This is a unique audio solution that "Reclaims the premium custom in-ceiling/in-wall speaker performance you paid for." 
Check it out @  SandTrapAudio.com.
 

Select this LINK to "My Dad showed Up".



Slippery Shape-Changing Electronics


Tiny nano-scale gold wires slide on top of crystals.
These slippery interfaces can create electronic devices
made of single-atom-thick graphene sheets
that can transform into different configurations on the fly.
Select this high-tech Graphene-info Link for the story.

AVOD, SVOD, TVOD, vMVPD?

Are you overwhelmed by an ever-growing list of video streaming acronyms?
"The Wrap" deciphers an alphabet list of these terms.
Select this LINK for the list.


Concrete Supercapcitor Foundation

Researchers created a dark lump of concrete that could represent the future of energy storage.
It's a prototype supercapacitor that could someday take the form of your home's foundation
using three basic, cheap materials -- water, cement, and a soot-like substance called carbon black.
It would charge by day and deliver power by night.
Select this BBC Link for the story.

It's No Longer A Secret

Linkedin recently posted this RealClear story.
The Secret Service has become another victim of incompetent bureaucratic leadership.
It's dangerous.
Select this LINK for the depressing story.

He Stole 1st Base From 2nd

My Wife, the baseball fan, found this baseball story.
With a runner of 3rd, Herman Schaefer stole 1st base from 2nd base
to draw a throw from the catcher to allow allow the runner from 3rd to score.
Select this LINK for the story.

Graphene Photonic Electronics

Researchers demonstrated that graphene plasmon wave packets can be generated and read out on-chip.
It indicates that light can generate plasmons, which may lead to the development of new photonic electric technologies.
Select this Graphene-info LINK for the story

McCartney Meets Dave Rubin

Paul McCartney talks, sings, and plays with Dave Rubin.
And musicians should listen.  It's a dive into how a song comes together.

Musical genius revealed via master tape & mixing board, a guitar, and a piano.
This YouTube video is not another exploitation of his celebrity.
It's about music. Select this YouTube Link.

Testing Graphene-based Underfloor Heating.

A flooring manufacturer added graphene-based flexible ink to floor panels with low-voltage source.
It may offer a new energy-efficient method of heating their homes.
This flooring system adopts a heating solution that's cost-effective and easy to install.
Select this Graphene-info Link for the story.

Intro: How to put 20th-Century analog audio to work.

Analog audio, in the form of the vinyl LP record, the compact cassette, and open-reel-to-reel tape,
continues to interest young and gray-haired music enthusiasts.
An understanding of how this stuff works can lead to improving analog & even digital musical enjoyment.
Select this SandTrap Blog Link for the story.

"Sony King of TV"

Value Electronics held its 20th annual two-day shoot-out.
In a 9-hour battle, Sony emerged victorious.
Select this Twice Link for the story.

Sennheiser 414s

Hank Eisengrein, the former face of URC, responded my recent Linkedin post, Walkman Cassette Revival,
"I used (the cassette Stereo Shuttle) riding the train to work with Sennheiser HD-414 headphones back in 1979."

His comment launched another nostalgic gray-haired memory.
I replaced my bulky "big cup" headphones with the new Sennheiser 414 lightweight open-air headphones that I paid $20 for in 1969.

They were great.
The 414s became a popular choice among audio enthusiasts and musicians.
I even gave a pair as a wedding gift.
It received puzzled looks from guests and his bride when my buddy unwrapped it and jubilantly cheered,
"Yes, just what I wanted!". 

I recently found an online source offering an old pair for $175.

The abandonment of small business.



Many small business owners plan to retire,
but finding buyers to keep the businesses going is challenging. Stratton, Nebraska,
used to have two grocery stores, two barber shops, and a pharmacist.
Without replacement, customers have to drive long distances for essential goods.
Select this Link for the story.

Paving the way for nuclear fusion.

TechXplore reports that French President Macron and leaders from
the European Union, China, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and the United States
have declared the start of a new energy era with the official start of
the world's largest fusion device at ITER in Southern France.
Select this TechXplore Link for the story.

AI Steam Engine of the Mind

Reid Hoffman of Greylock Partners refers to Generative AI as "the steam engine of the mind."
He describes this as a "cognitive industrial revolution" and compares it with the advent of 18th-century steam power.
Select this MediaPost Link for the story.

Police Bust UFO

A highway trouper pulls over UFO and
warns the curious visitor of the strict enforcement against warp speed.
Select this Link for the story>

The Godfather Of British Blues



In early 1660s Britain, the Blues were nearly invisible, even to American audiences.
John Mayall exposed the Blues to young British musicians and audiences.
They in turn re-gifted the Blues to America.
Select this LINK for the story.

Walkman Cassette Revival

Before the 1979 arrival of the Sony Walkman on U. S. shores,
our store display case included a funky predecessor.

Somewhere on the shores of Lake Tahoe,
a long-forgotten company stuffed a car stereo cassette chassis and battery into a mini canvas backpack.
It was a convenient package sold to Sierra skiers.
I always imagined a Sony representative discovered it on a Tahoe ski vacation.

Forty-five years later, portable gear manufacturer FiiO released the CP13 portable cassette player.
At $129, it cost less than the original $150 Sony Walkman.
Select this Analog Planet LINK for the FiiO story.
Does anybody remember the Lake Tahoe mini backpack player?


Has Fast Food Become A Luxury?



