required for local control, it does allow remote access of your home as well as voice control via Alexa or Google Home. All of this for the whopping price of $34.99!

There are Smart Touch Wall Light Switches available for $24.99 for the 1 Gang model that requires a hub but not included. The version that comes with a hub is only two dollars more ($26.99). Someone is taking a loss on the hub! There is a model that allows you to control three light lights for $30.99.

There are also two types of wall plugs, and the cheapest one available is $5.99 and is a simple on and off switch. The second version has a dimmable night light that sells for $11.99

You can use the $24.99 Smart Button (includes a hub) to kick off scenes and automations as well as control lights and turn on your home entertainment system. To control your home entertainment system you will need the Mini IR Universal Remote Control which runs $25,99. They support almost all TVs and entertainment systems on the market today. But with this remote you are not limited to TVs. You can control AC Units, blinds, and pretty much anything that takes an IR command.

This system looks similar to Insteon in the sense that it is proprietary. We didn’t find a Thermostat that works with it so keep that in mind. It is also unlikely that Broadlink will support Matter anytime soon. If you go this route you may be on an island. Albeit a nice tropical island.

Podcast #1055: Sonos Ray - Ecovent - Costco TVs Jun 10, 2022

This week we discuss the Sonos Ray Sounbar and we found a solution for controlling which rooms in your house get all the cool or warm air from your HVAC system. Finally we take a walk through Costco and look at their TV department. We have some breaking news about Insteon turning their servers back on along with the rest of the week’s news. We also read your emails in an action packed episode!.

News:

Other:

Sonos Ray Soundbar Review: Great TV Sound on a Budget, Even Better for Music

The $279 Ray is the closest thing yet to a Sonos One speaker in soundbar form, and that's high praise. Full article here…

Ecovent Whole Home Zoning System

A few weeks ago we talked about trying to keep an entire home at the same temperature by using sensors throughout the house. Ara mentioned that in his home to get the upstairs cool he needs to keep the downstairs cold. Reverse in the winter for heat.

Rather than getting a second A/C unit Ara bought portable A/C units for the bedrooms upstairs. But this is a manual process albeit one that works well when there are people in the house to turn the units on. At that time we opined that it would be great if there was a way to control the vents automatically to send the air where it was needed.

Richard from San Diego heard our call and let us know about a company called Keen Home that has solved the problem with their Ecovent Whole Home Zoning System. We have no relationship with the company nor do we have experience with the product so this is just for information. We reached out to the company to see if we can get a representative to come on our show.

The following is from the Keen Home Website:

The Ecovent Whole Home System replaces 80% of your home's existing airvents to optimize airflow throughout your entire home. The Ecovent Sensors, Hub, and a Sensi Thermostat enable the Ecovent App to set specific room temperatures, giving you the ultimate climate control.
You adjust the temperature in any room from your app. The Sensors gather and transmit climate data in every room. Your Ecovent Vents then open and close to redirect airflow in your home and make every room the right temperature.
Mark vacant rooms to allow air to go where you are.
Save your favorite room setpoints and schedule them for automated comfort.
Adjust your settings easily while away from home.
Add your Sensi thermostat to the Ecovent app for end-to-end control of your home’s HVAC system.

Shopping for TVs at Costco

Samsung QN85QN85BD (85”) for $3999.99 Oddly enough Samsung is selling them for the same price on their website. Amazon has it for $3997. Looks like the only discounts available on this TV is the 2021 model which goes for $3345 at Amazon. The only difference we can see is that the 2022 model has speakers at the top that support Dolby Atmos. In our opinion you will be better served with the 2021 model and saving $500.

Quantum Matrix with Mini LEDs
4K Resolution with AI Upscaling
Quantum HDR 24x
Optimized Eye Comfort Mode: Enjoy an optimized display without lifting a finger. Its lighting system evaluates the brightness of your space to tailor your screen contrast

The Costco version comes with a $65 Samsung streaming credit.

LG OLED77C1AUB (77”) for $2599.99. Like the Samsung this OLED is going for the same amount on LGs website for the PUB version which appears to be the non warehouse store equivalent. At the time of this writing we could not find the 2022 model at Amazon. But the 2021 was available for $2596.

Self-lighting OLED: Perfect Black, Intense Color, Infinite Contrast
α9 Gen4 AI Processor 4K with AI Picture Pro/Sound Pro
Dolby Vision IQ and Dolby Atmos
webOS + ThinQ AI w/ Magic Remote
Gaming: G-SYNC Compatible, FreeSync, VRR, ALLM

The Costco version comes with a $100 streaming credit.

Sony XR77A80CJ (77”) The best we can tell is that this is a 2021 model and the warehouse store equivalent of the XR77A80J. Feature wise they are identical. The 80J goes for $2799.99 on Sony’s website and is also available at Amazon for $2599.96.

COGNITIVE PROCESSOR XR™ – Revolutionary TV processing technology that understands how humans see and hear to deliver intense contrast with pure blacks, high peak brightness, and natural colors.
XR TRILUMINOS PRO™ - Rediscover everything you watch with billions of accurate colors and see impressive picture quality that is natural and beautiful to the human eye.
XR OLED CONTRAST – Feel the beauty of OLED contrast with pure blacks and lifelike brightness.
DOLBY VISION8, IMAX ENHANCED9, NETFLIX CALIBRATED MODE10 – Enjoy immersive and engaging cinematic content as the creator intended.

The Costco version comes with a $200 credit to Bravia Core which brings the cinematic experience home. Enjoy streaming high-quality movies included with BRAVIA CORE™, exclusively on select Sony TVs

Samsung QN75Q60BD (75”) for $1399.99 Samsung is selling them for the same price on their website. Amazon has the 2021 model available for $1197 at Amazon. The only difference we can see is that the 2022 model has more audio processing as compared to the 2021 version. In our opinion you will be better served with the 2021 model and saving $200.

Quantum processor Lite
100% Color Volume with Quantum Dot
Dual LED
Quantum HDR
Smart TV with Multiple Voice Assistants
Object Tracking Sound Lite
SolarCell Remote

The Costco version comes with a $65 Samsung streaming credit.

Podcast #1054: Streaming hits record levels and Microns OLED Jun 03, 2022

This week we have a holiday shortened show where we briefly discuss Microlens OLED and Streaming to your TV hitting record levels. We also answer a few emails and read the week’s news.

News:

Nielsen: Streaming Hits Record Levels, Accounts for 30% of TV Viewing

While total TV viewing declined, streaming volume stayed steady and increased its share Full article here …

LG Display demonstrates a prototype WOLED display with a microlens MLA array

Article Here

What is microlens technology? Think of it like microscopic glasses that are attached to the OLED layer and that these glasses increase the light output. From a paper (Novel fabrication method of microlens arrays with High OLED outcoupling efficiency) published in Science Direct - After attaching a hemispherical microlens array with contact angle of 50.4° onto the OLEDs, the luminance was enhanced by approximately 117%.

Podcast #1053: UST Projectors - Mistakes with Soundbars - Smartthings and Matter May 27, 2022

This week LG Debuts a new 4K UST Laser Projector and we discuss five mistakes everyone makes with Sonos Soundbars. Finally, Samsung begins integrating it's SmartThings home automation platform with Matter capable devices. We also read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

LG Debuts New 4K UST Laser Projector

LG Electronics is expanding its premium CineBeam 4K laser projector lineup with the new Ultra Short Throw (UST) laser projector (model HU915QE), the follow up to the HU715Q released earlier this year. LG’s latest flagship home cinema solution can produce sharp 90-inch images when placed 2.2 inches (5.6 centimeters) from the wall, or 120 inches at a distance of 7.2 inches (18.3 centimeters).

The HU915QE plays movies and streaming content in 4K HDR, using HDR Dynamic Tone Mapping to analyze and adjust image brightness every single frame.

With LG’s webOS smart platform onboard, the HU915QE lets users watch all their favorite shows from streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and Apple TV without an additional device. They can also wirelessly stream content via Screen Mirroring, Apple AirPlay2, and Bluetooth. On top of that, its built-in 2.2 Channel, 40-watt speaker system enhances the viewing experience with strong, rich audio. Users can also connect up to two LG Bluetooth speakers at once.

LG CineBeam 4K laser projector (model HU915QE) with the latest UST technology will be available in the first half of 2022. No pricing available but Value Electronics is advertising it for $6000 to $6500..

5 mistakes everyone makes with Sonos soundbars

Got a Sonos Beam or Arc? Don't make these classic mistakes Full article here…

Mistake 1: ignoring Trueplay room calibration
Mistake 2: leaving the TV's sound output in PCM
Mistake 3: not trying the speech enhancement feature
Mistake 4: not playing with the 'Loudness' feature
Mistake 5: missing the new height adjustment feature

HOW SAMSUNG’S SMARTTHINGS IS THINKING ABOUT MATTER AND THE FUTURE OF THE SMART HOME

The smart home is about to change. Soon, you won’t have to choose a smart light bulb or door lock just because it works with your smart speaker. Instead, you’ll be able to buy a smart device, bring it home, and it will work with any voice assistant or app you choose. At least, that’s the promise behind Matter, a new standard created by Samsung, Google, Apple, and Amazon. Most importantly, you won't be locked into the platform you chose. If you decide you want to switch to SmartThings from Google Home, or go with Amazon Alexa over Apple HomeKit, any Matter-enabled devices can come with you. Full article here…

Founded 10 years ago on Kickstarter, SmartThings is one of the only standalone consumer smart home hubs from the early days of the DIY smart home boom that’s still alive and kicking.
The SmartThings hub is one of the few consumer-level devices with multiple radios in it, including Wi-Fi, Zigbee, and Z-Wave, allowing it to control a much wider range of smart home devices.
It also works with cloud-to-cloud software services and is one of the most compatible smart home platforms. There’s voice assistant support, too, for both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant as well as Samsung’s Bixby.
It was acquired by Samsung in 2014. Since the acquisition, Samsung has moved away from manufacturing any SmartThings hardware, offloading both the standalone hub and many of the sensors to device maker Aeotec. The company has said it’s focusing all efforts on the SmartThings app and supporting Samsung’s connected products through software.
The following are questions to Mark Benson, the newly appointed Head of SmartThings US, Samsung’s home automation arm
What is the future for the SmartThings hub with Matter on the horizon? The standalone SmartThings V3 Hub and the Aeotec SmartThings Hub will be updated to support Matter when it launches in the fall. SmartThings is getting integrated more deeply across the Samsung portfolio, with SmartThings Hub software built into select 2022 Samsung Smart TVs, Smart Monitors, and Family Hub refrigerators. These devices will also allow users to connect a wide variety of existing smart home devices, as they will be updated to get Matter as a controller support, as the new standard becomes available. We also plan to support Matter as a controller on our SmartThings Hub V2. This will enable our existing users to connect and control Matter devices.
Will the built-in hubs have any low-power wireless radios, as the standalone hubs do? What about Thread? Low-power wireless protocols are a crucial part of the Matter standard and will definitely come to the Samsung SmartThings products with built-in hub functionality. More details to come later on actual implementation of Thread technology, but Thread’s really important to us. Communication with Zigbee devices will be possible through the SmartThings Dongle, allowing connectivity to a wide range of smart home devices.
You say Samsung is integrating Matter as a controller — does this mean that Samsung’s connected devices (washing machines, robot vacuums, TVs, etc.) will not be exposed to other Matter controllers (such as Amazon Alexa or Apple HomeKit)? This year, we will focus our efforts on bringing Matter as a controller to multiple surfaces across the Samsung portfolio. This means most 2022 Samsung Smart TVs, Smart Monitors, and Family Hub refrigerators. SmartThings Hubs will not act as a Matter bridge, so non-Matter devices will not be bridged or exposed to other Matter controllers. That said, Matter-enabled SmartThings hubs will continue to support existing devices and protocols (e.g. Zigbee, Z-Wave) to provide SmartThings customers with flexible connectivity options.

Where do you see Matter taking SmartThings? With connectivity becoming more standardized, where SmartThings competes in the future will be different. The user experience is the competitive space that will differentiate platforms and companies — things around use cases in the home, cooking, taking care of your pets, managing energy usage, setting the lighting just right, and locking the doors at night. Having those things just work and be simple and easy to understand so that users can control their homes and manage their homes well is why we’re excited about Matter.

Podcast #1052: Will Matter Fix the Smart Home? May 20, 2022

This week we discuss how matter will fix the smart home. Well it won’t fix the smart home completely but it will make adding new devices faster. Pulse we have an abbreviated email and news segment since one of us went to Alaska.

News:

Other:

Google says Matter Still Set to Fix the Biggest Smart Home Frustrations

In early 2019, Michele Turner sat down for dinner with her colleague Grant Erickson. Joining them at the restaurant in Silicon Valley’s Woodside were two of their counterparts from Amazon and two from Apple. Turner and Erickson both worked for Google. The hosts of this dinner party were Tobin Richardson and John Osborne from the Zigbee Alliance. The aim of the evening was simple: fix the smart home. Full article here…

Podcast #1051: Sony's 2022 Lineup with Availability and Pricing May 13, 2022

This week we take a look at Sony’s 2022 TVs and Projectors with availability and pricing information. We also read your emails and take a looks at the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Sony 2022 TVs — QD-OLED, Mini LED, Master Series And More

The Sony 2022 TV lineup features an updated XR processor, promising Sony’s Bravia XR TVs to ramp up image processing power across 4K OLED TVs, a QD-OLED TV and the brand’s first Mini LED TV. Full article here…

Sony Debuts Three New Native 4K HDR Laser Home Cinema Projectors

Sony Electronics has revealed three new Native 4K HDR Home Cinema laser projectors, featuring what the company calls the world’s smallest Native 4K SXRD 0.61-inch panel (3840 x 2160), enabling a compact chassis design. New wide dynamic range optics in combination with Triluminous Pro algorithm deliver an unmatched 4K HDR experience on the large screen. Powered by Sony’s “X1 Ultimate for projector,” the picture processor based on technology used for its BRAVIA TV series and optimized for projectors, this processor enables unique features like Dynamic HDR Enhancer and Object-based Super Resolution to create expanded dynamic range and extreme clarity, heightening the viewing experience.

The new models are:

The VPL-XW7000ES is Sony’s new Native 4K HDR laser model in the range, with 3200 lumen and Live Color Enhancer that provides vivid images even in bright home living spaces. This model also features a new 70mm diameter Advanced Crisp Focused (ACF) lens with aspherical front element and floating focus group that delivers high clarity. The VPL-XW7000ES has a suggested retail price of $27,999.99 and is available to order summer 2022 at Sony Electronics, Amazon, Best Buy, and other authorized dealers.
The VPL-XW6000ES offers a bold, crisp entertainment experience with 2500 lumen of brightness, generated by a long-lasting laser light source, for vibrant images even on a large screen. Available in either black or white, this model also features an all-new 0.61-inch SXRD panel for high brightness, inky blacks, vibrant colors, rich tones and textures, clear cinematic motion, and image smoothness. Utilizing Flagship-level X1 Ultimate for projector brings the best of Sony’s BRAVIA TV video processing for projection, resulting in high dynamic range imagery with texture, color, contrast, and realism. The VPL-XW6000ES has a suggested retail price of $11,999.99 and is available to order summer 2022 at Sony Electronics, Amazon, Best Buy, and other authorized dealers.
The VPL-XW5000ES addition to Sony’s Home Cinema lineup is a 2000 lumen laser model that delivers high contrast and object-based HDR remastering for real-time picture processing. On the XW series, over a billion colors are brought to life by Triluminos Pro, which features the ability to display 95 percent of DCI-P3 Color Gamut. The VPL-XW5000ES has a suggested retail price of $5,999.99 and is available to order summer 2022 at Sony Electronics, Amazon, Best Buy, and other authorized dealers.

Podcast #1050: 5 Mistakes Everyone Makes With Their TVs, and How to Fix Them May 06, 2022

This week we look at 5 mistakes people make with their TV Settings and how to fix them and long time listener Jerry documents his transition from the Insteon Home Hub to Home Assistant. We have no email but we do discuss some of the week’s news in an episode that includes a discussion about Mead, Bourbon, Beer, and Moonshine!

News:

5 mistakes everyone makes with LG OLED TVs, and how to fix them

Thanks to their irresistible combination of futuristic, super-slim designs and consistently outstanding picture quality, LG OLED TVs have become the darlings of the high-end TV world – they're not only among the best OLED TVs, but the best TVs of any kind.

The problem is that few TVs are set up to deliver their best possible viewing experience out of the box, so if you haven't picked the right settings, you're not getting the most from your TV. So let’s look here at some of the most common set up mistakes LG OLED owners make that may be stopping them from getting the viewing experience they deserve. Full article here…

Cheat Sheet for Insteon Replacement with HomeAssistant (2.0)

Like many I was shocked to see my Insteon hub with a permanent red light and my expensive IOT devices inoperative.

A good number of ex-Insteon users are looking to other implementations of home management system and I soon discovered that HomeAssistant does work with Insteon Devices. The help pages are well done and explain the procedures well. I am back up and running with HomeAssistant following the instructions, but it is not simple and here are some of the fine points.

The definitive solution involves either the HomeAssistant server hardware or a Rasberry Pi with the software installed. You can run the system using Virtual system implement ations such as Microsofts’s Hyper-V or VirtualBox.

I suggest you try Virtual Box before you decide to buy dedicated hardware. I found the Hyper-V unusable, as I have with other implementations, but the VBox works… though was not stable enough in my hands for a permanent install.

So with Ara’s financing I bought a Raspberry Pi on Amazon with the additional bits and pieces you NEED: mico-SD card for the system; mini-HDMI connector for a display as well as getting a mouse and keyboard to attach and of course an ethernet cable. Here are the nice install instructions:

https://www.home-assistant.io/installation/raspberrypi/

The set-up is self generated and you really just follow the questions.

If you did this right, the home screen will appear on any web browser populated by a lot of devices you never thought you had, including the hub..

Each of these will then show up on your home screen which is your interface, as well as on your smart phone.

My goal was to get the cameras that I use in my astronomical observatory to work, which I did https://www.astrobin.com/users/jerryyyyy/

There are many viable “canned” interfaces and contingency programming and the home page is entirely customizable… I am still learning and a real time sink.

The biggest problem is initializing some devices. The hub interface seems worthless as it never showed all my devices and I basically had to add them back in one by one. I made a spreadsheet with the MAC address and set fixed IP addresses for many… If you do not know what I am talking about when I mention MAC addresses or IP addresses, you will be in trouble because you need to mess with your router and set up “fixed IP addresses” for some devices… also cameras have BOTH Wi-Fi and Ethernet MAC Addresses… On the other hand, if you know what I am talking about, this is a piece of cake.

My to-do list:

Get the motion sensor up and running (Appears to be impossible).
See if there is a way to pan work the cameras (Maybe learning more Python).
Get the GPS location off my iPhone into the system… yes you can get this through the App.
Find some good models for home pages and automations… there are tons but hard to choose. The one I have is pretty basic.

Bottom line, all in all this is a viable option if you are familiar with the basics of networking.

Essential Afterthought: How to back-up your installation. I learned that to shut down the Pi you do not pull the power cord… you go to the Linux shell and “sudo halt” luckily my install came back after that adventure. You can backup and reinstall the SD card contents using Win32 Disk Imager:

https://sourceforge.net/projects/win32diskimager/

If you put this system together, you do not want to lose it!

Podcast #1049: 400Gbps Internet speeds Evoca TV and the High Prices of TV Services Apr 29, 2022

This week we talk about a world with 400Gbps Internet speeds and a new TV service that combines OTA and IPTV. Also, are we spending more for our A La Carte TV services today than what we used to spend for bundled cable programming when HDTV came on the scene? We also read your emails and the week’s news.

News:

Comcast Reports 400 Gbps Internet Speeds in Hollowcore Fiber Test

Comcast becomes the first U.S. ISP to deploy advanced Hollowcore Fiber with faster speeds, lower latency Full article here…

Evoca TV

Cable is more expensive. Satellite is inconsistent. Evoca is the only home entertainment option that uses NextGen technology, combining the best of broadcast and streaming to deliver crystal-clear picture quality at a fraction of the cost. For the best Evoca experience, simply pair the Scout receiver with an antenna to enjoy live news, sports and entertainment. And where available, we deliver your favorite shows using an ATSC 3.0 signal that doesn’t hog bandwidth. It’s better picture quality with less buffering, the way TV was meant to be.

Evoca’s receiver that works with a standard TV antenna and your internet connection. Scout uses an innovative blend of broadband and broadcast to search and adjust for optimal bandwidth. That means, if you’re watching TV, you won’t have to compete for bandwidth with other people in your house playing games, videoconferencing, or streaming video. You’ll still get the best picture with less buffering or glitchy stuff, the way TV should be. Imagine that.

TiVo: Average U.S. Pay TV Customer Is Paying $204 a Month for Broadband and Video Entertainment

With the total monthly bill for connected services approaching the payment for cheap subcompact car, the subscription market does seem a bit ... saturated Full article here…

Podcast #1048: Insteon Servers Shut Down and Home Assistant Apr 22, 2022

This week we discuss the shutting down of Insteon servers and what you can do to continue using your Insteon automation products and we have an interview with Tony Willis where we discuss his Home Assistant setup that is one of the ways to keep your Insteon devices working. Plus there is a lot of Netflix news and we read your emails.

News:

Insteon Discussion

Insteon servers offline.

Company had a change in management in 2017 and tried to pivot it's products (with different manufacturers and partnerships). This did not go well and caused the decline of the company.

According to our source the present automations should still work but you will not be able to check the status of your home or make changes.

If you are using Idigo Domotics control SW you will see no changes, likewise if you are using Home Assistant

You can also use an ISY controller. But you’ll need a 2413S INSTEON Dual-Band PLM to talk to the devices. The devices are no longer being sold but you can find them on ebay for, get this, $1000.

If the hub was your only interface to your switches, Home Assistant may be your only way back in. Apparently Home Assistant has access to the inner workings of the hub and can take over the automation process. But as you will hear in a little bit, you will need to get into the weeds making everything work.

Insteon was one of the first partners with Apple’s Homekit. However, Apple did not have everything finalized and it cost Insteon a lot of money to support it. As a result the product was very buggy and did not work well. My own experience with the Homekit integration was so bad that I moved away from Insteon. They never really got it to a point that I thought was bullet proof.

There is hope… Things are happening that may see the servers turn back on. I can’t say much more than that.

Warning - Do not factory reset your device under any circumstances as it will not be recoverable.

/r/insteon Is where you can get information from other Insteon users

Home Assist Interview with Tony Willis

Home Assistant is open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. Perfect to run on a Raspberry Pi or a local server.

Podcast #1047: Is all the content creation reducing the quality of what we watch? Apr 15, 2022

This week Monoprice introduces three new THX Certified compact on-wall home theater speakers and we discuss Plex’s latest beta features that can help you navigate every streaming service you have. We also ask the question if all the content creation going on right now dilutes the quality of what we are watching. Plus we read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

News:

Other:

Monoprice Introduces three new THX Certified compact on-wall home theater speakers

Monoprice has just added three THX certified on-wall home theater speakers to its popular Monolith line. The Monolith M-OW3 combines front left, center, and right channels into a single thin wall-mounted speaker. Each channel features a high-performance 4.5-inch concentric driver with an inset 20mm silk dome tweeter, an optimized waveguide, and two 4.5-inch passive radiators. Monoprice claims a flat frequency response from 70Hz to 20kHz and it has been THX Certified Select Certified. Sensitivity is 84.8dB with 4 ohms nominal impedance, five-way spring-loaded binding posts and keyhole slots on the back for easy wall mounting.

The smaller Monolith M-OW1 speaker pair also uses the same drivers per unit. Ideally suited for use as front-, center- and surround-channel speakers.

Lastly, the Monoprice's Monolith THX Certified Compact Satellite speaker pair. Monoprice bills them as a perfect solution for front left and right, height or surround channels, again featuring the same drivers. Though smaller in form factor than the other on-wall options, these cube shaped speakers have a flat frequency response down to 80Hz.

All of the speakers are available immediately. The Monoprice Monolith M-OW3 is $500; the Monoprice Monolith M-OW1 also costs $500, and the Monoprice Monolith Compact Satellite speakers are $250 per pair

Plex’s latest beta features can help you navigate every streaming service you have

Plex’s latest beta features are a modern solution to a modern problem — having to search through HBO Max, Netflix, Disney Plus, and like, three other services to find something to watch. The company announced a new “Discover” feature, which aggregates and recommends content from various streaming services and a universal watchlist that gathers everything you want to watch all in one place. Full article here…

State of Play

The video streaming industry has reached a tipping point

The amount of video programming today is staggering—and growing. As of February 2022, Gracenote, a Nielsen company, listed more than 817,000 unique program titles across U.S. traditional TV and streaming services, with many of those titles featuring hundreds of individual episodes and chapters. Back in December 2019, there were just over 646,000 unique program titles.

While many of those titles form the bedrock of the traditional TV universe, more recent content, especially during the past two years, has been developed for over-the-top (OTT) release across the growing expanse of streaming services. And as choice proliferates, consumers will increasingly rely on content platforms and services to provide them with the content they’re most interested in.

Podcast #1046: Number one on Netflix and Streaming Trends and Motivations of Samsung TV Owners Apr 08, 2022

This week we discuss the number one streaming films/shows on Netflix across the world and we take an in-depth view into streaming trends and motivations of Samsung TV owners. Plus we read your email and take a look at the week’s news.

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What is the World Streaming on Netflix?

Number 1 in Film English Language - The Adam Project with 17.72 million hours viewed.

After accidentally crash-landing in 2022, time-traveling fighter pilot Adam Reed teams up with his 12-year-old self for a mission to save the future. IMDB Rating 6.7 out of 10 Rotten Tomatoes 68% Critics 76% Audience

Number 1 in Film Non-English Language - All Hail with 24.28 million hours viewed.

After failing to predict a destructive hailstorm, a famous meteorologist flees to his hometown and soon finds himself on a journey of self-discovery. The Argentinian dramedy made the Top 10 in 32 countries. IMDB Rating 5.6 out of 10 Rotten Tomatoes N/A Critics 33% Audience

Number 1 in TV English Language - Bridgerton with 251.74 million hours viewed.

Wealth, lust, and betrayal set against the backdrop of Regency-era England, seen through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton family. IMDB Rating 7.4 out of 10 Rotten Tomatoes 82% Critics 77% Audience

Number 1 in TV Non-English Language - Business Proposal with 32.52 million hours viewed.

In disguise as her friend, Ha-ri shows up on a blind date to scare away her friend's prospective suitor, but plans go awry when he turns out to be Ha-ri's CEO -- and he makes a proposal. IMDB Rating 8.8 out of 10 Rotten Tomatoes N/A Critics 94% Audience

Is it Cake

Skilled cake artists create mouthwatering replicas of handbags, sewing machines and more in a mind-bending baking contest inspired by a popular meme. Is it Cake came in at #3 with 26.51M hours viewed. IMDB Rating 5.7 out of 10 Rotten Tomatoes N/A Critics 39% Audience

Podcast #1045: Sonos Smart Sound Bars? Apr 01, 2022

This week we discuss Sonos adding “Smart TV” Features to their Sound Bars and we take a look at the Best 4K Projectors according to CNET. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

Sonos starts hiring to build “Home Theater OS”

Sonos has ambitions not just to be the platform of choice for home audio but for home theater, too, according to several new job postings discovered and reported by Protocol. The job listings suggest several new areas of expansion for Sonos, and they paint a picture of a much broader home theater strategy than the sound bar-driven one the company focuses on now. Full article here…

Best 4K Projectors for 2022 (CNET)

4K projectors offer huge, ultra high resolution images for the ultimate movie night. Here are the best ones. Full article here…

Podcast #1044: The Beginnings of "Fuzz Tone" - CD Fun Facts - 2022 LG Pricing Mar 25, 2022

This week we further discuss the beginning of the “Fuzz Tone” in music, give you some fun facts of the Compact Disc and rundown the availability and pricing of the 2022 LG line of HDTVs. Plus we read your emails and go over the week's news.

Ara's Latest Speaker Build

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How Sam Phillips Invented the Sound of Rock and Roll

Here is some more information about the story Ara told last week about the broken amp that created a new sound. Full article here…

From the article:

It was around this time that a baby-faced Beale Street regular came into the studio. His name was Riley King, but everyone called him the "Beale Street Blues Boy," a name that later boiled down to simply "B.B. King." With singles like "Mistreated Woman" and "She's Dynamite," King became one of Phillips' first successful artists, and far from the last.

In early 1951, King recommended Phillips' services to the Mississippi-based band "Kings of Rhythm," led by teenager Ike Turner. In their haste to fix an unlucky flat tire on a road trip to Memphis, one of their amps fell out of the trunk and onto the pavement. Upon arriving at Phillips' studio, guitarist Willie Kizart plugged in the amp and got a horrible, fuzzy, distorted noise. The speaker cone of the vacuum tube amp seemed to have broken in the fall, or maybe was damaged during a rainstorm that befell the band on their way to the studio. Whatever the case, the amp was shot and the group, crestfallen, feared their shot at recording a song was over before it had even started.

Phillips, however, had a different idea. Running to the diner next door, he grabbed some paper—the legend differs on whether it was brown paper or day-old newspaper—and stuffed it into the amp, giving it a new, unique sound, a muffled saxophone-like bass. For Phillips, this wasn't just a quick fix, but in fact something better: something different. When you listen to the the song widely hailed as rock and roll's first, "Rocket 88," you'll hear exactly what he created. A sound that helped launch a genre.

"Instead of trying to hide that sound," says Jerry Phillips, "he brought it to the forefront." While this may not have been the first instance of fuzz tone or distortion in a song, it was the first commercially successful song with this soon-to-be-iconic manipulation of sound that would go on to define songs from The Kinks' "You Really Got Me Going" to The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" to The Beastie Boys' "Sabotage."

Rocket 88 (Original Version) - Ike Turner/Jackie Brenston

Fun facts about the CD

Sony worked with Philips to develop the first CD.
The Sony CDP-101 was the first CD player and it cost around $900 in 1982. Compact discs themselves were at first extremely expensive at $30 each. CDs were manufactured at only two facilities in the entire world, each owned by Philips and Sony. The manufacturing process was tedious and required masked technicians in labs. There were soon six factories, and the price per disc dropped to $25, and then to $20. As venture capital poured in, there were soon 40 factories manufacturing discs.
The first portable CD player was released in 1982, but it was not possible to skip songs you didn't like.That technology came out in the mid 1990's. Sony’s first portable CD player, the Discman D-50, was introduced in November 1984. At first, the D-50 was not profitable but as the product gained popularity, it soon became profitable, and Sony began to create a portable CD market. The Discman range was later re-named to CD Walkman.
The first ever CD was a 1982 album by Swedish pop group Abba called The Visitors
The biggest selling CD of all time is the Eagles 1976 Their Greatest Hits album, which sold over 38 million copies
If all the CDs in the world were piled up, they'd circle the Earth six times
Vinyl sales in 2021 topped CDs in the United States for the first time in 30 years. According to data from Billboard, 38% of all album sales in the country last year were in vinyl format, accounting for over 50% of all physical album sales. This marked the first time more vinyls were sold than CDs in the US since 1991.

LG’s 2022 OLED televisions start shipping this spring

LG today announced pricing and availability for its 2022 line of OLED televisions. That includes four series of 4K sets (we’ve got info for three of them, anyway), as well two 8K models. Full article here…

Podcast #1043: aptX HD andLutron Caseta Smart Home Products - The answer to Wifi Issues Mar 18, 2022

This week we take a look at aptX HD Bluetooth: What is it? What devices and headphones support it? We also ask if Lutron Caseta Smart Home Products are the answer to Wifi Issues for homes with a lot of 2.4Ghz wifi devices? We read your emails and look at the week’s news as well.

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aptX HD Bluetooth: What is it? What devices and headphones support it?

If there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years it’s that plenty of people will happily sacrifice audio quality for convenience. The popularity of music streaming services and wireless headphones are proof of that. Although seldom a match for a well-recorded LP or good pair of wired headphones, they sure are mighty handy. Full article here…

Lutron Caseta Smart Home Products - The answer to Wifi Issues?

A couple of weeks ago we received an email from Robert Iadevaia extolling the virtues of hub based smart home devices. Specifically Lutron Caseta. Robert pointed out that using a hub connected to the network with an ethernet cable that in turn talks with the wireless devices on a separate proprietary network offloads the demands on the Wifi network, which will increase the reliability of both the Wifi network and the smart home devices.

I did a deeper dive into this after receiving an email from Robert Spivack of DoItForMe.Solutions. Robert and I had a conversation discussing the way Lutron works and after the call I bought a Starter kit that included a Hub, two dimmers, and two pico remote controls for $170 from Amazon. Note - If you plan on installing the Pico remote in place of another switch as part of a three way light control you will need two wall plate brackets that cost $6 each.

Hub Features:

Works with Alexa, Apple HomeKit, and the Google Assistant
Does not interfere or compete with Wi-Fi connected devices because it transmits on the same frequencies as a garage door opener.
The lower frequency the devices operate on extend the range of devices.
Supports up to 75 Caseta devices

Switch Installation:

These are the easiest switches I have ever installed! There are only two wires and a ground. The switches do not need the white neutral wire which makes it a great choice for older homes. The other interesting part of the install is that it doesn’t matter where you connect the line and load wires on the switch. You can install these without a volt meter. Just make sure you turn off the power!

The three way switch is just as easy. There is no need for the traveler wire so you cap it off. You will, however, need to connect the line and load lines in the remote switch location so that the circuit is completed. But other than that, you install the wall plate bracket and put the remote into it and put the switch cover on and you are done.

Lutron App:

The app is pretty basic but gets the job done. If you use Alexa, HomeKit, or Google Home, you will use it to add the devices and nothing else. But you can manage your entire Luton based home with the app if you choose. Adding devices is much faster than using the Home app and the nice thing is when the device is added it automatically shows up in the Home app. This is provided that you added the hub to Homekit. The other automation systems work just as easily.

You have to add and pair the remote as well. However, you can pair remotes with switches without the need of the app. The remote does not show up in the Home app so it can only control Lutron devices. You can control the Lutron devices with other remotes in your automation system if you want.

Performance:

Lightning fast! 100% reliable! Yes it's only been four days but one of the switches that was replaced needed to be reset about every three days. I like the switches so much I bought three more! And on a side note, they have wall plugs that cost $45 but they are only two prongs. They do dim however. Not a requirement for me.

In my quest to reduce the number of wifi devices I wanted to swap out a few of my current wall plugs but the two prong socket is an issue for me. Fortunately el Gato sells a three prong plug that is bluetooth based that supports Thread for $40.

When I was done. I replaced Five wall switches and two wall plugs for about $500. My automation got more responsive and reliable and as a side benefit, my wifi performance for the other devices on my network improved dramatically. If you have a lot of devices in your system and the response is a bit flaky, you should seriously consider trying out Lutron Caseta Smart Home Products!

Podcast #1042: Sub $400 Tower speakers, Ads on Netflix, and a new SmartTV Paradigm Mar 11, 2022

This week we explore a world where Netflix uses ads to support it's massive hunger for content and consider an approach where smart TVs are replaced by a mechanism that lets set top box manufacturers integrate their software with the TV. We also explore the sub $400 tower speaker world. All this plus your emails and the week’s news on this week’s show.

News:

Netflix CFO has no plans for advertising but 'never say never'

A senior Netflix Inc executive said on Tuesday the company had no current plans to offer a streaming option that included advertising but declined to rule it out in the future. Full article here…

Roku CEO Wood: Samsung, LG and Vizio Will Eventually Give Up on Their Own OS

The major smart TV makers who supply their own operating system will eventually give up and license a third-party OS from either Roku, Amazon or Google, Roku CEO Anthony Wood said. Full article here…

Inexpensive Tower Speakers

We saw a post over at AVS Forum where someone was asking about which sub $400 tower speaker would make a good addition to his theater. The poster was asking other members to chime in on the merits of the Klipsch R-820F vs the JBL Studio 590. Both are highly rated by users. Well this got us wondering about other quality sub $400 tower speakers.

Before we get into the list, why would you want floor standing speakers?

Loudness - Floor standing speakers typically get louder than satellites so if you have a larger room or simply like your music and movies loud, Towers are the way to go.
Full Range - Tower speakers have better frequency range and can typically go to lower frequency lessening the reliance on a large subwoofer. We are not saying you don’t need a subwoofer but the Klipsch can reproduce sound down to 35Hz.
Higher Sensitivity - This is a spec that many people ignore because we have such big amplifiers. But the higher the sensitivity the less your speakers have to work to create sound. A typical bookshelf speaker has a sensitivity of 85db. That means that it speaker produces a level of 85dB when driven with 1 watt of power and measured 1 meter in front. The JBL has a sensitivity of 92db. The translation is that your amplifier doesn’t need to work as hard which will extend it's life. The Klipsch has a sensitivity of a whopping 97db!
They Sound Better - This is a general statement and needs further context. There are plenty of bookshelf speakers that will sound better than tower speakers. However, within a manufacturers line the tower speakers will sound better than the same model’s bookshelf version.

Of course there is the pesky issue with size. Tower speakers don’t fit easily in some rooms and typically cost more than their bookshelf counterparts. Which finally brings us to our list of some fantastic tower speakers that won’t break the bank.

Klipsch R-820F ($399 each)

Frequency Response 35Hz - 21kHz +/- 3dB
Sensetivity 97 dB @ 2.83V/1M
Power handling (cont/peak) 150W/600W
1" Aluminum LTS tweeter
90x90 Square Tractrix Horn
Dual 8" Spun-Copper IMG Woofers
Bass-Reflex via Rear-Firing Tractrix® ports
Strong, Flexible Removable Magnetic Grille
Dimensions: 43" x 10.9" x 17.5" (1093mm x 277mm x 443mm)
Weight 54 Lbs (25.5 Kg)

JBL Studio 590 ($399.99 each)

Frequency Response 35Hz - 40kHz +/- 3dB
Sensetivity 92 dB @ 2.83V/1M
Power handling 25 - 250W
1" (25mm) compression driver with neodymium magnet and one-piece Teonex diaphragm on a glass-filled ABS Bi-Radial horn, magnetically shielded tweeter
Two 8" (200mm) PolyPlas cones with Symmetrical Field Geometry magnet structures, cast frames and rubber surrounds, magnetically shielded woofers
Dimensions: 49.75" x 12.7" x 16.25" (1263mm x 322mm x 413mm)
Weight 69.5 Lbs (31.5 Kg)

Debut 2.0 5.25″ Floorstanding Speaker – DF52 ($399.98 each)

Frequency Response 42Hz - 35kHz +/- 3dB
Sensitivity 86 dB @ 2.83V/1M
Power handling 140W
1″ Cloth Dome tweeter
Three 5-1/4″ Aramid Fiber woofer
Dimensions: 40" x 7" x 9.2" (1016mm x 178mm x 233mm)
Weight 69.5 Lbs (31.5 Kg)

Monolith by Monoprice Encore T6 Tower Speaker ($399.99 Each)

Frequency Response 37Hz - 20kHz +/- 3dB
Sensitivity 87.8 dB @ 2.83V/1M
Power handling 50-180W
1″ Silk Dome with Waveguide tweeter
6.5" Long Fiber Pulp Cone with NBR Surround mid woofer
2x 6.5" Long Fiber Pulp Cone with NBR Surround woofer
Dimensions: 40" x 7.9" x 13.8" (1016mm x 201mm x 351mm)
Weight 49.2 Lbs (22.3 Kg)

Podcast #1041: QLED vs OLED and Audioengine S6 Mini Sub Review Mar 04, 2022

This week we look at an article that claims a QLED TV is finally on par with OLED. We are not as convinced. We also review the Audioengine S6 Powered Desktop Subwoofer. And as usual we read your email and cover some of the week’s news.

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HT Tours #1 John's 5.1.4 Soundbar Theater

Why 2021 was the year QLED finally beat OLED

When it comes to grading the best TVs, Tom’s Guide takes a two-pronged approach. We arrive at a verdict after first analyzing lab test results, then reporting anecdotal viewing experience. In both assessments, QLED beat OLED this year. Full article here…

Audioengine S6 Powered Subwoofer Review

The HT Guys have been using Audioengine products pretty much since there was an HT Guys! From their powered desktop speakers, wireless audio adapters and now to the new S6 desktop subwoofer. The S6 (MSRP $299) is a small subwoofer that packs a huge punch. Measuring a mere 10″ (25.2 cm) x 8.7″ (22.2 cm) x 10″ (25.3 cm) and weighing a paltry 15.4 lb (6.98 kg), the S6 is the smallest subwoofer we have reviewed to date.

Specifications:

Amplifier Type - Class D
Power Output - 210 W peak power total (140 W RMS), AES
Drivers - 6″ long throw front-firing woofer
Inputs - 3.5 mm stereo mini-jack, RCA L/R
Input Voltages - 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz auto-switching
SNR - >100 dB (typical A-weighted)
Frequency Response - 33Hz – 132Hz ±1.5dB
Input Impedance - 10K ohms unbalanced
Crossover Frequency - 40Hz – 130Hz
Protection - Output current limiting, thermal over-temperature, power on/off transient protection
Standby Consumption -

Podcast #1040: Hackable DIY Home Security, LED Bulbs, and Streaming Boxes are Here to Stay Feb 25, 2022

This week we discuss how vulnerable your DIY Home Security System is. We help you with your LED bulb buying and give you three reasons why the HT Guys feel that set top streamers are not going anywhere soon. Plus we read your email and the week’s news.

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Ring, SimpliSafe, and Three Other DIY Home Security Systems Vulnerable to Hacking

If you’ve seen the latest Scream movie, you might be haunted by the scene of the killer disabling a home security system to get inside a victim’s house. (Warning: the trailer is chilling.) The portrayed attack method is highly unlikely to happen in real life, but the scary scene might make you wonder just how tamper-resistant your own home security system is. And that’s a legitimate concern. Full article here…

5 things you need to know before buying LED bulbs

If you haven't switched to LED bulbs, now is the time. The reasons why are compelling. For starters, LED bulbs last much longer than incandescent bulbs, and they put out the same amount of light using significantly less energy. That's great for the environment, and it can save you money on your electricity bill in the long term. Full article here…

Three Reasons a Set Top Streamer will not be Replaced by a Smart TV

We read an article about the CEO of Roku saying that the company isn’t ready to give up on dongles: Company executives told reporters and analysts that streaming adapters remain a key part of the company’s business, despite reports of consumers increasingly migrating to smart TVs for their binge-watching needs.

He was responding to a recent report from streaming analytics company Conviva, which detailed that the global usage of streaming adapters had fallen for the first time in Q4 of 2021, while smart TVs continue to see double-digit usage growth.

Here are the three reasons the HT Guys feel the streamer isn’t going anywhere.

A consistent experience - you may have multiple TVs in your house made by different manufacturers. Using an external device keeps the experience consistent across manufacturers.
Technology changes fast - you spent your hard earned money on a TV two years ago and now want to stream the latest 4K content from Netflix. Turns out to get the best resolution Netflix updated their software with better compression. Only a setup box or TV made in the last six months has the processing power to decode the new algorithm. As a result you get the lower resolution version of the program even though your TV can display the 4K picture in all it's glory.
Applications - There are far more applications developed for streamers. There are a lot of local, national, and global news stations with apps that simply are not available on smart TVs. Many will never be available.

In a strategic shift, Roku plans to make its own TV sets

Podcast #1039: Five things to fix the Smart Home and the Best OLED under $1,500 Feb 18, 2022

This week we have a top ten list of what is popular on Vudu, five advancements that will “fix” the smart home and the best OLED under $1,500. Plus we read your emails and go through the week’s news.

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Top Ten Titles on Vudu This Week

Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Sing 2
American Underdog
Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City
House of Gucci
Dune
King Richard
Redeeming Love
The Matrix Resurrections
Encanto

These five advancements promise to "fix" the smart home in 2022

In less than a decade, smart home tech has gone from a luxury for the rich to something relatively commonplace. Even if you can’t afford high-end Sonos speakers or a wall covered in Nanoleaf panels, you can probably afford an Echo Dot or a Lenovo Smart Clock. Yet adoption hasn’t been as strong as some tech companies have been hungry for.

There are reasons for this, but 2022 promises to lift some of the barriers and “fix” the smart home. By the end of the year, the smart home industry could look very different, and here’s why. Full article here…

Best 65” OLED TV Under $1,500 (RTINGS.COM)

According to RTINGS.COM the best TV under $1,500 ($1,400 at Best Buy) with an OLED panel is the LG OLED65A1PUA from 2021. The A1 is a no-frills basic TV for people who don't care about the extra features. It delivers very similar picture quality to the high-end models, with the deep, inky, uniform blacks that OLEDs are known for. Full Review…

Like all OLED TVs, it has superb viewing angles, so it's a great choice if you have a wide seating arrangement. It's not quite as bright as other OLEDs, so despite its superb reflection handling, it's not as well-suited for a bright room. It runs the LG webOS platform, which is easy-to-use and has a huge selection of streaming apps. It also supports casting from your mobile device, so you can easily watch content in a matter of a few seconds.

Sadly, this TV has limited gaming features, so it's best-suited for watching TV shows or movies. However, it's still excellent for casual gamers who don't care about those extra features. Also, like all OLED TVs, there's a chance of permanent burn-in, but we don't expect this to be an issue for most people. Overall, it's an excellent TV that should please most people.

Mixed Usage 8.5
Movies 9.2
TV Shows 8.0
Sports 8.0
Video Games 8.7
HDR Movies 8.6
HDR Gaming 8.5
PC Monitor 8.5

PROS

Near-infinite contrast ratio.
Wide color gamut.
Perfect black uniformity.

CONS

Not bright enough for small highlights to stand out.
Some stutter in low frame rate content.
Can't remove judder from all sources.

Podcast #1038: What does Reference Level Mean? Feb 11, 2022

On today’s show we define “Reference Level” and what it means for your home theater and we look at the 9 things you need to consider if you are in the market for a new TV. We also read your emails and look at the news stories of the week.

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Mike's Star Wars Inspired Home Theater Reference Level

Reference level is a calibrated volume setting used for movie production, Sound and dubbing stages, and movie theaters (and now the home theater)

A reference is critical if the mix is to translate from one production house to another and audiences are to hear the director’s intent in terms of the balance in the soundtrack between dialog, effects and ambiance.

So how do we set up a theater for Reference?

Reference level for all channels except the subwoofer is calibrated by adjusting the gain of each channel when a pink noise signal recorded at -20dB relative to full scale (0dB) is played through the system and measures 85dB with a C weighted sound pressure meter at the seating locations. This is what your receiver's auto calibration tries to do.

What is Pink Noise? To answer that we have to tell you what white noise is. White noise consists of an equal amount of every frequency, all played at once. If you are old enough to remember “snow” on TVs that had no signal. That was white noise. Pink noise is essentially bass-boosted white noise, where the amplitude decreases as the frequencies get higher. It got its name thanks to the pink / violet hues present at the lowest frequencies of light. This is the perceptually ‘balanced’ white noise that many of us are comfortable with;

After each channel is individually adjusted until they read 85dB. The master volume control setting associated with this playback level is then set to a nominal 0dB, or reference level. The history behind this is that sound engineers and producers generally work so that the average recording level for dialog in movie soundtrack is -20dB. This allows for 20dB of dynamic range in the soundtrack. The Subwoofer is calibrated higher, so that a -20dB signal reaches 95dBC at the seating locations.

In the home it works slightly differently. Most receivers have calibration test tones used for level setting that are recorded at -30dB relative to full scale. Using these tones the level of individual speakers are adjusted to 75dB at the seating position. That is 10db less than movie theaters and sound stages.

Can my speakers and subwoofer support reference levels?

If your system is properly calibrated to output 85dB for a -20dB signal at the seats then the speakers and amplifiers could be asked to produce 105dB for a 0dB signal. The Subwoofer is handled slightly differently and has a 10dB boost relative to the other channels. The maximum SPL that subwoofers could be asked to reproduce from the low frequency effects track is therefore 115dB at the seats. More than likely the typical home theater setup will not handle reference levels. But that is OK. Most of us don’t need that level of sound. If you have a theater with a large volume you should look for a set of highly efficient speakers specifically designed to handle reference levels. You may also need a better receiver to achieve this as well.

TV buying guide: 9 things you need to know

In the market for a new TV, and feeling overwhelmed? This TV buying guide is here to help.

If you've been browsing in-store or online for a new TV, you might have found yourself a bit confused by huge selection of different technologies, features and functionality that come with buying a TV in 2022. And that’s before we get started on the acronyms… Full article here…

Screen size: Finding the sweet spot - A good rule of thumb is that you should sit at a distance from the TV that is three times more than the height of the screen for HD and just 1.5 times the screen height for 4K Ultra HD. In other words, you can sit twice as close to a 4K UHD TV.
Don’t buy a TV with less than 4K resolution. Avoid full HD or 1080p sets.
You can skip 8K TVs (for now). 8K TVs are super expensive, and 8K movies and shows aren't available yet.
Expect to pay about $500 for a good budget 55-inch 4K TV. And at least $900 for a 65-inch model. Models with a better picture, upgraded speakers and next-gen features will cost more.
Look for 60 Hz or 120 Hz refresh rate: When it comes to refresh rates, 60 Hz is good, but 120 Hz is better. A higher refresh rate provides smoother motion for everything from movies and shows, to live sports and gaming.
Look for an HDR-compatible set: This offers more realistic colors and better contrast. Preferably consider a TV that supports the more advanced formats, namely HDR10+ or Dolby Vision. Some will support both.
OLED TVs look much better than most LCD sets: But QLED TVs from Samsung, Vizio and TCL are an affordable middle ground.
Look for at least four HDMI ports. And opt for the newer HDMI 2.1 format if you can.
Plan to buy a soundbar. TV speakers are worse nowadays because the screens are thinner.
Avoid extended warranties. Your credit card company may already provide purchase protection

Podcast #1037: Are Streaming Delays Ruining Live sports on IPTV Services? Feb 04, 2022

We have a shortened show this week but fear not we will go back to our regular show next week. For this week we ask if streaming delays an issue for you when watching live sports? We also have abbreviated email and news segments as well.

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Stu's Voice Activated Home Theater

Streaming TV Delays a Growing Headache for Sports Fans

Picture this: you’re in the Kansas City metro area, watching last Sunday’s thrilling Divisional Round matchup against the Bills. Josh Allen just connected with Gabriel Davis for what seems like their 10th TD of the night and you think your team is absolutely done for. You suddenly hear a roar from the viewing party across the street and your group chat blows up. You look up at your screen and…the kick returner is letting the ensuing kickoff go into the endzone. It’s only once your feed catches up that you see what all the fuss was about. Full article here…

Podcast #1036: What's Next for Google TV and Smart Homes in 2022 Jan 28, 2022

On today’s show we look at what’s next for Google TV and look at what the “Smart home” of 2022 will look like. We also read your emails and look at the news of the week.

What's next for Google TV

Google’s living room strategy appears to be working: The company revealed at CES last week that there are now 110 million monthly active Android TV devices in the world. Thirty million of these have been added since last May alone, and a growing number are using the company’s new Google TV interface, with TCL revealing at the trade show that it is now selling 10 million TV sets with the Google TV UI a year. So where does Google go from here?

Brave new home: 2022 will be remembered for how it redefined the smart home

2022 may well mark a final step toward incarnation for the smart home: Millions of people have been driven into their homes during the pandemic; millions more have begun building new homes according to the emergent needs of a world rewritten by COVID; average internet speeds can finally support connected homes, and those speeds will only continue to climb; a new communication protocol might finally unite a historically siloed industry; and, perhaps most importantly, people are more tech-literate, more tech-interested and readier to live in smart homes than ever before. Full article here…

Podcast #1035: Fixing the Dialog in the Movies Jan 21, 2022

On today’s show we help you determine if your new HDMI cable is Ultra High Speed certified and discuss whether Samsung’s Mini LEDs are harmful to your eyes. We finished with why dialog in today’s movies is so bad and how the movie studios can fix them. Plus we read your email and look at the week’s news.

Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cable Certification Program

The HDMI 2.1 Specification includes a new cable - the Ultra High Speed HDMI® Cable. It’s the only cable that complies with stringent specifications designed to ensure support for all HDMI 2.1 features including uncompressed 8k@60 and 4K@120. The cable’s increased bandwidth capability supports up to 48Gbps. Full info here…

LG Display welcomes Samsung's QD-OLED, says miniLED is bad for eye health

LG Display is currently the sole supplier of OLED TV panels to all TV brands including Hisense, LG, Sony, Panasonic, Philips, and Vizio, but later in 2022 Samsung Display will introduce the first real alternative in the form of QD-OLED, which will be available in TVs from Samsung and Sony. Full info here…

Here's Why Movie Dialogue Has Gotten More Difficult To Understand (And Three Ways To Fix It)

I used to be able to understand 99% of the dialogue in Hollywood films. But over the past 10 years or so, I've noticed that percentage has dropped significantly — and it's not due to hearing loss on my end. It's gotten to the point where I find myself occasionally not being able to parse entire lines of dialogue when I see a movie in a theater, and when I watch things at home, I've defaulted to turning the subtitles on to make sure I don't miss anything crucial to the plot. Full article here…

Podcast 1034: 2022 CES Innovation Awards Jan 14, 2022

2022 CES Innovation Awards

On today’s show we rundown some of the 2022 Innovation Award winners. We are discussing products related to home theater and audio as well as the Smart Home for this discussion. The full list can be found here…

Headphones & Personal Audio, Portable Media Players & Accessories

Introducing the Anker Soundcore Frames—inspired by home audio systems and stylish eyewear. Soundcore Frames have a unique interchangeable frame design and the world's first OpenSurround System for open-ear surround sound which offers users a completely new lifestyle and technology experience. Starting at $199

Experience golden sound from true-wireless earbuds. Using ACAA 2.0, the second generation of the world's first coaxial hybrid driver unit, the Anker Liberty 3 Pro produce stunning sound which has achieved Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification and features Soundcore's innovative HearID ANC for noise cancelling that's tailored to your ears. $169

ROG Cetra TWS Pro in-ear headphones offer wireless and wired connections for total versatility and high-quality sound in a variety of scenarios. It features a hi-res ESS 9281 DAC for true-to-life audio, and an ASUS AI Noise-Canceling Microphone provides crystal clear communications. Also, low-latency wireless connections keep video and audio in-sync for advanced gaming experiences anywhere.

The SOUNDFORM Immerse Noise Cancelling Earbuds are high-fidelity earbuds featuring superior sound quality with Hybrid Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), advanced six (6) microphone technology, Bluetooth LE audio in Gaming Mode, and locating features using Apple Find My and the SOUNDFORM app. The SOUNDFORM Immerse earbuds are the next-generation edition of its original earbuds offering introduced in April 2021, one of the first-ever accessories to work with Apple's vast and global Find My network, made up of hundreds of millions of Apple devices. The Soundform Immerse noise-canceling earbuds will launch in the second quarter of 2022 for $180

High Performance Home Audio & Video

Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K shines with laser-powered brightness giving consumers the power to stream all day. Powered with ALPD 3.0 technology, the projector is the smallest 4K Android TV home projector, projecting content at 2,400 ANSI Lumens. The Smart Image Adaption Engine reduces setup time to seconds with the following features: Gridless Horizontal and Vertical Auto Keystone Correction, Autofocus, Auto-Obstacle Avoidance, and Screen Alignment. If consumers want to move Cosmos Laser 4K around the home, they can with its easy-to-use handle. Content options are abundant with 7,000+ applications available on the Android TV 10.0 operating system. The Cosmos Laser 4K will be available for pre-purchase on Kickstarter from Jan. 11 through mid-March for $2,100.

The PSB Speakers' Synchrony T600 towers represent the finest application of the brand's "True to Nature" design philosophy. Like all PSB Speakers products, the T600s were designed and engineered at Canada's National Research Council (NRC) by a team of highly regarded acoustic specialists guided by renowned PSB Speakers Founder and Chief Acoustic Designer, Paul Barton. This flagship tower features a new 5-way transitional driver array employing three 6½′′ woofers, a 5¼′′ midrange driver, and a 1′′ titanium dome tweeter, in a heavily braced, four-chamber MDF enclosure and custom IsoAcoustic isolators to deliver an immersive, tonally accurate, true to nature soundscape. $8,000/Pair

Immersive, jaw-dropping sound marries up with simple, seamless control, and versatile connectivity in the groundbreaking SVS Prime Wireless Pro Powered Speaker Pair. For the first time, all the benefits of wireless smart speakers with the stunning dynamics and pristine clarity of a complete HiFi system, at a fraction of the cost. The Prime Wireless Pro speakers will be available in March 2022 in black or white finish options and are expected to sell for $799/pair

Home Audio & Video Components & Accessories

Harman Kardon Citation Amp brings HD streaming to any loudspeaker and supports a multi-channel wireless surround sound system with other HK Citation products. User can play their favorite music via Chromecast built-in™ and AirPlay or connect to a TV via HDMI ARC. The simple and intuitive remote control allows the user to control Amp easily and efficiently. A local website provides detailed configuration options for the user to customize and enjoy the premium sound. No US pricing available but can be found for $1000 AUS ($715 USD)

Harman Kardon Citation MultiBeam 1100 is the first soundbar combining MultiBeam™ beam-forming surround sound and up-firing speakers that enable 3D-surround formats like Dolby Atmos enhances the TV sound with best-in-class acoustic performance. With the well-integrated LCD touch screen on the top panel, users can easily set up a Wi-Fi connection and stream music over AirPlay, Chromecast, Alexa MRM, Spotify connect. No US Pricing but can be found for £799.00 ($900 USD)

Smart Home

Homeowners can take control and give themselves 360° of protection with eufy Security Floodlight Cam 2 Pro. With pan and tilt, consumers can get peace of mind by rotating Floodlight Cam 2 Pro in a full circle and blasting 3,000 ANSI Lumens of brightness without a single blind spot. When something triggers Floodlight Cam 2 Pro, the smart subject lock and tracking follows any suspicious activity. Homeowners can then review tiny details with 2K resolution. The light color temperature is also adjustable to provide the most optimal and aesthetically pleasing viewing. $300

The Niro®2 is a wifi garage controller with an added functionality of the a 2K wifi camera. Open and close your garage door directly through the app from your smart phone and stream live in 2K HD resolution. Advanced features such as human shape detection, LED light, and auto motion tracking makes it the perfect home security product for a home.

Video Displays

The LG 83G2 83-inch 4K OLED TV takes home entertainment to the next level with its enormous screen, true-to-life picture quality, and crystal clear audio and advanced AI-based processing performance.

Designed with gamers in mind, the LG 86QNED99 Mini LED TV checks off all the boxes with its stunning picture quality, huge screen, and compelling gaming features. The 86-inch 8K ultra-large screen takes advantage of LG’s Mini LED and Quantum Dot NanoCell Color Technology to ensure more precise light control for enhanced picture quality and more accurate color reproduction for dynamic, realistic, and vivid gaming experiences. $4500

The LG 97” G2 is the world's largest 4K OLED TV. At 97” it provides the best realistic sensory experience through its ultra-large OLED screen and 4.2 channels (virtual 7.1.2ch) of 100W of immersive audio. The G2 transforms into a stunning digital canvas when turned off. When not in use, its large screen can display various images, from iconic paintings and works of art to picturesque landscapes and famous landmarks.

PORTL is a human-sized, booth-shaped device with a 4K touch screen and high fidelity speakers designed to display live streamed and pre-recorded content. The volumetric presentation gives the viewer the impression that the person or object on screen is 3D. A built in forward camera with motion capability, as well as AI features, can create a fully interactive experience.

Podcast #1033: CES 2022 Jan 07, 2022

This week it's all about CES 2022! So much to talk about including Sony getting into the electric vehicle market. We read your emails as well.

Samsung

Neo QLED - The powerful evolution of Samsung Neo QLED is built on Quantum Matrix Technology. It precisely controls Samsung's exclusive new Quantum Mini LED to express blacks, whites, and every shade in between, more accurately than ever. Enjoy great detail in dark and bright areas.
Micro LED - MICRO LED is an inorganic, self-emitting LED designed to change the world of displays. Creating light and color on its own, MICRO LED delivers true-to-life color and contrast with optimum brightness in every scene. Discover stunning details on our biggest screen that surpass your greatest expectations. When you want more than one view, MICRO LED allows for four split-screen views. See up to four screens at once from a variety of sources — including the four HDMI ports — each giving you an immersive experience.
The Frame - A minimalist-inspired design makes The Frame blend flawlessly with your interior. A slimmer profile, wider range of hues, and monochromatic back provide a sophisticated appearance from every angle. Connect the One Invisible Connection cable to discover what makes The Frame a modern masterpiece — on or off.³
The Premiere - Ultra-bright, high-resolution images are projected with cutting-edge Triple Laser Technology. The Premiere LSP9T uses a triple laser light source for dramatic home cinema viewing that nearly replicates a theater experience.⁸ Get precise color accuracy and incredible contrast with the Premiere LSP9T 4K Smart Triple Laser Projector.⁹ The Premiere LSP9T is the world's first HDR10+ certified projector for realistic, vibrant viewing. $3500 for 120” $6500 for 130”
Eco Remote - combines a built-in solar panel with new wireless charging technology that uses radio waves emitted by Wi-Fi routers. It works by “collecting routers’ radio waves and converting them to energy,” Samsung explains. And because it doesn’t require any special Wi-Fi technology, it’s compatible with almost every router in use today.
The Freestyle - is a projector, smart speaker and ambient lighting device all rolled into one lightweight, portable device weighing only 830 grams (1.8 lbs). The Freestyle comes with full auto keystone and auto leveling features that allow the device to automatically adjust its screen to any surface at any angle, providing a perfectly proportional image every time.
SmartThings Cooking - A new service from Samsung SmartThings is designed to make your culinary journey seamless. An automatic Meal Planner powered by Whisk’s Food AI recommends meals for the whole week, makes shopping lists with the ingredients you need, and connects to grocery retailers for one-stop shopping straight from the Family Hub™ refrigerator or your mobile screen. Recipe instructions can be sent directly to synced Samsung cooking devices to minimize hassles and mistakes.
Samsung Health Smart Trainer on Samsung 2021 TVs: Samsung Health seamlessly transforms the home into a personal gym, and the new Smart Trainer4 feature tracks and analyzes posture in real-time, just like a personal trainer. During and post-workout, Smart Trainer provides feedback on form, helps you count your reps, and estimates calories burned. With video and interactive training via Bixby-enabled voice control, Samsung Health Smart Trainer elevates and personalizes the home workout experience.
JetBot 90 AI+: Coming to the US 1H 2021, this new vacuum cleaner uses object recognition technology to identify and classify objects to decide the best cleaning path. LiDAR and 3D sensors allow JetBot 90 AI+ to avoid cables and small objects, while still cleaning hard-to-reach corners in your home. Also outfitted with a camera, JetBot90 AI+ is integrated with the SmartThings app to assist you with home monitoring.
Samsung Bot™ Care is designed to use AI to recognize and respond to your behavior. It will be able to act as both a robotic assistant and companion, helping to take care of the details in your life. It will also learn your schedule and habits and send you reminders to help guide you throughout your busy day.
Samsung Bot™ Handy: Also in development, Samsung Bot™ Handy will rely on advanced AI to recognize and pick up objects of varying sizes, shapes and weights, becoming an extension of you and helping you with work around the house.

Sengled

The Smart Health Monitoring Light bulb claims to read heart rate, body temperature and other vital signs through entirely non-invasive sensors. It uses a radar sensor instead of a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, meaning it can read through materials and detect more subtleties. Ideally, the higher sensitivity would allow for the light bulbs to detect different people, see movement through textiles and other complexities of off-skin health tracking.

According to Sengled, a collection of Smart Health Monitoring Light bulbs connect via Bluetooth mesh to create a virtual map in your home, relying on several points of “view” for complete health tracking. To be clear, the light bulb doesn’t have a camera or anything built in. It can’t see or record you, just sense you.

Kohler can now run you a bath with just a voice command

PerfectFill - PerfectFill consists of a drain kit and digital valve that work together to draw the bath to your preferred temperature and depth. PerfectFill starts at $2,700; that doesn’t include a Kohler spout and compatible Kohler bath. It also needs to be professionally installed. PerfectFill will be available to order in 2022.
Kholer’s Stillness Bath, which was teased at CES last year, will be available to purchase in 2022. It starts at $8,000 and incorporates that PerfectFill tech in a smart bathtub that combines water, light, fog, and aroma to create an “at home spa-like experience”
Robern IQ Digital Lock Box — a smart lock box that fits in a bathroom vanity cabinet for storing medication and personal items. $450
Touchless Residential Bathroom Faucets starting at $199
Purist Suspend can be operated by the puck-shaped remote to turn the faucet on and off and adjust the temperature. The main concept here — beyond being quite the statement piece — is reducing counter clutter. With Suspend, your kitchen faucet will no longer be in the way when you’re washing dishes (was it really ever?). The faucet hangs from the ceiling and has 180 degree rotation.

LG OLED EVO Gallery Addition - The next evolution of Self-Lit Pixels brings a new definition of brightness. The latest LG OLED TV features the all-new Brightness Booster powered by an advanced processor making the display 30% brighter than before. This cutting-edge technology revolutionizes picture quality, producing deeper shades of black and brighter highlights to reveal incredible levels of detail and color.
LG UltraGear Gaming Setup - This setup consists of a super fast IPS monitor with ATW Polarizer technology that supports high-fidelity color for reproducing vivid scenes. The monitor is compatible with next generation game consoles. Also included in the setup is the The LG UltraGear™ Gaming PC 17G90Q and the LG UltraGear speakers to elevate your gaming experience and deliver detailed, lifelike sounds.
LG’s smart TVs all run WebOS - now renamed WebOS 22 (for the year). The platform is getting a few updates, including the ability to add user profiles. Users will login and get their own mix of content—but not TV display settings.
QNED Mini LED - LG is also updating its 4K QNED line for 2022. They all feature updated Quantum Dot technology in which the Nano Cell is now an emissive layer. The crux of quantum dot is the clarifying of the light from Blue LED to running some through the Quantum Dots to run them green and then a Nano Cell layer that emits red light. LG claims a 90%+ DCI-P3 wide color gamut reproduction compared to the 70% coverage on traditional LED-LCD TVs. The use of Mini LEDs gives the displays more discrete control of black levels and dampen haloing. Their 8K displays have 2,400 local dimming zones.
LG’s Magic Motion Remote has also seen some improvements, thanks to a reduction in redundant buttons and a smaller overall profile.
LG Dolby Atmos Soundbars - LG has also implemented some notable improvements to is Dolby Atmos soundbars. In addition to a new dipole-style wireless surround speaker available in the company’s flagship soundbar, LG is adding an up-firing speaker to the center channel to increase clarity, presence, and intelligibility for moments when voices can frequently get buried by otherwise explosive soundtracks for action sequences.
Instaview Refrigerator - Simply knock twice to illuminate LG’s largest, edge-to-edge InstaView™. See favorites in an instant without ever opening the door. Bring one of the hottest trends home with the Craft Ice™ maker that automatically makes batches of three or six slow-melting Craft Ice™ per day. The UVnano™ dispenser automatically removes up to 99.99% of bacteria on the nozzle after 24 hours.*

Eve Systems' CES focus is on HomeKit, Matter, and Thread

The Eve Outdoor Cam - The floodlight/security camera combo is expected to be available April 5 for $250. It's 1080p outdoor security camera with a 157-degree field of view and infrared night vision with an LED floodlight.
Eve MotionBlinds will also support the Matter standard. The battery-powered motor, which can be recharged with a USB-C cable and power supply, will initially be available in custom roller shades

Roku Announces Sharp Roku TV Partnership

Sharp & Roku will be working to launch Sharp Roku TV models in 2022. Sharp will leverage the Roku TV hardware reference design and award-winning Roku OS to deliver a full line-up of exciting HD and 4K UHD TVs

Cync Portfolio Announced

GE Lighting, a Savant company, continues to expand its smart home ecosystem, Cync, with several new products.

Cync Smart Thermostat - can be installed without a common wire, making it compatible in nearly every home. Its large, sleek, and high-contrast display makes on-site control easier than ever, and like all Cync products, no hub is required for ‘away from home’ control using the Cync app. The all-new Cync Room Temperature Sensors work with the Smart Thermostat to monitor individual rooms or the entire home and optimize the comfort accordingly. The new Cync Smart Thermostat and Temperature Sensor will be available to order in January from Lowe’s, Best Buy and Amazon. The Smart Thermostat starts at $119.99 and the Temperature Sensor at $29.99.
Cync Outdoor Smart Camera - comes in both wired and battery/solar powered options, so users can choose the setup that’s optimal for their smart home. With 2K/1280P HD video and night vision, and a digital swivel head. Available to order in February from Lowe’s, Best Buy and Amazon. Wired Cameras start at $99.99, Battery Cameras at $129.99 and Solar Panel Accessory at $44.99.
Cync Lights - adds 11 new products, including smart decorative filament-style bulbs in various shapes and sizes, such as candelabra and globe and the ever-popular reveal® general purpose bulbs. These additions will be offered in both white and full color options. The new Cync smart lights will be available to order in March from Lowe’s, Best Buy, Target and Amazon, starting at $11.99.
Cync. In Sync with Matter - Cync devices can be controlled with both Alexa and Google. Cync devices will be included in the 2022 integration of the Matter protocol that allows all smart home devices to work together regardless of manufacturer or platform.

TCL

XL Collection - Big screens are a big deal at TCL. That's why we created the XL Collection, a curated collection of TVs with 85" displays and larger designed to meet fit any budget and exceed the highest performance standards to deliver big, big home entertainment. Now, the XL Collection is getting even bigger. Introducing TCL's 98" XL Collection QLED TV. $8K
X9 OD ZERO TV - We've revolutionized the LED TV. Again. OD Zero, or Optical Depth Zero, refers to the distance between the Mini-LED backlight and the screen. In another industry first for TCL, that distance is zero. TCL 85" CLASS 8K OD ZERO QLED DOLBY VISION HDR SMART GOOGLE TV - 85X925PRO $10K
Game Changing Display - This year, TCL high-performance TVs will support 4K at 144Hz, bringing smoother action and even faster game-feel to our most powerful big-screen QLED TVs featuring TCL's renowned Mini-LED technology.
Alto Sound Bars - Alto Sound Bars will bring a whole new dimension of sound in 2022, with additional multi-channel options to make cinema-quality Dolby Atmos® 3D surround sound more accessible than ever. New Master Room Calibration technology analyzes the acoustics of a room and adjusts the sound to the space. We’re also introducing a host of advanced features, including speaker expansion capabilities, Bluetooth® 5.2, DTS:X, and DTS Play-Fi®. Plus, the next-generation of TCL’s RAY·DANZ technology will arrive, for an ultrawide soundstage.

Arlo DIY Home Security System

Introducing the award-winning Arlo Security System with All-in-One Sensors – the most versatile, customizable, and comprehensive smart home security system that you can easily setup yourself.

Just power up the Keypad which serves as your command center with a built-in motion sensor. Then place the All-in-One Sensors anywhere you want across your home or business. These small but mighty universal sensors can detect motion, door and window openings, water leaks, smoke/CO alarms and even monitor light, temperature – all managed through the Arlo Secure app.

We’re proud to announce we’ve joined Matter to help develop industry standards that will make compatibility across smart home devices more seamless and intuitive.

JBL

JBL has unveiled a full slate of products for 2022, including new true-wireless earbuds, Bluetooth speakers and gaming headphones. Boombox 3 and Pulse 5 portable speakers and Reflect Aero and Live Pro 2 earbuds, are upgrades to earlier products. Many of these speakers and headphones won't be available for several months,

Noveto N1

The N1 (Personal Soundbar) is the perfect device for the modern professional who works from home or in shared office spaces, values their comfort and efficiency, and whenever possible, uses smart products for communication and interaction experience.The N1 combines Smart Beaming with Alexa and multimodal interaction to create the first all-in-one home office and personalized wellness space. No pricing was given and the company is saying it will launch sometime in 2022.

Tablo four-tuner ATSC 3.0 DVR

Tablo's $300 TV-connected DVR offers four NextGen TV tuners on board and will accept external hard drives up to 8TB. The DVR is compatible with any TV featuring an HDMI port, though you will need a 4K HDR TV to make the most of it. The Tablo connects to any TV antenna and will work with existing OTA signals.

The device comes with a 24-hour program guide and manual recording but also includes a 30-day free trial of the Tablo Premium Service ($20 a year). Premium Service enables the Automatic Commercial Skip function and Guide Data Service adds two weeks of guide data.

Sony

Sony A95K QD-OLED - promises improved color and viewing angle compared to current, conventional OLED TVs. It can display the full spectrum of colors even in the brightest scenes.
Master Series Z9K and Premium X95K Mini LED TVs - XR Backlight Master Drive can intelligently control Mini LED power to reduce visibility of individual zones.
Bravia Cam - The Sony Bravia Cam is a camera and ambient sensor that can sit atop all 2022 Sony televisions. It will come bundled with the Z9K Mini LED and A95K QD-OLED televisions and will also be sold separately for anyone who wants to add additional functionality to their TV. The Bravia Cam is a webcam that can detect a person's positioning and adjust the picture and audio accordingly. Sony calls this Ambient Optimization Pro
Premium remote - A new premium remote will come bundled with the Z9K Mini LED and A95K QD-OLED and A90K OLED televisions. The remote is 36% smaller than last year's unit and will be backlit. Also included is OK Google functionality to quickly find your remote. Sony has reduced the number of keys from 49 to 25, removing the number keys altogether. Keys are integrated into a new keypad UI. The remote also has a flush design for easy cleaning.
SUV - Sony showed off a brand new prototype of its Vision S concept electric car, and announced that the Sony Group is starting a new division — the Sony Mobility Inc – which will start commercializing its electric vehicles. “The Vision-S also evolves mobility as an entertainment space, including gaming experience and audio. We have learned more about mobility through our exploration of Vision-S and through our partners who have supported this effort.”

Podcast #1032: 2021 in Review Dec 31, 2021

Happy New Year! For our last show of 2021 we go through some of the news stories of the past year. We also have a few listener emails and some end of year news.

Five Home Theater Trends. Did they pan out?

People will spend more money on their home theaters
Shortening window between the theatrical release of a film and its release to home entertainment.
The cost to build and create a great home theater setup has lowered dramatically.
Source material quality will improve.
Immersive audio such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X offer a high-quality sound experience to watching movies in the home.

ATSC 3.0 started rolling out

42 markets are online today. More info here NextGenTV

Ara tracked down wifi issues for the first part of the year

Eventually ending up with the Netgear Orbi Tri Band Wifi System

Harmony went end of life

But fortunately there are some worthy replacements. The SofaBatton and the far more expensive Yio look to fill the void left behind by the Harmony exiting the market. But with better CEC and Matter will these remotes be needed? The SofaBatton has a good universal remote already available for $50 and a Kickstarter campaign for the Harmony Replacement is well underway for $100. The Yio is also a kickstarter that will run you $420.

We did our 1000th Show!

A big thank you to all our listeners and supporters who make doing this show worthwhile

Apple Releases Spatial Audio

What do you think of this technology?

Scarlett Johansson Sued Disney and won!

Terms of the settlement were not released but it's safe to say the whole thing made Disney look bad.

DirecTV’s streaming platform got yet another rebranding

What started as DireTV Now -> ATT TV Now -> ATT TV -> to DirecTV Stream

Locast Shut Down

A sad day it was!

Dune was released on HBO Max to great Fanfare

We didn’t like/had no interest in the movie

Matter Picked up Steam

Samsung promised Matter support for SmartThings hubs, Galaxy devices, TVs, and fridges

Disney+ Got Imax Support

Podcast #1031: When HDMI 2.1 is not HDMI 2.1 Dec 24, 2021

On this week’s show we take a look at the best mesh routers for 2021 and discuss whether something labeled HDMI 2.1 is actually HDMI 2.1. We read your emails and take a look at the week’s news stories as well.

Best mesh routers for 2021

The past couple of years have made it clear that having a dependable Wi-Fi network at home is essential -- especially if you're working or learning from home, gaming online with friends or calling loved ones for regular video chats. In cases like that, you might've noticed that the signal from your router isn't as strong as you'd like it to be in some parts of your house. Those wireless signals can only travel so far on their own before your speeds drop off, especially if you're connecting multiple devices and your home's layout and construction are creating obstructions that those signals struggle to penetrate. Full Article Here…

HDMI 2.0 No Longer Exists

This email came in from Stan in Pittsburg and we felt it deserved a deeper dive.

When it comes to HDMI features claimed by manufacturers it is definitely buyer beware. I am sure that most of the podcast listeners of the HT Guys might know to evaluate HDMI based on features not HDMI version, but I doubt most average consumers would know that a HDMI 2.1 tv claim by a manufacturer may not have HDMI 2.1 features. This seems like a free pass to mislead consumers.

HDMI 2.0 devices are now HDMI 2.1 devices: "HDMI 2.0 no longer exists" - FlatpanelsHD

HDMI 2.0 no longer exists, and devices should not claim compliance to v2.0 as it is not referenced any more
The features of HDMI 2.0 are now a sub-set of 2.1
All the new capabilities and features associated with HDMI 2.1 are optional (this includes FRL, the higher bandwidths, VRR, ALLM and everything else)
If a device claims compliance to 2.1 then they need to also state which features the device supports so there is “no confusion”

Podcast #1030: Audiophile Two Channel System Dec 17, 2021

On today’s show we take a look at two budget smart thermostats and discuss whether Matter will be the glue that ties your entire house together. Finally we listen to music on an almost $25,000 two channel system. We also read your emails and go through the week’s news.

Amazon Smart Thermostat vs. Wyze Thermostat: Which budget model is best?

The Amazon Smart Thermostat and the Wyze Thermostat are the two most affordable connected thermostats I've tested. Both models can be controlled with an app or voice commands and both cost less than 100 bucks. So, which one is the best for you? We've got a side-by-side comparison below so you can see their main differences and determine which budget-friendly smart thermostat to choose. Full article here…

Matter Could Bring Universal Casting That Actually Works

The new smart home standard Matter is making a lot of grand promises, chief among them are fixing the interoperability mess the smart home is currently in and making Apple, Samsung, Google, and Amazon talk to each other. Big jobs. But it’s also tackling one of the other pain points in the connected home: TV control. Full article here…

Audiophile Two Channel System

Components:

Total Cost - $23,900

Podcast #1029: Technics True Wireless Headphones Dec 10, 2021

Technics True Wireless Headphones

A few weeks ago we read an email from one of our listeners who works for Technics announcing a slew of new products. Two of which were the AZ40 (Street Price $150) and AZ60 (Street Price $230) Wireless Headphones. We expressed interest in reviewing them and were sent two pairs for review.

There are two types of people who will benefit from these earbuds, professionals who are on phone calls and zoom meetings all day and the music lover who wants to escape the noise of the world. We’ll talk about each separately.

Setup

But first let’s discuss pairing and setting up the earbuds. Prior to pairing we suggest you try the different size ear tips to assure a proper fit. This will aid in the comfort, quality of the audio, and noise cancelation/isolation. To pair you take the fully charged earbuds and place them in your ear. A voice tells you they are in pairing mode. Go to your device's bluetooth settings and select the AZ40/60 and wait for the voice to tell you they are paired. Now you are ready to start listening. But if you want more control, Technics has an app that will let you dial the earbuds in to exactly how you like,

Go to your app store and download and launch the Technics Audio Connect App. It will automatically search for your earbuds. Once found you can rename them if you wish. Here you can turn on and off noise canceling for the AZ60 and activate Ambient Sound which allows audio from outside to be passed through the headphones. You can also set the sound enhancement with some presets or you can customize it to your liking. I found “off” to be the best for me.

On the AZ60 you can configure the Active noise Cancellation (ANC) to the level that sounds best for you. To do this I turned on white noise on my stereo and cranked it up. I adjusted the setting until the sound was the least detectable. Once that is done you have the ability to set the level of your noise canceling from 0 to 100%. Of course I took the headphones down to the wood shop to see how well they canceled the noise. The AZ40, without noise cancellation, did a good job at blocking the noise and allowed me to work while listening to music. The AZ60 worked so well that when I turned on the dust collection I had to remove the headphones to verify that it was actually on! Quite remarkable.

The app allows you to customize touch sensor settings like which ear activates your voice assistant and which gestures are play/pause for music and which ones answer calls.

Performance - Professional Working from Home

This use case has a different threshold for performance based mostly on how good the human voice sounds and how good the microphone picks up your voice when talking. Multiple calls were placed while driving, from noisy rooms, and a typical home office setting.

Technics has a technology that they call “Just My Voice” which cancels out the ambient sounds around you while amplifying the spoken word. In our tests all calls were perceived clearly on the other end. I made calls to two separate customer service reps and was not asked to repeat myself once. Then I had my wife use the headphones to call me from a room that had music playing at a loud level. I had no issue hearing her talk. The music in the background was squashed. This was done with both the AZ60 and AZ40. I could not detect any difference between them on phone call performance.

From a confort point of view both the AZ40 and AZ60 can be worn for hours without fatigue. If you are on the phone or video calls for work, these headphones are easy to wear for hours at a time.

Performance - Listening to Music

This is where these headphones excel! I listened to my standards (SRV - Tin Pan Alley, Snoop Dog - California Roll, Pearl Jam - Yellow Ledbetter, Diana Krall - Fly Me to the Moon). I also added Walker Hayes Fancy Like because first, it's a fun song and second it has a great bass line during the hook!

The AZ60 supports Hi-Res LDAC sound quality and for the test I put it into this mode which turns off Multipoint connections. No biggie as I am never connected to multiple devices simultaneously.

Both sound good. I would give the AZ60 an edge in music playback performance. I switched the earbuds in and out while listening to the same track and noticed improved sound in the AZ60 but if I didn’t have both side by side’ish I would have found the AZ40s completely acceptable. The bass in both is outstanding! In general these headphones present a realistic soundstage with the clarity to pick out elements of the music that may be hidden by other headphones.

There is a part in “Fly Me to the Moon” where there is a piano and guitar playing off each other with the standup bass backing both up that sounded like you were in the room with them. This is a live recording that puts you right on stage with them. I listened to it over and over picking out each instrument clearly.

For fun I listened to some Christmas carols that were remixed with Spatial audio. To do this on non Apple Headphones you need to force Dolby Atmos to always be on in the Music app settings. As would be imagined there was no huge difference in the spatial aspect, but the songs did sound better than the originals. One song stood out as sounding so large it gave me chills Hark! The Herald-Angels Sing sung by the Choir of the King's College.

And then just for fun I went back to my B&W I7 (MSRP $399) headphones and listened to the same music and came away thinking the bass was sloppy sounding. The rest of the audio was on par with the Technics but I couldn’t get over how boomy the bass was vs the tight controlled bass of both the AZ40 and AZ60.

Odds and Ends

The AZ40 is smaller than the AZ60. Both were comfortable and can be worn all day without issues. If you have small ears you may want to consider the AZ40.
The charging cases are small and light. Can easily fit in your pocket or purse.
You can use either earbud one at a time if you wish.
There is a mode called attention mode that enhances voices while canceling background noises. Technics claims that this may help hearing announcements in an airport setting. We did not test this setting.
Battery life is 7 hours for the AZ60 and 7.5 hours for the AZ40. Our testing confirmed this while working in the shop all day listening to music and podcasts.
Both are IPX4 Water Resistance.

Conclusion

The AZ40 and AZ60 will give headphone manufacturers a new target to aim for. The ANC on the AZ60 is remarkable at canceling out a woodshop full of noise. Office workers can wear these headphones all day without issue while coworkers on the other end of the call will have no problems hearing you even if you are working at a coffee shop. But the best thing about these headphones is how good they sound while listening to music.

Podcast #1028: Level Up your Home Theater Dec 03, 2021

On this week’s show we take a look at a cool gift idea for your technophobe friends that want to stay connected with you and we “ Level Up” your home theater. We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news. Plus Braden goes on a rant about his Internet provider.

Cool Gift Idea

New Skylight Frame

I bought one of these for my mom and mother-in-law

From their website:

The Skylight Frame has a gorgeous, 10'' color touch screen that displays your photos with extraordinary clarity, color, and brilliance. It is the perfect size for a desk, mantel, coffee table, or kitchen. Skylight is a striking gift that will make an unforgettable impression the moment your loved one turns it on!

Skylight is a beautiful touch-screen, Wi-Fi connected digital photo frame that lets you email photos from your phone or computer directly onto your loved one's Skylight - from anywhere in the world!

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed. If you don't love your Skylight, we'll offer you a full refund.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

-Screen size: 10'' Diagonal

-Resolution: 1280x800 IPS display

-Dimensions: 12'' x 8.5'' x 0.9''

-Time required to receive photos:

Podcast #1027: Thankful in the Multiverse of Podcasts! Nov 25, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! We have a special show for you all. It's our second annual crossover podcast with the guys from AV Rant and The Bright Side of Home Theater. There is also a video version available on our YouTube Channel “The HT Guys”. So sit back and enjoy some Turkey while you listen to this week’s show.

Podcast #1026: Black Friday 2021 Nov 19, 2021

Black Friday Roundup 2021

It's that time of year again! We get to enjoy a big meal with family and friends and then start the Holiday shopping season in earnest. On today’s show we run down some of the deals we find interesting. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

BestBuy Black Friday 2021

Thanksgiving 2021: TBD

Black Friday 2021: Most stores will reopen at TBD a.m. local time

Samsung 75" Class QN84A Neo QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV

$1,899.99 was $2,799.99

Insignia™ - 58" Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $349.99 was $579.99 the 32” F20 is $149.99 was $199.99

LG - 55" Class C1 Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,299.99 was $1,499.99

LG - 50" Class UP7000 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $399.99 was $459.99

Samsung 7.1-Channel Soundbar with Dolby 5.1/DTS Virtual:X

$279.99 was $499.99

Apple AirPods Max $479.00 was $549.00

Belkin - SOUNDFORM Move Plus True Wireless Earbuds - Black $39.99 was $69.99

Target Black Friday 2021

Thanksgiving 2021: Closed

Black Friday 2021: Most stores will reopen at 7 a.m. local time

LG 70" Class 4K UHD Smart LED HDR TV 70UP7070 $649.99 was $749.99

LG 75" Class 4K UHD Smart LED HDR TV - 75UP7070PUD $849.99 was $969.99

Element 65" 4K UHD Roku TV $299.99 was $649.99 Available 11/21

VIZIO 58" 4K V-Series UHD HDR Smart TV + Free $30 Target Gift Card $479.99 was $559.99

VIZIO V-Series 70" Class 4K HDR Smart TV - V705-J03 $599.99 was $739.99

Samsung 55" Smart 4K Crystal HDR UHD TV TU7000 Series (Titan Gray) $479.99 was $499.99

TCL 55" Class 4-Series 4K UHD HDR Smart Roku TV – 55S435 $379.99 was $519.99

VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Sound Bar $49.99 was $99.99

Roku Premiere | HD/4K/HDR Streaming Media Player with Simple Remote and Premium HDMI Cable $19.99 was $34.99

Amazon Fire TV Stick with 4K Ultra HD Streaming Media Player and Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Generation) $24.99 was $49.99

JBL Tune 225 True Wireless Earbuds $49.99 was $99.99

Apple AirPods Pro $189.99 was $249.99

Google Nest Doorbell (Battery) $129.99 was $179.99

Amazon Blink 1080p WiFi Mini 1 Camera $19.99 was $34.99

Walmart Black Friday 2021

Thanksgiving 2021: Closed

Black Friday 2021: Stores open at 5 a.m. local time

VIZIO 70" Class 4K UHD LED SmartCast Smart TV V-Series $548.00

onn. 40" Class FHD (1080P) LED Roku Smart TV HDR $128.00

onn. 70" Class 4K UHD LED Roku Smart TV HDR $398.00

Samsung 55" Class 4K Crystal UHD LED Smart TV w/HDR $478.00 was $498.00

Samsung 60" Class 4K Crystal UHD LED Smart TV w/ HDR $548.00 was $849.99

TCL TS6 Dolby Audio 2 Channel Sound bar w/ Roku TV Ready $44.00

VIZIO 36" 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar with Bluetooth and DTS Virtual:X $148.00 Available 11/22

SAMSUNG 170W 2.1ch Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer $99.00 Available 11/22

Apple AirPods Pro $159.00 was $197.00

Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen - Smart Home Display with Google Assistant $49.98 was $79.98 Available 11/22

Merkury Innovations Dimmable 75W Equivalent Wi-Fi Smart Bulb, Color, (4 Pack) works with Google and Alexa $19.98

Kohl's Black Friday 2021

Thanksgiving 2021: Closed

Black Friday 2021: Stores open 5 a.m. local time.

Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) with Alexa Voice Remote - HD Streaming Device

$19.99 was $39.99

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max Streaming Device with Alexa Voice Remote $24.99 was $49.99 Available 11/21

Amazon Echo Show 8 Smart Display with Alexa and 8" HD Screen + Free $15 Kohls Cash $59.99 was $109.99

Google Nest Learning Thermostat + Free $45 Kohls Cash $179.00 was $249.99

Google Nest Video Doorbell + Free $30 Kohls Cash $129.99 $179.99 Available 11/21

Ring Stick Up Cam Battery + Free $15 Kohls Cash $74.99 was $99.99 Available 11/21

Amazon Black Friday 2021

Like Denny’s they are Always Open

Up to 28% off select LG C1 Series 4K OLED Smart TVs 77” 2896.99 65” 1796.99

Up to 18% off select LG NANO90 4K Smart UHD TVs 75” 1696.99 55” 896.99

Introducing Amazon Fire TV 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV 43” $269.99 50” $329.99 55” 379.99

Up to 25% off Polk Audio Monitor XT Series $129 for XT15 bookshelf pair ($199 for the XT20), $249 12” subwoofer

Costco Black Friday 2021

Thanksgiving 2021: Closed

Sony 75" Class - X90CJ Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV - Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan Bundle Included for 5 years of total coverage (Online and in Store) $1599.99 there is a 65 inch for $1199.99

Sony 85" Class - X91CJ Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV - Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan Bundle Included for 5 years of total coverage (Online and in Store) $2199.99

Hisense 55" Class - U6GR5 Series - 4K ULED LCD TV (Online and in Store) $449.99

Samsung QN850 Series - 8K UHD Neo QLED LCD TV - Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan Bundle Included for 5 years of total coverage (ONLINE ONLY and available now) 85” $4199.99 75” $3299.99 65” $2499.99

LG NANO85 Series - 4K UHD LED LCD TV - Allstate 3-Year Protection Plan Bundle Included for 5 years of total coverage (Online and in Store) 75” $1399.99 65” $949.99

VIZIO V51-H6 36" 5.1 Channel Home Theater Soundbar System (Online and in Store) $169.99 was $199.99

SimpliSafe Home Security Kit with HD Camera (Online Only) $129.99 was $199.99

Google Nest Learning Thermostat with Nest Temperature Sensor (Online and in Store) but this price is only available in store $169.99 was $239.99

NETGEAR - Orbi RBK753S AX4200 WiFi 6 Mesh System, One Year Advanced Cyber Security Included (Online and in Store) $349.99 was $499.99

Bose Quiet Comfort Earbuds Bundle (Online and in Store) $199.99 was $279.99

Apple AirPods Max (Online only) $439.99 was $489.99

Top TV deals

Black Friday TVs 2021 Deals & Sales | BlackFriday.com

Podcast #1025: Disney+ gets iMax and Some Early Black Friday Deals Nov 12, 2021

On this week’s show, Disney+ Gets the iMax treatment and we look at some smart devices that you didn’t even know existed. We also give you a heads up on some early Blak Friday Deals. Plus we look at the news and read your emails.

IMAX Enhanced aspect ratio Starting November 12 (Disney+ Day), subscribers will get the option to watch 13 Marvel movies (full list in the table) in an expanded IMAX aspect ratio (1.90:1) for a picture that is up to 26% taller compared to regular widescreen. Full article here... Smart Home Devices You Probably Didn't Know Existed

More and more people have been turning their homes into smart homes or simply been using smart devices these days. It may be out of a person's laziness or curiosity about these devices, or the convenience these devices bring are just so hard to resist. Full article here…

Best Early Black Friday Deals 2021

The holidays are right around the corner and retailers are wasting no time offering deals for early shoppers. Below, we’re rounding up some of the best deals on products for cord cutters and highlighting the sales at some of your favorite online stores. Full article here...

Podcast #1024: Dune, Seven Alexa Commands You Are Not Using and Why Matter Matters Nov 05, 2021

On today’s show we discuss watching Dune from our home theaters, Seven Alexa commands you are probably not using, and why we think Matter really matters. Plus we have two weeks of emails and news.

Dune - Our thoughts 7 Alexa commands you're probably not using (but should be)

With Alexa and the range of Echo devices, -- including smart displays and smart speakers -- Amazon has built a robust service that can deliver seemingly endless information and control your home. But, are you actually taking full advantage of all it can do? Full article here…

Samsung promises Matter support for SmartThings hubs, Galaxy devices, TVs, and fridges

The Matter smart home train is picking up steam. Following Google’s commitment to the new standard at its developer conference last week and Apple’s addition of Matter support in iOS 15 at WWDC, Samsung is now following suit. The company announced a complete adoption of Matter across Samsung’s Galaxy devices, televisions, Family Hub appliances, and SmartThings hubs at SDC21, its virtual developer conference being held this week. Full article here…

Matter is the foundation for connected things.

This industry–unifying standard is a promise of reliable, secure connectivity—a seal of approval that devices will work seamlessly together, today and tomorrow. Matter is creating more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers. This collaborative breakthrough is built on proven technologies and guided by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly Zigbee Alliance), whose members come together from across industries to transform the future of connectivity.

Companies from across the industry are contributing market-proven technologies and best practices. Matter is built around a shared belief that smart home devices should be secure, reliable, and seamless to use. By building upon Internet Protocol (IP), Matter will enable communication across smart home devices, mobile app and cloud services, and to define a specific set of IP-based networking technologies for device certification.

Foundation for connected things:

Simplicity - Easy to purchase and use
Interoperability - Devices from multiple brands work natively together
Reliability - Consistent and responsive local connectivity
Security - Robust and streamlined for developers and users

An open-source approach

Members of the Alliance have taken an open-source approach to the development and implementation of this new, unified connectivity protocol. We are using best-in-class contributions from market-tested smart home technologies, such as those from Amazon, Apple, Google, the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly the Zigbee Alliance), and others. By leveraging these technologies' contributions, we have been able to accelerate the development of the protocol and deliver benefits to manufacturers and consumers faster.

IP-Based

Matter makes it easier for device manufacturers to build devices that are compatible with smart home and voice services such as Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, Google’s Assistant, and others. The first specification release of the Matter protocol will run on Wi-Fi and Thread network layers and will use Bluetooth Low Energy for commissioning.

Podcast #1023: A Very Special Episode Oct 29, 2021

We are on vacation this week but we still have a show. Its a little different than our typical show. This week we tell you the origin of how we became the HT Guys. We'll be back next week with new content and your emails and news.

Podcast #1022: Netflix's Most Popular Shows and The Best Smart Light Switches Oct 22, 2021

On today’s show we look at the top 15 most popular shows on Netflix and run down the ten best smart light switches according to Tom’s Guide. We comment as we have had experience with all but three of them. As usual, we read your email and discuss the news of the week.

Netflix's most popular shows

The following are Netflix's most sampled TV series by number of accounts that have watched at least two minutes in the first 28 days of release. Netflix's stats also aren't independently verified, nor are they backed up by detailed data from the company, putting Netflix in the position to cherry-pick highlights without much transparency. This ranking includes only the shows that Netflix has chosen to disclose; other Netflix titles certainly have accrued enough sampling in the first month of release to make it on this list, but Netflix gets to pick which titles get viewership disclosures.

Squid Game (season 1), a dark Korean thriller -- 111 million accounts.
Bridgerton (season 1), a period romance -- 82 million accounts.
Lupin (part 1), a French heist series -- 76 million accounts.
The Witcher (season 1), a fantasy series based on an existing franchise of books and video games -- 76 million accounts.
Sex/Life (season 1), a risque drama about a love triangle -- 67 million accounts.
Stranger Things (season 3), a retro sci-fi series -- 67 million accounts.
La Casa de Papel (part 4), or Money Heist, a Spanish-language heist thriller series -- 65 million accounts.
Tiger King, a viral docuseries -- 64 million households.
The Queen's Gambit, a limited series about a chess prodigy -- 62 million accounts.
Sweet Tooth (season 1), a series based on a DC comic -- 60 million accounts.
Emily in Paris (season 1), a comedy series -- 58 million accounts.
Fate: The Winx Saga (season 1), a teen drama about fairies -- 57 million accounts.
Shadow and Bone (season 1), a fantasy series -- more than 55 million accounts.
Who Killed Sara? (season 1), a Mexican series about a brother's hunt for revenge -- 55 million accounts projected.
You (season 2), a psychological thriller series -- 54 million accounts projected.

Best smart light switches in 2021

The best smart light switches are an economical way of making all your lights "smart," without having to replace a ton of bulbs.

Like traditional wall switches, a smart light switch can turn your fixtures on and off, but because the switch is linked to the cloud, you can also control it remotely from your phone. This allows you do to a bunch of neat things, like setting a schedule for when lights will turn on and off, and controlling them with a voice assistant like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri. If you go on vacation, you can even set them to turn on and off randomly, to make it look like you're home. Full article here...

Podcast #102: 4K TVs That won't Break the Bank and the New Hisense Soundbars Oct 15, 2021

On today’s show we look at three 4K TVs that won’t break the bank and look at the new soundbars coming from Hisense. We also read your emails and look at the news of the week.

Three 65” 4K TVs That won’t Break the Bank

Hisense Releases Three New Soundbars

HS312 ($399.99)
HS219 ($279.99)
HS212F ($199.99)

Designed to augment the TV experience, the new HS Series of soundbars features a compact and sleek design that makes them easy to place and connect.

The HS212F (120 watts), the four speaker HS219 (320 watts), and the Dolby Atmos supporting HS312 (300 watts). The new soundbars all support Bluetooth, which allows you to stream music from your smartphone, tablet or laptop. You can optimize the sound based on what you are watching. Whether it’s a loud sporting event or a drama with quiet dialogue, you can switch to your desired setting via presets on the remote.

The soundbars come with a wall mount kit and guide. They measure roughly 40 x 2.5 x 3.5 inches. The Subwoofer measures 10 x 15 x 10 inches. Sizes will vary slightly depending on the model.

You can control Soundbar functions like power and volume with your Hisense TV remote. This functionality will be available for all current and new soundbars through a software update and will be compatible with the U7, U8 and U9 Series TVs.

Podcast #1020: Wide Color Gamut and the YIO Remote Two Oct 08, 2021

This week we explain what Wide Color Gamut is and how it affects your TV viewing experience. We also discovered a new remote that wants to be your Harmony Replacement. It's really sexy but it costs a pretty penny. Finally we discuss why you don’t want to mount your TV over the fireplace. All that plus your emails and the week's news.

Wide Color Gamut

We mention wide color quite a bit when we talk about 4K TVs. But what does that mean? In general when we talk about wide color we mean "Redder" reds, "greener" greens, "bluer" blues. More specifically the color space covers 75.8%of the visible spectrum, the DCI-P3 digital cinema color space covers 53.6%.

What can you expect?

The improvement in color will not blow you away, but you can tell in a side-by-side comparison.
It's more pronounced in red and green.
Some TVs will be capable of more colors than others, even if they are labeled WCG.
Look for a percentage of P3 color to determine Wide Color capability. The recent Hisense UST Projector is capable of 107% of P3 color

YIO Remote Two

Another remote is on the horizon and it looks to be an elegant Harmony replacement. And by elegant we mean expensive . It's available on Kickstarter for a pledge of 369 Euros and delivers in July 2022.

From the Kickstart page:

With Remote Two you can control your smart home and multiple devices under one unified interface. No searching for apps on your phone. You get instant control at your fingertips. Remote Two runs fully locally and doesn't require subscriptions to function. Replace all your remotes with one and create activities to simplify control of your entertainment centre. Remote Two even comes with an open API, making it easy for the community to add support for new custom integrations.

With Remote Two, you can control devices via WiFi, Bluetooth and - through the smart charging dock - infrared (IR). There is no need for a hub, other than the one you already own. Remote Two connects to your WiFi network and to your home automation system and can control your devices.

The charging dock is not just charging the remote, but has its own smarts too. It has built in WiFi and Bluetooth to communicate with the remote.

It has infrared LEDs all around to make sure you get a good coverage. We ship an IR extender in the box, so you can use that to control devices inside a cabinet. You can choose to send IR commands to the extender, the built-in IR LEDs or both.

The dock can also learn IR commands from your old remotes, so if you cannot find the codes in a database, you can make Remote Two learn the IR commands.

The remote looks amazing. It's the combination of a remote with buttons and a tiny tablet. The buttons you would want to be physical are and stuff like automation, activities, and other functions can be mapped to the small screen. The only question is if it's worth the cost. We’ll wait until July to possibly check it out.

You shouldn't mount your TV above the fireplace. It's actually a terrible place for it

Mounting a TV above a fireplace seems like the most logical spot. It's out of the way, looks nice and is often the most convenient place to put it in a room. However, there are serious issues with such placement. Full article here…

Podcast #1019: Amazon Product Announcements andValue Electronics TV Shootout Oct 01, 2021

This week we take a look at the latest product announcements from Amazon. There are a slew of smart home products and a new FireTV that’s actually TV! Then there is the Value Electronics TV Shootout where they pick the best TV in three categories. As usual we look at the week’s news and read your emails.

Amazon Product Announcements

Amazon announced a bunch of new products this week. Here are a few that caught our attention:

Amazon Smart Thermostat ($60 November 4th) - Amazon Smart Thermostat is ENERGY STAR® certified. Certified thermostats are required to save an average of $50 on yearly energy bills. Alexa does the programming for you, automatically adjusting the temperature to suit your preferences. The thermostat can even be set to your preferred temperature if Alexa has a hunch you’re home, away, or asleep.

Echo Show 15 ($250 coming soon)- Reimagine how your family stays organized and entertained with a personalized smart display that helps keep everyone on track and in sync. You can mount it on a wall or display it with a compatible stand (sold separately) in portrait or landscape orientation.

Leave each other sticky notes, update shopping and to-do lists, and see your shared and individual calendars. Family members can create profiles and use visual ID and voice ID so Alexa can recognize who’s who and show the right information to the right person—like appointments, reminders, recently played music, and more.

Catch up on the news, watch shows and movies, cook along with demo videos, and more. Enjoy Amazon Music with lyrics you can see on the screen, plus podcasts, radio stations, and audiobooks. For a multi-room music experience, you can connect to other compatible Echo devices.

Amazon Glow, Interactive Projector + Video Calling ($250 request invitation to buy) - The Amazon Glow is a new interactive projector and video-calling device designed to build rich family connections by transforming the way children bond with remote loved ones. A new way to connect - Glow uniquely fuses projection, video, and sensing technologies to create a virtual experience that feels like being together in-person, no matter how far away you are.

Halo View fitness tracker ($80 coming soon) - Essentially a FitBit for $80

Ring Alarm Pro, 8-piece - built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router and optional 24/7 monitoring ($299 November 3rd) - This kit includes one Alarm Pro Base Station, one Keypad, four Contact Sensors, one Motion Detector, and one Alarm Range Extender. Built-in eero Wi-Fi 6 router creates a secure network for our strongest protection yet. Arm and disarm Ring Alarm with your voice and get mobile alerts about the sound of broken glass or smoke alarms with Alexa Guard. Call trained agents from your Echo who can request the dispatch of emergency responders with Alexa Guard Plus, included with an eligible Ring Protect Plan ($100 a year)

Ring Always Home Cam | Flying indoor cam ($250 request invitation to buy) - The Ring Always Home Cam is a first-of-its-kind flying indoor security camera for your home that flies along custom flight paths so you can see what’s happening around your home no matter where you are. See what’s going on in 1440x1440 HD video, with a built-in LED that automatically lights up the path when recording at night or in dim environments. Left a window open or the stove on? Create flight paths ahead of time so you can manually check in with the Ring App from anywhere. If your Ring Alarm contact sensors or motion detectors are triggered, Always Home Cam will automatically fly to see what’s happening. Always Home Cam’s camera never records when the device is docked and only records during trained flight paths.

Amazon Astro, Household Robot for Home Monitoring ($1000 equest invitation to buy) - Meet Astro, the household robot for home monitoring, with Alexa. Amazon Astro uses advanced navigation technology to find its way around your home and go where you need it. When you're not using Astro, it will hang out close by at the ready. Remotely send Astro to check on specific rooms, people, or things. Plus, get alerts if Astro detects an unrecognized person or certain sounds when you're away. Activate your 6-month free trial of Ring Protect Pro subscription and have Astro proactively patrol, investigate activity, save videos in Ring's cloud storage for up to 60 days, and more. Astro comes with a detachable cup holder and can carry other items (sold separately) like a Ziploc container, the OMRON blood pressure monitor, and a Furbo Dog Camera that tosses treats to your pet.

Amazon Fire TV 65" Omni Series 4K UHD smart TV with Dolby Vision (55” $560, 65” $830, 75” $1100 October 27) - Get true-to-life picture quality and rich, brilliant colors with support for 4K Ultra HD, Dolby Vision, HDR 10, HLG, and Dolby Digital Plus, and control the TV hands-free with Alexa. Dolby Vision brings spectacular color, contrast, clarity, and brightness to your screen. With built-in microphones, just ask to turn on the TV, and find, launch, and control content, no remote needed. HDMI eARC lets you add audio equipment for enhanced sound.

Judges at the Value Electronics TV Shootout declare 3 winners

On Sunday and Monday, September 12 and 13, 2021, Scarsdale, NY retailer Value Electronics brought together calibrators, cinematographers, and other video professionals to evaluate flagship TVs and—for the first time, ultra short-throw (UST) projectors—to determine which model was the best of the best. I discussed the annual event in detail last week, including how the evaluations were carefully set up and provided links to the live stream of each day. Full article here…

Podcast #1018: TCL TVs for 2021 and CEDIA Expo Best Of Show Winners Sep 24, 2021

On today’s show we reveal the 2021 TCL TV lineup and discuss FAST (free, ad-supported streaming television) channels. Is this the beginning of truly free TV? We also go through the list of the 2021 CEDIA Expo Best of show winners. Plus we read your emails and look at the news of the week.

TCL TV 2021 range: every new TCL TV for this year

In 2020, TCL launched a number of new TVs, proving you don’t need to pay a small fortune to get a good new TV. Now we’re more than halfway through 2021, the brand is continuing this trend. Full article here…

Google’s latest plans for Chromecast are all about free TV

Google is looking to make its Chromecast streaming device more appealing to cord cutters. The company has plans to add free TV channels to Google TV, the Android-based smart TV platform that powers Chromecast as well as select smart TVs from companies including Sony and TCL, Protocol has learned. Full article here...

2021 CEDIA Expo Best Of Show Winners Announced

TWICE, Residential Systems and What HiFi? have announced the winners of their annual Best of Show awards at CEDIA Expo 2021. The products were nominated by the manufacturers and a team of judges was employed to read through the entries and rate the products on a number of criteria, including its value, impact, and how unique it was to the market.

TWICE Best of Show Winners at CEDIA

Crestron Home

Crestron started in the 1980s in New Jersey and sells its products internationally. They sell their home automation products through authorized dealers. Crestron does not list pricing on their website because each system is custom-tailored to the homeowner's needs and installed through a home integrator. Their products are high quality and you will pay for an equally high amount. Systems typically start at $10,000 and go up from there. Way up!

Crestron Horizon Thermostat

With their ultra-slim profile and luxurious aesthetic, Horizon smart thermostats are always neat and discreet, while also delivering advanced functionality.

Intuitive control and bright high-resolution touch screen makes settings as easy to see as they are to adjust
Touch screen displays in light and/or dark mode
Light sensor adjusts display brightness and switches to dark mode at night
Built-in proximity sensor eliminates need to swipe or touch to wake up thermostat
Quick-look RGB backlit status bar indicates current status and provides sophisticated design accent
No batteries, so you’ll never return home or wake up to a too hot or cold house because the batteries ran out
Silent operation

iRoom iO touchDock

The touchDock is iRoom‘s flagship docking station, made entirely with scratch-resistant tempered glass and features the latest technologies iRoom has been implementing in its docking solutions. touchDock turns your iPad into a dual-purpose control device with convenient motorized iPad removal for mobile use.

Convenient motorized Removal of the iPad.
High Quality Tempered & Scratch-Proof Glass in Black or White.
Horizontal or Vertical Flush-Mount Installation.
Built-In Touch Keypad for AV Control independent of the iPad. Control Drivers for Crestron, Control4, Savant, RTI, Elan, URC and many more.
Smart Battery Management extends the iPad Battery Life.
Code-Protected Antitheft Protection of the iPad.
Built-in sensor package for room temperature, humidity, brightness, and air quality (CO2) (Coming soon)
Price $1,299.00 – $1,699.00

Samsung QN90A 4K TV

The next-gen Neo Quantum Processor 4K utilizes advanced AI based deep-learning analysis to analyze the signal, source, and scene-by-scene content to deliver our best 4K optimized experiences.
Quantum HDR 32x brings details to life with ultra-rich color, deep contrast, and HDR10+ dynamic tone mapping that shifts the color and contrast scene by scene for spectacular clarity.
Feel like you're in the middle of the action with directional, realistic sound that projects from speakers built into all sides of the TV
Never miss a beat with minimized blur and enhanced motion clarity, and catch all the fast-moving action whether you're watching sports or taking advantage of newer Next-Gen gaming capabilities.
Get our finest picture ever with Color Volume 100%, Quantum Dot, which transforms light into breathtaking, stay-true color at any brightness.
See every detail at any angle. Ultra Viewing Angle gives you the consistent detailed picture, even when sitting off to the side. So every seat is the best one in the house.
85” $4,000 55” $1,550

GDC Espedeo Supra-5000 RBB Plus Laser Phosphor Cinema Projector

The Supra-5000 is a 5000-lumen DCI-compliant projection system certified by Hollywood studios to playback encrypted digital cinema content and suitable for screens up to 20 feet wide. It features patented ALPD 4.0 laser technology to deliver vibrant colors in P3 color space and achieving 98.5 percent of REC2020. It is engineered with GDC’s all-in-one board, which is designed with near-zero maintenance electronics and tested by SGS for 100,000 hours Mean Time Between Failures. Designed with CineCache 2TB built-in solid-state storage and a built-in cinema audio processor, the light engine and lens offer IP5X level of dustproof protection to maintain brightness. It is compact, lightweight and quiet with a noise level below 35 dB(A), making it an ideal ceiling-mounted solution for private home cinemas, yachts, and hotels.

Hisense 100-inch L9G TriChroma Laser TV

Key features:

The 3000 Lumen ultra short throw projection TV features the TriChroma laser engine to reach 107% of the BT.2020 color space.
Includes 100-inch Ambient Light Rejecting (ALR) screen produces incredible picture clarity in both dark and well-lit spaces and is perfectly paired with the L9G.
Built-in 40W Dolby Atmos sound or high-speed HDMI with eARC allows for pass-thru of high-bitrate audio to your surround sound system.
25,000 Hour Lifespan
$5,500

Kaleidescape Terra 12

“This product was designed for customers eager to invest in the Kaleidescape experience but not ready to commit to a larger movie server like the Terra 48 or the recently announced Terra 72,” said Tayloe Stansbury, CEO, Kaleidescape. “The Terra 12 gives new customers the same experience as the larger servers, with similar download speeds and performance, while allowing them the flexibility to add playback zones and grow their movie collection over time.”

With the power to download feature-length 4K movies in as little as 10 minutes on a gigabit internet connection, the Terra 12 is ideal for customers looking to invest in an entry level Kaleidescape system that can instantly play their favorite movies, television shows and music events. The addition of the Terra 12 to Kaleidescape’s product line also allows customers to incrementally increase storage by adding additional servers, such as the Terra 24, Terra 48 or the recently announced Terra 72.

The Kaleidescape Terra is the foundation of a multi-room Kaleidescape Strato system. A Terra 12 can support any number of Strato C players and serve up to five simultaneous 4K Ultra HD playbacks. Designed with a similar profile to a Strato C movie player, the Terra 12 can be mounted beside a Strato C in a 1U rack space, using Kaleidescape’s custom rack mount for efficient shelf storage.

The Kaleidescape Terra 12 movie server will be priced at $7,995. Accompanying Strato C players are priced at $2,995 each.

Jabra PanaCast 50

The Jabra PanaCast 50 is an intelligent video bar with 180° field of view in Panoramic-4K. On the audio front, intelligent algorithms automatically identify and remove residual echo and static noise, and we added an array of four powerful speakers in a zero-vibration stereo setup, to fill the room with premium, high-definition sound. MSRP $1,195

Podcast #1017: Summer Box office Wrap-up and AirPods Pro Review Sep 17, 2021

On this week’s show we wrap up the Summer Box Office numbers with the top ten movies based on ticket sales and we look at two contradicting studies about streaming vs cable. We also have a review of Apple’s AirPod Pro. We also read your email and look at the news of the week.

Summer Box Office Wraps with $1.75 Billion, It Closes on a High Note

No one expected this summer to be a close comparison to the last pre-pandemic summer and it wasn’t. Total North American box office for the 17-week summer period, including the Labor Day holiday weekend, totaled about $1.75 billion. That’s a little more than 40 percent of the $4.34 billion recorded in 2019, a period that did not include $474 million for the first week of “Avengers: Endgame.” (That opened on the last Friday in April.) Full article here…

Is Roku Right? Has TV Streaming Really 'Passed the Tipping Point'?

Roku's 'Streaming Decade' report describes OTT as the dominant means of viewing video in the American home … despite recent data from Nielsen indicating that it's still somewhat of a niche behavior Full Article Here…

AirPods Pro

The Apple AirPods Pro are wireless earbuds with noise cancelling, water resistance and a customizable fit. Are these the ultimate wireless earbuds everyone is talking about? Braden gives us his take.

Features:

Active Noise Cancellation
Transparency mode
Adaptive EQ
Vent system for pressure equalization
Custom high-excursion Apple driver
Custom high dynamic range amplifier
Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking

Podcast #1016:Hisense's new laser TV, Bluetooth for Audiophiles and a review of a $5 smart plug Sep 10, 2021

We have a fantastic show for you today! Hisense announced what appears to be one of the best Ultra Short Throw Projectors on the market. We discuss Ara’s experience with his and how this may be the one to replace your regular TV. Qualcomm has something for audiophiles with their AptX Lossless codec for CD Quality Sound Over Bluetooth. Finally we take a look at a $5 smart plug from monoprice. Who would have thought that you can start your home automation journey for $5. As usual we read your emails and news stories for the week.

Hisense's new laser TV is pricey, but could prove its best home cinema experience yet

Hisense has just announced its latest laser TV, the new L9G. In what promises to be a premium home entertainment device, the L9G TriChroma laser TV will use a 3000 Lumen ultra-short throw projection to create a razor-sharp and color-accurate image. Full article here

Hisense L9G TV Series features

4K Ultra-Short Throw – Positioned just inches from the wall, the L9G Laser TV casts a massive image at beautiful 4K resolution. Up to 3.5x more screen than a 65” TV.
TriChroma Laser Engine – The L9G uses pure red, green, and blue lasers to achieve new levels of color performance, reaching 107% of the BT.2020 color space.
High Dynamic Range – With a brightness of 3000 Lumens, L9G’s High Dynamic Range delivers incredible specular highlights and depth of color, to give every scene the stunning details it deserves.
Smooth Motion – The Digital Micromirror Device reacts faster to movement than LED or OLED, creating motion that’s smoother than any other type of display. MEMC Technology helps too, making fast-action in sports, movies, and games more fluid.
DLP Technology Powered by Texas Instruments – The projection technology used in 9 out of 10 cinemas worldwide to create laser-focused detail is now available at home. Every piece of content feels like it’s fresh from the theater.
Long Lifespan – X-Fusion™ laser light technology provides up to 25,000+ hours of entertainment without the need of replacing a bulb – because there is none.
Ambient Light Rejecting Screen – The included UST ALR screen is perfectly paired with the L9G projector to produce a color-accurate picture with incredible viewing angles and brightness uniformity.
Dolby Atmos® – L9G’s 40W Dolby Atmos sound reveals every detail of the audio mix with unparalleled clarity and depth. A high-speed HDMI port with eARC also allows pass-through so users can enjoy high bitrate audio through their home theater.
Android TV OS – Android TV OS brings more than 5,000 apps and games to the biggest screen in the home. Watch live sports and news from popular channels or gather around to watch the hottest videos with 1,000+ Chromecast compatible apps.
WiSA Ready – integrate your wireless multi-channel surround sound, the L9G is WiSA Ready.
Smart Home Ready – Built-in WiFi, Google Assistant, Works with Alexa and Control4 certified, the L9G can integrate with smart home IoT devices and control systems.
Eye-Safety (And Kid Resilient) – The L9G features a proximity sensor that shuts off the laser light source when a moving body gets too close. This protects the eyes and is also a great feature to stop the little ones from placing items on the laser console. Users also have the option to turn off the eye-safety feature.

Qualcomm AptX Lossless Offers CD Quality Sound Over Bluetooth But It Won't Be Available On Existing Devices

Qualcomm has done something nice for all the audiophiles who are still getting used to listening to music on Bluetooth headphones. The company has decided to announce the latest Bluetooth audio codec called the aptX Lossless. Full Article Here …

Stitch Wifi Outlet

One of our listeners, Tom, sent us an email a couple weeks ago alerting us to a really inexpensive smart home outlet made by Monoprice called “The Stitch”. This line has been around for at least a couple of years but this was the first we had heard of it. We purchased it for $5 but it's currently being sold for $8.50.

The Stitch is a 10A Outlet that works with Alexa and Google Home and has an iOS and Android app. The outlet is really small and can be used anywhere and does not require a hub.

Setup was a tale of two experiences. The first attempt resulted in nothing but frustration then ended with us giving up and thinking that the outlet was not working. So we set the outlet aside and went on with our day. Being stubborn and not being happy that a smart home device got the better of us, we tried again the following day. This time everything worked exactly as advertised and within seconds had the device connected to our network.

Now that the outlet was functioning we were able to put it through its paces. To sum it up, it worked well. We were able to set up scenes and automations based on time of day, events, and timers. We liked the timers which could come in handy if you needed to set up a temporary automation. There is even a “Circulate” mode which turns on devices for configured durations at times defined by you.

There is not much more that needs to be said about a $5 outlet so we will leave this here. If you are on Google Home or Alexa we highly recommend this outlet for your automation needs. If you are on HomeKit you can still use this in your home but more for standalone types of tasks like turning lights on and off at specific times. This device is the deal of the year for simple home automation.

Beyond the outlet, Stitch has an entire line of home automation products. There is a five piece starter kit for $90 that includes:

Smart LED Light Bulb
Smart Outlet
Door/Window Sensor
Motion Sensor
Water Sensor

Podcast #1015: Locast Shuts Down and Should You Evangelize Hi-res Audio to Your Friends Sep 03, 2021

We have a really big show this week! First off there is the news about Locast shutting down. We have what we think could be a good candidate to replace the Harmony Remote. We look at suggested seating distances based on screen size. You won’t believe this one. Then we look at an article that tries to tell you how to evangelize Hi-res audio to your friends. Plus we read your emails and look at the news.

SofabatonX1-Most Versatile Universal ALL-IN-ONE Smart Remote

Sofabaton is launching X1, which is targeted at multi-device scenario-based Activity control, while adding a wireless Hub, which we believe can better meet the needs of power users.

This looks like an actual Harmony Remote replacement with a hub. It's a Kickstarter project and has a cost of about $100. We will of course do a review when they become available.

TV sizes: How big a screen do I really need?

Your TV is probably too small. Use these rules of thumb to determine what size TV to buy. Full Article Here …

SONY'S RECOMMENDED SEATING DISTANCE

TV size Viewing distance range (approx.)

43-inch 35 inches (2.95 feet)

49-inch 39 inches (3.28 feet)

55-inch 39 inches (3.28 feet)

65-inch 47 inches (3.94 feet)

75-inch 55 inches (4.59 feet)

85-inch 63 inches (5.25 feet)

Bottom line: You could go much, much bigger with your next TV

The ultimate decision is one of personal preference. My goal here was to point out a rough idea of what's possible or recommended. For me, I would always err on the side of "too big." An old boss of mine used to say that no one regretted buying a TV they thought might be "too big." My opinion is that a 50-inch TV is too small for most rooms. That's not to say I think everyone should get a 102-inch screen, but the reality is a 50-inch flat panel is really not that much larger than the 36-inch CRTs of the old days. Since 65- and even 75-inch TVs are now far more affordable, they're worth considering if you've got the space.

If you want to go really big, consider a projector instead if you've got control over the ambient light in your room.

Another View: Breaking the Sound Barrier – How To Talk To Your Friends About High Quality Audio

To stay abreast of everything Home Theater, Smart Home, and Audio, we subscribe to a lot of News Feeds, Blogs, and Newsletters and we also receive emails from our listeners alerting us to articles. This one came across in one of our news feeds from TWICE (Full Article Here) (This Week in Consumer Electronics) and thought it was interesting to discuss because we are completely on the opposite side of this discussion.

The premise of the article is that with all the music sites going Hi-res, most listeners don’t think they can hear the difference and somehow need you to tell them that they can. From the first paragraph of the article:

For 25 years now, mainstream listeners have become accustomed to lossy, low-bitrate music. For audio enthusiasts that’s been a longstanding gripe, but it appears to be finally over. With lossless and hi-res streaming about to go mainstream, bit-reduced audio will now go the way of the 8-track. That leaves an entire generation of listeners that don’t know anything better and probably thinks they can’t hear a difference. Audiophiles — this is a moment for true public service. Spread the word: high-quality audio is not only back, it’s better than ever.

Yes AAC and mp3 are lossy file formats, but low bit rate? The days of 96Kbps mp3 files on Napster are long gone. Apple, Amazon, Google, Spotify and others have been serving up 256Kbps AAC and mp3 files for years! This may be lower bit rate than Hi-res but we wouldn’t call it low bit rate. Most people can’t hear or even have equipment capable of reproducing the sound so that you can hear the difference.

To be fair, most people would hear an improvement with 256Kbps files if they listened on good equipment instead of cheap earbuds or their talking tube devices. We argue you would be doing a better service if you convinced people to get higher fidelity playback equipment than trying to tell friends that their music would sound better on the same crappy equipment because it's Hi-res.

From the article:

Begin your public service by assuring your friends and all who’ll listen that they really can hear the difference. The rational among them will immediately understand that more digital information means more sound.

We call to the stand Rick Beato and his video Audiophile or Audio-Fooled? How Good Are Your Ears? In this video Rick explores the differences between MP3s, WAV, FLAC (lossless), AAC and whether you can tell the difference? He says it comes down to how you listen to music and whether it sounds pleasing or not. It's not about mp3, AAC, or Hi-res. If you listen to music in your car or on a run with earbuds, you have a different experience than someone who listens in a dedicated room with proper acoustics.

From the article:

Now that master-quality audio content is going mainstream, so too will the equipment to play it back. This will be particularly true of personal listening, because headphones/earbuds have become a dominant product category.

We agree here, but not because of Hi-res, but because we are used to listening on comprised equipment. That’s not to say it's bad, there is a place for lower quality gear. But if you really like high quality audio, invest in some hi quality speakers, amplifiers and headphones.

The author finishes with:

There’s never been a better time to be an audiophile. Digital audio has made tremendous strides and will continue to evolve even further. Some lossless services will even deliver spatial 3-D audio; imagine the benefits for gamers and cinephiles. Good quality sound finally matters again. To those who already know the pleasures of deep listening and flawless reproduction, company’s coming. If we help people find out about it, just watch how fast the audio world will grow.

We agree! But it has nothing to do with Hi-res files because we are not living in the year 2005 any longer. Good quality sound always mattered and we have been listening to it for years. It's just that many people do not know what really listening to music is all about. Introduce your friends to the concept of truly enjoying music. Take your friends on this journey. Pour a glass of your favorite beverage and enjoy the music and where it takes you. Just don’t be a snob about it.

Podcast #1014: What we are streaming and IPTV Services Compared Aug 27, 2021

This week we look at what everyone has been streaming based on minutes streamed. This is a new metric that Nielsen has developed to survive in a world where less and less of us watch live linear TV. Speaking of live linear TV we do a comparison of your IPTV options available to you. Between the two of us we have used them all. We also read your emails and take a look at some of the news stories of the week.

Weekly Streaming Minutes

Top ten streaming series as determined by Nielsen SVOD Content Ratings. Viewing through Television.

Rank/Provider/Show/Eps/Mins (in Millions)

1/Netflix/Virgin River/30/1,2702/Netflix/Never Have I Ever/20/5673/Netflix/Atypical/38/4224/Disney+/LOKI/6/3865/Netflix/Heist (2021)/6/3166/Netflix/Lucifer/83/2777/Amazon/Bosch/64/2318/Netflix/Sex/Life/8/2169/Netflix/The Cook of Castamar/12/17910/Netflix The Movies that Made Us/8/165

Top ten streaming movies as determined by Nielsen SVOD Content Ratings. Viewing through Television.

Rank/Provider/Show /Mins (in Millions)

1/Disney+/Luca (2021)/4542/Netflix/Twilight/3423/Netflix/Blood Red Sky/2964/Netflix/Gunpowder Milkshake/2905/Netflix/The Twilight Saga: New Moon/2846/Netflix/The Twilight Saga: Eclipse/2447/Netflix/The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2/1988/Amazon/The Tomorrow War/1949/Disney+/Raya The Last Dragon/18710/Netflix/Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans/187

Best live TV streaming service for cutting cable

Maybe you've thought about cutting the cable cord, but that one channel or show stopped you from taking the plunge. Enter live TV streaming services. These streaming services give you access to all the familiar TV channels you love, as well as live sports (including major league baseball and NBA basketball) plus national and local news. All this with just an inexpensive streaming device -- no antenna or cable box required. Full article here...

Podcast #1013: Do you still Need a Set Top Box and the TWICE 2021 VIP Awards Aug 20, 2021

This week we solve the mystery of what happened to HDNET and we ask the question if Set Top Hardware is still needed. Finally we go through the list of the 2021 TWICE VIP Awards. We also read your emails and give you the news of the week.

What Happened to HDNET

A listener sent us a link to Wikipedia where the following was taken from:

AXS TV (pronounced "access") is an American specialty television channel. Majority-owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, it is devoted primarily to live music programming, entertainment, and combat sports—including mixed martial arts and professional wrestling.

The network was originally established in 2001 as HDNet, with investor Mark Cuban as a founding partner. HDNet was originally intended as an exclusively-high-definition network, carrying general entertainment, concerts, and sporting events in the format. In 2012, with the network's original purpose becoming redundant (due to most mainstream cable networks now having HD feeds), HDNet sold stakes to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Creative Artists Agency, and Ryan Seacrest (with Cuban retaining a majority stake), and rebranded under its current name (taken from AEG's online ticket platform AXS.com) on July 2, 2012—with the network shifting its content to include more entertainment and pop culture-oriented programming, alongside its existing live music content.

In September 2019, Anthem acquired a majority stake in AXS, with AEG and Cuban retaining minority stakes.

AXS TV is available to 50 million households in the United States as of December 2020.

What’s the Point of AppleTV Hardware?

Buying an Apple TV no longer gives users a content advantage. We are in the age of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, and business models have shifted so that every service is available on every device — phones, tablets, TV sets, streaming sticks and game consoles. (Full Article Here…)

The product isn’t without its benefits, though, for the Apple ecosystem’s most loyal users. Integration with HomeKit, Fitness+, AirPods and the iOS remote app is useful. The new remote control and faster chip in this year’s version are definite improvements, and the box is getting SharePlay and Spatial Audio support later this year [this was written prior to the release of these technologies]. Still, I don’t see these enhancements moving the needle for most people.

Twice VIP Awards 2021

The TWICE VIP Awards are not decided by consumers but rather they are voted on by industry leaders, consumer tech retailers and distributors who are looking for great products, innovation and what makes the biggest difference in the business.

The awards cover a wide range of products from projectors, truly wireless headphones to the latest TVs and major appliances. On this show we will focus on Home Theater and Home Automation products. The full list of award winners can be found here (Announcing The Winners Of The 2021 TWICE VIP Awards!)

Accessories

THX Onyx (MSRP $220) is an innovative Digital-to- Analog Converter (DAC)/Amplifier that

brings crystal clear audio to consumers on the go for enjoyment of music, movies, and games. This leading-edge product brings vast audio quality improvements that's enjoyed over nearly any mobile device and headset, based upon the award-winning patented THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™) technology. THX AAA provides impactful power and ensures the ultimate no-compromise headphone audio experience by delivering the highest audio fidelity with infinitesimally low levels of noise and distortion. Currently, THX Onyx is the first portable DAC/Amp to feature THX AAA-78, the highest-powered mobile THX AAA configuration, in such a small amp. Whether you're enjoying the audio timbre of a Bach sonata or want to hear the full range of emotional frequencies within your favorite feature film's musical score, THX Onyx brings the clarity and joy of crystal clear audio with you wherever you go.

A/V Receivers

Denon AVR-A110 (MSRP $6,000 Backordered) is the ultimate 8K/13.2- channel home theater receiver, providing CEDIA integrators with a high-performance immersive solution from the most trusted brand in audio/video. In addition to astonishing home theater performance, the HEOS® built-in wireless multi-room streaming technology puts the listener's favorite content anywhere throughout the home (requires HEOS-compatible speakers) and adds Apple® AirPlay 2 for effortless streaming from mobile devices. The AVR-A110 also offers access to the most popular streaming services, providing users with limitless access to their favorite music, podcasts and more.

Headphones Truly Wireless

Klipsch T5 II ANC earphones (MSRP $299) deliver a truly hands-free listening experience. They are the FIRST set of earphones to feature and combine: A built-in Bragi® operating system with embedded artificial intelligence which allows for hands-free, advanced gesture-controlled experiences. Dual-mic noise cancellation utilizes both a microphone aimed at the outside and one in front of the speaker for maximum noise cancellation. Integrated Dirac® HD Sound technology optimizes sound performance digitally for clearer, richer and more balanced sound.

Home Theater Audio

Samsung's Q950A (MSRP $1500) is the first Samsung soundbar to offer true 11.1.4 channel sound, enhanced by 21 custom- designed speakers and audio certifications including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

Polk Audio Reserve Series R700 (MSRP $1,100 each)is a high-performance, versatile floor-standing loudspeaker designed to deliver serious performance for music, movies and gaming. Polk Audio engineers created rigid, internally braced cabinets while leveraging driver and port technologies from the Legend Series speakers to achieve breathtaking levels of balance and realism.

Projectors

Sony VPL-VW1025ES (MSRP $40K). The X1™ processor for projector and a 2,200 lumen Z-Phosphor laser light source bring exceptionally bright and clear colors, contrast, and motion to all your content for over 20,000 hours of play time. With the ARC-F lens equipped for ultra-crisp images, you'll wonder how you watched movies before installing the VW1025ES.

Epson's EpiqVision Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser Projector (MSRP $900) creates an epic viewing experience right out of the box with its stunning picture quality, built-in Android TV, sound by Yamaha, and wireless connectivity. Stream big, bright Full-HD content up to 150-inches for immersive viewing of TV shows, sporting events, gaming, and movies from virtually anywhere in the home - even outside. Powered by Android TV, the EF12 offers instant streaming the moment it is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi through popular streaming services including Hulu, HBO and YouTube™. Yamaha's leading Acoustic Engineers designed a unique sound system exclusively for the EF12 to deliver a true audiophile performance that rivals soundbars and connects via Bluetooth® for use as a standalone speaker. Designed with simplicity in mind, the EF12 weighs under five pounds with a compact, portable and modern design to fit beautifully within any décor and project seamlessly with no screen required.

Portable Streaming Speakers: Soundbars $499 or less

Polk Audio React Soundbar (MSRP $250) Big surround sound driven by Dolby

and DTS integration delivers a true cinematic television experience. Optional subwoofer and wireless surrounds makes true 5.1 home theater possible without adding wires.

Portable Streaming Speakers: Soundbars $500 and up

Polk Audio Studio 3D Mini - Could not find any info on this device under Polk Audio. However, we did find a Studio 3D Mini made by Definitive Technology that has an MSRP of $900.

Smart Home & Automation: Automation OS

Crestron Home (MSRP $$$$$$)

Smart Home & Automation: Climate Control

Crestron Horizon Thermostats (MSRP $$$)

Video & TV: 4K

LG 65-inch G1 OLED evo 4K TV (65G1) (MSRP $2800) fusing state-of-the-art display and AI technologies with beautiful design. Thanks to stunning picture quality, Zero Gap wall mountable design, and new OLED evo technology, the stunning 65G1 delivers better brightness and punchy images with amazing clarity, detail and realism. The TV runs LG's own webOS

6.0 smart TV platform, providing intuitive navigation and control and offering multi-AI"' which comprises LG ThinQ AI, as well as built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.

Video & TV: 8K

Samsung QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV - (MSRP $4500 65”) with the new Neo Quantum Processor 8K to deliver exemplary picture quality, smart features and design. Thanks to Samsung's Neo QLED panel technology, LEDs are 40x smaller than conventional LED units, allowing more light to be packed into the same area. Unlike other LED backlights, the QN900A eliminates lenses that capture and transmit light from the backlight. Instead, each compact LED chip is designed to emit light on its own. Brightness is more controlled while blooming is minimized, resulting in higher contrast ratios and one of the best non-OLED TVs ever. The Neo Quantum Processor 8K leverages innovations in deep learning, machine learning and a neural network to upscale content sources to 8K-resolution picture quality. Its pristine image is matched by an immersive design. Its thin black matrix means that 99% of the QN900A's panel displays the content, as compared to the industry standard of ~95% screen-to- body ratio.

Video & TV: OLED

Sony BRAVIA XR A80J (MSRP $2300 65”) - Enjoy premium OLED picture with contrast and color that feels deep, natural, and real with the A80J. The revolutionary Cognitive Processor XR™ optimizes thousands of on-screen elements simultaneously for a lifelike picture. Feel the action with Acoustic Surface Audio+ and experience a truly immersive sound that perfectly matches the picture on screen.

Video & TV: TVs: 40 to 57 Inches

LG 48-inch C1 4K OLED TV (48C1) (MSRP $1300) is ideal for gaming, providing many characteristics offered by the latest gaming monitors. LG's latest intelligent processor, the a (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 AI leverages deep learning to analyze and optimize content, making content of any quality look picture-perfect. The processor features AI Picture Pro, which recognizes content, removes noise, and optimizes picture quality. The 48C1 features the latest webOS 6.0 with ThinQ AI letting users easily discover and access content from popular services offered on its smart TV ecosystem, such as Twitch.

Video & TV: TVs: 58 inches and larger

LG 83-inch C1 4K OLED TV (83C1) (MSRP $5500) Powered by the upgraded a (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 AI processor, the 83C1 uses deep-learning algorithms to detect scenes and genres to make content look it's best no matter what or when you're watching. LG's 2021 OLED TVs offer an immersive experience with support for Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos,® HDR10 PRO and Filmmaker Mode. The C1 series includes 4 inputs with HDMI 2.1 features such as support for 4K 120 content, VRR, ALLM and eARC making OLED the TV of choice for gamers and home theater enthusiasts alike. The new webOS 6.0 interface provides faster access to apps and simpler content discovery with personalized recommendations.

Super VIP Award

LG Electronics – Winners in 6 categories

Computer and Gaming: Monitor
Health & Lifestyle: Air Purifiers
Major Appliances: Front-load Washer
Video & TV 4K
Video & TV: 40 to 57 Inches
Video & TV: 58 inches and larger

Podcast #1012: DirecTV Stream and the sofabaton Universal remote Control Aug 13, 2021

On this week’s show we opine on what is going on at AT&T and their DireTV Stream video service and we review the sofabaton U1 Universal Remote control. Can it make you forget about the Harmony? We also read your emails and go over some of the week’s news.

What on Earth is going on over at AT&T

This week AT&T spun off DirecTV as a separate video company. According to a company Press Release:

Under this new company, DIRECTV owns and operates the former AT&T U.S. and Puerto Rico video business unit consisting of satellite, streaming and IP video services. The new structure allows for greater focus, flexibility and resources to best position the business to succeed in the long term as well as deliver on a commitment to current and future customers, employees and shareholders.

For those who stream it, the newly branded DIRECTV STREAM will become the single brand for video streaming services previously launched by AT&T, excluding HBO Max. The transition will happen later this month, and service will continue to be available with no term commitment or hidden fees. To enjoy the best of live TV and on-demand, customers can either bring their own streaming device, or use DIRECTV’s exclusive streaming device.

Our Takeaway

AT&T really messed up badly by acquiring DirecTV. In the end both companies were hurt. AT&T has a massive debt load, although they had debt issues before acquiring DirecTV, it got worse after acquisition. DirecTV lost their focus and then lost subscribers.

Then there is WarnerMedia (Turner cable channels, HBO and HBO Max) which will also be spun off and eventually merge with Discovery and its Discovery+ streaming service. AT&T bought Time/Warner (WarnerMedia today) for $85 billion in 2018.

AT&T is a disaster!

sofabaton U1 Universal Remote

The sofabaton U1 is the next universal remote that we test in our quest to find a replacement for the Harmony. This one comes real close for most of us and for others it will be all that they will ever need. The U1 goes for about $50 available at Amazon and has been seen as low as $37.99 during a Flash sale.

The U1 looks very similar to the Harmony remote but feels much cheaper. Both the Harmony and U1 are made of plastic, but the U1 feels cheaply made with slick plastic that will slip out of your hand. Lastly, the U1 has sharper edges that makes your grip less comfortable.

Features:

Support for 500,000+ devices from 6000+ brands
Support for IR and Blutooth
Smartphone APP for setup (Device Selection, Button Remapping, Macro definition)

Setup and Use:

This is where the sofabaton actually exceeds the Harmony. The configuration is done via an app that connects via bluetooth. Here you will select your devices. No codes to enter, just press the button on the app until you see the desired reaction of the device. Super simple. If you don’t mind switching between devices to turn on your system and control it, you are done. One remote will control everything. There is a scroll wheel just below the LCD screen to select the device that you want to control. When highlighted, all the buttons map to that device. You can inadvertently hit the wheel and end up controlling the wrong device. We’ll discuss a way around this in a bit.

Through the app there is a mechanism to override buttons for the selected device with those of another device. This is very convenient for a typical setup of a set top box, AVR, and TV. As with the last remote we reviewed, the Inteset 4-in-1 Universal on Podcast #999, you can have the numbers mapped to the cable box, volume and mute to the AVR, and any other button you want access to from your main device. You will have to map every button one at a time. So it is a bit time consuming but you only have to do this once. The sofabaton is leaps and bounds easier to do this function than the $25 Inteset because of the app.

That same app makes setting up macros easier too. You can assign macros to any button on the remote. For our test, we assigned a macro to the power button in the AppleTV device to turn our system on and off. Within the app you select a key on the device then you say you want to tie a macro to it. The next step is to add commands with delays between subsequent commands. You can customize the delay between commands. Easy and straight forward.

Things to Consider:

The IR signal of the remote is not strong and you must keep your remote aimed at the devices without anything in between. If you don’t and your devices get out of sync you will have to manually bring them into sync by either using the individual remote or walking up to the device in question and manually correcting the issue.

The remote has bluetooth capability which works great. But when you are using the device in Bluetooth mode it will disconnect from the app. This is a bit of a pain when you are making changes and then want to test them out. To reconnect to the app you have to press the - and E button for a second or two. So not a big deal but it can become a pain if you are doing a lot if programming.

For whatever reason, our remote would not work with Apple’s bluetooth volume commands. To work around this we mapped the volume control to the AVR’s volume commands. This works fine but with the weak IR we were hoping that the Bluetooth would make up for not worrying about pointing the remote directly at the AVR. Another annoyance was that we could not map and of the AppleTV bluetooth commands to a macro. To get around this we added AppleTV that was IR controlled. We then mapped the buttons that were not available to us via bluetooth through their IR counterparts.

Having two AppleTV devices show up on the screen was a little confusing so we named one AppleTV IR. This helped but then you had to remember not to use one since the button remapping only applied to the no IR AppleTV. The sofabaton has a great solution for you. In the app you can choose to hide devices so that it does not show up on the screen. This is a huge thing, not only for what we just described, but for Ara’s mom who constantly hits the device buttons on her Inteset remote making her remote useless. By hiding the other devices there is no way to accidentally hit a different device and send the commands to the wrong devices. This is as close to fool proof as you can get.

Conclusion:

This is the best Harmony replacement we have found for the typical home setup. If you have a lot of devices on different inputs the Harmony is still your best bet. But if you have a set top box, AVR or soundbar connected to your TV. This remote is the one to go with. Check back in a few weeks to see if it works better for Ara’s mom. Our prediction is that it will.

Podcast #1011: Renting Out Your Home Theater and Scarlett Johansson Aug 06, 2021

On this week’s show we talk about the possibility of renting out your home theater space a’la AirBnB and we also chime in on the Scarlett Johansson’s breach-of-contract lawsuit. We also have a lot of email and news to discuss!

Swimply lets you swim in a stranger's pool. It's less weird than you think

Stan Liang sent us this story but wondered what if you rented out your home theater space? Swimply is the brainchild of co-founders Asher Weinberger, 35, and Bunim Laskin, 24, who met at a networking event Weinberger hosted for entrepreneurs in New York City. Laskin, then a college student, pitched Weinberger on the idea of monetizing home swimming pools. Full Article here…

‘Black Widow’ Lawsuit Could Upend Talent Compensation Agreements

Scarlett Johansson’s breach-of-contract lawsuit — filed July 29 against Walt Disney Studios and Marvel Entertainment regarding the studio’s decision to simultaneously release Marvel Studios’ Black Widow in theaters and on the Disney+ subscription streaming platform — could upend Hollywood contracts with actors, producers and distributors. Full Article here...

Podcast #1010: Samsung TV Plus and Belkin's Soundform Connect AirPlay2 Adapter Review Jul 30, 2021

This week we discuss free TV on your Samsung TVs and mobile devices via Samsung’s TV Plus service. We also have a review of Belkin’s Soundform Connect AirPlay2 Adapter. And as usual, we read your emails and talk about the week’s news.

Samsung TV Plus: the free TV streaming service explained

Curious about Samsung TV Plus? If you’ve just bought a new Samsung TV, are seriously considering it, or are just now exploring every inch of your smart TV interface, you might be wondering what this free (yes, free) content service is all about. Full Article here…

What is Samsung TV Plus? A free, ad-supported content service, available on Samsung TVs and (if you're in the US) your web browser. Despite similar naming conventions, it is not a paid subscription service in the vein of Disney Plus or Apple TV Plus
When did it launch? Samsung TV Plus was created in 2015
How many Samsung TV Plus channels are there? Varies between regions (more on this below)
Can I remove Samsung TV Plus? You can’t delete the entire app from your Samsung TV, though you can remove individual channels within the app for a cleaner interface
Is Samsung TV Plus free? You betcha. Save those coins for a new soundbar or something
Is Samsung TV Plus the same as Rakuten TV? No. The TV Plus app does include some Rakuten TV channels, though.

There are over 500 TV channels available worldwide through Samsung TV Plus, though you’ll only get a portion of that total in each region:

US: 120
Germany: 64
Austria: 64
Switzerland: 64
UK: 49
Canada: 35
Korea: 35
Thailand: 30
France: 26
Spain: 18
Italy: 18

Which TVs support Samsung TV Plus?

The exact Samsung TV models that support Samsung TV Plus will, again, vary between regions, but you can count on it featuring on new and recent models.

We’re told by Samsung that all 2016-2020 smart TVs in the US, Europe and Thailand support the service, while those of you in Canada can access it on Samsung TVs made in 2017 onwards. In Samsung’s home nation of Korea, though, TVs as old as 2013 support the service.

New-for-2020 models like the Q950TS or Q80T QLED will come with dedicated Samsung TV Plus buttons on the TV remote, too – that is, in the US and Canada.

Belkin Soundform Connect

Belkin has released a $99 adapter called the Soundform Connect that turns any powered speaker, receiver/amplifier, or soundbar into an AirPlay2 compatible device. The Soundform Connect is in limited supply. It took us about four weeks after we ordered it to receive ours.

The first thing we noticed after opening the package was how small it is. It's about the size of two Tic Tac cases stacked on top of each other (43.4mm / 1.71in x 62mm / 2.44in x 19mm / 0.75in). Power comes from a typical mobile phone adapter with a USB-C cable. The size makes it a viable alternative to finding a used Airport Express on eBay. Although the Airport Express does have one advantage that we will talk about in a bit.

Features:

Stream from iOS and Mac devices on your existing stereo
Play music in multiple rooms with other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers
Easy AirPlay 2 pairing
Connect to any speaker or receiver with an optical or 3.5mm audio input (Cables not included)
2-year warranty

Setup

Setup took about five minutes. You power on the device and move your iPhone close to it. Then you choose the “setup device” in the wifi settings. There is a step where you aim your camera at the code on the back of the unit. This was problematic for us because the printing was difficult for our camera to differentiate from the background. At this point we entered the code manually. Once connected we gave our device a meaningful name and connected an optical cable to our amplifier. You can also use a 3.5mm cable if desired. Once all the connections were made we were on our way.

Performance

There is not a whole bunch to say about performance here. It worked like all other AirPlay2 devices on our network. The music was clear with no dropouts during our testing. When playing with multiple AirPlay2 devices, there were no sync issues. The specs on the Soundform Connect state that it supports CD-quality sample rates of 16-bit, 44,100 Hz (44.1 kHz) resolution. Which is the highest resolution AirPlay will support. We did play Hi-Res Lossless content from our computer which was transcoded to CD quality. It sounded fantastic!

Conclusion

If you have a need to convert a powered speaker, soundbar, or receiver to AirPlay2, the Belkin Soundform Connect is a no brainer. It's small, easy to set up, and works flawlessly. But with that said, if you don’t mind a slightly bigger form factor, you may want to consider buying an Airport Express on ebay for about $50. It has the exact same functionality for $50 less.

Podcast #1009: Dolby vs DTS - Does it still matter? Jul 23, 2021

This week we take a look at a new Drywall Screw that supposedly will isolate your theater from adjacent rooms. We also take a look at the differences between Dolby and DTS. Does it still matter in the era of their high definition codecs? We also read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

New Spring-Loaded Screw Turns Drywall Into Sound-Absorbing Panels

The smooth featureless walls around your home are easy to paint and great for hanging artwork, but they’re also very effective at transmitting soundwaves from room to room—a less desired feature. Adding soundproofing is one solution, but a cheaper and easier way is to install drywall using these clever spring-loaded, sound-damping screws instead. Full article here...

Dolby Digital Vs DTS: What’s The Difference?

As home cinema has improved, new surround sound formats have sprung up, bringing more detail and realism to movie nights. But let’s go back to basics and look at the two most popular surround sound formats: DTS and Dolby Digital. Full article here...

Both DTS and Dolby Digital are audio compression technologies. In their most basic form, both DTS and Dolby Digital support 5.1-channel audio. And more advanced versions of the formats support 7.1-channels, HD surround sound and overhead speakers, in the form of DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.
DTS is encoded at a higher bit-rate and therefore is considered by some experts to be better quality. Others argue that Dolby Digital’s technology is more advanced and produces better sound quality at a lower bit-rate.
The first film to use Dolby Digital was Batman Returns in 1992. Since then, Dolby has released a slew of increasingly advanced codecs, including Dolby Digital Plus, which supports HD surround sound and up to 7.1 speaker channels. Want the best? Dolby TrueHD is a lossless format that promises to be identical to the movie studio’s master recording. Then there’s the object-based audio system Dolby Atmos.
DTS (originally Digital Theater Systems) was founded in 1993 to compete with Dolby Labs. The first film to use DTS was Jurassic Park also in 1993.
The major differences are the compression levels and bit-rates. Dolby Digital compresses 5.1 digital audio down to a bit-rate of 640 kbits/s (kilobits per second) for Blu-ray discs (448 kbits/s for DVD). DTS is less compressed and supports higher bit-rates of up to 1.5Mb/s (megabits per second) (768 kbits/s for DVD).
In HD formats, Dolby Digital Plus supports up to 1.7Mbps, while DTS-HD High Resolution supports up to 6Mb/s.
In True HD vs DTS:HD Master Audio theoretically there shouldn't be any difference since both are lossless.

Which is better: DTS or Dolby Digital?Many people have done A/B testing of DD and DTS and in most cases DTS comes out on top. We too agree that there is a richer and more detailed sound. Even if you accept that Dolby has a better compression algorithm, in 1993, the computing power of machines were not strong enough to bridge the 1Mbps data rate gap. And probably more importantly, like everything in our hobby you need equipment that is precise enough to be able to hear the difference between these formats. If you have a $500 system, speakers included, you are not going to hear the difference.

Fast forward to the Blu-ray era. Discs now have the capacity for more data storage and higher data rates. Compression is better and computing power more grew by 100X from 1992. Lossless is on the scene and there is no longer a difference. But both Dolby and DTS have lossy formats that claim to sound as good as their lossless formats. But DD+ does so at 4Mbps less than the other.

We have done tests with DD+ and DTS MA High Resolution and can’t tell the difference between the two and their lossless counterparts. But who cares about the lossy formats because Bluray discs have enough space that there is no reason compress the audio anyway. True, but streaming does have bandwidth limitations and that’s where DD+ wins. Indeed there are some streaming services using DD+ in their streams.

What about Object Based Audio?

Both Dolby and DTS have object based audio. Dolby calls theirs ATMOS and DTS uses the X moniker. ATMOS is what the streaming services are using.

Why is Dolby Seemingly the Format of Choice?

We think it comes down to two things, data rate and tools. Currently, data rates limit the quality of streaming. The more bits you can set aside for picture quality the better it's going to look. If you can get studio quality audio at 1.5 Mbps vs 6 Mbps the choice is pretty obvious. Then there are the tools. Dolby has developed great tools and have trained the mixers to use them. They have plugins for all their formats built right into ProTools and other commonly used authoring software. DTS also has similar tools but were later to the game and have fewer mixers familiar with them. These two factors are huge for the adoption of Dolby.

Which one is Best?

It's like Bourbon. There are really good and extremely good Bourbons out there. You can find really good bourbons everywhere. You buy and enjoy them and know there is better but if you can’t find any, who cares? DD, DD+, and Dolby ATMOS are everywhere DTS is harder to find. Enjoy Dolby like a good Bourbon. But if you have a UHD player and you want to up your experience, pour yourself a Pappy pop in a disc and enjoy your DTS!

Podcast #1008: Cinemas are done and possible NFL and Apple Marriage Jul 16, 2021

Are Apple and the NFL close to a deal that will bring Sunday Ticket to AppleTV+? We give our thoughts on a possible deal between the two companies. We also start putting the last nails into TV and cinema operator’s coffins. All of this plus your emails and news await you on this week’s show!

Apple in Early Talks With NFL on Sunday Ticket Games

Apple has expressed interest in the streaming rights for a package of National Football League games the NFL is now auctioning, said people familiar with the situation, a possible sign the tech giant is looking to beef up the audience for its Apple TV+ streaming service. Full article (membership required)

DirecTV's Sunday Ticket deal is due to expire after 2022
DirecTV allegedly pays $1.5 billion a year for Sunday Ticket rights and the NFL is expected to charge even more for the next buyer. Further, DirecTV is said to be losing money on its time holding the rights – up to $2.5 billion.
It’s unclear how Apple would approach NFL Sunday Ticket if it did buy the rights, but it’s possible it would be an add-on to the regular monthly Apple TV+ cost.
Notably, others interested in NFL’s Sunday Ticket include Disney and possibly Amazon alongside other more traditional media companies.

An argument against this that DirecTV will attempt to renew their contract at all costs otherwise they will lose millions of business customers (such as sports bars). But what if the NFL opened up licensing to all, similar to MLB, NHL, and NBA.

For example you can get MLB extra innings on your cable system or on your AppleTV. What if the NFL said you can have the package for a split of the revenue or some small nominal amount plus a split of the revenue. Exposing the package to more than just the DirecTV subscribers can bring in way more subscribers and more money for all.

Do you think a sports bar would rewire everything just because it can now use a RokuTV or an AppleTV? DirecTV will make less revenue but it will also cost it much less so it may actually make a profit.

Android TV shines as pay-TV market declines

Android TV and Huawei’s HarmonyOS are set to dominate the coming years across both the shrinking footprint of operator set tops, and the ballooning number of smart TVs and connected TV (CTV) devices, according to forecasts from Rethink TV.

Pay-TV households will decline from an estimated 921 million in 2020 to 680 million in 2026, impacting the annual shipments of Operator Set Tops, which falls from 242.6 million to 184.8 million, propped up by the upgrade cycle for new Set Top Box operating systems. Full article here...

Harbinger of Death Barry Diller Declares Movies “Over”

“The movie business is over,” Barry Diller, former chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, told NPR in a recent interview. “The movie business as before is finished and will never come back.” Full article here…

He sees streaming as an irreversible alteration of traditional movie success ranging from promotional efforts and accessibility.
Marketing a theatrical film is a costly endeavor, particularly when compared to the recommendation algorithms that do much of the heavy lifting for streaming.
“There used to be a whole run-up,” Diller said of the pre-release marketing push theatrical films require. Mass marketing provides movies with a sense of event prestige and helps to sustain audience interest in new movies over an extended period of time. “That’s finished,”
“These streaming services have been making something that they call ‘movies,’ ” he said. “They ain’t movies. They are some weird algorithmic process that has created things that last 100 minutes or so.”

Our take (which has been our take for a few years)

Movie theaters will be reduced to high end experiences. No more megaplexs that banish five week old releases to small screens in the back of the theater. Now those movies will go to the studios streaming service within a few weeks.

Some Real world info to back up our claims

According to the site “The Numbers” The US Box office numbers for Black widow put it in 98th place. This 98th place does not include the impact of rising ticket prices. A lot of the movies that beat “Black Widow” debuted many years ago, when ticket prices were a lot lower, and it took a lot more tickets to get there, including “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” which opened in November 2001 and grossed $90 million. At the time, the average ticket price was $5.66, compared to $9.16 in 2019.

Box office info from the weekend: BlackWidow hits over $215M worldwide in opening weekend

🇺🇸 $80M domestic of which 50% goes to the theater operators

🌎 $78M international

💰 $60M+ Disney+ Premier Access 100% goes Disney

We now have a choice and it's clear that a large percentage of us with big screens want to watch at home!

Podcast #1007: Dirty Power and our Favorite Automations Jul 09, 2021

Is the power in your house dirty enough to affect your Home Theater experience? We quantify how to determine if you have dirty power and how to clean it up. We also look at our favorite Home Automation Scenes, read your emails and go through the week’s news.

Dirty Power

Howard’s email got us thinking about power and power conditioners. There is a lot of talk about dirty power and how it affects the life and performance of your electronics. Some say you will see and hear a difference. Others say it doesn’t make a difference unless the power is really dirty.

How do you know if you have dirty power? You measure it with a Line Noise EMI Meter that measures the harmonics or dirty electricity on your home’s electrical wiring in millivolts. Acceptable readings are generally between 200 and 400 mV. When you get over 800mV some sort of power line filtering is needed. Well at least that’s what some experts say.

The Line noise meters aren’t cheap. The one we use costs about $130 (AlphLabs Inc Power Line Meter). If you have dirty power, a good power conditioner will cost you anywhere between $50 and $150. There are some that run about $500. Almost all provide surge suppression so for that alone you may want to consider one for about $50.

Real World Results

We measured the line noise in Ara’s house in two places. The room where the podcast is recorded and he has his music listening setup as well as the family room theater. The podcast studio is an addition that was done about 15 years ago. The family room was original construction from 1992. The results were a little surprising:

Podcast Studio - The Line Meter measured 150 millivolts which is good. The socket that was used was one the above the one used for a Furman power conditioner. The measurement from a socket on the power conditioner was 160mV. For fun we unplugged the Airport Express, audio amplifier, and the mixing board used for recording the podcast from the power conditioner and remeasured. The measurement dropped to 130mV in the unconditioned and power conditioned outlets.

Family Room Theater - The Line Meter measured 30 millivolts which is excellent. It also measured 30mV for the power conditioned outlets.

Conclusion - Ara’s home has clean power! And the power conditioner didn’t have to do anything to the power.

Can You Hear and See the Difference?

This is a touchy subject similar to Hi Res Audio. In our tests, there was no perceptual change in sound or picture quality using a Furman and Belkin Power conditioner. Which makes sense since the filtering essentially left the low noise levels untouched. Do we have power conditioners? Yes, because they act as high falootin power strips and they don’t cost much more than a quality power strip.

If you have very dirty power or even grounding issues, a power conditioner will definitely clean it up and improve your experience. Dirty power can be caused by a number of different electrical issues, some examples of these issues include:

Smart Meters
Dimmer Switches
Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL)
Switch-mode power supplies (Computers, Phone and Tablet Chargers, etc)
Surges or transients in voltage
Power interruptions
Variations in the frequency of power
Waveform distortions
Non-linear loads

If you suspect you have dirty power it may be a good investment to buy a similar meter and know for sure. If you have some buddies you can all chip in and buy one together. When one is done you can ship it to the other buddy if they don’t live nearby. You can ship it anywhere in the US for about $8 with the USPS “If it fits it ships” box.

Our Home Automations/Scenes

Home automation has three basic functions:

Remote control of devices around the house - by this we mean something as simple turning on a light from the comfort of the couch or as complex as closing the garage door from another state
Controlling devices throughout the house at specified times - You can set your porch light to come on at sunset and turn off at 11:00PM for example.
Scenes - Scenes are more or less the same thing as controlling a device at a specific time but usually entail controlling more devices or they can be a reaction to an event, or they can be enabled on demand.

Here is a list of some of the time based automations we use in our homes:

30 min before sunset if people are present - Kitchen ceiling lights are turned on. At this time it's starting to get dark in the kitchen so it's nice to have the extra light. You’d be surprised how long you will work in low light before your mind tells you to turn on the lights and see everything better. You may think this is no big deal but something so simple comes in handy when you are in the middle of cooking. Note that if it's cloudy 30 minutes is not early enough. Next improvement is to tie it in with the weather.
15 min before sunset - The rest of the indoor lights are turned on.
Sunset - All outdoor lights are turned on
8:45 PM - The kitchen light bleeds into the family room and at this point we have settled into the evening watching TV. This automation dims the kitchen lights to 40% and turns the hue lights in the cabinets to amber also at 40%. There are hue lights behind the TV and those go to violet/purple color. Finally the lamp in the family room also goes reddish/amber color. This enhances the viewing experience.
11:00 PM - All indoor lights are turned off and the family room and living room lamps are set to 15%. They act as a night light. This is repeated at midnight because sometimes we are awake at 11:00 so we’ll turn a few lights back on. The midnight automation covers us with a final sweep of the indoor lights
2:00 AM - All outdoor lights are turned off.
Sunrise - the two lamps acting as night lights are turned off
9:00 AM - All lights are turned off. In case someone leaves the house with out turning off lights they are all turned off.

Here is a list of some of the sensor automations we use in our homes:

Mudroom Light - you have to go through the mudroom when leaving or entering through the garage. The doors have contact sensors so when a door is opened the light comes on automatically and turns off in two minutes only if it is dark outside.
Porch Sensor - from 2:00 AM until sunrise if the motion sensor in the porch is tripped the porch light is turned on. Followed by a light upstairs one minute later. This is done to simulate someone waking up because the light turned on.
Side of House and Backyard Sensors - After midnight any of these sensors turns on outdoor lights. The lights turn off after five minutes. Since animals trip this automation pretty frequently we have a physical controller that has a button to activate a scene called “Security Lights Off”.

Here is a list of some of the seasonal automations we use in our homes:

Halloween - When this is enabled the outdoor lights turn to purple and orange at sunset.
Christmas - When this is enabled the outdoor lights turn to Red, Green, Orange, Blue, and White, at sunset.

We also have a scene in the projector room that manages the lights for watching a movie. I tried to tie it to the play/pause button on the harmony remote and just got frustrated with it. Instead there is a button on a separate controller that is a toggle for movie watching on and off. Super simple but not as fancy.

What are your favorite automations?

Podcast #1006: SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer Review Jul 02, 2021

This week we take a look at two articles comparing Apple services to Google and Amazon. Which service is right for you? It will be a shocker how they decide! We also spent some time with the smallest thing in subwoofers this week. The SVS 3000 Micro. This small subwoofer packs a big punch. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

Apple HomeKit vs Google Assistant

If you are trying to decide between Google Home or Apple Home for your smart home system, we’ve researched and compared the two platforms to help you decide which is the best smart home system for your home. Full article here...

Apple Music vs. Amazon Music: Which music service wins?

Both Apple Music and Amazon Music have made some big changes. Apple Music has launched both lossless music streaming and spatial audio support, while Amazon has taken the lossless capabilities of its Amazon Music HD tier and added the high-fidelity feature to Amazon Music Unlimited at no extra charge. Full article here...

SVS 3000 Micro Subwoofer Review

We all know that sound is a huge part of our home theater experience and the subwoofer is a huge part of the sound. What if we told you the subwoofer is actually a Micro part? See what we did there?? SVS has designed and built a subwoofer that is small enough to fit into any space but packs a huge punch! We are talking about the 3000 Micro which is available today for $799.

Specifications:

Dimensions (including grilles): 10.9” (278mm) H X 11.7” (297mm) W X 10.7” (271mm) D
Weight: 22.5lbs (10.2kg)
Dual opposing 8-inch active drivers designed acoustically and electrically in parallel
800-watt RMS, 2,500-watt peak Sledge STA-800D amplifier with fully discrete MOSFET output
Frequency Response 23Hz to 240Hz +/-3dB

When we first saw this subwoofer we thought it would be perfect for use with a computer. Most desktop speakers do not provide enough bass and considering the size of the 3000 Micro we thought it would be a perfect marriage. And it was! The Mico produces a clean, tight bass that makes listening to music on the computer almost as fun as listening on a dedicated music setup. Being less than a foot cubed it can easily fit on, next to, or under any desk.

The rear panel has all the controls you need to tune the subwoofer to your liking including presets so you can easily change the output to match what you are doing. But even better than that, SVS has an app that connects to the 3000 Micro via bluetooth to make configuring and changing the settings simple and easy. This allowed us to really explore and dial in the subwoofer to our liking. All subwoofers going forward need this kind of control!

The fit and finish on all SVS products is amazing and the 3000 Micro is no exception. It comes in two colors, Piano Gloss black and Piano Gloss white. Dare we say there is not one athstetics committee member that can complain about the diminutive subwoofer being displayed proudly in any room of the house.

Performance

We take a practical approach to measuring subwoofer performance. Can it rattle the walls? Do our spouses yell at us to turn down the bass? Do we feel the bass in our chest? The answer to all three is a resounding yes!! For a test of the pure bass capabilities we used the track Woofer Test by Bad Ass Sound System (BASS). If you try playing this on your phone or normal desktop speakers you get a bunch of dead air because your speakers can not reproduce frequencies that go that low.

The 3000 Micro had no issues whatsoever with this track! You could clearly hear the sweep of frequencies until it went so low that you could only feel it. And you knew it was working because it was rattling the walls. At one point Ara’s wife came into the office from the adjoining room asking what the hell was going on. Fortunately she just laughed and said, “Oh a new toy, have fun but I’m trying to work so try not to break anything!” So nice having a wife who understands!!

After the raw sound tests we listened to music on full range speakers that Ara built. We set the amplifier to send everything below 100Hz to the subwoofer. We listened to our standards, Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Ray Vaughn and California Roll by Snoop Dog. Really it's only the first ten seconds of California Roll. Both were tight and clean. It was hard to believe a small subwoofer like this could produce sound so big. The 3000 Micro exceeded our expectations not only for a subwoofer this size but of subwoofers in general.

Who is the 3000 Micro for?

Everyone! Seriously, you can justify buying this subwoofer If you own an apartment and want to add bass to your home theater without taking up a lot of space. If you live in a house but can’t find a good spot for a subwoofer because they are too big, this is a great solution. Not only because it's small, but because it performs like subwoofers twice it's size. You’ve heard the term “punches above its weight class”? That fully applies here.

If you spend a lot of time working on your computer but want to listen to music you can now focus on small desktop speakers that handle the mid and high frequencies and let the 3000 Micro do the heavy lifting at the low end. And don’t forget gamers, especially if you game on a PC.

Conclusion

At $799 the SVS 3000 Micro is not the cheapest subwoofer on the market. In fact SVS sells the SB 1000 Pro in a similar finish for $100 less. It too will rattle walls with a low end frequency of 20Hz but it's a few inches bigger. In actuality the SB-1000 in the Black Ash finish may be the best value in a subwoofer costing only $499. But if you want similar performance in a compact package that looks stunning, we recommend spending the additional $200 to buy the 3000 Micro. No compromises required!

Podcast #1005: Best OTA DVR for Cord Cutters Jun 25, 2021

We were on vacation this week but that didn’t stop us from putting together a show for you. We take a look at the best OTA DVR for cord cutters and we have an abbreviated email and news segment.

Best OTA DVR for cord cutters: Amazon Fire TV Recast, TiVo, AirTV and Tablo

CNET’s picks for devices that record and stream free, live over-the-air television from an antenna. Full article here…

Podcast #1004: Netflixland and is your TV's Sharpness too high? Jun 18, 2021

Are you ready for Netflixland? We discuss how Netflix is opening up an e-commerce site. We also take a look at the best Roku TVs in 2021 and why you should not set your TV’s sharpness very high. As usual we read your emails and discuss the week’s news.

Netflix Shop??

Netflix opened an e-commerce site on Thursday where you can buy things like caps, necklaces, hoodies, and, yes, underwear—much of it branded with popular Netflix movies and TV series. The move is part of a larger push for the company to compete with Disney’s streaming business, which is propped up by revenue from its merchandising and theme parks. Shop at Netflix

The Best Roku TVs in 2021 (Tom’s Guide)

The best Roku TVs combine great smart TV features with value prices, but not all Roku TVs are created equal. Full article here...

Why you should never increase the sharpness on your TV

Let's say you're adjusting your TV settings and you think it wouldn't hurt to get a sharper and better image. You should know that increasing the sharpness is, in fact, counterintuitive. On most TVs, maxing out the sharpness will actually add something called "edge enhancement," which can diminish the fine resolution in the image you're looking at. Full article here...

If your sharpness is set too high, you might not be benefiting from all the crisp detail that's possible in that fancy 4K TV. Sometimes the best setting is actually 0, while on most TVs the setting is best in the bottom 20% or so. Here's why you should turn down the sharpness control. Your eyes will thank you.

Sharpness means edge enhancement

On nearly all TVs, the sharpness control adds something called "edge enhancement." That's exactly what it sounds like. The edges in the image are enhanced, essentially by adding a thin outline or halo to them. This makes them more visible.

While unenhanced images can look soft by comparison, especially at first, they're actually more detailed because they show fine textures in walls, pores on faces and tiny hairs -- all of which can be hidden by too much edge enhancement.

What's the best TV setting then?

The easiest way to check is switch your TV to the Movie or Cinema picture preset, and see where the sharpness control is in that mode. Whatever that number is, it's a good place to start.

Want to fine-tune it? While watching a variety of content, especially 4K if you have a 4K TV, turn the control down from that starting point and see what happens. Does the fine detail disappear? If so, that's too low. Ideally, you'll be able to find the spot that offers the most actual detail and the least additional noise. Don't be surprised if that number is 0.

Looking sharp? Keep looking

TV manufacturers love edge enhancement, largely because it makes their TVs seem super detailed when viewed in a store. If you go to your TV right now and turn the sharpness control all the way down the picture is absolutely going to look soft. Much like with high color temperatures, anyone who isn't used to making fine adjustments to their TV controls has gotten used to a certain "look" to their TV's picture. So at first, even the correct sharpness setting might seem soft, especially if your TV has been in the Vivid or Dynamic picture mode.

Try the new, lower sharpness setting for a few days. If you then don't like the look of the un-enhanced image, that's fine. Turn it back up. But I bet when you do the "original" setting will look weird.

Podcast #1003: Finally a Reason for Atmos! Jun 11, 2021

On today’s show it's all about Dolby Atmos. First up is the ten best Dolby Atmos scenes and if that is not enough we discuss how to stream Dolby Atmos music. We end with our impressions of listening to Dolby Atmos music on Apple Music. We also read your emails and the week’s news.

10 of the best Dolby Atmos movie scenes

It's in your soundbar; it might be on your phone; soon, you may even find it in your car. Dolby Atmos is seemingly everywhere. But even if you have equipment that supports 3D audio playback, what should you watch to make sure you get the most of it? Full article here…

Dolby Atmos Music Streaming Services

At Audio Advice, we are big fans of Dolby Atmos — and right now, with all the exciting hi-res music streaming news and support for Dolby Atmos coming to Apple Music and others, you do not want to choose a streaming service for music until you read this. You may even consider switching to one of the streaming services in this comparison after reading this. Full article here…

Apple’s Spatial audio

Although this discussion is with Apple’s Spatial Audio (ATMOS). The comments will apply to all services and devices that support Dolby Atmos streaming

Works with Headphones and Atmos Home Theaters via AppleTV.
Listening through headphones is good but a full blown Atmos 5.1.2 or 7.1.2 system sounds better
Listening on a stereo pair of speakers had no difference than without Atmos
Even a 5.1 or 7.1 system sounds more open but not as enveloping as a true Atmos setup. More like SACD or DVD-Audio
Ara’s favorite tracks to demo:
- Riders on the Storm - The Doors
- Like Someone in Love - Diana Krall
- Country Again - Thomas Rhett
- Mr Perfectly Fine - Taylor Swift
There is a huge playlist at Apple Music with the more popular genres. I found the newer music was mixed better.
Apple claims that their devices support spatial audio without headphones. Listened on my iPhone. Very underwhelming. Listened on iPad and noticed a more “spatial” sound. Nowhere as good as my 7.1.2 system but pretty darn good for listening on a tablet.
Finally a reason to set up an Atmos system!

Podcast #1002: New Flagship Receivers and Should you buy an 8K TV Jun 04, 2021

In this week’s show we look at the number of DVD, Blu-ray and UHD discs that have been released, run down the new flagship receivers from Denon and Yamaha, and answer the question, should I buy an 8K TV? Plus we read your email and take a look at the news.

DVD & Blu-Ray Release Report

Your resource for DVD & BLU-RAY titles released in the domestic market. Latest Report...

New Flagship Receivers Launched

It's that time of year again. Time when we drool over the new receivers that will be coming out soon. This week we have announcements from Yamaha, Denon, and Marantz. OK Denon and Marantz are essentially the same company but we like things in threes.

Denon AVC-X8500HA

13- channel amplifier monolithic power amplifier 210W per channel
8K/60Hz pass-through or upscaling, 4K/120Hz pass-through for gaming, and support for the latest HDMI specifications.
13.2 channel processing to power up to a 7.2.6 or 9.2.4 speaker configuration
HDR / HLG / Dolby Vision / HDR10+ / Dynamic HDR
Full Specs here

Price and availability

$4299, June 2021, Upgrade to A-spec for existing AVC-X8500H owners: $599

Marantz AV8805A

13.2 channel processing, 15.2 channel XLR and RCA outputs, and flexible amplifier stages
8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs. One dedicated 8K input supports 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz pass-through capability, while Dolby Vision, HLG, HDR10+, 21:9 video, 3D, BT.2020 pass-through and HDCP 2.3 copy protection standard is supported on all HDMI inputs.
Features exclusive Marantz Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module (HDAM) technology that provide ultra-fast slew rate, true wideband performance, and maximum dynamic range for optimum sound quality.
Full Specs here

Price and availability

$4799, June 2021, Upgrade to A-spec for existing AV8805 owners: $599

Yamaha RX-A8A

11.2-channel 150-Watt with Zone 2/3/4
4K120 and 8K60 HDMI with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (7 in/3 out)
Dolby Vision, HDR 10+ (with firmware update)
pre-outs
Full Specs here

Price and availability

$2999, June 2021

Yamaha RX-A6A

9.2-channel (with 11.2-channel processing) 150-Watt surround sound with Zone 2/3/4
4K120 and 8K60 HDMI with HDCP 2.3 and eARC (7 in/3 out)
Dolby Vision, HDR 10+ (with firmware update)
pre-outs
Full Specs here

Price and availability

$2199, June 2021

There is also the RX-A4A and RX-A2A with lesser features costing $1299 and $799 respectively. The A2A being the only one without full pre-outs.

You don’t need an 8K TV — ask me again in a decade

We found this article written by Brian Westover at Tom’s Guide that confirms what we have been saying for a while now that you don’t need an 8K TV. We feel that 8K is simply hype to get you to part with your money. Some of Brian’s key arguments:

Brian has seen demos, as have we, that are very impressive. Brian uses the analogy of looking through a window. He also states that these demos have been on very large screens. On smaller screens the excitement decreases.

At smaller screen sizes — the sort that are actually affordable — 8K resolution is much less impressive. An 8K picture is best enjoyed on screens that measure between 75 and 100+ inches, much larger than most 4K TVs in the home, since an 8K display is essentially four 4K displays stitched together into one seamless picture. Larger screen sizes may be getting more popular, but 85-inch TVs are simply too large for most homes, and that's the range where 8K really looks its best.

We agree with Brian that at smaller screen sizes the difference is negligible. We disagree with Brian that a 75 inch screen can showcase the benefit of 8K. At 75 inches one can barely see the benefits of 4K! No, for 8K you need 100+ at a minimum.

But the main issue is content. There isn’t any and it will be a long time before it becomes available. The studios were already mastering in 4K and down converting to 1080P. Once TV technology caught up it was a matter of finding a way to get 4K content into consumers hands. It was easy enough to get 4K onto a disc. The main title fit on one disc while the extras were moved to supplemental discs. Streaming was made possible by better compression on more powerful hardware through bigger network pipes. And finally, ATSC 3.0 will allow for it to be broadcast straight into your home.

Moving to 8K is going to require far more bandwidth, new mastering technology, and of course new more expensive TVs. It is unlikely that there will be that kind of wholesale change in how content is created for years. All for the benefit of the third most important part of the TV specifications following contrast and color. Which brings us back to screen size. If and when there is 8K content, will you have room for a 100+ inch screen? Probably not. Save your money and pick up a nicer 4K TV now and don’t worry about 8K.

Podcast #1001: Email and News May 28, 2021

On this week’s show we play catch up with your emails and the news from the past two weeks. We’ll have a traditional shw next week.

Podcast #1000: The HT Guys Go Down Memory Lane May 21, 2021

1000 Episodes in Review

It's our 1000th episode so we thought it would be fun to go down memory lane. It has been so much fun getting to know all of you. Some we know well and have developed personal relationships with. Others came and went as things in their lives changed. To Industry members, thank you for your support! To our listeners, thank you for subscribing, downloading and listening to our show. It's because of you that we are here today and will be here tomorrow!

There was a big gap in our records between 2005 and 2007. We switched to Google Docs in 2007 and have been able to keep everything we wrote archived there.

But from memory some highlights were:

We became the official podcast of AVS Forum and were introduced to members at their CES Party
We had an affiliation with HDTV Magazine
Met Mark Cuban (owner of HDNet at the time) and Interviewed the President of Syntax-Brillian at the HDTV Conference in Beverly Hills
Dolby Flew us to San Francisco to demo some of their projects they were working on. While there we recorded two shows of their now defunct Dolby podcast
Oppo and Monoprice were big supporters of the show early on as was Olevia TVs
Sonos - The first real product we reviewed on the show back in 2005
A few of our day job colleagues mocked us for doing a podcast. LOL jokes on them

HT Guys TV Tech Timeline

Braden

(Sony CRT...) ->

Panasonic Plasma 480p EDTV ->

JVC LCoS 1080p Rear Projection ->

Epson 1080p Projector(s) ->

(Lots of 4k TCLs) ->

Sony 4k LED

Ara

RCA CRT ->

Samsung DLP->

Panasonic Plasma->

JVC Projector->

Vizio 4K TV

Optoma UST

Reviews of all the Rear Projection TVs from 2007 - JVC HD-61FN97 61" HD-ILA Our bottom line at the time - The JVC HD-61FN97 is an excellent value. It looks great, does a wonderful job with HD content, a great job with DVDs and a pretty good job with standard definition TV. Blacks are good, contrast is solid, colors are excellent and detail is vivid. We try to look for great values to help you (and us for that matter) get a little more out of each hard earned dollar. You'd be hard pressed to find a better looking 61" TV at its price. At an online street price of $2125 this is an awesome TV for the money. It really helps bring the big screen home.

Our first mention of home automation was in March of 2007. We wrapped up our discussion with - One day home automation will be standard. We'll wonder what people ever did without them. But for now your options are somewhat limited. You can spend a lot of money to get it custom built and done just right, with a system like Crestron, AMX or Control4, or you can try to put it together yourself if you don't mind the occasional hiccup that comes with a home made system. This can be one of the most fun home projects you've ever worked on. And it lasts forever - it's the gift that just keeps on giving.

Our earliest “Kaleidescape Killer” comment was also in 2007 when we showcased a $2500 Linux based machine with full DVR and DVD server capabilities. The company was called Interact-TV and they are no longer in business.

Our Top Ten shows in HD from 2007:

Ara:

American Idol (Fox)

Dancing with the Stars (ABC)

Football/Basketball/Sports Center/Etc on ESPN

Planet Earth/Sunrise Earth (Discovery HD Theater)

Lost (ABC)

CSI Miami (CBS)

CSI (CBS)

Bikini Destinations (HD Net)

Heroes (NBC)

NHL Hockey on HD Net

Braden:

The Unit (CBS)

Las Vegas (NBC)

Numb3rs (CBS)

Monday Night Football (ESPN)

Lakers Basketball on KCAL

24 (Fox)

I Shouldn't Be Alive (Discovery HD)

Destination HD (Discovery HD)

Planet Earth (Discovery HD)

CSI Miami (CBS)

SlingMedia VS Major League Baseball

Issue: Slingboxes infringe on the local cable company's right to broadcast the content.

Interactive TV

Still not a thing

DVDpedia

In an attempt to build a video server or “Kaleidescape Killer” out of a Mac Mini Ara used DVDpedia to catalog and display album art and id3 data about his library. It worked OK but was quickly abandoned for Boxee and then eventually Plex. Plex is indeed the Kaleidescape Killer!

Vudu Movie Download Set Top Box ($399) - October 2007

What we liked:

High quality movies on demand
Large selection with more coming every week
Easy to use remote and easy menu navigation
Up and running in five minutes

What we disliked:

No lease option to defray $400 entry price
Not a large selection of Dolby 5.1
Downloads interfered with VOIP telephone service

Bottom Line:

This is the best home video on demand system the HT Guys have seen. The video quality is first rate! The user interface is clean and simple. You will have the system up and running in no time. All of this is with the initial release of the system software. With more movie releases coming, HD, external storage, and new software updates this product will only get better. At $400 for the Vudu box its not for everyone, but you will get a very good video on demand system for the investment.

HDDVD - Bluray - a comparison

Conclusion

Blu-ray clearly has an advantage in specs, higher storage capacity and higher maximum bitrate. HD-DVD seems to hold the edge in "market readiness" if that's a real term. All the features you want were required in the spec from the beginning, so you know your player supports it. Man it would be nice if the studios would create discs in both formats so we didn't have to buy two players...

Netflix Watch Instantly Technology

Minimum Requirements

Computer running Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or higher, or Windows Vista
Internet Explorer version 6 or higher
Windows Media Player version 11 (DRM version 5145) or later
An active broadband connection to the Internet
1.0 GHz processor
512 MB RAM
3 GB free hard disk drive space

Recommended in addition to minimum requirements

An active broadband Internet connection of at least 1.5 Mbps
1.5 GHz processor
1 GB RAM

The Death of Rear Projection TVs - Jan 2008

Harmony One Universal Remote - As with any Harmony remote, the One is a great choice for your home theater. It's new, sexy and easy to use. The touchscreen is cool and the larger buttons make it a bit easier to use. But overall it doesn't represent a huge departure from the 880. Of course we're gadget freaks, so we'll both be using them, but if you want to save some money, the 880 remains a great option. Bang for the buck, the 880 is still probably the way to go. For the coolness factor, the One is where it's at.

Mobile Digital TV Standard - Although ATSC 3.0 has a provision for this most people are just using IPTV over the Cell Networks

Orb Speaker Review - we did a review of these cool spherical speakers that sounded pretty good at the time. The cost for a 5.1 system was $1597 in June of 2008. The company is still around and today you can get an improved 5.1 system for $740.

Is TidalTV the Next Big Thing? - a new service that mimics the Cable or Satellite experience over the Internet. So the answer is No and Yes! This was in 2008

Popcorn Hour A-100 Review

Not a week goes by that we don't hear something about the Popcorn Hour A-100 network media player. We tried relentlessly to get a demo unit for review, but to no avail. Finally, slightly weary but committed whole-heartedly to the show, Ara decided to pony up the cash and purchase one. It arrived last week and we got a chance to play with it. All in all, not a bad little unit.

If you want an inexpensive network media player that can play anything, the Popcorn Hour is the best we've seen so far. It requires some IT expertise to get it up and running and to use it on a day-to-day basis, but it works like a champ. Even streaming 1080p HD content over the network looked good, granted it was all that was happening on the network at the time, but it still looked good. If you want something with a little more visual appeal, stick with AppleTV, the PS3 or the Xbox 360 (or Vudu when it adds local network playback). But all of those options are a bit more expensive and not quite as flexible.

Vudu HDX Movies

Black Friday Roundup 2008

Panasonic Viera 50" 720p Plasma HDTV 899.99 min 10 per store
Sony 40" 1080p LCD HDTV & Sony Blu-Ray Player Bundle (Model # KDL40V4100 and BDPS350) - $1,199.98
Sony Blu-ray Player (BDP-S350) -- $179 (with a firmware upgrade and a 1 GB USB stick this will be come BD Live Compliant)
Mitsubishi 65" Home Theater 1080p DLP HDTV (Model # WD65735) - $1,199.99

IPTV - Can it replace Cable and Satellite?

Note- This was us just talking about the subject LONG (2009) before it was even dreamed of in it's current state -

If you had to, you could cut the cord between you and your cable company and not miss a beat. But in reality if you won't have the same video quality. The other thing to consider is that the Cable or Satellite box has an simple well understood interface. Connecting a computer to the TV requires using a keyboard and a mouse and there are no channel numbers. You'll have to bookmark your sites. Companies like Apple, Netflix and Boxee are all trying to provide a ten foot interface that is Grandma proof but we still have a ways to go. Finally, cable companies are not going to be happy with subscribers that watch a lot of Internet streamed content. So even if the quality improved you may not be able to stream a months worth of TV into your home. If you are a light TV watcher that is computer savvy then you may be able to cut the cable cord completely. But in actually, for most of us, IPTV is a good way to augment what we already have. If you are on the road you can watch something on your terms. If you forget to record something then its a great backup. Its also a great way to watch old TV shows that are no longer aired.

What if AppleTV Replaced my DVR?

The concept at this point in time was to buy subscriptions to your favorite TV show. But as we see today, that’s not even required. Plus we now have boxes from Apple, Google, Amazon and Roku. It's safe to say that the AppleTV type STBs have replaced the DVR

Zune HD

The Zune HD is a powerful portable media device. It has a beautiful OLED screen, small form factor, smooth touch screen menus, and wonderful 720p output to a TV. However, for Microsoft to steal some iPod users, more apps and video content need to be available in the Zune Marketplace. The Zune HD has solid hardware that is almost as sexy as the iPod. What would make this device perfect for a home theater would be Hulu and Netfilx support. Microsoft has also stated that they will release games for the Zune HD, since Xbox Live and the Zune Marketplace already seem to be linked, the possibility of it being a good portable gaming device are great. The Zune HD is a solid device. With future updates it may take a run at the iPod's dominance in the market.

RedEye Universal Remote Control (MSRP $190) 2010 - This remote eliminated the need to be in the same room with your gear and will work with your iPod Touch or iPhone.

LED TV Technology was just coming on the scene in 2010

Quartics(2010)

Quartics Inc. is a semiconductor company based in Irvine, CA, with offices in India, China and Taiwan. Quartics was formed in 2003 to focus on semiconductor architecture for video-based media, aiming to overcome a raft of modern digital challenges. To date, the company has been granted 10 patents, with 40 pending, in media processing architecture, video and graphics processing and QoS algorithms.

We don’t know if these patents were sold or even used. But the company does not seem to be in business any longer

Life|ware

Today as part of our ongoing series on home automation we discuss Life|ware. Life|ware™ is software developed by Exceptional Innovation that allows you to seamlessly merge control of your home along with your world of digital entertainment.

Life|ware lets you control your home through your TV with a Media Center PC, Media Center Extender or Xbox 360™, from your home or office PC or notebook, or from a Life|point touch screen. You can even use your iPhone or iPod Touch and iPad as a Life|ware client with full two-way functionality.

One of the biggest draws to Life|ware is that it works with numerous third party devices. Life|Ware provides bridges to lighting, HVAC, Media and more. The system will go from IP to IR, RF, or RS-232. Life|ware is OS agnostic as well. The control software will run on Windows, Mac OS, and LINUX machines. But if you don’t want to mess with loading the software on your own equipment Life|Ware sells a complete line of home automation controllers, servers, and bridges.

We can’t find a trace of this company any longer. It may have been sold or merged

Are High End Audio/Video Retailers a Dying Breed?

“If the AV business cannot more clearly illustrate why specialty audio is in fact special, then expect more stores and regional chains to fold in the coming months even as the economy improves, simply perhaps fueled by the fact that mainstream home theater gear is just too good.“

Crystal LED HDTV Technology

So when can I have one and how much will it cost? Sony isn’t answering any of these questions. Our hunch is that it will cost about what an OLED TV will cost. And if Sony wants this technology to have a chance it needs to come out at about the same time as OLED. We know that Samsung will be releasing their OLEDs in the second half of the year. Our prediction is that you will be able to buy a Crystal LED TV from Sony by the summer of 2013 and it will run about $6,000.

The best we can tell is that this tech never made it into consumer TVs. Sony still has a page dedicated to it but more in the commercial side of it's business.

Revolv Home Automation Hub 1/2013

The beginning of the “Year of Automation” The best we can tell is that Revolv was bought by Nest and lives on in their products

Conclusion

When we first learned about a device that could unify all the various home automation and control devices out there we were sceptical. But after putting the Revolv Home Automation Hub through its paces, we can say, yes you can control everything regardless who makes it. Well maybe not everything yet. But we are sure the engineers at Revolv are working diligently to make that happen!

Is a 7.1 System Worth it?

Bottom Line - A properly installed 7.1 system with 7.1 content will take your home theater to the next level. You will definitely be able to hear a difference, especially with good content like the movie Super 8 . However, if you are not watching Blu-rays or your room doesn’t support proper placement of the rear surround channels, a better approach would be to upgrade your 5.1 system or just save the money.

This was from 2013. Consistent with our ATMOS recommendations too

Netflix SuperHD (6/2013)

Netflix SuperHD claims to provide superior 1080p video quality for the same price as regular streaming. But not everyone is eligible.

Requirements

Netflix Super HD requires an internet connection with at least 5Mb/s download. Not all devices can play Super HD. Super HD is only available via Internet Providers that are part of the Open Connect network.
Supported devices include Sony PlayStation 3, Apple TV with 1080p, Roku with 1080p, Nintendo Wii U, Windows 8 App, TiVo Premiere DVR Blu-Ray Players, Smart TV's, Home Theaters, and Streaming Players with existing Netflix 1080p support

Bottom Line

Netflix is really pushing the streaming frontiers and they have come a long way. We can now sit on our couch on any given evening and find a high quality movie at a moment's notice. We anxiously await the day when we will be able to stream Blu-ray quality movies whenever we want. From what we have seen that day is not too far away!

Is Blu-ray a Dead Format? Also from 6/2013

Ask anyone who knows something about home theater what is the highest quality audio and video available to mere mortals today and they will tell you Blu-ray. Blu-ray video is stunning and the audio is simply amazing. But we don’t have to tell you that. So does Blu-ray have a future? The following are some reasons why Blu-ray may not be around for too much longer.

Time to Bury Blu-ray?

Its probably too early to put the last nail in the Blu-ray coffin right now. There needs to be one or two more paradigm shifts before Blu-ray goes away. The first is the studios realizing that DRM is more hassle than it is worth. Once this hurdle is crossed in-store Kiosks or online downloads will soar. Prices will come down and the world will be saved from all that plastic being created. The second is a jump in online speeds. Once gigabit Internet is ubiquitous there will be a shift to storing content in online lockers and again the world will be saved. The big question is when? Based on what we are seeing we are betting on within 5 years.

ZyXEL 500 Mb/s Fast Ethernet Powerline Wall-Plug Adapter

We reviewed almost a dozen powerline Ethernet adapters. They never achieved their advertised speeds, but they did work and depending on what you needed them to do they were an excellent solution. However, with faster mesh network Wifi it's not really a thing any longer.

Aereo

In April of 2014 we interviewed a broadcaster who opposed our stance on Aero’s business plan. He felt Aero was making money off of the local broadcasters. We felt Aero was providing a service to allow us the viewer to watch our local stations. The Courts agreed with the broadcaster. But today we have Locast. And so far they have been in business for a couple of years.

SmartThings Home Automation Hub

And so continues the many years of “The Year of Automation”. This was before Samsung bought the company. A full year after we kicked off the “Year of Automation”

Pono Player (1/2015)

Neil Young's "high resolution" PonoPlayer is on sale for $400. PonoPlayer, a triangular portable music player that promises only the highest of fidelities.

We were Skeptics from the beginning:

The point is that you don't need fancy hardware to make music sound good, and that no amount of hardware will make your ears hear better than the limits of biology and physics.

Ara’s first DIY Speaker project was in Jan 2015

Axiim Q Wireless Home Theater System 2/2016

The first Wisa system we reviewed. We are happy to say it's still around today!

Conclusion

Many of our listeners have asked us to recommend wireless solutions for their home theater over the years. We have tested and rejected all but a few and the acceptable solutions still required some speaker wire from an external amp. Not exactly wireless! The Axiim Q Wireless Home Theater System is the first one that delivers on the promise of a truly wireless system that is simple to install, looks fantastic and sounds great! We hate having to send it back! It would be so easy to bring 5.1 to your master bedroom that we are seriously thinking about buying one!

What is HDR? (4/2016)

To Sum it Up

Getting the best picture from an HDR TV will require HDR content.
To guarantee your TV will support HDR look for the “Ultra HD Premium” label.
If you really want a UHD TV that does not have the “Ultra HD Premium” label buy a TV that has or comes close to 1000 nits brightness.
HDR from cable, satellite, and OTA are still a bit off.

We will stop here in 2016 because we’ll save some for the next 1000 shows. Along the way we have had dozens of interviews, product reviews, buying guides, and lists that were not mentioned in this episode. Some weeks we struggled to come up with show ideas, some weeks we had too many. But we always managed to have a show ready for your Friday morning commute.

Podcast #999: Is an $80K Sony Projector Worth the Money and a $25 Harmony Remote Replacement May 14, 2021

On today’s show we look at a CNET article that covers the best home theater projectors for 2021 and then we ask if a $80,000 Sony projector is worth the money. We also take a look at a simple universal remote and ask if it can replace the Harmony. We read your emails and take a look at the week’s news as well.

Best home theater projector for 2021

From portable projectors to affordable 1080p models to light cannons built for gaming or 4K HDR, these are the best projectors for the money. Full article here…

Is the Sony VPLGTZ380 worth $80,000??

Realize an overwhelming native 4K image expression like you’ve never seen before. Sony’s X1 processor is paired with a super high contrast 10,000 lumen Z-Phosphor laser light source and DCI-P3 wide color space make your ultimate vision a reality. Object based super resolution enhances color and contrast for greater depth, cleaner textures, and more realistic pictures. More info...

A stunning 10,000 lumens achieve D65 industry-standard color balance and DCI-P3 color space without brightness loss.
X1TM Ultimate for projector brings you the best of Sony’s image processing
Newly-developed, reliable, full 4K resolution on 3 SXRD™ panel for outstanding contrast
Z-PhosphorTM laser with red laser diode enhances tones across DCI-P3 color space and deliver 1.35 wider color range than sRGB solutions
Object based Super Resolution enhances color and contrast of individual objects for a clear picture.
Dual database processing reduces digital noise for the lowest possible ambient noise
With Object based HDR Remaster3, the color in individual objects on screen is analyzed and the contrast adjusted to reproduce greater depth, textures, and more realistic pictures
Digital Contrast Optimizer minimizes unnecessary light from bright objects for more accurate focus.
Dynamic HDR Enhancer brings a wider contrast range for striking and realistic picture quality
HDR Reference Mode creates richer gradation that more accurately display the creator’s intent.
Enjoy the latest 4K content services with HDCP 2.3 compatibility on both 18Gbps HDMI inputs 4
Motionflow™ provides smooth motion for 4K & HD
Advanced graphic processing and Input lag reduction ensures faster response time for gamers
Up to 20,000 hours of virtually maintenance free operation

This is a review of an owner (The Sony website says the projector will be available soon. We have to assume this is a pre-release model that is being reviewed):

If you have ever viewed the VPL-VW5000ES & thought that machine had a brilliant picture at 5,000 lumens, the purely stunning display chip combined with the newest laser lamp that puts out a whopping 10,000 lumens makes the 5000ES model look like a Triniton from the 1980’s!

I recently upgraded from the 5000ES to the GTZ380 in my “man cave” with a 165” SI gray slate 1.3 gain screen. If the blacks are brightness of the 5,000 had an amazing image, the dual data/motion flow chipsets and double the lumens combined make for a viewing experience that’s so immersive that only in the most gorgeous scenes from a solid, full HDR 4K source do you sit back and both admire the engineering behind this beyond words projector’s imagining-that you chuckle at how much you spent to be so fortunate to buy one.

Hands down, there is no imagination left to better what already seems that the human eyes can’t possibly see anything technologically “better”. After this machine was conceived, I’d have to think that engineers are being laid off- or have abandoned any future development as there is no possibility of any picture quality improvement beyond this unit. Has to be the end of the line for any sort of television or movie watching device innovation- no way anything could ever top this picture quality and brightness that’s so full of color and absolutely zero stutter.

I can now rest easy, my wife can’t be upset at my A/V “addiction”, as this is the last TV/Projector I will ever need or purchase. To spin a quote from the movie Field of Dreams “Is this heaven?....no, this is Sony”!

Level of expertise Advanced

Where purchased In person

Sony products owned 6+

Inteset 4-in-1 Universal

With Logitech discontinuing the Harmony Remote we have received a lot of emails asking us about alternatives. There are options that use your smartphone or tablet as well as some high end remotes tied to home automation. For today’s discussion we decided to go old school with a simple 4-in-1 Universal remote from Inteset (Int-422 $25.95).

The remote is preconfigured to work with streaming devices like the Apple TV, Xbox One, Roku (excluding Stick) and others right out of the box with dedicated buttons. These buttons can be reprogrammed with the device codes of the components you have in your system by looking them up in their online database.

Typically a setup like this removes remote control clutter but doesn’t really do anything for simplicity of use. The Inteset remote has some nice features that make it a better remote than the typical all-in-one.

Volume Lock - Most people use a single device such as a TV, sound-bar, or receiver for audio. You can set up the remote so that the volume and mute buttons control the audio of that device no matter what other mode is selected on the remote.

Channel Lock - Lock the number pad to control the tuner/cable/satellite box, so you can change the channels no matter what device mode you have selected. This may not be as important as the volume lock. But it did simplify watching TV on a cable box.

Punch-through Support - Similar to Volume and Channel Lock, any button can be set to send the same IR signal no matter what device mode is selected.

Macro Support - You can program up to 32 commands into a single button. So, for example, you could turn on or off all of your devices, and switch inputs. The multiple symbol buttons on the bottom of the remote can be used for your macros. But this old school harmony remote style. We could not find any codes for direct input switching. Rather you had to hit the input button and then scroll to the input you want and then hit select.

This method is fraught with errors and grief. In our opinion the macros are best suited for turning on and off the devices you want for the activity you are watching. Then switch the input, more than likely using your receiver, manually. There is a special code to program the remote’s display button to bring up the smart features of your TV.

The remote itself feels good in the hands. The buttons are logically placed and easy to select. It has a backlight which helps in low light conditions. Not much else to say about it. It's a modern remote.

Bottom Line

The Inteset 422 is a great improvement over the Universal remotes of fifteen years ago. Locking the volume and numbers buttons individually to a specific device just makes it easier to use. The macros are a good improvement as well but not what we are used to with the Harmony. This remote is perfectly suited for the person who has a cable or satellite box running through a receiver then out to the TV. It will turn them all on and off, control the volume and change channels with no issues. A more complex setup can be made to work, but it will be cumbersome to program and use. This remote will find a home at Ara’s mom’s house where her two remotes will be reduced to one. You can’t beat it for this type of use at $26!

Podcast #998: Top Five Movie Rentals for the Week and The Best LED TV May 07, 2021

On today’s show we take a look at the top five movie rentals for the week, discuss a movie called Nobody, invite ourselves onto The Bright Side of Home Theater Podcast, and answer the question, “What’s the Best LED TV” right now. Pulse we read emails and discuss the news of the week. Don’t forget to enter to win a fantastic SVS sound system to celebrate our 1000th episode.

Top Five Movie Rentals for the Week

5 - The Croods: A New Age - The prehistoric family the Croods are challenged by a rival family the Bettermans, who claim to be better and more evolved. 7/10 IMDB Rating, Rotten Tomato Critic Score 77 Audience Score 94

4 - Willy’s Wonderland - A quiet drifter is tricked into a janitorial job at the now condemned Willy's Wonderland. The mundane tasks suddenly become an all-out fight for survival against wave after wave of demonic animatronics. Fists fly, kicks land, titans clash -- and only one side will make it out alive. 5.5/10 IMDB Rating, Rotten Tomato Critic Score 62 Audience Score 74

3 - News of the World - A Civil War veteran agrees to deliver a girl, taken by the Kiowa people years ago, to her aunt and uncle, against her will. They travel hundreds of miles and face grave dangers as they search for a place that either can call home. 6.8/10 IMDB Rating, Rotten Tomato Critic Score 88 Audience Score 89

2 - Wonder Woman 1984 - Diana must contend with a work colleague and businessman, whose desire for extreme wealth sends the world down a path of destruction, after an ancient artifact that grants wishes goes missing. 5.4/10 IMDB Rating, Rotten Tomato Critic Score 59 Audience Score 74

1 - Vanquish - A mother, Victoria, is trying to put her dark past as a Russian drug courier behind her, but retired cop Damon forces Victoria to do his bidding by holding her daughter hostage. 2.6/10 IMDB Rating, Rotten Tomato Critic Score 6 Audience Score 16

A movie Ara is waiting to be available for streaming, Nobody Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life's indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody. When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake, is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca, seems to pull only further away. The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch's long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.

7.4/10 IMDB Rating, Rotten Tomato Critic Score 82 Audience Score 94

Best LED TV (RTINGS.COM)

Knocking the Samsung Q80/Q80T QLED off it's perch as the best LED TV, the Sony X90J ($1599.99 MSRP 65”) 2021 model is the new king of LED TVs. With better contrast, local dimming, and a slightly cheaper price tag the Sony is a solid choice. The 6 Best LED LCD TVs - Spring 2021 from RTINGS.COM

It feels well-built and comes with Google TV, giving you access to a ton of apps so you can easily find all your favorite content. Whether watching movies and shows or doing some gaming, most people should be happy with this model.

It has a VA panel with a fantastic contrast ratio, producing deep inky blacks and making it well-suited to dark room viewing or gaming. It has a full-array local dimming feature as well to further improve contrast. It also performs well in bright rooms, with impressive SDR brightness that can overcome glare in most lighting conditions. If you like HDR content, you'll also be pleased with its HDR brightness, which is very good and makes highlights pop. That said, it doesn't technically have a wide color gamut for HDR, although it just barely falls short and should be good enough for a satisfying HDR experience.

Unfortunately, it doesn't yet have the advertised variable refresh rate (VRR) support. However, it should be implemented in an upcoming firmware update. Aside from that, it still has a great response time for smooth motion in fast-moving content with minimal smearing or blur. It also has low input lag and two HDMI 2.1 ports, allowing it to display up to a 4k @ 120Hz signal from the Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5. All in all, this is among the best LED TVs we've tested.

8.1 Mixed Usage

8.6 Movies

7.7 TV Shows

7.5 Sports

8.4 Video Games

8.3 HDR Movies

8.3 HDR Gaming

7.8 PC Monitor

Podcast #997: Understanding Digital TV Signal Reception and B&W PI7 Headphones Review Apr 30, 2021

On today’s show we announce a fantastic giveaway to celebrate our 1000th show. Be sure to enter the contest! We also discuss Apple being sued for terminating the account of someone with $25,000 worth of apps and videos. With ATSC 3.0 around the corner we discuss what can cause issues with over the air reception of Tv signals. We have a review of the B&W PI7 wireless headphones. All this and your emails and the week’s news

Apple sued for terminating account with $25,000 worth of apps and videos

Lawsuits claim people don’t truly own content they purchase on digital platforms. Full article...

Understanding Digital TV Signal reception

With ATSC 3.0 picking up steam, many of our listeners are interested in Over the Air TV. If you live within 40 miles of the TV transmitting towers you can pretty much guarantee watching beautiful HDTV in 4K for free. If you live beyond 40 miles, it's hit or miss. The most frustrating part is that sometimes the signal is rock solid and then it just vanishes for a few seconds, minutes, or sometimes hours. What causes this and is there anything that you can do to fix this?

Electromagnetic or EMI interference

This is caused by nearby power lines, LED lightbulbs, thunderstorms, solar flares, the Northern Lights and even household appliances like electric blankets, popcorn poppers, microwave ovens, electric dryers and water heaters.

However, the stronger your signal the less EMI will interfere with the reception. If you live in a fringe area this is one reason why things are going well with your TV reception and then boom, nothing! We both live in a deep fringe area and it's the reason why we have given up on using an antenna for picking up DTV.

Multipath interference

This is caused by OTA signals being reflected off of items such as airplanes, wet/icy surfaces or shiny buildings. And for those living in hilly or mountainous areas, reflections off of the local terrain plays havoc with the signal. But in some instances it can help. It's hit or miss.

Moisture

Heavy amounts of moisture in the air in the form of heavy fog, high humidity or intense rain can also weaken signals enough to fall off the digital cliff.

Transient/Variable Physical Obstructions

The most interference may come from sources that you hadn’t considered, such as leaf growth on a tree. In the Fall you have good reception that goes away in the spring. Construction of a new building between you and the broadcast towers or even your neighbor parking a new RV in their driveway.

What can be done to counteract this?

There are companies that spend a lot of money on developing antennas and electronics to fight signal interference. Mohu has been a goto for the HT Guys for years. In our opinion they make the best antennas on the market. But they are not miracle workers. In our testing the Mohu antennas consistently pulled in more channels than the competitors. But even as good as Mohu is, living in the deep fringe will make the best antenna struggle when conditions are not optimal.

Bottom line. If you live within 40 miles of the TV towers, get an antenna and enjoy ATSC 3.0. If you live 41- 60 miles, it's hit or miss. One day will be good and another will be bad. Of course the signal will drop in the middle of watching something you really care about! At this range you will definitely need an outdoor antenna with a lot of height. If you have buildings or other obstacles in the way you will be out of luck. Beyond 60 miles, there really isn’t much you can do to combat physics.

AntennaWeb.org

AntennaWeb.org is a good resource that will help you determine what signals you can receive and what type of antenna you will need. For us, it says we can look forward to picking up 5 stations with a deep fringe capable antenna. We have indeed picked up more than that, but not consistently.

B&W PI7 Review

When Ara worked for Delta Airlines he was responsible for implementing a way to allow passengers to use their own Bluetooth headphones with the in flight entertainment system (IFE). The long term approach was to build in a pairing mechanism into the IFE system that was easy to use. The short term approach was to use an adapter that the passenger would pair with their headphones prior to boarding the plane.

You ask what does this have to do with the Bowers and Wilkins PI7 (MSRP $399)? Well this model has a built in IFE adapter in the unit’s battery case that makes using the headphones with ANY airline’s IFE system trivial. Based on that alone, Ara bought the PI7 and put them to work.

The Specs

24-bit True Wireless design with Qualcomm aptX™ Adaptive - sound quality that adjusts dynamically and optimizes connection reliability.
Dual Hybrid Drive units with individual amplifiers
Adaptive noise canceling
Six microphones for perfect sound and call quality
Smart charging case with audio retransmission - you can use the 3.5mm plug to USB-C connection to any device making it bluetooth capable. However, you can also use the include UBC-C to USB-C cable to connect to your laptop and transmit high res files wirelessly to your headphones.
Fast wireless charging

Controls

The controls are simple to use, just tap either earbud to start/stop/pause/answer/hangup. Long press the left headphone to activate noise canceling and long press the right headphone to activate your smart assistant. This is typical of these types of headphones, however, you can inadvertently activate some commands simply by adjusting the headphones in your ear.

Performance

Battery Performance - Ara was working in the garage for more than four hours with no issues. The advertised time is four hours and these exceed that. The battery case/holder will recharge the headphones four times which will last you on a flight from LA to Sydney.

Range - Ara was able to walk about 30 feet indoors with one wall in between the headphones and his iPhone. Outdoors he was able to move 120 feet away from the source. Perfect for working in a garden!

Noise Cancelling - In a word, Fantastic. Ara took these right into the wood shop and turned on his dust collection system and planed some wood all while listening to music at normal volumes. It worked so well that the normal fatigue that would accompany using loud equipment never happened and quite frankly extended the time Ara was able to work in the shop.

Podcast Performance - Voices sound clear with plenty of presence and texture.

Music Performance - Music where these headphones excel. They are warm with plenty of detail. The bass is tight and has omph. The mids are vibrant and not lost in the low end. The high surprised me in that I really heard them! These are my new favorite headphones!

Odds and Ends

Only the right headphone can be used individually.
There are three sizes of ear cushions to optimize the fit
They are comfortable and can be worn for extended periods
The audio passthrough function is only available via the app. You can select the amount of passthrough via a slider bar.

Conclusion

These headphones are worth the $400 they cost if you are into music. The added benefit for travelers is that they connect to an IFE system without the need for a separate adapter. If the $400 is a little more than you are willing to pay you may be interested in the PI5 It has four microphones instead of six and no IFE adapter. It also only costs $250.

Podcast #996: New AppleTV and Wyze V3 Review Apr 23, 2021

On today’s show we run through some of the new features on the recently announced AppleTV, look at the tradeoff of using an indoor TV outdoors in a protected environment, and we have a short review of the Wyze V3 outdoor camera. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

New AppleTV

From the Press Release - Apple announced the next generation of Apple TV 4K, delivering high frame rate HDR with Dolby Vision and connecting customers to their favorite content with the highest quality. At the heart of the new Apple TV 4K is the A12 Bionic chip that provides a significant boost in graphics performance, video decoding, and audio processing. And with an all-new design, the Siri Remote makes it even easier to watch shows and movies on Apple TV with intuitive navigation controls. Together with tvOS — the most powerful TV operating system — Apple TV 4K works seamlessly with Apple devices and services to magically transform the living room in ways that everyone in the family will love.

Improved Video Experiences

With A12 Bionic, Apple TV 4K now supports high frame rate HDR (High Dynamic Range) and Dolby Vision video, enabling fast-moving action at 60 frames per second (fps) to play more smoothly and appear more lifelike than ever before. Apple is working with leading video providers around the world, including FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, Paramount+, Red Bull TV, and Canal+, as they begin to stream in high frame rate HDR. And with high frame rate support in AirPlay, videos shot on iPhone 12 Pro can be displayed in full 60-fps Dolby Vision on the new Apple TV 4K.

Color Balance

Through an innovative color balance process, Apple TV works with iPhone and its advanced sensors to improve a television’s picture quality. Apple TV uses the light sensor in iPhone to compare the color balance to the industry-standard specifications used by cinematographers worldwide. Using this data, Apple TV automatically tailors its video output to deliver much more accurate colors and improved contrast — without customers ever having to adjust their television settings.

Siri Remote

The all-new Siri Remote features an innovative clickpad control that offers five-way navigation for better accuracy, and is also touch-enabled for the fast directional swipes Apple TV users love. The outer ring of the clickpad supports an intuitive circular gesture that turns it into a jog control — perfect for finding a scene in a movie or show. And with its one-piece aluminum design, the new Siri Remote fits more comfortably in a user’s hand.

The new Siri Remote also has a power button that controls a TV’s power, and another for mute, making it the only remote needed while enjoying TV. Using Siri, customers can easily search for specific shows or movies, control smart home accessories, check sports scores or the weather, and much more. Siri now works on Apple TV in Austria, Ireland, and New Zealand, joining the 13 countries and regions that already support Siri.

Pricing and Availability

The new Apple TV 4K will be available starting at $179 (US)
Customers can order the new Apple TV 4K beginning Friday, April 30, with availability beginning in the second half of May in more than 30 countries and regions, including the US.
Apple TV HD with the new Siri Remote will be available for $149.
The new Siri Remote will be available separately for $59, and is compatible with the previous-generation Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD.

Furrion Unveils Newest Line Of Outdoor 4K TVs

On a recent show a listener asked us about installing a TV on his deck. The deck was protected from direct contact with the elements. We suggested using a regular indoor TV stating that it would shorten the lifespan of the TV but the cost saving would allow for a new TV every few years which would bring upgrades along the way.

Today we can quantify the cost comparison as Furrion unveiled a new line of outdoor TVs. The Aurora® Partial Sun 4K UHD LED Outdoor TV and the Aurora® Full Shade 4K UHD LED Outdoor TV. For our listener, since his TV would be on his covered deck, our comparison will be with the Full Shade 4K UHD. But for completeness we’ll include the pricing for the Partial Sun TV as well.

From Furrion’s Press Release:

Furrion Aurora TVs are weatherproof in all conditions, and are engineered to withstand the harsh effects of UV rays, rain, snow, dirt, insects, and humidity. Their weatherproof housing and IP54 rating mean the Aurora is built to last, and the weather-resistant media bay offers even more protection for inputs and outputs. Even the remote control features an IP64 waterproof rating, great for areas with pools.

Aurora® Partial Sun 4K UHD LED Outdoor TV

Designed for partially shaded outdoor living areas like patios, decks and yards

Increased brightness up to 750 nits and an anti-glare LCD screen give you an excellent

picture in partially sunny areas

Sizes: Available in 43”, 49”, 55” and 65”

Pricing: $1,499.99 (43”), $1,999.99 (49”), $2,699.99 (55”), $3,399.99 (65”)

Aurora® Full Shade 4K UHD LED Outdoor TV

Designed for fully-shaded outdoor living areas like covered patios or screened gazebos

Increased brightness up to 400 nits and an anti-glare LCD screen give you an excellent

picture in partially shaded areas

Sizes: Available in 43”, 49”, 55” and 65”

Pricing: $1,299.99 (43”), $1,599 (49”), $1,999.99 (55”), $2,799.99 (65”)

Analysis

Let’s go with a 50” TV. Costco has models starting at $340 (Hisense 50" R6 Series - UHD LED) or a Vizio for $430 (Vizio 50" M-Series - 4K Quantum LED). There are TCLs that are in the middle so for this exercise we’ll say you can pick up a 50 inch TV for $400. That means for the price of a 50 inch Full Shade Aurora you can buy four regular TVs. Depending on your local climate that can really save you money. Of course this only works for a protected installation that is not in direct weather.

Wyze Cam v3

After receiving Chuck's email we decided to spend the whopping $31.84 including shipping and tax to test out the Wyze Cam v3. This is a very quick review. Essentially the camera is fantastic. In a side by side comparison with our Eufy cameras the Wyze had a sharper and more detailed picture with a spectacular night vision feature.

Wyze offers cloud storage for free but only a 12 second clip that rolls over every 14 days. You can upgrade to a plan that has longer recordings and more storage for about $25 a year. If you don’t want to store in the cloud the camera supports a micro SD card with recordings available over the internet. The camera is IP65 weather resistant. Quite frankly the camera is amazing for only $30 shipped!

Setup was simple. Like pretty much all the other cameras you download the app and add the camera. The app is easy to navigate and functional. All the controls and settings are easily accessed. The only complaint Ara had was that the camera is not supported by Homekit. Actually, the only platform that it supports is Alexa.

Bottom line, the days of expensive cameras are done. If you are a manufacturer trying to sell a camera for more than $50, be prepared to drop your prices. If Wyze ever supports Homekit, all Ara’s outdoor cameras will be replaced at a total cost of $120!

Podcast #995: End of the Road for the Harmony Remote and DIY Speaker Building Apr 16, 2021

We’re back! After a laptop mishap the show returns with a discussion about the Harmony Remote going end of life, a discussion on SpaceX's Starlink Satellite Internet service, using smart home devices to provide you weather alerts, and finally a discussion on Ara’s journey to becoming a DIY speaker builder. We also read your emails and discuss the news of th week.

Who Needs Starlink Internet? These Rural US Counties Top the List

SpaceX's Starlink promises to supercharge internet speeds around the globe, but which regions need it the most? Our exclusive research shows that residents in these rural US counties should sign up now. Full article here …

Weather alerts may be the smartest use of smart lights. They can save your life

Springtime brings with it fresh life, blooming flowers, and in some parts of the country, incredible storms. The old expression that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb holds particularly true in the Southeast and Midwest, where spring storms are accompanied by damaging, dangerous tornadoes. Full article here...

Why DIY Speakers

Along the way of doing our podcast we would receive emails suggesting that we should take a stab at speaker building. On a whim, I decided to give it a try. There are many resources online to refer to but I decided to start with Part Express. Parts Express is an online audio components site that sells everything you need to get you started.

My first set of speakers was a kit that cost about $200 (Dayton Audio BR-1 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Monitor Speaker Kit Pair). There was no wood working skills required. Just solder the crossover and load the components and voila! DIY speakers. They sounded great and only cost $200. After this I was hooked.

Then I tried a simple full range driver (Tang Band W3-881SJF 3" Full Range Speaker $30 each) that would be loaded into a MDF cabinet ($27 each) that required nothing more than cutting some holes and gluing the precut pieces together. I had a jigsaw and a dremel tool to cut the holes. On this set of speakers, I learned about finishing the speaker cabinet. The results were terrible, aesthetically speaking. But they found a home at my in-laws. I recently noticed they weren’t using the speakers anymore so I brought them home with me and I am making a new cabinet out of reclaimed wood. We’ll probably give them away in the near future.

I kept watching Youtube videos on the subject and decided to actually build my own cabinets. I used ¾” plywood. While the cabinet was solid, the joining was not good at all. I covered up the flaws with a veneer of cherry wood. Problem fixed!! The issue I had was that I was making my cuts with a circular saw and there was no way for me to get the precision required. So the veneer covered up a lot of the flaws but close inspection would reveal the issues. I have them on a shelf where you can see them but not close enough to critique them.

I posted them in a video on YouTube. Man I got raked over the coals for the design. Specifically the crossover. With the components I chose I was leaving a lot of performance on the table so to speak. Quite frankly I just bought parts from Parts Express and put them together. They still sounded really really good, so I wondered what a true high quality design would sound like. For completeness here are the parts used in that build:

Dayton Audio RS150-8 6" Reference Woofer x 2 $45 each
Morel MDT 29 1-1/8" Soft Dome Tweeter x 2 $52 each
Dayton Audio XO2W-2.5K 2-Way Speaker Crossover 2,500 Hz x 2 $30 each
Terminals, Foam, Vent Tubes X 2 $10 each

Total cost was about $300 when you include the plywood and veneer.

For the next build I wanted to work on my woodworking skills. I bought a tablesaw, planer, sander, router and a ton of clamps. By the way, you can never have enough clamps! Since I was more concerned about the cabinet building I went with full range drives. No silly cross over to deal with. The design was simple. Build the cabinets put in the driver.

As far as the cabinet designs go, all the driver companies provide you with cabinet designs and plans that will get the most out of the drivers they are selling. Build the cabinet to their plan and you will get optimal performance.

Side note - one year my wife was struggling on what to get her sister in-laws for Christmas. I suggested that I could make them some cutting boards. She liked the idea and I made six of them. They were a huge hit! Now I make cutting boards and sell them on Etsy or through my Instagram. I’ve even built a set of speakers using the same basic design of a cutting board. Here is a short video I posted to Instagram. Funny I started with wood working just to build speakers. But now I just love woodworking! Also a big thank you to Marc Spagnuolo the Wood Whisperer who has given me many tips, some personally, but most through his online resources.

Now some swear full range drivers are the best thing since sliced bread. Truth be told, for certain types of music they are amazing. I built three full range driver designs selling some and even giving some away. I have one that has a 8 inch (Tang Band W8-1772 8" Neodymium Full Range Driver $225 each) driver that my nephew has claimed. They sound incredible with vocals and tracks that have a lot of dynamic range. Not so much with loud rock. I told him that when I build a replacement he can have it. Along the way, my wood working skills had improved! So I was ready to go with a multiple driver design.

I didn’t want to make the same mistake I did with my earlier speaker build by just choosing parts but I also knew nothing about crossover design. I then decided to look into buying a well designed kit. In this way I get to have the joy of building something and make it my own but not worry about optimizing the audio aspect of the design. I chose Creative Sound Solutions (CSS) for the kit. They sound phenomenal! All the goodness of the full range drivers without the limitations. I loved them so much I built two of their designs. The P215 ($469) and the Criton 2TD ($850). I built the P215 first and was impressed with the bass, clarity, and imaging. I was told the 2TDs sounded even better and yes they did. It took everything I loved about the P215 and turned it up a notch. Plus it was the best looking cabinet I have built!! Easily competes with speakers costing three times as much plus the cabinets being built with reclaimed barn wood from the mid 1800s just adds to the experience.

CSS Audio also sells MDF kits for those who do not have a place where they can build cabinets. They also provide complete building plans for those who want to build their own.

I recommend doing this. But it’s a journey. Expect to make some mistakes and get criticism if you post your work online. The vast majority of which has been constructive. However, there are some “know it alls” who have to tell you that your work is crap. Just ignore them and keep on building!

No Show This Week Apr 09, 2021

We had a technical issue and can not upload a full show. We’ll be back next week with our regular programming. Thank you for understanding..

Podcast #994: Wifi Gremlins Begone! Apr 02, 2021

On this week’s show we take a look at twelve things that the Jetsons predicted correctly back in 1962. Ring introduces three new automation devices and Ara gets to the bottom of his Wifi woes. We also read your email and take a look at the week’s news stories.

12 Cool Technologies “The Jetsons” Predicted For 2062 That We Have Right Now

This article is from 2019

The futuristic family cartoon The Jetsons premiered in 1962. It was set 100 years in the future in the year 2062. We're over half way there now, but surprisingly, many of the technologies they predicted in the cartoon are already a reality, while others are maturing quickly. Full article here…

Video calls
Robotic vacuums
Tablet computers
Robotic house help - Not quite Rosie yet but enough to check the box
Flying Cars - This is a stretch but there is a flying car out there but nothing like what the Jetsons had.
Smart Watches
Drones - apparently there was an episode in which Elroy was flying a drone.
Holograms
3D printed food - we’re not convinced that this is a thing
The “PillCam” - this is actually a thing
Jetpacks
Flat Screen TVs

Amazon's Ring launches 3 new outdoor security gadgets

The outside of your Ring-powered smart home might get a little smarter thanks to the company's new outdoor smart plug, motion light and siren. Full Article here…

Orbi Wifi Discussion

As many of you know we both have had some wifi woes of late. Ara bought a new Linksys Velop ($300 for the router and one satellite) router which worked great for about two months and then it suddenly started acting up. Devices would randomly disconnect and the Internet would stop working regardless of whether the connection was wired or wireless.

This led to the eventual replacement with a new system manufactured by Netgear (The Orbi RBR50 $330 for the router and one satellite) and all was good until it wasn’t. However, for the last five days (the longest period of continuous connection) all is good again. We think, for Ara’s house anyway, all the gremlins have been removed. The following are the steps taken to get there. A few of these steps only apply to the Netgear Orbi, but many apply to any router and may help you get more out of your wireless system.

As Mike stated in his email the Time server was changed. His recommended time server would not work with the Orbi RBR50 so time.nist.gov was used. The “Automatically adjust for daylight savings time” was initially unticked but later reticked with no issues as of yet. This tip is specific to the Orbi or other Netgear routers.
1. Enable Implicit BEAMFORMING - They claim that this Boosts WiFi speed, reliability, & range for all mobile devices
2. Enable MU-MIMO - “MIMO” stands for “Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output”, and it refers to the way bandwidth is broken up by a router and pushed to individual devices. This only comes into play if multiple devices are requesting say a Netflix stream simultaneously. Without it turned on it would delay one stream until the other has sufficiently buffered.
3. Enable Fast Roaming - allows a client device to roam quickly in environments implementing WPA2 Enterprise security, by ensuring that the client device does not need to re-authenticate to the RADIUS server every time it roams from one access point to another. With two access points in the house this could have been an issue as devices continuously bounce back and forth between them.
Under the wireless settings the following were ticked:
The Netgear Armor Security was turned off - It was automatically activated for a 30 day trial. Ara noticed that it periodically scans the network and checks vulnerabilities of the devices on the network. Ara wondered if this caused some of the wifi automation devices to lose connection.

After a reboot everything seems to work well except Ara’s Homekit devices. Then after struggling with rebooting his Philips Hue hubs Ara noticed that it was only the hue lights having an issue. What was puzzling was the fact that the lights themselves were not directly connected to his wifi network. The hubs being hardwired should not be having any issues.

The Hue lights are based on the Zigbee protocol which uses the same frequency spectrum as 2.4GHz wifi. There was an article that said if your Hue lights are “unreachable” change the Zigbee channel. There is a setting in the Hue app that allows for his. Once that was done...Bam! Everything was and still is rock solid!

In reality, that may have been the only issue as there are 25 hue lights, sensors, and accessories in Ara’s house.

Podcast #993: Gary Yacoubian and Nick Brown of SVS Mar 26, 2021

This week we discuss whether there is a market for a $200 quad tuner DVR that doesn’t come with storage and we talk with SVS President and CEO Gary Yacoubian and Vice President of Marketing Nick Brown about two new cool products that SVS recently released. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

Tablo rolls out a $200 quad-tuner DVR with HDMI

It's ideal if you record TV to watch it somewhere with a weak internet connection. Full article here…

Interview with SVS President and CEO Gary Yacoubian and Vice President of Marketing Nick Brown

SVS rumbled onto the audio scene to challenge the status quo of over-priced, underperforming “high-end” subwoofers and speakers and to bring convincing and immersive sound to more people than ever before. Why should thrilling home audio experiences be an elitist hobby limited to a small percentage of humanity? The SVS mission is to re-energize people’s desire for awesome sound by bringing passion, fun and expertise back into the mix. With this vision, SVS is leading a Sound R|Evolution.

Podcast #992: Channels DVR and the Best IPTV Service Mar 19, 2021

On this week’s show we discuss a super inexpensive solution to charging your outdoor devices via the sun, we dive a little deeper into the Channels DVR, and finally, we look at the best IPTV solutions for you. Plus we read your emails and take a look at the news.

Renogy E.FLEX 5W Mono Solar Panel

If you have a battery operated camera that is charged via a 5V USB charger then this product may make it possible to never have to charge the camera again. This solar charger is a little bigger than a steno sheet of paper and will charge your camera by sunshine. At $15 it's an absolute no brainer. It even comes with a 2500mAH battery bank. More info… There is a larger one which is two of these folded together for $22.00.

Channels DVR

I briefly mentioned the Channels DVR at the end of the last podcast so I did want to add a little more information as we did receive a few emails about the service.

The server will run on MacOS, Windows, Raspberry Pi and Linux
It will also run on quite a few NAS devices and the NVidia Shield
It's not a free service. It costs $8 a month or $80 a year is paid in advance/ Ara paid for the full year
You can use it with Xfinity, hulu, fios, locast, dish, ATT TV, Cox, Youtube TV, DirecTV, Philo, Frontier, and Sling TV
There are no limits to how much you can record (beyond your own storage) and how long you can keep the recordings
You can watch the recordings from anywhere with an internet connection
Streaming outside the home must be setup via the router port forwarding
Streaming quality is limited by your bandwidth and in general is not as good as watching on your network
Recorded content is in the open and can be transferred to a tablet or PC for watching without an internet connection
Import Content from Streaming Services and local media

Best live TV streaming service for cord-cutters: YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu and more compared

Ready to ditch your cable bill but want to keep live news, sports and more? Here's how. Full article here...

