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Harman's Wireless CarPlay May Offer Hope for Audio
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Feb 28, 2017
I am not a fan of Bluetooth. In particular, I regard Bluetooth audio as the worst thing to happen to audio fidelity in 20 years. When Harman first announced its wireless CarPlay technology, I recoiled at the thought of yet another wireless audio option. But, now I see there is a glimmer of hope.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Vizio Kicks Off New E-Series with 75" and 80" Screens
SV Staff  |  Feb 28, 2017
Vizio today unveiled the new SmartCast E-Series of video displays featuring built-in Chromecast streaming, full-array LED backlighting in screen sizes from 32 to 80 inches, and high dynamic range (HDR) capability in models with screens 55 inches and larger.
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Audio Video News
Alexa Update Coming to Yamaha MusicCast Products
SV Staff  |  Feb 28, 2017
Yamaha today announced that a free firmware update due out this fall will bring Amazon Alexa voice control to its MusicCast series of wireless multiroom products.
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3D Projector ReviewsProjector Reviews
JVC DLA-RS4500 D-ILA Laser Projector Review
Kris Deering  |  Feb 27, 2017

2D Performance
3D Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $35,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
True 4K (4096 x 2160) D-ILA panels
Improved HDR support including HLG
Reference-quality optics
Minus
Fan noise can be intrusive
HDMI sluggish to sync
Native contrast not quite on par with rest of JVC line

THE VERDICT
While JVC’s first native 4K projector for consumers doesn’t quite deliver the contrast of its 1080p lineup, its projected image is breathtaking with both 1080p and 4K content. With its advanced laser light engine, reference-quality optics, and enough lumens to light up a massive range of screens, you have a true flagship-caliber offering from JVC.

While 4K has become the new norm for the flat-panel industry, its adoption into the home projection market has been slow, to say the least. Until now, Sony has been trailblazing native 4K for the consumer home theater market while others have offered quasi-4K options that use techniques to deliver near4K quality with 1080p imaging systems at more affordable pricing. Among those manufacturers, JVC led the way with their e-shift system, which over time has matured to contend quite convincingly with native 4K designs.

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Audio Video News
2016: A Record Breaking Year for Audio
SV Staff  |  Feb 27, 2017
Audio ended 2016 on a high note with global sales growing 28 percent to $10.2 billion in the last three months of the year, according to new google research from U.K.-based Futuresource Consulting.
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Audio Video News
New Chip Brings VR Audio to Any Headphone
SV Staff  |  Feb 27, 2017
Waves Audio, developer of audio processing technologies, today announced an integrated circuit said to enable any device to “faithfully reproduce” 5.1 and 7.1 surround and virtual reality (VR) audio content over ordinary stereo headphones.
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Tech2
Expanse Season 2: Why It's Fantastic Sci-Fi TV
Geoffrey Morrison  |  Feb 24, 2017
Expanse Season 2! Expanse Season 2! Expanse Season 2!

We’re 5 episodes into the second season. Here are some thoughts on how it is so far, the new cast members, and other various nerdstuff.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Kubo and the Two Strings
Thomas J. Norton  |  Feb 24, 2017
Picture
Sound
Extras
In old Japan, young Kubo lives in a mountain cave with his mother, whose mental clarity comes and goes. As an infant he lost an eye, and his father is long gone. Every day he goes to the market in a nearby town to entertain the locals with his three-string shamisen and wondrous stories, told with magic origami that fold and unfold into lifelike characters. His stories never have an ending, much to the disappointment of the townsfolk. Nevertheless, they’re ready for more the next day (Kubo apparently invented the miniseries cliff-hanger).
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Star Trek Beyond
David Vaughn  |  Feb 24, 2017
Picture
Sound
Extras
Three years into their five-year mission, the crew of the Enterprise is in dire need of shore leave. Fortunately, they’re in a sector of space with an advanced star base, and they drop in for a visit. Shortly after their arrival, a distress call comes from a remote nebula, and their leave is cut short since the Enterprise is the only ship in the sector that can navigate through it. Once inside, they meet a deadly alien race in search of a rare artifact that just happens to be located on the Federation ship and will kill anything in their path to obtain it—even the Enterprise crew.
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New ProductsPremiere Design
Come Fly With Me: Sonus faber's Super Sexy sf16
Bob Ankosko  |  Feb 24, 2017
I was immediately drawn to the sf16’s neofuturistic styling. Its gentle curves reminded me of the iconic TWA Flight Center at New York’s JFK Airport—an aeronautic theme sustained by wing-like sound pods that sprout on command. Unusual and unique.
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