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On this week's show look at five trends that are shaping home theaters in 2025 and we look at what will drive home automation into the next decade. Pulse we read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Kaleidescape Introduces the New Strato M Movie Player Police shut down Minecraft movie screening after audience trashes theater SVS 5000 R|Evolution Series Subwoofer Other: When Google Assistant is phased out, what happens to our smart speakers? Here are Five Trends Shaping Home Theater Experiences in 2025: 1. Immersive Audio Systems: Dolby Atmos and DTS:X continue to dominate, with more homes adopting multi-dimensional sound setups. Ceiling speakers and soundbars with upward-firing drivers are increasingly popular, creating a cinema-like audio bubble. 2. 8K Resolution Adoption: While 4K remains standard, 8K TVs and projectors are gaining traction as prices drop and content becomes more available. Upscaling tech also enhances older media, making the jump to 8K more appealing. 3. Smart Integration: Home theaters are syncing up with smart home ecosystems—think voice-controlled lighting, motorized screens, and AI-driven content recommendations. Systems like Google Home or Alexa are seamlessly tied to AV receivers and streaming devices. 4. Modular and Compact Designs: Space-saving solutions are on the rise. All-in-one projectors with built-in streaming, or modular furniture with hidden speakers, cater to smaller living spaces without sacrificing quality. 5. Gaming-Centric Features: With next-gen consoles and PCs pushing boundaries, low-latency displays (120Hz+ refresh rates) and variable refresh rate (VRR) support are must-haves. Home theaters are doubling as gaming hubs, blending entertainment modes. Will AI Drive Home Automation into the Next Decade? One of the biggest advancements in home automation technology in recent years is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning into smart home systems. This has taken home automation beyond simple remote control and scheduling to a level where devices can learn from user habits, adapt to preferences, and make intelligent decisions autonomously. Those who are fans of AI point to smart thermostats like the Nest or Ecobee and claim that these devices don't just follow a preset schedule anymore—they analyze your temperature preferences, daily routines, and even local weather patterns to optimize heating and cooling. Over time, they adjust themselves to save energy while keeping you comfortable, often without any manual input. But this isn't really asking Ai to do much. Once you set a thermostat with your preferences it just needs to determine whether you are home or away and go into the appropriate mode. There is nothing revolutionary or even AI about it. However, AI-powered hubs like Amazon's Alexa, Google Home, or Apple's HomeKit have gotten smarter with natural language processing and interoperability. They c an now coordinate multiple devices—lights, locks, cameras, appliances—through a single voice command or trigger complex routines based on contextual cues like, “I'm home” could unlock the door, turn on lights, and start the coffee maker. The latest advancements also include predictive behavior, where systems anticipate needs—like dimming lights when it's movie time or locking doors when you leave—based on historical data. What's making this possible is the combination of faster processors, cheaper sensors, and cloud computing, alongside AI models that can crunch data in real time. Add in 5G and Matter (the new universal smart home standard), and you've got faster, more reliable communication between devices, even across different brands. But a real game-changer is edge AI—processing data locally on devices rather than in the cloud. This boosts speed, privacy, and reliability, even if your internet drops. Picture a security camera that instantly recognizes a package delivery and unlocks the door for the courier, all without checking with the cloud first. So what do you think will drive home automation in the future?
「TCL、最上位7.1.4chサウンドバーのクラファンを4/1より開始。Dolby Atmos/DTS:Xの立体音響に対応」 TCLジャパンエレクトロニクスは、新世代サウンドバー「Q85H Pro」（7.1.4ch）「Q75H」（5.1.2ch）「Q65H」（5.1ch）の3製品を、4月1日よりGREEN FUNDINGにて先行支援受付を開始する。
While Apple Music, TIDAL and Amazon Music are all pushing spatial audio and immersive sound as the next big thing, the current reality is that, to get the best, most immersive effect, you need speakers: lots and lots of speakers. Of course, you *can* listen to immersive sound formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X on headphones, but the current processes to render a multi-channel recording into a 2-channel binaural signal, suitable for playback on headphones, leave room for improvement.APL (Advanced Psychoacoustics Lab) is dedicated to fixing this problem. The company's Virtuoso software can convert any 2-channel or multi-channel recording to a standard binaural headphone mix that maintains all the sonic cues of a real three-dimensional mix or space. Join eCoustics CEO Brian Mitchell on this episode of the eCoustics podcast as he chats with APL founder Professor Hyunkook Lee to discuss the current state of immersive sound over headphones and what can be done to make it better.Learn more at:https://apl-hud.com/Keep up with the latest audio and video news at https://www.ecoustics.comThank you to our sponsors SVS & Q Acoustics! For more information on these stellar brands, please click the links below: https://www.svsound.comhttps://www.qacoustics.comCredits:• Original intro music by The Arc of All. sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.com• Voice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.com• Production by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.com#dolbyatmosheadphones #binauralsound #immersivesound #dolbyatmos #spatialaudio #virtuososoftware #aplaudio #aesnews #aes #audioengineers
