HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

On this week's show we look at Smart TV OS rankings according to BGR.com and we ask the question if there will ever be a show like Seinfeld again. We also read your email and take a look at the week's news. News: Sony and TCL Are Teaming Up to Make TVs Paramount+ - THE PRICE OF YOUR PLAN IS CHANGING Broadcast Remains the Most Powerful Platform for Reaching NFL Audiences SVS 3000 R|Evolution Series Smart TV OS Rankings The article Every Major Smart TV OS Ranked Worst To Best Based On User Reviews ranks eight major smart TV operating systems based on user reviews and comments from sources like Best Buy, Reddit, and cross-referenced with expert sites like RTINGS. The focus is on real user experiences regarding performance, app availability, bugs, ads, usability, and overall satisfaction — emphasizing that the OS heavily impacts whether a TV feels premium or frustrating. Ranking (from worst #8 to best #1): 8. VIDAA (used on Hisense TVs): Simple and snappy for basics like Netflix/YouTube, but severely limited app library (missing Stremio, Spotify, major music apps); no Android app support; frequent freezes especially on larger screens (>40 inches); users call it "horrible" and feel like a "dumb" TV. 7. VIZIO OS (formerly SmartCast): Great hardware/value (e.g., affordable 120Hz gaming TVs), but plagued by instability, bugs, frequent problematic updates, ad-pushing, and odd behaviors; many users recommend external streaming sticks over built-in OS. 6. Samsung Tizen: Fast and smooth on high-end models (e.g., S95D OLED), but laggy/slow on older/lower-end sets (button delays of seconds, freezes); heavy ads and unwanted TV Plus channels; users describe UI/Smart Hub as "extremely laggy" and "awful." 5. Fire OS (Amazon Fire TVs): Solid Alexa integration and budget appeal, but very ad-heavy (Prime Video promotions dominate); sluggish performance (1-2 second app launch delays); shifting toward new Vega OS (Linux-based, no sideloading). 4. Google TV: Strong content aggregation, smart home features (Google Gemini), intuitive when hardware is good (excellent on Sony models); can feel cluttered for casual users; performance varies greatly by TV brand/hardware (flawless on premium, weaker on budget). 3. Roku OS: Highly reliable, straightforward, and user-friendly (great for non-tech users); minimal ads/recommendations; rock-solid stability (compared to a "Toyota Camry"); dated/basic interface is the main downside. 2. LG webOS: Smooth, colorful, and easy navigation (Magic Remote point-and-click shines); supports Apple HomeKit/AirPlay 2/Chromecast; kind to non-tech-savvy users; praised for looking premium; downside is increasing home screen bloat/ads/full-screen menus (since 2024) plus screensaver ads. 1. Apple tvOS (via Apple TV device, not built into TVs): Near-perfect — zero lag, no ads, ultra-fluid 4K UI; standout features like InSight (real-time show info), automatic subtitles, Enhance Dialogue (AI vocal clarity); users rave about "super fast responsiveness" and call it underrated; main caveat is needing a separate (pricey) Apple TV box/streamer There Will Never Be a New 'Seinfeld We found a Wall Street Journal opinion piece titled "There Will Never Be a New 'Seinfeld'" which argues that a cultural phenomenon like Seinfeld cannot emerge again in the current media landscape. The show was massively popular and broadly talked about around the "water-cooler" the day after it aired nationally on NBC. The author (Mary Julia Koch) opens with a personal anecdote about young women at a dinner party casually mentioning shows they've watched that others haven't heard of, highlighting how fragmented viewing habits have become due to the explosion of streaming platforms and content choices. The central thesis is that the conditions that made Seinfeld a universal hit in the 1990s are gone forever: Media fragmentation — In the broadcast TV era, there were only a handful of channels, so millions watched the same shows at the same time, creating shared cultural references and conversations. Today, with countless streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Max, etc.), on-demand viewing, and niche content, audiences are siloed and rarely overlap on the same program. Shift from mass appointment viewing to individualized consumption — No single show can achieve the same cultural penetration or "event" status when people watch on their own schedules and devices. Loss of common cultural touchstones — This makes it impossible for a new sitcom to become the kind of generational, quotable, everyone-knows-it phenomenon that Seinfeld was. Think about the movies and TV shows we watched in the 80s. We all watched the same stuff. It was either in the theater or on TV. So if I quoted Caddy Shack, all my friends knew what I was talking about and laughed. The piece laments that while there are still great comedies and talented creators, none will replicate Seinfeld's unique role in society because the technological and viewing ecosystem has permanently changed. This isn't about declining quality in comedy but about structural shifts in how media is produced, distributed, and consumed. Because of how we consume content, there simply won't be "a new Seinfeld"—the era of such singular, unifying pop-culture hits is over.

On this week's show we have compiled a list of home theater and home automation/smart home products that received notable awards or honors at CES 2026.  News: Amazon has started automatically upgrading Prime members to Alexa Plus Apple Reveals 'Record-Breaking' Year For Apple TV And Other Services Bears vs. Packers on Prime Video sets streaming record 2026 CES Award Winners Samsung S95H (OLED TV with enhanced brightness, anti-burn-in art display, wireless features) Awarded Best TV or Home Theater (CNET) and Winner in Home Theater category (ZDNET/CNET Group awards). Samsung Music Studio 5 (Compact smart speaker with artistic design, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity for whole-home audio) Winner in Best Audio category (CNET) and Winner in Audio category (ZDNET/CNET Group awards). Samsung 140" Micro LED - The Samsung 140" Micro LED TV creates a seamless, immersive 3D-like experience by using AI to extend on-screen content onto innovative Micro LED Mirror bezels that blend with the image. When not in use, it folds in half via a hidden hinge to function as an elegant art frame, eliminating the traditional "black box" appearance and blending beautifully into home décor. CES 2026 Best of Innovation in Video Displays KLIPSCH THE 9S II -  The Klipsch The 9s II powered speakers feature Onkyo audio processing and an updated Tractrix horn for wide dispersion and precise clarity, while supporting both two-channel music and Dolby Atmos content with versatile connectivity including AirPlay 2, USB-C, HDMI, and XLR inputs.They include Dirac Live auto-room calibration and deliver exceptional sound quality, though the pair carries a premium price of $2,399. Tom's Guide Best Audio LG H7 FlexConnect soundbar (Dolby Atmos soundbar with modular FlexConnect surround extension to any TV, part of LG Sound Suite) Best Audio category (CNET). LG W6 (Ultra-thin "wallpaper" OLED TV, flush wall mount, bright display, supports Dolby Atmos FlexConnect) Best TV or Home Theater category (CNET). LG CLOiD - The LG CLOiD is a wheeled household robot that connects to LG ThinQ smart appliances and uses its two arms, cameras, sensors, and voice recognition to autonomously handle tasks like loading laundry, folding clothes, organizing the fridge, tidying up, running errands, and assisting with cooking. By learning the user's routines, understanding context and emotions, and proactively acting with gestures, voice, and expressions, it reduces household labor and enhances quality of life and emotional well-being. 2026 Honoree in Smart Home Hisense 116UXS (Massive 116-inch mini-LED TV with advanced RGB + cyan backlight for wide color gamut) Highlighted in Best TV or Home Theater category (CNET) and CES 2026 Best of Innovation in Video Displays Hisense 163MX The Hisense 163MX is the world's first 163-inch MicroLED TV to use a four-primary RGBY (QuadColor) pixel design, which adds a yellow subpixel to achieve 95% BT.2020 color coverage—a 5% improvement over traditional RGB MicroLED systems. This self-emissive technology delivers perfect blacks, infinite contrast, precise brightness control, and stunning visual quality in any lighting without a backlight. 2026 Best of Innovation in Video Displays. Samsung EdgeAware AI Home - processing sounds, videos, and data from Samsung and third-party devices locally on your Samsung tech to generate detailed event summaries, contextual recommendations, and health insights displayed on your TV—all without sending private data to the cloud.  It detects 12 distinct sounds (like running water or breaking glass), provides actionable suggestions such as launching telemedicine for persistent coughing or triggering emergency services for intrusions/fires, and enables fast AI-driven searches for moments like "doorbell rang." 2026 Honoree in Smart Home Doma Intelligent Door - Doma is pioneering secure home intelligence by integrating advanced technology directly into the front door, starting with keyless entry, intruder protection, and real-time awareness of activity inside and around the home. Founded by the team behind August and Yale smart locks, it delivers a holistic system that elevates the home experience, monitors health and safety, senses surroundings, and takes personalized actions to provide true peace of mind. 2026 Honoree in Smart Home Roborock Saros Rover (Advanced two-legged/smart robot vacuum with stair-climbing, AI navigation for multi-level homes) Winner in Smart Home category (ZDNET/CNET Group awards). AQARA U400 - Thanks to its use of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, it can sense when you (and your iPhone or Apple Watch) are approaching your door, and will unlock it automatically. No fuss. And, the technology is good enough that it can recognize if you're merely walking past your door rather than to it, or if you're inside, rather than outside your house. Tom's Guide Best Smart Lock JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx delivers all the powerful features of the Tour One M3 headphones such as world class noise cancellation, crystal clear calls and legendary Hi-res certified JBL Pro Sound. The Smart Tx audio transmitter connects you to almost any audio source and elevates your wireless experience. Connect wirelessly to digital devices using the USB-C connection, or analog devices with a 3.5mm audio jack, such as in-flight entertainment systems. No need to pull out your phone and search for the app. Full access to all controls is right there on the touch screen of the transmitter. 2026 Honoree in Headphones & Personal Audio. $450 Timekettle W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds The Timekettle W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds are the world's first in-ear translation device to use Bone-Voiceprint Sensor technology combined with LLM-powered, context-aware AI, achieving 98% accurate, noise-immune speech recognition with just 0.2-second latency across 42 languages and 95 accents.Designed for all-day comfort with up to 18 hours of battery life, sleek styling, one-flip sharing, automatic mode switching, and audio/video translation capabilities, the W4 delivers natural, real-time multilingual conversations and is now available for purchase. 2026 Honoree in Artificial Intelligence, Headphones & Personal Audio, Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps. $350

