Indholdsfortegnelse for November 2023 i Home Cinema Choice

Looking through the winners and finalists in the annual CEDIA Awards, which celebrates the best home cinemas and movie dens from professional installers in the EMEA region and beyond, is always eye-opening. Not least because this year one project (pictured) did away with the idea of 'seating' altogether, instead preferring a sunken, cushioned area for guests to lounge around in. Certainly unusual in the pro cinema world, but we've all watched movies stretched out on the carpet, haven't we? Elsewhere in the CEDIA Awards (p26) there are well-deserved wins for UK companies, plenty of love for JVC projectors and Trinnov processors, the first sight I can remember of Samsung’s The Wall Micro LED display 'in the wild', and more AV innovation than you can shake an HDMI cable at. It’s…

Philips has confirmed its flagship OLED+908 TV – previously announced earlier this year – will go on sale in the UK soon priced £2,999 (55in), £3,499 (65in) and £4,999 (77in). Said by the Dutch television giant to ‘set a new performance reference point at the very top of the TV market,’ the OLED+908 is the manufacturer’s first model to utilise a Micro Lens Array OLED panel, combined here with a ‘brightness boosting processing algorithm’. The resulting ‘META OLED’ tech delivers a claimed peak brightness of 2,100 nits, a significant step up from its mid-tier OLED808 set. Viewing angle and energy efficiency are also said to benefit. Ambient Intelligence Image processing on the TV is delivered by Philips’ 7th Gen P5 AI silicon, which introduces improvements to Ambient Intelligence (picture optimisation…

According to Lyngdorf, its new MXA-8400 power amplifier was designed with owners of its MP series multichannel processors in mind – those who 'made an intentional choice to upgrade from integrated AVRs to best-in-class separates.' Its claimed 8 x 200W (8ohm) power output comes from Purifi Eigentakt Class D modules, previously seen on high-end amps from NAD. They're installed as bridgeable pairs, allowing for an even more potent four-channel model. Also under the bonnet are Lyngdorf’s bespoke PowerPerfect power supply technology and an 'ultra-low-noise' input stage, arranged across a four-layer PCB for signal purity. All eight inputs are on balanced XLR. Pricing is £8,000, but owners of Lyngdorf’s 16-channel MP-60 might want two. www.lyngdorf.com…

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Home Cinema Level I Finalist: NV Integration (1) Integrated Home Luxury Winner: Inspired Dwellings (UK) Integrated Home - Ultra Luxury Winner: MacBee PVT Ltd Highly Commended: SMC (UK) Life Lived Best At Home Winner: Cyberhomes (UK) Showroom Winner: ARLED Solutions Best Manufacturer Winner: Meridian DSP9 Loudspeaker Winner: madVR Envy Extreme MK2 (2) Winner: StormAudio ISR Fusion Winner: Barco Nerthus Winner: Samsung The Terrace Full Sun 85in Outdoor QLED 4K Smart TV (3) Best Software Winner: Blackwire Designs Blacklight Winner: Janus Technology BMS Monitor Winner: Sonance Design Gallery Winner: Trinnov Audio WaveForming Hall of Fame Winner: Meridian DSP8000 Loudspeaker (4) Winner: Trinnov Audio Altitude32 Winner: Wisdom Audio Sage Cinema Line Source Modules Excellence in Rack Dressing and Design Winner: MacBee PVT Ltd For more info, visit www.cedia.co.uk…

ON PAPER THE £799 USC9S is run of the mill, sporting a compact design, a lot of streaming options and competing with similar mid-tier products from Samsung, Sony and other brands. But it does possess two rather interesting capabilities. For one, the USC9S is a rare 3.1.3 model; just like some of LG’s bigger bars, this Dolby Atmos compatible unit sports not two but three upfiring drivers. We thought the home Atmos standard didn't specify such a thing as a centre height channel, but it must have been updated. The USC9S’s second noteworthy feature is that, while it can be combined with any telly, the manufacturer has expressly designed it to be partnered with certain LG televisions. There are a few aspects to this. One is 'WOW Orchestra', which is similar…

THE RUARK R410 is a new flagship all-in-one music system from hi-fi outfit Ruark. With high-res music file support to 192kHz/24-bit, and HDMI eARC, it’s ready to work with music and movies. Is it possible to have too much of a good thing? As we’ve come to expect from the British brand, the R410 boasts designer good looks. There are two versions to choose from, one with an eco-wood veneer enclosure, and the other in modernistic grey; both come with a Scandi-style wooden slatted fascia, an integrated rotary dial controller up top, and a lookalike disc remote as popularised by Ruark’s R series. There’s also a smart front-panel interface, with portrait orientation so it basically emulates a smartphone display. It’s not a touchscreen, but navigating it using the rotary controller is…

