Podcast #1253: Are the Low Cost Matter Compatible Devices From Ikea Worth It?
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take our first look at the new batch of Ikea smart home products that support matter. Are they worth the money? We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Are the Low Cost Matter Compatible Devices From Ikea Worth It? On this week’s show we take our first look at the new batch of Ikea smart home products that support matter. If you are in the Amazon, Apple, Google, Homey or Samsung ecosystem you can connect these devices directly to your home via matter. These are some of the lowest cost devices we have seen and they...
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Podcast #1252: Broadcast Network Renewals and Cancellations for the Next TV Season
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we do our annual Broadcast Network TV Renewals and Cancellations and also read your emails and look at the week’s news. News: Other: Broadcast Network Renewals and Cancellations for the Next TV Season It's that time of year where we look at the fate of broadcast network TV Shows. The following list is based on the latest available info. Note that The CW has largely shifted away from original scripted programming. ABC Strong stability for its drama and comedy slate. Renewed: (S10), (S2), (S6), (S23), (S3), (S9), (revival, S2/overall S11), (S3), ...
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Podcast #1251: The Most Effective ways to Circumvent Smart TV Spying
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show a listener asks for some help with keeping his audio in sync with his video. We also discuss how to turn off the ACR on your Smart TV. But first we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Audio Sync in a Home Theater Byron’s request for answers to some specific questions on audio sync: I’d appreciate it if you guys could provide some “guiding principles” on syncing audio in a home theater setup. I have four questions: 1. Should the AVR be the ONLY place to mess with syncing settings (when everything runs through it, including ARC)? Yes,...
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Podcast #1250: Smart TVs Spy on What You Watch and Profit From Your Data
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look into how your TV may be spying on you so that manufacturers can profit off of what you watch. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Smart TVs Spy on What You Watch and Profit From Your Data Last week we read a news story about how some Smart TVs install apps that use your IP address and bandwidth to scrape the Internet to feed AI models. And if that isn’t enough to make you want to disconnect your TV from the Internet, smart TVs from nearly every major brand are actively spying on exactly what you watch—whether it's cable,...
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Podcast #1249:Five Underrated Home Theater Gear Picks Under $500
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take look at five underrated home theater picks that will set you back less than $500. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: a novel by Tyler Richardson Five Underrated Home Theater Gear Picks Under $500 In the world of home theater, the big brands usually grab all the attention. But some of the best-performing gear doesn’t have to break the bank while still delivering impressive sound, clear dialogue, and deep, immersive bass. If you're building or upgrading a home theater system on a budget, say less than...
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Podcast #1248: Why does anyone still need a physical satellite TV service?
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we ask the question: Why does anyone still need a physical satellite TV service?. We also read your emails and take a look at the news. There is also a standup comic bonus during the email segment. News: Other: Why does anyone still need a physical satellite TV service? After reading John’s email, I thought: why does anyone still need a physical satellite TV service? So today, we’re comparing traditional satellite TV like DirecTV and DISH Network versus modern IPTV and live TV streaming services such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, and DirecTV’s own...
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Podcast #1247: What Specs Matter and What Don’t When Buying a New HDTV
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we go beyond the hype to tell you what specs matter most, what specs are mere marketing hype, and we give you some tips for buying your next HDTV. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: What Specs Matter and What Don’t When Buying a New HDTV Last week the Brightside Home Theater Podcast did a panel discussion on the real factors that shape picture quality. Check it out when you have a chance, it's very informative (). So this week we are piggybacking on their discussion to tell you what specs matter most, what specs are mere...
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Podcast #1246: The Next Big Thing In Home Automation
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we countdown from an article at . and we do a deep dive into the Next Big Thing in Home Automation. Plus we read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: The Next Big Thing In Home Automation We have had a running gag that whatever the year, it was the “Year” of Home Automation. Today, we can say confidently that home automation is mainstream and with Matter hitting it's stride, it's easier than ever to automate your house regardless of which ecosystem you prefer. That got us wondering, what is the next big thing in...
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Podcast #1245: Set Top Boxes - From Niche Devices to Major Ecosystems
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a walk down memory lane and look at how the Set Top Boxes we all take for granted evolved from niche Netflix-focused or iTunes-centric devices to broad ecosystems. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Set Top Boxes - From Niche Devices to Major Ecosystems Here's a chronological timeline of major set-top streaming boxes: Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Google (Chromecast, Android TV/Google TV devices). These devices evolved from basic media extenders to full smart platforms with app stores, 4K/HDR support,...
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Podcast #1244: Why are Radio Stations Disappearing?
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look into why terrestrial radio stations are disappearing. We also read your emails and take a look at the news. News: Other: Why are Radio Stations Disappearing? A growing number of commercial AM and FM radio stations in the US are shutting down or surrendering their licenses. Over the past decade through late 2025, about 342 AM stations disappeared—a 7% drop—while commercial FM stations fell by 112, or roughly 2%. This decline stems from shrinking ad revenue, fierce competition from streaming services and podcasts, and changing listener habits, especially...
info_outlineOn this week’s show we have compiled a list of home theater and home automation/smart home products that received notable awards or honors at CES 2026.
News:
- Amazon has started automatically upgrading Prime members to Alexa Plus
- Apple Reveals ‘Record-Breaking’ Year For Apple TV And Other Services
- Bears vs. Packers on Prime Video sets streaming record
2026 CES Award Winners
- Samsung S95H (OLED TV with enhanced brightness, anti-burn-in art display, wireless features) Awarded Best TV or Home Theater (CNET) and Winner in Home Theater category (ZDNET/CNET Group awards).