Podcast #991: Locast2Plex and Chromecast Whole House Audio Mar 12, 2021

Whole House Audio Journey with the Chromecast for Listener Matt

As a teenager growing up in the 80’s I had a subscription to Audio Video Interiors magazine. I would marvel at these huge custom home theaters with in-floor console CRT Runco projectors and AMX or Crestron controls. Fast forward past the Beastie Boys cassettes and Van Halen CDs, once MP3s hit the scene and you could store vast amounts of music on a computer, I was cobbling together homemade systems connecting computers to amps around the house. Then Google Chromecast and their Chromecast Audio ‘puck’ came to market. I purchased an AudioSource ‘auto-power’ on Amp from Amazon, plugged the Chromecast Audio into the RCA jacks and I could pull up music on my phone and cast to the amp from anywhere in the house and it would turn itself on and just play. In the early 2010’s if you were hosting a party and you just pulled out your phone, hit play and all the speakers in the house kicked on, it was like magic. But that was just one amp with a Niles 6 zone speaker selector. What if you have multiple rooms and amps that you want to tie together?

Google announced that they were creating the concept of a Speaker Group, where you could add multiple chromecast devices into a group and sync them together. This I thought was going to be the Holy Grail of whole house audio, no more amps everywhere just get an AndroidTV with Chromecast, add a good soundbar / sub and then when you have a house party, use the Speaker Group to sync all the rooms. I also have an Onkyo amplifier with Chromecast built in which you could also add to the Speaker Group. I got all of this to work, I have a game room with a Hisense Android TV and soundbar, the main living area Onkyo with builtin Chromecast, and an Audiosource amp with Chromecast Audio dongle for outside. (Quick side note, my love to Monoprice, they have an in ground subwoofer with 4 satellite speakers that sounds great and passes the outdoor Decorating Committee standards). I put the Game Room Hisense TV, Onkyo with builtin Chromecast, and the Chromecast Audio into one speaker group called “Whole House” and it was amazing.... until it wasn’t.

You see, while Google likes to ‘give-th’ Google will also ‘take-th’ away when they feel like it. Suddenly things started dropping out of the Speaker Group, I couldn’t see my Onkyo anymore, the HisenseTV was gone. As a software engineer I dug down in my bug hunting skills but could not find anything different in my network that had changed. Until someone posted a discussion in Reddit from a Google Tech (yes someone actually found a Google Help Desk person) that read:

It appears that Google is no longer going to support Speaker Groups with third party hardware. While you can individually cast something to the Hisense TV or the Onkyo amp, you can no longer put them together in a group to play the same music. I was so angry and frustrated that Google had removed a feature that worked, I almost jumped over the fence into the Apple walled garden... until I realized it would cost $800 for 4 AppleTVs... which is more than a 75” Hisense TV.

So I bought another Chromecast Audio dongle off Ebay for $50 (the full retail price in 2015), hooked it up to the Onkyo and I’m somewhat back in business, other than having to manually turn on the Onkyo. But it’s sad that I had to purchase a discontinued device to get everything to work the way I wanted. I know there are lots of options, the Apple-verse, Amazon Fire world, Sonos. The problem I find is that once you have invested so much into one eco-system, it is so hard to switch out.

Locast2Plex

A couple of weeks ago we received two emails from listeners asking if we had tried locast2plex. Locast2plex turns your locast account into a virtual tuner for your Plex Server. We thought, fantastic! However, it's not as simple as turning on a setting and bam you’re done. There is some heavy lifting that needs to be done. We go through the steps. This is not an instructional segment but more of an inventory of what you need to do if you want this capability for your Plex server.

Before we get into the steps you might ask what does this get you? Good question! There are two selling points for going through this somewhat complicated process. First, it allows you to record all your locast local channels using the Plex DVR and second, it gives you access to your locast local channels anywhere you have an Internet connection. There is a third reason as well. ALL the locals from your area come in and they never fade based on atmospheric conditions.

Step 1) You need to download the locast2plex script from github. The “code” comes as a zip file that contain configurations and other files needed to run as a python script. You will need to have an always on computer that is running the script. This is what actually simulates a physical tuner.

Step 2) designate an always computer to host the script. We chose an $35 RaspberryPi. They are quiet and barely use any energy. We are not discussing the setup of a RaspberryPi in this post. But you can buy them preconfigured from Amazon for less than $50.

Step 3) uncompress the zip file. We renamed the folder to locast2plex for simplicity

Step 4) update the file config_example.ini with your locast user settings. Then change the name of this file to config.ini. You will also need to know the ip address of the computer hosting the script. We updated our router to always give our hosting computer the same ip address. If you don’t do this you will need to update config.ini each time the hosting computer gets a new ip address. In config.ini update the ip address of the host computer.

Step 5) Open up a terminal window and navigate to the locast2plex directory. Then run the following command python3 main.py. That starts everything and downloads the channels. If you are successful you will see “Locast2Plex is now online”. Do not close this window or your tuner will stop working.

From here we move to your computer that is running your Plex Server.

Step 6) On your server you will need to add the locast2plex tuner. There is a LiveTV & DVR setting under the MANAGE section of the server settings. Here you will add the tuner. You will have to manually input the ip address of your host computer and be sure to append a :6077 to it so Plex knows which port to find it at

Step 7) input your local information, country, zipcode etc. This will allow plex to download the channel guides for your area

Step 8) watch!

This is pretty complex to do if you are not comfortable with computers.

As stated before it's nice to be able to watch every channel and record them as well. The quality is decent but not as good as the IPTV streamers. Still having access to your locals while on vacation is a plus. Locast only costs you a $5 a month donation and Plex is free. So you have nothing to lose.

Podcast #990: Shrinking Movie Release Windows and the Future of Cinemas Mar 05, 2021

On this week’s show we run down the top ten rentals for the week and discuss release windows for movies. Does the shrinking window spell doom for movie theaters? We also read your emails and cover the news of the week.

Top 10 Rentals for Week Ended 2-21-21

1 Greenland (6.4) 2/9/21 Universal/STX

2 Let Him Go (6.7) 2/2/21 Universal

3 Freaky (6.3) 2/9/21 Universal

4 Horizon Line (4.7) 2/16/21 Universal

5 Shadow in the Cloud (4.8)** 2/2/21 Vertical

6 Breach (3.7) 2/2/21 Paramount

7 Come Play (5.7) 1/26/21 Universal

8 The War With Grandpa (5.6) 12/22/20 Universal

9 Honest Thief (6.0) 12/29/20 Universal

10 The Stand-In (4.5)* 2/9/21 Paramount

*Early Release

**Redbox exclusive

For reference The imdb ratings for some popular movies are as follows:

Top Gun 6.9
Back to the Future 8.5
The Magnificent Seven (2016) 6.9
The Magnificent Seven (1960) 7.7
Pulp Fiction 8.8
The Dark Knight 9.0

How long should movies be in theaters before streaming? Hollywood is trying to find out.

With the movie business upended during the pandemic and tilting more towards streaming than cineplexes, Hollywood is rethinking its business model. One significant debate is how long a gap there should be between a film's theatrical release and its availability on streaming services. On Wednesday, ViacomCBS announced that "A Quiet Place Part 2" will stream on its new service, Paramount+, just 30 to 45 days after being released in theaters. Full article here…

Podcast #989: Audiophile or Audio-Fooled? Feb 26, 2021

Top 10 Voice Commands of 2020

Smart home control functions top the list of the most-used voice commands by users with Josh.ai systems in 2020.

10 Watch Netflix - Absolutely makes sense to us. It would have been nice to see how, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video and the rest compared. And now you know Netflix is King of streaming!

9 What’s the Weather? - Asking what the weather is and voice commands are a match made in digital heaven. This can be done while getting dressed or fixing the bed. The perfect multi tasking voice command

8) I’m Home - If done right this can be quite cool! Although it would be nicer if you can tell your home I’ll be home in ten minutes right from your car.

7 Goodbye - Another handy command that can arm the security system and turn off the lights.

6 Close the Shades (closely followed by Open the Shades) - Enough said!

5 What Time Is It? - Because many do not wear watches and can’t be bothered to look at the time on their smartphone ;-)

4 Good Morning - Similar to I’m home, and Goodbye. It just runs a different set of tasks.

3 Turn Off the Lights (closely followed by ‘Turn On the Lights’ and honorable mention to just ‘Lights’) - For those who have not discovered Goodbye and Goodnight Commands.

2 Turn Off the TV (closely followed by ‘Turn On the TV’) - The #2 most popular request and the most popular device control was for TV power, with turning off happening more frequently than turning on, a theme Josh.ai has noticed with all device type control.

1 Goodnight - My (Ara’s) dad used to go around and make sure all the lights were off and doors locked before he went to sleep. If he were alive today he would for sure use this command to make sure that were the case. But knowing him, he’d still go around to make sure all the lights were off and the doors were locked!

Five Things to Know About Spotify HiFi

Artists and fans have told us that sound quality is important to them. We agree, and that’s why today at Stream On we announced Spotify HiFi. Details Here…

Audiophile or Audio-Fooled? How Good Are Your Ears?

MP3 files were created to save file size. A four minute song on CD would be 39MB where as a 128Kbps mp3 would be 3.9MB
The MP3 algorithm filters out quiet frequencies adjacent to loud frequencies because you can’t hear them. So if they are eliminated it won’t matter anyway
However with an MP3 at 128Kbps, audiophiles can reliably tell the difference. Not so with 256 and 320Kbps MP3 files.
Rick Beato’s assistant was asked to do a listening test. She is in her 20s and was tested to be able to hear a 18Khz sine wave. She has perfect pitch and a degree in music production from Berkeley. A good candidate for the test.
She listened to six songs from different genres. They were recorded with CD quality, 128Kbps and 320Kbps MP3.
She got four out of six correct. In one case she chose the 128Kbps and in another the 320Kbps track.
Rick goes on to say that popular mixers in the industry today are over 40 years old and can’t hear above 16Khz. So why then are they still in the business? Because they have experience as to what sounds good. And what sounds good is mostly in the frequencies we all can hear. Frequencies that the compressed music does not remove.
Also, many mix on $600 speakers because they know the vast majority of what people use to play back their music is not audiophile grade. That means you don’t need audiophile grade gear to hear the music the way the mixer mixed it.

What does this all mean?

Spotify, like Apple, uses AAC which is superior to MP3 and they use 256Kbps for Spotify premium (128Kbps AAC for the free service). There have been many studies that show the overwhelming majority of people can not tell the difference between 256Kbps AAC and CD or even “Hi-Res” audio. If you have the ears and equipment that allow you to be in the very tiny minority that can hear the difference, congratulations for your gift, and your curse!

So while it looks like Spotify HiFi won’t cost Premium subscribers any more money, don’t expect an improved listening experience. At least for now. Streaming ten times the information will cost someone at some point.

Podcast #988: ATSC 3.0 is here and the Best Non-OLED TV Feb 19, 2021

This week we help a listener future proof his new AVR purchase and we answer the question, “Where can you watch ATSC 3.0 Content?” We wrap up with the best Non-OLED TV available. We also read your emails and look at the week’s news.

Future Proofing your new Receiver Install

We received an email from Brian who has recently moved and has an opportunity to setup a Home Theater System from scratch. He is in the market for a new receiver and wants to know what are the must have requirements for a receiver so that the receiver does not become obsolete in a year or two. Also, what is not important.

Must Have:

HDMI 2.1 Support Includes HDCP - This gives you the most options in the future. While 8K may not be a big deal, there may be some new tech that transmits additional data through the HDMI cable and having the increased bandwidth (48 vs 18 Gbps) may come in handy.
4K HDR Support - This is pretty much a given now and standard on most receivers
eARC support - We see a day when TVs will be able to support the set top box format of your choice with a USB style stick. eARC will be required to get the full audio capability
ATMOS, Airplay 2, Chromcast, Network Connectivity, Auto Calibration, Plenty of HDMI Inputs, Two Subwoofer outputs, Network/App Interface - These are all pretty much table stakes now but some budget AVRs may not support some of these features.

Not Required:

8K - while this seems like it should be twice as good as 4K you won’t be able to see the difference on a screen less than 120 inches.
200W - More power is not required for most people. Going from 100W to 200W increases max volume by 3dB. 75w to 100W per channel is fine for the typical family/living room.

ATSC 3.0 Deployments

ATSC expects 60 markets to launch NextGen TV by mid-2021. Full list here...

Best 4K TV that isn’t an OLED

So you want the best 75 inch TV that money can buy? You check online and see that the LG CX OLED (RTINGS Review) is more or less the consensus choice for best TV available today. Then you realize the best TV that money can buy at $3,300 is $1,500 more than what you have available to spend. Now you’re thinking, I want the best TV that $1,900 can buy.

Fortunately, we know of such a TV. It's the new Vizio P-Series Quantum X- H1. They even have an 85” model if you can spare a few hundred dollars more (RTINGS Review 2020 Model). RTINGS.com scores the Quantum X pretty high:

From RTINGS.com

The Vizio P Series Quantum X 2020 is great for most uses. It gets very bright and handles reflections well, making it a good choice for watching TV shows or sports during the day. It performs incredibly well in dark rooms, as it can produce deep and inky blacks for watching movies or playing video games. It has low input lag, a fast response time, and a high refresh rate to deliver an extremely responsive gaming and desktop experience. Unfortunately, its VA panel has narrow viewing angles, so it isn't the best option for wide seating areas.

8.3 Mixed Usage

8.5 Movies

8.0 TV Shows

7.9 Sports

8.5 Video Games

8.6 HDR Movies

8.5 HDR Gaming

7.9 PC Monitor

For comparison RTINGS.com rates the OLED:

8.8 Mixed Usage

9.3 Movies

8.2 TV Shows

8.6 Sports

9.1 Video Games

8.7 HDR Movies

8.8 HDR Gaming

8.6 PC Monitor

Podcast #987: Harbottle Audio Interview Feb 12, 2021

A couple of weeks ago a listener, Tim Diebert, emailed asking us to review a subwoofer that he owns made by Harbottle Audio. On today’s show we speak with their Technical Director Cody Heibert about their subwoofers and what they have coming in a few months. We also read your emails and go through the week’s news.

Podcast #086: Do you need a Calibrator? Feb 05, 2021

On this week's show we look at which streaming services were nominated for Golden Globe Awards and we ask the question; “Should you pay to have your TV/Projector Calibrated?” We also read your emails and take a look at the news.

Streaming Services nominated for Golden Globes

It was a few years ago when Braden made a prediction that Netflix would win an award for one of it's original content titles. If we recall correctly, he got that prediction right. Fast Forward to 2021 and his prediction came true on steroids. We take a quick look at some of this years Golden Globe nominations. The entire list can be found here (Nominations for the 78th Golden Globe Awards (2021))

Best Motion Picture, Drama

The Father (Sony Pictures)
Mank (Netflix)
Nomadland (Searchlight Pictures)
Promising Young Woman (Focus Features)
The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)

Best Picture, Musical or Comedy

Borat Subsequent Moviefilm (Amazon Studios)
Hamilton (Walt Disney Pictures)
Music (Vertical Entertainment)
Palm Springs (Hulu)
The Prom (Netflix)

Best Director, Motion Picture

Emerald Fennell, Promising Young Woman (Focus Features)
David Fincher, Mank (Netflix)
Regina King, One Night in Miami …
Aaron Sorkin, The Trial of the Chicago 7 (Netflix)
Chloe Zhao, Nomadland

Should you pay to have your TV/Projector Calibrated?

We all want to get the most out of our TV/Projectors and taking the TV off of default settings is one big step we all can do quite easily. Changing the picture mode from Vivid or Dynamic to Cinema improves the picture dramatically. But what if you want more? You can hire a calibrator to come into your home and dial in the TV to get the absolute best out of the display.

We were perusing AVS Forum and saw a thread entitled “Should you pay to have your TV/Projector Calibrated?” This got our attention and we dove right in. The following are some posts from users at AVS forum. We have removed their names for this discussion.

Comments to thread:

1) A professional calibration may (or may not) improve your display's PQ. IMO you don't "need" to have one done unless: PQ looks like crap and you're unable to adjust it to your liking; or

you want to have one done.

2) I spent money to have my 4k projector in my HT (blacked out bat cave) professionally calibrated and it made a huge difference in the picture quality and was easily worth the money I paid for the service. I have a UST projector in the living room that was much less money and did my own calibration which is "good enough" as it's mostly for the kids watching cartoons and shows and playing games so doesn't need to be perfect.

3) I mean if you have a 50k HT system in a perfectly blacked out room yea he can probably give you your money's worth.

4) If you're spending a few hundred to get someone to calibrate a 3k set up yea you've gone insane should have just done it yourself not that hard to get it much better on most TV's from the factory. Maybe not perfectly adjusted to your ambient lighting. But IME what is accurate and what people actually want are two different things

5) I think we've all tried to turn down some overly vibrant reds or something on a TV then had the owner/roomate/SO/parent complain about how they don't like accuracy.

6) People need to start looking using their own eyes for once I think. It’s all subjective.!! This guy say this color is red ! The next guy says it looks pink? That kind thing....but “ RED” is red not “ PINK” nor is it “ blue” right!

7) I have been a calibrator for over 20 years and while some displays (TV or projectors) are better than others out of the box they can still be noticeably improved. Quality of calibrator makes a difference as well as having the right equipment and not just the cheap probes one can buy. I agree that there is a lot of variability in quality of calibrator as it takes a lot to gain the experience one needs to get good. The older CRT front and rear projectors used to take a long time too but they had to be manually aligned, converged and focused which took a long time then you could adjust just the picture controls. The other factor is the experience with the devices being calibrated. I have spent two days calibrating a TV (non-CRT) to get it right. Nowadays, where I work we only calibrate displays that we are familiar with. When we get a new model we calibrate it to learn it. Because once you know a display inside and out calibration time is not as bad. I think we charge about $250 for most displays we are familiar with but a few models and video processors take longer so those are more. Especially ones where you are adjusting the tone mapping, even if automated for part of the process still takes a while depending on the number of color points.

However, if someone calls and wants their Samsung calibrated we decline because we don't carry Samsung and are not familiar with it. It takes a while to get to know all the intricacies of a display and doing a model you are not familiar with definitely takes a lot more time. The funny thing is the less expensive displays are ones that often benefit the most from calibration but they are in a category people simply don't want to spend the money on if they didn't pay a lot for the display. If you want to get the most out of your display it is usually worth getting a calibration (I am biased:) but finding a calibrator that is good with experience on your display or something similar like last year's version is not always easy.

Podcast #985: Kef's New Subwoofer and Five Home Tech Trends for 2021 Jan 29, 2021

On today’s show we discuss a new technology from Kef that gets big sound from a small subwoofer. We also take a look at the top home technology trends for 2021. Pulse we have your emails and the news of the week.

KEF introduces Uni-Core subwoofer technology and its KC62 sub

The KC62 is the first sub to implement KEF's new tech that promises deeper bass from smaller boxes Full article here…

KEF has introduced another new technology, this time focused on subwoofers. Called Uni-Core, it places two drivers in a dual-opposing configuration—that is, mounted on opposite sides of a cabinet. They vibrate in phase with each other, moving inward and outward in unison.

By itself, that’s not new; many subwoofers use dual-opposing drivers—including the Sonos Sub—because the force imparted to the cabinet from each one cancels out the force from the other one. This greatly reduces cabinet resonance, which can distort the sound, and prevents smaller subs from “dancing” across the floor.

The sealed cabinet is roughly cubical measuring about 10 inches on a side, and the drivers are only 6.5 inches in diameter. Such a small subwoofer would normally poop out well above 20Hz, but the frequency response of the KC62 is specified to extend from 11Hz (!) to 200Hz (±3 dB). Of course, no one can hear 11Hz, but an extension that low does provide “footroom” so that the lowest audible frequencies do not overly tax the sub’s capabilities.

The KC62 offers a pleasing aesthetic. The curved cabinet is crafted from extruded aluminum, and it’s available in Carbon Black or Mineral White, allowing it to blend in with just about any décor. Plus, its diminutive size lets it fit just about anywhere.

The subwoofer is available now for $1500

Top 5 Home Tech Trends for 2021: Home Theater is Hotter Than Ever

A confluence of factors including increased time spent at home, higher-quality content, dwindling theatrical-to-home release window, state-of-the-art AV technologies and more create a compelling opportunity. Full article here…

Podcast #984: CES 2021 Awards Jan 22, 2021

CES Awards

This week we wrap up our CES 2021 coverage with the CES Awards show. We look at what Products Engadget, Digital Trends, CNET, and CES thought were notable and newsworthy. As usual we look at your emails and discuss the news of the week.

Engadget Best of CES 2021 finalists!

The full list is found here…

Samsung Bot Handy
TCL Wearable Display - It has two Full HD OLED screens that create a 140-degree field of view... and that's it. There's no battery onboard or chunky arms for processors (although a small onboard chip powers the displays). Just connect the device to your phone, laptop or tablet via USB-C to project your media to the glasses.
Earin A-3 - The A-3 are shaped almost like little discs with thin ovals slightly sticking out of one side. Not only are they much more discreet than standard earbuds, but they have no left or right designation so you can freely swap them between ears. The open design lets you listen to tunes while also allowing you to hear what's going on around you. Although they don't have active noise cancellation, the A-3 include wind noise reduction algorithms to improve the listening experience.
Sony 360 Reality Audio speakers (SRS-RA5000 and SRS-RA3000) - The SRS-RA5000 and SRS-RA3000 are WiFi-connected wireless units that work in a similar fashion to Sonos. If the music you’re listening to isn’t in the 360 format, the speakers are equipped with an algorithm that converts the content.
TCL Alto R1 soundbar
Samsung JetBot 90 AI+
Best TV Products - LG C1 OLED, TCL 6-Series (8K), Samsung Neo QLED, Sony Cognitive Processor XR

Digital Trends The 15 coolest gadgets at CES 2021

The full list is found here…

LG Transparent Smart Bed TV - Imagine waking up in the morning, giving a little stretch and a yawn, and then activating a 55-inch Minority Report-level transparent screen, one that rolls up from the bottom of your bed and displays the day’s weather, traffic, news, and social media streams.

Samsung’s Micro-LED TVs

Samsung JetBot 90 A.I.+

CNET Best of CES 2021

The full list is found here…

LG Transparent OLED Display Concept

TCL TVs expand to 85 inches and 8K

Alarm.com Touchless Video Doorbell - Instead of pushing a button, this new doorbell from Alarm.com uses a doormat and AI to detect when someone has arrived at your doorstep, and lets you talk to them through an app with the built-in camera and microphone. It's a touchless system for the age of the coronavirus.

Samsung Robot Butler (Bot Handy)

Kohler Touchless Toilet

Samsung JetBot 90 AI

CES 2021 Innovation Awards

The full list is found here…

1MORE ColorBuds True Wireless Headphones - The 1MORE ColorBuds are a colorful, dynamic true wireless earbud that is designed to not only match your style, but also match your everyday needs. The ColorBuds bring artistry to sound to create a fashionable, colorful hifi true wireless product that was designed with ultra-lightweight compact earbuds and a compact case making it the ultimate sound accessory. The newest onboard Bluetooth chipset enables mirroring mode, which is better than the standard master and slave format. This increases the antennae efficiency while solving issues of high latency. Four brilliant colors mean there is one for everyone's style or look.
Mark Levinson № 5206 Precision Preamplifier - The No 5206 (~$9K) Blends the finest materials, technology, and artisanship for exceptional beauty and performance with a fully discrete, dual-monaural unified class A unified line stage, which has been awarded two patents, a class A headphone output, and a hybrid gain topology MM/MC phono stage. Outstanding digital audio capability with AES, S/PDIF, asynchronous USB inputs for high-resolution playback of PCM (up to 32 bit/384kHz) and DSD (up to 11.2MHz), MQA full decode and Bluetooth with aptX-HD. Extensive control options with Ethernet, USB, RS-232, IR input, and 12V trigger I/O, the included custom aluminum remote, and the Mark Levinson 5Kontrol app.
LG CineBeam Laser 4K - LG HU810P (~$2.7K) is a home cinema 4K UHD Laser projector that delivers premium picture quality regardless of viewing environment and lighting conditions while offering easy installation.
XGIMI RS - Premium 4K Home Theater - XGIMI 4K 3D LED home projector provides unparalleled 2000 ANSI lumen, 300’’ giant screen and intelligent XGIMI INUI in a very portable size. Built-in two 8W 55 mm Harman Kardon speakers produce incredible sound, the advanced projection adjustment technology ensures the easiest setup and creates the best user experience.
LG Eclair (QP5) - LG Eclair QP5 is an innovative 3.1.2-channel speaker system designed for customers craving three-dimensional audio quality without the traditional sound bar design. This compact speaker, with up-firing drivers, supports Dolby Atmos as well as DTS:X for more immersive audio experiences. The speaker even comes with a new low-vibration subwoofer that offers an impressively booming sound that will not annoy the neighbors.
eufy Security eufyCam 2 Pro - The eufyCam 2 Pro ($320) is eufy Security's most advanced battery camera security system to date. The system boasts 2K resolution, 365 days' battery life, local storage, Apple HomeKit support, and an on-device AI for smart and accurate detection. Plus, it has advanced features, including an IP67 weatherproof rating, two-way audio, and clear night vision.
eufy Security Smart Lock Touch&WIFi - The eufy Security Smart Lock features 3D fingerprint recognition, built-in Wi-Fi for remote control, 1-year battery life, and IP65 weatherproofing. Smart Lock can unlock within just 1.3 seconds with a single touch of a finger. It’s one of the safest, most convenient, and most reliable fingerprint networked smart door locks that supports fingerprint recognition, digital buttons, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi remote control, and physical keys for 5 ways to unlock.
Arlo Essential Indoor Camera - The Arlo Essential Indoor Camera ($130) is a smart indoor security solution that offers ultimate privacy and secure indoor monitoring. The versatile camera enables users to monitor babies, pets, elderly family members and more in the home. Featuring an easy-to-control, automated privacy shield, the camera gives families the final decision on when they want the device on or off, resulting in unparalleled peace of mind. This Essential Indoor Camera boasts 1080p HD video, a 130-degree diagonal field-of-view, motion and audio detection and two-way audio. Broad platform compatibility with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and IFTTT enables easy interaction, automation and control.
Arlo Touchless Video Doorbell - The Arlo Touchless Video Doorbell is a proximity-sensing front door monitoring security solution designed to alert users on visitor’s approach, before they ring the doorbell. The Touchless Video Doorbell provides industry-leading vertical field of view for an expansive and precise front porch picture. Users can see visitors from head-to-toe and packages on the doorstep thanks to 180-degree viewing angle, optimized 1:1 aspect ratio and full HD video quality, enabling vivid details. Direct-to-mobile SIP calls, clear, two-way audio and pre-recorded, quick-reply messages enable convenient, in-the-moment communication with visitors. The Touchless Video Doorbell connects directly to WiFI and is hardwired for power.
LG 65-inch OLED 4K TV (Model OLED 65G1) - LG 65-inch 4K OLED TV 65G1 featuring the α9 Gen 4 AI Processor delivers incredible picture and sound quality for the most immersive viewing and home entertainment experiences.
LG 83-inch OLED 4K TV (Model OLED 83C1) - The 83C1 is the latest OLED TV by LG and is packed with advanced features such as fast speeds for less input lag and 4K HFR technology, which makes playing games and watching sports incredibly enjoyable.
Samsung 85” QN900A MINI LED TV - The 85” Q900 miniLED TV uses new advancements in Samsung’s image processing technology to deliver exemplary picture quality—creating the perfect showcase for professional photographers, designers, artists, or anyone who wants an outstanding visual experience.
Samsung 88” MICROLED TV - Samsung has pioneered modular MicroLED technology, paving the way for the next generation of stunning displays. Samsung’s new 88’’ MicroLED TV takes that outstanding picture quality even further using Active Matrix LED technology to create a wider range of brightness, perfect black levels without reflection or light leakage, and zero blur or delay.

Podcast # 983: CES 2021 Jan 15, 2021

CES 2021

It's CES but not like the usual CES that we are accustomed to. This year it is all virtual and as a result we can’t tell you how incredible the latest Micro LED TV looks. There are some great sounding technological improvements that have us excited for the future. This is a long show but we are sure we missed something. If there is a product or announcement you think we should take a look at please let us know. Next week we’ll discuss what others saw as “Best of Show”. We hope you enjoy the podcast.

Savant's C by GE line is getting a makeover for the new year.

Savant's C by GE smart home brand is now Cync. Paul Williams, General Manager of Product Management & Growth - "It's an ideal time to evolve our C by GE™ brand into Cync™, a new brand that best reflects how all of our smart home solutions connect easily and work together seamlessly for a complete smart home experience that can be customized to the lifestyle of every consumer."

There will be three new smart home accessories, indoor camera, outdoor smart plug, and a fan switch.

The Cync Indoor Smart Camera has a privacy shutter that physically blocks the lens and cuts audio recording on-demand. There is cloud and local recording via SD card. Subscription service is available for those who chose the cloud based solution.
The Cync Outdoor Smart Plug is all weather and has two outlets The outdoor plug can be connected to wifi without a hub and can be used with Bluetooth. The two outlets can be controlled independently through app and voice controls through integration with Alexa and the Google Assistant.
The Cync Fan Speed Smart Switch is an in-wall solution for ceiling fans has four different speeds. In addition to on-demand controls, schedules can be created for customized use throughout the day, and the switch also can be grouped with other Cync accessories.

These products begin to arrive in March with the mobile app, and the Outdoor Smart Plug. The Camera will follow in May, with the Fan Speed Smart Switch in June. The exact dates and pricing have not yet been released. More info can be found at gelighting.com.

LG OLED TVS

New LG OLDS for 2021

A1 OLED Replaces B1 A7 processor and available in 42”

C1 OLED available in 48”, 55”, 65”, 77” and new for 2021 83” panels. 4K, Gen 4 Alpha 9 processor which enables the TV to quickly identify the important elements within each frame and adjust brightness in those areas for a better exposed image.

G1 OLED available in 55”, 65” and 77” 4k, Gen 4 A9 Processor, Evo (evo panels contain a new luminous element that promises higher brightness, clarity, detail and punch)

Z1 OLED available in 77” and 88” 8K

LG partnered with Xbox and Nvidia so that its G1, C1, and Z1 OLEDs could be fitted with G-Sync anti-tearing, stuttering and juddering technology, as well as AMD's FreeSync Premium equivalent. HDMI 2.1 features such as VRR are also correct and present. LG will also be the first brand to have the Google Stadia app available on its TVs in the US, UK and much of Europe.

LG also discussed LG QNED MiniLEDs, as previously announced, which combine both NanoCell and quantum dot technologies with Mini LED backlight control. There will also be some plain NanoCell TVs as well, which will come with many of the gaming features, including the Google Stadia app, in addition to non-NanoCell LCD TVs for the budget end of the market.

No pricing or shipping information at this time

LG's webOS 6.0 Smart TV

LG Electronics (LG) announced the introduction of webOS 6.0 for its 2021 OLED, QNED Mini LED, NanoCell and UHD smart TVs. Paired with the new Magic Remote, the latest version of the company's acclaimed TV platform offers viewers a more enjoyable and intuitive content discovery experience. The upgraded LG ThinQ AI in webOS 6.0 supports new voice commands for both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, making TV management and searching across streaming services, internet and broadcast channels easier than ever before.

LG's new Magic Remote offers simpler controls when using voice recognition with multi-AI offerings of LG ThinQ, Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.* Simple to navigate, slick, easy to hold and use, the Magic Remote offers more user-friendly features including fast connections between the TV and other devices and hot keys for accessing popular content providers such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.** Magic Tap, a one-touch Near Field Communication (NFC) function on the Magic Remote, provides virtually instant access to a host of exciting viewing possibilities. By simply touching a compatible NFC-enabled smartphone*** to the remote, viewers can share content from their phones to the LG TVs or vice versa. Users can also view content stored in these mobile phones on their LG TVs while continuing to use their favorite smartphone apps and features.

myQ® Opens Introduces Smart Access Solutions

myQ Pet Portal - Allows you to control the pet door with two way audio and video through the myQ Pet Portal app. now available for pre-order on myQpetportal.com starting at $2,999
In-Garage Grocery Delivery Service - a new service that allows eligible Prime members to have their grocery orders from Whole Foods Market and Amazon Fresh delivered securely into their garage. More info here
myQ Smart Community Access - allows residents to view and verify their guests' identities before granting them entry to the building or community. See Demo here
myQ Smart Vehicle Access - will provide their drivers with the ability to safely open, close and monitor their garage door from wherever they are on their journey. More info here

Moen Smart Water Products

U by Moen Smart Faucet - offers completely touchless functionality.
Flo by Moen - smart home water security system that features a suite of products to protect a home from water damage and leaks, 24/7. With the Moen App, consumers also get an unprecedented ability to control, conserve and monitor their home's water from anywhere at any time. Products include: Smart Sump Pump Monitor, and Smart Water Shutoff

Hisense Starts a New Era of TriChroma Laser TV

Hisense announced this cutting-edge display technology with a transformative product line of laser TV – TriChroma Laser TV on Monday. The technology is packaging and controlling separate lasers to get purer colors for display. A 128% improvement is achieved in the original RGB color. TriChroma also attains 20% brightness enhancement at the pixel-level with a 430-nit picture brightness, exceeding that of a regular TV.

TriChroma laser technology, new TV product lines include various screen sizes, from 75-inch to 100-inch giant screen with elimination of ambient lighting. Since the color gamut coverage reaches up to 151% of the DCI-P3 film color standard, it is almost 50% beyond high-end cinema. Audiences can enjoy a strong sense of presence and stunning in-cinema viewing experience at home.

More Laser TV models will be released this year, enriching consumers with more options than ever and projecting a promising market share in 2021.

TCL

TCL Television

TCL announced its 3rd generation of mini-LED backlight will be launching later this year - OD Zero mini-LED technology. OD Zero is TCL's latest mini-LED backlight technology that delivers an ultra-slim display with tens of thousands of mini-LEDs and thousands of Contrast Control Zones™ for striking brightness, precision contrast, and smooth uniformity. The zero represents the measurement of distance between TCL's mini-LED backlight layer and the LCD display layer, which has now been reduced to a remarkable 0 mm to create an ultra-thin high-performance panel.

All 2021 6-Series TCL Roku TV models being launched will feature 8K resolution. With 8K resolution four times sharper than today's 4K TVs, this means sharp clarity whether the content is native 8K from popular streaming services or if it's 4K content that's intelligently upscaled with TCL's powerful AiPQ Engine™ technology. While the new 6-Series 8K TCL Roku TVs will roll out later this year, all existing 6-Series 4K TCL Roku TV models will continue to be available.

TCL will debut The XL Collection – the company's first lineup of 85" displays. Three different models will make up the XL Collection this year and each 85" TV will feature performance levels for every kind of home theater. From a simply smart 85" 4-Series TCL Roku TV that delivers the easiest way to enjoy 4K HDR streaming and an 85" 4K HDR TCL Roku TV with QLED picture quality to the ultimate 85" mini-LED powered 8K TCL TV with QLED wide color technology, the XL Collection will fit any budget and exceed the highest performance standards to deliver larger-than-life home entertainment.

The 85R745 including Quantum Dot (QLED) color technology delivers better brightness and wider color volume; Dolby Vision; Dolby Atmos™ ; Contrast Control Zone technology, as well as Variable Refresh Rate and 120Hz HDMI input support for a smoother gaming experience

The massive models of the XL Collection will be available in North America during the year ahead, starting with the 4-Series TCL Roku TV 85" set (85R435) launching later this quarter at just $1599. The 85" QLED TCL Roku TV (85R745) and 85" mini-LED powered 8K TV will arrive in the months to follow.

TCL Electronics also announced that it will roll out a TCL Google TV™ series in 2021 to TCL customers, starting in the United States and later in other parts of the world.

TCL Google TVs will combine TCL's industry-leading display technologies, such as Mini-LED, 8K and QLED, with Google's new entertainment experience, to help users discover and access the content they love in stunning definition on the latest TCL screens more easily than ever before.

TCL Google TVs bring together movies, shows, live TV and more from across apps and subscriptions and organizes them for each user. It offers personalized recommendations so TCL users can discover new things to watch. Users can even ask Google to find movies and shows, answer questions, and control smart home devices with their voice on TCL's big screens.

TCL Audio

TCL has teamed up with Roku to launch the new Alto R1 soundbar, the company's first entry into "wireless" bars and the first soundbar to use Roku proprietary WiFi AUDIO streaming technology. This new feature completely eliminates the need to use a cable when connecting to the TV. Rather, simply plug the soundbar power cord into your wall outlet, turn it on and the TCL Roku TV will automatically generate an on-screen guide for set-up.

Additional non-wireless options with Roku TV Ready will also be available later in the year. For consumers who want a bar with Dolby Atmos and voice capabilities, the Alto 82i with Dolby Atmos, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple AirPlay will launch in Q3 with dual built-in subwoofers. Two additional bars will round out the Alto lineup in 2021. The Alto 8e with a 3.2.1 configuration, Dolby Atmos, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Airplay and Spotify compatibility, along with a wireless subwoofer and up-firing speakers will be available in Q2. And lastly, another premium soundbar with Dolby Atmos.

Cleer Crescent Smart Audio Speaker

Newsweek - Best of CES 2020, House Beautiful - Best of CES 2020, AVS Forum - Best of CES 2020

Scheduled to ship in early January The speaker has a linear array of eight custom 40mm

full-range drivers and two 3.3-inch subwoofers. It usee Dysonics' SoundShaping software to create an immersive listening experience, Wide Stereo Model mimics the sonic ambiance of a large orchestral performance, creating a soundstage from the stereo for far field and near field listening similar to that of a high end audio setup. Powered by Google Assistant, the Crescent incorporates an optimized mic array with noise-rejection technology for superior far-field voice recognition. The Crescent also supports Hi-Res digital audio formats and streaming from Spotify Connect Apple AirPlay 2, AAC, FLAC, WMA anc Apple Lossless, and Chromecast.

Audio sources include With Wi-Fi, 3.5mm Aux, RJ25 and optical.

Crescent's design was intended to fit in with decor regardless where it's placed in the home.

A speaker grille with an acoustic construction structure and a reinforced speaker cabinet with glass fiber ribs for reduced vibrations and sonic resonance.

The Crescent Smart Home Speaker, available is in champagne color, is priced at $699.99.

WiSA Releases Sound Send Audio Transmitter

WiSA, founded by Summit Wireless Technologies, is introducing SoundSend, the Association's first branded product. Consumer Electronic brands can now offer audio enthusiasts smart surround sound 5.1 systems hard bundled with SoundSend or co-promote with premium audio

speakers or TVs.

The SoundSend HDMI audio transmitter is designed to make true wireless multichannel audio accessible in minutes, without the need of WiFi, to any smart TV with ARC/eARC connections and transmits high-resolution audio automatically to WiSA Certified(tm) audio speakers an immersive cinema experience at home.

Transmitting high-quality 24-bit/96kHz audio for up to eight channels, SoundSend is the Association's first product and offers advanced tuning features including My Zone to create the

perfect sweet spot, and decoding capabilities for Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, Dolby True-

HD and Dolby Atmos.

Sound Send is available now for $179 through Amazon and other online stores.

Platin Audio Expands Monaco Product Line to Include the First Smart Surround Sound System With the New WiSA SoundSend Wireless Audio Transmitter

WiSA® LLC announced a wireless home cinema bundle complete with the WiSA SoundSend audio transmitter, the Association’s first branded product, and the Tuned by THX™ Monaco 5.1 Immersive Wireless Home Audio System™ from Platin Audio. The bundle is now available for online purchase for $899 through Amazon, Newegg, eBay and Target.

The Monaco 5.1 with WiSA SoundSend system gives users immersive, theater-quality sound experiences made possible by WiSA Certified™ speakers and the HDMI (or optical)-connected audio transmitter, enabling for effortless home cinema setup and control in less than ten minutes. The SoundSend transmitter, WiSA’s first branded product, is a universal wireless multichannel home cinema audio transmitter designed to enable simple, yet amazing, home entertainment experiences for owners of smart TVs. The transmitter easily connects via HDMI/ARC and eARC to hundreds of millions of new and installed smart TVs. Better than unidirectional soundbars, the Platin Monaco and WiSA SoundSend system allows consumers to easily create truly immersive home cinema experiences in minutes.

The compact Monaco 5.1 system from Platin is Tuned by THX and perfectly combines high-definition audio quality and a less than 5.2 millisecond latency for picture-perfect lip sync. With only a 1-microsecond synchronization between speakers, the result is amazing accuracy and clarity. The system fits easily into any size living space--no audio cables required--and users can connect the speakers to any AC outlet. WiSA SoundSend decodes Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital +, Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos and offers audio quality of up to 24bit/96kHz. The SoundSend and Monaco combination can also create virtual Dolby Atmos experiences when an Atmos signal is delivered to SoundSend.

Sony 2021 Models Announced

All Sony TVS will include XR processing with AI driven texture enhancement, color recreation, signal and data processing and Netflix Calibrated Mode and IMAX Enhanced content, HDMI 2.1 compatibility, including support for eARC, 4K resolution at 120Hz and features like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), and NextGen TV (ATSC 3.0) compatibility, with tuners that can handle the new 4K-capable broadcast standard.

The other major change coming to Sony TVs is the transition from Android TV to its successor Google TV, first introduced last year on the new Chromecast with Google TV. One of the major features of Google TV is an emphasis on Google Assistant and Google Home voice interaction. Sony steps up this capability by introducing hands-free voice control for several of its 2021 Google TVs. All TVs support Dolby Vision HDR and Dolby Atmos sound along with HDMI 2.1 compatibility.

Sony Master Series Z9J 8K LED TV. It’s the only 8K model announced at this time, and Sony will offer the set in 75- and 85-inch screen sizes. Acoustic Multi-Audio technology, which delivers a sound from screen effect for more immersive listening and sound positioning that matches sound effects and dialogue to the objects and actors on screen. Also known as Cognitive TV which Sony says is a new processing method designed to replicate the ways humans see and hear. Cognitive Processor XR divides the screen into numerous zones and detects where the “focal point” is in the picture. The new processor can cross-analyze multiple elements at once, Sony claims, helping to adjust each element to its best final outcome. Cognitive Processor XR can also analyze sound position in the signal so the sound matches with what’s on the screen, as well as upconverting any sound to 3D surround sound.
Sony Master Series A90J OLED TV. Available in 55-, 65- and 83-inch sizes, Sony’s newest OLED model promises beautiful picture quality with XR OLED contrast enhancement that adjusts the brightness for higher brights and deeper blacks, as well as XR triluminos pro for a wider color gamut and more realistic color palette. The A90J also features Acoustic Multi-Audio technology.
Sony X95J. Available in 85-, 75- and 65-inch sizes is 4K. The X95JJ also features Acoustic Multi-Audio technology.
Sony X90J, starting with a 50-inch set and ranging up to 75 inches is 4K. The X90J does not have hands-free capability or the room-listening mics that feature entails.

Sony has not announced pricing for any of the above sets, or dates for retail availability but these details will be announced in spring of 2021, suggesting these models will go on sale sometime in the early part of this year.

JBL launches new AirPods Pro competitors

JBL Live Pro Plus - available on JBL.com on March 14, for $180 in four color options -- black, white, pink and beige. Adaptive Noise Canceling with Smart Ambient, Wireless charging, Speed Charge (10 minutes of charging gets you an hour of playback), Echo canceling mic technology are just a few of it's features
Live Free NC Plus - available on JBL.com on March 14 for $150 in four color options -- black, blue, white and rose. Active Noise Canceling with Smart Ambient, Wireless charging
JBL Reflect Mini NC TWS - Due in the Spring for $150. Available in blue, white and black. Active noise canceling with Smart Ambient feature, Independent earbud use (you can use a single bud)
JBL Tour Pro Plus - JBL's Tour Series headphones will be available in black at major retailers and on JBL.com on May 30 for $200. 6.8mm dynamic drivers, Six hours of battery with active noise canceling on, eight hours with Bluetooth only, Check My Best Fit feature lets you check your ear fit with the companion app.

KOHLER Expands Smart Home Collection at CES 2021, Emphasizes Wellbeing and Touchless Experiences for Kitchen and Bath

Kohler introduced four new smart home products:

Stillness Bath - This experiential bath draws its inspiration from Japanese forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku. Water, light, fog and aromas converge to create an immersive journey of the senses designed to relax the mind, soothe the body, and renew the spirit.
Innate Intelligent Toilet - Innate includes a heated seat, auto open and close, intuitive remote, and personal bidet functionality.
Touchless Residential Bathroom Faucet - The touchless bathroom faucet offers hands-free activation for washing hands, brushing teeth, and other daily tasks. There is also a remote puck that allows for a retrofit solution add-on to any KOHLER single control bathroom faucet.
Kohler and Phyn Partnership - Kohler will launch two co-branded products with Phyn in 2021 – the KOHLER Whole Home Water Monitor Powered by Phyn – a DIY unit and a Pro version with an automatic shut off. The DIY version mounts under a single sink and can be easily installed by a homeowner. The Pro variation is installed at a water main, either inside or outside the home, and can mitigate costly damage through an automatic water shutoff feature.

D-Link's introduces new solutions for safety, entertainment, learning, and working at home

D-Link showcased their latest mydlink, Wi-Fi 6, 5G, and 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet solutions that digitally transform the home to meet users' needs for today’s demanding applications.

Home Safety - As more people are staying home due to the pandemic, the safety of the home has become more important than ever. D-Link's latest mydlink cameras and sensors, such as this year's CES Innovation Award Honoree Whole Home Smart Wi-Fi Water Sensor Kit, keep the home connected and protected, without sacrificing privacy.
Home Entertainment - D-Link's new Wi-Fi 6 router, switch, and adapters bring revolutionary Wi-Fi 6 and 2.5GE technology to users at home, including a 2021 CES Innovation Award Honoree, D-Link's USB-C to 2.5G Ethernet Adapter. Wi-Fi 6 is capable of a maximum throughput of 9.6 Gbps across multiple channels,

Samsung

Neo QLED

Using the new Quantum Matrix Technology. It precisely controls Samsung's exclusive new Quantum Mini LED to express blacks, whites and every shade in between with extraordinary accuracy. The Neo Quantum Processor Deep learning algorithms optimize your viewing conditions, improving movies, shows and games in real time. And with Neo QLED 8K, an AI-powered 8K picture is completed by 16 multi-model neural networks.

Quantum HDR sets the new standard for incredible, crisp detail and rich, accurate color. The dynamic tone mapping of HDR10+ adjusts color and contrast scene by scene, allowing you to appreciate even the smallest details.

Realistic 3D sound puts you in the middle of the action. Dynamic sound pinpoints movement from all corners of the screen with dedicated up-firing and side-firing speakers to bring each scene to life.

Micro LED

Discover stunning details on our biggest display that surpasses your greatest expectations. Energy-efficent technology delivers true-to-life color, sharp contrast and optimal brightness in every scene.

Arena Sound Placed with ultimate precision for maximum effect, a full-range speaker delivers vivid, lifelike sound to fully immerse you in every scene. Object tracking and vocal clarity create a multi-dimensional soundscape to complete — and elevate — the viewing experience.

4Vue Get an immersive experience and view up to four screens at once from a variety of sources — including the four HDMI ports.

110-inch MICRO LED: This new screen features self-lit inorganic LED with a slim and nearly bezel-less Infinity Screen design that seamlessly blends into the living space. The result is a spectacularly immersive viewing experience with astounding picture quality. The 110-inch MICRO LED also adds “4Vue” (Quad View), a four-way viewing option—so you can keep up with multiple sports at once, or stream a tutorial while playing a video game. Also, for US consumers, more than 160 free channels are available through Samsung TV Plus. MICRO LED will be rolled out globally beginning this spring.

Lifestyle TV: Samsung’s cutting-edge lifestyle TV lineup includes The Serif, The Frame, The Sero and The Terrace—a recently launched 4K QLED outdoor TV—as well as Samsung The Premiere, a cinema-like quality 4K laser projector.

SmartThings Cooking: A new service from Samsung SmartThings is designed to make your culinary journey seamless. An automatic Meal Planner powered by Whisk’s Food AI recommends meals for the whole week, makes shopping lists with the ingredients you need, and connects to grocery retailers for one-stop shopping straight from the Family Hub™ refrigerator or your mobile screen. Recipe instructions can be sent directly to synced Samsung cooking devices to minimize hassles and mistakes

Bringing AI and Robots to Daily Life Including Housekeeping

Samsung has long been at the forefront of AI and robotics innovation, leveraging its seven global AI research centers to advance technology. By bringing AI to its products, Samsung is creating new home experiences—from washing machines that optimize water usage, detergents, and wash cycles, to TVs with a Quantum AI Processor that can upscale HD content into pristine 8K resolution.

The major technologies featured during Samsung’s press conference include the following:

JetBot 90 AI+: Coming to the US 1H 2021, this new vacuum cleaner uses object recognition technology to identify and classify objects to decide the best cleaning path. LiDAR and 3D sensors allow JetBot 90 AI+ to avoid cables and small objects, while still cleaning hard-to-reach corners in your home. Also outfitted with a camera, JetBot 90 AI+ is integrated with the SmartThings app to assist you with home monitoring.

Samsung Bot™ Care: The latest development in Samsung’s growing robotics lineup, Samsung Bot™ Care is designed use AI to recognize and respond to your behavior. It will be able to act as both a robotic assistant and companion, helping to take care of the details in your life. It will also learn your schedule and habits and send you reminders to help guide you throughout your busy day.

Samsung Bot™ Handy: Also in development, Samsung Bot™ Handy will rely on advanced AI to recognize and pick up objects of varying sizes, shapes and weights, becoming an extension of you and helping you with work around the house. Samsung Bot™ Handy will be able to tell the difference between the material composition of various objects, utilizing the appropriate amount of force to grab and move around household items and objects, working as your trusted partner to help with house chores like cleaning up messy rooms or sorting out the dishes after a meal.

TV without cords

Many electronics manufacturers strive for the better user's experience and comfort. One of such efforts is to make devices working without cords by getting the power wirelessly – literally through the air.

The R&D stage startup Reasonance has presented one of its prototypes, a fully wireless 40" TV powered with 120W. For demonstration purposes the receiving coil has been placed on the back panel, though for the product itself it can be incorporated inside.

Explanation of the technology can be found here

Technical data of the TV powered by REASONANCE

Power transferred 120 W

Frequency used 20-120 kHz

Distance (orthogonal alignment) 50 cm (19.5”)

Efficiency 90%

Podcast 982: Wyze Smart Bulb and Discovery Plus is Here Jan 08, 2021

On this week's show we take a look at an incredible deal on smart light bulbs from Wyze. Four Smart bulbs for less than $8 a piece. We also have a first look at Discovery Plus. What we think is a solid streaming service. And we read your emails and discuss the news of the week.

Wyze Bulb - LED Smart Home Light Bulb

800 Lumen Adjustable white temperature and brightness, works with Alexa and the Google Assistant, No Hub Required (~$30 for a pack of 4)

Set any mood with Wyze Bulb’s tunable white color temperature. Use warm white (2700k) to relax in the evening and daylight (6500k) to wake up with morning coffee.
9. 5-watt LED bulb (60-watt equivalent) produces up to 800 lumens and can be dimmed using voice control or the Wyze App (do not use with dimmer switches)
No Hub Required. Wyze Bulb connects directly to your 2. 4GHz WiFi network (does not support 5GHz Wi-Fi) and the free Wyze app for a quick and easy setup
Automate your lights with Wyze Sense (sold separately): Wyze Sense’s contact and motion sensors allow you to control your lights based on motion or opening/closing of a door so they’re on when you need them and off when you don’t. You can also integrate with IFTTT to link Wyze Bulbs to the rest of your smart home devices.
Make it look like someone’s home: Vacation mode turns lights on/off on a variable schedule while you’re away.
Set Schedules: Set your Wyze Bulbs to turn on and off on a custom schedule so you never come home to a dark house.
Group Control: Add multiple bulbs to a group and control them all simultaneously or use Shortcuts to control all your Wyze devices at the same time.

Discovery Plus is Here!

It seems like every network these days has a “Plus” service, There is Disney+, ESPN+, and well there are only two of them. But there are other networks putting out streaming versions, like Peacock, FoxNow, CBS All Access, and ABC All Access. This week another service joins their ranks and it's one that we are excited about, Discovery Plus!

A Discovery Plus subscription allows you to stream more than 55,000 episodes of 2,500+ current and classic shows networks including HGTV, Food Network, TLC, ID, Animal Planet, Discovery Channel and more. The service also includes discovery+ Originals - exciting, can’t-miss series and specials you won’t see anywhere else. Discovery Plus also includes exclusive streaming access to the BBC's largest natural history offering, featuring shows like Planet Earth, Blue Planet and Frozen Planet. Discovery Plus also features popular shows from A&E, History and Lifetime.

Pricing

There are two subscription tiers $4.99 a month with ads and $6.99 a month without.

Discovery Plus has partnered with Verizon to offer free access for one year to any customer with one line on Play More or Get More Unlimited service, new Fios Internet subscribers, or new 5G Home subscribers.

Device Support

Discovery Plus is available on AppleTV, iOS, AndroidTV, Android, Roku, Amazon FireTV, Samsung, XBOX, and More.

Discovery Plus Channels

Starting January 29th Discovery Plus Channels will be available in what sounds like linear streams of the actual Discovery Channels. As of this writing Discovery Plus is solely an on demand service.

Performance

While most of the library is perfectly acceptable in 1080p with a mono soundtrack, there are some shows that look amazing in 4K. Think BBCs natural history content. Out of the gate there are only two shows that we could find that were 4K but we expect more as time goes on. With that said, the video looks very good and considering the nature of these types of shows, no one will complain about the quality.

Areas for Improvement

It would be nice if in the show information they listed the date that the show first aired on the Set Top box version of the software. Likewise it would be nice if they included information on the resolution and audio channels. There is no way to download content for offline viewing. We believe that this feature will arrive later. Finally, not all episodes of all shows are included. We do expect this to change as the services matures however.

Podcast #981: Wonder Women, Best Products from 2020, and CES Preview Jan 01, 2021

It's a new year and we have a new show for you today. Did you watch Wonder Women on Christmas? Millions did! The HT Guys did as well and we discuss what we thought. We also go through the best tech products of 2020 and finish off with a preview of CES 2021. All that plus email and news. Happy New Year!

Wonder Woman 1984 may have saved movie theaters too

Box office numbers for the latest superhero flick apparently show promise. Full article here...

CNET names the best tech products of 2020

As it does each year, CNET evaluated the most important products in the biggest categories in consumer tech. Our goal is to designate the most recommendable product and label it as the CNET Editors' Choice. We do that to provide the clearest and most useful buying advice to readers. Full article here…

CES 2021 TV preview: 8K, OLED, MicroLED screens remain huge, hype shrinks

A global pandemic can't stop the biggest TV trade show on Earth, but it can slow it down. Full article here...

Podcast #980: AirPod Max, Predictions, and the Best Streamer of 2020 Dec 25, 2020

In our last show for 2020 we discuss the Apple AirPods Max. Are these big and expensive headphones from Apple worth the high price? We look at 7 CE Predictions for 2021 from This Week in Consumer Electronics and finally, what was the best streamer for 2020. All this plus your email and news of the week!

AirPods Max review: The price hurts but these headphones are excellent

They're hefty, big and expensive, but Apple's AirPods Max impress with their sound quality, noise canceling and the same extra features found in the AirPods Pro. Full article here…

7 CE Predictions For 2021

The major changes we experienced in daily life in 2020 have shifted the major CE trends to come Full article here...

Best streamer of 2020: Roku, Apple TV 4K, Fire Stick, Chromecast with Google TV and more compared

Plenty of hardware options exist for streaming Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, YouTube, Amazon and the rest. Here are our picks for the best. Full article here...

Podcast #979: Speaker Buying Guide Dec 18, 2020

Samsung nixes modularity to make MicroLED TV consumer-ready

A few years ago Samsung unveiled The Wall, a huge display that was more billboard than home entertainment. Now the company is bringing the technology behind it, MicroLED, to consumer-ready TVs – although we’d imagine it's still too much for most consumers to handle. Full article here...

5.1 Speaker Buying Guide

In our last buying guide of 2020 we take a look at speaker systems. For this list we are looking at a 5.1 setup which will be more than what 90% of our listeners need. If you are in the other 10% who wants more, all these speakers can easily be upgraded to a 7.1 or 5.1.2 system for a few dollars more.

Entry System

All our guides this year have started with an entry level system. In years past our entry speakers cost around $400. This year we have a REAL entry level system from none other than Monoprice that costs far far less.

Monoprice HT-35 Premium 5.1-Channel Home Theater System with Powered Subwoofer (MSRP $160)

That’s right! Only $160 for a 5.1 system that compact and sounds pretty good. It will perform better than most soundbars in the same price range simply because you will have a true surround system. The HT-35s are efficient speakers that can handle up to 100 watts. We are not going to tell you these are the best speakers money can buy, but we will tell you that you will be hard pressed to find a better value out there and these are a perfect match for that $500 TV and $250 receiver you bought at a Black Friday sale. The 200 watt, 8" subwoofer won’t rock your world but it will do the job for most family rooms. They also have a system with upfiring ATMOS speakers built into the left and right speakers for $180.

Sound Bar +

While the previous system was very inexpensive, many won’t want to set up a 5.1 system requiring wiring to go from the front of the room to the back. For you we have a soundbar. Not a sound bar that just presents the listener with LCR speakers, but a soundbar that creates an actual surround experience.

JBL Bar 5.1 Surround (MSRP $430)

The JBL system is more expensive ($430) than the simple solutions you get from LG, Samsung, and Vizio and less than the Sonos systems when you include a subwoofer. JBL uses a proprietary technology called MultiBeam to create a virtual surround sound. In the right dimensioned room this will work well. In others, it will offer a wider soundstage and clearer dialog. We chose the JBL soundbar over the LG, Samsung, and Vizio soundbars because JBL is a speaker company. Sonos makes great sounding products too but they cost much more so it puts the JBL right in the sweet spot. Features include:

4K pass-through
HDMI ARC
Wireless subwoofer
Airplay 2 and Chromecast
Bluetooth Streaming
Soundbar output 5 x 50W
Subwoofer output 300W

Quality System

Our Quality system is one that is perfect for the family room and the media room alike. It's a system that will last you for years and won’t require upgrading, unless you are completely upgrading the entire room. In that case see our Ultimate system below.

RSL CG3 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System - Special Edition (MSRP $999)

The RSL CG3 Special Edition 5.1 system is not like other speakers costing a thousand dollars because the CG3 uses a patented design developed by Joe Rogers that delivers more realistic sound than other speakers. Compression Guide technology directs air within the speaker enclosure from areas of high compression to areas of low compression. This prevents the drivers from interfering with each other creating the clean sound that RSL speakers are known for. The other benefit of these speakers is that they sound fantastic when you are listening to music. RSL offers an in-ceiling speaker for $125 if you want a 3D audio version of these.

Speaker Output 125W
Speaker Frequency Response 100-20,000 Hz ± 3db
Subwoofer Output 350W
Subwoofer Frequency Response 24-200 Hz ± 3db

Ultimate System

Our Ultimate system is one that is for serious media rooms and as such will cost more than double our Quality system.

Prime Tower Surround System + SB2000 SW (MSRP $1549.99 + $799.99 for a total of $2349.98)

We have used SVS products for over ten years and are completely pleased with everyone of them. In our home we have amplifiers (Prime Wireless SoundBase), wireless sub transmitters (SoundPath Wireless Audio Adapter), subwoofers, and of course speakers! For our ultimate system we selected the SVS Prime Tower System because it can fill a large space with immersive sound for movies and clear detailed and accurate sound for your music. The towers can handle up to 250W and the satellites up to 150W which means you can fill a large room with that glorious surround sound we all love. The speakers as priced here are for the Black ash finish. They also have a Piano Black high gloss for an additional $350. You can easily upgrade the speakers to a 7.1 or Atmos system.

The subwoofer we are pairing with this system is a room filling beast with 550W and a peak of 1500W. The SB2000 has a bass extension as low as low as 19Hz so you will feel the bass as your walls rattle! SVS has made setting up the SB200 easy with their iOS and android app. So no crawling behind the subwoofer to access the control, although you still can if you want. This subwoofer also comes in a high gloss piano finish in both black and white for an additional $100.

Podcast #978: HDTV Buying Guide 2020 Dec 11, 2020

Wyze Video Doorbell review: Spotty performance holds it back

The Wyze Video Doorbell comes at an incredible price for an app-enabled live-streaming buzzer: $30. Nothing from major brands like Amazon's Ring or Google's Nest comes close to that level of affordability. That said, I experienced issues with the camera's performance on this video doorbell -- something I haven't encountered with other Wyze cams (more details on that in the section below). Full article here…

Steven Soderbergh: The Reports of Cinema’s Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated

We are only taking a look at a couple of questions from this interview. We recommend that you take a look at the entire interview linked here. Full article here…

HDTV Buying Guide 2020

Tis the season for us to go shopping and to continue to help you spend your money - one of our favorite times of the year. If you or anyone in your life is looking for a new UHD TV this Christmas, but still aren’t sure which one to buy, we’ve got you covered. There are some incredible TVs out there with fantastic pricing.

50 Inch

If you are looking for a TV in this size category you probably have a small room and don’t want to spend a lot of money. With that said, you still want a good TV for your home.

Hisense H8G Quantum Series Android 4K ULED Smart TV with Voice Remote (Street Price $525)

When you consider the price and performance this TV is hard to beat. By the way, it comes in bigger sizes with similar values. RTINGS.com gives it a 7.8 out of 10 rating for overall use. Having full-array local dimming gives it great contrast and black levels. The TV has a good color gamut which produces rich and saturated colors in HDR content. The HDR drops off in a well lit room as the TV does not get bright enough. Finally, off angle viewing is not the best.

65 Inch

At this size we are not looking for a bargain but more a high quality TV that won’t break the bank.

Vizio P-Series Quantum X 4K HDR Smart TV (MSRP $1530)

This TV is great for most uses garnering an 8.3 overall rating from RTINGs.com. If you were turned off by the previous model due to its limitations in bright rooms, then this TV is for you. But it also does well in dark rooms with it's dark blacks which makes watching movies a joy. However, this TV has off angle viewing issues as fo most all LCD based TVs

75 Inch

Now we are getting into serious TV watching here and will up the budget substantially. We also want a TV with as few compromises as possible.

LG CX 77 inch Class 4K Smart OLED TV w/ AI ThinQ® (MSRP $3500)

This OLED delivers excellent picture quality with the best black levels on the market. RTINGS.com rates it 8.8 overall and a whopping 9.3 for movies! If you are a movie junky this TV is for you, with the caveat that the room is dark. This is the only TV on our list that has no off angle viewing issues. The CX has a wide color gamut for HDR content. The only issue we have with the TV is the brightness. If you are watching in a bright room you may not be able to get brightness levels you like.

Ultimate TV (for Braden)

Our Ultimate category was added specifically for Braden this year by Ara. He is trying to get Braden to buy something!! Even if he has to store it in his garage until the home is ready for it's use. We all know Braden has an affinity for TCL but this TV is going into his main room so we are upping the game!

85" Class Q80T QLED 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (2020) (MSRP $3800)

At 85 inches, this TV gets into the projector size category. I ruled out OLED out solely based on price but at $3800 this TV is not cheap. RTINGS.com gives this TV 8.4 overall. The Q80T is a wonderful all around TV. Great picture quality and contrast ratio combined with its high peak brightness makes it a great choice for use in bright rooms. But thanks to it's full-array local dimming, the Q80T has great contrast which allows it to perform well in dark rooms too. Finally of all the non-OLED TVs, this one has the best off angle viewing.

Podcast #977: Receiver Buying Guide 2020 Dec 04, 2020

Receiver Buying Guide 2020

It's that time of year where we get to spend your money. This season we start off with AV Receivers. We take a practical approach with these guides in that we try to get you the best bang for your buck. Well we do indulge with one of our selections. Here is our AV receiver buying guide for 2020.

Under $500

Sony STR-DN1080 7.2ch Home Theater AV Receiver (MSRP $499.99)

The Sony STR-DN1080 is a receiver that has been out for a few years but still checks all the boxes for a 4K receiver that won’t break the bank. If you spent a few hundred dollars on a new 4K TV at a Black Friday sale or will do so between now or Christmas this is the perfect receiver for you. We are not going to recommend that you spend a thousand dollars on a receiver for a $300 TV. Even still, this receiver is packed with a lot of features.

Features:

6-in/2-out HDMI connectivity with 4K/60p (4:4:4)7 pass-through, HDCP 2.2 support, and HDR support
Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X support
High-Resolution Audio-compatible
Wi-Fi®, AirPlay and Chromecast built-in for music streaming
One-cable HDMI eARC
With Google Home

$500 to $750

Onkyo TX-NR797 9.2 - Channel Network A/V Receiver (Street Price $750, Back Ordered)

The Onkyo TX-NR797 makes our list as a solid mid-level receiver with high end features typically found in receivers costing more than $1000. This is the receiver you buy when you spent a little more on your TV but ran out of budget for a receiver to match.

Features:

100 Watts/Ch (8 Ohms 20-20kHz, 2 Channels Driven, FTC)
HDR (High Dynamic Range) video including HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision®, and BT.2020
Six HDMI inputs, ARC-ready
MAIN OUT, and SUB OUT pass 4K/60p and HDR video from player to compatible TV and projector and all terminals are HDCP 2.2 compliant.
Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® compatible
THX® Certified Select™ theater-reference sound
Access streaming content from Amazon Music, Pandora®, Spotify®, TIDAL, Deezer, and TuneIn and share sound as part of a multi-room system via Works with Sonos, AirPlay 2, DTS Play-Fi®, and FlareConnect.
Chromecast built-in with the Google Assistant
Works with Sonos

$750 - $1000

Denon AVR-X2700H 7.2ch 8K AV Receiver with 3D Audio, Voice Control and HEOS Built-in® (MSRP $849.00)

The Denon AVR-X2700H is a receiver that is as future proof as it can get. Do we think you will need 8K support anytime in the near future? Probably not. But this receiver can handle it if you do. Of course it supports all the audio formats, HDMI eARC, HDCP 2.3, and so much more. This receiver does it all and at $850 it's hard to beat!

Features:

95W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, THD: 0.08%,2 ch. driven)
8K/60Hz pass-through, 4K/120Hz* pass-through for gaming, and support for the latest HDMI specifications
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and IMAX Enhanced
HDMI section (7 in/3 out) with a dedicated 8K input that will support 8K/6OHz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through and upscaling
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), Dynamic HDR, 3D, and BT.2020 pass-through support
4K/120Hz* pass-through and upscaling, as well as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which reduces or eliminates lag and frame tearing to offer a smoother, lag-free gaming experience.
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri and Josh.ai

Greater than $1000

Denon AVR-X6700H 11.2 Ch. 8K AV Receiver with 3D Audio, HEOS® Built-in and Voice Control (MSRP $2499.00)

If you have upgraded your room with a higher end TV/Projector and better speakers with full blown ATMOS/DTS:X you need a receiver to match. We are so impressed with Denon’s 2020 lineup that we decided to stick with them for this category. Our top selection this year is the Denon AVR-X6700H. There are more expensive receivers out there but not necessarily better. The 6700 has everything we like about the 2700 but more!

Features:

Premium 140W per channel (8 ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, THD: 0.08%, 2 ch. driven) amplifier designed specifically for demanding speakers
8K/60Hz pass-through, 4K/120Hz* pass-through for gaming, and support for the latest HDMI specifications
Dolby Atmos, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and IMAX Enhanced
Support for DTS:X Pro via a future firmware update
Can process 13.2 channels with an additional amplifier
HDMI section (7 in/3 out) with a dedicated 8K input that will support 8K/6OHz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through and upscaling
HDR10, HDR10+, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), Dynamic HDR, 3D, and BT.2020 pass-through support
4K/120Hz* pass-through and upscaling, as well as Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Quick Frame Transport (QFT), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), which reduces or eliminates lag and frame tearing to offer a smoother, lag-free gaming experience.
Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri and Josh.ai

Podcast #976: Thankful on Infinite Podcasts! Nov 26, 2020

We have a special show for you today. The AV Rant Guys (Tom Andry and Rob H), along with DJ Briggs of the Bright Side of Home Theater join us for a fun filled podcast that gives thanks to you our listeners.

Podcast #975: Black Friday Roundup Nov 20, 2020

Black Friday 2020

It's another Black Friday and the HT Guys have you covered. This year is a bit different as many companies go virtual with their Black Friday Deals. We can go through every deal out there but we do highlight a few that we really like. Let us know if you participate this year and what you get.

WalMart

Available 11/25

VIZIO 70" Class 4K UHD LED Smart TV HDR V-Series V705x-H1 $470 Get the Deal
SAMSUNG 65" Class 4K Crystal UHD (2160P) LED Smart TV with HDR UN65TU7000 2020 $478 (was $550) Get the Deal
SAMSUNG 58" Class 4K Crystal UHD (2160P) LED Smart TV with HDR UN58TU7000 2020 $398 (was $450) Get the Deal
JVC 58" 4K UHD HDR Roku Smart LED TV + Free Shipping $298.00 Get the Deal
VIZIO 32" 4.1 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer (SB3241n-H6) $129 Get the Deal
onn. 32" 2.0 Soundbar $29 Get the Deal
Philips WiFi Streaming Blu-Ray and DVD Player - BDP2501/F7 $49 (was $65) Get the Deal
Apple AirPods Pro $169 (was $250) Get the Deal
PlayStation 5 Console $499 Get the Deal
Roku Premiere 4K HDR Streaming Media Player $29.00 (was $39.99) Get the Deal

Best Buy

Available now unless otherwise noted

Samsung - 85" Class Q80T Series LED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $2999.99 Get the Deal
Samsung - 75" Class Q80T Series LED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $2199.99 Get the Deal
Samsung 75" Class Q60T Series LED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $1,197.99 (was $1599.99) Get the Deal
TCL - 50" Class 4 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Android TV $299 (was $349.99) Get the Deal
Hisense 65" Class H6510G Series LED 4K UHD Smart Android TV $249.99 (was $499.99) Get the Deal Available 11/28
LG - 75" Class NanoCell 80 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $999.99 (was $1499.99) Get the Deal
Insignia™ - 32” Class LED HD Smart Fire TV Edition TV $99.99 (was $169.99) Get the Deal
Samsung HW-Q60T 5.1ch Soundbar with 3D Surround Sound $279.99 (was $500) Get the Deal
Samsung HW-S40T 2.0ch All-in-One Soundbar with Music $129.99 (was $179.99) Get the Deal Available 11/26
Insignia™ - 2.1-Channel 80W Soundbar System with Wireless Subwoofer $69.99 (was $149.99) Get the Deal
So many Sound Bars!
Bluray and UHD players from $50 -$200
Roku Players from $25 - $70
Amazon Fire Sticks from $18 - $30
Chromcast Streaming Player $19 Get the Deal Available 11/26
Denon AVR-X2600H 7.2 Channel 4K UHD AV Receiver, Supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X & DTS Virtual:X, Amazon Alexa Compatible $599.98 (was $799.98) Get the Deal Available 11/26
Klipsch - Reference Series 12" 400W Powered Subwoofer $224.99 (was $499.99) Get the Deal

Target

Available now unless otherwise noted

LG 55" Class 4K UHD Smart LED HDR TV $349.99 (was $399.99) Get the Deal
Westinghouse 55" 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart TV with HDR $269.99 (was $379.99) Get the Deal
Hisense 50" 4K Roku UHD HDR Smart TV $249.99 (was $299.99) Get the Deal
Ring Video Doorbell 3 $139.99 (was $199.99) Get the Deal
Skullcandy Push Ultra True Wireless Headphones - Black $49.99 (was $99.99) Get the Deal
JBL Tune 750 Bluetooth Over-Ear Headphones $99.99 (was $129.99) Get the Deal

Amazon

Prices start Dropping November 20th - 27th

Ring Video Doorbell Pro $169.99 (was $249)
Fire HD 10 Tablet $79.99 (was $149.99)
Blink Outdoor Camera Kits up to $130 off
Eero 6 Wifi system (3-Pack) $223 (was $279.99)
Simplisafe Security Systems 40% off
New echo Dot $28.99 (was $49.99)
Sony Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones + Free Shipping $88.00 (Was $199.99) Get the Deal
Fire TV 4K Stick + Free Shipping $29.99 (was $49.99) Get the Deal

Costco

Starting November 5th

LG 86” UN8570 4K UHD $1449.99 Get the Deal
LG 55” UN7300 4K UHD $379.99 Get the Deal
LG 65” UN7300 4K UHD $499.99 Get the Deal
Samsung 82” RU9000 4K UHD $1399.99 Get the Deal
Sony 85” X90CH 4K UHD $1969.99 Get the Deal
Klipsch R-125 Reference Powered Subwoofer $149.99 (was $249.99) Get the Deal
Sony WH-H910N Bluetooth Noise Canceling Headphones $139.99 (was $199.99) Get the Deal
Deals on Ring Products $30 to $100 off
$100 off on a Klipsch 5.1 speaker system $349.99
Sonos Beam Shadow Edition Soundbar $80 off $289.99
Many many more… HT Guys recommend you make Costco your Black Friday Stop!

Podcast #974: Roku vs FireTV and the Top 5 Object Based Surround (ATMOS) Movies Nov 13, 2020

On today’s show we take a look at the Top Ten most watched shows on Youtube, we compare Roku vs FireTV and DJ Briggs of The Brightside of Home Theater gives us his top five Object Based Audio (ATMOS) movies to give your home theater system a workout. All that plus your emails and news of the week!

Netflix’s Top 10 Most Watched Movies + Shows

Netflix‘s Top 10 is a new feature that highlights the most popular movies and shows on the platform in real time. Right now, the 10 most watched titles on Netflix are an eclectic mix of originals, reality shows, sitcoms, and documentaries. You’ve probably heard of popular series like The Queen’s Gambit, so its ranking on the Top 10 list today won’t surprise you.

Roku vs. Fire TV: Which cheap smart TV is better?

Choosing a smart TV with all the streaming services and connectivity built in means not having to switch inputs, deal with extra cables, or juggle different remotes. That’s the beauty of a smart TV and two of the easiest systems currently available—and available in some rock-bottom-priced bargain sets—are those from Roku TV and Amazon Fire TV. Full article here…

Top 5 Object Based Surround Sound (ATMOS) Movies

As selected by DJ Briggs from the Bright Side of Home Theater

Join DJ on the Bright Side of Home Theater. This podcast will concentrate on the movies that make having a Home Theater FUN. DJ has been into Home Theater since 1988 when he had a simple “theater” in his bedroom. His passion for the hobby has lead him to the never ending pursuit of the best Theater he can build. He believes the best the best way to gauge a theater is by watching the movies and scenes we love.

And that’s what he LOVES to do.

He loves to talk about the movies, the scenes, sounds, the picture, and all they have to offer. If you, too, have a passion for movies and/or Home Theater, join him in delving into the all the things that make Home Theater FUN.

Here's DJ's List

5- Jurassic Park (DTS-X)

4- Lucy 4K

3- John Wick 3 4K

2- Mad Max Fury Road 4K

1- Gravity (Diamond Luxe Edition)

Podcast 973: Black Friday will be radically different from prior years Nov 06, 2020

On today’s abbreviated show we look at Walmart, Target, and Best Buy’s Black Friday plans and we read your emails and discuss this week’s news.

Walmart, Target, and Best Buy have revealed their Black Friday plans, and they're all radically different from prior years

Three of the biggest retailers just revealed their Black Friday plans.
Walmart, Best Buy, and Target are spreading deals across the month instead of concentrating on one day.
The stores said they would take measures to keep shoppers safe and offer more shipping options.

Retailers have to both make shoppers feel safe with coronavirus precautions and deal with inventory issues and customers who might be less willing to spend in a recession.

Over the weekend, three of the most popular Black Friday destinations — Walmart, Best Buy, and Target — released their plans for the shopping holiday. Full Article...

Podcast #972: Tribit Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Earbuds and Vizio OLED TV Oct 30, 2020

On this week’s show Ara’s gives us his impression of the Tribit Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Earbuds that we talked about a couple of weeks ago. We also look at the Vizio OLED TV Review by RTINGS.com. We also read your emails and take a look at the news!

Tribit Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Earbuds

Last week Ara was on vacation and used the time to review his new and very inexpensive in ear Active Noise Canceling headphones. They are made by Tribit and are available from Amazon for $50.

So how did they fare? Well they are pretty good for $50. We could end it here and you really would have enough to make up your mind but of course we’ll go into a little more detail. The main reason we were interested in these headphones was because they have active noise cancelling so we’ll get into that first. The ANC was OK. There was a reduction in outside noise but not as good as full size over the ear headphones we have used in the past.

The key to making the noise canceling work is finding the right size ear tip. I tried three including the default size and as it turns out the default size was perfect for me! When you place the headphones in your ear you need to use a twisting action to kind of screw them into place. This gave me the tightest seal and best results for noise cancelation/isolation as well as general listening.

Speaking of sound quality, they did great for podcast listening and telephone calls. For music they were good too!. The bass, which was a feature that Tribit touted, sounded good. We used our go to bass test, the first five seconds of California Roll by Snoop Dogg. Again good, not great. Our $300 Sennheiser Momentums have much better bass response. But these things only cost $50!

The phone mic quality sounds like you were holding the phone to your ear without a microphone. People listening on the other end had no issues hearing the conversation.

Other Considerations

Pairing - simple once you realize that the leads have a plastic strip on them and the headphones won’t pair until you remove them. Clearly stated in the instructions but who reads that??
Battery Life - worked for my entire trip without a recharge. The longest continuous street was three hours before placing them back in the case which recharges the batteries. You can get an additional hour and a half play time if you charge the headphones for ten minutes.
Comfort - if you properly size the ear tips they will be very comfortable. But after a three hour flight they were starting to irritate the ears. In fairness, no headphones we have tried have been free from irritation after prolonged usage.
Charging Case - Small and easy to carry in your pocket. USB-C connection.
Volume Control - There isn’t any from the headphones. This must be done from the device
Other Controls - double tap to pause, 3 taps to skip, hold right to activate/deactivate noise cancelling.

Our Recommendation

If you are very critical of your music, you will be better served with different headphones. If you are looking at these because of the ANC, well, it works but nothing that is going to make you say wow. If you are looking for good headphones with noise canceling and transparency mode that allows you to take calls or use for zoom meetings, you will be hard pressed to find anything better for the money.

Vizio OLED 2020 TV Review

The Vizio OLED 2020 is the first OLED TV Vizio has released and delivers impressive overall performance. Like any OLED TV, its ability to turn off individual pixels results in an infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity. It displays an excellent color gamut for HDR content, but it doesn't get very bright in HDR, and large areas get significantly dimmer. Most gamers should appreciate the 120Hz refresh rate, near-instant response time, and low input lag. It's advertised to have variable refresh rate (VRR) support, but it doesn't work at all and there's screen tearing. The TV has a unique center-mounted stand that's designed to hold the Vizio Elevate soundbar. Sadly, the screen has the risk of permanent burn-in, which is typical of OLEDs, and our unit has noticeable temporary image retention, but this may vary between units. Full Review Here...

Podcast #971: Hoobs Home Automation Hub Oct 23, 2020

Wireless Earbuds Active Noise Cancelling,Tribit FlyBuds NC Bluetooth 5.0 Earphones Deep Bass ENC 4 Mics Noise Cancelling Earbuds 35 Hrs Smart Touch Controland Waterproof

About this item

Industry-leading 4MIC Active Noise Cancellation - The Noise Cancelling Processor works by capturing and identifying ambient noise then subdues these frequencies for a cleaner listening experience(Reduces noise up to 30dB).
Crystal Clear Calls with Environmental Noise Cancellation - For an even better, more peaceful listening experience, you'll benefit from the AI Noise Reduction Technology which gives excellent vocal enhancement and reduces background noise for clearer calls even in noisy environment.
Transparency Mode for hearing what's happening around you - If you want to still hear what's happening around you but don't want to take your earbuds out, transparency mode is a great way to get the best of both worlds. Tribit uses active microphone technology to amplify the sounds around you so you can still hear your surroundings, whether it needs to cross the street safely or hear what your workout partner is saying. Same experience as Airpods Pro!
10mm Dynamic Drivers for Deep Bass - Dive fully into the sound and enjoy the 10mm dynamic drivers along with active noise cancellation for immersive sound. NOTE: For the best audio performance please twist the earbuds around in your ear until the sound and fit feel correct.
5 Pairs Eartips - To ensure the highest possible quality listening experience, having earbuds that fit properly is extremely important. Choose from these 5 pairs soft, flexible silicone tips for a customizable fit. Plus, further enhances the effectiveness of the Noise Cancellation.

Hoobs Home Automation Hub

A few months ago I added a Raspberry Pi running homebridge to my home automation system so that I could use Ring and Harmony products on Homekit. It works quite well but it did require quite a bit of fiddling and knowledge of SSH, Config files, networking, building software, and installing plugins. For software developers like us we’d rate that a 7 out of 10 on the difficulty scale. For someone without this knowledge we’d rate it an 11 out of 10 on the difficulty scale.

A few listeners emailed us about a solution called HOOBS (Homebridge out of the box system) that is supposed to make it much easier. It costs $170 for the complete system but if you already have a raspberry Pi you can buy a SD card with everything setup and ready to go for $20. For our test we went with the complete system out of the box.

Setup

The HOOBS box is about the size of a deck of cards and trival to get up and running, You plug in power, wait for it to boot up and install then connect it to your network with the ethernet cable that is provided. Next launch a browser and type hoobs.local into the address field. From there the system asks you to setup a user account and that gets the system up and running. It can’t do anything at this point but it's ready to be configured with plugins. This process takes about ten minutes. To get to the same spot of the Raspberry Pi without HOOBS took more than an hour!

What Next?

First thing you need to do is add the HOOBS hub to your Homekit setup. The interface has a QR code that you scan with your phone in the Home app. It gives you a warning that it is not a supported accessory. Once you are done the HOOBS Bridge is now added and any device that can talk to HOOBS will be exposed as a supported HomeKit Device.

Now you are ready to add plugins for your devices. In the HOOBS interface there is a good search tool that makes the process simple. Even the installation is one touch. We loaded our two plugins (Ring and Harmony) in a matter of minutes. The only place where the HOOBS process is still a bit geeky is the configuration. You don’t have to actually modify the configuration file in raw form for certified plugins (both the Ring and Harmony plugins are certified) but you still need to know what to do. There is no real clear explanation for the Harmony Remote plugin so you will have to hunt around. There are plenty of Youtube videos that will walk you through it.

The Ring plugin also required a bit of work. If you have two-factor verification turned on you need to run a command line application to get a key. The instructions are clear and Hoobs makes it simple to open a terminal window to run the command. Like the Harmony Plugin there are videos that show you what to do.

There are instructions on how to add the new devices to your Homekit system. Some devices just show up and others need to be added like any other supported device.

Other Thoughts

We were never really able to setup the Rasberry Pi to boot into Homebridge and allow for remote access. That meant each time the system needed to be reset we had to SSH into the Pi and setup remote access. Then we had to remote into the Pi and launch Homebridge. Hoobs has taken care of this but making Homebridge auto start. This is even true for installing plugins. HOOBS has certified (to work with HOOBS) many of the most popular plugins which makes them easier to find and install. The web interface is also a huge advantage in that with a little network administration can make the Hoobs interface available outside your home.

Conclusion

While we overwhelmingly feel that HOOBS has made the installation and setup of Homebridge more straightforward and easy to maintain. We won’t go as far to say that if you don’t have any computer skills it makes it easy. There is still some tweaking that needs to be done to get Homebridge running on your network. We recommend this for the techie person that just doesn’t want to spend a few hours setting up a Raspberry Pi and building and configuring Homebridge.

Podcast #970: UST vs Projector vs Large Format TV Oct 16, 2020

On this week’s show we look at what movies are trending for on demand viewing and we try (again) to help Braden decide between a UST Projector, a traditional projector and a large format TV. We also look at email and news of the week.

We received an email from a listener asking if we were building a media room today, would we still go the projector route and more specifically, if we went the projector route, would we go with an ultra short throw projector?

There is a lot to unpack there. This listener is building out a media room in his basement and is in a situation where he can control lighting and has space for a 120 inch screen. He also said he does not mind buying higher end equipment since he intends on using it for the long term. Here is how our thought process goes.

Large Format TV

Reasonable cost and very good bang for the buck. Samsung is selling an 85 inch QLED TV that is 4k, HDR, Your assistant of choice, and many many more features for $3300. It's a good TV that has good reviews and would make an excellent choice for anyone’s media room. However, is 85” big enough if you have enough room for a 120 inch screen and you have the budget? We think not. But still It's amazing how simple it is to install this TV in a room with full light and get an incredible big screen experience for a mere $3,300!

Traditional Projector

There are plenty of Long Throw projectors that are 4K that cost about the same as the samsung TV. The advantage is that you can get a 120” picture on a screen and it won’t break your back moving the projector into the basement. The JVC LX-UH1B is a 4K UHD with HDR Projector that costs $2500. It does achieve 4K by using pixel shifting by from what we have seen it's not going to be any issue whatsoever. Going this route requires mounting the projector to the ceiling and the purchase of a 120” screen. Since there is no issue with ambient light a traditional screen can be used which should bring the cost to be about the same as the Samsung TV. You will need to pay attention to the cables being used to make sure that they support 4K HDR. But a very doable proposition at a reasonable cost. The only possible downside is that the room will be difficult to modify. However, that may not be an issue as none of my rooms have changed configuration in twenty years.

Ultra Short Throw Projector

The UST projector is, in our opinion, the best of both worlds! You can get a screen size of 120 inches that is easier to install than both the Long Throw Projector and 85” TV. There are many models from multiple manufacturers to choose from. The cost is a little bit more expensive than the TV or the Long Throw projector. However, if you are having the Long Throw projector installed by a professional it may end up costing you more money. Although a minor benefit. It's easy to move the UST projector around. If your aesthetics committee wants to change the room it can be done without a major headache. The Picture quality of the UST projectors are incredible and they work extremely well in light controlled environments. But imagine if you have a big game room next to the media room and the lights are on it has no real impact on the picture brightness. It's harder to get that kind of performance out of a traditional projector without spending a lot of money on an ambient light rejecting screen.

Our Take

It's Ultra Short Throw Projector for the win! You have more options for where you can use them and anyone can install them with minimal effort. They are easier to maneuver into and around your home and to get a TV of similar picture quality in 85” will cost more money.

Podcast #969: Google Pixel Buds 2 and the Best HDMI Cable for your new 4K TV Oct 09, 2020

We have a short show for you today. We take a look at the Google Pixel Buds 2. Google’s new true wireless earbuds and we find you the best HDMI cables for your new 4K TV. Great news! If you are connecting components it won’t cost you more than $10 a device! Pulse we have your emails and News of the week.

OK, Google: Pixel Buds 2 are the real deal

After underwhelming with its original Pixel Buds, Google's new true wireless earbuds stack up well against the competition, with a comfortable fit and strong performance. More info here…

Best HDMI cables for your new 4K and HDR TV in 2020

There's no reason to spend more than $10 for 6 feet, even with the most expensive TVs. Here's what we recommend. More info here...

Podcast #968: Sony noise Canceling Headphones and Amazon's product Announcements Oct 02, 2020

On this week’s show we take a look at the Sony WH-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Headphones and all the new gear Amazon recently announced. We read some email and news stories as well.

Sony WH-1000XM4 review: A nearly flawless noise-canceling headphone

The much-anticipated new version of Sony's top noise-canceling headphone has finally arrived, and it makes small improvements to an already top-notch product. More info here…

Amazon Product Announcements

All-new Echo Show 10 (3rd Gen) | HD smart display with motion and Alexa

Alexa can show you even more - With a 10.1" HD screen that’s designed to move with you, video calls, recipes, and shows are always in view. The speakers deliver premium, directional sound. $250 Coming Soon

All-new Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote (includes TV controls) | Dolby Atmos audio

Latest release of our best-selling streaming device - 50% more powerful than previous gen for fast streaming in Full HD. Includes Alexa Voice Remote with power and volume buttons. $40 Available Now

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) | Smart speaker with Alexa

Meet the all-new Echo Dot - Our most popular smart speaker with Alexa. The sleek, compact design delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound. $50 available for Pre-order

Luna

Introducing Luna, Amazon's cloud gaming service where it's easy to play great games on devices you already own. No waiting for lengthy downloads or updates — just play. Request your invitation for early access and help us make Amazon Luna even better. Early access pricing is $5.99 a month. Ubisoft coming soon.

Introducing Amazon eero 6 dual-band mesh Wi-Fi 6 router, with built-in Zigbee smart home hub

Whole-home Wi-Fi 6 coverage - eero covers up to 1,500 sq. ft. with wifi speeds up to 900 Mbps. Built-in Zigbee smart home hub - eero 6 connects compatible devices on your network with Alexa—so there’s no need to buy separate smart home hubs for each device. $129 for the base router, $199 for base router and one extender. Available for Pre-order

Introducing Amazon Halo – Measure body composition, activity, sleep, and tone of voice

Membership includes body composition, tone of voice analysis, sleep & activity tracking, and more — free for 6 months. Auto-renews at $3.99/month + tax.

All-new Echo Dot (4th Gen) Kids Edition | Designed for kids, with parental controls

Meet the all-new Echo Dot Kids Edition - Our most popular smart speaker with Alexa, made for kids (not a toy). The super-fun design delivers crisp vocals and balanced bass for full sound.

Help kids learn and grow - Kids can ask Alexa questions, set alarms, and get help with their homework. $60 available for pre-order. Ships in October.

All-new Echo (4th Gen) | With premium sound, smart home hub, and Alexa

New look, new sound - Echo delivers clear highs, dynamic mids, and deep bass for rich, detailed sound that automatically adapts to any room. With the built-in hub, easily set up compatible Zigbee devices or Ring Smart Lighting products (coming soon) to voice control lights, locks, and sensors. $100 available for pre-order. Ships in October.

Podcast #967: Hearing Loss and Hi Res Audio Sep 25, 2020

Amazon will launch a new location-tracking mesh network system later this year

Amazon is preparing to launch an ambitious networking and location system later this year under the name Amazon Sidewalk. Sidewalk will link smart home devices and other Amazon products using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE), connecting beyond the range of a standard Wi-Fi network.

Meant to be operated at the scale of a neighborhood, Sidewalk would turn devices like smart floodlights and home assistants into network bridges, passing along security updates and commands from a central Wi-Fi hub. In addition to transmitting software, the signals allow Sidewalk to triangulate a device’s approximate location based on its contacts with other Sidewalk-enabled devices.

The system will be built into the Echo, and Tile has also joined the project as the first third-party platform to support the system. Amazon plans to add Ring cameras to the network later, notifying device owners directly when Sidewalk is available to use. A full list of Sidewalk-compatible devices is available on the project landing page. More info here...

Hearing Loss and Hi Res Audio

A good friend of ours sent us a link to a Youtube video called “Hearing Loss at Age”. This video tries to explain the physical degradation of hearing as we age. The video was produced by Hans Beekhuyzen a Dutch Hifi expert and member of the Audio Engineering Society.

The video is a little technical but essentially says that as we age we can not hear the upper octave of the ten octaves between 20 Hertz to 20kHz. That tenth octave starts at 16.7kHz. He says not worry because we still hear 90% of the sound spectrum. So why do we need Hi Res files? We’ll get to that.

He mentions Nyquist in this video to discuss sampling. This is where the video gets quite technical. He has another video that goes into much more detail about this subject (The truth about Nyquist and why 192 kHz does make sense).

What is Nyquist?

It is named after electronic engineer Harry Nyquist. Nyquist's theorem states that a periodic signal must be sampled at more than twice the highest frequency component of the signal. In practice, because of the finite time available, a sample rate somewhat higher than this is necessary. Since we want to sample sound up to 20Khz, for those of us lucky enough to hear sound at that frequency, the sample rate should be no lower than 40Khz.

Just for completeness, sampling is a representation of sound recorded in, or converted into, digital form. In digital audio, the sound wave of the audio signal is encoded as numerical samples in a continuous sequence. For example, in CD audio, samples are taken 44100 times per second each with 16 bit sample depth. We’ll cover sample depth in a bit

If a CD is sampled at 44.1Khz. That means it can recreate frequencies up to 22.05Khz, far above what people can hear! So we’re all good right? Again why do I need Hi Res Files?

Sampling Errors

One of the issues with sampling is that it's not perfect and there are errors. This is where the video lost me because I am not an electrical engineer. We’ll try to sum it up here. There is an error that is induced because of the sampling rate and that error can show up in the audio spectrum that you can hear. Filtering can reduce this but that too affects the sound as well.

The solution is that you can sample at a higher frequency. Hi res files are sampled at 192Khz. That means technically it is capable of capturing frequencies up to 96Khz which is way above what any human can hear. However, there is a benefit in that the errors that are created fall outside what the human can hear. Thus leaving you with a more pure recording of the original signal. There is a price to be paid for this, the file size is much bigger.

Bit Depth

The other element to this discussion is bit depth. The bits store the amplitude of the sound wave. CDs use 16 bits which equate to 65536 possible values. Hi res files use 24 bits or 1,6777,216 possible values. If you think visually, consider a 16 bit color monitor vs a 24 bit color monitor. The 24 bit monitor will be able to display much finer color gradations and be less blocky. The audio version is that the sound will have finer detail. And it will be at ALL frequencies, more importantly, the ones us old people can actually hear. This to us is the best argument that can be made for Hi res files that we can see… or hear. At least mathematically.

Does it Matter?

Only you can be the judge of that. It really depends on the style of music you listen to. Is there subtlety in the frequencies that you can hear or is it just loud? Do you want to pay the higher price for hi res audio? Do you have enough storage for the files? Can your equipment play the music? Are you listening on good equipment, especially speakers? By the way, good equipment doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. But it will cost more than a few hundred dollars. What environment are you listening in?

To some there is no other way to enjoy music. To others it doesn’t even matter. To us, it's in the middle. Sometimes it doesn’t matter but on Friday night with a good bourbon it can be magical.

Podcast #966: The 6 Best TV’s - Summer 2020 according to RTINGS.COM Sep 18, 2020

4 places to avoid putting your Amazon Echo in your home

Your Amazon Echo is there to help when it comes to setting up your preferred music streaming service and setting reminders. However, it doesn't tell you the best and safest areas in your house to place the smart speaker. You're probably thinking, "Does it really matter where I put it as long as I can speak to Alexa from most areas in my house?" Our answer is yes. Full article here...

The 6 Best TV’s - Summer 2020

According to RTINGS.com. Full article here...

Samsung Q800T QLED - 8.5 Mixed Usage

The Q90T ($2199.99 for 65”) is an excellent TV for most uses. Nearly every type of content looks good on this TV, whether it's a low-resolution cable TV show or a 4k HDR movie. It has a fast response time and low input lag, and it also comes with FreeSync support to reduce screen tearing when gaming. However, there's a bit of dirty screen effect, which can be somewhat distracting when watching sports.

LG CX OLED - 8.8 Mixed Usage

The LG CX OLED ($2299.99 for 65”) is great for watching TV shows. It has excellent reflection handling and it has decent peak brightness to combat glare in most rooms. It upscales 720p content well and has good built-in speakers. Unfortunately, like all OLED TVs, it has the risk of burn-in, which could be a problem with constant exposure to static logos. However, it has impressive viewing angles for when you want to watch your favorite show with the entire family.

Sony A8H - 8.7 Mixed Usage

The Sony A8H ($2499.99 for 65”) is an excellent TV for most uses. It delivers excellent picture quality with its infinite contrast ratio and near-instantaneous response time. It upscales lower resolution content well, which is great for watching cable TV or sports. HDR content looks good thanks to its wide color gamut and decent peak brightness. Unfortunately, although its input lag is great, it doesn't support advanced gaming features like VRR. Additionally, like all OLED TVs, there's a risk of permanent burn-in.

Vizio P Series Quantum X 2019 - 8.1 Mixed Usage

The Vizio P Series Quantum X ( is an excellent TV for most uses. It looks great in almost any room but has narrow viewing angles, so it isn't as good for watching sports with a group of friends or playing co-op games. Fast movies and games look great, thanks to the fast response time, and games are responsive due to the low input lag.

TCL 6 Series 2020 - 7.9 Mixed Usage

The TCL 6 Series 2020 ($899.99 for 65”) is a very good overall TV and performs well for most uses. It's great for watching movies in dark rooms thanks to its outstanding contrast ratio. HDR content looks great as the TV displays a wide color gamut and it gets bright in that mode. It also has great gaming features like quick response time and low input lag. Sadly, its local dimming feature results in blooming around bright objects. Also, it's not ideal for wide seating arrangements because it has narrow viewing angles.

Hisense H9G - 8.4 Mixed Usage

The Hisense H9G ($950 for 65” but may be hard to find) is an impressive overall TV. It's well-rounded and offers great performance for most uses. It's an amazing choice for watching movies in the dark as it has an outstanding contrast ratio and a great full-array local dimming feature. HDR content looks great because it gets bright enough to bring out highlights and it displays a wide color gamut. Also, gamers should appreciate its very quick response time and really low input lag. Unfortunately, it's not suggested for wide seating arrangements due to its narrow viewing angles.

Podcast #965: New Samsung UST Projector, Optimized 4K Encoding, and Hue Outdoor Lights Sep 11, 2020

On this week’s show Samsung introduces two new Ultra Short Throw Laser Projectors, Netflix starts streaming 4K content with shot-optimized encoding using a 4K VMAF model to reduce the bandwidth load on networks. We also include a discussion of Ara’s new outdoor lighting using Hue Outdoor lights. Video included! We have listener emails and a voice comment along with the latest news.

Samsung Launches a 130-Inch 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced The Premiere, its new 4K Ultra Short Throw laser projector, at its virtual press conference event “Life Unstoppable” on September 2nd. The new 4K laser projector provides a big picture cinematic experience in the comfort of one’s home. The Premiere is the new anchor product in Samsung’s award-winning Lifestyle product portfolio that is set to transcend the display experience – without the display.

The Premiere will be available in up to 130” and 120” inch models – LSP9T and LSP7T respectively – that support a laser powered 4K picture resolution. The Premiere LSP9T is the world’s first HDR10+ certified projector with triple laser technology and delivers revolutionary contrast details as the user watches from bright to dark scenes with a peak brightness of up to 2,800 ANSI lumens. The Premiere also supports Filmmaker Mode for the first of its kind as a projector allowing users to enjoy watching movies as director intended. The smart projector comes equipped with Samsung’s Smart TV platform and experience full of streaming video apps from major content partners and mobile connectivity features such as Tap View and mirroring.

Samsung will begin to rollout The Premiere globally starting in the U.S., Europe, Korea, and other regions later this year. No other details are available at this time. Full Press Release here...

Optimized shot-based encodes for 4K: Now streaming!

As the number of 4K titles in our catalog continues to grow and more devices support the premium features, we expect these video streams to have an increasing impact on our members and the network. We’ve worked hard over the last year to leapfrog to our most advanced encoding innovations — shot-optimized encoding and 4K VMAF model — and applied those to the premium bitstreams. More specifically, we’ve improved the traditional 4K and 10-bit ladder by employing:

shot-based encoding
dynamic optimization (DO) similar to that applied on our catalog-wide 8-bit stream profiles
improved encoder settings.

Details of how this new compression scheme work and visual examples provided in the original article found here

Compression Improvements Results

Analysis shows 50% gains on average over the fixed-bitrate. Meaning, on average we need 50% less bitrate to achieve the same quality with the optimized approach.
The highest 4K bitrate on average is 8 Mbps which is also a 50% reduction compared to 16 Mbps of the fixed-bitrate approach.
The optimized technique entails a smaller storage footprint compared to the fixed-bitrate technique.

Benefits

For members with high-bandwidth connections we deliver the same great quality at half the bitrate on average. (Help with Data Caps)
For members with constrained bandwidth we deliver higher quality at the same (or even lower) bitrate
Most streaming sessions start with a higher initial quality.
The number of rebuffers per hour go down by over 65%

Next Steps

Netflix has started re-encoding the 4K titles in their catalog to generate the optimized streams and they expect to complete the process in a couple of months. Netflix continues to work on applying similar optimizations to their HDR streams.

Philip Hue Lighting

It's no secret that we are fans of Hue lights. Ara has over thirty hue lights and fixtures all throughout his home. He recently installed some of their outdoor lighting in his front yard. The video below shows the end result.

It was easy to install once power was supplied. For that an electrician was called out to provide outdoor sockets. Each socket cost about $125 to install. If you are handy you can avoid this cost and just pay for the lights. The lights are expensive but as you will see in the video much better than the garden variety low voltage lights.

If you already have a Hue Hub adding each light is very simple and takes a few minutes per light. In Ara’s case he had a light that was stubborn but did eventually add after a couple of attempts. If you don’t have the hub you will have to also buy one and add it to your network.

The spot lights were purchased as part of a kit that included a power supply for $340. The path lights were bought individually for $130 each. If you need a power supply the cost goes up to $150, but you only need one of those.

To install the lights it's as simple as connecting the lights to each other and then plugging the lights into power. Ara buried the wires under gravel but that is optional and can be skipped if the lagscaping does not require it.

The lights illuminate the entry so beautifully it's really impressive. Plus there are different scenes that can be created through the hue app. The video shows one created for Halloween and Christmas.

The lights are expensive but are unmatched as far as quality goes and are highly recommended by the HT Guys.

Hue Outdoor Lights Video

Podcast #964: Samsung Hybrid QD-OLED, Six Cheap Security Devices, and the Optoma CinemaX P2 Sep 04, 2020

Samsung has new hybrid TVs coming — and they could kill OLED

Samsung is readying a new TV display technology that combines the immaculate picture of OLED with the brightness and color boosting properties of QLED's quantum-dots, into a new hybrid technology called QD-OLED.

Even more exciting? According to reports from BusinessKorea, prototypes of the next-gen technology are already being shared with companies like Sony and Panasonic, as well as Samsung Electronics, and the new panels could start showing up in TVs as early as 2021. Full article here...

6 super cheap home security devices to buy in 2020

From Wyze Cams to Echo Dots, these gadgets will keep your home secure without emptying your bank account. Full article here…

Optoma Releases CinemaX P2 All-in-One, 4K Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector

From the Optoma Press Release:

Optoma launched its next-generation true 4K UHD cinematic experience with the CinemaX P2. This ultra short throw projector features 3,000 lumens of brightness, laser technology and an ultra short throw lens.

Using customer feedback from the award-winning CinemaX P1, Optoma engineered the next gen CinemaX P2 to deliver 25% more contrast and vibrant color performance than its top-selling predecessor giving you a richer color pallet and deeper blacks. It features an integrated Enhanced Gaming Mode making this UST projector an ideal choice for your gaming projector. It even has a state-of-the-art digital exhibit feature. All of this projection power contained in a sleek, white, space saving design.

Optoma CinemaX P2 Smart 4K UHD Laser Features:

Resolution: 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160)
Lumens: 3,000 ANSI lumens
Contrast: 2,000,000:1 with 3 Dynamic Black Dimming Modes (P1 1.5M:1 No Dynamic Black Dimming modes)
Color: REC.709, DCI-P3 wide color gamut
HDR10 compatible
Color Wheel: 6 Segment RGBRGB (Editor’s Note - The P1 had an eight segment color wheel that included yellow. Removing yellow is supposed to provide more vivid colors)
Integrated 4K Media Player and popular video streaming apps available from Optoma Marketplace
Smart+ Technology: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT integration
SmartFIT app: Auto geometry correction system for iOS and Android

The Optoma CinemaX P2 is available for purchase at $3,299 and only comes in white. We have requested a review model.

Podcast #963" Micro vs Mini LED and Rob Jones CTO of Enclave Audio Aug 28, 2020

Mini-LED gets cheaper: How tiny new lights could improve your next big LCD TV

The new TCL 6-Series is powered by smaller LEDs and starts at $650. Here's why that matters. Full article here...

What's the Difference between Micro and Mini LED?

MicroLED displays, like Sony's Crystal LED and Samsung's The Wall, use millions of LEDs, one for each pixel. Essentially, you're looking directly at the LEDs which are creating the picture. And while each individual MicroLED is tiny, the modular nature of MicroLED means it can get truly gigantic.

Mini-LEDs are found inside normal-size TVs -- TCL is currently selling versions from 55- to 75-inches -- but the LEDs themselves are much larger than MicroLEDs. Just like the standard LEDs found in current TVs, they're used to power the backlight of the television. A liquid crystal layer, the LCD itself, modulates that light to create the image. MicroLED isn't LCD at all, it's a whole new TV technology that also happens to use LEDs.

Direct Lit with Mini vs Full LED

Local dimming is a feature on LED TVs that dims the backlight behind parts of the screen that are displaying black. This makes blacks appear deeper and darker on those parts of the screen, which can be a big bonus for people who watch videos with darker scenes, like movies and TV shows. The more LEDs a TV has the finer the granularity of this process.

A typical Direct Lit LED Array has hundreds of LED Zones to light the 8.2 Million pixels. A huge improvement over a single light source for the entire TV. Let’s look at the Vizo 75 inch P series Quantum X. A very good TV by RTNGS.com standard. It has 485 zones. That means each zone is covering 16.9K pixels. Even with this “limitation” RTNGS.com gives it an 8.4 for watching movies and HDR content.

Now take a look at a TV with 25,000 mini-LEDs arrayed across the back of the TV. That means each LED is responsible for 328 pixels! Much more control which translates to higher contrast Two such TVs are the TCL 8 and 6 Series. The 8 Series has just over 25,000 mini LEDs while the 6 Series has only a thousand. Still twice as good as a typical Direct Array LED TV.

Buying Advice

At this year’s CES we saw OLED, Micro, and Mini LED TVS. All have their place. Micro LED may give OLED a run for the money because it has similar performance and will be easier and less costly to scale up to very large screen sizes. To date you can’t buy a micro LED. When they show up they will be at a premium but should eventually come down to less than OLED. Especially at the larger screen sizes.

Mini LED is here! TCL has two models on the market and LG is not very far behind. With much improved performance over the current line of LED TVs this technology gets you very close to OLED performance for much less money. And like the micro LED, mini LED can scale to larger screen sizes. We recommend you take a look at the mini LEDs that are on the market or will be introduced in the next few months.

Interview with Rob Jones, CTO of Enclave Audio

Rob Jones is the CTO of Enclave Audio, makers of a wireless 5.1 home theater system that is easy to set up anywhere in your home without the need of speaker wire. The Enclave 5.1 CineHome II ($1,099.98) and CineHome PRO THX® Certified ($1,599.98) can be installed by simply placing the speakers, connecting your TV or STB to the Enclave Smart Center and powering up. We talk with Rob about these products and his love of audio. More information can be found at their website EnclaveAudio.com

Podcast #962: Do You need 8K? Spoiler Alert… the answer is No! Aug 21, 2020

This week we ask whether Allen should open his factory sealed Empire Strikes Back VHS tape so he can digitize it. We also breakout sales of the top 10 selling discs by format, Finally we make a case for not buying an 8K TV just yet. We also read your emails and take a look at the news on an action packed episode!!

Question of the Day

Question of the day comes from Allen - I have an original VHS copy of Empire Strikes Back, it is still shrink-wrapped. Is it worth opening to digitize and add to my @plex server?

Ara’s answer - Yes! Preserve it before its unwatchable. What say all of you? I found an unopened 1990’s original on eBay for $22 shipped.

Lee Overstreet - As someone who does a lot of analog digitization, I'd say only bother if you have the right equipment and know what you're doing to get the most out of it. i.e.: High end preferably S-VHS VCR, TBC, lossless capture codec, chroma/luma adjust, etc. No cheap composite doohickeys.

Bill S - Since it's a VHS it would be the original before all the enhancements. I'd go with digitizing it before the tape degrades.

Graham Cole - eBay it

Scott Foseen - No, shrink wrapped it is worth more as a collector's item. If you want it on plex buy a new disk instead

DJ from the Brightside HT Podcast - I would keep that on display until the day I die. As far as I’m concerned it’s priceless and isn’t worth anything because I’d never sell it. It has to be pretty rare and some thing that unique is a pretty cool item to have. Congratulations!

Top 10 Sellers for Week Ended 8-1-20 Broken out by Format

Source - NPD VideoScan First Alert (based on unit sales from reporting retailers)

Note - In the original numbers, NPD VideoScan considered UHD a Blu-ray version and added it to the Bluray Share for each title. We subtracted the UHD share from the NPD VideoScan Bluray numbers in the table below

Title UHD BR DVD

10) The Secret Life of Pets 0.1% 1.9% 97.9%

9) NCIS (S7) 0 0 100

8) Jurassic World 0 7 93

7) Top Gun 8 25 67

6) Jaws 13 5 82

5) Capone 0 44 56

4) The Mule 0.4 7.6 92

3) Sonic the Hedgehog 9 41 50

2) Trolls World Tour 6 45 49

1) Scoob! 5 38 57

Full list of 20 here…

Do You need 8K? Spoiler Alert… the answer is No!

Pixel Counts for HDTV Formats

720p 1,280x720 921,600

1080p 1,920x1,080 2,073,600

4K 3,840x2,160 8,294,400

8K 7,680x4,320 33,177,600

Viewing Distances where Resolution is Noticeable

So does resolution matter for your viewing distance? For this discussion we will look at a screen size of 75 inches and how resolution impacts the viewing experience. This is information from Carlton Bale and based on the resolving ability of the human eye. He states: A person with 20/20 vision can resolve 60 pixels per degree, which corresponds to recognizing the letter “E” on the 20/20 line of a Snellen eye chart from 20 feet away. He created a chart showing, for any given screen size, how close you need to sit to be able to detect some or all of the benefits of a higher resolution screen. We link to his entire analysis here (Screen Size vs. Viewing Distance vs. Resolution). His analysis does not cover 8K but you will be able to draw your conclusions from looking at his work anyway.

At 22 feet (6.7M) 480p=720p=1080p=4K

At 15 feet (4.5M) you can tell that 480p is lower quality but 720p=1080p=4K

At 10 feet (3.0M) you can tell that both 480p and 720p are lower quality but 1080p=4K

At 5 feet (1.5M) you can tell that 480p, 720p, and 1080p are lower quality

Who sits this close to a 75 inch TV? Most people sit anywhere from 10 to 15 feet from their TVs. Many sit farther. Ara’s media room is 13.5 feet (4M) from his 90 inch screen. According to Bale Ara can’t see the difference in resolution between 1080p and 4K. As it turns out Ara would need a screen size greater than 140 inches to see any benefit from resolution.

Of course newer TVs with higher resolutions usually come with other enhancements like HDR, better color, and contrast. Although a 720p TV is good enough resolution for many, these TVs do not have the better and more important feature enhancements of wide color and HDR making the image look far worse.

Someday all you will be able to buy are 8K TVs. Will that alone have any perceived improvement on your viewing experience? Most likely not. However, there will probably be other improvements that will make buying an 8K TV worth it. But that’s not the case today. Save your money and buy a high quality 4K TV and understand that 4K is not the most important feature of your TV.

Of course there is the issue with finding 8K content. Is there any? Will the studios start filming in 8K? There is definitely some 8K content out there but as we said earlier. It doesn’t matter to the human eye.

Possible uses for 8K TVS

Large Video Wall that can display multiple 1080P or 4K screens simultaneously
A huge computer screen
I got nothing else!

Podcast #961: Fall TV and Sonos ARC Aug 14, 2020

On today’s show we breakdown the Top 50 Disc sellers format market share and look at a few shows that were either canceled or renewed for the upcoming Fall season with the most thorough resource we have found on this subject from Rotten Tomatoes. Finally we take a look at the Sonos ARC soundbar with a review from the Verge. All that plus your email and news!

RENEWED AND CANCELLED TV SHOWS 2020

Want to know if your favorite television series is among the latest cancelled TV shows? Bookmark this page to learn about Netflix cancelled shows, when network series get the axe, and which cable TV limited series are being reworked as anthologies to squeeze every single drop of fan love out of them. Full article here…

Some notable shows:

A.P. Bio: season 3 (NBC) – Renewed (moves to Peacock after being cancelled by NBC)
The Blacklist: season 8 (NBC) – Renewed
Blue Bloods: season 11 (CBS) – Renewed
Bosch: season 7 (Amazon) – Cancelled (after seventh, and final, season) Season six currently streaming. Season 7 still to be released.
Criminal Minds: season 15 (CBS) – Cancelled (after fifteenth, and final, season)
The Crown: seasons 4, 5 and 6 (Netflix) – Cancelled (after sixth, and final, season)
Fear the Walking Dead: season 6 (AMC) – Renewed
For All Mankind: season 2 (Apple TV+) – Renewed
GLOW: season 4 (Netflix) – Cancelled (after fourth and final season)
Homeland: season 8 (Showtime) – Cancelled (after eighth, and final, season)
MacGyver: season 5 (CBS) – Renewed
Magnum P.I.: season 3 (CBS) – Renewed
The Mandalorian: season 2 (Disney+) – Renewed
NCIS: season 18 (CBS) – Renewed
The Walking Dead: season 11 (AMC) – Renewed

SONOS ARC Review

We recently had a discussion on the Sonos Arc and wondered if the $800 price tag is worth it. We reached out to Sonos for an evaluation unit but have yet to hear back. But we did find a review of the Sonos Arc over at The Verge and will share some of the high points.We have linked to the entire review for your convenience.

Audio formats supported:

Dolby Atmos
TrueHD (for external Blu-ray players)
Dolby Digital Plus
Dolby Digital

If you’ve been eyeing the Arc, you might already be familiar with a lot of this terminology. It’s a soundbar meant for home theater enthusiasts who, for whatever reason, aren’t interested in going all-out with in-ceiling speakers and a full 7.1 surround experience. If that’s you, I think the Arc delivers a phenomenal audio experience for its price. You’ve just got to be sure your TV is capable of unlocking that potential. It’s a strange limitation; at this price point, it’s reasonable to expect an HDMI passthrough so you can experience Atmos without potentially having to upgrade your TV.

This is a key point is that your TV needs to send the Atmos signal over Arc. In most cases your TV needs to support eARC for that to happen. There are some TVs that can do that over ARC but not many. Bottom line you may need a new TV to get ATMOS to work. Even still, it may not be the experience you would expect. We have talked about perfectly shaped rooms since the days of the Yamaha Sound Projector. The author comes to the same conclusion.

Box shaped Room:

Paired with the Sub, the Arc delivered sound as immersive as the multiple-speaker Atmos system. If you didn’t know the Arc was bouncing sound off the ceiling and rear wall, you would easily believe that there were speakers there. Compared to the traditional Atmos system, the Arc sounded different — it’s definitely tuned to deliver very loud dialogue, and it’s still a soundbar, so the overall left / right soundstage isn’t as wide — but it delivered a surround effect that was easily as convincing.

Large Open Room:

But if you don’t have a room that’s essentially a flat box, the Arc’s ability to bounce sound goes away — in a large open living room with a double-height ceiling, the Arc didn’t really deliver any surround experience at all. That’s not a knock — the thing is designed to bounce sound off walls — but be aware of that limitation.

Pros:

Excellent, powerful, immersive sound
Works well as a music speaker, too
eARC means it’s future-proofed

Cons:

Some TVs can’t pass Atmos over ARC, and there’s no HDMI passthrough
Surround sound might not work well in large rooms
Trueplay tuning available only on iPhone and iPad

Podcast #960: Mulan, Cheap 98 inch 4K TV, and TCL 8-Series Aug 07, 2020

On today’s show we discuss Disney releasing Mulan on Disney+ with an additional $29.99 charge. Is this the world we have been hoping for? We also take a look at a really “cheap” 98 inch 4K TV. And finally we try to determine if the new TCL 8 Series mini-LED TVis Braden’s next buy. All that plus news and your emails.

Disney’s ‘Mulan’ coming to Disney+ in September for $29.99

Disney said on Tuesday, in a surprise move, that its blockbuster feature “Mulan,” which has been delayed from its theatrical release since mid-March, will hit Disney+ on Sept. 4, for a premium price of $29.99.

The film will be simultaneously released theatrically in certain markets that have open theaters and where the company hasn’t announced plans to launch Disney+. It will be Disney’s first effort to sell content on Disney+, on top of the monthly $6.99 subscription. Full article here...

Want a cheap 98-inch 4K display? Check out this behemoth from Xiaomi

Meet the Redmi Smart TV MAX, a 98-inch TV that comes with its own white glove VIP installation service. Available at 19,999 Yuan (that’s about US$2,800, £2,200, AU$4,000), this absurdly massive display is actually not all that expensive.

The next cheapest 98-inch display on the market is the ViewSonic IFP9850, a touchscreen monitor that costs about three times more. Full article here…

Or the:

Samsung 98" QB98R Edge-Lit 4K UHD LED Display. $8999 at B&H

TCL 8-series 4K UHD TV review: This TV gets as close to OLED as any LCD has come

With thousands of mini LEDs forming its backlight array, TCL's 8-series Roku TV delivers blacks beyond what even the best LCD TVs from other manufacturers have managed. Full article here…

TCL Q825 4K UHD smart TV (65-inch model 65Q825) $999.99 at BestBuy

Quantum Contrast technology - Our new mini-LED backlight technology offers powerful and precise control of brilliantly bright and deeply dark areas of the image, delivering depth, dimension, and contrast. The viewing experience is improved throughout the screen.
High-Performance Mini-LEDs - The 8-Series uses high-performance mini-LEDs to bring precise local dimming and smooth, uniform illumination.
AiPQ Engine - Uses machine-learning algorithms to optimize color, contrast and clarity for an unrivaled 4K HDR experience.
Wide Color with QLED color technology - Quantum dot technology delivers better brightness and wider color volume, matching the format used by most cinema screens and Hollywood content creators, for exceptionally vivid and lifelike picture performance.
HDR - Provides images with superior color, contrast and brightness, so all your favorite movies, shows and games come to life in stunning clarity. Supports Dolby Vision, HDR 10, and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG).

From the article:

OLEDs do starfields almost perfectly; the Q825 merely does them very, very well. It doesn’t deliver pure black, but close enough that you have to look hard to see the difference.

I kept throwing my most problematic material at it and the 65Q825 kept coming up smelling like roses. Mostly. It failed on one highly detailed pan, but I’m calling that an outlier as it aced others that should’ve exhibited the same artifacts. Screen conformity was also very good, though off-angle viewing isn’t on par with some of the top-end LCD sets from Sony and Samsung.

AT A GLANCE

TCL Q825 4K UHD smart TV (65-inch model 65Q825) Super granular mini-LED backlighting delivers the most stunning blacks we've seen from an LCD TV. Quantum dots refine the color, and processing is top-notch. One of the best values in LCD TVs we've tested.

Pros

By far the best blacks of any LCD TV we've tested
Excellent overall picture

Cons

Overpriced when not on sale
No Bluetooth

Podcast #959: Alexa Live 2020 Jul 31, 2020

On today’s show we ask the question whether a $300 toaster with a touchscreen is worth buying. We take a look at Klipsch’s Soundbar killer the Fives and we give you a rundown of the Alexa Live 2020 conference. All that plus your emails and news!

The Revolution R180 Toaster has a touchscreen. It's ridiculous and I love it

Refrigerators, countertop ovens, microwaves and even multicookers all adopted touchscreen displays in the wake of the birth of the smart home. Now there's a toaster with a touchscreen. This won't be the first time I question the idea of putting a touchscreen on an appliance, and it likely won't be the last. Full article here...

Fast toasting
Sleek design
East to customize cooking

DON'T LIKE

No Wi-Fi or connected smarts
Expensive

Bill S - I see no reason to have a screen on a toaster at all 🍞

Aaron - Only if it’s connected to a Panera

Micky A - Nope!

Klipsch’s ‘The Fives’ are stunning TV speakers that challenge soundbar trends

Klipsch talks a big game when it comes to its new bookshelf-style powered TV monitors called The Fives. Claiming to be the first powered monitors to feature HDMI-ARC, which allows them to communicate directly with a television, Klipsch promises The Fives will provide a big and bold sound experience that will outperform the soundbars most people currently rely on. Full article here...

At $799 are they worth it?

Audio Advice video review

HDMI ARC - Using HDMI-ARC, enjoy The Fives with your TV with no additional cables or remotes using the included HDMI cable

HIGH EFFICIENCY AMPLIFICATION - The Fives incorporate individual ultra-low noise amplifiers that are custom designed to maximize system performance and eliminate the need for external amplification. World- class Klipsch engineers picked and tuned the components to be an absolute perfect match throughout, making the system sound incredibly immersive and complete. The Fives are also bi-amped resulting in improved clarity and output

PRECISE, CLEAR & HIGHLY EFFICIENT SOUND, PROPRIETARY TO KLIPSCH - The Fives feature 1” titanium tweeters on Tractrix® horns, a proprietary technology that has been the driving force behind the stunningly precise Klipsch acoustics. Each powered monitor also features a 4.5” long-throw woofer and is ported to provide enhanced bass.

THE MOST VERSATILE SPEAKERS ON THE PLANET - Whether you are connecting to a turntable, television, computer, or smart phone, The Fives provide the solution. The Fives come equipped with an integrated phono pre-amp, Bluetooth® 5, HDMI-ARC, digital optical, analog RCA and USB inputs, allowing you to enjoy superior stereo sound from a beautifully crafted tabletop stereo system.

DYNAMIC BASS EQ - As the human ear perceives frequencies differently with variations in output, The Fives will dynamically match the ear’s ability to hear lower frequencies. Typically, only available with audio/video receivers, dynamic volume is a first for Klipsch powered monitors. What you get is powerful bass whether the listening volume is low, cranked up or somewhere in between

192KHZ / 24-BIT DECODING TO SUPPORT HIGH RESOLUTION AUDIO TRACKS - The Fives powered monitors also feature 192kHz / 24-bit decoding for flawless reproduction of high-resolution audio tracks from your PC or streaming source.

ADD A SUBWOOFER - The Fives include a subwoofer output so you can easily add a powered subwoofer.

Alexa Live 2020 Release Roundup

Below are all features Amazon launched at Alexa Live 2020.

Full List here (this is from a developer’s point of view)

Introducing Alexa Conversations (beta), a New AI-Driven Approach to Providing Conversational Experiences That Feel More Natural. Alexa Conversations is a new AI-driven approach to dialog management that enables developers to create skills that customers can interact with in a natural, less constrained way - using the phrases they prefer, in the order they prefer.

Deep neural networks (DNNs) models can help improve Alexa's natural language understanding

Multi-Value Slots (beta) Receive multiple slot values and respond to more complex utterances. The best way to describe this is with an example:

User: Add apples to my shopping cart

Alexa: How many apples should I add?

User: Actually, add three bananas

Alexa: Added three bananas. Would you like to add more items?

User: Remove bananas from my cart

Person Profile API Skills incorporating Alexa voice profiles can now create even more personalized experiences

Example interactions:

Mom: Alexa, order cauliflower and Brussels sprouts.

Alexa: You got it, but I need to verify your identity first.

Alexa: What’s your personal passcode?

Mom: Two, four, eight, six.

Alexa: Thank you, cauliflower and Brussels sprouts are added to your grocery order.

Teenager: Alexa, order ten microwave pizzas.

Alexa: I need to verify your identity first.

Alexa: What’s your personal passcode?

Teenager: Uh-oh.

Alexa: I’m sorry, that passcode is incorrect.

APL for audio (beta) Mix Alexa speech, sound effects, music, and other audio at runtime with APL for audio so you can easily deliver exciting and immersive audio experiences, without the time, effort, and cost required for pre-mixing.

Skill Resumption (preview) Allow customers to easily return to your skill after using Alexa accomplish another task. Example:

Customer: “Alexa, get me a ride home.”

Alexa: “Ok, an UberX from your current location at Sixth Avenue and Blanchard Street, to home, right?”

Customer: “Yes”

Alexa: “Looking for a driver. I’ll let you know when I have a match.”

Alexa: “Your driver, Sven, will arrive in seven minutes. Look for a black Prius with license plate ending in 9794.”

Customer: “Alexa, what’s the weather right now?”

Alexa: “It’s currently 60 degrees with showers in Seattle.”

Customer: “Alexa, what’s my flash briefing?”

Alexa:

5 minutes later.

Customer: Alexa, where is my ride?

Alexa: Sven is 2 minutes away.

Alexa for Apps (preview) You Can Now Seamlessly Connect Alexa Skills to Mobile Apps. Now customers can use their voice as a shortcut into any activity that can be opened with a deep link in your app. And because Alexa for Apps extends the functionality of custom skills, it can support a wide variety of use cases including: Search, View more information, or Access functionality

Many many more

Podcast #958: Do Soundbars Suck? Jul 24, 2020

On today’s show we look at how people are using their smart speakers with their smart TVs, ask the question, if Soundbars Suck, and provide you with the definitive resource list for finding content on Netflix. As usual we read you listener email and go through some news stories for the week.

Research: Smart speakers increasingly linked to smart TVs

Findings from Hub Entertainment Research’s annual study – Evolution of the TV Set – reveal more viewers are using smart TVs linked to smart speakers to fill gaps in TV set capabilities.

Highlights from the research:

Resources for content discovery on Netflix

Most Popular TV Shows & Movies on Netflix - Looking for a daily look on what’s popular and most watched on Netflix? Here, we’re tracking the daily top 10 TV series and top 10 movies on Netflix right now around the world. This includes what’s popular on Netflix in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and a handful of other countries too

What’s New on Netflix - Looking for what’s new on Netflix? Below are daily updates where we bring you latest new releases on Netflix in the US including the new movies, TV series, documentaries, Netflix Originals, and new-standup specials. You can filter out the non-foreign titles and we’ll also do monthly roundups of the best new movies and TV series added to Netflix.

Coming Soon to Netflix - Your source for new movies and new TV series coming to Netflix in 2020 including a release calendar, Netflix Original previews and what’s coming from The CW, ABC, Disney, FOX and more.

Leaving Soon - Netflix loses movies and TV series every month because of the way that licensing deals work. Here you’ll find everything that’s leaving Netflix in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia.

What To Watch on Netflix - Looking for a new show or movie? Then our what to watch section will give you the lowdown on all the best titles you can be streaming on Netflix from the big and small.

Complete List of Netflix Originals -

Netflix Library A-Z - This is where we scan and catalog the Netflix library (often a lot better than Netflix ever has) for your reading pleasure. Whether it’s from the A-Z of Netflix Originals separated into genres, the complete Netflix Category list or 4k Titles on Netflix, there’s something for everyone here.

The fault in our bars: Making the case for old-school home theater speakers

I’m about to say two words that will delight some, infuriate others, and echo a sentiment that has long been regarded as fact in the deeper reaches of the home theater community.

Soundbars suck.

Podcast #957: Sony A8H OLED TV Review RTINGS.com Jul 17, 2020

How Will Streaming Services Retain Subscribers Gained During COVID-19?

Customers are showing an increased lack of loyalty when it comes to streaming, so instead of focusing solely on attracting new customers, many services are pivoting and focusing on keeping the subscribers they have.

Production has been shut down across the globe, so there’s not a lot of new content to roll out except what was already finished. That means services are either scrambling to secure the rights to already published content or moving release dates forward as Disney+ has done with a filmed version of Broadway smash hit Hamilton (dropping a full 15 months earlier than planned).

A July 10 – 12 survey panel of 1,315 Americans on their current streaming and cable subscriptions found that 50% of respondents cite Netflix as their favorite service, with 8% signing up for the first time in the past 90 days. Analysts believe Netflix could report net sub additions of 15 million worldwide. Analysts also believe the likely giant spike in new subscribers increases pressure on Netflix for retention. More consumption of content suggests even greater need to replace content with something new.

Questions -

Have you started a new streaming service in the last few months?
Have you canceled a new streaming service in the last few months?
What would get you to leave?
If new content stopped being released would you keep your service?
Have your views changed in any way regarding streaming services over the past few months?

Top 20 Movies by sales for Week Ended 7-4-20 Source: NPD VideoScan First Alert (based on unit sales from reporting retailers)

Here are the Top Ten in reverse order:

10 Birds of Prey and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn 6.1 out of 10 at IMDB - After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord.

9 Jumanji: The Next Level 6.7 - In Jumanji: The Next Level, the gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world's most dangerous game.

8 The Call of the Wild 6.8 - A sled dog struggles for survival in the wilds of the Yukon.

7 The Invisible Man (2020) 7.1 - When Cecilia's abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax. As a series of coincidences turn lethal, Cecilia works to prove that she is being hunted by someone nobody can see.

6 Jaws 8.0 - When a killer shark unleashes chaos on a beach community, it's up to a local sheriff, a marine biologist, and an old seafarer to hunt the beast down.

5 The Mule 7.0 - A ninety-year-old horticulturist and Korean War veteran turns drug mule for a Mexican cartel.

4 Onward 7.5 - Two elven brothers embark on a quest to bring their father back for one day.

3 Top Gun 6.9 - As students at the United States Navy's elite fighter weapons school compete to be best in the class, one daring young pilot learns a few things from a civilian instructor that are not taught in the classroom.

2 Sonic the Hedgehog 6.6 - After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.

1 Force of Nature Rated 4.4 - A gang of thieves plan a heist during a hurricane and encounter trouble when a cop tries to force everyone in the building to evacuate.

Sony A8H OLED TV Review RTINGS.com

The Sony A8H ($2800 65”) is an excellent OLED TV that delivers incredible picture quality for any type of content and is a fairly decent upgrade over its predecessor, the Sony A8G OLED. It produces perfect blacks with its infinite contrast ratio, which is great for those who like to watch in a dark room. It handles reflections exceptionally well, and its decent peak brightness is enough to fight glare in brighter lighting conditions. It has wide viewing angles, so the image remains accurate even if you're sitting off to the side. Its response time is almost instantaneous and it has a low input lag; however, gamers might find the lack of variable refresh rate (VRR) support a bit disappointing. As always, there's a risk of permanent burn-in with OLED panels, although it shouldn't be an issue for most. Its Android TV platform is user-friendly, it runs smoothly, and you should have no problems finding what you need from the immense Google Play Store. Full Review

8.7 Mixed Usage

9.4 Movies

8.2 TV Shows

8.6 Sports

8.5 Video Games

8.8 HDR Movies

8.3 HDR Gaming

8.2 PC Monitor

PROS

Perfect black levels.
Low input lag.
Near-instantaneous response time.
Decent HDR peak brightness.

CONS

No VRR support.

The article says that the TV is beaten by the LG E9 (2019) model which sells for $2750 for a 65”

8.8 Mixed Usage

9.4 Movies

8.3 TV Shows

8.7 Sports

9.1 Video Games

8.7 HDR Movies

8.8 HDR Gaming

8.7 PC Monitor

Podcast #956: Marantz 2020 Lineup Jul 10, 2020

We have a full show today with a quick followup to last week’s Eufy camera review that includes the Pan and Tilt version. We discuss our question of the day: Would you pay $280 for a High fidelity power cable for your AV system? We take a brief look at Home Theater Review’s discussion of the NAD T778 and we run through the new receivers just announced by Marantz.

Update to Eufy Camera Review - Ara bought and tested the Pan and Tilt version of the camera. It has all the same features as the stationary model but allows for moving the camera around via a touch pad. It costs $10 more and is like a tiny R2D2. This is the perfect camera for those situations where you want a larger field of view. Object tracking works will and is kind of creepy. Also, the camera has gone offline twice requiring a rest.

Question of the day. Would you pay $280 for a High fidelity power cable for your AV system? Why or why not? Followup Question. What is the most you would pay for such a cable?

Bright Side Home Theater Podcast - 25 years ago yes. I absolutely would and did because I didn’t know any better. You’re system is only as good as it’s weakest link and I’ve since learned I’d need a system worth over 1mil to even approach seeing a difference in a $280 power cord.

J.P. Lyman - How much is the rest of the system? For myself my hearing is not what it once was - so I doubt that I would hear that much of a difference.

Russel H - I paid $100 for a cable about 10yrs ago. I was kicking myself because I probably could have gotten the same results with a $20 cable.

Joakim Lind - If it would make a noticeable difference then yes. But I doubt it would.

Jon Zbrzeski - No, because the cable from my house to the electric tower isn’t hi-fi.

NAD T 778 AV Receiver Reviewed - HomeTheaterReview.com

We don’t typically review really high end gear on the show but we thought it might be nice to learn about such a receiver. The NAD T 778 goes for $3000. More than many of our listeners will pay for their entire setup ($1500 for a TV, $750 for a soundbar and another $100 for a set top box). We know there are many who will pay more than the $3000 for their system but very few will spend that much on the receiver alone.

Speaking of high quality receivers...

Marantz introduced their new lineup for 2020.

SR5015 ($1,099) (September 15)
SR6015 ($1,599) (September 15)
SR7015 ($2,299) (July 15)
SR8015 ($3,199) (August 15)

Podcast #955: eufy Security Indoor Camera Jul 03, 2020

eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K

We are always on the lookout for new home automation/security devices. Especially ones that really deliver and don’t cost a lot of money. The eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K does exactly that. At just $40 a pop, this is an absolute no brainer! Add the fact that it works with Amazon, Google, and will work with HomeKit in July, this is the camera that every HT Guys listener should own.

Features

Detect Pets vs Humans
Encrypted video stored locally. Cloud based storage available if desired
Setup multiple Activity Zones
Two-way Audio
Night viewing
iOS and Android app
1080p HD Video

Setup

Plug in, connect via the app and join Wifi. That’s it! There are settings you can customize in the app that include rotating the image 180 degrees if you mount the camera to the ceiling (upside down). If you want local storage you can insert a mini SD card. You can buy a 64GB card for about $10 which gives you a ton of storage. Or you can opt for cloud based storage for $30 a year or $100 for ten cameras for a year. The cloud storage gives you a rolling 30 day record of events for each camera.

Performance

It works great! Video is clear. Detection of Pets vs humans was very good. Audio is what you would expect from a tiny speaker but it's passable. There is an alarm feature that has decent volume. Not sure how effective it would be in deterring a burglar but maybe if you had multiple cameras with all of them blaring it might do something.

The Activity zones worked well and we were able to cut down on false alarms by creating a zone that had no objects in it but would trigger if a human walked through. The camera did a good job in detecting animals vs humans. But there were some false alarms. Mind you we had to get an old stuffed animal from when my kids were little and tie it to a string to make it move across the floor. We suspect this will improve as Eufy fine tunes their AI algorithm.

There is even sound detection that can be turned on and off. It has the ability to detect a crying baby which we didn’t test. Unlike finding an old stuffed animal we did not have access to a baby nor would our kids pretend to be one! There is a sensitivity setting for this feature that can be used to fine tune it.

Smarthome Integration was not tested because we tested in Ara’s house which is a HomeKit home and that functionality has not been activated yet, But according to the literature it does work with Google and Amazon which means you can speak to your device and get the video on screen provided you have a device with a screen. A plus for Apple users, when HomeKit does come to the device, it will support secure video to iCloud. So if you have an iCloud device your videos will be stored encrypted at no cost beyond your iCloud fee.

Bottom Line

The Eufy Indoor 2K Camera provides you with great looking video and motion detection that is typically found on more expensive cameras. It supports Alexa and Google Home today and will support Homekit in July. Really the only drawback that we see is that it is a fixed camera. But if you can afford a whopping $10 more ($50) you can get the eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt. We’ll take a look at that camera in the future.

Podcast #954: Ten Facts about the Over The Top Transition Jun 26, 2020

On today’s podcast we bring you 15 Smart Home Devices that are worth Every Penny and Ten Facts about the Over The Top (OTT) Transition. And, as usual, we read some listener email and go through the top news stories of the week.

10 Facts about the OTT transition

OTT is the fastest growing media and entertainment segment - OTT services have been around for less than 10 years and they’ve already grown to surpass the size of major broadcasters and studios around the world. In some markets, there are now more eyeballs watching OTT services than traditional broadcasters.
OTT costs less - With OTT you select the services you feel provide the most value, and you're not bound by contracts — You can cancel anytime. However, if you try to replicate the exact service you can come pretty close to the same cost.
OTT allows you to watch content from around the world - You can find content from just about any country. When my mother-in-law was staying with us for a couple of weeks I was able to purchase two networks for her stay and then I canceled when she went home.
The most popular OTT services, like Netflix and Amazon Prime, provide a premium experience with no commercials - Premium OTT services are becoming the source for high-quality, highly entertaining original content. The shift in advertising dollars has seen many broadcasters adopt lower quality, cheaper programming.
The demand for content has reinvigorated the global content creation industry - Unprecedented demand to serve the ever-growing content budgets of services like Netflix, Amazon Prime and now HBO Max and Disney+
Demand for content is driving studios and content owners to find a more efficient way to monetize their libraries - It seems like every network has some sort of OTT platform
With the increased competition in OTT, more and better options for consumers are being developed - For example, there are now OTT services for people who love tennis or soccer, and that’s all they broadcast. Quibi serves quick bites of content optimized for mobile consumption for younger audiences and people on the go.
OTT is agile - Content providers can react in real time and serve up relevant programming in response to current events.
Services like Netflix and Amazon allow parents more control with the ability to filter content and create childproof user accounts
During the COVID-19 crisis, the cinema industry has been particularly hit hard with screens going dark - Studios have had to turn to alternate methods of generating revenue from first-run movies using OTT services. It has been an overwhelming success.“Trolls 2: World Tour” wrapped up nearly $100 million in rentals in its first week.

Podcast #953: Listener Hoobs Review and HDR Formats Jun 19, 2020

This week we have a Listener review of Hoob, a plug and play hub that makes smart accessories compatible with your favorite ecosystem. We give you some ideas for getting yourself that Father’s Day gift your family didn’t get you, and we discuss the different HDR Formats.

Father’s Day Gifts - that you can buy yourself because your kids didn’t!

FIIL T1X TWS True Wireless Noise Canceling Earbuds $50 - These are getting rave reviews and at $50 it's a no brainer.

Roku Streaming Stick Plus $40 - Stream pretty much everything under the sun from Netflix to HBO to Hulu, and everything in between. It streams up to 4K resolution, and the included remote controls the TV's power and volume, too.

Bose Frames Alto $200 - OK we are not huge Bose fans but this is pretty cool. Sunglasses with speakers built into them. You can listen to music or even our podcast without people knowing that is what you are doing!

HDR

HDR10 HDR10+ Dolby Vision

Bit Depth Good Good Great

Peak brightness Great Great Excellent

Tone Mapping Varies Better Better

Metadata Static Static Dynamic

TV Support Great Limited Great

Content Availability Great Limited Great

Podcast #952: New Denon X-Series Jun 12, 2020

New Denon X-Series Introduced

Denon introduced four new receivers to the X-Series AVRs that are packed full of new features. You would expect support for HDMI 2.1 and you would be correct. The new models are the Denon AVR-X6700H ($2499), AVR-X4700H ($1699), AVR-X3700H ($1199), and AVR-X2700H ($849 MSRP).

Lineup Features

8K & HDMI 2.1

The X-Series features an advanced HDMI section with a dedicated 8K input that will support 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video pass-through. All HDMI inputs feature 4:4:4 Pure Color sub sampling, HDR10, Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), 3D, and BT.2020 pass-through support for exceptional color, clarity and contrast. Enjoy 8K upscaling as well as HDCP 2.3 processing to play copy-protected content uninhibited. The X-Series also adopts eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) to enable uncompressed and object-based audio transmission, like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, directly from your smart TV apps to your AV receiver.

Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization

AVR-X6700H - Set up a 7.1.4 or 9.1.2 with eleven channels of amplification built-in to the receiver
AVR-X4700H - Set up a 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 with nine channels of amplification built-in to the receiver
AVR-X3700H - Set up a 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 with nine channels of amplification built-in to the receiver
AVR-X3700H - Set up a 5.1.2 using Dolby Atmos elevation speakers, or dedicated overhead speakers

High Resolution Audio Support

Enjoy superb audio fidelity with your favorite high-resolution audio tracks. The X-Series features the latest AKM 32-bit D/A converters allowing for high resolution audio decoding with multiple lossless file types

All new Denon AV receivers are now Roon Tested. Get more out of your digital music library with searchable, surfable information about your favorite artists and songs. Find lyrics, concert dates, photos, bios, reviews and more.

Bluetooth Audio Transmission

Enjoy your favorite audio without waking your whole home by transmitting the audio coming from your AV receiver to your Bluetooth headphones. The X-Series even allows you to play the audio on both Bluetooth headphones and connected speakers simultaneously. If you have a family member or a friend who is hearing impaired, we recommend this setup.

Custom Install Ready

The Denon X-Series features external control and IP control capabilities for easy customization and compatibility with third-party integration solutions. It offers IP control capability for major third-party control devices, as well as Control4 SDPP (Simple Device Detection Protocol) certification for seamless integration with Control4 home automation equipment.

Remote Monitoring Capability

The Denon X-Series AV receivers features Domotz Pro and OvrC remote monitoring and management interface and service compatibility. These programs allow custom integrators to monitor the status of connected products and troubleshoot remotely from the office or on the go, radically reducing the time it takes to address the issue.

Model Specific Features

Preamp Mode

All but the 2700 support Preamp mode which was previously only found on the Denon flagship X8500H receiver.

13.2 Channel Processing

The X6700H supports 13.2 channels with an external amplifier.

HDMI Diagnostic Tool

Allows you to test cables up to 8K before you wire anything up. An input and output port is on the back panel. Simply plug both ends of the cable into the slots and run the test.

Auro 3D

This is IMAXs spatial sound format. It's only available on the 6700 and 4700

Podcast #951: HDMI Cables and Streaming Based on Your Viewing Habits Jun 05, 2020

On today’s show we take a look at streaming services from different points of view. What’s the best service for your watching habits. We finish with looking at the different Active HDMI cables available at Monoprice.com. But of course no show is complete without reading your emails and checking out the news of the week!

The Best Streaming Service for your Watching Habits - TechCrunch

The Best Monoprice Active HDMI Cables - AVS Forum

Podcast #950: Setting Up AV over IP May 29, 2020

Setting Up AV over IP Many of our listeners ask us about the best way to setup distributed AV systems. Mainly for audio but occasionally video as well. In the old days of analog this was a complex task that required a ton of wiring and big heavy equipment. Now that IP is almost everywhere (both wired and wireless) it's much easier to do. The following are things to consider when setting up a distributed digital AV system.

Advantages Makes use of an existing infrastructure (wired and wireless) to distribute audio. Easier to expand. Can easily add more ports to a router. This also makes things like video walls simpler to do. Finally there is size and cost. Analog equipment is bulkier and more costly.

Infrastructure Wiring Topology Differences It's essentially the same thing. Your routers and equipment can be in a closet similar to distribution amps. It's a star topology.

Mix and Match different Technologies Maximum flexibility allowing mixing and matching without the need for multiple scalers. The different formats and resolutions transmit over the same infrastructure without conversions.

What to look for in HDMI Cables that Claims to be 2.1 Compliant Since there are not any “Official” 2.1 compliant cables, what do you look for when a company advertises their cables as being 2.1 compliant? Reputation of the company. Does their current products meet the claims made about it for previous versions of the HDMI spec. Do your research about the cable. Read reviews!

Using a Single Ecosystem Products are designed to work together seamlessly. Installation and setup are easier. Additional devices appear in control apps without the need for programming. At most you will provide a specific name and location for the device. You have a single contact point for customer service.

Podcast #949: Vintage Stereo Commercials and Best Practices for Optimizing your Smart Home May 22, 2020

Karl sent us an email with a link to a Youtube video loaded with stereo commercials from the 70s and 80s. It was fun going down memory lane. We go through the commercials and discuss what has changed over the years. We also round out the discussion with some cool Smart Home products and how you can optimize their use!

Audio electronics companies like Marantz and Pioneer used to run television commercials touting their hi fidelity products. You don’t see that too much any more. Even television manufacturer commercials presenting their proprietary TV technology were more prevalent than they are today. Honestly if the pharmaceutical companies took their ads off the air there might be more room for these types of ads to come back! Some were quite creative.

Video Found Here

Korvetts - A New York Department store with a large Home Entertainment section. It is amazing how many different stereos and home electronics department stores carried. Now to see something like that you have to go to a Best Buy. I remember going shopping with my mom at the “The Broadway”, a local department store in Southern California, just so I could hang out in the stereo section and drool over gear I had to save my money for to buy. In 1983 I bought a Fisher Stereo system that had a receiver/amp, cassette player, turntable, and two speakers for $999.99 ($2600 today’s dollars). I kept that setup until I moved into the house that I live in now. I finally got rid of it when I bought my first 5.1 system from Yamaha.
Stereo Sofas!
Columbia House - I ordered my records and never bought the minimum required each year.
Circus Magazine - Self proclaimed Toughest, Timeliest, Gutsiest Magazine around. Circus was a monthly American magazine devoted to rock music. It was published from 1966 to 2006. In its heyday the magazine had a full-time editorial staff that included some of the biggest names in rock journalism.
RCA Video Disc Player - Discs start at $15 and the player costs $500 back in 1981. The technology was from the late 60s but making it work in commercial form delayed it until 1981 which made it compete with the laser video disc. Which more or less killed this RCA Video Disc concept. By the way in today’s dollars the player would cost about $1350. Discs would start at $42.50!
Fred Rated (Shadoe Stevens)!! Federated Electronics Super Stores was a home electronics store in Southern California in the 70s and 80s.
JC Penny had their own line of stereo equipment. MCS by JC Penny
G.E. - The power of Music. Who would have thought??
Magnovox had an extensive line of audio equipment.
Pacific Stereo - A stereo shop in So Cal that had private listening rooms. May still be around but not the same ownership.
Pioneer PL518 Turntable - $175 in 1978. In today’s dollars it's worth $690. A used one in good shape on ebay is selling for $275
Racquel Welch selling Motorola TVs Quasar II TVs 1970. 23 inch color console TV went for $600 in 1970 that is a whopping $3975 today!
Marantz CD Player CD73 $649 in 1983 ($1665)
Panasonic Dynamite 8 - 8-Track player. Looks like a plunger sounds like Dynamite. You can buy an original ad with Jimmy “Dynamite” Walker holding the player for about $100
Zenith Hand Crafted Color TVs - Space command remote control tuning. The quality goes in before the name goes on!
Sanyo - That’s Life
Kenwood Stereo - High Speed Circuity for cleaner sound

The Best Tech, Appliances, and Gadgets For A Smarter, Safer Home

Tips and best practices for optimizing your smart home

Podcast #948: Android Apps for TV, Did AT&T Abandon DirecTV, and What are We Streaming May 15, 2020

10 best TV apps and Live TV apps for Android!

Why Did AT&T Abandon DIRECTV?

Hulu’s ‘Solar Opposites’ Top Rising Show, Netflix’s ‘Never Have I Ever’ Again Top Binge on TV Time Charts

Top Binge Shows Week Ended May 10 by Share of Binges:

“Never Have I Ever” (Netflix) — 2.82% -The complicated life of a modern-day first generation Indian American teenage girl, inspired by Mindy Kaling's own childhood.
“Friends” (NBC) — 1.79%
“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (NBC) — 1.57%
“The Office” (NBC) — 1.54%
“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC) — 1.41%
“Dead to Me” (Netflix) — 1.38% -A series about a powerful friendship that blossoms between a tightly wound widow and a free spirit with a shocking secret.
“Outer Banks” (Netflix) — 1.17% - A group of teenagers from the wrong side of the tracks stumble upon a treasure map that unearths a long buried secret.
“Community” (NBC) — 1.12%
“Prison Break” (Fox) — 1.11%
“Money Heist” (Netflix) — 1.10%

Top “Shows on the Rise” Week Ended May 10 by Rise Ratio:

“Solar Opposites” (Hulu) — 99.9% - A family of aliens move to middle America, where they debate whether life is better there or on their home planet.
“The Hollow” (Netflix) — 95.7% - Three teen strangers awaken in a dangerous world and try to make sense of what connection they have to each other as they attempt to make it out alive.
“Dead to Me” (Netflix) — 91%
“Workin’ Moms” (CBC) — 85.7%
“The Neighborhood” (CBS) — 82.9%
“All Rise” (CBS) — 78.2%
“Into the Night” (Netflix) — 75.4%
“Boris” (Fox IT) — 74.9%
“Billions” (Showtime) — 73.4%
“The Ministry of Time” (TVE) — 72.2% - A warrior from the 16th Century, the first female university student from the 19th Century, and a paramedic from the 21st Century join a secret agency to prevent people from changing Spanish history using time-traveling doors.

Podcast #947: Set Top Boxes, Tomorrow's World, and Outdoor Cameras May 08, 2020

On today's show we take a look at comparison of Set Top Boxes from Roku, Amazon, Google, Apple, and NVIDIA. More Info...

We also found a cool video from 1989 that tried to predict what the home of 2020 would look like. They were eerily accurate! Video here

Finally we take a look at the best outdoor security cameras for 2020. More Info...

Podcast #946: HDMI-CEC Apr 30, 2020

HDMI CEC

On the last podcast we talked about using HDMI CEC to replace a universal remote for certain applications. Mainly for those who may have one or two set top boxes connected to their TV with the audio running through ARC to a sound bar. In this case we said that your TV’s remote could control everything. We received a few emails asking us to explain the concept a bit further.

What is HDMI-CEC (Consumer Electronics Control)

Theoretically speaking HDMI-CEC provides a framework that allows control functions of a Home Theater System to be pass through to other devices in your system. There are numerous controls specified by the HDMI organization. Not all manufacturers implement them so although it should make these functions automatic they may in fact not work. The HDMI-CEC landscape has gotten much better from when the fucnationality was intrioduced but it's not bulletproof.

What we have found is that if you have gear from one manufacturer HDMI-CEC works very well. If you have a complex home theater setup with gear manufactured by different companies HDMI-CEC does not work that well. But for many setups it works quite well.

How do you Activate HDMI-CEC

Each device in your system must support CEC for it to work. You will have to go to your device’s settings and activate this feature on each device. You should be aware that some manufacturers have a fancy name for this functionality. Sony calls it “Bravia Sync”. Some devices will limit the functionality over CEC, so if you want another device to control the volume you may have to select that as well. Here is a list of some names CEC is being referred by:

Anthem: CEC Control
Denon: CEC or HDMI Control
Funai, Emerson, Magnavox, Sylvania, and some Philips: Fun-Link
Hitachi: HDMI-CEC
Insignia: InLink
LG: SimpLink
Mitsubishi: NetCommand
Onkyo: RIHD
Panasonic: Viera Link, HDAVI Control, EZ-Sync
Philips: EasyLink
Pioneer: Kuro Link
Samsung: Anynet, Anynet+
Sharp: Aquos Link
Sony: Bravia Sync, Bravia Link
Toshiba: Regza Link, CE-Link
Vizio: CEC

Real World Use Case 1

Devices - Optoma CinemaX P1 UST Projector, Marantz Receiver, Emotiva Amplifier, AppleTV

Control Device - AppleTV Remote

In this example the receiver does not switch inputs and was set to automatically detect and decode the audio format. All devices were set up and calibrated originally with their respective remote controls. HDMI CEC control was activated on each device. The amplifier is turned on by a 12v trigger connection between the receiver and the amp. So when the receiver turns on the amp turns on.

Since all viewing is done via the AppleTV, the AppleTV remote was chosen to be the interface into the system. Pressing the menu button on the remote wakes up the AppleTV which in turn wakes up the receiver. Once an HDMI signal is detected by the projector it too wakes up. Since everything goes through the receiver, the projector never has to change inputs. All it ever has to do is turn on and off.

Using the AppleTV remote TV, Movies, apps, or games are selected and used. The volume control is done through the receiver but controlled via the volume buttons on the AppleTV Remote. Once everything is done the AppleTV is put to sleep. This turns off all the electronics in the system.

Real World Use Case 2

Devices - LG UHD TV, AppleTV, Sonos Sound Bar

Control Device - AppleTV Remote

In this example the Apple TV is connected to HDMI 4 and the Soundbar is connected to the HDMI with ARC support.

Like the previous case, all viewing done via the AppleTV thus the AppleTV remote was chosen to be the interface into the system. Pressing the menu button on the remote wakes up the AppleTV which then turns on the TV and soundbar. Pressing the volume control on the AppleTV sends the volume command to the Sonos. But be sure to tell the system that you want the volume to come from the Sonos.

Using the AppleTV remote TV, Movies, apps, or games are selected and used. Once everything is done the AppleTV is put to sleep. This turns off all the electronics in the system.

Conclusion

There are many scenarios that no longer require a universal remote control. In the above use cases you can easily switch out the AppleTV for a Roku or the Sonos for another brand. You may have to play around with it but with just a little fiddling you can have a simple setup with one remote that doesn’t cost you any more money.

Podcast #945: Cool IFTTT Applets and Devices Apr 24, 2020

Cool IFTTT Applets and Devices

Many of us have some sort of home automation device in our homes. Many of the products we had do not necessarily work together unless you are using a framework from Google, Amazon, or Apple. That’s where IFTTT comes in. IFTTT connects devices that normally don’t talk to each other with something called an Applet.

These Applets are composed of triggers and actions. Triggers tell an Applet to start, and actions are the end result of an Applet run. To use an Applet, you'll need a free IFTTT account. Then you need to connect your apps and devices to IFTTT, so they can talk to each other via the IFTTT service. Today we are going to discuss some of the cooler Applets we have found. Please let us know what your favorites are and we’ll share.

Turn on lights when Ring senses motion

Turns on selected Hue lights when the Ring doorbell senses motion only during night hours. This may be good especially when you are away from home. People wanting to break into your home may be discouraged if all the lights are one.

Stop Sonos when you leave the house

Pause music in all your rooms when you leave your house. There's also one to start playing your favorite tunes as soon as you walk through the door.

Receive a notification on your phone when your Amazon Alexa timer goes off

You'll get notified when your Amazon Alexa timer goes off. Must have the IFTTT app installed.

Wireless Tag

Wireless Tags are very small devices that can sense even the slightest movement. They have light and temperature sensors as well. They cost about $35 and are only about an inch and a half square. Requires a $40 hub. These devices are inexpensive and can be used to detect motion or movement of objects and they can be tied together to many other devices via the IFTTT app.

Notion

The Notion Smart Security Starter Kit provides monitoring for opening doors and windows, sounding smoke/CO alarms, water leaks, and temperature changes. With IFTTT you can add more capability like connecting them to your Hue Lights.

Fing

Fing is a network scanner that makes you discover all connected devices, run internet speed tests and help troubleshoot network and device issues. Get Fingbox for more advanced security and protection for your network. With IFTTT you can add more capability like connecting them to your Hue Lights. Are you sensing a pattern here? But you can do more than just turn on lights. You can arm cameras, start a Harmony activity, or even activate Hubitat devices.

Airthings

Airthings produces radon and indoor air quality system for multi-room, connected monitoring. With IFTTT you can connect your WeMo products, Hue Lights, and even make a calendar entry.

Weather Stations

IFTTT connects to a few weather stations which can allow for triggers based on weather so you don’t water your lawn in the rain or shut your Hunter Douglas blinds when it gets hot outside.

Podcast #944: TV Show Renewals and Cancellations Apr 16, 2020

MLB TV: Please Give Us Our Refunds!

if you ordered on February 4, or beyond, you had five days from the date of the order to cancel and get a full refund. That’s a decent interval to accommodate those who develop sticker shock after their purchase. More...

Vizio P Series Quantum 65″ Now Only $898

It’s amazing how much TV you can get for your dollar these days. An excellent example is the Vizio P Series Quantum 65″ TV that is now on sale for $898. This is a truly full-featured TV that has a 200-zone FALD backlight capable of 1100-nit peak brightness, for eye-popping HDR. Quantum dots ensure this TV will deliver bright, vivid color for years to come without risk of burn-in.

Remember last week we talked about this TV in our Best 4K TV for Spring. Here is a reminder of the RTINGS.com rating:

8.4 Mixed Usage

8.4 Movies

8.1 TV Shows

8.1 Sports

8.9 Video Games

8.5 HDR Movies

8.7 HDR Gaming

8.7 PC Monitor

Broadcast Network TV Shows that have been canceled:

“BH90210” (FOX)

“Fresh Off the Boat” (ABC)

“Grand Hotel” (ABC)

“The InBetween” (NBC)

“Reef Break” (ABC)

“Sunnyside” (NBC)

Broadcast Network TV Shows that have are in their final seasons:

“The 100” (The CW)

“Arrow” (The CW)

“Blindspot” (NBC)

“Criminal Minds” (CBS)

“Empire” (FOX)

“The Good Place” (NBC)

“Hawaii 5-0” (CBS)

“How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)

“Madam Secretary” (CBS)

“Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” (ABC)

“Modern Family” (ABC)

“Supernatural” (The CW)

“Will & Grace” (NBC)

Broadcast Network TV Shows that have been renewed:

“All American” (The CW)

“America’s Funniest Home Videos” (ABC) – through 2021

“American Ninja Warrior” (NBC)

“Batwoman” (The CW)

“Black Lightning” (The CW)

“Bless the Harts” (FOX)

“Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (NBC)

“Charmed” (The CW)

“Dynasty” (The CW)

“Evil” (CBS)

“The Flash” (The CW)

“Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)

“Holey Moley” (ABC)

“In the Dark” (The CW)

“Legacies” (The CW)

“Legends of Tomorrow” (The CW)

“Making It” (NBC)

“Mom” (CBS)

“Nancy Drew” (The CW)

“New Amsterdam” (NBC) – through season 5

“The Outpost” (The CW)

“Riverdale” (The CW)

“Roswell, New Mexico” (The CW)

“The Simpsons” (FOX)

“Supergirl” (The CW)

“This is Us” (NBC) – through 2022

“Young Sheldon” (CBS)

Podcast #943: The 7 Best 4K TVs - Spring 2020 (RTINGS.com) Apr 10, 2020

The 7 Best 4K TVs - Spring 2020 (RTINGS.com)

The editors at RTINGS.com have just updated their Seven Best Best 4K TVs for the Spring and we bring those to you. RTINGS.com is a great resource when you are looking to buy a new UHD TV. They have the most thorough reviews of any site on the Internet. All the TVs that we discuss come with an in depth review that can be found at the links below.

Best 4k TV: LG B9 OLED (Street Price $1,900 65”)

The best 4k TV we've tested so far is the LG B9 OLED. With OLED technology, you get an amazing picture quality that's suitable for almost any type of setting. It has exceptional dark room performance due to its infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity, and its excellent reflection handling and good peak brightness make it a good choice for bright rooms too. Its out-of-the-box color accuracy is a bit disappointing, but on the bright side, it supports a wide color gamut to produce rich and vibrant colors in HDR content. Full Review

8.9 Mixed Usage

9.3 Movies

8.5 TV Shows

8.7 Sports

9.4 Video Games

9.0 HDR Movies

9.0 HDR Gaming

8.9 PC Monitor

PROS

Perfect blacks and black uniformity.
Image remains accurate when viewed from the side.
Nearly instantaneous response time and very low input lag.

CONS

Has the risk of permanent burn-in with static content (see here).
Automatic Brightness Limiter (ABL) can become distracting at times.

Best 4k TV Cheaper LED Alternative: VIZIO P SERIES QUANTUM X 2019 (Street Price $1,000 65”)

If you'd rather not have to worry about the possibility of burn-in on an OLED TV like the LG B9 OLED, then consider the Vizio P Series Quantum X 2019. It has a VA panel with an outstanding native contrast ratio, and it also has a great local dimming feature that boosts the contrast even more, producing deep, inky blacks when viewed in the dark. And best of all, VA panels are virtually immune from image retention and permanent burn-ins. The most notable aspect of this TV is its incredible peak brightness. Combined with its excellent wide color gamut, HDR content is delivered the way it was intended, with saturated colors and bright highlights. Response time and input lag are both outstanding, but unfortunately, it has sub-par viewing angles, so images don't look as good when viewed from the side. Vizio's SmartCast platform is easy to use; however, it's still quite limited when it comes to app availability. Full Review

8.4 Mixed Usage

8.4 Movies

8.1 TV Shows

8.1 Sports

8.9 Video Games

8.5 HDR Movies

8.7 HDR Gaming

8.7 PC Monitor

PROS

Outstanding peak brightness in SDR and HDR.
Deep, uniform blacks.
Great motion handling.

CONS

Image degrades when viewed at an angle.

Best 4k TV For Color Accuracy: Sony X950G (Street Price $1,400 65”)

The TV with the best color accuracy out of the box is the Sony X950G. This TV has a great picture quality and a host of features to please most people. It has outstanding contrast ratio and impressive black uniformity, making it a good choice for dark room viewing. It even has a full array local dimming feature, though the performance is somewhat mediocre. If you have a wide seating arrangement, the VA panel can cause colors to shift when viewed from the side, but the larger variants of this TV has Sony's 'X-Wide Angle' feature to improve viewing angles, albeit at the expense of contrast ratio. Full Review

8.3 Mixed Usage

8.4 Movies

8.1 TV Shows

8.0 Sports

8.7 Video Games

8.3 HDR Movies

8.5 HDR Gaming

8.6 PC Monitor

PROS

Outstanding peak brightness.
Amazing out-of-the-box color accuracy.
Great motion handling.

CONS

Poor viewing angles.

For the remaining TVs will list category, model, price, and mixed usage rating. We’ll also provide a link to the full review.

Best 4k TV For Color Accuracy Wide Viewing Angle Alternative

Model LG SM9000
Street price $1,100 65”
Mixed Usage 7.9
Full Review

Best 4k TV For Color Accuracy Alternative for Gaming

Model SAMSUNG Q70/Q70R QLED
Street price $1,100 65”
Mixed Usage 7.9
Full Review

Best Budget 4k TV

Model Hisense H9F
Street price $900 65”
Mixed Usage 8.4
Full Review

Best Budget 4k TV (Cheaper Alternative)

Model Hisense H8F
Street price $600 65”
Mixed Usage 8.0
Full Review

Podcast #942: TV Ratings a Different Look Apr 03, 2020

TV Ratings a Different Look

Ever since we could remember Neilson has been the main way for networks to get their read on what America is watching. You would think by now with all the new technology that is available to us we would have a better method to rate what we watch. Enter the website TV Series Finale. The site was started in 2005 and was devoted to the last episodes of TV shows, It quickly morphed into a site that tracked if a show was renewed or canceled. In fact we use their info each year when we discuss the same topic with you.

On their website they have a Viewer Ranking for TV shows in the current season. So we thought it would be interesting to go through how TV Series Finale readers rated the current lineup of TV shows vs the Nielson ratings. Are their readers more in tune to what America is watching? This show will have a lot of numbers but we’ll try to make it less boring.

The Top Ten

Name/Season/Rating/Viewers in Millions/Renewed or ending

The Resident (FOX) s3 9.63 3.972
Supernatural (CW) Final Season s15 9.63 1.118 E
Emergence (ABC) s1 9.61 2.706
Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (NBC) s1 9.61 2.047
Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector (NBC) s1 9.61 3.656
Good Girls (NBC) s3 9.60 1.895
Chicago PD (NBC) s7 9.59 6.964 R
The Rookie (ABC) s2 9.59 4.091
Prodigal Son (FOX) s1 9.59 3.380
9-1-1 (FOX) s3 9.58 6.738

The Bottom Ten

Name/Season/Rating/Viewers in Millions/Renewed or ending

Carol's Second Act (CBS) s1 8.25 4.985
Ellen's Game of Games (NBC) s3 8.25 4.763 R
America's Got Talent: The Champions (NBC) s2 8.22 7.274
Indebted (NBC) s1 8.21 1.612
Will & Grace (NBC) s11 8.05 2.250 E
Survivor (Fall) (CBS) s39 7.65 6.424 R
Dancing with the Stars (ABC) s28 7.55 6.737
The Bachelor (ABC) s24 6.96 6.398
The Conners (ABC) s2 6.92 5.723
Batwoman (CW) s1 6.18 1.074 R

How Did they Rank

Top Bottom

ABC 2 3

CBS 0 2

NBC 4 4

FOX 3 0

CW 1 1

Shows That We Watch

Name/Ranking/Rating/Viewers in Millions/Renewed or ending

Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) 12 9.57 7.085 E

Magnum PI (CBS) 17 9.52 6.530

Seal Team (CBS) 22 9.50 4.842

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC) 23 9.50 2.050 R

God Friended Me (CBS) 27 9.47 6.241

Last Man Standing (FOX) 33 9.44 4.298

NCIS (CBS) 49 9.31 11.439

Our First Podcast from 15 years ago Mar 31, 2020

The HT Guys would like to thank all our listeners for 15 years of support. Many of you have been with us since day one and others joined soon thereafter. Be kind when you listen to our first episode as we didn't have a clue to what we were doing.

We hope you like this trip down memory lane

The HT Guys

Ara Derderian and Braden Russell

Podcast #941: Streaming Day and Date Content is Here! Mar 27, 2020

Streaming Day and Date Content is Here!

So you are stuck working from home or are on temporary furlough. Either way you may find that you have more time on your hand and don’t know what to do. The HT Guys have you covered. There are plenty of new movies that were in or scheduled to be in theaters that are available for digital purchase or rental. Today we’ll run down the list and hope you can find something worth watching!

Current Release

Superheroes Are Getting An Upgrade – BLOODSHOT – Now on Digital! Available for purchase for $19.99. Was in theaters March 13. Based on the bestselling comic book, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, a soldier recently killed in action and brought back to life as the superhero Bloodshot by the RST corporation. With an army of nanotechnology in his veins, he’s an unstoppable force –stronger than ever and able to heal instantly. But in controlling his body, the company has sway over his mind and memories, too. Now, Ray doesn’t know what’s real and what’s not – but he’s on a mission to find out. More info…

Love conquers all, as I Still Believe becomes available in households everywhere through Premium On Demand March 27 from Lionsgate. Originally released March 13th. It is based on the life of American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp and his first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before they married. More Info...

Onward -Originally premiered in theaters March 6, is now available for digital purchase in the U.S. for $19.99. In Disney and Pixar’s ONWARD, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt), get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad and embark on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley’s epic van Guinevere. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles, an unimaginable discoveries. But when the boys’ fearless mom Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus) realizes that her sons are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior – aka The Manticore (voice of Octavia Spencer) – and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed. Onward will also be released on the Disney+ streaming service April 3. More Info...

The Invisible Man - It came out in theaters on Feb. 28. What you can’t see can hurt you. Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss (Us, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale) stars in a terrifying modern tale of obsession inspired by Universal’s classic monster character. Available for rent at $19.99. More Info...

Frozen 2 -Currently out of the theaters but available on Disney+ three months ahead of schedule. Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. Then, Elsa faces a dangerous journey into the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle in search of truths about the past in "Frozen 2." More Info...

EMMA - Available to rent for $19.99 for 48 hours. “EMMA.” was released in theaters on Valentine’s Day. Jane Austen’s beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of EMMA. Handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless “queen bee” without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along. More Info...

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - This is out of the theaters and came to the streaming market a little early. The surviving members of the resistance face the First Order once again, and the legendary conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its peak bringing the Skywalker saga to its end. More Info...

The Hunt - Released March 13, “The Hunt” is now available for 48-hour rental for $19.99.Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are, or how they got there. They don't know they've been chosen - for a very specific purpose - The Hunt. More Info...

Birds of Prey - Released Feb. 7 is available to buy on digital platforms for $19.99.After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord. More Info...

The Way Back - Released in theaters March 6. It’s available for purchase on digital platforms. Jack Cunningham was an HS basketball phenom who walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Years later, when he reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater, he may get one last shot at redemption. More Info...

The Gentleman - Originally released in theaters in January, now available on digital. From writer/director Guy Ritchie comes THE GENTLEMEN, a star-studded sophisticated action comedy. THE GENTLEMEN follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him More Info...

Future Release

Sonic the Hedgehog - Will be available for purchase beginning March 31. The disc release is set to follow on May 19. The world needed a hero, we got a hedgehog. Powered with incredible speed, Sonic The Hedgehog, aka The Blue Blur, embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until he accidentally knocks out the power grid and sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now it’s super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic's power for world domination. Sonic teams up with The Donut Lord, aka Sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), to save the planet in this action-packed that's fun for the whole family. More Info...

Podcast #940: Streaming through the quarantine Mar 20, 2020

I used cloud gaming exclusively for a month. Here’s what happened

Cloud gaming is real. In fact, it has been real for over a decade. OnLive, now defunct, launched in June of 2010. Yep. You’re that old.

Gamers were skeptical of the idea, which is why OnLive didn’t make it. But last year’s launch of Google Stadia put a spotlight on it, and multiple tech giants are either working, or rumored to be working, on cloud gaming services. Google and Nvidia are in the fray, Microsoft has a service in beta, and Amazon is said to have an entry in the works.

In a Potential Game-Changing Decision, NBCUniversal Will Make Theatrical Movies Available On Demand Immediately

After years of discussions about the possibility of shrinking the theatrical window, NBCUniversal is going to obliterate it altogether. According to a new report, the company is going to release at least some of Universal Pictures’ theatrical offerings on demand at the same time that they hit theaters. When a book is written about this period in history, this may be a crucial turning point in the way the entire industry operates.

Here’s how to try every major streaming service for free during the coronavirus quarantine

We are taking things day by day in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. This week we venture into more uncharted territory as multiple mayors and governors have mandated that schools, bars, entertainment spaces, and other venues where large crowds gather be shut down for about a month in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

We don’t know what’s next, but it’s important to stay sane and entertained during this period of #QuarantineAndChill. One of the best things we can do to keep our minds off of our real-life drama is streaming our hearts out. Since streaming services won’t bail us out with discounts and free subscriptions, we have to figure out ways to keep the costs down. Aside from password sharing, there’s also the free trial hustle. All you need is an email address that hasn’t been registered yet (wink).

So here’s a breakdown of how much time you will have to indulge in the most popular streaming services for free before your time is up.

Podcast #939: Streaming and Cord Cutting Mar 13, 2020

Streaming and Cord Cutting

On Today’s show, in addition to your email and news, we review the year 2013, ask you “How do you Stream your Entertainment, and finally look at your top streaming attributes.

Poll: Do You Stream Movies, Live TV or Shows?

The last decade has seen streaming grow into a dominant category of content delivery. It's hard to believe that Netflix started out by shipping discs to viewers. Today, the average Internet speed in the US is close to 100 Mbps, which is more than enough to support 4K streaming and more. Read the Article and take the poll at AVS Forum

Cord Cutters Don’t Care About Live TV & Are Willing to Watch Ads, According to Nielsen

Will ad-supported and on-demand streaming services continue to become more popular with cord cutters, leaving live TV streaming services in the dust? That could be the case, according to a special “Streaming Wars” edition of the Nielsen Total Audience Report. Read the Article

Podcast #938: AT&T TV??? Mar 06, 2020

AT&T TV

How many TV services does AT&T have? Let’s count them. There is DirecTV, U-Verse, AT&T TV Now, and AT&T Watch TV. Kind of confusing huh. Well there is one more newly minted TV service from AT&T simply named AT&T TV.

AT&T TV is a TV service that does not require a dish or cable connection but does require a set top box. In this case an Android based box. You need at least a 25Mbps internet connection but higher speeds will get higher quality streams. There is no installation from a professional. You simply plug in the set top box, connect it to the Internet and then to your TV.

There are three packages ranging in price from $50 to $65 for the first 12 months but you need to sign up for a 24 month commitment. After the first year the prices go up! Plus you pay taxes and fees. Sound familiar?

Other features include a cloud based DVR, Sports packages, and Premium channels.

AT&T will continue to accept new signups for all it's TV services and has said that none of them are going away.

Why?

This does not make sense to us. There is no compelling reason to choose this service over any of the other streaming services out there. Especially those that do not have any commitments including AT&T TV Now. What are your thoughts?

Comments from around the Internet

So....basically everything we hate about cable. Contracts plus bait and switch.Ohh. and a set top box.

This is a Bait and Switch Program. they give you an OK price to start with, but you have to do 2 Year Contract. Year 2 the prices goes up to the same cost as what Satellite and Cable. So the whole point with Cord Cutters is to reduce cost which this does not do and it locks you in for 2 years. Hard Pass…

Wow! 1981 all over again. Are they kidding? Any idea what the competition is doing? What the landscape looks like? A box? This is just stupid. Sorry.

DOA! Someone at AT&T should be fired over this. Probably not though. Is AT&T television the new BlackBerry - clueless?

I’m so confused by this offering. Who is the target market here??

Contracts? A set top box? Fees? Bundles? Price per month nearly doubles after one year? Sounds a lot like... cable. Do they think it's still 1985?

Podcast #937: Best 80 Inch TVs (RTINGS.com) Feb 28, 2020

By now you all know that we have been searching for the best large format TV to emulate a projector and screen. We know nothing beats a 120 inch screen but with that comes some drawbacks like installation, cost, and light control. Ara settled on an Ultra Short Throw Projector which does really well in a fully lit room. The entire setup cost him just under $4000. Braden is still looking for that one TV that will say buy me. Our friends at RTINGS.com must have known Braden was in the market for such a TV because they just published The 5 Best 80-82-85 inch TVs Winter 2020. Let’s see if we can get Braden a new TV?

Podcast #936: Top Ten TVs at Amazon Based on Sales Feb 21, 2020

On today's show we take a look back at the year 2012, discuss how to make your HDMI connected devices work with Hotel HDTVs, take a poll on home much our dedicated home theaters cost, and finally give you the top ten HDTVs at Amazon based on sales.

Top Ten TVs at Amazon Based on Sales

Toshiba 32LF221U19 32-inch 720p HD Smart LED TV - Fire TV Edition 4.4 stars (16584 ratings) $129.99
TCL 32S327 32-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model) 4.5 out of 5 stars (8,253 ratings) $149.99
Insignia NS-50DF710NA19 50-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV HDR - Fire TV Edition 4.5 (8,849 ratings) $249.99
TCL 32S325 32 Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV (2019) 4.5 stars (8,253 ratings) $127.88
TCL 55S425 55 inch 4K Smart LED Roku TV (2019) 4.5 stars (6,196 ratings) $299.50
TCL 43S425 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Roku LED TV (2018) 4.5 stars (6,196 ratings) $229.99
Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA Flat 65-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa… 4.6 stars (5,974 Ratings) $597.99
TOSHIBA 50LF711U20 50-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV HDR - Fire TV Edition 4.4 stars (16,584 ratings) $299.99
Samsung UN55RU7100FXZA Flat 55-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa… 4.6 stars (5,974 ratings) $399.99
Samsung UN43RU7100FXZA Flat 43-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa… 4.6 stars (5,974 ratings) $299.98

Podcast #935: LG CineBeam HU85LA 4K UST Laser Projector Feb 14, 2020

Where to watch free movies online

Maybe you’re sick of paying for streaming services you don’t use as much as you thought you would. Maybe you’ve just gone through all the movies you want to see on Netflix. Maybe you’re looking for something a little weirder or less mainstream than what you’ll find on traditional streaming services. Whatever the reason, there may come a time when you’re looking for something to watch that won’t dent your wallet. There are tons of sites and services out there, but some are less legal or trustworthy than you may feel comfortable using. More…

LG CineBeam HU85LA 4K UST Laser Projector Review

What does the future of projection look like? The LG CineBeam HU85LA Ultra Short Throw 4K Laser Smart Projector ($5500 at Amazon) offers an answer to that question today. It’s a projector that fits right into your living room, sitting mere inches away from the screen. It’s a projector that gives you a picture up to 120” in size, turns on and off right away and maintains its brightness even with years of daily use. More…

Features:

4K UHD (3840x2160) Display
Up to 2700 ANSI Lumens brightness - laser projector (Class 1 laser)
Display a 120” Screen from just 7. 2 inch away from projector surface
LG SMART TV - includes magic remote
Includes LG ThinQ AI and the Google Assistant
Bluetooth connectivity
HDR10 compatible

LG eliminates the color wheel on this DLP eliminating the rainbow effect:

DLP projection offers smooth motion rendering and a sharp, consistent, color accurate image. However home DLP projection has traditionally suffered from “rainbow” artifacts associated with the use of a color wheel to create the RGB primaries. However LG makes the color wheel obsolete with its 3-laser design, it features one red and two blue lasers with one of the blue lasers exciting a phosphor to create pure green light. Since the light source already comprises the three primary colors, there’s no need for the color wheel.

LG uses a .66″ DLP chip in the HU85LA. It relies on pixel-shift technology to achieve full 4K resolution on screen. Test patterns show the HU85LA manages to display 4K resolution, but it’s not quite as “crisp” as a 4K TV of the same size. However—and this is the crucial point—native 4K projectors are often limited by the quality of their lens. The lens LG created for this projector is surprisingly sharp from edge-to-edge, despite the CineBeam UST’s short throw ratio of 0.19:1. I’ve seen native 4K projectors that don’t look as sharp as this LG.

Conclusion

While hardly cheap, this LG’s design features and performance make a compelling argument for choosing it over an 85” or larger TV. Regardless of whether you install it in a living room, AV room, basement or even a bedroom, as long as you calibrate it, provide an appropriate screen and are mindful of the lighting, the HU85LA will absolutely impress you with the picture it puts up on screen.

The LG CineBeam HU85LA is a Top Choice selection for 2020.

What owners are saying:

4 ½ out of 5 stars at Amazon

Good Can Be Better:

Great picture, easy setup.

Issue 1 - Hard to align picture with 120 in screen, sorely needs lense shift like other high end projectors.
Issue 2 - Missing YouTube TV which is available on LG TVs
Issue 3 - Pricey

The best 4K dual laser UST in market

I had no real reference available as there are no LG authorized retailers around my area. So I followed this model from CES 2018 till launch and gone through all the information available on web before making decision to buy this product.

I do not have a UST screen or specially prepared wall. I’m speechless with the picture quality, brightness and colors.

This is definitely one of the costliest product however I’m fully convinced with the value it delivers.

Podcast #934: Should You Buy a TCL Series 4 UHDTV? Feb 07, 2020

4K Fail: Why I Completely Hate TCLs Cheap 4 Series HDTV (A Piece of Junk)

Despite some very serious concerns about who makes them—and the illegal financial support they receive to build TVs at too good to be true prices—U.S. consumers love TCL TVs. In fact, they also love their other consumer products like soundbars and what appears to be some amazingly foldable smartphones.

Read the Article...

Podcast #933: Micro LED vs Mini LED and ATSC 3.0 TVs Jan 31, 2020

This wee we discuss three articles:

Seven of our best tips for your Sonos system - Popular Science

MicroLED vs. Mini-LED: Which display technology will power your next TV? - Digital Trends

Want free 4K from an antenna? Here's the 2020 TVs with Next Gen TV tuners built-in - CNET

Seven of our best tips for your Sonos system - Popular Science

Pair up your Sonos speakers
Wake up to your music
Play your music everywhere
Customize your speakers to fit their rooms
Get chatty with your Sonos speakers
Save your Sonos playlists
Stream directly from your laptop

MicroLED vs. Mini-LED: Which display technology will power your next TV? - Digital Trends

Size - Micro LED
Price - Mini LED
Brightness, black levels, and contrast - Micro LED
Availability - Mini LED

Want free 4K from an antenna? Here's the 2020 TVs with Next Gen TV tuners built-in - CNET

Free 4K TV over the air is rolling out this year all across the US. It's called Next Gen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, and it promises a revolution not just in resolution -- for the first time you'll be able to watch 4K via an antenna -- but in how you watch broadcast TV. Over 60 stations in 40 markets already are, or are planning to start transmitting before the end of the year.

TVs

ZX: 77- and 88-inch 8K OLED TV
WX: 65-inch 4K OLED TV with "wallpaper" styling.
GX: 55-, 65- and 77-inch 4K OLED TV with ultrathin profile.

These are all OLED and all relatively high-end. The mainstream-priced CX and BX models won't get Next-Gen TV tuners, and neither will any of the LCD-based (aka NanoCell) TVs LG announced.

Samsung

Q950TS: A bezel-less 8K flagship model in 65-, 75- and 85-inches.
Q900: Step-down 8K model without that fancy styling.
Q800: Entry-level 8K model.

As of this writing, Samsung has only announced Next Gen TV support in its 8K TVs. None of the company's 4K TVs have Next Gen TV tuners.

Sony

X900H: 55-, 65-, 75- and 85-inch 4K LCD

Though no pricing was announced at CES, based on the technology and model number, these are Sony's midrange models, and should be cheaper any of the Samsung or LG TVs listed above. None of Sony's higher-end OLED and LCD TVs for 2020 will have Next-Gen TV tuners.

Tuners and set-top-boxes

Most of you reading this probably aren't interested in getting a new TV just for Next Gen TV. Nor should you be. If you don't want to get a new TV, but still want to watch free over-the-air 4K TV, you'll be able to buy an external tuner. There were a few companies at CES discussing set-top-boxes, though neither pricing nor availability were made official. We'll likely get more info along those lines at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) expo in April.

Zapperbox is one of those companies. It's working with BitRouter, a company that's been around since the early ATSC 1.0 days.

Another company is Apollo, a company that works behind-the-scenes with public TV broadcasters. They're working on an Android-based modular system design.

Podcast #932: Home Cinema Streaming Jan 24, 2020

Home Cinema Streaming

We were alerted to an article at Home Theater Review by one of our listeners, Tom Green, regarding Home Movie streaming. We link to it here: Home Cinema's Streaming Future Is Now. The author states that for reference material they still use UHD Bluerays “But for day-to-day viewing, many of us here on staff have migrated almost entirely to streaming consumption.”

They note that this fact infuriates their readers:

And it only takes a quick glance at the comments section here and on our accompanying Facebook page to see that this fact infuriates the most vocal amongst our commentariat.

One commenter stated - that any given standard-definition DVD from 20 years ago is far superior to the Netflix 4K HDR today.

The author doesn’t even bother replying to this but we will. This is just plane wrong. Codecs are better which means you get more actual data on lower data rates. Streaming data rates can be higher than the highest DVD data rate of 9.5 Mbps and with better codecs that should be enough, but there is more! There is higher resolution, dvd is only 480p. Plus you can get better color and HDR via streaming which is not even an option on DVD. So no DVD is not better than Netflix 4K HDR.

Then there is the "Well, UHD Blu-ray delivers generally 80 to 100 Mbps or more, and streaming is only 16 Mbps, so that makes UHD Blu-ray six times better."

To try and refute the more bits are better than less bits the author of the article asks:

What's the difference between "1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1" and "1 + 3 x 4"? In reality, nothing. But functionally, the second equation is more efficient. It's also interestingly more prone to error

The issue here is that if you are not good in math you may say the second equation is equal to 16 and not 13 because you don’t understand that you do multiplication before addition. So while it is more efficient it is also more prone to error. Today we have more powerful processors so we can use more efficient, and complicated codecs. That means with better compression and 10 or 12 bit color, the compressed video of today is vastly superior to that of DVD and approaching the quality of some Blurays.

"But what about the crappy low-bitrate Dolby Digital+ audio?! When we talked to Dolby more than 10 years ago we brought up that many people are saying that Dolby Digital+ is imperceptible from Dolby True HD. They would not confirm that it was the case. There statement was, and we are paraphrasing here because it was so long ago, “Isn’t that a good thing that our Dolby Digital+ compression is so good!” In this article Dolby now goes on record saying that:

Dolby has done extensive listening panels and firmly established that, at the bitrates now employed by Netflix, Vudu, and Disney+ (up to 768 kbps), Dolby Digital+ is perceptually transparent.

So Audio is as good as UHD!

Conclusion

Streaming will only get better with advancements in compression. And unlike discs or over the air TV, providers like Netflix can roll out changes on their own terms. As new devices come on the market completely new compression schemes become possible. And the beauty of this system is the servers can detect what capability your streaming box can support and stream the appropriate level of compressed content. There will come a day, and it will be here sooner than later, that you won’t be able to tell the difference between streamed and physical content. And that has us very excited.

Podcast #931: Best of CES 2020 Jan 17, 2020

Best of CES 2020

This week we take a look at the best of CES.

From the Verge:

Best TV SAMSUNG QLED BEZEL-LESS 8K

Samsung’s 8K Q950 has a stunning design with bezels so small they disappear to your eyes as soon as the screen turns on. The black space surrounding the displays on our smartphones is almost gone, so why shouldn’t TVs get the same treatment? Samsung has pulled that off. This should be the future of TV design — but it should’ve been available in a 4K TV since buying 8K remains just as preposterous now as it was at CES 2019. —Chris Welch

Best Smart Home Thing GE Smart Switches and Dimmers

GE Lighting is introducing new smart lighting switches and dimmers to its C by GE line of connected products that do not require the use of a neutral wire. This allows the C by GE Hubless Three-Wire Smart Switch and Hubless Dimmer models to be installed in many more homes than most smart switches, including homes built before 1980. In addition, the new switches do not require a hub to connect to the internet or be used with the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. The smart switches will arrive in the first quarter for $39.99 and up, while the dimmers are due in the second quarter for $49.99 and up. Homekit support coming soon via C-Reach Smart bridge

Best Router Netgear Nighthawk Mesh

Wi-Fi 6 is here, built into the latest iPhones and already in the pockets of millions of people. Except, it’s been held back by one critical missing component: affordable Wi-Fi 6 routers, with the initial mesh options costing an outlandish $400 to $700. At CES 2020, Netgear changed that. The Nighthawk Mesh, available in March, includes two Wi-Fi 6 routers for $230. It’s by no means the fastest combination out there, but it brings Wi-Fi 6 to a far more typical price, supports up to 1.8 Gbps of throughput, and offers 1,500 square feet of coverage per node. This is the kind of package Wi-Fi 6 needs to actually be put to use. —Jake Kastrenakes

Best Vaporware: Samsung Ballie

The demo video for Samsung’s Ballie had all the hallmarks of a Kickstarter pitch: a contrived tale meant to sell a dream that technology doesn’t support yet. In the video (titled, incredibly, “A Waltz For Ballie”) Samsung’s “companion robot” is seen organizing a user’s life like a tiny spherical butler: opening curtains, checking yoga poses, and cleaning up after the dog. In the actual demonstrations, however, Ballie seems merely capable of rolling back and forth a bit and going “bleep bloop” in an endearing fashion. Samsung hasn’t announced a price or release date for the bot. And although it’s certainly well-designed, don’t expect to see this thing in stores anytime soon. Oh, and as proof that while history doesn’t necessarily repeat itself, it does rhyme: you might have forgotten that back in 2016, LG announced its own spherical companion robot. That one rolled out of sight pretty quickly, too. —James Vincent

From Engadget:

Best home theater product Dolby Vision IQ

Dolby Vision IQ takes a good thing (Dolby's enhanced spec for creating and displaying HDR content) and improves its application in everyday life. While some of us would prefer to watch every bit of The Mandalorian or John Wick 3 in a darkened theater room, that's not what's available. Beyond just tweaking the picture so it looks the best for the room you're in, Vision IQ is also going to make sure that different types of content, like action sports, documentaries or feature films, are presented with the settings that best match what's on-screen. It's tech that should make everyone's home theater experience better and more accurate.

Best TV product LG CX-series OLED TVs

LG's OLED sets have been among our favorite TVs for years, and they're no exception in 2020. LG has added a ton of new features like NVIDIA G-Sync support, which makes your games look smoother, and Filmmaker Mode, which disables motion smoothing and other unnecessary video tweaks. And they still have all the benefits of OLED, like an insanely high contrast ratio, inky black levels and rich colors. LG has also improved its image processing to sharpen objects and improve details in your video. They're so good that you'll wonder why so many TV companies are pursuing 8K TVs instead of catching up to the quality of OLED.

From Digital Trends:

Audio: Vizio Elevate

The Elevate features upfiring drivers that, besides being just plain cool, can adapt the sound automatically, spinning upward to fire sound at the ceiling for 3D audio, or rolling forward for more power and musicality when you’re jamming to your favorite tunes.

Aside from that, the Elevate packs plenty of key features like a backlit remote, a dedicated input for your smart speaker, HDMI eARC connection for compression-free Dolby Atmos, DTS:X sound, and perfect audio sync from supported TVs. We don’t know the pricing for this massive bar yet (fingers crossed it keeps the Vizio tradition of affordability going), but the Elevate is an impressive new soundbar that gets our gold star for the show.

Smart Home: Lockly Vision Smart Lock

Lockly includes the features that made its previous smart locks successful, like fingerprint unlocking, but adds a camera so the lock can double as a video doorbell. Instead of having to buy a smart lock and video doorbell separately, it’s combined into one cohesive device.

It’s the ultimate smart lock for any home, including AirBnB households, because you can also send out time-sensitive pin codes. The camera adds the ability to check up on who’s at the front door and monitor who is coming or going.

The Lockly Vision also doesn’t require a bridge to access remotely, can be unlocked with a key manually, and offers local storage. It covers the gamut of what you need in a premium smart lock.

Video: TCL Vidrian

I’m still impressed that TCL was the first to bring mini-LED to market, and this new version of it, which sees some 25,000 mini-LED backlights mounted directly to a glass substrate, is way beyond the competition. To put things in perspective, most TVs have standard LED backlights numbering in the hundreds.

With 25,000 miniaturized backlights on glass, the TCL not only has tremendous control over luminance, it eliminates several layers in the LCD panel sandwich. It’s more like an LCD panini, if you will. The result is an LCD-based TV that looks as close to OLED as I’ve seen yet.

Color us impressed.

From CNET:

TV Vizio OLED TV

Our favorite TV tech could soon get more affordable, thanks to Vizio. OLED TVs belt out the best picture quality available but until now they were only available from LG and Sony. Now Vizio, the third-largest TV brand in the US behind Samsung and TCL, is going to sell an OLED TV too. Vizio hasn't set a price yet but in our reviews the company's LCD TVs consistently deliver excellent image quality for the money. Forget all the impractical next-generation displays that you heard about at the show: Vizio's entry into the OLED race is the most exciting news of CES 2020 for TV shoppers.

Locks August Wi-Fi Smart Lock

August has been our favorite smart lock since it came out due to its retro-fit design that works with any standard deadbolt, as well as its open-armed policy towards working with the various voice assistants. The newest model addresses two persistent criticisms, the lack of built-in Wi-Fi (requiring an extra Wi-Fi adapter plug to make the connection necessary to control it remotely), and its large size. The newest model is 45% smaller than the original, giving it a much sleeker appearance on your door, and the built-in Wi-Fi adapter gets it online right out of the box. August says to expect a price tag around the $250 mark when it launches later this year.

Soundbar Vizio's P-Series Elevate aluminum soundbar

Innovations in soundbar hardware are few and far between -- these are slabs that sit of front of your TV after all. The addition of Dolby Atmos was one of the most significant in years, but the Vizio P-series Elevate takes this and adds to it in meaningful ways.

The Elevate in the name refers to the motorized drivers which flip ceiling-ward when the soundbar detects a Dolby Atmos or DTS:X soundtrack for overhead effects. The rest of the time the drivers are used to bolster the stereo channels for a bit of extra heft. Meanwhile, the soundbar's aluminum construction helps add a touch of class.

Home Entertainment Dabby

Dabby is a home entertainment device that consolidates every TV streaming service, free video site and social media site into one tablet-like box -- saving you from toggling between all of the options when you're looking for a certain show or video. It also includes a subscription manager to help you keep track of all of your different services, how much they cost and how often you use them, to fight subscription overload. It costs $400 and ships in April.

From Gizmodo

Streaming Service for your Phone Quibi

The new phone-only streaming service from the guy who brought you Dreamworks. But there are a lot of talented people making content for Quibi, and it’s the rare streaming service that’s still studio agnostic—with content planned from Disney even! But what’s really cool is the way it serves up two different films with the same soundtrack. You decide the experience you get all by the orientation of your phone. — Alex Cranz

Best TV TCL 6-Series of 2020

The cheap 4K TV keeps getting better. Not only is the 2020 TCL 6-Series outfitted with future-forward ports like HDMI eARC. It’s also getting new backlighting with mini LED technology. This means that, whereas last year’s model had 100 local dimming zones, the new model will potentially have thousands, which should greatly improve contrast and viewing angles. In other words, this upgrade could bring the picture quality closer to that of an OLED TV for a fraction of the price. — Adam Clark Estes

Home Automation Linksys Wellness Pods

By monitoring signal disruptions in your home’s wifi, Linksys Aware turns your wireless network into a home security system that doesn’t require any additional hardware to install. At launch the feature was limited, simply alerting homeowners to the presence of potential intruders while they were away, but in 2020 Linksys will be expanding what Aware is capable of through optional Wellness Pods that increase the feature’s sensitivity, allowing it to detect someone having a restless sleep based on subtle movements and even their breathing rate. The Pods will also allow Linksys Aware to detect and react to someone falling, such as an elderly relative, triggering an emergency response which includes contacting help and even reassuring them through a smart assistant like Amazon’s Alexa. — Andrew Liszewski

Podcast #930; CES 2020 Jan 10, 2020

CES 2020

After a few year Hiatus we returned to Las Vegas for CES. Because we were there on our day job’s behalf we did not get to see everything that CES has to offer. We focus on the main players. We’ll do a susquent show on the cool things that were reported on but not seen by us.

TCL

TCL had a good sized booth and as an attempt to solve Braden’s Analysis Paralysis Ara checked them out first. He found what Braden was looking for, an 85 inch QLED!

The picture was amazing! Bright colors, the content was extremely optimized to show this off, great contrast and slim space saving design. Then it was on to the Mini LEDs which were shown in a darkened room. The content they had was showing severe banding in the sky shots. But the color and blacks looked quite good. There were better implementations of Mini LED at the Sony and LG booths.

TCL also had a Cinema Wall that had stuck pixels and min LED grids that were visible to the naked eye. On the second day the wall was turned off. TCL also demonstrated Smart products including locks. And let me tell you these locks are beefy!

At LG I focused solely on their TVs. I was given a presentation that pertained to my day job at Delta Airlines and thus limited to what I can talk about. What I can tell you is the bendable OLED is a big part of their strategy. I saw the OLED that rolls up and it is amazing! Unfortunately I was not allowed to take a photo of the screen, how thick it is, or the mechanism.

What I can talk about is the OLED, Mini, and Micro LEDs. All delivering fantastic pictures. Seeing the Micro LED with my own eyes makes me excited about that technology. Pretty much all the goodness of OLED without any of the drawbacks. It almost looked 3D. Not gimmicky 3D but like you were looking through a glass window.

The 8K OLED looked incredible as did their mini LED.

Sony

Sony had their Masters Series TV. Sony has been involved with film mastering for years. These are small monitors with exacting color calibration. With this line Sony wants to bring what the film maker has created into your living room unadulterated! They claim it's as close to what the film maker sees in the studio. I can tell you that the color, detail, and contrast is nothing like I have seen in the past! I have uploaded a hi-res video that does not do the TV justice but it's still pretty good :-)

Sony also had their micro LED technology which they call Crystal LED. People we are living in an age where there are incredible TVs on the market!

Klipsch

Klipsch, known for speakers, was at the show but not a speaker to be seen. Well almost, they did show up with sound bars and some really cool wireless headphones. The “Klipsch Bar 54A Dolby Atmos” bar was one of Digital Trends best soundbar of CES 2020 but it will set you back $1500. Klipsch feels that they have solved the active noise cancelling for wireless earbuds but again that will cost you a pretty penny. Their x McLaren T10 True Wireless smart earphones will cost $999 and will be available in the fall. They have other models that cost much less and look really cool!

Samsung

Samsung had the Wall prominently displayed. When you see this in person it is quite impressive. This is a massive display measured 24 feet or 7.4 meters diagonally. Check out this picture to get an idea of how massive it is!

They also demonstrated a soundbar called Q-Symphony that worked in conjunction with their TVs speakers to give you a surround sound experience without the need for speakers on the back wall. The demo worked well. But we were in a perfect rectangle room with nothing on the walls. No prices were given but we were told it would be in line with their higher priced sound bars. Plus you need an upper tier Samsung TV. More than a thousand Dollars but less than two thousand dollars.

Finally there is Samsung’s Robots. One little guy that looks like a tennis ball and will follow you around and can show you videos when you are not home. The thinking here is that the robot is like your personal valet and will take care of you while you are at home and can keep an eye on things when you are away. This may be a good idea for people with pets.

Smart Home

Everyone had some sort of smart device! There was even a smart closet that helped you pick out something to wear and though RFID delivered it to you!

Podcast 929: Happy New Year! Jan 03, 2020

Happy New Year!! Today we discuss a network strategy for all those new Home Automation devices you bought for Christmas as well as reading your emails and discussing a few News stories.

We have discussed this before but in light of all the new home automation devices that were purchased over the Holidays we thought it would be good to do a refresher. The article was publised over at KTAR News and we will go through it and add our take.

Podcast 928: Prediction Review 2019 Dec 27, 2019

Predictions Review 2019

At the beginning of each year we make predictions as to what we think will happen in the area of HDTV, Home Theater, and Home Automation. We usually hit at about 40% correct. This year, thanks to some generous judging we only got to 33%. So let’s see how close, or far, we came in our predictions.

MicroLEDs Make a Macro Splash

MicroLED are an emissive display technology similar to that of OLED. Likewise, they can, theoretically at least, produce perfect blacks, excellent color, and near-perfect off-angle viewing. But unlike OLEDs, they claim to be even brighter, thinner, immune to burn-in, and in time, less expensive to make than other technologies. Look for at least one MicroLED TV to come to market in 2019.

No Micro LEDs that we could find. However, TCL released a Mini LED product in their 8-Series line. Not quite the same thing but a step in the right direction. The TCL has 25,000 zones which should do better than the current LEDs with hundreds of zones. 0/1

Interactive TV comes to a Screen Near You

Thanks to companies like Roku, Apple, Amazon, and Google, many of us have a smart box connected to our sets. In fact, many TVs have the same smarts built into them. Look for at least one manufacturer incorporate interactive TV into the programs being watched through their devices. Participate in fan polls, voting for your favorite contestant, or just chatting with other viewers all from the comfort of your couch!

Disney Channel does make use of this during some programming. You can chime in on questions on screen and see what the rest of America feels about questions being asked. But this is done through their app. It's not built into the TV architecture. 0/2

LG Releases a Roll Up OLED

Last year at CES we talked about an OLED TV screen that was so thin that it could bend. This year we double down on this technology and bet that LG releases a rollable OLED TV. The screen itself will roll into a box that is about the size of a sound bar when not in use. In fact the same box can house the electronics as well as the speakers truly making it a Home Theater in a box.

We wanted this to be true and according to the LG website it ALMOST is. LG says this TV is coming soon. 0/3

Home Security Will Drive Home Automation Demand

Home security surveillance and monitoring will become the driving force behind home automation acceptance. Compelling ads similar to the ones run by Ring Doorbell will push many to dip their toes in the water surround home automation. Once you have your outside lights automated it's a simple step to automate your inside. And so it will begin for many.

We have seen Ring grow for a doorbell company to a security company and now they sell home automation products. Likewise SimpliSafe is doing similar things. People start here and then incorporate more automation into their lives. 1/4

Smart Mirrors

Look for a company to release a smart mirror that is affordable for “most” of us. Imagine getting ready in the morning and looking into your mirror to interact with your social media feeds, watch news and and get weather updates.You will even be able to control your home all from your bathroom!

Well we kind of have a winner here. There is a smart Mirror but it's for working out. It displays your vitals and you can look at yourself as you follow the instructor on the screen. No news or weather but that is just around the corner. So we are going to give ourselves partial credit of 25% correct. 1.25/5

Voice Control of our Home Theater Will Become a Reality

Whether it be the Echo, Siri, or Google Home you will be able to control your home theater with your voice. And not rudimentary control, we’re talking Tell your TV exactly what you want to do and it will be done. Alexa, watch A&E Channel on SlingTV. Or Hey Siri watch the LA Dodgers on the MLB app.

This was our gimmie. But with that said it is still not 100% correct. You can do quite a bit with voice like launching apps. You can even tell siri to watch a specific channel on the ATT App and it goes there! We had no idea that would work but it does!! We’ll take 75% correct. 2/6 for a grand total of 33%

Podcast #927: Smarthome Buying Guide 2019 Dec 20, 2019

Smarthome Buying Guide 2019

We have been touting the Smarthome for a few years now but somehow have never put together a Buying Guide. So for 2019 we are going to fix that. Afterall, this is the year of home automation.

This list we will only contain products that work on both iOS and Android platforms. As a result, this list will not contain some manufactures which may limit some of the things your platform of choice is capable of. The good news is if you see a product that you like on this list you can be assured that it will work in your home.

One thing we would like to mention and if you already have home automation devices you already know this. No matter what product you have, home automation will give you the occasional headache. There have been times where it seemed all my devices stopped working then just as quickly everything settles out. There is a good chance that the issue was wifi related but I never really know for sure. If you use a dedicated system like Insteon, Crestron, or Control 4 you may see less issues. But if you do see issues it may cost you money to bring in an expert or with Insteon cause you frustration finding a solution buried deep down some user forum. Bottomline, home automation is good but it's not perfect. Even for experts like us.

Doorbell

Ring - Prices range from $100 to $200 depending on the model. Who doesn’t want to answer the door from work?? But seriously it's nice to see when a package is left at your door or if someone is trying to get into your house that shouldn’t be. You can go the battery operate route or connect it to the existing wiring. Either way you will be up and running in an hour. Ring also has an app creates a virtual neighborhood watch community that lets you know what’s happening around you. If you like Ring they have a family of devices to help you monitor your home.

Door Lock

Schlage Smart Locks - Prices range from $150 - $250 depending on model. Now that you have a way to remotely answer your door you may want a way to let someone in your house. A smart lock can do that. Schlage makes locks that work with Homekit, Google Home, SmartThings and more. It can even work in concert with your Ring Doorbell. Track who enters your home via a custom entry code. You can even make codes work on specific days between specific hours. There is a peace of mind you get when you know that your door is indeed locked!

Garage Door

myQ Smart Garage Door Opener - Street price less than $50. You can have the same peace of mind knowing that you drove away and didn’t forget to close the garage door as well! The adapter is compatible with just about every garage door opener that was built in the last 20 years. Easy to install and controllable via your mobile phone. The myQ Smart Opener integrates with Apple’s Homekit and Amazon’s Echo.

Lighting

There are at least a dozen manufacturers of smart lighting and almost all of them do not need a hub. They even integrate with the Echo and Homekit so why then are be picking a light system that needs a hub? That’s because the Hue Light System is quite possible the best thing you can do to your house! You can get a starter kit as low as $70. But that’s only the beginning. There are hue lights for anything and everything including bulbs, lamps, light strips, indoor, and outdoor. There are even accessories that include, motion detectors, remotes, and even plugs!! If you want you can spend hundreds of dollars creating dramatic lighting scenes both inside and outside your home. Hue is compatible with Homekit, Amazon Echo, Google Assistant, and even Microsoft Cortana. Once you get done creating incredible scenes and timers you will simply forget that you spent $50 on a hub.

Smart Plugs

Our advice here… go cheap! Wall plugs just need to turn on and off. Not much else. Find a plug that works with Homekit, Amazon Echo, or Google Assistant and be done with it. We found one that works with all three!! The Wemo Smart Plug (made by Belkin) costs $20! It's small enough that it does not obscure the other plug but can handle 15A! If you are looking for the one device to start you down the home automation path this is it!

Switches

When it comes to switches we were torn. We had such a bad experience with Leviton Decora Smart switches when they first came out. They would lose wifi connections constantly requiring full resets to get them back. They did release a firmware upgrade that has seemed to fix the issue. We have been running for about five months with no issues. But we are still gunshy in giving this our full recommendation. We are gaining more confidence in the $50 device with each passing week.

But what will get our full recommendation is the iDevices Wifi enable dimmer switch. It costs twice as much as the Leviton device however. In the three years we have been using this device it has been offline for a total of about twenty minutes.

Thermostats

If you have a smart home you’ll want to be able to control the temperature and for that you have a few options. We have installed and used thermostats made by Honnywell, Insteon, and Ecobee. We have experience with the Nest as well. There are plenty of options out there but we have settled on the ecobee 3 ($199). It has a good physical interface as well as great looking apps. It has full Homekit, Google, Alexa, SmartThings integration. You can even buy additional sensors so you can average out the temperature across your entire home. It's kind of nice being able to tell your voice assistant to set the temperature in your house to 72 degrees and not have to get out from under your warm covers!

Cameras

So many cameras out there. Over the years we have tried at least a dozen brands. If you have a Ring doorbell you may want to use the Ring cameras. They have great night time picture quality and tie in nicely with the Ring doorbell and sensors. They start at about $60 and go as high as $200. If Ring isn’t your thing we highly recommend the Logitech Circle 2. THese cameras have a great picture during the day and a good picture at night. The Ring camera is better at night. Both can store your images in the cloud but offer a premium plan for a yearly fee. The Circle 2 cameras start at about $100 for a battery operated one and $180 for a wired camera. The Circle 2 are indoor outdoor. The Ring makes ones specifically designed for outdoor use.

Motion Sensors

You’ll want motion sensors to make lights turn on or let you know if someone is in your house. If you use Hue lights, we strongly recommend their sensors (Hue Motion Sensor $40). The battery lasts for more than a year and the sensor responds immediately. For the non-Hue people we recommend using your wireless camera as a sensor. And if you don’t have a camera you’re out of luck… just kidding. Find a sensor that works with your platform of choice. So what we are saying is if you don’t have a hue light system we don’t care what you do! LOL not really. We don’t have enough experience with motion sensors that are multi platform.

Smoke/CO2 Detector

Smoke Detector are important as are carbon monoxide detectors. How about one device that does both? The Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector runs about $80 and will let you know if it's going off via it's Android and iOS apps. It's even Homekit and Alexa compatible.

Moisture/Water Sensor

We saved the most important device for last! Braden can tell you first hand (twice) that a water leak costs you money and inconvenience! A Leak Detector is a must. Our pick is a little different than placing moisture detectors around the house. In its simplest form all it will do is let you know that there is a leak. If you are at home you can shut off the water. If you are away from home you could call a friend and ask them if they can shut off your water. Perhaps you can set up individual valves that can be controlled automatically to shut off your water.

Our pic is a little different. The Flo by Moen connects to your main water line where it comes into the house. It measures flowrate and helps you manage your water usage. It can detect a leak of just drips or full on pipe burst. It will let you know that the water is when it shouldn’t and will automatically shut down your water.

Say you left the house and you set the system to away. You will get a notification that water is flowing. If you are doing laundry no big deal. If you know nothing is supposed to be on you can shut it down remotely. Or you can say, I am away so shut down if you sense water. There is an iOS and Android app. It costs about $900 installed so it may cost more money but it does so much more than a simple moister detector.

Podcast #926: TV Buying Guide 2019 Dec 13, 2019

TV Buying Guide 2019

Back in the day you had top tier TV manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, and even RCA. Everything else was second rate. That meant the picture wasn’t very good. There really weren’t any features to speak of. It was all picture quality. Yes you could buy a cheap 20 inch TV for your den or bedroom which didn’t look that great. But who cared you were probably only watching the news or Johnny Carson before you went to bed.

Today, second and third tier TVs are really good. We are not comparing them to OLEDs or top tier LEDs but compared to the Goldstar and Zenith TVs of the 70s and 80s, they are really good. So here’s our dilemma, how do you make a meaningful buying guide when everyone knows if you want the best you buy an OLED and if you are on a budget you buy a cheap Chinese brand? This year we are going to recommend the family and series of TVs since they come in multiple screen sizes. It's up to you to find one that fits in your home and budget.

Best Bang for the Buck

The TCL 6-Series is quite literally the definition of the Best Bang for the Buck! At $250 for the 43 inch and $500 for the 65 inch you can’t go wrong with this TV. They also sell 50 and 55” incase you want something in between large and small. Our friends over at RTNGS.com give it a mixed use rating of 7.3. Actually, this puts the TV in the average category. But average in a world where we have OLED means that this is still a good TV. Think about it, if walked into a bar and said you were an average baseball player when you were in little league no one would be impressed. But if you walked into that same bar and said you were an average baseball player in the big leagues people would buy you a drink.

Features:

QLED
Local Dimming
Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR Pro Gamma
4K
AIPQ - optimizes color, contrast and clarity for an unrivaled 4K HDR experience. AiPQ features three core picture quality algorithms – Smart HDR for vibrant color, Smart 4K Upscaling for sharp clarity, and Smart Contrast for dramatic depth.
Roku Built in

Best TV Where Money is an Object

Most of us do not have unlimited amounts of money but may have a slightly bigger budget and want a little better quality than our bang for the buck selection. For you we would like to recommend the Vizio P-Series Quantum X. The Quantum X comes in two sizes, 65” and 75” and costs $1400 and $2200 respectively. You may be able to find them on sale for lower if you look online or at Costco. Make sure it's the X, Vizio sells a Quantum as well that does not have the same features.

We like this TV because it does a great job with black levels and has exceptional color. Ara likes it because it supports Airplay 2 which eliminates the need for an AppleTV. It's a great all around TV that does really well with movies, especially those with HDR content. The only real knock against it is that it's off angle viewing is not good.

Features:

Ultra Bright
Quantum Color
Local Dimming
4K UHD + Dolby Vision HDR
Chromecast built-in
Hands-Free TV Voice Control

Best TV Period

So you want the best TV out there and you have a few bucks to spend. Just a few years ago that meant you might break the bank. Today it won’t break the bank but will cost more than most people spend on their entire setup. Our selection, and pretty much everyone else's, is the LG OLED C9 series. They come in three sizes 55”, 65”, and 77” and cost $1500, $2200, and $5000 respectively. What do you get for that? Perfection! We are talking perfect blacks. So black that if you make your room black and put an image in the middle of the screen it will look as though it's floating in space.

Watching movies on this screen in a properly lit room is as good as it gets. The C9 reproduces color with a high degree of precision that does not degrade with off angle viewing. If you watch a lot of movies and want the highest quality you can get this is your TV.

Features:

4K Ultra HD Resolution
LG ThinQ AI
α9 Gen 2 Intelligent Processor
Google Assistant & Amazon Alexa Support

Projector

If you want to go a little bigger than 77” and can swing a projector setup we have two recomendations for you.

Ultra Short Throw Projector

Are is extremely happy with his Optoma CinemaX P1 which goes for about $3800. You’ll need a $750 screen as well which puts you all in at $4550. A little less than the 77 inch OLED. But at this price you get 100 inches of glorious 4K entertainment. It's a little harder to set up but well worth it when you are done. Like the OLED this projector has excellent off angle viewing and blacks are very good when watching in the evening. During the day they are a little washed out for the darkest scenes. But if you watch sports you can watch in full daylight with no issues whatsoever. Just a great large format projector for less than the largest OLED.

Traditional Projector

The Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K SXRD projector is our pick for those who can put in a traditional projector. The SXRD line of projectors can be as expensive as $60000 and as inexpensive as $3000. The 295ES is much closer to the latter at $5000. Throw in $750 for a screen and it's not much more than the 77” OLED but with a 100 inch (or larger) screen.

The 295 is true 4K UHD, HDR, and those deep blacks that SXRDs are known for. However, it only has 1500 lumens which means you will need to use this in a light controlled room. But if you have the room and ability to wire up a traditional projector this will not let you down.

Podcast #925: Speaker and Receiver Buying Guide Dec 05, 2019

Speaker and Receiver Buying Guide

Each year in December put out seperate buying guides for receivers, speakers, and TVs. This year with the shortened buying window we decided to double up on our guides. Today we take a look at speakers and receivers. The things that make sound! We have also decided to give you a collective guide rather than our individual picks targeting an entry, mid, and “high” level product. We put high in quotes because in our hobby, high can be really high.

We are practical in our hobby. We don’t want to break the bank but we do want a good experience. This list is for like minded people looking to either get into the hobby or move to the next level. Yes you may disagree with our picks. That’s OK. Let us know what you would recommend via the comments section or send us an email and we can follow up on the next show. But for now, here is our list of speakers and receivers.

Monoprice Premium 5.1.2 Channel Immersive Home Theater System with Subwoofer

This first pick is really really entry level. It's for the person who wants a 7.1 system but decided that the speakers they really want will break the bank. So instead they buy a great TV, and receiver and just want something that makes sound. The system comes as a 5.1.2 setup with upfiring Atmos speakers built into the left and right speaker. Pretty clever but probably not really that good. You would need to purchase two additional bookshelf speakers to make it 7.1. But even with that the system comes in at $300!

The speakers themselves can handle 100 watts and have a frequency response of 70Hz to 20kHz. They have a decent sensitivity rating as well, 88dB. That means you don’t need as much power to make sound as most other speakers this size. The subwoofer goes down to 30Hz. Seriously on paper this looks pretty darn good. We have not listened to these speakers before but at $300 we have no problem recommending them to the person who spent most of their budget on the TV and/or receiver.

RSL CG3 7.1 Theater System

For our mid level, we jump from a $300 set of speakers to a $1300 set. Speakers are very important and spending $1300 for a really good 7.1 system is really worth it. RSL makes outstanding speakers even though you probably haven’t heard of them before. The company has been around since the 70s back when sound was everything. The founder, Howard Rogers, wanted to create speakers that replicated the sound of a live performance. This passion led him to developing and patenting a compression wave guide speaker. This design uses a series of compressions and expansions that improves bass response and enhances dynamics while improving mid bass detail. We have listened to RSL speakers and were blown away by what they get out of their book shelf system.

The CG3 is a great looking set of speakers that are rated to 125 watts and have a frequency response of 100Hz to 20kHz, the center channel is 85Hz to 20kHz. Their sensitivity rating is 87db for the satellites and 89 for the center channel. The subwoofer is reasonably sized (H: 16” W: 15” D: 16 3/4”) with a 300 watt amplifier that has a frequency response of 24-200 Hz. The system really has no risk for trying either. It comes with free shipping, free 30 day trial, free return shipping, and no restocking fees.

Prime Pinnacle Surround System

We have been big fans of SVS since we reviewed their SB-1000 subwoofer many years ago. This year they introduced their Prime Pinnacle line of speakers that take it to another level. These are not cheap but won’t break the bank either. For a little over $3100 you can have a 7.1 setup that compares to systems that cost more than twice as much! These are beautiful floor standing speakers with satellites for the surround. If you opt for the piano black finish it will cost about $600 more. For this system we spec’d out the PB-2000 for the subwoofer which should give you plenty of boom!

With a rated bandwidth and power rating of 29 Hz-25 kHz and 300 watts respectively, the Prime Pinnacle speakers are the most capable speakers on our list.These speakers perfect for those who have a dedicated listening/viewing room. The subwoofer has a 12-inch driver and 500 watts RMS, 1,100 watts peak power that goes way down to 17Hz. You will feel this thing! SVS has a 45 day trial period with free shipping and returns and comes with a five year unconditional warranty

Sony STR-DN1080 7.2ch Home Theater AV Receiver

If we had our choice we would spend the money on the RSL or SVS speakers and go cheap on the receiver until we were able to upgrade down the road. Our components have been swapped out so many times but I speakers seem to last for years. So if you allocated most of your budget to the speakers you are in need of a decent receiver that is still pretty good. For that we have the Sony STR-DN1080 that will set you back about $450.

This receiver can handle all the new buzzwords: 4K and HDR passthrough, HDCP 2.2, Dolby Atmos, Airplay, Chromcast, Auto Calibration, and 165W per channel. Just a good basic receiver. Not much else to say. Actually in this price range you can pretty much go with any Yamaha, Denon, or Pioneer receiver and get the same performance. We had to pick one so we went with the Sony this year.

Pioneer VSX-LX503 9.2 Channel 4k UltraHD Network A/V Receiver Black

Pioneer Elites were more “Elite” back in the day but they are still very good. Coming in at our mid-level receiver the VSX-LX503 still has some chops for a $550 receiver. The amazing thing to us is that we spent a thousand dollars for a Pioneer Elite back in 2008 that had nowhere near the capability.

Today for $550 you get a 9.2 channel receiver that has three zones, 120 watts a channel, passes through HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and Dolby Vision signals. If you have a Sonos setup in your home this receiver will fit right in with support. It also supports Airplay, DTS Play-Fi and Chromcast for whole home audio lovers.

Onkyo TX-RZ840 9.2 - Channel Network A/V Receiver

Many may question our high end selection. But from a feature point of view the RZ840 is loaded. Yes there are other receivers that would fit more the “High End” moniker but like we said we are practical. Spend your money on speakers. This receiver will do everything you want and only set you back $750 at retail. Just look at the features!

THX® Certified Select™ theater-reference sound - THX Certified Select guarantees the same reference volume level of a commercial theater in rooms where the viewing position is about 10–12 ft. from the screen.
Power - 220 W (4 Ohms, Front) 130 W (8 Ohms, Front) All Channels
Dynamic Audio Amplification - DAA features a custom High-Current Low-Noise Power Transformer, customized capacitors, and discrete amp output stages. Unique topology prevents phase-shift while high current improves speaker control for true dynamic speed.

4K HDR - HDR (High Dynamic Range) video including HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision, and BT.2020. The 4:4:4 color space is also supported. Six HDMI inputs, ARC-ready MAIN OUT, and SUB OUT pass 4K/60p and HDR video from player to compatible TV and projector and all terminals are HDCP 2.2 compliant.

Dolby Atmos and DTS:X

SMART AV Receiver - Access streaming content from Amazon Music, Pandora®*, Spotify, TIDAL, Deezer, and TuneIn and share sound as part of a multi-room system via Works with Sonos, AirPlay 2, DTS Play-Fi®, and FlareConnect.

IMAX Enhanced - DTS:X sound technology optimized for the IMAX® signature experience, reproducing the full dynamic range of IMAX theatrical sound-mixes available with digitally re-mastered IMAX Enhanced content.

Chromecast built-in with the Google Assistant

Podcast #924: What we are Thankful for Nov 28, 2019

This week the HT Guys are thankful for all our loyal listeners who have been with us throughout our 15 years of podcasting. We also discuss a THX tuned speaker system that does not need an AV Receiver and the first DIY Security system that is HomeKit ready.

First ‘Tuned by THX’ home theater speakers need no A/V receivers — or wires

THX has become synonymous with top-notch cinema sound in commercial theaters. However, the George Lucas-founded company (now owned by gaming giant Razer) has been increasingly focused on helping consumers get a better quality of audio (and video) at home. To this end, it has created a new technical service called Tuned by THX, which gives audio companies the opportunity to have their products custom-tuned by the sound experts at THX. While it doesn’t guarantee that the speakers and audio components will knock your socks off, it’s THX’s way of saying that it has adjusted the characteristics of these components to deliver what is (in THX’s opinion) the best sound that these components are capable of. More…

Apple’s HomeKit gets its first DIY security system

Abode has announced that the long-awaited HomeKit support is now available for its Iota home security system. The update adds the ability to manage and view the status of the system through Apple’s Home app and Siri voice commands on iOS, macOS, the Apple Watch, and HomePod devices. The company says it plans to bring HomeKit support to its Gen 1 and Gen 2 systems in the future, but no timeline was provided. More...

Podcast #923: Black Friday Guide 2019 Nov 21, 2019

Black Friday Guide 2019

Well Black Friday is almost here. Just like all the years we’ve talked about it, there are some exceptional deals to be had. The question is where do you put your focus. If you’re going to wait in line somewhere, where is the right place to maximize your reward for that time?

Resources:

Target Doors Open 5:00PM on Thursday and close at 1:00AM on Friday then reopen 7:00 AM on Friday

Hisense 65" 4K ROKU TV - Black (65R6D) $279.99
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones was $299.99 now $129.99
TCL 40" 1080p Smart LED Roku TV (40S325) was $259.99 now $169.99
Samsung 50" 4K UHD HDR Smart TV was $349.99 now $279.99
LG 43” 4K UHD Smart LED HDR TV (43UM6910PUA) was $349.99 now $ 229.99
Phillips 50" Roku UHD HDR Smart TV was $329.99 now $179.99
Amazon Fire TV Stick with all-new Alexa Voice Remote (2nd Generation) was $24.99 now $19.99
Roku Streaming Stick+ Black (3810R) was $49.99 now $29.99
Samsung 65" Smart 4K UHDTV was $899.99 now $599.99
Polaroid 32" LED HDTV was $119.99 now $69.99
LG 65" UHD HDR Smart TV was $699.99 now $479.99
Anker PowerCore 15,600mAh Power Bank - Black was $39.99 now $24.99
Google Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera was $199 now $159
Google Home Smart Speaker $49
True wireless headphones ranging from $35 to $75
So so much more!!

BestBuy Doors Open Thanksgiving day at 5:00PM Shop online all day

Samsung 70" LED 6 Series 4K UHDTV was $899.99 now $549.99
Insignia 58" LED 4K UHDTV + Amazon Echo Dot was $479.99 now $199.99
Amazon Fire TV Stick w/ Alexa Voice Remote was $39.99 now $19.99
JLab Audio JBuds Air True Wireless Earbud Headphones was $49.99 now $29.99
LG 55" 4K LED UHDTV UK6090PUK was $399.99 now $299.99
Amazon - Fire HD 8 - 8" - Tablet - 16GB 8th Generation, 2018 Release - Black was $79.99 now $49.99
Beats by Dr. Dre - Beats Studio³ Wireless Noise Canceling Headphones - Shadow Gray was $349.99 now $199.99
Package - Ring - Peephole with Chime - Satin Nickel and Amazon - Echo Show 5 Smart Display with Alexa - Charcoal was $209.99 now $179.99
Arlo - Pro 4-Camera Indoor/Outdoor Wireless 720p Security Camera System - White was $649.99 now $399.99
Samsung - 75" Class - LED - Q60 Series - 2160p - Smart - 4K UHD TV with HDR was $1999.99 now $1499.99
Hisense - 65" Class - LED - H6500F Series - 2160p - Smart - 4K UHD TV with HDR was $499.99 now $299.99
Insignia - 58 Class - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K UHD TV with HDR - Fire TV Edition was $479.99 now $199.99
Samsung - 65" Class - LED - NU6900 Series - 2160p - Smart - 4K UHD TV with HDR was $549.99 now $479.99
Sony, TCL and VIZIO TV Deals ???
LG - 82" Class - LED - UM8070PUA Series - 2160p - Smart - 4K UHD TV with HDR was $1999.99 now $1599.99
Sony - 85" Class - LED - X900F Series - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV with HDR was $3499.99 now $2999.99
Pioneer - Elite 7.2-Ch. Bluetooth Capable with Dolby Atmos 4K Ultra HD HDR Compatible A/V Home Theater Receiver - Black was $499.98 now $379.98
Many many more! Check out the ad

Wal*Mart Online Wed 11/27 @ 10:00 PM Eastern in stores Thanksgiving @ 6:00PM

onn. 40" Class FHD (1080P) Roku Smart LED TV (100005395) - $ 98
onn. 50" Class 4K Ultra HD (2160P) HDR10 Roku Smart LED TV (100005396) $148
SAMSUNG 50" Class 4K UHD 2160p LED Smart TV with HDR UN50NU6900 - was $328 now $278
SAMSUNG 55" Class 4K UHD 2160p LED Smart TV with HDR UN55NU6900 - was $378 now $328
Rca 720p Roku Smart Home Theater Projector (RPJ133) - $99
Google Smart TV Kit: Google Home Mini and Chromecast, Walmart Exclusive - was $64 now $35
VIZIO 65" Class V-Series 4K Ultra HD (2160P) HDR Smart TV (V655-G9) (2019 Model) - was $528 now $398
Beats Solo3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones - Beats Pop Collection - Pop Blue - was $199 now $129
Google Home Mini - Chalk - was $25 now $19
Roku Ultra Streaming Media Player 4K/HD/HDR 2019 with Premium JBL Headphones - was $99 now $48
JLab Audio JBuds Air Executive True Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds + Charging Case - Black - was $69 now $34
onn. White In-Ear True Wireless Earbuds with Charging Case - was $24.88 now $15 (These look like Apple Ear Buds Knock offs)
DVDs at $3.96, Bluerays at $5.96 and 4K UHD at $7.96

Costco In-Store Black Friday Sale begins November 29, 2019 Online Black Friday Sale begins November 28, 2019

LG 55" Class 7 Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $349.99
LG 65" Class 7 Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $499.99
Samsung 58" Class 6 Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $379.99
Samsung 55" Class - Q7D Series - 4K UHD QLED LCD TV $999.99
Samsung 55" Class - Q6D Series - 4K UHD QLED LCD TV $699.99
Samsung 75" Class 6 Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $749.99
Vizio 75" Class PX Series 4K Quantum Color LED LDC TV $1699.99
Sony Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones $129
LG 77" Class C9 Series 4K UHD OLED TV (Online Only) $4949.99
LG 86" Class 8 Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $1949.99
Sonos Play 1 Wi-Fi Speaker $229.99
Ring Video Doorbell 2 w/ 1-Year Protect Plus $129.99
Ring Stick Up Camera Battery $379.99 (Costco sells a three pack for $249 so this may be a four pack or come with some other special features. Details may become evident at checkout))
Netgear Orbi Whole Home Wi-Fi Systems $299

Vizio 70" Class V Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV (11/28 Online Only) $599.99

Bose Noise Cancelling Wireless Headphones $269.99

TCL 65" Class 6-Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $599.99

Sonos Playbar Bundle w/ Wall Mount Kit $529

Vizio 65" Class PX-Series 4K UHD Quantum LED LCD TV $999.99

Sonos Beam Soundbar Shadow Edition $299.99

TCL 65" Class 6-Series 4K UHD LED LCD TV $599.99

Google Nest Hello Video Doorbell w/ 6-month Nest Aware Subscription $169.99

Sam’s Club In-Store Black Friday Sale begins November 29, 2019 at 7am

Online Black Friday Sale begins November 28, 2019

Samsung 65" Curved 4K Smart HDR UHDTV (UN65RU730DFXZA) was $729 now $599
Vizio 65" P-Series Quantum X 4K HDR Smart TV (PX65-G) was $1399 now $879
LG 65" 4K Smart HDR UHDTV (65UM6900PUA) $479
Philips 75" 4K HDR Smart UHDTV (75PFL5704) was $849 now $599
Sonos Beam - Shadow Edition $299
Bose SoundSport Pulse Wireless Headphones was $129.88 now $99.88
VIZIO SmartCast 44 5.1 Sound Bar System w/ Wireless Subwoofer (SB4451-C0) was $399 now $199

Other:

Ecobee smart thermostat - Ecobee 3 was $249 now $199 Ecobee 3 lite was $169 now $139 via website
Amazon - LG 82" 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV for $1,699.99
All-new Echo Dot with Clock for $34.99
Amazon Smart Plug was $24.99 now $4.99
Ring Indoor HD Security 2-Pack was $119.98 now $99.99
Big Lots Sentry Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds was $15 now $10
Overstock.com JBL Free X Truly Wireless Headphones $74.95
Overstock.com Beats By Dr Dre Beats Studio 3 Wireless Noise Cancelation Headphones $239.99
Samsung $400 off 50” QLED Smart 4K HDTV + Free Shipping was $1,099.99 now $699.99
Kohls - Xbox One S 1TB Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Bundle

Podcast #922: Why Your Home Theaters Probably Stink (A Counterpoint) Nov 14, 2019

Why Your Home Theaters Probably Stink (A Counterpoint)

We found this article over at CEPro titled Why Your Home Theaters Probably Stink which immediately put us on the defensive. We understand that CEPro is aimed at integrators and that in their context a Home Theater is not what we have in our family rooms. Regardless, we wanted to challenge the notion that our modest home theaters stink! We’ll go through the article point by point:

From the article:

Let me tell you what happened. In the 1980s and 1990s, everyone in our industry was high on great music and movies and all the tech that reproduced those movies and music in an amazing way. There were tons of beards and ponytails and passion for great AV.

