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52 LG OLED65C1/£2,500

WAYNE CHECK

Batman v Superman
enjoys a second

outing on 4K BD p91

1

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

REVIEWS 53

LG’s CI OLED hotshot is surely destined to sell like AV INFO
hot cakes, declares Steve May
PRODUCT:
AI-powered 4K Dolby Vision
dream screen HDR OLED TV

POSITION:
Ranged below
LG's 'Gallery' design
G1 Series

PEERS:
Sony XR-65A90J;
Panasonic
TX-65JZ1500

There’s a particular sequence in Shadow and Bone, the hit new
Netflix fantasy series based on Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse
books, that neatly sums up the talents of LG’s C1 OLED TV.
When the sand boat enters the The Fold, a stygian expanse
created by dark magic, the demonic Volcra, winged creatures
with a bad attitude, swoop down onto a sailor foolishly
brandishing a brightly burning lamp. Leathery wings cut through
the dark – and then the Sun Summoner lets rip...

Deep black level, revelatory shadow detail, cinematic these don’t appear to be tailored to taste). Voice control
is present too – the set works with both Google Assistant
motion, HDR peak highlights and halo management are and Amazon Alexa.

all ticked o in a matter of minutes. Job done. While the full-screen WebOS looks rather generic, and is
invasive, it’s probably more practical than the old WebOS
It really doesn’t take long at all to confirm that the C1 is Launcher bar, which had become somewhat unwieldy as
extra functionality was laid on. And there's been no change
a ludicrously accomplished OLED flatscreen. It could even to the strength of streaming app provision – LG's selection
remains comprehensive, and includes the likes
be, pound for pound, the best display yet made by LG. of AppleTV+, Prime Video, Disney+, NOW and more.

The company's brighter new 'Evo' panel may be Free-to-air aficionados will also be thankful to see the
return of Freeview Play, which guarantees the full gamut
reserved for the more expensive Gallery G1 model of UK catch-up TV services.

[HCC #320], most likely because it's yet to achieve volume Thinscreen chic

production, but everything else – including the kitchen sink Like nearly all premium TVs these days, the overall design
is minimalist. For the
– is onboard here. most part the C1 is
ultra-thin, bulging only
Our sample was a home cinema-friendly 65in, to accommodate
connectivity and
but whatever your preference, there’s a C1 for you. It’s electronics. Its black
bezel is vanishingly
shipping in 48-, 55-, and 77in iterations, and if you want small and the rear of the
set is finished in a stylish
to save up more pennies, a range-topping 83in model grey. The screen
balances on a central
will follow later this year. pedestal, but requires
a three-quarter wide
At the C1's heart is LG's suite of ambitious AI image trim to keep it upright.
All very fancy.
processing technologies. Upscaling is sublime It also gets top marks
for connectivity. All four
and HDR management HDMI inputs are v2.1, so

finely honed, while fast- 2
paced images are glued

together by some of the best

motion handling yet from

the South Korean major.

It's a constant head-turner.

You also get the brand's

new-look WebOS UI.

This v6.0 iteration sheds 1. The C1 doesn't
benefit from LG
the familiar Launcher bar, Display's new, brighter
'Evo' OLED panel
replacing it with a fullscreen
2. The desktop stand
alternative to enable greater is quite wide, so
consider your AV
emphasis on curated furniture before buying

content and programme

recommendations (although

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

54 REVIEWS

they’re compatible with 4K/120Hz sources like the SPECIFICATIONS
PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X. Joining these are a trio of
USB ports, a digital optical audio output, and Ethernet to 4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2,160 HDR: Yes. HDR10; HLG; Dolby Vision TUNER: Yes. Freeview HD;
partner Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (v 5.0) and AirPlay 2 connectivity. satellite HD CONNECTIONS: 4 x HDMI inputs; 3 x USB; Ethernet; optical digital audio
output 4K/120 PLAYBACK: Yes SOUND (CLAIMED): 2 x 10W plus 20W woofer
The TV comes with a newly downsized Magic Remote BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): N/A CONTRAST RATIO (CLAIMED): N/A DIMENSIONS (OFF
control. It's still a pointer, which can take some time getting STAND): 1,449(w) x 830(h) x 47(d)mm WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 24kg
used to, and given the changes to the WebOS interface this
trait now seems a little pointless. FEATURES: Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; Ethernet; Gen 4 Alpha9 processing engine with AI
Picture Pro; WebOS v6.0 with ThinQ AI voice control; Google Assistant and Amazon
An ol(e)d Pro Alexa compatible; Filmmaker Mode; Dolby Vision IQ; Game Optimizer; Variable
Refresh Rate; Auto Low-Latency Mode; Nvidia G-Sync compatible; AMD FreeSync
It’s a given that premium OLED screens o er a true black, compatible; eARC; Freeview Play; Magic Remote

but the C1 builds on that with a smoothness of colour and

richness of detail that’s tantalising. Much of that is down TESTED WITH

to its AI Picture Pro talents and revamped image processor.

Switch AI image enhancement on and you can SHADOW AND BONE: A young adult
slant means this eight-episode
immediately see pictures snap into focus – and any fear fantasy series isn't quite the natural
successor to Game of Thrones, but it's
that this extra processing might bring with it nefarious a pleasure nevertheless – fast-paced,
complex and based around some
image artefacts proves subjectively unfounded. excellent world-building by novelist
Leigh Bardugo. Netflix's 4K HDR/
When the Rendell family first pull up in front of the Atmos presentation is also a thriller.

imposing mansion in Locke & Key (Netflix, Dolby Vision),

the clean detail unlocked by this TV is awe-inspiring.

The slats, period window frames and awning in the house

facade push perceivable 3 metadata standard for 3. The WebOS revamp
resolution to the limit. Amazon Prime Video. is more content-
focused, but lacks
Colour banding also Perhaps LG just wants to customisation
throw a bone to Panasonic
seems less of an issue than and Philips, who both have
this omission covered?
previously, thanks – we’re told
LG has embraced some
– to a new decontouring filter. new image interpolation
techniques this season. If you
This translates to naturalistic like pin-sharp icy movement,
the TruMotion 'Smooth'
sunsets and skyscapes. setting still obliges, but for
the rest of us a Cinematic
Gradations are silky smooth. Movement option, which sympathetically controls the
level of frame merging, removes the less desirable traits
My recommended image of interpolation for a convincingly filmic presentation.
As with its G1 stablemate, this TV's audio performance
presets are Standard, Vivid, is something of an achilles heel, as it struggles to
compensate for the physical constraints imposed by
and Cinema Home with Dolby a downward-firing stereo array. You can use LG's AI Sound
Pro mode to virtually enlarge two-channel and 5.1 content,
Vision content, as they o er though, and the e ect is surprisingly ear-catching. Turn it
o and the sound seems to sag.
the best blend of average Routing Atmos from Netflix and Disney+ to an outboard
sound system will undeniably prove more satisfying.
picture level (APL), colour saturation and dynamics.
Winning mentality
Standard, with its high APL and blistering resolution,
The C1 is hugely impressive, o ering superb image quality,
works with most TV content, while Vivid manages to high-end design and a host of AI refinement. While there
are caveats – I’m not a big fan of the pouty pedestal lip,
enhance the colour pop in animation without ugly the absence of HDR10+ is annoying and the new full-screen
WebOS could do with some personalisation – there’s little
oversaturation. Spin-up Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse here to dampen my enthusiasm. Without a shadow of
a doubt, it's a 4K OLED winner. No bones about it ■
'A constant head-turner.
Fast-paced images are glued VERDICT
together by some of LG's
best motion handling yet' LG OLED65C1

(Blu-ray) with Vivid engaged and you'll find this OLED ➜ £2,500 ➜ www.lg.com/uk
relishes the glorious colour palette and nuanced detail.
WE SAY: LG sets a high bar with the C1, combining slick AI picture
Cinema Home is generally the best option with Dolby processing with a stellar HDR performance and comprehensive
Vision material, when not watching in full blackout smart platform.
conditions. It prevents the over darkening of HDR without
sacrificing balance of peak brightness. The costumes and
production design in Cursed (Netflix, Dolby Vision), show
this o brilliantly, as skins and furs exhibit immense detail
and texture even in low-lit interiors.

The C1 may not have quite the peak luminosity of the
Evo panel used in the G1, but it’s not far away. I measured
peak highlights around 750 nits using the Standard image
preset and a 5 per cent measurement window.

HDR skills include ambient-light sensing Dolby Vision IQ,
plus HLG, but HDR10+ continues to be snubbed, which is
irritating given that it remains the preferred dynamic

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

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56 CAMBRIDGE AUDIO SX 5.1/£950

AV INFO Mark Craven auditions a smart-looking,
keenly priced 5.1 array from Cambridge Audio
PRODUCT:
A ordable Six-pack with
floorstanding SX appeal?
5.1 system

POSITION:
Currently Cambridge
Audio's only full-size
speaker range

PEERS:
Fyne Audio F300;
Monitor Audio
Monitor 200

Just as Cambridge Audio appears to aim higher and higher with
its dedicated two-channel electronics, it keeps one eye on the
home cinema high street with a revamped iteration of its SX
loudspeaker range. A ordable models with a neat finish and
compact dimensions, these could find plenty of admirers.

1. The SX Series' black How a ordable? Just £950 for a system comprising cabinets with sharp, clean lines. Previously, the SX models
cabinets are joined by a pair of floorstanders, bookshelf surrounds, dedicated were o ered in a dark walnut wood veneer, but the only
black driver cones and two-way centre enclosure and an active subwoofer. option now is a matte black.
black mounting plates There aren't that many competitor packages coming
in under a grand that o er so much cabinet, and it Source selection
1 immediately gives it the status of an intriguing alternative
to a sub/sat bundle. The SX-80 floorstander (£400p/p) is a two-way design,
featuring identical 6.5in bass/mid drivers above and
Surprisingly for a brand that sells a wide range of stereo below its 1in silk dome tweeter in a D’Appolito array.
amplifiers, power amplifiers and streamers, the SX Series Cambridge Audio doesn't go in to great detail about
is Cambridge Audio's only conventional loudspeaker option these drivers, beyond saying they are bespoke units
(it also sells its Minx range of ultra-compact satellites, and ‘sourced from trusted partners.’ The tweeter gets a rear
a line of in-ceiling models). foam damper to limit reflections and improve dispersion;
the treated paper cone bass/mid has a ‘carefully
Nor is it exactly new, as this range replaces an earlier optimised’ magnet system.
now-discontinued SX Series. It's an aesthetic overhaul,
too, flaunting a new finish and new logo, but no revisions Measuring a mere 98cm tall and weighing a moderate
to driver and cabinet construction. 16.9kg, this floorstander is relatively easy to install, and
with the feet (which take supplied spikes if necessary)
The styling is certainly modern, and quite appealing in pre-connected, you can be ready to go in little time.
an unobtrusive sort of way. There aren't any slithers of
chrome or angled edges here, just black PVC-wrapped MDF The SX-70 centre speaker also adopts a D'Appolito
driver configuration, albeit with smaller 4in bass/mid
units enabling a cabinet just 36cm wide. A third version
of the bass/mid driver (5.25in) features on the SX-50
bookshelf model (£180p/p).

The SX Series also has a slightly beefier SX-60
bookshelf (£230p/p), which uses a 6.5in bass/mid –
although seemingly just to keep system builders on their
toes, that model is front-ported, whereas both the SX-80
and SX-50 are rear-ported. The centre enclosure is sealed.

Completing this 5.1 system is the rear-ported, front-firing
SX-120 subwoofer. This is naturally more chunky, but still
not particularly imposing at roughly 30cm in all directions.
The specification here is arguably as basic as it gets, with
an 8in woofer powered by a claimed 70W of amplification,
and a rear panel o ering only basic controls and
connection. Still, it's not what you've got that's important,
it's what you do with it.