「DTS:XコンテンツがDisney+で全17作品に拡大。IMAX Enhanced対応4Kテレビも急速に増える」 dts Japanは、メディア向け説明会・視聴体験会を、パートナーシップメーカーと共にdts Japan内の視聴室で開催。本稿では、説明会・視聴体験会のレポートをお届けする。
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: YouTube TV, Sling, Fubo, Hulu, & More Added Just 49,000 Subscribers SwitchBot Launches Universal Remote With Matter Support Replace a pile of battery-hungry remotes with this solar-powered universal 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
「LG、ドルビーアトモス／DTS:X対応のワンボディ型サウンドバー「SE6S」。約6万円」 LGエレクトロニクス・ジャパンは、3.0chサウンドバー「SE6S」を、9月中旬に発売する。税込59,400円前後での実売が予想される。
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: This ‘Google TV Streamer' set-top box is what comes after Chromecast Spotify HiFi likely to cost $17 or $18 a month Verizon Can Get Free NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV or YouTube DirecTV Warns FCC: Without Early Termination Fees, Our Equipment and Installation Costs Are Going To Be Paid For by Our Customers Upfront 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
In this episode we speak with Sven Mevissen, Director of Product Management, Home and Media Solutions, Xperi (parent company to DTS) to discuss the IMAX Enhanced program and the role that DTS:X plays in delivering immersive cinematic sound to home viewers. As of May 15, 2024, Disney+ is the first mainstream streaming service to bring the IMAX Enhanced experience with DTS:X sound into your home. The first of such titles includes the "Queen Rock Montreal" concert film as well as 18 films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.DTS:X immersive sound differs from traditional surround by adding a height dimension that enables sound to come from not just all around you but above you as well. The partnership between IMAX and DTS allows home viewers to experience IMAX visuals and the IMAX theatrical audio mix at home for the first time.However, all subscribers of Disney+ may not be able to experience the full impact of IMAX Enhanced with DTS:X sound unless their equipment is compatible. We dive into all the details.For more information on IMAX Enhanced with DTS:X please visit:https://dts.com/discover/now-streaming-dtsx/Thank you to our home theater loving sponsors SVS! For more information please visit: https://www.svsound.comOn the panel:Sven Mevissen, Director of Product Management, Home and Media Solutions, XperiBrian Mitchell CEO and Founder, eCousticsChris Boylan, Editor at Large, eCousticsCredits:Original intro music by The Arc of All. https://sourceoflightandpower.bandcamp.comVoice Over Provided by Todd Harrell of SSP Unlimited. https://sspunlimited.comProduction by Mitch Anderson, Black Circle Studios. https://blackcircleradio.comKeep up-to-date with all the latest Hi-Fi, Headphone, Home Theater and Music news by visiting:https://www.ecoustics.com#hifi #audiophile #IMAXDTSX #DTS #ecoustics #hometheater #filmsound #soundforfilm #IMAXNews #surroundsound #hiresplayback #filmproduction #videopostproduction
Tom’s first impressions of the new SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf speakers. A new range of Dolby Vision projectors from Christie for premium cinemas. Disney+ IMAX Enhanced titles finally getting DTS:X. And the future of streaming is…TV channels. Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBmJcX 00:00:00 – Intro 00:07:36 – SVS Ultra Evolution Bookshelf First Impressions 00:13:32 – […] The post AV Rant #909: Arbitrary Rules appeared first on AV Rant.
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. News: Hulu is cracking down on password sharing, just like Disney Plus and Netflix YouTube now has more than 100 million Premium subscribers YouTube plans to create a native app for Apple Vision Pro after all Netflix to Start Billing Florida Subscribers an Additional 5.07% for State Communications Taxes 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.
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: YouTube TV looks to lessen live latency with broadcast delay feature Sorry, Stranger Things season 5 isn't likely to make its Netflix debut in 2024 Comcast Starts Doling Out Xumo Stream Box to Its Internet Customers Google TV is Getting Updated With 14 New Free Channels & A Speed Boost 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
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: How DIY Is Blurring The Lines In Smart Home Security LG's most popular OLED TVs just fixed a big brightness problem with a new update LG's ‘wireless' and wildly expensive 97-inch OLED TV sees first global release Sony's 2023 A95L QD-OLED TV up for preorder in August starting at $2,800 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.