Then control came along… and consumed us. We shifted our focus from high-performing music and video to creating James Bond homes with control of every subsystem in the home. Our focus and our budgets shifted to the new shiny toy. For the most part, home control is not too sexy. It’s convenient, it’s practical, it’s challenging, but at the end of the day it’s functional… not emotionally moving.

But now we are in a different time. Control costs are coming down from all the usual suspects and the complexity (labor) to install these systems is getting lower. So our revenues are dropping from control and now we are shifting focus as an industry to lighting and shades. There is lots of competition in that category from guys who have been selling lighting and shades longer than us.

I think we still pursue those avenues, but we are all missing the bigger opportunity… let’s get back to great AV and movies. Let’s get back to our roots. Let’s get back to selling stuff that electricians, window covering companies, and IT people are no good at selling, installing, or designing. Let’s sell some kick-ass home theaters!

Why your home theater Sucks:

A projector by a company that also sells inkjet printers or telephone systems

This is a shot at Epson. But let’s take a look at the Epson Home Cinema 3800 4K Pro UHD Projector. It has all the important features of some high end projectors including 1.62x Zoom and and lens shift which will help you get the image dialed in. It supports HDR. In fact ProjectorCentral.com gives it a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 on performance and features. Five out of five for ease of use and value. At $1,700 we know the real issue with this projector is that a 25% markup for a professional to sell it to you doesn’t make them as much as a 25% markup on a $10,000 projector. Sure that $10,000 projector will be better but that doesn’t mean your Epson projector sucks.

A too-small 16.9 screen that is not acoustically transparent

We all want very large screens. It wasn’t too long ago we thought a 50” screen was huge! Now 65” is typical and many TVs can be had at greater than 80” and all of them at affordable prices. Ara has had a 100” screen that was not acoustically transparent. That was easily remedied by placing the center channel speaker just below the screen. He has since gone to a 90” screen because of his UST projector. Anyone who has come into his house has commented that the screen is Huge! So what is too small? We get it, for a true home theater you do need a screen greater than 100”. But my brother’s 75” screen is far more immersive than the 50 inch screen we marveled at ten years ago. We wouldn't say his “theater” sucks. But a pro can’t make money setting up a large format TV. Even an 86” LG that goes for $2,000.

An Apple TV or Roku

Them is fightn’ words! No one will argue that an AppleTV or a Roku is the highest quality audio and video. But.... Come on... sucks??? The latest AppleTV support HDR, Wide Color, and ATMOS. Did the author forget about when DVD was the pinnacle of high quality? How about Blu-ray? While not as good as a UHD Disc the AppleTV and Roku boxes have better quality than the former technologies did. These boxes should be part of any home theater for the convenience factor alone.

A non-4K cable or satellite box

Well these are just coming out and people will need to upgrade. In most cases it will be an easy swap. Lack of these doesn’t mean your theater sucks. It just means it's time to upgrade.

7.2 or 5.1 In-ceiling speakers by a company that specializes in distributed audio products

Again we agree with the author here. Good speakers do make a huge difference in your experience. With that said, this is much better than what we grew up with. How about saying your audio has room for improvement.

A sad 10-inch sub sitting in the corner of the room

This depends on the size of the room. In our world where most people’s home theater is in their family room, a good 10 inch sub, from say SVS, would sound great. If you have a large media room or actual theater yes this will be woefully underwhelming.

Final Thoughts

So what was the author’s intent here? To keep integrators relevant? Perhaps. Integrators are not going anywhere. There will always be people who just don’t have the time or desire to setup their home theaters. But we live in a great time where you can do it yourself and create a great “theater” with all the controls yourself. What we can cobble together for less than $10k would cost five times that 15 years ago. Perfect? No. Better than what you could have done 15 years ago? Without a Doubt! Does your theater Stink? Not from where we sit!

Podcast #921: Network TV Update and the Best Cheap Earbuds Nov 07, 2019

Network TV Update (officially renewed or canceled)

ABC

America’s Funniest Home Videos - renewed
Bachelor in Paradise - renewed
Grey’s Anatomy - renewed
Holey Moley - summer renewal
Grand Hotel - cancelled

CBS

Evil - renewed
Mom - renewed
Young Sheldon - renewed

Fox

Bless the Harts - renewed
Hell’s Kitchen - renewed
The Simpsons - renewed (forever???)

NBC

This is Us - renewed
The InBetween - cancelled
Sunnyside - cancelled

The Outpost - renewed
Pandora - renewed

Best Cheap Earbuds - RTINGS.com

Cheapest Earbuds With Decent Performance: Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 $8.95

The Panasonic RP-HJE120-K ErgoFit are very basic in-ear headphones with no additional features. They have a decent sound and barely leak, even at high volumes. However, they have a typical in-ear fit, which may be uncomfortable for some. They're not very stable and cannot block the ambient noise of a moderately busy office.

Pros - Minimal leakage. Decently balanced sound.

Cons - Poor noise isolation. In-ear fit not comfortable for everyone. Cheap build quality.

Best Cheap Earbuds: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless $26.99

The Anker SoundBuds Curve are good sports headphones, with a long battery life and a decent sound. They're comfortable with a stable ear-hook design for exercising and working out. They're compact enough to fit into your pockets, and they're decently well built, although the audio cable is a little thinner than comparable wireless in-ears. Unfortunately, they do not block that much noise so they may not be the best headphones for loud, noisy environments and their sound may be a bit too bass-heavy for some.

Pros - Stable and portable design. Comfortable fit. Very low leakage.

Cons - Mediocre-at-best noise isolation. Slightly thin audio cable.

Best Budget Earbuds: Sony WI-C310 Wireless $38

The Sony WI-C310 are decent mixed-usage in-ear headphones. They are very lightweight, their neckband design is flexible and portable, and they’ll be stable enough for running. They have a decent sound profile but might be better-suited for bass-heavy genres. The bud cables are very long, creating big loops when wearing the headphones, which may be a bit cumbersome. On the upside, they have a good 17-hour battery life and isolate well against work environment noises, but won’t be the ideal choice for public transit. They are decent all-around headphones and offer good value, but don’t necessarily stand out from other similar in-ears.

Pros - Decent audio reproduction. Portable and flexible around-the-neck design. Good battery life.

Cons - Slightly cheap build quality. Mushy control buttons. Always-on sidetone when using the microphone.

Podcast #921: Optoma CinemaX P1 Review Nov 01, 2019

Optoma CinemaX P1 Review

For the past year or two we have been talking about removing our projectors and replacing them with very large format TVs. There are a few manufacturers that produce TVs greater than 85” in size and we were stuck in analysis paralysis. There is a video that accompanies this review. Please watch it to help understand the capabilities of this projector.

That is until Optoma announced and shipped the CinemaX P1 Ultra Short Throw Projector (Street Price $3,299.00). This projector can sit as little as 8” away from your screen and project an 85” image. You will need a screen specifically designed for UST use for this review we paired it with a 90” Elite Aeon CLR (Street Price $600). All in the setup cost $3,900.

Let’s compare to what is out there in comparable size:

So yes it does cost a little more, but if you go up those last 5” to 90” you won’t find a TV anywhere close in price. And if you wanted to, for an additional $200, you could slide the projector back a few more inches and have a 100” screen. There is no TV that is 100” anywhere near this price! Plus, this was easier to bring into the house and get setup and that includes assembling the screen!

Features

Smart Control (We did not use any of these features) - You can control your Smart+ projector with voice control using your Amazon Echo and Google Home devices. IFTTT support enables interoperability with thousands of other smart devices.
Built-In Soundbar by NuForce (We used our 6.1 system and did not turn this on) - The integrated soundbar is designed to produce detailed sound with clear dialogue thanks to its two full-range drivers and two woofers within isolated, ported chambers.
InfoWall (Was fun for five minutes then we turned it off)- Transform your wall or screen into your own personal assistant with the InfoWall customizable information display. Configure it to display your calendar, weather information, daily news, and more using the Optoma companion app on your compatible mobile device.
SmartFIT (Very helpful feature) - This automatic geometry correction system helps ensure a hassle-free setup that produces properly squared-off images using just your smartphone.
LaserGuard - Two built-in PIR sensors detect objects in the light path and automatically dim the light source.

Optoma CinemaX P1 Smart 4K UHD Laser Cinema Features:

Resolution: 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160)
Lumens: 3,000 ANSI lumens
Contrast: Up to 1,500,000 with Dynamic Black enabled
Color: REC.2020, DCI-P3 wide color gamut, HDR10 compatible
Throw Ratio: 0.25:1
Image size: 85”- 120”
OS: Android 8.0 / Oreo
Remote Control: Bluetooth smart home remote with air mouse
HDMI-ARC for streamlined setups and reduced cable clutter with popular 5.1 soundbars
Other I/Os: 1x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2), 1x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2, HDMI-ARC), 1x HDMI 2.0 (HDCP 2.2, side), 1x USB 2.0 (4K media player), USB 2.0 power (side), USB (service), optical S/PDIF out, audio out (3.5mm, subwoofer compatible), RJ45

Setup

Setup was a bit more complicated than the typical TV. First you have to assemble the screen which is not terribly difficult. But you do need to be mindful of the screen material so you don’t fold or crease it. The screen attaches to the frame with velcro and must be pulled tight for a clean image. Elite screen has a video that we recommend you watch before assembling the screen. It will make things easier. Once completed the screen is mounted via two clips that our screwed into the wall. Elite provides drywall anchors which are plenty strong for this application. The screen is not very heavy at all.

Positioning the screen is a little tricky because the projector does not have lens shift. What we did was project a 90” inch image on the wall and then mount the screen. That sounds easy but before you do that you have to square up the image. You can’t use the Smartfit on the bare wall because there is no black screen outline, which is required for the SmartFit algorithm to work. Instead we manually used the geometry settings to square the image. We then pulled the projector back on the TV stand until we had about a 91” mage on the wall. We marked the corners and made sure the screen was mounted within that space.

Once the screen was hung will pulled out our phone and used the SmartFIT app and voila! The image got pulled into the screen. It was 99% perfect. There was one corner that need a very slight adjustment. For that we went back to the geometry settings and stretched the image to the corner and we were done! It seems like it was harder to do but I say it was easier than hauling a 85” TV upstairs. Plus there was far less packaging to deal with when it was all done.

As far as the TV settings go we did some very minor tweeks, not a full calibration. The only things that were changes off of the default values were the following: Display was set to HDR, HDR Picture was set to Standard, Brightness was set to -2, Contrast to 13, Sharpness to 9. We also made sure the Pure motion was set to off. I recommend you watch the video to see how good the picture looks. We realize that with proper calibration you will see improvements and we may end up doing a full calibration in the future, but we wanted everyone to know a really good picture can be had without the need to spend and additional $300-$500.

Performance

This is the only thing that really matters. Can this projector replace a large format TV in a room with no real light control? Well the answer is yes! The picture is great when watching anything bright like any sporting event. You can even watch movies with some shadow detail. Although it's not the best. But really, what screen can do dark scenes with good shadow detail in full brightness anyway?

We looked at this screen in full daylight viewing and in early evening viewing for the purposes of this review. We recommend watching the video on our youtube channel where you can judge for yourself the quality of the picture.

Full Daylight

In full daylight we could easily make out the detail in everything we watched with the exception of a few night scenes in Blackhawk Down. The 3000 lumens of laser light combined with the CLR Elite screen make a huge difference when compared to a typical projector. Colors are accurate and the detail is good. There are no issues with off angle viewing. To sum it up, you can watch this projector in full daylight and not feel like you are missing something.

Evening

As good as the daylight viewing is, evening (or blinds closed) is amazing! Everything we liked about the daytime is amplified at night. Colors are richer, detail is more visible, and contrast is enhanced. It's like you are watching a plasma TV. For the first time since the 4K UHD TV craze it felt like all the additional resolution mattered. The blacks look really good in the evening much better than in the daytime. While watching football, hockey, and baseball we did not notice any motion blur. We did not game on this projector but being a 60Hz projector at it's highest refresh rate, we’d say there might be some lag for hard core gamers.

Other

The Projector uses an eight segment DLP. We did not see any rainbows during our testing.
There is no chance of image retention.
The remote is Bluetooth and as such we were not able to add it to our Harmony Remote. We did enable HDMI control so when a signal was present the projector would automatically turn on. When the signal was absent the projector would turn off.
The projector is reasonably quiet. If the projector was on with no audio you could hear it but it wasn’t distracting. However with any audio coming through the system the projector was inaudible.

Conclusion

The Optoma CinemaX P1 is the projector/TV we have been looking for. You can watch sports and even movies in full brightness, but it really shows it's stuff in a dark(er) room. It has good blacks that get even better in the evening. The wide viewing angle means you can sit anywhere in the room and enjoy a stunning 4K picture. This projector can truly replace your family room TV with no need to employ expensive lighting control. The Optoma CinemaX P1 is highly recommended by the HT Guys.

Podcast #919: Confessions of a Cord Cutter Oct 25, 2019

Confessions of a Cord Cutter

We received a great email from our listener Dennis Comfort describing his journey to becoming a cord cutter. Well maybe a cord swapper. Whatever you call it he saved $90 a month! Thank you Dennis for sharing your experience with us!

First, why did I do it?

I've had Comcast for years, used to have Century Link (fiber), and also at Directv at one point. Directv was ok in my old house, but where I live now, there are simply too many trees and I didn't feel like fishing coax cable runs through my house. I tried Comcast again, and had it for a while, then the Century Link sales guys showed up on my front door and convinced me that my life would be better. What I found, after switching, was that 1) their DVR user interface was a shambles, their Internet was sometimes intermittent, and frankly, I missed my Tivo. So, goodbye Century Link, hello Comcast (again). Been on Comcast for the last several years and have happily enjoyed my Tivo Bolts (two of them in the house). However, my Comcast bill was getting out of hand. I decided to look for alternatives. Cost drove this decision.

Requirements

I did consider keeping Comcast -- didn't look forward to training the family on another user interface. I created myself a list of decision criteria to help drive the planning:

Reduce the monthly bill.
Keep getting local channels including PBS.
Keep network channels.
No need for 500 channels - I probably watch 10-20 of them.
Need to be able to record and watch shows later.
Need solid internet connection for home/work stuff.
Need at least 1080P, 4K would be great (my Bolts already do 4K as does my FireTV). One of my TVs is Samsung 50" 1080P, the other is 65" Sony 4K.
Minimize the number of remotes (before the switch, I had two --- FireTV, and a Harmony One remote).
I don't want to go into the walls and move cables.
We also do watch Netflix, Prime Video, and Hulu.
Also watch HBO and Showtime.

Alternatives

Keep Comcast - and the biggest reason I would have done that would have been if my final new monthly bill was within a few dollars of Comcast - then not worth switching.
Century Link - no.
Directv - no.
Apple TV 4K with a streaming service
- Sony Playstation Vue
- YouTube TV
- Hulu TV
Keep in mind that as of today, no streaming service provides access to PBS; for that, I need Comcast or an OTA antenna.

What I Did

Installed free trials of Vue and HuluTV. Didn't consider YouTubeTV but I can't remember why.

HuluTV and Vue could go relatively neck and neck on features; there are distinct UI differences, but Hulu didn't offer HBO and Showtime; Vue has both.

I bought an Apple TV 4K and signed up one month of Vue Core plus HBO/Showtime.
I bought an inexpensive OTA HD antenna and stuck to an inside wall of the house (too far to reach the windows and not burying cables) to see if it was good enough.

What I found out

OTA HD antenna, even again an inside wall, works GREAT, especially for PBS.. it's not perfect, and now then it will pixelate, but I don't care.

I love Apple TV 4k. I'm looking forward to the Apple TV + content. it helped, i'm sure, that our house is already deep into the Apple ecosystem (despite the fact that I swore off Macs and Apple for years while I worked for a large software company with an M in the name).
The Apple TV does a great job at being THE UI into all of my content except PBS (I can live with that).
I am hooked on Multiview with Playstation Vue so I can have up to four PIPs on my screen at once and switch between them.
It's convenient that the Harmony remote will control EVERYTHING (the family room set up is the Samsung 50" and a Sony soundbar/subwoofer setup (with HDMI switching) so one remote does it. Or you can still use the Apple remote and even control the volumne on the amp.

What Isn't Great

The Apple TV remote glass trackpad can be a bit squirrely - I have it set on the lowest response setting and it's still takes some practice -- but we can live with it.

Sony Vue is great, but there are a few bugs... yesterday I was watching the Seattle Seahawks throw away the game to Baltimore and concurrently was switching back and forth to the movie, US Marshalls. After about 10-15 switches, Vue got confused and mixed up the two shows so that if you chose football, you got the movie and vice versa. Easy fix... re-add both shows, but still a bug.
Can't really skip commercials any more. Oh well.
I do miss Tivo, BUT.... I got to thinking about this... we probably only watch 10% of all the content record with Tivo. And, we don't really need to record Tivo-style any more as we can stream pretty much anything anything. So as much as I teared up just a tad as I disconnected the Bolts, they aren't needed. (one of your shows talked about how Tivo has missed the boat in several areas... too bad we can't get a Tivo app on the set top boxes.. i'd pay for that).

Result

I'm saving about $90 /month in Comcast costs, and I got a new deal on my internet so my throughput doubled from 500mbps to 1Gbps for $6 less to Comcast (from what Internet-only would have been for 500mbps).
I bought a second Apple TV for the theater room (65" Sony) and all is good.

I'm happy. I can live with some of the nuances, and I'm free from the cable company.... for content. We will see how the next 6 months goes.. so far, so good.

Podcast #918:Best 4K Projector and Affordable 65" TVs Oct 17, 2019

Best 4K Projector and Best Affordable 65" TV

This week we discuss two articles at AVS Forum. The first one is the “Best 4K Home Theater Projectors on Amazon”. The second article is the “Best Affordable 65” TV”.

Best 4K Home Theater Projectors on Amazon

We get it – you want an awesome 4K projector and you want it delivered by Amazon. You want the projector in your home as soon as possible, set up, and ready to go. We’ve narrowed down your choices for the best 4K projector on Amazon to just a few to save you some time.

Best Affordable 65” TV

If you’re looking for a great 65″ TV without breaking the budget, check out our list of the best 65″ TVs for under $1,000.

Podcast #917: IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD Oct 11, 2019

IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD

One of the reasons Ara ended up buying his UST projector system is that he didn’t want to route new cables in his hard to reach crawl space. However, he may have reconsidered that decision had he known about the IOGEAR 4K UHD transmitter/receiver kit (MSRP $299.95).

The wireless video extender allows you to easily transmit 4K Ultra High Definition video and 7.1 audio from an HDMI source over distances up to 60 feet with near-zero latency. Check out the HT Guys YouTube Channel for an accompanying video to this review.

Features:

Wirelessly send 4K UHD video from one HDMI source to one HDMI TV/Projector
Extends signals up to 60 Ft. in-room
Uncompressed audio and video at near-zero latency - ideal for gaming and streaming
Resolutions up to 3840 x 2160 @30Hz
Minimal interference with existing Wi-Fi devices via 60GHz wireless frequency
Support 7.1 surround sound audio, Dolby® True HD and DTS-HD® Master audio format
Plug-n-Play - Transmitter and receiver come pre-paired from factory
Dedicated closed wireless system - Requires no Wi-Fi network
Advanced wireless technology speeds to 18 Gbps
LED status lights for source/display connections and wireless link
Supports dual power option via USB or included AC adapter
Compact mountable design for easy placement
HDMI 1.4 & HDCP 2.2 compliant
Supports 4K UHD High Dynamic Range (HDR) TVs and content

Setup

Setup is trivial! Connect the transmitter to the source and power. Then connect the receiver to the receiver. In Ara’s situation the source would have been the output of his AVR and the receiver would have been the input to the projector. If you watch the video for the purposes of the evaluation the source was a 4K Apple TV and the receiver was a 4K TV. Setup took two minutes. It should be noted that the transmitter should be turned on first followed by the receiver. The connection light blinks amber when the devices are looking for each other. The become solid amber when linked. Once that is done you are good to go.

Performance

Our tests were run at 10 and 20 feet with a clear line of sight and slightly obstructed. Just about flawless is how we would characterize the performance. In actuality, we only saw one hiccup. Beyond that one breakup in the picture, the audio and video were rock solid. We got full Dolby digital with Plex, Apple Movies and Vudo. There really isn’t much else to say which is a good thing. It just worked.

Conclusion

There really is nothing to dislike about the IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD video extender. If you have a room where running an HDMI cable is difficult, using this device is a no brainer. The HT Guys highly recommend the IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD video extender!

Podcast #916 New Echo Devices Oct 09, 2019

New Echo Devices

Last week Amazon introduced a slew of new Echo based products. On today’s show we try to figure out when will Amazon take over the world!

All-new Echo (3rd Gen) - Smart speaker with Alexa - Twilight Blue

Release date October 16th with a street price of $99.99

Features

Meet Echo - Echo (3rd Gen) has new premium speakers powered by Dolby to play 360° audio with crisp vocals and dynamic bass response.
Enjoy premium sound - Personalize your listening experience by adjusting the equalizer settings. Or pair with a second Echo (3rd Gen) or Echo Plus (2nd Gen) for stereo sound.
Voice control your music - Ask Alexa for a song, artist, or genre from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, SiriusXM, and more. With multi-room music, play music on compatible Echo devices in different rooms.
Voice control your smart home - Turn on lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors, and more with compatible connected devices.
Keep your family in sync - Use your Alexa devices like an intercom and talk to any room in the house with Drop In and Announcements.
Alexa has skills - With tens of thousands of skills and counting, Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new skills like tracking fitness, playing games, and more.
Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the mics.

Echo Buds – Wireless earbuds with immersive sound, active noise reduction, and Alexa

Release date October 30th with a street price of $129.99

Features:

Immersive sound – Premium speaker drivers deliver crisp, dynamic audio. Bose Active Noise Reduction Technology and sealed in-ear design limits background noise.
Hands-free with Alexa – Echo Buds work with the Alexa app to stream music, play Audible audiobooks, make calls, or get directions—just ask.
Access other assistants – Supports access to Siri or Google Assistant from a supported device—just press and hold your earbud.
Long-lasting battery – Get up to 5 hrs music playback per charge, up to 2 hrs with a 15-min quick charge, and up to 20 hrs with the charging case.
Customizable fit for better sound – 3 sizes of ear tips help form a comfortable in-ear seal for immersive listening.
Exercise ready – Sweat-resistant with a secure fit that’s made to move with you.
Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new skills – Request a rideshare, get a guided workout, or order dinner, all hands-free.
Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy protections and controls, including the ability to mute the mics with the Alexa app.

Plug-in smart speaker with Alexa

Release date November 14th with a street price of $24.99

Features:

Make any space a little smarter - This plug-in smart speaker lets you get help from Alexa in more places in your home.
Alexa is always happy to help - Manage your day. Get instant information. Check weather and traffic on your way out.
Voice control your smart home - Turn on lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors, and more with compatible connected devices.
Built-in USB port - Charge your phone or add an optional accessory like a night-light or motion sensor.
Connect with others - Drop in on or make announcements to other rooms that have a compatible Echo device. Call hands-free.
Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the mics.

Echo Dot 3rd Gen with Clock

Release date October 16th with a street price $59.99. The 3rd generation version of the dot without clock is currently available for $49.99 today.

Features:

Our most popular smart speaker - Now available with an LED display that can show the time, outdoor temperature, or timers.
Perfect for your nightstand - Ask Alexa to set an alarm. Tap the top to snooze. The light sensor automatically adjusts the display’s brightness, day or night.
Voice control your music - Stream songs from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Sirius XM, and others. You can also listen to audiobooks from Audible.
Enjoy stereo sound - Pair with a second Echo Dot for rich, stereo sound. Fill your home with music with compatible Echo devices in different rooms.
Ready to help - Ask Alexa to play music, answer questions, read the news, check the weather, set alarms, control compatible smart home devices, and more.
Voice control your smart home - Turn on lights, adjust thermostats, lock doors, and more with compatible connected devices.
Alexa has skills - With tens of thousands of skills and counting, Alexa is always getting smarter and adding new skills like tracking fitness, playing games, and more.
Designed to protect your privacy - Built with multiple layers of privacy controls, including a microphone off button that electronically disconnects the mics.

Echo Show 8 - HD 8" smart display with Alexa - Charcoal

Release date November 21st with a street price of $129.99

Features:

Alexa can show you more - With an 8" HD screen and stereo sound, Alexa can help manage your day at a glance.
Be entertained - Ask Alexa to show you movie trailers, TV shows, movies, or the news. Or listen to radio stations, podcasts, and audiobooks.
Connect with video calling and messaging - Call friends and family who have the Alexa app or an Echo device with a screen. Make announcements to other devices in your home.
Control your smart home - Voice control compatible devices or manage them on the easy-to-use display. Ask Alexa to show you security cameras, control lights, and adjust thermostats.
Make it yours - Show off your Amazon photo albums. Customize your home screen. Create morning routines to start your day.
Made to fit your life - Cook along to step-by-step recipes. Easily update to-do lists and calendars. Glance at weather and traffic on your way out.
Designed to protect your privacy - Electronically disconnect the microphones and camera with one press of a button. Slide the built-in shutter to cover the camera.

Echo Frames - Eyeglasses with Alexa - Black - A Day 1 Editions product

Available by invitation only with a street price of $179.99

Features:

Meet Echo Frames - All-day glasses with hands-free access to Alexa.
Just ask Alexa - Make calls, set reminders, add to your to-do lists, listen to podcasts, or control your smart home from anywhere.
Designed for all-day wear - Echo Frames are lightweight and compatible with most prescription lenses.
VIP Filter - Customize which notifications to receive from the contacts and apps that matter most to you.
Thoughtful design - Amazon open-ear technology directs sound to your ears and minimizes what others can hear. And with no camera or display, you stay in the moment.
Does even more - Supports access to Google Assistant from a compatible device.
Designed for privacy - Microphones are designed to respond to the voice of the person wearing the frames and turn off with the double-press of a button.

Echo Glow - multicolor smart lamp for kids - A Certified for Humans Device

Release date November 20th with a street price of $29.99

Features:

A smart lamp for kids - Pair with any compatible Alexa device to control color and brightness with your voice.
Certified for Humans - Struggle-free, tinker-free, stress-free. No patience needed—it's actually simple.
Make family routines colorful - Create lighting cues that help with counting down to dinnertime or setting a reading timer.
Kids can create and choose - Give kids the freedom to add color and fun lighting while playing or listening to music.
Unlock the magic of Rainbow Timer - As the colors of the rainbow change, kids get a visual reminder that can help morning and bedtime routines stay on track.

Echo Loop - Smart ring with Alexa - A Day 1 Editions product

Available exclusively by invitation with a street price of $129.99

Features:

Keep Alexa on hand - This smart ring is your shortcut to quick calls, fast answers, and bits of info that help you stay on top of your day.
Help is just a click away - Ask Alexa to set reminders, add to lists, and control compatible smart home devices on the go.
Connect to your top contact - Put them on speed dial for short, frequent conversations.
Get info the moment you need it - Movie showtimes, quick calculations, and a world of knowledge are waiting.
Made for real life - Echo Loop is scratch-resistant, water-resistant, and has an all-day battery.
Designed to protect your privacy - Wake up Alexa by clicking the action button.

Podcast #915: Fall TV 2019 Sep 27, 2019

Fall TV 2019

It's that time of year when baseball crowns a world champion and football dominates our weekends. But there is something else that we are happy about at the HDTV and Hometheater podcast… TV is out of reruns! Today we run down the Fall TV schedule from ABC, CBS, CW, Fox, and NBC.

ABC

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Dancing with the Stars”

10-11 p.m. — “The Good Doctor”

TUESDAY

8:00-8:30 p.m. — “The Conners”

8:30-9:00 p.m. — “Bless This Mess” (new night and time)

9:00-9:30 p.m. — “MIXED-ISH” - Follows Bow's parents, Paul and Alicia, who decide to move from a hippie commune to the suburbs to better provide for their family.

9:30-10:00 p.m. — “black-ish” (new time)

10-11 p.m. — “EMERGENCE” - After Jo, a police chief, takes in a young child she finds near the site of a mysterious accident, she soon discovers the girl has no memory of what has happened or who she is. The investigation into the history that led up to the accident -- and questions as to how and why it happened -- draws the woman into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, with the child's identity at the center of it.

WEDNESDAY

8:00-8:30 p.m. — “The Goldbergs”

8:30-9:00 p.m. — “Schooled”

9:00-9:30 p.m. — “Modern Family”

9:30-10:00 p.m. — “Single Parents”

10-11 p.m. — “STUMPTOWN” - A sharp-witted army veteran becomes a private investigator in Portland, Oregon, where she takes care of her brother. (Cobie Smulders)

THURSDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Grey’s Anatomy”

9-10 p.m. — “A Million Little Things”

10-11 p.m. — “How to Get Away with Murder”

FRIDAY

8:00-8:30 p.m. — “American Housewife” (new night and time)

8:30-9:00 p.m. — “Fresh Off the Boat” (new time)

9:00-11 p.m. — “20/20” (two hours)

SATURDAY

8:00 p.m. — “Saturday Night Football”

SUNDAY

7-8 p.m. — “America’s Funniest Home Videos”

8-9 p.m. — “KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS”

9-10 p.m. — “Shark Tank”

10-11 p.m. — “The Rookie” (new night)

CBS

MONDAY

8-8:30 p.m. — “The Neighborhood”

8:30-9 p.m. — “BOB (hearts) ABISHOLA” - An American guy falls in love with his Nigerian nurse.

9-10 p.m. — “ALL RISE” - A look at the personal and professional lives of the judges, lawyers, clerks, bailiffs and cops who work at an L.A. County courthouse.

10-11 p.m. — “Bull”

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “NCIS”

9-10 p.m. — “FBI”

10-11 p.m. — “NCIS: New Orleans”

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Survivor”

9-10 p.m. — “SEAL Team” (new time)

10-11 p.m. — “S.W.A.T.” (new night)

THURSDAY

8-8:30 p.m. — “Young Sheldon” (new time)

8-9 p.m. — “THE UNICORN” - A widower is eager to move on from the most difficult year of his life, only to realize he's utterly unprepared to raise his two daughters on his own and equally unprepared for the dating world where he's suddenly a hot commodity.

9-9:30 p.m. — “Mom”

9:30-10 p.m. — “CAROL’S SECOND ACT” - Retired teacher Carol Kenney begins a second career as a doctor.

10-11 p.m. — “EVIL” - A skeptical female clinical psychologist joins a priest-in-training and a blue-collar contractor as they investigate supposed miracles, demonic possession, and other extraordinary occurrences to see if there's a scientific explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work.

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Hawaii Five-0” (new time)

9-10 p.m. — “Magnum P.I.” (new night)

10-11 p.m. — “Blue Bloods”

SATURDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Crimetime Saturday”

9-10 p.m. — “Crimetime Saturday”

10-11 p.m. — “48 Hours”

SUNDAY

7-8 p.m. — “60 Minutes”

8-9 p.m. — “God Friended Me”

9-10 p.m. — “NCIS: Los Angeles”

10-11 p.m. — “Madam Secretary”

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. — “All American” (new night)

9-10 p.m. — “Black Lightning”

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “The Flash”

9-10 p.m. — “Arrow” (new night)

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Riverdale”

9-10 p.m. — “NANCY DREW” - Young Nancy Drew makes plans to leave her hometown for college after high school graduation, but finds herself drawn into a supernatural murder mystery.

THURSDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Supernatural”

9-10 p.m. — “Legacies”

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Charmed” (new night and time)

9-10 p.m. — “Dynasty” (new time)

SUNDAY

8-9 p.m. — “BATWOMAN” - Kate Kane seeks justice for Gotham city as Batwoman.

9-10 p.m. — “Supergirl” (new time)

FOX

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. — “9-1-1” (new time)

9-10 p.m. — “PRODIGAL SON” - Malcolm Bright, one of the best criminal psychologist around, uses his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes.

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “The Resident” (new night)

9-10 p.m. — “Empire” (new night and time)

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “The Masked Singer” (new night and time)

9-10 p.m. — “ALMOST FAMILY” - A woman who grew up as an only child discovers that her dad fathered many other children as a sperm donor.

THURSDAY

7:30-8 p.m. — “Thursday Night Football” pregame show

8 p.m. — NFL Football

Last Man Standing will air when Fox does not have a football game in this timeslot.

FRIDAY

8-10 p.m. — “WWE’S SMACKDOWN LIVE”

SATURDAY

7-10:30 p.m. — “Fox Sports Saturday: Fox College Football”

SUNDAY

7-7:30 p.m. — NFL on Fox

7:30-8 p.m. “The OT” / Fox Encores

8-8:30 p.m. — “The Simpsons”

8:30-9 p.m. — “BLESS THE HARTS” - A group of Southerners strive to live the American dream. (Animation)

9-9:30 p.m. — “Bob’s Burgers” (new time)

9:30-10 p.m. — “Family Guy” (new time)

NBC

MONDAY

8-10 p.m. — “The Voice”

10-11 p.m. — “BLUFF CITY LAW” - Lawyers at an elite Memphis law firm specialize in controversial landmark civil rights cases.

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “The Voice”

9-10 p.m. — “This Is Us”

10-11 p.m. — “New Amsterdam”

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — “Chicago Med”

9-10 p.m. — “Chicago Fire”

10-11 p.m. — “Chicago P.D.”

THURSDAY

8-8:30 p.m. — “Superstore”

8:30-9 p.m. — “PERFECT HARMONY” - An Ivy League professor becomes the director of a rural church choir. (Anna Camp of Pitch Perfect fame stars)

9-9:30 p.m. — “The Good Place” (new time)

9:30-10 p.m. — “SUNNYSIDE” - Garrett Modi (Kal Penn) is a former New York city councilman who finds his calling when faced with immigrants in need of his help and in search of the American Dream.

10-11 p.m. — “Law & Order: SVU”

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. — “The Blacklist”

9-11 p.m. — “Dateline NBC”

SATURDAY

8-10 p.m. — “Dateline Saturday Night Mystery”

10-11 p.m. – “Saturday Night Live” (encores)

SUNDAY

7-8:20 p.m. — “Football Night in America”

8:20-11 p.m. — “NBC Sunday Night Football”

Podcast #914: CEDIA 2019 Sep 19, 2019

CEDIA 2019

Last week more than 20,000 home tech pros and 500+ exhibitors convened in Denver for the 2019 CEDIA Expo. This week the HT Guys run down some of the cool product announcements that came out of the show.

Sony Electronics Brings 16K-capable Display System to Consumers' Living Rooms with Crystal LED Residential Solutions

PARAMUS, N.J., Sept. 12, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the availability of its award-winning Crystal LED display system for home installation. Having initially introduced the technology for use in commercial and entertainment venues, Sony Electronics now offers residential configurations and installation, giving consumers an unrivaled home theater technology capable of displaying 8K HDR video content and beyond – up to 16K.

Crystal LED is a modular technology, enabling it to be installed in virtually any desired size and resolution to accommodate consumers' needs and residential space availability. Sample residential configurations include:

Full HD Size (18 Units)

~110-inch Diagonal

~8ft (W) x 4ft (H)

4K Size (72 Units)

~220-inch Diagonal

~16ft (W) x 9ft (H)

8K Size (288 Units)

~440-inch Diagonal

~32ft (W) x 18ft (H)

16K Size (576 Units)

~790-inch Diagonal

~63ft (W) x 18ft (H)

Sony's Crystal LED direct view display system uses ultra-fine micro-LED measuring 0.003 mm² – half the width of a human hair – which are 100 times smaller than traditional LEDs. The display recently received a prestigious 2019 Display Industry Award for "Display of the Year" from the Society of Information Display, recognizing Crystal LED's unprecedented visual experience. The technology delivers crisp, blur-free moving images with high frame rate up to 120p for razor-sharp motion rendition that is far beyond the reach of conventional video.

Additional technical highlights:

HDR with high brightness (1,000 nits)
10-bit grayscale
Precise color reproduction
Extraordinary color gamut – 140 percent of sRGB
High frame rates up to 120p
Nearly 180-degree viewing angle
Spectacular 3D
Non-standard aspect ratios
99 percent black surface area for delivering high contrast and high resolution

Each module (360×360-pixel) will cost $10,000. Which means a 1080p setup will need 18 modules costing $180,000 and will produce a screen that is 120 inches on the diagonal. A 4K-capable display will require 16 feet of wall width and produce a 220-inch screen. For that you will need 72 modules and a whopping $720,000.

LG Debuts Expanded 4K UHD CineBeam Projector Lineup In U.S.

LG Electronics USA introduced a new LG CineBeam 4K UHD projector. The new projector (model HU70LA), which is on display this week at the CEDIA EXPO 2019, has a suggested retail price of $1,799 and will be available at select LG-authorized retailers in October.

With a compact design, the HU70LA LG CineBeam LED Projector provides an impressive home theater experience with a deep and rich picture up to 140 inches (measured diagonally), and brightness of 1500 ANSI lumens that covers approximately 92 percent of the DCI-P3 color space. The projector employs a four-channel LED light source to generate red, green and blue, with the additional fourth LED boosting image brightness, contrast and generating more vivid colors with more nuanced tonality (compared to conventional LED projectors) by adjusting green levels. The HU70LA, as well as the HU85LA, are IP controllable via Control 4, Savant and Crestron.

The HU85LA CineBeam Laser Projector (MSRP $5999.99), also demonstrated at CEDIA Expo, is LG's first Ultra Short Throw model, generating 2,700 ANSI lumens to deliver vibrant and crisp images up to 120 inches (measured diagonally) from placement of only 7.2 inches away from the wall. The stylish projector is housed in a minimal design for a cinematic viewing experience.

Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K SXRD Home Cinema Projector

Winning the TWICE VIP award for Home Theater Projectors is the Sony VPL-VW295ES (MSRP $4499.99).

Native 4K resolution for lifelike pictures
1500 Lumens
Deep Blacks with 4K SXRD Panels
HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma)
TRILUMINOS™ color, reproducing more tones and textures than a standard projector system
Both HDMI inputs are compatible with HDCP 2.2
Select from nine calibrated picture modes, including two theater film modes, theater digital, reference, TV, photo, game, bright cinema and bright TV.

Home Assistant

Open source home automation that puts local control and privacy first. Powered by a worldwide community of tinkerers and DIY enthusiasts. Perfect to run on a Raspberry Pi or a local server. It works with 1467 products that include the Amazon Echo, ecobee Thermostats. Zwave, Zigbee, Plex and so many more. They have a demo you can check out here (Home Assistant Demo)

Savant AppleTV App

Savant®, a leader in smart home technology, has introduced the Smart Home App for Apple TV, an on-screen control platform that provides fast and intuitive access to smart home functionality via high-definition graphics. The graphical control icons can be shown full screen or as an overlay to live TV or a movie that is currently playing.

Savant’s Smart Home App for Apple TV provides an easy-to-navigate menu of icons in a large visual format representing key features such as climate, lighting, audio, Savant Scenes and more. This amazing on-screen experience is part of the company’s Pro App software that provides an intuitive interface with smart home functionality via touch panels, mobile devices, the award-winning Savant Pro Remote—and now the TV! Users can easily select their favorite channels, choose to control or view the status of a service in the home or to activate a Savant Scene.

“The Savant Smart Home App for Apple TV has been designed to round out our control offering, delivering to the user a consistent and powerful experience whether they are controlling the system on a mobile device, touch panel or tablet, remote control, voice engine, TV, or even an Apple Watch,” said VP of Design Andy Hamm. “We strive to create experiences that are engaging and ultra-intuitive, making it easy, effortless and fun for anyone to interact with their Savant system. “

The Savant Smart Home App for Apple TV will become available late 2019.

Redcarpet Home Cinema Streaming Server

Red Carpet Home Cinema is a unique luxury service offering major Hollywood movies for personal viewing in the home during the theatrical window at a premium price. Red Carpet Home Cinema subscribers must have a credit card limit of at least $50,000, and need to pass Red Carpet’s strict vetting process and install a special $15,000 media server in their home theater. Once that’s done, customers can spend between $500 and $3,000 to watch first-run movies in the comfort of their own home. Blockbusters tend to cost more than dramas, but regardless of the final price tag, each customer can view their rentals twice over a single 36-hour period.

Denon AVR-X3600H

Winning the TWICE VIP award for A/V receivers is the Denon AVR-X3600H a 9.2 channel 4K Ultra HD AV receiver with 105W per channel and advanced HDMI (8in / 3out with eARC) section. Supports 3D audio formats Dolby Atmos®, Dolby Atmos Height Virtualization Technology, DTS:X™, DTS Virtual:X® and new IMAX Enhanced. Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple Siri for seamless voice control. The 8 HDMI inputs and 3 outputs with eARC and full HDCP 2.3 support on all ports are compatible with the latest HD and Ultra HD TVs, Blu-ray players and game consoles. The powerful DSP is capable of 11.2 channel processing, allowing you to extend the system with an additional power amplifier. ($1100 MSRP More info)

SSF™ HDMI Active Optical Cables

Cleerline SSF™ HDMI Active Optical Cables provide 4K UHD signal transmission and are fully 18 Gbps compatible. Each cable incorporates 4 strands of SSF™ optical fiber, giving the cable greater strength and flexibility as well as maximizing bandwidth potential. In addition to SSF™ fiber optic technology, SSF™ HDMI AOC incorporate the latest chipset technology, designed to eliminate heat production and improve the longevity of the cable.

Unlike other HDMI Active Optical Cables, which may use plastic optical fibers or traditional glass, SSF™ AOC include SSF™ optical fibers. The Glass, Glass, Polymer construction of SSF™ fiber gives each fiber up to 200 times the durability of standard glass fiber. This increased strength allows SSF™ AOC to easily withstand higher loads during installation. SSF™ technology also provides a higher degree of flexibility to the glass.

All cables feature a plenum outer jacket.

Features And Benefits:

18 Gbps, 4K60 4:4:4
Full HDMI 2.0 features, 4K60 4:4:4
HDCP 2.2
HDR, WCG
Audio Return Channel
Increased durability and flexibility
High definition signal transmission

No pricing available at this time

KLH Unveils Maxwell Monitor One Concentric-Driver Bookshelf

A first for KLH, the Monitor One incorporates a concentric design meaning the tweeter is mounted directly into the center space of the voice coil of the mid/bass driver. This, along with use of premium internal components and fine attention paid to crossover points, top grade parts, and voicing, results in a balanced and nuanced sound with a very wide 180-degree dispersion, making the entire room the sweet spot. KLH is employing this same approach in its Maxwell In-Ceiling speakers which come to market this month. Both versions utilize a 1-inch silk dome tweeter and 6.5-inch Kevlar/fiberglass laminated cone, with an robust edge wound voice coil.

Boasting a new industrial design with exotic finishes including high-gloss Figured Koa, Cocobolo and Ferrari red, and utilizing premium components and concentric drivers, these powerful and nuanced $999 per pair 2-way monitors rival competitors similar designs up to twice the price.

Samsung SmartThings Cam

The SmartThings Cam won the TWICE VIP award in the DIY Home Security Category. Coming in at $90 it does not require a hub to use. This could be the gateway drug to the rest of the SmartThings ecosystem.

Know what's going on when you're away from home. A full HD camera delivers a clear, detailed view, allowing you to monitor your home 24 hours a day from the convenience of your smartphone, tablet, Samsung TV or fridge. The SmartThings Cam intuitively distinguishes between a person and an object alerting you immediately if necessary, while minimizing false triggers.

Control up to two SmartThings Cams and view rolling 24-hour recordings for free. All your footage is safely secured on your personal cloud and can be accessed remotely any time.

Sony GTK-PG10 Portable wireless speaker

The GTK-PG10 won the TWICE VIP award in the Home Audio Category. It kind of looks like a subwoofer that expands to look like a BBQ grill. It's not cheap at $250. It has 8 user reviews at Sony’s site with a score of four out of five stars.

With a dedicated outdoor party mode that spreads sound further, the GTK-PG10 is tailor-made for outdoor use — it even has a splash-proof top panel to rest your drinks on.

Outdoor party mode spreads sound further
Splash-proof top panel with integrated cup holders
Rechargeable battery provides up to 13hr playback (not using bluetooth)
Bluetooth® connectivity for wireless music streaming
FM tuner lets you enjoy your favorite radio shows

Vivant Integrates two-way control with Control4

Leading security and smart home company, Vivant, has announced that it's system now provides two-way integration with Control4. With Control4’s SDDP technology embedded in Vivint’s Smart Hub panel, Control4 users will be able to monitor and control their Vivint security system via standard Control4 interfaces.

In addition, any security sensor in the Vivint ecosystem can be incorporated into Control4 scenes and alerts. For example, if someone trips a motion sensor in the living room after sunset, the event could trigger Control4 to turn on the lights in that room to a dim level and flip the TV to CNN on mute.

Monolith by Monoprice M-215 Dual 15" THX Certified Subwoofer

A Tower of Bass! The Monolith THX® Ultra certified subwoofer sets the standard for bass output, low distortion, and affordability. With chest thumping bass that plays down to well under 16Hz, the Monolith THX Ultra Dual 15" (MSRP $2499.99) Subwoofer unleashes cinema level volume, with the ability to convey and articulate the subtle nuances of music. Dimensions 42.32" x 20.0" x 27.55" (1075 x 508 x 700 mm) and 215.6lbs (98KG).

Monoprice also unveiled their new Monolith speakers. The Monolith speakers are available with Atmos at $999, or without Atmos at $849, and are expected to be out November 2019.

Epson launches LS-500 4K ultra short-throw Laser Projection TV

Launching at CEDIA, the Epson LS-500 is a Laser Projection TV, delivering a 4K HDR image up to 130 inches in size from just centimetres away from the screen on your wall.

Equipped with Epson’s proprietary 4K PRO-UHD2 3LCD technology, Epson Laser Projection TV combines an advanced Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector – along with an Ultra High-Definition Ambient Light Rejecting Screen – to produce vivid colors and deep blacks for an exceptionally bright, colorful, and sharp picture – in virtually any viewing environment.

Full 10-bit color processing accepting 100 percent of the HDR source information to faithfully reproduce HDR content for an exceptional visual performance.

Capable of displaying 4K HDR content at an exceptional level of brightness for both color and white content. This not only provides for an amazing viewing experience but sets a new standard in this class of projection – allowing for all-day viewing in virtually any lighting environment.

The Epson LS500 Laser Projection TV will be available in the first quarter of 2020 through Magnolia and Professional Home Theater Installers. The Epson Laser Projection TV will be available in black and white models with 100-inch (MSRP $4,999) and 120-inch (MSRP $5,999) SKUs.

Podcast #913: DoItForMe.Solutions Sep 12, 2019

DoItForMe.Solutions

Today we have an interview with Robert Spivack owner of DoItForMe.Solutions.

Hi, I'm Robert!

A home automation technologist and problem solver. I'm here to help you with your smarthome and solve the mysteries of taming technology so you take back control.

I've spent many hours automating my own home so I know firsthand how frustrating it is to have technology that almost works. Even with hours of fiddling, it never seems to work reliably and never does just what you want.

I've found there is no magical secret or shortcut to making things work. Just lots of hours of research, experimentation, and slogging through all the details until you get most products working the way they should and the way you want.

Smart Homes should be affordable

It may surprise you to learn that home automation has been around for more than 20 years. It simply has been too expensive.

With the explosion of mobile devices like iPhones and iPads you no longer need to use expensive custom touchscreens and specialized hardware.

Pioneering companies like Nest (thermostats), Sonos (whole-house music systems), Apple (iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, & Siri) and of course Amazon (Alexa voice assistant) have made incredible hardware solutions available for very affordable prices.

No hardware sales mark-ups, no exclusive products, and easy to understand transparent billing are the simple techniques I use to keep costs down and avoid "gotcha" invoices at the end of every project - big or small.

Podcast #912: Make Your Family Love Your Smart Home and Filmmaker Mode Sep 05, 2019

Make Your Family Love Your Smart Home and Filmmaker Mode

This week we take a look at what it takes to make your family love the Smart Home you created and what Hollywood directors are doing to make sure you watch their movies the way they intended.

How to Make Your Family Love Your Smarthome

You might think a Smart Home sounds terrific. But what about your family? They’ll have to live with the gadgets, too. And it’s a lot easier to set up a Smart Home if everyone loves the tech as much as you do.

UHD Alliance Teams with Hollywood to Deliver ‘Filmmaker Mode’ for 4K TVs

The UHD Alliance (UHDA) has teamed with Martin Scorsese and other top Hollywood directors and movie studios to collaborate on a viewing mode for 4K TVs that honors the filmmakers' creative intent by preserving the correct aspect ratios, colors, and frame rates.

Read more at

Podcast #911: Hacking a Sonos Speaker, Best Wifi Speakers, and Samsung entering the OLED game Aug 30, 2019

Hacking a Sonos Speaker, Best Wifi Speakers, and Samsung entering the OLED game

This week we take a look at taking apart a $99 powered Ikea Sonos speaker and transplanting it into any speaker you want. No allen wrenches are required. Then we take a look at the Best Wifi speakers of 2019 and finally we discuss Samsung entering the OLED market.

Hacking the Sonos Ikea Symfonisk Into a High Quality Speaker Amp

As soon as I saw IKEA’s announcement for a $99 Sonos-powered Airplay speaker, I was excited for the possibilities its internals could bring. And oh boy, was I right to be. In this tutorial, I’ll show you how to whittle away the woefully inefficient compact speaker unit, and bring it to life on a pair of quality vintage bookshelf speakers.

Best Wi-Fi speakers and music systems of 2019

Wireless audio for the home has been around for a long time, but in the past few years we've seen a big spike in stereo systems and products using Wi-Fi streaming as an alternative to Bluetooth. One of the biggest selling features is the ability to control music in a multiroom environment, but even better, many Wi-Fi speakers also offer voice control via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple's Siri. With so many options out there, where should you start?

Samsung’s quantum OLED plans could mean better, cheaper OLED TVs for all

If you’ve been following the world of TV tech for the past few years, you might know that there are basically two kinds of premium displays currently vying for your hard-earned TV dollars: OLED and QLED. But a recent report confirms that Samsung, the biggest player in the QLED space, is about to make a complete 180 by jumping into the OLED TV game despite having avoided the space for years and creating its largest competitor.

Podcast #910: What happened to the HTPC? Aug 23, 2019

What happened to the HTPC?

When we first started doing the podcast many many years ago, the Home Theater PC was a thing. DIYers built them from scratch and others who were not so technically inclined could buy fully built ready to go products from third party vendors. Xbox owners were lucky enough to have the Windows Media Center client built into their gaming consoles so they could leave the PC in an office and still have the HTPC experience in the family room.

Fast forward ten years and HTPCs are not really a thing anymore. You can still buy some prebuilt products like the Intel BOXNUC8i3CYSN1 NUC 8 Home, a Mini PC with Windows 10. No kidding that’s the name. It's available at Amazon for $425. If you are the handy type you can build one from scratch. The Tech Buyer Guru has a parts list that goes for less than $750 with all parts being purchased at Amazon.They even have step by step instructions on how to assemble the PC. We feel that this would be the way to go. Once built it would be on par with HTPCs that cost two or three times as much.

Once the PC is built then you have to install software. Windows no longer comes with what we found to be the best media center software “Windows Media Center” so you have to download and install your own. There are plenty to choose from and they are free!

Plex - Plex brings together all the media that matters to you. Your personal collection will look beautiful alongside stellar streaming content. Enjoy Live TV & DVR, a growing catalog of great web shows, news, and podcasts. It's finally possible to enjoy all the media you love in a single app, on any device, no matter where you are.

Kodi - Kodi spawned from the love of media. It is an entertainment hub that brings all your digital media together into a beautiful and user friendly package. It is 100% free and open source, very customisable and runs on a wide variety of devices. It is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and a huge community.

Media Portal - transforms your PC into a complete media solution.

It runs on basic hardware, connects directly to your TV and displays your TV Series, Movies, Photos and Music in a much more dynamic way. All in the comfort of your living room, on your big screen LCD or Plasma TV or projector!

There are others as well. Once you install the software you point it to your media files and you are off to the races.

Back in the day that would be enough and you would be the envy of everyone on the block. But today there are so many options for getting your content that an HTPC with just the media server software falls short. Early on there was no Netflix, Hulu, Apple, Google, or Amazon content so it didn’t matter. Today we have content all over the place. And the problem is that the PC interface to that content is not really usable with a remote control.

Sure there are plugins that are developed for these media servers to try and fix the interface problem but DRM protected content just do not play well with these products.

In actuality, the real reason the HTPC dropped off the face of the earth is because of the Set top box. The Rokus, AppleTVs, and FireTVs of today do so much more and for a faction of the price. Plus you can get players for your device that work with some of the media servers out there. Plex in particular looks great on these set top boxes. All you need is a computer somewhere on the network that runs the Plex Software and you have access to any content on your phones, computers, and set top boxes.

This is not how the original HTPCs worked of course. In the old scenario the computer’s video was run to the TV and when you launched the player it went full screen similar to video games taking over the computer’s interface. This method is by far better as you don’t need to keep a noisy PC in the room with the TV and the content can be served to multiple TVs and devices throughout your network.

So what do you think? Do you want a HTPC? Do we need them anymore?

Podcast #909:Sonos Company Profile Aug 16, 2019

Sonos Company Profile

Sonos was one of the first companies that sent our fledgling podcast equipment to review. We were just starting as were they. It made us feel like we were legitimate and could make a go of this podcast thing. Now almost a thousand podcasts later we are still going and so are they. One of us has grown exponentially and the other records a podcast every week! This week we are going to profile Sonos Inc. Much of this information comes directly from the Sonos website.

Founding

Founded Aug 22, 2002 Sonos is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California and currently employs just under 1500 people. Founders - John MacFarlane, Tom Cullen, Trung Mai, and Craig Shelburne - conjured a daring vision based on technology that didn't exist at the time. Fueled with the insight earned from success in the first phase of Internet-based business-building, they chose as their next mission a new way to bring music to every home - wirelessly, in multiple rooms, from PCs and the Internet, with awesome sound. They hired an amazing team who built amazing products from scratch, and music devotees all over the world found a new brand to fall in love with.

John MacFarlane moved to Santa Barbara in 1990 to get his Ph.D. from the University of California-Santa Barbara. Instead he saw the promise of the Internet and built Software.com along with Craig, Tom and Trung. After Software.com merged with Phone.com in 2000 to create Openwave, they moved on to figure out together what to do next.

Whatever was going to be next, they knew they wanted to stay together, and stay in Santa Barbara, due to the roots they and their families had begun to establish there. It was, perhaps, the beginning of a habit of unorthodox choices to add both a degree of difficulty and a fresh perspective to the work.

The Problem

In 2002, great music in the home meant wires hidden behind bookshelves and furniture, connecting to speakers the size of bongo drums; audio jacks plugged into the right holes on the backs of receivers and players; physical media primarily in the forms of compact discs and tapes - and if you wanted a multi-room experience, an afternoon (or weekend) drilling through walls to snake wires from a central receiver to speakers throughout your home.

The Solution

Developing a wireless multiroom home audio solution that was easy to deploy and control. The solution required setup that would be fast and intuitive for anyone, it would have to integrate well with any technology or service, and it would have to deliver superior sound in any home environment. Cross-technology integration meant choosing Linux as the technology platform, but no drivers existed at the time for audio, for controllers’ remote buttons or scroll wheels, or for the networking that was needed. The Sonos team had to build them.

Great multi-room music meant inventing a method to get audio instantly and wirelessly to multiple speakers without listeners noticing any gaps, ever. The team recognized mesh networking as the key. By 2003, it was a concept that had seen use in highly mobile environments, like battlefields, but never applied in the home or to the stringent demands of music experience. To develop and implement, Sonos had two choices: an easier engineering solution at the expense of its ideal user experience, or making it simple and great for users and excruciatingly difficult for its engineers.

With the basic framework of the system built by early 2004, filled with new and untested technologies, the next phase focused on the scourge of software engineers: bugs.

Despite all the ingenuity at hand, the prototypes couldn’t communicate wirelessly to each other from even ten feet apart. And particularly with embedded systems, at the time developer tools and debuggers did not exist.

So Nick and John took a road trip, the prototypes stowed in a cardboard box in the back seat of John’s car, to Silicon Valley to see John’s friend and hardware supplier, whose advice boiled down to one word: antennas.

Developers know that the most frustrating bugs are the so-called “irreproducible” bugs. Many of them emerged from testing at Sonos employee homes in and around Santa Barbara – including one especially frustrating bug, only reproducible at one person’s house, that required a packet sniffer to identify and fix.

Recalls Andy Schulert: “We’ve got our first 15 to 20 prototypes, we feel great about them, we take ten of them to someone’s house to try it out. We set them up, and it’s a colossal failure. They barely worked. We had to dial back to just two, figure out the issues, then add a third, and so on. Excruciating, but worth it.”

By summer 2004, Sonos had tackled the bugs, prototypes were beginning to function with the necessary reliability, and the team had started sneak-peeking the system to others in the industry. This confirmed what they had been beginning to recognize: the hard work to that point had paid off in the form of something genuinely new.

Breakthrough music experiences often debut with certain signature songs. MTV, for example, famously launched with “Video Killed the Radio Star,” by The Buggles.

How about Sonos? The first song played for the public on Sonos’ first product, the ZP100, was The Beastie Boys’ “No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn,” at full volume, produced by longtime Sonos supporter/adviser Rick Rubin.

Sonos engineers could affirm the “no sleep” part because of all the work they’d put in leading up to the ZP100’s launch. But getting the experience just right for customers required a more practical approach to selecting songs for testing, dictated by the early days of scrolling through long alphabetical-order lists of songs and bands.

So the most-played song by Sonos engineers for testing was “3AM” by Matchbox 20, for no other reason than it was at the top of a list. The most-played band: 10,000 Maniacs.

Shipping

At long last, on January 27, 2005, Sonos shipped its first product, the ZP100. Industry accolades, strong product reviews, and positive media coverage followed soon after, and sustained over the first months and years of availability. Reviewers lauded its simplicity of setup, design, reliability, and great sound. The dean of product reviewers, Walt Mossberg (then at The Wall Street Journal), wrote, “The Sonos System is easily the best music streaming product I have seen and tested.”

Its second- and third-generation systems were efforts toward streaming direct to its players, taking the PC entirely out of the equation. They started in 2006, with Rhapsody as its first music service. It was a big turning point for the company, and it was not at all obvious at the time.

With the launch of the iPhone in 2007 and Apple’s App Store sparking a boom for apps, Sonos launched its own, free app for iPhone users, meaning you could turn your iPhone into the controller, without buying the Sonos remote. (Android users got their Sonos app in 2011, and Sonos phased out its own controller hardware in 2012.)

Then in November 2009, Sonos released the PLAY:5, a truly smart, all-in-one speaker for $400, about a third of the inaugural price of Sonos’ original product, the ZP100 (which with speakers and controller, cost about $1200 in 2005). Their hopes for sustained, strong sales growth were realized. This also marked a more decisive shift toward continual software upgrades for ongoing improvement in the products, an ever-more-exacting focus on sound quality, and closer relationships with recording artists and others in the creative community.

The rest is history! Market Cap $1.24B, Sales $1.24B, Stock Price $11.77, 52 week High/Low $12.08/$11.50

Podcast #908: Story Time Aug 10, 2019

Ara and Braden go back in time to talk about a then revolutionary communication protocol that they worked on.

Podcast #907: Sevenhugs Smart Remote Aug 02, 2019

Sevenhugs Smart Remote

We were asked by a listener to take a look at the Sevenhugs Smart Remote ($199 without contextual awareness and $299 with) a few weeks back. The makers of the remote call it “The world’s smartest and easiest to use remote control. Stop wrestling with remotes and apps and simplify how you control your entire home.” That’s quite a statement in a world that has plenty of smart remotes. The question is whether that is a true statement or not. There is a video that goes along with this review that will provide much more context on our youtube channel (The HT Guys)

We read a news story about a remote that could tell what you were pointing at and display the proper controls for that device without user intervention a long time ago. We almost forgot about the product as it was just a concept at the time but were happy to learn that the remote is indeed available. That excitement waned a bit when we discovered how the remote determines what it is being pointed at.

In order to do the context switching the remote requires you to place discs on the wall that all have line of site with each other as well as the charging base. If these discs were small it would probably be OK however they are about the size of a motion sensor which makes it hard to fit in with your room decor. If you have already placed a motion sensor in your room you know that it is a compromise between functionality and decor. Adding three more “Motion Sensors” might be a hard sell for many.

But once you get over that hurdle the concept seems good. But is it better is it than a Harmony Remote that allows me to assign dedicated buttons for lights or switches? In a word no.

As far as remotes go it's not bad. You add devices and create scenes. You can add automation devices like hue lights and the Nest thermostat (no support for ecobee) and many others as well. See video for details on setting up remote. They advertise that the remote is compatible with 650,000 devices and services. One thing we noticed was that there is no way to connect to devices via your network. There is no mention of this capability on the SevenHugs website either. IR is the only method discussed. This caused issues that required a lot of syncing of missed commands

As far as use goes, if you want to watch TV you hit that Scene and let the remote turn on devices and adjust lights. As you wish. Personal Note, we don’t include lighting commands in the activities to watch TV or movies. We tried this before but if you watch something during the day and there are no lights on the activity will still dim the lights. Instead we create separate activities or macros in our automation system that we invoke only if the lights are on. In general, we come to the conclusion that we let the remote deal with entertainment activities and we let our automation deal with automation activities. It is not hard to switch between apps on our phones and tablets. In fact most of the automation activities are done automatically based on time triggers or requested on demand via voice to our home assistants.

What did we like:

The remote felt good in the hand

Can control a lot of devices

Worked like a typical smart remote

What we dislike:

Too Expensive

No remote app - there is no way to control your system from another room
Setup - Setup is cumbersome via their wizard
No Network control of entertainment devices - System easily gets out of sync
Discs required for contextual control - in order to setup control zones you need to put discs on a wall. This may be ok for some it may be an issue for others.

Our Recommendation

This was a great idea when we first heard about it however the implementation makes it a tough sell for those with open concept rooms or those with spouses who already have issues with our ever expanding gear we require for our love of home theater. At $300 our advice is buy a Harmony remote and a couple hubs!

Podcast #906: The 7 Best LED LCD TVs - Summer 2019 (RTINGS.com) Jul 26, 2019

The 7 Best LED LCD TVs - Summer 2019 (RTINGS.com)

The editors at RTINGS.com have just updated their Seven Best LED TVs for the Summer and we bring those to you. RTINGS.com is a great resource when you are looking to buy a new UHD TV. They have the most thorough reviews of any site on the Internet. All the TVs that we discuss come with an in depth review that can be found at the links below.

Best LED TV: Samsung Q90/Q90R QLED (65” Street Price $2500)

The best LED TV is the 2019 QLED Samsung Q90R. It has impressive quality and an excellent dark room performance, thanks to the deep blacks due to the native contrast ratio and very good local dimming support. This TV is suitable for a bright room, as it can get very bright and can easily fight glare. HDR content looks full of saturated colors and bright highlights thanks to the TV's wide color gamut and high HDR peak brightness. It has a very fast response time that delivers clear and crisp motion, which is great for watching sports or playing video games. The input lag is very low even with motion interpolation, and gamers will also appreciate the auto low latency mode and FreeSync variable refresh rate support. Full Review

Mixed Usage 8.7

Movies 8.6

TV Shows 8.6

Sports 8.6

Video Games 9.2

HDR Movies 8.5

HDR Gaming 8.9

PC Monitor 9.0

Pros:

Very bright both in SDR and HDR.
Excellent low input lag and gaming features.
Remarkable motion handling.

Cons:

Some gray uniformity issues at the edges.

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: VIZIO P SERIES QUANTUM 2018 (65” Street Price$1500) Mixed usage rating of 8.6

Best LED TV for Color Accuracy: Sony X900F (65” Street Price $1500)

If you want the most accurate image, the Sony X900F is the best LED TV for color accuracy that we've tested so far. This TV delivers great picture quality, with an excellent contrast ratio, a decent full array local dimming feature, and great peak brightness. It also has outstanding accuracy out of the box and has a great wide color gamut, which is important for a good HDR experience.

This TV also has excellent motion handling, with an outstanding response time, a nearly flicker-free backlight, and a versatile motion interpolation feature. It also has an optional black frame insertion feature, but it can't flicker at 60Hz, so there are noticeable duplications when playing 60Hz content. Full Review

Mixed Usage 8.3

Movies 8.5

TV Shows 8.2

Sports 8.1

Video Games 8.6

HDR Movies 8.4

HDR Gaming 8.5

PC Monitor 8.3

Pros:

Deep and uniform blacks
Excellent motion handling
Bright HDR highlights

Cons:

Picture quality degrades at an angle

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: VIZIO P SERIES 2018 (65” Street Price$1000) Mixed usage rating of 8.3

Best Budget LED TV: TCL 6 Series/R617 2018 (65” Street Price $750 if you can still find them)

If the Sony X900F is too expensive, the TCL 6 Series R617 is the best budget LED TV that we have reviewed. This TV delivers great performance for most uses. It has excellent dark room performance thanks to the deep contrast ratio and full-array local dimming system. It also has excellent low input lag, perfect for gaming or for use as a PC monitor.

Unfortunately, there have been widespread reports of gray uniformity issues with this TV which may or may not have been fixed, so sports fans might not be pleased with this model. Full Review

Mixed Usage 8.0

Movies 8.0

TV Shows 7.7

Sports 7.6

Video Games 8.6

HDR Movies 8.1

HDR Gaming 8.4

PC Monitor 8.3

Pros:

Very bright in HDR and SDR
Excellent low input lag for gaming
Good local dimming and native contrast produce deep blacks

Cons:

Picture quality degrades at an angle
Uniformity could be better

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: TCL 4 SERIES/S425 2019 (75” Street Price$1000) Mixed usage rating of 7.3

Notable Mentions

Samsung Q80/Q80R QLED: Excellent TV; less expensive than the Q90R, but lacks the One Connect box and has less local dimming zones. See review
Samsung Q9FN/Q9/Q9F QLED 2018: Excellent TV; worse viewing angles, but some large sizes are probably worth it over the Q90R. See review
Sony Z9F: Great TV with great picture quality, but the Vizio P Series Quantum is better. See review
Sony X950G: Great TV, but the X900F is less expensive and performs similarly. See review
LG SK9500: Good TV with wide viewing angles, but not very competitive. See review
Vizio M Series 2018: Good TV, but the TCL R617 is better and cheaper. See review
TCL 5 Series/S517 2018: Decent versatile 4k TV, but more expensive than the TCL 4 Series S425 for similar performance. See review
Vizio V Series 2019: Decent TV, but the TCL S425 has better smart features. See review
Vizio P Series Quantum X 2019: Excellent TV, but not worth the price difference over the 2018 Vizio P Series Quantum. See review

Podcast #905: Power Amplifiers for the Rest of Us Jul 19, 2019

Power Amplifiers for the Rest of Us

As we add more speakers to our home theaters our current AVRs may not have enough amplifiers to drive the system. A solution to this problem is a seperate amplifier. Power amplifiers have minimal functionality beyond driving speakers but they have quite a bit in the way of design to provide a clean signal to get the most out of your speakers.

So why go with a seperate amp? There are a few reasons. First is power. Seperate amps typically have more power and can drive low impedance speakers more easily than low to mid range receivers. Of course high end AVRs can do this as well so why not just buy a high end receiver? That brings us to our second reason. More channels. If you want to run a 7.2.4 Atmos system you need 11 amps. Sure there are AVRs that have 11 amplifiers but they really cost a pretty penny. An alternative is buying a mid range AVR that can support an Atmos 7.2.4 system via pre-outs and augment it with and external amp. The last reason we will discuss, although there are a few more, is the quality of the power. Since amplifiers do one thing they can maximize the design for that one thing. AVRs have to do a lot and it all has to packed into an enclosure that is about the same size as a seven channel amplifier.

There are plenty of amplifiers and some cost more than our entire home theater! We provide you with a couple “entry” options to consider.

Emotiva A-500 $530 Best Bang for the Buck!

We start out with a five channel amp from Emotiva. You absolutely can not go wrong with this amp! Ara uses the seven channel version of it in his media room and loves it! You’ll want to power your front speakers with this and use the remaining two channels for your surround. Then you can use the amplifiers in your receiver for the remaining channels, Atmos and rear surrounds. If your receiver does not allow you to assign amps to channels then route any channel (probably your Atmos) that does not have an amplifier to this amp and use the AVR to power what’s left.

From the Emotiva Website:

The BasX A-500 is a five channel power amplifier that offers true audiophile sound quality at an affordable price. The BasX A-500 includes a carefully chosen set of important features, including a heavy-duty power supply, high-quality Class A/B amplification, transparent audiophile-quality fault protection, a trigger input and output, and industry standard unbalanced audio inputs. Modern manufacturing techniques, and careful design and parts selection, have enabled us to deliver all of this performance and great sound quality in the BasX A-500 at a far lower price than you might imagine.

Monolith by Monoprice $1600 Hey it's Monoprice

We have always been fans of Monoprice for their high quality cables at low prices. But they are much more than that today selling all kinds of electronics from home theater to home automation. Ara has a pair of their Planar Headphones that sound like headphones costing three times more. We don’t have direct experience with this amp but it's five star customer rating and positive review from Audioholics (4½ star) make it something you should really consider for your home theater.

From the Monoprice Website:

The Monolith 7X is a state-of-the-art, high-performance, audiophile-grade multichannel home theater amplifier. Rated at a full 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 300 watts per channel into 4 ohms, the Monolith 7X is capable of driving the most demanding home theater systems and reproducing the most dynamic soundtracks, while also articulating all the subtle sonic details found in music. Supercharge your existing receiver or create the foundation of a no compromise home theater system with the Monolith 7X.

Podcast #904: Dedicated Home Theater vs. Media-Friendly Living Room Jul 12, 2019

Dedicated Home Theater vs. Media-Friendly Living Room

We saw this poll over at AVS Forum, Dedicated Home Theater vs. Media-Friendly Living Room and since we are going through this same analysis we thought it would be good to share the results and discuss the pros and cons of each. At the time of this writing the results are:

Dedicated Home Theater 51%

Huge TV in Living Room 44%

Projector in Living Room 5%

Dedicated Home Theater

Pros

Replicates the distraction-free environment of commercial cinema
Optimal speaker placement
Total control over lighting
Huge screen sizes are achievable with front projection
A basic rig is not expensive
Acoustically transparent screens are available for realistic dialog placement
3D still supported
Dedicated seating includes features like reclining and cup holders
Maximum immersion for movies and gaming

Cons

Requires dedicating a room to nothing but home theater
Can’t do “true” HDR (i.e. reproduce 1000-nit highlights)
A high-end room is very expensive to put together

Huge TV in Living Room

Pros

You have an excuse to put a huge TV in the living room
Reproduces HDR as its mastered (>1000 nit highlights)
Compatible with Dolby Vision
Also usable for sports and gaming and regular TV
Living rooms already have seating, no need to buy more furniture
Usable in the daytime

Cons

Huge TVs are expensive
Limited speaker placement options
Easier to get distracted in a living room
You still need to control lighting (shades, dim lights) when watching movies
Limits in terms of screen size, extremely high prices above 85”
A great projector in a dedicated room can look better than most TVs when playing SDR content

Projector in Living Room

Pros

You can have a huge screen in your living room, larger than any TV
Roll-up screens can make the system “disappear” when not in use
Can be combined with a TV for “best of both worlds”
UST laser light source projectors sit inches for the screen and last for years
Affordable 4K e-shift projection gets bright and looks good

Cons

Installation costs are high
UST laser light source projectors remain expensive
No true HDR (i.e. reproduce 1000-nit highlights)
Limited options for acoustically transparent screens
Requires control over ambient light for daytime use
Limited speaker placement options
Easier to get distracted in a living room

Podcast #903: Are AVRs too complicated? And the Best Smart Plugs for 2019 Jul 04, 2019

Are AVRs too complicated? And the Best Smart Plugs for 2019

On this week’s show we discuss whether the new Ultra Short Throw projectors that Hisense is making are a viable replacement for large format LCD/OLED display. And are AVRs too complicated which accounts for the rise in sound bar sales. Finally we go through a list of the best Smart Plugs for 2019 as decided by CNET.

Weighing Ultra Short Throw (UST) Projection Versus Flat-Panels

Longer life, larger screens and the ability to overcome challenging lighting conditions make UST projectors from companies like Hisense a viable solution versus flat-panel TV displays.

Are complicated AV receivers responsible for sound bars' booming popularity?

Consumers are finding out that after they set up their AVR they find it hard to play music or movies and then when they do figure it out the sound is out of whack. The subwoofer can be too loud, or even stop working. As a result they are turing to sound bars for their easy setup and use. But are they really easier or are people just using them as fancy external speakers? We discuss.

Best smart plugs for 2019

Plenty of products for our homes have gotten smart makeovers in recent years. But what about the ones that haven't? That's where smart plugs come in. These nifty gadgets connect your regular old coffee maker, lamp, fan or nearly anything else to your smart home for voice control and automation.

Podcast #902: Vizio P-Series Quantum X Jun 28, 2019

Vizio P-Series Quantum X

If you have been listening to the show for a while you would think there are only four TV manufacturers out there LG, Samsung, TCL, and Sony. Obviously there are many more but the aforementioned manufacturers dominate the news. Today we want to talk about a manufacturer that rose to be an extremely popular brand in the US but has been pretty quiet lately, Vizio.

Vizio has been a popular manufacturer in the US for a few years. Ara bought Vizio’s first 4K P-Series TV a few years ago and has been very satisfied with it. Of course it didn’t have the wide color gamut or HDR but had good contrast with the local dimming capability. Vizio has been making steady improvement in their TVs but always seemed to lag LG and Samsung. However, they have a new TV, the P-Series Quantum X. We do not have direct experience with this TV so we will discuss the available features and will quote others who have.

Features:

Quantum Color - With Quantum Dot technology, VIZIO P-Series Quantum X produces up to 165% more color than a standard 4K HDR TV.

Ultra Bright 3000 - Delivers up to 10x brighter imagery with striking detail in every highlight.

480 Local Dimming Zones - 480 Local Dimming Zones

Stream from your device with Apple AirPlay 21 and Chromecast built-in - Stream movies, TV shows, music and more or mirror your screen for presentations and video chats directly on your VIZIO SmartCast™ TV.
Use your Voice to control the TV - From playing your favorite show to turning your TV on and off - VIZIO Smart TVs let you take control with simple voice commands.

Previously Vizio had only released a 65 inch model PQ65-F1 but with this model they have released a 75 inch version costing $3.5K. The 65 inch model goes for $2.2K.

What the others are saying:

Wired

Wired - Brilliant, dazzling display. Tack-sharp picture, rich and vivid colors, velvety blacks. Looks great even in bright sunlight. Cinematic quality turns any room into a home theater.

Tired - Streaming menus have room for improvement (get a Roku). Some streaming apps inaccessible without a smartphone. Audio is passable, but you'll want a soundbar.

Tom’s Guide

Vizio also boosted the backlight on its top-tier set in two different ways: First, the P-Series Quantum X boasts an impressive 480 dimming zones on the 75-inch model (the 65-inch model has 385), which is a huge improvement over the 2018 P-Series Quantum PQ65-F1, which had 192. Our biggest problem with that model was the backlight and the way it added unwanted flaring and darkening around elements on screen, so a more than two-fold increase in dimming zones should help alleviate that issue. While a company demo is a far cry from a controlled testing environment, we didn’t see any backlighting issues on the new Quantum X mode.

The brightness has also been ramped up, with the P-Series Quantum X promising up to 2,900 nits of peak brightness. That brightness had an obvious impact on the video samples we saw in our demo, where brighter portions of the picture sang with a vivid intensity that mainstream and budget TVs can't match. Brighter backlight is one of the cornerstones of high-dynamic range content, and the P-Series Quantum X promises to deliver HDR with more oomph than ever before, easily beating the brightness offered on the 2018 P-Series Quantum PQ65-F1 (2,340 nits).

HDR support also looks good on the format front, with support for Dolby Vision, along with standard formats like HDR10 and HLG.

Reviewed.com

From its searing highlights to its brilliant hues, the P-Series Quantum X is a top-shelf TV with the picture to prove it. Given its ability to get really freakin' bright, it's a particularly good option for folks who long for the performance of an OLED but remain skeptical about an OLED's relatively limited peak brightness. For instance, the LG C9 OLED, with its ultra-wide viewing angles and better-regulated contrast, is the all-around better performer, but its steady hand doesn't come with the sort of "wow" factor that comes with 2,000 to 3,000 nits of brightness. Additionally, the 65-inch version of the LG C9 is currently priced at $1,200 more than the PQX.

Should you look closely, you'll find a handful of shortcomings around the edges of the PQX experience: a narrow viewing angle, occasional light bloom, and a ho-hum smart platform. They're the sort of issues that aren't unique to the PQX, however, and if you're as nit-picky as I've been known to be, you'll find similar foibles in just about every high-end flagship TV. Nevertheless, it's worth keeping them in mind if you're trying to decide between two or three top-tier TVs.

There's no question about it: The P-Series Quantum X is the best TV Vizio has ever released. It may not come with the modest price tag you might've come to expect from a historically budget-friendly brand like Vizio, but given its capabilities, it's a competitively priced TV with ton of upside.

Podcast #901: Samsung’s The Wall Luxury Jun 21, 2019

Samsung: Important to scan your Samsung TV for malware & viruses

Samsung recently tweeted:

Scanning your computer for malware viruses is important to keep it running smoothly. This also is true for your QLED TV if it's connected to Wi-Fi! Prevent malicious software attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks. Here's how 👇 pic.twitter.com/7hWUfJwy1K

— Samsung Support USA (@SamsungSupport) June 17, 2019

The tweet has since been removed but we felt that this really begs the question, Did Samsung make a case for not connecting your Smart TV to the Internet?

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 4K Ultra HD Survey

SONY is running a survey on its website soliciting information about what we’d like to see in 4K. The movies are old because all new titles are released in 4K whether the movie would benefit from 4K or not. We discuss if this is even necessary and ask who is going back and replacing their HD discs with 4K or whether a 4K treatment would get you to spend your money on a title that you passed on in HD

Samsung’s announces The Wall Luxury (UK)

Samsung Electronics announced that the hotly anticipated luxury display, ‘The Wall Luxury’, will be available to order in July 2019. A breakthrough innovation in home entertainment, The Wall Luxury redefines the category, offering discerning customers the ultimate display solution fit for any luxury residence.

With versatile modular LED panels, The Wall Luxury can be customised to fit any luxury home environment, going beyond the standard 16:9 ratio to occupy unusually shaped flat walls, pillars or even door frames. With customised shapes, The Wall Luxury can fit into inspired and unusual locations, transforming residences and offering unprecedented premium viewing experiences.

The Wall Luxury features two distinct modes giving people the flexibility to use their bespoke display solution as an immersive way to enjoy entertainment or create a stunning visual canvas for their home.

Entertainment Mode

In entertainment mode, The Wall Luxury delivers total immersion, allowing people to enjoy incredible visual experiences across a range of media. From watching a movie in striking colour and contrast to taking gaming to new heights, The Wall Luxury delivers the best picture in any light.

Ambient Mode

When it’s not being using for entertainment, The Wall Luxury becomes a visual backdrop, allowing people to view art, picture or immersive scenes like never before. With Ambient Mode1[1], The Wall Luxury becomes a digital canvas, letting people create striking centrepieces that bring any room to life. It’s Infinity Design and Décor Frame create a display that complements any space and only stands out when directed. With an almost edgeless display and a slim design, The Wall Luxury oozes sleekness and blends completely with its surroundings.

The Wall Luxury will be available to order from July 2019, to find out more visit samsung.com/uk/the-wall. The Wall Professional, a large scale display for luxury flagship stores to corporate headquarters, is also available to order.

Podcast #900: Five Items Every Home Theater Needs that Cost Less than $500 Jun 13, 2019

Five Items Every Home Theater Needs that Cost Less than $500

We love our home theaters and want to get the most out of them that we can. This list is not about the actual AV parts, Display, Receiver, Speakers, etc, but more about things that will help you enjoy your home theater more.

Lighting - Wall sconces that can be dimmed when watching TV/Movies add a dramatic element to any viewing experience. If you currently have sconces you can make them programmable by adding smart bulbs. If you don’t they are fairly easy to add by yourself. If you don’t feel comfortable doing that you may need to hire an electrician and do some drywall repair which will raise the cost and make it cost more than $500. But for this list we assume you are all DIYers and we’ll leave it on the list!

Bass Shaker System - We have spent thousands of dollars on all kinds of equipment over the years and this one item has had the most impact on our viewing experience. You really FEEL the action. An added plus is that it can be had for less than $300. Here is a brief video on Ara’s Setup. Ara’s Bass Shaker Setup and Install Video.

Surge Protectors/Power Conditioners - This is not very glamorous but so essential. At the very least every home theater setup should have surge protectors. Protecting your expensive electronics doesn't cost much as well. Good protectors can be found at Costco for about $25. If you have noisy power lines a Power conditioner can help clean it up and improve your audio and video. They cost a bit more than surge suppressors. This one by Furman goes from about $180. There are others for much less.

Universal Remote Control - This may be the most annoying part of the home theater experience. Why the AV community can’t get together and define a remote control standard is beyond us? There should be one TV on and off command that all TVs respond to. Done then every remote could control every device. Maybe someday. Until then look into getting a universal remote like Harmony. They make physical remotes as well as an app for your phone. If you are good with only being able to control your home theater with a tablet or phone consider the simplecontrol app. This can set you back as high as $350 but there are lower cost options as well.

Acoustic Treatments - Acoustic management can make good home theaters sound great and great home theaters sound amazing. Today you can buy sound absorbing panels that enhance the decor of your room so it's more than just an audio improvement. You can spend more than $500 here but we feel that a few panels placed in the right spots can improve you Home theater for less than $500. Some resources GIK Acoustics, AcousticMac, and Home Depot just to name a few.

Podcast #899: Cord Cutting, New TV Tech and Aereo Back from the Dead? Jun 07, 2019

Cord Cutting, New TV Tech and Aereo Back from the Dead?

This week we discuss the top five Cord Cutting Stories to watch for this Summer, look at a new TV technology and bring Aereo back from the dead.

The Top Five Cord Cutting Stories For the Summer

Sling TV will launch at least two new models: an AirTV 2 - The AirTV 2 looks like an updated version of the black AirTV box and an AirTV player that is a fully powered Android TV player inside a stick/dongle format. According to reports, at least one of these new AirTV players is expected to be announced this month.

Amazon Channels coming to Canada - Amazon has announced plans to roll out its Amazon Channels service in Canada. Amazon is even promoting this as a way to compete with cable TV in Canada. Amazon has not announced a launch date other than to say it is coming soon.

Pluto TV Latino - Viacom is planning to launch a Pluto TV version for Spanish speakers. According to reports, Pluto TV Latino will launch sometime in the summer of 2019 and could be live as soon as this month.

Pluto TV Worldwide - Viacom has also announced plans to roll out Pluto TV into new markets around the world. Pluto TV is expanding into the EU, and you can expect even more markets to launch at any time.

Amazon Prime Video on Android TV - Amazon has confirmed that Amazon Prime Video is coming to Android TV this summer.(Some Android TV players already have a dedicated Amazon app, but most do not support an official Amazon app.) It is very possible that Amazon Prime Video will hit all Android TV players as soon as this month.

New TV Tech

The Hisense ULED XD is essentially two LCD panels bonded together, and then smooshed into a TV the same size as the one you currently have. Throw in the company’s proprietary chipset, a bunch of buzzwords, and a whole mess of secret sauce and you’ve got something remarkable. Hisense says this technology will offer blacks as dark as midnight on a moonless night and the brightness of today’s LCDs — all at the cost you’ve been craving. If it’s true, Korea’s powerhouses should be trembling. So how did the Chinese company do it?

More…

Locast - Watch Your Local Broadcasts for Free

Locast is a not-for-profit service offering users access to broadcast television stations over the internet. We stream the signal over the Internet to select US cities. We are trying to help

broadcasters reach people just like you over the internet.

Current Cities include - Denver, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston

The difference between and the defunct Aereo is that Locast does not charge you for the service. They are a non-profit and as such the Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal for Locast to rebroadcast the over the air signals. The have a donation page

Podcast #898: Thoughts on the State of Home Audio May 31, 2019

Thoughts on the State of Home Audio

In a recent interview with TWICE Magazine Tom Summer of Yamaha shared some thoughts on the state of home audio. The following are excerpts from that interview.

What is Yamaha? - Tom states that Yamaha is the largest musical instrument in the world and that they produce 25% of the musical instruments that are sold world wide. Music and sound are Yamaha’s expertise.

What is the Heath of the Home Audio Market? - It's healthy overall. Headphones are doing great, although, Yamaha is not a big player in that market. Smart Speakers, Sound Bars, and two channel are doing quite well. AVRs are are so so. It's actually down 3% but four or five years ago the AVR market was considered doomed.

Most of the sales were to 40, 50, and 60 year olds replacing gear to support newer technologies. Recently things have started to turn around with buyers in their 20s and 30s entering the market. Yamaha is not totally down on their future. They still have some customers that are not dying off.

Who are you selling to now? - The replacement market is a driver. Consumers who wish to use the latest technology like 4K and HDR are needing newer receivers. For younger buyers it's all about an immersive gaming experience. Finally, families still want a great experience when watching Netflix and Blu-rays.

What are the Important Features? - Simplicity is key but the most important feature is great immersive sound. However with immersive sound comes dialog that is hard to hear. Yamaha has developed Surround:AI (Artificial Intelligence) to make dialog easier to hear during loud action scenes. The other pain for consumers are the rear speakers. For that they have developed MusicCast Surround which is a wireless solution for the surround speakers.

What is the Biggest Market Challenge? - Time for people to sit and enjoy their system. Tom mentions that in Europe it's common for people to go home from work and pour a glass of wine to relax while playing music. In the US it's about squeezing in 30 minutes at lunch to stream the latest episode of a Netflix show. If you are not spending time with your TV then you really don’t need a sophisticated system.

What is Yamaha’s Play in the Smart Home? - Yamaha is all in on Alexa. They have incorporated the technology on quite a few products. The issue they have is when you are playing the music loud Alexa can’t always here you. Apparently the solution is more microphones.

What is on the Roadmap? - Building out the MusicCast platform. Further improvements to the Vinyl 500 wireless turntable. Continue to develop two channel products. There has been great growth in the two channel market. It's still small but there seems to be a resurgence in high quality audio.

Podcast #897: Email and News May 24, 2019

Braden is on travel this week so we have a short show for you this week. Email and News. Have a great weekend everyone!

Podcast #896: Best Overall 4K TV May 17, 2019

Best Overall 4K TV

We get asked what’s the best TV I can buy from time to time and we always reply with, “That depends on what you want to use it for”. Few people have a specific purpose. Mainly it's for overall viewing. So when we ran across a page over at CNET that helps you select the best TV we thought it would be great to share it with all of our listeners.

CNET’s Best TVs for 2019 allows the reader to filter their reviews based on criteria that is important to the reader. You can look at TVs based on Picture Quality, LED, 4K, or Size. For today we will look at CNET’s best overall TVs for 2019. We’ll link to the full review for each TV.

Best High End TV for the Money - LG OLEDB8P series 65” $2,500 (Full Review)

OLED TVs are the picture quality kings, and this is the 2018 OLED TV to buy. Its image quality is very close to the C8 and C9 (below) and while it's cheaper than either one, it's still an expensive TV.

Editor’s Rating 8.7

Design 9

Features 10

Performance 10

Value 6

Best TV for the Money Period - TCL 6 series (2018 Roku TV) 65” $800 (Full Review)

No TV we've ever tested offers this much picture quality for this little cash, and its Roku TV operating system is our hands-down favorite. The TCL 6 series wins the value race.

Editor’s Rating 8.6

Design 7

Features 9

Performance 8

Value 10

A Bit Better OLED Picture, A Bit More Money - LG OLEDC8P 65” $2,800 (Full Review)

A few hundred dollars more than the B8 gets you the C8 and its incrementally better image quality. It's a better value than the C9 below, so it gets a higher spot on this list.

Editor’s Rating 8.6

Design 9

Features 10

Performance 10

Value 6

The Picture Quality King by a Nose - LG OLEDC9PUA series 65” $3,500 (Full Review)

If you don't care about cost and just want the best picture, the C9 is the way to go. It barely beat the 2018 C8 and B8, but for now they're superior values -- almost as good and much less expensive.

Editor’s Rating 8.5

Design 9

Features 10

Performance 10

Value 5

Best OLED Alternative at 65 inches - Vizio P-Series Quatum 65” $1,250 (Full Review)

Vizio's best TV ever is only available in one size, but if you can't swing the price for an OLED TV and still want an amazing picture, it should be first on your list.

Editor’s Rating 8.3

Design 8

Features 9

Performance 9

Value 7

Podcast #895: Sennheiser Momentum vs GoNovate Airo True Wireless Headphone Face-Off May 10, 2019

Sennheiser Momentum vs GoNovate Airo True Wireless Headphone Face-Off

Recently my Bragi Dash Pro headphones broke which ended my love hate relationship with them. I loved how they were truly wireless, had great sound, and fit comfortably in my ear. I hated how the Bluetooth connection was flakey, the short battery life, and were really expensive. Granted they do far more than play music wirelessly. It could track your heart rate and was geared towards people who worked out.

So I was on the hunt for new truly wireless headphones and I found two candidates. One was a low cost Chinese brand that I had never heard of, GoNovate Airo and the other was a well respected manufacturer of headphones the Sennheiser Momentum. The Airo sells for $60 on Amazon while the Momentum is $300.

Features:

Momentum

Exceptional clarity - experience sound that's like ‘being there’ thanks to sennheiser category-leading truly wireless technology
Fingertip control - control your music, calls and voice assistant simply through intuitive touchpad technology built into both True Wireless earbuds
Stay aware - transparent hearing keeps you aware of your surroundings, allowing you to easily listen and chat wirelessly Without having to remove your earbuds
Extended listening - 4 hours of truly wireless listening becomes 12 with our compact charging case that gives you 2 full extra charges
Handle conditions - made for every True Wireless listening environment with durable, Tough, splash-resistant materials. (IPX4 rated)

Airo

Innovative Design: With the Airo truly wireless earbuds shark fins design and anti-sweat feature, they’ve been crafted to offer superior stability and comfort when exercising.
Clear Phone Calls: Featuring CVC 6.0 noise reduction and true stereo call making for crystal clear voice transmission.The left earbud can be used individually.
Superior Sound Quality: Airo’s composite diaphragm material, provides 3D stereo HiFi sound. We’ve also packed in the latest and most powerful Bluetooth 5.0 so you receive the fastest and most stable transmissions speeds up to 10m away(For IOS).
Long Battery Life: With the Airo wireless headphones’ Bluetooth 5.0 massively reduced power consumption breakthrough technology, you get an above standard 6 hours of playtime (at 30-40% volume,tested multiple units with iPhone). Plus, an additional 30 hours with the charging box, keeping you in control of your music for several days.
Advanced Design: Experience instant device pairing as soon as you remove the Airo wireless earbuds from their charging case. Control your music and accept or reject calls with just one button, and activate voice assistance to easily control your device while driving.

Head to Head

Sound Quality - There is a definite difference in sound between the two devices. The Momentum has a deep rich bass and warm sound. The Airo has decent bass and a brighter crisper sound. For music I would select the Momentum but for Podcasts and phone calls both work well. With that said the music sound quality improvement of the Momentum is not worth the $240 price difference. As far as phone call quality goes, both work well. Recipients of my call were able to hear me clearly on both headphones. Momentum wins this category based on its ability to give you rich deep bass and full warm sound for music.

Bluetooth - Pairing the headphones are simple and take all of about two minutes to do. Both are Bluetooth 5.0 and have a range of about 30 feet. But I found the Airo consistently kept the connection for about 40 feet. If you work in your garden or around the house that extra ten feet could be the difference between a good experience or frustration with the headphones. The Momentum had a rock solid connection via both the iPhone and MacBook Pro. The Airo would drop out from time to time not enough to make it unusable but enough where you noticed that it wasn’t as good as the Momentum. However, this only happened with the MacBook. The connection on the iPhone was rock solid. Even though the Airo had a longer range I had to give the nod to the Momentum because the connection was rock solid all the time.

Fit - Both provide a solid fit and will stay in place. I wore them while walking and exercising with no issues. They stayed in place even under strenuous conditions. The Momentum were more comfortable to me but that may be due to my ears so your mileage may vary. The Airo claims it is sweat proof as does the Momentum. Actually, they are both IPX4 rated which means they can take water splashes from any direction. The Momentum wins this category but by the slimmest margin.

Battery Life - The momentum got four hours and forty five minutes of use listening at a comfortable level. I could have gone louder which would have reduced the battery life but it would have been unbearable to listen at that volume for an extended period of time. The Airo did meet it's advertised battery life of six hours at 30% to 40% volume. A win for the Airo!

Everything Else - The Momentum has a Transparency mode which allows outside sound to be allowed in. This is a big benefit for those who work in offices and need to communicate with others or those who workout outside. It allows you to hear things around you. The Airo blocks out noise, as does the Momentum with transparency mode off. The Momentum has a smartphone app that gives you more control of the headphones. There is a setting that allows you to adjust the EQ to sound to exactly how you want it. You can update the firmware through the app as well. I was not able to find a way to update firmware on the Airo. Both can activate your phones Smart voice Assistant. And of course they both have touch controls. The Airo’s touch control is better than the Momentum but regardless of model you have to have a good memory to remember which does what and how many taps it takes to get something done. This one is a win for the Momentum mainly because of the app and EQ control.

Conclusion

Truly wireless headphones have come a long way and have come down in price dramatically from when I purchased my Bragis. Simple minimalistic headphones can be had for $60 or less. But in this head to head competition I have to give a slight nod to the Momentum because they sound a bit better and have more features via the app. If you throw bang for the buck into the equation the winner by a large margin would be the Airo.

Podcast #894: USB 4.0 May 03, 2019

USB 4.0

The USB Promoter group recently announced that the latest specification (4.0) will be released towards the latter part of the year which means USB 4.0 devices should be available at sometime in early 2021. Here is a quick rundown of what you can expect.

Main Benefits

40 Gbps - By using two-lane cables some devices will achieve speeds up to 40 Gbps. Speeds of 10 and 20 Gbps will be considered low speed and will more than likely be used by smaller less expensive devices like cell phones and chromebooks.
Compatibility with Thunderbolt 3 devices - Some USB 4.0 devices will also work with Thunderbolt 3 devices.
Better Resource Allocation for Video - If you are using your USB 4.0 port for both video and data simultaneously the port will allocate bandwidth as needed. So if you are watching a video and copying files and the video is only using 10% of the available bandwidth the port will allocate the remaining 90% to data transfer. This mix will be adjusted on the fly as the video demands increase or decrease.

USB 4.0 will use the Type-C connectors and will be backwards compatible with older specifications.

Podcast #893: Master Quality Authenticated - MQA Apr 26, 2019

Master Quality Authenticated - MQA

We recently received an email from Scott in Pine Arizona asking us to talk about MQA (Master Quality Authenticated) audio. We’ll take a look at it from a 30,000 foot level in the hopes that you take a deeper look on your own.

What is MQA

MQA is an audio codec using lossy compression and a form of file fingerprinting, intended for high fidelity digital audio internet streaming and file download that was developed by the co-founder of Meridian Audio, Bob Stuart.

A good way to look at this compression is mailing a letter in an envelope. A 8 ½ X 11 sheet of paper won't fit into a standard envelope as it is. So if you have written a letter taking up the entire sheet you could come up with a short hand that would fit on a smaller sheet of paper and the reader would then have to decode the letter. They would probably get most of the letter correct but may miss a word here or there. Not enough to change the meaning of what you have written but it would not be the exact letter as you wrote it.

The alternative would be to take the full letter and fold it up and place it in the envelope. The reader would then unfold the letter and read it without any loss of meaning. MQA call this their ‘Origami’ folding technology. This is a very high level explanation of the process. The technical details and more precise explanation is found on their website (MQA Playback).

What Services Support MQA

Downloads

Streams

What Players Support MQA

Streamers - Partial List

Onkyo
Pioneer
TEAC
NAD

There are many more devices, including smartphones and portable players, that can help in the “unfolding” of the MQA file. Please check out the MQA website for more details (MQA Partners).

Finally there are MQA CDs. The website features six titles including the Doors Waiting for the Sun which has been remastered. The two CD and one LP set will run you $50. We looked and found it difficult to find MQA CDs but we figured why buy the disc when the downloads have no difference in quality. With that said we tried to download some Van Halen albums but were told that HighResAudio.com did not have rights to sell the album in the US.

There are other alternatives to MQA. For instance HDTracks.com offers high quality tracks that are not encoded with MQA. We found our Van Halen album available there in 96/24 and 192/24 for $17.98 and $24.98 respectively.

Hi-Res Audio is something that won’t appeal to everyone. The music costs more and you need equipment that can handle the higher resolution files. Then there is the debate whether you can hear the difference or, at a minimum, is the difference is worth the added cost. Regardless, for the majority of us, there is no reason to bother. However, for a few of us, it's the only way to listen to music.

Podcast #892: Is Amazon Listening to You? Apr 18, 2019

Today we are on travel but we pre-recorded a short conversation about an article over at Bloomberg that discusses Amazon employees listening to recordings of echo conversations. The conversations are then compared to what the echo thought was said. All in an effort to increase accuracy of the echo's voice recognition software.

Amazon Workers are Listening to What You Tell Alexa

A global team reviews audio clips in an effort to help the voice-activated assistant respond to commands.

Podcast #891: Interview with Gary Yacoubian of SVS Apr 12, 2019

Interview with Gary Yacoubian of SVS

Last week we told you about the new speakers that SVS introduced, the Prime Pinnacle ($799.99 each) and this week we asked Gary Yacoubian President of SVS to join us on the show to discuss what went into the design.

Specs:

Tweeter | 1"
Midrange | 5.25"
Woofer | Triple 6.5"
Frequency Response | 29Hz-25 kHz (+/-3 dB)
Port Size | Triple 2"
Dimensions | 41.1" (H) X 8" (W) X 13.9" (D) (includes grille, feet and binding posts)
Weight | 57.1 lbs (25.9 kg)

All SVS speakers come with:

45 Day Risk-Free In-Home Trial, Fast & Free Shipping and Returns
5-Year Unconditional Warranty, 1-Year Trade-up Policy
Guaranteed Price Protection and more…

Podcast #890: Monoprice Monolith Cassette Series Smart Boombox Apr 05, 2019

Monoprice Monolith Cassette Series Smart Boombox

Almost at the same time as when we started our podcast we discovered Monoprice. For us Monoprice was a company that built and sold high quality HDMI cables at a fraction of the price as big box retailers. They have come so far over the years to where they sell electronics, speakers and home automation products. But today we are super excited about their new high end product.

The Monolith Cassette Series Smart Boombox is a $1,300 piece of modern engineering that really puts Monoprice over the top! It’s time to dig up your cassette collection with the built-in cassette player, listen to the latest tunes on AM/FM radio, or stream wirelessly with a BT connection. This boombox also includes a Smart Assistant so you don’t even need to push any buttons! With two built-in speakers producing 1000 watts of Class D power, it’s time to make the Monolith Cassette Series Boombox the life of the party.

This thing has some serious street cred too! Check out the features:

24bit/192Khz DAC: We took a pure, analog signal path and converted it to digital with our high resolution 24bit/192Khz DAC. To get the most out of analog, one must convert it to hi res digital.

Bluetooth with aptxHD: The best in CD quality Bluetooth wireless connectivity for your lesser quality cassette tapes.

AM/FM: Radio doesn't need to be confined to your car or streamed from your computer. Use the retro antenna to tune to your favorite station. Antenna will automatically point North for the best signal.

Smarts Inside: Easy to use, everyday functions that were once a simple press of a button, can now be accomplished with a turn of phrase:

Say "Monolith, Be Kind Rewind" and the player will automatically rewind the tape

Say "Monolith, Skip to next song" and the player will automatically skip to the next track.

Dual Speakers: 1000 total watts of Class D power with enhanced bass easily filling a large size room with deep, rich and detailed sound. Let’s get the party started!

Dolby Noise Reduction: Dolby A, B, C, and S noise reduction formats included. Each format varies in effectiveness in reducing background hiss on all your favorite recordings from the 70s, 80s, and 90s.

HX Pro: Adds additional high frequency headroom, improving the signal to noise ratio. It's so good, it's always on.

Compatibility: Type I, II, III, and IV compatible. Additionally, the Monolith Portable Cassette Player is also DCC compatible. We believe no format should be left behind.

Comfort: Comes with a memory foam shoulder cushion so you can hold the boombox for hours at a time.

Podcast #889: AppleTV Plus, Channels, and Arcade Mar 29, 2019

AppleTV Plus, Channels, and Arcade

This week Apple launched it's new TV streaming service called AppleTV Plus. The service features original content along with a redesigned AppleTV app. According to Apple the new service will be “the new home for the world’s most creative storytellers featuring exclusive original shows, movies and documentaries”. Apple will spend about $2 Billion initially

Ad-free
Available on demand
Viewable both online and offline.
Available in over 100 countries sometime this fall
No pricing was given

To access Apple TV Plus you will need a new Apple TV app on iOS, Mac, Roku, Fire TV, and televisions from various manufacturers.

Apple TV Channels

Apple also announced Apple TV Channels. Through the channels service you will be able to purchase pay channels and services like HBO, Showtime, Starz, CBS All Access, and others directly through the TV app and watch everything there as well. Currently you have to manage these services outside the app however the shows you watch can be accessed within the AppleTV app once done. To watch an HBO show for example, the AppleTV app will launch the HBO application. With the Channels feature, Apple will be handling the streams and promises top-tier picture and audio quality for all Apple TV Channels it offers.

Channels will enable users to customize content bundles from any source, with everything being delivered through the forthcoming update to the Apple TV app. The new app will be available on Apple's 1.4 billion devices that include Mac computers. But it will also be coming to smart TVs, Roku, and Amazon Fire TV connected-TV devices. Apple claims to have over 150 video providers for it's Channel service.

Apple Arcade

Launching this fall with more than 100 new and exclusive games, Arcade will be Apple's ad-free, subscription gaming offering launching across devices in 150 countries. The service will work directly with developer partners including Disney and LEGO, and will frequently and dynamically roll out new gaming content. Apple didn't specify pricing. The service will have a tab inside of the App Store rather than its own app, and it will be available offline.

HT Guys Take

The more the merrier! More content is great. Apple’s ability to attract star power may be the the key that people are overlooking, afterall Oprah is already onboard. Big stars could provide a compelling reason to tunein. Price will be a big factor. Still, we are still hoping that one day a service will provide total access to ALL content in iTunes making iTunes your de facto DVR. Until that day this is a start.

As far as the AppleTV Channels app goes, we have been saying this all along. We see the day when you will be able to buy your content directly from the networks and have an app aggregate them into “channels’. The Channels service will make it simple to find content which which should work well for the content providers. In app purchases through Apple is far easier than pulling out a credit card and signing up and paying for yet another service. This is more of a play against Amazon which has a similar service. We have tried that service and didn’t find it smooth or integrated. If Apple does this right it may have more luck in pulling this off.

Podcast #888: Crutchfield Speaker Comparison Tool Mar 21, 2019

Crutchfield Speaker Comparison Tool

For years we have been saying that the only way to know how speakers will sound in your home is to listen them in your home. That isn’t always possible. Many online speakers companies do offer a no cost in home “Audition” of their speakers which truly allow you to hear what they will sound like in your environment. But even with that it's hard to A/B different sets of speakers. Perhaps you can have a few sets on hand and then swap out cables. But more than likely you will order a pair and if they sound good you’ll go with them.

That is until now. Thanks to a listener, Glen, he pointed us to a service (SpeakerCompare) offered by Crutchfield that attempts to simulate how a speaker will sound through their website using headphones. This tool simulates the sound of home and car speakers tand lets you compare sonic characteristics between speakers so that you can make a more informed shopping decision.

The following is directly from the Crutchfield website:

How it got Started

About 15 years ago, Bill Crutchfield imagined a new type of “virtual” store, where speakers could be demonstrated online — something that had never been done before. He hired a team of engineers and built a specially designed testing facility in Christiansburg, Virginia. After more than a decade of research, this patented Virtual Audio™ technology is now available on our website.

Now when you're shopping for speakers, you can compare two or more pairs by listening to sample music clips with select headphones to hear sonic differences between each model. We hope you'll find it a valuable addition to conventional shopping resources like reviews, feature lists, and specs.

Research and Development

Our engineers, led by Rick Wright, Ph.D., and Gary Gibbs, Ph.D., had to develop a process for simulating the differences between speakers online. Rick explains that it starts with the team’s anechoic chamber, an acoustically neutral room that uses sound-deadening material to eliminate reflections. The room is equipped with highly sensitive microphones to measure each speaker’s frequency response, sensitivity, power handling, and other attributes.

Next, they gather data on important details like room characteristics and how our ears work. They also carefully measure the audio characteristics of different headphones to account for any sonic coloring they may add to what you hear.

SpeakerCompare tailors your listening experience to the specific type of headphones you have, so that what you hear is comparable to auditioning speakers side-by-side in person. Gary sums up the process of comparing the relative differences of speakers virtually through headphones: “When you break apart each of these pieces, model them, and put them back together, we can simulate the experience of listening with speakers.”

To date, Rick, Gary, and their team have measured hundreds of different home and car speakers. Their ongoing work ensures new models are researched as they're released.

How SpeakerCompare Works

To try out SpeakerCompare, select two or more pairs of home or car speakers to audition, then select your model of headphones from our menu. (We currently have more than 100 to choose from, with more on the way.) Pick a genre of music to cue up a song sample, and hit play. You can then toggle between each speaker in real-time using two listening modes: equal power mode lets you hear differences in loudness as they naturally occur, while equal volume mode gives you a more direct comparison of tonal differences between your selected speakers.

Our Experience

SpeakerCompare does something. On our B&W P3 headphones we definitely heard a difference in the speakers we listened to (Klipsch Reference R-51M, Polk Audio RTi A3, Wharfedale Diamond 210, and Jamo S 803). The only issue we have is without having the speakers in front of us we have to take Crutchfield's word for it that they have accurately simulated their sound. Likewise, we have no way of knowing that the headphone characteristics were accurately accounted for either.

We do know that Crutchfield spent a lot of money and time working on this so it is unlikely that the are selling snake oil. Final point, the work that Crutchfield has done was in an anechoic chamber which is not how any of us live. So where does this leave us? To know how speakers will sound in your home, you have to listen to them in your home.

How are this Season’s New TV Shows Doing? Mar 15, 2019

How are this Season’s New TV Shows Doing?

Back in September we ran down the new network TV shows and we are sure you are wondering how they are doing! Well you are in luck. Today we’ll discuss how they have fared now that the season is about ⅔ complete. The renewal scorecards come from tvline.com

Monday’s

Magnum P.I. (CBS) - Officially Renewed for Season 2

Manifest (NBC) - A Safe Bet

Happy Together (CBS) - A Long Shot
The Neighborhood (CBS) - Officially Renewed for Season 2

Tuesday’s

FBI (CBS) - Officially Renewed for Season 2

New Amsterdam (NBC) - Renewed for Season 2

The Conners (ABC) - A Sure Thing
The Kids Are Alright (ABC) - A Safe Bet
The Rookie (ABC) - Could go either way

Wednesday’s

A Million Little Things (ABC) - Renewed for Season 2

Single Parents (ABC) - Could go either way

All American (CW) - Could go either way

Thursday’s

Murphy Brown (CBS) - A long Shot

Friday’s

The Cool Kids (Fox) - Could go either way

Sunday’s

God Friended Me (CBS) - Officially Renewed for Season 2

Charmed (CW) - Renewed for Season 2

The Alec Baldwin Show (ABC) - A Long Shot

Podcast #886: Best Smart TVs for Streaming Mar 08, 2019

More and more people are streaming content these days. At one time it was a cool novelty but today it's how many of us get our television. Netflix and Amazon are at the forefront of 4K UHD content followed closely behind by Apple, Amazon, and Google. So with all this content out there you may be asking yourself which TV should buy that works best with streaming content.

Luckily for us the people at RTINGS.com have compiled a list of The 7 Best Smart TVs for Streaming. We’ll run through the list but if you want the full details follow the link to the article on their site.

Best Smart TV For Streaming: LG B8

With an overall rating of 8.8 the LG B8 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV is the overall best TV for streaming content. Coming in 55” ($1596) and 65” ($2596) it won’t break the bank either. The guys at RTNGS say the B8 is as good as the more expensive C8! From the article: The picture quality is remarkable and equally good as the more expensive LG C8. The B8 displays perfect blacks and this makes dark room performance outstanding. It has a wide color gamut with vivid colors and bright highlights that look great when watching HDR. Viewing angles are very good, and this makes the TV suitable for a room with a wide seating arrangement.

Movies 9.3
TV Shows 8.5
Sports 8.7
Video Games 9.0
HDR Movies 9.0
HDR Gaming 8.8
PC Monitor 8.4

Best Mid-Range Smart TV For Streaming: Sony X900F

If your budget does not allow for the LG, Sony has you covered with the X900F LED UHD TV ($999) with an overall rating of 8.4. The TV does not have the off angle viewing or same deep blacks as the LG OLED but it still has some chops of it's own. From the article: HDR content playback is excellent, as it can produce bright and vivid highlights with very accurate colors. Motion handling is excellent, as the TV has a fast response time and the ability to flicker the backlight to make motion crisper.

Movies 8.5
TV Shows 8.2
Sports 8.1
Video Games 8.6
HDR Movies 8.4
HDR Gaming 8.5
PC Monitor 8.3

Best Budget Smart TV For Streaming: TCL R617

If you are budget constrained and are in the market for a streamer Braden’s goto manufacturer, TCL, makes the list with the R617 and an overall score of 8.0. You can pick up the largest (75” 75R617) in the series for $1900! TCL manufactures good TVs at very reasonable prices but don’t expect them to compare to the OLED. From the article: the R617 is a very good TV with good picture quality. It can get very bright and has great HDR performance with saturated colors and highlights that pop. Dark room performance is also very good, thanks to the deep blacks produced by the high native contrast ratio and good local dimming.

Movies 8.0
TV Shows 7.7
Sports 7.6
Video Games 8.6
HDR Movies 8.1
HDR Gaming 8.4
PC Monitor 8.3

Podcast #885: HDMI 2.1 Mar 01, 2019

HDMI 2.1

After reading Robert’s email we thought it might be a good idea to review the HDMI 2.1 specification will everyone. The following information and more is available at HDMI.org. HDMI® Specification 2.1 is the most recent update of the HDMI specification and supports a range of higher video resolutions and refresh rates including 8K60 and 4K120, and resolutions up to 10K. Dynamic HDR formats are also supported, and bandwidth capability is increased up to 48Gbps.

Supporting the 48Gbps bandwidth is the new Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable. The cable ensures high-bandwidth dependent features are delivered including uncompressed 8K video with HDR. It features exceptionally low EMI (electro-magnetic interference) which reduces interference with nearby wireless devices. The cable is backwards compatible and can be used with the existing installed base of HDMI devices.

HDMI Specification 2.1 feature highlights

Higher video resolutions support a range of high resolutions and faster refresh rates including 8K60Hz and 4K120Hz for immersive viewing and smooth fast-action detail. Resolutions up to 10K are also supported for commercial AV, and industrial and specialty usages.
Dynamic HDR support ensures every moment of a video is displayed at its ideal values for depth, detail, brightness, contrast and wider color gamuts—on a scene-by-scene or even a frame-by-frame basis.
The Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable supports the 48G bandwidth for uncompressed HDMI 2.1 feature support. The cable also features very low EMI emission and is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI Specification and can be used with existing HDMI devices.
eARC simplifies connectivity, provides greater ease of use, and supports the most advanced audio formats and highest audio quality. It ensures full compatibility between audio devices and upcoming HDMI 2.1 products.
Enhanced refresh rate features ensure an added level of smooth and seamless motion and transitions for gaming, movies and video. They include:
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) reduces or eliminates lag, stutter and frame tearing for more fluid and better detailed gameplay.
- Quick Media Switching (QMS) for movies and video eliminates the delay that can result in blank screens before content is displayed.
- Quick Frame Transport (QFT) reduces latency for smoother no-lag gaming, and real-time interactive virtual reality.
Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) allows the ideal latency setting to automatically be set allowing for smooth, lag-free and uninterrupted viewing and interactivity.

Version 2.1 of the HDMI Specification is backward compatible with earlier versions of the Specification and is available to all HDMI 2.0 Adopters.

Some Observations:

The specification does not indicate a cable length. Cable length depends on the cable manufacturer. It is likely the maximum lengths for passive cables will be approximately 2 to 3 meters.
Manufacturers may or may not be able to enable Dynamic HDR with a firmware upgrade. This is manufacturer specific
eARC requires HDMI High Speed Cables with Ethernet and the new Ultra High Speed HDMI Cable.
Generally speaking, eARC will not be upgradable via a firmware update. Check with the manufacturer of your product to confirm.
eARC will support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X as well as previous audio formats.

Podcast #884: Hollywood is Now Irrelevant Feb 22, 2019

The surprising list of top Netflix shows in the US by state

If you're curious whether your taste in high-priced television shows streaming on Netflix is the same as that of your neighbors, HighSpeedInternet.com has a macro-view for you: its annual look at the "Most Popular Netflix Show in each State" for 2018.

“Hollywood is now irrelevant,” says IAC Chairman Barry Diller

Diller, the former CEO of Paramount and Fox, talks about the diminished power of movie studios and why “Netflix has won this game. It was these six movie companies essentially were able to extend their hegemony into everything else. It didn’t matter that they started it. When it got big enough, they got to buy it. For the first time, they ain’t buying anything. Meaning they’re not buying Netflix. They are not buying Amazon.”.

Podcast #883: SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase Feb 15, 2019

SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase

Ever since Ara has begun building speakers he has been searching for ways to drive them. He has tried small desktop amplifiers with some real success. His current go to is the AudioEngine N22 (MSRP $199) desktop amplifier 40W a channel. That works great for most desktop and some booksehelf setups. If you wanted to go wireless you had to add the Audio Engine B1 (MSRP $189) Bluetooth receiver. This did add AptX, including AptX HD support which allowed for high quality listening. The cost of the two totaled almost $400 and was cumbersome to “assemble”.

Then Ara saw that SVS had release the Prime Wireless SoundBase for $499.99. About a $100 more expensive than his current solution. The SoundBase is 150W a channel and has a rated bandwidth of 10Hz to 20kHz. Much more powerful and a little more on the low end of the audio spectrum. But the big thing for use is that it's all in one unit. No need for separate amp and wireless adapter. The full specs are:

SN Ratio: 90dB @1V input, 2 x 150W output

Left/Right RCA Input

3.5mm Aux Input

Toslink Optical Input

Subwoofer output

Left/Right RCA Output

Front 3.5mm headphone output

192kHz/24-Bit DAC

Dual-Band WiFi Connectivity for Wireless Streaming - DTS Play-Fi app enables direct connection to Spotify, Pandora, Amazon Music, SiriusXM, Tidal, iHeart Radio and all the top music streaming sources as well as your personal playlists.
App-Based Control over WiFi - DTS Play-Fi app control lets you access music streaming services and audio content from any smartphone or tablet via WiFi and distribute it throughout your home.
6 Custom Presets - 6 custom presets for instant access via WiFi to your favorite playlists, Internet Radio stations and streaming music services without needing a phone or tablet.
Voice Control - Voice control of music from any Alexa device on your WiFi network is as simple as “Alexa, play reggae in the living room” and you can adjust volume, skip track forward, mute, pause and stop the music.

Setup

Setup was simple. Connect your speakers, pair your Bluetooth and you are good to go. But if you want, you can also connect the device to your wifi and use the DTS Play-Fi app to listen in critical listening mode which enables 192kHz/24-bit lossless streaming. More on that in a bit.

If you don’t want to use wireless you can use an RCA, 3.5mm, or Toslink Optical to connect CD or other external devices to the SoundBase. There is also a Subwoofer output in case you want to connect a subwoofer. The SoundBase also has an Ethernet jack for a hardwired connection to your network and a USB port for firmware upgrades.

Our test configuration was using a Bluetooth connection to both our iPhone and MacBook Pro. The Macbook’s connection was using aptX which provides a higher quality Bluetooth connection. We also used the DTS Play-Fi app to listen to 192khz audio.

Performance

You can hear the difference as soon as you turn the SoundBase on! Strong booming bass crystal clear audio and a lot of power. You could feel the desperation of life in Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Tin Pan Alley. The bass was strong and full. Feeling it more than hearing it. The Guitar sounding like it was being played right in front of you. Yes good speakers help, but the Soundbase made the ELAC Debuts come to life! Even at loud volumes there was no noticeable distortion. It just sounded like Stevie was in the room giving a private performance!

Drums are a difficult instrument to recreate. Howard Rogers from RSL Speakers told us, in an interview on our show, that he spent a lot of time perfecting speakers to recreate the sound of a drum. It's hard to AB a live drum with a recording but if your speaker/amplifier can’t handle the low end you can tell there is something not quite right. It will sound soft, muddy, or not even there. The SoundBase is spec’d to go to 10Hz which is more like a feeling than hearing but give it something like “When The Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin and you know right away that you are listening to something really special. There was a presence about the drums that enhanced the listening experience.

We listened to the same music from iTunes but this time through Tidal. It sounded very good but Ara’s old ears could not hear a noticeable difference. If you are able to discern the difference between Hi-Res and high quality AAC this device makes it easy to wirelessly listen to all your high resolution audio. One thing we didn’t like, and it has nothing to do with the SoundBase, was the DTS Play-Fi app is not an intuitive way of playing music on the Soundbase. However, if you want to natively make it part of a multiroom wireless system it is required.

The only complaints we had was there was not a remote control nor was there a power button. We reached out to SVS and asked about the power button and this was their reply:

Prime Wireless SoundBase is designed to remain on at all times so you can stream music to it instantly without waiting for the product to boot up and connect to the network every time. Worth noting that Prime Wireless meets all low power Energy Star requirements for products of their type.

Conclusion

If you are really into music you probably have some speakers that you really love. Odds are they are not wireless though. The SVS Prime Wireless SoundBase brings those speakers into the connected era with enough power to drive anything from bookshelf to towers. This is a great addition to any music lover’s setup. But hey, you don’t have to believe us. SVS offers a 45 day risk free in home trial with free shipping both ways. We will wager that if you try it you won’t ship it back!

Podcast #882: Bluetooth 5.1 and the Smart Home Feb 08, 2019

Top Ten Global TV Brands

TCL has been rapidly expanding overseas and leading the market with its rich panel resources and the successful implementation of the branding strategy overseas. Chinese TV brands have been on the rise in recent years, especially since TV entered the era of artificial intelligence. They are also actively exploring overseas business and have advantages including core technology, product performance, price and after sales experience.

Samsung
LG
TCL
Hisense
Skyworth
SONY
Sharp
Philips
A Russian brand that we can not read
Mi - Mi stands for Mobile Internet but they offer three TVs for sale

Why Haven’t you used a Smart Assistant?

Have No use for them 31.3%
I have privacy/security concerns 30.4%
Don’t know enough about them 26.5%
I don’t see the value in them 24.9%
Too expensive 20.1%
I am not an early adopter/will wait until mainstream 18.7%
I’m not sure which brand to buy 11.2
Too complicated 9.1%
I doubt the will live up to their promise 7.1%
Other 3.9%

Podcast #881: Interview with the Owners of Creative Sound Solutions Feb 01, 2019

Interview with the Owners of Creative Sound Solutions

Ara recently purchased a DIY Speaker kit (Model P215 $439) from Creative Sound Solutions because he has heard a lot of great things about the company and products. He reached out to Dan Poinsett and Kerry Armes the owners of Creative Sound Solutions and they agreed to come on the show and talk about their company and DIY speaker kits.

About CSS Audio

Creative Sound Solutions is operated out of the Southeast Michigan area by two friends with a passion for great audio. Ownership of CSS was transferred from Bob Reimer, the original founder, to us in June 2017 and since then we've been working on bringing back some of the great drivers CSS is known for, as well as introducing some cool new kits and products to make it easier to get a world class speaker at a great price. We are also now 50% veteran owned and operated.

Let’s face it, high end audio is full of mysticism. There are all kinds of beliefs and opinions into what matters and what doesn’t, and many of them aren’t backed by facts or science at all (room purifying crystals anyone?). At CSS, we strive to de-mystify things for you. We use proven theories and methodologies developed and tested by trusted experts in the field of acoustics like Floyd Toole, Siegfried Linkwitz, and Vance Dickenson and combine that with countless hours of our own driver testing and acoustic evaluations to give you a truly high-end experience at an affordable price.

Our products are definitely not the cheapest on the market. We don’t strive to be. We strive to provide you with the best speakers your money can buy. Everything we put into our speakers is something that we’ve tested and evaluated to provide you with a true performance benefit. We don’t believe speakers need a “secret sauce” to sound great, so we won’t ever try to sell you pseudo-science. What you get instead is solid engineering, technical knowledge, and a couple sets of keen ears that have over 30 years combined experience designing loudspeakers.

Podcast #880: Netflix Audience Numbers Jan 25, 2019

Netflix Audience Numbers

Netflix audience numbers have been a mystery for some time now. World wide Netflix has 130 million subscribers but what and how much they are watching have never been disclosed by the streaming service. In a letter to shareholders Netflix has revealed some of its audience numbers and plans for 2019. We present and discuss this letter on today’s show.

In its first 4 weeks on Netflix, we estimate that Bird Box from director Susanne Bier will be enjoyed by over 80 million member households, and we are seeing high repeat viewing. In combination with our other movie hits such as: Dumplin’ from director Anne Fletcher, Chris Columbus-produced The Christmas Chronicles, Alfonso Cuarón’s critically acclaimed ROMA, Paul Greengrass’ 22 July, Tamara Jenkins’ Private Life and the Coen brothers’ The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, we are beginning to have our original movie offering mirror the success of our series offering for consumer enjoyment. The global reach of our audience and the quality of the experience producing for Netflix continues to attract the world’s top directors. We are expanding the film market: while our films drew bigger and bigger audiences in Q4, the North American box office also set records. Today, five weeks after its Netflix debut, ROMA is still being exhibited in theaters and has played on over 900 unique screens around the world, including some special 70mm format presentations. People love films...at home and in theaters.
Around the world, our titles are not only pleasing consumers, but they are transforming the careers of our talent. Elite, our Spanish original, has been a huge success with over 20 million member households around the world enjoying the series in its first four weeks on service. In addition to being highly watched, social engagement has been phenomenal and the cast’s popularity on social media skyrocketed, continuing to demonstrate our ability to be a launching pad for talent. We were very pleased with our launch of ”You” three weeks ago; we estimate it will be watched by over 40 million member households in its first 4 weeks on Netflix. This binge-worthy show started as a Lifetime linear series in the US, but is now a full Netflix global original. A week ago, we launched Sex Education from the UK and it is also tracking to be a huge hit (estimated over 40 million households watching the title within the first 4 weeks).
Netflix films and TV shows picked up five 2019 Golden Globe wins, including Best Comedy Series for The Kominsky Method and Best Actor in a Comedy Series for Michael Douglas and Best Actor in a Drama Series for Richard Madden from Bodyguard. Alfonso Cuarón won the Golden Globe for Best Feature Director and Best Foreign Language Feature for ROMA.
As a result of our success with original content, we’re becoming less focused on 2nd run programming. For example, we launched our originals strategy for the unscripted genre only two years ago. Today, Netflix originals, like Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, account for a majority of total unscripted view share on Netflix, while viewing of all unscripted programming has increased meaningfully during that time. We are ready to pay top-of-market prices for second run content when the studios, networks and producers are willing to sell, but we are also prepared to keep our members ecstatic with our incredible original content if others choose to retain their content for their own services.
Looking forward in 2019, we will be launching many new highly-anticipated titles including The Umbrella Academy (February 15th); Triple Frontier from J.C. Chandor (March); The Irishman from Martin Scorsese; 6 Underground from Michael Bay; and The Politician from Ryan Murphy; as well as returning seasons of The Crown led by a new cast including Olivia Colman, Ben Daniels, and Helena Bonham Carter; 13 Reasons Why, La Casa de Papel, Elite, and, of course, Season 3 of the epic Stranger Things, coming to members all around the world on July 4th.
In the US, we earn around 10% of television screen time2 and less than that of mobile screen time. In other countries, we earn a lower percentage of screen time due to lower penetration of our service. We earn consumer screen time, both mobile and television, away from a very broad set of competitors. We compete with (and lose to) Fortnite more than HBO. When YouTube went down globally for a few minutes in October, our viewing and signups spiked for that time. Hulu is small compared to YouTube for viewing time, and they are successful in the US, but non-existent in Canada, which creates a comparison point: our penetration in the two countries is pretty similar. There are thousands of competitors in this highly-fragmented market vying to entertain consumers and low barriers to entry for those with great experiences. Our growth is based on how good our experience is, compared to all the other screen time experiences from which consumers choose. Our focus is not on Disney+, Amazon or others, but on how we can improve our experience for our members.

Podcast #879: QLED vs OLED vs LED Jan 18, 2019

QLED vs OLED vs LED

The Super Bowl is right around the corner and that is a time when many Americans buy new TVs. Right now there are three competing technologies (QLED, OLED, and LED) readily available for purchase. With the help of RTINGS.com we try to help you make an informed decision.

How do these technologies rate on 8 factors important to someone buying a TV.

Black Level - Deep black will make colors look more accurate and vibrant

Motion Blur - Mostly an issue for video gaming or fast action sports. It manifests itself as a blur on the screen

Viewing Angle - Measures how true the image remains when you view off angle. The farther off center the more the degradation.

Color Volume - A measure of the ability to express all the colors that can physically be displayed (aka: the color gamut), at any given luminosity, up to the display's peak brightness.

Gray Uniformity - Describes how well a TV is able to maintain a single, uniform color on the screen.

Luminosity - Essentially brightness

Image Retention - Burn In

Price and Availability - Self Explanatory

QLED

OLED

LED

Black Level

Good

Perfect

Good

Motion Blur

Great

Perfect

Good

Viewing Angle

Poor

Great

Poor

Color volume

Great

Good

Gray Uniformity

Average

Good

Average

Luminosity

Good

Great

Image Retention

Great

Poor

Great

Price and Availability

Poor

Average

Great

Table Courtesy of RTINGS.com

Podcast #878: CES 2019 Jan 11, 2019

CES 2019

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is the world's gathering place for all those who thrive on the business of consumer technologies. It has served as the proving ground for innovators and breakthrough technologies for 50 years - the global stage where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), it attracts the world's business leaders and pioneering thinkers.

LG Debuts TV Of Tomorrow With World's First Rollable OLED TVLG Electronics (LG) is defining the next generation of television at CES® 2019 with the introduction of the world's first rollable OLED TV. The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R (model 65R9) reimagines the everyday TV with a revolutionary form factor only made possible by the company's industry-leading OLED technology, boasting picture and sound quality that is second to none. The never-before-seen user experience gives home TV viewers infinite possibilities in designing their perfect viewing space.

Line View allows the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R to be partially unrolled, allowing for management of specific tasks that do not require the full TV screen. In Line View, users can choose from features such as Clock mode to check the time and weather, Frame mode to enjoy family photos shared from a smartphone, Mood mode to create a more relaxing atmosphere as well as others including Music and Home Dashboard.

When in Zero View, all 65 inches of the LG SIGNATURE OLED TV R are hidden from view and tucked away in the base. Even in Zero View, users can enjoy music and other audio content which resonate from the 4.2-channel, 100W front-firing Dolby Atmos audio system. The premium bloodline is clearly evident in the entire unit, from the brushed aluminum casing to the quality wool speaker cover designed by Kvadrat of Denmark.

No pricing or availability

Samsung Unveils 75 inch Modular Micro LED TechnologySamsung introduced its latest innovations in modular MicroLED display technology during its annual First Look CES event at the Aria Resort & Casino in Las Vegas. The revolutionary new Micro LED technology designs featured at the event included: a new 75” display, a 219” The Wall as well as other various groundbreaking sizes, shapes and configurations for a next-generation modular Micro LED display – a 2019 CES Best of Innovation Award winner.

Due to the technical advancements in the ultra-fine pitch semiconductor packaging process that narrow the gap between the microscopic LED chips, Samsung has been able to create a stunning 4K Micro LED display in a smaller, more home-friendly 75” form factor.

No pricing or availability

Samsung announces 98in version of its 8K QLED TV

The QE98Q900R is a 98in version of the TV that's already available in 65in, 75in, 82in (US-only) and 85in variants.

Aside from being a bigger model, the new model in the Q900R range shares the same specs as its siblings, which means it's an 8K display with a full array direct LED backlight that can hit a peak brightness of 4000 nits. It uses the same Quantum Processor 8K, which combines with central server-based machine-learning to upscale all non-8K content in the best quality possible.

No pricing or availability but the 85 inch is currently $15K

VIZIO Reveals SmartCast™ 3.0 at CES 2019, Adding Support for Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit

VIZIO, Inc. announced the latest iteration of its easy-to-use smart TV experience, VIZIO SmartCast 3.0, which will offer unparalleled value to consumers through new seamless integrations, features and content offerings. With support for Apple AirPlay 2, millions of VIZIO SmartCast users can effortlessly play videos, music, photos and more directly from their iPhone, iPad and Mac to SmartCast TVs. HomeKit, Apple's secure smart home platform, will also be supported, enabling customers to easily control their SmartCast TVs using the Home app or by asking Siri. Support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on VIZIO SmartCast TVs will be available for registered beta members across the U.S. and Canada to experience in Q1 2019. Following the beta, VIZIO SmartCast 3.0 will roll out via free cloud-based updates to new and existing SmartCast TVs and displays in Q2 20191.

Panasonic's GZ2000: World's Most Cinematic TV

Panasonic today announced the launch of the GZ2000, featuring a custom-made Professional Edition 4K OLED panel which incorporates custom hardware improvements by Panasonic. Optimized by a leading Hollywood colorist, the new panel highlights unparalleled color accuracy and significantly better than average brightness levels.

The GZ2000 is the world's first* OLED TV to support both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision HDR as well as HLG Photo, the new still image format which brings still photography into the HDR world.

Furthermore, the GZ2000 is the world's first TV with built-in upward-firing speakers capable of delivering Dolby Atmos® immersive audio with total ease and convenience. The total audio system has also been tuned by Technics engineers. Also, with support for voice assistants, the GZ2000 can integrate seamlessly with a smart home setup.

The GZ2000 also works with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, allowing users to operate some key TV functions, just using their voice.

No pricing or availability

Sony Electronics Adds Super-large Sized 8K TVs and OLED 4K TVs to the MASTER Series Lineup

Sony Electronics Inc. today announced the new MASTER Series Z9G 8K LCD and A9G 4K OLED televisions. Sony's MASTER Series TVs represent the pinnacle of picture quality available to home viewers, capable of displaying images that faithfully convey the creators' intent. The MASTER Series is the name given to only the very best Sony TVs and provides premium picture quality, color, contrast and clarity approaching that of a professional-grade monitor. The MASTER Series TVs also feature Netflix Calibrated Mode and IMAX Enhanced to further ensure that content is delivered as intended.

Both new models feature the latest generation Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate for accurate detail and contrast. Introduced last fall with the inaugural MASTER Series models, this processor plays a vital role in delivering the high-quality picture in the MASTER Series. The Picture Processor X1 Ultimate has a unique algorithm specially developed for 8K that can intelligently detect and analyze each object in the picture, resulting in exceptional detail and contrast for a more realistic picture that represents the creators' intent. Premium quality sound is a key part of the viewing experience as well, and both the A9G and Z9G models have the new Sound-from-Picture Reality feature, which faithfully reproduces the position of the sound on the screen so when actors are speaking, the sound appears to be coming directly from their mouths and not from a speaker off to the bottom.

Pricing and retail availability will be announced in spring 2019. The MASTER Series televisions will be on sale at BestBuy and other authorized dealers nationwide.

Sony launching another new OLED TV - the AG8

Sony has just announced details of its more affordable 2019 OLED offering, the AG8.

Available in 55in and 65in variants, the AG8 does without the X1 Ultimate processor of the AG9 OLED, instead sticking with the X1 Extreme chip seen on its predecessor, the AF8.

Sony hasn't yet announced a release date or price for the AG8

Roku and TCL Announce Plan to Make 8K TCL Roku TVs and Built-in Voice Controls

Roku, Inc. and TCL® announced that the two companies are working together to make 8K TCL Roku TVs expected to be available to consumers in late 2019. TCL will leverage its latest Gen 11 LCD panel factory and Roku® is developing an 8K hardware reference design that TCL will be the first to license. Additionally, Roku is expanding its 4K and HDR hardware reference design to include far-field microphones for voice search and control. Today, TCL also announced they will be the first to deliver these TV models in 2019.

No pricing or availability

Airplay2 Enabled TVs

LG OLED (2019)Announced
LG NanoCell SM9X series (2019)Announced
LG NanoCell SM8X series (2019)Announced
LG UHD UM7X series (2019)Announced
Samsung QLED Series (2019 and 2018)Announced
Samsung 8 Series (2019 and 2018)Announced
Samsung 7 Series (2019 and 2018)Announced
Samsung 6 Series (2019 and 2018)Announced
Samsung 5 Series (2019 and 2018)Announced
Samsung 4 Series (2019 and 2018)Announced
Sony Z9G Series (2019)Announced
Sony A9G Series (2019)Announced
Sony X950G Series (2019)Announced
Sony X850G Series (2019 85", 75", 65" and 55" models)Announced
Vizio P-Series Quantum (2019 and 2018)Announced
Vizio P-Series (2019, 2018 and 2017)Announced
Vizio M-Series (2019, 2018 and 2017)Announced
Vizio E-Series (2019, 2018 and 2017)Announced
Vizio D-series (2019, 2018 and 2017)Announced

Panasonic's 2019 4K Blu-ray players offer HDR10+ and Dolby Vision

Panasonic has launched two new Blu-ray players at CES 2019, the DP-UB150 and the DP-UB450, offering upgraded specs and promises of better performance.

Both new 4K Blu-ray players support the latest version of HDR (high dynamic range) picture technology, HDR10+. The more expensive UB450 player also supports Dolby Vision, another version of HDR, ensuring you can get the very best out of Dolby Vision content. Both the UB150 and UB450 can also passthrough Dolby Atmos. No Pricing or availability given

HARMAN’s Mark Levinson Showcases New 5000 Series Integrated Amplifiers

HARMAN’s Mark Levinson is showcasing the first two models from the new 5000 series, the № 5805 and № 5802 integrated amplifiers at CES 2019. The Mark Levinson 5000 series amplifiers deliver renowned Mark Levinson luxury and fidelity at an exceptional value.

“The Nº5805 and Nº5802 were created to deliver all of the performance and quality expected from Mark Levinson while implementing state of the art features and efficiencies gained from decades of superlative audio engineering and technological advancements,” said Jim Garrett, Senior Director, Product Strategy & Planning, HARMAN Luxury Audio. "Proudly designed, engineered and precision crafted in the USA, the 5000 series looks great, sounds amazing, and is re-defining performance expectations."

Both amplifiers feature fully discrete, direct-coupled, class AB amplifier channels powered from an oversized (500+ VA) toroidal transformer with individual secondary windings for the left and right channels. The voltage gain stage employs a topology directly descended from the acclaimed Nº 534 amplifier, which is mated to an output stage comprising two high-speed driver transistors operating in class A and six 260V, 15A output transistors. Two Thermal-Trak devices in a unique configuration guarantee stable output bias regardless of load or temperature. Four 10,000-microfarad capacitors per channel, located directly on the output stage circuit board, easily provide enough current for a conservative 125W/channel at 8 ohms, 250W/channel at 4 ohms, and stable operation down to 2 ohms.

The Nº5805 and Nº5802 will be available in first quarter 2019 at MSRPs of $8,500 and $7,000 respectively.

ELAC NAVIS Powered Speakers

ELAC’s new Navis Series answers every minimalist audiophile’s dream of a no-compromise powered speaker driven by best-inclass amplifiers that are truly deserving of the name “high end.” While most powered speakers rely on Class D digital designs, ELAC engineers build in 300 watts of pure analog amplification—for maximum power and exceptional sound. Add the Discovery Connect wireless transmitter to your system, and Navis becomes a wireless speaker that lets you enjoy streaming content without a cable in sight. $2,000 a pair for the book shelf model $2,000 each for floor standing.

Sony LSPX-S1 Glass Sound Speaker

The LSPX-S2 Glass Sound Speaker looks more like a little lamp than a speaker, and in actual fact it's both. At the centre of a glass tube is a little LED light with 32 steps of brightness that can also be set to candlelight mode, which introduces candle-like flickering. But just below the LED light, hidden from view, are three actuators, spaced equally around the inside of the glass. These actuators vibrate the glass to create sound, in much the same way that the actuators on the back of the company's OLED TVs produce sound by vibrating the panel. At the bottom of the unit, also hidden, is a woofer to add bass and lower mid-range, filling out the higher frequencies produced by the actuators. $799

Ring Door View Cam

The Ring Door View Cam is a smaller piece of kit that can sit over your door's existing viewer/spy hole. Sandwiched between the button and the camera lens is a piece of glass that'll let you peer through the hole at your visitors, old-school style.

Door View Cam comes with all of the usual features you'd expect from a Ring product, including HD video, privac y zones and smart alerts. In addition, however, it packs an impact sensor to alert you when a moron knocks on your door instead of, you know, pushing the clearly obvious bell. It's worth adding that existing Ring products will let you watch what's going on at the door with its Live View feature.

Because this is designed to sit over door peepholes, the product is installed without drilling or permanent modifications. That should mean that folks in rental properties and apartment blocks will be up for trying the device, so long as you can pop out the existing peephole. And Ring will, as usual, guarantee to replace your equipment if it's stolen, although it should be pretty hard to steal.

Arlo to Add Apple Homekit Support for Arlo Ultra and Pro 2 Wire-free Camera Systems

Arlo Technologies, Inc. announced today that HomeKit, Apple’s secure smart home platform, will be supported by the Arlo Ultra 4K HDR Wire-Free and Arlo Pro 2 Security Camera Systems. While Arlo users can already control their Ultra or Pro 2 cameras via the Arlo app, HomeKit provides added convenience for iPhone and iPad users to access certain functions of their Arlo cameras using the Apple Home app or Siri voice commands. Support for HomeKit will be available as an automatic firmware update for Arlo Ultra and Pro 2 camera systems later this quarter.

The new Arlo Ultra 4K HDR Wire-Free Security Camera System is available now, with pricing starting at $399.99 for the 1-camera system which includes a one-year subscription to Arlo Smart Premier, Arlo’s AI and computer vision powered service that delivers sophisticated detection of people, vehicles, packages and more3. The Arlo Pro 2 Smart Security System with 1080p HD picture quality starts at $299.99 for the 1-camera system.

Capstone Connected Home Launches Google-Enabled Smart Mirror

Capstone Connected Home’s Google-enabled Smart Mirror will be available in varying sizes, the first to market being 19x22. Available for purchase and shipping to customers the beginning of Q1 2019.

Brilliant smart home hub now supports Apple HomeKit

Brilliant, a smart home hub that plugs into existing light-switch ports, already works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Nest, Philips Hue, August smart locks and a whole bunch of other home accessories. Now, it's adding Apple HomeKit-enabled devices to the things you can control using its touchscreen panel. The integration also allows you to control lights connected to the hub by voice using Siri on iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, HomePods and Macs. You can also control those lights using the Apple Home app.

HomeKit support will roll out to all existing Brilliant customers through an over-the-air firmware update -- at no additional cost -- sometime this spring.

Belkin WEMO

New Wemo Light Switches for 2019

Native HomeKit compatibility; leverages Apple's software authentication for HomeKit compatibility without the use of other hardware. Joins Wemo Mini Smart Plug and Wemo Dimmer for full HomeKit compatibility across Wemo’s leading family of devices
Updated design, singlepole and 3-way options
Control your home lighting from the wall, your phone or by using your voice via Siri
MSRP of $99 (single-pole) and $49.99 (3-way)
Available Spring/Summer on Wemo.com

Kholer Amazon Alexa-enabled Verdera Voice mirror

The Amazon Alexa-enabled Verdera Voice mirror brings optimally bright, shadowless light and full stereo sound to your bathroom with convenient voice command. All you have to do is Ask Alexa, and your Verdera Voice mirror allows you a hands-free bathroom routine. Using Alexa is as simple as asking a question. Just ask to adjust the lights to the ideal brightness for any grooming activity, play music, get the weather, tell a joke, and more - Alexa will respond instantly. You can even make middle-of-the-night bathroom trips less disruptive with a motion-sensing night-light.

Soma Announces Smart Bra

Soma®, is reshaping the bra fit experience with the launch of SOMAINNOFIT™. Through a proprietary app supported by patented measurement technology from Like A Glove, the SOMAINNOFIT bra offers an easy, no guess solution that helps women find a best-fit bra without the need of a measuring tape or fit quiz.

When a woman puts the SOMAINNOFIT bra on and connects it via Bluetooth to the SOMAINNOFIT app, it quickly captures four key body measurements and recommends a personally curated selection of Soma bras in the styles and size that will deliver her best fit. Once the process is completed, customers can utilize their individual measurements to purchase the recommended bras directly through the app, on Soma's website, Soma.com, or in Soma boutiques nationwide. Multiple women can use the same SOMAINNOFIT bra by downloading the app and entering their unique bra identifier.

The SOMAINNOFIT bra will be available January 8th on Soma.com for an introductory price of $25 (regularly $59)*. In addition, customers who purchase SOMAINNOFIT will receive $25 off a new Soma bra. It will be available for purchase in-store starting on January 23rd and used as part of the certified, five-star bra fit service. The SOMAINNOFIT app is available for free download on the Apple and Google app stores.

Podcast #877: Predictions for 2019 Jan 04, 2019

Predictions for 2019

Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2019. Our crystal ball isn’t as clear as a good HDTV but we faithfully give it another shot nonetheless.

MicroLEDs Make a Macro Splash

Interactive TV comes to a Screen Near You

LG Releases a Roll Up OLED

Home Security Will Drive Home Automation Demand

Smart Mirrors

Voice Control of our Home Theater Will Become a Reality

Podcast #876: Prediction Review for 2018 Dec 28, 2018

Prediction Review for 2018

Wow. Another year in the books. And another year of stellar prediction results! With that it's time to see how we did with our 2018 predictions. If you’re feeling nostalgic, the predictions are from Episode 825.

This year's scorecard: 2/6

Prediction: Voice User Interface will begin to flourish in Home Theater

It's 2018 and we are very used to asking Siri, Alexa, or Google to turn on lights but it's not common that we can use our voice to control our home theaters. The Echo works with the Harmony and Simple Control remotes but it's still kind of limited. In 2018 we will see a Homekit like framework emerge that will allow disparite home theater devices to be controlled by voice.

Score: +1 Nailed it. You can get everything with voice control and voice search these days, some companies are even including multiple voice assistants so you can pick whichever one you want.

Prediction: IPTV begins to erode traditional cable/satellite product

Both DIsh Network and DirecTV said that their IPTV products we not replacements for their traditional offerings. Their original target market was cord cutters. The over the top service was an attempt to win back younger TV viewers. What is actually happening is that high dollar subscribers are seeing the value in IPTV. Watch anywhere and just about any device. The providers no longer have to worry about installing and maintaining hardware. A true win/win! Look for service quality to improve in 2018 and that will speed up the transition. The process will take many years to complete but 2018 will be the starting point.

Score: +1 (but a bit of a gimme). Pay-TV Cord-Cutting Slightly Eases Again in Q2 As vMVPD Subs Grow, But Losses Are Mounting - Traditional subscribers are continuing to flee cable and satellite - “which found the major traditional pay-TV services (excluding internet-delivered services) shedding 800,000 subscribers in Q2 of this year” and vMVPDs are growing - “Sling TV and DIRECTV NOW... added about 383,000 subscribers during the quarter (compared to 287,000 net adds in Q2 2017), bringing them to a total subscriber size exceeding 4.1 million. Adjusting for those, the largest pay-TV providers in the US – representing roughly 95% of the market – lost roughly 415,000 subscribers”

Prediction: The forthcoming Disney Movie Service gives Netflix a run for the money

Netflix is a streaming movie service that now creates original content making for a formidable force. Disney has been creating original content for years and now is getting into the streaming game. They have deep pockets and can buy up a lot of content and be the only service that will stream it. We are betting that Disney makes a big dent into Netflix’s market share in 2018

Score: +0 Nope. There’s a Disney Streaming Service? Disney is now shooting for a release date in 2019. Hopefully they hit it. Then maybe they can eat away at Netflix subscriber numbers.

Prediction: Netflix will change the movie distribution model

Netflix currently operates on both sides of movie distribution. Netflix Productions already works with theaters to distribute traditional motion pictures, they secured distribution rights to Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick for example. Netflix is also one of the largest producers of motion pictures, in fact Netflix will release more movies in 2018 than most major film studios combined. Most of them will go straight to streaming. But will they all? Netflix will get some of those movies into theaters and make them available for streaming at the same time.

Score: +0 Flop. Netflix may have owned distribution right for a few movies, but none that anyone knew about or were playing in a theater anywhere near you.

Prediction: (Longshot Prediction) DirecTV will lose it's stranglehold on the TV rights for streaming the NFL

For years the only way to watch out of market games for the NFL was to buy DirecTV’s Sunday Ticket. That also gave you access to stream the games when you weren’t at home. But with declining viewership due to how we watch TV nowadays the NFL will have to do something about it. They are making inroads with streaming on Twitter and facebook. But look for the NFL to offer something like what all the other sports do, an NFL package that will allow you to stream any and all out of market games to your set top box, tablet, and phone of your choice. Then when DirecTVs contract is up, look for every platform to offer a Sunday Ticket like product.

Score: +0 Goose egg. Still need to get that Sunday Ticket.

Prediction: 4G Optimized Streaming for the Home

We still aren’t sure if the removal of Net Neutrality will have any impact on our ability to stream from video services that may compete with the company that provides your Internet access, but there are potential issues there. And with 4G speeds in many areas easily capable of streaming high definition, we’ll see a push toward using a new 4G device in your home, optimized for video streaming, combined with one of the streaming TV services (AT&T and DirecTV Now, perhaps?) to totally eliminate the need for cable or satellite altogether. Maybe you could have a second 4G device in the home is what you could use for all the Internet and email traffic.

Score: +0 But it’s a cool idea tho. Maybe this is a 5G thing?

Podcast #875: Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for the Home Theater Lover Dec 21, 2018

Last Minute Stocking Stuffers for the Home Theater Lover

It's just a few days until Christmas and you have a home theater lover in your circle that you haven’t been able to find a gift for. We “The HT Guys” have you covered. We have a list of items that you can go out and buy from, gasp, a physical store! Yes you’ll have to go battle the crowds but with our list it will be easy! All gifts can be had for less than $100.

Roku Streaming Stick - Target

With Enhanced Voice Remote. Save $15, reg. 49.99 • Roku Ultra streaming player, reg. 99.99, sale 79.99

Amazon Fire TV Stick - Target

With Alexa Voice Remote–now faster and more powerful than ever. Save $15, reg. 39.99 • Amazon 4K Fire TV Stick, reg. 49.99, sale 34.99

Wemo - Mini WiFi Smart Plug - Best Buy

Convert almost any electronic device into a smart appliance with the Wemo Mini Wi-Fi smart plug. It plugs into any outlet and lets you control attached appliances via mobile devices. $25

TP-Link - Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini - Best Buy

Operate electrical appliances remotely with this TP-Link mini smart Wi-Fi plug. It lets you switch lights and other electronics on and off, check their current status and schedule their operation from your mobile device via the Kasa app. This TP-Link mini smart Wi-Fi plug supports voice control when paired with your Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. $16

Philips - Hue White A19 Wi-Fi Smart LED Bulb (4-Pack) - Best Buy

Explore different moods with this four-pack of Philips Hue A19 bulbs. They're customizable to any glow intensity through the accompanying app, letting you set the atmosphere for a chill evening meal or an upbeat weekend party. Control these Philips Hue A19 bulbs remotely to light your home when you're away. $40 One caveat, only buy this if you know the recipient already has a hue hub. If not, you will need to add one at an additional cost of $60

Philips Hue White Smart A19 Starter Kit, 60W Equivalent, Hub Included, 2 Bulbs - Walmart

Control your Philips Hue white lights from anywhere in the world, as long as you have internet. Or automate your lights to make it seem like your home when your not. Works with Apple Homekit and Google Assistant. $70

Pyle 90-Watt Mini Blue BT Compact Amplifier - Walmart

Turn any set of passive speakers into wireless speakers! This palm-sized high power system features built-in BT streaming that works with all of your favorite devices. It gives you the ability to instantly stream audio from your device's music library and control it all wirelessly. $40

WD 1TB Black My Passport Portable External Hard Drive - USB 3.0 - Walmart

If your loved one is a movie fan with his/her own movie server give them the gift of storage! $60

iHome Knit Bluetooth Speaker with Speakerphone - Costco

Perfect for the beach or swimming pool. This portable speaker is splash and sand proof. $30

Panasonic Homehawk indoor security camera with 16GB SD Card - Costco

Keep tabs on children, pets and your indoor environment while at work, or in the next room with this super-compact, all-in-one Full HD home monitoring camera. $70

Original Ring Doorbell - Home Depot and Office Depot

Answer the door from anywhere using your smartphone. HD camera with night vision for a clear view day and night. Triggered notifications, two way talk, and cloud storage. $99.99

Podcast #874: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2018 Dec 13, 2018

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2018

Each year we design a Home Theater setup that is considerably better than a typical home theater in a box. We have seen complete setups for less than $500 from manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic that quite frankly do not sound good. While our system costs more than a name brand HTIB your satisfaction will be dramatically more. Plus we include EVERYTHING you need to actually setup a home theater. Minimum components for our system are a HDTV, Receiver, and 7.1 speakers.

For this feature we choose components that we either have direct experience with or have experience with a similar model made by the same manufacturer. We are defining a system that can had by anyone who is serious about home theater. These systems will look and sound great by anyone’s definition!

Braden:

Our goal has always been to build the Ultimate Home Theater in a Box without breaking the bank. The ultimate home theater on a budget, if you will. It has been interesting to watch the prices of equipment fall over the years to where we are able to build really nice, really brag-worthy systems without having to take out a personal loan. All of the gear in my Ultimate Box might total up to less than the cost of any year I’ve built yet.

TCL 65" 65R617 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Roku Smart LCD TV $999

It wouldn’t be a Braden TV list without a TCL on it. TCL's 6-Series delivers 4K HDR picture performance and the Roku TV smart platform in one. Dolby Vision for greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors. TCL's Contrast Control Zone technology individually optimizes the image across up to 120 zones for better contrast. The 6-Series models’ iPQ Engine™ provides precise color replication while HDR Pro Gamma is supposed to improve HDR performance in any setting. It has an enhanced remote control with Voice Control and 3 HDMI 2.0a ports with HDCP 2.2 (1 ARC).

Receiver

Marantz SR6012 $949 (MSRP $1499)

9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD Network AV Surround Receiver with HEOS

I just bought this receiver for myself - will be putting it under the tree just for me. The deal was too good to pass up. And I need a new one anyway. And it features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround decoding, with the ability to drive overhead speakers. It is equipped with 9 channel amplification, rated at 110 watts per channel, so you can set up a 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 3D experience without an external amplifier; with an additional amp the set-up can expand to 7.1.4, because it has 11.2 channel processing support. It has the latest HDMI and HDCP 2.2 specifications on all 8 HDMI inputs. With 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR), 21:9 video, 3D, and BT.2020 and Dolby Vision pass-through on every input. And in addition, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through is also supported for forthcoming HDR broadcasting contents, and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) will be supported via a firmware update as well.

Speakers

Klipsch Black Reference Theater Pack 5.1 Surround Sound System $849

Sure, this is only 5.1 and the receiver will do 9, but it’s a great start with really great sounding speakers. You can add on as many additional satellite speakers, or Klipsch reference in wall or in ceiling speakers, as you have budget for them. Did I mention the subwoofer is wireless? Klipsch's exclusive Tractrix Horn Technology and aluminum tweeters deliver very clean and very natural sound. The down-firing wireless subwoofer is designed to deliver room-filling low frequencies without requiring too much floorspace. To complement the easy placement of the wireless subwoofer, each satellite speaker has a keyhole mount and a threaded insert for maximum mounting flexibility. The Reference Theater Pack brings the Klipsch cinematic sound into your home with an incredibly minimal footprint.

Other/Total/Summary

Yup. Looks and feels like me. TCL/Roku television, Marantz receiver (I’m typically Denon, but Marantz is a close sibling), and Klipsch speakers. All of that for a grand total of $2797. That’s less than half the price of my first plasma. And all you need to hook it up is a bit of speaker wire and a single HDMI cable. Your phone can control the Roku TV and the Receiver, so no need for a universal remote. The TV has all your apps and the receiver can get audio from the apps via ARC for surround sound. Unless you want to connect a traditional cable or satellite box, or a Blu-ray player, everything you need is in the box.

Some years passed have had bigger TVs, some have had more speakers (7.1), some have had more accessories. But this system, for as basic as it seems, is really awesome. And very affordable. The 75” upgrade would add $1000 if you stick with TCL, but can be as little as $400 more if you choose a different brand (which may mean adding a streaming box as well). The 86” upgrade adds $2000 to the price, for a total of $4797. Also swaps TV brands to LG. Honestly, under $5000 for this system is unreal.

Ara:

This year I am striving for the lowest cost quality experience that I can assemble. I spent $3000 for my fist HDTV so my goal is to come in with a full system for less than that original HDTV. Other requirements will be 4K UHD, quality picture, and good sound. I am not including a blu-ray player as I feel streaming has come a long way and since this is geared towards the budget minded the quality will be just fine.

LG 65" Class (64.5" Diag) 4K UHD LED LCD 65UK6090PUA ($650 at Costco)

This TV is larger, better, and much cheaper than my original HDTV. It's 4K my first DLP was 720p. It supports HDR and wide color and is a smart TV. Even though this is a “budget” pick it will produce a picture that you will have no issues watching regardless of what you are watching.

Receiver

Sony STR-DN1080 7.2 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver ($450 Street Price)

For the receiver I went with my budget choice from the receiver buying guide. For the price this receiver is hard to beat! It's a 7.2 receiver that supports all the latest audio formats including Atmos and DTS:X. Throw in 4K UHD compatibility with support for HDR (HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and Dolby Vision) and you have a reasonably priced receiver that will serve you well for many years to come. Other features include: Hi-Res compatible, 6 HDMI in and 2 out, Bluetooth Connectivity with NFC one touch, and Wifi, Airplay, and Chromecast compatibility.

Speakers

SVS Prime Satellite 5.1 System ($1000)

Even in my budget minded setup I spend a little more money on speakers than you would think. Sound is so important and bad speakers can ruin the experience. My original setup included a Yamaha home theater in a box that cost $1000 which included speakers that at most would have been about $150 of that total. These SVS speakers are high quality and include an excellent subwoofer (SB-1000) which is a 12 inch unit that goes as low as 24Hz!!

Other/Total/Summary

Set Top Box of your choice ($150) - AppleTV, FireTV, Roku, etc. You want a movie or TV service and all of these boxes have more or less the same experience.

Wires/Cables $100 - Gotta hook it all up!

Total Cost - $2350

For $2350 you will have a system that you can be proud to show off and use for years. At some point I would upgrade the receiver and TV but the speakers are something that will last for years. You may want to add more channels and maybe 3D audio but it would be just adding on not replacing.

Podcast #873: HDTV Buying Guide 2018 Dec 07, 2018

HDTV Buying Guide 2018

Tis the season for us to go shopping and to continue to help you spend your money - one of our favorite times of the year. If you or anyone in your life is looking for a new UHD TV this Christmas, but still aren’t sure which one to buy, we’ve got you covered. We each pick two TVs and one ‘money is no object’ / ‘dare to dream’ TV for you to consider.

Ara’s Picks

LG UK6570PUB 4K HDR Smart LED UHD TV w/ AI ThinQ® - 70" Class $999.99

Seventy inches for $1,000??? Are you kidding me? This can make any family room feel like media room. Even though it's 70 inches it does not dominate the room. Measuring in at 61.9" (157cm) x 38.6" (98cm) x 11.7” (29cm) and weighing only 92 lbs (41Kg) it can be bought, moved, and installed by just about anyone. Features include: active HDR 4K (HDR10 and HLG), webOS 4.0, ultra Luminance which enhances brightness and provides better contrast, quad-Core Processor to continually process the video for best results regardless of source, ultra Surround Sound but really who cares about that? Hard to believe but this is my budget TV. It also comes in 75” and 86”.

Sony XBR75X900F 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV $2800

My second pick goes up in size picture quality and price (although the TV is available in 50 - 85 inch sizes). The reason I picked this Sony is it is a full array LED architecture which will give you deep blacks and high contrast. Also I have been very impressed with the X1 processor on Sony TVs. This model comes with the X1 Extreme processor which improved your 1080p content. The X900F can handle HDR10, Hybrid Log-Gamma and Dolby Vision™ making it a TV that is pretty much future proof! Other features include: compatible with Amazon Alexa & Google Home to change channels & more, dimensions 66 x 40 3/4 x 14 inch, 4 HDMI inputs.

Braden’s Picks

TCL 65" 65R617 4K UHD Dolby Vision HDR Roku Smart LCD TV $999

Samsung QN75Q6 Flat 75" QLED 4K UHD 6 Series Smart TV $2499

Stepping up a little in size and opting for better picture quality requires we more than double the price. And this isn’t even the top of the line QLED series, but as the entry line, you can still get a pretty good value on a really good set. A 75” TV is a really good size for just about any room in most homes and QLED has emerged as a strong second place option to the significantly more expensive OLED sets on the market. In addition to the stellar QLED picture quality and HDR, it has a bunch of cool features like Ambient Mode that can put art on the TV so it blends perfectly with your décor, and can even play a bit of light background music. Bixby Voice search lets you search for content, flip channels, or even ask questions such as the current weather using only your voice. OneRemote automatically detects and controls all your compatible connected devices and content. The universal guide brings your favorite content from multiple devices and apps together in one easy-to-browse menu. And you can even download the SmartThings App on your mobile to control and monitor your new QLED TV and connected devices all in one screen!

Ultimate Christmas Present

Ara:

Samsung QN88Q9FAMFXZA 88" Q9F QLED 4K TV $20,000

This TV will make you forget about your projector! QLED has not received the accolades that it really deserves. With Samsung’s Elite Black+ with Infinite Array backlight system the Q9 gets very close to OLED in black and contrast. It can also provide a brighter picture. The only real knock we have is that off angle viewing is not as good as OLED. However, with a TV this size is there really someplace in the room that is off angle? Keep that in mind if this is a possibility for you. Other features include: 100% color volume, smart TV, OneRemote automatically detects and controls your connected devices (satellite, cable, Blu-ray, soundbar) and content with no manual programming required, Burn-In Free for life, Guaranteed.

Braden:

Samsung QN85Q900RAFXZA 85" Class Q900 QLED Smart 8K UHD TV $14,999

Not quite as big as Ara’s 88 inch Samsung, but this 85 inch set is $5000 less and, yep, 8K. Before you say that 8K is a waste, there’s no content and there won’t be for a long time, an 85” TV is pretty big. It can actually be divided into the equivalent of 42 inch 4K TVs. Although it has 4 HDMI inputs, it doesn’t appear to have this split screen capability as a native feature, but it should. But you get all of the awesome quality of a QLED television, with all of the advanced features of a top of the line samsung, and 8K. What’s not to love? Ok, sure, you can get an 85 inch 4k LCD for $2500, so it might be a it early to plop down such a premium for 8k. Or is it?

Podcast #872: Receiver Buying Guide 2018 Nov 30, 2018

Receiver Buying Guide 2018

This week starts our annual shopping spree where we get to spend your money on new products for your home theater. We’ll start the spree with receivers. As always, our goal is to maximize the value for your dollar, so we aren’t necessarily concerned about getting the latest product or the latest features. It's about getting a good product at a great price so you may even see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. We each pick three receivers in increasing price categories, less than $500, less than $1000 and over $1000. Prices stated are street prices from online retailers.

Ara’s Picks

Sony STR-DN1080 7.2 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver ($450 Street Price)

It's been a while since I have recommended a Sony product that wasn’t part of their ES line. But for the price this receiver is hard to beat! It's a 7.2 receiver that supports all the latest audio formats including Atmos and DTS:X. Through in 4K UHD compatibility with support for HDR (HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and Dolby Vision) and you have a reasonably priced receiver that will serve you well for many years to come. Other features include: Hi-Res compatible, 6 HDMI in and 2 out, Bluetooth Connectivity with NFC one touch, and Wifi, Airplay, and CHromecast compatibility.

Onkyo TX-RZ730 9.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver ($740 Street Price)

I tried to not include an Onkyo receiver this year. It's just too easy to put an Onkyo on a list like this because of the tremendous bang for the buck. But when I looked at all the options open to me I just could leave this unit off the sub $1000 category. This unit is jam packed with features. For starters, it's THX Certified Select. You may not have a THX certified room, but having a receiver that is THX certified means that the receiver was sent to THX labs where everything from noise levels and distortion to frequency response and bass management have been tested and analyzed in over 1,000 laboratory tests. What that means to you is that the receiver will not be the weak link in your home theater.

Features include: 4K UHD with support for HDR (HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and Dolby Vision), Native DTS:X™ and Dolby Atmos® to 5.2.4 Channels, 11.2 multi-channel pre-outs & processing for 7.2.4 (with amp), Chromecast built-in, AirPlay, Wi-Fi®, and Bluetooth®, AccuEQ Advance calibration with AccuReflex Technology, FlareConnect™ Multi-room Wireless Audio Distribution, HDMI® 7 In (1 Front), Main Out, Sub/Zone 2 Out

This receiver is just about future proof!

Yamaha RX-A3080 AVENTAGE 9.2-Channel AV Receiver with MusicCast ($1999.95 Street Price)

If you watch movies or spend time listening to hi fidelity audio this receiver is for you! It's packed with components specifically designed to enhance your listening experience including two ESS SABRE™ DACs for some of the lowest noise levels in the any receiver in its class. The 3080 comes with 9 amplifiers to support a 7.2.2 Atmos setup but has the processing available for a 7.2.4 Atmos or DTS:X setup with the use of an external amplifier.

Features include: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, AirPlay®, Spotify Connect and MusicCast multi-room, New Surround:AI™ technology automatically optimizes the sound in real-time, HDMI with HDCP 2.2 (7-in/3-out), 4K Ultra HD support, HDR10, Dolby Vision™, Hybrid Log-Gamma and BT.2020, YPAO R.S.C., Multipoint, 3D and Precision EQ and much more!

Braden’s Picks

This year I’m all about bang for the buck, maximizing features and performance for your hard earned dollars. I usually try to pick models from a few different manufacturers, to provide a bit of diversity, but this year is different. This year it’s simply the best unit for the money, regardless of who makes it.

Denon AVR-S940H $499 (MSRP $579)

7.2 Ch. High-Power 4K AV Receiver with Amazon Alexa Voice Control

Featuring discrete high-current power amplifiers on all channels, the AVR-S940H delivers maximum performance and 185 watts of power per channel. The AVR-S940H offers Dolby Atmos®, DTS:X™ and DTS Virtual:X®, plus the latest video technologies such as Dolby Vision™, HDR, HLG and 4K video upscaling. Listen to music using Airplay 2, stream with Spotify, Pandora, Tidal and more with HEOS built-in and control it with your voice through Amazon Alexa. 8 HDMI inputs and 2 outputs features HDCP 2.2 support on all ports. The front-panel USB offers convenient audio playback of MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC and DSD (2.8/5.6MHz) files.

Marantz SR6012 $949 (MSRP $1499)

9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD Network AV Surround Receiver with HEOS

Features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround decoding, with the ability to drive overhead speakers. It is equipped with 9 channel amplification, rated at 110 watts per channel, so you can set up a 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 3D experience without an external amplifier; with an additional amp the set-up can expand to 7.1.4, because it has 11.2 channel processing support. It has the latest HDMI and HDCP 2.2 specifications on all 8 HDMI inputs. With 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR), 21:9 video, 3D, and BT.2020 and Dolby Vision pass-through on every input. And in addition, HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through is also supported for forthcoming HDR broadcasting contents, and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel) will be supported via a firmware update as well.

Denon AVR-X8500H $3999 (MSRP $3999)13.2-channel AV Receiver

The Denon Flagship AVR-X8500H powers the next generation of home theater with the world’s first 13.2 channel receiver that supports the latest immersive audio formats, including IMAX Enhanced, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and (via future firmware update) Auro3D. It also has unparalleled music playback options, thanks to built-in HEOS technology, Apple AirPlay 2, and enjoy effortless voice control and total flexibility from the leading voice agents. Speak commands with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple Siri and high-end smart home automation, Josh.ai. Ask to play your favorite music, turn the volume up, skip to the next track, switch inputs and more. Switch between voice agents, or pick a favorite to use — the choice is yours.

Podcast #871: What we're thankful for '18 Nov 22, 2018

Each year at this time of year we do a show where we discuss what we are thankful for. There are the obvious things to be thankful for like our families, especially our wives who put up with our home theater obsessions. And of course we are thankful for you, the listener/reader of our show. So as is tradition over the last many Thanksgivings, on today's show we give you our list of consumer electronics things we are thankful for.

Ara’s List:

1) Wireless - Seems like everything is going wireless these days. But for me the big draw is wireless audio. Whether it is surround speakers or subwoofers it's is much easier to place speakers throughout the house in a way that is pleasing to the aesthetics committee.

2) Bigger Screens - Back in 2010 I installed a projector and 100 inch screen in my media room. At that time it cost me about $10K for a beautiful 1080p image. But the drawback was that it didn’t really work during daytime hours. Fast forward to today and I can get an 85 inch 4K UHD TV for less than $5K and it will usable during daytime hours. Yes I am giving up 15 inches but being able to watch football in daylight more than offsets the loss in screen size.

3) Netflix/Amazon/Hulu - This makes my list almost every year but this year it's for a couple of reasons. First they produce great content and that alone usually is enough to make this list. The second, and main, reason for making this year’s list is that they are at the forefront of creating 4K UHD content with HDR. Now you really have a reason to buy a 4K UHD TV this year!!

4) Samsung and LG - The competition between these two companies advances technology and keeps prices low. LG is banking on OLED and Samsung is banking on anything but OLED. I am really rooting for Micro LED to be a cheaper OLED and the competition from Micro LED to force OLED prices down. Either way, there will be a new TV in my future!

Braden’s List:

1) OLED - I don’t own an OLED, but I like the cut of its jib. We’ve gone through a slew of failed attempts to get us all to upgrade our televisions, things like 3D, curved screens, the list goes on. OLED is a reason to upgrade that is actually worth it. The picture quality is unmatched. And on top of that, it pushes all the manufacturers to come up with new innovations to find technologies that rival OLED picture quality. So whether you’re buying OLED or not, TVs are getting better for all of us.

2) SlingTV - I used SlingTV one time, for the two week trial, to get an emergency sporting event when cable went out in one of my rooms at home. I’m not so much thankful for SlingTV itself as a service, but more for the category of service providers it spawned, like DirecTV Now, Playstation Vue, Hulu Live, YouTube TV, etc. I’ve used a few of them and love the ease of use, availability and no contracts. If we can get Internet provider diversity with fiber or 5G or whatever, we might actually swing the balance of power for TV over to the consumer.

3) Roku - I really love my Roku TVs. They are so, completely simple, easy to use, and they perform really well. And they just work. You don’t need a remote, you can use your phone. You don’t need a soundbar, you can use the new Roku wireless speakers - you just hang it on the wall, plug it in, and you’re set. And Roku is neutral, so they’ll list everyone’s apps. Everyone whos is good and sharing and plays nice with others, or course.

4) Costco - Costco really paved the way in the “huge TVs for great prices” category. That category has been jumped on by Amazon and others, but Costco continues to be a contender in the group. In fact, I’m seriously considering picking up an 85 or 86 inch TV on Black Friday for that magical $2500 price point, and Costco is one of the stores on my list of potential places to go - or websites to visit at least.

Podcast #870: Black Friday 2018 Nov 16, 2018

The older we get, the more things seem to sneak up on us, even though we know we should be expecting them. It happened again; Black Friday is already here. Just like all the years we’ve talked about it, there are some exceptional deals to be had. The question is where to you put your focus. If you’re going to wait in line somewhere, where is the right place to maximize your reward for that time?

Resources:

Target

Element 55" Smart 4K UHD TV for $199.99
Samsung 65" 4K HDR UHD Smart TV for $799.99
TCL 55" 4K Ultra HD Smart UHD Roku TV for $349.99
Samsung 50" 4K Ultra HD UHD TV for $329.99
Philips 50" 4K Ultra HD Smart UHD TV for $249
LG 49" 4K Ultra HD UHD TV for $329.99, 43" for $269.99
Polaroid 32" 720p LED TV for $79.99
Vizio 28-in. 2-Channel Soundbar for $49.99
Google Home Mini for $25, Chromecast Video for $25
Amazon Echo for $69, Echo Dot Gen. 3 for $24, Echo Dot Gen. 2 for $19.99

BestBuy

Insignia 32" LED 720p HDTV for $89.99
Toshiba 43" 4K UHD TV with HDR – Fire TV Edition for $129.99 (Doorbuster)
Insignia 32" LED 720p Smart HDTV Fire TV Edition for $129.99
Insignia 39" LED 720p HDTV for $129.99
TCL 32" LED 1080p Smart HDTV Roku TV for $149.99
Sharp 40" LED 1080p Smart HDTV Roku TV $149.99
Sharp 55" LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR Roku TV for $249.99 (Doorbuster)
Insignia 50" LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR, Fire TV Edition for $279.99
Samsung 50" LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR for $327.99
Toshiba 55” LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR, Fire TV Edition for $349.99
Sony 65" LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR for $999.99
Samsung 65" LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR for $997.99
LG 75" LED Smart 4K UHD TV with HDR for $999.99
Samsung 82" LED NU8000 Series 4K UHD TV with HDR for $2999.99
Amazon - Fire TV Cube 4K Streaming Media Player with Alexa for $59.99
Apple HomePod $250
Ring Doorbell 2 + Echo Dot 3rd gen: $14

Wal*Mart

Hisense 40EU3000 40" 1080p HDTV for $99 (Doorbuster)
Samsung UN32M4500 32" Smart LED HDTV for $178
Hisense 55R6000E 55" Roku Smart 4K UHD LED TV for $248
Vizio 60" Smart 4K UHD LED TV w/ Built-In Chromecast for $498
Samsung 55" Smart 4K UHD LED TV for $398
Sharp/TCL 65" Roku Smart 4K UHD LED TV for $398 (Doorbuster)
LG 2.1-Ch. 300W Sound Bar w/ Subwoofer for $99
Samsung 4.1-Ch. 200W Soundbar w/ Subwoofer for $169
Beats X Wireless Earphones for $75
Merkury Smart WiFi LED Light Bulb for $10
Netgear Nighthawk AC2600 Wi-Fi router: $99 (save $100)
Linksys Velop Mesh Router 3 Pack: $200 (save $150)

Costco

Vizio 40" 60Hz 1080p LED LCD HDTV for $199.99
TCL 50" Roku 4K UHD LED TV for $279.99
Vizio 55" 120Hz Chromecast 4K UHD LED TV for $449.99
Bose On-Ear Bluetooth Wireless Headphones for $99.99

Sam’s Club

LG 43" Smart 4K UHD TV for $269
LG 55" Smart 4K UHD TV for $399
Vizio 55" Smart 4K HDR UHD TV for $449
Vizio 65" Smart 4K HDR UHD LED TV for $529
LG 65" Smart 4K UHD TV for $599
LG 70" Smart 4K HDR UHD LED TV w/ AI ThinQ for $869
Samsung 75" Smart 4K HDR UHD LED TV & Xbox One S 1TB Console Bundle for $1,279
LG 86" Smart 4K UHD LED TV for $2,499

Other:

Dell Website - Samsung 55 Inch LED 4K UHD Smart TV - UN55NU6900BXZA $397.99

Dell Website - LG 65 Inch 4K LED Ultra HD HDR Smart TV - 65UK6090PUA $599.99

Amazon - Amazon Fire HD 8: $50 at Amazon ($30 off)

Amazon - Echo Dot (third-gen): $24 at Amazon ($26 off)

Amazon - Amazon Smart Plug for $5 with purchase of any Echo device (save $20)

ABT - Onkyo 7.2-Channel Black Network AV Receiver - TX-NR676 $299

ABT - Klipsch 10" Black Wireless Subwoofer - 1063513 $249

Podcast #869: SiliconDust Streaming TV Service Nov 09, 2018

We recently read a news story about a TV streaming service from SilconDust, makers of the HDHomerun a device that allows you to take your over the air TV signal and broadcast it over your network to mobile devices as well as set top boxes like the AppleTV.

Milton Scritsmier of Boulder Colorado was kind enough to write in with his experience of the service. It was a bit longer than a typical email but we wanted to share it with our listeners so we turned it into a segment on the show.

---------

I've been using it for the last month and overall I'm happy. It should only be considered by people who can get OTA broadcasts. But if you do, it has two big advantages the other streaming TV services don't.

One, because OTA is free, you don't have to pay for local TV stations in the SiliconDust package. You get all the broadcast networks offered in your area, not just some of them. The money saved this way can go for the other channels SiliconDust offers in its package (it currently costs $34.99 per month). I'm pretty happy with the channels provided, but it's not heavy on sports.

Two, you can use your own network storage device as a DVR. This means you are not limited in the number of shows you record nor how long you keep them since it only depends on the size of the disk you have. The number of simultaneous viewers of recorded shows is limited by only what your NAS and your network will support. The shows are recorded in H.264 and can be viewed on all kinds of equipment and players. It also means you can skip over commercials any time you want. The quality is better than what I've seen with DirectTV Now, the only other streaming TV service I've tried. Because SiliconDust's equipment works with Plex, you can use it for remote viewing of shows on any device that supports Plex.

It does require a significant outlay in equipment to get started beyond the monthly fee. I paid $150 for SiliconDust's HDHomeRun Connect, which lets me record four OTA shows at a time in addition to whatever is sent to me over the internet. To activate the SiliconDust's DVR service there's a $35/year annual fee. You need some kind of set top box like an Amazon FireTV to run the HDHomeRun app which displays the shows on your TV. If you don't have an antenna for OTA, you'll have to pay for that as well. I live in a remote area and a year ago it cost me $500 to have a professional mount an antenna on my roof and calibrate it. Finally, to record the shows you'll need some kind of NAS. This can cost $200 to $300 for a low-end one if you don't have one already and it needs to be one supported by SiliconDust (for example, WD's NASes work well).

The other big downside is that the user interface is still in its early days. For example, it sometimes gets lost when navigating the schedule. Because the HDHomeRun app has to run on set top boxes and other devices without sophisticated remotes, the user interface is not ideal like it is on a TiVo. But the user interface is not laggy like it is on some other streaming services.

Because of the OTA and equipment requirements, I don't expect SiliconDust's streaming TV service to become one of the majors. But many people who have cut the cord may already have many of the pieces. I already had most of the equipment mentioned above and I cobbled together a NAS from a 7TB external drive and a Raspberry Pi super-clone, so the initial outlay was not that much for me.

Podcast #868: 2018 TV Shows, So Far Nov 02, 2018

To find out which shows were the most popular this year so far, Nielsen estimated the average number of US viewers tuning in to regularly scheduled programming. ABC's massive success with "Roseanne," along with CBS' high ratings across numerous shows on this list, demonstrates how broadcast networks remain the heavyweights in overall viewership — even in the age of streaming. Here are the 10 most popular TV shows of 2018 so far, according to Nielsen's ratings.

Fall TV’s 10 biggest winners and losers

A candid rundown of the 2018 season’s early breakouts and disappointments

What’s Working (and What Isn’t) on Network TV This Fall

Network TV isn’t dead, but it’s sure not getting any healthier. That’s the headline from the just-concluded first week of the fall 2018 TV season, which offered little reason for broadcast execs to expect a sudden reversal in the downward ratings trend of the past decade. It’s not that America doesn’t still watch a lot of traditional broadcast TV: Even the least-watched network shows last week will end up with bigger audiences than almost everything on cable. The problem is, returning shows continued to bleed viewers — particularly compared to audience levels of just a couple years ago.

Podcast #867: Speaker Bar Giveaway Oct 25, 2018

The HT Guys are giving away a custom speaker bar built by Ara. To enter fill out the form at www.htguys.com/soundbar. We'll announce the winner on the November 2nd show. All entries must be received by Thursday November 1st Noon Pacific time. One entry per person. Winner must have a US or Canadian shipping address.

Podcast #866: Sub $500 Receiver Recommendation Oct 19, 2018

Sub $500 Receiver Recommendation

I received and email from Santosh in the Bay Area of California asking if I could recommend a receiver for a modest ho me theater system to go in his medium sized family room. I thought no problem! I know the exact receiver to recommend. However, like everyone, he did have some requirements the biggest one being that it could not exceed $500. On Santosh’s must have list, 4K, HDR, and ARC to support Digital Audio from his smart TV.

Three manufacturers immediately came to mind, Denon, Pioneer, and Yamaha. In this price range almost all of these receivers would provide similar results. For Santosh I decided to recommend the Yamaha RX-V685. It can be found for $499.99 at most online retailers most of which come with free shipping as well.

From a feature set it does include 4K, HDR, and ARC which were the table stakes for Santosh’s needs. But the receiver does so much more. The full feature set follows:

7.2-Channel powerful surround sound with Zone 2
Wi-Fi®, Bluetooth®, AirPlay®, Spotify Connect and MusicCast multi-room
Pandora®, Spotify, SiriusXM Internet Radio, TIDAL, Deezer, Napster and more
HDMI® with HDCP 2.2 (5 in/2 out)
4K Ultra HD, HDR10, Dolby Vision™, Hybrid Log-Gamma and BT.2020
Voice control using your Alexa device like Echo or Echo Dot
MusicCast Surround capable: add MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 speakers to create a 5.1-channel setup with wireless rear surrounds

There is so much to like about this receiver beyond the specs. We often hear about people being intimidated with setting up their receivers. Yamaha has you covered with an app that walks you through the setup. Sure manuals do that as well but an app can highlight and animate actual steps thus reducing setup time and errors.

If you are an Amazon Echo home you will like that the 685 supports voice control. Turn up the volume or cast music to another room. All done via voice!

Although not on Santosh’s list the receiver supports wireless surrounds which was an added bonus for him. With the addition of two MusicCast-20 wireless speakers ($399) Santosh was able to easily add surrounds. The receiver also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive sound formats.

Conclusion

Odds are you will get a 4K TV before you swap out your receiver but you won’t get the full benefits until your receiver supports 4K with HDR. Even though the Yamaha RX-V685 may not be the best receiver on the market, it surely can bridge the gap to allow you to get the most out of the many 4K devices you connect to it. I’ll bet, for many of you, this bridge receiver ends up being a workhorse for many years to come

Podcast #865: Top Home Theater Design Mistakes Oct 11, 2018

GE Smart Countertop Microwave Oven with Scan-to-Cook Technology review This microwave has 2 unique features: Alexa integration and an app that can scan frozen food UPC codes and automatically set the right time on the microwave for the meal. Top Home Theater Design Mistakes, Part One "I’ve spent the past 20 years in the custom installation industry, and it would be no exaggeration to say I’ve worked with more than a thousand clients during that time. A regular part of my job is consulting with clients on the design and installation of media rooms and home theaters. (The difference between the two: a media room is a social, multi-use space, while a home theater is a purpose-designed room for watching movies.) Sometimes the project is a new build (the best). Other times it involves repurposing a room or trying to fix and improve an existing room." 1. Too Many Seats 2. Risers Too Low 3. Screen Wall Too Light Top Home Theater Design Mistakes, Part Two "As I mentioned in my last blog Top Design Mistakes, Part One, I’ve worked as a custom installer for the past 20 years, and a key part of my job is designing and installing media rooms and home theaters. (The difference between the two: a media room is typically an open, multi-use space, while a home theater is a dedicated room purpose-designed for watching movies.)" 1. Doing Too Much 2. Size Matters 3. Let There Be Light

Podcast #864: The 7 Best 70-75-77 inch TVs Oct 05, 2018

Best Soundbars Under $500 The 7 Best 70-75-77 inch TVs - October 2018

Podcast #863: New TV Shows for Fall 2018 Sep 27, 2018

This year’s batch of Fall TV Premieres snuck up on us a bit. Here we are, the last show in September, and just now getting to the new shows coming out. In fact, this week may have been the biggest week for new and returning show premieres of the season. If you missed something that looks great, the good news is that you can probably find it on Hulu or the Networks’ streaming app. Esquire has a great list of every premiere date up to September 30.

Monday, Sept. 24

Magnum P.I. (CBS)

Magnum P.I. is a modern take on the classic series starring Jay Hernandez as Thomas Magnum, a decorated former Navy SEAL who, upon returning home from Afghanistan, repurposes his military skills to become a private investigator in Hawaii.

Manifest (NBC)

Once Upon a Time's Josh Dallas stars in this mystery thriller about passengers on a plane who arrive at their destination after a few-hour flight only to learn that five years have somehow gone by in the world. Presuming the passengers and crew dead, their loved ones have mourned them and already moved on. Thrown into this impossible situation, the people who had been aboard the flight will be forced to figure out how to pick up the pieces of their personal lives, as well as the greater purpose that is their destiny.

Tuesday, Sept. 25

FBI (CBS)

FBI,from Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf, is a fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. These first-class agents -- including Special Agent Maggie Bell (Missy Peregrym) and her partner, Special Agent Omar Adom 'OA' Zidan (Zeeko Zaki) -- bring all their talents, intellect and technical expertise to tenaciously investigate cases of tremendous magnitude, including terrorism, organized crime and counterintelligence.

New Amsterdam (NBC)

Inspired by Bellevue, the oldest public hospital in America, this unique medical drama follows the brilliant and charming Dr. Max Goodwin (The Blacklist's Ryan Eggold), the institution's newest medical director who sets out to tear up the bureaucracy and provide exceptional care. Not taking 'no' for an answer, Dr. Goodwin must disrupt the status quo and prove he will stop at nothing to breathe new life into this understaffed, underfunded and underappreciated hospital -- the only one in the world capable of treating Ebola patients, prisoners from Rikers and the President of the United States under one roof -- and return it to the glory that put it on the map.

Wednesday, Sept. 26

A Million Little Things (ABC)

They say friendship isn't one big thing, it's a million little things -- and that's true for a group of friends from Boston who bonded under unexpected circumstances. Some have achieved success, others are struggling in their careers and relationships, but all of them feel stuck in life. After one of them dies unexpectedly, it's just the wake-up call the others need to finally start living. Along the way, they discover that friends may be the one thing to save them from themselves.

Single Parents (ABC)

This ensemble comedy follows a group of single parents as they lean on each other to help raise their 7-year-old kids and maintain some kind of personal lives outside of parenthood. The series begins when the group meets Will (Taran Killam), a 30-something guy who's been so focused on raising his daughter that he's lost sight of who he is as a man. When the other single parents see just how far down the rabbit hole of PTA, parenting and princesses Will has gone, they band together to get him out in the dating world and make him realize that being a great parent doesn't mean sacrificing everything about your own identity.

Thursday, Sept. 27

Murphy Brown (CBS)

Candice Bergen and series creator Diane English reunite for the revival of the groundbreaking comedy about the eponymous broadcast news legend and her biting take on current events. Now in a world of 24-hour cable, social media, "fake news" and a vastly different political climate, Murphy returns to the airwaves with her original FYI team: lifestyle reporter Corky Sherwood (Faith Ford), investigative journalist Frank Fontana (Joe Regalbuto) and producer Miles Silverberg (Grant Shaud). Murphy's son, Avery, shares his mother's competitive spirit and quick wit, and has followed in her journalistic footsteps - perhaps too closely. Now back in the game, Murphy is determined to draw the line between good television and honest reporting, proving that the world needs Murphy Brown now more than ever.

Friday, Sept. 28

The Cool Kids (Fox)

From executive producer Charlie Day and starring David Alan Grier, Martin Mull, Leslie Jordan and Vicki Lawrence, The Cool Kids is a multi-camera comedy about a rag-tag group of friends living in a retirement community who are willing to break every rule in order to have fun -- because, at their age, what do they really have to lose? What unites them all is their shared belief that they're not done yet -- not by a long shot. These self-proclaimed "cool kids" are determined to make the third act of their lives the craziest one yet.

Sunday, Sept. 30

God Friended Me (CBS)

Brandon Micheal Hall stars in this humorous, uplifting drama as Miles Finer, an outspoken atheist whose life is turned upside down when he receives a friend request on social media from God and unwittingly becomes an agent of change in the lives and destinies of others around him.

Monday, Oct. 1

Happy Together (CBS)

Damon Wayans Jr. and Amber Stevens West star in this comedy about a thirtysomething happily married couple who begin to reconnect with their younger, cooler selves when Cooper (Felix Mallard), an exuberant young pop star drawn to their super ordinary suburban life, unexpectedly moves in with them.

The Neighborhood (CBS)

The Neighborhood is a comedy about what happens when the friendliest guy in the Midwest moves his family (the Johnsons) to a neighborhood in Los Angeles where not everyone looks like him or appreciates his extreme neighborliness. Cedric the Entertainer stars as Calvin Butler, the Johnsons' opinionated next door neighbor, who is wary of the newcomers, certain that the Johnsons will disrupt the culture on the block.

Wednesday, Oct. 10

All American (CW)

Think The O.C. meets Friday Night Lights: A talented football player from South Los Angeles earns the chance to play football at Beverly Hills High, and his friends and family clash as the two worlds collide. The show is based on the real-life story of pro football player Spencer Paysinger. Taye Diggs stars as the Beverly Hills High coach.

Sunday, Oct. 14

Charmed (CW)

Charmed is getting a reboot from creators who previously wrote for Greek and Jane the Virgin. The pilot episodes, which aired at Comic Con, implied that the three witches earned their powers to fight the patriarchy at this moment because the “weakest man” had taken over the office of president.

The Alec Baldwin Show (ABC)

Alec Baldwin has been hosting an interview podcast called Here’s the Thing for years. His new talk show aims to adapt that model for television. The weekly show will feature lengthy sit-down interviews with celebrities. A pilot episode with Jerry Seinfeld and Kate McKinnon as guests aired last spring.

Tuesday, Oct. 16

The Conners (ABC)

The revival of Roseanne was cancelled earlier this year. But some of her family members are remaining on the air. ABC confirmed that a Roseanne spinoff starring Laurie Metcalfe as Jackie, John Goodman as Dan and Sara Gilbert as Darlene will air this fall. ABC executives have said the show will deal with a number of the same thematic issues, including financial struggles, but they have remained mum on how the show will explain the character of Roseanne’s absence from the series.

The Kids Are Alright (ABC)

Set in the 1970s, this ensemble comedy follows a traditional Irish-Catholic family, the Clearys, as they navigate big and small changes during one of America's most turbulent decades. In a working-class neighborhood outside Los Angeles, Mike (Michael Cudlitz) and Peggy (Mary McCormack) raise eight boisterous boys who live out their days with little supervision. The household is turned upside down when oldest son Lawrence (Sam Straley) returns home and announces he's quitting the seminary to go off and "save the world." Times are changing and this family will never be the same.

The Rookie (ABC)

Starting over isn't easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan (Nathan Fillion), who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being an LAPD officer. As the force's oldest rookie, he's met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. If he can't keep up with the young cops and the criminals, he'll be risking lives including his own. But if he can use his life experience, determination and sense of humor to give him an edge, he may just become a success in this new chapter of his life.

Mid-Season / Summer / TBD

Whiskey Cavalier (ABC)

Whiskey Cavalier is a high-octane, hour-long action dramedy that follows the adventures of tough but tender FBI super-agent Will Chase (codename: "Whiskey Cavalier"), played by Scott Foley. Following an emotional breakup, Chase is assigned to work with badass CIA operative Francesca "Frankie" Trowbridge (codename: "Fiery Tribune"), played by Lauren Cohan. Together, they lead an inter-agency team of flawed, funny and heroic spies who periodically save the world (and each other) while navigating the rocky roads of friendship, romance and office politics.

Abby's (NBC)

Abby's is an unlicensed bar run by Abby (The Grinder's Natalie Morales) in San Diego where the regulars enthusiastically enforce a unique set of rules that give them a sense of community and allow them to avoid the frustrating behavior found at other establishments. The multi-camera comedy will be filmed outside in front of a live studio audience.

The Enemy Within (NBC)

In this fast-paced, spy thriller, Erica Shepherd (Jennifer Carpenter) is a brilliant former CIA operative, now known as the most notorious traitor in American history, serving life in a Supermax prison. Against every fiber of his being but with nowhere else to turn, FBI Agent Will Keaton (Morris Chestnut) enlists Shepherd to help track down a fiercely dangerous and elusive criminal she knows all too well. For Keaton, it's not easy to trust the woman who cost him so much. While Shepherd and Keaton have different motivations for bringing the enemy to justice, they both know that to catch a spy... they must think like one.

The Passage (Fox)

Based on author Justin Cronin's best-selling trilogy of the same name, The Passage is an epic, character-driven thriller about a secret government medical facility experimenting with a dangerous virus that could either cure all disease or cause the downfall of the human race. The series focuses on 10-year-old Amy Bellafonte (Saniyya Sidney), who is chosen to be a test subject for this experiment, and Brad Wolgast (Mark-Paul Gosselaar), the federal agent who becomes her surrogate father as he tries to protect her.

Schooled (ABC)

This spin-off of The Goldbergs is set in the 1990s and follows the hilarious teachers of William Penn Academy - led by Tim Meadows (Principal Glascott), Bryan Callen (Coach Mellor) and AJ Michalka (Lainey Lewis) - who, despite their eccentricities and crazy personal lives, are heroes to their students.

Fam (CBS)

Fam stars Nina Dobrev and Tone Bell in a comedy about a woman whose vision of a perfect life with her adoring fiancé and his wonderful family is radically altered when her 16-year-old, out-of-control half-sister unexpectedly comes to live with her.

The Fix (ABC)

Attorney and author Marcia Clark co-writes and executive produces a new legal drama about Maya Travis (Robin Tunney), an L.A. district attorney who suffers a devastating defeat when prosecuting an A-list actor for double murder. With her high-profile career derailed, she flees for a quieter life in Washington. Eight years later, when this same celebrity is under suspicion for another murder, Maya Travis is lured back to the DA's office for another chance at justice.

Grand Hotel (ABC)

Eva Longoria executive produces this bold, provocative drama set at the last family-owned hotel in multicultural Miami Beach. Charismatic Santiago Mendoza (Demian Bichir) owns the hotel, while his glamorous second wife, Gigi (Roselyn Sanchez), and their adult children enjoy the spoils of success. The hotel's loyal staff round out a contemporary, fresh take on an upstairs/downstairs story. Wealthy and beautiful guests bask in luxury, but scandals, escalating debt and explosive secrets hide beneath the picture-perfect exterior. The show is based on the Spanish series.

I Feel Bad (NBC)

Produced by Amy Poehler, this half-hour comedy follows a woman (Sarayu Blue) and her unfiltered takes on trying to have it all. It's based on the book I Feel Bad. All Day. Every Day. About Everything. written by Orli Auslander. Paul Edelstein also stars.

The InBetween (NBC)

Following in the steps of Ghost Whisperer, this paranormal procedural focuses on a woman who can communicate with the dead. Harriet Dyer stars as Cassie Bishop, a woman who uses her clairvoyant gifts in order to help the police solve some of the city's most puzzling cases. Arrow's Paul Blackthorne will also star, having left The CW show ahead of its seventh season.

Proven Innocent (FOX)

This midseason drama follows an underdog criminal defense firm led by Madeline Scott (Rachelle Lefevre), a fierce and uncompromising lawyer with a hunger for justice. At age 18, she was wrongfully convicted, along with her brother Levi (Riley Smith), in a sensational murder case that made her an infamous media obsession, a household name and a national cause célèbre. Madeline's bold and bullish tactics earn her a number of enemies -- especially Gore Bellows (Brian d'Arcy James), the prosecutor who initially put her away and still believes in her guilt. Despite Bellows' ceaseless quest to see her behind bars again, Madeline will continue to defend others, even as she fights to maintain her innocence and searches for the real killer in her own case.

The Red Line (CBS)

From acclaimed producers Ava DuVernay and Greg Berlanti, The Red Line follows the lives of three vastly different Chicago families whose stories of loss and tragedy intersect in the wake of the mistaken shooting of an African American doctor by a white cop. The Red Line cast includes Noah Wyle, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Aliyah Royale.

Rel (Fox)

Rel Howery (The Carmichael Show) stars in this comedy loosely based on his life. Set in Chicago, it follows Lil Rel, a positive-thinking man whose ideals are put to the test when he discovers his wife has been cheating on him. As Lil Rel rebuilds his life after a divorce, he tries to find love and respect on the South Side.

The Village (NBC)

The Village is a brownstone in Brooklyn with exceptionally unique tenants despite its ordinary exterior. The show will tell the heartwarming and challenging stories of the residents, which include Sarah, a single mom and nurse; Gabe, a young law student with a much older roommate; Nick, a war veteran; and Ava, a mother protecting her son from ICE.

Podcast #862: Best of CEDIA 2018 Sep 21, 2018

TWICE has announced the winners of their annual Best of Show awards at CEDIA Expo.

The products were nominated by the manufacturers and a team of judges was employed to walk the floor and rate the products on a number of criteria, including its value, impact, and how unique it was to the market.

#10) URC MRX-30 - This controller is the powerful, flagship processor for the Total Control system. It delivers rock-solid control and automation for your residential and commercial installations. The powerful MRX-30 provides instant two-way communication with the family of Total Control user interfaces – tabletop touchscreen controllers, in-wall touch screens, handheld remotes and keypads.

#9) Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K HDR Home Cinema Projector $5000

#8) Sony Master Series 4K A9F OLED TV $4,500 65” $3,500 55”- Powered by the Picture Processor X1™ Ultimate, this best picture quality TV pairs the deep black and natural color of OLED with Pixel Contrast Booster™ for enhanced color contrast in high luminance. Everything you watch comes to life with fine detail and vivid color. With Acoustic Surface Audio+™. Three actuators and two powerful subwoofers deliver multi-dimensional sound that immerses you in a whole new entertainment experience.

#7) Samsung The Wall - A 146-inch modular TV featuring self-emitting MicroLED technology. “As the world’s first consumer modular MicroLED television, ‘The Wall’ represents another breakthrough. It can transform into any size, and delivers incredible brightness, color gamut, color volume and black levels. We’re excited about this next step along our roadmap to the future of screen technology, and the remarkable viewing experience it offers to consumers.”

#6) Samsung Q900 8K TV - Available in four ultra-large screen sizes (65”, 75”, 82” and 85”), Samsung QLED 8K TV will feature several 8K-ready enhancements, including Real 8K Resolution, Q HDR 8K and Quantum Processor 8K, all created to bring 8K-quality images to life. The new Samsung QLED 8K will be available in stores from end of September*.

Samsung’s QLED 8K with 8K AI Upscaling is a part of the company’s long-term vision of leading 8K to the forefront as the most accurate and life-like screen resolution on the market.

#5) ProVideoInstruments MiniMod-2 $495 - The VeCOAX MINIMOD-2 Distributes any of your HDMI Video Sources to an unlimited number of televisions over the existing TV Coax Cables, with professional perfect FULL HD 1080P & Dolby digital quality. There is no need for any new cables nor accessory behind each tv, so the installation is very simple, immediate, plug 'n play anywhere, perfect for any application.

Set the wanted channel names & position numbers, then rescan all TVs to find the VeCOAX MINIMOD-2 Channels as new available HDTV TV Channels.

Expand the number of channels at any time by simply adding more VeCOAX modulators on the same coax.

#4) Polk Audio Command Bar $300 - The Home Theater Sound Bar System with Amazon Alexa Built-in. Tuned driver array, wireless subwoofer and Dolby/DTS surround sound decoding. Works with 4K and HD TVs — built-in dual HDMI 2.0b inputs

#3) LG 77 Inch OLED C8 4K HDR Smart TV with AI ThinQ $8,000 - LG ThinQ® AI | Google Assistant, LG α9 Intelligent Processor, LG OLED Display, 4K Cinema HDR, Dolby Atmos®

#2) Klipsch Heritage Theater Bar $2,200 - The Klipsch Heritage Theater Bar was engineered to provide a low-profile design that can deliver a true high-fidelity listening experience in a premium, easily installed, handcrafted package. Leveraging the latest advancements in Klipsch proprietary acoustic technology, the Heritage Theater Bar is able to emit the sonic performance of a three-speaker system, but within a single housing. Finished with real-wood veneer and a beautiful grille cloth, the Klipsch Heritage Theater Bar far exceeds any other sound bar – both aesthetically and acoustically.

#1) Hisense 4K Ultra HD Smart Laser TV $10,000 - The 100" Hisense Laser TV explodes with color and gorgeous 4K resolution. Where giant LED screens have ugly, intrusive installation, the Hisense Laser TV’s thin, lightweight, 100" screen hangs wirelessly, inconspicuously—elegantly. It doesn’t require a specially darkened environment or messy equipment. The Hisense Laser TV will make you see your walls in a whole new light.

With incredible laser technology, 4K Ultra HD resolution and 4K upscaling, the Hisense Laser TV is the TV you’ve been waiting for. Add harman/kardon® sound, a TV tuner, WIFI and tons of built-in apps, and the Hisense Laser TV is unapologetically amazing at an unbeatable value. In short, it makes all other TVs look like prima donnas.

Podcast #861: 4K Projectors at CEDIA Sep 14, 2018

We discuss these two articles on this show:

CEDIA Expo 2018: Sifting Through the AV Nuggets Monoprice Launches Affordable Smart Home System

Podcast #860: konnected.io Sep 07, 2018

Connect your home's wired alarm system to SmartThings or Home Assistant, and convert your home into a smart home. Now you can monitor your home from anywhere using your smart phone with no recurring fees!

If your home is wired for an ADT, Honeywell, Interlogix, Ademco, Brinks, DSC or similar alarm system, your home is pre-wired to be a Smart Home. The Konnected Alarm Panel is the first product of its kind that allows you to connect any wired alarm system to SmartThings and Home Assistant.

See how simple it is to replace your old alarm system board with a Konnected Alarm Panel and instantly gain access to all your wired sensors in your Smart Home.

Reuse your existing wired sensors
Works with 1000s of Smart Home products
Never change batteries

Podcast #859: One week with FuboTV Aug 31, 2018

One week with FuboTV

The HT Guys have officially joined the ranks of the cord cutters with Braden opting to cancel his Cable TV service entirely. We have been working on trimming the cord for a while, but this is cold turkey… Was cold turnkey. Braden quickly found something lacking and turned to fuboTV to fill that missing hole in his home theater.

Cutting the Cord

It isn’t a shock that the big thing missing in Braden’s life after quitting cable was live sports. We’ve talked at length about how easy it is to cut the cord now. Almost everything is available these days via streaming on services like Netflix and Hulu and the apps every network has for their own content like CBS, ABC, HBO, Food Network, you name it. Almost everything - except for live events like news, sports, award shows, etc. If you don’t care about those, you can cut the cord and not miss a beat.

But if you do care about them, or as was true in Braden’s case, you realize after the fact how much others cared about them, there are the somewhat new live TV streaming services available to help bridge that gap. If live sports is your thing, fuboTV is definitely one you should investigate. FuboTV is completely centered around sports. Although you can get a bunch of other non-sports channels, it is evident from the first screen that the whole purpose of the service is to meet the needs of sports enthusiasts. In Braden’s home of soccer fans, it has been a huge hit.

FuboTV

As a streaming offering competing with DirecTV Now, Sling TV, Playstation Vue and the others, FuboTV is a decent offering. There is one primary pricing tier, $39.99, one upgraded tier at $44.99 and a couple add-ons for specific language content or premium networks. For that primary tier of $40 a month you get 88 live channels, 30 hours of cloud DVR and some extras like up to 3 days to replay any game you missed and forgot to record, etc. For a sports streaming service there is one giant, glaring hole though: they don’t offer ESPN, any ESPN variant, or any Disney owned network for that matter. Can you get all the sports you want without ESPN? That’s debatable.

Using FuboTV

If you’re a sports fan, you’ll be good with how fuboTV is setup and structured. Everything in the app runs thru the lens of a sports viewer. If that isn’t you, you’ll find the interface a bit cumbersome and disjointed. Beyond that, the guides on streaming services in general tend to be a little clunky. Navigation is difficult without channel numbers and easy ways to jump around. The guide is usable and intuitive on fuboTV, but not easy nor innovative. You can’t hide channels from the guide either, which would allow you to personalize and optimize somewhat. It doesn’t set the bar by any means. Recording shows is easy. And searching for content to watch is very simple as well.

The quality of the video is decent. With a really good bandwidth connection it can look every bit as good as a typical HD channel on cable (assuming you don’t have them side by side for comparison). But the bottom line is that the streams can be good enough that you forget you’re streaming them. Fast forward and Rewind are much clunkier for streaming content than for locally stored content on a DVR, across any streaming service. That makes the whole viewing experience a bit more of a chore. This isn’t unique to fuboTV, but it doesn’t escape it either.

There are a few other little annoyances worth pointing out. One is that you get up to 30 hours of cloud DVR, but not all content is recordable. You may pull up the details on a show only to see that you don’t have the option to record it. This is likely contractual, but not a limitation found on any traditional DVR. If you can see the channel, you can record it. And although the ability to search for stuff to watch in fuboTV is really easy, and they actually have a lot of good content available, there are limitations. For example, we found Deadpool available to watch for free on demand via FXX. This was great. Like having Netflix but included in the price. Bonus. However, you can’t fast forward or rewind. So if you can watch the whole movie in one sitting, you’re set. If you want to watch half now and finish the other half later, you’re out of luck.

Cost is another issue. Because Braden was using Tivo and not the Cable company DVRs and boxes, he was paying about $80 a month for whole house DVR on 4 screens with HBO. The $40 reduces the savings from cutting Cable in half. If you’re paying more every month for cable, obviously your saving would be more dramatic. But fuboTV also charges extra for the Family option that allow you to stream simultaneously on different devices. So you’ll have to pay up to get TV on, say, 4 screens. If you’re streaming more, and your provider charges you more for increased bandwidth consumption, that could eat into your saving as well.

Conclusion

If you decide to cut the cord and realize you really miss live sports, fuboTV is a dream come true. That is, assuming you don’t need ESPN. If you’re looking for a way to replace live television from a Cable or Satellite provider, fuboTV probably isn’t the droid you’re looking for. The great thing is that you can try it out for 7 days totally free and totally risk free. If you don’t like it, you quit and pay nothing. Braden loves it for filling the missing live sports need, but he’ll more than likely quit it and try a few others to see if there really is a legitimate Cable TV replacement available via streaming.

Podcast #858: Over The Top Cable Aug 24, 2018

SiliconDust launches HDHomeRun Premium streaming service of 45 networks

Netflix, Amazon Video, and Xfinity are accidentally re-creating cable TV

Podcast #857: HT Guys Origins: Sony Pictures / ADSG Aug 17, 2018

Another very special episode, keeping the streak alive while on vacation, we take the opportunity to share some behind the scenes moments leading up to the formation of the HT Guys and the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast, specifically the Sony Pictures / ADSG years.

Podcast #856: 75 inch TV Recommendation Aug 10, 2018

75 inch TV Recommendation

Vizio P-Series - $1900 MSRP

Features:

Premium 4K HDR with Active Full Array Pro™, UltraBright 1000.
Over a billion colors from Ultra Color Spectrum.®
VIZIO Smart TV with 2018 SmartCast OS.
Voice control with Amazon Alexa & the Google Assistant.
Google Chromecast built‑in.
Bezel-less screen design.

Pros:

Great dark scene performance
Excellent motion handling
Low input lag

Cons:

Poor off angle viewing

Sony XBR75X900F 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Street Price $3500

Features:

X1 Extreme processor and 4K X-Reality PRO and X-tended Dynamic Range PRO 6X contrast range provides a wider range of brightness
Full-array local dimming technology, you get enhanced controlled contrast and incredible brightness in a stunningly slim design.
X-Motion Clarity technology. Plus, enjoy smooth and vibrant colors with TRILUMINOS Display & 4K HDR Super Bit Mapping

Pros:

Deep and uniform blacks
Excellent motion handling
Bright HDR highlights

Cons:

Poor off angle viewing

Both Samsung and LG sell other TVs in the 75+ inch range but they are not full array LED and do not produce black levels as good as the Vizio and Sony. The TVs that are as good cost much more so under the constraints that Patrick has laid out we would say go with the Vizio first since it really meets all the criteria. For a slightly better picture and $1600 more the Sony is a distant second.

Podcast #855: Various Topics Aug 03, 2018

Roku Speakers

Why learn to use gadgets when they can just learn to help us? Exactly, says LG

Podcast #854: Samsung’s 34-foot Onyx LED TV Jul 27, 2018

Last month we read a news story about the bid by Samsung to replace projectors in movie theaters. Now Digital Trends has an article that provides a few more details about this technology. Our hope is that it can find it's way into our living rooms in the not too distant future.

Named after the jet-black jewel, Onyx is a giant, 34-foot screen that uses LEDs to display perfect black levels, intense brightness, and brilliant color for unprecedented cinematic contrast. It's 10 times brighter than even the best laser projectors out there now. But a stunning picture is not it's only advantage. There is the space savings of not requiring a projector room which in turns allows for better seat configuration. There is no sweet spot so that every seat in the house will have the best picture.

There are also some drawbacks. The screen is no longer acoustically transparent and a new technology developed by Samsung’s JBL Professional is required to overcome this. If a pixel goes bad you have to replace an entire panel since the screen is actually the screen is made up of many panels stitched together.

Onyx uses individual LEDs for each pixel and thus can mimic OLED and Plasma. This is what gets you those deep blacks. Because the screen is so large you can’t see the pixels sitting at a normal movie theater distance. This technology won’t work at home because the viewing distance is too close which is why Samsung is working on MicroLED technology.

DCI Specifications

Seeing the writing on the wall the Digital Cinema Initiatives released a memorandum regarding direct view displays. Here are some highlights:

Pixel Count - The sampling structure of the displayed picture (pixel count) shall be at least 4096 (4K) horizontal and 2160 vertical pixels.

Pixel Visibility - The pixel structure should not be visible from a 1.0 screen height viewing distance. The pixel pitch should be uniform across a screen, including at module boundaries.

10 foot high screen then at 10 feet you should not be able to see the pixels.

Luminance Uniformity - DCI’s intent is to require that the display shall not exhibit any perceptible inconsistency in luminance levels between pixels when viewed from any seat in the theater.

There are requirements for Color Gamut, Color Accuracy, and Color Uniformity as well as black level and gray scale. Suffice it to say the DCI wants you to ensure that when you watch a movie on a direct view system that it be as good or better than what you see on the best projectors today.

Podcast #853: Buttshaker Bonanza Jul 20, 2018

Buttshaker Bonanza

It’s been quite a while since we’ve talked about turning the low frequency effects from your movies and tv shows into physical movement you can feel in your furniture. We reviewed a system many years ago and loved it, but it was pricey at the time and neither of us ended up installing it. Turns out Amazon has some options that make it affordable enough to put the buttshaker experience in a lot more seats.

Clark Synthesis

“Originally developed for military and commercial training simulators, Clark Synthesis transducers were specifically designed to transfer sounds like gunshots and explosions into a tactile experience that can be felt as well as heard. This technology was enthusiastically received by the video gaming community. Gamers of all ages love the intensified sensory experience of competing in a gaming chair with a Clark Synthesis transducer.”

Clark Synthesis TST239 Silver Tactile Transducer Bass Shaker

3.4 out of 5 stars

Price: $157.95

“The TST239 Silver Transducer is an excellent choice for most entry-level audio applications. This product is widely used in the game chair market, providing solid performance at an affordable price. The TST239 Silver can be used in some home theater applications. The TST239 Silver requires an amplifier for operation.”

Clark Synthesis TST429 Platinum Transducer

5.0 out of 5 stars

Price: $549.95

“The TST429 Platinum Professional Transducer is the most powerful audio transducer on the market today. Available only from Clark Synthesis, the TST429 provides the ultimate performance and output of full-fidelity, full-frequency sound with a frequency response from 5hz to 17kHz. This premium transducer is designed to meet the demands of audio applications such as high-end home theater furniture, theater risers and platforms, floors (including dance floors), simulators, gaming systems, and ProSound equipment.”

ButtKicker by Guitammer

“[Guitammer]’s innovative and award-winning line of patented ButtKicker-brand low frequency audio transducers let users feel low-frequency sound (bass) and are musically accurate, powerful and virtually indestructible. They are used around the world by leading entertainment and theater companies such as: AMC Theatres, Regal Entertainment, Alamo Drafthouse, IMAX, Disney and Lumiere Pavilions in movie theaters and attractions; by world-famous musicians; and in home theaters, by consumers for video games, simulators and car audio and are distributed by Pearl Drums for musicians.”

ButtKicker BK-LFE Low Frequency Effects System

4.7 out of 5 stars

Price: $239.99

“The only tactile transducer designed specifically to take advantage of the 0.1 and LFE (low frequency effects) channels, the ButtKicker LFE features extended low-frequency response for powerful bass and special effects. If you are looking to delight and electrify yourself and others with an affordable and easy-to-use solution, now is the time to incorporate the ButtKicker into your sound-system's design and feel what you've been missing.

The ButtKicker LFE Low Frequency Effects System utilizes a patented magnetic suspension and can be used in couches, theater seating, platforms, and any type of structure. Different from other shakers or tactile transducers that use voice coil technology, the ButtKicker is much more powerful, more musical (linear), and offers true infrasonic, or low-frequency response with a resonant frequency of 9 Hz. The ButtKicker LFE utilizes a small, linear motor, which reacts to an audio signal sent by an amplifier.”

ButtKicker BK-GR Gamer

3.8 out of 5 stars

Price: $178.85

“The ButtKicker [Gamer] is a small linear motor that reacts to an audio signal sent by an amplifier. The ButtKicker Gamer comes with its own 90-watt amplifier that is convection-cooled with vents so there’s no noisy fan. It also includes a wired remote control so you can stash the amp out of sight and still operate its core features. It is similar to a loudspeaker, but instead of a moving a cone and transferring sound waves through the air, the ButtKicker Gamer is attached to your seat and sends a low frequency sound directly into your body.”

SoundShaker

“Introducing the SoundShaker, a revolution in home theater entertainment. This exciting piece of hi-tech wizardry will allow you to feel the screen action, without leaving the comfort of your seat! Immerse yourself in your favorite films or video games like never before: you will not only see and hear but live each moment as your chair vibrates to each car chase or explosion. A whole new dimension in cinema thrills awaits.”

SoundShaker Wireless Bass Shaker Amplifier for Home Theater Seating Vibration Kit

3.4 out of 5 stars

Price: Amp: $439.00

Single Bass Shaker: $125.00

Sold in sets, e.g.: Amp with one bass shaker: $564.00 ...

“Your Soundshaker system works using a simple three-step process. Receiver sends the wireless audio to the amplifier that is hooked up to your home theater seating. The SoundShaker Amplifier receives the wireless audio signal and transfers it to your soundshaker. The SoundShaker Unit receives the audio signal and vibrates your home theater seat.”

HT Guys: This one requires a bit of explanation. The system bills itself as Wireless, which it totally is, but maybe not how you’d expect. They provide a transmitter that somehow sends the audio from your receiver over your WiFi network. They say “WiFi” - so we assume it connects to your existing network, but we don’t know for sure. That audio WiFi signal is sent to the amplifier and the amplifier is wired into the shakers. If you have one piece of furniture to vibrate, or a couple that are close to each other, it could work great. If not, it is unclear if you can use multiple amps with one transmitter, or use multiple transmitters in the same room, etc.

Others

AuraSound AST-2B-4 Pro Bass Shaker Tactile Transducer

4.5 out of 5 stars

Amazon's Choice for "bass shaker"

Price: $57.85

“The AuraSound AST-2B-4 Pro Bass Shaker literally sends sonic vibrations through the material to which it is attached, enabling you to feel the earth-shaking bass from your music, movies, or video game soundtracks.”

HT Guys: This system reviews really well and is quite affordable. It requires you run wires to your furniture, so that may be a limiting factor for some. It is also a bit in the DIY category and requires you provide the correct amplification to make the transducers work. But if you can connect the right subwoofer amp to it … and if you can find a way to make that subwoofer amp somehow run wirelessly … you might be able to build your own DIY SoundShaker system for less money.

Dayton Audio TT25-8 PUCK Tactile Transducer Mini Bass Shaker

4.2 out of 5 stars

Price: $19.62

“Dayton Audio's TT25-8 PUCK is a small, 8 ohm tactile transducer or mini bass shaker that is intended to be used in home theater, gaming, and auto sound applications.”

HT Guys: This one is small and super affordable. We don’t know if that means cheap in quality as well as price, but for under $20, it isn’t a huge gamble to try it out. The small size may mean you need more of them to really get any impact in a larger piece of furniture.

Cowson Technology

“No home theater is complete without Crowson Tactile Motion. You will find Crowson 4D Theater Actuators in the finest dedicated home theaters in the world. Available through select seating partners or as retro-fit solutions.”

HT Guys: Crowson provided the gear we reviewed many years ago. They make great technology. You can get it through a dealer near you or buy it yourself online through Crowson’s website (we couldn’t find them on Amazon). Online prices run from $498 for a single actuator to $2498 for a set of four actuators and the dedicated amp to run them.

Podcast #852: The Best Projectors Jul 13, 2018

What Is America's TV Platform of Choice?The best projectors

Podcast #851: Wireless In Ear Home Theater Jul 06, 2018

Plus we grill Kobe Beef!

Watch Here!

Podcast #850: HDR bad for OLED? Jun 29, 2018

www.flatpanelhds.com’s report of LG’s claim in 2016 that the company’s OLED TVs had lifespans of 100,000 hours. Of course, that’s 100,000 hours at the end of a slow decay to 50 percent luminance, but 10 hours of TV a day for even 10 years, let alone the 30 to half-brightness that 100,000 figures out to, isn’t going to leave buyers wringing hands.

The real issue, and the reason for this article, is that LG’s 100,000-hour claim preceded the era of HDR (high dynamic range). You could say HDR is the yang to OLED’s near-black yin.

The issue at had is what does HDR do to lifespan

Podcast #849: A very special... Jun 22, 2018

This week's episode is a very special one: The HT Guys go on vaction. With limited time to plan and record, and no access to email or news stories, the guys still work hard to bring a short show together. Braden shares a story about bridging the past and the present and Ara recalls a very special moment for him from his time at Sony Pictures/ADSG. Until next week!

Podcast #848: E3 Jun 15, 2018

Today we have a field report from the E3 show in Los Angeles CA.

Podcast #847: Father's Day Wishlist Jun 08, 2018

Father’s Day Wish List

Classic Movie Posters $10 - $17K

What theater would be complete without movie posters? MoviePoster.com sells original as well as reprints of just about every major movie out there. Some are really inexpensive. Find out what your father’s favorite movie is and surprise him with something to make his home theater a little bit more authentic!

SVS SoundPath Subwoofer Isolation System $50

We all want a tighter low end! And for $50 SVS will give that to you. The SVS Subwoofer Isolation System are screw-in elastomer feet that decouple your subwoofer from the floor to eliminate room rattle and provide cleaner, tighter bass. And you don’t need an SVS subwoofer either. They work with almost all subwoofer brands and sizes.

Hue Bloom Lights $60 per light. Add $60 more for a bridge if you don’t have hue lights.

Use the bloom lights to create stunning indirect lighting to highlight furniture, art, or create bias lighting behind your TV. A bit on the expensive side but so very cool!!

Custom Acoustic Panels $60 and Up

This is a gift that has both form and function. Sometimes getting the most out of your audio is not necessarily about upgrading your equipment. Acoustic panels reduce or eliminate sound waves that bounce off walls and interfere with the sound coming from the speakers. When done right, acoustic panels will improve the audio of your current equipment without spending a ton of money. With custom panels you can take family picture and add that personal touch every Father (and Mother) would love to have in their home theater.

Stovetop Popcorn Popper $25

When the best movie theater in the area is right in your living room, you need the perfect snack to accompany the feature film! Thanks to the Original Silver Whirley Pop Stovetop Popcorn Popper, you can have delicious, perfectly cooked movie theater popcorn in just 3 minutes! This popcorn popper also has a patented stirring system so you never have to worry about burning or ruining your popcorn – each kernel moves until it is popped

Cup Holder Tablet Mount $25

Many home theater seats and couches include built-in cup holders. Some manufacturers sell tablet mounts that fit in their cupholders. But if yours doesn’t, or you don’t want to pay the premium, why not try a universal cup holder tablet mount instead? If your home theater is tablet controlled, you have your whole control interface right there at your fingertips, without having to pick it up off the coffee table. That’s good living.

Podcast #847: Canceled or Renewed 2018 Jun 01, 2018

Canceled or Renewed 2018

If you’re getting dizzy watching shows that were canceled a while ago, make a revival on a different network, only to have that network cancel some shows that were also quite popular, causing them to move to yet another network, or a number one rated comeback show that was practically guaranteed another season get abruptly canceled for crazy tweets, don’t worry. We’ve got you covered. Here’s the full list of what’s gone, what‘s coming back, and what network to find it on.

ABC

Renewed
- The $100,000 Pyramid
- Agents of SHIELD
- American Housewife
- American Idol
- America’s Funniest Home Videos
- The Bachelor
- Black-ish
- Celebrity Family Feud
- Child Support
- Dancing With the Stars
- For the People
- Fresh Off the Boat
- The Goldbergs
- The Gong Show
- The Good Doctor
- Grey’s Anatomy
- How to Get Away with Murder
- iZombie
- Match Game
- Modern Family
- Speechless
- Station 19
Canceled
- Alex, Inc.
- The Crossing
- Deception
- Designated Survivor
- Inhumans
- Kevin (Probably) Saves the World
- The Mayor
- Quantico
- Roseanne
- Ten Days in the Valley
Final Season
- The Middle – series finale aired May 22, 2018
- Scandal – series finale aired April 19, 2018
- Once Upon a Time – series finale aired May 18, 2018

CBS

Renewed
- 48 Hours
- 60 Minutes
- The Amazing Race
- The Big Bang Theory
- Big Brother
- Blue Bloods
- Bull
- Criminal Minds
- Elementary
- Hawaii Five-0
- Instinct
- Life in Pieces
- MacGyver
- Madam Secretary
- Man with a Plan
- Mom
- NCIS
- NCIS: Los Angeles
- NCIS: New Orleans
- The Price Is Right
- Salvation
- SEAL Team
- Survivor
- SWAT
- Young Sheldon
Canceled
- 9JKL
- Code Black
- Kevin Can Wait
- Living Biblically
- Me, Myself & I
- Scorpion
- Superior Donuts
- Wisdom of the Crowd
- Zoo

The CW

Renewed
- The 100
- Arrow
- Black Lightning
- Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
- Dynasty
- The Flash
- Jane the Virgin
- Legends of Tomorrow
- Masters of Illusion
- Penn & Teller: Fool Us
- Riverdale
- Supergirl
- Supernatural
- Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Canceled
- Life Sentence
- Valor
Final Season
- The Originals – premiered April 20, 2018

FOX

Renewed
- 9-1-1
- Bob’s Burgers
- Cosmos (FOX/Nat Geo) – last aired in 2014
- Empire
- Family Guy
- The Four: Battle for Stardom
- The Gifted
- Gotham
- Hell’s Kitchen
- Last Man Standing – last aired on ABC in 2016-17
- Lethal Weapon
- The Orville
- The Resident
- The Simpsons
- So You Think You Can Dance – airs summer 2018
- Star
Canceled
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine – moving to NBC
- The Exorcist
- The Last Man on Earth
- LA to Vegas
- Lucifer
- The Mick
Final Season
- New Girl – series finale aired May 15, 2018

NBC

Renewed
- America’s Got Talent
- AP Bio
- The Blacklist
- Blindspot
- Brooklyn Nine-Nine – moving from FOX
- Chicago Fire
- Chicago Med
- Chicago PD
- Days of Our Lives
- Ellen’s Game of Games
- Good Girls
- The Good Place
- Hollywood Game Night
- Law & Order: SVU
- Midnight, Texas
- Superstore
- This Is Us
- The Voice
- The Wall
- Will & Grace – through 2019-20
Canceled
- The Brave
- Great News
- The Night Shift
- Rise
- Taken
Final Season
- Shades of Blue – premieres June 17, 2018

NBC has not made a decision on Timeless. They need to hurry up and just renew it!!

Other Notables

Renewed
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (Netflix) – through Season 3
- American Dad (TBS) – through Season 6 on TBS/16 overall
- American Horror Story (FX) – through Season 9
- American Vandal (Netflix)
- Archer (FXX)
- Ballers (HBO)
- Baskets (FX)
- Black Mirror (Netflix)
- Bosch (Amazon)
- Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
- Drunk History (Comedy Central)
- Fear the Walking Dead (AMC)
- Fuller House (Netflix)
- Future Man (Hulu)
- The Good Fight (CBS All Access)
- Grace and Frankie (Netflix)
- The Handmaid’s Tale (Hulu)
- Homeland (Showtime)
- House of Cards (Netflix)
- Jack Ryan (Amazon)
- Jessica Jones (Netflix)
- Lost in Space (Netflix)
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon) – through Season 3
- Mindhunter (Netflix)
- Narcos (Netflix)
- Orange Is the New Black (Netflix) – through Season 7
- Power (Starz) – through Season 6
- The Punisher (Netflix)
- Ray Donovan (Showtime)
- Rick and Morty (Adult Swim) – for 70 episodes
- Runaways (Hulu)
- Santa Clarita Diet (Netflix)
- Shameless (Showtime)
- Shooter (USA)
- Silicon Valley (HBO)
- South Park (Comedy Central) – through 2019
- Star Trek: Discovery (CBS All Access)
- Stranger Things (Netflix)
- Strike Back (Cinemax)
- Suits (USA)
- The Tick (Amazon)
- Transparent (Amazon)
- Van Helsing (Syfy)
- The Walking Dead (AMC)
- Westworld (HBO)
Canceled
- Ash vs. Evil Dead (Starz)
- Chance (Hulu)
- Damnation (USA)
- Dice (Showtime)
- Disjointed (Netflix)
- I Love Dick (Amazon)
- Jean-Claude Van Johnson (Amazon)
- Lady Dynamite (Netflix)
- The Librarians (TNT)
- Mozart in the Jungle (Amazon)
- The Path (Hulu)
- Seven Seconds (Netflix)
Final Season
- The Americans (FX) – series finale aired May 30, 2018
- Halt and Catch Fire (AMC) – series finale aired Oct. 14, 2017
- The Last Ship (TNT)
- Major Crimes (TNT) – series finale aired Jan. 9, 2018
- The Mindy Project (Hulu) – series finale streamed Nov. 14, 2017
- Nashville (CMT) – premiered Jan. 4, 2018
- Portlandia (IFC) – premiered Jan. 18, 2018
- Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (Netflix) – premieres May 30, 2018
- Vice Principals (HBO) – series finale aired Nov. 12, 2017

Full lists

Podcast #845: SVS Soundpath Wireless Subwoofer Kit May 25, 2018

SVS Soundpath Wireless Subwoofer Kit

Pretty much from the start we have been searching for wireless solutions to transmit audio from one part of the room to the other. Early attempts have been met with static, pops, and clicks. We have made significant progress over the years and today we are taking a look at the SVS Soundpath Wireless Subwoofer Kit ($90). This product is so simple to use there weren’t even instructions in the box!

