Home Cinema Choice Summer 2021

REVIEWS 51

transmission of mid-to-high frequencies. The partnering AV INFO covers Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG, but all HDMIs are
subwoofer is equally well dressed, although the matte grey v2.0 so don't try to run your 4K/120Hz games console
finish isn't quite an aesthetic match. It's a rear-ported PRODUCT: through them. The soundbar also has digital optical audio
design, with an 8in down-firing woofer. Dolby Atmos and 3.5mm analogue line inputs, plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
soundbar system (v4.2) wireless options.
Status info is relayed via a bright and legible LED text with detachable
display on the soundbar. Control is via a simplified remote, surrounds Spread your wings
but there are also on-body buttons for volume, input
selection and power. POSITION: I suspect most buyers will plan to run the B97 in both of its
Top of Philips' configurations, detaching the wings only for multichannel
The B97’s overall specification is impressive, with no range, above the movies or sports, even though upmixing is available.
obvious missed opportunity. For example, not only is it 5.1.2-channel B95
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X compliant, it’s also DTS Play-Fi- In full surround mode, it offers three channels across the
enabled and IMAX Enhanced certified. PEERS: front (in a standard LCR arrangement), delivered by a mix
JBL Bar 9.1; of 3.5in racetrack drivers and 19mm soft dome tweeters,
Play-Fi is an interoperable wireless standard supported Samsung while height is proffered by two angled 2.5in drivers. Adding
by a variety of (primarily North American) hi-fi brands. HW-Q800A spatial air are single soft dome tweeters located at either
Once networked, Play-Fi speakers link to create a whole end of the bar. These emphasise width and create a more
home or specified zone playback. It’s similar to – but offers expansive stereo spread.
a bigger ecosystem than – Yamaha’s MusicCast and
Denon’s HEOS systems. 3

There's wide-ranging codec support, including AIFF, 1. The system features
FLAC, MP3, WAV, MPEG-4 and AAC in addition to various 16 drivers across
DTS flavours, and Play-Fi does high-resolution audio too. its soundbar and
You can opt for higher quality streams from a connected surrounds
smartphone, using the Philips Sound app, but you do
sacrifice the option of multiroom audio. 2. The B97 is primarily
designed for TVs
The B97 has Chromecast built-in and comes with 55in and up
Google Assistant; there’s also Amazon Alexa and Siri
onboard, with Apple AirPlay 2 support for iOS enthusiasts. 3. The enclosures
charge when
Rightly for a premium soundbar, there's more than just reattached to
the minimum when it comes to connectivity. In addition the main 'bar
to an HDMI output with eARC, you get two HDMI inputs,
useful for quickly connecting source gear. Compatibility

2

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

52 REVIEWS

4 SPECIFICATIONS

DRIVE UNITS (SOUNDBAR): 2 x full-range (centre); 4 x full-range plus 2 x tweeters
(left & right); 2 x full-range upfirers; 2 x side-firing tweeters DRIVE UNITS
(SURROUNDS): 2 full-range plus 2 x tweeters ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 450W
total (240W subwoofer) CONNECTIONS: 2 x HDMI inputs; 1 x HDMI output with
eARC; digital optical audio input; 3.5mm analogue input DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X: Yes/
Yes SEPARATE SUB: Yes. 8in driver REMOTE CONTROL: Yes DIMENSIONS (SURROUNDS
ATTACHED): 1,312(w) x 55.6(h) x 120(d)mm WEIGHT: 6kg

FEATURES: Chromecast built-in, Bluetooth v4.2; wall-mounting option; rechargable
wireless rear speakers; HDR passthrough (HDR10, Dolby Vision, HLG); IMAX
Enhanced; DTS Play-Fi; PS Fine Tune app; Works with Alexa; Apple AirPlay

TESTED WITH

As befits its transforming nature, driver usage changes MAD MAX: FURY ROAD: George Miller's
depending on whether the surround speakers are attached. astonishing franchise reboot was
When they’re docked with the main 'bar, the modules utilise released in the first wave of 4K
a front-mounted, single race-track driver, timbre-matched Blu-rays in 2016, and we've had it
to the main left and right. They also have tweeters to close to hand ever since – not just to
replace the drivers they’re covering. When removed from sample its stylistic visuals, but to have
the 'bar, these side-mounted tweeters are no longer active. our heads hammered by its Atmos
soundtrack (also found on the
Incidentally, be careful you don’t accidentally turn previous year's Full HD BD outing).
off the rears when placing them in position, as the power
button falls all too readily to hand. confirms the wraparound effect. Dolby's Atmos Amaze clip 4. If wall-mounting
steers objects a full 360 degrees. the surround
The width offered by the B97 is brought home during enclosures, use
Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Staten Island Ferry sequence However this is actually quite an old-school home their USB-C input
(4K BD). When the transport is literally ripped apart by theatre performance, with a very flatbed sound. to recharge

'The B97's soundstage The classic Mad Max: Fury Road opener (4K BD) has 5. The 'bar has control
is fittingly huge, and that Max’s pursuers fly reassuringly in from the rear, giving chase buttons on its top
glorious subwoofer puts across the sand dunes before the Road Warrior’s car flips
in a seismic performance' with a stonking LFE thump.

The Vulture, the ship rents left and right while the villain's This is the first soundbar we’ve seen to boast IMAX
blasts scorch in from the rear. The B97 excites with Enhanced status. For a soundbar to get the certification,
authority across the front soundstage. we’re told it should be at least one metre wide, which the
B97 achieves with its two rear speakers detached. Bass
O cially rated at a cumulative 450W, with 240W response is also expected to reach down to at least 35Hz.
going to the wireless sub, this system isn't short of power.
I'd rate it more than suitable for larger rooms. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (IMAX Enhanced DTS:X),
in which rhinos batter Dwayne Johnson’s helicopter as it
As a two-piece, the B97 behaves much like any other tries to escape the valley floor, is a dizzying soup of sound.
aspirational soundbar. It’s particularly good when it comes The soundstage is large and complicated. A stampeding
to mid-range and dialogue clarity, and the crossover with low-end underscores the clatter of damage. Does it sound
the sub is more seamless than most 2.1 packages. any different to Dolby Atmos? On this system (where discs
are correctly flagged as IMAX DTS:X), not really.
It offers copious volume and width, but strangely for a
soundbar with dedicated height drivers, doesn’t really throw Fine-sounding Fidelio
sound up. There’s extra ambience, but not the exaggerated
vertical staging you might imagine. When the Thanks to the provision of detachable surrounds, the
surround speakers are detached its Philips Fidelio B97 is one of the most convincingly
performance becomes a lot more cinematic soundbars we’ve heard for less than a grand.
dramatic. A run of The soundstage is fittingly huge, and that glorious
system-testing subwoofer puts in a seismic performance.
demos
That said, as a Dolby Atmos solution it really doesn’t hit
5 the heights many cinephiles will be expecting, and usability
could be slicker. Play-Fi control is offered via the Philips
Sound and DTS Play-Fi apps, but you’ll need a separate
PS Fine Tune app to further fettle performance.

Still, it looks and sounds premium, and Play-Fi could be
a big bonus if you invest in other compatible speakers ■

VERDICT

Philips Fidelio B97

➜ £1,000 ➜ www.philips.co.uk

WE SAY: With detachable rear speakers, this premium soundbar
o ers a genuinely cinematic surround sound experience, but
don’t expect high Atmos...

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CINEMA EVERYTHING

UPGRADE YOUR VIEWING EXPERIENCE

Image in screen: PES2021

54 TCL 65C825K/£1,500

1

CALLING
DR. JONES

Indiana is back
and looks better
than ever on 4K
Blu-ray p92

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REVIEWS 55

TCL's first mini LED TV to hit the UK leaves John Archer AV INFO
mostly impressed, but ruing some missed opportunities
PRODUCT:
LCD tech is 65in mini LED 4K TV
back in black with Dolby Vision
and HDR10+

POSITION:
TCL’s flagship
65-incher for 2021

PEERS:
Samsung
QE65QN85A;
Hisense 65U9GQ;
LG OLED65C1

The big new buzzword in the TV world is mini LED. This
premium backlighting technology uses much smaller LEDs than
those found on conventional LED-lit LCD screens, allowing
more to be deployed behind the glass. The result is a boost to
both potential brightness and contrast, particularly if the mini
LEDs – which typically number in their thousands – are driven
by a healthy amount of separate dimming zones.

The first brand to seriously introduce mini LED to Google TV, but apparently that’s not possible on this 1. TCL's top-of-the-
technology to the TV world was Chinese giant TCL. UK version due to localisation issues. range TV blends mini
Yet sadly for UK shoppers those debut mini LED models LED backlighting with
didn’t make it to our shores. That’s changing for 2021 The 65C825K supports voice recognition, and even multi-HDR support
courtesy of TCL’s new C825 range, represented here by ships with a 1080p camera that you can magnetically
the 65in 65C825K. attach to the TV if you need it. 2. Connections are
side-mounted. The
This set uses thousands of individual mini LEDs (the Connections are a bit disappointing for a flagship set. three HDMI inputs
actual number isn't given) to illuminate a contrast-friendly There are only three HDMI inputs, and none of these are are all v2.0
VA-type LCD panel. It achieves a pretty impressive built to the v2.1 standard. Therefore, they can’t handle
measured maximum brightness of just under 1,150 nits native 4K at 120Hz or variable refresh rates – two of the 2
on a white HDR window (occupying 10 per cent of a black snazzy video features supported by the PS5, Xbox Series X
screen). Local contrast is fine-tuned by and some PC gaming cards. And what's odd is that the
160 individual dimming zones. version of the 65C825K on sale elsewhere in Europe does
support 4K at 120Hz and VRR via HDMI v2.1 ports. Ouch.
Some high-end (AKA more expensive) mini LED rivals
provide far more dimming zones than that, it has to be Better news for gamers comes from an input lag – the
said. Experience suggests, though, that it’s not always how time the screen takes to render pictures – that reduces
many zones you’ve got that counts, but what you do with to just 17.8ms when using the TV's Game picture preset.
them. Also, some mini LED rivals, such as the Samsung Getting input lag so low does come with strings attached,
QN85A and LG’s QNED ranges, use IPS LCD panels that though. First, the local dimming system takes a big hit,
typically deliver weaker contrast than VA designs. leaving dark areas looking greyer, and introducing some
mild backlight clouding. Second, and likely related to the
Key to the 65C825K’s appeal is its £1,500 price, which backlight issue, peak brightness plummets to 559 nits
is significantly less than most of its mini LED competitors from the 1,150 nits measured with the TV in Standard
to date. And the sense of value grows when you take into mode. Because of this I’d personally avoid the Game
account its wider feature set, which includes an AI-based preset except for games that depend heavily on ultra-fast
HD upscaling system; support for both Dolby Vision and response times.
HDR10+ active HDR formats; a built in ‘soundbar’ designed
in collaboration with Onkyo; a native 100/120Hz refresh Back to the positives. The adoption of mini LED (and
rate; and a Quantum Dot ‘QLED’ system that’s claimed adding a good reflection-reducing filter to the screen)
to cover 100 per cent of the DCI-P3 colour range. results in a black level and contrast performance that's
greatly improved over previous TCL models. With almost
Hey, Google – where's our update? all of the TV's picture presets, dark scenes benefit from
black colours that actually look black, with no hint of
For smart features and the main UI, TCL has turned to greyness or clouding.
Android TV. The 65C825K currently runs Android 9.0, but
will shift to 11.0 later in the year. European versions of the The next-gen backlight proves its worth even more
TV are already on to the Android 11.0 OS, and will upgrade with scenes that contain a mixture of dark and bright
image areas. Here the advanced level of light control

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

56 REVIEWS

3 SPECIFICATIONS

4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2,160 HDR: Yes. HDR10; HDR10+; HLG; Dolby Vision TUNER: Yes.
Freeview HD CONNECTIONS: 3 x HDMI inputs (one with eARC); 1 x USB; optical
digital audio output; headphone port; Ethernet SOUND (CLAIMED): 60W,
2.1-channel BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): 1,000 nits peak CONTRAST RATIO (CLAIMED): N/A
DIMENSIONS (OFF STAND): 1,446(w) x 883(h) x 76(d)mm WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 29.3kg

FEATURES: Mini LED backlight; Quantum Dot colour system; 160-zone local
dimming; AiPQ 2.0 processing engine; 3D LUT; VA panel; Android 9.0 smarts,
upgradable to 11.0; USB multimedia playback; Bluetooth; built-in Wi-Fi; Smart HDR;
Motion Clarity Supreme; Onkyo soundbar; Freeview Play

TESTED WITH

IT: This 2017 Stephen King adaptation
is packed with horrors, and its 4K BD
release might give your home cinema
display nightmares too. The HDR
grading here (including Dolby Vision)
turns the film's numerous dimly lit
sequences into a TV torture test, with
pin-prick highlights and shadow
details emerging from the gloom.

leaves dark parts inky and neighbouring bright areas elsewhere in Europe is missing (another curious 3. TCL's good-looking
impressively intense and consistent, as revealed by the difference), as this might have fixed this black crush issue. TV features a metallic
white ships against the blackness of space in 2001: screen trim and
A Space Odyssey (4K BD). Very dark scenes can trigger a little flickery instability in cloth-grilled soundbar
the image’s baseline brightness, and backlight blooming
The high brightness and Quantum Dot panel results goes from almost non-existent to obvious if you have
in seriously satisfying colours. Unlike last year’s 815K series, to watch the 65C825K from an angle.
the colour richness here doesn’t feel excessive or forced
during the opening circus scene of The Greatest Showman With most picture presets bar, again, the Movie one,
on 4K Blu-ray, even in the boldest picture presets. there can be significant colour banding in bright HDR
There’s plenty of finesse and subtlety in colour blends. image areas, such as the skies above the battlefield in
1917 on 4K Blu-ray.
Most of its picture presets produce enjoyably sharp
4K, doing good justice to the clarity and detail in crisp- Our review model also sometimes exhibited a
distracting stutter when watching 24p movies. This may
'Mini LED backlight and a tidy well eventually be fixed by TCL in firmware, but we can
only report what we see.
picture performance easily
Superior sound
make this the best TV that
The felt-covered Onkyo soundbar hanging off the trimly
TCL has brought to the UK' framed screen’s bottom edge delivers a very enjoyable
performance. It projects forward into the room, making
looking 4K Blu-ray titles such as Blade Runner 2049. The the movie-watching experience impactful and immersive,
Movie preset appears softer, but this is typical of a TV set's and dialogue delivery is robust. A rear-mounted woofer
most ‘accurate’ setting. produces exceptional depths of clean, mu e-free bass,
without overwhelming the mid-range.
TCL’s AI-driven upscaling is not the same spec as that
of the European version – a curious difference – but works Occasionally voices sound like they’re coming from
well with non-4K sources. HD movies feel crisp and denser, below the onscreen action, and the soundstage doesn’t
and these improvements come without an exaggeration escalate as potently as it ideally would with big action
of source noise. Even the option for converting SDR to HDR moments. For the most part, though, the 65C825K’s
is solid, greatly increasing brightness and colour without audio fits with its premium TV status.
the picture looking too unnatural. The catch is noticeable
clipping (loss of detail in bright areas) – something you The lack of cutting-edge gaming support, a few image
don’t see much of on this set with native HDR playback. niggles and the existence across the Channel of a
higher-spec model mean I can’t give TCL's 65C825K
There are other niggles with the 65C825K’s pictures. an unqualified recommendation. However, its mini LED
With every image preset bar Movie, dark scenes and areas implementation and drastically tidier picture performance
can suffer with really noticeable black crush. Shadow mean it’s easily the best TV the brand has brought to
details are lost in the darkness. In the scene in It (4K BD), the UK. Other marques should watch out ■
where Stanley is scared by the disfigured lady, black crush
causes his face to turn into a near silhouette in some shots, VERDICT
to an extent I haven’t witnessed with any other screen.
TCL 65C825K
The only preset that brings the shadow detail back
is Movie. There’s a cost for this in black level and colour ➜ £1,500 ➜ www.tcl.com/uk
punch, but the overall balance is much more watchable.
It’s a pity the dynamic tone mapping feature available WE SAY: The 65C825K lacks a few key features supported by
its counterpart elsewhere in Europe, but is still TCL’s first
genuine statement telly.

