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This month's leading news from the UK's busiest independent AV Forum
March 2012 |
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Hello {FIELD($firstname)}
This is the AVF Game Show newsletter. Game = our new video game review site and Show = details of our stand at Gadget Show Live. Plus as always, there's loads of Home Cinema Reviews, Home Cinema News, Blu-ray and Movie Reviews, Podcasts, Competitions, Hot Topics and Rewards. Don't miss out - read on.
Game
 Bookmark www.avforums.com/gaming for our new gaming reviews site.
We've known for years that gaming is a hugely important element of home entertainment. A significant number of people buy AV equipment (TVs, projectors, amplifiers, speaker systems) for gaming as well as for movies and TV. Many people spend more time playing games than watching TV and revenue wise, the gaming industry can be considered on a par with the movie industry.
Our movie review database has been growing for years, and our relatively new gaming reviews have needed their own dedicated area on AVForums for some time.
So I'm delighted to announce the launch of AVForums Gaming Reviews.
Sculpted by our fine gaming review team, designed by Critical Media (chosen by us to redesign the rest of AVForums) and coded by Sugar Coding Ltd., I hope you'll be a regular visitor.
As with all our other editorial content, we will put every effort into making our reviews the most informative and entertaining on the 'net.
Our gaming reviews site features
- Searching for game reviews by keyword in the title, score, platform and genre
- Quick lists of reviews coming soon, top rated, out now and most popular
- Plenty of images
- User scores (available to members only) showing the average of the user scores
- Your comments from the forums
 We have also started working with Shopto.net who are supplying games for review, with the immediate goal of publishing several new game reviews each week. This should keep our review team busy.
If any of our members would like to submit reviews to be part of the database, then send us a message telling us the game you want to review and we'll reply telling you where to email it. You'll need to write a review in the same format as those in our reviews database in a Word document, with accompanying high resolution packshot and screenshots.
I'm pleased with the new gaming site and I aim to apply the same new design and functionality to our movies and hardware review sites in the near future.
 Show
We have previously announced full exhibition details for this year’s Gadget Show Live.
Partnering with Anthem AV Solutions on stand A95 in Hall 7 (click for a directions map and floor plan), AVForums is building a fully functional home entertainment ‘cinema room’ where Gadget Show visitors can experience some of the best AV kit in action. AVF’s expert reviewers will be on hand throughout the five-day event, alongside the Anthem AVS technical team, to answer questions and discuss the latest home entertainment technology.
Based on Channel Five’s primetime technology show The Gadget Show Live is the UK’s biggest consumer electronics event showcasing the world’s top tech.
 COME AND TRY
Interact with thousands of products from over 280 international exhibitors many of which are being shown in the UK for the first time. The event is widely recognised as the best place to see, try and buy the latest consumer technology from the world’s leading electronics firms, such as LG, O2, HP, Epson, Pioneer, Philips, Canon, Sony, Samsung and JVC.
COME AND SEE
Want to see the very latest tech on the market? The show is packed full of other fantastic feature areas covering the whole breadth of consumer electronics. From Photography to Gaming and Computing to In-Car Technology there really is something for everyone.
COME AND MEET
Not only that, but this is your chance to see all five presenters, Suzi, Jason, Jon, Ortis and Pollyanna, deliver an hour of high energy entertainment in our Super Theatre. The live performance is packed full of presenter challenges, high octane stunts, mass participation activities and the chance for you to win some amazing new tech! For your chance to see your favourite presenter be sure to BOOK NOW as tickets are limited.
 AVForums home entertainment room kit list
Processing: Anthem Statement D2v A/V Processor
Amplification: Anthem Statement Amplifiers
Sources: Oppo Blu Ray Player and a Home Theatre PC
3D Projector: SIM2 Lumis 3D-S
Projection Screen:Black Diamond Zero Edge from Screen Innovations (110” diagonal)
Speakers: Paradigm Signature 7.2 System
Listen to our new Home Cinema Podcasts going Live on 21st March for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Gadget Show Live!
This week, we're publishing our Home Cinema podcast with more details from Alan Roser of Sim2 of the home cinema demo at the Gadget Show Live. And Phil will provide more details on the way to enter the competition. Make sure to check it out! Here is a link to all our Podcasts.
Join AVForums on Twitter for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Gadget Show Live!
