Rob’s excited about his Robosen Auto-Converting Optimus Prime pre-order: https://robosenstore.com/pages/optimus . But since those are sold out, maybe a new Sony 4K projector or Emotiva BasX Gen2 amplifier will cure what ails ya.

00:00:00 – Intro & Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Bob for his PayPal donation, plus our 126 Patreon Patrons, including Max and Bertrand, as well as Kris for telling https://www.accessories4less.com/ we sent him their way, John for telling https://www.rythmikaudio.com/ he bought a second sub because of us, and mentioning us in his https://emotiva.com/ user review, and Clara for trying to convince Gary Yacoubian, the CEO of https://www.svsound.com/ , to take over Harmony Remotes from Logitech.
We also want to thank Michael and Reginald for sending in photos with written permission for Tom to use them on https://avgadgets.com/ .
And we appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from Kris, Greg, Bob, Michael, Jason, Bertrand, John, and Martin. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVnze1v

00:10:15 – In the news:

– Via Karl – Stewart Filmscreen Harmony G2 is their new woven, acoustically transparent, UST-compatible projection screen material: https://is.gd/sxdxlb

– Via Karl – Sony’s new $5,500 VW325ES and $40,000 VW1025ES projectors complete their 4K SXRD lineup, but don’t be fooled by the “Dynamic HDR Enhancer” marketing, which is not frame-by-frame dynamic tone mapping: https://is.gd/m3h9FB

– Emotiva released the 2nd Generation of BasX amplifiers: https://is.gd/xAg6BJ

– SVS’ $200 SoundPath Tri-Band Wireless Audio Adapter aims to eliminate signal interference: https://avgadgets.com/svs-soundpath-tri-band-wireless-audio-adapter/

00:22:52 – Comments

– Jason S. mostly fixed his wireless audio interference by replacing his old WiFi router.

– Ilango updates us on the whole house audio MusicCast system his friend’s parents put together.

– Greg L. shares NASA’s free faux movie posters that would make for excellent printed acoustic panels: https://is.gd/zVJ5wa

– Timothy encourages everyone to audition speakers first, and put expectation and ego aside.

– Andrew L. used fence lattice from Home Depot to add decorative scatter plates to his DIY acoustic panels: https://is.gd/aXPUCj

QUESTIONS:

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It’s the end of an era as Logitech has officially discontinued manufacturing Harmony remote hardware, sending a slight wave of panic throughout the home theater community as we try to come up with alternatives. Check out our thoughts and suggestions in our news section this episode, as well as Tom’s write-ups over at AVGadgets: https://avgadgets.com/logitech-discontinues-harmony-remotes/

00:00:00 – Introduction & Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 124 Patreon Patrons, concluding Bertrand, as well as Dazz for encouraging people to check out our podcast via Facebook Groups. We also want to thank Bertrand, Mark, AJ, Patricio, Michael, and Terry for their notes of gratitude to us for keeping the podcast going. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

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

00:05:32 – In the news:

 – Arclight Cinemas and Pacific Theatres won’t be reopening: https://is.gd/iUJD7O

– Sony Pictures and Netflix sign a five year exclusive streaming deal: https://is.gd/k6TNDF

– Samsung Electronics will reportedly buy OLED panels from LG Display: https://is.gd/ZmBBoF

00:11:19 – Harmony Remotes are no longer being manufactured by Logitech, though they say software and database support will continue: https://avgadgets.com/logitech-discontinues-harmony-remotes/

We previously detailed four potential alternatives: https://youtu.be/w84M46icJJA?t=1371

And now we’ve come across a couple more:
– MyURemote – another phone/tablet app for about $35: http://www.myuremote.com/
– Sevenhugs Smart Remote U & X – a touchscreen IR, Bluetooth & WiFi remote that looks promising, but is much smaller than you might have thought: https://smartremote.sevenhugs.com/smart-remote/

00:18:07 – Comments:

– Michael Z. ribs us about Center speakers, and says if cassette tapes are making a comeback, then MiniDiscs ought to be next.