Nearly 80% of Americans now see fast food as a luxury.
Lending Tree reported that half of those surveyed said it was a luxury because of their financial struggles.
While Americans love 'fast food' with three in four Americans typically eating 'fast food' at least once a week,
the majority (62%} still said they're "eating it less due to rising prices."
65% are "shocked" by the high prices of 'fast food' in the past six months.
Select this LendingTree Link for the story.

Feats Don’t Fail Me Now



1990 My friend Bill invited me to a Little Feat concert at the Berkeley Greek Theater.
It was my first live exposure to the band. To top it off John Hiatt opened the show.
What a great musical experience.
Little Feat has released its 1st Studio Album in 12 years.
If you're ears and feet are interested, Select this Analog Planet Link.

AV Geek Fiber Optic Concern

Jeff Boccaccio of DPL Labs discusses AOC conversion methods.
As more sophisticated 'active optical cable' enters the market,
Mr. Boccaccio outlines the factors needed to create reliable optical cables.
Select this CEPro Link for the details.


T Bone Burnett




His half-century legendary life in music and film as a musician and producer has influenced a remarkable list that includes Bob Dylan, Los Lobos,
Elvis Costello, the Coen Brothers, Tony Bennett, K.D. Lang, Alison Krauss, Robert Plant, B.B. King, Jeff Bridges, Taylor Swift, Roy Orbison, Elton John,
and more.  His latest solo album 'The Other Side' has garnered praise for his music and the recording's fidelity.
Select his Analog Planet Link for the story.

Dion The Eternal Wanderer



My first pocket transistor radio was a big deal. I tuned in to Vin Skully and Dodger baseball plus KRLA, KHJ, and KFWB top 40 radio.
That included Dion's classic rocker "The Wanderer". Yes, I'm that old.
Dion has released a new album. Let's have some fun – "Girl Friends".
Select this Analog Planet Link for the story.

NextGen ATSC 3.0 Datacasting

Over-the-air wireless ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV will compete with wireless 5G data-casting. In addition to broadcasting UltraHD programming, television stations will offer wireless data services such as Internet-of-things devices for car markers. Let the race begin.
Select this TVTechnology Link for the story.

The Shipping Battle for Small Business Business.



UPS and FedEx battle for small business customers.
Small & medium-sized business leads much of their volume growth in business-to-consumer delivery.
Will this lead to lower small & medium-sized business shipping costs?
Select this Supply Chain Drive Link for the story.


Bendable Inorganic LED



Researchers grow GaN (inorganic) microLED arrays on a flexible graphene substrate.
They demonstrated that it’s possible to create high-quality LEDs on graphene
and then integrate them into flexible microLED devices.
Select this Display Daily Link for the story.


Mystery of the Largest Light in the Sea



A quarter-mile below the ocean's surface,
in the borderless realm of the mid-water,
two blue-green orbs illuminate the inky black.
Have I got your interest?
Then select this Nautilus Link for the story


New LG Graphene Earphone



LG released a new earphone. Its most intriguing feature is the innovative use of graphene in its speaker construction.
They employed graphene to control and reduce unwanted vibration–resonance.
Minimizing distorting unwanted resonance is a bedrock goal of high-performance audio.
Select this Graphene-info Link for the story.

Vampire Drone Thief



This drone steals power from the nearest power lines to charge its battery and keep flying. And it also works in the daylight.
Select this DroneLife Link for the story.

Mayan Ball Game Scoreboard


Archaeologists in Mexico have uncovered an intricately carved stone they believe it was used as a scoreboard for pelota, a ball game played
by the Mayans hundreds of years ago. 'Give me some tamales & cracker jacks. I don't care if I ever get back.'
And select this BBC Link for the story.

Fiber Optics On The Rise



Fiber optic cable can offer a significant improvement over electrical metal conducting wire. It can pass a signal longer distances and faster while avoiding RF noise.  Yet converting an electrical signal to light and back to an electrical signal has impeded the wide use of fiber optics
in consumer electronics. Jeff Boccaccio of DPL Labs reports that's about to change. Select this CEPro Link for the story.


Malware Targeting Smart TVs



A new report finds that a botnet targeting smart TVs and set-top boxes is one of the most widely detected malware.
Hackers entice users to install free or cheap audiovisual apps or firmware updates and embed backdoor components to transform those devices into part of the botnet to carry out further malicious activity, such as traffic-proxying, DDoS attacks, over-the-top media content provision, and pirating traffic.
Select this CEPro Link for the story.

War of the machines



XPOTENTAIL 2024, a yearly gathering of global leaders, opened with an emphasis on autonomous military tech -- un-crewed drone systems and robotics.
Many see the DOD as a potential lifeline in an era of shrinking funding. Founded on the belief that cross-pollination drives innovation, the expo featured opportunities to connect and problem-solve with experts across markets and domains.
Select this Drone-Life Link for the story.


LCD TV Comeback?



Will Sony's flagship TV be a back-lit LCD model rather than an OLED TV?
Sony's mini-LED driver may return LCD to the tech forefront of TV sales.
Tom Parsons of What HI*FI makes the case for Sony's new tech.
Select this WhatHi*Hi Link for the story.

YouTubeTV

I grew up in a world where TV programmers transmitted via a broadcast tower to our TV antenna.
Cable and satellite followed.   In 2024, a TV research source projects YouTubeTV will become the top provider of video streaming.
Essentially, it's the same video library via yet another conduit.
Select this MediaPost Link for the story.