「＜CES＞DTS:XやIMAX Enhancedの展開がさらに拡充。「I'll be back」で作品が音声検索できるTiVo OSも」 米Xperiは、米ラスベガスで開催されているイベント「CES2023」に出展。IMAX EnhancedのDisney+におけるDTS:X対応、LG製テレビへのDTS:X搭載、TiVo OSの展開などを発表した。
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: Chromecast with Google TV (4K) is getting updated to Android 12 soon Google said to be working on free alternatives to Dolby Atmos and Vision Kaleidescape Announces Two New Movie Servers Verizon will give NFL+ discount to wireless subs 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
HUGE week!If you saw the time stamp on this podcast you know its almost FOUR HOURS of Home Theater fun!Right out of the gate John and DJ again move the milk to the front of the store!1:05 - Yes at the One Minute and 5 second mark DJ GOES BEHIND THE SCENES of the Kaleidescape Eperience with Luke O'Brien their Director of Content!The painstaking eye for detail that goes into each and every movie!How do they get the Movies?Who selects the Version they Get?Dolby Vision, DTS:X, Atmos, 5.1, Pricing, VAR, Masking, almost no stone left unturned!Plus, they talk about how Luke got started at Kaleidescape, his passionate love for movies, a couple of his favorite scenes lots and so much more! For more info on KaleidescapeLuke O'Brien Director of ContentKaleidescape.comFacebook: facebook.com/kaleidescapeincTwitter: @kaleidescapeThe after all that the John and DJ thank some Patrons and on with the show! Bright Side Home Theater with the support of all their Patrons will be donating $100 to the SAFE COALITION! www.safecoalitionma.org If you would like to donate directly just click herewww.safecoalitionma.org/donate1:16:34 -Tweeks with a NEW Sounder1:17:05 - The boys dive into a bunch of Listeners Experiences2:05:30 - Bright Side International with Steve George Twitter: @LEGALBEAGLEOK2:56:56 - New 4K Releases Coming August 30th3:02:16 - Their Favorite Home Theater Experiences over the past week All that and so much more!“If you can't laugh while talking Home Theater, you're doing something wrong.”Right?Push Play and hear for yourself.And if you'd like to contribute to the show…
HUGE week!If you saw the time stamp on this podcast you know its almost FOUR HOURS of Home Theater fun!Right out of the gate John and DJ again move the milk to the front of the store!1:05 - Yes at the One Minute and 5 second mark DJ GOES BEHIND THE SCENES of the Kaleidescape Eperience with Luke O'Brien their Director of Content!The painstaking eye for detail that goes into each and every movie!How do they get the Movies?Who selects the Version they Get?Dolby Vision, DTS:X, Atmos, 5.1, Pricing, VAR, Masking, almost no stone left unturned!Plus, they talk about how Luke got started at Kaleidescape, his passionate love for movies, a couple of his favorite scenes lots and so much more! For more info on KaleidescapeLuke O'Brien Director of ContentKaleidescape.comFacebook: facebook.com/kaleidescapeincTwitter: @kaleidescapeThe after all that the John and DJ thank some Patrons and on with the show! Bright Side Home Theater with the support of all their Patrons will be donating $100 to the SAFE COALITION! www.safecoalitionma.org If you would like to donate directly just click herewww.safecoalitionma.org/donate1:16:34 -Tweeks with a NEW Sounder1:17:05 - The boys dive into a bunch of Listeners Experiences2:05:30 - Bright Side International with Steve George Twitter: @LEGALBEAGLEOK2:56:56 - New 4K Releases Coming August 30th3:02:16 - Their Favorite Home Theater Experiences over the past week All that and so much more!“If you can't laugh while talking Home Theater, you're doing something wrong.”Right?Push Play and hear for yourself.And if you'd like to contribute to the show…
It's Take Over Tuesday where you the listener run the podcast.And this week's episode is featuring Nelson Albino! Nelson joins DJ on the Anniversary of the Take Over Tuesday edition! They talk about Kaleidescape, Aspect Ratio's, Top Gun Maverick, Atmos scenes, DTS:X vs Atmos and some fun ways to combat Variable Aspect Ratio's.All that and so much more!So much Home Theater fun!If you don't believe it…Push Play and Hear for yourself!And if you'd like to contribute to the show…
It's Take Over Tuesday where you the listener run the podcast.And this week's episode is featuring Nelson Albino! Nelson joins DJ on the Anniversary of the Take Over Tuesday edition! They talk about Kaleidescape, Aspect Ratio's, Top Gun Maverick, Atmos scenes, DTS:X vs Atmos and some fun ways to combat Variable Aspect Ratio's.All that and so much more!So much Home Theater fun!If you don't believe it…Push Play and Hear for yourself!And if you'd like to contribute to the show…
John and DJ have a jam packed show for you this week!OPEN- DJ just can't wait and they jump right in witha breakdown of the Home Theater Experience of Top Gun Maverick!Then and Update on Patreon and how the donations are goingBright Side Home Theater with the support of all their Patrons will be donating $100 to the SAFE COALITION! www.safecoalitionma.org If you would like to donate directly just click herewww.safecoalitionma.org/donate27:40 -No Tweeks this week27:59 - The boys dive into a bunch of Listeners Experiences48:01 - Bright Side International with Steve George Twitter: @LEGALBEAGLEOK1:15:20 - New 4K Releases Coming August 30th1:30:17 - Their favorite Home Theater experiences over the past week 1:55:07 - This weeks Featured Experience - DTS:X vs DOLBLY ALMOSThe long asked question is answered!Is DTS:X better?Is Atmos better?Is there a difference at all?If so, what is the difference?All that and so much more!The boys are BACK together, and the laughs ensue. If you can't laugh while talking Home Theater, you're doing something wrong. Right?Push Play and hear for yourself.And if you'd like to contribute to the show…
John and DJ have a jam packed show for you this week!OPEN- DJ just can't wait and they jump right in witha breakdown of the Home Theater Experience of Top Gun Maverick!Then and Update on Patreon and how the donations are goingBright Side Home Theater with the support of all their Patrons will be donating $100 to the SAFE COALITION! www.safecoalitionma.org If you would like to donate directly just click herewww.safecoalitionma.org/donate27:40 -No Tweeks this week27:59 - The boys dive into a bunch of Listeners Experiences48:01 - Bright Side International with Steve George Twitter: @LEGALBEAGLEOK1:15:20 - New 4K Releases Coming August 30th1:30:17 - Their favorite Home Theater experiences over the past week 1:55:07 - This weeks Featured Experience - DTS:X vs DOLBLY ALMOSThe long asked question is answered!Is DTS:X better?Is Atmos better?Is there a difference at all?If so, what is the difference?All that and so much more!The boys are BACK together, and the laughs ensue. If you can't laugh while talking Home Theater, you're doing something wrong. Right?Push Play and hear for yourself.And if you'd like to contribute to the show…
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: Your Sonos Ray soundbar just got an update it desperately needed NFL Sunday Ticket: “We'll Be Moving to a Streaming Service” Google Unveils $49 Nest Mini with Better Sound, Dedicated Machine Learning Chip 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.
