Podcasts about high dynamic range hdr

Trey Ratcliff is a pioneering photographer and artist celebrated for his work in High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. He is the founder of StuckInCustoms.com, the world's premier travel photography blog, where he shares his captivating images and stories from around the globe. Through his photography and creative endeavors, Trey aims to promote mindfulness and consciousness, inspiring millions of followers across various platforms. Recently, he has ventured into writing with his personal and spiritual memoir, "Soul's Compass: An Awakening Odyssey Beyond Earth," which explores his profound experiences in spirituality and the nature of reality, marking a new chapter in his creative journey.   ****   How Prepared is Your Team for the Next Big Disruption? Future-proof your team with Malosiminds.com * Get your copy of Personal Socrates: Better Questions, Better Life   Connect with Marc >>>  Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter  Drop a review and let me know what resonates with you about the show! Thanks as always for listening and have the best day yet! * A special thanks to MONOS, our official travel partner for Behind the Human! Use MONOSBTH10 at check-out for savings on your next purchase. ✈️ * Special props

On this week's show we review ten innovations we feel had the most impact on how we consume entertainment in our homes. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: DIRECTV STREAM introduces new slimmed-down channel plans Sling TV loses 50,000 subscribers to close out 2024 Amazon Announces Plans To Unveil New Alexa Devices in 2025 Phillips expands its Roku TV range with a $1,300 65-inch OLED Other: Friendly TV   15" Pix-Star Digital Frame Skylight Digital Frame Ten Innovations that have Transformed Our Home Theaters Over the last decade, several innovations have significantly transformed the home theater experience. This week we will review ten innovations we feel had the most impact on how we consume entertainment in our homes. 4K HDR and 8K Resolution - The proliferation of 4K UHD content, along with High Dynamic Range (HDR) technology, has improved visual quality significantly, providing more vivid colors and enhanced contrast. Three-Dimensional Sound - Unlike traditional surround sound systems that rely on channels (e.g., 5.1 or 7.1 setups), object-based audio allows sound designers to place sounds as individual objects in a 3D space. This results in a more immersive audio experience, making viewers feel as if sound is coming from all around them, including overhead. Streaming Devices and Services - The rise of smart TVs and streaming devices has made it easier to access a vast library of content without the need for physical media, further enhancing the home theater experience. Flexible Speaker Configuration - Users are no longer limited to a fixed number of speakers. With object-based audio, systems can scale from simple soundbars to complex multi-speaker setups, adapting to the room's acoustics and the viewer's preferences. Enhanced Content Availability - Many streaming services and Blu-ray discs now offer content mixed in Atmos or similar formats, increasing the accessibility of high-quality audio experiences. Home Theater Integration - The growth of AV receivers and sound systems optimized for these formats has made it easier for consumers to integrate advanced audio technology into their home theater setups without needing extensive technical knowledge. Smart Home Integration  - The integration of home theater systems with smart home devices (e.g., voice assistants, smart lighting) allows for a more personalized and convenient viewing experience. Projection Technology  - Advancements in projector technology, including ultra-short throw projectors and improvements in brightness and contrast ratios, have made it possible to achieve a cinematic experience in various home sizes. Advanced Room Correction - Room correction technologies have improved significantly, allowing for better sound calibration in different environments. This ensures that the audio performance is optimized for the specific acoustics of your room. New Panel Technology - OLED, LED, Mini and Micro LED have not only improved the picture we look at but have brought down prices to the point where you can buy a 75” TV for a few hundred dollars. And the worst of these TVs are better than the best TVs that were available at the start of the HD revolution. Of this list, which do you think had the biggest impact? Is there something else you felt should be on this list? Let us know.

Many in the video world are looking at advancements in technology including 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) capable displays. Justin and Matt talk with Lane Munson, Daktronics video products manager, to dig into the difference between those two video options, how they can be achieved and more. What is HDR? https://blog.daktronics.com/2017/07/26/what-is-hdr/ The color spectrum as discussed by Lane:

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.  