Smarter Than I Thought TV

I wasn't paying attention. In retrospect, this is obvious.
The TV has evolved from a passive video programmer's conduit to a collector and seller of our data. Are Manufacturers more interested in customer data than TV sales revenue? Select these two links for the story: 1. CEPro -  2. LinkedIn

   
Cool Smart Home Story

The Smart Home is not my area of expertise or enthusiastic interest. I'm not promoting a new company. But I like and found this company launch interesting. CEPro reports on how the founders of Control 4 have returned to the AVPro scene as OliverIQ.
Select this CEPro Link for the story.


Metamaterial Amplification

It has the potential to improve sensor technology and information
processing devices. Hey, this stuff taxes my brain. But it's cool.
Select this PHYS-ORG Link for the story.


Electric Wallpaper



Electric wallpaper emits infrared heat that warms objects and people directly in a manner reminiscent of sunlight.
This technology can provide cheaper heating when paired with solar panels and batteries.
Select this BBC Link for the story.


QDEL TV



Sharp demonstrated a QDEL TV prototype that eliminates the LED. LCD TVs have used quantum dot film to correct LCD TV backlighting for years.
Current QD-OLED TVs use blue LED backlighting to excite and illuminate red and green quantum dots. The blue backlighting passes through.
However, Sharp's QDEL TV quantum dots receive their illuminating energy solely from electricity. QDEL may spell the future of television.
Select this Digital Trends Link for the story.

Kermit Fossil



Scientists have discovered evidence of a prehistoric species of amphibian that could be the precursor to modern species − and they bestowed upon it the great honor of being named after a green froggy icon. Select this USA Today Link for the story.

Sonic Coloring To The Rescue



Even audio enthusiasts avoid confronting room acoustics.
The audio term conjures visions of complicated physics.
It creates images of an expensive and chaotic room remodel.

But your room can kidnap musical goose-bump thrills and serenity.
Sound you dearly paid for.

Here's the good news.
You can reclaim much of it without mind-bending physics or that costly chaotic remodel.

But first, let's dump that intimidating word — acoustics.
Let's call this sonic coloring.
Ah, can you feel the anxiety and dread float away?
Now select this LINK to my latest blog, Sonic Coloring.


Hydrogen, Protons, & Graphene



I like graphene news stories. A research team at the University of Manchester reported a way to use light to accelerate proton transport through graphene.
It may advance hydrogen generation technologies.
Select the Graphene-info Link for the story.

Bird Drone Scarecrows



Birds are an economic threat to farmers, a hazard to aircraft, and a nuisance to industrial sites.
The Drone Bird Company has developed a fleet of drones that look like birds of prey that chase away unwanted birds.
A farmer in Germany who lost about half of his 240-acre crop to starlings reduced his losses to about 5% using the Drone Bird.
Select this AXIOS Link for the story.

More Geek Squad Layoffs



1990s Many independent computer and audio/video dealers served befuddled Best Buy customers. As an example, the independent Geek Squad hit the street in 1994. Best Buy purchased the Geek Squad in 2002 to fill their customer service hole.

2024 But Best Buy computer and high-fidelity audio sales and the need for the Geeks are on the wane. The Geeks are receiving layoff phone calls.
Select this PC Mag Link for the story.

Another Promising Superconductor Solution.




Researchers demonstrated a new quantum device
that combines graphene and an unconventional high-temperature superconductor.
It's an important strategy to build both qubit and topological quantum computers.
It may establish a whole new platform for quantum technology devices.
Select this Graphene-info Link for the story.

Smartphone Economic Indicator?



Smartphone sales have taken a sharp downturn.
But premium smartphone sales are up.
My take is you can’t sell stuff to folks who are broke.
But you can sell premium goods to the wealthy -- fewer units per year, but more dollars per sale. That’s how to survive in a recession.
Select this Twice Link for the story

Mel Brooks WWII Hero



My wife recommended this YouTube Video link.
Only Mel Brooks could satirize war while he was facing German gunfire.
Select this YouTube Link for the story.

Baseball, Nine Innings, Why?



Before 1857, game length was not based on the number of innings.
It was based on the first team to reach 21 runs. Yeah, like ping pong.
Select this Mental Floss Link for the story:

Elvis Presley's $199,000 Smith & Wesson.



Elvis Presley's Revolver Brings Nearly $200,000 at Auction.
Yeah, I missed out on this bargain too.
Select this Link for the story:

Faster is Good


Researchers use graphene to develop ultra-fast information processing via tear-drop-shaped gold nano-antennas. 
Select this GrapheneInfo Link for this ultra-fast story.

Cheesy Gold Rush?

There's Gold in that Cheese!
Scientists extract gold from electronic waste using cheese.
Select this InterestingEngineering Link for the cheesy story:

Did you feel it?



Carole King got it right, sort of --- gray-hair music reference. The Earth's core wobbles.
The core splits into a swirling liquid outer boundary and a solid inner layer.
The wobbling core is responsible for our planet's geophysical dynamics – from the length of each day to Earth's magnetic field.
Select this LiveScience Link for the oscillating details.


Recruit A Backup Catcher



Baseball offers answers to most human problems.
But is the sage of baseball the backup catcher?
When their playing days are over, many backup catchers find careers in the real world as a manager.
They've run clubhouses and pitching staffs.  They've thought their way through games.

They know what works and what doesn't.They have been managing all along.
It's a process that works on all playing fields, which includes your business.
Select this SmartBrief Link for a backup catcher story.


Reel-to-Reel Heaven



Audiophile gear is just fun to look at.
It still amazes me that there are folks who build this gear.
They’re having too much fun.
Select this AnalogPlanet Link for a view.

