HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

On this week's show we take a look at the possibility of vibe coding your own SmartTV Desktop and we have another listener review of the Onkyo RZ-30 9.2 channel AV Receiver. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• XGIMI's AURA 3 projectors raise over $15 million on Kickstarter in under a day
• Sony quietly drops its last standalone 4K Blu-ray player in Japan
• Home Assistant now shows Matter cameras in its regular camera views
• Comcast lost 144,000 broadband customers last quarter, but more are paying for gig speeds
• Deal alert: LG's 77-inch C6 OLED drops to $1,999.99, and LG adds free wall mounting

Fed Up With Smart TV Ads, People Are Vibe Coding Their Own Home Screens

A guy named Gathin got tired of his parents' Xiaomi Android TV showing a sponsored ad before they could even get to Netflix. So he spent an afternoon "vibe coding" a fix with Claude Code, an AI coding tool, and his post about it has passed 6.2 million views, according to FlatpanelsHD.

What he did: His project site, https://cleanyour.tv/, says the AI found the TV on his Wi-Fi network, removed 25 Xiaomi apps and services, and built a new home screen that looks like Apple TV's. It doesn't require rooting or uninstalling anything, and one command puts the original back. The project is free and open source, and Gathin says people have since run it on 190 TVs from 57 brands.

The catch: It only works because Android TV and Google TV let you swap the home screen. Samsung and LG TVs don't.

Why it matters: TV makers keep filling the screens we paid for with ads and tracking. Now anyone with an AI tool can strip that out in an afternoon, and that should worry them more than any one ad-free app.

The risks: Some people have bricked their TVs or gotten stuck in boot loops. Nobody vets these scripts, and a firmware update could undo or break them. PCWorld basically says "please don't."

The easier route: You don't need AI at all. Free home screen apps like Projectivy, AT4K, Kyu and Couchy install in a few clicks, and FlatpanelsHD has a roundup of them. Android Authority even found that its Google TV box ran faster without the stock home screen.

"Onkyo, and I'm a Damn Fool Who Bought One — Or Am I?" Onkyo TX RZ-30 Review

This week John Lyman is back with his review of the Onkyo TX RZ-30 ($1099 at Amazon). It's a 9.2-Channel AV Receiver with 100 Watts Per Channel, Dirac Live Out of Box, Works with Sonos Certified, and comes with THX Certification. John wrote a highly detailed review that we will excerpt here. The full review is posted on our website.

Features:

• Ultra-wide bandwidth amplifier (5 Hz–100 kHz) via custom low-noise transformers and capacitors
• Dirac Live Full Bandwidth room correction included (upgrade available for Bass Control)
• IMAX Enhanced for object-based 3D audio and optimized video
• Dolby Atmos for immersive 3D sound + Dolby Vision for dynamic HDR video
• 9.2-channel home theater configuration
• Built-in streaming + Sonos port for multi-room wireless distribution
• Klipsch Optimize Mode with precise crossover settings for Reference Premiere speakers

Onkyo, and I'm a Damn Fool Who Bought One — Or Am I?

After 10 years of faithful service, my Denon AVR-X3200W finally decided it was time to call it quits. The HDMI board was giving out, and as luck would have it, my subwoofer decided to die around the same time.

So suddenly, I found myself shopping for both a new AVR and a new subwoofer. During a meeting with the household finance committee to discuss my equipment needs, the committee chairperson decided this would also be a great time to update the entire media room.

And just like that, a simple equipment replacement turned into a much bigger project. First came a new RSL Speedwoofer 10S MKII. Then we went furniture shopping and purchased a new sectional sofa and media cabinet. That left just one thing: the new AVR.

First, a Little About the Media Cabinet

The cabinet we purchased is a substantial, enclosed piece of furniture. It has openings in the back for cable management and two rectangular ventilation openings, but I wasn't convinced those would provide enough airflow for an AV receiver.

So I made one modification: installing an AC Infinity AIRPLATE T7 dual-fan system. The T7 has two fans that can be configured individually for intake or exhaust, and additional fans can be added if needed. It also includes a temperature controller that automatically turns the fans on when the temperature reaches a preset level.

I configured both fans as exhaust and set the controller to activate around 85°F. Installation was easy, the cost was reasonable, and it gave me peace of mind knowing I could keep the cabinet doors closed without trapping excessive heat.

The Search for a New AVR

Once my Denon X3200 started getting flaky with the HDMI board starting to go, I began researching replacements.

My initial shortlist consisted of:

• Marantz Cinema 70s — a slimline receiver I considered in case I needed something that would remain visible rather than go inside a cabinet.
• Denon AVR-X2800H
• Onkyo TX-RZ30

I was honestly surprised that Onkyo made the list. Back in the 1980s, Onkyo was considered a top audio brand. But we all know the company went through some difficult years, particularly with reliability issues. During my research, I learned that Onkyo had undergone an ownership change and was now part of the same corporate family as Pioneer. The newer receivers seemed to be earning considerably better reviews.

Andrew Robinson, whose reviews I often consult when researching equipment, was particularly enthusiastic about the RZ30, calling it one of the best all-around home theater receivers.

I also reached out to Ara and Braden from the HT Guys podcast with my shortlist. Their recommendation?

The Onkyo.

Still, I kept researching. I've owned Denon receivers since the 1990s, and it was hard to walk away from a brand that had served me well for decades. Eventually, my X3200 HDMI board gave up, and I narrowed the decision to the Onkyo RZ30 and a Denon X2900-series receiver. During my final research I found a brand-new RZ30 for $900, with a 30-day return policy. I also noticed that the RZ50 had originally been released in 2021, while the RZ30 arrived in 2024. I figured Onkyo had a few more years to work out some of the issues with its newer receiver designs. So, against my longtime Denon instincts, I bought the Onkyo.

What Did I Buy?

The Onkyo TX-RZ30 is a 9.2-channel, THX Certified Select AV receiver featuring:

• Power: 100 watts per channel into 8 ohms (2 channels driven)
• Amplification: Nine Class AB amplified channels
• Room correction: Dirac Live Full Bandwidth included
• HDMI: Six inputs, two outputs, HDMI 2.1a
• Video: 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10+
• Surround sound: Dolby Atmos, DTS, IMAX Enhanced
• Bass management: Two independent subwoofer outputs
• Streaming: AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Bluetooth, Spotify, TIDAL
• Connectivity: Multichannel preamp outputs, Wi-Fi, Ethernet

The standout feature for me was Dirac Live Full Bandwidth included at no additional cost. And there was a very specific reason I wanted it and all my AI friends said I needed it.

My Media Room Is an Acoustical Challenge

Our media room is the bonus room above the garage, approximately 17 feet long by 13 feet wide. The walls rise about four feet before sloping toward the ceiling. There's a window nook, an opening to the stairs, a doorway behind the television area, and several other features that make this far from an ideal acoustical environment.

Our new sectional also means the surround speakers sit slightly in front of the main seating position rather than behind it. And I haven't installed any dedicated acoustical treatments.

My old Denon sounded good, but I occasionally struggled with dialogue during action-heavy scenes, and the bass could get a little boomy as the decorating committee does not provide many areas for the sub to live.

I was hoping Dirac Live could help compensate for some of the room's challenges and get the most out of my RSL speakers and new Speedwoofer. That's ultimately what pushed me toward the RZ30.

One other observation: the picture quality looked noticeably better to me than it did through my old X3200. I attribute much of that to moving to newer equipment and HDMI capabilities, although HDMI 2.1 itself doesn't inherently improve picture quality when the same signal is being transmitted. I would expect other modern receivers to offer similar compatibility improvements. Either way, I was impressed with what I was seeing.

Setup: It Would Have Gone Faster Had I Read the Instructions

When the receiver arrived, I unpacked it and immediately started connecting everything. That turned out to be my first mistake. Apparently, connecting the surround speakers to the correct terminals is important. Who knew?

Once I figured out where everything belonged, I started working on Dirac Live. My first attempt was using my computer, but I kept receiving errors related to room noise. I tried a few things but didn't spend much time troubleshooting. I live in the South, and this media room is above the garage. Turning off the air conditioning and fans for an extended period isn't exactly my favorite summer activity.

So I switched to the iPhone app and decided to run the quicker calibration using just three measurement positions. That worked much better. One thing I quickly discovered is that Dirac is more particular about microphone placement than I was accustomed to with Audyssey.

Dirac provides specific measurement positions, and you really need to pay attention to the on-screen instructions. Again, reading the directions would have saved me some time. Eventually, I completed the initial three-point calibration.

The first thing I did was fire up Top Gun: Maverick. And I immediately noticed an improvement. The sound seemed cleaner and more balanced than my old Denon, although the center channel was a little overpowering. Unfortunately, I didn't have much time to experiment because we were leaving for a family trip to New York City to see Hamilton.

A Trip to New York and a Little Buyer's Remorse

While flying to New York, I listened to an HT Guys podcast where Ara and Braden discussed some of Onkyo's past troubles. That wasn't exactly what I wanted to hear after taking a chance on a brand I'd been hesitant to buy. I started wondering whether I'd made a mistake. And once we returned home, things didn't exactly improve.

HDMI Problems: Was I Going to Return This Thing?

The first Saturday back, I was watching college football when the picture suddenly disappeared for a couple of seconds. Then it happened again. And again. Sometimes the audio disappeared along with the picture. This was happening primarily while using the ESPN app on my third-generation Apple TV 4K. I did a lot of research, tried several suggestions, and couldn't get the issue resolved. I even requested an RMA for the receiver. But I was hesitant to return it because, HDMI problems aside, I really liked how it sounded. I decided to give it one last shot. Using Grok, I came across a suggestion to change the Onkyo's HDMI input setting from 4K Enhanced to 4K Standard. I tried it, and the dropouts stopped. The problem was that I didn't want to give up the additional video capabilities available through the enhanced HDMI modes.

So I asked Grok about switching to 8K Standard instead. It suggested trying that setting as a possible way to retain the features I wanted while improving compatibility. I made the change.

And it made a major difference. The HDMI dropouts largely disappeared, and the picture continued to look excellent. I still occasionally experience a brief dropout while watching ESPN's four-screen multiview, perhaps two or three times during a game. But it's nowhere near as frequent as it was initially.

I also found that resetting the HDMI-CEC handshake can help when the connected devices aren't communicating properly.

For anyone experiencing similar problems with an RZ30, I'd recommend checking the HDMI input signal format before assuming the receiver is defective.

Changing to 8K Standard made a significant improvement in my system, although I can't guarantee it will solve the issue for everyone. And to be fair to Onkyo, I haven't definitively established whether the remaining dropouts originate with the receiver, Apple TV, or ESPN app using quad view. At least I was finally comfortable keeping the receiver. One thing is that RZ30 offers a web interface that makes setting up the AVR easier than going through the onscreen menus. Now it was time to see what Dirac Live could really do.

Dirac Live: Bourbon and Nine Measurements

I decided to try another calibration. I made a few attempts using the computer again, but with people home, background noise, and the air conditioning running, I continued having problems. Finally, I had the perfect opportunity. The kids were gone.

The house was quiet. And I had some time to myself. So I poured a bourbon, turned off the air conditioning and fan, and decided to run the more extensive nine-position calibration using the iPhone app. Everything was going well until the AIRPLATE fans kicked on. That caused a measurement error. Even with the cabinet open, the microphones were sensitive enough to pick up the additional noise.

Fortunately, although I had to restart part of the Dirac process, the app allowed me to continue from the last successful measurement rather than repeating everything. The entire process took about 25 minutes. With the calibration completed, I went back to finish watching Top Gun: Maverick. And all I can say is: WOW!

I Never Knew My System Could Sound This Good

The difference between the initial three-point calibration and the new nine-point calibration was remarkable. The sound was incredible. For the first time, I truly felt like I was sitting in a movie theater. The bass was tight and controlled. When the movie called for the room to shake, it did. But there was none of the unnecessary boominess I'd experienced before. The sounds of the jets were fantastic. Everything seemed to be exactly where it belonged. One of the biggest improvements was the center channel. With the initial three-point calibration, the center had sounded a little loud and just not right maybe a little to much bass. After the nine-point calibration, it was perfectly balanced with the rest of the system. Dialogue was crystal clear throughout the different scenes.

