HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

Epizódok

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  Podcast #1272: Netgear Orbi 770 and Aqara Camera Review 02.10.2026 51p

  On this week's show we have a listener review of the NETGEAR Orbi 770 Series WiFi 7 Mesh System as well as a review of the Aqara cameras. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Yamaha's Unveils Its Most Compact Dolby Atmos Soundbar Yet Philips Adds Two TV Lighting Sync Options Fubo will offer local hockey games in four markets  Sony Is Skipping CES 2027 for the First Time in Over Six Decades Apple's Smart Home Launch is Set Netgear Orbi 770 and Aqara Camera Review This week we have a listener review of the NETGEAR Orbi 770 Series WiFi 7 Mesh System. These can be bought in One, two, and three packs costing $300, $550, and $700 respectively. Netgear's specs say that a single unit can cover up to $2750 square feet and a three pack can cover 8000 square feet combined. And just for good measure John talks about his experience with Aqara cameras.These are the same cameras Ara uses so let's see if John has similar results. Product Features: Tri-band hardware with a dedicated backhaul is meant to keep throughput more consistent when many devices are online at once. WiFi 7 peak rating is up to 11 Gbps and it also connects WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 devices; real speed depends on your plan and hardware. Devices can easily roam between the router and satellites. Setup, device management, and guest WiFi are handled in the Orbi app. Sold for use in the United States only. John Lyman's Review A few years ago, I replaced my old Netgear Orbi system with a TP-Link Deco XE75 mesh system. At the time, my older Orbi just wasn't able to handle all the devices we had in the house. After doing some research, the Deco XE75 and XE75 Pro had great reviews, so I decided to give Deco a try. The Deco worked, but as we added more devices—and because of the design of our house—I kept having to add more and more nodes to get good, consistent coverage. Even with gigabit fiber, I never really felt like I was getting the speeds I should have been getting throughout the house. When Amazon Prime Day came around in July, I decided it was time for an upgrade. At the same time, I decided this was going to be MY "year of home automation." Back to Orbi — This Time with Wi-Fi 7 For the network, I went with the Netgear Orbi 770 Series Wi-Fi 7 mesh system. I considered going down the Ubiquiti route, but ultimately I wanted something easier to manage and more "set it and forget it." I spent enough time around networking years ago. These days, I'd rather leave my network-engineering hat in the past and have something that simply works. I've now been running the Orbi 770 for about four months, and—with one exception—it has been pretty much bulletproof. That exception was automatic firmware updates. I didn't realize they were enabled, and Orbi decided to install an update in the middle of the day. That's something I'd definitely check when setting up the system. Other than that, the performance has been excellent. I have AT&T Fiber with the AT&T gateway configured to pass the connection through to the Orbi. My office is upstairs and away from the main router, but I have my computer connected by Ethernet to an Orbi satellite. I'm consistently seeing speeds in the low 900 Mbps range both down and up. My media/home-theater room has historically been the hardest room in the house to reach with good Wi-Fi. With the Orbi, I'm seeing roughly 700–800 Mbps there over Wi-Fi, connecting on 5 GHz. More importantly, coverage throughout the house is now excellent and the system has been extremely stable. If you're considering a mesh system and aren't ready to go down the Ubiquiti route, I'd strongly suggest looking at the Orbi 770. Based on my experience with both systems, I'd skip the Deco, spend a little more and get the Orbi. The Orbi also gives you separate IoT and guest Wi-Fi networks. Devices connect quickly, stay connected and, in my experience, have worked considerably better than they did with my Deco system. Moving Away from Ring The next part of the project was home automation. Over the years, I had accumulated a hodgepodge of smart-home products: Ecobee thermostats, Ring doorbells, different cameras, Hue lights and other devices. Even the Ecobee that was supposed to work with Apple HomeKit would periodically disconnect. I wanted to simplify everything, and I particularly wanted to move away from Ring. While researching alternatives, I came across Aqara. They make doorbells, cameras, thermostats, switches, sensors and a number of other smart-home products, with particularly strong integration with Apple's Home ecosystem. So during Prime Day, I jumped in. I bought two thermostats, two cameras and two doorbells. There was definitely a settling-in period. Between changing the network and adding all the new smart-home equipment, it probably took about six weeks before everything really fell into place. Since then, however, it has been remarkably solid. The network can go down and come back up, and the Aqara devices reconnect on their own. About the only problems I've encountered have been when somebody physically unplugged one of the doorbell hubs. Since some of the other devices were relying on that hub, unplugging it naturally caused those devices to disappear as well. The $34 Camera That Surprised Me One of the biggest surprises has been the Aqara G100 indoor/outdoor cameras. I paid $33.99 each for them, and they've been excellent. For the price, I'm genuinely impressed with how well they've worked and how nicely they integrate into the Apple ecosystem. Security and privacy were also part of my decision to move away from Ring. I like having my cameras integrated with Apple Home and being able to use iCloud/HomeKit Secure Video rather than building my smart-home camera system around Amazon. The Doorbells — A Big Improvement Over Ring The Aqara doorbells have also worked really well. I have two of them. One is at our front door, and the other is on a door that we added to the house where I don't have wiring available. For that one, I use rechargeable batteries, and that setup has worked well. The front-door unit is very small and unobtrusive, which I like. More importantly, both doorbells have been rock solid. That's probably the biggest difference I've noticed compared with my old Ring setup. The Aqara doorbells are consistently connected and integrate directly into Apple HomeKit. I don't feel like I'm waiting for the doorbell to connect when I actually need to see who's at the door. They just work, which is becoming a recurring theme with most of the Aqara equipment I've installed. For me, replacing the Ring doorbells with Aqara has been one of the better parts of this whole home-automation upgrade. Aqara Thermostats — Simple, Which Is Exactly What I Want The Aqara thermostats were very simple to install. I was replacing my Ecobees, and the changeover was straightforward. They connected to Apple HomeKit easily and, since getting everything settled, they just run. Easy peasy. There's really not much more I want from a thermostat. I don't need it to be exciting—I need it to control the temperature, stay connected and work when I open the Home app. So far, that's exactly what they've done. One feature that really interested me is Apple Home's Adaptive Temperature. Instead of relying on a traditional fixed schedule, the temperature can automatically adjust based on whether people in your Apple Home are actually home or away. There are four modes you can configure: Home, Away, Night and Extended Away. Home and Away automatically adjust the temperature depending on whether anyone from the household is home. Night mode lets you set different temperatures for specific days and times, so the house can automatically adjust while everyone is sleeping. The one I'm particularly happy to have is Extended Away. When we're going to be gone for an extended period, the system can automatically adjust the temperature appropriately. That's one less thing I have to remember to change before we leave—and, more importantly, remember to change back when we get home. It's another example of what I'm looking for with this whole project: home automation that actually automates things instead of giving me another app and another device to manage. The One Finicky Aqara Device I also bought an Aqara Smart Climate Sensor with three programmable buttons. This has been the one finicky device in my Aqara setup. Getting it set up properly with HomeKit was a little tricky. Each of the three buttons is supposed to support three different actions—a single press, double press and long press—which theoretically gives you nine different programmable actions. In practice, I've only been able to get the single-press actions to work somewhat reliably. I currently use Button 1, the middle of the three buttons, and even that hasn't been as seamless as the rest of my Aqara equipment. That said, I like the concept enough that I'm planning to put a second one in my media room. The idea is to program the buttons for lighting and temperature control so the kids can simply push a button rather than flipping off the actual light switch—which, of course, defeats the whole purpose of having smart lights. So this one is still a work in progress. I really like what the device is supposed to do; I just wish the HomeKit button actions worked as reliably as the rest of my Aqara setup. Finally, One Home App That's probably the biggest improvement from this whole project. Instead of having different pieces scattered across different ecosystems, I can now open Apple's Home app and see essentially everything in one place. I've also settled on Nanoleaf as my primary smart-lighting platform. I still have some Philips Hue lights in the house, and I'm not ripping out perfectly good bulbs just for the sake of replacing them. As those eventually die, however, I'm replacing them with Nanoleaf. Four months into this project, I'm very happy with where I've ended up. For networking, the Orbi 770 has been fast, stable and about as close to "set it and forget it" as I could have hoped for. If you want a high-performance home network but don't want to make the jump into something like Ubiquiti, I think Orbi deserves a serious look. And if you're an Apple/HomeKit household and looking to build out a smart-home ecosystem, I'd also recommend taking a look at Aqara. The combination of Orbi, Aqara, Nanoleaf and Apple Home has finally given me what I was looking for: A smart home that doesn't require me to constantly mess with it.  
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  Podcast #1271: Consumer Reports HDTV Ratings 25.09.2026 36p

