HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

On this week's show we compiled a list of fall 2026 network TV season/series premieres for ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, organized by network and then by premiere date. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

On this week's show we compiled a list of fall 2026 network TV season/series premieres for ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, organized by network and then by premiere date. Sports (NFL, college football) and most news/magazine shows are omitted unless they were listed as a season premiere in the official rollout. Dates and slots come from the networks' 2026 fall calendar.

ABC

Tuesday, September 15

Wednesday, September 16

Friday, September 25

Sunday, September 27

Wednesday, September 30

Friday, October 2

Wednesday, October 7

Thursday, October 15

NBC

Thursday, September 17

Monday, September 21

Tuesday, September 22

Wednesday, September 23

Friday, September 25

Saturday, September 26

Wednesday, October 7

Thursday, October 8

Friday, October 23

Monday, November 2

Fox

Monday, September 21

Tuesday, September 22

Wednesday, September 23

Thursday, September 24

Sunday, September 27

CBS

Sunday, September 13

Wednesday, September 23

Wednesday, September 30

Thursday, October 1

Sunday, October 4

Monday, October 5

Tuesday, October 6

Thursday, October 8

Friday, October 9

Thursday, October 29

Thursday, December 10

A number of other series (High Potential, The Rookie, Will Trent, Shifting Gears, Ghosts Season 6 proper, Matlock, American Idol, The Bachelor, Baywatch reboot, etc.) are held for midseason 2027 and are not on this fall list. Always check local listings; NFL overruns can shift Sunday start times.

On this week's show we look into an article that alleges LG's Smart TVs are listening in on your conversations even when the screen is off. We also do a quick rundown on what Dolby's AC4 is and where you can experience it. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

Stan from Pittsburg sent us a link to an article (LG Smart TVs caught listening even with the screen off) at FlatpanelsHD claiming LG smart TVs collect more data than many owners realize — including with the screen off.

What the investigation found

Flatpanel's Recommendation

Turn ACR off if you can, or take the TV off the internet and use an external streamer (Apple TV, or Roku.). Firmware can be updated via USB instead of online.

ACR is an old, industry-wide problem and it's unclear why the article focused only on LG. They still argue the mic/network findings are worth attention. They also link their earlier piece ranking Apple TV 4K as stronger on privacy because it doesn't do this kind of viewing tracking.

Update - In a statement sent to Tom's Hardware, LG said "The claims made in the recently published video are not true. LG TVs process voice data only when the voice button on the remote control is pressed and held, or when a wake word such as 'Hi LG' is recognized after the user has activated the Far-Field voice recognition feature. Other than these instances, the TVs do not collect or record ambient conversations. (If the wake word is not recognized, no voice data is transmitted to the server; the audio processing for wake word detection is performed locally on the device and is immediately deleted.)"

One of our listeners, Scott, sent an email asking us to discuss Dolby AC-4 so that is what we are going to do today! Dolby AC-4 is Dolby's next-generation audio codec for broadcast and streaming. It was designed as a clean-sheet replacement for the older Dolby Digital family, not as a tweak of it.

Compared with Dolby Digital Plus, AC-4 aims for similar or better quality at roughly half the bitrate. It natively handles channel-based audio, object-based Dolby Atmos, dialogue enhancement, loudness control, multiple language tracks, and different renderings for speakers vs. headphones in one bitstream. There are several profiles/levels:

Is it backwards compatible?

No. An AC-4 bitstream cannot be decoded by a Dolby Digital (AC-3) or Dolby Digital Plus decoder. Old AVRs, soundbars, and TVs that only know DD+ (AC-3) will not play AC-4.

What is compatible is the playback path in new TVs and set-top boxes. Those devices decode AC-4 internally, then output whatever the next box needs: PCM stereo, AC-3, DD+, or Atmos over HDMI. So the living-room chain can still work; the codec itself is not drop-in compatible with older Dolby formats. Services that must reach mixed old/new hardware still send DD+ or AAC as a fallback.

Devices that support it

AC-4 decoding is common in UHD TVs shipped since about 2017, especially models that already license Dolby Audio (Dolby has said it is in a large majority of new UHD TVs). Early public commitments came from Samsung, Sony, and Vizio; it is also in many Android TV / Google TV platforms and some Amazon Fire TV devices.

It is not universal:

Note - JOC allows an Atmos-capable TV, soundbar, or AVR to use the "JOC" metadata to build the immersive mix. An older DD+-only device ignores the extra data and just plays the core 5.1

Studios and television

Broadcast is the main home. AC-4 is an official audio system for ATSC 3.0 in the U.S. and is adopted by DVB in Europe. NextGen TV stations can (and some do) use it for Atmos, dialogue enhancement, and multiple presentations. Immersive AC-4 on U.S. OTA is still uneven; many 3.0 stations have not yet gone full Atmos.

Streaming is later. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and most other major video services still deliver Atmos as Dolby Digital Plus + JOC. Peacock has publicly committed to AC-4 (alongside Dolby Vision 2), with rollout described as later in 2026. Atmos music already uses AC-4 IMS on several apps.

Studios still master Atmos the same way. The delivery codec is chosen per platform: cinema TrueHD, most streaming DD+ JOC, NextGen TV and a few future streamers AC-4. AC-4 is in the pipeline; it is not yet the default living-room streaming format.

On this week's show Ara gives his impression of the new gear installed into his new home. We talk Internet, Home Networking, Automation, and Home Theater in an action packed show. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Starlink Performance - We had no issues while we were in TN. The entire week no said anything about slow speeds and our streaming was no different than when we are in CA. I tested speeds from time to time and results varied but the slowest speed (22 Mbps) never impacted TV viewing.

Ubiquity Network Management - this is a different world! I am still exploring all the things you can do. But the system is setup like a business. You have a network and wireless access points. I have four. One on Channel 11, two on 6, and one on 1. It was setip so the channels are far apart and don't overlap.

MyQ & Honeywell (matter compatible) thermostats go offline from time to time. I restart the wifi access point and they come back.

Third Reality Garage Door Opener - 2.4 GHz, Scene Management

Mantel Mount MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount - $700 The MM815 is a remote-controlled drop-and-swivel TV mount. Press one button to lower the TV to eye level and rotate it as needed. It comes with an RF remote, is silent, and has two memory presets.

Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini (Model Number K75XR70PRO)- $2300 The Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO is Sony's 2026 mid-range True RGB Mini-LED TV (65 inches and up) with independently driven red, green, and blue backlight LEDs, XR processing, and about 2,000 nits of peak brightness for stronger color volume and contrast than a typical white Mini-LED. It is 4K at 120 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and has HDMI 2.1 gaming features (VRR, ALLM, 4K/120). Google TV includes Gemini for voice search and recommendations, plus AirPlay 2. The Pro bundle adds a three-year replacement warranty, a backlit rechargeable remote, extra Sony Pictures Core credits, and an enhanced Voice Zoom 3 dialogue mode; picture hardware is the same as the standard 7 II.

Sonos Arc Ultra - $1099 The Sonos Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos that has a 9.1.4 driver layout and Sound Motion woofer to produce wide, height-enhanced surround and stronger bass from a single bar. It connects to a TV with one HDMI eARC cable, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem (including optional Sub and rear speakers), and can be controlled with the TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, or Alexa. Trueplay tunes the sound to the room, and AI speech enhancement is meant to keep dialogue clear. It is a long, low-profile bar (about 46 inches wide) sold in black or white.

Sonos Sub 4 - $899 The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer for Sonos S2 systems, pairing with current soundbars and speakers to add bass down to about 25 Hz. Two inward-facing 5-by-8-inch woofers and dual Class-D amps use a force-canceling layout so the cabinet stays relatively still and the bass stays clean. It has the same slot-style shape as earlier Subs, in black or white matte, and can stand upright or lie on its side. Updates over the Sub 3 include Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor, more memory, lower idle power, and a slightly lighter cabinet; setup is through the Sonos app, with optional Ethernet. Two Sub 4s can be used with the Arc Ultra.

Audio Advice - I'll be in Franklin in October for a SVS/Audio Advice Event. Details to come

Nick Brown and Smith Freeman of SVS Sound

On today's show we have an interview with Nick Brown (VP of Marketing) and Smith Freeman (Senior Director of Product Management) at SVS Sound.

We discuss their new Auto EQ, the upcoming Soundbar and general audio chat.

SVS Launches First-Ever Soundbar and New 3000 R|Evolution Series Subwoofers at CES 2026

SVS AUTO EQ Frequently Asked Questions

On today's show we discuss Ara's new family room TV and Audio setup and what his plans are for the future. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Family Room:

Mantel Mount MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount - $700 The MM815 is a remote-controlled drop-and-swivel TV mount. Press one button to lower the TV to eye level and rotate it as needed. It comes with an RF remote, is silent, and has two memory presets.

Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini (Model Number K75XR70PRO)- $2300 The Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO is Sony's 2026 mid-range True RGB Mini-LED TV (65 inches and up) with independently driven red, green, and blue backlight LEDs, XR processing, and about 2,000 nits of peak brightness for stronger color volume and contrast than a typical white Mini-LED. It is 4K at 120 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and has HDMI 2.1 gaming features (VRR, ALLM, 4K/120). Google TV includes Gemini for voice search and recommendations, plus AirPlay 2. The Pro bundle adds a three-year replacement warranty, a backlit rechargeable remote, extra Sony Pictures Core credits, and an enhanced Voice Zoom 3 dialogue mode; picture hardware is the same as the standard 7 II.

From RTINGS:

Pros:

Cons:

Sonos Arc Ultra - $1099 The Sonos Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos that has a 9.1.4 driver layout and Sound Motion woofer to produce wide, height-enhanced surround and stronger bass from a single bar. It connects to a TV with one HDMI eARC cable, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem (including optional Sub and rear speakers), and can be controlled with the TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, or Alexa. Trueplay tunes the sound to the room, and AI speech enhancement is meant to keep dialogue clear. It is a long, low-profile bar (about 46 inches wide) sold in black or white.

Sonos Sub 4 - $899 The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer for Sonos S2 systems, pairing with current soundbars and speakers to add bass down to about 25 Hz. Two inward-facing 5-by-8-inch woofers and dual Class-D amps use a force-canceling layout so the cabinet stays relatively still and the bass stays clean. It has the same slot-style shape as earlier Subs, in black or white matte, and can stand upright or lie on its side. Updates over the Sub 3 include Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor, more memory, lower idle power, and a slightly lighter cabinet; setup is through the Sonos app, with optional Ethernet. Two Sub 4s can be used with the Arc Ultra.

Master Bedroom:

Sony BRAVIA 3 II 4K HDR LED Google TV (Model Number K55XR30M2) - $798 - The Sony BRAVIA 3 II is Sony's 2026 entry-level 4K LED set, sold from 43 to 100 inches. It uses a direct-lit LED panel, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and the XR processor for color, motion, and upscaling. HDR covers Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. All four HDMI ports are 2.1, with 4K/120, VRR, and ALLM. It runs Google TV with Gemini, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, plus built-in speakers that pass Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to a soundbar. The picture is good in bright rooms; but as you would expect, the contrast and HDR are limited compared with higher BRAVIA models. If you are going to use this for anything more than casual viewing or you are really critical of picture quality you may want to look elsewhere. But for those on a budget or used in a secondary room, it's a solid TV.

On today's show we discuss Ara's garage door plan for integrating it into HomeKit, we help a listener decide on which receiver to buy, and we ask whether Atmos is worth it for a family room. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Last week I discussed my garage door situation where MyQ does not integrate with Apple's HomeKit. I explained that I will be using a solution called ratgdo (Rage Against The Garage Door Opener). A few of the listeners emailed and suggested that I look at the ThirdReality Smart Garage Door Opener). Available at Amazon for $50.

Issues for me:

After Jorge's email,I am now looking past these issues and considering this solution.

And yet another listener provided even more fuel for this fire!

David writes in and says:

Most door operators have a provision for a wall mounted pushbutton ( the same one used for years). It's a momentary pushbutton closure. There is a cold contacts switch which operates in the Matter smart home standard. As a result it works in all the various smart home systems. It's a Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 device…about $25.

I have installed mine into my Apple HomeKit system to operate my Genie garage door opener.

There is no sensing of the position of the door in the Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 - it is only for operating the door.

I have used the IKEA "MYGGBETT" door/window sensor ($10) to sense the position of the door - it is also Matter compliant. It is the usual magnet/reed switch pair.

I have used this sensor to also trigger a light inside my house to signal an open garage door.

The Apple Home automation could be written to close and open door after 10 PM. Or close a door open for more than 1 hour.

• Marantz Cinema 70s

• Denon AVR-X2800H

• Onkyo TX-RZ30

Onkyo TX-RZ30

Pros

Cons

Denon AVR-X2800H

Pros

Cons

Marantz Cinema 70s

Pros

Cons

Recommendation: Onkyo TX-RZ30

It delivers the most meaningful advantages for the money — 9 channels, including full Dirac Live, THX certification, and independent dual subs. The Denon is the safer "set-it-and-forget-it" choice if you prioritize polish and reliability, while the Marantz is best if you specifically need a slim form factor. For performance and value in a modern Atmos setup, the RZ30 is the clear winner right now.

Yes, Atmos is usually worth it in a typical family room — but with some practical caveats.

Why it's worth it

Realistic expectations for a family room

Bottom line recommendation

A solid 5.1.2 Atmos setup is the sweet spot for most family rooms. You'll get most of the benefit without needing a full 7.1.4 layout.

On today's show we take a look at your family room and decide whether a 7.2 system is worth it over 5.1. We also read your emails and catch up on the week's news.

News:

Other:

Most of us don't have a fully dedicated theater room to fully deck out with a 7.2.4 Atmos system. Most of us have family rooms and would like some sort of a surround sound experience beyond a low end sound bar. The question we get asked a lot is whether a 7.2 system will provide a noticeably better experience than a 5.1 system. So today we answer that question.

Spoiler, in most family living rooms, a well-set-up 5.1 system is the smarter choice. A 7.2 system only becomes clearly better if you have good space behind the seating and can place the rear speakers properly. Let's get into it.

If your sofa is against the back wall you are realistically looking at a 5.1 system since the rear speakers have nowhere to go. If you have 3 feet or more behind you, 7.2 may be worthwhile. If you can't fully afford a proper 7.2 system you will be better served with better speakers and a great subwoofer.

For a typical family room:

Next week should we discuss if Atmos is worth it in a family room?

On this week's show we breakdown the Value Electronics 2026 TV Shootout and see who the new King TV is. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Value Electronics (Scarsdale, NY) held its annual expert-judged TV Shootout on July 18, 2026. All sets were professionally calibrated and compared side-by-side against reference Sony BVM-HX3110 mastering monitors. Judges scored attributes (contrast/grayscale, color accuracy, processing, shadow detail, motion handling, bright-room performance, etc.) on a 1–5 scale for both SDR and HDR. Combined averages determine the rankings.

OLED Category (65-inch flagships)

Micro RGB (True RGB Mini/Micro-LED LCD) Category (75-inch flagships)

This was the first year the shootout included a dedicated Micro RGB / true RGB-backlit LCD category.

Key Takeaways

On this week's show we look into our crystal ball to see what is on the Home Theater Horizon. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Home theater technology is advancing quickly and the trend is moving toward wireless setups, brighter and more flexible displays, AI-powered calibration, immersive spatial audio, and simpler high-end installations. Today we take a look at what we can expect over the next couple of years.

Displays: Brighter, Wireless, and Modular

Audio: Wireless Immersion and Modular Systems

Other Notable Trends

There are some exciting technologies shaping the next couple of years in home theater. Displays are getting brighter, thinner, and more flexible with ultra-thin wireless designs. High-performance UST laser projectors will bring huge screens to rooms where it was never possible before. And the shift toward truly wireless, immersive audio will fill any room with rich, room-filling sound. Best of all, your entire system will adapt to your room with the touch of a button!

On this week's show we take a hypothetical look at Cable and Satellite TV's future. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news!

News:

On this week's show we take a hypothetical look at Cable and Satellite TV's future. We have said that we see TV being delivered via the Internet vs the traditional means of OTA, Cable, or Satellite. What would this world look like and who are the winners and losers?

Scenario Setup

Major providers — Comcast/Xfinity, Charter/Spectrum, DirecTV, Dish Network, Altice, and smaller cable operators — face accelerating cord-cutting. Traditional pay-TV subscribers have already dropped to ~34% of U.S. households. Revenue from linear TV (cable channels + satellite) is shrinking fast due to high programming costs, declining ad revenue, and competition from streamers. In this scenario, the industry collectively decides to abandon legacy linear TV (bundled channel packages) and pivots hard to two main businesses:

High-speed broadband/data which is their most profitable product. IPTV / Streaming aggregation with their own apps or virtual third party MVPD services like YouTube TV-style offerings.

They sunset traditional cable TV boxes, satellite dishes, and legacy contracts over 2–3 years.

What Happens Next

For the Providers it's mostly upside. Broadband becomes ~70–80% of revenue. Margins on data are much higher than on video because there are no expensive content carriage fees. Companies like Comcast and Charter already make most of their profit from data.

Huge reduction in programming fees paid to Disney, NBCU, Warner, etc. No more maintaining old coaxial/satellite infrastructure for TV. All of which greatly cuts costs.

New Growth Areas:

The biggest hurdles are massive customer service transition, potential loss of some rural satellite customers, and potential regulatory scrutiny over broadband monopolies.

For Consumers the benefits include: Lower base bills, faster innovation in home internet which results in more fiber, better speeds, and lower latency, and IPTV options could be cheaper/better than old cable (cloud DVR, multi-device streaming).

Of course there is a downside. Sports fans and older viewers lose easy "flip channels" experience. Live sports become fragmented across streamers which could end up costing more if you want everything.

There will be Market & Industry Ripple Effects

The reality is that it's already happening gradually. Cable companies have been de-emphasizing video for years, pushing broadband bundles, and launching their own streaming apps. Satellite providers are in steeper decline. The full pivot described here would simply formalize and accelerate a trend that's well underway.

On today's show we discuss a post about how Netflix is experiencing a severe "sophomore slump". We also read your emails and discuss the week's news.

News:

Other:

Cinema Shorts is reporting that Netflix is experiencing a severe "sophomore slump," with data revealing that its top-performing original series are losing between 30% and 70% of their viewing audience between seasons 1 and 2.

As first reported in Bloomberg's "Screentime" newsletter, executive leadership is actively trying to diagnose this mass viewer abandonment.

Theories include the multi-year gap between seasons, that dropping an entire season creates a burst of convo that flames out quickly, and the vicious cycle of cancellations.

No show this week. We are on vacation. Happy Independence Day to our US Listeners.

Enjoy the 1980s jungle at the end of the message. I crack myself up!

On today's show we create alternate reality TV Spinoffs of some of our favorite TV shows. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

HBO Max is making a clever spinoff from "The Big Bang Theory" called "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe". The show follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom from The Big Bang Theory in a new series where he attempts - and apparently fails - to save the universe, staying true to his unlucky nature. The spinoff consists of ten episodes, streaming every Thursday at 9 PM. It debuts July 23 on HBO Max .

So this got us thinking about some cool spinoffs with quirky characters from other shows we've watched over the years. Here are three clever spinoff concepts in the same spirit as Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:

Jack Bauer from 24

Title: 24/7

After finally retiring from CTU, Jack Bauer is forced to take a mundane job as head of security at a mid-sized suburban office park in Los Angeles — mostly to keep his health insurance.

Still operating with the intensity, paranoia, and zero-tolerance policy that once saved the world multiple times, Jack now applies his elite counter-terrorism skills to everyday annoyances: package thieves, passive-aggressive HR Manager, broken printers, and the HOA president who keeps violating noise ordinances.

Every episode plays out in real time (a 24-minute comedy format), following Jack as he tackles a new "crisis" — whether it's a missing office dog, a suspected mole in accounting, or an all-out war with the food truck that keeps getting his lunch order wrong.

Jack still does dramatic split-screen monologues, tortures (metaphorically) the vending machine, and keeps a "go bag" full of zip ties and protein bars in his desk. His long-suffering team includes a burnt-out millennial assistant, a retired cop who just wants to nap, and his daughter Kim, who keeps trying to get him into therapy.

Tagline: He saved the world 8 times. Now he has to survive the corporate retreat.

Chandler and Monica of Friends

Title: The One Where They're Spies

After years of marriage, Chandler Bing and Monica Geller have the perfect cover: a boring, stable suburban life in New Jersey. Chandler works as a "data analyst" for a vague government contractor, and Monica runs a high-end catering business.

In reality, they're a highly skilled CIA husband-and-wife operative team.

Chandler's deadpan sarcasm and quick wit make him an elite handler and master of undercover personas. Monica's terrifying organizational skills, attention to detail, and competitive nature make her an absolute weapon in logistics, interrogation, and hand-to-hand combat (she once took down three targets with a perfectly thrown fondue fork).

While they're out saving the world from international threats, they have to keep their double lives completely hidden from Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe — who still think Chandler hates his job and Monica is just an obsessive chef.

Every episode balances high-stakes spy action with classic Friends-style comedy as the couple frantically tries to explain away their suspicious behavior:

Tagline: They're saving the world… between coffee at Central Perk.

Charles Boyle from Brooklyn 99

Title: Boyle

After a high-profile case goes sideways, Detective Charles Boyle is transferred to the NYPD's newly formed Unsolved & Unusual Crimes Unit — a ragtag squad that handles cold cases too weird or embarrassing for anyone else.

Still the passionate, food-obsessed, emotionally open romantic we know and love, Boyle now channels his legendary enthusiasm into solving the city's strangest unsolved mysteries: everything from a serial killer who leaves gourmet meals at crime scenes to a black-market truffle smuggling ring. He attacks each case with the same intensity he once reserved for perfecting his coq au vin recipe.

Backed by a small team of misfits (a jaded ex-homicide detective, a tech genius who only communicates in food puns, and a rookie who idolizes him), Boyle brings both razor-sharp detective work and delightful chaos to every investigation. He still cries during interrogations, quotes obscure food history mid-stakeout, and maintains an emergency "comfort cassoulet" in the precinct fridge.

Tagline: He may cry at crime scenes… but he always gets his man.

On today's show we take a look at the new Apple CarPlay Ultra. And with the high cost of streaming these days, we give you our pick for the one streaming service that you should keep. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

A listener sent us a link to: I tried Apple CarPlay Ultra and now everything else feels outdated. The author felt that CarPlay Ultra just made every other in-car system feel clunky – and after testing it in an Aston Martin DBX, I don't want to drive without it. So why is he so excited about this update?

Main Takeaways from the Article:

With so many streamers out there costing us hundreds a year it has become expensive to watch TV. We asked ourselves, "If we had to pick only one streamer which one would it be?" And that streamer is - Netflix

Why Netflix Wins for Most People

Other strong contenders fall short in our "one service only" scenario:

Bottom line: Netflix gives you the broadest entertainment bang for your buck and the least chance of getting bored quickly. It's the safest "one and done" choice for a general audience in 2026.

On today's show we look at some AppleTV and Home announcements from the Apple WWDC and look at what that fuss is about the new Sony's True RGB TVs. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Key takeaways for Apple TV from Apple's WWDC 2026 are relatively modest and software-focused, as the event emphasized iOS 27.

tvOS 27 Highlights for Apple TV

tvOS 27 developer betas are available now post-keynote, with public release expected in fall 2026 alongside other OS updates.

As far as the Apple Home app goes, updates mainly dealt with Apple Intelligence integration for smarter camera handling and notifications:

Hardware Notes

No new Apple TV 4K hardware was announced at WWDC (consistent with expectations). A refreshed model with A17 Pro (or similar) for full Apple Intelligence/Siri 2.0 support, better smart home capabilities, and possibly Wi-Fi 7 has been "ready for months" but is being held for later in 2026 to align with the advanced AI features.

Sony's True RGB is Sony's marketing name for their advanced RGB Mini-LED backlight technology, introduced in 2026 for high-end BRAVIA TVs the BRAVIA 9 II and BRAVIA 7 II series.

How True RGB Works

Traditional Mini-LED or QLED TVs typically use white or blue LEDs as the backlight, then pass that light through color filters or Quantum Dots to create colors. This filtering process can reduce color purity, brightness, and efficiency.

Sony's True RGB technology takes a different approach by using tiny independent red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs in the backlight, with each color LED controllable separately across thousands or even millions of local dimming zones, generating color directly at the light source before it reaches the LCD layer rather than filtering white light.

Sony's True RGB technology delivers purer and more accurate colors with a significantly wider color volume and gamut, higher peak brightness while maintaining excellent color accuracy, superior contrast and black levels that can challenge OLED performance in certain scenarios, improved energy efficiency through smart power distribution algorithms that use less power than previous generations, and outstanding off-angle viewing with minimal color shift.

Key Advantages Sony Highlights

Sony's True RGB technology delivers true-to-source color accuracy, backed by the company's deep professional monitor expertise and decades of innovation in RGB technology dating back to the groundbreaking 2004 QUALIA series. This is powered by advanced RGB Backlight Master Drive processing that expertly manages the immense complexity of controlling millions of individual colored diodes in real time. Overall, it successfully combines the best of Mini-LED brightness with near-OLED levels of color performance and contrast.

In short, True RGB is Sony's premium implementation of direct RGB Mini-LED backlighting. Sony emphasizes not just the hardware (RGB LEDs), but their proprietary optical design, drivers, and image processing to make it perform better than competing RGB LED TVs from other brands.

Sony True RGB Models with Pricing (2026 Lineup)

Prices are MSRP/launch pricing (as of mid-2026; actual street prices and sales vary by retailer like Best Buy, Crutchfield, or Sony's site). Larger sizes command big premiums.

BRAVIA 7 II - more accessible entry into True RGB, excellent color and brightness for the price

BRAVIA 9 II - higher brightness, more advanced processing, better anti-glare, and local dimming performance

On today's show, we dive into the cost structure of audio speakers. We start with an article that asks whether 'audiophile' speaker brands are milking you for $20,000. We also read your emails and cover the week's news.

