AVexcel - Episode 205

AVexcel - Episode 205
Recorded on May 24, 2023
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
  - HBO is Max 
  - Netflix account sharing 
  - ESPN as a streaming service 
  - Apple tvOS 16.5 now available 
  - TCL QM8 4K TV has arrived 
  - Cambridge Audio Evo CD transport 
  - DRM and ATSC 3.0/NextGen 
  - DAC differences 
  - 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! 

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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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 203

AVexcel - Episode 203
Recorded on May 14, 2023
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
  - Connect a phonograph to anything 
  - Netflix's "secret" AV tests 
  - AVS HD 709 calibration tool 
  - Spears & Munsil UHD HDR Benchmark 
  - Ultimate Ears UE Premier in-ears 
  - Roku V12.0.0 is now available 
  - Sub-pixel rendering follow-up 
  - Streaming your audio collection 
  - Orian 3-way speaker kit 
 - Powered speaker recommendations 
  - Roku Plus Series TVs 
  - F1 MultiView App 
  - A polyglot in the wild 
  - Navajo version of Star Wars 
  - Sony MDR-7506 headphone comfort 
  - Brainwavz and Wicked Cushions ear pads 
  - 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! 

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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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 192

AVexcel - Episode 192
Recorded on November 6, 2022
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Holiday TV deals
- Roon 2.0 update
- Modulus M2 4K Movie Server
- 3rd gen Apple TV 4K
- NAD's 50th anniversary
- Sonos fixed its sub
- Nifty mount for Sonos One speakers
- Regulating TV power consumption
- Verifying Netflix viewing figures
- Netflix profile transfer is available
- Netflix Basic with ads arrives
- YouTube Premium Family Plan price hike
- Judging Amazon reviews
- The Film Foundation screening event
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- Email us ask@avexcel.com
- What we're watching

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

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AVexcel - Episode 190

AVexcel - Episode 190
Recorded on August 14, 2022
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Remembering Anne Heche
- /r/TVTooHigh subreddit
- HBO Max + Discovery+
- More Blu-ray player tricks
- More Ad-supported streaming
- Monolith M518HT THX 5.1 speaker kit
- AVR amp/wattage specs suck
- Floor-rising projection screens
- LG HU915QB 4K laser projector review
- Emotiva Airmotiv T3+ loudspeakers
- New art for Ikea Symphonisk speakers
- Value Electronics 2022 TV shootout results
- Color saturation and Pointer's gamut
- /r/AVexcel subreddit
- Sandman on Netflix
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- Email us ask@avexcel.com
- What we're watching

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

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AVexcel - Episode 169

AVexcel - Episode 169
Recorded on February 10, 2022
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Redoing AV gear placement
- Academy Awards notes
- AC Infinity AVR/amp coolers
- Calibrating the Sony A90J OLED TV
- ATSC 3.0 channel scanning
- 100Mbps 4K video streams
- Home Theater PC alternatives
- Value powered speakers
- JDS Labs Element III
- #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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 163

AVexcel - Episode 163
Recorded on December 3, 2021
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- More great TV deals
- DAZN sports app
- Sonos mini-sub rumors
- "Ultimate" Ethernet switch
- Adding a center-channel speaker
- Bargain projectors
- AVexcel Patreon Meetup
- #askavexcel
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- What we're watching

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

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AVexcel - Episode 149

AVexcel - Episode 149
Recorded on August 5, 2021
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Sony Pro Displays
- Free audio test tools
- TCL 8K 6-Series reviews
- Value Electronics Shootout
- Hisense Dual Cell TV
- Calibrate your computer
- Amazon's LOTR
- Secure your NAS
- #askavexcel
- Your excellent feedback & questions
- What we're watching

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

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AVexcel - Episode 138

AVexcel - Episode 138
Recorded on May 6, 2021
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- The Mitchells vs. The Machines
- Hisense 2021 TV launch event
- 1400-nit Asus gaming monitor
- Too many streaming services
- HDMI fiber optic cables
- Monoprice Monolith Amps
- Atmos and sub-optimal ceilings
- Epson 4010 vs. 5050UB
- Calibrating streaming sources
- #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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 124

AVexcel - Episode 124
Recorded on November 25, 2020 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown:
- Patrick's speaker cable
- Subs in stock
- Bandcamp
- Best Buy doing OK
- Xbox Series X/PS5 demand
- Next-gen console HDMI bandwidth
- Battery-powered sats
- Great TV deals
- In search of a neutral headphone
- Comparing streaming bitrates
- 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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 101

AVexcel - Episode 101
Recorded on April 5, 2019. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
- 2019 TVs
- Roku Channel adds HBO
- Record Store Day
- Apple TV app
- Big screen TV deals
- Video calibration basics
- MakeMKV vs 4K Blu-ray
- To DAC or not to DAC
- What we're watching
- 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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 100

AVexcel - Episode 100
Recorded on February 28, 2019. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
- Episode 100
- Samsung's best 4K TV
- The Disc is Dead
- Streaming audio goodness
- Robert's Tools of the Trade
- Ceiling speakers
- What we're watching
- 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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 90

Recorded on September 20, 2018. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
- IFA/CEDIA highlights
- LG's 8K OLED
- Epson Pro Cinema 4050/4010
- JVC's goes native 4K
- Sony's latest 4K projectors
- IMAX Enhanced AV gear
- DP's Insight Laser 8K demo
- So many new sweet speakers
- About those new amps...
- ...and music streaming apps
- 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! 

