PlayStation 3 (yes, 3) just got a System Software update to keep Blu-ray playback working. Older Warner Bros. DVDs (and HD-DVDs) are suffering from disc rot. TCL launches their QM7K miniLED TV Series. And HearAdvisor provides measurements and playback samples for earplugs.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC5926

00:00:00 – Intro

Canadian politics, baby!

00:15:19 – What We Watched

Rob watched Heretic. Tom watched the 1st episode of Daredevil: Born Again, and more of S.2 of The Night Agent.

00:35:27 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Raf for his PayPal donation, plus our 130 Patreon Patrons.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Juls, Raf, John, David, Fred, and Dazz. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:39:20 – News: PS3 System Software Update

Yes, nearly 19 years after launch, the PlayStation 3 just got a System Software update to keep Blu-ray disc playback working: https://tinyurl.com/3563rx48

00:40:48 – News: Warner Bros. DVD Disc Rot

Discs manufactured from 2006 – 2008 are becoming unplayable due to disc rot: https://tinyurl.com/wynjbpyz

Warner Bros. will replace affected disc for free, but only “where possible”: whv@wbd.com

00:43:46 – News: TCL QM7K TV Series

TCL’s QM7K TV Series is bigger & brighter with more dimming zones, and shipping this month: https://tinyurl.com/yc2b9zba

Comments:

00:46:44 – Comment: Bob – It’s Not a Short Circuit

Bob details all the troubleshooting he did to make sure there’s no short circuit causing his Denon AVR to go into protection mode.

– https://avgadgets.com/everyone-that-says-their-av-upgrade-is-slightly-better-is-a-liar/

00:55:25 – Comment: Nathan – HearAdvisor Earplug Measurements

A great recommendation for a resource for earplugs and hearing aid measurements and playback samples.

– https://www.hearadvisor.com/earplug-rankings

QUESTIONS:

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Oopsie. Tom quoted a bad word during this episode. And we didn’t even bleep it out! We react to some of the 2025 Oscar winners. And we have more details about Eclipsa Audio.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC4uTK

00:00:00 – Intro

00:10:33 – What We Watched

Rob watched Twisters. Tom saw some live race qualifiers.

00:30:44 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are Jonathan for his PayPal donation, plus our 130 Patreon Patrons.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Sasi, Stefan, Jonathan, Jason, and Toke. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:32:13 – News: 2025 Oscar Winners

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was robbed (according to Rob): https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/2025

00:39:56 – News: Eclipsa Audio Details

Samsung won’t be the only brand to support it. And it’s channel-based. No objects here: https://tinyurl.com/2dxvm8d9

Comments:

00:43:12 – Comment: Nathan – Anti-Vibration Pads

An inexpensive option for damping/decoupling your subwoofers.

– https://avgadgets.com/how-to-best-decouple-your-speakers/

– MyLifeUNIT Pads: https://tinyurl.com/46jbwzak

QUESTIONS:

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Rob’s apartment sprung a leak again, why not. Thankfully it’s not too bad. Amazon MGM reached an agreement with Eon to take over creative control of the James Bond franchise. And 2025 content budgets for most major studios reveal mostly flat figures, but more going towards live sports.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC3EjT

00:00:00 – Intro

Less than rosey updates on both of our domiciles.

00:09:56 – What We Watched

Tom started the SNL 50 Special. Rob watched The Wild Robot.

00:22:37 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 133 Patreon Patrons.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Mark, Dave, Tony, Kevin, and Jason. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:25:56 – News: Amazon MGM Controls James Bond

An agreement has been reached with Eon for Amazon MGM to take over creative control of the James Bond franchise: https://tinyurl.com/59r2tpnh

00:37:15 – News: 2025 Studio Budgets

The major studios are largely standing pat when it comes to their 2025 content budgets. But live sports are a bigger focus: https://tinyurl.com/yc82t6f5

Comments:

00:43:21 – Comment: Dave – Racing Sim ButtKickers

He was pleasantly surprised at the price points for the tactile transducer solutions we suggested, so he’s going whole hog.

QUESTIONS:

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Lots of personal life updates to start the show. Netflix briefly connected to Apple TV App’s Universal Search and Watchlist in a preview of things to come. NVidia Shield firmware Version 9.2 brings Auro-3D and improved Frame Rate Switching, but breaks Google Home integration. And comments on the Van Cave Home Cinema.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC2TSS

00:00:00 – Intro

Tom got a bunch of acoustic panels from Andrew Gash. Rob shares his recent experiences helping his aunt navigate Canada’s healthcare system.

00:28:04 – What We Watched (and Played)

Rob didn’t watch any movies this week, but he played a humorous game that’s about the same length and price as a movie: Thank Goodness You’re Here!

Tom watched the first half of Inside Out 2.

00:40:15 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 133 Patreon Patrons.

We also appreciate the note of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from Stefan. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

In the news:

00:41:21 – News: Netflix Connects to Apple TV App

They’ve now said it was inadvertent, but Netflix briefly worked with the Apple TV App’s Universal Search and Watchlist in a preview of things to come: https://tinyurl.com/ytcj5ff3

00:44:41 – News: NVidia Shield Update 9.2

The latest firmware adds Auro-3D and better Frame Rate Switching, but breaks Google Home integration: https://avgadgets.com/the-nvidia-shield-gets-an-update-in-2025/

QUESTIONS:

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If you’re not into our non-home-theater chit-chat, you’ll wanna skip the first 25 minutes this week for sure! Sonos is rumored to be releasing a streaming box with HDMI switching this year. Panasonic is selling off its TV division.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC2b1i

00:00:00 – Intro

Emotional reactions to a bunch of the world’s news this past week. You’ve been warned!

00:21:43 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 133 Patreon Patrons, including Mark, as well as Jim for sending Tom a movie code.

We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Greg, Karl, Infinite Gary, Mark, and Dave. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

00:25:20 – What We Watched

Rob watched Gladiator II. Or is that “GladIIator”?

In the news:

00:32:25 – News: Sonos “Pinewood” Streaming Box

Sonos is rumored to be releasing a streaming box this year with HDMI switching and universal search: https://tinyurl.com/5yc958t5

00:38:53 – News: Panasonic Selling TV Division

Panasonic is struggling to remain profitable, and they are ready to take “drastic measures”: https://tinyurl.com/k3mwwhmz

QUESTIONS:

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