STACK #235 May 2024

CONTENTS

ISSUE 235 MAY 2024

TECH 8-12 10 things to look for in a smart TV 14 What’s new in TV tech for 2024 16 TV smart features and surround lighting 18-32 The hot new TVs for 2024 34-40 New soundbars for 2024 50 Audio-Technica TWX7 earbuds review 52 New smartphones out this month 54 Square Register payment tech 56 New tech at JB MUSIC FLIP MAG AND READ FROM BACK 2 Take 5/Producer Spotlight/ Art of the Album 6-7 Cover feature: Billie Eilish 8-12 The Music Room: Troy Cassar-Daley, Angus & Julia Stone. and more 14-15 What’s out this month 22 Force of Nature : After The Dry 23 One Love : Becoming Bob Marley 24 Mean Girls so fetch! 26 Drive-Away Dolls 28 Revisiting Lawrence of Arabia 30 New from Imprint 32 Game on! Board games 34 Out this month GAMING 36 Take 5/Merch of the Month/Game changers! 38 Paper Mario: The Thousand Year Door 40 F1 24 interview 42 TopSpin 2K25 Q&A 44 Elgato Neo 46 Stellar Blade Q&A 48 Out this month/Wham, bam, game exam! 50 Fast forward/Q5 42-44 Screens for games 46-47 Top TV accessories 48 TV installation made easy 16 Vital Vinyl MOVIES & TV 18 Take 5/Filmmaker’s signature/ On the radar/In development 19 Merch of the month/Charts/Socials 20 Cinema: Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

WELCOME

Many moons ago, not long after we kicked off STACK , a colleague and I were conversing with the CEO of a large electronics brand at a video game show. He told us that the lifespan of TV technology (not the TV itself) was no more than four years. We were both owners of ten-year-old, power-burning plasma TVs at the time and were naturally shocked at what we believed was an insane statement. That was, of course, until we upgraded. Only then did the comment make sense. Four or five years in consumer tech can be like stepping from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age with leaps in technology, and like smartphones and even earbuds, TV tech continues to advance at a rapid pace. For example, five years ago, there was no Mini LED, AI, TV speaker and soundbar synchronisation, and customisable operating systems with wider app selections. And the good news is that in 2024, these features can be found on televisions across all budgets. May is always our big visual spectacular, where we unpack the latest tech behind the screens, and this year is a belter! From supersized screens to AI-powered upgrades in picture upscaling and wireless connect boxes that transmit 4K video to the world’s first glare-free certified OLED TV, there’s much to be excited about. So, if you’re still watching a ten-year-old LED TV (or even a plasma), or are a movie buff or gamer keen to upgrade to the next iteration of OLED, QLED, or QNED, we’ve got all the answers. There’s never been a better time to trade up. Paul Jones, Editor-in-Chief

jbhifi.com.au/stack

Founder Nic Short Editor-in-Chief Paul Jones Tech Editor Scott Hocking Music Editor Zoë Radas

Music Consultant Mike Glynn Marketing Manager Fleur Parker

Social Media Manager Glenn Cochrane Production Manager Craig Patterson Correspondence STACK editor@stack.com.au

Chief Contributors Gill Pringle, Bob Jones Contributors

Games & Online Editor Amy Flower Movie & TV Editor Glenn Cochrane Creative Director Gary Siewert Movies Consultant Kerrie Taylor Games Consultant Sachi Fernando

Jeff Jenkins, Simon Lukic, Billy Pinnell, Denise Hylands, Simon Winkler, Jake Cleland, Holly Pereira, Adam Colby, Bec Summer, Dan Nicholson, Alex Deutrom, Michael Irving, Jacqui Picone

RATINGS GUIDE

Parental guidance recommended

Recommended for mature audiences

Not suitable for people under 15. Under 15s must be accommpanied by a parent or adult guardian

Restricted to 18 and over

General

Disclaimer STACK is published by Scribal Custom Pty Ltd (ACN 092 362 135). © Copyright Scribal Custom Pty Ltd, 2024 All rights reserved. All material appearing in this publication is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material or advertisement. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written permission of Scribal Custom Pty Ltd. No responsibility is accepted for accuracy of advertisements or information. Whilst care has been taken in the research and preparation of this publication, the publishers, writers or anyone else associated cannot accept any responsibility for any loss, injury or hardship arising from the content contained herein or reliance therefrom, howsoever caused, and it remains your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, completeness and usefulness of any such content. Views expressed are not necessarily endorsed by the publisher or the editor. By the very nature of this publication, things change daily and we cannot take responsibility for any changes or inaccuracies that occur subsequent to going to press.

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