“HDR” used to bring to mind surreal landscapes with garish colors and very few shadows. Fortunately, high-dynamic range photography has matured beyond those early days, and is a useful technique for getting more detail out of any scene. The latest iPhone and other smartphone cameras use HDR liberally to create good shots in all types of situations. We talk about making HDR photos using traditional cameras and techniques and also the new iPhone's computational methods. Sponsor Masters of Photography, online masterclasses with the greatest photographers in the world. Get 5% off any course with the code PHOTOACTIVE. https://mastersof.photography (https://mastersof.photography/ref/27/?campaign=PhotoActive) Hosts: Jeff's website (https://jeffcarlson.com), Jeff's photos (https://jeffcarlson.com/portfolio/), Jeff on Instagram (http://instagram.com/jeffcarlson) Kirk's website (https://www.kirkville.com), Kirk's photos (https://photos.kirkville.com), Kirk on Instagram (https://instagram.com/mcelhearn) Show Notes: Photos of Chipping Campden (Google images) (https://www.google.com/search?q=chipping+campden+photos&client=safari&rls=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjq9Oa6gZLeAhUlLcAKHcfxCKMQsAR6BAgEEAE&biw=1293&bih=1041) Graduated neutral density filter (round) (https://amzn.to/2CRHHcn) Graduated neutral density filter (rectangular, requires a holder) (https://amzn.to/2pXA2k9) Aurora HDR: A Photoversity Guide (https://photoversity.com), Jeff’s book Trey Ratcliffe's HDR (https://www.stuckincustoms.com/hdr/) The Best Camera Lens Filters, Flashes, and Accessories for Taking Great Photos (https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-camera-lens-filters-flashes-and-accessories-for-taking-great-photos/#lighting-and-color) The iPhone XS is a leap forward in computational photography (https://www.dpreview.com/articles/5831987965/the-iphone-xs-is-a-leap-forward-in-computational-photography), Jeff’s article at DPReview Lightroom Classic CC (https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom-classic.html) Lightroom CC (https://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop-lightroom.html) (which does not have HDR capability) Affinity Photo for desktop (https://affinity.serif.com/en-us/photo/desktop/) Aurora HDR 2019 (https://macphun.evyy.net/c/203793/309505/3255) Our Snapshots: Jeff: SanDisk Rescue Pro software (https://www.lc-tech.com/pc/sandisk-rescuepro-and-rescuepro-deluxe/) Kirk: Hoya Pro 1 Polarizing filter (https://amzn.to/2PNnXti). (Be sure to search for the diameter that matches your lens.) Subscribe to the PhotoActive podcast mailing list at the bottom of any page at the PhotoActive web site (https://photoactive.co) to be notified of new episodes and be eligible for occasional giveaways. If you’ve already subscribed to the mailing list, you’re automatically entered. If you like the show, please subscribe in iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/photoactive/id1391697658?mt=2) or your favorite podcast app, and please rate the podcast. And don't forget to join the PhotoActive Facebook group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/photoactivecast/) to discuss the podcast, share your photos, and more.

Planeta fotográfico #15 - HDR y filtros infrarrojosEste es el podcast número 15 de Planeta Fotográfico, donde siempre hablamos de trucos y consejos fotográficos. Este podcast está dedicado a la técnica del High Dynamic Range (HDR) y el uso de un filtro infrarrojo.Permítenos recordarte la dirección web donde podrás obtener información de nuestras actividades: www.cursosfotografiabarcelona.com, donde podrás conocer nuestras actividades y cursos. Te recomendamos nuestro habitual curso de fotografía básica y, cómo no, nuestro curso mensual de fotografía nocturna.

Planeta fotográfico #15 - HDR y filtros infrarrojosEste es el podcast número 15 de Planeta Fotográfico, donde siempre hablamos de trucos y consejos fotográficos. Este podcast está dedicado a la técnica del High Dynamic Range (HDR) y el uso de un filtro infrarrojo.Permítenos recordarte la dirección web donde podrás obtener información de nuestras actividades: www.cursosfotografiabarcelona.com, donde podrás conocer nuestras actividades y cursos. Te recomendamos nuestro habitual curso de fotografía básica y, cómo no, nuestro curso mensual de fotografía nocturna.