Our Editorial team ensures we give you the most up to date reviews of the latest products and technology available now or very soon. We recently launched our own Twitter account and following us is a great way to receive alerts on all the latest news and reviews.
From Monday lunchtime, anyone joining us on Twitter will automatically be entered into a competition for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Gadget Show Live. All you have to do is to follow us and send us a tweet with your AVForums user name. We will then randomly select a lucky winner! We currently have in excess of 4000 followers.  To join us, click here.
The competition closes on 28th March 2012.
Survey
We have recently launched a survey to help us establish the profile of our members. The survey is anonymous and we will remove all data once the survey is completed. Thanks from all of us at AVForums for helping us improve the site. Please click here to take the survey.
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Home Cinema Hub by Phil Hinton |
 New TV Season is upon us!
The review team is all set up for the new TV season which is now upon us. We will have new models from Panasonic within the next week (TX-P50ST50 and TX-L42DT50) as well as new models from Toshiba, LG, Samsung and Sony all lined up over the next few months. All the new models will of course be fully assessed by the review team with the usual measurements and tests which make our reviews unique for readers.
Panasonic were first out of the blocks this year at their convention held in Hamburg. Steve and Phil were at the event to get the low down on all the new products and also produced an in-depth video which you can watch here.
Following on from that was the Toshiba product launch on the 6th of March where Steve reports back on all the new TVs and players in the 2012 line-up. You can read the article here.
And finally for product launches, Sennheiser invited AVForums along to their new headphone event at the world famous Abbey Road Studios, where they launched their new high-end and wireless models. Read all about it here. |
| Featured hardware review |
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As good as modern consumer displays are, they are still mass produced panels that can only deliver performance commensurate with their price point. However for the enthusiast, looking for that higher level of performance and better build quality, there is the option of choosing a display aimed at the professional market.
We've reviewed two of Panasonic Professional's panels in the last year, the impressive but decidedly expensive VX200 and the remarkable VX300. In fact the VX300 was so good that it became the first display since the venerable Kuro to be awarded a Reference badge but that performance came at a price.
Read the review |
Click here to visit the hardware reviews home page |
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Home Cinema News from Mark Hodgkinson |
 Sony's new SLT-α57 Camera with Translucent Mirror Technology
Sony have a brand-new addition to their camera range. employing Translucent Mirror Technology. It's the a57 and it offers 12fps shooting, full HD video capture and new creative options.
This new design directs incoming light to the CMOS image sensor and the AF sensor at the same time, allowing full-time continuous AF during both still and video shooting. Framing, focusing and real-time preview can be achieved on the high-resolution Tru-Finder that offers a wide viewing angle and 100% field of view. This allows photographers to capture exactly what they see on the screen.
More...
 TEAC's New DAB Network and CD Receiver: CR-H700
News hot off the press, direct from Watford, is that TEAC have a new DAB network CD receiver unit to introduce to you in the shape of the CR-H700.
The CR-H700 is billed as a one-box audio solution with a CD player; 40-watt amplifier; FM/AM/DAB/internet radio player and Airplay® streaming device all in one compact chassis. TEAC says it brings hifi-quality sound to Apple Macs, PCs and iOS devices thanks to the addition of Airplay technology and enables high-performance CD playback as well as vinyl replay from a suitable turntable, using the unit’s built-in phono stage. It will also allow users to play music stored on computer hard drives and NAS over a wired (Ethernet) or wireless (wi-fi ) connection. IPods and USB drives can also be connected via the unit’s fascia-mounted USB socket where MP3, WMA, WAV, AAC and FLAC files can be decoded and enjoyed. A USB lead is provided for iPod use.
More...
 Bowers & Wilkins announces New Satin White Finish for CM5 & CM9 Speakers
The CM Series is a favourite among Bowers & Wilkins customers, the manufacturers say sitting, as it does, between the more budget orientated 600 Series and the high-end 800 Series.
Following 'highly positive customer reaction to CM1 and CM8 Satin White, Bowers & Wilkins has decided to offer the same finish across other models in the range. The CM9 and CM5 are now available in the finish, offering customers a wider choice than ever before.
The CM Series comprises the CM9 and CM8 floor stand speakers, the CM5 and CM1 stand mount speakers, the CM Centre and CM Centre 2, centre channel speakers, and the ASW10CM active subwoofer.
