HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

On this week's show we review the Aqara FP2 Presence Sensor and ask are expensive audio wires bananas? We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. 
News:
Netflix is about to stop working on some older smart TVs and consoles
Another Cable TV Network Announces It Will Shut Down in April
Broadband Usage Jumps by 9.9% in Q4
Peacock Strikes Gold With Outsized Olympics, Super Bowl Audiences
Other:
Neil Blanchard  "transmission line"Designs
Aqara FP2 Presence Sensor Review
The Aqara Presence Sensor FP2 (Buy Now $83) is a game-changer for smart home enthusiasts. Its standout feature is the ability to divide a room of 40㎡ or ~430 sq ft into multiple (up to 30) distinct zones using advanced mmWave radar technology. This allows for some really cool home automations like triggering kitchen lights when someone enters the boundary. This effectively allows one sensor to act like up to 30 allowing personalized scenes based on exact positions far beyond what standard motion sensors can do.
Features:
𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐙𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 - monitor areas up to 40㎡ (430 sq ft). Create up to 30 zones (e.g., sofa, bed, desk) and assign custom automations to each. 
𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢-𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧 & 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐃𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 detect up to 5 people at the same time and trigger different scenarios and automation. 
Ultra-high Precision with More Privacy You can define interference areas in the application, exclude objects such as plants, curtains, or pets, and set the filter height to ignore fan movement, ensuring that human presence is accurately detected. With an IPX5 waterproof rating, FP2 is also ideal for humid environments like bathrooms.
Multi-Ecosystem Support The Aqara Presence Sensor is exposed as multiple sensors to HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home and Home Assistant. 
Built-In Light Sensor & Local Automations The Aqara FP2 has a built-in light sensor, which provides greater flexibility and enjoyment when creating lighting automations (Only available in Aqara Home, HomeKit, and IFTTT). 
I set one up in the family room which has line of sight to the kitchen. For the review I set up two zones, one in the family room and one in the kitchen. It's straightforward to do in the Aqara app. Once you set up a zone you name it and it appears as a new sensor in your preferred automation app. If there is motion in the zone you just defined the sensor moves to the triggered state. In my house the lights in the kitchen dim to 40% at 8:45PM. Now when someone goes into the kitchen after 8:45PM the light goes to 100% until they leave. And the response is almost instantaneous. The sensor connects to your home via bluetooth so no wonky wifi issues either.
Highly recommended for anyone wanting precise, creative control! However the price is a little on the steep side. 
Expensive Audio Wires are Bananas!
Quite a few years ago there was a post at Audioholics that was eventually picked up by members of AVS forum that showed in blind testing, audiophiles could not tell the difference in sound quality between expensive speaker wire and coat hangers. This was back in 2008 and most of the links are dead but we will include what we can at the end of this post.  This week we received an email from a listener, Ray, pointing us to an article by Tom's Guide which piggybacks on this concept.  
A moderator (username "Pano") on the diyAudio forum conducted a blind listening experiment to test whether audiophiles could distinguish audio signals passed through unconventional "conductors" versus standard copper wire. The test compared four recordings of the same audio track. While not exactly the same as the original Audioholics experiment. The results are pretty astonishing. This is how the recordings were made:
Direct/original CD file.
Sent through ~180 cm of professional audio copper wire.
Sent through ~20 cm of wet mud connected by 120cm of old microphone cable soldered to US pennies.
Sent through a ~13 cm banana connected by the microphone cable and US Pennies.
Results:
Participants listened to sound clips in a blind ABX-style format and attempted to identify differences or match them to the original.
Listeners (experienced audiophiles and forum members) could not reliably tell the difference between the signals, even when comparing high-end copper wire to absurd alternatives like a banana or wet mud.
The experiment creator noted: "The mud should sound perfectly awful, but it doesn't," highlighting the unexpected lack of audible degradation.
Explanation for results: All tested materials (including wet mud and banana) had sufficiently low resistance for short lengths to pass the audio signal with minimal measurable or audible alteration at typical speaker-level or line-level voltages; resistance differences were too small to impact perceptible sound quality in the setup.