Wine Country Robot



Calistoga Robot spills wine on its customer.
My wife suggested that maybe it's only human.
Select this ZDNet Link for the pour.


HDMI UltraHD TV Noise

Imagine investing your time and money into an elaborate distributed HDMI audio/video system, only to have your UltraHD TV experience ruined by constant buzz, whine, hiss, or chatter. This situation takes place all too often. 
DPL Labs' Jeff Boccaccio offers solutions. 
Check out this CEPro link for the story.


What is FPGA?



AV professionals must keep up with the constant bombardment of new buzzwords. They do this because their customers expect them to.
Here’s another trendy buzzword acronym to add to the list -- FPGA.
Select this CEPro Link for the FPGA story.


More James Web Space Telescope News



"Scientists discover the oldest black hole yet — a "behemoth" 10 times bigger than the black hole in our own Milky Way." 
The findings confirm theories that supermassive black holes existed at the dawn of the universe. 
Select this Space.com Link for the story.

Better AV Interconnects?


Are you prepared to replace your AV cables?
Copper-graphene composites could lead to better audio & video cable.
New research suggests mixing graphene in just the right proportion with copper could improve electrical wires for more efficient electricity distribution.
They demonstrated they could do that using a PNNL-patented advanced manufacturing platform called ShAPE.
Select this Graphene-Info Link for the story.

ChatGPT versus 1960s ELIAZ



UC San Diego researchers pitted the ChatGPT language model against 1960s ELIZA (ChatBox) to see which could trick participants into thinking it was human.  Just for fun, check out this Open Culture Link for the story.
And this Guardian Link for more info.

Reading Ancient Roman Scrolls with AI



Scientists will apply artificial intelligence to CT-scanned ancient Mount Vesuvius carbonized papyrus scrolls.
Their research may uncover over long lost 200 books. Select this ZDNet Link for the story.

Wallmart Vizio

Walmart bought the smart TV maker Vizio.
This big Box looks outside the hardware sales box as the economy wanes.
They seek revenue growth via Vizio's streaming ad platform rather than TV sales.
Select this MediaPost Link for the story:

It's Coming



Wireless 5G finally arrived. But the next generation is on the wireless horizon.
What is 6G?  What are its benefits? What is the difference between 6G and 5G?
Select this LifeWire Link for the story.

Bright Future



Our devices will soon get power from the light to send information at incredible speeds.
Photonics engage the photons of light particles to perform the electron functions typically used in standard electronics. 
Select this ZDNet Link for the story.

Counterfeit HDMI Cables



HDMI cables that connect our consumer electronics have become targets for counterfeiters. 
Why should we care? Cable that does not meet HDMI specifications can degrade performance.
For example, they can degrade 4K video to 1080 resolution. 
Select this CEPro Link for more information.

The Battle for Connected Standardization.



Are you ready for a dive into the jacks on your computer?
They are an evolution fragmented by different standards.
The USB-C connector is a testament to their evolution.
DPL Lab's Jeff Boccaccio walks through a 'connection' history and its road toward standardization.
Access his two-part report via these DP Labs links: Link #1  & Link #2


It Happened



Smartphone ownership has surpassed the TV.
Select this TVTech Link for the story.

Free 4K TV Plus Streaming Access



Free streaming sources and free over-the-air TV lead the way. 
If you still have an antenna on your roof, it's time to reconnect it. 
If you're an AV Pro and haven't yet, add the antenna to your product/service mix. 
And while you're at it, introduce your customer to a NextGenTV set-top box.
Select this TVTech Link for more info

Bob Archer's Products Of The Year

CE Pro's Bob Archer, a respected AV pro, lists his favorite products of 2023.
If you're an audio/video layperson, his list offers insight into the crazy world of AV.
In addition, his view of the industry's continuing pandemic bounce back offers reason to remain optimistic in 2024.
Select this CEPro LINK for his list.

HiFi Guy Thrives

I appears to me that every time I visit my brother's audio shop, a customer desperately walks in,
searching for someone who knows what he's doing.

The doors of real audio guys are closing fast, particularly those who respect and promote MidFi gear.
You know, the stuff that the general public can afford.
Stereophile highlights the story of Christopher Brewer of New Englan HiFi.
He's someone, like my brother, who knows what he's doing. 
Select this Stereophile Link for his story.

Holey Super Graphene



Holey Super Graphene may redefine high-tech innovation. Its ultra-high conductivity enhances electronic devices, enabling faster data transmission.
It will boost the performance of super-capacitors, catalysts, and gas storage systems. Select this Graphene-Info Link for the story.

Graphene Electromagnets


Cutting-edge graphene tech may lead to "magnetic electrons" flowing through a circuit instead of electrical charges.
"The idea is actually quite simple," says Martin Mittendorff, professor at the University of Duisburg-Essen.
"In hindsight, we are surprised nobody had done it before."

Select this Tom's Guide LINK for the story.

Tweeter


As I was thinking of what CES was, I came across this story of a forgotten consumer electronics chain, Tweeter.
Did they squander $1B in sales, 200 stores, and staff?  This story looks back.  Select this CEPro Link.

The Usual Suspect. The Weakest Link.



An audio/video system is only as good as its weakest link.
If UltraHDTV problems arise, the "links" between audio/video components are the usual suspects.
It's particularly true for long-distance cable runs.
The heralded HDMI video solution is a fiber optic active cable.
Yet, video problems may still arise.
Therefore, consider additional suspects.
This CEPro/DPL Labs story explains.

Stone Age Wooden Structure Discovered.



