Home Cinema Choice October 2016

Sony's PlayStation 2 is often credited with bringing disc-based movie playback into the mainstream. And while the follow-up PS3 didn't manage the same feat with Blu-ray, movie studios will be hoping that the new Xbox One S console can have a similar effect regarding that format's Ultra HD successor. The new One S (reviewed on p58) undercuts standalone players from Panasonic and Samsung in terms of price – and plays games! It could therefore give Ultra HD Blu-ray a reputation boost, and give 4K TV owners something to cheer if they're bored of hunting around on Netflix for HDR content. And following hot on its heels will be a tooledup PlayStation (early name, PlayStation NEO) that should give us even more choice when it comes to 4K. Throw in Sky…

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 SONY New ZD9 LED TV takes flagship Bravia crown SKY 4K service to be joined by VR content this year LOEWE Debut OLED screens launched ORBITSOUND Chatting soundbars with Brit audio brand NEWS X10 The hottest news stories in bite-sized chunks THE ABYSS James Cameron sci-fiprepares for 4K release & MORE! Acoustic panel specialist Artnovion has created a new line of on-wall treatments designed to provide sonic improvements and a touch of glamour. The 'High-End' collection features absorbers, diffusers and bass traps (including tunable options) in a variety of designs and hues; interested AV-Holics can install the company's Impulso app (for iOS devices), which carries out room measurements and then simulates how the panels could improve acoustics. Pricing varies from around £15-£300 per panel. HCC ONLINE… For breaking…

Nobody could accuse Sony of not thinking big when it comes to its new KD100ZD9 TV, a 100in Ultra HD flatscreen priced at around £60,000. This flagship behemoth employs a new Backlight Master Drive LED structure and debuts an improved 4K image processing engine to deliver the brand's most accomplished Ultra HD HDR visuals to date. And the good news for those tempted is that there are two smaller and more affordable models in the Z series. Turn to p10 for more details and our first impressions. High-end short-throw PJ Projection specialist SIM2 has unveiled its first ultra-shortthrow projector. The xTV's 0.25:1 throw ratio means it's capable of projecting a bigscreen image onto a screen or wall from just a few centimetres – a hybrid laser light engine (rated at…

Orbitsound is bolstering its soundbar lineup with the launch of the BAR A60, a £400 model using the company's airSOUND driver/DSP technology. It will be sold exclusively at Currys PC World. The new soundbar joins the flagship BAR A70, BAR M9 and soundbase and portable speakers in the British company's product line. Measuring a compact 69cm wide and 7.4cm high, the 'bar features five internal drivers – two side-mounted – and is supplied with a subwoofer that connects wirelessly. Connections are pegged at optical digital audio, 3.5mm and Bluetooth. The BAR A60 launches into a crowded soundbar market, but Orbitsound Managing Director/Product Developer, Daniel Fletcher, isn't concerned. 'I'm not surprised at all by the size of the market,' he told HCC. 'A good TV needs a soundbar since TVs are…

Jaws 3D (All-region BD) The much-maligned sequel finally reveals its entire raison d'être with this stereoscopic Blu-ray release. A real treat for vintage 3D fans! 10 Cloverfield Lane (All-region BD) This tense and rather claustrophobic thriller packs a surprisingly potent Dolby Atmos soundtrack that really comes into its own during the story's final act. Concussion (Ultra HD BD) Sony's strong run of form with the 2160p disc format continues with an exquisite 4K presentation of the hard-hitting Will Smith drama. Rick & Morty: Season 2 (Region A BD) A spectacular second batch of ten episodes for this gut-busting cult cartoon. Roll on Season Three… Dheepan (Region B BD) This Palme d'Or-winning French crime drama is one of the most gripping Blu-rays around.…