AVForums 4K and Blu-ray Podcast: 29th February 2024
by AVForums
This month Cas and the movies team bring you the Top 10 4K discs and Blu-rays to watch in February and take a look at video and audio restorations and the balancing act when giving classic films a new lease of life in 4K.
AVForums Podcast: Movie & TV Show Edition - 26th Feb 2024
by AVForums
This month Cas and the movies team bring you the Top 10 films and TV shows to watch in February and take a look at how we best like to consume our films and TV shows and the balancing act between quality and convenience.
In this week’s podcast, we have show reports from ISE, the largest home integration show on the planet which took place in Barcelona at the end of January, Plus, what are the big trends in home theater for 2024 and are the trends of audio downsizing and large screen TVs threatening the traditional ideas of home cinema?
In our first Hi-Fi podcast of 2024, we look back at the Hi-Fi vogues that stood out in the previous 12 months and predict where this will take the sector in the coming year.
The movies team takes a look at some of the best movies you can see at the cinema, the best movies available on streaming and the best TV shows available on streaming, and considers, particularly in light of some of the disasters of 2023, whether it's about time Hollywood rethink their blockbuster model.
AVForums 4K and Blu-ray Podcast: 29th January 2024
by AVForums
The movies team takes a look at some of the best 4K and Blu-ray releases and looks at the current state of play in terms of disc release trends, boutique labels and how older, perhaps even niche, films appear to be faring well in gorgeous new 4K sets.
In our Christmas podcast special, and the last episode of the year, the AVForums Hardware and Movie teams unite for a look at members’ standout moments, products or events of 2023 - be it hardware or software, a technological upgrade/innovation, or movie/music/gig. We’ll also be taking the time to look ahead to 2024.
This week, we dedicate the podcast to the winners of our Editor’s Choice Awards for the 2023-24 period. We celebrate the TVs, Hi-Fi and Home AV products we’ve reviewed over the last 12 months across a variety of categories.
Home AV Products of 2023/24 - Editor's Choice Awards
by AVForums
We’ve looked back and picked our favourite Home AV products which we’ve reviewed and recommended for the 2023-24 period, so check out our Editor’s Choice Award winners for your next AV or home cinema project.
AVForums Podcast: Movies Edition - 4th December 2023
by AVForums
Cas and the movies team close out the year with a look at what to look forward to in 2024, the films that were pushed back from 2023, the films that likely won't be seen until 2025 and what their most anticipated films of next year will be.
This week we review the Philips OLED+908 flagship TV, Ed looks at the Musical Fidelity A1 integrated amplifier. Plus we have your Q&A and the latest AV & Hi-Fi news...
AVForums Podcast: Movies Edition - 20th November 2023
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This week Tom looks at Saltburn at the cinema, Mark goes old school Spielberg for Duel in 4K, Cas checks out the best TMNT with Mutant Mayhem in 4K, plus we go hard on streaming TV and look at whether TV shows have surpassed theatrical movies.
This week we review the Panasonic MZ1500 OLED and MX950 Mini LED TVs as well as an integrated amplifier from Parasound and a music streamer from Audiolab. Plus the latest AV news and competitions.
AVForums Podcast: Movies Edition - 6th November 2023
by AVForums
Cas and the team bring you the latest cinema, 4K Disc and streaming reviews and news on this week's podcast. Plus, what epic films earn their length, and which outstay their welcome?
PROMOTED: NordVPN claims to be the best at unblocking UK content because of its powerful technology and massive server network – 5,300+ servers in 59 countries. And, because they’re a paid service, they’re constantly upgrading their UK VPN servers to give you fast speeds without any buffering issues.
Gaming
PROMOTED: Xbox Game Pass Ultimate – Smyths Toys Gaming
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Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold with over 100 high-quality games for console, PC, and compatible mobile devices and access to EA Play included at no extra cost. With EA Play, unlock access to a collection of EA’s best-loved games, in-game rewards, and trials of select new games all for one low monthly price.
PROMOTED: Unblock US Netflix, HBO MAX & Prime in UK for just £ 0.87
by AVForums
Get the PureVPN Black Friday deal at a slashed price of £52.46 and dodge geo-restrictions to expand your content choices. (Special discount for AVForums readers).