  On this week's show we take a look at the consumer reports ratings for 70 inch and larger TVs. We also read your email and take a look at the week's news. News: Your Google Home can now take orders from Claude and other AI agents Roku Adds 30 New Bundles To Premium Subscriptions Element Launches New TiVo-Powered Smart TVs in the U.S. Paramount Settles States' Antitrust Suit, Clearing Way for Warner Megadeal Consumer Reports Ratings for 70-inch and larger TVs: On this week's show we take a look at the consumer reports rating for 70 inch and larger TVs. This list was sent to us by Dermot who thought it may make a nice topic. We took the list and only updated pricing. So how does Consumer Reports determine a score for their TV ratings? Consumer Reports builds each TV's Overall Score from three buckets: lab performance, member surveys, and (for smart TVs) privacy/security. They do not accept manufacturer samples. Secret shoppers buy the sets at retail so they test the same units you would buy. They run 200+ TVs a year. Each set goes through 20+ tests and more than 500 data points in their Yonkers labs. Picture settings are optimized with the on-screen user controls only—not a full professional calibration. If a set needs a calibrator to look good, that hurts it. What the lab actually measures HD and UHD picture quality — test patterns plus real movie/TV clips for detail, black level, contrast, and color accuracy after the set is optimized. HDR — peak brightness (measured with a Photo Research PR-740 spectroradiometer), plus how well highlights and shadows hold up in dark and bright scenes. Viewing angle — color and contrast from both horizontal and vertical off-axis positions. Motion blur — how clean moving text and action stay. Sound quality — built-in speakers: clarity, bass, volume range, and distortion, compared against reference sets in the lab. Features / versatility — inputs, smart-TV functions, ease of use, etc. Data privacy and data security — whether the TV collects extra data, how easy it is to control that, encryption, known vulnerabilities, update practices. These scores are folded into the Overall Score. A viewing panel then watches real content side-by-side after the meter work is done. Survey piece  Predicted reliability and owner satisfaction come from CR member surveys, not from the lab unit they bought. Reliability is brand-level, not model-level. A statistical model estimates the chance a new set from that brand will have a problem in the first five years. They control for age, how often it's used, and whether it has an extended warranty. Owner satisfaction is how likely members are to recommend that brand. It is weighted at 5% of the Overall Score for every product category. Reliability's weight varies by category (typically 10–20%). For TVs it sits toward the lower end of that range because members rate reliability about even with picture performance. If a brand scores Poor or Fair on predicted reliability, that model cannot get a CR "Recommended" badge, no matter how well it tested. When they don't have enough survey data for a brand (like  on some Roku sets), they plug in category-average survey scores. How it becomes one number Overall Score is a weighted mix of the lab scores plus those two survey scores (and privacy/security). Models are then ranked against others in the same size group. That's why two 91-point sets can sit at very different prices: one won on lab performance plus surveys at a lower street price; the other is a more expensive flagship that still maxed the same scoring formula.  Brand            Model                  Overall     Score Price LG                  OLED77C5PUA   91              $1,800 Samsung      QN77S95F           91              $3,000 Samsung      QN77S90F           90              $2,500 Samsung     QN77S90H           89              $2,600 LG                OLED77G6WUA   89              $3,800 LG                OLED77G5WUA   88              $3,150 LG               OLED77C6HUP     88              $2,700 LG               OLED77M5PUA     87              $3,870 Samsung    QN77S84FA          85              $1,600 LG               OLED77B5PUA      84              $3,000 Sony           K-77XR80               83              $3,000 Sony          K-75XR90                83             $3,500 Samsung   QN75QN90F          82              $2,000 Sony          K-77XR8B               78              $2,500 Sony          K-75XR70                78             $1,500 Hisense    75U8QG                   75             $1,700 (65") LG              75QNED92AUA      75             $1,680 TCL           75QM8K                   74             Mostly Unavailable Sony          K-75XR50                73             $2,000 Roku          75R8B5                    73            $1,250 Roku          75R8C5                    72            $1,200 Hisense     75U75QG                 72            $1,700 (65") TV COMPARISON SUMMARY TOP TIER (Score 88-91) LG       OLED77C5PUA     91    $1,800    Best score-to-price Samsung  QN77S95F        91    $3,000    Same score as C5, $1,200 more Samsung  QN77S90F        90    $2,500 Samsung  QN77S90H        89    $2,600 LG       OLED77G6WUA     89    $3,800    Highest-priced LG LG       OLED77G5WUA     88    $3,150 LG       OLED77C6HUP     88    $2,700 Our takeaway is that the only score that actually matters here is not "91 vs 89." It is that the LG C5 is tied with Samsung's flagship S95F at 91, and it is $1,200 cheaper.  If we were going to spend money for a 75–77" set, we would treat the list like this: Buy the C5 if the room is normal-to-dim and you want the best picture per dollar. Buy the S95F only if the room is bright, you want a matte screen, and you specifically want a bright picture. Do not buy it just because it is tied at 91. The Samsung S84F at $1,600 / 85 is the value model if you don't want to go OLED. Anything at 75 or below is fine for a secondary room. Especially when you consider models from Samsung and LG providing higher quality for barely more in cost.  Does Consumer Reports still matter? Yes, but not as the only vote, and not the way it did 15 years ago. There are other sources out there and each weighs aspects of TVs differently. With that said, they all agree that the LG C5 is a really nice TV.
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  Podcast #1270: 2026 Network TV Season/Series Premieres 18.09.2026 48p

  On this week's show we compiled a list of fall 2026 network TV season/series premieres for ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, organized by network and then by premiere date.  We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: LG responds to findings about Smart TV spying Roku Makes Big Changes to Its Free Live TV Channel Guide on Roku TVs & Roku Players TCL sues Samsung, alleging false advertising of 'Mini LED' TVs Yamaha introduces the compact B200A soundbar with Dolby Atmos 2026 Network TV Season/Series Premieres On this week's show we compiled a list of fall 2026 network TV season/series premieres for ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, organized by network and then by premiere date. Sports (NFL, college football) and most news/magazine shows are omitted unless they were listed as a season premiere in the official rollout. Dates and slots come from the networks' 2026 fall calendar. ABC Tuesday, September 15 Dancing with the Stars — Season 35 (Night 1 of 2), 8 p.m. R.J. Decker — Season 2, 10 p.m. Wednesday, September 16 Dancing with the Stars — Season 35 (Night 2 of 2), 8 p.m. Friday, September 25 20/20 — Season 49, 9 p.m. Sunday, September 27 America's Funniest Home Videos — Season 37 (two-episode premiere), 7 p.m. The Wonderful World of Disney (Inside Out 2), 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 30 Scrubs — Season 2 (two-episode premiere), 8 p.m. Shark Tank — Season 18 (two-episode premiere), 9 p.m. Friday, October 2 Celebrity Wheel of Fortune — Season 7, 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 Abbott Elementary — Season 6, 8:30 p.m. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Season 5 continuation, 9 p.m. Thursday, October 15 9-1-1 — Season 10, 8 p.m. 9-1-1: Nashville — Season 2, 9 p.m. Grey's Anatomy — Season 23, 10 p.m. NBC Thursday, September 17 The Traitors: New Blood — Series premiere (two hours), 8 p.m. An all-civilian US season of the social-deduction reality series in which Alan Cumming hosts 22 everyday Americans at a Scottish castle as hidden Traitors secretly eliminate Faithfuls while the group races to unmask them and split (or steal) a prize of up to $250,000. Monday, September 21 The Voice — Season 30 (Night 1 of 3), 8 p.m. Line of Fire — Series premiere, 10 p.m. A family of law enforcement agents become targets of a mysterious assassin after a U.S. Marshal falls in the line of duty, forcing them to use their expertise to protect each other. Tuesday, September 22 The Voice — Season 30 (Night 2 of 3), 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 The Voice — Season 30 (Night 3 of 3), 8 p.m. Friday, September 25 Dateline NBC — Season 35, 9 p.m. Saturday, September 26 Saturday Night Live — Season 52, 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 7 Chicago Med — Season 12, 8 p.m. Chicago Fire — Season 15, 9 p.m. Chicago P.D. — Season 14, 10 p.m. Thursday, October 8 Law & Order: SVU — Season 28, 9 p.m. Law & Order — Season 26, 10 p.m. Friday, October 23 Happy's Place — Season 3, 8 p.m. Newlyweds — Series premiere, 8:30 p.m. A free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor get married impetuously after a whirlwind courtship. Monday, November 2 St. Denis Medical — Season 3, 8 p.m. The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins — Season 2, 8:30 p.m. Fox Monday, September 21 Celebrity Name That Tune — Season 6, 8 p.m. Celebrity Weakest Link — Season 2, 9 p.m. Tuesday, September 22 Best Medicine — Season 2, 8 p.m. Doc — Season 3, 9 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 The Floor — Season 6, 8 p.m. 99 to Beat — Season 2, 9 p.m. Thursday, September 24 Hell's Kitchen — Season 25, 8 p.m. Special Forces: World's Toughest Test — Season 5, 9 p.m. Sunday, September 27 The Simpsons — Season 38, 8 p.m. Animal Control — Season 5, 8:30 p.m. Universal Basic Guys — Season 3, 9 p.m. Grimsburg — Season 3, 9:30 p.m. CBS Sunday, September 13 60 Minutes — Season 59 (special time after NFL), ~7:30 p.m. Wednesday, September 23 Survivor — Season 51 (two-hour premiere), 8 p.m. Wednesday, September 30 The Amazing Race — Season 39 (Night 1), 9:30 p.m. Thursday, October 1 The Amazing Race — Season 39 (Night 2), 9:30 p.m. Sunday, October 4 Marshals — Season 2, ~8:30 p.m. Tracker — Season 4, ~9:30 p.m. Monday, October 5 FBI — Season 9, 8 p.m. CIA — Season 2, 9 p.m. Harlan Coben's Final Twist — Season 2, 10 p.m. Tuesday, October 6 NCIS — Season 24, 8 p.m. NCIS: New York — Series premiere, 9 p.m. - Legendary NCIS Agent Sam Hanna returns to his NYC hometown field office, teaming with a roguish agent to lead a new team on high-stakes missions defending one of the world's most vital cities and ports. NCIS: Origins — Season 3, 10 p.m. Thursday, October 8 Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage — Season 3, 8 p.m. Eternally Yours — Series premiere, 8:30 p.m. - Follows the journey of a married vampire couple struggling to accept their daughter's human boyfriend, after being together for 500 years. Elsbeth — Season 4, 9 p.m. Cupertino — Series premiere, 10 p.m. - A scrappy lawyer takes on a powerful tech giant in a high-stakes legal battle, navigating the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley while fighting for justice and the little guy's rights. Friday, October 9 Sheriff Country — Season 2, 8 p.m. Fire Country — Season 5, 9 p.m. Boston Blue — Season 2, 10 p.m. Thursday, October 29 Ghosts — Halloween special (two episodes), 9 p.m. Thursday, December 10 Ghosts — Christmas special (two episodes), 9 p.m. A number of other series (High Potential, The Rookie, Will Trent, Shifting Gears, Ghosts Season 6 proper, Matlock, American Idol, The Bachelor, Baywatch reboot, etc.) are held for midseason 2027 and are not on this fall list. Always check local listings; NFL overruns can shift Sunday start times.
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  Podcast #1269: Is Your LG Smart TV Listening to You? and Dolby AC4 11.09.2026 36p

  On this week's show we look into an article that alleges LG's Smart TVs are listening in on your conversations even when the screen is off. We also do a quick rundown on what Dolby's AC4 is and where you can experience it. We also read your emails and look at the week's news. News: Streaming Is Raising Prices Faster Than Cable Ever Did More than half of consumers want live TV and streaming in one package  LG Smart TVs caught listening even with the screen off Stan from Pittsburg sent us a link to an article (LG Smart TVs caught listening even with the screen off) at FlatpanelsHD claiming LG smart TVs collect more data than many owners realize — including with the screen off. What the investigation found LG TVs use ACR (automatic content recognition): they snapshot what's on screen, including HDMI sources, for ad targeting. FlatpanelsHD notes this has been industry-wide for years, not unique to LG. The TVs scan the local Wi‑Fi network, identify other devices, and send back data such as IP address, location, and nearby network names. Voice features can transcribe speech after "Hi LG." The mic can stay active 10–15 seconds after silence. Researchers reported recording/transcription even with the display off, and that locally stored data can upload later when the set reconnects (including for a firmware update). That last point is presented as conflicting with LG's claim that its TVs "do not collect, record, or store ambient conversations." LG had not commented when the article ran. Flatpanel's Recommendation Turn ACR off if you can, or take the TV off the internet and use an external streamer (Apple TV, or Roku.). Firmware can be updated via USB instead of online. ACR is an old, industry-wide problem and it's unclear why the article focused only on LG. They still argue the mic/network findings are worth attention. They also link their earlier piece ranking Apple TV 4K as stronger on privacy because it doesn't do this kind of viewing tracking. Update - In a statement sent to Tom's Hardware, LG said "The claims made in the recently published video are not true. LG TVs process voice data only when the voice button on the remote control is pressed and held, or when a wake word such as 'Hi LG' is recognized after the user has activated the Far-Field voice recognition feature. Other than these instances, the TVs do not collect or record ambient conversations. (If the wake word is not recognized, no voice data is transmitted to the server; the audio processing for wake word detection is performed locally on the device and is immediately deleted.)" Dolby AC-4 One of our listeners, Scott, sent an email asking us to discuss Dolby AC-4 so that is what we are going to do today! Dolby AC-4 is Dolby's next-generation audio codec for broadcast and streaming. It was designed as a clean-sheet replacement for the older Dolby Digital family, not as a tweak of it. Compared with Dolby Digital Plus, AC-4 aims for similar or better quality at roughly half the bitrate. It natively handles channel-based audio, object-based Dolby Atmos, dialogue enhancement, loudness control, multiple language tracks, and different renderings for speakers vs. headphones in one bitstream. There are several profiles/levels: Level 3 — the version widely built into TVs (broadcast/OTT Atmos-style delivery). Level 4 — fuller Atmos metadata, including headphone/head-tracking features. IMS (Immersive Stereo) — a stereo-plus-metadata flavor used for Atmos music on phones and headphones. Is it backwards compatible? No. An AC-4 bitstream cannot be decoded by a Dolby Digital (AC-3) or Dolby Digital Plus decoder. Old AVRs, soundbars, and TVs that only know DD+ (AC-3) will not play AC-4. What is compatible is the playback path in new TVs and set-top boxes. Those devices decode AC-4 internally, then output whatever the next box needs: PCM stereo, AC-3, DD+, or Atmos over HDMI. So the living-room chain can still work; the codec itself is not drop-in compatible with older Dolby formats. Services that must reach mixed old/new hardware still send DD+ or AAC as a fallback. Devices that support it AC-4 decoding is common in UHD TVs shipped since about 2017, especially models that already license Dolby Audio (Dolby has said it is in a large majority of new UHD TVs). Early public commitments came from Samsung, Sony, and Vizio; it is also in many Android TV / Google TV platforms and some Amazon Fire TV devices. It is not universal: Pre-~2017 TVs, most older soundbars/AVRs, and a lot of cheap streaming sticks do not decode it. ATSC 3.0 ("NextGen TV") tuners are the main over-the-air path in the U.S.; tuner support is still incomplete across brands and model lines. Most consumer AVRs still expect Atmos via DD+ JOC (Joint Object Coding) or TrueHD, not a raw AC-4 bitstream from the source. Note - JOC  allows an Atmos-capable TV, soundbar, or AVR to use the "JOC" metadata to build the immersive mix. An older DD+-only device ignores the extra data and just plays the core 5.1 Studios and television Broadcast is the main home. AC-4 is an official audio system for ATSC 3.0 in the U.S. and is adopted by DVB in Europe. NextGen TV stations can (and some do) use it for Atmos, dialogue enhancement, and multiple presentations. Immersive AC-4 on U.S. OTA is still uneven; many 3.0 stations have not yet gone full Atmos. Streaming is later. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and most other major video services still deliver Atmos as Dolby Digital Plus + JOC. Peacock has publicly committed to AC-4 (alongside Dolby Vision 2), with rollout described as later in 2026. Atmos music already uses AC-4 IMS on several apps. Studios still master Atmos the same way. The delivery codec is chosen per platform: cinema TrueHD, most streaming DD+ JOC, NextGen TV and a few future streamers AC-4. AC-4 is in the pipeline; it is not yet the default living-room streaming format.
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  Podcast #1268: Ara's New Setup First Impressions 04.09.2026 54p

  On this week's show Ara gives his impression of the new gear installed into his new home. We talk Internet, Home Networking, Automation, and Home Theater in an action packed show. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Apple TV Hikes Prices SVS Releases SoundPath Multi-Band Wireless Audio Adapter Roku ups premium hardware with launch of its first OLED TVs Sonos Welcomes Beam Ultra and Sonos Ace Ultra to its System Ara's New Setup First Impressions Starlink Performance - We had no issues while we were in TN. The entire week no said anything about slow speeds and our streaming was no different than when we are in CA. I tested speeds from time to time and results varied but the slowest speed (22 Mbps) never impacted TV viewing.  Ubiquity Network Management - this is a different world! I am still exploring all the things you can do. But the system is setup like a business. You have a network and wireless access points. I have four. One on Channel 11, two on 6, and one on 1. It was setip so the channels are far apart and don't overlap.  MyQ & Honeywell (matter compatible) thermostats go offline from time to time. I restart the wifi access point and they come back.  Third Reality Garage Door Opener - 2.4 GHz, Scene Management Mantel Mount MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount - $700 The MM815 is a remote-controlled drop-and-swivel TV mount. Press one button to lower the TV to eye level and rotate it as needed. It comes with an RF remote, is silent, and has two memory presets. Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini (Model Number K75XR70PRO)-  $2300 The Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO is Sony's 2026 mid-range True RGB Mini-LED TV (65 inches and up) with independently driven red, green, and blue backlight LEDs, XR processing, and about 2,000 nits of peak brightness for stronger color volume and contrast than a typical white Mini-LED. It is 4K at 120 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and has HDMI 2.1 gaming features (VRR, ALLM, 4K/120). Google TV includes Gemini for voice search and recommendations, plus AirPlay 2. The Pro bundle adds a three-year replacement warranty, a backlit rechargeable remote, extra Sony Pictures Core credits, and an enhanced Voice Zoom 3 dialogue mode; picture hardware is the same as the standard 7 II. Sonos Arc Ultra - $1099 The Sonos Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos that has a 9.1.4 driver layout and Sound Motion woofer to produce wide, height-enhanced surround and stronger bass from a single bar. It connects to a TV with one HDMI eARC cable, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem (including optional Sub and rear speakers), and can be controlled with the TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, or Alexa. Trueplay tunes the sound to the room, and AI speech enhancement is meant to keep dialogue clear. It is a long, low-profile bar (about 46 inches wide) sold in black or white. Sonos Sub 4 - $899 The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer for Sonos S2 systems, pairing with current soundbars and speakers to add bass down to about 25 Hz. Two inward-facing 5-by-8-inch woofers and dual Class-D amps use a force-canceling layout so the cabinet stays relatively still and the bass stays clean. It has the same slot-style shape as earlier Subs, in black or white matte, and can stand upright or lie on its side. Updates over the Sub 3 include Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor, more memory, lower idle power, and a slightly lighter cabinet; setup is through the Sonos app, with optional Ethernet. Two Sub 4s can be used with the Arc Ultra. Audio Advice - I'll be in Franklin in October for a SVS/Audio Advice Event. Details to come
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  Podcast #1267: Nick Brown and Smith Freeman of SVS Sound 28.08.2026 40p

  Nick Brown and Smith Freeman of SVS Sound On today's show we have an interview with Nick Brown (VP of Marketing) and Smith Freeman (Senior Director of Product Management) at SVS Sound.  We discuss their new Auto EQ, the upcoming Soundbar and general audio chat. SVS Launches First-Ever Soundbar and New 3000 R|Evolution Series Subwoofers at CES 2026 SVS AUTO EQ Frequently Asked Questions
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  Podcast #1266: Ara's New Setup 21.08.2026 31p