All cabinets come with black cloth grilles that attach
via push-in fixings, instead of a magnetic arrangement.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

REVIEWS 57

'Impressively musical and
mature-sounding, with mid-
range and high-frequency
detail coming to the fore'

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

58 REVIEWS

Music maestros SPECIFICATIONS

Running o a commensurately priced Marantz NR1711 SX-80
AV receiver, and beginning with just the SX-80 speakers DRIVE UNITS: 2 x 6.5in treated paper cone bass/mid drivers; 1 x 1in silk dome tweeter
in play, I found them to be impressively musical and ENCLOSURE: Rear-ported bass reflex FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 40Hz-20kHz
mature-sounding, with mid-range and high-frequency SENSITIVITY (CLAIMED): 87dB POWER HANDLING (CLAIMED): NA DIMENSIONS:
detail always coming to the fore, and a tuneful approach 980(h) x 240(w) x 338(d)mm WEIGHT: 16.9kg
to low frequencies without ever quite flapping my trouser
(even once I'd moved them closer to my rear wall to SX-50
give bass an acoustic leg up). Toe-in helped focus a stereo DRIVE UNITS: 1 x 5.25in treated paper cone bass/mid driver; 1 x 1in silk dome
image that had great fun (or as much fun as is possible) tweeter ENCLOSURE: Rear-ported bass reflex FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED):
with Norah Jones' warbly ballad Come Away With 50Hz-22kHz SENSITIVITY: 87dB POWER HANDLING (CLAIMED): 100W
Me (Tidal Master). DIMENSIONS: 225(h) x 161(w) x 240(d)mm WEIGHT: 3kg

Flipping to multichannel, the SX-80s remained the main SX-70
attraction, but ably assisted by the centre and surrounds. DRIVE UNITS: 2 x 4in treated paper cone bass/mid drivers; 1 x 1in silk dome tweeter
The latter are obviously intended as stereo speakers in their ENCLOSURE: Sealed FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 65Hz-20kHz SENSITIVITY:
own right, and they have mid-range heft and body to go 85dB POWER HANDLING (CLAIMED): 100W DIMENSIONS: 138(h) x 360(w) x 246(d)
mm WEIGHT: 4kg
'The soundstaging is big,
SX-120 (subwoofer)
and when a film score really DRIVE UNITS: 1 x 8in woofer ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 70W FREQUENCY
RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 34Hz-150Hz ENCLOSURE: Twin rear-ported DIMENSIONS:
starts to sing these speakers 300(h) x 300(w) x 310(d)mm WEIGHT: 7.7kg FEATURES: LFE input; stereo line-level
input; crossover and gain control; 0/180-degree phase; auto standby
sing along with it'
TESTED WITH
with a revealing treble that matches that of the front pair.
This means that surround e ects are given more than FAST & FURIOUS 5: Perhaps the best
just lip-service, ensuring this system doesn't sound too entry yet in the now 20-year-old F&F
front-heavy. With the core 5.1 mix of the Dolby Atmos track franchise, thanks to the addition to
of Roma (Blu-ray), I felt enveloped in Alfonso Cuaron's the cast of Agent Hobbs (The Rock)
scattershot audio design. Cambridge Audio's dome tweeter and some wonderfully well staged
isn't one to come across as too direct either, creating the (and largely ludicrous) set-pieces.
sense of a sonic surround spread. Still no standalone UK 4K BD release,
though, so either grab it in boxset form
The centre speaker may be a mismatch in terms of (pictured) or pick up the US import.
driver size with the SX-80 tower, but the two are hardly
distant cousins. The LCR stage sounded cohesive (and in During the bank vault robbery/chase sequence in Fast & 2. The SX-120
my room expanded nicely beyond the L/R models) Furious 5 (Blu-ray), the sounds of crashing cars and subwoofer tunes
and dialogue had a believable tonality without over- crumbling buildings aren't as visceral as you might hope. its 8in driver via
emphasising male voices. And at times its rumblings lack definition, making the twin rear ports
various snarling engines in this scene sound somewhat
Sometimes with a ordable speaker packages the homogenous. It fares better with the rat-a-tat gunshots
subwoofer proves to be the star of the show, picking up the that precede the escape through Rio de Janeiro, which
slack from diminutive cabinets. That's not the case here, as are delivered with appreciable snap.
the SX-120's modest 8in driver/70W specification leaves it
often overshadowed by the assured, tonally sweet SX-80s. Skipping back to Chapter 1 to watch the whole movie
There's low-frequency enjoyment to be had, of course, but one more time (I'm in training for Fast and Furious 9),
it's short on genuine slam and spine-tingling depth. I found myself becoming less concerned with this system's
lack of LFE aggression and more enamoured of its other
2 talents. Mids and highs have detail and nuance, the
soundstaging is big and well integrated, and when a
film score really starts to sing, these speakers sing along
with it. There's a feeling of e ortlessness about much
of the presentation that makes it oh-so-easy to listen to.

Value added

A more potent, hard-hitting subwoofer wouldn't go amiss,
but I'm loathe to complain too much considering the value
of this setup and its strengths elsewhere. Grab a listen if
you're in the market for an a ordable full-size system ■

VERDICT

Cambridge Audio SX 5.1

➜ £950 ➜ www.cambridgeaudio.com

WE SAY: This easy-to-accommodate 5.1 system isn't the last
word where bass aggression is concerned, but overall it hits the
right notes in both performance and price.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

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60 SAMSUNG HW- Q800A/£800

1

This 'bar is a stellar performer but
if you’re not a member of the QLED
club, some star turns remain off
limits, says Steve May

Buckle up for a
wild Atmos ride

The HW-Q800A is a mid-range Dolby Atmos soundbar Ideally deployed beneath 50in to 65in screen sizes,
'n' sub combo, capable of dramatic theatrics. Most will the HW-Q800A is a large beast. Wide at 980mm, it can
use it as a TV upgrade – its official channel designation be wall-mounted if required. The 'bar has a hard grille
is 3.1.2 – but the more determined can unlock full- (with solid plastic end-stops), behind which sit L/C/R
blown 5.1.4 surround by adding optional rear speakers. driver arrays and a pair of units partnered with Samsung’s
Acoustic Beam technology, actually a line of 56 tiny holes,
It's a doppelganger for last year’s HW-Q800T to steer audio out and up.
[HCC #315], but there have been subtle changes under
the hood to upgrade performance and functionality. On top is a small selection of physical buttons, including
Samsung points to improvements that have been power and volume control. The overall aesthetic borders on
made to distortion cancelling, while the centre channel looking functional rather than fabulous.
features a revised wideband tweeter, which I came to
be rather fond of. Straight from the box, you’ll be up and running in no
time. The HW-Q800A is literally plug and play. Powered up,
the soundbar automatically pairs with the subwoofer.

There's a simple, ergonomic remote zapper, but if you
want additional control you can adjust bass and toggle

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

REVIEWS 61

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and AirPlay 2 (for multiroom streaming) AV INFO
are your wireless options.
PRODUCT:
Total power output is specified at 330W, including 60W 3.1.2-channel Dolby
amplifiers for the left and right channels and 180W for the Atmos/DTS:X
Q800A's subwoofer, a rear-ported design with an MDF soundbar
cabinet and side-firing 8in driver. POSITION:
Middle of
As for smarts, options are limited. The HW-Q800A Samsung's
works with Amazon Alexa, but not Chromecast. 2021 lineup
PEERS:
A criticism of recent Samsung soundbars is their lack LG SP9YA;
of calibration options. The brand has gone some way to JBL Bar 9.1;
address that here with SpaceFit, although it’s a halfway Sonos Arc
house until higher-price models debut full Auto EQ later
this year. 1. The subwoofer is a
carry-over from last
That’s because SpaceFit is only available to owners year's HW-Q800T
of select new Samsung QLED TVs, specifically the Q70A 2. An angled grille top
range and up. The reason? Processing is carried out in and bottom stops the
'bar looking too boxy
'Terrific when it comes to

sonic steerage. Objects fly

around the soundstage

like cows in a twister'

the TV, rather than in the soundbar. The TV can analyse
the room itself, identify absorbers, like curtains, and
adjust accordingly.

Similarly, Q Symphony only works in conjunction with
certain QLED screens, and creates a unified soundbar and
TV audio front. The result is a far bigger, more impressive
sonic presentation, with physical height and width.

voice enhancement using Samsung’s Smart Things California dreamin'
smartphone app.
The HW-Q800A bears the sonic stamp of Samsung’s
An small LED text display to the front right scrolls Californian Sound Lab facility. This might go some way
info, including volume, input and signal format to explaining its sunny disposition. It’s bright, breezy and
acknowledgements. It's nice and bright, and then politely consistently entertaining,
dims after a few seconds.
This two-piece does a terrific job when it comes to sonic
Just the two of us steerage – objects fly around the soundstage like cows in
a twister. It doesn't just image left and right with authority,
Connections are a bit frugal considering the HW-Q800A's it places effects up high too.
£800 price. You're limited to just a single HDMI input and
an output with eARC (HDR compatibility includes HDR10+ A quick taste of the Dolby Atmos Amaze trailer confirms
and Dolby Vision), plus an optical digital audio socket. the considerable width and detail, and huge subwoofer
There’s no USB port for media playback, nor Ethernet. LFE, on offer. In fact, I found the system’s bass handling
impressive in particular. There’s a convincing synergy
2 between the subwoofer and the soundbar enclosure.
No disconnection, just a seamless blend that creates
a single, solid wave.

When Harley Quinn lands a socko punch on the roller
derby track early into Birds of Prey... (Sky Cinema, Dolby
Atmos), the 8in sub delivers the blow with delicious intent.

But this system doesn’t just thump. It handles mid-
to high-frequency elements
with surprising finesse. The
secret to this success are the
aforementioned wideband
tweeters, which are amazingly
adept at creating an almost
holographic atmosphere.
The subsequent Harley Quinn
nightclub scene is busy in the
extreme, with plenty of realistic
crowd chatter depicted in a
crowded space. There’s no
sense of unfocused clarity here.

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

62 REVIEWS

SPECIFICATIONS

DRIVERS: 2 x bass/mid drivers; 5 x tweeters (two via upfiring Acoustic Beam
tech) ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 330W total CONNECTIONS: 1 x HDMI input;
1 x HDMI output with eARC; 1 x optical digital audio input DOLBY ATMOS/DTS:X:
Yes/Yes SEPARATE SUB: Yes. 160W, 8in woofer REMOTE CONTROL: Yes DIMENSIONS
(SOUNDBAR): 980(w) x 60(h) x 115(d)mm WEIGHT (SOUNDBAR): 3.6kg

FEATURES: Acoustic Beam Array technology; SpaceFit; Q Symphony; wall-mount
bracket supplied; wireless subwoofer; Bluetooth v5.0; Dolby Vision/HDR10+
passthrough; High-Res Audio compatible; Amazon Alexa support; Apple AirPlay 2;
Spotify Connect; Smart Things app; Active Voice Amplifier technology; compatible
with SWA-9500S surrounds for 5.1.4

3 TESTED WITH

BUMBLEBEE: A change of pace from
Michael Bay's Transformers movies
(and with a much sweeter nature),
this 1980s-set prequel/spin-o flick
is a fine choice for movie night with
junior AV-Holics, and while it dials
down the insane action (to a point),
it looks and sounds fabulous on
Paramount's 4K Blu-ray

Importantly for Blu-ray collectors, DTS:X decoding back to the start of the alphabet) is the inclusion of Active 3. Acoustic Beam
is also in the Samsung's armoury, so I put it to the test Voice Amplifier technology. This is a clever bit of processing technology governs
with Bumblebee (4K BD). Here, when John Cena's that analyses the incoming audio system in order to extract the output of the bar's
government agent first encounters the hero character, and amplify the dialogue channel. Selectable via the height drivers
there’s imposing physicality to the friendly Autobot when remote control, it’s undoubtedly a boon for those with
he gradually stands tall, the subwoofer rumbling in awe. boisterous families or housemates. 4. The soundbar's
There’s also convincing weight to his footfalls as he runs SpaceFit calibration
from his pursuers, and lovely metallic detail as he This processing also fundamentally changes the nature mode is an option if
transforms into a jeep. When he stumbles and falls, of the audio mix, but it’s a clever way to improve sonic used with a 2021
there are LFE consequences. clarity. Many listeners complain that dialogue is often Samsung QLED TV
too low in a soundmix, or just mu ed, spoiling their (Q70A and above)
And this system does its best work with Dolby Atmos enjoyment of specific content.
and DTS:X mixes. Regular 5.1 surround lacks their grand
spatial depth. It feels somewhat smaller, centring on the Of course, a soundbar isn’t just for the movies. Bluetooth
'bar itself, but there’s still excitement to be had. convenience means that the HW-Q800A will likely double
as a wireless audio speaker. In that role it passes muster,
The opening sentinel attack in X-Men: Days of Future although I would hesitate to describe it as a hi-fi solution.
Past (Blu-ray) is full of energetic gusto which this Samsung With stereo sources, the presentation is somewhat
handles with consummate ease – the higher register of cramped. Still, it’ll entertain, and that fluid mid-range
Iceman’s crystalline attacks, the throaty mid-range flame means it’s great for podcasts too.
attack of Sunspot. This movie melee misses the height
element enjoyed by Atmos and DTS:X, but it remains Movie maestro
a thrill.
This mid-range Samsung easily earns a recommendation
One major difference between the HW-Q800A and its for the superb job it does with movies and cinematic TV
HW-Q800T predecessor (Samsung appears to have gone shows, particularly those blessed with Atmos/DTS:X
soundtracks. Even in this base 3.1.2 configuration, it’s
4 convincingly theatrical and has top-notch dialogue
handling – although you’ll need to invest in the optional
rear speakers for genuine surround sound.

Value for money is less clear cut. It arguably only really
justifies its price tag when used in conjunction with a
compatible Samsung display. Suitably partnered up, you’ll
unlock Q Symphony technology and be able to tailor its
performance, albeit modestly, with SpaceFit calibration.
Without a new Samsung TV, Space Fit and Q Symphony
are off the table... ■

VERDICT

Samsung HW-Q800A

➜ £800 ➜ www.samsung.com/uk

WE SAY: This exciting Dolby Atmos soundbar o ers a seamless
cinematic presentation, excellent detail and punchy bass.
But you’ll need a modern QLED TV to unlock all its toys.

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64 HISENSE 100L5FTUK/£3,000

1

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

REVIEWS 65

Combining smart features, 4K HDR playback and a AV INFO
100in screen, this 'Laser TV' appeals to John Archer
PRODUCT:
Hisense PJ 4K UST smart laser
makes sense projector and rigid
projector screen
combi

POSITION:
Flanked by a
120in version and
88in model with
a 'sound-enhancing'
screen

PEERS:
Samsung LSP9T;
Epson EH-LS500,
Optoma CinemaX
P2

Once upon a time there were televisions and there were
projectors, and never the twain shall meet. Here, though, in the
shape of the 100L5FTUK-A12, we have increasingly innovative
brand Hisense bringing these two disparate AV technologies
together with a solution designed to give you the best of both
worlds. Yes, the 'Laser TV' moniker is a bit odd, but I'm prepared
to cut Hisense some slack.

The idea behind the 100L5FTUK is deceptively simple: There’s currently no support for Disney+ or Apple TV+, 1. The partnering
Combine a rigid high-gain, 100in projector screen with an but Hisense suggests that they should be added before the 100in screen has a slim
ultra-bright 4K laser projector, so that home cinema fans end of the year. frame to make it as
can enjoy a king-sized TV-like experience for a fraction of discreet as possible
what an actual 100in TV would cost. Other connections include four HDMI inputs (many
projectors still only carry two), and two multimedia USB 2. There's a 2 x 15W
The screen part of the 100L5FTUK equation is a ports. The HDMIs are built to the v2.0 standard, and don’t speaker system
narrow-framed design with a wall bracket. As well as using support any HDMI 2.1 features – that means only ARC behind the front-
a highly reflective surface, it employs a lenticular filter audio passthrough rather than eARC, and no support for facing fabric grille
designed to reject ambient light, so that most of the light 4K/120Hz playback and VRR gaming. Input lag is higher
you see on the screen has come straight from the projector. for gaming than it is with most TVs, too, at just under
This is vital if you want to retain a punchy picture from 45ms, and there is no support for HDR10+ or Dolby Vision
a projector in a room potentially full of ambient light. – you just get HDR10 and HLG. Of course, these limitations
apply to the vast majority of projectors.
The projector part of the 100L5FTUK is a classic
ultra-short-throw design. It sits 30-40cm below the A final feature Hisense's Laser TV turns its lens up at is
screen and less than 30cm away from your wall – 3D, something that is still fairly common on other models.
on an AV cabinet, say – throwing its picture-carrying
light out of an aperture on its upper edge. We're gonna need a bigger wall

A so-called X-Fusion single-laser lighting system Getting the 100L5FTUK up and running isn’t
promises 25,000 hours of working life without any need as easy as just wrangling a TV
to replace it. The quality/brightness of the image should out of its box
reduce far less over that life span than you'd experience
with a regular lamp, too. 2

Using laser technology also means the projector can be
turned quickly on or o , like a TV, without the warm up/cool
down times associated with lamp-based models.

Planet of the apps

In keeping with its TV-not-projector theme, the
100L5FTUK’s features include a digital tuner and Ethernet/
Wi-Fi network connections. This network support feeds
into a fully fledged VIDAA smart system, complete with
the Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, Freeview Play
and Rakuten TV streaming apps (all of which get their
own dedicated buttons on the Laser TV’s slim, metallic
remote control).

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

66 REVIEWS

3 SPECIFICATIONS

3D: No 4K: Yes. 3,840 x 2,160 resolution via mirror-flipping 0.47in TI chip HDR: Yes.
HDR10; HLG CONNECTIONS: 4 x HDMI inputs; 2 x USB ports; RF tuner; Ethernet port;
digital optical audio output; VGA BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): N/A CONTRAST
(CLAIMED): N/A ZOOM: Fixed DIMENSIONS (SCREEN): 2,241(w) x 1,272(h) x 5(d)mm
DIMENSIONS (PROJECTOR): 550(w) x 350(d) x 150(h)mm WEIGHT: N/A

FEATURES: UST DLP laser projector; built-in 2 x 15W audio with Dolby Atmos;
claimed 25,000-hour laser lamp life; Standard, Day, Night, Dynamic and Sports
picture presets; 28.7cm throw distance; Ultra Smooth Motion system; VIDAA U
Smart TV platform; Wi-Fi; Bluetooth; 100in Ambient Light Reflecting projector
screen; Freeview HD tuner (Freeview Play); quad-core processor

– despite an impressive auto calibration system that helps TESTED WITH
address geometry just by taking a photo of the screen
on your phone (making sure your phone and projector are A QUIET PLACE: This smart survival
on the same Wi-Fi network). Handy, then, that at the time horror about killer beasties with very,
of writing Hisense is o ering a free professional installation very good hearing is served up with
service to buyers. a sublime Dolby Atmos soundmix
on Paramount's Blu-ray and 4K
Built into the PJ's rear – so it fires out into the room Blu-ray releases – a showcase of
– is a 2 x 15W-rated speaker system hidden behind a black subtlety, precision and dynamics.
fabric cover. This doesn’t just serve up stereo; there’s Spin it now while A Quiet Place II
a surprisingly e ective Dolby Atmos decoder built in. spooks up cinemas.
The size of the soundstage generated is genuinely
remarkable, throwing sound not just left and right, appear fairly grey and flat, and while the HDR Night and 3. Hisense's VIDAA
but also upwards, leading to a more convincing sense Standard presets – plus the Light Level setting – can smart platform is
of Atmos height e ects than some soundbars I’ve heard. improve things, this is a limitation I could never fully resolve. well-stocked with
VOD apps
The only issue with this performance is that bass is The 100L5FTUK’s colours with A Quiet Place are also a
pretty limited, leaving big movie moments feeling thin, little thin using any of the picture presets bar HDR Dynamic. 4. Connectivity apes
and the occasional shrill treble a bit over-exposed. During the family’s walk home from town at the film’s start, that of a TV, with four
skin tones and leaves and grass look pallid and unnatural, as HDMI inputs, two
Not going native well as rather jaundiced in Hisense's HDR Day/Night modes. USBs and more

In some ways the 100L5FTUK is a strong picture performer The aforementioned Dynamic Mode shows the
for such an unusual and, in the circumstances, a ordable 100L5FTUK can achieve a nice, rich colour response. With
display. It's not a native 4K projector, but its DLP-based this preset engaged in a dark room, A Quiet Place’s daylight
faux 4K optics deliver HD-beating levels of detail and scenes, and night-time red lights, enjoy levels of vibrancy
clarity. Focus and sharpness are maintained across the and saturation that track beyond the SDR REC.709 levels
100in image. many non-laser models stick at. In fact, if anything, the
Dynamic preset comes on a touch strong for a dark room,
Brightness is impressive, too. There's enough here causing clipping in peak areas of some HDR images.
to give the picture striking ‘pop’, create a reasonably
convincing portrayal of HDR, and combat ambient light. There's a quite comprehensive set of calibration tools
available, allowing colour performance to be massaged.
That’s not to say you can watch extreme-contrast HDR With this in mind, if you like the idea of the 100L5FTUK
content, such as A Quiet Place on 4K Blu-ray, in full daylight enough to spend £3,000 on it, getting it professionally
and expect to get the same experience a flatscreen TV calibrated might be a good investment.
might give you. You'll want to at least darken your room
as much as possible when watching a movie if you're after After all, despite its underwhelming black levels, this
a cinematic vibe. Hisense provides an enjoyable bigscreen living room
experience for just a fraction of the cost of a 100in TV
With regular TV shows and sports footage, the – and less than some premium 65in sets ■
100L5FTUK’s pictures hold up in terms of brightness, colour
saturation and, surprisingly, shadow detail – especially VERDICT
if you use the HDR Dynamic preset. Just make sure to
turn o the over-enthusiastic noise reduction, and switch Hisense 100L5FTUK
the motion processing to the well-judged Clear option.
➜ £3,000 ➜ www.hisense.co.uk
The PJ's Adaptive Contrast feature is clever at subtly
expanding dynamic range, apart from the High setting WE SAY: A remarkably a ordable way of getting a king-sized
which adjusts baseline brightness so often and so screen experience, with excellent connections and smarts.
aggressively that it becomes a distraction. Black levels for dark room viewing aren’t the best.

The 100L5FTUK isn’t completely immune to DLP's 4
rainbow e ect. However, it’s much less troublesome
than I’d feared it might be considering the bright output.

While its performance exceeds expectations in a well-lit
setting, I'd like it to adapt a little better to dark room
conditions. Clearly visible during the night-time sequence
in A Quiet Place where the children hide in the fields, were
black levels that weren't very inspiring. All dark areas

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

Our Music &
Home Cinemas
will outperform
any alternatives

To experience the extraordinary
call Gecko on 01635 268114

www.steinwaylyngdorf.com

68 UK. JBL .COM/£160

JBL Charge 5

Mark Craven reckons this on-the-go Bluetooth speaker is the one to beat

THE LATEST ITERATION of JBL's portable, of amplification) boosted by passive radiators The Charge 5 has passive bass radiators at each end
waterproof Bluetooth stalwart follows the at each end that rock and roll in time to the
form factor and functionality template of beat. It's a fulsome performance, monophonic Sound quality isn't this speaker's only
the previous Charge 4 [HCC #319]. As the but still exciting, albeit sometimes prone to selling point, of course. The waterproof
company says it's sold over 4m units of over-egging its low-end punch, and sounding rating (now IP67 to include dust-proofing)
that model, there's obviously some 'ain't boomy rather than bassy with some material. is great for shower-singers and garden-
broke, don't fix' thinking in play. party fiends, as is the rugged, rubberised
Vocal and high-frequency clarity also casing. The fact it o ers a USB-A port
Yet while external di erences are slight seems sharper, but overall the voicing here is to charge a smart device is also welcome.
– the Charge 5 is a bit larger, the LED warm and rich, rather than crisp and insightful. Curiously, a redesign of the speaker's flat
that signifies the level of its 20-hour base section makes it more susceptible to
rechargeable battery is now more visible, rolling away if given a nudge. The 3.5mm
and the JBL branding is more in-yer-face – aux input has also gone AWOL, but it's really
internally space has been found for a separate not missed.
tweeter to join forces with its racetrack driver, In short, this is a fine upgrade on a brilliant
in what the brand says represents a major Bluetooth speaker. You just need to choose
sound improvement. So, does it? from one of its eight colour options... ■

Well, it's better, but not extraordinarily so. VERDICT
There's certainly a sense of a bigger output
from the Charge 5, and again one that's JBL Charge 5
surprising considering its compact 22cm
chassis. Bass extension is never in doubt, its ➜ £160 ➜ uk.jbl.com
two-strong driver array (given a claimed 40W

W W W. F O C A L . CO M / U K/£ 1 , 0 0 0

Focal Celestee

In Focal land, £1,000 only gets you halfway up the headphone ladder. Ed Selley investigates

The £1,000 ticket also FOCAL'S CELESTEE HEADPHONES take It would be worth the e ort, however,
gets you a carry case some of the design attributes of the brand's because these are a very special listen.
£2,900 Stellia model and brings them down Although a closed-back design, they have an
HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021 to a (vaguely) more normal price – although exceptionally spacious presentation, which
at £1,000 we're still way above the £350 spot means scenes like the drone escape in
populated by wireless, noise-cancelling cans. Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 are given
the space they need to sound convincing,
Full-size, closed-back and with only a all without leaking noise back into the room.
wired connection, these are aimed at serious And as you might expect, music is handled
audiophiles. Much emphasis is put on the brilliantly. Typhoons by Royal Blood has
proprietary 40mm dynamic drivers; M-shaped impressive weight and energy; these
inverted aluminium and magnesium alloy headphones hit hard but with an unfailingly
domes housed in an enclosure that's designed entertaining speed and fluency. There's a
to absorb unwanted sound reflections, leaving level of ability here – detailed and musical,
them to top operate unfettered. yet muscular – that dovetails with the
premium build and price. High-quality
They look premium, too, adding flair to the mixed-used home headphones ■
same basic industrial design of other Focal
headphones with a blue and copper colour VERDICT
scheme and material choices that make them
lighter and more comfortable than the size Focal Celestee
might suggest. The only slight annoyance is
that the supplied cable is short (1.2m), likely ➜ £1,000 ➜ www.focal.com/uk
making an extension necessary for some.



70 WWW.HUAWEI.CO.UK/£200

Huawei Sound SPECIFICATIONS

This stylish, compact speaker, with omnidirectional driver array, DRIVERS: 1 x 4in woofer; 3 x tweeters
is something of a wireless wonder in performance terms, says ONBOARD POWER (CLAIMED): 55W
Steve May. Usability could be slicker, though FREQUENCY RESPONSE (CLAIMED): 55Hz-
40kHz CONNECTIONS: 3.5mm aux input
IF THE NEW Huawei Devialet As well as its DIMENSIONS: 187(h) x 147(w) x 147(d)mm
collaboration sounds familiar, side-facing passive WEIGHT: 2.2kg
that’s because it is. The Sound pair, the Sound uses
is a second-gen iteration of the FEATURES: Dual passive radiators (Push-
Sound X, downsized and more a down-firing Push design); Bluetooth v5.0 with NFC;
affordable, and, well, it sounds active woofer LDAC; dual-band Wi-Fi; Devialet SPACE
remarkably similar... Soundstage; Hi-Fi and Vocal presets;
for the Chinese bass adjustment; proximity sensor volume
The Chinese smartphone market only. control; Devialet Speaker Active Matching
giant’s first collaboration with The Sound can be (SAM) technology
the respected French audiophile paired in the traditional Bluetooth fashion out
outfit resulted in a surprisingly of the box (the spec is v5.0, with transmission A dance through of Paul Stanley’s Soul
convincing wireless audio up to 990kbps from LDAC-compatible Station debut (Amazon Music HD) confirms
system [HCC #315] sources). However, you’ll need the Huawei sweet highs and that characteristic Devialet
that performed much AI Life app to unlock its wider feature set. bottom end. It has weight but isn’t lumpy
like a thoroughbred Devialet A word of caution here: I found the AI Life or ponderous. The band’s cover of Smokey
speaker. This new iteration, app from the Google Play store unable to find Robinson’s Tracks of your Tears is smooth
which at £200 is some £100 the Sound at all. I had to download the app and melodious, delivering a convincing
cheaper the Sound X, lacks some from Huawei’s own app store, using a Huawei R&B groove.
of that model’s finesse, but it smartphone to get connected.
still impresses, and has enormous Despite the small form factor (less
room presence. And with its Lost in SPACE than 19cm high and 15cm wide), this isn’t
piano-gloss finish and total lack a desktop speaker and doesn’t give its best
of right angles, it also looks the part. There are music presets which can be selected with near-field listening. Allowing the driver
via Huawei's app: Devialet SPACE Soundstage, array room to breathe pays dividends. Spatial
Sound all around Vocals and Hi-Fi. The first of these is of imaging and clarity both improve.
particular interest, as the SPACE algorithm
The lower half of the Sound's cabinet is separates the input signal into direct Cool and compact
sound, reflected sound and ambient noise,
cloth-wrapped to conceal its quartet of supposedly to create a broader ambience. The Sound takes all that was cool about the
original Sound X, and repackages it in a more
drivers: one 4in woofer (with associated However, in practice engaging it merely inviting form factor. It may not be smart in the
seems to throw a virtual blanket over connected sense, but the Devialet technology
40W amplifier) and trio of 5W-rated tweeters. proceedings, taking the edge off higher in this engineering collab makes the asking
frequencies and mu ing bass. I discovered price something of a bargain. A caveat is that
These are arranged for omnidirectional the best listening mode, by some distance, you’ll probably need a Huawei smartphone
was Hi-Fi. to use the thing seamlessly.
dispersion, the three tweeters evenly spaced
The main theme from The Dark Knight, That aside, this is a fine Bluetooth solution
at 120-degree angles, giving a circular spread from Hans Zimmer The Classics (Amazon for smaller rooms ■
Music HD), exhibits familiar steely menace
that means you really aren’t restricted to in Hi-Fi, but with SPACE engaged it sounds VERDICT
as though Batman’s leather cape has been Huawei Sound
a sweet spot. draped on top.
➜ £200 ➜ www.huawei.co.uk
Confirming its Devialet heritage, the WE SAY: It's neither smart nor particularly
intuitive to use, but this latest Huawei Devialet
Sound employs a Push-Push configuration release sounds huge for such a small design.

for two additional passive radiators, visible

through distinctive opposing cutouts.

These radiators are adorned with Huawei’s

signature red flash, for a bit of bling.

There’s a volume

AV INFO control on the top
of the speaker, which

PRODUCT: illuminates thanks to
a proximity sensor.
Bluetooth This colourful flourish
standalone speaker

POSITION: makes the Sound look
Smaller and more similar to a number
a ordable than of smart, voice-
Sound X model activated speakers,
but in the UK it's
PEERS: nothing of the sort
Amazon Echo Studio; – the on-body mic
Bose Home Speaker
300

mute button is

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021



72 REVIEWS

1

LONG-TERM TEST

Samsung QE75Q900R

AV INFO TIME ON TEST: 2.5 years REVIEWER: John Archer However, while this worked well when it came to keeping
better contrast and colour from wide viewing angles than
PRODUCT: RELEASED IN AUTUMN 2018, the 75in Samsung you got with regular LCD TVs, it didn’t play so well with the
75in 8K QLED QE75Q900R was the manufacturer's first 8K TV. Or, at any 8K resolution.
HDR TV rate, the first one you could actually buy. At the time, the
set would have set you back a quid under £7,000 – pretty The sub-pixel manipulation led to a noticeable
POSITION: much twice as much as a premium 4K TV. But hey – you reduction in the picture's ‘8K-ness’, and the system also
Samsung's first were getting four times as many pixels, right?! introduced a visible horizontal line structure over the image.
consumer 8K model This was only clearly visible over bright image areas when
Occasionally 75Q900Rs come up for sale second-hand, sat very close to the screen. However, the ‘stepping e ect’
PEERS: but given their high price and the lack of interest in 8K the lines could cause over curved or angled object edges
Samsung back when they first launched, they likely didn’t sell in could reduce the impact of the 8K resolution you’d paid big
QE75QN900A; massive volumes. At the time of writing, the only one bucks for even from normal viewing distances.
Sony KD-75ZH8 I could find to buy was an apparently never-opened
€5,999 import from Italy. Samsung rebalanced the resolution/viewing angle
relationship with models subsequent to the Q950R,
What’s good about it? and has gradually improved the quality of its AI-based
8K upscaling engine. For me, though, especially given
Samsung has released multiple 8K TV ranges since this that wide viewing angle support isn’t really needed in
75Q900R debutante, including a Q950R 'update' (in my viewing room, the Q900R delivered overall a more
Europe) that came out only a few months later. So you satisfying 8K and upscaled 4K resolution performance than
might well wonder why I’ve stuck with this one for so long. the models that followed. It’s only really now, in 2021, that
The cryptic answer is that the 75Q900R doesn’t have very the original Q900R is starting to show its age.
wide viewing angles. To explain…
I've also found the 75Q900R’s pictures to look slightly
When Samsung introduced its second generation of more natural than those of its successors when it comes to
8K TVs, the Q950Rs, most screen sizes carried the first colour and brightness. While the set’s claimed peak
generation of a new wide viewing angle technology based brightness of 4,000 nits is extremely optimistic regards
on a system of sub-pixel manipulation and screen filters. real-world content playback, it undoubtedly delivered the
punchiest HDR pictures I’d seen up to that point (more

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

REVIEWS 73

2 SPECIFICATIONS

4K: Yes. Actually 8K (7,680 x 4,320) resolution HDR: Yes. HDR10; HDR10+; HLG
TUNER: Yes. Freeview HD; satellite HD CONNECTIONS: 4 x HDMI 2.0 inputs; optical
digital audio output; Ethernet port; RF input; 3 x USBs 4K/120 PLAYBACK: No
SOUND (CLAIMED): N/A BRIGHTNESS (CLAIMED): 4,000 nits CONTRAST RATIO
(CLAIMED): N/A DIMENSIONS (OFF STAND): 1,677.2(w) x 964.6(h) x 34.6(d)mm
WEIGHT (OFF STAND): 40.7kg

FEATURES: 8K AI upscaling processing; full array backlight with 480 zones of local
dimming; Ambient Mode; external connections box; Eden smart platform with voice
control; USB multimedia playback; Ultra Black Elite panel

than twice as bright as any OLED TV). This helped give first launched, it only supported 8K at 30Hz, and only had 1. Samsung's first 8K
HDR material spectacular impact, and was a good match very limited support for HDMI 2.1-related features. TV came in 75in (as
for my typically quite bright living room. here) and 85in versions
Samsung made a free One Connect box upgrade
A Quantum Dot colour system was on hand, meanwhile, available a few months later, which introduced support 2. Peak brightness is
to ensure that the range of available colours was expansive for 8K at 60Hz – but not support for 4K at 120Hz. The rated at an ultra-high
enough to keep the extreme brightness company. box can handle 1440p resolution at 120Hz, and enjoy 4,000 nits
FreeSync variable refresh rates from the Xbox Series
The colour handling of the Q950R successor was X/S consoles. But full 4K resolution at 120Hz is not 3. Getting this 40kg
certainly still good, but looked a little less neutral, with supported, presumably because of a hardware TV on to its pedestal
underlying tinges of green or magenta that weren’t easy limitation in the panel. stand is a definite
to tweak out. I suspect these discolourations were again two-person job
down to the wide viewing angle technology. Now that I’ve had the chance to experience the
4. The TV's full array
Add a powerful, no-nonsense sound system that avoids 3 literally game-changing clarity of playing console LED backlight uses
the distortion and ‘buzzing’ issues that started to appear 480-zone dimming
with subsequent 8K models, and you can understand games in 4K resolution at 120Hz refresh rates on
why this set has stuck with me so long. other TVs, having to do without this on the 75Q900R
is beginning to jar. Reducing output resolution to
What’s not good about it? 1440p, to enable those slick 120Hz refresh rates, also
puts a much heavier burden on the TV's 8K upscaling,
Time has finally exposed three limitations with this resulting in less attractive results.
Samsung path-beater that both the AV fan and gamer
in me have begun to struggle with. This Samsung's third seemingly unsolvable issue is
that it doesn’t support the AV1 streaming/compression
The first is the arrival in 2021 of Mini LED lighting on codec, which means it can’t play any of the small
Samsung’s latest flatscreens. This has introduced a level selection of 8K videos currently available on YouTube.
of local contrast and light control that’s truly This is unfortunate given the lack of native 8K content
transformative to LCD picture quality. anywhere else.

The Q900R’s biggest weakness relative to its Should I buy it?
immediate successors was always backlight control.
It doesn’t benefit from the clever backlight power If you’re after what remains a high-performance
management system Samsung introduced to later 8K sets, 8K TV at second-hand prices and you’re lucky
with the result that its black levels aren’t quite as profound. enough to find one available, the 75Q900R remains
Also, its 480 dimming zones aren’t enough to in many respects a startlingly good performer.
prevent backlight blooming and pretty On the other hand, if you’re into cutting-edge
heavy-handed dimming of bright HDR objects gaming and you want to be able to watch
when they appear against a dark backdrop. YouTube’s 8K videos on your 8K TV,
you’ll need to dig deep for one of
Samsung did roll out a post-launch firmware update for Samsung’s 2021 8K sets instead ■
the 75Q900R that greatly improved its backlight controls,
particularly when it came to blooming. But the new Mini VERDICT
LED models have a clear advantage.
Samsung QE75Q900R
A second problem for the Q900R is a predictably
complicated one concerning its connectivity. When the TV ➜ £Second-hand ➜ www.samsung.com/uk

WE SAY: While this original 8K TV is still one of the best, some
video format support omissions means it’s finally starting to
show its age.

4

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

23425

STUNNING REALISM.
IMMERSIVE SOUND.

HOME CINEMA

The HDA Home Cinema range brings world-class audio performance to music and movie fans
alike. Created to audiophile standards and ensuring that no detail is overlooked, the new line-up
from ARCAM brings high definition audio into your home, with high-resolution surround sound
that delivers stunning realism. Immerse yourself in the ultimate home entertainment experience.
Learn more at arcam.co.uk.

©2020 HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Arcam is a registered trademark of HARMAN International Industries, Incorporated, registered in
the United States and/or other countries. Features, specifications and appearance are subject to change without notice.

OPINION 75

The idea of IMAX Enhanced appeals to the performance-hound in Mark Craven, which
is why he's confused by the version deployed by Sony's BraviaCore streaming platform

WHEN IS AN IMAX Enhanced TV not an IMAX optimize the content.' Think clean, sharp, natty Mark Craven
Enhanced TV? Well, if you ask me – and images, sometimes – but not necessarily – in the still waits for
I appreciate you didn't – it's surely when it can't IMAX aspect ratio. the day when he
pass a DTS:X bitstream over eARC. Yet this is
the situation with Sony's new XR OLED range. Then there's the audio. Here, IMAX and DTS can write
have put their heads together to bring the 'IMAX something
Now, in fairness to Sony, plenty of other TVs signature sound experience' to your home cinema enthusiastic
won't pass a DTS:X bitstream over HDMI eARC 'leveraging DTS:X codec technology.' The promise containing the
either, and for most people that's not a problem. is of a new approach to home cinema audio that word 'HDMI'
Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video – all apps that you moves beyond the traditional near-field mix.
might access from your TV – use Dolby Audio. JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
And anyone keen to listen to the DTS:X soundtrack All IMAX Enhanced 4K Blu-rays that I'm aware
from a Blu-ray will just feed their disc player of come with a DTS:X audio track, but – weirdly –
into their AVR or processor first. the IMAX Enhanced content on BraviaCore doesn't.
Or maybe it actually does, it's just that the TV can't
But Sony's new OLED TVs are all IMAX do anything with it (like many others). What you get
Enhanced. This is a key marketing point, and is old-fashioned DTS 5.1.
in a new wheeze this year, buyers get exclusive
access to Sony's BraviaCore (pictured), a The thing is, the IMAX Enhanced website is clear
proprietary streaming service filled with Sony about what a product needs to do to be worthy of
Pictures movies, and featuring a number of titles its logo: '4K HDR televisions, projectors, sound bars,
A/V receivers, loudspeakers, powered subwoofers
in the IMAX Enhanced format. BraviaCore is and other premium home entertainment devices
billed as being comparable in quality must meet carefully prescribed performance
to Ultra HD Blu-ray, courtesy of bitrates requirements established by IMAX, DTS and
Hollywood’s leading experts.'
approaching 80Mbps via technology it calls
PureStream. It wants to make Netflix look like But it would now seem those performance
dial-up internet. requirements don't actually include being able
to play IMAX Enhanced content. Sure, the films
When two become one will look good, thanks to the DMR process, but
they won't have that signature sound. The IMAX
IMAX Enhanced, which launched in 2019, isn't Enhanced logo on a TV then becomes simply
just a development from the well-known cinema another badge. Or am I missing something?
company. It's a joint collaboration between IMAX
and sound honcho DTS, and claims a couple It is, to be blunt, a very silly situation, and the
of AV enhancements. kind that drives AV-Holics potty. And as its not clear
who to blame out of DTS, Sony, the HDMI Org or
First, and this is the IMAX bit, an IMAX Enhanced IMAX Enhanced, I can't decide who to send an
movie is delivered in 4K HDR, having been fettled angry email to first ■
by IMAX's DMR (Digital Media Remastering)
process. DMR, we're told, 'accurately reduces noise Have you used Sony's BraviaCore streaming service?
and grain under the filmmaker’s guidance to best Let us know: email [email protected]

