AVexcel - Episode 204

AVexcel - Episode 204
Recorded on May 18, 2023
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
  - YouTube TV stream failures 
  - Sonos ending local file playback 
  - A "free" 4K HDR TV 
  - madVR Envy Extreme MK2 Video Processor 
  - XMax explained 
  - Elite Screen's portable UST screen options 
  - A terrific UST screen roundup 
  - Dynamic tone mapping and artistic intent 
  - Audio ports on Macs 
  - A sweet subwoofer upgrade 
  - Your excellent feedback & questions 
  - Email us at ask@avexcel.com 
  - What we're watching 

This episode of AVexcel was made possible by generous contributions from our Patreon supporters - thank you!

Visit www.AVexcel.com for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Link to this episode page

#CommissionsEarned with some links

AVexcel - Episode 202

AVexcel - Episode 202
Recorded on April 30, 2023
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- 2023 TV tech update
- Sony's Bravia Cam
- Samsung S95C QD-OLED review
- LG G3 OLED review
- Improving OLED subpixel text rendering
- Windows 11 HDR Calibration App
- Epson 5050ub's HDR Slider
- TV streaming app popularity
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- Email us at ask@avexcel.com
- What we're watching

This episode of AVexcel was made possible by generous contributions from our Patreon supporters - thank you!

Visit www.AVexcel.com for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Link to this episode page

#CommissionsEarned with some links

AVexcel - Episode 201

AVexcel - Episode 201
Recorded on April 25, 2023
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
  - Artistic intent 
  - Car speaker specs and calibration 
  - YouTube TV testing PQ improvements 
  - Fosi Audio BT20A Pro 
  - Topping PA7/PA7 Plus 
  - Sony A95K QD-OLED calibration 
  - Focal Theva speakers 
  - TAD Compact Evolution One speakers 
  - Dirac Live audio calibration 
  - To firmware update or not to update 
  - Hanwha Vision's XNP-6400R 40x PTZ IP camera 
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- Email us at ask@avexcel.com
- What we're watching

This episode of AVexcel was made possible by generous contributions from our Patreon supporters - thank you!

Visit www.AVexcel.com for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Link to this episode page

#CommissionsEarned with some links

AVexcel - Episode 144

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AVexcel - Episode 144
Recorded on June 26, 2021
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Save your sweet calibration
- Direct Display Control
- LG OLED 120Hz Dolby Vision
- THX Certified Dominus
- Nits, Lumens, and Lux redux
- Sennheiser Consumer update
- Outdoor projection on a budget
- Soundbar love
- #askavexcel
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- What we're watching

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Link to this episode page 

#CommissionsEarned with some links

AVexcel - Episode 142

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AVexcel - Episode 142
Recorded on June 3, 2021
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Mare of Easttown
- Samsung's 4K RGB Laser Projector
- Apple TV 4K Gen 2
- Return of Alamo Drafthouse
- VAVA responds to Epson
- Short-throw projector hell
- Brightness vs. black level
- Replacement headphone pads
- Taco Chronicles
- Doom Eternal rocks
- So much calibration
- #askavexcel
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- What we're watching

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Link to this episode page 

#CommissionsEarned with some links

AVexcel - Episode 137

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AVexcel - Episode 137
Recorded on April 29, 2021
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- 4K120 fix for Denon/Marantz AVRs
- Xbox audio passthrough beta
- More OLED rumors and great deals
- Apple TV's Color Balance tested
- HDR vs screen life
- Projecting HFR
- Amazon + LOTR = $$$$
- OLED temperature check
- Update your graphics drivers
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- What we're watching

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Link to this episode page 

#CommissionsEarned with some links

AVexcel - Episode 97

AVexcel - Episode 97
Recorded on November 29, 2018. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
- California burning
- Great deals galore
- LG's updated TV chip
- JDS Labs Atom Amp
- Favorites in UHD Blu-ray
- Pat's projection tune up
- Activo CT10 digital audio player
- Your excellent feedback & questions 

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Download the MP3 of this episode 

Link to this episode page 

AVexcel - Episode 74

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Recorded on March 23, 2018. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
  - Bias lighting
  - Chuffing subs
  - New calibration gear
  - Tempting 2017 TVs
  - CanJam in Los Angeles
  - Universal content search
  - Projector setup
  - Your excellent feedback & questions 

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Download the MP3 of this episode 

Link to this episode page 

Detailed show notes for this episode coming soon! 

