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Hands On First Look: Sony UBP-X1000ES Ultra HD Blu-ray Player[teaser]Here comes the second wave of Ultra HD Blu-ray players.[/teaser] Earlier this month, Sony announced its first real foray into the world of Ultra HD Blu-ray, the Sony UBP-X1000ES 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player. The player is promised for next spring. The ES model is meant for the home integration/installer/automation market and, as of yet, Sony has not announced pricing. Sony had the player on-hand in their booth at CEDIA 2016, and I was more than happy to get to use it. It's important to note here that while this ES model is Sony's only announced Ultra HD Blu-ray player, it's conceivable that will change come CES 2017. A consumer model will likely share many of the of the UBP-X1000ES features. At CEDIA 2016, Sony was using their own Sony Pictures derived demo disc to showcase the Ultra HD Blu-ray playback, but otherwise, I had unfettered access to the player. Considering the booth environment, my focus was on the player's array of options, some of which I've captured below. In terms of speaking to the Sony reps, here's what they had to say. As to why announce a ES model first? To create some buzz, especially considering the timing. As to the UBP-X1000ES standout features? ES attributes, including Hi-Res music support, the ability to output YCBCr 4:4:4, and the 4K scaler. As to when to expect a consumer model? Stay tuned. With Oppo announcing the UDP-203 for 2016, it's understandable that many Ultra HD Blu-ray adopters wouldn't want to wait for a Sony solution. For my part, I already have both the Samsung UBD-K8500 and a Xbox One S in the home theater, so you could say I really didn't want to wait. Sony's player checks certain boxes, such as integrated 4K web streaming apps (specifically Netflix, Amazon and YouTube), front USB port, and dual HDMI output, which is important for compatibility with non HDCP 2.2 AVRs. Still, that leaves me looking for improvements over my current players. Many of the Sony UBP-X1000ES features either don't specifically grab me, or else just seem like a nicety. (Say if I want to bring out my SACD and DVD-Audio discs.) The 4:4:4 output in particular isn't especially attractive to me. No doubt, in the hectic demo environment, the Sony player was spry, and that quickness along with a nicer remote and much nicer menus, made me want to take the Sony home today. Likewise, I have had some issues before that suggest that the UBP-X1000ES attention to mechanical and airborne vibration might be worth their feature point. Ultimately, it's things like the onscreen display, Quick Start mode, and seeming ease of turning HDR on and off that have me most intrigued. I think it's clear, as part of Sony's wait-and-see approach to Ultra HD Blu-ray, they have tried to offer a more bit refinement than currently-available players. That, in my mind, makes the UBP-X1000ES one of the key second wave Ultra HD Blu-ray players. These players come as part of a reflection of the format's early successes, and the increased competition and feature variety is very welcome.Posted Wed Sep 28, 2016 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
DTS Play-Fi Wireless Audio Ecosystem Preps Amazon Alexa Voice Service Support[teaser]Alexa support is coming to the DTS Play-Fi ecosystem. [/teaser] DTS and Amazon have announced plans to add Alexa Voice Service capabilities to the Play-Fi whole-home wireless ecosystem. Play-Fi is an advanced cross-platform wireless audio technology that lets users stream and enjoy music through their Wi-Fi connections. "Alexa has delighted customers with its ease-of-use, depth of skills, and broad support of connected consumer devices," said Dannie Lau, Play-Fi division general manager, DTS, Inc. "Adding the Alexa service to the Play-Fi ecosystem delivers a new level of functionality and convenience for DTS Play-Fi users. This collaboration further demonstrates our continual commitment to delivering next-level entertainment experiences with DTS Play-Fi technology." Once support launches in early 2017, Play-Fi customers will be able to use an Alexa-enabled device -- including the Amazon Echo, Echo Dot, Amazon Tap and Amazon Fire TV -- to play and control music on one or more DTS Play-Fi-enabled speakers in the home from any brand. In addition, DTS is also working with Play-Fi partners to integrate far-field Alexa capabilities into upcoming DTS Play-Fi speakers. These new devices will feature a set of built-in far-field microphones, allowing customers to control their products through voice commands with the Alexa service. "We're excited to bring Alexa to DTS Play-Fi customers next year," said Steve Rabuchin, vice president, Amazon Alexa. "Music is one of the most popular features on Alexa-enabled devices, so it's very important that we're able to offer multiple high-quality home audio choices for our Alexa customers. Working with DTS Play-Fi technology to expand Alexa-enabled home audio is doing just that—plus it's being done in a unique, delightful way through a combination of far-field hardware and Alexa software. We're thrilled to work with DTS Play-Fi technology to bring these products to customers in 2017." The Play-Fi whole-home wireless music