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Two LG 4K TV Reviews — OLED 65″ and UHD 43″

Two LG 4K TV Reviews — OLED 65″ and UHD 43″

by | Jun 11, 2017 | Component Reviews

LG 4K TVs — OLED65E6p and 43UH610A   The OLED series from LG comes in various models (A, B, E, and G) and sizes. This E model is the second from the top. The upscale G model has a better sound system, at a $1700 up charge; it also has a curved screen OLED series. I opted for the E series, because I use my main stereo system or a sound bar. (For more information about OLED technology, go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OLED) The main features that the E model has over the lower models is it supports both Dolby Picture and HDR (high dynamic range) 10.  HDR10 uses and 10 bit color depth, where Dolby Vision uses 12 bit color depth. (The 10 bit has 1 billion possible colors; the 12 bit has 68 billion). This gives Dolby Vision a clear advantage, with more brightness and color variations. Currently it is only useable for anyone making players, cameras, TVs or discs using it as a standard in their product—with an associated licensing fee—though it is expected to be more common in the nearer future.  HDR10 is an open source standard with no licensing fee. It still has an advantage over with […]

Audio News for March 13, 2017

by | Mar 14, 2017 | Audio News

Wolf Cinema Announces Series of 4K Video Projectors for the Home –  This maker of high-performance home cinema projectors has announced the release of four 4K imaging home projectors. Three use the sixth-generation three-chip D-ILA light engine technologies; plus there is a flagship laser/phosphor 4K/UHD projector. All may stand alone or by mated with two Wolf Cinema eternal 4K video processors. They start at under $10,000 and the first three are traditional lamp-based editions, plus the high-output Blu-escent laser/phosphor flagship projector. Each model delivers the imaging prowess the company has become known for, on home theater screens up to 18 ft. in width. They all have full 18Gbps Ultra HD HDMI 2.0 inputs with HDCP 2.2 compatibility and increases in peak white performance up to 3200 ANSI lumens. The series delivers some of the most revealing black level performances in its class, full HDR10 imaging compatibility, multiple aspect ratio memories, custom factory gamut and gamma calibrations, and an all-metal chassis for improved thermal coefficients. Battery-Powered Speaker for Echo Dot Launches –  Ninety7, a technology lifestyle company, has launched a unit to elevate Dot’s home automation capabilities. The VAUX allows second-generation Dot owners to set their Dot free and enjoy portability […]

Audio News for January 24, 2017

by | Jan 24, 2017 | Audio News

“Stream the Studio” Campaign Announced by DEG Voice and Music Industry – The organizations will support the expansion of the current hi-res audio download market into studio quality hi-res streaming. Representatives from Rhapsody, Pandora and HD Tracks expressed their enthusiasm for this. They hinted at more advanced optional features in the future. The expansion of hi-res audio into the growing streaming market underscores the recent rise in subscription music services. Sprint Acquires Tidal – Telecommunications company Sprint has bought 33% of Tidal music streaming service, thus making their entire catalog of music available to their 45,000,000 retail customers. Alexa-supported Devices Big at CES – LG topped the list with many products with Alexa integration. It also debutd LG Hub Robot, a home assistant that can dance along with music and display facial expressions on command. Thanks to the power of Amazon’s cloud, the Lynx robot wll support commands like setting reminders, playing music and providing the daily weather report. Lenovo introduced the cylindrical Smart Assistant Speaker, a sort of beffed-up Alexa with eight far-field microphones, power treble speakers and subwoofers, and an audio profile optimzed by Harman Kardon engineers.  Ford partnered with Amazon and AT&T for Alexa voice commands. The […]

Audio News for January 20, 2017

by | Jan 20, 2017 | Audio News

Schools Dive Into Video Stream – Two national companies – National High School Sports Network and The Cube, have been joined by WSN – a new streaming technology in 38 classrooms so far. Unlike the other two, who offer only the software, WSN offers a turn-key package of hardware, software and technical support. The other two streaming companies charge $10 per view, but WSN charges more to bigger high schools which typically have a bigger budget. Coverage of high school sports produces income beyond ticket sales and fund-raising efforts. The Video Encoding and Transcoding Market – The demand for video streaming services is increasing due to proliferation of online media services on the Internet and mobile platforms globally. Encoding and transcoding equipment plays an important role in enabling baster delivery of media contact to end users. A video encoder converts an analog-based video content to digital format to make it compatible to run on Internet and mobile devices. Sometimes a video transcoder is use to convert an existing digital video content to another digital format for smooth functioning. Both encoder and transcoder must retain the video quality while converting to a different video format. However, there is considerable loss of […]