76 OPINION

Anton van Beek is ready to return to the multiplex, but not before he's worked his way
through a pile of low-budget 1970s monster movies and a DC animated cracker

AS I WRITE this column, UK cinemas are only a years, and the latter has now issued his 1990 Anton van Beek
matter of days away from reopening, ushering in erotic thriller In the Cold of the Night on Blu-ray. Best is now worried the
a veritable deluge of brand-new movies. Well, new remembered as the film that set Shannon Tweed
to the UK, at least. While films like The Conjuring: on the path to video shop super-stardom, it boasts BBC will unearth
The Devil Made Me Do It and A Quiet Place Part II will a genuinely intriguing story (building on techno- even more 'lost'
be seeing the inside of cinemas for the first time ever, thriller ideas Mastorakis first played with in 1984’s
others like Freaky and Monster Hunter have already bonkers Blind Date) and an eclectic cast including Doctor Who
played US theatres, and been available to import Marc Singer, Tippi Hedren and David Soul.
on disc for some time now. episodes and he'll
While the seminal 1982 coming-of-age classic have to go right
Even so, it’s been a long time coming and I can’t Fast Times at Ridgemont High has never been back to the start
wait to get back inside my local ODEON (fingers the best-looking movie around, Criterion’s recent
crossed the gift voucher I’ve been stuck with for Blu-ray (sourced from a fresh 4K master) is
over a year is still valid). Thankfully, as I’ve mentioned a vast improvement on the old Universal disc.
before, enterprising Blu-ray labels have compensated It also restores a brief shot of male nudity that
for this COVID-led shortfall in new flicks with some was snipped (ouch!) to prevent the film being
superb catalogue title releases (as well as new DTV stuck with an X certificate, much to director Amy
features). In fact, there's been so much to savour this Heckerling’s annoyance.
year that some gems have fallen through the cracks
of our Playback section. Here are five of them... As for newer, under-the-radar movies worth
a spin on disc, I can heartily recommended The Head
Wild Bill
Hunter. Pitched somewhere between
A sister release of sorts to last year’s William Grefé videogame Skyrim and Sam Raimi’s
boxset, Arrow Video’s Weird Wisconsin: The Bill The Evil Dead, this 101 Films BD release is an
Rebane Collection focuses on another regional
filmmaker who steered clear of Hollywood (and entertaining medieval monster mash that follows
built his very own studio). While the set sadly lacks up an atmospheric, slow-burning first half with some
Rebane’s most successful film (1975's The Giant gleefully gloopy horror action. Meanwhile, the latest
Spider Invasion), the new restorations of Monster A DC 'toon feature Justice Society: World War II sends
Go-Go!, Invasion from Inner Earth, The Alpha Incident, The Flash back in time to fight alongside a secret
The Demons of Ludlow, The Game (no, not that one), group of superheroes (led by Wonder Woman)
and Twister’s Revenge are a treat and loaded as they punch Nazis and fight giant sea monsters.
with goodies — including a new feature-length doc It's stylishly animated and packed with action,
about Rebane’s life and career. If you’ve ever wanted and even available Stateside on 4K Blu-ray.
to watch a trio of bumbling hillbilly criminals take
on a sentient monster truck, this is the boxset for you. I now need to return to the Doctor Who lockdown
rewatch I mentioned back in HCC #311. We’ve finally
Greek filmmaker Nico Mastorakis has been finished the Pertwee era, which means there’s only
a favourite with both Arrow and 88 Films over the another 500 or so episodes to go… ■

Did you use lockdown to revisit old film favourites?
Let us know: email [email protected]

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

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78 FIRE STICK FILLING UP?/PROJECTOR ROOM DECOR

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

Black bars are bad, part I interesting point regards Zack Snyder's Justice League: flying the flag for 4:3!
our use of film images on
Hi. I have written in before on the topic of TVs, because – yes – all experience with giving away elderly AV gear
black bars on TVs and remember Mark Craven are shown at 1.78:1, even is more hit and miss – I once passed a 12in
being a fan or not bothered by them. After when the film in question is subwoofer on to a friend and they returned
reading his piece last month [Digital Copy, released as 1.85:1 or 2.40:1 it two weeks later because it was 'too big.'
HCC #320] I had to write in again. I wish to or whatever. The reason for
ask: how come every picture of a TV in your this is that, historically, TVs Black bars are bad, part II
magazine never has a single black bar on the had much larger bezels and
screen? Maybe the TVs won’t look right? the use of a colourful film You posed the question, 'are you bothered by
image, as opposed to a full black bars?' in HCC #320. I didn't think I was.
Watching movies I would say 70 per cent black screen, was a good
of them would have black bars. indicator of how much a
new telly's front-on view
On another note I read also last month was bezel and how much
about Kevin Bridle's Pioneer TV lasting 14 was actual panel.
years [Face-to-Face, p16]. I gave my brother
a Pioneer TV from the year 2000 – the 43in These days, with the
model and the first one to have an HDMI port proliferation of ultra-slim
– and it’s still going strong, and is used most bezels, this is less of an issue. We continue
nights. Then I give my parents my 2008 to fill the entire 16:9 screen with a film image
Pioneer TV, which like Kevin's is still going for simplicity's sake.
strong 14 years later. Then I bought a Sony TV
and I had a fault within a year and a half. As you'll see from Jon's letter below, you
aren't alone in having a dislike of black bars,
I wish Pioneer would make a come back so perhaps I should accept defeat on this one.
to TV. It was way ahead in the field.
Dean Smith, Surrey Regards your Pioneer history, I must say
you have lucky family members. My own
Mark Craven replies: Hi Dean. You raise an

Give me more sequels! We've been waiting a long time
for a sequel to 2013's World War Z
Like Steve May I'm also a fan of movie
sequels [AV Avenger, HCC #320], and
grew up watching the Nightmare on Elm
Street, Halloween and Friday 13th
franchises. The quality of the sequels
grew worse each time, but I still enjoyed
watching every single one of them. All
those films were cheaply made. I don't
think Hollywood is keen to churn out
quick sequels these days.

As for sequels we'd like to see, I'm still

waiting for the follow-up to the brilliant

zombie movie World War Z but I read it's
been cancelled.

Simon, W. Yorks

Anton van Beek replies: Indeed, World
War Z 2 was scrapped in 2019. The film
was set to bring back star Brad Pitt and

be directed by David Fincher (the pair also

collaborated on Seven, Fight Club and
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button). But
as a film about a global disease outbreak,

maybe it's not far from a fresh greenlight?

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

LETTERS 79

But actually, I am. A lot! And vertical bars are Star Letter... Talking of screens, don’t go for one with
a high ‘gain’ value, as this will simply amplify
the most o ensive ever! Is my room right for how much light bounces back on to your
I remember years ago when 'Wide Screen' a projector setup? walls. You could even consider a slightly grey/
mildly negative gain screen if your blackout
came in for general home TV and a 28in or I have read a lot of reviews of curtains work really well.
32in screen was humungous. projectors, and the reviewers use
them in batcaves. My room has The skirting boards should be low enough
I worked as a Saturday lad at both Currys light grey walls, the doors and not to distract you, and going for eggshell
and Comet and remember trying to single- skirting boards and coving are rather than a gloss finish was a good move.
handedly lift a 32in Toshiba or Sony Vega into white (eggshell not gloss) and Similarly I would only imagine that a door
the boot of someone's car! the ceiling is white. The carpet might become a distraction if it happened
is grey, and I have grey blackout to be on the same wall where your screen is
I sold these TVs using this simple action: curtains. I watch at night with going to be – which wouldn’t be the case in
Put your hands in front of your face like lights out. most room layouts.
you're praying, and then move them outwards
until you can't see them any more. Now, pull The projector I am considering is the Even if you just go for either of those Sony
your head back and see where they are. Do the Sony VPL-VW590ES or the new one below projectors (plump for the VW590ES if you
same but move them apart up and down and it [VPL-VW290ES, see p10). I do not want can, as it’s worth the extra!) with a decent-
see where they are then... to redecorate, so would I be wasting my quality neutral screen, I'm confident you’ll still
What shape do you have? A letterbox. 16:9. money? I would appreciate your advice, enjoy a great bigscreen experience. You're
Not a square. It made sense. The human eye thank you. right to be aware of how a room environment
sees in a letterbox shape. Steve, Essex can impact the performance of a projector,
So what really grips my hoop these days but don't let that put you o .
is all the people who film stu in portrait on John Archer replies: In short, no – you
their phone, which then often ends up on my wouldn't be wasting your time. For one Star letter writer Steve grabs a copy of Paul
55in living room TV on the news or similar, thing, the two Sony models you are Verhoeven’s steamy thriller Basic Instinct on Ultra
rendering 2/3 of the screen I paid a lot of considering are proper home cinema HD Blu-ray. Newly restored from the original 35mm
money for redundant! machines rather than ultra-bright ‘light negative and supervised by the filmmaker himself,
I don't find all black bars as o ensive as cannons’, so their relatively subdued light this new edition is loaded with tasty extras,
this and I have to su er as I play a lot of retro levels shouldn’t cause major reflected light including a new Basic Instinct: Sex, Death & Stone
consoles or emulated old-school games via problems with your decor. documentary. The restored Basic Instinct is available
my Nvidia Shield TV Pro – and they do look to own on Ultra HD Collector’s Edition, Blu-ray,
better in 4:3 as the old graphics getting blown The fact that your walls aren’t full DVD and Steelbook editions from June 14, courtesy
up and stretched doesn't do them any favours. white but light grey will also make more of Studiocanal.
And I guess after a while, you don't notice... di erence than you might think, and
But that's my choice. while you will see some ambient light e ect Mark Craven replies: When you are streaming
Down with black bars! from the white ceiling you could try to via your Fire TV Stick you are doing exactly that
Jon, West Sussex mitigate this by setting your screen – using it as a conduit between Amazon's
a little lower on the wall than you might monstrous content cloud and your display.
Bothered by bloatware have initially considered, or by picking But, like apps on a smartphone, the Fire TV
a screen with a fairly thick black frame apps clog up with additional data related to
This is in regard of observations/comments/ that juts forward over the top of the image their operation. As you've discovered, clearing
(though such heavily built screens can the cache and even performing a factory
complaints on certain forums about the rise be expensive). reset will help empty the cupboard. As for
'bloatware', hopefully Amazon is keeping an
in issues of lack of space on the Amazon Fire 'bloatware' we shouldn't run into any further eye on how much space its Fire sticks have ■
issues, should we? Last night I performed a
Stick, following a recent firmware upgrade. 'Factory Reset', as advised by an Amazon Contact us…
Moderator, which gave me another 1GB back,
Mine is a 4K version. (as I now have to re-install BritBox). Write to HCC, AV Tech Media Ltd, Suite 25, Eden
I became aware of this a couple of months House, Enterprise Way, Edenbridge, Kent, TN8 6HF,
What peeves me (and by the looks of or email us at [email protected]
ago, when the streamed programme that things, a lot of other folk) is why has all Please note: we cannot guarantee to print/answer all
my wife and I were watching was suddenly of this unsolicited software appeared? the letters we receive. Sorry.
interrupted with a warning message to remove I chatted online to an Amazon representative
some apps, as storage space was low. yesterday, and he said that this was because
'the Fire Stick relies on the pre-installed
This I duly did, even though, apart from apps to function.' When I explained that
BritBox, we have downloaded and installed this wasn't the case until a couple of months
nothing. Two days of uninterrupted viewing ago, (we didn't have the extra bloatware
followed, and then the same happened again. and it all worked fine) the online chat became
unresponsive!
I thought that I hadn't 'Cleared Data' and/or
'Cleared Cache' properly, so did so again but Apologies for rambling on but I do find it
this time I noticed that there were several new cathartic to externalise some things!
applications that I definitely didn't download. Rick
IMDb, Game Circle, Amazon Music and some
'shopping' apps spring to mind. Although they
don't take up much of the 5.5GB of available
space (after the operating system takes its
slice), I didn't ask for them and I certainly don't
want them.

Now, as I understand it, we're just streaming
through the 4K stick and not storing any films or
episodes, so although I now have only 2.5GB
available, following this recent upsurge in

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

© WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT UK. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 80 COMPETITIONS

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

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

Zack Snyder's Justice League

Zack Snyder’s Justice League is the
unmissable, must-see event of 2021, with
the director’s cut of Justice League made
possible by the #ReleaseTheSnyderCut
fan campaign. Released by Warner Bros.,
Zack Snyder’s Justice League is out now
on Digital, 4K UHDTM, Blu-rayTM, DVD and
Limited Edition Steelbook. To celebrate,
we’ve got three 4K Ultra HDTM copies
to give away alongside three posters
exclusively available as part of the Snyder
Cut range from Zavvi.co.uk!

Question:

Which actor plays Bruce Wayne in this
unforgettable story?

