Saturday, March 31, 2018

So Far So Good: 2018 Top Picks at a Glance

The Gear Gods have been very good, bestowing upon us a steady stream of excellent if not eclectic gear. From what may be the world’s best sounding in-ear headphones to the latest DVR from the company that created the category to a gorgeous retro-styled integrated amplifier that sounds as good as it looks, there’s something for everyone. Let us refresh our memories.


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Friday, March 30, 2018

Nest x Yale Smart Lock Offers Enhanced Home Security

Yale Locks & Hardware announced the launch of its lock designed and built in collaboration with Nest, the Nest x Yale Lock, the first ‘Works with Nest’ product that is controlled using the Nest app.

The newlock is a key-free touchscreen deadbolt that can lock and unlock doors remotely, create passcodes to manage access for family members and guests, and revoke access at any time – directly from the app. Homeowners can create passcodes and schedules for guests, set the lock to automatically lock when they are away from home, and see a history of who has entered, and when.

“Yale and Nest collaborated closely to develop a lock that brings a new level of security, convenience, and insight to the front door,” says Jason Williams, president, ASSA ABLOY U.S. Residential Group, which includes Yale Residential. “With this product we are bringing to market a lock that takes full advantage of Nest’s leading ecosystem and extends its capabilities with useful product integrations.”

The lock’s keyless design means homeowners do not have to worry about keys getting lost, copied or stolen, or loaning keys to neighbors or others who need temporary access. The deadbolt is unlocked by entering a passcode and it can hold up to 250 codes that can be changed at any time. Passcode access can be restricted to certain days and times, for scheduling cleaning services, dog walkers, or anybody who requires limited access.

When integrated with Nest Secure, the lock can disarm Nest’s alarm system. And homeowners with both a Nest Hello video doorbell and a Nest x Yale lock can see who’s at the door and then remotely unlock it to let them in.

The Nest x Yale lock has a sleek, contemporary and low-profile design, with a simple user interface. It replaces an existing deadbolt. Installation requires just a screwdriver in most cases. Set up is done by following voice prompts.

Reinforced hardware on the outside protects the lock from physical assault, and the lack of a keyhole means that there’s no cylinder to pick or bump. Remote access is secured using multiple layers of bank-level encryption technology in combination with Nest’s Weave technology.

Should power fail, Wi-Fi go down, or phones become unavailable or dead, Nest x Yale Lock can be opened using the touchscreen. And Nest’s Weave technology allows the Nest x Yale Lock to communicate with other Nest products even if the Internet connection is lost.

Lock owners receive low battery alerts as power decreases, but should the lock batteries drain, the deadbolt can be powered by touching a nine-volt battery to the terminals at the bottom of the lock.

The post Nest x Yale Smart Lock Offers Enhanced Home Security appeared first on Electronic House.



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Thursday, March 29, 2018

Westworld Season One - The Maze

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In a not too distant future, the wealthy plunk down big bucks to enter Westworld, a Disneyland for adults populated by “hosts”—human-like A.I. androids capable of fulfilling their every desire. With a cast of A-list names such as Evan Rachel Wood, Anthony Hopkins, Jeffrey Wright, and Ed Harris, this psychological, character-driven drama series goes beyond the gimmickry of its 1973 original to offer up a well-crafted exploration of what it means to be human as well as the blurred lines between good and evil and past and present. Could it be a replacement for Game of Thrones? Only time will tell.


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Spider-Man: Homecoming

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Following his introduction to Marvel’s well-established “Cinematic Universe” in Captain America: Civil War, the beloved Spider-Man has been fully rebooted (again) in the wildly enjoyable Homecoming. Decked out in a new high-tech costume, he’s eager for big adventures, but until then, he occupies himself as a local do-gooder in his Queens neighborhood—when not attending high school. Young star Tom Holland is a perfect fit for Peter Parker and his alter ego, an agile dancer/athlete with an irresistible wide-eyed enthusiasm.


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Flashback 1958: If Not for Charles...

For decades, the cartoons of Charles Rodrigues poked fun at us and the hobby we otherwise take all too seriously.

In the very first issue of HiFi & Music Review in 1958, the magazine that became Stereo Review and then Sound & Vision, a gifted 31-year-old artist named Charles Rodrigues contributed the first in a string of cartoons that both celebrated, and made fun of, that odd bird known as the audiophile. It ended up being a long run that lasted more than 40 years.