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Other:

The listeners keep delivering great ideas for show topics. This week Mike LaBorde sent in an article published at headphonesty.com entitled A Former FTC Economist Quit His Job to Prove 'Audiophile' Speaker Brands Are Milking You for $20,000.

The author talks about how a former FTC economist quit his job to design and build affordable high-performance speakers. He argued that many premium audiophile brands are significantly overpriced because they use similar OEM drivers from the same factories while charging massive markups for branding, cabinets, and dealer margins.

We'll break down this article into five points we felt were interesting. The full article is linked and you may want to read it for more details.

Many premium audiophile speaker brands rely on the same small group of OEM driver manufacturers (like Sinar Baja/SB Acoustics, SEAS (Scandinavian Electro Acoustic Systems), Scan-Speak, etc.). The same factories and engineering talent supply drivers to both high-end and mainstream brands, even when the final speakers carry vastly different logos and price tags. "Custom" or "proprietary" drivers are often overstated. Most brands customize only the "soft parts" (cone, surround, voice coil) on top of standard off-the-shelf "hard parts" from OEM suppliers, rather than designing and building drivers entirely from scratch. Pricing of speakers — The actual cost of the drivers is a tiny fraction of the retail price. In the Wilson Audio Yvette example, the three drivers cost roughly $530–$580 total, representing only about 2% of the $25,000+ selling price. The vast majority of the cost comes from cabinetry, finish, dealer margins (40-50%), distribution, marketing, and brand prestige, with a typical 5x markup from manufacturing cost to retail. Only a few brands truly manufacture their own drivers in-house. Companies like Focal, KEF, Dynaudio, Paradigm, and Bowers & Wilkins are exceptions. Most premium brands outsource driver production due to the high cost and complexity of vertical integration. High performance doesn't require extreme prices. Former FTC economist Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Audio proves this by offering well-engineered speakers (like the $850/pair Ceramic Mini using quality SB Acoustics drivers) with minimal overhead, direct sales, and no lavish dealer/showroom costs — challenging the idea that great sound must come with five-figure price tags.

The article essentially argues that much of the ultra-premium speaker market is driven more by branding and distribution economics than by revolutionary driver technology.

After going through the previous article we wondered what the actual cost breakdown of Passive bookshelf speakers retailing at $1,000 per pair? ThinkKEF Q series, ELAC Debut Reference, or similar mid to high end consumer hi-fi brands. They balance good performance with accessible pricing.

What follows is our best estimation based on the data we uncovered. If you are in the industry and have better data, please let us know and we will update this analysis. Sources for this analysis include - Audio Science Review, AVS Forum, WhatHifi, headphonesty.com, hubhifi, and a few others.

1. Design & Development (R&D) – Upfront Investment

2. Prototyping & Tooling

3. Bill of Materials (BOM) – The Biggest Per-Unit Cost

For a typical 2-way passive bookshelf (6.5" woofer + 1" tweeter) at this price point:

Total BOM per pair: $190–$440 at volume production (typically in China or Vietnam for most brands). Premium touches (better drivers, thicker bracing, nicer finishes) push BOM toward the higher end.

4. Manufacturing, Assembly & Overhead

Total Manufacturing per pair: $70 - $135

5. Full Cost Structure to Retail ($1,000/pair)

We will assume a large brand that sells 20,000 units and has already invested in tooling and requires minimal new tooling for each new speaker design.

Total to Manufacture $474. The rest of the thousand dollars covers the distribution chain, branding, and profit. And in reality, depending on the efficiency of the factory and ability to leverage design histories from years of experience, the soft costs can be about a third of $110 we came up with, bringing the total cost to about $400.

Key Variables Affecting Cost

For comparison DIY builders can replicate similar performance for $300–$600 per pair in parts using higher quality drivers and crossover components and flat-pack or self-built cabinets, eliminating most of the overhead and markups.

And after building over 30 sets of speakers I can say without doubt that what you build will sound as good as speakers costing ten times the amount. Plus you can use material that works best for you as well as customizing the look to match your decor. Even my latest set built from stock off the shelf components bought from Part Express for about $200 sound simply amazing!

On today's show we look at an article published at Slashgear.comthe scientifically proves that expensive cables are a waste of money. We also look at five Google TV features that you are probably not using. And of course we read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Long time listener Scott sent us an email pointing us to an article at Slashgear.com titled WE NOW HAVE SCIENTIFIC PROOF THAT EXPENSIVE AUDIO CABLES ARE A WASTE OF MONEY. Today we share three key takeaways from that article. The entire article is linked and you can check it out for the full details.

Here are the three key takeaways from the article:

Expensive audio cables perform no better than cheap ones In rigorous scientific testing by Audio Science Review, $7 Amazon Basics RCA cables performed identically to $4,000+ Kimber Kable premium cables across key metrics like frequency response, total harmonic distortion + noise (THD+N), and signal-to-noise ratio. The expensive cables even showed slightly more interference in some tests. Claims about premium cables are mostly marketing hype. High-end cables often boast exotic materials (solid silver, special dielectrics, etc.), but these make no measurable or audible difference in real-world performance for human hearing. The article highlights that this is a common area where audiophiles get overcharged. Spend your money on what actually matters. Instead of expensive cables, invest in better speakers, amplifiers, DACs, source quality, or room acoustic treatment. These components make a far bigger difference in sound quality than cables ever will.

Bottom line: The article concludes that for most people (even serious audiophiles), cheap, well-made cables are perfectly fine.

Today's show is completely fueled by our listeners. Mark fromFloriday sent us a link to Tom's Guide that lists 5 Google TV features you're probably not using but definitely should. We will go through those bow but the full details can be found at the linked article.

Here's a summary of the five Google TV features:

Apps-Only Mode: Turn your cluttered home screen into a simple app launcher by enabling Apps Only mode. This removes most recommendations and shows just your installed apps (with one banner ad remaining). Personalize Recommendations: Customize your home screen suggestions by selecting which streaming services you want included. This reduces unwanted content while keeping helpful recommendations from your preferred apps. Ambient Mode: Transform your TV into a digital picture frame or art gallery. You can display beautiful artwork or your own personal photos when the TV is not in use. Find My Remote: Quickly locate a lost Google TV remote by making it play a loud sound. Accessible through Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Find my remote. Basic Mode: Strip Google TV down to a "dumb TV" experience. It disables apps and ads, showing only live TV and connected external devices (requires a factory reset to activate).

In this week's show we do a review of the WiiM Amp Multiroom Streaming Amplifier but first, we read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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As you know Ara just completed a set of speakers built from salvaged MDF and brand new components from Dayton Audio. The speakers sound excellent and will end up being a part of Ara's whole home audio system in Tennessee. The only issue is that these speakers are passive and need an amplifier. So to drive them Ara is using the WiiM Amp Streaming amplifier which runs for about $300 at Amazon.

This WiiM amp is an all-in-one device that combines a high-quality streamer, ESS Sabre DAC, and Class D amplifier into one cool looking box. It's perfect for "just add speakers" simplicity with great performance, especially at this pricepoint.

Key Features

Setup

Setup was straightforward and took about ten minutes including the firmware upgrade done through the WiiM Home App. For Ara's setup it was, plug in power and connect the speakers and join the wifi network which was done through the WiiM Home app. Ara is not using a subwoofer but one can be added by using the sub out RCA connection. You can adjust the crossover in the app. The app is where you can select EQ, source, and do your multi-room configuration.

There is only one physical control that controls volume and doubles as play/pause. HDMI ARC makes it an excellent TV audio upgrade with minimal hassle. No complex wiring or external DAC needed. More on that in a bit.

Sound Quality

The WiiM Amp delivers clean, lively, and detailed sound at a reasonable price. It offers good clarity, solid bass control via the sub out. Distortion is very low even at high levels of volume. We are not saying that using these with some KEF or SVS Towers is the way to go, but for small-to-medium spaces, or desktop setups, it sounds surprisingly good. Add to it that it can make any speaker work with Apple Airplay or Google Cast Audio and you have a relatively inexpensive way to build out a wireless whole home audio system.

The HDMI ARC support makes this a cost effective way to add a 2.1 speaker system to your TV. In this case the center channel is split evenly between the left and right speakers giving the perception that the audio is coming from the center, provided the speakers are not separated from the TV by a large distance.

We have a listener named John who is using the Wiim Amp Pro ($379 from Amazon with no Airplay support) in this manner with an SVS subwoofer and his quote is, "It's been working perfectly". The only issue he had was with the EQ calibration. When it was set to cut and boost frequencies he would get audio dropouts. He did some experimenting and found that if he only cuts frequencies and does not boost them, the audio dropouts stopped.

Cool Features That Make It Worth $300

Summary

The WiiM Amp is an outstanding budget streaming amplifier that offers a lot of versatility, ease of use, and surprisingly good sound for the money. It's ideal for anyone wanting a simple, music or TV audio setup without complexity or high cost. While we don't recommend it for big rooms, it's perfect for desktop and bookshelf use, especially if you want to use Airplay 2 or Google Cast Audio. With all that said, Ara will probably never use the app again and simply connect to it via the Airplay 2 from his Mac and iOS devices.

On this week's show we take our first look at the new batch of Ikea smart home products that support matter. Are they worth the money? We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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On this week's show we take our first look at the new batch of Ikea smart home products that support matter. If you are in the Amazon, Apple, Google, Homey or Samsung ecosystem you can connect these devices directly to your home via matter.

These are some of the lowest cost devices we have seen and they come from a reputable vendor. So how do they work? To answer that, we put the Grillplats plug and two variations of the Bilresa Remote Control (Dual Button and Scroll Wheel) through a two week test. Here is what we found.

GRILLPLATS Plug ($7.99 at Ikea)

What can we say? This is a solidly built matter plug for $8 that never misses.

What we like:

What you should consider:

Excellent value if you already have a Thread network and mainly need basic on/off control. It's a strong budget pick, but not perfect for heavy appliances.

BILRESA remote control kit ($14.99 at Ikea)

These dual-button remotes make it much easier to control your smart products. You can use them to turn devices on and off, dim lights, change colors, or activate groups and preset scenes. And at about $5 a piece they are the best value remote out there!

What we like:

What you should consider:

Fantastic budget remote if you want simple physical control for lights and scenes in a Matter smart home. Just be aware that two button actions are required to turn a light on and off. So if you are using it to control lights you may make a single press on the larger button turn a lamp on and a single press on the smaller button turn the lamp off. Hitting the first button does not toggle the state of the controlled device.

BILRESA remote control with Scroll Wheel ($9.99 at Ikea)

Use to turn smart products on/off, dim and change the color of light sources, or operate a group or preset scenes. With this controller you get three sets of buttons which are indicated by a small LED. Each set has a single, double, and long press. In addition there is a scroll wheel that is supposed to dim lights.

The dimmer did not work with homekit over matter but even if it did the action is difficult to uses since the wheel is slick and slippery. Moving between groups is cumbersome as well. You have to wake up the device to see which group you are currently on. Or just dive in and see what happens!

What we like:

What you should consider:

Great concept and price but we recommend waiting for firmware fixes and broader Matter support. Consider the simpler dual-button BILRESA version.

On this week's show we do our annual Broadcast Network TV Renewals and Cancellations and also read your emails and look at the week's news.

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It's that time of year where we look at the fate of broadcast network TV Shows. The following list is based on the latest available info. Note that The CW has largely shifted away from original scripted programming.

ABC

Strong stability for its drama and comedy slate.

CBS

Very proactive with early renewals for its procedural-heavy lineup. Several new or recent shows got quick pickups.

FOX

Focus on animated comedies and a few live-action holds; some cancellations in the animated space.

NBC

The Chicago franchise remains rock-solid; some newer shows didn't make it.

The CW

Mostly wrapping up remaining originals.

On this week's show a listener asks for some help with keeping his audio in sync with his video. We also discuss how to turn off the ACR on your Smart TV. But first we read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Byron's request for answers to some specific questions on audio sync: I'd appreciate it if you guys could provide some "guiding principles" on syncing audio in a home theater setup. I have four questions:

1. Should the AVR be the ONLY place to mess with syncing settings (when everything runs through it, including ARC)?

Yes, in most cases—this is the recommended approach. Start with AVR settings at zero or Auto, enable Auto Lip Sync if available, and adjust the manual audio delay there. Avoid adjusting on the TV or sources unless you have a specific reason like a stubborn source that bypasses the AVR. Changing multiple devices creates conflicts and makes troubleshooting harder.

2. If AVR is the main adjustment point, do sources automatically stay in sync after setting it once?

Often yes, especially with Auto Lip Sync enabled and consistent sources. The AVR's delay setting (or per-input memory) applies across similar content. However:

3. For Fire TV Sticks, Apple TV, etc.: Do sync settings apply across all apps, or per-app?

In both cases, rely on the AVR for the heavy lifting.

4. Do higher-end AVRs allow different sync settings per input?

Yes! Many mid-to-high-end models store audio delay/lip sync per input source. Examples include Denon models with "Master Audio Delay" or similar, where you can set and recall different ms offsets (often 0–500ms) for each HDMI input. This is a big convenience for multiple devices. Check your AVR manual for "Audio Delay," "Lip Sync," or "per input" settings.

Additional Best Practices

Last week we talked about how your TV was spying on what you are watching. This week we discuss how to prevent that from happening. The following are the most effective ways to circumvent smart TV spying and related data collection, ranked from easiest/quickest to most thorough. These also help limit proxy network enrollment in shady apps.

1. Disable ACR Directly in TV Settings (Quickest First Step)

Most brands let you turn off Automatic Content Recognition (and related ad/personalization features) without losing core picture quality. Do this on every TV:

After changing, restart the TV. Check the setting again after any software update, as it can reset. Also disable voice assistants, microphones, and cameras (cover them physically if needed).

2. Block Internet Access to the TV (Highly Effective)

The simplest long-term fix: Prevent the TV from phoning home at all.

Pro tip: Many people report the TV works fine (or even faster) for HDMI inputs and local streaming when fully offline. External streaming devices handle all internet needs.

3. Use the TV as a "Dumb" Display Only

Treat your smart TV like a big monitor:

This bypasses the TV's OS almost entirely.

4. Go Fully "Dumb" (Most Private Long-Term Solution)

Important reality check: Disabling ACR and blocking internet stops most viewing-data collection, but no method is 100% foolproof against every firmware trick or future update. The nuclear option—keeping the TV completely offline and HDMI-only—remains the gold standard for privacy.

On this week's show we look into how your TV may be spying on you so that manufacturers can profit off of what you watch. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Last week we read a news story about how some Smart TVs install apps that use your IP address and bandwidth to scrape the Internet to feed AI models. And if that isn't enough to make you want to disconnect your TV from the Internet, smart TVs from nearly every major brand are actively spying on exactly what you watch—whether it's cable, streaming apps like Netflix, over-the-air broadcasts, Blu-ray discs, or even content from a laptop, game console, or phone connected via HDMI. They do this through a built-in technology called Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) that takes frequent screenshots and audio fingerprints of what you are watching. Then, using the data, the content is identified, and detailed viewing information is sent back to the manufacturer's servers.

This isn't occasional tracking; studies show Samsung TVs send data roughly every minute and LG every 15 seconds, even when you're using the TV purely as a monitor for personal photos, videos, or work. The result is a highly detailed profile of your watching habits that gets turned into cash.

How ACR Spying Works

ACR software runs in the background on most smart TVs. Manufacturers then build individual or household viewer profiles. In addition to Samsung and LG, Sony, Vizio, TCL, Hisense, Roku TVs, and others also use ACR software to build user profiles.

How They Make Revenue From Your Viewing Data

TV makers often sell hardware at razor-thin (or even negative) margins because the real money comes later from your data:

Your viewing habits are packaged and sold as valuable advertising intelligence—often without you realizing the full extent.

Watchdog Groups Fight Back

The Proxy Network Angle

We briefly spoke about this on the last show. A separate but growing practice involves certain smart-TV apps quietly enrolling your device in massive residential proxy networks like Bright Data. In exchange for fewer ads or free access, the app turns your TV into a web-scraping bot that uses your IP address and bandwidth to crawl public websites, collect data (including audio/video), and feed AI training models. Major platforms like Amazon, Google, and Roku have started blocking some of these, but they still run on LG webOS and Samsung Tizen in many cases.

Bottom Line

Your smart TV is effectively a 24/7 surveillance device in your living room that turns your private viewing into a profitable data product. While some data collection is now supposed to require opt-in consent, most people never notice the setting. The industry's business model increasingly depends on this surveillance, which is why cheap TVs keep getting smarter—and more invasive.

Next Week - How to circumvent this!

On this week's show we take look at five underrated home theater picks that will set you back less than $500. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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In the world of home theater, the big brands usually grab all the attention. But some of the best-performing gear doesn't have to break the bank while still delivering impressive sound, clear dialogue, and deep, immersive bass.

If you're building or upgrading a home theater system on a budget, say less than $500, these underrated products deliver a lot of bang for the buck. You won't see these on typical "best of" lists and the best part, they can all be had for under $500. Of course, prices can change, so be sure to check the latest deals online.

Here are the top five underrated home theater gems worth considering:

1. ELAC Debut Series Bookshelf Speakers

ELAC's Debut line consistently earns rave reviews for neutral, detailed sound and surprising soundstage that we have loved for years. ELAC's strength is music, however, the Debuts are an excellent choice as front left/right or surround speakers. Pair them with a good center channel for dialogue and wide imaging. They will handle dynamic movie soundtracks without sounding harsh and sell for about $270 per pair. You will need a subwoofer and center channel if you plan on using these as part of a home theater setup. But don't worry, we have you covered for that as well!

2. Denon AVR-S570BT

While flagship Denon and Onkyo models get all the attention, this entry-level AVR quietly delivers solid 5.1-channel performance, HDMI support for 4K/8K passthrough, and easy setup — all without complicated features most beginners don't need. You can count on the 570 for reliable amplification, Bluetooth streaming, and basic room correction options. It powers speakers cleanly and supports modern video formats, making it a great foundation for a starter system. The AVR-570 goes for $375 at Amazon. Consider this model if you are new to home theater or upgrading from a soundbar. It pairs nicely with ELAC speakers previously mentioned.

3. Polk Audio Signature Elite Center Channel Speaker

Polk's center channels often get overlooked in favor of more "premium" options, but they excel at one critical job: making movie dialogue crystal clear even during explosive action scenes. Great for anchoring a 5.1 or 7.1 system without muddying voices. At 10.6"D x 20"W x 7.5"H it should be easy to find a place for it on a wall or TV stand. Coming in at $400 it's one of the more expensive items on the list. If you are frustrated with unclear dialogue in your current setup, match this with the ELAC speakers for clean dialog that you won't have to strain to hear.

4. RSL Speedwoofer 10S MKII

We have been big fans of RSL ever since we interviewed Joe Rogers on our show. Every pair of RSL speakers we have listened to have performed well beyond their price tag. Their subwoofers are no different, the RSL Speedwoofer series is frequently rated as good or better than the bigger names in bass control, musicality, and value according to detailed tests. If you want tight, punchy bass with good extension for movies and games without needing to dedicate a good portion of your family room, the 10S MKII is something you should consider. Barely making our upper price limit boundary at $499 consider this as part of your ELAC, Polk Audio, and Denon system.

5. Klipsch Reference Cinema Dolby Atmos 5.1.4 System

We used to design our own Home Theater in a Box systems when we first started doing this podcast. They always featured a Klipsch 5.1 speaker system because they were better than any any set of 5.1 speakers you could buy for the price. Back then it cost about $300. Today it will set you back $500 but you get a subwoofer and ATMOS. Klipsch designs efficient speakers that make any receiver perform to it's best. Their horn tweeters bright and lively. Coming in at $500 it would be hard to beat. Pair it with the Denon (note this model of Denon does not support ATMOS) and you have a HTIB for under $1000! Available from Amazon for $499.

Final Thoughts:

What's your favorite home theater find for less than $500?

On this week's show we ask the question: Why does anyone still need a physical satellite TV service?. We also read your emails and take a look at the news. There is also a standup comic bonus during the email segment.

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After reading John's email, I thought: why does anyone still need a physical satellite TV service?

So today, we're comparing traditional satellite TV like DirecTV and DISH Network versus modern IPTV and live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV's own streaming service. Even though the comparison focuses mainly on satellite TV, most of these points also apply to cable TV.

Introduction

Satellite TV has been a reliable staple for decades. It gives you TV without needing home internet. IPTV has grown quickly because it's more flexible, easier to start, and works great with today's devices. Both services offer live channels, local stations, sports, and news. But they differ a lot when it comes to reliability, cost, setup, and overall viewing experience. In the end, the best choice for you depends on your location, internet quality, what you like to watch, and what matters most to you like sports or using different devices."

Pros of Satellite-based TV

Pros of Internet-based TV (IPTV / Live Streaming)

Cons of Satellite-based TV

Cons of Internet-based TV (IPTV / Live Streaming)

Summary

Internet-based TV (IPTV/live streaming) is the better overall choice for the majority of households that have reliable high-speed broadband, thanks to its lower cost, greater flexibility, easier setup, vast on-demand options, and multi-device support. Services like YouTube TV consistently rank as top performers for balancing channels, DVR, and usability. However, satellite-based TV remains the only choice for those living in an area without reliable high speed internet.

Our take: If you have reliable high speed internet, ditch satellite and cable TV services.

On this week's show we go beyond the hype to tell you what specs matter most, what specs are mere marketing hype, and we give you some tips for buying your next HDTV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Last week the Brightside Home Theater Podcast did a panel discussion on the real factors that shape picture quality. Check it out when you have a chance, it's very informative (Beyond Resolution: The Real Factors That Shape Imaging). So this week we are piggybacking on their discussion to tell you what specs matter most, what specs are mere marketing hype, and we give you some tips for buying your next HDTV.

Specs That Matter Most

Panel Technology (OLED vs. Mini-LED/QLED): Not really a spec as much as a technology but it is important for making the right decision for your room. This is the single biggest factor to consider. Choosing the right panel really matters. It directly affects how sharp, colorful, and lifelike the picture looks in your room — whether you're watching movies in the dark or enjoying sports during the day. Which technology you choose depends on what and where you watch TV.

OLED (including QD-OLED): Perfect blacks, high contrast, excellent viewing angles, and natural motion. Great for dark rooms and movies. Newer 2026 OLEDs are much brighter than older ones so if you are watching sports don't count this out. Just make sure you buy one of the brighter panels like the LG G5/G6 series, Panasonic Z95B, and the BRAVIA 8 II.

Mini-LED/QLED: Much brighter overall (can exceed 2,000–3,000+ nits), better for bright rooms with lots of ambient light. Good contrast with enough dimming zones, but blacks aren't as deep as OLED. Choose based on your room: OLED for controlled lighting, Mini-LED for bright rooms.

Brightness (Peak HDR nits): Real measured peak brightness in HDR content (especially small bright areas like highlights). Higher is better for HDR pop and visibility in bright rooms (1,000+ nits is solid; 2,000+ is excellent). Full-screen brightness also matters but is less advertised. Ignore vague "ultra bright" claims—look for review-tested numbers.

Contrast & Local Dimming (for LCD/Mini-LED TVs): Native contrast ratio (higher is better). Number and quality of local dimming zones (more zones = better control, less blooming). OLED skips this entirely with per-pixel lighting. Poor dimming creates distracting halos.

HDR Support: Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, and HLG. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ are dynamic (scene-by-scene adjustments) and preferred over basic HDR10. Most good TVs support multiple formats now.

Refresh Rate (Native Panel Rate): 120Hz native is the sweet spot for most people—smooths sports, reduces blur in action, and supports 4K@120Hz from PS5/Xbox/PC. 144Hz or 165Hz is a bonus for high-end gaming. 60Hz is fine for casual viewing but noticeable in fast content.

Gaming Features (if you game): HDMI 2.1 ports (at least 2–4 for full bandwidth), VRR (Variable Refresh Rate: freesync/g-sync compatible to eliminate tearing), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), low input lag (

Smart Platform & Ports: Easy-to-use OS (Google TV, webOS, Tizen) with app support. Enough HDMI 2.1 ports and eARC for soundbars. If you use a Set Top Box The platform really doesn't matter. But make sure you have enough ports for all your connections.

Screen Size & Viewing Distance:Our policy has always been. Buy the biggest TV you can afford based on selecting a panel that meets the other specs we have discussed. We have yet to meet someone who told us they wished they bought a smaller TV.

If you have been listening to our podcast for a while this information is nothing new to you. But what about the marketing hype specs? What can you ignore? The following sound impressive on boxes but deliver little real benefit or are greatly exaggerated.

Marketing Hype (Often Overhyped or Misleading)

"240Hz," "480Hz," or "Motion Rate" numbers: Most 4K TVs top out at 120Hz native panel refresh. Higher "effective" or "motion" rates use software interpolation (fake frames). These are mostly marketing—real gains beyond 120Hz are small for most content.

Motion Smoothing / "Soap Opera Effect" Features (TruMotion, Motionflow, etc.): Adds fake frames to make 24fps movies look like video. Many people hate it for ruining cinematic look. Curse the day this feature was developed!

Dynamic Contrast Ratio (e.g., 1,000,000:1 or higher): Measured with aggressive backlight pulsing or scene changes—doesn't reflect real performance. Focus on native contrast or local dimming quality instead. Manufacturers inflate these wildly.

8K Resolution: Almost no native 8K content exists. 4K is still the standard; upscaling to 8K adds little visible benefit on normal sizes and costs much more. If HDR and Wide Color came before 4K no one would care about 4K either.

AI Upscaling / AI Processors: A little helpful for low-res content, but differences between brands are often subtle. Not a make-or-break feature—real picture quality depends more on panel, calibration and the quality of the content being fed to the panel.

Vague Processor Buzzwords: Processor names are often rebranded yearly with minor gains.

Quick Buying Tips

Focus on panel type, real brightness/contrast performance, and your specific use case (movies, sports, gaming). The rest is often noise designed to justify higher prices. If you're unsure about a model, look up professional measurements rather than manufacturer claims.