No dialogue enhancement needed.

With my old Denon, action-heavy scenes could sometimes sound cluttered. When explosions, music, and dialogue were all happening at once, it could be difficult to understand what characters were saying. Not anymore.

With the Onkyo and Dirac Live, the dialogue and action remain distinct while blending naturally into the overall soundtrack. And my surround speakers, despite being positioned slightly in front of the seating area, no longer draw attention to themselves. They simply become part of the experience. It's difficult to describe, but the best comparison I can make is that it sounds like being in a good movie theater.

Movies, Musicals, and Pink Floyd

After Maverick, we watched Enchanted. The musical numbers sounded fantastic. The vocals were clear, the instruments were beautifully balanced, and the entire presentation felt much more immersive. It genuinely felt like we were there. Then I decided to try some music.

I put on Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, starting with "Speak to Me" and "Time." The clocks in "Time" were amazing. I closed my eyes and felt completely surrounded by the music. Then I listened to Wish You Were Here. Again, I was incredibly impressed. I've owned these speakers for years, and I honestly didn't realize how good they could sound. What Dirac Live did was help my existing equipment work together in a way I'd never experienced before. And in my awkwardly shaped media room, that made an enormous difference.

Is the Onkyo Perfect? No. The HDMI issues were frustrating, and I still experience an occasional dropout with ESPN multiview. The initial Dirac setup took longer than expected, although some of that was my own fault for not reading the instructions. I've also had issues with connecting the APP to AVR, but also had that issue with my Denon. And after years of owning Denon receivers, there was definitely a learning curve. But the sound quality has made all of that worthwhile.

I can't tell you whether this Onkyo will last another 10 years like my Denon did, but at least I have a 3 year warranty. Only time will tell. What I can say is that for $900, the combination of nine amplified channels, modern HDMI connectivity, and Dirac Live Full Bandwidth represents tremendous value. More importantly, I'm enjoying my media room more than I have in years. I never knew my system could sound this good.

So, Am I a Damn Fool Who Bought an Onkyo? At first, I thought I might be. Between Onkyo's reputation, the HDMI problems, and my initial Dirac frustrations, I was seriously questioning my decision. But after getting the system dialed in and hearing the results, I don't think I made a foolish purchase at all. Quite the opposite. I'm excited to watch more movies, listen to more music, and enjoy a home theater that sounds better than I ever expected. So hopefully, I won't be the fool who bought an Onkyo. Now I just have one more challenge.

Convincing the finance committee to approve a second RSL Speedwoofer.

Not because I necessarily need more bass, but because a second subwoofer could help provide smoother, more consistent bass throughout the room. And let's face it: the RZ30 has two independent subwoofer outputs.It would be a shame to leave one unused. Now, where did I put that bourbon?

On today's show we ask if you "Should You Trade Your TV for a Laser Projector?" And we look at the five most streamed TV shows in the US per Nielsen. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Streamers are running about 18% more ads, and viewers haven't revolted yet
• DirecTV now lets you build your own Multiview with up to four sports channels
• Cheap LCD TVs could be in trouble for Black Friday as panel makers raise prices
• Netflix is laying off about 1,000 employees, roughly 6% of its staff
• Deal: LG's 55-inch C6 OLED drops to $999.99, half its $2,000 list price
• Netflix beats on earnings, but its stock slides on a softer revenue and ad outlook

Other:

• Amazon.com: NCIS Caf Pow White Mug - Officially Licensed - 11 oz : Home & Kitchen
• Hackers are hijacking Plex servers to mine crypto. Update ASAP

This Week's Five Most-streamed TV Shows in the US

Here are this week's five most-streamed TV shows in the US, from Nielsen's Streaming Top 10 for Sept 28 to Oct 4. That's the newest week Nielsen has posted.

• Wonka's The Golden Ticket (Netflix) had 1.078 billion minutes. It jumped to No. 1 in its second week, up 26% (The Hollywood Reporter).
• The Big Bang Theory (HBO Max) had 953 million minutes and was once again the top show streaming outside its original network.
• East of Eden (Netflix) had 782 million minutes in just four days. It's Florence Pugh's Steinbeck limited series (The Data Stream).
• SpongeBob SquarePants (Paramount+) had 767 million minutes, spread across 336 episodes.
• Ted Lasso (Apple TV) had 750 million minutes. That's down 11%, but it stayed in the top five heading into its season four finale.

Should You Trade Your TV for a Laser Projector?

This week a listener who goes by Mr Eye sent us a YouTube video titled: "I SOLD My Flatscreen (and I'm NEVER Going Back)." In it, Kirk from the "Tech It Before You Wreck It" channel sets up XGIMI's new Aura 3 Max ultra-short-throw (UST) laser projector, first in his TV room and then in his bedroom, where it replaces a flat screen sitting on his dresser. He says the picture was watchable even in broad daylight with the shades open, and it passed what he calls the "wife test," because there's no big black rectangle on the dresser when it's off.

That got us talking, because Ara is seriously thinking about shopping for a UST projector next year for his basement Media Room. This got us thinking, is this the year a laser projector can actually replace your TV, or is large format TV the way to go?

What's New in Projectors This Fall

Projectors have come a long way, and this fall's crop checks a lot of boxes that used to be deal-breakers:

• Triple-laser RGB light sources are now common on the higher-end models, which means very wide, rich color.
• 4K at 120Hz for gaming. Back in early 2025, no DLP projector on the market could even do 4K at 120Hz. Now XGIMI and JMGO are selling models that do, along with VRR and ALLM.
• Dolby Vision, plus HDR10+ on many models.
• Built-in Google TV, so you don't need a separate streaming stick for Netflix or YouTube.

The Projectors Worth Watching

There's a wave of new models hitting right now:

• XGIMI Aura 3 Max and Aura 3 Pro (UST): These are the projectors from the video. They go live on Kickstarter on October 20. If you put down a $50 refundable deposit before the campaign starts, early-bird pricing is about $2,200 for the Max and $2,000 for the Pro, versus list prices of $5,000 and $4,000. XGIMI says they ship in December. Because they're UST, you can get a 120-inch picture with the projector sitting about 8 inches from the wall.
• XGIMI Horizon 30 series: This isn't a UST. It's a regular-throw projector on a built-in stand, with optical zoom and lens shift. Pre-orders run through October 31, starting at about $1,900 for the Horizon 30 Pro.
• JMGO IRIS Ultra Max: Started shipping October 19 at about $3,300. It's another 4K/120Hz triple-laser model, also regular throw, with optical zoom, lens shift and a motorized gimbal.
• Also shipping in October: BenQ's AK800ST and AK900ST and Hisense's C3 series, according to ProjectorCentral's new projector list.

The Catch: Room Light

Here's where reality sets in. The Hook Up ran a great head-to-head between a 100-inch Hisense QLED TV, a Hisense PX3-Pro UST and a Valerion Pro 2 projector. With the overhead lights on, the TV clearly won, even though both projectors were paired with top-of-the-line ambient-light-rejecting (ALR) screens. Bright scenes were watchable on the projectors, but dark scenes just fell apart.

The reason is simple: a projector can only add light, it can't take any away. The darkest black you'll ever see is the color of the screen with the projector off, and with the lights on, even a great ALR screen looks gray next to a TV.

In a dim room, it was roughly a toss-up, and it really came down to where your windows and lamps are. In a fully dark room, it was close: the Valerion came out on top overall, the TV was second and the UST finished third.

Kirk's daylight results in the video are encouraging, but that's one reviewer's impressions, not a side-by-side measurement. Our bottom line: if you're putting a projector in a living room, budget for an ALR screen. It's not optional.

What It Really Costs

The old argument was that a projector is the cheap way to get a giant picture. At 100 inches, that's not really true anymore. Home Theater Guides priced it out on October 4:

• LG 100-inch TV: about $3,300
• Hisense UST projector plus a 100-inch ALR screen: about $3,600
• Epson 4K projector: about $1,800, and that's before you buy a screen and a mount

So at 100 inches, the complete projector setup actually cost a little more than the TV. Where projectors pull ahead is above 100 inches. The same projector can usually fill a bigger screen, while TVs bigger than 100 inches are rare and pricey.

One wild card: TechRadar reports that LCD panel makers are raising prices heading into Black Friday, and Samsung is reportedly cutting its QLED production way back. So don't count on cheap giant TVs being quite as cheap this holiday season.

Don't Forget the Sound

Projector makers love to talk up their built-in speakers. The Aura 3 has an 80-watt, 2.0-channel Harman Kardon system, and Kirk said it sounded better than any flat screen he's tested. That may well be true, but it's still two channels coming out of a box on your credenza. That's not a sound system. If you're putting up a 100- or 120-inch picture, it deserves sound to match, whether that's a good soundbar with a sub or a real surround setup. The good news is that the new XGIMI models include an HDMI port with eARC, so hooking up a receiver or soundbar is easy.

A Word About Kickstarter Deals

Those early-bird prices on the Aura 3 are tempting. They're less than half of the list price. But backing a Kickstarter isn't the same as buying from a store. Ship dates can slip, and you're often paying before full independent reviews of shipping units are out. XGIMI is an established brand, which helps, but if you can't live with a delay or a surprise, wait for retail and reviews.

Our Take

So, should you trade your TV for a laser projector? For most people watching in a bright living room, not yet. But it's a lot closer than it used to be. Make the switch if:

• You want a picture bigger than 100 inches.
• You can control the light in your room, at least in the evening when you do most of your watching.
• You're tired of a giant black rectangle on the wall, and you're willing to budget for an ALR screen.
• You're ready to add real speakers instead of relying on the built-in ones.

Stick with a TV if you watch a lot of daytime sports with the blinds open, you want the simplest possible setup, or 100 inches is plenty for your room.

As for Ara, he has to figure out where the aesthetics committee wants the couches to sit. In one orientation there is not a space for a 100" screen so it will be a TV. In the other, there is room for a 130" screen with less light from the windows so it will be a UST projector. By then these fall models will have real reviews, the Kickstarter units will be in people's living rooms, and we'll all know a lot more.

On today's show we look at Apple's "Welcome Home" announcements and we talk about watching sports in 4K. Which apps should you use and on which devices. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

•

Disney+ will stream Super Bowl LXI, plus two Monday Night Football games this fall.

•

Newer Hue lights get a firmware update to use Zigbee and Matter at the same time.

•

Google TV users are starting to get ESPN 4K HDR

•

Google's next TV Streamer reportedly adds a built-in mic and presence sensing

Apple's "Welcome Home" announcements are official.

Everything below comes from Apple's press releases, and pre-orders are open now.

HomeView, $299, ships Nov 13. It has a 7-inch screen and an A18 chip and comes in two versions: one that sits on a speaker base you can tilt, and one that mounts on a wall. It recognizes up to six people's faces so each person's messages and calendar stay private, and it can show up to nine camera feeds at once. Siri AI works from day one. It isn't sold in the EU. Schneider makes wall mounts starting at $59.95.

Apple TV 4K, $299, ships Nov 13. It has an A19 chip, a dedicated AV1 decoder and three microphones for hands-free Siri (S Lady), and it works as a Thread smart home hub. The new remote works with Find My, with Precision Finding to point you to it. One rumor missed: it ships Nov 13, not Oct 30.

HomePod mini 2, $149, ships Oct 30. It has an S10 chip, five colors and a light show on top. The big home theater news is that four HomePod mini 2s or second-gen HomePods can now act as surround sound with the new Apple TV. Siri AI comes later in a software update.

Apple Home Collection from LG and Schneider, starting in December. All of it uses Thread and sets up in the Home app.

•

LG cameras cost $199.95 to $399.95, and recordings save to iCloud+ with no separate camera subscription.

•

LG's video doorbell is $249.95.