The article frames this as evidence challenging extreme audiophile claims about expensive cables/speaker wires making significant audible differences, as even highly conductive everyday/organic materials performed indistinguishably in blind conditions.
Implications: Reinforces arguments from audio science communities that many perceived cable differences are placebo or expectation bias rather than objectively audible when properly controlled for.
Links to the original Hanger Stories:
Audiophiles Can't Tell The Difference Between Monster Cable and Coat Hangers
Speakers; When is good enough, enough
Audiophiles can't tell the difference between Monster Cable and coat hangers
Audiophile Deathmatch: Monster Cables vs. a Coat Hanger

On this week's show we discuss the details of Ara's new home's layout offering his perspectives on his choices for network, home theater, whole home audio and smart home functionality.  We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.
News:
Kodak Luma 500 - Review
Launch date, channel list for YouTube TV sports plan revealed
Sony, the pioneer of Blu-ray Disc recorders, to pull plug on sales
Price concerns remain the leading reason for streaming cancelations
Other:
 IKEA Smart Home Without Dirigera: Homey Pro, Home Assistant, HomeKit, Google, Alexa & Aqara
Ara's New Home Design (Network, Smart Home, and AV)
Last week Ara was out in Franklin TN meeting with electricians and security contractors to prewire his house with everything he needs to make adding smart home devices and A/V a snap. So what did he do? But first an email from longtime listener Jorge Beltran with some recommendations.
Jorge's email 
Guys:
I am listening to the latest episode on a train delay in freezing NJ.  I heard the question about sound bar vs 3.1 system vs full surround.
I advocate that if money permits and a remodel situation allows it, I would significantly recommend trying to install 5.1, 7.2, or you name it.
I have a full theater with 11.2 in the basement that we enjoy and I adore. But we keep watching more and more in the family room next to the kitchen for whatever reason.  And I do enjoy a lot having a surround setup there too and kept adding to it (it was pre wired on a remodel). There was a high WAF in that room, so I went with in-walls for fronts and in-ceiling for rear surround and a couple more for front ATMOS.  Yes, the surrounds and ceiling speakers are not at the ideal locations but they really, really add to the experience, even for the super bowl ambiance.  
A friend of mine just upgraded his whole house and used KEF on-walls, very thin, good looking, placed a bit higher and almost looked like a decoration in a more contemporary home.  The wife gave them a big approval.  I checked after looking at my wife's face but are out of my price range.
For you Ara, another friend, a latin party guy, installed 6 speakers on vaulted ceilings in the family room next to a kitchen and surrounded by windows, and they work really great.
Thus, my vote for Ara is to add ceiling speakers on his vault for surround effects.  Ask the builder to wire them and box them out like a traditional speaker and place them on the rafters.  You build so many speaker boxes already, this one can be made of MDF.  Even better, build your own speaker out of parts, install it on the rafters just below the sheetrock, add a grill and you have the best sounding and looking in-walls ever.
Last one, a builder friend just added in walls / in ceilings that go behind the sheetrock.  I have not seen them yet.  No excuses gents.
Sending a CafPow for the extra spackle.
Jorge
Ara's Setup
Wifi and Network decision - Ubiquiti Dream Wi-Fi 6 $350 & Ubiquiti Networks UniFi 7 Pro Access Point (POE) $180
Cameras, doorbell, motion sensors - Aqara 4MP Camera Hub G5 Pro PoE  $190 & Aqara Smart Doorbell Camera G410  $130 & Aqara Presence Sensor FP2, mmWave Radar Wired Smart Motion Sensor $58
Light switches - Lutron Caseta Original Smart Dimmer Switch Kit w/ Hub $115. I am only having the company install one or two, I will do the rest as I learn our new routine and decide which switches need automation. I will make use of lamp modules as I prefer those types of lights to recessed lights. 