  On today's show we discuss Ara's new family room TV and Audio setup and what his plans are for the future. We also read your emails and look at the week's news. News: Marantz Introduces The CINEMA Series 2 Receivers Dolby Vision 2 HDR Is Officially Arriving On Certain Hisense TVs Nearly A Third Of U.S. Homes Get TV Only Via Streaming Peacock hikes prices for fourth straight year, this time by $3 Other: Theatrium - A home Assistant or HomeKit Dashboard for your AppleTV Parts List for Ara's New Home Family Room: Mantel Mount MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount - $700 The MM815 is a remote-controlled drop-and-swivel TV mount. Press one button to lower the TV to eye level and rotate it as needed. It comes with an RF remote, is silent, and has two memory presets. Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini (Model Number K75XR70PRO)-  $2300 The Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO is Sony's 2026 mid-range True RGB Mini-LED TV (65 inches and up) with independently driven red, green, and blue backlight LEDs, XR processing, and about 2,000 nits of peak brightness for stronger color volume and contrast than a typical white Mini-LED. It is 4K at 120 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and has HDMI 2.1 gaming features (VRR, ALLM, 4K/120). Google TV includes Gemini for voice search and recommendations, plus AirPlay 2. The Pro bundle adds a three-year replacement warranty, a backlit rechargeable remote, extra Sony Pictures Core credits, and an enhanced Voice Zoom 3 dialogue mode; picture hardware is the same as the standard 7 II. From RTINGS: Pros: Great black levels with minimal haloing. Bright details in HDR stand out incredibly well. Fantastic SDR brightness helps it overcome glare during the day. Fantastic upscaling and great low-quality content smoothing. Colors are incredibly bright and vivid. Cons: Dark scenes are hard to see during the day. Sonos Arc Ultra - $1099 The Sonos Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos that has a 9.1.4 driver layout and Sound Motion woofer to produce wide, height-enhanced surround and stronger bass from a single bar. It connects to a TV with one HDMI eARC cable, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem (including optional Sub and rear speakers), and can be controlled with the TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, or Alexa. Trueplay tunes the sound to the room, and AI speech enhancement is meant to keep dialogue clear. It is a long, low-profile bar (about 46 inches wide) sold in black or white. Sonos Sub 4 - $899 The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer for Sonos S2 systems, pairing with current soundbars and speakers to add bass down to about 25 Hz. Two inward-facing 5-by-8-inch woofers and dual Class-D amps use a force-canceling layout so the cabinet stays relatively still and the bass stays clean. It has the same slot-style shape as earlier Subs, in black or white matte, and can stand upright or lie on its side. Updates over the Sub 3 include Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor, more memory, lower idle power, and a slightly lighter cabinet; setup is through the Sonos app, with optional Ethernet. Two Sub 4s can be used with the Arc Ultra. Master Bedroom: Sony BRAVIA 3 II 4K HDR LED Google TV (Model Number K55XR30M2) - $798 - The Sony BRAVIA 3 II is Sony's 2026 entry-level 4K LED set, sold from 43 to 100 inches. It uses a direct-lit LED panel, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and the XR processor for color, motion, and upscaling. HDR covers Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. All four HDMI ports are 2.1, with 4K/120, VRR, and ALLM. It runs Google TV with Gemini, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, plus built-in speakers that pass Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to a soundbar. The picture is good in bright rooms; but as you would expect, the contrast and HDR are limited compared with higher BRAVIA models. If you are going to use this for anything more than casual viewing or you are really critical of picture quality you may want to look elsewhere. But for those on a budget or used in a secondary room, it's a solid TV.
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  Podcast #1265: Garage Doors - AV Receivers - Atmos in the Family Room 14.08.2026 47p

  On today's show we discuss Ara's garage door plan for integrating it into HomeKit, we help a listener decide on which receiver to buy, and we ask whether Atmos is worth it for a family room. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Get YouTube TV For Just $67.99 a Month Down From $82.99 For The Rest of 2026 How many subscribers do major live TV streamers have? Other: Bingebuster  THIRDREALITY Smart Garage Door Opener Last week I discussed my garage door situation where MyQ does not integrate with Apple's HomeKit. I explained that I will be using a solution called ratgdo (Rage Against The Garage Door Opener). A few of the listeners emailed and suggested that I look at the ThirdReality Smart Garage Door Opener). Available at Amazon for $50.  Issues for me: When you install it in Apple home it installs as a lightbulb.  I added it to Home Assistant first because I knew Apple HomeKit was going to treat it like a light instead of a garage door. In Home Assistant, it shows up as a light entity, with the on off state following the tilt sensor. To make it behave like a real garage door, I created a Template Cover helper and set the device class to Garage. For the state, I used the template to report open when the light is on and closed when it's off. Then I set the Open and Close actions to call the light.turn_on service on the light entity, so pressing Open or Close in Home Assistant is basically the same as pressing the garage remote button. After that, it shows up and behaves like a garage door inside Home Assistant, with the right open/closed status based on the tilt sensor. It's mechanical. Batteries After Jorge's email,I am now looking past these issues and considering this solution. And yet another listener provided even more fuel for this fire! David writes in and says: Most door operators have a provision for a wall mounted pushbutton ( the same one used for years).  It's a momentary pushbutton closure. There is a cold contacts switch which operates in the Matter smart home standard.  As a result it works in all the various smart home systems.  It's a Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 device…about $25.   I have installed mine into my Apple HomeKit system to operate my Genie garage door opener.  There is no sensing of the position of the door in the Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 - it is only for operating the door. I have used the IKEA "MYGGBETT" door/window sensor ($10) to sense the position of the door - it is also Matter compliant.  It is the usual magnet/reed switch pair.   I have used this sensor to also trigger a light inside my house to signal an open garage door. The Apple Home automation could be written to close and open door after 10 PM.  Or close a door open for more than 1 hour. Marantz, Denon, or Onkyo • Marantz Cinema 70s • Denon AVR-X2800H • Onkyo TX-RZ30 Onkyo TX-RZ30 Pros 9 amplified channels (supports 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Atmos) Full-bandwidth Dirac Live included (major value) THX Select + IMAX Enhanced certified Dual independent subwoofer outputs + full pre-outs Strong power (~100W/ch) and generally excellent reviews for sound and value Cons Dirac setup can be finicky Onkyo's past reliability reputation still in the back of my mind Denon AVR-X2800H Pros Reliable, polished, user-friendly experience Solid Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction Good, balanced sound and strong HDMI features Much better reliability and support Cons Only 7 channels (max 5.2.2 Atmos without external amps) No Dirac (Audyssey is good but not as advanced) Marantz Cinema 70s Pros Slim, stylish design that fits media cabinets Marantz sound  Pre-outs for future expansion Cons Lower power (~50W/ch) — best for smaller/efficient speakers Only 7 channels More expensive relative to performance and channel count Recommendation: Onkyo TX-RZ30 It delivers the most meaningful advantages for the money — 9 channels, including full Dirac Live, THX certification, and independent dual subs. The Denon is the safer "set-it-and-forget-it" choice if you prioritize polish and reliability, while the Marantz is best if you specifically need a slim form factor. For performance and value in a modern Atmos setup, the RZ30 is the clear winner right now. Is Atmos Worth it for a Family Room? Yes, Atmos is usually worth it in a typical family room — but with some practical caveats. Why it's worth it The overhead effects (rain, helicopters, debris, ambiance) add noticeable immersion even in a normal living/family room. A lot of modern movies, streaming shows, and games take advantage of it. Realistic expectations for a family room The "wow" factor is more subtle than in a dedicated theater. You're not going to get the same dramatic height effects you hear in a big cinema. Placement matters a lot. Up-firing Atmos speakers work okay if your ceiling isn't too high or absorbent, but actual in-ceiling or on-ceiling speakers sound better. Aesthetics Committee — extra speakers on or near the ceiling are more noticeable in a shared family space. Bottom line recommendation If you are starting from scratch and have access to wire ceiling speakers do it. If you don't have access you won't miss too much. Skip if the budget is tight, ceiling placement is difficult, or you mostly watch TV/sports rather than movies. A solid 5.1.2 Atmos setup is the sweet spot for most family rooms. You'll get most of the benefit without needing a full 7.1.4 layout.  
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  Podcast #1264: Family Room - 5.1 vs 7.2 what makes sense? 07.08.2026 20p

  On today's show we take a look at your family room and decide whether a 7.2 system is worth it over 5.1. We also read your emails and catch up on the week's news. News:  How Valuable Is TV to Smaller, Independent Cable Operators? DirecTV and EverPass reach new deal to keep NFL Sunday Ticket in bars after threatening split Other: Rage Against the Garage Door Opener (ratgdo) Family Room - 5.1 vs 7.2 what makes sense? Most of us don't have a fully dedicated theater room to fully deck out with a 7.2.4 Atmos system. Most of us have family rooms and would like some sort of a surround sound experience beyond a low end sound bar. The question we get asked a lot is whether a 7.2 system will provide a noticeably better experience than a 5.1 system. So today we answer that question. Spoiler, in most family living rooms, a well-set-up 5.1 system is the smarter choice. A 7.2 system only becomes clearly better if you have good space behind the seating and can place the rear speakers properly. Let's get into it. Pros of Going 7.2 Better immersion - The two extra rear speakers create a more continuous sound field. Sounds that move from front to back (or circle around you) feel smoother and more realistic. Improved envelopment - You get a stronger sense of being "inside" the movie instead of just having sound coming from the sides. Smoother bass (the .2) - Two subwoofers reduce bass peaks and nulls. This is often the biggest real-world improvement over a single sub. More seating flexibility -  Multiple people can enjoy better surround effects even if they're not in the exact sweet spot. Future-proofing - Many modern receivers can use the extra channels for Atmos height speakers later if you decide to expand. Cons of Going 7.2 Space requirements - You need room behind the main seats for the rear speakers. If your sofa is against the back wall (very common), the rear speakers end up too close and the benefit largely disappears. Higher cost - Two extra speakers + a second subwoofer + possibly a more expensive receiver adds significant cost. Harder placement - Getting the rear speakers at the right height, distance, and angle is more difficult in a shared family room. Diminishing returns in smaller rooms - In rooms under about 15x15–16x18 feet, the extra speakers can actually make the sound less coherent if they're too close together. More clutter & wiring - Extra speakers and cables are harder to hide in a multi-purpose family room. Content reality - Most streaming content is still mixed in 5.1. True discrete 7.1 tracks are less common outside Blu-rays Rules of Thumb for a Family Room If your sofa is against the back wall you are realistically looking at a 5.1 system since the rear speakers have nowhere to go. If you have 3 feet or more behind you, 7.2 may be worthwhile. If you can't fully afford a proper 7.2 system you will be better served with better speakers and a great subwoofer. Bottom Line For a typical family room: A high-quality 5.1 almost always delivers more enjoyment for the money and effort. Only go 7.2 if you have decent space behind the seating and are willing to spend more for the extra immersion and smoother bass. Next week should we discuss if Atmos is worth it in a family room?
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  Podcast #1263: 2026 Value Electronics TV Shootout 31.07.2026 35p