•

LG's smart deadbolt is $349.95. It unlocks automatically as you approach and keeps working without internet.

•

Thermostats from LG and Schneider are $199.95, with $39.95 room sensors.

4K Sports Is Finally Here, So Why Doesn't It Always Look Better?

Baseball's playoffs are streaming in 4K, ESPN is rolling out 4K HDR one device at a time, and Peacock's Sunday Night Football is still the picture everyone compares against. In this episode we dig into what's really streaming in 4K right now, why some of it looks stunning and some of it looks like regular HD, and what you can do about it.

Who's actually streaming in 4K right now

•

ESPN is finally in 4K HDR, but only on Apple and GoogleTV devices so far. Monday Night Football, the NBA, the NHL, some college football, and the Super Bowl get it in the ESPN app on Apple TV 4K and GoogleTV. Other TV platforms and Disney+ are promised "this fall," with no dates given. FlatpanelsHD notes some of it is upscaled 4K.

•

FOX One has every FOX and FS1 playoff game in 4K. That covers the NLDS, the NLCS, and the World Series on Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, and Google TV. Last year FOX's 4K was upscaled from 1080p HDR, and that HDR is why it often looks better than "4K only" feeds.

•

Peacock's Sunday Night Football is the one to beat. Peacock promised 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and Atmos for live sports this year, including SNF. ecoustics found it worked best on Apple TV 4K and was hit or miss elsewhere.

•

YouTube TV's 4K Plus is cheaper but doesn't promise HDR. The add-on dropped to about $10 a month, but HDR depends on each network's feed.

Real 4K versus upscaled 4K

Not every "4K" label means the same thing. FlatpanelsHD points out that some of ESPN's 4K is upscaled from a lower resolution. Listener Brian has seen it firsthand: ESPN's 4K college football looked no better to him than YouTube TV, and Fox's 4K, which includes HDR, looked much better than YouTube TV's 4K, which doesn't. His takeaway, and ours, is that HDR can matter more than the extra pixels.

Buying advice: the streaming box matters more than the TV. Right now Apple TV 4K is the only box that gets all of these. And 9to5Mac says a new Apple TV is reportedly close, so anyone shopping might wait a bit.

On this week's show we get into the inner workings of Ara's network at his new home and we discuss who else could benefit from a similar setup. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

• ESPN and ESPN2 are rolling out 4K HDR in the US.
• Tom's Guide tested the Roku Pro Series OLED.
• Apple is testing surround sound from four HomePods.
• WiiM's first soundbar, the WiiM Bar, launches mid-October.
• Disney+ and Hulu raise prices again, the fourth hike in four years.
• HBO Max and Paramount+ will merge into one streamer under Skydance.

Other:

• Vol. 3: Can Your Speakers Disappear?

The Network Behind the New House: Why I Went Beyond Mesh Wi‑Fi

When we moved into the new house, I had a choice to make about the network. For years I've used the same kind of gear a lot of you have: an ISP gateway, then a mesh system like Orbi or eero. Those systems are good. You plug them in, run an app, and most of the house gets Wi‑Fi.

For a lot of homes, that's all you need. But I wanted something that gave me maximum control down to the connected device and remote access to manage every little detail. Since I had the chance to run Ethernet before the walls were closed. That changed the math. Here's what I wanted:

• Coverage everywhere, including the theater, the backyard, and the garage, without dead spots.
• Wired backhaul. Mesh units talk to each other over the air, and that uses up some of the Wi‑Fi you'd rather give to your devices. When every access point has its own cable back to the rack, that problem goes away.
• Power over Ethernet (PoE). One cable carries both data and power to the access points and cameras. No power bricks hiding in the ceiling.
• VLANs and a real guest network. I wanted to keep the smart TVs, streaming boxes, and IoT gadgets separate from our computers and phones, and give guests their own network.
• One place to see it all. I wanted to look at a screen and see what's connected, what's using bandwidth, and what's offline.

So I went with a "prosumer" setup: a UniFi gateway, UniFi access points, and two Araknis managed switches in the rack. Here's what each piece does, what I like about it, and where it falls short.

Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM‑Pro)

What it is: The UniFi Dream Machine Pro is a rack‑mounted router and firewall that Ubiquiti calls a "cloud gateway." It also runs the UniFi software that manages the access points, so I don't need a separate controller box or a computer left running. (Tech specs)

What it does in my network: This is the front door. My internet connection plugs into it, and it handles routing, the firewall, the VLANs, and the guest network. It's also the dashboard where I set up and watch the Wi‑Fi.

A few specs worth knowing:

• Two WAN ports (one 10G SFP+ and one Gigabit Ethernet), so you can add a backup internet connection.
• Eight Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports plus one 10G SFP+ LAN port.
• IDS/IPS (threat detection) rated by Ubiquiti at up to 3.5 Gbps.
• A bay for a 3.5" hard drive, so it can also record security cameras with UniFi Protect.A small touchscreen on the front that shows status at a glance.

Compared to a consumer router or mesh base station: You get much more control. VLANs, firewall rules, traffic stats per device, dual‑WAN failover, and a camera recorder are all built in. Most consumer systems either don't offer those or hide them behind a subscription.

The honest downsides:

• It's a 1U rack box. If you don't have a rack or a closet with ventilation, it's awkward.
• It has no Wi‑Fi of its own. You have to buy access points separately.
• The settings can be overwhelming at first. There are a lot of menus, and some of them assume you know networking terms.
• It's more than one‑app‑and‑done. Plan to spend an evening learning it.

Ubiquiti U7 Pro Access Points (×4)

What it is: The UniFi U7 Pro is a Wi‑Fi 7 access point that mounts on a ceiling or wall. It's tri‑band (2.4, 5, and 6 GHz), and it's powered by PoE+ through a single Ethernet cable. (Tech specs)

What it does in my network: These four access points are the Wi‑Fi. Each one sits on the ceiling or hidden away in attic space in a different part of the house and connects by cable back to the PoE switch in the rack. The UDM‑Pro manages all four as one network, so phones and laptops move between them as we walk around.

Specs from Ubiquiti:

• Wi‑Fi 7 with 6 GHz support.
• Rated coverage of about 1,500 sq ft per access point.
• 2.5 GbE uplink port.
• PoE+ powered, with a maximum draw of 21 W.
• Mounting hardware for ceiling or wall is included.

Compared to mesh: Every access point has a wired connection to the rack, so none of the Wi‑Fi is spent relaying traffic between units. Ceiling mounting also helps. The signal spreads out from the center of the room instead of from a box sitting on a shelf behind the TV. And because they're managed from one place, I can see which devices are connected to which access point and how strong the signal is.

The honest downsides:

• You need a cable run to every access point. That's easy during construction and harder in a finished house.
• You need PoE. You'll either need a PoE switch or individual PoE injectors.
• Speed limit in my setup: The U7 Pro has a 2.5 GbE port, but my switches are Gigabit, so each access point connects at 1 Gbps. For us that's fine. Just know you're leaving some headroom on the table unless your switch has 2.5G ports.
• Four of them add up. They aren't cheap compared to a 3‑pack mesh kit.

Araknis Networks 320 Series L2 Managed Gigabit Switch with Full PoE+ (16 + 2 Rear Ports)

What it is: The Araknis 320 Series 16‑port PoE+ switch (AN‑320‑SW‑R‑16‑POE) is a 1U rack‑mount managed switch from Snap One, the company behind Control4. It has 16 Gigabit Ethernet ports and two 1G SFP uplink ports, all on the back. "Rear ports" matters in a rack because the cables come out the back and the front stays clean.

What it does in my network: This is the switch that powers the Wi‑Fi. All four U7 Pros plug into it, and it supplies both their data and their power. It also powers my Aqara cameras and supplies its data as well.

Specs from Snap One:

• 16 PoE+ ports (802.3af/at), up to 30 W on any single port.
• 250 W total PoE budget. Snap One says that's enough for about 15 W on every port at the same time.
• Two dedicated 1G SFP ports for uplinks. They don't take away a PoE port.
• Layer 2 management: VLANs, spanning tree, and IGMP snooping (helpful for multicast traffic like some multi‑room audio and video).
• Remote management through Snap One's OvrC platform.
• 5‑year limited warranty.

Four U7 Pros at their 21 W maximum come to 84 W. That leaves plenty of budget for other devices like my cameras.

Compared to consumer gear: Most consumer mesh systems have just a few Ethernet ports on each unit and no PoE at all. A managed PoE switch gives you one central, powered point for every wired device, and it understands the VLANs set up on the UDM‑Pro.

The honest downsides:

• Cost. This is the most expensive piece in the rack.
• Dealer channel. Araknis is sold mainly through Snap One/ADI dealers and integrators, not on a regular store shelf. If you're doing it yourself, it can be harder to buy and get support.
• Gigabit only. No 2.5G or 10G ports, so it's not the fastest option for Wi‑Fi 7 access points.
• It's a second dashboard. UniFi doesn't manage Araknis switches. The switch has its own web interface and OvrC. I'll come back to this.
• There's a fan, so it's not something you want in a quiet room. (Snap One lists the PoE model's maximum noise at about 47 dBA.)

Araknis Networks 320 Series L2 Managed Gigabit Switch (16 + 2 Rear Ports)

What it is: The Araknis 320 Series 16‑port switch (AN‑320‑SW‑R‑16) is the same switch without PoE. You still get 16 Gigabit ports and two 1G SFP uplinks on the back, the same Layer 2 features, and OvrC management.

What it does in my network: This one handles everything that doesn't need power over the cable: the AV receiver, streaming boxes, TVs, game consoles, the NAS, and the wall jacks in the office and bedrooms. Splitting the wired gear across two switches keeps the expensive PoE ports free for devices that actually need power.

Compared to consumer gear: It's like the cheap unmanaged switch you might have behind your TV, but it understands VLANs. It's also built for a rack, and you can monitor it remotely.

The honest downsides:

• $600 is a lot for a Gigabit switch with no PoE. You're paying for the management features, the build quality, and the Snap One ecosystem.
• Same dealer‑channel and second‑dashboard issues as the PoE model.
• If you don't need VLANs or remote monitoring, a basic unmanaged switch will move packets just as well for much less money.

How It All Hangs Together

The internet comes into the UDM‑Pro, which is the router, firewall, and UniFi controller. The

UDM‑Pro connects to the two Araknis switches, which act as the wired backbone of the house. The PoE+ switch powers and connects the four U7 Pro access points and cameras throughout the house, and the non‑PoE switch serves the TVs, AV gear, and wall jacks. The VLANs I create on the UDM‑Pro (main, IoT/AV, and guest) are carried through the Araknis switches to the access points and wired devices.

One note about the "single dashboard" goal: the UniFi app shows me the gateway, the Wi‑Fi, and every client, and that's where I spend most of my time. The Araknis switches are managed separately through their own interface.

Who This Is For (and When Consumer Gear Is Still Fine)

This kind of setup makes sense if you have a larger home, can run Ethernet to the ceilings, want PoE for access points and cameras, and like the idea of keeping your smart TVs and IoT devices on their own network. It's especially worth considering during new construction or a remodel, when pulling cable is easy. If you live in an apartment or a smaller home, can't run cable, or just want something that works from a phone app in ten minutes, a good mesh system from eero, Orbi, or similar is still a great choice.

Honestly, it's what I'd recommend to most people. This setup is more money and more learning. The payoff is control, coverage, and a wired backbone that will last for years.

The Cost Tally

Item

Qty

Price

Ubiquiti UniFi Dream Machine Pro (UDM‑Pro)

1

$430

Ubiquiti U7 Pro Access Point

4 × $190

$760

Araknis 320 Series L2 Managed Gigabit Switch with Full PoE+, 16 + 2 Rear Ports

1

$1,500

Araknis 320 Series L2 Managed Gigabit Switch, 16 + 2 Rear Ports

1

$600

Total

$3,290

That doesn't include the cable, the rack, patch panels, or installation labor. In a new build, those can add up just as quickly. In my home the network part of the build cost almost $9,000. That included all wiring, trim, and labor. Note - the labor included installing cameras that I provided.

