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Audio / Video Features

An Apple TV 4K set-top box and remote control sit on a media stand.

Should you buy an obsolete Apple TV?

This probably should go without saying, but we'll say it anyway: Do not buy obsolete hardware with unsupported software. Even if it's inexpensive.
You Asked Episode 5

You Asked: Soundbars vs. receivers, TVs with no speakers, and car stereos

We tackle reader questions in the You Asked series of columns. This week, it's soundbars versus AV receivers, speakerless TVs, HDMI bandwidth, and car stereos.
A diagram showing how Dolby Atmos FlexConnect combines wireless speakers with a TV's sound system.

Is Dolby Atmos FlexConnect a potential soundbar killer?

I really want to be excited about Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, but I have some reservations. Here's why I'm skeptical about the new tech.
Amazon's Dave Limp at the 2023 device and services event at Amazon HQ in Arlington, Va.

At Amazon’s annual device event, AI was everywhere — and nowhere

Artificial intelligence essentially is the fuel that powers Amazon Alexa — and any number of other features and services. The trick is making that a selling point.
Amazon Echo Frames.

Wearing Alexa is weird, but Amazon’s new Echo Frames are shockingly comfy

Smart glasses aren't quite a mainstream thing just yet, but Amazon's doing its best to break through with the new Echo Frames.
The Amazon Echo Show 8 at the Devices Event 2023.

Everything announced at Amazon’s fall 2023 devices event

With a big focus on AI, Amazon's annual Devices and Services event brought a ton of new devices and features for its products. Here's everything it announced.
Finding an AirTag hidden inside an Apple TV Siri Remote case.

The Apple TV remote finder isn’t as good as a case and AirTag

Apple's new built-in ability to find a lost Apple TV remote is free, but it's also not as good as using a remote case and AirTag.
You Asked Episode 4

You Asked: Why we don’t buy the TVs we review

We answer the most frequently asked question we get about TV reviews: Why don't we just buy the TVs we review? There are more reasons than you might think.
Graphic art for the Sonos Atmos vs. Nakamichi Dragon.

Sonos Atmos vs. Nakamichi Dragon: beauty and the beast

It's the sleek and sexy Sonos beauty versus the beastly Nakamichi Dragon in a head-to-head comparison of the surround sound systems.
You Asked Ep 3

You Asked: How to add a subwooofer to Apple Homepods, Hisense UX review question

In this installment of You Asked, we tackle your questions about the Hisense UX, taking TV temperatures, and accessibility options with optical
MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

Six things we’ve learned so far from MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

MLS Season Pass on Apple TV has been a godsend for die-hard soccer fans — especially now that Messi is here.
You Asked Episode 2

You Asked: Why TVs with same model numbers have different specs

You've got more questions about TVs — and other things. And our resident TV expert has answers. And other things.
You Asked episode 1.

You Asked: best TVs for bright rooms, when to use eARC, and more

You have questions. We have answers. The Digital Trends community has tons of great AV questions and we're going answer them in our new series: You Asked.
The YouTube app on an iPhone.

YouTube with a blank home screen is a beautiful place

Turning off your YouTube watch history now leads to a blissfully blank home screen when you fire up the app or site in a web browser.
The Roku Voice Remote Pro, and the Amazon Alexa Voice Remote Pro.

Roku and Amazon are so close to making subtitles easy to toggle

While it's relatively easy to toggle captions and subtitles inside apps, two remote controls are frustratingly close to make it a one-button endeavor.
Remote controls from Google, Amazon, Apple and Roku.

TV dialogue is getting harder to understand. This change could help.

It seems that dialogue is getting harder and harder to understand. Shouldn't our access to subtitles be getting easier? This one change could make it so.
Lg M-Series OLED

LG’s M-Series Wireless OLED TV is the future we need

The wireless signal transmission rolling out on the LG M-Series OLED TVs has broad implications for the future of TV. Here's why.
CASETiFY Evangelion Type-01 AirPods Pro 2 case front side view.