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58 APPLE TV 4K (2021)/£160/£190

1

Meet the new box,
same as the old box?

John Archer is impressed by the new Apple TV – especially its remote – but questions how
much of an upgrade it is from what’s gone before

AV INFO HAVING TAKEN FOUR years to come up with a sequel On to the hardware. The new Apple TV introduces
to its 4K streaming box, the hope has to be that Apple an HDMI 2.1 output, sports a new automatic TV colour
PRODUCT: has delivered a really substantial upgrade. So let’s get calibration system, and shifts from the A10X processor
4K HDR-enabled right into picking out where the differences lie. in the previous model to an A12 Bionic processor this time
media player round. This new chip introduces support for ‘high frame
The most instantly obvious – and welcome – rates’, including Dolby Vision HDR at 60Hz.
POSITION: improvement is the Siri remote control. The little track pad
These new 32GB at the top of the 2017 Apple TV’s ultra-thin handset was As usual, there are two versions available, one with
and 64GB models cool, but so fiddly that it probably led to a whole new 32GB storage, the other with 64GB. Considering the fairly
become Apple’s generation of swear words. So it’s good to see the simple meagre price difference between the two (they're £160
only streaming but effective design of the main Apple TV box remaining and £190 respectively), it's quite easy to recommend going
box options unchanged, but now partnered by a new handset that for the roomier model.
replaces the old track pad with a ‘click pad’ set around
PEERS: a large circular select button. Not an Xbox killer
Amazon
Fire TV Cube; Seriously: this is so much easier to use that I instantly When it comes to the Apple TV OS, the impact of moving
Roku Streaming couldn’t believe I’d put up with the old design for so long to the A12 chip currently feels minimal. It does, however,
Stick+ without hurling it against a wall. increase the smoothness of some games in the Apple
Arcade, and opens up the potential for a new generation
Note that it’s not something you can only get by buying of more sophisticated and graphically intense titles. Not
the new box. Apple is also selling this revamped Siri remote that I see any real evidence that the Apple TV will become
as a standalone upgrade for the first-gen Apple TV 4K and a rival for serious game consoles.
earlier Apple TV HDs. The price is a not inexpensive £55,
but you might think it's worth it if you are someone who The TV OS interface itself remains a fun place to hang
struggled with the old one. out – colourful, intuitive and responsive.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

REVIEWS 59

The colour calibration system is more interesting SPECIFICATIONS

– at least on paper. All you have to do is fire up the Apple CONNECTIONS: HDMI output; Ethernet AUDIO FORMAT SUPPORT: Dolby Atmos; ALAC;
TV app on your iPhone (iPhone X or newer), pair it with FLAC; AIFF; WAV; MP3 VIDEO FORMAT SUPPORT: HDR10; HLG; Dolby Vision; HFR (4K
your Apple TV box, hold the phone’s front camera close HDR up to 60Hz); MPEG-4; H.264/HEVC DIMENSIONS: 98(w) x 35(h) x 98(d)mm
to your TV screen, and run the Color Balance option WEIGHT: 0.425kg
contained in the app’s Calibration section.
FEATURES: Bluetooth; Wi-Fi; Siri Remote; extensive game app store; frame rate
The Apple TV hardware then pumps out a series matching; dynamic range matching; fractional frame rate support; app selection
of calibration test colours, followed by a split-screen including Disney+, Apple TV+, Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video; available
beach sequence showing the before and after calibration with 64GB or 32GB built-in memory; A12 Bionic chip; playback of iPhone 12 Pro
results. Helpfully you can still at this point decide if Dolby Vision home video; colour calibration system
you want to go with the calibrated image, or stick with
the original. Lee’s Gemini Man and James 1. The revised Siri
Cameron’s upcoming Avatar remote is more
As you’ve probably guessed, sequels might appear in Apple’s intuitive than before
this calibration system changes
the output settings in the Apple

TV rather than any settings in film library in 60fps. Maybe even 2. Once you tire of
your TV; it’s not a typical TV in 4K Dolby Vision. watching 60fps
calibration where you can iPhone videos,
expect the results to apply to The most immediate use for the Apple's Arcade o ers
other sources. box's support for 4K Dolby Vision plenty of games
at 60fps, however, will be playback
Personally I’m not convinced of such footage shot on iPhone 3. Connections are just
that the calibration system is all 12 Pros. If you have one of these HDMI and Ethernet

that helpful. Running it on a handsets, get snapping.
range of TVs typically ended up In yet more frame rate news, the
with something pretty close to
the Movie or Filmmaker presets new Apple TV brings with it support
for the so-called ‘fractional’ frame

those sets already carried, rates (such as 23.975fps) used

and in some cases the TV by some streaming services. This

presets actually turned out 2 means you should no longer get
to be more accurate than the
Apple TV calibration. the stuttering that can plague
them. Again, however, be aware this feature is being
But if you still like the sound of the auto-calibration rolled out retrospectively to older Apple TV hardware.
feature, Apple is rolling it out to older Apple TVs via
While you could have written a book about all the

firmware update. So it’s not a reason in itself to get the things the previous Apple TV got wrong or botched at

new Apple device if you own an earlier one. launch, this new model appears mercifully pretty spot

Content to wait on right out of the box. The quality of its video output
is very impressive – outstanding, even, with Apple’s own
The most compelling reason to buy a new Apple TV TV+ and iTunes movie store content. 4K, HDR10 and
– beyond the new remote – is arguably its A12 chip- Dolby Vision are all available to any service/content

inspired support for 4K HDR video playback at frame rates that supports them, and this premium video is also

'Apple has fixed the gremlins supported by Dolby Atmos sound from a wide range
that a icted its predecessor of sources, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes
movies and Apple TV+.

at launch, and added some Feature-rich streamer
impressive setup flexibility'
Ultimately I’m torn about the new Apple TV. Apple has
fixed the gremlins that a icted its predecessor at launch,
and added some impressive setup flexibility alongside

up to 60fps. Admittedly, at the moment this is of limited its consistently excellent AV standards. It’s therefore an
use, given that there's precious little 60fps content extremely capable and feature-rich streamer.
available. However, Apple has announced that it’s working
with the likes of Fox Sports, NBC Universal, Paramount+, On the other hand, both the 64GB and 32GB versions
feel a bit expensive versus competition (from Roku and

Red Bull TV and Canal+ on developing 60fps HDR Amazon in particular), and unless you film in Dolby Vision

programming. It may well start making some of its 60fps on an iPhone 12 Pro, or there’s a sudden emergence

own Apple TV+ shows and films in HFR, too. of new high frame rate sources, it doesn’t feel like there’s
While high frame rate movies are few and far between much reason to upgrade from its 2017 predecessor.
Newcomers will love it, however ■
right now, it’s also tempting to think the likes of Ang

3
VERDICT

Apple TV 4K (2021)

➜ £160/£190 ➜ www.apple.com/tv

WE SAY: This box combines an excellent streaming performance
with bags of features, but existing Apple TV owners probably
won’t feel compelled to double-dip.

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

60 WWW.POLKAUDIO.COM//£250

Polk React

This big-hearted smart soundbar is a great-value audio upgrade, says Steve May

POLK HAS FOUND a sweet spot with its and multiroom chat. The The soundbar even boasts an Alexa-style
React soundbar. It snubs Dolby Atmos and React will also partner with other blue LED status light
3D audio frippery, but counters with Amazon Alexa speakers to create a multiroom
Alexa built-in, a devil-may-care attitude, music system. and the 'bar snapping into
and the potential to transition from stereo e ects. There's a built-in Dolby
to multichannel with optional rears and a Straight from the box, the React is an Digital decoder, which downmixes
wireless subwoofer. entertainer. This isn’t a subtle performer, multichannel to stereo.
it’s bold and forceful. And even without a
I auditioned the React in its stereo standalone subwoofer it packs a punch, For the price, you really can’t go wrong
configuration, which sells for £250. The cost thanks to a rock-solid mid-range. with Polk's React. It’s an e ective TV audio
starts to mount considerably if you upgrade solution, made all the more appealing by its
(£160 for the rears, £180 for the sub). The driver array comprises two mid-band Alexa functionality and low price ■
units, a pair of tweeters, and two passive
The 'bar is 86cm wide, making it suitable radiators to solidify low-frequencies. Polk VERDICT
for screens 50in and above. A simple remote won’t reveal rated power, but it’s loud enough Polk React
o ers volume control and access to a quartet for the average living room. Crank it too high,
of presets: Night, Music, Sport and Movies. however, and it gets a little boomy. ➜ £250 ➜ www.polkaudio.com
The latter pushes the soundstage forward
and is generally the most engaging. Polk also The soundstage is wide and dynamic, the
o ers a Voice Adjust rocker to help clarify TV overt width playing well with action movies,
dialogue. Connections are a single HDMI with
ARC support, plus a digital optical audio input.

Alexa functionality is identical to a
standalone Amazon Echo, with voice control

U K . J B L . CO M/£ 2 8 0

JBL Tour One

Mark Craven admires the wide-ranging smart spec of these wired/wireless headphones

THERE'S A LOT going on with JBL's Tour One Roses' funk-infested track Locomotive.
headphones. Bluetooth compatibility and JBL's 40mm dynamic driver complement
noise cancelling aren't rare features at this doesn't lack for low-end extension or mid-
price, but the option of also using the latter range vigour. Higher frequencies, however,
with a wired connection is somewhat unusual. could do with a bit more sparkle, and the
So too is JBL's implementation of a low- soundstaging never feels particularly wide.
latency mode specifically for use with video
content. There's also support for either Google The Adaptive Noise Cancelling option can
Assistant or Amazon Alexa voice interaction, lead to obvious alterations in sound signature
and a partnering app with preset EQ modes while you prowl your house, so the stable
and a custom tool. 'everyday' mode is a better bet. The cans'
Ambient Aware feature is brilliantly e ective
These closed-back cans are lightweight, at keeping you in tune with your surroundings.
with a nice cushioned feel to headband and
earcups. You get a hardshell carry case and Add in a lengthy battery life (up to 50
flat 2.5mm-3.5mm cable. I found the on-body hours depending on use patterns, suggests
controls (which include playback touch JBL), and the Tour Ones can be considered
commands on the right cup), a little fiddly/ a feature-packed bargain, despite a lack
unintuitive, so use the app where possible. of sheer musicality ■

Performance is agreeable, with a lively, VERDICT
full-bodied feel to the delivery of Guns N'
JBL Tour One
Preset EQs are Bass, Club, Vocal, Studio and Jazz
➜ £280 ➜ uk.jbl.com

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Award-winning

Home Cinemas

Home Cinema Level II “We could not fault Cyberhomes. When they
came up with their 3D design of what our
cinema room could be we never expected
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like the concept.”

– Homeowner, Lapworth

At Cyberhomes our home cinemas and smart home installations aren’t
just about the amazing 4K picture and immersive Dolby Atmos sound.

We can also implement the lighting, the seating, the room acoustic treatments, the
intuitive control system from Savant, Crestron or Control4, and so much more.

7R ÀQG RXW PRUH GHWDLOV FDOO 0333 344 3718 or
visit www.cyberhomes.co.uk/hcc

Home Cinema Level II

Home cinema design and installation • Lighting control systems • Multi-room audio and video
Home automation • CCTV and security • Managed Wi-Fi networks • Climate control

0333 344 3718 [email protected] www.cyberhomes.co.uk

62 SVS SB-1000 PRO/FROM £550

1

Budget subwoofer
takes on all comers

How has SVS managed to get so much bass out of a sealed cabinet so compact and
so a ordable? Steve Withers falls in love with the SB-1000 Pro

AV INFO SINCE 1999 AMERICAN company SVS has built a the SB-1000 Pro’s diminutive dimensions. Build quality
formidable reputation by mainly focusing on one thing seems spot on, too.
PRODUCT: – manufacturing powerful home cinema subwoofers
Front-firing sealed that don’t cost the earth. It has some beefy models in The 1000 Series is the final SVS lineup to get the ‘Pro’
subwoofer with its lineup, topping out at the 16-Ultra Series (ported and treatment, which, over recent years, has seen the company
12in driver sealed models with 16in woofers), but the SB-1000 Pro filter down features from its high-end models to its
is a timely reminder that amongst the pricier, bigger boom mid-range and now entry-level subwoofers. This means
POSITION: boxes, it can still knock up a compact sealed unit with a the 1000 Pro Series not only benefits from a new driver,
SVS's entry model sub-£700 ticket. And why wouldn't it? Models like this sell but also juiced-up amplification, and the now ubiquitous
below the 2000 like hot cakes. Bluetooth control app.
Pro Series
Okay, it's not as seductively small as the dual-driver Pinch even more pennies
PEERS: 3000 Micro reviewed in our last issue, but this sub still
Paradigm appears to be a spot of infrasonic magic, because There are two options in the 1000 Pro Series – the ported
Defiance V12; somehow SVS has managed to cram a 12in driver into PB-1000 Pro, and the sealed SB-1000 Pro reviewed here.
REL HT/1205 a cabinet measuring 13in wide. There’s also real power The ported model only comes in a pedestrian black ash
behind that driver, producing a performance that belies finish, but costs a very reasonable £640. The sealed unit
o ers a bit more choice in the looks department, with the

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

REVIEWS 63

same black ash (£549), but also piano gloss black (£639), SPECIFICATIONS
and lacquered gloss white (£639), options. We usually
recommended going for the saucier gloss variants, but DRIVE UNITS: 1 x 12in fibre composite woofer ENCLOSURE: Sealed FREQUENCY
as the finish upgrade amounts to around 15 per cent of RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 20Hz-270Hz (+/-3dB) ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 325W
the sub's price, maybe don't bother. (820W peak) Sledge Class D amp REMOTE CONTROL: No. Bluetooth app instead
DIMENSIONS: 342(h) x 330(w) x 375(d)mm WEIGHT: 11.1kg
The two models use the same driver, amplification,
and black fabric grille, and o er an identical set of features. FEATURES: Low-level stereo phono input; LFE phono input; low-level stereo phono
So the only di erence (aside from being ported) is that output; stereo speaker-level inputs; 12V trigger; SVS Bluetooth app with three-band
the PB-1000 Pro is bigger and claims a greater bass parametric EQ; crossover and phase control; Movie, Music and Custom presets;
extension – 17Hz compared to the SB-1000's suggested Intelligent Control Interface; Analogue Devices Audio 56-bit DSP; supports SVS
20Hz. However, at £549 the black ash SB-1000 Pro SoundPath wireless audio adapter
represents serious a ordability when you consider all
you get for your hard-earned readies. TESTED WITH