Archaeologists unearthed the oldest known wooden structure, almost half a million years old.
The discovery challenges the view that Stone Age humans only led nomadic lifestyles.
They must have found a reliable water source and nearby ample food.
This wooden structure may have allowed for a more settled existence. 
Select this LINK for the story

Nobel Prize Winning Quantum Dots



The development of quantum dots won the 2023 Nobel Prize in chemistry.
Science News stated, "When quantum dots are irradiated by light, electrons within get energized, eventually releasing that energy as fluorescent light.
The smaller the dots are, the more they compress the wave function of an electron, increasing its energy so that the dot appears blue.
Larger dots appear red." Quantum dots are leading the latest generation of UltraHD TVs.
Select this Science News Link for the story.


Don’t Forget Yet.



The first line in a Twice story states, "Forget what you know about coil-and-magnet speakers."
The story highlights the limitation of multiple-part (magnet, voice coil, speaker cone) conventional speakers.
The parts present multiple points of possible failure and undesirable resonance. That’s true.

The second line states, "New solid-state devices deliver better, clearer listening experiences."
That’s a bit of optimistic advertising hype.

The new "devices" adapt century-old piezoelectric tech that's primarily limited to high-frequency tweeters.
The device leverages two piezoelectric crystals to improve speaker membrane excursion,
which extends low-frequency bandwidth; interesting cool tech when applied to earphones.

But I'm not yet ready to forget the coil-and-magnet audio headphones from companies such as Grado Labs, Sennheiser, and Shure.
They are still high-fidelity references. Select this Twice Link for the story.

Sheep eat 600 lbs of Marijuana.




This story screams for a joke.
Although it may seem obvious, I'm drawing a joke blank.
Hey, remove that smirk from your face.
Unlike the sheep, I am not under the influence.
I am not attempting to pull the wool over your eyes. I need your help.
Please send me the joke.
Select this LINK for the story:

The Last Netflix DVD Has Shipped.



This story brings back memories of video rental stores closing their doors. Netflix changed our world.
Streaming is now devouring satellite and cable. What’s next? Select this Wire.com Link for the story.

Samsung's Badd-ass History



Long before Jobs & Gates overcame the horrors of Silicon Valley and Seattle's downtown traffic, Samsung's BC Lee survived WWII Japanese occupation and the North Korean communist invasion. By 1968, Samsung counted, among its businesses, newspapers, fertilizer, textiles, heavy construction, dried fish and vegetable trading, banking, sugar manufacturing, insurance, more, and finally, black & white TVs.
Mover over Jobs and Gates, BC Lee was the real bad-ass.
Select this ZD Net Link for the story.


TV Shootout Winners

The annual Value Electronics TV Shootout results are in.
Sony wins 4K honors, while LG takes the 8K crown.
Select this CEPro Link for the story.

The Rainmaker

This story revived a memory of the "The Rainmaker"
with Burt Lancaster as the con man who promised to deliver rain in a desperate drought-ravaged town.
But this story is about the economics of creating legitimate rain.
Select this The Hustle Link for the story.

Legacy TV Dips Below 50% 


Television program distribution has evolved through the decades from over-the-air to cable, satellite, and streaming.
But legacy linear TV has finally dived from the dominant source to less than 50%.
Select this MediaPost Link for more details.

QD-OLED Television Outlook Brightens

Is QD-OLED primed to overtake QLED? 
Yes, Quamtun-Dot OLED TV prices are dropping. 
And that's good news for video enthusiasts. 
Select this Twice Link for the story.

USB Forehead Jack Implant?



Will your skull be used to record, store, and replay music?
Scientists have reconstructed Pink Floyd's The Wall via brainwave eavesdropping.
A recognizable song decoded from recordings of electrical brain activity.
Will we surgically implant forehead USB jacks?
Will Apple or Google own our brain copyrights?
Select this LINK to the Guardian for the story.


HDMI Products Fail To Meet Certification Claims

This AV Pro geek subject can benefit amateurs.
How do certified products manage to perform so differently from their claims?
Jeff Boccaccio of JPL Labs answers the question.
Select this CEPro Link for the story.

Most Significant TV Tech Since Color.

High Dynamic Range's significance is lost in the 4K/8K pixel count buzz. But HDR creates better 4K & 8K pixels.
4K & 8K UHD TV lead TV tech conversations. Each expands on HDTV's 2 million pixels: 4K TV more than 8 million pixels, and 8K more than 56 million pixels. But what about High Dynamic Range? Select this TVTech Link for the HDR story:


MicroLED TV?

The MicroLED TV has entered the high-end market as an alternative to the projector and screen
MicroLED offers a new level of brightness and picture quality. 
It is not yet ready for Main Street family rooms because of its high manufacturing cost.
But manufacturing costs will improve.
This CEPro Link outlines its technology and progress.

LEC Low Cost LED Alternative

Researchers have developed light-emitting electrochemical cells, LECs, using molecules called dendrimers combined with biomass-derived electrolytes and graphene-based electrodes.

The LEC employs electroluminescence, materials that emit light in response to a passing electric current.
The LEC offers a low-cost alternative to OLED.  
Select this Graphene-info Link for the story.

Living Underground Australian Style

Coober Pedy, Australia, has a population of 2,500.
60% of the population inhabits homes built into sandstone and siltstone rock.
In some neighborhoods, the only signs of habitation are ventilation shafts and excess oil dumped near entrances.
Select this BBC.com LINK for the story.


John Deere Robot Tractors



John Deere/Bear Flag Robotics removes the driver from their tractor.
Some tractors are already capable of following GPS-guided paths.
But this new tech removes the driver entirely from the tractor cab.
Select this Wired.com LINK for the story.