Planeta fotográfico #15 - HDR y filtros infrarrojos Este es el podcast número 15 de Planeta Fotográfico, donde siempre hablamos de trucos y consejos fotográficos. Este podcast está dedicado a la técnica del High Dynamic Range (HDR) y el uso de un filtro infrarrojo. Permítenos recordarte la dirección web donde podrás obtener información de nuestras actividades: www.cursosfotografiabarcelona.com, donde podrás conocer nuestras actividades y cursos. Te recomendamos nuestro habitual curso de fotografía básica y, cómo no, nuestro curso mensual de fotografía nocturna.

Planeta fotográfico #15 - HDR y filtros infrarrojosEste es el podcast número 15 de Planeta Fotográfico, donde siempre hablamos de trucos y consejos fotográficos. Este podcast está dedicado a la técnica del High Dynamic Range (HDR) y el uso de un filtro infrarrojo.Permítenos recordarte la dirección web donde podrás obtener información de nuestras actividades: www.cursosfotografiabarcelona.com, donde podrás conocer nuestras actividades y cursos. Te recomendamos nuestro habitual curso de fotografía básica y, cómo no, nuestro curso mensual de fotografía nocturna.

In this episode of the Sleeklens Photography podcast, we talk about what is High-Dynamic Range (HDR) photography, how to shoot these types of photos, and whether these types of photos are dead. As a Thank You for listening, us the coupon code: "sleeklenspodcast" to get 10% off anything in your cart from our store. Our Social Media Channels: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sleeklens Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Sleeklens Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sleeklens Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/sleeklens/

