HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Podcast #1111: Samsung 89" Micro LED and AV Receivers We Don't Talk About Aug 11, 2023

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected