While the current trend leans heavily towards streaming for its convenience, those in search of the best audio and visual quality sometimes find themselves at a crossroads. There are essentially two choices: invest in a high-end Kaleidescape system or opt for the increasingly rare Blu-ray player. The shift towards digital has caused a gradual decline in the release of new Blu-ray players, leaving only a few options available on the market.

After our recent review of the Kaleidescape system, a question arose: how does it cater to someone with an extensive collection of Blu-rays and 4K Blu-rays? Personally, I own over 500 titles in these formats. While the idea of converting this sizable library to digital is appealing, especially to significant others who would likely be happy to reclaim the space they take up, the task can seem overwhelming and potentially costly at first glance.

Samsung today has announced that the company is expanding its 2024 television line by introducing another 98-inch 4K model. The new DU9000 which retails at $4,000 is the newest TV in the brand's budget-friendly Crystal series of LED-backlit LCD 4K TVs.

WhatsApp which is owned by Meta, is currently developing a feature that allows users to share their status updates directly to Instagram Stories. This new functionality will enable seamless cross-posting between the two platforms, similar to the existing option to share Instagram Stories to Facebook.

Harman, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics, has announced the acquisition of Roon, a multi-device, multi-room audio technology platform. This move adds to Harman's extensive range of audio products and services.

For audiophiles and casual listeners alike, the quest for perfect sound often leads to high-end, dedicated speaker systems. These setups boast a full array of audio components, including subwoofers, receivers, and multiple speakers. However, setting up such an intricate system can be impractical for many due to spatial, aesthetic, and logistical challenges—not to mention the tangle of wires that often accompany it.

Initially revealed at CES earlier this year, Roku has launched its Pro Series TVs offering an array of features. Among the highlights is the Mini LED backlighting. These 4K televisions come equipped with QLED panels, supporting HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The inclusion of a quad-core processor aims to improve user experience with quicker menu navigation and faster app loading times. These TVs are also Wi-Fi 6 enabled.

Imagine the excitement of moving into your new home, already equipped with in-ceiling speakers or pre-wired for adding speakers down the line, ready to embrace a multi-room audio setup. The thought of integrating your favorite songs or engaging podcasts into every corner of your new space is enticing. Yet, the journey to this immersive sound experience can seem overwhelming, especially when faced with the prospect of expensive whole-home automation systems and finding an installer who can actually program what you need. For those seeking a straightforward, cost-effective solution that you can set up yourself, this is where Juke Audio comes into play.

At CinemaCon 2024, Kaleidescape announced that it is expanding its reach into the cinema industry. The company is introducing an on-demand service for library titles, aiming to make classic and older films more readily available in theaters. This move seeks to tap into new revenue opportunities for both content creators and cinema operators by attracting a broader audience.

Marantz has just introduced its new flagship Cinema 30 which is priced at $4,500 and currently listed as "coming soon" on Marantz.com.

Disney has completed a licensing deal with Sony, entrusting the latter's home entertainment division with the responsibility for Disney's DVD and Blu-ray releases, including the production of all physical media. This agreement comes as the physical disc industry continues to decline, highlighted by Netflix's recent shutdown of its disc-by-mail service and a persistent decrease in disc sales. The Digital Entertainment Group's (DEG) 2023 report observed a 17% rise in overall entertainment revenue, driven by strong movie title demand, despite a 25% drop in disc sales and rentals, totaling nearly $1.6 billion.

Walmart has recently announced that it is set to purchase the smart TV company Vizio for $2.3 billion. Despite Vizio being a top contender in the TV manufacturing sector in North America, Walmart's primary interest lies not in its television production but in Vizio's SmartCast Operating System. This system has 18 million active users, presenting a target for advertising efforts. Walmart's decision comes as a strategic move to counterbalance Amazon's successful fusion of e-commerce with streaming advertisements.

Over the last couple of years, the allure of the big-screen cinematic experience has found a new home - not in the movie theaters, but within the cozy confines of our own homes. This shift has been driven by a mix of shorter rental periods for new releases and the direct-to-streaming debut of blockbuster films, making it easier than ever to indulge in cinematic experiences without stepping outside. With this new convenience, there's been a growing interest in refining home entertainment systems to bring the magic of movie theaters into our homes.

SVS has just officially announced its new flagship speaker series, the SVS Ultra Evolution. This lineup features seven models that introduce significant improvements in driver technology, cabinet design, and material use, aiming to enhance audio performance from the Ohio-based company.

Bowers & Wilkins celebrates its founder, John Bowers, with the introduction of the 700 Series Signature models, following the legacy of the original Silver Signature speaker. This series is enriched with the addition of three new models: the $9,000 702 S3 Signature floorstander, the $4,500 705 S3 Signature bookshelf speaker, and the $3,300 HTM71 S3 Signature center speaker.

Kaleidescape recently unveiled its newest Terra Prime movie server, featuring an impressive 96 TB storage capacity, its largest yet. This release is part of Kaleidescape's Ultimate 4K System, which now includes dual Terra Prime 96TB servers, each preloaded with the full library of 4K titles from the Kaleidescape store up to the shipping date.