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Mark Hodgkinson
Mark Hodgkinson (Twitter, Google+) produces reviews and articles for the site, as well as participating in podcasts.
Mark has been reviewing Audio-Visual kit – including Televisions, Blu-ray Players & Soundbars - for the best part of a decade and is our resident Video Streaming devices expert, having spent the last five years surrounded by little black boxes. Mark is also a Level 2 qualified THX and isf Video Calibrator so he knows his way around a TV, how video processing works, what a calibrated image should look like and is abreast of all the developments in Standards, as we transition to a new era in home video. This includes 4K Ultra HD and beyond.
As well as being a qualified video calibrator, Mark is also a fully trained chef and has a degree in English.
The first fruits of the partnership between Philips TV and Bowers and Wilkins has been unveiled in the shape of the 903 OLED TV. The 903 features the latest panel, a 2nd gen P5 Processor and three sided ambilight.
Samsung's promised 8K TV unveil at IFA materialises with the Q9000R. It's available in four screen sizes, features 8K upscaling based on AI and will be in stores in time for Black Monday and the Christmas holiday buying season.
Hi-Fi
Panasonic HD605N headphones announced
by Mark Hodgkinson
Panasonic is showing off the latest additions to its range of wireless headphone range at IFA 2018, including the noise cancelling HD605N.
Panasonic's 2018 IFA Press Conference focussed on the future of transport, smart cities and smart homes with only passing references to its TV and AV line-ups.
HDR10+ is gearing up for full launch with a number of organisations now listed as official adopters, including SoC vendors, content creators and electronics manufacturers.
IFA 2018 is set to kick-off and this year's show promises 8k TVs, yet more AI powered devices and maybe the odd surprise, or two, along the way. What are you hoping to see emerge from Berlin?
Klipsch Introduce New Reference Series Speaker Range
by Mark Hodgkinson
Klipsch’s 6th generation Reference Series speaker line feature an array cosmetic and technical improvements over the predecessor and includes replacements for the R-14PM and R-15PM active monitor speakers, with built-in DACs, phono stages and amplification.
Hi-Fi
Quad Artera Play+ Announced
by Mark Hodgkinson
A new version of the CD player/DAC/preamp from Quad’s Artera Series adds features and improves performance, whilst also lowering the price
Hi-Fi
Monitor Audio and Roksan adopt BluOS hi-res Multiroom Streaming Platform
by Mark Hodgkinson
Monitor and Roksan throw their multirom hats in to the ring along with the NAD pioneered BluOS hi-res multiroom audio platform.
Bowers & Wilkins New 600 Series Speakers announced
by Mark Hodgkinson
The sixth iteration of Bowers & Wilkins 600 Series improves the range's combination of value and audio performance. With trickle-down technologies from the flagship 800 Diamond Series.
Hi-Fi
Pro-Ject Primary E Turntable announced
by Mark Hodgkinson
The Primary E is a vinyl record player based on Pro-Jects respected existing designs. It promises not to hurt your records, it’s made in Europe and it’s available now for £149.00
Tech
NEWS: ASUS announce new AMD B450 Gaming Motherboards
by Mark Hodgkinson
ASUS has confirmed worldwide availability of its new AMD motherboards aimed at a spectrum of gamers.
Denon's latest 'lifestyle' network music system, the CEOL N10, features CD Player, Network playback, an AM/FM tuner, a USB port and a couple of optical inputs. There’s also Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, AirPlay 2, and HEOS, Spotify and TIDAL streaming, as well as Amazon Alexa voice compatibility.
Samsung has stated to the Korean media that it plans to domesticate its MicroLED 'Wall' technology in 2019 with high-end TVs available to everyday consumers (with lots of money). That means we should get eyes on at CES 2019, if not before.
Chord's new upscaler is claimed to be able to take any 44.1kHz digital source and scale it right the way to 768kHz with a new custom FGPA to thank.
Home AV
Dynaudio in-wall/ in-ceiling speakers announced
by Mark Hodgkinson
After 40 years in the hi-fi, pro-studio and automotive markets, Dynaudio is bringing its expertise to the custom install space with a range of in-wall and in-ceiling speakers with unique tool-free clip-in speaker modules.
Denon AVR-X4500H & AVR-X3500H AV Receivers launched
by Mark Hodgkinson
Denon introduces a pair of new AVRs, the AVR-X4500H and AVR-X3500H featuring support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X and Auro-3D in addition to Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG and eARC.
Polk Assist Google Assistant Smart Speaker Launched
by Mark Hodgkinson
Polk Assist, a smart speaker with Google Assistant support and Chromecast built in, has been launched and is one of the few built on the Android Things System-on-Modules platform.
Bowers & Wilkins 802 and 805 ‘Prestige’ Speakers launched
by Mark Hodgkinson
Bowers & Wilkins have taken its iconic 800 speakers, applied a luxurious Santos Rosewood finish to them and created the Prestige range. They take around 40% longer to manufacturer so you can expect them to cost substantially more...
Virgin Media has announced a renewal of its deal with BT Sport which will see its Ultra HD Channel added to qualifying packages. The new channel launches on 30th July.
Hi-Fi
Raidho X-5 and XT-5 speakers launched
by Mark Hodgkinson
When is a flagship product not a flagship product (at least not in conventional terms)? When you redefine those terms, which is what Danish loudspeaker legend Raidho has done with its latest duo, the X-5 and XT-5 floorstanding loudspeakers.
Microsoft has announced the Surface Go two-in-one with a 10-inch screen, 7th Gen Intel Pentium Gold Processor 4415Y and configurable RAM options starting at £380
The new BT TV App allows you to view all your BT content across four devices and includes support for Apple TV, Chromecast and Samsung Smart TVs with Fire TV support to follow. It costs £5 per month while the existing, free app, has been updated to include downloads.
Netflix Italy is apparently set to trial an Ultra tier of membership with exclusive features including four simultaneous streams and HDR content. Would you be willing to pay more for HDR?
Hi-Fi
Krell K-300i integrated amplifier unveiled
by Mark Hodgkinson
High-end US brand, Krell, announce a new take on of its most important products with the latest in digital and analogue technologies.
Klipsch is bringing its popular high-end speaker over from the US. The newly updated RF-7 III replaced the popular Reference II model in the USA during early 2018 – and now it’s finally in the UK too.
Tech
ASUS Zenfone 5 available in the UK
by Mark Hodgkinson
With a Snapdragon 636, high-end camera abilities, a 6.2-inch display and AI features, the Zenfone 5 packs in a lot of features at a very affordable price-point. There's also £50 off for early orders.
Hi-Fi
Tivoli Andiamo Bluetooth Speaker launching
by Mark Hodgkinson
Tivoli's first portable audio product is the Andiamo, a compact Bluetooth speaker with a luxury finish but is soon to be followed by more in the new Tivoli Go range.