HDTV Rewind Episode #11: DVRs and the Netflix/Epix Deal
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to August 13 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, discuss DVRs and the Netflix/Epix deal.
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HDTV Rewind Episode #11: DVRs and the Netflix/Epix Deal
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to August 13 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, discuss DVRs and the Netflix/Epix deal.
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Podcast #1213: 2025 Value Electronics TV Shootout
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we discuss the 2025 Value Electronics TV Shootout. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Sony Crowned King of TVs for the Seventh Year Running at the 2025 Value Electronics TV Shootout For the seventh consecutive year, Sony has claimed the title of “King of TVs” at the , held at their Scarsdale, New York showroom. The winning model, the $3000, emerged victorious in a fiercely competitive field of flagship OLED TVs from LG, Samsung, and Panasonic. This annual event, now in its 21st year, is a benchmark for videophiles,...
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Podcast # 1212: Where is the Ring Indoor Security Drone and Top 10 Streaming Shows of the First Half of 2025
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we ask what ever happened to the Ring Indoor Security Drone and we take a look at the Top Ten Streaming shows for the first half of 2025. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: What Ever Happened to the Ring Indoor Security Drone? I was thinking about all the cool stuff that had been introduced at CES over the years and remembered one that I really wanted to use, the Ring Indoor Security Drone. It's perfect for those who own a home and may want to check in on parts of it without placing cameras everywhere. So what happened to it?...
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Podcast #1211: Why Are Consumers Skipping New Streaming Devices
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a look at why people are not upgrading their set top boxes and we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Why Are Consumers Skipping New Streaming Devices We are big fans of streaming devices for a bunch of reasons like; they have the latest hardware so streamers can take advantage and give you higher quality. Or apps are updated more frequently, Or even that you can have identical experience across different manufacturers. Regardless of why we love them, a recent report by , said that devices like Roku, Amazon’s Fire TV, Apple...
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HDTV Rewind Episode #10: Blu-ray VS DVD
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to July 23rd 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, discuss how to pick an AV Receiver and why Bluray was not selling like hotcakes.
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Podcast #1210: Rokus Secret Menus
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at what the posters at AVS forum have spent on their home theaters and we look at the Roku Secret Menu options. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Your Roku has secret menus and settings here's how to access them Roku devices have hidden menus for advanced users, offering diagnostic tools, customization options, and more. Full article at ZD Net - . Here's how to access them using your Roku remote: 1. Developer Settings How to Access: Home × 3 > Up × 2 > Right > Left > Right > Left > Right What It Does:...
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Podcast #1209: Money is No Object Home Theater - Within Reason
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we design a high end home theater but one that is within reason because we are not going to spend your money just for the sake of spending money. We also read your emails and the week’s news. News: Other: Money is No Object Home Theater - Within Reason We have designed a budget based home theater system before so for this episode we decided to design a money is no object system. This high-end home theater system is centered around an 85" television and a 7.1.2 speaker configuration, optimized for premium performance since budget is not a constraint. We...
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Podcast #1208: HDMI 2.2
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a first look at the proposed HDMI 2.2 specification. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: HDMI 2.2 Specification The HDMI 2.2 specification, announced by the HDMI Forum at CES 2025, introduces several advanced features to support higher resolutions, refresh rates, and enhanced audio-visual performance. Below is a summary of the key features included in the HDMI 2.2 specification based on the information we have today: Increased Bandwidth (Up to 96 Gbps): HDMI 2.2 doubles the bandwidth of HDMI 2.1 (from 48 Gbps to 96...
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HDTV Rewind Episode #9: Room Acoustics
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to July 2nd 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, and discuss room acoustic treatments.
info_outlineOn this week’s show we rank our favorite Streaming Services. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
- More than 25% of viewers aren’t watching live TV anymore
- Tubi breaks the 100 million monthly active user mark
- Netflix to Introduce Live TV Channels in France
- NCIS: Tony & Ziva Sets September Premiere Date on Paramount+
Other:
- Panasonic DVD Recorders on ebay
- Panasonic DMR-EH75VS DVD recorder with 80GB hard drive and HiFi VCR, plus DVD video upconversion at Crutchfield
- The 10 Best DVD Recorders of 2025 (Reviews) - FindThisBest
- "It's Official: Streaming Is Now the King of TV
The Definitive Streaming Service Ranking
We received an email from a listener named Scott that pointed us to an article titled ”The Definitive Streaming Service Ranking” written by Josh Rosenberg and published in Esquire magazine. In the article he ranks the top seven streaming services. We’ll go through his picks from seven to one. And then we’ll give our rankings.
7 Amazon Prime Video - The main criterion for ranking streaming services is whether they offer at least one new, worthwhile show each month. Prime Video falls short, as it doesn't consistently deliver high-quality new TV content. Instead, it focuses on being a hub for accessing other subscriptions, with shows like Reacher, Fallout, and The Boys feeling like bonuses for Amazon Prime's free shipping rather than a compelling reason to subscribe for streaming alone.
6 Peacock - Peacock is a top choice for reality-TV fans, offering Bravo’s full lineup, including Real Housewives, Love Island USA, Below Deck, Top Chef, and Watch What Happens Live. It also hosts NBC’s library with classics like The Office, Parks & Recreation, New Girl, Scrubs, and Law & Order, plus Yellowstone due to an exclusive deal. Its appeal lies in its sitcom and reality-TV vault, and it’s the streaming home for the Olympics, though that’s only every two years. Fans might find it worth a high price, though it’s currently much less than $100 a month.
5 Disney/Hulu/ESPN+ - The Disney/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle is perceived as a single streaming service due to its long-standing integration, with Disney enhancing this by adding Hulu and ESPN+ tiles to the Disney+ home screen for seamless access. Each service offers unique strengths: Disney+ excels in Marvel, Star Wars, and children’s content; Hulu features FX shows like The Bear and Shōgun, plus ABC’s lineup, including Abbott Elementary; and ESPN+ remains a leader in live sports despite growing competition. Their combined appeal keeps them competitive, as they are stronger together than individually.
4 Netflix - Netflix benefits from long-term subscriber relationships, with users browsing its platform like they once did with cable TV. However, its content quality is declining, with more misses than hits. The upcoming conclusion of major shows like Squid Game and Stranger Things in 2025 could further challenge its ability to retain subscribers.
3 Paramount+ - Paramount+ benefits from Taylor Sheridan's popular shows like Yellowstone, Landman, and 1923, and its merger with Showtime has brought quality series such as MobLand and Yellowjackets. However, the streaming service struggles to justify its subscription cost as essential, with its success hinging on the delivery of Sheridan's planned spin-off universe.
2 Apple TV+ - Apple TV+ has significantly improved its content in 2025, with successful shows like Severance season 2, The Studio (Seth Rogen), Your Friends and Neighbors (Jon Hamm), and Stick (Owen Wilson). Previously, subscribing only for specific shows was advisable, but now, due to consistent high-quality releases with A-list talent, keeping the subscription active is recommended. If this trend continues, Apple TV+ will remain a strong competitor in the streaming market.
1 HBO Max - HBO tops the power ranking due to its consistent delivery of high-quality TV shows that justify the subscription cost. With a business model focused on quality since its launch over 50 years ago, HBO has aired acclaimed series like The Pitt, The White Lotus, The Last of Us, The Rehearsal, and Hacks in the first half of 2025. Its extensive library includes some of the greatest shows and movies, such as Goodfellas. While Netflix prioritizes quantity, HBO Max excels in quality.