The 12in driver features a fibre composite cone for THE OUTPOST: Director Rod Lurie's
improved sti ness, and a proprietary injection-moulded visceral retelling of the Battle of
surround designed to deliver better control and accuracy. Kamdesh has a B-grade budget and
This is powered by a Sledge STA-325D Class D amplifier cast (including the sons of Clint
rated at 325W RMS, with peaks up to 820W. An Analog Eastwood and Mel Gibson, and the
Devices DSP engine – 'the most advanced digital processor grandson of Richard Attenborough),
ever used in a subwoofer,' boasts SVS – then takes control but features an A-grade 5.1 audio mix.
of signal filtering and EQ. Definitely worth hunting down on
Prime Video.
At the rear is the now standard Intelligent Control
Interface (ICI), which is a glorified name for a control Such speed from a subwoofer is always welcome, 1. SVS has now
panel composed of six buttons and some pretty lights. but let’s be honest – if you’ve got a home cinema then brought app-based
The reality is you’ll never touch the ICI, because SVS's at some point you’re going to want to blow something up. control and EQ to its
smartphone app provides full control without having The Outpost on Amazon Prime Video provides such entry-level range
to get o the sofa. Everything from setup and control opportunities in spades, with a battle that takes up the
to manual parametric EQ is at your fingertips. second half of the film. The awesome 5.1 mix erupts into
a barrage of big bass moments, and each is unique to its
Connections are line-level and speaker-level inputs, specific sound e ect.
line-level output, a 12V trigger, and a USB port for SVS's
optional SoundPath wireless adapter (£115). There's small weapons fire, machine guns, big
50-calibres, grenades and RPGs. These low-end hits are
Ready for tomorrow, flying panda? all subtly di erent. The SVS SB-1000 Pro renders these
carefully designed bass signatures with nuance, but does
I kicked things o with my usual round of infrasonic so with a visceral energy. By the end I actually felt
Blu-ray liveners: the opening credits sequence of Edge shellshocked.
of Tomorrow; the ‘skadoosh’ scene in Kung Fu Panda;
the catalyst bomb in Ready Player One; and the drum Having previously reviewed the SVS SB-2000 Pro
dance in House of Flying Daggers. The SB-1000 Pro [HCC #309], I found myself wondering whether that
mid-range model (available for £900) justifies its price
'Bass extension and power premium over the SB-1000 Pro. Both use a single, front-
firing 12in driver and have identical sets of features,
to spare, and it plumbs the although the SB-2000 Pro is slightly larger and has more
amplifier grunt. As a result it can go a tiny bit deeper with
depths with a cabinet barely greater output but, depending on the size of your room,
it becomes hard to justify the additional cost when the
bigger than the driver itself' SB-1000 Pro is this good.

demonstrated all the key SVS attributes such as depth, King of the bargain bassmakers
slam and sheer output. However, what was really
surprising was that all this powerful low-end energy Ultimately this subwoofer represents the very essence
was being generated by a tiny black cube. This sub might of what SVS does so well – it’s solidly built, o ers some
be designed for smaller spaces, but that doesn't mean it's attractive finishes, and boasts high-end features that
only fit for your dinky games den. It's more than suitable include a really useful Bluetooth control app. More
for movie night in larger environments. importantly it has bass extension and power to spare,
and manages to plumb the depths with a cabinet barely
Sealed models generally tend to o er a faster response bigger than the driver itself. Once you factor in the price,
and better driver control when compared to their ported the SB-1000 Pro becomes irresistible, and is now the
siblings, and the SB-1000 Pro is no exception. In the budget sub to beat ■
opening of The Greatest Showman (4K BD) – a fantastic
test of stop-start LFE – the enthusiastic circus crowd VERDICT
stamped their feet in unison, and the e ect made me
feel like the bleachers could collapse at any second. SVS SB-1000 Pro

Later on the film’s star-crossed lovers sing while ➜ From £550 ➜ www.svsound.com
swinging around the Big Top on trapeze cables and
ropes, and there’s a perfectly timed low-end thump WE SAY: Small but perfectly formed, this powerful sealed sub
as counterweights smash into the circus floor. The delivers deep bass from minimal space. Add in the Bluetooth
SB-1000 Pro snapped into action with relish. control app, and at this price it’s hard to resist.

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

64 TCL TS8132/£320

1

TCL gets physical
with 3D sound

It's out with the DSP trickery and in with upfiring drivers for this a ordable Dolby Atmos
soundbar. Mark Craven goes villain-bashing with Bats and Supes

AV INFO LAST YEAR, TCL entered the Dolby Atmos soundbar In addition to the soundbar's two angled upfiring
market with its TS9030 Ray-Danz [HCC #315], a full-range units, there's an L/C/R spread. The centre
PRODUCT: quite stylish-looking soundbar and subwoofer system that channel gets a single bass/mid unit, while the L/R pair
3.1.2-channel Dolby promised to engineer height e ects from a forward-firing are two-way designs with tweeter and mid.
Atmos soundbar (and side-firing) driver array, instead of any dedicated
upfiring speakers. The soundbar enclosure measures a metre across,
POSITION: so won't dwarf a 50in TV nor look comical with a 65in.
Ranged below Its front fascia featured two sculpted 'acoustic At 6.5cm high there's a slight chance it might interfere with
last year's TS9030 reflectors' that worked to bring a wide dispersion to L/R the IR sensor on a low-slung telly, though.
Ray-Danz model channel information, while virtual DSP was tasked with
making use of vertical immersion from decoded Atmos The subwoofer stands tall, with four feet raising if o
PEERS: bitstreams. Part of the idea here, said TCL, was to make your floor to give breathing space to the downfiring,
JBL Bar 5.0 the soundbar better suited to both wall-mounting and rear-ported 5.25in woofer.
Multibeam; installing within a TV cabinet.
Sony HT-G700 Dolby all the way
In 2021, the company has gone more conventional.
Its new TS8132 model (which still ranges below the The TS8132's channel specification is 3.1.2, but there's also
Ray-Danz in the pecking order) jettisons the DSP-only the claim of 5.1.2 virtual processing/upmixing. This includes
approach to Atmos in favour of physical upfiring drivers. expanding the soundfield of a stereo mix, to reworking
a 7.1-channel PCM feed into 5.1.2. Dolby TrueHD and Dolby
Gone also is the look-at-me aesthetic – this £320 Digital Plus codecs are supported, but none from DTS,
soundbar presents like many others on the market, meaning no DTS:X playback.
with a full-length fabric grille, slightly curved edges and
nondescript partnering wireless subwoofer. I'd be tempted The 'bar is bundled with a handset that has keys
to say it looked 'dull', but one person's dull is another for Surround mode and three listening presets – Music,
person's neat and discreet. Movie and TV – plus source selection, treble and bass
adjustment, and a button to dim (not completely) the

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

REVIEWS 65

soundbar's scrolling LED display (which comes across SPECIFICATIONS
a little bit fuzzy as it has to shine through the TS8132's
fabric cover). Oddly, the volume adjustment isn't actually DRIVE UNITS: 3 x bass/mid drivers; 2 x tweeters; 2 x Dolby Atmos upfirers ONBOARD
labelled as such – just hit the up/down arrows on the POWER (CLAIMED): 350W total CONNECTIONS: 1 x HDMI input; 1 x HDMI output
central control pad. with eARC; digital optical audio input; USB DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X: Yes/No
SEPARATE SUB: Yes. 5.25in driver REMOTE CONTROL: Yes DIMENSIONS: 1,000(w) x
Refreshingly for a well-priced soundbar, HDMI provision 65(h) x 130(d)mm WEIGHT: N/A
includes both eARC-enabled output and a secondary input
for local source hookup. This handles 4K HDR passthrough FEATURES: 3.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos playback (Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus);
(HDR10, HLG and Dolby Vision, but not HDR10+) and virtual 5.1.2 upmixing; TV, Movie and Music presets; FLAC/MP3 file playback over
frame rates up to 60fps. USB; Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG passthrough; wireless subwoofer; Works with
Alexa; Google Assistant, Apple AirPlay; Chromecast Built-in; Bluetooth v4.2; Spotify
Other connections are a USB input for playback of Connect; HDMI CEC; wall-mount kit supplied
FLAC and MP3 audio files (plus firmware updates) and
an optical digital audio input for TV tethering. TESTED WITH

Wireless options include the de rigueur Bluetooth (v4.2), JUSTICE LEAGUE: JUSTICE IS GREY:
but there's also a dual-band Wi-Fi connection, which is
setup via the Google Home app. This combines with What better way to follow up Zack
Chromecast Built-in to enable music streaming from a Snyder's near four-hour cut of Justice
compatible smart device, plus Spotify Connect and Google League by watching the same movie
Assistant, Amazon Alexa and Apple AirPlay integration. all over again in black-and-white?
It's a smarter 'bar than many at the price. Now available on Sky Cinema, this
monochrome version (in 4K/Atmos)
brings a classic Hollywood feel to
the superheroics.

Out for Justice

Given the Atmos soundmix of 2 explosions, vehicle crashes and machine gunfire. 1. TCL's wireless sub
Zack Snyder's Justice League The TS8132 struggles to replicate some of this features a downfiring
excitement, treating a lot of it as a level 5.25in woofer
(which the TCL's display playing field. It's a performance
that could with a healthy 2. The soundbar has
correctly flags), this dose of snap, crackle and a dedicated centre
pop to go with the LF channel and dual
system makes a hit rumblings. Atmos speakers
Sky Atlantic drama Mare
a miss impression, of Easttown felt more in this
soundbar's wheelhouse, letting
although from memory it it go about its business articulating
dialogue, the string-based score and
sounds a bit more grown up the various environments. And with

and coherent than its Ray- music playback, where you're less likely to bump into
troublesome low frequencies and massive dynamic swells,
Danz sibling. it's also more assured. A run through of Johnny Cash's The
Man Comes Around (Tidal 16-bit/44kHz) was more than
Dialogue delivery is a strong point. The TS8132 pleasant, with good detail to the acoustic guitar and his
baritone vocal, and resonant piano notes.
presents movie and TV chatter with real clarity and
With streamed tunes I selected the soundbar's Music
believability. I've never head the panel on Loose Women preset, which doesn't seem a great deal removed from
Movie in terms of its sense of projection, but dials back
sound so erudite, while the timbral di erences between a bit on the bass (and because of that is perhaps also a
better choice for blockbuster movie night). The TV preset,
the various Justice League heroes are well conveyed. which exaggerates dialogue clarity at the expense of
everything else, is best ignored.
It's also a 'bar able to craft an inviting feeling of
Sometimes less is more
ambience. The echoey interiors of Batman's Flying
TCL's TS8132 enters the a ordable soundbar market
Fox transport plane are writ with considerable size, with a native Atmos presentation and strong connections.
But while excellent with dialogue and soundtrack details,
even if there's a noticeably narrow feeling to the it needs to make more of its upfiring speakers (and less of
its subwoofer) to standout ■
soundbar's presentation.
VERDICT
Its Dolby Atmos skills, however, are quite modest.
TCL TS8132
There's a sense of a vertical expansion, as evidenced
➜ £320 ➜ www.tcl.com
by the Justice League sequence where Superman strolls
WE SAY: A tidy-looking easy-to-use soundbar system that's
through the Kryptonian spaceship (before picking out arguably at its best with TV and music. When it's time for
movie night, keep your finger on the bass adjust button...
a new black suit) and gets a pep talk from the floating,

ethereal voices of Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner.

But later in the movie, when Batman and chums storm

Steppenwolf's hideout, the swirling orchestration of flying

Parademons never really gets o the ground (and nor do

a selection of Dolby Atmos trailers). What would perhaps

be useful is a level control specific to the TS8132's height

driver duo, but there's no option at all to fiddle with its

Atmos attack.

Another niggle is the LF delivery from the subwoofer.

There's a 10-step correction for this, with -3 set as the

default, and I'd warn against going higher. At times during

the Snyder movie I found its booming became quite

distracting, as it seems voiced to make its bass driver

feel bigger than it is. Indeed, the -5 setting became my

preference, particularly when watching at a high volume.

Also, the soundbar has a curious lack of dynamic

drive. During the chaotic, multi-character battle in

Snyder's Justice League, the onscreen action shows me

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

66 HISENSE 55A6G/£600 FIGHT!

1 Martial arts
meets family
'toon in Raya and
the Last Dragon
on 4K BD p95

High-value Hisense?

This budget-buy 4K set will appeal by virtue of its well-stocked smarts, tidy design and Dolby
Vision support, says Steve May. But does its picture performance stack up?

AV INFO INTRODUCING THE A6G, a new 4K UHD entry-level to support Wi-Fi, headphone jack, and old-school
screen from Hisense for 2021. Aggressively priced and composite AV.
PRODUCT: available in a multiplicity of screen sizes (43in, 50in, 55in,
55in 4K HDR TV with 65in and 75in), it’s clearly designed to attract 1080p The set comes with a slim remote control, festooned
Dolby Vision and upgraders, and those of us already in ownership of with content provider shortcuts: Netflix, Amazon Prime,
Vidaa smart hub a main 4K display looking for an a ordable largescreen Rakuten TV, You Tube and Freeview Play are just a button
for our kitchens, bedrooms and escape rooms. press away.
POSITION:
Mid-range, below Hisense is pushing the technology envelope this year, Built to binge
Hisense's ULED with mini LED and OLED models both incoming, but this
models is the brand on high-value home turf. When it comes to smarts, the A6G is a slick entertainer.
Hisense's Vidaa 5 smart interface may be stripped back
PEERS: The A6G o ers plenty of curb appeal for the cash. when compared to some rivals, but if you just want to binge
LG 55UP7500; It’s neatly turned out, with Dolby Vision HDR on hand to it’s a good bet. The interface is full-screen, and o ers easy
Toshiba make the most of apps on the brand’s useful Vidaa 5.0 access to video-on-demand services.
50UA2B63DB streaming platform.
A quad core processor helps keep navigation sprightly,
The dark-grey bezel is regulation thin, while two plastic and there’s a choice of either Google or Alexa smart
feet splay left and right. You’ll need wide AV furniture to assistant compatibility for voice control and search.
match, but it’s a good screen to wall-mount, tipping the You get to choose your team during setup.
scales at a featherweight 11.3kg.
Freeview Play, which is practically a must-have feature
As befits its cheaper status, there are only three in the competitive budget arena, ensures all the main
(side-facing) HDMI ports. These are billed by Hisense's catch-up services (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, My5 and All4)
specification as v2.1, and o er eARC, ALLM and VRR, are on tap, accessible via a rollback seven-day programme
but can’t handle 4K/120 playback. Additional connections guide, alongside a warehouse of boxsets. There's also a
are a digital optical audio output, a pair of USBs, Ethernet satellite tuner, although it's generic rather than Freesat.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

REVIEWS 67

So far, so good. But, inevitably, there’s a price to be paid SPECIFICATIONS
for all the pennies saved. For a start, the 55A6G isn’t a wide
colour gamut panel, which means it won't get the best 4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2,160 HDR: Yes. HLG; HDR10; Dolby Vision TUNER: Yes. Freeview HD
from a 4K disc library. There’s also no local dimming, CONNECTIONS: 3 x HDMI inputs; digital optical audio output; 2 x USB; Ethernet;
and the nearest you’ll get to Deep Learning is trying to headphone output; composite AV SOUND (CLAIMED): 2 x 8W BRIGHTNESS
memorise the menu. (CLAIMED): N/A CONTRAST RATIO (CLAIMED): N/A 4K/120: No DIMENSIONS (OFF
STAND): 1,232(w) x 711(h) x 74(d)mm WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 11.3kg

'Hisense's A6G isn’t exactly FEATURES: Built-in Wi-Fi; USB multimedia playback; Vidaa U5 smart platform;
a high performer, but it o ers Sports Mode; Ultra Smooth motion compensation; HDMI eARC; ALLM; VRR;
a lot of tech and screen real generic satellite tuner; Freeview Play; quad-core processor; direct LED backlight;
60Hz refresh rate; Google Assistant/Amazon Alexa voice control; DTS Virtual:X;
noise reduction

estate at an agreeable price' TESTED WITH

But we’re okay with that. You have to expect some SPACE SWEEPERS: Floating in Netflix's
compromise at the shallow end of the pool. The question orbit since February, this South Korean
is, are the compromises too obvious? 'space Western' o ers plenty of
eye-candy, robots and set-piece
Polishing pixels action, plus well-drawn characters and
a fast-paced plot – which is not what
The TV employs an AI upscaler able to make more of less. you always expect from a straight-to-
Hisense's processor does a decent job of upscaling the streaming sci-fi. A sequel has already
been announced.

suspension bridge seen in the background of the opening

shot of 10 Cloverfield Lane (Blu-ray), with no overt jaggies.