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How Do New LCD TVs Compare with My Beloved Plasma

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m considering buying either an 82-inch Samsung LCD or a 65-inch LG OLED and am wrestling with the issue of TV picture quality versus size. Having happily owned a 50-inch plasma TV for the past 11 years, I’m wondering how the new LCDs stack up against plasma models when it comes to picture quality? — Gregorio Lopez / via e-mail



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Showtime Now Available On LG Smart TVs

Showtime Networks has announced that its stand-alone Showtime streaming service and Showtime Anytime authentication service are now available through LG’s webOS smart TV platform.


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Amazon Alexa Brews Coffee on Command; Connects with Philips Hue

“Alexa, brew me a coffee.” It’s as simple as that to get a hot cup of Joe started in the morning… even before you step foot out of bed. UK company Smarter has developed Smarter Coffee, a connected coffee maker that listen and responds to voice commands from an Amazon Alexa or Google Home smart speaker. The company also offers a kettle, the iKettle, for tea-making via voice command.

The two products represent an evolution of the smart, connected kitchen. From large appliances like refrigerators and stoves, to smaller countertop devices, kitchen products are becoming more intelligent and more convenient to monitor and control. It’s a movement that has made the kitchen an increasingly important space in the connected home.

Taking the convenience of beverage making even further, Smarter has enabled its kitchen appliances to be automated via IFTTT (If This Then That) applets. This lets users personalize their experience by tying other smart products into the brewing scenario. Here are a few examples of how this could work:

  • Blink the Philips Hue lights when the coffee is ready
  • Display a message on a Glance Clock when the iKettle boils

In addition to voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Home digital assistants, the iKettle and Smarter Coffee can be controlled via the Smarter app, which allows you to monitor water levels and temperature, and set the kettle to boil or the coffee maker to brew from inside or outside your house.

Here are some other features that tea and coffee lovers will appreciate:

  • Using the Smarter app, you can remotely adjust the strength of your coffee.
  • Functions such as Wake Up mode automatically heat the water and grind the beans at a preset time.
  • A Keep Warm feature ensures that your tea is always at the right temperature.

The Smarter iKettle carries a retail price of $149.99; the Smarter Coffee sells for $249.99.

The post Amazon Alexa Brews Coffee on Command; Connects with Philips Hue appeared first on Electronic House.



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Wednesday, March 28, 2018

Apple’s Lineup of Original Series to Stream Next Year

Apple is throwing its hat into the arena of original programming in hopes of getting a piece of with the success Netflix, Hulu and Amazon have established in their original streaming series. Details have been emerging about production deals for which Apple has budgeted $1 billion dollars.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/apple%E2%80%99s-lineup-original-series-air-next-year

Tributaries Announces Longest 18G-Certified Passive HDMI Cable

Tributaries today announced that DPL Labs and the Imaging Science Foundation (ISF) have certified its 10-meter UHDT Titan Passive HDMI cable for reliable 18 Gbps performance.


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Focal Listen Headphones Review

Performance
Build Quality
Comfort
Value
PRICE $249

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent isolation from external noise
Lightweight yet rugged design
Plentiful, but not overdone bass
Minus
Can sound too bright with harsh or overcompressed recordings

THE VERDICT
The Focal Listen delivers lots of detail and vitality, and the bass is to die for.

Focal is best known as France’s leading speaker manufacturer, but in 2016 they turned a corner and entered the fiercely competitive high-end headphone market with two extraordinary ’phones, the Elear, which I reviewed for Sound & Vision (January 2017), and the deliriously great Utopia (Sound & Vision, July/August 2017).



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10 Trends in Home Security, Home Automation, Internet of Things

Philips Announces Dolby Vision Update for 4K Blu-ray Players

P&F USA, the exclusive licensee for Philips TVs and video products in North America, has announced the availability of a long-awaited Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) update for two of its 4K UHD Blu-ray players.


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Nuvyyo Introduces $140 Cord-Cutter DVR

Nuvyyo, maker of the Tablo line of over-the-air (OTA) DVRs, has announced that a $140 “lite” version of the Tablo Dual 64GB OTA DVR it introduced last year will be available on BestBuy.com and at select Best Buy stores starting April 1.


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Tuesday, March 27, 2018

Sony Fills in the Blanks as it Rolls Out its 2018 TVs

Sony held an event in New York last week to fill in the press on its new sets for 2018. These were first seen at the 2018 CES, though without prices or delivery dates. We now have that information, and all of the 2018 Sony models should be available at a store near you soon, if they’re not already there.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/sony-fills-blanks-it-rolls-out-its-2018-tvs

Four Days in LA

Elsewhere on this site I discuss my experiences at the press events I attended in Los Angeles (LG) and New York (Sony). Between these two events I elected to spend a few extra days in Los Angeles to pay informal visits to two manufacturers and also to check out the latest movies in good movie theaters—including one of the best in the country.