Son spatialisé, son 3D, Dolby Atmos, DTS-X… les termes se multiplient dès qu'il faut parler d'audio. Comment bien comprendre tout ce que cela signifie réellement ? Quels produits acheter pour profiter de sa musique ou de son jeu vidéo à la perfection en 3D ? Le journaliste PP Garcia a répondu à toutes vos questions ! Voir Acast.com/privacy pour les informations sur la vie privée et l'opt-out.
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 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.”
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
Llevo probando una funcion nueva del Apple TV 4K 2021 (anteriormente era imposible realizarlo). Esta nueva funcion solo esta disponible en el ultimo modelo de Apple TV 4K, donde podemos por fin usar nuestros HomePod Clasicos y HomepOD Mini en Stereo como altavoces predeterminados en nuestra Television, os explicaremos en este episodio paso a paso como se configura y los pro y los contra que hemos encontrado en la configuracion y sonido. Nos acompañaran varios compañeros de podcast que nos daran su experiencia y como lo usan y para que, contando nuestra experiencia con nuestras videoconsolas (PS4 y PS5). Esperamos que os sirva de mucho este episodio por si quieres probarlo si tenéis estos dispositivos y sacarles más partido, y por supuesto hablaremos de domótica en general y el uso que le damos a dia de hoy. Enlaces: Apple HomePods ahora es compatible con ARC a través de Apple TV. Tanto las fuentes digitales como las analógicas funcionan muy bien https://youtu.be/k2Ul5yVc3S8 UGREEN Cable HDMI 2.1 8K, 48Gbps Alta Velocidad 8K@60Hz, eARC, Dolby Visión, 3D, HDR10+, HDCP 2.2, 4K@120Hz 7680P Cable HDMI Macho a HDMI Compatible con PS5, PS4, Xbox One, HDTV, PC, Monitor, 1 Metros https://amzn.to/3q0lBvZ Cable HDMI 2.1 8K 2m, Snowkids 8K@60Hz&4K@120Hz/144Hz RTX 3090 48Gbps For PS5 Consola 7680P Dolby Vision, DTS: X, HDCP 2.2/2.3, HDR 10, eARC, Dynamic HDR,Compatible PS5/4 Proyector PC Monitor NETFLIX https://amzn.to/3CH2sCB Apple TV 4K: Cómo transmitir audio desde las entradas de su televisor a HomePod (eARC) https://www.macrumors.com/how-to/play-audio-from-tv-inputs-homepod-apple-tv/ Pregunta sobre los HomePods en earc con Apple TV 4k2021, ps5 y hue https://www.reddit.com/r/HomePod/comments/ntzshc/question_about_homepods_on_earc_with_apple_tv/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf Use HDMI ARC o eARC con su Apple TV 4K (2nd generation) https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207117 Cómo encender HDMI ARC y E-ARC en Samsung TV https://youtu.be/7IssuRFHdI0 Cómo configurar el Apple TV 4K para conseguir la mejor calidad de imagen y sonido https://youtu.be/eBHQD4ASiTc HomePod como altavoces Apple TV 4K: ¿vale la pena la molestia? https://youtu.be/dXv8JigqmZg Cómo usar su Apple HomePod Minis como altavoces de TV https://youtu.be/BYQXOUL3kgo //Donde encontrarnos Canal Twitch Oficial https://www.twitch.tv/applelianosdirectos Amazon Afiliado http://amzn.to/303LRYD Grupos Telegram Applelianos privado https://t.me/joinchat/5E0F_4C-r9xjNGM0 Twitter Oficial https://twitter.com/ApplelianosPod Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/es/podcast/applelianos-podcast/id993909563 Ivoox https://www.ivoox.com/podcast-applelianos-podcast_sq_f1170563_1.html Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/2P1alAORWd9CaW7Fws2Fyd?si=6Lj9RFMyTlK8VFwr9LgoOw Youtube https://www.youtube.com/c/ApplelianosApplelianos/featured
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
This was supposed to be an off week but DJ was pretty excited to talk about James Gunn's The Suicide Squad so he's doing a little double dipping. DJ chats with John from The Bright Side Chat Podcast and the talk spoiler free and then spoilers plus a little bit about going back to the Theaters and why people may just stay home. DJ also adds in a couple of little tweaks to make The Suicide Squad Home Theater Experience just a little better. Then a few listener comments, Movies and Scenes and even a NEW Patreon Supporter! Check Them out on YouTube tooPODCAST Time StampsThe Suicide Squad Spoiler Free Review- 2:31Chat with SPOILERS- 15:18Listener Comments- 47:00Movies and Scenes- 54:00To Help Support the Podcast you can sign up for a Monthly Donation HERE to become a Patreon Member
