Home Cinema Choice May 2017

We are witnessing a shake-up of the 4K projector world. DLP models (featured this issue in the shape of Acer's V9800) are beginning to arrive at AV retailers. And it's about time, too. Texas Instruments' chip technology has long been the basis of the more affordable end of the Full HD market, leaving rival solutions (SXRD, LCD, D-ILA) to cater for those with bigger budgets and ambitions. Now that DLP has been given a pixelpush, we should see a similar effect. Brands including Acer, Optoma, BenQ, ViewSonic and Vivitek are all DLP devotees. As more 4K models are launched, that means a greater choice for buyers, greater competition and more palatable prices. I remember when the first Full HD projector was released with a £1,000 price tag. I look forward…

John Archer: The UK’s most experienced TV tester cut his teeth as an early HCC staffer Jon Thompson: Film producer and post-production expert delves deep into Hollywood and AV Steve May: HCC’s former Editor-in-Chief is one of the UK’s most respected AV journos Martin Pipe: Technical expert Martin is renown throughout the home cinema industry Richard Stevenson: Industry veteran and former Editor of UK CE trade journal ERT Adrian Justins: Made his name as the editor of What Video & TV and What Home Cinema…

News highlights SONUS FABER Homage Tradition speakers unveiled PANASONIC 4K Blu-ray recorder launched... but you can't have it SKY Voice search added to Sky Q CEDIA 2017 install awards gets revamped categories WEBWATCH Click here for trailers and tech NEWS X10 Hot stories in bite-sized chunks LA LA LAND Oscar hit dances onto 4K BD & MORE! Philips' second-generation OLED TV retains the 4K resolution and three-sided Ambilight talents of its POS901 predecessor, but aims to bring an increase in image quality via the brand's new P5 processor silicon. HDR support has been expanded to include Hybrid Log-Gamma (in addition to HDR 10, but not Dolby Vision), while Android's 'M' OS bolsters the user experience. Currently, the set is only promised at 55in, with pricing and availability yet to be…

More sumptuous-looking loudspeakers are rolling out of Sonus faber's Italian workshop. The brand's revamped Homage Tradition range stretches to two floorstanding models (including the Serafino, pictured right), a standmount and – still to be released – the Vox centre channel. Pricing begins at a reassuringly expensive £13,500 for a pair of the Guarneri standmounts, but your money gets you Italian leather front baffles, bespoke transducers and very jealous friends. SACD revival comes at a cost German audio specialist T+A elektroakustik is targeting music fans who refuse to part with their SACD collection with its new MP 3100 HV media player. In addition to its 'high precision' SACD drive, this £12,690 box of tricks also sports T+A's new high-res streaming board, which provides access to TIDAL, Qobuz and Deezer music services,…

Panasonic has unveiled the world's first 4K UHD Blu-ray recorder combi, and announced a second OLED screen for Summer launch, the EZ952. The DMR-UBC90, which will only be released in the German and Austrian markets, can record free-to-air 4K content from UHD channels delivered by satellite operator SES. The recorder is also compatible with Hybrid Log-Gamma broadcast HDR. 4K video is recorded to a 2TB hard drive. The deck will also play 4K Blu-ray discs, in addition to regular Blu-rays, DVDs and CDs. It uses the same HCX processor as Panasonic's UHD Blu-ray players, and supports 4K streaming from 'net services. Keisuke Shinno, hardware designer on the UBC90, told HCC that the recorder could be networked with a second UBC90, and the recordings on one hard drive played by the…

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (Ultra HD BD) Amazing HDR visuals and Atmos audio make Tim Burton's latest a must-own for 4K fans. The Crying Game (Blu-ray) Delayed from 2016, the BFI's HD remaster is finally here and proves worth the wait. The Love Witch (Blu-ray) The stunning 1080p presentation of this retro-styled genre pastiche casts a spell on all who see it. The Anderson Tapes (Blu-ray) The classic Sean Connery crime caper receives a typically robust Blu-ray package from Indicator. Phantom Boy (DVD) This charming French cartoon cuts a surprisingly strong figure on DVD thanks to its old-school aesthetic.…