On this week's show we look at the annual Consumer Electronics Show inLas Vegas Nevada. In years past there was more for us home theater fans but we still find some cool products that will eventually find their way into our homes. News: More than 60% of audiences use TV as primary streaming device Which sports will Netflix have in 2026? LG Key Highlights Return of the Wallpaper OLED TV (LG OLED evo W6) — LG revived its iconic ultra-thin "Wallpaper" design after a multi-year hiatus. The W6 is just 9mm thick, fully wireless (with a separate connection box up to 10 meters away), uses Hyper Radiant Color Technology for improved brightness and colors, and supports features like art display via Gallery+ service. It's marketed as reflection-free and significantly brighter than average OLEDs. New OLED Lineup — Including the brighter flagship G6 (up to 20% brighter than the G5 with Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 panels and reduced reflections), split C6 series (with varying tech tiers), and claims of the world's first TVs supporting 4K 120Hz cloud gaming with low-latency controllers. Micro RGB evo TV — LG's first flagship Mini-LED TV with Micro RGB technology for vastly expanded color range and brightness, available in large sizes including the "world's largest" Micro RGB LCD TV, the 130-inch R95H. Gallery TV — A direct competitor to Samsung's The Frame, with anti-glare screens and curated art modes (designed with museum input). CLOiD Home Robot — A standout AI-powered housekeeper robot demoed on stage. It performs complex chores like folding laundry, loading/unloading dishwashers, preparing simple meals (baking croissants), and coordinating with connected appliances for a "Zero Labor Home" vision. LG Sound Suite (with Dolby) - Includes the H7 soundbar, optional M7/M5 wireless surround speakers, and W7 subwoofer. Allows free placement of speakers; the system auto-configures channels for optimal immersion, solving a major pain point in traditional wired or rigidly positioned Atmos setups.Hands-on reports highlighted its ease for real-world living rooms, delivering expansive sound without cables or furniture rearrangement. Samsung Key Highlights World's first 130-inch Micro RGB TV (): The largest in their Micro RGB lineup, featuring next-generation color accuracy (100% Rec.2020 coverage), bold new design, HDR10+ ADVANCED support, Eclipsa Audio, and AI enhancements like conversational search, proactive recommendations, AI Football (Soccer) Mode Pro, and integrations with Microsoft Copilot and Perplexity. AI Soccer Mode delivers a more exciting gameday experience through AI-driven picture and sound tuning to stadium-level quality. AI Sound Controller Pro lets you raise or lower the volume of the crowd, commentary, or background music, providing a personalized listening experience for TV shows and movies. Users can simply make verbal requests, and any TV equipped with VAC – which includes Micro LED, Micro RGB, OLED, Neo QLED, Mini LED and UHD TV – contextually carries out those requests. Expanded Micro RGB TV lineup: New sizes including 55-, 65-, 75-, 85-, 100-, 115-inch models, alongside upgrades to Neo QLED and OLED TVs  The Freestyle+ portable projector: An upgraded AI-powered version with improved brightness, support for projecting on uneven surfaces (walls, ceilings, corners, curtains), and smarter entertainment features. New audio products: Music Studio 5 and 7 wireless speakers (Bluetooth/Wi-Fi, unique designs), and soundbars like the HW-QS90H (all-in-one 7.1.2 with Quad Bass Woofer system). Broader AI focus: Enhanced experiences in home appliances (e.g., Bespoke AI), TVs, and ecosystem integration. Press releases  Sony No major announcements were made regarding Sony's traditional consumer products, such as new Bravia TVs, headphones, cameras, or PlayStation hardware. Sony's focus shifted toward the future of mobility and software-defined vehicles. TCL Key Highlights X11L SQD-Mini LED TV - as its 2026 flagship. It features new "SQD-Mini LED" technology (Super Quantum Dot Mini-LED), emphasizing superior color accuracy and performance. Features 10,000 Nits, 20,000 dimming zones, 100% coverage of BT.2020 color gamut. Available initially in 98-inch and 85-inch sizes (75-inch later), with launches starting as early as January 2026. Some who have seen it are saying it rivals Micro RGB TVs from competitors like Samsung and LG, potentially challenging OLED in brightness and contrast. A65K Design Series soundbar — A compact 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos model with Bang & Olufsen tuning and wireless subwoofer. Hisense Key Highlights RGB MiniLED evo Technology — Hisense introduced an evolved version of its RGB MiniLED backlight system, which adds a fourth primary color to improve accuracy and fill spectral gaps (especially in the 500-600nm range) for more natural and vibrant colors. This debuts in the flagship 116UXS large-screen TV, positioned for premium cinematic home viewing. Expanded RGB MiniLED Lineup — The company is bringing RGB MiniLED to more accessible screen sizes and models, including new UR9 and UR8 series TVs, making the technology available beyond ultra-premium flagships. Industry-First RGBY MicroLED Display — Hisense unveiled a new MicroLED prototype using four primary colors (Red, Green, Blue, Yellow), aimed at future ultra-large screens with enhanced color reproduction. Laser Projection and Other Displays — Extensions of multi-primary color tech to laser projectors, emphasizing better color accuracy and flexible installations. Additional Mentions — New projectors, smart home AI assistants, and support for advanced formats like Dolby Vision 2 on upcoming 2026 MiniLED models (via OTA updates). Home Audio Announcements Budget brand Ultimea surprised with the Skywave X100 Dual, a premium compact system boasting up to 9.2.6 channels across seven modular units.Focuses on high-channel-count immersion in a small footprint, positioning it as an affordable yet powerful alternative for space-constrained home theaters. SVS R|Evolution SeriesAudio specialist SVS debuted the 3000 R|Evolution subwoofers and a new Dolby Atmos soundbar, demonstrated in a full 5.2.4-channel cabin setup for reference-level performance. Klipsch Powered Speakers UpdateKlipsch refreshed its powered lineup with The Fives II, Sevens II, and Nines II, building on heritage horn-loaded designs with modern connectivity, plus concept teases for future innovations.Other mentions included Cambridge Audio's new active bookshelf speakers and various AI-enhanced EQ features across brands, but the Dolby Atmos FlexConnect implementations (especially LG's) stood out as the truly novel leap forward for effortless, high-quality home audio in 2026. The Fives II: $1,399.99/pair USD. The Sevens II: $1,999.99/pair USD. The Nines II: $2,399.99/pair USD Home Automation Announcements The standout trend was humanoid or multi-purpose home robots moving beyond single tasks (like vacuuming) to general household help, embodying a vision of embodied AI. LG CLOiD: LG's flagship reveal was this wheeled, dual-armed AI home robot designed for a "Zero Labor Home." It autonomously handles diverse chores like retrieving items from the fridge, heating food in the oven, folding laundry, and coordinating with other smart appliances. Powered by advanced AI and sensors, it demonstrates real-world household automation in demo setups. SwitchBot onero H1: SwitchBot introduced this accessible humanoid household robot as part of its "Smart Home 2.0" vision. It represents a shift to multi-task embodied AI, going beyond specialized devices to perform varied daily tasks. Accompanied by other AI robotics integrations for intuitive automation. Other mentions included updates like Samsung's AI Jet Bot Steam Ultra (with AI object/liquid recognition for smarter cleaning) and emerging players like 1X NEO, signaling a wave of practical home robotics. Devices are increasingly using on-device AI to automate routines without user programming. Conversational AI and Butler-Style Control: Widespread demos of voice assistants that learn habits and respond to natural commands, turning smart homes into proactive "housekeepers." Sorcerics Lens (CES Innovation Award honoree): An AI hub using on-device computer vision for fully contextual automation of housework, understanding environments to trigger actions intelligently. Lights turn on because the AI recognizes you're reading - not just because you moved. Lights turn off only when the AI understands you're about to sleep - not simply on a routineWhat motion and presence sensors fail to see, Sorcerics AI sees the difference. Govee Smart Lighting Advancements: New lights (e.g., Ceiling Light Ultra) that proactively adjust based on time of day, mood, space usage, and user patterns—rethinking lighting as adaptive rather than reactive. SwitchBot AI MindClip: AI MindClip continuously captures meetings, conversations, and everyday moments, transforming them into structured summaries, actionable to-dos, and a searchable personal knowledge base. Acting as a "second brain" fueled by subscribed cloud AI service, it allows users to retrieve past discussions, reminders, and learning materials on demand, ask questions when details are forgotten, and turn fragmented information into usable insight. Weighing just 18 grams and supporting over 100 languages, AI MindClip helps people organize and recall the growing volume of spoken information they encounter every day, enabling them to think more clearly, work more efficiently, and manage modern life with less cognitive load. Innovative Access and Security Aqara U400 Smart Deadbolt: Uses Ultra-Wideband (UWB) for precise, hands-free unlocking as you approach—more reliable than traditional geofencing/Bluetooth mixes. Lockin V7 Max: Features wireless AuraCharge (recharges within 4 meters) and fast unlocking, earning a CES Innovation Award. SwitchBot's biometric 3D locks with advanced vision. Other Notable Sm

