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Audio Video NewsNew Products
Preview: Audio Expo North America 2023
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 13, 2023
Audio enthusiasts and music lovers from around the world will descend upon Audio Expo North America (AXPONA) tomorrow (Friday, April 14) at 10 a.m. to experience the latest audio gear from 500 exhibitors who have set up shop at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg. We have received a number of press releases in the days leading up to the event. Here’s a preview of some of the gear that will be on display.
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SmartStream
Sling Freestream: It's Free & Beats Most FAST Services
Barb Gonzalez  |  Apr 12, 2023
Sling TV is offering free content through Freestream, the latest in free-ad-supported TV (FAST) channels. Not your typical FAST service, free streaming extends to video-on-demand (VOD) episodes, and the live channels offer playback control.
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Audio Video News
Tidal Adopting Hi-Res FLAC for HiFi Plus Subscribers
Mark Henninger  |  Apr 11, 2023
Today, Tidal revealed on Reddit that HiFi Plus subscribers will soon have a new streaming option: high-resolution FLAC. This announcement follows closely behind MQA's entry into "administration," the British equivalent of Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development suggests financial difficulties for MQA and raises questions about its future.
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Director's Intent: Kaleidescape 4K
Kaleidescape vs. Streaming – Avatar: The Way of Water
David Vaughn  |  Apr 11, 2023

Picture
Sound
Kaleidescape Scenes
Extras
James Cameron’s epic sci-fi film Avatar changed the landscape of movie-making when it debuted in 2010. Fans of the celebrated director flocked to theaters, ultimately producing box office receipts that topped $2.9 billion worldwide and making it the top grossing film of all-time. Now, 13 years later, Avatar: The Way of Water is enjoying the same mega-blockbuster success, having grossed over $2.3 billion since the sequel was released to theaters in December, making it the third highest grossing film in history behind 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, which raked in $2.8 billion.
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A/V Veteran
Making the Connection
Thomas J. Norton  |  Apr 11, 2023
Perhaps no subject in the home audio world is more contentious than cables. You can get them cheap in a big box hardware store (or at least speaker cables and perhaps interconnects) or pay obscene amounts of money for them. What gives?
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Audio Video News
Audio Expo North America 2023 Opens Friday
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 10, 2023
Listen up music lovers and audio enthusiasts: The Audio Expo North America, more commonly known by the acronym AXPONA, opens Friday, April 14 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, IL.
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Ask S&V
Should I Use the Outboard Amp in My 7.2.4 Setup for Front L/R or Atmos Speakers?
John Sciacca  |  Apr 10, 2023
Got a tech question for Sound & Vision? Email us at AskSandV@gmail.com

Q I have a 7.2.4 home theater with a Marantz SR7015 AV receiver powering 7.2.2 of the 7.2.4 speaker setup and a Marantz MM7025 stereo amp powering two of the overhead Atmos speakers. Would it make more sense to use the outboard amp to power the two front speakers rather than the Atmos speakers or does it not matter? —Mike Antoniello

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Blu-ray Movie ReviewsUltra HD Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Rocky in IV K
Chris Chiarella  |  Apr 07, 2023
Rocky II, 120 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
Rocky IV, 119 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
Rocky, 100 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras
Rocky III, 92/94 mins.
Picture
Sound
Extras

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4K TV ReviewsTV Reviews
TCL 6 Series mini-LED QLED 4K Roku TV Review
Mark Henninger  |  Apr 06, 2023

Performance
Features
Ergonomics
Value
PRICE $950 (updated 11/30/23)

AT A GLANCE
Plus
Very bright
Deep blacks
Excellent contrast
QLED wide color gamut
Easy to use
Stylish
Minus
Limited viewing angles

THE VERDICT
The combination of high contrast, brightness, and excellent color accuracy right out of the box make TCL's 65R655 a great choice for a main living room TV and many other applications.

It is amazing how rapidly TVs have grown in capability while their prices have dropped, defying inflation. I am very familiar with TCL's 6 Series and remember its first U.S. market iteration. It was an affordable 55-inch 4K TV that turned out to be great for both movies and gaming, thanks to its ease of use and nice, contrasty screen.

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Audio Video NewsNew Products
News & Gear: Early Spring 2023
Bob Ankosko  |  Apr 06, 2023
Top news plus the latest gear from Sonos, Atlantic Technology, Origin Acoustics, Primare, and Zvox.
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