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AVexcel - Episode 77

Recorded on April 19, 2018. 
Hosts: Patrick Norton and Robert Heron 

The rundown: 
  - Robert's new headphones
  - Learning to listen
  - Pat's Caavo considerations
  - Streaming bitrates
  - ATSC 3.0 approaches
  - Avoid OLED burn-in
  - Atmos speaker upgrade
  - Tiny surround sound speakers
  - 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 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 deal on KEF's T105
  • UltraThin 5.1 kit
• No-projection cinema
  • DCI says OK
• Samsung's new LCDs
  • MU9000 + MU8000
    • 1000-nits
    • Low-lag 240Hz
    • Anti-reflective
    • No quantum dot tech

Sweet Q&A

• @shana_tornado desires a smart-less display
• @Nat_The_Gooner wants the 4K box
• @bucketo searches for TV OS nirvana
• @SconnieTek seeks a soundbar
  • Sonos sounds great
  • More great soundbar options
  • Hsu Research = superb subs
  • Monoprice's amazing $100 sub

Headphone design redux

• Housing/earcup design
• Driver design
• Frame design
• Fostex T50RP Mods/Measurements
• InnerFidelity

Final words

• @mike_shay reminds us that YouTube TV includes Red Originals but not an ad-free experience
• @rgherrera's looking for TV's w/BT
  • Mid-to-premium TVs often have Bluetooth
  • Could add a Roku Ultra
• Vincent Teoh's YouTube channel
• Remembering John Hurt

Thank you

Visit us at AVexcel.com

We appreciate your feedback

• Tweet
  • @avexcel
  • @patricknorton
  • @robertheron
• Email
• AVexcel sub-Reddit
• Facebook

Enjoy

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• iTunes
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Episode 37

Recorded on February 22, 2017 

Patrick Norton and Robert Heron are recovering the home theater goodness 

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

Pat's audio exploration

• The Source AV Design Group
• Torrance, California

Caavo

• Uniting streaming devices
• Consistent UI/UX
• Stylish design
• $400
• Articles
  • The Verge
  • Machine vision
  • TechCrunch
• Harmony Elite
  • Superior to Ultimate in every way

Calibration apps: Apple TV

• TV Tune Up
• Calibrate!
• Surround Speaker Check
• AV Aid

Your AV answers

• @joegasz has TiVo audio lags
  • Check TV's audio settings
• @KenpoB10 seeks 4K 3D Avatar
  • Check out Dolby Cinema
• @JoshDWalrath questions value of Atmos
  • Great, if desired content exists
• @AceOD wants best sub-$300 center-channel
  • Match what you already have
  • Pioneer's sweet center

Value '4K' UHD TV considerations

• Most do superb HD
• Most lack color/brightness for good UHD
• Cheat by lowering picture contrast

Eye-candy picks of the week

• Planet Earth II
• Bridge of Spies
• Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

Robert's Calibrated Mic

• Audio/speaker setup
• Room EQ Wizard
• TrueRTA
• Cross-Spectrum Acoustics

Kubo and the Two Strings

• Viewed at Dolby HQ
• ~60 speakers
• 2x Christie RGB laser projectors

Samsung Q8 arrives

• Brushed stainless chassis/stand
• Curved screen design
• >1500-nits + dang good DCI

Thank you

Visit us at AVexcel.com

Connect with us

• Tweet
  • @avexcel
  • @patricknorton
  • @robertheron
• Email
• AVexcel sub-Reddit
• Facebook

Enjoy

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Subscribe to AVexcel

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Episode #010

Welcome to episode 010 of the AVexcel podcast

Our Patreon supporters make AVexcel possible, and every bit helps

This week Patrick Norton and Robert Heron enter the home theater goodness

Pat's sweet sounds

• B&W DM600 series speakers
• Amp Camp Amps (PDF)
• Johnny Cash - At San Quentin
• ELAC UB5 speakers
• KEF EGG
• aptX helps Bluetooth audio
• Yamaha's AV controller app

We have a date...