Whole Home Audio - Ara to build/buy speakers and connect to the network via ethernet cables using WiiM Amp: Multiroom Streaming Amplifier $300
TV and Home Theater - For the family room I will use a large format TV with a soundbar. Right now I am leaning towards Sonos Beam Gen 2 and their wireless subwoofer (Sonos Sub 4 $760). For my theater in an upstairs den I will do a traditional setup with atmos. It will consist of an UST, Receiver, and 7.1.2 speakers. Eventually I will build out a more formal theater in the basement. If I live long enough LOL
No traditional Cable RG6

On today's show we look at HDTV Display Technologies that are no longer with us. Some had a short run and some never made it to the market. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.
News:
LG pulls the plug on 8K OLED and 8K LCD TVs
Apple's home hub could finally arrive this spring with a rather unique design
Roku is Testing a New Home Screen With A New Look
Google Home update brings more automation controls
HDTV Display Technologies That Are No Longer With Us
Over the 21 years we have been doing the show we have seen numerous HDTV display technologies come and go. Some never made it to market and some had a good run but were eventually beat out by something better. These technologies competed during the transition from bulky CRTs to flat panels, but most lost out as LCD, later becoming LED-backlit LCD, then OLED, became dominant for reasons like cost, scalability, picture quality improvements, and manufacturing ease.
Technologies That Were Proposed/Demonstrated but Never Commercially Released to Consumers
SED (Surface-Conduction Electron-Emitter Display)
Developed primarily by a Canon and Toshiba joint venture starting in the late 1990s/early 2000s. It was essentially a flat-panel evolution of CRT technology using electron emitters for each pixel, promising CRT-like motion handling, deep blacks, high contrast, fast response times, and low power in a slim form factor. Prototypes were shown around 2005–2007 with impressive demos.
Why it didn't make it: Repeated delays due to manufacturing challenges (high production costs, difficulty scaling/vacuum sealing), patent disputes, and aggressive price drops in LCD/plasma panels. Then by 2009–2010, LCD had become too dominant and cheap; Canon officially froze consumer SED development in 2010, shifting any remaining efforts to niche professional uses.
FED (Field-Emission Display)
Similar to SED and sometimes grouped together or seen as a precursor/variant. FED used field-emission electron sources (like microtips) for CRT-style performance in a flat panel. Demonstrated in prototypes in the 2000s by companies like Sony and Motorola.
Why it didn't make it: Development took too long; manufacturing complexity and yield issues made it unviable. It was overtaken by faster-scaling plasma and then LCD/OLED technologies before reaching mass production.
Technologies That Reached the Market but Were Discontinued
DLP (Digital Light Processing) Rear-Projection TVs
Used Texas Instruments' DMD (digital micromirror device) chips to reflect light, often with a color wheel for sequential color (or pricier 3-chip versions). Popular in the mid-2000s for large-screen (50–70+ inch) HDTVs from brands like Samsung, Mitsubishi, RCA, and Toshiba, offering good brightness, no burn-in, and sharp images at competitive prices.
Why discontinued: Bulky depth (even if thinner than CRT rear-projection), lamp replacements needed, rainbow artifacts (on single-chip models), poor off-angle viewing, and vulnerability to ambient light. As flat-panel LCD and plasma prices fell dramatically in the late 2000s, consumers preferred slim, wall-mountable designs. Rear-projection DLP TVs largely vanished by around 2010.
LCOS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon) / Variants like D-ILA (JVC) and SXRD (Sony)
A reflective microdisplay tech using liquid crystals on a silicon backplane, often in rear-projection or some front-projection setups. Offered excellent contrast, deep blacks, and smooth motion (better than early LCDs). Available in HDTVs from JVC, Sony, and others in the mid-2000s.
Why largely discontinued for direct-view TVs: High cost, manufacturing complexity, and lower brightness compared to emerging flat panels. Rear-projection versions suffered the same bulkiness issues as DLP. While LCOS survives today in high-end projectors mostly in JVC and Sony home theater models, it never scaled to mainstream direct-view flat-panel HDTVs and was eclipsed by LCD advancements.