On this week's show we countdown 10 Underrated TV Shows You Should Be Watching from an article at Screen Rant. and we do a deep dive into the Next Big Thing in Home Automation. Plus we read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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We have had a running gag that whatever the year, it was the "Year" of Home Automation. Today, we can say confidently that home automation is mainstream and with Matter hitting it's stride, it's easier than ever to automate your house regardless of which ecosystem you prefer.

That got us wondering, what is the next big thing in home automation. Unless you have been living under a rock you have to believe it's AI. The market will shift toward truly proactive, AI-driven intelligent homes that anticipate needs rather than just respond to commands. This builds on several maturing trends we saw at CES as well as recent developments.

The smart home is moving beyond basic connectivity (like voice commands or app control) into homes that "learn" your habits, predict routines, and act autonomously—while staying off the cloud for privacy and speed. This may be the end of "human programming" for automations, replaced by AI housekeepers or butlers that handle lighting, temperature, security, cleaning, and energy without constant input.

Key drivers and elements include:

Overall, 2026 feels like the year smart homes stop being a collection of gadgets and become an invisible, adaptive companion—focused on convenience, energy savings, security, and wellness without the hassle of constant tweaking. If you're building or upgrading, prioritize Matter-compatible devices with strong local AI capabilities via Home Assistant, SmartThings, or other local hubs for future-proofing.

On this week's show we take a walk down memory lane and look at how the Set Top Boxes we all take for granted evolved from niche Netflix-focused or iTunes-centric devices to broad ecosystems. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Here's a chronological timeline of major set-top streaming boxes: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google (Chromecast, Android TV/Google TV devices). These devices evolved from basic media extenders to full smart platforms with app stores, 4K/HDR support, voice remotes, and integration with services like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video, and more.

2007–2008: Early Pioneers

2010–2012: Maturing Platforms

2013–2014: Dongle Era and Amazon Enters

2015–2016: Upgrades and 4K

2017–2018: 4K Becomes Standard

2019–2020: Android TV/Google TV Shift

2021–2022: Refinements

2023–2024/2025: Current Era and Google Rebrand

This timeline shows the progression from niche (Netflix-focused or iTunes-centric) to broad ecosystems competing on apps, performance, voice control, and integration. Roku emphasized neutral channel access, Apple focused on the premium ecosystem, Amazon on Prime/Alexa, and Google on casting then full smart TV interface. By 2025–2026, most support 4K/HDR, Dolby Atmos, and thousands of apps.

On this week's show we look into why terrestrial radio stations are disappearing. We also read your emails and take a look at the news.

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A growing number of commercial AM and FM radio stations in the US are shutting down or surrendering their licenses. Over the past decade through late 2025, about 342 AM stations disappeared—a 7% drop—while commercial FM stations fell by 112, or roughly 2%. This decline stems from shrinking ad revenue, fierce competition from streaming services and podcasts, and changing listener habits, especially among younger people who prefer on-demand audio.

Many owners face financial strain, leading to closures of underperforming signals, with one major radio group even declaring bankruptcy recently. AM stations suffer extra challenges like signal interference and new cars skipping AM tuners. While noncommercial FM stations are actually growing, the trend signals trouble for traditional over-the-air commercial radio, potentially reducing local broadcasting in communities.

Reasons for the shift: Declining Advertising Revenue - Commercial radio (especially in smaller markets) face shrinking spot ad revenue with national and local ad markets declining as well. Cumulus shut down underperforming stations to cut costs and avoid bankruptcy. High operational expenses (utilities, maintenance, talent) make some stations unviable.

Shift Away from AM Radio - The AM band has seen the most closures. In 2024, the U.S. lost 61 AM stations; trends continued into 2025–2026 with further declines down to around 4,300–4,400 licensed AM stations. Reasons include:

FM has been more stable or growing in noncommercial/religious sectors, but commercial FM has also seen some losses.

Competition from Digital Alternatives - Traditional radio listenership has declined due to Podcasts, streaming services (Pandora, Spotify, Apple Music), and on-demand audio drawing audiences away—especially younger listeners. Changes in commuting patterns post-COVID reduced in-car radio listening. With fewer daily commuters there are less people tuning into morning drive time radio shows. The rise of digital platforms has fragmented audiences and ad dollars.

On this week's show we have a shootout between four set top boxes and we try to determine which one is best for you. We also read your email and take a look at the week's email.

News:

On last week's show, in response to a news story, Ara asked why would someone use a FireTV set top box over ones from Apple, Google, or Roku. So for this week we decided to do a comparison of them all and try to identify who each product would benefit the most.

For this comparison we looked at the Apple TV 4K (latest 3rd-gen model from 2022, still current), Google TV Streamer (the modern successor to Chromecast with Google TV), Roku (focusing on high-end like Roku Ultra or Streaming Stick 4K), and Amazon Fire TV (focusing on popular models like Fire TV Stick 4K Max or Cube).

All support 4K HDR streaming including Dolby Vision, major apps (Netflix, Disney+, etc.), and voice remotes. In a nutshell, the differences come down to your ecosystem, interface, performance, ads, and price.

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Apple users and those wanting a premium, ad free experience.

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Google/Android users or those wanting smart recommendations and smart home features.

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Most people—especially beginners or those wanting value and neutrality.

Pros:

Cons:

Best for: Amazon Prime members or Alexa/Echo households on a budget.

Overall, Roku wins for broad appeal and value, while we give the nod to the Apple TV 4K for premium quality, and the Google TV Streamer excels for smart features. Choose based on your ecosystem (Apple/Google/Amazon) or if you want neutral/no-fuss just go with Roku.

On this week's show Braden is on vacation but don't worry! We still have a show for you. Ara reads your emails and takes a look at the week's news. He also takes a look at an article in CNET that claims: The LG Evo AI G5 OLED is the new standard for TVs.

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Others:

OLED TVs have consistently delivered the best picture quality in our head-to-head tests -- with the best shadow detail, contrast, color and black levels. Yet, there is one thing LCD-based TVs have always done better: sheer brightness. That is, until the 2025 LG G5 came along. Finally, OLED can reclaim its place at the top of the TV technology leader board with a model that performs brilliantly in almost every single respect. Maybe the forthcoming LG G6 will be even better? Full article here…

PROS

CONS

On this week's show we review the Aqara FP2 Presence Sensor and ask are expensive audio wires bananas? We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Other:

The Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 (Buy Now $83) is a game-changer for smart home enthusiasts. Its standout feature is the ability to divide a room of 40㎡ or ~430 sq ft into multiple (up to 30) distinct zones using advanced mmWave radar technology. This allows for some really cool home automations like triggering kitchen lights when someone enters the boundary. This effectively allows one sensor to act like up to 30 allowing personalized scenes based on exact positions far beyond what standard motion sensors can do.

Features:

I set one up in the family room which has line of sight to the kitchen. For the review I set up two zones, one in the family room and one in the kitchen. It's straightforward to do in the Aqara app. Once you set up a zone you name it and it appears as a new sensor in your preferred automation app. If there is motion in the zone you just defined the sensor moves to the triggered state. In my house the lights in the kitchen dim to 40% at 8:45PM. Now when someone goes into the kitchen after 8:45PM the light goes to 100% until they leave. And the response is almost instantaneous. The sensor connects to your home via bluetooth so no wonky wifi issues either.

Highly recommended for anyone wanting precise, creative control! However the price is a little on the steep side.

Quite a few years ago there was a post at Audioholics that was eventually picked up by members of AVS forum that showed in blind testing, audiophiles could not tell the difference in sound quality between expensive speaker wire and coat hangers. This was back in 2008 and most of the links are dead but we will include what we can at the end of this post. This week we received an email from a listener, Ray, pointing us to an article by Tom's Guide which piggybacks on this concept.

A moderator (username "Pano") on the diyAudio forum conducted a blind listening experiment to test whether audiophiles could distinguish audio signals passed through unconventional "conductors" versus standard copper wire. The test compared four recordings of the same audio track. While not exactly the same as the original Audioholics experiment. The results are pretty astonishing. This is how the recordings were made:

Results:

Links to the original Hanger Stories:

On this week's show we discuss the details of Ara's new home's layout offering his perspectives on his choices for network, home theater, whole home audio and smart home functionality. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Other:

Last week Ara was out in Franklin TN meeting with electricians and security contractors to prewire his house with everything he needs to make adding smart home devices and A/V a snap. So what did he do? But first an email from longtime listener Jorge Beltran with some recommendations.

Jorge's email

Guys:

I am listening to the latest episode on a train delay in freezing NJ. I heard the question about sound bar vs 3.1 system vs full surround.

I advocate that if money permits and a remodel situation allows it, I would significantly recommend trying to install 5.1, 7.2, or you name it.

I have a full theater with 11.2 in the basement that we enjoy and I adore. But we keep watching more and more in the family room next to the kitchen for whatever reason. And I do enjoy a lot having a surround setup there too and kept adding to it (it was pre wired on a remodel). There was a high WAF in that room, so I went with in-walls for fronts and in-ceiling for rear surround and a couple more for front ATMOS. Yes, the surrounds and ceiling speakers are not at the ideal locations but they really, really add to the experience, even for the super bowl ambiance.

A friend of mine just upgraded his whole house and used KEF on-walls, very thin, good looking, placed a bit higher and almost looked like a decoration in a more contemporary home. The wife gave them a big approval. I checked after looking at my wife's face but are out of my price range.

For you Ara, another friend, a latin party guy, installed 6 speakers on vaulted ceilings in the family room next to a kitchen and surrounded by windows, and they work really great.

Thus, my vote for Ara is to add ceiling speakers on his vault for surround effects. Ask the builder to wire them and box them out like a traditional speaker and place them on the rafters. You build so many speaker boxes already, this one can be made of MDF. Even better, build your own speaker out of parts, install it on the rafters just below the sheetrock, add a grill and you have the best sounding and looking in-walls ever.

Last one, a builder friend just added in walls / in ceilings that go behind the sheetrock. I have not seen them yet. No excuses gents.

Sending a CafPow for the extra spackle.

Jorge

Ara's Setup

On today's show we look at HDTV Display Technologies that are no longer with us. Some had a short run and some never made it to the market. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Over the 21 years we have been doing the show we have seen numerous HDTV display technologies come and go. Some never made it to market and some had a good run but were eventually beat out by something better. These technologies competed during the transition from bulky CRTs to flat panels, but most lost out as LCD, later becoming LED-backlit LCD, then OLED, became dominant for reasons like cost, scalability, picture quality improvements, and manufacturing ease.

SED (Surface-Conduction Electron-Emitter Display)Developed primarily by a Canon and Toshiba joint venture starting in the late 1990s/early 2000s. It was essentially a flat-panel evolution of CRT technology using electron emitters for each pixel, promising CRT-like motion handling, deep blacks, high contrast, fast response times, and low power in a slim form factor. Prototypes were shown around 2005–2007 with impressive demos.

Why it didn't make it: Repeated delays due to manufacturing challenges (high production costs, difficulty scaling/vacuum sealing), patent disputes, and aggressive price drops in LCD/plasma panels. Then by 2009–2010, LCD had become too dominant and cheap; Canon officially froze consumer SED development in 2010, shifting any remaining efforts to niche professional uses.

FED (Field-Emission Display)Similar to SED and sometimes grouped together or seen as a precursor/variant. FED used field-emission electron sources (like microtips) for CRT-style performance in a flat panel. Demonstrated in prototypes in the 2000s by companies like Sony and Motorola.

Why it didn't make it: Development took too long; manufacturing complexity and yield issues made it unviable. It was overtaken by faster-scaling plasma and then LCD/OLED technologies before reaching mass production.

DLP (Digital Light Processing) Rear-Projection TVsUsed Texas Instruments' DMD (digital micromirror device) chips to reflect light, often with a color wheel for sequential color (or pricier 3-chip versions). Popular in the mid-2000s for large-screen (50–70+ inch) HDTVs from brands like Samsung, Mitsubishi, RCA, and Toshiba, offering good brightness, no burn-in, and sharp images at competitive prices.

Why discontinued: Bulky depth (even if thinner than CRT rear-projection), lamp replacements needed, rainbow artifacts (on single-chip models), poor off-angle viewing, and vulnerability to ambient light. As flat-panel LCD and plasma prices fell dramatically in the late 2000s, consumers preferred slim, wall-mountable designs. Rear-projection DLP TVs largely vanished by around 2010.

LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) / Variants like D-ILA (JVC) and SXRD (Sony)A reflective microdisplay tech using liquid crystals on a silicon backplane, often in rear-projection or some front-projection setups. Offered excellent contrast, deep blacks, and smooth motion (better than early LCDs). Available in HDTVs from JVC, Sony, and others in the mid-2000s.

Why largely discontinued for direct-view TVs: High cost, manufacturing complexity, and lower brightness compared to emerging flat panels. Rear-projection versions suffered the same bulkiness issues as DLP. While LCOS survives today in high-end projectors mostly in JVC and Sony home theater models, it never scaled to mainstream direct-view flat-panel HDTVs and was eclipsed by LCD advancements.

Plasma Display Panel (PDP / Plasma TVs)Used ionized gas (plasma) cells to create light, excelling in black levels, contrast, color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and no motion blur. Very popular for HDTV in the 2000s from Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, and LG.

Why discontinued: High power consumption, heat generation, heavier panels, burn-in risk (though mitigated later), and difficulty scaling to 4K efficiently/cost-effectively. As LCD/LED prices dropped with better brightness, efficiency, and no burn-in, plasma couldn't compete economically. Production fully ended around 2014–2015.

Regardless of how good a display technology is, the following will keep it from the mass market:

Cost & Manufacturing Yield: Technologies requiring ultra-precise processes (SED, FED, LCoS) couldn't hit competitive prices. Competing Technologies Improve Fast: LCD and later LED/OLED got cheaper and better quicker than rivals could scale. Form Factor Shift: Direct-view panels beat rear-projection (DLP, LCoS, laser) because consumers prefer thin TVs. Performance Tradeoffs: Issues like power use, burn-in, brightness, viewing angles, or reliability hurt consumer uptake.

In summary, the winners were technologies that scaled cheaply to larger sizes, became thinner/lighter, improved efficiency, and avoided major drawbacks like high costs or reliability issues. LCD/LED dominated the 2010s due to mass production advantages, while OLED took premium segments later for superior contrast/per-pixel lighting. Many promising "next-gen" ideas from the 2000s (like SED/FED) simply arrived too late or proved too hard to manufacture affordably.

On today's show we go through the top streamers and how you can get their services for free or reduced price. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

With the cost of streaming constantly going up the HT Guys are here to try and save you money. Almost all streamers offer some sort of discount via perks through Credit Cards, Cable and TV Providers, or Mobile Phone plans. On today's show we go through the top streamers and how you can get their services for free or reduced price.

Neflix

Peacock

AppleTV+

Paramount+

Hulu

ESPN+

Disney+

HBO Max

On this week's show we look at Smart TV OS rankings according to BGR.com and we ask the question if there will ever be a show like Seinfeld again. We also read your email and take a look at the week's news.

News:

The article Every Major Smart TV OS Ranked Worst To Best Based On User Reviews ranks eight major smart TV operating systems based on user reviews and comments from sources like Best Buy, Reddit, and cross-referenced with expert sites like RTINGS.

The focus is on real user experiences regarding performance, app availability, bugs, ads, usability, and overall satisfaction — emphasizing that the OS heavily impacts whether a TV feels premium or frustrating.

Ranking (from worst #8 to best #1):

We found a Wall Street Journal opinion piece titled "There Will Never Be a New 'Seinfeld'" which argues that a cultural phenomenon like Seinfeld cannot emerge again in the current media landscape. The show was massively popular and broadly talked about around the "water-cooler" the day after it aired nationally on NBC.

The author (Mary Julia Koch) opens with a personal anecdote about young women at a dinner party casually mentioning shows they've watched that others haven't heard of, highlighting how fragmented viewing habits have become due to the explosion of streaming platforms and content choices. The central thesis is that the conditions that made Seinfeld a universal hit in the 1990s are gone forever:

The piece laments that while there are still great comedies and talented creators, none will replicate Seinfeld's unique role in society because the technological and viewing ecosystem has permanently changed.

This isn't about declining quality in comedy but about structural shifts in how media is produced, distributed, and consumed. Because of how we consume content, there simply won't be "a new Seinfeld"—the era of such singular, unifying pop-culture hits is over.

On this week's show we have compiled a list of home theater and home automation/smart home products that received notable awards or honors at CES 2026.

News:

On this week's show we look at the annual Consumer Electronics Show inLas Vegas Nevada. In years past there was more for us home theater fans but we still find some cool products that will eventually find their way into our homes.

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Key Highlights

Key Highlights

No major announcements were made regarding Sony's traditional consumer products, such as new Bravia TVs, headphones, cameras, or PlayStation hardware. Sony's focus shifted toward the future of mobility and software-defined vehicles.

Key Highlights

Key Highlights

Budget brand Ultimea surprised with the Skywave X100 Dual, a premium compact system boasting up to 9.2.6 channels across seven modular units.Focuses on high-channel-count immersion in a small footprint, positioning it as an affordable yet powerful alternative for space-constrained home theaters.

SVS R|Evolution SeriesAudio specialist SVS debuted the 3000 R|Evolution subwoofers and a new Dolby Atmos soundbar, demonstrated in a full 5.2.4-channel cabin setup for reference-level performance.

Klipsch Powered Speakers UpdateKlipsch refreshed its powered lineup with The Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II, building on heritage horn-loaded designs with modern connectivity, plus concept teases for future innovations.Other mentions included Cambridge Audio's new active bookshelf speakers and various AI-enhanced EQ features across brands, but the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect implementations (especially LG's) stood out as the truly novel leap forward for effortless, high-quality home audio in 2026. The Fives II: $1,399.99/pair USD. The Sevens II: $1,999.99/pair USD. The Nines II: $2,399.99/pair USD

The standout trend was humanoid or multi-purpose home robots moving beyond single tasks (like vacuuming) to general household help, embodying a vision of embodied AI.

Devices are increasingly using on-device AI to automate routines without user programming.

Happy New Year from the HT Guys!

On this week's show we look at the streamable awards and we read your emails and look at the week's news.

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Other:

Let's be honest, being a cord-cutter in 2025 wasn't for the faint of heart. If you felt like you needed a spreadsheet to track which app housed your favorite shows or a law degree to understand why the sports you wanted to watch were blacked out, you weren't alone. This was the year that the industry seemingly threw everything at the wall — dizzying rebrands, the demise of standalone apps, and the aggressive return of the "bundle" — to see what would stick. It was chaotic, expensive, and often frustrating, but the pressure also forced a level of innovation we haven't seen in streaming for nearly a decade. Full article: The Streamable Awards: Recaping streaming's best and worst in 2025

On this week's show DJ Briggs from Brightside Home Theater fills in for Braden who is away on business. We ask DJ to give us his opinion on using a large format TV as a replacement for a projector. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Other:

HT Guys Amazon List

Jon Taylor recently purchased a TCL 98QM7K (2025 model, QD-Mini LED QLED with Google TV) during Black Friday for $1,999.99 (50% off the $3,999.99 retail price). After using it for a couple of weeks in his basement home theater (replacing an older 82" Samsung and supplementing a projector setup), he shares highly positive impressions.

Key Highlights:

Jon historically preferred established brands for reliability but now sees TCL/Hisense as the new value leaders, similar to how Samsung/LG rose decades ago. He recommends checking out the latest high-end TCL models, especially for large sizes where premium brands were too expensive for him. He's also considering switching from Verizon Fios to a streaming TV service to cut costs.

Overall, Jon is thrilled with the TV's performance and value, calling it a "force to be reckoned with."

On this week's show we come back after taking a week off and read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Other:

On this week's show we read your emails. The following are links that are discussed on the show.

Brady's 98" TV Dilemma - Samsung 98" Class - DU9000D Series - 4K UHD Smart TV | Costco $1800 vs Sony 98" Class BRAVIA 5 Mini LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2025) K98XR50 - Best Buy $5000

Eric's recommendation for The Chair Company.

Scott's email about connecting your set top box correctly - Your Apple TV Is Probably Plugged Into The Wrong HDMI Port - Here's Why - BGR and The Reason Why Amazon Basics Tech Is So Cheap and Hisense 116-Inch UX Series RGB-MiniLED 4K UHD HDR Google Smart TV(116UX, 2025) $20,000

Mark's solution for Chamberlain dropping support for Google Home, Apple Home, and Amazon A-Lady. Chamberlain blocks smart home integrations with its garage door openers — again Smart Garage Door Opener – ThirdReality

And we finish the main part of this episode with Joe's app recommendation A Cool New Cord Cutting App: Multiview for Apple TV and Android / Google TV link to the app here ->Multiview App

Stick around after the show to hear Ara's solution to the College Football playoff!

This week Ara is on vacation and rather than skip a show we go back to May of 2022 where we looked at a panel discussion about teh then new automation framework Matter. We play for you that discussion and then Braden and I discuss that current state.

Emails and news will return next week.

On this week's show we look at the phenomenon of watching a little screen while simultaneously watching a big screen. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

The phrase "Second Screen Viewing" is when a person watches TV and simultaneously uses a secondary device like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to engage with content related (or unrelated) to what's on the TV. On this week's show we will focus on the "unrelated" aspect Second Screen Viewing and how it is affecting what you watch on your TVs

Second-screen behavior has become a common companion to TV viewing allowing viewers to engage in social TV by live-tweeting or posting reactions on platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, or TikTok—especially during live sports, reality TV voting, or award shows—while following conversations through hashtags like #SuperBowl or #TheBachelor.

But what we will be really focusing on today, many people simply multitask with unrelated activities—scrolling social media, texting, gaming, or working—while the TV plays in the background. So what are the TV producers doing about this phenomenon?

Simplifying Content for "Background" or "Half-Attention" Viewing

Producers are increasingly designing shows that don't require undivided focus, reducing the risk of viewers abandoning content if they glance away. This includes "dumbing down" narratives to accommodate distractions like social media scrolling.

Streamlined Storytelling - Streamers like Netflix instruct showrunners to create "second screen enough" scripts—simple plots, minimal complex dialogue, and easy-to-follow arcs that allow viewers to dip in and out without confusion. For instance, Justine Bateman, a writer-director, reported notes from streamers emphasizing that "the viewer's primary screen is their phone," so shows avoid twists that demand full attention.

This approach has sparked debate. Critics argue it stifles creativity, turning TV into "background noise" rather than compelling drama, but it boosts retention metrics for casual viewers.

Integrating Interactivity and Social TV Features - To pull attention back to the main screen (or extend engagement), producers build in real-time elements that encourage phone use tied to the show, fostering community and loyalty without full distraction. Companion Apps and Voting: Apps sync with broadcasts for polls, stats, or exclusive content. Dancing with the Stars added in-app voting and a "Star Panel" rating system in 2024, letting fans score performances live—boosting participation without leaving the TV. Similarly, Love Island (ITV Studios) uses apps for couple-voting, turning second screens into engagement hubs.

So basically, TV producers aren't eliminating second screens; they're evolving with them and dumbing down what you watch on an expensive 75" "Secondary" screen.

Commentary

How about this for an idea? Make compelling content! My wife and two daughters are constantly on their phones when we watch TV together. You know when they aren't? When watching high quality shows that require your attention. Examples include, Last Frontier and Lone Wolf. Shows like Survivor (and don't get me started on how they ruined that show) barely require 20% of your attention. The fact is, it's easier to dumb down content for people who are obsessed with their smart phones than it is to make compelling content. Yes, streaming has opened the door to way more content but unfortunately most of it is not worth watching. And I know I am right in this assessment because studies show 70-90% of viewers engage in second screen viewing regularly.

On this week's show we find you the best Black Friday deals for your home theater, well at least at the time of recording. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

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Other:

Movember Raffle — Bright Side Home Theater

Each year we go through the Black Friday ads from various stores and list items. It's a long list and can be tedious to listen to. So this year we decided to search out what we thought were the best deals on various items for your Home Theater and Smart Home. This year many retailers are not releasing their sales until the last minute and since we are recording one week before Black Friday our list may be missing a few items that pop up later. But here is our early list of things we think you will be interested in:

The standout deal for the largest screen size at the lowest price is the 98-inch TCL Q Series 4K QLED Google TV at Walmart for $998 (down from $1,798, saving $800). This is a 2025 model with premium features like 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos audio, and Google TV smart platform—making it ideal for movies, gaming, and streaming without breaking the bank under $1,000.

Hisense has a slightly more expensive model that hits that magic 100" mark. The 100-inch Hisense QLEDs (priced between $1,000–$1,200) delivers the biggest diagonal size for the cheapest absolute dollar amount right now. Deals can fluctuate or sell out quickly, so check often and lock in your price.

The Best soundbar deal with dolby ATMOS we have seen so far is the Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4-Channel Soundbar System at $1,000 (save $1,000 off $2,000 MSRP) at Best Buy. It's praised as the "best Dolby Atmos soundbar system" for its massive scale, precise 3D sound, and gaming features (4K/120Hz HDMI). At 50% off, it outperforms pricier competitors in value and power (656W total). If you want something more compact, the JBL Bar 1300X ($1200) edges it for portability.

The Govee Holiday sale starts November 20th at Amazon. We don't know what the savings will be but Ara owns some Govee light strips and is very pleased with them. They support Matter and can be installed permanently outdoors.

The best deal on a Samsung high end TV is the Samsung S95F OLED for 2025, known for being bright, vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent motion handling, this TV is ideal for bright rooms or mixed use. It includes the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor for 4K upscaling, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and Tizen OS with free channels and cloud gaming. Current Black Friday deal: 65" for $2,298 at Amazon (save $700 from $2,998)—matches the all-time low. There are 77 and 83 inch models for $3500 and $5000 respectively.

The Best Deal on high end wireless speakers the Kef LS50 Wireless II ($2000) is more than a high-performance loudspeaker; it's the perfect all-in-one speaker system, streaming from any source thanks to wireless compatibility with AirPlay 2, Google Cast and more, plus wired connections for your TV, games console and turntable. Great sound, no strings attached.