  On this week's show we breakdown the Value Electronics 2026 TV Shootout and see who the new King TV is. We also read your emails and look at the week's news. News: LG is cracking down on smart TV apps that quietly turn your TV into a secret proxy Streaming Execs Say Roku Most Important CTV Platform for Home Screen Visibility Comcast has Lost Over 600,000 TV Customers So Far This Year & 232,000 Internet Customers Other: LG TVs are better than they've ever been — here's what they're doing right, what they're doing wrong, and what needs to change in 2026 2026 Value Electronics TV Shootout Summary Value Electronics (Scarsdale, NY) held its annual expert-judged TV Shootout on July 18, 2026. All sets were professionally calibrated and compared side-by-side against reference Sony BVM-HX3110 mastering monitors. Judges scored attributes (contrast/grayscale, color accuracy, processing, shadow detail, motion handling, bright-room performance, etc.) on a 1–5 scale for both SDR and HDR. Combined averages determine the rankings.  OLED Category (65-inch flagships) Samsung QN65S95H (QD-OLED)  — Combined (SDR + HDR) average 9.3 → King of OLED TV and overall King of TV for 2026. Highest scores in both SDR and HDR; won the majority of categories. Ended Sony's seven-year winning streak. $2500 at Amazon Sony K65XR80M2 (Bravia 8 II / QD-OLED) — Combined average 8.0 Close runner-up with strong, consistent performance in both SDR and HDR. $3000 at Amazon LG OLED65G6WUA (W-OLED / tandem) — Combined average 7.0 Solid but finished a clear third. $3300 direct from LG Micro RGB (True RGB Mini/Micro-LED LCD) Category (75-inch flagships)  This was the first year the shootout included a dedicated Micro RGB / true RGB-backlit LCD category. Sony K75XR90M2 (Bravia 9 II) — Combined average 7.9 → King of Mini/Micro RGB TV. Dominated most categories in both SDR and HDR. $3400 at Amazon Samsung MRN75R95H — Combined average 6.2 Clear second place. $4500 direct from Samsung LG 75MRGB95BUA — Combined average 5.2 Finished third. $4500 direct from LG Key Takeaways OLED still generally outperformed the new Mini/Micro RGB LCD technology overall. Samsung's S95H QD-OLED was the standout performer of the event by a healthy margin. Sony's new true RGB Bravia 9 II proved the Mini RGB approach is highly competitive (it even beat LG's G6 OLED and was competitive with Sony's own OLED in some HDR aspects). LG placed third in both categories. The event highlighted how close the top flagships have become, while still showing meaningful differences in accuracy, processing, and real-content performance under calibrated conditions.
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  Podcast #1262: What is on the Home Theater Horizon 24.07.2026 35p

  On this week's show we look into our crystal ball to see what is on the Home Theater Horizon. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: 2026 Value Electronics TV Shootout: Samsung Snaps Sony TV Streak CarPlay video coming with iOS 27 WGA Seeks Injunction to Block Deal's Closing What is on the Home Theater Horizon Home theater technology is advancing quickly and the trend is moving toward wireless setups, brighter and more flexible displays, AI-powered calibration, immersive spatial audio, and simpler high-end installations. Today we take a look at what we can expect over the next couple of years. Displays: Brighter, Wireless, and Modular Ultra-thin wireless OLEDs: LG's OLED evo W6, also called the Wallpaper TV, is part of their 2026 evo lineup. It's incredibly thin — just 9 millimeters thick — and features a true wireless design. All your devices plug into a separate Zero Connect Box that can sit up to 10 meters away. The box then sends 4K video and audio wirelessly to the TV with almost no quality loss. The TV also includes Hyper Radiant Color Technology. This delivers much higher brightness — up to 3.9 times brighter than standard OLEDs — along with deeper black levels and fewer reflections. For gamers, it supports 4K at 165 Hertz, G-SYNC, and very fast response times. MicroLED and RGB advancements: MicroLED displays — including variants like Micro RGB or TriChroma — are becoming popular for luxury home theater setups. They deliver perfect blacks like OLED screens, but with much higher brightness, no burn-in risk, and modular designs that let you create custom sizes, such as 136-inch or even larger cinema walls. Brands like LG with their MAGNIT Active Micro LED, Samsung, and Sony are leading the way, offering seamless, cinema-certified picture quality. Consumer versions are still quite expensive — often six figures for a full wall — but they're becoming more realistic and affordable over time. Mini RGB: These TVs are poised to be a big hit because they combine the best of both worlds: the perfect blacks and contrast of OLED with the extreme brightness, longevity, and modular flexibility of MicroLED-style RGB technology. By using advanced Mini RGB LED backlighting, Mini RGB delivers stunning HDR performance, vibrant colors, and seamless large-screen designs ideal for luxury home theaters — all without burn-in worries. Sony's reputation for premium picture processing, cinema-grade calibration, and build quality gives their Mini RGB  a clear edge over competitors, making these TVs the top choice for serious enthusiasts who want theater-like visuals that will stay impressive for years to come. Projectors: Triple-laser UST (ultra-short-throw) and standard models dominate, with brighter outputs (thousands of ISO lumens), wider color gamuts (e.g., 110% BT.2026), Dolby Vision support, and 4K/8K capabilities. Examples include XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro, and Hisense models. Laser is now the baseline for premium performance. Audio: Wireless Immersion and Modular Systems Wireless multi-speaker ecosystems: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is rolling out more widely including the LG Sound Suite. This enables cable-free speaker placement with accurate panning. Sony's BRAVIA Theatre lineup (Trio, Bar 7/9, etc.) emphasizes modular wireless components with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, phantom speakers (up to 24 channels), and room calibration. Advanced AVRs and processors: Denon, Onkyo, and others offer higher-channel support (9.4+), Dirac Live/Audyssey calibration, and AI room tuning. Multi-channel processors use Audio over IP for fewer wires in custom installs. Immersive extras: Haptic furniture, synchronized smart lighting using the  Philips HDMI Sync Box 2.1, and AI acoustic optimization for real-time adjustments. Other Notable Trends AI integration: Automatic calibration, content optimization, and adaptive environments including  room mapping for sound and light.. Hybrid/immersive rooms: 360-degree or wraparound video with spatial audio, plus premium formats inspired by commercial cinema (laser projection, higher baselines like 7.1+ with height channels). Lifestyle focus: Movable displays, aesthetically integrated speakers, mainly acoustically transparent designs, and easier setups for non-dedicated rooms. There are some exciting technologies shaping the next couple of years in home theater. Displays are getting brighter, thinner, and more flexible with ultra-thin wireless designs. High-performance UST laser projectors will bring huge screens to rooms where it was never possible before. And the shift toward truly wireless, immersive audio will fill any room with rich, room-filling sound. Best of all, your entire system will adapt to your room with the touch of a button!
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  Podcast #1261: What If Cable & Satellite Providers Exit Traditional Linear TV Business 17.07.2026 40p

  On this week's show we take a hypothetical look at Cable and Satellite TV's future. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news! News: Netflix Is Exploring Live TV and Bundles as It Struggles to Keep Viewers Hooked Scripps, DirecTV End Blackout, Ink New Retrans Deal RGB LED TVs Set For Market Growth In Coming Years What If Cable & Satellite Providers Exit Traditional Linear TV Business On this week's show we take a hypothetical look at Cable and Satellite TV's future.   We have said that we see TV being delivered via the Internet vs the traditional means of OTA, Cable, or Satellite. What would this world look like and who are the winners and losers? Scenario Setup Major providers — Comcast/Xfinity, Charter/Spectrum, DirecTV, Dish Network, Altice, and smaller cable operators — face accelerating cord-cutting. Traditional pay-TV subscribers have already dropped to ~34% of U.S. households. Revenue from linear TV (cable channels + satellite) is shrinking fast due to high programming costs, declining ad revenue, and competition from streamers. In this scenario, the industry collectively decides to abandon legacy linear TV (bundled channel packages) and pivots hard to two main businesses: High-speed broadband/data which is their most profitable product. IPTV / Streaming aggregation with their own apps or virtual third party MVPD services like YouTube TV-style offerings. They sunset traditional cable TV boxes, satellite dishes, and legacy contracts over 2–3 years. What Happens Next For the Providers it's mostly upside. Broadband becomes ~70–80% of revenue. Margins on data are much higher than on video because there are no expensive content carriage fees. Companies like Comcast and Charter already make most of their profit from data. Huge reduction in programming fees paid to Disney, NBCU, Warner, etc. No more maintaining old coaxial/satellite infrastructure for TV. All of which greatly cuts costs. New Growth Areas: Sell/partner on IPTV services (e.g., Xfinity Stream becomes the main offering, or they white-label streaming bundles). Mobile + home internet bundles (5G fixed wireless + fiber expansion). Advertising on their own streaming platforms. The biggest hurdles are massive customer service transition, potential loss of some rural satellite customers, and potential regulatory scrutiny over broadband monopolies. For Consumers the benefits include: Lower base bills, faster innovation in home internet which results in more fiber, better speeds, and  lower latency, and IPTV options could be cheaper/better than old cable (cloud DVR, multi-device streaming). Of course there is a downside. Sports fans and older viewers lose easy "flip channels" experience. Live sports become fragmented across streamers which could end up costing more if you want everything.  There will be Market & Industry Ripple Effects Streaming Wars Accelerate: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo, and new entrants gain millions of former cable customers. Netflix, Amazon, etc., may expand live offerings. Content Owners Adapt: Networks like ESPN, CNN, TBS shift to direct-to-consumer or wholesale deals with IPTV platforms. Some channels may disappear or go streaming-only. Competition & Consolidation: Telecoms (AT&T, Verizon) and tech giants (Google Fiber, Amazon, Starlink) push harder into broadband. We could see more mergers. Advertising: Shift from traditional cable ads to targeted streaming ads and broadband data insights. The reality is that it's already happening gradually. Cable companies have been de-emphasizing video for years, pushing broadband bundles, and launching their own streaming apps. Satellite providers are in steeper decline. The full pivot described here would simply formalize and accelerate a trend that's well underway.   
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  Podcast #1260: Why Are Netflix Top Shows Losing Viewers? 10.07.2026 43p

