Al Griffin

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CES 2017
Paradigm’s PW Soundbar Does Play-Fi Surround
Al Griffin  |  Jan 08, 2017
The PW Soundbar, the latest addition to Paradigm’s PW (Power Wireless) portfolio, is a svelte, 9-driver, 3-channel model that uses the DTS Play-Fi platform to stream music from sources ranging from Tidal, Spotify, and TuneIn Radio to high-res music files stored on a computer or NAS drive. With Play-Fi’s latest update, it can also serve as the hub of a wireless 5.1 channel surround system.
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CES 2017
Touch Me: B&O’s Magical Beoplay M5 Speaker
Al Griffin  |  Jan 07, 2017
The Beoplay M5 is a new wireless multiroom speaker from B&O Play, the fun, affordable, and even more lifestyle-oriented wing of Denmark’s Bang & Olufsen.
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CES 2017
Riva Audio’s Theaterbar Ready for Action
Al Griffin  |  Jan 07, 2017
Riva Audio introduced a line of wireless multiroom speakers designed to deliver larger-than-life, live concert-style sound at its coming out party at CEDIA 2016 . Two of those speakers, the $249 Arena and $499 Festival, should be shipping in March. A new product the company has on display here at CES is the Theaterbar soundbar.
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CES 2017
Onkyo Rides the Wireless Multiroom Speaker Wave
Al Griffin  |  Jan 07, 2017
Onkyo is not one to miss out on audio trends. Any time that Dolby or DTS dreams up a new innovation — holographic, object-based, bone-induction surround, for example — you know that Onkyo will be the first to feature it in their AV receivers.
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CES 2017
LG’s First Ultra HD Blu-ray Player Does Dolby Vision
Al Griffin  |  Jan 06, 2017
The first few Ultra HD Blu-ray players to arrive in 2016 had one thing in common: no support for the Dolby Vision high dynamic range format. No surprise there, since Dolby Vision-format movies aren’t yet available on Ultra HD Blu-ray disc.
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CES 2017
Qualcomm Demos Mobile High Dynamic Range Video
Al Griffin  |  Jan 06, 2017
Audiophiles have many portable playback options, including compact high-performance DACs and serious headphones, to choose from. But what about high-quality video on a phone?
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CES 2017
Sony Unveils Its First OLED TVs in 3 Screen Sizes
Al Griffin  |  Jan 04, 2017  |  Published: Jan 05, 2017
The pre-CES buzz surrounding Sony was that the company would introduce OLED. Turned out the buzz was correct: The main product the company unveiled at its CES 2017 press conference was its new XBR-A1E Series BRAVIA OLED TVs.
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CES 2017
TCL Delivers Dolby Vision for Under $500
Al Griffin  |  Jan 05, 2017
Best known for its affordable TVs with built-in Roku streaming capability, TCL is showing three new UHDTV lineups at CES, including the company’s top-of-the-line P Series sets.
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Ask S&V
Will Auto Calibration Work with Outboard Power?
Al Griffin  |  Jan 03, 2017
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m using a Marantz SR5005 AV receiver rated at 100 watts per channel to power a 7.1 speaker system. My surrounds sound like they’re getting enough power, but I’d like to add three external 200-watt monoblock amps to increase output to the front left, center, and right channels. Here’s my question: Will the receiver’s Audyssey MultEQ automated setup calibrate the system in a way that accommodates the added power? In other words, will I still get full power from the front three channels if I use external amps and Audyssey MultEQ? —Todd Hunt / via email

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Ask S&V
Looking for an AVR with Flexible Input Assignment
Al Griffin  |  Dec 29, 2016
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I plan to upgrade my 2010 Pioneer AVR to one capable of switching 4K signals. I would also like the ability to watch one source while listening to the audio of another source in the same room—to, for example, play video games while listening to internet radio. I am not having any luck in my search, however. Do you have suggestions? —Darren Phillips / via email

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