AVexcel - Episode 69

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Recorded on February 5, 2018. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
  - Super Bowl LII not in 4K
  - Olympics in 4K HDR
  - Apple's HomePod
  - OLED's videophile feature
  - Hisense's dual-laser projector
  - Projection screen quests
  - More CES highlights
  - Your excellent feedback & questions 

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Download the MP3 of this episode 

Link to this episode page 

Detailed show notes for this episode coming soon! 

AVexcel - Episode 68

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Recorded on January 18, 2018. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
  - CES survival tips
  - 2018 4K TV details
  - CES audio highlights
  - CES prototype gear
  - Channel Master SMARTenna+ 
  - Widescreen projection tips
  - What we're watching
  - Hangouts

AVexcel is 100% powered by our awesome crew of Patreon supporters - thank you! 

Visit the AVexcel website for links, show notes, contact info, and more! 

Download the MP3 of this episode 

Link to this episode page 

Detailed show notes for this episode coming soon! 

AVexcel - Episode 48

Recorded on June 30, 2017 

Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are upgrading the home theater goodness 

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and we thank 'em all 

The tingly bits

Sub-$2500 projector delights

Amazon Prime Day

DAC doings

Thank you

Visit us at AVexcel.com

We appreciate your feedback

Enjoy

Subscribe to AVexcel

Download the MP3

Link to this episode page

AVexcel - Episode 46

Recorded on June 15, 2017 

Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are building the home theater goodness 

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and we thank 'em all 

The tingly bits

More 4K projection

AV101 - a quiet base

  • Quiet rooms make for better listening

Sweet Q&A

OTA adventures

Thank you

Visit us at AVexcel.com

We appreciate your feedback

Enjoy

Subscribe to AVexcel

Download the MP3

Link to this episode page

AVexcel - Episode 43

Recorded on May 25, 2017 

Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are modding the home theater goodness 

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and we thank 'em all 

The tingly bits

Sweet Q&A

Headphone design redux

Final words

Thank you

Visit us at AVexcel.com

We appreciate your feedback

Enjoy

Subscribe to AVexcel

Download the MP3

Link to this episode page

Episode #023

Welcome to episode 023 of the AVexcel podcast

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and every bit helps

This week Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are smiling at the home theater goodness

Robert is Olympic-ed out

  • Awaiting live 4K/UHD/WCG

Off the record

  • "Listened to your Olympics show. All the content is archived in full recorded resolution on Spectra Logic tape libraries. You didn't get this from me."
  • Other clients
    • National Geographic
    • NBC
  • Robots manage our growing archives
  • NAS = Networked Attached Storage
  • Backblaze hard drive stats

Intel Developer Forum

  • Kaby Lake CPUs 4K ready
    • Native HDCP 2.2 support
    • HEVC Main10/10-bit
    • VP9 10-bit video decoding
  • Pat playing Overwatch on Intel graphics
  • Project Alloy VR platform

Best seat in the room

  • Southern Motion theater seating
    • Power headrests
    • Fold down drink tables
    • USB charging
    • “multimedia sofas”
  • What's your movie/TV seat of choice
  • Pat's spousal acceptance factor
  • Robert's 4K office chair

Enterprise Home Theater

Archiving Blu-rays

We love your email ask@avexcel.com

HDMI cables for everyone

Evan has pixel shift concerns

@ajsmith tweets, “Any network ever broadcast live in 1080P? Are we going to compressed 4K first?”

  • Neulion’s 4K60 UFC 200 fight was the best we've seen so far
  • Broadcasters use 1080i as it converts nicely into 1080p30
  • 24p movies in 1080i film processed into original 1080p24
  • 1080p60 live streaming is doable today
  • ATSC 3.0 before we see much 4K live action

New Blu-ray Movies

Tim's tl;dr

Talking to the TV

8 vs. 4 Ohm

  • Pete encourages more experimentation
  • Use a good amp
  • THD can go up as resistance drops
  • Run speakers "small"
  • LFE to the sub

Robert’s crazy calibration week

  • Pro monitor LUT generation
  • Pro-tip: reset display to widest color gamut before doing LUT
  • OLED’s separate calibration for HD/HDR10/Dolby Vision
  • The KS9800 leaves the building
    • Impressed; yearning yet for more
    • 2015 JS9500 still a great TV
  • FlatpanelsHD’s Dolby Vision FAQ