Answer:

A) Ben A eck B) Ray Fisher C) Ezra Miller

Duel: 50th Encounter of Mandy: Limited
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Join Nicolas Cage on
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turns 50 this year psychedelic terror with
Sammo Hung’s ground- Dazzler Media’s new
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breaking martial arts- release of cult horror Mandy.
is re-releasing the film Boasting deleted scenes, a featurette,
horror-comedy mash-up and an exclusive 40-page booklet, the
on Blu-ray on May 31, packed with Mandy: Limited Edition BD is out now
Encounter of the Spooky Kind makes — and we have three copies to give away!
extras and featuring new sleeve art by its UK Blu-ray debut on June 21, courtesy of

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Duel is based on a short story by which Sammo Hung made his directorial debut with Nicolas Cage won the Best Actor Oscar

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Answer: Answer: Answer:

A) Peter Straub B) Stephen King A) The Iron Fisted Monk B) Enter the Fat A) Honeymoon in Vegas B) Leaving Las
Dragon C) Magnificent Butcher Vegas C) The Wicker Man
C) Richard Matheson

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Terms & Conditions
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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 offered to the winner as prizes.
7. The editor’s decision is final. 8. Comp winners' names available on request. 9. The closing date is July 2, 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 JUNE 2021

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82 READER'S ROOM

Certified: AV-Holic!

HCC reader Flavio has put together a 'dream come true' home cinema that partners premium
AV hardware from his native Canada with an eye-catching design

Backlight illumination turns Flavio's acoustic
treatments into a design feature

Welcome to the AV-Holic Hall When did you decide to set up is a Canadian manufacturer well-known for
of Fame – introduce yourself! your current cinema room? its high-quality audio, and audio quality was
my first and foremost priority! The front
Hi, I'm Flavio. I'm 33, live in Canada, and work When I purchased the house I live in now, soundstage is a pair of 75F floorstanders for
as a systems analyst. my priority was to have enough space in the left and right, and a 55C centre. They're part
basement for a dedicated cinema room. So, of Paradigm's Prestige series, and are simply
How long have you been into when I found the ideal house, I said 'this is it' beautiful to look at and sound great. As for the
home cinema? and decided to have a full-on system at home. surrounds, I went with in-wall speakers from
Paradigm's CI series. I prioritised the side
I have been a cinema lover since I first went Have you had any help from surrounds, since they are used more often,
to the movies (the first film I saw was The Lion professionals? and went big with CI Elite E80-IW speakers
King in 1994). My first setup was a home- (8in bass/mid driver). For the back surrounds,
theatre-in-a-box from Philips, way back Yes, I hired an amazing interior designer here in I chose the smaller CI PRO P65-IW model.
in 2004. From then on I have had several Canada (Maria Deschamps) to do the project.
combinations of receivers, speakers and For the cabling, I used a local AV store to pass I then have a pair of SVS PB-2000 Pro
players. But now is the first time I could have it inside the walls during the construction. subwoofers, which are 12in, ported designs
a dedicated space for a home cinema – all my – these create that 'thump' e ect right in your
previous setups were in shared living rooms or What kit's in your setup? chest when watching movies with a lot of bass.
even my bedroom!
I have Paradigm speakers for my 7.2 array: this

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

AV-HOLIC 83

This projector screen
wall also hides the
LCR speakers and
subwoofers

I use a NAD M17 V2i processor and NAD What are the dimensions This Anthem AVR has now been replaced
M28 seven-channel power amplifier. My of the space? by a NAD pre/power combi
projector is a JVC DLA-NX5 [DLA-N5 in the
UK], and it's aimed at a 120in Cirrus Nero About 13ft x 21ft.
screen. This is pearl white, to allow correct
colour reproduction and maximize the What’s your verdict on the
brightness from the projector. It was also system's performance?
specifically chosen because of its thin frame
– we wanted to go big! It is a dream come true: I can watch a movie at
the theatre every single day, and I do not even
Sources are a Panasonic DP-UB820 4K have to leave home.
Blu-ray player and Apple TV. Operation is
through a Harmony Elite universal remote. As for the system's performance, it is really
This is easy to overlook, but it's a crucial immersive. The only downside is that, for 4K
element of the home theatre experience. I'm HDR movies, sometimes the fan on the JVC
able to combine the main functionalities for all projector becomes a bit distracting.
of the equipment into a single handset, making
it a breeze to control mostly everything at the Is there anything you’d do
touch of a button, including the room's lights. di erently if you were to plan
the room again?

Maybe think of putting the equipment behind

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!

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

84 READER'S ROOM

Hyper In a 'lobby' area when the aliens come from
outside, our AV-Holic underneath the ground. The
has added drinks opening of Edge of Tomorrow
and snacks makes the whole house shake.

And what are your
top 5 favourite
films?

Curiously enough, my favourite

movies are mostly old and

have mono soundtracks,

which makes the whole

cinema and its 7.2-channel

system seem like overkill!

I would say my top 5 movies

are The Apartment (1960),
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg
(1964), Magnolia (1999),
All About Eve (1950) and
Tabu (2012).

Our high-precision Achromatic RCA and Z plugs are designed to the screen, so that there would be more Do you stream
have minimal impact on the signal – with virtually nothing added, room for it. movies/TV from
nothing taken away – resulting in improved sound quality. Netflix, Amazon,
Now standard on Element, Equator, Hyper & our new Ailsa cables. Sky, etc?

Yes! The services I use

the most are the Criterion

Channel, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Arrow

and Netflix.

Hyper What’s your favourite bit of Lastly, do you still go out to
Achromatic hardware and why? the cinema?
Speaker
Z I would say it is my speaker system. The Whenever possible, yes. There is something
Paradigms deliver really good sound, and the about cinemas that's unique.
atlascables.com sound counts for a huge part of the experience,
even more so than the video. However, now I am a bit more selective of
what I go to watch. If the movie is available
Do you have your eyes on any in streaming at the same price, and it is not
hardware upgrades? a big 'Scope movie, I would probably choose
to watch at home ■
Not as of now. But that changes easily
– the upgraditis virus is always around... Movie soundtrack art greets you
at the cinema's door
What was the last bit of kit
you added?

The NAD M17 V2i processor and NAD M28
amplifier. Previously, I had an Anthem MRX
720 AV receiver, which had incredible power
output – 140W per channel – for an integrated
amplifier/receiver.

What do friends and family
think of the cinema room?

Unfortunately I have not been able to have

friends and family over, due to the COVID

pandemic (the cinema room was finished

in mid-December). But from the photos

everyone always says it looks beautiful and

really professional.

What discs do you use to show
o the system?

There are a few that are really impressive. The

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is

a powerhouse in dynamics and bass. War of

the Worlds (the 2005 remake) is astonishing

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

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PLAYBACK

➜Software highlights GODZILLA 4K The big beast roars once more in

Dolby Atmos THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY 4K Clint Eastwood's Spaghetti Western epic
SPEED 4K Keanu Reeves has a bus to catch WORLD OF WONG KAR WAI Seven-film Criterion
boxset celebrates the Hong Kong auteur WRONG TURN Hack 'n' slash horror reboot & MORE!

Clash of the titans

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – Ultimate Edition [Remastered]➜Warner Bros.➜Ultra HD Blu-ray

Having recut Justice League, Zack Snyder returns RATINGS KEY…
to its predecessor for a 'remastered' Ultra HD
outing, adding IMAX aspect ratio sequences and Outstanding
a new colour grade. We reacquaint ourselves with Above average
this tale of two mummy's boys on p91... Acceptable
Disappointing
All prices quoted are approximate and may have changed Dire

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

'San Francisco? Be sure to wear some flowers
in your hair – and watch out for giant monsters'

Appetite for destruction

Gareth Edwards’ kaiju movie crashes onto 4K disc with an utterly fantastic Atmos soundtrack

VERDICT ➜Godzilla [2014] details that don't seem to suffer from Godzilla's
2K Digital Intermediate origins.
Godzilla [2014] The polar opposite of Roland Emmerich’s 1998 Audio: Godzilla was mixed in Dolby Atmos for
disaster, Hollywood’s second Godzilla reboot, its theatrical release, but released on Blu-ray with
➜ Warner Bros. ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray released in 2014 as the first part of Warner Bros./ a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack (the first
& All-region BD ➜ £28 Legendary Pictures' 'MonsterVerse', is a rewarding commercial Dolby Atmos Blu-ray, Transformers:
WE SAY: This movie has never looked return to the radioactive reptile’s origins. No mere Age of Extinction, hit shelves in the US just a couple
better and the Atmos audio ‘monster,' Godzilla here is an unstoppable force of weeks later). With this 4K revisit, Warner Bros.
upgrade is a triumph. of nature, a fact emphasised by director Gareth has rectified that situation, restoring the film’s native
Edwards (who went on to helm Star Wars: Rogue Atmos mix.
Movie: One), shooting everything from the perspective
of the insignificant humans caught in its wake. As good as the Blu-ray’s 7.1-channel audio is,
Picture: this Atmos iteration is on a different plane of sonic
It's a popcorn flick with real intelligence, and while excellence. Unsurprisingly, it makes plenty of use
Audio: Edwards has a little too much fun teasing viewers of the extra overhead layer, which works to expand
with the prospect of monster fights, only to cut away on the sense of seamless, dynamic movement
Extras: at the last minute, when the beast-on-beast action across the soundfield. Nowhere is this more obvious
finally arrives it’s truly epic — and also hauntingly than in the railway bridge sequence in Chapter 8.
OVERALL: beautiful in the way so few blockbusters are. Already a demo favourite in its 7.1 incarnation thanks
Picture: One complaint levelled against the film to an incredible low-end presence and the skill in
upon its release was that the fights were too dark which it moves effects around the listener, in Dolby
and gloomy. As such, a major benefit of its 4K disc Atmos those same effects move joyously overhead
debut is the nuance the HDR10 grade brings to these from back-to-front (rather than around you).
sequences. While still intentionally dark, a boosted The LFE track remains a real treat too.
contrast brings greater clarity and definition to the Extras: Nothing new to see here. In fact, there’s
material, which makes it easier to follow what is nothing at all on the 4K disc. Bonuses (on the 1080p
happening onscreen. Blu-ray) are therefore the familiar old trio of in-
universe ‘MONARCH: Declassified’ videos (Operation:
The HDR brightness also adds extra punch to the Lucky Dragon, MONARCH: The M.U.T.O. Files, and
film’s overall visuals, from subtle glints of sunlight The Godzilla Revelation) and quartet of behind-the-
reflecting off the sea to the eye-searing flare of scenes featurettes (Godzilla: Force of Nature, A Whole
Godzilla’s atomic breath. New Level of Destruction, Into the Void: The H.A.L.O.
Jump, and Ancient Enemies: The M.U.T.O.). AvB
Elsewhere, bright daylight scenes look extremely
good, with beautifully balanced colours and crisp

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

PLAYBACK 91

The Eight Hundred Wrong Turn [2021] The Terror: The Complete First Season

CineAsia ➜ Region B BD Signature ➜ Region B BD Acorn Media ➜ Region B BD
£20 £20 £30

This fact-based tale of a In ditching cannibal After its recent appearance
group of Chinese soldiers hillbillies for a secret on BBC, this chilling 10-part
battling overwhelming community devoted to historical horror series now
Japanese forces from avoiding the corruption finally weighs anchor on UK
inside a warehouse of modern society, Blu-ray. Inspired by the mystery
during World War II was this reboot of the surrounding the failed Franklin
2020’s biggest global expedition to the Arctic in 1845, The Terror follows the crews
box office hit (taking over $100m 18-year-old horror of two ships struggling with both harsh conditions and a
more than Tenet). It's thick with overt franchise may have taken its mysterious creature hunting them on the ice. While this
nationalism and action scenes delivering own ‘wrong turn’ for some die-hard strikingly shot show cuts a fine figure in HD, this UK outing
plenty of thrilling spectacle, and looks fans, but this mash-up of traditional ba ingly opts for vanilla DTS 5.1 audio alongside an optional
fabulous on Blu-ray, no doubt aided by backwoods thrills, Midsommar-style folk LPCM 2.0 presentation, whereas the 2018 US BD featured Dolby
its IMAX camera shoot (although the horror and The Hill Have Eyes-esque TrueHD 5.1 mixes. AvB
framing is 2.40:1). The punishing DTS-HD moral conflict is still fun. Signature’s
MA 5.1 audio is equally impressive, but Blu-ray delivers a gritty 2.40:1 encode
extras (promo featurettes, music video and bone-crunching DTS-HD MA 5.1
and trailers) are lightweight. MC soundtrack. A commentary, Making of…
and deleted scenes are included. AvB

Seconds out, round two...

Zack Snyder unleashes the ultimate version of his Ultimate Edition

➜Batman v Superman: Batman’s ‘Knightmare’ and the titular superhero Gal Gadot makes her DCEU debut as
Dawn of Justi e – Ultimate brawl) and it’s entirely justified by the increase Wonder Woman (top)
Edition [Remastered] in detail, clarity and sharpness the full-frame IMAX
footage delivers. VERDICT
Popular opinion has it that Zack Snyder’s 2016 Audio: This new release features the same Dolby
superhero slobberknocker is either a work of almost Atmos soundmix that appeared on the previous Batman v Superman: Dawn
operatic genius or a total train-wreck. Really, it's Ultra HD Blu-ray, and it’s still an absolute stonker. of Justice – Ultimate Edition
both, swinging back and forth between those two All the explosive dynamics, thunderous bass and [Remastered]
positions as it struggles to marry Snyder’s epic immersive overhead effects you’d rightly expect from
mythologising and dazzling visual spectacle to a a film dealing with two superheroes beating the ➜ Warner Bros. ➜ Ultra HD
script obviously crippled by studio demands (Answer stu ng out of one another are present and correct. Blu-ray ➜ £28
Man of Steel’s critics! Reboot Batman! Set the stage And then Snyder brings Doomsday and Wonder WE SAY: The film remains an AV
for Justice League!, etc). At times it's brilliant, but Woman to the party, and things get really wild… showcase, but this new disc is a
should have been better. Extras: Unlike the original 2016 disc, this remaster double-dip for super-fans only.
Picture: Snyder was recently given the chance to does have a couple of extras: a new 30-second intro
show the world his original concept for this film's and brand-new director's commentary. However, Movie:
Justice League sequel; here he's given the chance as it doesn’t bundle the original Blu-ray platter, you Picture:
to give the 4K Blu-ray release of Batman v don't get that disc's myriad featurettes, nor the film's Audio:
Superman… a tweak. And the changes are purely (less coherent) theatrical cut. MC & AvB Extras:
visual, because this three-hour ‘Ultimate Edition’
is already the filmmaker's definitive cut. OVERALL:

The first change concerns the colour timing, with
Snyder claiming the movie's original 4K presentation
(but not the 1080p encode) had artificially elevated
reds. As such, this ‘remastered’ 2160p HDR10 encode
features a slightly more muted but ultimately more
natural-looking palette. The only downside to this
colour rethink are elevated black levels resulting in
a loss of shadow detail in a couple of scenes.

