HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

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Podcast #919: Confessions of a Cord Cutter Oct 25, 2019

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

Full show notes at the publisher

Podcast #913: DoItForMe.Solutions Sep 12, 2019

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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