Battle of the Big TVs Braden is packing up all his earthly belongings and moving them, along with his family, to a new home. One of the items that isn't leaving, however, is the 100” projection screen in the family room. It's staying with the house. And there's nowhere to put it in the new house anyway. Instead, the family will be watching TV and movies on a more traditional television set. Just which one is still up in the air. We talked about an 86” LG television a few podcasts back (Episode 806), even jokingly called it Ara's next upgrade. As it turns out, it may actually be Braden's next upgrade instead. That set, the LG 86SJ9570 86-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV, served as the starting point for an epic spec sheet showdown that has yet to declare a winner. Other sets that are also in the running, in addition to the LG, are the Samsung UN85JU7100 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV and the Sony XBR85X850D 85-Inch 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV. Admittedly, it hurts dropping from a 100” screen to an 85” or 86” screen, but there are some very distinct advantages to the TV over the projector that will ease the transition. First of all, we should say that it is a bit ridiculous to complain about an 85” TV at all, we totally get that. We're sorry. But it is 15% less screen space, 15% less of a good thing. But the TV is 4K, and the projector is not. The TV is significantly brighter and for rooms that have difficulty controlling ambient light, will be much easier to enjoy during the day. So all in all, a win even accounting for the loss in screen size. LG 86SJ9570 86-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV Coming in at 86 inches, the LG is the largest set on the list. Of course the difference between an 86 inch TV and and 85 inch one is practically imperceptible, so that alone isn't enough to move the needle. The LG currently carries a price tag of $6996 at Amazon. Not bad for a 4K screen that size. It has a 4 star rating from 6 reviewers at Amazon, but only a 3 star rating from 2 reviewers at LG's own product page. Not great, but not terrible. Features Smart functionality gives you access to your favorite apps and content using webOS 3.5 Pairs 4K Ultra HD picture clarity with the contrast, color, and detail of High Dynamic Range (HDR) for the most lifelike picture Active HDR with Dolby Vision + HDR10 + HLG Full-array LED backlighting and local dimming produces excellent picture quality 120Hz refresh rate allows fast moving action scenes to be seen with virtually no motion blur (240Hz effective rate) Inputs: 4 HDMI (HDCP 2.2), 3 USB, 1 RF, 1 Composite, 1 Ethernet, 1 Optical, 1 RS232C (Mini Jack) 802.11ac Wifi Samsung UN85JU7100 85-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV It wouldn't be a TV shootout without at least one Samsung on the list. This set is a bit smaller at 85 inches, but it isn't the size that matters, it how Samsung uses that size to delight us that we really care about. A bit less expensive, this TV is going for $5278 at Amazon. That's a savings of around $1700. You can stream a lot of movies for $1700. It has a 4 star rating from 21 reviewers at Amazon, and a 4.5 star rating from 215 reviewers at Samsung's product page. That's a very solid showing. This TV has been on store shelves since 2015, so while the price is attractive, some of the features are lacking. Features 4K UHD (3840 x 2160) resolution offers exceptional detail and true-to-life image quality. Advanced Samsung Smart TV Offers Easy Access to Content Equipped with Samsung Precision Black technology, the Samsung JU7100 Smart TV delivers exceptional contrast depth. Ultra Clear Pro viewing panel absorbs ambient light and softens reflections to deliver a clear, frustration-free viewing experience. With the Samsung Peak Illuminator feature, you'll experience brighter whites, sharper details, and more vibrant colors. The JU7100 Smart TV also features Samsung contrast-enhancing technology, which optimizes contrast across multiple zones of the picture to produce a richer, more dramatic sense of depth. UHD Dimming for Greater Picture Clarity View Everything in Higher Definition with UHD Upscaling Equipped with a quad-core processor, the JU7100 Smart TV lets you switch between apps with ease. 4 HDMI ports, 3 USB ports, 1 component-in, and 1 composite-in. It also features Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi and supports Samsung Anynet+. Sony XBR85X850D 85-Inch 4K HDR Ultra HD Smart TV Like the Samsung, the Sony on our list is an 85 inch set. Even less expensive, this option is going for $4998 and even includes a 2 year Netflix subscription, effectively knocking a couple hundred additional dollars off of the already low price. It has a 4 star rating from a whopping 481 reviewers at Amazon and a 4 star rating from 186 reviewers at Sony's site. The set has been around since 2016. Not quite as old as the Samsung, but not as new as the LG either. Features High Dynamic Range (HDR) will change the way you look at TV. Combined with 4K Ultra HD resolution, HDR video content delivers exceptional detail, color and contrast, with a far wider range of brightness than other video formats. The 4K Processor X1 ensures everything you watch - movies, sports, and streaming video – looks the best it possibly can. From movies and TV shows to thousands of apps, Sony's Android TV brings you everything in an instant. Voice search on Android TV provides you with the power of Google search, allowing you to find content across different services without the hassle of time-consuming text entry. Inputs: 4 HDMI (HDCP 2.2/HDMI 2.0a), 3 USB, 1 Ethernet Wi-Fi Certified 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Conclusion We can drop the Samsung from the list right away due to the lack of HDR. There's no reason to buy a TV now that doesn't support HDR, and when the Sony is less expensive and does support it, that makes the decision to drop the Samsung pretty easy. Then we're down to the LG and the Sony. The Sony is a little older, so it doesn't pack the features the LG has, but it is also $2000 cheaper. That might be a little detail we have to somehow forget to mention to the finance committee should we opt for the more expensive set. It's hard to argue with the features in the LG TV. It supports all the HDR formats. The Sony has HDR support, but doesn't state which formats, so we assume it only handles the original HDR10 specification. That's great, but the LG is better with support for Dolby Vision and HLG as well. Both are smart TVs, one with webOS and one with Android TV. Both have Ethernet jacks and support 802.11ac. Other than the HDR advantage with the LG, and the advantage of being a year more recent, the two are nearly identical spec for spec.   We've gone about as far as we can go on specs and Amazon reviews alone. The next step is to find a store, or a couple stores, where we can go look at them for ourselves. We'll download some test content to a USB drive and see what our eyes tell us about each one. Sure, having the TV will be great. But the hunt is pretty fun too.

This episode is sponsored by Colorist Society International and Mixinglight.com. On this episode of the Colorist Podcast, I continue the conversation with Director, Writer, and Colorist, Alexis Van Hurkman. In the last episode, I talked with Alexis about how he got his start in post, his experience at Apple, and starting his own boutique grading facility. There was so much great conversation in the podcast that I needed to break it into two separate shows. In this episode, we dive deeper into the tech side of grading. In the last five years, there’s been dramatic changes in color technology. High Dynamic Range (HDR) is making it’s way into the mainstream, and color managed workflows are improving with each day. And with that “bigger box of crayons,” we have more options when creating looks. The creative and the technical elements in grading are closely linked. In part two, we discuss: The “Color Correction Look Book” and how to create subtle grades When to push a look further then your comfort level Grading HDR and the “hierarchy of highlights” Will HDR change the way that colorists grade Using ACES, Resolve Color Management, Truelight and other color management workflows The Colorist Society and how it will benefit the community in the future   HDR, Resolve, and Creative Grading by Alexis Alexis Van Hurkman Blog Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Ripple Training Amazon: Titles by Alexis Van Hurkman   This episode is sponsored by:   Colorist Society International For more information on how you can become a member, visit, www.coloristsociety.com.   Mixinglight.com Use the coupon code “josh15” for 15% off the first term of any Premium Color library subscription.