This was supposed to be an off week but DJ was pretty excited to talk about James Gunn's The Suicide Squad so he's doing a little double dipping. DJ chats with John from The Bright Side Chat Podcast and the talk spoiler free and then spoilers plus a little bit about going back to the Theaters and why people may just stay home. DJ also adds in a couple of little tweaks to make The Suicide Squad Home Theater Experience just a little better. Then a few listener comments, Movies and Scenes and even a NEW Patreon Supporter! Check Them out on YouTube tooPODCAST Time StampsThe Suicide Squad Spoiler Free Review- 2:31Chat with SPOILERS- 15:18Listener Comments- 47:00Movies and Scenes- 54:00To Help Support the Podcast you can sign up for a Monthly Donation HERE to become a Patreon Member
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!
Wir geben einen Rundumblick zum Thema 3D-Sound und vergleichen Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D und DTS:X von ihrer technischen Seite. Dabei gehen wir auch auf wichtige Entscheidungskriterien für den Anwender ein. 02:29 3D-Sound-Formate 06:25 Sogar auf dem Handy! 07:39 Lautsprecher-Layout: Dolby Atmos 19:33 Lautsprecher-Layout: Auro-3D 24:00 One-for-all Setup https://www.grobi.tv/media/pdf/b0/a0/67/One-for-all-Setup-Guide_V5-0_deutsch_publish.pdf 28:21 Lautsprecher-Layout: DTS:X 29:44 Unverschämte Werbepause! https://www.heimkino-praxis.de/videotraining/lautsprecher-aufstellung/ 31:50 Objektbasiert vs. kanalbasiert 41:58 Deckenreflexion 45:09 Vereinfachung für Dummies 47:03 Erwartungshaltung 53:13 3D-Sound bei Musik https://www.amazon.de/John-Williams-Live-Vienna-Blu-ray/dp/B08NVDLLX1?tag=heimkino-praxis-21 (Affiliate) https://www.amazon.de/3-D-Katalog-Deutsche-Version-Blu-ray/dp/B071DKCGTT?tag=heimkino-praxis-21 (Affiliate) https://www.amazon.de/Point-Dolby-Atmos-Yello/dp/B08NVGHFD1?tag=heimkino-praxis-21 (Affiliate) 58:36 Filmtipp: The Tomorrow War https://www.amazon.de/Tomorrow-War-Chris-Pratt/dp/B096Z1GPXM?tag=heimkino-praxis-21 (Affiliate)
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.
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
Watch the original video version. https://youtu.be/HCaUZ-WcE5g DTS:X and IMAX enhanced: Proper speaker positioning for optimal performance Presented by: Bronson Gannon, Global Brand Manager, Polk Audio and Boston Acoustics at Sound United https://thehifisummit.com --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dailyhifi/support
Ο Ηλίας προσπαθεί να χωνέψει τις αντιδράσεις ορισμένων στο The Last Of Us Part II. Ο Μάνος προσπαθεί να χωνέψει το EA Play Live. Αμφότεροι απορούν με την προώθηση του Baldur's Gate III. Αναμενόμενα (σχεδόν) το επεισόδιο ξεκινά ―αλλά και τελειώνει― με… Πολωνία. Get in touch: Email | Twitter Ι Facebook Group Hosted by: Elias Pappas - Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Manos Vezos - The Vez | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Ι Apple Music This War of Mine will be added to school reading list in Poland Akili Announces FDA Clearance of EndeavorRx™ for Children with ADHD, the First Prescription Treatment Delivered Through a Video Game EndeavorRX Xbox Series X: Buy A Game Once and Play the Best Version Across Generations with Smart Delivery Xbox One test enables DTS:X spatial audio for headphones Microsoft to upgrade its xCloud servers to Xbox Series X hardware in 2021 Gen9 – Γνωριμία με το Xbox Series X AT&T looks to sell Warner Bros Interactive – what next for the home of Arkham, LEGO, Mortal Kombat and Middle Earth? EA Play Live June 2020 Baldur's Gate 3 - D&D Live 2020 The Last Of Us Part II @ Metacritic Cyberpunk 2077 @ Twitter
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
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
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
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.