Visits The manufacturers I visited were Starke Sound, an up and coming company specializing in speakers and amps, and Revel...



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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/four-days-la

Klipsch Reference Theater Pack Speaker System Review


Reference Theater Pack
Performance
Build Quality
Value

R-8SWi Subwoofer
Performance
Features
Build Quality
Value
PRICE $999

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Klipsch’s classic horn-loaded sound at a budget price
Minus
Enclosure adds some coloration

THE VERDICT
This redesign of Klipsch’s bestselling sat/sub system makes some compromises from its predecessors—but still produces excellent sound.

Some people are just good at things. People like Rembrandt van Rijn, who could make a painted image gaze into your soul; or Meryl Streep, who can be Anna Wintour one moment and Julia Child the next; or Warren Buffett, who’s been known to make his shareholders a dollar or two; or Billie Holiday, who could sing like Louis Armstrong’s trumpet and fit a lifetime of hard loving into a single phrase.



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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/klipsch-reference-theater-pack-speaker-system-review

’60s Sci-Fi Classic ‘The Outer Limits’ Hits Blu-ray Today

It’s time for fans of’60s sci-fi television to rejoice. Starting today, Season 1 of the classic television series The Outer Limits is available on Blu-ray.


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Cambridge Audio Announces Its Best-Ever Hi-Fi Series

U.K.’s Cambridge Audio is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a new high-end audio line that sets a “new standard for sound and design from the company.”


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/cambridge-audio-announces-its-best-ever-hi-fi-series

Home Theater Seating from Seatcraft Sits Snug to the Wall

Reclining home theater seats are comfy, but they can eat up quite a bit of space. If they aren’t placed properly, they can hit the wall when they recline. Depending on the style of the chair, the wall clearance required can be less than appealing. Designed to provide homeowners with a combination of style and comfort, Seatcraft’s Apex home theater seats enable users to comfortably watch their favorite video content without taking up a lot of room.

Seatcraft says that the Apex can be placed as close as six inches from a wall without losing the ability to fully recline the product.

The Apex home theater seat also features an independent power headrest, lumbar, and recline functions controlled by a new user interface, providing a choice of comfort options.

The Seatcraft Apex’s power headrest adjusts with a push of a button into positions that reduce neck and shoulder strain. The power lumbar support is engineered to adjust evenly against users’ lower back regions to reduce strain and provide higher levels of comfort for long hours, making it ideal for movie or TV watching.

 

“We are extremely proud of the Seatcraft Apex and after months of design and development, are excited to reveal the chair,” states Rick Galvez, vice president of product design, Seatcraft.

“We only use the most premium materials and put a lot of thought into each design we produce, but the Apex elevates the home theater experience through our most luxurious design yet. We hope that our customers enjoy the plush relaxation and starling innovation found in the Apex as much as all of us here at Seatcraft do.”

The Apex seat also incorporates a USB charging port that can be used for any number of needs.

The seat includes in-arm storage that is hidden inside stitched padded armrests to provide space for remote controls, cables, and more. In addition, the Apex’s arm accents feature sapphire LED glow that users can turn on and off from the user-interface panel.

The Seatcraft Apex home theater seat is available in a choice of black, brown, or red at a price of $1,519 each.

The post Home Theater Seating from Seatcraft Sits Snug to the Wall appeared first on Electronic House.



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Security Camera Recognizes Faces; Records and Stores up to 3 Days’ Worth of Data Without Power

It’s not unusual for a security camera to send an alert to your smartphone when someone steps into their detection zone. It’s a helpful way of knowing exactly when there’s a visitor at your house. But are you able to tell exactly who that visitor is? If the lighting conditions are right and the resolution of the camera is high, you might be able to identify the guest. If not, you might be left wondering.

Facial Recognition

With the introduction of its Lynx Pro Security Camera, Tend is making sure you always know who is at the front door… at least those you have already identified as being regular visitors. The camera’s intelligent facial recognition software you upload familiar faces to the free Tend Secure App, and control who Lynx Pro recognizes. From there you will receive check-in notifications for these known persons. This real-time recognition allows users to know exactly who is present on their property at any time.

High-Def Video Streaming

Lynx Pro offers crystal clear HD video quality recording for outstanding clarity in every capture, as well as real-time live video streaming and manual recording from any mobile device using the Tend Secure app. Two-way audio allows you to communicate with visitors through the Tend Secure app.

Built-in Battery Backup

With its built-in battery backup and local storage, Lynx Pro provides uninterrupted monitoring and will store up to three days’ worth of data in the event of a power or Internet outage. Once power or Internet returns, local data is uploaded to the cloud.