It did, however, struggle to do much with Blood of the Saving the day, however, are rich hues and stunning 1. Screen size options
for the A6G range
Vampire, a 1958 schlocker broadcast in noisy SD by fine detail. When our dysfunctional crew lands at the UTS from 43in to 75in

Talking Pictures TV. Commercial District, this neon city-space-turned-nightclub 2. All connections,
bar composite AV,
It’s a question of picking your battles. makes even Blade Runner look staid, despite the absence are side-facing

Picture modes comprise Standard, Cinema Day, of any wide colour boost.

Cinema Night, Dynamic, Sports and Custom. Given And the TV's contrast limitations are easily forgotten

this budget set's low average picture level, the Cinema with a good source. When John Boyega goes snooping

presets are a little too dull for comfort. And while the around a decommissioned Jaeger scrapyard in Pacific

temptation might be to go to blackout viewing conditions Rim: Uprising (4K Blu-ray) the inevitable lack of shadow

to counter this, that brings other picture foibles. More 2 detail is outweighed by visual gloss and pop.
on that later.
This isn’t a screen for gamers, though. I measured

When fed Dolby Vision content, the 55A6G's presets input lag over 40ms with Game mode selected and

switch to Dolby Vision Bright, Dolby Vision Dark and a 1080/60 feed. Not a performance that will excite

Dolby Vision Custom. competitive joystick junkies.

Motion interpolation is covered by Hisense's 60Hz The 55A6G's sound performance is more of a

MEMC (Motion Estimation, Motion Compensation) surprise, considering its modest 2 x 8W specification.

system. This automatically kicks in when the set’s Select Hisense's Theater sound preset, and the

Sports Mode detects relevant over-air content. soundstage noticeably opens, pushing forward.

Settings are available in Smooth, Standard, Clear, Crowded house
Film and Custom flavours, the latter allowing for

manual adjustment of judder and blur reduction. The A6G isn’t exactly a high performer, but it o ers

All feel slightly di erent, but there’s a distinct aroma a lot of technology and screen real estate at an

of soap here, so for movies I’d suggest turning the agreeable price. Couple it to a good 4K source, and

processing o completely. you’ll be rewarded with sharp, vibrant images. Dolby

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 55A6G transpires to be Vision handling softens the blow of its meagre

more HDR aware than HDR capable. I measured peak brightness, and the Vidaa smart platform is well-

brightness at around 300 nits in the TV's Standard designed and well-stocked.

preset, using a 10 per cent white window. This That said, this Hisense is getting its elbows out

correlates to a lack in tangible intensity with in a crowded market. The likes of Philips, LG, TCL

HDR content, even with small details. However, and Toshiba are all prepping similarly tempting

while this may not be the brightest performer in ranges, and there's also competition from the

its class, the provision of Dolby Vision helps company's own Quantum Dot A7 range. It’s too early

manage tone-mapping. to crown a budget TV champion, but this is

High-budget Korean sci-fi adventure flick a solid early entrant ■

Space Sweepers (Netflix, Dolby Vision) provides a tough

challenge for the A6G. It features plenty of deep space, VERDICT

and even deeper shadows onboard the titular spacecraft. Hisense 55A6G
With room lights o , the limitations of this panel
➜ £600 ➜ www.hisense.co.uk
quickly become clear. The gloomier recesses of the ship
are washed out; panel uniformity is poor. If you shift in your WE SAY: This good-looking connected Dolby Vision TV is solid
seat, you’ll see the backlight glare dance from left to right. value if you keep the lights on and stick with 4K content. It’s
Letterbox movie bars are greyed out. not for gamers though.

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

68 WWW. ASTELLNKERN.COM/£1,100

Astell&Kern SPECIFICATIONS
KANN Alpha
ONBOARD MEMORY: 64GB (expandable to
Looking to drive a challenging pair of headphones with a 1TB via microSD) DISPLAY: 4.1in touchscreen,
portable player? Ed Selley thinks the chunky KANN Alpha 720 x 1,280 resolution SUPPORTED AUDIO
might be what you need FORMATS: WAV, FLAC, WMA, MP3, OGG,
APE, AAC, ALAC, AIFF, DFF, DSF and MQA
SUPPORTED VIDEO FORMATS: None
CONNECTIONS: USB-C (charge, sync and
signal); unbalanced 3.5mm and balanced
2.5mm and 4.4mm outputs; microSD
DIMENSIONS: 68.3(w) x 117(h) x 25(d)mm
WEIGHT: 316g

FEATURES: Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX/LDAC;
UPnP control; onboard EQ; 2.4GHz Wi-Fi;
14.5-hour claimed battery life in 'standard'
use; Windows (7/8/10) and MAC OS X (10.7
and up) OS support; quad-core processor;
ESS ES9068AS dual DAC; 32bit/384kHz
decoding; DSD 64/128/256; Roon Ready

The player has three Focal's Celestee auditioned last issue and get
top-mounted headphone listening. These are not a hard set of cans to
outputs (right) and a drive in relative terms but the e ortlessness
4.1in touch display of their performance with the KANN Alpha in
front is remarkable. Making Water from Harry
THE DEDICATED PORTABLE audio player running in dual mono. PCM sampling rate Gregson Williams’ score for The Martian builds
is 32-bit/384kHz and format handling from a delicate start to a soaring crescendo
market is not a massive one, and Korean brand is extensive, extending from lossy MP3 to and never once does the KANN Alpha sound
DSD256 and MQA. If you want to store a lot under the slightest strain. There are full-size
Astell&Kern is the biggest fish in a relatively of large music files, however, you will have headphone amps with less power than this.
to spring for a microSD card as the internal
small pond. Its KANN series of players overlaps memory is a rather paltry 64GB. Cards of If you have access to headphones that use
up to 1TB are supported. a balanced connector the results are even
the more conventional A&Norma and better. The added sense of space and
In keeping with most Astell&Kern products reduction in background noise (already
A&Futura ranges, and is designed to be able I’ve tested, the KANN Alpha is beautifully limited via the normal connection but
made. The casework is all metal and finished completely absent here) makes for a
to drive even very demanding headphones to an exceptional standard. But it is rather tremendous listening experience. People,
bulky, which makes it more of a ‘manbag’ Let’s Dance, a new track from Public Service
from a smallscale device. style accessory than a pocket-sized one. Broadcasting, is an absolute joy. Deep,
detailed bass is controlled enough to sound
This means the KANN Alpha (£1,100) The onscreen interface is related to fast and exciting, while the air around the
Android but adapted for better performance upper registers is impressive for a near-field
can pump out 6V from its unbalanced 3.5mm as an audio player. It works well but the listening device. It’s a capable line-level
screen is fairly small at 4.1in and, while it source too. Running via a 4.4mm to XLR
connection, and no less than 12V from its two supports Tidal natively (and other streaming converter cable, it gives little away to full-size
services if you can get them working via rivals in sonic terms, although that interface
balanced outputs – one a 2.5mm connection side-loaded app), text searching in the remains a mess.
app is fiddly and unforgiving.
historically preferred Whether you need unburstable power
Taking the strain in your life will come down to use patterns.
AV INFO by Astell&Kern, This is a tremendously potent device that
the other the newer Key to understanding why the KANN Alpha can take pretty much any mainstream pair
exists is to take full-size headphones like of headphones and drive them to any level
PRODUCT: 4.4mm type. If you you'll likely want to achieve.
don’t want to use a
Portable, balanced cable at all, Bluetooth Drawbacks are that the KANN Alpha is
hi-res music player too big to be seen as genuinely portable, and
the UI can be a pain. Accept these caveats,
POSITION: 5.0, supporting aptX though, and it makes a great impression ■
and LDAC, is
Middle model in integrated. VERDICT
the three-strong
KANN series The KANN Alpha's Astell&Kern KANN Alpha

PEERS: internal circuitry ➜ £1,100 ➜ www.astellnkern.com
is fully balanced,
Astell&Kern KANN facilitated by a pair WE SAY: It’s a niche device but the KANN Alpha
Cube; of ESS Sabre DACs is a staggeringly capable just-about-portable
FiiO M11 Plus player with excellent overall performance.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

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70 UK.KEF.COM/£2, 250

KEF LS50 SPECIFICATIONS
Wireless II
DRIVERS: 2 x 5.25in Uni-Q drivers with 1in
At the top of KEF's LS50 collection, you'll find its 'meta- aluminium tweeters ONBOARD POWER
material' Wireless II active system. Ed Selley gives his (CLAIMED): 760W total CONNECTIONS: HDMI
soundbar a night o and enjoys some premium stereo eARC; optical digital audio input; coaxial
digital audio input; 3.5mm analogue input;
Ethernet (network/speaker connection);
subwoofer output DIMENSIONS: 200(w) x
305(h) x 311(d)mm WEIGHT: N/A

FEATURES: Dual-band Wi-Fi; Apple AirPlay 2;
Chromecast; Bluetooth 4.2; UPnP; Musical
Integrity Engine EQ; Roon Ready; optional
speaker stand; MP3, M4A, AAC, FLAC, WAV,
AIFF, ALAC, WMA, LPCM and Ogg Vorbis file
support on all inputs; MQA and DSD via
network; KEF Connect app

The coaxial Uni-Q driver is a feature of all KEF ranges

KEF's LS50 WIRELESS II is, as you'd and cabinet walls to further limit vibration soundstage, and the e ect this has on the
energy. Power is claimed at 380W for each. surrealistic surroundings of the Time Variance
probably guessed, an updated version of Authority in Loki (Disney+) is impressive.
The ‘master’ speaker has network audio, The system creates a deep, spacious stereo
its original 2016-era LS50 Wireless. A self- HDMI eARC, optical, coaxial and analogue spread that melds the little sounds and
inputs that are then available to the second nuances that pepper the mix into an enticing
contained active speaker system, it should be speaker either via a wireless 24-bit/96kHz whole. Dynamics are excellent too. The
connection, or a Cat6 cable that allows speakers are as happy keeping the almost
viewed more as an alternative to all-in-one a full resolution of 24-bit/384kHz. You can muttered asides of Agent Mobius intelligible
additionally stream via AirPlay2, Chromecast as they are relaying the surprisingly deep bass
devices like Naim's Mu-So 2nd Generation and Bluetooth to get material to the KEFs. of the time skip e ect with a weight you feel
as well as hear. Yes, you could attach a sub
than something you attach to existing This active system is therefore very flexible to each cabinet if you wanted, but there’s a
(and a considerable update in functionality joyful amount of bass here anyway.
electronics. Which is probably for the best, terms over the original model) but I’ve found
it does its best work with a wired connection Musically, the LS50 Wireless II is a thriller.
as the £2,250 ticket might not leave you – I had some communication issues to the Voicing is not especially warm or cosseting,
second speaker over wireless. KEF’s own but give it a decent recording and it delivers
much spare for other kit. Connect app is stable but not the most a scintillatingly high-resolution presentation.
comprehensive of its type. There's also an The synth-pop of Marina’s Ancient Dreams in
The Wireless II features the same driver IR handset and some useful touch controls a Modern Land, available as a 24bit/96kHz
on the master cabinet. stream on Qobuz, absolutely flies out of the
assembly as KEF's new LS50 Meta passive speakers with rhythmic precision and
These speakers look and feel fantastic. sparkling clarity. The vocals are perfectly
model. Each cabinet gets a 5.25in Uni-Q Once you've thought about how to handle integrated with supporting instruments but
the wiring, they'll slot elegantly into any space. unfailingly easy to discern.
midbass with centrally mounted 1in Finish options are black, white, grey and
crimson red, and the build quality is This is a revealing system, though, so
waveguided tweeter. superb even judged at the asking price. much so that I’d caution against using it often
with heavily compressed music. Its audio
AV INFO New for this 12th- Where the LS50 Wireless II scores big over quality deserves a rich diet.
generation Uni-Q is one-box music systems is the width of its
Music mogul
PRODUCT: the tweeter's ‘meta-
Active wireless stereo material’ backplate, Double the price of KEF's passive LS50 Meta,
speaker system a KEF innovation said this active system benefits from prodigious
with HDMI hookup to absorb unwanted power and comprehensive connectivity.
sonic reflections back You can use it for music sessions and as an
POSITION: through the driver. alternative to a high-end soundbar – but note
KEF's premium you'll likely get the best out of it if you eschew
wireless option, Each Wireless II some of its wireless convenience ■
ranged with the cabinet is rear-ported
passive LS50 Meta VERDICT

PEERS: and internally braced, KEF LS50 Wireless II
with a 'lossy layer'
Naim Mu-So 2nd Gen; between the bracing ➜ £2,250 ➜ uk.kef.com
Klipsch The Fives
WE SAY: A few rough edges in control terms but
this system's excellent sonics and aesthetics
go a long way to making up the di erence.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021



72 REVIEWS

1

LONG-TERM TEST

Trinnov Altitude16

AV INFO TIME ON TEST: Six months REVIEWER: Steve Withers remote access is granted via a web-based interface.
A physical remote control is supplied for more day-to-day
PRODUCT: TO DESCRIBE TRINNOV'S Altitude16 as a 16-channel functions like input selection or volume changes.
16-channel processor AV processor that supports Dolby Atmos, DTS:X Pro and
with Atmos, DTS:X Auro-3D is a bit like saying the Palace of Versailles is a Connectivity is generous. There are eight HDMI inputs
and Auro-3D building. While both statements are technically accurate, and two outputs (one with eARC). All are HDMI 2.0 with
they hardly do either justice. support for 4K/60p and every flavour of high dynamic range
POSITION: (HDR10, HLG, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision). Other terminals
Below a 32-channel Trinnov was founded in the early 2000s by a trio of include Ethernet; coaxial and optical digital inputs and
model in the French acoustic engineers with a history in sonic research outputs; stereo analogue input (RCA and XLR); 16-channel
Trinnov lineup and professional audio. Their aim for the consumer sector XLR output (no RCA option); and a host of custom install
was to develop the ultimate AV processor, and in 2014 features like 12V triggers and RS232 (the processor supports
PEERS: came the Altitude32 – a feature-rich box capable of all the main third-party control systems).
Lyngdorf MP-60; delivering 32 channels of enveloping sound.
Datasat LS10 Equipped with Dolby Atmos, Auro-3D and DTS:X Pro
However, this level of sophistication wasn't cheap immersive audio decoders, the Altitude16 can render
(£28,000), so in 2018 Trinnov o ered a more a ordable up to 16 discrete channels of information. It also natively
alternative. The Altitude16 is ‘limited’ to 16 channels of processes high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz audio, and enables
processing, but in almost every other respect it’s the equal unlimited channel assignment or subwoofer outputs.
of its bigger brother. A ordable is always a relative term,
but at £13,950 you get an awful lot of bang for your buck. There’s also a full suite of upmixers from Dolby, DTS
and Auro, meaning you can take full advantage of all those
What’s good about it? extra channels with non-immersive mixes. You can also
're-map' your speakers to allow for the di erent
The Altitude16 looks every inch the high-end product, configurations of competing 3D audio formats.
combining elegant minimalism with tank-like construction.
It’s a gorgeous piece of industrial design with a thick When you consider all this cutting-edge processing and
aluminium front panel, black brushed-metal finish, customisation, the Altitude16 is surprisingly easy to install.
and a large display. This is primarily due to the excellent Altitude Wizard and
superb Trinnov Optimizer, both of which take you step-by-
The latter is informative, but it’s not the primary user step through setup and room correction.
interface. There’s no onscreen display, either – instead, full
To perform the latter you’ll need Trinnov’s groovy-
looking 3D measurement mic. If you’re buying the

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

REVIEWS 73

2 SPECIFICATIONS

DOLBY ATMOS: Yes (up to 9.1.6) DTS:X: Yes (up to 16.1 via DTS:X Pro) IMAX
ENHANCED: No. Awaiting update MULTICHANNEL INPUT: No MULTICHANNEL PRE-OUT:
Yes. 16-channel XLR MULTIROOM: No AV INPUTS: Yes. 4 x digital audio (2 x optical
and 2 x coaxial) HDMI: 8 x inputs; 2 x outputs VIDEO UPSCALING: No DIMENSIONS:
438(w) x 138(h) x 439(d)mm WEIGHT: 11.3kg

FEATURES: Trinnov Speaker/Room Optimizer; supports 3D measurement
microphone; multi-subwoofer management and active crossover calibration;
24-bit/96kHz native processing; wizard for setup and calibration; web-based UI;
remote control; software-based upgrades over internet; UPnP/DLNA renderer;
Roon ready; Dolby Atmos Object Viewer; Auro-3D

Altitude16 through a dealer they’ll hopefully install the hear. This shouldn’t be an issue for most people because 1. The Altitude16
processor using their mic for room correction; if not you’ll the processor will probably end up in an equipment room supports Atmos and
need to buy your own, which is an extra £595. (Trinnov includes rack mounts in the box). Another niggle DTS:X up to 16 channels
is that the remote control – which many won't bother with
The beauty of the Altitude16 is that it’s essentially – lacks a backlight, making it hard to use in the dark. You'll 2. Trinnov added the
a high-end computer running Trinnov’s proprietary software also need to learn to hold down the ‘OK’ button to turn the Object Viewer tool in
platform. This approach to system architecture means the unit on, and hold down ‘Info’ to turn it o , which is very weird. September last year
company can easily update the processor when new
formats or features become available. While the Altitude16 doesn’t have to be connected to 3. XLR jacks are used
your network for day-to-day use, you’ll need one to access for audio output –
Trinnov proved this by becoming the first manufacturer the detailed menus, Object Viewer and Optimizer. Since there's no RCA option
to add DTS:X Pro, expanding the format’s decoding to 16 there’s no wireless capability, that means an Ethernet
channels on the Altitude16, and bringing DTS:X in line with cable, and in my case it’s a pain in the derriere. Once again
Atmos, which could handle 16 channels from launch. this won’t be an issue for most people because an installer
An IMAX Enhanced DTS:X update is also coming soon. will address this.

