AVForums Podcast

This episode dives into the 4K resurgence of East Asian cinema, spanning Hong Kong action, Japanese classics, J-horror, Godzilla and modern Korean favourites. From John Woo and Kurosawa to Jackie Chan, Oldboy and Parasite, it is a broad celebration of essential films and standout disc releases.

Cas Harlow is joined by Simon Crust and Mark Costello for the latest ScreenTime, diving into the biggest surprises from the 2026 Oscars before moving on to a wide-ranging discussion about literary adaptations.

In the February 2026 episode of the AVForums Screentime Podcast, the team pays tribute to acting legend Robert Duvall, remembers character actor Tom Noonan, and rounds up the best TV, movies, and 4K Blu-rays of 2026 so far, including streaming highlights like Shrinking S3 & Night Agent S3, and standout 4K discs such as Peking Opera Blues, Save the Green Planet, and Predator: Badlands.

We look back at last year's "most anticipated" list and how the scores actually turned out, including the surprises, disappointments, and the films that split opinion. Then it's time for the new countdown: our Top 20 most anticipated movies of 2026, including big franchise bets and the originals that could steal the year.

Andor season 2, Slow Horses season 5, Dexter Resurrection series, Sandman season 2 Netflix, Terminal List Dark Wolf, Predator Killer of Killers, Predator Badlands, F1 Brad Pitt racing movie, K Pop Demon Hunters

We count down the standout 4K UHD releases of the year - from Hammer's prestige restorations and Arrow's bangers to BFI classics and boutique mega-sets. Expect practical buying advice, technical notes on picture and audio, plus a look at surprise favourites and what we want next year.

In our Halloween Special, we focus on the huge A Nightmare on Elm Street 4K Blu-ray Collection and more 4K Blu-ray and streaming recommendations. Plus with the passing of so many huge movie stars this year, we ask whether the next generation are as bright.

Is Hollywood revisionism ruining films or keeping them alive? We dig into directors' do-overs, colour re-grades, CG touch-ups, soundtrack swaps and endless ‘definitive’ cuts - from Star Wars to Michael Mann and those Tron Legacy 4K rumours. Plus a preview of Tron: Ares and a stack of fresh 4K recommendations.

We run down our current 4K disc, digital and streaming recommendations and pay tribute to Terrance Stamp. Plus, the team discusses what we ultimately want from our beloved, long-running franchises... more of the same or unexpected narrative and character developments? Also, at what point in a movie series' journey does it implode under the weight of audience expectation and studio tinkering?

In this episode of ScreenTime wIth AVForums, we catch up with our current 4K disc and digital/streaming recommendations. Plus, we compare the UHD disc and streaming options of recent releases The Amateur and Zodiac to see which is the version worth getting hold of. Also, whether you're a hardcore disc collector or dedicated film fan, is 2025 the best time to start your library? Finally, what got the team members started in their reviewing careers and how has the disc/movie reviewing landscape changed over the last 20 years?

With the Red Sonja reboot on the horizon, ScreenTime's Cas Harlow chats with director MJ Bassett about bringing the iconic Robert E. Howard character back to the screen in just three months. They discuss her roots in filmmaking, shifting from horror to TV action, filming in Africa, and the future of AI in cinema - plus a surprising flaw in modern CGI most fans don't notice.

The ScreenTime team returns with 4K disc and streaming picks, weighing the pros and cons of physical discs vs digital VOD to help you choose. Plus, Cas and Mark discuss why they import US 4K releases from Vinegar Syndrome - is it just those magnet clasps?

From the introduction of OLED TVs to the death of 3D TV, we look at some of the notable technologies since our first podcast in 2006.

We look at the new range of TVs for 2025 from Sony, ask what are the best amplifiers for under 1000 pounds and what is the next step after Soundbars for those wanting a more immersive experience.

The team debates whether film awards like the Oscars, Golden Globes, and BAFTAs still matter to audiences or just serve industry self-promotion. Did this year's winners truly deserve success, or were better films ignored? Have Academy Award controversies and dull ceremonies overshadowed the films, or do the awards still highlight movies worth seeing? Does an Oscar win make a film a 'must-see' for casual viewers or just fuel film snobbery?

In this AVForums Podcast, we cover highlights from the 2025 Bristol Hi-Fi Show, explore subwoofers in home cinema and Hi-Fi, and chat with Ian Morrish from Together for Cinema about their amazing work. Tune in for expert insights, industry news, and AV enthusiasm!