Setup

Connect the transmitter (clearly labeled on the unit) to the subwoofer output of your receiver via an included RCA cable and then connect the other end (3.5 mm) to the transmitter. The device gets power via USB. If your receiver has a USB connection you can use that otherwise SVS has included a USB power adapter. Do the same thing at the subwoofer and you are done. Place your subwoofer anywhere you want. The signal reached anywhere we put the sub in our medium sized room (15 X 20 ft). Setup time four minutes! SVS also includes double sided 3M tape to help lock down the device.

Performance

It just works! We tested down to 15hz up to 85Hz. The device is rated from 6hz to 22KHz but our subwoofer only goes to 15Hz and our crossover is set to 85Hz so that’s all we tested to. We could hear no difference from the wired case nor could we perceive any delay. From our ear’s point of view there was no difference in performance.

HT Guys Recommendation

The SVS SoundPath Wireless Subwoofer Subwoofer Kit unlocks the potential of your subwoofer by freeing you to place it in the best spot of your room! Now EVERY subwoofer can be a wireless subwoofer!

Podcast #845: CNET’s Guide to Smart Living May 18, 2018

CNET’s Guide to Smart Living

While this may or may not be the year of home automation (or maybe it was last year?), the idea of making some aspects of your home more automated or “smarter” is becoming much more approachable and affordable. CNET recently put together a collection of articles about how to get into the game that offer some interesting tips and pointers. This isn’t a definitive guide for the hard core home or life hacker, but it helps those who aren’t yet in the game to dip a toe in the water.

4 Things to Consider Before Making Your Home Smart

You'll need to decide on a 'brain' first

Without a doubt, the biggest concern is fragmentation. It's certainly gotten better over the last few years, especially with the growing popularity of smart speakers like Google Home ($129.00 at Dell Home) and the Echo, and services like IFTTT that help fix the language barrier between different devices and services.

But if you're not careful when choosing the smart products to install in your home, you'll find yourself with a home full of devices only using half of their potential.

The best way to go about it is to pick a "brain" for your smart home -- be it Amazon's Echo, Google Home, Apple's HomeKit or Samsung's SmartThings -- and only buy smart bulbs, locks, cameras and other accessories or appliances that are compatible with it.

Can your devices 'talk' to each other?

Ease of use is another point of consideration. You're not building a smart home to make your life more difficult, and turning on any given light or appliance shouldn't be more complicated than its dumb counterpart.

Cost

Smart home gadgets are generally more expensive than their dumb counterparts -- and rightly so. A light switch that can be controlled with your voice (like the Lutron Caseta) and can be scheduled or controlled from anywhere in the world should cost more than a standard light switch. But outfitting an entire house with those smart switches will cost significantly more.

And don't be so quick to believe the purported energy savings. The cost savings will depend on what technology you're upgrading from. And even the products that do use less energy than their dumb alternatives will likely take several years to make up for the difference in the initial cost.

Wi-Fi and product security

Finally, you should be concerned with security. Leave it to shows like Mr. Robot to feed us smart home nightmare fuel. While you can DIY a smart security system easily for less money than a standard security system ($39.99 at Amazon.com) would have cost you just a few years ago, like anything with a wireless connection, it's also susceptible to exploits and other security flaws.

Your patchwork smart home security system is only as strong as your Wi-Fi password. And the same general security tip is still valid here -- give everything its own, unique password.

4 Clever Morning Routine Automations For Your Smart Home

Slowly turn on the lights

Getting a good night's rest is important. But just as important is how you wake up. No one likes waking up to a loud, abrupt alarm. Try waking up calmly to a gentle, gradual increasing light instead. It's more natural and will prevent you from being ripped out of deep sleep. You can do this a few different ways.

Many smart bulbs, for instance, can be programmed to come on at a specific time, and often you can choose how long it takes for the bulbs to reach the desired brightness -- instantly, a couple of seconds or even several minutes. Create a schedule for the bulbs overhead or in a bedside lamp to slowly turn on to full brightness around the time you need to wake up.

Create a schedule for overhead Lutron lights, LIFX bulbs in a bedside lamp or a Philips Wake-Up Light to slowly turn on around the time you need to wake up.

Gently raise the temperature

No one wants to peel off the cozy sheets early in the morning and wake up to a chilly bedroom. To avoid this, you can set your smart thermostat to slowly raise the temperature 30 minutes before you plan to get out of bed each morning.

Like with slowly turning on the bedroom lights, this will help gently pull you out of sleep and make getting out of bed less jarring. Or maybe you need the shock of brisk morning air to help wake you up. If that's your morning trick, just set the thermostat to lower a few degrees before your alarm.

Automatically make coffee

Who doesn't like a fresh cup of coffee early in the morning? With your smart home, you can wake up to hot coffee every day. And making it happen is easier than you think.

While they make smart coffee makers specifically for this, all you really need is any ol' dumb coffee maker and a smart plug. The one requirement for the coffee maker is that its power button is a toggle switch that will remain on, even after brewing has finished -- this is so you can control its power externally with the smart switch.

Pretty much all smart switches can operate on a schedule, but if you've got one that's compatible with Google Home or Echo, like the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug, you can tell your smart speaker to make coffee as soon as your feet touch the floor.

Try creating a Google Home shortcut that turns on the smart plug when you say, "Hey Google, coffee time."

Taking it one step further, you can use IFTTT (if this then that) to pair your fitness or sleep tracker, like a Fitbit, with the smart plug. A Fitbit wearable can detect when you start peeling yourself out of bed. With IFTTT, you can build an applet that begins making coffee when your Fitbit detects you're awake.

Get the morning news

With smart speakers spread around your house, staying up to date on the news, weather and traffic is easier than ever. With Echo Routines, you can have the Echo play your Flash Briefing every morning at the same time. Or you can simply ask the Echo to, "play my Flash Briefing." The same goes for Google Home speakers — automate your news and weather, or ask for it by saying, "OK, Google, good morning."

These morning automations are just the tip of the iceberg. The more smart gadgets you add around your house and the more you use them, the more creative you can get with how you use them each morning. Have a smart oven make toast automatically. Stream your favorite morning music while you shower. Or tell Google Home to play the latest videos from your favorite YouTube channel on the Chromecast ($35.00 at Walmart) while you get dressed.

Podcast #843: Review Sony A8F from RTINGS.COM May 11, 2018

Review Sony A8F from RTINGS.COM

Today we have a review of a Sony A8F OLED TV from RTINGS.COM. The A8F is a OLED 4K HDR TV with 4K HDR Processor X1™ Extreme, Acoustic Surface™ technology and Android TV. The Acoustic Surface is supposed to produce deeper bass by vibrating the glass. We’ll see if that is what the reviewers experienced below. It comes in three sizes 55”, 65”, and 77”. Read the full detailed review at RTINGS.COM.

Highlights below:

The Sony A8F is a 2018 4k OLED TV with excellent performance for a variety of different usages. It has excellent picture quality, with perfectly deep blacks that looks impressive in a dark room. Motion handling is excellent due to the instantaneous response time, but this lack of blur can make low frame rate content appear choppy. Like the Sony A1E and other OLED TVs, it isn't perfect as the brightness changes depending on screen content and there may be risk of burn-in with static content.

Design 9.5

The Sony A8F OLED TV is extremely well designed. The stand has a very small footprint and fits well in any decor. The TV is well built and there are no obvious gaps or loose panels. The TV has a very small frame and delivers an immersive viewing experience, especially when wall mounted.

Picture Quality 8.6

The Sony A8F OLED TV produces excellent picture quality. It is able to produce true blacks and infinite contrast ratio, which combined with the perfect black uniformity, makes for excellent dark room performance. Can produce bright highlights and although the whole screen can't get that bright, it should be good enough to combat glare in most rooms. Color accuracy is good out of the box, and most people won't need to calibrate their set. It also has an excellent wide color gamut. It is prone to temporary image retention and could experience permanent burn-in, although we don't expect most people to experience this.

Motion 8.8

The motion handling of the Sony A8F is excellent. It has a near-instantaneous response time and is flicker-free, so there is very little motion trail and only slight persistence blur. The perfect response time causes stutter, especially with 24 fps content, but this can be helped with the optional Black Frame Insertion feature or by enabling Motion Interpolation, but it is judder-free. It does not support a variable refresh rate, and there are no plans announced by Sony to add support for this in the future.

Inputs 8.2

The A8F supports a wide variety of input formats and resolutions. It has low 4k input lag, but not as good as the LG C8. Like all Sony TVs, only HDMI ports 2 & 3 support full bandwidth, but port 3 is also the audio return channel. If you have a receiver which supports ARC and you are planning on connecting more than 1 full bandwidth device, you may wish to consider connecting your receiver using an optical (Toslink) cable.

Sound Quality 7.4

The Sony A8F has an above-average sound. It gets quite loud and produces a decent amount of bass along with clear dialogs. However, their bass doesn't have any thump or rumble to it, and it doesn't have a room correction system either. For a better sound, a dedicated sound system or soundbars are recommended.

Smart Features 8.0

The Sony A8F runs Sony's customized Android TV interface. The layout is very simple, there are multiple rows used to group similar functions together making it easy to navigate. The TV has performance issues when navigating the menus, as it froze repeatedly and animations were choppy. It is especially slow when accessing the menus from within an app. It has a great voice assistant, although it is not as good as the ThinQ AI found on 2018 LG OLEDs.

Ratings

Mixed Usage 8.7 - Recommended if under (USD) $2,300* Value for price beaten by LG C8

Movies 9.4 - Best Value for Price

TV Shows 8.5 - Recommended if under (USD) $1,660* Value for price beaten by LG C8

Sports 8.6 - Recommended if under (USD) $2,310* Value for price beaten by LG C8

Video Games 8.6 - Recommended if under (USD) $1,200* Value for price beaten by LG C8

HDR Movies 9.1 - Recommended if under (USD) $1,680* Value for price beaten by LG B7A

HDR Gaming 8.6 - Recommended if under (USD) $1,700* Value for price beaten by LG B7A

PC Monitor 8.0 - Recommended if under (USD) $410* Value for price beaten by LG SK9000

* Pricing for 55” version

Podcast #842: Various Topics May 04, 2018

'Avengers: Infinity War' Box Office: A Rundown of the Records Broken 'Avengers: Infinity War' Box Office: A Rundown of the Records BrokenDisney and Marvel continue to push the superhero envelope at the box office, with Avengers: Infinity War serving up their latest victory. The mega-mashup smashed a number of records in its global debut over the weekend, less than three months after Marvel's Black Panther began its own historic run. Disney's VR 'force jacket' sends snakes wriggling over your body It was put together by Disney Research, alongside MIT. It's essentially a jacket stuffed with airbags and sensors that can be calibrated to simulate a number of different physical experiences. Disney highlights a few: the feeling of being punched, hugged, or having snakes slither all over your body. (I saw that we doubled up on this one in the News stories, so I dropped it to the bottom of news so we can do it there and just expand/opine, or we can push it to a longer mini feature. Whatever you want to do.) Royole Moon 3D Mobile Theater Review When you wear glasses like this, you are presented with the equivalent of sitting relatively close to a large projection screen, with your peripheral vision essentially filled by the image. Royole suggests that the Moon provides the equal of an 800-inch curved screen (about 66 feet) viewed from about an equal distance away. That’s close to standard IMAX territory. The experience is akin to watching my 92-inch projection screen from a fairly tight 10 feet away, if not closer. In other words, the same highly immersive quality we attribute to the front projection/cinema experience is apparent in spades here and is made all the more so by the addition of some good-quality earphones.

Podcast #841: OLED Burn-in Follow Up Apr 27, 2018

OLED Burn-in Follow Up

Christopher - As per episode #840 - I have a 55" Sony A1E that I purchased 9 months ago. I had it professionally calibrated and love it completely (except for the stupid swing-out base that they've done away with in the new model). I primarily watch movies (Opportunity UDP-203), Apple TV, TiVo and Netflix. I do not play games on it. No burn-in issues what-so-ever... so far... ;)

Scruffy - Have a 2014 LG OLED with 8000 hours. Strictly cable box viewing, a few hours at a time throughout the day 7 days a week. No image retention or burn in issues ever. Getting a 55" 2018 OLED soon - no worries.

Jack - I heard your recent debate about OLED burn-in. To me there is no debate. I purchased an oled65b6p in the fall of 2016. By summer of 2017, I started noticing something wrong. After a little investigation it was clear I had serious BI issues from watching MSNBC. In the attached red picture you can see where the old lower third was burnt in and can still read “live”, they recently lowered the banner when the news ticker was eliminated. I see this most on reds yellows and shades of tan. Skin tone is really bad. Also, note the prominent left side of the NBC peacock (red orange yellow) in the yellow pictures.

I contacted LG and they told me it is not covered by the warranty. I also contacted Abt where I bought the set and to their credit after a few rounds of negotiations they gave me a $1600 store credit (I paid $4K) and I’m keeping the bad tv for now. They initially offered a C7 LG OLED at a significant discount but I did not want to just end up with the same problem. I watch all sorts of programming but typically have the news on in the background while working which obviously caused this problem. The TV is great and near perfect (love the picture, the blacks and the HDR) but BI makes it unacceptable. I should not have to change my TV viewing habits because of issues with the technology especially when I pay top $$. It’s going to take me a while to find a suitable replacement which is why I’m keeping this one for now.

Steven - I have a LG OLED55B6P I purchased about a year and a half ago. We have primary used it to watch shows and movies. Even after this time, I still find myself on a weekly basis noticing how beautiful the picture is. I tell people my two favorite types of scenes are those with tons of color and black scenes.

On the burn in issue, I have not noticed any issues. We probably have the unit on for five to six hours throughout the day. Though the types of content is dynamic (little to no tickers or other static elements).

However, literally two weeks before your episode about the OLED burn in issue dropped I started to play my Nintendo Switch on the television. I am currently only playing Mario Odyssey. This game has dynamic content on the screen except for a coin counter in the upper left of the screen. Though it does go off during cut scene. At this point I have not noticed any burn in.

Steven (a different Steven) - I purchased an LG OLED65B7A in early November 2017. Even though I owned a beautiful 55” Samsung Plasma about 5 years ago, I consider this the best TV picture I’ve ever had.

I don’t regret purchasing it for 1 nanosecond. For two years, I was unhappy with a Sony LCD TV that dimmed from the side and had uneven blacks. The OLED is amazing. When I walk by it and look at if from the side it warms my heart. It’s perfect.

I’ve only had the TV for about 5 months, but have not seen any evidence of burn in. That being said, I do not watch CNN or CNBC for hours a day or play video games. I do watch a fair amount of sports.

Here is what CNET said on April 17th, 2018 about OLED burn-in:

"All things considered, however, burn-in shouldn't be a problem for most people. That's why we at CNET continue to recommend OLED-based TVs, phones and other devices in our reviews. From all of the evidence we've seen, burn-in is typically caused by leaving a single, static image element, like a channel logo, on-screen for a very long time, repeatedly. That's an issue if you keep Fox News, ESPN or MSNBC on-screen for multiple hours every day and don't watch enough other programming, for example. But as long as you vary what's displayed, chances are you'll never experience burn-in.”

I did a lot of research about this before I purchased the TV and although some burn-in is permanent, I’ve heard a number of people say that apparent burn-in does repair itself sometimes. http://televisions.reviewed.com/features/what-to-know-about-oled-screen-burn-in-problems-causes-image-retention

I think seeing burn-in is to be expected if Best Buy leaves the same picture on during business hours for day after day after day.

But I will say this, if Braden is going to let his kids use the OLED for video games many hours a day, he should probably get a crappy LCD for them. And believe me LCD looks like crap compared to my OLED. No contest. However, I think CNET”s implication is that even if Braden’s kids play a number of hours per day on a video game, watching normal content a few hours a day will make burn-in unnoticeable.

Podcast #840: Real Life OLED Burn In Test on 6 TVs Apr 20, 2018

Rtings.com: Real Life OLED Burn In Test on 6 TVs

Walking through a large electronics store the other day something caught our eye on one of their OLED display televisions. While you’d like to hope it was the vivid, realistic images on screen, it wasn’t. It was the obvious burn-in. And it was bad. You could clearly see a shadow of the bottom logo bar / ticker from content they must use regularly peeking through what would have otherwise been a stellar video presentation. The burn-in scare was one of the factors that ultimately led to the demise of plasma televisions. Will burn-in be the demise of OLED?

To dig into the issue, we turned to our friends at Rtings.com. It just so happens that they are currently, actively running a real life burn-in test on 6 LG OLED televisions. While we used to dismiss burn-in issues with plasma once the technology matured, it looks like we may not be able to dismiss them with OLED yet. The technology just hasn’t matured to where we can say it isn’t an issue. Hopefully it will. If not, the test results at Rtings.com were eye opening for us. Enough to give us pause on purchase decisions, and certainly informative on how we would use an OLED screen if we owned one.

The folks at Rtings.com ran a burn-in stress test to compare the results across three different display technologies: OLED and two types of LCD, In Plane Switching (IPS) and Vertical Alignment (VA). The results there are pretty dire for OLED, as are the comments from some of the OLED owners at the bottom of the page. And when you factor in that, as they point out in response to a comment “Burn-in on OLEDs unlike Plasma or CRT TVs is not caused by retention or stuck pixels, but instead due to cumulative degradation of the material through usage. This means that over time, OLED TVs will lose brightness across the whole screen progressively. Burn-in is simply a high contrast region of the screen where there was more usage than the surrounding area creating a visible shape.” It doesn’t paint a rosy picture for OLED.

For more information on In Plane Switching (IPS) versus Vertical Alignment (VA) for LCD TVs, see this article: IPS vs VA: Comparing LCD types found in TVs.

But the real world test is a bit more “fair” than the stress test - especially on the OLED sets. Here’s how they went about it. First, they “bought 6 LG OLED C7 which will play real, non-altered content. This should give you a better idea on what to expect depending on what you watch on your TV.” Then they simulated using them like you might.

Goal

The goal of the test is to provide an idea of the usage time of a 2017 OLED TV before burn-in becomes apparent, which will depend on your usage. To do so, we will replicate five different real-world conditions in an accelerated aging test. We will also independently test two different brightness ('OLED Light') settings with the same content to see the impact of this.

Test Setup

The TVs will all be controlled by a microcontroller to repeat a five hour on and one hour off cycle four times per day. The 'Screen Shift' option will be enabled on all TVs, and 'Pixel Refresher' will be performed before each set of measurements taken on each TV. They will all be playing real content (not test patterns), from live cable TV sources, video game clips or recorded sports. The brightness of all TVs (except the one identified below) will be set to 200 nits on a checkerboard pattern, with the content described below.

The Content

LIVE CNN - This test is considered a control, with the 'OLED Light' set to a brightness of 200 nits.
LIVE CNN (MAXIMUM SCREEN BRIGHTNESS of 380 nits) - This is to show the relationship between burn-in rate and 'OLED Light' with the exact same content and over the same time period.
FOOTBALL - Includes content from a variety of channels and with different teams, so overlays are located in different areas and team colors change. It includes many games to avoid too much repeating.
LIVE NBC - The source is a live cable feed and should be representative for a range of general TV content.
FIFA 18 GAMEPLAY - The goal of the content on this TV is to investigate the effect of a 'high risk' video game - one which has some bright, static areas which remain very consistent.
CALL OF DUTY: WWII GAMEPLAY - The gameplay footage on this TV is to represent a relatively 'low risk' video game. It only has small areas which are static and an overall dim image without too many bright colors.

Results (so far)

Week 2: No issues are visible.

Week 4: Uniformity issues are clearly visible on the 200 nits CNN TV in red and magenta slides (but not in normal content). This is unusual, as we would expect the maximum brightness CNN TV to show uniformity issues before the 200 nits CNN TV. The 25% window we used in January to measure the color gamut is also becoming more visible on this TV (and the FIFA 18 TV) as the weeks progress, even though we haven't displayed that 25% test pattern since January. We have contacted LG to understand why this is happening and will update this article as we obtain more information.

Week 6: Only minor changes since week 4.

Week 8: Increases in peak brightness across all TVs, but otherwise the measurements remain consistent.

Week 10: LG engineers visited our lab, and we will post the results of their investigation and an update in the next few days.

04/10/2018: We contacted LG regarding the strange results in week 4. LG engineers visited our lab a few days ago and were able to confirm the 25% window on the Live CNN and FIFA 18 TVs are a result of a factory issue (see our video here). OLED TVs are produced in a hot process, and after cooling a 25% window is shown on each panel. Some TVs which haven't cooled completely can produce invalid results for the lookup table used by the 'Pixel Refresh' function, causing this 25% window to become visible. Only some 55" OLED TVs were affected during part of 2017.

As this is not an issue with the panel itself, it is possible to apply a fix to the lookup table. LG will apply this fix to anyone who presents this issue to their support, for free, even after the warranty period has long expired. They have fixed our two affected TVs (see the uniformity photos below). Note that this doesn't fix other uniformity issues as the result of static content, only the 25% window caused by a factory defect. LG has also confirmed that there is variation between panels, which is why some OLED appear more prone to developing uniformity issues (as in the case with our Live CNN (200 nits) vs Live CNN (Max).)

Podcast #839: Apr 13, 2018

Channel Master SMARTenna+

We have been receiving HD OTA signals since almost the beginning. As such we have tried over twenty five different antennas from about five or six different companies. To date our favorite is the Mohu Sky. It works great for extreme fringe reception. But if you live close to the towers you may get away with an indoor antenna and for that our favorite is the Mohu Leaf.

Channel Master has introduced a new indoor antenna that gives the Mohu Leaf a run for the money. The Channel Master SMARTenna+ is a mostly paper thin amplified antenna that can easily be placed inside your home and pulls in quite a few channels. There is a processor built into the bottom of the antenna which helps “Steer” the antenna to maximize the reception. No more moving the antenna around until you find the right position. Just press a button and the signal is locked in.

Setup

Channel master has come up with a “Push-On” connector to make connecting the SMARTenna trivial. You just push on the cable connector to the antenna and then push on the other end to the amplifier. Then you connect the output of the amplifier to the TV and finally plug the amplifier into a wall socket. You will see an LED blinking for about two minutes while it scans for signals. Once it completes the scan the LED will stop blinking. Now go ahead and scan for channels on your TV.

Prior to installing the SMARTenna we did a scan with the existing Mohu Leaf which found 72 channels. We did the same scan two minutes later with the SMARTenna and found 70

Channels.

Performance

You would think that the performance would be the same since they both found about the same number of channels. But there were some differences that made us quite pleased with the SMARTenna. Even though the Mohu Leaf found more channels watching some of those channels could get annoying due to dropouts. Everything would be going OK and then it would just pixelate. In one case the Antenna could not reliably pick up the local CBS affiliate with the Leaf.

With the SMARTEnna we had the same issue. However, the SMARTenna has a magic button that virtually moves the antenna to a more optimal position. And just like that CBS is on screen and no pixelation. The new antenna fixes the age old problem of trying to maximize the location of the antenna to pull in the most channels possible. Now you can have all the channels and not have to move the antenna around.

Another issue you may experience with OTA signals is that the signal is fine for about an hour or so and then it's just starts acting up. This could be for a variety of things interfering with the signal. This did happen while watching a show on a channel that was a bit farther away than the main channels. When that happened we just hit the LED button until the signal came back!

Room for Improvement

While we can attest that the SMARTennas does live up to its name, there are a few things we’d like to see improved. The scan button is a great idea if you are in front of the TV watching. But if you are recording something and the signal goes away or if you want to record things on different channels that need the antenna to be steered it won’t work. If the antenna was truly smart it would scan the frequencies and auto steer to get the strongest signal possible. Or at the very least it would be nice if there was a remote control that allows you to steer the antenna from your remote control. Then you can build it into you automation so that recording would still work.

Conclusion

We have a new favorite antenna. If you live within 35 miles of your TV transmitters and suffer from multipath interference this may be the best $90 you spend on your TV!

Podcast #838: Short Throw Projector Feedback Apr 06, 2018

Short Throw Projector Follow Up

On Episode 836 we talked about the idea of short throw projectors for home theater use and asked the question: Why aren’t more people using them in their homes? Their price per square inch of screen real estate seems like, at least on paper, the most cost effective way to get a huge screen at home. So why aren’t they flying off the shelves? We had a ton of great listener feedback on it, so we decided to create a feature out of it.

From Ed:

My business is Classroom Technology, among other things. And you probably know that most classrooms today have either Projected images or LCD Panels at the front of the room. And I think the trend in Classroom Technology can inform the issue of UST projectors in homes.

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The trend in Classroom Technology is Toward LCD Panels. We are involved in several projects this summer when schools are taking out hundreds of Projectors that have 88-inch diagonal 16:10 screens and replacing them with smaller LCD Panels (75-inch 16:9 screen is a common size). So, they are replacing the 88-inch screen with a screen that is 31% smaller (in square inches). Why?

Image quality. None of these projector images can compete with the dynamic range and clarity of an LCD. Even used primarily for data.

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It gets worse for Projectors when you think about it. In normal-size classrooms (which are bigger than most home theaters), schools are replacing projectors with LCDs that cost more than what a replacement projector would cost and have a smaller image. And they put more thought into this than the average home theater consumer. And remember, classroom LCDs are Digital Signage quality (PID standard) and cost about twice what a home LCD would cost. So schools are paying A LOT to move away from Projectors.

So if schools are willing to pay for that image quality, why wouldn't you expect consumers to do the same?

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Put another way, let’s say that one of these projector companies wanted to sell a lot of these projectors. Could you put them into Costco or BestBuy side-by-side with LCD TVs? That would be a tough sell. At a minimum you would need a special room. My thought is that the only group of consumers interested in Ultra Short Throw projectors would be the ones interested in Projectors in the first place. Which is a minority of the overall market.

From Jim:

I just finished listening to your episode about ultra-short throw projectors and while we are not a residential integrator, we have installed several of these commercially and thought I’d offer a couple points.

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Early attempts (8-10 years back) at UST projection was awful – a lot of issues with geometry, and it surely turned off a lot of people.

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UST projectors require a perfectly flat screen surface. Walls or conventional screens are no good – has to be perfectly flat. That said, the screen does NOT have to be exotic – just flat. Stop in at any elementary school, you’ll see them everywhere projecting on whiteboards.

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As with any projection, for a quality image you want the picture to be aligned to the screen without using any electronic geometry correction. With UST projectors positioning the projector to match the image area is VERY touchy – you have to get the placement just right.

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All in all, if the environment was appropriate for projection and the placement situation was favorable, I would definitely consider a UST projector – particularly if it was laser-based.

From Scott:

About 3 years ago, I installed make shift home theater with short throw projector and couldn’t be happier with the results on a relatively inexpensive setup at least video wise. A lot of people, when they finish their basements, ask me for help when it comes to home theaters usually on a budget. Since I do this for free, I wanted a way I could test things first to keep the “lifetime support” trips down to a minimum.

---

Build:

Optima got 1080p 3k lumens 3D DLP around $550

Denon X3000

Klipisch RF-62 reference series 7.1 but only using 5.1 using speaker stands

STR-169100 Silver Ticket 100” screen white $200

Harmony Remote

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Sources:

Windows 10 gaming computer

Mac mini

FireHD TV

Apple TV

Panasonic Blu-Ray

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Review:

Setting up the screen would be ideal for 2 people due to the size. Putting the aluminum frame together and stretching it so it wrinkle free is critical but very easy with this brand. Hanging it is like hanging a big picture so a laser level and stud finder comes in handy. Since I wanted this easily removable I just have the projector on top of the center speakeer on a stand. Not ideal but works. Sitting about 3 foot away from the screen and 2 foot off the floor, I’m able to project a 100” 1080p image.

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This room has no windows and is small for a home theater at about 12’x20’. This projector was a little pain to dial in to the screen because I didn’t have projector mounted and limited adjustments options. Startup time, heat, and fan noise are all the common negatives about projectors in general and are present here. Now for the positives, once dialed in, picture quality, brightness, and speed of the projector just is amazing for the price. I don’t hear the fan from the couch with nothing playing. Playing a pinball simulator called pinball arcade, really shows the low latency and speed of the projector that some TVs fall short of. Because of the tight space, it perfect for my little man cave.

From John:

$0.02 from the perspective of someone that has used a projector as my main TV for over 10 years and who really wanted a short throw back in the day...

1) No marketing (as opposed to bad marketing). General market is uneducated about projectors in general, even less educated about variants like short throw. Industry has done nothing. Most of my neighbors look at the projected image on my screen and ask “where is the TV?"

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2) No place to see short throw projectors in action. Even if you hear about it, where do you go to see and evaluate a few models?

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3) Projectors are mostly the domain of professional installers or DIY geeks. Feeds the common wisdom that any projector costs a lot to buy and is complex to install.

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4) Short throw projectors have little benefit as a replacement projector. If you already handled the necessary electronics, wiring and screen for a conventional projector, replacing it with a short throw will be MORE work than just getting a conventional replacement.

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5) Short throw is an attractive conventional TV replacement, but the market for AV “components” is not mature. TVs are fundamentally monitors, but come bundled with tuners, web connection, HDMI switching, speakers, WiFi, universal remote and so on. Like a boombox for music, TVs are all-in-one, plug and play and frequently used as the AV system hub that all the other boxes plug into. As a TV replacement, short throws typically only handle the visual part (like a component audio speaker) and lack other functions handled by the old TV. Sure, there are other ways to wire up a system. But I would expect slow short throw projector sales if each install requires DIY reconfiguration and a hunt for new gear to replace what you got “for free” in your TV.

Podcast #837: Interview with David Sanderson of ReelGood.com Mar 30, 2018

Home Theater Seating, a Listener’s Perspective

The following is an email from long time listener and supporter of the show Stu Silberman regarding his family's experience with Home Theater seating. We liked it so much we thought we would share it with everyone.

My wife and I just purchased home theater seating. It’s wonderful. Along with video, audio, lighting, shades, automation and the other important items you educate us on, what we sit on has a huge impact on our enjoyment of the hardware and software. Turns out there is so much available, from many different brands. We went first to Best Buy and then to a locally-owned, dedicated home theater store.

Best Buy was disappointing – they had only one set of recliners on display. The dedicated store was better in that they had a few for us to try, and sales materials on all the other options available. Our third try was the charm – we went to a furniture store, just to see what they had. We hit the jackpot.

They had probably a dozen different styles to try, and surprisingly, a very knowledgeable salesperson. We ended up purchasing a model from Palliser. Here are some of the things we learned in our shopping experience:

Recliners are available as singles, or as rows of two or more. They can be aligned straight or curved so that they each point to the center of the screen. Since you mix and match, you can design, for example, two straight in the middle surrounded on each end by recliners curved in.
Boy do they come with features. Ours have motorized recline, motorized headrest, two memory settings, and lighted cupholders and ground effects with three colors and four brightness settings, which can be independently set. The LEDs were fun the first time, but they’re standard, so we have them. Options include bass shakers, massage, and probably more. The arms have storage and come with grommets, so we ordered swivel tables. You can also get tablet holders and wine glass holders.
As with most custom-ordered furniture, you can select the grade and color of leather, and they’ll be delivered in several weeks. Since the floor model had a grade and color we liked, we ordered from stock and got them within days.

After using them for a few weeks, I’m very glad we made the investment. Here are some things that I’d like to share from our experience:

Our buttons are on the cupholders. Other models have buttons on the side. When you’re reclined, the last thing you want to do is to have to get up to find the buttons to make adjustments. Make sure the buttons are where you can easily reach them.
The motorized headrest is critical. Without it you’ll likely have to use one or more pillows to get your head to a comfortable viewing position.
The seats are higher than the couches we used. This works out well for us – we’re still below the center point of our 65” tv on a standard-height tv stand, and it’s more immersive.
We ordered two seats in a in a curved configuration so that we’re both pointed toward the center of the screen – the way I recommend going. The seats are not attached to each other – pros and cons. Pro: very easy to move to the perfect position. Con: there’s not much weight holding them down, so you really have to put them in the upright position before getting out.
While we had white-glove service included, I watched and they’re easy to install for do-it-yourselfers. The recliners each come in two pieces, they’re easy to move around the house and down narrow stairways, and hooking up the cables to power is foolproof due to modular connections.

Like speakers, an investment in quality seating should last for several hardware upgrade cycles. I highly recommend comfortable seating as a sure-fire way to increase home theater enjoyment.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Interview with David Sanderson of ReelGood.com

James from Illinois sent us an email tipping us off to a service at Reelgood.com. Reelgood is an extensive streaming guide, with every TV show and movie available to stream online. Browse through every TV series and movie and sort by title, release year, genre, IMDB rating, and, most important -- see where to watch it. Then play with a single click or tap.

We have an interview with ReelGood.com founder David Sanderson

Podcast #836: Short Throw Projector Mar 23, 2018

Short Throw Projectors

There was a short throw projector on Woot! this week for $999. Not a bad price at all for the potential to have a 100” television in your family room or home theater. That got us thinking… Why aren’t more people using short throw projectors in their homes? Their price per square inch of screen real estate is by far the most cost effective way to get a huge screen at home, and the install and setup is a snap. So what gives? Why aren’t people using them.

Let us first apologize if some of you reading or listening are using short throw projectors at home. We aren’t saying that you are not a person. We’re simply saying that to date, we haven’t seen a short throw projector in use in any home we’ve ever been to, nor have we had anyone brag to us about how cool their short throw setup is. We’re going to take a look at some pros and cons and see if we can come up with theories on why they haven’t caught on. If you have one, or have had one in the past and decided to ditch it, we’d love to hear your take.

What is it

For those who don’t know, a short throw projector is a home theater projector that, like a standard front projection system, can give you a very large display area in your home, often maxing out at 100” to 120”. The big difference is that they bounce the image off a mirror or two and project that large screen from only a few inches or a couple feet from the screen itself, not from all the way in the back of the room. So you get a huge home cinema by placing the projector on a standard TV stand at the front of your living room, in the same place you might put a center speaker or a soundbar.

*Aside: Remember the old school big screen CRTs that would fold down or you’d pull a box out into the room to beam the image up onto the screen? It’s kinda like that. Only not.

Pros and Cons

The pros are obvious: the cost to purchase a 100” or 120” television is astronomical - unattainable for most of us regular folk. So the only way to get a home theater that size is with a projector. But projectors are difficult to install, often requiring a professional to run cables and power to the back of the room. But with a short throw, there’s not need to run anything to the back of the room. You just set them on your TV cabinet and hook them up like you would any other television. No install cost, low projector cost, instant home theater.

The cons, as you can image, are nearly identical to the cons for typical from projection systems. In both cases, most are 1080p still. While prices for 4k are dropping, the are still at a good premium and selection is limited. Also, both suffer from a lack of overall brightness, making the ability to control ambient light critical, especially for daytime viewing. If you have a bright room with a bunch of windows, most projectors, including short throw projectors, will be frustrating to use during the day.

And projectors require screens. You can’t really just beam the picture onto a wall and expect to be happy with the picture. That means a second product to buy and install, increasing the complexity of the overall system. On top of that, many short throw projectors require a special screen that has been built to match the projector. At least with typical front projection you can buy and install whatever screen you like. Not so with some short throw setups. Probably the only con that short throw projectors don’t share with standard front projectors is that people can walk through the beam and block it from getting to the screen. Unless people routinely walk on your TV cabinet, you won’t have that issue with a short throw.

Options

LG PF1000UW

The short throw projector we saw on Woot! for $999 was the LG PF1000UW Ultra Short Throw Smart LED Projector with webOS 3.0 Smart TV and Magic Remote. The specs sound pretty compelling, even for dedicated home theater use, not just portable or temporary instant home theater for backyards or parties or other events. With webOS 3.0 built in, it’s like buying a Smart TV, just with a bigger screen.

The throw distance is really short; at just 5 inches away you can get 60 inches of home theater, or go to 15 inches back to get images up to 100 inches on screen. And it has a max brightness of 1000 lumen. You get full HD 1080p picture quality. We would have loved 4k, but 1080p is good too. The LED lamp is very efficient and will last up to an estimated 30,000 hours. That means the lamp does not have to be replaced for about 10 years if the projector is used 8 hours every day. And it has 4-corner keystone technology that allows for adjustment of each of the four corners of the image for ideal projection image alignment.

LG PF1000UW: $1399 MSRP

LG also makes the HF85JA with 1500 lumens for a $1599 suggested price and the PH450U with 450 lumens for a $599 street (Amazon) price.

Optoma EH320UST

The Optoma Ultra Short Throw 3D 1080p Projector EH320UST is another option in this category. This option is impressively bright. It can hit a peak brightness of 4000 ANSI lumens. You get full HD 1080p resolution, 20,000:1 contrast ratio and it can also display true 3D content. They claim a long lamp life citing up to 6,500 hours, which is great, but not exactly the 30,000 hours you can get from LG. And this one can project a 100” image from just 21 inches away.

Optoma EH320UST: $1564 street (Amazon)

NEC NP-UM351W

Nearly as bright as the Optoma, this unit from NEC gets up to 3500 lumens bright. Both are pretty close to good daytime viewing. It has a special Ultra short throw lens (0.36:1 throw ratio) helps eliminate shadows on the screen along with projected light in the presenter’s eyes created by traditional front projection systems. It also has Horizontal & Vertical Keystone adjustment or Cornerstone Correction to ensures the image will fill the screen and won’t be distorted at the edges.

NEC NP-UM351W: $1092 street (Amazon)

ViewSonic PX800HD

The ViewSonic PX800HD has ViewSonic's Super Color True Cinema RGBRGB technology, this projector delivers calibrated color accuracy for brilliant, true-to-life images. With a 0.23 ultra-short throw lens, this projector can be placed just inches away from a wall or screen to give you a huge image up to 150”. In addition to the simplicity and convenience of ultra-short throw projection, the Port All compartment is specially designed for wireless streaming devices and PC sticks. Perfectly paired with a View Sonic BCP100 or BCP120 ambient light diffusing screen (sold separately), the PX800HD delivers a brilliant and supersized cinema experience that LED TVs can't match.

ViewSonic PX800HD: $1299

Conclusion:

For anyone that wants a 100 inch or larger screen, without having to run any cables to the back of the room, the short throw projector sure feels like the perfect fit. We’re at a loss on why they aren’t more popular. Have an opinion on them or direct knowledge of them? Fire off an email or drop a comment on the web page. Could be that the lack of enthusiasm or market penetration is due to incredibly poor marketing. Or maybe most people just don’t have a wall big enough to accomodate a 100” screen. Who knows?

Podcast #835: Interview with Adam Pizzo - Home Integrator Mar 16, 2018

Interview with Adam Pizzo. He is a home integrator specializing in Control4. Adam is based in Toronto and was kind enough to come on the show and talk about what a home integrator can do for your home.

From homes small to large, new and old, Control4 delivers power and performance on one system that coordinates the technology in your house into complete, brilliant experiences—interactions that fit your lifestyle and are easy for your family to enjoy. With one touch, dim the lights, stream high-resolution music, turn up the heat, lock the doors and arm the security system. Check in on cameras or see who’s ringing the doorbell—from wherever you are. It’s a smarter living experience that you’ll wonder how you ever lived without.

The Control4® platform is the operating system of your smart home. By connecting to and managing the many devices in your home, this robust and reliable platform enables your favorite products to work together in orchestration, personalized to the way you live.

Podcast #834: The Devices We Can’t Live Without Mar 09, 2018

The Devices We Can’t Live Without

Research firm iQor recently commissioned an online survey called the Customer and Product Experience (CPX) 360 Survey (part 2). It was conducted online and polled 1,004 U.S. adults 18 and up living in a “smart household” environment from Nov. 9 to Nov. 17, 2017. The goal was to gauge customer experience and customer service expectations of buyers of consumer technology in today’s digital age. All respondents indicated they own or regularly use: a smartphone, a computer (desktop, laptop or tablet), and two or more “smart” devices.

Their findings were interesting, but they inspired us to conduct a less formal survey to gauge customer experience with and “addiction” to consumer technology devices in today’s digital age. The survey was conducted via email and shared Google docs and polled two U.S. adults, both over the age of 18. All respondents indicated they own or regularly use: a smartphone, a computer (desktop, laptop or tablet), and two or more “smart” devices. All respondents also indicated they record a weekly podcast about home theater and consumer electronics.

The iQor study found that consumer dependency on WiFi routers has surpassed the smartphone as the #1 technology US adults cannot live without for more than one day. They state that “as the life-blood for the connected ecosystem, a functioning WiFi router is necessary for consumers to enjoy smart devices and the connected lifestyle, including smart TVs and streaming devices, multiplayer gaming, tablets, voice controlled virtual assistants and smart speakers, telehealth devices and IoT-enabled security systems. Currently, nearly two-thirds of US adults (64 percent) couldn’t be without WiFi for more than one day.” And it isn’t going to go away. The proliferation of smart devices is forecast to reach 20.4 billion globally by 2020, almost doubling from an estimated 11.1 billion in 2018.

WiFi Router

We have to say we agree with the iQor results on how critical working WiFi is in our own homes. It seems like almost everything these days needs an internet connection. Without it, lights stop working, sprinklers stop working, doors won’t unlock, you can’t watch TV or stream movies, can’t stream music or blast it in a different room. Heck, you can’t even see who’s at your front door. Things go sideways fast, and if you’ve got kids, you probably don’t even want to be home if WiFi is down.

Of course there will be those who say they don’t really need their WiFi routers. After all, like a generator or battery backup in a power outage, you can always run your critical devices through a portable access point from your cellular provider, or even use the WiFi hotspot capability on your phone. But if you do that, you’re really just using a different WiFi router. Maybe not your main one, but it is a WiFi router at that point. No, we’re talking about stepping back about 20 years and going without WiFi at all.

Braden: 1 day

Ara: 1 day

Smartphone

It’s hard to fathom how quickly the smartphone has become such an integral part of our daily lives. It is your constant companion, your source of unlimited information, and an incredibly easy way to get in touch with others, whenever you might need to. It has become as critical in our lives as indoor plumbing or refridgeration. And we didn’t even have them 20 years ago; but society would melt down if they disappeared. The beauty of a cell phone is that it can (typically) still connect to the Internet even if your home WiFi goes down.

If you plan for it, you could probably go without your cell phone for a few days. Maybe turn it off for a long weekend to just unplug and recharge. (Notice that even our euphemisms for life without a cell phone involve cell phone like jargon). You’d need to make sure everyone knew you’d be out of touch so they didn’t freak out. And you’d need to take everyone important to you with you on the quick getaway in case you need to reach them. But otherwise, it would be doable.

Braden: 3 days

Ara: 1 Hour

HDTV

Television is a key component of family time in many households, in the US and around the world. We gather the family around that glowing box to go on an adventure together, laugh together, learn, bond and just relax. Without TV, we’d be forced to talk, or go outside and throw a football around or take a walk, maybe find a new hobby or play a board game. That could be cool, but let’s be honest, not for an extended amount of time. We’ve all probably had super busy weeks in our lives. Those weeks where work, family and other life circumstances all seem to crash in at once and there’s just no time for TV. It’s doable. You just have to have something to distract you.

Braden: 1 work week

Ara: 1 hour during Primetime

DVR

This is a unique one. In years past, we’ve included the DVR on our list of things we’re the most thankful for. The DVR was, in its heyday, one of the most critical pieces of home electronics we owned. Tivo and ReplayTV changed the way we do television. The move from the VCR to the DVR for recording shows made it so much easier to record anything and everything. It gave you the freedom to watch what you wanted to watch when you wanted to - instead of having to race home from whatever you were doing to catch the next episode of your favorite show, or that highly anticipated interview or event. And fast forward through commercials.

But in today’s modern streaming era of television, the DVR really isn’t all that critical anymore. Between Hulu and Netflix, and the ability to get episodes from On Demand, iTunes, Amazon, etc. there’s just not that much you need to record anymore. It’s down to live or one time events that you probably won’t be able to find via streaming after the event. Yes there are still some more obscure shows or more obscure channels that are difficult to find via streaming, but that is getting smaller and smaller by the day. If we could just get the content producers and distributors to make these shows and events available via streaming, the DVR might become the Dodo of Home Theater.

Braden: Until the next superbowl?

Ara: Just Kill me now

Smart Lighting Control

This is a tough one to quantify. Can we live without it? Of course. Do we want to go back to the days before smart lighting control? Heck no! Do we want to have to manually turn on the outside lights every night, or come home to a dark house when we get home late, or have to mess with and constantly adjust timers throughout the year as sunset and sunrise times change. That’s a hard no on all of those.

Everyone listening (or reading) right now who hasn’t installed smart lighting control (which could be as simple as a smart plug for your landscape lights) thinks we’re crazy. You’re shaking your head muttering something about first world problems. But we’d encourage you to go out and buy that smart plug for your landscaping lights, or a smart switch for your porch light. Just try it. They aren’t too expensive and they’re really easy to install and program. Once you have it, it’s difficult to imagine going back.

Braden: Until my next vacation?

Ara: Until Sunset

Computer/Laptop/Tablet

Let’s ignore the work aspect for this discussion. If you have a job, like we do, that requires you work on a computer all day, every day, you wouldn’t be able to go a day without it. As much as they try to tell you that you can do everything on your phone or on a tablet, you really can’t. You can try, but it will take a lot longer, will be a lot less comfortable, and will typically just frustrate you to no end. Instead of focusing on the work aspect, we decided to look at it from the home aspect - doing all your day to day home activities like paying the bills, checking your finances, ordering groceries, those kinds of tasks.

For tasks that are going to involve focusing on something for longer than 5-10 minutes, where you need to accomplish something, not just watch a youtube video or read a news article, Braden prefers to work on a computer. Most of those tasks can be accomplished on a phone, it’s just so much more cumbersome. And while most can be done on the phone, some actually cannot be. It would be incredibly frustrating to try to do all of them on the phone. More than a few days of that would drive me absolutely bonkers.

Braden: 3 days

Ara: I don’t understand the question.

Other notes from the CPX 360 survey

There are still challenges. According to the survey, more than one in three US adults experience issues setting up or operating a connected device and many are losing faith in the “connected utopia” as they struggle with disjointed technical support involving multiple people at multiple companies...

“Tech-savvy early adopter consumers are frustrated, and many are abandoning efforts to link their devices together, potentially losing out on the full value of the connected ecosystem. According to the CPX 360 survey, consumers report having to take more than eight steps to resolve a technical problem or issue with a smart device. Further, consumers are spending, on average, close to 1.5 hours of their own time resolving these issues and one hour working with customer service. Nearly one in four consumers (22 percent) couldn’t resolve the issue or simply gave up, and returned the product for a refund.”

“As the smart home grows in popularity, IoT security concerns remain top of mind for consumers. The CPX 360 survey reports that more than two-thirds (70 percent) of consumers are concerned about the lack of security from hackers who might hack into smart devices in the home; these apprehensions escalate among older generations, as nearly four out of five baby boomers (79 percent) are fearful of hackers breaching a smart connected device in their home. Data and privacy fears rank second among consumer smart home concerns. More than half of US adults (58 percent) fear lack of privacy from device manufacturers who have access to data, real-time conversations, voice patterns and search history. These security concerns are a potential barrier for mass consumer connected home adoption.”

Podcast #833: Hue Lights Mar 02, 2018

Hue Lights

For many home automation is limited to lights turning on and off at prescribed times. Others would like the ability to control their lights while they are away from home. For these people full blown automation is not necessary. There are a growing number of products that will let you do this. They range from smart wall plugs to wifi connected light bulbs. One such solution are Hue lights.

Hue lights are not the cheapest solution but from our experience they seem to be the most reliable and have the most options. Hue lights do more than just turn on and off automatically. They also can set the mood by changing color. They do cost more and for that you get the most robust and complete lighting system available.

(Some) Hue Products

The Brains

The Hue Bridge is required to control your system. This is where you can name your lights and setup scenes and scheduling. You are limited to 50 lights per bridge. If you want to connect more lights you can add an additional bridge. Fifty lights seems like a lot, but once you get started you will want all your lights to be Hue lights! You can also connect 12 accessories, remotes and motion sensors. More about those later. You will need an iOS or Android app to interact with the system and you can set it up to work from home or away. The Hue Bridge will also connect to Homekit, Echo, or Google Home. In our test we controlled the system by voice via Siri and the Echo with no issues.

Installation

Some people shy away from automation because it can be a bit complicated to get the system up and running. The Hue is straight forward but does require a little bit work to get right. First you download the app on your device and then go to the settings and scan the network for your bridge. Once found you will need to press a big blue button on the bridge. After it's connected more than likely you will need to upgrade the firmware.

Now that your bridge is online you can start to add lights. Go to Light setup and add lights. Be sure that the light has power. Once found you can rename it and assign it a room. And that’s it! You will immediately be able to turn the lights on and off and if you have color bulbs you’ll be able to change colors. The lights will also need a firmware update. Our recommendation is to set it up to do those automatically during the day time. They take quite a bit of time. We did an update to activate some cool features but ended up waiting over an hour. If you are patient go ahead and do the update. Otherwise wait a day to start playing with the cool features that are in the hue lights.

Performance

Make sure you get the Gen 3 lights. The color is better than previous versions and you can get higher wattages. Our test included bulbs, LED strips, and the Hue Bloom. The Hue Bloom is a light that is designed to bounce it's light off a wall to give an indirect ambiance affect. Ours are setup behind the TV and can be synced to what is on the screen!

When we set the lights to white we got bright white light. We could soften them up or select pretty much any color we wanted with a color wheel. The app has some pretty cool scenes that we ended up going with since our experimentation was kind of lame. Ara would take about ten minutes and set something up and his entire family would say nah. After three failed attempts he chose a pre-canned scene and everyone loved it. In the end he gave in and went with it.

One of the reasons Ara dropped the VOCOLinc lights is because they would drop the wifi connection and lights would not turn on or they would stay on when they were supposed to be off. In the three weeks of using the Hue lights they have not failed once!

I you want to go just a little beyond automated lights you can add the motion sensors and have lights turn on for you when you walk into your house or get up to go to the bathroom. They respond very fast too! There is also a dimmer switch that can control multiple lights. With this $25 accessory you can easily add a switch anywhere in the house that you want.

Hue Apps

There are a bunch of apps that add functionality to your hue lights. Some developed by Philips and others developed by third parties. These typically cost a few dollars. We tested an app that listens to your music through your phones microphone and then times the lights to the beat. It mostly works but there is some lag. We also downloaded a $3 app that watches your TV through your phone or tablet’s camera and then matches lights, that you choose, to the color of what is on the screen.

Conclusion

Philips Hue lights are one of the coolest home automation products we have tested. The more you have the more the capability. The only complaint we have about them is the price. If you can afford them it is the way to go!

Podcast #832: Various Topics Feb 23, 2018

Facebook Fiona: New Competition for Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod, and Google Home If you haven’t already invested in one of the many smart home speakers on the market, this summer you’ll have even more options, as Facebook plans to unveil its own version of voice-enabled smart home speakers, called Fiona and Aloha. Unlike most of the smart home speakers available today, like Amazon Echo, Google Home, and Apple HomePod, Fiona and Aloha will each feature a built-in 15-inch touchscreen. As an extra perk, Aloha will also boast facial recognition technology, which will allow users to access Facebook (and likely launch other tasks) when the smart speaker’s camera lens recognizes them. ClearStream View Wall-Frame HDTV Antenna Review: Nearly Picture Perfect By building the antenna into a large picture frame, Antenna Direct's ClearStream View is a unique solution to the visually challenging problem of how to hide an indoor antenna. ... the $70 ClearStream View is a large, black picture frame with cutouts for family photos. Concealed in its back is a flat HDTV antenna. The ClearStream View emphasizes design. The plastic 14.25 x 18.75 frame can fit in with any kind of decor (it can even be painted), and it hangs on a single hook or nail. The white collage mat, into which you insert personal photos or artistic endeavors, can accommodate nine pictures ranging from 3.5 x 3.5 inches to 3.5 x 5 inches. You could also simply put one large, say, Monet print in the frame. A Brief History of Aspect Ratios, a.k.a Screen Proportions This month, my Scientific American column tackles the new era of vertical video—videos shot and viewed as tall, thin rectangles, suitable for smartphone screens without having to turn them. It’s kind of a mess: Vertical videos look ridiculous on TV sets and computer screens, but traditional horizontal videos play tiny and goofily on smartphones held upright. This isn’t the first time aspect ratios (screen proportions) have changed—or have given society headaches. Here’s a quick history lesson. (An aspect ratio is expressed as either a horizontal-by-vertical proportion, like 4:3, or as its resulting ratio, like 1.33. The smaller the ratio, the more square the picture; the larger the ratio, the wider the image.)

Podcast #831: Apple HomePod Feb 16, 2018

Apple HomePod

You are probably well aware that Apple released it's smart speaker, the HomePod ($349) last week. As you would imagine you can’t click a link without somehow landing on a page that has a review. Well we’re adding our two cents to the discussion. But we’ll try to be succinct.

In a nutshell, if you are not in the Apple ecosystem you can stop reading (listening) right here. There is nothing so compelling that you should shell out your $350 and buy one. If you are in the Apple ecosystem, there are some benefits over the competition, but is it worth the premium?

First and foremost the HomePod is about Apple Music and there it shines. It's pretty compelling to tell siri to play any song ever recorded and have it start playing. Of course you can do the with your phone and Airplay. So maybe not as compelling as I thought.

Setup

Plug it in, click a button on your iPhone, and your are done! That’s it! If you have a HomeKit home, that information transfers over, as does your iCloud, and music settings. For Apple users this is a no brainer. All in all it look less than 5 minutes to get up and running. The HomePod uses it's microphones and and drivers to optimize the sound regardless of where it is placed in your home. This is done without any user intervention.

Sound

Before we discuss the things you can do with the HomePod, let’s discuss the sound. After all, that’s why Apple is charging a premium for the device. Apple claims the A8 chip can analyse the music in real time and adjust the woofer and seven tweeters to give you “amazing” sound. After spending a week with the HomePod we can say that the claims of amazing sound are pretty accurate. You won’t find another smart speaker with this kind of bass or channel separation. The HomePod reproduces your music more accurately than its competitors giving you a richer and fuller sound. But it's all about the bass, and here we found it deep and satisfying.

But… before we move on, let’s discuss high quality audio for a few minutes. One of our favorite high quality speakers is the AudioEngine A5+ . The A5+ is a bookshelf speaker that runs $400. If you connect an Airport Express ($70 refurbished) to the A5+ you can turn an iPhone or iPad into a HomePod that is mobile. And it will sound better. Yes it will be more difficult to place the speakers, and yes it will cost about $150 more. But if you are interested in high quality audio, and you are all in for Apple products, this is a better system.

Digital Assistant

Even though Apple is touting the audio capabilities of the HomePod it does have some Echo like capabilities. To activate the HomePod you say “Hey Siri” then speak your command. You can get news, weather, sports reports. You can ask it simple math questions, set timers, check calendars, send/read texts, and of course control your HomeKit enabled home. See detailed list below.

To do all of that the HomePod has six microphones that pick up your requests. We tested it when there was loud music playing or from across the room and it worked quite well. We did have one occasion where there were a lot of people in the house and everyone was talking over each other trying to pitt the Echo against the HomePod. Both devices got confused and the HomePod even said it was too noisy in the room for it to do anything. Under normal circumstances the HomePod heard and responded to every request we made.

Future Enhancements

Something that was pitched but didn’t make the first cut was the ability to use two Homepods together to form a stereo pair. At first you might think that this is a bummer but really who can afford two of these things just to form a stereo pair. After a week with the singular device I don’t think it's that important. The single HomePod does a great job at creating a wide soundstage. I am sure it will be better with two but not $350 better. You would be better served placing the second HomePod in another room. Which leads us to the other future enhancement.

AirPlay 2 is the next generation of AirPlay. Currently you can only AirPlay from your mobile device to one remote set of speakers. Note - if you AirPlay from a computer you can transmit to multiple speakers albeit the same sone to each remote speaker. With AirPlay 2 you will be able to send your music to multiple HomePods and beyond that you can send one song to one HomePod and another song to a second HomePod. AirPlay 2 is not restricted to HomePods. There will be speakers from other manufacturers that support this functionality.

Is the HomePod Worth It?

It's an easy question for the non-Apple people. No it's not worth it. If you are an Apple person the answer is, it depends. The HomePod is expensive and yes the sound is very good. Not good enough that it's worth the premium in price alone. However, if your home is setup with HomeKit and you have an Apple Music account, then I do feel that the HomePod is something you should consider.

Things you can do with the HomePod:

General knowledge

“Hey Siri, who was the 13th president of the United States?”
“Hey Siri, what’s the tallest mountain in Germany?”
“Hey Siri, what does happenstance mean?”

Traffic and what’s nearby

“Hey Siri, where’s the nearest coffee shop?”
“Hey Siri, how long will it take me to drive to Milwaukee?”
“Hey Siri, what time does The Meatball Shop close?”

Alarms, timers, and world clocks

“Hey Siri, set a 3-minute timer.”
“Hey Siri, wake me up at 5 a.m.” (and “Hey Siri, snooze” when it goes off!)
“Hey Siri, what time is it in Stockholm?”

Weather

“Hey Siri, when is sunrise in Paris?”
“Hey Siri, what will the weather be like in Yosemite this weekend?”
“Hey Siri, will it snow in Denver today?”

Sports

“Hey Siri, what was the score the last time the Cubs played the Brewers?”
“Hey Siri, who has scored the most goals in Spanish soccer?”
“Hey Siri, when do the Suns play next?”

Unit conversions and math

“Hey Siri, what’s 38 percent of 299?”
“Hey Siri, how many cups are in a quart?”
“Hey Siri, what’s 50 dollars in euros?”

Stocks

“Hey Siri, what’s the market capitalization of Apple?”
“Hey Siri, how is the stock market doing today?”
“Hey Siri, where’s the NASDAQ today?”

Translation - Siri can translate into French, German, Italian, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish.

“Hey Siri, translate “this is delicious” into Chinese.”
“Hey Siri, how do you say “I love you” in French?”

Podcast #830: Various Topics Feb 09, 2018

Disney's ESPN streaming service to cost $4.99, launch in spring And the company's Netflix competitor, a streaming service for movies from Disney properties like Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars, will arrive in late 2019. Braden: I'm mostly interested in the Netflix competitor and discussing how a Disney/Pixar/Marvel/Star Wars studio based streaming service could shake things up. Best Subwoofers of 2017 Most modern movie soundtracks and music recordings have at least one thing in common: abundant bass. Explosions, rockets blasting off, deep synthesizer notes, and many other elements consist of copious low frequencies that most speakers simply cannot reproduce. To experience the full effect of these subterranean sounds, you need a subwoofer. To help you select a good one, we present a list of the best subwoofers we’ve reviewed during 2017. Control4’s New $350 Home Automation Hub: Affordable, Powerful IoT, No A/V Introduced at ISE 2018, the CA-1 home automation controller from Control4 'retails' for $350 and does everything a full-blown EA system can do except A/V -- ideal for home builders and consumers who want IoT controls, but not audio/video. With the CA-1, Control4 introduces their most affordable smart-home controller yet with Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and optional Z-Wave support. Braden: $350 for a dedicated controller isn't expensive at all. Add the detail that Control4 is every bit as sophisticated as any home automation system on the market and DIY home automation just got really interesting.

Podcast #829: Five Reasons to Automate Your Home Feb 02, 2018

Five Reasons to Automate Your Home

The HT Guys have been singing the praises of home automation for about ten years now. It starts slow with one device and then quickly becomes an obsession. But it's the one thing that we have added to our homes that gets no pushback from family members. So if you are thinking about going down the home automation rabbit hole and are looking for a way to justify it, we have you covered. This is our list of five reasons to automate your home!

Convenience - Automation reduces the number of steps required to setup your home for the perfect evening. With a touch of a button or tap on your phone lights are dimmed, blinds are closed, and temperature is set to make watching a movie a perfect experience. And because your home is Smart, it will adjust for sunrise and sunset times year round. Did you leave your home with the heater on? Maybe the garage door was left open. Automation allows you to deal with this issues from the office. No need to rush home. This also leads to piece of mind. Speaking of which…
Peace of Mind - You never have to worry about an appliance left on or weather the front door is locked are even if the garage door was left open. The other day I (Ara) noticed that my neighbor’s garage door was left open. Fortunately I was home. I called him and asked if he wanted me to close it for him. He was very appreciative of that. Needless to say it would have been inconvenient for him to drive home and close it. Since we can’t be everywhere, having a means to remotely secure your home does offer you some peace of mind!
Security - This goes hand in hand with Peace of mind but we are separating it out to focus on those who want to steal from you. We know that in most cases thieves want easy targets and if your home looks like no one is home it's an easy target. To avoid this we can use automation to turn on lights. Sure you can turn them on with manual timers but if someone is casing the place they see a pattern. Automation can add some variability to the lighting sequence. You can also install cameras with sensors in your doorbell or place a camera in a window. If a crook sees a home that is highly automated he will probably just move on.
Savings - Have you ever left for vacation and forgot to set your thermostat to vacation mode? Depending on the season, heating or cooling your home for no one is a waste of money. Without automation you would have to call a friend and hope that he or she has a way to get into your house and adjust your thermostat. Or just forgo the cost savings, which depending on where you live could be significant. With home automation you can just pull out your smartphone and adjust the thermostat from anywhere.
No More Keys - With a smart lock you can enter you home without fumbling for keys. You can even create codes for specific individuals that have limited time access. On a recent trip we had a package that arrived after we left. We didn’t want it sitting there for a week so I created a special one time use code for a neighbor and I asked her to take the package and put it inside the front door. I was alerted when she walked up to my door by my SkyBell doorbell. Then I received another alert when the door was unlocked. The door lock log stored the time and access number that was used to open the door for historical reference. Then when she walked into the home I received a notification from the motion sensor. And finally the whole thing was captured on camera. Without the automated door lock I would have had to ask her to keep the package at my neighbor’s house and then get it the day after we got home which was Christmas. So no more keys hits on all the other points, Convenience, Peace of Mind, Security, and even Savings!

Podcast #828: Samsung’s MicroLED Bet Jan 26, 2018

Samsung’s MicroLED Bet

We first stumbled across Samsung’s new MicroLED technology when we were reading up on CES, and specifically the giant 146” TV the South Korean electronics giant had on display this year. A TV so big, they actually just call it “the wall.” The technology intrigued us, and we thought it may have intrigued a few of you as well, so we took it on ourselves to dive a bit deeper into what it is and why we, as lovers of great televisions, should care.

If you’ve been with the show for a long time, and we’re talking about a really, really long time, you might remember how we used to get quite geeky in some episodes. The episode numbers were probably in the double digits, but there were so many TV technologies available back in those days that we dove deep into each one to explain, all the way down to the electron and photon level, how they worked. The episode on plasma emissive display technology was especially compelling.

Today’s show won’t go that deep, but if Samsung is really betting on MicroLED, and choosing it over OLED altogether, it probably makes sense to dive in to some of the particulars and see how the two technologies differ, how they are similar, and the relative pros and cons of each. One of them may very well become the next dominant display technology. But just because one may be technologically superior to the other doesn’t ensure it will win out in the end. Rest in peace, plasma. Rest in peace.

Samsung in the Market

According to a ZDNet article entitled Samsung's Micro LED bet will define its future in TVs, while Samsung continues to hold the number one spot in worldwide televisions sales, and has for quite some time, that number one position is anything but secure. Samsung needs to be worried about the future of its display division and has no margin to rest on its laurels while the rest of the industry pushes forward with OLED. Samsung needs to join the OLED revolution, or find their own alternative answer. They’ve chosen to go with MicroLED as that alternative.

The article states: “Unlike its other businesses, Samsung's position as number one in TVs has never been cemented, that is accepted by its rivals, the media, and public, and this frustrates the VD {visual display} business no end. In memory chips, the company has been number one for over 20 years with a market share hovering around 50 percent. In smartphones, it's the biggest seller of Android phones, despite China eating away at its market share. And although having been number one in TVs for 13 years, a market share of around mid-20 percent translates as Samsung having to square up to more challengers than it does in chips and phones.”

Samsung has tried, and continues to try, OLED alternatives for its top-of-the-line television sets. They released their quantum dot (QD) LCD TVs in 2015 and later renamed them to QLED sets in 2017. But whatever name you use, Quantum Dot or QLED, neither surpassed OLED in color, contrast or clarity. Although QLED is a great improvement on traditional LCD or LED based sets, it simply isn’t a big enough improvement to take on OLED. MicroLED is a much better OLED rival, but unfortunately it is far more difficult to produce and commercialize than the current QLED sets. QLED is an upgrade to existing technology and manufacturing. Like OLED,. MicroLED is a brand new way of doing things.

How it Works

MicroLED and OLED share a number of common traits, some of which are common to Plasma technology as well. The primary similarity, which is also a primary differentiator between both of them and the existing LCD/LED televisions on the market, is that they are both emissive, or self-emitting, technologies. That means each pixel is its own light source, unlike current LCD sets that require a dedicated backlight. A typical LCD TV uses a CCFL tube as the backlight, while the newer “LED” televisions use LEDs in place of the bulb as the light source. For those who own or owned a plasma, you know there are huge advantages for emissive displays, namely improved contrast ratios and deep, deep blacks.

There are, of course, differences as well. While OLED uses organic material to create the diodes (thus the letter O in the name) MicroLEDs are really just the same, traditional LEDs that have been around forever, just shrunken down to microscopic sizes and placed into an array. A MicroLED is so small in fact, that each one measures less than 100 µm - less than the width of a human hair. While the underlying LED technology isn’t new, the manufacturing process is very new, and creating a full panel array using such tiny LEDs is not an easy thing to do. Scaling the technology up to TV sizes from smaller form factors like smartphones and smartwatches, has proven to be quite difficult.

How They Compare

In the battle of MicroLED vs OLED, as we’ve already discussed, both emit light on their own without the need for a backlight. And it turns out they both have very similar performance capabilities. They both have a contrast ratio of essentially 10,000 to 1. Since both have the ability to completely darken a pixel, they are equal when it comes to perfect, inky blacks. On the resolution side, you can fit more MicroLED pixels per square inch, which should give it an advantage in resolution as we scale up beyond 4K. Both are quite a bit more efficient, thus consume less power, than LCD sets. While both are better than LCD, MicroLED does outperform OLED in power consumption or brightness to power efficiency. So the TV can consume far less power than OLED, or the manufacturer could dramatically improve brightness for daytime viewing without consuming any more power than an OLED TV.

However similar they may be, MicroLED does maintain a few additional advantages over OLED beyond just power efficiency. The first is the lifespan of the television. OLED uses organic material that degrades over time so the pixels die out faster. But MicroLED does not, it uses the standard inorganic material of its larger LED cousins that doesn’t degrade as quickly, and the sets should last longer as a result. Like plasma before it, OLED has been dogged by burn-in issues. MicroLEDs should be far less susceptible, if even susceptible at all. And MicroLED will also make it easier for Samsung to make a plethora of screen sizes - you’re just talking about more or less of the tiny LEDs. The manufacturing needs to be figured out, but the potential is there. Each OLED television, on the other hand, is made from a set substrate size. To make a different size television, you need a different substrate entirely.

The Future

We survived for a long time with LCD, DLP and LCOS rear projection televisions as our primary options for high definition TVs. As they faded, we continued to survive with LCD and Plasma both occupying unique niches in the market. Eventually plasma fell and we only had one true option available for a while. It is entirely possible that OLED and MicroLED will exist side by side in the market for quite some time. Like flat panel LCD before it, one may emerge as the winner, or like rear projection LCD, DLP and LCOS, both may go the way of the dodo in favor of yet another, newer, better technology that we haven’t even seen yet.

Podcast #827: Speaker Cables - What does High Quality Cost? Jan 19, 2018

Speaker Cables - What does High Quality Cost?

I was going through some of my typical AV websites the other day and came upon an article at Electronic House about speaker wires and was very interested to see what a site for installers had to say about the subject. We have been saying for years now that you should buy high quality cables to get the most out of your system. However, we have also been saying that high quality cables don’t have to cost a lot of money. We will examine the article, credited to EH Contributor, and give you our take.

First assertion:

Copper and silver are the two most common conductors used in speaker cables. Make sure the cable manufacturer is using high-purity conductors. A quality speaker cable manufacturer should be able to tell you what purity level the conductors are that they’re using to build the cable.

This makes sense and from physics we know that copper is good, silver is better, and gold is really good! But if you want the BEST, you are talking platinum. For that, may we recommend the Wireworld Platinum Eclipse 7 Speaker Cable New 7 Series? As one reviewer put it all that matters is sound. Two five meter cables will cost you a cool $40K!

I recently decided to upgrade my audio system and decided that I needed a firm budget to keep costs under control and to avoid the temptation of overspending on products that are ridiculously overpriced. These cables fit the bill nicely. As I was about to put these in my cart, I had an existential crisis and thought that perhaps the $40k would be better spent on feeding, clothing, and housing an entire town of people in Africa. This only lasted a second however and I decided on the cables because really, the sound is all that matters in the end, am I right? Bravo Wireworld, bravo.

All kidding aside, you are looking for cables made out of copper. You will find some really cheap cable made out of copper clad aluminum CCA. Those will work just fine and the vast majority of people won’t notice the difference between CCA and solid copper. Since solid copper wire is not expensive at all, we recommend going with solid copper wire.

Second assertion:

Quality cable manufacturers will typically braid conductors together to ensure the conductors aren’t running parallel next to one another. By running parallel, they could be acting like an antenna, thus making them more susceptible to picking up radio-frequency interference (RFI) from cellphones, Wi-Fi or traditional radio signals.

This is true! But only if you can hear frequencies well above what the typical human can hear. In reality at 20KHz there is less than .01 db difference. However, if you don’t believe instrumented test results. Go ahead and buy braided cables. Just don’t spend a lot of money. Here is an option that will set you back about $25 for a pair of 10 foot cables - Monoprice Affinity Premium 14AWG Braided Speaker Wire with Gold Plated Banana Plug Connectors. If monoprice scares you, SVS has some high quality braided cables that will set you back $100 for a pair (SoundPath Ultra Speaker Cable).

Third assertion:

A well engineered cable can be hampered by a poor quality connector. Make sure the speaker cable you’re interested in has a well engineered design and is made of conductive materials such as copper and silver.

It is OUR assertion that the statement is true. A poor quality connector will hamper the cable. It's also OUR assertion that a high quality connector will make the install clean and easy to connect. We choose to use banana plugs for convenience and aesthetic. However, there is no sound quality difference between bare wire and banana plugs.

Fourth assertion:

Teflon is considered by most to be the best insulation for wire conductors. It is believed to have the least impact on the conductors. However, there are other insulation materials out there that work well, so do your homework before choosing a cable purely because it has Teflon insulation.

Let’s assume that the “It is believed to have the least impact on the conductors” portion of the statement is true. That doesn’t mean that PVC insulation is bad. In fact, the difference is negligible at best based on instrumented test results. This was a throw away assertion. The author then states “However, there are other insulation materials out there that work well, so do your homework before choosing a cable purely because it has Teflon insulation”. So why bother even making the assertion?

At the end of the article the author makes three recommendations for speaker wire:

AudioQuest Type 4 – $209.00 per 6’ pair www.AudioQuest.com
Kimber Kable 8TC – $401.00 per 6’ pair www.Kimber.com
Cardas Audio Iridium – $260.00 per 2m pair www.Cardas.com

Which we think are ridiculous!

Nothing in this article changes our recommendation. Buy high quality wire but don’t over pay. With that said here are some recommendations we have.

If you must have braided wire, and we don’t think you need them, buy the monoprice wire we discussed earlier. For all other wire, these are our recommendations:

Mediabridge 14AWG 2-Conductor Speaker Wire (100 Feet, White) - 99.9% Oxygen Free Copper - ETL Listed & CL2 Rated for In-Wall Use $29.99 for 100 feet of 14 gauge wire.
C&E 100 Feet 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable (For In-Wall Installation) $26.95 for 100 feet of 14 gauge wire.
Monoprice 102821 250-Feet 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable $64.58 for 250 feet of 14 gauge wire.

We also recommend buying some banana plugs to make installs easier and cleaner:

Sewell Direct SW-29863-12 Deadbolt Banana Plugs, 12-Pair $23.95

Podcast #826: CES 2018 Jan 12, 2018

CES 2018

Samsung

Samsung’s absurd 146-inch TV is an entire wall — hence its name, 'The Wall'

This hulking, 146-inch TV isn't just huge — it's also sporting a fancy display technology known as "micro LED," which Samsung says is at the heart of "the screen of the future." "Modular, MicroLED" sounds like a bunch of nonsense jargon, right? It's pretty much exactly that. Here's a simple breakdown of these new buzzwords: MicroLED, in the case of this TV, means, according to Samsung: "It is a self-emitting TV with micrometer-scale LEDs — which are much smaller than current LEDs, and serve as their own source of light." What that means for the average human being is that the TV doesn't need a backlight. In terms of the TV being "modular," that means anyone buying "The Wall" can customize it. "The screen can adapt to serve different purposes," says Samsung, "such as creating a wall-size display for multiple spaces." Put more simply, "modular" means that you could customize this set to be even larger (or smaller) than 146 inches. For Samsung's purposes though, the version being released this year is the 146-inch variety. (MicroLED explained)

LG Will Show Compact UHD Laser Projector At CES

LG is bringing to CES next week a home cinema laser 4K Ultra HD projector in a compact form factor.

The LG ProBeam HU80KA can project 4K UHD video content from eye level on up to a 150-inch screen image at 2,500 lumens brightness. It can also play HDR 10 content.

The projector’s mirror reflector allows users to direct the projected video straight ahead or on the ceiling, eliminating the need to lift or adjust the projector, making it useful in a variety of settings, including outdoors, the company said.

It is equipped with LG’s WebOS smart TV platform, which gives users access to popular online streaming apps with 4K content. The projector, which supports HDMI 2.0, USB 3.0 and HDCP 2.2, has optical ports and Bluetooth to enable digital and wireless connections to external sound systems, as well as connectivity with iOS, Android, Windows, Mac and other smart devices. It also features a built-in carry handle.

The HU80KA also has a 1.2x optical zoom so that users can adjust the size of their screen without moving it.

No pricing announced.

LG Display's crazy 65-inch OLED TV can roll up like a poster

Although some concept big-screen TVs shown at past CES shows have been bendy, this is the first one that's flexible enough to spin up into tube form. LG's images depict it descending into a little box the size of a sound bar, but the company also talks about making the display portable. The secret, as usual, is its paper-thin organic light emitting diode display (OLED).

Video Link - https://www.cnet.com/videos/lg-oled-tv-rolls-up-like-a-piece-of-paper/

Sony

Sony's new soundbars can virtualize Dolby Atmos sound

Sony always makes home audio products a part of its CES presentations, and 2018 is no difference. Perhaps most notable are the HT-Z9F and HT-X9000F, two soundbars that include Dolby Atmos surround sound. Of course, true Atmos requires overhead speakers, and these are just 2.1(HT-X9000F) and 3.1 (HT-Z9F) soundbars. As such, this requires some virtualization, which happens courtesy Sony's "virtual surround engine," which the company claims can replicate the wide soundstage Atmos provides. And regardless of whether you're watching content mixed for Atmos or not, the more expensive HT-Z9F include a "Vertical S" button that Sony says will provide virtual 3D sound. The HT-Z9F will retail for $900 and the HT-X9000F will cost $600 when they arrive this spring.

The new A8F series TVs are the Japanese tech giant’s latest foray into the field of OLED displays and sport an X1 Extreme processor. On the LCD side, there’s Sony’s X900F series, which also includes the X1 Extreme. Looking toward the future, Hirai said that Sony is working on an X1 Ultimate processor that will provide twice the processing power of the Extreme.

Sony’s LSPX-A1 projector looks like a piece of modern furniture, and it can sit just 9.6 inches from the wall. Despite that close distance, the 2,500-lumen laser projector is capable of beaming a screen that measures up to 120 inches diagonally. The same enclosure houses a Glass Sound Speaker with 360° sound, ensuring the best possible home theater experience without the need for any additional equipment. It’s aimed at the highest segment of the high-end market, and will carry a price tag of $30,000 when it launches.

Panasonic

Panasonic introduced the FZ950 and FZ800 series line of OLED UHDTVs which use Panasonic's HCX video processor with support HDR10+. Panasonic has shown OLED TVs at previous CES but haven't released then in the US. They also introduced Ultra HD Blu-ray players, which will also have the HCX video processor, as well as support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

If you are into vinyl, Panasonic's high-end audio line, Technics, has two more models -- the SP-10R and SL-1000R. Panasonic has called the SP-10R “the most premium turntable ever”. No pricing info but the Technics turntables available today goes for around $1600.

Other

This $319 thermostat has Cortana built-in

We’ll no doubt see a much more focused push on that front next week at CES, but in the meantime, here’s a thermostat to hold you over. The company is getting a jump on the show by opening up pre-orders on GLAS, a thermostat designed by Johnson Controls, a 130-year-old HVAC company out of Ireland.

The smart home device is one of only a handful of non-Windows 10 PC products to feature Cortana, a list that most notably also includes Harman Kardon’s Invoke smart speaker. The assistant can be used for all of your standard home temperature related needs with controls like, say, “Hey Cortana, set the temperature to 68 degrees.” Like the Alexa-sporting Ecobee4, which was announced back in May, the thermostat also essentially doubles as a smart speaker-style product.

Bang and Olufsen BEOSOUND SHAPE

BeoSound Shape is a modular wall-mounted wireless speaker system that consists of two-tone “tiles” that come in a wide range of colors. Each tile’s hexagonal shape is designed to fit perfectly next to other BeoSound Shape tiles, allowing people to create works of art on any wall in a room. Tiles consist of speakers, amplifiers, sound-absorbing acoustic dampeners, and a “Core” that handles connectivity. The system supports AirPlay, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth 4.1, and wired audio inputs.

Aura home monitoring made simple. Just plug the Aura Beacons right into the wall for a quick and easy setup. Aura monitors the Wi-Fi radio waves to create an RF signature of your home. When the signature is are altered, Aura knows that motion is occurring and it can set off alarms or trigger smart home events as a result. Aura can filter out pet movement to eliminate false alarms.

See where motion occurs
See live motion, a 12-hour and weekly view
Know who comes and goes
Choose between 5 scenes (Home, Away, Night, Pet, Guardian)
Receive tailored notifications

Your activity is even synchronized with timestamps so you’ll know exactly what is happening in your home. Aura offers a starter kit for $199 that covers 700 sq ft and is available now.

JBL LINK View

JBL LINK View, a voice-controlled, smart display speaker with the Google Assistant built in. The JBL LINK View takes the listening experience a step further by incorporating an 8” high-definition display with a touch screen and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The LINK View provides excellent sound quality, and is ideal for anyone that consumes a large amount of content daily. Users can view pictures, stream audio and video, ask questions, scan recipes, and video call with family and friends, all with their voice. The JBL View will be available on JBL.com and at select retailers starting Summer 2018 in USA only, other regions will follow at a later date.

Mars wireless earbuds can translate conversations in real-time

The Google Pixel Buds made headlines last year thanks to their ability to seemingly translate speech on the fly. The headphones used Google Assistant and a Google Pixel 2 phone to translate foreign languages straight into your ears. The Mars earphones on show at CES 2018 promise to take it a step further, working with any Android or iOS phone, and enabling person-to-person real-time translation. Thanks to the two separate wireless earbuds, one user can wear one earbud, one person the other, and using an app on a smartphone you can translate a previously disjointed conversation. There's no official price as yet, but the Mars earbuds are scheduled for release in the summer.

With the first release of initial 5G standards in December 2017, flagship 5G smartphones will be on store shelves in early 2019, predicted Qualcomm president Cristiano Amon. And the rollout of 5G phones will occur “very fast” because of 5G’s 30x improvement in latency, which lets phone makers keep the price of phones down by offloading phone memory to the Cloud.

5G can “transform industries,” added Verizon EVP Hans Vestberg. Nonetheless, 5G’s capabilities will also benefit cellphone users and enable new smartphone use cases, said Qualcomm’s Amon. Over a phone, social networks will deliver “social presence” with real-time interaction among users, and banks will be able to transform their consumer apps to let consumers execute more types of banking transactions over the phone instead of going to a bank branch, Amon added.

For its initial 5G rollout, Verizon will turn on commercial wireless-broadband service to homes in three to five markets late this year, Vestberg said.

Benefits:

High bandwidth: This will let 5G replace broadband cable service, enabling streaming of even 4K VR/AR and 8K videos.
Low latency: Enables autonomous cars to constantly coordinate with traffic systems and other vehicles.
Security: Features to ensure security have been baked into 5G from the start to guarantee that vehicles cannot be taken over and weaponized.
Larger networks: With plenty of spare capacity, larger networks will host millions of internet of things (IoT) devices, including low-bandwidth appliances that will intermittently connect to the internet.
Greater scale: The massive scale of 5G will enable big public and privately owned spaces, including entire cities, hospitals, and manufacturing plants, to come online for remote access. This includes everything from cameras to computer systems. (5G was initially designed so that connected, automated businesses could be managed remotely.)

Podcast #825: Predictions for 2018 Jan 05, 2018

Predictions for 2018

Voice User Interface will begin to flourish in Home Theater

IPTV begins to erode traditional cable/satellite product

The forthcoming Disney Movie Service gives Netflix a run for the money

Netflix will change the movie distribution model

Netflix currently operates on both sides of movie distribution. Netflix Productions already works with theaters to distribute traditional motion pictures, they secured distribution rights to Kumail Nanjiani’s The Big Sick for example. Netflix is also one of the largest producers of motion pictures, in fact Netflix will release more movies in 2018 than most major film studios combined. Most of them will go straight to streaming. But will they all? Netflix will get some of those movies into theaters and make them available for streaming at the same time.

(Longshot Prediction) DirecTV will lose it's stranglehold on the TV rights for streaming the NFL

4G Optimized Streaming for the Home

Podcast #824: Prediction Review for 2017 Dec 28, 2017

Prediction Review for 2017

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by! With that it's time to see how we did with our 2017 predictions.

This year's scorecard:

Ara: 3/5 A very respectable 60%

Braden: An awe inspiring 2/5. (.5 + .5 + 1) = Nailed it!

Ara:

DirecTV Now will announce more than 250K Subscribers by year’s end

We have no official number on how many subscribers there are to the satcaster’s IPTV product and there are some missing pieces to the offering. I am betting that DirecTV will add a cloud based DVR and sign deals with local channels to really make this a service that you would make cutting the cord worthwhile.

Well I am off to a great start! There were one million subscribers as of December 5th! And that with a service that doesn’t have DVR.

Networks will allow streaming of their live feeds without the need for a TV subscription

This is the year the networks realize it's about eyeballs! It doesn’t matter whether your viewers receive the signal over the air, through satellite/cable or via the Internet. It's about how many people watch your content. And add to the fact that streaming over IP means you can’t skip commercials and it becomes a no brainer! I can’t believe it hasn’t already happened.

So far the only network that I know of that does this is The CW. I guess the networks don’t want to upset the cable and satellite companies. At some point with all the cord cutting that is going on this won’t be an issue. I may have been a couple of years early on this.

Apple will introduce a competitor to the Echo and Google Home

It wouldn’t be a prediction list from Ara without at least one mention of Apple on it. Apple already has all the pieces required for this type of product. Siri for voice, Homekit for automation, and the AppleTV for content. The only thing missing is the actual device. Look for that some time in 2017!

Chalk up another prediction come true. Although it's not shipping, the Apple Airpod was introduced earlier this year and will be shipping soon! Look for a review when it arrives.

Netflix will stream live sports

Granted this is a long shot, but Netflix is looking for content and what better than live sports. This year twitter streamed live NFL games so why not Netflix? Then why not stream live network content and voila! Yet another IP based TV service.

If I had only said Amazon Prime! At least I am batting 500.

Virtual Reality will arrive thanks to live events

This will be the year that you will be able to experience live events like a concert of sporting event from the comfort of your home. And you will have the best seat in the house!! Virtual reality has come a long way but who wants to watch a movie when the experience is marginally better. But watching a live concert or say the World Series from the best seat in the house. Well that’s pretty cool. You would have a full 360 view of the show and venue. And if done right, they could use Dolby Atmos to give you 360 degree sound experience as well!

I was worried about this one but there is a company called NextVR that uses headsets like Oculus, Playstation, Microsoft, and Google to put you right in the middle of the action of NFL, NBA, Concerts and more! If they get the NHL I may get one myself!

Braden:

Day and Date Movie Streaming

It’s going to happen this year. Either Sean Parker’s ‘The Screening Room’ will finally go live, or someone else will figure out a way to work with theater owners to make this a reality. Could be someone we’ve talked about like Fandango, or possibly even a big theater chain. It happens this year. I hope.

I’d like to claim partial credit on this one. Just because Bright was a flop doesn’t mean we didn’t get a true, first-run blockbuster movie in streaming form on the day it was released. Will Smith has dropped some terrible movies (Wild Wild West, After Earth, need I go on...) so Bright is a legit, first-run “blockbuster.” Hopefully we get more in 2018. And hopefully they’re actually worth watching.

80” Televisions for under $2000

Going to carry-forward yet again. I think I was just two years too early. Both OLED and 4K will push prices down for 1080p TVs. Wanting to capitalize on the desire for a larger screen, Manufacturers will push prices down for the big 1080p sets to get them flying off the shelves. So the price for a starter series 80” TV will drop to under $2000 at some point this year. Maybe Black Friday, maybe for another event, but it’ll drop.

Not sure if it’s legit, but a site called Joe’s AV has an 85” Samsung on sale right now for $1795 (Samsung 85inch Series 7 LED 4K Ultra HD - UN85JU7100FXZA). Phew. At least I didn’t get blanked this year. It’s the 2015 model, but that was the plan, the new stuff pushes down the price for the old stuff!

Amazon or Netflix content on Traditional TV

Either Amazon or Netflix will create and produce an original series, be it drama or sitcom, that will air on a traditional broadcast network using traditional weekly distribution. They already have a ton of customers, so they don’t really need the extra advertising, but many of those customers still aren’t tuning to Amazon or Netflix for original content. This will help them make that offering more tangible.

Nope. Swung on and missed.

Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0) equipment available

They’ve already proven ATSC 3.0 by broadcasting it live in 4K using the ATSC 3.0 standard. LG made the antenna and receiver used in that test. Since the FCC won’t give broadcasters a second channel to use for the new format during the transition like it did with 1.0, it’s going to be a hard cutover, so some means of introducing the new technology will be necessary. Everyone will need to have the new tuner before the switch flips, and that could take a couple years to fully roll out.

Partial. On January 6, 2017, LG Electronics announced that their 2017 4K TVs sold in South Korea would include ATSC 3.0 tuners. But in the US, the FCC just finally officially approved 3.0 on Nov 16, so there just wasn’t enough time between then and now to get the gear to market. Everyone must have been waiting for that final approval, otherwise this prediction was a lock. There are some pro level tuners available, but nothing consumer.

Surround Sound from a Single Speaker

Sure, we already have sound bars, but this is different. This is one speaker, mounted in your ceiling, that can aim sound in any direction, or all directions. There already relying on, and working to perfect, shifted and reflected sound in technologies like Atmos. Why not use a single source mounted where your ceiling light or ceiling fan used to be, heck maybe even build lights into it, and there you go. Could set the stage for 360 projection down the road.

I knew this one was way out there, a sci-fi enabled prediction. Didn’t happen this year. Oh well. There’s always 2027.

Podcast #823: Happy Holidays Dec 21, 2017

Netflix: 'Creepy' tweet raises questions about how much the Company knows about Customers

This Netflix 'Year in Review' stat is honestly un-bee-lievable

Netflix, Will Smith bring the blockbuster home with 'Bright'

Google: Year in Search 2017 (Global)

Caavo, the universal remote control that uses machine vision, will ship on February 14th

Podcast #822: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2017 Dec 15, 2017

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2017

Braden:

LG Electronics 65UJ7700 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model) ($1047)

I was tempted to go with the TCL 65C807 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV because of my love for all things TCL and Roku, but the LG is a hair cheaper right now ($50) and packs a little more future-proofing inside. The LG has WebOS 3.5 for the smarts. I’ve never used it, but it sounds like it could work. It is full 4k, and supports all three HDR specs, HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG. It has local dimming for those awesome, inky blacks, it supports wide color gamut and has LG technologies for True Color Accuracy and Ultra Luminance. I really wanted to go with a bigger TV, but this one packs quite a punch at only $1047.

Denon AVR-S730H 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver ($429)

This year’s theme is bang for the buck, and you can’t make your dollar go any further than the receiver both Ara and I chose as our entry model for this year’s Receiver Buying Guide. At the time we did the guide, the unit was on sale for $349. It is now running for $429, but still an excellent value. It has built-in HEOS wireless technology, Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Audyssey MultEQ, Dolby Vision compatible, HDR, and you can control it with Amazon Alexa voice commands. You also get full 4K Ultra HD, HDCP 2.2, HDR, BT.2020, Wide Color Gamut and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling. HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) via future firmware update. Every feature you need to match the capability of the LG TV.

LG 4K Ultra HD 3D Blu-ray Player with HDR ($149)

Do you really need a Blu-ray player? Perhaps not. I haven’t used one in years. But others swear by the quality you can only get on physical media. And if you’re looking for good 4k content, that may be even more true. And besides, Ara and I agreed we needed one in the setup, so I had to include one. This LG unit is great for the occasional 4k Blu-ray movie night. It isn’t videophile grade gear, but it’s going to do a perfect job with 4K content, can probably hold its own on upscaling 1080p discs and supports HDR. What’s not to love?

Polk Audio TSi 300 7.1 Home Theater Speaker System ($1009)

Speakers caused me the most consternation this year. I didn’t know if I should go with speakers for Dolby Atmos, or just a classic 7.1, or maybe a 5.1 that could be upgraded to either, … too many options. So I took the cheap way out. The Polk TSi 300 system is an excellent value for a full 7.1 setup. It gives you flexibility to move some speakers around if you want to try some of the 3D audio formats. And, with tower speakers for the fronts, the setup looks legit in your home theater. The speakers aren’t going to win any awards or change the way you perceive reality, but they will look great, sound great and absolutely compliment the Denon and LG.

Summary

Add $200 for a few cables and a remote and we’re looking at an all-in cost of $2834. My total cost for a system back in 2015 that was a very similar 7.1 setup with a 65” TV was $1000 more expensive at $3960, and that was a 1080p TV, not 4K (granted the 2015 speakers were superior, thus explaining some of the cost difference).

Ara:

My theme this year is bang for the buck. I want to be able to get someone started in this hobby with a good system that doesn’t break the bank. I am not getting the largest TV or best of anything. What my system will be is way better than any HTIB set you can buy and will make you happy every time you sit down to watch something.

Sony KD55X720E 55-Inch 4k Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model) $698

I went with the Sony off of my TV buying guide. It checks all the boxes: HDR, Wide Color Gamut and a Smart TV to boot. But what really makes this TV special is that it does a great job with non-HDR content. This TV will serve you well now and when you are ready to upgrade in size you can move it out to a game room or man cave.

Denon AVRS730H 7.2 Channel 165W AV Receiver with Built-in HEOS wireless technology $429

This receiver is my entry receiver from this year’s buying guide. But there is nothing entry about it's set of features. The main thing here is that it supports 4K HDR as well as all the new object based audio codecs. This is a great entry receiver to hold you over for a few years until you are ready for an upgrade.

Sony UBP-X800 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player $198

There is not a whole lot to say about this player. Of course it supports 4K HDR and wide color. This player makes whole A/V chain 4K HDR compliant. Other features include Netflix, Amazon Prime, and youtube. There is even support for high res audio. Bottom line, this player can play just about every disc, audio, and video format available. We have come a very long way!!

RSL CG3 7.1 Speaker System $1319

RSL (Rogersound Labs) has been building speakers since the early 70s. The CG3 line of speakers are small and thus perfect for the starter system. With CG3s it should be easy to convince the spouse that putting seven small(er) speakers in the family room will not interfere with the home decor. RSL speakers include their patented Compression Guide which reduces cabinet resonance. That means the sound coming out of your speakers are coming from the drivers and not sound wave reflections off the cabinet. This results in tight bass across all frequencies. If you are a music lover you know that many HTIB speakers are setup for movie watching. You won’t have to compromise with these speakers because RSL speakers are designed to sound good with music first. The speakers themselves cost more than the rest of my system combined but they are also the one thing that will last you through multiple TV and Receiver upgrades. We have talked with their founder, Joe Rogers, and you won't meet anyone more passionate about building high performance speakers that the common person can buy.

Summary

I did not include a set top box this year since the TV and UHD player have you covered for just about any smart TV app you want. The total cost for my Ultimate Home Theater in a Box is... $2644. Throw in another $106 for cables and incidentals and you have a grand total of $2750. About $250 less than my first 720p DLP that I purchased all those years ago. Yes you can buy a traditional HTIB system for 1/10 this cost. But it won’t have a TV or a UHD player. And the speakers will, quite frankly, sound like trash. My system is designed to get you up and running right out of the gate and will only need minimal upgrades over the next five to ten years.

Podcast #821: HDTV Buying Guide 2017 Dec 08, 2017

HDTV Buying Guide 2017

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and whether you celebrate Christmas, a different holiday, or nothing at all, we can all agree that somehow getting a new HDTV in your life on or around the 25th of December would be a good thing. If you happen to be lucky enough to have budget for a new HDTV this Christmas season, but still aren’t sure which one to buy, we’ve got you covered. We each pick three TVs and one ultimate HDTV present for you to consider.

Braden’s Picks

TCL 49S305 49-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model, $349.99)

Last year I had the 40 inch 2016 model of this TV. This year we’re stepping it up to the 49 inch for only $100 more. If you bought the 40” last year, this year it’s time to go bigger and move the old one to a different room. It’s the only sensible thing to do. In fact, I bought my second TCL TV with the built-in Roku interface this year and consistently use both on a daily basis. Built-in Roku is awesome. The new TV is sitting on a shelf and plugged into power. That’s it. (the old one is still mounted to the wall and plugged into power. That’s it.) We can get to all the apps we need whenever we want. Do searches across apps, you name it. The picture and sound quality are consistent with last year’s models. It’s a great, affordable television

LG Electronics OLED55B7A 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV (2017 Model, $1596)

If you don’t need or can’t accomodate a gigantic television, but you want to rock a more standard size set by getting the absolute best picture money can buy, you get the LG OLED. Last year a 55 inch OLED was around $2000, this year that drops to $1600. Quite a price drop in a year. The price has dropped, but the picture quality has remained second to none. Even Samsung’s Quantum Dot QLED sets don’t measure up in side by side tests. The TV comes with what LG calls “Cinematic Color on Perfect Black” - which sounds like Marketing speak for “man OLED looks good.” The set does have active HDR with Dolby Vision and the webOS 3.5 Smart TV interface, so it’s an all around winner.

TCL 75C807 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model, $1999)

Although there’s room to argue that a 75” set from Samsung or Sony or LG (not their OLEDs, of course) may outperform the TCL in terms of picture quality and performance, we’d would posit that the difference would be so minimal, you’d need to include TCL on your list if you’re looking for a really big, great quality TV for a great price. Not only does it include Roku, just like my bargain set, but it is full 4k, and supports HDR and Dolby Vision. At $1999 it’s a tremendous value. It has 3 HDMI 2.0 with ports that all support HDCP 2.2 and one supports HDMI ARC. We’re nearly to the point where a set top box is a thing of the past. It may sound like I’m shilling for TCL, but we get nothing from them. They’ve never sent us even so mush as a sticker.

Ara’s Picks

VIZIO SmartCast™ D-series 43” Class Full HD LED Smart TV (2018 Model) $349.99

In this size class I’m not too worried about 4K. However, I did consider it just because you can’t find a 1080p TV with HDR. But in the end, I went with a nice 1080p TV that only costs $350 from a tier 1 manufacturer. Yes I am calling Vizio a tier 1 manufacturer. This TV has a Full Array LED backlight that provides better light uniformity and picture performance. It's a smart tv that includes apps like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and many many more. It comes with Chromecast built-in. Couple all that with a really nice picture and you have a TV that is perfect from a small room.

Sony KD55X720E 55-Inch 4k Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2017 Model) $698

Sony has been building some nice TVs for the last few years and you don’t have to pay a premium for the Sony name. This TV is perfect for a standard family room. While 4K is more or less a waste you do get the benefit of HDR and Sony’s X1 processor. I have seen the X1 in action and it reallys does a great job of analyzing each frame to adjust the brightness to optimize the picture. And their X-tended Dynamic Range™ PRO does a good job of making non HDR content look much better. For those who don’t want to add a separate set top box the X720E is a smart TV. Nice TV for well under $1,000!

VIZIO SmartCast™ P-Series™ 75” Class Ultra HD HDR XLED Pro™ Display $3,500

Yes I chose another Vizio but can you blame me? I have owned the original Vizio P-Series for about 4 years and have loved the TV. This generation is so much better than the one I own. For instance the original does not support HDR or the wider color gamut. This TV has what Vizio calls XHDR Pro! That’s just marketing for saying that the TV supports HDR 10 and Dolby Vision, which are good things! The 2017 P-Series has 128 LED zones (mine only has 64) to improve contrast and clarity. While it's not an OLED it still has deep blacks and for $3,500 you get a large format TV that will not disappoint.

Ultimate Christmas Present

Hisense 100 inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV ($9999)

So this isn’t really a TV, it’s a short throw projector. But it’s a 100 inch 4K screen in your home for under $10 grand, and you don’t have to run a single wire. You do need a cabinet under the screen you can set the projector on, so this may limit feasibility in some install locations, but it makes install super easy for anyone who wanted to run wires for a front projector, but just never got around to it. We’ve never seen the set in person, but in the video overview digital trends did from CES, the images on the screen in the background are stunning. According to Hisense the “super-thin, lightweight, anti-reflective, 100" screen by Screen Innovations® evenly distributes color and light, offering a crisp, bright picture in any setting, regardless of ambient light.” Sounds pretty great. (Compare with the NEC X981UHD-2 from last year at $29k)

LG SIGNATURE OLED TV W - 4K HDR Smart TV - 77" OLED77W7P $15,000

Where to start? This is my biggest and most expensive TV. It's also probably the best TV I have seen. You have to go to BestBuy to see it but if you are out shopping drop in and take a look. The Best Buy near my office had one setup and calibrated. This TV has plasma like blacks and the color is lifelike. They were playing a 4K HDR demo through it which looked stunning. It supports Active HDR and Dolby Vision and it comes in two pieces each weighing less than 30 pounds. The display part of the TV is less than a ¼ inch!! That’s just under 6 ½ mm. At 77 inches it's just under what I would call a projector replacement but with a picture like this you may not care.

Podcast #820: Receiver Buying Guide 2017 Dec 01, 2017

Receiver Buying Guide 2017

This week we get to spend your money on a new receiver for your home theater. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. It's about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. We each pick four receivers in increasing price culminating in one ‘money's no object’ / ‘dare to dream’ receiver for you to consider. Note - These receivers have a ton of features which we won’t be able to discuss in their entirety. So we have included links to the manufacturer's pages for your convenience. Prices stated are street prices from online retailers.

Ara’s Picks

My goal for this year is that every receiver on my list will serve you well, now and into the foreseeable future. Nothing is future proof but these should last you at least five to ten years.

Denon AVRS730H 7.2 Channel 165W AV Receiver with Built-in HEOS wireless technology $350

I didn’t have a Denon on my list last year so I wanted to make sure I did this year. When you take a look at this receiver it's easy to see how this unit made the list. Of course it supports 4K HDR (Dolby Vision), but it also supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. The list of features is quite impressive: HEOS wireless multi-room music streaming, Built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and AirPlay Capability, Audyssey Room Correction and the Denon 2016 AVR Remote app for easy setup. All of this for a measly $350. Unbelieveable if you ask me!

Yamaha AVENTAGE RX-A770 7.2 100W AVReceiver $650

You knew my list was going to have at least one Yamaha on it. The one I chose this year is one that only a few years ago would have made my ultimate receiver choice. It supports 7.2 channels with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X 5.1.2 configurations. It will pass through 4K video with HDR and Dolby Vision. The RX-A770 is designed with the audiophile in mind from component selection to chassis characteristics. Almost all receivers are large rectangular boxes and this is no different but it just looks sleeker for some reason. For just three hundred dollars more than my entry receiver you step up to a machine with some pretty good pedigree.

Onkyo TX-RZ1100 9.2 Channel 140W Network A/V Receiver $1,599

Onkyo is always a great bang for the buck product. You typically get one level higher in features for the price point. In years past there have been some issues with reliability mostly due to heat related failures. Most of these issues have been dealt with but it's always a good thing to make sure your components are in a well ventilated area. At $1,599 this is on the higher end of my list but from a feature point of view it's almost as good my top pick for this year. It supports 5.2.4 with built in amplifiers and can do 7.2.4 with use of two preouts. Of course it supports 4K and HDR, THX Certified, has audiophile grade components including a premium-quality AK4458 digital-to-analog converter from Asahi Kasei, and has Fire Connect Multi room wireless audio. Bottom line is that this is a high end receiver at a “reasonable” price.

Pioneer Elite SC-LX901 11.2 Channel 140W Class D3 Network AV Receiver $2,499

I have owned three Pioneer Elite receivers over the years and have loved every one of them. But I have noticed that Pioneer kind of cheapened the line a bit by introducing some lower priced Elite models a few years ago. This unit is not one of the cheapened units by any stretch. And if you want to setup an Atmos or DTS:X setup in your home, this receiver has you covered without the need for an additional amplifier. 4K and HDR are supported and Apple’s Airplay and Google’s Chromecast are built in. The LX901 employs Pioneer’s MCACC Pro Auto Room Tuning to get you as close to what the mixer wanted you to hear while their full band phase control eliminates lag which can interfere with how your ears hear surround effects making for an incredible home theater experience.

Braden’s Picks

My take is a little different. I’m going to recommend you buy something that doesn’t break the bank that does everything you need it to do for the next 12-24 months or so. Technology in this area just seems to be moving so fast. Right when we thought we had two HDR formats to contend with, a third pops up. Who knows what new audio, video, control, etc. technology will be big a year or two from now? I sure don’t.

If you really want to get more future-proof, buy an inexpensive(ish) processor (or receiver to use as a processor) and really, really good amps. From a technology perspective, like good speakers, the amps will last next to forever. You just swap the processor out every few years as technology advances. Unfortunately it’s difficult to find an inexpensive/entry receiver with analog pre-amp outputs, they tend to only be on the higher end units. So my list has a really inexpensive option so you can swap it out in a year or two, and a couple with pre-amp outputs that you could swap out if you had to, but it would be a bit more painful.

Denon AVR-S730H 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver $349

I’m a Denon fan, there’s no denying it. My Denon pick for a receiver that does not include pre-amp outputs is the same as Ara’s, the S730H. MSRP is $479, Denon is running a sale that pushes the price down to $349 if you buy direct from them, which is the same street price you’ll find if you buy from a major eTail site. The features that Denon packed into this $349 receiver are impressive. It has built-in HEOS wireless technology, Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Audyssey MultEQ, Dolby Vision compatible, HDR, and you can control it with Amazon Alexa voice commands. You also get full 4K Ultra HD, HDCP 2.2, HDR, BT.2020, Wide Color Gamut and 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling. It is even ready for Dolby Vision and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) via future firmware update. Not too shabby for the price. MSRP: $479

Marantz SR5012 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD Network AV Surround Receiver $899

Marantz receivers might be the best looking receivers on the market. So if you’re planning to hide it in a cabinet, this may not be the right choice for you. But it’s more than just looks, it’s beautiful on the inside too. MSRP is $999, street price is $899, so right in the middle of your standard receiver price range. It has analog preouts, but only for 7 channels. You get 4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through, 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR, BT.2020 , Dolby Vision and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) pass-through. It has 8 HDMI inputs with full HDCP 2.2 support, will do SD/HD to HD/4K Upscaling, supports Dolby Atmos (up to 5.1.2) and DTS:X, has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and HEOS wireless multi-room audio technology, AirPlay, Pandora, Spotify, Amazon Prime Music, and a litany of others. For your listening enjoyment you get Audyssey MultEQ XT, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ. And like some of its Denon cousins, you can control it all with Amazon Alexa voice commands. MSRP: $999

Denon AVR-X4400H Premium 9.2 channel AV Surround Receiver $1399

My pick for the Denon receiver that does have pre-amp outputs is the X4400H. The MSRP is $1599, right now Denon has a $200 instant savings bringing it down to $1399, the same as Amazon. There are less expensive Denon models with pre-amp outputs, like the AVR-X3400H or the AVR-X3300W (both have an MSRP of $999), but they only have 7 channels of preout, the X4400H steps that up to 11 channels. The funny thing is that the feature list for this unit is nearly identical to the 730H. It does all the same things, it just does them better. The additional features that you don’t get with the 730 are things like the 9 channel amp allows for setting up a 7.1.2 or 5.1.4 3D experience out of box. Or you can setup a 7.1.4 speaker configuration by adding an external stereo amplifier thanks to that 11.2 channel processing capability. And some time soon, via a future firmware update, it will support Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) for 3D audio playback through TV apps. MSRP: $1599

Pioneer SC-LX701 9.2-ch Class D3 Network AV Receiver $1249

The little brother of Ara’s LX-901 pick, at $1600 MSRP it certainly isn’t cheap nor disposable. It has internal amplification for 9 channels but includes analog preamp outputs for 11.2 channel audio. If you add your own amps, or even just your own stereo amp, it can be an 11.2 channel processor. And to top it off, you get nearly all the features that come in the more expensive units - all the features you really need at least. It supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Ultra HD (4K/60p/4:4:4) upscaling/pass-through with HDCP 2.2 and HDR/BT.2020/Dolby Vision. There are internet radio and various network streaming services, and also has AirPlay and Google Cast built-in. It does it all, and then some. MSRP: $1600

Podcast #819: What we are Thankful For Nov 23, 2017

What we're thankful for '17

For 2017:

Ara’s List:

DirecTV Now (IPTV) - This is a follow on to last years Cord Cutter. DirecTV Now and all the other IPTV companies have made it easy to take your TV with you on the go. Plus you don’t need to install any special hardware. Download some apps and you are good to go. My TV bill went from over $200 to $35! It's not perfect. I’m still waiting on a cloud based DVR and the quality is less than DirecTV but It's still pretty good!
Movies Anywhere - It used to be that if I bought a disc and it only had a Ultraviolet digital code I couldn’t watch it on my AppleTV. Then I added Vudu which allowed me to watch the movies but I had to use either iTunes or Vudu. Now with Movies Anywhere I can watch them all in one app!
Falling Prices and Larger Screens - 85 inches for less than $4K?? Are you kidding me. This is a no brainer. Or if your room isn’t big enough for an 85 inch TV how about 55 inch UHD with Dolby Vision for $500? Yes it's a good time to be alive!
Netflix/Amazon/Hulu - When I was growing up there were three networks for TV and only about 20 hours of programming. Sure we used to read and visit with people but where’s the fun in that? Now with the addition of streaming we get more content than we can watch. Throw in HBO, USA, AMC, and others competing for your limited free time and you can pretty much guarantee that one of these networks will create content that you will be interested in. Now I just need to learn how to get by on less sleep!
DIY Audio - I am having a blast building speakers. The quality is quite good. Can you buy better speakers for much less hassle? Of course you can. But there is something really gratifying about building and listening to speakers you built. You can start out with a simple kit or design something that says something about you. Either way you’ll have fun! And since these speakers will probably still be working long after you are gone, you can leave a little of you behind for your family to remember you by.

Braden’s List

Mesh Wifi - We just moved into a new house and it’s a bit older than our prior house. The prior house had ethernet run to every room. The current does not so we have to rely even more on wifi. Not sure what the walls are made of in this old house, concrete, titanium, your-wifi-no-workatonium, but wifi is terrible. Without mesh wifi like Google Wifi, we’d be without Internet in places where we really want it.
4K Televisions - There’s the obvious reason we’ve talked about to love 4K TVs or Ultra High Definition itself, it pushed 3D straight out of our lives. But it has also helped to push down prices of all TVs across the board - first by pushing 1080p TV prices down, then by starting a vicious price war for 4k TVs that has included a bunch of new bargain manufacturers. Just like the early push in HDTV, the bargain brands may not survive, but for now they’re really helping us all get 4K TV upgrades.
Netflix (also Amazon, Hulu, HBO online, etc) - The classic joke about Cable used to be that we had 300 channels but nothing to watch. Not anymore. When was the last time you even channel surfed? You don’t have to anymore. If there’s nothing on the DVR, or nothing you’re feeling into at that moment, you just pop open one of the streaming apps and see what’s there. You’ll probably find a movie you remember coming out that you never saw, or a new series someone recommended that you haven’t started yet. There’s always something on now.
Automation devices - Yes. I had this on my list last year. But honestly with every smart device I add, it just keeps getting better. That’s the beauty of DIY automation, you can add to it in small steps, piece by piece as you have time and resources to get it done. This year I joined the automated door lock club and it’s awesome. The kids don’t need house keys. Friends and family can get in without having to hide a key. It’s great. Also added a smart doorbell. It’s super annoying, but also really cool too.
Home Depot - I really wanted to say Amazon, but after the year we had with them, I just couldn’t get myself to do it. It is an amazing company. And I bought the most items from them to help us prepare our old home to be sold and get settled in the new one, including a faucet and a new TV (but not that TV just yet). But the place I visited second most to get everything for the move out and move in was Home Depot. So I’m thankful for Home Depot always having just what I needed, and when they didn’t Amazon did.

Podcast #818: Black Friday 2017 Nov 16, 2017

Black Friday 2017

Another year passes, another Black Friday approaches. This year there are some exceptional deals out there. The question is where to you put your focus. We are focusing on TVs since many want to upgrade to 4K HDR. There are some really good ones out there. We also throw in some UHD Players and home automation to round out the list.

Resources:

Samsung 65" Flat 4k UHD TV (HDR) - Black(UN65MU6300) $849.99 Regularly $1,100
LG 55" Class 2160p 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (Dolby Vision) - 55UJ6300 $499.99 Regularly $549
Polaroid 32GSR3000FC 32" Flat Panel 720p LED TV $89.99 Regularly $129.99
Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote $24.99 Regularly $39.99
Google Chromecast $25 Regularly $34.99
Sony Blu-ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi - Black (BDPS3700) $49.99 Regularly $74.99

BestBuy

Sony - 75" Class (74.5" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV with High Dynamic Range $1999.99
Sony - 65" Class (64.5" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV with High Dynamic Range (No Model Mentioned) $1499.99
Samsung - 65" Class (64.5" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV (No Model Mentioned) $749.99
LG - 43" Class (42.5" Diag.) - LED - 2160p - Smart - 4K Ultra HD TV (No Model Mentioned) $279.99
Sharp - 32" Class (31.5" Diag.) - LED - 720p - Smart - HDTV Roku TV $149.99
LG - UP875 4K Ultra HD 3D Blu-ray Player - Black $99.99
Pioneer - Elite 7.2-Ch. Hi-Res 4K Ultra HD HDR Compatible A/V Home Theater Receiver - Black $349.98 Regularly $499.98
Sonos - PLAYBASE Wireless Soundbase for Home Theater and Streaming Music - Black $599.99 Regularly $699.99
Sonos - PLAYBAR Soundbar Wireless Speaker - Black/Silver $599.98 Regularly 699.98
Google - Chromecast $19.99 Regularly $35
Google - Home Mini $29.99 Regularly $49

Wal*Mart

Samsung 58MU6070 58" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (HDR) $598 (Special Buy)
LG UP870 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player $99 (Special Buy)
Google Chromcast $20 Plus $5 Vudu Credit Regularly $35
Google Home with $25 Google Express Offer $79 Regularly $129
Netgear Arlo Wireless 3-Camera Bundle $199 Regularly $399

Sears

This is the first year we didn’t find any electronics in the Sears Black Friday Circular. There are great deals on appliances, tools, and clothing however!

Costco (Items available now through the 27th of November)

Samsung 75" Class (74.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV (HDR) - $2279.99
LG 49" Class (48.5" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD LED LCD TV (HDR) - $379.99
TCL 55" Class (54.6" Diag.) 4K Ultra HD Roku LED LCD TV (Dolby Vision HDR) - $449.99

Sam’s Club

Vizio 65-inch 4K Smart TV (Model E65-E) — $598 Note: Vizio is now selling this set for $899, which might make this the best Black Friday deal on a TV yet.
Polk 2.1 S1B Sound Bar — $129.88
Hitachi 49-inch 1080p TV — $278
XBox One S Console — $189
PlayStation 4 Console — $199
Vizio 80-inch 4K Smart TV (model E80-E3) — $2,498 (online only; free shipping)
Hitachi 60-inch 4K Smart TV w/Roku inside: $498 (online only;free shipping)
Samsung 85-inch 4K Smart TV (Model: UN85JU7100FXZA) – $1,200 off (online only; free shipping. Note: This Samsung TV normally goes for $4,698 at Sam’s Club so, presumably, it will be priced at around $3500 for the Black Friday sale.

JC Penny

LG 65" Class 4K UHD HDR Smart TV $799.99 Regularly 1399.99
LG 55" Class UHD 4K HDR Smart HDTV $499.99 Regularly $799.99
Samsung 40" Class Ultra HD 4K Smart TV $329.99 Regularly $449.99
Google Home $79.99 Regularly $129.99
Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit $149.99 Regularly $249.99
Amazon
Save $20 on Echo Dot, only $29.99 – the lowest price ever for Echo Dot
Save $20 on All-New Echo, $79.99
Save $30 on Echo Plus, $119.99
Save $50 on Amazon Tap, $79.99
Premium brand 40-inch smart TV,$279.99
Sony 75-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), $1,999.99
Sony 70-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), $1,199.99
Samsung UN65MU8000 65-inch 4K Ultra HD smart TV (2017 Model), $1,297.99
Sony 65-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), $1,499.99
Samsung UN55MU8000 55-inch 4K Ultra HD smart TV (2017 Model), $897.99
Sony 55-inch 4K Ultra HD smart LED TV (2017 Model), $999.99
32-inch 720p TV, $69.99
49-inch 4k TV, $159.99
Save up to $40 on Schlage Smart Lock – Works with Amazon Alexa

Best TV Deals

39" & Under

32” Polaroid LED TV for $89.99 at Target
32" Vizio Smart LED TV for $199.99 + $50 Meijer Coupon at Meijer (in stores starting 6am on Black Friday only)

40" - 58"

43” Vizio 1080p TV for $198 at Walmart
43” Samsung 4K Smart TV with HDR for $429.99 + $100 Dell Promo eGift Card at Dell
48" Element LED HDTV for $199.99 at Meijer (in stores starting 6am on Black Friday only)
48" Vizio Smart LED TV for $199.99 at Meijer (in stores starting 6am on Thanksgiving only)
50" Samsung 4K UHD Smart TV with HDR Pro for $424.99 with promo code BF17FLYER31 at Newegg.com
50" RCA HDTV for $199.99 at Stage Stores
55” Haier 4K UHD HDTV for $299.99 + $90 Kohl’s Cash (doorbuster)
55” Sharp 4K Smart TV for $298 at Walmart

60" & Over

60” Sharp 4K UHD Smart TV for $549.99 at Best Buy (now available!)
60” Sony 4K UHD Smart TV for $599.99 at Best Buy
65” Samsung 4K UHD Smart TV for $749.99 at Best Buy
65” Samsung Smart 4K UHD TV for $849.99 at Target
65” LG 4K UHD Smart TV with HDR for $799.99 + $150 Dell Promo eGift Card at Dell (online exclusive doorbuster available 11/23 at 11 AM ET)
65" LG Smart 4K UHD TV for $799.99 at Meijer (in stores starting 6am on Thanksgiving only)
75” Sony 4K UHD Smart TV with HDR for $1,999.99 at Best Buy

Podcast #817: Various Topics Nov 10, 2017

Various Topics

Podcast #816: Mohu Airwave Review Nov 03, 2017

Mohu Airwave Review

Last CES Mohu introduced a product that we really were excited to get our hands on. The Mohu Airwave is wireless device that integrates live, local TV with free streaming channels. The Airwave costs $150 and right now is only available at Best Buy.

The Airwave is a combination Indoor Antenna/Tuner/Wifi Transmitter in one unit. The thinking here is that most homes have a spot or two in the house that has the best reception but it is not necessarily the spot where you can put a television. The Airwave solves this problem by allowing you to place the Airwave in the optimized location and then it can transmit the TV signal via wifi (or Ethernet) to Set top boxes or mobile devices thereby making your over the air TV available to any room in the house.

Product Features

Compatible with most streaming boxes, smartphones, and tablets Watch movies, TV shows, sports, news and more on all your devices via Mohu TV app. (Roku, AppleTV, FireTV available now. Coming soon to iOS, Android, and SmartTVs)
Receives digital signals Possible available channels: ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, The CW, Univision, and more.
Wirelessly stream movies, TV shows, sports, news and more Via the Mohu TV app, AirWave allows viewers to combine live, local broadcast TV with free streaming channels.
Free TV everywhere Just download the Mohu TV app on your compatible device, and it will automatically discover your AirWave device and walk you through a few simple steps to get set up.
Free Broadcast TV Watch free live, local and streaming television on your favorite devices.
Mohu ClearPix technology Dynamically responds to over-the-air signals and adjusts them in real-time, automatically improving image reception.
Extended-range wireless provides smooth, fast streaming High-efficient wireless connection streams video with ease and speed.

Setup

Finding the best location in the house for placing your Airwave can be trial and error. But if you know where the transmitters are located and you have a window nearby start there. If you live within 30 miles of the transmitters you can pretty much place the unit anywhere. The first step is to log onto the Airwave’s wifi network and give it your wifi settings so it can join your wireless network. Our unit immediately notified us of a firmware update which we applied.

Once the update was complete we scanned for channels and we were surprised that it found about a hundred digital channels. This test was conducted in the Fresno area because we both live beyond the 35 mile limit of the product. Then the Airwave went ahead and populated the channel guide and we were done! The entire process took about 45 minutes to complete. By the way, our evaluation was performed on an AppleTV

Performance

Getting around the guide was a little tedious while using the scrolling mechanism of the AppleTV remote. This can be minimized by choosing favorites which can eliminate all the ridiculous digital channels that are out there. The guide shows what’s on and what will be coming up for up to two weeks out. If you select a currently airing program the Airwave will tune to and start streaming the program.

But this is where our frustration really started. It should be noted that while we conducted this evaluation we also had a TV with and Indoor antenna (Mohu) as a check on the TV signal. When we tuned to an HD channel we got nothing on the screen. Then we’d switch to the TV’s tuner which showed us a glorious HD picture. So it wasn’t a signal thing. Then we selected a .channel which was SD and we did see a picture but it was very choppy.

Thinking that it wasn’t the antenna, since Mohu makes some really good antennas and that the other Mohu antenna did not have problem with the TV signal, we connected the Airwave to the router via an Ethernet cable. And there we had better luck. The HD signal came in and it was pretty much stable. However, it still would have dropouts where the TV did not. Watching the SD .channels were quite good. No pixelation no dropouts.

Mohu has acknowledged issues and is pushing out updates almost daily for both the Airwave and the apps. At this point the mobile device app is still being reviewed and was not available for testing.

The following was posted on the AirWave Product Page

The response to the AirWave launch has been overwhelming! We've received reports that some Best Buy stores are sold out, but units should be back on the shelves soon. And you can still order online!

As with many new first-of-its-kind products, AirWave has a number of bugs and challenges. We are working diligently to address each issue as we discover it and are thankful to the users who have communicated with us to help us make AirWave the best it can be. We appreciate your patience with us throughout this whole process.

For info on known issues and patch releases, visit the AirWave Software Updates page.

Conclusion

The Airwave is a great idea, one that really resonates with cord cutters. We have two issues with the product as it stands right now. First is that there is no way to watch the OTA signal outside your home. It would be really cool if you could use the mobile app to do that. For now we will stick with our Plex server for this. The second and main issue is that the product is just not ready for prime time. Mohu is a really good company and we have no issues recommending them for antennas. But we really can’t do that for a product that costs $150 and has the number of issues that it does. We will give it another month and check and try again.

Podcast #815: Battle of the Big TVs Oct 26, 2017

Battle of the Big TVs

Braden is packing up all his earthly belongings and moving them, along with his family, to a new home. One of the items that isn’t leaving, however, is the 100” projection screen in the family room. It’s staying with the house. And there’s nowhere to put it in the new house anyway. Instead, the family will be watching TV and movies on a more traditional television set. Just which one is still up in the air.

We talked about an 86” LG television a few podcasts back (Episode 806), even jokingly called it Ara’s next upgrade. As it turns out, it may actually be Braden’s next upgrade instead. That set, the LG 86SJ9570 86-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, served as the starting point for an epic spec sheet showdown that has yet to declare a winner. Other sets that are also in the running, in addition to the LG, are the Samsung UN85JU7100 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV and the Sony XBR85X850D 85-Inch 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV.

Admittedly, it hurts dropping from a 100” screen to an 85” or 86” screen, but there are some very distinct advantages to the TV over the projector that will ease the transition. First of all, we should say that it is a bit ridiculous to complain about an 85” TV at all, we totally get that. We’re sorry. But it is 15% less screen space, 15% less of a good thing. But the TV is 4K, and the projector is not. The TV is significantly brighter and for rooms that have difficulty controlling ambient light, will be much easier to enjoy during the day. So all in all, a win even accounting for the loss in screen size.

LG 86SJ9570 86-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

Coming in at 86 inches, the LG is the largest set on the list. Of course the difference between an 86 inch TV and and 85 inch one is practically imperceptible, so that alone isn’t enough to move the needle. The LG currently carries a price tag of $6996 at Amazon. Not bad for a 4K screen that size. It has a 4 star rating from 6 reviewers at Amazon, but only a 3 star rating from 2 reviewers at LG’s own product page. Not great, but not terrible.

Features

Smart functionality gives you access to your favorite apps and content using webOS 3.5
Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color, and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the most lifelike picture
Active HDR with Dolby Vision + HDR10 + HLG
Full-array LED backlighting and local dimming produces excellent picture quality
120Hz refresh rate allows fast moving action scenes to be seen with virtually no motion blur (240Hz effective rate)
Inputs: 4 HDMI (HDCP 2.2), 3 USB, 1 RF, 1 Composite, 1 Ethernet, 1 Optical, 1 RS232C (Mini Jack)
802.11ac Wifi

Samsung UN85JU7100 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

It wouldn’t be a TV shootout without at least one Samsung on the list. This set is a bit smaller at 85 inches, but it isn’t the size that matters, it how Samsung uses that size to delight us that we really care about. A bit less expensive, this TV is going for $5278 at Amazon. That’s a savings of around $1700. You can stream a lot of movies for $1700. It has a 4 star rating from 21 reviewers at Amazon, and a 4.5 star rating from 215 reviewers at Samsung’s product page. That’s a very solid showing.

This TV has been on store shelves since 2015, so while the price is attractive, some of the features are lacking.

Features

4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution offers exceptional detail and true-to-life image quality.
Advanced Samsung Smart TV Offers Easy Access to Content
Equipped with Samsung Precision Black technology, the Samsung JU7100 Smart TV delivers exceptional contrast depth.
Ultra Clear Pro viewing panel absorbs ambient light and softens reflections to deliver a clear, frustration-free viewing experience.
With the Samsung Peak Illuminator feature, you'll experience brighter whites, sharper details, and more vibrant colors.
The JU7100 Smart TV also features Samsung contrast-enhancing technology, which optimizes contrast across multiple zones of the picture to produce a richer, more dramatic sense of depth.
UHD Dimming for Greater Picture Clarity
View Everything in Higher Definition with UHD Upscaling
Equipped with a quad-core processor, the JU7100 Smart TV lets you switch between apps with ease.
4 HDMI ports, 3 USB ports, 1 component-in, and 1 composite-in. It also features
Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and supports Samsung Anynet+.

Sony XBR85X850D 85-Inch 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV

Like the Samsung, the Sony on our list is an 85 inch set. Even less expensive, this option is going for $4998 and even includes a 2 year Netflix subscription, effectively knocking a couple hundred additional dollars off of the already low price. It has a 4 star rating from a whopping 481 reviewers at Amazon and a 4 star rating from 186 reviewers at Sony’s site. The set has been around since 2016. Not quite as old as the Samsung, but not as new as the LG either.

Features

High Dynamic Range (HDR) will change the way you look at TV. Combined with 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR video content delivers exceptional detail, color and contrast, with a far wider range of brightness than other video formats.
The 4K Processor X1 ensures everything you watch - movies, sports, and streaming video – looks the best it possibly can.
From movies and TV shows to thousands of apps, Sony’s Android TV brings you everything in an instant.
Voice search on Android TV provides you with the power of Google search, allowing you to find content across different services without the hassle of time-consuming text entry.
Inputs: 4 HDMI (HDCP 2.2/HDMI 2.0a), 3 USB, 1 Ethernet
Wi-Fi Certified 802.11a/b/g/n/ac

Conclusion

We can drop the Samsung from the list right away due to the lack of HDR. There’s no reason to buy a TV now that doesn’t support HDR, and when the Sony is less expensive and does support it, that makes the decision to drop the Samsung pretty easy. Then we’re down to the LG and the Sony. The Sony is a little older, so it doesn’t pack the features the LG has, but it is also $2000 cheaper. That might be a little detail we have to somehow forget to mention to the finance committee should we opt for the more expensive set.

It’s hard to argue with the features in the LG TV. It supports all the HDR formats. The Sony has HDR support, but doesn’t state which formats, so we assume it only handles the original HDR10 specification. That’s great, but the LG is better with support for Dolby Vision and HLG as well. Both are smart TVs, one with webOS and one with Android TV. Both have Ethernet jacks and support 802.11ac. Other than the HDR advantage with the LG, and the advantage of being a year more recent, the two are nearly identical spec for spec.

We’ve gone about as far as we can go on specs and Amazon reviews alone. The next step is to find a store, or a couple stores, where we can go look at them for ourselves. We’ll download some test content to a USB drive and see what our eyes tell us about each one. Sure, having the TV will be great. But the hunt is pretty fun too.

Podcast #814: Best UHD Players Oct 20, 2017

Best UHD Players

In the run up to Black Friday we thought we’d give you a quick run down on the best UHD players on the market. There are no guarantees that these will go on sale but you can use these models as a reference point. The information come from three sites that we use for our own research.

Tech Hive

Best Ultra HD Blu-ray player for audiophiles and home-theater aficionados: Oppo Digital UDP-205 $1299. There is no better Ultra Blu-ray player on the market, especially when it comes to audio. It's not for the average user, but audiophiles, especially those seeking high-quality analog output, will appreciate the high-performance components and analog 7.1 surround output.

Best Ultra HD Blu-ray player for most people: Samsung UBD-K8500 $299.99. If you want everything Ultra HD Blu-ray can deliver, but are on a tight budget, Samsung's UBD-K8500 is the player to buy. Just be aware that you might have to tweak some settings to clear up the judder issue with non-Samsung TVs.

CNET

Sony UBP-X800 $298. The Sony UBP-X800 4K Blu-ray player offers excellent design and oozes a "premium" vibe. Video quality is as good as any player we've tested. It's incredibly fast at loading apps and has some impressive features including Bluetooth streaming.

It can be slow to load 4K discs. Limited number of audio outputs: no optical digital or stereo analog. The player requires a little hands-on fine-tuning to get the most out of music and DVD replay. No Dolby Vision.

The Bottom Line, the Sony UBP-X800 4K Blu-ray player has impressive build quality and video performance, but the incumbent Samsung is better value.

Pocket Lint

Samsung UBD-M9500 $299.99. The Samsung UBD-M9500 isn't the most fully-featured Ultra HD Blu-ray player on the market - it lacks in the high-end audio stakes - but it's one of the nicest to use because Samsung has been paying a lot of attention to its user interface over the past few years. This 2017 model is leaps and bounds ahead of the K8500 of 2016, especially if you want to take advantage of the smart apps that are included, like Netflix and Amazon Video.

It offers excellent performance on the video front, but is a little quirky on the design, with a curved body, so it probably won't match anything else you have in your AV setup. You probably won't ever get Dolby Vision support from Samsung, but you are getting a player that gives you a lot for the money, then the M9500 is worthy of your attention. If you're completely happy with your streaming services already then you might want to look elsewhere, perhaps to the K8500 player instead.

Podcast #813: Various Topics Oct 13, 2017

Z-Wave’s New ‘SmartStart’ Dramatically Simplifies Home Automation Installs Tempow Makes Any Smartphone Smarter with Multi-Device Bluetooth Software Comparing Alexa, Google Assistant, Cortana, and Siri smart speakers

Podcast #812: TCL C Series 2017 C807 (RTINGS.COM) Oct 05, 2017

TCL C Series 2017 C807 (RTINGS.COM)

This week we wanted to take a look at what on paper is an incredible TV bargain. Seriously, a 65 in 4K UHD that supports Dolby Vision HDR for about $1,100! We’re talking about the TCL 65C807 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart LED TV (2017 Model). The question is whether it's worth it? Read the full detailed review at RTINGS.COM

Features:

Roku TV smart functionality offers access to over 4,000 streaming channels featuring more than 450,000 movies and TV episodes
Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color, and detail of Dolby Vision HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the most lifelike picture
Edge LED backlighting with Dynamic Contrast produces deep blacks and excellent picture quality
Inputs: 3 HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 (one with HDMI ARC), 1 USB (media player), RF, Composite, Headphone Jack, Optical Audio Out, Ethernet

The TCL C807 4k Roku TV is a decent LCD/LED TV with better than average build quality and design. It features a wider color gamut for vibrant HDR content and very low input lag for responsive gaming. Unfortunately, its blacks are not very uniform, and its picture quality deteriorates even at a slight angle.

The TCL C Series C807 LED TV has an average picture quality. The high contrast ratio makes for a good dark room performance, with a high level of detail in dark scene. Unfortunately, the bad black uniformity and the lack of local dimming hurt the dark room performance in the end. When set in a bright room, the C807 performs better, since it can get fairly bright and deal decently with reflection and glare. The gray uniformity is average though and dirty screen effect is visible when watching sports like football. The very narrow viewing angle won't make it the best TV to watch sports event with all your friend since only people sitting right in front of the TV will have the best picture quality. Finally, HDR performance is ordinary since the TV can't really get brighter than in SDR and the lack of local dimming doesn't help even if it has a wide color gamut.

The C807 has a below average handling of motion. It has an average response time, causing some visible trails to appear behind fast moving objects. It uses PWM to dim the backlight, but only at low backlight levels, and this isn't noticeable to most people. It can play movies from a Blu-ray or DVD player smoothly, but some minor judder is present when watching movies from a 60Hz source. Most people don't notice judder, so it isn't a big issue. The lack of motion interpolation features may disappoint fans of the soap opera effect.

The TCL C807 runs the Roku TV smart platform, which is remarkably fluid to navigate and easy to use. It has a wide selection of apps to download and has a great companion app for phones and tablets. Its weak point is its remote, which has very few buttons and lacks some smart features found in the remotes of other platforms.

Test Results:

Design 9.0
Picture Quality 7.1
Motion 6.3
Inputs 9.3
Sound Quality 6.2
Smart Features 7.9

Usage Ratings:

Mixed Usage 7.1
Movies 6.4
TV Shows 7.1
Sports 6.7
Video Games 7.9
HDR Movies 6.7
HDR Gaming 7.6
PC Monitor 7.3

Conclusion

The TCL C807 is decent for a mixed usage. Its contrast is good, and it features a wide color gamut for HDR. Unfortunately, though, its motion and uniformity of the blacks leave a lot to be desired. Decent TV for watching series or broadcast TV in a bright room. The TCL C Series' brightness is decent, and its Roku smart OS gives very easy access to content. Unfortunately, though, it's not great at handling reflections. Mediocre TV for movies in a dark room. The C807 does have a good contrast ratio, but its poor black uniformity and lack of local dimming cause letterboxes to look cloudy and distracting. Mediocre TV for HDR. While the C807 has a wide color gamut and can reproduce smooth gradients, it cannot get bright enough to create a good HDR effect.

Podcast #811: Mini features Sep 29, 2017

Comcast announces new streaming video service for cord-cutters

Full article here

The State of the (Wireless) Home Theater Comeback

Full article here.

Apple Invents a Smart Home Theater Audio System Designed to Deliver Optimum Surround Sound

Full article here.

Podcast #810: HDMI 2.1 Sep 22, 2017

HDMI 2.1

Well you knew it wouldn’t last forever, but HDMI 2.0 is about to become the old standard and you guessed it, you will need another cable. But do you really need to upgrade? The HT Guys will help you sort it out.

What’s New?

Higher Video Resolutions
Dynamic HDR
eARC
Game Mode
48G cables

Let’s look at each one in a little more detail:

Higher Video Resolutions - 4K50/60, 4K100/120, 5K50/60, 5K100/120, 8K50/60, 8K100/120

10K50/60, 10K100/120. Right now there aren't any TVs on the market that can make use of these new resolutions nor are there any plans for content providers planning on supporting these new resolutions. Based on resolution support, we say no need to hold off a purchase based on the new resolutions.

Dynamic HDR - The current HDR being used by the studios embeds metadata telling the television how to handle the image. This is done for the entire movie which means that some scenes look good and others not so much. It's a compromise. Dynamic HDR now embeds this data for each frame or series of frames. Note - Dolby Vision HDR already supports this on the current cable. You aren’t missing much here. Buy a TV that supports Dolby Vision HDR and no need to wait for HDMI 2.1.

eARC - Support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. While you will need new TVs and receivers to support this feature, you won’t need cables. Today’s current HDMI cable will support this. This is only an issue if you are using apps on the TV to provide the audio to your receiver and you want Dolby Atmos or DTS:X. However, if you want to buy a TV now that doesn’t support HDMI 2.1, go ahead. You can fix this issue by buying a $100 set top box and provide the video and audio directly to your receiver without going through the TV first.

Game Mode - VRR features variable refresh rate, which enables a 3D graphics processor to display the image at the moment it is rendered for more fluid and better detailed gameplay, and for reducing or eliminating lag, stutter, and frame tearing. Translation - Faster gaming! Our take, if you are a serious gamer you may be interested in this. The HT Guys are not gamers.

48G Cables - enable up to 48Gbps bandwidth for uncompressed HDMI 2.1 feature support including 8K video with HDR. The cable is backwards compatible with earlier versions of the HDMI Specification and can be used with existing HDMI devices. You will need this to make use of the new video capabilities. Our take, buy them after they have been out for a while and then buy from Amazon Basics or Monoprice.

Podcast #809: New TV Shows for Fall 2017 Sep 15, 2017

New TV Shows for Fall 2017

As we get older, we gain a deeper appreciation for the subtle joys in life. And few things in life are as joyous an occasion as television premiere season every Fall. You’ve been waiting for what feels like an eternity for your favorite shows to come back for another season, and not just that, there will be a bunch of new shows that could become one of your favorite shows of all time. If you’re interested, Entertainment Weekly has a great post with all the Fall TV Premiere Dates by date, time, and Network.

ABC

Alex, Inc.

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Zach Braff, Michael Imperioli, Tiya Sircar, Hillary Anne Matthews

Producers: Matt Tarses, Zach Braff, John Davis

Premise: Based on the podcast of the same name, the comedy follows Alex Schuman, an inquisitive journalist, husband, and father who dives headfirst into the brave new world of entrepreneurship when he quits his stable job and starts his own business.

The Crossing

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Cast: Steve Zahn, Sandrine Holt, Rob Campbell, Jay Karnes, Simone Kessell, Grant Harvey, Tommy Bastow, John D’Leo, Kelley Missal, Marcuis W. Harris

Premise: Refugees from a war-torn country start showing up to seek asylum in an American town. Only the country these people are from is America and the war they are fleeing is 250 years in the future. The local sheriff with a past, a federal agent and a mother in search of her missing refugee daughter drive this allegory with a surprising conspiracy at the center.

Deception

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Cast: Jack Cutmore-Scott, Ilfenesh Hadera, Amaury Nolasco, Lenora Crichlow, Vinnie Jones

Premise: When his career is ruined by scandal, superstar magician Cameron Black has only one place to turn to practice his art of deception, illusion and influence: the FBI. He’ll become the world’s first consulting illusionist, helping the government solve crimes that defy explanation and trap criminals and spies by using deception.

For the People

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Britne Oldford, Ben Rappaport, Hope Davis, Anna Deavere Smith, Wesam Keesh, Vondie Curtis-Hall, Regé-Jean Page, Lyndon Smith, Ben Shenkman

Producers: Shonda Rhimes, Paul Davies, Betsy Beers

Premise: Set in the Southern District of New York Federal Court, known as the "Mother Court," the drama follows attorneys for the prosecution and defense "as they handle the most high profile and high stakes case in the country, all as their personal lives intersect.

The Good Doctor

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 25 at 10:00 PM

Cast: Freddie Highmore, Antonia Thomas, Nicholas Gonzalez, Chuku Modu, Richard Schiff, Beau Garrett

Premise: A young surgeon with Savant syndrome is recruited into the pediatric surgical unit of a prestigious hospital. The question will arise: Can a person who doesn’t have the ability to relate to people actually save their lives?

Kevin (Probably) Saves the World

Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Jason Ritter, JoAnna Garcia Swisher, J. August Richards, India de Beaufort, Dustin Ybarra, Chloe East

Premise: The one-hour dramedy revolves around Kevin, a down-on-his-luck man who is tasked by God with a mission to save the world.

Marvel's Inhumans

Premieres: Friday, Sep. 29 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Anson Mount, Iwan Rheon, Serinda Swan, Ken Leung, Ellen Woglom, Eme Ikwuakor, Isabelle Cornish, Mike Moh, Sonya Balmores

Premise: The eight-episode series will explore the never-before-told adventure of Black Bolt and the royal family.

The Mayor

Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 3 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Brandon Micheal Hall, Lea Michele, Yvette Nicole Brown

Premise: When an outspoken, idealistic rapper runs for office as a publicity stunt and actually gets elected, he surprises everyone (including himself) when he has a natural knack for the job and slowly transforms City Hall.

Roseanne

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Roseanne Barr, John Goodman, Laurie Metcalf, Michael Fishman, Lecy Goranson, Sarah Chalke

Premise: The '90s hit will return for eight new episodes and will basically ignore the series finale, which revealed Dan (Goodman) died of a heart attack. Chalke, who played Becky after Goranson left the original series, will play a different character.

Splitting Up Together

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Jenna Fischer, Oliver Hudson, Diane Farr

Premise: The story of a couple whose marriage is reignited by their divorce. Based on the 2016 Danish series.

Ten Days in the Valley

Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Kyra Sedgwick, Erika Christensen, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Felix Solis, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Francois Battiste, Currie Graham, Nelson Lee, Abigail Pniowsky, Josh Randall, Ali Stroker, Ella Thomas, Beth Triffon, Mark L. Young

Premise: The 10-episode series centers on TV producer Jane Sadler, whose young daughter goes missing, mirroring the cop drama she produces.

CBS

9JKL

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Mark Feuerstein, David Walton, Liza Lapira, Matt Murray, Linda Lavin, Elliott Gould

Producers: Dana Klein, Mark Feuerstein, Aaron Kaplan, Wendi Trilling, Dana Honor

Premise: A family comedy inspired by a time in Mark Feuerstein’s adult life when he lived in apartment 9K in the building he grew up in, sandwiched between his parents’ apartment, 9J, and his brother, sister-in-law and their baby’s apartment, 9L, and his attempts to set boundaries with his intrusive but well-meaning family.

By the Book

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Jay R. Ferguson, Lindsey Kraft, David Krumholtz, Ian Gomez, Tony Rock, Camryn Manheim

Premise: A modern-day man at a crossroads in his life decides to live according to the Bible. Based on A.J. Jacobs' bestseller The Year of Living Biblically.

Instinct

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Alan Cumming, Bojana Novakovic, Naveen Andrews, Daniel Ings, Khandi Alexander

Premise: A former CIA operative who has since built a “normal” life as a gifted professor and writer is pulled back into his old life when the NYPD needs his help to stop a serial killer on the loose. Based on James Patterson’s upcoming book.

Me, Myself and I

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 2 at 9:30 PM

Stars: Bobby Moynihan, John Larroquette, Brian Unger, Kelen Coleman, Mandell Maughan, Jaleel White

Premise: Examines one man’s life over a 50-year span, focusing on three distinct periods: as a 14-year-old in 1991, a 40-year-old in present day and a 65-year-old in 2042.

SEAL Team

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 27 at 9:00 PM

Stars: David Boreanaz, Jessica Paré, Max Thieriot, Neil Brown Jr., A.J. Buckley, Toni Trucks

Premise: The drama follows the lives of the elite Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high stakes missions our country can ask.

S.W.A.T.

Premieres: Thursday, Nov. 2 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Shemar Moore, Jay Harrington, Kenny Johnson, Peter Onorati, Lina Esco, Levi Fiehler, Alex Russell

Premise: Inspired by the 2003 film that was based on the ’70s TV series, the drama revolves around a locally born and bred S.W.A.T. lieutenant (Moore) torn between loyalty to the streets and duty to his fellow officers when he’s tasked to run a highly trained unit that is the last stop for solving crimes in Los Angeles.

Wisdom of the Crowd

Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Jeremy Piven, Monica Potter, Richard T. Jones, Jake Matthews, Blake Lee, Natalie Tena

Premise: A tech wiz who attempts to revolutionize crime solving – specifically the unsolved case of his daughter's murder – with a crowd-sourcing app that utilizes the public for information.

Young Sheldon

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 25 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Iain Armitage, Zoe Perry, Lance Barber, Raegan Revord, Montana Jordan, Jim Parsons (narrator)

Premise: The Big Bang Theory prequel spin-off follows Sheldon Cooper (Armitage) at the age of 9, living with his family in East Texas and going to high school.

Black Lightning

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Cress Williams, Nafessa Williams, China Anne McClain, Christine Adams

Premise: Jefferson Pierce (Cress Williams) made his choice: He hung up the suit and his secret identity years ago, but with one daughter hell-bent on justice and the other a star student being recruited by a local gang, he’ll be pulled back into the fight as the wanted vigilante and DC legend Black Lightning.

Dynasty

Premieres: Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Nathalie Kelley, Elizabeth Gillies, Grant Show, Sam Adegoke, Robert Christopher Riley, Rafael de la Fuente, Brianna Brown, Alan Dale

Premise: The modernized reboot of the '80s soap follows two of America’s wealthiest families, the Carringtons and the Colbys, as they feud for control over their fortune and their children. The drama will be told primarily through the perspectives of two women at odds: Fallon Carrington – daughter of billionaire Blake Carrington – and her soon-to-be stepmother, Cristal, a Hispanic woman marrying into this WASP family and America’s most powerful class.

Life Sentence

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Lucy Hale, Dylan Walsh, Gillian Vigman, Elliot Knight, Carlos PenaVega, Jayson Blair, Brooke Lyons

Premise: When a young woman (Hale) diagnosed with terminal cancer finds out that she's not dying after all, she has to learn to live with the choices she made when she decided to "live like she was dying."

Valor

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 9 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Matt Barr, Charlie Barnett, Christina Ochoa, Nigel Thatch, Corbin Reid, Melissa Roxburgh, W. Tré Davis

Premise: Set at a U.S. Army base that houses an elite unit of helicopter pilots trained to perform clandestine international and domestic missions, the drama unfolds in the present as well as in flashbacks to a failed mission involving one of the first female pilots in the unit, ultimately uncovering layers of personal and government/military secrets, and leading to a season-long plan to rescue a group of MIA soldiers.

Fox

911

Airs: Midseason

Stars: Angela Bassett

Premise: The drama revolves around the lives of 911 operators as they respond to emergency calls.

Ghosted

Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 1 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Adam Scott, Craig Robinson, Edi Patterson, Ally Walker, Adeel Akhtar

Premise: A cynical skeptic (Robinson) and a genius "true believer" (Scott) in the paranormal are recruited by The Bureau Underground to look into the rampant "unexplained" activity in Los Angeles – all while uncovering a larger mystery that could threaten the existence of the human race.

The Gifted

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 2 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Stephen Moyer, Amy Acker, Jamie Chung, Coby Bell, Blair Redford, Sean Teale, Natalie Alyn Lind, Emma Dumont, Percy Hynes White

Premise: The series follows two ordinary parents who discover their children possess mutant powers. Forced to go on the run from a hostile government, the family joins up with an underground network of mutants and must fight to survive.

LA to Vegas

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Ed Weeks, Dylan McDermott, Kim Matula, Olivia Macklin

Premise: Set on the Friday night flight from LAX to Vegas and the returning flight on Sunday, it follows a group of underdogs trying to find their place in the world who all share the same goal: to come back a winner in the casino of life.

The Orville

Premieres: Sunday, Sep. 10 at 8:00 PM

Stars: Seth MacFarlane, Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, J Lee, Halston Sage

Premise: Set 300 years in the future, the live-action dramedy follows the adventures of the Orville, a not-so-top-of-the-line exploratory ship in Earth's interstellar Fleet. Facing cosmic challenges from without and within, this motley crew of space explorers will boldly go where no comedic drama has gone before.

The Resident

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Cast: Manish Dayal, Matt Czuchry, Emily VanCamp, Bruce Greenwood, Valerie Cruz

Premise: An idealistic young doctor begins his first day under the supervision of a tough, brilliant senior resident who pulls the curtain back on all of the good and evil in modern-day medicine. Lives might be saved or lost, but expectations will always be shattered.

NBC

A.P. Bio

Premieres: TBA

Stars: Glenn Howerton, Patton Oswalt, Mary Sohn, Lyric Lewis, Aparna Brielle, Nick Peine, Jacob McCarthy

Premise: A hilariously cynical Ivy League professor loses out on his dream job and goes to work as a high school biology teacher where he imposes his unorthodox teaching style and uses the kids to plot out revenge on those who wronged him.

The Brave

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 25 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Mike Vogel, Anne Heche, Demetrius Grosse, Noah Mills, Sofia Pernas, Hadi Tabbal, Natacha Karam

Premise: A heart-pounding look into the complex world of our bravest military heroes who make personal sacrifices while executing the most challenging and dangerous missions behind enemy lines.

Champions

Premieres: TBA midseason

Stars: Anders Holm, Andy Favreau, JJ Totah, Nina Wadia, Mindy Kaling (recurring)

Premise: The single-camera comedy follows Vince (Holm), a charismatic gym owner with no ambition who lives with his younger brother Michael (Favreau), a gorgeous idiot. Their simple life of women and working out is put on hold when the teenage son of Vince is dropped off on their doorstep by Priya (Kaling), one of his old high school flings.

Good Girls

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Retta, Mae Whitman, Matthew Lillard, Manny Montana, Reno Wilson

Premise: Three "good girl" suburban wives and mothers suddenly find themselves in desperate circumstances and decide to stop playing it safe and risk everything to take their power back.

Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 26 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Edie Falco

Premise: This eight-episode installment of Dick Wolf's popular franchise delivers a gripping in-depth dramatization of the notorious murder case that changed America forever. When the Menendez brothers were tried on national TV for brutally killing their parents in Beverly Hills, their story became a national obsession. Now, the first edition of this anthology series delves into the players, the crime and the media circus, detailing the day-to-day battles of the trial and unveiling the shocking truth of what really went down when the cameras stopped rolling.

Reverie

Premieres: TBA Midseason

Stars: Sarah Shahi, Dennis Haysbert, Sendhil Ramamurthy, Kathryn Morris, Jessica L

Premise: A grounded and dramatic thriller about a former detective specializing in human behavior who is brought in when the launch of an advanced virtual reality program has dangerous and unintended consequences.

Rise

Premieres: TBA

Stars: Josh Radnor, Auli’i Cravalho, Rosie Perez, Marley Shelton, Rarmian Newton, Amy Forsyth, Casey Johnson, Shirley Rumierk, Joe Tippett, Ted Sutherland, Taylor Richardson, Shannon Purser

Premise: Based on the book Drama High by Michael Sokolove and the life of drama teacher Lou Volpe, the series revolves around a high school drama teacher and family man whose passion for the program and his students galvanizes the entire working class town.

Will & Grace

Premieres: Thursday, Sep. 28 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Sean Hayes, Megan Mullally

Premise: Eleven years after going off the air, the former Must-See TV staple will return for 12 new episodes.

Research compiled with the help of:

A look back at the new TV shows for Fall 2016

How many survived? Of the shows we looked at for Fall premieres last year, not that many. This doesn’t include shows we didn’t talk about, or other late premiere shows like mid-season or summer replacement series.

ABC (3/5)

American Housewife - renewed

Conviction - canceled

Designated Survivor - renewed

Notorious - canceled

Speechless - renewed

CBS (4/7)

Bull - renewed

The Great Indoors - canceled

Kevin Can Wait - renewed

MacGyver - renewed

Man With A Plan - renewed

Pure Genius - canceled

Training Day - canceled

FOX (2/6)

24: Legacy - canceled, version in development

The Exorcist - renewed

Lethal Weapon - renewed

Pitch - canceled

Prison Break - canceled

Son of Zorn - canceled

NBC (4/7)

The Blacklist: Redemption - canceled

Chicago Justice - canceled

Emerald City - canceled

The Good Place - renewed

Taken - renewed

This Is Us - renewed

Timeless - renewed

CW (0/2)

Frequency - canceled

No Tomorrow - canceled

Podcast #808: David Dicks of Common Sense Audio Busts Speaker Myths Sep 08, 2017

David Dicks of Common Sense Audio Busts Speaker Myths

In part two of our interview with David Dicks of Common Sense Audio, makers of Audio Nirvana full range drivers, we discuss and bust some Speaker Myths.

Podcast #807: Sony XBR75X940 TV Review Sep 01, 2017

Sony XBR75X940 TV Review

We were poking around the other day at RTINGS.COM trying to decide what TV was the right one to share with the podcast. What we stumbled upon was no ordinary TV. It currently sits at number one on the leaderboard for TVs measuring in between 70 and 75 inches. It's the Sony XBR75X940. Read the full detailed review at RTINGS.COM

Full Review: http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/sony/x940e

Best 70-75 inch TV: http://www.rtings.com/tv/reviews/best/by-size/70-75-inch

Price at Amazon: $4298

Highlights below:

The best 75 inch 4k TV that we've reviewed is the Sony XBR75X940E 4k Android TV. It's one of the brightest TVs we've tested, and it features a highly advanced local dimming feature that greatly enhances the blacks.

It doesn't have quite as many dimming zones as the more expensive Sony Z9D, but we've found the performance to be very similar in practice. This gives it the best picture quality found on an LED TV at quite a competitive price compared to similarly sized OLEDs.

The X940E is a great large 4k HDR smart TV. It produces some of the best blacks found on LED TVs, and it can get quite bright. The excellent local dimming and ability to display a wide range of colors results in a great HDR experience. The X940E has some motion blur though, which makes it less of a good choice for sports or video games but doesn't impact the excellent movie performance.

TEST RESULTS

Design 8.5
Picture Quality 8.3
Motion 6.0
Inputs 8.6
Sound Quality 7.2
Smart Features 7.8

Pros

Very deep and uniform blacks
Very bright
Exceptional local dimming

Cons

Image degrades when viewed at an angle
Fast moving objects often have visible trails

8.3 Picture Quality

The Sony XBR75X940E LED TV has an impressive picture quality. Dark scenes look amazing due to the high contrast ratio and the excellent black uniformity, especially when the TV is in a dark room. When set in a bright room, the picture quality remains good, since the TV can get very bright to fight any glare from a bright lamp or window and it can also deal very well with reflections. The overall gray uniformity is average, but luckily not too much dirty screen effect is visible. The viewing angle is disappointing though, so the X940E is better suited for people who have a living room with a narrow seating arrangement, as the picture quality is best only when sitting in front of the TV. The X940E has excellent local dimming and a high HDR peak brightness, so highlights really stand out when compared to normal SDR content. The Sony X940E is really a top performer when it comes to HDR.

6.0 Motion

The X940E has a mediocre handling of motion. It has a long response time, so motion blur may be seen depending on the content. For movies this isn't an issue, but for PC use or some games a long trail can be seen. The TV uses PWM to dim the backlight, but the frequency is high enough to not be noticeable. It is possible to reduce the frequency to clear up motion significantly. Some minor judder is present when watching movies from a PC or cable, but most people won't notice this. Fans of motion interpolation can introduce a strong soap opera effect on the 120Hz panel.

8.6 Inputs

The Sony X940E supports all the common input signals, including HDR, and should be able to properly display any content. It has good 4k input lag, but its 1080p input lag may disappoint competitive gamers.

7.2 Sound Quality

The X940E produces a slightly better than average sound, but like almost any TV, it will greatly benefit from being combined to an external sound system such as a soundbar.

7.8 Smart Features

The Sony X940E ships with Android TV 6.0 Marshmallow, but received an update to Android TV 7.0 Nougat prior to testing. Nougat brings a few new features to Android TV, such as a picture in picture mode and multitasking menu, but it fails to address the main problems with the Android TV platform, namely ease of navigation, lag and frame drops, and a lack of smart features in the remote.

Other smart features of Android TV remain unchanged. The Google Play Store still has a larger selection of apps than many other smart platforms. Content can be cast to the TV from a smartphone or tablet using the TV's "Chromecast built-in" functionality, or played from a USB drive connected to one of the TV's three USB ports. The remote has a built in microphone for voice search, which works well.

8.1 Mixed Usage

Great TV for mixed usage, the X940E has excellent picture quality in most environments. It has some motion blur that might bother people more sensitive to it though.

8.7 Movies

Excellent TV for watching movies. The X940E has some of the best local dimming available, bringing it close to OLED for most scenes. It's also able to turn off black bars found in movies completely which is great.

8.3 TV Shows

Very good TV for TV shows. The X940E's upscaling of lower resolution content is as good as it gets, and it gets more than bright enough to be enjoyed in most environments.

7.4 Sports

Good TV for watching sports, the screen is uniform and bright, leading to no major issues with clarity, but the X940E does have some issues with motion which can cause fast moving objects to have long trails following them.

8.0 Video Games

Good TV for playing video games. Input lag is low in 4k, which is great for keeping the TV responsive. The size and picture quality helps keep the experience very immersive. Some motion blur is present though, which can cause issues with clarity, but it can somewhat be circumvented by using a flickering feature.

8.7 HDR Movies

The X940E does exceptionally well with HDR movies. It's one of the brightest TVs currently available, and the great local dimming and handling of gradients produce great dynamic range. It doesn't have the widest color gamut available, but it's wide enough to give a strong visual impact.

8.2 HDR Gaming

Very good TV for HDR gaming. Little lag is present with a 4k HDR input which is essential, and the overall HDR performance is some of the best we've seen.

7.4 PC Monitor

Good TV for use as a PC monitor. Supports all the relevant resolutions, even 120hz for better PC gaming. The input lag is also low, which makes navigating the desktop great. Unfortunately though, it does have a fairly narrow viewing angle, and long trails can be seen following moving elements such as scrolling text or the mouse cursor.

Podcast #806: David Dicks of Common Sense Audio Busts Audiophile Myths Aug 25, 2017

David Dicks of Common Sense Audio Busts Audiophile Myths

We speak with David Dicks of Common Sense Audio makers of Audio Nirvana full range drivers. On today’s show we discuss and bust some Audiophile Myths.

Ara used the Classic 5 drivers on his latest speaker build.

The Audio Nirvana 'Classic 5 FERRITE' ($178/pr) has a test bench frequency response from 73 hz (lower in cabinets) to almost 20,000 hz (varies by temperature). You can expect at least 95 db efficiency in any of our cabinets. It handles 30 watts continuous RMS (normal listening level will be about 1/10 watt). Impedance is 8 ohms. Voice coil is 1.2 inches (30 mm). Magnet weight is 1.7 lbs. Total weight is 4.3 lbs. The cone is made of paper. The surround is accordion style and made of treated cloth. The dust cap is a specially coated fabric material. The frame is cast aluminum.

Podcast #805: Various Topics Aug 18, 2017

Today's show has emails, news, HTIB, Movie Passes, Bricked Locks, and many more topics!

Podcast #804: Wired vs Wireless Home Audio Aug 11, 2017

Wired vs Wireless Home Audio

I recently read an interview with some home installers discussing wired vs wireless solutions for home audio. We have always said that nothing beats physical wires for reliability and speed. However, times have changed and and wireless has come a long way. So what do these experts think about the subject today? Note - these are the views of an A/V Installer and dealer.

What is the benefit of a hardwired installation?

Reliability, speed and cost. Less service calls factor into the mix as well.

Our take - Reliability is less likely to be an issue today. There are more channels, when you include 5GHz networks. Plus there are new mesh routers out there from Google, eero Pro, and NETGEAR Orbi that provide better coverage of you home. Speed is also less of an issue with these routers. All of them support 802.11ac which gets you close to wired. And since we are specifically talking about audio, it's far less of an issue since even the highest quality audio uses less than a megabit per second of data. As far as cost goes, if you have a home under construction or are doing major renovations, a hardwired solution may be cheaper. However, if you in a home is not under construction, it will cost much more to open up walls.

When would wired be better than wireless?

When the home is under construction or major renovation. In environments that swamped with wireless networks.

Our take - If your home is under construction then by all means wire every room! Don’t forget the garage and even the bathrooms. Run wire everywhere you can think of. A thousand feet of Cat 6 cable is less than $150. You will need cover plates and connectors plus labor but even with all of that you won’t spend more than about $500 for an extremely reliable network.

Most of the interview dealt with wiring for data, however, since we are talking about audio we should consider speaker wire as part of the solution. If the walls in the home are open you can run speaker wire to a central point and connect it to a multichannel amp or other audio system.

When would wireless be better than wired?

If you can’t easily get behind the walls or if you live in a rental.

Our take - Agree

What are the pitfalls of wireless whole house audio systems?

RF interference that result in weak signals in some rooms.

Our take - The lower frequency (2.4 Ghz) radio is great for longer distances but has to compete for fewer channels while the higher frequency (5 Ghz) radio has less interference but doesn’t travel through walls as well as the lower frequency. This was the main reason for us to go with hardwired in our recommendations. But with the new mesh network wireless systems it's no longer an issue. For about $300 you can fully cover a 4,500 square foot house.

What system is used in the majority of your installs?

Wireless

Our take - Wired is dead! ;-)

Which do you prefer?

Wired for reliability and to preserve wireless network bandwidth for applications that require a wireless connection.

Our take - Like us, these guys have been in the game for a while and at the time, wired was really the way to go for the exact reason as they state. However, with 802.11ac there is plenty of room for streaming audio, video, as well as typical computer network traffic.

What do the HT Guys think today?

Braden can tell you first hand that his entire home has seen an improvement when he switched to his Google mesh network wifi network. Ara likes it because when we record in Braden’s garage the signal actually makes it his computer. It looks like we have to modify our recommendations and start including wifi as a viable option.

Podcast #803: Element 55” 4K Ultra HDTV, Fire TV Edition Review Aug 04, 2017

Element 55” 4K Ultra HDTV, Fire TV Edition Review

In addition to the plethora of native Smart TV interfaces on the market, we’ve seen TVs come out with the Smart interface provided by a third party like Roku or Google. Amazon has recently jumped into that group as well by partnering with TV manufacturers to bring the full FireTV experience directly into the television set. We got our hands on the 55” 4K model from Element and got to play around with it for a bit.

We used model EL4KAMZ5517, with a going price of $649, but Element also sells the FireTV edition set in 65”, 50” and 43”.

Features

Fire TV Edition is a smart TV experience that seamlessly integrates your favorite streaming and live over-the-air content on a unified home screen (HD antenna required).
Experience true-to-life 4K UHD picture quality with over 8 million pixels for stunning clarity, deep contrast, and brilliant colors. Refresh Rate: 60 Hz (Native), 120 Hz (Effective).
The Fire TV experience is built in so you can enjoy over 15,000 channels, apps, and Alexa skills. Get universal search results across over 140 channels and apps including Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, SHOWTIME, STARZ, and Prime Video.
The included Voice Remote with Alexa allows you to control live TV playback, launch apps, search for TV shows, play music, switch inputs, control smart home devices, and much more.
Prime members get unlimited access to Prime Video, featuring thousands of movies and TV episodes at no additional cost.
input/output options: 4 HDMI 2.0 including 1 with ARC, 1 USB 2.0, 1 USB 3.0, SD card, Ethernet, composite/component, headphone, optical audio out.

Setup

As you can imagine, setup for a FireTV based television is incredibly simple. Sometimes we remember back to the good old days when you had to align a CRT, or connect an HD video signal with 5 RGBHV cables. You had to put in some work to watch good television. Not anymore. We screwed on the feet, plugged the TV in, connected it to WiFi and we’re ready in under 10 minutes. No cables to connect at all - except power of course.

Once the FireTV interface came up it already knew who we were and connected itself to our Amazon Prime account. This is most likely because we bought the set from Amazon, and may not happen if you purchase it through another retailer. But nonetheless, it was a great touch. We spent a while finding our favorite content apps like Netflix and HBO, and we were ready to lean back on the couch and watch some HDTV.

In other setups you may go a bit further than we did. If this is your primary TV, you may want to connect an over-the-air antenna so you can watch free, live TV. If you do that, your live TV integrates seamlessly into the FireTV experience. Or you may have a Set-Top box or Blu-ray player to connect. I that case you’d have to switch inputs to use those devices every time you boot up. Of course you can get live TV from an app like SlingTV, and you can get 4K movies from Amazon, Hulu, Vudu, etc. So you may be able to remove all those devices altogether anyways.

Usage

It is very clear from the first moment anything appears on screen that Amazon wants the FireTV experience to be incredibly easy and frictionless. The TV removes all the difficult setup questions, any strange configuration steps like scanning for channels, are handled for you. The TV is designed to make any user, with any grasp of technology, successful with it. In fact, the remote has voice search, so if you can’t find something or can’t figure something out, just ask it.

If you use an over-the-air antenna with the Element FireTV set, you’re going to love how tightly integrated the channel guide is with the rest of the FireTV experience. You get two weeks of guide info, which is cool, but you don’t have a DVR, so how are into the future are you really going to browse? And while it’s not a DVR, the TV does have a tiny amount of built-in memory, allowing you to pause live TV for a couple minutes if you really need to. This means you can make that quick snack run, answer a quick phone call, or take a quick bathroom break without missing anything.

Amazon Prime members can also subscribe to premium content channels directly through Amazon. You can get channels like HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc. without the need for a cable subscription. If you subscribe to any of that premium content through Amazon, those channels will appear in your guide alongside the live TV channels. Amazon has done a great job of creating a full Cable TV experience for the cord cutter. Another cool, differentiating feature is that the channel info and guide are also integrated with Alexa and voice search from the remote. You can tell Alexa to go to a channel by name (“ABC, NBC, CBS, ...”) so you don’t have to remember the numbers.

Review

The Smart TV interface and incredibly simple user experience of the Element set are awesome. Unfortunately, that’s where the awesome abruptly stops. Yes it’s a 4K set, so the resolution is great. But everything else about this TV comes up mediocre. The black levels are dark grey at best, the contrast is meh, edges are grainy, colors are just OK, and there is almost no ability to calibrate the TV whatsoever. They went so far to make the TV easy that they removed a lot of the flexibility many sets have to make them look good, or at least look better. And while it is 4K, there is no HDR support whatsoever. For TVs this size, HDR is arguably more important than 4K.

Conclusion

This same set is on sale with two different badges on it, some from Element and some from Westinghouse. We can clearly envision a future where there’s an Amazon Basics branded version as well. But to get there, the set will need to come way down in price. The interface is great, but the TV itself is nothing special. And for the price, there are several better options available, some even have Roku built in. But as more FireTV sets come to market, hopefully we’ll see some that are great televions as well as some selling for ridiculous deals. But for now, your options are limited. Of course, there’s always the FireTV stick you can plug into any TV to convert it into a FireTV set.

Podcast #802: 2017 Products of the Year - Electronic House Jul 28, 2017

2017 Products of the Year - Electronic House

The Electronic House annual Products of the Year contest surveys many of the best and most innovative smart home devices on the market today. Everything from simple light switches to full-blown automation systems. The entries are submitted by manufacturers and are organized into categories so you can easily find the types of products that interest you.

We will discuss a few of the winners but you should follow the link to check out all the devices that were considered.

Some statistics:

By 2020, more than 12 million U.S. household will have a smart water leak detector, more than 40 million will have a smart thermostat, nearly 50 million will have a smart light bulb, and nearly 14 million will have a smart home controller.

Source: Parks Associates NUMBERS Service

More than 35 million Americans will use a voice-enabled speaker at least once a month this year—an increase of almost 130 percent.

Source: eMarketer

Research firm Gartner forecasts that 20.8 billion connected things will be in use worldwide by 2020—and it’s a movement that has industries, even those outside of the tech world, taking serious note. Insurance companies, in particular, are in a unique position to offer customers who add certain IoT devices to their homes special discounted rates on homeowner’s insurance.

In 2015 67 percent knew what smart devices were; in 2016, 97 percent said they knew the term.

Podcast #801: HDTV Shootout Jul 21, 2017

Denon Unveils ‘Fully Loaded’ $1,000 AVR: Top 10 Smart Home Systems of Award-Winning Homes HDD Attends 2017 CE Week 4K Ultra HDTV Shootout

Podcast #800: Wifi Certified Homes Jul 14, 2017

On today's show we discuss:

Top 20 Blu-ray Market Share for the Week Ended 07/02/17 AMC wants to win back cordcutters. Spoiler alert: It won’t

Lennar’s ‘Wi-Fi Certified’ Homes: Going All-Wireless is ‘Big Disservice In Defense of Lennar’s Wi-Fi Smart Home Strategy: ‘Wireless is the Future

Podcast #799: Automation and Vacation Jul 07, 2017

Ara and Braden discuss how home automation can ease your mind when you are on vacation.

Podcast #798: Samsung Q9F QLED TV REVIEW (RTINGS.COM) Jun 30, 2017

Samsung Q9F QLED TV REVIEW (RTINGS.COM)

Back in May we introduced you to RTINGS.COM and mentioned that we would feature some of their TV reviews on our site from time to time. This week is the first of such reviews and we start off with the Samsung Q9F QLED (Buy Now 65 inch $4997 75 inch $9997). Read the full detailed review at RTINGS.COM

Features:

Get perfect color with over a billion shades and 100% color volume with our exclusive new Quantum Dots.
Q | 4K HDR Elite+ with Infinite Array produces our best contrast and detail in the brightest and darkest areas on the screen at the same time.
The no-bezel design and clean back finish look gorgeous front to back, whether mounted on the wall or sitting on a stand.
Q | 4K Elite Black+ with Infinite Array delivers our most stunning shades of black and reveals the secrets hidden in the shadows with elite detail.

The build quality of the Q9F is excellent. Compared to most other Samsung TVs, it really feels like a big step up which is worthy of their flagship TV. All of the parts are well made and feel high quality.

The Samsung Q9F LED TV has a very good picture quality. The excellent contrast ratio, paired with the good black uniformity, make the Q9 a very good choice for a dark home theater setting. It can display very deep blacks and can reproduce dark scenes very well. When set in a bright room, the Q9 is as good as it gets, since it can get very bright to fight glare from a bright lamp of a near sunny window and it can deal with reflections amazingly. Unfortunately, the Q9F's gray uniformity is sub-par and dirty screen effect is visible on wide panning shots or when watching some sports like football or hockey. The viewing angle is also poor and as a result, the Q9's best picture quality is restricted to a narrow zone in front of the TV. Finally, the Q9 can really make HDR content shine with its high HDR peak brightness and large color volume. Small highlights can get very bright and the colors it can reproduce are really a step ahead of the competition. The only downside here is the limitation of the local dimming, which is poorly implemented and can't really help to make black deepers.

The Samsung Q9F sounds quite poor, which is unfortunate for a TV of this status. While it isn't unbearable, it is worth spending on a set of speakers for an upgrade to the audio experience.

The Q9F uses Samsung's 2017 Tizen platform, also called Smart Hub, which is very simple and easy to navigate and has a powerful voice command feature. The TV's remote has a built-in microphone for these voice commands, which can do many things like changing inputs and settings and searching for content. The center of the TV's interface is the Smart Hub itself, which provides access to apps and settings in an easy to navigate fashion. Menu animations sometimes have frame drops and lag, worse than last year's Smart Hub. The remote unfortunately has very few buttons, requiring the user to use voice commands or navigate the Smart Hub to do most things. Smartphones and tablets can cast content to the TV's apps, and content can be played from a USB drive in one of the TV's three USB ports.

Test Results:

Design 9.5
Picture Quality 7.9
Motion 8.9
Inputs 8.6
Sound Quality 5.7
Smart Features 8.0

Usage Ratings:

Mixed Usage 8.0
Movies 7.7
TV Shows 7.8
Sports 7.8
Video Games 8.5

HDR Movies 8.6
HDR Gaming 8.5
PC Monitor 7.2

The Samsung Q9F QLED is a great 4k LCD TV with very good picture quality and exceptional rendition of colors. It can display a very wide range of colors and gets bright, making it quite good for HDR. Its input lag is quite low, and fast moving content shows very little blur, making it a good choice for both gaming and sports watching. Unfortunately, though, picture quality steeply declines when the Q9F is viewed from an angle, and its and its screen isn't the most uniform.

Podcast #797: DTS Virtual:X Jun 23, 2017

From the DTS Website:

DTS Virtual:X bridges the gap between our DTS:X codec and the reality of so many consumers’ homes, allowing you to enjoy multi-dimensional sound regardless of room size, layout, or speaker configuration.

The Key Benefits of DTS Virtual:X technology:

Delivers an unprecedented acoustic performance regardless of speaker configuration or room layout -- enhanced bass, crystal clear dialog, and enveloping sound thanks to Virtual Height and Virtual Surround processing based on psychoacoustics (not reflective surfaces).
Delivers immersive sound experience regardless of room layout or speaker configuration (stereo, 2.1, 3.1, 5.1, 7.1, etc).
Supports ANY CONTENT

DTS VIRTUAL:X IN A/V RECEIVERS

Enjoy immersive audio today; add more speakers tomorrow for the full DTS:X immersive experience!

DTS:X technology in Audio / Video Receivers allows them to deliver a fully immersive audio experience when all the speaker channels are connected, but sometimes it is not practical due to environmental reasons to connect all the speakers. In fact, our research shows that less than 10% of consumers connect the elevation (“height”) speakers to their A/V Receiver. Well, not immediately. That’s ok. We know you’re planning to do it at some point.

DTS Virtual:X in an A/V receiver means you can enjoy an immersive sound experience today, from as little as 2 speakers connected to your AVR. And it gets better with every speaker you add, so the upgrade path is easy. So, go ahead, buy that A/V Receiver you’ve always wanted. Just make sure it has DTS Virtual:X so that you can enjoy immersive sound now and add those height speakers when you get your next bonus for a full DTS:X experience.

DTS VIRTUAL:X IN SOUND BARS

Multi-Dimensional sound from a stereo sound bar? Now you’re talking!

Sound Bars are a great way to enhance the audio experience from your TV. In fact, approximately 24% of US Households have them. And some of the new sound bars include upward-firing drivers to mimic the height channels of a 9.1 channel or 11.1 channel immersive sound system. But oftentimes the audio from those upward firing drivers in a sound bar is blocked by the TV itself or dispersed by a vaulted ceiling or other environmental factors. So, while a sound bar will make the audio from your TV sound better, it will not deliver a full immersive sound experience.

Until now.

DTS Virtual:X Technology in sound bars puts you in the middle of the action.

DTS VIRTUAL:X IN TELEVISIONS

You won’t believe this is the sound from your TV!

Most people today have at least one TV in their home. And, as TV’s have become lighter and thinner, the demand for larger screen sizes has increased. In the US market alone, 86% of US consumers now own a TV greater than 40” (18% now own a TV of over 60”). Larger screen sizes provide a more immersive viewing experience, but the audio experience from a TV alone is compromised since a thin form factor limits speaker driver size and placement.

DTS Virtual:X technology provides an immersive, multi-dimensional sound experience without the need for larger drivers or additional speakers added to the TV set.

WORKS WITH ANY CONTENT

The great thing about DTS Virtual:X post processing technology is that it will work with the content you have today as well as any Blu-Ray, UHD Blu-Ray or other content you might buy tomorrow. Go ahead, take out that first DVD you bought and experience new life brought to it thanks to multi-dimensional sound that DTS Virtual:X provides. Enjoy immersive audio from Blu-Ray or Ultra High Definition Blu-Ray discs.

Podcast 796: Speaker Trends Jun 16, 2017

On today's show we discuss the following articles along with your emails and news:

Tips From THX: Getting the Most Out of Your Home Theater Best Speaker Designs: Top 7 Trends in Speaker Styles and Performance

Podcast #795: Interview with David Dicks of Common Sense Audio Jun 09, 2017

Interview with David Dicks of Common Sense Audio

We speak with David Dicks of Common Sense Audio makers of Audio Nirvana full range drivers. Ara used the Classic 5 drivers on his latest build.

Podcast #794: Various Topics Jun 02, 2017

We discuss emails, news, and various topics for this episode.

Podcast #793: RTINGS.COM May 26, 2017

RTINGS.COM

On today’s show we have an interview with Daniel O’Keefe of RTINGS.COM. We will be publishing some of their reviews on HTGUYS.COM from time to time so we wanted to introduce their site to you. We’ll also get a couple of TV recommendations from Daniel as well as a discussion on 4K and HDR.

TV Reviews (140)

Headphone Reviews (136)

About RTINGS.COM

Our goal is to help you find the best product to buy. That means straight to the point recommendations, based on in-depth and data driven reviews.

We buy our own products, test them and then recommend which one is the best to buy. We put all the products we review under the same test bench, so they can be easily comparable.

All our ratings are automatically calculated based on our test measurements. The formula used for the rating calculation can be found when clicking the next to the result. We spend a lot of time comparing the products side-by-side to validate our results. All our test methodology is also on our website so you can confirm the results yourself.

We keep the products that we review until they are discontinued, so we can continually go back and compare them together, to make sure our reviews are still accurate.

Podcast #792: Tivo Update, One Year Later… May 19, 2017

Tivo Update, One Year Later…

Last May, on Episode 740, we talked about moving to a Tivo based system for home television instead of a (typically) much more expensive standard Cable or Satellite package. We built our system around the Tivo Bolt and a few Tivo Minis for whole-house DVR. The idea was that if we could get rid of all the Cable company or Satellite company boxes and just get down to the one CableCard needed for the Bolt, we could drastically reduce our monthly television bill. Braden has been living the experiment for the last year. So is it all we thought it would be?

The Good

There are some huge advantages to the Tivo, some we knew we were in for, others we didn’t realize until we’d had the system for a while. The first, and most obvious, is the cost savings. The prior satellite package, with all of its Hopper and Joey boxes, rang in at just around $180/month. The new Cox bill, with one CableCard, is only $72*. A savings of almost $110 per month. Sure, you have to pay the Tivo annual fee of $150, knocking your effective savings down by $12-ish. And there’s the upfront cost of the hardware. But once you hit break even on the hardware costs, it’s all gravy.

*notes:

Of the $72 Cox bill, only ~$52 of that is the Cable TV package, the rest is additional taxes and fees. Watch out for those.

The review from a year ago quoted the Cable package at $40. Braden was missing some channels the family wanted and had to spring for an expanded package.

And then there’s the unified search feature. Want to find a specific movie, show, actor, actress, etc? Search for it in the Tivo and it’ll find it across your Cable subscription or any of your connected streaming apps. This isn’t unique to Tivo, but it is really cool. We didn’t realize how much we’d love it. Opening each app, Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, Amazon, CBS, HBO, etc to try to locate content is cumbersome. Doing the search once and seeing all the ways to get it, is great. And for paid purchases or rentals, it lists the prices at each service so you can compare. What’s more, if you add a OnePass for a show, it’ll fill in all the prior episodes for you in your queue in case you missed some by the time you found the show. It’s really cool.

Let’s not forget about the commercial skip feature. When you’re watching a standard TV show on the Bolt, you have the option to click on the green ‘D’ button to instantly skip over an entire commercial break. We were worried about losing the AutoHop feature when we dropped the Dish Network Hopper, but it turns out the Tivo implementation is vastly superior. AutoHop only works with prime time content from the big 4 networks. The Tivo feature supports the 20 most viewed networks (listed here) from the hours of 4:00pm to midnight - with plans to add more networks in the future. So many networks and shows, it truly feels like it applies to everything.

The Bad

But it ain’t all rosy. It turns out Tivo has some warts. Three warts to be precise, but they can be incredibly annoying. The first one is that the Tivo Mini constantly loses connection to the main Bolt unit. We have no idea why. Sometimes a reboot will fix it. Sometimes rebooting the Bolt will fix it. Sometimes you have to force one or the other to reconnect to the Tivo service to get them talking again. When they won’t connect, you can’t view any live or recorded content on the Mini. The unified search feature is a bit of a saving grace, if you have recorded content you want to watch that is also available on a streaming service like Hulu, you can still get to it, but if you just want to watch TV, you’ll have to put your troubleshooting hat on.

Another annoying thing we’ve found with the Tivo we still aren’t sure is entirely the Tivo’s fault. Occasionally when you try to tune in some channels you’ll get an error message on the screen about not being able to find a signal for that channel. The channel below it works fine, so you know you paid the bill, but that channel just won’t come up. If this hits you when you’re trying to record a show, it obviously kills the recording. We don’t know if it’s a Tivo issue or a Cox / CableCard issue. But if you’re paying for all those channels, you should really get all those channels. Luckily we’ve only seen this on the higher number channels that we don’t watch as often.

The third one is weird. We have one Mini that will constantly lose connection with its remote control. Only happens on one specific Mini. We’ve been back and forth with Tivo support and still no luck. It’s probably a bum Mini, since we’ve tried multiple remotes and they’ve all been hit by it, but as of yet, no offer from Tivo to replace the Mini for us to see if we can get one that works reliably. Currently the only fix is to completely unplug the Mini and reboot it. When it comes back up the remote works great. It’s possible you’d never see this issue since we only see it on one of three, but Tivo Minis don’t reboot very fast. Having to sit there for 5-7 minutes waiting for it to come back to life just so you can control it is really annoying.

The Ugly

We mentioned this on the original review from a year ago, but our install ordeal was a nightmare. It really felt like Cox hated the Tivo and maybe even the CableCard itself. When we’ve had to deal with support, we usually get the runaround. Cox will blame Tivo; Tivo will blame Cox or the CableCard. It’s super predictable and super annoying. Not having one definite source to call makes things very difficult. It’s a ‘he said’ - ‘she said’ where you’re stuck in the middle. This is probably why we haven’t even attempted to solve the missing signal problem.

The End

In the End, Tivo is great, but it has its kinks. It’ll save you money over a traditional Cable or Satellite package, but still costs a bit more than the streaming services like Sling TV or DirecTV Now. But you do get a lot more channels, and no pixelation or buffering issues because your streaming, assuming you can get a signal and actually see the channel in the first place. So there you have it: you take the good, you take the bad and there you have, the facts of Tivo.

Podcast #791: LeEco uMax85 Ecotv - User Comments May 12, 2017

LeEco uMax85 Ecotv - User Comments

We at the HT Guys are always striving to find TVs that can closely mimic the experience that a projector gives you. Shortly after CES we discussed the LeEco uMax85 Ecotv which, from a screen size perspective, is identical to a projector experience for all but those with a dedicated theater room. The uMax85 is a whopping 85 inches, 4K, supports wide color and HDR and only costs $5,500! No way you’re getting a 4K HDR projector for that much!

But is the umax85 the holy grail that eliminates the need for a projector? Today’s show will be a little different. We take you on a journey from rollout (Feb 2017) to today and we let users from AVS forum discuss what they like and dislike about the TV. But before we start, here are the stats:

Features:

4K Full Array Backlight & 448 Active Local Dimming Zones

The uMax85 features best-in-class 448 active local dimming zones with full array backlighting to ensure every inch of its 85" screen offers the highest possible realism, contrast and viewability at any time of day.

Fluid Motion™ 1920
- The Fluid Motion™ 1920 helps reduce motion blur and judder, preserving a high degree of clarity even during rapid-fire action scenes.

Dolby Vision™ and HDR10
- The uMax85 features Dolby Vision™ with HDR10 (High Dynamic Range) which radically improves your viewing experience. It enables a wider, richer range of color, brighter whites, and deeper blacks for more natural, true-to-life colors.

3D with Active Shutter Glasses

Dimensions
- 75 x 46 x 15.8 inches w/ Stand 149.8 lbs w/ Stand
- 75 x 42.8 x 2.4 inches w/o Stand 141.6 lbs w/o Stand

02-09-2017

After so much excitement for the uMax85, I feel like this thread (and all uMax85 discussion) has gone stagnant. With the caveat that I am not a trained eye by any means, here are my impressions:

Unboxing is about as simple as can be, as long as you can get the TV up the stairs or in the elevator. Once you unbox it, you realize the TV is, as we all hoped, big! All of my friends are incredibly impressed with the size. The fit and finish is good and the leeco home screen is bright and pleasant. The 3d is active and works well, in my opinion. However, I would like to know what other glasses are compatible. The SmartTv features are relatively smooth, but as I've mentioned before, my tv will not hold an internet connection. Half an hour into watching anything on a TV-based app, the TV says there is an error and stops playback. I have to do a full reboot to get it back. As with other forum members, I have the same issues with ARC and local dimming. Also, when I first watched a movie, the motion smoothing feature was turned all the way up, which created artifacts and terrible SOE. After I turned it off, that all went away. The issues I am really displeased with are screen uniformity and halo effect. I constantly see vertical shadows in the screen, and now I'm fixated on it. When I turn the local dimming off and back on, the uniformity is *better* but the halo effect is terrible. I would really like to resolve this issue.

I should also note the obvious. This screen is so big, that if you play standard resolution (or even HD) content, it looks grainy. However, UHD content looks spectacular.

02-11-2017

Okay, so I have had my UMax 85 for several weeks now and here is what I think. Overall, this is a great TV for the Price/Size ratio. LeEco really needs to come out with an update to fix the local dimming issue. Very annoying to have to fix it every time you turn on the set. The ARC issue is not that big of a deal to me as I just ran an optical cable to fix that problem. Like other users I set the motion setting to off to eliminate the soap opera effect. Also, I mostly watch sports and with it on there is some pixilation in fast moving objects.

I have noticed like others that with the local dimming on there appears to be a halo effect that takes place. The uniformity on my set is good but not great. The screen door effect is also very obvious when you have a bright background and the camera pans the bright background. Very noticeable if you turn on a hockey game. This is a bummer for me because I notice it. My wife does not see it unless I point it out to her. In fact several people were over for the Super Bowl and nobody noticed any of my gripes here. Everyone did talk about how nice the TV looked and how big it was.

I am a picky person when it comes to my displays. No way am I an expert, and maybe if someone gets this thing professionally calibrated some of my gripes will disappear. The bottom line is I wanted a large screen and on paper this thing has all the bells and whistles. In person the TV looks good/great most of the time. With a firmware update and some calibration it should look great all the time. If I were to go back and do it all over again I would do it. I think the value this TV offers is untouchable by other manufactures. I am happy with this purchase. I hope everyone who is still waiting on their sets can use our posts as a reference point when their’s arrive. I too will mess with the settings and see if I can make it better. I will post my results. If anyone does get this set professionally calibrated please share. Thanks

02-13-2017

I don't mean to encourage or discourage anyone from buying this TV. I may get scolded for this post but this is my experience as a owner and this information may be useful to another owner if they face issues that cannot be easily fixed.

I get it that things break and things are not as solidly built as they used to but I've never had an electronic item die so spectacularly on me before. This company may have the right intentions but lacks the implementation skills in a new market and generally seem overwhelmed.

So my 2 cents is if you buy this TV and run into problems be ready to call/email/post in forums multiple times before you get help.

04-16-2017

I also love my uMax85! Not without flaws but definitely the best 85" television for the money. Hopefully LeEco continues to support their products in the U.S. and we still get a timely Android TV (Nougat) update with Dolby Vision streaming.

I'll continue to ask every month on their forums when we'll be getting Dolby Vision streaming and post any news here.

05-03-2017

We are progressively rolling out this new OTA.

Below are the release notes for the OTA 1.5 (56S_0420).

Android TV™ Software Update Release Notes

Devices: uMax85, Super4 X4 43Pro/55/65

Version: 5.8.056S

Updates:

[Exclusive DIRECTV® NOW app]

Added new DIRECTV® NOW Android® TV app exclusively available only on LeEco smart TVs. Once software update is complete, app will display on the home screen under LeEco application row.

[Merged Le and LIVE app]

Streamlined LeEco video content into a single app to reduce the number of preinstalled applications for on-demand and live TV. LIVE app has been removed and all LeEco content is now merged into Le.

[Timer Fix]

Fixed TV time mismatch issue after a long sleep

[Additional fixes]

Improved overall system stability
Other minor bug fixes

Podcast #790: Hulu Live TV Beta May 05, 2017

Hulu Live TV Beta

This week Hulu released their paid beta for live TV. That means you have the privilege of paying $40 a month to help them find their bugs. But in all honesty it's actually pretty good minus a few user interface issues that should get buzzed out with feedback from everyone paying $40 a month. The interface was intuitive and made sense. Hulu is already somewhat organized around TV shows, so it feels like a bit of an app-based DVR. Add live content behind that and it simply feels like it belongs there. You don’t feel like you have two separate sides to the same app. Live TV flowed seamlessly in the interface.

Pricing isn’t too bad. You get 50+ channels for $40. They have a good selection but some channels are missing. There is no AMC or Viacom, and Discovery networks. You do get locals in in LA we get even get some independents but no CW. Included in the price is the basic Hulu subscription so you can watch programs through the Hulu app with commercials. For an additional $3 you can get the commercial free version of Hulu. That makes up for some of the limitations of the DVR which we talk about later. The only “Pay” channel they have is Showtime and that will cost you an additional $9.

Hulu’s guide is pretty innovative but it takes getting used to. You can decide what content (genre) you are interested in and then select live. The guide will then show you what is on right now. Or you can just say show me what’s available regardless if it's live and you have way more options. At that point it hit us! Who cares when it aired if I can chose when I want to watch it.

You can pause fast forward and rewind shows and some allow you to start at the beginning even if you started watching mid show. On shows that are streamed you can’t skip commercials. At this point in time you can pause and move the playhead to anywhere you want in the program but if a commercial starts you are stuck for the duration.

When it comes to the DVR you get some basic functionality included in the monthly service fee. You have a 50 hour limit and you can’t skip through ads. There is no word as to how long you can keep your recordings for. If you want full DVR capability you need to pony up $14.95 a month. That also gets you 200 hours of record time. But you can skip content that is recorded. If the show is available through the network streaming you will get the streamed version with non-skippable ads. But we found the ads to be about a minute and a half. If you paid the extra three dollars for no commercials this becomes the best of both worlds! You don’t use any DVR space and you don’t even have to skip commercials. Pay the $3!

Two streams are included with your monthly fee but you can go unlimited (at least while you are at home) for an additional $14.95. This add-on gets you three streams when you are away from home.

At launch Hulu live supports iPhones and iPads, Android phones and tablets,

Xbox One, AppleTV 4, and Chromecast. Support is on the way for FireTV and stick, Roku, Samsung TVs and Blu-ray Players, as well as Macs and PCs.

In all, this is a very good start and we can’t wait to see what more competition will do to this space!

Podcast #789: 2016 - 2017 TV Scorecard Apr 27, 2017

2016 - 2017 TV Scorecard

Each TV Season we like to preview the shows that are coming up as well as wrap up the year with which shows are coming back. On today’s show we’ll go through the major networks and give you the information you need to determine whether it's worth binging on a show this Summer. We’ll also cover some shows from the cable networks as well as streaming services like Amazon and Netflix.

Checkout our spreadsheet with the most current info. We’ll update it as the year winds down.

2016 - 2017 TV Scorecard

Podcast #788: HD Talk Apr 21, 2017

We discuss various topics this week.

Podcast #787: Youtube TV Apr 14, 2017

Youtube TV

Youtube has just entered the IPTV market and if you live in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, or Philadelphia you can sign up today. Like the other IPTV services available you can sign up for only $35 a month with no commitments and you can cancel anytime. Unlike the other services there is only one plan with a few add on channels.

For the most part the typical channels are available but there are some pretty big omissions. In LA, you get ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox. No CW or the other independents. But where the service fails for us is that there is no HGTV or DIY, AMC, TBS, Nickelodeon and many others. The image below depicts the actual channels you get

But the service does have a DVR and it's actually quite good. You add shows by hitting the + (plus) button in the user interface. There are no options for setting a season pass or just recording new episodes. You simply get every episode that airs regardless. We were concerned about this at first but then realized that it doesn’t matter. You get unlimited storage space and there are no recording conflict. The shows are aggregated in your library and categorized as Shows, Movies, Sports, or Events. Going into a category lists all your recordings and if you record a show that is in a current season and in syndication for previous seasons you can select which season to watch. In a way you can select a show like “How I met your Mother” and wait a few weeks and you will end up with multiple seasons worth of the show.

Another cool benefit is if you start to record say “24” all the episodes that Fox puts up online will automatically be available to you. That is a great way to catch up with a show that you missed from the start. You only have access to the shows that the network actually posts. For some ABC shows you only get five episodes. If you record the show, you get access to everything you recorded. It should also be noted that if your record a show that the network also streams you will get the streamed version including non-skippable commercials.

The DVR has all the benefits of a typical cable DVR, you can pause, skip and fast forward. Fastforward is achieved via a slider that you drag. You can not fast forward shows you did not record. You’ll have to watch commercials just like on the network apps. So if you think you might be interested in a show. Just set it to record. You have unlimited space and it is available for nine months. It took a bit of getting used to but we felt liberated to the point where we just started recording everything and then decide what to watch later.

Another place the service breaks down is TV support. The only way to watch it on a TV is via a Chromecast device. They give you one free when you pay your first month's bill. You can only hope that they develop a native app for the main set top box platforms. The service is available on PCs/Mac, iOS, and Android.

Our take… it's a good start. They really need more channels and need to support the main set top box platforms.

Podcast #786: Theater Solutions SUB8S Slim Powered Subwoofer Apr 06, 2017

Theater Solutions SUB8S Slim Powered Subwoofer

Home Theater without a subwoofer is like pumpkin pie without whipped cream, chips without salsa, a burger without fries. Some things are just meant to go together. And when you don’t have them both, you don’t really get the full experience of either. Typically, to get good bass in your home theater, you need to have a giant subwoofer the size of a small coffee table in the room somewhere. But they aren’t always easy to place. If that’s your dilemma, the Theater Solutions SUB8S 250 Watt Surround Sound HD Home Theater Slim Powered Active Subwoofer ($109.99) might be your answer.

About the Subwoofer

This slim versatile sub comes with stands to set up in any area, a mounting bracket to attach to a wall or the slim 4 3/4" height can slide under most furniture. The 8 inch long throw bass woofer has a frequency response of 35-150 Hz +/- 2dB. The port design smooths air flowing in and out of the cabinet, reducing turbulence and port noise. The ports also increase linearity, lowers distortion, reduces 5th order harmonic distortion and provides an increased output as high as 2-3dB. A black wood finish, cabinet feet, 115 AC cord, included RCA cables, RCA "Y" adapter, stand mounts and hanging mount with mounting screws round out this subwoofers fantastic details.

Setup

Setting up the Subwoofer, at least connecting up the audio to make it go boom, is really no different than any other subwoofer. It needs to be plugged into power. Then you run your LFE output from your receiver into the Sub. That’s it.There are a couple knobs you can adjust, but once you get them dialed in, they are pretty much ‘set it and forget it.’ If you want to mount the sub to the wall using the included bracket, tack on a few more minutes to get the bracket mounted to the wall and the Sub hung up on it. But overall, setup was a snap.

Performance

Performance is what really matters in any home theater component and subwoofers are no different. In most cases, unless you have motion actuators in your furniture, the subwoofer provides the only noise your body can actually feel during a movie or song. We must say that considering the size of the woofer itself, the size of the amplifier and the size/shape of the cabinet, we weren’t expecting much from this sub. But it turns out we were pleasantly surprised. It packs a decent boom for a subwoofer of its size.

With any content we played, when the level was set too low (which tended to be anything below half way) you simply couldn’t hear it. Crank the output volume a little and it would come to life. Anything between 50 and 100% on the gain dial would give you a decent bass response. Because of the unique shape and features of the subwoofer, placement ends up being a bit more difficult than you’d think. The placement of a subwoofer in a room, and it's proximity to walls, especially corners, can change bass response dramatically. Putting the SUB8S in a convenient location may give you less than ideal performance. But you bought it for that location, so you're kinda stuck.

By default is sits on four legs and fires down. You can also set it on its side using a pair of included stands. The last option is to mount it to the wall using an included wall mount bracket. It is incredibly versatile in that regard. Assuming where you want it to go gives you the bass response you need, it's great. If not, you'll end up with a subwoofer in the wrong spot anyways, so you could consider a more traditional unit that has stronger, deeper bass.

What we noticed was that, although the SUB8S sounded really good for an 8” sub, it doesn't match the expectations of someone in need of heavy, dedicated bass for a home theater. If you want to feel the bass, feel the explosions, it probably won't get you there. If you simply want to expand the low end for listening to music, or add a bit of umph to some movie and TV watching, it fits well.

Conclusion

Overall the SUB8S is a great subwoofer for its size and price. It will not outperform your current setup at home, unless you are lacking a sub or still have the speakers that came with the HTiB when you bought it. Due to its lack of umph and the unique challenges in placement we had to give the SUB8S a bit of a knock. Our take is that you probably don't want to use it in your home theater, but if you have a room that could use a bit more bass, and you can run power and an LFE line to under your bed or couch, throw one of these under there and you’ll be glad you did. It's a solid option for a loft, game room, bedroom, etc.

Podcast #785: D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD Mar 31, 2017

D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD

The D-Link Omna 180 Cam HD (MSRP $199.95) camera is the first camera that makes use of Apple’s HomeKit technology. It's not a ugly bulky wifi camera that most are used to but one that can be easily integrated into your home, while still providing a complete feature set in 1080p resolution.

Installation is as easy as plugging it in, opening your homekit app and aiming your phone’s camera at the unique ID. That alone adds the device to your homekit automation system and transmits all wifi settings for your home. Within two minutes the device is on your network and in your home ready for you to set up automation rules for its use.

Features:

180° Field of View – Widest angle lens on a fixed camera. You can see an entire room with one camera. D-Link also does something with the image so it doesn’t look like you are looking through a fisheye lense. Looks best on an ipad.

1080p HD Quality Video – Rich detail and crisp image quality

Motion Detection – Push alert notifications and recording whenever movement is detected. In fact the motion detection is so go you won’t need other motion detectors. You can trigger your automation rules based on movement on your home. I (Ara) ended up returning two motion detectors since two cameras covered the entire first floor.

Two-Way Audio – Built-in microphone and speaker for two-way communication. Other than verifying that this works I have not had to use it daily use. But it may be a great feature for looking in on individuals who may need extra support.

Local Recording – MicroSD card slot for local recording based on motion detection trigger. What’s cool about this is that you don’t need a third party service to review triggered recordings.

Night Vision – See up to 16 feet in complete darkness with built-in IR LEDs.

Live Viewing – View on your iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch with any homekit enabled app.

Conclusion

If you are in the iOS ecosystem and have an AppleTV Homekit is the way to go. It is so easy to mix and match devices from multiple vendors. It would be cool if Apple provided a web interface for setting up and monitoring your system. The D-Link Omna is a little on the expensive side but the ease of setup and quality of picture make it a camera you will want in your home!

Podcast #784: Invention roundup Mar 24, 2017

Invention roundup

From time to time we talk about new ideas we’ve come across on some of the crowdfunding sites like Kickstarter or Indiegogo. Some we happen upon ourselves, some we get alerted to by listener emails, tweets, etc. But these sites are literal treasure troves of inventions and predictions of what our homes, our home theaters and our lives may look like in a few years. Instead of just waiting for one of these ideas to come across our desks, we decided to do some digging to find out what the inventors of today are working on to provide a better future for the rest of us. In some cases a future that’s starting to resemble Science Fiction or the Jetsons.

For those who aren’t familiar with crowdfunding, it’s pretty simple. Someone has an idea, maybe even a prototype, but they can’t afford to finish development, go to manufacturing and bring the idea to life on their own. So they look for help. Instead of getting a big check from a Venture Capital firm and giving up a large percentage of their company, they ask for your help. For a small donation you usually get early access to the product or other perks associated with it. If there’s a product you think could really improve your life, you can help fund it and make it a reality.

Indiegogo has a comparison of the two sites on their site. Obviously slanted, but a good description of how they work and how the two platforms differ.

Moodo - The Smart Home Fragrance Box (Indiegogo)

Moodo is the first smart device that gives you complete control over the way your environment smells and feels. Made for the home or office, Moodo enables you to change the ambiance instantly using a simple smartphone app. Smell is the strongest of our senses. It’s arguably the sense most influential on your mood. It's also the next logical step in an increasingly personalized world. Your environment is what you make it- your ideal lighting, favorite decor and your music - now you can control the elusive dimension of fragrance.

"OK Google, make it smell like Summer Rain in here"

Moodo is the world's smartest fragrance diffusion machine. Play with the app's dials to control the intensity of each of the four capsules and explore the possibilities. Set it so you wake up to a citrus filled kitchen on weekend mornings, or take over as scent-DJ and switch up the mood in seconds. Then save your custom scents to the app. Or share them with your friends. And don't forget to set it to get romantic when the kids go to sleep. It's all up to you. And your nose.

Moodo Starter Pack - $149 USD + Shipping

Get your Moodo with a starter scent-family of your choice (4 capsules) at our special crowdfunding pricing for a limited time. Good for 2 months of normal daily use. We'll contact you when the campaign is over to get your choice of scents. See our scent families on the campaign page below. Retail value $249

Items included: Moodo Box, 4 fragrance capsules (1 set)

Hayo: Create Virtual Remote Controls for Your Home (Indiegogo)

Hayo connects to your favorite smart home platforms and products (like IFTTT, Wink, Sonos, Nest) and gives you the ability to control them with simple hand motions. The system starts by 3D-scanning your room and lets you create virtual remote controls on top of objects (like furniture) or right in mid air. Want to make your coffee table a play button for Sonos? Or place an on/off button for your HUE lights right above your bed? Hayo can do that. It's like using the force for your home.

One Room : One Hayo - $219 USD + Shipping

Get ONE Hayo at 27% off, before everyone else. **For the next 200 backers. **Hayo will retail for $299

Superscreen – Supercharge your phone with a 10.1” HD display (Kickstarter)

The features of a $600 iPad in a $99 device. Superscreen gives you the benefits of a tablet with the power & convenience of your phone. Superscreen is a new way to experience the digital world you have set-up on your phone. It does everything a tablet can do, everything a casting product can do, PLUS everything in your phone in one affordable great looking device. Never stretched or zoomed: Your smartphone 4x bigger and better. Superscreen perfectly scales your content in full HD so nothing gets blurry or chopped.

A familiar touch: Full multi-touch and orientation control, plus support for a stylus.

Faster than Wi-Fi: Superscreen's patent pending technology transfers data between your phone at industry leading speeds as far as 100 feet away regardless of obstructions.

SUPER PAIR - TWO SUPERSCREENS - For a pledge of $198 or more. Free US & EU shipping included.

(The $99 package has sold out)

Support us now and receive an exclusive Kickstarter price of 67% off (expected retail $598).

Color: Midnight Black or Ivory White. Choose your color(s) after the campaign ends.

INCLUDES: 2× Superscreen, 2× USB A to USB C Cord, 2× Type A to USB A Wall Charger

ESTIMATED DELIVERY: Dec 2017

SHIPS TO: Anywhere in the world

Eye - The Smart iPhone Case (Kickstarter)

Add to your phone a: 5 inch display, battery power, up to 256GB storage, SIM slots, an IR blaster & wireless charging! Eye - an iPhone case that is an Android phone.

With Eye, you finally get expandable storage on your device! Just pop a microSD card and back up your iPhone pictures and videos to it with our app. Access the file with any Android file explorer. Eye connects to the iPhone via Lightning so file transfer speed is phenomenal—up to 130MB (yes, bytes!) per second.

Eye improves your battery life in two ways. 1) Inside the Eye and next to the motherboard is a 2800mAh battery. This battery will serve the Eye while charging the iPhone. 2) When you're using Eye, the iPhone is not really used, leaving it in standby mode much more than usual (than without having Eye). The iPhone’s battery will never lose power to Eye.

Eye includes 2 extra SIM card slots supporting LTE cellular speeds up to 300 Mbps. That means you can have up to 3 numbers—one inside your iPhone and two inside Eye. Since Eye doesn't have a mic or speaker, it'll use the iPhone's own mic and ear speaker.

For those of us who would like to use wired headphones, Eye has your back! Eye connects to the iPhone through its Lightning port and takes the sound signal through it, just like any other Lightning headphones. When music plays or a call starts on the iPhone, you'll enjoy these features with your wired headphones connected to Eye. :) In case there is no sound on the iPhone, the headphone jack will play sounds from the Eye's Android OS.

Early birds - For a pledge of $119 or more

X1 Eye

Retail $189

ESTIMATED DELIVERY: Aug 2017

SHIPS TO: Anywhere in the world

Podcast #783: In Wall Subwoofers Mar 17, 2017

In Wall Subwoofers

We recently received an email from Jim in Carlsbad CA asking why there weren’t many reviews of in wall subwoofers. This got us thinking about it. It seems reasonable because how many reviewers are going to commit to ripping a hole in their drywall to test out something that they are going to have to give back when they are done? So how do you make an educated decision?

This is one of the situations that you may have to rely on other members of the audio community who are not professional reviewers. Whether it be AVS Forum, Amazon customer reviews, or one of dozens of consumer sites people love to share their experience. The trick is how to separate truth from BS.

A general rule of thumb we use when looking at consumer reviews is that 10% of the reviewers hate everything and 10% are too easy on any given product. So they typically cancel out. If you get 80% good ratings then you are looking at something that is a good product. We use this rule for anything we buy online. By the way, most in wall subwoofers are passive so your receiver will need an amplifier available to drive it. If you don’t have an available amp you will need to factor one into the cost.

Before we look at some in wall options let’s look at some of the pros and cons of going this route. Most of these are the same for in wall speakers as well.

Pros:

Space - Since these are mounted in wall they do not take up space and thus are easier to fit in with any decor. They typically have high spouse acceptance factor as well.
Increased Gain - Mounting in the wall will use the space between the studs as an enclosure to extend the bass.

Cons:

Installation - If you are not handy cutting into drywall you will need to hire someone to install the subwoofer increasing the overall cost.
Amplification - In wall subwoofers will require an external amplifier. Since most receiver do not amplify the subwoofer output you’ll need to buy a separate one increasing the overall cost.
Fewer Upgrade options - once you get your subwoofer installed you are pretty much committed. Unless you can find another model that is the same dimensions. It's not like you swap out subwoofers all the time but you may upgrade in a few years. In wall makes that upgrade more difficult.
Calibration - You have heard of the subwoofer crawl right? You won’t easily be able to find the right spot for your subwoofer. Since the cavity of the wall is used to extend the bass no SPL measurements will be the same as those taken when the subwoofer is in it's final location. If the position is more important you will have to take other measure to get the audio just right.

Here are three in-wall subwoofers that have received an 80% or greater favorable rating by consumers:

In the low price category we have the Aria In Wall Subwoofer 10 Inch Passive 200W max $30 (Monoprice). Monoprice does not even try to pretend this is a subwoofer replacement but more of a “bridge” to help offset the frequency gap of compact speakers. But at $30 it may be perfect for casual listening. The subwoofer gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from 39 reviewers. The biggest complaint is that it's installation instructions are not clear.

Specifications

Impedance - 8 ohms
Frequency Response - 35 Hz to 3.0 kHz
Power Handling Capacity - 100 watts nominal / 200 watts max
Woofer - 10" Non-press Cone Woofer
Sensitivity - 88dB ±2dB (1.0m/2.0V)
Cut-out Dimensions - 10.6 x 10.6"
Overall Dimensions - 11.9" x 11.9"
Mounting Depth - 3.6”

Our mid price subwoofer is the Klipsch Architectural RW-5802 300 W RMS Woofer $499. This one rated 5 stars but from only 4 users. The RW-5802 sits in an enclosed cabinet that should make it easier to install and reduce vibration and sound in adjacent rooms.

Specifications

Dual 8 (30.5cm) front-firing, cerametallic cone, cast aluminum frame driver woofer
Sealed integrated enclosure for maximum installation flexibility
45-140Hz Frequency Response
90dB Sensitivity at 1-Watt 1m
Dimensions - Height 20.8 x Width 11.8 x Depth 3.7

Our high end in wall subwoofer is the Definitive Technology In-Wall Sub 10/10 $800. This is also an enclosed cabinet which makes installation easier. It scores a perfect 5 stars from all three reviewers!

Specifications

Outer Dimensions: 15-1/2" W x 21" H
Cut-out Size: 14-3/8" W x 3-13/16" D x 19-7/8" H
Frequency Response: 16 Hz – 200 Hz
Nominal Impedance: 4 ohms
Driver Complement: One 10" Long-Excursion Woofer coupled to a 10" Infrasonic Radiator
Enclosure: Non-resonant Sealed Medite
Weight: 30 lbs.

In doing research we also discovered the Theater Solutions SUB8S 250 Watt Surround Sound HD Home Theater Slim Powered Active Subwoofer $98. It's not an in wall subwoofer but it is pretty cool nonetheless. It only measures 4 and ¾ inches high so it can be placed under a lot of furniture. It also comes with a wall mount that allows for it to easily be attached to a wall. Just be sure to buy 90 degree adapters for your RCA cables. So it's kind of the best of both worlds. It's not huge so think small family room. It's rated 4 stars by 112 users so it seems like a good bet. Especially for something that costs less than $100.

Specifications

8" high efficiency low frequency front firing subwoofer
100 Watts RMS and 250 Watts Max in cabinet amplifier with a frequency response of 35 Hz - 150 Hz
High Level L/R Input and Output spring terminals and L/R RCA Inputs
Built-in Auto Shut Off
RCA Cable, "Y" RCA Adapter and full instructions included

Podcast #782: Live TV Streaming Options Mar 10, 2017

Live TV Streaming Options

We have friends, and you probably do as well, who are constantly asking about options for cutting the cord or otherwise reducing their high monthly cable or satellite bill. We have experience with a couple of the options, but not all of them. In an effort to better serve those friends of ours that need our help, we decided to compile a “compare and contrast” on the three main options available today: SlingTV, Sony Playstation Vue and DirecTV Now.

Feature Comparison

SlingTV

Playstation Vue

DirecTV Now

Starting Cost

$20

$40

$35

Channels

30+

45+

60+

iOS

yes

Android

yes

AppleTV

yes

Roku

yes

FireTV

yes

Chromecast

yes

PlayStation

yes

Simultaneous Streams

1 (3 at higher tier)

Local channels

yes*

Cloud DVR

beta

yes

* not in all markets. Some markets may get a national feed or only on-demand content.

Sling.TV

When SlingTV hit the market, it was revolution. The first of its kind. Since then many more very similar offerings have followed, but there’s something to be said for being the first to market. Dish has more experience than any of their competitors. May not matter too much anymore, but in a brand new market, the spoils often go to the player who works out all the kinks the fastest. Sling TV has just added a beta of a cloud based DVR option, making the service a bit more compelling. Sling's DVR only gives you 100 hours of total recording time. Better than nothing, and similar to what you get from many cable and satellite DVRs, but being a cloud service, we’d expect a bit more storage.

PlayStation Vue

Sony jumped into the fray with a very compelling offering right out of the gate. The were the first to offer a cloud based DVR to augment the service. SlingTV’s answer to the cloud DVR at the time was to just store all the shows for a short time after they aired. If you missed an episode, you could still catch it the next day. If you missed it the next day, sorry. Hopefully Hulu’s got it. PlayStation Vue’s cloud-based DVR will store your shows for up to 28 days. You can record as much as you want, but if you don’t watch in 28 days, you’ll be off to Hulu or buying episodes at Apple, Amazon, or waiting for the full season to hit somewhere like Netflix. Better than one day, but again, being a cloud based service, you should be able to get more storage than that.

DirecTV Now

Not to be outdone by their longtime rival Dish Network, DirecTV came to the table with DirecTV Now. Also a very compelling offering right out of the gate, DirecTV has a couple of unique twists that may set it apart for some of the audience. For example, if you have AT&T for cell phone service, you can stream DirecTV Now to your mobile devices without it counting against your bandwidth limits. If you have AT&T and watch a lot of TV on the go, that could save considerable amounts of money on your monthly bill. Unfortunately DirecTV Now still doesn’t have a DVR option, putting it way behind the others in that area.

But wait, there’s more…

While there are three options available today, there are many more coming very soon. So far two have been announced as official offerings: one from YouTube and one from Hulu. We can see some compelling features to both of those. Hulu, for one, with their giant catalog of TV content, could build a very interesting offering when combined with live TV and a cloud DVR. Beyond those two, rumors abound that companies like Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Walmart/Vudu are working on live TV streaming services as well. This market could be very crowded by the end of 2017.

Of those “rumored” to be working on a Live TV service, Amazon seems like they’re quite close. If you sign into Amazon Prime Video, you already see a listing of available “channels” you can watch right there from within your Amazon account. They are mostly premium channels you can subscribe to like Starz and HBO, but extending this concept to include live channels if you subscribe to them shouldn’t be too much of a stretch. Amazon already has the full array of new and catalog content, like a mashup of Netflix and Vudu. And Amazon has storage figured out (the recent S3 outage aside), so a cloud-based DVR should be a no-brainer.

Compare and Contrast

One of the most important factors for deciding which service is right for is what channels you get for the money. Ideally you get the most channels for the least money, but you also need to make sure you’re getting the right channels - the ones you actually watch. Playstation Vue and DirecTV Now offer over 40 channels with their base subscription tier. Sling TV only has 30 channels in the base tier, but it costs significantly less at only $20 per month. If you’re a CBS fan, you’ll need to augment any of the services with the CBS All Access service since neither DirecTV Now nor Sling carry CBS at all and PlayStation Vue has some local CBS news feeds across the country, but coverage is spotty and not the full CBS network.

As an aside, for those in need of CBS content the CBS All Access service comes in two flavors. There’s a $6 per month option that gives you access to live streams of your local CBS affiliate and on-demand access to over 8,500 catalog episodes with limited commercials. When you watch the live stream, of course you watch the same commercials as everyone else. There’s also an upgraded $10 per month option that provides the same live content but removes commercials from the catalog episodes. None of the streaming services in our round-up offer any commercial free content options.

Channel availability is where waiting a little while could pay off. YouTube TV will be the only one to include all of the major broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, and even the CW. DirecTV Now and PlayStation Vue have ABC, NBC, and Fox, but Sling's $20 entry level plan doesn't offer any of them. None of them have the CW. If you step up to the $25 plan with SlingTV, they throw in Fox and NBC for you, and you’re still paying at least $5 less than the others. YouTube TV will also one of the few services to stream CBS, removing the need to add the additional CBS All Access service, saving you $6-$10 per month if you’re a big CBS fan.

Device support is another big consideration. If you’re all-in on Roku, that removes DirecTV as an option for you since they don’t currently support Roku devices, while SlingTV and Playstation Vue do. Likewise if you want to use your Playstation 3 or 4 console as a set-top box for watching TV, the Playstation Vue service is your only option right now. All of them will run on your phone or tablet - unless you have a really obscure phone or tablet, like an old blackberry or w Windows phone. They’ll run on your computer, AppleTV or FireTV. We don’t know if that will always be true if Apple or Amazon add competing offerings, but it's true right now.

The last big deal that many don’t think about before signing up is how many streams you can have going at once. With SlingTV at $20, you can only watch 1 thing across all your devices. If you’re single, live alone, are at college, etc, that may work out fine. If you have multiple people who want to watch TV at home (or on the road) you may run into problems. Dish can be upgraded to 3 simultaneous streams if you’re willing to pay for it. DirecTV Now gives you 2 simultaneous streams, regardless of what subscription tier you pay for and Playstation Vue allows 5 devices, all of them can get their own stream. But if you have more devices, you’re out of luck.

Another YouTube differentiator is their take on the cloud DVR capability. YouTube lets you record as many shows as you want, simultaneously. No limits. That’s not only better than all the other streaming services, it’s better than any satellite, cable or IPTV provider as well. Everything gets saved to your cloud DVR and they’ll let it sit there for up to nine months do you have plenty of time to binge those episodes over the summer. There are no storage limits so if you even think you might have a vague interest in something at some point later, just record it. It won’t hurt you.

Conclusion

Device support, channels available, cost, simultaneous streams, there are so many factors in choosing which service is right for you, it’s nearly impossible to pick a single offering as the best one in all circumstances. And with so many more options on the horizon, the right one for you may not even be available yet. We recommend you take a look at: what devices you have that you’ll want to watch TV on, what channels you want to watch, and how many different people will be watching at once. Take that combo to each service and see if it matches. If you get one match, you’re done. If you get multiple matches, pick the least expensive option and you’re done. If none of them match you can either change your expectations or wait a while to see if any of the newer offerings do match what you need.

The great news is that none of the services require any form of contract, so there’s no risk of lock-in. You sign up whenever you want and are free to quit the service whenever you want as well, without any penalties. That means you can try one, see if you like it, and if not, quit that service and switch to another. In most cases, you won’t need to change hardware or anything major. You just delete one app, install a different one, and you’re ready to go. In fact, they all offer free trial periods, you could run a trial of all three simultaneously and keep the one you like the best. When Hulu or YouTube come out, try them out and switch if you prefer the newer offering. Freedom and flexibility like that is pretty refreshing considering the lock-in issues we’ve always had to deal with in the past.

Podcast #781: LG 65UH6150 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV Mar 03, 2017

LG 65UH6150 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV

We have been talking about 4K TVs for about three years. We were pretty early to the 4K scene and as being early adopters we missed out on TVs with HDR and support for the wider color gamut. Such is the problem with being an early adopter. But we knew it was only a matter of time before one of us would buy another TV and this time it would support HDR and Wide Color. As it turns out Ara was the one who recently purchased an LG 65UH6150 (Buy Now $1079) and is quite pleased with what LG has sold him.

Features:

4K UHD
IPS Panel - in-plane switching maintains consistent color regardless of viewing angle
HDR
Wide Color Gamut
4K Upconverter
TruMotion 120Hz - reduces motion blur on fast moving objects
WebOS 3.0 Smart TV - The latest generation of LG's exclusive Smart TV platform

Installation and Setup

The TV is relatively easy to get off the truck and into the house. You will definitely need a pickup truck to get this home. While it will fit in a lot of SUVs laying flat it is not recommended to move such a large TV like this. The glass is heavier in a large TV and going over a bump could break the screen. Shipping weight is 72 lbs (32.7Kgs), it's only 60 lbs when you get it out of the box.

You lift the box off of the TV and then carefully attach two legs with a philips screwdriver. Once on the TV stand we connected power and an HDMI cable from the AppleTV. We didn’t bother connecting a FireTV since the TV comes with an Amazon app that is capable of 4K HDR and Wide Color Gamut. We also opted to use the built in Netflix app since it too supported HDR and 4K.

The first thing we did was connected to our 5Ghz wifi network and once connected the TV notified us of a firmware update. The update took about 20 minutes. Once that was completed we logged into our Amazon and Netflix accounts and we were good to go!

There are more apps than Netflix and Amazon but that was all we were interested in. Other apps include:

Hulu
Channel Plus
Youtube
Vudu
Pandora
Crackle
Spotify
And more

We did not do any formal calibration or did we tweak the settings. We simply set the TV to Cinema mode for the majority of our viewing and HDR Effect when we were watching UHD Discs or streamed content that supported HDR. There are ISF calibration setting levels for those who want to have the TV calibrated. Note - to turn on 10bit color go to the General/HDMI ULTRA HD Deep Color setting and turn this on per HDMI input. If the device does not support 10 bit color it may not work in this mode.

Performance

We recently did a review of the Oppo Digital UDP-203 (Podcast #777) where much of the viewing was done on this TV. For the performance portion pertaining to UHD discs we’ll just repeat that here. We’ll also add watching 1080p television content and streamed 4K HDR content from Netflix and Amazon.

Overall the TV has great color and good blacks. In content that was encoded with HDR the Blacks looked almost plasma like. Other times they looked like they had a tinge of gray. We found that much of the picture performance depended on what you are feeding the TV. The other pleasant surprise was the speakers. Typically it's hard to hear dialog on modern TVs. This one did not have that problem.

UHD Disc

First up was “Keeping up with the Joneses” Other than the noticeable improvement in detail there wasn’t much of an improvement. There were scenes where I could notice more realistic color and shadow details. This is a limitation of the disc not the player or the TV. Which brought us to a revelation. You really need to pay attention to your entire chain to get the most out of HDR. That includes the content. While I felt the Oppo and TV did a great job with the movie, I was let down by the movie itself.

Next up was Independence day Resurgence. This was another disc that didn’t meet my expectations. There are a lot of dark scenes and HDR should have made a bigger difference. The shadow detail really didn’t look better than the Blu-ray. Again this is a limitation of the content.

I had high expectations for Magnificent 7 and the LG did not disappoint! The detail and color were so lifelike it felt as though I was transported to the wild west. I found myself watching the detail at times and not the movie. It felt like I was being introduced to HDTV for the first time. Skin tones were the most natural I have ever seen. The beard/stubble on Chris Pratt’s face was so detailed I felt that he looked too groomed for the wild west. The detail in the dark scenes were really pronounced. In fact the blacks seemed almost plasma like. The war paint on Red Harvest's face looked so good, again, it was almost too good! There were no visible artifacts that I could see even when I got up very close to the screen. This is why you want to upgrade your HDTV and Blu-ray player.

Streaming Content

For this I watched content on Amazon Prime and Netflix. On Amazon Prime I viewed Bosch and Man in the High Castle. The Man in the High Castle is already a dark film so HDR should have helped quite a bit. I noticed that is seemed a bit soft. It's not really the best use of HDR. Since I have seen some great HDR on UHD discs I only concluded that it is shot/produced this way. Then I watched Bosch. Again, it did not look that good. I don’t know if it's a bandwidth thing (I get 50Mbps down consistently) or an encoding thing. Regardless, Amazon was not the best example of HDR.

Moving over to netflix the only thing I tested was Do Over. It an Adam Sandler show that looks like it has some potential. Netflix HDR looked better than Amazon’s but again not as good as the The Magnificent 7.

Television

There wasn’t much to say about watching TV signal. The LG upscaler did a good job with taking 1080p content and turning it into 4K. I did not notice any artifacts or any other defects that would have resulted in the upconversion. Colors looked good, especially on the network channels. In general, 1080p television content looked fine.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for a new TV it makes sense to buy a 4K HDR set now. The content still has a way to go as far as consistency of application of the HDR and wide color gamut technology. But costs are low enough where it's OK to buy the TV now and wait for the content to catch up. Do not buy a 4K TV that does not support HDR and the wide color gamut. It will be very difficult to see any difference. The LG 65UH6150 is a great TV in this regard. With the right content it will make watching TV and movies more lifelike than anything you’ve seen to date. Sure there may be better TVs on the market. But none at $1000!

Podcast #780: HDTV Current Topics Feb 23, 2017

Hollywood Post Alliance Retreat

Summary:

ATSC seminar consisted of multiple panels of experts discussing a wide range of topics
Covered the basics of what ATSC 3.0 can do (Ultra HD support, name your frame rate up to 120 fps, high dynamic range, wide color gamut, object audio, personalization and scalability)
Receivers are in the works. Some interesting concepts like LG’s ATSC3.0 to WiFi gateway
Using Interactivity to enable more ads. Awesome.
Drew analogies to HbbTV in Europe. Again more talk about advertising.
Content production: more possibilities on what can be done: object oriented audio, changing video settings (frame rate, etc) as a plot device, and interactivity
London Olympics content “portal” an awesome idea

HDTV Expert - Turn Back The Clock?

Summary:

Sharp parent Hon Hai considering building LCD panel facility in the US
Only interested if the US will donate the land (charge $1 for it)
Sharp getting ready to break ground on a Gen 10 LCD fab in China for $8.69B. proposed U.S. LCD fab should be similar size and same generation
But… LCD factories are mostly automated so there wouldn’t be all that many permanent jobs created once construction is completed. And many of the permanent jobs will likely require college degrees in the sciences (physics, engineering, and chemistry).
The biggest obstacle to building the plant will be the finished cost of the panels

$10 is all it takes to upgrade any HDTV or monitor with bias lighting

Use the promo code GT8OMP06 at checkout and get the Vansky White Bias Lighting Kit for just $9.99, or the Vansky Multi-Color Bias Lighting Kit (you can set it to any color you want) for $11.99. Trust us… you won’t regret it.

Here are some key details from the product page:

ALLEVIATES EYE-STRAIN — Adds a Subtle Backlight to Your Monitor, Reducing the Eyestrain Caused by Differences In Picture Brightness From Scene to Scene In Movies, Shows and Games.

OPTIMAL VIEWING EXPERIENCE — The Color and Brightness of the LEDs Are Carefully Calibrated, Making Blacks Blacker and Colors More Vibrant.

EASY INSTALLATION — The Led Light Strip is 35.4 Inch and Can be Cut With Scissors On the Cut Marks (White Lines) to Fit The Desired Size of Your TV. The USB Cable is 47.5 Inch. Use the 3M Adhesive to Attach to Almost Any Surface, Flexible Strips Bend to Your Desired Positions. Attention: Ensure the Back of Your TV is Free From Dust Before Install to Avoid Falling off.

QUALITY ASSURANCE — High-brightness 27 LEDs Last Up to 100,000 LED Lighting Hours.

WHAT YOU GET — Vansky Bias Lighting for HDTV With On-Off Button, Spare 3M Adhesive Tap,Spare USB Wall Charger, Together with 45 Days Money Back, One year Guarantee and Friendly, Easy-to-reach Support.

Podcast #779: Gary Yacoubian Discusses 16-Ultra Subwoofer Feb 17, 2017

Gary Yacoubian Discusses 16-Ultra Subwoofer

This year SVS introduced the world to their 16-Ultra subwoofer line at CES. It was so well received that it was awarded a CES Innovation Award. On today’s show we speak with SVS President Gary Yacoubian where we discuss this achievement.

Here are a few features of the 16-Ultra Subwoofer:

16” Ultra Driver With 8” Edge Wound Voice Coil
1,500 Watts Continuous, 5,000+ Watts Peak Power Sledge Amplifier With Fully Discrete MOSFET Output http://www.htguys.com/storage/content-images/svs/Ultra16Amp.jpg
Subwoofer Control And Bass Management Smartphone App For Apple® And Android® Devices http://www.htguys.com/storage/content-images/svs/Ultra16App.jpg

Podcast #778: Is Your TV Spying on You? Feb 10, 2017

Is Your TV Spying on You?

Much has been made about a recent complaint filed by the FTC and the New Jersey Attorney General alleging that while you’ve been watching TV on your Internet connected Vizio HDTV, unbeknownst to you, it has been watching you back. As Ara and Braden are both owners of Internet connected Vizio televisions, they are both victims of this snooping. But what did Vizio actually do? Is it a terrible invasion, or not really that big of a deal? Are other manufacturers doing the same thing? Let’s dive in and find out.

The Complaint

According to ftc.gov (the below is a direct quote from their website):

“VIZIO, Inc., one of the world’s largest manufacturers and sellers of internet-connected “smart” televisions, has agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle charges by the Federal Trade Commission and the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General that it installed software on its TVs to collect viewing data on 11 million consumer TVs without consumers’ knowledge or consent.

The stipulated federal court order requires VIZIO to prominently disclose and obtain affirmative express consent for its data collection and sharing practices, and prohibits misrepresentations about the privacy, security, or confidentiality of consumer information they collect. It also requires the company to delete data collected before March 1, 2016, and to implement a comprehensive data privacy program and biennial assessments of that program.