  On today's show we discuss a post about how Netflix is experiencing a severe "sophomore slump". We also read your emails and discuss the week's news. News: Sony's New Blu-ray & DVD Player Upscales DVDs to Near-HD Quality – Bring Your Old DVDs To Life Again Satellite Pay-TV Provider Dish DBS Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection Other: Paramount+ and Showtime for $40.00 Who Owns Klipsch And Where Are The Speakers Made?  VOPLLS Smart Portable Outdoor Projector VEVOR Inflatable Movie Screen Reclaiming the lost art of listening to music Why Are Netflix Top Shows Losing Viewers? Cinema Shorts is reporting that Netflix is experiencing a severe "sophomore slump," with data revealing that its top-performing original series are losing between 30% and 70% of their viewing audience between seasons 1 and 2. As first reported in Bloomberg's "Screentime" newsletter, executive leadership is actively trying to diagnose this mass viewer abandonment. Theories include the multi-year gap between seasons, that dropping an entire season creates a burst of convo that flames out quickly, and the vicious cycle of cancellations.
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  Vacation Message 03.07.2026 6p

  No show this week. We are on vacation. Happy Independence Day to our US Listeners.    Enjoy the 1980s jungle at the end of the message. I crack myself up!  
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  Podcast #1259: Clever Spinoffs to Our Favorite TV Shows 26.06.2026 45p

  On today's show we create alternate reality TV Spinoffs of some of our favorite TV shows.  We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: What Fox's Roku Acquisition Signals For Local Broadcast Wurl Chief Warns FAST Business Model Is 'Fundamentally Flawed' Walmart in reported $1.4 billion deal to acquire connected TV ad platform Google Home will soon get better at recognizing you Other: Pioneer SPHERA car stereo review Clever Spinoffs to Our Favorite TV Shows HBO Max is making a clever spinoff from "The Big Bang Theory" called "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe". The show follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom from The Big Bang Theory in a new series where he attempts - and apparently fails - to save the universe, staying true to his unlucky nature. The spinoff consists of ten episodes, streaming every Thursday at 9 PM. It debuts July 23 on HBO Max . So this got us thinking about some cool spinoffs with quirky characters from other shows we've watched over the years. Here are three clever spinoff concepts in the same spirit as Stuart Fails to Save the Universe: Jack Bauer from 24 Title: 24/7 After finally retiring from CTU, Jack Bauer is forced to take a mundane job as head of security at a mid-sized suburban office park in Los Angeles — mostly to keep his health insurance. Still operating with the intensity, paranoia, and zero-tolerance policy that once saved the world multiple times, Jack now applies his elite counter-terrorism skills to everyday annoyances: package thieves, passive-aggressive HR Manager, broken printers, and the HOA president who keeps violating noise ordinances. Every episode plays out in real time (a 24-minute comedy format), following Jack as he tackles a new "crisis" — whether it's a missing office dog, a suspected mole in accounting, or an all-out war with the food truck that keeps getting his lunch order wrong. Jack still does dramatic split-screen monologues, tortures (metaphorically) the vending machine, and keeps a "go bag" full of zip ties and protein bars in his desk. His long-suffering team includes a burnt-out millennial assistant, a retired cop who just wants to nap, and his daughter Kim, who keeps trying to get him into therapy. Tagline: He saved the world 8 times. Now he has to survive the corporate retreat. Chandler and Monica of Friends Title: The One Where They're Spies After years of marriage, Chandler Bing and Monica Geller have the perfect cover: a boring, stable suburban life in New Jersey. Chandler works as a "data analyst" for a vague government contractor, and Monica runs a high-end catering business. In reality, they're a highly skilled CIA husband-and-wife operative team. Chandler's deadpan sarcasm and quick wit make him an elite handler and master of undercover personas. Monica's terrifying organizational skills, attention to detail, and competitive nature make her an absolute weapon in logistics, interrogation, and hand-to-hand combat (she once took down three targets with a perfectly thrown fondue fork). While they're out saving the world from international threats, they have to keep their double lives completely hidden from Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe — who still think Chandler hates his job and Monica is just an obsessive chef. Every episode balances high-stakes spy action with classic Friends-style comedy as the couple frantically tries to explain away their suspicious behavior: "Why do you have a go-bag in the closet?" "Why does Chandler suddenly speak fluent Mandarin?" "Why was Monica gone for three days and came back with a new scar and a Russian accent?" Tagline: They're saving the world… between coffee at Central Perk. Charles Boyle from Brooklyn 99 Title: Boyle After a high-profile case goes sideways, Detective Charles Boyle is transferred to the NYPD's newly formed Unsolved & Unusual Crimes Unit — a ragtag squad that handles cold cases too weird or embarrassing for anyone else. Still the passionate, food-obsessed, emotionally open romantic we know and love, Boyle now channels his legendary enthusiasm into solving the city's strangest unsolved mysteries: everything from a serial killer who leaves gourmet meals at crime scenes to a black-market truffle smuggling ring. He attacks each case with the same intensity he once reserved for perfecting his coq au vin recipe. Backed by a small team of misfits (a jaded ex-homicide detective, a tech genius who only communicates in food puns, and a rookie who idolizes him), Boyle brings both razor-sharp detective work and delightful chaos to every investigation. He still cries during interrogations, quotes obscure food history mid-stakeout, and maintains an emergency "comfort cassoulet" in the precinct fridge. Tagline: He may cry at crime scenes… but he always gets his man.
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  Podcast #1258: Netflix: The Best Single Streaming Service to Keep in 2026 19.06.2026 34p

  On today's show we take a look at the new Apple CarPlay Ultra. And with the high cost of streaming these days, we give you our pick for the one streaming service that you should keep. We also read your emails and look at the week's news. News: Fox Is Buying Roku in $22 Billion Deal Gemini can now adjust your picture settings on Google TV Blink Just Launched Its First Doorbell With 2K Video — And It's Only $50 AWOL Vision Expands Home Entertainment Portfolio Apple's New CarPlay Ultra A listener sent us a link to: I tried Apple CarPlay Ultra and now everything else feels outdated. The author felt that CarPlay Ultra just made every other in-car system feel clunky – and after testing it in an Aston Martin DBX, I don't want to drive without it. So why is he so excited about this update? Main Takeaways from the Article: CarPlay Ultra is a full dashboard takeover: Unlike standard CarPlay (which only handles the central screen), this next-gen version extends seamlessly across all screens — including the instrument cluster, driver display, and center infotainment. It creates one unified, cohesive Apple-style interface for the entire driving experience. New design and customization with brand personality preserved: Tested in an Aston Martin DBX, it delivers crisp fonts, smooth performance, glanceable widgets (music, navigation, tire pressure, etc.), and deep customization. Aston Martin added brand-specific touches (e.g., custom dials with the wings logo, green colorway, and vehicle bird's-eye view) while keeping Apple's polish. Complete vehicle controls inside one UI: You can adjust climate, suspension, driver assists, drive modes, fuel/range info, radio, and more without switching to the car's native system. A clever "punch through" feature seamlessly jumps to the manufacturer's menus for unsupported controls (like ambient lighting) and returns instantly. Highly intuitive and responsive: Steering wheel controls let you swipe between views hands-free. Everything feels fast with zero lag, making it feel like a natural extension of the car rather than a bolted-on phone interface. Safety net if phone disconnects: Core driving info (speedo, critical gauges) runs locally and stays active. Navigation/media/apps resume seamlessly upon reconnection. Availability and future rollout: Currently live on high-end Aston Martins (with over-the-air or dealer updates for compatible models like DBX/DB12). More brands (Porsche, Mercedes, Polestar, and eventually affordable ones) are coming soon. Overall verdict: The reviewer says it makes every other in-car system (including their own Android Auto) feel clunky and outdated. It's not just visual — it fundamentally improves the driving experience, and they "never want to drive without it again." Netflix: The Best Single Streaming Service to Keep in 2026 With so many streamers out there costing us hundreds a year it has become expensive to watch TV. We asked ourselves, "If we had to pick only one streamer which one would it be?" And that streamer is - Netflix Why Netflix Wins for Most People Biggest variety and library — Massive catalog of originals (hit shows like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Wednesday, etc.), licensed movies/TV, international content, documentaries, and new releases. It has something for almost every taste and mood. Excellent discovery tools — Strong recommendation algorithm that gets better the more you watch, making it easy to find what you'll like without wasting time. Reliable and polished — Simple, fast interface that works great on any device (smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming sticks, etc.). Consistent quality and frequent new content. Other strong contenders fall short in our "one service only" scenario: Disney+ — Fantastic for families, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar — but narrower overall appeal. Prime Video — Great value if you already shop on Amazon (and it comes with Prime perks), but the core streaming library feels less essential alone. HBO Max — Strong prestige dramas and movies, but smaller overall selection. Apple TV+ — Highest production quality per show, but much smaller library. Bottom line: Netflix gives you the broadest entertainment bang for your buck and the least chance of getting bored quickly. It's the safest "one and done" choice for a general audience in 2026.
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  Podcast #1257: Apple TV from Apple's WWDC 2026 12.06.2026 34p

