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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw
Roger Kanno  |  Jan 17, 2020
Picture
Sound
Extras
The titular characters in Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw were introduced in earlier Fast & Furious films, but you don't have to know much about their backstories to enjoy this film, an extremely serviceable action-comedy that leans heavily on the charm and chemistry of its stars, Dwayne Johnson as Luke Hobbs and Jason Statham as Deckard Shaw.
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Audio Video News
Qobuz and Pitchblack Playback Bring ‘All-in-the-Dark’ Listening Sessions to NYC
SV Staff  |  Jan 17, 2020
London’s popular “Pitchblack Playback” all-in-the-dark, cinema-style listening experience is coming to New York City next week.
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CES 2020Audio Video NewsNew Products
Best TVs of CES 2020
Al Griffin  |  Jan 17, 2020
CES over the past few years has become more about vision than sound, with statement TVs in booths lining the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall vying aggressively for the attention of show attendees. CES 2020 was no different, and in some ways was even more TV-centric due to the wide range of new products and prototypes on view from both established brands like LG, Samsung, and Sony, and relative newcomers such as Hisense, Konka, and TCL. Yes, LG once again had motorized rolling OLED TVs at the show — a product promised for 2019 that never materialized here — along with new OLED prototypes that roll down from the ceiling. But what most interested me was the sets that are likely to arrive in 2020, especially the innovative ones that will actually be affordable.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Nyrius Wireless System Streams HD Video 165 Feet
SV Staff  |  Jan 16, 2020
In its latest attempt to get rid of messy wires, Canadian connectivity specialist Nyrius today introduced a $300 wireless transmission system it says can stream 1080p high-definition video and audio up to 165 feet away with zero latency.
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SmartStream
Making Home Theater as Easy to Use as a Roku Player
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 16, 2020
Roku is about to simplify home theater in the same way that they simplified streaming to the TV. Last week at CES 2020, Roku announced the Roku TV Ready certification program. The certification is available for soundbars and AV receivers, allowing them to integrate seamlessly with Roku TVs.
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Ask S&V
Should I Use the Coax or HDMI Output On My BD Player for Hi-Res Audio?
Al Griffin  |  Jan 16, 2020
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have a new Sony UBP-X1100ES Ultra HD Blu-ray player and Denon receiver. I know I can use a coaxial digital connection between the player and receiver for playback of regular CDs. Can I use the same connection to pass high-res audio formats like SACD and DVD-Audio to the receiver, or do I need an HDMI cable for that? —John Huxhold, Manchester, MO

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
KEF Adds New Model, Finish Options to Reference Line
 |  Jan 16, 2020
KEF today announced the addition of a versatile, high-performance THX-certified in-wall speaker and new finish options for its Reference Series line of speakers whose origins date back to 1973.
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Projector Reviews
BenQ Cineprime HT3550 4K DLP Projector
Al Griffin  |  Jan 15, 2020

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $1,499

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Extended color
Good brightness
Great value
Minus
Contrast could be better
Difficult to access HDR adjustment

THE VERDICT
BenQ's budget 4K DLP projector delivers solid overall video performance at a very affordable price.

[Editor's note: BenQ raised the price of the HT3550 to $1,699 after this review was originally written. According to the company, the price increase is due to "tariffs."]

As you might expect, low-cost projectors are much more common than premium models. Survey the market, and you'll find loads of options in the under-$3,000 range, while projectors priced above $10,000 are rare birds, indeed. Even so, affordable models are by no means basic: a look at the under-$1,500 range will turn up plenty of projectors with features such as 4K and HDR10 support—BenQ's CinePrime $1,499 HT3550, for example.

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Audio Video News
A Remembrance of CES Past
Sandy Gross  |  Jan 15, 2020
I attended CES 2020 — probably my last as it seems that Specialty Audio, once the show’s raison d’etre, is really no longer a part of it, at least in any significant way. There are many views as to why this is. Some blame the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), but as a participant in this annual event (once bi-annual) since the early 70s, I feel strongly that the CTA and its CES did not abandon Specialty Audio. Quite the opposite: Specialty Audio abandoned the CES.
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Audio Video News
MQA, Bluesound to Present Live-Streamed Concerts
SV Staff  |  Jan 15, 2020
Music technology company MQA and Bluesound, sister brand to audio stalwarts NAD and PSB, have teamed up with British Underground and Jazz re:freshed to present the Master Sessions series of concerts that will be live-streamed to audio retailers around the world.
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