According to the agencies’ complaint, starting in February 2014, VIZIO, Inc. and an affiliated company have manufactured VIZIO smart TVs that capture second-by-second information about video displayed on the smart TV, including video from consumer cable, broadband, set-top box, DVD, over-the-air broadcasts, and streaming devices.

In addition, VIZIO facilitated appending specific demographic information to the viewing data, such as sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value, the agencies allege. VIZIO sold this information to third parties, who used it for various purposes, including targeting advertising to consumers across devices, according to the complaint.

According to the complaint, VIZIO touted its “Smart Interactivity” feature that “enables program offers and suggestions” but failed to inform consumers that the settings also enabled the collection of consumers’ viewing data. The complaint alleges that VIZIO’s data tracking—which occurred without viewers’ informed consent—was unfair and deceptive, in violation of the FTC Act and New Jersey consumer protection laws.

The $2.2 million payment by VIZIO includes a payment of $1.5 million to the FTC and $1 million to the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, with $300,000 of that amount suspended.”

Our Take

When we first heard the news, we thought it was dire. There are, or have been, Vizio TVs with built-in support for video chat apps like Skype, so they have cameras built into them as well. We thought that perhaps Vizio was using the camera to actually spy on you in your home. That might even be what you thought as well if you read the title of this segment without listening to the show or reading the text. But that isn’t the case. That’s just a sensationalized headline to attract attention. Yes we’re guilty of that. Sorry. Ok, not Sorry.

It turns out that Vizio wanted to suggest content for you to watch based on other things that you have chosen to watch yourself. Seems harmless enough right? Well, your HDTV doesn't actually know about everything that could possibly be suggested, or the relationships between different shows so it could make the recommendations on its own. To know that, it had to tell Vizio servers in the cloud what you were watching, so the servers could make the relationships and let the TV know what it should suggest for you.

On a pure technical level, it sounds quite reasonable and we totally understand why Vizio would do something like that. But from a privacy level, it is super, super creepy. Watching the news? OK cool, no problem. Vizio knows. Who cares? Watching some adult oriented content? Vizio knows that too. They know what you’re into. Staying home all day to watch Anime when you should be at work? Yup, Vizio knows that as well. They were tracking everything.

But that’s not the worst part. If the data was anonymized and scrubbed after it was used, that would be one thing. Creepy sure, but not terrible. But they went a step further. In addition to tracking your viewing habits, they also had data on your sex, age, income, marital status, household size, education level, home ownership, and household value. How did they get that data? Because they had your IP address. They knew who you were.

Oh, but wait, it gets worse. Not only were they tracking all this info, viewing habits and demographic data, but they were then turning around and selling this information to other third parties. And of course they would. It’s valuable data. What are the viewing habits of millennials? Older dudes like the HT guys? Young kids in grade school? Valuable information. But who were the giving all your info to? You don’t know. And they certainly didn’t ask you before selling it off. Vizio’s contracts with third parties prohibited the re-identification of consumers and households by name, but that wouldn’t be a difficult relationship for anyone to make.

Warning, this is where we put on our black helicopter, conspiracy theory hats and go a little crazy. But think about who could be consuming this information? What if you work for a large corporation with deep enough pockets to buy the data just because they wanted it. And that corporation wanted to know what you’re watching at home on the TV. Or what if someone was trying to sue you or otherwise put a legal action against you and they wanted to know what you were watching. Or someone wanted to blackmail you for some reason. Or social engineer you to steal secrets or information. They just pay Vizio enough and they can immediately find out what you’re into.

Had Vizio simply used the information in an anonymous way to make show recommendations, and scrubbed the data when they no longer needed it, that would be one thing. And probably a minor thing - a non-event to be honest. But you tack on the demographic data, and the fact they were selling it to unknown entities (unknown to you the viewer at least) and that gets super creepy. We aren’t accusing Vizio of being malicious or doing anything nefarious, but what they did and how they did it was a clear violation of their customers’ privacy and trust. It was wrong.

The funny thing is that the premise behind taking the data in the first place, the promise of content offers and suggestions, never worked. The suggestions never materialized. So the question is, if the so-called “Smart Interactivity” feature that needed the data never even provided the promised program offers and suggestions, was it ever even planned to, or was Vizio simply using that as cover to mine all of this juicy data from your HDTV? Were they trying to get the suggestions to work and just never got it right, or did they just want the data, so they made up a bogus feature to give them an excuse to take it?

Unfortunately for Vizio, they got caught. But looking at what they were doing, we wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of other smart TVs, smart set top boxes or streaming players, and DVRs were doing the exact same thing. Hopefully they’ll see this case and clean things up voluntarily before they get caught too. But if not, hopefully the FTC will dig a little deeper to see what each of those devices is tracking about you, and what they’re doing with that information.

Podcast #777: Oppo UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player Feb 03, 2017

Oppo UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player

Many of you (us included) have gone out and purchased a 4K TV sets but still have Blu-ray players connected to them. Sure these TVs do a good job at upconverting your 1080p content but we want more. We want native content at full bandwidth! There have been UHD players on the market for about a year that run about $300. Still many decided to wait. Some hoping for lower prices and others waiting for Oppo Digital to release their UHD player. If you were like us and waiting on the Oppo, your wait is over! The Oppo UDP-203 Ultra HD/Blu-ray player is available and it's only $549.

We say only because it packs a lot of features in for that $549:

Audio and Video Processing that has made Oppo a staple among those who are particular about their entertainment. Oppo has designed a custom quad-core processor for the video processing and they use a 32 bit 8 channel DAC from AKM to support audiophile grade audio.
Fast Disc Loading using an optimized laser mechanism.
HDR/Dolby Vision, the UDP203 supports the HDR10 format and will support Dolby Vision via a firmware upgrade.
Upscaling is what put Oppo on the map in the early days of HDTV. Their new play takes that to a new level with the ability to upscale your Blu-ray discs to 4K.
For the audiophile there is support for lossless audio
All the latest surround formats are supported
7.1 Analog Output
Well integrated with IR, RS-232, third party IP Control system, and HDMI CEC commands. The player also supports Trigger In and Out, so it can automatically turn on and off other devices connected to it for the ultimate convenience.

Setup

Setup was easy! We pulled out the old Oppo player and put this one in it's place. We did have to swap out all but the Ethernet cable. The HDMI cable only needs to be swapped out if it's not certified as high speed. Since Oppo includes one in the box we just used the one that came with the player. Since our receiver is HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 certified we went through it. But if you have a situation where you don’t have a receiver that supports the latest standards you can use the HDMI 1.4 output on the Oppo to go to the receiver and use the HDMI 2.0 output to go to the TV. This will make it possible for a lot of people to enjoy high quality video and audio without having to buy a new receiver!

For our testing we used two TVs. One that was 4K but did not support HDR and another one that did support 4K and HDR. The entire chain is described below:

Oppo UDP203 ----> Yamaha RX-850A ---> Vizio 70 inch P-Series UHD TV

Oppo UDP203 ---> LG 65UH6150

The Vizio was used for watching HDR content on TVs that don’t support HDR and the LG was used for the full experience. BTW, you can find the LG 65UH615A at Costco or Sam’s club for about $200 less than the 65UH6150 and from what we can tell they are identical in specs.

After everything was connected we updated the firmware which took about 20 minutes. After that we were on our way. The menus are very basic but very functional. There are menus for Music, Photos, Movies, Network, Setup, and Favorites. The only menu we explored however is the network. We were somewhat surprised to see our Plex Server show up. It was a crude implementation but all our content was there. We were able to play some movies but the results weren’t very good,. The playback was choppy. This was with a hardwired connection as well. Since that wasn’t our main purpose of the review we got a few UHD discs and pushed forward.

The Oppo allows you to tweak some video parameters. For our review we did not touch any of them. In fact the TVs were also left in their respective movie/cinema modes. We felt that this is how most people watch their TVs. If you have a professional calibrate your TVs you can expect even better results than what we experienced.

Performance

Our evaluation was conducted with The Magnificent 7, Independence Day Resurgence, and Keeping up with the Jones. By the way, buy the UHD version of any movies you plan on watching in the future even if you don’t have a UHD player since they all have a Blu-ray option for purchase.

First up was watching Blu-rays on the Vizio. For this we went back in our vault and pulled out Blackhawk Down. We were really looking at the night scenes and in particular the scene looking through the night scope. In these cases we were looking at how much detail was present. There would be no way to compare it against an HDR version but we were hoping that we would see more than the Blu-ray. And for this we were surprised. It did look better than the Blu-ray. The black levels were deep but not so deep that you couldn’t see detail. You could easily make out details in people’s faces and see the sweat and grime from a day of fighting. The night vision shot had clarity and a crispness that seemed to be enhanced by the player. The upconverter in the Oppo is very good. When examined up close we could not see any artifacts like in the old days of upconverting SD to HD. We wouldn’t say that it made the picture and more detailed or sharper, but it certainly didn’t make it worse.

Then we watched Magnificent 7. For this movie the UDP-203 had to go from HDR to SDR on the Vizio. What we saw was very impressive. The movie was sharp and detailed. Colors were natural and warm. With that said, we didn’t find the improvement over the Blu-ray really compelling. We felt the same about Independence Day and Keeping Up with the Jones. The audio in all cases sounded like it was at another level. Whether it was Dolby or DTS the audio made the movie. We did experience a few lipsync issues while watching however. We hit pause and then play and it got better. We had to do that about 6 times over the course of five movies. We only experienced this on the Vizio and attribute the issue to the video processing. The LG has a newer processor and did not have this issue.

The real test was going to be with a TV that supports HDR. For that, Ara took the UHD player to his condo where he setup his recently purchased LG 65UH6150. Full review of the TV in an upcoming show. There is no receiver in this setup. Braden was not able to view on the LG so the remainder of this section is written in the first person. First up was “Keeping up with the Joneses” Other than the noticeable improvement in detail there wasn’t much of an improvement. There were scenes where I could notice more realistic color and shadow details. This is a limitation of the disc not the player or the TV. Which brought us to a revelation. You really need to pay attention to your entire chain to get the most out of HDR. That includes the content. While I felt the Oppo did a great job with the movie, I was let down by the movie itself. But that’s OK I knew Magnificent 7 was going to be awesome!

I had high expectations for Magnificent 7. It looked really good on a non-HDR 4K TV after all. The Movie, TV and most importantly the UDP-203 did not disappoint! The detail and color were so lifelike it felt as though I was transported to the wild west. I found myself watching the detail at times and not the movie. It felt like I was being introduced to HDTV for the first time. Skin tones were the most natural I have ever seen. The beard/stubble on Chris Pratt’s face was so detailed I felt that he looked too groomed for the wild west. The detail in the dark scenes were more pronounced than on the Vizio. In fact the blacks seemed almost plasma like. The war paint on Red Harvest's face looked so good, again, it was almost too good! There were no visible artifacts that I could see even when I got up very close to the screen. This is why you want to upgrade your HDTV and Blu-ray player.

Odds and Ends

Load Times are very good. Nothing like the first Blu-rays. In general we were up on screen in less that 15 seconds
The menus are simple and easy to navigate. Quite honestly you won’t be in them very much.
The remote has a ton of buttons. Most you will never use. If you have a Harmony or other remote you can reduce it to the essentials.
Dolby Vision firmware upgrade is slated for early 2017. To us that mean by tax day. Let’s see if Oppo agrees
For the audiophiles out there the UDP-203 can pretty much handle any file you throw at it. Multi-channel DSD64/128, as well as 192kHz/24-bit PCM in all the popular formats are supported.
HDMI Input so external devices can take advantage of the UDP-203’s audio and video processing.

Conclusion

If you have upgraded your HDTV to a UHD set that supports HDR you would be committing a crime if you didn’t upgrade your Blu-ray player. There are a few options out there and while the Oppo costs a little more you get so much more. The best audio playback support of any UHD player on the market today, coupled with ability upconvert to 4K video streamed over your local network or played through the USB and HDMI inputs makes the UDP-203 the most capable UHD player available at any price. Support for Dolby Vision via a firmware upgrade makes this player the only one on the market today that is future proof!

Podcast #776: Whole House Music with Chromecast Audio and Grace Digital CastDock X2 Jan 27, 2017

Whole House Music with Chromecast Audio and Grace Digital CastDock X2

We’ve been on a quest for DIY whole house music for nearly a decade. Going all the way back to the Squeezebox from Slim Devices. We even tried a digital media player with a built in FM broadcaster we could pick up on our old school radios throughout the home. Over time, Braden settled in on Sonos while Ara landed on an Airport Express solution. There are other options, though, so we decided to check out what Chromecast Audio from Google can do.

About Chromecast Audio

The Chromecast technology, sometimes referred to as Google Cast technology, allows you to send audio or video from your computer, tablet or smartphone to a compatible playback device. The original Chromecast was primarily intended for video. You’d plug it into your TV, instantly turning it into a smart TV you could send content to from your other smart devices. For example, watch YouTube from your YouTube app on your phone on your big, beautiful HDTV. It was, and is, a very cost effective way to turn an otherwise “dumb” TV into a smart TV.

Then Google came out with the Chromecast Audio. It does just what you’d think, it drops the video part and just plays the audio you send to it from your personal device. Sure you can listen to YouTube on a Chromecast Audio, but it’s intended more for the pure listening apps like Spotify, Pandora, Google Play Music or iHeartRadio. There are a lot of benefits to it, the first being the price. You can’t get it on Amazon, because they sell competing products, maybe not competing with the Chromecast Audio directly, but certainly competing with the full Chromecast device. So if you want one, you can get it from Google for only $35. But keep your eyes open, because they do go on sale from time to time.

If you were to pick one up, you’d be surprised at how diminutive it is. The Chromecast Audio itself is about the size of an Oreo cookie. It has two ports, one on either side. One is a micro USB port for power, the other is a 3.5 mm audio jack for connecting it to whatever audio device you want to use to play the music. You can plug it into any powered speakers or any audio device in your listening room like a receiver, processor or amplifier. It comes with the micro USB cable and plug adapter to power it, along with a really short 3.5 mm cable to connect it to your speakers.

About Grace Digital CastDock X2

If you have a pair of powered speakers you can connect the Chromecast Audio to, then you’re set. That’s all you need. And if you like the look of them enough to put them on display in your kitchen, living room, family room, den, etc. you’re golden. You can add whole house audio zones for $35 a pop. Not a bad deal. But what if you don’t have the speakers on hand? That’s where the CastDock X2 from Grace Digital comes in. It is an all-in-one, 2.1 speaker with a built-in dock for your Chromecast Audio, turning the Chromecast Audio into a standalone audio device you can add as a playback zone to any room in your home. The suggested price is $150, but they’re at Amazon right now for $95.

The CastDock X2 itself looks very similar to a Sonos Play:1 speaker. It is slightly larger, but also feels a little lighter. But don’t let the weight fool you. It packs in a digital 50 watt class D amplifier that can move plenty of sound, but we’ll cover performance in just a bit. It has a “lid” of sorts that easily pops off revealing the dock for the chromecast audio. On one side of the dock is the micro USB cable to provide power. On the other side is a digital fiber optical connection to support 24-bit, 192-khz lossless sound from your Chromecast Audio.

Setup

Setting the whole thing up really is very, very simple. If you’re using the CastDock X2 with your Chromecast Audio, you simply pop off the top, plug in both connectors, replace the top, then plug the CastDock X2 into power and you’re ready to go. If you decide not to use the CastDock X2, setup is still every bit as simple. You just use the two cables that come with the Chromecast Audio instead: one for power and the other goes into your powered speakers. Once you’ve then plugged your powered speakers into the wall, you’ve got yourself a new audio zone, provisioned and ready to start blasting some tunes.

After the physical setup is complete, everything transitions over to your smart device or your computer. On your smartphone or tablet, you need to add the Google Home app to control the Chromecast Audio devices in your house. The Google Home app will connect to the Chromecast Audio device and allow you to: add it to your Wifi, give it a custom name like Kitchen or Family Room, and put it into a group if you have multiple Chromecast Audio devices throughout your home. You can create groups like Downstairs, Upstairs, or add all of them into one big group called Whole House. It’s totally up to you.

If you’re going the Chromecast Audio plus Grace Digital CastDock X2 route, every new whole house audio zone is going to set you back a mere $130. Compare that with the Sonos Play:1 at $200, or pretty much any other whole house audio solution that will cost significantly more. If you want to upgrade the audio in any particular room or zone, the sky truly is the limit. The Chromecast Audio supports 24-bit/96KHz audio so you can connect it to any speakers you want. Use the Audioengine HD3 powered bookshelf speakers from last week’s show and turn any room into an audiophile whole house listening room for, honestly, not too much money.

Performance

Unlike the Sonos system, there isn’t a dedicated app to control all your Chromecast Audio devices and what is playing on them. Instead, when you add the Google Home app to your phone or tablet, it adds the ability to send audio from your supported apps to any of your Chromecasts, much like you would with Bluetooth speakers or headphones. So the Google Home app controls the devices themselves, but all your other apps control the content. You can also use the Google Home app to create groups of devices, and those groups show up just like the other devices as sources you can cast to. All of that: from adding devices, to grouping devices, to casting to individual or groups of devices, worked flawlessly for us. Audio sync for multi-zone playback was perfect.

In our case, performance wasn’t just about the Chromecast, it was also about the CastDock X2. Luckily we ordered and setup two of them at the same time. This helped us test multi-zone capabilities, but also let us hear two CastDocks as well. The first one we opened was pretty stellar. Friends in the room commented on how good it sounded. Braden’s boys said that they should ditch Sonos and move to Chromecast instead. The sound filled the room. High end was crystal clear, the bass was tight. The speaker was perfect for a single zone, 2.1 speaker for whole house audio.

But then we opened and installed the second one. Talk about a tale of two speaker cities, it was like night and day. The second CastDock was miserable. No high end, the bass washed everything out, it was mushy. The audio was pretty bad. Had we opened them in reverse order, this review would have been totally different. But we knew how good the CastDock could sound after the first one, so we pressed on. We reached out to Grace Digital support. They told us, in essence, to return the bad one and try again. We now have four and they’re all really good. If you see bad reviews on Amazon, they may have gotten bum units like our second one. We really aren’t sure what the percentage of bum units to good ones is, but if you get a good one, you’ll know. And the opposite is also true.

Conclusion

If you, like us, are on a quest for perfect whole house audio that you can do yourself, yes, Sonos and Airport Express are great options. But now we know that Chromecast Audio is as well. And probably more cost effective. Beyond the Oreo Cookie Chromecast Audio with a CastDock X2, since the Google Cast platform is open, there are a ton of companies that make speakers and soundbars with Google Cast built in. They tend to be a bit more expensive per zone, but you have so many options if you go the Chromecast route. At that point, you become that kid in the candy store and can really geek out.

Podcast #775: Jan 20, 2017

Audioengine HD3 Powered Bookshelf Speakers

We listen to so much audio sitting at our computers, whether it be a Youtube video, your music library, or watching something on Netflix, we may as well have some nice speakers to listen on. Sure you can buy bookshelf speakers and hook up an amp and then you need to find room on your desk to fit everything. Or you can buy some speakers designed for the desktop with an amp built in. They range from junk to really good. Read that as cheap to expensive.

But if you want small powered speakers that sound good, really good, take at look at the Audioengine HD3 (Buy Now $399) speakers that were recently introduced.

Features:

High-fidelity Bluetooth® with aptX®, extended range and simplified setup
USB audio input
Dual analog audio inputs and a full-range variable output
Custom Kevlar woofers and silk tweeters
Hand-built cabinets with furniture-grade finishes
Detachable magnetic speaker grills
Threaded brass inserts to secure speakers to floorstands

We have always been impressed with Audioengine products and the HD3 is no exception. They are truly well built. The fit and finish are first rate. They are made out of .7 inch (18mm) MDF with real Walnut or Cherry veneer or Satin Black. The amplified speaker weighs 4lbs (1.8Kg) and the passive speaker weighs 3.4lbs (1.5Kg). Each speaker measures 7”(H) x 4.25”(W) x 5.5”(D) so they will easily fit on your desk.

Audioengine includes everything you need to get up and going in the box. Of course there is power cables but they also include speaker cables pre-fitted with high quality banana plugs, and 3.5mm audio cables. There is also a Micro USB cable to connect directly to your computer or mobile device. For our testing we used the USB and Bluetooth connections.

One of the big selling points of the HD3 is that it's Bluetooth supports AptX technology. AptX is a compression codec that is highly efficient which allows for higher quality audio as well as lower latency. We listened to music that was ripped with Apple Lossless or 256Kbps AAC.

For those who connect directly through their computer’s USB port, Audioengine has essentially taken their audiophile grade 24 bit D1 DAC (only 48Khz vs 96Khz input for D1) and put it into the HD3. So you can go directly from your computer to your speakers in the digital domain with the highest quality possible. Audioengine has put a lot of technology into these speakers resulting in a higher signal to noise ratio with lower distortion that will reward the listener who uses the USB connection over Bluetooth. The HD3s also have an extended range that allowed us to move throughout the house without any audio dropouts.

Finally, if you want to to be respectful of your co-workers or family members within earshot of the HD3s, there is a headphone jack built into the front of the powered (left) speaker. Audioengine says the amp is able to provide low-impedance, high-fidelity audio and a 2-volt output which will drive a wide range of headphones.

Performance

Before we did any critical listening we let these speakers break in. It is recommended that you play music at low levels for at least 24 hours and then gradually increase the levels for another 24. It seems like a pain but you will notice a huge difference after listening on speakers that have properly broken in.

Being a desktop setup we lowered our expectations a little. Audioengine makes great speakers but how much sound could they get out of such a small package? The answer is a lot! First we focused on songs with a lot of bass to test what we thought was going to be a limitation of the HD3. We were pleasantly surprised by how low these speakers can go. The HD3 is ported along the bottom front of the speaker to extend the bass and when we listened to “Sexy and I know it” by LMFAO we were treated to a cool breeze from all the air that driver was moving. The result was some decent low end thump. The specification says the speakers can go as low as 65 Hz which is really good for such small speakers.

There is a bass reduction switch that limits the amount of bass to 100 Hz. We activated it on Tin Pan Alley by Stevie Ray Vaughn and immediately noticed the bass tighten up. It also softened up to the point of losing its punch. You may like this feature but for us we prefered the booming full effect so for the remainder of our listening we turned this feature off.

To test the mids and highs we some BB King. His Guitar sounded precise, warm, and fluid depending on the song. His voice sounded full and textured. We can easily see working on a project at your computer and listening to the HD3 being a perfect combination

Then we listened to some modern “loud” music. Some Swedish House Mafia, Icona Pop, and Imagine Dragons. All songs that we have listened to in the past and enjoy. The results were OK. The audio just kind of got muddy and it was hard to zero in on specific sounds. We know that’s how some of this music is mastered but larger speakers were able to deal with it better. Lowering the volume helped though.

We did the above tests with both the USB and Bluetooth (AptX) connections. While AptX did sound very good the USB connection was clearly better. We did not use an analog connection as we felt it would not highlight the capabilities of these speakers. We also watched some movies with the speakers and felt it was good. The dialog was clear and there was good separation but the bass was definitely missing. If you are going to watch a lot of movies you may want to consider a subwoofer. We don’t recommend these speakers for TVs because what sets these apart from the Audioengine A2+ is the DAC and Bluetooth. So you would be spending more money and not necessarily getting the benefits. If you do want better speakers for your TV we would say go with the less expensive A2+ (Buy Now $249)

Conclusion

The Audioengine HD3 desktop speakers are a must have for anyone who is particular about the quality of their music and doesn’t want a massive speaker setup on their desk. Listen from your mobile device via Bluetooth or from your PC via USB and you will be rewarded with a musical experience that you used to only get from speakers costing hundreds of dollars more.

Podcast #774: Predictions for 2017 Jan 13, 2017

Predictions for 2017

Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2017. Our crystal ball is never as clears as a good HDTV but we give it a shot nonetheless.

Ara:

DirecTV Now will announce more than 250K Subscribers by year’s end

Networks will allow streaming of their live feeds without the need for a TV subscription

Apple will introduce a competitor to the Echo and Google Home

Netflix will stream live sports

Virtual Reality will arrive thanks to live events

Braden:

Day and Date Movie Streaming

80” Televisions for under $2000

Amazon or Netflix content on Traditional TV

Either Amazon or Netflix will create and produce an original series, be it drama or sitcom, that will air on a traditional broadcast network using traditional weekly distribution. They already have a ton of customers, so they don’t really need the extra advertising, but many of those customers still aren’t tuning to Amazon or Netlix for original content. This will help them make that offering more tangible.

Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0) equipment available

Surround Sound from a Single Speaker

Podcast #773: CES2017 Jan 06, 2017

We go through news about CES

Podcast #772: Monoprice Monolith M560 Planar Headphones Dec 30, 2016

Monoprice Monolith M560 Planar Headphones

When we first got into the HDTV thing way back when Monoprice was our goto company for high quality cables that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. Since then they have grown into a big company that sells so much more than cables and rock bottom prices.

Let’s go back to September when Monoprice announced that they were releasing two new Planar headphones, the Monolith M1060 ($299 Not available until February) and the Monolith M560 ($199). Now we have to determine if the they are doing the same thing with headphones as they did with cables back in the early days. Are these high quality and at low price?

A planar magnetic driver is a flat membrane that is surrounded by magnets. When current is delivered, the membrane produces sound. The size of the driver in the Monolith M560 is 56mm.

Planar magnetic transducers offer numerous benefits:

Responsiveness - Since the force created by the magnetic field is distributed across most of the diaphragm surface, the planar magnetic diaphragm moves faster and with far greater accuracy to the input signal.

Frequency and Distortion - The magnetic force that drives the lightweight diaphragm delivers rapid acceleration thus achieving a wide frequency response, low distortion and excellent sound quality.
Durability - Because the circuit pattern is spread flat across the diaphragm surface it can dissipate the heat generated by the current passing through it more efficiently. Additionally, planar magnetic transducers have few moving parts and can maintain performance without any sonic degradation. Dynamic drivers continuously degrade in performance over their life due to a multitude of moving parts and use of glue joints.
Amplifier Friendly - The circuits found in planar magnetic diaphragms present an almost purely resistive load to amplifiers, making it easy to drive. The impedance over the entire frequency range is completely flat vs. dynamic speaker which could have variances in impedance values over the frequency range.

Fit and Finish

The M560s don’t look like your typical headphones, They are bigger than anything I have ever owned. You may have heard the term “Cans” being used for headphones well that’s a good description. But they are beautiful cans! They have wooden cups that are held in place magnetically the can easily be removed to give you a more open sound stage. The M560s are well built and look sophisticated. Monoprice includes a nice detachable braided cable and a carrying case. I took these on a recent trip and the case fit in my laptop bag but it was not really something I would recommend for airplane use. However, it was nice to be able to use them in the hotel.

Performance

I have only had one other set of headphones that I would say was high quality, B&W P5, so my sample size is pretty low. I have listened to some real high end headphones at T.H.E. Show as well so I wouldn’t say I am an expert on headphones. My review will be about how good the audio was and the fact that almost anyone can afford these without a lot of heartburn.

First word of caution. These headphones need to be broken in. Don’t do any critical listening until you have put about 48 hours of audio through them. Your patience will be rewarded. The frequency range of these things is 16 Hz ~ 40 kHz. To verify that I had to employ my daughters and the neighbor dog. Fortunately I can hear the low end! I ran tones through the speakers and was able to hear down to 40hz and up to 16KHz. My daughters could hear the tones clearly up to 18KHz. The neighbor dog didn’t really say if he could hear anything past that. Now I know I can get fancy equipment to measure these things but that’s not how we work. We just tell you what we experience ourselves.

As far as listening to music goes I listened to all kinds of music, Rock, Jazz, Blues, and Classical. All sounded great. I really liked the low end and when I removed the ear cups the bass seemed deeper to me. It did feel more open kind of like I was listening in a room as opposed to hearing the music piped right into my head. The high end was good, not too bright, but not as good as the low end either. I was able to clearly make out the triangles in Ode to Joy. It is clear to me that the low end is where these headphones really shine

I also watched some movies and I could hear nuances in the sound track that I couldn’t hear even on my Kef Q-Series. I am sure it's because there is no there sound pollution to interfere with the watching experience.

Wearing the headphones for extended periods was easy to do. They are very comfortable and not too terribly heavy.

Conclusion

Can I say these are as good as the Oppo or HifiMan? I can’t because I have never listened to those headphones. But it's a good bet that most of you don’t want to spend better than a thousand dollars for audiophile grade headphones. However, there are many of you you who do want a high quality experience when listening to your music. And for $200 the Monoprice Monolith M560 will definitely deliver! I was going to give these away as a contest for the new year. But after spending some time with these headphones I decided to keep them!

Podcast #771: Prediction Review Dec 23, 2016

Prediction Review for 2016

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by! With that it's time to see how we did with our 2016 predictions.

This year's scorecard:

Ara ⅖ 40%
Braden ⅖ 40%

Ara’s Predictions:

Competitor to Sling.com

Sling.com was the first into this market but they won’t be the last. Look for one of the major cable or sat providers (or even Apple) to offer competitor to sling.com. And if it's Apple look for local channels as a bonus.

This one happened! We have Playstation Vue and DirecTV Now! Off to a great start!

UHD Blu-ray player will be available for less than $500

This one is simply a shot in the dark. Rumor has it that the first UHD Blu-ray players will go for more than $1,000. But lack of demand and memories of the whole Blu-ray/HD-DVD debacle will drive prices down. But don’t expect to see this until Black Friday.

Well this was no contest! The rumors were false. The first players came out at under $500. But hey! I’ll still take it! Two for two!

There will be a 100 inch 4K UHD with HDR and wide color gamut for less than $10,000

This is my shoot for the moon prediction. If this comes true, I may never upgrade my projector and opt for this solution instead! But realistically, this has about a 10% chance of coming to pass. But I like to dream!

You know what they say, 75 is the new 100! No?? This was a long shot. But Sony did release a 100 inch 4K UHD with HDR and Wide color. The only issue is that it's $60K. Two out of three is great if it's your batting average. So I’m still doing OK.

Samsung will re-enter the OLED market

This is kind of a gimmie. Samsung did have an OLED (KN55S9CAFXZA) but we haven’t seen anything commercially available since. With the success of LG’s OLED TVs Samsung won’t be able to stay out of the market. We’ll have a good idea if this is correct next week at CES.

Samsung has hinted that they may get back into the OLED game but so far they haven’t. So I’ll have to say no. Two for four.

Apple to stream Hi-Res Audio

With so many music streaming platforms out there Apple will look for a way to differentiate itself. It already has the Mastered for iTunes program. Why not Apple Hi-Resolution? Also, look for more radio stations like Beats 1 in the higher resolution audio.

No “Hi-Res” Audio from Apple yet. And this may not ever happen with all the streaming they are doing. Why send more data through the pipes to iPhones? Maybe they will offer a special service add on for the AppleTV some day. I started strong but ended up two for five. A solid 40%!!

Braden’s Predictions:

The following review of Braden’s predictions is written by Ara in Braden’s absence.

HDTV and VR mashup

With the popularity of the Oculus Rift and the Growing investment by other firms such as Microsoft and their HoloLens, someone will produce video content that takes full advantage of the immersive experience of Virtual Reality. There are apps that allow you to watch movies on the Oculus Rift, but nothing (that I know of at least) that has been produced to provide a native 3D experience within a VR headset. probably nature footage, but it’ll happen.

And we have a winner! There are at least 7 virtual reality movies that are available now:

The Martian

Hunger Games

The Lion King

Wild

Batman the Animated Series

School of Rock

Star Wars

Starting out strong… but so did Ara :-)

Somebody *will* get into the live TV streaming game, but still no locals

Amazon, Apple, Google or Sony - one of them will offer native television streaming from their platform to match the service offering of SlingTV. So you’ll either get an iTV app on your Apple TV, or a TV app on your FireTV, you get the picture. Once you pay your fee, you get access to everything on TV right now for a select set of cable channels. And maybe, if you’re lucky, a national feed from the major broadcasters.

Well yes… But it's important to do your own work. By the way, Playstation Vue and DirecTV do carry locals. Two for Twoish

80” Televisions for under $2000

This is a carry-forward from last year; I think I was just one year too early. Both OLED and 4K will push prices down for 1080p TVs. Wanting to capitalize on the desire for a larger screen, Manufacturers will push prices down for the big 1080p sets to get them flying off the shelves. So the price for a starter series 80” TV will drop to under $2000 at some point this year. Maybe Black Friday, maybe for another event, but it’ll drop.

I could not find a new 80 inch TV for $2,000. Will we try for three years in a row?? Two for three.

Lightbulb speakers for Surround Sound

The best way to get the height channel experience from sound formats like Dolby Atmos it to actually have them in the ceiling. The up-firing speakers that bounce sound off the ceiling are cool, just not quite as precise. It isn’t always easy to cut holes and run wires to add speakers to your ceiling. Somebody will create a box, either an add-on for your amp, or built into the receiver itself, that lets you send audio from specific surround channels to specific bluetooth devices. Bluetooth light bulbs are a perfect fit.

There are plenty of light bulb speakers out there but none that have any sort of device that allows them to work as surround or Atmos speakers. We’ll hold at Two for four.

Proliferation of Home Automation Glue Platforms/Hubs

Apple is already working on making HomeKit the central hub that glues all your automation devices together, but it won't be the only one. Google will release one, maybe based on Nest/Thread, maybe not. Others will want into the game as well. The underlying idea? Any device, one platform. Buy any smart bulbs, locks, sensors, gadgets you want, regardless of the underlying protocol: Insteon, Z-Wave, ZigBee, WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. and plug them into your home. They become part of the system as if they all spoke the same language. Google Translate for Automation devices.

Well not exactly. Yes there is Echo and Google Home but I wouldn’t exactly call it a central hub that ties disparate products together a la Homekit. And it's a tie! Two for Five.

Podcast #770: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2016 Dec 15, 2016

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2016

For this feature we choose components that we either have direct experience with or have experience with a similar model made by the same manufacturer. This year we have set a maximum price of $5,000. The amount we paid for our first HDTVs. We are defining a system that can had by anyone who is serious about home theater. These systems will look and sound great by anyone’s definition!

Rodney:

Sony XBR65X850D 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (2016 model) $1,498.00

You’ll be hard pressed to find a more capable 4K TV at this size and price. It uses Sony’s X1 processor which provides some of the best color, contrast, and clarity. It’s also equipped with Android TV with Voice Search and Google Cast.

Yamaha RX-A760BL 7.2 Channel Network AV Receiver $649.95

This receiver has everything you need to support 4K content and to listen to music streamed from your phone or off the internet. It supports 4K Ultra HD video upscaling with HDCP 2.2, HDR and BT.2020 support. Its features Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound processing. It also has built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM, vTuner, NAS support.

BIC Acoustech PL-980 7.1 Home Theater System-NEW!! PL-200II Sub $1,699.00

BIC America isn’t as well known as Klipsch, but they’ve been in the speaker business for over 20 years and have a fan following. This 7.1 set comes with floor standing speakers that incorporate a 3-way multi-driver design rather than the standard 2-way design. The 4 surround speakers also have three way design and are angled so they can add more depth of sound. This set also includes a front-firing 12 inch long-throw subwoofer with BASH amplifier.

Xbox One S 500GB Console - Battlefield 1 Bundle $249.00

Instead of throwing in a standard Blu-ray player or a set top box, getting a 4K gaming system that supports HDR is way more versatile. You can watch UHD Blu-ray movies and stream 4K content on Netflix and Amazon Video. You can also play games that will utilize the home theater and put you right in the middle of the action.

Logitech Harmony Companion All in One Remote Control for Smart Home and Entertainment Devices, works with Alexa $129.99

Of course a remote is needed to control all the awesomeness. So why not get a remote that can work with home automation and smartphones? You can use your Smartphone or Harmony Remote for one-touch control of your entertainment system and home automation devices. Plus it also works with Alexa.

Summary

With a grand total of $4,225.94 you will be the envy every man, woman, and child on your block. For that price you’ve got a complete 4K HDR system, with bombastic audio, gaming entertainment, and a remote that supports home automation. All that and you’ll still have money leftover to buy a lots Blu-ray movies and video games.

Ara:

My theme this year has been 4K HDR and Wide Color Gamut so there is no reason to move away from that now. My Ultimate Home Theater in a Box will serve you well for years to come!

LG Electronics 65UH8500 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV $1697

My first HDTV was a 50 inch DLP capable of 720p. This LG gives you 15 more inches and more than 4 times the resolution for less than than half the cost. Not only that, you get better color and contrast! It's a smart TV featuring WebOS 3.0 so you’ll be able to stream your 4K content from Amazon and Netflix. We have come so far since 2002.

UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc Player $549

This year I have gone back to Oppo for my Blu-ray player. We have increased our budget this year and since Oppo just released this product we felt why not include it in an ultimate HTiB setup. Since most of your library probably Blu-ray at this time you need a player that can upconvert well. The UDP-203 does just that with a custom developed quad-core processor. On the audio side the player features a 8 channel 32-bit DAC from AKM that will easily handle any hi-resolution format you throw at it. All the latest sound formats are supported. Suffice it to say this is the ultimate UHD Player on the market today!

Yamaha RX-A1050 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver with Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth $898

I went with a receiver from this years receiver buying guide. I kind of cut costs on the receiver this year because I felt it necessary to not skimp on the speakers. From the buying guide:

Plenty of power (110W), Auto Calibration, Multidimensional sound, and wireless connectivity. I went with this model over the A850 because in addition to Dolby Atmos you also get DTS:X and and Advanced HDMI switching! You can watch different sources in different zones. Yamaha says that this receiver employs “audiophile grade design that incorporates a rigid chassis and symmetrical amp layout with the latest ESS SABRE DACs”.

RSL CG3 5.1 Home Theater Speaker System - Special Edition $1270

There are so many choices when it comes to speakers. This year I decided to go with RSL CG3s. We had Howard and Joe Rogers from RSL speakers on our show a few years ago and have since been really impressed with the company’s speakers. They are some of the best speakers you will listen to, and at $1270 for a complete 7.1 system, and incredible value! What struck me was how much effort the guys put into making their speakers accurately reproduce the sound of live music. No need to upgrade these in the future. This set will pretty much last you forever!

Miscellaneous

You will need a remote control to tie everything together. There are many options out there and rather than specify one, I’ll just allocate $250 and let you choose between Harmony, Simple Control, or iRule.

The last thing to consider are cables, power strips, and connectors. We will allocate an additional $200 for these items as well.

Summary

There you have it! An ultimate home theater in the box for less than I spent on my first HDTV. Last year my system came in at $2,995 plus tax, this year the grand total is $4,864 plus tax. Last year’s system was not future proof. This system is! Well for the next few years anyway.

Podcast #769: Receiver Buying Guide 2016 Dec 08, 2016

Receiver Buying Guide 2016

It is that time of year where we get to spend your money again! This week we concentrate on receivers. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. It's about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. Just like last year’s Buying Guide, we’re going to skip the budget categories jump right to our top picks. We each pick three receivers and one ‘money is no object’ / ‘dare to dream’ receiver for you to consider.

Braden’s Picks

I tried to ignore Ara’s picks when selecting mine, as to not be biased one way or the other. But his newfound love for Marantz did have an impact on my list.

Sony STRDH770 7.2 Channel Home Theater 4K AV Receiver $199

I wanted to pick the Sony STRDH770 as my value option, but for some reason it is limited availability online so I’m not sure what that means. You can get it from Sony for $199. It has 7.2 channel x 145W of sound power, 4 HDMI Inputs / 1 Output with HDCP2.2 compatibility, supports 4K 60p 4:4:4 / HDR, front surround sound technology, Bluetooth and NFC for easy wireless streaming, USB connection for music playback, quick speaker set up with automatic calibration, DSD decoding thru HDMI, pretty much everything. All for under $200. If you want a model that is a bit more available online, you can step up to the STR-DN1070 for $449. It adds a few more watts per channel, a couple more HDMI ins/outs and second zone capabilities.

Denon AVR-X3300W 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD A/V Receiver $799

No list of mine would be complete without a Denon. They have so many great options for receivers, just looking at them made me feel like a kid in a candy store. This model, the X3300 feels like the perfect intersection of affordable and ultra capable. Let’s rattle it off: 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, HDCP2.2, HDR, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, 8/2 HDMI In/Out, the list goes on. If you can swing $800 for a receiver, this is the one you get. If you can go higher, check out the Denon candy store.

Marantz SR-6011 AV Audio & Video Component Receiver $1399

I’ve never owned a Marantz, but the way Ara raves about his (and how I’ve heard it perform), I may have to try one out. You know, for the show. If I was going to dip my toe in that water, I’d opt for the SR-6011. It’s a bit on the pricey side, but wow does it pack a wallup. 9.2 channel receiver with 110W per channel with 11.2 channel processing capabilities. 3D and 4K Ultra HD/60Hz full rate pass-through with HDR, BT.2020, 4:4:4 Pure Color support; 8 HDMI inputs (incl. 1 front) and 2 outputs (Main/Zone 2) with full HCDP 2.2 support. 4K/60Hz Up-scaling. Built-in Bluetooth(R) and Wi-Fi. Streaming Content; Airplay, vTuner Internet Radio, Pandora, SiriusXM, Spotify Connect, DLNA. Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Sub EQ HT, LFC (Low Frequency Containment) with Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ. Marantz HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology. The works.

Ara’s Picks

Like my TVs, this year’s list will only consist of receivers that support 4K, HDR, and the Wide Color Gamut. My list may cost more than you want to spend right now but it will set you up for years of enjoyment!

Onkyo TX-NR646 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver $389

This is my budget receiver on this years list. But don’t let the price fool you, it's a full featured receiver that someone starting out would love to have. The NR646 puts out 170 w/channel supporting Dobly Atmos and DTS:X. The Onkyo has 8 HDMI 2.0 inputs with the first three supporting HDCP 2.2. The only real drawback, and you knew there had to be for the price, is the room correction firmware. Onkyo uses something called AccuEQ which is less demanding than Audyssey and thus not as good. Music streaming and high-res audio round out the receivers features.

Pioneer SC-LX501 Elite 7.2 Channel D3 Network AV Receiver $999

I have owned three Pioneers over the years and they all have been great receivers. This receiver is ready to serve you now and well into the future. There is support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and it has enough power (120W) to fill large rooms with sound. Other features include support for Google Cast, Airplay, Pandora, Spotify, and Hi Res Audio round out this very capable receiver.

Yamaha RX-A1050 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver with Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth $899

This is the next model up from the one that I use in my family room. It has everything you want in a receiver and more. Plenty of power (110W), Auto Calibration, Multidimensional sound, and wireless connectivity. I went with this model over the A850 because in addition to Dolby Atmos you also get DTS:X and and Advanced HDMI switching! You can watch different sources in different zones. Yamaha says that this receiver employs “audiophile grade design that incorporates a rigid chassis and symmetrical amp layout with the latest ESS SABRE DACs”. Translation - It will make those who really care about sound quite happy!

Ultimate Present

Marantz SR7011 9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Receiver with built-in HEOS wireless technology featuring Bluetooth and Wi-Fi $2199

When I was looking for a receiver to add ATMOS to my media room Rob H. from the AV Rant Podcast really urged me to take a look at the SR6010 which I ended up buying and really liking. So based on that experience I am going to recommend the SR7011. It supports everything you need in next generation audio and video including a capable video processor and dual zone HDMI outputs. It has three HDMI outputs but only works with two sources. One of the outputs is a mirror of one of the sources. There are 9 amps outputting 125W and one of the best EQ systems available: Audyssey MultEQ XT32 automatic room acoustic measurement, which takes measurements in 8 locations. There is even an EQ for multiple subwoofer setups! We may differ on whether this is the ultimate receiver available, but if you got one, I don’t think you would argue that it wasn’t your ultimate present.

Sony STRZA5000ES 9.2-channel AV Receiver $2798

According to Sony, the 5000ES should be the new center of your theater system. It has up to 11.1-channel immersive sound (9.2ch discrete onboard amplifiers) from both Dolby® Atmos and DTS:X 2. Of course you get full-quality 4K/60p video pass-through, with HDR and HDCP 2.2 support, and a wealth of connection options for multi-room and network distribution. It even includes an 8 port ethernet switch in the back. With premium ES build quality, and a focus on sound purity, we have no doubt it will live up to its flagship status. Sure, the two star review at Amazon is concerning. But if you read the review, it isn’t about the quality of the unit, it is about the features that were removed between revisions of the ES flagship model. If you need those features, this probably isn’t the unit for you. If you don’t, this thing will rock your theater.

Podcast #768: HDTV Buying Guide 2016 Dec 02, 2016

HDTV Buying Guide 2016

It’s beginning to look a lot like whatever holiday you may be celebrating this holiday season. Or that you may not be celebrating - not that there’s anything wrong with that. But we grew up celebrating Christmas, so we know what we’re hoping to see under the tree with our names on it. If you happen to be lucky enough to have budget for a new HDTV this Christmas season, but still aren’t sure which one to buy, we’ve got you covered. Like last year, we’re dropping the budget categories, and the screen size categories and jumping right to our top picks. We each pick three TVs and one ultimate HDTV present for you to consider.

If you don’t have the HDTV buyer’s guide from last year handy, here are couple of the sets we talked about along with their prices. Only two sets from last year are still available for sale direct thru Amazon. And for both their prices went down. If you’d like to make the argument to the finance committee that you don’t know what will happen with prices so you should grab one now before the price goes up, we suggest referencing last year’s buyer’s guide where multiple sets did actually increase in price by one year later.

Braden’s Picks

TCL 40FS3800 40-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV ($243)

Life is all about trade-offs. Anyone who tells you differently is selling something. Sometimes you want the best of the best, sometimes you just want the best for the least you can spend. As someone who uses a TCL TV with the built-in Roku smart TV interface on the daily, I can tell you first hand that built-in Roku is solid gold. The TV is mounted to the wall and plugged into power. That’s it. We can get to Pandora, et. al. for when we want music or Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, ESPN, HBO for TV or video content. For anyone looking for a super flexible second TV, TCL is a great, inexpensive choice. If 40” isn’t the right size, they have a 32” for $169, 48” for $329, 50” for $399, or a 55” for $448.

LG 65" OLED65B6P OLED 4K HDR Ultra HD FLAT TV ($2599)

On the other hand, if you want the best of the best, OLED is the only option. Better than plasma on color and black levels, excellent detail and motion clarity, with 4K and HDR support. You really can’t pick a more high performing screen than this LG. At 65 inches, it isn’t the biggest TV you can find, but for most family rooms or home entertainment “dens” a 65 inch TV is the perfect size. This screen will blow you away, and anyone you have over to see it, with any content you put on it. Put some true 4K or HDR video sources up and you’ll struggle to hold back the drool. With over a billion rich colors at its disposal, this LG OLED TV delivers a theater-quality experience from the comfort of your sofa. OLED HDR delivers a stunning high dynamic range picture, including support for Dolby Vision content.

VIZIO M60-C3 60-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($889)

Of course, there is a middle ground. You want 4K and some future-proof capabilities without totally crushing your budget and having to eat canned beans for a few months until you can recover from the expense of your TV. We get that. If that’s you, check out this Vizio. It’s a 4K LED, but lacks HDR. So kinda future proof, but not fully, excellent picture quality, but not the gold standard, and under $1000, not a couple months salary. This TV is an excellent blend of incredible performance and incredible value. Perhaps a bit dated, it was the highest rated TV at CNET for 2015. That was in 2015, but because of the age, you can get it for a steal. A 60” 4K TV for less than $900? Yeah, that should be on your list.

Ara’s Picks

This year every TV on my list is 4K and supports HDR. If you want a budget TV they are easy to find. For 2016 I want the best TV out there for the money.

LG Electronics OLED55B6P Flat 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV ($1997)

OLED for under $2000! In not the curved model either. Deep plasma like blacks, HDR, and wide color gamut. Watching this TV will be like looking out a window! Other features include WebOS 3.0 and Harman Kardon sound. Just be sure to calibrate this TV to get the best picture possible!

VIZIO SmartCast™ P-Series™ 65” Class Ultra HD HDR Home Theater Display ($1999)

Amazon sells a lot of Vizio TVs however, if you want this one you won’t find it there. You can buy direct from Vizio or at Bestbuy. This TV checks off all the boxes in what you need in a 4K TV. Dolby Vision, HDR, Clean Simple Design, and a Tablet remote!. This version of the P-Series has 128 active LED zones which gives some pretty impressive black levels for a LED based LCD TV. This TV looks great even when it's off.

Sony XBR65X850D 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV ($1398)

This is my “budget” 4K TV and it's a pretty capable TV in it's own right. It's the one I will buy for remodel project I am working on. Like the other TVs it supports HDR and Wide Color Gamut. Sony has developed a proprietary X1 chip that makes HDR, color, and upconversion look incredible. Sony is making great TVs again and at this price it costs less than the Vizio!

Ultimate Christmas Present:

Sony XBR75Z9D 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV ($8998)

Rodney Williams (Blu-ray Reviews) and I drove up to Sony Pictures to see the unveiling of this TV a few months ago and I have been wanting one ever since. It's still a little pricey but if you can afford it it is one beautiful TV. It takes everything in the XBR line that I mentioned above and makes it better. They updated the X1 chip to the X1 Extreme which produce color with more detail and fewer artifacts than what a typical TV does. Upconverted content looks like it's native resolution. Motion is smoother and contrast is better. I saw this TV compared to the LG OLED side by side and I felt it had a better picture. You can decide if you buy this now or wait until it comes down in price. Either way you won’t regret how good the picture looks!

NEC X981UHD-2 98" 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($29,115)

Okay, we’ll admit, we don’t expect many in our audience to rush out and buy this TV. Heaven knows we never would. But when you look at the total install cost to get a 100” front projection system in your home, it adds up. Make that a 100” 4K front projection system and you’re spending quite a bit more. This set from NEC gets you almost that same size, in 4K, with a brightness level that nearly removes any ambient light considerations. If you were thinking about putting in a 4K front projection system, the X981 from NEC could actually save you a bit of coin. You can tell from the comments that a few Amazon users wanted to get a crazy thread going, unfortunately they just weren’t witty enough. Feel free to take a crack at it tho.

Podcast #767: What we're thankful for '16 Nov 24, 2016

What we're thankful for '16

For 2016:

Ara’s List:

Cord Cutters - It's is because of cord cutters that new TV services like Sling, Playstation Vue, and the upcoming DirecTV streaming services are hitting the streets. These providers know that there are a lot of people that are tired of paying through the nose for channels they barely watch. With devices like the Roku, FireTV, and AppleTV these services have a platform to easily get into your living room. It's because of cord cutters that these services even exists. If we get a few more look for cable and satellite fees to get even lower.

Internet of Things - So what is the Internet of things (IoT)? It's the concept that anything with power is connected to the network. Some may find this creepy but I like getting into my car and having it tell me how long ith will take to get to work or home. If your calendar is connected it would know you are going to the Airport for a flight and tell you that you need to leave the office early because there is traffic on the freeway. Or if you are driving home from a vacation it would automatically turn your air conditioner on. And that’s just the beginning. There are so many things being developed now that we can’t even fathom the possibilities. The whole purpose is to make our lives easier which should give us more time to do things we love.

4K/HDR/Wide Color Gamut - As if I need a reason to buy a new TV??? But the TVs of today are so much better than just a few years ago. Not so much the 4K part but the HDR and wider color gamut makes watching TV almost like looking out a very clean window. The studios are still learning how to create content that makes use of this technology but once they get it figured out it will incredible.

Plex - This is the year I dove deep into the Plex swimming pool. Available on just about any device you carry or can connect to a TV, Plex allows you to watch your movie library on your local network or anywhere that has decent Internet connectivity. It's much more than movies too! Plex supports music and there is a DVR function if you have and HD Homerun. They keep improving the software so what’s not to be thankful for?? We’ll be watching our movies while we are visiting family for Thanksgiving.

HomeKit - HomeKit is Apple’s proprietary software and hardware smart-home platform, letting you control many of the most popular smart-home devices, including lights, switches, door locks, and thermostats. It started out being a concept with little support but now there are dozens of devices from different companies that all play well together. The Apple Home app is a solid piece of software that ties it all together. It decent now and will only get better. If you have an iPhone and an AppleTV I would highly recommend that Apple Homekit is a great way to get into home automation.

Braden’s List:

Tivo - In years past I’ve been thankful for the Hopper from Dish. and yes, it is still an awesome DVR and whole house video system. Still love it. But I have a new love that I love even more, and that’s my Tivo system with a Bolt and multiple Minis. Not only does Tivo have the most feature rich DVR on the market, it also cut my monthly cable bill by almost two thirds. Save money and get a better DVR? That’s a sweet deal.

Power over Ethernet - Sure, this seems kinda old school, but PoE is pretty awesome. For whole house entertainment, especially video, Wifi is great, but wired Ethernet is better. And since some devices (we’re looking at you Tivo Mini) don’t support Wifi, you either need a cable connection or a wired Ethernet connection where you want to install a Mini. Don’t have either? No problem, Power over Ethernet to the rescue. Early versions may not have cut it, but today’s PoE devices more than fit the bill.

Amazon Prime Now - Ok, this is a repeat from last year. But before you judge me on the lack of creativity, Prime Now has come thru for me repeatedly this year and I couldn’t be more thankful. Certainly first world problems, but I needed (ok, need may be the wrong word, definite first world problems) needed to get a TV installed quickly for the kids. Got the TV, Tivo Mini and PoE adapters delivered to the house in two hours. Amazon smiles all around.

UHD / 4K - This applies both to the television screens and the content you can get from Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc. Not that the 1080p TVs and content we had before, actually still mostly have now, were bad by any stretch, but I’m just thankful we’ve moved past the 3D obsession. This could have been anything, from smell-o-vision to a new trend of just watching static on the screen to try to see patterns emerge. Doesn’t matter. As long as the whole 3D nonsense is behind us.

Automation devices - This is completely me being thankful for devices that enable my laziness. For example, this year I added an automated sprinkler controller. It took about an hour to get it installed and configured, but after that I haven’t touched it. I log in periodically to check on things, but it automatically adjust watering days, times and amounts based on weather conditions. Set it and forget it. Just like many of us have done with automating our lights to come on at dusk, etc. Ultimate laziness realized.

Podcast #766: Black Friday Preview 2016 Nov 17, 2016

Black Friday Preview 2016

If you’re going to set up camp and secure a great spot in line for Black Friday sales, you probably want to make sure you’re at the right store. There may be one killer deal at one store, but ten almost killer deals at another. We’ve done all the research so you'll know where to camp out Thursday night. Looking back on years past, in 2008 a 50-inch 720p plasma was going for $900. In 2009 you could get a 50-inch 1080p plasma with a Blu-ray player for $1000. Fast forward to last year when the lowest price for a tier one brand HDTV was a 49" Toshiba 1080p LED for only $149.99. That might be worth camping for.

Our research came from our favorite goto sites for Black Friday circulars, including: www.bfads.net, www.blackfriday.com, and blackfriday.gottadeal.com.

CNet put together a list of Cheap TV deals of Black Friday 2016 (plus our favorite picks) - in case you don’t trust our research.

Camp Worthy Deals

The lowest price tier one brand HDTV over 40” is at Best Buy

Toshiba 49" 4K 60Hz LED HDTV w/ Built-in Chromecast (49L621U), $199.99 (this is $50 more than last year, but last year was 1080p, this year is 4K)

The best prices on the largest TVs are at Best Buy

Best Buy - VIZIO 70" 4k LED Smart Ultra HDTV w/ Chromecast Built-in, $999.99
Best Buy - Sony 75" 2160p 4K Smart LED TV, $2,499.98

Other stats

The list still has multiple 720p TVs 32 inches or larger, more than we expected to see. There were 12 last year. There are 8 this year. All are 32”.
There are two 4k Blu-ray players, both at h.h. gregg
- Samsung 4K Upscaling 3D Wi-Fi Smart Blu-ray Player, $84.99
- Samsung 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player, $199.99
The list has multiple 4K TVs as well.
- Best Buy - 23 (last year: 10)
- Wal-mart - 4 (last year: 2)
- Target - 6 (last year: 3)
- Sears - 5 (last year: 6)
- h.h. gregg - 22 (last year: 24)

Deal lists:

Best Buy

Samsung 50" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN50J5201AFXZA), $299.99
Sharp 55" 1080p Smart LED HDTV (LC-55LB481U), $249.99
Samsung 55" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN55KU6270FXZA), $479.99
Samsung 50" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN50KU6300FXZA), $397.99
Toshiba 49" LED 4K Ultra HDTV w/ Built-in Chromecast (49L621U), $199.99
Insignia - 32" - LED - 720p - Smart - Roku TV - Black, $99.99
Samsung 50" 1080p LED Smart Black HDTV, $299.99
LG 60" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (60UH6035), $599.99
Insignia 32" 720p 60Hz Smart LED HDTV (NS-32DR310NA17), $99.99
LG 50" 4k LED Smart Ultra HD TV, $399.99
Toshiba 49" 4K 60Hz LED HDTV w/ Built-in Chromecast (49L621U), $199.99
Samsung 55" LED Smart 4K Ultra HD HDTV (UN55KU6270FXZA), $479.99
Insignia 39" 1080p Smart LED HDTV (NS-39DR510NA17), $179.99
LG 65" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (65UH6030), $799.99
LG 43" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (43UH6030), $299.99
Insignia - 39" - LED - 1080p - Smart - HDTV Roku TV - Black, $179.99
LG 60" 4K Smart Ultra HDTV (60UH6035), $599.99
LG 40" 1080p LED HDTV (40LH5000), $149.99
Samsung - 32" - LED - 720p - Smart - HDTV - Black, $157.99
Samsung - 58" - LED - 1080p - Smart - HDTV - Black, $427.99
Sharp 55" 1080P Smart LED Roku HDTV (LC-55LB481U), $249.99
Samsung 55" 4K 240Hz Smart LED HDTV w/ HDR (UN55KS8000FXZA), $997.99
VIZIO - 48" - LED - 1080p - HDTV - Black, $249.99
Samsung 50" 2160p 4K Smart LED TV, $397.99
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN40J5200AFXZA), $247.99
VIZIO 70" 4k LED Smart Ultra HDTV w/ Chromecast Built-in, $999.99
LG 50" 2160p 4K Smart LED TV, $399.99
LG 65" 2160p 4K Smart LED TV, $799.99
Toshiba 55" 4K LED Smart HDTV (55L621U) + PlayStation 4 Pro Bundle, $749.98
Sony 65" 2160p 4K Smart TV, $1,399.99
Samsung - 40" - LED - 1080p - Smart - HDTV - Black, $247.99
Sony 55" 4K 120Hz Smart HDTV w/ High Dynamic Range (XBR-55X850D), $899.99
VIZIO - 70" - LED - 2160p - with Chromecast - 4K Ultra HD, $999.99
Samsung 32" 720p Smart LED HDTV (UN32J4500AFXZA), $157.99
Sony 55" 2160p 4K Smart TV, $899.99
Sony 65" 4K 120Hz Smart HDTV w/ HDR (XBR-65X850D), $1,399.99
Sony 75" 2160p 4K Smart LED TV, $2,499.98
Samsung 65" 2160p 4K Smart LED TV, $1,497.99
Insignia 7" Portable DVD Player w/Swivel Screen, $39.99
Insignia 2.0-Ch. Black Soundbar w/ Digital Amplifier, $39.99
Vizio SmartCast 3.1-Ch. Soundbar System w/ 24.2-in. Wireless Subwoofer, $249.99
Klipsch Reference 5-1/4-in. Bookshelf Speakers (Pair), $124.99
Klipsch Reference Dual 6.5-in. Floorstanding Speaker, $174.99
Klipsch Reference Dual 8-in. Floorstanding Speaker, $224.99
Klipsch Reference 12-in. 400W Powered Subwoofer, $224.99
Logitech Harmony 700 8-Device Universal Remote, $49.99
Samsung White SmartThings Hub, $49.99
Insignia Smart Plug, $19.99
Amazon White Echo Dot, $39.99
Amazon Echo, $139.99
Sonos Play:1 White Wireless Speaker, $149.99

Wal-mart

Philips 55" 4K 2160p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (44PFL5601), $298.00
Samsung 50" 4K LED Smart HDTV (UN50KU6300), $398.00
VIZIO 60" LED HDTV (D60N-E3), $398.00
Samsung 60" 4K HDTV (UN60KU6270), $648.00
TCL 32" 720p Roku Smart TV (32S3750), $125.00
Samsung 32" LED 1080p 60Hz Smart HDTV (UN32J5205), $188.00
Samsung 65" LED Smart HDTV (UN65J6200), $798.00
Hisense 40" 1080p LED HDTV (40H3B), $125.00
Hitachi 65" 4K 2160p 60Hz LED HDTV (65L6), $599.00
Samsung 24" 710p 120MR LED HDTV (UN24H4000), $98.00
Element 40" 1080p LED HDTV (ELEFW408), $125.00
Samsung 55" LED Smart HDTV (UN55J6201), $448.00
Emerson 50" LED HDTV, $225.00
Element 50" 1080p LED HDTV (ELEFW504A), $225.00
Samsung 40" LED 1080p 60Hz Smart HDTV (UN40J5200), $248.00
Roku Express+, $25.00

Target

Samsung 50" 4K 120Hz LED HDTV (UN50KU6300), $397.99
Hisense 50" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $249.99
Element 43" 4K LED Smart HDTV, $199.99
Polaroid 32" LED HDTV (32GSR3000FC), $85.00
Samsung 60" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (60KU6300), $697.99
LG 55" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $499.99
Samsung 40" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (40J5200), $247.99
Samsung 55" 4K 120Hz Curved LED Smart HDTV (55KU6500), $697.99
Samsung 55" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN55J6200AFXZA), $447.99
Sonos Play:1 Compact Wireless Speaker, $149.99
RCA 9" Portable DVD Player, $89.99
Apple TV, $149.99

Sears

Samsung 65" 4K LED Smart UH TV, $999.99
Samsung 65" LED Curved Smart 4K HDTV, $1,099.99
Samsung 32" 720p LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $149.99
Samsung 65" LED Curved Smart 4K HDTV, $1,599.99
Samsung 55" Smart 4K Curved LED HDTV, $699.99
Samsung 40" Smart 1080p LED HDTV, $249.99
Samsung 55" Smart 4K LED HDTV, $599.99
Samsung 60" Smart 1080p LED HDTV, $579.99
Amazon Tap, $89.99
eMatic 7" Portable DVD Player w/ Carrying Case + Headphones, $49.99
Amazon Echo, $139.99

K-Mart

Samsung 50" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (UN50J5200), $349.99
Samsung 40" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (UN40J5200), $249.99
Samsung 32" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (UN32J5205), $189.99
Samsung 58" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (UN58J5190), $429.99
Samsung 48" 1080p LED HDTV (UN48J5000), $299.99
Sylvania 7" Portable DVD Player, $39.99
Samsung 2.1 Channel 120W Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Subwoofer, $84.99
Nakamichi 2.2 Channel 500W Bluetooth Tower Speakers, $249.99

h.h. gregg

LG 43" 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV (43UH6030), $299.99
Samsung 40" 1080p LED HDTV (UN40H5003), $219.99
LG 55" 4K HDR Ultra HD Curved Smart TV, $1,999.99
Samsung 55" 4K HDR S LED Smart HDTV, $999.99
Samsung 40" 4K Smart HDTV, $299.99
Vizio 70" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (E70UD3), $1,199.99
Samsung 60" 4K HDR S LED Smart HDTV, $1,199.99
Samsung 55" 4K Curved LED Smart HDTV, $1,099.99
LG 55" 4K Ultra HD webOS 3.0 Smart TV (55UH6030) + Blu-ray Player, $499.99
Samsung 58" 1080p LED HDTV, $429.99
Samsung 70" 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV (UN70KU6300), $1,299.99
LG 55" 4K HDR Super Ultra HD Smart TV (60UH3500), $1,299.99
Seiki 1080p LED Smart HDTV (SE60FYP1T), $399.99
LG 65" 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV, $2,999.99
LG 65" 4K Ultra HD webOS 3.0 Smart TV + Blu-ray Player (65UH6030), $799.99
Sony 55" 4K HDTV, $899.99
Samsung 65" 4K HDR S LED Smart HDTV, $1,499.99
Samsung 55" 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV (UN55KU6290), $549.99
LG 65" Curved 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV, $2,999.99
Proscan 40" 1080p LED HDTV (PLDED4018A), $129.99
Sony 65" 4K HDTV, $1,399.99
Haier 65" 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (65UF2505), $549.99
Samsung 65" 4K Curved LED Smart HDTV, $1,599.99
Proscan 55" 4K Ultra HD TV (PLDED5515A), $299.99
Sony 75" 4K HDTV, $2,499.99
Samsung 50" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (UN50J5200), $349.99
LG 55" 4K HDR Super Ultra HD Smart TV, $799.99
Samsung 32" 720p LED TV (UN32J4000), $149.99
Amazon Echo Dot, $39.99
Amazon Echo, $139.99
Onkyo 700-Watt 5.1-Channel Home Theater Receiver, $199.99
Samsung 2.1-ch. Soundbar w/ Subwoofer, $84.99
Klipsch Dual 8-in. Floorstanding Speaker, $224.99
LG 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $69.99
Klipsch 4-in. Bookshelf Speakers, $99.99
Klipsch 210W 2-Way Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $199.99
Klipsch 5.25-in. Bookshelf Speakers, $125.99
Samsung 3.1-ch. Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $229.99
Klipsch 400W 12-in. Subwoofer, $224.99
Sony Streaming Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player, $49.99
Onkyo 5.1 2-ch. Dolby Atmos Ready Network Home Theater, $549.99
Samsung 4K Upscaling 3D Wi-Fi Smart Blu-ray Player, $84.99
Polk Audio 100-Watt 10" Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer, $99.98
Samsung 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player, $199.99
Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player, $25.00
Apple TV 32GB w/ Siri, $129.99

Podcast #765: Ray Super Remote Nov 11, 2016

Ray Super Remote

Just like a conductor’s baton a good remote control is mandatory to conduct and direct the use of your home theater. We’ve reviewed so many over the years. Ara has settled on the Simple Control application running on an iPad Mini while Braden uses the Logitech Harmony Remotes around his home. But today we are taking a look at the Ray Super Remote (Buy Now $249) which creators bill as the “the ultimate touchscreen universal remote control”.

Features

Fast setup, responsive interface, high resolution display
Sophisticated recommendation engine
Rechargeable battery
Support for Hue Lights and Nest Thermostats

The Ray Super Remote is a nicely built piece of hardware. The fit and finish remind us of a high quality smartphone. In fact it's about the size of a smartphone of yesterday. It's a bit thicker and heavier. No biggie since you won’t be carrying it around with you. Front and back are made of gorilla glass so it should stand up to wear and tear of daily use. And the occasional fall off the coffee table.

The charging cradle also feels substantial and will sit firmly on your end table. The remote slides in and out with ease. We have gotten about two days battery use out of one charge with typical usage. But if you really go into the guides and recommendations pages you will probably get less. Fortunately it is simple to place the remote on the cradle every evening and have a fully charged remote in the morning.

Setup

This is an area where the remote excels. Setup up takes about 10 to 15 minutes. First you connect to Wifi and then let it download updates and codes. Next you tell it how you watch TV. For this portion you have to be in front of your TV and have it on. In our case we turned on the TV, AV Receiver and Satellite box. The remote asks you tell it what kind of TV you have. Then it tells you that it will perform an action and you need to respond with yes it happened or no it did not. After a few of these it decides on a command set for the device and you are done.

You do this for all your devices. You also tell it what input the TV and receiver are on so it can switch them for you. We setup our Blu-ray, AppleTV, DirecTV Genie, Receiver, and TV. The remote does not have FireTV capability. You can request that Ray adds the commands for equipment you have that is not supported through their website. In addition to lack of support for the FireTV there currently is no support for PlayStation, Roku stick, or Chromecast. Plus there is no support for multiple rooms. So if you want to use the remote in another room you will need to buy an additional remote.

Use The remote works well! Although it took us a little time to get used to pointing the remote towards the TV. The Simple Control remote works from anywhere and you wouldn’t think that is a big deal but it did become a bit annoying to have to remember this. That also means if your equipment is out of sight you will need an IR repeater. But you probably already have one anyway. The commands went out quickly and the user interface is responsive. The volume control is done via a rocker on the side of the device. Nice tactile buttons to make raising the volume easy without having to look at the screen. There is also a physical mute button as well as a sleep/wake button.

To activate an activity you go to the home screen and select it, DVR, Blu-ray, or AppleTV. The remote fires off the appropriate commands and in a few seconds you are watching what you want. The shutdown process is simple to. You hit the power off button and you are given an option to turn off any device that is currently on or all of them at once.

We were concerned that a small screen with limited buttons would be difficult to use. We wouldn’t call it difficult but it's a bit cumbersome. The main screen for the DVR has the transport controls, which while important are not used as often as changing channels or bringing up the guide and recordings list. For that there are customizable soft keys on the bottom of the screen. There are a few that are always visible but to get to all of them you have to swipe up. We found that the small form factor means you have to hit a few more screens to get to what you want. Still better than using four remotes.

When setting up your remote it asks you questions about what you like to watch and which channels you subscribe to. It then makes recommendations for you. To access these recommendations you hit the TV button on the home screen. You can swipe through your different categories, Movies, News, Sports, Etc, and find something to watch. If the show is currently on pressing the button will tune to that channel. If it's not on you can set a reminder or setup a recording.

Note - The remote is capable of controlling Hue lights and the Nest Thermostat. We do not have these devices in our homes so we were not able to test these features.

Conclusion

You have a lot of choices out there for universal remotes. Some are pretty basic while others not only control your home theater but they also can do home automation. The Ray Super Remote is a great looking and fully featured remote that will indeed make controlling your home theater easier. It's easy to setup and controls almost any device you have. It's a little on the expensive side but like any conductor you need a baton and this device is one cool baton!

Podcast #764: Kodi Nov 04, 2016

Kodi

There has been an explosion of devices recently, or perhaps going back a couple years, that are based on the Kodi Media Center software or include Kodi as a standard app you can run along with other the other apps available on the device. A simple search at Amazon for ‘Kodi’ yields pages and pages of options for devices. Intrigued by this streaming platform that seems to have taken off like wildfire, we decided to pick up one of these little boxes and see what all the fuss is about.

History

Kodi is the current name for a streaming software application formerly known as XBMC, short for Xbox Media Center. The initial release of XBMC dropped in 2004. It grew out of an earlier project, called Xbox Media Player, into a full player and streaming platform, thus the name change. When XBMC dropped support for the Xbox as a platform, they had to change the name again; that’s when it became Kodi - in August of 2014. The current version of Kodi runs on Windows, Mac OSX, Linux, iOS and Android. Linux and Android support make it ideal for the inexpensive streaming boxes you find at Amazon.

Back in the day, you would get XBMC running on your original Xbox by jumping through a few hoops and taking advantage of a software flaw or vulnerability in the native Xbox software from Microsoft. It sounded more complicated than it was - including having to get your hands on one of the specific games that would exploit the vulnerability, like Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, but if you had an old Xbox laying around, it was well worth it. Lifehacker even published an article called Transform Your Classic Xbox into a Killer Media Center back in 2007 and walked you through all the steps. Now you just install it.

Use

Because Kodi is free and Open Source, you can create your own home media server using pretty much any hardware you’d like. Simply download, install and configure. Then add the add-ons and plug-ins you need to make it do what you want, and you’re off to the races. If you want to save a bit of time, or you don’t have an old computer sitting around to play with, you can buy a dedicated Kodi streaming box and skip some of the steps. We chose the RBSCH M96X Android 6.0 4K TV BOX with KODI 16.1 for $36.99. Not because we knew anything about it, but just because we could get free Prime Same Day shipping.

The box arrived a few hours later and we were ready to go. It is pretty small, a bit smaller than an Apple TV, but in the same ballpark. It came with a power cord, an HDMI cable and a remote, but no batteries for the remote. We plugged it in and powered it on - it took a minute or so to boot up and we were ready to start playing. This model, being Android based, has a bunch of apps like the Chrome browser, Pandora and Facebook that you can use in addition to the Kodi app. The browser was very cumbersome to use with the included remote. But we bought it for Kodi, so we skipped all the other apps and loaded up the Kodi interface right away.

As a local media player, Kodi worked quite nicely. You can play a wide variety of audio and video formats either from local drives (in our case attached via USB) or from somewhere else on your home network. For network streaming, you can use shared folders (SMB/SAMBA/CIFS), DLNA, DAAP for iTunes or stream from ReplayTV DVRs/PVRs. Kodi can also stream content from the Internet from sites like YouTube, Hulu, and Netflix, or music from apps like Pandora. Unlike some other media platforms, Kodi does not include a tuner for watching live TV, but you can get a PlayOn app to DVR content from your favorite streaming services like Netflix for viewing offline. Not super important in our case, but good if you think content may disappear from Netflix before you’ll be able to watch it.

But the not-so-guarded secret about Kodi, and where it gets into a bit of a gray area, are the apps that allow you to stream movies you would otherwise download via sharing applications like BitTorrent. You can use Kodi as a front end to get access to new release movies, including movies still in the theater, for free. In many cases they are terrible Cam videos you wouldn’t want to sit thru for two hours. Other times they are DVD rips or even Blu-ray rips. You have to make your own value judgement on the ethics here, but as we understand it, this is one of the main reasons people want to get their hands on a Kodi streaming box.

The user experience with the BitTorrent style videos was pretty bad. According to the Internet, it isn’t Kodi that has the issues, but each of the individual apps that allow access to the content. They have their own quality issues that leave the experience lacking. Often times we’d click on a menu item and nothing would happen, or we’d try to play a video and it would fail with some cryptic message about checking the logs to see what happened. When we did get a movie to play, even the ones that claimed to be DVD quality looked really rough. It would be hard to watch a full film like that.

Conclusion

Overall Kodi is a really nice streaming media player. The interface is solid - in fact Plex grew out of the XBMC/Kodi source. For content you have on your home network, the playback was great. Looked like any other player we’ve used. For streaming from commercial apps, no issues there either. For streaming bootleg movies, we found it to be very frustrating. If you really want to avoid the box office, or the $5-6 rental fee from Vudu or Amazon, and you can get past the ethics of it, it’s certainly an option. But you need patience and the ability to sit thru a feature length of poor quality streaming. But we were able to get a stream of Dr. Strange to work, so currently in theater titles are available. We only watched enough to see it work, but it did.

Note: Kodi doesn’t allow direct access to bootleg content. There are several add-ons that provide that. Kodi is an open platform, anyone is free to write any add-ons they choose. The existence of an add-on doesn’t imply that Kodi or the XBMC Foundation support, endorse or approve of the add-on.

Podcast #763: Room Acoustics Oct 28, 2016

Room Acoustics

On today's show we have an Interview with David Kroll KEF's World Wide Ci Product Manager and we discuss room acoustics. What are some simple things you can do to improve your sound and what are things to avoid.

Acoustic Panels

Diffuser

Bass Trap

Speaker Isolation

Podcast #762: Vudu Movies on Us Oct 21, 2016

Vudu Movies on Us

You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t think Netflix totally changed the game in home entertainment. First, with the unlimited DVD rentals for a small monthly fee. They essentially ended the video store business. Then, with the shift into unlimited streaming movies, anywhere, anytime, again for a small monthly fee. It has changed the way most of us watch movies, and in some cases, television series. They’ve been so succesful, others, like Amazon, have tried to copy their model. But you can’t be king forever. Someone will eventually come along with a different game changer and dethrone you.

Vudu, the on demand movie rental service from Walmart, has never really been competition for Netflix. The two services are quite different. Vudu offers newly released movies for a per movie fee, very much like a streaming version of the old school rental stores. They compete with Apple, Google, Amazon and the like for your new(ish) release rental dollars. Netflix on the other hand, offers older catalog titles and doesn’t charge per movie. The movies aren’t as fresh, but you can watch as many as you want for a fixed monthly fee.

On Tuesday, Vudu rolled out a brand new service they’re calling Vudu Movies on Us. They’re going right at Netflix, but they’ve dropped the monthly fee. They have thousands of movies and TV shows available for streaming for free. No charge. The only catch? You have to watch some commercials. They are paid for by the Ads you have to watch. This leaves us with two choices for streaming catalog titles, do you want to pay a fixed monthly fee to avoid watching ads, or pay nothing at all and have to sit through a few commercials?

Of course Vudu wants you to sign up so that when you want to rent a newly released title, you’ll select Vudu as your service of choice instead of any of the other options out there. They don’t really need to make any money on the new Movies on Us service if it brings in a deluge of new accounts. They just need to find a way to convert those free accounts into rental customers. If they can do that, the new service is a huge success. For many people who pay monthly for a Netflix account, but perhaps don’t use it all that much, Vudu Movies on Us could be a great option.

Historically there has been a pretty decent gap in the video quality you get from the various streaming services, with Vudu and specifically their HDX format, being hands down the best experience available. That is changing with some services starting to offer 4K streaming, and the gap for HD or so-called 1080p, has gotten much smaller. But, it is pretty awesome that Vudu will allow you to stream movies in the HDX format for free. They aren’t crippling the quality if you choose to watch for free. The experience is exactly the same. For most titles, you can rent them for $3.99 if you don’t want to watch the commercials. If you watch the ads, you get the same video you get if you pay for it.

And the titles aren’t all random, artsy, independent flicks you’ve never heard of before. They are the same catalog titles you’d find on Netflix or Amazon Prime. Titles for whatever you’re into, like the western remake of True Grit with Jeff Bridges and Matt Damon, comedies like School of Rock with Jack Black or The Love Guru with Mike Myers, action movies like Out of Time with Denzel Washington, or romantic stuff like Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow. We didn’t have the opportunity to watch any of the titles all the way through to the end, but for those we did watch, we sat through three, 30 second ads then watched the movie like normal. It’s possible they insert more ads in the middle of the movie, but we didn’t see any.

Doing the math, you’ve got a minute and a half of advertisements to save $3.99 per title. Of course most people would opt for Netflix for those titles, so they’d get them included in their $9.99 or $11.99 monthly fee. But if you watch less than three movies per month on Netflix, it’s actually cheaper to just rent them on Vudu. And now, it’s totally free. You can have up to 8 devices associated with your Vudu account, and computers, like laptops or desktops, don’t count against that 8. From what we can tell, there’s no limit on how many of them can be streaming simultaneously like you have with Netflix.

The Competition

Looking at the competitive landscape, Vudu Movies on Us gets the Walmart streaming service in a head to head with Netflix and makes them more competitive against Amazon. All things considered, the Amazon service is probably still the best deal. You get the unlimited catalog streaming as part of your Prime subscription that also gets you the great deals on shipping and other Amazon perks. Of course, if you don’t do lot of shopping at Amazon, the need for Prime shipping goes away, so the streaming fee would be measured against the Netflix monthly fee. And you’d compare that with the free, ad supported offering from Vudu.

Like Vudu, Amazon has both newly released titles for rental and the catalog content included in your subscription. Netflix doesn’t have the new release titles, so if you stick with Netflix, you still have to supplement with another service if you want to watch something that isn’t available in their catalog. Both Netflix and Amazon have original content; something Vudu doesn’t have right now. Vudu does occasionally get exclusive titles, but not typically the blockbusters everyone is clamoring to rent. With Amazon and Netflix, similar to how DirecTV can hook you with NFL Sunday Ticket, if you’re really into the exclusive content Amazon or Netflix produce, you’ll have to stick with one or both of those services. That’s a hook Vudu doesn’t have right now.

Of course, the real competition would be a fixed monthly subscription that included newly released titles. If Netflix wanted to change the game again and stay king, they should be looking into that. Or, perhaps Vudu making the newly released titles available for streaming for free if you watch ads. That would send their subscriber numbers through the roof. If you could get any new title as soon as it became available for streaming for free, by just agreeing to sit through a couple minutes of ads, who wouldn’t go for that? We should probably let Vudu enjoy this moment of disruption before we push them to the next one, but ad supported new release titles would be the killer app.

Well, the real killer app is day and date with the movie theater, but we’re still waiting for that.

Podcast #761: Tivo Mantis...Cord Cutter's Dream box? Oct 14, 2016

Tivo Mantis...Cord Cutter's Dream box?

We have read countless emails from listeners who have cut the cord over the years and many of them have turned to Tivo to become the center of that process. With an antenna and a Tivo box you can cut your TV subscription services to almost nothing. Tivo boxes support Hulu, Netflix, Youtube, Plex, and Amazon Prime so you really don’t have to give up everything. Yes there are cable channels that you may miss, but many of those have an app where you can watch some of the programming for free. Worst case you may need to buy a few season passes of a couple of TV shows that are not available through an app. Regardless, you should be able to watch everything you want and dramatically cut your yearly bill.

Tivo even has options for those who want to connect multiple TVs through a network connection. The $150 Tivo Mini will connect a bedroom TV to the main Tivo Unit bringing the full Tivo experience to any room in the house without any additional fee. A typical multi room setup can run about $750 including a year of the TV service. Compare that to $1,200 ($50/month 24 month min required) for a basic level of DirecTV service. For some this is still a bit steep because you have to come up with the money up front.

Well we have heard that Tivo is working on a new box called the Mantis. It is a headless network DVR box that may change everything for the cord cutter. It's a box that isn’t much bigger than than Roku or AppleTV that connects to an antenna and then transcodes the signal for viewing by other devices. It's not clear if it will come equipped with a hard drive or will require an external drive for storage.

Tivo will also include an app for viewing what’s on the Mantis for AppleTVs, Rokus, and the FireTV as well as the apps for tablets and smartphones. That means that you can now bury the Mantis in any room that has a network (or within range of Wifi) and antenna connection. With minimal details at this time we can only speculate on the feature set. Our wish list would include:

Online viewing of live and recorded content - This is kind of like a personalized Aereo service and slingbox all rolled into one.
Offline viewing of recorded content - It would be nice to be able to catch up on all the TV that is piling up on your DVR without needing an Internet connection.
Cloud Support - No need to open up ports on your router. This makes setup and use much easier.
Content Archiving - It would also be nice if the content on your local drive could be archived to iCloud, Amazon, or Google Drives

Tivo has not confirmed or denied that the Mantis actually exists. The information has been gleaned from an FCC filing. Look for the Mantis to be announced at CES in January. Or you can pick up a Tablo (Buy Now $199) right now. It doesn’t have all the features we discussed but it will give you access to your DVR from anywhere you have a network connection.

Podcast #760: ATSC 3.0 Oct 07, 2016

ATSC 3.0

In the United States and a few other parts of the globe, the standard that defines how digital television transmissions work over terrestrial, cable and satellite broadcasts is called ATSC, named after the Advanced Television Systems Committee. ATSC 1.0 is in use now as the current standard, adopted by the FCC in 1996. But the committee is actively working on the next generation of broadcast standards and has released both 2.0 and 3.0 versions - neither of which are actually in use yet. Some feel that ATSC 3.0 may leapfrog 2.0 and make it obsolete before it even gets any serious mileage on it.

One of the great characteristics of the ATSC 2.0 standard is that it is fully backward compatible with ATSC 1.0. This could, in many ways, make it a great bridge to the newer 3.0 standard. It has a ton of new functionality, like interactive and hybrid television experiences that connect your television with Internet content and services and actually merge the interactive elements directly into the broadcast stream. You don’t have two separate/disjoint experiences running side by side or on top of one another. But while it is cool, it doesn’t actually match the experience most viewers would be looking for in today’s world, so the odds are it will never make it over the airwaves.

The ATSC 3.0 standard is actually a collection of 20 individual standards. This week, on October 5, the Advanced Television Systems Committee gave its formal approval to 3 of those standards. This brings the overall picture to 5 published standards, 11 candidate or proposed standards and the remainder still in the documentation phase of development. Of the other 17 standards, many of them are quite noteworthy. Along with the interactivity features that build on the ATSC 2.0 spec, 3.0 adds support for 4K video, High Dynamic Range content and H.265 compression. The plan is to take the best of what modern technology has to offer, from 4k TVs to smartphones and tablets, and deliver it to you in a unified television broadcast.

New Standards

One of the three standards that received approval is the ATSC 3.0 Link Layer Protocol. Bear with us here, because this might go full geek for a bit. For those familiar with the protocols used to make the Internet work, the standards that deliver websites from servers in the cloud to your browser at home, you’ll recognize the term Link Layer as the lowest layer in the Internet Protocol Suite, more typically referred to as TCP/IP. As it turns out, ATSC 3.0 Link Layer Protocol serves the same purpose for digital broadcasts as its namesake does for Internet communication. It is responsible for moving data between the network layer and the physical layer or the hardware itself. On the sending side data moves from the network layer to the physical layer to be sent out as a broadcast. On the receiving side in your TV set at home, it is also responsible for moving data from the physical layer to the network layer so it can be processed.

Two other standards also approved were both Audio and Video Watermark Emission standards. As you would probably guess, they specify the audio and video watermark encoding used in ATSC 3.0 broadcasts. The Audio Watermark Emission Standard (A/334) specifies the audio watermark encoding for use with systems conforming to the ATSC 3.0 family of specifications. And the Video Watermark Emission Standard (A/335) specifies the emission format for video watermarks used by systems that conform to the ATSC 3.0 spec. Audio watermarks are signals embedded in the audio portion of the broadcast, typically inaudible, they are primarily used to identify ownership of a copyright. Video watermarks are more obvious, but the ATSC spec places them in an ancillary stream so they can survive any issues in video compression, transcoding or transmission. The two streams are brought together on your TV.

This week, the ATSC Technology Group 3 members also began the voting process to elevate three other ATSC Candidate Standards to the elevated Proposed Standard status. If they were a bill on Capitol Hill, this would be the last step before ATSC member approval. The three are:

A/332 Service Announcement - More Info

The Service Announcement function enables ATSC 3.0 Service providers to describe the ATSC 3.0 Services that they make available. From a user’s point of view, the Service Announcement function enables an on-screen Service Guide that can be seen as an entry point to discover ATSC 3.0 services and to select services. Service Announcement provides descriptions of the content offerings and also may provide a filtering capability based on user preferences and content properties, such as the presence or absence of captioning, interactive enhancements, video formats (3D, SD, HD, UD), audio formats (stereo, 5.1, immersive), caption formats (IMSC1 text or image), content advisory ratings, genre, accessible audio tracks, alternate languages, etc. In the case of scheduled services, Service Announcement also provides information about the date and time each offering is scheduled to be broadcast.

A/333 Service Usage Reporting - More info

A Service that captures consumption information for a streaming A/V channel. The Service identifies a reporting interval during which a stream is accessed, the time the stream access started and the time the stream access ended. If any Applications are active during the report interval, it also records when the Applications are active (whether on a primary device or a “second screen”, companion device), including the Application Identifier, the time the Application started being active, and the time it stopped being active.

A/343 Captions and Subtitles - More info

The title pretty much says it all. This defines how content providers can embed subtitles and captions which include not Latin based languages.

We’re all pulling for these guys to get their shot and be signed into full committee approval.

Podcast #759: Plex Interview Sep 30, 2016

Plex Interview

Today we interview Elan Fiengold CTO of Plex and Jason Williams Director of Product and Growth of Plex. For those of you who do not know what Plex is, Plex is a media server and client suite of applications that organizes your multimedia content from personal libraries and streams it to their player both on a local network and across the Internet.

There are two pieces to the Plex System, the server and the client.

Plex Server - The server is the portion that organizes and catalogs your content and delivers it to your clients. The server can run on Macs, PCs, NAS, and the NVidia Shield.

Plex Client - This is where you can watch your content. Pretty much if it has a screen you can watch. Tablets, Phones, Computers, TVs and on and on.

Features

Any Format - Support for all file types (well, virtually all), including hi-fi music and video formats.
Available Anywhere - Stream all of your media to all your devices, anytime, anywhere, with the same beautiful experience on all of them.
Library Organization - Organize all of your media–videos, photos, and music–and make it beautiful with artwork and info like plot summaries, bios, and more.
Privacy and Security - Enjoy your media while away from home, knowing your connection is securely encrypted.
Sharing - Effortlessly share libraries among friends to all discover and enjoy even more content together.
Recommendations and Discovery - Enjoy beautifully organized libraries that help you find and re-discover great gems in your collection.
No Storage Limit - Store and stream as much as you have on your server or storage device, without sacrificing quality, security, or performance.
Online Channels - Get online content from various sources, like TED Talks, NPR, Spike, Comedy Central, and Soundcloud, right in Plex.
Remote Control - Use the Plex app on your phone or tablet to control any Plex player.
Casting - Cast content from your smartphone, tablet, or computer to your TV for large screen viewing via Chromecast.
Flinging - Start content on one device and fling it to another app to continue enjoying it.
Media Optimizer - Create optimized versions of your media for seamless streaming on whichever device you choose.
Watch Later - Save online videos to watch later or recommend videos to a friend.
Plex Cloud NEW - Plex Cloud and your Amazon Drive is the simplest way to run Plex, without the need for an always-on PC or network-attached storage device (NAS).
Plex DVR NEW - Record free television broadcast channels and watch your favorite HD shows, movies, news, and sports, on any device, anywhere in the world.
Mobile Sync - Sync your videos, music, and photos to your mobile device for offline enjoyment wherever you go.
Cloud Sync - Sync content from your library to supported cloud storage providers to enjoy even if your server is offline.
Audio Fingerprinting - Manage your music with song identification via audio fingerprinting, get world-class album reviews and artist bios, as well as the best cover art available.
Lyrics - See timed lyrics to your favorite songs when available.
Mood Mix - Find tracks in your collection based on mood to help you wake up, wind down, and everything in between.
Plex Mix - Kick off playback of similar tracks from your collection at any time — it’s like your own personal radio station.
Premium Music - Enjoy lyrics, automatic Plex Mix and Mood Mix playlists based on mood or similar tracks, and premium metadata matching for high quality art, album reviews, artist bios and more!
Multiple Users Create customized, managed accounts, and make user switching fast and easy with Plex Home.
Parental Controls - Enable parental controls to keep the kids away from inappropriate content.
Trailers and Extras - Automatically see high quality movie trailers, cast interviews, and other extras for movies in your library.
Camera Upload - Wirelessly sync your phone or tablet photos automatically to your Plex Media Server.
VIP Discounts NEW - Get exclusive access to discounts on partner products
Early Access - Be the first to get exclusive access to new features and enjoy awesome premium ones.

Podcast #758: CEDIA 2016 Sep 23, 2016

CEDIA 2016

Each year CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) holds an event where the industry gathers to show off their wares. It is akin to a mini-CES, but also for many of us represents a best of CES of sorts. When we’ve been to attend the show, we tend to enjoy it more than CES. It takes the parts of CES that we are interested in and compresses it down to a more manageable show. We didn’t go this year but that won’t stop us from talking about some of the products we think are interesting. This year the show was from September 13-17 in Dallas, TX.

High-Def Digest: Top Six Highlights from CEDIA 2016

Sony UBP-X1000ES

Sony has their first entry into the world of Ultra HD Blu-ray players. But there is catch, this ES model is only for integrators. Even so, it's a pretty clear view of what we can expect when the consumer version is finally announced. The Ultra HD Blu-ray was just one part of Sony's booth, but, at least for this event, Sony made it clear that HDR is an important focus in the current line, both in the Master Drive TVs and in projectors like the VPL-VW5000ES.

KEF Blade Two

With good reason, most of the serious audio demonstrations at CEDIA 2016 required at the least a demonstration enclosure, and at the most indulgent, a suite. The KEF Blade Two, however, stood in a pair right in the open middle of the KEF booth. That stereo image, produced by two Blade Twos running off of a Hegel H360 (and networked FLAC tracks), was so poised in the din of the convention center and the booth, I had trouble even thinking of places in homes and well, luxury hotels, that wouldn't be made better with a pair of the large but not intimidating speakers. Naturally, the rest of the booth, which housed gems like the KEF Ci Series, had that kid in a toy store feel.

LG Signature OLED77G6P

Not only is the OLED65G6P basically breathe-taking in that undeniable beauty time of way, but the undeniability applies to both the picture and form. And here, in mid-to-late 2016, what could LG do to top this show-stopper? That would be to debut a 77" version. This new model exudes the same lines, but in a greater size more apropos of in-home cinema. The reason I say that now is a good time to make the trek to see the Signature line is that the 77" (and its even bigger $20k price tag) is already ready at certain showrooms in the States.

Modulus Media Hub

The Modulus Media Hub promises a lot, including DVD and Blu-ray archiving, a wealth of streaming service support, a base 6TB capacity with external expansion, 4K support, remote media access, and a DVR capability that applies to everything (including streaming). But what struck me is that the Modulus has the hardware (apparently) to also host Ultra HD Blu-rays. Unfortunately, that particular capability is not a certainty.

CEDIA: Seven Trends We’ve Seen at CEDIA 2016

(we will discuss 4 of them…)

Voice is the New Mouse and/or Swipe

Given the Friday Keynote and a number of CEDIA Talks, it was easy to predict VUI would be a pretty hot topic. But as more and more manufacturers in the CEDIA channel explore integrating some manner of voice control into their products – from whole-home audio to security systems – it’s pretty clear that the entire industry’s betting on the next step in computer interaction.

Everybody’s at the Table

OK, maybe it’s not quite time to dump the term “DIY” yet – but seeing products that are pitched directly to the consumer side-by-side with pro models is an incredibly interesting trend. Back to VUI – yeah, you can buy your own interface device, but that same technology is going into gear used in big integration projects. It seems that there’s a parallel development at work — and a realization that as a broader spectrum of the populace gets really interested in this stuff, that rising tide will lift every boat.

The Home Needs an IT Pro

We’ve heard more stats about the Internet of Things than devices that are actually on the Internet of Things. Alright, that’s a total exaggeration, but still – the challenges that the IoT is presenting when it comes to interoperability, security, and network troubleshooting will translate into ever larger opportunities for that less-than-artful acronym “RMR.”

Speakers Should Either Be Gorgeous or Invisible

Not a new trend per se, but the difference between the “buried in the sheetrock and still sounds amazing” and the speaker-as-sculpture philosophy really struck your humble scribe over the last few days. Both the aural effects of the invisible speakers and the visual impact from those who treat this gear as high-end design has been jaw-dropping.

CE Pro: Editor’s Pick: 12 Great New Products from CEDIA 2016

Stewart Filmscreen Phantom HALR Screen

The top manufacturer in CE Pro’s Brand Analysis in the screen category reinforced its standing with its Phantom HALR black screen. Available in sizes up to 40 x 90 feet, with specification options for rollable installations, and acoustically transparent applications, dealers can use it for residential and commercial jobs. The Phantom produced stunning images on the show floor and its brightly lit aisles. Running a demo with Digital Projection, Stewart says it measured a contrast ratio on the floor of 90:1 and the black-and-white video with the screen looked incredible with no hint of color shift.

Meyer Sound Demo

Over in the world of pro sound, Meyer Sound is a benchmark brand of speakers . About 10 years ago the company migrated into the movie post-production category branching out from its roots as a sound reinforcement company and quickly established itself as a go-to brand. Now it’s coming into the residential market and it's bringing the same level of quality. Working with the Dallas-based dealer Elliston Systems, Meyer partnered with Barco, Vutec and Keith Yates Design to deliver one of the best demos ever produced at a trade show.

Barco Thor Projector

Another benchmark manufacturer coming from the pro market and into the residential field is Barco. Showing its state-of-the-art Thor 6P laser 4K projector, you could say Barco’s Thor dropped the hammer on the competition. Showing a mix of content that included 4K HDR, the Thor provided one of the best demos I've seen at a CEDIA show. Barco even realized the importance of audio with home theater and didn’t cut corners with the audio portion of its demo.

Autonomic MMS-1e Whole-House Music Player

Streamlining the size and installation process for dealers, Autonomic introduced MMS-1e Whole-House Music Player and M-120e 4-zone amplifier. These products provide dealers with all of the familiar functions that have made Autonomic a top provider of whole-house audio systems with the simplified connectivity of its eAudioCast audio-over-Ethernet technology. The MMS-1e provides a choice of audio output formats, Wi-Fi support, control system integration, plus the company’s great user interface. The MMS-1e carries an MSRP of just $995.

Origin Acoustics B&O Partnership

Jeremy Burkhardt has demonstrated once again that he is an industry leader. Combining his company’s engineering prowess with the famous industrial design of Bang & Olufsen (B&O), Origin announced a partnership with B&O in which jointly developed products will be available in 700 B&O store locations. Select B&O products will be available to Origin dealers. Unlike the trend to hide architectural speakers, the point of the Origin and B&O collaboration is to show these speakers, which feature B&O’s famous industrial design.

Digital Projection (DP) e-Vision 4K Laser

DP annually makes my best product lists for good reason: the company designs great performing products. The e-Vision 4K Laser is designed to balance performance and cost considerations and it meets all of its objectives. The 8,000-lumen projector provides a lamp life of 20,000 hours and 4K compatibility through the new TI 0.66 DLP chip for a reasonable price of $19,999. I was impressed with the e-Vision 4K Laser’s bright and punchy, noise-free highly detailed UltraHD images during the company’s demo.

Epson LS10500 Projector

Epson showcased its LS10500 in a great demo. The new LS10500 provides a lamp life of 30,000 hours, HDR compatibility and 1,500 lumens of color brightness and 1,500 lumens of white brightness. While not a true 4K projector in that it is not a native 4K solution, the LS10500 still delivers a vivid, detailed image that is impossible to match at its price point of $7,999 while accepting Ultra HD signals.

Phase Technology CI-130 In-Wall Loudspeaker

Showing again that it engineers some of the industry’s best “secrets,” the company was showing its new IW-210 in-wall sub and its CI-130 in-wall speakers. This hybrid sealed-box design features a unique design that employs foam holes to allow the speaker to defeat some of the common limitations of architectural products. The CI-130 with the IW-210 produced a huge soundstage that was dynamic and seamless in its sonic integration.

Sony UBP-X1000ES Ultra Blu-ray Disc Player

It would be an understatement to say that Sony crushed CEDIA 2016. The popular electronics company just about stole the show with the introduction of its new Z-series Ultra HD televisions, new ES A/V receivers, and its UBP-X1000ES UltraHD Blu-ray disc player. Checking in at an approximate price point of $900, it’s safe to say the Ultra HD Blu-ray disc category is now validated. Arguably the most anticipated product at the entire show, it offers HDR compatibility, as well as the ability to play DVD-Audio, DVD video, CDs, SACDs, Blu-ray discs, 3D Blu-ray discs and BD-ROMs. It also offers streaming services such as Amazon and YouTube as well as Dolby Atmos compatibility.

RBH Sound SV 6500 Signature Reference Speaker

RBH’s lead engineer Shane Rich quietly designs some of the best speakers on the market. Showing his design talent Rich redesigned its Signature Reference speaker to include Air Motion Tweeters (AMT). As always RBH delivers some of CEDIA’s best demos and CEDIA 2016 didn’t disappoint with a surround clip from Eric Clapton’s “Crossroads” shows and the musicianship of Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes and Susan Tedeschi. Highlighting its surround system was the Signature Reference SV-6500 R floorstanding speaker.

CE Pro: What Dealers Say about CEDIA 2016

Bose Lifestyle 650

Bose's new Lifestyle 650 home audio system surprised a lot of integrators at CEDIA. One of them, who didn't want to be named because he's a big Sonos dealer, said, "I couldn't get over how much they've improved the platform. ... The fit, the finish, the feel, they look serious." He says the new little speakers deliver "spacious sound" and strong bass and, of all the compliments, "even the [SoundTouch] app looks respectable."

Sony Z-Series displays

Check social media. Seems everyone took a picture in front of this 100-inch Z-Series display from Sony. One dealer says "It's as good as it gets." It seemed most dealers were impressed with Sony’s new Z-Series (Z9D) displays. At the booth it was noted that the 100-incher was only $60,000 – or half the price of Vizio’s 120-inch TV. A dealer on RemoteCentral wonders: “The reps are claiming it’s on par (or better than) the OLED. Your thoughts?”

Integrator Mike Bruemmer of Cincinnati’s Mt. Lookout Television and Electronics, agrees with the reps: “Sony Z9D was outstanding. Much better brightness than the OLED. We looked at the Z9 and ran to go look at the G6 [LG OLED]. Z9 is better.” Sony thrived on the 4K projector front as well.

Crestron

Crestron did not have an official presence at CEDIA this year, but the company’s home-automation products appeared at several booths including Amazon Alexa and Sonos. Of all the new control systems integrating with Sonos, Crestron is the only one that embeds the entire Sonos interface in the automation UI.

A Crestron dealer noted, “I saw the Crestron demo with Sonos. There is still some work to go. But one has to start somewhere. They have the link right to the Sonos app from the Crestron panel. Which is obviously a compromise at this point having to flip apps. At this point I would still suggest an Autonomic when doing Crestron systems.”

Residential Systems: Real Audio Video VR: My CEDIA 2016 Game Changer

REAL Audio Video is a top design and integration firm that has been doing ultra-high-end installs for more than 18 years. REAL partnered with another Utah based company, Fractal Mob, to create its new Private Cinema previsualization software, which was demonstrated at CEDIA for the first time. This previs software is not only incredibly innovative, but also potentially game changing in its use of virtual reality for aiding in the pre-sale and design of high end theaters.

The two firms worked closely together on the project with REAL acting as technical consultants and providing Fractal with the floorplans, elevations, and reference photos to recreate the room in VR. By using virtual reality, REAL wants to let customers “walk through” their new theater space “before a single nail is driven.”

For the demo, Fractal Mob took 4K VR scans of one of REAL’s actual, already constructed theater designs. As the firm didn’t have access to the actual room, they had to build everything from scratch—speakers, chairs, projector, room, textures, etc.—as if it didn’t exist in real life, or exactly as it would be as if someone was previsualizing a room that had yet to be built.

After the modeling is complete, the software lets you walk around and explore every inch of the room. The resulting image quality is nearly photo realistic, and in fact is limited by the current hardware limitations in VR rendering and will only improve as computing hardware catches up.

Once inside the virtual space, you can walk up to walls and see the micro detail and texture in the fabric and the grain of the wood and quality of the millwork. Sconces gently bathe the sidewalls in light, the intensity and brightness changing as you walk up to them. Look back into the projector room and you see lens flare that changes based on the projected image and where you’re standing in the room. There are even micro dust particles floating through the air in the light path of the projector. Kneel down and examine the carpet.

Sit in different points in the room and see exactly how big—or small—your intended screen size looks. No more will the question, “Will 120 inches be too big from this seating position?” be a theoretical one. Now you can sit the client in the front row, the middle row, the back row and let them see exactly how big the screen will look at all seating locations. Same with seating. How will four seats look in a row? Put yourself in the space and see exactly how wide the pathways are. Or if the first row is low enough to not have sightline issues.

Even more amazing—and educational—the audio tracks your position in the room, letting you move in and out of room modes so a customer can experience exactly what is happening with the audio and why the need for multiple subs and room correction—my friend Adam’s specialty—is so crucial. While the VR demo video is playing, the audio also tracks as you turn your head as you turn from side to side, moving the stereo image position. Amazing.

Podcast #757: Home Theater Seating Sep 16, 2016

Home Theater Seating

We’ve had media/projector rooms in our homes for a few years now. We’ve talked about our electronics, our content, and even some of the decorations that go into those rooms. But we haven’t really discussed seating. That’s because for many of us the seating is simply your tradition couch or recliner.

Going back a few years if you wanted home theater seating you had to spend a lot of money to buy seats that were designed for actual theaters. Then we saw a company at CES (2009) that was showing off seats that had electro-mechanical actuators that made them move in unison with the movie. The D-BOX seats were stuff that only the rich could afford. To seat four people with this system could easily run you over $30,000. Plus only certain movies provided the codes to actually move the seats.

Fast Forward to 2016 and the Derderian’s need a new couch in the media room so for grins we looked around at what was available. To our pleasant surprise, there is plenty available and while not cheap, it's a far cry from costing $30,000 to comfortably seat a family of four to watch your favorite movies.

Manufactures

There are plenty of manufacturers out there selling “Home Theater” seats. They range from the traditional theater style to more family style. Here is a partial list:

Seatcraft - Started in 1978 in California as a manufacturer of automotive seating they began selling home theater seating 2001. They have many styles and different pricepoints. Pricing ranges from $399 to over $1000 a seat. They come in different fabrics and styles. From single recliners to rows of 2,3, and 4. Options include neck pillow, tablet holder, and wine caddy. They even include in seat USB charging ports and power recline. You’ll never want to watch a movie in a theater again!
Lane Home Theater Seating - Lane has been around for years and the know a trend when they see one. Their home theater seating offerings are limited to a two arm recliner as well as row seating. Pricing ranges between $500 and $650 a seet. Options include power recline, in arm storage, and cool LED lights at the base of the seats. Higher end models include USB charging.
Barcalounger - Founded in 1941, Barcalounger is one of the highest regarded furniture companies in the USA. Translation, you will pay for the quality, but that’s not a bad thing in our opinion. Barcalounger sells row seating that ranges in price from $600 to $1000. Power recline, USB charging, Lighted Cupholder and base are the main options available.

There are many other manufacturers including Southern Motion, Coaster, Jaymer, and Berkline selling options that include curved seating, seatbacks that flip down into consoles and storage for your remote controls. There is a style, color, and option somewhere out there that will make even the toughest aesthetics committee chairman happy. Oh yeah! Don’t forget the seat shakers. Everyone one of the above seats can be fitted with sound shaker amp kit. There are even wireless versions that make setup simple. Now you have a reason to buy a 7.2 receiver even in a small room!

Multimedia Sofas

So let’s say that you are married to someone who just doesn’t like theater seating. I’m not going to mention names but Ara knows someone like that. In fact his entire family is someone like that. They just can’t seem to wrap their minds around home theater seats. They say you can’t snuggle up during a movie. I say that’s what the downstairs TV is for… but I digress.

There is a line of seating called Multimedia Sofas. These are home theater seats without the armrests in between seats. These seats come in multiple configurations including wedge and console options. Sofas, loveseats, straight, curved, and L-shape designs. Essentially like the couch you have today! But these have many of the same options as actual theater seats like USB charging, fold down console, LED lighting, power recline, and lighted cupholders on the edges or in the wedges. And yes you can add sound shaker amps! Prices range from $1000 to $2200 depending on options.

Whatever happened to D-BOX

Well they are still around. Their seats are popular in high end theaters around the world. They still are doing well in the home theater market. Not the theaters that we own (at least most of you who listen to this show) but the theaters that you read about in Electronic Home or on AVS forum. For us, it is in the realm of possibility to spend $2500 on seating for our theaters. We’ll have to wait and see what gets approved in Ara’s family. There are three committee members who are really standing in his way right now. Stay tuned!

Podcast #756: Home Theater News and Talk Sep 09, 2016

Home Theater News and Talk

Apple introduces iPhone 7 ($649), iPhone 7 Plus ($769), and wireless earbuds

The company later revealed the new devices would come in 32GB, 128 GB, and 256GB sizes. Prices start at $649/£599 for the iPhone 7 and $769/£719 for the iPhone 7 Plus. Pre-orders begin on Friday, September 9, and devices will ship on Friday, September 16. iOS 10 will arrive on September 13 to support the new releases.

Sony unveils new versions of PlayStation 4

Sony Interactive Entertainment, a division of Sony Corp (6758.T), unveiled on Wednesday two new versions of its PlayStation 4 Console in an effort to help Sony maintain its sales lead over Microsoft Corp (MSFT.O) and Nintendo Co Ltd (7974.T).

The PlayStation 4 Pro, which will launch Nov. 10, will support higher resolution and more realistic imagery by enabling 4k resolution and higher dynamic range (HDR), said Andrew House, chief executive of Sony Interactive Entertainment, at a PlayStation event in New York City Tuesday announcing the new products. The console will cost $399.

Additionally, the company unveiled a slimmer, lighter and more energy efficient version of its PlayStation 4 Console, which will come out Sept. 15 and will cost $299.

IBM aims to weave Watson smarts into the home

IBM plans to integrate its Watson intelligence into gadgets and appliances such as washing machines, security cameras and wireless headphones. The company has partnered with Panasonic, Whirlpool, Nokia and Bragi to create Watson-equipped internet of things devices for the home.

LG readies new OLED, quantum dot TVs

LG is preparing to debut an OLED TV with "an exclusive hardware platform" at CES in January, and is readying a lineup of quantum dot TVs to compete with Samsung at a level below LG's most premium sets. The quantum dot TVs will utilize a quantum dot filter on an LCD TV and sell for approximately $1,000 less than LG's OLED TVs.

Amazon updates Fire TV features

Amazon on Tuesday announced a software update for its Fire TV and Fire TV Stick that adds features to the devices. New features include voice search on apps, recommended viewing options from HBO and Netflix, and sports updates from Alexa.

Podcast #755: IFA 2016 Sep 02, 2016

IFA 2016

Each year in Germany consumer electronics manufacturers come together to display their wares at IFA. The IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (International radio exhibition Berlin, aka 'Berlin Radio Show') is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. Kind of like a mini-CES, manufacturers announce new products and services. We haven’t covered the show for a few years, but this year we thought it would be pertinent to run down some of the announcements as they pertain (mostly) to Home Theater.

General

Worldwide revenues from consumer electronics are projected to drop 5 percent this year to $906.55 billion, according to market research firm GfK and reported by Hans-Joachim Kamp, chairman of gfu Consumer & Home Electronics, during the inaugural IFA 2016 keynote presentation.

However, many product segments will show significant growth this year. According to Kamp and GfK, global sales of UHD TVs will hockey stick 75 percent this year to 54 million units UHD sets, while OLED set sales will spike an even more vertical 120 percent to 600,000 units. Even unit sales of smart TVs in general are expected to rise a modest 1 percent to 96 million units.

Other growing products markets include wearables, forecast to rise 58 percent to 122 million units; Bluetooth speakers, projected to grow 23 percent to 41 million units; and, worldwide sales of smartphones, still the 800-pound gorilla of consumer technology, will expand by 5 percent to 1.4 billion units.

While revenue from gadgets are expected to be down this year, the IFA show in general will celebrate its 10th straight year of growth. According to Dr. Christian Göke, CEO of the Messe Berlin fairgrounds and convention space, the number of exhibitors will rise to 1,800, a 5 percent rise, occupying 158,000 square meters, also a 5 percent rise. Whether or not the show attracts more than last year's 40,000 visitors – both trade and consumer – remains to be seen.

Source: IFA 2016: Global CE Revenues Projected To Fall 5% in 2016

Samsung

Samsung reinforced its commitment to Quantum dot display technology at IFA 2016.

Samsung revealed a new Quantum dot TV, the 88-inch KS9800, offering the ultimate in picture quality, brilliance and, as with all of Samsung’s SUHD TVs, a display capable of producing up to one billion colors. Samsung now offers the largest range of SUHD TVs in Europe, with 19 available sizes from 43” up to 88”, capitalizing on the limitless flexibility of Quantum dot in terms of screen size and definition.

Samsung also announced the world’s first curved Quantum dot PC Monitors – the new CF791, with a 34” Ultra Wide QHD screen and the stunning new CFG70, the first curved monitor with a one millisecond moving picture response time and 144 hertz refresh rate for smooth, flawless gaming. As the first curved quantum dot gaming monitors, Samsung’s CFG70 and CF791 express brilliant colors across a 125-percent sRGB spectrum, while employing an environmentally-safe cadmium-free design. This luminance emphasizes a range of otherwise-hidden game details in both light and dark settings, offering unprecedented visual realism designed to capture the attention of even the most hardcore gamers.

Ever mindful that great television is about amazing content as well as outstanding picture quality, Samsung said it was strengthening its collaborative relationships with global partners, such as Amazon and Netflix. Netflix in particular is expanding its range of HDR content for European customers, with film titles such as Marco Polo, The Do-Over and The Ridiculous Six. European partners including RTVE and Insight TV will also begin to offer HDR content in the second half of 2016.

Samsung also showcased the capabilities of the Samsung Smart Remote, which allows users to easily navigate all of their connected devices with one single remote control. The Smart remote is designed to auto-detect any and all external devices connected to the TV, making it simple for consumers to switch between and use them – without having to hunt around for multiple remotes.

Lastly, Samsung underlined its position as the leader in European home audio and the number one soundbar manufacturer in the region. On display were products including Samsung’s Wireless Audio 360 line-up and HW-K950 Soundbar featuring Dolby Atmos® audio technology for cinematic, multi-dimensional sound. Combined with its SUHD TV, UHD Blu-ray Player, and HDR content ecosystem, Samsung believes this makes them the only company capable of providing the complete 4K home entertainment experience.

Source: Samsung Redefines the Consumer Experience at IFA 2016

Sony

The Sony ‘Signature Series’ goes one step further than any audio product they’ve made before. Comprised of the MDR-Z1R headphones, NW-WM1Z Walkman and TA-ZH1ES headphone amplifier, it’s a formidable trio of products, intended for those who have no budget and will only accept the very best sound quality. The Z1R headphones combine unbelievable sound quality and luxurious design for something truly special. Each part and component is made to the very highest quality – from the huge, crystal 70mm driver unit to the comfortable, ergonomic earpads – and High-Resolution Audio support guarantees a stunning music experience.

Then there’s the flagship WM1Z Walkmans, which has been re-imagined from the ground-up. It utilises all of Sony’s sound technologies including High-Resolution Audio for beautiful audio quality, and it maintains the stunningly simplistic design for which the Walkman range is renowned. With up to 256gb of storage there’s plenty of room for your High-Resolution Audio collection, and it has that elusive premium feel when you hold it in your hand.

This just so happens to be a $3,200 Walkman that’s plated in gold.

This is a super-high-end revision of the already-high-end Walkman that Sony introduced for playing lossless audio files last year. It basically takes that and modifies the hardware to prevent subtle interference that could harm sound quality. To be clear, these are likely to be minor sound quality improvements that only serious audiophiles with equally high-end headphones will notice. But for that niche audience, this may be a solution.

The new Walkman has a copper body that’s been plated in gold, which is meant to reduce contact resistance and magnetic interference. Internally, the Walkman’s analog circuitry is supposed to be separated from its primarily digital circuitry to reduce noise even further. It also has a “dual clock circuit with low phase noise quartz oscillator,” which is an obscure part of the digital-to-analog conversion chain that's probably important to get right and difficult to measure the results of, but will theoretically lead to improvements in sound quality.

One of the biggest problems with wearing headphones is losing awareness of the sounds around you, especially if you’re using noise cancellation. Sony is trying to solve that problem with its latest pair of headphones, the elegantly named MDR-1000X. The headphones have several noise-cancellation modes, which give you the option to block out as much sound as possible, or to filter in voices or ambient noise. The intention is to let you listen to music in a quiet environment, but make sure you can still hear enough to be aware of your surroundings.

Source(s): Sony: New IFA products, Sony's new headphones cancel noise, but not people's voices, Sony made a $3,200 gold-plated Walkman

LG Electronics welcomed visitors to its IFA 2016 exhibition booth with an awe-inspiring and immersive OLED Tunnel measuring a record-breaking 5m tall, 7.4m wide and 15m in length. A total of 216 separate 55-inch curved OLED signage displays were assembled to create the unique structure comprising 447,897,600 – nearly half a billion – pixels to display a collection of breathtaking scenes including Iceland’s Aurora Borealis, underwater ecosystems and deep space footage.

A video titled “From Black to Black” was produced by LG to include footage that accentuate the lifelike colors and the ability to recreate the miniscule details of life which LG’s OLED technology delivers. The footage includes the black ocean with effervescent jellyfish and the gentle movement of whales, as well as scenes from deep black space and the brilliant northern lights on a black sky. LG captured footage of Iceland’s Northern Lights using 14 separate 8K cameras to record every detail and movement as accurately as possible.

Other video clips such as underwater scenes and shots taken from space will create a fully immersive environment for visitors, making them feel as if they are swimming in the ocean or floating in the Milky Way. At IFA, attendees will have the chance to see how closely the advanced technology of OLED can recreate the great outdoors inside an exhibition hall.

The impressive scale of the display tunnel is made possible by OLED’s ultra-thin, highly flexible lightweight panels. OLED displays can be custom bent to concave or convex formations without any picture quality distortion, allowing for spectacular digital installations such as immersive tunnel-like environments. Each OLED pixel can switch itself on and off, eliminating the need for backlighting. OLED TVs have the ability to render true black and infinite contrast ratio that delivers vibrant, eye-popping color and wide viewing angles.

Source: World's Largest OLED Tunnel Welcomes Visitors to IFA with 450 Million Brilliant Pixels

JVC

JVC was geared up to unveil its first consumer D-ILA projector with native 4K resolution at the IFA trade show. Until now, the Japanese manufacturer has been making do with its e-Shift pseudo-4K technology on the company’s lineup of projectors for residential installations.

Details on JVC’s newest projector remain scant, even after the show has opened, but here’s a teaser video for you..

The new high-end JVC projector will carry a “BLU-Escent” branding, a technology that’s first introduced on the company’s commercial projectors. It consists of a laser diode array that emits blue light and excites a yellow phosphor which is later separated into red and green components through a high-speed, reflective wheel. The red, green and blue elements constitute the illumination that’s fed through D-ILA LCOS imaging panels (most renowned for their deep blacks and high contrast) to produce projected pictures.

Source: JVC to Unveil True 4K HDR Laser Projector at IFA 2016

Acer

Acer got IFA 2016 off to a wondrous start with the launch of the incredibly thin Swift 7 laptop. This Windows 10 machine, powered by Intel’s brand new 7th-generation Core i5 processor, measures a scant 9.98mm, making it the first to limbo under the 1cm bar (0.39 inches). Despite beating Apple’s MacBook and HP’s Spectre 13 for the braggadocious title of being the world’s thinnest laptop, the Swift 7 doesn’t sacrifice much in the way of either ports or battery. It offers two USB-C 3.1 ports and a headphone jack, plus Acer promises a 9-hour endurance thanks to Intel’s newly updated and more efficient Y series of chips.

The Swift 7 launches in China in September for ¥6,999, followed by Europe and the United States in October, at prices of €1,299 and $999, respectively. This pricing isn’t actually too bad for those who prioritize style and flair over everyday practicality.

Source: Acer's Swift 7 is the first laptop thinner than a centimeter

Podcast #754: Plex Server on the Nvidia Shield Aug 26, 2016

Plex Server on the Nvidia Shield

Since the beginning a video server has been high on the HT Guys list of gear that everyone should have in their setups. Back then there was a product that did exactly what we wanted but it cost upwards of $50,000! The Kaleidescape was THE video server we all wanted. It had a great user interface with best looking experience.

Over the years there have been many media center products come and go and we have tried many of them. There was Windows Media center which at one point had third party manufacturers building hardware with the player software installed. You still needed to buy a PC that had the server side. On the open source side was Xbox Media Center (XBMC) which turned your xbox into a media center. The XBMC (now known as Kodi) software was ported to many platforms with variants that included Media Portal, Tofu, and what we are going to talk about today, Plex.

Our discussion consists of two parts, the hardware (in this case the Nvidia Shield) and the software Plex. By the way, this is not a full discussion on Plex or a full review of the shield. We did do a review of Plex in January of this year. You can check it out here.

Plex

On the software side is Plex. Plex is a free client-server media player system and software suite comprising two main components. The Plex Media Server organizes your content and streams it to the Plex Player. The players can either be the Plex Apps available for mobile devices, smart TVs, and streaming boxes, or the web UI of the Plex Media Server called Plex Web App. Although the free version of Plex is quite capable, you’ll want to buy the Plex pass ($4.99/ month, $39.99/year, and $149.99/lifetime) to really get you the Kaleidescape killer. With the PlexPass you get: Offline Access, Music Enhancements including lyrics, trailers and extras, and early access to new features and updates just to name a few. The full list is available on their site

Nvidia Shield

On the hardware side is the Nvidia Shield (Buy Now $199). The Shield is an Android TV based set-top box targeted for both home entertainment and gaming. We will strictly be focusing on the entertainment aspect of the shield and specifically Plex. But for completeness the shield does offer android games and entertainment apps like Netflix (4K HDR supported), Hulu, Pandora, Youtube 4K and others.

Two Products in One

A big advantage the Shield has over other setups is that it can be both the server and client. In Ara’s setup he has the Plex Server running on his Mac mini and he uses the AppleTVs as clients. Not a big deal, but what if you want a simple solution. Take the Shield, you can buy the stripped down model for $199 and add an external hard drive for say another $50 and you have server and client that you can connect to your HDTV in about 30 minutes. If you have other TVs you can add an AppleTV, Roku, or FireTV and you’ll have access to your media on every TV in your home. Plus there are mobile apps for access both inside and outside the home. For more info on Plex go to their website at Plex.TV

Setup

This is not a step by step tutorial. There are plenty of resources available online for that so we decided to document our process to give you an indication of the effort required. We also created a video of the process that helps in conveying this information. It's embedded below.

We copied the movies that we had onto a 3TB Western Digital hard drive ($115), connected that to the Shield, connected ethernet, and power and started the process. The process consisted of signing into our Google account and then upgrading the firmware. This took about twenty minutes. Then we signed into our plex account and finished configuring the server. That took about five minutes. The plex setup requires you make a connection with another device like a laptop or tablet. The last thing we had to do was point our server to the content. That also was done with an external device. The interface for the server is HTML so you need a browser to communicate with it.

Once that was done, the server began cataloging the movies and adding the meta data. One thing to consider about using the 16GB Shield is that it does not have a lot of space for files. Fortunately you can add a SD card for this information. The shield can’t write to a PC formatted disc which is how the WD drive is formatted. You could allow the shield to format the drive and then it will be available to the shield to for metadata but then is becomes a pain to copy your content to it. Because of this we decided to go with the SD card. You can also buy the shield with the 500GB internal drive for an additional $100 (Buy now $300). If you want to add more content to the drive you’ll need to disconnect it and take it to a machine that has the movie on it and manually copy it over. You can also use networked storage which may be the way to go but that adds cost.

Use

Plex looks beautiful! Here is a slideshow of what it looks like on our system. We did notice that the client interface on the Shield looked better than that of the AppleTV, which already looked great! As far as performance goes, we were able to stream four concurrent movies (H.264 6-10 Mbps each) with no issues whatsoever. We are sure that the server could have done more. We then transcoded three streams from 1080p down to 320X240 and watched them from outside the network. Again no issues. The Shield is a beast!

If you want Blu-ray quality and HD Audio this is where you may have some issues. Rob H, from the AV Rant Podcast, exchanged a few emails with us on this subject. From Rob:

But for folks who want the full HD Audio quality or who want Atmos and DTS:X, currently, as far as I'm aware, you have to use the Plex Media Player, and that is currently only available with a Plex Pass, and you can only get it for Windows, Mac, or one of the 64-bit "Embedded Platforms".

You should be OK on the video quality side though. The Plex server had no issues with MKV files. Although we only watched one at a time.

The only complaint we had was the controller. To be fair it's main use in life is a game controller and they do sell a “TV” centric controller for $50. If you don’t have a universal remote solution in your home theater setup we would recommend buying the TV controller. It will make navigation much smoother. In the meantime we will use our Simple Remote.

Bottom Line

There is no question in our mind that for about $300 you can have the Kaleidescape experience in your own home. Add additional zones for as little as $100 or for free on your mobile device.

Let’s compare that to what a Kaleidescape system cost. Server unit, starts at $27,000. Players, $3,500. It's no wonder that Kaleidescape is closing their doors. It was a great product but technology closed the gap and now we don’t have to be millionaires to enjoy our content how and when we want.

Podcast #753: New TV Shows for Fall 2016 Aug 19, 2016

New TV Shows for Fall 2016

Christmas. the Super Bowl, Fashion Week in New York, Taco Tuesday … Few things in life are as highly anticipated as television premier season every Fall. There isn’t much we look forward to more. All of your favorite shows coming back for another season, and a ton of new shows to potentially add to the DVR queue. Who knows, one of them could be the next Grey’s Anatomy or Ally McBeal, some of our favorite shows of all time. If you’re interested, Cinema Blend has a great post with all the Fall TV Premiere Dates by date, time, and Network.

ABC

American Housewife

Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Katie Mixon, Diedrich Bader, Ali Wong Producer: Sarah Dunn

Premise: Mixon stars as Katie Otto, an unapologetic mother of three raising her family in the wealthy town of Westport, Connecticut that's full of "perfect" families.

HT Guys Preview Score: Meh

Conviction

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 3 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Hayley Atwell, Eddie Cahill, Shawn Ashmore, Merrin Dungey, Emily Kinney, Manny Montana, Daniel DiTomasso

Premise: Former ne'er-do-well first daughter Hayes Morrison (Atwell) gets blackmailed into working for New York District Attorney Wayne Wallis' (Cahill) Conviction Integrity Unit, where she has to turn over wrongful convictions.

HT Guys Preview Score: Meh

Designated Survivor

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 21 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Maggie Q, Kal Penn, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan

Producers: David Guggenheim, Simon Kinberg, Kiefer Sutherland, Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper, Suzan Bymel, Aditya Sood

Premise: Sutherland stars as Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who becomes president after an attack on Washington kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession.

HT Guys Preview Score: Jack Bauer as President? Yeah, we’re in.

Notorious

Premieres: Thursday, Sep. 22 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Piper Perabo, Daniel Sunjata, Ryan Guzman, Kevin Zegers, J. August Richards, Aimee Teegarden

Premise: Inspired by the lives of criminal defense attorney Mark Geragos and cable news producer Wendy Walker, the drama examines the 24-hour news cycle and the relationship between the media and criminal law.

HT Guys Preview Score: Mark Geragos the TV show? Pass.

Speechless

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 21 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Minnie Driver, John Ross Bowie, Mason Cook, Micah Fowler, Kyla Kennedy, Cedric Yarbrough

Premise: Driver stars as Maya DiMeo, a mother of three, one of whom is a special needs child.

HT Guys Preview Score: Meh

CBS

Bull

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 20 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Michael Weatherly, Freddy Rodriguez, Geneva Carr, Chris Jackson, Jaime Lee Kirchner and Annabelle Attanasio

Producers: Paul Attanasio, Dr. Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, Steven Spielberg, Justin Falvey and Darryl Frank

Premise: NCIS alum Michael Weatherly stars as Dr. Phil on the series, which will follow McGraw's early career as a trial consultant. McGraw will produce with his son Jay.

HT Guys Preview Score: Sounds like loads of Bull

The Great Indoors

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 27 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Joel McHale, Stephen Fry, Chris Williams, Shaun Brown, Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Christine Ko, Susannah Fielding

Premise: An adventure reporter (McHale) must adapt to his new job managing millennials in the digital department of a magazine.

HT Guys Preview Score: Joel McHale is super funny and millennials are easy to make fun of. If you need a new sitcom in your life, this could be worth a look.

Kevin Can Wait

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 19 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Kevin James, Erinn Hayes, Taylor Spreitler, Mary-Charles Jones, James Digiacomo, Ryan Cartwright

Premise: The King of Queens star returns to CBS, this time playing a retired cop who realizes that home life is tougher than anything he faced on the street.

HT Guys Preview Score: Meh. Have you seen Mall Cop 2?

MacGyver

Premieres: Friday, Sep. 23 at 8:00 PM

Stars: Lucas Till, George Eads

Premise: Till plays the titular problem-solver in the reboot, which follows 20-something MacGyver as he starts a clandestine organization to prevent disasters from happening.

HT Guys Preview Score: Uh, what’s next, an A-Team reboot?

Man With A Plan

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 24 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Matt LeBlanc, Jessica Chaffin, Matt Cook, Grace Kaufman, Hala Finley, Matthew McCann

Premise: A contractor (LeBlanc) becomes a stay-at-home dad when his wife returns to work and discovers that his kids are the worst.

HT Guys Preview Score: meh

Pure Genius

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 27 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Augustus Prew, Dermot Mulroney, Brenda Song, Reshma Shetty, Ward Horton, Aaron Jennings, Odette Annable

Premise: A Silicon Valley millionaire (Prew) taps a veteran surgeon with a controversial past (Mulroney) to head a hospital that will employ groundbreaking but potentially risky new procedures.

HT Guys Preview Score: Doesn’t sound like it’ll last the season

Training Day

Premieres: Midseason

Stars: Bill Paxton, Justin Cornwell, Drew Van Acker, Katrina Law, Lex Scott Davis, Julie Benz

Premise: Based on the 2001 movie starring Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, the reboot picks up 15 years later and revolves around a young idealistic LAPD police officer (Cornwell) who is partnered with a morally questionable detective (Paxton).

HT Guys Preview Score: No doubt. This is worth a look, but could go horribly wrong.

FOX

24: Legacy

Premieres: Mondays at 8/7c midseason

Stars: Corey Hawkins, Miranda Otto, Jimmy Smits

Producers: Howard Gordon, Brian Grazer, Manny Coto, Evan Katz, Stephen Hopkins, Kiefer Sutherland

Premise: Former Army Ranger Eric Carter (Hawkins), the new Jack Bauer, turns to the CTU to try to stop a terrorist attack. The series will adopt the same real-time format as the original series, but will consist of only 12 episodes like 2014's event series 24: Live Another Day.

HT Guys Preview Score: You had me at 24.

The Exorcist

Premieres: Friday, Sep. 23 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Geena Davis, Alfonso Herrera, Ben Daniels, Brianne Howey, Hannah Kasulka, Alan Ruck, Kurt Egyiawan

Premise: The horror remake follows two men who try to help the Rance family's case of demonic possession. Davis takes on the Ellen Burstyn role from the film as the family matriarch. Howey and Kasulka play the Rance daughters.

HT Guys Preview Score: Would be surprised if it last the full season

Lethal Weapon

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 21 at 8:00 PM

Stars: Damon Wayans, Sr., Clayne Crawford, Jordana Brewster, Kevin Rahm, Keesha Sharp

Premise: A remake of the beloved film franchise, Wayans is your new Roger Murtaugh of the LAPD and Crawford is your new Martin Riggs, a former Navy SEAL who moves from Texas to L.A. after losing his wife and child.

HT Guys Preview Score: Heck yeah! Definitely not too old for this $#!+ (show)

Pitch

Premieres: Thursday, Sep. 22 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Kylie Bunbury, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Ali Larter, Mark Consuelos, Dan Lauria, Michael Beach, Bob Balaban, Mo McRae, Meagan Holder, Tim Jo

Premise: Ginny Baker (Bunbury) defies the odds to become the first woman to play in the MLB when she joins the San Diego Padres as its pitcher.

HT Guys Preview Score: meh

Prison Break

Premieres: Tuesdays at 9/8c midseason

Stars: Wentworth Miller, Dominic Purcell, Sarah Wayne Callies, Robert Knepper, Rockmond Dunbar, Amaury Nolasco, Mark Feuerstein

Premise: A reboot of the original show, the event series picks up after Michael’s (Miller) apparent death in the 2009 finale, when clues surface that Michael might actually be alive.

HT Guys Preview Score: If you were into Prison Break before, it’s worth a shot

Son of Zorn

Premieres: Sunday, Sep. 25 at 8:30 PM

Stars: Jason Sudeikis, Cheryl Hines, Johnny Pemberton, Tim Meadows

Premise: The live-action/animated hybrid comedy features Sudeikis as the voice of the animated title character who returns to Earth for the first time in 10 years from the land of Zephyria and tries to reconnect with his human son Alan (Pemberton) and ex-wife Edie (Hines).

HT Guys Preview Score: Jason Sudeikis. Nuff said.

NBC

The Blacklist: Redemption

Premieres: Midseason

Stars: Famke Janssen, Ryan Eggold, Edi Gathegi, Tawny Cypress

Premise: This spin-off of The Blacklist will follow Tom Keen (Eggold) as he teams up with Susan "Scottie" Hargrave (Janssen), whom he discovered is his mother on the mothership. Scottie is the head of Grey Matters, a covert mercenary task force that handles cases the government won't touch.

HT Guys Preview Score: Blacklist is solid. Could work.

Chicago Justice

Premieres: Sundays at 9/8c midseason

Stars: Philip Winchester, Carl Weathers, Nazneen Contractor, Joelle Carter, Ryan-James Hatanaka

Premise: The fourth series in Dick Wolf's lucrative Chicago franchise takes viewers inside the Windy City's State's Attorney's office. The series was introduced as a backdoor pilot in an episode of Chicago P.D. in May.

HT Guys Preview Score: If you’re into the Chicago franchise. Plus, Apollo Creed?

Emerald City

Premieres: Midseason

Stars: Adria Arjona, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Vincent D’Onofrio, Joely Richardson, Florence Kasumba

Premise: An dark, edgy reimagining of the Land of Oz book series, the fantasy series stars Arjona as Dorothy Gale and D’Onofrio plays The Wizard.

HT Guys Preview Score: Maybe, if only to see how The Kingpin pulls off the role of The Wizard.

The Good Place

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 19 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Kristen Bell, Ted Danson, Jameela Jamil, William Jackson Harper, Manny Jacinto, D'Arcy Carden

Premise: When Eleanor (Bell) realizes that she's not a very good person, she gets a chance to start anew with the help of Michael (Danson) in the afterlife.

HT Guys Preview Score: Ted Danson? A Cheers reboot maybe, otherwise: pass.

Taken

Premieres: Mondays at 10/9c midseason

Stars: Clive Standen, Jennifer Beals, Gaius Charles, Monique Gabriela Curnen, James Landry Hebert, Michael Irby, Brooklyn Sudano, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Simu Liu

Premise: A prequel to the movie franchise, Standen plays a young version of Liam Neeson's ass-kicking CIA agent Bryan Mills.

HT Guys Preview Score: Young Liam Neeson? All in.

This Is Us

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 20 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Mandy Moore, Milo Ventimiglia, Sterling K. Brown, Justin Hartley, Chrissy Metz, Susan Kelechi Watson, Chris Sullivan, Ron Cephas Jones

Premise: The ensemble dramedy follows a group of people who share the same birthday and whose lives intersect in various ways.

HT Guys Preview Score: Meh

Timeless

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 3 at 10:00 PM

Stars: Abigail Spencer, Matt Lanter, Malcolm Barrett, Goran Visnjic, Paterson Joseph, Sakina Jaffrey, Claudia Doumit

Premise: A trio is tasked with traveling through time to catch a criminal who stole a time machine that could catastrophically alter history.

HT Guys Preview Score: Perhaps. We’ll give it an episode or two.

Frequency

Premieres: Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Peyton List, Riley Smith, Mekhi Phifer, Lenny Jacobson, Anthony Ruivivar, Devin Kelley, Daniel Bonjour

Premise: A remake of the 2000 film starring Dennis Quaid and Jim Caviezel, the series will star List as a detective in 2016 who discovers she can speak via a ham radio to her estranged father, who died in 1996 and was also a detective. They team up to solve a cold case with a "butterfly effect" on the present day.

HT Guys Preview Score: Maybe. It was a decent movie.

No Tomorrow

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 10 at 9:00 PM

Stars: Tori Anderson, Josh Sasse, Sarayu Blue, Amy Pietz, Jesse Rath, Jonathan Langdon

Premise: Based on a Brazilian format, the comedy focuses on procurement manager (Anderson) who falls for a man (Sasse) who lives every day like it's his last. Together, they try to fulfill every item on their bucket lists.

HT Guys Preview Score: Meh

Netflix

Marvel's Luke Cage

Premieres: Friday, September 30 at 12:01 AM Pacific Time

Stars: Mike Colter, Mahershala Ali, Alfre Woodard, Simone Missick, Theo Rossi, Frank Whaley, and Sônia Braga

Premise: Mike Colter stars as Luke Cage, a former convict who now fights crime. When a sabotaged experiment gives him super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage becomes a fugitive attempting to rebuild his life in Harlem and must soon confront his past and fight a battle for the heart of his city.

HT Guys Preview Score: For sure.

A look back at the new TV shows for Fall 2015

ABC (3/6)

Blood & Oil - canceled
Dr. Ken - renewed
The Muppets - canceled
Quantico - renewed
Wicked City - canceled

CBS (3/5)

Angel From Hell - canceled
Code Black - renewed
Life in Pieces - renewed
Limitless - canceled
Supergirl - renewed

CW (1/1)

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend - renewed

FOX (2/5)

Grandfathered - canceled
The Grinder - canceled
Minority Report - canceled
Rosewood - renewed
Scream Queens - renewed

NBC (2/6)

Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris - canceled
Blindspot - renewed
Chicago Med - renewed
Heroes Reborn - canceled
The Player - canceled
Truth Be Told - canceled

Research compiled with the help of TV Guide.

Podcast #752: FireConnect Aug 12, 2016

FireConnect

Since almost the beginning we have been looking for ways to ditch wires. They are a pain to run across rooms, create unsightly bulges in carpet or even require drywall cutting. There are a few technologies that have been out for some time now. We have AirPlay by apple, Chromecast by Google, Bluetooth, and few other lesser known technologies. They all work pretty well and have support from various receiver manufacturers.

A newer technology was brought to our attention by a listener called FireConnect. FireConnect is the brainchild of San Francisco based Blackfire Research Corp. Fireconnect has the usual feature list but goes beyond what the typical wireless protocols support today.

Features:

High-res and multichannel - Streaming of up to 24-bit/192kHz audio, and multichannel 2.1, 5.1 or 7.1 audio.
Lossy or lossless
BT and Aux Input Rebroadcast - Auxiliary inputs and Bluetooth devices will be rebroadcast wirelessly.
Multi Source Play - You can sync zones or play them independently.
Video streaming - Currently if you want to stream video you need an add on device. FireConnect is hoping to make streaming video as simple as sending it to your A/V Receiver or TV. Their spec supports the ability to stream HD Video and lossless 24-bit/192kHz Studio Quality HD audio to any device.
Google Cast included - Why not? It's open to the world!

To keep everything running smooth and in sync, Fireconnect gets down to the packet layer of your network data.

RPM (Real-Time Packet Management)

Delays in receiving packets is one of the most challenging issues in real-time video delivery over wireless networks. A late packet becomes useless for the decoding and display even if it is received correctly at the receiver. RPM allows Fireconnect devices to stream HD Video and lossless 24-bit/192kHz Studio Quality HD audio to any device in any room - it’s how they make sure that there are no gaps or drop-outs in your music and video.

TIS (Traffic Independent Synchronization)

No matter how busy your network is, your content stays in sync. Delays are adjusted in real time so that a speaker in the family does not drift too far off from the rest of the zones. These adjustments are happening constantly and are not noticeable by the listener.

DSB (Dynamic Stream Balancing)

When streaming to multiple devices, DSB keeps it all in balance. - Not quite sure what this is but keeping things in balance is always a good idea!

The goal is to wirelessly transmit your audio and video to your media devices, which include Multi-Room smart speakers, A/V Receivers, smartwatches and smart TVs across different manufactures so long as they use the Fireconnect technology. The technology will be able to turn your smartwatch into a music hub that can wirelessly send audio to your wireless headphones or music zones throughout your house.

Video does not have to be point to point. You will be able to stream a video signal to multiple screens. So you’ll be able to watch the same video throughout your home whether it's on the big screen or tablet.

Where can I get it?

Pioneer and Onkyo have receivers that support this tech.

Pioneer VSX-1131 7.2-Channel AV Receiver with MCACC built-in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi $539 - Firmware update required

Onkyo TX-NR555 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver $449 Firmware update required. Multi-room audio enabled by this technology requires an optional Onkyo wireless speaker scheduled for release in late 2016. Onkyo cannot guarantee the compatibility of its A/V receivers with other devices featuring FireConnect. Uh-Oh!!

HTC One Play music simultaneously to multiple Blackfire compliant speakers from HTC One M9.

As far as speakers go we couldn’t find any. That’s not saying there aren’t any, but a simple search revealed nothing. So pretty much as best as we can see it. You’ll be able to send audio from your HTC One to an Onkyo or Pioneer receiver and have it play through your wired speakers. This technology was announced in 2010 and may only be coming on the scene. We’ll keep our eyes on it for you and see how it develops. But right now we have a hard time seeing how it will be able to beat Google and Apple’s entrenched technology.

Podcast #751: The History of Format Wars and How Sony Finally Won Aug 05, 2016

The History of Format Wars and How Sony Finally Won

Podcast #750: QLED Explained Jul 29, 2016

QLED Explained

A few weeks ago we mentioned that Samsung would be investing in QLED technology and we (Ara) thought that QLED was just a clever branding name for Quantum Dot technology. It was quickly pointed out that QLED is indeed a separate technology and one that may give OLED a run for it's money.

QLED is an acronym for “Quantum Dot Light Emitting Device” and are a form of light emitting technology and consist of nano-scale crystals. The structure of a QLED is very similar to the OLED technology. But the difference is that the light emitting centers are cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanocrystals, or quantum dots. A layer of quantum dots is sandwiched between layers of organic materials. An applied electric field causes electrons and holes to move into the quantum dot layer where they are captured in the quantum dot and recombined emitting photons. What???? In short, when these tiny molecules are hit with an electric charge they absorb light and then give off a different color light.

QLEDs advantages (according to QLED trade group) :

Pure color — Will deliver 30-40% luminance efficiency advantage over organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) at the same color point.
Low power consumption — QLEDs have the potential to be more than twice as power efficient as OLEDs at the same color purity.
Low-cost manufacture — The ability to print large-area QLEDs on ultra-thin flexible substrates will reduce luminaire manufacturing cost.
Ultrathin, transparent, flexible form factors — QLEDs will enable designers to develop new display and lighting forms not possible with existing technologies.

QLED disadvantages (according to OLED trade group)

Lifetime and emitting efficiency - When mass producing QLED, pin holes occur and reduce device lifetime, and as the hole and electron are not balanced the emitting efficiency falls.
No TVs in production - The first QLED TVs are expected in 2018 and will be expensive. In the mean time OLED production is improving and costs coming down.

Who Cares??

Seriously who cares? Let’s assume that everything the QLED trade group is saying about QLEDs advantages are true and that everything the OLED trade group is saying about the QLEDs disadvantages are false. Then we have yet another great choice for TVs. And it will be lower cost, lighter, and use less energy. We the consumer wins!

On the other hand let’s say the opposite is true and QLED flops and Samsung is forced to go the OLED route. Then OLED gets better and we the consumer wins again. Since margins are so small on the lower end TVs manufacturers are looking for a killer technology to warrant higher prices for videophiles. As a result, our TVs keep getting better. You may not be a videophile and can never see yourself spending more than $1,500 of a 50 inch TV but… keep in mind, today’s videophile technology is tomorrow’s $1,500 50 inch TV!!

Podcast #749: 2016 TWICE VIP Award Nominations Jul 22, 2016

2016 TWICE VIP Award Nominations

The VIPs are TWICE’s (This Week In Consumer Electronics, a weekly trade magazine for professionals in the consumer electronics field) annual products awards, and only retailers and distributors can vote to honor the products that have made the biggest difference in their business. The awards are based on product features, product design and value to consumers. After voting is completed, ballots will be compiled and reviewed by TWICE editors. Winners will be announced in the Aug. 22 print issue of TWICE.

Product categories are vast, anything you can imagine in consumer electronics, ranging from refrigerators and washers and dryers to dash cams, from computers to networked window coverings. And of course a few categories are in the home theater and audio visual categories. Those are the devices we’ll take a look at. Remember that these are the products deemed best by retailers and distributors and they have a slightly different point of view than the rest of us who simply use the products.

A/V Receivers $699 or less

Onkyo TX-NR757

Stepping up to THX® Theater Reference Sound is easy with Onkyo’s Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X™-ready powerhouse, the TX-NR757. Behind the sleek front panel is Onkyo’s Dynamic Audio Amplification which include discrete hi-current amplifiers delivering 180 watts/ch. of distortion-free power. AccuEQ room acoustic calibration features AccuReflex to clearly focus the latest object-based soundtracks for an immersive movie experience. Music lovers can stream audio from mobile apps such as Spotify, Pandora or Tidal via Google Cast™, AirPlay, and Wi-Fi®. As well as controlling your home theater entertainment, the Onkyo Remote App lets you send any audio source wirelessly from the receiver to a compatible speaker in another room using FireConnect technology by BlackFire. The TX-NR757 is also ready for easy custom installation with features such as RS232, IR Input and a 12 V Trigger.

Sony STR-DN1070 7.2 Channel Home Theater AV Receiver

Take your home entertainment up a level with the STRDN1070. 4K and HDR-compatible HDMI inputs/output support the latest video standards, including HDCP 2.2 content protection for 4K content from broadcast, the Internet and UHD Blu-ray Discs. High-Resolution Audio delivers immersive sound, while Wireless Multi-room and Front Surround let you flexibly create your audio environment. This AV receiver is compatible with wireless surround, front surround, and, of course, 7.2ch real surround. Choose your preferred surround audio mode to flexibly suit the room environment. Don’t forget to download the free SongPal and Network Audio Remote apps from iTunes® or the Google™ Play Store to use on your iPhone® or Android™ devices. The SongPal app allows you to control receiver functionality including volume and input selection. Price: $599.99 MSRP

A/V Receivers $699+

Onkyo TX-RZ810

Engineered for immensely powerful yet refined THX® Theater Reference sound, the TX-RZ810 7.2 Ch. A/V receiver also deftly streams wireless audio with Google Cast™, AirPlay, Wi-Fi®, and Bluetooth. Enjoy different a host of audio sources in different zones with Powered Zone 2 and Zone 3 line outputs or wirelessly with FireConnect powered by BlackFire. Zone 2 HDMI® shares 4k video on a second display, making the TX-RZ810 not only a wall-shaking movie-room powerhouse at 200W/Ch, but also a hub for housewide entertainment. True to the Onkyo RZ Series, the TX-RZ810 seamlessly integrates with control and home automation systems and excels on audio quality featuring Vector Linear Shaping Circuitry, which removes digital pulse noise for a smooth analog signal on all channels for crystal clear audio reproduction. Built with separate analog and digital processing, massive transformer, huge capacitors, and discrete non-phase-shift amps—the TX-RZ810’s sheer agility and dynamism exceeds the highest expectations.

Sony STR-ZA5000ES – 9.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver

The perfect center to your automated home entertainment universe now with just the right amount of: flexible, multi-zone, high-definition connectivity, easy IP integration with leading control systems, powerful browser-based configurability, and well-renowned ES build quality. With 130W per channel, the STR-ZA5000ES delivers cinema-like surround sound and crystal clear music reproduction for an incredible Audio/Video experience that you won’t easily forget. Price: $2,799.99

Soundbars

Sony HT-NT5 Sound Bar with High-Resolution Audio/Wi-Fi

The ultimate Hi-Res sound bar for your 4K home theater experience. The NT5 packs power and performance worthy of any home theater into a sleek, beautiful design. Experience the sonic details of every movie, playlist, and videogame thanks to the clarity of Super Tweeters and support for Hi-Res Audio playback. And connect your compatible device wirelessly to stream music from all your favorite services. It’s an easy way to expand your home theater setup. With three HDMI inputs, one HDMI ARC output, a USB input, as well as digital optical and analog connections, there’s space for all your equipment. All in a sleek and stylish sound bar. Price: $799.99 MSRP

Vizio SmartCast 38” 3.0 Sound Bar System

Vizio’s SmartCast 38” 3.0 Sound Bar System come with a free iOS and Android Smart Cast app to control the soundbar via Wi-Fi from anywhere in the house. The app lets users search, browse and discover content across multiple apps as well as play, pause, change volume and access all of a bar’s settings. The soundbar also has an LCD display remote to control basic functions.

Blu-ray Disc Player

Philips 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player with HDR BDP7501

The Philips BDP7501 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player with HDR support is the best way to realize the full potential of your 4K television. With incredibly sharp 4K images with vivid colors and contrast made possible thanks to High Dynamic Range support. The beauty of 4K Ultra HD is in savoring every detail. • Premium compact design with real brushed aluminum chassis. • High Dynamic Range (HDR) for impressive detail in shadows and brilliant highlights. • Plays 3D Blu-ray and DVD as well with real 4K upscaler • Enjoy all your non-4K content in 4K UHD with a true 4K upscaling engine. Authentic and clear sound experience • Dolby TrueHD for high fidelity sound • DTS-HD Master audio for precise lossless sound quality Complete digital TV connectivity made simple. • HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 for years of worry free 4K interoperability. • Discrete HDMI 1.4b Audio output for connecting to legacy audio receivers. • Wireless LAN 802.11ac with MIMO antennas for seamless streaming of online 4K content. • Fantastic USB multimedia playback support with HEVC, H.264, AAC, MP3, JPEG and more. A world of online entertainment • Enjoy your favorite Netflix content in HD and 4K with fast Netflix performance. • A lean-back big screen YouTube experience for the entire family.

Panasonic Smart Network 3D Blu-ray Disc/ DVD Player DMP-BDT27

The Panasonic DMP-BDT270 features 4K up-scaling, Internet apps, and External HDD Playback while playing FullHD 3D Blu-ray Discs. Content can be shared across devices via the Miracast technology.

Home-Theater Projectors

Sony VPL-VW5000ES 4K SXRD Home Cinema Projector

The VPL-VW5000ES is the world’s most advanced 4K projector designed specifically for home theater use. Enjoy 5,000 lumens of brightness, HDR compatibility, and the ability to simulate the new ITU-R BT2020 color gamut on top of the full DCI color space. The laser-based light source provides up to 20,000 hours of virtually maintenance-free operation for constant picture quality and reduced running costs. In addition, the SXRD® panel technology featured in the professional cinema projectors delivers native 4K resolution images, with no artificial pixel enhancement. Every detail is clear and natural, without jagged edges or visible pixels. For home installations with larger screens, this projector is the truly the ultimate home cinema display. Price: $60,000 MSRP

Sony VPL-VW665ES 4K SXRD Home Cinema Projector

Bring the immersive excitement of true 4K cinematic images into every living space. The VPL-VW665ES Home Cinema projector makes a stylish addition to any interior. With advanced SXRD® panel technology, this projector delivers incredible 4K images with four times the resolution of Full HD. You'll experience rich colors, impressive 1800 lumens brightness and huge 300,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio - for vibrant, detail-packed pictures with native 4K resolution that always look clear and sharp, even in day lit living rooms. Price: $14,999.99 MSRP

BenQ i500

BenQ’s i500 is a stylish mini projector designed for today’s modern lifestyle. This compact WXGA device projects images up to 80 inches at just 3.3 feet from the wall, enabling big screen entertainment even in tight spaces. The projector’s Colorific™ technology delivers pristine full HD picture quality with a 500 lumen LED light source for up to 20,000 hours of use — providing a long lasting experience. The lightweight, personal entertainment hub enables multimedia content streaming via Bluetooth®, so users can enjoy movies, music, games, photo slideshows and more at the push of a button from any smart device or computer. With an Android OS and a built-in media player, i500 can instantly launch today’s most popular apps and streaming services like YouTube, Vimeo, Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, video games, and more — without any special cords, cables, or streaming boxes. The i500 sports a contemporary gold finish to seamlessly blend with existing décor, and dual 5W fine-mesh-covered chambered speakers specially tuned to produce clear voices and rich sound quality without external speaker connections. The stylish i500 does all of this via wireless LAN with no other connections required, and it can even play video or music content from a USB stick or display Excel, Word, or PowerPoint documents without a PC. For even more convenience and the ultimate versatility, the projector offers a selection of the latest inputs, including HDMI x 1, USB 2.0 x1, USB 3.0 x 1, audio I/O as well as a mic in.

TVs: 40 to 57 inches

Peerless-AV UltraView Outdoor TV

Completely weatherproof and maintenance free, Peerless-AV’s UltraView™ TVs make it easy and affordable for homeowners to add digital entertainment to their outdoor living spaces. Available in 49", 55", or 65", the TVs are equipped with an LED backlight to provide a full HD 1080p resolution for bright and crisp visuals. The UltraView™ TVs also come with an IP68 rated waterproof and dustproof universal remote that can be programmed to control up to three additional devices. The UltraView™ TVs are functional for all seasons, built with weatherproof internal speakers and the ability to operate at a range of -24°F to 122°F, offering users confidence in the TV’s quality and performance. With a fully sealed design, there is no need to change filters or service the TV, creating a maintenance-free entertainment solution for year round use. Installation of the UltraView™ TVs is best suited for shaded outdoor areas, and out of direct sunlight. It is the perfect addition to a deck, patio, gazebo, hot tub, outdoor kitchen or any high-end outdoor entertainment area. Peerless-AV’s line of UltraView™ TVs are available now through Peerless-AV direct sales representatives and authorized distribution networks.

Hisense H8 Series

In 2016, Hisense will offer High Dynamic Range technology to consumers at market-disrupting prices in its H8 series. The new 4K Smart TV series employs HDR for incomparable color accuracy, and multi-zone local dimming ensures supreme contrast ratio for an amazingly realistic image. Unique to Hisense TVs, the series also debuts HDR decode, which future-proofs the television for any content providers create. Available in 55” and 50” class screen size, the H8 series features UltraSmooth Motion™ to create and insert frames into the picture and enables backlight technologies for effortless transitions between fast action images. For a true sensory experience, this TV enhances sound through dbx-tv Total Technology audio suite, which makes it possible for even small television speakers to produce immersive sound with deeper bass and minimal distortion. Designed for uninhibited entertainment, the H8 series also offers 4K media player and receiver capabilities, and has a built-in app store and web browser for seamless searching. The H8 series embodies Hisense’s mission to make groundbreaking, innovative technology available for the masses at an affordable price point. Driven by HDR capabilities, this TV will deliver the most authentic 4K picture quality directly to the living room next year. The Hisense H8 series is shipping to retailers in May 2016.

LG SUPER UHD 4K HDR Smart LED TV Model 55UH8500

LG’s 55-inch UH8500 is part of LG’s premium “LG SUPER UHD TV” lineup, delivering LG’s best 4K LED experience with advanced technologies that display a billion rich colors, smoother motion and elevated brightness plus High Dynamic Range (HDR). In fact, LG SUPER UHD TVs deliver the first complete HDR experience as they offer both available HDR formats – HDR 10 and Dolby Vision™ – offering access to more HDR content and making it easy for consumers to choose a premium TV with the confidence that they won’t miss any content that becomes exclusively available in either format. TVs from other manufacturers, like Sony and Samsung, don’t offer this. LG SUPER UHD TVs can reproduce a wider pallet of a billion rich colors for a more lifelike picture that is consistent at wider viewing angles, thanks to its IPS 4K Quantum Display. LG’s Ultra Luminance algorithm and “Color Prime” technology work together to deliver improved peak brightness and a wider color palette. The TV’s thin bezels offer an immersive viewing experience, and Harman/Kardon-designed speakers provide cinematic sound. The LG 55UH8500 includes an updated version of LG’s award-winning Smart TV platform, webOS 3.0. Consumers can enjoy an intuitive interface with lightning-quick transitions between broadcast TV, streaming services and external devices, and stream 4K HDR content from services like Amazon Video, Netflix and VUDU and additional content from streaming services and IPTV channels.

Philips 6000 series Google Cast TV 55PFL6921

Google Cast™ is a technology that lets you cast your favorite entertainment from your phone, tablet or laptop right to your TV. Easily control your TV with apps you already know and love from your iPhone®, iPad®, Android™ phone or tablet, Mac® or Windows® laptop, or Chromebook The beauty of 4K UltraHD TV is in savoring every detail: High Dynamic Range for a bright whites, deep blacks and stunning color contrast Micro Dimming LED array backlight reacts to the picture to produce a dramatic image every time BrightPro backlight with almost twice the brightness of a conventional TV for dynamic images 4K Ultra HD performance for years of worry free 4K enjoyment Pixel Plus UltraHD is a picture processing technology that delivers content that is vivid, natural, and real 120 Perfect Motion Rate gives you increased pixel response times Enjoy all your HD content in 4K UHD with a true 4K upscaling engine Authentic and clear sound experience: 20 Watts RMS of rich surround sound to complement lifelike 4K images Immersive sound with clear voice designed by sonic emotion Dolby Digital Plus for the ultimate movie experience Complete digital TV connectivity made simple: Wi-Fi 802.11ac with MIMO antennas for seamless streaming of online 4K content. HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 on all HDMI ports means years of worry free 4K interoperability. Fantastic USB multimedia playback support with HEVC, H.264, AAC, MP3, JPEG and more.

TVs: 58 inches and larger

Hisense H10 Series

Hisense will offer consumers the third generation of its proprietary Ultra LED technology in the H10 series with 240-zone full array local dimming, quantum dot and the addition of streaming High Dynamic Range (HDR) content from Amazon. Available in 65” with a curved screen, the H10 series will feature new Ultra SmartPeaking™ technology that provides control of brightness, processing the image in different zones and overdriving the brighter spots up to 1000-nit peak brightness. The Quantum Dot Nanocrystal Backlight with Rec. 2020 Color Space delivers a much wider color spectrum and a more vibrant display than conventional LED TVs. The series will have unique UltraBlack™ Local Dimming for dynamic contrast and tight blacks for near-perfect quality. UHD Upscaler displays all Full HD and 4K UHD content to take advantage of the upgraded pixels. The H10 has High Dynamic Range that meets the UHD Alliance Premium. With 4 HDMI connections, built-in apps, and a curved screen, the H10 series is designed for the most immersive viewing experience for the consumer. Access to Netflix, Amazon, YouTube, UltraFlix 4K streaming, the app store and web browser guarantees constant 4K entertainment at the touch of a button. The Hisense H10 series utilizes the most sophisticated picture technologies to design a captivating viewing experience with leading-edge entertainment options. Revamped ULED technology with renewed focus on brilliant color and powerfully contrasting black and white levels delivers a TV that’s a beacon for unprecedented home theater innovation. The H10 series is shipping to retailers in October 2016.

Sony XBR-65X930D 4K HDR Ultra HD TV

To support an enhanced viewing experience that goes beyond the screen, this X930D model shines with a 65 inch 4K High Dynamic Range (HDR) display. Powered by Sony’s 4K Processor X1™ advanced image engine, this television delivers a better 4K and HDR viewing experience. The XBR-65X930D features dramatic brightness and black levels bringing scenes to life with dark, inky blacks and stunning bright whites. An ultra-thin design creates an expansive, border-less picture and the optional flush mount system enables the TV to be mounted closer to the wall than ever before. Bring your favorite content to life through the Google™’s Android TV™ operating system, making your home smarter with access to a growing number of apps and support for IoT (Internet of Things) devices; this TV is more than just a smart TV. Price: $4,999.99 MSRP

Sony XBR-75X940D 4K HDR Ultra HD TV

At just over 2 inches thin, this X940D model shines with a 75 inch High Dynamic Range display. Powered by Sony’s 4K Processor X1™ advanced image engine, this television delivers a better 4K and HDR viewing experience. The XBR-75X940D is equipped with Sony’s unique color technology. A TRILUMINOS Display and X1 picture engine that can provide a wider color range and more realistic color details, producing subtle shades and depth of color to maximize the HDR experience. An ultra-thin design creates an expansive, borderless picture and the optional flush mount system enables the TV to be mounted closer to the wall than ever before. TV lovers can bring their favorite content to life and watch hit shows and timeless movies from Google Play™, Amazon Video, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, PBS and PBS KIDS. Users can also access a huge selection of games and additional apps from the Google Play store right on the TV; this TV is more than just a smart TV. Price: $7,999.99 MSRP

LG SIGNATURE OLED TV (Model OLED65G6P)

LG OLED TV is an entirely new category of television using revolutionary technology that delivers exceptional picture quality, with perfect blacks and incredible color even from wide viewing angles. The LG SIGNATURE OLED features an Ultra HD 4K OLED panel with HDR, the latest version of LG’s award-winning webOS Smart TV platform, and a never-before-seen “Picture-on-Glass” design, making it the most coveted of any TV on the market. OLED HDR delivers a stunning high dynamic range picture because only OLED pixels can switch off completely to create infinite contrast and perfect blacks like no LCD TV can. The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV delivers the first complete HDR experience with both available HDR formats – HDR 10 (certified as “Ultra HD Premium” from UHDA) and Dolby Vision™ – for access to more HDR content. With both formats, LG makes it easy for consumers to choose a premium TV with the confidence that they won’t miss content that becomes available exclusively in either format. The LG SIGNATURE OLED TV reproduces the most lifelike images of any television, while offering a truly unique design. The OLED65G6 boasts an impossibly slim profile, picture-on-glass design, redesigned stand and miniscule bezels. With LG’s latest webOS 3.0 Smart TV platform, users can enjoy an intuitive interface with lightning-quick transitions between broadcast TV, streaming services and external devices, and stream 4K HDR content from services like Amazon Video, Netflix and VUDU and additional content from streaming services and IPTV channels.

Podcast #748: Value Electronics HDTV Shootout 2016 Jul 15, 2016

Value Electronics HDTV Shootout 2016

Each year Value Electronics, a Scarsdale NY Electronics Retailer, gathers HDTV experts from across the nation and pits some of the best HDTVs against each other in order to determine which TV is the “King of TV”. This was the thirteenth year the competition took place.

Five Mini Overview TV Shootout sessions and Two full voting TV Shootout evaluations were held over two days on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23, 2016. All TVs were set-up on an equal playing field, positioned next to each other in alphabetical order, and professionally calibrated in Day and Night modes.

The TVs were judged on nine criteria:

Black Quality
Perceived Contrast
Color Accuracy
Sharpness
Off-Axis Performance
Screen Uniformity
HDR/WCG Performance
Overall Day Performance
Overall Night Performance

The Contestants

Sony XBR75X940D 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV $5998

The Sony comes with full-array local dimming technology for better contrast, HDR, and wider color gamut. The TV is only 2 inches (5cm) thick which should make mounting a snap. It's rated 4 ½ stars at Amazon

Samsung UN78KS9800 Curved 78-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV $9998

The Samsung KS9800 is a Curved 4K SUHD TV that uses Quantum Dot color technology and supports a High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture. One person bought this from Amazon and rated it 5 stars

LG Electronics OLED65G6P Flat 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV $7997

The OLED 4K 65G6 features a flat 65-inch screen with HDR and LG’s webOS 3.0 Smart TV Platform in a thin (2.6 inches) design. It has a 5 star user rating based on 6 reviews.

VIZIO Reference Series 65” Class Ultra HD Full‑Array LED Smart TV $6000

The Vizio is one of the lower cost TVs on the list but 10 inches smaller than the similarly priced Sony. Not available at Amazon so there is no star rating on this TV.

The Results

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Podcast #747: Samsung HW-K450 Soundbar Review Jul 08, 2016

Samsung HW-K450 Soundbar Review

Braden recently upgraded some of the gear in his loft because his boys were demanding a 4k television. There’s something to be said about raising a new generation of home theater enthusiasts, especially when they can help you gang up on the finance committee. They were approved for the purchase of a Vizio E70u-d3, but since we’ve already reviewed the Vizio P702ui-B3, we’ll skip the TV review and talk about what the boys decided to buy to upgrade sound in their loft, the Samsung HW-K450 Soundbar.

About the Soundbar

Despite the higher quoted MSRP, you can pick up the Samsung HW-K450 for just under $200 pretty much anywhere it is sold, including Amazon or even direct from Samsung. Prime shipping will save you some money and get it to you faster, unless you head out and pick it up (for the same price coincidently) from Best Buy or another brick and mortar retailer. At $200, we knew it wasn’t going to blow us away, but when you’re already $1600 in on the TV, you don’t want to push your luck.

And the Samsung does have a few features that made it a better choice than similar priced models from other models from other manufacturers. The spec sheets lists the features as:

300W nominal output power for dynamic sound.
Wireless subwoofer for powerful bass.
Dolby Digital decoder reproduces multichannel audio to deliver a cinematic audio experience.
Sleek appearance fits seamlessly along most HDTVs for a streamlined look.
Includes HDMI input and output
Built-in Bluetooth makes it easy to enjoy tracks from on a compatible Bluetooth-enabled device.
Supports a variety of file formats including WAV, WMA, AAC, MP3, FLAC and OGG, so you can enjoy your favorite media.
Wall-mountable with the included bracket.

Setup

If you aren’t wall mounting the HW-K450, setup is a breeze. The soundbar is small enough to sit below many TVs; we have it sitting on the table below the Vizio and it doesn’t interfere with the picture at all. You plug it into power, add the cables you need for sound from your various devices, and that’s it. Then you plug the wireless subwoofer into the wall somewhere and when they start up, they locate each other and pair automatically. This all happened for us without issue and we had the soundbar in service in about 5 minutes.

If you want to mount the Soudbar to the wall, you can using the included wall mount brackets. However, the soundbar doesn’t include the screws or drywall anchors needed to secure the brackets to your wall, so you’ll need to make a quick run to your local home improvement or hardware store for those. We didn’t wall mount ours, but it is pretty small and light, so we wouldn't anticipate any issues hanging it above or below your wall mounted TV. Just a couple screws and you’re set.

Performance and Use

We know what you’re thinking: you bought a Samsung for audio? What were you thinking? Samsung isn’t exactly world renowned for audio gear and sound quality. While that is true, we were pleasantly surprised by how much better it sounded than just using the TV. Audio had much more punch and we could get much higher volumes without the audio distorting or everything blending together into one big mush of sound. For music, it probably wouldn’t delight your ears, but for television and movies it does a really solid job. Without the included subwoofer, it would have been pretty lackluster. The sub certainly adds the boom you need to feel the experience of an action movie.

There were times when watching high action movies that the dialog could get lost in the rest of the action. This happens with a lot of lower end audio gear, not just soundbars. Delivering crisp dialog even among a mess of other noise and sound effects isn’t easy to do. And as most have probably experienced, simply increasing the volume doesn’t solve the problem. While we don’t think the Samsung HW-K450 is the best audio solution out there, or even the best soundbar out there, it actually does sound really good and makes movie watching better for sure.

While Samsung talks about a feature called Surround Sound Expansion, saying it “delivers more realistic and immersive audio experience that feels like it’s coming right out of your TV”. We didn’t get any sort of surround sound at all. The sound coming from the front of the room was great. To say we heard anything to the side or behind us would be a stretch. To solve that, Samsung offers the optional SWA-8000S Wireless Surround Kit for $130. It includes a little wireless surround sound amp and two speakers so you can truly have sound all around you.

The unit includes Bluetooth so you can stream audio to it from your smartphone or tablet. Like we already said, it isn’t a super impressive device for music, but if you’re starting with compressed audio and running it over bluetooth, you don’t really need much. When we tested it out, we’d get the occasional hiccup in the music, most likely due to interference from the Bluetooth subwoofer, but perhaps from other interference in the house. It didn’t bother us too much, but if you plan to use your soundbar for a lot of bluetooth audio, it could be a deal breaker.

The one feature that pushed the HW-K450 over the top for us was the presence of HDMI, more specifically HDMI output and passthru. It’s odd that many soundbars on the market today don’t include an HDMI input, but that is slowly changing. However, HDMI output and passthru, especially in the $200 price range is pretty rare. The HW-K450 will pass 3D and 1080p thru to your TV, but not 4K. So we admit it isn’t a perfect match for a 4K television, but the HDMI passthru makes setup and installation much simpler. Simpler, in fact, than we were even expecting due to the support for ARC (Audio Return Channel).

In our setup we connected the Cable Box to the Soundbar with HDMI, then ran the HDMI output from the Soundbar to the TV. We also connected an Amazon Fire TV box to the Soundbar with an optical audio cable and ran another HDMI directly to the TV. It turns out the optical audio cable was unnecessary. The TV discovered that the soundbar supported ARC and used the established HDMI connection instead. We could potentially remove the HDMI cable from the Soundbar input and run it straight to the TV, using ARC from the TV for all inputs to the soundbar. This would mean we’d never have to change inputs on the Soundbar, just on the TV, making setup and use super easy.

In addition to ARC, the soundbar supports HDMI-CEC, so it will turn on when you turn on your TV and turn off when you turn off the TV. It also allows you to control volume with your TV remote. So if you don’t have a universal remote, the TV remote essentially becomes one. That was a pretty cool surprise (we should have known had we thought about it).

Conclusion

At $200 you don’t expect the Samsung HK-450 to blow you away, but for us, we really enjoyed the audio experience, especially for TV and movies. The included subwoofer is a great touch and the inclusion of HDMI is stellar. If you have more money, there are better options out there. If you’re on a budget, the Samsung is great. And if you’re scared about what the finance committee is going to do to you when they find out how much you spent, the HK-450 is perfect.

Podcast #746: THX Discussion Jul 01, 2016

THX Discussion

On today’s show we discuss THX, the history and what it means to you and your home theater, with David Kroll Global CI Product manager for KEF.

The THX Story

Born out of the Star Wars legacy and tied to one of the world’s most acclaimed filmmakers, no other brand resonates with consumers as deeply, and with greater trust than THX.

One week after “Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back” debuted in theaters, George Lucas hired audio scientist, Tomlinson Holman, to design the audio mixing facilities at Lucas’ Skywalker Ranch in Northern California. To begin the project, Lucas gave Holman one year to examine film audio throughout the entire production chain—from the set to the theater, and everything in between. Holman’s goal was to find a way to improve cinematic sound production and create specifications to design the state-of-the-art audio mixing rooms that would eventually house Skywalker Sound.

During that year, Holman was shocked to discover the state of most commercial cinemas. While Dolby Laboratories had made significant contributions to how sound was recorded and played back on film, no one had control over what happened on the production set or in the theater itself. Holman found that most commercial theaters had not seen significant technology improvements since World War II. Viewing angles were poor, inadequate light levels distorted images, and the quality of sound systems and auditorium acoustics made it impossible to hear the dialogue, let alone experience the filmmaker’s vision.

THX Deep Note

THX Deep Note was first composed by Lucasfilm sound engineer Dr. James ‘Andy’ Moorer in 1982, making its public debut in the THX trailer Wings, screened before the 1983 premiere of Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi. Since then, Deep Note has permeated the industry to become one of the most iconic audio logos in the world.

In late 2014, over thirty years after the release of the iconic original, Dr. Moorer returned to the historic Skywalker Ranch and regenerated THX Deep Note using modern technologies and mixed it in current cinema audio formats. The rejuvenated Deep Note was released in early 2015 with the debut of the THX trailer Eclipse.

Podcast #645: ViewSonic PJD5255 DLP Projector Review Jun 24, 2016

ViewSonic PJD5255 DLP Projector Review

We typically have some sort of backyard or outdoor theater discussion every summer when the weather is nice and we’d all like to take our movie watching to the great outdoors. We’ll probably do a more in-depth feature on the topic later in the summer, but as luck would have it, we found ourselves as the proud owners of a new ViewSonic PJD5255 DLP Projector ($339), a perfect backyard theater projector. But it’s good for much more than just outside, so you can even use it during the cold or rainy season.

The ViewSonic PJD5255 is a DLP projector with a built-in speaker, making it a great all-in-one portable movie theater, just add content. We ended up with this particular ViewSonic model for a couple reasons. First was that we needed it fast for an emergency presentation and it was available from Amazon Prime Now, second was that it’s a great price. ViewSonic has other models that are less expensive, or more expensive and more full featured, so we encourage you to do some research to find the right model that fits your needs.

Features

SuperColor technology delivers superior, richer colors; Up to 3200 ANSI lumen brightness and 15,000:1 contrast ratio for clear viewing even in brighter settings
Native XGA 1024 x 768 resolution
Integrated HDMI input and 3D Blu-ray ready; Choice of 5 view settings for a variety of usage scenarios
Extensive connectivity including HDMI, 2 x VGA, Composite Video, S-Video, 1 x VGA output and Audio in/out
Enhanced sound with enlarged speaker chamber and a powerful amplifier
Intuitive interface includes tactile keypad, top lamp door, and optional cable management system
Industry-leading warranty: 3-years limited on parts and labor, 1 year on lamp, and free 1st year Express Exchange

Setup

The ViewSonic PJD5255 really is plug and play, we had it up and running and showing videos in under 5 minutes It doesn’t have any lens shift capabilities, so the projector really wants to be centered with your screen for the best overall experience. It has keystone adjustment buttons right on the top of the projector, so you don’t have to hunt through menus to make your image square on-screen, assuming the projector is a bit above or below the center of the screen. Zoom and focus are manual adjustments as well. The whole prep time for first use was very simple. We didn’t need the manual nor the remote. Didn’t even use any of the menus.

Performance

One of the first things you notice with the PJD5255 is that it is quite bright. The specs boast a 3200 lumen output and it doesn’t disappoint. We used it on several different screens and even projected right onto a white wall and every time had a nice, vivid movie experience. The brightness does feel like it comes at a cost though, the color representation feels a little washed out. It’s a DLP projector, and DLP has its drawbacks, but we weren’t overly distracted by any of them.

The only area that disappointed us was resolution. Admittedly we knew going into it that we bought the projector on the cheap and it was only XGA (1024x768) native, so we shouldn’t have been expecting too much, but after getting used to the native 1080p projectors we both use, the inferior resolution was quite obvious. For a quick and easy projector, it absolutely fit the bill. If you plan to use it to play back DVDs or streamed content, you should be fine. If you want it for HDTV, you may want to pay a bit more to get a native 1080p resolution projector.

On the audio side the 5255 is designed with ViewSonic’s proprietary SonicExpert technology that incorporates an enlarged speaker chamber and a more powerful amplifier to deliver a full 20Hz – 20Khz sound range. The integrated speaker isn’t any worse than other projectors we’ve tried with built-in speakers - it’s better than a few of them, but not by much. The built-in audio will work in a pinch, but unless it’s totally quiet, you’ll want some speakers with more power and volume to really delight an audience. We ended up hooking up come Creative speakers and sub to juice the volume level a bit.

Conclusion

This ViewSonic model reviews incredibly well at Amazon. It has a four and a half star rating across 367 customer reviews. For applications like we’ll be using it for, it was a toss-up on choosing a DLP model or a 3LCD model. The Amazon reviews pushed us over the edge and we decided to bite the bullet on the PJD5255. We don’t have the others to compare with, but we’re satisfied with the ViewSonic PJD5255 for sure. It isn’t meant to be installed as the centerpiece of your home theater, but if you want a projector you can store in the closet for a quick backyard movie, or a garage movie, or a bedroom movie for a sleepover, it’s worth taking a look at.

Podcast #744: Hi-Res Symposium 2016 Jun 17, 2016

Hi-Res Symposium 2016

Representatives from Universal Music Group, The Recording Academy Producers & Engineers Wing and Sony Electronics met recently to underscore the variety of marketing and educational programs that are currently underway to promote the benefits of Hi- Res Audio devices, content and services to a broader audience.

The event, which was sponsored by DEG: The Digital Entertainment Group was held at Capitol Studios in LA. It featured a number of speakers, presentations and demonstrations that were conducted by these organizations’ representatives.

A research study conducted by Music Watch and the Consumer Technology Association was presented at the symposium that showed that nearly 90% of 18 to 54 year olds want higher sound quality, and over 60% of them are willing to pay more for it. So there is a market for the content and further, the industry is willing to produce such content. Currently there are about 10,000 titles available from 12 online providers and more than 100 manufacturers offering hi-res capable devices.

But the question is, how does the industry educate consumers about hi-res and convince them that the higher quality is something that they want to spend money for? Look for manufacturers and retailers to create Hi-Res listening centers within stores to demonstrate the difference. There are also new logos to identify Hi-Res content and players:

So the question is why? From the point of view of the content creators it's all about more revenue. Likewise, manufacturers would like you to upgrade your equipment as well. We have discussed at length that we don’t think Hi-Res is any better than CD so we won’t go into it here. If you are interested we have a video that covers the topic analytically which is available on Youtube (https://youtu.be/8xotaf4aN_g). It's clear to us that the music industry is learning from the movie industry. Create a “Better” format and charge people a premium to buy their music again.

If you decide to go down the path to Hi-Res recordings consider a few things:

Digital equipment today is better than when CDs first came out - This means that you may hear a difference in digital music that is remastered today. Don’t confuse that with hi-res audio. Many songs in the early digital days were not necessarily mastered very well. Fixing those errors alone and putting it back on a CD will do more than simply taking the same master and adding bits.

Don’t let your eyes do the listening - If you know that you are listening to a hi-res audio product there is a very good chance your eyes will tell your ears that they are hearing superior sounding audio. Double blind is the best way to test. If you can hear a difference then, congratulations! You are in the top 2%.

SACD sounds better and it's higher quality - From Wikipedia: In September 2007 the Audio Engineering Society published the results of a year-long trial, in which a range of subjects including professional recording engineers were asked to discern the difference between SACD and a compact disc audio (44.1 kHz/16 bit) conversion of the same source material under double blind test conditions. Out of 554 trials, there were 276 correct answers, a 49.8% success rate corresponding almost exactly to the 50% that would have been expected by chance guessing alone. If you hear a noticeable difference with SACD it may be due it being a 5.1 mix vs a 2 channel mix. Be careful not to draw the conclusion that it sounded better because of the higher bit and sample rates.

Before you spend a lot of money setting up for Hi-Res audio do yourself a favor. Make sure you can hear a difference at home. You can buy a decent headphone DAC for about $250, then you’ll need to allocate about another $250 for headphones but then you’ll just be scratching the surface of the gear you will buy in the future. Do some serious A/B test on your own with no one pressuring you. ABX Shootout is a great SW package that can help you do this. If you don’t want to spend at least $500 on gear to help you decide whether Hi-Res is worth it, then you may as well stay with what you have.

Podcast #743: 2015-2016 TV Season Winners and Losers Jun 10, 2016

This week Ara and his daughter Stephanie discuss the winners and losers of the 2015- 2016 TV Season.

Podcast #742: Father's Day Wish List Jun 03, 2016

Father's Day Wish List

QNAP TS-453A 4-Bay Professional-Grade Network Attached Storage $600

Let’s face it, our lives are digital. Whether it be photos, home movies, music, TV or Blu-ray rips, we need safe storage for all our files. A Network Attached Storage unit is one of the best ways to do that. You’ll need to add drives but it's worth it because this unit is extremely versatile. In addition to storage, you can also run a Plex Server to stream your files at home or away. A little on the high price side but aren’t we dad’s worth it??

Ray Super Remote - Touchscreen Universal Remote $250

You know we are big fans of universal remotes! But this one looks so cool! We don’t have any experience with the device but it checks all the boxes on our list so we’ll go with it! Ray has an integrated guide that looks gorgeous! There are built in apps for the AppleTV, Roku, and Xbox. There is even a Kids app that is easy for the little ones to use. Look for a review on this remote in the future.

Deconovo Black Thermal Insulated Blackout Panel Curtain $16.50

Whether it be glare or ambient light that washes out the picture, nothing ruins a movie watching experience like light! Blackout curtains are a great, and inexpensive, way to enjoy your home theater in the daytime. These curtains are heavy and work as sound and heat insulation as well. It's $16.50 well spent!

Kuna Outdoor Home Security Camera & Light $199

Kuna is a smart home security system built into an outdoor lighting fixture. The camera detects movement at your door and sends an alert to your smartphone, allowing you to see and interact with visitors no matter where you are. It's like a doorbell camera but more versatile. These lights can be placed anywhere that you would place outdoor lights, front porch, back porch, or the driveway. Simple to install, all you need is a wifi connection and you can monitor outside your home from anywhere.

Podcast #741: Google I/O 2016 May 25, 2016

Google I/O 2016

Google has dabbled in the Home Theater and Home Automation arenas for quite a while - going all the way back to the Logitech Revue and Google TV in 2010, and there were a few devices before that failed experiment as well (review in Episode 452). Even with the success of the Chromecast, it still feels like Google is just toying with us, but that all may change soon. Some of the announcements out of this year’s Google I/O conference are pretty exciting, and very promising. Plus, they have something called Project Ara - how can we not talk about that?

Google Home

Perhaps the most relevant announcement to our show and everyone listening was the Amazon Echo competitor simply called Google Home. The device itself was the big announcement, but they followed that up with an expected delivery date of later this year. However, they didn’t specify a price. The man behind the project, Mario Queiroz, also happens to be the same man who launched the only other successful home product in the Google portfolio, the Chromecast. Google Home is exactly what you’d picture if you were told someone was going to launch an Echo competitor. It's a small speaker you plug into the wall with always-listening, far-field microphones that can hear you from across the room.

Just like the Echo, Google Home will answer your questions, play your music, and control some of your home automation components. Of course Google will tell you that their device is better at most of those things than the Amazon device, but they have to say that. While the Echo isn't great at multi-room, Google Home is designed with multiple rooms and speakers in mind from the start. It’s built on the Cast standard, so you can talk to any speaker and tell it to play music on other speakers, just like you can with Google Cast Audio. Not sure if it’ll support synchronized music in multiple rooms, but if it doesn’t at launch, we can’t imagine it’ll be too far off.

Google has said they don’t plan to be as open a platform and the Amazon Echo, so you can expect less home automation devices to work with it. Their focus is on quality, not quantity. Queiroz made the statement that other platforms may support more devices, but when you actually try to use them, it doesn’t really work all that well. We cannot confirm nor deny that claim, but Google’s spin on less device support is that each home automation component that is integrated with Google Home will behave just as you’d expect. That’s a tall order, but if it is true, it’ll be pretty awesome (and probably a historical first).

Google Assistant

Google Now is getting an upgrade to the new Google Assistant in an effort to take on the Siri, Cortana and Alexa’s of the world. The uniques feature that sets Google Assistant apart from the rest is the ability to remember prior questions and apply context to new questions. For example, you could say something like “show me what action movies are playing in my area” followed by a statement like “I’m a fan of anything with vampires in it” to further narrow the search. That sounds more intuitive than most of the digital assistants on the market right now. And could have a nice tie-in with voice controlled home automation. Google Assistant on your Google Home device? That could be pretty sweet.

Daydream

Farewell Android VR, hello Google Daydream. Quite similar in approach to Google Cardboard, Daydream is built by Google, but it's up to the developers to create the apps, games and experiences that really make it compelling for consumers. At Google I/O, they showed off sketches of a reference VR headset and a remote reminiscent of the Nintendo Wii, that together will provide motion-controlled gaming and simple user interface navigation while using the Daydream headset. Google also announced that several phones that are "Daydream-compatible" from companies like HTC and Samsung should be hitting store shelves later this year.

Project Ara

So what is Project Ara? For those who don’t know, it’s actually pretty cool. The idea is a totally modular cell phone, basically the marriage of cell phones and legos. Your phone, instead of being one solid piece of electronics, is a bunch of smaller pieces of electronics your put together, where each of the small pieces is replaceable. You could buy a phone, which is basically all the parts you need pre-assembled, or just go out and buy the parts you want and build your own.

For anyone who has seen a commercial about a new phone with a super awesome camera, or crazy long battery life, or a killer screen and wished your phone, the one you just bought six months ago, was that cool, Project Ara solves that for you. Want to add a better camera? Go for it, just replace that module and you’re set. No reason to replace the whole phone. Or want to add a better battery, or a louder speaker? Go for it. That’s pretty freakin’ cool.

At the I/O conference, Google announced that Project Ara is coming out of the cool, futuristic idea phase and will be making it into your hands in the very near future. The technology will release to developers in the Fall of 2016 with a consumer release planned in the Spring of 2017. They’re giving plenty of time between the developer release and the consumer release to make sure they have a good idea of what kinds of modules developers will want to create and what kind of modules consumers will want to buy. But bottom line the Google / Lego phone concept could be on store shelves in less than a year.

Podcast #740: Tivo Bolt Review May 20, 2016

Tivo Bolt Review

Cord cutting is all the rage, but for many of us, it simply isn’t an option. There’s way too many members of the household that can’t do without TV, you’re too far from the transmitters to get over-the-air TV, or the shows you really want to watch aren’t available from streaming, or you really like watching live events you can’t get over-the-air. Whatever that case, cutting the cord is a non-starter. Slimming the cord, however, could totally work. And the Tivo Bolt (buy now) might be the perfect device to do it.

Bolt Features

From the Tivo website:

“The TiVo BOLT is the shortest distance between you and your entertainment, because it combines all your options into a single box. No more switching devices, toggling inputs or juggling remotes. Whether it's from TV, available on-demand libraries or streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, HULU, YouTube or Pandora, TiVo BOLT delivers it all in an instant.

OneSearch™ scours multiple platforms like TV and Netflix simultaneously, so your search experience is always fast, simple and seamless. No more drilling down into each app and doing multiple hunt-and-seek searches. Find shows and movies by title, actor, director or keyword—and start watching in seconds.

OnePass™ tracks down every available season and episode of a show—whether it's on television or a streaming app—and creates a customizable watchlist for you. Start with the pilot episode or jump in anywhere mid-season. OnePass automatically records upcoming episodes and adds them to your list.

TiVo BOLT is 33% smaller than any other product in its category, but it packs a mightier punch. With 3x the speed of our previous box and up to 3x the memory, TiVo BOLT satisfies your entertainment appetite… and your need for speed. All that power is packed into a slender, elegant package that runs your entire entertainment center. Oh, and that distinctive, arched design isn't just for looks, it serves as a clever cooling system.

No more waiting for commercial breaks to be over. With a single press of a button, you can continue watching your recorded show. SkipMode works with the top 20 channels, including ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, AMC Comedy Central, Discovery Channel, TBS, FX, TLC, History Channel, TNT, The CW, Food Network, USA, Bravo, ABC Family, Syfy, Lifetime and HGTV.

QuickMode lets you zip through your recorded shows—and shows with a buffer—30% faster than normal speed with pitch-corrected audio. You zoom along and nobody sounds like a caffeinated chipmunk. It's the ideal way to power through slow-moving news shows, sports and long-winded political debates.

TiVo BOLT can handle the biggest entertainment jones. It records up to four shows at once and provides up to 1 TB of recording capacity—enough for roughly 150 hours of HD programming. Need even more? Add an external hard drive or a TiVo-ready NetGear ReadyNAS. And if you've got a new 4K Ultra HD TV, then get excited, because TiVo BOLT is 4K-compatible right out of the box.”

The Bolt can be purchased in three different options. The 500 GB model goes for $199, The 1 TB model is $299, and the 2 TB option is $499.

The big knock on Tivo as a cord cutting device is that it isn’t free. There is a monthly or annual subscription fee associated with each DVR. There is a new Tivo Roamio OTA that doesn’t have the subscription fee, but it only supports Antenna tuners, not CableCard. The Bolt includes the first year of service for free, but after the first year, the cost goes to $150 per year or $15 per month if you pay monthly. Not great, but honestly, not that bad. Cox charges $28.49 per month for a DVR, so the Bolt is less than half the annual cost of a Cable DVR, at least in our area.

Installation

The saga of getting our Bolt up and running wasn’t really anything to do with the Tivo device itself, but it was quite an ordeal, so we’ll tell you everything we went through so you have an understanding for what you may be in for if you decide to go the Tivo route. Since we both are (or were) Satellite TV customers, one of us had to get Cable activated to do the review. So Braden stopped by a local Cox Solution Store, activated a basic Cable package for about $40 per month, added a CableCard for an additional $2 per month and left the store quite satisfied. The whole process took about 15 minutes.

What is supposed to happen is you get home, plug the CableCard into the Tivo, connect the Bolt to Coax for Cable service and you’re all set. If only that was the case. First thing that happens is you call the Cable provider to pair the CableCard with your account and activate it. This was easy, but it didn’t work. The tuning adapter Cox provided couldn’t lock on, so the Bolt couldn’t pick up any channels. The phone representative suggested a visit from a technician, so we got that scheduled.

The technician arrived the following day and found the signal to the Bolt was both weak and dirty. He did some rewiring, added a signal booster and retested the line. All looked good, everything was green and should have been the perfect situation to get the Bolt working. The tuning adapter did lock on, but the Bolt was permanently stuck at 89% on the process of getting Cable channels. A quick call to HQ to un-pair and re-pair the CableCard got us past that. We could then get guide, but no video. Everything should have been working, but we just couldn’t get it there.

The Cox technician admitted he wasn’t a Tivo expert, but said there were others who were. He would leave for the day and get us connected with a different tech that could hopefully make everything work. That other techs came two days later and found that it was a PEBKAC issue, Mea Culpa firmly on Braden’s shoulders. The first time walking through the guided setup he either chose Antenna as the tuner option, or it was selected for him since the CableCard wasn’t installed at the time. In any event, the Bolt didn’t set itself to Cable mode when the CableCard was inserted, it stayed on Antenna mode. Trying to tune the Cable signal as if is was an Antenna of course didn’t work. Re-running guided setup and selecting Cable got everything working. With guide, picture and sound.

Well, sound was temporary. Not even ten minutes had passed after the second technician had left the house and sound stopped working on the Tivo. No audio whatsoever. No sound from TV programs, no sound from streaming apps, not sound effects from the Tivo. We rebooted the Tivo, unplugged the HDMI, tried a different HDMI input on the TV, nothing worked. Google to the rescue. We found others complaining of the same issue and it seems Tivo isn’t a huge fan of some TV brands, and we just so happened to be installing ours connected to one of those brands (Sharp). To fix it you have to physically remove power to the TV. When you plug it back in, sound is restored.

About 4 days, three Cable technicians, several calls to tech support and a ridiculous number of Google searches later, the Tivo Bolt was finally installed, working and ready for business.

Use

The first thing you notice about using the Bolt is that it is fast. Super fast. UI doesn’t lag. Searches are crazy fast, and everything just feels like it happens when you want it to. Most DVRs, even the Hopper from Dish, have areas of the UI that lag. Searches, for example, tend to be a real chore in a lot of interfaces, but not for the Bolt. And it isn’t just a guide search, or a search of your recordings, it’s a search of the guide, you recordings and all the various video streaming services you have enabled. All of it in one spot. The search functionality is awesome.

Which leads us to the integration of channel content and streamed content. This functionality, like the OnePass recordings, or the unified search, is amazing. At Braden’s house there were a few episodes of a couple shows that he wasn’t able to record while he was getting the install issues worked out. OnePass to the rescue. He set a OnePass for those shows and it instantly populated all the episodes available, and listed where each one could be streamed from. For those available on Hulu, you can get them for free. If they aren’t up there anymore, you can usually find them at Amazon or Vudu for a small per-episode charge. And for the really old ones, at Netflix or Amazon Prime for free.

This unified approach to content is pretty awesome. No more searching through all your video apps to see who has which show. No more wondering if you can get it for free over here or if you’ll have to pay for it over there. The only weirdness comes in when you set a OnePass for a show like Saturday Night Live, a show with over 40 seasons. You have to adjust the filters to scope it down to just what you’ve recorded if you don’t want to have to navigate through 40 seasons worth of episodes to find the one you just recorded a couple days ago. It’s two quick button presses, but a bit strange getting used to.

Anytime you switch from one user interface that you’re comfortable with to a new one, there’s a bit of a learning curve to get used to it. The Tivo interface is no different, but it is quite intuitive. Everyone in the family picked it up pretty quickly and Braden’s wife even commented on how much better she thought the experience was than their prior DVR. Sure the guide works a little different, the searches are a bit different, setting recordings is a bit different, but it all makes sense once you get used to it. And what they say is true, Tivo does have the best DVR interface out there. Different, but different in a good way.

The Bolt also lets you stream recorded content to your phone or tablet if you’re on the same network. You can watch TV from the treadmill, or turn it on from the kitchen, without the need for another box or device. Yes, the Hopper can do that too, but not all DVRs can. And you can control the DVR: set recordings, etc. from anywhere in the world. If you’re outside the home and want to watch some of the content, your app will tell you what services it is available on for streaming, so you can still watch the shows - or most of them at least - you just aren’t watching the copy you have recorded on your DVR.

There are a couple nits about the Bolt, though. Parental controls on the Bolt are a bit weak. It feels like they threw something in to say they had it, not really designing the feature to match what parents would want to do. If you have a lot of kids all accessing the same DVR for content, it would be nice to have a bit more granularity on what you can do. And a lot of the menus don’t wrap around. So if you’re on the top option and want to get to the bottom, you have to scroll through all the options to get there, you can’t just click the up button once. Same if you’re at the bottom and want to get to the top. If you try to do it, the Bolt makes an error sound. Admittedly not a huge deal, but strange.

Accessories

The Tivo Mini ($137) unlocks a world of whole house video options. You simply buy the mini and add a video zone. It doesn’t require an additional subscription, just buy the box and away you go. It can be installed using wired Ethernet or MoCA. So if you have a coax cable but no ethernet, you’re still good. If you have neither, you’re stuck. It cannot be installed via WiFi. That’s a huge bummer for those who like the wireless options from Dish or AT&T. But we were able to get one working using a pair of 500MB Powerline Ethernet adapters without issue. We still can’t tell the difference between the direct wired Mini and the powerline wired Mini. So we found a way to get TV to a location without wired Ethernet or Coax for an additional $35.

Most cable and satellite companies charge a monthly fee for the extender boxes. Dish calls them Joeys. They can run from $8 to $12 per month. With the Mini there is no additional monthly cost at all. Using $10 per month as an average, you break even on the Mini after about 14 months. Keep in mind that the Bolt only has four tuners, so you have an upper bound on the number of Minis you can functionally add. Supposedly you can get two Bolts working at the same time to get 8 tuners in the home, but right now they manage recordings totally independently. Internet rumors claim Tivo is working on a unified view for multiple Bolts, but we don’t have any information to corroborate that claim.

Our local Amazon Prime Now fulfillment house happens to stock both the Tivo Mini and powerline ethernet adapters. We were able to add a new video zone in less than three hours from “can we watch TV here?” to “we’re watching TV here!” No installer required. No phone calls to tech support. It was pretty cool.

Tivo Stream ($130) gives you worldwide access to your Bolt recordings and tuners. Let’s be honest, this is a Tivo version of the Slingbox. If you have one, you really don’t need the other. But if you don’t have a Slingbox and want to watch TV from outside the home, Tivo Stream gets you that. There are some limitations, though. According to a Q&A at Amazon, “ it allows out of home streaming, but only if the content provider allows it. The major networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox), Viacom (Comedy Central, MTV), and Discovery (TLC, Science) all BLOCK streaming, so the TiVo stream does not stream or allow the transfer of shows to another device.”

Conclusion

Conclusion: Tivo is pretty freaking great. For those who want to cut and or slim the cord, it is a tremendous option - and you aren’t giving up anything in usability or user experience. There is a fairly decent upfront cost to acquire the gear, but in the long you you save a lot of money on your monthly service bills. It’s probably a year or so to break even, but after that, it’s all gravy. Image all the home theater gear you could buy with that extra money!

Podcast #739: Yamaha RX-A850 Review May 13, 2016

Yamaha RX-A850 Review

Last October Ara bought a Pioneer Elite VSX-90 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver for his family room. He was looking for something that would allow him to switch 4K content through to his Vizio P-Series 4K UHDTV. The receiver was able to do that and provide good quality sound but he was never happy with the reliability of the receiver. It wouldn’t turn on at times requiring a physical reset and it took as many as 8 seconds for it to switch inputs. One day a few weeks ago Ara had enough and decided to swap it out with a new receiver.

Since he hadn’t bought a Yamaha in quite some time and was really interested in the Aventage line and decided that he RX-A850 had all the features he wanted at a decent price (Buy Now $900). It needed to support HDCP 2.2, 4K, HDR, and sound good! While not needed for Ara’s family room, the 850 does support Atmos as well. If you want DTS:X support you’ll need to move up to the RX-A1050 which will run you $300 more. The full feature list is listed below:

Features:

Aluminum front panel and Anti-Resonance Technology Wedge
MusicCast wireless multiroom audio support
Bluetooth®, built-in Wi-Fi and Wireless Direct for wireless music streaming
AirPlay®, Spotify®, Pandora® music streaming service and AV Controller App
DSD 2.8 MHz / 5.6 MHz, FLAC / WAV / AIFF 192 kHz / 24-bit, Apple® Lossless 96 kHz / 24-bit playback
YPAO™ - R.S.C. with multipoint measurement
Dolby Atmos® Support
Multi-zone audio support (Zone2)
Phono input for vinyl playback
Virtual Surround Back Speaker for playing 7.1-channel content with a 5.1-channel system
HDMI 2.0a: 4K Ultra HD Full Support with 4K60p, HDCP2.2, HDR Video and BT.2020 pass-through

Setup

Setup was pretty simple. Connect the speakers and components then add power and then kick off the YPAO calibration. The initial pass through the calibration screen checks for phase issues and in Ara’s case all was good. Then it proceed to measure room acoustics. The results were good but we always like to tweak the sound to our tastes. We raised the level of the surrounds and subwoofer and called it done in about an hour, which included unboxing. The menus are simple to navigate. We did not use wifi as we have an Ethernet connection for our entertainment system.

Performance

This is Ara’s first Aventage receiver so he was expecting some good things in the way of audio performance. According to Yamaha the Aventage uses higher quality parts and design:

AVENTAGE brings studio-grade sound and sophisticated video enhancements to your home with unparalleled attention to detail in design, engineering and fabrication. Every electrical path, every part, every piece, was rethought and redesigned if necessary to achieve total performance excellence throughout the series. Materials were tested thoroughly and the finest were selected to maximize audio / video playback performance.

You do pay a little more for the Aventage. A similar non-Aventage Yamaha receiver (RX-V781) goes for about $100 less. Other than the “Studio-grade” sound, the receivers are nearly identical.

Settings:

Decode Mode - Straight (we want it exactly as the mixers intended)
YPAO Volume - We set this to off. However, if you are watching at night you may want to turn this on. It will adjust the high and low frequency sounds so the dialog doesn't get washed out. It worked as advertised in our testing.
Video Processing - We are not big fans of the scaling on receivers. The 850A can scale to 4K (2160p50/60) if you own a UHD set. But with that said we felt that the picture wasn’t as good as when we let the TV do the scaling.
Object Decode Mode - On (see below)

Movies

The RX-850A performed quite well with movies regardless of format. There is enough power to drive extreme action scenes and yet the receiver was easily able to handle the subtleties of ambient sounds like rain or crowd noises. We did not connect Atmos speakers but we did enable “Object Decode Mode” on our normally configured 7.1 setup. Perhaps we were fooling ourselves but it did seem as though we were enveloped in a bubble of sound giving us an Atmos like experience. For a larger room that may not be the case so you will want to use Atmos speakers if you can. If you do have a bigger media room the RX-850A, with it's 100 watts of power, will have no issues filling it with sound!

Music

Although music isn’t the primary use for our receiver we did do some critical listening. We found the receiver to be clear and bright regardless of position in the room. We listened to Stereo and and multi-channel tracks. In either case we could notice the placement of the instruments within the soundstage. The A850 behaved nicely never sounding too bright or edgy. We even tried some lower quality rips to check out the compressed music enhancer. It did make it sound better but why would you do that to yourself? Just go with 256Kbps mp3 or AAC or better yet lossless and never speak of the compressed music enhancer again! With CD quality music the RX-A850 really shines.

Odds and Ends

There is a smartphone (or tablet) app which makes configuring the unit easier.
The remote seems cheap for the Aventage line. The letters are too small and kind of hard to read. And there is no backlight making it hard to use in a darkened room.
Only the first three HDMI ports are HDCP 2.2 compliant. Big thanks to Yamaha for clearly marking that on the device itself.
Bluetooth and Airplay are supported but we have two set top devices connected so we did not do much with these features other than verify that they work.

Conclusion

In a world where you can find good receivers for $500, it's nice to find a receiver built with high quality parts and and purposeful design, meant to enhance your listening experience for not much more. Whether you are watching a movie or listening to music we found the RX-850A to be a capable receiver that is worth it's price tag.

Podcast #738: Interview with Gary Yacoubian - President SVS May 05, 2016

Interview with Gary Yacoubian - President SVS

On today’s show we have an Interview with the President of SVS Gary Yacoubian. We talk about their forthcoming line of Prime Elevation Speakers. We also discuss their line of high quality accessories that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Finally we finish off with a discussion who the audiophile of today is.

Podcast #737: Highlights from NAB 2016 Apr 29, 2016

Highlights from NAB 2016

Faithful listener and long time contributor to the show Ed Stouffer graciously agreed to be our “man on the street” - or “man on the convention show floor” if you prefer, at this year’s NAB Show in Las Vegas. The show just wrapped up, running from April 16-21. For those who aren’t familiar, NAB is the National Association of Broadcasters and the NAB Show is their annual gathering to see, learn about and talk about all the latest innovations in audio and video production, broadcasting and distribution.

TV Trends – some of my views from NAB 2016 show

Edward Stouffer

4K going wide and deep in the broadcast market with a big push to consumers building.

This has several components, so I will try to describe them, and what they mean.

Original Content. Several presentations talked about 35mm motion picture film stock having a native resolution right about 4K. Decent prints can be scanned with minimal cleanup. Older prints will take some work, just like what happened when HD versions of older material were released. As for new material, there was a general consensus that most mainstream content is moving to 4K capture or is already there. In many cases, the editing is either downconverted to HD or that is the export In the Canon “mega-booth” – which spanned 2 levels and had amateur, pro-am and professional cameras on display - they showed excerpts from several 4K movies shot partially or entirely in 4K, along with some TV episodes, such as “Homeland.”

Distribution. The net is that while broadcasts are not 4K today, 4K streaming via Amazon and Netflix will have more options as less work in the future is required when the original material is in better shape. As for fixed media, the UltraHD BluRay players have cracked the $500 price point, with the Samsung generating a lot of interest at $399. Christmas 2015, they were $5,000, so the start toward commodity is rapidly coming. Manufacturers I talked with showing the under-$500 players said they generally expect a $250 UHD BluRay player for Christmas 2016. Also, the manufacturers expected that most of the UHD BluRay players will support 4K clients for Netflix & other services, so consumers will also use them as streaming devices for 4K.

Broadcast. The chicken’s egg has hatched! ATSC 3.0 is the new specification and it includes support for 4K broadcasts, including HDR, 24-channel audio, etc. I talked briefly with a technical director for a major US network and they are actively looking for a pilot at one affiliate this year. As I understand the spec – not close to being a SME by any measure – it takes the equivalent of 2 HD digital channels for one broadcast, depending upon compression used. (The folks in the ATSC booth said twice that it only needed a single digital channel…using the prototype CODECs and laboratory environments.) The network I was talking with said their pilot will likely be an affiliate who has unused spectrum or who multicasts some additional channels who would be willing to interrupt that for the test period. To that end, I saw an LG TV set at the show with the first ATSC 3.0 chipset included. I read through the press briefings a bit and it looks like all major manufacturers announced either future models or lines with ATSC 3.0 shipping by Christmas.

Versions of 4K. HDR displays were everywhere. “Ultra HD Premium” was being promoted - as well as HDR branding - which includes HDR, WCG and other requirements for improved black levels and luminance. I asked Sony, Samsung and others about when we could see HDR for HD TVs, and as I expected, they seemed reluctant to talk about it, with one telling me it might hurt 4K sales. One manufacturer said it could cost between 25%-50% for “true HDR” on an UltraHD set. I asked what that meant, and he said that it really required the correct display, software and enough on-board CPU. To that end, he said some “lower tier” brands would say they offer HDR, but to look at their displays beside a top-tier manufacturer and there would be a big difference. I guess one test is to look at the new Vizio 50” 4K TV with HDR and see how that stacks up.

As much will be lost as made

There are a lot of big – and costly – bets being made on the future path and as some are against one another, they cannot possibly all succeed. I saw multiple DRM systems being advertised. While some use the same encryption standard, they are incompatible with each other, as things like key distribution infrastructures are sold as a whole system. One prediction I heard from an architect at a major encoding vendor was that “Netflix was the next MySpace.” Think about that for a moment: when is the last time you used MySpace? I asked for more and he said to compare what happened to HD-DVD. He said it was the better format, was cheaper to produce media, but when Sony flexed its muscle on content, it lost. So, he said, if one or more studios either raise prices on content to Netflix or deny it altogether in favor of any company, Netflix can get starved out.

Private Copy cDVR cannot stand

Private copy – having your own copy of a recorded show stored in the cloud - gets very expensive very fast. In Europe, shared copy is widely used. It allows a single copy to be recorded, with pointers to each customer who indicated the desire to “record” that content. You can cache shared copy. The technology to splice ads into playback of a DVR recording is already here, so a provider could either restore the original ads, insert new ones or do a hybrid per market, per customer. Now it’s a matter of the carriers/MSOs to stand up as a group and say they cannot afford to install exabytes of storage in support of private copy, as the US content owners are against shared copy generally. Ericsson estimates that each 100,000 customers using Cloud DVR require about 33 Petabytes of storage.

Line between TVs and Projectors continues to blue

I watched Leyard’s 31’ wide 8K TV and wanted to take it home. It was made of 64 panels, meticulously assembled. Not to be outdone, a new generation of short throw projectors is out, which allows them to be 2’ from the front of the screen and still do a 100” image. Also rear-projection versions of them exist. Epson has said they hope to get this down to 1’, which is getting close to putting a projector inside a closet or small recess behind the screen, rather than 5-8’ today.

3D still a novelty, sort of

One manufacturer was showing a 50” 3D no glasses TV. If you sat just right, 2 rows of 3 folks in the demo, it did look pretty good. If you did not, it looked distorted and made me dizzy. There has been at least one of these at every CES for the last few years, and while there’s a lot of consumer interest, going beyond the prototype has been the challenge. Sharp also showed a model, but didn’t give many details on price or availability. Since their business has essentially been sold, it’s unclear what the future of R&D is on items like this.

I also looked at the Nokia Ozo demo, which is a 360 degree camera (16 cameras on a sphere) designed to pair with VR goggles. I looked through a pair of Oculus Rift and was able to watch the live concert being held outside and noticed the soundstage moved around as I turned my head. The camera has a pretty high bitrate, so likely a high bandwidth satellite application, or it will light up the fiber to your home.

I also watched a higher-resolution movie where I went 40km up in a weather balloon with full 360 degree view and it was outstanding. For gaming and special events I could see wearing the goggles is compelling. For continual TV viewing, I think the “no glasses” TV is the only option, but they have to fix the viewing angle and price point.

Bit Rates Seesaw

When you try to take into account where bitrates are going, it is very much like a seesaw. Sony had this gorgeous display of compressed 4K sources being played. They said this was 4K with HDR at under 10 Mb/s using HEVC encoding. When I asked, they admitted this was multi-pass processed, and yes, this was not suitable for live TV. I further asked about what HDR was doing, and their answer was “well, if the source material gets bigger, then the output will too.” To which I asked if the improvements in HEVC were offset by the HDR movement and they simply smiled at me. If 4K VOD goes there, it would be a big improvement for that, at least.

So what of 8K?

Commercial tests start in Japan on August 1 with the Olympics, with NHK expecting full deployment by 2018. NHK was showing a prototype camera, TV and projector. Besides the Leyard uber-tron, I spent some time looking at the 85” NHK OLED protype with a live feed and it looked pretty darn good. I pressed for a price target, but got nothing in return, except that it could be “millions of yen.” If it follows some of the early OLED and 4K, I predict a $100K entry price. I also sat through an 8K recording of a symphony with the NHK 8K projector, using 22.2 channel sound. While it was not the most dynamic content, the audio was good and 15’ from the screen, we could see the conductor’s individual hair and scratches in the wood stands.

Ikegami, not to be outdone, was showing both an 8K handheld and an 8K studio camera they said was in production. Canon showed 2 8K prototype studio cameras. This was my one disappointment with Canon: their 8K demo content was disappointing, not looking much better than 4K demos they showed.

For the US market, it looks like 8K will appear in large venues and in digital theaters. Sony said they were working on 8K cinema systems with theaters now, and they believed this would become the new standard within 18 months for new installs and upgrades. With commercial large-venue 4K projectors starting around $125K today, this will not come cheap. NHK also had a demo 8K streaming and believes they can get it down to 33 Mb/s by commercial launch.

Drones

Drones were also in the house. In fact, they were a good part of an entire pavilion. Also, there were some spread throughout the main venues. These went from the smaller, entry-level products to big ones that looked like they belonged to SkyNet. I asked about the price on one of the bigger ones – 6’ across, 8 rotors and a full-on commercial 4K camera cradled by it. The response I got was that it was “price upon request.” I said, “OK, I’m requesting the price.” The guy rolled his eyes at me and said $26,000 plus shipping. I asked further why 26K, and he pointed and said, “See that camera and lens? That’s $150K and 11 pounds sitting there, and we don’t want our drone to drop it or crash. We hand assemble and test each component, including making sure that this will autobalance if one of the rotors fails.” OK, a $26,000 for a $150,000 camera – I guess I get it.

There was also this crazy off-road vehicle with caterpillar treads and a 360 degree arm with a camera mount. I asked what this beast cost, and the answer was, “up to $325,000, if you want the armored version.” OK, an armored version. I had to ask. He said, “If you’re out in a place such as Afghanistan and are filming and this thing comes over the ridge, it can look like an assault vehicle to the locals. They often shoot first and ask questions later. We can only protect the camera so much since it needs a lens opening, but if you lose the vehicle, you certainly lose the camera.”

A few more manufacturer notes

Black Magic couldn’t be missed, even if you wanted to. They had large display ads and a good-sized booth by the doors. Much closer to what I could afford, their 4K cameras started at $1,300 and they had a number of companion products, including an SD card replicator they said would “change 4K distribution.” I had to ask: how, exactly. They said this 1RU unit would create 24 duplicates for 4K, so if you shot a wedding at 4K, you could give the guests an SD card when they left. …Now I’m not sure about the listeners, but most of my video needs editing, so I don’t think I’d shoot video and pass it out right away…. I admired one of their displays of their slightly more expensive camera as it looked fabulous – but then the guy next to me, who was professional cinematographer, said, “Look closer at the display – that’s the Dolby at $40K each. My bad takes look pretty good on that…!”

Epilogue

I ended up going last-minute, and I do wish I had more than 48 hours to prepare. But after sore feet from walking the massive displays, I also wish I had a bunch of discretionary money to buy some of the items on display. CES may be more appropriate for the average end-customer, but the NAB show sures gives some insight into what is coming and exposes the production side of film and video. I did get to meet and listen to some directors, editors and broadcast engineers talk about their side of the business. 21 years ago, I attended the Western Cable Show and remember going to the launch party for The History Channel. The show was all about coax versus satellite, large systems versus small systems, and who owned which sports content. Last week, looked very different: it was all about new advances in digital TV, mobile video, the continued decline of filmed productions…. I don’t think it will take anything close to 21 more years to see dramatic changes, and a redefinition of what a “broadcaster” is.

Podcast #736: DirecTV 4K Review Apr 22, 2016

DirecTV 4K Review

DirecTV has added 4K to some of it’s Genie HD DVR and we are fortunate enough to have a listener who has upgraded to the new service. Ralph Smithers, good friend of the show, was kind enough to share his experience with the upgrade process and quality of the 4K content available. Before we get to Ralph’s review here are a few notes:

What You Need

4K Genie HD DVR - Model HR54 is required to view 4K Ultra HD channels.

4K HDTV

ULTIMATE or PREMIER TV Package - $92 and $145 respectively

Review by Ralph Smithers

I have been with DirecTV a little over two years and became eligible for a free upgrade to 4K with a two-year commitment and wanted to share my experience.

The upgrade itself was pretty straight forward—three of my four boxes were upgraded to 4K equipment. I suspect those were all the boxes the installer had on hand. The old Genie Mini works fine with the new equipment and my 4K monitor is connected to one of the 4K Genie Mini boxes. None of the components of the dish (LNB) needed to be changed to support the upgrade.

While the equipment swap was pretty straight forward, the installer was friendly but admittedly not knowledgeable about 4K. I ran into a number of issues once the installer left my house. Two calls to DirecTV did not resolve the problems and for most of the first weekend of having 4K, I spent more time behind my TV than in front of it. Here is a summary of the issues and how I resolved them. I think this information will be useful to other listeners and there is one outstanding issue where the listeners may be able to assist me.

The setup for my non 4K sets went without incident but there were significant issues with the 4K programming, specifically the special Master’s Tournament broadcast. I was able to get the Master’s 4K broadcast with the installer present but my first impression was that while the picture was pristine, it seemed choppy. Shortly thereafter, the channel went dark and a reset of my 4K Genie Mini box was required to get ANY programing. The Master’s programming simply would not work and when I tried to tune to the particular channel where it was playing, the whole system went down. DirecTV has another 4K channel that plays continuous programming and that channel worked great. Everything came to a crash when I navigated to the Master’s channel. I would also add that even the Master’s programming I recorded on my DVR was causing my system to crash.

I have a six month old Yamaha RX-V579 receiver that I use to switch my HDMI inputs that is HDCP 2.2 and 4K compliant. I have a Vizio M series 70 inch 4K TV that I purchased in November. My calls to DirecTV resulted in the technicians putting the blame for the issues on my equipment. Both of the technicians went out of their way tell me about people bootlegging content (which was annoying) and could not resolve my issues. Eventually, I was getting content protection notices on all channels and was starting to regret my decision to upgrade.

My setup before the upgrade was to route all of my video gear into my receiver and use the Audio Return Channel feature to send the video to my TV and get sound from Smart TV applications into my receiver. In my case, this was working inconsistently at best and not at all on the Master’s Channel.

After hours of frustration, I made a cabling change on the TV side that resolved my issue. I noticed that one of my HDMI inputs (non ARC input) on my TV was labeled for 4K 60hz instead of 4K 30hz so I switched the output from the receiver into this port. “Presto” everything worked perfectly on the DirecTV side, as well as other HDMI inputs from the receiver. Had DirecTV been able to direct me on this item, hours of frustration would have been saved so I hope this might help other listeners. The downside of this configuration is that I cannot get my Smart TV app sound into my receiver, even with an optical cable. If anyone can give me advice on this issue, I’d appreciate it but I can manually switch the cabling around if I want to use this feature.

So how was the 4K picture quality? Marvelous! The video was razor sharp, the colors were glorious the sound was excellent. I could read the logos and see the dimples on the golf balls on most of the putts. I could see the broken tees and the texture of the blades of grass on the greens. When I flipped over to standard 720p version of the broadcast, these details were obscured. I also noticed that when the camera was focused on the golf balls while they were in flight, they kept their round appearance. In the 720p version, the golf balls in flight had a slight oval appearance. Should note that my TV reported the DirecTV content as 2160p.

The other DirecTV channel that pushes out 4K 24/7 broadcasts are mostly nature programming (like the early days of HD). Details were crisp and clear like the golf tournament. My 4K monitor does not support HDR but I noticed a significant improvement in the contrast between dark and light colors. The brighter images are bright enough cause eye discomfort if I were stare at them too long. I wonder if this would be an issue with HDR.

I also downloaded some of the free on demand 4K programming. While it took a very long time to download, it played great once downloaded. A full length movie would require several hours to download.

Finally, my observation is that there is no comparison between the 4K content on Amazon Prime and DirecTV. The Amazon Prime content I have viewed in 4K is hard to distinguish from 1080 content. I have not tried Netflix 4k. My assessment is that the DirecTV 4K content is the “real deal.”

Overall, I’m glad I made the upgrade but I don’t think this is ready for the masses. This is a bleeding edge upgrade right now that will improve as the DirecTV technicians get up to speed with the technology. Some firmware upgrades might help. The impact of the content protection should not wipe out the ability to watch all channels. Most people who ran into the issues I encountered would have had to have someone come to their home to try to make the fix, possibly to no avail (since the installers may not be fully up to speed). I still haven’t resolved my audio issue to get Smart TV app audio back into my receiver but I’ll tinker with this more in the coming days.

Podcast #735: THX tune-up to the Rescue Apr 15, 2016

THX tune-up to the Rescue

We had a friend recently who was complaining about their HDTV experience at home. They weren’t seeing the quality they were hoping to see after upgrading their TV, and were contemplating returning it. In talking through it with them, we were able to convince them that perhaps the TV settings just needed to be dialed in to look great in their viewing room. They didn’t want to spend money on a professional calibration, so we went to the trusty THX tune-up app to see what we could do.

Install and Setup

If you don’t have THX tune-up, you should get it. We ran the iOS version for this exercise, but they also have an Android version as well. Both are free, so you spend a few seconds downloading and installing it and away you go. We can talk through the specific on setting up the iOS app, because it’s the one we used, but many of the setup steps are the same. The basics are: install the app, launch it, connect it to your TV or AVR. On iOS you can connect it with HDMI or AirPlay.

The app tells you that: “THX tune-up uses both your mobile device screen and your HDTV screen, making this an interactive 2nd screen application.” Of course you would assume that to calibrate the screen the app would need to put images on it. You can’t calibrate it just by looking at pictures on the phone. We used HDMI to connect to the TV, which for iOS requires an AV adapter. Apple sells them for the lightning adapter and the old school 30 pin connector, so no matter what iOS device you have, you’re covered.

We used HDMI because we had the adapter and because HDMI allows you to test audio as well. We didn’t need the audio portion for this time, but if you want to get the full experience out of the app, picking up the adapter so you can connect with HDMI is the way to go. In this case a simple AirPlay mirroring would have worked great for calibrating the screen. So in a pinch, if you just want to dial in display settings, take an AppleTV with you to your friend’s house and you’ll be all set.

There is an app setup step that allows you to tell the app what kind of equipment: Television, Projector, Receiver, etc. you’re connected to. It is optional, but supposedly it could help dial in the tests for your particular gear. Use it if you want, skip it if you don’t care. It really doesn't matter all the much. Once you get setup, you can play the THX deep note through your system for giggles. It’s a pretty cool way to demo your setup, but probably a bit janky to pull out the app just for that.

If you hit the ‘Get Started’ button on the home screen of the app it will play a short video that describes most of the test you can run and what the app will be doing to optimize your home theater experience. It describes the various picture adjustments and what you’ll be doing to get them dialed in just right. Again, this step is totally optional. If you’re new to TV settings and options, it’s a cool primer on what you’re about to do. If you are already familiar with the concepts of brightness, contrast, etc. you can skip it. Just jump directly to the ‘Adjustments’ are of the app.

Calibration

We know this isn’t a real calibration, and we’ll probably get a few emails from the community on it, but there’s just not a better word for use for it. Call it ‘TV setting optimization’ if you like, but for simplicity we’re going to call it calibration. The app has five picture adjustment tests and two audio settings tests, each in their own menu. We didn’t use the audio tests this time, but we’ll talk about them in a bit for completeness. In our case we walked through the Picture Adjustment options because that was all we really cared about.

Picture

The Picture Adjustment setting choices are: Aspect Ratio, Brightness, Contrast, Color, and Tint with a final option called ‘Review Adjustments’ that allows you to review all the setting changes you made with different images/patterns to make sure they all worked as expected. The Aspect Ratio setting shows a pattern to make sure you’re seeing enough of the screen and that shapes are the correct size.This eliminates issues with stretching and overscan. There’s a circle in the middle of the pattern that quickly shows you if you’re dealing with and stretching or distortion issues.

Moving on from Aspect Ratio, you dive into Brightness. This make sure your screen isn’t too dark. You want the screen to be as dark as possible without losing shadow detail or other parts of a dark image. From there you dial in Contrast. Contrast and Brightness are similar, but also quite different. You use Brightness to make sure you can see details in dark images. Contrast makes sure you can see white detail. You want to be able to see slight variations even in white images. With these two dialed in, the subtle details in your images should be much more visible.

Now that you have dark and light dialed in, next you move on to Color. The color adjustment is used to make sure the colors on your TV are light and vibrant but don’t look fake or cartoonish. For this one you need to use the camera to enable the red filter and then look through the phone at the image on your TV. This is actually a really cool way to dial in the color. For many calibration options you get a thin plastic film, either a red or blue filter, to do the same thing. But those are easy to lose or damage.

The tint adjustment makes sure skin tones look good. THX recommends you don’t adjust tint, saying that most TVs should stay right in the middle for tint. But the app does have a test you can run to make sure the middle is the right setting for you. Again this test uses your phone camera with the red filter to get things set correctly. We ended up not changing tint at all.

The last option in the Picture Settings menu is the ‘Review Adjustments’ option. It shows a lot of the same patterns you saw before, all on one screen, and a new test image with a little bit of everything. The test image has a spherical object you can use to test stretching or distortion, some dark areas for shadow detail or brightness, some white clouds to test white color variations or contrast, and a bunch of bright, vivid colors to check color and tint. If you’re happy with it, you’re done.

Sound

The sound adjustment options in the app are Speaker Assignment and Speaker Phase. Assignment helps you make sure the intended sound is played through the intended speaker. The app can test 5.1 or stereo. It doesn't test 7.1 or anything more advanced. The Speaker Phase test allows you to determine accurately where a sound is coming from. If the speakers are out of phase, the test signals are harder to localize. This is a great test to run to make sure you wired everything up correctly.

Conclusion

The THX tune-up app is a great addition to your arsenal as a friendly HDTV expert for friends and family. It certainly isn’t a match for a professional calibration, but it’s great for a quick tune up for all those secondary TVs you have around the house. The picture settings are where the app really shines, so even if you don’t have surround sound with those other TVs, the app still adds great value. For our friend, the TV absolutely looked better after running it through the app, but he still wasn’t satisfied...unless we were streaming 4k from Netflix. For him, it could be an issue with the quality of his 1080/720 content from his provider, or a scaling limitation in the TV. Either way, he has to live with it or decide it’s just too early for him to get into the 4k game.

Podcast #734: What is HDR? Apr 08, 2016

What is HDR?

For more than a year now we have been talking about 4K TVs and how they are supposed to be the next big thing. But in actuality the increased resolution is only mildly better than equally spec’d 1080p HDTVs. We have pointed to case study after case study that says you need very large (100” or more) screen to see a difference between 1080p and 4K when sitting at normal viewing distances. This alone is not a good reason to upgrade.

What has us really excited is what is coming along with these new UHDTVs, HDR (High Dynamic Range) and that IS a good reason to go out and buy a new UHDTV. We have mentioned HDR on previous shows but we we never really talked about what HDR entails in any detail. We thought it would be a good idea to explain what HDR is and why you will want this on your next TV.

First we need to differentiate between HDR in photos and HDR in TVs. Photo HDR combines multiple images with different exposures to create a single image that mimics a greater dynamic range. TV HDR expands the TV's contrast ratio and color palette to offer a more realistic, natural image than what's possible with today's HDTVs. Photo HDR can make a picture look unrealistic whereas TV HDR actually makes the picture look more realistic. HDR capable TVs coupled with HDR content will display a more realistic color range, higher contrast ratio which in turn yields deeper blacks and brighter more vivid colors.

HDR is far more important to your next TV purchase than 4K but at this point in time it is unlikely that there will be a 1080p HDTV that supports HDR so you will end up with a 4K TV regardless. A TV’s ability to display a wider and richer range of colors, brighter whites, and deeper, darker blacks gives the TV picture a more ‘dynamic’ look, which is where the name comes from.

Format War

There are two HDR formats vying for your dollars, one from Dolby and one from Technicolor. However this format war is not like Blu-ray vs HDDVD. You will unlikely be stuck with an orphaned UHDTV. Both of these formats support the HDR-10 specification which is supported by UHD players. Streaming services will more than likely support the HDR-10 format although Netflix has some support for Dolby Vision on some of their original content.

Some TVs manufacturers are supporting both so it's unlikely that you will be stuck with a TV that won’t support HDR content. If we had to choose between a TV that supported only one format we would pick the one that supports Dolby Vision. Dolby has always been out front with it's support at the point of content creation. They are at the studios working with sound mixers and video professionals to make sure their format looks and sounds best. We heard this with Dolby TrueHD and we expect the same with Dolby Vision.

How Do I Know Which TV to Buy?

At CES, the UHD Alliance, a 35-member consortium released a standard called “Ultra HD Premium” which is supposed to make it easy for consumers to identify UHDTVs that meet their specification. To be certified Ultra HD Premium a UHDTV must achieve a brightness of at least 1000 nits. There is no specific HDR specification but there are for black levels and color gamut which will guarantee a minimum level if HDR quality.

What about cables?

You won't need new cables for HDR. Current High-Speed HDMI cables can carry HDR content. The source device (a 4K Blu-Ray player, say) and TV must be HDMI 2.0a to transmit the metadata, however. If you have a receiver and want to use it for switching, it will need to be HDMI 2.0a as well.

HDR content (the key)

All these new features won’t really do anything to enhance your experience unless you have content that takes advantage of it. HDR content is starting to trickle out now and more is on the way. Amazon has a few titles in HDR (Mozart in the Jungle, Red Oaks, and a few others) and Vudu is offering HDR content in Dolby Vision. Netflix streams Marco Polo and Daredevil in HDR. There are also UHD discs that support HDR so if you have a UHD TV that supports HDR you should be able to find something to watch and show it off!

To Sum it Up

Getting the best picture from an HDR TV will require HDR content.
To guarantee your TV will support HDR look for the “Ultra HD Premium” label.
If you really want a UHD TV that does not have the “Ultra HD Premium” label buy a TV that has or comes close to 1000 nits brightness.
HDR from cable, satellite, and OTA are still a bit off.

Podcast #733: OpenHAB and OpenRemote Mar 31, 2016

OpenHAB and OpenRemote

There is this dream we have to be able to automate everything in our homes, but do it ourselves, without hiring an installer, and do it for cheap without breaking the bank. So far we have used a lot of Insteon devices, and tied them into other systems to expand the overall reach of what we could build. Luckily, we aren’t the only ones with this dream and a few open source projects have popped up to help us DIY-ers achieve our dreams.

OpenHAB

OpenHAB is a vendor and technology agnostic open source automation software for your home. Their claim is that you can build your smart home in no time. The name stands for Open Home Automation Bus, and for those familiar with electronics, you know the bus in computer terms is less like a real bus and more like a highway. It is a set of conductors carrying data and control signals within a computer system, to which pieces of equipment are connected and how they communicate with each other.

