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My Wish List for the Next Apple TV & tvOS Updated

It has been about two years since the Apple TV 4K was released, the average time between Apple TV refreshes. So, it is timely to consider what comes next. This is my wish list for the successor to the Apple TV 4K, as well as improvements to tvOS. It’s what I would build were I the product owner of Apple TV. As a videophile, I overindex on features like video and audio quality. However, my suggestions also are based on our family’s initial experiences with Apple’s new gaming service, Apple Arcade. Continue reading My Wish List for the Next Apple TV & tvOS Updated

Mike Connelly
Autos, Connected Home

How To: Watch Movies in Your Honda Pilot or Odyssey Using Android TV Updated

We recently purchased a 2018 Honda Pilot Touring edition that has a rear entertainment system (RES). In addition to playing Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs, the Honda entertainment system can play anything that connects via either an HDMI or component auxiliary video input. My wife asked me for a media solution that was as simple as inserting a DVD disc but that permitted us to play a number of movies on demand for our children. T Continue reading How To: Watch Movies in Your Honda Pilot or Odyssey Using Android TV Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Nvidia Shield Android TV: 2017 Hardware & Shield Experience 5.1 Review Updated

The Shield TV continues to be an anomaly: it is by far the most powerful media streamer and a capable gaming platform though not as advanced as the Xbox One or Playstation 4, while costing nearly as much. While Google focuses on stripped down Chromecast devices and Chromecast-enabled TVs, Nvidia singularly showcases the advanced functionality of Android TV including DVR, media serving, gaming, and now smart home capabilities. Though Nvidia is touting the Shield TV and AI home, Google is the AI element and Nvidia is the hardware manufacturer.
Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV: 2017 Hardware & Shield Experience 5.1 Review Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

How To: Upscaling Lower Resolution Video to 4K Updated

So you just bought an expensive new 4K (UHD) television set. The issue is that most live and recorded video distributed today is less than 4K (2160p) resolution. Blu-rays are 1080p format while DVDs are only 480i/p. TV broadcasters use either 1080i or 720p. Some cable and satellite companies are downscaling 1080i to 720p format. Although some over-the-top video service providers like Amazon and Netflix have select content in 4K, most of their content is in 1080 resolution. To solve this, UHD TVs include upscalers for lower resolution content originating from cable/satellite settop boxes, Blu-ray and DVD players and gaming consoles. Continue reading How To: Upscaling Lower Resolution Video to 4K Updated

Mike Connelly
Connected Home

Nvidia Shield Android TV Review Updated

Since its first release in May 2015, the Nvidia Shield Android TV has been billed as the world’s best Android TV settop box. That continues to be the case as of December 2016. The Shield Android TV is also more powerful, technology-wise, than the Apple TV Gen 4, Amazon FireTV 2, or latest Roku. That said, the Apple TV is undeniably a better solution for Apple ecosystem users like my parents. Amazon’s ecosystem is a cost-effective solution, especially for Amazon Prime members; and the FireTV is also bolstered by Amazon’s investment in exclusive content. Meanwhile, the Android gaming ecosystem isn’t advanced enough to sway hard-core gamers from their Xbox One or PS4 game consoles. Continue reading Nvidia Shield Android TV Review Updated

Mike Connelly