https://www.audioholics.comWhere audio and video equipment undergoes rigorous objective and subjective tests by our staff, ensuring that marketing slogans aren't the only guidelines for your home theater choices.Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:05:00 -0000https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/spears-munsil-uhdYou bought a new UHD TV and it doesn't look as good as it did in the store? It could be the content you are streaming OR it could be that your new Display or Projector is not properly calibrated. Spears & Munsil have released their NEW 2023 Ultra High Definition Blu-ray disc series to help installers and home theater enthusiasts calibrate their displays for the best possible settings. Mon, 12 Jun 2023 04:05:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/spears-munsil-uhdHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/netflix-av1Netflix has begun to stream content encoded via a new, more efficient video codec called AV1. Developed by a non-profit industry consortium called the Alliance for Open Media, AV1 can deliver higher video quality at any given bitrate than previous codecs. So far, only select titles are streaming in AV1, and only to select devices. But AV1 is poised to become the new industry standard. Read on to learn more. Wed, 26 Jan 2022 05:50:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/netflix-av1HDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/end-for-lcdIt’s looking like 2020 will be the year that the high-end LCD TV meets its end. Like CRT and plasma TVs in years past, LCD TV is reaching the end of its life, at least in the high-end market. Longtime LCD champion Samsung is ceasing production of LCD panels, and starting to build its own custom version of OLED TVs that will utilize quantum dot technology. Read on to learn more. Fri, 01 May 2020 06:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/end-for-lcdHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/atsc-3.0-next-gen-tv-hits-us-markets-2020-1ATSC 3.0 aka. “Next-Gen TV” is the next step in the evolution of digital broadcast television, and it’s rolling out to over 40 of the largest US television markets in 2020. In a cord-cutting world, it’s great to see the oldest cord of all giving us good reason to spare the scissors. What will ATSC 3.0 compatible hardware give? How about better signal integrity, upgraded audio and video and much more. Thu, 09 Jan 2020 13:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/atsc-3.0-next-gen-tv-hits-us-markets-2020-1HDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/filmmaker-modeMajor filmmakers and Hollywood studios have teamed up with an industry coalition called The UHD Alliance to develop a new TV viewing mode called Filmmaker Mode. This mode would automatically, or with the push of a single button, disable post-processing such as motion smoothing (a.k.a. “The Soap Opera Effect”) and preserve the correct aspect ratios, colors, and frame rates chosen by the content creators. With Filmmaker Mode, your TV would always display your movies and TV shows exactly as the filmmakers intended them to be seen. Read on to learn more.Thu, 07 Nov 2019 07:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/filmmaker-modeHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/4k-uhd-whatever-call-itUltra High Definition is finally starting to take hold in the market with equipment prices that are beginning to drop into the range for buyers of normal means with more HD content becoming available for everyone’s viewing enjoyment. But what does the new technology entail and how does one navigate all the new specifications, acronyms, and jargon along with all the recycled, updated, and bastardized terminology from the previous generation of HDTV. That is where Audioholics comes in to do some critical review to help you, the reader, sort through it all.Mon, 04 Mar 2019 03:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/4k-uhd-whatever-call-itHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/how-to-tell-if-4k-uhd-tv-has-hdrHigh Dynamic Range or HDR is arguably one of the most important features in new 4K/UHD displays. But guess what? Many brand new 4K/UHD TVs don't have HDR—and can't support it! Rest assured, we'll tell you all about HDR, why it's important, how you can tell if your TV has HDR, and finally the HDR technologies to look out for. You don't want to miss this article.Tue, 28 Aug 2018 04:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/how-to-tell-if-4k-uhd-tv-has-hdrHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/atsc-3.0While the home theater world has become somewhat hyper-focused on UltraHD, we’ve seemingly forgotten about good old broadcast television. Fear not, ATSC 3.0, a new broadcast standard for UltraHD, immersive audio, and the mobile age, is just over the horizon. Check out our in-depth article that will tell you everything you need to know about ATSC 3.0's incredible feature set and why it's arrival just cannot come soon enough.Mon, 03 Aug 2015 08:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/atsc-3.0HDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/how-to-find-the-right-size-tvAs larger screen TVs continue to drop in price and higher screen resolutions become available, it can seem difficult to make a buying decision and be confident in your choice. While the recent increases in screen resolutions and sizes, such as 4K and 8K, will have benefits for some, they may have little to no benefit for others. The key is to understand how screen size, viewing distance, and optimum screen resolution are connected. With this knowledge, choosing the proper sized HDTV for a particular setting becomes an easy task and one that you can complete confidently. Mon, 27 Jul 2015 14:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/how-to-find-the-right-size-tvHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/quantum-dot-displays-next-hot-hdtv-techQuantum Dots are a new technology that promises to improve