Is Steven Seagal's actioner Belly of the Beast utterly without redemption or does it merit some attention for aiming high but shooting low? The ScreenTime With AVForums team looks at Seagal's 2003 'meisterwerk' with its obvious action doubles, slow floor slides, mysterious sponge messages and endless John Woo style slo-mo in the hope of extracting maximum entertainment value.

In this month's podcast, Ed Selley, Hi-Fi Editor, and Phil Hinton, AVForums Editor, delve into the topic of Auto EQ in two-channel systems. Plus, Phil and Ian take a deep dive into the 2025 TV line-up from Philips.

Celebrating 20 years of podcasts, the ScreenTime with AVForums team previews the top 20 must-see movies of 2025 - from James Gunn's Superman to Bong Joon-ho's Mickey 17 and more. Don’t miss our countdown!

Phil and the news team discuss the big TV stories from CES and which brands do the best job of telling us about their new TVs

In this podcast from the ScreenTime team, we look at the best movies, TV shows and 4K Blu-rays that feature in our 2024 Editor's Choice Awards. From blockbusters to streaming gems and from binge worthy surprises to moving documentaries - this is the content that stood out for us over the last 12 months.

We discusses the developments in the two-channel audio sector over the last 12 months and also take a peek at the Hi-Fi tea leaves to predict what might be happening in 2025. And we run through the best TVs and home cinema gear of the year and present the winners of our AVForums Editor's Choice Awards. We'll also wrap up with the best home AV products, trends and developments we've seen during 2024 and speculate on what the next 12 months will bring AV enthusiasts.

This month's Movies, TV Shows & 4K Blu-rays Podcast kicks off with the films and shows that Cas and the team recommends for November. There's also a look at the best 4K discs to add to your collection and our movie experts dive into the cinematic hits, misses and delays of 2024 as they round up the biggest blockbusters, the surprising disappointments and the movies we're still waiting for.

On this month's bumper podcast - Ed Selley gives us the rundown of the best Hi-Fi products we have reviewed this year in the Editor’s Choice Awards. Phil and Ian look at the latest TV deals for Black Friday and suggest that this is not the best time of year to be buying a mid-range or high-end TV. Plus, in the Home AV section, we are looking at the predictions we made at the end of 2023 to see where things are right now in terms of big-screen TVs vs. projectors, AV Receivers vs. two-channel and more.

Which movies have flopped hard so far this year? We look at 2024's disappointments including some surprise underperformers and ask why some films look great on paper but just don't capture the audience's interest... and others just plain suck! Plus the guys select their top ten cinema and streaming titles for the month along with the best discs to help you with your purchasing choices for this month.

This week we report back from the EI Live custom installation trade show and look at some of the interesting AV products we saw, including the return of 21:9 TVs! Plus, we say goodbye to Home Cinema Choice magazine as it closes its doors and discuss how the CI sector can get its services over to a much larger market.

Danny Tack from TP Vision joins us to discuss the Philips flagship TVs for 2024, the OLED+959 and the OLED+909. We talk picture quality, META panel, P5 AI Dual Engine processor, Game bar, Ambilight and sound upgrades.

We examine the role of bricks-and-mortar Hi-Fi dealers in 2024: are in-person demos still necessary with YouTube reviews, and do product special editions drive sales? Plus, get a preview of the Newcastle Audio Show (1st–3rd Nov 2024), featuring demos, product launches, and the chance to meet leading audio brand reps.

We share our Blu-ray picks for September 2024 plus list our top 15 favourite horror 4K Blu-rays

In our September Movies and TV podcast, we offer a Top 10 list of must-watch picks for the month. Then, we dive into our featured topic: Workprints – the elusive Holy Grail for dedicated movie fans.

Once you've got your AV space correctly set up and your display calibrated for accuracy, there's still the question of making sure your video sources are up to the task. In this Home AV podcast, we look at how to get the best from the entire video chain. We also discuss the changing nature of accessing content. Plus, we find out more about industry body CEDIA.

We bust a few myths about TV calibration on this edition of the AVForums TV, Display and Calibration podcast. For example, what qualifies as calibration… and what doesn't? What is Filmmaker Mode and do you actually need your TV calibrated if it’s accurate out of the box? Is it always best to get a professional in or can you have a go yourself? What exactly are the standards that are used? We explain the answers to these questions and more.

We cut through the many confusing options for streaming music to help you decide which path to take. From choosing a streaming service on a mobile device to investing in a dedicated hardware module, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of the various approaches, suggest some options and also examine whether there's a quality trade off for the convenience of so much music.