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.
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. TV 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. TV 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.
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.
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
Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2017 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, Blu-ray Player, 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: 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.
Wer von den Mittelkonsolen-Navi-Systemen im Auto genervt ist, kann inzwischen häufig einfach das Smartphone anschließen; es erscheint dann eine optimierte Android-Auto- oder Apple-Car-Play-Oberfläche auf dem Kfz-Bildschirm. Wie die Systeme funktionieren, welche Autos sie unterstützen und was die Hersteller dazu sagen, erklärt Stefan Porteck. Von seinem Besuch in der Brutstätte für Galileo-Navigations-Satelliten berichtet Michael Link; er war im Europäischen Weltraumforschungs- und Technologiezentrum im niederländischen Noordwijk. Michael erzählt nicht nur, was er in Holland erlebt hat, sondern spekuliert auch über die Zukunft der Navigation. Viel zu diskutieren gab beim Thema 3D-Sound: Nico Jurran hat sich die Heimkino-Systeme Auro, Atmos und DTS:X ausgiebig angeschaut und vor allem angehört. Am Schluss gibt es sogar einleuchtende Antworten auf die große "Braucht-man-das-wirklich"-Frage. Mit dabei: Michael Link, Stefan Porteck, Nico Jurran, Jan-Keno Janssen Die c't 26/17 gibt's am Kiosk, im Browser und in der c't-App für iOS und Android. Hier geht's zum c't-Test-Angebot für c't-uplink-Gucker: 4 Wochen c't digital testen. https://ct.de/uplink-hoabo Alle früheren Episoden unseres Podcasts gibt es unter www.ct.de/uplink.
Wer von den Mittelkonsolen-Navi-Systemen im Auto genervt ist, kann inzwischen häufig einfach das Smartphone anschließen; es erscheint dann eine optimierte Android-Auto- oder Apple-Car-Play-Oberfläche auf dem Kfz-Bildschirm. Wie die Systeme funktionieren, welche Autos sie unterstützen und was die Hersteller dazu sagen, erklärt Stefan Porteck. Von seinem Besuch in der Brutstätte für Galileo-Navigations-Satelliten berichtet Michael Link; er war im Europäischen Weltraumforschungs- und Technologiezentrum im niederländischen Noordwijk. Michael erzählt nicht nur, was er in Holland erlebt hat, sondern spekuliert auch über die Zukunft der Navigation. Viel zu diskutieren gab beim Thema 3D-Sound: Nico Jurran hat sich die Heimkino-Systeme Auro, Atmos und DTS:X ausgiebig angeschaut und vor allem angehört. Am Schluss gibt es sogar einleuchtende Antworten auf die große "Braucht-man-das-wirklich"-Frage. Mit dabei: Michael Link, Stefan Porteck, Nico Jurran, Jan-Keno Janssen Die c't 26/17 gibt's am Kiosk, im Browser und in der c't-App für iOS und Android. Hier geht's zum c't-Test-Angebot für c't-uplink-Gucker: 4 Wochen c't digital testen. https://ct.de/uplink-hoabo Alle früheren Episoden unseres Podcasts gibt es unter www.ct.de/uplink.
Wer von den Mittelkonsolen-Navi-Systemen im Auto genervt ist, kann inzwischen häufig einfach das Smartphone anschließen; es erscheint dann eine optimierte Android-Auto- oder Apple-Car-Play-Oberfläche auf dem Kfz-Bildschirm. Wie die Systeme funktionieren, welche Autos sie unterstützen und was die Hersteller dazu sagen, erklärt Stefan Porteck. Von seinem Besuch in der Brutstätte für Galileo-Navigations-Satelliten berichtet Michael Link; er war im Europäischen Weltraumforschungs- und Technologiezentrum im niederländischen Noordwijk. Michael erzählt nicht nur, was er in Holland erlebt hat, sondern spekuliert auch über die Zukunft der Navigation. Viel zu diskutieren gab beim Thema 3D-Sound: Nico Jurran hat sich die Heimkino-Systeme Auro, Atmos und DTS:X ausgiebig angeschaut und vor allem angehört. Am Schluss gibt es sogar einleuchtende Antworten auf die große "Braucht-man-das-wirklich"-Frage. Mit dabei: Michael Link, Stefan Porteck, Nico Jurran, Jan-Keno Janssen Die c't 26/17 gibt's am Kiosk, im Browser und in der c't-App für iOS und Android. Hier geht's zum c't-Test-Angebot für c't-uplink-Gucker: 4 Wochen c't digital testen. https://ct.de/uplink-hoabo Alle früheren Episoden unseres Podcasts gibt es unter www.ct.de/uplink.
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
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.
