HDTV and Home Theater Podcast HT Guys

On this week’s show we look at the best movie scenes to test your home cinema according to Denon and we examine Potential ways AI can enhance home automation. As usual, we read your email and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
Over Half of the Top 10 Most-Watched TV Networks Are Now Free with an Antenna AppleTV Improvements Apple Home App Improvements Hisense's VIDAA Is Now the No. 2 Smart TV OS Globally Behind Samsung Tizen Best Movie Scenes to Test Your Home Cinema According to Denon What’s the purpose of a decent AV Receiver and surround speaker setup? To bring real cinema feeling to your home, with all the room-shaking bass, stuff flying all around and the feeling you are pulled directly into the action. Here are three outstanding movie scenes to really test your home theater’s ability to suspend disbelief. Full article here…
Potential Ways AI Can Enhance Home Automation AI can significantly enhance home automation by enabling smarter and more intuitive control of various devices, leading to increased convenience, energy efficiency, and security. Here are several ways AI can help in home automation:
Voice Programming 
AI-powered virtual assistants like Amazon's Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple's Siri can enable voice commands to program automations. Instead of using the GUI to select lights that you want to turn on at sunset. You will be able to just say something like: A-Lady set a routine turn on the family room lamp and the kitchen lights and the living room lamp fifteen minutes after sunset. And turn them off at 11:30 every day of the week. Or once it learns your routines you may just have to say: S-Lady turn on the appropriate lights fifteen minutes after sunset and off at 11:30 every day of the week. 
Intelligent Automation
AI algorithms can learn household routines and preferences over time to automate tasks like adjusting the thermostat based on weather forecasts, turning off lights when rooms are unoccupied, or setting the coffee maker to start brewing when you wake up. This takes what our thermostats do today but applies it across all your devices.
AI algorithms can further optimize energy usage by intelligently controlling heating, cooling, and lighting based on factors like electricity rates, thereby reducing energy consumption and utility bills.
Predictive Maintenance 
AI can monitor the performance of smart home devices and predict potential failures before they occur, allowing for proactive maintenance and potentially avoiding costly repairs. Especially handy for stuff like water heaters and air conditioners.
Enhanced Security
AI-powered cameras and sensors can analyze activity patterns to detect suspicious behavior, alert homeowners of potential threats, and even differentiate between familiar and unfamiliar faces to prevent false alarms.
Personalized Experiences 
AI can tailor home environments to individual preferences, such as adjusting lighting, music playlists, or room temperatures based on the occupants' habits, schedules, and comfort levels.
Remote Monitoring and Control
AI enables homeowners to remotely access and control smart devices from anywhere using smartphones or other connected devices, offering peace of mind and flexibility. You can already do this with the big three with little to no networking skills required. But we envision a day when you don’t need Homekit or Google Home to get this type of functionally without any knowledge of networking
Data Insights 
AI can analyze data from various sensors and devices to provide insights into home usage patterns, energy consumption, and potential areas for improvement.
By integrating AI technologies into home automation systems, homeowners can enjoy a more comfortable, convenient, and efficient living environment while also potentially saving time, energy, and money.
 

On this week’s show, Ara has a conversation with Robert Spivack of DoItForMe.Solutions about the state of “Matter”. Not on a metaphysical level! We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
Apple TV Plus is finally coming to Android according to new report Nearly 60% of Sports Fans Age 18-49 Say They'll 'Likely' Subscribe to Venu Sports Older SVOD Subscribers Unfazed by Price Hikes Will Drive Revenue Growth A New Streaming Service Is Launching That Uses AI To Create Any Show You Would Want Other:
Sewel SW-29863-12 Amazon Basics Speaker Connector Banana Plug Deals on OLED TVs at Best Buy LG 55-inch C3 Series OLED 4K TV: $1,300 Save $100 BestBuy Samsung 65-inch S95C OLED 4K TV: $2,300 Save $300 Best Buy Sony 65-inch Bravia XR A80L OLED 4K Google TV: $1,800 Save $200 Best Buy LG 77-inch B3 Series OLED 4K TV: 1,800 Save $200 Best Buy What is the state of Matter Ara has a conversation with Robert Spivack of DoItForMe.Solutions about the state of “Matter”. Not on a metaphysical level! ;-)  Robert is a home automation technologist and he’ll help you with your smart home and back control of your home automation system. You can find Robert at www.doitforme.solutions or give him a call at (408) 647-4687.
More information about Matter can be found here Connectivity Standards Alliance.

