We had to start recording a bit late, and Tom had to duck out a bit early, so it’s a slightly jumbled episode this week. But AVRant finds a way! Samsung, Google & the Alliance for Open Media are introducing IAMF – a new 3D audio format. But it’s not the “Atmos-killer” some clickbait headlines would have you believe. And Sony decided to completely remove any Discovery shows you might have “purchased” via their PlayStation Store. No refunds!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB5Vbv

00:00:00 – Intro

00:03:58 – What We Watched

Rob watched Babylon. Tom watched Rick & Morty, and X.

00:13:51 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Paul and Scott for their PayPal donations, plus our 134 Patreon Patrons. 

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Paul, Mike, Mohsen, Jason, Davide, Jeremy, and Jay. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:16:18 – News: IAMF 3D Audio

Samsung, Google, and the Alliance for Open Media introduced their new Immersive Audio Model and Formats. No, it isn’t going to kill Atmos: https://tinyurl.com/3z9cvwdr

00:22:06 – News: Discovery Shows Pulled from PlayStation Store

You might have clicked the “Buy” button and paid to “own” them, but Discovery shows will completely disappear from the PlayStation Store and your video library there. No refunds! https://tinyurl.com/y92p6bef

QUESTIONS:

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Tom is back, but still under the weather. Our thanks to Lee Overstreet for pinch hitting last week. Lee also shared some sad news, so we’re thinking of him.

Harman bought Roon. LG C4 OLEDs will get 144 Hz but not MLA. And Sonos will make wireless headphones.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4Zzi

00:00:00 – Intro

Prepare for coughing!

And our condolences to Lee and his family as they deal with some sad news.

00:09:24 – What We Watched

Rob continued with Invincible S.2, and really enjoyed TMNT: Mutant Mayhem. Tom rewatched Underwater, and Free Guy, and dug Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

00:27:40 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 135 Patreon Patrons, as well as Gurinder for sending us all Amazon gift cards.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude from: Keith, Monty, Matt, Mohsen, Gurinder, Will, Paul, Jorge, and Greg. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:34:11 – News: Harman Buys Roon

They intend to keep the music management system’s team and strategy: https://tinyurl.com/yd4dwnsk

00:38:23 – News: 2024 LG OLED Rumors

Strong evidence that LG C4 will get 144 Hz, but not MLA: https://youtu.be/uek-EWf4cew

00:42:18 – News: Sonos Headphones

Big margin with one unique feature: https://tinyurl.com/37jp5thx

Comments:

00:45:55 – Comment: Joe – Shield Already Had Auro-3D

NVidia Shield could already output Auro-3D in some situations. The new OS update just improves support.

00:49:31 – Comment: Karl – Black 4.0

The blackest paint you can easily buy: https://tinyurl.com/48uh4dd7

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Welcome to Thankful: Across the Podcast-Verse!

This is our 4th annual multi-podcast, 6-man crossover event with Tom, Rob & Lee from AV Rant Podcast, Andrew from AV Gadgets, DJ from the Bright Side Home Theater Podcast, and this year we’re joined by one of DJ’s co-hosts, John C!

We’ll start by introducing John C. to our audience and hear all about what’s in John’s Home Theater. Then we chat about what we’re thankful for in 2023, both hardware and experience-wise. And we wrap things up with a look forward to what we’re each anticipating for our own home theaters in 2024!

Happy Thanksgiving!

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Tom had to call in sick this week. So Lee Overstreet is here to pinch hit.

Six James Cameron movies are getting Collector’s Edition Ultra HD Blu-ray releases. Portrait Displays has a new, affordable C7 HDR Colorimeter that’s accurate up to 10,000 nits, and new Calman bundles, too. Sonos fixed their Arc and Beam Atmos SoundBar problem. And NVidia Shield TV Pro is getting Auro-3D output.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB4eV7

00:00:00 – Intro

00:06:38 – What We Watched

Lee recommends https://www.youtube.com/@EverydayAstronaut

Rob started Invincible S.2, and watched Blue Beetle.

00:19:12 – Thanksgiving Crossover Podcast

Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom, Rob, Lee, Andrew from AV Gadgets, and DJ & John from Bright Side Home Theater Podcast got together for our annual Home Theater Podcast Crossover Event! (Link Coming Thanksgiving Day)

00:20:07 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 134 Patreon Patrons.

And we appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Vince, Brandon, Sasi, J. Karl, Mohsen, Trevor, Allen, and Greg. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:24:49 – News: 6 James Cameron 4K Blu-rays

Collector’s Edition Ultra HD Blu-rays of Titanic, Avatar, Avatar: The Way of Water, The Abyss, True Lies, and Aliens have all been announced with release dates: https://tinyurl.com/yzmyhnvm

00:28:23 – News: C7 HDR Colorimeter

Portrait Displays has a new, more advanced, more affordable colorimeter along with Calman software bundles: https://tinyurl.com/4tmde727

00:34:21 – News: Sonos Atmos SoundBar Fix

Sonos Arc & Beam SoundBars were making an incredibly loud bang with certain Atmos signals. They’ve fixed it: https://tinyurl.com/bdnj67vw

00:36:29 – News: NVidia Shield Getting Auro-3D

The newest update will add Auro-3D output to the NVidia Shield TV Pro: https://tinyurl.com/ydrkbwcr

Comments:

00:39:23 – Comment: Tyler – Silver Ticket Customer Service

Not just great prices, Silver Ticket provided great service, too!

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Oh boy did we have lots of technical problems this week! No video of either of us. And a slightly awkward edit near the beginning. But we’re still here to answer your home theater questions!

SAG-AFTRA has a tentative agreement, ending the actors’ strike. The Abyss: Special Edition has been remastered in 4K and will be shown in theaters for one night only. 3D movies showed up in the Apple TV App with a Vision Pro logo. Creative Aurvana Ace wireless earphones use xMEMS solid state drivers for the treble. And Warner Bros’ “Coyote vs Acme” was shelved by David Zaslav for a tax write-off, but still might see the light of day somewhere.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB3m6n

00:00:00 – Intro

00:07:04 – What We Watched

Rob finished Loki S.2. Tom rewatched Spider-Man: Far From Home, and went out to see Hollywood’s Golden Age by the Florida Orchestra. And we both saw The Marvels!

00:32:54 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Tyler for his PayPal donation, plus our 134 Patreon Patrons, including Jared and Bertrand, as well as Casey for talking us up to SVS.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Geoff, Jay, Julian, Jared, Casey, and Bertrand. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:36:22 – News: SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Agreement

The actors’ strike has ended, but a new 3-year contract still needs to be ratified: https://tinyurl.com/hdk3mtac

00:39:02 – News: The Abyss: Special Edition

Remastered in 4K, and coming to theaters for one night only: https://tinyurl.com/47ej8wua

00:40:58 – News: 3D Movies for Apple Vision Pro

19 3D movie titles showed up in the Apple TV App with a Vision Pro logo: https://tinyurl.com/c9kyy3fu

00:43:29 – News: Creative Aurvana Ace MEMS Earphones

Creative Aurvana Ace and Ace 2 wireless earphones use xMEMS solid state drivers for the treble: https://tinyurl.com/mr8hptpt

00:49:12 – News: Coyote vs. Acme Shelved and Shopped

Warner Bros. Discovery was going to completely shelve their Looney Toons movie for a tax write-off. But now they might license it out: https://tinyurl.com/5y299jry

Comments:

00:54:22 – Comment: Casey – SVS Above and Beyond

Out of warranty, but SVS sent a replacement amp anyway.

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