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Sony XR-65A80J OLED Ultra HDTV Review
Thomas J. Norton  |  Aug 04, 2021

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,299

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Crisp resolution from Cognitive Processor XR
Ultra-wide viewing angle
Impressive shadow detail
Minus
Picture setup menu limitations
Minor black level issues with HDR

THE VERDICT
Sony's 65A80J delivers top-shelf video performance, HDMI 2.1 connectivity, along with many of the same features found in the company's flagship A90J OLED models at a significantly lower price.

Sony's new XR-65A80J OLED TV isn't a member of the company's Master Series—that designation belongs to its XR-A90J OLED models, which are spec'd to deliver higher brightness than the XR-A80J sets. And while we haven't yet tested those pricier Sony OLEDs, the XR-65A80J is far from being a second-class citizen.

The A80J's physical design is solid and well-executed. If you opt for a conventional installation instead of a wall-mount, its feet can be installed either 40 inches or 27.3 inches apart to accommodate a wide range of TV stands or cabinets, and they can also be slightly elevated to make space for a soundbar.

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Stream On
Exploring Quincy Jones’ Qwest TV Streaming Service
Mike Mettler  |  Aug 04, 2021
Qwest TV steps outside the streaming mainstream to offer up a wider swath of multicultural live concert and documentary selections.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Sony Previews 4-Speaker Home Theater System, New Flagship Soundbar
Bob Ankosko  |  Aug 02, 2021
Sony is previewing a new flagship Dolby Atmos-capable soundbar and home theater system that creates an immersive sound field from four compact speakers. Both are due out early fall.
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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Nobody
Chris Chiarella  |  Jul 30, 2021
Picture
Sound
Extras
Universal Studios needn't have advertised on Nobody's disc cover that it sprang from the mind of Derek Kolstad, writer of John Wick, since it's at its core the same movie. And that's not such a bad thing, since the erstwhile-enforcer-makes-a-violent-comeback formula is a winning one. This time the story lives or dies on the substantial charm of star Bob Odenkirk, who for the most part keeps his renowned comedic chops under wraps, instead allowing the humor to grow from the incongruity of suburban schlemiel Hutch's explosive and deadly skills.
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Audio Video News
Best Gear of July 2021
Bob Ankosko  |  Jul 29, 2021
We hope you’re enjoying the dog days of summer along with a return to some semblance of pre-pandemic normal even as the COVID-19 Delta variant threatens a return to mask-wearing protocols. Meanwhile, here at Sound & Vision we continue to pursue the latest audio and video offerings with an eye toward isolating gear that rises above the pack. In July, our efforts were duly rewarded with an impressive soundbar that can be had for less than $200 and a compact subwoofer that plays remarkably low and loud. Our testing also uncovered a reference-quality DAC that doubles as a streaming media player and a new flagship speaker from one of Canada’s top audio brands. Let’s take a closer look.
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Ask S&V
Confused: How Do I Connect a DAC to My AVR?
Al Griffin  |  Jul 29, 2021
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I own a Marantz SR6013 A/V receiver and use it for both video switching and audio amplification. For video, I mostly watch Ultra HD Blu-ray discs. For music, I mostly stream from the Tidal service using the Marantz receiver’s built-in HEOS app. I would like to buy an external digital-to-analog converter (DAC) that supports MQA but am confused about the connections and the control app. After checking out my Marantz AVR’s back panel, I see two coaxial and optical digital inputs, but no digital outputs to connect the DAC, so maybe using an external DAC with the AVR is not possible. Am I missing something? —Rod McClaskey, via email

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Soundbar Reviews
Roku Streambar Pro Soundbar Review
Michael Antonoff  |  Jul 28, 2021

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $180

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Room-filling sound
Enhances dialogue
Built-in Roku streaming interface
Minus
None worth noting

THE VERDICT
The Roku Streambar Pro offers a considerable sound upgrade over a TV's internal speakers and comes with the company's comprehensive streaming platform built-in.

Soundbars are popular for a good reason. The speakers in a typical flat panel TVs sound puny compared with the visual sway of increasingly larger, higher-resolution displays. Also, since not every viewing room can accommodate the separate components of a home theater, a narrow-footprint soundbar solves the problem of raising the impact of the audio and it does so with one cable.

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SmartStream
How to Customize Your Olympics Viewing Experience
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jul 28, 2021
Roku and Comcast/NBCUniversal have created the best Olympics streaming experience so far. Curated and aggregated videos of highlights, live events, background stories, and every sports competition can be accessed through a single screen on Roku TVs and players and Comcast Xfinity X1.
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The Big Picture
Klipsch Celebrates 75 Years with Upscale Soundbars
Bob Ankosko  |  Jul 26, 2021
As part of its ongoing 75th anniversary celebration, Klipsch is upscaling its presence in soundbars with four new systems designed to evoke its Reference series of home theater speakers.
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Signals
Not Coming Soon to a Channel Near You
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jul 26, 2021
I really, really would like to be an astronaut on the International Space Station. Wonderful views. Free parking. Cool science experiments to play with. Not feeling guilty about those extra pounds. Ability to work at home. And, best of all, I would be free of the hassle of Covid here on planet earth.

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