On this week’s show we ask you to try an experiment with your friends and family. We also look at the history of VHS. Finally we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
YouTube TV is testing an enhanced 720p quality setting too Most Cord Cutters Do Not Pay for a Live Service Like YouTube TV, Fubo, or Hulu + Live TV Roku Debuts Pro Series TV With Mini-LED Starting at $900 Home Cinema Viewing Experiment The other day we were watching a movie on Netflix and between my wife, brother-in-law, and his wife I noticed that everyone was periodically glancing at their phones. This kind of irritated me mainly because I have spent a lot of money on sound and picture and thought, they might as well be watching on a phone or tablet.
The next night, I asked my wife and kids to not only silence their phones but also put them away. We watched a movie and the family was a bit irritated. It seems that the only place they can really immerse themselves into a movie is actually at the cinema. I encourage you to try the following experiment:
Minimize Distractions - this is any distraction digital or otherwise. Silence your devices - Put phones and tablets on silent and turn off any notifications on all the devices within ear shot. Quiet Environment - Choose a time when household noise is minimal. Shut doors and windows if external noise is an issue. History of VHS VHS, or Video Home System, was a home video recording format developed by JVC (Victor Company of Japan) in the 1970s. It became one of the dominant formats for home video playback and recording during the 1980s and 1990s. 
Here is a brief history of VHS:
Development - JVC unveiled the VHS system in Japan in 1976, offering consumers the ability to record and play back video content on videocassette recorders (VCRs) using magnetic tape. VHS was in direct competition with Sony's Betamax format, but thanks to longer recording time and lower production costs, VHS eventually emerged as the preferred choice among consumers. Market Dominance - Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, VHS gained widespread popularity and became the standard format for home video recording and distribution. Major Hollywood studios began releasing movies on VHS, leading to a booming rental market, especially with the rise of video rental stores like Blockbuster. Format Wars - The battle between VHS and Betamax is often cited as one of the most famous format wars in consumer electronics history. Despite Betamax's superior picture quality, VHS's longer recording time and lower cost attracted more consumers and content producers. By the late 1980s, VHS had clearly won the format war, leading to the eventual decline of Betamax. Expansion into Other Markets - VHS technology expanded beyond home video recording to become a standard format for recording television shows, archiving video content, and even for use in educational and industrial settings. Evolution and Decline - VHS continued to evolve with the introduction of VHS-C (compact VHS) for camcorders and Hi-Fi stereo sound capabilities. However, with the emergence of digital video formats like DVDs and later Blu-ray discs, VHS began its decline in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The last known major Hollywood film released on VHS was in 2006. Legacy - Despite its eventual obsolescence, VHS left a lasting impact on the home entertainment industry. Its widespread adoption paved the way for the concept of home video consumption and laid the foundation for the home entertainment market we see today. VHS was a revolutionary technology that revolutionized the way people consumed and enjoyed video content at home. While it has been replaced by newer digital formats, its legacy as a pioneering home entertainment medium remains significant.

On this week’s show TCL introduces new TVs and Soundbars for 2024 and can the newly named Venu Sports streaming service make cable operators obsolete? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
Sports Streaming JV Gets a Name, Venu Sports Netflix Will Stream Two NFL Games This Christmas Day Panasonic Selects TiVo TVOS to Power Its Mid- and Entry-Level Smart TVs Sonos Ace
Comcast Prices StreamSaver Bundle at $15 a Month Other:
Forums - Squeezebox piCorePlayer Lyrion Music Server HiFiBerry Forums - Slimdevices DIY TCL Launches 2024 Home Theater Lineup With Multiple TV And Sound Bar Offerings TCL is expanding its offerings for 2024 with the launch of an expansive TV and soundbar portfolio. The new releases include TV and sound bar models for multiple price points. The new TCL TV lineup aims to provide a home theater solution for virtually every need across its Smart S Class and  QLED Q Class, along with an expanded range of sizes from 32″ to 115″. Full Article here…
TCL Q Class Smart TV
TCL’s new Q Class Smart TV models utilize Quantum Dot technology featuring UltraWide Color Gamut for enhanced QLED color. The TCL Q Class includes the Q65, Q68, QM7 and QM8 models, including three new 98” TVs and the world’s largest QD-Mini LED TV.