Cloud Storage

The system includes seven days’ worth of free data storage on Tend’s cloud platform to backup and review videos for the previous week**. Access to the secure cloud storage is available from anywhere on any iOS or Android device through the free Tend Secure app.

Weatherproof

Lynx Pro’s IP65-rated weatherproof housing makes it long-lasting and durable in any outdoor environment, and its infrared night-vision monitors property in complete darkness. The onboard motion detector automatically triggers recording and can be configured to send an instant alert to users’ mobile device for motion-triggered events.

Pricing and Availability

The Lynx Pro is available to pre-order now for $119.99 through March 31, 2018 and will then return to the regular price of $149.99.

The post Security Camera Recognizes Faces; Records and Stores up to 3 Days’ Worth of Data Without Power appeared first on Electronic House.



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LG Adds DTS Virtual:X Processing to New 4K TVs

DTS has announced that LG’s latest 4K/Ultra HD TVs will be the first TVs to integrate DTS Virtual:X audio processing, which delivers virtual height and surround sound without the need for additional speakers.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/lg-adds-dts-virtualx-processing-new-4k-tvs

Friday, March 23, 2018

Terminator 2: Judgment Day

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It’s time to remind everyone what a big deal Terminator 2: Judgment Day still is. The action/adventure genre underwent a serious evolution in the ’80s, and by 1991, to be taken seriously, T2 had to be bigger and better than anything that had come before.

And it was.



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Dunkirk

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Less than three weeks after the Germans invaded France in May 1940, the British Expeditionary Force found themselves backed up against the English Channel. The evacuation that followed sought to rescue over 300,000 British and French troops using a combination of British warships and hundreds of “little boats.”


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/dunkirk

Edifier’s New Speakers Break All the Rules

Edifier, a global supplier of speakers and headphones, has applied the high-style design of its Luna speaker to a six-piece home theater speaker combo with looks that kill.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/edifier%E2%80%99s-new-speakers-break-all-rules

Audible Audiobooks Now Available on Sonos

Sonos has announced that audiobooks and other spoken-word programming from Audible is now available on its platform.


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Thursday, March 22, 2018

Rachio Launches Wireless Sprinkler System Controlled by Amazon Alexa

Smart sprinkler company Rachio has added to its water management product lineup with the release of its voice-controllable/smartphone-controllable Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller and Rachio 3 Wireless Flow Meter. According to the company, the system is the first-ever residential wireless flow meter to hit the market. It is also compatible with third-party home control systems, including Crestron, Control4, iControl, Nexia, Nest, Alarm.com, Google Assistant and others.

The Rachio 3 Smart Watering Controller features easy installation, 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless compatibility, enhanced weather data with the company’s trademarked Weather Intelligence Plus technology, and a new long-range radio to connect with the wireless flow meter. The Rachio Wireless Flow Meter uses patented Vortex technology to get accurate readings of water flow. The Rachio app alerts homeowners when leaks are detected, and the Flow Meter automatically shuts down water supply, protecting against landscape damage and flooding.

An eight-zone Rachio 3 retails for $249.99, while the 16-zone goes for $299.99. The wireless flow meter is $99.99. Rachio is offering a limited time $50 presale promo discount on the bundle.

Related: Items for your smart yard

“Rachio is not only saving homeowners frustration, water, and money, we are helping communities conserve water on a much larger scale,” says Chris Klein, CEO and co-founder of Rachio. “With more than 60 percent of residential water waste in the United States occurring outdoors, our new products empower consumers to be smarter with water, so they don’t have to choose between conservation and easily maintaining a beautiful landscape.”

Using a smartphone app, users can set up days and times for watering based on location, vegetation and soil type using the Rachio 3 Smart Sprinkler Controller. The Rachio 3 uses company’s exclusive Weather Intelligence Plus technology that references satellite, radar and weather station data to provide schedule adjustments accurate to within a 36 foot radius of the controller.

Rachio recently raised $10M in Series B funding with Eastside Partners and Bonaventure Capital, in which the Amazon Alexa Fund also participated. Benjamin Cobb, partner at Eastside Partners notes, “Rachio is so much more than a smart sprinkler company. While they clearly lead this exciting segment of the smart home market, they are also rewriting the book on water conservation. Their innovation mentality extends to all aspects of their business.”

