Articles by Steve May

Home entertainment AV specialist

Steve has been writing about AV and home cinema since the dawn of time, or more accurately, since the glory days of VHS and Betamax. He has strong opinions on the latest TV technology, Hi-Fi and Blu-ray/media players, and likes nothing better than to crank up his ludicrously powerful home theatre system to binge-watch TV shows.

Articles by: Steve May

Sony Bravia XBR-55X900E review

By Steve May published 25 November 17

Best in Class

An affordable direct LED backlit 4K UHD TV with local dimming? This is the HDR flatscreen we’ve all been waiting for.

HDMI cables: How much do you really need to spend?

By Steve May published 3 November 17

Analysis It's possible to pay the earth, and some cables cost pennies, but the ideal is inevitably somewhere in between.

LG OLED G7 (OLED65G7) review

By Steve May published 19 October 17

Recommended

LG’s groovy G7 OLED combines a sensational picture performance with top flight audio and peerless design.

Yamaha WXAD-10 (MusicCast Add) review

By Steve May published 18 April 17

Editor's Choice

Upgrade any non-smart amplifier, active speaker or AV receiver to wireless streaming with this Hi-Res Audio add-on.

Bluesound Pulse 2 review

By Steve May published 10 April 17

Bluesound’s second-generation Pulse 2 is a wireless multiroom speaker for hi-res aficionados.

Denon Heos 5 HS2 Multiroom Bluetooth speaker review

By Steve May published 3 March 17

Denon adds High Res Audio support and Bluetooth to the second gen multiroom wireless speaker - and we approve.

LG PH450UG Minibeam Projector review

By Steve May published 14 February 17

Mini Review Want a big picture for a sports event? Treating the kids to a big screen sleepover? This small-form projector should be your tech of choice.

Roku 3 review

By Steve May published 18 January 17

Updated Roku 3 is still the gold standard in HD streaming, but if you're looking for 4K, you need a Roku 4.

Philips Fidelio B1 Nano Cinema Speaker review

By Steve May published 6 December 16

The Fidelio B1 promises big audio dynamite from a compact sound system. But can clever science defy the laws of physics?

Samsung SUHD Quantum Dot Vs LG OLED Vs Sony Master Backlight Drive

Need a new 4K TV? Here are three of this year's best from Samsung, Sony and LG

By Steve May published 21 November 16

Versus Samsung SUHD vs LG OLED vs Sony Z-Series: how do they compare and which is best?

4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, Hi-Res Audio - which do you really need?

By Steve May published 24 September 16

In Depth AV is enjoying a massive upgrade, so what new gear should you buy next?

Sony VPL-HW45ES HD Projector review

By Steve May published 12 September 16

Sony's new VPL-HW45ES refines Full HD projector performance. Maybe we don't need 4K after all?

Optoma HD27 Projector review

By Steve May published 9 September 16

Great Value

The Optoma HD27 is a Full HD projector for cinephiles and gamers alike. But can you really get big-screen thrills on a small-screen budget?

First look: Sony ZD9 4K HDR TV

By Steve May published 21 July 16

Preview Unleashing radical new Master Backlight Drive technology, Sony's Z Series raises the bar for HDR 4K TV.

Panasonic DMP-UB900 review

By Steve May published 14 July 16

Editor's Choice

Updated As the world's first THX-certified 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray player, the UB900 sets a new standard in picture performance.

Sony HT-NT5 Soundbar review

By Steve May published 12 July 16

Sony's HT-NT5 soundbar is Hi-Res Audio-ready, but it's too well mannered to do justice to the average Hollywood blockbuster.

Sony UHP-H1 review

By Steve May published 27 June 16

Recommended

Sony's Hi-Res Audio, upscaling 2160p Blu-ray player is so good it may even make you think twice about upgrading to 4K UHD Blu-ray.

Will we ever have home cinema without any wires?

By Steve May published 11 June 16

In Depth Multiroom music systems and Bluetooth speakers are all the rage - but do we really need all those ugly wires?

Samsung UBD-K8500 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player review

By Steve May published 16 May 16

Samsung's first 4K Blu-ray player manages the cute trick of being both overpriced and a bit of a bargain.

Sony XBR-X930D 4K HDR TV review

By Steve May published 20 April 16

The Sony X930D combines 4K HDR with an improbably slim design and Android smarts. Is this the UHD TV to beat in 2016?

Moon Neo 230HAD review

By Steve May published 5 April 16

This heavyweight headphone amp will take your desktop audio to the next level – just make sure you have cans to match.

One of the movie's most challenging 3D sequences was choreographing Gandalf and the dwarves in Bag End

Behind the scenes of The Hobbit: the special effects masters

By Steve May published 29 August 15

MOVIE WEEK Peter Jackson's The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey proved a challenge of Silmarillion proportions for the visual effects team at Weta Digital.