IN A RECENT rambling (HCC #342), I did my best to explain why high-end audio has increased in price over and above more 'normal' components at the rate it has. I leave it to you as to whether those arguments carried weight, but this move upward has left some companies grappling with some different issues… and some of them aren't grappling very well. The basic problem is that if you're a high-end manufacturer, then over the years the cost at which your range begins has crept ever further away from anything recognised as 'sensible'. This creates a problem: how do you make people aware of your existence? Some brands have designed products to be sold at a lower price, in a more mainstream retail environment, to hopefully generate a future…

➜ HELLRAISER: QUARTET OF TORMENT – LIMITED EDITION The gates of Hell are thrown open by this 4K boxset dedicated to Clive Barker’s Hellraiser mythos. Wisely concentrating on the period before the series sank into DTV damnation, it brings together Barker’s audacious Hellraiser (1987), the far more epic – but not actually better – follow-up Hellbound: Hellraiser II (1988), the spectacularly wrong-headed Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992), and the time-hopping Hellraiser: Bloodline (1996), which acts as both origin and epilogue to the franchise. Picture: The presentations for all four are based on new 35mm/4K restorations, Arrow Video having previously restored the original three in 2K for BD. When it comes to Hellraiser, the thing that really stands out is the grain. Density levels vary shot-to-shot, but it’s always heavy. Thankfully,…

➜ THE CONTINENTAL: FROM THE WORLD OF JOHN WICK Hot on the heels of John Wick: Chapter 4 comes this off-kilter prequel, with a swathe of new characters and not a mutt in sight. Set in the early 1980s, albeit with a 1970s movie aesthetic, this three-parter provides an introduction to Ian McShane’s Winston Scott character (played by Colin Woodell), and his loyal concierge Charon (Lance Reddick in the movies, here Ayomide Adegun). The setting is a stylised version of New York, with shades of Scorsese and Friedkin. While the John Wick movies centre on one man’s relentless vengeance, The Continental introduces a plethora of faces, and a convoluted plot that involves the theft of the mythic coin-press used to make The Continental’s doubloon currency. It’s a strangely paced slow-burn. The…

John Wick: Ch. 4 [4K BD] Keanu Reeves' hit-man comes out all AV guns blazing on UHD BD in this bruising 169-minute action epic. AV quality is up to the standard set by earlier franchise outings on disc. In other words, it’s killer. HCC #343 Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves [4K BD] You don’t need to have played 'D&D' to enjoy this entertaining fantasy. Striking AV and exclusive extra features on this 4K platter add to the fun. HCC #344 Evil Dead Rise [4K BD] Unlike the original trilogy, this grisly new entry in the Evil Dead franchise is no laughing matter, but the reference-quality Dolby Atmos soundtrack and director’s commentary will put a smile on your face. HCC #344 Avatar: The Way of Water [4K BD] James Cameron’s…

JVC DLA-NZ7 ➜ £11,499 An absence of direct competitors, awesome native 4K HDR10/HLG/HDR10+ playback, and an expansive feature-set (including 8K e-Shift) make JVC’s ‘entry-level’ laser projector hard to beat. HCC #334 BenQ W2710i ➜ £1,699 This update of one of BenQ’s most popular projectors is a fantastically accomplished and feature-rich 4K HDR all-rounder for anyone looking to enjoy serious movie or gaming nights on a reasonably tight budget. HCC #342 JVC DLA-NZ8 ➜ £15,800 This high-price 4K/8K e-Shift model delivers an unparalleled performance, long-life laser lighting, cutting-edge processing (including dynamic tone mapping) and HDMI 2.1 connections. HCC #329 Sony VPL-XW5000ES ➜ £5,999 This native 4K laser light projector may cut a couple of corners (no 3D playback or HDMI 2.1 connectivity) to hit its price point, but impressive HDR delivery…

Inside Pandora’s Box Running over 150 minutes, this collection of 14 behind-the-scenes featurettes (thankfully there’s a ‘Play All’ option) offers a deep dive into the making of James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water. HCC #344 The Legacy of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre Hard to believe there’s anything new to say about Tobe Hooper’s 1974 horror, but this fascinating feature-length doc ropes in a roster of critics and filmmakers to do just that. HCC #341 Film Sound with Mark Jenkin & Peter Strickland A fascinating 86-minute conversation about the sonic possibilities of film. The highlight of the extras on BFI’s Enys Men Blu-ray, and arguably better than the actual movie. HCC #342 The Final Game of Death The highlight of the treasure-trove of extras included in Arrow’s Bruce Lee…

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K ➜ £50 This streaming dongle brings 4K HDR (HDR10+; Dolby Vision) and Dolby Atmos to your movie den. Voice control aids search, while a quad-core processor yields quick load times and stream optimisation. A little stunner. HCC #295/#326 (Max version) Bluesound Node ➜ £550 Preamp/DAC now includes HDMI eARC, a smarter control system and upgraded processing. As with earlier generations, it’s a winning mix of comprehensive features and beguiling sonics. Perfect for adding music to your system. HCC #324 Audio Technica AT-LP5x ➜ £350 Our favourite affordable turntable. Easy to set up with in-built phono stage and USB for PC hookup, plus 33/45/78rpm speed control, the LP5x has good pitch stability and a rhythmic, energetic sound. HCC #318 Sky Stream ➜ £From £26/pm The TV…