On this week's show we have a listener review of the NETGEAR Orbi 770 Series WiFi 7 Mesh System as well as a review of the Aqara cameras. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Yamaha's Unveils Its Most Compact Dolby Atmos Soundbar Yet
• Philips Adds Two TV Lighting Sync Options
• Fubo will offer local hockey games in four markets
• Sony Is Skipping CES 2027 for the First Time in Over Six Decades
• Apple's Smart Home Launch is Set

Netgear Orbi 770 and Aqara Camera Review

This week we have a listener review of the NETGEAR Orbi 770 Series WiFi 7 Mesh System. These can be bought in One, two, and three packs costing $300, $550, and $700 respectively. Netgear's specs say that a single unit can cover up to $2750 square feet and a three pack can cover 8000 square feet combined. And just for good measure John talks about his experience with Aqara cameras.These are the same cameras Ara uses so let's see if John has similar results.

Product Features:

• Tri-band hardware with a dedicated backhaul is meant to keep throughput more consistent when many devices are online at once.
• WiFi 7 peak rating is up to 11 Gbps and it also connects WiFi 6 and WiFi 5 devices; real speed depends on your plan and hardware.
• Devices can easily roam between the router and satellites.
• Setup, device management, and guest WiFi are handled in the Orbi app.
• Sold for use in the United States only.

John Lyman's Review

A few years ago, I replaced my old Netgear Orbi system with a TP-Link Deco XE75 mesh system. At the time, my older Orbi just wasn't able to handle all the devices we had in the house. After doing some research, the Deco XE75 and XE75 Pro had great reviews, so I decided to give Deco a try.

The Deco worked, but as we added more devices—and because of the design of our house—I kept having to add more and more nodes to get good, consistent coverage. Even with gigabit fiber, I never really felt like I was getting the speeds I should have been getting throughout the house.

When Amazon Prime Day came around in July, I decided it was time for an upgrade. At the same time, I decided this was going to be MY "year of home automation."

Back to Orbi — This Time with Wi-Fi 7

For the network, I went with the Netgear Orbi 770 Series Wi-Fi 7 mesh system.

I considered going down the Ubiquiti route, but ultimately I wanted something easier to manage and more "set it and forget it." I spent enough time around networking years ago. These days, I'd rather leave my network-engineering hat in the past and have something that simply works.

I've now been running the Orbi 770 for about four months, and—with one exception—it has been pretty much bulletproof.

That exception was automatic firmware updates. I didn't realize they were enabled, and Orbi decided to install an update in the middle of the day. That's something I'd definitely check when setting up the system.

Other than that, the performance has been excellent.

I have AT&T Fiber with the AT&T gateway configured to pass the connection through to the Orbi. My office is upstairs and away from the main router, but I have my computer connected by Ethernet to an Orbi satellite. I'm consistently seeing speeds in the low 900 Mbps range both down and up.

My media/home-theater room has historically been the hardest room in the house to reach with good Wi-Fi. With the Orbi, I'm seeing roughly 700–800 Mbps there over Wi-Fi, connecting on 5 GHz.

More importantly, coverage throughout the house is now excellent and the system has been extremely stable.

If you're considering a mesh system and aren't ready to go down the Ubiquiti route, I'd strongly suggest looking at the Orbi 770. Based on my experience with both systems, I'd skip the Deco, spend a little more and get the Orbi.

The Orbi also gives you separate IoT and guest Wi-Fi networks. Devices connect quickly, stay connected and, in my experience, have worked considerably better than they did with my Deco system.

Moving Away from Ring

The next part of the project was home automation.

Over the years, I had accumulated a hodgepodge of smart-home products: Ecobee thermostats, Ring doorbells, different cameras, Hue lights and other devices. Even the Ecobee that was supposed to work with Apple HomeKit would periodically disconnect.

I wanted to simplify everything, and I particularly wanted to move away from Ring.

While researching alternatives, I came across Aqara. They make doorbells, cameras, thermostats, switches, sensors and a number of other smart-home products, with particularly strong integration with Apple's Home ecosystem.

So during Prime Day, I jumped in. I bought two thermostats, two cameras and two doorbells.

There was definitely a settling-in period. Between changing the network and adding all the new smart-home equipment, it probably took about six weeks before everything really fell into place.

Since then, however, it has been remarkably solid.

The network can go down and come back up, and the Aqara devices reconnect on their own. About the only problems I've encountered have been when somebody physically unplugged one of the doorbell hubs. Since some of the other devices were relying on that hub, unplugging it naturally caused those devices to disappear as well.

The $34 Camera That Surprised Me

One of the biggest surprises has been the Aqara G100 indoor/outdoor cameras.

I paid $33.99 each for them, and they've been excellent. For the price, I'm genuinely impressed with how well they've worked and how nicely they integrate into the Apple ecosystem.

Security and privacy were also part of my decision to move away from Ring. I like having my cameras integrated with Apple Home and being able to use iCloud/HomeKit Secure Video rather than building my smart-home camera system around Amazon.

The Doorbells — A Big Improvement Over Ring

The Aqara doorbells have also worked really well.

I have two of them. One is at our front door, and the other is on a door that we added to the house where I don't have wiring available. For that one, I use rechargeable batteries, and that setup has worked well.

The front-door unit is very small and unobtrusive, which I like. More importantly, both doorbells have been rock solid.

That's probably the biggest difference I've noticed compared with my old Ring setup. The Aqara doorbells are consistently connected and integrate directly into Apple HomeKit. I don't feel like I'm waiting for the doorbell to connect when I actually need to see who's at the door.

They just work, which is becoming a recurring theme with most of the Aqara equipment I've installed.

For me, replacing the Ring doorbells with Aqara has been one of the better parts of this whole home-automation upgrade.

Aqara Thermostats — Simple, Which Is Exactly What I Want

The Aqara thermostats were very simple to install. I was replacing my Ecobees, and the changeover was straightforward. They connected to Apple HomeKit easily and, since getting everything settled, they just run.

Easy peasy. There's really not much more I want from a thermostat. I don't need it to be exciting—I need it to control the temperature, stay connected and work when I open the Home app. So far, that's exactly what they've done.

One feature that really interested me is Apple Home's Adaptive Temperature. Instead of relying on a traditional fixed schedule, the temperature can automatically adjust based on whether people in your Apple Home are actually home or away.

There are four modes you can configure: Home, Away, Night and Extended Away. Home and Away automatically adjust the temperature depending on whether anyone from the household is home. Night mode lets you set different temperatures for specific days and times, so the house can automatically adjust while everyone is sleeping.

The one I'm particularly happy to have is Extended Away. When we're going to be gone for an extended period, the system can automatically adjust the temperature appropriately. That's one less thing I have to remember to change before we leave—and, more importantly, remember to change back when we get home.

It's another example of what I'm looking for with this whole project: home automation that actually automates things instead of giving me another app and another device to manage.

The One Finicky Aqara Device

I also bought an Aqara Smart Climate Sensor with three programmable buttons. This has been the one finicky device in my Aqara setup.

Getting it set up properly with HomeKit was a little tricky. Each of the three buttons is supposed to support three different actions—a single press, double press and long press—which theoretically gives you nine different programmable actions.

In practice, I've only been able to get the single-press actions to work somewhat reliably. I currently use Button 1, the middle of the three buttons, and even that hasn't been as seamless as the rest of my Aqara equipment.

That said, I like the concept enough that I'm planning to put a second one in my media room. The idea is to program the buttons for lighting and temperature control so the kids can simply push a button rather than flipping off the actual light switch—which, of course, defeats the whole purpose of having smart lights.

So this one is still a work in progress. I really like what the device is supposed to do; I just wish the HomeKit button actions worked as reliably as the rest of my Aqara setup.

Finally, One Home App

That's probably the biggest improvement from this whole project.

Instead of having different pieces scattered across different ecosystems, I can now open Apple's Home app and see essentially everything in one place.

I've also settled on Nanoleaf as my primary smart-lighting platform. I still have some Philips Hue lights in the house, and I'm not ripping out perfectly good bulbs just for the sake of replacing them. As those eventually die, however, I'm replacing them with Nanoleaf.

Four months into this project, I'm very happy with where I've ended up.

For networking, the Orbi 770 has been fast, stable and about as close to "set it and forget it" as I could have hoped for. If you want a high-performance home network but don't want to make the jump into something like Ubiquiti, I think Orbi deserves a serious look.

And if you're an Apple/HomeKit household and looking to build out a smart-home ecosystem, I'd also recommend taking a look at Aqara.

The combination of Orbi, Aqara, Nanoleaf and Apple Home has finally given me what I was looking for:

A smart home that doesn't require me to constantly mess with it.

On this week's show we take a look at the consumer reports ratings for 70 inch and larger TVs. We also read your email and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Your Google Home can now take orders from Claude and other AI agents
• Roku Adds 30 New Bundles To Premium Subscriptions
• Element Launches New TiVo-Powered Smart TVs in the U.S.
• Paramount Settles States' Antitrust Suit, Clearing Way for Warner Megadeal

Consumer Reports Ratings for 70-inch and larger TVs:

On this week's show we take a look at the consumer reports rating for 70 inch and larger TVs. This list was sent to us by Dermot who thought it may make a nice topic. We took the list and only updated pricing. So how does Consumer Reports determine a score for their TV ratings?

Consumer Reports builds each TV's Overall Score from three buckets: lab performance, member surveys, and (for smart TVs) privacy/security. They do not accept manufacturer samples. Secret shoppers buy the sets at retail so they test the same units you would buy.

They run 200+ TVs a year. Each set goes through 20+ tests and more than 500 data points in their Yonkers labs. Picture settings are optimized with the on-screen user controls only—not a full professional calibration. If a set needs a calibrator to look good, that hurts it.

What the lab actually measures

• HD and UHD picture quality — test patterns plus real movie/TV clips for detail, black level, contrast, and color accuracy after the set is optimized.
• HDR — peak brightness (measured with a Photo Research PR-740 spectroradiometer), plus how well highlights and shadows hold up in dark and bright scenes.
• Viewing angle — color and contrast from both horizontal and vertical off-axis positions.
• Motion blur — how clean moving text and action stay.
• Sound quality — built-in speakers: clarity, bass, volume range, and distortion, compared against reference sets in the lab.
• Features / versatility — inputs, smart-TV functions, ease of use, etc.
• Data privacy and data security — whether the TV collects extra data, how easy it is to control that, encryption, known vulnerabilities, update practices. These scores are folded into the Overall Score.

A viewing panel then watches real content side-by-side after the meter work is done.

Survey piece

Predicted reliability and owner satisfaction come from CR member surveys, not from the lab unit they bought.

• Reliability is brand-level, not model-level. A statistical model estimates the chance a new set from that brand will have a problem in the first five years. They control for age, how often it's used, and whether it has an extended warranty.
• Owner satisfaction is how likely members are to recommend that brand. It is weighted at 5% of the Overall Score for every product category.
• Reliability's weight varies by category (typically 10–20%). For TVs it sits toward the lower end of that range because members rate reliability about even with picture performance.

If a brand scores Poor or Fair on predicted reliability, that model cannot get a CR "Recommended" badge, no matter how well it tested.

When they don't have enough survey data for a brand (like on some Roku sets), they plug in category-average survey scores.

How it becomes one number

Overall Score is a weighted mix of the lab scores plus those two survey scores (and privacy/security). Models are then ranked against others in the same size group.

That's why two 91-point sets can sit at very different prices: one won on lab performance plus surveys at a lower street price; the other is a more expensive flagship that still maxed the same scoring formula.