Audio News for January 6, 2017

by | Jan 7, 2017 | Audio News

LG’s Ultra-thin TV at CES –  The new LG Signature LED W7 might be – at 2.6 mm – the thinnest TV ever made. They call it a “Picture on  Wall” and it uses both magnetic hardware and nails to mount it nearly flush to the wall. And it is UHD, and allows you to impress your friends by peeling it off the wall. It will be available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes with a premium aluminum stand and bezel in the screen size. It includes a Dolby Atmos-enabled sound bar that delivers 2.0.2 Atmos sound. They are expected to ship in April, and will be expensive. Sony Now Also Has OLEDs –  The Sony A1E is based on an OLED LG display, but includes the X1 Extreme processor, a powerhouse with three main functions: a dual database for noise reduction and 4K upscaling, Super Bit Mapping to smooth gradations by reproducing the equivalent of 14 bits from an 8 bit source, and object-based HDR remastering that identifies individual objects in the image. Speakers are eliminated entirely: the entire screen vibrates to reproduce stereo sound. It also supports Dolby Vision HDR and Chromecast lets you send contact from a […]

Audio News for November 25, 2016

by | Nov 25, 2016 | Audio News

How Classical Music Affects Thoughts and Mood – Certain types of music can move us emotionally from one feeling to another.  In the ‘70s a researcher play certain music in chambers where plants were growing. Of the plants that were provided with rock music, some became stunted and others gangly and most died within a few weeks. Plants that had more soothing music playing in their chambers grew more robust and outlived other plants. Not all types of music leave us in an improved mood once the music ends. An internal medicine physician, Neil Nedley, M.D., says there are ten benefits to listening to classical music:  1. Increases interest in reading and learning, 2. Strengthens brainpower, 3. Encourages good lifestyle habits, 4. Allows frontal lobe to filter information, 5. Encourages fitness, 6. Increases productivity, 7. Strengthens creativity, 8. Decreases irritability, 9. Increases spiritual pursuits, and 10. Improves self-control. It’s important to take careful thought in choosing your music wisely; perhaps just as important of a choice as are the foods you eat and the friends you spend time with. Be mindful of the music that enters your mind. New Federal Rule Requires Movie Theaters to Provide Closed Captioning – The Justice Department […]

The Hunger Games & Catching Fire, both Blu-ray (2016)

The Hunger Games & Catching Fire, both Blu-ray (2016)

by | Nov 16, 2016 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews

The first two films of four Hunger Games, viewed as standard Blu-ray though UHD available. The Hunger Games – A Hero’s Journey Begins, UltraHD+Blu-ray+Digital HD (2016)   Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman Director: Gary Ross Studio: Lionsgate [11/8/16] (2 discs) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 7.1, Spanish DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish Extras: Audio commentary track with editor, visual effects supervisor and supervising sound editor; “Game Maker; Suzanne Collins and The Hunger Games Phenomenon,” “The World is Watching: Making The Hunger Games,” Letters from the Rose Garden Length: 111 min. Rating: **** The Hunger Games – Catching Fire – Every Revolution Begins with a Spark, UltraHD+Blu-ray+Digital HD (2026)  Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman Director: Francis Lawrence Studio: Lionsgate [11/8/16] (2 discs) Video: 2.40:1 for 16:9 screens, HD color Audio: English DTS-HD MA 7.1, Spanish DD 5.1, French DD 5.1 Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish, French Extras: Commentary track with director and producer Nine Jacobson; “Surviving the Game: Making The Hunger Games: Catching Fire” documentary; Deleted scenes Length: […]

