The latest in Tom’s QD-OLED TV repair saga. Our own subwoofer, computer monitor, and universal remote adventures. KEF Coda W self-powered wireless speakers enter a new, lower price bracket. Valve delayed its Steam Machine and Stream Frame. TCL is updating its Google TV interface to run on Android 14, which will add HDMI QMS support.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCK2xz

00:00:00 – Intro

Congrats to the Seattle Seahawks. But Olympic curling is where it’s at!

00:03:45 – Update on Tom’s TV

“It will be”…

00:06:14 – Tom Bought Subwoofers

Feats of strength were demonstrated.

– https://avgadgets.com/the-three-best-options-to-decouple-your-subwoofer/

00:09:12 – Tom’s Monitor Shopping

I mean, if you want to pay extremely close attention to model numbers.

00:12:54 – Rob’s Personal Updates

Let’s see if his parents’ Sofabaton X2 is finally all set up next week!

00:15:34 – What We Watched

Rob watched F1: The Movie. Tom’s been watching the Winter Olympics.

00:34:07 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 121 Patreon Patrons, including James, as well as Greg for sending a movie code.

Thanks to Scott for giving Tom permission to use his photos on https://avgadgets.com/

And we appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Greg, Nathan, Chris, Julian, Gurinder, Dan, Daniel, Dale, James, and Allen. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:39:29 – News: KEF Coda W

Self-powered speakers with an HDMI-ARC input for under $1,000: https://tinyurl.com/365py9p3

00:44:21 – News: Steam Machine & Frame Delay

Valve thought they’d have a launch date and prices to announce by now, but RAM and SSD shortages forced a delay: https://tinyurl.com/42hsnvkm

00:48:15 – News: TCL Google TV Update w/ QMS

TCL TVs that use a MediaTek Pentonic 700 chipset to run Google TV will get an update running on Android 14, bringing QMS with it: https://tinyurl.com/4bpuzhrw

00:52:44 – Lepro E1 & EE1 Outdoor Lights Review Update

AV Gadgets Approved review posted, but the app could still use some improvements.

– https://avgadgets.com/lepro-e1-and-ee1-permanent-outdoor-lights-review/

Comments:

00:55:31 – Joe Klusnick on Home Theater Geeks

Scott Wilkinson has started a new format for the Home Theater of the Month segment, and AV Rant guest co-host Joe Klusnick was the first guest! He set the bar: https://youtu.be/0jNRX771ZRA

00:56:22 – Comment: Julian, Errol & Kerry – Where to Rent Discs

After hearing Dazz last week, our Listeners have suggestions for where to rent discs-by-mail.

– https://www.choovierentals.com/

– https://www.store-3d-blurayrental.com/

00:58:08 – Comment: Gurinder: LG CX Game Mode

A reminder that, for some reason, HDCP needed to be turned off in your PS5 in order to get low latency.

QUESTIONS:

00:59:26 – Brian: Podcast Topic Catch-up

Lee’s Center speaker, buying local vs. online, watching Oscar noms, and AV Rant Movie Club.

01:06:24 – Karl: Projector vs. Flat Panel

Forget budget or room concerns for a moment, in our heart of hearts, do we really prefer flat panels?

01:17:17 – Dan: Replacing Binding Post Jumpers

Audiophiles say you MUST replace binding post jumpers. But aren’t speaker wire terminations just as bad?

01:25:16 – Rob X: Gaming Mic + Atmos?

Plugging any mic into his Xbox controller results in Dolby Atmos turning off. Is there a fix?

01:31:58 – Nathan: Gaming Headset Decision

We help him nail down exactly what to buy.

– Astro A50 Gen5: https://tinyurl.com/mpuarb4u

– Audeze Maxwell 2: https://tinyurl.com/yfdrb9n7

01:36:34 – Nick: Tesla PowerWall Hum

After getting a PowerWall installed, his subwoofers hum. Is it a ground loop? Is there a fix?

– https://avgadgets.com/iogear-professional-online-ups-review/

01:43:04 – Chris: In-wall 2.1 Double Check

We weigh in on the list of good options that Chris already put together for a 2.1 in-wall speaker system for his brother.

– RSL W25E: https://tinyurl.com/534w3c54

– Dynamat En-Wall: https://tinyurl.com/2m5vjkhp

– WiiM Amp: https://tinyurl.com/22y9h76r

– RSL SpeedWoofer 10E: https://tinyurl.com/42j2w4n3

01:53:29 – Infinite Gary: DIY Repairs?

He shares a story of the time he tried to fix his S-VHS player. Do we have any similar tales?

01:57:01 – Julian: Reducing Judder

His sources are set to Match Framerate, and he has a JVC NX5 projector. Why is he still seeing judder?

02:01:19 – Brandon: Wait for LG C6?

Ok to buy an LG C5 now, or is the new C6 a must-have?

Thanks for listening. Now, don't forget to:

• Check out the AV Rant YouTube channel to watch our show videos.
• Download Tom’s FREE superhero-themed ebook Bob Moore: No Hero.
• If you like it, you can purchase the two full-length follow-ups -  Bob Moore: Desperate Times and Bob Moore: Hostile Territory.
• Check out AVGadgets.com where Tom is the new Editor-in-Chief!
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