Happy New Year from the HT Guys!

On this week's show we look at the streamable awards and we read your emails and look at the week's news. News: Matter 1.5 is arriving in Samsung SmartThings Why Gen Z and Gen Alpha are feasting on TV comfort food Other: Wireless Carplay Adapter Report: Gen Z Helping To Keep Cinemas Alive - Dark Horizons The Streamable Awards Let's be honest, being a cord-cutter in 2025 wasn't for the faint of heart. If you felt like you needed a spreadsheet to track which app housed your favorite shows or a law degree to understand why the sports you wanted to watch were blacked out, you weren't alone. This was the year that the industry seemingly threw everything at the wall — dizzying rebrands, the demise of standalone apps, and the aggressive return of the "bundle" — to see what would stick. It was chaotic, expensive, and often frustrating, but the pressure also forced a level of innovation we haven't seen in streaming for nearly a decade. Full article: The Streamable Awards: Recaping streaming's best and worst in 2025

On this week's show DJ Briggs from Brightside Home Theater fills in for Braden who is away on business. We ask DJ to give us his opinion on using a large format TV as a replacement for a projector. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: LG will debut its first Micro RGB television at CES Local ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC Stations Are Demanding Up to a 50% Price Hike for Cable TV Customers WBD board recommends rejection of Paramount's takeover bid Other: YouTube TV Wants to Unbundle the Cable Package That Streamers Were Meant to Kill in the First Place Tailwind Meross Garage Door Opener HT Guys Amazon List Swapping a projector for a 100" TV  Jon Taylor recently purchased a TCL 98QM7K (2025 model, QD-Mini LED QLED with Google TV) during Black Friday for $1,999.99 (50% off the $3,999.99 retail price). After using it for a couple of weeks in his basement home theater (replacing an older 82" Samsung and supplementing a projector setup), he shares highly positive impressions. Key Highlights: Size and Installation: The 98" screen is enormous and immersive. Delivery and installation (included from Best Buy) went smoothly, though modifications to basement stairs were needed to fit the massive box. Picture Quality: Exceptional deep blacks (best non-OLED he's seen, rivaling his old Panasonic plasma), vibrant colors, and strong contrast. Upscaling of lower-resolution content (720p/1080p from cable, Blu-ray, streaming) is excellent. 4K sources, including Ultra HD Blu-ray and YouTube, look stunning with minimal motion blur. Performance Across Sources: Built-in Google TV streaming: Clear and smooth. Roku Premier: Deep blacks and popping colors. Standout: Apple TV 4K shines brightest, leveraging Dolby Vision for an incredibly vivid, "popping" image—far superior to non-Dolby Vision devices on his previous Samsung. Gaming and Features: 144Hz refresh rate delivers outstanding performance with low motion lag. Fun feature: Displays four simultaneous 48" screens for NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV. Observations: Large size exposes weaknesses in poor cable signals (fixed by rerouting). He notes TCL (and Hisense) are seriously challenging premium brands (Samsung, LG, Sony) with high-end specs at budget prices, earning praise from reviewers like RTINGS.com. Jon historically preferred established brands for reliability but now sees TCL/Hisense as the new value leaders, similar to how Samsung/LG rose decades ago. He recommends checking out the latest high-end TCL models, especially for large sizes where premium brands were too expensive for him. He's also considering switching from Verizon Fios to a streaming TV service to cut costs. Overall, Jon is thrilled with the TV's performance and value, calling it a "force to be reckoned with."

On this week's show we come back after taking a week off and read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Netflix Officially Announces a Deal to Buy Warner Bros. Discovery & HBO Max For $82.7 Billion Paramount makes $108bn all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery Kaleidescape Launches Mini Terra Prime Movie Server Other: HT Guys Amazon Lists Listener Emails On this week's show we read your emails. The following are links that are discussed on the show. Brady's 98" TV Dilemma - Samsung 98" Class - DU9000D Series - 4K UHD Smart TV | Costco $1800 vs Sony 98" Class BRAVIA 5 Mini LED 4K UHD Smart Google TV (2025) K98XR50 - Best Buy $5000 Eric's recommendation for The Chair Company. Scott's email about connecting your set top box correctly - Your Apple TV Is Probably Plugged Into The Wrong HDMI Port - Here's Why - BGR and The Reason Why Amazon Basics Tech Is So Cheap and Hisense 116-Inch UX Series RGB-MiniLED 4K UHD HDR Google Smart TV(116UX, 2025) $20,000 Mark's solution for Chamberlain dropping support for Google Home, Apple Home, and Amazon A-Lady. Chamberlain blocks smart home integrations with its garage door openers — again Smart Garage Door Opener – ThirdReality And we finish the main part of this episode with Joe's app recommendation A Cool New Cord Cutting App: Multiview for Apple TV and Android / Google TV link to the app here ->Multiview App Stick around after the show to hear Ara's solution to the College Football playoff!

This week Ara is on vacation and rather than skip a show we go back to May of 2022 where we looked at a panel discussion about teh then new automation framework Matter. We play for you that discussion and then Braden and I discuss that current state. Emails and news will return next week.  