  On today's show we look at some AppleTV and Home announcements from the Apple WWDC and look at what that fuss is about the new Sony's True RGB TVs. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Households Used More Than 10 Video Services Daily Google Rolls Out a Major Update to Its Google TV Streamer 4k Apple TV from Apple's WWDC 2026 Key takeaways for Apple TV from Apple's WWDC 2026 are relatively modest and software-focused, as the event emphasized iOS 27. tvOS 27 Highlights for Apple TV Larger Text / System-Wide Text Size Adjustment: A new accessibility option lets users increase on-screen text size across supported apps and the interface. AI-Generated / On-Device Subtitles: tvOS 27 adds real-time automatic subtitle generation for videos lacking built-in captions (including personal content).  Other Refinements: Expect Liquid Glass UI polish, performance/stability improvements, smarter recommendations, and better smart home/HomeKit ties. Siri upgrades (more conversational, on-screen awareness) should improve voice control on Apple TV, though full Apple Intelligence features may wait for new hardware. tvOS 27 developer betas are available now post-keynote, with public release expected in fall 2026 alongside other OS updates. As far as the Apple Home app goes, updates  mainly dealt with Apple Intelligence integration for smarter camera handling and notifications: The Home app now uses Apple Intelligence to generate natural language descriptions of compatible camera footage, letting you search clips conversationally by saying something like,  "show me when the dog was in the backyard" Smarter batched notifications that feel less overwhelming. Alerts are intelligently grouped and dynamic instead of constant floods. Accessory updates update in real-time as conditions change. With deeper Siri AI and Shortcuts integration you can describe automations in natural language and let Siri build them (including Home shortcuts). Voice control becomes more conversational and context-aware. Hardware Notes No new Apple TV 4K hardware was announced at WWDC (consistent with expectations). A refreshed model with A17 Pro (or similar) for full Apple Intelligence/Siri 2.0 support, better smart home capabilities, and possibly Wi-Fi 7 has been "ready for months" but is being held for later in 2026 to align with the advanced AI features. What is Sony's True RGB TV All About? Sony's True RGB is Sony's marketing name for their advanced RGB Mini-LED backlight technology, introduced in 2026 for high-end BRAVIA TVs the BRAVIA 9 II and BRAVIA 7 II series. How True RGB Works Traditional Mini-LED or QLED TVs typically use white or blue LEDs as the backlight, then pass that light through color filters or Quantum Dots to create colors. This filtering process can reduce color purity, brightness, and efficiency. Sony's True RGB technology takes a different approach by using tiny independent red, green, and blue (RGB) LEDs in the backlight, with each color LED controllable separately across thousands or even millions of local dimming zones, generating color directly at the light source before it reaches the LCD layer rather than filtering white light. Sony's True RGB technology delivers purer and more accurate colors with a significantly wider color volume and gamut, higher peak brightness while maintaining excellent color accuracy, superior contrast and black levels that can challenge OLED performance in certain scenarios, improved energy efficiency through smart power distribution algorithms that use less power than previous generations, and outstanding off-angle viewing with minimal color shift. Key Advantages Sony Highlights Sony's True RGB technology delivers true-to-source color accuracy, backed by the company's deep professional monitor expertise and decades of innovation in RGB technology dating back to the groundbreaking 2004 QUALIA series. This is powered by advanced RGB Backlight Master Drive processing that expertly manages the immense complexity of controlling millions of individual colored diodes in real time. Overall, it successfully combines the best of Mini-LED brightness with near-OLED levels of color performance and contrast. In short, True RGB is Sony's premium implementation of direct RGB Mini-LED backlighting. Sony emphasizes not just the hardware (RGB LEDs), but their proprietary optical design, drivers, and image processing to make it perform better than competing RGB LED TVs from other brands. Sony True RGB Models with Pricing (2026 Lineup) Prices are MSRP/launch pricing (as of mid-2026; actual street prices and sales vary by retailer like Best Buy, Crutchfield, or Sony's site). Larger sizes command big premiums. BRAVIA 7 II - more accessible entry into True RGB, excellent color and brightness for the price 50" — ~$1,600 55" — ~$2,100 65" — ~$2,600 75" — ~$3,100 85" — ~$4,000 98" — ~$9,000 BRAVIA 9 II - higher brightness, more advanced processing, better anti-glare, and local dimming performance 65" — ~$3,600 75" — ~$4,600 85" — ~$6,500 115" — ~$31,000 (a massive premium flagship option)
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  Podcast #1256: How Much Do Audio Speakers Cost to Build? 05.06.2026 43p

  On today's show, we dive into the cost structure of audio speakers. We start with an article that asks whether 'audiophile' speaker brands are milking you for $20,000. We also read your emails and cover the week's news. News: Important update to your DIRECTV account SVS Auto EQ Room Correction for R|Evolution Subwoofers YouTube TV adds Fox One, Peacock to Primetime Channels store Other: Monoprice Alpha In-Wall Speaker There's never been a better time to grab a new Google TV launcher Are 'Audiophile' Speaker Brands Are Milking You for $20,000 The listeners keep delivering great ideas for show topics. This week Mike LaBorde sent in an article published at headphonesty.com entitled A Former FTC Economist Quit His Job to Prove 'Audiophile' Speaker Brands Are Milking You for $20,000.  The author talks about how a former FTC economist quit his job to design and build affordable high-performance speakers.  He argued that many premium audiophile brands are significantly overpriced because they use similar OEM drivers from the same factories while charging massive markups for branding, cabinets, and dealer margins. We'll break down this article into five points we felt were interesting. The full article is linked and you may want to read it for more details. Many premium audiophile speaker brands rely on the same small group of OEM driver manufacturers (like Sinar Baja/SB Acoustics, SEAS (Scandinavian Electro Acoustic Systems), Scan-Speak, etc.). The same factories and engineering talent supply drivers to both high-end and mainstream brands, even when the final speakers carry vastly different logos and price tags. "Custom" or "proprietary" drivers are often overstated. Most brands customize only the "soft parts" (cone, surround, voice coil) on top of standard off-the-shelf "hard parts" from OEM suppliers, rather than designing and building drivers entirely from scratch. Pricing of speakers — The actual cost of the drivers is a tiny fraction of the retail price. In the Wilson Audio Yvette example, the three drivers cost roughly $530–$580 total, representing only about 2% of the $25,000+ selling price. The vast majority of the cost comes from cabinetry, finish, dealer margins (40-50%), distribution, marketing, and brand prestige, with a typical 5x markup from manufacturing cost to retail. Only a few brands truly manufacture their own drivers in-house. Companies like Focal, KEF, Dynaudio, Paradigm, and Bowers & Wilkins are exceptions. Most premium brands outsource driver production due to the high cost and complexity of vertical integration. High performance doesn't require extreme prices. Former FTC economist Dennis Murphy's Philharmonic Audio proves this by offering well-engineered speakers (like the $850/pair Ceramic Mini using quality SB Acoustics drivers) with minimal overhead, direct sales, and no lavish dealer/showroom costs — challenging the idea that great sound must come with five-figure price tags. The article essentially argues that much of the ultra-premium speaker market is driven more by branding and distribution economics than by revolutionary driver technology. What is the Cost Breakdown of Thousand Dollar Speakers? After going through the previous article we wondered what the actual cost breakdown of Passive bookshelf speakers retailing at $1,000 per pair? ThinkKEF Q series, ELAC Debut Reference, or similar mid to high end consumer hi-fi brands. They balance good performance with accessible pricing.  What follows is our best estimation based on the data we uncovered. If you are in the industry and have better data, please let us know and we will update this analysis. Sources for this analysis include - Audio Science Review, AVS Forum, WhatHifi, headphonesty.com, hubhifi, and a few others.  1. Design & Development (R&D) – Upfront Investment Typical cost: $50,000–$250,000+ for a new model line. Includes acoustic modeling, driver selection/tuning, crossover design, enclosure simulation, multiple prototypes, listening tests, and anechoic chamber measurements. For this price tier, brands often use a mix of off-the-shelf and mildly customized drivers rather than fully bespoke high-end ones.   Amortization: Spread over production volume and for this exercise we used a production run of 5,000–20,000 pairs. This adds roughly $5–$25 per pair at a reasonable scale. 2. Prototyping & Tooling Prototypes: 5–15 iterations at $300–$1,200 each which include custom cabinets, driver samples, hand-assembled crossovers. Tooling: CNC molds/jigs for cabinets, baffle cutting, or vinyl wrap tooling: $8,000–$40,000 upfront. Amortized to $2–$10 per pair. 3. Bill of Materials (BOM) – The Biggest Per-Unit Cost For a typical 2-way passive bookshelf (6.5" woofer + 1" tweeter) at this price point: Drivers - $80–$180 - 6.5" coated paper woofer (~$30–$70 ea.), soft dome or aluminum tweeter (~$15–$50 ea.). Brands like SEAS, SB Acoustics, or custom OEM. Cabinet -  $60-$130, - Braced MDF (18–25mm), vinyl wrap or basic veneer, internal damping, port tube, terminals. Real wood veneer adds premium. Crossover - $30-$80 - 2nd/3rd order with air-core inductors, film capacitors, resistors. Higher quality parts (Mundorf-level) push toward the upper end. Other (grille, wiring, hardware, terminals) - $20-$50 - Magnetic grilles, internal wiring, binding posts. Total BOM per pair: $190–$440 at volume production (typically in China or Vietnam for most brands). Premium touches (better drivers, thicker bracing, nicer finishes) push BOM toward the higher end. 4. Manufacturing, Assembly & Overhead Labor & Assembly: $25–$60 per pair (cabinet gluing/bracing, driver mounting, crossover soldering, final wiring, testing). Quality Control & Testing: Burn-in, frequency sweeps, distortion checks: $10–$25. Factory Overhead/Utilities: $35 - $50. Total Manufacturing per pair: $70 - $135 5. Full Cost Structure to Retail ($1,000/pair) We will assume a large brand that sells 20,000 units and has already invested in tooling and requires minimal new tooling for each new speaker design.  Design and R&D Amortized - $5 Prototype and Tooling  - $2 Bill of Materials - $315 - We split the $190 - $440 down the middle Manufacturing -  $103 - We split the $40 - $135 down the middle Shipping, duties etc to distributor per pair on average - $50 Total to Manufacture $474. The rest of the thousand dollars covers the distribution chain, branding, and profit. And in reality, depending on the efficiency of the factory and ability to leverage design histories from years of experience, the soft costs can be about a third of $110 we came up with, bringing the total cost to about $400. Key Variables Affecting Cost Volume: Higher production = lower per-unit costs. Driver Quality: Exotic materials (beryllium tweeters, carbon fiber) can double driver costs. Cabinet Finish: Vinyl vs. real walnut veneer = big difference. Brand Positioning: Established names (KEF, ELAC) have higher R&D/marketing allocation than direct-to-consumer brands. For comparison DIY builders can replicate similar performance for $300–$600 per pair in parts using higher quality drivers and crossover components and flat-pack or self-built cabinets, eliminating most of the overhead and markups. And after building over 30 sets of speakers I can say without doubt that what you build will sound as good as speakers costing ten times the amount. Plus you can use material that works best for you as well as customizing the look to match your decor. Even my latest set built from stock off the shelf components bought from Part Express for about $200 sound simply amazing!  
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  Podcast #1255: Tips to Get the Most Out of Your GoogleTV and Scientific Proof Expensive Cables are a Waste 29.05.2026 35p