Plasma Display Panel (PDP / Plasma TVs)
Used ionized gas (plasma) cells to create light, excelling in black levels, contrast, color accuracy, wide viewing angles, and no motion blur. Very popular for HDTV in the 2000s from Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung, and LG.
Why discontinued: High power consumption, heat generation, heavier panels, burn-in risk (though mitigated later), and difficulty scaling to 4K efficiently/cost-effectively. As LCD/LED prices dropped with better brightness, efficiency, and no burn-in, plasma couldn't compete economically. Production fully ended around 2014–2015.
Other Notable Mentions
LCD Rear-Projection TVs — Used transmissive LCD panels; suffered from similar bulk and light issues as DLP; discontinued early-mid 2000s.
Direct-view CRT HDTVs — The original standard; fully discontinued by the late 2000s/early 2010s due to size, weight, and inefficiency.
Key Reasons Technologies Fail in HDTV Market
Regardless of how good a display technology is, the following will keep it from the mass market:
Cost & Manufacturing Yield: Technologies requiring ultra-precise processes (SED, FED, LCoS) couldn't hit competitive prices. 
Competing Technologies Improve Fast: LCD and later LED/OLED got cheaper and better quicker than rivals could scale.
Form Factor Shift: Direct-view panels beat rear-projection (DLP, LCoS, laser) because consumers prefer thin TVs.
Performance Tradeoffs: Issues like power use, burn-in, brightness, viewing angles, or reliability hurt consumer uptake. 
In summary, the winners were technologies that scaled cheaply to larger sizes, became thinner/lighter, improved efficiency, and avoided major drawbacks like high costs or reliability issues. LCD/LED dominated the 2010s due to mass production advantages, while OLED took premium segments later for superior contrast/per-pixel lighting. Many promising "next-gen" ideas from the 2000s (like SED/FED) simply arrived too late or proved too hard to manufacture affordably.

On today's show we go through the top streamers and how you can get their services for free or reduced price. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news.
News:
YouTube TV launching new plans, better multiview in 2026
Free TV startup Telly only had 35,000 units in people's homes last fall
Netflix added nearly half a million subs thanks to NFL games
UFC Defends Ad-Heavy Paramount+ Debut
Free Streaming Perks
With the cost of streaming constantly going up the HT Guys are here to try and save you money. Almost all streamers offer some sort of discount via perks through Credit Cards, Cable and TV Providers, or Mobile Phone plans. On today's show we go through the top streamers and how you can get their services for free or reduced price. 
Neflix
T-Mobile: Netflix on Us is included with many of their higher-tier unlimited plans. It provides Netflix Standard with Ads for free.  Other carriers occasionally bundle it, but T-Mobile is currently the most consistent and prominent in the US.
Xfinity (Comcast): Adding their "StreamSaver" bundle ($15/mo) includes Netflix Standard with Ads alongside Peacock Premium with ads and Apple TV+.  
Similar occasional perks appear with Spectrum, Verizon Fios, or others during promotions, but they're not guaranteed long-term.
Peacock
Instacart+ If you subscribe to Instacart+ about $99/year, you can get Peacock Premium included at no extra cost.
Xfinity Internet customers on Gigabit or higher plans can get up to 2 years of Peacock Premium free. Xfinity NOW TV streaming service subscribers get Peacock Premium included. Xfinity Rewards members (especially higher tiers like Diamond/Platinum) can claim Peacock Premium as a perk at no extra cost.
Walmart+ membership often bundles Peacock Premium for free as part of the subscription benefits.
Promotional deals or bundles — These pop up from time to time, and can save money.
Student/Young Adult discounts — heavily reduced  about $5.99/month for students via verification or young adult offers.
AppleTV+
When you buy a new iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple TV 4K, you get 3 months of Apple TV+ free. 
Apple One bundle trial — Plans start around $19.95/month (Individual) after the trial, making Apple TV+ effectively part of a discounted bundle compared to subscribing separately.
