Latest news with #eARC
Tom's Guide
08-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
This audio device is my favourite way to listen to music - and it's dropped to its lowest ever price for Prime Day
Over Prime Day I like to keep watch to see which of my favorite devices gets reduced during the sale. And, this year, we're in for a treat — my most adored device of the last year or so, the Wiim Ultra streamer, just reached a brand new lowest price in the sale. The Wiim Ultra is now just $263 at Amazon, thanks to a massive $70 discount. That's the lowest I've ever seen the device — now let me tell you why I love it so much, and why you need to add one to your whole home streaming environment. The Wiim Ultra is a relatively inexpensive way of getting music streamed over some powered speakers or an older stereo system. I loved testing the Wiim Ultra, and this new lowest price makes it a whole lot easier to slip one into your listening center. I know I'll be buying another. Or maybe another two... or three... Wiim has long made some of my favorite devices. The first devices that let me stream music to my then aging HiFi system were Wiim units, connecting up to the WiFi and then playing my streams directly to my speakers. The Wiim Ultra does all this and more. There's a very powerful DAC inside for one, so those digital tracks from the best music streaming services like Tidal and Qobuz sound extra good when I play them. Then there's the extra features on top. There's a subwoofer out if your amp doesn't have one for some extra low-end, a mode which lets you tune the sound of your HiFi system to your room, and even a phono pre-amp in case neither your turntable or your speakers have one. You can even plug your TV into it, so that you can play your movies over an older pair of speakers that lack eARC compatibility. It's my absolute favorite device of the year — and it looks like only the upcoming Wiim Amp Ultra is going to dethrone it from the top spot. This deal makes it a whole lot more tempting as well — if you want to add streaming to an older audio device that has an RCA connector or even a 3.5 input, this is the device to pick up. There are plenty more deals to be had this Prime Day — make sure you check out our Prime Day live blog to make sure you're staying on top of all the latest sales and offers.
Mint
04-07-2025
- Mint
Acer V Pro 55 review: Big screen, bold looks, and budget brilliance in 4K
The Acer V Pro 55 slots into that sweet spot where most people are hunting a big screen, decent feature set, and a price that doesn't punch too hard. I've had it running in my bedroom, a medium-sized space, for a month now. I wasn't expecting miracles, as Acer TVs usually play it safe, but this one managed to surprise me in subtle, satisfying ways. Right out of the box, it feels solid without being bulky. It's light enough to mount easily (though you'll have to buy the wall mount separately). Bezels are slim but not invisible, but never distracting. The body doesn't scream premium, but it doesn't cheap out either. With the TV wall-mounted, port access is easy, but placing it on a table pushed against a wall might make reaching them a hassle. In a room with two bright LED bulbs, medium brightness was more than enough. No washed-out scenes, even with lighter content. The default picture profile leans neutral, which can feel a bit dull at first, but the presets are easy to toggle and offer immediate contrast. No blooming, no crushed blacks, and no light bleed. It was a big relief at this price point. I watched a mix of YouTube HDR content and OTT shows, and while this isn't a top-tier QLED, certain high-quality content pieces come close in how they pop. Volume goes comfortably up to 85 without distortion in a medium room. Sound modes include Music, Movie, News, and Standard, all of which actually make a difference. Dialogue clarity holds up well, but if you're running a fan and AC together, it struggles below volume 20. For the bedroom, the built-in speakers are enough. In a larger space like a living room, you'll want an external soundbar to hear clearly. Running on Google TV, the interface is clean, responsive, and easy to set up. I didn't face any app crashes, only minor delays when my Wi-Fi got patchy. Voice search handled Indian accents without fuss, and the setup flow even lets you preload your favourite apps. No bloatware, no pushy ads, just a neat, ready-to-go layout. You get 2 HDMI ports here. eARC is only available on 4K UHD models, so that's something to keep in mind. I paired it with a soundbar via HDMI, and it worked without any drama. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi performance was stable and quick to connect and held strong during use. This isn't a gaming-first TV, but for casual sessions, it does the job. I plugged in my laptop and ran a few rounds of Rocket League and F1. It's responsive in most cases, but you can feel it lag slightly during intense sequences. There's no high refresh rate support, and you'll need to manually enable Game Mode, it doesn't detect automatically. Presets like Standard, Movie, Vivid, and News are actually usable and all bring something different to the table. I didn't feel the need for any deep calibration. If you want plug-and-play simplicity, this one's built for it. The remote is minimalist with just the essentials, nothing more. Boot-up is quick, switching between apps or sources is smooth, and I didn't run into any system-level hiccups. That absence of ads and bloatware really adds to the experience. It's the kind of device that blends into your day without getting in the way. Acer V Pro 55 review For what it offers, the Acer V Pro 55 hits a strong value mark. Would I recommend it? Definitely. For someone looking for a no-fuss 4K smart TV that performs where it counts. It won't blow your mind, but it won't let you down either. Pros Cons Crisp 4K panel with decent HDR handling No wall mount in the box No lags or crashes in daily use Slight lag in gaming-heavy scenes Good audio for smaller rooms No eARC unless you opt for UHD models Google TV is smooth and bloat-free Great value for price