On this week's show we look at the phenomenon of watching a little screen while simultaneously watching a big screen.  We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: New data shows ESPN, Fox One both over 2 million subscribers Get Disney+ and Hulu for a combined $5 per month for 12 months Second Screen Viewing  The phrase "Second Screen Viewing" is when a person watches TV and simultaneously uses a secondary device like a smartphone, tablet, or laptop to engage with content related (or unrelated) to what's on the TV.  On this week's show we will focus on the "unrelated" aspect  Second Screen Viewing and how it is affecting what you watch on your TVs Second-screen behavior has become a common companion to TV viewing allowing viewers to engage in social TV by live-tweeting or posting reactions on platforms like X (Twitter), Instagram, or TikTok—especially during live sports, reality TV voting, or award shows—while following conversations through hashtags like #SuperBowl or #TheBachelor.  But what we will be really focusing on today, many people simply multitask with unrelated activities—scrolling social media, texting, gaming, or working—while the TV plays in the background. So what are the TV producers doing about this phenomenon? Simplifying Content for "Background" or "Half-Attention" Viewing    Producers are increasingly designing shows that don't require undivided focus, reducing the risk of viewers abandoning content if they glance away. This includes "dumbing down" narratives to accommodate distractions like social media scrolling.  Streamlined Storytelling - Streamers like Netflix instruct showrunners to create "second screen enough" scripts—simple plots, minimal complex dialogue, and easy-to-follow arcs that allow viewers to dip in and out without confusion. For instance, Justine Bateman, a writer-director, reported notes from streamers emphasizing that "the viewer's primary screen is their phone," so shows avoid twists that demand full attention. This approach has sparked debate. Critics argue it stifles creativity, turning TV into "background noise" rather than compelling drama, but it boosts retention metrics for casual viewers. Integrating Interactivity and Social TV Features  - To pull attention back to the main screen (or extend engagement), producers build in real-time elements that encourage phone use tied to the show, fostering community and loyalty without full distraction. Companion Apps and Voting: Apps sync with broadcasts for polls, stats, or exclusive content. Dancing with the Stars added in-app voting and a "Star Panel" rating system in 2024, letting fans score performances live—boosting participation without leaving the TV. Similarly, Love Island (ITV Studios) uses apps for couple-voting, turning second screens into engagement hubs. So basically, TV producers aren't eliminating second screens; they're evolving with them and dumbing down what you watch on an expensive 75" "Secondary" screen.  Commentary  How about this for an idea? Make compelling content! My wife and two daughters are constantly on their phones when we watch TV together. You know when they aren't? When watching high quality shows that require your attention. Examples include, Last Frontier and Lone Wolf. Shows like Survivor (and don't get me started on how they ruined that show) barely require 20% of your attention. The fact is, it's easier to dumb down content for people who are obsessed with their smart phones than it is to make compelling content. Yes, streaming has opened the door to way more content but unfortunately most of it is not worth watching. And I know I am right in this assessment because studies show 70-90% of viewers engage in second screen viewing regularly.

On this week's show we find you the best Black Friday deals for your home theater, well at least at the time of recording. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: YouTube TV and Disney reach agreement to restore channels Disney+ and Hulu near 200 million combined subscribers New Study Finds 38% Of Respondents View TV With Speaker Sound Off Content Discovery Still a Challenge for Streamers Other: ONKYO - Adding Internet Radio Stations Bright Side Home Theater MOVEMBER MEGA RAFFLE 2025 Movember Raffle — Bright Side Home Theater Black Friday 2025 Each year we go through the Black Friday ads from various stores and list items. It's a long list and can be tedious to listen to. So this year we decided to search out what we thought were the best deals on various items for your Home Theater and Smart Home. This year many retailers are not releasing their sales until the last minute and since we are recording one week before Black Friday our list may be missing a few items that pop up later. But here is our early list of things we think you will be interested in: The standout deal for the largest screen size at the lowest price is the 98-inch TCL Q Series 4K QLED Google TV at Walmart for $998 (down from $1,798, saving $800). This is a 2025 model with premium features like 144Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos audio, and Google TV smart platform—making it ideal for movies, gaming, and streaming without breaking the bank under $1,000. Hisense has a slightly more expensive model that hits that magic 100" mark.  The 100-inch Hisense QLEDs (priced between $1,000–$1,200) delivers the biggest diagonal size for the cheapest absolute dollar amount right now. Deals can fluctuate or sell out quickly, so check often and lock in your price. The Best soundbar deal with dolby ATMOS we have seen so far is the Samsung HW-Q990D 11.1.4-Channel Soundbar System at $1,000 (save $1,000 off $2,000 MSRP) at Best Buy. It's praised as the "best Dolby Atmos soundbar system" for its massive scale, precise 3D sound, and gaming features (4K/120Hz HDMI). At 50% off, it outperforms pricier competitors in value and power (656W total). If you want something more compact, the JBL Bar 1300X ($1200) edges it for portability. The Govee Holiday sale starts November 20th at Amazon. We don't know what the savings will be but Ara owns some Govee light strips and is very pleased with them. They support Matter and can be installed permanently outdoors.  The best deal on a Samsung high end TV is the Samsung S95F OLED for 2025, known for being bright, vivid colors, deep blacks, and excellent motion handling, this TV is ideal for bright rooms or mixed use. It includes the NQ4 AI Gen2 processor for 4K upscaling, four HDMI 2.1 ports, and Tizen OS with free channels and cloud gaming.  Current Black Friday deal: 65" for  $2,298 at Amazon (save $700 from $2,998)—matches the all-time low. There are 77 and 83 inch models for $3500 and $5000 respectively. The Best Deal on high end wireless speakers the Kef LS50 Wireless II ($2000) is more than a high-performance loudspeaker; it's the perfect all-in-one speaker system, streaming from any source thanks to wireless compatibility with AirPlay 2, Google Cast and more, plus wired connections for your TV, games console and turntable. Great sound, no strings attached. If you are looking for a gift for the Home Theater enthusiast in your life, and that may mean you buy it for yourself. Check out The Home Theater Store. They are running a black friday sale on seating, decor, and accessories. Some examples include popcorn machines starting at $40 and going all the way up to $2000. With savings up to $600. They also have sound panels normally priced at $750 on sale for $500.  The Best deal on the Ring Battery Doorbell is $50 at Amazon. And as long as we are here. THis deal is crazy! Two Blink Mini 2 Home Security & Pet Cameras with HD video, color night view, motion detection, two-way audio, and built-in spotlight for $28! The best overall deal on an OLED TV is the LG 77" C5 Series OLED evo AI 4K UHD Smart webOS TV (2025 model) at $1,999.99 at Bestbuy (down from $3,699.99—a $1,700 savings, or 46% off). The LG OLED evo C5 is powered by the next-gen Alpha 9 Gen8 AI Processor —exclusively made for LG OLED—for ultra-realistic picture and sound along with boosted brightness for luminosity and high contrast, even in well-lit rooms. Dolby Vision for extraordinary color, contrast and brightness, plus Dolby Atmos for immersive sound you can feel all around you. FILMMAKER MODE allows you to see films just as the director intended. Packed with gaming features, the LG OLED evo C-Series comes with everything you need to win like a 0.1ms response time, native 120Hz refresh rate, with VRR for PC gaming and four HDMI 2.1 inputs. AWOL Vision LTV-3000 Pro 4K Laser Projector, (I found a better deal at Amazon after we recorded. $2300!!) has a compact ultra-short-throw (UST) model that transforms any wall or table into a massive, vibrant cinema screen without the bulk of a traditional TV setup. Unlike standard projectors that require dark rooms and precise mounting, this one projects up to 150 inches from just inches away, with built-in speakers delivering Dolby Audio and a sleek, furniture-like design that blends into your space. Priced at $2,999 (down from $3,999—a $1,000 savings with discount code obtained at the AWOL site) A killer deal on an AVR is the Denon AVR-X2700H for $680. At this price it would have made our list of best AV receivers for enthusiasts. It has 95W per channel, Dolby Atmos and DTS:X audio formats for up to 5.1.2 setups, Audyssey room calibration. It features 8K/60Hz and 4K/120Hz video passthrough with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR, and HDMI 2.1 connectivity, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and voice control via Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.  The best deal on a no-frills subwoofer that packs a punch is the Klipsch Reference R-121SW ($350 at Walmart regular price $650). 400W peak power, 29-120Hz response, front-firing port for room-filling punch; ideal for movies/gaming. Compact at 16"H x 14"W. Known for it's "chest-thumping" bass without the boominess. Perfect starter upgrade for under $350. The craziest 50-Inch TV Deal we have seen is the Insignia 50" Class F50 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV at $169.99 at Best Buy. Is this a great TV? No but it's shockingly good value with Alexa voice control, built-in Fire TV streaming, and DTS Virtual:X audio for immersive sound without extra speakers. Picture quality is decent for bright rooms. Home Depot has great deals on Nest Thermostats. Some deals are active now and others on Black Friday. We are reading that Home Depot will have the Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) available for $199. It's regularly priced at $279. Check out their site for more BLACK FRIDAY DEALS FROM GOOGLE SMART HOME.