More...
 Toshiba Unveils New Smart 3D TV Ranges - TL9 and VL9
Toshiba seem to be almost incessantly releasing new TV ranges (OK, twice a year) and their latest are the new TL9 and VL9 series. The TVs offer a similar feature-set, on the face of things, but they will employ entirely different panels being as the TL9 will be of active shutter 3D technology where the VL9 will use passive.
We had a good look at the outgoing VL8 and TL8 fairly recently and they were good, if somewhat patchy, performers.
More...
SIM2 M.150 3D Projector Launches in UK
 SIM2 has announced the shipping of its latest product, the M.150 projector. The M.150 brings SIM2’s 3D technology to the benefits of LED projection technology. Together these deliver a ‘lamp-free’ projector that SIM2 says 'delivers richer and better colours, exceptional blacks and a natural 3D viewing experience'.
The M.150 uses a trio of new, more powerful Phlatlight LED modules to act as both light and colour source for the DLP chipset. This LED light source is promised to last the projector’s entire life cycle of around 30,000 hours with very stable colour characteristics and an average lumen decay of less than 5%. The combination of the latest TI Darkchip4 chip with DynamicBlack technology gives a claimed Full On-Full Off contrast of 100,000:1, with the driver being able to turn off the LEDs to give totally black images during dark scenes if necessary. Instant power on/off and very low running noise - due to the new advanced cooling system - are also key benefits of the LED light source.
More...
Get behind the scenes with Facebook and Twitter
Did you know that we post information about what we are up to behind the scenes here at AVForums on twitter and Facebook? We regularly share what we are currently reviewing, live feeds from press events we attend as well as sneak peeks about what we think of the technology we get to see on a daily basis. So follow our Twitter and Facebook pages to further your AVForums addiction. |
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Click here to visit the news section |
| Don't miss these special offers from our sponsor Sevenoaks Sound & Vision |
 Further Reduction in The Warehouse Clearance Sale
The Sevenoaks Warehouse Clearance Sale continues at our Tunbridge Wells and Warrington stores with many 'Further Reductions'.
We are offering many items with 'savings of up to 80% off their original price!!' This includes ex-display, end-of-line and trade-in units across a large range of products. Please take a look at the updated list and pop in soon to see what’s on offer. Alternatively, please make contact with either of the stores and let them know what you are interested in and they will be glad to help. Please note the following, these prices are very low and although all items will be in perfect working order in some cases items may be incomplete and will be priced accordingly. Personal callers only (no mail order), so pop along soon, when it’s gone, it’s gone! E&OE.
To get advanced information on all Sevenoaks Offers, please sign-up for the Sevenoaks e-newsletter. |
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Blu-ray and Movie reviews |
| Featured movie review |
Latest movie reviews |
 Unforgiven - 20th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
reviewed 15th March
by Cas Harlow
Taking aim and shooting holes through just about every clichéd trope that defines the very genre which brought him stardom in the first place, legendary actor/director Clint Eastwood crafted a career-high masterpiece in 1992’s multi-Oscar-winning Unforgiven, a dark and atmospheric examination of the true Old West, the horror beneath the false facade of bravado and arrogance and the haunting effect of the violence perpetuated by these vicious men. There are no heroes and villains in Eastwood’s vision of the West, none of his characters particularly deserve to die but, then again, as the film itself goes to great lengths to hammer home, deserve’s got nothing to do with it.
She was a comely young woman and not without prospects. Therefore it was heartbreaking to her mother that she would enter into marriage with William Munny, a known thief and murderer, a man of notoriously vicious and intemperate disposition. When she died, it was not at his hands as her mother might have suspected, but of smallpox. That was 1878.
[Read more] |
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Blu-ray reviews coming soon
Subscribe to the mailing list and receive an email notification when this review is published. |
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Toy Story 3D Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
being reviewed now
by Stephen Withers
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Meet the Robinsons 3D Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
being reviewed now
by Stephen Withers
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Toy Story 2 3D Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
being reviewed now
by Stephen Withers
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The Nude Vampire Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
being reviewed now
by Chris McEneany
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Toy Story 3 3D Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
being reviewed now
by Stephen Withers
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Dolphin Tale 3D Blu-ray review
(USA) Blu-ray
being reviewed now
by Stephen Withers
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Click here to visit the movie reviews home page |
| Podcasts |
 Games Podcast: 14th March 2012
This month the gaming team discuss Halo 4, the possible demise of GAME, the Assassin's Creed 3 trailer, as well as chewing over two big recent releases - Mass Effect 3 and Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection.