Brand Model Overall Score Price LG OLED77C5PUA 91 $1,800 Samsung QN77S95F 91 $3,000 Samsung QN77S90F 90 $2,500 Samsung QN77S90H 89 $2,600 LG OLED77G6WUA 89 $3,800 LG OLED77G5WUA 88 $3,150 LG OLED77C6HUP 88 $2,700 LG OLED77M5PUA 87 $3,870 Samsung QN77S84FA 85 $1,600 LG OLED77B5PUA 84 $3,000 Sony K-77XR80 83 $3,000 Sony K-75XR90 83 $3,500 Samsung QN75QN90F 82 $2,000 Sony K-77XR8B 78 $2,500 Sony K-75XR70 78 $1,500 Hisense 75U8QG 75 $1,700 (65") LG 75QNED92AUA 75 $1,680 TCL 75QM8K 74 Mostly Unavailable Sony K-75XR50 73 $2,000 Roku 75R8B5 73 $1,250 Roku 75R8C5 72 $1,200 Hisense 75U75QG 72 $1,700 (65")

TV COMPARISON SUMMARY

TOP TIER (Score 88-91)

• LG OLED77C5PUA 91 $1,800 Best score-to-price
• Samsung QN77S95F 91 $3,000 Same score as C5, $1,200 more
• Samsung QN77S90F 90 $2,500
• Samsung QN77S90H 89 $2,600
• LG OLED77G6WUA 89 $3,800 Highest-priced LG
• LG OLED77G5WUA 88 $3,150
• LG OLED77C6HUP 88 $2,700

Our takeaway is that the only score that actually matters here is not "91 vs 89." It is that the LG C5 is tied with Samsung's flagship S95F at 91, and it is $1,200 cheaper.

If we were going to spend money for a 75–77" set, we would treat the list like this:

• Buy the C5 if the room is normal-to-dim and you want the best picture per dollar.
• Buy the S95F only if the room is bright, you want a matte screen, and you specifically want a bright picture. Do not buy it just because it is tied at 91.
• The Samsung S84F at $1,600 / 85 is the value model if you don't want to go OLED.
• Anything at 75 or below is fine for a secondary room. Especially when you consider models from Samsung and LG providing higher quality for barely more in cost.

Does Consumer Reports still matter? Yes, but not as the only vote, and not the way it did 15 years ago. There are other sources out there and each weighs aspects of TVs differently. With that said, they all agree that the LG C5 is a really nice TV.

On this week's show we compiled a list of fall 2026 network TV season/series premieres for ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, organized by network and then by premiere date. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• LG responds to findings about Smart TV spying
• Roku Makes Big Changes to Its Free Live TV Channel Guide on Roku TVs & Roku Players
• TCL sues Samsung, alleging false advertising of 'Mini LED' TVs
• Yamaha introduces the compact B200A soundbar with Dolby Atmos

2026 Network TV Season/Series Premieres

On this week's show we compiled a list of fall 2026 network TV season/series premieres for ABC, NBC, Fox, and CBS, organized by network and then by premiere date. Sports (NFL, college football) and most news/magazine shows are omitted unless they were listed as a season premiere in the official rollout. Dates and slots come from the networks' 2026 fall calendar.

ABC

Tuesday, September 15

• Dancing with the Stars — Season 35 (Night 1 of 2), 8 p.m.
• R.J. Decker — Season 2, 10 p.m.

Wednesday, September 16

• Dancing with the Stars — Season 35 (Night 2 of 2), 8 p.m.

Friday, September 25

• 20/20 — Season 49, 9 p.m.

Sunday, September 27

• America's Funniest Home Videos — Season 37 (two-episode premiere), 7 p.m.
• The Wonderful World of Disney (Inside Out 2), 9 p.m.

Wednesday, September 30

• Scrubs — Season 2 (two-episode premiere), 8 p.m.
• Shark Tank — Season 18 (two-episode premiere), 9 p.m.

Friday, October 2

• Celebrity Wheel of Fortune — Season 7, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, October 7

• Abbott Elementary — Season 6, 8:30 p.m.
• Who Wants to Be a Millionaire — Season 5 continuation, 9 p.m.

Thursday, October 15

• 9-1-1 — Season 10, 8 p.m.
• 9-1-1: Nashville — Season 2, 9 p.m.
• Grey's Anatomy — Season 23, 10 p.m.

NBC

Thursday, September 17

• The Traitors: New Blood — Series premiere (two hours), 8 p.m. An all-civilian US season of the social-deduction reality series in which Alan Cumming hosts 22 everyday Americans at a Scottish castle as hidden Traitors secretly eliminate Faithfuls while the group races to unmask them and split (or steal) a prize of up to $250,000.

Monday, September 21

• The Voice — Season 30 (Night 1 of 3), 8 p.m.
• Line of Fire — Series premiere, 10 p.m. A family of law enforcement agents become targets of a mysterious assassin after a U.S. Marshal falls in the line of duty, forcing them to use their expertise to protect each other.

Tuesday, September 22

• The Voice — Season 30 (Night 2 of 3), 8 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23

• The Voice — Season 30 (Night 3 of 3), 8 p.m.

Friday, September 25

• Dateline NBC — Season 35, 9 p.m.

Saturday, September 26

• Saturday Night Live — Season 52, 11:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 7

• Chicago Med — Season 12, 8 p.m.
• Chicago Fire — Season 15, 9 p.m.
• Chicago P.D. — Season 14, 10 p.m.

Thursday, October 8

• Law & Order: SVU — Season 28, 9 p.m.
• Law & Order — Season 26, 10 p.m.

Friday, October 23

• Happy's Place — Season 3, 8 p.m.
• Newlyweds — Series premiere, 8:30 p.m. A free-spirited woman and a buttoned-up professor get married impetuously after a whirlwind courtship.

Monday, November 2

• St. Denis Medical — Season 3, 8 p.m.
• The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins — Season 2, 8:30 p.m.

Fox

Monday, September 21

• Celebrity Name That Tune — Season 6, 8 p.m.
• Celebrity Weakest Link — Season 2, 9 p.m.

Tuesday, September 22

• Best Medicine — Season 2, 8 p.m.
• Doc — Season 3, 9 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23

• The Floor — Season 6, 8 p.m.
• 99 to Beat — Season 2, 9 p.m.

Thursday, September 24

• Hell's Kitchen — Season 25, 8 p.m.
• Special Forces: World's Toughest Test — Season 5, 9 p.m.

Sunday, September 27

• The Simpsons — Season 38, 8 p.m.
• Animal Control — Season 5, 8:30 p.m.
• Universal Basic Guys — Season 3, 9 p.m.
• Grimsburg — Season 3, 9:30 p.m.

CBS

Sunday, September 13

• 60 Minutes — Season 59 (special time after NFL), ~7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, September 23

• Survivor — Season 51 (two-hour premiere), 8 p.m.

Wednesday, September 30

• The Amazing Race — Season 39 (Night 1), 9:30 p.m.

Thursday, October 1

• The Amazing Race — Season 39 (Night 2), 9:30 p.m.

Sunday, October 4

• Marshals — Season 2, ~8:30 p.m.
• Tracker — Season 4, ~9:30 p.m.

Monday, October 5

• FBI — Season 9, 8 p.m.
• CIA — Season 2, 9 p.m.
• Harlan Coben's Final Twist — Season 2, 10 p.m.

Tuesday, October 6

• NCIS — Season 24, 8 p.m.
• NCIS: New York — Series premiere, 9 p.m. - Legendary NCIS Agent Sam Hanna returns to his NYC hometown field office, teaming with a roguish agent to lead a new team on high-stakes missions defending one of the world's most vital cities and ports.
• NCIS: Origins — Season 3, 10 p.m.

Thursday, October 8

• Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage — Season 3, 8 p.m.
• Eternally Yours — Series premiere, 8:30 p.m. - Follows the journey of a married vampire couple struggling to accept their daughter's human boyfriend, after being together for 500 years.
• Elsbeth — Season 4, 9 p.m.
• Cupertino — Series premiere, 10 p.m. - A scrappy lawyer takes on a powerful tech giant in a high-stakes legal battle, navigating the cutthroat world of Silicon Valley while fighting for justice and the little guy's rights.

Friday, October 9

• Sheriff Country — Season 2, 8 p.m.
• Fire Country — Season 5, 9 p.m.
• Boston Blue — Season 2, 10 p.m.

Thursday, October 29

• Ghosts — Halloween special (two episodes), 9 p.m.

Thursday, December 10

• Ghosts — Christmas special (two episodes), 9 p.m.

A number of other series (High Potential, The Rookie, Will Trent, Shifting Gears, Ghosts Season 6 proper, Matlock, American Idol, The Bachelor, Baywatch reboot, etc.) are held for midseason 2027 and are not on this fall list. Always check local listings; NFL overruns can shift Sunday start times.

On this week's show we look into an article that alleges LG's Smart TVs are listening in on your conversations even when the screen is off. We also do a quick rundown on what Dolby's AC4 is and where you can experience it. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

• Streaming Is Raising Prices Faster Than Cable Ever Did
• More than half of consumers want live TV and streaming in one package

LG Smart TVs caught listening even with the screen off

Stan from Pittsburg sent us a link to an article (LG Smart TVs caught listening even with the screen off) at FlatpanelsHD claiming LG smart TVs collect more data than many owners realize — including with the screen off.

What the investigation found

• LG TVs use ACR (automatic content recognition): they snapshot what's on screen, including HDMI sources, for ad targeting. FlatpanelsHD notes this has been industry-wide for years, not unique to LG.
• The TVs scan the local Wi‑Fi network, identify other devices, and send back data such as IP address, location, and nearby network names.
• Voice features can transcribe speech after "Hi LG." The mic can stay active 10–15 seconds after silence. Researchers reported recording/transcription even with the display off, and that locally stored data can upload later when the set reconnects (including for a firmware update).
• That last point is presented as conflicting with LG's claim that its TVs "do not collect, record, or store ambient conversations." LG had not commented when the article ran.

Flatpanel's Recommendation

Turn ACR off if you can, or take the TV off the internet and use an external streamer (Apple TV, or Roku.). Firmware can be updated via USB instead of online.

ACR is an old, industry-wide problem and it's unclear why the article focused only on LG. They still argue the mic/network findings are worth attention. They also link their earlier piece ranking Apple TV 4K as stronger on privacy because it doesn't do this kind of viewing tracking.

Update - In a statement sent to Tom's Hardware, LG said "The claims made in the recently published video are not true. LG TVs process voice data only when the voice button on the remote control is pressed and held, or when a wake word such as 'Hi LG' is recognized after the user has activated the Far-Field voice recognition feature. Other than these instances, the TVs do not collect or record ambient conversations. (If the wake word is not recognized, no voice data is transmitted to the server; the audio processing for wake word detection is performed locally on the device and is immediately deleted.)"

Dolby AC-4

One of our listeners, Scott, sent an email asking us to discuss Dolby AC-4 so that is what we are going to do today! Dolby AC-4 is Dolby's next-generation audio codec for broadcast and streaming. It was designed as a clean-sheet replacement for the older Dolby Digital family, not as a tweak of it.

Compared with Dolby Digital Plus, AC-4 aims for similar or better quality at roughly half the bitrate. It natively handles channel-based audio, object-based Dolby Atmos, dialogue enhancement, loudness control, multiple language tracks, and different renderings for speakers vs. headphones in one bitstream. There are several profiles/levels:

• Level 3 — the version widely built into TVs (broadcast/OTT Atmos-style delivery).
• Level 4 — fuller Atmos metadata, including headphone/head-tracking features.
• IMS (Immersive Stereo) — a stereo-plus-metadata flavor used for Atmos music on phones and headphones.

Is it backwards compatible?

No. An AC-4 bitstream cannot be decoded by a Dolby Digital (AC-3) or Dolby Digital Plus decoder. Old AVRs, soundbars, and TVs that only know DD+ (AC-3) will not play AC-4.

What is compatible is the playback path in new TVs and set-top boxes. Those devices decode AC-4 internally, then output whatever the next box needs: PCM stereo, AC-3, DD+, or Atmos over HDMI. So the living-room chain can still work; the codec itself is not drop-in compatible with older Dolby formats. Services that must reach mixed old/new hardware still send DD+ or AAC as a fallback.

