Home Cinema Choice Xmas 2018

I think it's now safe to say that Ultra HD Blu-ray is here to stay, and as the format gets comfortable, it's beginning to spread its wings. You'll find evidence of that this issue in both Pioneer's wilfully premium UDP-LX800 player (see p46) and the expanding back-catalogue movie library (see p20). 4K is moving beyond high street-friendly hardware and new-release blockbusters. The 4K outing for Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey is possibly the format's crowning achievement. Not only has care been lavished here on the sci-fi flick's startling widescreen visuals, ensuring this 50-year-old movie looks sensational, the original six-track audio has been re-commissioned for home cinema, and Warner Bros's three-disc release comes in fan-pleasing, pride-of-place packaging. It feels like a template is being set here that all studios should…

John Archer: The experienced TV tester cut his teeth as an early HCC staffer Jon Thompson: Film producer and post-production expert delves into Hollywood and AV Steve May: HCC’s former Ed. is one of the UK’s most respected AV journos Martin Pipe: Technical expert Martin is renown throughout the industry Richard Stevenson: Former Editor of the UK CE trade journal ERT Ed Selley: Audiophile Ed mixes his home cinema passion with a love of vinyl Vincent Teoh: Professional video calibrator writes about technology and tweaking…

Promising 'all the convenience and connectivity of the connected world, but with the emotion and detail of true high-resolution stereo,' KEF's LSX active speaker system arrives this month priced £1,000. Use either Bluetooth or UPnP/DLNA Wi-Fi to stream music, or digital optical audio for a flatscreen TV hookup, and perhaps add a subwoofer via the pre-out connection for a 2.1 performance that the brand believes knocks the soundbar competition into a cocked hat. See p10 for more… HCC ONLINE… For breaking AV news, blogs, features and reviews visit www.homecinemachoice.com Follow us on Twitter @hccmag Like us on Facebook facebook.com/homecinemachoice…

Polk Audio has updated its Signature Series range. Now dubbed Signature E and pledging 'big surround sound', the lineup of three floorstanders, two centre enclosures (including the slim S35e) and three bookshelf models features improved drive units, new crossover designs and revised bass ports. All speakers are available in Black Washed Walnut or Winter White finishes, with prices reaching £1,000-per-pair for the S60e tower, which partners its terylene dome tweeter with a trio of 6.5in midbass drivers. Fyne, Fast and Furious? Fyne Audio has announced its F3 Series of subwoofers. The range has a focus on affordability, with the junior 8in model (F3-8) selling for just £300; 10in and 12in versions are priced at £400 and £600 respectively. Front-firing designs with down-firing ports, power comes via Class D 'DDX' amplifiers,…

The wait for a Dolby Cinema in the UK should be over by the end of the year as the Odeon Leicester Square in London reopens after a multi-million pound refurbishment programme. Adopting the name Odeon Luxe Leicester Square, the West End cinema is being described as the chain's 'European flagship'. Screen 1 (aka the Premiere Screen) has been given the Dolby Cinema makeover. The 800-seat venue will feature a Dolby Vision dual-laser projection system and Dolby Atmos audio. When it comes to Dolby Cinema titles available for the hoped-for pre-Christmas launch, expect Mary Poppins Returns to get the nod over Aquaman. It's not just the AV that's been overhauled. Over 350 of the theatre's seats will be powered Luxe recliners. These promise 'extensive legroom, sumptuous comfort and personal tray…

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (UHD Blu-ray) Intense HDR10/Dolby Vision encodes and barnstorming DTS:X sonics combine to deliver a 4K Blu-ray platter with plenty of bite. Children of Men (Region B BD) Arrow Academy revisits Alfonso Cuarón's breathtaking dystopian thriller on BD and throws in some excellent new bonus features. Nightmare Beach (Region B BD) 88 Films serves up a seriously good looking hi-def presentation of Umberto Lenzi's entertaining Spring Break slasher. Lucifer: Season Three (R2 DVD) It may not be out on Blu-ray here, but this fantastical crime series is still a devilishly fun watch on DVD. Whitney (Region B BD) This absorbing and candid look at Whitney Houston's troubled life and career is well worth a spin.…