Rachio is compatible with multiple smart home control systems and voice services, including Amazon Alexa. “We’re excited to make a follow-on investment in Rachio as they continue their growth and innovation in sustainable solutions for the smart home,” says Paul Bernard, director of the Alexa Fund at Amazon. “Hands-free voice control is making the smart home simple and convenient for customers. Rachio’s Alexa skill makes it easy for customers to control their intelligent sprinklers simply using their voice, helping to improve water efficiency in the home.”

The company notes it has saved homeowners and their communities more than 22.7 billion gallons of water since the release of its first smart sprinkler controller in 2014 by way of leak detection abilities and water conservation management.

The post Rachio Launches Wireless Sprinkler System Controlled by Amazon Alexa appeared first on Electronic House.



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AVTech Media Ltd (UK) Acquires Home Tech Network From TEN: The Enthusiast Network

New Group Combines AVTech Media’s Specialist Hi-Fi/Home Theater Titles with TEN’s Home Tech Network to Create World’s Largest Consumer Electronics Audio/Visual Publishing Enterprise

NEW YORK, NY — AVTech Media Ltd (UK) (www.avtechmedia.co.uk) has purchased the Home Tech Network from TEN: The Enthusiast Network (www.hometechnetwork.com), it was announced today.



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Verizon Launches Service to Help You Connect Your Internet of Things Devices

Each day there seems another device introduced that connects to the Internet–not to mention the equipment you already own like computers, tablets, and TVs. According to statistics from IHS Markit, there’s no sign of the Internet of Things (IoT) slowing down.  The number of connected IoT devices worldwide is expected to jump 12 percent on average annually from nearly 27 billion in 2017 to 125 billion in 2030.

Based on these and other figures that indicate a steady growth of IoT in the home, the way by which consumers will interact with their smart home devices will change. They will need to understand how to connect devices and protect them from threats on the Internet. For this reason, Verizon recently launched TechSure, a new personal technology helpdesk. The service provides different levels of tech support to its customers.

“Laptops, tablets, TV, thermostats, security cameras, doorbells, light bulbs – these days, almost everything in the modern home is connected to the Internet,” Verizon notes in a press release.

Verizon offer three different levels of IoT service:

  • TechSure ($10/month): 24/7 phone support for all devices connected to a home network. This includes software installation, device setup support, and troubleshooting.
  • TechSure Plus ($15/month): Includes the above services plus identity theft protection, virus protection, and parental controls.
  • TechSure Premium ($30/month): Includes everything in TechSure Plus, as well as protection for many of the connected devices in a customer’s home. If a TV, tablet, smart thermostat or any other eligible device breaks down, Verizon will repair or replace it. Premium also include LastPass Families, which digitally and safely stores all of a customer’s passwords for any of their online accounts.

Is a Helpdesk Enough?

Many manufacturers promote their IoT products as being simple enough for a DIYer to set up and configure. This may be true in some cases, but the complexity increases as the number of devices on a network grows. Consequently, consumers will need a helping hand at some point, whether it’s with installation, configuration, or maintenance. According to a consumer survey by revenue management and billing company CSG International, connecting devices together “will require human intervention from skilled and reputable resources.”

Where will they look for help?  Forty percent of respondents say that will seek online help, even for simple installations, while 89 percent say they will rely on a communications service provider for assistance, if they offer such services.

Respondents also indicated the following:

  • 84 percent said skilled help will be needed if two to five devices are being connected.
  • 74 percent want a phone call or text from the technician stating that he is on his way.
  • 65 percent want a technical resource to help them with installation of multiple devices, with self-guided only help desired by only 29 percent.

The post Verizon Launches Service to Help You Connect Your Internet of Things Devices appeared first on Electronic House.



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Bill Reauthorizing FCC, TV Station Funding Awaits Senate

In a rare display of functionality, the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Ray Baum Act. Named after the former staff director of the Energy and Commerce Committee who died recently, the bill reauthorizes the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), among other things.


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What Computer Volume Settings Provide the Best Sound?

Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q What software and computer control panel volume settings deliver the best sound when playing music using apps like iTunes and sending the digital output to a DAC? —John de Perczel



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NBC to Trim TV Commercials

If those blaring SUV ads are challenging your attention span or DVR trigger finger, here’s some good news: NBC recently announced plans to trim advertising time by 10 percent and reduce the number of breaks by 20 percent, starting with the coming fall season.


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Pioneer Expands Elite Lineup with $499 AV Receiver

Pioneer has expanded its 2018 Elite receiver lineup with a 7.2-channel base model that lists for $499.


