HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

• Podcast #1218: US Network TV Fall Premiers

  On this week’s show we run down the US network premier dates and shows for the 2025-2026 TV season. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Dolby Atmos FlexConnect Lets You Place Speakers Anywhere The FCC Will Allow ABC, CBS, FOX, & NBC TV Stations to Shutdown Free ATSC 1.0 & Switch to ATSC 3.0 Only Samsung Adding Free Year of ESPN Unlimited Streaming With Select 2025 TV Purchases 2025/2026 US Network TV Fall Premiers ABC Mon, Sept 8 8:00 PM: Monday Night Football (Vikings-Bears) Tue, Sept 16 8:00 PM: Dancing With the Stars Season 34  10:00 PM: High Potential Season 2 Wed, Sept 24 8:00 PM: The Golden Bachelor Season 2 (two hours)  10:00 PM: Shark Tank Season 17 Fri, Sept 26 8 pm Celebrity Wheel of Fortune Season 6 (ABC) 9 pm 20/20 Season 48 (ABC) Sun, Sept 28 7:00 PM: America’s Funniest Home Videos Season 36  8:00 PM: The Wonderful World of Disney (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Wed, Oct 1 8:00 PM: Shifting Gears Season 2  8:30 PM: Abbott Elementary Season 5  9:00 PM: The Golden Bachelor (regular time slot premiere) Thu, Oct 9 8:00 PM: 9-1-1 Season 9  9:00 PM: 9-1-1: Nashville - In Tennessee, dedicated emergency responders balance their high-stakes careers with the drama of a powerful local dynasty, where personal lives and professional duties collide. 10:00 PM: Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 CBS Wed, Sept 24 8:00 PM: Survivor Season 49 (two hours) Thu, Sept 25 9:00 PM: The Amazing Race Season 38 (90 minutes) Sun, Sept 28 7:30 PM: 60 Minutes Season 58  8:30 PM: Big Brother Season 27 finale (two hours) Wed, Oct 1 9:30 PM: The Amazing Race (regular time slot premiere) Sun, Oct 12 8:30 PM: Matlock Season 2 (special night)  9:30 PM: Elsbeth Season 3 (special night) Mon, Oct 13 8:00 PM: The Neighborhood final season  8:30 PM: DMV -  Follows a workplace comedy set in the dreaded DMV office, following quirky minimum-wage employees who make the best of dealing with annoyed customers, finding solace in each other's company. 9:00 PM: FBI Season 8  10:00 PM: Watson Season 2 Tue, Oct 14 8:00 PM: NCIS Season 23  9:00 PM: NCIS: Origins Season 2  10:00 PM: NCIS: Sydney Season 3 Thu, Oct 16 8:00 PM: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage Season 2  8:30 PM: Ghosts Season 5  9:00 PM: Matlock (regular time slot premiere)  10:00 PM: Elsbeth (regular time slot premiere) Fri, Oct 17 8:00 PM: Fire Country Season 4 (special time)  9:00 PM: Sheriff Country (special time) - Mickey Fox investigates criminal activity and patrols the streets of small-town Edgewater while contending with her ex-con father and a mysterious incident involving her wayward daughter. 10:00 PM: Boston Blue - Danny Reagan joins Boston PD from NYPD and partners with Detective Lena Peters, the oldest daughter of a notable Boston law enforcement family. Sun, Oct 19 8:00 PM: Tracker Season 3  9:00 PM: The Road - In a dangerous post-apocalyptic world, an ailing father defends his son as they slowly travel to the sea. Fri, Oct 24 8:00 PM: Sheriff Country (regular time slot premiere)  9:00 PM: Fire Country (regular time slot premiere) Fox Mon, Sept 15 8:00 PM: Celebrity Name That Tune Season 5  9:00 PM: Celebrity Weakest Link Tue, Sept 23 8:00 PM: Murder in a Small Town Season 2  9:00 PM: Doc Season 2 Wed, Sept 24 8:00 PM: The Floor Season 4  9:00 PM: 99 to Beat - 100 players compete in unique, funny games. Last-place finishers get eliminated each round. Don't finish last to stay in. Last contestant standing wins $100,000. Thu, Sept 25 8:00 PM: Hell’s Kitchen Season 24  9:00 PM: Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test Season 4 Sun, Sept 28 8:00 PM: The Simpsons Season 37  8:30 PM: Universal Basic Guys Season 2  9:00 PM: Krapopolis Season 3  9:30 PM: Bob’s Burgers Season 16 NBC Sun, Sept 7 7:00 PM: Football Night in America 8:20 PM: Sunday Night Football Mon, Sept 22 8:00 PM: The Voice Season 28  10:00 PM: Brilliant Minds Season 2 Tue, Sept 23 8:00 PM: The Voice (Tuesday edition) Thu, Sept 25 8:00 PM: Law & Order Season 25  9:00 PM: Law & Order: SVU Season 27  10:00 PM: Law & Order: Organized Crime Season 5 Fri, Sept 26 9:00 PM: Dateline NBC Season 35 Wed, Oct 1 8:00 PM: Chicago Med Season 11  9:00 PM: Chicago Fire Season 14  10:00 PM: Chicago P.D. Season 13 Sat, Oct 4 11:30 PM: Saturday Night Live Season 51 Mon, Nov 3 8:00 PM: St. Denis Medical Season 2  8:30 PM: St. Denis Medical Fri, Nov 7 8:00 PM: Happy’s Place Season 2  8:30 PM: Happy’s Place The CW Wed, Sept 24 8:00 PM: Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent (Stateside premiere) HELD FOR MIDSEASON ABC - American Idol, The Bachelor, Celebrity Jeopardy!, The Rookie, Scrubs, Will Trent CBS - AMERICA’S CULINARY CUP, CIA, HARLAN COBEN’S FINAL TWIST, Hollywood Squares, Y: MARSHALS, The Price Is Right at Night FOX - American Dad!, Animal Control, Beat Shazam, BEST MEDICINE, Don’t Forget the Lyrics!, Extracted, THE FAITHFUL, Family Guy, FEAR FACTOR: THE NEXT CHAPTER, Going Dutch, Grimsburg, Kitchen Nightmares, The Masked Singer, MEMORY OF A KILLER, NEXT LEVEL BAKER (4-episode holiday spinoff), Next Level Chef NBC - THE FALL AND RISE OF REGGIE DINKINS, The Hunting Party, STUMBLE, SURVIVING EARTH (eight-episode event series), The Wall THE CW - TBA 

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• Podcast #1217: The DVR is Dead

  On this week’s show we take some time off but still give you a great show. In addition to reading your emails and the news, we do a post mortem on the DVR.  News:  Netflix unveils the future of streaming with a massive new approach Dolby Vision 2 Is Coming Netflix launches new feature letting customers clip top scenes Other: Bendable Screens TV Tracker: Renewed and Canceled Shows The DVR is Dead We did a show back in 2009 where we highlighted an article that discussed the end of the DVR era. We added our thoughts on the subject and I did an analysis of what it would cost to just buy the shows I watched vs recording them on the DVR. Streaming services were just coming on the scene and we had no idea what was coming down the road.  In this episode I go back and discuss what we said back then and how it actually turned out. As always thanks for listening to and supporting our podcast.

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• Podcast #1216: TV Brightness Isn't Everything

  On this week’s show we look at an article from What Hi-Fi titled “I just tested one of 2025's best small OLEDs – and it proves most companies are focusing on the wrong thing”. And that thing is brightness. We look at what would make a perfect TV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Major TV streaming service abruptly hikes prices 33% Everything you need to know about new ESPN streamer You Don't Actually Own That Movie You Just “Bought.” Brightness Isn't Everything We saw an article over at What Hi-Fi titled “I just tested one of 2025's best small OLEDs – and it proves most companies are focusing on the wrong thing” and thought there is a lot of truth to what the author is saying. So today will expand on this article with the HT Guys take.  The author argues that TV manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Sony focus too much on making OLED TVs brighter to compete with Mini LED sets. After testing 2025’s top small OLED TVs, he believes brightness isn’t the key to a great viewing experience. Instead, authenticity, color accuracy, and balanced performance are more important for delivering a cinematic experience true to the director’s vision. Here are six takeaways from the article: The Brightness Obsession: A Misguided Priority? The What Hi-Fi? article criticizes the TV industry's focus on maximizing brightness, which can harm picture quality. In tests comparing 48-inch OLEDs (LG C5, Samsung S90F, Panasonic Z90B), brighter screens often lost subtle details and immersion. For instance, in Dune: Part Two's desert scene, an overly bright TV turned nuanced red and orange dune shades into stark white, flattening the image. OLED TVs were historically dimmer than LED TVs, but new tech like Micro Lens Array and QD-OLED has boosted their brightness to 2000-3000 nits, closing the gap. However, the focus on brightness often overshadows OLED’s strengths—precise light control, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. The What Hi-Fi? review notes that manufacturers prioritize specs over overall picture quality, while the Panasonic Z90B shows a better balance. The Panasonic Z90B: A Lesson in Balance The 48-inch Panasonic Z90B excels in cinematic authenticity, prioritizing accurate colors and contrast over exaggerated brightness. In Civil War, it delivers precise highlights in dark scenes, and in Oppenheimer, it maintains natural skin tones and subtle details in low light, outperforming competitors that lose color depth. Panasonic’s approach aligns with what serious movie fans crave: a picture that immerses you in the story, not one that distracts with exaggerated brightness. The Z90B’s ability to retain detail in both bright and dark scenes, like the sparkling desert dunes or the intricate chandelier in a White House scene, shows that controlled brightness—used only where needed—creates a more three-dimensional, authentic image. This echoes sentiments from TechRadar, which praises Panasonic’s focus on “filmmaker-approved” accuracy over flashy specs, a philosophy rooted in the brand’s collaboration with Hollywood colorists to tune its TVs for true-to-life visuals. The Small OLED Advantage: Why Size Matters Small OLEDs, like the 48-inch models tested, are often overlooked in a market obsessed with supersized screens. Yet, as What Hi-Fi? notes, these TVs are “severely underrated” for their versatility. They’re ideal for space-constrained homes, secondary rooms like bedrooms, or even as high-end gaming monitors thanks to their dense pixel structure, which delivers sharper images. The LG C5, for instance, boasts four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting 4K/144Hz gaming, making it a powerhouse for both movies and interactive entertainment. However, small OLEDs face unique challenges. Their denser pixel layouts generate more heat, which can limit brightness and risk burn-in if not managed properly. What Hi-Fi? suggests that adding heatsinks, as seen in some larger models, could unlock more brightness headroom for 42- and 48-inch sets without sacrificing quality. This could make small OLEDs even more competitive, offering flagship-level performance in compact packages. The Audio Achilles’ Heel One glaring flaw across all tested OLEDs—LG C5, Samsung S90F, and even the Z90B—is their underwhelming built-in audio. The LG C5’s 2.2-channel 40W speakers sounded flat and centralized, while the Samsung S90F’s 2.1.2 60W system lacked power, allowing testers to hold conversations at max volume. What Hi-Fi? is blunt: for a true home cinema experience, a separate soundsystem is non-negotiable. We have been saying this for a number of years now, TVs, especially smaller ones, prioritize aesthetics over speaker space. What Manufacturers Should Learn The author tested 2025 OLED TVs and found that brightness isn't everything. LG and Samsung make great TVs like the C5 and S90F, but Panasonic's Z90B stands out by using brightness carefully to improve contrast and depth. Panasonic's Z95B flagship prioritizes performance over a super-slim design, a choice the author supports.  Afterall, a three-inch-thick TV is still about 90% thinner than our first rear projection HDTVs of the same screen size. What Hi-Fi? emphasizes that 48-inch models like the Z90B and C5 are “Goldilocks” options—cinematic yet practical for most homes. Manufacturers should invest in optimizing these sizes, incorporating technologies like heatsinks to boost performance and addressing audio shortcomings with better built-in solutions or seamless soundbar integration. The Future of OLED: A Balanced Approach Looking ahead, the TV landscape is evolving. Emerging technologies like PHOLED and “true” QLED promise even brighter, more vibrant displays without the burn-in risks of traditional OLEDs. But brightness alone won’t win over cinephiles. The future of TVs lies in balancing these advancements with authenticity, ensuring that MicroLED or next-gen OLED panels prioritize cinematic immersion over raw specs. For now, the Panasonic Z90B sets a high bar. Its “as the director intended” philosophy proves that a TV doesn’t need to be the brightest to be the best. If manufacturers shift their focus to color accuracy, controlled contrast, and practical features like better audio and small-screen optimization, they’ll deliver what viewers truly want: a window into the filmmaker’s vision, not a spotlight that blinds it.

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• Podcast #1215: What Happened to DLNA Technology?

  On this week’s show ask the question: “What Happened to DLNA Technology” We also read your emails and the week’s news. Also, say hi to Evelyne, our virtual news reader. News: Plex warns users to update systems immediately after detecting worrying security issue Samsung’s $30K Micro RGB TV Is Here Sling TV launches single day, weekend, week-long pass options Apple’s new ‘Charismatic’ smart home OS is getting set to take on Alexa and Google What Happened to DLNA Technology?  DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology, once a popular standard for sharing media like photos, videos, and music between devices on a home network, has largely faded from prominence.  Here's a concise overview of what happened: Peak Popularity (2000s–Early 2010s): DLNA, introduced in 2003, enabled seamless media streaming between certified devices like TVs, computers, smartphones, and gaming consoles. It was widely adopted by manufacturers (e.g., Sony, Samsung, LG) and supported by software like Windows Media Player. By 2010, millions of devices were DLNA-certified, with a focus on interoperability and ease of use. Decline in Relevance: Rise of Proprietary Ecosystems: By the mid-2010s, companies like Apple (AirPlay), Google (Chromecast), and Amazon (Fire devices) pushed proprietary streaming protocols that integrated tightly with their ecosystems, offering smoother user experiences and cloud-based features DLNA lacked. Complexity and Inconsistency: DLNA's interoperability was hampered by inconsistent implementation across devices. Some devices supported only specific file formats or had clunky interfaces, frustrating users. Shift to Cloud and Apps: The rise of streaming services like Netflix, Spotify, and YouTube shifted media consumption to app-based, cloud-driven platforms. DLNA's focus on local network sharing became less relevant as users prioritized internet-based content. Emerging Standards: Technologies like Miracast, Wi-Fi Direct, and Bluetooth offered simpler or more versatile alternatives for device-to-device connectivity, further eroding DLNA's niche. DLNA's End (2017): The DLNA organization officially dissolved in 2017, ending certification and development. While some devices and software (e.g., Plex, VLC) still support DLNA for backward compatibility, it’s no longer a focal point for manufacturers or consumers. Current Status: DLNA remains functional on older devices, but it’s largely been supplanted by modern protocols and platforms. For example, smart TVs now rely on app ecosystems or protocols like Google Cast. Some enthusiasts still use DLNA for local media servers, but it’s a niche use case. From our archives (June 2012) What's missing? So if you've tried any of the DLNA servers out there, you've probably seen how bare they are.  With so many consumer electronics devices supporting DLNA playback, it seems a really good DLNA server would sell like hotcakes.  Here's what we think the perfect DLNA server would do. Support Transcoding.  Some DLNA Servers support transcoding, but not all of them.  Transcoding allows the server to change the format of the video your watching or song you're listening to to something that the player can actually play back.  Otherwise you'll get a bunch of failures trying to play back stuff like DivX and Xvid. Support Cover Art.  Most DLNA servers will just grab a video frame out of a movie file and display it as a thumbnail.  Why not replace that with the actual cover of the movie?  They're easy to find online.  It might take a little more setup up front to get all the covers downloaded and in the right place, but it would be worth it. Categorize videos.  A few of the servers support a limited amount of categorization for video files, but what you'd really like to do is tag a movie with a genre, a year, rating, actors, director, producer, etc. and use any of those pieces of information to find the right movie. Built-in DVD backup.  Consumers want a way to backup their movies.  DVDs don't last forever.  Allow a user to create a backup copy of their DVD on a hard drive.  Of course they'll also be able to watch it from any network connected DLNA player, but that's just a slight benefit of the nifty backup feature.  Of course, if you could then provide the built-in... Connection to IMDB.  Allow users to automatically populate cover art and meta data info by selecting the correct movie from an online database like IMDB.  This would greatly simplify the chore of adding movies to a video library.  While this tends to be a one-time event (once per movie at least), it can be painful and tends to wear on you after a while. Support online sources.  Right now PlayOn is the only server we've found that supports online video sources.  It, however, doesn't support local sources.  It looks like that functionality will be coming soon, but the two ideas need to merge for a really great product.  

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• Podcast #1214: LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellite Internet

  On this week’s show we take a look at the pros and cons of Low Earth Orbiting Satellites and ask if competition from them could lower your Internet bills. One of our listeners does a good analysis of what it would cost cordcutters to watch every NFL and most College football games. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Hulu App to Be Phased Out as Disney Is ‘Fully Integrating’ Service Into Disney+ Fubo drops 100,000 subscribers in Q2 HBO Max to enforce password-sharing crackdown in Sept.  Fubo readying sports-only plan for 2025 season Amazon Launches 24 Satellites Aboard SpaceX Rocket to Build Its Home Internet Service Other: dbx 510 Subharmonic Synthesizer for Creating Amazing Deep Bass in Your Home Theater LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellite Internet On a recent show we talked about High Speed internet eliminating the need for over the air broadcasting. However we understand that not everyone has access to high speed internet. We mentioned Low Earth Obiting (LEO) satellites as an option. With the news that Amazon has begun putting it's network together, we decided to look at the pros and cons of this type of Internet delivery. LEO satellite internet, like Starlink and the upcoming Amazon Project Kuiper, offers several advantages over traditional satellite based internet. Here's a comparison of the benefits: Benefits of LEO-Based Internet Lower Latency: LEO satellites orbit at 200-2,000 km, much closer than geostationary satellites (35,786 km). This reduces round-trip data travel time, resulting in latency of 20-50 ms compared to 600+ ms for geostationary systems. Benefit: Faster response times for gaming, video calls, and real-time applications, closer to terrestrial fiber (10-30 ms). Global Coverage: LEO constellations, with thousands of satellites, provide internet to remote and rural areas where terrestrial infrastructure (fiber, DSL) is unavailable or costly to deploy. Benefit: Connects underserved regions, ships, planes, and isolated locations. Higher Speeds: LEO systems can deliver download speeds of 100-400 Mbps (with potential for more as technology improves) and upload speeds of 10-40 Mbps, rivaling or exceeding many terrestrial broadband connections. Benefit: Supports streaming, large downloads, and multiple users simultaneously. Scalability: LEO constellations can add more satellites to increase capacity and coverage, adapting to demand more flexibly than laying new cables or building cell towers. Benefit: Easier to expand and improve network performance over time. Resilience: Distributed satellite networks are less vulnerable to single points of failure (e.g., damaged cables or local outages) compared to terrestrial infrastructure. Benefit: More reliable in disaster-prone areas or during natural events. Portability: LEO user terminals (e.g., Starlink dishes) are compact and can be set up anywhere with a clear sky view, enabling mobile or temporary use. Benefit: Ideal for travelers, RVs, or temporary sites like construction zones. Limitations of LEO Internet Compared to Traditional Internet: Cost: LEO internet often requires expensive user equipment (e.g., $300-$600 for a Starlink dish) and monthly subscriptions ($50-$150, depending on region/plan). Traditional internet typically has lower upfront costs (e.g., modem/router) and competitive pricing in urban areas. Weather Sensitivity: LEO signals can be affected by heavy rain, snow, or dense cloud cover, though less severely than geostationary systems. Traditional fiber or cable is generally immune to weather-related disruptions. Network Congestion:  In high-density areas, LEO systems may experience reduced speeds if too many users connect to the same satellite or ground station. Traditional broadband, especially fiber, often handles high user density better in urban settings. Line-of-Sight Requirement: LEO terminals need a clear view of the sky, which can be challenging in dense urban areas or locations with tall trees/buildings. Traditional internet (e.g., cable, fiber) doesn’t require line-of-sight. Data Caps and Throttling: Some LEO providers impose data caps or throttle speeds during peak usage, whereas many traditional ISPs offer unlimited plans in urban areas. Benefit to traditional: More predictable performance for heavy users. Summary LEO-based internet excels in global reach, low latency, and flexibility, making it a game-changer for remote areas, mobility, and disaster resilience. However, traditional internet (fiber, cable, DSL) often provides lower costs, higher reliability, and better performance in urban areas with established infrastructure. The choice depends on location, use case, and budget, at least for now.

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