HCA Tech Talk - News, Reviews and Opinions

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A consumer-facing podcast hosted by industry veterans, Stuart Burgess from Immersive Cinema Rooms and Simon Gregory from Cinema Rooms. Each episode, we bring you News, Reviews, and Interviews from inside the industry covering Home Cinema, Home Theatre, and all things tech. Get involved techtalk@homecinemaalliance.co.uk

  1. Tech Talk News - Inside Panasonic’s Strategic TV Reboot With Skyworth

    1D AGO

    Tech Talk News - Inside Panasonic’s Strategic TV Reboot With Skyworth

    Send a text A global TV shake-up rarely feels this clear: Panasonic is partnering with Shenzhen Skyworth Display Technology to gain manufacturing scale while guarding the crown jewels—AV processing, quality assurance, and premium performance. We break down what shifts, what stays the same, and why this move reframes competition without diluting Panasonic’s high-end identity. We walk through the core structure of the partnership, the regional rollout strategy, and how responsibilities are split between sales and logistics on Skyworth’s side and picture processing and standards on Panasonic’s. The conversation tackles the big questions viewers ask before upgrading: Will OLED quality hold? How will tuning, motion handling, and colour accuracy evolve? We share what Panasonic has confirmed on after-sales support through March 2026 and beyond, plus how Europe remains a strategic anchor thanks to strong brand recognition and expectations for value with premium performance. Then we pivot to the 2026 lineup details for Europe: OLED and QD Mini LED lead the range, with the flagship Z95B and Z90B joined by the Z85C and Z86C in 55 and 65 inches. We outline the regional platform split—Google TV for Europe and Fire TV for the UK—and explore the practical impact of new glare reduction tech, including Glarefree Ultra, Glare Free Max, and Glare Free, built to combat reflections in bright rooms without crushing contrast. Finally, we place the move in a wider context of industry consolidation, faster panel innovation cycles, and supply-chain realities, showing how heritage brands can stay sharp by pairing world-class processing with world-scale manufacturing. If you care about picture fidelity, real-world brightness, and the future of premium TVs, this breakdown gives you the clarity you need before your next upgrade. Enjoy the episode, share it with a friend who’s TV shopping, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want answered next. Buy a Panasonic TV - https://geni.us/5NiFCy Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    5 min
  2. Tech Talk News - Optoma’s New Laser Flagship Projector

    FEB 20

    Tech Talk News - Optoma’s New Laser Flagship Projector

    Send a text Bright rooms, big screens, and bold colour—our latest Tech Talk breaks down Optoma’s UHZ78LV, a triple‑laser projector aimed at people who want theatre scale without turning off the lights. We dig into what 5,000 lumens actually delivers in a living room, how RGB laser light helps sustain saturation and contrast, and why wide colour coverage up to 96% BT.2020 and 98% DCI‑P3 matters for modern HDR movies and streaming. We walk through premium format support—Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and IMAX Enhanced—and talk about the real‑world impact on highlight detail, black levels, and tone mapping. For purists, Filmmaker Mode and ISF calibration options open the door to reference‑grade accuracy, while Pure Engine Ultra processing sharpens detail and manages motion without pushing the image into artificial territory. If you’ve wondered whether a projector can be both bright and faithful, this one makes a strong case. Gamers aren’t left out. With HDMI 2.1, input lag as low as 8.5 ms at 1080p/240 Hz, and clean eARC passthrough for Dolby Atmos, the UHZ78LV doubles as an esports screen and a home cinema hub. We also cover the practical side: motorised 1.6x zoom, lens shift, and even 360‑degree projection that makes more rooms usable without resorting to heavy keystone correction. Finally, we outline availability and where to learn more so you can plan your upgrade path with eyes open. If you’re weighing a giant TV against a projection, or trying to future‑proof for HDR formats and next‑gen consoles, this breakdown will help you decide. Follow and subscribe for weekly home theater updates, share this with a friend planning a cinema room, and drop a review to tell us what screen size you’re chasing next. The Optoma UHZ78LV will be available beginning March 2026. For more information, visit Optoma or contact your local Home Cinema Alliance Member Support the show

    3 min

  3. FEB 18

    LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Inside Lithe Audio’s New Auracast and PoE Speakers