So OpenHAB is the central nervous system of your home automation environment. It is used to connect all your devices and allows them to communicate, and also allows you to act as the brain to send commands to each of them. They describe it as “a software for integrating different home automation systems and technologies into one single solution that allows over-arching automation rules and that offers uniform user interfaces.” This means openHAB is designed to be absolutely vendor-neutral as well as hardware and protocol agnostic.

Drilling down on that, it is pretty flexible, it can run on any device that is capable of running a JVM (Linux, Mac, Windows). It allows you to integrate a plethora of different home automation technologies into one cohesive system. And also has the brain: it includes a powerful rule engine to fulfill all your automation needs. Out of the box it comes with different web-based UIs as well as native UIs for iOS and Android. It is fully open source, so new devices and protocols can be added at any time. You can even add them if you want to contribute and become a member of the passionate and growing community responsible for maintaining it. If you don’t want to contribute code, it is easily extensible to integrate with new systems and devices and provides APIs for being integrated in other systems.

The openHAB website provides a great description of the core philosophy behind the project:

“openHAB does not try to replace existing solutions, but rather wants to enhance them - it can thus be considered as a system of systems. It therefore assumes that the sub-systems are setup and configured independently of openHAB as this is often a very specific and complex matter (including “pairing” processes, direct device links etc.). Instead, openHAB focuses on the “daily use” side of things and abstracts from the devices themselves.

A core concept for openHAB is the notion of an “item”. An item is a data-centric functional atomic building block - you can think of it as an “capability”. openHAB does not care whether an item (e.g. a temperature value) is related to a physical device or some “virtual” source like a web service or an calculation result. All features offered by openHAB are using this “item” abstraction, which means that you will not find any reference to device specific things (like IP addresses, IDs etc.) in automation rules, UI definitions and so on. This makes it perfectly easy to replace one technology by another without doing any changes to rules and UIs.

A very important aspect of openHAB’s architecture is its modular design. It is very easy to add new features (like the integration with yet another system through a “binding”) and you can add and remove such features at runtime. This modular approach has been a huge enabler for the active community around openHAB with many engaged contributors.”

OpenHAB has a huge list of supported technologies including: Benq, Epson projectors, Denon, Onkyo and Pioneer receivers, LG and Panasonic TVs, DMX lighting, ecobee and Nest thermostats, Insteon Hub and PLM, Z-Wave devices, Google calendar, Twitter, Logitech Harmony remotes, Plex and XBMC media servers, Sonos devices, and the list goes on. No mention on the website of any support for Amazon Echo or Apple HomeKit. Our gut says someone in the passionate and growing community is working on it, but we have no proof of that.

We haven’t had a chance to toy with openHAB ourselves yet, freetime has been pretty scarce lately. But it looks very promising and we’ve added it to our list of todo items. From the forum and other various internet posts we’ve read, it looks very promising. Yes it is bare-bones. And yes it requires a lot of setup and configuration, but that also means it allows for a very deep level of customization. For those who have the time and the patience, it could be awesome. For those who want something to “just work” out of the box, you’re probably better off going with a commercial solution.

OpenRemote

Just like we talked about when we discussed Play-Fi a few episodes ago, there can never be just one protocol or system or methodology for something. Thus in addition to OpenHAB, you have another option in OpenRemote. From the descriptions on the website, they feel almost identical in capabilities and philosophy. OpenRemote has more references to commercial applications, and a few more links for professionals like installers, distributors, integrators, etc. So it feels like OpenRemote’s plans are a bit more grandiose while OpenHAB is targeted more at the DIY-er.

The OpenRemote website describes the project as:

“OpenRemote is software integration platform for residential and commercial building automation. OpenRemote platform is automation protocol agnostic, operates on off-the-shelf hardware and is freely available under an Open Source license. OpenRemote's architecture enables fully autonomous and user-independent intelligent buildings. End-user control interfaces are available for iOS and Android devices, and for devices with modern web browsers. User interface design, installation management and configuration can be handled remotely with OpenRemote cloud-based design tools.”

Reading through the About page at openRemote.org gives you the distinct impression that the project is aimed at professionals, but can also be used by someone in their home, just instead of deploying the solution to a commercial building, you run it in your house. Because of this the project feels more mature or more feature rich than OpenHAB. It has to support a demanding user group who are supporting demanding customers. It can’t just break when the automation of a commercial or retail establishment are built on it. Several forum posts claim OpenRemote has better support for more devices, but to be fair, most of those were posted at the openRemote website. So they’re already invested.

For example, on the About page they have info about the main components of the system:

“OpenRemote Designer is an online software application designed to rapidly and easily create touch-driven control panels. You can create multiple user profiles and customize user interfaces for each one: each user profile can have its individual preferences, branding, favorites and individual set of controls and tailored for panel hardware capabilities.

With OpenRemote Designer you can remotely maintain device configurations and update user interfaces as your customer's preferences evolve. Remotely managed updates, system diagnosis and device discovery means more efficient service and less travel time between office and customer sites.

OpenRemote Controller is deployed on customer site and autonomously manages intelligence in the building. Reacting to schedules, sensor events and user actions, it handles the overall runtime performance after initial design has been created. OpenRemote Controller also provides the device and protocol integration capabilities in the OpenRemote platform. We support deployment of panels on Apple iPhones, Apple iPad, Android phones and tablets and standard desktop web browsers.”

OpenRemote will connect and control devices from: AMX, KNX, Lutron, Z-Wave, 1-Wire, EnOcean, xPL, Insteon, X10, Infrared, Russound, GlobalCache, IRTrans, XBMC, VLC, panStamps, Denon AVR, FreeBox, MythTV, and more. No mention of Amazon Echo or HomeKit. The brain of the system allows you to create Intelligent buildings (or homes) with automated rules, scripts and events. And you can install and run it on Windows, Linux, Mac, Raspberry Pi, Alix, Synology, ReadyNAS, QNAP and others.

Like OpenHAB, we haven’t tried OpenRemote. On one hand OpenRemote seems like a great option because of the additional supported devices. On the other hand, it does feel quite a bit heavier, and if we don’t have any of those additional devices, that support is somewhat irrelevant. OpenHAB feels like it was built more for guys like us, the DIY-er who isn’t trying to create automated solutions for commercial or retail environments. We’re just trying to make our homes a little smarter. But we would love your feedback. If you have experience with either, share it with us so we can share it with the other listeners. You might be able to help us set priority for which one we try first.

Podcast #732 : Audioengine HD6 Powered Speaker Review Mar 25, 2016

Audioengine HD6 Powered Speaker Review We have been reviewing Audioengine speakers since just about the beginning of the company’s existence. We started with the A5 and have more or less used every product that Audioengine has released. Whether it's been the original A5s from almost 10 years ago to their high performance D1 DAC. Everyone product we have reviewed has delivered on Audioengine’s commitment to build innovative and high quality audio products!

Today we are reviewing the flagship HD6 powered speakers (Buy Now $750). The HD6 takes everything we liked about the A5 and turns it up a notch. In addition to the analog inputs of the A5 you now can add digital optical along with aptX Bluetooth to supply your HD6 with the highest quality audio that you can. With the Bluetooth option you no longer have to connect an external device to drive the speakers which makes placement a breeze.

Fit and finish are first rate (veneer over MDF) and you have three to chose from, Walnut, Cherry, and Black. We received Walnut and they look beautiful and matched our living room perfectly. Each speaker is quite heavy with the one that includes the amplifier weighing in at 17.5 lbs (8kg) while the passive speaker weighs 12.5 lbs (5.5kg). The speakers come double boxed which will protect them during shipping and they are packaged in soft felt bags that can be reused.

Features:

Built-in Class A/B monoblock power amplifiers
Inputs include analog, optical and Advanced Bluetooth aptX
Audiophile-grade components
Furniture finishes and magnetic grilles
Solid aluminum remote control

Setup

It's pretty much a three step setup. First you connect the left and right speakers with the included speaker wire. A nice touch by Audioengine is that the wire is pre-fitted with banana plugs. Next you connect your source. In our case we connected an Apple Airport Express via an optical cable. Then we connected power! That’s it! If you wanted to use bluetooth you would substitute pairing the devices with connecting your source. Either way it's three steps and you are off to the races.

The speakers also include an aluminum remote control which feels pretty substantial in the hand. There is no setup required to use the remote. Once we set a volume that we were happy with we pretty much never picked it up again rather choosing to use the volume control of our iPhone or itunes.

Performance

These speakers sounded great out of the box but the bass was a bit boomy. Audioengine recommends about 40 hours to break them in but we heard dramatic improvement after about ten. The bass tightened up and the mids and highs were clear and no longer obscured by the bass.

The Eagles - Hotel California Hell Freezes Over Live Album

We have used this track on many of our speaker reviews because it really shows how well a speaker can reproduce the high frequencies and bass in one track. The intro guitar solo is crisp, clean and tight! Then you are rewarded bassy drums that are just as good. The last 45 seconds of this track feature some of the best acoustic guitar you will hear anywhere. The HD6 reproduced this faithfully.

The Who - Baba O'Riley

We chose this track for the classic intro that has become iconic. You clearly hear the sound moving from right to left. Then comes the piano, drums, and guitar and with each additional element we listened to make sure that they were distinct and clear. We did not have to struggle to hear the instruments separate from the vocals.

Steely Dan - Deacon Blues (Actually the entire A Decade of Steely Dan Remastered Album)

Deacon Blues was already one of Ara’ favorites but the remastered version is even better! You can hear everything clearly and the HD6 is just sound so smooth and warm. Everything from the drums, bass and especially the sax sound like the band is in the room with you.

Listening to this track specifically and the whole album in general transported Ara back to his highschool days listening on an old beat up turntable. The original never sounded this good back then but Ara remembered it so fondly that you might call the HD6s a time machine for transporting him back in time.

Beastie Boys – Brass Monkey

Say what you will about the song but it's a great test for how well your speakers can get down. We mean really down. The HD6 did extremely well with it. The bass was super tight and clear. We had it cranked up pretty loud too! As long as we were on the Beastie Boys we kept it going with Fight For Your Right (to Party). That was more of an homage to every hockey rink in North America that plays that song after a fight! Not quite as loud as Staples Center but still fun anyway.

Stevie Ray Vaughan – Tin Pan Alley

This track has wide dynamic range and excellent stage presence. You can hear the separation between individual instruments and vocals so clearly that you think you are in a club listening to him. And the bass, oh man the bass is awesome! Seriously this man left us way too early!

Conclusion

If you are serious about your music you have to give the HD6 an audition. The HD6 produces rich deep bass and crisp clear high frequencies that you will discover nuances in music that you have been listening to for years . At $750, the HD6 is a bit on the expensive side, but for those who want to fill a large room with music, they’re worth every penny!

Podcast #731: DTS Play-Fi Mar 18, 2016

DTS Play-Fi

We had a chance to check out the WiSA standard in our review of the Axiim Q Wireless Home Theater System on Podcast 728 a couple weeks ago. On top of that, Ara is a big AirPlay fan for whole house audio and Braden is invested in Sonos. Since we can’t have just one, or even four, standards, it looks like another competing technology, this one from DTS, is hoping to fulfill our dreams of wireless audio around the home. The technology, called DTS Play-Fi, looks pretty promising and has some solid companies in its corner.

What is it?

DTS markets Play-Fi as a premium, whole-home wireless audio ecosystem. They are quick to point out that the technology is open and available to anyone. Not open as in free, but open as in unrestricted access. They claim to have the largest ecosystem of brands in the world, allowing you to build an AirPlay or Sonos like system, without the restrictions that come with those platforms. Since all Play-Fi products are seamlessly interoperable, you have the freedom to select the perfect speaker for each room, and know that they will all work together as if they came from one manufacturer.

With AirPlay from Apple, you get a lot of freedom to select the right speaker, but you’re pretty limited on the control side. Apple really wants you to control the system from one of their products. There are third party apps that allow you to stream to AirPlay devices from an Android phone, but nothing like the native support you get from an Apple device. Sonos is the complete other side of the spectrum. You have total freedom in how you control your audio system, use a Mac, a Windows PC, an iPhone or iPad, or any Android phone or tablet. But you have to buy Sonos speakers. There aren’t any non-Sonos speakers that will work in that system.

DTS actually came by the technology via their acquisition of a company called Phorus in July 2012. Phorus was using the technology in their PS1 speakers. Staying consistent with how DTS tends to operate, they decided to open the platform and license it, hoping to get on as many devices as they possibly could. They didn’t want to make the devices themselves, they wanted to build a technology to allow their partners to enable wireless, whole-home streaming and take a little cut. It has worked out pretty well for them with other technologies.

What does it do?

In a nutshell, it allows you to essentially build your own Sonos with any devices you like. Prefer the tonal quality of one speaker brand over another? Go for it. Buy their Play-Fi speakers. Prefer the aesthetic look of a particular speaker, have at it. Want to control it from an Android phone? iPhone? Windows PC? Go for it. All with native support. Bottom line, stream your favorite content at high audio quality from every device that you've got.

Like Airplay, Play-Fi sends audio from your devices to speakers throughout the home over WiFi using their proprietary streaming, synchronization, and authentication technology. Features include:

Lossless audio transmission
Multi-room, multi-zone, multi-user options
Advanced Left/Right speaker configuration for stereo speakers
Support for high-resolution audio (24bit/192kHz)
New features and services delivered wirelessly
Works over standard Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and Powerline networks
For Android, iOS, Kindle Fire, and Windows PCs

Just like Sonos and AirPlay, Play-Fi works over your home WiFi network. If you have spotty WiFi coverage in some rooms, this could be an issue. And you need to make sure your router is up to the task of streaming all that music simultaneously. Play-Fi support streaming the same source to up to eight devices simultaneously. Of the three, only Sonos offers the ability to create its own dedicated network by connecting one of your devices via hard-wire to your router. In this mode each Sonos device also operates as a wireless repeater, extending the range of the dedicated network and helping you overcome spotty WiFi issues.

And, of course, Play-Fi comes with a bunch of music options from around the world. The native app has support for Spotify, Pandora (enabled for select Play-Fi products only), Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, Deezer, Songza, Sirius XM, KKBox in Taiwan, QQ Music in China, and multiple others. They also support DLNA for access to content from your local network. And they’re adding new sources all the time. Since the sources come from the control devices, the speakers don’t need to be updated to support new ones as they come out.

Doing a feature for feature comparison, Sonos and Play-Fi are fairly neck and neck, while AirPlay lacks a few capabilities they both offer. We already know Apple doesn’t do Android, but AirPlay also only supports multi-zone streaming from an iTunes collection on a computer, not from your iPhone or iPad. AirPlay can’t stream from multiple sources, and doesn’t support left/right stereo pairing, while both of the others do. Play-Fi differentiates itself from both of the other options with support for High-Resolution (24bit/192kHz) files and a 5GHz Wi-Fi option for interference-free playback on most devices.

What doesn’t it do?

WiSA gives you up to 7.1 surround sound, all wirelessly. Sonos provides a surround sound experience by pairing two Play:1 speakers for rear surround with a PlayBar sound bar for front L/C/R and a Sub to make it go boom. Not really a full surround sound experience, but absolutely better than a sound bar all by itself. Like AirPlay, Play-Fi does not have an option right now for wireless surround sound in your home theater. They have sound bar options from a few manufacturers, but nothing for the rear or side surrounds.

To be frank, this really surprised us when we started looking into the tech. We naturally assumed that a company best known for surround sound would use their wireless technology to enable that in your home theater. No such luck. There are even a couple receiver and processor options from Anthem that have native Play-Fi support. Just not for surround sound. You can use them to stream music to your home theater speakers, but only in stereo.

Device Options

Play-Fi has an impressive lineup of technology partners. Anthem offers two receivers and a pre/pro. There are speaker choices from Definitive Technology, MartinLogan, McIntosh, Paradigm, Phorus, Polk Audio, and Wren. Many of whom also offer a sound bar option or two. Other partners include certain Hewlett-Packard tablet models and Fusion Research who make the first multi-source server designed specifically for the custom installation market so you can integrate Play-Fi into your home automation system. They have partners announced with products to come in the future like Klipsch, Rotel, Dish Network, Acer, Arcam, SVS and more.

Conclusion

We aren’t looking at another VHS vs Beta, Blu-ray vs HD-DVD format war for wireless audio protocols in your home theater just yet, but it could happen. Right now for whole-house audio, much like automation protocols, if there are enough devices, or more specifically the right devices to meet your needs, in the technology camp you select, you should be fine. With the relationships they already have from licensing surround sound technology, and the established expertise in audio, DTS should be able to build a solid ecosystem that only grows over time. They already have more options that just about any competing technology.

Podcast #730: Interview - Will Price CEO Simple Control Mar 11, 2016

Interview - Will Price CEO Simple Control

Ara has been using Simple Control as his home remote for many years. It is the one piece of gear that he can’t live without. His setup includes three rooms, lights, thermostats, and iTunes control all in one great looking app. We produced a video demonstrating the capabilities, though a little dated they show the capabilities pretty well.

Virtual Remotes - Simple Control provides a virtual remote control for any supported device, automatically optimizing each remote for iOS. Simple Control provides all of the commands from your original remote and often more advanced commands including “discrete” power on and off.
Live Feedback - Simple Control provides advanced two-way feedback support for many devices via direct network control or serial connection. Unlike older universal remotes, Simple Control knows your receiver’s volume level, power status, mute, input, and mode allowing you to view and control these aspects of your system in ways impossible with infrared. Simple Control integrates with Blu-ray players to allow live scrubbing and elapsed/total time displays, integrates streaming and USB song feedback from popular receivers, provides guides for DISH, TiVo, and DirecTV DVR content, and many other examples. Once you’ve tried live feedback, you’ll wonder how you ever used home theater components without it.
Control All Your Music - Keep things in tune. With Simple Control, you not only have all your music in your pocket. You hold the key to every speaker in your home. It’s like being the conductor of your own personal home orchestra.
iTunes/Apple TV Integration - Simple Control controls iTunes installations on your Mac OS X or Windows sytems directly via your network. All your music, TV shows, movies, and other iTunes content can be controlled directly from Simple Control like another home theater device. Simple Control can even control Airplay through iTunes to stream your music from iTunes to an Apple TV or other Airplay compatible device on your network. Simple Control has direct network control of supported Apple TV models including gestures, media feedback and keyboard support.
SONOS Integration - Simple Control even supports any Sonos device including speaker grouping. A Simple Service subscription provides Sonos speakers a media guide for the your entire music library including Pandora, Internet radio, Sonos Queue, Sonos Favorites, iTunes playlists, inputs, Pandora thumbs up/down, station creation and more.

TV Guide Listings - Simple Control provides integrated cable, satellite and antenna television listings for the US, UK, Canada and 31 other countries. Your listings are personalized with favorite channels and integrated with your devices to tune channels directly. Information on each show provides episode tracking, descriptions, Next On schedules, cast and crew information and photos, and detailed talent biographies and filmographies.

DISH, DirecTV and TiVo DVR Guides - Supported set top boxes include DISH’s Hopper/Joey, DirecTV and TiVo Roamio/Premiere with the ability to browse and play programs recorded on your DVR. Never miss a moment with the DVR recording and schedule editing capabilities for DISH and TiVo models

Podcast #729: KEF T-Series 5.1 Speaker System Mar 04, 2016

KEF T-Series 5.1 Speaker System

We all tend to agree with the idea that you can’t have your cake and eat it too, especially when it comes to speakers in your home theater. You can either get small, good looking speakers that match your aesthetic decor, or you can get good sound. You can’t have both. KEF, and their T Series speakers, would like to respectfully disagree. Braden recently ran into a listener who ordered some T series speakers when he realized we had never posted a review of them.

One of the more requested KEF lines is the T Series because of their unique thin profile. We haven’t listened to every KEF speaker, so our standard response to questions was that they looked good, but we couldn’t really judge the sound because we just hadn’t heard them. So we got some a while back. We were, though, a bit skeptical that a speaker that thin could sound as good as a speaker with a standard depth cabinet.

System

The T Series line of speakers are very thin, high performance home theater speakers designed to compliment your flat panel television. The speakers themselves only measure 1.4 inches or 35 mm thick and are designed to be flush mounted to the wall. In the literature and on the website KEF promises “several landmark innovative driver technologies” that are supposed to allow speakers this thin to sound as good as traditional, bigger bookshelf style speakers.

KEF sells the T Series in three configurations; all three are comprised of different combinations of the same three basic units, the T101 satellite speaker, the T301 satellite speaker and the T-2 subwoofer. All three include a T301c for the center channel and a T-2 subwoofer. The T105 system includes four T101 sats for the front and surround speakers and retails for $1699 US ($1649). The T205 system steps up to T301s for the front left and right speakers and keeps the T101s for the surrounds and goes for $1849. The top of the line T305 system uses T301 speakers in the front and the surround and retails for $2199.

We have the T205 system.

Design

The speakers look great. They have a diminutive design that, as you would expect, doesn’t stand out, but tries to blend somewhat seamlessly into a flat panel environment. The speakers all have black grilles and thin black bezels with a small KEF badge. The T301c center speaker has a sideways name badge so it looks right when you mount it horizontally as you typically do with center speakers. The T-2 subwoofer is thin and unobtrusive as well. At 7 inches, it isn’t quite as thin as the speakers, (measures 15 x 14.6 x 7), but it is very easy to get it out of sight to make it heard, but not seen.

Installation

The T Series come with small pedestal stand you can attach so that they can be placed on a cabinet or a shelf, or you can leave the pedestal off and mount them to the wall. They also come with a wall plate that can be attached to the wall for mounting the speakers as flush as possible. To make it easier, they come with templates you can use to get the wall plates aligned and installed just right. Speaker wires are attached in a smart way that doesn’t require binding posts, so there really isn’t anything pushing the speaker off the wall at all.

Performance

Once you get them installed and have admired how nice they look, you’ll want to actually get some sound cranking through them to test the promise of high performance in a thin package. To be perfectly honest, we weren’t expecting to be blown away. Having been conditioned for years on what size cabinet it takes to really make great speakers, we were hopeful that the speakers would be decent, but didn’t want to really judge them against “real” speakers. Boy were we surprised.

We’re home theater guys, so we started right in with 5.1 content. We threw every piece of test content we could find at the speakers to see how they would perform and where they would fall down - and we were amazed. They did a great job with just about everything we handed them. From loud, intense action scenes like you find in Transformers and Spider-man 2 to the more subtle sounds you find in movies like Road to Perdition or Gladiator, the T Series speakers were great. At high volumes, they sounded loud, crisp and very clear. At low volumes they still had enough punch and clarity to deliver all the subtle details.

Of course, the T-2 subwoofer is a must. It clearly rounds out the full surround sound effect and without it you’d be left feeling somewhat flat. But we were surprised at how well it, too, was able to deliver a strong, powerful sound from such a small package. The specs say it will reproduce sound down to 30Hz. It doesn’t go as low as other subwoofers we’ve used, and we didn’t measure it to double check the 30Hz claim, but to our ears it certainly went low enough to deliver the boom you need for good home theater surround sound. The key is how seamlessly the sound blends between the speakers and the sub, making the whole surround sound experience quite smooth and seamless. We compared it to a couple other subs we had laying around and it clearly outperformed a couple we thought should beat it, judging solely on the size of the box they were in.

We did take the time to listen to music, and we recommend using it as a 2.1 system, not a 2.0 system. The speakers by themselves without the sub lack the oomph you want to get from any style of music. So just like TV and movies, the subwoofer is a must for music through the T Series setup. But we cranked Guns n Roses, blasted latin music and jazz and brought it down for some symphony and classical guitar. Everything sounded great, at any volume level. Practically the only thing we didn’t try was country music, because we all know it would take more than great speakers to make that sound good (please direct all angry emails to Braden).

Conclusion

It turns out KEF has shown that it might just be possible to have your cake and eat it too. They showed us that modern technology can change some of the preconceived notions we all have about what it takes to reproduce great sound. The key is to choose what you’re comparing the T Series speakers with. If you try to compare them to more expensive speakers, they won’t sound as good. But you can expect the T Series speakers to perform right up there with any other speaker at this price point, regardless of the size of the cabinet. In some cases, the T Series might actually sound better. Top that off with a very pleasing aesthetic and you have a winning combination.

The bottom line is that Ara wouldn’t replace his KEF Q series speakers with the T Series because the Q speakers sound better. If they didn’t, why would KEF sell any speaker other than the T Series? Likewise, Braden won’t be swapping out his Klipsch reference speakers in his home theater for the T Series. But if you compare the T Series speakers with an equivalent alternative, like the Klipsch reference satellites from a few years back that we happen to still have a set of lying around, we found that the T Series sounds better. But speakers are like ice cream, everybody has their favorite flavor and they all taste slightly different to each of us. You need to trust your own ears when it comes to speakers and listen to them for yourself.

Podcast #728: Axiim Q Wireless Home Theater System Feb 25, 2016

Axiim Q Wireless Home Theater System

This podcast is going on eleven years and one thing that we have heard from the beginning is that there are too many wires required to setup a 5.1 or 7.1 home theater system. Wireless has always been the dream but it's never been good enough. That is until today!

The Axiim Q is a multi-channel wireless HD audio/video system that is WiSA compliant and supports up to 7.1 uncompressed 24bit/96kHz surround sound that is simple to setup and use. And right now you can buy a 5.1 system for $1,500 (7.1 for $2,000). This price will go up after the beta period.

Features:

HD Wireless Audio - Up to 7.1 surround sound with WiSA compliant wireless 24bit/96kHz audio. Bluetooth connection for audio streaming.
Audio Format Support - Up to Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio.
Audio Control - 10 band graphics equalizer, volume, and distance calibration per speaker.
HD Video - Up to 1080p 60fps and 3D modes.
Inputs - Six HDMI inputs with CEC. Four USB 2.0 and eSATA for connected peripherals.
Outputs - HDMI output to TV.
Remote - Bluetooth remote and IR port for users with universal remote control (i.e. Harmony).
Network - Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11ac WiFi.
Network Features - Firmware update.
Connected Drive Features - Music discovery from USB and eSATA connected hard drives.
Apps - iOS and Android remote control apps.

Setup

It took fifty minutes to get up and running and that included opening the shipping boxes and removing the packaging. The speakers themselves are beautifully built and have some heft to them. The only cable coming out of the back is a power cable. Once you have the speakers placed you connect the AVR to power and a TV and then begin the setup.

First you connect to wifi and then the system sends a tone to a speaker. You identify which speaker it is and bam! Your system is configured. Then you calibrate your speakers. This is the only place where the system is not ideal. You use your phone's microphone to and point it towards the individual speakers as instructed on screen. It is used to determine distance and levels, no EQ. However, nothing will prevent you from using a third party app to determine EQ and then manually set it. There are even EQ presets and to be honest they sounded pretty good. We really don’t think this is a deal breaker at all.

Performance

First let’s talk about wireless before we get into the speakers. We could not see any lag in audio and video. If you didn’t know it you would think you were watching/listening to a wired system. During our testing we turned on the microwave and had a home full of wifi transmissions and did not experience one audio dropout. We didn’t hear one hiss, pop, or click! Dead silent when it was supposed to. We had a true 5.1 audio system in a room that was not setup for any home entertainment! The dream was realized.

Axiim is using the WiSA standard:

WiSA defines a set of attributes for Wireless Speaker and Audio technology that combine to deliver unmatched performance and ease of use for the home theater consumer. WiSA technology transmits 24-bit audio at sample rates up to 96k/second, with robust error recovery for uninterrupted listening enjoyment. With extremely low latency and negligible speaker-to-speaker delay, it offers flawless wired-quality performance and reliability.

WiSA technology operates in the relatively unused 5.2 to 5.8 GHz UNII radio frequency spectrum, reliably transmitting uncompressed HD audio from 2-channel stereo to 7.1 surround, along with system configuration and calibration data. Older wireless technologies, by contrast, operate in the same crowded frequency band used by cordless phones, baby monitors, security monitors, wireless Internet hubs, and microwaves—resulting in interference and poor quality audio.

The WiSA Association was created to provide an interoperability compliance program for speaker brands and manufacturers of CE devices. Consumers purchasing products bearing the WiSA logo can be confident that these products will work together flawlessly in the home theater environment. This level of compliance is especially critical for new and emerging technologies such as wireless audio.

What that means is you can buy an AVR from one company, speakers from another, and a subwoofer from yet another. Right now Klipsch, Definitive Technology, and Martin Logan are selling WiSA compliant speakers in addition to Axiim.

From an audio point of view the speakers performed quite well. Ara’s first Home Theater in a box was a Yamaha that cost $1,000 and had terrible speakers that sounded like they were tin cans. This system costs a little more but it is night and day better quality. The center channel measures just 5.8 x 14.1 x 5.7 in (147 x 358 x 145 mm) but produces audio with depth and clarity, and texture of larger speakers. The system comes with a ten inch sealed subwoofer with a frequency response of 20 - 100 hertz. Our test material for the subwoofer was the final boxing match in Real Steel. When the champion is announced and he jumps into the ring we were able to feel the thump as he lands. The Surrounds provided all kinds of ambiance that made you feel like you were part of the crowd. When the announcer did the intro the echo sounded realistic and added to the experience.

We also tested with Lone Survivor because there are a lot of effects that involve bullets flying overhead. The Q System had no issues with this or any other surround material we threw at it. We soon forgot that there were no wires and concentrated on how great a 5.1 system sounded in our living room. A room that only an hour before had no A/V system in it and had no wiring for speakers! We also listened to some music and we felt that it did a good job here too. A little on the bright side at first and then we adjusted the EQ and it sounded richer and fuller.

Odds and Ends

IR Remote - We pretty much ignored it and went with the iOS app to control the system after we got it on our network
Updates! - The people at Axiim are constantly tweaking the software which is why it's still technically a beta product. But we see this as a good thing.
No Dolby Atmos - The system supports 8 channels so at best it will be able to support a 5.1.2 configuration.
Multiple Zones - Right now there is no concept of this but after speaking with the company they are working on it.
Expandable - You can start out with a 5.1 system and then add an additional two speakers to upgrade to a 7.1 system.

Conclusion

Many of our listeners have asked us to recommend wireless solutions for their home theater over the years. We have tested and rejected all but a few and the acceptable solutions still required some speaker wire from an external amp. Not exactly wireless! The Axiim Q Wireless Home Theater System is the first one that delivers on the the promise of a truly wireless system that is simple to install, looks fantastic and sounds great! We hate having to send it back! It would be so easy to bring 5.1 to your master bedroom that we are seriously thinking about buying one!

Podcast #727: So You Need to Replace a Plasma… Feb 19, 2016

So You Need to Replace a Plasma…

Whether you’re a plasma owner lamenting the day when you’ll need to replace or upgrade it, or you always wanted to be a plasma owner but missed your chance before they went extinct, there are options out there you may not be too bummed out about. We’ll admit, the Pioneer Kuro demo we saw at CES several years ago is still the single most jaw dropping television demo we’ve ever seen. But it may not have actually been the best TV we’ve ever seen.

The History

While Plasma TVs were still an option for us, the big debate was between plasma technology and the competing flat panel tech, LCD. Eventually LCD came to include LED LCD in addition to the traditional bulb or CCFL based LCD sets. Let’s be perfectly honest, both had their pros and cons. We talked about it quite often on the show when the debate was hot. Sure, plasma was great, but let’s not rewrite history. It had its detractors. And as we all know, it ultimately lost the war.

Plasma Pros / LCD Cons:

Plasma has better off angle viewing. This has been helped tremendously on LCD sets with the advent of IPS or In-Plane Switching, but LCD remains no match for plasma in the off-angle viewing department.
Plasma has better color saturation. The colors on a plasma TV are more accurate than the LCD screens because plasma technology is better at controlling the relative light intensity for each individual pixel. Which also yields...
Plasma has better contrast ratios and black levels. Plasma technology is much better at producing those rich, inky blacks we all want to see. LCD is helped enormously by local dimming, but still not a match for plasma.
Plasma has better response times / refresh rates. Delays in refresh rates or slow response times produce what is known as motion blur on a television. This is when a fast moving object or scene loses clarity or definition as it passes by. LCD suffers from it, plasma does not.

Plasma Cons / LCD Pros:

LCDs are brighter. Plasma may produce deeper blacks, but LCDs are far brighter. Plasma also tends to suffer from worse screen reflections, making LCD a far superior experience in bright rooms or rooms where it is difficult to control ambient light.
LCDs are lighter. Let’s be honest, plasmas are crazy heavy. LCDs are far easier to move, to mount, to install, to work with in general.
LCDs are more energy efficient. You’ll save a little on your electricity bill and feel like you’re giving back to the environment. While the gap was never as big in reality as LCD manufacturers would have led you to believe, LCD is a less power hungry technology.
LCDs emit less heat. Plasmas can really heat up a room. Depending on where you live, and the time of year, this may not be an issue, but LCDs emit far less heat.
LCD has better resolution. LCD is the only 4k technology of the two.

If you remove CCFL LCDs from the equation and focus only on LED LCDs, all of the pros and cons are the same, but the gap is far smaller. LCD is still better in the areas where it has always outperformed, even increasing the margin in some areas like energy efficiency. On the LCD cons list, they all remain, but LED narrows that lead significantly. LED TVs can produce very good blacks, have improved on contrast ratios and with increased refresh rates have dramatically reduced motion blur. Of course this has lead to the Soap Opera Effect, but that’s something else altogether.

Plasma vs OLED

The debate between plasma and OLED was rare. Plasma was available at a normal price, OLED was astronomical. By the time OLED started to drop, plasma had already died a lonely death. That didn’t stop a few of us from debating the relative merits of the two technologies during their brief overlap. The debate was over quite quickly. OLED outperforms plasma in pretty much every category. It has a better color gamut, better black levels, better contrast, better brightness, better response times, everything is better.

Well, maybe not everything. At the time we were able to debate it, the plasma was still cheaper and available in larger screen sizes, so it had two wins in its column. Some claimed better off angle viewing, but only because they were comparing with curved OLED. Since we all know curved is a goofy gimmick, we can throw that one out. So at the time, plasma was an inferior display technology, but it was one you could actually afford, so it had that going for it.

The Decision

So the decision today is: do you replace a plasma with an LED TV or an OLED? It’s pretty obvious that if OLED is a superior display technology to plasma, and plasma is better than LED, then it stands to reason that OLED is far better the LED. Now that you can buy a 4k OLED, there really isn’t any display technology category where LED has an edge over OLED. If picture quality is the only consideration, the choice is clear: replace the plasma with an OLED.

However, we all live in the real world, a world where picture quality isn’t the only consideration. We have budget considerations and screen size considerations, and those tend to map directly to finance and aesthetics committee considerations. LED TVs are still significantly cheaper, even in 4k resolution, and available in a much wider array of screen sizes. And for most of us, maximizing what we can get for our money is the biggest consideration. Any way you slice it, that will lead you back to LED.

This wasn’t meant to depress or confuse anyone. If you’re looking for the absolute best screen you can buy, a replacement for a Pioneer Kuro or a Panasonic Z series, that’s OLED. Hands down. If you’re looking for a great TV on a normal budget, or you want a really big screen, LED TVs are really, really good. And top that off with the 4k resolution and you should be quite happy for quite a while. When OLED drops to the same price for the same screen size, pick one up. And rest assured there will be another technology close on its heels that is even better, and even more expensive. Us plasma early adopters know that all too well.

Podcast #726: ELAC B5 Debut Bookshelf Speakers Feb 12, 2016

ELAC B5 Debut Bookshelf Speakers

Last year Ara went to The Home Entertainment Show (T.H.E. Show) in Newport Beach where he saw some extremely expensive AV equipment. There were rooms full of gear costing more than $100,000 and speakers from companies, some of which you have heard of, and many more from companies that only audiophiles would know. There was so much to be impressed with but alas, they were only a pipe dream for Ara as he still had a mortgage to pay and a daughter to put through college. By the way, this year’s “Show” is June 3 - 5 at the Hotel Irvine in Irvine CA.

What caught Ara’s eye, or ears for that matter, were some extremely affordable speakers from ELAC USA. They were showing off a new design by world renowned speaker designer Andrew Jones. Andrew Jones had previously designed a line of affordable speakers for Pioneer. There were about twenty people in the room when the music started. Everyone’s reaction was pretty similar… disbelief that a small bookshelf speaker costing $230 a pair could sound so good and produce deep deep bass!

Now that Debut line is available we bought a pair of the B5s (Buy Now $230) and put it through it's paces. But first the specs:

Speaker type: 2-way, bass reflex
Frequency response: 46 to 20,000 Hz
Nominal impedance: 6 Ω
Sensitivity: 85 dB at 2.83 v/1m
Crossover frequency: 3,000 Hz
Maximum power input: 120 Watts
Tweeter: 1-inch cloth dome with custom deep-spheroid waveguide
Woofer: 5.25-inch woven aramid-fiber cone with oversized magnet and vented pole piece
Cabinet: CARB2 rated MDF
Port: Dual flared
Binding posts: 5-way metal
Width (each): 7.87 in / 200 mm
Height: 12.75 in / 324 mm
Depth: 8.75 in / 222 mm
Net weight (each): 11.5 lb / 5.2 kg
Gross weight (packaged pair): 26.2 lb / 11.9 kg

Fit and Finish

The speakers are quite basic in appearance. You can have any color and finish as long as it's black brushed vinyl. The build quality is first rate though. It's essentially an uninspiring box with sharp edges. ELAC chose to spend the money on sound while keeping costs down rather than esthetics.

Performance

Our typical approach to reviewing speakers is to give you our subjective opinions on the performance. But for these speakers we wanted to measure the frequency response objectively. However, our measurement microphone did not arrive in time so we resorted to checking online and found that others were measuring acceptable levels down to 50Hz and a relative flat response until about 10KHz. After that it starts to drop off and at 20KHz the signal is about 7dB less. To drive the speakers we were using an Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Receiver (Buy Now $189) connected to an Audioengine N22 Desktop Amplifier (Buy Now $199).

We listened the the speakers right out of the box and were blown away. There was a sense of openness to the music that sounded great regardless of what we were listening to. The Bass! Wow how could a speaker of that size have so much low end? We couldn’t wait to hear what these were going to sound like after they were broken in! After about thirty hours of playback we fell even more in love with the B5s! We played the gamut of music, Classical, Rock, Country, and Jazz for our critical listening.

First up was Ode to Joy from Beethoven’s 9th Symphony. Specifically from the Immortal Beloved soundtrack. When we were at Sony Pictures we watched this movie over and over again testing our equipment so we know how it's supposed to sound. What we listen for are the triangles about four minutes into the track. They were there but they were not as pronounced as we have experienced before.

Next up was Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds performing Crash Into Me. This is such an incredible track that Dolby used it on one of their demo discs a few years ago. This may sound redundant but it sounded “Live”. Like you were there. You could make out the instruments in clear detail. Everything from the musicians striking the strings of the guitars to the texture of Dave Matthews’ voice. Speaking of live, in Melody Gardot’s “Worrisome Heart” you could hear the room dynamics. And talk about a voice, these speakers were made for her deeper voice.

Now it's time to test the bass and for that please forgive us but we turned to LMFAO’s “Sexy and I know it”. At one minute in you could feel the bass in the floor. We were surprised at how good the entire track sounded. Nothing sounded muddled, vocals were clear and precise, and high frequencies pierced through the bass. Regardless what you think about this track, it shows off what these speakers can do.

We were impressed with everything we listened to. The B5s really perform in a way that makes you wonder how they can only cost $230 a pair. Credit needs to go to the designer Andrew Jones for such an achievement.

Home Theater

There is no reason why you can’t use these speakers as part of a home theater:

This 7.1 configuration will cost you $1,700 with free two day shipping from Amazon Prime. If you don’t want towers you can save $330 by buying another pair of B5s which would bring the total cost down to $1370.

Conclusion

If you are in the market for speakers you need to give these a listen. Especially if you are on a budget! We have no problem saying that the $230 ELAC B5s will give you the same enjoyment as speakers costing ten times as much.

Podcast #725: Nvidia Shield 4k Review Feb 04, 2016

Nvidia Shield 4k Review

The market for streaming boxes is pretty crowded. You’ve got the Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Google Chromecast just to name a few. The market for 4k streaming boxes is even getting pretty crowded lately. So is there still room for one more? Nvidia would like to think so. And we love everybody, so we were willing to give yet another set top streamer a chance. This one is called the Nvidia Shield 4k (Buy now, $193).

About the Nvidia Shield 4k

NVIDIA SHIELD is an 4K Ultra HD (as well as Full HD) home entertainment system, delivering incredible resolution in favorite apps like Netflix, HBO, HULU, YouTube, Major League Baseball, NBA, KODI /XBMC, and PLEX. Vivid 10-bit color and rich Dolby 7.1 surround sound make this a true home theater experience. Or plug your headphones into your SHIELD controller or SHIELD remote for a private listening experience. Say "Oscar-winning movies" or "launch Netflix" and let Google's advanced voice commands find content for you on your Android TV. Get personalized recommendations on your home screen. Even cast a show or pictures to your TV from your PC, Android, or iOS device with built-in Google Chromecast support. SHIELD makes your smart TV experience fast and easy.

Download premium Android games – from family games and indie hits to the most advanced Android TV titles with rich gameplay and intense multiplayer action. Or join GeForce NOW to connect to NVIDIA's gaming supercomputers and enjoy unlimited streaming of popular PC games or buy newly released games from the online store. Enjoy what the Wall Street Journal calls “the highest performing streaming TV set-top box ever made”. NVIDIA SHIELD is over 4x the performance of new Apple TV, new Fire TV, or Roku 4. NVIDIA SHIELD comes with 16GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot for external storage, 802.11 2x2 wireless AC with MIMO, Gigabit Ethernet, two USB 3.0 ports as well as a game controller as well as an HDMI cable.

Setup

Setup is pretty easy. It includes all the cables you need to get it plugged into power, your TV and to charge the included game controller (which also serves as your remote). The included HDMI is a nice touch, many streamers don’t include one, but it is a bit short. We used one of our own so we could have it installed in the right spot. Then you connect to Wifi (hard wired is also an option) and log into your Google account. There’s a simple way to do it using a laptop, and a code from the Shield, but we couldn’t get that to work, so we went the more cumbersome email address and password route.

After you sign into Google, the Shield kicks into an automatic software/firmware update. This took For. Ev. Er. Perhaps the slowest update we’ve ever seen, certainly not snappy. This is more than coffee break time in the setup routine. For us it took over an hour. After the update, you have the option to update your controllers as well. This only took a few seconds, luckily. Then you’re in an ready to start using the Shield.

Performance

Streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube work perfectly. They are very fast and very responsive. Often when using an app like this in a TV, you get sluggish performance. The cursor struggles when you’re typing in a password or searching for content. Things take a while to load, etc. But with the Shield, things are incredibly snappy. The videos look as good as any other streaming box we’ve used. Nothing to complain about. If you’re an Apple user, of course you can’t get to that content. No Vudu either. But if you’re a Google user, you’re set. You can side load the Amazon video app if you use prime video alot. Online rumor mill says Nvidia is working on the deal with Amazon, they just don’t have it in place yet. Might be able to side load Vudu as well. We didn’t try.

Local media playback is awesome. You can cast to it from an Android or iOS device. There is a built-in playback app. In addition to that, Plex comes pre-installed so you can use it as a media zone in your whole house video server setup. Listen to last week’s show for a full review of Plex as a media server option. You can also install the VLC app to get access to a wide array of file types and encodings that you may not have support for in the other apps. The Shield has a couple USB ports you can plug portable or external drives into for local playback and to increase the storage of the unit itself.

In addition to local media playback, there is an HDHomeRun app you can use to play over the air television directly on the Shield. It’ll set you back a cool 99 cents, but if you can swing it, the app does convert your Shield into a cord cutter’s dream. If you want to supplement that with live cable channels, you can add the SlingTV app and subscription as well. You’ve got the likes of Netflix, Google Play and Hulu for new release and catalog content, local media playback, OTA HD content and cable content from SlingTV. It’s quite an impressive array of possibilities.

Gaming is the best we’ve had on a streaming box. Certainly not Xbox One or PS4, but better then the Roku or FireTV if you’re a serious gamer. You can play any adroid games you can get on other platforms, plus additional games built specifically for the Shield. In addition, the GEForce Now service allows you to stream PC games directly on the Shield. They were great. And very fun. We aren’t hard core gamers, but they seemed the same as playing directly on another platform. This is where it got really, really close to Xbox or Playstation quality. And they are games you’ve heard of, Lego games like Batman and Marvel, Borderlands, Saints Row, Batman: Arkham Origins. In addition to the games you get as part of the $7.99 monthly subscription, you can also purchase other games to your heart’s content.

Conclusion

Is there room for another streaming box in the market? Sure. For the Shield, that’s like asking if there’s room for Ferrari in the automobile market. Choose for yourself what brand you would identify each of the existing streaming boxes with, but none of them would be a Ferrari. Yes the Shield is considerably more expensive, but it also does so much more. As always, if you’re an Apple fan and have all your content in iTunes, this isn’t the box for you. But for anyone else, and especially for those serious about cutting the cord, the Nvidia Shield deserves a serious look. After all, who wouldn’t want a Ferrari if you could pick it up for under $200?

Podcast #724: Plex Media Server Jan 29, 2016

Plex Media Server

If you have been with us for a while you know how fond we are of media management. The first time we saw the Kaleidescape system back when we first started the podcast we became obsessed with having all our videos available to stream to our televisions. Over the years we tried many different solutions from XBMC and Boxee to iTunes and the AppleTV. Ara settled on the iTunes solution because he was so heavily entrenched in the Apple eco system that it made the most sense. Over the years we have received plenty of emails asking us to check out Plex and Ara did, but because he was so committed to the AppleTV it was nothing more than a rudimentary look.

That all changed when Apple opened up the AppleTV to developers. The developers at Plex quickly released a version of their client SW for the AppleTV and now Ara had no excuse for not thoroughly looking at Plex.

What is Plex?

Plex organizes your video, music, and photo collections and streams them to all of your screens both in your home and when you are away. Whether you are watching on a smartphone, tablet, computer, or set top box, your entire library is available to you. View Plex user interface slide show.

Key Features:

Stream your content from anywhere that you have an Internet connection
Automatically add metadata in a gorgeous interface
Total control of your media. You manage who can see what. (Plex Pass)
Beautiful Music Interface
Automatically get access to high quality online trailers and extras for the movies you have in your Plex library. (Plex Pass)
Mobile Sync - Simply tell Plex what you want to take with you on your phone or tablet and Plex will keep your content up to date. (Plex Pass)
Cloud Sync automatically optimizes the media you choose and uploads it to places like Dropbox, Google Drive, Bitcasa and Box. It's like having a media server that's always on. (Plex Pass)
Plex Channels provide access to numerous sources of online content, like TED Talks, Vimeo, Revision 3, and more.
Easily save online videos from your favorite sites to watch later, even on the big screen.
Supports DLNA

What do you need?

Plex Media Server - This is the brains behind the operation. The media server is the host for all your content. Support for Windows, Mac, Linux, and a bunch of NAS devices.
Plex Mobile Apps - Plex apps for Android, iOS, Windows, and Windows Phone let you browse and enjoy on your device of choice.
Plex for smart TVs, game consoles, and streaming devices - Watch your content on the Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku, Fire TV, Xbox, PlayStation®, and other devices stream from your Plex Media Server with ease.
Plex Media Player - Bring your content to your computer screen. With support for Windows and Mac

Setup

Getting up and running is quite easy. You install the server and then point to where your media resides. Plex will then analyze your content and download the necessary meta data. We found that it was really accurate but there was some tweaking that needed to be done. Part of the setup is signing up for the optional Plex Pass ($40 upgrade) which gives you access to premium features.

Plex Player

Our experience with Plex from a playback point of view was on the iPhone, iPad, Computer, and AppleTV. The features are identical but the interactions are a little different. We won’t delve into the details of the interaction but rather the experience as a whole. Also, there are a lot of features and we won’t cover all of them here. We encourage you to visit Plex online for more information.

The GUI is gorgeous! Movie and music art look stunning! There is quite a bit of information about your movies plus there are extra features similar to DVDs and Blu-rays on most movies. The extra features are streamed from the Internet. There are ratings from Rotten Tomatoes on on the AppleTV there are reviews. You can even see who is in the movie but it looks like that feature is still a work in progress.

One of the nice things about Plex is that it allows you to play just about any format file. That’s why you need a reasonably powered server so it can transcode on the fly. We threw mp4 and mkv files and had no issues over our LAN. We even watched the videos over the Internet as well albeit at a lower data rate. You can setup your player to use different data rates and resolutions depending on whether you are watching in your home of away. You will have to know how to open up ports on your router to be able to watch over the Internet but there are easy to follow instructions online to walk you through it.

Music is just as wonderful. The album and artist art adds polish to the interface. If you have paid for the Plex Pass you can even watch Vevo videos for your tracks. In fact you have access to all the videos of an artist regardless whether you have the track or not. You don’t have access to any premium music service tracks that you may have downloaded.

Conclusion

One of the reasons Ara didn’t give Plex a fair shot was because of how invested he was into iTunes for music, TV, and movies. Having Plex on the AppleTV now allows him to co-mingle his vast TV season passes on iTunes, Netflix, and Hulu and listen to his Apple music while presenting his movie collection in a user interface that impresses everyone who sees it. Add the ability to watch movies outside of the home and sharing capabilities and you have an absolute must have for the AppleTV, FireTV, Roku and pretty much anything else!!

Podcast #723: TCL Roku LED TV Review Jan 22, 2016

TCL Roku LED TV Review

Smart TVs are all the rage these days. It seems like everyone has their own Smart TV platform that is supposed to be better, faster, cooler, more awe inspiring than the other guys’. But what is an upstart TV manufacturer like TCL, without the resources to go off and build it’s own smart TV platform supposed to do? Partner of course. They chose to partner with Roku to give you a jaw-dropping Smart TV out of the box without having to invest in building or maintaining their own. Sort of brilliant if you ask us.

Roku is a great Smart TV platform, whether standalone or embedded. We grabbed the 48” model that was selling at Costco for $349 to test it out, At that price it was considerably less expensive than the other more well-established brands, and it came with Roku built in. Not something we could easily pass up. The specific model we tested was the TCL 48" Class (47.5" Diag.) 1080p Roku LED LCD TV 48FS3750. You can pick one up for yourself from Costco for $349.99 or from Amazon for $349.99.

Features

Make it yours- Personalize your Home screen, put your favorite cable/satellite TV, streaming channels, gaming console, and other devices front-and-center. No more flipping through inputs or wading through complicated menus.
Find what you want- Search through the widest selection of channels – by keyword, actor, or title. Follow your favorite entertainment and always know when it is ready to stream—on what channel and at what price.
Control with a smartphone or tablet- With the free mobile app, transform your smartphone or tablet into a Roku remote and even browse and add new channels. Plus, find what you want fast with voice search - a fun way to find what you’re looking for.
Little screen, meet big screen- Send photos, videos, and music from your smartphone or tablet to the TV. Plus, cast movies, web videos, and more to your TV with with Netflix and YouTube mobile apps.
1080p Full HD Resolution
Clear Motion Index 120 Refresh Rate
3 HDMI, 1 USB, Built-in Wi-Fi, & Roku Streaming Software

Setup

Setting up the TV is simple, but it is a little different than you would expect. First steps are easy: setup your inputs and connect to WiFi. Setting up the inputs is pretty cool. You tell it what you have plugged into each of the inputs in the back of the TV, such as a Cable Box, Satellite Box, Blu-ray player, Gaming system, etc, and it adds an icon to the home screen for that device. No more scrolling through inputs, you just select the device icon like you would any other app and away you go. Connecting to WiFi is the same as any other network TV or set top box.

Once you get on the network, you’re given a code to register the device to your Roku account using anything with a web browser, could be a desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone. If you don’t have an account, you create one. If you have any other Roku devices, you just add the TCL TV with the registration code and away you go. You use the online account to select what apps (Roku calls them channels) you want on the TV.

We thought this was going to be awesome. At first the idea of creating a Roku account just to use the TV seemed cumbersome. But if we were able to select the apps we wanted, then sign into each of those apps on the web, using the full keyboard we had available on the laptop, it would save a ton of time. Subscription info would be pushed down to the TV, and there you go, instant Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Video, Pandora, you name it. Unfortunately this wasn’t the case. You select the apps online, but you still have to sign into them from the TV using the tiny remote. Wasted opportunity if you ask us.

Performance

Once you have everything setup and the Apps are registered and authenticated, you’re good to go. You can use the TV as a standard television, or select from any of your configured apps. The Roku platform has by far more available app choices than any other Smart TV we’ve used. Because it is a neutral platform, you can get things like Netflix, Amazon, Google Play and Vudu all on the same box. Of course, no Apple. They’re still learning how to place nice with others. From the Smart TV and apps point of view, it worked great.

Beyond your standard streaming audio and video apps, Roku has other apps like Plex and its own Roku Media Player to get access to your own content from USB or the network. The TV can operate as an Video server playback device without the need for any external boxes. It even supports SlingTV so you can watch live television without having to pay a Cable or Satellite subscription. The TV is very versatile and we found all the apps to be snappy and they performed quite well.

As a television, the TCL is fine. It’s really what you would expect from a $350 almost 50 inch HDTV. The picture quality isn’t stellar. There are occasional artifacts on the screen, but it isn’t terrible. It is still quite a bit better than even the HDTVs from 5 or 6 years ago. The sound is pretty bad, but if you’re looking for good sound from a TV speaker, you’re probably not doing it right. All in all, average audio and video performance. Not a set you’d want to put at the center of your home theater, but not too bad for a bedroom, bonus room or garage.

Conclusion

Roku is a pretty killer platform. Having it built into the TV makes the set itself very versatile. With just WiFi and power you have access to a plethora of content options, including videos from your home network and live television using Sling TV. For $350 you can add a video server viewing zone to just about any room without breaking the bank. We wouldn’t suggest it for the home theater or family room, but if you get one of these in the garage, somehow we think you might find yourself out there more often.

Podcast #722: Marantz SR601 Review Jan 15, 2016

Marantz SR6010

It was a couple of years ago that we heard our first demo of immersive surround sound. It was at CES that the then SRS Laboratories made sounds dangle in mid air. Then we heard about Dolby Atmos which did the same thing first in the cinema and now in the home. Speaker manufacturers quickly jumped on board and created upfiring speakers that bounce sounds off the ceiling to create a dome of sound and receiver manufacturers developed products that made the speakers work.

One such receiver is the Marantz SR6010 (Buy Now $1399). The SR6010 is loaded with features and specifically is Atmos capable. The major features are listed below:

Features:

Dolby Atmos Built-In; DTS:X Ready - Supports 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 channel Atmos experience provided that you add an external stereo amplifier. Support for DTSX is provided with a firmware upgrade.

High Grade Audio Components

Built-in Bluetooth & Wi-Fi; Music Streaming; AirPlay
Latest HDMI 2.0a Connectivity; HDCP 2.2 Compatible; ISF-Certified - The SR6010 is about as future proof as you can get right now. It supports 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 21:9 video, 3D, and BT.2020 pass-through so you can buy your new Ultra HD player and connect it to this receiver with confidence. Certified by the Imaging Science Foundation and comes with a full suite of video calibration controls (for use by an ISF technician), along with ISF Day and ISF Night video modes. The SR6010 will upconvert standard definition and high definition analog and digital video content to 4K Ultra HD
Powerful 7 Channel Discrete Amplifier with ECO Mode - Each channel is rated at 110 watts (8 ohms, 20Hz~20kHz, .08%THD), and all channels can drive 4 ohm speakers with no issues. The receiver adjusts power consumption according to signal level and the power reduction is displayed on your screen in real time.

Audyssey Platinum DSP Suite - With the supplied measurement microphone, MultEQ XT32 analyzes each speaker's output (including the subwoofers) at up to 8 measurement locations and generates precision digital filters that optimize each channel for the correct frequency and time domain response.

Multi-Source/Multi-Room

Dual Subwoofer Outputs

External Control Capabilities - The SR6010 can also be set up and operated by a home computer on the network via IP control, either via wired LAN connection or via Wi-Fi wireless connection. The SR6010 also features Control4 SDDP (Simple Device Detection Protocol) and Crestron Connected certification for quick and easy integration with Control4 and Crestron home automation equipment.

Setup

Setup was like just about every other receiver with the following notable points. In order to use the Atmos speakers you need an external amp. In Ara’s case that meant disconnecting the rear surround speakers from the Emotiva amp and connecting them to the Marantz. The Kef Atmos speakers were connected to the Emotiva amp and the Atmos pre-outs connected the Marantz to the Emotiva. Setting up the receiver was really easy because of the cool setup wizard that Marantz developed. You simply respond to the questions on the screen and then listen to make sure the speaker is sup up correctly. This eliminates the need to determine which mode you need to put the receiver in to get your Atmos setup right. To be honest Ara doesn’t even know what the speaker settings have been set to, but he knows it works!

Next up was to run the Audyssey calibration. Marantz includes a cardboard mic stand which makes placing the mic in 8 locations easy. Give yourself some time for this step. The sequence is run for each speaker times eight spots. The onscreen guide tells you where to place the mic so you get a proper calibration. Albeit a long process.

Music

While we discuss how well music sounds on each receiver it's not the focus of our reviews. For completeness we’ll tell you that the SR6010 sounds quite good. We listened to music via Airplay and through an AppleTV. Classical piano sounds phenomenal! Rock and roll was tight and jazz had some great bass. To Ara’s ear the music sounded a little brighter than the Pioneer Elite that it replaced. It will play FLAC HD, ALAC, WAV192/24 and DSD. In a nutshell, even audiophiles will find the SR6010 as a capable receiver.

From Marantz:

The SR6010 uses very high grade audio components that have been carefully selected. The whole internal circuit further enhances audio quality by delicately handling all signals via the Marantz designed HDAMs in Current Feedback topology before they reach the speakers. Marantz HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology found on the company’s™ Reference Series components provides superior low noise wideband performance in an all-discrete configuration, compared to conventional op amp ICs. HDAM technology provides an ultra-fast slew rate for true wideband response and maximum dynamic range to deliver optimum sound quality with today's high resolution audio formats.

Movies

As stated earlier the SR6010 is as about future proof as you can get. From Atmos to 4K with HDR and the wider color gamut this receiver is made for video. We did not watch any 4K content or upconvert anything to 4K because this was installed in the projector room which is 1080p. The video was passed through without any processing and looked great. There was no noticeable change over the Pioneer that was replaced. But the main purpose of buying this receiver was to listen to Atmos movies. By the way, because we set it up in an Atmos configuration you are not able to use it with multiple zones. Not an issue in our homes but something to consider.

First up was American Sniper. We didn’t expect too much but we figured there would be some Atmos in helicopter scenes and the big dust storm. What we got was nothing. We removed the speaker grill to see if there was any movement on the speaker cone and we didn’t see anything. This had us wondering if they were set up properly. After a quick check we determined that everything was fine and moved on to the next disc.

San Andreas was up next. In this movie we got a lot of action as buildings were falling everywhere. We saw that the Atmos speakers were getting a workout in the appropriate places. But there was so much going on it was hard to say yes, I hear the Atmos speakers. This led us to question the need for Atmos in a smallish (18X20) room. We can definitely see that in a big theater having more speakers can immerse you in the auditory experience. But we have felt that way about a 7.1 setup as well. Perhaps these examples are too bombastic but the experience in our room was not earth shattering. Maybe it's supposed to be subtle and maybe Atmos was doing exactly as it was supposed to.

Then we watched Divergent. Right from the beginning you could tell that this was what Atmos was supposed to be. There was a brief Atmos demo before the feature that showed off the technology. The demo had what sounded like footsteps running across the ceiling that highlighted the Atmos speakers. It sounded so good Ara immediately called downstairs to his wife and kids to come up and listen to the demo. Everyone agreed that the demo was truly immersive. But in this case there were no explosions or buildings falling down to drown out the Atmos speakers so Dolby was able highlight the technology well. Once the movie started you could tell that this was a very good Atmos mix. You did feel that there was a bubble of sound around you albeit subtle.

By the way, the audio in general sounded incredible! The SR6010 matched with the Kef Q series speakers and the Hsu subwoofer sounded better than most movie theaters. Dialog was crystal clear deep and rich. And effects put you in the middle of the action. The subwoofer let you feel what was going on. A definite improvement over the older Pioneer Elite that was in it's place. The upgrade was worth it for that alone. Plus I am now ready for 4K and UHD Blu-ray.

Conclusion

When done right an Atmos mix is more immersive even in a smaller room. Not drop everything and upgrade better, but more like if I am going to upgrade my receiver to 4K I better make sure it supports Atmos too. Atmos speakers mounted in the ceiling would be the best way to experience this technology but the upfiring speakers do a decent job as well. Expect that the change in your movie experience will be subtle but noticeable.

Podcast #721: CES 2016 Jan 08, 2016

CES 2016

It’s that time of year again, the time when hordes of people descend on Las Vegas, Nevada to get a glimpse of all the new technology manufacturers are showing off. Last year over 170,000 people attended. This year, there will be two less. With one HT Guy in Seattle, we weren’t able to attend in person. But luckily many of our peers were, so we get to sift through their highlights without having to walk for miles through countless booths and crowds to see everything.

Samsung, Philips and others bring Dolby Atmos Soundbars

Samsung introduced a soundbar (HW-K950) that will attempt to create a Dolby Atmos experience using a wireless speakers. The system includes a soundbar with three forward facing speakers and two pointed towards the ceiling. The system uses wireless surround speakers that also include Atmos speakers. Finally, there is a wireless subwoofer that gets you a 5.1.4 Dolby Atmos system with only four speaker enclosures. No pricing or ship date was announced.

Philips is also shipping a Dolby Atmos Soundbar. Called the Philips Fidelio soundbar it includes 18 drivers, including two upward-firing speaker modules. Angled tweeters create a wide soundfield. Total output is 400 watts, including 8-inch 220-watt wireless subwoofer.

Other features include Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 decoding, dedicated center-channel speaker, two HDMI 1.4a inputs, HDMI audio return channel, and optical and coaxial inputs. no pricing was announced.

Samsung’s Family Hub Is A Fridge Of The Future

Among the reasons why this is deemed a smart home technology of the future is it touts 21.5-inch 1080p monitor outside and few cameras and sensors within so you will know what is inside the refrigerator without the need to open its door or view the interior of the fridge remotely on your smartphone. This is specifically advantageous if you are in a grocery store but do not know what particular foods to buy. You can tag expiration dates on refrigerator items so you use them before you lose them. The giant screen is more than just a peek inside the box, you can use it as a family message board, sync your family calendar to it, shop for groceries or surf the web for recipes. It has speakers, so you can listen to music, and we assume the web interface would allow you to get to Netflix or YouTube as well, but we don’t know for sure.

LG Annouced Premium LCD-Based Super UHD, 8K TVs

LG announced a premium line of UHD TVs (UH9500, UH8500 and UH7700). According to LG, they will all be brighter, better contrast ratios, and include a wider color gamut and HDR. LG will also introduce their first 8K TV, the 98 UH9800. For reference, Sharp’s 8K screen goes for close to $130,000!

According to LG the UH9500 and UH8500 increase the color gamut to approximately 90% of the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) P3 color space. LG is also claiming high quality sound from the UH9500 due to a Harman Kardon speaker system. Pricing was not available

LG's rollable OLED display

LG is showing the 30R 18-inch rollable display. They claim the display can be "rolled-up like a newspaper." They have been showing flexible OLED for a couple years, so how this display improves on concepts we saw in 2014 and 2015 isn’t obvious, but we expect it to have better resolution and perhaps some built-in electronics for use as an actual television/monitor. The benefit of a rollable display in a consumer environment is pretty obvious. As TVs get to be rediculously large, transporting them, getting them in the door, etc. will become very difficult. If the screens could be rolled up, then just tacked up on a wall once you get them home, it could make 100” screens in every home a reality. Not to mention video walls that can turn into faux-windows ala Total Recall would be pretty sweet.

Simple Control Adds Amazon Echo Integration

Simple Control announced that its popular iOS apps for control of AV gear and smart home devices have been certified by Amazon for use with their Amazon Echo product. Amazon Echo includes Alexa, a cloud-based voice service that can be used to give commands to Simple Control. Once Simple Control is paired with Amazon Echo, users can control the home environment simply by speaking commands to Alexa, such as "Alexa, tell Simple Control to turn on the TV in the kitchen." The Simple Control and Simple System apps operate thousands of devices like TVs, cable and satellite boxes, receivers, Blu-ray players, lights, switches, thermostats and more.

Ford

A Ford Mustang you can order online with free shipping for Amazon Prime members? No, but the automotive company is partnering with Amazon to let you control your smart home from your car through Ford's Sync Connect and AppLink services and Amazon's Echo home-automation hub and Alexa voice-concierge service. Beyond Amazon, Ford announced it plans to work with the Wink smart home platform to provide similar levels of voice commanded functionality straight from your driver's seat.

HARMAN’s Mark Levinson® Previews № 519 Audio Player: High-Resolution Wired and Wireless Streaming, Network, Disc and Digital Inputs

HARMAN International Industries previewed the forthcoming Mark Levinson № 519 Audio Player, an ultra high-end source component designed to accommodate every digital audio format. The № 519 was designed to be the heart of high-performance audio systems, with the ability to play back virtually any audio format from streaming music services to networked storage, to CD to high-resolution digital inputs and even Bluetooth® wireless. In addition, it includes high-performance headphone connectivity and integrated digital volume control allowing it to serve as a fully integrated digital music source. Designed and engineered at HARMAN’s Engineering Center of Excellence in Shelton, CT, USA, the № 519 provides a full compliment of wired and wireless digital audio inputs and as well as an integrated slot-loading CD player, making it a truly universal digital audio playback device. The integrated high-resolution DAC receives its nine digital inputs including USB asynchronous streaming and mass storage, Gigabit Ethernet, Balanced, Optical, Coaxial, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless featuring aptX® technology for maximum resolution.

The Mark Levinson № 519 offers high-resolution digital decoding up to 24-bit, 192kHz from PCM and double-speed DSD. Its DAC incorporates an ESS Sabre32 Reference converter for superlative musical accuracy with exceptional resolution and dynamic range. The Mark Levinson № 519 Digital Player will be available in July 2016. No official pricing at this time but the buzz on the street is that it will run about $8,000.

UHD Alliance Defines Premium 4K Ultra HD Experience

The UHD Alliance (UHDA) has defined performance criteria that Ultra HD TVs and content must meet to deliver what the group calls a premium 4K experience. The association also introduced a logo that will appear on certified content to guarantee a premium experience for consumers. The Ultra HD Premium logo is reserved for products and content that comply with minimum requirements for resolution, bit depth, high dynamic range (HDR), peak luminance, black levels, and wide color gamut.

The UHD Alliance said its technical specifications "prioritize image quality and recommend support for next-generation audio.”

Home Kit

Kwikset announced the launch of its first HomeKit-compatible product, the Kwikset Premis. Available in 2016, no pricing announced.
iDevices - Introduced their Socket, Wall Switch, Dimmer Switch and Wall Outlet. The socket allows standard light bulbs to be used with homekit. The wall switch/dimmer and outlet bring Home Kit support to your lights and devices in your home. The new HomeKit accessories will be released throughout 2016, but pricing was not disclosed
Honeywell announced the Lyric Round™ Wi-Fi Thermostat Second Generation is available for pre-order $250.
Hunter Fan Company announced new Wi-Fi & Apple HomeKit-Enabled Celing Fans. Named Symphony and Signal the Symphony’s MSRP is $329 and Signal’s MSRP is $379. Both fans will be available spring 2016

UHD Players

Samsung announced that the UB-K8500 is available for pre-order right now, and will sell for $400.
Panasonic unveiled its Blu-ray player which it promised will be available in the US this year. A similar player was introduced in Japan in November which retails for roughly $3,300 USD. No word on pricing for the US version.
Philips will introduce a player that supports the optional Dolby Vision HDR technology
LG and Sony did not introduce UHD players.

Podcast #720: Predictions for 2016 Dec 31, 2015

Predictions for 2016

Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2016. Our crystal ball is never as clears as a good HDTV but we give it a shot nonetheless.

Ara:

Competitor to Sling.com

UHD Blu-ray player will be available for less than $500

There will be a 100 inch 4K UHD with HDR and wide color gamut for less than $10,000

Samsung will re-enter the OLED market

Apple to stream Hi-Res Audio

Braden:

HDTV and VR mashup

Somebody *will* get into the live TV streaming game, but still no locals

80” Televisions for under $2000

Lightbulb speakers for Surround Sound

Proliferation of Home Automation Glue Platforms/Hubs

Podcast #719: Prediction Review for 2015 Dec 24, 2015

Prediction Review for 2015

It's hard to believe that another year has gone by! With that it's time to see how we did with our 2015 predictions.

This year's scorecard:

Ara a respectable three out of five!
Braden a decent 2-2.5 out of five.

Ara’s Predictions:

There will be a 65 inch production OLED TV for less than $5,000

Look for LG and Samsung to continue to push OLED technology. They’ll finally figure out that no one wants a curved model and produce a 65 inch flat panel OLED. Bonus prediction - It will be LG that makes this prediction a win for me!

Nailed it!! At the time of this writing not only is there a 65 inch OLED for sale at Amazon but it's made by LG! Its also 4K. LG Electronics 65EF9500 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Flat Smart OLED TV $4997.99

There will be a production Quantum Dot TV available for sale

This is my hedge against the OLED prediction totally failing. We saw the first quantum dot TVs at CES about three years ago. LG is pushing forward with the technology. It produces higher yields than OLED and better pictures than current LEDs so this is a no brainer technology to pursue.

Well as it turns out this was a true statement when I made it. In 2014 Sony had released TVs with Quantum Dot technology and it marketed it as Triluminos. However, it's not very clear that they are still doing this. Regardless this is a fail.

Apple will open up the AppleTV to developers

After seeing the potential of the FireTV from Amazon, Apple will realize the AppleTV is falling behind the competition. Look for a new model (AppleTV 4) with game support that will use iPhones and iPads as controllers. By the way, the 4 in AppleTV 4 stands for 4K. I can dream can’t I??

Predict something enough and it's bound to come true! With the release of the AppleTV 4 Apple opened up the platform to developers. This coming year should make or break the platform!

Apple to stream 4K movies and television programming

If you are going to dream might as well dream big! What good is a new set top box capable of 4K content if you don’t have 4K content. Sure they will support Netflix 4K streams but the real deal will be buying and renting movies and TV shows from iTunes in 4K.

No 4K streaming! Not even a 4K AppleTV. Oh well… Maybe I’ll hold this over for 2016 :-)

Sonos to debut a dedicated 7.1 home theater system

One of the main reasons people don’t have full surround systems is the need to string speaker wire everyplace. Sure the front is easy enough but why should you have to string wire when you can have freedom to place speakers wherever you want. Sonos has the best sounding wireless solution we have heard to date. So why not make a complete 7.1 system without the need of speaker wires? It would be easy to setup with almost no configuration required. When your aren’t watching movies you could repurpose the speakers for music without the need of turning on an amplifier. Now if we can only do something about those pesky power cords!

Success on this one. Sonos has a home theater category on their site (Sonos Home Theater). Yes it uses a sound bar for Left, Center, and Right channels. There is also a subwoofer and you can use four Play:1,3, or 5s for the surrounds. The Sonos Home theater can be used in music mode when not watching movies so what’s not to like?

Braden’s Predictions:

At least 5 major studio movie releases will be available online concurrent with cinema release

With “The Interview” now out there as a pilot for what is possible, Sony will do it again at least once, and other major studios will try their hand at it as well. Theater owners will threaten not to run the movie(s), but if the studios choose wisely, theater owners will be forced to run them because they’d stand to lose too much in ticket sales if they didn’t.

Complete flop. There were some huge stars in day and date released movies, but most were backed by lesser known production companies. Ethan Hawke in Predestination, Chris Evans in Before We Go, Samuel L. Jackson in Big Game, Hugh Grant in The Rewrite? Speaking of rewrite, if I changed the prediction to major, A-list actors, I’d have nailed it.

Curved televisions will go away

Nobody really gets it. Manufacturers seem to be the only ones that understand the value in the curved screen. Realizing there’s no demand for it, manufacturers will make them disappear. This means we’ll be on the hunt for another gimmick to boost television sales. Look for 4k to try to fill that gap. But it’ll still be a bit niche, so look for something else as well. Automation integration in your smart TV? Could this be the year of home automation?

Let’s be generous and go with partial credit on this one. Curved TVs are still around, but not nearly as prominent as they were a year ago. It feels like a very small percentage of televisions on display in most stores are curved anymore, and we really aren’t seeing nearly as many ads for them. Looks like 4K really is the next big thing, at least for 2015.

Live television streaming won’t be coming to your town

Did an Aereo 180 on this prediction, but none of the big players in streaming set top boxes: Apple, Google, Microsoft or Amazon, will add live TV streaming to their box. Despite rumors, it ain’t happening this year. Aereo showed that there’s no way around the retransmission fees, and there’s no way a streaming provider would get premium channels for less than the others pay, so there would be no cost advantage to the consumer. And in most markets streaming would be inferior quality to Cable or Satellite, so it’s a lose-lose for consumers.

Success. This may have been my most conservative prediction, but man am I glad it’s in the list. Keeps me from a total goose egg this year. Sure, you could argue that SlingTV should count for something, but that isn’t a native offering from Apple, Google, Microsoft or Amazon and you still don’t get your local stations. So while you’re streaming live television, you aren’t really streaming live television. Just go with me on that one.

80” Televisions for under $2000

The biggest TVs on the consumer market right now, at reasonable prices, are a few models at 84, 85 and 90 inches. But there are a bunch of options at 80” from all the major manufacturers. The lowest price for an 80” at Amazon is a Vizio model for $2999. Costco has a Sharp 80” for $2499. Manufacturers may see that the next round of upgrades could be driven simply by larger screen sizes. Everyone has an HDTV, but it is somewhere between 40 and 60 inches, and they know they can go bigger. If the price is right, they will. So that price will drop to under $2000 at some point this year. Maybe Black Friday, maybe for another event, but it’ll drop.

Not this year. Several 75” TVs are available now, and were on sale on Black Friday, for less than $2000, but on average the 80” models are closer to twice that rice at around $4000. Mathematically, 75 inches represents 93.75% of an 80 inch screen, so I could take a solid 94% success on this prediction. But unfortunately this was an all-or-nothing and the 80” screens didn’t hit my price. Better luck next year.

Amazon to release a full length motion picture

In an attempt to leapfrog Netflix, Amazon will beat them to the punch with the first original full length motion picture, with all of the production value of a major studio release. They’ve already roped in stars like John Goodman and Jeffrey Tambor for their original TV shows. They’ll get a big name and a good script for their movie. We’ll see a huge PR blast with it, and it’s availability on the Fire TV and Fire Phone, just to show Netflix that two can play in the streaming game.

Awwwyeah. Barely made it, but Amazon Studios' first original movie, directed by Spike Lee is now in theaters. Digital HD will be available December 29th and DVD / Blu-Ray available January 26th. Chi-Raq (rated R) released on December 4, 2015. It is a modern day adaptation of the ancient Greek play Lysistrata by Aristophanes, set against the backdrop of gang violence in Chicago and stars Nick Cannon, Teyonah Parris, and Wesley Snipes.

Podcast #718: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2015 Dec 17, 2015

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2015

For this feature we choose components that we either have direct experience with or have experience with a similar model made by the same manufacturer. In years past we would set a maximum price but this year we are not doing that. We are defining a system that can had by anyone who is serious about home theater. These systems will look and sound great by anyone’s definition!

Braden:

Samsung UN65J6200 65-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV (2015 Model) ($1198)

Borrowed from the HDTV buying guide. My TV is a bit smaller than last year’s Sharp 70-inch Aquos but it’s also $400 cheaper. We’ve already talked about it, but this set combines great features with a really affordable price - even for Samsung. Its Smart TV technology allows you to access movies, games, streaming services, and other apps so you can easily get to your favorite media. Surf the web using the built-in Wi-Fi, or use the screen-mirroring feature to play your mobile content on the big screen and you can plug into the USB port to watch your own media. Great TV, great price, no brainer.

Denon AVR-X3200W 7.2-Channel Full 4K Ultra HD A/V Receiver with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ($999)

Maybe it’s cheating a bit, but I snagged a receiver from the buying guide as well. Because we all know Denon makes the best receivers...this one has everything I need and more. It’s a bit more expensive than the Onkyo TX-NR636 from last year, but I had a little wiggle room with the less expensive TV, so we dropped that into the receiver. This bad boy is a 7.2 channel A/V receiver that packs 105W of power per channel. It has 3D and 4K Ultra HD/60Hz full rate pass-through with 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR, BT.2020. 8 HDMI 2.0a inputs (incl. 1 front) and 2 HDMI outputs with full HCDP 2.2 support. Of course, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. And let’s not forget Dolby Atmos (up to 5.1.2), DTS:X ready (via firmware update). Instant content Airplay, Spotify Connect, Pandora, SiriusXM Internet Radio Internet Radio, DLNA, DSD,FLAC, ALAC and AIFF High Resolution streaming. And the new IP control capability with the HEOS Link turns any stereo system into a wireless zone (HEOS LINK sold separately).

Hsu Research Hybrid 1 - 7.1 Package in Satin Black ($1449)

Speaker prices went up a bit this year, sorry. Last year was the Klipsch RF-42 II Reference 7.1 system for $1299. This year it’s the HSU Research system for $150 more. So I’m typically a Denon and a Klipsch fan-boy. Admittedly. Not ashamed. Denon made my list this year but Klipsch did not. Cuz it’s all about the boom. A full 7.1 speaker system with a killer sub. You won’t need you upgrade these speakers for a long time - if ever.

Miscellaneous

Logitech Harmony 700 Rechargeable Remote with Color Screen ($64)

Last year was the Logitech Harmony 650 for $60. That remote is now up to $86. Although the 700 has been discontinued, you can still get it at a great price. Great remote, ties all your devices together, has hard buttons for everything you need to do, and barely even changes the total budget at all. It’s a no brainer. And, unlike the 650, the 700 is rechargeable. No batteries to replace.

Forget Blu-ray, they’re commodity. Add $50 and pick up anything you want. Add about $100 for cables and a power strip and another $100 for the streaming box that suits your needs and you should be all set. Sit back and watch some HDTV.

Summary

Total cost, end to end, for a killer, big screen, 7.1 home theater: $3960 (ip from $3583 last year, but that didn’t include a streaming box).

Ara:

LG Electronics 60LF6100 60-Inch 1080p LED Smart TV $865

Home Theater in a Box systems are typically about getting you an introductory setup and this TV is a perfect centerpiece for your theater. A 60 inch TV will allow for a more cinema like experience in a smaller family room. This HDTV has decent picture quality and good reliability numbers so buy with confidence!

Sony BDPS3500 Blu-ray Player with Wi-Fi $70

In years past I went with Oppos but I no longer feel you need to spend $500 for a Blu-ray player if the main thing you are going to do is watch Blu-rays. The Oppo is well worth its price tag but only if you need the added features. The Sony streams video from all the big players and you can stream video from your Android device via Miracast. For those who don’t have a hardwire connection near the TV the 3500 supports the MIMO protocol for improved speed and reliability.

Yamaha RX-V677 7.2-channel Wi-Fi Network AV Receiver with AirPlay ($380)

This is the same unit I selected last year only this year it's only $380! Easy setup and calibration, network features so you can stream music from your favorite service, great Yamaha sound, and Airplay for $380 make this an easy choice for my system (Again!).

SVS Prime Satellite 7.1 $1,230

Speakers are the one place I spend a little more money on my system. It's because you can keep speakers forever so start out with something that’s worth keeping forever! Being bookshelf speakers the Prime Satellite will be easy to place in your home. The set includes a 12 inch subwoofer rated down 24Hz which comes in a small 13 inch enclosure.

Miscellaneous

The last thing to consider are cables, power strips, and connectors. We will allocate an additional $200 for these items as well.

Summary

Last year my system came in at $4,480 plus tax and this year I spent $5 less than $3,000! Even at the lower cost you are still getting a high quality system that will last you for years to come. So much better than any HTIB system and you get a TV!

Podcast #717: HDTV Buying Guide 2015 Dec 11, 2015

HDTV Buying Guide 2015

Tis the season for us to go wishlist shopping and help you spend your money - one of our favorite times of the year. If you happen to be lucky enough to have budget for a new HDTV this Christmas, but still aren’t sure which one to buy, we’ve got you covered. Unlike years past, we’re going to skip the budget categories, and the screen size categories and jump right to our top picks. We each pick three TVs and one ‘money is no object’ / ‘dare to dream’ TV for you to consider.

For those who don’t still have last years buyer’s guide handy, here are few of the sets from last year along with their prices. As odd as it sounds, most of the prices actually went up. Unlike receivers, it may not pay to wait a year to get a set on the list. So check out this year’s list and jump on the good deals before they’re gone.

Braden’s Picks

VIZIO E50-C1 50-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV (2015 Model) ($498)

I didn’t want to do anything smaller than 55 inches, but a 50 inch TV for $498 is tough to pass up. Especially when Vizio has emerged as a brand that you can trust for the most part to deliver on quality and reliability. They aren’t just a value brand anymore, but they maintain an excellent, affordable price point. Full-Array LED: for light uniformity, and up to 12 Active LED Zones for deeper, more pure black levels. Smart TV: built-in high-speed Wi-Fi for apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, Hulu Plus, and YouTube. You can step up to 4K for $200 more, but at 50” it probably isn’t worth it.

Samsung UN65J6200 65-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV (2015 Model) ($1198)

Samsung is probably the gold standard these days in HDTV, or at least the most popular brand out there. And 65 inches is probably the sweet spot for really big screens at very reasonable prices if you do some shopping around. This set combines great features with a really affordable price - even for Samsung. Its Smart TV technology allows you to access movies, games, streaming services, and other apps so you can easily get to your favorite media. Surf the web using the built-in Wi-Fi, or use the screen-mirroring feature to play your mobile content on the big screen and you can plug into the USB port to watch your own media. It doesn’t have micro-dimming for better contrast, but you can get that for $360 more in the 6300 series.

Sharp LC-70UE30U 70-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV (2015 Model) ($1931)

Sharp tends to be my go-to brand for really big panels at really deep discounts and this TV is no exception. There are some Vizio models that you might want to compare with it, but it packs a punch for under $2000. Sure it’s only 5 inches larger than the Samsung UN65J6200, but it is 4K and has local dimming for great contrast. The Revelation Upscaler displays all content at near-4K quality. It even has Smart TV features built on Android TV with access to the Google Play store, so you can customize the Smart TV experience to your liking. The only thing you don’t get is HDR, but that’s rare right now and costs quite a bit more. Your best bet for HDR is to upgrade to OLED, but that’ll easily cost more than double what this TV costs for the same screen size.

Honorable mention:

Sansui SLED6516 65-Inch 4K DLED LCD TV 120HZ TV ($899)

A 65” 4K TV for $899? You might be rolling the dice on quality and/or reliability, but at $899, it could be worth the gamble.

Ara’s Picks

Last year:

LG Electronics 60LF6100 60-Inch 1080p LED Smart TV $865

This year I am all about large format 1080p TVs. I love my 4K Vizio P-Series but after a little more than a year of ownership I can count the number of times I have watched a 4K show on one hand (not including testing for the show). So this year it's about saving money and getting some fantastic TVs at great prices. First up is this 60 inch LG. LGs are actually pretty decent in quality and reliability and for $865 what’s not to like? It's not going to blow you away with video processing features. Its 120Hz refresh rate and LED lit. Beyond that it is a smart TV. The main reason for making my list is that it's 60 inches and only costs $865. And it only weighs 52 pounds!

Sharp LC-65LE654U 65-Inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV $997

It used to be that our list was full of Japanese manufacturers. This year Sharp is the only TV that makes my list from Japan. This is a 120Hz smart TV with good picture quality. Built in Wifi makes it easy to get you streaming video from Netflix and Youtube.

Samsung UN75J6300 75-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV $1997.99

My next TV is a step up in size and quality and two steps up in price. It uses something that Samsung calls Micro Dimming to produce deeper blacks than most LED TVs. Not quite the same as Plasma but unless they are side by side you won’t be able to tell. Also a smart TV, the TV has a quad core processor to make that experience better than most. There is also a Wide Color Enhancer to combine with the Micro Dimming to make colors look more lifelike. At just a hair under $2,000 you can have a projector like experience in your family room.

Ultimate Christmas Presents:

LG Electronics 65EF9500 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Flat Smart OLED TV (2015 Model) ($4998)

Looking for the unrivaled picture quality of OLED and at the incredible UHD resolution a 4K TV provides without the goofy curved screen? The EF9500 OLED 4K ULTRA HD TV sports a flat screen that still displays brighter, more accurate colors OLED provides. Immeasurably deep black levels heightens realism in everything you watch. And at 4K resolution*--four times that of Full HD--even the smallest details become crystal clear, for the most lifelike image ever from LG.

Samsung UN85JU7100 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2015 Model) ($8997)

Feel the drama of blacker blacks and brighter brights with striking crispness. With 4K UHD resolution you’ll enjoy a picture with 4X the detail of Full HD. See the difference precise color and contrast can make – and a Smart TV experience that puts your favorite content at your fingertips. Plus, this 4K UHD TV complies with the Consumer Electronics Association specification guideline requirements that includes full RGB color resolution. Feel the drama of every entertainment experience with improved black levels and contrast – while bright areas remain bright. Experience a greater sense of depth with optimized contrast across multiple zones of the screen.

Podcast # 716: Receiver Buying Guide 2015 Dec 04, 2015

Receiver Buying Guide 2015

Braden’s Picks

Onkyo TX-NR545 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver ($440)

This 7.2-channel receiver can power a 5.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker setup: 5.1 standard surround configuration plus two in-ceiling or height channels: 5.1.2. All HDMI inputs support the latest TV video displays, and with three of six inputs handling HDCP 2.2. Built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Airplay (including Pandora and Spotify) to stream virtually any audio from your smartphone, tablet, or PC to your home theater. And support for playback of Compressed, Lossless, and Hi-Res Audio via Local Network (MP3, WMA, WMA Lossless, FLAC, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, Apple Lossless, DSD 5.6 MHz, LPCM).

Denon AVR-X3200W 7.2-Channel Full 4K Ultra HD A/V Receiver with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ($999)

Because we all know Denon makes the best receivers...this bad boy is a 7.2 channel A/V receiver that packs 105W of power per channel. It has 3D and 4K Ultra HD/60Hz full rate pass-through with 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR, BT.2020. 8 HDMI 2.0a inputs (incl. 1 front) and 2 HDMI outputs with full HCDP 2.2 support. Of course, built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. And let’s not forget Dolby Atmos (up to 5.1.2), DTS:X ready (via firmware update). Instant content Airplay, Spotify Connect, Pandora, SiriusXM Internet Radio Internet Radio, DLNA, DSD,FLAC, ALAC and AIFF High Resolution streaming. And the new IP control capability with the HEOS Link turns any stereo system into a wireless zone (HEOS LINK sold separately).

Denon AVRX6200W 9.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD A/V Receiver with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi ($2199)

Two Denons? Is that allowed? The X3200 is the reasonable choice. the X6200 is the less reasonable, but “wow” choice. The amplifier has 9 discrete output stages with identical circuit topology and high current transistors. Each channel is rated at 140 watts. Of course the AVR-X6200W features the next-generation sound formats Dolby Atmos, dts UHD and Auro 3D (upgradable) which allows you to add Height/Top speakers to dramatically expand the soundstage. Featuring a total of 8 HDMI inputs, the AVR-X6200W also has 3 HDMI outputs for flexible multi-room options, with full HDCP 2.2 support. This receiver is also equipped with advanced video circuitry capable of upscaling video signals to 1080p and up to 4K/60Hz full-rate video passthru with support for 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR, and BT.2020.

Ara’s Picks

Yamaha RX-A850 7.2-Channel MusicCast AV Receiver with Built-In Wi-Fi and Bluetooth $899.99

This year I am only selecting receivers that are HDCP 2.2 compliant and support 3D sound. As a result my lowest cost receiver comes in at a penny under $900 but it supports a 5.2.2 Atmos setup and you can send it any 4K Ultra HD source with HDCP 2.2 and HDR. The 850 has support for Hi Res Audio as well as Pandora, Rhapsody, SiriusXM, and Internet Radio. There is also support for Yamaha’s proprietary wireless multiroom audio system called MusicCast.

Pioneer SC-91 7.2 Channel Networked Class D3 AV Receiver with Built-in Bluetooth, Wi-Fi & Dolby Atmos $999

I have never been disappointed with the audio quality of a Pioneer Elite receiver and based on my recent experience with its little brother, the VSX-90, I can fully recommend this receiver to anyone who wants to take a step up in this department. This unit is 130 watts per channel which will fill even large rooms with sound. It supports 4K pass through and of course Dolby Atmos. The SC-91 has MCACC Pro calibration, Subwoofer EQ, built-in AV Navigator, plus an easy initial setup app.

Marantz SR6010 7.2 Channel Full 4K Ultra HD AV Sourround Receiver with Bluetooth and Wi-Fi $1399

I have one and so should you. While this unit only has 7 amps (110 Watts each) it does have 13 preouts which with an external amp will provide you with the most immersive audio experience! The 6010 supports both Dolby Atmos and dts UHD. Of course it supports 4K Pass through and is HDCP 2.2 compliant. It streams all kinds of services but we all have a set top box that can do that don’t we!

Ultimate Present

Integra DTR-70.6 11.2-Channel AV Receiver $2,800

I have never been able to get my hands on an Integra receiver but if I can dream this is what I would want. It checks every box and then some. Its THX Select 2 Plus certified and can be calibrated so that the video processing in this receiver actually does something to improve the picture on your TV. Components are heavily screened to assure optimal sound. If you are big into automation the 70.6 supports AMX, Control 4, Crestron and Compass Control. This truly is an ultimate Christmas present for the A/V lover in your life! And that just may be yourself!!

Podcast #715: What we're thankful for 2015 Nov 25, 2015

What we're thankful for '15

For 2015:

Ara’s List:

Apple Music - and by extension all other music services. Being able to stream pretty much any song I want at any time is fantastic. I even like the Beats One music channel. I pay 5 times more per month (five Radios but only one family subscription for Apple Music) for Sirius Satellite radio. If Apple gives me a Country music channel similar to Beats One, it's bye bye Satellite radio! Sometimes you need a DJ.

OLED - To be honest, I never thought OLED would make it since LEDs have gotten so much better for a fraction of the cost. But it's nice to see prices coming down and screen sizes going up. In actuality, I am thankful for OLED buyers. Thanks to you, I will be able to afford my next TV, which will be OLED.

DIY Speakers - This year I got into DIY Speaker building, well assembly anyway, but you do have to pick the right components! I have had a ton of fun and build some fantastic sounding speakers for a fraction of the cost. Next up is a subwoofer! More on this to come in the upcoming year!

Dolby ATMOS - How can I not be grateful for a technology that gets me to go out and spend more money on a new receiver and speakers. All kidding aside, anything that immerses the viewer into the movie is a great thing.

Netflix/Amazon/Hulu - There is so much HD content out there and now with these guys they are creating even more. And the best part is a lot of it is in 4K and some even use HDR and the wider color gamut! Most of the content is decent but there are some really great shows that are big network quality in production value. So much so that every out of work actor should rejoice!

Braden’s List:

Amazon Prime Now - This may not be entirely home theater related, although I have used it to buy batteries for remote controls and even a new TV for a bedroom. The idea that you can get almost anything you need, including home electronics, delivered to your door in two hours or less is absurd. There are so many times I didn’t want to have to run out to the grocery store to get something. Now I don’t have to. Need banana plugs to make speaker/amp/receiver installation easier? Yeah, they’ve got that.

Front Projection - I recently took a few of my boys to see a movie in the theater. Ignoring the fact that we spent way too much money to see a pretty bad movie, and had we waited to watch it at home it would have only cost $5-6, the experience was sub-par. The film was grainy and full of static. The sound was muddled and the surround sound was almost non-existent. For the entire two hours of the movie I just kept telling myself how much better it would have been to watch at home. Front projection is awesome.

Dish Network / The Hopper - Dish Network is doing a great job adding features to their existing service. They’ve added Pandora integration into the Hopper and Joeys, they added Netflix to both as well. They have a new sports app in the DVR that helps you locate games, news, etc for your favorite sport of favorite teams. They now have a wireless Joey even. But the single biggest feature is Auto-Hop. Whenever that question comes up at the beginning of a show, I do a little happy dance on the inside.

4K TV - This is a little odd for me, since I still don’t own a 4K TV, to be thankful for Ultra High Definition, but it isn’t what you think. Now that 4K is the new big thing, how often are we hearing about 3D? It’s almost as if we’ve filed 3D away under the “do not care” category and completely left it in 4K’s wake. For that reason alone UHD is worth more than words. All we’re hearing about now is 4K TV penetration, 4K content, 4K Blu-ray, and on. Sure it might get old after a while, but for now I’m really thankful for the lack of 3D talk.

Home Automation - Automation is a fun hobby. Something happens, you want to do something in your house, and after a while you start to think of ways you could automate that task. It’s a strange, but very fun, addiction. Although I haven’t started playing with it yet, I can’t wait to get the Amazon Echo working with the Insteon gear in my home. Voice control for home automation? Yeah, that’s next level. Alexa, lower the lights and set the temperature to 72 degrees. Done. I’m in.

Podcast #714: Black Friday Preview 2015 Nov 20, 2015

Black Friday Preview 2015

Black Friday is an ever-evolving event and every year we can’t get enough. This year, some stores are opening way earlier, others are skipping Black Friday altogether. If you’re planning to wait in line, we wish you the best of luck. Just like prior years, the deals are as good as ever. Looking back, the deals we thought were unreal are totally inflated now. In 2008 the cheapest Blu-ray player was $128 and a 50-inch 720p plasma was going for $900. In 2009 the Blu-ray player price dropped to $78 and you could get a 50-inch 1080p plasma with a Blu-ray player for $1000. Not inflated, last year the lowest price for a tier one brand HDTV was a 50" Panasonic 1080p LED for only $199.99

Our research came from our favorite goto sites for Black Friday circulars, including: www.bfads.net, www.blackfriday.com, and blackfriday.gottadeal.com.

WalletHub put together a pretty cool analysis of 2015’s Best & Worst Retailers for Black Friday Deals.

The lowest price tier one brand HDTV is at Best Buy

Toshiba 49" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (49L310U), $149.99

The largest TVs are at Sears and h.h. gregg

Sears - Samsung 75" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN75J6300), $1,999.00
h.h. gregg - Samsung 75" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN75J6300), $1,998.00
h.h. gregg - Sony 75" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (XBR75X850C), $2,998.00
Honorable mention: Wal-mart - Vizio 70" Smart LED HDTV (E70-C3), $898.00

The list has multiple 720p TVs 32 inches or larger, more than we expected to see. There were three last year.

Wal-mart - TCL Roku 32" 720p LED Smart HDTV (32S3700), $125.00
Target - Samsung 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $177.99
Target - Westinghouse 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (WD32HT1360), $99.99
Sears - LG 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (32LF500B), $209.99
Sears - RCA 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV/DVD (LED32G30RQD), $199.99
Sears - Samsung 32" 720p 60Hz Slim LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $179.99
K-Mart - LG 32" 720p HD LED TV (32LF500B), $209.99
K-Mart - Samsung 48" 720p Slim LED HDTV (UN48H4005), $429.99
K-Mart - Seiki 32" 720p LED HDTV (SE32HY), $159.99
h.h. gregg - Proscan 39" 720p LED HDTV (FLDED3996A), $188.00
h.h. gregg - Samsung 32" 720p LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $178.00
h.h. gregg - Samsung 32" 720p LED Smart HDTV (UN3234500), $198.00

The list has multiple 4K TVs as well, also more than we expected to see.

Best Buy - 10
Wal-mart - 2
Target - 3
Sears - 6
h.h. gregg - 24

Deal lists:

Amazon

Amazon announced in a press release that holiday deals start on Friday, November 20, with new deals added as often as every five minutes for eight straight days - so keep an eye on their Black Friday Landing Page in order to not miss anything! Customers will have access to 10 coveted Deals of the Day starting at midnight on Thanksgiving, and up to 10 more on Black Friday. They can also shop limited-time Lightning Deals on thousands of sought-after products per day throughout the eight days of deals.

Best Buy

Logitech Harmony 700 8-Device Universal Remote, $49.99
Sony USB Stereo Turntable, $64.99
Amazon Fire 7" 8GB Tablet (Black), $34.99
Panasonic Streaming Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (BD903), $39.99
Samsung Streaming 4K Upscaling 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player, $87.99
Sony Streaming Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (BDPS3500), $49.99
Onkyo 805W 7.1-Channel 4K Ultra HD & 3D Pass-Through A/V Home Theater Receiver, $249.99
Amazon Fire TV Stick, $24.99
Google Chromecast (2015 Model), 2 FOR $50.00
Google Chromecast Audio, 2 FOR $50.00
Roku SE Streaming Player, $24.99
Roku Streaming Stick, $39.99
Insignia 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $99.99
Insignia Soundbar w/ Bluetooth, $49.99
Klipsch Reference 10-in. 300W Powered Subwoofer, $174.99
Klipsch Reference Bookshelf Speakers, $124.99
Klipsch Reference Dual 6-1/2-in. Floorstanding Speaker, $174.99
Klipsch Reference Dual 8-in. Floorstanding Speaker, $224.99
Samsung 400 Series 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ 6.5-in. Wireless Active Subwoofer, $147.99
Samsung 500 Series 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ 7-in. Wireless Active Subwoofer, $247.99
Insignia 40" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (NS-40D420NA16), $159.99
LG 24" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (24LF452B), $79.99
LG 43" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (43UF6430), $399.99
LG 49" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (49UF6430), $499.99
Samsung 24" 720p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN24H4500AFXZA), $147.99
Samsung 32" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN32J5205AFXZA), $227.99
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN40HS003AFXZA) & Xbox One: The LEGO Movie Videogame Bundle, $499.98
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN40J5200AFXZA), $317.99
Samsung 48" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN48J5201AFXZA), $379.99
Samsung 55" 4K 120Hz 3D LED Smart HDTV (UN55JS8500FXZA), $1,499.99
Samsung 55" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN55JS7000FXZA), $999.99
Samsung 60" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN60J6200AFXZA), $697.99
Samsung 60" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN55JS7000FXZA), $1,299.99
Samsung 60" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN60JU6390FXZA), $799.99
Samsung 65" 4K 120Hz 3D LED Smart HDTV (UN65JS8500FXZA), $1,999.99
Sharp 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (LC-50LB370U), $299.99
Toshiba 49" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (49L310U), $149.99
Toshiba 55" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (55L310U), $349.99
VIZIO 50" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (D50U-D1), $599.99
VIZIO 55" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (D55U-D1), $699.99
VIZIO 65" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (D65U-D2), $999.99

Wal-mart

Apple iPod Touch (Black, Gold, Grey, Pink, White), $165.00
Apple iPad mini 2 w/ Wi-Fi (Black, white), $199.00
RCA 7" Voyager II Android Ad-Free Tablet, $28.88
Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Lite 7" Android Tablet (Black, White), $79.00
RCA Twin Portable DVD Player, $49.00
Sony 2500 Wi-Fi Blu-ray Player w/ PlayStation Now, $45.00
Sanyo Bluetooth Soundbar, $35.00
Vizio 24-in. 2.1-Channel Soundbar, $118.00
Chromecast Streaming Media Player, $20.00
Roku Special Edition Streaming Media Player, $25.00
Samsung 2.1 Bluetooth Soundbard w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $158.00
40" 1080p LED HDTV (Brands may vary by store), $149.00
50" 1080p LED HDTV (Brands may vary by store), $269.00
Hisense 55" 4K LED Smart HDTV, $448.00
LG 55" 4K LED Smart HDTV, $698.00
Samsung 32" LED Smart HDTV (UN32J4500), $198.00
Samsung 40" LED Smart HDTV (UN40H5203AFXZA), $298.00
Samsung 55" 1080p LED Smart HDTV (UN55J6201), $498.00
Samsung 55" 4K LED Curved HDTV (UN55JU6700), $998.00
TCL by Roku 55" 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $348.00
TCL Roku 32" 720p LED Smart HDTV (32S3700), $125.00
Vizio 70" Smart LED HDTV (E70-C3), $898.00

Target

RCA 10" Portable DVD PLayer, $54.99
RCA 8" 8GB Android Tablet, $39.99
Samsung Wi-Fi Blu-Ray Player, $52.99
Samsung 120W Bluetooth Soundar w/ Subwoofer, $87.99
Apple TV, 25% OFF
VIZIO 29-in. 2.0 Sound Bar, $49.99
Element 43" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $169.99
Element 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $239.99
Element 55" 4K LED Smart HDTV, $399.99
LG 49" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $499.99
Samsung 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $177.99
Samsung 40" 1080p LED Smart HDTV + Free $20.00 Target Gift Card, $317.99
Samsung 55" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN55JU6400FXZA), $797.99
Samsung 60" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (UNG6J5200), $697.99
Westinghouse 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (WD32HT1360), $99.99
Westinghouse 55" 1080p LED HDTV, $249.99

Sears

Samsung Smart Blu-ray Player w/ Built-In WiFi (BD-J5700), $49.99
Curtis Compact DVD Player (DVD1041), $19.99
LG DVD Player w/ DivX Playback (DP132), $29.99
Nakamichi 300W Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Wired Subwoofer (NK6), $99.99
Samsung 2.1-Channel 120Watt Soundbar w/ Subwoofer (HW-J355), $89.99
Samsung 2.2-Channel 350W Sound Tower Speaker System (TW-J5500), $249.99
LG 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (32LF500B), $209.99
LG 50" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (50LF6100), $549.99
LG 60" 4K 120Hz LED Smart TV (60UF7700), $1,399.99
RCA 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV/DVD (LED32G30RQD), $199.99
RCA 40" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED40G45RQ), $269.99
Samsung 32" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN32J5205), $229.99
Samsung 32" 720p 60Hz Slim LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $179.99
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN40J5200), $319.99
Samsung 48" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN48J5200), $429.99
Samsung 55" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN55J6200), $579.99
Samsung 55" 4K 60Hz Curved LED Smart HDTV (UN55JU6700), $999.99
Samsung 55" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN55JS7000), $999.99
Samsung 60" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN60J6200), $699.99
Samsung 65" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN65J6300), $1,099.99
Samsung 65" 4K 120Hz Curved 3D LED Smart HDTV (UN65JU7500), $1,799.99
Samsung 65" 4K 60Hz Curved LED Smart HDTV (UN65JU6700), $1,499.99
Samsung 65" 4K 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN65JU6500), $1,399.99
Samsung 75" 1080p 60Hz LED Smart HDTV (UN75J6300), $1,999.00
Seiki 20" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (SE20HY), $99.99
Seiki 43" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (SE43FK), $279.99

K-Mart

Amazon Fire 7" 8GB Tablet w/ Cover & 32GB MicroSD Card (Black) + $10.00 Back in SYWR Points, $54.99
Samsung Smart Blu-ray Player, $49.99
Curtis Compact DVD Player, $19.99
LG DVD Player w/ DivX Playback, $29.99
Samsung Progressive Scan DVD Player w/ 1080p Up-Conversion, $39.99
Sylvania 7" Portable DVD Player, $39.99
Samsung 2.1-Channel 120W Soundbar w/ Subwoofer, $89.99
LG 32" 720p HD LED TV (32LF500B), $209.99
LG 50" 1080p LED HDTV (50LF6000), $449.99
RCA 50" 1080p LED HDTV (LED50B45RQ), $399.99
Samsung 32" LED HDTV, $179.99
Samsung 43" 1080p LED HDTV (UN43J5000), $339.99
Samsung 48" 720p Slim LED HDTV (UN48H4005), $429.99
Seiki 32" 720p LED HDTV (SE32HY), $159.99
Seiki 43" 1080p LED HDTV (SE43FK), $279.99

h.h. gregg

Swann Xtreem QuadForce 720p Video Drone, $79.99
Garmin 5" Touchscreen GPS w/ Free Lifetime Maps, $79.99
Samsung 3D Wi-Fi Smart Blu-ray Player, $64.99
Samsung 4K Upscaling 3D Wi-Fi Smart Blu-ray Player, $89.99
Samsung Smart Blu-ray Player, $49.99
Samsung Wi-Fi Smart Blu-ray Player, $54.99
Sony 4K Upscaling 3D Wi-Fi Smart Blu-ray Player, $99.99
LG DVD Player, $24.99
Portable 9" DVD Player, $39.99
Proscan DVD Player, $9.99
Bose SoundTouch 130 Home Theater System, $1,349.99
iLive 37-in. Bluetooth Soundbar, $34.99
JBL 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $249.99
Polk Audio 100W 10-in. Monitor Series Powered Subwoofer, $98.99
Sony 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer, $349.99
Amazon Fire TV 4K w/ Voice Search, $74.99
Amazon Fire TV w/ Game Controller, $139.99
Apple TV, $59.99
Apple TV 64GB w/ Siri, $179.99
Chromecast Media Player, $29.99
Roku 3 Streaming Player, $79.99
Roku Streaming Player, $19.99
Roku Streaming Stick, $39.99
LG 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer (LAS454B), $139.99
LG 700W Bluetooth CD Music System, $149.99
Samsung 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ Subwoofer (HWJ355), $89.99
Samsung 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer (HWJ450), $149.99
Samsung 2.1-Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Subwoofer (HWJ550), $249.99
LG 43" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (43UF6430), $398.00
LG 49" 4K 120Hz LED Smart HDTV (49UF6430), $498.00
LG 55" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (55UF6430), $698.00
LG 65" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (65LF6450), $998.00
Samsung 32" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN32J5205), $228.00
Samsung 40" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN40J5200), $318.00
Samsung 40" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN40JU6400), $448.00
Samsung 43" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN43J5200), $368.00
Samsung 48" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN48J5200), $428.00
Samsung 48" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN48JU6400), $598.00
Samsung 48" Curved 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN48JU6700), $798.00
Samsung 50" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN50J5200), $498.00
Samsung 50" 4K S Ultra Smart HDTV (UN50JS7000), $798.00
Samsung 55" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN55J6200), $578.00
Samsung 55" 4K S 3D Ultra Smart HDTV (UN55JS8500), $1,498.00
Samsung 55" 4K S Ultra Smart HDTV (UN55JS7000), $998.00
Samsung 55" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN55JU6400), $798.00
Samsung 55" Curved 4K S 3D Ultra Smart HDTV (UN55JS9000), $1,998.00
Samsung 55" Curved 4K Ultra 3D Smart HDTV (UN557500), $1,298.00
Samsung 55" Curved 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN55JU6700), $998.00
Samsung 60" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN60J6200), $698.00
Samsung 60" 4K S Ultra Smart HDTV (UN60JS7000), $1,298.00
Samsung 60" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN60JU6400) + Free Samsung Soundbar, $898.00
Samsung 65" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN65J6200), $898.00
Samsung 65" 4K S 3D Ultra Smart HDTV (UN65JS8500), $1,998.00
Samsung 65" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN65JU6400), $1,298.00
Samsung 65" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (UN65JU6700), $1,498.00
Samsung 65" Curved 4K S 3D UHDTV Smart TV (UN65JS9000), $2,998.00
Samsung 75" 1080p Smart HDTV (UN75J6300), $1,998.00
Seiki 65" 4K 120Hz HDTV (SE65UY04), $598.00
Sony 43" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (XBR43XB30C), $698.00
Sony 49" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (XBR49XB30C), $798.00
Sony 55" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (XBR55X810C), $998.00
Sony 65" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (XBR65X810C), $1,498.00
Sony 75" 4K Ultra Smart HDTV (XBR75X850C), $2,998.00
Haier 48" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (48E2500), $288.00
LG 43" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (43LF5100), $298.00
LG 49" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (49LF5100), $368.00
LG 55" 1080p LED HDTV (55LF6000), $548.00
Proscan 39" 720p LED HDTV (FLDED3996A), $188.00
Samsung 24" 720p LED HDTV (UN24H4000), $128.00
Samsung 24" 720p LED Smart HDTV (UN24H4500), $148.00
Samsung 28" 720p LED Smart HDTV (UN28H4500), $188.00
Samsung 32" 720p LED HDTV (UN32J4000), $178.00
Samsung 32" 720p LED Smart HDTV (UN3234500), $198.00
Samsung 40" 1080p LED HDTV (UN40H5003), $278.00
Samsung 48" 1080p LED HDTV (UN48J5000), $398.00
Seiki 55" 1080p 60Hz LED Streaming HDTV (SE55FGT), $298.00
Sharp 55" 1080p Aquos LED Smart HDTV (LC55LE653U), $488.00

Podcast #713: AppleTV Gen 4 Nov 12, 2015

AppleTV Gen 4

It's fair to say there are three big names in streaming set top boxes, Roku, Apple, and Amazon. Yes we know there are others but these are the biggest right now. We reviewed the Amazon Fire TV a few shows ago (Podcast #710) and we will review the Roku 4 in the near future but today it's the AppleTV 4. It comes in two incarnations, the 32 GB will run you $149 and the 64GB will run you $199. We took the 64 GB version for a spin. The one big feature that is missing is that the AppleTV does not support 4K. Is that a deal breaker?? Read on to find out.

Features:

Glass Touch Remote - Fluid and precise control with a swipe of your finger
Voice Control (Siri) - Just say you want to watch or ask about the weather
New UI Design
Fast app switching - Double tap the home button and toggle between open apps
App Store - Third party games and entertainment are now available
iTunes, Home Sharing, and Airplay

If you have owned a previous version of the AppleTV you won’t be too surprised at what you find in the box. The AppleTV 4 is about twice as thick but about the same in the other dimensions. On the back Apple added a USB-C port but eliminated the optical digital port. In fact to install our new unit we literally unplugged the existing cables from the Gen 3 and then plugged them into the Gen 4. Since the power supply is internal to the box, Apple used the same power cord between versions. This also helps in being able to find a spare plug in your power strip.

Then we walked through the screens to get our AppleTV online. It was straight forward but then it became a major hassle. The only way to enter data was with the remote. Ara has a long password so it was a pain to enter it using the remote. There is no mobile app to do this as there is on the Gen 3 AppleTV. This is a major oversight by Apple. It wouldn’t be so bad if it were just for setting up your iTunes account or your Homeshare, but you have to do the same thing with Hulu, Netflix, HBO, and on and on. To make matters worse, Ara has three AppleTVs so it needs to be done at all three TVs.

We were perplexed as to why Apple just didn’t keep the cable system login on file and not force you to verify it with every video app you download. And why not have the capability to replicate another AppleTV on your network. What we really didn’t understand is how could Apple release the AppleTV without a companion iPhone/iPad app? By the way, the current IR remote still works with the Gen 4 AppleTV. We had to switch our Simple Control remote back to IR so that we had the ability to control it with the iPad. But realistically once you use Siri you don’t want to go back!

Performance:

Now that you have gone through the headache of setting up the AppleTV it's time to start watching. And here is where the product does quite well. In actuality from a picture and sound point of view, there isn’t any difference between the Gen 3 and Gen 4. But that’s not a bad thing. The picture and sound quality of the Gen 3 was already very good.

But what about 4K? We don’t know why Apple didn’t release a 4K model. At this point in time it really doesn’t matter especially if you are watching on a TV that is less than 70 inches. To be honest sitting at 12 feet you probably need 100 inches to see the difference in 4K and 1080p if all other things are equal. Not going 4K probably kept the price down. Once we get content that makes use of the wider color gamut and HDR you will probably see a 4K AppleTV. In the meantime don’t get hung up the lack of 4K.

If picture and sound quality are the same why do I care about upgrading? Good question! You may not need to upgrade now. The big thing is that there is an App Store for the AppleTV and that means there will be all kinds of apps in the future that will make the AppleTV a very versatile box and platform. We can see the day when the major networks will have apps for their channels and you can tell siri to launch the app. You will be able to say, “Watch ESPN 2” and the AppleTV will go there. In fact you can launch ESPN now via voice. You can launch any app via voice and it launches right away. We even asked Siri to play the latest episode of Brooklyn 99 on Hulu and within a few seconds Jake Peralta was screen making us laugh.

The other feature that I (Ara) really like is the “What did he/she Say” capability. Have you been watching a show with someone who for some reason never understands what was just said? It can be very frustrating!! This feature was made for you. You simply pick up the remote and hold the Siri button and say, “What did he say”. Then Siri backs up about 15 seconds and turns on subtitles for you. Once you hit the point where you asked the question Siri turns off subtitles. If the application does not support the subtitles activation, Siri just rewinds 15 seconds and lets you listen harder.

You can also ask Siri, “Who’s in this”? You are then presented with a list of the actors in the show. But as far as we could tell, it only included main characters (regulars). Which was a bummer because I actually wanted to use it because I recognized someone and wanted to know where I saw him before. You can also ask about weather and sports scores. An advantage the AppleTV has over the fire TV is that the results only show up in the lower third of the screen while the show continues to play. If you swipe the remote up then the show is paused until you clear the screen.

There are games and a dedicated game controller. We downloaded a rudimentary game which was kind of fun. We see the potential there but right now we didn’t see any sophisticated games. It should be straightforward to port iOS games so look for this category to increase very quickly.

PROS

Siri integration into the improved touch remote
Voice commands that really work
First rate developer tools that should make for great apps

CONS

No iOS remote
No centralized password storage for use across different apps

Conclusion:

The fourth generation AppleTV feels like it was taken out of the oven a little early. But it's nothing that another 10 minutes of cooking time couldn’t fix. We fully expect the true potential of this device to be achieved as developers release new and interesting apps. If you want to jump in now, you won’t be disappointed. You may just get a little frustrated with the setup.

Podcast #712: Review: Pioneer Elite VSX-90 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver Nov 06, 2015

Review: Pioneer Elite VSX-90 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver

The HT Guys upgrade equipment faster than most just so we can stay on top of the latest technology. So when the 4K Fire TV product was released and our current receiver could not send a 4K signal to the TV we figured what better reason to upgrade. We chose the Pioneer Elite VSX-90 7.2 Channel Receiver with Atmos mainly because it is a capable receiver and it didn’t break the bank (Buy Now $699.99)

Features:

7 HDMI inputs with 2 outputs
100 W/ch (8 ohms 20 Hz-20 kHz THD 0.08 % 2ch Driven FTC)
4K 60P Ultra HD upscaling and pass-through
Built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Simplified connection and setup
Dolby Atmos
DSD playback
Subwoofer EQ and dual subwoofer pre-out
Spotify Connect and Roku ready
Energy-saving ECO Mode
Intuitive setup with icon-based Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Offers both RS-232c interface and full IP control

Setup:

We have gotten really good at swapping out receivers. Probably a skill most will never need to master but it helps us from time to time. Our speakers are connected via Banana plugs so recabling the receiver took about three minutes which included 7.1 speakers, 5 HDMI connections, Ethernet, and power.

Then we ran the calibration setup which Pionner calls MCACC Multi-Channel Acoustic Calibration. The VSX-90 uses the Pro Version of this technology. Like pretty much every other auto calibration system, Pioneer’s measures every speaker noting size and distance, sound levels and timbre from the listening point. The subwoofer is also analyzed and adjusted using four different frequency parameters to correct phase and timing errors.

The VSX-90 uses the ES9006 Sabre Premier audio DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) which should provide smoother audio. And you audiophiles may like to know that there is support for 192 kHz 24-bit AIFF, Multi-channel WAV, FLAC, and Apple Lossless up to 96kHz 24-Bit.

The VSX-90 offers both RS-232c interface and full IP control providing compatibility with the most popular home automation systems. For custom-installed home theater solutions, it offers multi-zone capability audio video support. For tablet and smartphone users there is the iControl AV5 app available to make using the receiver a breeze.

Performance:

First up is video. The main reason we upgraded our receiver was to be able to pass 4K content from our Amazon Fire TV device to the 4K TV. In this regard it is important to note that only the first three HDMI ports are HDCP 2.2 compliant and without that you won’t be able to pass protected 4K content through to the TV. The receiver will upscale all digital content to 4K but we found that the best picture was obtained by simply passing the original signal (Pure Mode) through and letting the TV do the upscaling.

The Amazon Fire TV looked fine with 4K content (See Review Here) that was unprocessed by the receiver. We subjectively compared the video straight from the Fire TV to that of video that went through the reveier. We could not see any difference which is what you would expect in the Pure mode. It should be noted that this receiver does not have video processing beyond a scalar. In general we feel this is a good thing because we have not found a good receiver that also processes video well.

Then it was time to listen to some audio. We had high expectations due to the Sabre DAC and we weren’t let down. Our listening material included lossless audio, 256 Kbps AAC, and streaming audio. Everything we listened to had more punch and the midrange sounded clear and crisp. If we had to sum up the listening experience it would be that the music sounded bright. The VSX-90 had no issues with reproducing an accurate sound stage with good instrument separation. When it came time to watch (listen) to movies we were impressed with how good our subwoofer sounded. Same subwoofer same Dolby True HD content but a noticeable improvement in the bass.

The only real complaint we had with the unit was source switching. Whenever we switched between sources it took as long as six seconds to get video back on screen.

Odds and Ends:

Dolby ATMOS sound technology - We did not test this feature
Remote - Typical receiver remote.
Multi-zones - The VSX-90 can send audio and video to a secondary room.
WiFi - The unit also has dual antennas to extend the range.
MHL compatibility - One port
Bluetooth and Airplay
Streaming Music - vTune, Pandora, and Spotify ready

Conclusion:

The Pioneer Elite VSX-90 is a feature rich receiver that won’t break the bank and allow room for some future growth. You may not be in a position to upgrade to Atmos but it's nice to know that when you want to the VSX-90 will be ready for you. It's relatively easy to setup and configure with the use of the onscreen instructions. For those who really like to listen to high quality music this receiver fits the bill. We couldn’t ask for a better mid-range AVR to handle both movies and music.

Podcast #711: Instant Home Theater in Two Hours or Less Oct 30, 2015

Instant Home Theater in Two Hours or Less

Amazon Prime changed the game. You can have pretty much anything you need, including an entire home theater, delivered to your home in two days or less. And you never have to get off the couch. A recent conversation with a friend who needed a TV and an HDMI cable and had them delivered in an hour using the new Prime Now app got us thinking. What if you wanted an entire home theater delivered to your home within an hour or two? Is that even possible?

The scenarios are endless. You have company over and everyone decides to watch a movie, but they brought kids and the kids need something to watch too. Or you and your family, friends, guests, whatever can’t decide if you want to watch a live sports event or that night’s episode of Dancing with the Stars, so, in the spirit of ‘why not both?’ you need to add a second home theater to keep everyone happy. Or, simply, just cuz.

Prime Now is a new service from Amazon, available to Prime members in select markets at no additional charge, that allows you to order products for delivery in two hours, sometimes less, depending on your proximity to the distribution center. We assume the products available may vary by market, since not all distribution centers would have the exact same inventory, so this adventure is what the HT Guys would be able to put together from their local distribution center in Orange County, California.

Prime Now is currently only available as an app for your smartphone. You cannot tap into it from your computer, not yet at least. For our discussion we’ll provide links to the products at the main Amazon website, but if you want to get them delivered in an hour, you’ll need to download the app and find them there.

Televisions

Every home theater needs an HDTV. What options are available from Prime Now? We assumed they would be small TVs, easy to store and easy to deliver. What we found surprised us. There were a bunch of options for HDTVs from Prime Now. Small TVs, like you would imagine, a 32” model from LG or Sharp, 43” options from Vizio and Sharp, etc. But they also had some bigger sets available. There’s a 50” Vizio, a 55” Vizio, and a 55” LG. Sure 55” isn’t huge, but it isn’t tiny either. A 55” TV would make a pretty good cornerstone in a 2 hour or less home theater.

LG Electronics 55LF6000 55-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED TV. If you buy it from the Amazon website, you’ll pay $647.99 and the strange thing is, it isn’t available for Prime shipping - you actually pay an extra $36.36 for shipping. If you buy if from the Prime Now app you pay more than $100 less, $538, and you get same day shipping. That’s a great deal.

VIZIO E50-C1 50-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV. Probably not the way to go unless you’re a huge Vizio fanboy, the TV is 50 inches compared with the 55 inches of the LG, but you only save $10. It costs $528 from both the Amazon website, where it is available for Prime shipping, and from the Prime Now app. The consistence makes sense, but the price for the screen size doesn’t.

VIZIO M55-C2 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED HDTV. If you want to go super impressive in a couple hours or less, there is one 4K TV available from Prime Now. For some reason this one is also more expensive from the website than from the app, and isn’t available for Prime shipping from the site either. At Amazon.com you pay $921.99. Although the shipping isn’t Prime, it is free. From Prime Now you only pay $849.99.

Projectors

But what if your emergency home theater needs to go really big? You want to watch in the backyard by the pool or set the kids up in the front yard so they can share with the whole neighborhood. Prime Now has you covered there as well. These should be much easier to stock and ship, making it that much easier to be an instant hero.

Optoma HD141X 1080p 3D DLP Home Theater Projector, $574 from Prime Now, 3000 Lumen

Optoma HD26 1080p 3D DLP Home Theater Projector, $649 from Prime Now, 3200 Lumen

BenQ W1070 1080P 3D DLP Home Theater Projector, $696 from Prime Now, 2000 Lumen

And of course you’ll need a screen. The Epson Duet 80-Inch Dual Aspect Ratio Projection Screen is $105.78 from Prime Now, includes a floor stand and can be expanded to the size that best meets your needs - old school 4:3 or widescreen 16:9.

Surround Sound

This is where it gets tricky and you have to be a bit creative. We didn’t find any AV Receivers through the app, and the speakers we could get were all more computer speakers than home theater speakers. That said, the Logitech Surround Sound Speakers Z506 would probably do a decent job for you, and at $57.99 they aren’t going to break the bank. You get a center speaker, four satellites and a subwoofer for that price. Certainly better than the built-in TV speaker.

There are a couple of sound bar options, like the VIZIO SB2920-C6 29-Inch 2.0 Channel Sound Bar for $78 or the VIZIO SB4051-C0 40-Inch 5.1 Channel Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer and Satellite Speakers for $348. With the inclusion of the wireless subwoofer and satellites (which are not wireless), the SB4051-C0 is probably the best option available to us in the Orange County area. And it has built-in Bluetooth if you want to stream music to it from your smartphone or tablet.

But if you want to be creative, you can get a Sonos Playbar TV Sound Bar for $699, add a couple Sonos Play:1 speakers at $199 each for surround sound and cap it off with a Sonos Sub Wireless Subwoofer to make it go boom for another $699. At a total cost of $1796 it isn’t cheap, but at least you won’t have to buy speaker wire (yes, that is available on Prime Now) and they can be used to stream music as part of a whole house audio system if you need them to as well.

Odds and Ends

Pretty much any cable or wire you’ll need to connect a home theater is available from Prime Now. They have a plethora of choices for OTA antennas and a couple set top bot OTA tuners if that’s how you choose to get content onto your instant home theater. There are a few Blu-ray players, like the Samsung BD-J5100 for $57.99 or the Sony BDPS6500 that has built-in WiFi, does 3D and has 4K upscaling for $128. And, of course, a wide variety of Blu-ray movies if you need something to watch. Or, you could certainly pick up a Fire TV Stick for $39.99 if you want to stream all the content you already get for free as part of your Prime membership (the standard $99 Fire TV wasn’t available to us as an option through Prime Now. Seems like they’re out of stock everywhere until early November).

Conclusion

All in all, you can build a pretty killer home theater setup and have it delivered to your door in under 2 hours, should you need it in a pinch. A 3200 lumen 1080p projector, an 80” screen, a sound bar with wireless sub and satellites, and maybe a fire TV stick to round out the package would be about $1145.

And one really interesting tidbit we found in our research is that pricing on Prime Now can sometimes be better than the Amazon website. Talk about win-win. Get the product in an hour or two and pay less for it.

Podcast # 710: Amazon Fire TV (4K) Oct 23, 2015

Amazon Fire TV (4K)

We are big fans of streamers. Whether it be Roku, Apple, or Amazon there is a streamer out there that makes watching movies as convenient as pressing a button on your remote. So when all three updated their offerings we knew we were going to be spending some time in front of the TV evaluating them. First up is the Amazon Fire TV in 4K (Buy Now $99).

Features:

All-new Amazon Fire TV now supports 4K Ultra HD for true-to-life picture quality. Watch high-definition 1080p streams on Amazon Video, Netflix, Hulu and more, even without a 4K TV.
Now with Alexa, use your Fire TV Voice Remote to check sports scores or the weather, play music, and more - instantly
Enjoy over 250,000 TV episodes and movies on Netflix, Amazon Video, HBO GO, and Showtime Anytime, plus games, music, and apps
Cutting the cord? Watch the best of live TV on NBC News, NBA Gametime, and Sling TV, which includes ESPN, CNN, HDTV, AMC, A&E, Cartoon Network, and more.
Say it. Watch it. Simply say the name of what you want to watch and start enjoying in seconds.
Now with 75% more processing power, a dedicated graphics engine, better Wi-Fi support, 2 GB of memory, 8 GB of storage and expandable storage of up to 128 GB
With over 800 games - the most games of any other streaming media player - there is something for the entire family, including Minecraft, Lego Star Wars, and Pac-Man 256
Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to Prime Video, including original programming like Transparent, plus over 1 million songs with Prime Music

Setup

The physical setup is simple, connect the device to your TV (or receiver) via HDMI, connect the Ethernet cable or use wifi, and the plug it into power. If you are a Prime member it is already configured to your account so you can start watching Prime content immediately. The Fire TV comes with a few programs already installed but if you want Netflix or Hulu you’ll need to install them. That takes a couple of minutes depending on your internet speed. You’ll also want to update the firmware on the device. The main reason is that you get Dolby Digital Plus instead of Stereo on Netflix! Also, an update for older Dolby Digital systems (not Dolby Digital Plus) will be distributed on November 30th.

We did run into a few issues that were not a fault of the Fire TV but issues that you may run into as well. The first time we connected the device to our receiver, a Denon, that did not support HDCP 2.2. Of course everything worked, we just couldn’t get an 4K content to display. A message on the video setup of the Fire TV told us that the port is connected but since it does not support HDCP 2.2 we would only be able to get 1080p.

We first verified that the TV supported HDCP 2.2. And it did on all HDMI inputs but only input five was HDMI 2.0. As it turned out, you can get 4K content over HDMI 1.4 as long as it supports HDCP 2.2! Next up was to upgrade the receiver. See what we do for you guys!! We ended up buying a Pioneer Elite VSX-90 7.2 ATMOS receiver. A review on that will be coming in a few weeks. We also verified that we were using high speed HDMI cables. For our test, they were Amazon Basic HDMI cables that cost about $10.

All the pieces were in place and we were ready for 4K! Unfortunately, there wasn’t any to be had. As it turns out only the first three HDMI ports on the VSX-90 are HDCP 2.2 compatible and it says that nowhere except in some tiny print in the manual. In fact the sticker on the front proudly proclaims 7 HDMI inputs and HDCP 2.2. Regardless, the Fire TV was moved to an input

that supported HDCP 2.2 and the message saying that 4K was not possible went away.

One last note. Removing the battery cover on the remote is one of the most difficult things I have had to do for any device I have owned. Seriously?? What were they thinking. Fortunately there is a video that will help you with this task (https://youtu.be/cjyUo18DQdg)

Performance

For our testing we looked at three apps, Netflix, Amazon Prime Videos, and Slingbox. There are plenty of video apps but we figured that Netflix and Amazon have a decent amount of 4K content so it made the most sense.

Slingbox

The Slingbox app makes the Fire TV a killer product… well if you have a Slingbox anyway. You could take the Fire TV with you on vacation and have access to all your TV anywhere you go. Or you could setup a Slingbox someplace where you want access to local content and access on your TV at home. Regardless, this is a cool feature. Unfortunately it didn’t work. The Slingbox app kept trying to load and never really worked. We’ll try again later but right out of the shoot there were issues. In general, we found there to be some quirkiness with the player. Amazon may be one or two firmware updates away from a rock solid system.

Netflix

Next up was Netflix and some 4K content. Amazon is touting something called ASAP (Advanced Streaming and Prediction). Its supposed to start streaming instantly. Here is what we found. If you select a movie and take the time to read the description or just look at the album art for a few seconds, streaming will start right away. But if you randomly select something that you would typically watch and hit play immediately the show will buffer. So the advanced streaming prediction is more like rudimentary prediction. In reality waiting a few seconds for you selection to start is not a big thing. But what a cool acronym right?

We loaded “The Black List” since it was a 4K show. It started rather quickly and the receiver displayed DD+!! But to be honest, it didn’t sound much better than straight Dolby Digital. We are sure that is because the source material was probably not mastered for it. As far as the video goes, the picture looked very good. But is it better than 1080p? Some will be upset at us for saying this. But on a 70 inch screen sitting 12 feet away we couldn’t see any difference between the 4K and 1080p version of the identical show. And to be complete, we also watched the same material on the native Netflix app on the Vizio P-Series with the same results.

This is no surprise. There are many calculators out there that will tell you what resolution you can discern at what distance with normal (20/20) vision. For our readers/listeners outside the US, 20/20 vision means you can see what people with normal vision can at 20 feet. If your vision is 20/40, you see at 20 feet what people with normal vision see at 40 feet. The calculators tell us that with a 70 inch screen you will need to be seated between 4.5 and 9 feet (137 - 274 cm) to see the difference between 1080p and 4K.

The picture still looked good. It was sharp, color was good, and it played without any issues. We will say that the quality is approaching Blu-ray and that is a good thing. Streaming high quality content for those of us that have high speed Internet is the dream right? But is it better than the older version of the Fire TV. Not really.

Amazon Prime

Amazon prime is similar to watching Netflix but without the same breadth and depth of content. There are Amazon originals like a cop drama called Bosch. It's actually pretty good and that is a good reason to invest in this product. Amazon will only get better and deeper in the future. Plus there are so many benefits to being a Prime member.

Odds and Ends

Voice Control - The remote has a button that you press and hold while to say commands. Basic stuff like, “What’s the weather like” and “Did my team win” work great. Finding shows only works in Amazon content. You can’t say stuff like, “Show me movies starring Harrison Ford”.
Music - If you have your music in Amazon’s ecosystem you will have access to it through this device. All your playlists and radio stations are available to you. Plus you have access to Pandora, iHeartRadio, and TuneIn. Spotify will be available at some point in the future
Navigation - Navigation is fast and fluid. But the GUI is cumbersome to navigate. It would be great if you could launch apps with your voice.
Games - There are plenty of games and a dedicated game controller. We did not test any of these. But don’t expect an Xbox or Playstation like experience.
SD Card Slot - you can use microSD card up to 128 GB to make room for more games and apps.
Plex Support

Conclusion

We have seen so many of these boxes and no one of them is the be all end all. That is still the case with the 4K Fire TV. If you are a Roku or AppleTV customer should you switch? Certainly not. If you have a Roku, AppleTV or any other set top box and you are a Prime member should you get this box as well. Sure! Well if you have $99 just laying around. The Fire TV makes a good addition to your home theater without taking up much real estate. Just stack your other box on top of it and use it when you just can’t find something on your Roku or Apple TV.

Podcast #709: CEDIA 2015 Oct 16, 2015

CEDIA 2015

Each year CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) holds an event where the industry gathers to show off their wares. Kinda like a mini-CES, but also like a best of CES, we’ve been to a few of these and actually enjoy the show more than CES. It takes the parts of CES that we are interested in and compresses it down to a more manageable show. We didn’t go this year but that won’t stop us from talking about some of the products we think are interesting. This year the show was from October 14-17 in Dallas, TX.

Sony Electronics Announces 4K Home Theater Projectors at CEDIA 2015

Sony Electronics is expanding its home theater line-up by announcing new projectors at CEDIA 2015. The new projectors include the VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES, which deliver native 4K resolution and a new long-lasting lamp gives both up to 6,000 hours of performance, with high brightness and high contrast for even more vibrant images.

The VPL-VW665ES is compatible with HDMI input of HDR (High Dynamic Range) content with a 300,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio. Sony is developing HDR support across its portfolio and the VPL-VW665ES gives home cinema enthusiasts the opportunity to experience total immersion in whatever they are watching. The new VPL-VW665ES and VPL-VW365ES use advanced SXRD™ panels for a native 4K picture, with no artificial manipulation of pixels.

Both new models allow users to enjoy up-to-date 4K content services through the latest connectivity options using the latest HDMI standard and HDCP 2.2. The new projectors will be available in October 2015 at a suggested retail price of $3,999 for the VPL-HW65ES, $9,999 for the VPL-VW365ES and $14,999 for the VPL-VW665ES.

SunBriteTV Unveils 84-, 55-Inch Outdoor 4K TVs

SunBriteTV has announced its entry into 4K UHD with two new outdoor televisions, including an 84-inch Pro Series model (SB-8418UHD), its largest screen size to date, and a 55-inch Signature Series unit (SB-5574UHD). Designed for permanent outdoor installation, both the SB-8418UHD and the SB-5574UHD feature weatherproofing technology that protects internal components from rain, snow, dust, salt corrosion, insects, and humidity. Specialized high-brightness anti-glare screens differ from those of indoor televisions for a 3840 x 2160p 4K UHD viewing experience. Both units come with a 20W detachable weatherproof speaker bar.

Shipping dates and pricing for both units will be released later this year. The SB-8418UHD, part of SunBriteTV’s Pro Series, also features a glass shield to provide extra protection for the LED panel. The unit has an (800 NIT) LED screen and Direct Sunlight-Readable capability with a built-in heating and cooling systems that keep it operating in temperatures from -40° to 122°F. The SB-5574UHD has a 3.5-inch depth and is fully functional in temperatures from -24° to 122°F.

Epson Unveils New Line of Premium Ultra-Bright Pro Cinema Projectors

Epson unveiled an expanded line of Full HD 1080p Ultra-Bright Pro Cinema Projectors, the Epson® Pro Cinema G6970WU, Pro Cinema G6570WU, Pro Cinema 4855WU, and wireless Pro Cinema 1985. Featuring up to 6,000 lumens of color brightness and 6,000 lumens of white brightness. Epson's latest projectors provide custom installers, sports and AV enthusiasts versatile solutions specifically designed to provide exceptional image quality and wireless connectivity in large, open ambient light environments that compete directly with traditional flat panels.

The Pro Cinema 1985 wireless projector shines bright and supports the latest in connectivity – transforming the projector into a versatile home entertainment hub. Users can stream media from a smartphone, tablet, or laptop using wireless projection with Miracast® and Intel® WiDi. For brilliant entertainment right out of the box, the projector features built-in sound and two HDMI® ports to connect cable and satellite boxes, gaming consoles and more. In addition, the Pro Cinema 1985 supports MHL-enabled devices, including Chromecast, Roku®4 and Amazon® Fire TV Stick.

Pro Cinema G6970WU: $6,999 MSRP, 6,000 lumens

Pro Cinema G6570WU: $5,499 MSRP, 5,200 lumens

Pro Cinema 4855WU: $3,099 MSRP, 4,000 lumens

Pro Cinema 1985: $2,499 MSRP, 4,800 lumens

The Pro Cinema G6970WU, G6570WU and 1985 will be available in November through CEDIA and specialty dealers. The Pro Cinema 4855WU is shipping now.

Control4 Delivers Enhanced Smart Home Security and Entertainment Experiences

Control4 released OS 2.8, the latest version of its smart home operating system. With OS 2.8, Control4 rolls out a reimagined smart home security experience that easily integrates with today’s leading security systems, smart locks and cameras; offers native streaming of music services from Pandora, Deezer, and TIDAL; and updates other capabilities to make it easy for Control4 homeowners to search, browse, listen and watch their favorite media. Additionally, OS 2.8 delivers a number of enhanced dealer tools, most notably the ability to back up Control4 projects to the cloud and all-new “experience” drivers that simplify the creation of personalized smart home experiences.

Specifically, Control4 OS 2.8 brings several key new home security enhancements, including:

A new user interface for families to arm or disarm their systems – or get emergency help – with a single tap directly on their touch screens, TV remotes, smart tablets, and mobile phones.
A new iOS and Android mobile interface to manage smart locks, for family members to easily lock or unlock a door, add or delete users, and grant temporary home access.
All security zones are now available in a single interface and simplifies the management of all the security zones in the smart home, including the ability to close a gate or a garage door with a single tap.
A new searchable event-history agent that records security incidents throughout the home to provide a sequenced and contextual understanding of activity, which in turn can be used to inform homeowners via mobile alerts and push-notifications that are timely and relevant.

Control4 has also announced new “experience” drivers that help simplify programming for highly-personal experiences inside of a Control4 Smart Home.

The all-new MockupancyTM capability remembers the every-day routines and actions of the household within the home, allowing a Control4 homeowner to play back those routines and actions while they are away – simulating the organic feel of an occupied residence. Specifically, Mockupancy can coordinate lighting, shades, and even TV entertainment and music streaming to mimic normal household occupancy.
The all-new Snapshot driver simplifies the capture of the current state of connected devices throughout the home, including lighting, entertainment and comfort control. A dealer can then program the system to recall the scene with a single tap or button press.
The driver database has expanded to integrate over 9,500 compatible devices; Control4 has released free drivers for over 700 devices since the acquisition of Extra Vegetables in September of 2014, including popular smart devices from Amazon, Sony, Samsung, TiVo, Hunter Douglass, Bang & Olufsen, and Bowers & Wilkins among many others.

IC720 full 360 x 360 DIY home security camera

The security manufacturer IC Realtime has been innovating in the camera category for a long time. At the 2015 CEDIA Expo, dealers can see the company’s new IC720 camera. Utilizing IC Realtime’s 360-degree by 360-degree virtual reality technologies, users can see 360-degrees horizontally and 360-degrees vertically in HD in real time. The IC720 is a pro-level product with a 24-megapixel dual-sensor 4K virtual PTZ product that works with IC Realtime’s app. The ALLie is a $599 product for DIY’ers. ALLie incorporates Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and 8GBs of memory.

LP Smart Products Collaborates With Elite Home Theater Seating To Design Smart Seating Of The Future

Leggett & Platt Smart Products announced a collaboration with Elite Home Theater Seating Inc. at CEDIA EXPO to create technology-enabled, high-end theater chairs that can detect human occupancy. The seating combines LP Smart Products' LPSense® and LPConnect® technology in its launch of LPConnect Package with Elite's luxury handmade theater seating. The LPConnect Package can be implemented into any piece of home furniture and includes several customizable features including auto stop safety control, easy integration with existing automation systems, memory presets, and control over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth low energy, and Zigbee.

When implemented into Elite's theater chairs, individual preferences can be stored into memory presets using LPSense and LPConnect. Its LPSense technology uses capacitive sensing to detect human presence and trigger actions based on activity, such as playing or pausing a movie when the user gets in or out of the theater chair. The chair and other connected furniture can also be programmed to adjust room settings with its LPConnect technology.

Fibaro gesture control and first Wi-Fi-enabled doorbell/intercom/security camera

To enable gesture control of devices connected to Fibaro’s Home Center 2 Z-Wave hub, the company developed a battery-operated panel that can be placed behind picture frames, behind walls or under countertops to sense the capacitance of a moving hand. The panel recognizes six gestures: up, down, left, right, circle left, and circle right. It also recognizes combinations of gestures. Consumers would program in the devices or scenes that a gesture would control.

The panel, called the Swipe, will be available the end of November at a targeted $149.

The company’s first intercom/doorbell with integrated camera features Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and Power over Ethernet. The device, called the Fibaro Intercom, gets power from an existing doorbell system. It uses motion and sound sensing to launch 4K video recording, sends doorbell video over Wi-Fi for in-house or remote viewing on a mobile device, and incorporates Bluetooth. With Bluetooth, the Intercom senses when an authorized user’s phone is within a set range, then automatically sends a 12-volt signal to unlock a connected electronic lock. Also to unlock a connected electronic lock, users rotate the device’s bezel to enter a numeric security code. It will be available in December at around $500.

Kaleidescape Unveils Strato 4K HDR Movie Player, New Alto Players, Terra Server

The award-winning Kaleidescape Strato is the world's first and only 4K Ultra HD high-dynamic-range movie player. Strato plays movies in true 4K Ultra HD at up to 60 frames per second, without startup delays, buffering messages, or quality drops that are so common with streaming services. Strato supports lossless multichannel audio including Dolby Atmos, and bit-stream pass-through of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio. The Strato onscreen user interface is also displayed in 4K Ultra HD, at 60 frames per second, resulting in fluid animation and a stunning visual impact.

Strato can be purchased with or without an internal 6 TB hard drive that can store up to 100 4K Ultra HD movies, 150 Blu-ray quality movies, or 900 DVD quality movies. Strato equipped with internal movie storage can be used standalone or in a system with other Encore components. Strato without internal storage plays movies from any movie server or disc server in its Encore system.

Kaleidescape Terra stores movies on hard drives and serves them to movie players in the home network. Terra also provides computing and caching services that enhance the performance of Strato and Alto players. A single Terra can simultaneously serve up to seven 4K movies, or up to 15 Blu-ray quality movies.

Sonos

Over in the whole-house audio category, wireless category leader Sonos is not resting on its past accomplishments. A few weeks ago the company introduced its new Play:5 active loudspeaker that incorporates new drivers, amplification, crossover networks and a new industrial design. Headlining its software tweaks, the company has added its TruePlay auto room equalization technology.

Demonstrating the technology, Sonos asks dealers to watch a quick video that shows how simple the EQ is. Taking approximately 55 seconds, TruePlay uses the microphone in users’ iOS devices to measure room interactions. Once completed, TruePlay cleans up common sound issues such as muddy bass and smeared top end. Summing up the technology, Sonos states it underscores its pursuit of “pure musical truth.” The tenets of its musical truth include full-frequency clarity, stereo imaging and well defined bass performance.

Podcast #708: Chromecast Audio Oct 09, 2015

Chromecast Audio

We have been enjoying whole house audio for years now. Braden has a nice Sonos system in place while Ara has gone with an Airplay solution. We each have multiple zones including the garage and bathrooms where we can listen to our music in a casual setting. The Sonos solution uses Sonos designed speakers or it can use a bridge to add powered speakers or receivers to the system. Apple uses their technology called Airplay which allows you to connect powered speakers connected to an Airport Express or one to the many receivers and third party powered speakers that support Airplay.

Both systems are flexible and reliable. You can mix and match speakers, receivers, and even set top boxes. You can choose to have different music playing in the various zones. And everything can be controlled from the palm of your hand. The systems can cost a few hundred dollars all the way up to thousands.

The playing field just got a little more crowded with the introduction of the Chromecast Audio. It's a small device about the size of three silver dollars stacked on top of each other and it only costs $35! And no you can’t get it at Amazon! Seriously…what are those guys thinking??

The Chromecast Audio plugs into your powered speaker via the 3.5mm audio input jack for streaming music through WiFi. If your speakers or receiver only accept RCA inputs you can use a cable that is 3.5mm on one end and RCA on the other. Once set up, simply use your iPhone, iPad, Android phone and tablet, Mac and Windows laptop, or Chromebook to send your music to any zone in the house.

Setup

Setup is quite easy. First connect the Chromecast Audio to power and use the supplied 3.5mm cable to your speakers. Then download and launch the Chromacast app for your mobile device. Follow the onscreen steps and in less than a minute you will have your fist audio zone up and running. Repeat the steps for each zone you are setting up and just like that you have multiroom audio! Depending on the speakers you choose you can spend anywhere from $50 up to $500 or more per zone. But if the listening is strictly causal and for ambiance you can easily setup up a five zone system for less than $500!

Performance

To start playing audio (on an iOS device anyway) you simply launch an app that is Chromecast capable select the speaker and enjoy. Google Play, Pandora, iHeart Radio all support Chomecast Audio. In fact the list of supporting apps is quite large. Check out the Chromcast Audio website for a full list. Unfortunately but not unexpectedly for iOS users Apple’s own apps do not support the Chromecast Audio.

Once you have started streaming control is handed off to the Chromecast which streams directly from the cloud. So if you get a call or notification you don’t stop or interrupt the music. This is a nice feature if you are having a party and you don’t want the music to stop. If you are at home and you prefer it to be quiet you can always pause the track.

You can also cast from a desktop Mac or Windows PC but you’ll need to use the Chrome Browser and install the Chromecast Extension. Once you do this any audio that is coming into your browser can be sent to the speakers.

So far the experience has been real nice, but what about the audio quality? Well how much quality can you expect from a device that costs $35? We found the audio was a little thinner than when listening through the same speakers connected directly to the phone or tablet. The lows didn’t have that punch and the highs just seemed washed out. We couldn’t find detailed specs on the converter used but that’s probably because it's not very good. In general we found the Sonos did a much better job. But this isn’t a real knock on the product. It's just a reminder not to expect miracles from the device. For what it is, the Chromecast Audio is a nifty little product that does a decent job.

The current firmware does not support sending audio to multiple zones at once. Google says there is an update coming later this year that will enable that feature.

Conclusion

Let’s be honest, the Chromecast Audio is not going to win over any audiophiles, but what it will do is make it possible for just about anyone, with a limited budget, to deploy a multi zone audio system for casual listening that won’t break the bank!

Podcast #707: United Object Smart Beam Laser Projector Oct 02, 2015

United Object Smart Beam Laser Projector

You could probably start a pretty healthy debate if you asked a group of home theater enthusiasts what the single most important piece of gear is if you want to truly transform a home video system into a legitimate home theater. Surround sound is important. Without surround sound you’ll never feel like part of the action, and your home theater will never feel like a movie theater. The subwoofer provides the punch you need to really feel the action; the center channel provides all the on-screen action and the surround speakers put you right into the middle of that action.

But equally as vital is the front projector. Sure TVs are getting bigger, and they’re really good - even at the really big sizes. To be honest, big TVs that are really good is a relatively new phenomenon. In the past the really big screens, the rear projection screens, were good, but they were really more about size than quality. But not true today; there are some killer home theaters built around large plasma and LED TVs. But for the authentic big screen experience, you really need that big screen. Something you can still only get from a front projector.

But if you turn that debate inside out a bit, if you ask about the single most important piece of equipment for a portable theater setup, the answers change. Surround sound isn’t as important, because who would travel with 7 speakers. Obviously you wouldn’t travel with a full television set, so you could say a really good, portable screen is key. But most people would tell you the projector is the most important. And small projectors, pico projectors, are starting to really develop into a strong category.

One such pico projector that’s getting a lot of attention is the United Object Smart Beam Laser pico projector. Not only is it tiny, small enough to fit in any travel bag, it has some unique features that make it quite compelling as the centerpiece to your portable home theater. We had the opportunity to play with one recently and it was a lot of fun. Granted it won’t ever be able to anchor your true home theater experience, it is cool enough to anchor your portable video needs and turn any portable electronic viewing device, like a laptop, tablet or phone, into a portable home theater rig.

Basics

The United Object Smart Beam Laser Projector is square. It measures about 2.2 inches on a side and can fit in the palm of your hand. They bill it as the smallest HD laser projector in the world. It has a maximum brightness of 60 ANSI Lumens using, of course, a laser power source. The display itself uses LCoS (liquid crystal on silicon) technology and is capable of 720p (1280x720) HD video resolution. It’ll go as small as 20” all the way up to a maximum 100” screen. You can buy it online direct from United Object for $419. Or from Amazon for the same price, but you do get Prime shipping.

Setup and Use

The projector needs power and a video source. It includes the power cord and an MHL cable, but you can also use micro HDMI, but you’ll need to provide your own cable for that. The unit is battery powered and the manual claims you can get up to 120 minutes of video from a full charge. We didn’t test that, but because it also supports a couple wireless video options, you don’t need to have it plugged in at all times to use it. You can connect to it using Miracast, mirroring from iOS, or using DLNA over WiFi.

Plugging into power is, of course, trivial. Once that’s done, plugging in a micro HDMI cable (you can get from Amazon for a couple bucks) and using the Smart Beam like a traditional projector is a snap, assuming you have a device that supports either HDMI or MHL. At that time, you have a 2-inch cube portable projector that fits in the palm of your hand. The Smart Beam includes an MHL adapter that is needed for some MHL devices, but we went with straight HDMI and it was ridiculously easy to setup and use. It took all of 30 seconds.

Going wireless really doesn’t take that much more work. When you turn it on without an HDMI/MHL input, the home screen shows you a Miracast Device name to connect to. We assume that is trivial, but didn’t have a Miracast device handy, so we didn’t try it. To use it with iOS or DLNA, you have to switch it to DLNA mode by tapping the power button twice quickly. Then it turns into its own WiFi hotspot and tells you how to connect to it. You join it as if it were a standard, open WiFi network and use AirPlay to mirror a device to it or DLNA to send content to it. This added an extra minute or two to the setup.

Performance

One really cool feature of the projector is that it will auto focus for any supported screen size. You can’t zoom, so you have to move it to the proper distance to get the right screen size, but once you have it at the right distance, it’ll automatically focus for you. We found the focus to be much sharper at larger screen sizes than smaller ones, but that could also be a function of how far we were from the screen, so the slight fuzziness of the picture diminished the further away from it we sat. The auto-focus feature makes it just that much easier to use.

For video, the LCoS laser display was surprisingly good. At 60 ANSI Lumens it is absolutely critical that you control ambient light, but in a sufficiently dark room, the projected image was quite good. It doesn’t have the resolution needed for crisp text display, especially at smaller font sizes, so it probably wouldn’t be an ideal projector for all business use cases. But if your business presentations tend to be more graphical in nature, it could work for you.

Using it as a portable video projector, however, is probably the manufacturer’s ideal use case. For video, we found the colors and contrast to be quite good - of course assuming you have a dark room and a good screen to project onto. The clarity of the picture was a bit softer, and perhaps slightly grainier than other 720p projectors we used, but certainly not to where it was terrible or distracting. The built-in audio is what you would expect from a package that size. It gets the job done, but at about the same quality as the speaker built into your laptop or phone.

Conclusion

All in all, we’re excited about where the pico projector technology is headed. You still have to deal with a good deal of trade-offs in brightness and picture quality, but they are improving. We can see a day in the future where you could have video screens all over your home, much like you have with whole-house audio, using pico projectors. Or where multiple pico projectors working together, like surround sound speakers in your home theater, could transform an entire room into a 360-degree panoramic viewing experience. Talk about being in the middle of the action. Add 3D to the mix there, and you’ve got yourself a holodeck. Sure, it might be a dream right now, but at the rate technology is moving these days, you really never know what tomorrow holds.

Podcast #706: The Ultimate DVR Sep 25, 2015

Ultimate DVR

We have been using DVRs now for the past 10 years or so and they have come a long way since when they were first introduced. But with that said there are still a few features that could take the DVR to a whole new level. We have a few ideas for the Ultimate DVR and so do you.

Pause In One Room And Pick Up In Another

Most of our DVRs can already pick up recordings in different rooms at the last played spot but it's a bit cumbersome. The way it works for most of us is to turn on the TV in the other room go to the recording list select the show and then hit resume. We would like to make it simpler. How about when you hit pause you are given an option to select another TV for continuation. Then you turn off the TV and go to the other room and turn on the TV. A dialog box will already be displayed on the screen asking you to hit play to resume. With a single click of the remote you are back in business!

User Profiles

User profiles would make life much easier for homes with multiple inhabitants. The interface should allow for quick filtering of the recorded programs based on users. That way we don’t see the shows that our children and/or spouses recorded. Anytime a new program is added to the season pass manager it will show up in everyone’s list until you accept or reject it. You can also show the full unfiltered list with a simple toggle.

But the real power will be in tracking where you were in a program. If someone in your household watches a show that you also have in your list it should not indicate that its been watched by you until you watch it. If someone else is 30 min into the show and you are 15 min into the show the DVR should keep track of that as well.

True iTunes/Netflix/Amazon/Youtube Integration

It would be great if you could log in via your DVR and then whatever subscriptions/TV/movies you have purchased would show up in the program list. Sure you can switch over to a Smart TV application or external set top box. It would be really cool if they just show up in the playlist.

Listeners Ideas

I would like to be able to record 4-6 shows simultaneously, watch DVR from my phone, set recordings more easily (too many steps), watch from any TV/device.

Thanks!

Shawn Faherty

Stafford, VA via Facebook

Due to there being so much content out there to watch, some intelligence can be added to recommend shows that you would like based on what you record and shows that you watch via the "Catch Up" feature. I find that there is a lot of good stuff out there, but we just don't seem to find it and if we do find it, the shows are a few episodes in already.

For shows that you generally record, highlight them within the "Catch-up" section. I prefer to watch via "Catch-up" then via the recorded shows since then I don't have to skip commercials.

Glen

South Africa via Facebook

Cloud based dvr so that recordings are available to view on all devices. Could be practical now that dsl speeds are much higher these days.

Integration of catch - up and on demand within the EPG. This could allow for scrolling 'back in time' through the epg to launch a catch up show, straight from the epg itself.

Duncan via Facebook

In today's day and age, if a game runs late, the dvr should automatically adjust

@409SWH via twitter

An interface that's easy to use with less clicks. The @XFINITY X1 DVR is example of poor/stupid UI.

@HiFiGuy528 (and many others!) via twitter

Honestly, way before any fancier feature, I'd just like the damn thing to work SMOOTHLY. My Comcast box is just slow enough responding to button presses that it drives me crazy. I spend an inordinate amount of time just trying to fast forward through commercials without overshooting the beginning of the next program segment. Then, rewinding... Then, oops, back forward... Then back... Then screw it, I'll just watch this last commercial. At the end of a program I hit stop and WAIT for the option to delete, then hit OK and WAIT for it to delete, then WAIT for it to respond to the "exit" button for the DVR menu to go away. Then I'm about 10 seconds away from smashing the remote. Also, on the Comcast DVRs, you have to add about 3 minutes to every recording because the thing acts squirrelly near the end of any recording, in ways too specific and weird to explain here. Oh, AND, for no reason, they changed the play button's function during playback from simply showing the play timeline to now pausing the program. GRRR.... So the feature I want the most? JUST WORK RIGHT.

The next complaint is simply the guide / schedule. Program reruns show up as new and either don't get changed to a rerun listing until right before it airs, or never change and get recorded, filling up the drive. And our local PBS station CONSTANTLY has errors in listings. On other stations, series recordings just disappeared for the upcoming season, and we had to re-create them. Nuts.

So then after all the basic stuff, I'd like one DVR that remembered where you were in any recording, no matter how you were playing it back (recorded or on demand), and could play back to TINY little players around the house, or as DLNA to anything that uses that standard, or to mobile devices wherever I am. But mostly I don't want big ol' boxes with every TV simply to be able to see HD. That's infuriating, and one of the reasons I was so excited to recently read about efforts to set a software standard by the FCC that could be licensed to whomever, so we don't all have to rent so many infernal boxes! :-)

Lee Overstreet via Facebook

I would like DVR's to go away. All shows should be available from any device at any time, including FF/RW capability. My cable company (Brighthouse) only has shows available from the current season and FF does not work. The capability to download a show to a mobile device so it can be played off-line should be available as well. So far, I have only seen this from Amazon.

Andy Cohen via Facebook

External HD with no size limit (user upgradable/replaceable)
easy downloadable recordings (for archiving)
easy way to backup all settings to an external computer

Bob Tar via email

Podcast #705: Yonomi - The Automation Consolidation App Sep 18, 2015

Yonomi - The Automation Consolidation App

Being able to control anything and everything in your home from your smartphone is pretty cool. Having to open multiple apps to do it is kinda lame. That’s what the developers behind Yonomi are hoping to solve for you. Sure if you have a central server or hub, you can do it all there and control everything with one app, but is there really one server that can control any smart device? We haven’t seen it yet.

Of course, Yonomi can’t control any and every smart device you can imagine, but because their approach is different, they have support for more than you can imagine. And it feels like it will be easier for them to add support for more devices faster than a server or hub product could do.

About the App

From the Website: “Smart devices are here: Wireless thermostats, activity monitors, networked music systems and a whole host of devices in the home. Wouldn’t it be great if they all could communicate together? Wouldn’t it be even better if they worked in unison to make your daily routines easier and more enjoyable? Now there is an app that does all that and works in the background so you can get back to the things that really matter.”

“Yonomi resides on your phone and in the Cloud. No need for a hub, controller box or other additional hardware. Yonomi magically finds and enhances your existing connected devices allowing them to interact with one another in ways never before possible.”

Supported Devices

August Smart Locks
Belkin WeMo Switches, Plug Modules, Motion Sensors, Bulbs and Netcams
Belkin Wemo enabled Crock-Pot
Belkin Wemo enabled Mr. Coffee
Cree LED Bulbs
Egg Minder
GE Link LED Bulbs
Jawbone UP
Mimo Baby Monitor
Nest Thermostat and Smoke Detector
Parrot Flower Power
Philips HUE Lights
Quirky Aros Air Conditioner, Door & Window Sensors, Water Sensors
Sonos Devices
Withings Pulse, Activite, Smart Body Analyzer, Wireless Scale

Using the App

First of all, the app is totally free. We aren’t sure how they plan to make money and stay around for the long run, but hopefully they have a plan. It is a bit scary to rely on it as your home automation server to only have it disappear out from underneath you. But then again, it’s free, so you’ve lost nothing but the time it took to get it up and running. Installing the app is as easy as any other app. Then you register by providing your name, email address and a password. Once done, it scours your WiFi for compatible devices and adds them.

Once you have some devices in the app, that’s when things get really fun. It starts by suggesting routines that match with the devices you have. Almost like a Harmony remote, when you add a TV and it tells you that you should really have a Watch TV activity, etc. But it goes way beyond just the devices it found. You can tell it where your home is located and it can use date and time, sunrise and/or sunset, the location of the phone (you leave home, you arrive home, etc) and a lot more to customize your routines.

Much like an automation hub or server, you can configure all kinds of routines to occur based on your life, and even things you didn’t know your devices could do. You can have your Sonos speakers talk to you, like saying ‘Don’t forget your lunch’ at 7:45 in the morning as your kids are headed out the door for school, then play Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) by Bananarama as they’re walking out. Or it can say, “Welcome home, Dave” when you get back from a long day at work, then start playing your favorite relaxing slow jam mix to help you de-stress. Even turn on some lights and start a pot of coffee.

Events that occur on the phone can set off routines in the smart devices as well. Flash the lights in the whole house when you get a phone call. Mute the Sonos speakers, or pause the music, when you answer or make a call. Have the Sonos speakers announce the weather when you shake the phone. It’s fun, easy to use, and very easy to configure. Because the app works with the Sonos Playbar, there are a bunch of cool potential routines to tie into your home theater as well.

We didn’t get the chance to try it on multiple phones, to make sure they could set independent routines, like different slow jam mixes when different people arrive home, but since the phone was added as a supported device during setup, we assume it would be as simple as logging into the app with the same account and creating some new routines. We’ll try this later and report back.

Podcast #704: Binge Watching TV Sep 11, 2015

Binge Watching TV

We have talked about Binge watching on the show many times. It's a relatively new phenomena where you watch multiple episodes of a TV program in rapid succession. In the early days that meant you would buy or rent seasons of the program you were interested in on DVD. Today it can be that or more likely you stream the program from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, or the network’s website.

We have never in the history of television had more content available to watch than we do right now. From old series to new made for streaming series you no longer can say there is nothing to watch. But has Binge watching improved the experience? Will take a look.

Some Statistics

A recent Tivo study says a little more than 90% of you have binge watched television. Seventy percent of the respondents to the Tivo survey say there is nothing wrong with it. Some of the reasons for binge watching include, catching up on missed episodes, finding out about a series a season or two or five after it first aired, and some just want to power through a season without having to wait for the show each week. The undisputed champ of binge watching is Netflix with 66% of the Tivo respondents saying that’s how they binge watch.

It's not all roses for those who binge watch either. Thirty One percent of the survey takers said they have lost sleep because of their binge and 37% say they have lost an entire weekend to the habit. There is another study that binge watching can lead to depression although it may be that those who suffer from depression like to binge watch. Remember the old adage, everything in moderation! It applies to binge watching as well.

Water Cooler Discussions Not What They Used To Be

Who remembers watching Lost and then going to the office the next day to talk with co-workers so that you could decipher the previous night’s episode? It was almost like a ritual that a small group of us would discuss nuances of the show. It made for a nice social interaction with friends and co-workers. Fast forward a few years and now with Twitter you can watch a TV show with hard core fans and get real time discussion or you can interact with the actors after the show with Twitter Q&A.

With binging these social elements of watching programs are no longer there. You may have spent the entire weekend watching Daredevil (Fantastic show by the way) on Netflix but your co-worker is only 5 episodes in. You have to hold back on your enthusiasm in your discussion for fear of a spoiler. Speaking of spoilers, now we have to speak in code to make sure that the person you are speaking with is caught up. We have all been upset with someone who says something like, “OMG, I can’t believe they killed Beth!!” (Spoiler alert, they killed off Beth in The Walking Dead). We have on this very show had to be careful in what we say for fear of spoiling an episode or series for our listeners. How long do we have to wait before we can freely talk about a show without fear of upsetting our friends? Here is a survey from the Sydney Morning Herald:

Content Creators Are Adapting

It not just the viewers who are changing, so are the producers of television. It's not very long after a season wraps up that all episodes are available on Blu-ray and DVD ready to be shipped to your door so you can binge. So many of you would tell us that we should watch “Burn Notice” and “The Walking Dead” that we ended up getting the discs from Netflix and catching up in a few weeks. We remember how depressing it was when we ran out of old episodes and had to wait each week for the next one. Although the Monday Morning Debrief, as Ara’s daughter calls it, is also fun.

Creators understanding that we can watch more content at any time are giving us more things to watch. For streaming you don’t need an audience of ten million people to make the show viable. Networks have a finite amount of time to fill so they only want to fill it with shows that draw huge numbers. Streaming can get by on a lot less. Plus, since the show was meant to be streamed the producers don’t care when you watch. As a result more shows are getting green lit. The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt was passed on by NBC and then picked up by Netflix. It has been a huge success and is nominated for an Emmy.

Do you remember when mid-season finales were big? Well no reason to do that anymore. Also, what about seasonal episodes? Shows that are made available all at once no longer can do the obligatory Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Christmas episode. But is does allow creators to be free from the limits. not having to “waste” episodes based on seasonal elements allows the creators to experiment.

Not fearing being canceled after two episodes allows the creators to develop the plot and characters at a slower pace. Binge watchers may have to wait four or five episodes to get the full picture, but who cares, that can be done before lunch. This way you don’t feel like you’ve invested an entire month on a show before deciding that you don’t want to watch anymore. But others may like the show and at a minimum they will have one season.

You Might Be A Binge Watcher If:

From the Telegraph in the UK

You utter the phrase "Just one more episode" more than anything else in the day.
You dream about the show you're currently watching and become obsessed with its stars.
You forget the names of your friends/family members/other half but can reel off whole character histories.
Entire hours/days/weeks slip by without you noticing.
You lose sensation in your limbs after sitting still for inordinately long periods of time.
When the series ends, you feel completely bereft - for around three seconds until you start on the next one.
Your friends/family members/other half recommends a detox.
The idea of switching the TV/laptop off brings you out in a cold sweat.

Hulu Not So Convinced

Hulu wants you to watch its original programming the old fashion way… one week at a time. Hulu’s thinking is that they want you to talk about a show each week to generate “Watercooler Buzz”. You can still binge watch older episodes of current shows and past shows. On the plus side, you won’t have to wait until the entire season is shot and edited before they dump it into your queue.

Has the TV Experience Improved?

Well some may say no but we say a resounding yes! There is so much more content on TV and being able to catch up over the summer is a very good thing! Imagine trying to jump into the middle of the series Lost… pardon the pun but you’d be lost. New viewers would be locked out. Bingeing allows new viewers access to great programming. This in turns allows producers the leighway to build complex plots that arc over seasons. It also give producers the ability to develop characters and plotlines that may appeal to a smaller audience than what’s is required for network TV but still viable in the new world of binge watchers.

Resources

Here are a couple of links that may help you select what to binge watch:

Determine the amount of time it will take if you binge watch the entire series (http://tiii.me). For example, binge watching Magnum P.I. would take 6 Days and 18 Hours. If you want to start watching the Walking Dead you would need to invest 1 Day and 23 hours before the October premiere of season six.

Over at Wired They have a Binge Watching Guide that breaks down a show into who may be interested in it, where to get it, and which episodes you must watch vs the ones you can skip. The shows aren’t listed in an specific order and it's not an exhaustive guide but the most popular shows are there. You can use the search feature with the show’s name to see if a guide exists for that show.

What Are You Binge Watching?

Got a show you are into right now? Share it with us!

Podcast #703: New TV Shows for Fall 2015 Sep 04, 2015

New TV Shows for Fall 2015

Few things in life are as highly anticipated as television premier season every Fall. The Super Bowl maybe? A wedding or the birth of a child perhaps? But most of them pale in comparison to the awesomeness that is premier season. All of your favorite shows coming back for another year, and a ton of new shows to potentially add to the DVR. One of them might just become your new favorite show. Media Life Magazine has a great post with all the Fall Premiere Dates by date, time, and Network.

ABC

Blood & Oil

Premieres: Sunday, Sep. 27 at 9:00 PM

Don Johnson won't be getting Blood & Oil all over his Miami Vice linen clothes in this dirty series about a modern-day oil boom in North Dakota. Johnson plays an oil tycoon who's the antagonist to ambitious young couple Billy (Chace Crawford) and Cody (Rebecca Rittenhouse), who do everything they can to break off a little piece of that oil pie for themselves. Will everything of theirs — including their marriage — stand up to the challenge?

Dr. Ken

Premieres: Friday, Oct. 2 at 8:30 PM

Community's Ken Jeong, who was once a real-life doctor, can now say he plays a doctor on TV. Jeong stars as the titular character, a great physician who lacks bedside manner and a husband and father of two who drives everyone up the wall. The multi-camera comedy should be a good fit on Friday nights, where it will be paired with Last Man Standing. Suzy Namamura, Tisha-Campbell Martin, Dave Foley, Jonathan Slavin and Albert Tsai also star.

The Muppets

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 22 at 8:00 PM

Everyone's favorite (or at least top 10) puppets are coming back to television, but this time, they have even more sass. This new version of The Muppets is presented as a modern-day documentary catching us up with Kermit, Miss Piggy and everyone else as they go on with their professional (running a late-night show) and personal (puppet romance!) lives. ABC is pitching this as a more adult version of The Muppets that's still good for kids of all ages. The Big Bang Theory's Bill Prady will run the show.

Quantico

Premieres: Sunday, Sep. 27 at 10:00 PM

Let's just call this one How to Get Away with Terrorism, because this twisty ensemble thriller has a lot in common with ABC's big hit from last fall. A new incredibly attractive (obvs) class of FBI recruits at Quantico all joined the FBI for different reasons, which will be shown to the audience via flashbacks. But the real interesting part? One of the recruits — we don't know who — is responsible for the biggest domestic terrorist attack on U.S. soil since 9/11. Let the twists begin! Priyanka Chopra, Jake McLaughlin, Johanna Braddy and Graham Rogers star.

Wicked City

Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 10:00 PM

Anthologies, period pieces and murder dramas are all the rage, and ABC smashed 'em all together in Wicked City. Set in 1980s Los Angeles, the first season is all about a detective (Jeremy Sisto) chasing down coupled-up serial killers (Ed Westwick, Erika Christensen) who prey on young women. Enjoyment tip: Try not to think about how half the cast wasn't even born when the series takes place.

CBS

Angel From Hell

Premieres: Thursday, Nov. 5 at 9:30 PM

Jane Lynch stars as a guardian angel. Or does she star as a crazy person who thinks she's a guardian angel? That's what Maggie Lawson's character — a straight-laced dermatologist — will have to figure out in this oddball buddy comedy. But you'll have to figure out when to laugh — this is a rare single-camera comedy on CBS.

Code Black

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 30 at 10:00 PM

Marcia Gay Harden stars in this medical drama about an emergency room in Los Angeles that's overcrowded, understaffed and under-equipped. But the doctors get it done, because this is a television show! Based on Ryan McGarry's award-winning documentary of the same name, Code Black also stars Luis Guzman, Raza Jeffrey, Benjamin Hollingsworth and Bonnie Somerville.

Life in Pieces

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 21 at 8:30 PM

A fantastic cast highlights this multi-generational family comedy that's told from the point of view of every family member. Babies will be born, kids will go to college and sitcom situations will go down at funerals. Dianne Wiest, James Brolin, Colin Hanks, Zoe Lister-Jones, Angelique Cabral, Thomas Sadoski, Betsy Brandt and Dan Bakkedahl star.

Limitless

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 22 at 10:00 PM

You thought the movie was OK, now see the television show based on the OK movie! This thriller stars Greek's Jake McDorman as a man who takes a drug that gives him access to 100 percent of his brain, meaning he's gifted physically and intellectually. Naturally, that makes him the perfect person to solve crime! Jennifer Carpenter, Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Hill Harper co-star. Bradley Cooper, the star of the original 2011 film and executive producer of the series, will recur and reprise his character.

Supergirl

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 26 at 8:30 PM

Add CBS to the list of networks riding on the cape of the superhero phenomenon, as Melissa Benoist suits up as Superman's cousin in this light hearted drama. Come for bubbly heroine Kara saving National City from disaster, stay for the Devil Wears Prada work environment with Kara's nightmare boss Cat (Calista Flockhart) and wardrobe changes. Mehcad Brooks, David Harewood, and Chyler Leigh also star.

FOX

Grandfathered

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 29 at 8:00 PM

It's time to finally take down your Teen Beat John Stamos poster from your bedroom wall because Stamos is a grandfather! At least he is in this new single-camera comedy, in which Stamos plays a playboy restaurateur who finds out that he not only has a son, but his son also has a daughter. Old-man-changing-diapers hilarity ensues! Rounding out the cast are Josh Peck, Paget Brewster and Christina Milian.

The Grinder

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 29 at 8:30 PM

Rob Lowe can't stay off TV for too long! He headlines this comedy about an actor on a popular legal TV drama who returns to his small-town home to work in his family's real-life law practice with his brother (Fred Savage), despite only knowing law from the scripts of TV. What could go wrong? Umm, lots. But maybe that small town will teach him a thing about humility. Hey, this writes itself.

Minority Report

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 21 at 9:00 PM

Set 15 years after the Tom Cruise film of the same name, Minority Report follows a pre-cog — psychics who have the ability to predict the future — named Dash who uses his ability to stop crimes with the help of a detective. But Dash must do all he can to keep his abilities secret as there are people out there who want to detain pre-cogs and do all sorts of bad things to them, like poke their brain or open them up to see what makes them tick. Stark Sands stars as Dash, with Meagan Good on board to play his partner.

Rosewood

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 23 at 8:00 PM

The latest brilliant medical mind on television who has a problem is Morris Chestnut, who plays the titular Rosewood. And his problem? He's endlessly optimistic and loves life. Annoying! But his real problem appears to be legitimate medical issues, which leads him to live every moment like it's his last. (YOLO!) As Miami's top pathologist, he'll help a skeptical cop (Jaina Lee Ortiz) solve the murders that the Miami PD can't.

Scream Queens

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 22 at 8:00 PM

The latest idea to crawl out of Ryan Murphy's brain is an anthology comedy-horror series that's one of the hottest tickets of the year. Season 1 will be set in the ripest of horror settings — a snooty sorority — when the school's new dean demands that all potential sisters must be accepted in the pledging process. Oh, and a serial killer is on the loose murdering at least one character in each episode. Emma Roberts, Jamie Lee Curtis, Lea Michele, Nasim Pedrad, Oliver Hudson, Keke Palmer and Ariana Grande highlight the impressive cast.

NBC

Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 15 at 10:00 PM

If there was ever a person suited to bring back the variety show, it's Neil Patrick Harris. The Emmy and Tony Award-winning actor is a singer, dancer, magician and just generally a doer of funny things. Based on the popular British series Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, Best Time Ever features appearances by stars, stunts, comedy skits, incredible performances, mini game shows, audience giveaways and hidden camera pranks. If you can think of it, it'll probably pop up on this hour-long series.

Blindspot

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 21 at 10:00 PM

You know that recurring dream where you wake up naked in Times Square? Well, that really happens to Thor's Jaimie Alexander in this new drama from Arrow and The Flash executive producer Greg Berlanti. Alexander's character takes the nightmare to a whole new level, though, when she discovers her body is covered in intricate tattoos and she has no memory of how she got there or who inked her up like a gas station bathroom. Strike Back's Sullivan Stapleton appears as the FBI agent who follows the clues from her tattoos to reveal a larger conspiracy, the truth about her identity and hopefully, if he's lucky, who to call for a good time.

Chicago Med

Premieres: Tuesday, Nov. 17 at 10:00 PM

The newest spin-off in Dick Wolf's popular Chicago franchise, Chicago Med stars Oliver Platt, S. Epatha Merkerson, Laurie Holden, Nick Gehlfuss and Yaya Dacosta. It follows the day-to-day activities of one of Chicago's busiest and probably most dramatic hospitals, if we've learned anything from medical dramas. The series will draw inspiration from topical events as the doctors, nurses and cafeteria staff forge relationships in, out and probably around the emergency room. And yes, you can expect to see Chicago's hunkiest firefighters and top-notch lawmen swing through its doors on a semi-regular basis.

Heroes Reborn

Premieres: Thursday, Sep. 24 at 8:00 PM

A reboot of NBC's Heroes, this new series is exactly like the old one only with less Milo Ventimiglia and more Zachary Levi. And although Peter Petrelli won't be back, some other familiar faces will make appearances, including Jack Coleman as H.R.G., Greg Grunberg as Matt Parkman and Masi Oka as Hiro Nakamura, among others. But what is this new chapter in the Heroes story about? Following a terrorist attack in Odessa, Texas, that left the city decimated, those ordinary folks with extraordinary abilities are blamed. Most have gone into hiding or are on the run, but something tells us they won't stay hidden for for long, because otherwise WTF is the point of this show?

The Player

Premieres: Thursday, Sep. 24 at 10:00 PM

Philip Winchester stars opposite Wesley freakin' Snipes in this new Las Vegas-set action series about a former military operative and current security expert who's drawn into a high-stakes game in which a bunch of wealthy jerks bet on his ability to stop crimes before they happen. You can probably think of it as Strike Back: Las Vegas but with fewer explosions, more Snipes and some truly ridiculous, convoluted scenarios.

Truth Be Told

Premieres: Friday, Oct. 16 at 8:30 PM

Formerly known as People Are Talking, this new hangout comedy is about two couples who over-analyze and obsess about everything as if they're the heir apparent to Dawson Leery. Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Franklin & Bash) stars as Mitch, a college professor (LOL) who's married to Vanessa Lachey's (Dads) Tracy. Meanwhile, Tone Bell (Bad Judge) and Bresha Webb (Hung) portray their BFFs and neighbors, Russell and Angie. You can probably expect a lot of talking that doesn't really say much.

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 19 at 8:00 PM

The CW's only new series this fall, this new comedy with musical elements hails from Rebecca Bloom who stars in the hour-long series as Rebecca Bunch, a determined (and possibly crazy) young woman who gives up her partnership at a law firm in Manhattan to move to West Covina, Calif., in a desperate attempt to find love and happiness with an ex-boyfriend. Remember when we said she might be crazy?

AMC

Fear the Walking Dead

Premieres: Sunday, Aug. 23 at 9:00 PM

Don't call it a prequel! It's a companion series. Set during the time Rick Grimes was in a coma, the L.A.-set Fear the Walking Dead will show what happened when the zombie outbreak first began. But don't expect the same harrowing tales of survival from its wildly successful cousin; this drama will focus on a family unit and the problems it has with an outbreak backdrop. Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis, and Frank Dillane star.

Research compiled with the help of TV Guide.

A look back at the new TV shows for Fall 2014

How many survived? Of the shows we looked at for Fall premieres last year, not that many. This doesn’t include shows we didn’t talk about, or other late premiere shows like mid-season or summer replacement series.

ABC (2/6)

Black-ish - renewed
Cristela - canceled
Forever - canceled
How to Get Away With Murder - renewed
Manhattan Love Story - canceled
Selfie - canceled

CBS (3/5)

Madam Secretary - renewed
The McCarthys - canceled
NCIS: New Orleans - renewed
Scorpion - renewed
Stalker - canceled

NBC (1/6)

A to Z - canceled
Bad Judge - canceled
Constantine - canceled
Marry Me - canceled
The Mysteries of Laura - renewed
State of Affairs - canceled

FOX (1/5)

Gotham - renewed
Gracepoint - canceled
Mulaney - canceled
Red Band Society - canceled
Utopia - canceled

CW (2/2)

The Flash - renewed
Jane The Virgin - renewed

Podcast #702: Pinch Hitter Aug 28, 2015

Today we go through emails and news and a discuss a post by Scott Wilkinson at AVS Forum that provides 12 Tips to Tune up your HDTV with guest host Stephanie Derderian. Don't worry, Braden will be back next week!

Podcast #701: DIY Automation Controls using Amazon’s Dash Buttons Aug 21, 2015

DIY Automation Controls using Amazon’s Dash Buttons

Amazon released a new little product a couple months ago, to very little fanfare. The Dash Button is a tiny device that allows you to instantly order a specific product for Amazon Prime delivery. We thought it was a bit of a novelty and didn’t see much use for it, but as with just about anything in technology these days, give it time and someone will find a way to repurpose it and put it to better use.

About the Dash Button

Each button is about the size of a portable USB drive and, in Amazon’s own words, it “...comes with a reusable adhesive and a hook so you can hang, stick, or place it right where you need it. Keep Dash Button handy in the kitchen, bath, laundry, or anywhere you store your favorite products. When you're running low, simply press Dash Button, and Amazon quickly delivers household favorites so you can skip the last-minute trip to the store.” They are currently available in limited quantities to Prime members only.

Each Dash Button costs $4.99. Not bad for the convenience factor. When we first heard about them, we thought it could be pretty neat. Buy a button, tell it what product you want it to order for you, and place it in a convenient location. Do you use a lot of AA batteries for remote controls, kids toys, etc? Place the Dash Button by where you store your batteries and when you’re running low, click it and you’ll have more on your doorstep in two days. But that’s not exactly how it works.

The idea is the same, but the Buttons aren’t nearly that configurable. Each Button corresponds to a predetermined product, and includes that product’s logo on it. If you find yourself constantly ordering and reordering one of the available products, it could be great for you. If not, the Dash Button may seem useless. That is, unless you find your own unique way to hack the Dash Button to get it to do something else that makes sense for you.

Right now there are 18 Dash Buttons available: Tide Detergent, Bounty Paper Towels, Cottonelle Toilet Paper, Glad Trash Bags, Gillette Razor Blade Refills, SmartWater Water Bottles, Kraft Macaroni and Cheese, Gatorade Sports Drinks, Huggies Diapers, Larabar Nutrition Bars, Izze Sparkling Juices, Wellness Natural Pet Food, Amazon Elements Baby Wipes, Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, Maxwell House Coffee, Olay Skin Care, Gerber Baby Formula, and L'Oreal Youth Skin Care.

Repurposing the Dash Button

The whole idea comes from a post at Medium.com by Ted Benson called How I Hacked Amazon’s $5 WiFi Button to track Baby Data. Which, we’ll admit, sounds a bit creepy, but it isn’t. It was a dad’s quest to track when and how often his baby woke up at night. You can get the full details if you read the post, but he had tried baby tracker apps, but wasn’t satisfied, so he decided to put the Amazon Dash Button to use for just that purpose.

Those familiar with networking know that any devices you connect to your home network must have a unique identifier so your router can tell it apart from all the other devices on your network. This identifier is called a MAC address. The Dash Button is no different. Each one has a Mac address so it can connect to your home Wifi, then connect to Amazon over the Internet to make your product order. That MAC address, and the Dash Button’s ability to connect to your home Wifi are the secret to unlocking the device’s full potential.

To save battery life, the Dash Button completely shuts off when not in use. This means that when you click the button it has to wake up, connect to your Wifi network, then place the order. So if you can track when it connects to your network, you can get an alert every time the button is pressed. The author decided to monitor his network with a simple python script running on his computer. The source code is available at the post if you want it. But if you’re inventive, there are multiple ways to detect a new device joining your network.

Since each Dash button has to have a unique MAC address, you can have as many as you want and detect each one independently when they’re pressed. The author went on to enhance his python script to add a line to a google spreadsheet. He was able to use two different Dash Buttons to track two different baby activities at night, without having to turn his phone on, launch the app, track the activity, etc. Just click a Dash Button and you’re set. Of course, as he points out, you want to make sure the Dash Button isn’t actually associated with an item at Amazon so you don’t end up ordering something every time you click it.

But instead of writing a line to a Google spreadsheet, this is where the world becomes your oyster. Yours can do anything you can script to occur from the computer tracking the network for Dash Button activity. If that computer happens to be your automation server, imagine the possibilities. Do you have an automation activity you perform constantly that a single button press would make so much easier when a light switch isn’t within reach? Lights on or off from the bedside table. Air Conditioning on or off from the couch? Lights on or off from the car? Music on or off from the patio. Unlimited possibilities.

By now, if you’re a DIY automation enthusiast, you’ve probably come up with at least one or two ideas for the Dash Button. Sure, they’re all things you can do from your phone if you wake it up, open the right app, click the right action. Or from a wall switch if you get off your lazy butt and walk over to click it. Or from any of a plethora of other automation interfaces. The point isn’t that this a new or novel concept, it’s a new or novel way to put a $5 device from Amazon to work for you in creative and unique ways.

If you don’t want to do it yourself, there are options for tabletop controllers so you can get the simplicity of single click without having to repurpose a Dash Button. For example, if you’ve got an Insteon based system, you can pick up the 6-button scene control keypad in black or white for around $100. Not a bad deal. You get 6 buttons instead of having the keep track of 6 different Dash Buttons, but you pay quite a bit more as well. But, on the upside, it’ll be an instant addition to your automation system, so there’s still programming work to get it to do what you want, but less DIY work to get it into your ecosystem.

If you end up hacking up a Dash Button, we’d love to hear your story. If you’ve done something similar, hacked a device to automate your home or otherwise enhance your life, we’d love to hear about that too. Our listeners are quite sophisticated and inventive, we’d love to share your successful automation or home theater life hacks with the rest of the listeners.

Podcast #700: Mobile HDTV Aug 14, 2015

Mobile HDTV

Motorola Mobility, one time subsidiary of Google, now a part of Lenovo, just released a new app in the Google Play Store called, yep, you guessed it, Mobile HDTV. The app enables select phones and portable devices, with the proper hardware, to watch live, over-the-air HDTV right on your Android device. The concept is pretty simple, and you’d think very compelling, but it turns out most people can’t use it. The question is, why not?

According to the description of the app, “Digital HDTV brings the broadcast TV experience to mobile devices with HD quality, making the experience more personal and more universally available.” The app is both a tuner and a DVR, so it allows you to...

“Watch TV while away from home: Digital HDTV brings the HD broadcast TV experience to the mobile device, with the additional support of the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) and Ginga, for user interactivity.”
“Record the TV program that you like: You may record the program you are watching, so that you can see it again later, or share something you liked with others.”
“Choose when to watch your favorite program: You may love a TV program but you may not necessarily be available to watch it when it plays. This feature gives you the ability to schedule it to be recorded, so that you can watch it later, when you like it.”

However, “This application has been designed to work on the Motorola models that support Mobile HDTV.” That’s the catch. So how many Motorola devices support Mobile HDTV? Turns out we weren’t able to find any for the US market that include the necessary hardware. Google and Amazon searches for devices with built-in DTV tuners came up empty. There are a handful of external DTV tuner/antennas at Amazon, but they’re based on the now defunct Dyle TV platform. So what gives?

TV on your Phone

According to the NAB (National Association of Broadcasters), “The process of integrating mobile TV transmission with an existing ATSC broadcast TV plant is not difficult. These are the basic devices required for local origination and network services:

A video (AVC) and audio (HE AAC v2) encoder for each added program stream
An IP path into the facility (for remote component ingest)
An IP encapsulator to encapsulate all program streams and non-real-time files into the appropriate transport protocol
A service multiplexer to multiplex the conventional ATSC stream with mobile TV data
A mobile TV enabled exciter to replace the existing exciter in the ATSC transmitter
The Mobile TV architecture provides full compatibility with all industry-standard ATSC equipment. Additionally, the system is compatible with all current microwave and fiber STL systems.”

And they list a ton of benefits for the broadcaster, “When a mobile TV system is implemented, broadcasters can expect the following operational and financial benefits:

Leveraged investment in ATSC transmission
Delivery of robust digital TV signals to mobile TV receiving devices
Extension of local branding to mobile users
The ability to redirect local news, weather, sports and traffic information to "consumers on the go"
The addition of up to eight program (streams) of mobile content per station
New revenue opportunities based on subscription, advertising and sell-through transactions”

We (The HT Guys) started talking seriously about Mobile HDTV back in 2010 when a group called Mobile Content Venture (MCV), a joint venture of 12 major broadcasters, announced a commitment to upgrade TV stations in 20 markets in order to deliver live video to portable devices. Their goal was to deliver mobile video service in markets representing more than 40% of the US population by late 2011. That group eventually released a platform of hardware and applications called Dyle TV. But as of May 22, 2015, Dyle mobile TV is no longer in service, and Dyle-enabled devices and their apps will no longer be supported.

Some may remember that Qualcomm tried and failed as well. They developed a technology called MediaFLO for transmitting audio, video and data to portable devices for mobile television and branded it in the US as FLO TV. But in October 2010, they announced they were suspending all new sales of the service to consumers and in December 2010, AT&T acquired Qualcomm's broadcast spectrum licenses in the 700 MHz band. FLO TV was officially shut down as a service in March of 2011.

What gives?

Many of us remember how many portable TVs were sold in the 1980’s. How many Watchman TVs Sony was flooding the market with. And back then you had to carry a separate device with you just to watch TV. Often they were only black and white screens, and sure they were “portable,” but not nearly as portable as today’s cell phones. How is it that free, over-the-air television, with no cost to consumers - no data charges, no minutes used - isn’t a feature on every cell phone and tablet in America?

This is very different than the Aereo situation. With Mobile HDTV the same broadcaster is airing the same content in the same market. They’re just broadcasting it to an entirely new set of screens. We don’t know for sure, but it’s entirely possible that the number of cell phones and tablets exceeds the number of TV screens in a lot of urban markets. Why wouldn’t broadcasters want their content on those screens? Why wouldn’t users want the ability to tune into live TV when they’re stuck shopping at the mall all day on a Saturday? Or every tablet made, for any kid in a carset or at a restaurant. There’s no cost to watch it. You don’t even need a data connection.

There has to be some technical challenges with the technology that we weren’t able to uncover, and we’re hoping some of our listeners can shed some light on it. Because, as of right now, an app like Mobile HDTV from Motorola Mobility seems like a pretty big no-brainer. We just don’t know why nobody has been able to get it to catch on.

Podcast #699: Sorting Through Atmos and DTS:X Receivers and Pre-Pros by Rob H. Aug 07, 2015

Sorting Through Atmos and DTS:X Receivers and Pre-Pros by Rob H.

A Couple of Thoughts on Immersive Audio Setups

There are differing opinions on which additional speakers beyond the standard 5.1 layout deliver the most immersive experience:

- Mark Henninger, Senior Writer at AVS Forum, stated during an episode of the Home Theater Geeks Podcast that he feels that four overhead speakers are necessary in order to get a good sense of panning and movement of the audio objects. If he were limited to 9 speakers, he would favor 5.1.4 over 7.1.2:

https://youtu.be/GTaBj-L8etI?t=1h1m42s

- Representatives from THX, Matt Severaid and Craig Buckley, stated on an episode of the AV Forums Podcast that they feel the Surround Back speakers actually play a critical role. They also feel that the Surround and Surround Back speakers should still be elevated as opposed to being at seated ear level, which is the new recommendation from Dolby. With elevated Surround and Surround Back speakers, they would opt for 7.1.2 with Surround Back and Top Middle speakers if limited to 9 speakers total.

https://youtu.be/hx_uOquSs44?t=18m4s

General statements that might help you to quickly narrow down the field:

1) There are quite a few models that can decode Dolby Atmos but are unable to decode DTS:X (and will never get an update to do so). This is the case with ALL models that were released in 2014 - except for the flagship Denon AVR-X7200W Receiver and Marantz AV8802 Pre-Pro; those are the only two models that were released in 2014 that can be updated to decode DTS:X. There are also some 2015 models that decode Dolby Atmos but do not decode DTS:X.

This list from High Def Digest has done an excellent job of separating the DTS:X + Dolby Atmos models from the Dolby Atmos-only models:

LINK:http://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/DTS/dtsx/Dolby/Atmos/Receivers/Home_Audio/Speakers/Pioneer/Denon/Marantz/Integra/Onkyo/Yamaha/KEF/Klipsch/hdds-dtsx-dolby-atmos-gear-buying-guide/24564

2) There were no models released in 2014 that included HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2. While several 2014 Onkyo & Integra models touted HDCP 2.2 support, those ports were limited to 10.2 Gbps, which is insufficient for High Dynamic Range video signals that require the full 18 Gbps bandwidth of HDMI 2.0a. Once again, the only exceptions were the Denon AVR-X7200W and Marantz AV8802, which can have a hardware upgrade performed. No other 2014 models can be upgraded. Since the bandwidth (10.2 Gbps or 18 Gbps) is rarely listed on any spec sheets, the key features to look for are support for UltraHD/4K at 60 fps along with 4:4:4 chroma subsampling. Those features are the "code" that lets you know if a model has the full 18 Gbps bandwidth.

3) So far, in 2015, Pioneer & Pioneer Elite have not announced any models that can decode DTS:X or are able to receive an update to do so. This could change if they announce new models.

4) So far, in 2015, Onkyo & Integra have not announced any models capable of using more than 7 speakers simultaneously (5.2.2). This could change with the announcement of new models.

5) Denon & Marantz are the only mass market brands offering any models capable of decoding the Auro-3D immersive audio format. It is a $200 optional upgrade. It is only available on all models capable of using 9 or 11 speakers simultaneously.

6) In 2015, Denon & Marantz are the only mass market brands offering any models capable of using Front Wide speakers.

Getting into some of the finer details:

7) Denon & Marantz have announced several models that are not yet listed in the High Def Digest article linked above. That is because the official announcements were made in Europe, but they have not yet been officially announced in North America. The official North American announcements are expected soon - certainly during or before CEDIA Expo 2015. You can view an English language translation of the European announcements below:

LINK:https://translate.google.com/translate?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&nv=1&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http://www.areadvd.de/tests/special-dm-neuheiten-und-highlights-aus-dem-bereich-core-und-new-media/

8) The additional Denon & Marantz models listed in a similar fashion as the High Def Digest article:

DTS:X & Dolby Atmos Receivers

Denon

AVR-X6200W - ($2299, October) 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver, Supports Additional Amp for 11.2 Channels, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)

Marantz

SR6010 - ($1199, September) 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver, Supports Additional Amp for 9.2 Channels, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)

SR7010 - ($1699, September) 9.2 Channel A/V Receiver, Supports Additional Amp for 11.2 Channels, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)

AV7702 Mk. II - ($1999, October) 11.2 Channel A/V Pre-Amp/Processor, 4K HDCP 2.2 Compliant, Auro-3D ($200 option)

9) If you would like to be able to use 11 speakers simultaneously, the number of mass market DTS:X options is limited:

Denon

AVR-X7200WA AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2999, available now, the 'A' on the end of the model number is important and indicates HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and DTS:X.

AVR-X7200W AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2999, available now. These do NOT have HDCP 2.2 nor DTS:X, but Denon will upgrade these units to AVR-X7200WA for free, although you have to pay to ship it to New York for the HDMI hardware upgrade.

AVR-X6200W AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2299, October.

Marantz

AV8802A Pre-amp/Processor with 13.2 XLR & 13.2 RCA - $3999, available now, the 'A' on the end of the model number is important and indicates HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and DTS:X.

AV8802 Pre-amp/Processor with 13.2 XLR & 13.2 RCA - $3999, available now. These do NOT have HDCP 2.2 nor DTS:X, but Marantz will upgrade these units to AV8802A for free, although you have to pay to ship it to New York for the HDMI hardware upgrade.

AV7702 Mk. II Pre-amp/Processor with 11.2 XLR & 13.2 RCA - $1999, October. The "Mk. II" on the end of the model number is extremely important and indicates HDMI 2.0a with HDCP 2.2 and DTS:X. In 2014, there was an AV7702 model; it did NOT have HDCP 2.2 nor DTS:X, and it could NOT be upgraded. So be cautious about the "Mk. II" model number.

SR7010 AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $1699, September.

Yamaha

RX-A3050 AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $2199, September.

10) If you're ok with "only" using 9 speakers simultaneously, the number of mass market DTS:X options is even smaller:

Denon

AVR-X4200W AV Receiver with 7 internal amps - $1499, August.

Marantz

SR6010 AV Receiver with 7 internal amps - $1199, September.

Yamaha

RX-A2050 AV Receiver with 9 internal amps - $1699, available now.

11) Since Denon & Marantz, and Yamaha are the only mass market options right now for 9 or 11 speaker models that support DTS:X, what are some of the differences that might help you decide on a brand?

a) If you want Auro-3D and/or Front Wide speakers, only Denon & Marantz offer those features.

b) Room correction / auto-setup:

- Denon & Marantz use Audyssey MultEQ XT32 with SubEQ HT and LFC (Low Frequency Containment) in all of their 9 and 11 speaker models.

- Yamaha uses YPAO with RSC (Reflected Sound Control) and multi-point measurement. The RX-A3050 adds 3D angle measurement, but the speaker azimuth and elevation angles are only used by Yamaha's own proprietary Cinema DSP 3D Listening Mode.

c) Since Denon & Marantz use Audyssey, they also offer the Audyssey DSX Listening Mode, which expands 2-channel, 5.1, and 7.1 content to make use of Front Height and Front Wide speakers.

d) Denon & Marantz include ISFccc video calibration controls.

e) Denon & Marantz offer a greater number of potential speaker configurations for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.

- In addition to the 7 main speakers (Front L/R, Center, Surround L/R, Surround Back L/R), Yamaha allows you to connect "Front Presence L/R", and "Rear Presence L/R" speakers. The Front Presence L/R speakers can be identified as Front Height, Top Front, or FRONT Dolby speakers. The Rear Presence L/R speakers can be identified as Rear Height, Top Rear, or REAR Dolby.

- In addition to the 7 main speakers and the optional Front Wide speakers, Denon & Marantz allow you to connect "Height 1" and "Height 2" speakers. The Height 1 speakers can be identified as Front Height, Top Front, Top Middle, FRONT Dolby, or SURROUND Dolby speakers. The Height 2 speakers can be identified as Top Middle, Top Rear, Rear Height, SURROUND Dolby, or REAR Dolby speakers.

Having the additional speaker position options allows you to better match the name of the speakers with their physical location in your room. This allows the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X Renderers to position audio objects more precisely.

Podcast #698: 2015 HDTV Shootout Jul 31, 2015

2015 HDTV Shootout

Each year Value Electronics, an audio/video integrator with a showroom in Scarsdale New York, pits the top TVs from big name manufacturers against each other to determine the King of HDTV. This year there were four contenders:

Panasonic 65” Pro 4K Ultra HD Smart TV 240hz- CX850 Series- TC-65CX850U $3,200

Studio Master Drive- Helps 4K TV’s reproduce more detail and richer, more natural colors during dark scenes
An advanced LED Backlight Design, DCI 90-98% Color Space, which produces a wider color range
Voice Assistant Pro allowing to operate your TV just by talking to it with a remote control

Sony XBR75X940C 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV $8,000

HD is upscaled to impressive 4K Ultra HD
Our best contrast ever with up to 3x brightness range
Brilliant, expanded color with TRILUMINOS™ display
Streaming 4K Ultra HD is enhanced for improved clarity
Android TV with Google Cast, voice search & Play Store apps
Powerful front-facing speakers and built-in subwoofers
Precise motion clarity with Motionflow™ XR 1440
Stream PS3® games directly to your TV
Black levels of plasma, brightness of LED

Samsung UN78JS9500 Curved 78-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV $10,000

Experience our Most Superior Level of Color, Contrast, and Brightness
Enjoy a Brighter, More True-to-Life Picture with a Wider Range of Colors
Experience the Full Vibrancy of your Favorite Media and Entertainment
Experience a Greater Sense of Depth with Optimized Contrast

LG Electronics 65EG9600 65-inch 4K Ultra HD 3D Curved Smart OLED $7,000

Curved 4K OLED TV
webOS 2.0 SMART TV
Magic Remote
Harmon/Kardon Sound
Netflix Recommended TV

The competition was conducted over two days with both professional and consumer evaluators. All in all just over 80 judges rated the TVs for Black Level, Contrast, Color, Off Angle Viewing, Screen Uniformity, Motion Clarity, and Day Mode viewing on professionally calibrated sets. Each category carries equal weight. The average scores for each category and overall average is listed below.

Observations

Consumers were tougher than the experts in their ratings except for when it came to off angle viewing. This translated to lower overall and average scores when rated by consumers. However the difference was small, less than percent or two.
The difference between the best TV and the worst TV was 1.51 | 1.38
The price difference between the number one and two TVs are $3,000. With the number two Samsung costing more! The lowest scoring TV and highest scoring TV’s price difference is $3,800. You can decide if the curved OLED is worth it based on the scores.
LED technology has come a long way in off axis viewing but apparently it still has a ways to go. OLED beat the other TVs by a wide margin.
As far as color accuracy goes, OLED was tied for last with the SONY when viewed by experts but it won the category when viewed by consumers.
If you do a lot of daylight viewing of TV you may want to go with the Samsung although the other TVs are only about a point lower in rating.
OLED had the worst screen uniformity.
OLED really won this competition based on three categories, Black Levels, Contrast, and Off Angle viewing.

Podcast #697: Costco Shootout: Curved vs. Flat Jul 24, 2015

Costco Shootout: Curved vs. Flat

Costco has multiple TVs all lined up side by side. Some are worth comparing to each other, some are like comparing a Ferrari to a Kia. Both great for their own purpose and budget, but not at all similar enough to be compared. We happened to stumble into a Costco recently that had two 55 inch 4K LCD TVs side by side, one curved and one flat. And you can imagine we saw the challenge in that.

We decided, right then and there, to do our own shootout of Curved TVs and Flat TVs, all other factors being the same. Both TVs in this case were made by Samsung. Both were side by side on industrial shelves with horrible fluorescent lighting. Both seemed to be set to the default, full bright, dynamic/showroom setting. Neither were professionally calibrated for sure. Both were 4k; both were LCD.

As of this recording, Costco.com has multiple Curved and Flat TV sets available online. We compared two Samsung 55” TVs. They also have 65” versions of both styles available. There are many 55” models available at Costco.com two of them are the same ones we saw in store:

Samsung 55" 4K Ultra HD Smart Curved LED LCD TV (Model: UN55JU670DFXZA)

Price: $1,479.99 (or $1,297 from htguys)
Features: Clear Motion Rate 120, UHD Upscaling and Dimming, Built-in Wi-fi with Full Web Browser, Quad Core Processor, PurColor

Samsung 55" Class 4K Ultra HD Smart LED LCD TV (Model: UN55JU650DFXZA)

$1,269.99 (or $1,197.99 from htguys)
On sale for $1,179.99 After $90 OFF & Free Shipping
Features: Clear Motion Rate 120, UHD Upscaling and Dimming, Built-in Wi-fi with Full Web Browser, Quad Core Processor, PurColor

Visual Performance

As you can imagine, both televisions are visually stunning, even without being calibrated. Both are 4K or Ultra HD sets, so the clarity of the picture was impeccable. Neither showed any signs of pixelation nor motion blur. The colors on both sets were very good. Neither showed like an OLED TV, but neither showed like the overly bright, washed out colors of the LCD TVs of yesteryear. Both can produce very respectable black levels - we aren’t talking Kuro plasma - but a solid ‘A’ for effort.

No detail is ever lost in a dark scene; everything shows up with perfect detail. Which leads us to the actually clarity and detail in the picture. With the HD demo content we saw, the TV looked perfect. It was probably either a Blu-ray playing or a Blu-ray quality demo feed, so with high-quality 1080p the TVs are both amazing. We can only imagine that native 4k content will look at least as good and probably even better. We didn’t see any overly compressed HD or standard definition content on the screen, but it stands to reason that both TVs would perform just like any other HDTV with ugly input. Garbage in, garbage out.

To Curve or Not to Curve

That is the question. If you buy the hype, and they typical price bump you see on curved TVs, you would naturally assume the curved set is better for some reason. Maybe not an important reason, but at least for some reason. The typical reason you get is that the picture will look more natural, because the screen matches the curve of your eye. From our side-by-side comparison, that was not true at all. From straight on, it was nearly impossible to tell a difference in picture quality or overall viewing experience.

Moving away from a straight-on viewing angle the TVs did differentiate a little. The flat model seems to hold the most consistent off-angle viewing experience, while the curved TV could look different from wide angles. We couldn’t tell for sure if the curve itself just reduce the off angle capabilities of the TV, or if some of the differences were similar to the geometric issues the cnet author mentioned, but either way, the flat TV had a better off-angle experience.

Some articles online report the curved TV is better for a room with a lot of ambient light, the curve minimizes the reflection surface. Other sites claim the exact opposite, that the ambient light is reflected in strange, fun-house, hall of mirrors style - distorting the reflection and making it even more distracting. We had the same, consistent florescent lighting for both, so we weren’t able to really verify either point of view. In our observations, they were roughly the same on ambient light reflection.

Conclusion

In our limited test and sample, we came to the same conclusion cnet came to, the curve is cosmetic. There’s no real benefit in viewing experience nor picture quality on the curved screen. If anything, it reduces where you can use the screen by wanting to have the vast majority of your viewers coming from a straight-on seating position. Curved is like 3D: if that’s what you’re into, go for it. Have a blast. But if you end up buying a flat TV instead of a curved one, you certainly aren’t missing out on anything.

Podcast #696: Atmos Processor Discussion with Dipinjeet Sehdev Jul 17, 2015

Atmos Processor Discussion with Dipinjeet Sehdev

Today we discuss some receiver options for Atmos. We are joined by Dipinjeet Sehdev Internet Marketing & Brand Relations of Kef Speakers. Here are a few receivers/pre-amps that support Atmos.

Podcast #695: Top Ten Selling TVs at Amazon Jul 10, 2015

Top Ten Selling TVs at Amazon

July 8, 2105

Best Sellers in Televisions

10. LG Electronics 42LF5800 42-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV (2015 Model)

$398.00, 4.1 out of 5 stars

9. Samsung UN40H5003 40-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV (2014 Model)

$327.99, 4.2 out of 5 stars

8. Samsung UN32J4000 32-Inch 720p 60Hz LED TV (2015 Model)

$237.99, 4.3 out of 5 stars

7. LG Electronics 42LF5800 42-Inch 1080p Smart LED TV (2015 Model)

$398.00, 4.8 out of 5 stars

6. Samsung UN32J5003 32-Inch 1080p LED TV (2015 Model)

$247.99, 3.7 out of 5 stars

5. VIZIO E32-C1 32-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV

$269.99, 4.1 out of 5 stars

4. Samsung UN40H5203 40-Inch 1080p 60Hz Smart LED TV (2014 Model)

$377.99, 4.3 out of 5 stars

3. VIZIO E50-C1 50-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV

$528.00, 4.1 out of 5 stars

2. VIZIO E24-C1 24-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV

$168.00, 4.1 out of 5 stars

1. LG Electronics 42LF5600 42-Inch 1080p LED TV (2015 Model)

$348.00, 4.5 out of 5 stars

Statistics:

By Brand

Samsung : 4
VIZIO : 3
LG : 3

By size:

<30" : 1
30-49" : 8
>49" : 1

By Price

$500 : 1

By Resolution:

1080p : 9
720p : 1

By Display Technology

LED / LCD : 10

Top UltraHD / 4K TVs:

35. VIZIO M50-C1 50-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED HDTV

$798.00, 4.2 out of 5 stars

40. Samsung UN55JU6500 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV (2015 Model)

$1,097.99, 3.6 out of 5 stars

The #100 selling TV is #3660 overall in electronics. No OLED TVs appear in the top 100. The #1 selling OLED TV is #5132 overall in electronics; #2 is #15374 overall. The #1 selling plasma TV is #6641.

Best Sellers in OLED TVs

1. LG Electronics 55EC9300 55-Inch 1080p 3D Curved OLED TV (2015 Model)

$2,499.00, 4.5 out of 5 stars

2. LG Electronics 55EG9600 55-inch 4K Ultra HD 3D Curved Smart OLED TV (2015 Model)

$4,999.00, 4.3 out of 5 stars

Best Sellers in Plasma TVs

1. LG Electronics 50PB6650 50-Inch 1080p 600Hz PLASMA TV (2014 Model)

$699.00, 4.3 out of 5 stars

Top Ten Selling TVs at Amazon

Sep. 2014

10. LG Electronics 32LB5600 32-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV $270

9. LG Electronics 47LB5900 47-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED TV $480

8. LG Electronics 39LB5600 39-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV $350

7. Samsung UN32EH4003 32-Inch 720p 60Hz LED TV (2012 Model) $250

6. LG Electronics 55LB5900 55-Inch 1080p 120Hz LED TV $680

5. VIZIO E241i-B1 24-Inch 1080p 60Hz Smart LED HDTV (Black) $180

4. Sharp LC-32LE451U 32-inch Aquos HD 720p 60Hz LED TV $199

3. Samsung UN40H6350 40-Inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV $500

2. VIZIO E500i-B1 50-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV $550

1. Samsung UN22F5000 22-Inch 1080p 60Hz Slim LED HDTV (2013 Model) $170

Two TV over 50 inches
Two 720P TVs
Lowest cost TV $170. Its $199 if you consider 32 inch as the smallest usable TV.
Four LGs, three Samsungs, two Vizios, one Sharp

No 4K TVs

Podcast #694: High Resolution Audio Vs CD Jul 03, 2015

High Resolution Audio Vs CD

Over the past few months you have heard us mention high resolution audio on the show. There are audiophiles out there that swear that if you want the best quality audio then you must listen to high resolution audio. Others out there will tell you that CD quality is just as good. Then there are some that say mp3 or AAC files will suffice for the kind of listening most of us do.

On today’s show we will take both an objective and subjective look at the subject. But this will be a different type of show this week. We’ll discuss the subject on the podcast but there is a companion video that will greatly help in the understanding of the topics discussed. Its available on our Youtube channel (HT Guys) or you can find it embedded on the website for today’s post.

Before we get into the discussion let’s define a few terms for the purposes of our discussion:

Hi-Res Audio - (From Wikipedia) There is no standard definition for what constitutes high-resolution audio, but it is generally used to describe audio signals with bandwidth and/or dynamic range greater than that of Compact Disc Digital Audio (CD-DA). This includes pulse-code modulation (PCM) encoded audio with sampling rates greater than 44100 Hz and with bit-depths greater than 16, or their equivalents using other encoding techniques such as pulse-density modulation (PDM).

High-resolution audio file formats include FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF and DSD, the format used by Super Audio Compact Discs (SACD). It should be noted, however, that audio encoded into one of these file formats is not necessarily high-resolution audio. For example, a WAV file could contain audio sampled at 11,025 Hz and quantized at eight bits, which is lower quality than CD-DA.

CD Audio - (From Wikipedia) Digital audio encoding: 2-channel signed 16-bit Linear PCM sampled at 44,100 Hz.

Objective Comparison

For the objective comparison we start out with a Hi-Res audio file (24 bit 96KHz Sample Rate) and then we encode a CD version (16 bit 44.1KHz Sample Rate) from that. We also created 256Kbps AAC file from the CD version for the subjective test. We imported the 24 bit version into Audacity then we did the same but inverted the track. If the files are identical they should cancel out and the only thing you would hear is silence. That is exactly what happened.

The next step was to import the both the 16 and 24 bit files and then invert the 24 bit track. We expected to see a difference but not by much. What we saw was a resultant audio track with audio from 14KHz to 20KHz. The audio was not loud enough to hear. Our conclusion is that the two tracks are virtually identical.

Subjective Comparison

For this portion of the test we used an application called ABX. ABX is a cross platform (Java Required) blind audio test application that makes this type of testing fool proof. Our setup was a Macbook Pro, Audio Engine D1 24bit DAC (Buy Now $169), and Bowers and Wilkins P5 Headphones (Buy Now $250). While not audiophile territory, it's a far cry from earbuds connected to your phone.

We had friends and colleagues listen to the Hi-Res vs the AAC file and we found that Ara and two self proclaimed audiophiles were able to hear a difference between these files about 70% of the time. The remainder of the participants could not hear a difference . No one could hear a difference between the 24 and 16 bit audio tracks.

Some Thoughts

Is this a conclusive test? Not really. We will never say that no one can hear a difference between hi-res audio, CD, and AAC/mp3. So much has to do with the quality of the recordings, the hearing of the listener, and the equipment being used.

On the video we import some music that has been mastered since the loud wars started (late 90s) and it's pretty obvious that there is not much dynamic range. Do you really need 24 bits when everything is maxed out? If you are used to listening to music that is loud with little or no dynamic range then you listen to something that is pure and full of dynamic range you are amazed. Truth be told you would be impressed even if you weren’t listening to a hi-res recording. When there are just a few instruments and a vocal you can hear everything including little nuances in the recording. That’s why almost every demo I have heard used artists like Norah Jones or Chris Botti. Its because their music has a lot of dynamic range and the detail in the recording usually blows you away. You can also get that detail with CD quality while saving some money and being just as blown away.

Our recommendation is that you rip your CDs in two formats. Do a lossless version for listening at home in a dedicated environment. Then create a compressed version for your portable devices. If you try the test and can’t hear a difference then just go compressed. If you try the test and you can hear a difference, congratulations on having some fantastic hearing skill. This is a blessing and a curse.

Finally, don’t get so caught up in listening at the music to find flaws or a reason to not be happy. You can spend thousands of dollars to diminishing returns. Instead do some simple things like listen in an environment that is comfortable and noise free. Pour yourself a drink and let the sounds take you away to someplace that makes you happy and stress free.

Podcast #693: What the H? Jun 26, 2015

What the H?

In the transition from High Definition Television to Ultra High Definition TV, we’ve seen the acronym dictionary go from bad to worse. On the good side, HDTV was multiple video resolutions and display formats, like 480p, 720p, 1080i and 1080p, while UHD is essentially just one. Some call it 4K, some call it UHD, some call it 2160p, but it all really boils down to the same thing for the TVs we’ll buy as consumers - 4 times the resolution of 1080p.

HDTV to UHD

There are differences between what the professional video industry considers 4K, which is a resolution of 4,096 by 2,160, and what the rest of of get when we buy a 4K TV, or an Ultra High Definition television set, which is typically 3,840 by 2,160 resolution, but the two are quite close. Some TVs support the slightly higher resolution, but for the most part we’re dealing with the one, quad-HD format, that defines UHD.

In some ways, this makes the transition from HDTV to UHD very simple. In early HDTV days, there were the EDTVs: plasma TV sets that could display HDTV content but scaled it down to a native resolution of 480p. Then there were two dominant resolution formats, 720p and 1080i. 720p was better for fast moving action while 1080i had better resolution and produced sharper images. Eventually we got 1080p sets, the best of both worlds, and the debate was solved. With UHD, we don’t have to worry about it,. We get 2160p televisions. That’s it. Nice and simple.

But that’s not the whole story. It isn’t just a resolution change in the migration from HDTV to UHD. There are so many more changes under the covers, so many more changes built into the transition that are intended to improve our lives and make the entire viewing experience better and more advanced. We’ve talked about many of them before, but sometimes it’s easy to get them confused or to gloss over the relationships between all of them. They build a somewhat twisted web of interconnected relationships it’s easy to get turned around. It happens to us all the time.

HDMI 2.0

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface 2.0 specification is typically considered part of the UHD or 4K transition. HDMI cables have been heaven-sent. One cable that carries high definition audio and video in the same connection makes wiring up your home theater soe much easier - so much simpler than the days of old with a coax or SPDIF audio cable and three component video cables, or one DVI cable if you were so lucky to have digital video support on both ends.

As the demands for what you can watch on your HDTVs evolves, the HDMI spec has had to evolve as well to support the better video. HDMI 1.4 actually supports 4k resolution, but only at 24 or 30 frames per second. If you want full 4k resolution at 60 fps, you have to get a system that supports HDMI 2.0. In addition to the higher frame rates, the higher bandwidth supported by HDMI 2.0 also allows more audio and video information to travel across the cable. For example, HDMI 1.4 is limited to 8-bit color, HDMI 2.0 can go to 12-bit. That higher bandwidth paves the way for something called HDR or High Dynamic Range.

HDCP 2.2

But before we get to HDR, let’s take a brief detour to discuss HDCP 2.2, the next rev of the High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection spec also commonly associated with Ultra High Def TV. HDCP has been around since the beginning of HDMI. It is the copy protection part of the spec aimed to keep pirates from getting their hands on pristine, high quality digital formats that they could turn right around and post on the Internet for anyone to download. It is designed to protect the content owners from the evil pirates who want to post movies and TV shows on bit torrent and other file sharing sites.

However, what it typically does is just make all of our lives harder. Many of the HDMI communication issues we’ve all experienced between set top boxes, receivers, and other home theater devices are due to the copy protection part of the spec. A part of the spec that probably, in most cases, isn’t even enabled for the content we’re viewing. But HDCP 2.2 is the next evolution, so if you want to make sure you’ll be able to watch copy protected 4K content, you’ll need gear that supports HDCP 2.2.

Odds are they’ll never turn on the content protection for most of what we watch, because it would create so many issues with people trying to view it that it wouldn’t be worth it, but if they do decide to enable it, all the devices in the chain: set top box, blu-ray player, receiver, television, etc. will all need to support it for you to see the content. The biggest bummer is that we’ll probably have a whole new batch for HDMI incompatibility issues as some devices begin to roll out with HDCP 2.2 and try to talk with legacy devices that don’t support it. HDMI, for all its benefits, hasn’t been without its issues, and HDCP will most likely compound them, not make them any better.

HDR

If you can get past the copy protection, and get your devices all talking with HDMI 2.0, you might very well be able to enjoy HDR content, or High Dynamic Range video. High dynamic range video is, in a nutshell, a better luminance range than typical video, providing whiter whites and blacker blacks, this gives you better contrast, better color response and better shadow detail in the videos you watch on TV. You don’t get better resolution, but you get more realistic, more lifelike images because the contrast more closely resembles what we see in the world around us.

HDR isn’t an essential part of UHD or 4K TV. You don’t even need 4K resolution to enjoy the better color and contrast you can get from HDR video, but in most cases you’ll need to upgrade to a 4K set if you want a TV that will display the High Dynamic Range content - not because the two are required or connected, but just because the latest and greatest TVs, the ones that support HDR, just so happen to be 4K sets. There may be 1080p OLED TVs in the future that have support for HDR, but why would you upgrade to that?

HEVC

The last piece in the puzzle is our last ‘H’ acronym: HEVC or High Efficiency Video Coding. It is the successor to the standard H.264/MPEG4 AVC codec used predominantly for our current HDTV content and is the codec used most often to encode or transmit UHD content. It has twice the compression capabilities without sacrificing video quality, or it can be used to transmit much higher quality video, up to 8K resolution, in the same bandwidth currently used for 1080p HDTV content.

One important note about HEVC is that it is currently the only mainstream codec that supports HDR content. so while it is possible to get HDR in your 1080p HDTV movies, you’d need those movies to be encoded with HEVC, not the old-school H.264 codec you have now. So you’d need a TV and a player that both support HDR and HEVC to get the benefit of higher dynamic range. Since HEVC is typically associated with UHD, it isn’t likely that many manufacturers will introduce support for it in non-UHD devices. so while it might be possible to watch 1080p content with HDR, you’d probably need to do that on a 4k set anyways.

Conclusion

The move from tons of resolution options in the HDTV spec to essentially one in the UHD world should have made our lives easier, but content providers and manufacturers wouldn’t stand for it, so they gave us a bunch of new ‘H’ acronyms we’d have to worry about to keep us on our toes. The good news is that in a couple years, when UHD is commonplace and reaches mass adoption, everything will support all the new acronyms and it won’t really matter anymore. But for those of us on the early adopter curve, it can be tricky. For now, make sure you read the specs on everything you buy to make sure it’ll support what you want now and in the near future. And if you have any questions, give us a shout.

Podcast #692: Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Receiver Jun 19, 2015

Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Receiver

Both iOS and Android device users have easy ways to wirelessly transmit audio. For Apple users, Airplay sends music to the AppleTV and various Airplay speakers. Android users have Chromecast which has similar functionality. But what if you want to OS agnostic solution? Fortunately for you there is the Audioengine B1 Bluetooth Receiver (Buy Now $189).

The B1 streams high-quality audio from your Bluetooth enabled smartphone, computer, or tablet to any music system or powered speakers. Audioengine used the aptX codec which enables your mobile device to transmit 24 bit audio to the B1. The aptX® audio codec algorithm originated in the late 1980s at Queen’s University Belfast. The research was focused on bit rate reduction and achieved significant bit rate efficiencies while preserving audio quality.

Features:

Fast Setup
Plug-n-play, no software to install
Superior sound and extended range
Streams audio from any media player (iTunes, Amarra, Youtube, etc.)
Connects to any music system with an audio input

Setup:

The physical part of the setup is pretty straight forward. Connect power via USB and connect the audio, either RCA or Optical. Then pair your source device through its Bluetooth settings. That’s it! The entire process is less than 5 minutes. Then on your device you select the B1 in your bluetooth settings and anything you listen to will be routed to the device. That means all apps work with the B1. If you have a player that makes use of 24bit audio you are good to go! If your app is only 16 bits, the B1 will pad out the bits to 24 which will get you a better signal to noise ratio.

Audio:

We tested the B1 with four songs played on an iPhone, Macbook, and Samsung S5. We tried to find music that had a lot dynamic range, (Diana Krall - Fly Me to the Moon, Eagles - Hotel California) as well as some Rock from our youth (Van Halen - Ain’t Talkin’ ‘bout Love) and finally some current stuff (Imagine Dragons - Its Time).

The sound was quite good. Highs on the first two songs were crisp and airy. You could swear the piano was in the room with you. The mid-range was smoother than a fresh jar of skippy. Bass was tight and felt full. In all you could close your eyes image the soundstage in front of you. The music was easy to listen to and didn’t sound cluttered or muddy.

Summary:

Now we’re not saying that the B1 made the music better or clearer but we are saying that it didn’t add any artifacts that would distract from listening to it. If you are looking for a cross platform cross device product that allows you to share your music in crystal clear quality, the Audioengine B1 is made for you.

Podcast #691: 4DX: The Savior of Cinema? Jun 11, 2015

4DX: The Savior of Cinema?

Movie theaters are faltering, at least in our opinion. The large format home theater has reached a price point where it is attainable for many of us. And TVs are so big, you can practically create a large format home theater with just an LCD TV. No need for a projector or a screen or the hassle of running wires to the back of the room. And if anyone can have a huge home theater, what’s the allure of the traditional movie theater?

We’ve talked for a long time about the cinema owners and operators needing to modernize. They can no longer rely on being the only game in town. To date, the biggest moves in making the old school cinema house more attractive have come at the concession stand. Full restuarants with in theater service, full bars with beer, wine and cocktails delivered to you while you watch. It totally transforms the experience and some of those theaters are doing really well.

Other theaters have renovated the room itself. They have larger, more plush seating that fully reclines, or small couches you can share with a date. The rooms themselves are more elegant, mores intimate than the giant sticky packed houses we’ve been used to in the past. Some even allow you to reserve your seat in advance so you don’t have to worry about getting bad seats. This helps, but even so, most of us would still prefer our couch at home.

4DX To the Rescue

But what if the cinema owners could differentiate on technology again. They used to be the only game in town for big screens, surround sound, booming subwoofers. But now we all have those. Then they were the only option for watching movies in 3D. Then that technology made its way home, where we all hate it just as much as we did in the theaters. The next big thing very well may be what South Korean company CJ 4DPLEX is calling 4DX technology.

If you’ve been to a 4D movie experience at a theme park, odds are you’re familiar with the concept. 4DX is more than just picture and sound. It combines 3D video and multi-channel surround sound with moving seats, wind, mist, and event scents and smells, al synchronized to the movie, to provide a totally immersive experience. Your chair moves in sync with the movie, wind blows when you’re moving or something flies past you on screen, It all works in harmony to bring you into the movie going experience.

A theater can be built or retrofitted with special equipment to support 4DX features, which include:

Seat Motion (tilt left, tilt right, tilt forward, tilt backward, raise up, drop down)
Vibration
Leg Tickler
Back Poker
Face Air Jets
Left and Right Neck Air Jets
Water Spray
Wind
Lightning
Fog
Scents (from a collection of 1000 scents)
Bubbles
Rainstorm
Snowstorm
Heated Air

Due to the complexity of the equipment needed to provide this total body experience, theaters must be specially built or retrofitted to accommodate it. In many cases, the work is so drastic theaters can’t even be retrofitted but need to be totally stripped down and rebuilt. And it isn’t cheap. In 2011, the cineplex company Cinépolis invested $25 million and partnered with CJ Group to open up to 11 4DX theaters. That’s roughly $2.3 million per room, and there’s no telling how much the partnership offset the total cost.

For starters, every seat has to move, and they all move independently. So you have the seats and the actuators to buy and install, and the wiring to the control unit to make sure they move on time. Then there are the fans and misters, some have these built into the seatbacks, so that’s already included, unless you’re in the front row. Then there are the scent bubble machines. And of course the controlling units to make sure all of these items fire at just the right time to draw you into the movie. It’s complex and complicated.

Getting 4DX at Home

So what are the odds we’ll ever get anything like 4DX in the home? That’s a tough one. Looking at the surface, it’s probably a long shot. But there are so many technologies in the home today that we never could have fathomed would be there had we took a guess 10 years ago, so if history has taught us anything, it’s that someone will find a way to make it happen. Entrepreneurs listen up. We’re looking for you to show up on Shark Tank with an idea, or set of ideas, for getting 4DX into the home.

There are multiple challenges in making this a reality. First are the chairs. Sure there are things like D-Box controlled seats available now, but the 4DX seats take it to the next level. And you have to have one for anyone that may come over to watch a movie. Its almost like the 3D glasses dilemma, but instead of a couple hundred dollars for a few extra pairs of glasses, you’re talking about tens of thousands to add additional seating. Braden’s family alone would need 7 chairs - not even sure 7 of them would fit in the theater room.

Next you’d need devices for the wind and mist and maybe even the smells. You might be able to get away with one scent delivery unit to fill the whole room with an odor, but who knows if that would even work. And unless you want to soak the whole theater, you’ll need individual misters to hit each person or a small group of viewers. Same thing for the fans to control wind. Not a trivial install to say the least.

A reason to go out to the Movies?

So let’s assume we’re at least a good 5 to 10 years away from anything like 4DX appearing in our homes - at least at a price that would make it attainable for most of us, is the experience compelling enough to pull you out of your home theater and into a cineplex? For kids of course, they’ll love it. But they go to the movies anyways. For horror movies it could be great - get sprayed by mist when blood splatters off the screen. But for most movies it just feels too gimmicky. Like it would be fun for the first half of the movie, then you’d just want it to stop so you could watch in peace. Can you imagine a two hour long Star Tours at Disneyland?

Try it out

If you want to give it a shot for yourself, there are options out there for you. Maybe nothing close by, but if you happen to be travelling somewhere with a 4DX cinema, it might be worth checking out. According to Wikipedia, as of November 2014, the 4DX technology is currently active in 28 countries: South Korea, Venezuela, China, Cambodia, Israel, Thailand, Russia, Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Peru, Hungary, Japan, Poland, Czech Republic, Guatemala, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Taiwan, Chile, UAE, Croatia, Ukraine, India, Indonesia, United Kingdom and the Philippines, with new theaters being prepared in the United States, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Jordan, Bahamas, and Costa Rica.

There is actually now one 4DX theater in the US. It is at Regal Cinemas L.A. LIVE Stadium 14 in Downtown Los Angeles - the first of many planned locations according to Regal. It is located at 800 West Olympic Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.

Podcast #690: T.H.E. Show Jun 04, 2015

T.H.E. Show

The Home Entertainment Show (The Show) was in Irvine last week and we had an opportunity to stop by and see some really cool products. The Show is like CEDIA and CES but on a much smaller scale and with a focus on high end audio. It is a much more intimate way of seeing some of the most expensive products in the home audio world.

Since the attendance is a fraction of what you would see at CES or CEDIA you get more hands on time with the gear and direct contact with representatives who can spend a little more time with you discussing their products as well as those of other vendors. There were more than a hundred exhibitors from all over the world. Next year’s show will be June 3 - 5 and if you live in Southern California or are looking for a reason to visit you should start making plans now.

There were amps, speakers, turntables, headphones, cables and pretty much anything the audio lover would want to see and hear. Too many products to checkout in the afternoon that we had at the show. We want to highlight a few and recommend that you look for a reason to attend next year.