Mix Magazine presents the fourth annual Sound for Film and TV event, an all-day exhibition and conference spotlighting the technologies and techniques behind sound for picture, from production to playback. This event took place on September 16th, 2017 at Sony Pictures Studios. Immersive sound experiences are breaking traditional barriers and reaching consumers in more ways than ever before, and with platforms such as Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and Auro3D, content creators are engaging their audiences with the help of superior audio. But how does it all come together, on time and under budget? Learn how content creators are expanding and streamlining their workflows to meet the demands of multiple content delivery formats. Moderator: Jonathan Deans, CTO, Westlake Pro Bill Johnston, VP of Engineering, Formosa Group Brian Riordan, Re-recording Mixer and President, Levels Audio Kurt Howell, National Manager for Focusrite Marti Humphrey, Re-recording Mixer and President of The Dub Stage Jeremy Davis, Re-recording mix Technician, Sony Dan Sperry, Senior Manager, Content Services Group at Dolby Laboratories
(function() { var s = document.createElement('script'), t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = 'https://api.flattr.com/js/0.6/load.js?mode=auto'; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); })(); Dolby Atmos: die Revolution im Heimkino? Matze rüstet mal wieder auf und der neue heiße Scheiß im Heimkino ist Dolby Atmos. “Objektbasierte” Surroundsysteme wie Auro 3D, DTS X oder eben Atmos speichern nicht mehr die Kanäle in einem Datenstrom sondern die Informationen eines Klangereignisses in den Metadaten. Wie das Ganze funktioniert, was es ungefähr kostet und ob es sich lohnt versuchen wir zu klären. Smarte Brille von Apple? Apple hat Interesse an AR Themen. Das sollte seit der Keynote klar sein. Die Frage ist allerdings, ob wir von denen auch was sehen, was über die Integration in iPad und iPhone hinaus geht. Mashable denkt schon. Diese Schlüsse kann man zumindest ziehen, wenn man sich ein Patent näher ansieht, das Apple angemeldet hat. VoD News Im Bereich Abrufvideo tut sich einiges. Netflix kündigt eine Serie des Simpsons Machers Matt Groening an, ausserdem einen sehr aufwändigen Film mit Will Smith, eine neue Navy SEAL Serie bei Amazon, Sky & HBOs Serienpläne werden konkret und Facebook streamt auch bald Serien. Bright Trailer Wie geht es eigentlich Netflix? Wie die L.A. Times berichtet sieht es finanziell alles andere als Rosig aus für den weltweit operierenden VoD Giganten. Über 20 Milliarden $ Schulden soll der Konzern unterdessen angehäuft haben. Keiner ist gestorben Weekend ist zurück: der sympathisch-zynische Rapper aus Deutschland bringt am 13. Oktober ein neues Album und wir stellen den ersten Track vor Ich will das irgendwas kaputt geht Magic Leap gibt zumindest ein bisschen mehr Preis Viel ist ja nicht bekannt, von dem geheimnisvollen Produkt, dass Magic Leap irgendwann mal auf den Markt bringen will. Nun haben aber Entwickler der Firma ein Paper veröffentlicht, aus dem Rückschlüsse auf das angewendete Tracking Verfahren gezogen werden können. Mehr über das Gerät wissen wir aber trotzdem noch nicht… Light 16 Die Qualität einer Spiegelreflexkamera in der Größe eines Smartphones mit ganz neuen Möglichkeiten in der Fotografie? Light 16 verspricht genau das. L16 Die Krypto Kamera Alltäglich ist das für die meisten von uns wohl nicht, dass man direkt angehalten wird und unter Zwang die Bilder auf seiner Kamera zeigen muss, direkt nachdem man sie gemacht hat. Mancherorts kann das aber passieren und ist gerade für Foto-Journalisten teilweise ein Problem. Dementsprechend gibt es hier Bedarf für Kameras, die Bilder direkt bei der Aufnahme verschlüsseln und erst z.B. im Büro wieder freigeben, wo der entsprechende Schlüssel vorhanden ist. Sowas bieten allerdings kein Hersteller an. Möglich wäre es aber wohl ohne große Probleme, wie ein Hacker nun mit einem Raspberry Pi zeigt. Little Nightmares Düstere Spiele, welche den Gamer in einer ungewissen Welt, alleine mit sich lassen sind im Trend: Limbo, Inside und nun auch Little Nightmares buhlen um die Käufer. Wir geben Letzteres als Tipp! Zusammenfassung: Wieder einmal nehmen wir euch mit in die Welt der Technik und spielen die Erklärbaren. Neues aus dem Bereich Virtual Reality gibt es von Magic Leap und Apple, bei Video on Demand haben wir Netflix und Amazon am Start und dazu gibt es Musik, ein Spiel und eine Kryptokamera. Hört rein! Der Beitrag 144 Podcast Six erschien zuerst auf Sag was! Geektalk.
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.