This accessory turned my AirPods into a giant mech head

Casetify's Evangelion collaboration is one of the coolest we've seen. Here's a hands-on with some of the best products from the collection!
Samsung S95C QD-OLED 4K TV.

TV model numbers are confusing enough, and Samsung’s making it worse

TV model numbers are confusing enough, but what Samsung is doing with its OLED TVs is downright misleading.
HDMI eARC

I get more complaints about this tech than anything, but I can’t fix it

HDMI ARC was supposed to fix everything. Instead, it turned out to be a non-standard standard. This is why we can't have nice things.
Vizio Home Screen

This one move could change everything for Vizio

Once the undisputed king of budget TV brands, Vizio's crown has long since slipped off. Here's what Vizio will need to do to stage a comeback.
Phil's backyard. It's perfect.

Six years in hell: My aging Sonos speakers have survived outside

We wouldn't recommend leaving an expensive Sonos speaker outside all day and all night. In Florida. In the heat and humidity. And yet ...
sony noise cancelling headphones whc700n amazon deal wireless bluetooth over the ear  wh ch700n

Bluetooth headphones have been on planes for 10 years, so why do I still need a cable?

It's been 10 years since the FAA gave the green light to Bluetooth headphones on planes. But most in-flight entertainment systems still require cables.
A Sonos Era 300 speaker.

I had to try the Sonos Era 300 for myself and wasn’t ready for what happened

I already knew the Sonos Era 300 would be good. But I didn't expect them to challenge my expectations of what home audio can be.
A village built into a seaside mountainside shown on a Hisense U6K.

Are TCL and Hisense the next LG and Samsung?

TCL and Hisense are on the offensive and challenging the status quo with awesomely specced TVs at competitive prices and major brand partnerships.
airpods charging notification badly needed iphone battery 1

The one notification AirPods and the iPhone sorely need

AirPods and the iPhone play very nicely together. But why can't the latter tell me when the former didn't actually charge?
Deep Purple iPhone 14 Pro with Beats Studio Buds+ in Transparent

Let’s be clear, Apple — it’s time to make a transparent iPhone

Apple owns Beats, which just released an amazing transparent color for the new Beats Studio Buds+. So why can't Apple do that for the iPhone, too?
Sonos Era 300.

Just wait until you hear lossless Dolby Atmos Music

Dolby Atmos Music can make your favorite songs sound way more immersive, but streaming services are keeping these spatial tracks from sounding their best.
Master & Dynamic MC300 with MW75 headphones and MW08 Sport earbuds.

Master & Dynamic’s headphone stand is expensive, but undeniably unique

Paying $119 for a chunk of metal that keeps your headphones from lying around seems absurd until you check out the features and design of M&D's MC300.
Warner Bros. Discovery executive JB Perrette on stage at the Max launch event.

It’s deja vu all over again for HBO, Discovery — and the new Max

It's been three years since HBO Max marked the beginning of the future for Warner Bros. Maybe the new Max service will last longer this time.
Hisense U7

Hisense’s NBA partnership is a slam dunk for the brand

Hisense recently announced a massive brand partnership with the NBA. I take a look at its game plan for 2023 and the new line of TVs that are coming soon.
An iPhone 14 displaying the Sonos app search feature, sitting in front of a Sonos Roam speaker.

Sonos’ new search feature needs work

One of the best Sonos features is its universal search. Now that the company has released a new version of the tool, is it better — or worse?
Roku Plus Series television in a living room setting.

Roku bets big on its own TV brand — but is it a good idea?

Is Roku's bid to be its own TV brand hot or not? Its choice could have big implications.
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar displaying pace information.

4 simple pieces of tech that helped me run my first marathon

It's easy to overdo it when buying tech aimed at helping you in sports. I ran my first marathon last year, and I kept it simple with just a few pieces of tech.