    Send a text Ceiling audio that installs faster, covers more space, and welcomes everyone—this conversation with Amit at ISE 2026 puts a spotlight on practical innovation. We walk through an 8-inch Bluetooth and Auracast ceiling speaker with a built-in 60 W RMS amp that can broadcast a master signal up to 100 meters, creating a mesh of receivers across the room. That broadcast advantage isn’t just about effortless background music; Auracast allows compatible hearing aids and earbuds to tune in directly, so announcements, alarms, and playlists reach every listener with clarity. We also dig into a compact amplifier designed to be the “brain” behind any passive speaker you choose. If you love a particular brand or form factor, this amp slots into the ceiling void and drives two 8-ohm or four 4-ohm speakers, bringing wireless connectivity and clean power where you need it. Power flexibility is a recurring theme: run it from standard mains or feed it with PoE when there’s Cat6 in place but no spare receptacle. That means fewer change orders, easier retrofits, and a tidier project timeline for commercial and residential jobs. To round things out, we explore the upgraded PoE active speaker that now operates with a single cable. By consolidating power and data, Live Audio removes a common point of friction and speeds up commissioning. It’s a universal fit with their all-in-one units and the new amp, giving integrators a scalable, mix-and-match toolkit. From gyms and cafes to offices and classrooms, the focus stays on reliable coverage, simple wiring, and inclusive listening through Auracast’s broadcast model. If streamlined installs, stronger coverage, and better accessibility are on your roadmap, you’ll find plenty to take back to your next spec. Subscribe for more hands-on product tours, share this with a colleague who lives on ladders, and leave a review to tell us which feature would save you the most time. Learn More About Lithe Audio - https://linkly.link/2ag4t Buy Lithe Audio's Speakers - https://geni.us/EEZBm Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    5 min
  4. LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Unleashing Immersive Sound Experiences with L-Acoustics

    FEB 17

    LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Unleashing Immersive Sound Experiences with L-Acoustics

    Send a text What if your home cinema could shift from quiet, pin‑drop dialogue to a dance‑floor moment where vocals float overhead and drums punch from the walls? We sit down with Nick from L-Acoustics at ISE to unpack how polished showroom magic becomes everyday reality, and why usability—not specs alone—wins hearts in the residential space. We start with the pain point everyone knows: clients love a curated demo, but they need to understand how to live with it. Nick walks us through new user interface templates that make “light control for sound” feel natural. Think intuitive moods—cinema, intimate vocals, party—built for platforms integrators actually deploy, so teams can import, tune, and hand over a system that works on day one. For pros, that means fewer late-night support calls and faster, cleaner installs; for homeowners, it’s clarity and control without the engineering headache. Hardware still matters, and L-Acoustics pairs the UI with the right amplification strategy. The LA1.16i, a 16‑channel amp in a slim 1U chassis with Audio over IP, is tuned for media rooms and multi‑use spaces where channel density and efficiency beat brute force. In larger theatres, their heavyweight options cruise at high SPL, but the real story is matching power to purpose. Nick details a demo rig with ten compact loudspeakers and a single subwoofer that demonstrates that coverage, spatial clarity, and smart processing can outperform raw volume in most homes. Then comes the showstopper: L-Acoustics DJ. Powered by a machine‑learning engine that recognises drums, synths, vocals, and more, it separates stems from a simple stereo DJ feed and lets performers move sound around the room with tactile controls. The result is a living, spatial performance—club energy at home, using the same immersive infrastructure that powers cinema nights. It’s a bold answer to a familiar question: why settle for stereo when your room can be an instrument? Ready to hear it for yourself? Book a demo through l‑acoustics.com, find a partner, or reach out via the contact form. If this conversation sparked ideas for your next project, follow the show, share it with a colleague, and leave a quick review to help others discover it. Learn More About L-Acoustics - https://linkly.link/2afXo Read, Watch or Listen to more News, Reviews and Opinions - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    6 min
  5. LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Inside Sony’s Bravia BZ Key Series And Crystal LED Breakthroughs

    FEB 16

    LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Inside Sony’s Bravia BZ Key Series And Crystal LED Breakthroughs