Devices that support it

AC-4 decoding is common in UHD TVs shipped since about 2017, especially models that already license Dolby Audio (Dolby has said it is in a large majority of new UHD TVs). Early public commitments came from Samsung, Sony, and Vizio; it is also in many Android TV / Google TV platforms and some Amazon Fire TV devices.

It is not universal:

• Pre-~2017 TVs, most older soundbars/AVRs, and a lot of cheap streaming sticks do not decode it.
• ATSC 3.0 ("NextGen TV") tuners are the main over-the-air path in the U.S.; tuner support is still incomplete across brands and model lines.
• Most consumer AVRs still expect Atmos via DD+ JOC (Joint Object Coding) or TrueHD, not a raw AC-4 bitstream from the source.

Note - JOC allows an Atmos-capable TV, soundbar, or AVR to use the "JOC" metadata to build the immersive mix. An older DD+-only device ignores the extra data and just plays the core 5.1

Studios and television

Broadcast is the main home. AC-4 is an official audio system for ATSC 3.0 in the U.S. and is adopted by DVB in Europe. NextGen TV stations can (and some do) use it for Atmos, dialogue enhancement, and multiple presentations. Immersive AC-4 on U.S. OTA is still uneven; many 3.0 stations have not yet gone full Atmos.

Streaming is later. Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV+, and most other major video services still deliver Atmos as Dolby Digital Plus + JOC. Peacock has publicly committed to AC-4 (alongside Dolby Vision 2), with rollout described as later in 2026. Atmos music already uses AC-4 IMS on several apps.

Studios still master Atmos the same way. The delivery codec is chosen per platform: cinema TrueHD, most streaming DD+ JOC, NextGen TV and a few future streamers AC-4. AC-4 is in the pipeline; it is not yet the default living-room streaming format.

On this week's show Ara gives his impression of the new gear installed into his new home. We talk Internet, Home Networking, Automation, and Home Theater in an action packed show. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Apple TV Hikes Prices
• SVS Releases SoundPath Multi-Band Wireless Audio Adapter
• Roku ups premium hardware with launch of its first OLED TVs
• Sonos Welcomes Beam Ultra and Sonos Ace Ultra to its System

Ara's New Setup First Impressions

Starlink Performance - We had no issues while we were in TN. The entire week no said anything about slow speeds and our streaming was no different than when we are in CA. I tested speeds from time to time and results varied but the slowest speed (22 Mbps) never impacted TV viewing.

Ubiquity Network Management - this is a different world! I am still exploring all the things you can do. But the system is setup like a business. You have a network and wireless access points. I have four. One on Channel 11, two on 6, and one on 1. It was setip so the channels are far apart and don't overlap.

MyQ & Honeywell (matter compatible) thermostats go offline from time to time. I restart the wifi access point and they come back.

Third Reality Garage Door Opener - 2.4 GHz, Scene Management

Mantel Mount MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount - $700 The MM815 is a remote-controlled drop-and-swivel TV mount. Press one button to lower the TV to eye level and rotate it as needed. It comes with an RF remote, is silent, and has two memory presets.

Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini (Model Number K75XR70PRO)- $2300 The Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO is Sony's 2026 mid-range True RGB Mini-LED TV (65 inches and up) with independently driven red, green, and blue backlight LEDs, XR processing, and about 2,000 nits of peak brightness for stronger color volume and contrast than a typical white Mini-LED. It is 4K at 120 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and has HDMI 2.1 gaming features (VRR, ALLM, 4K/120). Google TV includes Gemini for voice search and recommendations, plus AirPlay 2. The Pro bundle adds a three-year replacement warranty, a backlit rechargeable remote, extra Sony Pictures Core credits, and an enhanced Voice Zoom 3 dialogue mode; picture hardware is the same as the standard 7 II.

Sonos Arc Ultra - $1099 The Sonos Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos that has a 9.1.4 driver layout and Sound Motion woofer to produce wide, height-enhanced surround and stronger bass from a single bar. It connects to a TV with one HDMI eARC cable, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem (including optional Sub and rear speakers), and can be controlled with the TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, or Alexa. Trueplay tunes the sound to the room, and AI speech enhancement is meant to keep dialogue clear. It is a long, low-profile bar (about 46 inches wide) sold in black or white.

Sonos Sub 4 - $899 The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer for Sonos S2 systems, pairing with current soundbars and speakers to add bass down to about 25 Hz. Two inward-facing 5-by-8-inch woofers and dual Class-D amps use a force-canceling layout so the cabinet stays relatively still and the bass stays clean. It has the same slot-style shape as earlier Subs, in black or white matte, and can stand upright or lie on its side. Updates over the Sub 3 include Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor, more memory, lower idle power, and a slightly lighter cabinet; setup is through the Sonos app, with optional Ethernet. Two Sub 4s can be used with the Arc Ultra.

Audio Advice - I'll be in Franklin in October for a SVS/Audio Advice Event. Details to come

Nick Brown and Smith Freeman of SVS Sound

On today's show we have an interview with Nick Brown (VP of Marketing) and Smith Freeman (Senior Director of Product Management) at SVS Sound.

We discuss their new Auto EQ, the upcoming Soundbar and general audio chat.

SVS Launches First-Ever Soundbar and New 3000 R|Evolution Series Subwoofers at CES 2026

SVS AUTO EQ Frequently Asked Questions

On today's show we discuss Ara's new family room TV and Audio setup and what his plans are for the future. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

• Marantz Introduces The CINEMA Series 2 Receivers
• Dolby Vision 2 HDR Is Officially Arriving On Certain Hisense TVs
• Nearly A Third Of U.S. Homes Get TV Only Via Streaming
• Peacock hikes prices for fourth straight year, this time by $3

Other:

• Theatrium - A home Assistant or HomeKit Dashboard for your AppleTV

Parts List for Ara's New Home

Family Room:

Mantel Mount MM815 Motorized Drop Down & Swivel TV Mount - $700 The MM815 is a remote-controlled drop-and-swivel TV mount. Press one button to lower the TV to eye level and rotate it as needed. It comes with an RF remote, is silent, and has two memory presets.

Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO True RGB 4K HDR Google TV with Gemini (Model Number K75XR70PRO)- $2300 The Sony BRAVIA 7 II PRO is Sony's 2026 mid-range True RGB Mini-LED TV (65 inches and up) with independently driven red, green, and blue backlight LEDs, XR processing, and about 2,000 nits of peak brightness for stronger color volume and contrast than a typical white Mini-LED. It is 4K at 120 Hz, supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, and has HDMI 2.1 gaming features (VRR, ALLM, 4K/120). Google TV includes Gemini for voice search and recommendations, plus AirPlay 2. The Pro bundle adds a three-year replacement warranty, a backlit rechargeable remote, extra Sony Pictures Core credits, and an enhanced Voice Zoom 3 dialogue mode; picture hardware is the same as the standard 7 II.

From RTINGS:

Pros:

• Great black levels with minimal haloing.
• Bright details in HDR stand out incredibly well.
• Fantastic SDR brightness helps it overcome glare during the day.
• Fantastic upscaling and great low-quality content smoothing.
• Colors are incredibly bright and vivid.

Cons:

• Dark scenes are hard to see during the day.

Sonos Arc Ultra - $1099 The Sonos Arc Ultra supports Dolby Atmos that has a 9.1.4 driver layout and Sound Motion woofer to produce wide, height-enhanced surround and stronger bass from a single bar. It connects to a TV with one HDMI eARC cable, supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay 2, and the rest of the Sonos ecosystem (including optional Sub and rear speakers), and can be controlled with the TV remote, Sonos app, touch controls, Sonos Voice Control, or Alexa. Trueplay tunes the sound to the room, and AI speech enhancement is meant to keep dialogue clear. It is a long, low-profile bar (about 46 inches wide) sold in black or white.

Sonos Sub 4 - $899 The Sonos Sub 4 is a wireless subwoofer for Sonos S2 systems, pairing with current soundbars and speakers to add bass down to about 25 Hz. Two inward-facing 5-by-8-inch woofers and dual Class-D amps use a force-canceling layout so the cabinet stays relatively still and the bass stays clean. It has the same slot-style shape as earlier Subs, in black or white matte, and can stand upright or lie on its side. Updates over the Sub 3 include Wi-Fi 6, a faster processor, more memory, lower idle power, and a slightly lighter cabinet; setup is through the Sonos app, with optional Ethernet. Two Sub 4s can be used with the Arc Ultra.

Master Bedroom:

Sony BRAVIA 3 II 4K HDR LED Google TV (Model Number K55XR30M2) - $798 - The Sony BRAVIA 3 II is Sony's 2026 entry-level 4K LED set, sold from 43 to 100 inches. It uses a direct-lit LED panel, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and the XR processor for color, motion, and upscaling. HDR covers Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG. All four HDMI ports are 2.1, with 4K/120, VRR, and ALLM. It runs Google TV with Gemini, AirPlay 2, and Chromecast, plus built-in speakers that pass Dolby Atmos and DTS:X to a soundbar. The picture is good in bright rooms; but as you would expect, the contrast and HDR are limited compared with higher BRAVIA models. If you are going to use this for anything more than casual viewing or you are really critical of picture quality you may want to look elsewhere. But for those on a budget or used in a secondary room, it's a solid TV.

On today's show we discuss Ara's garage door plan for integrating it into HomeKit, we help a listener decide on which receiver to buy, and we ask whether Atmos is worth it for a family room. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• Get YouTube TV For Just $67.99 a Month Down From $82.99 For The Rest of 2026
• How many subscribers do major live TV streamers have?

Other:

• Bingebuster

THIRDREALITY Smart Garage Door Opener

Last week I discussed my garage door situation where MyQ does not integrate with Apple's HomeKit. I explained that I will be using a solution called ratgdo (Rage Against The Garage Door Opener). A few of the listeners emailed and suggested that I look at the ThirdReality Smart Garage Door Opener). Available at Amazon for $50.

Issues for me:

• When you install it in Apple home it installs as a lightbulb.
• I added it to Home Assistant first because I knew Apple HomeKit was going to treat it like a light instead of a garage door. In Home Assistant, it shows up as a light entity, with the on off state following the tilt sensor. To make it behave like a real garage door, I created a Template Cover helper and set the device class to Garage. For the state, I used the template to report open when the light is on and closed when it's off. Then I set the Open and Close actions to call the light.turn_on service on the light entity, so pressing Open or Close in Home Assistant is basically the same as pressing the garage remote button. After that, it shows up and behaves like a garage door inside Home Assistant, with the right open/closed status based on the tilt sensor.
• It's mechanical.
• Batteries

After Jorge's email,I am now looking past these issues and considering this solution.

And yet another listener provided even more fuel for this fire!

David writes in and says:

Most door operators have a provision for a wall mounted pushbutton ( the same one used for years). It's a momentary pushbutton closure. There is a cold contacts switch which operates in the Matter smart home standard. As a result it works in all the various smart home systems. It's a Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 device…about $25.

I have installed mine into my Apple HomeKit system to operate my Genie garage door opener.

There is no sensing of the position of the door in the Shelly 1 Mini Gen 4 - it is only for operating the door.

I have used the IKEA "MYGGBETT" door/window sensor ($10) to sense the position of the door - it is also Matter compliant. It is the usual magnet/reed switch pair.

I have used this sensor to also trigger a light inside my house to signal an open garage door.

The Apple Home automation could be written to close and open door after 10 PM. Or close a door open for more than 1 hour.