T-Mobile (US) — With qualifying Magenta or Magenta MAX plans, you can get Apple TV+ included at no extra cost. Some carriers (like Verizon or others in the past) have occasionally bundled Apple TV+ free or discounted with phone plans, but T-Mobile is the most consistent. 
Peacock + Apple TV+ bundle — In some regions, you can bundle Apple TV+ with Peacock for around $14.99/month (saving over 30% compared to separate subscriptions). 
Paramount+
Walmart+ subscribers ($12.95/month or $98/year) get Paramount+ Essential (the ad-supported plan) included at no extra cost. You can choose between Paramount+ Essential or Peacock Premium (with ads) as a streaming benefit. 
DirecTV (top-tier/Ultimate packages) may offer complimentary Paramount+. Other providers like Hulu (as a Paramount+ with SHOWTIME add-on) sometimes have free trials or bundled access for eligible subscribers.
Verified U.S. military members get 50% off any plan for life (via SheerID verification). This is a permanent discount.
Teachers Discount — Teachers may get 50% off any plan.
Hulu
Eligible U.S. service members, veterans, and families can get 25% off Hulu (With Ads) through The Exchange (shopmyexchange.com). 
Select T-Mobile plans include ad-supported Hulu for free. Some plans also bundle Netflix or other services. This can make Hulu effectively $0 if you already have or switch to a qualifying plan.
Occasional promotions  from American Express Platinum and some other credit cards may offer free access to Hulu, Disney+, or HBO/Max bundles, but these are niche and time-limited.
Bundles for Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu start around $9.99–$12.99/mo  can save from $5 to $15 when compared to separate subscriptions. 
ESPN+
Verizon: Select Unlimited 5G plans include the Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN Bundle (often Disney+ Premium, Hulu with ads, and ESPN Select with ads) at no extra charge.
T-Mobile: Offers Hulu "ON US" with select plans, but ESPN+ inclusion is less direct—some bundles or promotions tie in Disney/Hulu/ESPN elements. It's more Hulu-focused, but check T-Mobile's streaming perks for any ESPN-related deals.
Other carriers like AT&T may have occasional streaming bundles—verify your plan.
Provider-included access: If you have cable/satellite/streaming TV services like DIRECTV, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Spectrum, Verizon FiOS, Cox, etc., you may get ESPN Unlimited or Select access included.
Disney+ | Hulu Bundle - see above
Disney+
Verizon: Several eligible Unlimited mobile plans (or certain home internet plans) include the Disney Bundle for free or at no extra cost.
Disney+ | Hulu Bundle - see above
Some cards (e.g., American Express Blue Cash Everyday) offer statement credits toward Disney+/Hulu (up to $7/month or similar).
HBO Max
If you have HBO through a cable/satellite package like DirecTV, or select plans from providers like Spectrum, internet service, or a wireless plan, you may get Max access at no extra cost. Sign in via the Max app with your provider credentials. Some older AT&T Unlimited plans or specific bundles still include it.
Certain mobile carriers or services bundle Max for free or as part of a higher-tier plan. Examples include occasional Verizon or AT&T promotions (though many shifted to Disney bundles). Check your carrier's perks section—some offer limited-time free months.

On this week's show we look at Smart TV OS rankings according to BGR.com and we ask the question if there will ever be a show like Seinfeld again. We also read your email and take a look at the week's news.
News:
Sony and TCL Are Teaming Up to Make TVs
Paramount+ - THE PRICE OF YOUR PLAN IS CHANGING
Broadcast Remains the Most Powerful Platform for Reaching NFL Audiences
SVS 3000 R|Evolution Series
Smart TV OS Rankings
The article Every Major Smart TV OS Ranked Worst To Best Based On User Reviews ranks eight major smart TV operating systems based on user reviews and comments from sources like Best Buy, Reddit, and cross-referenced with expert sites like RTINGS.
The focus is on real user experiences regarding performance, app availability, bugs, ads, usability, and overall satisfaction — emphasizing that the OS heavily impacts whether a TV feels premium or frustrating.
