Podcast #1173: Halloween Movies

HDTV and Home Theater Podcast

On this week’s show we take a look at the Pro-Ject 12.2 turntable and ask who is this for. And since it's Halloween we give you a list of five Halloween movies that you can watch with the family. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.

News:

• Best Buy supersizes its TV selection for the holidays
• Spectrum Invests $9 Billion to Bring High Speed Internet & TV to Rural America
• Fox Sports Aims To Enhance World Series Coverage With ‘Inside-Out’ Perspective
• Roku Keeps 37% Share of North American CTV Streaming Device Market

Pro-Ject‘s Flagship Signature

The Pro-Ject Signature 12.2 turntable looks like an amazing electronic device that is also art. But from a music lover's point of view, is the price tag of $14,999 worth it? Pro-Ject has made a name for itself as a pioneer in high-end technology and they say that the craftsmanship justifies the cost, but from a purely music lover’s point of view, it's ludicrous to spend that kind of money on a record player. But we get it, this product seems more like a luxury statement than a necessary audio component. So we’ll ask our listeners the question of whether anyone truly requires a turntable that costs more than many people's monthly rent.

When you read the product info it's clear they are not talking to us: “With painstaking hand-polished metal parts and a chassis that involves 10 layers of paint”, so who is this really for? They do use terms like "anti-resonance" and "precision CNC machining." Maybe I need to use terms like that in my speaker ads on Etsy. Precision cuts and only the best glue make my speakers the best out there. LOL, Actually, I wish I had a CNC machine to make precision cuts!!

What it boils down to is, does the average (or even audiophile) music lover need their vinyl spinning on a platter that weighs almost 25 pounds? Especially when even some budget turntables can deliver decent sound quality for a fraction of the price.

In the end consider this, all cars can get you from point A to point B, so why do some people drive expensive high end cars? Well it's about performance and in some cases image. There is an absolute measurable difference driving a Porsche vs a Honda Accord. I’m not so sure you can say that about the Pro-Ject 12.2. Well unless you are going to build a shrine to it and display it prominently in your music room. It ships in November. Full Product Information…

The HT Guys List of Halloween Movies to Watch

As Halloween approaches, it's the perfect time to gather your friends and family for a spooky movie marathon. Whether you're a fan of classic horror, light-hearted thrills, or animated fun, there’s something for everyone in the spirit of the season. Here is a HT Guys list of five highly rated Halloween movies that you can enjoy in your home theater. Grab your popcorn and enjoy these Halloween favorites!

1. Halloween (1978) (IMDB Rating 7.7) - Directed by John Carpenter, this classic slasher film introduces Michael Myers. Fifteen years after murdering his sister on Halloween night 1963, Michael Myers escapes from a mental hospital and returns to the small town of Haddonfield, Illinois, to kill again.
2. The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) (IMDB Rating 7.9) - This animated musical by Tim Burton combines Halloween and Christmas themes as Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King, attempts to take over Christmas.
3. A Quiet Place (2018) (IMDB Rating 7.5) - A suspenseful thriller about a family living in silence to avoid creatures that hunt by sound, appealing to teens who enjoy intense storytelling.
4. Ghostbusters (1984) (IMDB Rating 7.8) - Three parapsychologists forced out of their university funding set up shop as a unique ghost removal service in New York City, attracting frightened yet skeptical customers.
5. It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966) (IMDB Rating 8.1) - A classic animated special that follows the Peanuts gang as they wait for the Great Pumpkin on Halloween night.