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.  

Value Electronics HDTV Shootout 2016 Each year Value Electronics, a Scarsdale NY Electronics Retailer, gathers HDTV experts from across the nation and pits some of the best HDTVs against each other in order to determine which TV is the “King of TV”. This was the thirteenth year the competition took place. Five Mini Overview TV Shootout sessions and Two full voting TV Shootout evaluations were held over two days on Wednesday, June 22 and Thursday, June 23, 2016. All TVs were set-up on an equal playing field, positioned next to each other in alphabetical order, and professionally calibrated in Day and Night modes. The TVs were judged on nine criteria: Black Quality Perceived Contrast Color Accuracy Sharpness Off-Axis Performance Screen Uniformity HDR/WCG Performance Overall Day Performance Overall Night Performance The Contestants Sony XBR75X940D 75-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV $5998 The Sony comes with full-array local dimming technology for better contrast, HDR, and wider color gamut. The TV is only 2 inches (5cm) thick which should make mounting a snap. It's rated 4 ½ stars at Amazon Samsung UN78KS9800 Curved 78-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV $9998 The Samsung KS9800 is a Curved 4K SUHD TV that uses Quantum Dot color technology and supports a High Dynamic Range (HDR) picture. One person bought this from Amazon and rated it 5 stars LG Electronics OLED65G6P Flat 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV $7997 The OLED 4K 65G6 features a flat 65-inch screen with HDR and LG's webOS 3.0 Smart TV Platform in a thin (2.6 inches) design. It has a 5 star user rating based on 6 reviews. VIZIO Reference Series 65” Class Ultra HD Full‑Array LED Smart TV $6000 The Vizio is one of the lower cost TVs on the list but 10 inches smaller than the similarly priced Sony. Not available at Amazon so there is no star rating on this TV. The Results http://www.htguys.com/storage/content-images/HDTVShootout.png

What is HDR It seems like every time we go to capture an image we have to choose between the highlights and the shadows. Traditionally with film you would expose for the shadows and then develop for the highlights. With Digital we must expose for the highlights and bring up the shadows. The problem is images are limited by the extreme ends and they don't match what we had seen at the time of capture. This is where High Dynamic Range (HDR) comes in. HDR is a technique to create an image with details from the deep shadows through the bright highlights. True HDR is a set of multiple captures of the same scene at different exposures and using software to composite elements from each image and overlaying separate elements to create one photograph containing highly detailed information from 0-255 in all shadows and all highlights as long as that information was available from any of the original images. There are many HDR-like photos being made from singular RAW files where the highlights are brought down, the shadows are pushed up, and the whites and blacks move similar directions. I find those types of "HDR" images are not true to the form of the multi photo HDR's. I have two images here one is from a single RAW file (the fake HDR-like edit) and then another made up from 11 RAW images at varying exposures. Can you tell which HDR is which? Happy Shooting! Get your FREE business coaching call with Rob! Sign up for one of the last few spots here! 2015 © Take&TalkPics