Another recently added feature is the Dolby Atmos There’s no support for 8K/60, 4K/120, eARC, VRR or
Object Viewer, showing in real time which channels are ALLM. However, Trinnov is planning a future hardware
being used and where objects appear in three-dimensional upgrade to HDMI 2.1, which will add these features.
space. It doesn’t a ect the sound quality, but it’s oh-so-
fun to watch. Should I buy it?

These bells and whistles would amount to nothing if the This really depends on your budget, but if you can a ord
processor didn't sound worthy of its price tag. But there are the Altitude16 then the answer is a resounding yes. It’s
no such worries with the Altitude16. I've found it e ortlessly not only one of the best-sounding AV processors on the
counters the negative aspects of my listening room, and market, but thanks to its upgradable nature it could be the
draws out the best from my entire system. last one you’ll ever need to buy. It's flexible too – even after
six months of almost daily use I’m still only scratching the
Partner the Altitude16 with quality amplification surface of its capabilities ■
and the result is a composed and cohesive soundstage.
Objects are fluidly moved, and the sense of immersion VERDICT
is often overwhelming. Subs are expertly integrated,
ensuring a tight, dynamic low-end foundation that Trinnov Altitude16
never swamps the rest of the soundstage. It’s a
remarkable performance. ➜ £13,950 ➜ www.trinnov.com

What’s not good about it? WE SAY: French acoustic wizardry delivers an immersive audio
tour de force, combined with staggering flexibility and a host
A downside of Trinnov's computer-based approach is that of cool features. C’est fantastique!
the Altitude16 packs a cooling fan that you can occasionally

3

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

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OPINION 75

WiSA (the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association) dreams of a world without cables, a notion
that appeals to Mark Craven. But has it forgotten that active speakers need mains power?

RECENTLY, I'VE STARTED keeping a 15-metre multi-channel audio to provide the best home Mark Craven
retractable four-gang extension lead (the kind entertainment experiences possible.' The thinking managed to set up
you'd normally use in the garden) in the cupboard goes that more people would be interested in a
in my living room. I get it out when Mrs Craven isn't surround sound installation if they didn't have to both his System
looking, using it to power whatever new AV toys run speaker wire everywhere. A WiSA-based system Audio active
might have arrived. will cut the cord.
speakers to receive
Last Spring I wrote about how happy I was with So far I've only experienced a stereo WiSA setup, a dual L/R feed.
an early lockdown purchase – modular IKEA Besta using two floorstanders from Danish company Mono has never
AV furniture that took me an afternoon to put System Audio in conjunction with the brand's sounded so good
together and helped clear up a mess many years Stereo Hub. The latter is a little box o ering extensive
in the making. And back then I dutifully spent connectivity (including HDMI ARC, optical audio,
time aiming for the tidiest cable installation I'd USB-B, Chromecast, Bluetooth and UPnP),
ever attempted. which is then sent wirelessly as a digital 96kHz/
24-bit signal to compatible speakers (analogue
Unsurprisingly, as I'm someone who often has sources first go through a Texas Instruments ADC).
to swap hardware around, it didn't take long for said
cabling to get messy. When I now squeeze my hand The fly in the ointment is that System Audio's
into the tiny gap between my TV/amp unit and my WiSA tower speakers are, of course, active models.
There'd be no need to implement a wireless
wall, I feel like Kate Capshaw shoving transmission system if you also needed to
her mitt into that insect-filled hole run a wire to an external amplifier.

in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. There are But this means they need to be plugged in
wires down there strangling others, wires I'm not to the mains. For a stereo installation this is fine,
even sure are plugged into anything, and two but multichannel? I wouldn't know where to begin.
four-gang extension leads, both sprouting plugs,
which I can't reach without pulling the unit out. Coming soon from System Audio is its Surround
Hub. This will support eight independent wireless
And that's why I've brought another extension channels. The company sells active bookshelf
lead in from my garden. models (pictured), plus on-wall and centre speakers.
British outfit Lithe Audio has even started selling
A world without (most) wires a Dolby Atmos-certified in-ceiling WiSA speaker.

My hate-hate relationship with mains sockets So a multichannel array is feasible, freeing you
and power cables is why I've been thinking quite from speaker cables and a hulking AV receiver lurking
a lot about WiSA, the wireless transmission in your kit rack. Part of me wants to put such a system
organisation whose cable-free technology you'll to the test – to see how it works, if it falls short, where
find in products from brands including Harman, it improves on traditional AV. The other part of me
Primare, LG, Hisense, Klipsch and Bang & Olufsen. worries about finding sockets for all those plugs ■

WiSA currently counts more than 60 members. Would you consider an active multichannel system?
Its mission statement is to 'define and implement Let us know: email [email protected]
worldwide standards for wireless, high-resolution,

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

76 OPINION

The sale of MGM to Amazon isn't good news for disc collectors, warns Jon Thompson.
He doesn't even think streaming services are good news for film fans in general

MOST OF US shop with Amazon to buy £20 4K Cinema is getting back on its feet after a series When he's not in
Blu-rays. When Amazon goes shopping, it spends of lockdowns. I've gone to a number of West End his screening room,
$8.45bn on movie studio MGM/United Artists. cinemas in the last few weeks and it seems that
The impact this might have for both the film industry attendance is good. Films such as A Quiet Place Jon Thompson
and for home cinema enthusiasts could be huge. Part II have outperformed expectations. The desire tweets about
is therefore there to go back to the multiplex, but the
Coming just two years after Disney's acquisition Amazon deal pulls us further in the other direction. Hollywood gossip,
of 21st Century Fox, it's easy to see it as just another For people who prefer streaming it's all good news movie-making and
mega media merger. But Amazon remains primarily – until the streaming market plateaus and the only digital mastering at
a retailer, not a studio. way forward is to raise subscription costs and to tier
the services to charge more for 'extras' such as 4K @johnnyfocal
The US doesn't have a great history when one and multichannel audio...
industry decides to move into another. An example
is the 'streetcar conspiracy' of the 1940s, when the I'm also worried about the video labels who
automotive industry began acquiring ownership of acquire content from companies like MGM/UA.
vast chunks of the country's public transport system At the moment the independent video scene is very
for not entirely altruistic reasons – the inspiration for healthy, with a lot of limited edition titles selling out,
the plot of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? some forty but with streamers snapping up entire libraries,
years later. A federal judge dished out a few slaps there'll be less and less available to license.
on the wrists, but the damage had been done.
Physical media sales are still worth a good chunk
Amazon's purchase of MGM isn't nefarious, but of change. There was a rumour on Twitter in May that
it will have an impact all the same. It hasn't bought Warner Bros. intends to phase out physical media in
out MGM to make sure its catalogue of movies 2022, which is nonsense. The studio and Universal
continues to enjoy Blu-ray releases. Amazon's have a joint physical media distribution deal until
aim is to fill the pipe that is Amazon Prime Video. 2031, for a start. But it's not hard to see the direction
of travel the majors are heading in – even with disc
Sticking it to the Max formats generating about $6bn in revenue in 2020.

Filmmakers are freaking out about the transition to It seems we're witnessing the abandonment of
streamed premieres. A recent story in The Hollywood physical media for the benefit of streaming services,
Reporter suggested that star Mark Wahlberg and and it will end up costing the consumer more in the
director Antoine Fuqua were only told their new long run. Blinded by technology, the studios are going
sci-fi movie Infinite would debut on the Paramount+ down a road that will lead to limited access – if not
platform (instead of in theatres) on the day the press any access – to some titles. Most services only keep
release was issued. Relationships with content around 2,000 movies online at a time. If you have
creators that have been built over decades are being a whim to watch Who Framed Roger Rabbit? you
destroyed. We've had Christopher Nolan labelling may find it's not there ■
HBO Max as ‘the worst streaming service.’ HBO Max
is owned by Warner Media, the company that's given Have you stopped buying discs and switched to streaming?
Nolan billions to make movies. Let us know: email [email protected]

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78 OLED IMPROVEMENTS/MARVEL MOVIES

Feedback

Got an axe to grind? Need to comment on current tech? Want to share your knowledge with
our readers? Team HCC is here to help

Sony model number confusion Guide in HCC #321! Would you really be Sony's KD-48A9. Or is
referring to the KE-48A9 by chance, which it the KE-48A9?
Whilst a long-term subscriber, I am really does appear to be available?
only interested in the TV developments. on the John Lewis website. However, Currys/
My Sony 40in (KDL-40Z5800) is now eleven I would like my next TV to have a Freesat PC World does list it as a Freesat-equipped TV.
years old and was one of the original 'smart' tuner built-in. Your spec list on the A9 review I tried to look in the Sony Download Manual
TVs before all those streaming apps were does not state this, nor does the specification and this was ambiguous.
added. ITV HD stopped working years ago
and most of the catchup that was there Spending this amount of money, I will want
(iPlayer) is no longer supported. Never been to see it at the shop and only John Lewis,
an issue, as we always use PVRs to record/
watch (my Humax Freesat PVR is a sturdy
machine and still going strong. Can't buy
anything near what that machine still
provides and it plugs into the mains without
an adapter!).

I am always mindful of the fact that the
TV may 'die' at some point and so I like to
keep abreast of what I might like to buy, if push
comes to shove. So I was excited to read of
the Sony KD-48A9 in HCC #320. This is about
the right size for wall-mounting in my lounge.
50in would be too big.

Imagine how disappointed I was when
I drew a blank everywhere as it seems to be
an obsolete product. This is a bit strange, as
I have just seen it as a 'new entry' in the Gear

Too old for superheroes? Nah Robert Downey Jr. (then aged 54...)
in Avengers: Endgame
Hi. In response to Steve May’s piece
about folk being considered too old to
watch superhero movies [HCC #321]...

I have a 29-year-old son who works for
Framestore [VFX company] and has had
the odd accreditation on certain superhero
flicks. I have watched most if not all of the
superhero movies produced in the last 12
years and enjoyed most of them.

Telling anybody what sort of movies
are good for them to watch is adopting
a very supercilious attitude.

The whole fun of being a movie-lover
is finding out for ourselves about the Good,
the Bad and the Ugly.

Now, that was a great movie!
John N, Norfolk

Anton van Beek replies: Indeed. And as
much as we love Martin Scorsese, his
description of the Marvel films being
'closer to theme parks than they are to
movies' was a bit of a head-scratcher.
Also, what's wrong with theme parks?!

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

LETTERS 79

Southampton have stocks at the time of Star Letter...
writing – it didn't when your review first
appeared. Please can you clarify what your Should I be more impressed by my new OLED?
review was based on and the in-built tuners.
I have bought an LG C1 OLED TV to replace considered
PS: My vote about black bars on movies my five-year-old LG E6 OLED. After a week relatively subtle,
[Digital Copy, HCC #320]: I have never liked of viewing and adjusting the picture however.
them, I prefer a bigger picture. settings I'm not really convinced it is a
Ian King massive step forward in picture quality A new
that the tests suggest. generation of
Mark Craven replies: Hi Ian. You've raised panel – available
an interesting point regards Sony's KE-48A9 I spoke to the dealer and he said that on premium
OLED TV. This model appeared in stores this with AI TVs it can take a week or so to OLEDs such as
Spring but looks spookily identical to the stabilise into the best picture performance. LG’s G1 and Sony’s A90J – uses new materials
previously released KD-48A9. Because it is. Having given the set five stars in your and heat dissipation technologies to add even
magazine's review can you explain how more brightness and colour volume. One of
The name change from KD to KE is to AI processing could improve the picture those might feel like more of a step up from
signify that there have been adjustments quality over time? your E6. Yet the C1 remains an outstanding TV.
made regarding energy consumption labelling
(as part of an update to EU regulations), and, Also, the sound is not as good as my Your dealer’s comment about AI taking
from my understanding, some modifications E6 model, which had a sort of soundbar a while to 'stabilise' is not correct. AI TVs in
to out-of-the-box brightness settings (again at the bottom. I find the 'Standard' setting reality are using processing outcomes
as part of energy regulations). on the C1's sound menu better than the AI achieved by separate neural networks in
setting, which does all sorts of weird things. distant labs. The TVs don’t actually contain
Sony is therefore changing from 'KD' to 'KE' For serious viewing and listening I use my such ‘learning’ processors themselves. LG has
across certain ranges that have been in the Arcam AVR850 and DALI Rubicon 5.1 setup, stated that it will deliver sporadic AI-generated
market since before the energy labelling so obviously that is very good. processing improvements via firmware
update, including its A9 and A8 OLEDs, Barry Wilkinson, South Cumbria updates, but hasn’t made any promises about
and XH9005 and XH8005 LEDs. Subsequently, how often these might appear.
some retailers are still listing stock for the John Archer replies: For years now there’s
KD model, while others have the KE variation. been an argument over just how much On the sound front, I agree that the C1
And searching online for one or the other will better each new generation of OLED screen doesn’t sound as good as the E6. That earlier
typically throw up both, which is confusing. is than the one that preceded it. Since the TV's audio was outstanding for a built-in
excellent E6 you previously owned, in system, and LG’s focus on making trimmer,
As for the Freesat tuner question, Sony particular, each new OLED has typically sleeker designs has led to a reduction in quality
added Freesat functionality to some of its TVs, only looked like a mild evolution rather with all of its subsequent OLED generations.
including the A9 series, via a firmware update than a revolution. I do believe its AI Sound Pro mode makes good
late last year – previously its satellite tuners use of the speakers’ capabilities with Dolby
could only access a 'general satellite' feed There are di erences between the E6 Atmos content, though.
without an EPG or channel ordering. Any newly and C1, however, and I'd definitely say they
bought KE-48A9 or KD-48A9 should have matter. The C1 is around 15 per cent brighter Star letter writer Barry grabs a copy of the tense
Freesat out of the box. when showing HDR peaks, and LG’s video survival thriller Alone on Blu-ray. The film stars Jules
processing has led to improvements in Wilcox as a young woman who's kidnapped by
Unfortunately, Sony's online specifications colour consistency, HDR tone mapping, 4K a serial killer and must battle both him and the
and its user manual downloads haven't been upscaling and, especially, motion handling. elements when she escapes his remote woodland
updated to reflect this – another drawback of The sum of these improvements might be cabin. Having already proved a hit on Digital, Alone
firmware updates. comes to Blu-ray on 12 July courtesy of Signature
Entertainment, accompanied by a new director’s
Bring me more Bayhem! commentary and interview.