Tom's Guide
29-06-2025
- Tom's Guide
I review TVs for a living and most people spend too much on HDMI cables — here's what you really need
I've been testing TVs for over a decade, and in that time, I reckon I've answered more questions from friends and readers about HDMI cables than about TVs themselves. If you search for HDMI cables on Amazon, you might get the impression that the results go on forever. It's no wonder that folks are confused. But I'll let you in on a secret: While there's no shortage of pricey cables, you don't need to spend a lot on these things. I mean, sure, you should avoid cheap, flimsy cables that'll likely need to be replaced in short order, but you shouldn't overspend, either. Here's what you need to know. There are two types of HDMI specifications found on today's TVs: HDMI 2.0 and HDMI 2.1. The latter is a newer spec that allows for better audio support, higher refresh rates and additional gaming enhancements like Variable Refresh Rate (VRR). Affordable TVs tend to offer HDMI 2.0, while high-end models — including most of the best TVs on the market — are equipped with a full slate of HDMI 2.1-compatible ports. Mid-range TVs often come with both. If you own an entry-level TV, or one from several years ago, there's a very good chance it doesn't support HDMI 2.1. If you're planning on buying (or already own) a mid-range or high-end TV, at least two of its HDMI inputs are likely 2.1-compatible. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Folks in the first group can safely settle for Premium High-Speed HDMI cables. Forget all the jargon, though. Instead, just look for sturdy cables from a reputable brand with the following bandwidth: 18 Gbps. 18 Gbps will support everything your TV has to offer. It supports HDR and allows gamers to enjoy 4K titles at 60Hz (though not 120Hz). It'll work with whatever you've decided is the best streaming device for your living room. It has its limitations, but if you're sticking a small-ish TV in a guest bedroom with nary a soundbar, you'll be fine. These 18-Gbps, High-Speed HDMI cables come in a pack of two for around ten bucks. If you're a casual viewer using an affordable TV that only supports HDMI 2.0 functionality, these are a good place to start. People who own a mid-range or high-end TV — especially those released in recent years — ought to avoid Premium High-Speed HDMI cables limited to 18 Gbps if they want to make the most of their TV's HDMI 2.1's perks. These perks include a host of gaming features (like playing 4K games at 120Hz or above), but there are audio-related perks to consider, too, like eARC support. (You can read more about that in our guide to ARC and eARC.) Folks who find themselves in this group should buy Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables with a bandwidth of 48 Gbps. 48 Gbps is enough to make the most out of a TV's HDMI 2.1-related capabilities. If you bought your TV (or plan on buying one) in part because it supports things like 4K gaming at 120Hz or eARC functionality, just make sure that the cables you pick up are 48 Gbps. These 48-Gbps, Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables from Monoprice are affordable, braided for additional durability and capable of supporting your new TV's A/V- and gaming-related features. Personally, I wouldn't spend more than this on Ultra High-Speed HDMI cables. You will not see a difference in picture quality between a gold-plated cable and a basic cable. Take it from someone who's been drowning in cables for years: You really don't need to get fancy with these things. For home viewers, the advantages of silver-, bronze-, or gold-plated cables are primarily aesthetic. You will not see a difference in picture quality between a gold-plated cable and a basic cable if they're rated for the same features. Now, you might decide that a braided cable feels more sturdy, or you might just appreciate how the look of a more premium cable blends in with the rest of your A/V equipment. If you feel comfortable spending up on these options, by all means, indulge. Just don't expect to get a better picture. When shopping for new HDMI cables, consider the following: cable length, bandwidth and the sturdiness of the materials. Is your TV limited to HDMI 2.0 inputs? Buy 18-Gbps HDMI cables. Does your TV support HDMI 2.1-related features that you'd like to use? Buy 48-Gbps cables. Are you unsure about what HDMI-related features your TV supports? Play it safe and stick to Ultra-High Speed, 48-Gbps HDMI cables. They're not that much more expensive, and in the worst-case scenario, you'll have better, more capable cables to use in the future.
