Podcast #1219: Best of CEDIA 2025
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at the CDEDIA Best of show winners for this years event. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: TWICE Best of Show Awards Winners for CEDIA 2025 - is an innovative, modular linear lighting solution designed for high-end architectural applications in both commercial and residential spaces. VENTRIX provides a scalable, customizable framework for illumination challenges, such as recessed grid ceiling installations or linear layouts in retail, restaurants, offices, or upscale homes. No pricing available. - Is a...
info_outline
Podcast #1218: US Network TV Fall Premiers
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we run down the US network premier dates and shows for the 2025-2026 TV season. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: 2025/2026 US Network TV Fall Premiers ABC Mon, Sept 8 8:00 PM: (Vikings-Bears) Tue, Sept 16 8:00 PM: Season 34 10:00 PM: Season 2 Wed, Sept 24 8:00 PM: Season 2 (two hours) 10:00 PM: Season 17 Fri, Sept 26 8 pm Season 6 (ABC) 9 pm Season 48 (ABC) Sun, Sept 28 7:00 PM: Season 36 8:00 PM: (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3) Wed, Oct 1 8:00 PM: Season 2 8:30 PM: Season 5 ...
info_outline
Podcast #1217: The DVR is Dead
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take some time off but still give you a great show. In addition to reading your emails and the news, we do a post mortem on the DVR. News: Other: The DVR is Dead We did a show back in 2009 where we highlighted an article that discussed the end of the DVR era. We added our thoughts on the subject and I did an analysis of what it would cost to just buy the shows I watched vs recording them on the DVR. Streaming services were just coming on the scene and we had no idea what was coming down the road. In this episode I go back and discuss what we...
info_outline
Podcast #1216: TV Brightness Isn't Everything
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at an article from What Hi-Fi titled “I just tested one of 2025's best small OLEDs – and it proves most companies are focusing on the wrong thing”. And that thing is brightness. We look at what would make a perfect TV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Brightness Isn't Everything We saw an article over at titled “” and thought there is a lot of truth to what the author is saying. So today will expand on this article with the HT Guys take. The author argues that TV manufacturers like LG, Samsung, and Sony...
info_outline
Podcast #1215: What Happened to DLNA Technology?
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show ask the question: “What Happened to DLNA Technology” We also read your emails and the week’s news. Also, say hi to Evelyne, our virtual news reader. News: What Happened to DLNA Technology? DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) technology, once a popular standard for sharing media like photos, videos, and music between devices on a home network, has largely faded from prominence. Here's a concise overview of what happened: Peak Popularity (2000s–Early 2010s): DLNA, introduced in 2003, enabled seamless media streaming between certified devices...
info_outline
Podcast #1214: LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellite Internet
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a look at the pros and cons of Low Earth Orbiting Satellites and ask if competition from them could lower your Internet bills. One of our listeners does a good analysis of what it would cost cordcutters to watch every NFL and most College football games. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: LEO (Low Earth Orbit) Satellite Internet On a recent show we talked about High Speed internet eliminating the need for over the air broadcasting. However we understand that not everyone has access to high speed internet. We...
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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.
info_outline
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,...
info_outline
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?...
info_outlineOn 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:
- Belkin plans to power down Wemo support in 2026
- Netflix Sees Rapid Q2 Subscriber Gains
- Broadcast TV hits historical viewership low in June
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 - Your Roku has secret menus and settings here's how to access them. 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: For developers to test apps on Roku. Enables app installation, sideloading, and Roku account management.
2. Network Menu
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Right > Left > Right > Left > Right
- What It Does: View IP/MAC addresses, check internet connection, join networks, and toggle bandwidth-saver mode.
3. Wireless Secret Screen
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Up > Down > Up > Down > Up
- What It Does: Displays signal strength, antenna info, and error logs. Run AP speed tests or clear Wi-Fi settings.
4. Reset & Update
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Fast Forward × 3 > Rewind × 2
- What It Does: Factory reset, soft reset, search for updates, and USB port tests.
5. Ads & Screenshots
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Up > Right > Down > Left > Up
- What It Does: Control scrollable ads, disable screensaver ads, and adjust screenshot output formats.
6. HDMI Secret Screen
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Down > Left > Up × 3
- What It Does: View supported resolutions, refresh rates, HDR settings, switch inputs, and run input tests.
7. Platform Secret Screen
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Fast Forward > Play/Pause > Rewind > Play/Pause > Fast Forward
- What It Does: Displays CPU, memory usage, remote diagnostics, IPv6 settings, and remote logs.
8. Channel Info Menu
- How to Access: Home × 3 > Up × 2 > Left > Right > Left > Right > Left
- What It Does: View installed channel versions and build numbers. Uninstall apps directly from this screen.
9. Reboot Shortcut
- How to Access: Home × 5 > Up > Rewind × 2 > Fast Forward × 2
- What It Does: Quick reboot without accessing menus. Roku restarts immediately.
Tips and Warnings
- Use these menus cautiously; some actions (e.g., factory reset) are irreversible.
- Not all menus work on every Roku model (e.g., older devices or specific models like the Roku Smart Soundbar).
- To exit, press the Home button.
- For additional settings, explore the standard Settings menu or enable developer mode via Roku’s website for app sideloading.
Note: Always back up important settings before experimenting.