Ranking (from worst #8 to best #1):
8. VIDAA (used on Hisense TVs): Simple and snappy for basics like Netflix/YouTube, but severely limited app library (missing Stremio, Spotify, major music apps); no Android app support; frequent freezes especially on larger screens (>40 inches); users call it "horrible" and feel like a "dumb" TV.
7. VIZIO OS (formerly SmartCast): Great hardware/value (e.g., affordable 120Hz gaming TVs), but plagued by instability, bugs, frequent problematic updates, ad-pushing, and odd behaviors; many users recommend external streaming sticks over built-in OS.
6. Samsung Tizen: Fast and smooth on high-end models (e.g., S95D OLED), but laggy/slow on older/lower-end sets (button delays of seconds, freezes); heavy ads and unwanted TV Plus channels; users describe UI/Smart Hub as "extremely laggy" and "awful."
5. Fire OS (Amazon Fire TVs): Solid Alexa integration and budget appeal, but very ad-heavy (Prime Video promotions dominate); sluggish performance (1-2 second app launch delays); shifting toward new Vega OS (Linux-based, no sideloading).
4. Google TV: Strong content aggregation, smart home features (Google Gemini), intuitive when hardware is good (excellent on Sony models); can feel cluttered for casual users; performance varies greatly by TV brand/hardware (flawless on premium, weaker on budget).
3. Roku OS: Highly reliable, straightforward, and user-friendly (great for non-tech users); minimal ads/recommendations; rock-solid stability (compared to a "Toyota Camry"); dated/basic interface is the main downside.
2. LG webOS: Smooth, colorful, and easy navigation (Magic Remote point-and-click shines); supports Apple HomeKit/AirPlay 2/Chromecast; kind to non-tech-savvy users; praised for looking premium; downside is increasing home screen bloat/ads/full-screen menus (since 2024) plus screensaver ads.
1. Apple tvOS (via Apple TV device, not built into TVs): Near-perfect — zero lag, no ads, ultra-fluid 4K UI; standout features like InSight (real-time show info), automatic subtitles, Enhance Dialogue (AI vocal clarity); users rave about "super fast responsiveness" and call it underrated; main caveat is needing a separate (pricey) Apple TV box/streamer
There Will Never Be a New 'Seinfeld
We found a Wall Street Journal opinion piece titled "There Will Never Be a New 'Seinfeld'" which argues that a cultural phenomenon like Seinfeld cannot emerge again in the current media landscape. The show was massively popular and broadly talked about around the "water-cooler" the day after it aired nationally on NBC.
The author (Mary Julia Koch) opens with a personal anecdote about young women at a dinner party casually mentioning shows they've watched that others haven't heard of, highlighting how fragmented viewing habits have become due to the explosion of streaming platforms and content choices. The central thesis is that the conditions that made Seinfeld a universal hit in the 1990s are gone forever:
Media fragmentation — In the broadcast TV era, there were only a handful of channels, so millions watched the same shows at the same time, creating shared cultural references and conversations. Today, with countless streaming services (Netflix, Hulu, Max, etc.), on-demand viewing, and niche content, audiences are siloed and rarely overlap on the same program.
Shift from mass appointment viewing to individualized consumption — No single show can achieve the same cultural penetration or "event" status when people watch on their own schedules and devices.
Loss of common cultural touchstones — This makes it impossible for a new sitcom to become the kind of generational, quotable, everyone-knows-it phenomenon that Seinfeld was. Think about the movies and TV shows we watched in the 80s. We all watched the same stuff. It was either in the theater or on TV. So if I quoted Caddy Shack, all my friends knew what I was talking about and laughed.
The piece laments that while there are still great comedies and talented creators, none will replicate Seinfeld's unique role in society because the technological and viewing ecosystem has permanently changed.
This isn't about declining quality in comedy but about structural shifts in how media is produced, distributed, and consumed. Because of how we consume content, there simply won't be "a new Seinfeld"—the era of such singular, unifying pop-culture hits is over.