QUESTIONS:

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Happy Anniversary to us! It’s been 15 years of AV Rant! And we can’t thank you all enough for all the support, lively discussion, and just plain fun over the past decade and a half! Here’s to 15 more.

Check out Tom’s latest articles at https://avgadgets.com/ . And if you’re ok with Tom using your photos, remember to include written permission when you send them in. Thanks!

00:00:00 – Intro & Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Benjamin and Jayson for their PayPal donations, along with our 123 Patreon Patrons, as well as Daniel for telling SVS he bought subwoofers from them because of us, Paul for mentioning us in his user review over at Monoprice and talking us up to RSL, and Herb from https://cross-spectrum.com/ for helping out Rob and letting us know that individually calibrated UMIK-1 measurement mics should start shipping again in about a month: https://cross-spectrum.com/measurement/calibrated_umik.html
We also want to thank Mike, Kris, Daniel, and Clara for their notes of gratitude to us for keeping the podcast going. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmVfr63T

00:09:48 – In the news:

 – via Karl – Kaleidescape is offering a $3,000 discount when you bundle one of their systems with a high-end Sony projector: https://is.gd/zfv1Qs

– Comparison reviews of the newest OLED TVs are rolling in:
– https://youtu.be/05meraExYc4
– https://youtu.be/2-ajN7njZvQ

00:15:46 – Comments:

– Patricio gives a thumbs up to the Fosi TDA7498E compact Class-D amplifier: https://is.gd/VhcNCK

– Jonathan gives his opinion about which is the best voice assistant.

QUESTIONS:

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Quite the collection of video glitches this week! At least they were funny to us, if no one else. Might be a good episode to give our YouTube version a try: https://youtu.be/8LoRZOA5i_0
Check out Tom’s latest articles at https://avgadgets.com/ . And if you’re ok with Tom using your photos, remember to include written permission when you send them in. Thanks!

00:00:00 – Intro & Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Don, Kris, and Paul for their PayPal donations, plus our 124 Patreon Patrons, as well as Don for mentioning us to RBH, Mitch for talking us up to SVS and GiK, and Greg for telling Alan over at HT Market that he heard about HT Design recliners from us. We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from Joe, Don, Mitch, Dan, Greg, and Jason. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsmV721vz

00:11:50 – In the news:

– Black Widow and Cruella will be available on Disney+ day-and-date with their theatrical releases: https://is.gd/4mQuO8

– Regal Cinemas agreed with Warner Bros. to a 45-day theatrical window beginning in 2022: https://is.gd/1vPDqT

– Martin Logan released new Motion Ci in-ceiling speakers: https://is.gd/i4HvVt

00:23:06 – Comments

– Karl shared a lossy vs. lossless ABX listening test: http://abx.digitalfeed.net/spotify-hq.html#

– Jonathan F. discovered that not all smart speakers using the Google Assistant support YouTube Music: https://is.gd/47Bln4

– Byron shared some photos of his DIY TV stand.

QUESTIONS:

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00:00:00 – Intro & Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 124 Patreon Patrons. And we also want to thank Mark, Zach, David, and Dylan for their notes of gratitude to us for keeping the podcast going. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmUBu5Vj

00:04:26 – Rob’s take on Zack Snyder’s Justice League

00:12:19 – Tom’s Art Panels from GiK Acoustics: https://avgadgets.com/gik-acoustics-acoustic-art-panels-no-filler-review/

00:17:43 – In the news:

– SVS launched their 3000 Micro subwoofer:
– https://avgadgets.com/svs-3000-micro-subwoofer/
– https://avgadgets.com/how-to-eliminate-rattles-in-your-home-theater/

– Trials of Xbox games in Dolby Vision began for Alpha testers: https://is.gd/QfI2NM

– Sony revealed the Orb Controllers for the next version of PlayStation VR: https://avgadgets.com/sony-playstation-vr-2/

00:26:40 – Comments

– Ken shares the results of his theater build with an 85″ TV, 13 speakers, dual subs, and three rows of seats.

QUESTIONS:

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