Tom's Guide
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
I set up an incredible Dolby Atmos soundbar experience in my living room — unfortunately, it's really annoying to live with
Just like most cinephiles, I can't get enough of a good surround mix. Something that makes it sound and feel like my movies are happening all around me, so that I'm immersed in the world of whatever movie I might be watching. For a long time, it was an assembled bunch of speakers and old gear that I'd bought from eBay that gave me my surround sound mix — but when I heard that the Sonos Arc Ultra could create a similarly excellent movie experience, my interest was piqued. So I decided to give it a test and see how good it might sound, how simple it is to use and how easy it is to live with. Spoiler alert: Unfortunately, not everything was plain sailing during my Sonos Arc Ultra surround sound journey. This is exactly the system that I used to test out the spatial audio potential of the Arc Ultra. It's not cheap, but it absolutely blew me away with its sound quality. It might be difficult to live with if you're short on space, though. Getting the Sonos Arc Ultra working on its own was super simple. I just placed it in front of the TV, plugged it into power, and then plugged the HDMI port into the eARC port on the TV. There were a couple of different setup steps required in the Sonos app, but then it was done. All sorted. From there, we had to connect the other components of the system, starting with the Sonos Sub4. This was also relatively simple. I plugged it in and then used the Sonos app to connect it to the Arc Ultra wirelessly. At least I say relatively simple — it did take a couple of tries for the app to recognize the soundbar, and I had to go over the process a couple of times before everything was sorted. Now it was the turn of the surround speakers — in my case, a pair of Sonos Era 300s. While the soundbar and subwoofer were fairly easy to place, the Eras were not. They're much larger than the surround speakers I've used in the past, so they need more space behind the couch. I borrowed the speaker stands from my upstairs HiFi, but this is hardly a permanent solution. It's also one of the primary issues with the system so far — but I'll get back to that later. Once placed, I could get the speakers set up with the Sonos app. There were a couple of issues here, although none of them really made life too annoying. Both speakers needed updates as I went through the setup process, but one of them decided it had to do something else and quit the update halfway through. Finally, they were both in the Sonos app — but now I had to join them to the Arc Ultra and the Sub 4. "Easy!" I thought. "Not annoying at all," I hoped. Alas, it was a pain. In the app, things initially looked simple — and they would be, if things worked properly. But I had so many signal dropouts and issues that by the time I'd finally managed to get them connected together, the only thing I could think was "this had better be worth the effort." I can see the vision of the surround sound setup of the Sonos Arc system — if everything worked well, it would have been much, much quicker. Unfortunately, it seems plagued by instability and all kinds of weird usability quirks afforded by Sonos' consistently disappointing app. But, my goodness, was it worth it for the sound. The Sonos Arc Ultra on its own is already pretty impressive for Dolby Atmos when you're watching movies — but adding in the extra spatial audio capability of the pair of Era 300s elevated things to a whole new level. There were now double the height channels coming from different parts of the room, working together to make things move every which way above your head. There's extra side virtual surrounds for stuff happening on either side of you, and then the physical rear channels afforded by the speakers being behind you. All in? Everything sounds unreal. Every single one of my test movie scenes blew me away. There was massive bass depth from the subwoofer, and everything happening around me made sure that I was immersed in the scenes. This whole thing took a whole lot longer to write because I just couldn't stop watching my movies — I had to force myself to turn Star Wars off. The frenetic action of the opening scene of "Star Wars: Episode III" put me directly in the middle of the space battle over Coruscant. Anakin and Obi-Wan fly over Star Destroyers and the droid fleet in the thick of battle, each laser blast zooming past my head. The dialogue was still able to cut through the rest of the din, however, making sure I could hear what the Jedi were saying. It was the spatial audio bubble that was the most impressive bit, however. It was clearer, and each element of the soundscape was easy to place within my space. A spinning buzz droid slips off Anakin's ship and wizzes behind me, disappearing into the distance. It's super impressive. The rest of my testing revealed more impressive surround sound: the car chase from "The Matrix Reloaded," the opening scene from "Kingsman," the rain in The Emperor's Blades in "Dune". Everything sounds huge and makes your movies sound amazing. So it sounds really, really good — I don't think I can deny that at all. There's incredible surround sound, the spatial audio feels like a game changer and it even sounded good for spatial music (even if I'm not entirely enamored with the format). But some liveability quirks are now persuading me to put the Eras back in their old homes. The first is down to them, in fact. They're much larger than traditional surround speakers, taking up a whole lot more space behind the sofa. There are stands that take up less space than the chunky ones that I used, but even then, there's the "uh oh, I might knock these over" factor whenever you walk behind the sofa — as I do, whenever I need to get to the conservatory. Then there are the power cables to each speaker. When it's a speaker cable, you can more easily route them out of the way and off the floor because they're generally thinner, and all going to one place. The power cables the Era's need are much chunkier and need to be plugged into the wall or an extension block. In my case, I nearly tripped over them multiple times because they had to trail across the floor in a walkway. Not ideal. Finally, there are the Sonos app problems that continue to plague all of my Sonos devices. The rear surrounds dropped out a couple of times, there were all the setup issues and I've had problems with getting music playing on the system even through the Sonos app itself. It's a massive shame, because conceptually, the Sonos Arc Ultra and its surround system are very cool. Wireless surround that uses all of its own amps to save space on your TV stand? And it's all connected to the internet? Great, sounds good. But the reality just isn't quite there. It sounds phenomenal, and it's incredibly impressive. But, as I now put it all back where it came from, I can't help but think a traditional Home cinema system might not just sound better, but also provide even better spatial audio sound quality thanks to physical surround and height channels. It would have more reliable wired connections, and there would be far less that requires connection to the internet. Considering that I could pick up a multi-channel true surround system for a very similar price, I do wonder if the wireless nature of the Sonos Arc Ultra and its accompaniments start to make less and less sense — especially considering how annoying the setup turned out to be. So, I'll be going back to the Sonos Arc Ultra on its own for now — but this experience has whet my appetite for the Dolby Atmos experience. Perhaps it's now time to start looking at amplifiers again...