On this week's show we look at alternatives to YouTube TV for sports fans. We also look at AV Receivers for Home Theater Newbies, Enthusiasts, and Fanatics. And like always, we start with your emails and take a look at the week's news. News; Ikea's new low-cost line is a huge win for Matter and your smart home Middle-Aged Viewers Power YouTube Long-Form Content Paramount+ announces next round of price increases YouTube TV Subscribers Increasingly Irate Over Disney Blackout Other: LINOVISION POE Over Coax EOC Converter LINOVISION EOC Transmitter and Camera Outdoor Universal Mount Box NCIS promo Brady Darvin's first tattoo in honor of Morton Darvin to raise money for Veterans Legal Institute Please support Movember and enter to win great prizes from Bright Side Home Theater Movember Raffle — Bright Side Home Theater Best AV Receivers for Newbies, Enthusiasts, and Fanatics It's getting close to Black Friday and you may want to upgrade your home theater system for the Holidays and you are wondering what AVR should I consider.  Well the HT Guys have done the homework for you.  We breakout our picks in the following three categories: Home Theater Newbie (entry-level, under $600—simple setup, basic features), Home Theater Enthusiast (mid-range, $800–$2,000—balanced performance and expandability), and Home Theater Fanatic (high-end, $3,000+—audiophile-grade power and advanced processing). To simplify we stuck with Denon. Although we have used AVRs from Onkyo, Sony, Marantz, Pioneer, and Yamaha in our theaters, we chose Denon because of their reliability, relative price/performance ratio, and excellent room calibration features.  Category Pick Price Channels Power (W/ch)   Home Theater Newbie Denon AVR-S570BT $449 5.2 70   Home Theater Enthusiast Denon AVR-X3800H $1799 9.4 105   Home Theater Fanatic Denon AVR-A1H $7199 15.4 150   Home Theater Newbie: Denon AVR-S570BT If you're new to home theater or upgrading from a soundbar, this AVR keeps things simple but includes the key features. It supports 5.2 channels for basic surround sound and passes 4K video from your set top box or game consoles. Audyssey auto-calibration checks your room and adjusts the sound for you with minimal intervention by you. Users like its clear, balanced audio in small to medium rooms, so movie soundtracks are improved without complicated setup. The Denon AVR-S570BT has an Amazon rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 by over 1600 users. Home Theater Enthusiast: Denon AVR-X3800H Enthusiasts get a great mix of power and features with the X3800H's 9 amplified channels that include support for 5.2.4 Dolby Atmos. The upgraded Audyssey MultEQ XT32 fine-tunes the sound for your room, making bass and dialogue clearer and more powerful. You will notice an improvement over the Newbie System system in clarity and and it has more features including six HDMI 2.1 ports that support 8K and 4K at 120Hz gaming with VRR and ALLM. HEOS lets you stream music wirelessly from services like Spotify. It's also good for music, with support for high-resolution audio. One small downside: it's bulkier than slimmer models. It's ideal for expanding your system without breaking the bank. The Denon AVR-X3800H has an Amazon rating of 4.4 stars out of 5 by almost a 1000 users. Home Theater Fanatic: Denon AVR-A1H Audiophiles and home theater fans will love this top-of-the-line receiver. It handles up to 15.4 channels (powers 15 at once) for big setups like 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos or Auro-3D. It puts out 150 watts per channel with clean, powerful sound, using high-current amps and ESS Sabre DACs for high-res audio up to 24-bit/192kHz. It includes advanced room calibration with optional Dirac Live or Audyssey, plus IMAX Enhanced for movie-theater quality. All seven HDMI inputs support 8K at 60Hz or 4K at 120Hz, and there are analog inputs for turntables. It's overkill for small rooms but will shine in a dedicated theater delivering realistic, immersive sound. Downsides: expensive and uses a lot of power. The Denon AVR-A1H has an Amazon rating of 5 stars out of 5 by 5 users.

On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to November 12, 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two.  

On this week's show we have an essay from one of our listeners on why he wants to stick with his DVR over streaming. We also take a deep dive into Automatic Content Recognition and how to turn it off on your smart TVs. As usual we also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Disney pulls channels from YouTube TV as carriage deal expires DIRECTV now offering the Disney Bundle free to select customers TV Set-Top Box Losing Market Dominance Please support Movember and enter to win great prizes from Bright Side Home Theater Movember Raffle — Bright Side Home Theater Swimming against the Stream - An essay from Jorge Beltran  I know I will sound old and swimming against current, but I would like to go back to my world where we had our cable subscriptions, DVR and Netflix.  Simple, vs having to manage 5-7 subscriptions to watch what we want at a cost we can pay. The proliferation of streaming services is turning out to be a way for content owners to extract more value from customers and significantly increase the amount of work customers have to do to find and track the content we want to watch.  Even sports.  Furthermore, it has backfired to content producers, with less opportunity to monetize content, driving them to look for economies of scale again.  I follow or used to follow La Liga, Premier League Soccer, ski, college football, and formula 1 racing. Back in the day I knew what channel carried all of these sports on my cable line up, would set it to record on my DVR and done.  I could watch it when I wanted and where I wanted since I could access my DVR from anywhere but the plane.  Netflix was just growing and buying "older" content from the major networks and allowed us to binge watch old series we had missed.  Some new exclusive content was coming out and that made paying the 10 - 12 $/mo a good value. Fast forward to today: The best games of Premier League have been taken off the over the air or regular cable channels are now behind a Paramount or someone else's paywall.  Why am I going to pay for access to content that is mostly CBS that I can get over the air?.  Worst of all, you can not skip commercials when you stream this content nowadays.  You can't DVR the content and skip the commercials. I have lost track of who is now airing La Liga, but last time I checked was behind some other streamer.  Fubo has a lot of soccer but is now super expensive too.   Conclusion:  I have stopped following La Liga and Premier League.  My enthusiasm for good Futbol has gone down tremendously.  I turned my eyes to college football and Formula 1.  The worst part is that now I fear the same is going to happen with College Football, moving from free over the air or in basic cable channels to some exclusive need-to-pay streaming service.  You guys praised Formula 1 going to Apple.  I dread it!!! I do not pay for Apple TV(plus or not plus) and I catch Formula 1 over ESPN.   Does it mean I will have to drop ESPN, that gives me other content and add AppleTV?  If I were an NFL fan I would have lost it. Some content is on Amazon, other in the different networks or streamers.  I do not know how much you have to pay to be able to watch the NFL consistently.  Call me old school.  I still have a cable service that gives me the right to HBO, ESPN, Fox, and the likes.  I can watch and record all the related content in Hulu from the major networks. I only keep paying for Netflix that I see as a premium channel (like paying for HBO back in the day).  Rationale - we get a lot of exclusive content there.  I only keep the Disney/Hulu bundle cause it comes free with my wireless bill. And Amazon Prime (now with commercials) free for the shipping.  But I barely watch Primer or Hulu cause I can't stand the commercials! In a world with many streamers, the economies of scale enjoyed by bundling content in cable packages have been lost and thus it costs more per viewer for content owners to create and distribute given the less # of eyeballs.  Yes, it sounds counter intuitive, but that translates into higher bills for consumers, through different bills but when you add it all up, it has to be more expensive, no way around it.  The positive is more content and innovation for sure.  You can definitely find more quality content.  But I foresee more partnerships coming to allow the industry to benefit from economies of scale and be able to distribute the cost of expensive content through more subscribers / viewers.  Or they will have to continue to increase our subscription bills.  I listened to an interview recently with a Hollywood producer detailing how cost efficient they have to be nowadays to be able to turn a profit on content produced given the lower number of ultimate viewers. This is a good thing, do not get me wrong.  But my point is we are coming full circle and a lot of inefficiencies have been introduced in the content value chain and made the experience more time consuming and difficult for viewers in the process.  I think the industry has shot itself on the foot.  Content that used to be free over the air is now behind a paywall and ALSO with commercials.   Apologies from my broken record Long live my DVR! Jorge What is Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)? Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) is built into most smart TVs (Samsung, LG, Vizio, Roku, Fire TV) and silently identifies everything you watch via your smart TV or any attached device via HDMI. It monitors your streaming, cable, and physical media.  It will even identify any ads you watch. It grabs screen samples, sends them online, and feeds data to manufacturers, streamers, and advertisers for recommendations, targeted ads, and ratings.  Usually on by default, it needs the internet to work. Privacy groups like the EFF warn it tracks your habits without clear ongoing notice. How Does ACR Collect Data from Your TV Viewing? ACR operates passively and continuously (or at set intervals) while the TV is on and tuned to a channel or app.  Here's a step-by-step breakdown of the process: Content Sampling: The TV's built-in software periodically "grabs" a short clip or snapshot of the audio, video, or both from what's currently displayed on the screen. This could be every few seconds or minutes, creating a digital "fingerprint" rather than storing full video. For example: Video fingerprinting: Analyzes pixels, colors, or scene changes (similar to how Shazam identifies songs). Audio fingerprinting: Listens for sound patterns in the broadcast. Watermarking: Detects invisible digital markers embedded in content by broadcasters or studios. This sampling works even for non-smart inputs, like cable or gaming consoles, because it captures whatever is output to the screen. Local Processing: The TV processes the sample on-device to generate a compact fingerprint. Raw clips aren't stored long-term on the TV itself—the data is anonymized to protect bandwidth and privacy (though critics argue these can still be re-identified when combined with other data like your location or device ID). Database Matching: The fingerprint is sent to the manufacturer's cloud servers where it's compared against a massive reference database. This database is built by: Monitoring live TV broadcasts in real-time via data centers. Cataloging known content like shows, movies, ads, and even timestamps for commercials. Matches reveal details such as the program title, channel, duration watched, and ad exposures. Data Aggregation and Transmission: Matched data is aggregated with metadata like your TV's IP address, viewing time, and household size. It's then used or shared: Internally for features like "fewer repetitive ads" or recommendations. With third parties like advertisers and Nielsen for ratings and for cross-device targeting which means you'll see the same ad on your phone after TV exposure. The entire process is designed to be invisible and efficient, running without impacting TV performance noticeably. Why Is This Data Collected? Personalization: To suggest shows/movies based on what you've watched. Advertising: Measures ad views for pricing, retargets viewers across devices, and optimizes campaigns. Measurement: Provides device-specific viewership stats, replacing outdated panel-based surveys. TV Manufacturers Using Automatic Content Recognition (ACR) for Data Collection Manufacturer ACR Usage Details How to Disable (General Steps) Samsung Uses built-in ACR on Tizen OS smart TVs to track viewing behavior, including programs, ads, OTT apps, and gaming. Data supports ad retargeting and is used internally for recommendations. Go to Settings > General > System Manager > Samsung Account > Privacy > Viewing Information Services > Toggle off. (10-37 clicks; also opt out via Samsung account online.) LG Integrates ACR on webOS TVs to fingerprint video/audio for viewing history and ad targeting. Captures screenshots every 10 milliseconds in some models. Settings > All Settings > General > System > Additional Settings > Live Plus > Toggle off. (Buried in menus; check privacy controls.) Vizio Owns Inscape, which licenses ACR data from its SmartCast TVs. Historically sold data to third parties; now requires opt-in after 2017 FTC settlement. Settings > Privacy & Security > Smart Home > Viewing Data > Limit Ad Track > Toggle off. (Opt out during setup or later.) Sony Employs ACR on Google TV/Android TV models to collect viewing data for personalization and ads, often via third-party integrations like Samba TV. Settings > Privacy > Automatic Content Recognition > Toggle off. (Varies by model; check Google account privacy if linked.) Roku (powers TVs from TCL, Hisense, Philips, Sharp) "Smart TV Experience" feature uses ACR on Roku OS to track content across linear TV, streaming, and devices. Data shared for ads and measurement. Settings > Privacy > Advertising > Smart TV Experience > Toggle off. (11-24 clicks; not on Roku sticks, only TVs.)  