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Wednesday, March 21, 2018

March 2018 New Gear Part 2

Klipsch Reference Premiere Designer On-Wall Speaker Series
Klipsch has the perfect solution for enthusiasts who want big sound but don’t have room for freestanding speakers. The latest iteration of its flagship Reference Premiere series trades bulky enclosures for slim, wall-mountable cabinets with wraparound magnetic grilles.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/march-2018-new-gear-part-2

New Audeze Headphones Embrace 3D Audio

Audeze has launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign to introduce a new set of planar-magnetic headphones built around 3D audio technology developed by Israel’s Waves Audio.


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Leon Horizon Interactive FIT Soundbar Offers Storage for Amazon Alexa Device

Designed to blend into a home entertainment space, the Leon Horizon Interactive FIT soundbar combines audio fidelity, contemporary looks, and built-in storage to serve a wealth of applications.

The Horizon Interactive FIT soundbar incorporates a storage area for the placement of devices such as Alexa and Google Home smart speakers. The storage space is concealed by the Horizon Interactive’s matching custom grille.

After seeing the Horizon Interactive FIT Soundbar, Fermin Serrano, technical manager of the Spain-based company Integral Home Systems (IHS), says his company could use the soundbar to appeal to the aesthetic concerns customers have when thinking about electronics in their home environments.

“The first time we saw the Horizon Interactive Fit, we know we needed to get one for our showroom so we could introduce it to our dealer network,” he comments.

“Not only is the sound quality exceptional—like all of Leon’s products—but the ability to manage power cords, communication wiring and amplification, while also storing small IoT devices like Amazon Echo Dot, Ethernet switches or your favorite integration system like RTI is so helpful to the installer. Interior designers will love it too because the grill is custom built to match the exact width of the TV, giving the install an elegant look.”

The Leon Horizon Interactive FIT Emphasizes Performance

Ensuring the Horizon Interactive FIT’s sound quality matches its looks, the soundbar employs a pair of 4-inch woofers and a pair of 28mm tweeters that flank the speaker’s storage space.

The fully customizable speaker measures just 2.75-inches deep, and Leon states it offers the speaker in two versions: the HIFIT44UX, which accommodates televisions up to 65 inches in screen size, and the HIFIT44UX-OS, which complements televisions as large as 90 inches.

Leon adds the 88dB, 6-ohm HIFIT-44UX and HiFIT44UX-OS produce frequency responses of 110Hz to 20kHz, and the speakers are capable of producing SPLs as high as 104dB during peak usages.

The post Leon Horizon Interactive FIT Soundbar Offers Storage for Amazon Alexa Device appeared first on Electronic House.



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3D Lives on Samsung Cinema Screen

3D is dead as a doornail in major-brand TV lines but Samsung appears to think it has a future in theaters. It has created a 3D version of its 34-foot Cinema LED theater screen.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/3d-lives-samsung-cinema-screen

Roxy Music’s Self-Titled ‘Re-Make/Re-Model’ of Rock Convention Gets a Rich 5.1 Upgrade

No one had ever seen or heard anything like it before. When Roxy Music released their self-titled debut in June 1972 — ironically enough, on the exact same day their spiritual brother-in-creative-arms David Bowie released The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders From Mars — the art-school-tempered British sextet instantly ushered in an immediate sea change for both the style and sonic character of an already sagging rock scene...


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/roxy-music%E2%80%99s-self-titled-%E2%80%98re-makere-model%E2%80%99-rock-convention-gets-rich-51-upgrade

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

TEAC AI-503 Integrated Amplifier/DAC Review


Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Clear, crisp sound
Cool, retro design
Can drive efficient speakers to reasonably loud levels
Minus
Hi-res Bluetooth requires LDAC source Pricey

THE VERDICT
TEAC’s stylish, computer-friendly integrated amp is a great option for both desktop and living-room listening.

Integrated amplifiers designed for use both on the desktop and in the listening room are a niche category that we’ve looked at before, most recently in reviews of Elac’s $699 Element EA101EQ-G and Cary Audio’s AiOS (April 2017 and December 2017 issues, respectively; both reviews available at soundandvision.com). But of all the hi-fi manufacturers working this space, TEAC is the one that embraces it most enthusiastically.



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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/teac-ai-503-integrated-amplifierdac-review

Younger TV Viewers Turning to On-Demand Services

New research from Dallas-based Parks Associates finds that as live TV viewing continues to decline among U.S. broadband households, nearly 60 percent of the video viewed on a household’s main TV is on-demand content as opposed to traditional “linear” programming scheduled by broadcasters.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/survey-younger-tv-viewers-turning-demand-services

From London to Austin: MQA Live Debuts

London-based MQA Ltd. launched a live streaming version of its MQA audio encoding technology at simultaneous events held yesterday in London and Austin, Texas.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/london-austin-mqa-live-debuts

Outdoor Home Improvement Projects with the Highest Return on Investment

Is Apple Developing a High-End Headphone?

