LATEST ADDITIONS

New Products
February 2017 New Gear
SV Staff  |  Jan 31, 2017
Soundcast VG1 Waterproof Speaker
If you’re looking for a speaker you can use near water—in the bathroom, by the pool—why mess around? The IP67-rated VG1 is waterproof, not just “water-resistant,” meaning it has withstood testing to ensure it’s impervious to dust and submersible in 3 feet of water.
Take It Anywhere: Described as a perfect travel companion, the speaker teams a pair of 2-inch aluminum-cone drivers with a rear-firing bass radiator and is designed to keep an impromptu party going for up to 15 hours when its battery is fully charged. The VG1 supports Bluetooth streaming via aptX and AAC codecs, or you can use its minijack for a hard-wire hookup. It also has a built-in microphone and is compatible with Siri for hands-free control. Two VG1s can be connected for a wireless stereo experience. Price: $150
Soundcast • (619) 591-0126 • gosoundcast.com
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Audio Video News
Cord-Cutters: How to Live Stream the Super Bowl
SV Staff  |  Jan 31, 2017
Cord-cutting sports fans who can’t fathom missing Super Bowl LI on Sunday can stream the game live via the FoxSportsGo app without having to enter pay TV credentials.
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Signals
The Fox in Samsung's Henhouse
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 31, 2017
Suppose that you are the world's largest TV manufacturer. Everyone wants to buy your TVs. In fact, you can hardly make them fast enough. To ensure a steady supply, you contract with other companies to make LCD panels for you. Now suppose those suppliers suddenly cancel the contract. What do you do? You haul their asses into court, that's what you do.

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Audio Video News
Countdown to Kickoff: Is Your TV Ready?
SV Staff  |  Jan 30, 2017
In less than a week the New England Patriots will face the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Are you ready for the big game?
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The S&V InterviewAudio Video News
Making Hi-Res Audio Wireless
Bob Ankosko  |  Jan 30, 2017
15 Minutes with WiSA President Tony Ostrom

Tony Ostrom, president of the Wireless Speaker & Audio Association talks about the past, present, and future of high-resolution wireless audio technology.

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Tech2
Sure Universal Remote App Review
Geoffrey Morrison  |  Jan 27, 2017
The greatest app I have on my phone, at least that’s not messaging or cute dog related, is the Sure Universal remote app.

And let me be clear, I don’t use it at home at all. I think smartphone remote apps are a poor substitute to something with actual buttons.

No, I love the Sure app because it gives the gift of silence. Or at least, the drastic reduction in noise. Here’s why.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Shout! if You Love the '80s
Chris Chiarella  |  Jan 27, 2017
Perhaps by coincidence, many of independent label Shout! Factory’s recent releases hail from the era of big hair and synthesized music, ranging from the little-seen Metalstorm (in 3D!) to the gritty urban thriller, Night Hawks. We donned our day-glo parachute pants and spun four of their most interesting.
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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Severtson Unveils Enhanced Acoustically-Transparent 4K Projection Screens
SV Staff  |  Jan 27, 2017
Severtson Screens, the family-owned Mesa, Arizona-based company that celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2016, has introduced a new line of acoustically-transparent projection screens featuring a “finer weave and brighter white material” for enhanced picture performance.
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Audio Video News
Harry Potter Series Coming to 4K Blu-ray
SV Staff  |  Jan 27, 2017
Warner Bros. has announced that all eight films in the Harry Potter series will be released on Ultra HD Blu-ray in 2017. All of the films will support high dynamic range (HDR), a “wider color spectrum,” and a DTS:X immersive soundtrack.
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AV Receiver Reviews
Onkyo TX-RZ1100 A/V Receiver Review
Daniel Kumin  |  Jan 26, 2017

Audio Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,199

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Impressively dynamic, generous nine-channel power
Dolby Atmos, DTS:X on board
THX Select2 certified
Minus
Meh remote
Ocassionally unintuitive ergonomics
Some features still await firmware update
Premium pricing

THE VERDICT
This Onkyo has faultless amplification and solid usability, though you’ll pay extra for it.

Onkyo must not have gotten the memo about Class D–powered audio gear being smaller, svelter, lighter. The company’s new topmodel-but-one TX-RZ1100 is an imposing object 8 inches tall, and while the receiver’s 43-pound weight poses no challenge to the seemingly 100-pounders of yesteryear, it’s not exactly nothing, either.

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