LATEST ADDITIONS

Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Three Films by Luis Buñuel
Josef Krebs  |  Apr 09, 2021
Picture
Sound
Extras
Closing an almost 50-year career that began with Un Chien Andalou, writer-director Luis Buñuel—aided by screenwriting partner Jean-Claude Carrière—created a trio of subversive amusements that savagely poke fun at pillars of French society, including church, military, and figures of the establishment. The master surrealist did so by playing with and disrupting conventional narrative structures, questioning the validity of his protagonists' rationality, and reducing their self-serving behavior and values to nonsense while upsetting cinematic expectations of viewers.
Continue Reading »
The Connected Life
Help Me Help You
John Sciacca  |  Apr 09, 2021
I’ve been doing my “Connected Life” (originally “The Custom Installer”) column every issue now for almost 20 years. Over that time, I’ve covered numerous how to’s, tips and tricks, walk-thrus, and suggestions for virtually anything related to the custom installation world. But now, after roughly 200 columns, features, and blog posts, I’m wondering what kinds of posts will resonate and be most helpful to you, the Sound and Vision readers.

So, I’m asking for your help and input.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
Best Gear of 2021 (So Far)
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 08, 2021
We’re barely three weeks into spring and we’ve already amassed an impressive lineup of S&V-approved A/V gear for the casual enthusiast and grizzled veteran alike. Topping the list at either end of the spectrum is an AVR that delivers a surprising number of cutting-edge features for 600 bucks and a spectacular, 11-piece Dolby Atmos-capable speaker system from one of England’s finest brands. And we’re just scratching the surface…
Continue Reading »
Ask S&V
Can You Get Atmos Sound Using an Analog Link Between a BD Player and AVR?
Al Griffin  |  Apr 08, 2021
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I am planning an upgrade to Panasonic DP-UB9000 Ultra HD Blu-ray player. Can I can connect the player’s 7.1 analog output to my Yamaha AVR’s multichannel input (like I currently do with my Oppo player) and hear Atmos/DTS:X? —Rick Poage, Fairfax, VA

Continue Reading »
Headphone ReviewsSurround Sound System Reviews
JVC Exofield XP-EXT1 Personal Home Theater System Review
Daniel Kumin  |  Apr 07, 2021
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $999

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Solid headphone-surround
Impressive Dolby Atmos, DTS:X effects
Long battery life
Minus
Substantial vocal tonality shifts
Uneven bass presentation

THE VERDICT
JVC’s Exofield XP-EXT1 delivers an impressive rendering of effects in immersive soundtracks, but it comes up short as an all- around wireless home theater headphones solution.

True surround sound from headphones has been an audio holy grail for decades, but with the ever-increasing power and value of digital signal processing, we're now getting closer to drinking from that particular chalice. JVC's latest effort is the XP-EXT1 Personal Home Theater System, a set of wireless over-the-ear cans with a slim processor/transmitter that uses the company's Exofield DSP processing to digitally rejigger surround-encoded soundtracks, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, for your in-head listening pleasure.

Continue Reading »
Audio Video News
BluOS Adds Streaming Options, Access to MQA Music
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 06, 2021
Lenbrook International today announced a significant update for its BluOS multi-room music platform that adds native support for three new music streaming services and provides exclusive access to MQA-encoded music through Radio Paradise, an eclectic listener-supported internet radio station based in Southern California.
Continue Reading »
A/V Veteran
TVs on the High Seas
Thomas J. Norton  |  Apr 06, 2021
The big news story of last week wasn't out of Washington D.C., or about the current state of Covid, or who has just cancelled who or what, or even the new line of TVs ready to flood your local Costco, Sam's Club, Best Buy, or any number of other retailers. It involved a giant cargo ship, the Ever Given, getting stuck in the Suez canal with hundreds of other ships lined up behind it and unable to get through with their cargo. What's this have to do with home audio and video?
Continue Reading »
Signals
Black Widow: Release the Kraken!
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Apr 05, 2021
Which of these do not belong together?

  • Peanut butter / Jelly
  • Horse / Saddle
  • Hand / Glove
  • Movie theaters / The future

Continue Reading »
Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Tenet
Chris Chiarella  |  Apr 02, 2021
Picture
Sound
Extras
This is how director Christopher Nolan does time travel. Actually, to hear him tell it, this is how he does a spy thriller, inspired by the Bonds of his youth and enhanced with all of the mind-bending trappings we've come to expect from one of filmdom's brainiest auteurs. The central conceit of Tenet—one that commands audiences to pay full attention lest they be left behind—is the recent discovery of a temporal anomaly, possibly man-made, that can send certain objects backwards in time, rather than in the usual direction.
Continue Reading »
Throwback Thursday
Charlie's Playlist: Man vs. Machine
Michael Antonoff  |  Apr 01, 2021
It didn’t rise to the level of Kasparov versus Deep Blue, but still, it was another example of man vs. machine. This time it was radio DJ Charlie Bermant playing music from 1967 versus playlists I asked two different smart speakers to generate.
Continue Reading »

Pages

X