Audio News for August 26, 2016

by | Aug 26, 2016 | Audio News

Sony Is Advertising a Hi-Res Turntable – There cannot be such a thing as a hi-res turntable. It may be designed to convert vinyl discs to audio files, but it is not therefore hi-res. Vinyl may often sound fantastic, but it is not hi-res and never will be. Post-iPod Players – Both new and experienced audio fans are flocking to hi-res audio players for music while on the go. Rather than the old-fashioned MP3 players like Apple’s iPod, they have sophisticated electronics such as DACs, making them capable of reproducing hi-res audio that the iPod cannot handle. The hi-res mobile players have also become cheaper and more feature-packed recently. Hi-res correctly refers to anything in digital audio files which is more than the standard 44.1K/16-bit of compact discs. (The current low-end hi-res is considered to be 48K/24-bit.) The bit depth is usually pushed up to 24-bits and the sampling to at least 96K, which results in clearer, richer and more authentic audio. Enthusiasts sometimes compare hi-res audio to so-called 4K video (actually UHD) in terms of better sound quality, clarity, and authentic audio. Such players now range from $150 to $6000. Tracks can be streamed via services like Tidal and […]

Audio News for August 2, 2016

by | Aug 2, 2016 | Audio News

Yamaha Adds 4K Blu-ray Players With Stereo SACD – The BD-S681 offers 3D playback, 4K upconversion, Wi-Fi networking, and compatibility with hi-res audio formats (in stereo). It retails for $329.95. The Aventage BD-A1060 adds a 192K/32-bit DAC, a high-purity power supply and independent circuit boards to reduce signal noise. Both players reduce disc vibration by 30%, and Wi-Fi Direct allows streaming of music from a mobile device to the player for viewing on a TV. The USB port on both decodes DSD streams up to 5.6 MHz, FLAC and ALAC music files. The A1060 is $549.95. The Gramophone Classical Music Awards Shortlist – The list is not short at all; recordings were selected in each of several categories by their panel of critics. Here is most of it for what it’s worth: Baroque Instrumental: Bach in Montecassino’ – Luca Guglielmi (Vivat) JS Bach Organ Works – Masaaki Suzuki (BIS) WF Bach Harpsichord Concertos – Il Convito / Maude Gratton (Mirare) Biber Rosary Sonatas – Rachel Podger et al (Channel Classics) Lawes The Royal Consort – Phantasm (Linn) Vivaldi Four Seasons etc.- Adrian Chandler / La Serenissima (Avie) Baroque Vocal: JS Bach Magnificat in E flat etc. – Dunedin Consort/ John […]

Audio News for June 28, 2016

by | Jun 28, 2016 | Audio News

Consider a Home Theater Makeover If: You can’t tell the color orange from the new black on your favorite prison show; there’s motion blur when people are running; the speakers aren’t loud enough to hear Simon Cowell’s insults; there are more remote controls on the coffee table than people in your home. First, two things you should know about 4K TVs: If you sit close enough, the four times greater resolution provides so much picture details it’s almost like being there. Due to more 4K content now becoming available and falling prices, this could be a good time to invest in a UHD TV (not really 4K), provided it has HDR, high dynamic range brightness, to bring greater color and contrast to the screen. Some have “quantum dots” whose tiny nano crystals are laid out in sheets in front of the backlight source, producing a wider color palette and better brightness. Sound bars are becoming more popular because they are less expensive than 5.1 or 7.1 surround speaker system, and easier to set up, and take up little room so become ideal for smaller rooms and apartments. A horizontal soundbar typically sits just under the TV screen. Many ship with […]

Audio News for March 29, 2016

by | Mar 29, 2016 | Audio News

Benefits of a Curved Screen HDTV – Almost none. Perhaps if you’re a single person sitting right in the center of the screen it might be nice, but it prevents good viewing from the sides and takes up more room, as well as being more expensive. It may be nice in some commercial theaters but in the home the better visual quality is in fact unverified. Basically it’s just a commercial ploy to get you to spend more on a TV. And wait for the next generation of 4K HDTVs – this one doesn’t address the many other areas needing upgrading besides the resolution, and you need to sit extremely close to see any improvement in resolution anyway. And there is almost nothing reasonable available in 4K until the higher-capacity Blu-rays come out in a few months. MIT Launches Battery-Operated Headphone Amp –  MIT has put their patented Multipole Technology inside an active circuit to make their Vero HCA 29 high current, silent-powered class AB headphone Amp. The new amp, which features 29 poles of articulation, is so far only on Indiegogo. Multipole Technology has been used on many films and recordings as well as MIT cables, but this is […]