I agree with Steve May in his AV Avenger with John Archer's short answer of ‘no’, good native contrast so reducing the
column [HCC #321]. I am now a 51-year-old luminance in return for a minor gain on already
and still love to watch my 4K Blu-rays of I don’t entirely agree with his rationale. good black levels may not be optimal.
Marvel and (some) DCEU movies. I also enjoy First, a high-gain screen wouldn’t be a
a good character movie, but prefer the big Finally, if the projector is ceiling mounted,
explosions, Atmos e ects, mayhem (and problem because it doesn’t actually ‘amplify’ a dark throw rug in front of the screen would
some Bayhem too) of blockbuster cinema. the amount of light falling on the walls. be an easy way to capture some light o the
High gain screens only concentrate the screen. In any case, using blackout blinds will
Just being over 50 does not mean you existing light by directing it towards the have a huge benefit in controlling stray light
automatically become an old fart who cannot, viewer. This could likely reduce the amount so I agree with John that he would have a
any more, handle a good explosion out of of light hitting the side walls in the first great bigscreen experience ■
your subwoofer. place and reduce the light reflecting back Ion
onto the screen. Too high a gain, however,
There is, of course, nothing wrong with runs the risk of localized ‘hotspots’ and should Contact us…
a slower, talkier or more character-driven be avoided.
movie. I enjoyed Oscar-winner Moonlight, Write to HCC, AV Tech Media Ltd, Suite 25, Eden
even if it was a little slow. It pays o at the end. Second, I would avoid a grey screen House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF,
Roland Robinson, The Netherlands if he chooses the Sony projector. The VPL- or email us at [email protected]
VW590ES' stated specification is only 1,800 Please note: we cannot guarantee to print/answer all
PJ screen considerations Lumens. This is fine for a light-controlled the letters we receive. Sorry.
environment but a grey screen is going to
I’m writing in regard to last month’s letter reduce it even further. The Sony already has
from Steve in Essex asking whether his room
is too bright for a projector. While I agree

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

80 COMPETITIONS

WIN! Great Blu-rays up for grabs...

Head over to www.homecinemachoice.com/competitions to be in with a chance to win

Line of Duty: Complete
Series One to Six

Following its return to BBC earlier this
year, all six series of Jed Mercurio’s critically
acclaimed crime drama Line of Duty are
making their bow on Blu-ray. Following the
explosive exploits of police corruption unit
AC-12, the bumper 12-disc Line of Duty:
Complete Series One to Six Blu-ray boxset
hits the streets on July 12 courtesy of Acorn
Media International. To celebrate the
release we have one boxset to give away
to a lucky reader!

Question:

Which one-letter codename was given
to Line of Duty’s mysterious corrupt cop?

Answer:

A) H B) Q C) X

The Story of Film: But I’m a Bringing Up Baby
An Odyssey Cheerleader:
Director’s Cut A brand new restoration
First broadcast in 2011, of one of the funniest
Mark Cousins’ landmark Jamie Babbit’s cult comedy screwball comedies ever
documentary series – about a high school made is joining The
exploring the history cheerleader (Natasha Criterion Collection this
of cinema comes to Lyonne) sent to a Summer. Starring Cary
Blu-ray for the first time ever on ‘rehabilitation’ camp when her Grant Katherine Hepburn, the hilarious
July 26. Network’s The Story of Film: An uptight parents suspect she may be gay – Bringing Up Baby is available to own on
Odyssey Blu-ray is available exclusively is now available to own on Blu-ray in a newly Blu-ray from July 26 and we have five copies
from networkonair.com — but we have restored Director’s Cut. Thanks to Lionsgate to be won!
three copies up for grabs! UK we have five copies to dish out!
Question:
Question: Question:
Which legendary Hollywood director helmed
Mark Cousins hosted the second iteration Actress Natasha Lyonne was a regular in which Bringing Up Baby?
of which BBC cult film series? prison drama series?
Answer:
Answer: Answer:
A) Howard Hughes
A) Videodrome B) Moviedrome A) Wentworth Prison B) Prison Break B) Ron Howard
C) Filmdrome C) Orange is the New Black C) Howard Hawks

To enter any of the above competitions go to www.homecinemachoice.com/competitions

Terms & Conditions
1. Entrants must be aged 18 or over and resident in the United Kingdom. 2. Employees of MyTimeMedia Ltd and companies supplying competition prizes are not
eligible to enter. 3. No responsibility will be accepted for delayed, mislaid, lost or damaged entries. 4. Only one entry per household; multiple entries will be discounted.
5. Prizes will be awarded to the first correct entries drawn at random after the closing date. 6. No alternatives, cash or otherwise, will be o ered to the winner as prizes.
7. The editor’s decision is final. 8. Comp winners' names available on request. 9. The closing date is August 6, 2021. 10. Please note that your data will be managed in
compliance with GDPR law. Our privacy law can be found at www.mytimemedia.co.uk/privacy

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

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Distributed by Henley Audio : HenleyAudioUK | : HenleyAudio
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82 READER'S ROOM

Certified: AV-Holic!

HCC reader Gavin previously showed us his projector setup – now he's swapped the beamer
for a monster 4K TV and upgraded his room's subwoofers, electronics and acoustics

Gavin's new setup includes twin REL T9i subwoofers

Welcome to the AV-Holic Hall What changes have you made Have you had any help from
of Fame – introduce yourself! to your movie room? professionals?

Hi, my name is Gavin, I'm 36 and a UPVC Originally we only wanted to turn the room None at all, everything has been installed
service engineer. around so we would be able to fit in a larger by myself. Over the past few years I have
sofa. However, I realised there were other been looking into retraining and joining an
How long have you been into things I wanted to change, so as the room installation company to pursue this as a career.
home cinema? was being moved around I took the chance
to upgrade and add what I needed. What kit's in your setup now?
As mentioned when I was an AV-Holic in the
magazine previously [HCC #279], I fell in love I've added some acoustic treatments, new I've replaced my earlier Optoma HD50
with home cinema after a visit to the Bowers seating, LED lighting around the coving and projector, 120in screen and 55in Samsung
and Wilkins factory when I was a teenager. rear panels, and changed some hardware. TV with an 85in Sony KD-85XH80 4K model.
I am lucky enough to live in the same area and I've also swapped out a single KEF subwoofer
our youth club was given a tour. They demo'd Trying to keep this as a family lounge area for two REL T9i subs (with Arrow Wireless
the gunfight scene from Heat for us, and I was as well as a dedicated cinema space was a connection), and switched from a PlayStation
instantly hooked. I started with an all-in-one challenge. I had to compromise on some of 4 to an Xbox One X.
DVD surround sound package and worked my the decor/decorations, and had to change the
way up over the next 20 years. four surround speakers for in-walls, but overall My front speakers are B&W CM10 S2
my partner Joanne is very understanding. floorstanders and the CM10 S2 centre, now

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

AV-HOLIC 83

Absorption (rear wall) and
di usion (side wall) panels
are new additions

joined by new CWM664 in-wall models for the 120in screen drop down in front of Standmount surround and rear speakers have
surround and rear channels. There are also the 55in TV. We could then switch between been replaced by B&W in-wall models
four CCM362 in-ceiling speakers. Driving the normal television viewing and movies but
system is a Denon AVR-X4300H receiver and we decided to remove both and go with an
Rotel RMB1512 power amplifier. extra large TV.

Sources are Sky Q, Zappiti 4K HDR Pro Is there anything you’d do
media player and Samsung UBD-K8500 di erently if you were to plan
disc-spinner. I also have a miniDSP 2x4 HD. the room again?

What’s your verdict on the Nothing that comes to mind. If it were a
system's performance? dedicated room I would have darkened the
room colour a bit more and not gone with
It's blown me away. Taking time to adjust and wallpaper on the main wall, but as it is also
tweak things with the help of REW software a family room I didn't have the option.
means I have got things where I need them.
What are the dimensions
Adding the miniDSP to align both of the space?
subwoofers has made a huge di erence
as well. Our lounge is roughly 3.5m x 4.5m.

How does your super-sized 4K How much of an impact
TV compare to your previous have the new acoustic
projector setup? treatments made?

I personally preferred having the projector They have cleared up the sound quality at
for overall screen size but it was not getting the main listening position a lot. I did have to
the use I wanted from it. We used to have

Share your cinema system in the mag!

If you want to be in HCC, you'll need to send us some hi-res images of your cinema room. Here are a few tips...

1. Go big. Set your camera to take images at movies in the dark, our cinema systems look 5. Don't be shy. Send a picture of yourself!
the largest possible size, and at the highest their best when they are lit. If you can shoot 6. Show us more. Got pictures of your room
resolution. Don't worry about cropping or with natural daylight, do so. If your room before it was a cinema? Or snaps of work
resizing – we will make them print-ready. doesn't get a lot of light (a garage conversion, being done? We love to see these, too.
2. Get in focus. Make sure your photos are for instance) then switch on whatever lights
as sharp and clear as possible. If you have are fitted. Avoid using flash wherever possible. Now what?
one, use a tripod, or place your camera on a 4. Be thorough. Send photos of as much of the Email your images to
flat, steady surface and take pictures on a room as possible. Images of both the front and [email protected] with
delay. The sharper they are, the bigger we back of the room, the kit rack, speakers, the subject heading 'AV-Holic', and provide
can print them. seating, disc shelf, movie poster art... The more your answers to the relevant questions above
3. Let some light in. While we tend to watch the merrier. – then we'll be in touch!

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

84 READER'S ROOM

Hyper Previously, the room featured
a curved 55in TV (and drop-
down PJ screen)

Our high-precision Achromatic RCA and Z plugs are designed to compromise with how many panels I could Do you stream movies/TV from
have minimal impact on the signal – with virtually nothing added, use and where they could go, though. Netflix, Amazon, Sky, etc?
nothing taken away – resulting in improved sound quality.
Now standard on Element, Equator, Hyper & our new Ailsa cables. What’s your favourite bit of We have most streaming services but they are
hardware and why? used more by our children. I much prefer the
higher audio-visual quality of disc.
At the moment I would have to say the
two REL subwoofers. They feel like the Do you still go to the cinema?
biggest upgrade over the single KEF I
had before. Adding the Arrow Wireless Yes, We have just been to see The Conjuring:
transmitters has given me the option to move The Devil Made Me Do It. Although it is nice
them around if needed, and the miniDSP on to have the bigger screen and soundstage
top of that has given me so many options of a theatre, I do miss being able to pause
to adjust them. the movie whenever I feel like it, or to explain
the storyline to my partner... ■

Do you have your eyes on any A rack houses AVR, console,
hardware upgrades? BD and media players, and

I feel I am pretty much there for the moment. power amp

Hyper The next thing I may look at doing is moving
Achromatic
Speaker the two REL subs to the rear of the room and
Z
adding two RELs to the front – but upgrading
atlascables.com
to Serie S models.

What was the last bit of kit
you added?

The Zappiti 4K HDR Pro media player.

What discs do you use to show
o the system?

The opening scene in Mad Max: Fury Road for
Dolby Atmos sound. For picture quality, Tenet
is my new favourite.

The Accountant is a great subwoofer demo
– the target practice sequence around 16

minutes in is great for chest kick. The final

few fights scenes of John Wick: Chapter 3 are
good for surround too.

And what are your top 5
favourite films?

Predator, Terminator 2, The Texas Chain Saw

Massacre, Rise of the Foot Solider and Alien.

What do friends and family
think of the cinema room?

Due to Covid restrictions we haven't had

any visitors for sports or movie nights yet.

The children, on the other hand, love it.

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Brighton 01273 733338 Guildford 01483 536666 Reading• 01189 477093 Issue18_v4BB-v2.qxp_1366px (H) 29/04/2021 09:40 Page 31
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SEVENOAKS FOHyPOcSPTdoUuEoasORueuMpRmOuuFTlcdRsdEpsooeGaeAihpRrosT&dAtooSEepeeRAOTturoxohFtiTDlTSnBaAuidfcloRmEenTonEJLhMl-Vdrb’ugEoptISEbNEyHlrolcyEeaaSNTisAo)G,-rd,iROm+ttnebmheAwgupepsKoitraelBosASlalrsmlful(unwsoovdeoioruiseiasmtonedobosdaaewuenobnlnnlilhfiavycdetderewev.nMreawsiQrtietAh. Uc1aqs2onuuun0odarcWbrileotiotarpouyulfhnssaiadialnvmeddemspeicoalncaiusofcbsindrciiedinvandeetgiitbonle, STEHANSENOSDSTUACHNTTEEIDHONSENE,SS
SELECT capability
digital interactive S••••OAUSDD1uNeo0idamDl7bimoB3eyplnAexAhsRsti1ilsome4n-m1ogssrxua(lWi7tdmi0-exrmmHopoexmemrDrsf)oi:virnemteaagunrdcaietoion
• TOO NEW TO BE REVIEWED opasfaatnohTnhsduTahdisgTnhn1iivsehhdek2eq-esbi0frsuiraeWBtdaaporsledluoutloldyihOislatftiasySgataioitdsibsm’tcrseaplasoepplpenfmstltaeotihifrwrkgruioafceneisalntarlccaedhskttulrdi,somplftaeaonwtrpdooror.opvcdmaiseeepuusspaspsthiiiprcn,o,gr.ts aAwesstmpavPuohyperrupsuelkrnetllaotssPe’iibsurermuwounoAlFosiidftlbimledrheryPsexSaAoslaaausyumrwdyspbncdtaie2+drehizena,maaoalkgnenn,nesnpddrAselsullt.eshxetahS.eoYreuo’snudecAbaaRnrC+,

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PLAYBACK

➜Software highlights CHAOS WALKING Rey and Spider-Man star in Doug

Liman's 'young adult' sci-fi MY FAIR LADY Cor blimey! Classic '60s musical reborn on 4K BD
RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON Lush-looking Disney 'toon BASIC INSTINCT Is Paul Verhoeven's

thriller steamier than ever in 4K HDR? SOUND OF METAL Oscar-nominated drama & MORE!

Ford perfect?