ecosystem gives both customers and manufacturers a great level of freedom when it comes to integrating and using Wi-Fi streaming for music. With Play-Fi audio products, users can wirelessly play high quality lossless music from smartphones, tablets, laptops or desktop PCs over an existing home Wi-Fi network to multiple Play-Fi speakers throughout the home. Likewise, Play-Fi is not brand exclusive. This means that Play-Fi audio products from different manufacturers can actually work together seamlessly. Firmware updates for the Alexa service and new Play-Fi products with integrated Alexa support will arrive in Q1 2017. Source: DTSPosted Wed Sep 28, 2016 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Details New $40 Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote[teaser]A new and improved Fire TV Stick has been announced. [/teaser] Amazon has revealed the latest version of its Fire TV Stick. The new compact streaming device is up to 30 percent faster than the original model and includes the Alexa Voice Remote. "We are proud that our customers have made Amazon Fire TV the #1 streaming media player in the US. With more than 120,000 reviews and a 4.2 star rating, they've also made the Fire TV Stick the most reviewed product ever on Amazon," said Marc Whitten, Vice President, Amazon Fire TV. "Today, we are excited to make it even better. The new Amazon Fire TV Stick has been completely redesigned with incredible performance, powerful voice search and the included Alexa-powered remote to deliver instant access to a vast selection of movies, TV shows, games and Alexa skills at just $39.99." Amazon's next generation Fire TV Stick is a compact HDMI dongle that offers access to over 300,000 movies and TV episodes along with improved performance over previous editions. Likewise, the new Fire TV Stick model is currently the only streaming media stick to include a voice remote. Here's a full rundown of key features per the press release: - Great content selection: With over 7,000 channels, apps, and Alexa skills and access to more than 300,000 movies and TV episodes, it's easy to find great content on Fire TV. Choose from popular providers like Netflix, NBC, HBO, Fox, ESPN, Disney Channel, Prime Video and CBS All Access – and watch live TV and video on Sling TV, Twitter and more. - Instant and accurate voice search powered by Alexa: With the most accurate voice search of any streaming media stick, Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote responds instantly and lets you easily search across more than 90 apps and channels. Just say "find suspense thrillers" or "launch Hulu" and Alexa will respond. Fire TV will also show you the best viewing options – watch, stream, rent, or buy – to help you choose apps and channels based on convenience and value. For Amazon Video content, you can also control playback with just your voice; just ask Alexa to "go back 30 seconds" or "jump ahead 2 minutes." - Just ask Alexa: With Alexa and the included Alexa Voice Remote, customers can easily ask Alexa to check local movie times, create shopping lists, play music, get the news and weather, order a pizza or a ride, and much more. With thousands of Alexa skills available, and tens of thousands of developers building skills for Alexa, she's getting smarter every day. - Stunning video quality: With an ultra-fast quad-core processor, 802.11ac MIMO Wi-Fi and Advanced Streaming and Prediction (ASAP) for Amazon Video, you can rely on fast, fluid performance without buffering. Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote also offers support for High Efficiency Video Codec (HEVC), giving customers more 1080p HD streams from their existing internet connection. - Effortless setup: Plug the Fire TV Stick into an HDTV, attach the power adapter, connect to Wi-Fi, and start streaming in minutes. Find your favorite content using the included Alexa Voice Remote, or discover more to watch with personalized recommendations right from the home screen. The Fire TV Stick is also portable, making it easy to take it almost anywhere and watch all your favorite content away from home. Amazon's new Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote is now available for pre-order for $40. Shipments are expected to begin on October 20. In addition, eligible customers who purchase online or from a participating retailer and activate their device by October 31 will also receive a free content bundle with one month of Sling TV, two months of Hulu (Limited Commercials) for new subscribers, and a $10 credit for Amazon Video. Source: AmazonPosted Wed Sep 28, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Releases Trailer for 'The Crown,' Streaming Premiere Set for November 4[teaser]The Netflix original show will take the throne in November. [/teaser] Netflix has debuted an official trailer for its latest series, 'The Crown.' The show's first season is set to premiere exclusively through Netflix on November 4. A Netflix original series, 'The Crown' focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the throne....a new era is dawning. Peter Morgan's masterfully researched scripts reveal the Queen's private journey behind the public facade with daring frankness. Prepare to be welcomed into the coveted world of power and privilege and behind locked doors in Westminster and Buckingham Palace....the leaders of an empire await. Check out the trailer below! The show comes from writer Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon), director Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours), and producer Andy Harries (The Queen). Stars include Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, Matt Smith as Prince Phillip, John Lithgow as Sir Winston Churchill, Victoria Hamilton as the Queen Mother, Jared Harris as King George VI, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret and Dame Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary, among others. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Luke Cage' on September 30, 'The Ranch' on October 7, 'Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids' on October 12, 'Black Mirror' on October 21, 'The Crown' on November 4, 'True Memoirs of an International Assassin' on November 11, 'Lovesick' on November 17, and 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' on November 25. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Tue Sep 27, 2016 at 04:23 PM PDT by: -
Plex Launches Plex Cloud Beta with Amazon Drive Storage[teaser]Plex Media Server support is heading to the cloud! [/teaser] Plex has announced the arrival of Plex Cloud, allowing users to enjoy fully featured media server support through the cloud using Amazon Drive storage. The premium service is now available as a beta program to a limited number of Plex Pass users. Plex Cloud lets customers store and access their Plex media collections without a traditional always-on computer or NAS device. Instead, users can simply store their videos, photos, music, and other content through the cloud using an Amazon Drive account. Plex users can then run an always-on Plex Media Server through the cloud, allowing them to easily stream and access their Amazon Drive media remotely on all their Plex enabled devices. Here's a full rundown of key features per the Plex blog: - Plex in 60 Seconds: Plex Cloud eliminates the need to run your own local Plex Media Server and manage an always-on computer or NAS. With the simplified setup and no hardware or network challenges, you’ll be streaming quicker than ever! - Storage with Peace of Mind: Let Amazon worry about nasty stuff like power failure, corruption, and data loss. It turns out they’re pretty good at that stuff! - Unlimited Storage, Radical Performance: Add as many files as you like to your unlimited Amazon Drive and stream anywhere! Forget about your glacial home upload bandwidth and give your data cap some room to breathe. Plex Apps let you quickly view, organize, and share things when you need to, no matter where you are. - Hang on to your $$$'s: No more costly hardware to buy and maintain! You can store and play as much as you want for just a few bucks a month! Unlimited Amazon Drive storage currently costs $60 per year. Plex Pass users can sign up for the Plex Cloud beta here. Source: PlexPosted Tue Sep 27, 2016 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Announces Series Pick Ups for 'The Tick,' 'I Love Dick,' and 'Jean-Claude Van Johnson'[teaser]Three new shows have been greenlit for Amazon Prime. [/teaser] Amazon has announced series orders for three original shows. 'The Tick,' 'I Love Dick,' and 'Jean-Claude Van Johnson' are set to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in 2017 in the US, UK, Germany, Austria, and Japan. All three shows were part of the studio's recent comedy pilot season. "These pilots were vast in scope, disruptive in tone, challenging in story and sometimes even funny," said Joe Lewis, Head of Half-Hour Series, Amazon Studios. "It's rewarding to see customers embrace them in such a huge way. We can't wait to premiere these series next year on Prime Video." 'I Love Dick' - Adapted from the cult classic I Love Dick—referred to as “the most important book about men and women written in the last century" (Emily Gould, The Guardian)—is set in a colorful intellectual community in Marfa, Texas. Chris (Kathryn Hahn, Transparent) and Sylvere (Griffin Dunne, Dallas Buyers Club), arrive in Marfa when Sylvere is offered a fellowship to finish a book he's been writing on the Holocaust. When they meet Dick (Kevin Bacon, The Following), he taunts their imaginations and upends their preconceptions about love and monogamy. An exploration of the female gaze and how we tell stories about love and desire, I Love Dick charts the evolution of a marriage, the awakening of an artist and the deification of a writer named Dick. I Love Dick is executive produced by Jill Soloway (Transparent), Andrea Sperling (Transparent), and Sarah Gubbins (Ten Aker Wood). The pilot is directed by Soloway and written by Gubbins. 