Keeping track of Apple rumors is a full-time job. And I must admit that since I am not an Apple fanboy, I don't really pay close attention. But one persistent rumor is that Apple will soon launch a new headphone - and dare I say it - it may be an audiophile headphone.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/apple-developing-high-end-headphone

Monday, March 19, 2018

Smart Speakers, Dumb Music

Has pop music become less interesting? This amateur musicologist seems to think so...


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/smart-speakers-dumb-music

Going Behind the Scenes in Star Wars: The Last Jedi

If you missed Star Wars: The last Jedi in theaters you can now stream it in Dolby Vision 4K on Vudu or on Movies Anywhere — or you can wait until the 4K/Ultra HD Blu-ray hits next Tuesday (March 27).


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/going-behind-scenes-star-wars-last-jedi

Screen Sizes Get Bigger as TV Sales Slip

2017 was not a banner year for TV sales, despite growth for 4K (Ultra HD) TV and even 8K TV.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/screen-sizes-get-bigger-tv-sales-slip

Nest Develops Temperature Sensors for Better HVAC Control

It’s an age-old problem: One part of the house is warm and comfortable while other areas feel like an icebox. In homes with multiple levels, that one thermostat on the main floor is only able to monitor the temperature of that area. The temperature of the upper level, consequently, has no relevance on how the main floor thermostat reacts. The top portion of your house stays too hot or too cold. The same thing happens in guest bedrooms, lower-level rec rooms and new additions to a house.

Temperature sensors designed to be installed in temperature trouble spots are designed to eliminate this problem. They communicate current temperature readings to the main thermostat so that the entire house is heated and cooled more evenly. They also allow you to set the temperature of individual rooms differently to save energy—guest bedrooms, for example, can stay at 65 degrees when they aren’t being used.

In April Nest will offer its own thermostat sensors designed to work with both of the company’s current thermostat models.

 

How the Sensors Work

The tiny wireless sensors can adhere to walls or sit on shelves in any number of rooms. Any sensor can dictate the thermostat setting based on schedules created by the user within the Nest app. For example, if everyone leaves the house at 8 a.m. except for the work-at-home mom, then the Nest Thermostat could be set to automatically warm or cool the house based on the temperature in the home office.

In this example, even if the rest of the house is hot while the office runs cold, the Nest Thermostat will only respond to the office sensor, warming up the home to ensure Mom is comfortable as she works through the day.

“Typically, the thermostat is installed in a hallway that might get no exposure to the sun or might be subject to cool drafts,” says Gene LaNois, GM of Nest’s Professional channel.

“The temperature in the whole house should not be dictated by the needs of that particular location. The thermostat can be set up to make the occupants comfortable, wherever they may be.”

The Technology Behind the Sensor

The Nest Temperature Sensor communicates with the 3rd-generation Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Thermostat E via Bluetooth Low Energy.

“All BLE messages are secure and encrypted,” LaNois says. “Only Nest devices can interact with the Nest Temperature Sensor or receive its signal.”

Through the Nest app, users can view temperatures in all rooms and schedule which sensor (including the one embedded in the thermostat) should drive the HVAC system during the morning, midday, evening and late night.

 

In additionn to their ability to optimize HVAC operations, the Nest sensors can reveal valuable information about temperature patterns in each room.

For example, a dip in temperature in the teenager’s room could suggest a furtive outing in the middle of the night. Rising temperatures in a mechanical closet could portend equipment failure. And temperature shifts in the attic could indicate damage from that last wind storm or poor performance by electronic or mechanical systems.

Cosmetic Appeal of the Sensors

The discreet sensors can improve aesthetics by replacing bulky thermostats, no matter how beautiful those devices might be. Even if the thermostat is hidden from view – with its on-board sensors shielded from household activity – the Nest system can still learn user preferences and household activities via motion sensors embedded in other Nest devices and partner products.

“Interior designers already specify Nest Thermostats for their aesthetic appeal,” LaNois says, “but many designers and homeowners prefer no wall clutter at all. In these cases, our flat sensors would be the only technology they see … or not!”

The post Nest Develops Temperature Sensors for Better HVAC Control appeared first on Electronic House.



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https://www.electronichouse.com/home-energy-management/nest-develops-temperature-sensors-for-better-hvac-control/

Tech Tidbits March 2018

The First 8K channel will be launched by NHK, the Japanese broadcast authority, later this year. How much programming will support it remains to be seen...