Indiana Jones: 4-Movie Collection➜Paramount➜Ultra HD Blu-ray

Paramount marks the 40th anniversary of Raiders RATINGS KEY…
of the Lost Ark with an Ultra HD Blu-ray boxset
for all four movies (so far...) in the Steven Outstanding
Spielberg/George Lucas action-adventure Above average
franchise. Find out if we dig the new 4K HDR Acceptable
masters and Atmos soundtracks on p92. Disappointing
Dire
All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed
SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

'We should have stuck
to Star Wars and
Spider-Man'

Come on, feel the noise

This misguided sci-fi nonsense benefits from a Dolby Atmos soundmix that’s out of its mind

VERDICT ➜Chaos Walking dynamic, blacks are deep without crushing, and
peaky elements pop when necessary. The muted
Chaos Walking Imagine a society where people think out loud… colour scheme – dominated by greens and browns
literally. Based on a series of ‘young adult’ novels, the – feels nuanced and naturalistic, and the occasional
➜ Lionsgate ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray & premise of Chaos Walking is as stupid as it sounds. splash of colour, like Viola’s outfit, stand out. The
Region B BD ➜ £30 transfer itself is pristine, with no trace of banding or
WE SAY: Stellar visuals and mind- A colony on an alien planet is populated entirely other compression artefacts.
melting sonics can’t make sense by men because all the women were killed by Audio: Chaos Walking's soundtrack is equally
of the chaos, but the extras walk indigenous creatures, and if that wasn’t bad enough, fantastic. Unsurprisingly for a film where every male
you through what went wrong. the mens’ thoughts are audible and visually appear character constantly has the animated equivalent
above their heads. This creates what the settlers call of a thought bubble above their heads, the sound
Movie: ‘The Noise’. Viola (Daisy Ridley) crash-lands into design makes fun use of the overhead channels.
this awkwardly open society, and since women’s Thoughts float in the air or hover above you, and
Picture: thoughts aren’t audible or visible, she’s considered numerous other sounds slide around the three-
a threat. The youngest member of the community, dimensional soundstage.
Audio: Todd (Tom Holland), helps her escape, and the two
set o to find her ship. While ‘the noise’ is the obvious aural highlight,
Extras: the entire mix is very active, helping to conjure
There’s a strong cast, including Mads Mikkelsen up densely populated woodlands, and giving a
OVERALL: and David Oyelowo, and Doug Liman (Edge of cavernous wrecked colony ship an added sense of
Tomorrow) behind the camera, but the film – which scale. All the channels get a good workout during
was shot in 2017 without a finished script, and re-shot Viola’s crash landing. Bass is used sparingly for e ect,
in 2019 – never overcomes its silly premise. A rote plot giving guns and explosions an added kick. Dialogue
involving a lot of walking doesn’t help either. is always clear and focused.
Picture: There often seems an inverse correlation Extras: These are extensive, genuinely informative,
between the quality of a movie and that of its disc and surprisingly honest about this appropriately
release. Chaos Walking is no exception, having been chaotic production. There’s a commentary with
a orded a premium-grade 2.40:1 transfer. The film Liman, producer Alison Winter and editor Doc
was largely shot on Arri Alexa 65 cameras at 6.5K, Crotzer; five featurettes; 45 minutes (!) of deleted
and finished using a 4K DI. This is obvious from the scenes (including unused plot lines and characters
very first shots of the colonised planet, which pulse cut from the finished film); and a theatrical trailer.
with detail. CG e ects hold up well too. All are presented in HD on the 4K platter, and provide
a fascinating lesson in how not to make a film! SW
The addition of HDR10 and Dolby Vision bring out
highlights, and while the photography isn’t especially

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But I'm a Cheerleader: The Little Things Sound of Metal
Director's Cut
Warner Bros. ➜ All-region BD Sony Pictures ➜ All-region BD
Lionsgate ➜ Region B BD £25 £25
£25
Mistaking ambiguity Between this and Mogul
There’s a whi of John for profundity, The Mowgli, actor Riz Ahmed
Waters to this candy- Little Things wastes appears to be the go-to guy
coloured 1999 teen Oscar winners Denzel for playing musicians su ering
satire about a high Washington, Rami from debilitating illnesses.
school cheerleader Malek and Jared Leto Truth be told, they’re actually
(Natasha Lyonne) on a dull, plodding very di erent films, with this story of a drummer losing his
whose parents suspect serial killer thriller that brings nothing hearing used as the basis for an evocative exploration of
she may be a lesbian and pack new to the genre. Denied a UHD disc the deaf community. As good as this shot-on-35mm film
her o to a ‘sexual rehabilitation’ camp. release, it still looks killer on Blu-ray, looks on BD, it’s the inventive, disconcerting DTS-HD MA 5.1
Edited to avoid being slapped with an reproducing a generally gloomy aesthetic soundtrack that really grabs your attention. Sadly there are no
NC-17 rating on its original release, this BD and the occasional pockets of rich colour extras – maybe they’re being saved for the rumoured Criterion
packs an eye-catching Full HD encode of that punctuate it. Two featurettes are Collection release? AvB
the full-length version, spoiled somewhat also included: one about the main cast,
by a DD 2.0 soundtrack. Extras include a the other exploring Washington's
commentary, virtual reunion featurette di erent cop roles in Ricochet, Fallen,
and behind-the-scenes footage. AvB Training Day and The Little Things. MC

A Stone cold stunner

Paul Verhoeven's erotic '90s thriller sizzles again thanks to a new 4K restoration

➜Basic Instinct:
Collector's E ition

After storming Hollywood with RoboCop (1987) and daylight shots) everything looks overcast, despite the Basic Instinct screenwriter Joe Eszterhas
Total Recall (1990), director Paul Verhoeven pivoted cloudless blue skies. reunited with director Paul Verhoeven
back to the themes of his earlier European films Audio: There’s a cleaned-up version of the DTS-HD for 1995 flick Showgirls
with this 1992 erotic thrill-fest. Dogged by MA 5.1 soundtrack fans will be familiar with. It’s a
controversy from the day it was announced, Basic solid piece of sound design, with good use of the VERDICT
Instinct proved the old adage that all publicity is surrounds during the film's couple of car chases
good publicity, pulling in almost $353m globally and a decent low-end. Dialogue is pulled cleanly Basic Instinct: Collector’s
— and kickstarting a genre boom. out of the mix, and Jerry Goldsmith’s propulsive score Edition
sweeps you up in its flow.
Unlike the raunchy mainstream thrillers that Extras: There are three new extras here: a featurette ➜ Studiocanal ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray &
followed in its wake, Basic Instinct still feels enjoyably about the score, a trailer for the restored film, and Region B BD ➜ £40
excessive and transgressive today. Shot like a giallo a fantastic retrospective documentary featuring WE SAY: A seductive 4K presentation
by Verhoeven and cinematographer Jan De Bont, Verhoeven, Stone and co-star Michael Douglas. of Verhoeven’s legendary thriller.
the film has style to spare (Michael Douglas' dodgy Archival goodies include two commentary tracks,
V-neck jumper aside). More than anything though, featurettes, storyboards, and screen test footage. Movie:
it’s Sharon Stone’s performance as femme fatale All extras are included on both the 4K platter and Picture:
Catherine Tramell that lives up to the hype. the two-disc Full HD version that accompanies it. Audio:
Picture: Restored in 4K from the original 35mm A booklet, art cards and poster round out Extras:
negatives under the supervision of Verhoeven Studiocanal's Collector’s Edition. AvB
(with uncensored material from the European cut OVERALL:
— the version presented here — taken from an
internegative), this Ultra HD Blu-ray’s 2.40:1-framed
HDR10/Dolby Vision encode looks gorgeous.

Notably, it's brighter and warmer than the Full HD
incarnation, bringing a golden hue to skin tones and
interiors. The San Francisco skyline that kicks o
Chapter 2 showcases enhanced detailing and
sharpness, which – when combined with the wider
contrast — give the image a greater sense of depth.
Comparatively, not only does the Full HD encode
lose definition much sooner as houses stretch o
into the distance, but (as with all of the film’s exterior

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

92 INDY 4K!

Raiding the vault

New UHD remasters bring this popular
action-adventure series bang up-to-date

In an alternate universe, that'd
be Tom Selleck riding the horse...

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

PLAYBACK 93

➜Indiana Jones:
4-Movie Collection

When filmmaking giants George Lucas and Steven ...The Last Crusade introduced Sean Heartstopping: Temple of Doom is presented uncut
Spielberg teamed up 40 years ago, the result was Connery as Indy's father, Henry Snr
a Summer smash that was still playing cinemas so much clearer. Such upticks in clarity don’t just
12 months later. A rousing, breathless throwback to VERDICT stem from an increase in brightness, but also from
the pulp adventure serials of the 1930s and 1940s, Indiana Jones: 4-Movie improved colour reproduction.
Raiders of the Lost Ark mixed non-stop action, Collection
astonishing stunts and a sharp sense of humour with Naturally, the 4K resolution reveals plenty of
hair-raising, face-melting frights that you wouldn’t ➜ Paramount ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray & detail in the franchise’s 2.40:1-framed photography.
get away with in a family action movie today. It also All-region BD ➜ £80 Background objects that were little more than
presented Harrison Ford with a career-defining role WE SAY: An excellent 4K Dolby fuzzy shapes on Blu-ray are crisply rendered, while
as the sardonic, whip-cracking, Nazi-bashing, Vision/Dolby Atmos upgrade of mid-shots and close-ups are awash with textures.
archeologist-turned-action hero Indiana Jones. the existing Blu-ray boxset. The native film grain is also better resolved (for the
Movie: most part – see below). Its enhanced presence
Raiders… spawned a franchise to rival the Picture: in …Kingdom of the Crystal Skull makes that film’s
popularity of Star Wars. The first sequel, Indiana Audio: photography (by Janusz Kaminski) appear not quite
Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) took our hero Extras: so far removed from that of the three previous films
to India for an encounter with an ancient cult fond of (all lensed by Douglas Slocombe).
enslaving children and ripping still-beating hearts out OVERALL:
of chests. Darker in tone than its predecessor, and There are traces of digital filtering across all
lacking the tightness of the first film’s script, it still four 4K encodes. It’s not excessive and many won’t
delivers plenty of thrills and spills. notice it at all, but tell-tale instances of frozen grain
and posterisation may catch the attention of
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade followed five eagle-eyed AV fans.
years later, with a plot involving Nazis and the hunt Audio: All four movies have been treated to a
for the Holy Grail that feels at times like a retread Dolby Atmos upgrade, overseen by legendary sound
of Raiders… The addition of Sean Connery as Indy’s designer Ben Burtt (who worked on the original
father adds more depth to Ford’s character and tracks, which are AWOL here). Building on the
results in some terrific comedic moments. superb DTS-HD MA 5.1 mixes that accompanied
earlier BD releases, these are even more impressive
It took almost two decades for Indy to return to the a airs that o er a fuller, more immersive experience.
bigscreen (The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles hit TV There's the same dizzying dynamism and pinpoint
in the ‘90s), but Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the accuracy, but it feels more seamless and
Crystal Skull (2008) left some wondering if it had encompassing. John Williams’ scores frequently
been worth the wait. The first in the series to feel like extend into the height speakers alongside
a tug of war between Spielberg and Lucas, this uneasy atmospheric e ects like rain and thunder.
mash-up of 1950s B-movie and modern blockbuster
seems weirdly detached from the rest of the series, More specific height details aren't especially
despite the endless callbacks. pervasive but are skilfully deployed, whether it’s the
Picture: For their 4K debuts, the films have been sound of the boulder starting to roll above Indy’s
‘meticulously remastered from 4K scans of the head in Raiders…, a ‘giant vampire bat’ fly-by in …
original negatives,’ according to the studio. These Temple of Doom, a brush with a giant propellor in …
may well be the same 4K scans used as the basis Last Crusade, or the cartoonish ‘twang’ e ect that
for their 2012 BD releases, but with new work done accompanies the flying lead-lined fridge in …Crystal
to clean up VFX. A benefit of this is the elimination Skull. And what’s most impressive is the way these
of hard matte lines on composite shots, resulting in new sonic tricks dovetail with the wider soundfields.
a cohesive appearance to such photography. Extras: A disappointing aspect of this UHD boxset
is its extra features, and that’s only because there’s
Another big di erence is colour grading. Right nothing new. Everything, from the trailers to the
from the start of Raiders of the Lost Ark it's apparent seven behind-the-scenes documentaries and the
the photography now has a more balanced palette. featurettes housed on a bonus BD platter, appeared
The almost neon green foliage from the Blu-ray has on the 2012 ...Complete Adventures boxset. It would
been replaced by something that looks a lot more have been nice to have some new material to mark
natural. Similarly, the golden hue that was so obvious Raiders of the Lost Ark’s 40th anniversary. AvB
on Blu-ray has been toned down here, giving the
film a more earthy — and authentic — appearance. SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
The films are still capable of painting the screen
with beautifully saturated tones, though; …Temple of
Doom’s opening musical number and later red-hued
caverns being standout examples.

The HDR grades (HDR10 and Dolby Vision are
included) add further lustre to the photography;
deeper shadows and brighter highlights bring an
increased sense of depth. Images that were tricky
to discern properly on Blu-ray (such as Willie
accidentally trying to hang up a bat instead of her
wet clothing in …Temple of Doom) are now rendered

94 RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON/JACKIE CHAN

Arcade Action Lake Mungo: Limited Edition

Bigscreen home entertainment isn’t just about movies Second Sight ➜ Region B BD
anymore. Rik Henderson checks out a videogame vying £25
for time on your home cinema system...
A highlight of the 'found
footage' genre, this
meticulously crafted faux
documentary about a grieving
family beset by strange events
skips simple scares in favour of
something altogether more complex and unsettling. More talked
about than seen since its release in 2008, Lake Mungo now gets
a stunning Blu-ray release from Second Sight that does it full
justice, partnering a flawless 1.78:1 Full HD/DTS-HD MA 5.1
presentation with extras including commentaries, interviews,
video essays, deleted scenes, and an 80-page book. AvB

Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart Encounter of the Spooky Kind

Sony Interactive Entertainment/Insomniac Games ➜ PS5 ➜ £60 Eureka Classics ➜ Region B BD
£23
We’ve had a few games on next-gen consoles that have highlighted
some of their talents, but few do so to the extent of Ratchet & Actor/director/co-writer Sammo
Clank: Rift Apart. It is, quite simply, the best showcase for the Hung battles the undead, an
PlayStation 5 yet. That’s because it wrings every drop out of the unfaithful wife and an evil
machine’s several key features. Even the game’s very premise sorcerer in this landmark 1980
requires the console's innate power. horror-comedy that blends
Chinese folklore, kung fu and
Dimensional portals have been opened (accidentally), slapstick humour to dizzying e ect – and ushered in a whole
separating our eponymous heroes and sending them to another new sub-genre in Asian cinema in the process. Based on a new
dimension. They, plus new cast members Rift and Kit, must jump 2K restoration, Eureka Classics’ 2.39:1 Full HD encode majors on
between additional dimensions regularly, to solve puzzles and bold colours and exquisite textures, and is accompanied by
ultimately stop the plans of series’ stalwart villain Dr Nefarious. a choice of four lossless soundtracks. Extras include an
informative chat-track, an archival interview with Hung,
This is something that is simply impossible to pull o on a and a 24-page booklet. AvB
last-gen console. It requires both the PS5’s SSD storage and its
superfast loading wizardry, as jumping between dimensions Snake in the Eagle's Shadow
– or just teleporting short distances through smaller rifts – requires
entire areas to be loaded instantly. It’s highly impressive stu and 88 Films ➜ Region B BD
adds to the platform-shooter greatly. £25

The DualSense controller is used cleverly too. Weapons, of which The directorial debut of future
there are many, have di erent firing states that use the adaptive action legend Yuen Woo-Ping,
triggers well. Squeeze the right trigger down a little and you fire in 1978’s Snake in the Eagle’s
one state, press harder and you get another. Haptic feedback is also Shadow is notable for starting
utilised, with plenty of immersive rumblings. Jackie Chan down the path
towards the martial arts-
And then there are the graphics. Developer Insomniac Games comedy genre that would become his natural home. It's pretty
was one of the first to produce a truly ‘wow’ moment for the rough around the edges and falls short of the duo’s next
PlayStation 5, in the shape of Spider-Man: Miles Morales. Rift Apart collaboration (the seminal Drunken Master), but genre fans will
builds on that and then some. There are three modes that either still find plenty to enjoy. It's made all the more palatable by the
prioritise frame rate, resolution and e ects, or a mixture of both. We restored 2.40:1 Full HD encode and welcome set of chat-tracks
played mainly in the highest performance mode, as sacrificing 60fps and interviews on 88 Films’ well-specced Blu-ray. AvB
for full-on ray tracing and visual details is a price worth paying.