'Jean-Claude Van Johnson' - If you need to eliminate a political rival, debilitate a multinational corporation, or overthrow an entire government—and you need it done with the utmost secrecy—there’s only one person to turn to: one of the most internationally recognizable movie stars in the history of film. Jean-Claude Van Johnson stars Jean-Claude Van Damme (JCVD) playing "Jean-Claude Van Johnson," a global martial arts and film sensation…and, operating under the simple alias of “Johnson,” the most dangerous undercover private contractor in the world. Lucky for the world’s bad guys, he’s been retired for years…unlucky for them, a chance encounter with a lost love is about to bring him back to the game…and this time, he’ll be deadlier than ever. Probably. Jean-Claude Van Johnson stars Van Damme along with Kat Foster (Your Family or Mine), Moises Arias (The Middle), and Phylicia Rashad (Creed). The show is executive produced by Peter Atencio (Key and Peele), Ridley Scott (The Good Wife), David W. Zucker (The Man in the High Castle) and Van Damme. From Scott Free Productions, the pilot is directed by Atencio and written by Dave Callaham (Mortal Kombat). 'The Tick' -In a world where superheroes have been real for decades, an underdog accountant with zero powers comes to realize his city is owned by a global super villain long-thought dead. As he struggles to uncover this conspiracy, he falls in league with a strange blue superhero. The Tick stars Peter Serafinowicz (Guardians of the Galaxy), Griffin Newman (Vinyl), Jackie Earle Haley (Watchmen), Valorie Curry (House of Lies), Yara Martinez (Jane the Virgin) and Brendan Hines (Scorpion). The Tick is executive produced by Ben Edlund (Supernatural), Barry Josephson (Bones) and Barry Sonnenfeld (A Series of Unfortunate Events), directed by Wally Pfister (The Dark Knight), and written by Edlund. The Tick is a co-production with Sony Pictures Television. A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $99 per year or $11 per month. Likewise, Prime Video is available as a standalone service for $8 per month. Source: AmazonPosted Tue Sep 27, 2016 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Reveals New Trailer for Marvel's 'Luke Cage,' Streaming Premiere Set for September 30[teaser]A new trailer for the upcoming Marvel series has been released. [/teaser] Netflix has unveiled a new trailer for 'Luke Cage.' Based on the Marvel comic book, the series stars Mike Colter, reprising the role he originated in the first season of 'Jessica Jones.' After a sabotaged experiment leaves him with super strength and unbreakable skin, Luke Cage (Mike Colter) becomes a fugitive who attempts to rebuild his life in modern day Harlem, New York City. But soon he is pulled out of the shadows and must fight a battle for the heart of his city – forcing him to confront a past he had tried to bury. Check out the new trailer below! All season one episodes of 'Luke Cage' are set to premiere exclusively through Netflix on September 30. In addition to 'Luke Cage,' Marvel and Netflix are also prepping 'Iron Fist' and 'The Defenders' for 2017 debuts. 'The Defenders' will feature a crossover team-up between Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist as they face their biggest threat yet. The series will star Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, and Finn Jones, all reprising their roles from their individual shows. Douglas Petrie, Marco Ramirez, Drew Goddard ('The Martian,' 'Lost,' 'Alias'), and Jeph Loeb will all serve as Executive Producers for the mini-series. The show is being produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios for Netflix. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'The Ranch' on October 7, 'Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids' on October 12, 'Black Mirror' on October 21, 'The Crown' on November 4, 'True Memoirs of an International Assassin' on November 11, 'Lovesick' on November 17, and 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' on November 25. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Mon Sep 26, 2016 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Hulu Readies Two Exclusive Virtual Reality Shows for Streaming VR App[teaser]The streaming platform is developing two VR shows. [/teaser] According to a report from Variety, Hulu is prepping two virtual reality only series for its streaming service. The VR shows are being developed by the Huffington Post’s RYOT Studios and are set to debut this fall. The new VR lineup includes a comedy series called 'Virtually Mike and Nora' and a news show called 'The Big Picture: News in Virtual Reality.' 'Virtually Mike and Nora' will star Nora Kirkpatrick and Mike O’Brien. The series has been designed specifically for virtual reality and aims to make viewers feel like they are part of the show. Five episodes have been ordered so far. Meanwhile, 'The Big Picture: News in Virtual Reality' will be hosted by RYOT co-founder Bryn Mooser. The ten episode show will debut new installments on Hulu's VR app every two weeks and each episode will cover three different news segments in immersive VR. Hulu's VR app initially launched back in March. The app offers access to a growing collection of 360 degree videos and exclusive virtual reality content. Likewise, Hulu VR users can also watch the company's entire 2D library of content in a 360 immersive virtual environment. The Hulu VR app is currently available for the Oculus Rift and Samsung Gear VR headsets. Samsung's updated Gear VR headset ($99) supports both USB Type-C and Micro USB connectors. The new black model features an improved 101° Field of View and a more comfortable design. Supported smartphones include the Galaxy Note7, S7, S7 edge, Note5, S6, S6 edge, and S6 edge+. In addition, Hulu VR support is expected to expand to more