Woo Audio

We met with Mike Liang of Woo Audio and he gave us a great demo of their vacuum tube headphone amplifiers. These amplifiers not only sounded great but looked like art. The WA7 Fireflies goes for $999 with a solid state power supply and $1398 for the vacuum tube WA7tp linear power supply. They sounded incredible.

I (Ara) even had my daughters in on the action. This is a picture of myself and my daughter Stephanie checking out the equipment.

They had a prototype portable DAC that is also tube based and will run about $1,000 when it's released. Its a bit bigger and heavier than the Audioengine D1.

But the coolest thing we saw at Woo Audio was their $16,000 WA-234 multiblock headphone and speaker amplifier. One for each channel. This amp comes with multiple tubes so you can optimize your experience based on the music you are listening to. An amp of this caliber required something more than ear buds and for today I used a pair of Abyss AB-1266 Planar Magnetic headphones (MSRP $5495). Imagine… I had $21,500 worth of gear creating music for my ears! I listened to Classical, Jazz, and Rock and was amazed at how full the music sounded.

Abyss AB-1266 Planar Magnetic headphones

These headphones do not go over your ears in the typical way. They are supposed to rest on your head and stay just off your ears. As a result the are extremely comfortable and can be worn for long periods of time. The frequency response on these phones go from 5 Hz to 28KHz. That would be overkill for most humans but the range I can hear sounded good.

ELAC Speakers

Elac showed a line of speakers created by noted speaker designer Andrew Jones called Debut. This was my favorite thing I saw for two reasons, one they sounded fantastic, incredible low end from a bookshelf speaker, and two, they are affordable. The frequency response on the bookshelf is 44Hz to 20KHz. A pair will run about $275.

They will also sell these as a set that supports Dolby ATMOS with a speaker that sits on top of the bookshelf or floor standing speakers and aimed towards the ceiling.

They also showed a subwoofer that can be calibrated via your Smartphone. Friend of the show Ray Coronado posted a video detailing the process:

Nordost Audio and Video Cables

Way up on the 14th floor where all the really expensive gear is was a cable company called Nordost. So we figured that a cable company on the 14th floor must mean really expensive cables. And boy were we right. Nordost showed off their ODIN 2 line of cables. Which just might be the most expensive cables you have ever heard. For instance:

RCA or XLR .6 M $20,000 for the stereo pair.
Power Cords 1.25 M $17,000
Speaker Wire 1M pair $30,000

It was a fun show. It had a completely different vibe than CEDIA or CES. There is little chance that we will ever be able to afford the gear that was demoed at the show. But for those who can afford it, there is plenty of manufacturers that cater to your needs. Most of the equipment is handmade with much of it made right here in the USA.

Podcast #689: What is the Future of TV? May 29, 2015

What is the Future of TV?

We came across an article written by Jason Hirschhorn posted at LinkedIn titled 7 Deadly Sins: Where Hollywood is Wrong about the Future of TV. It is a very well written, thought provoking article with a great deal of supporting data. And charts. Lots of charts. This is our re-tweet/re-linkedin of Jason’s post, with a bit of our own reaction to and discussion of his points.

“Over the past few years, the television landscape has been as dramatic and character-filled as the best of Game of Thrones episodes. To that end, it should come as no surprise that there have been threats that have gone unseen or under-addressed by the major and minor television networks. After a few lively conversations ... we came up with “7 Deadly Sins: Where Hollywood is Wrong about the Future of TV”... Not every threat applies to every network – nor are they equally menacing – but as a whole, we believe they’re critical to both understanding and planning for the future of television.” – Jason Hirschhorn

1. By the Time You’re Ready for OTT, You’ve Already Been Supplanted

The article surmises that the traditional TV networks are still playing a wait and see game with respect to Over-The-Top content delivery. Not eager to disrupt the existing revenue model, they will hold onto their cash cow for as long as possible before making any drastic shifts in delivery. But this is a risky strategy. While they wait, the OTT providers are growing, expanding, generating more content and gaining viewers. It might even be too late already for some of the traditional providers.

“In the first quarter of 2015, Netflix’s 41M US accounts averaged nearly 2 hours of video on the service each day – making the “network” bigger than two of the four major US broadcasters and twice as large as the largest cable network. At its current pace, the OTT giant will become the most popular video provider in the US by the end of 2015. Not to be forgotten, Amazon Instant Video and Hulu are roughly 75th and 100th largest respectively, and continue to grow quarter over quarter.”

Our take:

We agree, this is certainly a risky move, but we do see the networks starting to embrace OTT. In fact, CBS’s Video Streaming Service Now Offers Live TV In Over 60% Of The U.S. Live TV is something the big OTT providers still aren’t doing. Nothing live on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. With the advent of time-shifting, live may not be all that important anymore, except for events and some contest shows. As long as traditional TV is the only place to get the content live, at the time it is occurring, they still hold a very strong hand. It’ll all go OTT eventually. But if traditional TV can hang onto the live content, or if Netflix and Amazon ignore that segment, traditional TV will still be in high demand, either via OTT or the good old living room set.

2. The Future of Millennials and Pay TV

Here the article discusses how the younger generations may not reach the point where they want to buy into traditional TV. The theory is that they all will eventually, when they make enough money, have a family, buy a house, etc. But what if that isn’t true? What if they decide the right way to consume content is the same way they’ve gotten used to since adolescence? What impact would that have on traditional TVs revenue model?

“However, Millennials and Gen-Z’s are first generations to have these non-traditional substitutes available – and they show levels of engagement with this content that far exceeds that of traditional TV. As a result, we truly cannot know what the future holds. What we do know is that young audiences love these substitutes today.”

Our take:

This is a genuine risk. Our children love the big TVs and projectors we have, and they demand watching movies and sports in the traditional way, however they watch a ton of content on their phones and tablets. Braden’s two year old is just as content with an iPad as he is with a 100” screen. And when they grown and have kids of their own, their kids will probably be fine with tablets too, so why go traditional TV?

There will always be the enthusiast, the one who wants a big screen and traditional TV for movies, sports, etc. But could this become the exception, not the norm? During the 2000s, pay TV service penetrated nearly 90% of US households. Imagine if even half the households in America didn’t have a traditional TV set. This would be a huge cultural shift, but would also be a gigantic blow to traditional TV. There’s no reason the big networks couldn’t go OTT and thrive in that model, but they’re behind.

3. Outdated Organization Model and Priorities

The argument here is that the model of thousands of channels to try to appeal to anyone and everyone at any time of the day is broken. Pay TV providers continue to add more channels in an attempt to gain more eyeballs. Love golf? We have a channel for that. Love game shows? Yep, we have that too. But with these extra channels comes a substantial increase in price. Something that is driving millions to cut the cord and drop traditional pay TV.

“In a digital environment, "TV networks" face none of the limits of the linear television model. There’s no limit to the amount of programming a network can offer, no cap to the number of genres and demographics it can serve, “no one size fits all” lead in show and no single performance metric. Netflix, for example, is targeting TV and film viewers of all kinds – even kids – under a single brand. This not only creates a simpler consumer offering, but provides Netflix with numerous strategic benefits, such as the ability to program for the individual, rather than a specific channel or genre. Though this approach defies years of industry beliefs around building audiences and launching series, the results speak for themselves. In the first quarter of 2015, Netflix delivered more minutes of video in the United States than two of the four broadcast networks, twice as many as the industry’s largest cable network (The Disney Channel) and more than the bottom 117 (of some 200) cable networks combined. What’s more, this figure is up an estimated 45% (or 38 billion minutes) year over year.”

Our take:

Netflix represents both the broadcaster responsible for generating content and the pay TV provider, like a cable or satellite company, responsible for aggregating it and getting it into your home. This advantage cannot be overstated. CBS generates enough content for their network. A standalone CBS app can’t compete with Netflix or Amazon. Same with NBC, ABC, FOX, and others. Either the broadcasters will need to work together to provide a single interface to aggregate all the content in once place, or they will continue to be outpaced by the large digital providers.

4. “Winner Takes Most” Competition

This point builds on number 3 and expands it somewhat. The thinking is that all networks benefit in the current model by being in the same distribution package. You can’t get just Viacom shows or just Time Warner shows. You get them all, whether you like it or not, and everyone gets paid, whether they deserve it or not. However, online the networks are currently running as separate apps, almost like a la carte programming. Users are free to pick what channels they pay for. This could really hurt traditional TV and make it very difficult to pick up new viewers.

“The average Pay TV household today watches roughly 210 unique hours of television each month, spread across only 17.5 of the roughly 200 channels it receives. Given the surplus of content available and the breadth of content offered by each of the major network groups (which count 13 to 25 24-hour channels apiece), many households will likely find they need only 2-3 consolidated offerings to meet their video needs. What’s more, the friction involved in paying for and managing multiple apps will give subscribers an incentive to watch more of the content they’ve already paid for instead of adding a third or fourth network for another $10 or $20 each.”

Our take:

This is a very interesting point that actually applies to any a la carte programming scheme. If you have to pay more to add a channel, will you really do it for just one or two shows, or will you instead find other shows you can enjoy on the networks you’re already paying for? This could have a dramatic impact on traditional TV’s move to OTT. Competing with the total volume of content available at the digital providers isn’t going to be easy. You may be able to pick up a few viewers who really love your shows, but probably not nearly as many as who would have watched something simply because they stumbled onto it while channel surfing.

5. The New TV Bundle

“Historically, the TV business has been an end in and of itself, but as Disney’s Marvel Cinematic Universe has demonstrated, video can also play a far more lucrative role: establishing or supporting a broader storytelling platform. In fact, many digital-first content companies already depend on brand extensions (e.g. events and apparel) to make video ends meet. As the TV bundle is reconstituted and diversified, what role will pureplay TV networks (as opposed to production companies) play? How much value will they be able to capture? How many can survive?”

Our take:

This one feels like a non-factor. We may have edited the list down to the 6 deadly sins. There’s nothing preventing the traditional TV providers from doing the same bundling available on the digital-first options. Sure, they need to figure out that model, but the only risk here is that they refuse to do so and try to just move the same pureplay content delivery style to OTT. Doing that would be foolish.

6. Loss of the “Middle”

This sin points to the fundamental difference between traditional TV viewership and on-demand viewership. In the traditional model, total viewers is king. Ratings are all that matter. Sure ratings in key demographics are important, but you really just want to attract as many viewers as possible. In the on-demand paradigm, user devotion or dedication is what matters. How passionate your viewers are, not how many there are.

“This shift has profound consequences for content monetization – and not just because it challenges decades of network television performance metrics (i.e. ratings). First, true hits will be more valuable than ever before (and thanks to OTT distribution, they’ll be bigger, too). Second, content that connects with a passionate but niche audience becomes an asset – not a missed opportunity or failure that needs to “broaden its base” to be renewed. However, the remaining content (shows people watch “if it’s on”, but never specifically look for or plan around; broadly targeted but “well-rated” series) will be severely squeezed. Not only does this “middle” content represent the majority of programming today, it dominates the industry’s most lucrative revenue stream: syndication. Similarly, the shift to on-demand consumption means that middling content can no longer rely on a strong lead-in program to boost or incubate its ratings. Finally, this tightening will also make select genres particularly hard to program. Much has been said about the death of the sitcom, but comedy tends to be the most particular of tastes. In the on-demand era, comedy lovers no longer need to settle for “I guess that’s funny” – making sitcom audiences inevitably small in size.”

Our take:

This is a very interesting point. The article quotes Amazon Studios head Roy Price and his claim that a lesser watched show with a more devoted audience is more important to him. He isn’t charging for advertising, his viewer has already paid for their subscription. He needs to ensure that user will continue to renew their subscription, which only happens if they have something on the service that they really want. If they’re somewhat lackluster about the content, they won’t be as likely to return. This is true in our own lives. We watch a bunch of decent shows because they’re there. But if we had to pay for them, we might reconsider.

7. The Original Series Crash

“In 2014, there were roughly 400 original scripted series on television, up from only 125 at the turn of the century. Though this growth is often attributed to the proliferation of television networks, the majority has stemmed from what might be called the "AMC Effect". For nearly 25 years, AMC existed as a stable, if unambitious Tier 2 cable network. Ratings were reliable, but unexciting; content was strong, but also old; profits reliable, but far from lucrative. With the start of its original series (Mad Men in July 2007, Breaking Bad in January 2008), the network began a rapid turnaround that transformed it into one of the strongest, most prestigious brands in cable. With this newfound fame came increased ratings and added MVPD negotiating power that helped the network grow ad revenue by nearly 200% and affiliate fees by more than 75% over the next seven years.”

“Solving the original series crunch will therefore require a profound change to the television business model, as well as its key performance metrics (not that this isn’t already overdue #3). Consider the programming model today. For most of the major networks, programming efforts and spend focus on the “primetime” window, during which the US television audience typically peaks. Though the duration and type (scripted v. unscripted) of content varies, it’s the timeslot that defines the number of original series. For digital video providers such as Netflix or Amazon, however, there is no “right” or “required” amount of programming. Are 12 series enough? 13? 20? 40?”

Our take:

Obviously original content isn’t going away. But if the traditional providers can no longer rely on the primetime window to artificially boost the popularity of a show. And they can’t count on strong lead-ins, they’re going to have a glut of unsuccessful shows on their hands. This, for us the viewers, could be awesome. Shows will survive based on how good they are, how many dedicated fans they can draw. Shows we’ve loved, like Alcatraz and Backstrom, would have a high chance of survival, while other shows that have clearly outlived their prime, would be eliminated. We don’t want to see shows eliminated, but if that’s what it takes to keep the good ones, we’re all for it.

Podcast #688: Vinyl Records: A Love/Hate Relationship May 21, 2015

Vinyl Records: A Love/Hate Relationship

We have spent a lot of time discussing high vs low quality audio on the show lately. A full feature on the subject is still in the works and should be available sometime in the summer. But along the way we have had a few of you tell us that you still listen to Vinyl on turntables. At the same time we have seen a few companies reintroduce turntables to the market so figured why not take a listen and more specifically introduce some younger ears to how we used to listen to music back in the day.

The purpose of this is not to say vinyl is better or worse than digital, but to discuss how the digital age has totally changed how we listen to our music. There are some out there that say vinyl is better because there is no compression and it captures exactly what the artist wanted you to hear. Others say that it just sounds warmer. Regardless of what you think of the quality listening to music on vinyl is a dedicated experience that can’t be taken on the road or while you workout or pretty much anything else. The experience is about the music.

Pioneer PL-30-K

For our listening experience we chose the Pioneer PL-30-K Audiophile Turntable (Buy Now $299).

Features:

Full-Automatic Operation
Dual-Layered Chassis with 4 mm-Thick Metal Plate
Low Center of Gravity
Built-in Phono Equalizer

It took about ten minutes to setup the turntable. A nice feature of the PL-30-K is that you have an option to connect it to your receiver through a normal RCA input because of the built-in phono equalizer. There is also an adjustment of the amount of weight the needle puts down on your albums which is there to help in tracking and skipping. That’s something you don’t think about with digital files.

Experience

I (Ara) pulled out all my old albums, some in atrocious condition and some in nearly pristine condition. As a control I bought the latest Taylor Swift album, 1989. I needed something my kids would want to hear plus they are very familiar with the digital version so their young ears should be able to hear any difference in sound.

My kids were very amused at the spectacle of removing this large black disc and carefully handling it only by the edges and then placing it on the turntable. Then with the press of a single button the arm lifted and moved its way over to the first track which resulted in Taylor’s dulcet tones emanating from my Kef speakers. I was quickly taken back to when I was a kid. I grabbed the album cover from my kids and immediately started looking at the pictures on front and back and on the inside. I even showed my kids that they would put the words to the songs on the album sleeve.

My youngest was enjoying the song and her non-critical ears really didn’t hear any difference. That is until I pointed out some static that was barely noticeable on some quiet passages. This surprised me, even on a brand new album pressed in Germany I was hearing static. Perhaps the arm adjustment could have been made to eliminate/minimize the static, but I was not accustomed to hearing pops and clicks no matter how hard I listened for them in my music.

Then the song ended and my daughter wanted to hear a song that was on another disc. I hit the stop button, take the disc off the turntable and put it back into the sleeve, then I pull out the new disc place the correct side on the turntable, and finally raise the arm move over to the track she wanted to hear and miss the starting point. I lift the arm reposition it and lower the needle at the beginning of the song. My daughter laughs and says if I knew it was going to be so complicated I would have just listened to the next song. Sigh…

I explained that, for the most part, we would listen to albums in a linear fashion and that many albums tracks were selected in a particular order to convey some sort of meaning. Of course there were plenty of pop albums that had one or two good tracks and the rest were just filler.

My oldest daughter kind of liked the experience and wanted to have a party with her friends to listen to my old albums. I think it was more of a retro thing than anything else. But she could see how you could make an evening out of listening to music. When it was all said and done, I think there is no way my daughters will give up their portable music that can go anywhere they go and allow them to create playlists on the fly to compliment their mood of the moment.

Although my kids were done with the experiment I still had stacks of old LPs to listen to. So I dug through disco, rock, pop, and even comedy albums from the early 70’s to the late 80’s. And what I found was that I took atrocious care of my old LPs. On the stuff I listened to over and over in highschool you could hear pops and clicks that ruined the music. But still I had a smile on my face. The only thing I could think of was that not only was I listening to the music of my youth, which I can do at a moment's notice on my iPhone, but I was ACTUALLY listening to the music of my youth. I fondly remembered sitting in my room playing my Japanese import of Cheap Trick at Budokan. Then it hit me… I was listening to the Japanese import of Cheap trick at Budokan! That goes back to the late 70’s and sure I had a pristine version on my iPhone and yes so do my kids (they love Cheap Trick). It sounded like crap but I was smiling. I even called my kids back into the room to take a listen. After listening for a few seconds my youngest said, “Poor Daddy, how did you guys ever make it through highschool without iPods?”. I explained that the albums sounded better when they were new. But I think her point was that it was so cumbersome to listen to music. After all, how did we setup party mixes?

I searched for my Dire Straits albums since they were among the last that I bought before I got my first CD player. I figured those would be in the best shape. Indeed they were! It was 1985 and thanks to MTV I had discovered that Dire Straits had more music than just Sultan’s of Swing. I went down to Tower Records bought a bunch of their old Albums. I remember that day very clearly because the guy at the counter made a comment that he was selling a lot of Dire Straits due to the popularity of the Brother’s in Arms album. Even buying music was an experience! I didn’t discover the song Skateaway for many years and as such was never really played on my old turntable so I knew it would be in perfect condition. It was and it sounded great! I sat there and remembered the old times and how much I missed actively listening to music.

Before my listening session was over I had listened to at least one track on almost all my albums. Some sounded great and some sounded downright horrible. Not due in any part to the turntable of course. This is what I learned:

At their best, vinyl sounds as good as CD. Is it warmer or more analog? I don’t know, but it does sound slightly different . On pristine tracks I was still able to tell which was digital and which was vinyl. But who cares, they both sounded excellent.

Listening to music on records is a dedicated endeavor. Sure you can turn on the turntable and play the A side of your favorite album while you pay your bills or clean the kitchen, but that’s not typically what’s done. Instead you find some time, pull out your music, and listen. No multitasking, just you and the music. Read the liner notes, look at the artwork, and drift off to wherever the music takes you. Yes you can do that with digital, but seriously, how many of you listen to an entire album on your portable music player? I am sure some of you do but you are the exception.

With all that said, I don’t think digital music has anything to worry about. As much as I loved going down memory lane, I hated how careful you had to be with records. One slip or drop of the LP and your fantastic sounding record was ruined. Hearing pops on some of my old stuff brought back memories of being upset because a friend scratched my favorite album. Your digital files will sound as good 100 years from now as they do today. Listening to Surrender with static was fine once but not over and over. Then there’s portability, I can take my music anywhere I go. Not just a few albums but all my albums. Going back to my daughter’s comment about party mixes, it becomes trivial to setup a playlist that can run all night without any intervention. Its easy to buy, discover, and stream music with digital files. The list goes on and on. Even if you think the digital music sounds soulless, you can’t argue that it still sounds pretty good.

Here is my compromise. At $300 the Pioneer PL-30-K makes it possible for you to have the best of both worlds. Take your digital music on your runs or in your car. But when you want to really get lost in the experience, pull out your records and let the music take you away!

Podcast #687: What to watch, What not to watch May 15, 2015

What to watch, What not to watch

It’s that time of year again. The time when television executives clean the slate to prepare room for the new shows that will debut next fall. Also the time when you get to go through your scheduled or recurring recordings, your season passes, and clean out the ones that have been cancelled. Every year something gets cut too early. Hopefully one of your favorites isn’t on that list.

We pulled this data from http://tvline.com. Our sincerest thanks to them for assembling all the info in one place.

CBS

Officially renewed:

2 Broke Girls: Officially renewed for Season 5.
The Amazing Race
The Big Bang Theory: Already renewed for Seasons 9 and 10.
Big Brother: Season 17 premieres June 24; Already renewed for Season 18.
Blue Bloods
Criminal Minds
CSI: Cyber
Elementary
Extant: Season 2 premieres July 1.
The Good Wife
Hawaii Five-0
Madam Secretary: Picked up for a full season; Officially renewed for Season 2.
Mike & Molly: Officially renewed for Season 6.
Mom: Officially renewed for Season 3.
NCIS
NCIS: Los Angeles
NCIS: New Orleans: Officially renewed for Season 2.
The Odd Couple
Person of Interest
Scorpion:Officially renewed for Season 2.
Survivor
Under the Dome: Season 3 premieres June 25.
Undercover Boss

Officially cancelled:

Battle Creek
CSI: Officially cancelled, but with a cool twist
The McCarthys
The Mentalist: series finale aired Feb. 18.
The Millers
Reckless
Stalker
Two and a Half Men: series finale aired Feb. 19.
Unforgettable: Officially cancelled. Possibly renewed by A&E for Season 4.

ABC

Officially renewed:

American Crime
America’s Funniest Home Videos
The Bachelor
black-ish
Castle
Dancing With the Stars
Extreme Weight Loss: Already renewed for Season 5.
Fresh Off the Boat
Galavant
The Goldbergs
Grey’s Anatomy
How to Get Away With Murder
Last Man Standing
Marvel’s Agent Carter
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
The Middle
Mistresses: Season 3 premieres Summer 2015 (minus Alyssa Milano).
Modern Family
Nashville
Once Upon a Time
Rookie Blue: Season 6 premieres Summer 2015.
Scandal
Secrets and Lies
Shark Tank

Officially cancelled:

Cristela
Forever
Manhattan Love Story
Members Only
Resurrection
Revenge
Selfie
The Taste

New shows:

The Astronaut Wives Club: Premieres in 2015.
The Whispers: Premieres in 2015.

NBC

Officially renewed:

The Biggest Loser
The Blacklist
Celebrity Apprentice
Chicago Fire
Chicago P.D.
Grimm
Hannibal: Season 3 premieres June 4.
Hollywood Game Night
Law & Order: SVU
The Mysteries of Laura
The Night Shift
Undateable
The Voice

Officially cancelled:

About a Boy
Allegiance
A to Z
Bad Judge
Constantine
Marry Me
One Big Happy
Parenthood: series finale aired Jan.29.
Parks and Recreation: series finale aired Feb. 24.
State of Affairs
Taxi Brooklyn

Unknown fate:

A.D.: A long-shot.
American Odyssey: A long-shot.

New shows:

Aquarius: Series premieres May 28.
Heroes Reborn: Premieres Fall 2015.
Mr. Robinson: Premieres Summer 2015.

Fox

Officially renewed:

American Idol: Renewed for a 15th and final season.
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?
Bob’s Burgers
Bones
Brooklyn Nine-Nine: Officially renewed for Season 3.
Empire: Officially renewed for Season 2.
Family Guy
Gotham: Officially renewed for Season 2.
Hell’s Kitchen
The Last Man on Earth: Officially renewed for Season 2.
MasterChef: Season 6 premieres May 20. Already renewed for next season.
MasterChef Junior: Officially renewed for Season 4
New Girl
The Simpsons
Sleepy Hollow: Officially renewed for Season 3.
So You Think You Can Dance: Season 12 (with a tweak to the format) premieres June 1.
World’s Funniest

Officially cancelled:

Backstrom
The Following
Gang Related
Glee: series finale aired March 20.
Gracepoint
Kitchen Nightmares
The Mindy Project: Officially cancelled; may live on at Hulu.
Mulaney
Red Band Society
Utopia
Weird Loners
The X Factor

New shows:

Bordertown: Premieres in 2016.
Wayward Pines: Series premieres May 14.

The CW

Officially renewed:

The 100: Season 2 finale airs March 11; Renewed for Season 3.
America’s Next Top Model: Officially renewed for Cycle 22 (to debut in 2015).
Arrow: Officially renewed for Season 4.
Beauty and the Beast: Season 3 premieres May 21; Already renewed for Season 4
The Flash: Picked up for full season; Officially renewed for Season 2.
iZombie: Officially renewed for Season 2.
Jane the Virgin: Officially renewed for Season 2.
Masters of Illusion: Officially renewed for Season 2 (to debut in 2015).
The Originals: Officially renewed for Season 3.
Penn & Teller: Fool Us: Officially renewed for Season 2 (to debut in 2015).
Reign: Officially renewed for Season 3.
Supernatural: Officially renewed for Season 11.
The Vampire Diaries: Officially renewed for Season 7.
Whose Line Is It Anyway?: Already renewed for Season 3.

Officially cancelled:

Hart of Dixie: Season 4 finale aired March 27
The Messengers

A&E

Bates Motel: Season 4 is a sure thing

The Glades: Officially cancelled

Longmire: Renewed by Netflix for a 10-episode Season 4.

The Returned: Season 1 premiered March 9; Season 2 could go either way.

AMC

Officially renewed:

Better Call Saul: Officially renewed for Season 2
Breaking Bad: Series finale aired Sept. 29
Halt and Catch Fire: Renewed for Season 2
Hell on Wheels: Renewed for Season 5/final season
TURN: Washington’s Spies: Season 2 premieres Spring 2015
The Walking Dead: Officially renewed for Season 6

Officially cancelled:

Low Winter Sun
Mad Men: Part 2 of Season 7/finale season to premiered April 5

CINEMAX

Officially renewed:

Banshee: Season 3 premiered Jan. 9; Renewed for Season 4
The Knick: Season 2 to premiere in Fall 2015

Officially cancelled:

Hunted: Season 1 ended December 2012; Spin-off miniseries in the works
Strike Back: Delayed Season 4/final season to premiere in Summer 2015

FX/FXX

Officially renewed:

American Horror Story: Renewed for Season 5
The Americans: Season 3 finale airs April 22. Officially renewed for Season 4.
Archer: Renewed for Season 7
Fargo: Renewed for “prequel” Season 2, to debut in Fall 2015
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Season 10 premiered Jan. 14 (FXX); Already renewed for Seasons 11 and 12
The League: Renewed for Season 7/final season
Man Seeking Woman: Renewed for Season 2
Married: Renewed for Season 2
The Strain: Renewed for Season 2
Tyrant: Renewed for Season 2
You’re the Worst: Renewed for Season 2 on FXX

Officially cancelled:

Anger Management: Series finale aired Dec. 22
The Bridge
Chozen
Justified: Season 6/final season ended April 14
Legit
Sons of Anarchy: Series finale aired Dec. 2
Wilfred: Series finale aired Aug. 13 (FXX)

Unknown fate:

The Comedians: Series premiered April 9; Season 2 is too early to tell
Louie: Abbreviated Season 5 premiered April 9

HBO

Officially renewed:

Game of Thrones: Renewed through Season 6
Getting On: Renewed for Season 3/final season
Girls
The Leftovers: Renewed for Season 2
Real Time With Bill Maher: Season 13 premiered Jan 9; Already renewed for Seasons 14 and 15
Silicon Valley: Season 2 premiered April 12; Renewed for Season 3
Togetherness: Renewed for Season 2
True Detective: Season 2 (with a new cast) premieres in 2015
Veep: Season 4 premiered April 12; Renewed for Season 5

Officially cancelled:

Boardwalk Empire: Series finale aired Oct. 26
Eastbound & Down: Series finale aired Nov. 17
Enlightened
Family Tree
Hello Ladies
Looking: Officially cancelled, with a twist.
The Newsroom: Series finale aired Dec. 14
True Blood: Series finale aired Aug. 24

Unknown fate:

The Comeback: Season 2 finale aired Dec. 28; Season 3 could go either way
Curb Your Enthusiasm: Season 8 ended Sept. 2011; Season 9 could go either way

SHOWTIME

Officially renewed:

The Affair: Season 1 finale aired Dec. 21; Renewed for Season 2
Homeland: Season 4 finale aired Dec. 21; Renewed for Season 5
House of Lies: Officially renewed for Season 5
Masters of Sex: Renewed for Season 3
Penny Dreadful: Season 2 premieres April 26
Ray Donovan: Renewed for Season 3
Shameless: Renewed for Season 6

Officially cancelled:

Californication: Series finale aired June 29
Nurse Jackie: Season 7/final season premieres April 26

Unknown fate:

Episodes: Season 4 premiered Jan. 11; Season 5 is a safe bet
Web Therapy: Season 4 finale aired Jan. 28; Season 5 is a safe bet

New shows:

Happyish: Season 1 premieres April 26

STARZ

Officially renewed:

Black Sails: Season 2 premiered Jan. 24; Renewed for Season 3
Da Vinci’s Demons: Renewed for Season 3
Outlander: Season 1B premieres April 4, 2015; Renewed for Season 2
Power: Renewed for Season 2
Survivor’s Remorse: Season 1 finale aired Nov. 8; Renewed for Season 2

Officially cancelled:

Magic City
The White Queen: Series finale aired August 2014; possible “prequel” series in the works

SYFY

Officially renewed:

12 Monkeys: Season 1 finale aired April 10; Renewed for Season 2
Bitten: Season 2 premieres Stateside on April 17
Defiance: Season 3 premieres Summer 2015
Dominion: Renewed for Season 2
Lost Girl: Season 5/final season premiered Stateside on April 17
Z Nation: Season 1 finale aired Dec. 5; Renewed for Season 2

Officially cancelled:

Being Human: Series finale aired April 7
Continuum: Renewed for 6-episode Season 4/final season
Haven: Season 5a finale aired Dec. 5
Helix: Officially cancelled.

TBS

Officially cancelled:

Cougar Town: Series finale aired March 31
Ground Floor: series finale aired Feb. 10
Sullivan & Son
Men at Work

TNT

Officially renewed:

Falling Skies: Renewed for Season 5/final season
The Last Ship: Renewed for Season 2
Legends: Renewed for Season 2
The Librarians: Season 1 finale aired Jan. 18; Renewed for Season 2
Major Crimes: Season 3 finale aired Jan. 19; Renewed for Season 4
Murder in the First: Renewed for Season 2
Rizzoli & Isles: Season 5b premiered Feb. 17; Renewed for Season 6

Officially cancelled:

Dallas
Franklin & Bash
King & Maxwell
Perception

USA NETWORK

Officially renewed:

Graceland: Renewed for Season 3
Playing House: Renewed for Season 2
Royal Pains: Officially renewed for Seasons 7 and 8
Satisfaction: Renewed for Season 2
Suits: Season 4b premiered Jan. 28; Renewed for Season 5

Officially cancelled:

Benched
Covert Affairs
Necessary Roughness
Psych: Series finale aired March 26
Rush
Sirens
White Collar: Series finale aired Dec. 18

Unknown fate:

DIG: Series premiered March 5; Season 2 is a long-shot.

New shows:

Complications: Series premieres summer 2015.

AMAZON PRIME INSTANT VIDEO

The After: Pilot available; Season 1 releases in 2015. Series order cancelled.

Alpha House: Season 2 released Oct. 24

Bosch: Pilot available; Season 1 released Feb. 13

Hand of God: Pilot available; Season 1 releases in 2015

Mad Dogs: Pilot available; Ordered to series

The Man in the High Castle: Pilot available; Ordered to series

Mozart in the Jungle: Season 1 released Dec. 24; Renewed for Season 2

The New Yorker Presents: Pilot available; Ordered to series

Red Oaks: Pilot available; Season 1 releases in 2015

Ripper Street: Season 3 released Nov. 14 on Amazon UK; No U.S. date set yet

Transparent: Renewed for Season 2

NETFLIX

Bojack Horseman: Renewed for Season 2

Bloodline: Season 1 released March 20; Renewed for Season 2

Daredevil: Season 1 released April 10; Renewed for Season 2

Grace and Frankie: Season 1 to be released May 8

Hemlock Grove: Season 3/final season to release in 2015

House of Cards: Officially renewed for Season 4

The Killing: Season 4/final season was released Aug. 1

Lilyhammer: Season 3 released Nov. 21; Season 4 could go either way

Longmire: Season 4 to be released in 2015

Marco Polo: Season 1 released Dec. 12; Season 2 is a long shot

Orange Is the New Black: Season 3 drops June 12; already renewed for Season 4

Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Season 1 released March 6; Already renewed for Season 2

podcast #686: Dolby Vision May 08, 2015

Dolby Vision

There has been a lot of talk about the HDR content for our new 4K TVs. There have been a lot of questions too. We decided it was best to go to a well respected source for some answers. On this podcast we speak with Roland Vlaicu Vice President of Consumer Imaging at Dolby and we discuss Dolby Vision.

A Dramatically Different Viewing Experience

Feel the drama of a blazing orange sunset over deep turquoise waters, or the power of red metallic muscle cars racing through city streets at night. Be moved as Dolby Vision™ images captivate your senses with astonishing brightness, incomparable contrast, and brilliant color you can feel.

With a wider color gamut and high dynamic range (HDR), Dolby Vision revolutionizes the viewing experience in cinema and on TV, complementing ultra high-definition (UHD) TV (4K), so even the best TVs get better.

For more information can be found at Dolby’s Website

Podcast #685: How to care for your HDTV May 01, 2015

How to care for your HDTV

Most of us want to preserve the life of our home theater investments. Some, who want to upgrade, may not. For those, do the exact opposite of what we talk about. For the rest of us who want to protect our hard-earned investment, to make sure our televisions to last as long as possible, there are a few simple things to remember to make sure you get the most hours you can from it. Most of these apply to any piece of electronics you have in your theater: receivers, DVRs, Blu-ray players, projectors, you name it.

Keep it cool

Nothing kills a TV prematurely like heat. The TV, especially if you have a plasma, will heat up quite easily on its own. All this heat, if it can’t dissipate, can destroy the internal components of your television. If you don’t allow for adequate air flow or ventilation around the television, you may be killing your set off before its prime. Your television manufacturer will typically list ventilation requirements in your manual.

If you live in a very hot climate, you should be concerned about the life of your TV. Not that it needs its own cooling system or dedicated air conditioning unit, but if it is difficult to get heat to leave the room, it will be that much more difficult to get heat to leave the TV. Proper ventilation is key, but you may also want to consider installing some small fans, either in your TV cabinet or near the television, to make sure the air is always moving. Some after-market thermal controlled fans can be used to turn on only when a specific heat threshold is met.

It isn’t just heat, humidity can also cause severe damage to a television set. Liquid is the enemy of electrical components and humidity is no different. Do your best to keep the area clean and dry. If you don’t keep it clean, the moisture in the air could mix with the dust in the TV set and form some very damaging gunk on your sensitive circuit boards. More on keeping them clean later. But make sure you keep them dry.

While very cold temperatures can impact the performance of the TV, very rarely will they have a negative impact on the life of the TV, unless the extreme cold is also coupled with moisture of some kind. However, rapid swings in temperature, where the set goes from very cold to very hot and then back again, in a short amount of time, can wreak havoc as well. The electronics are tested for extreme temperatures, but assuming you’ll be in Arizona if its hot or Alaska if it’s cold. Try to keep the environment consistent.

Keep it clean

Dust and dirt are another plague on the extended life of an HDTV. As we mentioned before, dust, especially when mixed with moisture from humidity or anything else, can cause severe damage to the TV. The dust-moisture mixture can cause electrical circuits to connect to the wrong chips, shorting them or overloading them. It’s like the classic problem of “bugs” in mainframe days. Anything on the circuit board that isn’t supposed to be there can cause problems.

Proper ventilation is very helpful to reduce dust formation, but even with good airflow, dust still builds up on and around your television set. Routine cleaning is critical. Don’t allow the dust to build up long enough that it can cause an issue. Use a soft rag to remove the dust from the exterior of the television cabinet. If there are vents in the cabinet, blowing them out with a can of compressed air can be quite helpful. You’ll want to be careful with this, though. You don’t want to blow all the dust deeper into the TV and cause your own build-up mess deep inside the bowels of the television.

Keep the usage smooth

Your television likes to do what you ask of it. It likes to perform for you. But it doesn’t like to do tricks. The less you make your TV work, the longer it will last. For example, the climate issue of quick changes in temperature is not good for the TV. Keep the air temperature consistent as much as possible. Also, constantly turning the TV on and off can cause problems. It shouldn’t. And all manufacturers test this (or at least should be testing it), but the power up/self test/initialize sequence can be intensive. Performing that rapidly and repeatedly could be problematic.

You should also look to keep the power going into the TV as smooth and consistent as possible. This more than likely means the use of a power center with power conditioning. Something that will sit between your TV and the wall outlet to make sure that a sudden jolt in power, or a momentary dip in power, won’t make it through to the TV. If you’re using a UPS to maintain power to the TV even if you lose power in your home, make sure the UPS provides smooth (sine wave) power, not choppy (stepped wave) power.

For many years to come

In the end some simple rules to follow and a couple quick maintenance steps can make sure you get the maximum life out of any HDTV, or any home theater component for that matter. Whether you want to preserve your TV or projector, receiver or amplifier, the rules are pretty much the same. If you’re in the market for an upgrade and need an excuse, ignore everything we said. In fact, do the exact opposite. Your TV will come to a screeching halt in no time.

It is important to remember that despite your best efforts, home electronics aren’t perfect. You may put all the love and attention into your television that you humanly can, and it can still fail. There may be a component failure that is completely outside your control. Chips fail, boards die, pixels stick. It just happens. Doing the simple things we talked about won’t guarantee your TV will last for a long time, but it will improve your odds significantly.

Podcast #684: ZyXEL 1200 Mbps Powerline Apr 24, 2015

ZyXEL 1200 Mbps Powerline

If you have been with us for a while you know that we have been testing powerline adapters since the beginning. Our first product claimed that it could achieve 85Mbps. And in a controlled world it probably could, but in our homes we were lucky that we got 10Mbps. Still at the time, that was enough bandwidth to support Blu-ray players that didn’t come with built in WiFi. Fast forward to today and almost every device in your home theater needs an Internet connection and almost all come with WiFi. That should be good right? Well with all these connected devices and all your neighbors running wireless routers WiFi may not actually be enough, Especially if you want to stream 4K content.

The good news is that the Powerline technology has improved leaps and bounds from the early days, and now there are devices that support the new AV2 MIMO technology. We saw some of these devices at CES and were told they would be available in the Spring. And wouldn't you know it, its Spring and we have one that is actually available for sale! The ZyXEL 1200 Mbps Powerline adapter supports AV2 and can be had for less than $95 (Buy Now $93).

The big improvement with this device is that it can use the ground wire to transmit data. The acronym MIMO stands for multiple input multiple output. Theoretically this improves speed and reliability of the connection. ZyXEL claims that it will double the speed and improve reliability by a factor of four of their non-MIMO (600Mbps) devices. But will that translate to actual results?

Setup

Setup really doesn’t need its own heading because it will only take a few words to describe. Plug one adapter into power and connect it to your router. Plug the other adapter into power near the device you want to connect and then plug in your Ethernet cables. That’s it! ZyXEL recommends that you do not plug the adapter into a power strip or even and extension cord. The whole process take about two minutes.

Performance

We can say that these devices have come a long way! ZyXEL have speed Indicator LEDs that let you know how fast your connection is. This is the LED that looks like a house with a plug in it. Green means greater than 80Mbps, amber is between 20 and 80 Mbps, and red is 0 to 20Mbps. Our device was green but when measured with our network tools we were getting between 65 and 75 Mbps. The error could have been in our tool but we feel that the device itself was over estimating the speed.

Regardless, 75Mbps is the fastest we have every seen over our power lines. Not gigabit by a long shot but fast enough to stream 4K content, browse the web, and listen to music simultaneously. The fastest ZyXEL product we tested prior to this was the ZyXEL 500 back in Podcast #596 where we were able to get 48 Mbps out of it. We didn’t double the speed but we did improve it by 56%. At the time we tested the 500 it cost $75. Now two years later for 25% more money you get almost a 60% improvement in performance. Of course your mileage will vary depending on your wiring and devices you have plugged in.

Conclusion

There is no easier, or cheaper, way to bring a very fast wired connection to your devices. While it is unlikely that you will ever get gigabit speeds through one of these devices, it it very likely that you will have more than enough bandwidth to stream 4K content as it becomes available.

Podcast #683: Panasonic Home Automation Apr 17, 2015

Panasonic Home Automation

Panasonic may not make plasma TVs anymore, forgive us for not being over that, but it still hurts. But they have jumped into the Home Automation game with a system they’re calling the Panasonic Home Network System. We got a chance to check out two of the bundles they have available to get you up and running quickly, the Home Monitoring & Control Kit (Buy Now $249.95) and the Home Surveillance System (Buy now $299.95).

Setup

We chose to setup the Home Monitoring & Control Kit first. The kit includes the control Hub, a smart plug, two window/door sensors, a motion sensor and a digital cordless phone. Setup is pretty easy, especially for the included devices. It takes a bit of time, but it isn’t complicated. Once you have the hub connected to the app on your mobile phone, each device has its own installation guide to help get that device installed and configured.

Adding the included devices is very simple. If you already have them installed when you plug in and setup the hub, the initial installation wizard will add them to your system automatically. If not, or if you decide to add additional devices to your system, it’s as easy as using the app to tell the hub to look for the device and pressing the ‘add device’ button on the smart device itself. Discounting the time it takes to connect a sensor to a wall, windows or door, adding new devices takes seconds.

Like plasma TV, Panasonic has also been in the telephone business for a long time. They have a solid history with both corded and cordless phones and business phone systems. Leveraging that expertise, the hub and the compatible home automation devices actually use radio waves to communicate. They use DECT 6.0 (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications) that runs in the 1.92-1.93 GHz band. The same thing your cordless phone may use.

The Russell house where we tested the gear no longer has a landline at all, so we weren’t able to test any potential interaction issues between existing cordless phones and the Panasonic Home Network System. And we also weren’t able to test the system’s use of the home phone line for additional automation functionality. While you don’t need a landline, it if you want the system to call you when the alarm is tripped, you’ll need one.

For maximum coverage and noise-free communications, Panasonic recommends you place your hub at a convenient, high and central location with no obstructions between the devices and the hub in an indoor environment, which obviously isn’t practical. It should also be placed away from electronic appliances such as TVs, radios, personal computers, wireless devices or other phones. The wireless range of each device in the system is approximately 160 feet or 50 meters indoors.

As far as range and installation goes, we would periodically see delay between when we clicked a button in the app and the action fired, like a light turning on or off. We never had a delay for automatic actions like turning on a light due to a motion sensor or camera. It feels like the issues could have been more smartphone or app related, or maybe even WiFi to hub to DECT conversion related, but we couldn’t tell for sure. But it didn’t feel like we had any issues with commands due to the range of the devices from the hub or the placement of the hub during testing.

Automation

Once you have all your devices installed and added to the hub, you can begin to automate them. Automation is all done through the smartphone app. It is very easy to do, but also quite rudimentary. Of course you can manually turn lights on or off, or you can set a scheduled (time-based) on/off trigger, a sensor based trigger or both, but only one of each. So the lights can automatically turn on at a set time, off at a set time, and/or on based on a sensor (door opens when you get home), but that’s it.

You cannot setup activity groups in the smartphone app currently. Each device gets its own Smart Control settings and has to be configured independently. You can set multiple devices to trigger on the same event, so it feels like you have them grouped, but there isn’t a notion of groups or scenes for devices. There is an all on and all off button for the lights, and you can configure what happens when you arm the system for Stay or Away.

The system includes high level actions to Arm or Disarm the entire system, much like a security system, but Panasonic is careful to point out that their equipment isn’t designed for security, but for surveillance. When armed, the windows and door sensors are put in an alert mode, armed for Stay the motion sensor is ignored, armed for Away the motion sensor is also put into alert mode. If triggered, the hub will play an alarm tone. It isn’t very loud, but you can hear it if you’re in the same room or closeby.

Without a landline we couldn’t get the system to remotely notify us of any activity. You should be able to get alerts on your phone if you’re connected to the local Wifi, but we couldn’t get that to happen. When connecting remotely, the app will automatically disconnect if you aren’t using it, probably to conserve battery life. But if you don’t have an active connection to the hub, we don’t imagine you could get alerts on your phone - even if you had it working with a steady connection via local wifi.

Home Surveillance System

The Home Surveillance System includes a hub and two cameras, one for indoor and one for outdoor. Of course you can use the outdoor camera inside if you want to, but not vice versa. The outdoor camera is waterproof; both have night vision capabilities to allow you to see things in very low light conditions. Once added to your system, the cameras can also function as motion detectors to enable or disable other actions in the system.

Camera quality is quite good. We couldn’t see a difference in the quality or lag between being connected to the hub on the local Wifi or connecting to it over the Internet. We even tried over 3G and it still worked great. While viewing the camera you get picture and sound. You can press a button to speak through the camera to communicate with whoever is on the other end, which is pretty cool. The low light feature actually works quite well. We were able to monitor rooms at night that were otherwise pitch black.

Use

Using the Panasonic system is super easy. It isn’t wildly configurable, so use is limited, which makes it really easy. As with anything in life, the more you can do with it, the more complicated it must be to support that functionality. If you limit functionality, you can keep things very simple. The hub can be accessed remotely, which is awesome. Ours worked for remote access out of the box, no special configuration required. If it doesn’t work for you, there are advanced settings like port forwarding to get it working. Only one device can be connected to it at a time, either locally or remotely.

Let’s say you want to turn a light on, and leave it on for 5 minutes, when you open the front door. Totally doable. Let’s say you only want to do that at certain times of the day, because turning the lights on in full daylight is silly, not doable. Let’s say you want to turn your landscaping lights outside on at a set time in the evening and have them turn off a couple hours later. Totally doable. Let’s say you want to do it automatically at dusk, not doable. Or you want to do it in the morning and at night, also not doable. Simple tasks are very easy, but this ease limits how customizable the system is.

The Future

While the Panasonic system is easy, it is limited both in automation capabilities and devices. Because they don’t use an industry standard automation protocol like Z-Wave, you have to buy Panasonic devices. That wouldn’t be a huge deal if they had all the devices you need, but they are pretty limited right now. The most obvious missing device from what they have and what they’ve announced or are contemplating is a wall switch. So if you have any built-in lighting, like porch lights, can lights, track lights, a chandelier or a ceiling fan, you can’t automate those. LED bulbs could help there, but without the ability to group devices, that could get quite cumbersome.

And dimmers. Gotta have dimmers for the home theater.

Panasonic has announced a few accessories that will be available later this year:

Water Leak Sensor - June
Glass Break Sensor – June
Indoor Siren - due 2nd half of 2015
Battery Box - due 2nd half of 2015
Key Pad - due 2nd half of 2015
Key Fob - due 2nd half of 2015

And here are a few more that they are considering:

Outdoor LED Light
Outdoor Weather Sensor
Garage Door Opener
Smoke/CO Sensor
Thermostat
LED Bulb

We’d love to see Panasonic work on some bridging technology to allow their system to communicate with other systems like those that support Insteon, Z-Wave or ZigBee. This would allow those of us with existing automation equipment to use the Panasonic gear without having to maintain two independent systems. It would also get past the hurdle of the missing automated wall switch.

If you haven’t started automating yet, the Panasonic is really easy. Basic, but really easy.

Podcast #682: Next Generation Broadcast TV Apr 10, 2015

Next Generation Broadcast TV

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) have their year meeting in Las Vegas in the Spring every year. When we worked for Sony Pictures we would get excited about going and demonstrating the gear we were developing as well as seeing what other companies were showing off. It was not quite as hectic as CES but it was still a great time. Nowadays we are a little more focused on what we take away from the NAB show. In particular of interest this year is the ATSC 3.0 specification. This year there will be some demos of the technology.

Layered Division Multiplexing

This technology will cram more data into a single channel. Think of this as a bus traveling down the road where the road is the channel on your tuner. You can only get one lane of busses through that road. But what if now you had a double decker bus. On that same road you have doubled the data coming through to you. Its not as simple as just adding levels to the bus. Imaging a three level bus trying to go under an over pass. The main takeaway is that this technology will enable you to get UHD over the air while using only one channel.

HEVC H.265

Compression is key to getting UHD content to you. Right now ATSC uses mpeg 2 and Blu-ray uses mpeg 4. With mp4 you get about a doubling of the data as you do with mp2. If you look at the current ATSC spec, television stations are transmitting streams of anywhere between 10 and 18 Mbps in mp2. You can get the same quality mp4 picture with streams of about 5 to 9 Mbps. And if you are using H.265 that drops to about 2.5 to 4.5 Mbps. But rather than give us current quality in less space, the goal is to give us better than Blu-ray quality picture and sound in the same spectrum (channel). The National Engineering Center for DTV from Shanghai, China will be demonstrating a full-chain Ultra HD TV system, which includes a UHD TV presentation system, as well as realtime UHD TV encoding, broadcasting, receiving and decoding.

Targeted Ads, Better EPG, and Interactivity

A US company will be showing off interactivity and rich media that won’t require a second screen like a tablet or phone. Broadcasters will be able to insert local ads more easily and the EPG gets a makeover. Broadcasters will be able to transmit HTML 5 applications that will support voting and polling. Now you’ll be able to vote for your favorite performer on whatever talent show you are watching right from your TVs remote.

Object Based Surround

We’re quite happy that its not too late to add this to the ATSC 3.0 spec. There are three competing standards to bring three dimensional sound into your living room. Of course you would expect Dolby’s Atmos and DTS’s DTS:X. But there is also one from Qualcomm and Technicolor. They are testing 60 sound tracks with each of the three systems.

When is it all going to Happen?

There is still plenty of time to enjoy your ATSC 2.0 TV. The specification won’t be finalized until 2016 and then it will take years before the broadcasters and manufacturers have equipment ready to accept OTA UHD. Look for there to be a brief period where you will be able to buy an external UHD tuner. We wonder if they will provide vouchers to buy UHD to HDTV converters.

Podcast #681: Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote and Hub Apr 03, 2015

Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote and Hub

If memory serves, the very first product review we ever did on the HDTV Podcast was a very early Harmony remote. Back in the days before Harmony was acquired by Logitech. Before the touchscreen models came out. But the remote was revolutionary in how simple it made it for anyone to control even a complex home theater with a single remote, and often just a single button.

Continuing in the tradition of changing the game for home theater enthusiasts, the newest member of the Harmony family, the Logitech Harmony Ultimate Remote and Hub ($334) is the next generation of what Harmony started several years ago. As a side note, we paid $299 for it at Amazon when we bought it, so the price fluctuates. If you wait a little while, it could come back down.

About the remote

From the Manufacturer:

One remote easily controls entertainment devices plus connected lights, locks, thermostats, blinds, sensors, and more
Intuitive color touch screen: Simply swipe and tap to control channels, movies, 50 customizable channel Favorites and home automation devices such as Philips hue lights or Nest Learning Thermostat
Harmony app turns iOS or Android smartphones or tablets into a second, personal universal remote control
The Harmony Home Hub lets you control devices in closed cabinets
Simple setup on computer or mobile app for control of 15 home entertainment devices and unlimited home automation devices: Works with over 270,000 devices, including your TV, satellite or cable box, Blu-ray player, Apple TV, Roku, Sonos, game consoles, Philips hue lights and more.

Setup

Getting the remote up and running is pretty simple. Getting it dialed in to exactly what you want takes a bit more time. The remote itself, just like the iOS or Android app, doesn’t send any commands directly to your devices. It sends the command to the Hub and the hub relays the commands to your devices. So to get started you plug in the remote to start it charging, plug in the Hub and position its two included IR blasters to transmit to your home theater devices. That step takes about a minute.

Next step is to download the app to your smartphone or tablet. Once you have it installed, the real setup begins. If you’re used to programming harmony remotes, you can skip the app step and program it directly with your computer. Or if your smartphone or tablet doesn’t have bluetooth. But we went the new user route and did it all through the app, for the full experience. The app itself is very clean, simple and intuitive.

First step is to connect the app to your Hub using bluetooth. When the app prompts, you press a button on the back of the hub to pair the devices. Once paired, you can connect the Hub to your home wifi network. After you get the Hub on wifi, you’re ready to start doing the real programming. This step took a couple minutes, but mostly waiting for devices to connect.

When the hub connects to wifi, it will automatically discover a bunch of compatible devices and make them available for you to control. Ours found a few Sonos players, and a few streaming boxes like the Fire TV. That was pretty cool, but not what we needed to setup the home theater, so we left them alone and manually added our receiver, tuner box, blu-ray player and projector. All of the devices were instantly recognized. That took another couple minutes.

If you’ve ever programmed a universal remote, you know that the next step is activities. The app does a good job of walking you through a step by step wizard to configure each device for the various activities like Watch TV, Watch a Movie, Listen to Music, etc. In many cases, you’d be done after this step. We have more complicated HDMI issues, so we had to do some fine tuning, but all told, it took about 15-20 minutes to get up and running using the app to program the remote.

Performance

The Ultimate remote has the same form factor as overall usage style as the Harmony Touch Universal Remote ($178) we reviewed a couple years ago. The remote maintains a few hard buttons, but really wants you to drive with the touch screen. It feels nice, but has some shortcomings on usability. For full details on the remote itself, read our review of the Touch from Episode 554. It’s a great remote, but not perfect.

The addition of the Hub is really great for some use cases. Removing the requirement for line of sight to the devices eliminates issues you may have if you want to store your equipment in a cabinet, have a coffee table in the way, or constantly have people walking in front of you when you’re trying to use the remote. It really cuts down on the number of times you have to hit the help button. We liked that quite a bit.

The app worked pretty well, but we found that it had issues at times connecting to the Hub. It would search the wifi network for the presence of the Hub and report that it was missing. We had to manually reconnect them several times. This somewhat diminished the usefulness of the app. It would have been nice if they fell back to bluetooth, but we never saw that happen, nor do we know if its even a possibility. When connected, the app was a pretty cool quick way to control the theater.

Automation

Perhaps the biggest differentiator about the Ultimate Remote and Hub is the ability to also control home automation devices. To do this with most home theater remotes you have to buy an IR module for your automation system, program the IR module to control the devices and teach your remote how to send the correct IR codes. All doable, but all very rigid and sometimes very painful. With the Harmony Hub you get a lot of this built right in.

The Hub supports a multitude of wifi based devices such as those from from Nest, Lutron, August, pēq and more. They claim support for 270,000 devices from more than 6,000 brands but it isn’t clear how many of those are home theater components and how many are home automation devices. A yet-to-be released add on module call the Harmony Home

Hub Extender will allow for even more automation possibilities by connecting the Hub to ZigBee and Z-Wave Plus devices.

But the Hub isn’t designed to be a true automation hub. One big catch, for example, is that it currently isn’t possible to access the Hub from the Internet. You could probably cobble your own VPN system together to allow you to get to it, but it wouldn’t be trivial. This drastically reduces the effectiveness of the Hub as an automation device. Having control of your home: lights, door locks, leak sensors, from anywhere in the world is a key feature. Without it you can do some cool things to augment the home theater experience, but it isn’t a very robust automation hub.

The Hub also doesn’t provide the automated programming with timers, triggers, and scenes that you need from a true automation server or Hub. So let’s not bill it as something it isn’t, it’s a cool home theater remote that can also control some of your automated devices. You won’t use it to control your automation, but you can use it to make adjustments, like dimming the lights when you hit play, or adjusting the thermostat if the room gets too hot.

We tested the remote at Braden’s house and he’s all Insteon all the time. He has an IR module, but we know that works, so we didn’t take the time to get it up and running. So if the Hub controls some devices you have, or you can adjust what devices you plan to purchase to align with what the Hub supports, it could work well as in interface into your automation equipment. If not, you’re out of luck.

Conclusion

As a concept, the Harmony Ultimate Remote and Hub is awesome. Taken as its component parts, it’s cool, but perhaps not the next big thing. Removing line of sight is perhaps its biggest selling feature. After that, if you have the lights that it works with, being able to dim and brighten lights as part of the home theater experience is pretty compelling. It’s a great remote, not the best Harmony has ever made, but not bad either.

Podcast #680: Wireless Surrounds that Work! Mar 25, 2015

Wireless Surrounds that Work!

We have been on a quest to find a wireless surround solution that not only works but works well! Maybe its because we live in a noisy home or neighborhood but we have not found a solution that has worked well. Either we would get static or in many cases we got nothing. Our last ditch effort took a product that worked with laptops and mp3 players and adapted it to work with our AVR.

The centerpiece of the solution is the Audioengine W3 Wireless Adapter (Buy Now $149). The W3 can process USB audio up to 16 bits/48KHz with no compression. However, for our application we used the analog audio input via a 3.5mm minijack which should be just fine for a surround application.

For use in a home theater application you would take the surround left and right preouts and hook them up to an RCA to 3.5mm minijack cable. If your receiver has a USB input you could connect the W3 to that and you would have power.

In our case we had neither. To get audio to the transmitter we used an adapter to convert speaker outputs to RCA (Rockford Fosgate RF-HLC High Level Speaker Signal to Low Level RCA Adapter $17.50) and then we used the RCA to 3.5mm adapter cable. The W3 includes a power adapter for either the transmitter or receiver. We used it for the transmitter.

The final connection to the Cerwin Vega VE5Ms requires an amplifier and the W3 receiver. The amplifier we decided to use is the Audioengine N22 (Buy Now $199) for two reasons. One, its has great specs! Two, it has a powered USB port to plug the W3 receiver unit into.

Power output - 22W RMS / 40W peak per channel (AES)
THD+N - 95dB A-weighted

We could have gone with a much less expensive amp, and you can too to save the some money, but we felt the power and quality of the amp was worth it on our application. An alternative amp costing about $175 less that you could substitute is the Kinter 12V 2 CH Mini Digital Audio Power Amplifier (Buy Now $10.50) but then you would also need to use an adapter to provide USB power for the W3 receiver.

Performance

One word, success!! Ara’s wife had been giving him grief about having the surround speakers in the room just sitting there not making sound. The ultimatum was given, either get the speakers doing something or get them out of the room. This was the solution that not only got sound coming through the speakers but did so cleanly. The W3 has been transmitting sound to the surrounds for about four weeks now. There has not been one pop, click, or hiss in that entire time. And this is in an environment that has seen no less than three other wireless solutions fail miserably.

Another complaint some have with wireless solutions is that it may affect the wifi performance in your home. In the same period no one has complained about spotty wifi or sluggish performance. At one point Ara thought that some of the issues he experienced with Cox Communications cable may have been a result of the the W3 interfering with his wifi. the good news is that after changing his DNS servers those issues have been cleared up and all is good.

Final Thoughts

If you have invested a lot of money in your speakers and are in a position where you can’t run speaker wire to your surrounds, we recommend this exact solution. The N22 can provide enough clean power with little distortion which will put a smile on your face each time something blows up or flies over your head. If you need something that works but just don’t want to invest a lot of money, swap out the amp with a lower cost model and you’ll still be happy when you hear something fly over your head!

Podcast #679: Speaker Terminology Mar 20, 2015

Speaker Terminology

Ara has recently started a new hobby of building his own speakers at home. In the course of building them, talking about them and creating videos to show how he does it, we realized there quite a few speaker terms and some tech jargon we may throw around that not everyone is familiar with. Some of you may know this inside and out, for others it’ll be a refresher and for some, parts of this may be brand new, but we’ve compiled a glossary of sorts, based on some prior episodes and some new stuff, to make sure we’re all in on the conversation when talking about speakers.

Frequency Response

Measures the range of audible frequencies a speaker reproduces across the entire audio spectrum. This spec helps you assemble a set of speakers that allow you to hear everything you’re supposed to. The general rule of thumb is that we humans, with young, undamaged eardrums, can hear really low sounds down to 20 Hz all the way up to really high-pitch, piercing sound at 20 kHz. Many argue that the highest and lowest frequencies are less important because the human ear doesn’t hear them as well - and for some of us, not at all. But for the lower range, it may not be as important to hear it as it is to feel it.

Driver

The scientific name for a speaker, or a loudspeaker, is an electroacoustic transducer. The transducer converts an electrical signal into the sound you hear when watching movies or listening to music. The individual transducers themselves are often referred to as drivers. The term speaker and driver can sometimes be used interchangeably. The word speaker is also used to describe a set of drivers in an enclosure - the speakers you buy at the store, online or in some cases, build at home. There are three basic types of drivers: tweeter, midrange and woofer.

Tweeter - A tweeter is a driver designed to produce high audio frequencies (typically 2,000 Hz to 20 kHz).
Midrange - Midrange drivers, sometimes called “squawkers,” are designed to reproduce the frequency range from approximately 300–5000 Hz.
Woofer - A woofer is the driver designed to produce the lowest frequency sound, typically from 20 Hz to 1000 Hz.
Full Range - A full-rangedriver is designed to reproduces as much of the audible frequency range as possible.

Larger speakers tend to cover a wider range of frequencies, which is why you typically want larger speakers for your front and center channels. You can get away with smaller speakers in the surround channels because the sound there doesn't tend to be as dynamic as the front of the room. Although some very large speakers will cover the lowest end of the spectrum, down to 20 Hz, most home theater speakers don’t go that low, so you need a subwoofer to fill that gap. Without the really the low end frequencies, a home theater tends to lack punch and the audio doesn’t feel as full.

Crossover

The Crossover is an electrical filter that could be a high-pass, low-pass or band-pass filter. It is used to divide the audible frequency spectrum (20 Hz - 20 kHz). Since most loudspeaker drivers are incapable of reproducing the entire audio spectrum, the crossover is used to make sure the correct frequencies are sent to the drivers that are built to reproduce a particular sound range. Without a crossover every driver would be sent the entire frequency range, resulting in muddied and sub-optimal audio experience.

Porting

A port in a speaker cabinet is a hole or vent that allows air to escape from inside the enclosure. A speaker without a port is referred to as a sealed enclosure, where no air is supposed to escape from inside. This design yields a more accurate response and produces a speaker with a bit more punch. A ported enclosure is more difficult to design, it requires a more scientific approach, and they tend to be larger than sealed cabinets. But a ported subwoofer allows for extended bass response, resulting in deeper bass and a stronger physical impact: you can feel the rumble. Ported speakers are also more efficient. They increase the bass output of a speaker by around 3 dB, and that cuts the power requirements for your amplifier in half. More on that in a moment...

Decibel

Decibels, or dBs, are a measurement of sound level. Our ears detect changes in volume in a non-linear fashion. A decibel is a logarithmic scale of loudness. A difference of 1 decibel is an almost imperceptible change in volume. It takes about 3 dB for most humans to hear a difference and 10 decibels is perceived by the listener as a doubling of volume. On your receiver or amplifier when you go from -15 dB to -5 dB the sound volume hitting your ears is doubled. As a side note, it takes a doubling of wattage in your amp for an increase of 3 dB. That’s why paying an extra $200 for the next model up just because it is 125W instead of 100W is a waste of money. Provided, of course, that’s the only additional feature.

Sensitivity

This is the spec we use routinely to rank speakers when purley going by paper, not by sound. If you’re doing your homework on Amazon or another online retailer, keep an eye out for sensitivity. It gives you an idea of how efficient a speaker is; in other words, how hard it is going to make your receiver or amplifier work to play back those explosions you want to hear louder than you probably should. What it really measures is how loud the speaker will play when given a standard test input and measured at a specific distance, typically 1 meter.

As you can imagine, when fed the same test signal, the louder a speaker will play, the more efficient it is. So sensitivity is a measure of the speaker’s volume, expressed (as volume often is) in decibels. The higher the number, the higher the efficiency and the better your speaker will perform. Your receiver or amplifier won’t have to work as hard to produce the same volume level. Typical numbers are in the mid to high 80s; anything over 90 is considered excellent. Sensitivity won’t tell you how good a speaker sounds, but it will tell you how easy it will be to crank it up.

Impedance

This is another measurement, like sensitivity, that is of no value when it comes to the pure audio quality of the speaker, but it can help guide some buying decisions. Where sensitivity tells you how hard the amplifier needs to work to produce a particular volume level, impedance tells you how much strain the speaker itself puts on your amplifier. Most speakers are rated at 8 ohms, and most receiver specs are quoted assuming an 8 ohm speaker load. The lower the impedance number, the more strain, so if you come across a sweet pair of 4 or 6 ohm speakers, you’ll need to make sure your receiver can handle them.

Also keep in mind that impedance is something you can influence if you decide to add more speakers to your home theater. You can’t simply add more speakers to the same channel. When you do, you change the overall load or impedance for that amplifier channel. Adding a second speaker to a channel, when connected in parallel, will actually cut the impedance in half, so instead of the amplifier working to run one 8 ohm speaker, it now has to work as if it is connected to one 4 ohm speaker. This could have a negative impact on your amp. Connecting speakers in series, however, actually has the opposite impact, but that may be too deep a discussion for this episode. Bottom line, make sure you know what you’re doing if you decide to add multiple speakers to the same surround sound channel.

Power Handling

This tells you the maximum amount of power you can run into a speaker without damaging it. To be honest, the spec is somewhat useless. A 200 watt per channel amplifier will rarely, if ever, run at the full 200 watts to each channel. If you tried it, you’d probably have blood coming from your ears before your speakers, that may be rated for 100 or 125 max watts per channel, would give out or blow. The 180 watt or 200 watt receiver is probably going to be a higher quality item than a 50 or 80 watt unit, so even though the smaller ones will never have the chance to ruin your speakers, they won’t sound as good either. Use common sense and you should be just fine.

Podcast #678: Mohu Channels Review Mar 13, 2015

Mohu Channels

Last year we saw a cool Kickstarter project called Mohu Channels. According to the project description you would be able to:

Create your own TV Channel Guide as a mash-up of streaming apps, websites & broadcast TV with Mohu Channels. We’re making TV fun again!

The project has been completed and is now available through the Mohu website for $150. Being that we have had great experiences with every Mohu product we have reviewed in the past we were quite excited to get our hands on the device and put it through its paces.

Features:

Combine all your favorite programming on a single source
Arrange your channels in any order: Kids channels. Sports stations. Streaming movies. Web sites for photos, stocks or weather. Local TV stations. You decide.
Use a real keyboard or smart device to type in movie names, web addresses, email or any other text. No more on-screen keyboards!

Setup:

Physical setup is trivial, connect your antenna, HDMI, Ethernet (if you are using the device wired), and power. Next turn it on and select the HDMI input on your TV and follow the onscreen instructions. You are given the option to train the Mohu remote to work with your TV. If you have a Samsung TV it works out of the box.

We skipped this step and moved on to selecting our time zone and language preferences followed by joining our wifi network. The last part of the setup was scanning for channels. The tuner is quite good and found more channels than the TV’s tuner did. Once the channels have been found you can delete channels that you have no interest in or you can change the order that they appear in your guide.

The basic setup takes about ten to fifteen minutes, add five more for a firmware update, and you can start watching right away. But there is much more to Mohu Channels than simply watching over the air HDTV. Next up we added apps through the Google Play store. There are so many that you can add but we stuck with Netflix and Hulu and a few network apps. You can also add web pages but honestly we can’t think of a reason why you would want to. Once we added all the apps and channels we organized them in the guide based on our favorites. It takes a little time but once you have them organized the way you want it makes using the device simple and easy.

Performance:

This was hit and miss for us. As we said above the tuner is quite good. it picks up channels that out HDTV didn’t and would stay locked even with a weak signal. Using the ARC channel of the HDTV we were even able to get Dolby Digital audio. But lip sync issues would pop up from time to time. Changing the channel away and back usually fixed the issue. The picture quality was outstanding!

Then we watched Netflix and were not happy with the picture quality. Its hard to tell if that is an issue with the Mohu Channels device or the Netflix application. The navigation within the app was quirky, using the D-pad for navigation was problematic. For instance you could not select episodes. The only way we were able to do so was with the pointer. The top it off the audio was only stereo. Compared to the Netflix app on the TV, Amazon Fire, or AppleTV, the device did not compare favorably.

Then we checked out Hulu+ and found video to be slightly better but in all the experience was not much better than the Netflix app.

The user interface took a little getting used to but after a little time it was acceptable. The remote’s pointer/mouse function frustrated us at first. To make the selection with it you need to press SEL and try not to move the remote. It took a little practice but as soon as we mastered it we were able to select anything we pointed at. It is nice having a full keyboard to make surfing and adding content easier. The pointer makes navigating around the various apps and GUI elements easier as well. Everything works as advertised but it just didn’t seem to flow nicely.

After speaking with the Mohu people we learned that the company is getting a lot of feedback and is paying attention to it. They will be releasing a Firmware update to fix a couple of issues in the next few days. They tell us they are committed to making the product easy and fun to use. They are also working on the Netflix experience but admit some of the issues we experienced may be out of their control.

Mohu One

Mohu One is a web content aggregator that finds videos from Youtube, Vevo, Fox Sports, and more and presents them in a single interface grouped by category. This is a web service so you can use the site with or without the device. We used the pointer to navigate this device because the D-Pad navigation had a few quirks.

DVR

Right now there is no DVR function available. The device does have a USB port that will allow for this capability in the future. Mohu wants to keep this a no cost to use device so they are trying to work the TV Guide issues associated with such a product. More info on this in the future.

Conclusion

Mohu Channels has the right idea but still needs a little work. There is a lot of potential in this little device. We’ll check back with it in a few months so see how it is progressing. Mohu Channels may end up being the cord cutters Swiss Army Knife in the near future.

Podcast #677: VidiPath Technology from DLNA Mar 06, 2015

VidiPath Technology from DLNA

What is the worst part about subscription television service? Ask ten people and you may get a few different answers, but odds are a few of them would agree on the cost of the service. Not just the service, but all the additional fees, especially the fees to have a set top box in the rooms where you want to watch TV. Can it really cost the provider that much more to let you watch in a second room? You’re already paying for the service.

The DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) is hoping their new VidiPath technology will make that easier on you. The plan for VidiPath is to let you view all of your pay TV content on multiple TVs throughout your home without the need to rent additional set-top boxes for each room. DLNA technology is certified and available on over four billion devices worldwide. Many of us have been using it for years to stream content, movies and music, from computers or network drives to TVs and other connected devices.

The addition of VidiPath technology opens up the possibilities of what you can stream over your DLNA connections. According to DLNA executive director Donna Moore, “with the addition of VidiPath, DLNA has expanded its ecosystem to include the secure delivery of subscription-TV content.” So you can stream pretty much anything now, from movies stored on your video server to live content from your cable provider, to any certified device in your home.

The technology will work over wired and wireless network connections (using WiFi), so you’ll be able to play content on wireless devices like tablets and smartphones in addition to TVs, game consoles, computers and other set top boxes. We’re hearing that the first VidiPath certified devices should come to market this quarter, so we should start to see them pop up later this month. Of course you’ll need a VidiPath certified device from your provider, but after that you can add any VidiPath certified playback device to get the content in any room you want.

Of course the initiative is led by the DLNA, but it has some pretty solid logos backing it as well. Providers Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Cox Communications are in with both feet and have already committed to having VidiPath enabled set-top boxes or gateways available to their subscribers. Sony, Samsung and Broadcom are onboard as well. So we’d expect to see a smattering of televisions, tablets and other devices hitting the shelves soon.

A single VidiPath certified set-top box or gateway from a traditional pay TV provider like your cable company, or satellite provider will stream all the content you pay for, including High Definition content, over WiFi. So if you have a VidiPath certified device that can get on WiFI, that device instantly becomes a live TV viewer. Providers and manufacturers are working together to provide a consistent usage experience across all devices, including access to the program guide and, we’re hoping, all recorded DVR content, although we haven’t seen that stated anywhere.

No word on whether you’ll be able to pause or rewind live TV from a VidiPath player. Also not sure if you’ll be able to initiate recordings. Also no word on how many devices will be able to stream simultaneously - how many rooms can be watching TV at the same time. We’re certain this information will come to light as devices start to hit the market.

If VidiPath players are fully functional, just like you get from your provider’s multi-room boxes in a whole house DVR setup, the technology could be a game changer. No more multi-room DVRs, just a standard DVR from any provider that would support VidiPath and you’d be responsible for adding your own playback devices to connect to it. Pay TV providers would have to find other features to differentiate on. That’s exciting.

Podcast #676: Interview - Gary Yacoubian President of SVS Speakers Feb 27, 2015

Interview - Gary Yacoubian President of SVS Speakers

From the SVS Website:

SVS was founded in 1998 by four audiophile/engineers who noted that customers were paying too much for lackluster subwoofer performance because of a manufacturing to sales process that was stacked against the consumer. The conventional model, where just good enough subs were sold at high markups did a disservice to customers who wanted great audio experiences but didn’t have unlimited funds.

To fix a broken system, SVS pioneered a disruptive, future-facing model by investing heavily in product engineering and performance and reducing operational costs by selling direct to its customers over the Internet. Customers could demo world-class subwoofers and speakers in their homes exactly where the products would be installed, allowing them to make the most informed purchase decision possible, without risk. This strategy allowed SVS to establish a global presence and continues to earn acclaim from professional and amateur reviewers, in forums, and at audio shows, while continuing to grow retail and direct distribution.

UHD Blu-ray

Many of you either have or will soon have a new UHD TV that will be begging you to throw some UHD content at it. Right now you can stream UHD content from Netflix and Amazon but while good, its not nearly as good as you can get from disc. There aren’t any discs, or players, out there that can support UHD. But there will be in the near future. The Blu-ray Disc Association has released a new specification that may help you justify the purchase of a shiny new UHD TV. So what do the new players and disc give you?

Better Color

Simply put, the new specification allows your TV to display more colors than your current HDTV. You probably are thinking that your TV already does a good job with this but it can only display about 30% of what your eye can see. The new specification will display about 75%. At this writing we don’t know of UHD TV that supports this spec nor do we know when we will see content that does. But its nice to know that your player will be ready when the content is there!

High Dynamic Range (HDR)

If you have a relatively new smartphone you may have heard of this term. On your phone your camera takes two (or more) shots of the same image, one with the darkest exposure and one with the lightest. Then it combines the best of the images to create one that shows great detail in all areas, nothing washed out and blacks looking black. This will provide depth and greater contrast on screen.

10-bit

Bottom line on this one is that it makes better color and HDR possible.

Higher Frame Rates

Until Hollywood shoots at 60 frames a second, think of this as future proofing the standard. This will help 3D as well.

Better Compression

There is a lot of data that needs to be stored on a disc for 4K so a more efficient way of compressing it is required. That’s where H.265 comes into play. The High Efficiency Video Codec (HVEC) is twice as efficient as H.264 (mpeg4). As a side note, HVEC is what makes streaming 4K from Netflix and Amazon possible at 7 to 10Mbps. Now imagine how good it would be at a little more than 100Mbps. Yes it will be a while before streaming catches up to fixed media.

Larger Capacity

All those bits need to be stored someplace. The new discs will have capacities of 66GB or 100GB

Audio

TBD

Podcast #675: Sling TV Review Feb 20, 2015

Sling TV Review

The idea of cutting the cord, removing your reliance on Cable or Satellite to provide the hundreds of channels you rarely watch, has been a pipe dream for many of us. Sure, for those close enough to a transmitter, an over the air antenna really helps fill the void. Netflix and Hulu are great as well. But if you like to watch a lot of TV, you’re still left wanting. Until now. Sling TV may actually be the answer.

You’re right, Sling TV isn’t really cutting the cord. It’s just swapping one TV service for another. But it does allow you to trade in a bill of $80 or $120 or more per month for only $20 a month. So you haven’t cut the cord, but you’ve slimmed it down quite a bit. It’s like the cord on Zumba or P90X.

What is Sling TV?

According to the website, “Sling is the way TV should be. It's watching the season finale of your favorite show the moment it airs. It’s the latest episodes of your favorite shows and hot new movies on-demand. It’s ESPN, TNT, Adult Swim, and more without the cable company...With Sling TV, there's no commitment, no installation, and no crazy miscellaneous fees. Just great TV for only $20/mo. Cancel anytime online.”

Bottom line, Sling TV is Live and On Demand television over your Internet connection. Whatever your friends with Cable or Satellite are watching, you can watch at the same time. The base $20 package includes 15 channels:

ESPN, ESPN2, TNT, TBS, Food Network, Travel Channel, HGTV, El Rey, Adult Swim, Maker, Disney, ABC Family, Cartoon Network, CNN, Galavision

For an additional $5/mo, the optional Sports Extra package adds 9 more channels

ESPNEWS, ESPNU, SEC Network, ESPN Bases Loaded, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN Goal Line, Universal Sports, Univision Deportes, beIN Sports

Also for an additional $5/mo, the optional Kids Extra package adds 5 more channels

Disney Junior, Disney XD, Boomerang, Baby TV, Duck TV

And for yet another $5/mo, you can opt for the News & Info Extra package for 4 more channels:

Cooking Channel, DIY Network, Bloomberg, HLN

And it’s more than just channels. You also have the freedom to watch on whatever device suits you, or is most convenient at the time. If you want to watch on a TV in your home theater or a secondary room in the house, you can put a Sling TV app on your Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Roku, and coming soon, Xbox and Nexus Player. The Apple TV requires the use of the iOS app for Sling TV with Airplay. If you want to watch on the go, add the app to your iOS or Android device. Or for ultimate flexibility, just install the player on your Windows or Mac computer or laptop.

Performance

The streaming quality of Sling TV is pretty good. Coming from the company that practically invented place-shifting, you’d think they have some solid history with streaming video quality, and it shows. The video when watched over a high bandwidth connection looked great. Sharp and crisp. They support Dolby Digital 5.1 as well, so you can get some surround sound from the TV connected devices.

Content looked great on a high bandwidth connection including WiFi, only a few stutters occasionally. Things were a bit more hit or miss over 4G - but mostly hit. Our first test over 4G was terrible. Granted it was Sprint 4G, but it was really bad, nearly unwatchable. Ara, being the more methodical of the two of us demanded a recount. Testing over Verizon and AT&T 4G was actually very good. Further tests over Sprint 4G also yielded much better results.

When things were bad over 4G, video would come in sporadically but spent more time stuck on a random frame or a blank screen than actually streaming TV. It is obvious to most, but as you would expect, the quality of the stream is totally dependent on the quality of the data connection. Sling TV is more than capable of looking really good on a phone or tablet over 4G, but if your connection is spotty, the video will reflect that. No streaming technology can overcome a really bad data connection.

Then there are the limitations in the service. For one, you can only watch one thing at a time. So if you have a couple devices in your home that can connect to Sling TV, they’ll all be watching the same thing - or you’ll have to get multiple accounts. Which somewhat defeats the purpose of the $20/month.

Most channels do not provide the ability to pause, rewind or fast forward live television. A few others like HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, and a couple others do. On those channels skipping back or forwards is a bit slow since the stream needs to rebuffer. Often the skip buttons didn’t work at all. It would just stutter for a second and start back up right where you were before. You are better of dragging the timeline slider and moving forward once enough of the stream has buffered.

So while getting TV over the Internet is super cool, and super high tech, handicapping the essentials we’ve all come to love in the DVR is like going a decade back in time. To a time before DVRs and the freedom to stop anything for a snack break or skip commercials. Some channels allow you to watch previously aired shows as if you had recorded them. Some channels don’t have that ability, probably due to the contracts they have with the owners of the syndicated shows.

The user interface is pretty easy to use, although it is a bit quirky and takes some getting used to. But the overall usage patterns are the same for any device, so once you figure it out on one, you’ll have it nailed on any. We can envision some pretty major usability changes over the next few months as they gather feedback from real users, but it isn’t bad, just...different.

Conclusion

All in all, the Sling TV service is a a great idea, but it may not be the next big thing quite yet. For a secondary TV in your home that doesn’t have a coax connection, or maybe for a college student, it could be really cool. As a replacement for your Cable or Satellite service, and especially if you use a DVR, it’ll probably come up a bit short at least at this point in time.

Comment from Jason:

As I was an early adopter of SlingTV, I thought I was going to miss out on the free Amazon Fire Stick or $50 off Fire TV offer since I just barely used up my free 7 day trial and paid for my first month of SlingTV. I called SlingTV and asked them what I should do to get the offer. I asked if I should cancel my account, then asked if I should sign up with another email/credit card? What they did for me is they just had me pay for the 3 months on my account while I was on the phone, then sent me the email with the coupon code for Amazon to go and order the free Fire Stick.

Podcast #674: Dayton Audio XRA25 Wireless Rear Channel Amplifier Feb 13, 2015

Dayton Audio XRA25 Wireless Rear Channel Amplifier

Since the beginning of this podcast we have been on the lookout for a product that will wirelessly transmit audio from your receiver to the surround speakers. To date there have been a few that sort of got the job done. To be fair, a lot depends on where your live. In areas that do not have a lot of interference you have a much better chance of success with most products. In areas where home are right on top of each other, or have a lot of wireless devices you may be better off running cable.

About six months ago I (Ara) went through the process of finding a product that would get me a 5.1 system in my master bedroom via wireless surround speakers. I tried three products all of which failed miserably. Again, it may have been because the environment has a lot of interference but the bottom line was no joy on the wireless solution. I had resolved myself to running cable to my speakers. Because of the layout of my bedroom I would need about 100 feet of speaker wire and speaker hiding channels (Wiremold C110 White Cordmate Kit) to run cables along the baseboards. The actual surround speakers are only about 15 feet away from the receiver but require a path along the baseboard that pretty much run the entire perimeter of the bedroom. Since I had to move all the furniture to snake the cable I had put off the project instead enjoying a 3.1 system. Then I found the Dayton Audio XRA25 Wireless Amplifier (Buy Now $99) and decided to give it one more shot.

Features:

Subwoofer channel for placement of a powered subwoofer at the rear of the room
25 watts per channel output power at 4 ohms, 12.5 watts at 8 ohms
2.4 GHz transmission band with 34 transmitting channels
Transmitting range up to 100 ft.
Adjustable output level for achieving proper volume balance

Setup:

Connect the transmitter to the receiver surround speaker outputs with either RCA or speaker cable. The receiver we used did not have pre-outs so we used speaker wire. On the receiver side you connect the speakers via speaker wire. If you made the subwoofer connection then you connect the subwoofer out to the subwoofer via RCA cable. Power on both units and you are good to go! To pair the devices you simultaneously press and hold the “M” button on both the receiver and transmitter. The LED on the front of the units will blink green and blue. When they are both blue they have found an open frequency on the 2.4 GHz spectrum.

Performance:

Or lack or performance as it were. The issues I had started right out of the gate. I could not get the units to sync. The receiver would show a solid blue LED but the transmitter never would. The manual says to make sure there is a signal so I put a test tone on the surround channels. I even disconnected the speaker cable running from the AVR to the wireless transmitter and connected directly into a speaker to make sure there was a tone.

Next, thinking that there could be interference, I turned off my wifi and cordless phone and tried again. Still nothing! The next morning I called customer support and verified that I did everything as I should. In the end I decided to send the unit back.

Apartment dwellers would be ideal candidates for a product like this, but that environment is even noisier than living in a tract home. I have one last hope but its expensive. I am going to use a couple of devices from Audioengine and see if I can get this to work.

The system will consist of an Audioengine W3 Wireless Audio Adapter (Buy Now $149) which is primarily for sending music from your PC to some powered speakers but can definitely work for this application. On the speaker side I will use the Audioengine N22 desktop amplifier (Buy Now $199) to bring the speakers to life. The N22 has a USB port so it can power the receiver side of the W3 without need of a power adapter. Like I said its on the expensive side but I know it will work because we reviewed the W3 with great success a couple of years ago.

Podcast #673: Dish Upgrade Time Feb 06, 2015

Dish Upgrade Time

This is the time of the year when HDTV and Home Theater take a quick nap. CES has come and gone, the Super Bowl is done, and there’s a bit of a lull in activity until March Madness kicks in. Sure there may be some mid-season shows that pop up, but we’re always looking for ways to spice things up. So what better way than a full revamp of our Dish Network gear?

In some areas we strive to be early adopters. Braden, the Dish representative in the HT Guys duo, jumped in on the Hopper and Joey system as quick as possible almost three years ago (Episode 527). Sure Dish may not have been the first to the party, but the Hopper has been a consistent innovator for them, and has kept them in the news, both good and somewhat controversially, quite regularly.

For those not familiar, the Hopper is Dish’s whole-home DVR. The Hopper itself isn’t much more than a standard DVR, other than a few killer features we’ll talk about later. But it uses MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) to also alloy the little Joey boxes to playback any live content coming into the Hopper tuners, or any recorded content sitting on the DVR’s hard drive, in any room in your house. Any room with a coax cable.

Our upgrade involved swapping out the original version 1 Hopper for the updated Hopper v2 and swapping out two Joeys for more modern ones, a Super Joey and a Wireless Joey. The Super Joey works like a standard Joey, but also adds two additional satellite tuners to pair with the three already in the Hopper. That gives you five tuners, and during prime time, allows you to record up to eight shows simultaneously. The Wireless Joey is exactly what it sounds like, a Joey you can use even in rooms without coax.

Hopper Features

The standard features on the original Hopper, like Auto-Hop, or the ability to automatically skip all commercials in a show recorded using Prime Time Anytime the day after it aired, or Prime Time Anytime itself, which is the ability to automatically record all primetime shows on the big four networks: ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX, using only one of the DVR’s three tuners, are all still there on the Hopper version 2. But the update adds a couple great new tricks.

First and most importantly, the new Hopper has Sling technology built right in. With Sling you get the ability to watch live shows anywhere in the world where you can get an Internet connection, and you can browse your guide and schedule recordings from anywhere as well. A little added bonus is the ability to transfer recordings to your iPad for offline viewing later, like on a plane, a train or a long road trip.

Second is the Netflix app. You no longer need to jump out of your TV experience to fire up an Apple TV or a Roku to watch Netflix. You now get it natively in the same interface. This isn’t anything groundbreaking, Tivo has had this for years, but they are the first major pay TV provider to offer it. And, although it isn’t there yet, a future update will include Netflix results in a standard search on your Hopper, in addition to the live, recorded and On Demand results you get now. The Netflix app should be rolling out to the Joeys soon as well.

Third are the little bonus features and easter eggs you get just by having the new Hopper. One example is the recent reverse Auto-Hop feature they added for the Super Bowl. If you’re a fan of Super Bowl commercials, you’d love this. It gave you the ability to watch the game the day after it aired, but skip all the pesky football parts and just watch the commercials. Maybe not the most useful feature, but a fun one, and a good indicator of how Dish plans to use the Hopper.

Super Joey Features

The Super Joey isn’t much more to talk about than the original Joey. It is quite a bit larger, and requires special installation to make it work, but once you’ve got it, you can’t really tell any difference - other than the fact that you can now record up to eight shows at once during prime time, five shows at once during other times. The Super Joey doesn’t have any hard drives of its own, it just adds the tuners and the content is still recorded on the Hopper.

Wireless Joey Features

The Wireless Joey is pretty awesome. Not because it does anything more than you’d expect, but because it does exactly what you’d expect. Want to add a big TV to a room without coax? Go for it. Put a TV in the garage, a shop or work room, wherever you want. The Wireless Joey uses a custom Wifi network, so you don’t have to worry about any other devices on your home Wifi killing the HDTV on your Joey. To make it work, you just plug the Wireless Joey access point into a coax connection somewhere in your house, ideally somewhere fairly close to where the wireless Joey will be, and you’re done. It takes all of 5 minutes to get it running.

What’s Next

One thing we’ve noticed over the years is that Dish installers are typically big fans of Dish Network. You can be positive because they sign your paycheck, but that’s different than being an evangelist when you’re already doing an install. You already have a closed deal. This time was no different. Our installer couldn’t stop talking about what’s coming next for the Hopper. Since some of it sounded pretty cool, we thought you may be interested as well.

Evidently in the coming months Dish will be jumping into the Sonos killer game just like everyone else. They’ll allow you to stream music to your Joeys, either all of them in sync, or different content, or a mix of both. You’ll use your smartphone to decide what plays in each room and also control the volume. To us, it looks like the TVs will need to be on in each room to take advantage of the TV speakers, but the Joeys do have stereo audio output jacks, so you could probably connect a pair of powered speakers just as easily.

But perhaps the killer app may be Hopper automation integration. The Hopper already integrates with the big Automation platforms like Crestron, AMX and Control4, but the next big move, coming in the fall, is DIY integration with support for Zigbee and Z-Wave. The setup will require a USB dongle plugged into the back of the Hopper. Once you have the dongle plugged in, you’ll get access to all your automation devices from directly within the Hopper UI. You’ll be able to monitor and operate your lights, thermostats, cameras, door locks, and we assume many other devices as well.

The automation server part of the Hopper will also be able to fire events based on information in the electronic programming guide. So the standard use case of wanting to dim the lights when you play a movie, or brighten them when you pause it, will be built right in - no need for an IR adapter or anything like that. If the doorbell rings, the system can pause what you’re watching and switch over to your front door camera so you can see who’s there. All your cameras show up in the guide as unique channels, which means you can view them, or a couple of the with PiP, from anywhere at home or away from home using the Sling technology.

Conclusion

In all, Dish continues to innovate, perhaps more than any other Pay TV provider. They push the envelope of what you can do with a DVR and are doing the most to provide an experience that matches what you and I the viewers are really after. Top that off with great prices and really good customer service, and Dish is a really strong option if you’re fed up with what you’ve got. If you’re a die hard football fan, you may be locked in with DirecTV, but if not, Dish is an excellent option for those who like to be on the cutting edge.

Podcast #672: Interview: Howard and Joe Rogers from RSL Speakers Jan 30, 2015

We received an email from a listener in early January asking us to take a listen to some speakers manufactured by RSL Speakers. We are still in the process of setting up the review samples but we thought that RSL had such a great history that we asked Howard and Joe Rogers to come on the show and share with us their experiences in the speaker industry. We hope you enjoy!

Podcast #671: Best of CES 2015 Winners Jan 23, 2015

Best of CES 2015 Winners

We did our personal roundup of CES and told you about our favorites, but it is nearly impossible for the two of us to see everything, much less take the time to absorb it all even if we caught a glimpse of it. There are a couple items in the official winners list for Best of CES 2015 that we didn’t talk about it our prior roundup.

Presenting the Best of CES 2015 winners!

This year the Best of CES Awards were chosen and presented by Engadget, a {hopefully} neutral third party, to eliminate at least some of the potential for talk about conspiracy and conflict of interest. For those who don’t remember, last year’s controversy was over Dish’s Hopper being snubbed by the awards because they were chosen and presented by CNET, whose parent company CBS was in a legal battle with Dish over the Hopper and it’s ability to auto-hop over commercials.

Sling TV

So this year Engadget took over, and the big winner, receiving the Best of the Best award was…Sling TV (a Dish Network Company). Sling TV took home two individual category awards for Best Home Theater Product and Best Software / App. We would tend to agree. Although there were a lot of great televisions at the show, and some cool whole house audio products, the thing we went away most excited to try was the new Sling TV service. Could really be the cord cutter’s dream.

Engadget says: “In a show where software and apps rarely take center stage, Sling TV was an obvious choice for both candidate and overall winner of this category. The $20-a-month service by Dish makes cord-cutting that much easier, offering premium content from the likes of ESPN and HGTV right off the bat. Not only that, but also the app itself -- available on Android, iOS and select set-top boxes -- is intuitive, user-friendly and surprisingly well-done.”

Energous WattUp

One of the products we didn’t get a chance to check out, the Energous WattUp, won two awards: Best (Connected) Home Product and Best Innovation (Disruptive Tech). It sound part science fiction and part death trap, but they claim to be able to wirelessly charge your portable devices from up to 15 feet away. It sounds very intriguing. Just drop your phone on the counter or your normal resting place and it’ll charge all by itself: Even keep it in your pocket.

“it works using a mix of RF, Bluetooth and a lot of patent-pending technology. The transmitter is where most of the magic happens. It communicates with and locates compatible devices using low-energy Bluetooth. Once they've established contact with a device, they send out focused RF signals on the same bands as WiFi that are then absorbed and converted into DC power by a tiny chip embedded in the device. These transmitters can be built into household appliances, TVs, speakers and standalone "energy routers."”

LG Art Slim 4K OLED

The official winner in the Best TV Product category was the LG Art Slim 4K OLED. We agree. We liked the LG OLEDs. There was something very striking about OLED color and 4k detail. Very impressive. Like Engadget, we’re also concerned about the pricing. As good as they look, will they ever hit price points that will allow them to get mass adoption? Or will they be able to do it fast enough before something else, like quantum dot, comes along that makes them irrelevant?

Engadget says “So how could LG improve on last year's OLEDs and their impressive picture quality? Show an impressive pace of price drops, crank up the resolution and give us a flatter option -- and that's just what it did. Despite a strong showing of quantum dot-loaded LCDs, this "Art Slim" OLED packing webOS 2.0 is the one we most want on our wall. The only question remaining is how much will it cost to get it there?”

Razer Forge TV

Another product we didn’t get to see, one that took home both the Best Gaming Product award and was also the People's Choice winner was a little gaming set top box called Razer Forge TV. Perhaps not being gamers we don’t quite get the appeal, but for hard-core PC gamers, it could be great. It is an Android TV based system, so you get the same games you can get on something like the Amazon Fire TV. But it doesn't stop there. The box is well powered, they have a bunch of peripheral aimed at gamers, and it can stream games from your PC.

That must be the secret ingredient. For the dedicated PC gamer, you no longer have to have a big loud computer connected to your TV. Instead you can use the tiny Razer Forge TV box and use their “Cortex: Stream” technology to play the games on your big screen. It is supposed to be much better than the “laggy PC streaming of other systems” and it will give you up to 1080p resolution. It can operate over WiFi or a wired Ethernet connection and supports any DirectX 9 or higher game.

Podcast #670: DIY Speaker Project Jan 16, 2015

DIY Speaker Project

The HT Guys are very DIY oriented and we love new projects! When some of our listeners emailed us about their DIY speakers we just had build one ourselves. Many of you told us about Parts Express, an online retailer for electronics, and how they have some nice speaker kits. For our first build we didn’t want to get too fancy so we went with one that didn’t require any assembly of the speaker cabinet but did require some soldering.

Dayton Audio BR-1 6-1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Monitor Speaker Kit Pair $160 with no shipping costs. The Kit includes:

Dayton Audio BR-1CAB BR-1 6-1/2" 2-Way Speaker Cabinet Pair
Two Dayton Audio DC160-8 6-1/2" woofers
Two Dayton Audio DC28F-8 1-1/8" silk dome tweeters
Two crossover boards
All the required capacitors, resistors, inductors, and cables

To build this kit you’ll need a soldering iron, solder, hot glue gun, wire cutters/strippers, and a screwdriver. Parts Express has some great online video showing you how to build your speakers that we found extremely valuable.

We put a quick video together not so much for how to purposes but so you get a better feel for the speakers and what is involved in the process.

For $160 and a few hours you end up with speakers that sound and look great! We are very impressed with the sound that these speakers create. We tested them down to 50 Hz on the low end and 16KHz on the high end. Ara’s daughters had to confirm audio tones beyond 12KHz. The specification says the speakers produce sound between 43Hz and 18KHz.

When we listened to music we were surprised by how much bass they would produce. Highs were good but the speakers performed better on the low end. They aren't the most efficient speakers but they aren’t that bad either with a sensitivity rating of 88 dB 1W/1m. We have no problem saying that they perform as well as speakers that cost two or three times more.

But here is the cool thing! If you want you can design your own speaker by picking woofers, tweeters, and crossovers that are more to your liking, you can! Parts Express sells fully assembled crossovers so that you don’t even have to solder. If you want to spend $1,000 on components you can. Likewise if all you need are some inexpensive speakers with good sound you can spend less. We can’t wait to try different woofers and tweeters and build out an entire 7.1 set including the subwoofer. The only complaint is that there aren’t some smaller prebuilt speaker cabinets. Maybe its time to go to some yard sales and pick up old speakers and turn them into something incredible!

Podcast #669: CES Recap Jan 09, 2015

Listen in as we talk out our trip to Las Vegas for the CES show.

Podcast #668: Predictions for 2015 Jan 01, 2015

Predictions for 2015

Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2015. Our crystal ball is never as clears as a good HDTV but we give it a shot nonetheless.

No gimmies this year since we can’t even get those right!

Ara’s Predictions:

There will be a 65 inch production OLED TV for less than $5,000

There will be a production Quantum Dot TV available for sale

Apple will open up the AppleTV to developers

Apple to stream 4K movies and television programming

Sonos to debut a dedicated 7.1 home theater system

Braden’s Predictions:

At least 5 major studio movie releases will be available online concurrent with cinema release

Curved televisions will go away

Live television streaming won’t be coming to your town

80” Televisions for under $2000

The biggest TVs on the consumer market right now, at reasonable prices, are a few models at 84, 85 and 90 inches. But there are a bunch of options at 80” from all the major manufacturers. The lowest price for an 80” is a Vizio model for $2999. Manufacturers may see that the next round of upgrades could be driven simply by larger screen sizes. Everyone has an HDTV, but it is somewhere between 40 and 60 inches, and they know they can go bigger. If the price is right, they will. So that price will drop to under $2000 at some point this year. Maybe Black Friday, maybe for another event, but it’ll drop.

Amazon to release a full length motion picture

Podcast #667: Prediction Review for 2014 Dec 24, 2014

Prediction Review for 2014

Had we just waited about 11 months on our predictions for 2014, we could have done much, much better. Hindsight is always 20/20 as they say. Our crystal ball didn’t improve very much for 2014, so this year’s prediction review is about as rough as years past. But we got pretty close on a few.

Ara’s Predictions:

Netflix will have at least 50 4K titles for streaming - Its not really going out on a limb predicting that Netflix will have 4K titles. They’ve said as much. Its the number that I think is the real prediction. If you have a high speed connection and a 4K TV you will have some content display. Look for Youtube to have 4K content as well.

Result: There appears to be somewhere around 21-22 Ultra HD titles at Netflix. A couple of which are test streams. If you count individual episodes of shows like House of Cards, Breaking Bad and The Blacklist, you’re way over 50. But since the intent was actual titles I can’t even take partial credit.

OLED TV market share will remain insignificant - We have seen OLED TVs that have blown us away but when compared side by side with plasma or even the Elite LCDs they are not worth the huge price differential. Sure they can be extremely thin but is a ½ in too thick? Who cares if an OLED is half that size. Its a catch 22, until quantities go up price won’t go down. And since the quality differential isn’t worth the price I see no reason for quantities to go up.

Result: Nailed it. Anyone you know own an OLED TV? They sold 1,000 OLED TVs in Korea last month.

Cable and Satellite providers will offer cloud based DVR services- Imagine a world where you can have unlimited storage for your DVR recording. We see cloud storage all over the place so why not with your DVR. With better compression and a downspeed of about 4 Mbps you could watch most of your programs with little quality difference. Translate, anything the wife and kids want to record goes to the cloud. All of your programming goes to the hard drive at full quality!

Result: Comcast has a cloud DVR that let’s you watch your content anywhere on many devices but the hard drive is at your home. So close but no cigar. Tivo actually has a product that is exactly what I was talking about but its only available to cable operators, but I couldn’t find a company that has deployed it. So close but no cigar again. Then there are On Demand services, that integrate titles with the program guide so you can watch many shows anytime you want. Again, close but no cigar. Bottom line, no true cloud based DVR, but I am still going to take half credit because between the three scenarios just mentioned get me exactly the device I was talking about.

Aereo to win in the Supreme Court - This case has been going on for a while. The broadcasters would love to see Aereo shut down. I think this is the year that Aereo expands to new cities without the burden of lawsuits hanging around their necks.

Result: Swing and a miss. Struck out on this one. In fact, not only was Aereo run out of business, the Broadcasters are now trying to keep them from selling off their assets in liquidation. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Illegal downloads to exceed traditional broadcast viewership for top three pirated shows - Game of Thrones is already illegally downloaded more than its watched on television. Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead are still viewed more on TV than downloaded illegally.

Result: Still wating on torrentfreak.com to publish its numbers for 2014. Will have to update later. But here are the numbers for last year:

Most downloaded TV-shows on BitTorrent, 2013

rank

show

est. downloads

est. US TV viewers

Game of Thrones

5,900,000

5,500,000

Breaking Bad

4,200,000

10,280,000

The Walking Dead

3,600,000

16,110,000

The Big Bang Theory

3,400,000

20,440,000

Dexter

3,100,000

2,800,000

How I Met Your Mother

3,000,000

9,400,000

Suits

2,600,000

3,520,000

Homeland

2,400,000

2,380,000

Vikings

2,300,000

6,000,000

Arrow

2,200,000

3,240,000

Braden’s Predictions:

The year of 4K - Manufacturers will push 4K as the new upgrade cycle for 2014. We’ll see many, many more models and prices will come down quickly. Driven down primarily by Chinese manufacturers. 3D didn’t do it; OLED is still too far off. Queue the endless debates and hand wringing over 1080p vs 4K, just like the 720p vs 1080p of yesteryear. I may have just described a few of our shows for 2014…

Result: Partial credit. 4k prices have fallen significantly, there are many more models to choose from, but penetration is still very minimal. Strong showing for 4k, but not really the year of 4k yet.

Netflix will win at least one Content Award - Netflix is pushing into the original content space with a vengeance, trying to become the next online HBO. The industry will take them seriously this year and you’ll even see a Netflix show or Actor/Actress win an award. It may not be an Emmy, but maybe a People’s Choice or something else, but we’ll see Netflix get a trophy.

Results (updated Jan 16, 2014): People’s Choice Awards (Jan. 8) Favorite streaming series: Orange Is the New Black (Netflix); Golden Globes (Jan. 12) Best actress in a TV series, drama: Robin Wright, "House of Cards" (Netflix)

9 Channel Surround goes Mainstream- Most home theater receivers on the market are 7.1. The low cost, entry models are 5.1, some of the higher end units support 9.1. In 2014 we’ll see 9.1 receivers replace 7.1 as the standard and only the low cost, entry models will remain 7.1. The 5.1 receiver will be a relic. Dolby and DTS will both have native, discrete 9.1 support but it’ll take a while for it to show up in any content.

Result: Close. Atmos made it into the home, and Atmos supports up to 34 speakers. They don’t call them channels anymore, but it’s a similar concept. There are more than a few 9.1 receivers to choose from as well. We’ll take a strong almost on this one.

Intel and Wal-mart Shock the World- If there are any companies big enough to pull off a major disruptive change in the home theater business, its Walmart and Intel. They’re already working together with Vudu and UltraViolet, so 2014 will see them take the next step to do something really unique. It could be first run TV shows available for streaming the same time they air, or an all-you-can-eat, a la carte TV subscription, or the ability to watch first run movies at home via…

Result: Complete whiff. Air ball. Zero.

Virtual Movie Going Experience- The major studios will work in partnership with local movie theaters, to allow you to buy tickets but watch the movie in the comfort of your own home. The theater will sell the tickets, hopefully at a discount, so they share in the revenue, and everybody wins. This sets the stage to remove the theater as the middle man altogether.

Result: Keep dreaming. Not a reality anywhere.

Podcast #666: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2014 Dec 19, 2014

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2014

There are so many cheap Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) systems out there, most of which cost less than the price of a single good speaker! And none of them include a TV. You have to wonder how good a system that cheap can actually be? We thought, why not design a complete system, that anyone would be proud to show off but wouldn’t break the bank. Our Home Theater in a Box(es) would actually look and sound really good! Minimum components for our system are a HDTV, Blu-ray Player, Receiver, and 7.1 speakers.

Braden:

Sharp LC-70EQ10U 70-inch Aquos Q 1080p 240Hz Smart LED TV ($1598)

My list is all about bang for the buck, and a 70 inch screen for under $1600 fits the bill for me. Of course, you should have bought it when we had it in our HDTV buying guide and it was $100 less, but $1598 is still a good deal. This model Sharp is a great TV, and really, really big. You aren’t getting a projection size home theater, but for most family rooms, 70 inches is more than enough. And if you can’t control ambient light well, the brighter LCD will give you a better overall experience than a really big screen you can’t see during the day. This one includes Sharp’s proprietary Quattron technology incorporates a fourth yellow subpixel to the standard red, green and blue, giving AQUOS Quattron televisions 33% more subpixels than a standard HDTV, for a total of 8 million subpixels. It is a smart TV and has 240 Hz refresh.

Onkyo TX-NR636 7.2-Ch Dolby Atmos Ready Network A/V Receiver w/ HDMI 2.0 ($449)

Sticking with bang for the buck, Onkyo is my go-to brand for entry-level, bang for the buck receivers. If you want to get a bunch of features packed into a small price point, and a receiver that works well and sounds good, this unit from Onkyo is it. Five of the receiver's seven HDMI inputs support 4K video at 60 frames per second with support for HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. The Onkyo TX-NR636 doubles the power with two 32-bit processing engines to decode and scale Dolby Atmos to to your home theater layout and to decode a huge variety of HD audio files. With 7 channels of high-current amplification, you can unlock the full experience with in-ceiling height channels or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers to augment a standard surround sound home theater setup for stunningly detailed sound that comes alive from all directions, including overhead. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and the remote app streams any music stored on your phone or tablet. And it can even locate and stream HD audio from network-attached devices. Qdeo upscaling technology also converts low-res DVDs and games into full 1080p HD or all the way up to 4K if you have an Ultra HD display.

Sony BDPS3200 Blu-ray Disc Player with Wi-Fi ($77)

If you can get a Blu-ray player with all the apps you need to watch movies, TV shows and listen to music, there’s really no reason to get an external streaming box. This model from Sony has Vudu, the most important app for streaming movies because they consistently have the best quality, and includes the other go-to apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant Video and YouTube. You can also wirelessly stream the display on your compatible Android device directly to your compatible TV with Miracast screen mirroring. Oh yeah, and it plays Blu-ray movies too.

Klipsch RF-42 II Reference Series 7.1 Home Theater System with SW-450 Subwoofer ($1299)

So I’m typically a Denon and a Klipsch fan-boy. Admittedly. Not ashamed. Denon didn’t make my list this year because that Onkyo is really tough to compete with. But Klipsch did. A full 7.1 speaker system with two front towers, two bookshelves for the sides and two surround speakers for the rear (or vice versa depending on your room and acoustics), a center and a sub. The surrounds feature exclusive Wide Dispersion Surround Technology (WDST) that enables surrounds to reproduce localized and ambient sounds with unlimited placement flexibility. It is the most affordable set in the reference line, so you can always go bigger, but this set will get you movie theater sound in your home theater.

Miscellaneous

Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control ($60)

Hard buttons FTW. $60 for the mega-win. Great remote, ties all your devices together, has hard buttons for everything you need to do, and barely even changes the total budget at all. It’s a no brainer.

Add about $100 for cables and a power strip and you should be all set. Sit back and watch some HDTV.

Summary

Total cost, end to end, for a killer, big screen, 7.1 home theater: $3583. That’s less than a 70” TV cost just a couple years ago.

Ara:

Samsung UN65H7150 65-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D Smart LED TV ($1,800)

This year I am going with at 1080p TV because I think dollar for dollar you will enjoy it more than a 4K TV. This Samsung is an edge lit LED with some local dimming. It does not have as many zones as a direct lit LED but it still produces higher contrast and better black levels than most LCD TVs. Colors are realistic and vivid. Being a Samsung TV means it has a ton of gimmicky smart features that you may or may not like, but you can’t fault them for packing it all in. Some notable features include: Voice Control, dual screen to watch TV and browse the web, and programming recommendations based on your preferences just to name a few. Its one of the best TVs that Samsung makes that’s not 4K or curved!

Samsung BD-F5700 Wi-Fi Blu-Ray Player ($70)

I normally select the Oppo Blu-ray player but this year I went basic. All blu-ray players do a good job with Blu-rays. What sets apart the Oppo, and other high end units, is how they handle DVD. I figured that if you are buying this system you are probably not one who demands that last 5% out of the picture and this unit will work just fine for you. It has smart features but so does the TV and many receivers. We will just ignore those since the system has a dedicated smart box. Besides, only spending $70 on the Blu-ray leaves us more money for the speakers!

Yamaha RX-V677 7.2-channel Wi-Fi Network AV Receiver with AirPlay ($550)

I didn’t go with a receiver from my buying guide because for this list I was looking for something that is approachable for most people (although some of you will think that this system is too much anyway). Easy setup and calibration, network features so you can stream music from your favorite service, great Yamaha sound, and Airplay for $550 make this an easy choice for my system.

Hsu Research 7.0 Speaker Package and VTF-1 MK2 Subwoofer ($1,520)

I am a huge fan of Hsu Research. My subwoofer always blows people away when I show them what it is capable of. Many have not heard their speakers and I can tell you you will be hard pressed to find better sounding speakers for the money. You’ll be on your fourth TV before you want to swap these babies out!

AppleTV ($90)

Why get an AppleTV when your Blu-ray player and TV already support the same content. For me its about flexibility. Airplay makes it easy to stream content from my iOS devices to my TV plus I have a lot of purchases in iTunes so my music, TV, and Movies are in Apple’s cloud and this device makes it easy to get to. If you are not into Apple you can swap out a Chromcast, Roku 3 or Amazon Fire for roughly the same price.

Miscellaneous

This is where we throw in everything else. But in this case there really isn’t much else left. Well maybe a cool remote control. A Harmony Remote would tie it all together nicely but if you have a tablet or smartphone you may want to consider a Roomie or iRule remote. Which ever route you choose we are allocating $200.

The last thing to consider are cables, power strips, and connectors. We will allocate an additional $250 for these items as well.

Summary

Last year I went a little higher end which cost ($7,810 plus taxes) more than most people felt comfortable spending, even for a nice system. This year I picked value without compromising on quality and that brought the whole thing in for $4,480 plus taxes!!! That’s $3,330 less than last year! I never get tired of saying this but, this system comes in for less than my first HDTV!

Podcast #665: Projector Buying Guide 2014 Dec 12, 2014

Projector Buying Guide 2014

We aren’t done spending your money yet. And we’re still loving every minute of it. This one hits really close to home; ever since we’ve made the move to front projection home theaters, we just sit around drooling over what our next projector might be. If you haven’t jumped into the front projector yet, maybe 2015 will be your year. And you can start it with a wonderful Merry Christmas to yourself. We each pick two projectors and one ultimate projector for those who may have more disposable income to play with.

Ara’s Picks

Optoma HD26 Full 3D 1080p 3200 Lumen DLP Home Theater Projector with MHL Enabled HDMI Port ($700)

I wanted to have at least one projector that won’t break the bank and still provide a decent picture. The HD26 is that projector. Its very bright (3200 lumens), supports 3D, and has an MHL compatible HDMI input. The HD26 uses DLP technology which produces vivid colors and deep blacks. This is a budget projector so there is no lens shift or zoom capability. Keep that in mind if you are thinking about the HD26 as your entry into front projection world.

Panasonic PT-AE8000U 1080p Full HD Projector (2012 Model) $1,900

My second projector won’t exactly break the bank either mainly due to it being a 2012 model. Paying $1,900 for a projector of this caliber is actually a great buy. The first time we saw this line was at CES in 2009 and that year’s version was over $5,000. We were impressed by the picture quality and colors. It was in a dark room where most projectors really shine (get what I did there) so you would expect it. But if you have a room with some ambient light you should be fine too as this unit has 2,400 lumens. There is a lot of shadow detail and contrast with this unit. Placement of the 8000U is made a little easier because it has horizontal and vertical lens shift as well as 2X zoom. Originally priced at $3,500 you’ll want to grab this while there is still stock!

Braden’s Picks

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5030UB ($2299)

This is the projector Braden would buy if his existing projector went up in smoke. Epson is excellent in dark rooms, but their PowerLite models are light cannons that do very well in somewhat brighter environments where ambient light is difficult to control. It isn’t a cheap projector, but if you’re going to go through the steps of mounting and installing it, and hanging a screen, you should considering getting something that might stretch your budget a little. It’ll be worth it. And when you compare it with how much a 100” or 120: TV would cost, if you could even fit it in the door, you’re still saving a lot of money.

It has 2400 lumens of color brightness and 2400 lumens of white brightness. Deep black levels with a contrast ratio up to 600,000:1. Horizontal and vertical lens shift and a 2.1x zoom ratio gives you flexibility in difficult installation environments. It is THX certified, so it’ll look like it’s supposed to - but like any projector, you may need to get it professionally calibrated to get the most out of it. Plus, two pairs of RF 3D glasses are included, so you're always ready for exciting 3D experiences.

Epson PowerLite Pro Cinema LS10000 (MSRP $7999)

This may be the most exciting projector on my list. Why? Lasers. Yep, Lasers. The LS10000 has Epson's new reflective laser technology they unveiled at CEDIA. The technology allows the projector to get an absolute black contrast ratio on full-black scenes, it says, without using an iris. It will accept a 4K input, but doesn’t really have a 4k resolutions. But it uses a pixel-shift technique, similar to JVC, to simulate Ultra HD resolution. One of the biggest advantages to using lasers instead of a bulb is the total cost of ownership. This projector is more like a television with a 30,000 hour life expectancy instead of the much short life you get out of a standard projector lamp. Another interesting differentiator is that it doesn't require a warm-up period when you turn it on. It’s ready to go when you are. But at only 1500 lumens it isn’t the same standard Epson light cannon we’re used to.

Honorable mention / for a little bit of variety:

Sony VPLHW40ES Full HD 3D Home Cinema Projector with SXRD Panels ($2299)

It felt weird only picking Epson projectors, so I wanted to throw out one more option to add a little variety. This model from Sony is the same price as the Epson 5030, but a different technology for those with different tastes. It isn’t quite as bright, and probably loses out to the Epson in overall bang for the buck, but you can be sure it’ll have excellent black levels, color, and clarity and the overall film quality of the image is stellar.

Ultimate Present

Braden

Sony VPL-VW600ES SXRD 4K Projector ($10,999)

If you’re going to go ultimate, you’re going to have to go 4k. For most of us, it’s tough to justify spending that much money on a projector. So if you’re going to do it, you should at least get something you know will last a while. Buying the Ultra High Def projector now gets you a little more runway for the future. Sony makes amazing home theater projectors. Ever since the days of their early SXRD projectors like the Pearl VPL-VW50 in 2006/7, we’ve been huge fans of their projectors. They don’t tend to be the most affordable, but they are excellent units.

This model is native 4k resolution, no tricks or gimmicks to simulate 4k. It also does 1080p to 4k upscaling for you. 200,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for deep black levels and contrast. And it supports HDMI 2.0 for 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second. There’s no mention of HDCP 2.2, so that may kill the whole future-proof argument. But if you’ve got it to spend, you won’t be disappointed with the 600ES.

Ara

JVC DLA-X900RKT 4K Projector (e-shift3) $12,000

Yes I picked a 4K projector for my ultimate present. And yes my criticisms of upscaled overly compressed 1080p are not only still valid but are magnified even more. So why then do I recommend a 4K projector? Simple! Its a PROJECTOR and the majority of viewing should be Blu-ray. And this projector will make Blu-ray look amazing. No its not true 4K either but the e-shift technology does a great job of creating pixels in between pixels and gets you a 3840x2160 projected image. And yes, that’s not full 4K either. But it still looks better than any 1080p image with everything else being equal. We saw the gen two version of this technology at CES a couple of years ago and were blown away by how good it looked. The reviews on the third gen all say its even better now. A big advancement for e-shift3 is that it will accept native 4K inputs. Previous JVCs would only upscale 1080p. Its THX certified and ISF C3 Licensed installers can really dial it in. There are three D-ILA devices (LCOS) which will produce plasma like pictures at a fraction of the cost of a 150 inch plasma. The price, $12,000, may seem like a lot of money, but inch for inch, you won’t be able to beat it anywhere.

Podcast #664: Receiver Buying Guide 2014 Dec 05, 2014

Receiver Buying Guide 2014

It is that time of year where we get to spend your money again! This week we concentrate on receivers. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. Its about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. Just like the HDTV Buying Guide, we’re going to skip the budget categories jump right to our top picks. We each pick three receivers and one ‘money is no object’ / ‘dare to dream’ receiver for you to consider.

Here are few of the receivers from last year that are still available along with their prices:

The entry and mid-tier receivers of last year are no longer available. The higher end receivers are still available at a reduced price.

Braden’s Picks

Onkyo TX-NR636 7.2-Ch Dolby Atmos Ready Network A/V Receiver w/ HDMI 2.0 ($448)

Onkyo is our go-to brand for entry-level, bang for the buck receivers. If you want to get a bunch of features packed into a small price point, and a receiver that works well and sounds good, this unit from Onkyo is worth a look. Five of the receiver's seven HDMI inputs support 4K video at 60 frames per second with support for HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2. The Onkyo TX-NR636 doubles the power with two 32-bit processing engines to decode and scale Dolby Atmos to to your home theater layout and to decode a huge variety of HD audio files. With 7 channels of high-current amplification, you can unlock the full experience with in-ceiling height channels or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers to augment a standard surround sound home theater setup for stunningly detailed sound that comes alive from all directions, including overhead. It has built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth and the remote app streams any music stored on your phone or tablet. And it can even locate and stream HD audio from network-attached devices. Qdeo upscaling technology also converts low-res DVDs and games into full 1080p HD or all the way up to 4K if you have an Ultra HD display.

Denon AVR-4520CI Networking Home Theater AV Receiver with AirPlay ($1150)

This is a prior year’s model, and has been discontinued by the manufacturer, but they are still available in limited quantities for a killer deal. The original list price was $2500, they’re now selling for less than half of that at $1150. Sure you don’t get Dolby Atmos or HDCP 2.2, but even the current model year Denon receivers don’t have HDCP 2.2. This receiver is beast. Fully discrete, mono AMP construction and high current power supply for all 9 channels (150 W x 9 ch, 8ohm). Powerful, dynamic yet silky smooth like you’ve come to expect from Denon. If you need HDCP 2.2, your options are limited right now. If you want pure power with a few Tim Allen grunts to go along with it, grab one of these Denon units while you still can. It isn’t just brawn, it also has 3D and 4K pass-through technology, 4K upconversion, Audyssey MultEQ, Airplay, network capabilities for Pandora and Spotify, and the list goes on.

Pioneer Elite SC-85 9.2-Channel Class D3 Network A/V Receiver with HDMI 2.0 ($1600)

Pioneer Elite receivers offer a very high end experience at an affordable price - or somewhat affordable depending on your budget. This unit is by no means inexpensive, but it is incredibly capable and will rock just about any home theater. It doesn't have Dolby Atmos, but it is Dolby Atmos Upgradeable. It has class D3 amplification that pumps out 135 Watts x 9 channels (8 Ohms) and delivers a total of 760 Watts multi-channel simultaneous drive. While lesser amplifiers’ output diminishes as channels are added, the SC-85’s Class D3 amps have the power to drive multiple channels simultaneously with no significant drop in per-channel output. It has HDMI 2.0, but not HDCP2.2. Every Elite AV receiver can pass through 4K video signals to any compatible display and the Qdeo video processing technology by Marvell and built-in 4K Scaler allow you to upscale any video source to 4k. Spotify Connect, Airplay, Roku Ready, Internet radio, control apps for your smartphone - you name it, it’s in there.

Ara’s Picks

Yamaha RX-A1030 7.2-Channel Network Aventage Audio Video Receiver ($800)

My entry receiver this year is more of a mid-tier instead. Last Summer I came to the conclusion that if you buy an entry receiver from Yamaha, Pioneer, Denon, or Sony you will essentially have the same thing. Sure the sound may be slightly different but for the most part they are all on par as far as features go. But for a little more money you can have a very nice receiver that will last you for years. Take this Yamaha, its a 7.2 system from the Aventage line. They use higher quality components and design elements to produce purer sound. One example is the right and left channels have been laid out so as to minimize any crosstalk. If you have a 4K TV this unit will upscale your 1080p sources and pass through native 4K material. The 1030 also has a better auto calibration function than the regular Yamaha line. There are a ton of features for the audiophile and for $800 this should be the minimum standard for your home theater.

Denon AVR-X4100W 7.2 Network A/V Receiver with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Dolby Atmos ($1,500)

My next receiver is almost twice the cost of the first. but it has a couple of notable features that the previous one doesn’t. Mainly it supports Dolby Atmos. This feature adds speakers overhead to give you more of an audio bubble where sound can come from anywhere. The unit is 4K ready but it does not support HDCP 2.2 so there may be some issues connecting to future Blu-ray players. Note: if you want to use 4 ceiling speakers you will need an external amp for two of them. But what I really like about this receiver is the Audyssey Room Calibration. To date it is the best one we have used. Throw in Audyseey’s Dynamic Volume to help keep the audio level and you have a great unit for anyone with neighbors in close proximity. The receiver supports IP control so it can be integrated into your Roomie or iRule remotes and provide two way feedback. Like all the receivers on the list there are way more features than we can cover here.

Sony STR-ZA3000ES 7.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver ($1,700)

I tap the Sony ES line for my third unit. It does not support Dolby Atmos but it does support HDCP 2.2 which may be more important for some. One of the neat features of the 3000 is that it is also an eight port Gigabit Ethernet switch with PoE, Power over Ethernet functionality. With all the connected gear in our home theaters this feature is really a nice touch. It has a web based interface to setup and is fully IP controllable.

All three of the above units plenty of power to fill your rooms with amazing sound. The Yamaha and Denon have connected features that makes streaming audio from all over the world as easy as pressing a button on your remote. Two have 8 HDMI inputs for those special times when you have to connect three Blu-ray players, two cable boxes, a Roku and an AppleTV but you still feel like you need an extra HDMI input just in case!

Ultimate Present

Onkyo TX-NR3030 11.2-Ch Dolby Atmos Ready Network A/V Receiver w/ HDMI 2.0 ($2,200)

This is actually a first for us. Putting an Onkyo into the Ultimate category. Best bang for the buck, sure. Great budget receiver, absolutely. But Ultimate? When you take a look at the features this receiver has you’ll immediately see why this is in the Ultimate category. First off, this is one of the rare receivers that supports HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2 and is Atmos ready. Its THX Select 2 Plus certified so you know it can produce reference level audio. It has three HDMI outputs so it can serve as a video hub. There are a number of features that on other receivers would bump the price up to the $3,000+ price range.

We’re sure you have head about issues Onkyo’s have had in the past, overheating and HDMI circuit board failures come to mind. So keep that in mind if you go this route. The HDMI issue has a recall on older receivers and shouldn’t be an issue on this one. Heat, well that’s all relative. The more amps you put into a receiver can potentially cause things to get hot. We have not heard of any recent heating issues with Onkyo’s but if possible, install the receiver in a well ventilated place and you should be good to go for years to come.

Podcast #663: HDTV Buying Guide 2014 Nov 27, 2014

HDTV Buying Guide 2014

For those who don’t still have last years buyer’s guide handy, here are few of the sets from last year along with their prices. It turns out waiting a year to buy a new TV may not be a good idea. Most of the prices actually went up. So check out this year’s list and jump on the good deals before they’re gone.

Braden’s Picks

Seiki SE50FY35 50-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED TV ($349)

If you aren’t lucky enough to pick up one of the $200 50” TVs on Black Friday, this model from Seiki is a close runner up. Sure it’s a Seiki, but we said the same thing about Vizio just a few years ago, so you can’t always judge a TV by its name badge. It’ has a full array LED backlight for great color and contrast and they offer a one year replacement warranty. Amazon users rate it at 4 stars with 690 reviews, with more 5 star reviews than any other single category. Good deal for a 50” HDTV.

LG Electronics 65LB6300 65-Inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV ($1299)

Let’s be honest, 65 inches is a really big TV. And for $1300, it isn’t a huge amount to spend. Sure it’s pricey, but not ridiculous. And it comes with all of the cool new features we’ll talk about with a much more expensive LG model coming up later in the list. It has webOS for the Smart TV interface, something engadget says is the best smart TV interface they’ve ever used, and LG’s Magic Remote with Voice Mate feature that gives you natural speech recognition to control your whole home theater. And you get great picture quality, IPS for off-angle, but unfortunately no 3D.

Sharp LC-70EQ10U 70-inch Aquos Q 1080p 240Hz Smart LED TV ($1497)

Or, for a few dollars more, grab 5 more inches of screen real estate with this model from Sharp. The Sharp Aquos line was once the gold standard in LCD televisions. They have been outpaced by other, hungrier manufacturers, but they still make an excellent TV. This one includes Sharp’s proprietary Quattron technology incorporates a fourth yellow subpixel to the standard red, green and blue, giving AQUOS Quattron televisions 33% more subpixels than a standard HDTV, for a total of 8 million subpixels. It is a smart TV and has 240 Hz refresh. For $200 more you can step up to the 3D model if you’re interested: Sharp LC-70SQ15U 70-inch Aquos Q+ 1080p 240Hz 3D Smart LED TV ($1697). At 70” 3D could be compelling in some circumstances.

Ara’s Picks

Sony KDL50W800B 50-Inch 1080p 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV ($950)

This year I went big with my selections because I feel that anything under 50 inches is essentially a commodity product. I really like this TV because it actually comes close to plasma black levels and contrast and doesn’t have a screen that is highly reflective. For those of you who don’t own a media device like a Roku, this is a Smart TV with wireless support for all the usual services. There is also a 55 inch for about $150 more (Sony KDL55W800B 55-Inch)

Sharp LC-60LE660 60-Inch Aquos 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV ($799)

This is the steal of the list. A 60 inch TV for less than $800! No 3D, no 4K, just a large format HDTV that won’t break the bank. The picture quality is good but it can be great with professional calibration. There are a ton of settings that, in the hands of an expert, will make this TV the best bang for the buck on this list.

VIZIO M801i-A3 80-Inch 1080p Smart LED HDTV (2013) ($3285)

If you want to go really big but don’t want to buy a projector and screen this is a TV for you. Its a 1080p TV so no issues with compression artifacts, just a great picture that allows you to immerse yourself into whatever you are watching. Being that its a 2013 model you can save some cash and still be the envy of everyone on your block. The Vizio M-Series is an edge lit LED TV so it only has 16 light zone that can be independently dimmed but regardless it does have good black levels and contrast. Colors are good too. You would have to go with some higher end TVs to get better but none offers an 80 inch unit for less than $3,300! Built-in WIFI gets you access to Netflix, Hulu, and much much more. Tip: A TV this size should be calibrated to get the most out of it.

Ultimate Christmas Presents:

LG Electronics 55EC9300 55-Inch 1080p 3D Curved OLED TV ($3499)

Sure it’s curved, which we’ll admit is odd, but it’s also OLED, which you have to admit is pretty awesome. If you want the absolute best color and contrast money can buy, you’re looking at OLED. At 55” the TV isn’t very big, so you aren’t getting a giant screen for the money, just the best picture technology on the market right now. Add LG’s exclusive 4 Color Pixel for OLED (white sub-pixel) and the colors are unbeatable. Some added bonuses in this model for 2014 are the addition of webOS for the Smart TV interface and LG’s Magic Remote with Voice Mate feature that gives you natural speech recognition to control your whole home theater.

Sony XBR65X900B 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV ($3799)

I didn’t put any 4K TVs on my regular list. That’s because the type of viewing that most of us do (sat/cable) just has too many artifacts. Some programs and networks look fantastic but others don’t. With that said, Blu-rays look incredible. So this TV is on the list for movie lovers that primarily watch Blu-rays. Bright vivid colors and high contrast makes this the TV with the best picture on my list. Its a bit pricy for a 65 inch TV but if you love movies this will make the experience more enjoyable! If you are made of money there is a 79 inch for $7,500 (Sony XBR79X900B 79-Inch).

If you really want to go big or go home, check out the Sharp LC-90LE657U 90-inch Aquos HD 1080p 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV ($6195). That’s one gigantic TV.

Podcast #662: What we're thankful for '14 Nov 21, 2014

What we're thankful for '14

Each year at this time of year we do a show where we discuss what we are thankful for. There are the obvious things to be thankful for like our families, especially our wives who put up with our home theater obsessions. And of course we are thankful for you, the listener/reader of our show. So as is tradition over the last six Thanksgivings, on today's show we give you our list of consumer electronics things we are thankful for.

But first, a very quick rundown of last year’s list:

Aereo
Netflix
Insteon
The DVR
High Speed Internet
4K TV

For 2014

Roomie Remote - I (Ara) drank the Roomie Remote Kool-Aid last year but this was the year that the application really went to another level. With the release of version 3 users now have powerful home controller that would cost $10K just a few years ago. If you are a DIY kind of person you may want to check out the Roomie Remote Control (www.roomieremote.com)

The Hopper - The single worst part of watching any television program in glorious high definition is the dreaded commercial break. The DVR has made our Thanksgiving list consistently, but the Hopper and the Auto-Hop feature take the DVR to the next level. Once you’ve tried it, it really is hard to go back. You almost find yourself avoiding shows that aren’t on the Prime networks because you have to manually skip commercials.

4K TV - This made the list last year but this year we actually own one. While there isn’t much 4K content out there yet we are thankful for early adopters who will push producers to release more content in glorious 4K.

Home Automation - This has become a bigger area for the show this year. Many don’t understand what our infatuation with the subject is until they automate something. It may be a light, a door lock or a garage door opener. But once they get the bug they are done. This year we saw numerous companies releasing hubs that talk to a disparate group of devices. Its never been easier to automate your home!

Amazon Prime - While we love Netflix, its great to see competition. And with the recent announcement that 4K content will be included with the Amazon Prime subscription what’s not to be thankful for? When Amazon first launched this service they barely had more than 10,000 movies and TV shows. Today they have more than 40,000. Throw in free two day shipping on many items sold through Amazon and you have a no brainer!

Amazon Fire TV - And what if there was a tiny set top player that could connect directly to your Amazon Prime library and stream it all seamlessly? There is. And what if that box could also play games? Games that cost a dollar or two, not fifty or sixty dollars. If you happen to have five boys, you may want to put one in every room of the house. We’re thankful for peace and quiet.

802.11 ac - Wifi makes all of our lives easier whether its for home theater or just web surfing. The issue is that everyone uses it and if you live in a high density environment it becomes unusable for home theater related uses. The ac update makes wireless and viable alternative to stringing wire all over your house. We still claim NOTHING beats wired but with ac its a tradeoff that doesn’t cost you too much.

NuForce / Emotiva - This is really less about NuForce, which Braden uses, or Emotiva, which Ara uses, and really more about our awakening to the idea of separates for home audio. Just like our original HDTVs, or the first time we ran front projection setups, or our first taste of home automation, separates are a whole new world of sound. And we love it. Yes, we’re thankful for surround sound and Dolby and DTS, but we’re also thankful for separates that sound amazing that we can actually afford.

Sonos - This year Sonos made it possible to have a multi room audio system that competes with systems costing thousands of dollars more. And those systems don’t even include speakers! Sonos has created speakers that look and sound great. No need to hide your speakers. Just put them out for everyone to see. Whether its music residing on a computer on your network, in the cloud or from a number of music services. Sonos gives you control! You can do it for less but not nearly as elegant. You can do it for more but why waste your money!

arad@mac.com Nov 21, 2014

Podcast #661: Black Friday Preview 2014 Nov 14, 2014

Black Friday Preview 2014

Another year passes, another Black Friday approaches. True to form, the deals are as good as ever. Looking back, the deals we thought were amazing look like a rip off now. In 2008 the cheapest Blu-ray player was $128 and a 50-inch 720p plasma was going for $900. In 2009 the Blu-ray player price dropped to $78 and you could get a 50-inch 1080p plasma with a Blu-ray player for $1000. In 2013, plasma TVs were still all the rage. Can’t find any this year.

Our research came from our favorite goto sites for Black Friday circulars, including: www.bfads.net, www.blackfriday.com, and blackfriday.gottadeal.com.

The list has three 720p TVs and for this we are only counting TVs that are 32 inches or larger. The lowest price 720p TV comes from Sears - Upstar 32" 720p LED HDTV, $169.99

Sears - Upstar 32" 720p LED HDTV, $169.99
K-Mart - Seiki 32" Class 720p 60Hz LED DVD Combo HDTV (SE32HY27-D), $179.99
K-Mart - RCA 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED32G30RQ), $179.99

The lowest price tier one brand HDTV comes from Best Buy - Panasonic 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $199.99

The largest TV comes from Sears - Sharp 70" (LC70LE660U) 1080p 120Hz Smart LED TV, $1,449.99 or you can buy it in your pajamas from Amazon for $1595

Wal*Mart is advertising a Blu-ray player for $35! - LG Blu-Ray Player, $35.00

Best Buy - Sony Smart 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-Ray Player (BDPS5200), $59.99
Best Buy - Sony Smart Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (BDPS3200), $49.99
Wal*Mart - LG Blu-Ray Player, $35.00
Target - Sony Blu-ray Disc Player w/ Wi-Fi (BDPS3200), $49.99
Sears - Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Player (BD-H5100), $49.99
K-Mart - Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player (BD-H5100) + $5.00 Back in SYWR Points, $49.99

For some reason K-Mart is selling a DVD player for $19.99 + $10 back in SYWR points - Seiki DVD Player + $10.00 Back in SYWR Points, $19.99

Best Buy has an Atmos ready receiver - Onkyo 1155W 7.2 Channel 4K Ultra HD A/V Home Theater Receiver (TX-NR636), $449.99

And for the first time Best Buy is offering some home automation gear - Philips A-19 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99 and Philips BR-30 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99

Cool items that may or may not be home theater related:

Best Buy - Logitech Harmony 700 Advanced Universal Remote, $59.99
Best Buy - NETGEAR Dual-Band Wireless-AC Router, $59.99
Target - Samsung 37-in. Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Subwoofer (HW-F355/ZA), $87.99
Target - FitBit Charge Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband, $99.99
Sears - Sling Media Slingbox M1, $149.99
Sears - Samsung 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Active Subwoofer, $159.99
K-Mart - Everlast TR-1 Wireless Activity Tracker, $34.99
Office Depot - Netgear R7OOO Nighthawk AC1900 Smart Wi-Fi Router $169.99
Office Depot - Toshiba Canvio Portable 2TB Hard Drive $64.99
Radio Shack - Google Chromecast + 2-Months Hulu Plus $25
Radio Shack - Roku Streaming Stick HDMI Version + Free 2-mths. Rdio Unlimited $39.99
Radio Shack - Apple TV $84.99
Radio Shack - Belkin WeMo Switch/Wireless Home Actuator + $10.00 Gift Card $49.99
Radio Shack - iTunes Gift Cards 15% off

The full list follows:

Best Buy

Element 29" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $79.00
Insignia 29" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (NS-29D310NA15), $99.99
Insignia 40" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (NS-40D510NA15), $179.99
LG 55" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (55LB5550), $479.99
LG 55" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (55UB8200), $1,299.99
LG 65" 1080p LED HDTV (65LB5200), $799.99
Panasonic 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $199.99
Samsung 55" 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN55H6203AFXZA), $599.99
Samsung 55" 4K LED HDTV (Black), $899.99
Samsung 55" LED 1080p 240Hz Smart 3D HDTV (UN55H7150AFXZA), $997.99
Samsung 55" 4K 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (UN55HU7250FXZA), $1,299.99
Sharp 60" 1080p Smart LED HDTV (LC-60LE644U), $699.99
Vizio 50" 1080p 240Hz Smart LED HDTV (M502I-B1), $499.99
Vizio 55" 4K 240Hz LED Smart HDTV (P552UI-B2), $1,299.99
Sony Smart 3D Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-Ray Player (BDPS5200), $59.99
Sony Smart Wi-Fi Built-In Blu-ray Player (BDPS3200), $49.99
Onkyo 1155W 7.2 Channel 4K Ultra HD A/V Home Theater Receiver (TX-NR636), $449.99
Logitech Harmony 700 Advanced Universal Remote, $59.99
Philips A-19 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99
Philips BR-30 Hue Starter Kit + Free Bloom Accent Light, $199.99
NETGEAR Dual-Band Wireless-AC Router, $59.99

Wal-mart

Element 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $218.00
Element 60" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $498.00
Samsung 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN50H5203), $498.00
Samsung 55" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (UN55H6203), $598.00
Samsung 60" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (UN60H6203), $798.00
Vizio 65" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $648.00
Vizio 50" 2160p 4K Ultra HDTV, $698.00
LG Blu-Ray Player, $35.00

Target

Element 29" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $79.00
Element 40" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $119.00
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz Smart LED HDTV, $327.99
Samsung 50" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (UN50EH5000FXZA) + $30 Target Gift Card, $477.99
Samsung 60" 1080p 120HZ Smart LED HDTV (UN60H6203AFXZA), $797.99
Westinghouse 48" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (DWM48F1G1), $235.00
Westinghouse 55" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (DWM55F1G1), $395.00
Sony Blu-ray Disc Player w/ Wi-Fi (BDPS3200), $49.99
Samsung 37-in. Bluetooth Soundbar w/ Subwoofer (HW-F355/ZA), $87.99
FitBit Charge Wireless Activity & Sleep Wristband, $99.99

Sears

RCA 46" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED46C45RQ), $299.99
RCA 52" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED52B45RQ), $379.99
RCA 55" 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV (SLD55A55RQ), $649.99
Seiki 48" 1080p LED HDTV (SE48FY25), $349.99
Sharp 60" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart TV (LC60LE660U).$899.99
Sharp 60" 1080p 240Hz Smart LED HDTV (LC-60EQ10U), $999.99
Sharp 70" Smart LED TV (LC70LE660U), $1,449.99
Upstar 32" 720p LED HDTV, $169.99
Samsung 2.1 Channel Soundbar w/ Wireless Active Subwoofer, $159.99
Sling Media Slingbox M1, $149.99
Seiki DVD Player, $19.99
Samsung Blu-Ray Disc Player (BD-H5100), $49.99

K-Mart

RCA 32" 720p 60Hz LED HDTV (LED32G30RQ), $179.99
RCA 40" Class 1080p 60Hz Rear Lit LED HDTV (LED40HG45RQ), $249.99
RCA 46" Class LED 1080p HDTV, $299.99
RCA 50" 1080p LED HDTV, $399.99
RCA 55" 1080p LED HDTV (LED55G55R120Q), $499.99
RCA 60" 120Hz 1080P LED HDTV (LED60855R120Q), $699.99
Sanyo 50" class LED 1080p HDTV, $399.99
Seiki 20" LED High Definition Television (SE20HS04), $99.99
Seiki 32" Class 720p 60Hz LED DVD Combo HDTV (SE32HY27-D), $179.99
Seiki 32" LED HDTV (SE32HY10), $169.99
Seiki 40" 1080p LED HDTV (SE40FY19), $239.99
Toshiba 40" 1080p LED HD TV, $329.99
Westinghouse 39" Class 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $229.99
Westinghouse 55" Class 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV (DWM55F1Y1), $449.99
Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player (BD-H5100) + $5.00 Back in SYWR Points, $49.99
Seiki DVD Player + $10.00 Back in SYWR Points, $19.99
Everlast TR-1 Wireless Activity Tracker, $34.99

Podcast #660: Jack Sharkey Discusses Dolby Atmos Nov 07, 2014

Jack Sharkey Discusses Dolby Atmos

A few listeners have written and asked us what our take on Dolby Atmos is. Since we don’t have any gear capable of decoding Atmos we thought we’d enlist Kef’s own Jack Sharkey (Internet Marketing & Event Coordinator) to discuss this technology. Kef has announced the R50 Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers which will help bring this technology to life.

Atmos Capable Receivers:

Podcast #659: Halloween Movies Oct 31, 2014

This one is mostly audio.

Podcast #658: Review VIZIO P702ui-B3 70-Inch 4K UHD Oct 24, 2014

VIZIO P702ui-B3 70-Inch 4K UHD

We have been talking about 4K TVs for what seems like an eternity. This week Ara finally took possession of his VIZIO P702ui-B3 70-Inch 4K UHD (Buy Now $2498). Now before you all say “no one can see the difference on a screen that size sitting at a normal distance”, hang on until we get to the performace part of the review. As soon as Vizio announced this set at CES Ara knew it was going to be his first 4K TV. At 70 inches it fills up the normal sized family room but not so much that it looks too big. Even Ara’s wife who was skeptical when she heard that a 70 inch screen was going to replace the 58 inch plasma felt the TV was a good fit for the room. The family consensus is that watching the Vizio is almost like watching in the media room, mainly due to the family room being a bit cozier.

Features:

Ultra HD picture - 8 million pixels and 4x the resolution of 1080p Full HD.
5 HDMI inputs, one dedicated for high performance devices
Spatial Scaling Engine - Scales 1080p Full HD content to 4K Ultra HD resolutions.
VIZIO Internet Apps Plus - Optimized for Ultra HD streaming.
802.11ac wireless - ideal for Ultra HD streaming.
72 Active LED Zones - Dynamically adjusts the LED backlight per zone creating deeper, pure black levels and higher contrast

Setup

The TV was bought through Amazon and it came with delivery and setup. The guys showed up and removed the TV from the packaging, connected the stand and then placed it on TV stand. Ara connected the tuner, Ethernet, HDMI and power cables and the turned it on. The TV asks you some questions and within a few minutes you have a picture on set.

Next up was adjusting the TV with a “Calibration” disc. Settings are shown at the end of this article. While Ara was able to get a good picture with the disc, there are so many settings on this TV that these discs do not address, it is well worth hiring a professional to calibrate the set. If you are going to spend ~$2,500 for a 4K UHD TV you should get the most out of it. There are also two factory calibrated settings that you can chose, Calibrated and Calibrated Dark focusing in the following 4 areas:

Color accuracy – Calibrated to International Telecommunication UnionITU-R Recommendation BT.709
Gamma control – Set to 2.1 for Calibrated, 2.2 for Calibrated Dark
Color temperature – Calibrated to D65 (D65 corresponds roughly to a midday sun in Western Europe / Northern Europe, hence it is also called daylight illuminant.)
Brightness and contrast levels – Calibrated to minimize black and bright clipping

VIZIO recommends if you are situated in a bright setting, adjust the picture mode setting of the TV to Calibrated. On the contrary, if you are in a dark setting, adjust the picture mode setting to Calibrated Dark.

We turned on the Audio Return Channel (ARC) on the set so we could get 5.1 out of the tuner and the built in Netflix app. This required that we use an HDMI cable that supports ARC and a receiver that also supports it. We were good to go on both parts and after CEC control was also activated on the Denon receiver we were ready to start watching TV!

Performance

First up was watching through the DirecTV satellite receiver. This was a mixed bag. Depending on the channel or what was being played on the channel we kind of felt like it was 2000 again. The TV really exposes flaws in the signal. Just like the move to HD from NTSC. First up was football on ABC. ABC is a 720p channel and in LA it is multicast which compresses the signal. Things didn’t look as sharp as we are used to. This was evident in the playing field more than anywhere else. When the camera would show the grass you could see the video processing sharpen the image in those areas.

The odd thing was on the same channel but for the nationally televised game in the evening the picture looked flawless. Everyone watching in the house was amazed at how good it looked. The only thing we can think of is that the day game was a regional game for Los Angeles and that ABC didn’t use the best gear in the production of the game. For the national game the A-team production van was used. When it was all said and done we would have never noticed this on the plasma.

Watching college football on CBS did not exhibit any of these issues. In Los Angeles CBS does not multicast so the entire bandwidth is used for the TV signal. The Alabama game looked incredible! Both OTA and Satellite signals were used with similar results. Bottom line, a good signal looks fantastic. That was the case in 2000 and its the case today. We could see macroblocking on sitcoms that we never saw on plasma. Scaling up to a 4K TV with 70 inches or realestate will expose flaws. That’s just something you will have to live with when watching network TV.

Then we watched Blu-ray and this is where we got the oohs and ahs we were hoping for. The Vizio did an incredible job here. The colors were so vivid and detail so sharp that we got that looking through glass feeling while watching. The opening shots of “A Million Ways to Die in the West” were breathtaking. We then pulled out an oldie but a goodie, “Blackhawk Down”. This movie has a lot of night scenes that are great for testing a TV’s ability to show shadow detail. Some listeners/readers have questioned Ara for giving up his plasma which typically have deep dark blacks and high contrast for an LED based TV. The Vizio did a great job with the dark scenes. Almost as good as the plasma. Close enough to where Ara didn’t feel like he was losing anything. This was accomplished by using direct lit LED with 72 zones. By completely turning off LEDs in zones that are not being used the TV can approach black levels and contrast of plasmas.

Finally there was the 4K test. We hit the Netflix button on the remote and searched for 4K content. First up was a nature video, a la HD Net circa 2000. Yes it was like 2000 all over again. We watched stuff because it was in UHD!

Netflix labels its its UltraHD as 2160SD which has a resolution of 3840x2160. True 4K is 4096x2160 and that is labeled 2160HD. We were not able to find a 2160HD program.

Regardless, the 2160SD content looked incredible. You need the ability to stream 15Mbps to be able to view Ultra HD content and if you have it you will be amazed at the clarity. We also watched the Blacklist in UHD, which comes highly recommended by listeners.

We were amazed at the detail and clarity. The charts and graphs say you can’t really see the difference in resolution on a 70 inch TV at 12 feet but we’ll have to disagree. It looks amazing! We can’t wait for 4K Blu-ray!

One area that we weren’t that pleased with the TV was off angle viewing. Here the plasma had this beat. If you are sitting directly in front of it it won’t be an issue but in Ara’s family room there are two positions where this will be an issue. Just something to consider if you are interested in this set.

The remote control is nice and has a full keyboard on back which makes searching for content a bit easier. We added the TV to the Roomie remote with no issues, but we had to do so with our IR blaster. At this point in time there is no way to turn the TV on over Ethernet.

In addition to Netflix, the TV includes, Vudu, Hulu Plus, Youtube, Pandora, and Amazon to name a few Internet apps. Amazon, Netflix, and iHeart Radio have hard coded buttons to make getting to these apps easier.

Conclusion

We are at the beginning of the Ultra HD transition and you may wonder if its too early to switch. One can argue that it is, but if you have a Blu-ray player or a 15Mbps Internet connection you really don’t have to wait. The Vizio P702ui-B3 will take those platforms and make them better! We can’t wait for 4K Blu-ray!

Settings

No Picture Mode Management settings were changed. Probably best to consult a professional calibrator.

Podcast #657: Dual Lamp Projectors Oct 17, 2014

Dual Lamp Projectors

Grant Clauser, Technology and Online Editor at Electronic House, recently posted an article titled “Home Theater Projector Tips for Multipurpose Rooms.” The basic premise is that projectors aren’t just for man caves or dedicated theater rooms, but can be used very effectively in what we’ve traditionally called a family room but what a lot of integrators are now calling media rooms, multipurpose rooms or hybrid entertainment rooms.

The article makes three suggestions for optimizing the projector experience in a less traditional projector room. The first two are about placement. In a dedicated theater room, the room is built to accommodate the projector, so placement isn’t an issue. In a family room, it may be difficult to find a good spot for it, so you have to be creative. A long throw lens and lens shift capabilities could come in really handy.

“...long throw projectors can help overcome design or placement complications. In a dedicated home theater, with the lights off, it doesn’t matter as much if the projector is hanging from the ceiling in plain sight. But in a room that’s also used for other family gatherings, an out-in-the-open projector is an eyesore. Projectors with long throw lenses allow the unit to be installed against (or even inside) a far wall, out of the way.”

“...lens shift (both vertical and horizontal) can be important in a multipurpose room. Architectural features (walls, windows, fireplaces, columns) can make ideal placement difficult, so mechanical lens shift can help ... get the projector targeted properly.”

We’ve talked about the article, or similar posts, before. But one point we haven’t spent much time on is the third suggestion: dual lamp projectors. Since it is much harder to control ambient light in a multipurpose room, high light output is key. The brighter the room, the brighter the projector needs to be. In a dark room, the projector should ideally do 16 foot-Lamberts. By comparison, LCD and plasma televisions can do much, much more, with some LED models capable of 80 foot-Lamberts and higher. The article recommends at least 40 foot-lamberts for a multipurpose room that may have ambient light issues.

Since your projector specs will use lumens, not foot-Lamberts as their brightness specification, the article suggests taking 20-30 percent off the number, then divide it by the screen area for a foot-Lambert number that’s closer to accurate, but still not perfect. The distance to the screen and screen gain also has an impact on that number. To overcome this, they recommend using a dual-lamp projector. This allows you to run a single lamp like a traditional projector at night or when the room is dark, but run both lamps for a brighter picture during the day.

We haven’t spent much time on dual lamp projectors on the show because they are harder to find, especially for DIY installations. They tend to be specific to the custom install channel and are usually quite expensive. But for those contemplating a rear projection setup in a room where you may not be able to control the ambient light, projector brightness may be the thing holding you back. So we decided to take a look at Amazon to see what options were available for DIY. We found two. Both from NEC. Both affordable. Neither of them great options.

The truth is, dual lamp projectors are difficult to find. The ones we were able to locate by consulting the Google, models from Christie, Benq, Epson, etc. were either discontinued or otherwise unavailable.

NEC NP-PX700W2 WXGA DLP Dual Lamp 7000 Lumen Integration Projector

Buy now: $4999

DLP projector - HD 720p
Brightness: 7000 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2100:1
Image Size: 51.2 in - 299 in
Projection Distance: 2.6 ft - 180 ft
Resolution: WXGA - WXGA (1280 x 800) (native) / 1920 x 1200 (resized)
Lamp Type: 2 x 400 Watt| Lamp Life Cycle: 2000 hour(s) / 2500 hour(s) (economic mode)
Features: Picture in picture, Eco-Mode technology, AutoSense technology, Advanced AccuBlend technology, 3D Reform technology, 6-segment color wheel, JPEG photo playback, Edge blending, High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection System (HDCP), wall color correction
Vertical Lens Shift: 50%
Horizontal Lens Shift: 10%
TV System: NTSC, SECAM, PAL, PAL-N, PAL-M, NTSC 4.43, PAL 60| Analog Video Signal: RGB, S-Video, composite video
Video Interfaces: VGA, HDMI, DisplayPort, composite video, S-Video, RGB
Video Modes: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, 480i, 576i, 576p

NEC NP4000 XGA DLP Dual Lamp 5,200 Lumen Projector

Buy now: $3999

DLP projector - HD 720p
Brightness: 5200 lumens
Contrast Ratio: 2100:1
Image Size: 50 in - 200 in
Projection Distance: 2.6 ft - 180 ft
Resolution: XGA (1024 x 768) (native) / 1920 x 1200 (resized)
Vertical Lens Shift: 40%
Horizontal Lens Shift: 35%
TV System: NTSC, SECAM, PAL, PAL-N, PAL-M, NTSC 4.43, PAL 60| Analog Video Signal: RGB, S-Video, composite video
Video Interfaces: VGA, component video, composite video, S-Video, RGB
Video Modes: 480p, 720p, 1080i, 480i, 576i, 576p|

Podcast #656: Movie Theaters Enter the Fourth Dimension Oct 10, 2014

Movie Theaters Enter the Fourth Dimension

It will come as no surprise that the HT Guys will opt to wait for the Blu-ray version of popular movies so that we can enjoy them in the comfort of our own homes. We know that we are not alone, many of our listeners are doing the same. As our hobby grows, people are setting up relatively inexpensive home theaters that provide a quite enjoyable experience. Others will spend a little more money and create an experience that rivals what you get in the cinema.

Some History

Back in the day the only way to see a blockbuster the way it was intended was in a movie theater. At some point the movie would find its way onto network television but imagine watching “The Sound of Music” on a 25 inch 4:3 SD television with a small 3.5 inch speaker. Not quite what Director Robert Wise had in mind. No, the only way to really watch a movie was in theaters.

Another argument for watching in theaters was that TV dramas were quite frankly amateurish in comparison to the cinema. The movies had bigger budgets, better actors, and higher production values. This resulted in Hollywood producing a better product for cinemas vs television.

Quality Gap Narrows

Today many of the differences between the home and cinema have been eliminated. Television and movies have similar aspect ratios, HDTVs provide better picture quality, low cost 7.1 receivers provide similar audio experiences, and Hollywood is producing cinema quality television. In some cases television has better content than all the remakes and sequels Hollywood wants to charge you $11 a ticket for. Its no wonder people are staying home and saving their money.

Ara put his theater together for about $15,000, Braden spent less than $10,000. Perhaps a bit pricy but everyone who watches a movie in our rooms comes away wanting to do the same in their houses. You don’t have to spend that much either. Each year we put together our Ultimate Home Theater in a Box systems which are not entry level systems but they go for about half the cost of our projector setups. These systems will provide an experience that is superior to that of the cinema. This year Braden spec’d out a 80 inch, 7.2 system with a Blu-ray player for less than $6200!! Ara’s was a bit smaller, 65 inch, 9.2 audio, with Blu-ray for $7,800. When you consider that you can enjoy your home system every day! That makes the upfront cost a little easier to justify. Especially if you love watching sports!

With a home setup that provides a technical experience that is equal or nearly equal to that of the cinema what does going to the movie theater offer that you can’t get at home? Well how about high price ticket and concession prices, noisy inconsiderate people texting and posting selfies to facebook, and twenty minutes of commercials and trailers. Yeah… we can’t wait to go to a movie theater. Its no wonder people are staying away in droves. The three to six month wait for a movie to hit the home market is goes by very fast. How many times have you said, “That’s already out??” If release windows for home distribution keeps getting smaller the multiplex may be a thing of the past.

What can be done?

Its clear that the cinemas need to do something to draw people back. We say cinema because filmmakers can choose to ride the wave and go straight to home. Whether it be physical media or streaming, Hollywood can deliver their content to the people who want it. This problem is really a cinema operator problem. Well, good scripts may draw a few more people to the cinema but not enough to stem the tide in our opinion.

Theaters need new tech that is not available in the home. They need a way to differentiate themselves from our living rooms. And it has to be tech that improves the experience. We don’t think 3D was that tech. Plus it was available in the home at the same time. Some theaters are experimenting with a 4D experience. Think sensurround from the 70’s. In this case theaters are looking for ways to further immerse the viewer into the story.

One way is bigger screens that wrap around you. Yes some Imax theaters have this and if you lived in southern California in the 60s and 70s you could have gone to Disneyland and watched Wonders of China on Circle Vision. Circle Vision would be a bit too gimmicky but adding screens to the front sides for 50 or so feet would open up the picture and provide a more immersive experience. One that would be more difficult to create at home.

Better seats with motion actuators could provide a feeling of motion and deeper bass. It would be nice if there was an override switch for those who get motion sickness so they can turn off or dial back the effect. They could also provide speakers in the seats that would provide a more intimate experience than surround speakers way at the end of the auditorium.

For the full effect theater rooms can be built with misting systems that can provide a rain effect and fans that can provide wind. While we are at it why not add scents to heighten the experience. These features would need to be used judiciously so as not to burn the viewer out. But if used correctly it could really help with the experience. The best example of “Smellovision” in use today is on the simulator ride called “Soaring over California” at California Adventure in Anaheim. When you fly over the orange groves you can smell oranges or pines as you fly through Yosemite. The effect is subtle and it does enhance the experience.

Some theaters offer higher quality food and alcohol with ninja like wait staff to bring it to you. But can you really enjoy a good steak while watching a movie? Drinks sure! This type of arrangement appeals to a minority. The one thing that can really help the experience is to have a zero tolerance for chatty patrons and those that text. Maybe offer a texting and non-texting viewing. If you text in a non-text room you will be asked to go to the screening room where texts are allowed.

While filmmakers can help get people in the seats by creating better movies, we still think its the movie theater experience that needs to be fixed. Let us know what it would take to get you to go spend $50 to watch Hollywood’s latest blockbuster?

Podcast #655: Video Scalers and Processors Oct 03, 2014

Video Scalers and Processors

A recent discussion on the show about the “good old days” of HDTV, the days of rear projection LCD, DLP and LCoS, the days of High Definition CRT, got us thinking about some of the other aspects of the early days, like video scalers. Once considered a must have for any true home theater connoisseur, the video scaler seems to have gone the way of the dinosaur.

Background

Before HDTV hit the mainstream about a decade ago, we lived for about 50 years with one dominant video format for television here in the US: NTSC. NTSC blessed us with a beautiful 4:3 image, it ran at 29.97 interlaced frames per second. Each frame was 525 scan lines, composed of the two interlaced fields of 262.5 scan lines each. But only 483 scan lines were actually visible on screen. This left us with what we now refer to as 4:3, 30 fps, 480i video.

And that was it. All televisions supported that video format, all home projectors supported that format, it was the one ring that bound them all. It didn’t matter if you wanted a standard CRT or “tube” television, a big screen, rear projection television, or a home projector. They all knew how to accept 480i at 30 fps, and render 480i at 30fps. But then the world changed. HDTV, and the ATSC standard, threw all of that out the window.

ATSC defined a multitude of potential video formats that a television would have to be able to display. Not only did it include the legacy 480i, it added 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p, and even a few we never really used here in the US because they were added for PAL support, like 288p, 576i and 576p. And on top of the new resolutions were a bunch of new frame rates, the legacy 29.97 and 23.976, 24, 30, 59.94, 60. And, of course, the 16:9 aspect ratio.

But in the early days of High Definition, there wasn’t just a whole new set of video formats to support, there was also a miriad of television technologies that all rendered the video slightly differently. From the digital formats like plasma, LCD and DLP that were progressive displays and rendered all the interlaced lines at once, to the analog CRT televisions that continued to display interlaced, although they did scale up to cover the 1080i High Definition standard.

Video Processors

In those tumultuous days, display manufacturers struggled to just get all the supported formats to render on their chosen display technology. They weren’t focused on the best way to do it, or any potential improvements they could make to the source video to make it look better on the newer, higher resolution displays. This meant that when you started with terrible, NTSC 480i content, and blew it up onto a 720p, 1080i or 1080p television, it looked, in a word, terrible.

Video processors or scalers to the rescue. Luckily, although the manufacturers weren’t focused on the scaling problem that much, there were dedicated companies that stepped up to the challenge. Companies like Faroujda building chips, or DVDO building scalers. These devices allowed you to connect any type of source content, and convert it to the ideal format for your display. And they did it really well. 720p content looked great on a 1080i television; 480p DVDs looked great on a 720p TV; even 480i content looked decent on an HDTV. Scalers saved the day.

But lately, those same technologies that saved us in scalers, have been making their way directly into the TVs and projectors you can buy for yourself. Most of them now do a very respectable job of scaling. And we don’t have nearly as much terrible resolution content to deal with. We’re dealing with mostly native HDTV content, or worst case, 480p DVD. It starts good, it scales well, and everyone is happy. So people aren’t really clamoring for scalers anymore.

Do I need a scaler?

There are two very good uses for video scalers today. First off, some of us can benefit greatly from a video scaler, or at least a device that sits between your source equipment and your display, to fix up any issues the two may have in agreeing on video format or resolution. Many times, especially if you have a receiver in the chain, your source and display can disagree on what format is best when they do their HDMI handshake, and you end up with a messed up video, or a sub-optimal experience. A scaler can force the output to match what the display wants. In those cases, it is used more to fix issues, not really to improve the video rendering. Although fixing the issues does improve the quality of the video.

And secondly, there are people who really enjoy some of the effects the more specialized scalers can introduce. For example, the Darbee Visual Presence technology. If you want to take advantage of Darbee, you have to buy a scaler or video processor that includes it - or get the OPPO Blu-ray that has it. If you enjoy the effect Darbee Visual Presence or other like technologies have on your video experience, a processor is your only option. In this case, the processor is doing exactly what it did in the early days, improving the content on your display to make you TV and Movies look even better.

Scaler options

Many modern AV Receivers include very good video processing and scaling capabilities, but they don’t always solve all the HDMI handshake issues, not do they include specialized technology like Darbee Visual Presence. Buying a good AV receiver with good video processing chips, assuming you don’t have HDMI issues, should be good enough for most people. If not...

DVDO Edge Green High-Definition Video Processor and Connectivity Hub Solution

Buy now: $287. DVDO was the company making some of the best scalers back in the day. They made the $2000, $3000, $5000 scalers that made all the difference on those early HDTV sets. We used one and loved it. They’re still making great video processors, and they are much more affordable now.

Award winning Video Reference Series technology by DVDO Inc. delivers the most detailed Full HD 1080p images to an HDTV from all video sources.
Advanced Connectivity - 9 Inputs, one box for all of your digital entertainment connections.
AV LipSync feature syncs audio with video
Low Latency Processing for Gamers. Eliminate "Black Bars" with intuitive zoom controls
Includes 5 HDMI 1.3 inputs and user-defined automatic switching

OPPO BDP-103 Universal Disc Player

Buy now: $499. OPPO makes some of the best Blu-ray players available. And they do this by only including the best of the best video processing and scaling technology. The most recent models include a spare HDMI input so you can take advantage of all that processing power for other components in your theater.

Dual HDMI Inputs and Outputs, MHL-Compatibility, 3 USB Inputs, DLNA (DMP & DMR), SMB/CIFS, Wireless N, RS232 & IR
Dual-core processor provides quick startup and fast loading times; Updated Qdeo Video Processor
4k Up-conversion, 2D-to-3D Conversion, True 24p Video, Vertical Stretch Mode, Advanced Picture Controls

If you want Darbee Visual Presence, try the OPPO BDP-103D Universal 3D Blu-ray Player, Buy now: $599.

DarbeeVision Darblet - HDMI Video Processor From Darbee DVP 5000

Buy now: $299. If all you want is Darbee processing for your video content, you can get the dedicated Darbee Darblet.

HDMI 1.4, 3D compliant
3 different viewing modes
One HDMI input, one HDMI output
Dimmable LED status lights
On-screen menu

Podcast #654: Best New Products CEDIA 2014 Sep 26, 2014

Best New Products CEDIA 2014

CEDIA (Custom Electronics Design & Installation Association) just wrapped up and with that the organization announced their Best New Products award. As you read this be aware that much of these products are geared towards home integrators.

Sentido by Basalte

The basic idea of Sentido is very simple, yet very innovative. Divide a square in equal surfaces that each control different functions. The entire surface is touch sensitive, creating a very easy and unique way of control. Here is a video describing the product (http://youtu.be/Sw-flWhSbIY).

Main features:

Four touch surfaces
Patented multi touch
Built-in temperature sensor
Double or quadruple version
Integrated multicolour LED backlight

Control4® Composer Express

Composer Express, a powerful mobile configuration tool that enables Control4 Dealers to dramatically simplify and accelerate the set-up process for home automation systems. Now, a Control4 Dealer’s technician should be able to configure most one-room home theaters in very short order, or set up hundreds of devices in the most complex whole-home installations in a few hours by using their WiFi-enabled tablet or smartphone and simply walking around the building, installing devices and having Composer Express auto-integrate them into the Control4® system.

Crestron Pyng

The Crestron Pyng™ app provides a quick, easy solution for setting up and controlling lighting, shades, thermostats, door locks, and security systems in a home. This free home automation app enables complete setup from an Apple® iPad® and control from iPad, iPhone®, and iPod touch® devices.

Lutron Sivoia QS Triathlon Roller Shade

Sivoia QS Triathlon is the most fashionable, flexible, and affordable motorized shading system available today. This battery-powered solution offers a 3-5 year battery life for easy installation and maintenance, perfect for retrofit applications. Available in new roller shade or insulating honeycomb styles, these shades have a wide variety of beautiful fabric colors and textures to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of any space. Able to work as a standalone or system solution, these shades can be controlled at the touch of a button.

QMotion Motion Motorized Drapery Rods

QMotion's Motorized Drapery Rod collection is the latest innovation in automated window treatments. The first and only track-less motorized drapery rod in the market has arrived. The real beauty of QMotion's innovative new product is what you don't notice. We've removed the external motors and wires and placed a battery operated motor inside the hardware itself. Imagination, determination, and inspiration sparked the groundbreaking technology of QMotion's drapery rod system with Touch Wand Activation. The Touch Wand Activation feature provides customers with the convenience of manual and remote control. The Motorized Drapery Rod collection offers six beautifully crafted finial options and six popular finishes. Add your own draperies for a truly custom design experience.

Sony Electronics VPL-VW600ES 4K Front Projector

Get the stunning clarity of Sony’s SXRD™ 4K movie theater technology with a 4K Ultra HD projector featuring a resolution greater than 4 times regular 1080p HD, plus anamorphic 3D and HD to 4K upscaling. Added installation flexibility makes it possible to experience immersive 4K content in a wider array of rooms.

4K resolution (4096 x 2160) that’s greater than 4 times 1080p HD
Upscaling that transforms turns HD content into a 4K experience
HDMI® 2.0 compatible for 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second
200,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio with SXRD™ technology
Brightness of 1,700 ANSI lumens
Auto Calibration function
$15,000

Product Hall of Fame

Sonance: Sonamp 260 two channel amplifier
TiVo, Inc.: TiVo
Crestron: CNX-PAD8 Audio Distribution Processor

Podcast #653: New TV Shows for Fall 2014 Sep 19, 2014

New TV Shows for Fall 2014

We celebrate it every year, and it's that time of year again - a whole fall slate full of new HDTV shows. These new shows give us the opportunity to make new friends, share some laughs, and have an adventure or two, all from the comfort of your comfy living room sofa. When we were kids we looked forward to Christmas and the first day of summer. As adults, we look forward to the fall more than anything else. Yes, the kids are back in school and football is back, but also our favorite shows are coming back with new episodes and we get the opportunity to fill the DVR with brand new series.

ABC

Black-ish

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 24 at 9/8c

Created by and starring comedian Anthony Anderson, Black-ish explores one man's efforts to establish a cultural identity for his family after he discovers his children don't have one. Anderson stars as man-of-the-house Dre, and Tracee Ellis Ross plays his biracial wife Rainbow; they've got their hands full working and raising kids Zoey, Andre (who prefers to be called Andy and really, really wants a bar mitzvah despite the fact they're not Jewish), and twins Jack and Diane. Hannibal's Laurence Fishburne appears as Dre's father, Pops, and wears velour tracksuits because he's Laurence freaking Fishburne.

Cristela

Premieres: Friday, Oct. 10 at 8/7c

Loosely based on comedienne Cristela Alonzo's life and stand-up routine, this family sitcom opens as the title character enters her sixth year of law school and takes on an unpaid internship at a law firm where she's frequently mistaken for the help. As she works to get her life and career started, she must also deal with her traditional Mexican-American family, who struggles to understand her ambitions. Carlos Ponce, Terri Hoyos, Andrew Leeds, Sam McMurray, and Jacob Guenther also star.

Forever

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 22 at 10/9c

Ioan Gruffudd stars as New York City medical examiner Henry Morgan, who harbors an unusual secret —he can't die. Working alongside his new partner, Det. Jo Martinez (Alana De La Garza), Morgan studies the dead in an effort to discover the mystery of his own immortality. Also, the ladies in the crowd might want to take note: When Morgan dies (and he dies semi-often for some reason), he always comes back naked. Judd Hirsch, Donnie Keshawarz, and Joel David Moore also star.

How to Get Away With Murder

Premieres: Thursday, Sep. 25 at 10/9c

Shonda Rhimes continues her push toward world domination with this legal thriller, which stars Viola Davis as a serious-as-the-death-penalty law school professor whose attractive students vie for her approval and a desk at her prestigious law firm. But their biggest lessons are learned outside the classroom, when they get caught up in a murder plot and, presumably, must figure out how to get away with it. Expect Scandal-sized twists and Grey's-like drama!

Manhattan Love Story

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 30 at 8/7c

This new comedy uses the power of voiceover to broadcast the internal monologues of a New York City dude (Jake McDorman) and a Midwestern transplant chick (Analeigh Tipton) as they navigate an awkward first date and subsequent budding romance. What you'll learn early on from the voices in their heads is that guys like sex and women like purses; but as the series — and their relationship progresses, we expect things will get a bit more complicated than that.

Selfie

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 30 at 8/7c

Karen Gillan (Doctor Who) drops her adorable Scottish accent to star in this modern spin on Pygmalion that takes place in today's social media-driven world. Gillan's Eliza Dooley is obsessed with becoming Internet famous, but her constant Instagramming and Facebooking has left her devoid of any real friends — not to mention the social skills required to make any. Desperate for a fix, Eliza hires marketer Henry Higenbottam (John Cho) to help her rebuild her image and put down her damn phone for once.

CBS

Madam Secretary

Premieres: Sunday, Sep. 21 at 8/7c

Tea Leoni plays a former CIA agent whose former boss, now the president of the United States (Keith Carradine), asks her to take on the role of Secretary of State after an accident claims the life of the office's previous occupant. Using her no-nonsense, unconventional attitude toward politics, she shakes things up in Washington, D.C. while also juggling her home life as a wife and a mother. Tim Daly and Bebe Neuwirth also star.

The McCarthys

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 30 at 9/8c

A loud-mouthed, sports-crazy Boston family (aren't those things redundant?) is at the center of this multi-camera sitcom based on the life of series creator Brian Gallivan. But what happens when the patriarch asks the resident black sheep — a gay, sports-averse son — o be his assistant basketball coach? Madness! Will there be a "you throw like a girl" joke? Probably! Tyler Ritter, Laurie Metcalf, Jack McGee, Jimmy Dunn, and Joey McIntyre (yes, that Joey McIntyre, of New Kids on the Block) star.

NCIS: New Orleans

Premieres: Tuesday, Sep. 23 at 9/8c

Why should Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles have all the fun? The Big Easy gets its own iteration of TV's most-watched drama, with Scott Bakula, Lucas Black, Zoe McLellan, and C.C.H. Pounder solving crimes on Bourbon Street and beyond. We guess the Navy boys get into lots of trouble while they're on leave!

Scorpion

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 22 at 9/8c

Based on the experiences of real-world genius Walter O'Brien, Scorpion is about a bunch of nerds who form a team to solve some of the world's most complex problems. (It's like if the Justice League of America traded their superpowers for supersmarts, computer wizardry and hacking skills.) And to give the show a Big Bang Theory-esque twist, Katharine McPhee plays the diner waitress who glues them all together. Elyes Gabel, Robert Patrick, and Eddie Kaye Thomas also star.

Stalker

Premieres: Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 10/9c

This violent and shocking thriller from The Following's Kevin Williamson has already drawn plenty of pre-air criticism, and with good reason. It follows a division of the LAPD that deals with stalkers, voyeurs, and love-obsessed weirdos who target mostly women, often with deadly results. Maggie Q and Dylan McDermott star as our law enforcement heroes who may be more complicated than they seem.

NBC

A to Z

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c

A student of the How I Met Your Mother school of television, A to Z is a romantic comedy that chronicles a relationship from beginning to end, à la 500 Days of Summer. Mad Men's Ben Feldman stars (with both of his nipples!) as Andrew, a true believer in destiny and romance, while HIMYM's ever-charming Cristin Milioti plays the object of his affection, Zelda. (A to Z, get it?) Lenora Crichlow, Henry Zebrowski, and Christina Kirk round out the cast.

Bad Judge

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c

This single-camera comedy stars Kate Walsh (Private Practice, Fargo) as Rebecca Wright, one of L.A.'s most respected criminal court judges. But here's the (overused and kind-of-boring) catch: While Rebecca totally and completely has it together in her work life, her personal life is the exact definition of a hot mess. She's flaky, she sleeps around without a care in the world, and she parties like she's still in college (so we're guessing she has the world's worst hangovers). She does drive a sweet van, though! John Ducey, Tone Bell, and Theodore Barnes also star.

Constantine

Premieres: Friday, Oct. 24 at 10/9c

One of many comic book adaptations this season, Constantine is based on the DC Comics series Hellblazer. Welsh actor Matt Ryan stars as the titular John Constantine, a seasoned demon hunter and master of the occult who abandoned his campaign against evil after failing to save a young girl's soul from hell. However, he's pulled back into the fight when the balance between good and evil somehow winds up on the line and an angel named Manny (Lost's Harold Perrineau) tells him to man up and get his act together. True Detective's Charles Halford also stars.

Marry Me

Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 9/8c

Happy Endings' David Caspe is the writer behind this rom-com about a couple (played by Ken Marino and Caspe's real-life wife Casey Wilson) who are well on their way to tying the knot. There's just one problem: They can't get the marriage proposal right! Is it a sign that they aren't supposed to be together? Or do they need to just stop screwing up their overly inventive attempts to get engaged? Sarah Wright and John Gemberling also star.

The Mysteries of Laura

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 17 at 10/9c

Things at NBC are about to get Messing again! This lighthearted drama brings Will & Grace and Smash actress Debra Messing back to the small screen as Laura Diamond, an NYPD homicide detective who spends her days cleaning up the streets and the rest of her time cleaning up after her rambunctious twin sons and soon-to-be ex-husband (Josh Lucas) Laz Alonso also stars.

State of Affairs

Premieres: Monday, Nov. 17 at 10/9c

Former Grey's Anatomy star Katherine Heigl is making her grand return to television, whether you want her to or not. In this political drama, she plays a top CIA attache who's tasked with one heck of a job: put together a briefing for the president (Alfre Woodard) to assess the greatest threats to national security. And just in case that doesn't sound stressful enough, she spends what little free time she has hunting down the terrorists who killed her fiancé, who also happened to be the president's son.

FOX

Gotham

Premieres: Monday, Sep. 22 at 8/7c

Described as the origin story of future Gotham police commissioner Jim Gordon, Gotham is Fox's effort to get in on TV's comic-book craze. Southland and The O.C. alum Ben McKenzie stars as Gordon, a fresh-faced police detective whose life begins to change when he and his partner, the brash Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue), start investigating the murder of the parents of none other than a young Bruce Wayne (David Mazouz). However, the noir crime drama isn't just about Gordon's rise through the ranks of Gotham City's PD; it also promises to tell the origin stories of several DC Comics' villains, including Catwoman (Camren Bicondova), the Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor), and the Riddler (Cory Michael Smith).

Gracepoint

Premieres: Thursday, Oct. 2 at 9/8c

When a young boy is found dead on an idyllic beach, a major police investigation gets underway in the small California seaside town where the tragedy occurred. Soon deemed a homicide, the case sparks a media frenzy, which throws the boy’s family into further turmoil and upends the lives of all of the town’s residents. Based on the British series Broadchurch, the event series stars David Tennant and Anna Gunn as the pair of cops investigating the case. The cast also includes Nick Nolte, Michael Pena, Jacki Weaver and Kevin Rankin.

Mulaney

Premieres: Sunday, Oct. 5 at 9/8c

What's the deal with this show? Stand-up comic and former SNL writer John Mulaney does his best Jerry Seinfeld impression as a comedian who lives and works in New York City and whose pals (Nasim Pedrad and Seaton Smith) and wacky neighbor (Elliot Gould) like to butt into his life. But John will have a more regular gig than Jerry ever did: He writes jokes for a game-show host and comedian played by Martin Short. Yada, yada, yada...

Red Band Society

Premieres: Wednesday, Sep. 17 at 9/8c

Set in the children's ward of a Los Angeles hospital (and narrated by a kid who's in a coma), Red Band Society is a coming-of-age drama that follows a Breakfast Club -esque group of patients as they such face life-changing (and life-threatening) challenges as cancer and heart defects. Griffin Gluck, Zoe Levin, Charlie Rowe, Astro, Ciara Bravo, and Nolan Sotillo star as the young protagonists, while Dave Annable, Rebecca Rittenhouse, and Octavia Spencer take on the adult roles of the doctors and nurses who mentor them through the ups and downs of adolescence.

Utopia

Premieres: Sunday, Sep. 7 at 8/7c

In this experimental reality series based on a Dutch format, 15 contestants — of varying backgrounds and temperaments, of course —are thrown into the wilderness to spend an entire year building their own society with their own rules. Think Kid Nation for grown-ups. Will they govern by democracy, or will a dictator rise to power? Will they practice a certain religion, or will atheism rule? Will they farm their own food or eat each other as things devolve into anarchy and cannibalism? It'll be paradise or chaos (or something in the middle), and it'll be filmed for your enjoyment!

The Flash

Premieres: Tuesday, Oct. 7 at 8/7c

The CW's highly anticipated Arrow spin-off stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, who becomes the fastest man alive, aka The Flash, after an explosion at the S.T.A.R. Labs particle accelerator bestows him with superhuman speed. More lighthearted than its parent series, The Flash is set in Central City, where Barry works as a forensic investigator and uses his special power to help fight crime. He's aided in that endeavor by Det. Joe West (Law & Order's Jesse L. Martin), a cop who also serves as Barry's surrogate father; Barry's real father (TV's original Barry Allen, and Dawson Leery's dad, John Wesley Shipp) is in prison for allegedly murdering Barry's mother. Rounding out the cast are Candice Patton as Iris, Joe's daughter and Barry's BFF; Danielle Panabaker and Carlos Valdes as S.T.A.R. Labs scientists Caitlin Snow and Cisco Ramon; Rick Cosnett as Det. Eddie Thawne; and Tom Cavanagh as Dr. Harrison Wells.

Jane The Virgin

Premieres: Monday, Oct. 13 at 9/8c

Come on, it's all right there in the title: Gina Rodriguez stars as a young woman named Jane, and Jane is a virgin! What more is there to know? Well, okay, there is the fact that she's pregnant because she was accidentally artificially inseminated by her gynecologist. Whoops! And to make matters even more complicated, Jane has to decide whether or not to keep the baby after discovering the sperm specimen belonged to cancer survivor Rafael (Justin Baldoni), who's not only a former crush of Jane's, but also her new boss.

Research compiled with the help of TV Guide.

A look back at the new TV shows for Fall 2013

How many survived? Of the shows we looked at for Fall premieres last year, not that many. This doesn’t include other late premiere shows like mid-season or summer replacement series.

ABC (2/8)

Betrayal - Canceled
Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. - Renewed
The Goldbergs - Renewed
Trophy Wife - Canceled
Lucky 7 - Canceled
Back in the Game - Canceled
Super Fun Night - Canceled
Once Upon a Time in Wonderland - Canceled

NBC (1/6)

The Blacklist - Renewed
Ironside - Canceled
Welcome to the Family - Canceled
Sean Saves the World - Canceled
The Michael J. Fox Show - Canceled
Dracula - Canceled

CBS (2/5)

We Are Men - Canceled
Mom - Renewed
Hostages - Canceled
The Millers - Renewed
The Crazy Ones - Canceled

FOX (2/3)

Sleepy Hollow - Renewed
Dads - Canceled
Brooklyn Nine-Nine - Renewed

CW (2/3)

The Originals - Renewed
The Tomorrow People - Canceled
Reign - Renewed

Podcast #652: Interview - Will Price of Roomie Remote Sep 12, 2014

On today’s show we interview Will Price CEO and Founder of Roomie Remote Incorporated. Will tells us about the next release of the remote app which should be available in a few days. And Android users listen in, there is good news for you!

Company

Roomie Remote, Inc. is a Silicon Valley startup founded in 2010 to create high-quality, easy to use home theater control and home automation software. Based in Los Altos, California, the heart of Silicon Valley in between the offices of Facebook and Google, Roomie Remote’s mission is to integrate home theater and home automation with the power of today’s platforms via next generation functionality and user interface.

Roomie Remote believes that easy to use, integrated software is the key to the next generation of home theater control and automation. Interoperating with many hardware vendors is crucial to advancing the industry to the next level.

Podcast #651: Interview: Blake Vackar of Screen Innovations Sep 05, 2014

On today’s show we interview Blake Vackar Director of US Residential Sales for Screen Innovations. Blake tells us what to look for in a screen that will provide the best 3D experience in your home.

Company

Screen Innovations (SI) is a leading manufacturer of projection screens and associated technologies for residential and commercial applications. Best known for Black Diamond™, the world’s first and only multi-directional ambient light rejection projection screen technology, SI has effectively revolutionized the two-piece projection category by producing screens that deliver unparalleled images in light or dark environments.

A highly innovative, industry-specific Screen Innovations design and engineering team works tirelessly, constantly evolving the category in order to effectively bring projection to the mainstream. By operating under the principle that “No matter the budget; Screen Innovations has the best available screen solution to suit your needs,” SI aims to resolve the issues that have historically hamstrung the projection screen industry.

Handcrafted in the USA, each Screen Innovations product carries a lifetime replacement policy, and is produced utilizing advanced custom robotics and green manufacturing practices. Dedicated to corporate and consumer responsibility, every SI screen is manufactured in the most efficient manner possible.

Podcast #650: SmartThings Home Automation Aug 29, 2014

SmartThings Home Automation

We have had a running joke about the year of home automation for a few years now. Judging by how many home automation hubs that have been released in the last few months it's safe to say home automation is now mainstream. There is the Revolv (HT Guys Review Podcast #620) that can speak to Z-Wave, Insteon, and more. It goes for $299. Home Depot got into the game with their $50 Wink Home Automation Hub and connected devices. Staples has a competing $50 product called Staples Connect Home Automation Hub. With all these products you may wonder is there room for anyone else?

Room or not, SmartThings is taking a run at the market with the SmartThings Hub. Their hub runs $99 and is available at Amazon (Buy Now). There is also a “Control Your Home Kit” that runs $329 and contains, the hub, an IR motion sensor, two presence sensors, two multi sensors, and one lamp module. You control and program the system through an iOS or Android app. We used the Control Your Home Kit for this review.

The Components

SmartThings Hub - This is the brains behind the operation. It is connected to your network via hardwire and talks to all your devices through IP, Z-Wave or ZigBee.

SmartSense Multi Sensor - This is one of the coolest devices we got to use. This device senses movement, vibration, orientation, and temperature. In addition to letting you know if your door or window is opened, you can get a notification of something is moved or if the temperature in your wine cellar is too high. You can get very creative with what you can do with the Multi Sensor.

SmartSense Motion Sensor - Nothing new here. This device will trip when it sense motion and you can set off an alarm or simply turn on lights.

SmartSense Presence Sensor - You can setup your system to notify you when people and pets approach and leave your home. Attach it to you keys and not only will it trip lights on and off for you when you come home but you can activate a beep to help you find them if they are lost.

SmartSense Lamp Module - Control a lamp or other device by plugging them into this unit.

Setup

Setup consisted of connecting the hub to your network via an Ethernet cable, installing an app on your tablet or phone, creating an account, and then updating the firmware. That took about fifteen minutes. Once that was completed you had to add devices. This was done by pressing a button on the device you want to add and then asking the app to look for it. Very straight forward but on some devices you had to open them up to get to the pairing button.

Now that the devices are paired you can start setting up your automation. The app is a little different than what we typically see in an automation system. You have a dashboard that categorizes the “Things” (devices) that are defined. There is Home and Family which uses presence sensors and phones to determine who is and isn’t at home. There are “Lights and Switches”, “Motion”, “Doors and Locks”, and more.

Selecting any of these categories brings up the status for that category. Swiping the display will bring up the history so you can see when your child or significant other got home. There is is a “text” type of dialog between you and your house. Its kind of cute but we think it may get old after a while.

On the dashboard there is a plus button that you can use to add devices, alerts, actions, and more. The more is kind of cool. Under health and fitness you can receive a reminder if you haven’t opened your medicine cabinet each day or you can have your lights gradually come on in the morning. There are a lot of cool things that you can do and its very easy to configure. But that is where we had some issues.

Being very comfortable with coding we don’t find it difficult to set up macros and then kick them off after some event. You can do the same with the SmartThings system but it takes way too many steps. Its kind of like TurboTax, you answer a bunch of questions and at the end you get an action or an alert. But for most people this is a great way to get started and you can get very sophisticated with what you can do.

Open Platform

One advantage we see with the SmartThings platform is that it is open. That means third parties can create, or adapt existing, devices to work with the hub. The benefit is that there will be rapid development of products that you will be able to use with the system. The drawback is that some of the devices that say they are compatible may not be fully baked. If you buy products that were developed by or certified by SmartThings you can avoid the headaches. But then again where’s the fun in that?

Anticipating that some may have difficulties setting up the system SmartThings has created a bunch of how to videos on their Youtube Channel. Between that and a lively user forum you should be able to get the support you need to fully automate your home.

Bottom Line

We don’t think anyone will argue that Home Automation has come of age. Yes you can hire an expert and pay a lot of money to have a custom automation package that will be the envy of all your friends. Or you can spend about $300 and do it yourself and still be the envy of all your friends. The SmartThings Home Automation platform will have you controlling your world from anywhere in the world and you’ll have fun doing it!

Podcast #648: 4K TVs Aug 22, 2014

Podcast #648: Handheld Movie Server Aug 15, 2014

Handheld Movie Server

We both took vacations recently and decided to leave the laptops behind. But that didn’t mean we didn’t want to take our content with us. If you have an iPad you are limited to 64GB at present and with Andriod many devices allow you to add storage through SD cards. While that gives you a potentially unlimited amount of storage its impractical for large libraries. What are you to do?

All (or most of your) Movies in the Palm of Your Hand

Seagate has got you covered. They sell the Seagate Wireless Plus. Its a hard drive with a built in web server that can stream your content to all your mobile devices. The 1 Terabyte version sells for $160 (Buy Now). They also have a 500 GB and 2TB version selling for $140 and $199 respectively.

Features:

Wirelessly streams your favorite digital media to tablets, smartphones, computers and more
Synchronizes with Dropbox and Google Drive to bring the cloud with you
Streams up to three different HD movies to three devices at the same time
Connects throughout your home to DLNA devices, Samsung Smart TVs, and AirPlay
Integrates with the free Seagate Media app for iPad, iPhone, Kindle Fire, Windows 8/TR tablets and computers, and Android tablets and smartphones
Delivers up to 10-hour battery life

Setup

The drive was connected to our home base computer and nearly 500GB of video and music were copied to it. The copy went pretty fast with the USB 3.0 interface. Since we were on a Mac we did have to reformat it so that both Macs and PCs could read and write to the drive when connected via USB. We copied the music to a music folder and the movies to a movie folder. When done the device indexes the content and presents the name and any album art that the file may have with it.

We then disconnected and turned on the wifi feature and saw the Seagate Wireless Network show up when we scanned wifi networks. We connected with no issues and immediately were able to stream content via the Seagate app on our mobile devices. You can mix and match OS as well as mobile device platforms. The first thing we did was select the settings widget and change the SSID and add a password. If you are using the device where wifi is available you can have the Media Server share the internet connection so you don’t lose Internet access while connected to it.

Performance

Navigation was simple, you can select content by Music, Movies, Photos, then by genres if you want. There is a nice search feature as well. Finally you can just browse the drives folders if you wish. Once the selection is made the media starts playing in a few seconds.

On the airplane we had three people connected and we streamed HD content that was recorded at about 8Mbps. We observed no issues with the data whatsoever. On our cruise ship we had four people connected and had no issues either. You mileage may vary as that environment was pretty quiet as far as noise goes.

The iOS app worked quite well but we seemed to like the web interface better. You simply put seagatewireless.com in the URL and you are presented with an interface that is similar to the app version.

The battery life was nowhere near the 10 hours that is on the packaging. It was more like four hours of continuous use.

Conclusion

The Seagate Wireless Plus drive is a great solution for those who want to carry very large media libraries with them and have access to them from any mobile device. Small and easy to carry, simple to use, and decent battery life make this an HT Guys favorite!

Podcast #647: 3 Big Smart Home Trends Aug 08, 2014

When it comes to home technology trends, there is much to talk about – Google, Apple, DIY, the “learning home,” protocol overload, voice and gesture control, smart TVs and so much more. But here we focus on just three important trends that should be particularly interesting to home systems integrators and other professionals involved in home technology.

Podcast #646: Interview - Mohu CEO Aug 01, 2014

Interview - Mohu CEO

We are big fans of Mohu products. We have reviewed just about every antenna they have sold:

Ara has the Mohu Sky HD antenna on his roof and is picking up signals from Los Angeles (55 miles) and San Diego (90 miles) away. Today we talk to the Mark Buff of Mohu about his company and the cutting edge technology they use as well as the yet to be released crowd funded Mohu Channels product.

Podcast #645: 4K TV Options Jul 24, 2014

4K TV Options

4K or UltraHD technology is starting to approach mainstream, and the options for 4K TVs is getting better all the time. In a quick glance at the choices selling right now at Amazon.com, we were surprised to see how many there are, and how affordable the have quickly become. Of course, Vizio isn’t in the list yet, so if you’re waiting for that like a certain HT Guy might be, you’ll have to keep waiting. But if you need a new TV now, 4K might be within reach.

Four options from Seiki

Amazing prices, good reviews.

Seiki SE39UY04 39-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV

$339.00 - 4 stars - 495 reviews

Seiki SE50UY04 50-Inch 4K UHD 120Hz LED HDTV

$549.98 - 4 stars - 495 reviews

Seiki SE55UY04 55-Inch 120Hz LED 4k UHD TV

$699.99 - 4 stars - 495 reviews

Seiki SE65UY04 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV

$1,352.00 - 4 stars - 495 reviews

Multiple options from Samsung

The perennial powerhouse has a few options that don’t require you to sell a child. They come in a plethora of sizes and flavors.

Samsung UN40HU6950 40-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV

$997.99 - 5 stars - 5 reviews

Samsung UN50HU6950 50-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV

$1,497.99 - 5 stars - 5 reviews

3D Version (UN50HU8550) - $1,797.99 - 4 stars - 47 reviews

Samsung UN55HU6950 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz Smart LED TV

$1,997.99 - 5 stars - 5 reviews

3D Version (UN55HU8550) - $2,297.99 - 4 stars - 47 reviews

Curved 3D Version (UN55HU8700) - $2,797.99 - Not reviewed

Samsung UN60HU8550 60-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED HDTV

$2,797.99 - 4 stars - 47 reviews

Samsung UN65F9000 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV (2013 Model)

$3,099.00 - 3.5 stars - 78 reviews

3D Version - 2014 - (UN65HU8550) - $3,297.99 - 4 stars - 47 reviews

Curved 3D Version (UN65HU8700) - $3,797.99 - Not reviewed

Sony brings several

Sony XBR49X850B 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D LED TV

$1,998.00 - 5 star - 6 reviews

Sony XBR55X850A 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Internet LED UHDTV (2013 Model)

$1,982.97 - 4 stars - 44 reviews

2014 model - (XBR55X850B) - $2,298.00 - 5 star - 6 reviews

3D Smart Version - (XBR-55X900A) - $2,399.00 - 4 stars - 74 reviews

Sony XBR65X850A 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Internet LED UHDTV (2013 Model)

$2,892.10 - 4 stars - 44 reviews

Sony XBR65X850B 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D LED TV

2014 model - $3,298.00 - 5 star - 6 reviews

Sony XBR65X850A 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D LED HDTV Media Player Bundle

$3,298.00 - Not Reviewed

A few models from LG Electronics

Life’s Good - especially when you’re watching in 4K.

LG Electronics 49UB8500 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV

$1,299.00 - 4 stars - 20 reviews

LG Electronics 55UB8500 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV

$1,599.00 - 4 stars - 20 reviews

LG Electronics 55LA9700 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart Nano LED TV (2013 Model)

$1,899.99 - with Sliding Sound Bar - 3.5 stars - 7 reviews

2014 Model - (55UB9500) - $2,299.00 - 4.5 stars - 2 reviews

LG Electronics 65LA9700 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart Nano LED TV (2013 Model)

$2,899.99 - with Sliding Sound Bar - 3.5 stars - 7 reviews

2014 Model - (65UB9500) - $3,299.00 - 4.5 stars - 2 reviews

And a Few Others

TCL LE50UHDE5691 50-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV

$799.00 - 4 stars - 64 reviews

TCL LE50UHDE5692G 50-Inch 4K Ultra HD120Hz Smart LED TV

$1,099.99 - Not Reviewed

Toshiba 58L9300U 58-Inch 4K Ultra HD 3D Smart LED HDTV (2013 Model)

$2,260.84 - 3.5 stars - 20 reviews

Toshiba 65L9300U 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD 240Hz 3D Smart LED HDTV (2013 Model)

$2,999.00 - 3.5 stars - 20 reviews

Sharp LC-70UD1U 70-inch Aquos 4K Ultra HD 2160p 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV

$3,497.99 - 5 star - 13 reviews

Future Models coming from Vizio

Not ready yet, but the pricing and brand reputation may make them worth waiting for.

“With advanced local dimming technology, featuring a backlight that consists of 64 Active LED Zones, HEVC Codec for Ultra HD streaming and VIZIO’s V6 six-core processor that combines a quad-core GPU and dual-core CPU for unparalleled performance and maximum speed, VIZIO’s P-Series has been engineered to deliver the full range of Ultra HD content consumers want.”

VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED backlit LCD Smart TVs

P502ui-B1 - 50” - $999.99 (MSRP)

P552ui-B2 - 55” - $1,399.99 (MSRP)

P602ui-B3 - 60” - $1,799.99 (MSRP)

P652ui-B2 - 65” - $2,199.99 (MSRP)

P702ui-B3 - 70” - $2,599.99 (MSRP)

Podcast #644: Pioneer VSX-44 Elite Jul 18, 2014

Pioneer VSX-44 Elite 7.2 Home Theater Receiver

Back in May of 2013 we reviewed one of Pioneer’s entry Elite models the VSX-70. At that time we were impressed with the sound quality but the MSRP of $750 may have been a barrier for some. Now Pioneer has introduced two new entry Elites (VSX-80 MSRP $700 and VSX-44 MSRP $500) that have more capability and lower prices. We take a closer look at the VSX-44.

Features:

7 - Discrete Power Amplifiers each producing 80 watts per Channel (20 Hz – 20 kHz, THD 0.08 % @ 8 ohms FTC)
6 HDMI (5 Rear, 1 Front) / 1 Out
HDMI 2.0 Compatibility with Ultra HD Pass-through
Roku® Ready with access to over 1000 stations, Internet Radio, Pandora and Spotify
iControlAV5 Remote control app
Powered Zone 2 Audio

Setup:

We do this quite often and can swap out a receiver in about 20 minutes. Your time may vary but our setup went like this; remove the receiver from the box, connect the speakers, connect the inputs, connect power, and run the auto calibration.

Performance:

There wasn’t much to test in the way of video. No upconverting or video processing. In our opinion that’s a good thing. Unless you use the higher end chips we find the video processing in low cost units are a waste. This unit passes the 4K signal through to the TV for processing and upconverting to be done there.

The audio calibration produced results that only needed tweaking in the subwoofer. We found that it turned down the level too much for our tastes. We watched and listened to our standard fare of content that consisted of 256 Kbps AAC audio, Blu-ray, Satellite TV, Streaming content from our AppleTV.

In all the VSX-44 sounded good. But bearing the Elite name we were hoping for more. We understand that the receiver only costs $500 one whole penny more than the Pioneer VSX-1024-K. The two units are spec for spec identical. So why would Pioneer put the Elite name on this unit? We even asked them but never got an answer. Is the VSX-44/VSX-1024-K worth the money? If you are mainly using it for home theater, then the answer is yes.

Movies

Every modern receiver in this price range better produce good quality audio especially with blu-ray. The VSX-44 is no exception. Dialog was clear and present. Effects made the room come alive. We looked for scenes that did not use too much subwoofer to better evaluate the audio. To be honest the receiver did a great job but we can’t say that it was better or worse than any other receiver in its price class. Its getting to the point where each $500 receiver is as good as other $500 receivers. We think that’s due to the auto calibration software that receivers now have.

Music

The VSX-44 did well with classical music and acoustic performances. Rock sounded good too. In all the Elite wasn’t inspiring but adequate in its handling of music. If you are really into music we would suggest one of the higher tiered Elites to this unit.

Odds and Ends

iControlAV5 Remote Control App for Android and iOS devices. The app is nice and has more info and functionality than most people will need or use. You can even use the app to select music from your phone to play on the receiver
Airplay and HTC Connect - We streamed music from our iOS devices to the VSX-44 via Wifi with no issues. You can also plug an iPhone into the USB port on the front of the panel and control it from a full color GUI.
DLNA - The VSX-44 supports DLNA 1.5
Internet Radio, Pandora and Spotify - All are supported but the user interface was so difficult to navigate we decided that its better to use a separate external device like a Roku or AppleTV for these features.
Adapters - Both Bluetooth and Wireless adapters are available if you do not have a hardwired connection.

Conclusion

The VSX-44 is a solid receiver that is not overloaded with features that you would never use. Sound quality is good and will let you enjoy whatever you are watching. The real question is what is Pioneer trying to do with this unit. The have a model in their standard line of receivers that has identical specs for one penny less. Its probably someone in marketing suggesting that some people will only buy this model if it has the Elite badge on it. Perhaps Pioneer agrees with our earlier assertion that a $500 receiver is a $500 receiver. With that said, we no longer will review receivers under $1,000 unless there is some compelling reason. There is just too little differentiation in that space and it comes down to brand loyalty, aesthetics, or what’s on sale.

Podcast #643: Oppo BDP-103D Blu-ray Player, Darbee Edition Review Jul 11, 2014

Oppo BDP-103D Blu-ray Player, Darbee Edition Review

Oppo Digital has long been a favorite of the HT Guys. There have certainly been more expensive and exotic Blu-ray players built, but we’re yet to find a competitor that packs the functionality and features of an Oppo, with the same build quality at the same price. Dollar for dollar, Oppo makes what is probably the best Blu-ray player you should ever need to buy.

Our last Oppo review was the BDP-93 on Podcast 463 back in January of 2011. Since that time, Oppo released a couple new players, the BDP-103 and the BDP-105 that introduced support for 4K up-scaling, 2D-to-3D conversion and an extra HDMI input so you can take advantage of the Oppo video processing capabilities with other video sources. These players were met with the same critical acclaim as their predecessors.

But that wasn’t enough for the good folks at Oppo. Sure their players could meet or exceed the specifications of any television or projector you could connect them to, but they kept looking for ways to make them even better. That led to the release of the BDP-103D and the BDP-105D. Both are nearly equivalent to the earlier models, except for the inclusion of Darbees Visual Presence. That D in the name adds an extra $100 to each model, putting them at $599 (Buy Now) and $1299 (Buy Now) respectively.

Features

Darbee Visual Presence
Universal Blu-ray disc player with Blu-ray, DVD, SACD, DVD-Audio, CD, VCD, HDCD, AVCHD, MP4, AVI, and MKV support
Content streaming from Netflix, VUDU, CinemaNow, Pandora, Rhapsody, Film Fresh, YouTube Leanback and Picasa
Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio
4k Up-conversion
2D-to-3D Conversion
True 24p Video
Advanced Picture Controls
Dual HDMI Inputs and Outputs
MHL-Compatibility
DLNA
SMB/CIFS
Wireless N
7.1-Channel Analog Audio
Dual-core processor provides quick startup and fast loading times

Darbee Visual Presence

Many love it, many hate it, many couldn’t care less about it. Whatever you opinion of Darbee Visual Presence, odds are you’ve met someone with a passionate stance on the technology. Darbee has a different take on video processing that improves depth and detail in an image by increasing or decreasing the local pixel luminance. They essentially use light to increase the details by adding additional light some cases or additional shadow in others, to the image on screen. This is different from the contrast enhancement technologies you may have tried in the past that just adjust the overall white or black levels. Those never work and should always be turned off. But Darbee works at the pixel level, so it is quite different.

Other sharpness or edge enhancing technologies tend to introduce a lot of artifacts to an image. They typically add sharpness where you don’t want it and make things just look strange or pixelated. Darbee is different from those as well. Knowing that it is a totally different technology from the picture enhancement options we tell you to always turn off, the question is: will Darbee be something we recommend you leave on, or will it fall in with the rest of them as an option you typically don’t want to use.

The technology whitepaper at the Darbee website goes into great detail if you're interested in reading it.

Functionality

We don’t yet have a 4K television or projector in any of our test setups, which is something we plan to remedy very soon, but due to the lack of a screen for it, we couldn’t review the 4k Up-conversion function of the player. Beyond that, we aren’t huge fans of 3D, so we opted not to review the 2D-to-3D Conversion either. This review really came down to the Darbee processing and how much we thought it added to or detracted from the standard Blu-ray experience.

To get the Darbee chip into the BDP-103, Oppo had to remove the Marvell QDEO Kyoto-G2H video chip. Fans of the QDEO chips may find that hard to swallow, but it was for a good cause. They added a dedicated Darbee button to the remote so you can have quick access to your Darbee settings to make easy adjustments on the fly. What adjustments? Beyond just on or off, you can choose from three different processing modes, Hi-Def, Gaming, and Full Pop, and within those modes you can dial in the amount of Darbee from 0 to 120%.

The BDP-103D even has a great demo mode that allows you to see a split screen showing the impact Darbee will have on your video. This made the review so much simpler. We could dial up some content, apply Darbee at a ton of different settings and watch the difference. There is no doubt the Darbee has an impact on the video. Those who have said they don’t see much impact may be watching on a smaller television or just aren’t looking close enough. We did see the most dramatic impact on our 100” projector screen.

Results

There were times where we were astonished by the Darbee technology and others were it seemed to make things worse. In some cases, we saw detail we would have had no idea was ever there - skin pocs, whiskers, blemishes. It was astonishing. It almost felt like the Darbee had a way to reveal secret information encoded in the video that our TV or projector didn’t know how to display. What you see in the split screen images at the Darbee website aren’t just gimmicks, they are for real.

However, there are cases where Darbee did too much. There was so much change in light and shadow that the resulting picture felt fake or cartoony. At full 120, the Darbee ruined just about anything it touched. Dialing it back to 70-80 made some content great, but was too much for other content and in some cases introduced artifacts we don’t see with other Blu-ray players without the Darbee technology. Some Amazon reviews complain of motion blur, but we never saw any in our review.

We found that running the Darbee in Hi-Def mode, at somewhere between 20 and 30, gave us the best compromise of being universally applicable to all content without going too far. At that setting we didn’t feel like we were getting maximum impact, but we also weren’t distracted by it when the technology went a little too aggressive. For $100 extra, we were hoping for a bit more, but there were cases that blew us away, so maybe we got what we wanted.

The decision between the BDP-103 with Marvell QDEO and the BDP-103D with Darbee Visual Presence is entirely subjective. The Marvell chip is an awesome piece of technology that produces, clean, crisp images that you will be more than happy with. The Darbee chip in some cases turns your movies from ordinary to extraordinary, but in others may do the opposite. If you’re diligent about adjusting the Darbee on the fly, you’ll probably love the 103D. If you just want to sit back and watch, you’ll probably set it at a low setting like we did, or just stick to the 103 with QDEO.

Podcast #642: Interview with Mark Ely CEO of SimpleTV Jul 04, 2014

Interview with Mark Ely CEO of SimpleTV

There has been a lot in the news about cutting the cord lately especially in light of the recent supreme court decision regarding Aereo’s business model. We learned that its a copyright infringement if a company leases you equipment that captures OTA signals, transcodes them and then sends them to you via the Internet. But its not against the law if you do that yourself. There are a few products on the market that can do this. One of them is Simple.TV.

SimpleTV is a TV server that records and streams live HDTV to up to 5 of users no matter where they are, provided that you pay for the Simple.TV Premier service which runs $60 for the year or $150 for lifetime service. The SimpleTV device sells for $200 and you need to use your own hard drive.

Podcast #641: Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers and Receivers Jun 27, 2014

Dolby Atmos Enabled Speakers and Receivers

When we first read the press release about Dolby Atmos enabled speakers, we’ll admit, it sounded a bit puzzling and we found ourselves scratching our heads. Atmos enabled receivers? Sure, that makes sense, but what does it take to make an Atmos enabled speaker? We’ve never heard of a Dolby TrueHD enabled speaker, or a DTS-HD Master Audio enabled speaker. So what is the difference with Atmos that it needs, or can even provide, a special speaker?

Background

Dolby Atmos is a killer system for delivering multi-dimensional sound that can place and move specific sounds anywhere in the room, including overhead. It can even do this without the need for new speakers mounted overhead. The result is a captivating experience that can bring movies and TV shows alive all around you, in a movie theater and very soon, in your own home theater.

Pioneer announcement

Pioneer Electronics has announced a dedicated line of Dolby Atmos enabled Elite speakers and Elite SC series home theater receivers that will be Dolby Atmos upgradable via a firmware update available by the end of the year. The new for 2014 flagship Elite SC receivers will provide the multi-channel processing and necessary power required to transform your home theater into a Dolby Atmos theater.

If you haven’t been to an Atmos equipped movie theater, you owe it to yourself to check it out. The experience is impressive. You get so much more out of the movie when it is brought to life with an even more encompassing, multi-dimensional audio experience. Dolby Atmos brings the soundtrack to life, with sound coming at you from all directions, including overhead. It takes the notion of 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound to the next level. Getting this technology in the home will be awesome.

But does it really require special speakers? It doesn’t sound like it. The press release states that they are a new line of specially designed speakers that “will produce exceptional sound quality that brings the technology to life.” Does that mean other speakers won’t also be able to bring the technology to life? Of course not. But will they be good speakers that work really well for the kinds of surround effects and experiences you want from Dolby Atmos? We’d venture to guess that they will be.

Chris Walker, the director of AV product planning and marketing for the Home Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics provided a little more detail in the press release. He said, “To ensure the best Dolby Atmos experience possible, Pioneer not only produced a series of ultra-high end receivers dedicated for the task, but also appointed Andrew Jones, our top speaker engineer, to design a speaker system worthy of the Elite brand and that can reproduce the sound quality that only Dolby Atmos can deliver.”

So bottom line, they designed, built and tested them together to make sure they provided the best possible Atmos experience out of the box. Probably a marketing ploy, but an understandable one. Pioneer’s claim is that their years of experience and expertise in home theater gave them the opportunity to develop a complete Dolby Atmos system with both receivers and speaker products. They believe that the availability of a single Pioneer branded system will provide better control of the Dolby Atmos experience and the advantage in delivering the technology.

Excitement for Retailers as well

“Dolby Atmos is the next step in home entertainment and it’s really something you have to experience for yourself to understand how truly amazing it is,” said Michael Crane, Senior Director of Merchandising for Magnolia Home Theater and Design Centers. “We’re looking forward to demonstrating the technology in our Magnolia locations through Pioneer’s complete Dolby Atmos-enabled system.”

Bottom line

The truth, at least what we hope will be the truth, is that Dolby Atmos will probably be pretty cool in your home. Will you need the special Atmos enabled speakers? No. Will they somehow enhance the experience? Our honest gut reaction is that they won’t, unless you’re upgrading from inferior speakers at the same time. We’ll have to wait and listen to them for ourselves, but on paper, we just aren’t seeing it. Get the receiver, listen to the speakers for yourself.

Not just Pioneer

And of course, the Atmos technology isn’t unique to Pioneer. Onkyo has also announced a line of Atmos-enabled receivers. The THX Select2 Plus-certified 9.2-channel TX-NR1030 Network A/V Receiver will have an MSRP of $1,699, the 11.2-channel TX-NR3030 Network A/V Receiver will sell for $2,399, and the THX Ultra2 Plus-certified PR-SC5530 Network A/V Controller will go for $2,499. All three are expected to be available in August and will all support HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, DTS Neo:X and ISF Video Calibration support.

Onkyo press release: “With Dolby Atmos, sound comes alive from all directions, including overhead, to fill the home theater with astonishing clarity, power, detail, and depth. Dolby Atmos multi-dimensional sound places and moves sounds around the room, like a bird chirping or rainfall from above, to make every sonic element come alive. All three Onkyo components feature Dual 32-bit DSP engines to decode, scale and calibrate Dolby Atmos to suit individual home theater configurations. With up to 11 channels of high-current amplification, users can unlock the full experience with in-ceiling height channels or Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers to augment a standard 5.1, 7.1, or 9.1 home theater setup.”

Sounds like Onkyo will be selling special Atmos-enabled speakers as well...

Podcast #640: ATSC 2.0 Over the Air gets Better... But is it too late? Jun 20, 2014

ATSC 2.0 Over the Air gets Better... But is it too late?

Before there was HDTV there was NTSC (National Television System Committee) or as it was known by most people today standard definition. That was the standard developed in 1941 and was in effect until it was superseded by ATSC (Advanced Television Systems Committee standards) which brought us high definition television which in turn gave rise to this podcast!

ATSC was a dramatic step forward in picture quality and capability. But being first meant there were limitations. For instance ATSC is mpeg 2 which does not compress as nicely as mpeg 4 which is used in Europe and other parts of the world. At the time ATSC was developed, 1990s, 1080p and 4K were not really on the radar. At least we had accurate color and clear pictures!

Technology moves on and broadcast standards have a hard time keeping up. At least the ATSC is trying. The latest version of their broadcasting standard has a lot of improvements that we’ll discuss. The main question, however, is it already too late?

What’s in ATSC 2.0?

The main features of the standard are:

Non Real Time (NRT) Services - This can be ads targeted to viewers based on time of day, what the viewer is watching, or specific data about the viewer. The broadcaster can also provide a VOD service that is delivered over the air. Watch your network content when you want without a DVR. The broadcaster can even deliver content in advance and have it ready for viewing at a specific time.
Two Way Communication - Now when viewers watch a voting based show they will be able to vote without the use of a telephone. They’ll be able to get more information about advertised products. This will tie into the NRT services and have that content delivered for viewing on demand. Better and more accurate viewership numbers can be obtained which may save some shows that may otherwise get canceled.
Watch Multiple Channels Simultaneously - You will be able to set up your screen with multiple views that include widgets or other channels. You can have weather forecasts, Twitter, or Facebook along with news and sports. Essentially turning your plain old over the air system into an advanced set top box without the need for the Internet. If you have Internet the capabilities are further enhanced!
Mobile Broadcast - Current ATSC does not work when the receiver is moving. That will change in 2.0. Mobile devices are becoming the norm and we can see the day when you cars will come from the factory with antennas that can receive ATSC signals making it possible for your children to watch their favorite cartoons on the go.

These are just a few of the features available in the ATSC 2.0 spec. If you want more information its available ATSC.org.

When do I get all this cool stuff?

You know it took broadcasters a few years to roll out HDTV to everyone. We don’t even think about those dark days any longer. The specification will be approved later this year and then its anyone guess when broadcasters will implement them. It will be at least a few years so don’t count on anything before 2016 or 2017 at the earliest. And even then, it won’t be ubiquitous.

Does it even matter?

Much of what is proposed in the new standard is already available today through cable or satellite augmented with the Internet. Mobile over the air broadcast sounds like it would be pretty cool but with faster data networks and more broadcasters going online with content its not really a game changer. Higher resolution, 4K, content is not even slated until ATSC 3. By then, Netflix will be streaming 4K on much of its offerings. Fast internet is the key and rural areas not serviced well by Internet providers will lag. Its also likely that the rural areas will be slower to adopt the next ATSC standard as well. We believe that most of the country will be serviced by reliable high speed Internet before broadcasters embrace ATSC 2.0 and 3.0. And at that point will broadcasters even have incentive to roll out new more costly services? Let us know what you think.

Podcast #639: Sonos Playbar and Sub Review Jun 13, 2014

Sonos Playbar and Sub Review

We’ve reviewed multiple soundbars in the past, from a wide variety of companies, but we’ve never reviewed a Playbar. What is the difference between a soundbar and a Playbar? Quite a bit as it turns out. Knowing Sonos we expected big things, and we weren’t disappointed in the slightest. The Playbar sells for $699 (shop now) and the optional Sub for an additional $699 (shop now).

Setup

If you already have any Sonos equipment in your home, setting up the Playbar and Sub is ridiculously easy. If you don’t have any Sonos gear, don’t worry, setup goes from ridiculously easy to quite easy. There’s simply not that much to it. First step is to connect the Playbar itself or the optional Sonos Bridge ($42) to your home network via wired Ethernet. Our review unit included a Bridge, and Braden already had one as well, so we went the Bridge route.

The one Sonos device you connect to wired Ethernet allows the rest of your Sonos devices to be placed anywhere in the home with no need for any wires other than power. Once you have that main device connected to the network, you can download the Sonos app either to your iOS device, your Android device, or to your personal computer. You use the app to connect to your main device - it becomes your controller - and add music sources to listen to.

Once you have a main Sonos device and the app to control all your Sonos gear up and running, adding new devices, like a Playbar or a Sub, is as easy as telling the app you want to add a new device, clicking a button on that device, and watching it show up. You can assign the new device to a room (by room name), and you’re ready to start listening to music. Since the Playbar is a little different, setup is slightly more involved. The app asks you a set of questions to help calibrate the speaker for your room, walks you through setting up your remote so the volume buttons will control the Playbar volume.

You connect the Playbar to your theater equipment using a single optical audio (toslink) cable. So if you have multiple sources, you’ll still need something in place to switch between them before sending the audio to your Playbar.

Adding the Sub is just as easy as adding the Playbar itself. Tell the app you want to add a Sub to your Playbar, click a button on the Sub and that’s it. You can place the Subwoofer itself anywhere. It just needs power. The app asks a couple quick calibration questions and you’ve just added all the booming bass you need for those big explosions.

Performance

As is true with just about any soundbar, the Playbar is clearly better than any TV speaker we have. Adding just the Playbar itself will improve your HDTV experience. When you add the Sub along with it, you get a new dimension in sound you would never come close to in a built-in TV speaker. The Playbar and Sub cannot compete with a dedicated Home Theater receiver and good, separate left, center and right speakers, but it isn’t intended to. For rooms that don’t have the full surround sound system, like a loft, a study, a game room or a bedroom, the Playbar is perfect.

For movies and HDTV the Playbar was as good as almost any other soundbar we’ve used or reviewed. The only one that stood out in our minds as better was the Yamaha Sound Projector from a CES demo a few years ago. But that was an almost $2000 device that was intended to simulate surround sound, The Playbar doesn’t try to simulate surround effects. It is clearly packaged and sold as a 3.0 system: left, center and right. Since we’ve had lackluster success with simulated surround in the past, the idea of sticking to 3.0 doesn’t bother us.

Where the Playbar really excels is with music and versatility. As a pure music playing device, the Playbar is excellent. Compared with other soundbars that seem tuned and designed for TV viewing, the Playbar almost feels like it is built for music. Every genre we threw at it, from Rock to Classical, sounded great. It was crisp and vibrant, not overly hushed in the higher tones or muffled in strange ways in the midrange. It just sounded clean.

And versatile. As a member of the Sonos family, the Playbar jumps right in with the rest of your gear to play and stream any of your music sources. It can stream your home media collection, including iTunes, and all of your online sources like Pandora, Spotify, Beats Music, Google Play, iHeartRadio and more. It can also sync with any other Sonos player to get the same music going in multiple rooms at once. For as many times as we’ve used or reviewed Sonos, we’re yet to have music synchronization issues with multi-zone playback.

But wait, there’s more…

This isn’t just an ordinary soundbar review, nor is it a typical ‘soundbar with a sub’ review, nor is it a ‘soundbar with a sub that can stream your music to in sync in multiple rooms’ review. Turns out this review is also about full 5.1 surround sound without wires … without speaker wires at least. You can actually add two additional sonos players to the rear of your room and turn the 3.1 Playbar + Sub int a full 5.1 surround system, with true surround speakers, not simulated ones. All they need is power.

We added two Play:1 ($199) speakers to the back of our test room and gave it a shot. Adding them was as easy as anything else. Tell the app you want to add a stereo pair for surround sound, click the button on the right speaker, click the button on the left speaker, tell the app how far away from your listening position each speaker is, and you’re done.

We watched a lot of movie clips with the Play:1 speakers proving the left and right surround for our newly created 5.1 home theater system, and they did a great job. Sync, as far as we could tell, was perfect. The Play:1 speaker is more than capable of reproducing surround effects well and with precision and clarity. Adding them to the back of the room totally changed the game. We added surround sound without running speaker wires, we did it with the click of a button, and we did it without the popping and crackling you can get from a wireless speaker solution.

Drawbacks

The biggest drawback is the single optical audio cable. The first, and most obvious, is if you have multiple sources, like a cable or satellite box and a Blu-ray player. In that case you’d still need something else to switch the audio for you so you didn’t have to manually switch cables to change inputs. The second reason is that optical cables simply don’t support the latest and greatest audio codecs. Sonos may never support a 7.1 system with four Play:1 speakers in the back of the room, but an HDMI input and support for the newer audio codecs would go a long way to making the Playbar feel more future-proof.

Conclusion

After the review, this was one of the very few products that Braden’s wife asked if they got to keep. Unfortunately not. And unfortunately it was too late to pick them up for Father’s day, but there’s always Christmas. She asked because of how dramatically better the sound was on the loft TV using the Playbar. It was like night and day. And the speaker is so slim and well designed aesthetically, that it blends right in to any media room setup. There is so much more that the Playbar can do that we haven’t talked about. It really is a great piece of equipment.

Bottom line, if you have Sonos, get a Playbar for your secondary TVs. If you don’t have Sonos, get your feet wet with a Playbar and before you know it, you’ll be adding Play:1 speakers all over your house. If you watch a lot of movies on those secondary TVs, get the Sub and the extra two Play:1 speakers. You’ll be impressed, and so will any guests you have over.

Podcast #638: Slingbox Sharing Jun 06, 2014

Slingbox Sharing

You know we are fans of the Slingbox (Buy Now $265) and have used them to “Sling” our local TV from one side of the world to another. Ara spent a week in India and never watch a single minute of local television opting to watch football from the USA instead. Slingboxes are quite simply the easiest way to watch your local content wherever you want, provided that you have an internet connection.

This got us thinking, wouldn’t it be nice if we could watch other people’s local content. Say you want to watch news from say Chicago or Seattle, a Slingbox makes that possible but what are you going to do? Set up A slingbox in every city you may have an interest in? No, of course not. But you do have a few options:

AmericanTV2Go.com

With AmericanTV2Go you actually signup for a DirecTV subscription of your choice and are provided a dedicated Slingbox to access it with. You pay for the DirecTV subscription just as you would if you were living in the states. Then you pay an additional $80 a month for the hosting service. That service provides you with:

A top-of-the line Slingbox
Unlimited upload bandwidth
A second network address for your DVR - This enables remote scheduling of recordings and access to over 7,000 On Demand shows and movies
The ability to reboot your system instantly, 24/7/365, via our easy-to-use self-serve system
Customer support

This service is probably best suited for the expat who wants to stay connected with the US. If you want to watch the American football you can purchase the Sunday Ticket package for additional fees. No word on local channels but they may be available for the Virginia beach area. Virginia Beach is the home of AmericanTV2Go.com.

Live American TV

LiveAmerican.TV is similar to AmericanTV2Go but rather than using DirecTV they use cable services. The best we can tell is that you get a Comcast or FiOS account. LiveAmerican.TV offer customers a fully managed Slingbox hosted television service from New York City and San Francisco. There is no hardware to worry about as LiveAmerican.TV hosts and maintains all the equipment. Your account includes a DVR box as well as a Slingbox when you sign up. No other fees are necessary.

VPNs - Watch shows normally reserved only for viewers in the US, wherever you are in the world. $5/month or $45/year.
DAILY RENTALS - Any San Francisco package tailored to your needs including MLB Extra Innings, NBA League Pass, NFL Sunday Ticket, NBC Sports Live Extra or BeIN sports. $8/day
PREFERRED HD - Local (San Francisco Bay Area), news, entertainment, sports, kids, travel and non-stop music channels. 300+ channels. $90.00/month.
PREMIER HD - Same as Preferred HD but with thousands of hours of on demand content, Playboy TV and tens of sports and movies channels. Add a 100-hour dual-tuner DVR for only $10/month extra. $120.00/month.
ULTIMATE HD NYC - Over 300 channels in total. Includes the most High Definition channels available. All movie channels like HBO, Starz, Showtime etc. Includes Dual Tuner HD-DVR so you can watch all your shows anytime. All NYC local and Sports channels. Full access to all Free On Demand that FIOS offers. SPECIAL - Only $149.99/month.

Slingsharing.com

You can try and roll your own by using forums that join Slingbox owners from around the world. Slingsharing.com is one of those site that has two thousand members from around the world. The way it works is you read the forums that grouped by regions, USA, Canada, Asia, Australia, Europe, and South America. People are either looking for or offering Slingboxes for viewing. Typically its a trade. I grant you access if you do the same. It seems fairly safe, just be sure not to give out your administration password. You may want to avoid this if you have bandwidth caps as someone can really rack up the bits if they are constantly on it.

We see a day when content will be available to the entire world simultaneously. That may be a few years away. But for now Slingboxes are the best way to bring the world closer together! Now lets all hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

Podcast #637: Glasses-free 3D projector concept May 30, 2014

Glasses-free 3D projector concept

Nothing says “the future of display technology” like holograms. If you’re a Star Wars or a Star Trek fan, you know that someday we’ll have holograms for real, interacting with us. But until now that notion has existing only in science fiction and our imaginations. But fueled by the same dreams you have, over the past three years, researchers in the Camera Culture group at the MIT Media Lab have steadily refined a design for a 3D video technology that doesn’t require glasses at all.

The MIT group believes their concept has the potential to provide a cheaper, more practical alternative to holographic video. And they don’t think it’ll take decades to get there. They’re using a technique called multiperspective 3D, which is quite different from the stereoscopic 3D technology common in homes and movie theaters. So this isn’t stereoscopic 3D without glasses, which some of us have seen and not been impressed with. This is a completely different approach.

Watch the video

The MIT researchers have built a prototype of their system using off-the-shelf components. There’s nothing exotic about the system, so the cost shouldn’t be prohibitive in mass production. They also built a prototype of a new type of screen that widens the angle from which their projector’s images can be viewed. The technology will be unveiled at this year’s Siggraph conference in Vancouver this August (Aug. 10-14, 2014). Siggraph is the major international conference in computer graphics and interactive technologies.

Much like the holograms in your science fiction imagination, objects depicted by a multiperspective 3D display actually show different perspectives as the viewer moves about them, just as the objects would in the real world. While stereoscopic 3D tricks your brain into perceiving depth that isn’t there, multiperspective 3D draws a visual representation of the object from multiple angles, providing more of a “floating” image than a perceived depth. Next step: the Holodeck.

How it works

We encourage you to read the full news release at mit.edu for all the details. We’ll do our best to present a summary of what they have put together, but we certainly aren’t MIT researchers, nor do we try to play them on the podcast.

The projector uses two liquid-crystal modulators, which are essentially tiny LCD displays, positioned between the light source and the lens. The first LCD is used to adjust the angle of the light passing through it. So the video information (which is the the light passing through it) reaches the second modulator only at particular angles. The combinations of the patterns displayed by the two modulators enable a viewer to see slightly different images from different angles.

“For every frame of video, each modulator displays six different patterns, which together produce eight different viewing angles: At high enough display rates, the human visual system will automatically combine information from different images. The modulators can refresh their patterns at 240 hertz, or 240 times a second, so even at six patterns per frame, the system could play video at a rate of 40 hertz, which, while below the refresh rate common in today’s TVs, is still higher than the 24 frames per second standard in film.”.

Added bonus: Better contrast and resolution

It turns out that passing the light through the two modulators can actually improve the contrast of ordinary 2D video as well. We all know about the challenges LCD displays have had representing true black, and one of the reasons we lament the loss of plasma as much as we do. The problem stems from the fact that a little bit of light always leaks through even the darkest regions of the display.

One of the MIT researchers, Gordon Wetzstein, explains it like this. “Normally you have contrast of, let’s say, values between 0 and 1. That’s the full contrast, but in practice, all modulators have something like 0.1 to 1. So you get this ‘black level.’ But if you multiply two optically together, the black level goes down to 0.01. If you show black on one, which is 10 percent, and black on the other, which is also 10 percent, what you get through is 1 percent. So it’s much more black.”

Not only an improvement in contrast, but by changing the way the two modulators are used, you can actually heighten the resolution of the resulting image. If the patterns displayed on the modulators are slightly offset from each other, you can spread the pixels so that the the light passing through them will interfere with itself in ways that produce a higher resolution image. As you can imagine, the team at MIT has come up with a way to calculate the patterns needed on the modulators to produce that effect on the fly, in real time.

The MIT team believes these two factors could make the technology an excellent bridge for theater operators - even before there is content available to take advantage of the multiperspective 3D capabilities. They can install projection systems now that provide better contrast and add the ability to produce 4k images (using only two 1080p modulators) and then they’ll already have the multiperspective 3D technology sitting there. Sounds like a win-win.

Blu-ray Review #77: Lone Survivor May 28, 2014

Lone Survivor - Blu-ray Review 4.8 Stars (out of 5) - Rated R

Synopsis

Based on the failed mission "Operation Red Wings" which tasked four members of SEAL Team 10 on June 28, 2005 to kill Taliban leader Ahmad Shah.

Starring:

Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster, Emile Hirsch, Alexander Ludwig, Eric Bana

Director:

Peter Berg

Blu-ray Release Date:

June 3, 2014

Subtitles:

English, Spanish

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer - 5.0 Stars

● Dialog - 5.0 Stars

● Surround Effects - 5.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range - 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, DVS 2.0, Spanish: DTS Digital Surround 5.1

The surround effects are amazing, bullets whizz by your head, helicopter blades whip around the room, and debris fly in all directions. Sometimes they perform so well I couldn't tell if an airplane was flying outside or if it was the movie. Every once in a while it was hard to make out lines of dialog, especially if it was over the radio. The subwoofer gets a lot of action with sounds of gunshots, helicopter engines, and of course exploding grenades and RPGs.

