‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker’ Now on 4K Blu-ray

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, the final installment of the nine-part Star Wars saga, is now available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray.

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Best Gear of March 2020

In just the past couple of weeks, efforts to curb the coronoavirus pandemic has up-ended the lives of millions of people across the globe. But one thing that hasn’t changed is the steady flow of Top Pick-worthy gear that’s essential to establishing a home entertainment sanctuary. From a state-of-the-art DVR from TiVo, the company that helped pioneer and perfect the category 20 years ago, to a compact subwoofer that will shock you with its visceral precision, there’s something to ignite everyone’s AV imagination. As we head into April with a whole new set of expectations about daily life, stay healthy and let us know how you’re spending your newfound “leisure” time while we wait for those dark clouds to lift.

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Listen to the Charge of the Light Brigade

You've read the poem, and maybe recited it yourself. But would you like to hear a recording of the bugle call that sent the troopers of the Light Brigade into the Valley of Death, played by the bugler who rode with them?

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Poll: Home Entertainment Keeps S&V Readers Busy

A few days ago we asked S&V readers how they're spending newfound free time at home as most of us hunker down and do our part to help curb the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Here's what they said...

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Zombieland: Double Tap

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Zombieland: Double Tap revisits the characters of Tallahassee, Columbus, Wichita, and Little Rock (played by Woody Harrelson, Jessie Eisenberg, Emma Stone, and Abigail Breslin, respectively) 10 years after the original Zombieland takes place. There is plenty of clever dialogue and zombie kills to keep the film moving at an entertaining pace, even though it lacks some of the freshness of the original. This latest version of the zombie apocalypse also benefits from an excellent supporting cast that includes Rosario Dawson, Thomas Middleditch, Luke Wilson, Avan Jogia, and Zoey Deutch in an especially humorous performance.

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Clarus Unveils New High-End Audio Cables

Responding to “repeated requests” from its customers, Clarus, the sister brand of Tributaries specializing in high-end audio cables, is updating its popular Crimson line with new Mark II balanced XLR and singled-ended RCA audio cables and speaker cables.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/clarus-unveils-new-high-end-audio-cables

LG TVs Get Movies Anywhere App

LG today announced the availability of the Movies Anywhere app on LG smart TVs built from 2017 onward and running version 3.5 or higher of its webOS platform.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/lg-tvs-get-movies-anywhere-app

How Do I Know When to Change My Projector’s Bulb?

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

Q I made the decision to buy an Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 2045 3LCD projector about three years ago...I know I’ll need to change the bulb out at some point and would like to know how to tell when the lamp has dimmed to the point of needing replacement. I have no idea how many hours we’ve used it, or how to find out that information. —Scott Miller, via email

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Sports-Centric PlayersTV Now Live on Samsung TVs

Sports fans who are mourning the loss of live games for a still-undetermined amount of time may get some relief from the new PlayersTV network that just launched on Samsung TVs.

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Prog Giants Nektar Remember The Future from The Other Side

Some bands have sonic innovation flowing through their veins, right from conception. Case in point: Nektar, the progressive European collective who initially made their bones in Germany in the 1970s, even though their founding members were all from the U.K. Early, mind-expanding Nektar albums like 1971’s Journey to the Centre of the Eye, 1972’s A Tab in the Ocean, and 1973’s Remember the Future were all said to have influenced the always exploratory likes of Pink Floyd. I sat down with Derek “Mo” Moore and founding drummer Ron Howden to discuss the enduring legacy of their deep canon and how they address their history on their recent album The Other Side.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/prog-giants-nektar-remember-future-other-side

How to Watch First-Run Movies at Home and Extend Free Streaming Trials

Streaming is hotter than ever in the wake of the coronavirus shutdown as Hollywood scraps theatrical release schedules and streaming services extend free-trial periods. Let’s take a closer look.

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How to Get Early Release Movies and Extended Free Trials

With so many venues shutting down because of the Coronavirus pandemic, more than ever, streaming has become the primary source of our entertainment. Extended free trials are available for services and current films are showing up to stream digitally.