If you are looking for a gift for the Home Theater enthusiast in your life, and that may mean you buy it for yourself. Check out The Home Theater Store. They are running a black friday sale on seating, decor, and accessories. Some examples include popcorn machines starting at $40 and going all the way up to $2000. With savings up to $600. They also have sound panels normally priced at $750 on sale for $500.

The Best deal on the Ring Battery Doorbell is $50 at Amazon. And as long as we are here. THis deal is crazy! Two Blink Mini 2 Home Security & Pet Cameras with HD video, color night view, motion detection, two-way audio, and built-in spotlight for $28!

The best overall deal on an OLED TV is the LG 77" C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025 model) at $1,999.99 at Bestbuy (down from $3,699.99—a $1,700 savings, or 46% off). The LG OLED evo C5 is powered by the next-gen Alpha 9 Gen8 AI Processor —exclusively made for LG OLED—for ultra-realistic picture and sound along with boosted brightness for luminosity and high contrast, even in well-lit rooms. Dolby Vision for extraordinary color, contrast and brightness, plus Dolby Atmos for immersive sound you can feel all around you. FILMMAKER MODE allows you to see films just as the director intended. Packed with gaming features, the LG OLED evo C-Series comes with everything you need to win like a 0.1ms response time, native 120Hz refresh rate, with VRR for PC gaming and four HDMI 2.1 inputs.

AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K Laser Projector, (I found a better deal at Amazon after we recorded. $2300!!) has a compact ultra-short-throw (UST) model that transforms any wall or table into a massive, vibrant cinema screen without the bulk of a traditional TV setup. Unlike standard projectors that require dark rooms and precise mounting, this one projects up to 150 inches from just inches away, with built-in speakers delivering Dolby Audio and a sleek, furniture-like design that blends into your space. Priced at $2,999 (down from $3,999—a $1,000 savings with discount code obtained at the AWOL site)

A killer deal on an AVR is the Denon AVR-X2700H for $680. At this price it would have made our list of best AV receivers for enthusiasts. It has 95W per channel, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats for up to 5.1.2 setups, Audyssey room calibration. It features 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video passthrough with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, and HDMI 2.1 connectivity, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.

The best deal on a no-frills subwoofer that packs a punch is the Klipsch Reference R-121SW ($350 at Walmart regular price $650). 400W peak power, 29-120Hz response, front-firing port for room-filling punch; ideal for movies/gaming. Compact at 16"H x 14"W. Known for it's "chest-thumping" bass without the boominess. Perfect starter upgrade for under $350.

The craziest 50-Inch TV Deal we have seen is the Insignia 50" Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV at $169.99 at Best Buy. Is this a great TV? No but it's shockingly good value with Alexa voice control, built-in Fire TV streaming, and DTS Virtual:X audio for immersive sound without extra speakers. Picture quality is decent for bright rooms.

Home Depot has great deals on Nest Thermostats. Some deals are active now and others on Black Friday. We are reading that Home Depot will have the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) available for $199. It's regularly priced at $279. Check out their site for more BLACK FRIDAY DEALS FROM GOOGLE SMART HOME.

On this week's show we look at alternatives to YouTube TV for sports fans. We also look at AV Receivers for Home Theater Newbies, Enthusiasts, and Fanatics. And like always, we start with your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News;

Other:

Movember Raffle — Bright Side Home Theater

It's getting close to Black Friday and you may want to upgrade your home theater system for the Holidays and you are wondering what AVR should I consider. Well the HT Guys have done the homework for you.

We breakout our picks in the following three categories: Home Theater Newbie (entry-level, under $600—simple setup, basic features), Home Theater Enthusiast (mid-range, $800–$2,000—balanced performance and expandability), and Home Theater Fanatic (high-end, $3,000+—audiophile-grade power and advanced processing).

To simplify we stuck with Denon. Although we have used AVRs from Onkyo, Sony, Marantz, Pioneer, and Yamaha in our theaters, we chose Denon because of their reliability, relative price/performance ratio, and excellent room calibration features.

Category

Pick

Price

Channels

Power (W/ch)

Home Theater Newbie

Denon AVR-S570BT

$449

5.2

70

Home Theater Enthusiast

Denon AVR-X3800H

$1799

9.4

105

Home Theater Fanatic

Denon AVR-A1H

$7199

15.4

150

Home Theater Newbie: Denon AVR-S570BT

If you're new to home theater or upgrading from a soundbar, this AVR keeps things simple but includes the key features. It supports 5.2 channels for basic surround sound and passes 4K video from your set top box or game consoles. Audyssey auto-calibration checks your room and adjusts the sound for you with minimal intervention by you. Users like its clear, balanced audio in small to medium rooms, so movie soundtracks are improved without complicated setup. The Denon AVR-S570BT has an Amazon rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 by over 1600 users.

Home Theater Enthusiast: Denon AVR-X3800H

Enthusiasts get a great mix of power and features with the X3800H's 9 amplified channels that include support for 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos. The upgraded Audyssey MultEQ XT32 fine-tunes the sound for your room, making bass and dialogue clearer and more powerful. You will notice an improvement over the Newbie System system in clarity and and it has more features including six HDMI 2.1 ports that support 8K and 4K at 120Hz gaming with VRR and ALLM. HEOS lets you stream music wirelessly from services like Spotify. It's also good for music, with support for high-resolution audio. One small downside: it's bulkier than slimmer models. It's ideal for expanding your system without breaking the bank. The Denon AVR-X3800H has an Amazon rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 by almost a 1000 users.

Home Theater Fanatic: Denon AVR-A1H

Audiophiles and home theater fans will love this top-of-the-line receiver. It handles up to 15.4 channels (powers 15 at once) for big setups like 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos or Auro-3D. It puts out 150 watts per channel with clean, powerful sound, using high-current amps and ESS Sabre DACs for high-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. It includes advanced room calibration with optional Dirac Live or Audyssey, plus IMAX Enhanced for movie-theater quality. All seven HDMI inputs support 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz, and there are analog inputs for turntables. It's overkill for small rooms but will shine in a dedicated theater delivering realistic, immersive sound. Downsides: expensive and uses a lot of power. The Denon AVR-A1H has an Amazon rating of 5 stars out of 5 by 5 users.

On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to November 12, 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two.

On this week's show we have an essay from one of our listeners on why he wants to stick with his DVR over streaming. We also take a deep dive into Automatic Content Recognition and how to turn it off on your smart TVs. As usual we also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Movember Raffle — Bright Side Home Theater

I know I will sound old and swimming against current, but I would like to go back to my world where we had our cable subscriptions, DVR and Netflix. Simple, vs having to manage 5-7 subscriptions to watch what we want at a cost we can pay.

The proliferation of streaming services is turning out to be a way for content owners to extract more value from customers and significantly increase the amount of work customers have to do to find and track the content we want to watch. Even sports. Furthermore, it has backfired to content producers, with less opportunity to monetize content, driving them to look for economies of scale again.

I follow or used to follow La Liga, Premier League Soccer, ski, college football, and formula 1 racing. Back in the day I knew what channel carried all of these sports on my cable line up, would set it to record on my DVR and done. I could watch it when I wanted and where I wanted since I could access my DVR from anywhere but the plane.

Netflix was just growing and buying "older" content from the major networks and allowed us to binge watch old series we had missed. Some new exclusive content was coming out and that made paying the 10 - 12 $/mo a good value.

Fast forward to today:

The best games of Premier League have been taken off the over the air or regular cable channels are now behind a Paramount or someone else's paywall. Why am I going to pay for access to content that is mostly CBS that I can get over the air?. Worst of all, you can not skip commercials when you stream this content nowadays. You can't DVR the content and skip the commercials. I have lost track of who is now airing La Liga, but last time I checked was behind some other streamer. Fubo has a lot of soccer but is now super expensive too.

Conclusion: I have stopped following La Liga and Premier League. My enthusiasm for good Futbol has gone down tremendously. I turned my eyes to college football and Formula 1.

The worst part is that now I fear the same is going to happen with College Football, moving from free over the air or in basic cable channels to some exclusive need-to-pay streaming service. You guys praised Formula 1 going to Apple. I dread it!!! I do not pay for Apple TV(plus or not plus) and I catch Formula 1 over ESPN. Does it mean I will have to drop ESPN, that gives me other content and add AppleTV? If I were an NFL fan I would have lost it. Some content is on Amazon, other in the different networks or streamers. I do not know how much you have to pay to be able to watch the NFL consistently.

Call me old school. I still have a cable service that gives me the right to HBO, ESPN, Fox, and the likes. I can watch and record all the related content in Hulu from the major networks.

I only keep paying for Netflix that I see as a premium channel (like paying for HBO back in the day). Rationale - we get a lot of exclusive content there. I only keep the Disney/Hulu bundle cause it comes free with my wireless bill. And Amazon Prime (now with commercials) free for the shipping. But I barely watch Primer or Hulu cause I can't stand the commercials!

In a world with many streamers, the economies of scale enjoyed by bundling content in cable packages have been lost and thus it costs more per viewer for content owners to create and distribute given the less # of eyeballs. Yes, it sounds counter intuitive, but that translates into higher bills for consumers, through different bills but when you add it all up, it has to be more expensive, no way around it.

The positive is more content and innovation for sure. You can definitely find more quality content. But I foresee more partnerships coming to allow the industry to benefit from economies of scale and be able to distribute the cost of expensive content through more subscribers / viewers. Or they will have to continue to increase our subscription bills. I listened to an interview recently with a Hollywood producer detailing how cost efficient they have to be nowadays to be able to turn a profit on content produced given the lower number of ultimate viewers. This is a good thing, do not get me wrong.

But my point is we are coming full circle and a lot of inefficiencies have been introduced in the content value chain and made the experience more time consuming and difficult for viewers in the process. I think the industry has shot itself on the foot. Content that used to be free over the air is now behind a paywall and ALSO with commercials.

Apologies from my broken record

Long live my DVR!

Jorge

Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) is built into most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio, Roku, Fire TV) and silently identifies everything you watch via your smart TV or any attached device via HDMI. It monitors your streaming, cable, and physical media. It will even identify any ads you watch. It grabs screen samples, sends them online, and feeds data to manufacturers, streamers, and advertisers for recommendations, targeted ads, and ratings. Usually on by default, it needs the internet to work. Privacy groups like the EFF warn it tracks your habits without clear ongoing notice.

How Does ACR Collect Data from Your TV Viewing?

ACR operates passively and continuously (or at set intervals) while the TV is on and tuned to a channel or app.

Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process:

Content Sampling: The TV's built-in software periodically "grabs" a short clip or snapshot of the audio, video, or both from what's currently displayed on the screen. This could be every few seconds or minutes, creating a digital "fingerprint" rather than storing full video. For example: Video fingerprinting: Analyzes pixels, colors, or scene changes (similar to how Shazam identifies songs). Audio fingerprinting: Listens for sound patterns in the broadcast. Watermarking: Detects invisible digital markers embedded in content by broadcasters or studios. This sampling works even for non-smart inputs, like cable or gaming consoles, because it captures whatever is output to the screen. Local Processing: The TV processes the sample on-device to generate a compact fingerprint. Raw clips aren't stored long-term on the TV itself—the data is anonymized to protect bandwidth and privacy (though critics argue these can still be re-identified when combined with other data like your location or device ID). Database Matching: The fingerprint is sent to the manufacturer's cloud servers where it's compared against a massive reference database. This database is built by: Monitoring live TV broadcasts in real-time via data centers. Cataloging known content like shows, movies, ads, and even timestamps for commercials. Matches reveal details such as the program title, channel, duration watched, and ad exposures. Data Aggregation and Transmission: Matched data is aggregated with metadata like your TV's IP address, viewing time, and household size. It's then used or shared: Internally for features like "fewer repetitive ads" or recommendations. With third parties like advertisers and Nielsen for ratings and for cross-device targeting which means you'll see the same ad on your phone after TV exposure.

The entire process is designed to be invisible and efficient, running without impacting TV performance noticeably.

Why Is This Data Collected?

TV Manufacturers Using Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) for Data Collection

Manufacturer

ACR Usage Details

How to Disable (General Steps)

Samsung

Uses built-in ACR on Tizen OS smart TVs to track viewing behavior, including programs, ads, OTT apps, and gaming. Data supports ad retargeting and is used internally for recommendations.

Go to Settings > General > System Manager > Samsung Account > Privacy > Viewing Information Services > Toggle off. (10-37 clicks; also opt out via Samsung account online.)

LG

Integrates ACR on webOS TVs to fingerprint video/audio for viewing history and ad targeting. Captures screenshots every 10 milliseconds in some models.

Settings > All Settings > General > System > Additional Settings > Live Plus > Toggle off. (Buried in menus; check privacy controls.)

Vizio

Owns Inscape, which licenses ACR data from its SmartCast TVs. Historically sold data to third parties; now requires opt-in after 2017 FTC settlement.

Settings > Privacy & Security > Smart Home > Viewing Data > Limit Ad Track > Toggle off. (Opt out during setup or later.)

Sony

Employs ACR on Google TV/Android TV models to collect viewing data for personalization and ads, often via third-party integrations like Samba TV.

Settings > Privacy > Automatic Content Recognition > Toggle off. (Varies by model; check Google account privacy if linked.)

Roku (powers TVs from TCL, Hisense, Philips, Sharp)

"Smart TV Experience" feature uses ACR on Roku OS to track content across linear TV, streaming, and devices. Data shared for ads and measurement.

Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Smart TV Experience > Toggle off. (11-24 clicks; not on Roku sticks, only TVs.)

On this week's show we identify the top IMDB user rated original movies per streamer. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Last week we ran down the top streamer's price histories and at one point I (Ara), said that Amazon really didn't have many movies worth watching but since it came included with Prime shipping who cares. So this week I wanted to see what Amazon Original Movies were available and how they rated on IMDB. This did not include TV series like Reacher, Terminalist, etc. I just wanted to see if there was something I was missing. Then I expanded it to all the streamers we talked about last week and thus we created a list of the highest rated original movies from each streamer as rated by viewers on IMDB. Note the list goes from lowest to highest.

Paramount+

Hunger Ward (2020) with a rating of 7.1/10. This short documentary, directed by Skye Fitzgerald, explores the Yemeni Civil War's famine through the work of two female health workers at therapeutic feeding centers for malnourished children. It premiered on Paramount+ in 2021 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject.

Hulu

Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022) with a rating of 7.2/10 based on over 34,000 user votes. Directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Emma Thompson as a widowed retiree exploring her sexuality with a young sex worker (Daryl McCormack), it's a witty and intimate comedy-drama praised for its honest take on aging, desire, and vulnerability.

Peacock

Psych 3: This Is Gus (2021) with a rating of 7.5/10 based on over 5,500 user votes. This comedy-mystery TV movie, directed by Steve Franks, serves as the third installment in the Psych film series and follows fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) and his best friend Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill) as they investigate Gus's bride-to-be's past amid wedding chaos, all while Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) faces career uncertainty. It's praised for its sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and nostalgic callbacks to the original USA Network series.

Netflix

Marriage Story (2019) with a rating of 7.9/10 (from over 380,000 votes). Directed by Noah Baumbach, this poignant drama follows a stage director (Adam Driver) and his actress wife (Scarlett Johansson) as they navigate a grueling divorce, exploring the emotional toll on their family and creative lives. It received critical acclaim for its sharp screenplay, authentic performances, and raw depiction of marital breakdown, earning six Oscar nominations including Best Picture.

Apple TV+

Wolfwalkers (2020) with a rating of 8.0/10 based on over 43,000 user ratings. This animated fantasy adventure, directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, follows a young hunter's daughter who befriends a girl from a wolf-shifting tribe in 17th-century Ireland. It stands out for its hand-drawn animation, themes of friendship and freedom, and cultural folklore elements, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature.

Amazon Prime

The Handmaiden (2016) with a rating of 8.1/10 from nearly 195,000 votes. Directed by Park Chan-wook and adapted from Sarah Waters' novel Fingersmith, this erotic psychological thriller is set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea. It follows a con artist, a pickpocket disguised as a handmaiden, and a wealthy heiress in a tale of seduction, betrayal, and revenge told across three perspectives. Amazon Studios acquired U.S. distribution rights after its 2016 Cannes premiere, making it an exclusive Prime Video original. Its high rating comes from praise for its intricate plot, stunning visuals, and strong performances by Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, and Ha Jung-woo. For comparison, other top Amazon originals include Manchester by the Sea (7.8/10), Sound of Metal (7.7/10), and The Big Sick (7.5/10).

On this week's show we look at the streamers and their pricing history. Are they keeping up with inflation or are they seeing how far they can keep raising prices. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

Other:

Netflix

Netflix has raised prices multiple times since launching its streaming service in 2007, with increases tied to content investments and competition. The service now offers four tiers: ad-supported Standard with Ads, Basic (ad-free, one screen), Standard (ad-free, two screens), and Premium (ad-free, four screens, 4K). Below is a summary of U.S. monthly prices for the most popular tiers (Standard and Premium) over time.

Year

Date

Standard Plan

Premium Plan

Notes

2010

Launch (streaming-only)

$7.99

N/A

Basic streaming plan introduced.

2011

Feb

$7.99

N/A

No change.

2014

May

$8.99

N/A

First major streaming hike.

2015

N/A

$9.99

$11.99

Introduction of HD tier.

2017

Oct

$10.99

$13.99

Subtle rollout.

2019

Jan

$12.99

$15.99

Basic introduced at $8.99 (discontinued 2023).

2020

Oct

$13.99

$17.99

Response to content costs.

2022

Jan

$15.49

$19.99

Largest hike at the time.

2023

Oct

N/A

N/A

Ads tier launched at $6.99.

2024

Jan

$15.49

$22.99

Basic discontinued.

2025

Jan

$18.00

$25.00

All plans increased; ads tier to $8.00.

Prices are monthly in USD; annual options offer ~17% savings. Current as of October 2025. Note - $8 in 2010 is worth approximately $11.57 in October 2025

Disney+

Launched in 2019 at a competitive $6.99/month, Disney+ has seen nearly annual increases, often bundled with Hulu/ESPN+. It now has two main tiers: ad-supported Basic and ad-free Premium. Prices reflect U.S. monthly rates for standalone Premium (most common).

Year

Date

Basic (Ads)

Premium (Ad-Free)

Notes

2019

Nov (Launch)

N/A

$6.99

Single ad-free tier.

2020

N/A

N/A

$6.99

No change.

2021

Jan

N/A

$7.99

First hike.

2022

Dec

$7.99

$10.99

Ads tier introduced.

2023

Oct

$7.99

$13.99

Bundle prices also rose.

2024

Oct

$9.99

$15.99

Ads tier up $2.

2025

Oct

$12.99

$17.99

All plans up $2–$3; annual Premium $169.99.

Annual billing saves ~16% (e.g., Premium $139.99/year in 2024). Bundles start at $9.99/month with Hulu/ESPN+. Note - $7 in 2019 is worth approximately $9 in October 2025 dollars

Hulu

Hulu, launched in 2007, has fluctuated prices but stabilized post-Disney acquisition (2019). It offers ad-supported, ad-free, and Live TV tiers. Focus here on on-demand plans (most subscribed).

Year

Date

Ad-Supported

Ad-Free

Notes

2007

Launch

$9.99

N/A

Early ad-free only.

2010

N/A

$7.99

$7.99

Ads tier introduced.

2014

N/A

$7.99

$11.99

Ad-free split. Sept 2015

2018

N/A

$7.99

$15.99

Live TV at $39.99.

2019

Jan

$5.99

$11.99

Promo drop to $5.99 ads.

2021

Oct

$6.99

$12.99

$1 increase both.

2022

Oct

$7.99

$14.99

$1 hike.

2023

Oct

$7.99

$17.99

Ad-free up $3.

2024

N/A

$9.99

$18.99

Further increases.

2025

Oct

$11.99

$18.99

Ads up $2; bundles up $2–$7.

Annual ad-supported: $79.99 (2023) to $119.99 (2025). Live TV starts at $82.99/month. Note - $10 in 2007 is worth approximately $15.19 in October 2025 dollars.

Amazon Prime Video

Prime Video is bundled with Amazon Prime (shipping/music perks), launched 2006. Standalone option added in 2016. Prices reflect full Prime membership (includes Video); standalone is $8.99/month ad-supported.

Year

Date

Monthly Prime

Annual Prime

Notes

2005

Launch

N/A

$79

Video added later.

2007

N/A

N/A

$79

No change.

2011

N/A

N/A

$79

Video streaming begins.

2014

N/A

N/A

$99

First major hike.

2018

N/A

$12.99

$119

Monthly option emphasized.

2022

Feb

$14.99

$139

Post-pandemic increase.

2024

Jan

$14.99

$139

Ads introduced; ad-free +$2.99.

2025

N/A

$14.99

$139

No change; standalone $8.99.

Prime Video alone: $8.99/month (ads) or $10.99 (ad-free). 200M+ Prime members globally.

HBO Max (formerly Max (formerly HBO Max))

Launched 2020 as HBO Max ($14.99 ad-free), rebranded Max in 2023. Frequent hikes focus on premium content. Tiers: Basic (ads), Standard (ad-free, 1080p), Premium (4K).

Year

Date

Basic (Ads)

Standard (Ad-Free)

Premium (4K Ad-Free)

Notes

2020

May (Launch)

N/A

N/A

$14.99

Single ad-free tier.

2021

Jun

$9.99

N/A

$14.99

Ads tier added.

2023

Jan

$9.99

$15.99

$19.99

First hike post-rebrand.

2024

Jun

$9.99

$16.99

$20.99

$1 increases.

2025

Oct

$10.99

$18.49

$22.99

$1–$2 hikes; annual Premium $229.99.

Annual saves ~17% (e.g., Premium $199.99 in 2024). Bundles with Disney+/Hulu at $16.99/month. Note - $15 in 2020 is worth $18.72 in 2025 dollars

Paramount+

Evolved from CBS All Access (2014). Rebranded 2021 with tiers: Essential (ads) and Premium (ad-free + Showtime). Sports/live TV drive hikes.

Year

Date

Essential (Ads)

Premium (Ad-Free + Showtime)

Notes

2014

Oct (CBS All Access)

$5.99

$9.99

Launch.

2017

N/A

$5.99

$9.99

No major change.

2018

N/A

$5.99

$9.99

Stable.

2021

Mar (Rebrand)

$4.99

$9.99

Promo Essential.

2023

Aug

$5.99

$11.99

$2 Premium hike.

2024

Jun

$7.99

$12.99

Essential up $2 for new subs.

2025

N/A

$7.99

$12.99

Annual Essential $59.99.

Annual saves ~17–20%. Sports bundles (e.g., NFL) add value. Note - $10 in October 2014 is equivalent to approximately $12.65 in October 2025 dollars.

Peacock

NBCUniversal's Peacock launched in 2020 with a free tier (phased out 2023). Tiers: Premium (ads), Premium Plus (ad-free). Olympics/sports fuel rapid increases.

Year

Date

Premium (Ads)

Premium Plus (Ad-Free)

Notes

2020

Apr (Launch)

$4.99

$9.99

Free tier available.

2021

N/A

$4.99

$9.99

No change.

2023

Jul

$5.99

$11.99

First hike; free tier ends.

2024

Jul

$7.99

$13.99

$2 increases.

2025

Jul

$10.99

$16.99

$3 hikes; "Select" tier test at $7.99 (limited content).

Annual Premium $109.99 (2025). Discounts for students/military (~$2–$5.99/month). Live sports (NFL/Olympics) key draw. Note - $10 in 2020 is worth $12.48 in today's dollars (October 2025)

On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to October 21st 2023 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, and discus 5G broadcast on how it can change how we interact with your media devices.

On this week's show we look at some 1960s and 1970s TV shows that received their series finally in a movie at least ten years after going off the air. We also take a look at five home automation trends for this year and beyond. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

On October 14, 1978, television history was made with the premiere of Rescue from Gilligan's Island, the first-ever TV series adapted into a made-for-TV movie. Airing 47 years ago today, this film brought back the beloved cast of the iconic 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island, reuniting fans with the stranded castaways for a nostalgic adventure.

The movie picked up where the series left off, following the bumbling Gilligan and his fellow survivors as they finally escaped their tropical island—only to face new comedic challenges adjusting to modern life. Starring the original cast, including Bob Denver as Gilligan and Alan Hale Jr. as the Skipper, the film captured the charm and humor that made the show a cultural staple.

This groundbreaking adaptation paved the way for future TV-to-movie transitions, proving that beloved series could find new life on the small screen. Rescue from Gilligan's Island remains a milestone in TV history, reminding us of the enduring appeal of these lovable castaways.

Here are a few other series that got a series finale years after it's TV run ended:

Star Trek (ended in 1969) - Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) – Relaunched the crew on a new mission, effectively serving as a big-screen continuation and soft finale to the original era's story.

Get Smart (ended 1970) - The Nude Bomb (1980) – Maxwell Smart returns for a solo mission against a mad bomber, providing a comedic capstone to his career.

The Munsters (ended 1966) - Munsters' Revenge (1981 TV movie) – The family thwarts a crime ring, reuniting the original cast for a proper send-off.

The Adams Family (ended 1966) - Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977 TV movie) – A reunion special where Gomez and Morticia host a haunted party, offering light-hearted closure.

According to the National Association of Home Builders, two-thirds of consumers desire a connected home. Smart home technology is increasingly impacting property value while homes without such features may soon be worth less. At the annual CEDIA smart home technology expo in Denver, professionals like Kyle Steele, president of Global Wave Integration, and interior designer Toni Sabatino emphasized the importance of staying updated on smart home innovations. They both highlight insights from CEDIA and recent research, offering ideas for your smart home. Today we take a look at the five trends they see for 2025 and beyond.