Sequences shot using IMAX cameras have also
been changed back to their original 1.43:1 aspect ratio
(they were previously all cropped to 2.40:1). While
this sort of ratio switching may frustrate some, it only
affects four sequences (the prologue and epilogue,

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

92 THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY

Going for gold

Sergio Leone’s Spaghetti Western masterpiece hits
4K disc in style, but still can’t avoid controversy

➜The Good, the Bad
and the Ugly

Released in 1966, The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
builds upon the look and feel established by Sergio
Leone's A Fistful of Dollars (1964) and For a Few
Dollars More (1965), but ups the scale significantly.
Some might prefer his later Western Once Upon a Time in the West
(1968), but a slower pace and elegiac tone makes that film less
accessible and a lot less fun than this genre classic.
Leone is at the top of his game here, enlivening a story of a trio
of gunslingers hunting for buried Confederate gold with extreme

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

PLAYBACK 93

close-ups, whip-pans, fast zooms, brutal violence 'Well, one of us forgot to water the lawn...' Eastwood made three films in a row with
and artfully composed shoot-outs. And the director Leone, but never worked with him again
is ably supported by his leads: Clint Eastwood at his It's probably more likely that the rights holders didn’t
coolest, Lee Van Cleef at his meanest, and Eli want to pay for an HDR grade. Whatever the reason, VERDICT
Wallach stealing every scene he’s in as the bandit this SDR grade still looks fantastic, with deep blacks, The Good, the Bad and
Tuco – a creation that borders on comic genius. good shadow detail and well-defined highlights. the Ugly

Ennio Morricone, who went to school with Leone, Colours are a vast improvement over the yellow/ ➜ Kino Lorber Studio Classics
provides his old friend with a memorable score. From brown 2014 restoration, or even distributor Kino ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray and Region A BD
the rousing main theme and the remarkable Ecstasy Lorber’s attempts to correct that with its 2017 release ➜ £30 (US import)
of Gold, the composer delivers some of his best work. (which resulted in a cool blue cast). Here it looks WE SAY: No HDR? No problem. This
natural and saturated, from the sandy deserts and classic Western still looks fantastic.
If you’ve never seen The Good, the Bad and the sun-bleached skies to the tanned faces and deep Movie:
Ugly you need to rectify that right now. And if you blue of the Union soldiers’ uniforms. Picture:
have, it’s probably time for a revisit. Audio: There’s a choice of two lossless DTS-HD MA Audio:
Picture: The film has had a chequered history when soundtracks – one in dual mono and the other using Extras:
it comes to disc releases, so the good news is this 4K a 5.1 surround mix. The former is closer to the original
platter looks stunning. The restoration of the original theatrical experience, while the latter adds a wider OVERALL:
camera negative delivers clean and extremely soundstage, but both retain good fidelity considering
detailed images, aside from some dirt on the optical the age of the film.
titles. There are perfectly defined pores, sweat, and
stubble on the actors’ weathered faces, while the Italian productions at the time were often shot
arid Spanish landscapes (doubling for the without sound – partly because the actors were
southwestern US) appear gorgeously textured. speaking multiple languages – so all the dialogue
and e ects were added here in post-production.
Leone shot the movie in Techniscope, which uses This allowed Leone to craft a complex sound design,
a two-perf negative rather than an anamorphic lens but also results in plenty of lip sync issues.
to create widescreen images. This essentially cuts
a four-perf 35mm frame in half (therefore halving On the plus side, dialogue is clear and focused,
the amount of film stock needed) and creates a while Morricone’s score is delivered with gusto.
2.33:1 image that can be cropped to 2.39:1 for Sound e ects are also a orded a full-bodied
theatrical presentation. delivery, with plenty of ringing gunfire and
booming cannons.
This approach is not only cheaper, but also more Extras: First what’s missing: this set doesn’t include
flexible because it uses spherical lenses, thus making the 177-minute Extended Cut found on Kino Lorber’s
Leone’s trademark extreme close-ups possible. The previous BD release – although that’s not necessarily
downside is there’s often more film grain, although a bad thing because the 161-minute Theatrical Cut
less than you might expect, and it’s rarely distracting. benefits from tighter editing. The 4K disc includes
the commentary from critic Tim Lucas, but two
Of course it wouldn’t be The Good, the Bad and further tracks from the Extended Cut are missing.
the Ugly on disc if there wasn’t some controversy,
and here it's the lack of HDR. Instead you get an The only other extras on the UHD disc are deleted
SDR grade using the REC.709 colour space, although scenes, extended scenes and alternate transitions
the encode does benefit from 10-bit colour depth. that have also been fully restored and presented in
4K. This footage looks as good as the film itself, and
Why there’s no HDR is a mystery. It could be represents the added material found in the Extended
that the remastering team felt there wasn't enough Cut, suggesting that version’s absence might be
dynamic range in the camera negative, although addressed with a future 4K release.
other Techniscope titles have benefited from HDR.
All other bonus features are on the Region A
Lee Van Cleef later starred Blu-ray, which has also been remastered. These
in the Spaghetti Western include just about everything from previous releases,
Sabata series such as numerous featurettes focused on the film,
Leone, Morricone and the Civil War, as well as trailers,
radio spots and the Tim Lucas chat track. SW

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

94 SPEED 4K/KARLOFF AT COLUMBIA

Arcade Action The Last Action Hero

Bigscreen home entertainment isn’t just about movies Sony Pictures ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray &
anymore. Rik Henderson checks out a videogame vying All-region BD ➜ £30
for time on your home cinema system...
The Last Action Hero's self-
reflexive action movie satire
plays better today than it did
back in 1993, but this infamous
Arnold Schwarzenegger flop
still fails to really deliver on
its meta setup. A huge step up from its lacklustre Blu-ray release,
this UHD platter partners 4K HDR10 visuals with an Atmos remix
that laps up the hard rock soundtrack — there's also a DTS-HD
MA 5.1 rendering of the theatrical SDDS mix. A commentary from
director John McTiernan joins deleted scenes (and an alternate
ending) in the improved array of extras. AvB

Returnal Irreversible: Limited Edition

Housemarque/Sony Interactive Entertainment ➜ PS5 ➜ £70 Indicator ➜ Region B BD
£23
Sony is usually king of the triple-A console exclusives – Uncharted,
The Last of Us, Horizon Zero Dawn, the list goes on. Yet the PS5 has Admirers of Gasper Noé’s
been relatively starved of them since launch – Spider-Man: Miles controversial 2002 shocker
Morales and the Demon’s Souls remake being prominent exceptions. are well-served by this superb
two-disc Limited Edition. As
Up steps Returnal then, a PlayStation exclusive – only available well as a pleasing restoration
on the PS5 – published by Sony itself, much like the of the ‘Original Theatrical Cut’,
aforementioned titles. Yet this isn't your typical big-name game. Indicator's set includes Noé’s new ‘Straight Cut’, which retools
Developer Housemarque is best known for indie retro-style, the film into chronological order (the events play out in reverse
twin-stick shoot-em-ups titles, and Returnal itself has a strange, order in the original version). Even better is the quantity and
complex concept that oozes imagination and creativity. quality of extra features: you get a director’s commentary, a
retrospective documentary, archival interviews, deleted scenes,
It can loosely be described as a third-person 3D shooter, but it’s trailers, music video, 78-page booklet, and a video essay
so much more than that. It has survival horror elements, exploration exploring the two di erent versions of the movie. AvB
and, even, puzzle-platforming. And it has a maze of zones that
changes with each cycle of play, and therein lies its biggest idea. Karloff at Columbia

You play space pilot Selene, freshly crash-landed on the planet Eureka Classics ➜ Region B BD
Atropos, and in search of a way to get home. So far so normal, but £40
once you find your own desiccated carcass on your travels, you soon
realise not all is as it seems. That’s because, each time you die on With its gorgeous restorations
Atropos, you are reborn at the crash site, ready to explore again. of the movies genre giant
Thankfully, the game has mechanisms in place to help you progress Boris Karlo shot for Columbia
further in your next attempt (including retained power-ups). between 1935 and 1942 – The
Black Room, The Man They
This life and death cycle is the foundation of Returnal and, as one Could Not Hang, The Man With
of the hardest games released in modern times, essential. It's also Nine Lives, Before I Hang, The Devil Commands and The Boogie
the reason why this is a PS5-exclusive title. The speedy loading Man Will Get You – this double-disc release is a must-buy for
times afforded by SSD storage are integral to the experience. fans of vintage horror (okay, The Boogie Man… is a bit of a dud).
The films are supported by some fine extras, including
The game also makes great use of other PS5-only features, commentaries, image galleries and four Inner Sanctum Mystery
such as haptic feedback and the adaptive triggers on the DualSense radio plays featuring Karlo . AvB
controller. It looks stunning too, with upscaling technology employed
to present 4K HDR with smooth 60fps gameplay. The first area you
encounter is heavily inspired by the Alien movies and the art of H.R.
Giger – which we thoroughly approve of. Sound is superb, with
a detailed surround mix that works well with both a conventional
speaker system and Sony’s 3D Audio tech for headphones.

Returnal may be a surprise hit, but it’s a hit none-the-less.

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

PLAYBACK 95

'Are you sure we
can't risk a trip to
the drive-thru?'

Keanu has a ticket to ride

Entertaining bomb-on-a-bus movie explodes onto UHD disc with a stunning new transfer

➜ Speed hand, to crowded freeways and the interior of the Reeves lopped off his traditional long
ill-fated bus. There’s also a fine layer of grain, hair to play LAPD o cer Jack Traven
Speed [1994] is the definition of a high-concept ensuring a film-like presentation.
movie. There’s a bomb on a bus. If the bus goes over VERDICT
50mph it’s activated, and if it goes below 50mph The HDR10 grade also enhances the overall Speed
it explodes. Ignoring the obvious problem that it’s experience. Colours are richer and more nuanced,
practically impossible to get above 50mph in Los and the detonating bus near the beginning and ➜ Buena Vista Home Entertainment
Angeles’ rush hour tra c, the idea is brilliantly simple. exploding plane towards the end are both rendered ➜ Ultra HD Blu-ray & All-Region BD
with a fiery punch that surpasses the SDR Blu-ray. ➜ £30 (US import)
The resulting film is a careering rollercoaster of WE SAY: Speed's action antics have
a ride that’s imaginatively orchestrated by first-time A lot of the film takes place in bright sunshine, but never looked better, and generous
director Jan de Bont, who cut his action teeth as DP black levels and shadow detail also benefit from the extras round out a solid upgrade.
on the likes of Die Hard. He’s supported by an able added latitude afforded by HDR, particularly in the Movie:
cast headlined by Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock opening elevator sequence, but also well-defined Picture:
(who have memorable chemistry), with Dennis details in the shadows that highlight key plot points. Audio:
Hopper in villain mode. This 4K disc is sure to please. Extras:
Audio: Sound doesn’t get the same level of attention
But it’s the perfectly paced script that’s the real as the picture, and there’s no new immersive audio OVERALL:
star, and because the bus ride that dominates the mix. In fact, you get exactly the same DTS-HD MA
second act is so well executed, it’s easy to forget 5.1 track used for the previous 2008 Blu-ray.
there’s an exciting elevator set piece at the beginning,
and an equally thrilling runaway subway train at the This is a solid effort, with a big front soundstage,
climax. By the time you get to your destination, you’ll clear dialogue and some nice surround effects.
reach the conclusion that Speed is an action classic. However, it is somewhat lacking at the low end,
Picture: Speed was shot on 35mm film using with the LFE channel used only sparingly. It’s an
anamorphic lenses, and this new 4K image interesting example of how blockbuster sound
is based on the original camera negative. It’s a design has changed in the last thirty years.
gorgeously clean transfer, with no dirt or damage, Extras: This US release collects most of Speed's
and no digital or compression artefacts either. legacy extras, many of which weren't included on
Blu-ray before. On the 4K disc are commentaries
A healthy bitrate and the increased resolution from director Jan de Bont, and writer Graham Yost
result in a 2.40:1 image that’s vastly superior to both and producer Mark Gordon, while the BD platter adds
the previous Blu-ray release and even the remastered featurettes (in standard-def) covering the production,
1080p platter bundled here. The level of detail is stunts, locations, and effects; extended scenes;
superb, from facial closeups and Hopper’s damaged trailers and TV spots; and a Billy Idol music video. SW

JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE

96 JOHN FORD/KEVIN COSTNER

It's all gone a bit Wong

Revisionist restorations take the shine o this eagerly awaited Criterion Collection boxset

➜World of Wong VERDICT 1.66:1 framing they were shot in (rather
Kar Wai than the 1.85:1 they appeared in on video),
World of Wong Kar Wai to radical alterations to colour timing.
Like Criterion Collection's earlier Jacques From a technical standpoint, this isn’t
Demy boxset, World of Wong Kar Wai isn’t ➜ The Criterion Collection automatically a problem. Despite a couple
meant as a complete collection of Hong ➜ Region B BD ➜ £150 of the films now sporting a slightly digital
Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai’s movies. But WE SAY: Controversial ‘restorations’ appearance and an overall shift to the
the seven included here – As Tears Go By, and middling bonuses leave this greener end of the spectrum, detailing
Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, boxset feeling a bit of a letdown. and contrast are largely excellent.
Fallen Angels, Happy Together, In the
Mood for Love and 2046 – represent the Movie: The big exception is Fallen Angels, which
bulk (not to mention, the best) of his has been changed from its original 1.85:1
filmography. In sequence, they also showcase Picture: ratio to 2.40:1 through a combination of
the development of his unique visual style, and the cropping and (additional) image distortion. The
refining of the themes of love, loneliness and Audio: result is quite ugly, and technically the encode is also
the passage of time that dominate his work. less than stellar, its 1080p images looking both fuzzy
Picture: All seven Full HD encodes have been Extras: and over-processed.
sourced from 4K restorations of the original 35mm Audio: The first two titles carry modest LPCM 1.0
negatives. However, according to Wong’s notes on OVERALL: mixes and the remaining five feature DTS-HD MA 5.1
the process: ‘We were caught in a dilemma between tracks — including 1994's Chungking Express, which
restoring these films to the form in which the was released originally in four-track stereo but has
audience had remembered them and how I originally been remixed for this restoration alongside In the
envisioned them. There was so much to change Mood for Love. These multichannel outings are
I decided to take the second path…’ beautifully balanced and unexpectedly involving
in their use of the expanded soundstage.
Said changes run from restoring his masterpieces Extras: A mixed bag of archival features is spread
Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love to the across the set's seven discs, including interviews,

deleted scenes, trailers, two short
films, and a trio of documentaries.
The sole new extra feature of note
is a 15-minute video of Wong
answering questions from fellow
filmmakers. AvB

L-R: 2046, Chungking Express and
In the Mood for Love

Willy's Wonderland Spookies: Limited Ed. The Stylist: Limited County Lines
Edition
Signature ➜ Region B BD 101 Films Black Label ➜ Region B BD BFI ➜ Region B BD & R2 DVD
£20 £15 Arrow Video ➜ Region B BD £20
£25
‘Pale Rider meets Killer Low-budget 1987 fright Filmmaker Henry Blake
Klowns from Outer flick Spookies is a bit Writer-director Jill draws on his experience
of a stinker, thanks Gevargizian’s stylish and as a youth worker
Space’ is how leading to a nonsensical plot oddly a ecting 2020 for this story of a
man Nicolas Cage concerning friends horror stars Najarra 14-year-old boy
describes this trapped in a house full Townsend as Claire, (played by Conrad
enjoyably daft of monsters while an a socially awkward Khan) drawn into the
2021 B-movie ancient sorcerer attempts to reanimate world of trafficking drugs. While the plot
horror-comedy, which casts him as his beautiful young wife. In its own but talented Kansas hits all the expected story beats, Blake’s
a silent drifter taking a night job cleaning uniquely awful way, it can be quite City hairstylist who takes her scissor social-realist style and Khan’s excellent
an abandoned family fun centre, only to entertaining, though. This lavish skills a step too far. When she befriends performance imbue it with a powerful
get caught up in a life-or-death battle double-disc release features an a customer who asks her to help with authenticity. This 1.66:1 Blu-ray encode is
with the possessed animatronic critters unexpectedly lovely restoration, a her wedding, will Claire be able to leave a suitably gloomy a air that finds small
that reside there. This Blu-ray packs a fascinating documentary about the film’s her murderous ways behind? Arrow's areas of intense detail in its shallow depth
deliberately desaturated 2.40:1 Full HD troubled production, and a second doc good-looking Blu-ray presentation is of field photography. Extras include a
encode and reasonably involving DTS-HD focused on the infamous UK video label supported by copious extras, including chat-track and Blake’s original proof-of-
MA 5.1 track, along with three short Vipco among its extras. AvB a commentary, video essay, short films, concept short film. AvB
behind-the-scenes featurettes. AvB featurettes and a CD soundtrack. AvB

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

PLAYBACK 97

Yellowstone: Ride the High Country: Let Him Go
Seasons One & Two Premium Collection
Universal Pictures ➜ All-Region BD
Paramount ➜ Region B BD Warner Bros. ➜ All-region BD £25
£50 £15 (HMV exclusive)
A retired sheri and his wife
Taylor Sheridan (Sicario) Sam Peckinpah bid (Kevin Costner, again, and
pens this neo-Western farewell to the clear- Diane Lane) try to free their
series starring Kevin cut morals of the grandson from the clutches
Costner as a sixth- classic Western and of his step-dad’s dangerous
generation Montana sowed the seeds of the family in this gripping
rancher who will do modern Western thriller adapted from the 2013 novel.
genre’s future with this Let Him Go had the misfortune to hit UK cinemas just as
whatever it takes to 1962 gem. Joel McCrea they were closing their doors last December, but hopefully
protect his family and — more stars as a former lawman it will fare better on Blu-ray. While light on extras — there are
importantly — his land from outside forces. transporting gold from a mining camp to just three short featurettes — Universal's impressively sharp
An uneven mix of compelling crime saga a small-town bank, unaware that an old 2.40:1 Full HD encode and dramatic DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack
and silly soap opera melodrama, it at least friend (Randolph Scott) plans to betray don’t disappoint. MC
looks lush on BD, with these 2.00:1 encodes him. Sourced from a 2K restoration, this BD
capturing the expansive beauty of the makes the most of the film’s at times
locales. This six-disc set corrals some gorgeous CinemaScope photography.
reasonable bonuses, including deleted Good extras include a commentary and
scenes, featurettes and interviews. AvB Peckinpah documentary. AvB

Filmmaking on the frontier

A pair of pioneering silent Westerns from a future master of the genre

➜ Straight Shooting & Hell 'Shhhh, I'm trying to count'
Bent: Two Films b John Ford

Between 1917 and 1921, director John Ford and the 1.37:1 Full HD imagery are solid (detailing VERDICT
actor Harry Carey collaborated on 25 silent films. and delineation are better than expected),
The majority are now lost entirely, but a few have the source print exhibits far greater damage, Straight Shooting & Hell
been rediscovered, including the two featured on this running from staining to tram lines and large tears. Bent: Two Films by John Ford
new Blu-ray release. Audio: The only audio for these silent movies comes
from new scores by composers Michael Gatt and Eureka – The Masters of Cinema
Straight Shooting (1917) is especially notable as Zachary Marsh. Presented as LPCM 2.0 tracks, both Series ➜ Region B BD ➜ £28
Ford’s first feature-length endeavour, following a run are well rendered and, being newly recorded, WE SAY: An invaluable release for
of two-reel shorts. It's an enjoyable and beautifully technically pristine. fans of Ford, Carey and silent cinema.
shot Western, revolving around a greedy Extras: While there’s repetition across them (an
rancher hiring outlaws to deal with the settler anecdote about The Searchers is trotted out at least Movie:
family occupying the land he’s after, and one three times), the extras here are all worth checking Picture:
outlaw (Carey) having a change of heart after out. Film historian Joseph McBride and critic Tag Audio:
falling for Molly Malone's settler’s daughter. Gallagher provide feature commentaries and video Extras:
essays respectively for each movie; also included
Hell Bent (1918) is more of the same, with on Eureka's double-disc set are surviving fragments OVERALL:
a young woman (Neva Gerber’s dance hall from Ford’s 1920 film Hitchin’ Posts, a 1970 audio
girl) catching an outlaw’s eye and spinning his interview with Ford, a piece about Harry Carey by JUNE 2021 HOME CINEMA CHOICE
moral compass. Comedic touches add some fun critic Kim Newman, and a 28-page booklet. AvB
to the familiar plot, but the visuals here are less
inspired and there are some obvious gaps in the story
– presumably because anywhere up to 20 minutes
of footage remains lost...
Picture: For a film that's over 100 years old, this 4K
restoration of Straight Shooting looks incredible.
There are some minor scu s and scratches, and
a very soft shot around the 28-minute mark
(which film historian Joseph McBride claims in his
commentary was probably intended as a POV shot
through tearful eyes). Otherwise, the sharpness and
clarity of the 1.37:1 monochrome image is exceptional.

Also restored in 4K, Hell Bent doesn’t hold up
quite so well. Although the actual fundamentals of

98 PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN/...WITHOUT REMORSE ON

DEMAND

Jordan shoots first, aims later

Fast-paced, noisy nonsense, this is the kind of thing Jack Ryan might watch on his day off...

➜Tom Clancy's Michael B. Jordan VERDICT
Without Remorse is currently
preparing to Tom Clancy's Without
Having struck streaming gold with Jack Ryan, Amazon direct Creed III Remorse
is clearly hoping to secure another Tom Clancy
franchise with this generic action thriller. Loosely The image is generally sharper than the script, ➜ Prime Video
based on the author's 1993 novel of the same name, but jeepers, it’s dark. Nearly every action scene takes WE SAY: A generic actioner made
it casts Michael B. Jordan as John Kelly, a Navy Seal place sans lighting – undergrounds tunnels, midnight watchable by star Michael B. Jordan
embroiled in a deadly game of Cold War tit-for-tat. house invasions, a plane crash into the sea in the and punchy sound design.
dead of night, and so on. You can’t help feeling that
For this update, Clancy’s original 1970s Vietnam things would go better for Kelly and his covert ops Movie:
backdrop has been swapped for modern-day Syria. team if they simply got off the night shift. Picture:
Kelly finds himself waist-deep in conspiracy when Audio:
his special forces buddies are assassinated. The use of HDR is predictably left to disparate
lighting effects and the odd conflagration. OVERALL:
The thing is, unlike nerdy CIA analyst Ryan, Kelly The grading isn’t excessively dynamic.
is an engine of vengeance who thinks nothing of Audio: Subtle, atmospheric, nuanced. The 5.1 audio
trapping a dodgy Russian diplomat in a car, setting here is none of those things – but we’re okay with
it alight, and then jumping inside to conduct a toasty that, as it's a mix that makes delightfully full use of
interrogation. Supporting players include Jamie Bell the surround channels. While not overly inventive, the
(as slippery CIA o cer Robert Ritter), and a glowering directional fire from each corner of the soundstage
Guy Pearce (Secretary of Defense Thomas Clay). is reliably entertaining. The LFE channel isn’t left idle,
either. A building siege in the final act is a hoot, with
Kelly wants answers, but it’s debatable if he gets copious weapons fire and blasts that will give your
them, as the unfolding yarn doesn't benefit from Jed sub its chance to shine. SM
Mercurio-style forensic plotting. Our hero does get
to make a bit of a ruckus though – ...Without Remorse
isn’t short on spectacular action sequences and
stunt work, put together with panache by director
Stefano Sollima. It's just the narrative glue that joins
them together is flimsy.
Picture: The 2.40:1 widescreen presentation, lensed
by Oscar-winning cinematographer Philippe
(A River Runs Through It) Rousselot, belies the fact
Paramount originally intended the film for theatrical
release. Flogged instead to Amazon Prime, we get to
savour it in 4K HDR10+.

➜Promising Young Woman

Cassie (Carey Mulligan) enjoys a moment ➜ Sky Cinema – a young woman haunted by the suicide of her best
of lighthearted fun with potential Promising Young Woman has been the critical friend – with brilliant understatement. A thin smile
boyfriend Ryan (top) hit of 2021, championed at the Academy Awards here, an icy glare there. As her story builds to its finale,
with five nominations, including a Best Screenplay you'll be willing her on, despite all the evidence
gong for writer/director Emerald Fennell. And it's pointing toward her being a sociopath. Unfortunately,
certainly not the usual Oscar-bait. when that finale comes, it lacks the sure-footedness
of the rest of the movie and the juxtaposition of
Fennell's earlier career includes a stint as violence and gags feels even more stark.
showrunner on the second series of Killing Eve,
and there's a parallel of sorts between that show's In 4K HDR via Sky Cinema, Promising Young
blackly comic vibe and Promising Young Woman's Woman has a sharp, glossy, colourful aesthetic that
often razor-sharp wit. Yet of the two, it's this that wouldn't look out of place in a Judd Apatow comedy,
has the darker subject matter and odder tone, although daylight scenes pack less of a punch thanks
swapping Killing Eve's comic book world of to an overall brightness that seems dulled in favour of
international espionage for a rape-revenge thriller, peaky highlights. Audio comes in a Dolby Atmos
and then peppering it with elements of rom-com. wrapper, and although the soundmix design is
In short, it's different, and knowingly so. broadly conventional, there are some interesting,
deliberately jarring soundtrack choices, including an
Actress Carey Mulligan (British, like Fennell, but eerie, string quartet cover of Britney Spears' Toxic. MC
in full-on American accent mode here) steals the
show. Appearing in practically every scene, she
conveys the emotional ups and downs of Cassie

HOME CINEMA CHOICE JUNE 2021

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