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Audio / Video Features

A scene from The Greatest Showman on a Sony A95L QD-OLED.

Best TVs for the Super Bowl

Not that you need us to give permission to buy a TV — but Super Bowl 2024 is the perfect excuse to pick up a new set. Here's what we'd buy.
Hisense USA president David Gold at CES 2024 in Las Vegas.

Your next TV likely will have AI, whether you want it or not

You couldn't turn on a TV at CES 2024 without AI practically hitting you in the face. And that's probably a good thing.
You Asked Feature Ep 20

You Asked: Samsung QD-OLED conundrum, ATSC 3.0, and audio outputs

This week on You Asked: Why don't TVs have more dedicated audio outputs? And what is up with ATSC 3.0?
The Apple Vision Pro reveals the wearer's eyes on a front-facing display.

3D is readying for another comeback — and this time it’s personal

The 3D experience has been tried and rejected more than once, but this time, it might have found a way to stick around.
The LG booth at CES 2024.

TVs at CES 2024: The big, the bright, and the see-through

CES is a show about televisions as much as anything. And this year's extravaganza didn't disappoint.
The secondary Smart Display on a Telly TV.

First look: Telly’s free TV just might be able to pull this off

It's good to be skeptical of Telly, a free TV with a secondary display that shows ads. But that doesn't change the fact that Telly offers a good experience.
Caleb Denison standing in front of the 115-inch TCL QM89.

Want to feel inferior? Stand in front of a 115-inch television

The 115-inch TCL QM89 brings size that we have not yet seen in a consumer-grade television. But chances are it's going to cost a pretty penny.
You Asked Ep 19 Feature

You Asked: how to turn off motion smoothing; Disney+ Atmos issues on Chromecast

We have some helpful hints on turning off motion smoothing, plus how to sidestep the lack of Atmos through your Chromecast.
A prototype Sony television with half the screen as normal, and half the screen showing a representation of how the new backlight system works.

Exclusive: An inside look at Sony’s exciting new mini-LED backlight tech

While other manufacturers try to one-up each other with specs, Sony has been working to improve its mini-LED technology. And the results are remarkable.
Man wearing Beats Studio Pro (front view).

Does Apple Music sound weak? It’s not your headphones’ fault

Did you get a new set of Apple or Beats headphones over the holidays, then discover that Apple Music doesn't sound as good as it used to? Here's why.
You Asked Ep 18

You asked: Should you buy a 70-inch TV, do you really need a Blu-ray player, and more?

More of your questions, answered. Are all Blu-ray players created equal? Will there ever be Micro-Lens Array QD-OLEDs? And what's up with eARC HDMI 2.1?
The Dyson Zone air-purifying ANC headphones on a model.

The weirdest and wildest AV gear of 2023

As 2023 comes to a close, we're looking back at some of the more interesting and weirdest audio/visual and home theater gear that wowed us throughout the year.
A collection of open-ear earbuds in their charging cases.

Open-ear earbuds and spatial audio ruled 2023 — and they’ll be even bigger in 2024

Open-ear earbuds and spatial audio were massive trends in 2023. Here's a recap of what we saw and heard, and what it could mean for 2024.
Amazon Fire TV AI-generated art.

As streaming shatters, here’s how Amazon wants to glue it back together with AI

Amazon already has previewed some of what's coming to Fire TV in 2024. But we know that's just a tease of what's likely to come.
Close up of Sonos logo on a Sonos Arc soundbar.

7 things Sonos’ first headphones will need to get right

Excited for the rumored Sonos headphones? So are we. But as the company enters brand new territory, success is far from guaranteed.
You Asked Ep 17 Feature

You Asked: TVs over fireplaces, Sonos vs. Wi-Fi smart speakers, and 3D TVs

We provide expert advice on your burning questions, like whether it is ever OK to mount a TV over a fireplace, Sonos versus smart speakers, and 3D OLED TVs.
The dash of the 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV.