Increasing Seamless IntegrationFor the aesthetics committee, Smart home tech is evolving to blend invisibly into home aesthetics, with slimmer designs, refined finishes, and hidden features in shading, lighting, audio, and furnishings. This shift turns gadgets into design elements, like concealed speakers or artful LED walls, prioritizing user experience over visibility.

But underneath it all, seamless integration will enable devices from various brands, such as lights, thermostats, cameras, and voice assistants, to work together as a unified system. This allows unified control via a single app or voice command, intuitive automation based on triggers and a smooth user experience with minimal setup, no delays, and reliable performance. New devices will integrate easily, and a robust network like Wi-Fi 6 supports the ecosystem, enabling complex routines regardless of device brands.

Partnering ExpandsCollaborations between tech integrators and designers are growing to make solutions more accessible, especially for non-tech-savvy users like older homeowners. Designers act as bridges, explaining privacy-focused systems, while expos highlight products for storage, entertainment, and monitoring to enhance client value.

Wellness TrendingHealth and wellness features are becoming mainstream, including circadian lighting, air/water purification, biophilic elements, and acoustic treatments. These systems promote energy-efficient, livable spaces aligned with natural rhythms, which may be a selling point for those focused on healthier home environments.

Products such as smart scales, sleep analyzers, and blood pressure monitors will seamlessly integrate with home automation platforms enabling automations like adjusting room lighting based on sleep patterns detected by sleep sensors or dimming lights if weight trends indicate fatigue. Similarly, on-demand ECG readings through their mobile app can connect to the automation system to send notifications to family members, doctors and in extreme cases to first responders creating a proactive smart home that responds to vital health data in real time.

SecuritySecurity remains a top priority, driving demand for video doorbells, whole-house systems, and cybersecurity measures amid hacking risks. Industry reports project strong growth in global smart home security, urging professionals to educate homeowners on secure setups like strong passwords.

Multi-TaskingProducts now multitask across needs like security, comfort, entertainment, and energy savings like smart shading for automated vacation modes or TVs that double as art displays like Samsung's The Frame. Emerging "smart surfaces," such as charging countertops, reflect this versatile, lifestyle-fitting approach.

On this week's show we recommend five 55" TVs for less than $500 that will give you the best bang for your buck! We also read your emails and take a look at some of the week's news.

News:

Other:

This week we scoured the Internet for best bang for the buck TVs that would work in a typical family room. For this criteria we landed on 55" as it is, in our opinion, the Goldilocks size. We read reviews from sites like RTINGS, CNET, Tom's Guide, and What Hi-Fi? To select five models that have something for everyone. All the TVs are 4K smart TVs with good picture quality, HDR support, and gaming features.

All Models Available at Amazon

Here's a comparison of the top-rated options:

TCL QM6K (QLED Mini-LED) 55-inch ~$445 at Amazon

144Hz refresh rate, local dimming for deep blacks, Google TV OS, VRR/AMD FreeSync for gaming, Dolby Vision HDR. Best all-around budget TV; excels in brightness, color vibrancy, and motion handling for movies/gaming—rivals pricier models without blooming issues.

Hisense QD7QF (QLED) 55-inch ~$350 at Amazon

Full-array local dimming, 144Hz VRR, Dolby Vision/Atmos, Google TV, twice the brightness of most budget rivals. Unmatched contrast and immersion for the price; ideal for dark-room viewing and gaming, with solid upscaling for streaming.

Roku Plus Series (QLED Mini-LED) 55-inch $400 at Amazon

Mini-LED backlight, quantum dots for color pop, Roku OS (simple streaming), HDR10+, 60Hz with low lag. Easiest interface for casual users; great value for vibrant colors and decent blacks—perfect for bright rooms and Roku fans.

Hisense U6K (Mini-LED) 55-inch ~450 at Amazon

Quantum dots, local dimming, 60Hz Game Mode, VIDAA OS, Dolby Vision, Affordable entry to Mini-LED tech; strong HDR performance and shadow detail—beats basic LEDs in contrast without extras.

Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch $410 at Amazon

Local dimming, Alexa voice control, Fire TV OS, Dolby Vision, wide color gamut | Balanced for smart home integration; solid contrast and app ecosystem—best for Amazon Prime users wanting a compact, feature-rich set.

MLB TV: Please Give Us Our Refunds!

if you ordered on February 4, or beyond, you had five days from the date of the order to cancel and get a full refund. That's a decent interval to accommodate those who develop sticker shock after their purchase. More...

Vizio P Series Quantum 65″ Now Only $898

It's amazing how much TV you can get for your dollar these days. An excellent example is the Vizio P Series Quantum 65″ TV that is now on sale for $898. This is a truly full-featured TV that has a 200-zone FALD backlight capable of 1100-nit peak brightness, for eye-popping HDR. Quantum dots ensure this TV will deliver bright, vivid color for years to come without risk of burn-in.

Remember last week we talked about this TV in our Best 4K TV for Spring. Here is a reminder of the RTINGS.com rating:

8.4 Mixed Usage

8.4 Movies

8.1 TV Shows

8.1 Sports

8.9 Video Games

8.5 HDR Movies

8.7 HDR Gaming

8.7 PC Monitor

"BH90210" (FOX)

"Fresh Off the Boat" (ABC)

"Grand Hotel" (ABC)

"The InBetween" (NBC)

"Reef Break" (ABC)

"Sunnyside" (NBC)

"The 100" (The CW)

"Arrow" (The CW)

"Blindspot" (NBC)

"Criminal Minds" (CBS)

"Empire" (FOX)

"The Good Place" (NBC)

"Hawaii 5-0" (CBS)

"How to Get Away with Murder" (ABC)

"Madam Secretary" (CBS)

"Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." (ABC)

"Modern Family" (ABC)

"Supernatural" (The CW)

"Will & Grace" (NBC)

"All American" (The CW)

"America's Funniest Home Videos" (ABC) – through 2021

"American Ninja Warrior" (NBC)

"Batwoman" (The CW)

"Black Lightning" (The CW)

"Bless the Harts" (FOX)

"Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (NBC)

"Charmed" (The CW)

"Dynasty" (The CW)

"Evil" (CBS)

"The Flash" (The CW)

"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)

"Holey Moley" (ABC)

"In the Dark" (The CW)

"Legacies" (The CW)

"Legends of Tomorrow" (The CW)

"Making It" (NBC)

"Mom" (CBS)

"Nancy Drew" (The CW)

"New Amsterdam" (NBC) – through season 5

"The Outpost" (The CW)

"Riverdale" (The CW)

"Roswell, New Mexico" (The CW)

"The Simpsons" (FOX)

"Supergirl" (The CW)

"This is Us" (NBC) – through 2022

"Young Sheldon" (CBS)

The 7 Best 4K TVs - Spring 2020 (RTINGS.com)

The editors at RTINGS.com have just updated their Seven Best Best 4K TVs for the Spring and we bring those to you. RTINGS.com is a great resource when you are looking to buy a new UHD TV. They have the most thorough reviews of any site on the Internet. All the TVs that we discuss come with an in depth review that can be found at the links below.

The best 4k TV we've tested so far is the LG B9 OLED. With OLED technology, you get an amazing picture quality that's suitable for almost any type of setting. It has exceptional dark room performance due to its infinite contrast ratio and perfect black uniformity, and its excellent reflection handling and good peak brightness make it a good choice for bright rooms too. Its out-of-the-box color accuracy is a bit disappointing, but on the bright side, it supports a wide color gamut to produce rich and vibrant colors in HDR content. Full Review

8.9 Mixed Usage

9.3 Movies

8.5 TV Shows

8.7 Sports

9.4 Video Games

9.0 HDR Movies

9.0 HDR Gaming

8.9 PC Monitor

PROS

CONS

If you'd rather not have to worry about the possibility of burn-in on an OLED TV like the LG B9 OLED, then consider the Vizio P Series Quantum X 2019. It has a VA panel with an outstanding native contrast ratio, and it also has a great local dimming feature that boosts the contrast even more, producing deep, inky blacks when viewed in the dark. And best of all, VA panels are virtually immune from image retention and permanent burn-ins. The most notable aspect of this TV is its incredible peak brightness. Combined with its excellent wide color gamut, HDR content is delivered the way it was intended, with saturated colors and bright highlights. Response time and input lag are both outstanding, but unfortunately, it has sub-par viewing angles, so images don't look as good when viewed from the side. Vizio's SmartCast platform is easy to use; however, it's still quite limited when it comes to app availability. Full Review

8.4 Mixed Usage

8.4 Movies

8.1 TV Shows

8.1 Sports

8.9 Video Games

8.5 HDR Movies

8.7 HDR Gaming

8.7 PC Monitor

PROS

CONS

The TV with the best color accuracy out of the box is the Sony X950G. This TV has a great picture quality and a host of features to please most people. It has outstanding contrast ratio and impressive black uniformity, making it a good choice for dark room viewing. It even has a full array local dimming feature, though the performance is somewhat mediocre. If you have a wide seating arrangement, the VA panel can cause colors to shift when viewed from the side, but the larger variants of this TV has Sony's 'X-Wide Angle' feature to improve viewing angles, albeit at the expense of contrast ratio. Full Review

8.3 Mixed Usage

8.4 Movies

8.1 TV Shows

8.0 Sports

8.7 Video Games

8.3 HDR Movies

8.5 HDR Gaming

8.6 PC Monitor

PROS

CONS

For the remaining TVs will list category, model, price, and mixed usage rating. We'll also provide a link to the full review.

TV Ratings a Different Look

Ever since we could remember Neilson has been the main way for networks to get their read on what America is watching. You would think by now with all the new technology that is available to us we would have a better method to rate what we watch. Enter the website TV Series Finale. The site was started in 2005 and was devoted to the last episodes of TV shows, It quickly morphed into a site that tracked if a show was renewed or canceled. In fact we use their info each year when we discuss the same topic with you.

On their website they have a Viewer Ranking for TV shows in the current season. So we thought it would be interesting to go through how TV Series Finale readers rated the current lineup of TV shows vs the Nielson ratings. Are their readers more in tune to what America is watching? This show will have a lot of numbers but we'll try to make it less boring.

Name/Season/Rating/Viewers in Millions/Renewed or ending

The Resident (FOX) s3 9.63 3.972 Supernatural (CW) Final Season s15 9.63 1.118 E Emergence (ABC) s1 9.61 2.706 Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (NBC) s1 9.61 2.047 Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector (NBC) s1 9.61 3.656 Good Girls (NBC) s3 9.60 1.895 Chicago PD (NBC) s7 9.59 6.964 R The Rookie (ABC) s2 9.59 4.091 Prodigal Son (FOX) s1 9.59 3.380 9-1-1 (FOX) s3 9.58 6.738

Name/Season/Rating/Viewers in Millions/Renewed or ending

Carol's Second Act (CBS) s1 8.25 4.985 Ellen's Game of Games (NBC) s3 8.25 4.763 R America's Got Talent: The Champions (NBC) s2 8.22 7.274 Indebted (NBC) s1 8.21 1.612 Will & Grace (NBC) s11 8.05 2.250 E Survivor (Fall) (CBS) s39 7.65 6.424 R Dancing with the Stars (ABC) s28 7.55 6.737 The Bachelor (ABC) s24 6.96 6.398 The Conners (ABC) s2 6.92 5.723 Batwoman (CW) s1 6.18 1.074 R

Top Bottom

ABC 2 3

CBS 0 2

NBC 4 4

FOX 3 0

CW 1 1

Name/Ranking/Rating/Viewers in Millions/Renewed or ending

Hawaii Five-0 (CBS) 12 9.57 7.085 E

Magnum PI (CBS) 17 9.52 6.530

Seal Team (CBS) 22 9.50 4.842

Brooklyn Nine-Nine (NBC) 23 9.50 2.050 R

God Friended Me (CBS) 27 9.47 6.241

Last Man Standing (FOX) 33 9.44 4.298

NCIS (CBS) 49 9.31 11.439

The HT Guys would like to thank all our listeners for 15 years of support. Many of you have been with us since day one and others joined soon thereafter. Be kind when you listen to our first episode as we didn't have a clue to what we were doing.

We hope you like this trip down memory lane

The HT Guys

Ara Derderian and Braden Russell

Streaming Day and Date Content is Here!

So you are stuck working from home or are on temporary furlough. Either way you may find that you have more time on your hand and don't know what to do. The HT Guys have you covered. There are plenty of new movies that were in or scheduled to be in theaters that are available for digital purchase or rental. Today we'll run down the list and hope you can find something worth watching!

Superheroes Are Getting An Upgrade – BLOODSHOT – Now on Digital! Available for purchase for $19.99. Was in theaters March 13. Based on the bestselling comic book, Vin Diesel stars as Ray Garrison, a soldier recently killed in action and brought back to life as the superhero Bloodshot by the RST corporation. With an army of nanotechnology in his veins, he's an unstoppable force –stronger than ever and able to heal instantly. But in controlling his body, the company has sway over his mind and memories, too. Now, Ray doesn't know what's real and what's not – but he's on a mission to find out. More info…

Love conquers all, as I Still Believe becomes available in households everywhere through Premium On Demand March 27 from Lionsgate. Originally released March 13th. It is based on the life of American contemporary Christian music singer-songwriter Jeremy Camp and his first wife, Melissa Lynn Henning-Camp, who was diagnosed with ovarian cancer shortly before they married. More Info...

Onward -Originally premiered in theaters March 6, is now available for digital purchase in the U.S. for $19.99. In Disney and Pixar's ONWARD, two teenage elf brothers, Ian and Barley Lightfoot (voices of Tom Holland and Chris Pratt), get an unexpected opportunity to spend one more day with their late dad and embark on an extraordinary quest aboard Barley's epic van Guinevere. Like any good quest, their journey is filled with magic spells, cryptic maps, impossible obstacles, an unimaginable discoveries. But when the boys' fearless mom Laurel (voice of Julia Louis-Dreyfus) realizes that her sons are missing, she teams up with a part-lion, part-bat, part-scorpion, former warrior – aka The Manticore (voice of Octavia Spencer) – and heads off to find them. Perilous curses aside, this one magical day could mean more than any of them ever dreamed. Onward will also be released on the Disney+ streaming service April 3. More Info...

The Invisible Man - It came out in theaters on Feb. 28. What you can't see can hurt you. Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss (Us, Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale) stars in a terrifying modern tale of obsession inspired by Universal's classic monster character. Available for rent at $19.99. More Info...

Frozen 2 -Currently out of the theaters but available on Disney+ three months ahead of schedule. Anna and Kristoff battle the elements in a race to save the kingdom. Then, Elsa faces a dangerous journey into the enchanted forests and dark seas beyond Arendelle in search of truths about the past in "Frozen 2." More Info...

EMMA - Available to rent for $19.99 for 48 hours. "EMMA." was released in theaters on Valentine's Day. Jane Austen's beloved comedy about finding your equal and earning your happy ending is reimagined in this delicious new film adaptation of EMMA. Handsome, clever and rich, Emma Woodhouse is a restless "queen bee" without rivals in her sleepy little English town. In this glittering satire of social class, Emma must navigate her way through the challenges of growing up, misguided matches and romantic missteps to realize the love that has been there all along. More Info...

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker - This is out of the theaters and came to the streaming market a little early. The surviving members of the resistance face the First Order once again, and the legendary conflict between the Jedi and the Sith reaches its peak bringing the Skywalker saga to its end. More Info...

The Hunt - Released March 13, "The Hunt" is now available for 48-hour rental for $19.99.Twelve strangers wake up in a clearing. They don't know where they are, or how they got there. They don't know they've been chosen - for a very specific purpose - The Hunt. More Info...

Birds of Prey - Released Feb. 7 is available to buy on digital platforms for $19.99.After splitting with the Joker, Harley Quinn joins superheroes Black Canary, Huntress and Renee Montoya to save a young girl from an evil crime lord. More Info...

The Way Back - Released in theaters March 6. It's available for purchase on digital platforms. Jack Cunningham was an HS basketball phenom who walked away from the game, forfeiting his future. Years later, when he reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater, he may get one last shot at redemption. More Info...

The Gentleman - Originally released in theaters in January, now available on digital. From writer/director Guy Ritchie comes THE GENTLEMEN, a star-studded sophisticated action comedy. THE GENTLEMEN follows American expat Mickey Pearson (Matthew McConaughey) who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he's looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him More Info...

Sonic the Hedgehog - Will be available for purchase beginning March 31. The disc release is set to follow on May 19. The world needed a hero, we got a hedgehog. Powered with incredible speed, Sonic The Hedgehog, aka The Blue Blur, embraces his new home on Earth. That is, until he accidentally knocks out the power grid and sparks the attention of super-uncool evil genius Dr. Robotnik (Jim Carrey). Now it's super-villain vs. super-sonic in an all-out race across the globe to stop Robotnik from using Sonic's power for world domination. Sonic teams up with The Donut Lord, aka Sheriff Tom Wachowski (James Marsden), to save the planet in this action-packed that's fun for the whole family. More Info...

I used cloud gaming exclusively for a month. Here's what happened

Cloud gaming is real. In fact, it has been real for over a decade. OnLive, now defunct, launched in June of 2010. Yep. You're that old.

Gamers were skeptical of the idea, which is why OnLive didn't make it. But last year's launch of Google Stadia put a spotlight on it, and multiple tech giants are either working, or rumored to be working, on cloud gaming services. Google and Nvidia are in the fray, Microsoft has a service in beta, and Amazon is said to have an entry in the works.

In a Potential Game-Changing Decision, NBCUniversal Will Make Theatrical Movies Available On Demand Immediately

After years of discussions about the possibility of shrinking the theatrical window, NBCUniversal is going to obliterate it altogether. According to a new report, the company is going to release at least some of Universal Pictures' theatrical offerings on demand at the same time that they hit theaters. When a book is written about this period in history, this may be a crucial turning point in the way the entire industry operates.

Here's how to try every major streaming service for free during the coronavirus quarantine

We are taking things day by day in the midst of this coronavirus pandemic. This week we venture into more uncharted territory as multiple mayors and governors have mandated that schools, bars, entertainment spaces, and other venues where large crowds gather be shut down for about a month in an effort to curb the spread of COVID-19.

We don't know what's next, but it's important to stay sane and entertained during this period of #QuarantineAndChill. One of the best things we can do to keep our minds off of our real-life drama is streaming our hearts out. Since streaming services won't bail us out with discounts and free subscriptions, we have to figure out ways to keep the costs down. Aside from password sharing, there's also the free trial hustle. All you need is an email address that hasn't been registered yet (wink).

So here's a breakdown of how much time you will have to indulge in the most popular streaming services for free before your time is up.

Streaming and Cord Cutting

On Today's show, in addition to your email and news, we review the year 2013, ask you "How do you Stream your Entertainment, and finally look at your top streaming attributes.

The last decade has seen streaming grow into a dominant category of content delivery. It's hard to believe that Netflix started out by shipping discs to viewers. Today, the average Internet speed in the US is close to 100 Mbps, which is more than enough to support 4K streaming and more. Read the Article and take the poll at AVS Forum

Will ad-supported and on-demand streaming services continue to become more popular with cord cutters, leaving live TV streaming services in the dust? That could be the case, according to a special "Streaming Wars" edition of the Nielsen Total Audience Report. Read the Article

AT&T TV

How many TV services does AT&T have? Let's count them. There is DirecTV, U-Verse, AT&T TV Now, and AT&T Watch TV. Kind of confusing huh. Well there is one more newly minted TV service from AT&T simply named AT&T TV.

AT&T TV is a TV service that does not require a dish or cable connection but does require a set top box. In this case an Android based box. You need at least a 25Mbps internet connection but higher speeds will get higher quality streams. There is no installation from a professional. You simply plug in the set top box, connect it to the Internet and then to your TV.

There are three packages ranging in price from $50 to $65 for the first 12 months but you need to sign up for a 24 month commitment. After the first year the prices go up! Plus you pay taxes and fees. Sound familiar?

Other features include a cloud based DVR, Sports packages, and Premium channels.

AT&T will continue to accept new signups for all it's TV services and has said that none of them are going away.

This does not make sense to us. There is no compelling reason to choose this service over any of the other streaming services out there. Especially those that do not have any commitments including AT&T TV Now. What are your thoughts?

So....basically everything we hate about cable. Contracts plus bait and switch.Ohh. and a set top box.

This is a Bait and Switch Program. they give you an OK price to start with, but you have to do 2 Year Contract. Year 2 the prices goes up to the same cost as what Satellite and Cable. So the whole point with Cord Cutters is to reduce cost which this does not do and it locks you in for 2 years. Hard Pass…

Wow! 1981 all over again. Are they kidding? Any idea what the competition is doing? What the landscape looks like? A box? This is just stupid. Sorry.

DOA! Someone at AT&T should be fired over this. Probably not though. Is AT&T television the new BlackBerry - clueless?

I'm so confused by this offering. Who is the target market here??

Contracts? A set top box? Fees? Bundles? Price per month nearly doubles after one year? Sounds a lot like... cable. Do they think it's still 1985?

By now you all know that we have been searching for the best large format TV to emulate a projector and screen. We know nothing beats a 120 inch screen but with that comes some drawbacks like installation, cost, and light control. Ara settled on an Ultra Short Throw Projector which does really well in a fully lit room. The entire setup cost him just under $4000. Braden is still looking for that one TV that will say buy me. Our friends at RTINGS.com must have known Braden was in the market for such a TV because they just published The 5 Best 80-82-85 inch TVs Winter 2020. Let's see if we can get Braden a new TV?

On today's show we take a look back at the year 2012, discuss how to make your HDMI connected devices work with Hotel HDTVs, take a poll on home much our dedicated home theaters cost, and finally give you the top ten HDTVs at Amazon based on sales.

Top Ten TVs at Amazon Based on Sales

Toshiba 32LF221U19 32-inch 720p HD Smart LED TV - Fire TV Edition 4.4 stars (16584 ratings) $129.99

TCL 32S327 32-Inch 1080p Roku Smart LED TV (2018 Model) 4.5 out of 5 stars (8,253 ratings) $149.99

Insignia NS-50DF710NA19 50-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV HDR - Fire TV Edition 4.5 (8,849 ratings) $249.99

TCL 32S325 32 Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV (2019) 4.5 stars (8,253 ratings) $127.88

TCL 55S425 55 inch 4K Smart LED Roku TV (2019) 4.5 stars (6,196 ratings) $299.50

TCL 43S425 43 Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart Roku LED TV (2018) 4.5 stars (6,196 ratings) $229.99

Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA Flat 65-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa… 4.6 stars (5,974 Ratings) $597.99

TOSHIBA 50LF711U20 50-inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV HDR - Fire TV Edition 4.4 stars (16,584 ratings) $299.99

Samsung UN55RU7100FXZA Flat 55-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa… 4.6 stars (5,974 ratings) $399.99

Samsung UN43RU7100FXZA Flat 43-Inch 4K UHD 7 Series Ultra HD Smart TV with HDR and Alexa… 4.6 stars (5,974 ratings) $299.98

Where to watch free movies online

Maybe you're sick of paying for streaming services you don't use as much as you thought you would. Maybe you've just gone through all the movies you want to see on Netflix. Maybe you're looking for something a little weirder or less mainstream than what you'll find on traditional streaming services. Whatever the reason, there may come a time when you're looking for something to watch that won't dent your wallet. There are tons of sites and services out there, but some are less legal or trustworthy than you may feel comfortable using. More…

What does the future of projection look like? The LG CineBeam HU85LA Ultra Short Throw 4K Laser Smart Projector ($5500 at Amazon) offers an answer to that question today. It's a projector that fits right into your living room, sitting mere inches away from the screen. It's a projector that gives you a picture up to 120" in size, turns on and off right away and maintains its brightness even with years of daily use. More…

Features:

LG eliminates the color wheel on this DLP eliminating the rainbow effect:

DLP projection offers smooth motion rendering and a sharp, consistent, color accurate image. However home DLP projection has traditionally suffered from "rainbow" artifacts associated with the use of a color wheel to create the RGB primaries. However LG makes the color wheel obsolete with its 3-laser design, it features one red and two blue lasers with one of the blue lasers exciting a phosphor to create pure green light. Since the light source already comprises the three primary colors, there's no need for the color wheel.

LG uses a .66″ DLP chip in the HU85LA. It relies on pixel-shift technology to achieve full 4K resolution on screen. Test patterns show the HU85LA manages to display 4K resolution, but it's not quite as "crisp" as a 4K TV of the same size. However—and this is the crucial point—native 4K projectors are often limited by the quality of their lens. The lens LG created for this projector is surprisingly sharp from edge-to-edge, despite the CineBeam UST's short throw ratio of 0.19:1. I've seen native 4K projectors that don't look as sharp as this LG.

Conclusion

While hardly cheap, this LG's design features and performance make a compelling argument for choosing it over an 85" or larger TV. Regardless of whether you install it in a living room, AV room, basement or even a bedroom, as long as you calibrate it, provide an appropriate screen and are mindful of the lighting, the HU85LA will absolutely impress you with the picture it puts up on screen.

The LG CineBeam HU85LA is a Top Choice selection for 2020.

4 ½ out of 5 stars at Amazon

Good Can Be Better:

Great picture, easy setup.

The best 4K dual laser UST in market

I had no real reference available as there are no LG authorized retailers around my area. So I followed this model from CES 2018 till launch and gone through all the information available on web before making decision to buy this product.

I do not have a UST screen or specially prepared wall. I'm speechless with the picture quality, brightness and colors.

This is definitely one of the costliest product however I'm fully convinced with the value it delivers.

4K Fail: Why I Completely Hate TCLs Cheap 4 Series HDTV (A Piece of Junk)

Despite some very serious concerns about who makes them—and the illegal financial support they receive to build TVs at too good to be true prices—U.S. consumers love TCL TVs. In fact, they also love their other consumer products like soundbars and what appears to be some amazingly foldable smartphones.

Read the Article...