Marantz SR6010 It was a couple of years ago that we heard our first demo of immersive surround sound. It was at CES that the then SRS Laboratories made sounds dangle in mid air. Then we heard about Dolby Atmos which did the same thing first in the cinema and now in the home. Speaker manufacturers quickly jumped on board and created upfiring speakers that bounce sounds off the ceiling to create a dome of sound and receiver manufacturers developed products that made the speakers work. One such receiver is the Marantz SR6010 (Buy Now $1399). The SR6010 is loaded with features and specifically is Atmos capable. The major features are listed below:   Features: Dolby Atmos Built-In; DTS:X Ready - Supports 5.1.4 or 7.1.2 channel Atmos experience provided that you add an external stereo amplifier. Support for DTSX is provided with a firmware upgrade.   High Grade Audio Components   Built-in Bluetooth & Wi-Fi; Music Streaming; AirPlay Latest HDMI 2.0a Connectivity; HDCP 2.2 Compatible; ISF-Certified - The SR6010 is about as future proof as you can get right now. It supports 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub-sampling, High Dynamic Range (HDR) and 21:9 video, 3D, and BT.2020 pass-through so you can buy your new Ultra HD player and connect it to this receiver with confidence. Certified by the Imaging Science Foundation and comes with a full suite of video calibration controls (for use by an ISF technician), along with ISF Day and ISF Night video modes. The SR6010 will upconvert standard definition and high definition analog and digital video content to 4K Ultra HD Powerful 7 Channel Discrete Amplifier with ECO Mode - Each channel is rated at 110 watts (8 ohms, 20Hz~20kHz, .08%THD), and all channels can drive 4 ohm speakers with no issues. The receiver adjusts power consumption according to signal level and the power reduction is displayed on your screen in real time.   Audyssey Platinum DSP Suite - With the supplied measurement microphone, MultEQ XT32 analyzes each speaker's output (including the subwoofers) at up to 8 measurement locations and generates precision digital filters that optimize each channel for the correct frequency and time domain response. Multi-Source/Multi-Room Dual Subwoofer Outputs External Control Capabilities - The SR6010 can also be set up and operated by a home computer on the network via IP control, either via wired LAN connection or via Wi-Fi wireless connection. The SR6010 also features Control4 SDDP (Simple Device Detection Protocol) and Crestron Connected certification for quick and easy integration with Control4 and Crestron home automation equipment.   Setup Setup was like just about every other receiver with the following notable points. In order to use the Atmos speakers you need an external amp. In Ara's case that meant disconnecting the rear surround speakers from the Emotiva amp and connecting them to the Marantz. The Kef Atmos speakers were connected to the Emotiva amp and the Atmos pre-outs connected the Marantz to the Emotiva. Setting up the receiver was really easy because of the cool setup wizard that Marantz developed. You simply respond to the questions on the screen and then listen to make sure the speaker is sup up correctly.  This eliminates the need to determine which mode you need to put the receiver in to get your Atmos setup right. To be honest Ara doesn't even know what the speaker settings have been set to, but he knows it works!   Next up was to run the Audyssey calibration. Marantz includes a cardboard mic stand which makes placing the mic in 8 locations easy. Give yourself some time for this step. The sequence is run for each speaker times eight spots. The onscreen guide tells you where to place the mic so you get a proper calibration. Albeit a long process. Music While we discuss how well music sounds on each receiver it's not the focus of our reviews. For completeness we'll tell you that the SR6010 sounds quite good. We listened to music via Airplay and through an AppleTV. Classical piano sounds phenomenal! Rock and roll was tight and jazz had some great bass. To Ara's ear the music sounded a little brighter than the Pioneer Elite that it replaced. It will play FLAC HD, ALAC, WAV192/24 and DSD.  In a nutshell, even audiophiles will find the SR6010 as a capable receiver.   From Marantz: The SR6010 uses very high grade audio components that have been carefully selected. The whole internal circuit further enhances audio quality by delicately handling all signals via the Marantz designed HDAMs in Current Feedback topology before they reach the speakers. Marantz HDAM (Hyper Dynamic Amplifier Module) technology found on the company's™ Reference Series components provides superior low noise wideband performance in an all-discrete configuration, compared to conventional op amp ICs. HDAM technology provides an ultra-fast slew rate for true wideband response and maximum dynamic range to deliver optimum sound quality with today's high resolution audio formats. Movies As stated earlier the SR6010 is as about future proof as you can get. From Atmos to 4K with HDR and the wider color gamut this receiver is made for video. We did not watch any 4K content or upconvert anything to 4K because this was installed in the projector room which is 1080p. The video was passed through without any processing and looked great. There was no noticeable change over the Pioneer that was replaced. But the main purpose of buying this receiver was to listen to Atmos movies. By the way, because we set it up in an Atmos configuration you are not able to use it with multiple zones.  Not an issue in our homes but something to consider.   First up was American Sniper. We didn't expect too much but we figured there would be some Atmos in helicopter scenes and the big dust storm. What we got was nothing. We removed the speaker grill to see if there was any movement on the speaker cone and we didn't see anything. This had us wondering if they were set up properly. After a quick check we determined that everything was fine and moved on to the next disc.   San Andreas was up next. In this movie we got a lot of action as buildings were falling everywhere. We saw that the Atmos speakers were getting a workout in the appropriate places. But there was so much going on it was hard to say yes, I hear the Atmos speakers. This led us to question the need for Atmos in a smallish (18X20) room. We can definitely see that in a big theater having more speakers can immerse you in the auditory experience. But we have felt that way about a 7.1 setup as well. Perhaps these examples are too bombastic but the experience in our room was not earth shattering. Maybe it's supposed to be subtle and maybe Atmos was doing exactly as it was supposed to.   Then we watched Divergent. Right from the beginning you could tell that this was what Atmos was supposed to be. There was a brief Atmos demo before the feature that showed off the technology. The demo had what sounded like footsteps running across the ceiling that highlighted the Atmos speakers. It sounded so good Ara immediately called downstairs to his wife and kids to come up and listen to the demo. Everyone agreed that the demo was truly immersive. But in this case there were no explosions or buildings falling down to drown out the Atmos speakers so Dolby was able highlight the technology well. Once the movie started you could tell that this was a very good Atmos mix. You did feel that there was a bubble of sound around you albeit subtle.   By the way, the audio in general sounded incredible! The SR6010 matched with the Kef Q series speakers and the Hsu subwoofer sounded better than most movie theaters. Dialog was crystal clear deep and rich. And effects put you in the middle of the action. The subwoofer let you feel what was going on. A definite improvement over the older Pioneer Elite that was in it's place. The upgrade was worth it for that alone. Plus I am now ready for 4K and UHD Blu-ray. Conclusion When done right an Atmos mix is more immersive even in a smaller room. Not drop everything and upgrade better, but more like if I am going to upgrade my receiver to 4K I better make sure it supports Atmos too. Atmos speakers mounted in the ceiling would be the best way to experience this technology but the upfiring speakers do a decent job as well. Expect that the change in your movie experience will be subtle but noticeable.