the color fidelity, brightness, and output or LED-based displays. We take in in-depth look at quantum dot technology, its implications for the new UHD standard, what does and what it doesn't do and whether or not you should consider a quantum dot-based display for your next television purchase. Thu, 05 Mar 2015 13:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/quantum-dot-displays-next-hot-hdtv-techHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/curved-tvsFor over a decade the TV industry has been selling us on flatter, thinner HDTVs. Back in the 90s ultra-expensive flat CRT screens were sold as an enhanced viewing experience. But today TV manufacturers are deviating slightly from the message of flatter is better. Sony, Samsung and LG have all created curved TVs. But Samsung is at the leading-edge of the curve with 70% of its high-end lineup featuring the new design. Do curved screens really enhance picture quality, are they just another gimmick — or both?Wed, 11 Feb 2015 15:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/curved-tvsHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/uhd-blu-ray-specificationEnthusiasts demanding the best audio and video still turn to Blu-ray. To stem off challenges posed by streaming, the Blu-ray alliance threw down the gauntlet and announced the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray specification at CES 2015. While the full spec will be finalized in the spring, what's been released so far looks awesome and promises to be the best audio and video format available for UHD TVs. New UHD Blu-ray players are slated to start rolling out this year. Are you ready to upgrade? Fri, 23 Jan 2015 11:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/uhd-blu-ray-specificationHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdmi-2.0-hdcp-2.2There has been a lot of talk lately about the new HDMI specification and how it relates to recent product announcements. As seems to be par for the course with HDMI, confusion abounds mostly because of partial implementations and staggeringly low amounts of information available. We're here to demystify the new HDMI spec and help all of our readers understand just what they are getting when they purchase a new device touting HDMI 2.0 or HDCP 2.2. Think you're all set to support native 4k resolution? Think again and read this article.Mon, 06 Oct 2014 15:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdmi-2.0-hdcp-2.2HDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/4k-blu-ray-discs-players-arrive-2015-analysisThe Blu-ray Disc Association announced at IFA that the Blu-ray 4k spec will be ready by summer 2015 with products hitting the stores in time for the holiday buying season the same year. The technical improvements over Blu-ray (much less DVD) are not debatable. The new 4k discs and players are superior to existing technology in almost every way. We look at some of the hurdles 4k Blu-rays face and we look to the future.Mon, 22 Sep 2014 04:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/4k-blu-ray-discs-players-arrive-2015-analysisHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/understanding-difference-hdmi-versionsHDMI has changed versions so many times it's been hard to keep up for most people. We've talked about the versions as part of other articles and documents, but it seemed fitting that we'd formulate and maintain a definitive document outlining the changes in a straightforward and easy-to-digest manner for all concerned from HDMI 1.0 all the way to the latest 2.0 specification (recently updated). Hopefully this article helps you understand the format differences and aids in your ability to discern what features are important to you as you shop for HDMI-equipped products.Wed, 11 Sep 2013 19:25:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/understanding-difference-hdmi-versionsHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdmi-2.0-specificationThe HDMI 2.0 specification is literally around the corner, but there is a lot of speculation as to what the HDMI 2.0 spec will actually offer. It is tied, in large part, to the maximum resolution and bandwidth requirements being faced with UHD (Ultra high-definition) 2160p displays. The board of the HDMI Forum has already officially announced HDMI 2.0, so we're now simply waiting for the details to firm up when it is released in the first half of 2013. Mon, 20 May 2013 02:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdmi-2.0-specificationHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/led-vs-lcd-tvsToday, there are more options than ever before when it comes to purchasing a flat panel HDTV. The newest, hottest technology in HDTV are the super thin and lightweight LED TVs. But how is LED different from LCD? Should you expect to pay more for an LED TV? What are the benefits of LED vs LCD? We went to Westinghouse Digital and got some input on them regarding their take on this common question. While all manufacturers have their different opinions on the ideal TV, Westinghouse is really pushing hard on LED backlit technology, and in particular, edge-lit models.Thu, 30 Dec 2010 10:05:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/led-vs-lcd-tvsHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/idt-hqv-vida-processingWe've been very familiar with HQV video technology for some time, but when they released their new Vida chipset last year it was only a matter of time before it began to show up in new products. One of the newer products to feature this is the new line of Yamaha RX-A Aventage A/V receivers. The new chip, the IDT HQV Vida processor, takes the current high-end Hollywood Quality Video processing technology to a new level of performance, significantly improving the viewing experience for the consumer.Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:05:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/idt-hqv-vida-processingHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/the-truth-behind-hdmi-1.4aWay back on May 28, 2009, HDMI Licensing released the HDMI 1.4 spec. But wait, it's less than a year later (March 4, 2010) and here comes HDMI 1.4a. The big change from 1.4 was that 1.4a mandated two new 3D formats for broadcast on top of game and Blu-ray content. While some manufacturers would like you to believe that only their receivers/products sporting HDMI 1.4a will handle these formats, is it true? Depends.Wed, 05 May 2010 11:30:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/the-truth-behind-hdmi-1.4aHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/flat-panel-tv-trendsFlat panel televisions are continuing to transform in teh marketplace. This year we saw a great number of companies looking to go "thin". While flat panels are traditionally advertised as being hangable on the wall, consumers have been reluctant to do so. With this year's batch of new products it looks like the trends may shift and these LCD televisions might be finding their way onto the walls of many consumers' homes.Fri, 05 Sep 2008 19:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/flat-panel-tv-trendsHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/upscaling-is-your-friendGefen, Toshiba, DVDO... they all want to sell you on the joys of upscaling. Some of them incorporate their technology into their displays or dvd players (Toshiba) while the others want you to purchase a standalone box. The technology is valid - we know this from many, many tests but do you really need it? This year at CEDIA we explore some of the scalers that are out there and what they mean to you.Fri, 05 Sep 2008 15:54:26 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/upscaling-is-your-friendHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/thx-videoTHX Display Certification primary goals are to drive quality in manufacturing and help simplify consumer buying decisions. According to THX, having a single testing methodology and specification enables display manufacturers to standardize on one benchmark that is recognized by both industry insiders and consumers alike. We put THX to the test with a series of questions we had about this program to ensure it wasn't just another logo branded on a product to pimp sales. Fri, 25 Apr 2008 18:38:23 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/thx-videoHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/toshiba-cell-broadband-video-processorToshiba showed off a lot of their new display products for us at the 2008 CES, but the one technological development that stood out was their use of the Cell Broadband Engine (yes the same processor found in the Sony PS3). They had a rather sophisticated demo involving both standard definition and high-definition content which utilized the Cell Broadband Engine to sharpen images with uncanny ability. Mon, 14 Jan 2008 16:56:30 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/toshiba-cell-broadband-video-processorHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/epsons-d7-panel-c2-fineEpson has developed a new type of high-temperature polysilicon TFT liquid crystal (HTPS) panel that will further enhance the performance of 3LCD-type front projectors. The new 0.7-inch (1.9 cm diagonal) HTPS panels, which conform to newly developed design rules, use a technology which boosts aperture ratios by 20% compared with the previous model. By enhancing aperture ratios, this technology improves luminance while using the same lamp as previous models. It also enables the use of a lower-watt lamp to achieve the same levels of luminance.Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:21:23 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/epsons-d7-panel-c2-fineHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/lifi-lamp-technology-primerLuxim Corporation has announced that it is partnering with Panasonic to integrate its new LIFI, or Light Fidelity, lighting unit (lamp system) into their rear projection LCD TVs. The LIFI system creates intense light output with digitally-controlled dimming for high contrast applications such as those required for rear projection lamps. The lifetime of the unit is up to 20,000+ hours, a HUGE increase from the typical ~4000 hour expectancy of current bulbs.Mon, 27 Aug 2007 15:38:11 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/lifi-lamp-technology-primerHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/1080p-and-the-acuity-of-human-vision1080p can be significantly better that 1080i, 720p, 480p or 480i. But, (there’s always a "but") there are qualifications. The most obvious qualification: Is this performance improvement manifest under real world viewing conditions?Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:32:48 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/1080p-and-the-acuity-of-human-visionHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/video-processing-in-dvd-players-receivers-and-displaysIt has come to our attention many times in the past that people are generally confused about video processing. They are confused about which components are responsible for doing what, and they are confused about which products should receive the most attention. If you are confused - you're not alone. If you don't think you're confused, you probably should be.Mon, 26 Mar 2007 04:40:17 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/video-processing-in-dvd-players-receivers-and-displaysHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/understanding-hdmi-ver-1.3HDMI is an acronym that stands for High Definition Multimedia Interface. As its name suggests, HMDI is an interconnectivity standard. Hitachi, Matsushita Electric (Panasonic), Philips, Silicon Image, Sony, Thomson and Toshiba are the primary members of HDMI LLC, a non-profit industry organization created specifically to usher in the new era of digital high-definition video and multi-channel audio connectivity. HDMI interconnects can carry video, audio and inter-component operability commands (remote control signals) on one digital