This wee we discuss three articles:

Seven of our best tips for your Sonos system - Popular Science

MicroLED vs. Mini-LED: Which display technology will power your next TV? - Digital Trends

Want free 4K from an antenna? Here's the 2020 TVs with Next Gen TV tuners built-in - CNET

Seven of our best tips for your Sonos system - Popular Science

Pair up your Sonos speakers Wake up to your music Play your music everywhere Customize your speakers to fit their rooms Get chatty with your Sonos speakers Save your Sonos playlists Stream directly from your laptop

MicroLED vs. Mini-LED: Which display technology will power your next TV? - Digital Trends

Want free 4K from an antenna? Here's the 2020 TVs with Next Gen TV tuners built-in - CNET

Free 4K TV over the air is rolling out this year all across the US. It's called Next Gen TV, aka ATSC 3.0, and it promises a revolution not just in resolution -- for the first time you'll be able to watch 4K via an antenna -- but in how you watch broadcast TV. Over 60 stations in 40 markets already are, or are planning to start transmitting before the end of the year.

TVs

LG

These are all OLED and all relatively high-end. The mainstream-priced CX and BX models won't get Next-Gen TV tuners, and neither will any of the LCD-based (aka NanoCell) TVs LG announced.

Samsung

As of this writing, Samsung has only announced Next Gen TV support in its 8K TVs. None of the company's 4K TVs have Next Gen TV tuners.

Sony

Though no pricing was announced at CES, based on the technology and model number, these are Sony's midrange models, and should be cheaper any of the Samsung or LG TVs listed above. None of Sony's higher-end OLED and LCD TVs for 2020 will have Next-Gen TV tuners.

Tuners and set-top-boxes

Most of you reading this probably aren't interested in getting a new TV just for Next Gen TV. Nor should you be. If you don't want to get a new TV, but still want to watch free over-the-air 4K TV, you'll be able to buy an external tuner. There were a few companies at CES discussing set-top-boxes, though neither pricing nor availability were made official. We'll likely get more info along those lines at the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) expo in April.

Zapperbox is one of those companies. It's working with BitRouter, a company that's been around since the early ATSC 1.0 days.

Another company is Apollo, a company that works behind-the-scenes with public TV broadcasters. They're working on an Android-based modular system design.

Home Cinema Streaming

We were alerted to an article at Home Theater Review by one of our listeners, Tom Green, regarding Home Movie streaming. We link to it here: Home Cinema's Streaming Future Is Now. The author states that for reference material they still use UHD Bluerays "But for day-to-day viewing, many of us here on staff have migrated almost entirely to streaming consumption."

They note that this fact infuriates their readers:

And it only takes a quick glance at the comments section here and on our accompanying Facebook page to see that this fact infuriates the most vocal amongst our commentariat.

One commenter stated - that any given standard-definition DVD from 20 years ago is far superior to the Netflix 4K HDR today.

The author doesn't even bother replying to this but we will. This is just plane wrong. Codecs are better which means you get more actual data on lower data rates. Streaming data rates can be higher than the highest DVD data rate of 9.5 Mbps and with better codecs that should be enough, but there is more! There is higher resolution, dvd is only 480p. Plus you can get better color and HDR via streaming which is not even an option on DVD. So no DVD is not better than Netflix 4K HDR.

Then there is the "Well, UHD Blu-ray delivers generally 80 to 100 Mbps or more, and streaming is only 16 Mbps, so that makes UHD Blu-ray six times better."

To try and refute the more bits are better than less bits the author of the article asks:

What's the difference between "1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1" and "1 + 3 x 4"? In reality, nothing. But functionally, the second equation is more efficient. It's also interestingly more prone to error

The issue here is that if you are not good in math you may say the second equation is equal to 16 and not 13 because you don't understand that you do multiplication before addition. So while it is more efficient it is also more prone to error. Today we have more powerful processors so we can use more efficient, and complicated codecs. That means with better compression and 10 or 12 bit color, the compressed video of today is vastly superior to that of DVD and approaching the quality of some Blurays.

"But what about the crappy low-bitrate Dolby Digital+ audio?! When we talked to Dolby more than 10 years ago we brought up that many people are saying that Dolby Digital+ is imperceptible from Dolby True HD. They would not confirm that it was the case. There statement was, and we are paraphrasing here because it was so long ago, "Isn't that a good thing that our Dolby Digital+ compression is so good!" In this article Dolby now goes on record saying that:

Dolby has done extensive listening panels and firmly established that, at the bitrates now employed by Netflix, Vudu, and Disney+ (up to 768 kbps), Dolby Digital+ is perceptually transparent.

So Audio is as good as UHD!

Streaming will only get better with advancements in compression. And unlike discs or over the air TV, providers like Netflix can roll out changes on their own terms. As new devices come on the market completely new compression schemes become possible. And the beauty of this system is the servers can detect what capability your streaming box can support and stream the appropriate level of compressed content. There will come a day, and it will be here sooner than later, that you won't be able to tell the difference between streamed and physical content. And that has us very excited.

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

CES 2020

After a few year Hiatus we returned to Las Vegas for CES. Because we were there on our day job's behalf we did not get to see everything that CES has to offer. We focus on the main players. We'll do a susquent show on the cool things that were reported on but not seen by us.

TCL had a good sized booth and as an attempt to solve Braden's Analysis Paralysis Ara checked them out first. He found what Braden was looking for, an 85 inch QLED!

The picture was amazing! Bright colors, the content was extremely optimized to show this off, great contrast and slim space saving design. Then it was on to the Mini LEDs which were shown in a darkened room. The content they had was showing severe banding in the sky shots. But the color and blacks looked quite good. There were better implementations of Mini LED at the Sony and LG booths.

TCL also had a Cinema Wall that had stuck pixels and min LED grids that were visible to the naked eye. On the second day the wall was turned off. TCL also demonstrated Smart products including locks. And let me tell you these locks are beefy!

At LG I focused solely on their TVs. I was given a presentation that pertained to my day job at Delta Airlines and thus limited to what I can talk about. What I can tell you is the bendable OLED is a big part of their strategy. I saw the OLED that rolls up and it is amazing! Unfortunately I was not allowed to take a photo of the screen, how thick it is, or the mechanism.

What I can talk about is the OLED, Mini, and Micro LEDs. All delivering fantastic pictures. Seeing the Micro LED with my own eyes makes me excited about that technology. Pretty much all the goodness of OLED without any of the drawbacks. It almost looked 3D. Not gimmicky 3D but like you were looking through a glass window.

The 8K OLED looked incredible as did their mini LED.

Sony had their Masters Series TV. Sony has been involved with film mastering for years. These are small monitors with exacting color calibration. With this line Sony wants to bring what the film maker has created into your living room unadulterated! They claim it's as close to what the film maker sees in the studio. I can tell you that the color, detail, and contrast is nothing like I have seen in the past! I have uploaded a hi-res video that does not do the TV justice but it's still pretty good :-)

Sony also had their micro LED technology which they call Crystal LED. People we are living in an age where there are incredible TVs on the market!

Klipsch, known for speakers, was at the show but not a speaker to be seen. Well almost, they did show up with sound bars and some really cool wireless headphones. The "Klipsch Bar 54A Dolby Atmos" bar was one of Digital Trends best soundbar of CES 2020 but it will set you back $1500. Klipsch feels that they have solved the active noise cancelling for wireless earbuds but again that will cost you a pretty penny. Their x McLaren T10 True Wireless smart earphones will cost $999 and will be available in the fall. They have other models that cost much less and look really cool!

Samsung had the Wall prominently displayed. When you see this in person it is quite impressive. This is a massive display measured 24 feet or 7.4 meters diagonally. Check out this picture to get an idea of how massive it is!

They also demonstrated a soundbar called Q-Symphony that worked in conjunction with their TVs speakers to give you a surround sound experience without the need for speakers on the back wall. The demo worked well. But we were in a perfect rectangle room with nothing on the walls. No prices were given but we were told it would be in line with their higher priced sound bars. Plus you need an upper tier Samsung TV. More than a thousand Dollars but less than two thousand dollars.

Finally there is Samsung's Robots. One little guy that looks like a tennis ball and will follow you around and can show you videos when you are not home. The thinking here is that the robot is like your personal valet and will take care of you while you are at home and can keep an eye on things when you are away. This may be a good idea for people with pets.

Everyone had some sort of smart device! There was even a smart closet that helped you pick out something to wear and though RFID delivered it to you!

Happy New Year!! Today we discuss a network strategy for all those new Home Automation devices you bought for Christmas as well as reading your emails and discussing a few News stories.

We have discussed this before but in light of all the new home automation devices that were purchased over the Holidays we thought it would be good to do a refresher. The article was publised over at KTAR News and we will go through it and add our take.

Predictions Review 2019

At the beginning of each year we make predictions as to what we think will happen in the area of HDTV, Home Theater, and Home Automation. We usually hit at about 40% correct. This year, thanks to some generous judging we only got to 33%. So let's see how close, or far, we came in our predictions.

MicroLEDs Make a Macro Splash

MicroLED are an emissive display technology similar to that of OLED. Likewise, they can, theoretically at least, produce perfect blacks, excellent color, and near-perfect off-angle viewing. But unlike OLEDs, they claim to be even brighter, thinner, immune to burn-in, and in time, less expensive to make than other technologies. Look for at least one MicroLED TV to come to market in 2019.

No Micro LEDs that we could find. However, TCL released a Mini LED product in their 8-Series line. Not quite the same thing but a step in the right direction. The TCL has 25,000 zones which should do better than the current LEDs with hundreds of zones. 0/1

Interactive TV comes to a Screen Near You

Thanks to companies like Roku, Apple, Amazon, and Google, many of us have a smart box connected to our sets. In fact, many TVs have the same smarts built into them. Look for at least one manufacturer incorporate interactive TV into the programs being watched through their devices. Participate in fan polls, voting for your favorite contestant, or just chatting with other viewers all from the comfort of your couch!

Disney Channel does make use of this during some programming. You can chime in on questions on screen and see what the rest of America feels about questions being asked. But this is done through their app. It's not built into the TV architecture. 0/2

LG Releases a Roll Up OLED

Last year at CES we talked about an OLED TV screen that was so thin that it could bend. This year we double down on this technology and bet that LG releases a rollable OLED TV. The screen itself will roll into a box that is about the size of a sound bar when not in use. In fact the same box can house the electronics as well as the speakers truly making it a Home Theater in a box.

We wanted this to be true and according to the LG website it ALMOST is. LG says this TV is coming soon. 0/3

Home Security Will Drive Home Automation Demand

Home security surveillance and monitoring will become the driving force behind home automation acceptance. Compelling ads similar to the ones run by Ring Doorbell will push many to dip their toes in the water surround home automation. Once you have your outside lights automated it's a simple step to automate your inside. And so it will begin for many.

We have seen Ring grow for a doorbell company to a security company and now they sell home automation products. Likewise SimpliSafe is doing similar things. People start here and then incorporate more automation into their lives. 1/4

Smart Mirrors

Look for a company to release a smart mirror that is affordable for "most" of us. Imagine getting ready in the morning and looking into your mirror to interact with your social media feeds, watch news and and get weather updates.You will even be able to control your home all from your bathroom!

Well we kind of have a winner here. There is a smart Mirror but it's for working out. It displays your vitals and you can look at yourself as you follow the instructor on the screen. No news or weather but that is just around the corner. So we are going to give ourselves partial credit of 25% correct. 1.25/5

Voice Control of our Home Theater Will Become a Reality

Whether it be the Echo, Siri, or Google Home you will be able to control your home theater with your voice. And not rudimentary control, we're talking Tell your TV exactly what you want to do and it will be done. Alexa, watch A&E Channel on SlingTV. Or Hey Siri watch the LA Dodgers on the MLB app.

This was our gimmie. But with that said it is still not 100% correct. You can do quite a bit with voice like launching apps. You can even tell siri to watch a specific channel on the ATT App and it goes there! We had no idea that would work but it does!! We'll take 75% correct. 2/6 for a grand total of 33%

Smarthome Buying Guide 2019

We have been touting the Smarthome for a few years now but somehow have never put together a Buying Guide. So for 2019 we are going to fix that. Afterall, this is the year of home automation.

This list we will only contain products that work on both iOS and Android platforms. As a result, this list will not contain some manufactures which may limit some of the things your platform of choice is capable of. The good news is if you see a product that you like on this list you can be assured that it will work in your home.

One thing we would like to mention and if you already have home automation devices you already know this. No matter what product you have, home automation will give you the occasional headache. There have been times where it seemed all my devices stopped working then just as quickly everything settles out. There is a good chance that the issue was wifi related but I never really know for sure. If you use a dedicated system like Insteon, Crestron, or Control 4 you may see less issues. But if you do see issues it may cost you money to bring in an expert or with Insteon cause you frustration finding a solution buried deep down some user forum. Bottomline, home automation is good but it's not perfect. Even for experts like us.

Ring - Prices range from $100 to $200 depending on the model. Who doesn't want to answer the door from work?? But seriously it's nice to see when a package is left at your door or if someone is trying to get into your house that shouldn't be. You can go the battery operate route or connect it to the existing wiring. Either way you will be up and running in an hour. Ring also has an app creates a virtual neighborhood watch community that lets you know what's happening around you. If you like Ring they have a family of devices to help you monitor your home.

Schlage Smart Locks - Prices range from $150 - $250 depending on model. Now that you have a way to remotely answer your door you may want a way to let someone in your house. A smart lock can do that. Schlage makes locks that work with Homekit, Google Home, SmartThings and more. It can even work in concert with your Ring Doorbell. Track who enters your home via a custom entry code. You can even make codes work on specific days between specific hours. There is a peace of mind you get when you know that your door is indeed locked!

myQ Smart Garage Door Opener - Street price less than $50. You can have the same peace of mind knowing that you drove away and didn't forget to close the garage door as well! The adapter is compatible with just about every garage door opener that was built in the last 20 years. Easy to install and controllable via your mobile phone. The myQ Smart Opener integrates with Apple's Homekit and Amazon's Echo.

There are at least a dozen manufacturers of smart lighting and almost all of them do not need a hub. They even integrate with the Echo and Homekit so why then are be picking a light system that needs a hub? That's because the Hue Light System is quite possible the best thing you can do to your house! You can get a starter kit as low as $70. But that's only the beginning. There are hue lights for anything and everything including bulbs, lamps, light strips, indoor, and outdoor. There are even accessories that include, motion detectors, remotes, and even plugs!! If you want you can spend hundreds of dollars creating dramatic lighting scenes both inside and outside your home. Hue is compatible with Homekit, Amazon Echo, Google Assistant, and even Microsoft Cortana. Once you get done creating incredible scenes and timers you will simply forget that you spent $50 on a hub.

Our advice here… go cheap! Wall plugs just need to turn on and off. Not much else. Find a plug that works with Homekit, Amazon Echo, or Google Assistant and be done with it. We found one that works with all three!! The Wemo Smart Plug (made by Belkin) costs $20! It's small enough that it does not obscure the other plug but can handle 15A! If you are looking for the one device to start you down the home automation path this is it!

When it comes to switches we were torn. We had such a bad experience with Leviton Decora Smart switches when they first came out. They would lose wifi connections constantly requiring full resets to get them back. They did release a firmware upgrade that has seemed to fix the issue. We have been running for about five months with no issues. But we are still gunshy in giving this our full recommendation. We are gaining more confidence in the $50 device with each passing week.

But what will get our full recommendation is the iDevices Wifi enable dimmer switch. It costs twice as much as the Leviton device however. In the three years we have been using this device it has been offline for a total of about twenty minutes.

If you have a smart home you'll want to be able to control the temperature and for that you have a few options. We have installed and used thermostats made by Honnywell, Insteon, and Ecobee. We have experience with the Nest as well. There are plenty of options out there but we have settled on the ecobee 3 ($199). It has a good physical interface as well as great looking apps. It has full Homekit, Google, Alexa, SmartThings integration. You can even buy additional sensors so you can average out the temperature across your entire home. It's kind of nice being able to tell your voice assistant to set the temperature in your house to 72 degrees and not have to get out from under your warm covers!

So many cameras out there. Over the years we have tried at least a dozen brands. If you have a Ring doorbell you may want to use the Ring cameras. They have great night time picture quality and tie in nicely with the Ring doorbell and sensors. They start at about $60 and go as high as $200. If Ring isn't your thing we highly recommend the Logitech Circle 2. THese cameras have a great picture during the day and a good picture at night. The Ring camera is better at night. Both can store your images in the cloud but offer a premium plan for a yearly fee. The Circle 2 cameras start at about $100 for a battery operated one and $180 for a wired camera. The Circle 2 are indoor outdoor. The Ring makes ones specifically designed for outdoor use.

You'll want motion sensors to make lights turn on or let you know if someone is in your house. If you use Hue lights, we strongly recommend their sensors (Hue Motion Sensor $40). The battery lasts for more than a year and the sensor responds immediately. For the non-Hue people we recommend using your wireless camera as a sensor. And if you don't have a camera you're out of luck… just kidding. Find a sensor that works with your platform of choice. So what we are saying is if you don't have a hue light system we don't care what you do! LOL not really. We don't have enough experience with motion sensors that are multi platform.

Smoke Detector are important as are carbon monoxide detectors. How about one device that does both? The Onelink Smoke Detector and Carbon Monoxide Detector runs about $80 and will let you know if it's going off via it's Android and iOS apps. It's even Homekit and Alexa compatible.

We saved the most important device for last! Braden can tell you first hand (twice) that a water leak costs you money and inconvenience! A Leak Detector is a must. Our pick is a little different than placing moisture detectors around the house. In its simplest form all it will do is let you know that there is a leak. If you are at home you can shut off the water. If you are away from home you could call a friend and ask them if they can shut off your water. Perhaps you can set up individual valves that can be controlled automatically to shut off your water.

Our pic is a little different. The Flo by Moen connects to your main water line where it comes into the house. It measures flowrate and helps you manage your water usage. It can detect a leak of just drips or full on pipe burst. It will let you know that the water is when it shouldn't and will automatically shut down your water.

Say you left the house and you set the system to away. You will get a notification that water is flowing. If you are doing laundry no big deal. If you know nothing is supposed to be on you can shut it down remotely. Or you can say, I am away so shut down if you sense water. There is an iOS and Android app. It costs about $900 installed so it may cost more money but it does so much more than a simple moister detector.

TV Buying Guide 2019

Back in the day you had top tier TV manufacturers like Sony, Panasonic, and even RCA. Everything else was second rate. That meant the picture wasn't very good. There really weren't any features to speak of. It was all picture quality. Yes you could buy a cheap 20 inch TV for your den or bedroom which didn't look that great. But who cared you were probably only watching the news or Johnny Carson before you went to bed.

Today, second and third tier TVs are really good. We are not comparing them to OLEDs or top tier LEDs but compared to the Goldstar and Zenith TVs of the 70s and 80s, they are really good. So here's our dilemma, how do you make a meaningful buying guide when everyone knows if you want the best you buy an OLED and if you are on a budget you buy a cheap Chinese brand? This year we are going to recommend the family and series of TVs since they come in multiple screen sizes. It's up to you to find one that fits in your home and budget.

The TCL 6-Series is quite literally the definition of the Best Bang for the Buck! At $250 for the 43 inch and $500 for the 65 inch you can't go wrong with this TV. They also sell 50 and 55" incase you want something in between large and small. Our friends over at RTNGS.com give it a mixed use rating of 7.3. Actually, this puts the TV in the average category. But average in a world where we have OLED means that this is still a good TV. Think about it, if walked into a bar and said you were an average baseball player when you were in little league no one would be impressed. But if you walked into that same bar and said you were an average baseball player in the big leagues people would buy you a drink.

Features:

Most of us do not have unlimited amounts of money but may have a slightly bigger budget and want a little better quality than our bang for the buck selection. For you we would like to recommend the Vizio P-Series Quantum X. The Quantum X comes in two sizes, 65" and 75" and costs $1400 and $2200 respectively. You may be able to find them on sale for lower if you look online or at Costco. Make sure it's the X, Vizio sells a Quantum as well that does not have the same features.

We like this TV because it does a great job with black levels and has exceptional color. Ara likes it because it supports Airplay 2 which eliminates the need for an AppleTV. It's a great all around TV that does really well with movies, especially those with HDR content. The only real knock against it is that it's off angle viewing is not good.

Features:

So you want the best TV out there and you have a few bucks to spend. Just a few years ago that meant you might break the bank. Today it won't break the bank but will cost more than most people spend on their entire setup. Our selection, and pretty much everyone else's, is the LG OLED C9 series. They come in three sizes 55", 65", and 77" and cost $1500, $2200, and $5000 respectively. What do you get for that? Perfection! We are talking perfect blacks. So black that if you make your room black and put an image in the middle of the screen it will look as though it's floating in space.

Watching movies on this screen in a properly lit room is as good as it gets. The C9 reproduces color with a high degree of precision that does not degrade with off angle viewing. If you watch a lot of movies and want the highest quality you can get this is your TV.

Features:

If you want to go a little bigger than 77" and can swing a projector setup we have two recomendations for you.

Are is extremely happy with his Optoma CinemaX P1 which goes for about $3800. You'll need a $750 screen as well which puts you all in at $4550. A little less than the 77 inch OLED. But at this price you get 100 inches of glorious 4K entertainment. It's a little harder to set up but well worth it when you are done. Like the OLED this projector has excellent off angle viewing and blacks are very good when watching in the evening. During the day they are a little washed out for the darkest scenes. But if you watch sports you can watch in full daylight with no issues whatsoever. Just a great large format projector for less than the largest OLED.

The Sony VPL-VW295ES 4K SXRD projector is our pick for those who can put in a traditional projector. The SXRD line of projectors can be as expensive as $60000 and as inexpensive as $3000. The 295ES is much closer to the latter at $5000. Throw in $750 for a screen and it's not much more than the 77" OLED but with a 100 inch (or larger) screen.

The 295 is true 4K UHD, HDR, and those deep blacks that SXRDs are known for. However, it only has 1500 lumens which means you will need to use this in a light controlled room. But if you have the room and ability to wire up a traditional projector this will not let you down.

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!

This week the HT Guys are thankful for all our loyal listeners who have been with us throughout our 15 years of podcasting. We also discuss a THX tuned speaker system that does not need an AV Receiver and the first DIY Security system that is HomeKit ready.

THX has become synonymous with top-notch cinema sound in commercial theaters. However, the George Lucas-founded company (now owned by gaming giant Razer) has been increasingly focused on helping consumers get a better quality of audio (and video) at home. To this end, it has created a new technical service called Tuned by THX, which gives audio companies the opportunity to have their products custom-tuned by the sound experts at THX. While it doesn't guarantee that the speakers and audio components will knock your socks off, it's THX's way of saying that it has adjusted the characteristics of these components to deliver what is (in THX's opinion) the best sound that these components are capable of. More…

Abode has announced that the long-awaited HomeKit support is now available for its Iota home security system. The update adds the ability to manage and view the status of the system through Apple's Home app and Siri voice commands on iOS, macOS, the Apple Watch, and HomePod devices. The company says it plans to bring HomeKit support to its Gen 1 and Gen 2 systems in the future, but no timeline was provided. More...

Black Friday Guide 2019

Well Black Friday is almost here. Just like all the years we've talked about it, there are some exceptional deals to be had. The question is where do you put your focus. If you're going to wait in line somewhere, where is the right place to maximize your reward for that time?

Resources:

Target Doors Open 5:00PM on Thursday and close at 1:00AM on Friday then reopen 7:00 AM on Friday

BestBuy Doors Open Thanksgiving day at 5:00PM Shop online all day

Wal*Mart Online Wed 11/27 @ 10:00 PM Eastern in stores Thanksgiving @ 6:00PM

Costco In-Store Black Friday Sale begins November 29, 2019 Online Black Friday Sale begins November 28, 2019

Sam's Club In-Store Black Friday Sale begins November 29, 2019 at 7am

Online Black Friday Sale begins November 28, 2019

Other:

Why Your Home Theaters Probably Stink (A Counterpoint)

We found this article over at CEPro titled Why Your Home Theaters Probably Stink which immediately put us on the defensive. We understand that CEPro is aimed at integrators and that in their context a Home Theater is not what we have in our family rooms. Regardless, we wanted to challenge the notion that our modest home theaters stink! We'll go through the article point by point:

From the article:

Let me tell you what happened. In the 1980s and 1990s, everyone in our industry was high on great music and movies and all the tech that reproduced those movies and music in an amazing way. There were tons of beards and ponytails and passion for great AV.

Then control came along… and consumed us. We shifted our focus from high-performing music and video to creating James Bond homes with control of every subsystem in the home. Our focus and our budgets shifted to the new shiny toy. For the most part, home control is not too sexy. It's convenient, it's practical, it's challenging, but at the end of the day it's functional… not emotionally moving.

But now we are in a different time. Control costs are coming down from all the usual suspects and the complexity (labor) to install these systems is getting lower. So our revenues are dropping from control and now we are shifting focus as an industry to lighting and shades. There is lots of competition in that category from guys who have been selling lighting and shades longer than us.

I think we still pursue those avenues, but we are all missing the bigger opportunity… let's get back to great AV and movies. Let's get back to our roots. Let's get back to selling stuff that electricians, window covering companies, and IT people are no good at selling, installing, or designing. Let's sell some kick-ass home theaters!

A projector by a company that also sells inkjet printers or telephone systems

This is a shot at Epson. But let's take a look at the Epson Home Cinema 3800 4K Pro UHD Projector. It has all the important features of some high end projectors including 1.62x Zoom and and lens shift which will help you get the image dialed in. It supports HDR. In fact ProjectorCentral.com gives it a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5 on performance and features. Five out of five for ease of use and value. At $1,700 we know the real issue with this projector is that a 25% markup for a professional to sell it to you doesn't make them as much as a 25% markup on a $10,000 projector. Sure that $10,000 projector will be better but that doesn't mean your Epson projector sucks.