Video 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 5.0 Stars

● Shadow detail - 5.0 Stars

● Clarity - 5.0 Stars

● Skin tones - 5.0 Stars

● Compression - 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Colors are warm but natural, and make features pop on the screen. Trees in the forest are lush and green, blood is deep red on faces and legs, the skies are a beautiful hue of blue, and balls of fire glow bright red. Dark scenes are handled perfectly and never loose any important details in the shadows and show no compression issues. The clarity is remarkable and make it easy to see individual beard whiskers, clothing textures, grime and cuts on skin, and flying debris.

Bonus Features 4.0 Stars (out of 5)

● Will of the Warrior: An in-depth look at Marcus Luttrell, the real-life Navy SEAL who received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in Operation Red Wings.

● Recreating the Firefight: Reveals how Lone Survivor’s action-packed stunts were choreographed and shot. This featurette includes interviews with Director Peter Berg, Actors Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch and stunt coordinator and 2nd unit director Kevin Scott.

● Learning the Basics: Watch as Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch, Taylor Kitsch and Ben Foster go through rigorous SEAL training in weapons handling, communication/patrolling and simulated attack drills. Along with Marcus Luttrell, Peter Berg enlisted the help of active Navy SEALS to help the actors accurately portray the fallen soldiers of Operation Red Wings.

● Bringing the Story to Light: Marcus Luttrell’s story of survival under extremely dire circumstances is an inspiration to anyone who hears it. Director, producer and writer Peter Berg, Producer Sarah Aubrey, and the four lead actors (Mark Wahlberg, Emile Hirsch, Taylor Kitsch and Ben Foster) reveal their passion for the project and why it was so important to them to tell this story.

● The Fallen Heroes of Operation Red Wings: Mark Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch, Ben Foster and Emile Hirsch profile the real-life heroes who inspired their characters: Marcus Luttrell, Michael Murphy, Daniel Dietz and Matthew Axelson. Family members provide intimate accounts of what these brave men were like in their private lives, as well as perspective on their decisions to join the military and make the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Also included is a tribute to the team of Operation Red Wings, using personal photos.

● The Pashtun Code of Life: Learn why Marcus Luttrell’s rescuer, Mohammad Gulab, risked his life and the lives of everyone in his village in order to save Marcus.

Movie - 4.0 Stars (out of 5) Review

Lone Survivor is a gritty realistic movie based on real life action heroes in the Navy Seals. The movie does a great job of showing team brotherhood and the banter between them is entertaining and engaging. The tension and action feel real because you actually care about the characters and you know what you are seeing really happened. Just to prove how real the action is, several times during the movie my wife screamed, "No" at the TV. The movie has one of the best firefights I have ever scene on film. Not only did it sound amazing, but it was directed in a manner that made you feel like you were there. Overall, the movie is action packed and heartbreaking, but it’s a good monument to the tough men who fought in "Operation Red Wings".

Podcast #636: Emotiva UPA-700 Seven-Channel Power Amplifier May 22, 2014

Emotiva UPA-700 Seven-Channel Power Amplifier

One of the best thing about producing this podcast each week is knowing that our listeners go on the same journey that we do. Our current journey is that of separates. A few weeks ago we reviewed the NuForce AVP-18 processor and MCA-20 Amplifier (Podcast #631). This week we continue the journey by reviewing the Emotiva UPA-700 Seven-Channel Power Amplifier (Buy Now $499).

The UPA-700 is ideal for those wanting to move into separates without breaking the bank. When you consider there are single channel amplifiers that sell for more than $1500, you may ask, how good can a seven channel amp that costs one third the price actually sound? Well we’re here to tell you pretty darn good!

Features:

Seven-channel amplifier 100 watts / channel (4 ohms; all channels driven) 80 watts / channel (8 ohms; all channels driven)
Advanced engineering with short signal path class A/B design topology.
Top quality parts and construction.
Real power on tap to easily drive complex loads.
Heavy duty power supply with oversized toroidal transformer.
Gold-plated five-way binding post output terminals.
15mm solid milled aluminum faceplate.
Channel status LED’s.
Stealth mode (status LEDs and Standby button halo lighting can be switched off).
Remote trigger input and output.
115 VAC or 230 VAC with automatic detection and switching.
Full protection from all common input and output fault conditions.

Setup:

Setting up an amp is truly trivial. You connect the speakers, power, pre-outs, and the 12V trigger from the receiver. If you have your speaker wires on banana plugs the whole thing takes three minutes! At that point you can power on the receiver and go. But you know its never really that easy.

The UPA-700 was connected to a Pioneer Elite VSX-94TXH receiver. The Elite is 125 watt beast that has served Ara well for a few years. He has been quite happy with the sound but now that we are exploring separates he was willing to try the $500 amp that has been highly recommended to him by Ray Coronado (SoCal HT Audio/Video Calibration and Consulting).

With the 12 volt trigger connected to the Elite the 700 is supposed to turn on when the Elite is turned on. This was not the case. It turns out that the Elite must be told to trigger the 12 volts per input. Once the settings were updated all was good. The UPA-700 was glowing Blue which let us know everything was good to go. By the way, if you don’t want to see the Blue power light or channel LEDs you can turn them off with a manual switch on the back panel. The last thing to do was to rerun the auto calibration and then we were off to the races!

Performance:

As stated earlier the VSX-94THX already sounded quite good and we were not expecting a big improvement in audio quality but we were hoping for something. What we found was crystal clear audio that brought a smile to our faces. We listened to intricate classical pieces that spanned as much of the frequency range that we could find. Lows and mids sounded incredible. the highs were a bit bright but that could be the EQ. Ara’s go to classical piece is Beethoven’s 9th Symphony "Ode to Joy”. The triangles are what he keys on and they sounded like they were right in the room with you. We listened to Rock and Roll from CD and Blu-ray. You could hear each instrument clearly regardless of how loud we were playing it. Movies were another place where the amp shined. Dialog was crystal clear and effects seemed to come alive.

In all its not like we could say that the UPA-700 was x% better than the Elite. It was more like we had a better listening experience overall. The Elite is a very good receiver and the UPA-700 is at the lower end of Emotiva’s line so the fact that we heard any perceived improvement speaks to how good Emotiva’s amplifiers are. If you were going from a lower end to mid tier receiver our opinion is that you would hear a bigger improvement in audio quality.

Another area that has concerned a few readers/listeners is that the UPA-700 is only 80 Watts. Understand that Emotiva rates their amplifier with all channels running simultaneously. Some manufacturers only rate their system with two channels. For Ara’s room which measures 16 feet by 20 feet the UPA-700 could overpower the room. Sometimes people feel more is better and in many cases that is the truth but in this case more is just wasted. For the record the 125 watt 94THX will produce less than 3dB more sound than the UPA-700 and the human ear will barely be able to hear a difference. If you have a larger room Emotive also has a three channel amp (XPA-3 Buy Now $799) that puts out 200 watts. you can run your surrounds off your current receiver and put the front wall on the XPA-3. That way the speakers that get the most use with the most important material have the best amplification.

Conclusion:

There is no doubt in our minds that a good AV receiver is a great way to listen to your music and watch your movies. But when you are ready to take your experience to the next level, separates are the way to go. If you are in that in-between stage, mating the Emotiva UPA-700 to your receiver with pre-outs will get you the best of both worlds. The UPA-700 provides the biggest bang for your buck upgrade to your typical AV receiver.

Blu-ray Review #76: Concert Videos May 20, 2014

Music to Show Off Your Theater

We received an email from Martin who asked us to take a look and listen at the Dave Matthews and Tim Reynolds concert that is available on Blu-ray. According to Martin: The sound is astonishing, like you are sitting right there. I have heard many concert discs but this is something else. Shows off my system even better than a pacific rim or transformers.

Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds: Live at Radio City Music Hall [Blu-ray] (2007)

We totally agree with Martin’s assessment. So we thought it would be fun for one episode to pick three concert Blu-rays and discuss them on a show. All six will put you right in the middle of the concert and will make you happy that you invested in Blu-ray!

Rodney’s Picks

Adele – Live at The Royal Albert Hall

Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

Even though this concert is performed in front of decent sized crowd, it sounds great and still feels intimate. Adele has an amazing voice and this Blu-ray captures it perfectly, it almost sounds better than the studio recording. There isn’t much subwoofer action, but the audio is extremely crisp and clean.

(Buy Now $24.87)

Alicia Keys – VH1 Storytellers

Audio: LPCM 5.1

This concert has a small crowd and has a very intimate setting. Colorful curtains and backdrops set the scene for Key’s soulful music. The low-end is tight and sometimes even vibrates the couch. Her voice is sometimes sounds strained and a little congested but she still gives a solid performance. However, the star of the show was listening to her play the piano. The room was filled with every keystroke and making it more of an experience than just watching a concert.

(Buy Now $13.88)

Foo Fighters – Live at Wembley Stadium

Audio: LPCM 5.1 (48kHz, 24-bit)

There’s nothing like being a huge concert. Screaming crowds filled with energy and loud blaring rock music. This Blu-ray is the quintessential rock concert captured on Blu-ray. The Foo Fighters have so many hits, this concert runs 2 hours long and even had a special appearance from Jimmy Page. The audio performance isn’t the best though. Vocals are a little echoy and muffled, low end is a bit muddy, however this is what most rock concerts sound like.

(Buy Now $20.34)

Ara’s Picks

The Eagles - Farewell Live From Melbourne

Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

If you like the Eagles then this Disc is for you! Not only do you get the classic Eagles you also get the best from the band member’s solo stuff. The concert was in 2004 so no need for restoration. Just crystal clean audio and video. I couldn’t help smiling through the whole thing. Audio was clear and tight! My favorite by a long shot!

(Buy Now $16.88)

Heart - Live

Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

This was a Soundstage concert made specifically for DVD/Blu-ray which made me leery of buying it. I was worried that they wouldn’t bring the energy. Fear not! The ladies brought it and put on a great show that included their classic songs as well as some great Zeppelin covers. The video was good quality but the audio put you right in the middle of the audience. Mixed with the music coming from the front and crowd from the surrounds mad for an enjoyable disc.

(Buy Now $9.99)

Dire Straits - Alchemy (20th Anniversary Edition)

Audio: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

I bought the Album and recorded it to cassette. Then I bought on CD and played it over and over again. I had never seen the concert but I knew it like the back of my hands. Seeing the concert made me so happy as now I could accurately imagine the scene. Unfortunately the video was 4:3 and not really the best. It was still better than SD but not on par with the other discs on the list. The audio wasn’t as good either. But it was certainly as good or better than the CD. I think I enjoyed this disc the most even though it was not technically as good as the others. That just goes to show you how powerful music is! It should always be enjoyed in the highest quality you can find!

(Buy Now $25.78)

Podcast #635: Wireless Audio May 16, 2014

Wireless Audio: Products, systems, tips and tricks for selecting the best wireless music system for your home. Can be downloaded here:

http://www.electronichouse.com/article/free_special_report_understanding_wireless_audio_systems/

Podcast #634: Interview with a Broadcaster about Aereo May 08, 2014

Interview with a Broadcaster about Aereo

This week Ara spoke with a broadcaster from the Birmingham AL about the internet streaming upstart Aereo and how their model is essentially to steal content from broadcasters and sell it for profit. For those who are not familiar Aereo is a company that lets you record and stream local television in the cloud. More info about Aereo available on their website.

Broadcasters feel that Aereo should be considered like a cable or satellite company and pay retransmission fees. Aereo says they are renting equipment to capture free over the air content that is available to the public. The Supreme Court will hear this case which can have major impact to how we receive our entertainment in the future. Will the broadcasters take their programming off the public airways? We’ll have to see.

Podcast #633: Use an AVR for Pre/Pro or a PreAmp? May 02, 2014

Use an AVR for Pre/Pro or a PreAmp?

We recently reviewed the NuForce AVP-18 all-digital HT dedicated preamp/processor (MSRP $1095) paired with the NuForce MCA-20 multi-channel amplifier (MSRP $1995). Our goal was to compare the performance of separates with the performance of a high quality AVR to see how they’d stack up. We used to hold the position that for just about everyone, the AVR would be more than good enough.

In may be an overstatement to say that we did a complete 180 on our position on separates; but we have certainly changed our tune. While the all-in cost of the NuForce setup would run a cool $3090, and is a tad higher than we’re used to paying for a self-contained AVR, the performance and quality are there to back up the price. Is it worth it for everyone? Of course not. Is it worth looking into if you want great audio quality? Absolutely.

Not so fast…

But wait, many modern day receivers actually include PreAmp outputs so you can bypass the internal amplifiers altogether and run the sound through an external amp like the NuForce MCA-20. Essentially turning the AVR into simply a dedicated Pre/Pro (Pre-Amplifier / Processor). What if you already had a Receiver you loved and you could simply run the audio through an external amp - would that give you the best of both worlds?

We decided to put that question to the test in a follow up to the NuForce review. We again stacked the Pioneer VSX-1120-K and the Denon AVR-3806 against the AVP-18, but this time used the same MCA-20 for all comparisons. What would it sound like if we simply used different processors to do the same job? After all, they’re all converting the same audio formats, like Dolby TrueHD or DTS Master Audio, from digital to analog, so shouldn’t they all be roughly the same?

Background

We’ve heard people claim in the past that any processor decoding dolby digital is going to sound the same as any other processor performing the exact same job. Of course we know this isn’t true, but it is a common belief. There are even those who believe all amps basically sound the same. But that’s like saying all 300 horse-power engines are alike. We know this simply isn’t true. For all of the cases. But could it be closer to the truth for some than others?

Results

The results didn’t really surprise us. Please keep in mind that we review according to our perceptions - according to how we hear the sound with our ears. The tests aren’t scientific as much as they are anecdotal. Your mileage may vary. But if you forced us to choose a hypothesis before beginning the experiment, it wouldn’t have been too far off from what we experienced.

Bottom line, both the Denon and the Pioneer sounded better when using the external MVA-20 amplifier. We tested using the same Klipsch Reference and HSU Research speakers as the last comparison. The Denon sounded the best of the two receivers, but we felt like the Pioneer actually got the biggest boost in overall audio quality from the test. To our ears, the Denon starts out sounding better, and it ended up that way as well. The Pioneer, however, either has lesser quality internal amps, or was able to do a better job running the external amps, and it showed the biggest improvement.

But, when it was all said and done, neither the Denon nor the Pioneer sounded better than the NuForce - to our ears at least. They were closer, and actually in many areas harder to distinguish differences than the last round, but still not quite as good. In the spirit of openness and honesty, Braden was so impressed by the first round of NuForce review that he decided to acquire the pair for use in his own home theater. It’s entirely possible his ears were experiencing a little bit of irrational exuberance as a result of the purchase.

But removing any irrational exuberance, the final conclusion makes logical sense. A device purpose-built to deliver the best possible audio experience for the price outperformed the devices engineered to pack as many features into a price point as possible. Yes, you sacrifice features by going with the dedicated PreAmp, and yes it may age out a bit quicker as a result of that. But from a pure sound experience, it was top notch.

Conclusion

If you have an existing home theater receiver with PreAmp outputs, will you get a sonic benefit by pairing it with an external amplifier? In our limited experience, yes you will. The amount of difference you get is based on the processor itself, the amps it has bundled internally, the amp you choose to pair it with externally, and the speakers you’re driving with it. But is it a good first step toward dedicated separates? You bet it is.

There are trade-offs to any home theater upgrade or investment. Some will produce higher dividends than others. You have to weigh all the factors when choosing where to invest your hard earned cash. For some, moving to separates, or even baby-stepping there by running an external amp with your existing receiver, is the next, right investment. for others it isn’t and it may never be. For many out there listening that killer receiver you just bought is great, and it’s all you’ll ever need. for those who know it could sound better, there are options for you.

Podcast #632: SONY 4K UHD TVs Apr 24, 2014

SONY 4K UHD TVs

On the last show we read a news story that SONY announced pricing and availability for their new line for 4K TVs. This week we thought we discuss in a bit more depth the latest from SONY. For starters there are a total of nine UHD TVs. The nine TVs are tiered on entry, mid, and high and range in price from $2,100 up to $25,000

All support HDMI 2.0 and the HEVC codec which cover two of the three must have features for a UHD TV according to HD Guru. The other being HDCP 2.2 which we couldn’t verify. The TVs are also MHL 3.0 compatible so you can watch 4K content from your smartphones or tablets. All the new TVs will support Netflix 4K streaming as it becomes available on the Netflix service.

The SONY developed X Reality PRO picture engine, TRILUMINOS color spectrum, and X-tended Dynamic Range PRO technology are marketing terms for 4K upscaling, deeper color palette, and higher contrast.

Entry Level

For the entry level 4K market are four models in the XBR-X850B series:

49“ for $2,099
55“ for $2,999
65“ for $3,999
70” for $5,499

Mid-Tier

For the Mid-Tier 4K market are three models in the XBR-X900B series:

55” for $3,999
66” for $4,999
79” for $8,999

These TVs use Edge lit LEDs and something SONY calls X-tended Dynamic Range technology

to achieve better contrast than the entry level TVs. One thing that many people complain about with thin TVs is that the audio is bad. On these models SONY uses wedge shape design which maintains thinness and provides for better richer sound.

Flagship

SONY’s flagship 4K UHD TVs the XBR-X950B series comes in two models:

65 “ for $7,999
85” for $24,999

The top tier SONYs use direct lit LEDs and something SONY calls X-tended Dynamic Range PRO technology for the highest contrast ratio among this year’s line of 4K TVs. SONY has developed a unique backlighting algorithm to further enhance picture quality.

Podcast #631: NuForce AVP-18 Processor and MCA-20 Amplifier Apr 18, 2014

NuForce AVP-18 Processor and MCA-20 Amplifier

We don’t need to repeat ourselves, but we will anyways: Home Theater without surround sound isn’t really Home Theater at all. It’s only half of the experience. Without surround sound, you’re just watching moving pictures on the wall. But we’ve also stated that modern AV receivers are good enough and going the separate processor and amp route is overkill for most people. Today we put that theory to the test.

We caved under continual listener pressure and decided to take a pair of separates from Fremont, CA based NuForce for a test drive. They were nice enough to let us use the AVP-18 all-digital HT preamp/processor (MSRP $1095) paired with their top of the line MCA-20 multi-channel amplifier (MSRP $1995). All-in the setup would run a cool $3090 - a bit higher than we’re used to paying for a self-contained home theater receiver. You can buy them online from a couple authorized resellers, but not Amazon, and not at a discount.

Setup

Setting up the pair of separates is in some ways a bit more work than a standard AVR, but in other ways actually much simpler. The one extra step is the RCA cables you have to run from the processor to the amp, one per channel. Audiophiles would recommend “high quality” cables for this. In reality you can use just about any RCA cable you have and never hear a difference (more on that later). You can pick up some good, short, RCA interconnect cables at Amazon for only $5.60. Each cable supports two channels, so you only need 4 of them for a 7 channel system. and a subwoofer cable.

Once you get your interconnects plugged in, you simply plug your speakers in to the amplifier like you would any other receiver (don’t forget the banana plugs), hook up your HDMI sources and your HDMI output (TV or projector), and you’re done. The part that is much simpler is the elimination of all the extra bells and whistles you get on the typical AVR these days. The features you get but never use. All the extra inputs you have to navigate through or figure out how to disable in a menu option somewhere. NuForce is all about the audio.

But the AVP-18 isn’t without all the features you’d want to see in a great audio device. It does have an auto room calibration option and includes the mic to make it work. The calibration works like most other AVRs - just plug in the mic and hit go. Once that is done, setup is complete and you’re ready to watch movies, listen to music or anything else that delights your ears.

Features

AVP-18:

Fully HDMI 1.4 compliant
Supports the standard audio decoding from Dolby and DTS, and the latest HD audio decoding; including Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS Master, DTS Hi Res, etc.
Automated or manual room acoustics/speaker equalization option
Eleven programmable, fully parametric equalizers per channel
Four HDMI inputs and one HDMI output employing high-speed switching technology
Supports HDMI 1080P, YUV, RGB, DVI, HD audio, and 8 CH LPCM
3D video playback compatibility
HDMI CEC control, HDMI ARC audio return
Video input compatibility: HDMI/DVI, 480P, 576P, 720P50, 720P60, 1080i 50, 1080i 60, 1080P 50, 1080P 60, 1080P 24
Support RS232 control for custom installation
Support HD Headphone Surround Sound

Please note that the AVP-18 DOES NOT support USB Audio (as in a USB DAC). The USB connector (B-style) is used for firmware upgrades only. The USB connector that looks like a USB-3 marked 'Bluetooth' is reserved for a future Bluetooth audio option that will soon be available from NuForce.

MCA-20 features and specs:

Proprietary high-speed, negative feedback design
Very high efficiency PWM circuit topology
Power Output: 278W/Ch. X 8 (4 ohm), 150W/Ch. X 8 (8 ohm)
Peak Power Output:352W/Ch. X 8 (4 ohm), 187W/Ch. X 8 (8 ohm)
Gain:26.5 dB
Input Impedance:20k ohm
Sensitivity: 0.89 V to rated power
Frequency Response:10 Hz - 50kHz

Performance

We compared the AVP-18 and MCA-20 combo with a few home theater receivers we had around; a Pioneer VSX-1120-K, a Denon AVR-3806 and an Onkyo TX-SR608. All three of the AVRs would have been significantly less expensive if bought brand new when they were released. The Denon, at $1300, would have been the most expensive but still not quite half the price of the NuForce setup. That said, we still went into the review not expecting to hear much of a difference, if any at all.

And we were wrong. We tried the comparison with Klipsch Reference speakers, HSU Research speakers and even some KEF T-series speakers. In all cases, when paired with high quality audio like we get from a typical Blu-ray disk, the NuForce system sounded better. The striking difference was the clarity of the sound. It almost felt as if we could hear subtle details in a soundtrack that we just weren’t picking up before. And at high volume the detail remained crisp and intact. Nothing went muddy or mushy just because we were pushing it harder.

We had the biggest impact with the HSU speakers for some reason, with lesser impact noticed on the Klipsch and KEF speakers. But pairing the NuForce processor and amp with the HSU speakers made us very, very happy. We tried movies, soundtracks, video games, anything we could get our hands on, and loved it.

Conclusion

We freely admit that pitting the NuForce AVP-18 and MCA-20 against an 8 year old $1300 Denon wasn’t exactly a fair fight. A better comparison would have been with the Denon AVR-4520CI (MSRP $2499) or the Pioneer Elite SC-79 (MSRP $3000). But we didn’t have one of those lying around. Likewise we didn’t match the NuForce against a $20,000 setup from Krell, McIntosh or Mark Levinson. But what we did find is that there is clearly an audio difference between the $3000 NuForce system and a ~$700-1000 AVR. Whether the difference is enough to get you to fork over the extra money is up to you. But if you were in the price range already, NuForce is a great option.

Podcast #630: FireTV and Falcon Screens Apr 11, 2014

Amazon Fire TV Review

Last week Amazon released a set top box the Amazon Fire TV Fire (Buy Now $99) to compete with the likes of Apple, Roku, and a host of others. And of course the HT Guys got a hold of one and put it through its paces. This will be a shorter review than previous boxes because we have done so many and they are essentially the same. Today we’ll focus on the differences.

Features: Prime Support — Unlimited access to over 40,000 Prime Instant Videos on your HDTV, including Amazon exclusives like Downton Abbey and Justified

Large Selection of Content - Over 200,000 TV episodes - and movies, millions of songs, and over a hundred games.
Voice search — Say the name of what you want to watch and start enjoying in seconds.
Specifications — Quad-core processor, 2 GB of memory, dedicated GPU, plus 1080p HD video and Dolby Digital Plus surround sound
Easy to set up and use — Pre-registered to your Amazon account so you can enjoy favorite titles and personalized recommendations
Instant streaming — Exclusive new feature ASAP predicts what movies and TV episodes you’ll want to watch and buffers them for playback before you hit play
Parental Controls — Amazon FreeTime lets you easily limit screen time and create personalized profiles just for kids (coming soon)
Games — Play titles like Minecraft-Pocket Edition, The Walking Dead, and Monsters University, plus free games and Amazon exclusives. Paid games start from just 99 cents

Performance:

The Fire TV works like all other devices in this category. You connect it and start watching content. A nice touch is that if you buy this yourself, as opposed to getting it as a gift, it comes connected to your Amazon account so you can start watching Prime instant videos or ordering paid content through your Amazon account. You can go from out of the box to watching movies on demand in minutes!

The user interface is what we would call basic. Its fast and laid out nicely but is not what we would call elegant. Perhaps in a subsequent release. For now, it gets the job done.

Hulu and Netflix are supported but you have to download the apps as opposed to being pre-installed. That adds about a minute to the install for each application. Logging in requires you to type with an onscreen keyboard. It would be nice if there was a remote app that allows you to type on your phone instead of using a D-pad controller. Both apps produced video quality that was similar to AppleTV and Roku. There are about 180 apps available for the Fire TV ranging from video content to games. The notable apps for video include: Netflix, Hulu, Watch ESPN, Youtube, Vimeo, and Showtime Anytime. There are also music apps like Pandora, and a bunch of radio apps. For a full list check out Amazon’s website (http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=7031433011)

The Fire TV also has games which makes it a great choice for casual gamers. There is a game controller that looks like your typical game controller for an additional $40 (Buy Now). We did not test the game controller however, we did download Asphalt 8 and attempted to play it with the remote control. Graphics looked good and game play seemed fine. We are not gamers by any stretch but for a $99 box mainly used for watching content having a fairly high quality game aspect to it seems like a major plus. While it won’t replace an X-Box or Playstation it sure will satisfy many who don’t need all that hardware. We suspect that as more games come online this aspect will only get better.

The remote is a typical remote for a device like this. It has has directional buttons, select, home, play/pause, ffwd/rew, and a menu button. What makes this different is that the Fire TV also has a voice search button. With this button you press and hold while you speak what you are looking for and if it exists within Amazon it will show up on screen. If it is free with Prime it will be indicated otherwise you will have to pay. What would be nice is if the search worked across all content platforms. Some content is free on Netflix but costs money on Amazon.

Audio sounded great. It was so nice seeing the Dolby Digital + light up on our receiver. High quality audio streamed through the set top box for $99 sounds like a good deal to us!

Conclusion

There are a lot of set top boxes out there competing for your eyeballs. No one of them is the perfect for everyone. Having access to a easy to use store where you can buy high quality audio and video is a major plus that the Fire TV and AppleTV have. Throw in an easy to use game market and a slight edge has to be given to the Fire TV. With that said, if you are not an Amazon prime subscriber you will be better served with the Roku 3. If you are an iTunes user, well we probably lost you after the first paragraph. If you are like Ara, you may as well buy both! Cut the price in half and its a must have for everyone!

Podcast #629: Sharp 2014 Quattron+ Televisions Apr 03, 2014

Sharp 2014 Quattron+ Televisions

We mentioned the upcoming Quattron+ technology from Sharp in our CES roundup earlier this year.The tech just got real. Sharp has announced several new LED LCD models for 2014 that feature the technology. Along the lines of JVC’s e-Shift technology we discussed a couple episodes back, Quattron+ looks like a clever bridge between the 1080p LED LCD televisions of today and the 4K and/or OLED televisions of tomorrow.

CES Information

Sharp Aquos Quattron Plus TV - At half the price of a 4K TV of the same screen size the Plus has 10 million more sub pixels than a regular 1080p TV. Retina Display for TVs?? The TV will accept 4K content and will scale 1080p content to make use of every one of the 10 Million sub pixels! Sharp claims they have put more TVs over 60 inches into American homes than any other manufacturer.

What is Quattron+?

Sharp has long held the belief that a fourth sub-pixel, a yellow one, in addition to the standard red, green and blue ones, makes all the difference in how vivid and real your TV can look. While a standard 1080p TV with red, green and blue sub-pixels has a total of about 6.22 million of them, that fourth yellow subpixel bumps that total up to roughly 8.29 million. But that’s just plain old Quattron; that’s yesterday’s news.

Quattron+ goes quite a bit further. These new displays use the same four horizontal sub-pixels (yellow, red, green, and blue) but also add an additional row of sub-pixels for every main pixel, effectively doubling the sub-pixel count to a total of 16.59 million and dramatically improving pixel density. Does that sound like JVC e-Shift to anyone? If not, you may want to take a listen to Episode 627.

The Models

Sharp has announced several TVs that will incorporate Quattron+ tech, ranging from the large to the really freaking large. There are three 60 inch TVs, three 70 inch sets and one 80 incher. The 60 and 70 inch sets come in three model ranges, the entry level SQ line, the middle tier TQ line and the top end UQ line. he 80 inch set is only available in the top of the range UQ line.

For price comparison, the top-end UQ line breaks down like: LC-60UQ17U is a 60-inch set with MSRP of $3000. You can find it at Amazon for $2499. The LC-70UQ17U is 70 inches, goes for MSRP of $4000 and is available for $3297 from Amazon. The big daddy, the 80 inch LC-80UQ17U has a suggested retail or $6500 and has landed on Amazon for $5499.

Every set in the lineup features:

The Highest Resolution Full HD TV
10 million more subpixels than conventional Full HD for more detail, depth, and color
Plays 4K content; upscales any content
New SmartCentral 3.0 with integrated guide & search, mobile connectivity, and all the best apps
Quattron technology for finer details and a billion more shades of color
Native 1080p resolution, 240 Hz refresh rate, 3D capable
4 HDMI ports with Audio Return Channel, 4K input (4K/30fps), HDCP 2.2 and MHL

The UQ line adds:

Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 12,000,000:1 (vs. 8,000,000:1)
AquoMotion 960 Refresh Scanning Rate
Sharp ‘Super Bright’ technology
THX Certified
2 pairs of 3D glasses

None of the seven sets listed at Sharp’s website claim support for HDMI 2.0 nor HVEC. So while they may be future proof in some categories, they certainly aren’t on others.

Blu-ray Review #75: American Hustle Apr 01, 2014

4.1 Stars (out of 5) - Rated R Synopsis

American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man, who along with his equally cunning British partner and lover are forced to work for a wild unhinged FBI agent who pushes them into a world of Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that's as dangerous as it is enchanting.

Starring:

Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Jeremy Renner, Jack Huston

Director:

David O. Russell

Blu-ray Release Date:

March 18, 2014

Subtitles:

English, English SDH

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 4.1 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer – 2.5 Stars

● Dialog – 5.0 Stars

● Surround Effects – 4.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range – 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1

The audio performance suits the movie but it’s still nothing to show off to your friends. The subwoofer is only active when music is being played in the score and in a club scene. You are treated to a slight rumble during a tiny kitchen incident. Surround effects see a little more action and are active with sounds of dry cleaner machines, club music, an exploding microwave, and music from the score. The star of the audio presentation is the dialog. In fact, it’s was so good I didn’t need to strain to hear when characters were whispering.

Video 4.9 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 4.8 Stars

● Shadow detail – 5.0 Stars

● Clarity – 5.0 Stars

● Skin tones – 5.0 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

There’s a good amount of film grain, to give it a nostalgic 70’s look. The film grain does not affect the clarity, it’s easy to see the wiry hairs in beards and mustaches, details in tacky hotel wallpaper, and patterns in wild colorful clothing. There are a few dark scenes and details don’t get lost in the inky blackness. Colors are very warm and make blue eyes look dreamy, loud colored walls look stylish, and bright red lipstick and nails look luscious.

Bonus Features 2.5 Stars (out of 5)

● Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD): Cry British (4:51), Brick (0:57), Carmine On Stage Singing (1:24), Backhand Like a Whip (2:48), Bad Sign (1:30), Stoop to Conquer (1:34), Live and Let Die (3:26), Evil Ways (4:01), Carmine on the Street (1:11), Richie is Duped (0:47), and Carmine Returns Home (0:54).

● The Making of American Hustle (HD, 16:35): An examination of the character complexity and the life they exude, David O. Russell's vision for the film, and the core love story/love triangle.

● Previews: Additional Sony titles.

Movie – 3.8 Stars (out of 5) Review

American Hustle is a well make entertaining film that tries to imitate some of the spirit of Goodfellas, but falls short of the mark. The story itself is slow moving and dragged in some parts, but it always did a great job of building the characters. If the first half of this film was not narrated I would have not been able to pick up the plot. All of the performances are stellar and the director did a decent putting together this meandering story. I feel like people like this movie because it was designed for us to. It’s full of today’s biggest actors, has a popular director, and is about corruption. When you add all those things together it makes a good movie, but not one that I’ll watch all the way through again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ST7a1aK_lG0

Podcast #628: New Pioneer Receivers Mar 28, 2014

New Pioneer Receivers

If you are tired of the long cold Winter then these product announcements from Pioneer should warm your soul. What better way to welcome Spring than with new receivers? Pioneer introduced 5 new models.

Pioneer introduced three receivers in their VSX line. At the lower end is the 5.2 channel VSX-824 followed by the VSX-1024 and 1124 both of which are 7.2. These are the first receivers that support HDMI 2.0 which allows for higher data rates and better color that 4K TVs benefit from. The receivers have a built-in MHL port and are Roku Ready. Plug in a Roku Stick and use the Pioneer iControl AV5 app to access your favorite Roku channels.

The VSX-1124 incorporates the ES9006S DAC (192kHz/24-bit) for high quality audio performance. They also added playback support for 96kHz 24-Bit 5.0- and 5.1-channel FLAC and WAV files on the VSX-1124. The receiver also supports other high-resolution music files including AIFF, WAV, FLAC, DSD (2.8 MHz), Apple Lossless, MP3, WMA and AAC

The VSX-1124 supports the next generation 4K2K Ultra HD resolution standard to help provide the highest quality video image available, with the ability to pass through 4K video signals of up to 60 frames per second to any HDMI 2.0-equipped 4K display. It can also upscale lower resolution signals for viewing on 4K Ultra HD TVs.

The new Pioneer receivers will be available at the end of March with suggested prices of $399 (VSX-824), $499 (VSX-1024) and $599 (VSX-1124).

Pioneer also debuted two new entry-levelElite branded receivers, the VSX-44 and VSX-80 7.2-channel receivers. Both models include HDMI 2.0 support and are Roku Ready.

Like the 1124 the VSX-80 also supports high quality audio and video. What you get for the additional $100 is advanced home theater control. The VSX-80 is compatible with the most popular custom control companies, Crestron® and Control4®, and offers custom installation features including full two-way RS-232C-over-IP control, with the ability to receive metadata from network and iOS connected devices.

The new Pioneer Elite receivers will be available at the end of March with suggested retail prices of $500 (VSX-44) and $700 (VSX-80).

Podcast #627: JVC 4K UltraHD Projectors Mar 21, 2014

We haven’t spent too much time talking about 4K projectors because, to be blunt, they’re just too expensive to be within reach for us, and for the majority of our audience. While they’re cool to think about, and maybe drool over, why spend too much time on them when you know you’ll never drop $28,000 on a projector? But what if they were a fraction of that cost?

At a recent stroll through our local Magnolia Home Theater store inside Best Buy, we happened across a JVC 4K projector for only $5000. The JVC DLA-X500R sounds like an amazing deal, but there has to be a catch. It turns out that when you read the fine print, JVC isn’t really selling 4K projectors, they’re selling simulated 4K projectors. The difference is subtle, but real.

The Projectors

JVC has three models in their 4K lineup, the entry model, DLA-X500R, for $5000. The mid-range DLA-X700R for $8000 and the top of the range DLA-X900RKT for $12,000. Magnolia carries them all, but they weren’t all available in our area; only the X500R. JVC points out very clearly on their website that these projectors, projectors in the Procision line, are not sold online. If you find one online, it isn’t coming from an authorized dealer.

The specs for all three projectors are fairly similar, with obviously some improvements in specs and technology as you move up in the models. We’ll go over the specs for the top of the line X900RKT to see if the same thing we noticed when we started to look into them, jumps out to all of you...

DLA-X900RKT specs

Improved 150,000:1 Native Contrast Ratio

New Intelligent Lens Aperture for Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 1,500,000:1

New 4K e-shift3 provides 3840x2160 projected image

New Native 4K HDMI inputs that accept: 3840x2160 at 24P, 25P, 30P and 60P; and 4096x2160 at 24P

New Clear Black Processing improves local area contrast

New Upgraded Clear Motion Drive works in 2D, 3D and 4K

New Adobe sRGB provides expanded color space

Improved Multi Pixel Control (MPC) with New Auto Mode. MPC improves 2K to 4K up-conversion

New Matched 6th Generation 1920x1080 DILA devices

1300 Lumens

Did you notice that there’s no mention of a native 4K resolution? Only a reference to a 4K projected image and a set of 4K compatible inputs. As it turns out, if you read between the lines, these projectors aren’t truly 4K at all. Instead they’re a special blend of two 1080p imaging chips that work together to improve pixel density. The technology does an incredible job eliminating any notion of pixel lines in the image, like retina for your 120” screen, but not a true 4K image.

What the …?

So what exactly is JVC selling? They’re selling a future proof 1080P projector that outperforms almost any other 1080P projector in terms of image quality, but they aren’t selling a 4K projector. The secret is JVC’s e-Shift technology. E-Shift produces 4K levels of pixel density by utilizing two separate 1080P chips diagonally offset from each other by half a pixel. Pixel density, or Pixels per Inch, is great for producing very clear images with no visible pixel lines, but it’s different than resolution.

It turns out that since the projectors only have 1080P imaging chips in them, everything has to be converted to 1080P before being passed through e-Shift for the 4K-like display. Even the native 4K inputs have to go down to 1080P before being blast back out in Ultra density. The result is a very impressive 1080P display that approaches 4K in clarity, but from what we’ve heard and read, doesn’t stand up too well if you compare side by side with a native 4K display

The trade-off makes sense when you compare their prices with Sony, who is selling a true native 4K projector. After all, these projectors are 10 to 20 thousand dollars cheaper. But not for long. Sony has the new VPL-VW500ES available for around $10,000 that may force a change in JVC’s approach. But until more manufacturers are making 4K projectors for less than $5000, JVC will continue to have a marketable offering.

More than just pixels

But as with any TV or projector, resolution isn’t the whole story. There are so many other factors that go into how well a projector performs: contrast and black levels, color reproduction, smooth motion, the list goes on. When you consider contrast and black levels, especially at the $5000 price point, the JVC D-ILA technology is hard to beat. The quoted contrast ratios on the three projectors are 600,000:1, 1,200,000:1 and 1,500,000:1 Dynamic or and 60,000:1, 120,000:1 and 150,000:1 Native. That’s pretty awesome.

And the colors are great as well. The JVC LCOS technology, what they call D-ILA, has always been impressive, all the way back to the rear projection days of yore. (Yes, Braden still owns one). And that carries on in their projectors, and Ara owns one of those. Color representation is great; among the best you can get on a consumer-priced projector.

Bottom line

If you’re in the market for a new Home Theater projector and were thinking 4K was too expensive, you can pick up a pretty decent compromise in the JVC Procision lineup. They provide the inputs to natively watch 4K content when you can get your hands on some, while also converting your standard 1080P content into something quite impressive. Sure it isn’t 4K, but it’s every bit as good as a 1080P projector, with the e-Shift bonus for better pixel density. What do you have to lose?

Podcast #626: Interview with Jack Sharkey of Kef Speakers Mar 13, 2014

Interview with Jack Sharkey of Kef Speakers

This week we sit down and talk with Jack Sharkey of Kef Speakers. Jack shares his experience in making a room that is acoustically unfriendly into a place where Kef can showcase their products. Its a six part series:

Blu-ray Review #73: Ender's Game Mar 11, 2014

Ender’s Game - Blu-ray Review 4.9 Stars (out of 5) - Rated PG-13 Synopsis

70 years after a horrific alien war, an unusually gifted child is sent to an advanced military school in space to prepare for a future invasion.

Starring:

Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford, Hailee Steinfeld, Ben Kingsley, Abigail Breslin

Director:

Gavin Hood

Blu-ray Release Date:

February 11, 2014

Subtitles:

English, English SDH, Spanish

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 4.9 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer - 5.0 Stars

● Dialog – 5.0 Stars

● Surround Effects – 4.5 Stars

● Dynamic Range – 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 2.0

The bass performance in this film is a spectacle to behold. When it’s needed, the couch vibrated with every explosion and rumbles of spaceship engines. Punches even land the heavy thuds and a few random rumbles are thrown in for extra measure. This action drama relies on dialog just as much as bass and surround, and it handles each line in the script perfectly. The rear speakers could have been used a tad bit more, but they are used often enough to envelope you with sounds of whizzing spaceships, echoing voices on intercoms, weird alien clicks, and random computer noises.

Video 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 5.0 Stars

● Shadow Detail – 5.0 Stars

● Clarity – 5.0 Stars

● Skin Tones – 5.0 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

This MPEG-4 AVC codec is clean and helped bring out the details in sharp edges on cold steel, details on a huge tattoo, graphics on computer screens, pimples and freckles on young teen faces, and wrinkles and moles on AARP members. Color temperatures change depending on location. Earth colors are extra warm, living quarters are neutral, and in space everything is cold and blue. Some colors stand out a little more than others like blue skies, bright glowing direction lights, and those awful bright colored yellow jump suits. There are several dark scenes, and this Blu-ray handles them beautifully. Nothing gets lost in the shadows and no compression issues are visible.

Bonus Features 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

● Audio Commentary with Director Gavin Hood.

● Audio Commentary with Producers Gigi Pritzker and Roberto Orci.

● Ender's Game: The Making of Ender's Game (1080p; 49:04) Eight featurettes that explore various subjects, such a adapting the book for the screen, casting, and some of stunts.

● Deleted/Extended Scenes (1080p; 10:49) with or without optional commentary by director Gavin Hood.

● Inside the Mind Games (1080p; 3:50) looks at some of the motion capture techniques utilizes to forge the games that Ender plays on his tablet.

● Theatrical Trailers include Trailer A (1080p; 1:55) and Trailer B (1080p; 1:57)

Movie – 3.8 Stars (out of 5) Review

Ever since the huge financial success of the Harry Potter series, movie studios have trying to find another teen book series that can translate into major dollars on the big screen. Ender’s Game is an entertaining, smart, and sometimes dark movie, but I don’t expect to see a second installment. At it’s heart Ender’s Game is a futuristic war movie with kids, however it mostly takes place in military school where they climb the military rank ladder. The film isn’t really about the war itself, it’s about how difficult it is for children to emotionally handle a cruel adult world. The acting is top notch from the young cast and from the Oscar nominated veterans. The plot seems thin but by the end of the film the story feels much richer. The movie is good but not great, several scenes are related to the aliens leave you scratching your head asking, ”What does this mean?”.

Podcast #625: Gefen TV Wireless Extender for HDMI 60 GHz Mar 07, 2014

Gefen TV Wireless Extender for HDMI 60 GHz

Through the years we’ve had the opportunity to check out several wireless audio, video and wireless HDMI systems. Everytime we do it, the quality goes up and the price goes down. This week we’re adding one more option to your list of choices for wireless HDMI. It’s the Gefen TV Wireless Extender for HDMI (GTV-WHD-60G). List price is $449. But if you look around, you can find it for around $300 online. The first Gefen wireless HDMI system we reviewed back in 2009 had a list price of $999.

Setup

Setting up the GefenTV unit is just as easy as any other wireless video system. You plug your source equipment into the sender, marked with an ‘S’, plug your display device in the receiver, marked with an ‘R’, and you're done. The two units find each other automatically, link up and work with minimal intervention. The sender and receiver units are quite small, maybe the smallest of any set we’ve tested, making them very easy to place almost anywhere.

Features

Wireless extension of HDMI up to 33 feet (10 meters)
Supports resolutions up to 1080p Full HD
HDCP pass-through
3DTV pass-through
CEC pass-through
Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™, and LPCM digital audio streams up to 7.1 channels
Lip Sync
Uncompressed High Definition A/V from source to display
Near zero latency (less than one frame)
Field upgradable via USB port
Frequency Band Range: 60 GHz

Performance

The manufacturer recommends a maximum of 33 feet (10 meters) between the receiver and transmitter and also requires direct line of sight between the two. This makes it a bit less flexible than other units we’ve tested. We’ve had units that could go 50 feet and almost 30 feet through walls. The GefenTV won’t do that. We got a reliable connection at 25 feet line of sight and in that regard, in work exactly as advertised. The marketing spin is that this allows you to run multiple wireless HDMI systems in adjacent rooms or close proximity. We think it would be more convenient if it could go through walls or cabinet doors.

The GefenTV is very finicky on the line of sight requirement. It doesn’t just want the two units to be visible to each other, they need to be pointed at each other. Turning one to face a different direction kills the signal. We didn’t have any trouble getting them to work in normal installation scenarios, but it’s something you need to keep in mind if one will be in a TV equipment stand and the other up high near a projector, or perhaps facing down or sideways mounted near a flat panel TV. It also cannot be mounted behind the TV,but needs to be next to, above or below the TV depending on where your sender will be located.

Despite the installation speedbumps to overcome, the GefenTV really shines in where it counts: audio quality, video quality and reliability. It is a champ. Other units we’ve looked at have been good, in fact, we’ve even made the statement that we couldn’t tell the difference between an actual cable and the wireless version. That was mostly true, specifically from a pixelation, loss of signal perspective. But with the GefenTV it is as close to a reality as we’ve ever seen. We even did some blind taste tests with a few family members and they couldn’t see or hear a difference between wired HDMI and the Gefen.

We had a strange overscan issue with the Gefen on one of our test TVs, a Vizio LCD, that we didn’t see with any other sources on the same TV. We didn’t experience the same issue on a different test TV or on our test projector. It was tough for us to blame the TV or the Gefen, and could have just been a compatibility weirdness between the two.

We tested using HDTV, Blu-ray and a Windows 7 laptop. With a good signal, the video quality was great. We even tried 3D and it worked as expected. Movies and TV looked and sounded great. Video games played without a hitch. Web surfing and documents and spreadsheets worked, and had no delay, but lacked the fine detail resolution you typically want for that kind of activity. Web video,however, like Netflix and Hulu, was great., No matter what we threw at it from a video perspective, it handled the task with ease.

Conclusion

The $449 price point is still a bit high, the $300 street price is closer to many other wireless HDMI units on the market. Sometimes, however, you get what you pay for. If you need a solution that will go 50 or 60 feet, or allow you to hide your devices in a closet somewhere, the Gefen isn’t the right choice for you. But if you want to run a front projector or mount a flat panel TV, and want the best possible video you can get from a wireless HDMI solution, the GefenTV is pretty awesome. Not as flexible, but it makes up for it in quality.

Podcast #624: Channel Master DVR+ Feb 28, 2014

Channel Master DVR+ Review

If you are a cord cutter you know that one thing that is difficult to live without is a DVR. You can buy a Tivo Roamio and pay a smaller monthly service but you cut the cord so you wouldn’t have to pay a monthly charge. What most cord cutters are looking for is a way to record over the air HD without having to pay any monthly fees. Channel Master has you covered with the DVR+ (MSRP $249.99). The DVR+ is a subscription free DVR that allows you to cut the cord and still watch late night network TV on your terms.

Features:

Watch broadcast programming in pure, uncompressed HD - the highest quality available
Easy installation with on-screen setup wizard
Supports SD and HD video resolutions up to 1080i and 1080p
Works with all digital TV antennas for instant access to broadcast programming
Supports external USB hard drives (EHD) for full DVR functionality
Dual tuners allow you to record one program while watching another or record two programs at the same time (using EHD)
Records, pauses and plays back live TV up to 2 hours out of the box 4
See what’s on now or later with the user-friendly Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
Easily search for shows and set timers with name-based recording
Broadband connection provides automatic software updates, enhanced EPG and access to Internet video streaming services
Get Wi-Fi connectivity with optional USB Wi-Fi adapter
Supports Dolby® Digital Plus surround sound
Ultra-low power consumption

Setup:

When you take the DVR+ out of the box the first thing you notice is how thin it is. Its barely bigger than the HDMI cable that you plug into it. You can pretty much put it anywhere with little issue. To physically install the device you need to connect power, HDMI, antenna, Ethernet, and an external hard drive. Without the external drive there is little that you can do as the DVR+ comes with 16GB internally. A Terabyte drive will get you about 160 hours of HD recording. We had a spare 80GB drive which was reformatted by the DVR+ and was ready to go in a few minutes.

The physical install took about 15 minutes. You will need a network connection for the program guide or if you want to use the Hulu service. Right now that’s the only network service available. Channel Master says they will add more over time. If you don’t have a wired connection you can buy a Wifi adapter for an additional $40.

Next we fired up the unit and scanned for channels. The DVR+’s two tuners found 45 digital channels which was better than the HD Homerun but not as good as the tuner in our Panasonic plasma television. All of which are connected to the same antenna.

Twentyfive minutes after taking the DVR+ out of the box we had a picture on screen and were able to record anything coming over the airwaves!

Performance:

What can we say, the DVR+ works like a DVR you would get from your provider. The program Guide is provided by Rovi (no additional cost) which allows you to search or browse to find your programs. You can tune to a program if its currently on or you can mark it for recording. Season passes are set up based on title names, which is a little less sophisticated than say the Genie but it will get the job done.

You can setup up the skip forward and skip back lengths in the menu so if you want to skip back 30 seconds and forward by one minute you can do it. The user interface is basic but very responsive.

We recorded a few programs to the external drive. All but one recorded but that was on a channel that did not have the best reception. On channels that have a solid signal every timed based recording went off without a hitch. We even recorded two programs at the same time. Like we said, it works just like every other DVR we’ve ever owned.

We had to turn on the DVR to see if it was recording because the record light does not come on unless the DVR is powered on. Yes, the device always has power and can record even if its “off”. But we would like to see the light come on anytime the DVR is recording something.

Playback was flawless and skipping through commercials was easy. We had the skip forward set to one minute so it was usually five or six presses to get through a commercial break. Skips were instantaneous. The only drawback of a 60 second skip is that if you miss the entry point after the commercials you’ll have a lot of backing up to do so you may want a 30 second back button instead of the typical 10 seconds.

This and That:

The DVR+ has been designed to work well with the Slingbox 500.
Current firmware does not allow you to set up a season pass that only records new shows. So you end up with some repeats that need to be deleted.
The buttons on the remote are very small. But you’ll be using a Harmony anyway right ;-)
There is no user guide so be prepared to hunt around through the menus to see what’s possible

Conclusion:

Up until now if you wanted to cut the cord and totally eliminate monthly fees you needed a HTPC. With the DVR+, a cord cutter can be free of cable and satellite without missing out on timeshifting. The only thing the DVR+ doesn’t have is a rich set of network apps. Although we’re sure they are already on the way!

Podcast #623: Home Theater Calibration Disc Feb 21, 2014

Home Theater Calibration Disc

If you don't think your home theater looks or sounds as as good as it should, you probably want to calibrate it. Calibration is the process of dialing in all the settings on your TV and receiver to optimize the viewing and listening experience for your home. There are a ton of options for this, from buying a calibration disc for the do it yourselfers, buying a calibration system like SpyderTV for the almost do it yourselfers, to hiring a professional calibrator for those of the just do it for me persuasion.

Your Options:

Nothing beats the professional calibration, but if you want to save some money and give it a go on your own, there a bunch of discs to choose from. The website 2014 Best TV Calibration Disc Comparisons and Reviews gives you a quick glance at a few to help you make a more informed buying decision. Some of them may be available at your local library, or even via Netflix, if you don’t want to buy it for yourself.

DVE HD Basics

Buy now, $39.95

Created by home theater industry veteran Joe Kane, HD Basics is a great High Definition home theater calibration tool. It promises to improve your picture and give you an understanding of the concepts that are vital to getting the most out of your HDTV.

Spears & Munsil High Definition Benchmark

Buy now, $29.97

They claim that whether you're a home theater novice or a professional calibrator, you'll find all the tests you need to set up and adjust your HDTV in the Spears and Munsil HD Benchmark. The previous edition of the HD Benchmark was recommended by the New York Times, Widescreen Review, Home Theater Magazine and dozens of other print and online publications.

Disney WOW World of Wonder

Buy now, $19.99

The Disney WOW: World of Wonder disc is a "how to" guide for in-home high definition (HD) optimization of home entertainment systems featuring the help of classic Disney character Goofy and including HD demonstration clips from popular Disney titles including Toy Story, Up, Bolt and Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World's End. The easy to follow on-screen guide is designed to help consumers get the best quality experience from their home theater systems.

Proximus Calibration Toolkit

Cost, $25 if you can find it

This disc appears to be out of print, or at least difficult to come by. It reviews quite well if you can find it. Use the Proximus Toolkit to help check the hookup and settings of any home theater system. The Proximus Toolkit allows you to adjust components for most screen imagery and multi-channel sound levels.

PixelProtector Blu-ray

Buy DVD Edition V2, $29.95

The Blu-ray edition isn’t available for sale as far as we can tell, but the DVD is. It is a DVD based premium screen diagnostic and calibration tool for all types of LCD, plasma and rear projection TV screens. Using test signals PixelProtector allows you to accurately adjust your screen to its full potential. Specific test signals are provided for aligning and calibrating Plasma, LCD, projection sets, over head projectors and rear projection. PixelProtector also has unique screen washes they say will recalibrate pixels uniformly and supposedly keep your TV's picture looking good for years to come.

Avia II: Guide to Home Theater

Buy now, $29.99

For years, the original AVIA Guide to Home Theater DVD was the gold standard for calibrating your entire home theater. AVIA II added new tutorials to make it easy for beginner and expert alike, and hundreds of video and audio test patterns and signals. But it’s still a DVD, not updated to Blu-ray yet. Adjusting your audio and video system for maximum performance is easy with AVIA's step-by-step instructions. Professionals (or those who want to learn more) can directly access advanced calibration signals with on-line explanations.

Other options you don’t want to buy:

These are all old or out of print. Some may be helpful, others are intended for standard definition TVs. They all are showing their age. But maybe check them out if they’re at the library...

Sound & Vision Tune-Up

Out of print. Buy it used for $3.47

The Ultimate DVD - Fine Tuning

Buy now, $9.99

TV-Tuneup Calibration Disc

Not available

Monster/ISF HDTV Calibration Wizard

Buy now, $7.98

Conclusion

There’s a disc to fit the needs and budget of just about any do it yourself calibrator. Read the amazon reviews, they can be quite helpful if you need to decide which one is right for you. Some are more basic, others more advanced. Some are more helpful, others assume you know more about what you’re doing. Some are boring, some are fun.

There are even some apps now that can help with calibration. Maybe we’ll take a look at them in a future episode.

Blu-ray Review #72: Gravity Feb 18, 2014

Gravity - Blu-ray Review 4.9 Stars (out of 5) - Rated PG-13

Synopsis

Dr. Ryan Stone is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski in command. But on a seemingly routine mission, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalski completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the darkness.

Starring:

Sandra Bullock, George Clooney, Ed Harris

Director:

Alfonso Cuarón

Blu-ray Release Date:

February 25, 2014

Subtitles:

English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 4.9 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer – 4.5 Stars

● Dialog – 5.0 Stars

● Surround Effects – 5.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range – 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1,

Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1

Some movies would say, in space no one can hear you scream. However, in this movie you understand your fear can be easily heard and understood. In large sweeping terms, Gravity has a minimalistic sound design that is emotionally driven. Surround effects include, communications from Houston, creaking and moans from crumbling space stations, communications from other astronauts, upset computers, and eerie silence of space. The low end does not have many opportunities to show off but, vibrations from suit touching anything, ambiance sounds, and the minimal thumping bass of the soundtrack bring ample bass to the party. It’s not enough to vibrate the couch, but its enough to make you feel the director’s vision. Gravity is difficult to judge in words, one major factor is you notice what’s missing. There is no swelling musical score or sounds of explosions. The effects seam scientifically real and remain unsettling.

Video 4.9 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 5.0 Stars

● Shadow detail – 5.0 Stars

● Clarity – 4.8 Stars

● Skin tones – 5.0 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1.

Gravity does not have much of a color pallet, but that’s not a negative trait. Most of film is shown in tones of black and white. The only time you really notice color is when you see skin and when Earth is in the background. By the way, Earth looks beautiful from space. It’s looks like a huge marble filled with a blue water, white clouds, and brown land formations. City lights seen on the dark side of the world looks so distant it somehow brings a sense of aloneness to the emotional plot of the film. If you want to test your black levels and contrast this is the Blu-ray you should use. Space is empty and black without signs of compression or shadow issues. The pristine white space suits glowing from the light of the sun really help illustrate the stark differences between light and dark in this movie. Clarity is great and the sharpness is really noticeable when seeing menacing high speed flying debris, and distant stars twinkle in the background.

Bonus Features 4.8 Stars (out of 5)

● Gravity: Mission Control (HD, 107 minutes): A long behind-the-scenes split up into 9 segments which include:

● It Began with a Story (16:21)

● Initial Challenges: Long Shots and Zero G (10:12)

● Previsualizing Gravity (11:38)

● The Hues of Space (10:41)

● Physical Weightlessness (7:48)

● Space Tech (13:02)

● Sandra and George: A Pair in Space (9:37)

● Final Animation (15:01)

● Complete Silence (12:13)

● Shot Breakdowns (HD, 37 minutes): Has 5 different breakdowns of the following:

● Behind the Visor (6:50)

● Fire in the International Space Station (5:42)

● Dr. Stone's Rebirth (7:54)

● The Sound of Action in Space (7:55)

● Splashdown (8:24)

● Aningaaq: A Short Film by Jonás Cuarón (HD, 10 minutes): Gravity co-writer Jonás Cuarón's created this short film that really has nothing to do with the movie.

● Collision Point: The Race to Clean Up Space (HD, 22 minutes): Actor Ed Harris narrates this documentary about the very real looming crisis that inspired the film's centerpiece disaster.

Movie – 5.0 Stars (out of 5) Review

Gravity is an astronaut film that isn’t really about space exploration. It’s about being isolated and confounded by life changing events alone and without confidence. It’s a weird emotion to capture on film, but Gravity does an outstanding job of doing it. I guess when you are alone in space with true cold and darkness the only thing left is the human spirit. This movie stars two Oscar worthy actors, but the true star of the movie is the director. There are scenes that shouldn’t be so tense, but are because the director was able to squeeze out every ounce of emotion on the screen. You could even watch the film at a technical level and marvel at how the film was made, and how some scenes last several minutes without cutting. If you have an emotional connection with Gravity it easily becomes more than a film and becomes a work of art.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiTiKOy59o4

Podcast #622: Skybell Doorbell Review Feb 14, 2014

Skybell Doorbell

Last August a listener alerted us to an Indiegogo campaign for a Wifi doorbell that would allow you to answer the door from anywhere in the world provided you had an Internet connection. At that time to contribution was $125 and for that you would helping a startup company bring their product to the market. A product that was supposed to be available around Halloween, then Thanksgiving, then in time for the Holidays. We ended up getting our Skybell in late January but these are the problems of being an earlier adopter. Today, Skybell is available at Skybell.com and Amazon for $200.

Features:

Answer your door from select Android and iOS devices - Anytime, Anywhere.
Exclusive Motion Sensor starts a call even when the person at your door doesn't press the button (Coming Soon)
Quick and easy installation. Requires direct power and analog doorbell chime.
Manage multiple cameras in the same account

Setup:

Please read the manual! Ara decided how hard is it to connect two wires and mount the doorbell so he did just that. Then he tried to sync the doorbell. Nothing! Total frustration. Then he finally decided to read the manual and that’s where he learned that the doorbell needs to charge a battery before syncing. That process takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Once the battery charged the doorbell synced with no issues.

Ara’s install did have another issue, the Skybell draws a small amount of current to power the unit. This caused a humming noise to come from the doorbell transformer. For the short term the doorbell was disconnected which has not gone over well with the family. Ara is still looking for a solution. The phone app does make a doorbell chime when the front doorbell is pressed but you only hear that if the sound is on. On the tablet, the sound is a generic notification so if you have some of those laying around with the sound on you won’t know if the notification is a doorbell or you just got a sports score update. By the way, there is no native tablet app.

The last setup nit pick. The camera is moveable so you can try to get an optimal viewing angle. It is very hard to move it so it requires the use of a screwdriver. There is a video at Skybell.com that shows how to adjust the camera angle.

Use:

Once installed the doorbell works as advertised. Within a second or two of the doorbell being pressed you get a notification on all the phones and tablets connected to the doorbell. At that point you can see who’s at the door and even speak to them. If someone else answers the door you won’t be able answer. Skybell will be adding a notification to let you know someone else answered the door.

Picture and audio quality are adequate. There is a lot of background noise coming from the doorway. The picture quality allows you to see who’s there and you can take a snapshot if you choose. Night quality is terrible.

Skybell is promising improvements including:

Motion Sensor Activation
Motion Sensor – On/Off Toggle
Doorbell Sound for Push Notification Alert
Alert that another user answered the call
On-Demand Camera Access
Special SkyBell Alert Tone
Image Balance for backlighting

Bottom Line:

Being able to see who is at the door and speak with them while you are away from home is quite powerful and Skybell lets you do just that. The product as it stands seems a bit rushed to market and is missing a few features. The good news if you have already bought one is that your Skybell will be updated automatically. Our recommendation is that if you are an early adopter type go ahead and jump in. Skybell works, albeit with a few incomplete features. If you want something that’s been fully buzzed out. Wait a few months and then jump in.

Podcast #621: Wireless Headphones Feb 07, 2014

Wireless Headphones

You’ve probably heard us stress over and over again how important surround sound is to your HDTV and home theater experience. Without surround sound, it’s really just surveillance, not home theater. But we are regular guys too, and we leave in the real world. We know that sometimes you have to make sacrifices and compromises. You aren’t the only one in the house, or the building or the neighborhood.

Sometimes that compromise means using a sound bar. Other times it may mean throwing on some headphones so you can still enjoy HDTV when the volume may otherwise disrupt the delicate balance of your ecosystem. Like many of you, Braden has young children. He has many of them, in fact. Sometimes it’s nice to let them sleep a little at night and headphones can come in quite handy for that.

You have a couple major decisions to make when buying headphones for your home theater, the most important is how well they sound. But beyond that, there are some logistics questions, the main one being: wired or wireless? Wired have reliable quality, and no need to recharge batteries. But they have long cables that need to be stored, if the cable isn’t long enough, they can be uncomfortable, and so on. Wireless headphones are much more convenient and, provided you buy the right ones, can sound just as good.

Sony MDRRF985RK Wireless RF Headphone

Buy now: $86

Sony makes some of our all time favorite studio monitor headphones, the MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphones that go for $102. They may not be the best headphones around anymore, but they are a tried and true classic, and still quite good. If you’re in the market for wired headphones, they’re worth checking out. But, for this round-up, we aren’t interested in wired, we’re going wireless. It may have been our sentimentality that pushed us to them, but the Sony MDRRF985RK are the first pair of headphones on the list.

These phones from Sony give you the freedom to travel up to 150 feet from your sound source while delivering stereo quality sound. Hopefully your couch isn’t 150 feet away from your TV, but just in case it is, you’re all set. They run on the 900MHz RF wireless band, which is fine, but not the best choice. They have a 40mm driver for decent bass performance, and claim frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. They have an auto tuning feature that conveniently scans up and down the band to automatically tune in channels.

And like most units on our list, they are rechargeable. They include Ni-MH rechargeable batteries with a max run time of 25 hours. You’ll probably pass out before they do. All-in-all a solid performer at a decent price. They won’t blow you away with their quality, but they will be reliable and that also won’t blow away your whole checking account.

JVC HAW600RF 900MHZ Wireless Headphones

Buy now: $54

These headphones from JVC are feature for feature nearly identical the the prior model from Sony. They run on the same 900 MHz RF frequency, but boast a slightly larger effective distance of 164 feet. They too have the auto tuning feature to hopefully provide the best quality sound at all times. Couple that with a 40mm driver for full-bodied sound and you’ve got a pair of headphones that are tough to distinguish from the Sony pair.

The JVC HAW600RF does offer a convenient paging or voice call function that allows for voice communication from the base station to the headset user. So if someone wanders off wearing the headphones, or you simply want to play practical jokes on someone to annoy them, you’ve got that going for you. But what really got us to put these above the Sony is the price. They’re close to half the cost of the Sony model.

Sennheiser RS120 On-Ear 926MHz Wireless RF Headphones with Charging Cradle

Buy now: $80

In the bang-for-the-buck category, the RS120 may take the cake. It is a lightweight RF wireless headphone system with Open-Aire Supra-Aural design for hi-fidelity audio reproduction. They feature a transparent, well-balanced sound with solid bass reproduction, and are a great choice for both hi-fi and TV use. The transmitter has an “easy recharge” function for conveniently recharging the included headphone batteries.

The RS120 headphones run on the 926 MHz frequency, which is still in the 900 MHz band, but for some reason they don’t seem to suffer the same interference issues that others on the 900 MHz band struggle with. And somehow this allows them to claim a 328 foot reception distance, even though walls and ceilings. Unlike other units on the list, however, these Sennheisers don’t have the auto-tuning functionality, but instead provide three user-selectable channels.

If you want a pair of really good headphones without spending too much money, the Sennheiser RS120 would be our first pick in the under $100 category.

Sennheiser RS 170 Digital Wireless Headphone with Dynamic Bass and Surround Sound

Buy now: $198

If you’d like to step up from a solid performer to a stand out, you’ll want to look at the Sennheiser RS170 headphones. They aren’t the top of the line Sennheiser model, but they’re close enough that you still get superior sound quality without over-paying for it. The RS180 for $240 or the even more expensive RS220 for $495 are fighting for supremacy in the Sennheiser wireless headphone showdown. But in the real world, cost is a factor in deciding what to buy, and at under $200, the RS170 headphones are ideal.

The RS170 utilizes KLEER's lossless digital wireless audio transmission for audiophile-grade sound and reception. They claim KLEER technology will not interfere with wireless networks or other 2.4GHz devices. Up to 4 compatible Sennheiser KLEER headphones can be paired with the same transmitter for private listening for multiple individuals. Which, at that point, begs the question - can’t all four of you just take off the headphones and use the speakers instead?

The RS170 wasn’t built for the average listener, they were built with the audiophile in mind, the transducer systems’ neodymium magnets deliver clear and detailed audio reproduction. The sealed, private earcups prevent sound leakage and make sure you can hear everything you’re supposed to. They also feature selectable Dynamic Bass Boost for deeper bass and selectable Surround Sound simulation for a more immersive pseudo-home theater experience.

This pair of headphones run on a different frequency that the others, using 2.4 - 2.8 GHz, with built-in auto selecting technology. They have a range of up to 260 feet. The wireless headphones operate on 2 AAA NiMH rechargeable batteries, which are included and should get you around 24 hours of listening time. The transmitter also acts as a charging stand for the headphones when not in use, and can fully recharge depleted headphone batteries in about 16 hours.

Sony MDR-DS7500 Wireless Digital Surround Headphones System

Buy now: $429

Speaking of over-paying, the Sony MDR-DS7500 clock in at an impressive $429. But before you freak out about how you can buy an entire surround sound receiver for that, consider what you’re getting. First, and perhaps most importantly, these headphones were developed in cooperation with Sony Pictures Entertainment, a place near and dear to the HT Guys’ hearts. But beyond that, if you want to build something for the home theater, it makes sense to work with the experts in cinema sound.

What did that joint development produce? The outcome was Sony's new "New Cinema mode" which was designed around analyzing the measured data for movie production in real movie theaters and sound stages. By combining Sony's VPT (Virtualphones Technology) this "New Cinema mode" is said to reproduce the sound of an ideal movie theater.

The MDR-DS7500 comes with a newly developed chipset for 3D audio as well as Dolby NR professional Logic II z decoder supporting audio signals up to 7.1Ch. DMI inputs on the processor enables the new DS7500 to decode HD audio such as Dolby TrueHD. Also supports multi-channel linear PCM as well as Bravia HDMI CEC. Three HDMI inputs with 1 line HDMI output allows you to connect to your devices freely.

The MDR-DS7500 has a dynamic reproduction range of 5 Hz to 25 kHz and the full list of codecs it supports is: Dolby NR TrueHD, Dolby Digital plus, Dolby Digital, Dolby NR professional logic II z, Dolby NR professional logic. x, DTS-HD mastering audio, DTS-HD high-resolution audio, DTS 96/24, DTS-ES, DTS, Neo:6, MPEG-2 AAC, and linear PCM 7.1ch/5.1ch. The headphones operate on the 2Ghz spectrum and the built-in rechargeable batteries provide up to 18 hours of continuous playback.

Some Amazon reviews mentioned getting a Japanese instruction manual; obviously not helpful for most of us. But luckily they reported that some strategic googling led them to an English version that got the job done. Who reads the instructions anyways ;)

Other

There are also a handful of surround sound gaming headsets out there like the Skullcandy PLYR1 7.1 Surround Sound Wireless Gaming Headset for $130 or the Turtle Beach Ear Force X42 Wireless Dolby Surround Sound Gaming Headset for $123. If you’re into gaming and can get a pair like this, they may be able to double for you as a solid home theater solution as well. There isn’t a huge advantage in price, and connectivity may be more challenging since they’re intended to be connected to a gaming console. But buying one pair of headphones that can serve dual purpose might make sense for some.

Conclusion

There are plenty of approaches available today to listen to all the booming explosions and dynamic action you want from your home theater without disturbing anyone else. There are also cases where people with hearing impairments or who have experienced a loss of hearing could benefit from their own headphones, even if they’re listening to the same thing as everyone else. Whatever your requirements, there’s sure to be a set of headphones for you that will meet your needs and keep the finance committee happy.

Podcast #620: Revolv Home Automation Hub Jan 31, 2014

Revolv Home Automation Hub

With 2013 being the year of home automation ;-) we saw a bunch of new products come on the scene to make our lives easier. Along with those products came apps for our mobile devices and before long we started suffering from app fatigue. Wouldn’t it be cool if a product could unite all those different technologies into one app! Well today we review a product that is well on its way to do so. The Revolv Home Automation Hub (Buy Now $299) is a new device that will allow you to control many of these devices with one smartphone app.

Features:

Works with product gateways and bridges to connect all your devices including Philips Hue lights, Yale locks, Sonos Hi-Fi speakers, and Insteon sensors and switches.
The Revolv Hub has 7 wireless radios supporting 10 different wireless protocols.
Easily create macros based on triggers from sensors, time, GPS location, or on-demand presets.
Quick setup of Smartphone App and Wi-Fi Hub (Ethernet not required).
Lifetime Service Included: No monthly service or subscription fees.

Setup:

This is where the Revolv Home Automation Hub excels! It was quite easy getting the Hub on our network. The first thing you do is download and launch the iOS app (Android coming soon). Next you plug in the hub. Finally you transfer the wifi network information to the hub via the iPhone’s camera flash. After the hub gets on the network it updates itself and then its ready to go. To add devices you select “Add Devices” from the app’s setup menu and then put the device you are adding into the configure state and bingo! There it is. The Revolve app adds an icon depicting the device and you now have immediate control. We went around the house adding Insteon, Z-Wave, and wifi devices. In all, within 30 minutes of the unboxing we were controlling multiple devices throughout the house.

Actions “Triggers”:

Like all good automation systems, Revolv has “actions” which can be activated in one of four ways:

Sensor - And right now this means motion sensor. Revolv is constantly adding devices so you may see contact sensors in the future as well. Typical action could be turning on a light when a sensor is tripped.
Time - This is a straight forward as it sounds. An action will take place at the desired time.
Location - Right now there are two choices here, home and away. Come home and your air conditioner turns on. Leave and it turns off. Anything you can control can be triggered this way.
Just do it - Essentially this is a macro. You can define a sequence of events that occur when you press the button.

While not complete, its a good start for a version one application. We spoke with co-founder Mike Soucie who assures us they are working on adding functionality as soon as they can. He said conditional triggers or actions based on other devices on are on the road map. The company has an active forum where they solicit ideas and which devices to support from users. The most requested ideas/devices are given higher priorities.

Controlling the Home:

We’ve been using the Home Automation Hub for a few weeks now and it has performed flawlessly. When in the home, the response is quick. Over the Internet, its a little laggy but nothing that would cause anyone grief.

We set up macros that mimic our Indigo setup and with a touch of a button our theater lights were dimmed creating a mood perfect for watching movies. Our porch light was scheduled to turn on at sunset and it faithfully did. It just would have been nice to have one of our sensors trigger our stairway lights to turn on at 20% only after 10:00pm. Perhaps in the next release. And that’s another nice thing about the system, it will be updated without you having to do anything. The hub is connected to the Internet and will receive updates in the background. Likewise, the iOS app will be updated through the app store adding more functionality.

Limitations:

While this is a good version one there are some areas that can be improved. We briefly mentioned in the previous section that conditional triggers would be nice. This would be something like turning on the kitchen lights at 6:00 in the morning if we weren’t in vacation mode. And that would be the other point, it would be nice to be able to set variables that can be manipulated manually or automatically based on actions. It would also be cool to get notifications. If my front door is unlocked I would like a notification or email. A web interface into the hub would also make setting up triggers and devices a little easier. Finally it would be nice if the GUI could be customized.

What’s to come:

As stated earlier we had a chance to speak with co-founder Mike Soucie who shed a little light on the future. We asked if there would be a web interface to set up devices and macros. He said that is possible for the future but didn’t give a timetable. We asked about variables and more complex triggers. Those too are on the roadmap but not expected soon. What we can expect in Q1 of 2014 are notifications, an Android app, and possibly an iPad app time permitting. There are other deeper features coming but Mike could not get into details. Mike was excited about what’s coming up and based on our conversation so are we!

Conclusion:

Podcast #619: 2014 Time Capsule Jan 24, 2014

What’s Hot Right Now (2014 Time Capsule)

We didn’t update it in 2013, but back in January of 2012, we put together a snapshot of the then-current HDTV landscape we could refer back to in the future. Since we often look back at the technologies and prices of years gone by with shock and amazement, instead of simply trying to remember what things were like “back then” we built our time capsule.

We’re going to update the time capsule and look back at our 2012 snapshot. As we did last time, we took some of the top sellers at Amazon across a variety of categories and got their prices. This gives us a good indication of what is hot right now and also what their prices are.

Televisions

2012: 3D TVs

In 2012 3D TVs were all the rage. Every store and manufacturer had them, and nobody really wanted them, although the industry hadn’t really figured that out yet. We had a whole section in our 2012 capsule devoted to 3D TVs. In 2014 we’d drop the 3D TV section and replace it with a 4K TV section instead.

LG Infinia 55LW5600 55-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120 Hz LED-LCD, (was: $1282)

Ranked #4 on the list. The 47” version of the same TV, the LG Infinia 47LW6500 47-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 240 Hz LED-LCD HDTV, (was: $1077), was a few spots down the list at #12.

Equivalent TV today: LG 55LA6200 55-Inch Cinema 3D 1080p 120Hz LED-LCD HDTV with Smart TV and Four Pairs of 3D Glasses, $999

Samsung UN55D8000 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D LED HDTV, (was: $2058)

Samsung held the next TV on the list at #11.

Equivalent TV today: Samsung UN55F7100 55-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D Ultra Slim Smart LED HDTV, $1498

We found 34 3D TVs in the top 100 made by LG, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, and Sharp. There were 27 Active sets and 7 Passive (LG, Toshiba). They ranged in size from 40” to 70” and ranged in price from $699 to over $3400.

2014: 4K TVs

Seiki Digital SE39UY04 39-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz LED TV, $599

The first TV on the list, at position #42, is the 39” 3840 x 2160 Panel from Seiki that also supports 4K up-scaling.

Despite what we thought we’d be able to load into the time capsule, there was only one 4K / Ultra high def TV in the top 100. This is something we’ll probably look back on in a few years in amazement, but 1080p still dominates the list, with a few 720p sprinkled throughout.

2012: Plasma TVs

Two years ago plasma technology was showing signs of waning, but it was still going strong and winning awards, if not the hearts and minds of the average consumer. These days plasma is all but gone, so we’d probably replace plasma in our 2014 time capsule with OLED.

Panasonic VIERA TC-P50S30 50-Inch 1080p Plasma HDTV, (was: $799)

The first plasma in the top 100 came in at #22 overall. Another slightly bigger Panasonic was on the list at #30, the Panasonic VIERA TC-P60ST30 60-Inch 1080p 600 Hz 3D Plasma HDTV, (was: $1400).

Samsung PN43D450 43-Inch 720p 600 Hz Plasma HDTV, (was: $492)

Again moving down a few spots to #35 we found our first non-Panasonic plasma set.

Overall we found 14 plasma TVs in the top 100 in 2012, not a bad showing. They were mostly made by Panasonic and Samsung, with one LG unit in the list. They ranged in size from 43” to 65” and ranged in price from under $500 to over $2500.

In 2014 we found just 5 of them in the top 100: 1 LG, 2 Samsung and 2 Panasonic plasmas. They ranged in size from 51” to 65” and in price from $800 to $3200. The first one, the LG, was on the list at position #53.

2014: OLED TVs

Here’s another nugget to file away in the time capsule: no OLED televisions in the top 100. Only two OLED TVs appear in the “top selling OLED” category. Odds are this will be quite different when we revisit this capsule in the future. The two OLED models Amazon actually has available are curved sets. Wonder how that format will hold with time... They are:

Samsung KN55S9C Curved Panel Smart 3D OLED HDTV, $8,997

This model has 4 HDMI, 2 USB, 1 LAN, 2 Component, and 1 Composite input. It is a Samsung SmartTV 2.0 with built-in WiFi and Smart Interaction 2.0 with a built-in Camera. Of course its still a 1080p display, but is 3D capable. Also boast a Quad Core processor for super fast app-tivity.

LG Electronics 55EA9800 Cinema 3D 1080p Curved OLED TV with Smart TV, $8499

This LG set, being an OLED, offers what LG calls “Infinite Contrast’ that ranges from the most blazing white to the darkest black. LG's 4 Color Pixel technology adds an unfiltered, white sub-pixel to the traditional red, green and blue resulting in a brighter picture with a wider range of colors and superior color accuracy for more true to life and vibrant images.

2012: LCD TVs

Of course the vast majority of sets in the top 100 list were LCD. Some of the notable sets in 2012 were:

TCL L40FHDF12TA 40-Inch 1080p 60 Hz LCD HDTV, (was: $319)

This was the #1 TV on the list at the time we built the 2012 time capsule.

Sharp LC-70LE732U, (was: $2389)

This is the biggest set in the list, but not the most expensive by more than $1000. It came in at #75.

Samsung UN65D8000 65-Inch 1080p 240 Hz 3D LED HDTV, (was: $3488, now: $2499)

This Samsung, on the list at #88, had the distinction of being the most expensive set on the list.

Coby LEDTV2226 22-Inch 1080p HDMI LED TV/Monitor, (was: $179)

On the list at #46, this set from Coby isn’t the smallest, but it is the least expensive. The smallest set on the list was actually the Samsung UN19D4003 19-Inch 720p 60Hz LED HDTV, $181. It ranked in at #18.

2014: LCD TVs

The trend continues in 2014, with the vast majority of sets in the top 100 list being LCD. Samsung dominated our “notable” list, but that was purely a coincidence. Many other manufacturers are well represented in the full 100. Some of the notable sets in 2014 are:

Samsung UN32EH5300 32-Inch 1080p 60 Hz Smart LED HDTV, $328

This was the #1 TV on the list. This little 32” LED packs a ton of features into a small price tag, which is probably what makes it so appealing.

Samsung UN19F4000 19-Inch 720p 60Hz Slim LED HDTV, $157

At 19 inches this Samsung is the smallest TV on the list, but at $157 it isn’t the least expensive. It only has 720p resolution, but that shouldn’t matter because of the small screen size. It ranks #14 on the list.

VIZIO E221-A1 22-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $139

At $139 Vizio has the distinction of the lowest cost on the list. With a whopping 22 inch screen, it’s bigger than the Samsung above. The kicker? It has 1080p full HD resolution. The appears in the top 100 at position #19.

Samsung UN75F6300 75-Inch 1080p 120Hz Slim Smart LED HDTV, $2658

This 75” jumbo screen from Samsung is the largest TV on the list. There are a couple of 70” TVs, and quite a few 65”, but the UN75F6300 is one of only two 75 inch TVs to make the cut. It ranks at #80 on the list. And it’s about $1000 less than the 65” on our list from 2012.

Media Streamers

The Internet Apps and Movie Streaming services continue to shift, so we compared out 2012 snapshot of the top 10 media streamers with the 2014 list. Roku continues to dominates the top 10 with 4, just like two years ago. Apple, WD, and TiVo all with 1 each, same as last time. Google remains on the list, swapping out the Logitech Revue for the Chromecast. Sony dropped from two streamers to one with the Playstation 4. Netgear is new to the list in 2014 with the Push2TV wireless HDMI adapter.

2012

1. Roku LT Streaming Player, $49.99

2. Apple TV MC572LL/A, $98.00

3. Roku 2 XS 1080p Streaming Player, $99.99

4. Roku 2 XD Streaming Player 1080p, $77.09

5. Western Digital WD TV Live Streaming Media Player, $89.99

6. Sony SMP-N100 Streaming Player with Wi-Fi, $49.99

7. Roku 2 HD Streaming Player, $69.99

8. Sony SMP-N200 Streaming Media Player with Wi-Fi, $60.86

9. Logitech Revue with Google TV, $140.99

10. TiVo TCD746320 Premiere DVR, $75.64

2014

1. Google Chromecast HDMI Streaming Media Player, $35.00

2. Apple TV, $89.99

3. Roku 3 Streaming Media Player, $98.00

4. PlayStation 4 Console, $499.99

5. Roku 1 Streaming Player, $49.97

6. Roku HD Streaming Player, $39.95

7. Roku 2 Streaming Player, $77.99

8. NETGEAR Push2TV Wireless Display HDMI Adapter with Miracast, $58.98

9. WD TV Live Media Player, $89.43

10. TiVo Roamio HD Digital Video Recorder, $149.99

Podcast #618: Best of CES Jan 17, 2014

CES has come and gone so today we talk about what others have deemed “Best”. We rundown winners (home theater related) from the Digital Trends, Engadget, and CES Innovations. Follow the links for the complete list.

Digital Trends unveils its “Best of CES 2014” Award Winners

Home Theater: Audio: Philips Fidelio E5 Wireless Surround Speaker System
Home Theater: Video: LG 77-inch Curved OLED

Engadget

BEST STARTUP: AIRTAME - Wireless HDMI for Everyone. With the AIRTAME HDMI Dongle you can display your computer screen (Mac, Windows or Linux) on your TV, Projector and Monitor - Wirelessly.
BEST AUDIO PRODUCT: CLEARVIEW CLIO - Named after one of the nine goddesses of music, song and dance, Clio™ is thin, curved, clear and beautiful. Enjoy room-filling panoramic sound and the freedom of wireless connectivity with the first décor-friendly speaker that uses Edge Motion® technology to disappear into the aesthetic of any room or style.
BEST VIDEO PRODUCT: DISH VIRTUAL JOEY - Virtual Joey is a software application that delivers the DISH Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR experience on 2013 and 2014 LG Smart TVs, and Sony PlayStation® 3 and PlayStation® 4 devices. The app can be used instead of DISH’s hardware-based Joey, increasing installation options where coaxial or Ethernet wiring may be difficult to access.

CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards

VIDEO COMPONENTS - Sony FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player - The world’s first home media player to deliver hit Hollywood movies in 4K Ultra HD, with 4 times more clarity than HD. Pre-loaded with 10 feature films and a library of 4K shorts, the FMP-X1 is also the gateway to Sony’s Video Unlimited 4K service.
HIGH PERFORMANCE HOME AUDIO - Bang & Olufsen BeoLab 18 - BeoLab 18 is conceived at an exceptional sound column introducing a refined symbiosis of form, craftsmanship and performance.
VIDEO DISPLAYS - LG CURVED ULTRA HD OLED TV (77EC9800) - The 77EC9800 is the world’s first and largest curved 77-inch ULTRA HD OLED TV and features LG’s CINEMA 3D technology and powerful webOS Smart TV platform.
VIDEO DISPLAYS - Samsung 65-inch Real 240Hz FHD Smart LED TV with Quad-core Multi-tasking Capability The UN65H7150 is the world’s only Real 240Hz Full HD LED TV with Quad-core Processor to enable more rapid Smart TV execution, a 1.3-second Instant On and Dual Screen for the perfect multi-tasking experience.
HOME THEATER SPEAKERS - Philips Fidelio E5 wireless surround cinema speakers Philips Fidelio E5 wireless surround cinema speakers and their wireless active subwoofer, offer a phenomenal stereo music listening experience that can transform instantly into a true 5.1 wireless surround sound system.

Podcast #617: CES Roundup Jan 10, 2014

Trends at this year’s CES Show:

4K TVs - Actually we saw a lot of this last year as well. Perhaps Braden’s prediction of a 4K TV year may actually come true!
OLED TVs - Again, we saw OLED last year too. But this year we saw larger sizes. LG is a big player here.
Sound Bars - Now you may be seeing why we decided not to go to CES. Sound Bars are big because the speakers on most modern thin TVs are terrible. But its genius!! This now gives manufacturers an opportunity to sell another piece of gear.
Wireless Speakers - Offerings from manufacturers like Sonos and some other companies that you have never heard of before as well made an impact this year.
Smart Home/ Home Automation - Nothing new here! Wasn’t last year the year of home automation?? Even more manufacturers to get into the automation game this year.
Higher Resolution Audio - This is a new trend and we like seeing it. The only issue is that high quality audio typically comes a high cost.

Samsung

Samsung showed a 110” UHD TV - We talked about the 85” model that forced a family to sell one of their daughters into slavery so they could pay the $40K pricetag. It looks like the 110 inch model won’t be produced. At least at this time. Its more of a concept TV brought to CES to show what they can do. Will TVs like this ever get down in price to the point where projectors are no longer necessary? They also demonstrated an 85” that is “Bendable”. Turn it on and the edges curve towards you. Turn it off and its flat!
Samsung to Unveil Secret Weapon at 2014 International CES - Samsung is reportedly planning to unveil its secret weapon, the V1 Bomb, a high-definition TV called Quantum-dot LED TV (QLED TV) at the 2014 International CES
Samsung To Debut Wireless Streaming Speaker, Home Theater System, Portable Stereo And Two TV Soundbars
Samsung unveils a new foundation for the smart home

LG unveiled twelve 4K televisions for 2014 - They introduced the 105-inch 4K 105UC9 that has an aspect ratio of 21:9 and is powered by the webOS Smart TV platform. If you can’t find any 4K content for these spiffy new TVs have no fear. LG has developed something called Tru-ULTRA HD Engine Pro. Its supposed to improve overall Ultra HD picture quality. That along with a new proprietary upscaling chip will make SD and HD content look better on Ultra HD televisions. Well at least according to LG. On the Audio side of things, LG says it worked with Harman Kardon to develop premium audio systems for each TV. But seriously, with TVs like these are you really thinking about not using a receiver? The remaining lineup:

LG UB9800 Series - 4K, WebOS, Tru-Ultra HD Engine Pro, IPS, passive 3D, 65, 79, 84, 98 inches
LG UB9500 Series - 4K, WebOS, IPS, passive 3D, 55, 65 inches
LG UB8500 Series - 4K, WebOS, IPS, passive 3D, 49, 55 inches
LG EC9800 - 4K, WebOS, OLED, Bendable, 77 inches
LG EC9700 - 4K, WebOS, OLED, 55, 65 inches

Panasonic

TC-AX800U series - 4K, edge-lit local dimming, 65 and 58 inches. The 58 inch is available now. The 65 inch will be available in the spring.
TC-55AS680U - 1080p, 240Hz refresh rate
TC-AS650U series - 1080p, 3D, 60, 55, and 50. Cool touch pad remote! Available Today
TC-60AS660U series - 1080p, Home Theater System Bundle, Touch Pad Remote
TC-AS530U series - 1080p, 60, 55, 50, 39 inches Available Now
TC-A400U series - 1080p, 50, 39, 32 inches. Available Today - Entry Series
ZT80 Plasma 50, 55, 60, and 65 inches. Available in our dreams!

Sony

All 4K TVs support Netflix 4K Streaming!

XBR-X950B series - 4K resolution, direct LED local dimming 85, 65 inches
XBR-X900B series - 4K resolution, edge-lit LED local dimming, 79, 65, 55 inches
XBR-X850B series - 4K resolution, Triluminous display, 70, 65, 55, 49 inches
KDL-W950B series - 1080p resolution, edge-lit LED local dimming, 65, 55 inches
KDL-W850B series - 1080p resolution, Wedge design, 70, 60 inches
KDL-W800B series - 1080p resolution, 55, 50 inches
KDL-60W630B - 1080p resolution, Smart TV, 60 inches
KDL-W600B series - 1080p resolution, Smart TV, 48, 40 inches

Wireless Speakers

SRS-X9 - 2.1 wireless speaker with a bi-amped subwoofer, high-res audio files, Bluetooth, aptX, NFC, Wi-Fi, AirPlay, and DLNA.
SRS-X7 - Similar to the X9 but without high-res audio, Wi-Fi, NFC and aptX Bluetooth, Airplay and DLNA support, and compatibility with Music Unlimited, Spotify and TuneIn Radio
SRS-X5 - portable, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and NFC, and can double as a hands free speakerphone when paired with your smartphone.

Sharp

SHARP delivers the first WISA compliant Universal Player - The SD-WH1000U Universal Player is the first, Wireless Speaker and Audio (WiSA™) Association, compliant component to transmit uncompressed sound at 24-bit/96kHz and video at Full HD (1080p) — wirelessly. The Sharp Universal Player has already been named a 2014 International CES Innovations Design and Engineering Awards Honoree in the High Performance Home Audio category. The SD-WH1000U will have an MSRP of $3,999.99 and will begin shipping in the spring of 2014
Sharp Aquos Quattron Plus TV - At half the price of a 4K TV of the same screen size the Plus has 10 million more sub pixels than a regular 1080p TV. Retina Display for TVs?? The TV will accept 4K content and will scale 1080p content to make use of every one of the 10 Million sub pixels! Sharp claims they have put more TVs over 60 inches into American homes than any other manufacturer.
Sharp Sound Bar - The HT-SB602, is designed to compliment 60" and larger flat panel televisions. Its a 2.1-channel, 310-watt sound bar system with a wireless subwoofer. It has built-in Bluetooth and can be paired using NFC. This system can be set up horizontally either in front of a TV base (including an IR extender for the TV) or wall-mounted and features dual HDMI inputs and output, 3D sound support, Dolby and DTS decoding and an optical input. $500 available in the Spring.

Vizio

VIZIO announced its all-new P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV collection. Featuring a backlight that consists of 64 Active LED Zones, HEVC Codec for Ultra HD streaming and VIZIO’s V6 six-core processor that combines a quad-core GPU and dual-core CPU for performance and speed. The VIZIO P-Series Ultra HD Full-Array LED Smart TV collection comes in 50”, 55”, 60”, 65”and 70” screen sizes. Prices start at $999.99 for the 50” model and go up to $2599.99 for the 70” model. Looks like these TVs will support Netflix 4K content.

JVC

JVC introduced three new Ultra HD LCD TVs. The 55-inch DM55UXA ($1,899.99), 65-inch DM65UXA ($2,499.99) and the largest JVC TV to date, the 85-inch DM85UXA ($9,999.99). These are Direct LED TVs.
JVC already announced their new line of projectors at CEDIA

Other Announcements

Home Automation -

ADT showed a package called Pulse that can be controlled by voice along with the traditional methods.
Belkin showed a device that controls anything than can be turned on and off via a DC switch called the Maker Kit. No pricing.
Lowe’s showed more devices from their Iris line of home automation
The Canary system uses HD video camera and safety sensors to track everything from motion, temperature and air quality to vibration, sound, and activity to help keep you, your family and your belongings safe.
Samsung SmartCam - Samsung's new SmartCam HD and SmartCam HD Outdoor offer 1080p Full HD streaming and 128 degree ultra-wide angle lenses, giving consumers the ability to remotely monitor activity - both indoor and out - with full detail and clarity, via any computer or mobile device with no additional monthly video storage or monitoring fees. Outdoor model goes for $299.
Revolv - Makers of the $299 Home Automation hub that unites differing protocols announced that their product will be available at Home Depot stores. Look for them by the end of January.
NETGEAR - announced a couple of wireless IP Cameras that are HD. The HMNC100 and HMNC500 are 720p and support 802.11n dual band. We have requested an evaluation unit. Pricing and availability to come.

NETGEAR - NETGEAR had a few announcements some of the ones we thought were cool are: The AC750 Range Extender. Its supports 802.11b/g/n and ac and plugs into a wall outlet. You simply connect it to your network and then it creates a powerful hotspot! They also released a free Android app that analyzes your wireless network. Finally, NETGEAR showed the NeoMediacat HDMI Dongle. Its essentially an Android set top box in a USB stick. Its Miracast enabled so you can send content from your mobile devices to the connected TV.
Polaroid - Introduced a 50-inch LED 4K Ultra HD TV (50GSR9000) for $999. They also introduced a 50-inch LED Smart TV (50GSR7100 ) that’s Roku Ready via an included Roku Streaming Stick that plugs into the sets MHL port. The Smart TV will sell for $599 US.

Dolby unveils technology to improve TV brightness - On Monday, at the International CES gadget show, the company unveiled Dolby Vision, a technology that increases the brightness and contrast of TV sets. Prototype models will be on display from TV manufacturers such as Sharp and TCL. Standard TV sets emit about 100 nits -- a unit of brightness roughly equivalent to one candle per square meter. As a reference, a 100-watt lightbulb emits 18,000 nits. Dolby says its prototype monitor can put out 4,000 nits.

Intel plans a CES coup: Android and Windows in the same computer - Internally known as "Dual OS," Intel's idea is that Android would run inside of Windows using virtualization techniques, so you could have Android and Windows apps side by side without rebooting your machine.
Netflix - Confirmed that it will stream House of Cards in 4K this year. This will only be available to 4K TVs that have a Netflix app embedded in them. Confirmed Samsung UHD TVs will have this capability.
Roku - Announced a partnership with TCL and Hisense that will have the Roku player embedded into some models. The Roku will make money off of advertising that comes through the app. TV sizes will range between 32 and 55 inches.
Channel Master DVR+ - Wins Innovations 2014 Design and Engineering Award. DVR+ is a thin (1/2 inch high) device that allows consumers to receive and record local broadcast programming without a subscription or contract, utilizing a simple digital antenna. In addition, consumers have access to streaming video services and enhanced guide data with a broadband connection. For the TV Everywhere enthusiast, DVR+ is compatible with the Slingbox® 500, providing access to all live and recorded content on any connected mobile device, either around the home or around the world. DVR+, priced at $249.99, is available now from Channel Master at www.channelmaster.com
HAL: The Next Generation of Home Entertainment System - HAL®, the voice and gesture activated, remote control replacement that connects easily to a user’s TV, was demoed for the first-time ever at CES 2014. With HAL, users can change channels, set the DVR to record the latest episode of any show, browse the internet, stream movies, make video calls, play games and much more. With just the sound of a user’s voice or the wave a hand HAL, which stands for Human Algorithm LTE, is able to handle the following commands:

Stream movies and music on Netflix and Pandora
Change channels on any cable box by channel number or specific network
Control the volume of the TV
Set the DVR to record an upcoming show
Place video and phone calls over Skype or on a cell phone
Set picture-in-picture so users can answer a Skype call while watching a movie
Display a user’s Facebook feed and photos
Conduct internet searches
Show the latest viral videos from YouTube
Play Angry Birds or Fruit Ninja

Dish announces streaming app for PlayStation consoles - Have a PS3 or PS4 and a Hopper. Well now there is an app that turns it into a Joey. You can even use the game controller as the remote.
Dish announces wireless Joey - An 802.11ac WiFi access point is used to create a closed network. You can connect up to two set-top boxes per access point.
Phorus PR5 Receiver with DTS PLAY-FI - Making its debut at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show, the new Phorus (a DTS subsidiary) PR5 Receiver with Play-Fi will allow you to stream high-quality audio directly from a connected smartphones, tablets or PC, wirelessly to existing audio systems over a standard home Wi-Fi network, with zero loss in music quality. Compatible with nearly all AVRs, HTiBs, soundbars, and powered speakers, Play-Fi forges a seamless connection between audio systems, mobile devices and music, creating the ultimate infrastructure within the home to play your music from any device, in as many rooms as you want to listen to it. In addition to multi-room and multi-zone streaming from any device running the Play-Fi application, the Phorus PR5 Receiver with Play-Fi also supports Bluetooth(R) AptX(R), and AAC streaming, as well as direct streaming from iTunes on OSX and Windows.
STEIGER DYNAMICS Introduces MAVEN - MAVEN, the most powerful custom-built HTPC in its segment, is setting a new standard for the modern living room. Due to its sleek design, ultra-silent operation, and easy integration with other home theater components, the systems blend perfectly into any existing setup. Combined with a large-screen Full HD or 4K TV, the MAVEN replaces numerous devices like Blu-ray players, DVRs, Desktop PCs and gaming consoles. Up to 12 TB of WD storage provide the capacity for 1,000 Full HD Blu-ray movies, 3 million MP3s, or 3,000 hours of HD TV recording. The integrated home server functionality allows the streaming of the entire media library to mobile devices. All components are designed for continuous operation and are carefully selected based on durability, performance, and quietness. MSRP $999
Tivo demoed Network DVR Prototype - TiVo showed off a prototype of a network-based DVR. A network-based approach will also help cable operators and programmers manage complex content rights, enabling them to create catch-up TV services and other new tiers, and to splice targeted ads shows that are recorded in the cloud. TiVo has not announced any customers for its nDVR.
Gefen Wireless HDMI Extender - The GefenTV Wireless for HDMI 60 GHz extender system sends high definition audio and video to any HDTV display up to 33 feet (10 meters). This wireless product is comprised of small table-top Sender and Receiver units. It supports resolutions up to 1080p Full HD, 3DTV, CEC, and 7.1-channels of High Bit Rate (HBR) lossless digital audio such as Dolby® TrueHD, DTS-HD Master Audio™. The Wireless for HDMI 60 GHz is specifically designed to transmit within a room. Its signal will not penetrate through walls, facilitating interference-free operation of multiple units in adjacent venues and close proximity. Line-of-sight placement of transceivers, however, is not necessary. Thanks to its small form-factor, high performance, and near-zero latency, this product is ideal for high-definition A/V extension within a conference room or home theater installation. Available now for $450.

Podcast #616: 2014 Predictions Jan 03, 2014

Predictions for 2014

Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2014. Our crystal ball is never as clears as a good HDTV but we give it a shot nonetheless.

No gimmies this year since we can’t even get those right!

Ara’s Predictions:

Cable and Satellite providers will offer cloud based DVR services - Imagine a world where you can have unlimited storage for your DVR recording. We see cloud storage all over the place so why not with your DVR. With better compression and a downspeed of about 4 Mbps you could watch most of your programs with little quality difference. Translate, anything the wife and kids want to record goes to the cloud. All of your programming goes to the hard drive at full quality!

Braden’s Predictions:

9 Channel Surround goes Mainstream - Most home theater receivers on the market are 7.1. The low cost, entry models are 5.1, some of the higher end units support 9.1. In 2014 we’ll see 9.1 receivers replace 7.1 as the standard and only the low cost, entry models will remain 7.1. The 5.1 receiver will be a relic. Dolby and DTS will both have native, discrete 9.1 support but it’ll take a while for it to show up in any content.

Intel and Wal-mart Shock the World - If there are any companies big enough to pull off a major disruptive change in the home theater business, its Walmart and Intel. They’re already working together with Vudu and UltraViolet, so 2014 will see them take the next step to do something really unique. It could be first run TV shows available for streaming the same time they air, or an all-you-can-eat, a la carte TV subscription, or the ability to watch first run movies at home via...

Virtual Movie Going Experience - The major studios will work in partnership with local movie theaters, to allow you to buy tickets but watch the movie in the comfort of your own home. The theater will sell the tickets, hopefully at a discount, so they share in the revenue, and everybody wins. This sets the stage to remove the theater as the middle man altogether.

Podcast #615 Prediction Results Dec 26, 2013

Predictions Results for 2013

At the start of each new year we look into our high def crystal ball to make our best predictions on what we think the coming year will bring in the way of HDTV and Home Theater. The ball tends to be a bit cloudy, and each year we struggle to even get close to 50%. So let’s take a look at how we thought 2013 would shake out to see how we did.

We listed a few “gimmes” up front. The funny thing is that our gimmes didn’t even come through for us:

WRONG: Apple will release its first HDTV.
MAYBE: What ‘business’? The plasma business? Another Japanese TV manufacturer will walk away from the business.
NOT SURE, but PROBABLY: Netflix will use more Internet traffic during Primetime.
RIGHT: 4K TVs will become cheaper.

Ara’s Predictions:

Social Media will determine whether a show stays on the air - let’s face it the way Nielsen measures ratings is old and antiquated. Time to move towards the future. With Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Google+ it should be easier to determine whether a show has a following or not. Producers should be able to use these services to help them not only sell but pinpoint ads to the exact demographic watching the show. Look for Nielsen to revamp how it measures ratings.

SUCCESS!

Product Placement will be big - With so many DVRs out there advertisers are looking for a way to put their brand in front of you. This year I am saying that it won’t be subtle but more in your face. Rather than just seeing the product look for dialog about how good the product is. There have been a few examples of this with Toyota and Bones. Look for the cell phone companies to talk about communications on any action/cop show.

NOT REALLY. Still about the same as 2012.

Apple will enter the home automation market - Since 2012 was the year of home automation ;-) Apple will make 2013 the year of plug and play automation. They are rumored to be interested in id8 Group R2 Studios Inc which is a startup company developing home media and automation technology. Look for Apple to tie your entertainment, lighting, and security together in a neat easy to setup package. So does this make 2013 the year of home automation?

Fail. Maybe next year?

We’ll see a “True” smart TV - I’m not talking an Internet connected TV but more of a TV that truly has some brains. Something that can sense who is in front of it and configure itself for that viewer. If more than one person is in front of the TV then maybe go into family mode or something like that. It will be voice activated. Actually it will be a cross between GoogleTV, AppleTV and a computer. Look for Samsung to develop the first True Smart TV.

Fail. Didn’t quite happen yet.

Movie Studios will eliminate DRM from their content - Following the lead of the music industry, the movie industry will see the err of their ways and make it easy for all of us to freely create video servers with legally owned content. This is my Hail Mary pass prediction. Probability of success.... less than 1%

Total score: 1/5 for a whopping 20%.

Braden’s Predictions:

Adios Mother Plasma - Although plasma may have given birth to the flat screen revolution, the technology will be forced into early retirement in 2013.

Success! Panasonic, the stalwart supporter of plasma technology for the last few years announced they will be exiting the plasma business for good. While plasma will remain in stock for a while, Panasonic's exit spells the end for a great technology. The technology that started the flat screen revolution. Panasonic's plasma TV exit is the end of a brilliant era.

I’ll buy that for $300 - The average selling price for a 42” 1080p LCD TV will be $300 by the end of the year, down from $480 in 2012.

Fail. Pricing stayed pretty flat, driven by advanced features and a push into LED technology. If the prices moved downward, it was only slightly, certainly not into the $300 range.

Let’s be more than friends - As the economy continues to struggle and the price of electronics continues to plummet, 2013 will see at least one, maybe a few large mergers or acquisitions in the consumer electronics/home theater industry.

Fail. Microsoft acquired Nokia otherwise nothing. Zip. Zero. Zilch. Bummer.

Stream it to me - This year will see new release available via streaming in an all-you-can-eat subscription package.

Fail. Lo and behold, this prediction still didn’t happen. Yet I continue to make it every year. It’ll be right eventually, you just watch. Sure you can get Prima Cinema in your home now, so maybe I should get partial credit here. But I just can’t see taking partial credit on a system that costs $35,000 and $500 per movie. If it was $3500 and $50 per movie, maybe.

You can take it to grandma’s house - In 2013 someone will show the prototype for a truly portable tablet computer. Not something thinner and lighter but still 10 inches by 8 inches, but something that either rolls up or folds up so you can very easily take it with you anywhere.

Fail. We got thinner and lighter, but still nothing flexible or foldable. Thinner and lighter is nice, but it’s an incremental change, I was looking for the game changer here, and came up empty.

Total score: 1/5 for a whopping 20%.

Podcast #614: Ultimate Home Theater in a Box Dec 20, 2013

Ultimate Home Theater in a Box

There are so many Home Theater in a Box systems out there many of which cost less than $400. But seriously, what can you get for $400. A good center channel typically costs more than most HTIB systems on the market today. Each year we try to assemble a Home Theater in many boxes that we would be proud to show off in our homes. Our system will have at a minimum a HDTV, Blu-ray Player, Receiver, and 5.1 speakers.

For this feature we choose components that we either have direct experience with or have experience with a similar model made by the same manufacturer. In years past we would set a maximum price but this year we are not doing that. We are defining a system that can had by anyone who is serious about home theater. These system will look and sound great by anyone’s definition!

Braden:

Sharp LC-80LE757 80-inch Aquos Quattron 1080p 240Hz Smart LED 3D HDTV ($3688)

It’s hard to pass up an 80” TV when you can have it for less than $4000. I was trying to keep the budget to under $6000 or so, but when you consider that an 80” TV is nearly front projection size, and it doesn’t suffer from ambient light issues or degrade at all during the day, the $3688 price is a great deal. It has the exclusive Quattron color technology that delivers a billion more colors, so you get a more powerful picture with brighter yellows, deeper blues, and richer golds. And it has a 240Hz Refresh Rate with AquoMotion 480 that doubles the effective refresh rate so you can see sharper fast-action movies and sports. And it’s a smart TV, so need need to add an external streaming player for apps. For those who want to save a little, scale down to a 70” TV, the VIZIO E701i-A3 70-inch 1080p 120Hz Razor LED Smart HDTV is just as smart, but only costs $1498.

Denon AVR-X3000 7.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD Networking Receiver with AirPlay ($899)

It’s no secret Denon is my favorite receiver brand, and the X3000 made our Receiver Buying Guide for a reason. It packs a ton of features, quality and big sound into a very reasonable price. It has 7 HDMI inputs and two HDMI outputs for multiple zone viewing. The X3000 comes with Audyssey’s Gold package so you can get your sound exactly the way you want it. The unit is Airplay and Windows 8 compatible and comes with Denon Remote app for mobile devices. The receiver's network functionality supports Internet radio services such as SiriusXM, Pandora, and Spotify. Like we said in the Buying Guide, there are many more features than we can’t list. It’s a very capable receiver and will last you for years.

Klipsch RF-42 II Reference Series 7.1 Home Theater System ($1494)

Going back to the trusty favorites, Klipsch has never let me down. They make incredibly high quality, supremely efficient speakers that sound great and are easy to listen to. The provide the detail you need for subtle soundtracks and effects in movies and the power you need for all the big explosions. Movies and music will sound just as they were intended to - no matter the room type or size - with the power, detail and emotion of Klipsch Reference II sound. This system includes: 1 RC-42 II Center Channel Speaker, 2 RF-42 II Tower Speakers, 2 RS-41 II Surround Speakers, 2 RB-41 II Bookshelf Speakers and 1 Klipsch SW-110 Subwoofer. This system gets you into 7.1 sound at a great price. There’s nothing keeping you from upgrading each of the parts over time, like the subwoofer or maybe a bigger center channel.

Samsung BD-F5900 3D Wi-Fi Blu-ray Disc Player ($98)

Unless you’re buying the OPPO, a Blu-ray player is a Blu-ray player. This Samsung unit ticks all the boxes for what you need in a solid performer, and it adds a couple uniques features as well. For example, S-Recommendation helps you find new things to watch, and Samsung Apps offer you new ways to entertain. It has a built-in web browser and Wi-Fi and allows you to stream from your other devices with AllShare. It supports 3D if that’s what you’re into and can up-convert your favorite DVDs to near Blu-ray quality. Of course it has all the standard apps as well, like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Vudu and Pandora, so there’s no need for a secondary streaming player.

Miscellaneous

You can’t have a good home theater without a good universal remote, so throw in a Logitech Harmony 650 Remote Control for $60 to round out the package. Sure it isn’t the best in the Harmony line, but it controls everything in the package: TV, Receiver, Blu-ray player, Set Top (for Cable or Satellite), with one slot left for a device to be added later. You have to provide your own batteries, but pick up a few rechargeables and you’re all set.

Figure around $200 for miscellaneous cables and connectors, and the package is complete.

Summary

Total cost, not including shipping or tax, for a complete home theater with an 80” television and 7.1 surround sound comes out to $6439. I was shooting for a $6000 budget, and came pretty close. It’s difficult to fathom that a budget of $6000 can get you an 80” HDTV. If you need to scale back a bit, you can get the same system, but with a 70” HDTV for only $4249. That’s unreal. A 70” TV is gigantic, and the 7.1 surround sound will completely immerse you in the experience. Not a bad way to get into HDTV and Surround sound all at once without breaking the bank.

Ara:

Panasonic TC-P65ZT60 65-Inch 1080p 600Hz 3D Smart Plasma TV $3200

Well this should be no surprise to anyone. I picked a plasma TV. I still think plasmas produce the best picture out there and for the price its hard to beat. My first HDTV cost me $4000 for a 50 inch DLP that was 720p. For $800 less I get 15 more inches on the diagonal and weighs the same. We were blown away by the picture when we saw it in a light controlled room. And that’s the Key, while it will produce a great picture during the daylight it really excels in darker rooms. So make sure you have window covering when watching movies during the day. If you are watching normal daytime fare it won’t be an issue. The TV is a Smart TV with all the apps, controls, and gimmicks that come with it. You can connected it to your network so your iRule or Roomie remotes can control it via Ethernet. But the main sale for me is the glorious picture! Get these before they are gone forever.

Yamaha RX-A2030 9.2-Channel Network Aventage Audio Video Receiver $1600

I was going to go with a receiver that was on our Receiver Buying Guide but then I figured I want to try everything. Having owned three Yamaha receivers and recommending hundreds more I decided to go with the Aventage line. Every aspect of this receiver is about sound. From the parts used to the vibration dampening mechanics this receiver is for those who want a high quality audio experience. It too has all the niceties of the other receivers on our list: 4K, iOS/Android app, Airplay, Auto calibration and a ton more. Being a 9.2 receiver you will be prepared for the future what ever that ends up being!

Aperion Audio Intimus speakers and Hsu VTF-3 MK4 subwoofer 7.1 Speaker System (Total Cost $1970)

For this system I am pairing the Intimus speakers with a HSU Research subwoofer. We’ll start with two Intimus 4T Tower speakers ($320 each), one Intimus 4C center channel ($160), and four Intimus 4B bookshelf speakers ($260/pair). Aperion is a fantastic speaker company out of Portland Oregon. They offer a free 30 day in home audition at no risk to you. The Intimus line sounds great and will match quite nicely with the Yamaha receiver. On the subwoofer side you know I am going to select the one that rocks my home theater, the VTF-3 MK4 ($650). Its a good sized subwoofer that packs a wallop!

OPPO BDP-103 Universal Disc Player (SACD / DVD-Audio / 3D Blu-ray) $500

There are so many blu-ray players out there for less than $100 so why go with the $500 oppo. The main reason is video processing. The Oppo has Marvell's Kyoto-G2H video processor with the latest generation Qdeo technology will mean all the content whether blu-ray, DVD, or streamed video will look its best. Plus you can connect a cable or set top box to the Oppo and scale and process its video with the Kyoto-G2H. And that makes this the best choice out there for Blu-ray!

AppleTV $90

I know what you are asking, Why get an AppleTV when your Blu-ray player and TV already support the same content. For me its about flexibility. Airplay makes it easy to stream content from my iOS devices to my TV plus I have a lot of purchases in iTunes so my music, TV, and Movies are in Apple’s cloud and this device makes it easy to get to. If you are not into Apple you can swap out a Chromcast or Roku 3 for the same price. Well for the Chromcast you’ll get a rebate :-)

Miscellaneous

The last thing to consider is cables, power strips, and connectors. We will allocate an additional $250 for these items as well.

Summary

In years past we would limit ourselves to a specific dollar amount but that would also limit our choices. This system, while not cheap, won’t break the bank and will be considered outstanding by anyone in the industry. Sure you can do better, but the additional cost may not produce a noticeably better experience. So without further ado… Ara’s ultimate home theater Christmas gift comes in at $7810 plus taxes. That is pretty insane for what you get. Consider Braden’s first 42 inch enhanced definition (DVD quality) plasma was $5000 and as stated earlier Ara’s 720P DLP was $4000. Enjoy!!

Podcast #613: HDTV Buying Guide 2013 Dec 12, 2013

HDTV Buying Guide 2013

If you happen to be lucky enough to have budget for a new HDTV this Christmas, but still aren’t sure which one to buy, we’ve got you covered. We’re back with another annual edition of the HDTV buying guide. Staying true to form, we’re going to break the sets down into categories by screen size, just like we did last year.

For those who don’t still have last years buyer’s guide handy, here are few of the sets from last year along with their prices. It turns out waiting a year to buy a new TV doesn’t always allow you to stretch your budget any further.

Toshiba 19” 720p LED for $129
RCA 32” 1080p LCD for $229
Sony BRAVIA 42” 1080p LED $548
VIZIO 60” 1080p 120Hz Razor LED Smart HDTV $999
Panasonic 65” 1080p Full HD 3D Plasma $2499

Up to 32"

Depending on your situation, a 32” TV could work as your primary screen. But more often, these screens work out great for a secondary viewing room like your kitchen, bedroom, office or home gym. At this size, we’re focused on value and bang for the buck.

VIZIO E241-A1 24-inch 1080p 60Hz Razor LED HDTV ($178)

The 24” 1080p TV drops by $20 this year, or roughly 10%. This model is part of the new E-series slim frame design from VIZIO, providing what they call high-quality design and picture at the best value. Images look good and the action does well on the 1080p Full HD resolution screen. The slim frame design makes it a good match for just about any room or situation. Plus, as an LED TV, it’ll save you money when compared to same size 2012 LCD HDTVs lighted with CCFL technology.

oCOSMO 32-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV ($215)

Unknown value brand oCOSMO bumps off last year’s RCA for our 32” recommendation. The oCOSMO has all the same features and a better price. It also reviews very highly at Amazon based on the impressions of 47 customers. OK, so that isn’t a ton, but it helps. With the additional feature of a USB & MHL ports helps further expand the functionality of your TV, allowing users to listen to music and view digital pictures quickly and conveniently.

Up to 42"

This continues to be the sweet spot for TV sales, which makes it a very competitive category. You don’t have to look to hard to find some really good deals on very high quality televisions.

LG Electronics 39LN5300 39-Inch LED-lit 1080p 60Hz TV ($347)

We picked the LG for the value and the picture quality. It will do a good job for you without breaking the bank. the video quality is very good, but the audio performance is what you’d expect out of a TV speaker. It also offers easy self-calibration with on-screen reference points for key picture quality elements such as black level, color, tint, sharpness and backlight levels. This helps take the guesswork out of picture adjustments. It’s not a full calibration, but most people aren’t doing a full calibration on 39” TVs.

VIZIO E420i-A0 42-Inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV ($478)

Last year’s 42” Sony cost $548. This year’s VIZIO drops that all the way down to $478 and even adds a few features for you. We aren’t huge fans of paying a premium for “smart” TV features, but when you get it for this price, why not? The built-in VIZIO Internet Apps allow you to enjoy online movies, TV shows, music, and apps without the need for an external box or dongle. It has Smart Dimming capabilities for better contrast, richer colors and more vivid details. And it carries on the slim frame design VIZIO has been promoting, to add to the aesthetics acceptance factor.

Up to 50"

Pricing in this category doesn’t move much from year to year. Last year this category has a plasma TV. This year, though it pains us to say it, we couldn't do it.

LG Electronics 47LN5790 47-Inch 1080p 120Hz Smart LED HDTV + Free 60-Watt 2-Channel Sound Bar ($614)

If you aren’t planning to connect your 46 or 47-inch TV to a surround sound system, this deal is a great option. You get the stunning picture quality of the LG television, and they’re throwing in a 60 watt, 2 channel sound bar for free to eliminate the negative experience associated with the built-in TV speaker. The price is ridiculously low, significantly lower than the 46-inch Samsung on last year’s list, and you get the soundbar. It also happens to be a Smart TV, so you get access to premium content providers like Netflix, Vudu, Hulu Plus, and YouTube direct from your TV.

Samsung UN50EH5300 50-Inch 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV ($649)

A 50-inch set is the primary viewing size for many households, and Samsung consistently makes some of the best televisions on the market. If you’re buying a main TV, don’t look for the cheapest, look for the best. It turns out this Samsung is also a really good price, but even if it carries a small premium, its worth it. You get everything except 3D, which in many circles is still considered everything. With this Smart HDTV, Smart Content provides new ways to explore and locate your favorite shows, movies, games, and more. A full web browser with WiFi built-in and innovative apps made for TV, along with Signature Services, enhances your enjoyment. AllShare Play allows you to stream content from other devices and enjoy it on the big screen. The Wide Color Enhancer Plus provides vibrant natural-looking images and it’s all in a sleek ultra slim design.

Greater than 50"

These are the TVs everyone wants, the big ones you walk by in the store and drool over. Drool no longer, just click “buy it now.”

Samsung UN60EH6003 60-Inch 1080p 120Hz HDTV ($997)

This 60” television from Samsung represents the ultimate intersection of performance and value. The picture quality is outstanding, it lacks a few features that the higher priced televisions have, but that’s what allows you to take it home, or put it under the tree, for less than one thousand dollars. Experience sharp picture quality, even when you are watching fast-moving images like sports or action movies. The CMR of 240 takes motion-clarity to the next level. Wide Color Enhancer Plus allows you to see picture color the way the director originally intended. Witness the entire RGB spectrum brought to life on your screen to bring you exceptionally vibrant, yet natural-looking images faithful to the director’s original intent.

Sony XBR55X850A 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Internet LED UHDTV ($2998)

Oh yeah, we went there. Sure it's pricey, but you get bragging rights, and that’s gotta count for something. It has everything you could ask for to be the beast of the block. Of course, it’s a 4K Ultra HD set so you get four times the clarity of Full HD 1080p. It will upconvert and enhance everything you watch into 4K for the ultimate HD experience. As a 4k set, you have the expanded colors and Sony's unique TRILUMINOS display technology to take advantage of it. To make sure its future proof, you get HDMI 2.0 ports that will supported 4K video formats if you can track down any content.

HT Guy's Ultimate Christmas Present:

Two years ago we showcased the Panasonic VT30 65” Plasma at $3,000 as one of our ultimate presents. And we also liked the Sharp AQUOS 80" LED for $4,430. Last year we picked the

Elite 60" 3d LED HDTV for $4599 and the gigantic Samsung 75-Inch 1080p 240Hz 3D Slim LED HDTV, Gold for a measly $8997. At the time, we considered it to be the most excessive TV possible. This year, we’re going big and also going exotic. But we certainly aren’t going cheap.

Sharp LC-80LE757 80-inch Aquos Quattron 1080p 240Hz Smart LED 3D HDTV ($3688)

To be perfectly honest, all we care about is the size. An 80” TV? That’s huge! But Sharp will tell you it isn’t just huge, it’s also a great television. It has the exclusive Quattron color technology that delivers a billion more colors, so you get a more powerful picture with brighter yellows, deeper blues, and richer golds. It supposedly creates a more realistic picture with greater detail and brightness - a feat that standard TV without Quattron can't achieve. It has a 240Hz Refresh Rate with AquoMotion 480 so you can see sharper, more electrifying action with the most advanced panel refresh rates available today. AquoMotion, Sharp's backlight scanning technology, doubles the effective refresh rate to hit you with all the power that fast-moving sports and movies can deliver. Sharp's Smart TV features let you quickly connect to your favorite content and instantly access apps like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, plus streaming movies, music, games, and websites you love.

LG Electronics 55EA9800 Cinema 3D 1080p Curved OLED TV with Smart TV ($8999)

Maybe we still don’t get the whole curved screen thing, but it’s OLED, and we get that for sure. The best picture quality available, hands down. Stunning design at only 4.3mm thick at its thinnest point. Stunning picture quality with Infinite Contrast that ranges from the most blazing white to the darkest black. And, 4 Color Pixel that displays images so vivid you'll forget you are watching TV. LG's advanced 4 Color Pixel technology adds an unfiltered, white sub-pixel to the traditional red, green and blue. The result? A brighter picture with a wider range of colors and superior color accuracy for more true to life and vibrant images. LG OLED TVs have an almost infinite contrast ratio. With self-lighting pixel technology, it can range from blazing white to the darkest black. Higher is better, and "Infinite" has been impossible. Until now.

We left off the Samsung UN85S9 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD 120Hz 3D Smart LED TV for $39,997 because that’s too crazy. Even for us.

Podcast 612: Receiver Buying Guide 2013 Dec 06, 2013

Receiver Buying Guide 2013

Its that time of year where we get to spend your money again! We kick off our holiday buying guides with receivers. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. Its about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store.

Less than $500

Sony STR-DH740 7.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver $275

In this price range you just want a basic receiver that can give you a surround sound experience and leave you some cash for speakers. That’s what this receiver is. It doesn’t do 4K but it will pass the signal through to the TV so it won’t prevent you from enjoying 4K, you know when we actually get 4k content. It comes with 4 HDMI inputs and can process all the advanced audio codecs. In all its a great starter receiver for less than $300!!

Onkyo TX - NR609 7.2 Channel Network THX Certified A/V Receiver $400

Wow! Both of our budget receivers are 7.2. Onkyo really packs a ton of features in a unit and prices them for just about everyone. You get six HDMI inputs, iOS connectivity, Network streaming with a great mobile app, and if that’s not enough the receiver is THX certified! But what might really seal the deal is the Audyssey calibration and audio leveling technology.

$500 - $1000

Denon AVR-X3000 7.2-Channel 4K Ultra HD Networking Receiver with AirPlay $900

Hard to believe this is what we would call mid-tier but its true. Some may say that a $900 receiver is not mid-tier, but in the larger scope of products out there, X3000 is right in the middle based on price. How about based on features? Well in that regard we would agree that it leans more towards the higher end units. It has 7 HDMI inputs, you know in case you have three Blu-ray players ;-) It also has two HDMI outputs for multiple zone viewing. The X3000 comes with Audyssey’s Gold package so you can get your sound exactly the way you want it. The unit is Airplay and Windows 8 compatible and comes with Denon Remote app for mobile devices. Honestly there are many more features that we can’t list here. This is a very capable receiver and will last you for years.

Yamaha RX-A2020 9.2-Channel Network AVENTAGE AV Receiver $1000

This receiver is at the limit for the range but is a bargain at the price. The A2020 is all about audio quality. Sure it has the same bells and whistles of other receivers in its class but this unit differentiates itself by using the highest quality parts get the most out of the sound. Yamaha also spent time in the design layout like laying out the left and right channels so that the crosstalk is minimized. Yes it supports Airplay, Network Audio, and comes with a mobile app for setup and control. Yamaha includes the YPAO auto calibration system with Reflected Sound Control for easy setup and optimization. Like the Denon, there are so many features we can’t list them all here. The A2020 is also a receiver that will do the job for years to come!

Pioneer VSX-1122-K 630W 7-Channel A/V Receiver $600

Our last mid-tier receiver is also the best bargain. At $600 its will probably be in the entry level range by summer. The VSX-1122 is certainly not a entry level receiver in terms of capability. It too is a 7 channel receiver that supports Airplay, iPad and iPods. For those with Windows it is certified to works with Windows 7 and DLNA 1.5. With an Internet connection you can stream Pandora and radio stations from around the world. Pioneer has their own auto calibration feature which will have you enjoying surround sound in no time. The iControlAV app gives you ultimate control of the settings on this receiver. So much easier than doing everything from the front panel. The 1122 will be the hub around which your home theater experience will center.

Greater than $1000

Marantz SR7008 9.2-Channel 1080P and 4K Ultra HD Pass Through $2000

Our first unit is quite a bit more than the $1000 entry point for this tier. The reason for that is the mid tier really has about all the features you would want even for a greater than $1000 receiver. The SR7008 definitely has features. Its a 9.2 channel receiver that can be controlled with a mobile device. It supports Airplay and will upconvert video to 4K. There is Internet connected features like Pandora. It has seven HDMI inputs and three outputs! So why then would you want to spend a thousand dollars more than the mid-tier receivers? Its the sound. Don’t buy this receiver if you don’t have an equal amount in investment in speakers. To get the most out of it you will want speakers that can reproduce sound as precisely as the SR7008 can. With the Audyssey MultEQ XT32 your subwoofer will produce the bang for all the bucks you spend. This is a serious receiver for serious home theater lovers!

Sony STR-DA5800ES 9.2 Channel 4K AV Receiver with Automation $2100

This is another receiver for serious home theater lovers. Along with similar features sans Airplay, the 5800 sports: nine HDMI inputs, you know for those of you with four blu-ray players, three HDMI outputs (supports multi room HD video distribution), a four port Ethernet switch (thank you!!!), Control4 automation support, special parts selected for their audio quality, and so much more!! This is a super receiver with high quality sound and more bells and whistles than you would ever imagine!

Podcast #611: What we are thankful for Nov 27, 2013

What we're thankful for '13

Thanksgiving is a time to, well, to give thanks. So that's what we're going to do; give thanks for everything we have in our lives. The things we're most thankful for: our families, our health, our friends, and our wonderful listeners, don't make good topics for a show about HDTV and Home Theater. So as is tradition over the last five Thanksgivings, on today's show we give you our list of consumer electronics things we are thankful for.

Aereo - While neither of us actually use the service, nor will we be able to anytime soon from the list of cities they’ve announced, we love the concept. We’re thankful for what the service represents, change and choice for the consumer. And we’re thankful that Aereo hasn’t folded like Superman on laundry day under the mounting pressure. They’ve stood their ground.

Netflix - With Netflix there is literally always something to watch. In days gone by, you could sit for hours channel surfing, only to wind up watching the second half of the Matrix for the umpteenth time or a rerun of the Golden Girls. Not only does Netflix always have something to watch, we love the fact that they’re moving into original programming, bringing a new dimension to the service and possibly, like Aereo, shaking things up a bit.

Insteon - Insteon happens to be our flavor of choice for DIY home automation, so we’re thankful for it, and for how easy it is. But Insteon represents the ability for common guys like us to automate our homes without having to spend a fortune. It is a fun hobby and provides tremendous reward. Nothing makes a house into your house like custom automation. It doesn’t make it a home, but it makes it pretty darn cool.

The DVR - This little device has probably made our list every time we’ve done a Home Theater Thanksgiving show. No single device has changed the way we watch TV and gather together as a family quite like the DVR. We’re thankful for the easy and convenience, for the ability to skip commercials, and most of all, for how much more family time we get because we can watch shows on our schedule, not the broadcasters’.

High Speed Internet - Most of the goodies and gadgets we’re thankful for require some sort of Internet access. It wasn’t too long ago, ok maybe it was a long time ago, but it doesn’t feel like too long ago that we had to use dial-up modems to access an Internet of static pages. Now we have always connected, blazing fast Internet that delivers movies, music, TV shows, and even packages (thanks Amazon!) instantly.

4K TV - One thing that never made out list was 3D TV. It isn’t gone, but the big push from all the manufacturers has disappear thanks to, in large part, the new push to 4K UltraHD TV. Anything that got us off the 4D kick deserves our thanks and gratitude. But beyond that, 4K could be great. The demos we’ve seen are awesome. We are thankful for those who move technology in the right direction, and 4K is certainly doing that.

And of course we have our listeners to be thankful for. You make doing the show fun and, in a lot of cases, easier. Thank you for your news leads, story ideas, email, voicemail, everything you send that we get to turn right around and use as show content. And thank you so much for keeping us going by supporting our sponsors, shopping at our store and feeding our caffeine addiction! You rock!

Podcast #610: Why are the networks upset with Aereo? Nov 22, 2013

Why are the networks upset with Aereo?

We have been covering the Aereo story for a few months now. Aereo is a service that allows you to watch and record live television from anywhere within you home coverage area via an Internet connected device. What Aereo does is connect you to a dedicated antenna that pulls in OTA TV signals and then sends it to you via the Internet so long as you are physically in your local network coverage area.

The networks are all in a huff about this service. They are sueing Aereo claiming that the service is infringing on their copyrighted material. So far the courts have upheld Aereo’s rights to provide the service. The fight will probably end up in the Supreme Court. But this got us wondering why its such a big deal? We understand that the networks make money on retransmission fees but what if this is the beginning of something that will generate even more money? People, and businesses, hate change. Here is our view on what Aereo could mean to the networks.

Over the Air TV is Free isn’t it?

There is no reason to pay for network TV since it comes over the air anyway. Anyone can put an antenna on their roof and pick up pristine HD broadcasts. If you are lucky enough to live close to the TV transmitters this can be done with some very cool indoor antennas like the Mohu Leaf or Solid Signal HD Blade. Otherwise you will need a larger outdoor antenna but you will still be able to watch your networks. The networks make their money by selling ads on TV programming and that’s how it was for years and years. Then in the 80’s cable TV systems sprouted up everywhere and you no longer needed an antenna. Plus you got a bunch of other networks that were only available on cable. In the 90’s Direct Satellite Broadcast systems also came on the scene and suddenly the country no longer needed over the air TV. In the transition the networks latch on to a new revenue source in the form or retransmission fees.

If HD had never been invented no one would care about OTA broadcasting. Standard Definition broadcasts had all kinds reception issues that degraded the picture quality. Cable and Satellite TV really improved the experience and thus dramatically reduced the number of people watching over the air. With HD on the other hand, if you get the signal locked you have a perfect picture. In many cases better than cable and satellite. Fast forward to today and you see more and more people getting their signals over the air.

With some viewers switching to Aereo there would be no net losses in viewers of network television. In fact there may even be an increase at certain times of the day. The networks should be able to charge the same amount for ads. The only potential loss would be the retransmission fees. But better to lose the fees than viewers. Losing viewers is what’s happening now. People are cutting the cord and watching their content online via legal and illegal sources. Why not allow a new means to view the content with those who have or will soon cut the cord?

How Many of Aereo’s Viewers do not have Cable TV

We’re not convinced that all of Aereo’s subscribers do not also subscribe to pay TV. In this case the networks get to double dip! They get the retransmission fees and the added eyeballs.

Better Metrics

Since Aereo is digital, the networks can get accurate and up to the second metrics about who is watching and what they are watching. This would allow the networks to insert targeted advertisements that would in theory command higher revenues. That sounds like a win for the networks.

Larger Audiences

Being able to watch network programming while you are out and about is a good thing. Whether its your kids watching children’s programming while you do the grocery shopping or a husband watching football while he goes shopping with his wife. Aereo can provide a larger audience to the networks. Larger audiences mean more ad revenue. That sounds like another win for the networks.

Keep Cord Cutters in the Fold

For the most part its cord cutters who are using the Aereo service and those eyeballs are lost to advertisers. If you block the service its unlikely that they will go back to cable. At least with Aereo you still have a chance to count their viewership and better yet sell directly to them. Cord cutters are going to cut the cord with or without Aereo. Might as well keep them in viewership counts. This is a break even for the networks. You might even say its a win since they don’t lose viewership.

Keep People from Pirating your Content

This is inline with keeping cord cutters in the fold. If people want your content and its not easily obtainable via legal means they will simply download it from the Internet. I (Ara) hate admitting this but I used to download music from Napster. My rationalization was that I had already paid for it on vinyl or cassette so why should I pay for it again in mp3 form. With that said I would have gladly paid 99 cents to buy only the tracks I liked. At the time nothing like that existed. Once you could buy music I stopped using Napster and bought my music. I even went back and bought tracks that I had already pirated. I liked the higher quality of the iTunes store. The exact same thing is playing out with TV and movies and the TV and movie industry are the only ones who don’t see it.

Conclusion

When it comes to TV, the content is already free with ads, so why does it matter whether those ads are coming over the air or over the Internet? It doesn’t! What matters to the networks is that they get their fees from the cable companies. That’s the real issue. If DirecTV decides that what works for Aereo also works for DirecTV, then the networks may be out a lot of money. Sure they can take their content off the air and onto pay cable or even open up their own streaming solution but that will take time and money. With all the competition for our eyeballs the networks are having a hard time understanding that they will be making less money. The only thing that can really stop the loss is creating great content and making easily available to everyone across the globe at the same time. Companies like Aereo are going to force this issue regardless of what the networks do. The networks should steer into the skid and embrace it or they will find themselves obsolete.

Blu-ray Review #71: 2 Guns Nov 19, 2013

2 Guns - Blu-ray Review 4.5 Stars (out of 5) - Rated R

Synopsis

When an attempt to take down a drug cartel blows up in their faces, two undercover operatives are forced to go on the run together, though neither knows that the other is a federal agent.

Starring:

Denzel Washington, Mark Wahlberg, Paula Patton, Bill Paxton, James Marsden, Fred Ward, Edward James Olmos

Director:

Baltasar Kormákur

Blu-ray Release Date:

November 19, 2013

Subtitles:

English, French, Spanish

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 4.6 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer – 4.5 Stars

● Dialog – 5.0 Stars

● Surround Effects – 4.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range – 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, English: Dolby Digital 2.0, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1,

The low end sounds great, but it isn’t utilized as often as it could have been. When the sub is active it sounds pretty good, especially when trains rumble down the tracks, cars crash, punches thud, and when things explode. The film is heavy with dialog, and at no time did I need to rewind to understand what was said. Surround effects were only used in major action sequences, I didn’t notice any subtle ambient noises to help envelop you into the movie. However, the rear channels were loud and clear during action sequences which featured sounds of gunshots, revving engines, helicopters, and fire alarms.

Video 4.9 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 4.8 Stars

● Shadow detail – 4.8 Stars

● Clarity – 5.0 Stars

● Skin tones – 5.0 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1, Aspect Ratio: 2:40:1

Colors are natural and help bring out the neutral colors and green brush in the desert, fluffy white clouds, an orange sunset, and a few deep red swaths of blood. Black colors are truly black without bleeding into the light, however sunlight and lightbulbs seam to glow extra bright and sometimes make adjacent colors look pale. Clarity is crisp and clean which make it easy to see the details on beard whiskers, chipped paint, dust floating in the air, and deep canyon like wrinkles in Edward James Olmos’ weathered leathery face.

Bonus Features 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

● Feature Commentary With Director Baltasar Kormákur and Producer Adam Siegel

● Undercover and Into Action (HD, 6 min.) – This is a basic behind-the-scenes featurette

● Deleted Scenes – 8 deleted scenes, most scenes are short but fill a few holes in the story.

● Click, Click, Bang Ban: The Making of '2 Guns' The Good, the Bad, and the Sexy (HD, 30 min.) – This is the entire making of featurette that begins with 'Undercover and Into Action,' but continues with ' The Good, the Bad, and the Sexy,' 'Finding the Vibe' and 'Living Dangerously.'

Movie – 3.8 Stars (out of 5) Review

2 Guns is a fast moving action film that surprised me with how funny it is. Thankfully, it’s not a knee slapping comedy with unrealistic silly situations. Instead, the comedy comes from character interactions, or quick one-liners. There isn’t much action in this film, it spends most of it’s time building the plot and solving the mystery. The story is fast paced it can be a little complicated if you aren’t paying attention. The plot is solid except that a character showed they couldn’t be trusted and the beginning of the film and no one questioned them at all. The most enjoyable part of the movie was seeing the great chemistry between Washington and Wahlberg. Their pairing made this one of the best buddy cop movies I’ve seen in a long time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVNe3RK2fgI

Podcast #609: Black Friday Preview 2013 Nov 15, 2013

Black Friday Preview 2013

As the years come and go, one thing remains the same, Black Friday has some killer good deals for the home theater enthusiast. In 2008 the cheapest Blu-ray player was $128 and a 50-inch 720p plasma was going for $900. In 2009 the Blu-ray player price dropped to $78 and you could get a 50-inch 1080p plasma with a Blu-ray player for $1000. In 2013, it seems like you can get all of that, and more, for less than $1000.

Our research came from our favorite goto sites for Black Friday circulars, including: www.bfads.net, www.blackfriday.com, and blackfriday.gottadeal.com.

Best Buy

Dell 24" Widescreen HD LED Monitor, $99.99
WD My Passport 2TB USB 3.0 Hard Drive, $99.99
Denon AVR-E300 875W 5.1 3D Home Theater Receiver, $274.99
Klipsch Icon Bookshelf Speakers (Pair), $124.99
Klipsch Icon Floor Speakers (Each), $174.99
Logitech Harmony 650 Universal Remote Control, $39.99
LG Smart WiFi Blu-ray Disc Player, $54.99
Insignia 24" 1080p LED HDTV, $79.99
Samsung 32" 720p LED HDTV, $227.99
Insignia 39" 1080p LED HDTV, $169.99
Sharp 42" 1080p LED HDTV, $299.99
Insignia 46" 1080p LED HDTV, $329.99
Sharp 50" 1080p LED HDTV, $399.99
Vizio 50" 1080p Smart LED 3D HDTV, $599.99
LG 55" 1080p LED HDTV, $499.99
Sharp 60" AQUOS 1080p LED HDTV, $799.99
Samsung 65" 1080p LED HDTV, $999.99
Select Blu-ray Movies, 160 Titles @ $3.99
Select Blu-ray Movies, 150 Titles (World War Z, Skyfall, More) @ $7.99

Wal-mart

LG Blu-ray Disc Player, $38.00
Philips 3D Blu-ray 5.1 Home Theater in a Box, $118.00
Sony BDP-S2100 WiFi Blu-ray Disc Player, $48.00
Various Brands 32" 720p LED HDTV, $98.00
Element 23" 720p LED HDTV, $75.00
Samsung 32" 720p LED HDTV, $227.00
Element 40" 1080p LED HDTV, $178.00
Samsung 46" 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $497.00
Emerson 50" 1080p LED HDTV, $288.00
Samsung 51" 720p Plasma HDTV, $427.00
Samsung 55" 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $727.00
Vizio 60" 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $688.00
Vizio 70" 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $998.00
Select Blu-ray Combo Pack Movies, Over 35 Titles @ $9.96
Select Blu-ray Movies, Over 60 Titles @ $6.96
Select Blu-ray Movies, Over 89 Titles @ $3.96

Target

Sony WiFi Blu-ray Disc Player, $54.99
Samsung 32" 720p LED HDTV, $227.99
Vizio 37" 720p LED HDTV, $249.99
Westinghouse 40" 1080p LED HDTV, $199.99
Vizio 47" 1080p LED HDTV, $379.99
Element 50" 1080p LED HDTV, $229.00
Samsung 55" 1080p LED HDTV, $697.99
Assorted Blu-ray Movie Titles (Flight, Talladega Nights, More) @ $4.00
Assorted Blu-ray Movie Titles (Hangover 3, Ted, World War Z, More) @ $9.00
Assorted Blu-ray Movie Titles (Zero Dark Thirty, Pacific Rim, Warm Bodies, More) @ $6.00

Sears

Samsung BD-F5100 Blu-ray Disc Player, $57.99
RCA 32" LED HDTV, $179.99
Samsung 32" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $279.99
Westinghouse 39" 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $249.99
Samsung 39" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $369.99
Seiki 39" 4K 120Hz LED Ultra HDTV, $499.99
Samsung 40" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $379.99
RCA 42" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $299.99
Samsung 46" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $499.99
Samsung Slim 46" 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $649.99
LG 47" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $469.99
Seiki 50" 4K 120Hz LED Ultra HDTV, $749.99
Sharp 50" Aquos 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $749.99
Samsung 51" 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV, $429.99
LG 55" 1080p 60Hz LED HDTV, $679.99
Seiki 55" 4K 120Hz LED Ultra HDTV, $849.99
Sharp 60" Aquos 1080p 120Hz LED HDTV, $799.99
Samsung 60" 1080p 120Hz HDTV, $899.99
Sharp 70" Aquos 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $1,699.99
Sharp 80" Aquos 1080p 120Hz LED Smart HDTV, $2,999.99

K-Mart

Samsung 500-Watt 5.1-Channel 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System, $167.99
Samsung Blu-ray Disc Player, $58.99
Proscan 28" Class LED/DVD TV, $199.99
RCA 32" Class LED HDTV, $179.99
RCA 32" Class LED/DVD 720p Combo HDTV, $199.99
Proscan 40" Class LED 1080p HDTV, $279.99
RCA 42" Class LED 1080p HDTV, $299.99
Proscan 50" Class LED 1080p Smart HDTV, $499.00
Seiki 50" Class LED 1080 HDTV, $399.99
Westinghouse 55" Class LED 1080p HDTV, $499.99
Westinghouse 60" Class 120Hz LCD 1080p HDTV, $588.00

Best Prices

32" LCD TV

Wal-mart, Various Brands 32" 720p LED HDTV, $98.00

37"-39" LCD TV

Best Buy, Insignia 39" 1080p LED HDTV, $169.99
Sears, Seiki 39" 4K 120Hz LED Ultra HDTV, $499.99

40-42" LCD TV

Target, Element 40" 1080p LED HDTV, $178.00

46-52" LCD TV

Target, Element 50" 1080p LED HDTV, $229.00

Plasma

Sears, Samsung 51" 720p 600Hz Plasma HDTV, $429.99

60"-80" LCD

K-Mart, Westinghouse 60" Class 120Hz LCD 1080p HDTV, $588.00
Wal-mart, Vizio 70" 1080p Smart LED HDTV, $998.00

Blu-ray Review #70: Man of Steel Nov 12, 2013

4.8 Stars (out of 5) - Rated PG-13 Synopsis

Clark Kent must keep his alien origins and fantastic powers hidden from the world at large. But when the Kryptonian General Zod plans to destroy Earth, the Man of Steel springs into heroic action.

Starring:

Henry Cavill, Diane Lane, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon, Laurence Fishburne

Director:

Zack Snyder

Blu-ray Release Date:

November 12, 2013

Subtitles:

English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin (Simplified)

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer – 5.0 Stars

● Dialog – 4.8 Stars

● Surround Effects – 5.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range – 5.0Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1, Mandarin: Dolby Digital 5.1

It almost seems like the sound was designed for people who love home theater. The bass booms a little more than normal and the surrounds are always engaged. The subwoofer never gets any rest since it’s always delivering huge countless explosions, rumbles from spaceships, flying helicopters, sonic booms, crumbling buildings, and even random rumbling when nothing is even happening. This film would have gotten a perfect audio score if it weren’t for the dialog. I remember 3 different scenes were I had to rewind the movie or ask someone what an actor just said. The rear speakers get lots of attention and envelop you with sounds of thumping music, flying spaceships, slashing water, crashing cars, whipping helicopter blades, whistling wind, chirping crickets, whizzing bullets, breaking glass, and screams of people.

Video 4.9 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 4.7 Stars

● Shadow detail – 4.8 Stars

● Clarity – 5.0 Stars

● Skin tones – 5.0 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Man of Steel has a unique look, the colors are a tad cold, but really helps to show off blue tones. Like strikingly blue skies, Lois Lane’s blue eyes, Superman’s pajamas are deep royal blue, also the sunset on Krypton is breathtaking. Blacks are dark and inky but a small about of details are lost in the shadows. The film has a good amount of film grain, but it doesn’t effect the clarity. It’s clean enough to see beard hairs, wrinkles on skin, clothing textures, blemishes on faces, and the million of tiny pieces of flying debris.

Bonus Features 4.5 Stars (out of 5)

● Strong Characters, Legendary Roles (1080p; 25:59) Takes a look at the history of the character, and also focuses on this film's reimagined version.

● All Out Action (1080p; 26:02) Behind the scene with actors detailing physical training and stunt coordination.

● Krypton Decoded (1080p; 6:42) A look at the visual effects sequence of the destruction of Krypton.

● Superman 75th Anniversary Animated Short (1080p; 2:03)

● New Zealand: Home to Middle Earth (1080p; 6:35). For some unknown reason the video is about the Hobbit.

● Journey of Discovery: Creating Man of Steel (1080p; 2:54:05) The feature film is presented again on a second disc with interviews and background featurettes.

● Planet Krypton (1080p; 17:18). Believe it or not this supplement about Krypton was created by the History Channel.

Movie – 3.8 Stars (out of 5) Review

This is the Superman movie I’ve been waiting for. It’s pensive, epic, and full of giant action, however it does have problems. The weakest link in movie is Clark Kent’s Earth parents, in particular his father. Not only does he tell Superman never to use his powers, but he also tells him not to help anyone. This version of Superman takes the subject matter very serious. So much so, that it is an action drama. It’s so somber that I only laughed twice while watching it. Director Zack Snyder is known for creating good action sequences, and the battles are huge, full of weight, and amazingly fun to watch. So many buildings in Metropolis crumble it’s hard not to see this film as a disaster movie but shows how powerful Superman is. It was casted so perfectly and the performances are so strong it makes this film my favorite Superman movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6DJcgm3wNY

Podcast #608: Subwoofer Basics aka Subwoofer 101 Nov 08, 2013

Subwoofer Basics aka Subwoofer 101

Its been a while since we talked about subwoofers and since the subwoofer has the single biggest impact in your home theater experience. We thought it would be good to go over some basics in what to look for and how to setup your subwoofer.

How much subwoofer do I need?

This is a hard question to answer because everyone has a different take. We’ll give you the HT Guys take. Get the biggest one you can afford!! If you think about it, having a larger subwoofer being used at lower levels is actually better for the unit adding to the reliability. Plus the larger subs have an easier time with producing lower frequencies. So if budget and wife acceptance are not issues go big, bigger than you need for your room. Otherwise here are some loose guidelines:

Small room - 1200 - 1500 cubic feet (34 - 42.4 cubic meters) 10 inch sub
Medium room 1500 - 5000 cubic feet (42.4 - 141.6 cubic meters) 12 - 14 inch sub
Large room greater than 5000 cubic feet (141.6 cubic meters) 16 inch sub (possibly two)

Where is the best place to put subwoofer in the room?

Wherever the wife allows! In all seriousness this can be a form over function process. Typically we say in the front of the room in a corner. By placing it in a corner you can accentuate the deep bass that shakes you to the core! But if you like punchy bass, put the subwoofer close to you. Keep in mind that the room may cause unwanted reflections that can muddy the bass so finding the optimal placing may require you to do the subwoofer crawl. For this you need to place the subwoofer at the listening position and then crawl on the floor while listening to a familiar bass track. The spot where it sounds the best is where you should place the subwoofer. Now this may not be practical so your only other option is to use sound dampening techniques to stop the unwanted reflections. We talked about a few in Podcast #432 Home Theater Acoustic Treatments.

How do I connect my subwoofer?

There is a lot of talk on this subject. Some people claim that you need a special subwoofer cable that can cost in the hundreds of dollars. For this we turn to the experts at HSU Research. They state that all you need to connect their subwoofers to your receiver is a mono RCA cable. Less than $5! If your subwoofer has an LFE input plug the RCA cable into it. If it has L/R inputs use a y-adapter to plug the same signal into both the left and right inputs.

What crossover frequency should I use?

Before we talk about crossover we want to discuss setting your speaker size in your receiver and for this we turn to Ray Coronado of SoCalHT.com. He says make sure your speakers are set up as small. Ray says large speakers can reproduce sounds from 20Hz up to 20KHz and the vast majority of speakers can not do this. Now that you have your receiver configured properly for your speakers lets turn to crossover.

If you have small (in size) speakers they typically can’t do much on the lower end so set your crossover at 100hz. You may want to go as high as 120Hz. Play some test material with a lot of bass and change the crossover. Settle on the one that sounds the best. If you have floor standing speakers you should set your crossover at 70Hz and work your way up. The typical setting is 80Hz.

What is this Phase Knob all about?

From the SVS Manual:

Think of long bass waves as conflicting or enhancing each other, depending on the timing of their arrival at your listening location (either together, or not). Set phase to zero if your AVR offers settings for the distance from your seat to your subwoofer. Adjust in small steps for smooth sound with music playing if your AVR lacks a subwoofer distance setting.

In other words your AVR’s EQ/Calibration process will adjust for phase issues.

Speaking of EQ? Is it a good idea to use the Auto Calibration with my subwoofer?

Yes, but make sure your subwoofer is is setup to output the flattest response it can from the factory. Like in the above section set the phase to zero and close the appropriate ports on VTF subwoofers.

What is a Variable Tuning Frequency Subwoofer?

Unlike a Single Tuning Frequency subwoofer where the bass characteristics are fixed. The Variable Tuning Frequency Subwoofer can vary is bass characteristics by using ports that can be opened and closed. You can set up the subwoofer for lower bass extension or more headroom. The main benefit is that you can get the exact subwoofer sound that you want!

Course Summary

Like we said at the top, these are just the basics. There is so much science that we didn’t even get into. Perhaps another day. In reality the science doesn’t matter for most of us as long as we can get the best sound out of our home theaters. We hope that this basic introduction will help you along the way!

Podcast #607: Universal Devices ISY-994i Review Oct 31, 2013

Universal Devices ISY-994i Review

You can control the volume on your surround sound system, it isn’t a simply on or off switch. You can control the brightness and the contrast on your television, you can even change channels, pause and fast forward and maybe even run web enabled apps and content. But your lights are either on or off. It’s time to face the facts, you have dumb lights. But they don’t have to be dumb.

This may or may not be the year of home automation, but if you still haven’t given it a try for yourself, you really should. You bought a smart TV, so now its time to get some smart lighting and home control. But if you want to go beyond the basics of dimmers and plugs, you’ll want an automation server running to allow you to process events, customize activities and really make your home operate like you want.

There are several great automation software packages like Indigo, the one Ara uses, and SmartHome’s own HouseLinc for Windows, the one Braden previously used. That’s the route we typically recommend. If you have an old computer sitting around, or can assemble one for relatively low cost, just buy the software and your automation server is done. You had the computer anyways, so what not turn it into a control server to make your home a little smarter?

But there are drawbacks to the computer approach. You have to leave the computer running 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That may be a little more power hungry than you’d like. If it isn’t always on, the events you want to occur may not happen. If your computer is set to automatically apply updates, it may restart on you, causing you to lose automation for a brief time. And if it was an old computer you had sitting around, it was probably sitting around for a reason, so it is really capable of doing everything you want in a reasonable amount of time?

But don’t fret, you can have smart lights (and many other items in your home) without leaving a computer running all the time. You simply pick up an ISY-994i from Universal Devices for around $200 from SmartHome or Amazon and you don’t need to. In our case, because we use Insteon, we also had to purchase an Insteon control module, the Dual Band PLM 2413S. SmartHome sells them in a package for $300.

Setup

Installation is pretty simple. The PLM plugs into a wall outlet and has a cable connection that plugs into the back of the ISY-994i using a standard Ethernet cable. You run another ethernet cable from the ISY to your router for control, configuration and status over the network. Of course the ISY needs power, so you have to do that as well, but that’s it for installation.

Once you’re all plugged in, you can connect to the ISY from any browser on any computer that’s connected to the same network. This is where things may get a little shaky. For many, the connection will “just work.” We weren’t so lucky. Our browser wasn’t able to find the server by name, so we had to look up the IP address in our router. Connecting with the IP address, however, was seamless. Once we got past that hurdle, we were ready to start programming.

Step one in setting up the server itself is to add all your automation devices to it. This is as easy as telling the server to enter an “add devices” mode and walking around to all your devices and clicking their set buttons. You may grow weary after a while if you have a lot of devices, but that’s the price you pay for automating your home. Our devices added without a glitch, we renamed them to friendly, descriptive names, the promptly starting programming.

Use and Programming

As with most automation servers, you start with scenes. Scenes are collections of lights or other modules at pre-set on, off or dimmed settings. That allows you to turn on a group of lights, pre-configured for a specific usage, such as everything on and bright for ‘dinner party’ or just a couple on, really dim, to light your path to the kitchen for ‘midnight snack. Once you have a scene or two set up, you can change light switches, or IR commands from your universal remote, or buttons on your smartphone, to turn the scenes on or off as a unit.

From there, you jump over to custom programming. This is where you can program lights or a scene to come on at dusk or at dawn, to activate at a particular time of day, or when another event occurs, like a motion sensor is tripped, a leak sensor is activated or a door is opened. Custom programs can turn lights on or off, send emails or even communicate with other external systems. Once you start programming, its hard to stop.

Programming on the ISY-994i is quite simple. You have 3 main blocks, the IF block determines what will cause the program to run. For example, you can say “If the motion sensor is tripped and it is dark outside,” or “if it is dusk and a weekday.” After you’ve decided what will activate the program, you simply fill in the THEN block. These are the actions that will be performed, like tunr on a light or scene, send a notification, run a different program, etc. There’s also an ELSE block that can perform actions if the IF block doesn’t fire.

What we didn’t like

Our main complaint about the ISY-994i is the interface. The main configuration interface is a Java application. Not that Java is bad, but this UI shows some signs of age. It does everything it is supposed to do, but is a tad cumbersome and can be pretty slow at times. There is a simple status and on/off web interface you can use instead of the Java GUI. Although quite basic, it is nice and feels much more modern. It presents a nice alternative to the Java console, but doesn’t allow any of the program or customization. For that, you have to use the Java admin interface.

Other Cool Bits

It turns out the ISY-994i is field upgradable. You can buy the base model and if, in the future, you find you need additional capacity for more devices, or you’d like to add IR control capabilities, you can do that without buying a whole new ISY. This allows you to do like we typically suggest, jump in at a low cost and start automating. Let the system grow with you. From that aspect, it’s the perfect home automation server.

Conclusion

We can argue whether or not 2013 is the year of home automation, but what we agree on is that home automation is fun, and pretty darn rewarding. It’s cool to have the best TV around, or the biggest subwoofer, or the loudest surround sound system, but it doesn’t have to stop there. It’s pretty cool to have your lights fade in and out or have your shades open and close in sync with the activity in your theater, like when you turn it on or pause a movie. That’s what turns a home theater into your home theater. If you’re looking for a very simple, cost-effective, yet powerful and flexible way to add server control to your automation system, the ISY-994i checks all the boxes.

Podcast #606: Best Selling Projectors Oct 25, 2013

Best Selling Projectors

We’ll receive emails from time to time asking us for a little more coverage of projectors so for today’s show we decided to take a look at the top five selling home theater projectors on ProjectorPeople.com.

Panasonic PT-AE8000U Projector (Buy Now $2450) - The number one projector isn’t cheap but you get a lot. We are always impressed when we look at this projector. For a while both of us were considering this line for our own homes. This is also an LCD based projector that does 3D. Its brighter than its predecessor which helps 3D viewing. A quiet fan will not disturb you while watching something that doesn’t have much going on in the surrounds. If you have a budget of $2500 this should be on your short list to consider.

Panasonic PT-AR100U Projector (Buy Now $1299) - If you like what you read about the AE8000U but don’t quite have the budget for it you may want to take a look at this model. The 100U is a little brighter than the 8000U but its fan is a bit louder. If you don’t have a dedicated theater room with ambient light control this projector may work better for you. It also doesn’t support 3D which is something to consider. One thing we will point out is that 3D does work better on very large format displays so you may want to consider a model that does support it. The only real negative in the way of picture quality is the black level is a little washed out. It is a tradeoff for the price.

Epson Home Cinema 5030UB Projector (Buy Now $2599 on ProjectorPeople.com) - This is not a cheap projector but you sure do get a lot for the money. The 5030 is uses 3 chip LCD technology and has a wide horizontal shift which allows for easier room placement. It is THX certified and will do a 2D to 3D conversion if you want and as an added bonus it comes with two pairs of 3D glasses. This is a highly rated projector from both consumers and professionals. Braden loves his Epson projector!

Epson MegaPlex MG-850HD B Stock Projector (Buy Now $549 on ProjectorPeople.com) - This one is a great deal if you act quickly (normally priced $799). We love B-Stock, refurbished, or gently used. Its a great way to get great equipment and really low prices. This is a portable full sized projector that is great for travelers or for those who want to pull it out for special occasions. It has stereo speakers and connects up to your portable devices including laptops. it has a dock for your ipad and iPhone and will charge them while connected provided the connectors are pre-lighting port. The projector outputs 2800 lumens so it should work well in rooms with little light control. It screams backyard theater!!

BenQ W1070 Projector (Buy Now $999 on ProjectorPeople.com) This is the only DLP projector of the group, using the DarkChip 3 DLP processor from Texas Instruments. Its not the brightest projector at 2,000 lumens so you’ll want to make sure you use it in a room with good light control. Its 1080p and 3D capable and is ISF certified meaning that it can be calibrated to optimize its performance. If you are looking to get into front projection without breaking the bank this is one to consider.

Podcast #605: Is Virtual Reality the Next Big Thing in Home Theater? Oct 18, 2013

Is Virtual Reality the Next Big Thing in Home Theater?

Many of us are constantly on the lookout for the next big thing in Home Theater. When the HDTV revolution hit, we couldn’t get enough. Then there was HD-DVD and Blu-ray, followed by a flop or two, like 3D. Right now it looks like it might be 4K HD. But what if 3D was just the precursor to the real next big thing, Virtual Reality.

What is Virtual Reality?

When you think Virtual Reality, you probably imagine yourself on the holodeck of the USS Enterprise, hanging out, perhaps, in the old west with Captain Picard. That’s the idea, but we probably won’t see that full implementation anytime soon. The wikipedia definition is: “a computer-simulated environment that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world or imagined worlds.” It’s you, inside the movie or the game, playing or watching from within - and being an active participant.

Current Technology

A company called Oculus VR is building a VR mask you can wear, called the Oculus Rift. It resembles a black, blacked-out ViewMaster you strap to your head. Once you’ve strapped on your VR goggles, you’re instantly transported into whatever world, time or place you can image. It’s like 3D, if the 3D didn’t stop at the edge of the screen. We haven’t used the device ourselves, but have seen similar demonstrations at CES in the past, and it’s pretty cool.

Oculus VR is very focused on the gaming market, and that makes sense. It’s really the only technology that could embrace Virtual Reality anytime soon. The vision is to let gamers feel like they’re really driving the car, throwing the ball or carrying the gun through the battlefield. Imagine taking the microsoft Kinect technology to the next level. Instead of just having your body control the action you see on screen, your body controls the action you see all around you, the action you’re right on the middle of.

Another company, called Avegant, is building a wearable Virtual Reality headset that projects images directly onto your retina. At first this sounds painful, then scary, then super futuristic and cool. It’s like beaming images directly into your brain. A technology like this requires very precise alignment, which is why most companies aren’t pursuing it. But Avegant thinks they have it down. If they do, the visual experience will be unparalleled because the beamed image should cover your entire visual experience.

Limitations

Processing power is an issue for current Virtual Reality systems, and would prove to be very challenging if anyone tried to scale it to a large format like the holodeck. It takes a lot of CPU and graphics processing to produce what amounts to any potential view of any reality at any time. The computational decisions on what to render, and the graphics ability to render it in real-time are a big limiting factor in how pervasive VR can become, even for gaming.

Like 3D for home theater, VR also suffers from physical side-effects like motion sickness and headaches. In the industry it is known as simulation sickness. Like motion sickness, it occurs when your brain and body don’t agree on what’s actually going on. You brain senses movement, but your body doesn’t. This can lead to some serious queesyness.

And of course, there’s the issue of space. If you’ve played a Wii or used the XBox360 with Kinect, you know it’s easy to run out of space pretty quickly. This isn’t an issue if you happen to be driving a car or flying a plane, but if you’re running through a battlefield, or across a football field - how do you run without really running? How do you get from here to there, when ‘there’ is bigger than the room you’re in?

Applications for Home Theater

When you imagine watching a movie as if you were in the film itself, it sounds amazing, until you start to look at the limitations. But there may be ways to introduce Virtual Reality concepts into home theater and make it work. It could be like what 3D should be - the movie is actually occurring all around you. Movement might be tricky, and there may be some scenes where placing the viewer would be tricky or awkward, but that’s solvable. Imagine if, when a character walked onscreen, the actually walked right past you. Or if something was going on to the left, or to the right, or above, you could turn your head to get a better view.

There may be some movies that VR wouldn’t be good for. It sounds cool for action films like Saving Private Ryan, but would you really want to be that close to the action? Sometimes viewing from a distance, as a removed observer, is the only way to reasonably experience something. Most of us wouldn’t really want to storm the beach at Normandy and see the devastation that close. But for nature documentaries, like we see on Discovery or NatGeo, sitting in the middle of a pack of lions or walking inside an ant colony, it could be amazing.

Sports could be fun in Virtual Reality as well. The amount of cameras required to make it happen is probably unfeasible. But it would be great if you could move closer to a play on the football field. Or place yourself on second base to watch a baseball game. Do your own replay on something you saw and move around to get a better view. Or zoom closer to see it first hand. These are all things Oculus VR and Avegant are trying to enable for gaming, but maybe, in the future, we’ll be able to apply them to home theater as well.

Blu-ray Review #68: Iron Man 3 Oct 15, 2013

4.7 Stars (out of 5) - Rated PG-13 Synopsis

Tony Stark/Iron Man faces an enemy whose reach knows no bounds. When Stark finds his personal world destroyed at his enemy’s hands, he embarks on a harrowing quest to find those responsible. With his back against the wall, Stark is left to survive by his own devices, relying on his ingenuity and instincts to protect those closest to him.

Starring:

Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Paul Bettany, Jon Favreau

Director:

Shane Black

Blu-ray Release Date:

September 24, 2013

Subtitles:

English SDH, French, Spanish

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer – 5.0 Stars

● Dialog – 5.0 Stars

● Surround Effects – 5.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range – 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French: DTS-HD HR 7.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1

The subwoofer never lets up and delivers hefty punches, concussive gunshots, and deep wide explosions that rumble the couch. The witty dialog never gets lost in the action, and can always be clearly heard. Rear speakers always have something interesting to hear whether it be breaking glass, whipping helicopter blades, a waves of water, or the jets from the Iron Man suits.

Video 5.0 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 5.0 Stars

● Shadow detail – 5.0 Stars

● Clarity – 5.0 Stars

● Skin tones – 5.0 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Colors are natural and helped feature orange glowing skin, various colored Iron Man suits, fireworks, lights on Christmas trees, and tons of balls of fire. Some scenes are very dark, but this Blu-ray does a marvelous of keeping shadows inky dark without compromising on too much detail. Clarity was clean and made easy to see beard hairs, wrinkles on skin, blood on faces, and tiny scratches on metal.

Bonus Features 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

● Marvel One-Shot: Agent Carter (HD, 15 minutes): Girl power, circa WWII, comes courtesy of Marvel's latest entertaining "One-Shot" short film: Agent Carter, starring Hayley Atwell as Steve Rogers' wartime flame Peggy Carter.

● Audio Commentary: Director/co-writer Shane Black and co-writer Drew Pearce

● Iron Man 3 Unmasked (HD, 11 minutes): A behind-the-scenes featurette that offers a lot of great information before wrapping much too quickly.

● Deconstructing the Scene: Attack on Air Force One (HD, 9 minutes): A breakdown of the action sequence that took place on a mock up Air Force One.

● Deleted and Extended Scenes (HD, 16 minutes)

● Exclusive Look at Thor: The Dark World (HD, 2 minutes)

● Gag Reel (HD, 5 minutes)

● Restore the Database Second Screen Experience (HD)

Movie – 4.5 Stars (out of 5) Review

Iron Man 3 is one of Marvel’s best movies, it’s full of excitement, good acting, and has a decent plot. A large portion of the action happens when Tony Stark is out of the armor, and it’s just as entertaining as if he was. This movie fits tightly into the Marvel universe and it’s required that least you watch The Avengers before this movie. There were a few political messages in the film, but it doesn’t hit you over the head with them. It ended in a way I didn’t expect but I found it satisfying. I was afraid that since Jon Favreau (who directed the first 2 Iron Man films) didn’t direct this one, it would lose some of the Marvel magic. However, Shane Black did great job of balancing the Stark’s emotional issues, funny moments, and lots of action to make an awesome superhero movie.

Podcast 604: Understanding Speaker Specs Oct 11, 2013

Understanding Speaker Specs

We threw out a speaker specification a couple episodes back while reviewing the Cerwin Vega VE Series Speakers and afterwards realized that we all may not share the same level of comfort and understanding with the various specs and measurements thrown around when shopping for or comparing speakers. Of course how they sound to you is really all that matters, but often a solid understanding of what all those numbers mean can help you make a more informed buying decision.

Sensitivity

This is the spec we mentioned with the Cerwin Vega speakers and one we use routinely to rank speakers when purley going by paper, not by sound. If you’re doing your homework on Amazon or another online retailer, keep an eye out for sensitivity. It gives you an idea of how efficient a speaker is; in other words, how hard it is going to make your receiver or amplifier work to play back those explosions you want to hear louder than you probably should. What it really measures is how loud the speaker will play when given a standard test input and measured at a specific distance, typically 1 meter.

Frequency Response

Measures the range of audible frequencies a speaker reproduces sound across the entire audio spectrum. This spec helps you assemble a set of speakers that allow you to hear everything you’re supposed to. The general rule of thumb is that we humans can hear really low sounds down to 20 Hz all the way up to really high-pitch, piercing sound at 20 kHz. Many argue that the highest and lowest frequencies are less important because the human ear doesn’t hear them as well. But for the lower range, it may not be as important to hear it as it is to feel it.

Impedance

Also keep in mind that impedance is something you can influence if you decide to add more speakers to your home theater. You can’t simply add more speakers to the same channel. When you do, you change the overall load or impedance for that amplifier channel. Adding a second speaker to a channel, when connected in parallel, will actually cut the impedance in half, so instead of the amplifier working to run one 8 ohm speaker, it now has to work as if it is connected to one 4 ohm speaker. This could have a negative impact on your amp. Connecting speakers in series, however, actually has the opposite impact, but that may be too deepa discussion for this episode. Bottom line, make sure you know what you’re doing if you decide to add multiple speakers to the same surround sound channel.

Power Handling

Podcast 603: CEDIA Wrapup Oct 04, 2013

On today's show we speake with Stuart Sweet of the Solid Signal Blog about what he saw at CEDIA

Blu-ray Review #67 - World War Z Oct 01, 2013

World War Z - Blu-ray Review 4.3 Stars (out of 5) - Rated PG-13 Synopsis

A U.N. employee races against time and fate as he travels the world trying to stop the spread of a deadly zombie pandemic. As the undead hordes gain strength across the globe, governments topple and Earth stands on the brink of total social collapse.

Starring:

Brad Pitt, Matthew Fox, Mireille Enos, James Badge Dale, David Morse, David Andrews

Director:

Marc Forster

Blu-ray Release Date:

September 17, 2013

Subtitles:

English, English SDH, French, Spanish, Portuguese

Rating

Overall rating weighted as follows:

Audio 40%, Video 40%, Special Features 20%, Movie - its just our opinion so take it with a grain of salt

Audio 4.5 Stars (out of 5)

Dolby and DTS Demo Discs used as basis for comparison

● Subwoofer – 4.5 Stars

● Dialog – 4.5 Stars

● Surround Effects – 4.0 Stars

● Dynamic Range - 5.0 Stars

English: DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1, French: Dolby Digital 5.1, Spanish: Dolby Digital 5.1, Portuguese: Dolby Digital 5.1

The subwoofer gets some action but it’s not as bombastic as I would like. However several scenes feature low frequencies such as explosions, car crashes, gunshots, hordes of tumbling zombies, and exploding grenades. In a few scenes it was difficult to make out some lines of dialog. It sounded a little muffled and was lost to the background. The rear channels are not used as often as they could have been, but they do a good job filling the room with the sounds of helicopters, broken glass, screaming crowds, airplane propellers, soft falling rain, and of course screaming congregation of unhappy zombies.

Video 4.5 Stars (out of 5)

Spears & Munsil Benchmark Blu-ray Edition used as basis for comparison

● Color Accuracy - 4.5 Stars

● Shadow detail – 4.5 Stars

● Clarity – 4.0 Stars

● Skin tones – 4.5 Stars

● Compression – 5.0 Stars

Codec: MPEG-4 AVC, Resolution: 1080p, Aspect Ratio: 2.40:1, Original Aspect Ratio: 2.39:1

Colors are cold in most scenes, in a few others colors are natural looking but overall the hue matches the tone … dreary. A few colors are more noticeable than others like yellow taxi cabs, glowing red road flares, and one short view of some green grass. There are numerous dark scenes and it does a decent job of handling it but a few details do get lost in the shadows. The clarity is mediocre for a Blu-ray. It won’t wow you but it’s good enough to see, loose hairs in the wind, individual grey hairs in Pitt’s beard, wrinkles on skin, and floating ash.

Bonus Features 3.5 Stars (out of 5)

● Origins (HD, 8:21): A look at the film's production, from the book's release in 2006 and translating it into film.

● Looking to Science (HD, 7:28): An examination of how real-world scientific truths and analysis were used to enhance the film.

● WWZ: Production (HD): A four-part Documentary detailing the making of the film. It

Outbreak (8:31), a detailed look at the making of the film's opening sequence. The
Journey Begins (8:39) focuses on building several of the visual effects and shooting the scenes that end the first act and play through part of the second.
Behind the Wall (9:41), a thorough examination of making the extended Israeli action sequence.
Camouflage (9:25) guides viewers through the making of the film's extended airliner sequence and third act elements.

Movie – 3.5 Stars (out of 5) Review

World War Z is a high budget zombie movie with the tone of an action drama instead of a horror film. Don’t expect this PG-13 movie to be filled with gore and blood it spends more time solving the zombie problem than it does fighting them. Having an Oscar nominated actor like Brad Pitt in a zombie movie makes it more terrifying since he is able to emote terror and disgust in ways I haven’t seen in a horror film before. It’s a unique film that shows how different countries handle the “Z” problem, and it makes the scope of the movie seem very large. The plot is really four different stories that all star Pitt’s character. This method of storytelling will definitely stop you from getting bored, but it also makes it hard to connect with the characters.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4EC7P5WdUko

Podcast 602: Cerwin Vega VE Series Speakers Sep 27, 2013

Cerwin Vega VE Series Speakers

Ara was looking for a use for his Harman-Kardon receiver that was put out to pasture by his Denon. He figured why not put a surround system in his master bedroom. All that was needed was five speakers since he also had a subwoofer that was put out to pasture by his Hsu VTF-3 MK4. A lot of devices get put out to pasture in the Derderian household. Since this was so far beyond what Ara’s wife wanted in the bedroom the cost had to be very affordable.

Ara searched around online looking for good speakers that didn’t break the bank. Many 5.1 systems met the criteria but included a subwoofer. So rather than buy one of those and simply give the subwoofer away, he looked for speakers that were sold as separates or at least pairs. He stumbled across the Cerwin Vega VE series and it met all the criteria, size, price, and sound quality. Well if you believe user comments on Amazon for the sound quality part. Regardless, remembering the name Cerwin Vega from when Ara was a little kid he took a chance on it and bought four bookshelf (Buy Now $129 a Pair) and one center channel (Buy Now $99) speakers.

For those who have never heard of Cerwin Vega it was started by Gene Czerwinski in 1954. Gene was an aerospace engineer who loved music. Today Cerwin Vega is owned by The Stanton Group.

Specifications

The speakers themselves have pretty decent specs:

VE 5C (Center Channel)

Frequency Response: 60 Hz - 20 kHz
Power Capacity: 150 watts
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 91 dB

VE 5M (Bookshelf)

Frequency Response: 60 Hz - 20 kHz
Power Capacity: 125 watts
Sensitivity (1w/1m): 89 dB

These speakers are pretty efficient which makes it easier for your receiver to drive them. They are also fairly compact and can easily placed in smaller rooms. The bookshelves measure:

Dimensions (DxWxH) - 6.1” x 7.2” x 10.3” 154.9 mm x 183 mm x 261.6 mm
Weight - 7 lbs 3.2 kgs

The center channel measures:

Dimensions (DxWxH) - 7.2” x 15” x 6.1” 182.8 mm x 381 mm x 154.9 mm
Weight - 11 lbs 5 kgs

Performance

We didn’t really have high expectations because of the price and use case. Really, how high fidelity do you need for a bedroom surround system? But we were pleasantly surprised! The first thing we did was listen to music without the subwoofer so we were worried that having the speakers only go down to 60 hz may eliminate some of the boom in modern music. They do a good job with the low end but if you have some modern music with a heavy bass track you will need a subwoofer. Beyond that, the bass sounds remarkably full for such a small cabinet. On the high frequencies everything sounded crisp and bright. Maybe even a bit too bright.

Watching movies was a lot of fun because we typically don’t get to watch in surround in our bedrooms. You may think this is total overkill and we probably agree but what else are you going to do with spare equipment. Dialog was clear and easy to make out, surround effects added a new dimension to watching a movie or TV show before going to bed. But with as good as this all sounds, what really brought it home was the subwoofer. In most cases you can probably go with L,C,R and a subwoofer and be totally happy.

Conclusion

While we are extremely happy with these speakers we are not going to swap them out in our main rooms. But if you are just starting out or have a small room that needs a 5.1 system you will be much better served buying these plus a subwoofer over any home theater in a box system. Side note: Ara was going to go wireless for the surround system but he could not find one that performed without annoying pops and cracks. In the end he wired up the surrounds by stringing cable all the way around the room with channel tracks attached to the baseboards. More on that in a future show.

CEDIA Day 1 Sep 26, 2013

Stuart Sweet of the Solid Signal Blog checks in with Day One of the CEDIA Expo

Blu-ray Review #66 - Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan Sep 24, 2013

To escape his desk job, Adm. James T. Kirk returns to the USS Enterprise, assisting Spock in a training mission for Starfleet cadets. But the inexperienced crew is put to the test when escaped villain Khan steals a powerful weapon and comes after the admiral seeking revenge. Now, Kirk must use all his wiles and whip the cadets into shape if they hope to defeat Khan's deadly traps.

Podcast 601: New TV Shows for Fall 2013 Sep 19, 2013

Ara and Braden run down the new TV season.

Podcast #600: IFA 2013 Sep 13, 2013

IFA 2013

Each year in Germany consumer electronics manufacturers come together to display their wares at IFA. The IFA or Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (International radio exhibition Berlin, aka 'Berlin Radio Show') is one of the oldest industrial exhibitions in Germany. Kind of like CES, manufacturers announce new products and services. This year was no exception. We’ll try to run down announcements as they pertain to Home Theater.

Blu-ray Review #65 - Star Trek Into Darkness Sep 10, 2013

Synopsis

When the crew of the Enterprise is called back home, they find an unstoppable force of terror from within their own organization has detonated the fleet and everything it stands for, leaving our world in a state of crisis.

Starring:

Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto, Karl Urban, Zoe Saldana, Anton Yelchin, Simon Pegg, John Cho, Bruce Greenwood

Director:

J.J. Abrams

Podcast #599: HDMI 2.0 Announced Sep 06, 2013

When it comes to movie sequels, 2.0 is rarely better than 1.0. In fact, we struggled to think of a single instance where a 2.0 movie was better than the 1.0. But in technology, we crave the latest and greatest, and the next version of anything gets our heart rates up. When the HDMI licensing group announced HDMI 2.0, we could hardly contain our enthusiasm.

Podcast #598: DirecTV Genie Aug 30, 2013

Its hard to believe that only about 5 years ago most of us had to watch TV when the Networks wanted us to. Our first DVRs were so liberating because it allowed us to watch television on our own terms. No more missing programs because they conflicted with another show or were on late at night. The only real issue was that when DVRs first came out you had to watch in one room, typically the family room.

Podcast #597: Google Chromecast Aug 23, 2013

There was a lot of buzz a couple weeks back when Google announced the release of a new HDMI device called the Chromecast (buy now, $35). We weren’t immune to the curiosity, so we ordered one. The popularity made them tough to get, but when ours finally arrived, we couldn’t wait to see if it would live up to expectations. We’ll admit, we set our own expectations. Google didn’t do much to hype it up. They simply said, here it is, at a very reasonable price, have at it.

Podcast #596: ZyXEL 500 Mb/s Fast Ethernet Powerline Wall-Plug Adapter Aug 16, 2013

Just about everything we add to our home theaters need an Internet connection. Sure you can use WiFi but nothing beats a hardwired connection. If you have an older home it may be difficult to string wire yourself or costly to hire someone to do it for you. One option that is dead simple and as easy as plugging a device into a socket is Ethernet over Powerlines. We have reviewed many over the years but as technology improves we like to test newer products to see if data rates are getting faster. On this episode we take a look at the ZyXEL 500 Mb/s Fast Ethernet Powerline Wall-Plug Adapter (Buy Now $75)

Podcast #595: HT Guys Top 5 Receivers for less than $600 Aug 08, 2013

Last week we gave you our opinion on which TV to buy for under $1000. This week we’ll do the same for AV Receivers, but for less than $600. As with TVs, there are many factors to consider when buying a receiver. And there’s also personal preference, past experience and brand loyalty. We’ve used all of those factors to compile the list, and we assume you'll apply your bias to it and find the one that fits your home theater just right.

Blu-ray Review #65 - Oblivion Aug 06, 2013

A lone security repairman is stationed on a desolate, nearly-ruined future Earth. Who rescues a beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft, her arrival triggers a nonstop chain of events that forces him to question everything he knows, and leaves humanity’s fate in his hands.

Podcast #594: HT Guys Top 5 HDTVs for less than $1,000 Aug 02, 2013

HT Guys Top 5 HDTVs for less than $1,000

A week doesn’t go by without the HT Guys receiving an email asking us for our opinion on which TV to buy. When we answer those emails it usually requires a little back and forth to understand the use case for each TV. There are many factors but the biggest two are the size of the screen and the cost of the TV. For this week we thought we would pick five HDTVs that you would be proud to showcase in your home. The two hard requirements for the list were size, each TV had to be 50 inches or greater, and cost, each TV could not cost more than $1,000. The TVs can be found almost everywhere but some models may only be available online.

Allaire™ ARIS® Wireless Speaker System

If you wanted to setup a home with multiple zones in the fastest way possible its pretty clear there is only one way to go, wireless. There are plenty of solutions for Apple’s Airplay technology built in but what about if you use Windows Media Player? What would you say if we found a system that works with just about any protocol out there and sounds great too? That’s where the Allaire ARIS Wireless Speaker System ($297) by Aperion Audio comes in.

Blu-ray Review #63 Jul 30, 2013

This action-packed sequel to G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra finds the elite G.I. Joe assault team framed for treason by the global mercenary Zartan. Forced into hiding, the surviving warriors form a desperate plan to defeat Zartan's combined forces.

Podcast #593: Blu-ray: Here to stay? Jul 26, 2013

In our last episode we spelled out the reasons the Blu-ray disk, and the DVD for that matter, may not be around for much longer. That sparked some healthy debate at the watercooler and in our email. As you can imagine, pristine, high quality audio and video aren’t the only reasons to hang on to the disk format. In the interest of point-counterpoint, ‘we report, you decide,’ this week we’ll cover the reasons why Blu-ray could hang around for a while.

Calibration Corner #3 Jul 21, 2013

In this episode we cover the following topics:

Manual audio calibration for older receivers
Calibration for day and night
Large or small speaker settings
SpectraCal C6 or i1Pro 2 Enhanced
Backlight levels?

Podcast #592: Is Blu-ray a Dead Format? Jul 18, 2013

Blu-ray Review #62 Jul 16, 2013

This biopic focuses on the relationship between baseball icon Jackie Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey, who signed Robinson and in 1947 made him the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era.

Podcast #591: HDTV in the Great Outdoors Jul 12, 2013

For many avid campers and outdoor enthusiasts, time spent away in the wilderness is a great opportunity to unplug and distance yourself from all of the technology that surrounds us everyday. For others of us, the idea of being away from HDTV for an extended amount of time puts us into a bit of a panic. But don’t fret, there are ways to experience the great outdoors and bring your HDTV along for the trip.

Podcast #590: HDMI 1.4a and Beyond Jul 05, 2013

We have been talking about HDMI for pretty much as long as we have been doing this show, that’s more than six years. Every now and then we do a deep dive on the latest specification which currently sits at 1.4a. On today’s show we’ll look at what current specification supports and what’s on the horizon.

Podcast #589: SID Display Week 2013 Jun 28, 2013

The Society for Information Display held their annual Display Week conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada last month from May 19 - 24. The show came and went without so much as a mention on the HDTV Podcast, but in our reading and research since the show, it turns out some very cool innovations were on display. Next year’s show will be in San Diego, we might have to make a day trip out of it.

Podcast #588: Netflix SuperHD Jun 21, 2013

We received an email from Mark in Watertown South Dakota asking us about our opinion of Netflix SuperHD and we thought it would make a great idea for a feature. If you haven’t heard of it before, Netflix SuperHD claims to provide superior 1080p video quality for the same price as regular streaming. But not everyone is eligible.

Podcast #587: CE Pro Brand Analysis 2013 and Home Theater Design Tips & Mistakes Jun 14, 2013

CE Pro, the magazine for professional consumer electronics installers, is back with another annual installment of the CE Pro Brand Analysis. They put out the survey every year to determine what brands dealers, integrators and resellers offer the most. While we were checking out this year’s update, we came across another White Paper about Home Theater Design Tips & Mistakes that covered some points we thought would be worth talking about.

Podcast #586: Denon AVR-2313CI and HSU VTF-3 MK4 Subwoofer Jun 07, 2013

If you have been listening to the show for the last few weeks you probably know that Ara added some new gear to his home. In the family room he added a Denon AVR-2313CI 7.2 AVR ($600 Buy Now) and in the media room he added a HSU Research VTF-3 MK4 Subwoofer ($649 Direct from HSU Research). This episode gets into Ara’s impression of both products.

Podcast #585: Rec. 2020: UHD Decoded May 31, 2013

There’s a lot of buzz in the home theater industry around the forthcoming Ultra High Definition, or UHD televisions, sometimes called 4K TVs. It turns out the UHDTV specification, often referred to simply as Rec. 2020, gives us quite a bit to be excited about, quite a bit more than just a bump in resolution. When we’ll ever get content for it, or whether or not televisions will really be able to take advantage of it anytime soon remains to be seen. But the spec looks good.

Podcast #584: Plasma vs LED May 24, 2013

We have been talking about the demise of plasma for at least three years. But with each passing year manufacturers come out with plasma TVs that are simply the best TVs on the market. In a CNET article titled Best HDTVs Overall, the top 5 TVs were plasma, and that doesn’t even include the forthcoming Panasonic ZT60 which won best of show at CES. In this episode we’ll try to compare and contrast plasma and LED LCDs and see if there is a real reason why LEDs are putting plasma out of business.

Podcast #583: OLED vs 4K for your next TV May 17, 2013

We’re willing to admit, and we probably aren’t the only ones, that 3D simply is not the next big thing in home entertainment. Sure it sounded cool on paper, but in reality 3D at home just doesn’t provide the immersive 3D experience you get in a theater. Couple that with eye fatigue, headaches and seizures and 3D hasn’t delivered. Of the two options vying for the title of next big thing, OLED and 4K, which one has a better chance of claiming the throne?

Podcast #582: Pioneer VSX-70 7.2 Home Theater Receiver May 10, 2013

Recently manufacturers announced their new AVR lines. Pioneer was no exception. We were able to obtain one of their entry Elite models the VSX-70. The VSX-70 has an MSRP of $750 and is available now.

Podcast #581: TV Buying Trends and an Interview with OpenRemote.org May 03, 2013

We like to occasionally take a look at the top selling products at Amazon as a barometer of what is occurring in the larger Consumer Electronics market. Sometimes what we find shocks us, other times is confirms our suspicions, and sometimes it just flat out doesn’t make any sense at all. Yesterday we took a look at the top 10 selling HDTVs. What we found was in some ways surprising, but it certainly wasn’t shocking.

Podcast #580: Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna Apr 26, 2013

We here at the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast are always looking for new products that make your home theater better. So when we find products that claim to revolutionize something we can’t wait to try them out. We read about the Mohu Sky HDTV Antenna and how it used military technology and kind of chuckled to ourselves about how could that make a difference. Since we were within the specs of the claimed 60 mile radius we decided it was worth yet another antenna test. And yes it does make a difference!

Podcast #579: Room Correction 101 Apr 19, 2013

A lot of emphasis is traditionally placed on buying the best equipment you can afford for your home theater. Ask just about anyone and they’ll tell you to stretch your budget as far as you can, dig deep to make sure you’re getting the right receiver or amplifier, buying those outrageously expensive speakers or paying too much for speaker wire or interconnects. If you do that, your home theater will sound amazing and you’ll be the envy of the neighborhood.

Podcast #578: Is a 7.1 System Worth it? Apr 12, 2013

We recently received an email from a listener who was asking whether a 7.1 system was something that he should wire his home with. This got us thinking that there are probably a few listeners that may benefit from a discussion on whether a 7.1 system is worth it for them.

Podcast #577: Roku 3 Review Apr 05, 2013

Despite Roku being the pioneer in modern streaming boxes, the Apple TV has become the device all others are measured by. But has that changed with the recent release of the Roku 3 just a few weeks ago? We aren’t sure about that, but we know Roku has certainly become even more compelling. At only $99, there’s really no downside to it (buy now).

Podcast #576: One Week with a Tablet Remote Mar 29, 2013

We are on record of being huge fans of the Harmony remote control. Why not, before the Harmony our coffee tables had four remotes and practically required a user’s manual just to turn the home theater on. With a good universal remote, buttons labeled “Watch TV” or “Watch Blu-ray” make using the system as simple as pressing one button.

Podcast #575: Tis the Season for Receivers: Yamaha, Denon, Onkyo, and Pioneer Mar 22, 2013

In an effort not to be outdone by their peers, many Consumer Electronics companies try to announce their new products at the same time everyone else does. This makes it very easy for us the consumer to know what we want to buy. We don’t have to wait for that last straggler to tell us what’s coming before we plunk down our hard-earned cash. Right now it’s AV receiver season. If you’re in the market for a new receiver for your home theater, have we got a show for you.

Podcast #574: WD TV Play and Projector vs Large Format TV Mar 15, 2013

Media players have become the bridge to all our content. Whether that content is located in the cloud or on a server somewhere on your local network, these media players turn the digital bits into hours of multimedia enjoyment. We’ve looked a few devices over the years and they keep getting better and better. The WD TV Play is the latest one we look at and at $70 (Buy Now) its priced in about the middle of the pack.

Podcast #573: The Future of THX and Roku 3 Mar 08, 2013

When Netflix decided to get into the streaming business, the company needed a device in your home theater to stream movies to. Just weeks before the box, codenamed Griffin, was to hit store shelves, the project was canceled. But it didn’t die, it came to market under the Brand name Roku and started its own little revolution. Roku continues to innovate and recently announced the launch of the Roku 3.

Podcast #572: iTunes vs Vudu vs Blu-ray Mar 01, 2013

We’ve watched streaming media go from incredibly choppy and blocky to smooth and nearly HD. As bandwidth increases so does the quality of streaming media. You can easily listen to CD quality audio but streaming Blu-ray quality video is a ways off... or is it? We have an interview with Mark Henninger, an AVS Forum “Newsbreaker”, and we discuss a series of articles he wrote where he compares movies on iTunes, Vudu, and Blu-ray.

Podcast #571: 802.11ac - Wireless you can believe in Feb 22, 2013

Most of us have wireless networks in our homes these days, there’s nothing like the convenience of instant Internet without wires. But we’ve also come to the painful realization that our wireless networks just can’t live up the the rigors of HD streaming, especially if we want to stream multiple videos to different TVs. But as they say with technology, if you don’t like it, just wait a while and someone will fix it. Supposedly the new wireless spec, 802.11ac, can do just that.

Podcast #570: HDMI Cable Throwdown, High Priced vs Generic Feb 15, 2013

A few weeks ago we received an email from a good friend of the show, Jack, telling us about an article he read about HDMI cables. He pointed us to a comment to the article where a reader said that with better HDMI cables changing channels resulted in the tuner locking onto it about a ½ second faster than with cheap cables. (Note: in the accompanying video we credit Michael with sending us the email and actually seeing a difference in lock speeds. Michael helped us with the setting up the test cases).

Podcast #569: Wireless HDMI Options Feb 08, 2013

We have reviewed a handful of wireless HDMI systems in the past, and have been impressed each time at how much better they’re getting and how quickly the prices have fallen. An unfortunate incident in the Russell home recently required a replacement wireless HDMI setup, kicking off a new round of research into what is available on the market now.

Podcast #568: Super Bowl 2013 and Smart Thermostats Feb 01, 2013

There are a few reasons you would want to automate your home. Very close to the top of the list is saving money. And the one item that uses the most energy is your heating and air conditioning system. Today we’ll take a look at four thermostats that let you monitor and control your HVAC system from anywhere in the world. When you decide to build out a complete automation system these thermostats can be integrated right in.

Podcast #567: Insteon Hub Review Jan 25, 2013

To take full advantage of an automation system, you need a server running that can take action based on events that may occur, these are often called "triggers." You can run a software package on a computer you leave on 24/7 or you can buy a dedicated device for it. If you’re like us and have Insteon devices in your home, one option to look into is the Insteon Hub from SmartHome.

Podcast #566: Slingbox 500 Review Jan 18, 2013

We have had slingboxes for the past 5 years and they have come in quite handy! There have been plenty of Sundays where the Slingbox has allowed us to keep up with our favorite football team. In general the Slingbox is life saving device for those of us who spend some time on the road. Today we take a look at the latest Slingbox, the Slingbox 500. It has a street price of $288 and is available now.

Podcast #565: CES 2013 Wrapup Jan 11, 2013

Another CES has come and gone. At the risk of being permanently banned, we've brought back everything we saw and did in Vegas to share it with everyone who couldn't be there. As with every CES, we saw some amazing things and some not so impressive ones as well. Big themes from this year were: 3D is waning, 4K (UltraHD) is emerging, and Plasma may be on the verge of a comeback.

Podcast #564: CES Preview 2013 Jan 04, 2013

Each year we make our way through the California and Nevada deserts to spend some quality time with the latest in electronics. Today we will focus on what the large manufacturers are planning on showing. This information is compiled by reading through the countless press releases we get sent each day starting in November. The next show will focus on what we see when we are there in person.

Podcast #563: Home Theater Predictions for 2013 Dec 28, 2012

Time for the HT Guys to look into our crystal ball and try and predict the HDTV and Home Theater landscape for 2013. Our crystal ball is never as clear as a good HDTV but we always give it a shot nonetheless.

Podcast #562: 2012 Year in Review Dec 21, 2012

We go out on a limb every year and try to predict what the new year will bring in the realm of HDTV and Home Theater. More often than not, that limb snaps and we come crashing down. Every so often we get a glimpse into the crystal ball that comes out close to accurate. Let’s take a look back at what we thought would happen in 2012 to see how well we did on the predictions.

Podcast #561: HT Guys Home Theater in a Box 2012 Dec 14, 2012

Podcast #560: Receiver Buying Guide 2012 Dec 07, 2012

So if we haven’t spent enough of your money this year we get to spend some more. We continue our holiday buying guides with receivers. Our goal with these guides is not necessarily about getting the latest product. Its about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. This year there are some fantastic deals to be had!

Podcast #559: HDTV Buying Guide 2012 Nov 30, 2012

As promised, we’re back for another annual edition of the HDTV buying guide and just in time for Christmas - we’d like to think it’s back by popular demand. In years past we’ve broken the categories down at times by size and at other times by price. Both are valid, sometimes as a shopper you want to maximize the budget you have to spend, other times you know the size you need and want to find the best set. This year we’ll return to breaking them down by size.

Podcast #558: Home Theater in a Box Buying Guide Nov 23, 2012

Each Holiday season we put together buying guides to help you make it a bit easier for you to make some decisions on what to spend your hard earned cash on. We kick the 2012 season with our Home Theater in a Box buying guide. To be honest and upfront with you, we are not big fans of HTIB systems because they typically compromise on everything. However, we understand that something is better than nothing and for those of you on a budget this is the best way to improve your experience without breaking the bank.

Podcast #557: Black Friday 2012 Nov 16, 2012

It's almost Thanksgiving here in the US, and with that comes the biggest holiday of the HT Guys' year: Black Friday. The key to a successful Black Friday is preparation. You need to know exactly what store you want to go to, what you want to get, and when you need to be there.

Podcast #556: 3M Streaming Projector with Roku Nov 09, 2012

We received an email about a month back asking us to take a look at the 3M Streaming projector with Roku and since we are suckers for this kind of stuff, we thought why not! It fits in your hands, can run on batteries, and comes with a Roku Streaming stick. We have to say this little guy is a blast to use!

Podcast #555: Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3010 Projector Nov 03, 2012

After Braden’s projector blew a second bulb, he thought that maybe being a little sneaky and buying a whole new projector was the right way to get the purchase past the finance committee. He would be upgrading an Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 8100 for an Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 3010. After all if you’re going to upgrade projectors, you might as well go 3D.

Podcast #554: Logitech Harmony Touch Review Oct 26, 2012

We love gear at the HT Guys and when a new remote comes out we have to take a look. Recently Logitech released the Harmony Touch - a remote that combines a touch screen with physical buttons. We’re not big fans of a totally touch screen remote so we were pretty excited to take a look at one that combines the best of both worlds.

Podcast #553: New Boxee, Cloud DVR and Superhero Movies Oct 19, 2012

Cord cutters rejoice, the new $99 Boxee will delight and amaze you, and it is a much more normal size and shape. One unique feature of the new Boxee is cloud storage for all your saved DVR content, we're not convinced this is as good as it sounds on paper. And if Sci-fi movies aren't your thing, we close out today with a discussion of Superhero movies.

Podcast #552: DIY Cabling, 4K TVs and Sci-Fi Movies Oct 12, 2012

This episode covers a wide range of topics, from various DIY ways to hide cables in your home theater to why 4K is more important than 3D, but maybe not as important as TV manufacturers would hope. We close out with a discussion on Sci-Fi movies and the role Science Fiction has played in shaping home theater and consumer electronics. Ok, maybe not, but it sounds good.

Podcast #551: The CD Player Turns 30 Oct 05, 2012

The HT Guys decided to do a little look back on the digital format that changed the music industry, and set the stage for other formats that would change the movie industry as well. We knew back when it came out that the CD was going to be huge, we probably couldn't have guessed just how huge.

Podcast #550: Solid Signal HD Blade Sep 28, 2012

Every time we publish a story about cutting the cord we get a ton of interest. Whether it be a new online service or a new antenna to be used for pulling in free, over-the-air HD signals, our listeners and readers respond with great feedback. So when we found out about a new indoor antenna called the HD Blade we were excited about putting it through its paces.

Podcast #549: Black Friday 2012 Predictions Sep 21, 2012

Black Friday 2012 is coming. In about two months the deal seeking crowds will descend upon stores like Walmart, Target and Best Buy with reckless abandon, gobbling up every deal they can get to before supplies run out. If you’re lucky enough to get to the electronics section without being trampled, you can usually find some pretty good deals. But will they be good enough to wait for if you really want that new TV right away?

Podcast #548: CEDIA 2012 Sep 14, 2012

Each year CEDIA (Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association) holds an event where the industry gathers to show new off new gadgets and technology. We’ve been to a few of these and have enjoyed them quite a bit, maybe even more than CES. It takes the parts of CES that we care about and condenses it down to a lot less walking. We didn’t go this year but that won’t stop us from talking about some of the highlights from the show.

Podcast #547: News and Announcements from IFA 2012 Sep 07, 2012

The annual IFA show in Berlin, dubbed “Consumer Electronics Unlimited,” is the second largest consumer tech show in the world - second only to CES in Las Vegas. They are expecting to set new attendance records this year, surpassing the more than 1,400 exhibitors and 239,000 attendees that showed up last year. Berlin is a bit too far for us to drive, so we have to cover the show virtually. IFA, or Internationale Funkausstellung, has been around since 1924 and was originally an international radio exhibition.

Podcast #546: New TV for Fall 2012 Aug 31, 2012

It's not as bad as it used to be. Sure we all made it through another Summer with almost nothing to watch on TV. But between Gordon Ramsay, USA Network, Netflix and Hulu, it wasn't all bad. But now it’s time to rejoice. Football is back, and in just a few short weeks all your favorite shows will be back on, and perhaps a few new ones will make it to your favorites list.

Podcast #545: Vizio Co-Star with Google TV Aug 24, 2012

The Vizio Co-Star may have the Logitech Revue to thank for the uphill battle it faces in convincing consumers that Google TV is the right choice for their living room. When we reviewed the Revue almost two years ago, there were some aspects of it we really liked. But it never quite caught on with the masses. Vizio is hoping that the Co-Star can change expectations; and at a price of only $99, it sure is a lot easier for many of us to at least check it out.

Podcast #544: SVS SB12-NSD Subwoofer Review Aug 17, 2012

If you have been listening to us for a while you know that we feel subwoofers are essential home theater gear. There are so many units on the market it may be hard to decide which one to buy. Some subwoofers can fill giant rooms with bone crushing sound but they cost a small fortune to own. What do you do if you have an apartment or small room and you still want a great sounding sub? We’re glad you asked. The SVS SB12-NSD (MSRP $650) is a 12 inch sealed sub that packs great sound into a small package.

Podcast #543: Google Fiber TV Aug 10, 2012

We’ve been wondering for a while when the Sage TV technology would make its way back to the market as a Google offering and rumor has it, the day has arrived. The information circulating in the blogosphere is that the Sage TV team helped provide some of the tech behind the new Google Fiber TV that was recently unveiled. The service looks very intriguing, and knowing that it’s backed by Sage TV know-how is even more reassuring.

Podcast #542: Traveling with all your Media Aug 03, 2012

Summer vacations have changed quite a bit since we were kids. We used to have to invent games to play to pass the time while in the car or on a plane. But nowadays there are so many options for media, there’s never a dull moment. You can even pull your devices out when you arrive to make sure you have something to watch if you need a little down time in front of the television

Podcast #541: 3 Budget Receivers, Unique Remotes and WiFi Headphones Jul 27, 2012

Episode 541 is packed with information, from a CNet discussion on their favorite 3 (budget) receivers to the new STRIVA wi-fi headphones from Koss. Mixed in there is a list from Electronic House with 10 very unique remote controls that are sure to start as many conversations as movies in your home theater.

Podcast #540: 4 Great TVs, Home Tech Trends and more on the DTV Green Dish Jul 20, 2012

There was a disturbance in the HT Guys force after our initial revue of the DTV Green Dish, a.k.a Dishtenna so we decided to post a little bit of an update to the original review. We also discuss four very highly rated HDTVs you should consider if you're looking to buy a new one and ten technology trends that may change the way you live.

Podcast #539: DTV Green Dish - Dishtenna Review Jul 13, 2012

The best way to cut the cord without giving up TV is to go the old fashioned route, put up an antenna and watch all the HDTV you want absolutely free. It’s amazing that the signals are still floating across the air free of charge, but they are. But what do you do if you’re too far away from the local broadcast tower to actually receive very many channels, if any? You may want to give the new DTV Green Dish, aka Dishtenna a try.

Podcast #538: Pioneer VSX-1122-K Review and Z-Wave Automated Door Locks Jul 06, 2012

We love getting new toys to play with so when the Pioneer VSX-1122-K ($599.99) showed up at the HT Guys HQ we couldn’t wait to put it through its paces. The 1122 is a 7.2 receiver that packs 90 watts per channel. It measures 17.13 x 6.63 x 14.29 in inches (43.5 x 16.8 x 36.3 in centimeters) and weighs 22 pounds (~10 kilos) and looks pretty much like all other receivers from the outside.

Podcast #537: Wiring Up Whole House Video...Or Not Jun 29, 2012

The Mac Mini Video Server project has brought in a steady stream of interested readers over the years. Who wouldn’t want to build their own movie jukebox for a fraction of the cost of a professionally installed movie server? The first thing you notice about the project is how easy it is, the second thing you notice is the cost and the third thing might be the fact that you just aren’t wired up for it.

Podcast #536: Movie and TV Piracy Jun 22, 2012

This is not a typical topic for the HT Guys but recently we received a lot of emails about the fact the HBO series “Game of Thrones” is the most pirated show today. We stated that if the show was available for download at a reasonable price it wouldn’t be pirated as much. A listener wrote us and gave us his take (Pirating American TV Programs) on why show are pirated outside the US.

Podcast #535: Cloudee, Watch It and CE Pro 100 Brand Analysis 2012 Jun 15, 2012

CEPro, the magazine for professional consumer electronics installers, puts out a survey every year to determine what brands dealers, integrators and resellers offer the most. It's an interesting list to take a look at. Typically a reseller will have a few different reasons for choosing a favorite brand than the rest of us, like profit margins or marketing support, but often the reasons are the same. They want products that please their customers and are reliable.

Podcast #534: Show-off Blu-rays and Father's Day Gift Guide Jun 08, 2012

It's that time of year again where Dads get to to have the spotlight for a whole day! If you are like us, the love of your family is all you need to make your day worth it! But if the family insists on getting you something it may as well be something that you will enjoy. After all, who needs another tie! Print out this page and leave it someplace where the family can find it. Our goal was to create a list that didn’t break the bank so even your teenagers could find something that would make you smile!

Podcast #533: Amazon, Dishtenna and Google Chromebox Jun 01, 2012

Google has been making slow and somewhat quiet attempts to enter the Operating System space for a while. The last major concerted effort manifested as a new form of netbooks running the Google Chrome operating system dubbed Chromebooks. These new netbooks were supposed to be a huge hit, but haven’t quite taken off yet. Samsung recently announced an upgrade to the Chromebook line as well as a twist on the Chromebook with a new offering called the Chromebox.

Podcast #532: Cable Show 2012 and D-Link MovieNite May 25, 2012

Each year cable industry people meet to discuss topics like multi-screen video services, cloud-based business applications, and innovations in personalized content delivery. The Cable show is like CES for cable operators. On today’s show we’ll discuss a few items that may have impact on your HDTV experience.

Podcast #531: Quantum Dot Display Technology May 18, 2012

OLED TVs may have stolen the show at CES 2012, but just when you think it’s safe to be an early adopter and pick one up, you might want to hold off. There’s a new display technology on the horizon that backers claim will not only outperform OLED, but also be cheaper to manufacture. And it has a much cooler name - it’s called Quantum Dot display or QLED. And if that doesn’t sound like you’re living in the future, we don’t know what does.

Podcast #530: Harman Kardon AVR 2650 May 11, 2012

Ever since we saw (or better yet heard) our first demo of Dolby Volume we couldn't wait to find a reason to upgrade one of our receivers with this capability. That's going on four years now! So when Ara's Yamaha "Broke" he thought what better excuse to buy a receiver with Dolby Volume. The receiver he settled on was the Harman Kardon 2650.

Podcast #529: Google Drive and Outdoor Theater Screens May 04, 2012

Until recently, it felt like the weather was changing here in Southern California. We clicked over to daylight savings time; we had a few days of nice, sunny BBQ weather and it felt like the season of backyard movies was upon us. Since then it's gotten a bit gloomy again, but we always like to be prepared, so we've put together a list of screen options for you if you finally want to make the jump into outdoor cinema.

Podcast #528: Mohu Leaf Plus Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna Apr 27, 2012

We reviewed the Mohu Leaf Indoor HDTV Antenna back in July (Podcast #489) and thought it was the best indoor HDTV antenna we have ever tested. We’re here to tell you that is no longer the case. Enter the Mohu Leaf Plus Amplified Indoor Antenna (Buy Now $73.99). The Plus retains everything we loved about the original and adds amplification to help you pull in more channels.

Podcast #527: The Hopper by Dish Apr 20, 2012

Sometimes it’s OK to arrive fashionably late. It doesn’t always matter when you arrive to the party, what matters is what you bring with you when you get there. Dish Network has proven that waiting can pay off. Their recent entry into whole home DVR, the Hopper, brings some pretty cool features to the party.

Podcast #526: Audioengine A5+ Premium Powered Speakers Apr 13, 2012

We love looking for speakers that make whole house audio simple and provide high quality sound. There are plenty of choices out there, but few can fill a large room with sound and deep bass all from a package that measures 10.75" (27cm) x 7" (18cm) x 7.75" (20cm). We are talking about the Audioengine A5+ (Buy Now $399) powered speakers.

Podcast #525: Acer H6500 DLP projector Apr 06, 2012

When we started the podcast back in 2005, CRT projectors dominated home theater. As great as they looked, they were big, expensive and required routine maintenance to keep them in top form. Today there are a wide variety of digital options that are both inexpensive and very easy to install and maintain. One option for those interested in trying out a 100” or 120” TV in their home theater is the Acer H6500 DLP projector.

Mission Impossible - Ghost Protocol - Blu-ray Review #24 Apr 03, 2012

Super-agent Ethan Hunt dangles from skyscrapers and otherwise takes daring to new heights on another operation from the Impossible Missions Force. Helping Hunt get the job done is droll fellow IMF agent Luther Stickel. (Buy Now $21.99)

Podcast #524: Eden, Amazon and the Ultimate AVR Mar 30, 2012

This week we are going to design the AVR of the future. This is a group effort! We will provide you with initial specifications and we would like you to add features that would make our new AVR the Ultimate AVR. Now we just need someone to build it.

Young Adult - Blu-ray Review #23 Mar 27, 2012

Taken aback when she receives a letter from an old boyfriend announcing that he's just had a baby with his wife, divorced fiction writer Mavis Gary decides to return to her small hometown and reconnect with her former lover. (Buy Now $24.99)

Podcast #523: Google Play Mar 23, 2012

We promised more Android coverage, so here you go, our take on Google Play. If you’re familiar with iTunes and iCloud from Apple, you’re probably pretty familiar with the concept behind Google Play. Of course, Google would like to think it’s a new idea, according to the official site... "Now your favorite music, books, movies, apps, and games are all in one place that's accessible from the Web and any Android device. Discover, buy and share like never before."

The Adventures of Tintin - Blu-ray Review #22 Mar 20, 2012

Blockbuster filmmakers Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson team up for this 3-D motion capture adaptation of Georges Remi's classic comic strip, centered around the adventures of fearless young journalist Tintin (Jamie Bell) and his trusty dog, Snowy. (Buy Now $27.99)

Podcast #522: Crystal LED HDTV Technology Mar 16, 2012

It was pretty clear that the OLED TVs demonstrated by LG and Samsung stole the show at the last Consumer Electronics Show we went to. We were really impressed by the color, contrast and sharpness of the picture. Check out this video we shot in the Samsung booth (Samsung Super OLED HDTV). However, there are some issues that need to be resolved before we see mainstream OLED HDTVs in sizes that we would want in our living rooms.

Immortals - Blu-ray Review #21 Mar 13, 2012

In Ancient Greece, King Hyperion searches for a powerful weapon that will free the bloodthirsty Titans and enable them to overpower the gods and enslave mankind. Unable to interfere directly, the gods choose a champion to defend them: Theseus. (Buy Now $22.99)

Podcast #521: Simple.TV - A DVR for a Connected World Mar 09, 2012

We were recently asked what DVR we would recommend for someone who wanted to cut the cord or simply connect a standalone DVR without paying additional fees to their cable or satellite company. We struggled to find anything we could enthusiastically recommend. But we had overlooked this year’s Best of CES Home Theater Winner: Simple.TV. At $149 it seems to fit the bill exactly.

Footloose - Blu-ray Review #20 Mar 06, 2012

This musical remake of the infectious 1984 hit finds dance-lovin', big-city kid Ren MacCormack stuck in a small town where dancing is illegal. As he rebels against the town and its influential Rev. Moore, Ren falls for the pastor's lovely daughter. (Buy Now $21.99)

Podcast #520: Wireless Surround Speakers Mar 02, 2012

We receive emails from time to time asking us for advice on wireless surround speakers. When we first started the podcast there weren't too many options available and today we have plenty. The early wireless solutions had noise issues and today the noise has been dramatically reduced. On today's show we will talk about some of the options out there to help you bring surround sound to areas where running cables may not be possible.

Tower Heist - Blu-ray Review #19 Feb 28, 2012

When a group of workers at a ritzy Manhattan condo realize their boss has swindled them out of their pensions, they vow to reap their own justice. With the cooperation of the building manager, the group devises an ingenious plot to recover the funds. (Buy Now $20.49)

Podcast #519: Skifta - May your stuff be with you. Feb 24, 2012

The concept of 'cutting the cord' is more than just dropping cable or satellite to get rid of a monthly bill. It’s also about the freedom and convenience of being able to access whatever content you want, whenever you want it, and on whatever device you’d like to play it back on. As smartphones and tablets continue to proliferate, we can only assume they’ll play a big role in that new world. Qualcomm hopes Skifta can help get you there.

True Grit (1969) - Blu-ray Review #18 Feb 21, 2012

John Wayne landed one of his last great screen roles as crusty lawman Reuben J. "Rooster" Cogburn, who reluctantly helps teenager Mattie Ross (Kim Darby) pursue her father's killer. True Grit is more a character study than many of Wayne's formulaic Westerns. The rousing final showdown between Wayne and the villains adds to the Duke's long list of outstanding movie moments. (Buy Now $14.99)

Podcast #518: Cord Cutting - A Financial Analysis Feb 17, 2012

Cord cutting has been in the news quite a bit lately. A week doesn’t go by when we don’t receive an email from a listener telling us about how they have cut the cord and couldn’t be happier. Every email prompts us to consider a life without cable bills but inevitably there is something that keeps us from taking the plunge. A recent email from Van in Odenton Maryland got us thinking. Could we combine OTA with a Tivo Box and iTunes and a AppleTV and essentially eliminate our Pay TV bill altogether? For this paper study we will use Ara’s TV usage as the base.

Podcast #517: What is OLED and why do we care? Feb 10, 2012

One of the big hits at CES this year were the Samsung and LG OLED displays. Sure we’ve seen OLED TVs in the past, but they were 55” screens this year, and they looked great. But why all the hype? Why do we even see references to AMOLED in cell phone commercials? Is OLED really that big of a deal?

Drive - Blu-ray Review #17 Feb 07, 2012

A Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver is lured from his isolated life by a lovely neighbor and her young son. His newfound peace is shattered, however, when her violent husband is released from prison. (Buy Now $19.99)

Podcast #516: Listeners Respond Feb 03, 2012

There are many times when we ask our listeners for their opinions on topics we discus on the show. On last week’s show we asked you what you thoughts were on two subjects, How you would improve the Harmony Remote and would you pay $25 for day and date VOD titles. Since we received so many responses we thought we’d take a bit more time to share and discuss your emails as our main feature for today’s show.

Dolphin Tale - Blu-ray Review #16 Jan 31, 2012

A badly maimed juvenile dolphin is given a new tail, and a new life, through the efforts of the humans who save it in this true-life adventure saga. After losing its tail to a crab trap, the dolphin is doomed until a young boy spots its plight. (Buy Now $22.99)

Podcast #515: Pioneer Elite N-30 Networked Audio Player Jan 27, 2012

The HT Guys love music and when a product comes along that lets us enjoy it, we want to take a look. The Pioneer N-30 is just such a device. It's a networked device that lets you listen to your favorite music whether it's on a computer, iPad, or on one of over a thousand Internet radio stations from around the world. The N-30 will have a MSRP of $499 when it becomes available. At the time of this writing we could not find it available from the usual outlets.

Real Steel - Blu-ray Review #15 Jan 24, 2012

In a future world where flesh-and-blood boxers have been replaced by towering mechanized fighters, pugilist-turned-promoter Charlie Kenton reconnects with his estranged son, Max, to convert a discarded machine into a World Robot Boxing contender. (Buy Now $24.99)

Podcast #514: CES 2012: Part 2 Jan 20, 2012

It's never enough to just talk about CES, we have to put eyes on all the goodies for ourselves. This year we did a whirlwind, one day, Vegas and back, Consumer Electronics Show supertrip. We hit the show on the final day and it was awesome. All the technology was the same, the TVs didn't look any different than they did on Monday, but all the crowds had left and there were almost no lines for any of the demos.

Moneyball - Blu-ray Review #14 Jan 17, 2012

An all-star cast brings to life the true story of Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), a former jock turned general manager who uses unconventional methods to bring the best players to the Oakland A's, a major league baseball team struggling against financial hardship. (Buy Now $19.99)

Podcast #513: CES 2012: Part I Jan 13, 2012

It's that time of the year again, time to pack up and head out to Vegas, baby, Vegas for another Consumer Electronics Show. CES always has something fun and memorable in store for us, and we're sure 2012 won't be any different. We haven't actually left yet, so for this show we're telling you about what we've heard. Next week, on Part II, we'll tell you about what we've seen.

Contagion - Blu-ray Review #13 Jan 10, 2012

Soon after her return from a business trip to Hong Kong, Beth Emhoff dies from what is a flu or some other type of infection. Her young son dies later the same day. Her husband Mitch however seems immune. Thus begins the spread of a deadly infection. For doctors and administrators at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, several days pass before anyone realizes the extent or gravity of this new infection. They must first identify the type of virus in question and then find a means of combating it, a process that will likely take several months. As the contagion spreads to millions of people worldwide, societal order begins to break down as people panic. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #512: What's Hot Right Now (2012 Time Capsule) Jan 06, 2012

We often look back at the technologies and prices of years gone by with shock and amazement. Instead of simply trying to remember what things were like “back then” we thought it might make sense to put together a snapshot of the current HDTV landscape we can refer back to in the future.

Podcast #511: HDTV and Home Theater Predictions for 2012 Dec 30, 2011

2011 was in some ways a wild year for HDTV and home theater, but in many other ways, fairly uneventful. We didn’t fare so well in our 2011 predictions, so we’re back this year with a vengeance. A lot of thought, research and soul searching went into these and we’re really hoping for a better than 50% score this year. Without further ado, the HT Guys HDTV and home theater predictions for 2012.

Podcast #510: HT Guys 2011 Prediction Results Dec 23, 2011

Every year in late December or early January we look into our crystal ball to see what the coming year will bring in the way of HDTV and Home Theater. Each year we struggle to get a score of 50%, and in many years we fall way short. So let’s take a look at 2011 and see how we did.

Cowboys & Aliens - Blu-ray Review #12 Dec 20, 2011

It’s 1873 when gunslinger Jake Lonergan (Daniel Craig) awakens in the Arizona desert with no memory of his past and a mysterious metal shackle encircling his wrist. Stumbling into the nearby town of Absolution, Lonergan discovers a tightly closed community that takes its orders from the iron-fisted Colonel Woodrow Dolarhyde (Harrison Ford) — and Dolarhyde has a bone to pick with Lonergan. But the colonel’s influence wanes when the desolate city is attacked by monsters that drop from the sky with blinding force and abduct the helpless townsfolk one by one. As Lonergan’s memory slowly returns, he realizes he holds a secret that could give the town a fighting chance against the alien force. With the help of mysterious beauty Ella (Olivia Wilde), he assembles a posse comprised of former opponents: townsfolk, Dolarhyde and his boys, outlaws and Apache warriors. United against a common enemy, they prepare for an epic showdown for survival. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #509: Home Theater "In a Box" 2011 Dec 16, 2011

As you know, we typically are not big fans of Home Theater in a Box (HTIB) systems. In years past we've decided to put our own "box" systems together, complete with TV, Blu-ray player and the audio system as well. Last year we had a $10,000 system and a $5,000 system. This year, with prices going the way they have, we decided to be even tougher on ourselves and try to produce a complete system for $1,500 or less.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes - Blu-ray Review #11 Dec 13, 2011

James Franco headlines the reboot of the immensely popular Planet of the Apes franchise, a prequel which boasts cutting-edge CGI effects and a gripping story set in modern-day San Francisco, where scientists are conducting genetic research on apes. The evolved primates, including Caesar (Andy Serkis), develop advanced intelligence and revolt against being used as lab rats, unleashing a war for dominion over Earth.

Podcast #508: Home Theater Projector Buying Guide Dec 09, 2011

This is our first time doing it, and we’ll admit, it presents some unique challenges, but we did it anyways. This is our first ever HT Guys Projector Buyer’s Guide. Of course no projector is complete on its own, it still needs a screen, and the screen plays a large role in how the projector will perform, but the same could be said of receivers and speakers as well. Instead of lumping them into cost categories, we just picked our fave 6 (couldn't use that other number due to trademark infringements).

The Hangover Part II - Blu-ray Review #10 Dec 06, 2011

In this booze and laugh soaked sequel to The Hangover, the buddies from the earlier film's bachelor party reunite for a wedding trip to Thailand where one of them, Stu Price (Ed Helms), is planning to tie the knot. Stu is determined that his own pre-wedding party should be a restrained and dignified affair, but between the habits of his friends and the multiple distractions of Bangkok, fate has other plans in store for him. Buy Now $19.99

Podcast #507: HDTV Buying Guide Dec 02, 2011

If we didn’t spend enough of your money with the Receiver Buying Guide on Episode 505 and you still have some budget left, you’re in luck. Today we’ll give you our choices for what HDTV to buy in several different price categories. Of course screen size goes up as prices go up, just as you’d expect. And similar to the Receiver Buying Guide, this guide isn’t about getting the latest and greatest. Its about getting a good value for your money and something you’ll enjoy for years to come.

3:10 To Yuma - Blu-ray Review #9 Nov 28, 2011

In this remake of the 1957 classic, Dan Evans agrees to transport the captured outlaw Ben Wade to the nearest town with a rail station, where they'll catch a ride to court in Yuma. But all the while, Wade's henchmen are plotting their next move.

Extra Edition #3 - Interview with Jim Carroll of Savant Nov 28, 2011

From time to time we will record special editions where we speak with people in the industry. Today we have a discussion with Jim Carroll of Savant. Jim is the Co-Founder and General Manager, Residential Business of Savant Systems LLC. He is responsible for leading sales, marketing, engineering, and operations for Savant.

Podcast #506: Calibration Corner Nov 25, 2011

Due to the Thanksgiving Holiday in the US we are taking a little time off. But we won’t leave you hanging, we have a Calibration Corner with Ray Coronado of SoCalHT.com. We’ll be tweeting up deals all weekend long. Follow us on twiiter @HDTVPodcast (Ara) @BradenRussell and @RodWilliams

Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides - Blu-ray Review #8 Nov 22, 2011

Cunningly clumsy Capt. Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) meets his match when mysterious beauty Angelica (Penélope Cruz) forces the pirate to join her in search of the Fountain of Youth in the fourth installment of the humorous and action-packed "Pirates of the Caribbean" franchise. Sparrow tries to determine whether Angelica is friend or foe while the riotous adventure sets him aboard a vessel belonging to the fearsome pirate Blackbeard (Ian McShane). Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #505: Black Friday 2011 and Receiver Buying Guide Nov 18, 2011

Its that time of year again where the HT Guys get to spend your money. We start of our buying guides with receivers. BTW, this guide is not necessarily about getting the latest product. Its about getting a good product at a great price so you may see some of last year’s gear on the list. All these receivers are readily available online or at a big box store. This year there are some fantastic deals to be had! Enjoy!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 - Blu-ray Review #7 Nov 15, 2011

The final chapter begins as Harry, Ron, and Hermione continue their quest of finding and destroying the Dark Lord's three remaining Horcruxes, the magical items responsible for his immortality. But as the mystical Deathly Hallows are uncovered, and Voldemort finds out about their mission, the biggest battle begins and life as they know it will never be the same again. Buy Now $19.99

Podcast #504: New ways to watch TV Nov 11, 2011

Going way back in the history of watching TV at home, we all used to have antennas so we could watch over the air broadcasts. Eventually Cable TV service emerged and changed the way we would get our favorite shows at home. Then came Satellite, then IPTV and we were in heaven. Fast forward a few years and prices for TV service have constantly skyrocketed, leading us all to become frustrated at the lack of options. But there may be a way out.

Super 8 - blu-ray Review #6 Nov 08, 2011

During the summer of 1979, a group of friends witness a train crash and investigate subsequent unexplained events in their small town. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #503: Dolby Transform Contest Winners and ZVOX Z-Base 580 Nov 04, 2011

Way back on Podcast #417 we reviewed the ZVOX 575 and at that time we felt it was a great solution for an apartment dweller, den, or a bedroom because its so dead simple to setup. Today we are taking a look at the latest in the ZVOX family, the Z-Base 580 (Buy Now $599). The 580 builds on the solid base of the 575 and adds some great new features.

Captain America - Blu-ray Review #5 Nov 01, 2011

Marvel launches another super franchise with this action-packed origin story, which follows Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) as he volunteers for a secret experiment during World War II. Transformed into a superhero named Captain America, Steve goes after the Axis. With his perfect physique and heightened reflexes -- and his sidekick, Bucky (Sebastian Stan) -- Steve battles the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving), a super soldier created by Italian fascists. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #502: Optoma Neo-i DV20A Projector Review Oct 28, 2011

You’ve heard us talk about projectors with built-in DVD players before, typically in conjunction with a feature on backyard or outdoor theater. But who uses DVDs anymore? OK, bad joke, but to be fair, more and more people are storing movies and videos right on their smart phones, portable media players and tablets. If that’s you, and your phone happens to be an iPhone, or you happen to use an iPod, Optoma has built the Neo-i DV20A projector just for you.

Green Lantern - Blu-ray Review #4 Oct 25, 2011

Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds), a brash, talented test pilot, is chosen by an alien force of warriors to become their representative on Earth and use his new powers as the Green Lantern to promote order and justice before conflict destroys his world. Despite being the first human to wear the ring that bestows his abilities, Hal must combat villain Parallax. Fellow pilot Carol Ferris (Blake Lively) aids Hal in his quest to save the galaxy. Buy Now $28.99

Podcast #501: TV Reliability Oct 21, 2011

We recently read and discussed an article by the HD Guru about disposable TVs (Vizio Disposable HDTV Sellers: Do They Have Your Back?) and thought it might be a good idea to discuss TV reliability. Armed with this information you can decide whether its worth paying a bit more for a TV that will last longer than some of the cheaper “Disposable” brands. This information comes from Consumer Reports. They surveyed 209,000 readers between 2007 and 2011 to determine Brand Reliability.

Horrible Bosses Blu-ray Review #3 Oct 18, 2011

Disgruntled buddies Nick (Jason Bateman), Kurt (Jason Sudeikis) and Dale (Charlie Day) can't leave their miserable jobs, so they cook up a creative strategy for eliminating each other's micromanaging and maniacal employers (Jennifer Aniston, Colin Farrell, Kevin Spacey) instead in this crackpot comedy. Peculiar advice from con artist Motherf**ker Jones (Jamie Foxx) gets the scheme in motion, but the pals can't keep the wheels from flying off. Buy Now $24.99

Podcast #500: A Look Back at 500 Episodes of HDTV Talk Oct 14, 2011

It is hard to believe we've done 500 episodes of the HDTV and Home Theater Podcast. So much has changed in the almost 7 years we've been doing this, and so much has stayed the same. It's been a great time; we've enjoyed sharing it with our listeners and are looking forward to 500 more.

Fast Five Blu-ray Review #2 Oct 11, 2011

Vin Diesel and Paul Walker head up an all-star reunion of the explosive Fast franchise set in sultry Rio de Janeiro. Former cop Brian O’Conner (Paul Walker) and his girlfriend Mia Toretto (Jordana Brewster) bust Mia’s brother Dom (Vin Diesel) out of prison, blasting across South America to elude the authorities. Finding themselves backed into a corner in Brazil, they assemble an elite team of top racers to help pull off the one last job that could mean freedom for them all. But hard-nosed federal agent Luke Hobbs (Dwayne Johnson) is hot on their trail, and so is a corrupt and powerful businessman who wants them dead. When Hobbs and his strike force launch an all-out assault to capture the Torettos and their team, he can’t separate the good guys from the bad. Instead, he must rely on his instincts to corner his prey…before someone else runs them down first. Buy Now $16.99

Podcast #499: ZyXEL 500 Mbps Powerline Ethernet Adapter Oct 07, 2011

It seems like every new home theater device wants a network or an Internet connection these days. Your TV wants to be connected, your Blu-ray player, even some receivers want to be online. Not to mention dedicated media players and gaming devices. If you don’t have a hard wired connection to your theater gear, you can usually try WiFi, but even good connections can be unreliable at times. That’s where a good Powerline adapter can make all the difference.

Transformers Blu-ray Review #1 Oct 04, 2011

A mysterious event from Earth’s past threatens to ignite a war so big that the TRANSFORMERS™ alone will not be able to save the planet. Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf) and the AUTOBOTS™ must fight against the darkness to defend our world from the DECEPTICONS’™ all-consuming evil in the smash hit from director Michael Bay and executive producer Steven Spielberg. Buy Now $19.99

Podcast #498: Accell UltraCat HD Sep 30, 2011

Up until now the longest HDMI cable run the HT Guys were able to successfully transmit video across was 50 feet. Those cables were pretty thick and hard to snake through walls and attics. We've tried longer cables but had no luck beyond 50 feet. Thanks to Accell there is a product that will allow you to extend your HDMI up to about 330 feet. The UltraCat HD HDMI extender uses HDBaseT technology to send video over Cat5e/6 Ethernet cables. You can even send IR signals over the same cable. The device has an MSRP of $500 and is available today.

Podcast #497: Optoma HD33 3D 1080p Projector Sep 23, 2011

One complaint we have about 3D is that it needs to be immersive if you are to appreciate the effect. Since most of us can’t afford 100 inch plasmas, a front projector is pretty much the only choice you have for this type of experience, albeit an expensive one. Enter the Optoma HD33 (Buy Now $1500). Its a 1080p DLP projector that supports 3D.

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