  On today's show we look at an article published at Slashgear.comthe scientifically proves that expensive cables are a waste of money. We also look at five Google TV features that you are probably not using. And of course we read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Yamaha Introduces Two New AV Receivers Apple TV to broadcast first major professional live sporting event shot entirely on iPhone 17 Pro Price of lifetime Plex Pass jumping by $500 Other: Costco's Cheap Acoustic Panels Are Amazing Netflix is sharing your watch history — take 60 seconds to stop it Scientific Proof That Expensive Cables Are a Waste of Money Long time listener Scott sent us an email pointing us to an article at Slashgear.com titled WE NOW HAVE SCIENTIFIC PROOF THAT EXPENSIVE AUDIO CABLES ARE A WASTE OF MONEY. Today we share three key takeaways from that article. The entire article is linked and you can check it out for the full details. Here are the three key takeaways from the article: Expensive audio cables perform no better than cheap ones In rigorous scientific testing by Audio Science Review, $7 Amazon Basics RCA cables performed identically to $4,000+ Kimber Kable premium cables across key metrics like frequency response, total harmonic distortion + noise (THD+N), and signal-to-noise ratio. The expensive cables even showed slightly more interference in some tests. Claims about premium cables are mostly marketing hype. High-end cables often boast exotic materials (solid silver, special dielectrics, etc.), but these make no measurable or audible difference in real-world performance for human hearing. The article highlights that this is a common area where audiophiles get overcharged. Spend your money on what actually matters. Instead of expensive cables, invest in better speakers, amplifiers, DACs, source quality, or room acoustic treatment. These components make a far bigger difference in sound quality than cables ever will. Bottom line: The article concludes that for most people (even serious audiophiles), cheap, well-made cables are perfectly fine. 5 Google TV features you're probably not using but definitely should Today's show is completely fueled by our listeners. Mark fromFloriday sent us a link to Tom's Guide that lists 5 Google TV features you're probably not using but definitely should. We will go through those bow but the full details can be found at the linked article.  Here's a summary of the five Google TV features: Apps-Only Mode: Turn your cluttered home screen into a simple app launcher by enabling Apps Only mode. This removes most recommendations and shows just your installed apps (with one banner ad remaining). Personalize Recommendations: Customize your home screen suggestions by selecting which streaming services you want included. This reduces unwanted content while keeping helpful recommendations from your preferred apps. Ambient Mode: Transform your TV into a digital picture frame or art gallery. You can display beautiful artwork or your own personal photos when the TV is not in use. Find My Remote: Quickly locate a lost Google TV remote by making it play a loud sound. Accessible through Settings > Remotes & Accessories > Find my remote. Basic Mode: Strip Google TV down to a "dumb TV" experience. It disables apps and ads, showing only live TV and connected external devices (requires a factory reset to activate).
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  Podcast #1254: Review - WiiM Amp Multiroom Streaming Amplifier 22.05.2026 37p

  In this week's show we do a review of the WiiM Amp Multiroom Streaming Amplifier but first,  we read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Tubi Will Stream The 2026 FIFA World Cup For Free Roku launching new creator-driven content channels, hub Disney+ to join Hulu in streaming top music festivals Streaming Bundles Offsetting Rising Subscription Costs WiiM Amp: Multiroom Streaming Amplifier As you know Ara just completed a set of speakers built from salvaged MDF and brand new components from Dayton Audio. The speakers sound excellent and will end up being a part of Ara's whole home audio system in Tennessee. The only issue is that these speakers are passive and need an amplifier. So to drive them Ara is using the WiiM Amp Streaming amplifier which runs for about $300 at Amazon. This WiiM amp is an all-in-one device that combines a high-quality streamer, ESS Sabre DAC, and Class D amplifier into one cool looking box. It's perfect for "just add speakers" simplicity with great performance, especially at this pricepoint.  Key Features Power Output: 60W  8 ohms DAC: ESS Sabre ES9018 HyperStream, supports up to 24-bit/192kHz hi-res audio Streaming & Connectivity: AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Amazon Music, Qobuz, DLNA, Bluetooth 5.1 (two-way), Wi-Fi, Ethernet Inputs: HDMI ARC (for TV), optical digital, analog RCA line-level, USB-A (for local files/drives) Outputs: Speaker binding posts, subwoofer RCA (with adjustable crossover) Controls: WiiM Home app (iOS/Android), included remote, voice control (Alexa built-in, works with Google/Siri) Other: 10-band graphic EQ + parametric EQ, room correction options, multi-room grouping with other WiiM devices, gapless playback Setup Setup was straightforward and took about ten minutes including the firmware upgrade done through the WiiM Home App. For Ara's setup it was, plug in power and connect the speakers and join the wifi network which was done through the WiiM Home app. Ara is not using a subwoofer but one can be added by using the sub out RCA connection. You can adjust the crossover in the app. The app is where you can select EQ, source, and do your multi-room configuration.  There is only one physical control that controls volume and doubles as play/pause. HDMI ARC makes it an excellent TV audio upgrade with minimal hassle. No complex wiring or external DAC needed. More on that in a bit. Sound Quality The WiiM Amp delivers clean, lively, and detailed sound at a reasonable price. It offers good clarity, solid bass control via the sub out.  Distortion is very low even at high levels of volume. We are not saying that using these with some KEF or SVS Towers is the way to go, but for small-to-medium spaces, or desktop setups, it sounds surprisingly good. Add to it that it can make any speaker work with Apple Airplay or Google Cast Audio and you have a relatively inexpensive way to build out a wireless whole home audio system.  The HDMI ARC support makes this a cost effective way to add a 2.1 speaker system to your TV. In this case the center channel is split evenly between the left and right speakers giving the perception that the audio is coming from the center, provided the speakers are not separated from the TV by a large distance.  We have a listener named John who is using the Wiim Amp Pro ($379 from Amazon with no Airplay support) in this manner with an SVS subwoofer and his quote is, "It's been working perfectly".  The only issue he had was with the EQ calibration. When it was set to cut and boost frequencies he would get audio dropouts. He did some experimenting and found that if he only cuts frequencies and does not boost them, the audio dropouts stopped.   Cool Features That Make It Worth $300 All-in-One Versatility — Streamer + DAC + amp in one small box (about the size of a small Mac mini).  HDMI ARC + Sub Out — Turns any TV into a better-sounding system and easily adds a subwoofer with crossover control. Advanced App EQ & Room Tools — 10-band graphic + parametric EQ plus presets let you fine-tune for your room/speakers. Multi-Room & Ecosystem — Group with other WiiM devices for whole-home audio; excellent service integration (Spotify/Tidal Connect, AirPlay 2, etc.). Other Extras — USB playback, two-way Bluetooth, and voice control,  Summary The WiiM Amp is an outstanding budget streaming amplifier that offers a lot of versatility, ease of use, and surprisingly good sound for the money. It's ideal for anyone wanting a simple, music or TV audio setup without complexity or high cost. While we don't recommend it for big rooms, it's perfect for desktop and bookshelf use, especially if you want to use Airplay 2 or Google Cast Audio. With all that said, Ara will probably never use the app again and simply connect to it via the Airplay 2 from his Mac and iOS devices.