A too-small 16.9 screen that is not acoustically transparent

We all want very large screens. It wasn't too long ago we thought a 50" screen was huge! Now 65" is typical and many TVs can be had at greater than 80" and all of them at affordable prices. Ara has had a 100" screen that was not acoustically transparent. That was easily remedied by placing the center channel speaker just below the screen. He has since gone to a 90" screen because of his UST projector. Anyone who has come into his house has commented that the screen is Huge! So what is too small? We get it, for a true home theater you do need a screen greater than 100". But my brother's 75" screen is far more immersive than the 50 inch screen we marveled at ten years ago. We wouldn't say his "theater" sucks. But a pro can't make money setting up a large format TV. Even an 86" LG that goes for $2,000.

An Apple TV or Roku

Them is fightn' words! No one will argue that an AppleTV or a Roku is the highest quality audio and video. But.... Come on... sucks??? The latest AppleTV support HDR, Wide Color, and ATMOS. Did the author forget about when DVD was the pinnacle of high quality? How about Blu-ray? While not as good as a UHD Disc the AppleTV and Roku boxes have better quality than the former technologies did. These boxes should be part of any home theater for the convenience factor alone.

A non-4K cable or satellite box

Well these are just coming out and people will need to upgrade. In most cases it will be an easy swap. Lack of these doesn't mean your theater sucks. It just means it's time to upgrade.

7.2 or 5.1 In-ceiling speakers by a company that specializes in distributed audio products

Again we agree with the author here. Good speakers do make a huge difference in your experience. With that said, this is much better than what we grew up with. How about saying your audio has room for improvement.

A sad 10-inch sub sitting in the corner of the room

This depends on the size of the room. In our world where most people's home theater is in their family room, a good 10 inch sub, from say SVS, would sound great. If you have a large media room or actual theater yes this will be woefully underwhelming.

So what was the author's intent here? To keep integrators relevant? Perhaps. Integrators are not going anywhere. There will always be people who just don't have the time or desire to setup their home theaters. But we live in a great time where you can do it yourself and create a great "theater" with all the controls yourself. What we can cobble together for less than $10k would cost five times that 15 years ago. Perfect? No. Better than what you could have done 15 years ago? Without a Doubt! Does your theater Stink? Not from where we sit!

Network TV Update (officially renewed or canceled)

ABC

CBS

Fox

NBC

CW

Cheapest Earbuds With Decent Performance: Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 $8.95

The Panasonic RP-HJE120-K ErgoFit are very basic in-ear headphones with no additional features. They have a decent sound and barely leak, even at high volumes. However, they have a typical in-ear fit, which may be uncomfortable for some. They're not very stable and cannot block the ambient noise of a moderately busy office.

Pros - Minimal leakage. Decently balanced sound.

Cons - Poor noise isolation. In-ear fit not comfortable for everyone. Cheap build quality.

Best Cheap Earbuds: Anker SoundBuds Curve Wireless $26.99

The Anker SoundBuds Curve are good sports headphones, with a long battery life and a decent sound. They're comfortable with a stable ear-hook design for exercising and working out. They're compact enough to fit into your pockets, and they're decently well built, although the audio cable is a little thinner than comparable wireless in-ears. Unfortunately, they do not block that much noise so they may not be the best headphones for loud, noisy environments and their sound may be a bit too bass-heavy for some.

Pros - Stable and portable design. Comfortable fit. Very low leakage.

Cons - Mediocre-at-best noise isolation. Slightly thin audio cable.

Best Budget Earbuds: Sony WI-C310 Wireless $38

The Sony WI-C310 are decent mixed-usage in-ear headphones. They are very lightweight, their neckband design is flexible and portable, and they'll be stable enough for running. They have a decent sound profile but might be better-suited for bass-heavy genres. The bud cables are very long, creating big loops when wearing the headphones, which may be a bit cumbersome. On the upside, they have a good 17-hour battery life and isolate well against work environment noises, but won't be the ideal choice for public transit. They are decent all-around headphones and offer good value, but don't necessarily stand out from other similar in-ears.

Pros - Decent audio reproduction. Portable and flexible around-the-neck design. Good battery life.

Cons - Slightly cheap build quality. Mushy control buttons. Always-on sidetone when using the microphone.

Optoma CinemaX P1 Review

For the past year or two we have been talking about removing our projectors and replacing them with very large format TVs. There are a few manufacturers that produce TVs greater than 85" in size and we were stuck in analysis paralysis. There is a video that accompanies this review. Please watch it to help understand the capabilities of this projector.

That is until Optoma announced and shipped the CinemaX P1 Ultra Short Throw Projector (Street Price $3,299.00). This projector can sit as little as 8" away from your screen and project an 85" image. You will need a screen specifically designed for UST use for this review we paired it with a 90" Elite Aeon CLR (Street Price $600). All in the setup cost $3,900.

Let's compare to what is out there in comparable size:

So yes it does cost a little more, but if you go up those last 5" to 90" you won't find a TV anywhere close in price. And if you wanted to, for an additional $200, you could slide the projector back a few more inches and have a 100" screen. There is no TV that is 100" anywhere near this price! Plus, this was easier to bring into the house and get setup and that includes assembling the screen!

Setup was a bit more complicated than the typical TV. First you have to assemble the screen which is not terribly difficult. But you do need to be mindful of the screen material so you don't fold or crease it. The screen attaches to the frame with velcro and must be pulled tight for a clean image. Elite screen has a video that we recommend you watch before assembling the screen. It will make things easier. Once completed the screen is mounted via two clips that our screwed into the wall. Elite provides drywall anchors which are plenty strong for this application. The screen is not very heavy at all.

Positioning the screen is a little tricky because the projector does not have lens shift. What we did was project a 90" inch image on the wall and then mount the screen. That sounds easy but before you do that you have to square up the image. You can't use the Smartfit on the bare wall because there is no black screen outline, which is required for the SmartFit algorithm to work. Instead we manually used the geometry settings to square the image. We then pulled the projector back on the TV stand until we had about a 91" mage on the wall. We marked the corners and made sure the screen was mounted within that space.

Once the screen was hung will pulled out our phone and used the SmartFIT app and voila! The image got pulled into the screen. It was 99% perfect. There was one corner that need a very slight adjustment. For that we went back to the geometry settings and stretched the image to the corner and we were done! It seems like it was harder to do but I say it was easier than hauling a 85" TV upstairs. Plus there was far less packaging to deal with when it was all done.

As far as the TV settings go we did some very minor tweeks, not a full calibration. The only things that were changes off of the default values were the following: Display was set to HDR, HDR Picture was set to Standard, Brightness was set to -2, Contrast to 13, Sharpness to 9. We also made sure the Pure motion was set to off. I recommend you watch the video to see how good the picture looks. We realize that with proper calibration you will see improvements and we may end up doing a full calibration in the future, but we wanted everyone to know a really good picture can be had without the need to spend and additional $300-$500.

This is the only thing that really matters. Can this projector replace a large format TV in a room with no real light control? Well the answer is yes! The picture is great when watching anything bright like any sporting event. You can even watch movies with some shadow detail. Although it's not the best. But really, what screen can do dark scenes with good shadow detail in full brightness anyway?

We looked at this screen in full daylight viewing and in early evening viewing for the purposes of this review. We recommend watching the video on our youtube channel where you can judge for yourself the quality of the picture.

Full Daylight

In full daylight we could easily make out the detail in everything we watched with the exception of a few night scenes in Blackhawk Down. The 3000 lumens of laser light combined with the CLR Elite screen make a huge difference when compared to a typical projector. Colors are accurate and the detail is good. There are no issues with off angle viewing. To sum it up, you can watch this projector in full daylight and not feel like you are missing something.

Evening

As good as the daylight viewing is, evening (or blinds closed) is amazing! Everything we liked about the daytime is amplified at night. Colors are richer, detail is more visible, and contrast is enhanced. It's like you are watching a plasma TV. For the first time since the 4K UHD TV craze it felt like all the additional resolution mattered. The blacks look really good in the evening much better than in the daytime. While watching football, hockey, and baseball we did not notice any motion blur. We did not game on this projector but being a 60Hz projector at it's highest refresh rate, we'd say there might be some lag for hard core gamers.

The Optoma CinemaX P1 is the projector/TV we have been looking for. You can watch sports and even movies in full brightness, but it really shows it's stuff in a dark(er) room. It has good blacks that get even better in the evening. The wide viewing angle means you can sit anywhere in the room and enjoy a stunning 4K picture. This projector can truly replace your family room TV with no need to employ expensive lighting control. The Optoma CinemaX P1 is highly recommended by the HT Guys.

Confessions of a Cord Cutter

We received a great email from our listener Dennis Comfort describing his journey to becoming a cord cutter. Well maybe a cord swapper. Whatever you call it he saved $90 a month! Thank you Dennis for sharing your experience with us!

I've had Comcast for years, used to have Century Link (fiber), and also at Directv at one point. Directv was ok in my old house, but where I live now, there are simply too many trees and I didn't feel like fishing coax cable runs through my house. I tried Comcast again, and had it for a while, then the Century Link sales guys showed up on my front door and convinced me that my life would be better. What I found, after switching, was that 1) their DVR user interface was a shambles, their Internet was sometimes intermittent, and frankly, I missed my Tivo. So, goodbye Century Link, hello Comcast (again). Been on Comcast for the last several years and have happily enjoyed my Tivo Bolts (two of them in the house). However, my Comcast bill was getting out of hand. I decided to look for alternatives. Cost drove this decision.

I did consider keeping Comcast -- didn't look forward to training the family on another user interface. I created myself a list of decision criteria to help drive the planning:

Installed free trials of Vue and HuluTV. Didn't consider YouTubeTV but I can't remember why.

HuluTV and Vue could go relatively neck and neck on features; there are distinct UI differences, but Hulu didn't offer HBO and Showtime; Vue has both.

OTA HD antenna, even again an inside wall, works GREAT, especially for PBS.. it's not perfect, and now then it will pixelate, but I don't care.

The Apple TV remote glass trackpad can be a bit squirrely - I have it set on the lowest response setting and it's still takes some practice -- but we can live with it.

I'm happy. I can live with some of the nuances, and I'm free from the cable company.... for content. We will see how the next 6 months goes.. so far, so good.

Best 4K Projector and Best Affordable 65" TV

This week we discuss two articles at AVS Forum. The first one is the "Best 4K Home Theater Projectors on Amazon". The second article is the "Best Affordable 65" TV".

Best 4K Home Theater Projectors on Amazon

We get it – you want an awesome 4K projector and you want it delivered by Amazon. You want the projector in your home as soon as possible, set up, and ready to go. We've narrowed down your choices for the best 4K projector on Amazon to just a few to save you some time.

Best Affordable 65" TV

If you're looking for a great 65″ TV without breaking the budget, check out our list of the best 65″ TVs for under $1,000.

IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD

One of the reasons Ara ended up buying his UST projector system is that he didn't want to route new cables in his hard to reach crawl space. However, he may have reconsidered that decision had he known about the IOGEAR 4K UHD transmitter/receiver kit (MSRP $299.95).

The wireless video extender allows you to easily transmit 4K Ultra High Definition video and 7.1 audio from an HDMI source over distances up to 60 feet with near-zero latency. Check out the HT Guys YouTube Channel for an accompanying video to this review.

Features:

Setup is trivial! Connect the transmitter to the source and power. Then connect the receiver to the receiver. In Ara's situation the source would have been the output of his AVR and the receiver would have been the input to the projector. If you watch the video for the purposes of the evaluation the source was a 4K Apple TV and the receiver was a 4K TV. Setup took two minutes. It should be noted that the transmitter should be turned on first followed by the receiver. The connection light blinks amber when the devices are looking for each other. The become solid amber when linked. Once that is done you are good to go.

Our tests were run at 10 and 20 feet with a clear line of sight and slightly obstructed. Just about flawless is how we would characterize the performance. In actuality, we only saw one hiccup. Beyond that one breakup in the picture, the audio and video were rock solid. We got full Dolby digital with Plex, Apple Movies and Vudo. There really isn't much else to say which is a good thing. It just worked.

There really is nothing to dislike about the IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD video extender. If you have a room where running an HDMI cable is difficult, using this device is a no brainer. The HT Guys highly recommend the IOGEAR Wireless 4K UHD video extender!

New Echo Devices

Last week Amazon introduced a slew of new Echo based products. On today's show we try to figure out when will Amazon take over the world!

Release date October 16th with a street price of $99.99

Features

Release date October 30th with a street price of $129.99

Features:

Release date November 14th with a street price of $24.99

Features:

Release date October 16th with a street price $59.99. The 3rd generation version of the dot without clock is currently available for $49.99 today.

Features:

Release date November 21st with a street price of $129.99

Features:

Available by invitation only with a street price of $179.99

Features:

Release date November 20th with a street price of $29.99

Features:

Available exclusively by invitation with a street price of $129.99

Features:

Fall TV 2019

It's that time of year when baseball crowns a world champion and football dominates our weekends. But there is something else that we are happy about at the HDTV and Hometheater podcast… TV is out of reruns! Today we run down the Fall TV schedule from ABC, CBS, CW, Fox, and NBC.

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Dancing with the Stars"

10-11 p.m. — "The Good Doctor"

TUESDAY

8:00-8:30 p.m. — "The Conners"

8:30-9:00 p.m. — "Bless This Mess" (new night and time)

9:00-9:30 p.m. — "MIXED-ISH" - Follows Bow's parents, Paul and Alicia, who decide to move from a hippie commune to the suburbs to better provide for their family.

9:30-10:00 p.m. — "black-ish" (new time)

10-11 p.m. — "EMERGENCE" - After Jo, a police chief, takes in a young child she finds near the site of a mysterious accident, she soon discovers the girl has no memory of what has happened or who she is. The investigation into the history that led up to the accident -- and questions as to how and why it happened -- draws the woman into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, with the child's identity at the center of it.

WEDNESDAY

8:00-8:30 p.m. — "The Goldbergs"

8:30-9:00 p.m. — "Schooled"

9:00-9:30 p.m. — "Modern Family"

9:30-10:00 p.m. — "Single Parents"

10-11 p.m. — "STUMPTOWN" - A sharp-witted army veteran becomes a private investigator in Portland, Oregon, where she takes care of her brother. (Cobie Smulders)

THURSDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Grey's Anatomy"

9-10 p.m. — "A Million Little Things"

10-11 p.m. — "How to Get Away with Murder"

FRIDAY

8:00-8:30 p.m. — "American Housewife" (new night and time)

8:30-9:00 p.m. — "Fresh Off the Boat" (new time)

9:00-11 p.m. — "20/20" (two hours)

SATURDAY

8:00 p.m. — "Saturday Night Football"

SUNDAY

7-8 p.m. — "America's Funniest Home Videos"

8-9 p.m. — "KIDS SAY THE DARNDEST THINGS"

9-10 p.m. — "Shark Tank"

10-11 p.m. — "The Rookie" (new night)

MONDAY

8-8:30 p.m. — "The Neighborhood"

8:30-9 p.m. — "BOB (hearts) ABISHOLA" - An American guy falls in love with his Nigerian nurse.

9-10 p.m. — "ALL RISE" - A look at the personal and professional lives of the judges, lawyers, clerks, bailiffs and cops who work at an L.A. County courthouse.

10-11 p.m. — "Bull"

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "NCIS"

9-10 p.m. — "FBI"

10-11 p.m. — "NCIS: New Orleans"

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Survivor"

9-10 p.m. — "SEAL Team" (new time)

10-11 p.m. — "S.W.A.T." (new night)

THURSDAY

8-8:30 p.m. — "Young Sheldon" (new time)

8-9 p.m. — "THE UNICORN" - A widower is eager to move on from the most difficult year of his life, only to realize he's utterly unprepared to raise his two daughters on his own and equally unprepared for the dating world where he's suddenly a hot commodity.

9-9:30 p.m. — "Mom"

9:30-10 p.m. — "CAROL'S SECOND ACT" - Retired teacher Carol Kenney begins a second career as a doctor.

10-11 p.m. — "EVIL" - A skeptical female clinical psychologist joins a priest-in-training and a blue-collar contractor as they investigate supposed miracles, demonic possession, and other extraordinary occurrences to see if there's a scientific explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work.

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Hawaii Five-0" (new time)

9-10 p.m. — "Magnum P.I." (new night)

10-11 p.m. — "Blue Bloods"

SATURDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Crimetime Saturday"

9-10 p.m. — "Crimetime Saturday"

10-11 p.m. — "48 Hours"

SUNDAY

7-8 p.m. — "60 Minutes"

8-9 p.m. — "God Friended Me"

9-10 p.m. — "NCIS: Los Angeles"

10-11 p.m. — "Madam Secretary"

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. — "All American" (new night)

9-10 p.m. — "Black Lightning"

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "The Flash"

9-10 p.m. — "Arrow" (new night)

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Riverdale"

9-10 p.m. — "NANCY DREW" - Young Nancy Drew makes plans to leave her hometown for college after high school graduation, but finds herself drawn into a supernatural murder mystery.

THURSDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Supernatural"

9-10 p.m. — "Legacies"

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Charmed" (new night and time)

9-10 p.m. — "Dynasty" (new time)

SUNDAY

8-9 p.m. — "BATWOMAN" - Kate Kane seeks justice for Gotham city as Batwoman.

9-10 p.m. — "Supergirl" (new time)

MONDAY

8-9 p.m. — "9-1-1" (new time)

9-10 p.m. — "PRODIGAL SON" - Malcolm Bright, one of the best criminal psychologist around, uses his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes.

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "The Resident" (new night)

9-10 p.m. — "Empire" (new night and time)

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "The Masked Singer" (new night and time)

9-10 p.m. — "ALMOST FAMILY" - A woman who grew up as an only child discovers that her dad fathered many other children as a sperm donor.

THURSDAY

7:30-8 p.m. — "Thursday Night Football" pregame show

8 p.m. — NFL Football

Last Man Standing will air when Fox does not have a football game in this timeslot.

FRIDAY

8-10 p.m. — "WWE'S SMACKDOWN LIVE"

SATURDAY

7-10:30 p.m. — "Fox Sports Saturday: Fox College Football"

SUNDAY

7-7:30 p.m. — NFL on Fox

7:30-8 p.m. "The OT" / Fox Encores

8-8:30 p.m. — "The Simpsons"

8:30-9 p.m. — "BLESS THE HARTS" - A group of Southerners strive to live the American dream. (Animation)

9-9:30 p.m. — "Bob's Burgers" (new time)

9:30-10 p.m. — "Family Guy" (new time)

MONDAY

8-10 p.m. — "The Voice"

10-11 p.m. — "BLUFF CITY LAW" - Lawyers at an elite Memphis law firm specialize in controversial landmark civil rights cases.

TUESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "The Voice"

9-10 p.m. — "This Is Us"

10-11 p.m. — "New Amsterdam"

WEDNESDAY

8-9 p.m. — "Chicago Med"

9-10 p.m. — "Chicago Fire"

10-11 p.m. — "Chicago P.D."

THURSDAY

8-8:30 p.m. — "Superstore"

8:30-9 p.m. — "PERFECT HARMONY" - An Ivy League professor becomes the director of a rural church choir. (Anna Camp of Pitch Perfect fame stars)

9-9:30 p.m. — "The Good Place" (new time)

9:30-10 p.m. — "SUNNYSIDE" - Garrett Modi (Kal Penn) is a former New York city councilman who finds his calling when faced with immigrants in need of his help and in search of the American Dream.

10-11 p.m. — "Law & Order: SVU"

FRIDAY

8-9 p.m. — "The Blacklist"

9-11 p.m. — "Dateline NBC"

SATURDAY

8-10 p.m. — "Dateline Saturday Night Mystery"

10-11 p.m. – "Saturday Night Live" (encores)

SUNDAY

7-8:20 p.m. — "Football Night in America"

8:20-11 p.m. — "NBC Sunday Night Football"

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.

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:

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 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.

Winning the TWICE VIP award for Home Theater Projectors is the Sony VPL-VW295ES (MSRP $4499.99).

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®, 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.

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.

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)

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.

No pricing available at this time

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

DoItForMe.Solutions

Today we have an interview with Robert Spivack owner of DoItForMe.Solutions.

A home automation technologist and problem solver. I'm here to help you with your smarthome and solve the mysteries of taming technology so you take back control.

I've spent many hours automating my own home so I know firsthand how frustrating it is to have technology that almost works. Even with hours of fiddling, it never seems to work reliably and never does just what you want.

I've found there is no magical secret or shortcut to making things work. Just lots of hours of research, experimentation, and slogging through all the details until you get most products working the way they should and the way you want.

It may surprise you to learn that home automation has been around for more than 20 years. It simply has been too expensive.

With the explosion of mobile devices like iPhones and iPads you no longer need to use expensive custom touchscreens and specialized hardware.

Pioneering companies like Nest (thermostats), Sonos (whole-house music systems), Apple (iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, & Siri) and of course Amazon (Alexa voice assistant) have made incredible hardware solutions available for very affordable prices.

No hardware sales mark-ups, no exclusive products, and easy to understand transparent billing are the simple techniques I use to keep costs down and avoid "gotcha" invoices at the end of every project - big or small.

Make Your Family Love Your Smart Home and Filmmaker Mode

This week we take a look at what it takes to make your family love the Smart Home you created and what Hollywood directors are doing to make sure you watch their movies the way they intended.

How to Make Your Family Love Your Smarthome

You might think a Smart Home sounds terrific. But what about your family? They'll have to live with the gadgets, too. And it's a lot easier to set up a Smart Home if everyone loves the tech as much as you do.

UHD Alliance Teams with Hollywood to Deliver 'Filmmaker Mode' for 4K TVs

The UHD Alliance (UHDA) has teamed with Martin Scorsese and other top Hollywood directors and movie studios to collaborate on a viewing mode for 4K TVs that honors the filmmakers' creative intent by preserving the correct aspect ratios, colors, and frame rates.

Read more at

Hacking a Sonos Speaker, Best Wifi Speakers, and Samsung entering the OLED game

This week we take a look at taking apart a $99 powered Ikea Sonos speaker and transplanting it into any speaker you want. No allen wrenches are required. Then we take a look at the Best Wifi speakers of 2019 and finally we discuss Samsung entering the OLED market.

Hacking the Sonos Ikea Symfonisk Into a High Quality Speaker Amp

As soon as I saw IKEA's announcement for a $99 Sonos-powered Airplay speaker, I was excited for the possibilities its internals could bring. And oh boy, was I right to be. In this tutorial, I'll show you how to whittle away the woefully inefficient compact speaker unit, and bring it to life on a pair of quality vintage bookshelf speakers.

Best Wi-Fi speakers and music systems of 2019

Wireless audio for the home has been around for a long time, but in the past few years we've seen a big spike in stereo systems and products using Wi-Fi streaming as an alternative to Bluetooth. One of the biggest selling features is the ability to control music in a multiroom environment, but even better, many Wi-Fi speakers also offer voice control via Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple's Siri. With so many options out there, where should you start?

Samsung's quantum OLED plans could mean better, cheaper OLED TVs for all

If you've been following the world of TV tech for the past few years, you might know that there are basically two kinds of premium displays currently vying for your hard-earned TV dollars: OLED and QLED. But a recent report confirms that Samsung, the biggest player in the QLED space, is about to make a complete 180 by jumping into the OLED TV game despite having avoided the space for years and creating its largest competitor.

What happened to the HTPC?

When we first started doing the podcast many many years ago, the Home Theater PC was a thing. DIYers built them from scratch and others who were not so technically inclined could buy fully built ready to go products from third party vendors. Xbox owners were lucky enough to have the Windows Media Center client built into their gaming consoles so they could leave the PC in an office and still have the HTPC experience in the family room.

Fast forward ten years and HTPCs are not really a thing anymore. You can still buy some prebuilt products like the Intel BOXNUC8i3CYSN1 NUC 8 Home, a Mini PC with Windows 10. No kidding that's the name. It's available at Amazon for $425. If you are the handy type you can build one from scratch. The Tech Buyer Guru has a parts list that goes for less than $750 with all parts being purchased at Amazon.They even have step by step instructions on how to assemble the PC. We feel that this would be the way to go. Once built it would be on par with HTPCs that cost two or three times as much.

Once the PC is built then you have to install software. Windows no longer comes with what we found to be the best media center software "Windows Media Center" so you have to download and install your own. There are plenty to choose from and they are free!

Plex - Plex brings together all the media that matters to you. Your personal collection will look beautiful alongside stellar streaming content. Enjoy Live TV & DVR, a growing catalog of great web shows, news, and podcasts. It's finally possible to enjoy all the media you love in a single app, on any device, no matter where you are.

Kodi - Kodi spawned from the love of media. It is an entertainment hub that brings all your digital media together into a beautiful and user friendly package. It is 100% free and open source, very customisable and runs on a wide variety of devices. It is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and a huge community.

Media Portal - transforms your PC into a complete media solution.

It runs on basic hardware, connects directly to your TV and displays your TV Series, Movies, Photos and Music in a much more dynamic way. All in the comfort of your living room, on your big screen LCD or Plasma TV or projector!

There are others as well. Once you install the software you point it to your media files and you are off to the races.

Back in the day that would be enough and you would be the envy of everyone on the block. But today there are so many options for getting your content that an HTPC with just the media server software falls short. Early on there was no Netflix, Hulu, Apple, Google, or Amazon content so it didn't matter. Today we have content all over the place. And the problem is that the PC interface to that content is not really usable with a remote control.

Sure there are plugins that are developed for these media servers to try and fix the interface problem but DRM protected content just do not play well with these products.

In actuality, the real reason the HTPC dropped off the face of the earth is because of the Set top box. The Rokus, AppleTVs, and FireTVs of today do so much more and for a faction of the price. Plus you can get players for your device that work with some of the media servers out there. Plex in particular looks great on these set top boxes. All you need is a computer somewhere on the network that runs the Plex Software and you have access to any content on your phones, computers, and set top boxes.

This is not how the original HTPCs worked of course. In the old scenario the computer's video was run to the TV and when you launched the player it went full screen similar to video games taking over the computer's interface. This method is by far better as you don't need to keep a noisy PC in the room with the TV and the content can be served to multiple TVs and devices throughout your network.

So what do you think? Do you want a HTPC? Do we need them anymore?

