Tom Brauser

Almost all the information currently on the Internet is created by humans. Content mainly produced by people. But the Internet of Things (IoT) is about devices connected to the Internet and interacting with other connected things and to a small extent with humans, and providing its own content. It is a concept that has enormous potential to impact how we live and work and is already starting to impact the home. But we are just at the tip of the iceberg. Smart TVs already comprise some of the billions of “things” currently connected to the Internet, and they will definitely have a role to play as the Internet of Things unfolds. I will start to identify that potential.

More people are cutting their cable ties by capturing free over-the-air (OTA) TV signals that are broadcast in full HD. Doing that plus Internet streaming is making it easier all the time. To capture those free OTA signals requires a good antenna, which may be hard to judge until you buy one, so why not look at what consumers are saying are the best antennas?

Don’t underestimate how important sound is for your home entertainment system. Today’s TVs, especially the new 4K Ultra High Definition sets, have bigger screens and such great pictures you might just think that is all you need. But having crystal clear sound with a great balance of those low and high notes will make any movie experience so much better. For the best sound in your home, seriously consider a premium audio receiver. The overall cost of ownership is not much more at all, the sound is noticeably better, and they usually come with many useful features.

2015 is definitely the year that 4K UHD TVs have taken off. There are more models coming out all the time with more variety in terms of features and price range. Initially all 4K TVs were higher-end TVs that only a select few could afford. Not so any more! LG has just launched a new line of 4K ultra high definition sets—their UF7650 series and it is exclusive to Best Buy. They are their entry-level 4K TVs, which aren’t as fully loaded as their higher-end units. However, they have the two most important features in a TV—they are BIG and they have a fantastic picture.

Home theatre systems are never really complete without an excellent sound system. The kind that will deliver surround sound that makes you feel like you are right in the middle of the scene you are watching. Although the visual experience is the most important element of a home theatre, a dynamic sound system can add another incredible dimension to that experience. To make that home experience really pop, an excellent receiver isn’t enough. You need to match the quality of speakers with the quality of receiver to get the most out of your system.

2015 is the first year where there are more 4K TVs being introduced than HDTVs, and Sony is following suit. Sony has just launched their X series TVs, which are 4K Ultra High Definition that are also some of the first sets that come with the Android TV operating system. Sony delivers some of the best technologies to enhance picture quality and have done great things for improving the sound using their innovative wedge design. The X series of 4K UHD TVs has something for everyone.

I was fortunate to be one of the first people to test out the new Android TVs that Sony is about to launch. Android media streaming boxes came out last year, but these are the first TVs that I have seen with an Android platform built right in. The Android operating system has become a well-developed platform for Smartphones and Tablets, but it still needs a bit more development to become a solid TV platform. With the availability of thousands of Android apps and the ability to seamlessly integrate with Android mobile devices, Android TV has plenty of potential.

I love it when new TVs come out as the technology just keeps improving. The value for the dollar keeps getting better, even if the new TVs aren’t a big step up in features and technology. LG just introduced a new line of TVs for 2015, the LF Series, that I had a chance to get a closer look at even though I wasn’t able to test them out. Two of them were 32” models and the other comes in a 43” and 49” sizes. LG’s LF series, at least so far, are smaller sets than I am used to seeing being introduced.

Pioneer has been a household name in electronics for quite some time, particularly for audio equipment. They introduced their Elite series of audio receivers several years ago as their premium product, but recently upgraded it a big step up from previous generations. They’ve improved both the audio performance and the feature set so these Elite receivers can fill your home with music as well as deliver surround sound that will really enhance your home theatre experience. Here is a taste of why they are so good.

I have always said that the most important features of a TV are size and clarity. I recently had the opportunity to review a new UHD TV from LG and it fit both of those criteria beautifully. At 65” a very big screen and a 4K UHD TV with picture clarity that is outstanding. It is also a 3D TV, and with the added clarity of 4K plus other picture enhancing technologies make the 3D images feel like you can reach out and touch them.