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Parasound NewClassic 200 Integrated Amplifier Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $1,195

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Generous power from a super-slim chassis
Bypass input for surround system integration
Flexible, analog-domain subwoofer filtering
Full-size, backlighted remote control
Minus
Digital conversion limited to 24/96 via USB
No built-in Bluetooth or other wireless features

THE VERDICT
An affordable integrated amplifier-DAC with substantial power, high-quality conversion, flexible inputs and outputs, and full-function remote. Bravo.

I like simple. Simple is good. Simple works. Simple makes my job easier and helps me sleep at night.

Parasound, a Bay Area maker with a half-century of success walking the parapet between high end audiophilia and value-engineering design, apparently concurs. The company's new NewClassic 200 Integrated is, as you might well guess, an integrated amplifier, with a high-quality onboard digital-to-analog converter section. The 200 Integrated was in fact derived by the simple expedient of sliding a class-D stereo power amp sourced from Danish class-D amp-module stalwart Pascal Audio into its otherwise-identical preamp stablemate. This slim, two-channel module delivers a claimed 110 watts per channel into either 4-ohm or 8-ohm loads with typical class-D efficiency, pulling only a modest 50 watts from the wall.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/parasound-newclassic-200-integrated-amplifier-review

Poll: What’s Your Go-To Form of Home Entertainment?

Poll: What’s Your Go-To Form of Home Entertainment?

Choices

Watching movies and TV shows on disc (ideally 4K Blu-ray)

Watching movies and TV shows on disc (any format)

Online video gaming

Console video gaming

Streaming 4K movies and TV shows on a single service (Netflix, Amazon Prime video, Disney+, etc.)

Streaming movies and TV shows on a single service (any format)

Streaming 4K movies and TV shows on several services

Streaming movies and TV shows on several services (any format)

Streaming music in hi-res on a single service (Tidal, Qobuz, etc.)

Streaming music in different formats on several services

Spinning Compact Discs on my CD player

Spinning vinyl LPs on my turntable

Livestream music performances on social media

Leave this field blank

Show Promo Image

SV Staff

yes

Poll: What’s Your Go-To Form of Home Entertainment?

Category: 

Vote

Primary Category: 

Vote

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Homeward Bound

Restaurants are closed to sit-in service. Stores, except for grocery and drug stores, are closed. Movie theaters are shuttered. People are encouraged (or mandated) to stay home apart from going out to forage for food. Sports are cancelled. The 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo are now rescheduled for 2021 (there go the 8K Olympic broadcasts promised for Japan!). ESPN2 this past weekend was even driven to broadcasting hamburger eating and cherry-pit spiting contests!

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/homeward-bound

Atlantic Tech Ships $300 Quad-Driver Headphones

Atlantic Technology is now shipping and offering an introductory discount on one of several headphones it previewed late last year.

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Dozens of Denon, Marantz Products Now ‘Roon Tested’

Sound United today announced that a slew of AV receivers and other products from Denon and Marantz have been certified as “Roon Tested,” which enables them to seamlessly integrate with the subscription-based Roon music management system.

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Story Behind this Intriguing Video Wall

You’re probably asking the same question we asked when we saw this tantalizing video wall: How’s it work?

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/story-behind-intriguing-video-wall

Ford v Ferrari

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The true story of sports car designer Carroll Shelby and driver Ken Miles' partnership with the Ford Motor Company to challenge legendary Ferrari and perhaps win racing's ultimate test of endurance, the 24 hours of Le Mans, is can't-miss Hollywood gold. While not quite a David v Goliath tale—we learn that cash-strapped Ferrari was something of an underdog—the results here are a heartfelt ode to cars, speed, second chances and next chapters, and good old American ingenuity.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/ford-v-ferrari

New Sonos OS Will Enable Hi-Res Audio, New Features

Wireless speaker pioneer Sonos has announced plans to a release a new operating system (OS) and app in June that will enable hi-res audio and other new features on all but a handful of its oldest products.

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Elite Screens Launches ‘Keeping Spirits High’ Giveaway

Hours before California Governor Gavin Newsom ordered the state’s 40 million residents to stay home to help prevent the spread of coronavirus, Garden Grove-based Elite Screens announced a giveaway to “keep your spirits high through these hectic times.”