PC Perspective Podcast #433 - 01/19/17 Join us this week as we discuss a budget RX 460 build, Seasonic Titanium, Windows Game Mode, and more! You can subscribe to us through iTunes and you can still access it directly through the RSS page HERE. The URL for the podcast is: http://pcper.com/podcast - Share with your friends! iTunes - Subscribe to the podcast directly through the iTunes Store (audio only) Video version on iTunes Google Play - Subscribe to our audio podcast directly through Google Play! RSS - Subscribe through your regular RSS reader (audio only) Video version RSS feed MP3 - Direct download link to the MP3 file Hosts: Ryan Shrout, Allyn Malventano, Josh Walrath, Sebastian Peak Program length: 1:19:34 Podcast topics of discussion: Join our spam list to get notified when we go live! Patreon Week in Review: 0:06:03 Building a Budget PC with the Radeon RX 460 0:18:11 Win our RX 460 Budget Gaming System!! 0:20:51 Seasonic PRIME Titanium Series Power Supplies 0:27:48ASUS TUF Z270 Mark 1 Launch Preview Audible News items of interest: 0:39:15 Microsoft Confirms Windows 10 Creators Update Game Mode 0:45:05 Gigabyte Shows Off Half Height GTX 1050 and GTX 1050 Ti Graphics Cards 0:47:37 Sapphire Releases AMD Radeon RX460 with 1024 Shaders Hardware/Software Picks of the Week Josh: 4k, DTS:X, Dolby Atmos… $399! Allyn: Smitty's Glass Wax Sebastian: If you can’t buy new, go refurb! Alex: Mini Metro http://pcper.com/podcast http://twitter.com/ryanshrout and http://twitter.com/pcper Closing/outro Subscribe to the PC Perspective YouTube Channel for more videos, reviews and podcasts!!
Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2016 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, Blu-ray Player, 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. 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.
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.
PARTICIPANTS: DUSTIN, JASON, WILL & VERN SHOW NOTES: Somalian Pirates Beam native support coming to Windows 10. Dolby Atmos, Bitstream, DTS:X and more coming to Xbox One. Analyst predicts disappointing Titanfall 2 sales.
PARTICIPANTS: DUSTIN, JASON, WILL & VERN SHOW NOTES: Somalian Pirates Beam native support coming to Windows 10. Dolby Atmos, Bitstream, DTS:X and more coming to Xbox One. Analyst predicts disappointing Titanfall 2 sales.
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.
Wir waren wieder in Belgien und haben die GALAXY Studios besucht. Dort hatten wir erneut die Möglichkeit, Firmengründer Wilfried van Baelen zu interviewen. Er stand uns Rede und Antwort zu Fragen rund um das 3D Audioformat Auro3D. Erfahren Sie in diesen 20 Minuten den Stand der Entwicklung und wo bereits jetzt und in Zukunft die Technik von Auro Technologies zum Einsatz kommt.Wir sind Deutschlands erstes Heimkinostudio, was Auro3D und DOLBY ATMOS sowie nun auch DTS-X vorführen kann. Besuchen Sie unsere Studios in Kaarst bei Düsseldorf und lassen Sie sich,wie viele weitere Besucher und Kunden vor Ihnen, begeistern.Wir können Ihnen in unseren Studios die neuesten Entwicklungen und Trends ausführlich vorstellen und zeigen. Bei uns sehen Sie keine Geräte, die nicht angeschlossen oder vorführbereit sind ;-)Wir sind Ihr Fachhändler für gute Unterhaltungselektronik. In unseren Räumen sehen und erleben Sie vom TV bis zum Projektor, vom Lautsprecher bis zum Multiroomsystem. Wir beraten und demonstrieren Ihnen ausführlich unsere Lösungen.Besuchen Sie unsere Ausstellungsräume in Kaarst - Industriestrasse 25 in 41564 Kaarst.Wenn Sie in Zukunft immer bestens informiert sein möchten, so abonnieren Sie doch direkt unseren Kanal.Oder installieren Sie sich unsere GROBI.TV APPhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.Tobit.android.Slitte6009412130&pageId=115215539122766744024https://itunes.apple.com/de/app/grobi.tv/id566557005?mt=8https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/apps/grobitv/9nblggh0j5kbhttp://www.amazon.de/dp/B00L3ZRDWY/Besuchen Sie auch das WATCHMI Videoportal oder installieren Sie sich die WATCHMI Software auf Ihren TECHNISAT ISIO Receiver oder SAMSUNG TV Geräthttp://www.watchmi.tv/de/themechannels#!/grp/2/ch/661a477b-31d8-3934-edef-dc8687e7f880/bid/6176b008-755f-8d14-09a6-1ee2e4851b54Natürlich haben wir auch einen Podcast und somit können Sie unsere Videos auch herunterladen und ohne Internetverbindung sehen.http://grobitv.podcaster.de/GROBITV.rss
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.
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.
Ultimate Home Theater in a Box for 2015 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, Blu-ray Player, 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. 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 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 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!
Receiver Buying Guide 2015 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 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!!
Yamaha Launch MusicCast, we look forward to IFA 2015 next week, Are smart homes smart, our favourite products and films from the last 100 shows and more...
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.
We interview Dave Casey from DTS about their new immersive audio format, DTS X.
DTS X was launched but do we know what it is yet, John Wick cinema review, competitions, where can you demo kit these days and more...
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.
SPECTRE teaser, DTS X announcement, Ask the Idiots, April reviews, Amazon Fire Stick, movies and more...
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