Samsung may return to OLED manufacturing, say anonymous sources quoted by a Korean-language news site. But this time it would combine the brightness of Samsung’s quantum dot with the black levels of OLED...



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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/tech-tidbits-march-2018

Roger Daltrey's Hearing Loss: Who's Sorry Now

At a recent solo concert in Las Vegas, Roger Daltrey urged his fans, “I advise you all, all you rock’n’roll fans, take your f***ing ear plugs to the gigs.” Daltrey, age 74, admits that he's “very, very deaf” and relies on reading lips. While most people lose some hearing as they age, years and years of loud music has most likely caused profound hearing loss in The Who's lead singer. Sadly, it's a condition that is preventable. “If only we had known when we were younger.”


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/roger-daltreys-hearing-loss-whos-sorry-now

Friday, March 16, 2018

Logan Lucky

Picture
Sound
Extras
Director/Producer Steven Soderbergh is an admirably free thinker, a true creative with an eye on the future of filmmaking. He’s very particular about the projects he chooses, emerging from pseudo-retirement to direct his latest, Logan Lucky. Made largely outside the Hollywood system he walked away from, it still managed to score some A-list talent on a modest budget, with James Bond and Kylo Ren likely welcoming the opportunity to play against type, as a down-on-his-luck explosives expert and a goodhearted sad-sack, respectively.


from
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/logan-lucky

American Made

Picture
Sound
Extras
The dramedy action film American Made from director Doug Liman (Swingers, Edge of Tomorrow) is based on the true story of airline pilot Barry Seal (played here by Tom Cruise), who in the late 1970s was recruited by the CIA to become a drug runner for the Medellin cartel in Central America. Seal eventually became a key figure in what would turn out to be one of the biggest political scandals in the following decade, the Iran-Contra “gate.” While this might sound like heavy material, American Made is far from a heavy film.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/american-made

Home Theater Screen Hides Your Speakers

There are many layout options when it comes to designing a home theater. You can place the screen front and center and flank it with floor-standing speakers. As another option you can tuck the speakers into the ceiling and walls, and then squeeze the screen in between. When you’re short on space but want the biggest screen possible, an acoustically transparent screen offers a great alternative. Because sound is able to filter though the screen material, you buy the big screen you’ve been dreaming of and simply place it in front of the speakers.

The Aeon AUHD Edge-Free screen from Elite Screens is one of the newest acoustically transparent screens to hit the home theater market. It incorporates Elite Screen’s Edge-Free industrial design, and was engineered to be placed in front of in-wall speakers to offer a décor-friendly solution with no sacrifice in audio quality. As a bonus, the screen material features properties that enable it to work well with 4K HDR video projectors.

Explaining the screen’s Edge-Free design, Elite Screen says the AUHD employs an internal frame with the material wrapped around the frame. The company emphasizes the Edge-Free design resembles a picture frame or flat-panel TV, and through its smaller footprint, it maximizes screen size while taking up a minimum amount of wall space.

Augmenting its home integration capabilities, Elite Screens also offers its optional LED lighting kit to support the AUHD Edge-Free Screen. The lighting kit comes with a remote control or a splice-bracket kit that will connect multiple frames to create a large display.

Elite Screens Aeon Home Theater Screen Specs

At the heart of the AUHD Edge-Free screen product is Elite Screens’ AcousticPro UHD screen material. Elite Screens points out this screen material features a 1.0 gain, and it is designed to eliminate problematic moire from detracting from the product’s picture quality.

The AcousticPro UHD utilizes a dense synthetic weave that mitigates the penetration of light to help the acoustically transparent material produce bright images.

Elite Screens notes the AcousticPro UHD maximizes audio reproduction by providing minimum attenuation (mean attenuation is -2.36dB).

According to the company, the Aeon AUHD Edge-Free Screen also provides 180-degrees (90 degrees left/right) viewing angle, and because of its tight weave, it can be used to show 4K, UHD, active 3D, and HDR ready content.

Elite Screen offers the Aeon AUHD screen in a choice of 16:9 screens sizes that include 100-, 120-, 135-, and 150-inch models.

The post Home Theater Screen Hides Your Speakers appeared first on Electronic House.



from
https://www.electronichouse.com/home-theater/home-theater-screen-hides-your-speakers/

Bose Augments Aural Reality

Bose is getting into augmented reality (AR) — with a twist: Its new AR platform will specialize in delivering audio.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bose-augments-aural-reality

Onkyo's New 7.2-Channel AV Receiver Costs $400

Onkyo has expanded its 2018 AV receiver lineup with a 7.2-channel model that costs only $400.


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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/onkyos-new-72-channel-av-receiver-costs-400