Samsung HW-Q990B ➜ £1,399 An ‘evolution not revolution’ approach ensures this fantastic flagship 11.4-channel soundbar system continues Samsung’s tradition of powerful, detailed and immersive Atmos sonics, only now with even sweeter highs and lusher lows. HCC #336 Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar ➜ £2,200 The audio specialist’s debut soundbar makes a dramatic entrance. 13 drivers, including 4in woofers, create a cinematic soundstage, with impressive immersion via Atmos, DTS:X and Sennheiser’s Ambeo processing. Big and bold. HCC #302 JBL Bar 1300 ➜ £1,299 Flagship 11.1.4 system delivers detailed Atmos sonics and deep bass thanks to its detachable, battery-powered rears and powerful sub. Easy to use, well-connected and agreeably styled too. HCC #343 Philips Fidelio FB1 ➜ £699 Premium single-box Dolby Atmos/DTS:X audio solution is a real head-turner. Audio performance is exceptional and it’s…

Manhattan T3 Freeview Play 4K, £80 Do you need an HDD PVR in the streaming era? This Freeview Play box loads up catchup via a responsive UI, offers welcome Watchlist functionality, and is ready for 4K HLG HDR Sky Q, £subscription Sky’s new top-tier product offering dazzles with its image-rich user interface, wireless multiroom skills and recording flexibility delivered by the PVR’s 12 tuners. Now supports 4K content Humax Aura, £varies The PVR honcho teams up with Google for this Android-powered triple-tuner Freeview Play machine in 1TB (£250) and 2TB (£280) flavours. 4K HDR capable, it uses voice search and slick UI to make operation a joy. Humax DTR-T4000, £subscription This YouView-based PVR is required to get BT Sport’s new Ultra HD channel – available to those with BT fast…

IFA MIGHT BE the general tech show juggernaut, but the CEDIA Expo in Denver, which takes place just a few days later, remains the global epicentre of high-end home cinema and residential tech wizardry. Back in the day, I was a regular visitor and would bask on the booths of esoteric AV and hi-fi brands. This probably explains why I no longer get invited, but that doesn’t stop me keeping tabs from afar. The overarching theme of this year’s show was the omnipresent AI revolution. Futurist and innovation expert Scott Steinberg’s keynote address emphasised how AI was about to usher in a new era of smart home technology. Like most of us, the custom install industry is wary but interested in AI, and Steinberg made it clear: the CI business…

We've seen some bonker subwoofer designs from REL recently, including the premium No.31 with its string-like driver grille and stackable enclosure (HCC #341). Yet for its newest model, the Classic 98, the subwoofer brand has gone retro. Of course, 'vintage' inspired models are all the rage in the hi-fi industry at least, so who can blame REL for joining the party with a subwoofer that’s described as 'a symphony of mid-century charm and state-of-the-art technology'? Ten’s plenty With its price tag of £1,299, the Classic 98 isn't one of the company’s top-tier models, and this is reflected in its use of a 10in driver. Down-firing, but lifted off the floor by the subwoofer’s four feet, this paper cone woofer is pushed by a 300W Class D amp – not the…

Killers of the Flower Moon October 20: Reuniting director Martin Scorsese with actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro, the Western crime epic Killers of the Flower Moon makes a welcome visit to UK cinemas (including IMAX screens) ahead of its Apple TV+ streaming debut. Doctor Jekyll October 27: After its recent acquisition by theatre producer John Gore, the latest era of Hammer Films kicks off with a modern spin on the Gothic chiller. Eddie Izzard stars as Dr. Nina Jekyll and her alter-ego Rachel Hyde. The Marvels November 10: This sequel to Captain Marvel also picks up threads from the WandaVision and Ms. Marvel Disney+ shows, continuing the stories of Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris) and Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani).…

Clearly looking to fill a gap in the market, the Ampster TV II from French manufacturer Tangent is a stereo integrated amplifier with HDMI ARC connection, priced at a tempting £199. It also measures just 19.5cm wide, giving it good 'stealth' potential in a living room or media den. Billed somewhat immodestly as 'the ultimate amplifier to enhance your TV audio', Tangent’s latest compact unit is rated at 2 x 50W. Rear panel connections are speaker binding posts, the aforementioned HDMI ARC, a subwoofer pre-out, and nothing else. However, making up for the absence of a stereo analogue audio input is the Ampster TV II’s integrated Bluetooth 5.0 (aptX HD) receiver. The amp’s DAC stage supports two-channel PCM to 192kHz/24-bit, while onboard EQ provides bass and treble adjustment to +/-8dB.…

