LATEST ADDITIONS

The Big Picture
Kung Fu Panda 2
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 26, 2011
After the Samsung reviewers' workshop at DreamWorks Animation last week (see my report here), we were treated to a preview screening of Kung Fu Panda 2 in 3D. However, we were instructed not to publish anything about the movie until it opened on May 26—that is, today.
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Ask S&V
Top-of-the-Line TV Shopping
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 26, 2011
I'd like your help deciding on a new LED LCD TV. I was going to purchase a Samsung UN46C8000 in January based on Home Theater's review, but then I saw the D8000 series at CES and decided to wait for that TV. The UN55D8000 is finally available in my area, but I have not seen many reviews of it other than on CNET, which says it "exhibits poor screen uniformity with excessive brightness variation and banding." Do you have any experience with this TV model? Is it an improvement over the C8000? Is there a comparable television from another manufacturer that I should consider?

Luke Salsman

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Blu-ray Review: Solaris
Josef Krebs  |  May 25, 2011

A brown leaf floats on brilliantly clear water that flows over rich green seaweed. That’s just one of the many lyrical images that fill the opening sequence of Solaris. A horse trots along in the background. A cup of tea overflows in a momentary thunderstorm — the rain stopping as quickly as it started, leaving the sound of dripping water and then a serene silence.

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Ask S&V
Upscaling, DIY Repair, HDMI Handshaking
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 25, 2011
Which device does the best upscaling? I want to replace the failing DMD chip in my DLP projector. My AVR has developed an HDMI handshaking issue with my cable box.
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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 67: Joe Kane
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 25, 2011
Video guru Joe Kane makes his second appearance on the podcast, talking about active and passive 3D technologies and his new "3D flat" test patterns, which reveal exactly what a 3D TV is doing, as well as the importance of evaluating a 3D TV's 2D performance—after all, a 3D TV actually displays two 2D images, so it had better render 2D well if its 3D has any hope of looking good. He also describes the process of installing his own home theater and answers chat-room questions.

Run Time: 1:00:49

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Ask S&V
Conference Room Theater
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 25, 2011
I would like to set up a conference room with audio/video capabilities. I am planning to use a 7.1 A/V receiver for audio and InFocus 5124 LCD projector for video. This would be used for training and presentations as well as watching an occasional ball game or movie.

Ideally, a presenter would be able to use the A/V system for a slide show from a computer (potentially with a sound track) and talk over it with a wireless microphone. However, most receivers only allow a single input source to be selected. I have not been able to find an A/V receiver that would let me mix a microphone with the 7.1 sound system and watch a slide show from a computer video input. Do you have any suggestions?

Jim Kay

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Tower Speaker Reviews
KEF Q900 Speaker System
Thomas J. Norton  |  May 25, 2011

Performance
Value
Build Quality
Price: $4,250 (updated 3/10/15)
At A Glance: Superb sound on both music and movies • Wide, deep soundstage • Outstanding value

Cue the Qs

KEF’s Q Series, improved over multiple generations since 1994, has long been the British speaker company’s bread-and-butter line. The new Qs, which began shipping earlier this year, were designed in the U.K. and are manufactured in China.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The Company Men (2011)—Anchor Bay
Kris Deering  |  May 25, 2011
Video: 5/5
Audio: 3.5/5
Extras: 2.5/5
Bobby Walker is living the proverbial American dream: great job, beautiful family, shiny Porsche in the garage. When corporate downsizing leaves him and co-workers Phil Woodward and Gene McClary jobless, the three men are forced to re-define their lives as men, husbands and fathers. Bobby soon finds himself enduring enthusiastic life coaching, a job building houses for his brother-in-law that does not play to his executive skill set, and perhaps - the realization that there is more to life than chasing the bigger, better deal.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
True Grit (2011)—Paramount Pictures
Kris Deering  |  May 25, 2011
Video: 4.5/5
Audio: 4.5/5
Extras: 3.5/5
"True Grit" is a powerful story of vengeance and valor set in an unforgiving and unpredictable frontier where justice is simple and mercy is rare. Mattie Ross, is determined to avenge her father's blood by capturing Tom Chaney, the man who shot and killed him for two pieces of gold. Just fourteen, she enlists the help of Rooster Cogburn, a one-eyed, trigger-happy U.S. Marshall with an affinity for drinking and hardened Texas Ranger LaBoeuf to track the fleeing Chaney. Despite their differences, their ruthless determination leads them on a perilous adventure that can only have one outcome: retribution.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
I Am Number Four (Blu-ray)
David Vaughn  |  May 25, 2011
John Smith (Alex Pettyfer) is an extraordinary teen masking his true identify to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him. Living with his guardian (Timothy Olyphant) in a small town, John encounters life-changing events such as his first love (Dianna Agron), powerful new abilities, and a secret connection to the others who share his destiny.

With a decent premise to build upon I thought Disney/Dreamworks had the possibility of a new teen franchise on their hands, but boy was I wrong. The paper-thin plot is predictable and bland, the acting is atrocious (especially the two teen leads), and I couldn't help feeling that I was watching the movie of the week versus a feature film.

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