On This Episode:* Adobe MAX Gets Underway this week in Los AngelesProduct Updates Include:Adobe Stock adds video content and the ability to search and browse assets directly from Creative Cloud Libraries. · Premiere Clip 2.0 now allows users to easily import files from Lightroom on mobile and automatically create videos that are synced to the beat of music in your iTunes Library or royalty free tracks included in the app. Take projects further by editing with beat markers in Premiere Pro CC. · Hue CC will now be included in Capture CC, a brand new app that combines the capabilities of Adobe Hue, Adobe Brush, Adobe Shape and Adobe Color into a single, simple-to-use app that allows creatives to capture any inspiration, anytime.For Design, Adobe introduces new and updated Touch workspaces to InDesign CC and Illustrator CC, powering mobile creativity for layout artists and graphic designers. New Illustrator CC features include the Shaper tool, Live Shapes and enhanced Smart Guides. InDesign CC delivers new online publishing capabilities and Adobe Fuse CC (Preview) 3D character software is added to existing Creative Cloud membership plans. These 3D models can be synced across Creative Cloud Libraries for use in Photoshop CC. Fuse CC recently joined the Adobe product family through the company's acquisition of 3D innovator, Mixamo.For Video, Adobe introduces UltraHD via comprehensive native format support for 4K-to-8k footage; and advances color, with support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) workflows in Premiere Pro CC and improved color fidelity and adjustments in After Effects CC. Remix, a powerful new audio feature is added to Audition CC.* Genarts Sapphire 9 is Released* Sennheiser and Apogee release new Lav Microphones for IOS Devices* iOgrapher launches their "iOgrapher GO" device for GoPro and other action cameras on kickstarter. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1215189727/iographer-go-for-action-cameras

Look into the possibilities of using high dynamic range - HDR - in your photography as Tony Sweet explains this amazing new tool.