    Send a text Crowded floor, brighter screens, and a surprising focus on simplicity—that’s what stood out as we walked the Sony stand with Adam Dover. We unpack how the new Bravia BZ Key Series and a thoughtfully positioned Crystal LED range push professional display quality while cutting setup time and reducing waste, all without losing sight of what clients actually see on the wall. We start with the big leap: XR processing arrives in Sony’s pro lineup, bringing AI-driven, frame-by-frame scene mapping that sharpens detail and deepens contrast in both bright offices and glassy living spaces. Anti-reflective coatings, improved optical films, and enhanced LED backlights deliver deeper blacks and cleaner highlights where lesser screens wash out. Then we shift from picture to process: a pro-first GUI replaces the usual Google wrapper with a Sony setup wizard that speeds navigation to the settings integrators touch most. Paired with Remote Device Manager, installers can scan a QR code, preassign rooms, and let displays auto-provision on the network—no more walking around with a remote, repeating the same steps from room to room. For teams crossing from large LCDs to modular LED, Sony introduces a mid-market Crystal LED line tuned to 800 nits that narrows the price jump without sacrificing premium image quality. Panels are lighter, thinner, front-serviceable, and hot-swappable, with a new anti-reflective finish and cooler thermal behaviour, making them easier to integrate. On the operations side, the BZP series is 24/7-ready with ambient light sensing to optimise power draw throughout the day, maintaining clarity in bright conditions while cutting energy at night. Sustainability isn’t a slide—it runs through the product: up to 43% recycled plastics in select displays, smaller packaging with reduced ink for easier recycling, and roughly 30% lower power consumption versus the prior generation. If you’re specifying for retail, corporate campuses, custom homes, or marine projects, this walkthrough covers what matters: image performance you can defend, deployment that scales, and responsible footprint choices your clients will appreciate. Want more details or spec sheets? Explore the lineup at pro.sony. If this breakdown helped you plan your next project, follow, share it with your team, and leave a quick review to tell us what you want us to test next. Learn more about Sony Pro Displays - https://linkly.link/2acTF Looking to buy a Sony Consumer TV? -  https://geni.us/uJKpCdV Read, Watch or Listen to more News, Reviews and Opinions - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    10 min
  6. LIVE @ ISE 2026 - How Plaster-In And Wood-Panel Speakers Transform A Room

    FEB 12

    LIVE @ ISE 2026 - How Plaster-In And Wood-Panel Speakers Transform A Room

    Send a text What if the best-sounding speakers are the ones you never see? We head to the Amina stand with Matt to explore the Sapphire range of invisible speakers and the stealthy ALF 100 sub, which can disappear into plaster or sit quietly behind wood panelling. It’s a masterclass in design-first audio: slim panels that vanish into the surface, wide dispersion that fills the room evenly, and a finish so clean you’ll wonder where the sound is coming from. We dig into practical details that matter for real projects. Matt explains the sweet spot for finishes—two millimetres is the maximum recommended skim for both plaster and veneered MDF—to preserve clarity and keep transients crisp. He breaks down the size options, from the compact Sapphire 250 built for tight ceilings to the larger 375 for fuller sound, and clarifies when a sub is helpful versus optional. Think kitchens or light commercial spaces where background music and a pure aesthetic win, versus lounges and media rooms where an in-wall sub unlocks rich low end without a single box in sight. Craftsmanship is the real differentiator here. We talk through the installation steps—alignment, taping, skimming, and the must-do step of testing before you cover anything—because invisible audio lives or dies by the quality of the install. For UK listeners, Matt shares two ways to experience the lineup: Amina’s upcoming experience centre in Huntingdon, Cambridge, with multiple acoustic contexts from foyer to lounge, and Redline’s showroom and white-glove service for those who want expert design, fit, and tuning. If you’ve ever wanted architectural sound that blends seamlessly with wood panelling, drywall, or bespoke interiors, this is your blueprint. Join us to rethink where speakers belong, how materials shape tone, and why the best room aesthetic might be the one with no visible audio hardware at all. If you enjoyed this deep dive into invisible speakers and smart installation, follow the show, share with a design-obsessed friend, and leave a quick review to help others discover it. Learn more about Amina - https://linkly.link/2a12w Read, Watch or Listen to more News, Reviews and Opinions - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    4 min
  7. LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Trinnov Altitude CI Debuts In Europe

    FEB 11

    LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Trinnov Altitude CI Debuts In Europe