The team members each pick their favourites of the year taking film quality, extras and packaging into account to come up with 15 best discs to add to your physical media collection. Plus the guys select their top recommended 4K & Blu-ray releases to help you with your purchasing choices for this month.

The Movies Team takes a deep dive into Furiosa, the latest entry in the Mad Max franchise and asks whether it misses the iconic central character, whether the 'A Mad Max Saga' subtitle is necessary, and where the film succeeds and fails. Plus the guys select their recommended TV shows and movies for the month so you know what to keep an eye out for.

We look at the differences between Screening Rooms, Home Cinemas and Media Rooms and discuss which you should go for when designing your project and how each might affect your video chain choices. Plus, now that huge TV screens are a viable alternative to a projector for your home cinema, which should you choose?

On this episode, we interview guest Rob Andrews, Head of Strategy and Go To Market from Hisense, who tells us about the company's TV line-up for 2024 and its overall plans for the TV market going forward. Plus, as prices edge further downwards and more models become available, we look into whether huge screens are driving the next TV growth area.

We look at integrated amplifiers and whether it's best to opt for a simple or smart model. We ask why they are so popular, what are the features you should be considering for your own Hi-Fi system? Plus, do you actually need one and what are the alternatives? We also have special guest Ashton Wagner from Rega, who designs some of the very best Hi-Fi amplifiers you can buy.

On our sophomore edition of the AVForums Gaming Podcast, we look at the factors that get you excited about playing a game. From genre preferences to the platform on which you like to play, and whether you prefer a lengthy immersive dip into a long running campaign or a short online run-and-gun session with friends. We examine the combination of elements that get players hitting the Start Game/Continue button.

We examine the value of disc Extras. Do the documentaries, interviews behind the scenes EPKs and commentaries that chart the journey a movie has taken to get to the screen enhance the film experience or just prove to be a time suck filled with unnecessary info? And what about off-disc extras such as cards, maps, badges and booklets? Would you pay extra for these?

Is the marketing of movies part of the problem with modern cinema? This episode sees the team discuss movie and TV marketing in the internet age including how the audience experience is affected by bad trailers, misleading interview comments and, occasionally, no promotion at all! Plus the guys give their recommendations for this month.

Floorstanders, standmounts, sub/sats, in-wall - which speaker approach is best for your AV project? On this episode of the Home AV Podcast we look at how to go about deciding on your home theater speaker setup including; how important the design phase is in informing this choice; and whether you really need different speakers depending on whether you're going down the full black-out home cinema route or a more family friendly media room?

We interview Paul Gray from Omdia who tells us what his research shows about the current winners and losers in the TV market. He pulls back the curtain on the future of OLED TVs and why MicroLED is taking so long to appear in consumer television sets. Plus he explains why there are likely to be more adverts appearing on your TV and what consumers can expect going forward.

Does build quality and materials matter to you when choosing your Hi-Fi equipment or is it all about the sound quality? Phil and Ed delve into the subject and invite your thoughts and comments.

Now that Aliens, True Lies and The Abyss are finally available on 4K, what are the UHD discs that we're most looking forward to? Will The Terminator have James Cameron’s now signature 4K look? Is Civil War the most mainstream upcoming release and what's on offer for completists, collectors and cult fans? Plus the guys select their top ten 4K discs to help you with your purchasing choices for this month.

With Marvel's movies no longer a guarantee of interesting character arcs, thrilling stories and exciting spectacle, this week the Movies Team asks, "What's the next big thing for Hollywood now that the superhero star has faded"? Plus the guys select their top eleven TV shows and movies so you know what to keep an eye out for in the next month.

This week we look at home cinema, media rooms and living spaces in 2024 and ask what are the best positions for the use of surround sound and Dolby Atmos speakers? Plus, do you actually need all those speakers and has home theater gone mad with the number of audio channels now available?

This week we interview Marek Maciejewski, TCL Product Development Director for Europe about the 2024 QD-Mini LED TV Line-up and the massive screens available in each range, including the monster 115-inch X955.

This week our subject is inspired by a popular forum thread, the team looks at how you might spend a notional five thousand pounds/dollars on a Hi-Fi system... and discover the choice is enormous. Plus Ed tells us about his experience at the High End Show in Munich.

On the new 4K & Blu-ray Disc Podcast, the team looks at whether the rise in lesser known and niche titles on 4K disc is indicative of overall increased numbers of releases... and is it contributing towards fewer 'name' movies becoming available on the format? Plus the guys select their rundown of the best 4K discs for May to help you spend your cash wisely.