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Tech2
The Pringles Can Speaker: A Beggar’s Banquet Page 3
Brent Butterworth  |  Nov 02, 2011

I predict that 2011 will be for audio what 1962 was for the art world. In 1962, Andy Warhol’s first solo shows in Los Angeles and New York swept away the prevailing aesthetic ethos of the era, demonstrating to the world that a Brillo pad box could be a work of art.

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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 85: Drew Major
Scott Wilkinson  |  Nov 01, 2011
Drew Major, co-founder of Novell and Move Networks and now CTO of EchoStar Advanced Technologies, gets geeky about the underlying technology of video streaming, wired versus wireless connections, his invention of adaptive-rate video streaming, meetings with Steve Jobs, the future of IPTV and his conviction that it will eventually supplant broadcast TV, answers to chat-room questions, and more.

Run Time: 59:50

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Grace Notes
Cutting the Cord on Cable - and TV?
Leslie Shapiro  |  Nov 01, 2011

It's really hard to feel sorry for any of the major cable providers. Shout out if you absolutely love your cable company. Anyone? So, when Time Warner Cable announced a significant drop in subscribers and a corresponding decline in their earnings last quarter, you didn't see a lot of crocodile tears. In fact, anyone who's spent an hour or five dealing with cable customer service will likely feel at least a bit of glee to hear about TWC's corporate woes. But what does this say about how we're all watching TV?

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Music ReviewsBlu-ray Movie Reviews
This Week in Blu-rays and Music, November 1, 2011
Ken Korman  |  Nov 01, 2011

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Ask S&V
Onkyo HT-S9400THX vs. Polk RTi and Pioneer VSX-1121
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 31, 2011
I have an LG 55LW5600 TV and an LG 3D Blu-ray player in a 13.5-by-16 room. The TV is on the long side of the room, so the placement is not optimal, but it allows me to maintain the peace with my better half.

Now, I need a sound system. I think the Onkyo HT-S9400THX system offers good value. Do you like how that system sounds? On the other hand, a large retailer is selling the Polk RTi A5 and RTi A7 at $519 and $629 per pair, respectively. That seems like a good deal, but I would still need a receiver (I'm considering the Pioneer VSX-1121) and a center channel; I do not have a lot of space for surrounds in the back of the room as the couch is against the wall. Would the Polk setup sound just as good with two speakers (say the A7s) versus the Onkyo 7.1 system, considering that it might just be 5.1 or 3.1)? In two or three years, I will develop the basement and move the home theater downstairs to a larger room. Would the Polks be a better long-term investment?

Luis Victoria

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Tower Speaker Reviews
MartinLogan ElectroMotion ESL Speaker System
Darryl Wilkinson  |  Oct 31, 2011

Performance
Value
Build Quality
Price: $5,600 (updated 3/10/15)
At A Glance: CLS Xstat electrostatic transducer • Folded Motion XT tweeter • Dipolar panels

I hate MartinLogan.

That’s right. I hate MartinLogan with a passion that borders on the obsessive. And there’s more to it than the fact that the company’s headquarters in Lawrence, Kansas, are just a hop, skip, and a third-and-long TD pass away from KU. (As a graduate of Mizzou, I say, “Pluck the Jayhawks.”) What gets me is that every time I see those tall, translucent, slightly curved, hard-to-believe-they-actually-work panels that are the hallmark of a MartinLogan electrostatic speaker, I want a pair.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Crazy Stupid Love
David Vaughn  |  Oct 31, 2011
Straight-laced Cal Weaver (Steve Carell) is living the dream with a good job, nice house, and a seemingly happy marriage to his high school sweetheart. But when his wife drops the bomb that she's been having an affair and wants a divorce, he becomes a fish out of water when he enters the dating game again. Enter young Jacob (Ryan Goling), a guy Cal meets at a local bar who takes the older man under his wing in order to teach him how to be a ladies' man and to forget his ex-wife.

As far as romantic comedies go, they rarely break from the script, but that isn't the case here. In many ways, this film pokes fun at the clichéd moments found in the genre and the stars do a good job portraying their characters. I especially liked the young actor, Jonah Bobo, as he swoons over his babysitter (Jessica Tipton).

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Tech2
Five Vintage Turntables to Add to Your eBay Watch List
Brent Butterworth  |  Oct 31, 2011

I had an ear-opening experience when I got to do a blind listening test of some vintage turntables at Vancouver, BC vintage audio dealer Innovative Audio this past summer.

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Vote
What's More Important, Availability or Quality?
Scott Wilkinson  |  Oct 28, 2011
These days, high-def TV shows are available from three basic platforms—broadcast (including cable, satellite, and over-the-air), online streaming, and Blu-ray. The order in which I've listed them here also corresponds to a current show's availability—first, it's broadcast, which is quickly followed by its appearance on one or more streaming sites, and finally Blu-ray months later (if ever).

In terms of quality, streaming is clearly at the low end—even so-called "high-def" streaming—with its high data compression and often 2-channel audio. Next up the food chain is broadcast at 1080i or 720p with lossy Dolby Digital 5.1 audio (and the inevitable commercials). At the top of the heap is Blu-ray at 1080p with lossless 5.1 audio.

All of which begs the question—what's more important to you, availability or quality? Do you tend to choose broadcast and streaming to see your favorite shows ASAP, or do you wait for the ultimate quality of Blu-ray?

Vote to see the results and leave a comment about your choice.

What's More Important, Availability or Quality?
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Captain America 3D
David Vaughn  |  Oct 28, 2011
Steve Rogers, a frail and patriotic young man, wants nothing more than to serve his country by joining the Army in order to fight the evil Nazis. On multiple occasions, he's been deemed unfit for service and is rejected, but he refuses to give up trying. On his latest attempt, he catches the eye of Dr. Abraham Erskine, a scientist working for the Army who has developed a serum that enhances one's muscles, brain power, reflexes, and mental abilities in order to create a "super soldier."

Thus far, the movie studios haven't had a lot of success in converting 2D films into 3D in post-production and delivering satisfying results. Fortunately, the 2D-3D conversion here is one of the best I've seen. Separation between objects is exemplary, and the added depth enhances the texture and intimacy of the cinematography. Even more impressive is the DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack that features reference-quality dynamic range, an engaging score from Alan Silvestri, and plenty of window-rattling explosions.

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