Sonos Company Profile

Sonos was one of the first companies that sent our fledgling podcast equipment to review. We were just starting as were they. It made us feel like we were legitimate and could make a go of this podcast thing. Now almost a thousand podcasts later we are still going and so are they. One of us has grown exponentially and the other records a podcast every week! This week we are going to profile Sonos Inc. Much of this information comes directly from the Sonos website.

Founded Aug 22, 2002 Sonos is headquartered in Santa Barbara, California and currently employs just under 1500 people. Founders - John MacFarlane, Tom Cullen, Trung Mai, and Craig Shelburne - conjured a daring vision based on technology that didn't exist at the time. Fueled with the insight earned from success in the first phase of Internet-based business-building, they chose as their next mission a new way to bring music to every home - wirelessly, in multiple rooms, from PCs and the Internet, with awesome sound. They hired an amazing team who built amazing products from scratch, and music devotees all over the world found a new brand to fall in love with.

John MacFarlane moved to Santa Barbara in 1990 to get his Ph.D. from the University of California-Santa Barbara. Instead he saw the promise of the Internet and built Software.com along with Craig, Tom and Trung. After Software.com merged with Phone.com in 2000 to create Openwave, they moved on to figure out together what to do next.

Whatever was going to be next, they knew they wanted to stay together, and stay in Santa Barbara, due to the roots they and their families had begun to establish there. It was, perhaps, the beginning of a habit of unorthodox choices to add both a degree of difficulty and a fresh perspective to the work.

In 2002, great music in the home meant wires hidden behind bookshelves and furniture, connecting to speakers the size of bongo drums; audio jacks plugged into the right holes on the backs of receivers and players; physical media primarily in the forms of compact discs and tapes - and if you wanted a multi-room experience, an afternoon (or weekend) drilling through walls to snake wires from a central receiver to speakers throughout your home.

Developing a wireless multiroom home audio solution that was easy to deploy and control. The solution required setup that would be fast and intuitive for anyone, it would have to integrate well with any technology or service, and it would have to deliver superior sound in any home environment. Cross-technology integration meant choosing Linux as the technology platform, but no drivers existed at the time for audio, for controllers' remote buttons or scroll wheels, or for the networking that was needed. The Sonos team had to build them.

Great multi-room music meant inventing a method to get audio instantly and wirelessly to multiple speakers without listeners noticing any gaps, ever. The team recognized mesh networking as the key. By 2003, it was a concept that had seen use in highly mobile environments, like battlefields, but never applied in the home or to the stringent demands of music experience. To develop and implement, Sonos had two choices: an easier engineering solution at the expense of its ideal user experience, or making it simple and great for users and excruciatingly difficult for its engineers.

With the basic framework of the system built by early 2004, filled with new and untested technologies, the next phase focused on the scourge of software engineers: bugs.

Despite all the ingenuity at hand, the prototypes couldn't communicate wirelessly to each other from even ten feet apart. And particularly with embedded systems, at the time developer tools and debuggers did not exist.

So Nick and John took a road trip, the prototypes stowed in a cardboard box in the back seat of John's car, to Silicon Valley to see John's friend and hardware supplier, whose advice boiled down to one word: antennas.

Developers know that the most frustrating bugs are the so-called "irreproducible" bugs. Many of them emerged from testing at Sonos employee homes in and around Santa Barbara – including one especially frustrating bug, only reproducible at one person's house, that required a packet sniffer to identify and fix.

Recalls Andy Schulert: "We've got our first 15 to 20 prototypes, we feel great about them, we take ten of them to someone's house to try it out. We set them up, and it's a colossal failure. They barely worked. We had to dial back to just two, figure out the issues, then add a third, and so on. Excruciating, but worth it."

By summer 2004, Sonos had tackled the bugs, prototypes were beginning to function with the necessary reliability, and the team had started sneak-peeking the system to others in the industry. This confirmed what they had been beginning to recognize: the hard work to that point had paid off in the form of something genuinely new.

Breakthrough music experiences often debut with certain signature songs. MTV, for example, famously launched with "Video Killed the Radio Star," by The Buggles.

How about Sonos? The first song played for the public on Sonos' first product, the ZP100, was The Beastie Boys' "No Sleep 'Til Brooklyn," at full volume, produced by longtime Sonos supporter/adviser Rick Rubin.

Sonos engineers could affirm the "no sleep" part because of all the work they'd put in leading up to the ZP100's launch. But getting the experience just right for customers required a more practical approach to selecting songs for testing, dictated by the early days of scrolling through long alphabetical-order lists of songs and bands.

So the most-played song by Sonos engineers for testing was "3AM" by Matchbox 20, for no other reason than it was at the top of a list. The most-played band: 10,000 Maniacs.

At long last, on January 27, 2005, Sonos shipped its first product, the ZP100. Industry accolades, strong product reviews, and positive media coverage followed soon after, and sustained over the first months and years of availability. Reviewers lauded its simplicity of setup, design, reliability, and great sound. The dean of product reviewers, Walt Mossberg (then at The Wall Street Journal), wrote, "The Sonos System is easily the best music streaming product I have seen and tested."

Its second- and third-generation systems were efforts toward streaming direct to its players, taking the PC entirely out of the equation. They started in 2006, with Rhapsody as its first music service. It was a big turning point for the company, and it was not at all obvious at the time.

With the launch of the iPhone in 2007 and Apple's App Store sparking a boom for apps, Sonos launched its own, free app for iPhone users, meaning you could turn your iPhone into the controller, without buying the Sonos remote. (Android users got their Sonos app in 2011, and Sonos phased out its own controller hardware in 2012.)

Then in November 2009, Sonos released the PLAY:5, a truly smart, all-in-one speaker for $400, about a third of the inaugural price of Sonos' original product, the ZP100 (which with speakers and controller, cost about $1200 in 2005). Their hopes for sustained, strong sales growth were realized. This also marked a more decisive shift toward continual software upgrades for ongoing improvement in the products, an ever-more-exacting focus on sound quality, and closer relationships with recording artists and others in the creative community.

The rest is history! Market Cap $1.24B, Sales $1.24B, Stock Price $11.77, 52 week High/Low $12.08/$11.50

Ara and Braden go back in time to talk about a then revolutionary communication protocol that they worked on.

Sevenhugs Smart Remote

We were asked by a listener to take a look at the Sevenhugs Smart Remote ($199 without contextual awareness and $299 with) a few weeks back. The makers of the remote call it "The world's smartest and easiest to use remote control. Stop wrestling with remotes and apps and simplify how you control your entire home." That's quite a statement in a world that has plenty of smart remotes. The question is whether that is a true statement or not. There is a video that goes along with this review that will provide much more context on our youtube channel (The HT Guys)

We read a news story about a remote that could tell what you were pointing at and display the proper controls for that device without user intervention a long time ago. We almost forgot about the product as it was just a concept at the time but were happy to learn that the remote is indeed available. That excitement waned a bit when we discovered how the remote determines what it is being pointed at.

In order to do the context switching the remote requires you to place discs on the wall that all have line of site with each other as well as the charging base. If these discs were small it would probably be OK however they are about the size of a motion sensor which makes it hard to fit in with your room decor. If you have already placed a motion sensor in your room you know that it is a compromise between functionality and decor. Adding three more "Motion Sensors" might be a hard sell for many.

But once you get over that hurdle the concept seems good. But is it better is it than a Harmony Remote that allows me to assign dedicated buttons for lights or switches? In a word no.

As far as remotes go it's not bad. You add devices and create scenes. You can add automation devices like hue lights and the Nest thermostat (no support for ecobee) and many others as well. See video for details on setting up remote. They advertise that the remote is compatible with 650,000 devices and services. One thing we noticed was that there is no way to connect to devices via your network. There is no mention of this capability on the SevenHugs website either. IR is the only method discussed. This caused issues that required a lot of syncing of missed commands

As far as use goes, if you want to watch TV you hit that Scene and let the remote turn on devices and adjust lights. As you wish. Personal Note, we don't include lighting commands in the activities to watch TV or movies. We tried this before but if you watch something during the day and there are no lights on the activity will still dim the lights. Instead we create separate activities or macros in our automation system that we invoke only if the lights are on. In general, we come to the conclusion that we let the remote deal with entertainment activities and we let our automation deal with automation activities. It is not hard to switch between apps on our phones and tablets. In fact most of the automation activities are done automatically based on time triggers or requested on demand via voice to our home assistants.

This was a great idea when we first heard about it however the implementation makes it a tough sell for those with open concept rooms or those with spouses who already have issues with our ever expanding gear we require for our love of home theater. At $300 our advice is buy a Harmony remote and a couple hubs!

The 7 Best LED LCD TVs - Summer 2019 (RTINGS.com)

The editors at RTINGS.com have just updated their Seven Best LED TVs for the Summer and we bring those to you. RTINGS.com is a great resource when you are looking to buy a new UHD TV. They have the most thorough reviews of any site on the Internet. All the TVs that we discuss come with an in depth review that can be found at the links below.

The best LED TV is the 2019 QLED Samsung Q90R. It has impressive quality and an excellent dark room performance, thanks to the deep blacks due to the native contrast ratio and very good local dimming support. This TV is suitable for a bright room, as it can get very bright and can easily fight glare. HDR content looks full of saturated colors and bright highlights thanks to the TV's wide color gamut and high HDR peak brightness. It has a very fast response time that delivers clear and crisp motion, which is great for watching sports or playing video games. The input lag is very low even with motion interpolation, and gamers will also appreciate the auto low latency mode and FreeSync variable refresh rate support. Full Review

Mixed Usage 8.7

Movies 8.6

TV Shows 8.6

Sports 8.6

Video Games 9.2

HDR Movies 8.5

HDR Gaming 8.9

PC Monitor 9.0

Pros:

Cons:

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: VIZIO P SERIES QUANTUM 2018 (65" Street Price$1500) Mixed usage rating of 8.6

If you want the most accurate image, the Sony X900F is the best LED TV for color accuracy that we've tested so far. This TV delivers great picture quality, with an excellent contrast ratio, a decent full array local dimming feature, and great peak brightness. It also has outstanding accuracy out of the box and has a great wide color gamut, which is important for a good HDR experience.

This TV also has excellent motion handling, with an outstanding response time, a nearly flicker-free backlight, and a versatile motion interpolation feature. It also has an optional black frame insertion feature, but it can't flicker at 60Hz, so there are noticeable duplications when playing 60Hz content. Full Review

Mixed Usage 8.3

Movies 8.5

TV Shows 8.2

Sports 8.1

Video Games 8.6

HDR Movies 8.4

HDR Gaming 8.5

PC Monitor 8.3

Pros:

Cons:

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: VIZIO P SERIES 2018 (65" Street Price$1000) Mixed usage rating of 8.3

If the Sony X900F is too expensive, the TCL 6 Series R617 is the best budget LED TV that we have reviewed. This TV delivers great performance for most uses. It has excellent dark room performance thanks to the deep contrast ratio and full-array local dimming system. It also has excellent low input lag, perfect for gaming or for use as a PC monitor.

Unfortunately, there have been widespread reports of gray uniformity issues with this TV which may or may not have been fixed, so sports fans might not be pleased with this model. Full Review

Mixed Usage 8.0

Movies 8.0

TV Shows 7.7

Sports 7.6

Video Games 8.6

HDR Movies 8.1

HDR Gaming 8.4

PC Monitor 8.3

Pros:

Cons:

CHEAPER ALTERNATIVE: TCL 4 SERIES/S425 2019 (75" Street Price$1000) Mixed usage rating of 7.3

Power Amplifiers for the Rest of Us

As we add more speakers to our home theaters our current AVRs may not have enough amplifiers to drive the system. A solution to this problem is a seperate amplifier. Power amplifiers have minimal functionality beyond driving speakers but they have quite a bit in the way of design to provide a clean signal to get the most out of your speakers.

So why go with a seperate amp? There are a few reasons. First is power. Seperate amps typically have more power and can drive low impedance speakers more easily than low to mid range receivers. Of course high end AVRs can do this as well so why not just buy a high end receiver? That brings us to our second reason. More channels. If you want to run a 7.2.4 Atmos system you need 11 amps. Sure there are AVRs that have 11 amplifiers but they really cost a pretty penny. An alternative is buying a mid range AVR that can support an Atmos 7.2.4 system via pre-outs and augment it with and external amp. The last reason we will discuss, although there are a few more, is the quality of the power. Since amplifiers do one thing they can maximize the design for that one thing. AVRs have to do a lot and it all has to packed into an enclosure that is about the same size as a seven channel amplifier.

There are plenty of amplifiers and some cost more than our entire home theater! We provide you with a couple "entry" options to consider.

Emotiva A-500 $530 Best Bang for the Buck!

We start out with a five channel amp from Emotiva. You absolutely can not go wrong with this amp! Ara uses the seven channel version of it in his media room and loves it! You'll want to power your front speakers with this and use the remaining two channels for your surround. Then you can use the amplifiers in your receiver for the remaining channels, Atmos and rear surrounds. If your receiver does not allow you to assign amps to channels then route any channel (probably your Atmos) that does not have an amplifier to this amp and use the AVR to power what's left.

From the Emotiva Website:

The BasX A-500 is a five channel power amplifier that offers true audiophile sound quality at an affordable price. The BasX A-500 includes a carefully chosen set of important features, including a heavy-duty power supply, high-quality Class A/B amplification, transparent audiophile-quality fault protection, a trigger input and output, and industry standard unbalanced audio inputs. Modern manufacturing techniques, and careful design and parts selection, have enabled us to deliver all of this performance and great sound quality in the BasX A-500 at a far lower price than you might imagine.

Monolith by Monoprice $1600 Hey it's Monoprice

We have always been fans of Monoprice for their high quality cables at low prices. But they are much more than that today selling all kinds of electronics from home theater to home automation. Ara has a pair of their Planar Headphones that sound like headphones costing three times more. We don't have direct experience with this amp but it's five star customer rating and positive review from Audioholics (4½ star) make it something you should really consider for your home theater.

From the Monoprice Website:

The Monolith 7X is a state-of-the-art, high-performance, audiophile-grade multichannel home theater amplifier. Rated at a full 200 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 300 watts per channel into 4 ohms, the Monolith 7X is capable of driving the most demanding home theater systems and reproducing the most dynamic soundtracks, while also articulating all the subtle sonic details found in music. Supercharge your existing receiver or create the foundation of a no compromise home theater system with the Monolith 7X.

Dedicated Home Theater vs. Media-Friendly Living Room

We saw this poll over at AVS Forum, Dedicated Home Theater vs. Media-Friendly Living Room and since we are going through this same analysis we thought it would be good to share the results and discuss the pros and cons of each. At the time of this writing the results are:

Dedicated Home Theater 51%

Huge TV in Living Room 44%

Projector in Living Room 5%

Dedicated Home Theater

Pros

Cons

Huge TV in Living Room

Pros

Cons

Projector in Living Room

Pros

Cons

Are AVRs too complicated? And the Best Smart Plugs for 2019

On this week's show we discuss whether the new Ultra Short Throw projectors that Hisense is making are a viable replacement for large format LCD/OLED display. And are AVRs too complicated which accounts for the rise in sound bar sales. Finally we go through a list of the best Smart Plugs for 2019 as decided by CNET.

Longer life, larger screens and the ability to overcome challenging lighting conditions make UST projectors from companies like Hisense a viable solution versus flat-panel TV displays.

Consumers are finding out that after they set up their AVR they find it hard to play music or movies and then when they do figure it out the sound is out of whack. The subwoofer can be too loud, or even stop working. As a result they are turing to sound bars for their easy setup and use. But are they really easier or are people just using them as fancy external speakers? We discuss.

Plenty of products for our homes have gotten smart makeovers in recent years. But what about the ones that haven't? That's where smart plugs come in. These nifty gadgets connect your regular old coffee maker, lamp, fan or nearly anything else to your smart home for voice control and automation.

Vizio P-Series Quantum X

If you have been listening to the show for a while you would think there are only four TV manufacturers out there LG, Samsung, TCL, and Sony. Obviously there are many more but the aforementioned manufacturers dominate the news. Today we want to talk about a manufacturer that rose to be an extremely popular brand in the US but has been pretty quiet lately, Vizio.

Vizio has been a popular manufacturer in the US for a few years. Ara bought Vizio's first 4K P-Series TV a few years ago and has been very satisfied with it. Of course it didn't have the wide color gamut or HDR but had good contrast with the local dimming capability. Vizio has been making steady improvement in their TVs but always seemed to lag LG and Samsung. However, they have a new TV, the P-Series Quantum X. We do not have direct experience with this TV so we will discuss the available features and will quote others who have.

Previously Vizio had only released a 65 inch model PQ65-F1 but with this model they have released a 75 inch version costing $3.5K. The 65 inch model goes for $2.2K.

Wired

Wired - Brilliant, dazzling display. Tack-sharp picture, rich and vivid colors, velvety blacks. Looks great even in bright sunlight. Cinematic quality turns any room into a home theater.

Tired - Streaming menus have room for improvement (get a Roku). Some streaming apps inaccessible without a smartphone. Audio is passable, but you'll want a soundbar.

Tom's Guide

Vizio also boosted the backlight on its top-tier set in two different ways: First, the P-Series Quantum X boasts an impressive 480 dimming zones on the 75-inch model (the 65-inch model has 385), which is a huge improvement over the 2018 P-Series Quantum PQ65-F1, which had 192. Our biggest problem with that model was the backlight and the way it added unwanted flaring and darkening around elements on screen, so a more than two-fold increase in dimming zones should help alleviate that issue. While a company demo is a far cry from a controlled testing environment, we didn't see any backlighting issues on the new Quantum X mode.

The brightness has also been ramped up, with the P-Series Quantum X promising up to 2,900 nits of peak brightness. That brightness had an obvious impact on the video samples we saw in our demo, where brighter portions of the picture sang with a vivid intensity that mainstream and budget TVs can't match. Brighter backlight is one of the cornerstones of high-dynamic range content, and the P-Series Quantum X promises to deliver HDR with more oomph than ever before, easily beating the brightness offered on the 2018 P-Series Quantum PQ65-F1 (2,340 nits).

HDR support also looks good on the format front, with support for Dolby Vision, along with standard formats like HDR10 and HLG.

Reviewed.com

From its searing highlights to its brilliant hues, the P-Series Quantum X is a top-shelf TV with the picture to prove it. Given its ability to get really freakin' bright, it's a particularly good option for folks who long for the performance of an OLED but remain skeptical about an OLED's relatively limited peak brightness. For instance, the LG C9 OLED, with its ultra-wide viewing angles and better-regulated contrast, is the all-around better performer, but its steady hand doesn't come with the sort of "wow" factor that comes with 2,000 to 3,000 nits of brightness. Additionally, the 65-inch version of the LG C9 is currently priced at $1,200 more than the PQX.

Should you look closely, you'll find a handful of shortcomings around the edges of the PQX experience: a narrow viewing angle, occasional light bloom, and a ho-hum smart platform. They're the sort of issues that aren't unique to the PQX, however, and if you're as nit-picky as I've been known to be, you'll find similar foibles in just about every high-end flagship TV. Nevertheless, it's worth keeping them in mind if you're trying to decide between two or three top-tier TVs.

There's no question about it: The P-Series Quantum X is the best TV Vizio has ever released. It may not come with the modest price tag you might've come to expect from a historically budget-friendly brand like Vizio, but given its capabilities, it's a competitively priced TV with ton of upside.

Samsung: Important to scan your Samsung TV for malware & viruses

Samsung recently tweeted:

Scanning your computer for malware viruses is important to keep it running smoothly. This also is true for your QLED TV if it's connected to Wi-Fi! Prevent malicious software attacks on your TV by scanning for viruses on your TV every few weeks. Here's how 👇 pic.twitter.com/7hWUfJwy1K

— Samsung Support USA (@SamsungSupport) June 17, 2019

The tweet has since been removed but we felt that this really begs the question, Did Samsung make a case for not connecting your Smart TV to the Internet?

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment 4K Ultra HD Survey

SONY is running a survey on its website soliciting information about what we'd like to see in 4K. The movies are old because all new titles are released in 4K whether the movie would benefit from 4K or not. We discuss if this is even necessary and ask who is going back and replacing their HD discs with 4K or whether a 4K treatment would get you to spend your money on a title that you passed on in HD

Samsung's announces The Wall Luxury (UK)

Samsung Electronics announced that the hotly anticipated luxury display, 'The Wall Luxury', will be available to order in July 2019. A breakthrough innovation in home entertainment, The Wall Luxury redefines the category, offering discerning customers the ultimate display solution fit for any luxury residence.

With versatile modular LED panels, The Wall Luxury can be customised to fit any luxury home environment, going beyond the standard 16:9 ratio to occupy unusually shaped flat walls, pillars or even door frames. With customised shapes, The Wall Luxury can fit into inspired and unusual locations, transforming residences and offering unprecedented premium viewing experiences.

The Wall Luxury features two distinct modes giving people the flexibility to use their bespoke display solution as an immersive way to enjoy entertainment or create a stunning visual canvas for their home.

Entertainment Mode

In entertainment mode, The Wall Luxury delivers total immersion, allowing people to enjoy incredible visual experiences across a range of media. From watching a movie in striking colour and contrast to taking gaming to new heights, The Wall Luxury delivers the best picture in any light.

Ambient Mode

When it's not being using for entertainment, The Wall Luxury becomes a visual backdrop, allowing people to view art, picture or immersive scenes like never before. With Ambient Mode1[1], The Wall Luxury becomes a digital canvas, letting people create striking centrepieces that bring any room to life. It's Infinity Design and Décor Frame create a display that complements any space and only stands out when directed. With an almost edgeless display and a slim design, The Wall Luxury oozes sleekness and blends completely with its surroundings.

The Wall Luxury will be available to order from July 2019, to find out more visit samsung.com/uk/the-wall. The Wall Professional, a large scale display for luxury flagship stores to corporate headquarters, is also available to order.

Five Items Every Home Theater Needs that Cost Less than $500

We love our home theaters and want to get the most out of them that we can. This list is not about the actual AV parts, Display, Receiver, Speakers, etc, but more about things that will help you enjoy your home theater more.

Lighting - Wall sconces that can be dimmed when watching TV/Movies add a dramatic element to any viewing experience. If you currently have sconces you can make them programmable by adding smart bulbs. If you don't they are fairly easy to add by yourself. If you don't feel comfortable doing that you may need to hire an electrician and do some drywall repair which will raise the cost and make it cost more than $500. But for this list we assume you are all DIYers and we'll leave it on the list!

Bass Shaker System - We have spent thousands of dollars on all kinds of equipment over the years and this one item has had the most impact on our viewing experience. You really FEEL the action. An added plus is that it can be had for less than $300. Here is a brief video on Ara's Setup. Ara's Bass Shaker Setup and Install Video.

Surge Protectors/Power Conditioners - This is not very glamorous but so essential. At the very least every home theater setup should have surge protectors. Protecting your expensive electronics doesn't cost much as well. Good protectors can be found at Costco for about $25. If you have noisy power lines a Power conditioner can help clean it up and improve your audio and video. They cost a bit more than surge suppressors. This one by Furman goes from about $180. There are others for much less.

Universal Remote Control - This may be the most annoying part of the home theater experience. Why the AV community can't get together and define a remote control standard is beyond us? There should be one TV on and off command that all TVs respond to. Done then every remote could control every device. Maybe someday. Until then look into getting a universal remote like Harmony. They make physical remotes as well as an app for your phone. If you are good with only being able to control your home theater with a tablet or phone consider the simplecontrol app. This can set you back as high as $350 but there are lower cost options as well.

Acoustic Treatments - Acoustic management can make good home theaters sound great and great home theaters sound amazing. Today you can buy sound absorbing panels that enhance the decor of your room so it's more than just an audio improvement. You can spend more than $500 here but we feel that a few panels placed in the right spots can improve you Home theater for less than $500. Some resources GIK Acoustics, AcousticMac, and Home Depot just to name a few.

Cord Cutting, New TV Tech and Aereo Back from the Dead?

This week we discuss the top five Cord Cutting Stories to watch for this Summer, look at a new TV technology and bring Aereo back from the dead.

Sling TV will launch at least two new models: an AirTV 2 - The AirTV 2 looks like an updated version of the black AirTV box and an AirTV player that is a fully powered Android TV player inside a stick/dongle format. According to reports, at least one of these new AirTV players is expected to be announced this month.

Amazon Channels coming to Canada - Amazon has announced plans to roll out its Amazon Channels service in Canada. Amazon is even promoting this as a way to compete with cable TV in Canada. Amazon has not announced a launch date other than to say it is coming soon.

Pluto TV Latino - Viacom is planning to launch a Pluto TV version for Spanish speakers. According to reports, Pluto TV Latino will launch sometime in the summer of 2019 and could be live as soon as this month.

Pluto TV Worldwide - Viacom has also announced plans to roll out Pluto TV into new markets around the world. Pluto TV is expanding into the EU, and you can expect even more markets to launch at any time.

Amazon Prime Video on Android TV - Amazon has confirmed that Amazon Prime Video is coming to Android TV this summer.(Some Android TV players already have a dedicated Amazon app, but most do not support an official Amazon app.) It is very possible that Amazon Prime Video will hit all Android TV players as soon as this month.

The Hisense ULED XD is essentially two LCD panels bonded together, and then smooshed into a TV the same size as the one you currently have. Throw in the company's proprietary chipset, a bunch of buzzwords, and a whole mess of secret sauce and you've got something remarkable. Hisense says this technology will offer blacks as dark as midnight on a moonless night and the brightness of today's LCDs — all at the cost you've been craving. If it's true, Korea's powerhouses should be trembling. So how did the Chinese company do it?

More…

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broadcasters reach people just like you over the internet.

Current Cities include - Denver, Dallas, Houston, Chicago, Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston

The difference between and the defunct Aereo is that Locast does not charge you for the service. They are a non-profit and as such the Supreme Court has ruled that it is legal for Locast to rebroadcast the over the air signals. The have a donation page