platforms soon. Source: VarietyPosted Mon Sep 26, 2016 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Roku Details New Streaming Players With up to 4K HDR Playback, Prices Start at $30[teaser]Several new media players have been announced. [/teaser] Roku has revealed its new lineup of streaming devices. The collection includes the Roku Express ($30), Roku Express+ ($40), Roku Premiere ($80), Roku Premiere+ ($100), and Roku Ultra ($130). "Roku stands for streaming innovation and today we're celebrating the biggest player launch in our company’s history, including the introduction of the Roku Express player which delivers a complete streaming experience for a shockingly low price of $29.99," said Anthony Wood, Roku Founder and CEO. "Whether consumers simply want fast HD streaming via an inexpensive device or are looking for a top-of-the-line player with advanced features such as 4K and HDR, Roku is an easy choice." The new Roku lineup is powered by the Roku OS with access to over 3,500 streaming channels. Likewise, the products integrate Roku's unbiased search for comprehensive results across 100+ streaming channels. The affordable Roku Express and Roku Express+ offer compact designs and 1080p playback, while the more robust Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere +, and Roku Ultra add 4K Ultra HD support and improved performance. Here's a full rundown of specs and features for each model per the press release: Roku Express ($30) and Roku Express+ ($40) - Fast 1080p HD streaming- Simple IR remote control with popular streaming channel shortcut buttons- 802.11 b/g/n wireless- Optional removable adhesive strip for mounting to a TV- High Speed HDMI® cable included Roku Express+ ($40) also includes: - Composite jack and included composite A/V cable (red/white/yellow) Roku Premiere ($80) and Roku Premiere+ ($100) - Works with both HD and 4K UHD TVs- 4K UHD video playback, delivers crisp detail and brilliant, life-like images- HDCP 2.2 compatible and capable of up to 60 fps 4K UHD playback- Can upscale 720p to 1080p on HDTVs, and from 720p or 1080p to 4K up to 60 fps on 4K UHD TVs- Fast quad-core processor- 802.11ac MIMO dual-band wireless- Simple IR remote control with popular streaming channel shortcut buttons- Night listening mode setting adjusts audio sounds to maintain volume consistency Roku Premiere+ ($100) also includes: - HDR support displays an incredible range of colors including brighter whites and deeper blacks- Enhanced point anywhere remote with headphone jack for private listening- MicroSD card slot for additional channel storage- Ethernet for wired internet connectivity Roku Ultra ($130) In addition to everything offered on the Roku Premiere+, the Roku Ultra also features: - Dolby Digital / Dolby Digital Plus decoding for advance surround sound in home theaters- Optical digital audio out port to connect to a receiver or sound bar- USB port for local media playback- Convenient point anywhere remote control with voice search, headphone jack for private listening and gaming buttons- Lost remote finder feature finds remotes stuck in the couch with the touch of a button on the player Pre-orders for the Roku Express ($30), Roku Premiere ($80), Roku Premiere+ ($100), and Roku Ultra ($130) will begin today for an October 9 release. Meanwhile, the Roku Express+ ($40) is set to be a Walmart exclusive. Source: RokuPosted Mon Sep 26, 2016 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Greenlights 'Naked' Starring Marlon Wayans & Regina Hall[teaser]The upcoming romantic comedy will hit Netflix next year. [/teaser] Netflix has announced its latest original movie, 'Naked.' The romcom is based on the Swedish film, 'Naken,' and is set to star Marlon Wayans ('White Chicks,' 'Scary Movie') and Regina Hall ('Think Like A Man,' 'About Last Night'). "The response I've gotten from fans worldwide to my films on Netflix has been overwhelming, and I'm thrilled to be working with them on an original film. Also, I'm excited to be working with Regina again," said Marlon Wayans. In the film, Wayans stars as Rob Anderson, a charming man-child, who wakes up on his wedding day, naked in an elevator, reliving the hour before the ceremony over and over again. The movie is being directed by Michael Tiddes ('A Haunted House,' 'Fifty Shades of Black') and is written by Cory Koller, Marlon Wayans and Rick Alvarez. Marlon Wayans, Rick Alvarez ('White Chicks,' 'Marlon'), Todd Garner (The True Memoirs of an International Assassin) and Ryan Lewis (Chosen) are all on board as producers. In addition, Sean Robins, Michael Flynn and Paul Hanson will serve as executive producers. 'Naked' is scheduled to begin production this October in Charleston, South Carolina. An exact release date has not been announced yet, but the film will premiere globally on Netflix in 2017. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Luke Cage' on September 30, 'The Ranch' on October 7, 'Justin Timberlake + The Tennessee Kids' on October 12, 'Black Mirror' on October 21, 'The Crown' on November 4, 'True Memoirs of an International Assassin' on November 11, 'Lovesick' on November 17, and 'Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life' on November 25. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Fri Sep 23, 2016 at 04:15 PM PDT by:
