Audio Video News

Sort By:  Post Date TitlePublish Date
The S&V InterviewAudio Video News
Peter Vasay: How THX Is Staying True to its Mission
Bob Ankosko  |  Mar 18, 2021  | 
Few companies in the home entertainment electronics industry have as storied a history as THX, the company born out of George Lucas’ desire to bring the movie-going experience as close as possible to how he envisioned his theatrical creations on the big screen. Disappointed by the sonic limitations of movie theaters when the original Star Wars film was released in 1977, the celebrated screenwriter/director engaged a team of audio engineers to define a series of technical parameters theater owners could follow to achieve what we would call today an immersive experience. The theatrical program was a huge success, eventually finding its way into the home, and the rest is history. We caught up with Peter Vasay, general manager and senior VP for home products at THX Ltd., to get an update on what the iconic brand has been up to lately and where it’s headed.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
SVS Virtual Audiophile Happy Hour Is Back—Again!
SV Staff  |  Mar 18, 2021  | 
The SVS Virtual Audiophile Happy Hour returns with yet another new product announcement today, Thursday, March 18 at 6p.m. ET, live on the SVS Facebook page and YouTube channel! According to SVS, the new product is “game-changing” and will “dwarf anything SVS has done before.” Wonder what it could be?
Continue Reading »
Custom Installation How-ToAudio Video News
Building a Home Theater? Avoid these Pitfalls
Bob Ankosko  |  Mar 11, 2021  | 
Are you thinking about building a home theater — or maybe converting an existing mixed-use media room into a space dedicated to movie viewing? If so, there are a whole host of things to consider before you break ground, so to speak. Drawing on its 40-plus years of experience as a home audio and video specialist, North Carolina’s Audio Advice has identified the most common mistakes home theater builders make — from picking a screen that’s too small to ignoring room acoustics — and come up with meaningful advice on how to avoid these pitfalls to ensure a great home theater experience.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Epson, Philips Agree on Industry Standard Projector Specs
Al Griffin  |  Mar 08, 2021  | 
Epson wants to protect you, the consumer, from misleading brightness claims in projector advertising. To that end, the company has reached an agreement with Philips and Screeneo Innovation that all future Philips NeoPix projectors designed, manufactured, and sold by Screeneo will use industry standard specifications (ISO 21118:2020) for brightness claims. The agreement is the latest chapter in Epson’s ongoing effort to cast light on deceptive advertising—a particular problem with cheap models sold on Amazon’s e-commerce site.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
New Gear for Spring 2021
Bob Ankosko  |  Mar 04, 2021  | 
The historic cold of Winter 2021 is almost behind us at last. As a new season beckons and we anticipate what “spring cleaning” might look like in a world moving quickly toward post-pandemic status, it’s a good time to take stock in all facets of your life, including the home entertainment setup that helped push you through the darkest days of COVID-19 isolation. Many of us took time during lockdown to upgrade our AV systems with bigger screens, better sounding audio gear, a new turntable, or perhaps a more functional setup. To help keep the wheels of progress turning, we present a sampling of the latest A/V news, which as it turns out is dominated by a gaggle of interesting speakers from brands old and new.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Best Gear of February 2021
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 25, 2021  | 
Spring beckons and so does the long-awaited return to normal life as the pandemic winds down. Though February was short, we learned a few things from our Top Picks for the month: (1) Subwoofers don’t have to look like subwoofers, (2) you can’t judge a speaker by its looks, and (3) you don’t have to spend thousands to get a big-screen TV that delivers terrific picture quality. Will one of our February gems help you rediscover your passion for music and movies or gaming (Pac-Man anyone?) and push your home entertainment experience to the next level? There’s only one way to find out.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
The SVS Virtual Audiophile Happy Hour Returns
SV Staff  |  Feb 25, 2021  | 
The SVS Virtual Audiophile Happy Hour returns with a momentous announcement today, Thursday, February 25 at 6p.m. ET, live on the SVS Facebook page and YouTube channel! For the first time in SVS history, full details of new products will be revealed via live stream and questions taken on the fly.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