• Game of Thrones: Season 6 trailer
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens
  • The Force.net has the retail exclusive details
• House of Cards: Season 4

Home theater room setup

• Dolby's setup guide is a must-read
• Consider room acoustics
• Clap your hands
• Bare walls are bad
• Hang some art
• Consider curtains and rugs
• Diffusion and absorption
• Square rooms are audio hell
• Placing the sub in a node
• Noise generators are helpful
• Pick a quiet room
• Use a tripod with an AVR setup mic
• Acoustically transparent screens
• DIY screens: Carl's Place

Sony's 2016 TVs arrive

• Dual light guides 
  • XBR-series X930D 55-inch/65-inch
• Sony BVMX300 Pro OLED

Dolby Cinema is (slowly) spreading

• A Bay Area option arrives
• AMC Prime
• The ButtKicker
• "The Brown Noise"

Send us your thoughts

• ask@avexcel.com
• Twitter
• Facebook
• AVexcel sub-Reddit

Eric's quality option for assisted listening

Greg says the science agrees with 2+ subs

All the science papers (Tor)

Daniel says VUDU does HD on the PC

Cam's upgrade path with an HDMI 1.4 AVR

• UHD Blu-ray player w/dual HDMI output

Roku's epic audio setup guides

@NeXTchef's need to convert old RF output

• Emulate and enjoy

We thrive with our audience's participation - thank you

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

Enjoy!

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Recording date: March 8, 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

• Air blower
• Amp Camp Amp (PDF)
• RIVA S
• KEF MUO
• Mobile gear

Samsung's UHD Blu-ray player arrives

• CNET's solid review
• Enable TV's 'UHD color' option
• Initial UHD Blu-ray movie quirks
• Such an odd collection of 4K titles
  • The Martian
  • Deadpool
  • Sicario
  • Chappie
  • Salt
  • Pan
  • Concussion
  • Hancock
  • Wild
  • The Revenant
    • Congratulations, Leo
  • Ender's Game
  • The Maze Runner
  • San Andreas
  • The Peanuts Movie
  • Mad Max: Fury Road

Lab time: 2016 Samsung KS9500 LCD

Blu-ray movies of interest

• The Decline of Western Civilization
• Howard the Duck
• Xanadu
• The Flash: Season 1
• History of the World Part 1

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

• Blu-ray decryption software
• SlySoft is gone
• Great coverage on MyCE
• Alternatives
  • MakeMKV
  • DVDFab

AnyDVD lives (in Belize)!

• RedFox Forums
• Lifetime subscriptions still work
• Great free virtual drive sw

Michael's tip for Chris' power woes

• Try disabling CEC

TampaOrange via Reddit loves Marantz

• Marantz SR series w/HDAM
• Compact NR series wo/HDAM

kpbearfl via Reddit on DTS:X

• AVR bargain: Onkyo TX-NR646

Marc needs white stereo RCA cables

• Blue Jeans Cable
• Custom DIY: Home Theater Shack
• Add an RCA cable coupler

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

• 4K projectors are available
• Sub-$2K 4K projectors not here yet
• UHD setup tools
  • Florian Friedrich's UHDTEST.com
  • SpectraCal's CalMAN

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!

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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

• Don't touch the lens
• Use a blower
• Don't touch the lens

PC cleaning must-haves

• Metro Vacuum's DataVac 500
• Metro Vacuum's DataVac Pro

Protect your investment

• Ceiling mount a projector
• Wall mount a TV

1080p TV deals are vanishing

• 4K UHD TVs are the new 1080p
• The best 2016 UHD TVs excel at delivering
  • High dynamic range (HDR)
  • Wide color gamut (WCG)
• Ideal screen size for viewing distance

Get your 4K on (now)

• 4K UHD streaming options
• 4K UHD Blu-ray player

Keith's TV doesn't decode the VP9 codec

• Licensing codecs is expensive
• Roku 4 has 4K UHD 30fps VP9 playback
• NASA 4K video looks sublime
• Chrome supports VP9 (no surprise)

Send us your questions ask@avexcel.com

Richard is curious about SiliconDust tuners

• Raspberry Pi + Kodi setup
• SiliconDust network tuner
• Synology network attached storage (NAS)
• Western Digital My Cloud NAS
• SiliconDust HDHomeRun DVR

AV calibration training

• AVS calibration forum
• THX training
• Imaging Science Foundation (ISF)
• Customer education is key
• Enjoy what you do

Tom asks if it's OK to copy calibration settings

• It's not ideal
• Plasma TVs were an interesting exception
• Basic TV picture setup is easy

Luxury headphones

• V-MODA Crossfade M100
• Bowers & Wilkins P7

A great week for new Blu-ray releases

• Bogart and Bacall
  • The Big Sleep
  • Key Largo
• The Graduate (The Criterion Collection)
• Pixar's The Good Dinosaur
• Deadpool preorder (spring 2016)
• Love on Netflix

Rotten Tomatoes purchased by Fandango

• Fandango picked up Flickster too

Ron wants the best streaming service

• Sony FMP-X10 4K Media Player
• Lots of 4K streaming options
• VUDU doing Dolby Vision + Atmos
• Netflix per-title encode optimization
• Can I Stream.it - find that streaming movie
• Interstellar: Blu-ray vs iTunes vs Amazon
• Benefits of ripping your CDs

Chris wonders why his gear freezes/crashes

• Simplify setup to one device
• Line conditioners for clean power
  • Tripp Lite LC1200
  • APC LE1200

We love your questions ask@avexcel.com

Find us on Twitter and like us on Facebook

• @avexcel
• @patricknorton
• @robertheron

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