Pete's Write

My father was a big fan of Chinese stuff, from his Panda singlets, to furniture, porcelain to old Chinese movies, he loved it all. I showed him one movie called Postmen In The Mountains, and we watched this father and son movie with not only great reference but a certain bonding too, and today, I found a movie which I reckon he would have enjoyed too, and it's a pity he isn't around anymore to enjoy it with me. There have been some military movies coming out of China recently, with great production values, and large budgets, but whilst they boast amazing sets and tremendous action scenes, they had a more jingoist and nationalistic slant.  This movie on the other hand, harks back to the old style, some might say propaganda mode movies, but I reckon it should rank as highly the old Dirty Dozen and the more recent Band of Brothers. You may dispute the praise I heap on this movie, but hear me out. Firstly, you have to be able to understand the language, and also ...

When one is shopping for a new TV, do take note of the potential minefields out there. Terms like HDR (high-dynamic range) and DV (Dolby Vision) are splashed all over the specs or the brochures rather carelessly. Just be aware that it can be a slightly artificial feature.. Why so?  Eg a minimum for HDR is about 500 nits. Ideally you should get a TV that can go up to 1000 nits. DV is capable of showing 10000 nits.  https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/what-is-hdr-tv/ So please temper your expectations when you see such terms like HDR and DV on TVs. You may see the tag light up on your TV, but the results may be disappointing. Now you know why.  Look out for real reviews and measurements. Websites like Rtings do real measurements that can help with your decision process. 

I notice a lot of questions on this topic I'm compiling some basic info, that I gleaned from some useful website and posted them here. BUT, please - DO YOUR HOMEWORK and Read the Manuals! Some basic terminology that one should familiarise oneself with: ARC: Audio Return Channel eARC: is Enhanced ARC What are the benefits: This article explains it quite well: https://www.cnet.com/news/hdmi-audio-return-channel-and-earc-for-beginners/ The differences between ARC and eARC: https://www.techradar.com/sg/news/hdmi-arc-vs-earc " In its most basic form, ARC uses an HDMI cable to send audio from a TV back to a receiver or a sound bar. That means you can use a single cable for both audio and video, for example from the Netflix app built into your TV or from a connected game console, and use your TV for switching. HDMI CEC: HDMI CEC control Another HDMI feature is called CEC, or Consumer Electronics Control. Nearly every company has their own name for i...

Sony is one of the few major players left in the game still making 4k and Blu Ray players. They had the X700 to cover the lower end and also the X800, which is now in the MK II iteration. I have owned both of them before, my previous review on the original X800, which uses a similar chassis: https://peteswrite.blogspot.com/2017/12/sony-ubp-x800-4k-blu-ray-player-review.html So is there are any virtue in owning the ES series flagship? Firstly, what does the "ES" stand for? Well I got some info off this site: http://northcoastaudio.com/sonyes.html#:~:text=ES%20stands%20for%20Elevated%20Standard,Superior%20product%20with%20superior%20service "What is SONY ES? ES stands for Elevated Standard. Sony's top of the line product that emphasizes the highest build quality and refinements to deliver an unmatched audio and video experience." So let's see if it really make a difference to pay almost twice the price of the X800MK II for this model. The...

So the Music 5 or 3 isn't big or badass enough? Need more bass, more presence, and spread? Or just something that works well with a larger TV or even a projector based system? The tech blurb: https://www.dynaudio.com/home-audio/music/music-7 " Like the Music 5, it’s mains-powered with an optical input – but it's also packing two 1in soft-dome tweeters, two 3in midrange drivers and twin 5in woofers. It even has an HDMI connection with Audio Return Channel so you can use it as a soundbar under your TV." Now Dynaudio has the largest one, their 7 is a bit of a beast. It's mains powered, and has a fairly large profile and might not fit under smaller TVs with smaller legs. It can be wall mounted, or it can sit under your TV (I couldn't fit it under my 58", but it did well in my dedicated HT room under my 75"). If you do mount it, bear in mind this baby weighs more than 7kg, so make sure your shelves are up to the task...

I think there are enough people who are beginning to own screens, so it's useful to have a chat on the options. Projectors (PJ) have been divided into a few camps - traditional ones which require a longer throw, so you usually site it at the back - ultra short throw ones which sit on a console at the front The light source can be a bulb, LED or lasers The video chip can be LCD, DLP, each with it's own pros and cons. As for the screens, you won't want to be using the old style traditional ones with a UST PJ. Those cheap and cheerful ones have a gain factor to help you retrieve or enhance the light reflection for the longer throw projectors, but if you are using the newer UST types, you actually don't want that.  You will need a ALR Light rejection type such as this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33042530895.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.0.0.6d134630RcoxAx&algo_pvid=72d52e67-ef06-44a8-bca1-9eca1be3b113&algo_expid=72d52e67-ef06-44a8-bca1-9eca1be3b11...

I found some old pics of my first system which I bought way back in 2007. This Monitor Audio Silver based system served well for home theatre and start me on my journey in a dedicated room. That was an old Pioneer 507, with the Marantz SR 12 - which I still keep. Wonderful amp for music. I used it in a really tiny room, barely 3.5 by 3m!

I remember hearing the Gold Series at my friend's home more than 15 years ago, and that first impression set off a journey which involved one set of Bronze, two sets of Silver and one set of Gold series..  The first set, the Bronze BR series is still working, and playing in a friend's home, still giving sterling service. Their main proposition, value for money. Monitor Audio has been producing speakers which are very competitive for their price and their shift to a manufacturing base in China has helped to allow low prices with fine cabinets. The immediate predecessor of the new Bronze series has been around for more than five years, a long time in the speaker world. But despite being long in the tooth, it has been selling well and was very well reviewed. So does the new series compare well? It's the Covid times and many places are under lockdown. But I have managed to get a pair of the Bronze 100 and the Centre for a review. I must add that these are the pre-...