We depend on the support of our listeners

Wear eye and ear protection when appropriate

Check our sweet AVexcel show notes

Thank you

Visit us at AVexcel.com

Connect with us

Enjoy

Download the MP3
Subscribe to AVexcel on iTunes or RSS
Link to this episode page

Recorded August 26, 2016

Episode #018

Welcome to episode 018 of the AVexcel podcast

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and every bit helps

This week Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are related to the home theater goodness

HDR madness is afoot

seerpea wants a TV w/a light sensor

  • Available on many mid-to-premium models
  • Good for auto eye-friendly viewing
  • Setting often buried in the menus
  • Turn off during picture setup

Sound values

For the love of 3.5mm

Tom's going outdoor projection

Calibration time

Pat's head-related functions

Sounds from Robert

Be there for your friends

Enjoy

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Subscribe to AVexcel on iTunes or RSS

Recorded June 23, 2016

Episode #017

Welcome to episode 017 of the AVexcel podcast

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and every bit helps

This week Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are shiny with the home theater goodness

For the love of headphones

But first, a summary...

New Blu-ray movies this week

Wirecutter's Best Soundbars

Connect with us

Top 2016 Smart TV Platforms

Gregg wants a UHD BD Player

Ron asks what's up with Vizio + HDR10

  • Service rep said no HDR10 coming
  • Vizio CTO: "...sometime later this Summer..."
  • Robert's take: ain't happening
  • No HDR10 = no UHD Blu-ray
  • Samsung KS8000 = worthy alternative

The random

Bo's eyeing SpectraCal's MobileForge app

Thomas likes LG's LED projector

Quantum Dot-ery

LG E-Series OLED TV

  • Comparing to the competition

Going long...for home theater love

Enjoy

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Subscribe to AVexcel on iTunes or RSS

Recorded June 16, 2016

Episode #009

Welcome to episode 009 of the AVexcel podcast

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and every bit helps

This week Patrick Norton and Robert Heron bask in home theater goodness

On the table

Samsung's UHD Blu-ray player arrives

Lab time: 2016 Samsung KS9500 LCD

Blu-ray movies of interest

Going 4K...slowly
 
Daniel asks about the fate of AnyDVD HD

AnyDVD lives (in Belize)!

Michael's tip for Chris' power woes

TampaOrange via Reddit loves Marantz

kpbearfl via Reddit on DTS:X

Marc needs white stereo RCA cables

Steve asks if the time is now for ultra-high definition

The AVexcel sub-Reddit is a great place for group interaction

And, we'll soon be adding additional show support methods for folks who prefer an alternative to Patreon

Enjoy!

Download the MP3
Subscribe to AVexcel on iTunes or RSS

Recording date: March 2nd, 2016

Episode #008

Welcome to episode 008 of the AVexcel podcast

Our show grows through audience support, and every bit helps

This week Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are enveloped in home theater goodness

HBO's Vinyl
 
Hosko's lens cleaning rules

PC cleaning must-haves

Protect your investment

1080p TV deals are vanishing

Get your 4K on (now)

Keith's TV doesn't decode the VP9 codec

Send us your questions ask@avexcel.com

Richard is curious about SiliconDust tuners

AV calibration training

Tom asks if it's OK to copy calibration settings

Luxury headphones

A great week for new Blu-ray releases

Rotten Tomatoes purchased by Fandango

Ron wants the best streaming service

Chris wonders why his gear freezes/crashes

  • Simplify setup to one device
  • Line conditioners for clean power

We love your questions ask@avexcel.com

Find us on Twitter and like us on Facebook

The AVexcel sub-Reddit is a great place for group interaction

And, we'll soon be adding additional show support methods for folks who prefer an alternative to Patreon

Enjoy!

Download the MP3
Subscribe to AVexcel on iTunes or RSS

Recording date: February 22, 2016

Episode #005

In this overflowing episode

We thank you for listening to our longest episode (yet!)

As always, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us via email at ask@avexcel.com

Also, please follow us on Twitter and like us on Facebook.

The AVexcel sub-Reddit is another great place for group interaction.

And, we'll be adding additional show support methods for folks who prefer an alternative to Patreon.

Enjoy!

Download the MP3
Subscribe to AVexcel on iTunes or RSS

Recording date: January 21, 2016