Aug 20 Podcast #1013: Do you still Need a Set Top Box and the TWICE 2021 VIP Awards
This week we solve the mystery of what happened to HDNET and we ask the question if Set Top Hardware is still needed. Finally we go through the list of the 2021 TWICE VIP Awards. We also read your emails and give you the news of the week.
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Today's Show:
News:
- Sonos Claims Tiny Victory In Its Patent Infringement Case Against Google
- Disney Plus Tops Expectations, Reaches 116 Million Subscribers
- Apple HomePods get two big features
- Locast is now available on Vizio SmartCast televisions!
Other:
What Happened to HDNET
A listener sent us a link to Wikipedia where the following was taken from:
AXS TV (pronounced "access") is an American specialty television channel. Majority-owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment, it is devoted primarily to live music programming, entertainment, and combat sports—including mixed martial arts and professional wrestling.
The network was originally established in 2001 as HDNet, with investor Mark Cuban as a founding partner. HDNet was originally intended as an exclusively-high-definition network, carrying general entertainment, concerts, and sporting events in the format. In 2012, with the network's original purpose becoming redundant (due to most mainstream cable networks now having HD feeds), HDNet sold stakes to Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), Creative Artists Agency, and Ryan Seacrest (with Cuban retaining a majority stake), and rebranded under its current name (taken from AEG's online ticket platform AXS.com) on July 2, 2012—with the network shifting its content to include more entertainment and pop culture-oriented programming, alongside its existing live music content.
In September 2019, Anthem acquired a majority stake in AXS, with AEG and Cuban retaining minority stakes.
AXS TV is available to 50 million households in the United States as of December 2020.
What’s the Point of AppleTV Hardware?
Buying an Apple TV no longer gives users a content advantage. We are in the age of streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, and business models have shifted so that every service is available on every device — phones, tablets, TV sets, streaming sticks and game consoles. (Full Article Here…)
The product isn’t without its benefits, though, for the Apple ecosystem’s most loyal users. Integration with HomeKit, Fitness+, AirPods and the iOS remote app is useful. The new remote control and faster chip in this year’s version are definite improvements, and the box is getting SharePlay and Spatial Audio support later this year [this was written prior to the release of these technologies]. Still, I don’t see these enhancements moving the needle for most people.
Twice VIP Awards 2021
The TWICE VIP Awards are not decided by consumers but rather they are voted on by industry leaders, consumer tech retailers and distributors who are looking for great products, innovation and what makes the biggest difference in the business.
The awards cover a wide range of products from projectors, truly wireless headphones to the latest TVs and major appliances. On this show we will focus on Home Theater and Home Automation products. The full list of award winners can be found here (Announcing The Winners Of The 2021 TWICE VIP Awards!)
Accessories
THX Onyx (MSRP $220) is an innovative Digital-to- Analog Converter (DAC)/Amplifier that
brings crystal clear audio to consumers on the go for enjoyment of music, movies, and games. This leading-edge product brings vast audio quality improvements that's enjoyed over nearly any mobile device and headset, based upon the award-winning patented THX Achromatic Audio Amplifier (THX AAA™) technology. THX AAA provides impactful power and ensures the ultimate no-compromise headphone audio experience by delivering the highest audio fidelity with infinitesimally low levels of noise and distortion. Currently, THX Onyx is the first portable DAC/Amp to feature THX AAA-78, the highest-powered mobile THX AAA configuration, in such a small amp. Whether you're enjoying the audio timbre of a Bach sonata or want to hear the full range of emotional frequencies within your favorite feature film's musical score, THX Onyx brings the clarity and joy of crystal clear audio with you wherever you go.
A/V Receivers
Denon AVR-A110 (MSRP $6,000 Backordered) is the ultimate 8K/13.2- channel home theater receiver, providing CEDIA integrators with a high-performance immersive solution from the most trusted brand in audio/video. In addition to astonishing home theater performance, the HEOS® built-in wireless multi-room streaming technology puts the listener's favorite content anywhere throughout the home (requires HEOS-compatible speakers) and adds Apple® AirPlay 2 for effortless streaming from mobile devices. The AVR-A110 also offers access to the most popular streaming services, providing users with limitless access to their favorite music, podcasts and more.
Headphones Truly Wireless
Klipsch T5 II ANC earphones (MSRP $299) deliver a truly hands-free listening experience. They are the FIRST set of earphones to feature and combine: A built-in Bragi® operating system with embedded artificial intelligence which allows for hands-free, advanced gesture-controlled experiences. Dual-mic noise cancellation utilizes both a microphone aimed at the outside and one in front of the speaker for maximum noise cancellation. Integrated Dirac® HD Sound technology optimizes sound performance digitally for clearer, richer and more balanced sound.
Home Theater Audio
Samsung's Q950A (MSRP $1500) is the first Samsung soundbar to offer true 11.1.4 channel sound, enhanced by 21 custom- designed speakers and audio certifications including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
Polk Audio Reserve Series R700 (MSRP $1,100 each)is a high-performance, versatile floor-standing loudspeaker designed to deliver serious performance for music, movies and gaming. Polk Audio engineers created rigid, internally braced cabinets while leveraging driver and port technologies from the Legend Series speakers to achieve breathtaking levels of balance and realism.