New Gear for Winter 2021
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 11, 2021  | 
In the weeks following CES 2021, we’ve witnessed a flurry of new product announcements. From a couple of nostalgic audio products to an outdoor entertainment setup and wireless speakers guaranteed to make your neighbors envious, here’s a look at some of the new gear coming your way.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
More Headphones from CES 2021 and Beyond
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 04, 2021  | 
In post a couple weeks ago, we focused on some of the wireless headphones introduced at last month’s virtual CES 2021, the first virtual gathering in the show’s 53-year history. We’re visiting the massively popular category again, this time with a look at headphones introduced at the show or shortly thereafter, including models that bring new form factors and technology into the fold.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Best Gear of Winter 2021 (So Far)
Bob Ankosko  |  Jan 28, 2021  | 
Home entertainment took center stage in 2020 and will continue to be a mainstay of life at home until we defeat the invisible enemy known as COVID-19. Whether a return to quasi-normal life takes weeks or months (my bet is on the latter), A/V gear of all shapes and sizes will continue to not only make possible but enhance our music and movie experiences. All of which brings us to the latest crop of Sound & Vision Top Picks, encapsulated here for your convenience.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
KEF Teases New Uni-Core Subwoofer Technology
SV Staff  |  Jan 15, 2021  | 
Britain’s KEF is offering a preview of a new subwoofer technology that will be featured in a product to be announced later this month. Called Uni-Core, the technology will enable “high-level performance while reducing the subwoofer or speaker cabinet volume significantly,” according to the company.
Continue Reading »
CES 2021Audio Video News
CES 2021: A Little Something for Everyone
Bob Ankosko  |  Jan 14, 2021  | 
As the first virtual CES comes to a close, the Consumer Technology Association (CTA) has already proclaimed the event the largest digital tech show in history with close to 2,000 companies congregating online to introduce a staggering variety of new products and technologies. Here’s a look at some of the A/V related news we came across.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video NewsNew Products
Good Riddance 2020: New Gear for a New Year
Bob Ankosko  |  Dec 31, 2020  | 
Ringing in the New Year has new meaning as we say good riddance to a year besieged by a deadly virus and transition to what we all hope will be a fresh start in 2021 — new beginnings without tragic loss, social isolation, and economic devastation. While you contemplate the better world that awaits us, here’s a peek at the latest news and products AV companies have to offer.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Winter 2020: Best Affordable Gear
Bob Ankosko  |  Dec 17, 2020  | 
Despite all the hardships 2020 has imposed on us, home entertainment has remained a bright spot with A/V gear across all categories providing the means for elevating our music and movie experiences. Thank goodness for that. And thank goodness 2020 is coming to a close. As we look to the New Year with hopes for a return to a normal life, free of restrictions and financial hardship, we present 21 prime A/V specimens for your consideration. All are Sound & Vision Top Picks and all are affordable, at prices ranging from $130 to just under $3,000 with most falling in the under-$1,000 category. Whether you’re contemplating a new turntable or TV, we’re confident one of more of the products highlighted here will speak to you.
Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Last-Minute Holiday Gift Ideas
Bob Ankosko  |  Dec 10, 2020  | 
A few things to consider as we approach the home stretch.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but if you’re reading this and haven’t finished your holiday shopping you’re now officially a last-minute shopper. I’m right with you. In a normal year I’d be thinking two weeks is plenty of time to tie up loose ends. But in the Age of COVID, the world is upside-down and restrictions (whether government-mandated or self-imposed) are real and impacting just about everything — especially inventory levels and shipping times. Is the gift you’ve been contemplating in stock and, if so, will it arrive in time? On-time delivery was an issue last year so you can imagine how much pressure shippers are under this year with online shopping reaching all-time highs. If you, like me, find yourself running out of options, here are a few last-minute gifts ideas to consider, including a couple that don’t require physical shipping.

Continue Reading »

Pages

X