FOR THE ORGANISERS of the Berlin-based IFA technology expo, the show must go on. Cancelled in 2020 because of the Covid pandemic, and again in 2021, it returned in 2022 noticeably shorn of a few of its traditional brands. And if the hope that the 2023 edition would be the sort of all-guns blazing tech-fest of yore, then it must count as something of a disappointment, particularly for those hoping to spy new TV technology. Despite this, IFA remains a useful barometer of where the consumer electronics industry is heading, and on this evidence, it’s heading in all manner of directions… Sennheiser Ambeo Soundbar Mini Sennheiser used IFA to unveil the latest addition to its Ambeo soundbar family. The £699 Mini joins the Plus (HCC #342) and the Max (HCC…

We are often told physical media is dead, so when a new-on-the-scene manufacturer, Magnetar, announces a £2,699 universal disc spinner – one that’s also a streamer for the media on your server and a high-end DAC to boot – I'm both somewhat surprised and excited. Enter the UDP900. Since the demise of Oppo and its UDP-205 flagship, there’s been a lack of a genuine premium BD player. Pioneer filled the gap with the (now unavailable) UDP-LX800, while others – including Panasonic, French company Reavon and Magnetar with its own UDP800 (HCC #340) – have all released 4K decks that count as 'beyond entry-level'. Yet this new player from the Chinese manufacturer is something else. The weight gives you a bit of a clue. At 15.5kg, the UDP900 is the heaviest…

TIME ON TEST: 2 years, 4 months REVIEWER: Martin Dew SO REVERED IS Denmark-based Lyngdorf Audio that it has shared a corporate identity with US piano makers Steinway & Sons since 2007. The Steinway Lyngdorf (SL) joint venture was cemented when the musical instrument maestro apparently deemed Lyngdorf’s electronics and loudspeakers could reproduce the sound of one of its pianos as indistinguishable from the real thing. Given the unearthly price tags of the Steinway & Sons-branded audio systems, it’s reassuring that the 'cheaper' Lyngdorf brand still exists as a separate entity. Back in February 2017, Lyngdorf Audio (not under the Steinway Lyngdorf initiative) launched its first surround processor, the MP-50. This gun-metal grey box cost £12k and could decode 12 channels of multichannel audio. Lyngdorf included a further four XLR…

Evangelion: 3.0+1.11 - Thrice Upon a Time The final part of Hideaki Anno’s cinematic rebuild of the landmark Evangelion anime makes its disc debut this autumn. Anime Limited is bringing Evangelion: 3.0+1.11-Thrice Upon a Time to DVD, Blu-ray, Blu-ray Steelbook and AllTheAnime.com-exclusive 4K UHD and Blu-ray Deluxe Edition on October 30. The latter includes UHD and Blu-ray copies of the film, a bonus Blu-ray of bonus content, 28-page booklet, art cards and a replica poster-We have one copy of the Deluxe Edition to give away! Question: Hideaki Anno directed a 2016 reimagining of which classic movie monster? Answer: A) Gamera B) Godzilla C) King Kong The Ginger Snaps Trilogy All three instalments in fan-favourite Canadian werewolf saga finally make their way to Blu-ray in this feature-packed Blu-ray boxset. The Ginger…

I've started so I'll Finnish Sisu ➜ Sony Pictures ➜ 4K Blu-ray Writer/director Jalmari Helander’s true-story-inspired WWII action thriller casts Jorma Tommila as the Lapland loner who wages a one-man war against the invading Nazis. We soak up Sisu’s explosive fights and ice-cold violence on 4K Blu-ray, p89. RATINGS KEY… All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed…

A year-and-a-half after stopping the Kingpin and saving the multiverse, teenage Spider-Man Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) is pulled into another universe-hopping adventure following a run-in with bumbling, would-be supervillain, the Spot (Jason Schwartzman). Reunited with Spider-Gwen (Hailee Steinfeld), Miles is introduced to the Spider Society, a team of hundreds of Spider-Men and -Women from parallel worlds, all working together to preserve the fixed ‘canon’ of the multiverse. However, the more Miles learns about the price he will have to pay to prevent the web of reality from unravelling, the more he finds himself on a collision course with the rest of the Spider Society… A lot has changed since Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse played cinemas in 2018. The multiverse, one of that movie’s most intriguing concepts, has become rather passé;…

The Wicker Man ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray, Studiocanal FIVE DECADES ON from its original cinema release, The Wicker Man surely ranks as the cultiest of all cult films. With its story about an uptight, devoutly religious policeman (Edward Woodward) from the mainland, searching for a missing girl on a remote Scottish island whose inhabitants have abandoned Christianity in favour of arcane pagan rituals led by the local landholder (Christopher Lee), The Wicker Man is a film about a cult that has itself inspired a sizeable cult following. On top of that, writer Anthony Shaffer and director Robin Hardy’s 1973 folk horror ticks all the boxes expected of a cult film. Controversial subject matter? Check. A troubled production? Check. Studio interference? Check. A disinterested distributor? Check. Audience antipathy? Check. A subsequent revival…