FAA Approves Flyling Car



Alef Aeronautic's Model A flying car is FAA certified to hit the road or sky.
Model A, will it only be available in black?
Wait, I've been rear-ended.
Will I now have to reinforce my Honda's roof?
Select this LINK for the story.

Super Light Conductors

Researchers created a unique antenna for light sources on a chip that can transfer information through fiber optic cables in the shape of modulated light beams a thousand times smaller than the wavelength of the light they produce.

This technology could produce efficient fast nanoscale LEDs and lasers.  Fat switching and modulation of light are at the heart of modern data transfer.
Select this GrapheneInfo Link for the story.

Audiophile Sounds Off

Are you interested in acoustics and audio recording?
Norm Varney of AV Room Service has joined the ‘Produce, Mix, Fix, & Conquer’ blog writers and begins with this blog.
Select PMFC Link for the story.
Bookmark the AV Room Service room acoustics information.

Samsung TV Addresses Color Blindness

Samsungs's TV SeeColors mode, aimed at those with color blindness, offers viewers nine presets that change the red, green, and blue levels to ensure that users with these vision impairments can differentiate between colors no matter what they're watching.
Select this Twice Link for the story


Forgotten Baseball Legend



The gold mining town Iowa Hill, a few miles across the deep and wide American River Canyon as a blue-jay flies from my frond door, is the birthplace of a long and forgotten baseball legend, William "Seattle Bill" James.

William James began his baseball life as the Iowa Hill baseball team water boy.
In the late 1800s, mining towns throughout the Sierra Foothills fielded baseball teams.
Look at the old photo above of the Iowa Hill team and the water boy sitting by the tree holding a watering can in the background.
(The links below offer a better view.)

That boy became a World Series champion with National League Boston Braves in 1914.
In game two, James pitched a 2-hit, eight-strikeout, 1-0 shutout of the Philadelphia A's.

Two day later, the game tied in the 10th, James entered to pitch the 11th and 12th innings.
He held the A's hit-less until his Braves scored in the bottom of the 12th for the final win and the series.
He was the Madison Bumgarner of his day.  James led the National Lague with a .788 winning percentage.
He finished in the tip five with 26 wins, a 1.90 ERA, pitched 332.1 innings, with a 156 strikeouts. 

Select the following three links offer more details.
The first links to the Society For American Baseball Research.
The second and third links to the Pitsenberger Blog: Link #2  and Link #3
For some historical fun, take a deep dive into the Pitsenberger Blog.

Steve Howe Yes?  No! Tomorrow!



Fans of Steve Howe, the British guitar icon of Yes, 
should enjoy this. Howe released a remastered LP of 
his pre-Yes band Tomorrow.

Some may recognize the Tomorrow single 
"My White Bicycle" from their 1968 debut. 
You can listen to the track on Spotify. 
Select this Analog Planet Link for the story

Where will it stop?



HDTV resolution equals more than 2 million pixels.
4K UHDTV resolution equals more than 7.5 million pixel,
and 8K UHDTV is more than 56 million pixels.

It's hard to see even HDTV pixels at a reasonable viewing distance.
So I ask why 8K?

The answer, even though you cannot see the pixels, the brain still responds.
Real-world resolution is nearly infinite.
In the real-world, your brain responds to "pixel" rays of photons you can't see.

Each improvement in television resolution moves toward convincing the brain
that the picture on your TV screen is a real-world window.
That is why this Graphene-info story is interesting.

Researchers have created 4-micormeter red, green, and blue LED TV pixels.
4-micrometers equals 0.00015748031196063 of an inch, or about the thickness of a small strand of hair.
MicroLED TV screens may someday create a picture that appears as more of a window than a TV screen.
This Graphene-info Link describes this technology.

Your TV Setup Menu?



Is your TV set up correctly? 
Setup menus can be confusing. 
But they're significant if you want a better picture.
Consider this LG setup checklist story. 
It applies to many premium TVs. 
Select this Twice Link for the story

Electron Moment

The electron is having a magnetic moment.
Have scientists unveiled a sector of our universe where ever-elusive dark matter resides?
They are testing the theoretical linchpin of particle physics: the subatomic quarks, electrons, gluons, and photons.

Select the NewsPaperWay.com Link for the story.

George Winston


George Winston passed away last month.
His Windham Hill LPs filled the sound rooms of a 1980s stereo shop.
His acoustic folk piano soothed the soul.
His 2017 Analog Planet interview may surprise you as cites his influences as The Doors and Fats Waller.

Select this Analog Planet Link for the interview.

Patching Mars Rover Software


Do you think patching Windows is a pain?
Try patching the Mars Rover millions of miles away.
And this involves legacy, as in old technology.
Select this ZDNet Link for the story.

Bizzare Object Defies Physics

I do not yet clearly understand this story. 
But NASA reports that a bizarre object 10 million times brighter than the sun defies physics.
Select this LiveScience Link for the story

Smashing Asteroid



NASA has redirected an asteroid by smashing a spacecraft into it.

Shouldn't we be more concerned about asteroids than AI.

Select this LiveScience Link for the smashing story.

New Wienermobile Sighting

Since my youth, I have always enjoyed sightings of the Wienermobile.
Here's another encounter with a new twist, the Wienermobile as a wedding venue.
Pass the mustard.  Select this Ad Week Link for the story.

Ask Paul



Web search offers a deluge of erroneous audio opinions.
Therefore, I'm happy to recommend this YouTube channel, Ask Paul.

