AV Rant #768: I Already Forgot

August 20th, 2021 Comments off

If you find the right serial numbers, you can buy a Denon or Marantz Receiver that already has a working HDMI 2.1 port built-in. And TCL’s new model numbers are definitely Tom’s favorite thing; just look at this episode’s title!

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

Our Listeners of the Week are our 128 Patreon Patrons, including Daniel and Marc. Check out Marc’s woodworking projects & tutorials: https://thewoodwhisperer.com/ & podcast: https://woodtalkshow.com/
We also appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Ted, Jorge, Jack, Marc, Shannon, Jay, Gurinder & Bertrand.
Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

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

In the news:

00:09:25 – News: Denon & Marantz HDMI 2.1 port fix
– AVRs & Pre-Pros manufactured after May 2021 have a functioning HDMI 2.1 port, no SPK618 adapter needed: https://is.gd/8NHLQw

00:13:40 – News: TCL R546 & R646 4K TVs
– TCL has new 2021 5-Series & 6-Series models: https://is.gd/TZqaUU
– R635 remains HDMI 2.0 only: https://is.gd/o1HBok
– R646 gains two HDMI 2.1 inputs: https://is.gd/YBjftM
– R648 is 8K: https://is.gd/XlJW2L
– R546 switches from Roku to Google TV: https://is.gd/stqqdI

00:20:39 – News via Karl: Criterion’s first Ultra HD Blu-ray releases
Six classic movies arriving on 4K disc: https://is.gd/MJGeOW

00:23:26 – Comments:

– Ted recommends an article from Pro Tools Experts about Apple Spatial Audio and Atmos for Music: https://is.gd/6Q6cyy

QUESTIONS:

Read more…
Play

Categories: Podcast Tags:

AV Rant #767: Bitstream vs. PCM

August 13th, 2021 Comments off

Tom is back! Our thanks to Lee Overstreet for guest co-hosting last week. And there’s exciting news about new JVC projectors!

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

Our Listeners of the Week are Chad for his PayPal donation, plus our 128 Patreon Patrons, as well as Jason S. for talking us up to SVS.
We also greatly appreciate the notes of gratitude sent to us for keeping the podcast going from: Kevin, Jeremy, and Chad. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

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

In the news:

00:11:01 – News: JVC teased a new 8K laser projector
– https://youtu.be/lHH6uIaCPOE
– Rumors about specs and additional JVC models: https://is.gd/PwdPGT

– Sony bought Crunchyroll from AT&T for $1.175 billion: https://is.gd/3fNha7

00:16:09 – News: Spotify & YouTube trial new subscription tiers
– Spotify Plus: https://is.gd/O8csvG
– YouTube Premium Lite: https://is.gd/Omdc71

00:21:23 – Comment: Kevin took a road trip to buy two used Sony Z9D 3D TVs.

00:22:36 – Comment: Jay A. recommends Steve Yedlin’s videos re: resolution
– https://www.yedlin.net/ResDemo/index.html

QUESTIONS:

Read more…
Play

Categories: Podcast Tags:

AV Rant #766: Kenwood-Level Good

August 7th, 2021 Comments off

It’s the return of Lee Overstreet! Tom is away on vacation this week, so our favorite pinch hitter is back. And that means an extra long episode!

00:00:00 – Intro & Lee’s new Tesla

– https://twitter.com/LeeOverTweet

– https://twitter.com/teslaloosa

00:13:19 – Listeners of the Week

Our Listeners of the Week are our 128 Patreon Patrons, including Steve.

We also greatly appreciate the notes of gratitude for keeping the podcast going from: Kevin, Eric, Joey, Steve, Raf, Jorge, Dave B. & David F.

Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWkAE2A

00:17:18 – CORRECTION: David F. sorts out HDMI signals

– Wikipedia on TMDS: https://is.gd/ll2GsH & LVDS: https://is.gd/uWyynr

In the news:

00:23:49 – HD Fury 8K VRROOM

The first HDMI 2.1 Matrix Switch & Processor is up for pre-order: https://is.gd/SIe66e

00:26:21 – Hisense U7G 4K LCD TV

is a value TV winner, especially for gaming features: https://is.gd/4H2L9j

00:32:35 – via JT: SPK618 delays

00:34:54 – Comment: Remote 12V Triggers

Infinite Gary & Rob came across the:

– Emotiva ET-3: https://is.gd/bTSLs9

– Pro-Ject Tuner Box S2: https://is.gd/JPonvH

QUESTIONS:

Read more…
Play

Categories: Podcast Tags:

AV Rant #765: Receiver Buying Time

July 30th, 2021 Comments off

It might finally be a good time to buy an AV Receiver again! Well, pre-order, anyway.

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

Our Listeners of the Week are Clint for his PayPal donation, plus our 127 Patreon Patrons, including Martin & Bertrand, as well as Andrew L. for assisting Rob in finding a way to watch Master of the Universe: Revelation.
We also want to thank Jack, Bertrand & Clint for sharing their photos and giving Tom permission to use them on https://avgadgets.com/
And we greatly appreciate the notes of gratitude sent to us for keeping the podcast going from: Jason, Jack, Martin, Bertrand, and Clint. Thank you to everybody for continuing to listen!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWi2NpA

In the news:

00:08:34 – 2021 Yamaha Aventage & Onkyo RZ AVR Pre-orders
AV Receivers with proper HDMI 2.1 switching will finally start shipping soon: https://is.gd/QNn8yl ; https://is.gd/W8Nkde

– PS5 comes with 6 months of Apple TV+: https://is.gd/rDTa9a

– Via Karl – All FandangoNOW accounts will be moved over to Vudu: https://is.gd/Ymck2S

00:13:39 – Comments:

– Nathan W. suggests JBL Synthesis or Revel in-walls for Justin’s brother who asked about them last week.

QUESTIONS:

Read more…
Play

Categories: Podcast Tags:

AV Rant #764: Have a Little Shootout

July 23rd, 2021 Comments off

Check out Rob’s latest appearance on the Bright Side Home Theater Podcast with our friend DJ: https://www.brightsidehometheater.com/episodes/robhstreaming
https://youtu.be/FchwwEblfDU

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

Our Listeners of the Week are our 127 Patreon Patrons, including James W.
We also greatly appreciate the notes of gratitude to us for keeping the podcast going from: Justin B., Brandon, Gurinder, Rob W., Jeremy W., and James. Thank you to everyone for continuing to listen!

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

00:08:00 – Rob’s Xbox Series X glitch
Shout out to Xbox Support for the quick repair and great customer service!

In the news:

00:10:41 – Valve Steam Deck
Valve announced a portable gaming PC: https://is.gd/JKQUSO

– Netflix wants to get into streaming gaming: https://is.gd/HUY1rJ

– The National Association of Theatre Owners blames Disney+ for Black Widow’s big second weekend box office drop: https://avgadgets.com/theater-owners-release-tone-deaf-response-about-black-widow/

Comments:

– Gurinder just needed to vent about missing out on some clearance OLED deals.

– James W. gives kudos to KEF UK for providing great service, even outside of warranty.

QUESTIONS:

Read more…
Play

Categories: Podcast Tags: