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Vizio's rotating Dolby Atmos soundbar is now available for $1,000
The $1,000 Elevate Sound Bar first emerged at CES this year.
Sony's Crystal cinema display supports 16K, but could cost millions
Sony recently unveiled its Crystal LED screen for cinema exhibitors, but it has now announced that the tech will be available to consumers, as well. It will be selling the screens through specially trained and certified dealers in sizes up to 63 feet wide at 16K resolution, but unless you're a one-percenter, you probably won't be able to afford it.
Plex’s new desktop app packs a fresh look, streamlined downloads
Plex has a brand new app for Windows and Mac that offers a streamlined way to download the things you want to watch and listen to offline. The feature was previously called Sync, but it's now called Downloads -- a much clearer term. Your downloads should start faster and with a single click, while Plex'll offer clearer feedback on your download progress. However, the server owner still needs a Plex Pass to enable offline media access. This simpler, more reliable mechanism (as Plex describes it) should make its way to the service's mobile apps in the future.
A look inside Dolby Vision and Atmos at CES
It's hard to believe, but we've only been talking about Dolby's Vision and Atmos tech for a few years. Now they're not only inside most of the TV and home theater devices we discuss, but also connect experiences across game consoles, headphones and even laptops. We took a quick trip to the company's CES booth to see how it's grown in the last year and where it might be going. Innovative uses of its HDR technology in Alfonso Cuaron's Roma and spatial audio applied to gaming experiences like Tomb Raider provide a pretty good hint.
TCL's first soundbars ship this spring
TCL is getting into the soundbar game -- no, for real this time! Last year, the company announced the TCL Roku Smart Soundbar, the first product in a new line of Alto-branded audio hardware. The problem? That soundbar never actually shipped. We're not sure what happened, but it hasn't stopped TCL from pursuing its home speaker aspirations. Today, the company has unveiled two new soundbars: the Alto 5 and 7. The former is 31.5 inches wide and designed for 43-inch or larger TVs. The latter, meanwhile, is 36 inches long and meant for 55-inch or higher panels.
Vizio works on making its 4K TVs even better in 2019
While many other manufacturers chase new technology with 8K and HDMI 2.1, Vizio is enhancing its 4K TV lineup, starting from the lower-priced V series all the way up to its top-of-the-line P-Series Quantum X. The V series steps in where Vizio's E line of TVs used to reside, with smart TV features, Dolby Vision HDR and up to 16 zones of local dimming, with models ranging from 40- to 75-inches.
The best home theater gifts
There's a good chance you know someone who could use a home theater upgrade. Their TV doesn't support the latest streaming services, and the audio quality from the set's built-in speakers could be charitably described as "modest." Thankfully, you can help them modernize their living room with our holiday gift guide. Could your lucky recipient use a media player? We've got you covered, whether it's the affordable Roku Premiere+ or the pricey-but-powerful Apple TV 4K. And if you're determined to improve their listening experience, you don't just have to get them a basic soundbar -- the Sonos Beam gives them a TV audio upgrade and a smart speaker in one device. Whatever you choose, they're bound to thank you on movie night.
Dolby’s Dimension headphones bring home theater sound to your ears
For more than 50 years, Dolby's brand has been synonymous with top-of-the-line audio (and visual) quality. Its innovations in the space, including recent technologies like the Atmos immersive sound, can be experienced in movie theaters and living rooms around the globe. But Dolby has become a household name without actually building its own consumer products. It's always worked with third-party manufacturers on the hardware used to deliver its tech to your ears. That changes, though, with the introduction of Dolby Dimension. They're a pair of over-ear wireless headphones designed with a particular set of people in mind: video-streaming binge watchers.
Vizio's Dolby Atmos home theater speakers arrive starting at $500
You have to pay if you want room-shaking Dolby Atmos vertical surround sound, even if you're looking at value brands. Vizio has revealed pricing and availability for its upward-firing home theater systems, and the cheapest is the $500, 36-inch 5.1.2 home theater system. The 46-inch 3.1.2 and 5.1.4 models, meanwhile, will cost you $800 and $1,000 respectively.
'IMAX Enhanced’ promises the highest quality 4K in your living room
Today, IMAX announced a new program called IMAX Enhanced, which was launched in partnership with DTS. It's a certification and licensing program that will allow users to play the highest quality 4K images and most powerful audio in the comfort of their own home.
Sonos Amp is an AV hub built to handle complex setups
Over the last decade, Sonos has slowly built up a reputation for making excellent speakers built for the age of streaming music. The company started in 2005 with the ZP100, a product that let buyers connect their speakers to the internet for streaming music, and pair units for multi-room audio. Sonos released an updated version, renamed the Connect Amp, shortly after, but since then the company has focused more on making its own speakers and hasn't updated the Connect Amp in years. That changes, as of today. The new, $599 Sonos Amp is a major upgrade to the old Connect Amp. At a high level, the box connects up to four speakers to the Sonos platform, which means you can stream music and other audio from over 100 services to those speakers. If you have any existing Sonos speakers, you can group them with speakers connected to the Amp. It also has line-in for CD players, turntables or other audio devices; once they're hooked up, you can stream that audio to other Sonos speakers. And you can have multiple Amps that can all talk to each other, as well.
Amazon Fire TV Cube review: Alexa still needs work as a TV guide
Update: While we originally planned to do a deeper dive into the Fire TV Cube, several days of testing didn't reveal much more about the device. We've updated our first look with a new conclusion, and have assigned it a review score. When you consider the popularity of Amazon's virtual assistant Alexa and the company's Fire TV streamers, it was really just a matter of time before the folks at the Everything Store decided to mash them up. In fact, Amazon already has, sort of: The company started down that path last year by giving Echo devices the ability to pass commands along to a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick. With the new Fire TV Cube, though, Amazon is trying to break down the wall between Alexa and the content you want to see altogether.
Sonos bundles offer audio options for home theater, vinyl and more
As we head towards Sonos' home theater event on June 6th, the company has just revealed new speaker bundles that will help you save on a Sonos-based home sound system.
Onkyo's high-end receivers will link up with Sonos
Some Onkyo receivers are getting the Work with Sonos seal of approval -- you'll soon be able to stream tunes from the Sonos app to Onkyo, Integra and Pioneer Elite receivers. You can add Onkyo devices to an existing Sonos setup as well, which might come in handy for a multi-room setup. Some Onkyo systems already have Google Assistant support via Google Home, and the Sonos tie-up will similarly add limited Alexa controls through Amazon's Echo hardware, the company told Twice.
Vizio adds Dolby Atmos to its latest home theater speakers
Vizio didn't just unveil bright HDR TVs as part of its spring announcements. The electronics giant has launched a trio of home theater systems that bring Dolby Atmos audio to the lineup. The 36-inch 5.1.2, 46-inch 3.1.2 and 46-inch 5.1.4 systems all pack the requisite upward-firing speakers to add a vertical dimension to your movies. Of course, Chromecast support and Bluetooth remain built-in. Vizio hasn't outlined pricing yet, but expects all three Atmos systems to arrive in the summer.
The best gear for building your home theater
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. Everyone loves watching a great movie on a big screen with a kickass speaker system, but few would complain about losing the sticky floors, uncomfortable seats, and kids with smartphones (unless they're your own kids). Our A/V team spends thousands of hours each year to find the best-looking and -sounding home theater equipment. Whether you have a dedicated theater room planned or are thinking of upgrading your weeknight living room movie night, we have recommendations covering whatever space and budget you have.
Wearable home theater lets you see what's outside
Home theater headsets have come a long way, but there's still a common problem: they tend to dominate your face. It's hard to know when someone wants your attention unless they tap on your shoulder. You might not be quite so cut off in the future, though. Kopin and Pico Interactive have unveiled a wearable home theater prototype, the Eagle, that promises the equivalent of an 80-inch screen while giving you better awareness of the outside world. You probably wouldn't want to walk with this on your head, but it could give you a peek at an approaching person before they say hello.
The best budget subwoofer
By Brent Butterworth This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter, reviews for the real world. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, they may earn affiliate commissions that support their work. Read the full article here. If anyone asked me what's the best, most affordable way to add bass to a small stereo, home theater, or computer sound system, I'd tell them to buy the Monoprice 9723 subwoofer. The 9723 emerged as the clear favorite after 20 hours of testing by our panel of audio experts, including extensive blind comparisons with 12 other subwoofers that cost less than $300. It delivers powerful, well-defined bass notes that can shake your couch a little and help make movies and music sound more satisfying and realistic.
MIT solves a major problem holding up glasses-free 3D TVs
A year ago, MIT scientists unveiled a new technology that delivered a 3D movie experience in theaters without the need for cumbersome glasses. Now they're working to bring that technology to your living room so that one day you can watch 3D films in your home theater without eyewear.
Engadget giveaway: Win a Glyph video headset courtesy of Avegant!
If you enjoy the movie theater, but can't stand crowds, Avegant's Glyph could be your saving grace. This rechargeable audio/video headset projects a 720p private screening experience onto each of your eyeballs via compatible devices and a microHDMI connection. We'd have to say it's a viewing rig first and foremost, but it can double as standard headphones when flipped up. Not only is it great for movie viewing, but it's also a capable drone companion, letting you enjoy first-person perspectives and even leverage its 9-axis head tracking for flight control. You can also enjoy a variety of 3D PC games, as well as 360 video experiences. This week, Avegant has provided a Glyph headset for one lucky reader, but that's not all. Anyone can enjoy a $100 discount at the company's website with the code ENGADGET through April 27th. To enter, all you need to do is head to the Rafflecopter widget and get up to three chances at winning a free Glyph video headset. Winner: Congratulations to Frank M.