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Audio Video NewsCES 2022
Sony Introduces 2022 Bravia XR TV Lineup
Al Griffin  |  Jan 04, 2022
Sony released details of its Bravia XR TVs for 2022 one day prior to the official start of CES. The new lineup features the company’s first 4K and 8K LCD TVs to use Mini-LED backlight technology, along with a new 4K OLED model featuring QD (Quantum Dot) OLED tech. All of Sony’s new premium TVs are equipped with Cognitive Processor XR, the company’s next-gen video processor which works in the background to intelligently optimize color, contrast, and image depth.
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Audio Video NewsCES 2022
Samsung Enhances Neo QLED TVs, Adds New MicroLED
Al Griffin  |  Jan 03, 2022
Samsung is first out of the gate with new TV news for CES 2022. The company’s announcements cover ultra-bigscreen MicroLED models with a new form factor and pre-configured screen size option, Neo QLED 8K and 4K TVs with refined backlight control and gaming features, plus enhancements to the company’s lifestyle-oriented The Frame TVs that significantly reduce screen glare and add more lifelike canvas and paper texture to displayed art.
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Audio Video NewsCES 2022
A Scaled Down CES 2022 Opens Wednesday
Bob Ankosko  |  Jan 03, 2022
On Wednesday, CES 2022 returns to the live, in-person format that has defined the seminal event for 55 years but, make no mistake, it’s a smaller show this time around. Much smaller.
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Signals
4K at 40,000 Feet
Ken C. Pohlmann  |  Jan 03, 2022
Back in the day when they served economy-class meals on airplanes, I actually thought the food tasted pretty good. That is a sad commentary on the quality of the cuisine I cooked for myself at home. Now, you're lucky to get a 0.7-oz bag of delicious Party Mix. On the other hand, the on-board video quality will soon be looking good.

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Free Guy
Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 31, 2021
Picture
Sound
Extras
Guy is an NPC (non-player character) in the hit video game, Free City. He "lives" a happy but chaotic life as the game's active player characters, identifiable by their sunglasses, ravage the city. The NPCs simply go about their business as best they can in the only world they know.
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Sweepstakes
Roku Wireless Home Theater 5.1 Surround Sound Setup Sweepstakes
SV Staff  |  Dec 30, 2021
Register to win a Roku Wireless home theater 5.1 surround sound setup (value $609.96) we are giving away.

According to the company:

"Roku’s team of audio experts have developed premium audio products that are easy to set up and simple to use."

[This Sweepstakes is now closed.]

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Audio Video News
Best Gear of December 2021
Bob Ankosko  |  Dec 30, 2021
Top Picks for the holiday month of December include an advanced wireless speaker system, 12-terabyte movie server, and spectacular 8K video projector at prices ranging from $2,000 to $25,000. But don’t despair, we’re also highlighting a trio of audio products that can be had for considerably less, including an outstanding Bluetooth speaker system that sells for $250 and a versatile hi-res streamer you can pick up for $600.
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Media Server ReviewsStreaming Device Reviews
Kaleidescape Compact Terra 12TB Movie Server Review
Kris Deering  |  Dec 29, 2021

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $10,995 (as tested)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Compact form factor—fits in standard-width rack space with Strato C player
Significantly boosts movie download speed
Minus
Pricey
Kaleidescape Store immersive audio support still spotty

THE VERDICT
Kaleidescape new compact Terra Movie Server delivers an improved user experience and greater flexibility over the company’s standard Strato system.

Kaleidescape sure has been busy since I reviewed its Strato S 4K Ultra HD Movie Player late last year (October/ November 2020 issue). The company added three new servers to its Terra lineup: the compact 6TB ($5,995), 12TB ($7,995), 18TB ($9,995) options, and a 72TB monster ($23,995) for those who want massive storage without having to string multiple Terra units together. For this review, I was sent the 12TB Terra, along with a Strato C 4K Movie Player (recently reduced in price to $2,995) to test it with. I'll focus first on the 12TB Terra and then give an update on my overall Kaleidescape experience after living with a system for over a year (I purchased my Strato S review unit).

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Ask S&V
What Kind of HDMI Extender Will Pass Dolby Vision?
Al Griffin  |  Dec 29, 2021
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I’m in the process of rebuilding my home theater with a 4K projector and flat-panel TV. Here’s my question: What kind of HDMI extenders can I use to pass a video signal with Dolby Vision high dynamic range (HDR) from my receiver to both screens? I’m completely at a loss here. —F. Hudson Miller, Hollywood, CA

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A/V Veteran
TV Calibration vs. Auto-Calibration: What's the Difference?
Thomas J. Norton  |  Dec 28, 2021
The discussion here was inspired by a letter from a reader. He noted that in a recent review I mentioned that the set in question offered auto calibration. But the remainder of the letter suggested that my comment was misunderstood (or perhaps not precise enough to begin with). In the review/calibration/video-crazy business world, auto-cal refers to a specialized subroutine in a standard calibration program such as Calman from Portrait Displays. A different version of this subroutine exists for each brand/model of TV, and perhaps even for each year of each brand/model. Once set up it's fast and accurate. But this auto-cal requires the same expensive test gear and calibrator training as any manual calibration...
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