Season’s Greetings! It’s our final episode of 2023! Happy New Year! And we’ll see you all again in 2024.

Tom has quite the tale to tell this week. Disney has dropped Jonathan Majors from his role as Kang in the MCU. And Xbox Cloud Gaming is available in beta on Meta Quest VR headsets.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB7s4a

00:00:00 – Intro

What a day Tom and his family went through.

00:15:30 – What We Watched

Rob started Twisted Metal, and watched No Hard Feelings. Tom watched The Menu.

00:33:16 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Tyler for his PayPal donation, plus our 134 Patreon Patrons, as well as Jack for alerting Tom when the https://avgadgets.com/ website seemingly had a problem.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Joe, Jonathan, Dazz, Ben, Jay, Kevin S, Stephen, Kevin P, and Anthony. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:39:37 – News: Jonathan Majors Convicted

Following his trial verdict, Majors has been dropped by his agency and from the MCU: http://tinyurl.com/4yn7cy7u

00:43:47 – News: Meta Quest Xbox Cloud Gaming

Meta Quest VR headsets can now access Xbox Cloud Gaming in beta: http://tinyurl.com/2pkjzvke

QUESTIONS:

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Happy Holidays! It’s our second to last episode of the year! SAG-AFTRA ratified their new contract. Zappiti players can live on via a subscription to R_volution’s R_video software. And Rob says SVS crossed the line with their bi-wire claims.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjB6MZX

00:00:00 – Intro

00:05:34 – What We Watched

Rob watched Bottoms. Tom continued Rick & Morty, and finished S.1 of Welcome to Wrexham.

00:18:32 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Andrew and Jeff for their PayPal donations, plus our 134 Patreon Patrons, including Ken.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Greg, Art, Ken, Mohsen, Terry, Brandon, Chris, Julian, Vince, Rob, Jeff, and Frank & Nina. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:21:37 – News: SAG-AFTRA Ratify Contract

The actors’ strike is officially over, and they have a new 3-year contract: http://tinyurl.com/54kjk2ad

00:24:24 – News: R_video on Zappiti

Zappiti’s own software is completely dead now, but you can pay a subscription to use R_volution’s R_video software instead: https://www.rvolution.com/rvideo

Comments:

00:26:19 – Comment: Rob J – Corner Bead Panel Frames

At one point (when lumber was overpriced), we wondered if drywall corner bead could make for good DIY absorption panel frames. Rob J tried it out!

QUESTIONS:

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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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