Projectors
Sony VPL-VW1025ES (MSRP $40K). The X1™ processor for projector and a 2,200 lumen Z-Phosphor laser light source bring exceptionally bright and clear colors, contrast, and motion to all your content for over 20,000 hours of play time. With the ARC-F lens equipped for ultra-crisp images, you'll wonder how you watched movies before installing the VW1025ES.
Epson's EpiqVision Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser Projector (MSRP $900) creates an epic viewing experience right out of the box with its stunning picture quality, built-in Android TV, sound by Yamaha, and wireless connectivity. Stream big, bright Full-HD content up to 150-inches for immersive viewing of TV shows, sporting events, gaming, and movies from virtually anywhere in the home - even outside. Powered by Android TV, the EF12 offers instant streaming the moment it is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi through popular streaming services including Hulu, HBO and YouTube™. Yamaha's leading Acoustic Engineers designed a unique sound system exclusively for the EF12 to deliver a true audiophile performance that rivals soundbars and connects via Bluetooth® for use as a standalone speaker. Designed with simplicity in mind, the EF12 weighs under five pounds with a compact, portable and modern design to fit beautifully within any décor and project seamlessly with no screen required.
Portable Streaming Speakers: Soundbars $499 or less
Polk Audio React Soundbar (MSRP $250) Big surround sound driven by Dolby
and DTS integration delivers a true cinematic television experience. Optional subwoofer and wireless surrounds makes true 5.1 home theater possible without adding wires.
Portable Streaming Speakers: Soundbars $500 and up
Polk Audio Studio 3D Mini - Could not find any info on this device under Polk Audio. However, we did find a Studio 3D Mini made by Definitive Technology that has an MSRP of $900.
Smart Home & Automation: Automation OS
Crestron Home (MSRP $$$$$$)
Smart Home & Automation: Climate Control
Crestron Horizon Thermostats (MSRP $$$)
Video & TV: 4K
LG 65-inch G1 OLED evo 4K TV (65G1) (MSRP $2800) fusing state-of-the-art display and AI technologies with beautiful design. Thanks to stunning picture quality, Zero Gap wall mountable design, and new OLED evo technology, the stunning 65G1 delivers better brightness and punchy images with amazing clarity, detail and realism. The TV runs LG's own webOS
6.0 smart TV platform, providing intuitive navigation and control and offering multi-AI"' which comprises LG ThinQ AI, as well as built-in Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa.
Video & TV: 8K
Samsung QN900A Neo QLED 8K TV - (MSRP $4500 65”) with the new Neo Quantum Processor 8K to deliver exemplary picture quality, smart features and design. Thanks to Samsung's Neo QLED panel technology, LEDs are 40x smaller than conventional LED units, allowing more light to be packed into the same area. Unlike other LED backlights, the QN900A eliminates lenses that capture and transmit light from the backlight. Instead, each compact LED chip is designed to emit light on its own. Brightness is more controlled while blooming is minimized, resulting in higher contrast ratios and one of the best non-OLED TVs ever. The Neo Quantum Processor 8K leverages innovations in deep learning, machine learning and a neural network to upscale content sources to 8K-resolution picture quality. Its pristine image is matched by an immersive design. Its thin black matrix means that 99% of the QN900A's panel displays the content, as compared to the industry standard of ~95% screen-to- body ratio.
Video & TV: OLED
Sony BRAVIA XR A80J (MSRP $2300 65”) - Enjoy premium OLED picture with contrast and color that feels deep, natural, and real with the A80J. The revolutionary Cognitive Processor XR™ optimizes thousands of on-screen elements simultaneously for a lifelike picture. Feel the action with Acoustic Surface Audio+ and experience a truly immersive sound that perfectly matches the picture on screen.
Video & TV: TVs: 40 to 57 Inches
LG 48-inch C1 4K OLED TV (48C1) (MSRP $1300) is ideal for gaming, providing many characteristics offered by the latest gaming monitors. LG's latest intelligent processor, the a (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 AI leverages deep learning to analyze and optimize content, making content of any quality look picture-perfect. The processor features AI Picture Pro, which recognizes content, removes noise, and optimizes picture quality. The 48C1 features the latest webOS 6.0 with ThinQ AI letting users easily discover and access content from popular services offered on its smart TV ecosystem, such as Twitch.
Video & TV: TVs: 58 inches and larger
LG 83-inch C1 4K OLED TV (83C1) (MSRP $5500) Powered by the upgraded a (Alpha) 9 Gen 4 AI processor, the 83C1 uses deep-learning algorithms to detect scenes and genres to make content look it's best no matter what or when you're watching. LG's 2021 OLED TVs offer an immersive experience with support for Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos,® HDR10 PRO and Filmmaker Mode. The C1 series includes 4 inputs with HDMI 2.1 features such as support for 4K 120 content, VRR, ALLM and eARC making OLED the TV of choice for gamers and home theater enthusiasts alike. The new webOS 6.0 interface provides faster access to apps and simpler content discovery with personalized recommendations.
Super VIP Award
LG Electronics – Winners in 6 categories
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Computer and Gaming: Monitor
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Health & Lifestyle: Air Purifiers
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Major Appliances: Front-load Washer
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Video & TV 4K
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Video & TV: 40 to 57 Inches
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Video & TV: 58 inches and larger
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