Dirac Live Processor is the new name for the PC and Mac versions of the old Dirac Live Room Correction Suite, and along with the new name comes support for ART. Xbox announced major layoffs and the release of five studios. PlayStation announced that 2028 will bring the end of physical games, but they’re also closing online stores for older systems. Also, a doggie appears!

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

00:00:00 – Intro

Quick World Cup comments. And congrats again to the three winners of our Sofabaton U3 Giveaway!

– https://www.sofabaton.com/product/u3/

– Our U3 Affiliate Link: https://amzn.to/4xoP9Um

– Discount Code for 15% off: AVRANTROBU3

00:08:06 – What We Watched

Tom’s been watching the Tour de France. Rob watched The Sheep Detectives.

00:19:08 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Ari for his PayPal donation, plus our 120 Patreon Patrons, including Tom T.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Neil, Greg, Tom, Karl, Ari, Kerry, Larry, and John. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:24:15 – News: Dirac Live Processor

Dirac’s PC and Mac software has a new name, and they’ve added support for ART: https://www.dirac.com/home/dirac-live/processor

00:29:06 – News: Xbox Layoffs & Studio Releases

Five Xbox game studios will have new ownership, 1,600 Xbox staff members lost their jobs, and another 1,600 will be let go within a year: https://tinyurl.com/3kccrxsk

00:39:57 – News: PlayStation Ending Discs

When 2028 arrives, PlayStation games will go digital download only. But they also announced that PS3 and Vita online stores will be closing, and they’re yanking 551 Studio Canal movies out of your PlayStation Store library, so maybe not optimal timing of these announcements: https://tinyurl.com/w2kjtmtt

Comments:

00:53:08 – Comment: James – How to Prompt AI

We appreciate James’ lengthy list of commands to copy & paste prior to asking AI a technical question. But if this is what’s required…

00:57:28 – Comment: Infinite Gary – 48″ LG C6 vs. C3 and Sony

Now that he’s tried a 48″ LG C6 OLED in his own setup, how does it stack up to an older C3, and a much older CCFL-backlit Sony LCD?

QUESTIONS:

01:01:34 – Steve: Itching for an Upgrade

We discuss his “one man” home theater, and what purchase we think will provide a worthwhile upgrade.

– Denon X3800H from A4L: https://tinyurl.com/5n6n6u8z

01:13:21 – Jonathan: Which Speakers to Buy

He doesn’t really have options to listen in person, so we share our experiences and advice on which speakers we think might be a genuine upgrade for his large, open room.

– https://avgadgets.com/what-does-it-mean-that-subwoofers-are-omnidirectional/

– Arendal 1723: https://tinyurl.com/3v66cckc

– Power Sound Audio 10″ Klippel: https://tinyurl.com/yxhcas63

– Ascend Acoustics SE2: https://tinyurl.com/mtb68dmf

– Aperion Audio Theatrus: https://tinyurl.com/2y3ra5r8

– PerListen A Series: https://tinyurl.com/nadvm7hh

01:29:18 – Christian: Acoustimac Suede

Just how acoustically transparent is Acoustimac’s suede, anyway? Could it work as speaker grill cloth?

01:33:32 – Adam: Sofabaton Customization

How far can you actually go with customizing a Sofabaton X1S or X2 hub-based remote?

01:42:08 – Neil: Chest Thump & Slat Panels

He confirmed that adjusting the EQ on his SVS subs can deliver tactile chest thumps. But how does he refine it so it still sounds natural? And we also discuss those trendy wooden slat panels and which type actually do something acoustically.

– GiK SlatFusor: https://tinyurl.com/4rmcrfbd

01:52:32 – Tom: RCA Out to USB-C In

He’d like to connect a DJ Deck that only has analog outs to a Boombox that only has either Bluetooth or USB-C in.

– Avantree Audikast: https://tinyurl.com/5cbcuwrx

– RCA A/V to USB-C Converter: https://tinyurl.com/ycye98y5

– MediaSonic-based RCA to USB Converter: https://tinyurl.com/4um8aw4t

01:58:21 – Adriano: Two Displays and a Sonos SoundBar

Now that Adriano’s friend is adding a projector to his setup, but keeping his TV too, how does he get an HDMI-eARC signal to his Sonos Arc Ultra SoundBar regardless of which display is being used?

– HD Fury VRROOM: https://tinyurl.com/bf2wrcve

– OREI BK-402A: https://tinyurl.com/4wp3ymjy

– Passive Bi-Directional HDMI Switch: https://tinyurl.com/6w5n2bdc

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

• Check out the AV Rant YouTube channel to watch our show videos.
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