Time: 00:47:03 Size: 43.9MB |
Movies Podcast : 7th March 2012
Presented by Phil with Steve Withers, Simon Crust, Mark Botwright and Cas Harlow.
In this months podcast we review Drive and Sherlock on Blu-ray. Plus we discuss streaming movies.
Time: 01:01:23 Size: 56.5 mb |
Published on March the 21st is the Home Cinema Podcast. In this month’s episode there is a chance for you to win a pair of tickets for the Gadget Show Live! Plus we discuss the latest AV news; Review a subwoofer from Velodyne and a professional Plasma TV from Panasonic. And to wrap up we look forward to the Gadget Show Live and the AVForums stand with special guest Alan Roser, MD of Sim2 UK, who will take listeners through the demo running on the AVForums stand. Listen in to find out more and win a pair of tickets on the 21st of March in the Podcast forum here.
Our final Podcast of the month arrives on the 28th of March. The Podcast Xtra will be full of the latest news from the AV world and AVForums, Plus, news of reviews coming soon along with the latest offers and competitions.
Our podcasts are published on the same dates each month (where possible).
7th – Movies Podcast
14th – Games Podcast
21st – Home Cinema Podcast
28th – Podcast Xtra
If you have any news, views or comments on the podcasts then please use the threads in the Podcast forum or you can email podcast@AVForums.com. |
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Hot Topics @ AVForums from Mark Hodgkinson
Here we go again with our briefing on what's proving the most popular across the boards this last seven days. Last week the newly announced, erm, New iPad dominated proceedings, let's see if it can hang on to its crown.
 Well the iPad 3 (come on, that's what everyone's calling it) managed to retain the Number 1 spot, although it has to share the billing in the The 'New' iPad & Argos thread that's attracted over 13,000 views. Could it be a tale of romance and intrigue? No, but if you're interested in picking one up at launch, perhaps worth a look. Click here to discuss the new iPad.
We're reading mixed reports on the veracity of this information: Brand new 320gig PS3 consoles £99.98 at Game & Gamestation SUNDAY 11th March as the retailer continues to flounder; but we can understand the interest at those prices and it's our second most popular.
Hmm, we don't know how on earth people derive so much pleasure from such blatant exploitations of the female form but, so it seems, as the latest Miss AVF Competition gets under way and makes its debut at 3. We'll leave it down to your conscience whether you click on the link or not but, in case Mrs H is reading this, we thoroughly disapprove and I've only clicked it myself (5 times daily) as part of researching this post.
You've heard of the Premier League, right? You know, the World's toughest football league where the top 2 have been dumped out of Europe's second tier competition by unheralded opposition? Well, it's hotting up at the top and we expect the 'banter' will be equally as lively so you may want to check out the latest - and as yet unlocked - AVForums Premier League Thread in at 4.
Well I'm not even go to glance at this one but it seems plenty are emotionally stronger than me. Cheer yourselves upon the Pets dying ! Thread half way down the Top 10.
A close relative of our Number 1 enters at 6 in the Ipad 3rd gen stock on launch day? topic. We wonder if they've thought of checking Argos...
This one will inspire as well as possibly invoking a degree of envy but please check out our Members' Home Cinema Gallery to see our member mcluma's fabulous efforts in creating a Home Cinema/Media Room. There's lots of photos to look at and it's far more savoury fare than that salacious Miss AVF Thread.
At 8 is a sad indictment of modern times, certainly, but it's good to see the good advice and camaraderie evident in the tale of Assaulted on way home. Best wishes to cameron1590!
What's all this about? midnight launch for iPad ? Oh yes, it nearly slipped our attention the new iPad is set to go very soon. Why didn't somebody mention it earlier?
Rounding off our Top 10 we bring you Dogs barking problems. We've no idea what the answer is to stop dogs barking but perhaps there's some ideas in there.
More hot topics coming soon in the news forum.
AVForums Rewards
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AVForums Rewards members can register their debit or credit card and earn cashback in-store at a selection of retailers including Debenhams and Halfords : https://avforums.quidco.com/in-store-cashback/ |
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