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New ProductsPremiere Design
TV as Sculpture?
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 14, 2015
Samsung S9W Ultra HDTV

I tried to imagine the S9W at home but quickly realized my rustic family room is no match for its art-gallery vibe. Although I have to admit, when I first laid eyes on its magnificent 82-inch Ultra HD screen with its cinematic 21:9 aspect ratio, I wondered why it was perched, just shy of teetering, on a compact refrigerator. Refreshments at hand, perhaps? No, that wasn’t it. (Not even close, knucklehead.)

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Audio Video News
LG Launches Music Flow Line of Speakers and Soundbars Featuring Google Cast
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 14, 2015
LG today introduced the Music Flow family of “smart hi-fi” speakers and soundbars, said to be among the first to support Google Cast Wi-Fi streaming from Android and iOS devices.

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Signals
Are You Bullish on Vinyl?
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Apr 14, 2015
So anyway, I was standing in line at my local FedEx store. I’m there quite a bit, returning review products from whence they came. A nice lady comes up behind me with a box measuring about 12 x 12 x 12. It looks heavy, so I offer to hold it for her. “I hope it’s not too heavy,” she says. “It’s my old records—for my 16-year-old nephew. He loves records.” Hmm, I think to myself. Is this an omen—has she handed me some kind of business opportunity?
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Tech2
The Correct Way to Watch Star Wars
Geoffrey Morrison  |  Apr 11, 2015
This week, Disney (and Fox, don’t forget) released all 3 Star Wars films for digital download.

Also, six hours of unnecessary prolog drivel.

Except, I say that, and even I have to admit (bile rising) the prequels are canon.

For a lot of people, this will be the first chance to re-watch the films, having bypassed the Blu-rays, or perhaps even lack a Blu-ray player. So what’s the best way to watch them? Or, perhaps you want to show someone the second (first?) best fantasy series of all time who hasn’t seen it before.

Turns out, there is a best way. It’s called The Machete Order.

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SmartStream
Tips for Watching “Game of Thrones” Premiere As HBO Now Launches
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 10, 2015
HBO Now is available on Apple TV and Sling TV. If you want to see the Game of Thrones premiere or other live events as they air, you may need to find another way to watch.
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3D Projector ReviewsProjector Reviews
Sony VPL-VW350ES 4K SXRD Projector Review
Al Griffin  |  Apr 10, 2015

2D Performance
3D Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $10,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Accurate color
Ample brightness
Smooth, detailed picture
Minimal fan noise
Minus
No iris control
Doesn’t include 3D glasses

THE VERDICT
Sony’s lowest-priced 4K projector to date is packed with features and delivers a bright, beautiful picture.

When I hear someone question the value of 4K, the first thought that comes to my mind is: projection. Unless your nose is pressed up to the screen, a 4K image viewed on 50-inch flat-panel TV won’t look much different from regular old 1080p. A main advantage to 4K is that you can scale your display up to a massive size without having to worry about seeing the individual pixels that form a picture. And when you’re thinking about scaling a video display up to a massive size, nothing gives you a better return on investment than projection.

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Audio Video News
Get Your Atmos Demo Here
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 10, 2015
A Visit to Best Buy’s Magnolia Design Center

Audio snobs might cringe at the idea of visiting a Best Buy but did you know that the chain’s Magnolia Design Centers sell McIntosh electronics and speakers from B&W, MartinLogan, and Sonus Faber?

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Vote
Have You Heard Dolby Atmos Yet?
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 10, 2015
It's been about 10 months since Dolby announced a home version of its next generation Atmos surround-sound format and a good number of products have since found their way to market. Have you heard an Atmos demo or, even better, upgraded your home theater setup to Atmos?
Have You Heard Dolby Atmos Yet?
Yes, I’ve heard Atmos in action and loved it.
12% (187 votes)
Yes, I’ve heard Atmos in action and was not all that impressed.
7% (110 votes)
Yes, I’ve heard Atmos in action and have upgraded my home theater setup.
4% (56 votes)
No, I have not heard Atmos yet but hope to soon.
43% (673 votes)
No, I have not heard Atmos and plan to stick with a traditional surround-sound setup.
34% (532 votes)
Total votes: 1558
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Ears On
What Free Music Is Costing You
Mark Fleischmann  |  Apr 10, 2015
Freak that I am, I still pay for most of the music I listen to. Not that I didn't have a fling with Napster and its successors—but I've removed torrenting software from my PCs and no longer seek out illegal downloads. Nowadays, if I want to check out new-to-me music without investing, I try the public library, YouTube, borrow from a friend, or—being a journalist has its privileges—ask for a review sample of the disc or download. But I also explore the vast realm of classical music via $2 LPs and pay full price for CDs and LPs by greying artists I've supported for decades. The one thing I refuse to do now is settle for a lousy stolen MP3. I'm done with that. If you're not, here are a few things to think about. Please don't get the impression that I'm acting all high and mighty about illegal downloading. What I'm arguing is that it's in your best interest to give it up. Here's why.

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Editor's EyeAudio Video News
Netflix in Tow, LG Rolls Out Ultra HD OLED
Rob Sabin  |  Apr 09, 2015
‘Tis that time of the year when all the big TV makers start shipping their new lines to retail, which means members of the press get to see them up close for what amounts to the second time, the first being January’s CES. No surprise that the star of the show at LG Electronic’s New York press conference this week was the 65EG9600, the company’s new 65-inch Ultra HD-resolution OLED.

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