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Fandango Announces Movie Ticket Refunds, Offers Streaming Credits

In the wake of the public entertainment shutdown, Fandango’s online ticketing operation is busy processing refunds and offering at-home streaming credits.

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New Paramount Label to Focus on Remastered and Classic Movies on Blu-ray

We’ll take whatever positive news we can muster during these otherwise uncertain, coronavirus-racked times. Paramount Pictures recently announced plans to launch a label dedicated to the release of collectible movies on Blu-ray.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/new-paramount-label-focus-remastered-and-classic-movies-blu-ray

When You Find a Pristine Piece of Audio History

Every now and then something really special comes along. Like finding a 50-year-old piece of audio history, never used and sitting in its original sealed box, complete with the original packing, owner’s manual, and shipping label.

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Monitor Audio Silver 300 Speaker System Review

Performance
Build Quality
Value

PRICE $5,975 (as tested)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Crisp, detailed sound
High-performance center speaker
Subwoofer with room correction
Minus
Subwoofer pricey compared with competition

THE VERDICT
Monitor Audio's revamped mid-range Silver system brings notable improvements with no notable increase in price.

In 2020 many of us will get to witness the summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan—on TV at least. Why do I mention that in the first line of a speaker review? Because, like the medals handed out to Olympian champs, speaker lines from Monitor Audio tend to come with names

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/monitor-audio-silver-300-speaker-system-review

New York’s Stereo Exchange Announces ‘Demo’ Sale

Stereo Exchange, the legendary New York City hi-fi dealer, is having a demo sale offering substantial discounts on a half a dozen audio components.

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LG Announces Pricing for 2020 4K and 8K OLED TVs

Following last week’s announcement that LG had begun rolling out its 2020 TV lineup, the company has released pricing and availability for a dozen 4K and 8K OLED models.

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SXSW Artists Showcase Is Live Streaming Today

In the wake of last week’s decision to cancel the popular South by Southwest (SXSW) music conference, London’s Production Park is hosting a series of live-streamed performances today.

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Opening Pandora’s Premium Box

Pandora was one of the world’s leading Internet radio entities when it debuted 20 years ago. Now under the mighty SiriusXM corporate umbrella, can its Pandora Premium tier deliver an experience on par with the competition?

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Vizio Rolls Out Deals on TVs, Soundbars

Vizio was quick to take advantage of the new nationwide practice of “social distancing” with the announcement of TV and soundbar deals to “help you get through these next few weeks.”

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LG CineBeam Projectors Get Alexa Upgrade

LG has announced a firmware update that adds Amazon Alexa voice/virtual-assistant capabilities to two 4K Ultra HD projectors in its CineBeam series.

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Best TVs & Projectors to Buy Right Now in 2020

Like it not social distancing is real and happening at an unstoppable pace that will only get worse with each passing day as more schools, gyms, restaurants, you-name-it close. What better time to stay at home and binge on a TV series or watch a movie or two? Dust off a timeless classic you haven’t watched in eons: Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Back to the Future, or maybe Young Frankenstein. Watch that series you’ve been meaning to dig into, and watch it from start to finish. Who cares if it takes a week or two? Of course, you will need a nice big screen to deliver all that movie and TV magic so may we be so bold as to suggest 10 Top Pick TVs and projectors for your consideration. All are 2019 models, in many cases available at greatly discounted prices, and presented here in ascending price order.

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Social Distancing and the Netflix Effect

The coronavirus is a global tragedy. No one yet knows what the final cost will be in human lives. Some of the estimates are truly sobering. The illness, and fear of contracting it, will also precipitate changes, temporary and perhaps long-lasting, in our lifestyles.

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iFi Takes the Noise Out of USB Audio

U.K.-based iFi Audio has introduced two inexpensive products designed to remove electrical noise from computer-based audio systems with “inherently noisy USB interfaces.”