    Send a text Want a cleaner, smarter path to reference home cinema? We sit down with David to unpack the European debut of the Altitude CI and why a license-based, Dante-ready processor can save time, money, and headaches without compromising sound. Instead of locking projects into fixed channel counts, the CI scales in twos—start at eight channels and expand as rooms and ambitions grow. With analogue, AES, and Dante options up to 32 channels—and a Dante hardware variant supporting up to 64 channels—it’s built for modern systems that need flexibility from day one. We dig into what audio over IP actually means for integrators: less cable chaos, simpler routing, and faster iteration. Dante’s been a staple in pro audio for decades, and now that speaker brands are shipping amps with Dante onboard, residential installers can map one-to-one or one-to-many paths in software rather than with split cables and creative labelling. The gain isn’t raw performance; it’s control, clarity, and confidence when projects get complex. David also walks through Trinnov’s TAC 2 platform, which moves more processing onto the board and can operate stand-alone or paired with a PC for extra horsepower. A redesigned UI anchors the experience with wizard-driven workflows and a clean split between basic and expert modes. That means faster setup without sacrificing deep access for power users, plus a roadmap to roll out the interface across the wider Trinnov range once the CI’s high-channel demands are fully addressed. For teams looking to skill up, level one training is available online through distribution partners, while level two is in person and covers critical listening and advanced features. And for hands-on demos, Trinnov’s long-awaited Paris facility is almost ready, offering real rooms where integrators can test Dante routing, calibration flows, and multi-amp strategies at scale. If you care about reference sound, cleaner racks, and painless upgrades, this conversation lays out a blueprint for building theaters that evolve gracefully. Subscribe, share with a colleague who still loves split cables, and leave a review telling us which Altitude CI feature you’d deploy first. Learn more about the Trinnov and the Altitude CI - https://linkly.link/2a0rx Read, Watch or Listen to more News, Reviews and Opinions - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    8 min
  8. LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Sonos Amp Multi - So Many Speakers, So Little Rack Space

    FEB 10

    LIVE @ ISE 2026 - Sonos Amp Multi - So Many Speakers, So Little Rack Space

    Send a text Big systems don’t have to mean big headaches. From the floor at ISE 2026, we sit down with Stephen Rhead to reveal how AMP Multi rethinks distributed audio for custom installers, bringing true flexibility, cleaner racks, and smarter control to projects that span from a single living room to sprawling multi‑zone estates. If you’ve ever juggled legacy ZP stacks or wrestled with fixed channel maps, this conversation shows a better way. We dig into the heart of AMP Multi: assignable speaker ports mapped to named rooms, so clients see only the spaces they use while you keep the topology tidy. Stephen explains the pro portal for deeper EQ and remote tuning, GaN‑based cooling that eliminates noisy fans, and a lean 7.5‑watt idle draw with Wi‑Fi off that’s friendly to dense racks and energy bills. We cover real‑world specs—125 watts per channel at 8 ohms, dynamic 2‑ohm support with Sonos by Sonance in‑ceiling speakers, and a flexible sub‑out that plays well with third‑party amps or Sonos Sub Four for consistent low‑end across rooms. The result is scale without clutter, power without heat, and a sound profile that’s richer than the beloved Sonos AMP. Beyond the amp, we introduce the new junction box for Eero 100 Pro: a multi‑country back box designed for APAC, the Americas, and the UK, paired with CAD drawings to streamline coordination. The paintable faceplate keeps designers happy—match walls, go black to pair with speakers, or dial in custom finishes—while availability targets early summer to align with AMP Multi planning. We also touch on sustainability: recycled plastics and fully recyclable packaging that flat‑packs cleanly, giving integrators and clients solid green credentials without sacrificing performance. Whether you’re upgrading racks, standardising a portfolio, or future‑proofing for growth, this episode gives you the practical details you need—installer‑first control, energy efficiency, remote serviceability, and a clearer path from legacy hardware to a single, elegant unit. Hit follow, share this with your install team, and leave a quick review telling us the one feature that would save you the most time on your next project. Learn more about Sonos Amp Multi - https://linkly.link/2ZFFm Read, Watch or Listen to more News, Reviews and Opinions - https://linkly.link/2a0s3 Support the podcast by shopping on Amazon - https://geni.us/npUEx Start your own podcast and received $20 - https://linkly.link/2acMf Support the show

    10 min
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About

A consumer-facing podcast hosted by industry veterans, Stuart Burgess from Immersive Cinema Rooms and Simon Gregory from Cinema Rooms. Each episode, we bring you News, Reviews, and Interviews from inside the industry covering Home Cinema, Home Theatre, and all things tech. Get involved techtalk@homecinemaalliance.co.uk

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