KEF R Series Meta 5.1.2 ➜ £9,200 Boasting 'metamaterial' absorption tech Uni-Q drivers, this revamp to KEF’s mid-tier R Series provides serious (and seriously fun) Atmos home cinema sonics. Full range includes larger floorstanding and centre options. Design and build quality are superb. HCC #342 Bowers & Wilkins 700 S3 5.1 ➜ £9,999 Gorgeous, well-made cabinets and a sound performance that blends lush musicality with rich immersion and deep bass. B&W hits its S3 upgrade out of the park… HCC #339 JBL Stage Series 5.1 ➜ £1,386 JBL brings plenty of bigscreen know-how to an affordable, entry-level 5.1 home cinema speaker system that punches well above its weight with an aggressive high-end, solid midrange, and well-defined lows. HCC #338 Q Acoustics 5010 5.1 ➜ £1,975 Compact and stylish mid-tier 5.1…

Panasonic DP-UB9000 ➜ £850 Supporting both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, and incorporating useful image adjustments, this premium deck is at the leading edge of UHD BD playback. The build quality and provision of VOD apps heightens its appeal. HCC #292 Magnetar UDP800 ➜ €1,599 You may not recognise the Magnetar name, but between its superb audio and 4K video performance and the unbeatable build quality, this well-specified multi-format disc spinner makes a memorable impression. HCC #340 Panasonic DP-UB450 ➜ £200 Panasonic lowers the price for Dolby Vision and HDR10+ playback with this feature-lite 4K deck – there’s no Wi-Fi or VOD apps, or the brand’s HCX processor to fine-tune imagery. HCC #303 Pioneer UDP-LX500 ➜ £1,000 Lacks the audiophile features (including the XLR output) of the UDP-LX800, but this universal…

SVS SB-1000 Pro ➜ £550 The budget sub to beat. SVS adds its EQ app to its entry-level range, and squirrels a new 12in driver into a cabinet that’s barely any bigger. There’s bass extension and power to spare – factor in the price, and the SB-1000 Pro becomes irresistible. HCC #322 NEW ENTRY Perlisten D212s ➜ £7,000 This dual 12in THX Dominus certified subwoofer offers breathtakingly fast and stomach-churningly deep bass, with a dynamic punch so sharp that it’s got edges. Low-frequency lovers will lap it up. HCC #344 REL Reference No.31 ➜ £7,000 High-end 12in/900W sealed sub more than lives up to its Reference name, delivering premium LFE slam and speed alongside unrivalled bass detail. HCC #341 SVS SB16-Ultra ➜ £2,500 A 16in driver and 1,500W amp combine…

Bruce Lee at Golden Harvest: Limited Edition [4K BD & BD] Lavish multi-format boxset has stunning new 4K HDR restorations of Bruce Lee’s major features (bar Enter the Dragon) alongside an unrivalled array of extra features. HCC #344 Cosa Nostra: Franco Nero in Three Mafia Tales… With striking restorations of hard-hitting classics The Day of the Owl, The Case is Closed: Forget It and How to Kill a Judge this set is a must for fans of Italian crime cinema. HCC #343 Hopping Mad: The Mr. Vampire Sequels Eureka’s double-disc set packs a trio of 'official' sequels to the groundbreaking 1985 Hong Kong supernatural comedy alongside the enjoyable 1989 knockoff Vampire vs Vampire. HCC #342 Mexico Macabre Indicator’s ongoing mission to introduce UK film fans to vintage Mexican horror cinema…

Carlito’s Way: Limited Edition [4K BD & BD] Brian De Palma’s masterful crime drama returns to 4K disc with new bonus bits (chat tracks, interviews, video essay and location tour) to bolster the archival suite. HCC #345 Coraline [4K BD US Import] Laika’s classic stop-motion adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s novella gets a glorious 4K make-over, complete with a new Atmos remix. You’d have to have buttons for eyes not to be wowed by this platter. HCC #345 The Nutty Professor [4K BD] Paramount’s fantastic Ultra HD presentation of Jerry Lewis’ classic comic spin on the old ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ story serves up vibrant 4K Dolby Vision video and a sizeable set of extras, some exclusive to this release. HCC #344 Cool Hand Luke [4K Blu-ray] Home to arguably Paul Newman’s…