interface. Thu, 04 Jan 2007 18:40:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/understanding-hdmi-ver-1.3HDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/benchmark-testing-for-dvdsThe Audioholics/HQV testing is rigorous; the simple fact is that many of the high-end DVD players cannot pass all the Audioholics/HQV tests. We at Audioholics feel there should be no compromise on borderline judgment calls on the tests. The DVD player either passes the test fully or it fails or gets partial credit when available). It is our hope that with this testing, the DVD player manufacturers will continue to upgrade their implementation of the technologies and strive to make products that are fully capable of passing these rigorous test standards. Wed, 27 Dec 2006 17:25:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/benchmark-testing-for-dvdsHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/audioholics-hdmi-1-3-q-aHDMI 1.3 has been the talk of the forums lately. Everyone wants to know what's going on with the new spec and what it means to the current and future crop of AV devices. We were fortunate enough to be able to do a brief Question and Answer exchange with Leslie Chard, President of HDMI Licensing, LLC to get a better idea of the recent changes to the HDMI spec.Mon, 28 Aug 2006 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/audioholics-hdmi-1-3-q-aHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdtv-past-present-and-future-part-2-futureJust as HDTV begins to enter consumer electronics mainstream, it is poised for yet another evolution. The architects of today's HDTV system, long ago, envisioned a day when advancing technology would enable what is now known as "full HD resolution." For HDTV buffs this resolution is known simply as "1080p."Wed, 07 Sep 2005 23:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdtv-past-present-and-future-part-2-futureHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/plasma-tv-performanceThe digital television market is rife with misinformation and inaccurate perceptions of the performance capabilities of different display technologies.in particular, plasma televisions. Through extensive testing, IDC generated quantitative data on the video capabilities of current generation plasma TVs, LCD TVs and microdisplay (MD) rear projection TVs.Fri, 02 Sep 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/plasma-tv-performanceHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/vesa-displayport-standard-v1.0DisplayPort is an extensible industry standard intended to consolidate both external (box-to-box) and internal (LCD panel) display connections. The Promoter Group (made up of ATI, Dell, Genesis Microchip, HP, Molex, NVIDIA, Philips, Samsung and Tyco) developed the initial specification and handed it off to VESA on August 17, 2005.Sun, 21 Aug 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/vesa-displayport-standard-v1.0HDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdmi-interface-a-beginners-guideStarting around 2003 we saw a rapid adoption of the Digital Visual Interface (DVI) across the digital consumer market. This included DTVs, high definition set -top boxes and computer graphics boards. By the end of that year, well over 500 consumer electronics products featured a DVI connection, with approximately 80% of DTVs shipped to the US using that technology.Mon, 11 Jul 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdmi-interface-a-beginners-guideHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdtv-past-present-and-future-part-i-historyIt has been nearly 80 years since the first public demonstration of television took place in a crowded laboratory in London . Since that time television has advanced from blurry black and white pictures to stunning high-definition images with life-like depth and realism. How were these achievements made? More importantly, what should we expect in the future as we approach television's first centennial?Wed, 01 Jun 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/hdtv-past-present-and-future-part-i-historyHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/fujitsu-plasma-tube-technologyFujitsu Laboratories Ltd. has been developing a revolutionary new plasma tube technology to produce narrow glass tubes, measuring one meter in length and one-millimeter in diameter, that emit light using the same phosphor structure as in a conventional PDP (plasma display panel). In addition, the company has developed a technology that sandwiches an array of these plasma tubes between two electrode plates to make up a display panel. Fujitsu succeeded in producing a prototype panel using 128 plasma tubes (for a screen size of 128 mm x 1 m) that display moving images in color.Tue, 15 Mar 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/fujitsu-plasma-tube-technologyHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/understanding-widescreen-letterboxed-and-pan-scanWhy are There Black Bars on My TV? A Long Time Ago, in a Galaxy Not So Far Away someone introduced us to widescreen videos on VHS. These videos presented the full picture as you saw it in the theater, but did so on our 4:3 (non-widescreen) televisions. Later, DVD came along; followed by high definition widescreen televisions, and life got confusing (but better.)Wed, 19 Jan 2005 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/understanding-widescreen-letterboxed-and-pan-scanHDTV Display Formatshttps://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/cablecards-a-primerYou probably keep hearing about CableCARD technology (also called "Digital Cable Ready") - or perhaps you've never heard of it. In either case, there's good news for you as a consumer. After fighting it for almost ten years, the cable-TV industry is now subject to a Federal Communication Commission (FCC) mandate that states that all providers must offer CableCARDs as of July 1, 2004.Tue, 12 Oct 2004 00:00:00 -0000 https://www.audioholics.com/hdtv-formats/cablecards-a-primerHDTV Display Formats