While TCL’s 98″ TV offerings can satisfy virtually any cinephile or sports enthusiast, the 115″ QM89 is TCL’s top-of-the-line QD-Mini LED TV for those looking to create or upgrade their theater room with an elevated viewing experience.
TCL S Class Smart TV
The S Class family of smart TVs include the S2 and S3, which will carry over into 2024’s lineup. New to this year is the S5, which includes TCL’s AiPQ Processor for enhanced image processing. Additionally, 55″+ S Class models feature Game Accelerator 120 for 120 VRR gaming.
TCL Q Class Sound Bar: High Quality Home Theater
The Q Class is TCL’s premium sound bar family, supporting Dolby Atmos for high-quality home theater audio. The Q75H is a 5.1.2 sound bar featuring built-in side surround speakers, while the  Q85H is a 7.1.4 sound bar that adds wireless rear speakers, incorporating rear Dolby Atmos up-firing drivers.
TCL S Class Sound Bar: Home Theater Made Simple
The new S Class sound bars include TCL’s S45H and S55H models, now upgraded with Dolby Atmos and Auto Room calibration. These models also include other key features such as DTS Virtual:X Virtual 3D Surround, HDMI with eARC, Bluetooth, TCL TV Ready capability, and are wall mountable.
Venu Sports and ESPN DTC Could Sink U.S. Pay TV Operators According to Aluma’s Michael Greeson, the sports JV alone could cause 10% of users to cut the cord, and that would ‘severely diminish the ability of operators to stay afloat’ Full article here… 
It boils down to the fact that the U.S. pay TV industry could face a lot of competition due to the newly named sports streaming service “Venu Sports”. A recent survey indicated that about 32% of traditional cable subscribers and 38% of IPTV subscribers indicated some level of "likelihood" that they'd sign up for the new service. 
The article says that if pay TV providers lose 10% of their customers due to the new service, it will  severely diminish the ability of pay TV operators to sustain their businesses. Additionally, the impending direct-to-consumer launch of ESPN by Disney is also anticipated to pose a threat, with a significant percentage of potential ESPN subscribers indicating a likelihood to cancel their pay TV service, potentially impacting operators further. 
These developments could have a detrimental impact on the pay TV industry, endangering the survival of operators struggling with declining subscriber bases. Side note - if the joint venture intends to rely on pull from those who have completely cut the cord, they can forget about it. Only 9% are legitimate prospects for the service.”

On this week’s show Ara gets a new TV! It came down to a UST Projector and a Mini LED. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
Amazon Debuts New Streaming Ads on Prime Disney and Warner Set to Bundle Disney Plus, Max and Hulu Starting This Summer Fox Says Tubi Now Has 80 Million Average Monthly Users; FAST Platform’s Engagement Also Up 36% Sunday Leadoff' Is Coming to The Roku Channel Apple, Netflix Amazon Want to Change How They Pay Hollywood Stars Comcast Plans Peacock, Netflix, Apple TV+ Streaming Bundle Other:
SportsNet Pittsburgh launches direct-to-consumer streaming service My ideal TV has no tuner, no speakers and no smart platform I’ve had my current TV for about a year now, and do you know how many times I’ve used its built-in tuner? None. I’ve not even plugged in the aerial. I’ve not used any of the built-in apps, either, and the built-in speakers have emitted a sound only a handful of times, and only because the connected sound system didn’t automatically switch on as it should have. Full article here…
New TV for Ara Ara’s original Vizio P-Series UHD TV finally gave out. After posting this information on X, he received a few suggestions on how it could possibly be revived. Unfortunately nothing worked. Vizio customer service even offered to help resolve the issue. But after ten years of trusty service, it was time to move on. 
Ara posted to X that it was between a Sony Mini LED and an AWOL UST projector. The response was mixed. So where did he land?
The field was quickly narrowed down to:
The AWOL LTV-2500 4K 3D Triple Laser Projector $3000 + $1000 for a 100” screen.
Bring The Cinematic Experience to Your Home: AWOL VISION LTV-2500 powered with a cutting edge Triple Laser without Color Wheel Technology, Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos 4K UHD Resolution, HDR10+, 3D available, brings you a stunning 150", 4K Movie Theater experience. Coupled with exceptional audio immersion technology with Dolby Atmos, LTV-2500 is the most colorful with details' ultra short throw 4K laser projector for controlled light environment.
and
The BRAVIA XR 75” Class X93L Mini LED 4K HDR Google TV (2023) $2500
The Cognitive Processor XR™ delivers a picture with wide dynamic contrast and natural colors, replicating how we see the real world. See ultimate contrast from thousands of Mini LEDs and billions of accurate colors, all precision-controlled by the XR Backlight Master™ Drive and XR Triluminos Pro™.
The winner is…. The Sony Bravia. 
The Process:
Cost was a factor but not as big a factor as Lina not wanting to rearrange the artwork above the current TV. Some on X said that the UST was only an option if I had good control of the light in the room. Even my first gen UST looks decent in full daylight and it does not have the lumens of this projector. So that was not and issue that disqualified the UST While I would have liked a 100” screen. The 75” Sony is a small step up from the 70” Vizio. Tip! Regardless of choice I was going to have to get rid of my old Vizio. I’m thinking I’d have to call my trash company and pay to have it hauled away. So I thought let me try to see if someone wanted a free broken UHD TV. And to my surprise, four people reached out to me. The person who ended up with it worked at a youth center and had a friend who fixed TVs. So he came and picked it up and just like that, problem solved.  Once the Bravia was delivered I simply plugged the cables in exactly as the Vizio. The output of the Yamaha RX-850 to the eARC port, power, and Ethernet. It's actually pretty heavy (97 lbs or 42Kgs). I powered it up and went through the setup. By the way, I did not accept anything that I interpreted as them spying on me. The TV is also a GoogleTV. I did not log into my account. For calibration I selected cinema mode and turned off motion flow and automated adjustments.  I did enable calibrated mode for any programming that sends that info