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Until The End Of The World

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Sound
Extras

Is it the search for assorted MacGuffii—bank-heist loot, giant opal, camera that records brainwave images the blind can see—that sends self-destructive Claire, her writer ex, and a bounty hunter after thief Sam Farber? Or is it love? Threatening in the wings is a nuclear satellite plunging to Earth that, if shot down, could create a chain-reaction atomic pulse that wipes all electronic circuit boards, including the file of the novel the film is being based upon.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/until-end-world

PSB’s Alpha Series Budget Subwoofers Now Shipping

PSB has announced that two new models in its Alpha Series of budget subwoofers are now shipping.

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LG Starts Rolling Out 2020 TVs, OLED Leads the Way

LG has started rolling out the 2020 TV lineup it previewed in January at CES.

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Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, Integra AVRs Get Sonos Update

Onkyo USA Corporation today announced a firmware update that enables Sonos volume pass-through and other features on certain Onkyo, Pioneer Elite, and Integra brand AV receivers.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/onkyo-pioneer-elite-integra-avrs-get-sonos-update

‘The Beatles: Get Back,’ a Revealing Documentary, Headed to Theaters this Fall

Disney has acquired distribution rights to the Peter Jackson-helmed documentary, The Beatles: Get Back, and plans to release it to theaters nationwide in n September.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/beatles-get-back-revealing-documentary-headed-theaters-fall

Do All 4K Discs Support High Dynamic Range (HDR)?

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

Q I own a Sony UBP-X800 Ultra HD Blu-ray player and want to know if all the 4K discs I buy provide high dynamic range (HDR). I’m also wondering if all 4K discs with HDR deliver it in both the HDR10 and Dolby Vision formats. —Steven Ganno, via email

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JL Audio Fathom f110v2 Subwoofer Review

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value

PRICE $3,500

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Powerful output for a compact model
Onboard Digital Automatic Room Optimization
Dual-sub setup option
Minus
Lacks below-20Hz extension
Gloss black finish attracts dust

THE VERDICT
The f110v2 lacks the output and extension of a larger sub, but packs quite a punch given its modest size.

According to Merriam-Webster, a fathom is a unit of length equal to six feet that's used to measure the depth of water. But for JL Audio, Fathom is a family of subwoofers that dig deep into the lower depths of the audio spectrum. The company, which has been around north of forty years, was started by Jim Birch and Lucio Proni, who started building loudspeakers during their summer break back in the 1970s and never stopped.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/jl-audio-fathom-f110v2-subwoofer-review

Sennheiser Celebrates 75th Anniversary with Audiophile Bundle

To commemorate 75 years in business, Germany’s Sennheiser has announced an anniversary bundle offering its reference-quality HD 820 headphones and HDV 820 headphone amplifier at a $25% discount.

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Hands-On: Roku’s Surround Sound Made Simple

Roku is making surround sound simple by pairing its subwoofer and speakers with its soundbar, all of which were released last year. Following a Roku OS update that rolled out in February, users can now connect the Roku wireless speakers to the Roku Smart Soundbar for a more immersive home theater experience. See how they fared in this hands-on review.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/hands-roku-s-surround-sound-made-simple

WiSA Wireless Speakers to Support Dolby Atmos

The Wireless Speaker and Audio Association (WiSA) has announced plans to release a firmware update that will enable support for Dolby Atmos surround sound in WiSA-enabled speakers and transmitters.

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https://www.soundandvision.com/content/wisa-wireless-speakers-support-dolby-atmos

Corona Corona

Unless you’ve been living on the moon for the last two months, you’re certainly aware of the recent epidemic of the COVID-19 Corona virus. It’s hardly a secret that it has spread nearly worldwide, though so far with the majority of cases and deaths occurring in its source country, China. ..Just this week I was scheduled to travel to an LG event in Los Angeles...

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Klipsch Cranks Up its Spring Deal Machine

Chalk it up to March Madness or maybe just plain old Spring Fever but Klipsch is running deals on a variety of indoor and outdoor speakers, including up to 25% off on select home theater models. Here’s a sampling…

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Vizio Offers Free CuriosityStream Preview

Through the end of March, Vizio is offering owners of its SmartCast TVs a free preview of the CuriosityStream video-on-demand service. Sign up now and you can watch for three weeks without paying any fees.

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