KEF LS50 Wireless II, £2,250 At the top of KEF’s LS50 collection, you'll find this revamped active stereo system that blends lush looks and great connectivity (including HDMI eARC) with sparkling sonics JBL Flip 6, £129 Thanks to its fulsome soundstage, this latest iteration of JBL’s wildly popular portable Bluetooth speaker offers a near perfect combination of form and function. Pair with a 'phone and take it wherever you go DALI Katch G2, £330 Second-generation Katch wireless speaker looks every bit as slick as its predecessor, but now boasts aptX HD and AAC Bluetooth functionality and a bolstered 30-hour battery life. A superb performer Klipsch The Fives, £830 Active stereo pair with horn-loaded tweeters, 4.5in midbass drivers and a claimed 160W power plant. Dynamic performance is backed up by extensive…

➜News highlights REL Classic98 10in subwoofer has a real vintage vibe PHILIPS OLED+908 launched with new panel tech MARANTZ Stereo amplifier with home cinema ambitions AT THE PLEX This month’s cinema releases AUDIOLAB 9000N network streamer MISSION IMPOSSIBLE Cruise and co return in Dead Reckoning Part One on 4K Blu-ray & MORE! New from Japanese audio specialist Rotel are two multichannel amplifiers promising serious speaker-driving power. Priced £3,799, the RMB-1587MKII claims a 7 x 155W output (into eight ohms), while the £3,599 RMB-1585MKII ups the power to 210W for each of its five channels. Both get the same big-boned chassis in silver or black, XLR and RCA input options, and CPU-controlled cooling system. The 1585MKII also supports bi-amping, becoming a three-channel design ideal for your LCR array. HCC ONLINE… For…

Thomas Crown Affair A sumptuous BD outing for John McTiernan’s elegant heist movie remake. Pierce Brosnan stars, but Rene Russo steals the film. Ferris Bueller’s Day Off Take a day off to savour Paramount’s gorgeous 4K Dolby Vision upgrade of John Hughes’ 1986 high school comedy. The Antichrist A timely UK BD debut for Alberto De Martino’s enjoyable 1974 Exorcist cash-in, bolstered by fascinating extras. Brannigan John Wayne’s Chicago cop brings some rough justice to the mean streets of London in this 1975 action-thriller, now on Blu-ray. From Beijing with Love More Casino Royale (1967) than Casino Royale (2006), Stephen Chow’s Bond spoof is an absolute hoot. Eureka’s BD is a treat, too.…

Audiolab has added a third model to its flagship 9000 series, in the shape of the £2,499 9000N network player. A style match for its existing 9000A integrated amplifier and 9000CDT disc player, and offered in a choice of black or silver, the unit works as both a streaming DAC, or as a digital 'transport' for use with an external D/A convertor, thanks to its optical and coaxial outputs. Onboard file handling, via the player’s USB-B input or over your home network, covers PCM to 32-bit/768kHz and DSD to DSD512, plus MQA decoding. A choice of five filters, delivered by the 9000N’s eight-channel ES9038PRO DAC, provides a level of sound 'tuning'. The standout element of the 9000N’s design is its 4.3in front-panel display, which can be set to show file…

October 23 Barbie 4K Batman: Mask of the Phantasm 4K Bull Durham: Film Stories Ltd Ed Decision to Leave 4K From Beijing With Love: Ltd Ed Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai 4K Halloween Trilogy 4K [2018-2022] Hannibal 4K Hellraiser: Quartet of Torment 4K Iron Warrior Joy Ride [2023] Magic Crystal Maigret [2022] The Night of the Devils No Way Out: Film Stories Ltd Ed Talk to Me 4K Tod Browning’s Sideshow Universal Noir #2 October 30 Blue Beetle 4K Chopper: Limited Edition Evangelion 3.0 + 3.11 4K Fascination: Limited Edition 4K The Food of the Gods The Ginger Snaps Trilogy: Ltd Ed Hunt Her, Kill Her Our Man in Havana Pandora’s Box: Limited Edition Sympathy for the Devil [2023] Universal Classic Monsters: Limited Edition Collection 4K November 6…

Understanding the difference between Apple’s many similarly named products was never easy, and then in November 2019 it introduced Apple TV+ to sit alongside its long-established Apple TV hardware and Apple iTunes content platform. So here we explain exactly what Apple TV+ is, and what it’s been up to in the four years since its birth. Just like Netflix, Disney+ and others, Apple TV+ is a subscription-based streaming platform. You pay a monthly sum in return for open access to its collection of Apple-created/funded shows and films. It differs from Apple’s iTunes in that iTunes is a pay-per-view content library, where you buy or rent titles from a wide range of third-party studios on a per-unit basis. You can still access the iTunes library through Apple TV+ apps, but Apple…

Media Room Level I Finalist: Tera Generations Solutions Dubbed 'The Loft' by its Pakistan-based installer, this eye-catching project does away with traditional cinema seating in favour of a sunken, upholstered area that, in the words of the designer, ensures comfort and adds 'oomph' factor: 'Viewers get enough room to stretch out and unwind.' If that all seems a little playful (there’s also a designer glass ping-pong table at the back), then the AV specification and attention to acoustic detail is anything but. The front wall features a custom 'ledge' to house system electronics, out of which rises a motorised, tensioned 120in ALR (Ambient Light Rejecting) screen, used in conjunction with an ultra-short-throw 4K projector from Chinese manufacturer CHiQ. The sound system uses M&K Sound speakers in a 7.1.2 configuration, with…