On this week’s show we discuss the merits of an expensive wired whole home audio streamer vs putting one together with Airplay 2 or Chromecast. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
YouTube introduces pause ads to TV app LG TVs are getting a free audio upgrade that Apple users will absolutely love 85% of Amazon Prime Video Subscribers Are on the Ad-Supported Tier Samsung's new, cheaper OLED TVs are now available to buy EchoStar Loses 348,000 Pay TV Subs in 1st Quarter Juke+ Audio Streamer Juke+, as described on their website, is an audio distribution system designed to provide high-quality sound across multiple rooms in a house. It runs about $2,500 and that’s without speakers. So here is our question; do you think it's worth the money when you can put a high end wireless system together including speakers for significantly less money? 
First let’s take a look at what the $2500 Juke+ System gets you:
Audio Quality and Control - The Juke+ system can power 6 audio zones with 12 speaker channels at 100 watts per channel, ensuring pristine audio quality. Users can fine-tune the audio settings in each room through an app-controlled audio equalizer for optimal sound customization. Wireless Control - The Juke Audio application enables comprehensive control of the audio system via Android and Apple devices. Various features include playing to any combination of zones, independent volume control for each zone, simultaneous streaming from multiple users/devices, and access through a web interface on PCs. All-in-One Solution - The Juke system integrates the functions of powering, controlling, and streaming audio to multiple speaker sets throughout the house, eliminating the need for separate receivers, streamers, or in-wall controllers. Airplay 2 Integration - Juke displays connected speaker zones as independent Airplay inputs, facilitating streaming from Apple devices to specific audio zones. Users can group zones directly within the Airplay menu and stream to Juke and other Airplay 2 devices simultaneously, maintaining audio sync. Spotify Connect Support - Each connected speaker zone is independently recognized in Spotify, allowing premium users to stream content seamlessly. The Juke app's grouping feature enables setting multi-zone endpoints in Spotify for convenient whole-house or room-specific playback. Bluetooth Connectivity - Juke supports Bluetooth streaming from any compatible device, allowing users to play content without relying on a local Wi-Fi network. Juke+ provides multiple options to enjoy TV audio through its audio distribution system. Wireless Audio from Apple TV via Airplay - You can wirelessly send audio from any app on Apple TV to Juke using Airplay over the Wi-Fi network.  Bluetooth Connectivity from Compatible Smart TVs - Juke supports receiving audio from compatible Smart TVs via Bluetooth. Hardwired Connection from TV to Juke - For a more traditional setup, you can run a hardwired connection from the audio output of your TV back to the Juke system.  Our wireless system consists of a Belkin SoundForm Connect AirPlay 2 Adapter or a Chromecast Audio ($80) and a pair of Audioengine A5+ ($500 per pair) for a grand total of $580 per zone or $3480 for six zones with speakers included! Similar passive speakers from Audioengine cost $400 which would bring a similar system to $4900. A difference of $1420. 
Let’s see if you miss anything:
Audio Quality and Control - You can control each room with any app that plays music on your phone or tablet but you can’t set separate EQ. +1 to Juke+ Wireless Control - Our system does the same as the Juke+. No advantage to either  All-in-One Solution - Our system does the same as the Juke+. No advantage to either Airplay 2 Integration - If you use the SoundForm you have identical capabilities. However, if you use a Chromecast you have capability that the Juke+ does not have. +1 to our DIY system Spotify Connect Support