Tom's Thumbs: What is coming to Netflix in November 2020
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AVForums movie reviewer Tom Davies previews the most promising and notable movies and TV shows coming to Netflix in November 2020.
Tech
Join the latest Coronavirus discussions here
by AVForums
We have an entire forum for discussion on all aspects of the Coronavirus pandemic and how it is affecting you and your family. Join in by clicking here.
The Filmmaker Mode is an initiative involving the Ultra HD Alliance, Hollywood studios and TV manufacturers that lets consumers watch content as the director intended using one simple picture setting.
PROMOTED: 10 Reasons to Upgrade Your Home Cinema System with a Denon AVR
by AVForums
If you're in the market for a new AVR, you already know there are vast number of options to consider. Which features should you prioritize, and what are your absolute must-haves? If you’re struggling to make a decision and aren’t quite sure where to start, you may want to check out Denon’s award-winning range of home cinema AV Receivers.
PROMOTED: Can a consumer TV match a professional grading monitor? You are invited to an event to find out!
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Philips TV has partnered with Dolby Laboratories and Bowers & Wilkins to give 30 lucky AVForums readers the chance to discover for themselves, first-hand. Click here to find out more...
Home AV
PROMOTED: 10 Reasons to love MusicCast
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Yamaha want to give you 10 reasons why you should consider a MusicCast system in your home cinema or Hi-Fi system.
PROMOTED: How can Yamaha MusicCast give your Home Cinema a boost?
by AVForums
MusicCast is a multi-room streaming system which isn’t just limited to music - TV or movie sound can also be shared in other rooms of the house. Find out more.
LG's new 55-inch C9 OLED 4K TV boasts all the same features found on last year's models but adds the Alpha 9 Gen 2 processor, HDMI 2.1, Amazon Alexa, AirPlay2, and HomeKit.
What TV Shows From The Last 3-4 Years Would You Recommend?
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With so many quality TV shows now being produced and with only 24 hours in a day, it's easy to fall behind and miss out. So for those of us that only caught GoT and Westworld recently, what else should we get ready to binge?
Micro LED at CES 2019: What Does This Mean For OLED?
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With Samsung demonstrating that Micro LED is possible in more user-friendly screen sizes and TCL indicating that they intend to get in on the act too, what does this mean for OLED as the perceived cinephile's
favourite screen technology? Is it under threat or are more technologies better for consumers?
Forum member, KelvinS1965, has put together a home cinema build in his lounge and documented this labour of love. There are numerous interesting touches such as motorised curtains which fellow enthusiasts might find useful. Check the thread for more information.
The premise has been made that high end amplifiers sound largely the same and the main benefit is just a psychological feel good. Could this really be the case? Or is this the opinion of a few enthusiasts who have not heard enough different models?
It's still a way off but reports in Variety indicate that Slightly Mad Studios are pushing forward with a stand alone console that supports VR out of the box.
Is this something that appeals or will the world have changed by the time this hits the shelves?
Faced with the choice between both connections on the same pieces of kit, are there any advantages in using coax over optical or vice versa? After all, it's just 1s and 0s, innit.
Don't Want A Large Screen? Are TV Manufacturers Ignoring You?
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Not everyone who enjoys watching television/films wants a large screen - small room, renting your accommodation, budget ... and let's not forget, personal preference, all come into play. So why isn't there a better choice of quality TVs under 55-inches? Or are we just not looking hard enough?
Following on from a discussion back in Nov 2018 about Home Cinema Design Principals, this thread has some further advice and starts with the position that EQ is the last option to get the best sound from your expensive investment. Is this correct? What other factors need to be considered first? Take a look here.
People like symmetry, so are two subs better than one?Would having two overwhelm the sound with LFE? Should they be identical models? What about the room size? How about just for listening to music? Bass heads advise here please.
Christmas and Black Friday have gone and the New Year looms. You've been waiting.... waiting ... for just the right time to spend your readies on a new build to really get the very best bargains. Is that time now?
Movies & TV Shows
HMV In Administration For The Second Time In Six Years
by AVForums
It's a fact of modern retail life that High Street stores continue to struggle, especially where movies, games and music are concerned. Do you rely solely on downloads, streaming and online purchases or does a store like HMV still play a part in your purchases strategies? Let us know in the thread.