Marantz, Denon, or Onkyo

• Marantz Cinema 70s

• Denon AVR-X2800H

• Onkyo TX-RZ30

Onkyo TX-RZ30

Pros

• 9 amplified channels (supports 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Atmos)
• Full-bandwidth Dirac Live included (major value)
• THX Select + IMAX Enhanced certified
• Dual independent subwoofer outputs + full pre-outs
• Strong power (~100W/ch) and generally excellent reviews for sound and value

Cons

• Dirac setup can be finicky
• Onkyo's past reliability reputation still in the back of my mind

Denon AVR-X2800H

Pros

• Reliable, polished, user-friendly experience
• Solid Audyssey MultEQ XT room correction
• Good, balanced sound and strong HDMI features
• Much better reliability and support

Cons

• Only 7 channels (max 5.2.2 Atmos without external amps)
• No Dirac (Audyssey is good but not as advanced)

Marantz Cinema 70s

Pros

• Slim, stylish design that fits media cabinets
• Marantz sound
• Pre-outs for future expansion

Cons

• Lower power (~50W/ch) — best for smaller/efficient speakers
• Only 7 channels
• More expensive relative to performance and channel count

Recommendation: Onkyo TX-RZ30

It delivers the most meaningful advantages for the money — 9 channels, including full Dirac Live, THX certification, and independent dual subs. The Denon is the safer "set-it-and-forget-it" choice if you prioritize polish and reliability, while the Marantz is best if you specifically need a slim form factor. For performance and value in a modern Atmos setup, the RZ30 is the clear winner right now.

Is Atmos Worth it for a Family Room?

Yes, Atmos is usually worth it in a typical family room — but with some practical caveats.

Why it's worth it

• The overhead effects (rain, helicopters, debris, ambiance) add noticeable immersion even in a normal living/family room.
• A lot of modern movies, streaming shows, and games take advantage of it.

Realistic expectations for a family room

• The "wow" factor is more subtle than in a dedicated theater. You're not going to get the same dramatic height effects you hear in a big cinema.
• Placement matters a lot. Up-firing Atmos speakers work okay if your ceiling isn't too high or absorbent, but actual in-ceiling or on-ceiling speakers sound better.
• Aesthetics Committee — extra speakers on or near the ceiling are more noticeable in a shared family space.

Bottom line recommendation

• If you are starting from scratch and have access to wire ceiling speakers do it. If you don't have access you won't miss too much.
• Skip if the budget is tight, ceiling placement is difficult, or you mostly watch TV/sports rather than movies.

A solid 5.1.2 Atmos setup is the sweet spot for most family rooms. You'll get most of the benefit without needing a full 7.1.4 layout.

On today's show we take a look at your family room and decide whether a 7.2 system is worth it over 5.1. We also read your emails and catch up on the week's news.

News:

• How Valuable Is TV to Smaller, Independent Cable Operators?
• DirecTV and EverPass reach new deal to keep NFL Sunday Ticket in bars after threatening split

Other:

• Rage Against the Garage Door Opener (ratgdo)

Family Room - 5.1 vs 7.2 what makes sense?

Most of us don't have a fully dedicated theater room to fully deck out with a 7.2.4 Atmos system. Most of us have family rooms and would like some sort of a surround sound experience beyond a low end sound bar. The question we get asked a lot is whether a 7.2 system will provide a noticeably better experience than a 5.1 system. So today we answer that question.

Spoiler, in most family living rooms, a well-set-up 5.1 system is the smarter choice. A 7.2 system only becomes clearly better if you have good space behind the seating and can place the rear speakers properly. Let's get into it.

Pros of Going 7.2

• Better immersion - The two extra rear speakers create a more continuous sound field. Sounds that move from front to back (or circle around you) feel smoother and more realistic.
• Improved envelopment - You get a stronger sense of being "inside" the movie instead of just having sound coming from the sides.
• Smoother bass (the .2) - Two subwoofers reduce bass peaks and nulls. This is often the biggest real-world improvement over a single sub.
• More seating flexibility - Multiple people can enjoy better surround effects even if they're not in the exact sweet spot.
• Future-proofing - Many modern receivers can use the extra channels for Atmos height speakers later if you decide to expand.

Cons of Going 7.2

• Space requirements - You need room behind the main seats for the rear speakers. If your sofa is against the back wall (very common), the rear speakers end up too close and the benefit largely disappears.
• Higher cost - Two extra speakers + a second subwoofer + possibly a more expensive receiver adds significant cost.
• Harder placement - Getting the rear speakers at the right height, distance, and angle is more difficult in a shared family room.
• Diminishing returns in smaller rooms - In rooms under about 15x15–16x18 feet, the extra speakers can actually make the sound less coherent if they're too close together.
• More clutter & wiring - Extra speakers and cables are harder to hide in a multi-purpose family room.
• Content reality - Most streaming content is still mixed in 5.1. True discrete 7.1 tracks are less common outside Blu-rays

Rules of Thumb for a Family Room

If your sofa is against the back wall you are realistically looking at a 5.1 system since the rear speakers have nowhere to go. If you have 3 feet or more behind you, 7.2 may be worthwhile. If you can't fully afford a proper 7.2 system you will be better served with better speakers and a great subwoofer.

Bottom Line

For a typical family room:

• A high-quality 5.1 almost always delivers more enjoyment for the money and effort.
• Only go 7.2 if you have decent space behind the seating and are willing to spend more for the extra immersion and smoother bass.

Next week should we discuss if Atmos is worth it in a family room?

On this week's show we breakdown the Value Electronics 2026 TV Shootout and see who the new King TV is. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

• LG is cracking down on smart TV apps that quietly turn your TV into a secret proxy
• Streaming Execs Say Roku Most Important CTV Platform for Home Screen Visibility
• Comcast has Lost Over 600,000 TV Customers So Far This Year & 232,000 Internet Customers

Other:

• LG TVs are better than they've ever been — here's what they're doing right, what they're doing wrong, and what needs to change in 2026

2026 Value Electronics TV Shootout Summary

Value Electronics (Scarsdale, NY) held its annual expert-judged TV Shootout on July 18, 2026. All sets were professionally calibrated and compared side-by-side against reference Sony BVM-HX3110 mastering monitors. Judges scored attributes (contrast/grayscale, color accuracy, processing, shadow detail, motion handling, bright-room performance, etc.) on a 1–5 scale for both SDR and HDR. Combined averages determine the rankings.

OLED Category (65-inch flagships)

• Samsung QN65S95H (QD-OLED) — Combined (SDR + HDR) average 9.3 → King of OLED TV and overall King of TV for 2026. Highest scores in both SDR and HDR; won the majority of categories. Ended Sony's seven-year winning streak. $2500 at Amazon
• Sony K65XR80M2 (Bravia 8 II / QD-OLED) — Combined average 8.0 Close runner-up with strong, consistent performance in both SDR and HDR. $3000 at Amazon
• LG OLED65G6WUA (W-OLED / tandem) — Combined average 7.0 Solid but finished a clear third. $3300 direct from LG

Micro RGB (True RGB Mini/Micro-LED LCD) Category (75-inch flagships)

This was the first year the shootout included a dedicated Micro RGB / true RGB-backlit LCD category.

• Sony K75XR90M2 (Bravia 9 II) — Combined average 7.9 → King of Mini/Micro RGB TV. Dominated most categories in both SDR and HDR. $3400 at Amazon
• Samsung MRN75R95H — Combined average 6.2 Clear second place. $4500 direct from Samsung
• LG 75MRGB95BUA — Combined average 5.2 Finished third. $4500 direct from LG

Key Takeaways

• OLED still generally outperformed the new Mini/Micro RGB LCD technology overall.
• Samsung's S95H QD-OLED was the standout performer of the event by a healthy margin.
• Sony's new true RGB Bravia 9 II proved the Mini RGB approach is highly competitive (it even beat LG's G6 OLED and was competitive with Sony's own OLED in some HDR aspects).
• LG placed third in both categories.
• The event highlighted how close the top flagships have become, while still showing meaningful differences in accuracy, processing, and real-content performance under calibrated conditions.

On this week's show we look into our crystal ball to see what is on the Home Theater Horizon. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• 2026 Value Electronics TV Shootout: Samsung Snaps Sony TV Streak
• CarPlay video coming with iOS 27
• WGA Seeks Injunction to Block Deal's Closing

What is on the Home Theater Horizon

Home theater technology is advancing quickly and the trend is moving toward wireless setups, brighter and more flexible displays, AI-powered calibration, immersive spatial audio, and simpler high-end installations. Today we take a look at what we can expect over the next couple of years.

Displays: Brighter, Wireless, and Modular

• Ultra-thin wireless OLEDs: LG's OLED evo W6, also called the Wallpaper TV, is part of their 2026 evo lineup. It's incredibly thin — just 9 millimeters thick — and features a true wireless design. All your devices plug into a separate Zero Connect Box that can sit up to 10 meters away. The box then sends 4K video and audio wirelessly to the TV with almost no quality loss. The TV also includes Hyper Radiant Color Technology. This delivers much higher brightness — up to 3.9 times brighter than standard OLEDs — along with deeper black levels and fewer reflections. For gamers, it supports 4K at 165 Hertz, G-SYNC, and very fast response times.
• MicroLED and RGB advancements: MicroLED displays — including variants like Micro RGB or TriChroma — are becoming popular for luxury home theater setups. They deliver perfect blacks like OLED screens, but with much higher brightness, no burn-in risk, and modular designs that let you create custom sizes, such as 136-inch or even larger cinema walls. Brands like LG with their MAGNIT Active Micro LED, Samsung, and Sony are leading the way, offering seamless, cinema-certified picture quality. Consumer versions are still quite expensive — often six figures for a full wall — but they're becoming more realistic and affordable over time.
• Mini RGB: These TVs are poised to be a big hit because they combine the best of both worlds: the perfect blacks and contrast of OLED with the extreme brightness, longevity, and modular flexibility of MicroLED-style RGB technology. By using advanced Mini RGB LED backlighting, Mini RGB delivers stunning HDR performance, vibrant colors, and seamless large-screen designs ideal for luxury home theaters — all without burn-in worries. Sony's reputation for premium picture processing, cinema-grade calibration, and build quality gives their Mini RGB a clear edge over competitors, making these TVs the top choice for serious enthusiasts who want theater-like visuals that will stay impressive for years to come.
• Projectors: Triple-laser UST (ultra-short-throw) and standard models dominate, with brighter outputs (thousands of ISO lumens), wider color gamuts (e.g., 110% BT.2026), Dolby Vision support, and 4K/8K capabilities. Examples include XGIMI Horizon 20 Max, AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro, and Hisense models. Laser is now the baseline for premium performance.

Audio: Wireless Immersion and Modular Systems

• Wireless multi-speaker ecosystems: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is rolling out more widely including the LG Sound Suite. This enables cable-free speaker placement with accurate panning. Sony's BRAVIA Theatre lineup (Trio, Bar 7/9, etc.) emphasizes modular wireless components with 360 Spatial Sound Mapping, phantom speakers (up to 24 channels), and room calibration.
• Advanced AVRs and processors: Denon, Onkyo, and others offer higher-channel support (9.4+), Dirac Live/Audyssey calibration, and AI room tuning. Multi-channel processors use Audio over IP for fewer wires in custom installs.
• Immersive extras: Haptic furniture, synchronized smart lighting using the Philips HDMI Sync Box 2.1, and AI acoustic optimization for real-time adjustments.

Other Notable Trends

• AI integration: Automatic calibration, content optimization, and adaptive environments including room mapping for sound and light..
• Hybrid/immersive rooms: 360-degree or wraparound video with spatial audio, plus premium formats inspired by commercial cinema (laser projection, higher baselines like 7.1+ with height channels).
• Lifestyle focus: Movable displays, aesthetically integrated speakers, mainly acoustically transparent designs, and easier setups for non-dedicated rooms.

There are some exciting technologies shaping the next couple of years in home theater. Displays are getting brighter, thinner, and more flexible with ultra-thin wireless designs. High-performance UST laser projectors will bring huge screens to rooms where it was never possible before. And the shift toward truly wireless, immersive audio will fill any room with rich, room-filling sound. Best of all, your entire system will adapt to your room with the touch of a button!

On this week's show we take a hypothetical look at Cable and Satellite TV's future. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news!

News:

• Netflix Is Exploring Live TV and Bundles as It Struggles to Keep Viewers Hooked
• Scripps, DirecTV End Blackout, Ink New Retrans Deal
• RGB LED TVs Set For Market Growth In Coming Years

What If Cable & Satellite Providers Exit Traditional Linear TV Business

On this week's show we take a hypothetical look at Cable and Satellite TV's future. We have said that we see TV being delivered via the Internet vs the traditional means of OTA, Cable, or Satellite. What would this world look like and who are the winners and losers?