- Samsung Music Studio 5 (Compact smart speaker with artistic design, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity for whole-home audio) Winner in Best Audio category (CNET) and Winner in Audio category (ZDNET/CNET Group awards).
- Samsung 140” Micro LED - The Samsung 140” Micro LED TV creates a seamless, immersive 3D-like experience by using AI to extend on-screen content onto innovative Micro LED Mirror bezels that blend with the image. When not in use, it folds in half via a hidden hinge to function as an elegant art frame, eliminating the traditional "black box" appearance and blending beautifully into home décor. CES 2026 Best of Innovation in Video Displays
- KLIPSCH THE 9S II - The Klipsch The 9s II powered speakers feature Onkyo audio processing and an updated Tractrix horn for wide dispersion and precise clarity, while supporting both two-channel music and Dolby Atmos content with versatile connectivity including AirPlay 2, USB-C, HDMI, and XLR inputs.They include Dirac Live auto-room calibration and deliver exceptional sound quality, though the pair carries a premium price of $2,399. Tom’s Guide Best Audio
- LG H7 FlexConnect soundbar (Dolby Atmos soundbar with modular FlexConnect surround extension to any TV, part of LG Sound Suite) Best Audio category (CNET).
- LG W6 (Ultra-thin "wallpaper" OLED TV, flush wall mount, bright display, supports Dolby Atmos FlexConnect) Best TV or Home Theater category (CNET).
- LG CLOiD - The LG CLOiD is a wheeled household robot that connects to LG ThinQ smart appliances and uses its two arms, cameras, sensors, and voice recognition to autonomously handle tasks like loading laundry, folding clothes, organizing the fridge, tidying up, running errands, and assisting with cooking. By learning the user's routines, understanding context and emotions, and proactively acting with gestures, voice, and expressions, it reduces household labor and enhances quality of life and emotional well-being. 2026 Honoree in Smart Home
- Hisense 116UXS (Massive 116-inch mini-LED TV with advanced RGB + cyan backlight for wide color gamut)
Highlighted in Best TV or Home Theater category (CNET) and CES 2026 Best of Innovation in Video Displays - Hisense 163MX The Hisense 163MX is the world's first 163-inch MicroLED TV to use a four-primary RGBY (QuadColor) pixel design, which adds a yellow subpixel to achieve 95% BT.2020 color coverage—a 5% improvement over traditional RGB MicroLED systems. This self-emissive technology delivers perfect blacks, infinite contrast, precise brightness control, and stunning visual quality in any lighting without a backlight. 2026 Best of Innovation in Video Displays.
- Samsung EdgeAware AI Home - processing sounds, videos, and data from Samsung and third-party devices locally on your Samsung tech to generate detailed event summaries, contextual recommendations, and health insights displayed on your TV—all without sending private data to the cloud. It detects 12 distinct sounds (like running water or breaking glass), provides actionable suggestions such as launching telemedicine for persistent coughing or triggering emergency services for intrusions/fires, and enables fast AI-driven searches for moments like “doorbell rang.” 2026 Honoree in Smart Home
- Doma Intelligent Door - Doma is pioneering secure home intelligence by integrating advanced technology directly into the front door, starting with keyless entry, intruder protection, and real-time awareness of activity inside and around the home. Founded by the team behind August and Yale smart locks, it delivers a holistic system that elevates the home experience, monitors health and safety, senses surroundings, and takes personalized actions to provide true peace of mind. 2026 Honoree in Smart Home
- Roborock Saros Rover (Advanced two-legged/smart robot vacuum with stair-climbing, AI navigation for multi-level homes) Winner in Smart Home category (ZDNET/CNET Group awards).
- AQARA U400 - Thanks to its use of Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology, it can sense when you (and your iPhone or Apple Watch) are approaching your door, and will unlock it automatically. No fuss. And, the technology is good enough that it can recognize if you’re merely walking past your door rather than to it, or if you’re inside, rather than outside your house. Tom’s Guide Best Smart Lock
- JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx JBL Tour One M3 Smart Tx delivers all the powerful features of the Tour One M3 headphones such as world class noise cancellation, crystal clear calls and legendary Hi-res certified JBL Pro Sound. The Smart Tx audio transmitter connects you to almost any audio source and elevates your wireless experience. Connect wirelessly to digital devices using the USB-C connection, or analog devices with a 3.5mm audio jack, such as in-flight entertainment systems. No need to pull out your phone and search for the app. Full access to all controls is right there on the touch screen of the transmitter. 2026 Honoree in Headphones & Personal Audio. $450
- Timekettle W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds The Timekettle W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds are the world's first in-ear translation device to use Bone-Voiceprint Sensor technology combined with LLM-powered, context-aware AI, achieving 98% accurate, noise-immune speech recognition with just 0.2-second latency across 42 languages and 95 accents.Designed for all-day comfort with up to 18 hours of battery life, sleek styling, one-flip sharing, automatic mode switching, and audio/video translation capabilities, the W4 delivers natural, real-time multilingual conversations and is now available for purchase. 2026 Honoree in Artificial Intelligence, Headphones & Personal Audio, Mobile Devices, Accessories & Apps. $350