Barb Gonzalez

Soundbar Reviews
Samsung's "Dolby Atmos 11.4.1 in a Box" HW-Q990F Soundbar is Wireless and Immersive
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 12, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $2,000

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Superb vocal clarity
Excellent object placement in surround sound
Music is supported in surround sound as instruments play around the room
Direct wireless connectivity
Minus
No on-screen settings or home screen
Difficult to change settings on the scrolling front LED—must use phone app.
Music is acceptable, but highs are occasionally shrill.

THE VERDICT
The home theater experience created by the HW-Q990F system is surprising—a true alternative to an AV receiver and individual speakers. The AI controls create a clear, immersive experience with excellent dialog for movies and clear vocals for music that automatically calibrates to your room. It's an excellent home theater sound choice.

The HW-Q990F is the next-generation Samsung flagship soundbar following the HW-Q990D. Like its predecessor, it comes with a front soundbar, two rear speakers, and a subwoofer. This year's model is smaller than the Q990D, yet it's designed to increase power and efficiency with dual opposing eight-inch woofers that use AI Dynamic Bass Control to optimize the lower frequencies.

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Soundbar Reviews
The Samsung HW-QS700F Soundbar has Room-Filling Sound
Barb Gonzalez  |  May 12, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $999 (selling for $699 or less)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent vocal clarity
Room-filling sound with Q-Symphony on Samsung TVs
Wireless connectivity
Minus
No on-screen or on-device settings display
Only confirms setting and input changes verbally
No direct voice assistant capability

THE VERDICT
If you are tired of not hearing TV dialog and are looking for a full, rich home theater experience, yet don’t want rear speakers, the Samsung HW-QS700F is an excellent choice to get an array of cinematic sound from above and in front of you.

While not as complete an experience as the flagship HW-Q990F soundbar and surround sound system, the HW-QS700F is a respectable upgrade to television speakers, giving a virtual surround experience, including upfiring speakers.

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Portable Player ReviewsStreaming Device ReviewsTV Reviews
Google TV on the Go: Skyworth Companion Portable 24P100 Review
Barb Gonzalez  |  Mar 31, 2025

Performance
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $399 (currently $299 on Amazon)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Colors pop in direct sunlight
Three-hour battery is enough to watch a movie
Comfortable leather handle makes it easy to carry
Easy to connect to a phone hotspot when on the go
Minus
Slow processor results in multiple button presses and long waits for loading
Doesn’t come with a car charger adapter
Picture can be washed out in bright rooms
Only HDTV, not 4K

THE VERDICT
The Skyworth 24P100 Companion Portable Display excels at its purpose. Inside this easy-to-carry, stable unit is a smart display that performs beautifully in the sun with rich color, good sound, and easy internet connectivity wherever you roam.

Certainly not everyone will share my enthusiasm for the Skyworth Companion Portable Display. Even if you don’t regularly camp or take long road trips—or need a display for presentations—its portability makes it easy to carry from room to room or outside to finish watching a game. It’s what the Companion was built for, and it does it well.

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Streaming Device Reviews
Roku Ultra 2024 Review: The Ideal Streaming Upgrade for Home Theater Enthusiasts
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jan 20, 2025

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $99

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Excellent Video Quality with Dolby Vision and HDR10+
Excellent Dolby Atmos Sound Separation
Backlit hands-free voice remote control with mute switch
Minus
No headphone jack on remote
Shortcut button can’t be programmed for specific apps
Search results favor Roku Channel offerings

The Verdict
The Roku Ultra 2024 uses the best video and audio formats for an excellent home theater streaming experience. Its backlit hands-free voice remote and improved Roku OS14 make accessing the content you want to watch easier.

Since 2016, Roku Ultra has been the flagship model of the Roku streamer line. Its emphasis has been on providing the best sound and video experience of any Roku device. This year's model fulfills that promise.

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Special Features
Festive Favorites: Where to Stream the Best Holiday Movies
Barb Gonzalez  |  Dec 05, 2024
Finding where to stream your favorite Christmas and holiday movies can feel like a treasure hunt. Movies no longer stay with the same service indefinitely as licensing rights frequently expire. Comparing last year’s list of holiday movie locations, many titles have moved to different platforms.

This year, we’ve organized the list by streaming service. If you’re considering trying a new app or even subscribing for the season, you can check which holiday movies are available.

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Streaming Device Reviews
Stream Smarter: Google TV Streamer’s Powerful Upgrade
Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 29, 2024

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $99

AT A GLANCE
Plus
4K Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
Spot-on content suggestions
Continue watching from the home screen on most apps
Remote control finder

Minus
Push-to-talk remote for voice commands
No dedicated Play button on the remote
Not WiFi 6 capable
The library menu is poorly designed

The Verdict
The Google TV Streamer’s faster processor provides improved sound and video quality, making it a solid performer. But what really sets this streamer apart is its excellent home screen content suggestions, personalized using AI to analyze your Google activity for the perfect recommendations.

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SmartStream
Breaking Free: New FTC Rule Fights the Hidden Costs of Subscription Traps
Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 10, 2024
It has undoubtedly happened to all of us. We find ourselves subscribed to a service that we have no interest in or didn’t realize we had signed up for in the first place. The new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) "click-to-cancel" rule states that canceling a subscription should be as easy as signing up. While most users would celebrate this decision, many cable and entertainment companies aren't happy about it, and the National Cable and Telecommunications Association (NCTA) is already filing lawsuits to stop it.
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SmartStream
Goodbye Chromecast, Hello Google TV Streamer 4K
Barb Gonzalez  |  Aug 28, 2024
Google is replacing the Chromecast with the Google TV Streamer 4K. It's the end of an era for the value-priced dongle. The new streamer will take advantage of Gemini, Google's A.I.
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SmartStream
Unveil Hidden Features, Secret Menus and Codes for an Enhanced Streaming Experience
Barb Gonzalez  |  Aug 07, 2024
Discover how to elevate your streaming experience with hidden features on your favorite platforms. Netflix's secret codes reveal niche genres, Apple TV tips customize your viewing, and Roku's secret screens offer advanced settings.
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SmartStream
Your Ultimate Guide to Watching the Paris 2024 Olympics: When, Where, and How to Tune In
Barb Gonzalez  |  Jul 24, 2024
With 359 live events streaming and broadcast on many NBC channels and apps, here's how to watch the 2024 Paris Olympics. NBC has stepped up with new features so you won't miss any exciting moments.
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