Scenario Setup

Major providers — Comcast/Xfinity, Charter/Spectrum, DirecTV, Dish Network, Altice, and smaller cable operators — face accelerating cord-cutting. Traditional pay-TV subscribers have already dropped to ~34% of U.S. households. Revenue from linear TV (cable channels + satellite) is shrinking fast due to high programming costs, declining ad revenue, and competition from streamers. In this scenario, the industry collectively decides to abandon legacy linear TV (bundled channel packages) and pivots hard to two main businesses:

• High-speed broadband/data which is their most profitable product.
• IPTV / Streaming aggregation with their own apps or virtual third party MVPD services like YouTube TV-style offerings.

They sunset traditional cable TV boxes, satellite dishes, and legacy contracts over 2–3 years.

What Happens Next

For the Providers it's mostly upside. Broadband becomes ~70–80% of revenue. Margins on data are much higher than on video because there are no expensive content carriage fees. Companies like Comcast and Charter already make most of their profit from data.

Huge reduction in programming fees paid to Disney, NBCU, Warner, etc. No more maintaining old coaxial/satellite infrastructure for TV. All of which greatly cuts costs.

New Growth Areas:

• Sell/partner on IPTV services (e.g., Xfinity Stream becomes the main offering, or they white-label streaming bundles).
• Mobile + home internet bundles (5G fixed wireless + fiber expansion).
• Advertising on their own streaming platforms.

The biggest hurdles are massive customer service transition, potential loss of some rural satellite customers, and potential regulatory scrutiny over broadband monopolies.

For Consumers the benefits include: Lower base bills, faster innovation in home internet which results in more fiber, better speeds, and lower latency, and IPTV options could be cheaper/better than old cable (cloud DVR, multi-device streaming).

Of course there is a downside. Sports fans and older viewers lose easy "flip channels" experience. Live sports become fragmented across streamers which could end up costing more if you want everything.

There will be Market & Industry Ripple Effects

• Streaming Wars Accelerate: YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling, Fubo, and new entrants gain millions of former cable customers. Netflix, Amazon, etc., may expand live offerings.
• Content Owners Adapt: Networks like ESPN, CNN, TBS shift to direct-to-consumer or wholesale deals with IPTV platforms. Some channels may disappear or go streaming-only.
• Competition & Consolidation: Telecoms (AT&T, Verizon) and tech giants (Google Fiber, Amazon, Starlink) push harder into broadband. We could see more mergers.
• Advertising: Shift from traditional cable ads to targeted streaming ads and broadband data insights.

The reality is that it's already happening gradually. Cable companies have been de-emphasizing video for years, pushing broadband bundles, and launching their own streaming apps. Satellite providers are in steeper decline. The full pivot described here would simply formalize and accelerate a trend that's well underway.

On today's show we discuss a post about how Netflix is experiencing a severe "sophomore slump". We also read your emails and discuss the week's news.

News:

• Sony's New Blu-ray & DVD Player Upscales DVDs to Near-HD Quality – Bring Your Old DVDs To Life Again
• Satellite Pay-TV Provider Dish DBS Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection

Other:

• Paramount+ and Showtime for $40.00
• Who Owns Klipsch And Where Are The Speakers Made?
• VOPLLS Smart Portable Outdoor Projector
• VEVOR Inflatable Movie Screen
• Reclaiming the lost art of listening to music

Why Are Netflix Top Shows Losing Viewers?

Cinema Shorts is reporting that Netflix is experiencing a severe "sophomore slump," with data revealing that its top-performing original series are losing between 30% and 70% of their viewing audience between seasons 1 and 2.

As first reported in Bloomberg's "Screentime" newsletter, executive leadership is actively trying to diagnose this mass viewer abandonment.

Theories include the multi-year gap between seasons, that dropping an entire season creates a burst of convo that flames out quickly, and the vicious cycle of cancellations.

No show this week. We are on vacation. Happy Independence Day to our US Listeners.

Enjoy the 1980s jungle at the end of the message. I crack myself up!

On today's show we create alternate reality TV Spinoffs of some of our favorite TV shows. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.

News:

• What Fox's Roku Acquisition Signals For Local Broadcast
• Wurl Chief Warns FAST Business Model Is 'Fundamentally Flawed'
• Walmart in reported $1.4 billion deal to acquire connected TV ad platform
• Google Home will soon get better at recognizing you

Other:

• Pioneer SPHERA car stereo review

Clever Spinoffs to Our Favorite TV Shows

HBO Max is making a clever spinoff from "The Big Bang Theory" called "Stuart Fails to Save the Universe". The show follows comic book store owner Stuart Bloom from The Big Bang Theory in a new series where he attempts - and apparently fails - to save the universe, staying true to his unlucky nature. The spinoff consists of ten episodes, streaming every Thursday at 9 PM. It debuts July 23 on HBO Max .

So this got us thinking about some cool spinoffs with quirky characters from other shows we've watched over the years. Here are three clever spinoff concepts in the same spirit as Stuart Fails to Save the Universe:

Jack Bauer from 24

Title: 24/7

After finally retiring from CTU, Jack Bauer is forced to take a mundane job as head of security at a mid-sized suburban office park in Los Angeles — mostly to keep his health insurance.

Still operating with the intensity, paranoia, and zero-tolerance policy that once saved the world multiple times, Jack now applies his elite counter-terrorism skills to everyday annoyances: package thieves, passive-aggressive HR Manager, broken printers, and the HOA president who keeps violating noise ordinances.

Every episode plays out in real time (a 24-minute comedy format), following Jack as he tackles a new "crisis" — whether it's a missing office dog, a suspected mole in accounting, or an all-out war with the food truck that keeps getting his lunch order wrong.

Jack still does dramatic split-screen monologues, tortures (metaphorically) the vending machine, and keeps a "go bag" full of zip ties and protein bars in his desk. His long-suffering team includes a burnt-out millennial assistant, a retired cop who just wants to nap, and his daughter Kim, who keeps trying to get him into therapy.

Tagline: He saved the world 8 times. Now he has to survive the corporate retreat.

Chandler and Monica of Friends

Title: The One Where They're Spies

After years of marriage, Chandler Bing and Monica Geller have the perfect cover: a boring, stable suburban life in New Jersey. Chandler works as a "data analyst" for a vague government contractor, and Monica runs a high-end catering business.

In reality, they're a highly skilled CIA husband-and-wife operative team.

Chandler's deadpan sarcasm and quick wit make him an elite handler and master of undercover personas. Monica's terrifying organizational skills, attention to detail, and competitive nature make her an absolute weapon in logistics, interrogation, and hand-to-hand combat (she once took down three targets with a perfectly thrown fondue fork).

While they're out saving the world from international threats, they have to keep their double lives completely hidden from Ross, Rachel, Joey, and Phoebe — who still think Chandler hates his job and Monica is just an obsessive chef.

Every episode balances high-stakes spy action with classic Friends-style comedy as the couple frantically tries to explain away their suspicious behavior:

• "Why do you have a go-bag in the closet?"
• "Why does Chandler suddenly speak fluent Mandarin?"
• "Why was Monica gone for three days and came back with a new scar and a Russian accent?"

Tagline: They're saving the world… between coffee at Central Perk.

Charles Boyle from Brooklyn 99

Title: Boyle

After a high-profile case goes sideways, Detective Charles Boyle is transferred to the NYPD's newly formed Unsolved & Unusual Crimes Unit — a ragtag squad that handles cold cases too weird or embarrassing for anyone else.

Still the passionate, food-obsessed, emotionally open romantic we know and love, Boyle now channels his legendary enthusiasm into solving the city's strangest unsolved mysteries: everything from a serial killer who leaves gourmet meals at crime scenes to a black-market truffle smuggling ring. He attacks each case with the same intensity he once reserved for perfecting his coq au vin recipe.

Backed by a small team of misfits (a jaded ex-homicide detective, a tech genius who only communicates in food puns, and a rookie who idolizes him), Boyle brings both razor-sharp detective work and delightful chaos to every investigation. He still cries during interrogations, quotes obscure food history mid-stakeout, and maintains an emergency "comfort cassoulet" in the precinct fridge.

Tagline: He may cry at crime scenes… but he always gets his man.

On today's show we take a look at the new Apple CarPlay Ultra. And with the high cost of streaming these days, we give you our pick for the one streaming service that you should keep. We also read your emails and look at the week's news.

News:

• Fox Is Buying Roku in $22 Billion Deal
• Gemini can now adjust your picture settings on Google TV
• Blink Just Launched Its First Doorbell With 2K Video — And It's Only $50
• AWOL Vision Expands Home Entertainment Portfolio

Apple's New CarPlay Ultra

A listener sent us a link to: I tried Apple CarPlay Ultra and now everything else feels outdated. The author felt that CarPlay Ultra just made every other in-car system feel clunky – and after testing it in an Aston Martin DBX, I don't want to drive without it. So why is he so excited about this update?

Main Takeaways from the Article:

• CarPlay Ultra is a full dashboard takeover: Unlike standard CarPlay (which only handles the central screen), this next-gen version extends seamlessly across all screens — including the instrument cluster, driver display, and center infotainment. It creates one unified, cohesive Apple-style interface for the entire driving experience.
• New design and customization with brand personality preserved: Tested in an Aston Martin DBX, it delivers crisp fonts, smooth performance, glanceable widgets (music, navigation, tire pressure, etc.), and deep customization. Aston Martin added brand-specific touches (e.g., custom dials with the wings logo, green colorway, and vehicle bird's-eye view) while keeping Apple's polish.
• Complete vehicle controls inside one UI: You can adjust climate, suspension, driver assists, drive modes, fuel/range info, radio, and more without switching to the car's native system. A clever "punch through" feature seamlessly jumps to the manufacturer's menus for unsupported controls (like ambient lighting) and returns instantly.
• Highly intuitive and responsive: Steering wheel controls let you swipe between views hands-free. Everything feels fast with zero lag, making it feel like a natural extension of the car rather than a bolted-on phone interface.
• Safety net if phone disconnects: Core driving info (speedo, critical gauges) runs locally and stays active. Navigation/media/apps resume seamlessly upon reconnection.
• Availability and future rollout: Currently live on high-end Aston Martins (with over-the-air or dealer updates for compatible models like DBX/DB12). More brands (Porsche, Mercedes, Polestar, and eventually affordable ones) are coming soon.
• Overall verdict: The reviewer says it makes every other in-car system (including their own Android Auto) feel clunky and outdated. It's not just visual — it fundamentally improves the driving experience, and they "never want to drive without it again."

Netflix: The Best Single Streaming Service to Keep in 2026

With so many streamers out there costing us hundreds a year it has become expensive to watch TV. We asked ourselves, "If we had to pick only one streamer which one would it be?" And that streamer is - Netflix

Why Netflix Wins for Most People

• Biggest variety and library — Massive catalog of originals (hit shows like Stranger Things, Bridgerton, Wednesday, etc.), licensed movies/TV, international content, documentaries, and new releases. It has something for almost every taste and mood.
• Excellent discovery tools — Strong recommendation algorithm that gets better the more you watch, making it easy to find what you'll like without wasting time.
• Reliable and polished — Simple, fast interface that works great on any device (smart TVs, phones, tablets, streaming sticks, etc.). Consistent quality and frequent new content.

Other strong contenders fall short in our "one service only" scenario:

• Disney+ — Fantastic for families, Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar — but narrower overall appeal.
• Prime Video — Great value if you already shop on Amazon (and it comes with Prime perks), but the core streaming library feels less essential alone.
• HBO Max — Strong prestige dramas and movies, but smaller overall selection.
• Apple TV+ — Highest production quality per show, but much smaller library.

Bottom line: Netflix gives you the broadest entertainment bang for your buck and the least chance of getting bored quickly. It's the safest "one and done" choice for a general audience in 2026.