On this week's show we identify the top IMDB user rated original movies per streamer. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Classic TV props fetch $3.17M Netflix feature lets you decide what happens next, live 'High Potential' Is First 10 p.m. Drama to Hit No. 1 For the Fall Since 'ER' in 1999 Other: Explaining the magic yellow first-down line · The 42 Frndly TV Your Smart TV's HDMI Port Is Spying On You! The Last Frontier Top User Rated Original Movies per Streamer Last week we ran down the top streamer's price histories and at one point I (Ara), said that Amazon really didn't have many movies worth watching but since it came included with Prime shipping who cares. So this week I wanted to see what Amazon Original Movies were available and how they rated on IMDB. This did not include TV series like Reacher, Terminalist, etc. I just wanted to see if there was something I was missing. Then I expanded it to all the streamers we talked about last week and thus we created a list of the highest rated original movies from each streamer as rated by viewers on IMDB. Note the list goes from lowest to highest. Paramount+ Hunger Ward (2020) with a rating of 7.1/10. This short documentary, directed by Skye Fitzgerald, explores the Yemeni Civil War's famine through the work of two female health workers at therapeutic feeding centers for malnourished children. It premiered on Paramount+ in 2021 and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Subject. Hulu Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (2022) with a rating of 7.2/10 based on over 34,000 user votes. Directed by Sophie Hyde and starring Emma Thompson as a widowed retiree exploring her sexuality with a young sex worker (Daryl McCormack), it's a witty and intimate comedy-drama praised for its honest take on aging, desire, and vulnerability. Peacock Psych 3: This Is Gus (2021) with a rating of 7.5/10 based on over 5,500 user votes. This comedy-mystery TV movie, directed by Steve Franks, serves as the third installment in the Psych film series and follows fake psychic detective Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) and his best friend Burton "Gus" Guster (Dulé Hill) as they investigate Gus's bride-to-be's past amid wedding chaos, all while Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) faces career uncertainty. It's praised for its sharp humor, heartfelt moments, and nostalgic callbacks to the original USA Network series. Netflix Marriage Story (2019) with a rating of 7.9/10 (from over 380,000 votes).  Directed by Noah Baumbach, this poignant drama follows a stage director (Adam Driver) and his actress wife (Scarlett Johansson) as they navigate a grueling divorce, exploring the emotional toll on their family and creative lives. It received critical acclaim for its sharp screenplay, authentic performances, and raw depiction of marital breakdown, earning six Oscar nominations including Best Picture. Apple TV+ Wolfwalkers (2020) with a rating of 8.0/10 based on over 43,000 user ratings. This animated fantasy adventure, directed by Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart, follows a young hunter's daughter who befriends a girl from a wolf-shifting tribe in 17th-century Ireland. It stands out for its hand-drawn animation, themes of friendship and freedom, and cultural folklore elements, earning an Oscar nomination for Best Animated Feature. Amazon Prime The Handmaiden (2016) with a rating of 8.1/10 from nearly 195,000 votes. Directed by Park Chan-wook and adapted from Sarah Waters' novel Fingersmith, this erotic psychological thriller is set in 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea. It follows a con artist, a pickpocket disguised as a handmaiden, and a wealthy heiress in a tale of seduction, betrayal, and revenge told across three perspectives. Amazon Studios acquired U.S. distribution rights after its 2016 Cannes premiere, making it an exclusive Prime Video original. Its high rating comes from praise for its intricate plot, stunning visuals, and strong performances by Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, and Ha Jung-woo. For comparison, other top Amazon originals include Manchester by the Sea (7.8/10), Sound of Metal (7.7/10), and The Big Sick (7.5/10).  

On this week's show we look at the streamers and their pricing history. Are they keeping up with inflation or are they seeing how far they can keep raising prices. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Apple TV Revs Up to Compete, For Real, In Streaming 86 Years Ago NBC Made History with First Televised Pro Football Game in 1939 HBO Max raises prices on all plans while WBD reevaluates future Other: Roomie Remote Streaming Price Hikes: A Historical Look Netflix Netflix has raised prices multiple times since launching its streaming service in 2007, with increases tied to content investments and competition. The service now offers four tiers: ad-supported Standard with Ads, Basic (ad-free, one screen), Standard (ad-free, two screens), and Premium (ad-free, four screens, 4K). Below is a summary of U.S. monthly prices for the most popular tiers (Standard and Premium) over time. Year Date Standard Plan Premium Plan Notes 2010 Launch (streaming-only) $7.99 N/A Basic streaming plan introduced. 2011 Feb $7.99 N/A No change. 2014 May $8.99 N/A First major streaming hike. 2015 N/A $9.99 $11.99 Introduction of HD tier. 2017 Oct $10.99 $13.99 Subtle rollout. 2019 Jan $12.99 $15.99 Basic introduced at $8.99 (discontinued 2023). 2020 Oct $13.99 $17.99 Response to content costs. 2022 Jan $15.49 $19.99 Largest hike at the time. 2023 Oct N/A N/A Ads tier launched at $6.99. 2024 Jan $15.49 $22.99 Basic discontinued. 2025 Jan $18.00 $25.00 All plans increased; ads tier to $8.00. Prices are monthly in USD; annual options offer ~17% savings. Current as of October 2025. Note - $8 in 2010 is worth approximately $11.57 in October 2025 Disney+ Launched in 2019 at a competitive $6.99/month, Disney+ has seen nearly annual increases, often bundled with Hulu/ESPN+. It now has two main tiers: ad-supported Basic and ad-free Premium. Prices reflect U.S. monthly rates for standalone Premium (most common). Year Date Basic (Ads) Premium (Ad-Free) Notes 2019 Nov (Launch) N/A $6.99 Single ad-free tier. 2020 N/A N/A $6.99 No change. 2021 Jan N/A $7.99 First hike. 2022 Dec $7.99 $10.99 Ads tier introduced. 2023 Oct $7.99 $13.99 Bundle prices also rose. 2024 Oct $9.99 $15.99 Ads tier up $2. 2025 Oct $12.99 $17.99 All plans up $2–$3; annual Premium $169.99. Annual billing saves ~16% (e.g., Premium $139.99/year in 2024). Bundles start at $9.99/month with Hulu/ESPN+. Note - $7 in 2019 is worth approximately $9 in October 2025 dollars Hulu Hulu, launched in 2007, has fluctuated prices but stabilized post-Disney acquisition (2019). It offers ad-supported, ad-free, and Live TV tiers. Focus here on on-demand plans (most subscribed). Year Date Ad-Supported Ad-Free Notes 2007 Launch $9.99 N/A Early ad-free only. 2010 N/A $7.99 $7.99 Ads tier introduced. 2014 N/A $7.99 $11.99 Ad-free split. Sept 2015 2018 N/A $7.99 $15.99 Live TV at $39.99. 2019 Jan $5.99 $11.99 Promo drop to $5.99 ads. 2021 Oct $6.99 $12.99 $1 increase both. 2022 Oct $7.99 $14.99 $1 hike. 2023 Oct $7.99 $17.99 Ad-free up $3. 2024 N/A $9.99 $18.99 Further increases. 2025 Oct $11.99 $18.99 Ads up $2; bundles up $2–$7. Annual ad-supported: $79.99 (2023) to $119.99 (2025). Live TV starts at $82.99/month. Note - $10 in 2007 is worth approximately $15.19 in October 2025 dollars. Amazon Prime Video Prime Video is bundled with Amazon Prime (shipping/music perks), launched 2006. Standalone option added in 2016. Prices reflect full Prime membership (includes Video); standalone is $8.99/month ad-supported. Year Date Monthly Prime Annual Prime Notes 2005 Launch N/A $79 Video added later. 2007 N/A N/A $79 No change. 2011 N/A N/A $79 Video streaming begins. 2014 N/A N/A $99 First major hike. 2018 N/A $12.99 $119 Monthly option emphasized. 2022 Feb $14.99 $139 Post-pandemic increase. 2024 Jan $14.99 $139 Ads introduced; ad-free +$2.99. 2025 N/A $14.99 $139 No change; standalone $8.99. Prime Video alone: $8.99/month (ads) or $10.99 (ad-free). 200M+ Prime members globally. HBO Max (formerly Max (formerly HBO Max)) Launched 2020 as HBO Max ($14.99 ad-free), rebranded Max in 2023. Frequent hikes focus on premium content. Tiers: Basic (ads), Standard (ad-free, 1080p), Premium (4K). Year Date Basic (Ads) Standard (Ad-Free) Premium (4K Ad-Free) Notes 2020 May (Launch) N/A N/A $14.99 Single ad-free tier. 2021 Jun $9.99 N/A $14.99 Ads tier added. 2023 Jan $9.99 $15.99 $19.99 First hike post-rebrand. 2024 Jun $9.99 $16.99 $20.99 $1 increases. 2025 Oct $10.99 $18.49 $22.99 $1–$2 hikes; annual Premium $229.99. Annual saves ~17% (e.g., Premium $199.99 in 2024). Bundles with Disney+/Hulu at $16.99/month. Note - $15 in 2020 is worth $18.72 in 2025 dollars Paramount+ Evolved from CBS All Access (2014). Rebranded 2021 with tiers: Essential (ads) and Premium (ad-free + Showtime). Sports/live TV drive hikes. Year Date Essential (Ads) Premium (Ad-Free + Showtime) Notes 2014 Oct (CBS All Access) $5.99 $9.99 Launch. 2017 N/A $5.99 $9.99 No major change. 2018 N/A $5.99 $9.99 Stable. 2021 Mar (Rebrand) $4.99 $9.99 Promo Essential. 2023 Aug $5.99 $11.99 $2 Premium hike. 2024 Jun $7.99 $12.99 Essential up $2 for new subs. 2025 N/A $7.99 $12.99 Annual Essential $59.99. Annual saves ~17–20%. Sports bundles (e.g., NFL) add value. Note - $10 in October 2014 is equivalent to approximately $12.65 in October 2025 dollars. Peacock NBCUniversal's Peacock launched in 2020 with a free tier (phased out 2023). Tiers: Premium (ads), Premium Plus (ad-free). Olympics/sports fuel rapid increases. Year Date Premium (Ads) Premium Plus (Ad-Free) Notes 2020 Apr (Launch) $4.99 $9.99 Free tier available. 2021 N/A $4.99 $9.99 No change. 2023 Jul $5.99 $11.99 First hike; free tier ends. 2024 Jul $7.99 $13.99 $2 increases. 2025 Jul $10.99 $16.99 $3 hikes; "Select" tier test at $7.99 (limited content). Annual Premium $109.99 (2025). Discounts for students/military (~$2–$5.99/month). Live sports (NFL/Olympics) key draw. Note - $10 in 2020 is worth $12.48 in today's dollars (October 2025)

On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to October 21st 2023 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, and discus 5G broadcast on how it can change how we interact with your media devices.  

On this week's show we look at some 1960s and 1970s TV shows that received their series finally in a movie at least ten years after going off the air. We also take a look at five home automation trends for this year and beyond. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: MTV is Shutting Down Its Last Music Channels, Marking the End of an Era Taylor Swift Eras Tour docuseries, concert film head to Disney+ Apple TV+ Is Getting Rid Of The Plus 47 Years Ago: Rescue from Gilligan's Island Makes TV History On October 14, 1978, television history was made with the premiere of Rescue from Gilligan's Island, the first-ever TV series adapted into a made-for-TV movie. Airing 47 years ago today, this film brought back the beloved cast of the iconic 1960s sitcom Gilligan's Island, reuniting fans with the stranded castaways for a nostalgic adventure. The movie picked up where the series left off, following the bumbling Gilligan and his fellow survivors as they finally escaped their tropical island—only to face new comedic challenges adjusting to modern life. Starring the original cast, including Bob Denver as Gilligan and Alan Hale Jr. as the Skipper, the film captured the charm and humor that made the show a cultural staple. This groundbreaking adaptation paved the way for future TV-to-movie transitions, proving that beloved series could find new life on the small screen. Rescue from Gilligan's Island remains a milestone in TV history, reminding us of the enduring appeal of these lovable castaways. Here are a few other series that got a series finale years after it's TV run ended: Star Trek (ended in 1969) - Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979) – Relaunched the crew on a new mission, effectively serving as a big-screen continuation and soft finale to the original era's story. Get Smart (ended 1970) -  The Nude Bomb (1980) – Maxwell Smart returns for a solo mission against a mad bomber, providing a comedic capstone to his career. The Munsters (ended 1966) - Munsters' Revenge (1981 TV movie) – The family thwarts a crime ring, reuniting the original cast for a proper send-off. The Adams Family (ended 1966) - Halloween with the New Addams Family (1977 TV movie) – A reunion special where Gomez and Morticia host a haunted party, offering light-hearted closure. Five Smart Home Trends for 2025 and Beyond According to the National Association of Home Builders, two-thirds of consumers desire a connected home. Smart home technology is increasingly impacting property value while homes without such features may soon be worth less. At the annual CEDIA smart home technology expo in Denver, professionals like Kyle Steele, president of Global Wave Integration, and interior designer Toni Sabatino emphasized the importance of staying updated on smart home innovations. They both highlight insights from CEDIA and recent research, offering ideas for your smart home. Today we take a look at the five trends they see for 2025 and beyond. Increasing Seamless IntegrationFor the aesthetics committee, Smart home tech is evolving to blend invisibly into home aesthetics, with slimmer designs, refined finishes, and hidden features in shading, lighting, audio, and furnishings. This shift turns gadgets into design elements, like concealed speakers or artful LED walls, prioritizing user experience over visibility. But underneath it all, seamless integration will enable devices from various brands, such as lights, thermostats, cameras, and voice assistants, to work together as a unified system. This allows unified control via a single app or voice command, intuitive automation based on triggers and a smooth user experience with minimal setup, no delays, and reliable performance. New devices will integrate easily, and a robust network like Wi-Fi 6 supports the ecosystem, enabling complex routines regardless of device brands. Partnering ExpandsCollaborations between tech integrators and designers are growing to make solutions more accessible, especially for non-tech-savvy users like older homeowners. Designers act as bridges, explaining privacy-focused systems, while expos highlight products for storage, entertainment, and monitoring to enhance client value. Wellness TrendingHealth and wellness features are becoming mainstream, including circadian lighting, air/water purification, biophilic elements, and acoustic treatments. These systems promote energy-efficient, livable spaces aligned with natural rhythms, which may be a selling point for those focused on healthier home environments. Products such as smart scales, sleep analyzers, and blood pressure monitors will seamlessly integrate with home automation platforms enabling automations like adjusting room lighting based on sleep patterns detected by sleep sensors or dimming lights if weight trends indicate fatigue. Similarly,  on-demand ECG readings through their mobile app can connect to the automation system to send notifications to family members, doctors and in extreme cases to first responders creating a proactive smart home that responds to vital health data in real time. SecuritySecurity remains a top priority, driving demand for video doorbells, whole-house systems, and cybersecurity measures amid hacking risks. Industry reports project strong growth in global smart home security, urging professionals to educate homeowners on secure setups like strong passwords. Multi-TaskingProducts now multitask across needs like security, comfort, entertainment, and energy savings like smart shading for automated vacation modes or TVs that double as art displays like Samsung's The Frame. Emerging "smart surfaces," such as charging countertops, reflect this versatile, lifestyle-fitting approach.

On this week's show we recommend five 55" TVs for less than $500 that will give you the best bang for your buck! We also read your emails and take a look at some of the week's news. News: Anker opens pre-orders for its Nebula X1 Pro projector system Amazon unveils a new Fire TV lineup, including the $40 Fire TV Stick 4K Select TiVo Exiting Legacy DVR Business Walmart's Onn 4K Pro Google TV Streaming Device is On Sale At Its Lowest Price Ever Other: DIY Surround Sound... USING LASERS! Signal GH Highly Rated 55 Inch TVs Under $500  This week we scoured the Internet for best bang for the buck TVs that would work in a typical family room. For this criteria we landed on 55" as it is, in our opinion, the Goldilocks size. We read reviews from sites like RTINGS, CNET, Tom's Guide, and What Hi-Fi? To select five models that have something for everyone. All the TVs are 4K smart TVs with good picture quality, HDR support, and gaming features.  All Models Available at Amazon Here's a comparison of the top-rated options: TCL QM6K (QLED Mini-LED)  55-inch ~$445 at Amazon   CNET: 8.6 out of 10 RTINGS: 7.1 out of 10 overall  Tom's Guide: 4 out 5 144Hz refresh rate, local dimming for deep blacks, Google TV OS, VRR/AMD FreeSync for gaming, Dolby Vision HDR. Best all-around budget TV; excels in brightness, color vibrancy, and motion handling for movies/gaming—rivals pricier models without blooming issues. Hisense QD7QF (QLED)  55-inch ~$350 at Amazon   CNET: 8 out of 10  RTINGS: 6.8/10 Full-array local dimming, 144Hz VRR, Dolby Vision/Atmos, Google TV, twice the brightness of most budget rivals. Unmatched contrast and immersion for the price; ideal for dark-room viewing and gaming, with solid upscaling for streaming. Roku Plus Series (QLED Mini-LED) 55-inch $400 at Amazon Tom's Guide: 4 out of 5 WIRED: Best Smart TV  Mini-LED backlight, quantum dots for color pop, Roku OS (simple streaming), HDR10+, 60Hz with low lag.  Easiest interface for casual users; great value for vibrant colors and decent blacks—perfect for bright rooms and Roku fans. Hisense U6K (Mini-LED) 55-inch ~450 at Amazon  RTINGS: 7.4 out of 10|  Tom's Guide: 4.5 out of 5 Quantum dots, local dimming, 60Hz Game Mode, VIDAA OS, Dolby Vision, Affordable entry to Mini-LED tech; strong HDR performance and shadow detail—beats basic LEDs in contrast without extras. Amazon Fire TV Omni QLED 55-inch $410 at Amazon What Hi-Fi?: 4 out of 5;  RTINGS: 7.6 out of 10  Local dimming, Alexa voice control, Fire TV OS, Dolby Vision, wide color gamut | Balanced for smart home integration; solid contrast and app ecosystem—best for Amazon Prime users wanting a compact, feature-rich set.

On this week's show we take a look at the Longevity Burn-In Test Results From 100 TVs that RTINGS.com has been tracking for the last two years. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: I spent three months with Telly, the free TV that's always showing ads Ring announces 4K doorbell with Alexa+ AI greetings and new Search Party feature for pets 33 Years Ago Today Cartoon Network Premieres: A Milestone in Animation History NBCUniversal Shuts Down Its Cable Network Apps on Roku TVs & Roku Players To Promote Peacock Other: Is Google TV's New Interface Better? Full Redesign Review Sports on TV Today: Where to Watch or Stream Games - Sports Media Watch Longevity Burn-In Test Updates And Results From 100 TVs RTINGS.com has been conducting an accelerated longevity test for over two years. We've covered it periodically but haven't provided an update recently. In today's show, we'll summarize the key findings and discuss their implications for consumers. 1. Introduction to the Test Methodology and Purpose RTINGS.com conducts an extensive longevity and burn-in test on over 100 TVs to assess their durability under real-world usage conditions. The purpose is to evaluate how modern displays, particularly OLED and LED models, hold up over time, focusing on issues like image retention and permanent burn-in that can degrade picture quality. The methodology involves running TVs for thousands of hours in a simulated accelerated aging scenario, including static content like CNN tickers, sports scores, and video games to mimic common usage patterns that risk burn-in. Tests are performed in a controlled environment at 50% brightness (except for high-end OLEDs at 100% for stress testing), with periodic photo documentation and measurements of uniformity, color accuracy, and brightness retention. This ongoing project, started in 2019, aims to provide data-driven insights into TV lifespan beyond short-term reviews. 2. Key Results and Findings The test has yielded detailed observations on burn-in susceptibility across various TV brands and panel types, with over 18,000 hours of cumulative runtime as of the latest update. Here's an expanded breakdown: OLED Performance and Burn-In Incidence: OLED TVs, known for perfect blacks but vulnerable to burn-in from static elements, showed mixed results. The LG C8 (2018 model) exhibited permanent burn-in after just 8,850 hours, with visible CNN ticker ghosts in dark scenes, marking it as one of the earliest failures. In contrast, the LG G4 (2024) and Sony A95L (2023) QD-OLEDs remained burn-in free after 5,000+ hours, though minor temporary image retention appeared in high-stress tests. The Samsung S95B QD-OLED burned in after 9,000 hours, displaying HUD elements from racing games, while the LG G2 showed no permanent damage after 14,000 hours but had noticeable retention. LED and Mini-LED Durability: LED TVs generally fared better against burn-in. The TCL QM8 QLED (2023) and Hisense U8/U8N (2024) showed no burn-in after 5,000–7,000 hours, with only temporary retention in extreme cases. However, the Samsung QN90A (2021) developed subtle uniformity issues after 10,000 hours, but no true burn-in. Budget LEDs like the Hisense A6G lasted without issues up to 12,000 hours. Brightness and Color Degradation: Across all panels, brightness dropped by 20–50% over 10,000+ hours; for example, the LG CX lost 40% peak brightness. Color accuracy shifted slightly, with OLEDs maintaining better DeltaE scores (<3) than LEDs. Uniformity worsened in 30% of samples, often due to banding rather than burn-in. Comparisons and Trends: Newer panels (2023–2024) with features like pixel shifting and logo dimming delayed burn-in significantly compared to 2018–2020 models. QD-OLEDs outperformed traditional WOLED in color retention but were equally prone to gaming HUD burn-in. Data suggests burn-in is rare under 5,000 hours of mixed use but accelerates with 8+ hours daily of static content. Full dataset includes 42 models, with photos of affected screens available for visual evidence. These findings highlight that while burn-in is a real risk for OLEDs in heavy static-use scenarios, modern mitigations make it less common, and LEDs offer superior longevity for budget-conscious users. 3. Implications for Users and Recommendations The results underscore that burn-in risk is manageable with mindful usage, particularly for OLED owners who should enable features like screen savers and vary content. For gamers or news watchers, LEDs or Mini-LEDs are safer long-term choices, potentially lasting 5–7 years without degradation. RTINGS recommends against leaving static images on for extended periods and suggests annual uniformity checks. Overall, the test empowers buyers to weigh picture quality against durability, noting that most TVs retain 80%+ performance after 3 years of average use. 4. Updates or Ongoing Aspects of the Test As of September 2024, the test continues with new 2024 models like the Samsung S90D and LG C4 added to the lineup, now totaling 108 TVs. RTINGS plans quarterly photo updates and full reports every six months, with runtime projected to hit 30,000 hours by 2026. Community input on real-world failures is encouraged, and the raw data spreadsheet is publicly available for deeper analysis. Future expansions may include 8K TVs and accelerated heat/humidity simulations.  

On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to September 30th 2011 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, and review an HDMI over ethernet extender.