AV Rant Podcast

26/11/2025

Happy Thanksgiving!

is taking a week off.

Sorry about the lack of an episode this week. But we barely had any new questions, and it was a slow news week.

So we're gonna focus on food and shopping 😜

And don't worry, we'll be back next week!

Thanks, everyone

Happy Thanksgiving! We decided to take a week off. We barely had any new questions and it's a slow news week. But don't worry. We'll be back!

19/11/2025

AVRant Podcast #993 - Sofabaton X2 First Blush

Not a review. But Tom's held a Sofabaton X2 & clicked its buttons! Valve Steam Machine, Controller & Frame. Amazon blocking piracy on Fire TV.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCB9es

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/IomwNRc67uw

Enjoy!

Not a review! But Tom has received Sofabaton X2 & R1 sample units that he has held in his very own two hands. So he shares how they feel and look at first bl...

12/11/2025

AVRant Podcast #992 - It Doesn't Have to Make Sense to Make Sense

YouTube TV and Disney have a carriage dispute while Google leaves Movies Anywhere. LEGO and Star Trek leave Rob with no choice.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCAmzq

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/GMCLQdwMrRs

Enjoy!

YouTube TV and Disney got into a pretty typical carriage dispute. But now Disney and Fox movies have vanished from Google Play, and Google has stopped partic...

05/11/2025

AVRant Podcast #991 - Bamboozled!

Samsung HDR10+ Advanced will rival Dolby Vision 2. GiK Amplitude Panels replace both the Alpha and Impression Series. CEDIA Reference Level white paper.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCzCjA

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/rGAxXcxlfUQ

Enjoy!

Samsung announced HDR10+ Advanced as their answer to Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby Vision 2 Max, but for now, they can only simulate what its effects will look li...

29/10/2025

AVRant Podcast #990 - Interpreting Graphs

Warner Bros. Discovery is for sale, but most prospective buyers only want pieces of it. Tall subs, max output, lots of graphs, and more!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCyQjC

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/303n5Iw-rCY

Enjoy!

Tom's move in continues to progress. Warner Bros. Discovery is officially up for sale, but most prospective buyers only want pieces of it. We answer question...

22/10/2025

AVRant Podcast #989 - When Flat Isn't Flat Enough

Tom's new closet organizers. Rob's iOS 26 misadventures. Sofabaton X2 and R1 prices and pre-orders, plus a U3 Remote easter egg.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCy8iG

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/-nslwKDq44M

Enjoy!

Tom's new closet organizers are coming along. We've got the first pic. Rob failed to follow his own advice, and is paying the price with iOS 26 on his iPhone...

15/10/2025

AVRant Podcast #988 - No New News

We're back! Dirac ART is available for Denon & Marantz. Harman's plans for Sound United. Xbox Game Pass big price hike. Apple TV drops the plus.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCxwJy

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/d6-61XhyK6A

Enjoy!

We are back! Sorry for missing last week. We play catch up on lots of news. Dirac Live ART is now available for Denon & Marantz Receivers. Harman, a Samsung ...

08/10/2025

Sorry, everyone!

AVRant Podcast was forced to take a week off. Rob got sick (just a nasty cold). So we hate to miss an episode. But we'll be back next week to talk about what we watched, the news, and answer YOUR home theater & A/V questions!

Thanks

01/10/2025

AVRant Podcast #987 - Well, Actually

Sofabaton X2 Remote delayed. Electronic Arts sells for $55 billion to go private. 100% tariff on movies made outside the USA. Tom watched 2 movies!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCvN4Y

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/D6Ur30V3xto

Enjoy!

Sofabaton was forced to push back the release of their X2 Smart Remote by two weeks. Electronic Arts (EA) agreed to a $55 billion buyout that will take them ...

24/09/2025

AVRant Podcast #986 - Henry Gets Us Cancelled

TCL 2026 X11L with SQD, and QM9/Q9M & QM10/Q10M RGB mini-LED TVs. Xbox price increases. AoIP, AES67 & Dante webinar.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCv9RD

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/p_1s4hsOhZ4

Enjoy!

We mention Jimmy Kimmel and tariffs. Will that get us indefinitely suspended? TCL announced its 2026 flagship TVs in China. X11L will get Super Quantum Dots ...

17/09/2025

AVRant Podcast #985 - Stupid Speaker Names

Tom is back! Thanks to Lee and Joe for co-hosting last week. Apple iPhone 17 Event. AirPods Pro 3. And Perlisten A-Series Speakers.

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCuqyP

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/TEU671W9zbQ

Enjoy!

Welcome back, Tom! And recording from his new house, no less! Our thanks to Lee Overstreet and Joe Klusnick for co-hosting last week. We check out the news f...

11/09/2025

AVRant Podcast #984.5 - CEDIA 2025 with Joe Klusnick

CEDIA 2025 Special. Joe Klusnick spots the trends and goes through a photo slideshow from the show floor for the latest from Trinnov, Storm Audio, Krix, Ascendo, & many more!

Pictures shown in this episode: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCtQgW

Here's our YouTube version with timestamps:

https://youtu.be/HsXyHSxlRpQ

Enjoy!

This is our CEDIA 2025 Special!Joe Klusnick is back, having attended the CEDIA Expo in Denver, Colorado in person. We quickly catch up with Joe, and then dig...