➜ Hardware FYNE AUDIO Deluxe-looking floorstanding speaker system from the Special Production series SAMSUNG 75in 8K QN900C Mini LED TV MAGNETAR High-end universal 4K disc player/DAC MADVR Premium picture processor SONOS Era 300 Atmos speakers and Arc soundbar RUARK R410 all-in-one system WIIM Compact and affordable music streamer & MORE! Samsung has returned with a second generation version of its all-singing, all-dancing portable Freestyle projector. It might only be a Full HD model, but there’s plenty here to catch the eye… See p60 All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed RATINGS KEY……

Previously, the best Atmos configuration one could create around a Sonos Arc and rears was a 5.0.2-channel effort. But partner the Arc with the new ERA 300s (wireless stereo speakers, designed from the get-go to excel with spatial audio/Dolby Atmos), and you can now step up to 7.0.4 – with no speaker cables anywhere. Excited? You should be… I'll get the bad news out of the way first… you’re going to need deep pockets. Like, Mariana Trench deep. The 'Premium Surround' set we're testing here – comprising the Sonos Arc and a pair of Era 300s – comes in at £1,797. Plus, you'll almost certainly need to budget for a pair of stands for the Eras, too: £159 for a set from accessories brand Sanus, or £279 if you spring…

If you've ever dabbled in the pixel-obsessed world of video processing, you might have heard of madVR. Launched as a start-up in 2019, the company has leveraged over a decade of imaging research and development to manufacture products aimed at elite home cinema and media room installations. madVR’s first-generation video processor was a state-of-the-art unit that boasted a hefty price tag but also offered enough proprietary tech to satisfy the most demanding home cinema enthusiast. Dynamic tone mapping, 4K/8K upscaling, image enhancements, instant aspect ratio detection, subtitle management, non-linear stretch, and calibration tools were all on the menu. Despite the Envy MK1 not exactly being ancient, madVR has now launched the Envy MK2, an all-new processor intended to deliver an even better cinematic experience. It uses a custom case designed…

WIIM AUDIO IS a new arrival to the network streaming arena and the Mini is its most affordable offering. This puck-shaped device supports PCM to 192kHz/24-bit and can additionally unpack MQA (as used by Tidal) should you need to. It can also access content from a NAS drive in the classic UPnP manner, but can also play music from – deep breath – Qobuz, Tidal, Deezer, Amazon Music, Spotify, Napster, TuneIn, Calm, VTuner, Soundcloud and Pandora. Oh, and there’s also AirPlay. An app ties all this together (including multiroom) in a way that feels logical. To add the Mini to your setup you have a choice of 3.5mm analogue and optical outputs, plus a 3.5mm input. Power is supplied over USB. There’s no Ethernet socket so you'll have to use…

ALTHOUGH I LIKE to consider myself something of a free-thinking, liberal-minded dude, my attitude towards film censorship could suggest otherwise. Not for me a constant grumbling about the BBFC – sure, the organisation was once way off when it effectively banned The Exorcist and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (two entries into our top 13 frighteners, p35), but in recent years its work has been light touch. Heck, in 2011 it awarded The Human Centipede 2 an 18 certificate after two-and-a-half minutes of cuts were made, leaving the other 84 minutes of mindless, torture porn drivel intact. And the situation in the UK could be worse. Stateside, the Motion Picture Association (MPA) ratings, launched in 1968 as a way to curb the censorship of Hollywood that had been going on…

Welcome to the AV-Holics Hall of Fame – introduce yourself! I'm Benny Har-Even, 49. I'm a technology journalist and editor. How long have you been into home cinema? After my Dad upgraded his hi-fi in 1996, I connected his 1970s Marantz amp and a pair of speakers to my second-hand 14in Toshiba CRT TV. It sounded great! When a man came to install a phone line in my room and saw the setup he said, 'Woah, it’s like a cinema in here!'. It was a proud moment. When did you decide to set up your current cinema room? I'd been dreaming of a dedicated AV space for over 20 years and a house extension in 2019 presented the opportunity to get it done. What size is the space? It’s a…

➜ THE FLASH Even if it wasn’t designed as such, The Flash feels like the end of an era for the DC Expanded Universe of superhero movies. In place of a self-contained story about its titular hero, the film is mainly concerned with setting up DC’s very own multiverse, from which the rebooted James Gunn/Peter Safran age of DC Studios movies can spring forth. Along the way it mines a deep seam of nostalgia that comes worryingly close to grave robbing. In a story that draws inspiration from the ‘Flashpoint’ comic run, The Flash/Barry Allen (Ezra Miller) discovers that if he runs fast enough he is able to travel back in time. Seeing this as a way to stop his dad from being falsely imprisoned for his mother’s murder, Barry…