This isn't just the best-looking of the venerable Ratchet & Clank
series, it’s the best-looking PS5 game full stop. If you have a 4K
HDR TV or PJ, this could easily be seen as reference material. The
colour saturation pops, and, with plenty of di erent planets to visit,
each with their own visual style, you're delivered a feast for the eyes.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

PLAYBACK 95

Disney based Raya's fighting
moves on the Indonesian martial

arts style Silat

Disney's Game of Thrones

This rousing, if familiar, animated fantasy adventure takes flight in 4K HDR

➜Raya and The Last HEVC 2.40:1-framed 2160p HDR10 encode. Originally The film missed its 2020 cinema release,
Dragon rendered in 2K and upscaled to 4K (a familiar instead streaming on Disney+ this year
workflow process for CG-animated movies), an issue
The mythical land of Kumandra was once a place is that the 1080p Blu-ray release (bundled here) is VERDICT
where humans and dragons lived together in already so sharp and detailed that this 4K incarnation Raya and the Last Dragon
harmony, until the peace was shattered by the arrival feels like more of a refinement than a serious upgrade.
of the Druun, evil spirits that turned everything they Instead, the biggest di erence comes from the HDR10 ➜ Walt Disney ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray &
touched to stone. grading and expanded colour gamut, which adds All-region BD ➜ £28
nuance and vibrancy to the colour palette while also WE SAY: Disney’s latest animated
The surviving dragons pooled their magic and delivering improved blacks — although shadow detail feature release isn't an instant
sacrificed themselves in order to banish the Druun can be a little lacking at times. classic, and this 4K disc is more
and save humanity. Five centuries later, the humans Audio: As usual Disney swaps the DTS-HD MA 7.1 mix refinement than revelation.
of Kumandra are split into five tribes, none of which found on the Full HD Blu-ray for a Dolby Atmos track Movie:
trust each other. When a magical orb containing on Raya and the Last Dragon’s Ultra HD disc. Also Picture:
the essence of the dragons’ magic is broken and the familiar for the studio’s releases is the need to turn Audio:
Druun return, a warrior called Raya embarks on a your AVR’s volume up a few notches to get close to Extras:
quest to find the legendary last dragon and save your usual listening level.
the world. OVERALL:
The track itself is pleasingly active and involving,
A Southeast Asia-influenced martial arts creating a coherent soundfield. Spatial e ects have
fantasy-adventure with nary a musical number to an easy grace to their movement and are never less
sing along with, Raya and the Last Dragon initially than convincing, although bass feels a little too
looks like it’ll be a change of pace from your typical constrained. Overt use of the overhead channels is
Disney cartoon. However, it doesn’t take long for the limited, but there are a handful of sequences, such as
film to settle into a series of story beats evidently Sisu flying through the rain (Chapter 16), that make
drawn from the animation giant’s usual playbook. striking use of the extra height.
Some solid character work, a terrific voice cast Extras: Bonuses are all on the Full HD platter and are
(including Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma the excellent short film Us Again; a 22-minute virtual
Chan and Benedict Wong), good gags and a handful roundtable with the filmmakers; deleted scenes;
of slick fight scenes help you overlook the more outtakes; a peek at some of the film’s hidden secrets;
by-the-numbers elements of the story. and four further featurettes — including a look at the
Picture: Landing on Ultra HD Blu-ray just a couple challenges the production team faced working on
of months after it premiered on Disney+ Premier the film from home during the pandemic. AvB
Access, Raya and the Last Dragon sports an attractive

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

96 ELIZA DOOLITTLE/SUPER 8

'By George, she’s got it!'

Classic Hollywood musical looks more ‘loverly’ than ever in 4K

➜My Fair Lady 'Who can sing the loudest? Go!'

For some this award-winning 1964 musical VERDICT reuse the Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track that appeared on
reworking of Pygmalion is three hours of Audrey My Fair Lady’s 50th Anniversary Blu-ray. This isn’t
Hepburn screeching in faux-cockney at an abusive My Fair Lady a problem as the 7.1 mix is an absolute winner that
misogynist who should be in jail. For others, like delights with the clarity, scale, separation and
ourselves, it’s a Technicolor treat combining charm, ➜ Paramount ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray & tonality it brings not only to the magnificent musical
wit and fantastic musical numbers. All-region BD ➜ £30 numbers, but the entire sound design.
WE SAY: This jaw-droppingly Extras: There are no extras on the 4K disc (or the
Hepburn plays the irrepressible Eliza Doolittle, an gorgeous 4K restoration is more accompanying Blu-ray copy of the film), but My Fair
impoverished flower girl who shows up at the home fantastic than fair. Lady does come packaged with the same bonus
of pompous phonetics professor Henry Higgins platter that was included in the 50th Anniversary
(Rex Harrison) seeking lessons in speaking ‘proper’ Movie: Edition Blu-ray. Here you’ll find a selection of goodies
English, hoping that it may help her get work in a headlined by two fairly in-depth pieces – a
flower shop. Wagering on the outcome with a friend Picture: 58-minute retrospective documentary and
(Wilfrid Hyde-White), Higgins is convinced he’ll be 23-minute vintage featurette. These are joined by
able to pass Eliza o as a duchess at an upcoming Audio: newsreel and awards clips; a short radio interview
embassy ball — but he hasn’t realised the scale of with Rex Harrison; test footage; appreciations from
the task at hand or the e ect it will have on her… Extras: Martin Scorsese and Andrew Lloyd Webber; Audrey
Picture: The source for this UHD disc – an 8K scan Hepburn's original vocals for two songs; photo
of the 65mm 5-perf negative, restored in 4K – is the OVERALL: galleries; promo featurettes; and trailers. AvB
same as the 2015 50th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray,
but the resultant 2.40:1-framed 2160p encode
represents a leap forward in image quality. Aided by
superb Dolby Vision colour grading (HDR10 is also
o ered), the film’s lavish palette looks richer and
more vibrant than ever — but, importantly, not
unnaturally so. Black levels are exceptional; inky
and deep, but also full of shadow subtlety. Details
in the sets and costumes are crisp, while the digital
imagery also looks organic thanks to the beautifully
resolved film grain woven into the fabric of every
single shot. In a word: gorgeous.
Audio: There’s no new object-based soundmix on
this 4K platter, with Paramount instead opting to

Super 8 In The Line of Fire The Babadook:
Limited Edition
Paramount ➜ UHD Blu-ray & All-region BD Sony Pictures ➜ UHD Blu-ray &
£30 All-region BD ➜ £30 Second Sight ➜ UHD Blu-ray &
Region B BD ➜ £40
E.T. meets It in J.J. Abrams’ Clint Eastwood’s
2011 sci-fi blockbuster, which grizzled Secret Service Shot in digital 2K with
overcomes a lack of much agent goes up against a deliberately muted
originality by backing up its John Malkovich’s aesthetic, this
nostalgic wallow through would-be Presidential psychological horror
familiar genre tropes with assassin in this isn't an obvious
plenty of emotional depth. Paramount's 4K HDR upgrade 1993 thriller. Well candidate for a 4K
is modest, only bringing a slight uptick in detailing over reviewed back in the day, it feels rather upgrade, However,
the Blu-ray (not helped by the mixture of camera sources predictable and pedestrian now. in going back to the original digital files
deployed). The Dolby Vision grade’s improved black levels The UHD platter’s 2.40:1-framed HDR10 used to create selected 35mm theatrical
and colour balance are more noteworthy. Audio hasn’t been presentation is richly coloured and prints, Second Sight’s 2160p encode does
reimagined, but scenes like the train crash in Chapter 3 show sharp – the clarity of the image draws conjure a more refined image, while
the old Dolby TrueHD 7.1 track can still blow you way. AvB unwanted attention to some HDR10 grading brightens things up
unconvincing composite shots that considerably in comparison to the BD.
drop the actors into historical footage. (while retaining areas of deep, inky
A new Atmos soundtrack does what it shadow). New extras include a
can to add some dynamism. AvB commentary and interviews. AvB

HOME CINEMA CHOICE SUMMER 2021

PLAYBACK 97

Saw National Lampoon's The Sting
Animal House
Lionsgate ➜ UHD Blu-ray & Region B BD Universal Pictures ➜ UHD Blu-ray & All-region BD
£30 Universal Pictures ➜ UHD Blu-ray & £28
Region B BD ➜ £28
The first and best of the This fast and playful Oscar
long-running horror John Landis’ 1978 winner stars Robert Redford
franchise (whose ninth comedy ushered in a and Paul Newman as a pair
instalment recently hit new era of raunchy of Depression-era grifters
cinemas), this nifty Hollywood gag-fests, orchestrating the ultimate
but it’s hard to imagine ‘big con’ to get revenge on the
low-budget thriller mob boss (Robert Shaw) responsible for the death of a friend.
largely eschews the it was top of anyone’s Despite The Sting's handsome production values, there are
overblown deathtraps of its sequels in UHD Blu-ray wish list. some things this 1.85:1-framed 4K HDR10 encode simply
favour of a simpler ‘escape room’ concept. Be that as it may, can’t overcome, such as the shifts in clarity and sharpness that
As well as the improved sharpness and while the film’s grungy-looking come from the repeated use of optical fades and dissolves.
richer colours evident in its grainy 2160p photography means this presentation is That said, it is a substantial upgrade on the lacklustre 1080p
Dolby Vision encode, this 4K disc also hardly in the upper tier of 4K HDR encodes, Blu-ray encode of its 2012 release. AvB
o ers remixed Atmos audio and a it is a massive improvement on the
new hour-long retrospective doc. Two artificially sharpened Blu-ray. Remixed
commentaries are also included on the DTS:X sonics remain focused on the front
4K disc, while the bundled Blu-ray copy of speakers, hardly surprising given the film
the movie adds further archival bits. AvB was originally mixed in mono. AvB

Three strikes, but definitely not out

Indicator’s third set of vintage film noirs is another treat for genre fans

➜Colum ia Noir #3 'You're under VERDICT
arrest as soon
Indicator’s ongoing plundering of the Columbia as you wake up' Columbia Noir #3
Pictures vault for film noirs pays dividends once
again with a sextet of hard-boiled crime movies. limitations to the material, given the age of ➜ Indicator
the films and the fact they weren't exactly ➜ Region B BD ➜ £50
This time around we get the slick and sharp A-pictures, so don't expect too much WE SAY: Another terrific set for fans
Johnny O’Clock (1947), psychoanalytical thriller aural excitement. What is important is of vintage crime movies. Keep ‘em
The Dark Past (1948), prison drama Convicted (1950, that dialogue reproduction is excellent, coming!
a remake of Howard Hawks’ The Criminal Code), and the scores (including four from future Western
proto-buddy-cop flick Between Midnight and Dawn stalwart George Duning and an early outing from Movie:
(1950), the chilling The Sniper (1952), and the Jerry Goldsmith) sound about as rich and rounded
radioactive paranoia of City of Fear (1959). Are as you could hope for. Picture:
they all 'classics' of the genre? No. Do they Extras: Following the pattern established by the
still provide rich pickings for noir fans? Yes, previous two volumes, each film is accompanied Audio:
and even the weakest of the collection by an informative film historian commentary, an
is never anything less than enjoyable. image gallery, and a thematically-related Three Extras:
Picture: According to the booklet included Stooges short. There are also trailers for four of the
in the boxset, Johnny O’Clock was ‘sourced films; several critical appreciations; a comparison OVERALL:
from Sony’s 2K master, supervised by featurette (which previously appeared on Indicator’s
[Technical Specialist at Sony] Michael The Criminal Code Blu-ray, but is equally worthy of
Friend’, and the remaining five films come from ‘High inclusion here); a radio adaptation; four short films;
Definition remasters’. The latter sounds a little vague, and a 120-page booklet. AvB
but in practical terms it matters very little as picture
across the board is excellent.

All six are black and white, with the earliest
framed at 1.37:1 and City of Fear at 1.85:1. Clarity
is generally very good, although any exterior stock
footage looks typically softer and in slightly rougher
shape. Dirt and other debris are otherwise few and
far between. Contrast is well balanced, resulting in
good greyscale palettes and nicely deep black levels.
Native film grain is well resolved.
Audio: Each film has an LPCM rendering of its
original mono soundtrack. There are understandable

SUMMER 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

98 STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH/ARMY OF THE DEAD ON

DEMAND

Netflix bets on Zack and wins big

Snyder's Las Vegas-set action/horror is as bold, brash and beautiful as Sin City itself

➜Army of the Dead a RED camera and Monstro Vista Vision 8K sensor. Bautista (top) turned down a role in
The result – streaming from Netflix in 4K HDR upcoming movie The Suicide Squad
Part heist movie, all zombie action fest, Army of the (Dolby Vision) – is something that looks totally to headline Army of The Dead
Dead opens with its pedal to the metal – and it fresh, distinguished by an ultra-shallow depth
practically stays there until the bitter end. This new of field, rich hues and blur. VERDICT
flick from director Zack Snyder is not formulaic, Audio: Army's unapologetically aggressive Army of the Dead
though. Sure, the template is familiar (we’re decades multichannel mix, available in Dolby Atmos, takes
into undead movie lore after all), but there are fresh full advantage of the immersive soundstage, both ➜ Netflix Original
wrinkles here. We get a new breed of zombies for dynamic action and tense atmospherics. When WE SAY: Blood-spattered high-
– intelligent Alphas who control the Shamblers. one of the team is sent into a dead end (literally) of energy entertainment with a dead
Leader Zeus rides an undead horse, and has a dormant corpses, rustles and groans from the rear smart soundmix. Roll on the prequel.
Zombie Queen – plus other new ideas mixed with will set your skin crawling. For the action sequences, Movie:
zany curve balls that are easy to miss on first sitting. there’s no quarter given. You'll want to buckle up. Picture:
Audio:
Snyder even gives us a complete mini-movie Tom Holkenborg (Justice League) adds a
before the opening titles have rolled, one with a pounding electronic score, amusingly juxtaposed OVERALL:
crushing denouement. with a string of unsubtle pop choices, including Viva
Las Vegas, Zombie (The Cranberries) and The End
This particular zombie outbreak starts when (The Doors). Who said Snyder doesn’t have a sense
a military convoy escorting a mysterious container of humour? SM
comes a cropper on the Nevada highway. Before
you can say ‘didn’t that just come from Area 51?’,
a preternaturally strong zombie makes short work
of the unlucky grunts, before heading for the bright
lights of Sin City.

The ensemble cast are top-notch, with Dave
Bautista in great form as Ward, a zombie war veteran
who doesn’t need much persuading to assemble an
elite team to break into the city and collect $200
million from a hotel vault. The set-piece action is
equally premium, and there are plenty of gu aws
amongst the gore.
Picture: Army of the Dead looks sumptuous, with an
adventurous aesthetic driven by Snyder’s choice of
vintage lens. Doubling as cinematographer, he opted
to combine 1960s-era Canon Rangefinder glass with

➜The Bad Batch

Mercenary/bounty hunter Fennec Shand ➜ Lucasfilm, Disney+ Thereafter Star Wars: The Bad Batch settles into
(bottom) makes a pre-Mandalorian An eighth season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars a series of essentially self-contained, action-packed
appearance in The Bad Batch animated series in all but name, this spin-o ‘toon 23-minute adventures as the gang try to find a place
focuses on the exploits of the Clone Force 99 (aka for themselves in a changing galaxy while avoiding
‘the Bad Batch’), an elite squad of genetically the Imperial forces and bounty hunters looking for
modified Clone Troopers – Hunter, Wrecker, Tech, them. True to form, exec producer Dave Filoni also
Crosshair and Echo – first introduced in that earlier packs the show with fan-pleasing callbacks to
show’s final season. previous Star Wars series and films, including
appearances by Freddie Prinze Jr’s Caleb Dume
Fittingly, where …The Clone Wars ended with (Star Wars: Rebels) and Ming-Na Wen’s Fennec
Order 66, …The Bad Batch begins there, with our Shand (The Mandalorian).
heroes struggling to understand why their fellow
troopers (and one of their own) have turned against Building on the CG-animated style used on Star
the Jedi. The feature-length opener then follows Wars: The Clone Wars, the show’s 4K visuals are
these ‘defective’ clones as the former Galactic beautifully crisp, with an appreciable additional
Republic is replaced by an Imperial Empire and pop to the colour palette provided by HDR grading
Admiral Tarkin arrives to assess whether Clone (Dolby Vision depending on hardware). Sadly,
Troopers still have a role to play. Unsurprisingly, our there’s no Atmos mix, but the 5.1 soundtracks are
protagonists don’t like how things are going and punchy and enveloping. AvB
make a run for it, with a mysterious young female
clone in tow.

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