PS Audio's Paul McGowan's is a breath of fresh modulating air.
His podcast justifiably promotes PS Audio in exchange for excellent expert information.
It is a great resource, particularly for new audio enthusiasts.
Select this LINK: 
He is more than worth a listen.

They Got It Wrong


How true science works. Challenge the consensus.  Particle astrophysicist Brian Fields reported,
"It's amazing that we were so spectacularly wrong about something we should understand really well: the sun."
Select this GetPocket Link for the story.   

The Dude Abides

Wow, 25 years since the Dude arrived.
The Big Lebowski is a classic film.  "But that's just, like, my opinion, man."
Return to the sound of the Sons Of The Pioneers' Tumbling Tumbleweed,

and to the rug that made the room.

Select this Hollywood Reporter Link.

Elite Research Joke?


I recall a podcaster pairing Captain Crunch with wine.
In my youth, I dipped an Oreo in beer.  Not good.
Now elite university researchers have published a study pairing the Oreo with wine.
Are the "munchies" the actual source of this story?
Select this Food & Wine Link for the details.

Last Time Around



Clint Eastwood will hang up his gun with his soon-to-complete final film.
I recently viewed his 1960s appearance in an episode of the TV series Maverick.
It was hilarious as he repeatedly ad-libbed mispronunciations of Maverick
throughout the episode in scenes with his then-roommate James Gardner.

The classic TV western series Rawhide followed.
Then iconic genre-breaking spaghetti westerns, Dirty Harry's shake-up of San Francisco streets.
And decades as the actor, producer, and director of great films.
Raise a glass to an American icon.
Select this Hollywood Reporter Link for the story.

Hooray For Captain Spaulding

Captain Spaulding is Groucho Marx, the infamous African explorer of Animal Crackers.
I have memories of Groucho in several Dick Cavett late-night shows in the 1970s, including Groucho
as his sole quest. An LP copy of "An Evening with Groucho" is buried on my record shelves.

His stories, jokes, and Groucho-styled music still make me laugh. I believe he may be the inventor of
'The American Smirk' since inherited by comedians,rock-n-roll, and film scripts.

I missed a recent PBS American Masters broadcast subtitled "Groucho & Cavett." I will look for the replay.
Select this Media Post Link for a review of this broadcast.

Record Paper Plane Flight

Boeing engineers have set a new Guinness World Record for paper plane flight distance
Let's hope their planes continue to do as well
Select this JALOPNIK.com Link for the record flight story.

The Floppy Disc Lives!


Did you think the floppy disc had been retired to the same bin that holds 8-Track audio cartridges?

The disc is still used in commercial aircraft, CNC machines, stage lighting consoles, printers, music samplers, and more.

Select this Wired.com Link for the story.

Meet George Jetson


Smithsonian magazine stated,
" 'The Jetsons' stands as the single most important piece of 20th-century futurism."  Of course, the flying car tops the Jetson futurism list.
But the list also includes personal computers, tablets, flat screen TVs, smartwatches, video conferencing, digital newspapers, video chats, tanning beds, holograms, virtual doctor visits, drones, robotic dogs, moving walkways, and more. Select this MediaPost Link for the story.

Sony Marvel

A miraculous technology by the same company that created the Walkman.
Sony's new camera kit allows people with low vision to see the world.
The kit's technology, developed in collaboration with many companies,
aims to provide clearer sight for 2.5 billion low-vision people.
Select this PopPhoto LINK for the story.

Very Cool Audio



I grew up when audio was big.
I am not speaking about its popularity or skyrocketing audio sales.
I'm talking about speaker systems with 12-inch woofers, heavy amplifiers, receivers with robust power supplies, large volume control knobs,
and impressive reel-to-reel tape recorders.

As we listen to cheap harsh sound class D amplified devices,
earbuds, and wireless Bluetooth speakers (the descendants of
Radio Shack AM/FM portable radios); I ran across this story from
The Absolute Sound. It displays a short list of new big and beautiful reel-to-reel tape decks.
Just for fun, take a look at this new old tech.
Select this The Absolute Sound Link for a look.

Improving the consumption of beer!

My friends are used to the strange looks we receive from strangers when we talk audio. 
Yeah, I get it.  But we are not alone in the world of over-the-top speech terminology. 

In that vein, I offer evidence from the world of craft beer.
Researchers have presented the first use of a computational approach called a multi-phase-solver to tackle beer heads.

The multi-phase-solver helps control foam formation while improving consumption.
Improve consumption?  That sounds good.  Select this Link to Phys.org for the story.

Is 8K Ready For Prime Time?

And will consumers adopt 8K video? This is a two-part question.
First, are 8K sources available?
YouTube streaming, gaming, and live TV offer limited 8K video programming, plus many 8K TVs can upscale non-8K content.

Second, can we see the difference?
My eyes can barely see HD pixels from my sitting position, let alone 4K or 8K pixels.
Yet, the brain recognizes resolution well beyond 8K.
Real-world-resolution is infinite. Your brain can see what your eyes can't.
This TVTech LINK addresses 8K's status.

Tom Campbell

I don't remember when I first heard his radio voice.
And I've never met him. But his work in our industry is nearly legendary. Select this CEPro Link for his story.

Magic Graphene



When did I first become aware of and subscribe to the emag Graphene-Info?
I don't recall, but I like it. I find Graphene technology fascinating.
This Graphene story outlines how researchers discovered superconductivity that can "be turned on and off in magic-angle graphene."
Yeah, it's magic to me. Select this Graphene-Info LINK for the story.