Arcade Action Bigscreen home entertainment isn't just about movies anymore. Rik Henderson checks out a videogame vying for time on your home cinema system… Starfield Bethesda Softworks ➜ Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC ➜ £69 (free with Xbox Game Pass) We first heard about Bethesda Softworks' Starfield in 2018, so it’s taken a fair while for it to fully emerge. After the first five or so hours of play, you can see why. The game is mammoth. That’s because Starfield is not bound to just the one open-world location – not even the one planet. As the name suggests, this is a space-faring adventure that has you visiting, exploring and role-playing across the galaxies – on hundreds of worlds – and even above them, with a decent space combat…

➜BLOODSPORT: COL. EDITION The film that launched Jean-Claude Van Damme on the path to stardom, 1988’s Bloodsport cast him as Frank Dux, a captain in the US Army who goes AWOL to compete in the Kumite, a secret Hong Kong martial arts tournament. Written by Sheldon Leitch (who continued to work with Van Damme on the likes of Double Impact and Legionnaire) and helmed by Newt Arnold (assistant director on The Godfather Part II, fact fans) it’s arguable that Bloodsport would have been largely forgotten if not for its leading man. The direction is nothing special and the story is essentially a series of tournament fights spiced up with some extra melodrama where the villain (Bolo Yeung) puts the hero’s buddy (Ray Jackson) in hospital. But with Van Damme flexing…

Panasonic TX-55MZ2000 ➜ £2,699 The most striking Panasonic OLED to date, the MZ2000’s sensational colour depth, excellent multi-format HDR support and superior Atmos sound system make for a formidable flatscreen that offers a real upgrade over its 2022 predecessor. HCC #345 NEW ENTRY Philips 55OLED808 ➜ £1,799 Mid-range 4K OLED TV has no problem holding its own against newer screen technologies with its Ambilight illumination, multi-HDR support and Philips' customary processing expertise. An outstanding all-rounder at a tempting price. HCC #343 Samsung QE65S95C ➜ £3,599 Samsung’s second-generation Quantum Dot OLED flatscreen takes the already great quality of last year’s debut and cranks it up more than just a notch. The new-look design is a winner, too. HCC #341 LG OLED65C3 ➜ £3,500 The brightness-boosting 'Micro Lens Array' panel of LG’s…

Kandahar [Prime Video] Despite treading similar ground to Guy Ritchie’s The Covenant, this latest team-up of actor Gerard Butler and director Ric Roman Waugh carves its own path, with more brain cells than your typical actioner. HCC #345 Heart of Stone [Netflix] Gal Gadot goes from Wonder Woman to super-spy in this high-gloss Netflix actioner (and wannabe franchise starter). While low on originality, Heart of Stone is big on AV thrills. Move over Ethan Hunt… HCC #345 Extraction 2 [Netflix] This sequel to the 2020 Netflix actioner drops Chris Hemsworth’s one-man army into some brilliantly choreographed, chaotic action. The ideal movie for anyone looking to push their system to the limit. HCC #343 Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre [Prime Video] Guy Ritchie and Jason Statham are back on familiar ground…

Marantz Cinema 50 ➜ £1,700 Knockout AV amp rings the changes with a gorgeous brand-new look and plenty going on under the hood – including a forward-leaning spec, excellent connectivity and a superb all-round performance. HCC #338 Anthem MRX 740 ➜ £2,800 Premium price for a seven-channel AVR, but the MRX 740 adds 11-channel processing, ARC Genesis room EQ and HDMI 2.1 upgrade path to a sound performance that mixes power and delicacy. HCC #321 Denon AVC-A1H ➜ £5,999 An imperious 15.4-channel AV amp that justifies its price with an incredible feature set, EQ flexibility (Audyssey and optional Dirac) and stunning multichannel sound. Denon’s flagship A1 class has returned in style. HCC #340 Primare SPA25 ➜ £4,000 HDMI 2.0 connectivity may not be state-of-the-art, but if that doesn’t matter then…

Final Fantasy XVI More action than action-RPG, this PlayStation 5 Final Fantasy outing takes a leaf out of Devil May Cry’s book, but still has more than enough going on to make fans overlook its button-mashing exploits. HCC #344 Diablo IV A lesson in gameplay over gimmicks, the brilliant Diablo IV is the new king of the isometric dungeon crawl genre. With awesome boss battles and plenty of large, labyrinthian maps, this is a sheer joy to play. HCC #343 The Expanse: A Telltale Series A prequel to the popular sci-fi TV series, Telltale’s latest adventure proves just as satisfying as its previous Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead episodic efforts. HCC #345 Star Wars Jedi: Survivor Despite some minor graphical glitches, developer Respawn’s long-awaited sequel to its 2019…