by Mike Connelly
The third-generation Apple TV 4K ships with Apple’s A15 Bionic chip, the same processor found in the iPhone 13 lineup, at a lower price than its predecessor. Our seven-unit household deployment showcases the 2022 model’s real-world performance across video codecs, audio formats, networking, and tvOS software. Continue reading Review: Apple TV 4K (3d gen, 2022)
Apple’s second-generation Apple TV 4K shipped in May 2021 with an A12 Bionic chip, the same processor found in 2018 iPhones. Up for examination: the hardware upgrades, the limitations of its HDMI 2.1 implementation, and whether the redesigned Siri remote justifies the purchase. Continue reading Review: Apple TV 4K (2d gen, 2021)
In our home, seven Apple TV 4K set top boxes handle everything from live TV and gaming to security cameras and music streaming. But, all of it runs on hardware Apple has not refreshed in two years. Here, we present what we would include in the next Apple TV version: 120 Hz output, better audio codec support, a faster chip, and critical tvOS fixes.
Continue reading My Wish List for the Next Apple TV & tvOS
Plex’s latest iOS and tvOS apps replace Apple’s native AVPlayer with an engine built on the open source MPV player, expanding codec support beyond AVPlayer’s stream-focused limitations. At issue: what changed, why AVPlayer’s codec coverage was constrained by Apple TV’s design priorities, and which formats the MPV-based engine now handles. Continue reading Plex’s New Video Player for iOS and tvOS
The 2018 Honda Pilot’s rear entertainment system accepts HDMI input but cannot directly play video files from a USB thumb drive. This article walks through five rejected solutions, including Chromecast and tethered smartphones, before settling on a low-cost Android TV set-top box. This setup works without an internet connection, letting kids watch libraries of movies on long trips. Continue reading How To: Watch Movies in Your Honda Pilot or Odyssey Using Android TV
The Epiphone Les Paul Ultra-III has a USB output built directly into the guitar body, eliminating the need for a separate audio interface. I describe the exact cables and GarageBand settings required to connect it to an iPhone or iPad for your mobile studio. What makes the setup work is a specific two-cable chain that sidesteps a gap in the adapter market no single off-the-shelf cable currently fills. Continue reading How To: Playing a USB-connected Guitar in GarageBand for Your Mobile Studio
The Fujifilm X100F uses the same 24.3MP X-Trans CMOS III sensor as Fuji’s flagship interchangeable lens cameras, X-Pro2 and X-T2, with a processor that Fuji rates four times faster than the X100T’s. This review covers the upgrades to sensor, autofocus, viewfinder, and controls. Focus points expand from 49 to 325, which may finally resolve the X100T’s persistent target-acquisition failures. Continue reading Fujifilm X100F Camera: Review & Comparison to the Fuji X100T
Line 6’s Amplifi 150 strips out the physical knobs and replaces them with an iPad app that controls over 70 amp models, 100 effects, and 20 speaker cabinets via Bluetooth. Here, we examine the remote app workflow and the hardware limitations discovered during testing. The amplifier performs differently in home practice versus live contexts, and the app-dependent control scheme is the reason why. Continue reading Line 6 Amplifi 150 Guitar Amplifier Review
The iPhone 7 Plus is the first iPhone to carry two rear cameras: a wide-angle lens at f/1.8 and a 56mm telephoto with true 2x optical zoom. I examine what each change actually delivers in aperture, low-light performance, image stabilization, color accuracy, and optical zoom. Portrait mode is the reason most people will consider the upgrade, and this review tests it against real shooting conditions, including artificial bokeh at close range. Continue reading iPhone 7 Plus Camera Review
Dedicated motorcycle GPS units cost roughly twice what a capable waterproof Android phone does, yet deliver a fraction of the performance. This article covers a complete motorcycle navigation build using a budget Android phone, including custom mounting, BMW power wiring, and a head-to-head comparison of navigation apps. The performance gap between the two setups is wider than the price gap. Continue reading How To: Using a Smartphone for a Better Navigation System for Motorcycles