Man Knockouts Robot



This story will warm a non-silicon heart.
41-year-old Jason Sylvain has struck a blow for humankind.
Sylvain appeared confused, red glassy-eyed, with a strong odor of alcohol on his breath as he persevered to defeat the 300 lb robot.
Select this CNET LINK for the story.

The Feynmann Technique

Mention Richard Feynmann and you have my attention. This story did. 
It outlines the Feynmann Technique: The Best Way to learn anything.
It rejects regurgitation in favor of knowing.
Those who minimize the noise of jargon in any subject are folks I seek.
Select this GetPocket Link for the details.

Weird Sound From Mars

Wait, there's no in the vacuum of space.
But take a listen anyhow.
Select this ZDNet LINK.

David Crosby



Yet another music legend has passed, David Crosby.
My memory of Crosby, Still, Nash, & Young at the Forum in 1970 still gives me goosebumps.
A 1971 Dorothy Chandler Pavilion performance of Crosby and his vocal soulmate Graham Nash confirmed they were the harmonizing glue of CSNY.
I remember a laid-back Crosby solo performance at a San Francisco club in the 80s -- his voice and celebrated music.

An early 70s memory, listening to my favorite FM radio DJ  B. Mitchel Reed, demonstrated how Crosby supported other artists.
Reed invited Crosby and Crosby's guest into the radio booth, Joni Mitchell.
Crosby had just finished the production of her first album.
They played the entire album as they discussed the music.

Producing and contributing to others' work was a common Crosby theme.
Listen to the Buffalo Springfield Steven Still's guitar and vocal fest, Bluebird.
The recording includes Crosby.
Listen to Jackson Browne's "Doctor My Eyes." That's Crosby in the backing harmonies.
He worked with 'The Jefferson Airplane' as the Airplane evolved into ‘The Jefferson Starship’.
This trend continued for decades.
This LINK offers a note from Graham Nash.

Richard Schram Retires

Richard Schram, the founder of Parasound high-fidelity audio components, has announced his retirement.
The well-known and respected 40-year audio veteran has sold his company to David Sheriff, an entrepreneur active in product growth and supply-chain management.  Select this LINK to a 2015 AudioXpress interview that offered a short history of his audio career.

Dead Zone Tech

Graphene-info.com offers a geek-speak story about the electromagnetic spectrum.
The spectrum extends from radio waves to x-ray, gamma rays and includes a dead-terahertz zone.

The dead zone includes visible ultraviolet and infrared regions.

Conventional electronic devices cannot efficiently operate in this zone.

However, Japanese researchers have discovered a means of harnessing this troubling region.

This tech breakthrough may produce graphene-assisted transistors for new spectroscopy, imaging, and 6G and 7G tecnologies.

Select this Graphene-info e-mag LINK for the story.

Paul McGowan / PS Audio

I generally stay away from citing audiophile stories and reviews to avoid the glazed looks of friends.
But this review of Paul McGowan's FR30 struck a nostalgic chord.

1980 CES Las Vegas, Arnie Nudell unveiled his Infinity IRS speaker system. 

Taller than me, two columns of large woofers, plus two separate cabinet columns of his planar magnetic midrange/tweeters,

a $45,000 price tag to match, and incredible sound, blew us away.
   
2022, PS Audio released their FR30 speaker system.
PS Audio's Paul McGowan partnered with Arnie Nudell in 1990 to create Genesis audio, a descendant of the IRS.
The PS Audio FR30 continues the tradition of the IRS.  And the FR30 is ONLY $30,000.

Yeah, that's why I avoid this subject,  In any case,

Select this The Absolute Sound Link for the story.

Listen, Norm Varney Listens


I recently read a post by Norm Varney of A/V RoomService.  Norm stated, "It is all about what you have been exposed to – what you've experienced – that is your reference." I agree.  All audio dealers should take a day trip to locate and listen to the most outrageous high-end audio systems.  Use the references to judge more modest audio systems. Then create audio systems that offer a sizable percentage of these references. That's how you can deliver more "goose bump" per minute per dollar for your customers than your competition. Here’s a LINK to his article

An AV Career Story


A classic audio industry career story; It's an audio veteran's journey, Steve Feinstein, from a young audio enthusiast to a sales rep, product manager, and marketing/development exec.  His career ride includes stints at Sanyo, Panasonic, Bose, and Atlantic Technology.
This story resembles paths traveled by many of my seasoned AV friends.  I hope they will also share their stories.
Maybe this Audioholics link will kickstart their response.

Graphene Superconducting Diode

Schrodinger Helmholtz Wrong?



Video-philes are well aware of the CI.E. color chart.  It's based on Schrodinger and Helmholtz mathematical modeling. 
The chart is the reference standard of color measurement used for more than 100 years.

Researchers have discovered that the chart is wrong.  "It overestimates the perception of large color differences. 
This is because humans perceive a big difference in color to be less than the sum you would get if you added up all the small differences that lie between two widely separated shades."

So what does this mean to you sitting in your comfy chair?  And how does this affect ISF-certified video calibrators? 
The answer is not much yet.  But this will ultimately lead to advancements in TV. 
8K UHD TV, good enough for my RV, but bring on 32K Ultra Super Ultra TV.  Select this link to SciTechDaily for the story.

Jupiter Glows


NASA released sharp new pictures from the James Web Telescope.
Jupiter glows with polar lights and shimmering clouds.
Two of the planet's moons sparkle in the gas giant's orbit. 
And Jupiter's faint rings glow like a halo.
Select this Live Science Link for the story and images.