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Audio Video News
‘3D-Audio Soundbar’ Nails Crowdfunding Goal in Days
SV Staff  |  Sep 15, 2017
Yarra 3DX, hailed as “the world’s most advanced 3D-audio platform” is off to a brisk start.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Saturday Night Fever Director's Cut
Mike Mettler  |  Sep 15, 2017
Picture
Sound
Extras
Much as 1955’s Rebel Without a Cause and 1969’s Easy Rider defined the youth-culture zeitgeist of their respective decades, 1977’s Saturday Night Fever deftly captured the me-decade essence of the 1970s, instantly catapulting John Travolta to the A-list in the process.
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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Resident Evil: The Final Chapter
Corey Gunnestad  |  Sep 15, 2017
Picture
Sound
Extras
In 2002, Sony Entertainment kicked off the Resident Evil film series based on the popular zombie apocalypse video game of the same name. Fifteen years and five sequels later, the beleaguered franchise comes to a close… sort of. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter is technically the last installment in the long-running series, but plans are already afoot to reboot the entire franchise and start over again from square one. The expression “beating a dead horse” springs to mind, but I digress.
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Editor's Eye
VR Is Moving Forward But Is It Ready for the Masses?
Rob Sabin  |  Sep 15, 2017
Last June, I was invited to a press tour and demo of a new IMAX VR Experience Center in New York City. The company best known for entertaining big audiences with big screens had created a space in the lobby of a popular AMC multiplex on Manhattan’s East Side to deliver one-on-one virtual reality entertainment to walk-in customers. It was their second such facility, after a standalone pilot location in Los Angeles.
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Audio Video News
Survey: Live TV Is Losing Appeal Among Millennials
SV Staff  |  Sep 14, 2017
Millennials watch more time-shifted programs (55 percent) than live TV (45 percent) compared with older viewers who prefer watching live TV over time-shifted content by a three to two margin, according to a new study from the Consumer Technology Association (CTA).
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New Products
October 2017 New Gear Part 2
SV Staff  |  Sep 14, 2017
Epson Home Cinema 4000 LCD Projector
Although it’s been almost six years since the intro- duction of the first native 4K projectors for the consumer market, 4K prices still remain beyond the means of many enthusiasts. Which is why Epson is attempting to make its “4K-enhanced” 1080p technology even more affordable, this time in the new Home Cinema 4000 3LCD projector.
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Throwback Thursday
Flashback 2005: Apple Unveils the iPod nano
SV Staff  |  Sep 14, 2017
In September 2005 Apple unveiled the iPod nano as a replacement for the popular iPod mini. Considered super sleek at the time, the player was pivotal in the evolution of the world’s most famous music player...
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Ask S&V
Are 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays Really 4K?
Al Griffin  |  Sep 14, 2017
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I'm a big proponent of physical media and was an earlier adopter of the Ultra HD Blu-ray format. I understand that certain movies may have been shot in 4K or higher resolution (or on 35mm film, which provides enough detail to scan at 4K), but then mastered for release from a 2K digital intermediate. I’ve been able to appreciate the benefits of the Ultra HD format almost immediately thanks in large part to high dynamic range, but am bothered that some disc titles are mastered at less than Ultra HD resolution. It seems like we’ll soon be seeing "New 4K Remaster" versions of movies previously released in Ultra HD. What’s the issue here? —Jason Acosta

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SmartStream
Apple Unveils Apple TV 4K with Live Sports & More
Barb Gonzalez  |  Sep 13, 2017
The new Apple TV with 4K HDR capabilities will be released September 22nd. Learn the details and what content will be available.
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3D Projector ReviewsProjector Reviews
Sony VPL-VZ1000ES SXRD 4K Ultra-Short-Throw Projector Review
Al Griffin  |  Sep 13, 2017
Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $25,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Crisp 4K image
Projects 120-inch picture from 10-inch distance
Can be used in average room-lighting conditions
Minus
Below-average picture uniformity
So-so contrast
Pricey

THE VERDICT
Sony’s ultra-short-throw projector can dazzle for daytime viewing and fulfills its promise as a big-screen panel TV alternative, but dark-room home theater enthusiasts may be less impressed.

When it comes to setting up a home theater, the main goal should be to get the largest image that your space and budget will allow. In many cases, that’s going to mean hanging a projector from a ceiling mount at the back of the room and attaching a screen to the wall up front. Next come the light dimmers and blackout shades—both necessities if you want to get the best picture possible from your projection rig.

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