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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The War of the Worlds
Tom Norton  |  Nov 25, 2022
Picture
Sound
Extras
The War of the Worlds was a huge movie hit in 1953, based loosely on H.G. Wells 1898 classic novel of an invasion from Mars. We're at the center of the action during our military's initial encounter with the Martians' unstoppable machines (the latter very different from Wells' tripod conception). Later we're trapped in a trashed farmhouse and get a frightening glimpse of a live Martian. In a gripping conclusion, the Martians appear on the verge of total victory.
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SmartStream
Black Friday Streaming Deals on Services and Players
Barb Gonzalez  |  Nov 23, 2022
Take advantage of the Black Friday streaming deals if you need a new streaming device or want to try a streaming service. Significant savings are available on Roku, Amazon, Apple, and Chromecast, and even the Nvidia Shield is on sale. With prices about to go up on many streaming services, the Black Friday deals are the best time to lock in lower rates or get substantial discounts.  
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Soundbar ReviewsStreaming Device ReviewsSurround Sound System Reviews
Roku Streambar Pro 5.1 System Review
Mark Henninger  |  Nov 23, 2022

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $660

AT A GLANCE
Plus
High fidelity sound
Components sold separately
Easy setup
Built-in Roku 4K streaming
Cordless private listening mode
Minus
No Dolby Atmos support
Weak bass without the subwoofer

THE VERDICT
The top-of-the-line soundbar system from Roku is full of cool features and gives you a surround-sound listening experience that is better than competing systems of similar cost. But it lacks support for 3D immersive sound like Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, and the Streambar Pro on its own is not nearly as impressive sounding as when it's part of a complete 5.1 system.

Soundbars have evolved from simple standalone add-on speakers for TVs into fully self-contained home entertainment systems able to deliver cinematic, immersive listening experiences. The catch is today's soundbar systems can get quite costly, often exceeding the price of the TV they might be connected to. With Roku's Streambar Pro, the cost of entry is only $179.99 for the soundbar itself, and you can expand the system from there. Granted, tricking it out with a subwoofer and four add-on wireless is almost four times the cost, but what you get is a very nice surround-sound solution that's easy to install, easy to use, and outperforms many similarly priced soundbars.

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Audio Video News
Deal Hunter: Best of Black Friday
Bob Ankosko  |  Nov 22, 2022
Yes, there will be crazy blow-out deals on Friday, led by low-end loss-leaders to get you in the store (thanks but no thanks), but everyone knows Black Friday deals are already here as companies vie for your attention in the hopes of boosting sales in the almighty fourth quarter. Here’ a smattering of some of the better deals that can be had online today. Happy shopping.
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A/V Veteran
Zulu on Blu-Ray
Thomas J. Norton  |  Nov 22, 2022
At the height of European colonial ambitions in Africa, two of Great Britain's key colonies there were Cape Town, at Africa's southern tip and, north of there, Natal. The latter abutted Zululand. The Zulus, a powerful warrior nation, was created from local tribes conquered earlier in the century by the iconic Zulu chief, Shaka. )...This superb 1964 film Zulu...depicts ...the battle of Rorke's Drift...It can still be viewed via streaming, but instead I seriously recommend the 50th anniversary Blu-ray release (in the red jacket shown above). The stereo audio on this disc is satisfactory though underwhelming. But its widescreen videos is exceptional...
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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
House of the Dragon (Season 1) Review
David Vaughn  |  Nov 21, 2022

Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
Game of Thrones is arguably one of the best TV shows in history — well, at least the first six seasons — and became a cultural phenomenon when it hit HBO in April 2011. It would go on to produce a total of eight seasons and one of the most controversial endings one could ever dream up. Co-creators/showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss were ripped to shreds on the Internet — and rightfully so, in this writer’s opinion — leaving viewers to wonder what effect this would have on further projects set within the universe George R. R. Martin crafted in his popular book series.
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New Products
Capital Audiofest 2022: High-End Sights and Sounds
Dennis Young,  |  Nov 18, 2022
It’s been seven long years since I last attended Capital Audiofest, the largest high-end audio show on the east coast of the U.S. This year’s show took place on November 11-13 at the Twinbrook Hilton in Rockville Maryland, which is the same venue as my last visit. The show grew significantly in the interim, with five full floors of the hotel taken up by demos, but it maintains the same casual look and feel and a strong focus on two-channel, audiophile-centric systems.
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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Bullet Train
Chris Chiarella  |  Nov 18, 2022
Picture
Sound
Extras
Technically not a "non-stop thrill ride" (it's a classy commuter vehicle so passengers need to board and disembark periodically), Bullet Train is nonetheless a rousing, violent and quite funny adventure. The story moves as fast as the locomotive itself, indulging themes of fate, luck and revenge as an errand boy (Brad Pitt) dealing with a midlife crisis runs afoul of assassins and international crime syndicates, all of them circling a high-value briefcase while the clock counts down to their ultimate destination.
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The S&V InterviewAudio Video News
Now Is a Great Time to Buy a New TV
Bob Ankosko  |  Nov 17, 2022

TV Prices Buck U.S. Inflation Trend

Consumer electronics in general but TVs in particular have a decades-long history of providing amazing value. Except for an unprecedented and short-lived Covid-driven spike in 2020-2021, retail TV prices have been relatively immune to inflation over the past four decades while the cost of almost everything crept up. (Lately, of course, inflationary pressures have caused the price of everything to spike up.) So if you’re thinking about updating your TV, now is a great time to do it. But don’t just take our word for it. We checked in with Robert (Bob) O’Brien, TV expert and co-founder of Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC), to get his take on TV pricing as we head into the holiday season.

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Audio Video News
No Need to Wait for Black Friday: TV Deals Are Here!
Bob Ankosko  |  Nov 17, 2022
TVs have a decades-long history of providing amazing value and, even in the face of the historically high levels of inflation we’re experiencing today, they remain an oasis of relief from inflation. In other words, now is a great time to buy a new TV! If you’ve been eyeing one of the new QD OLED sets from Samsung or Sony — or any TV for that matter — there’s no need to wait for Black Friday…
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