How televisions point the way for a future with CarPlay and Android Auto

Imagine having to buy a television that didn't allow you to also use a Roku or Fire TV stick. That doesn't sound like fun, does it?
Samsung S95C Sony A95L LG G3 Best OLED 2023 (18)

2023 OLED TV shootout: the big three battle and we all win

Asking me to choose between the LG G3, Samsung S95C, and Sony A95L is like asking me to choose between my children. Here's how that went.
ClearStream Fusion over-the-air antenna.

2024 is the year you need to have an antenna for your TV

With seemingly everything requiring a monthly subscription these days, 2024 should be the year you consider an over-the-air antenna for free television.
You Asked Ep 16 Feature

You Asked: best streaming device for image quality, plus frame rate control and more

In this installment of You Asked, we tackle your questions, including which streaming device is the best for image quality and many more.
Best AV System Under 1K

If I had $1,000 to spend on AV gear, here’s what I’d get

Here's our expert advice on how to build the best entertainment system for your needs for under $1,000.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 sitting beside iPhone 14 and charging case.

What we want from the AirPods Pro in 2024

Apple's iconic AirPods Pro are amazing wireless earbuds, but there's still room for improvement. Here's what what we think the company should do next.
Dolby Atmos Under attack.

Samsung, Google are attacking Dolby Atmos’ monopoly on 3D sound, and it’s going to get ugly

Dolby Atmos has become synonymous with immersive 3D sound, but the brand is about to face a new challenger from Google and Samsung.
You Asked Ep 15 Feature

You Asked: Do perfect LCD panels exist?

In this installment of You Asked: Is there such a thing as a perfect LCD panel? What is frame rate control? And we'll decode Samsung soundbar model numbers.
An iPhone on a Peak Design travel tripod.

The living room tripod is now officially a thing you need

If you have an iPhone and an Apple TV, you need one more thing to perfect your holiday group video calls — a tripod.
LG MLA OLED technology is the most innovative TV technology of 2023.

The most innovative TV tech of 2023

2023 was more evolutionary than revolutionary for TVs, but MLA OLED tech and wireless TV set the stage for an exciting 2024.
The Hed Unity were the most innovative headphones of 2023.

The most innovative headphones and earbuds of 2023

2023 saw lots of great new wireless headphones and earbuds, but only three of these products were truly innovative.
The Amazon Fire TV Max 4K was the most innovative streaming device of 2023.

The most innovative streaming device of 2023

Streaming devices don't get the same sort of major annual updates as other categories, but one still stood above the rest is 2023.
You Asked Ep 13

You Asked: Is Dolby Vision a must-have? And how to handle Atmos with irregular ceilings

In this installment of You Asked, we'll break down whether no Dolby Vision is a deal-breaker, how to get Atmos sound with funky ceilings, and plasma upgrades.
A promo for a show on Amazon Freevee.

Don’t like giant ads on Amazon Fire TV? Then don’t buy one

Amazon Fire TV made a change that causes some users to be forced into full-screen ads and promos. We shouldn't be surprised.
You Asked Ep 12

You Asked 12: streaming audio, hotel TVs, and OLED burn-in

In this installment of You Asked, we tackle the wild volume disparity between streaming apps, how to change hotel TV settings, and more.
You Asked Ep 11

You Asked 11: throwing shade on OLED, TVs vs. PC monitors

Can sunlight damage your OLED? Why do monitors look better in the store? And is a TV or PC monitor better for gaming and streaming? Let's find out.
The Las Vegas strip lights up the background inside the Sphere as U2 plays on stage.

The tech behind U2’s mind-bending, spherical reality in Las Vegas

U2 is no ordinary rock band, and the Sphere in Las Vegas is no ordinary venue. We look at what went into making its immersive residency a reality.
Sony's Pulse Explore earbuds sit next to a Nintendo Switch OLED.

Sony’s new PlayStation earbuds are a perfect match — for my Nintendo Switch

Sony's Pulse Explore wireless earbuds are built with PlayStation 5 and PS Portal in mind, but they're a better match for the Nintendo Switch OLED.