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Netflix Adds Seven Albert Brooks Films to Streaming Lineup, Titles Include 'Defending Your Life' & 'Modern Romance'[teaser]Several films from comedian Albert Brooks are now available on Netflix in the US. [/teaser] Netflix has announced the latest additions to its streaming library. Starting today, the platform is now home to seven movies from filmmaker Albert Brooks, including 'Defending Your Life,' which marks its 25th anniversary this year, 'Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World,' 'Lost in America,' 'Modern Romance,' 'Mother,' 'The Muse,' and 'Real Life.' "Albert Brooks and his films have been a huge influence on American comedy," said Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, "His innovative early short films and comedy albums lead to body of film work that thrives in the culture and keeps us laughing today. We are proud to have our U.S. Netflix members revisit these great works and to help introduce Brooks’ comedies to the next generation of fans." To mark the occasion, Albert Brooks has recorded a special message for Netflix users... Here's a full rundown of the Albert Brooks lineup now streaming on Netflix: 'Defending Your Life' - A man who dies and arrives in the afterlife only to find that he must stand trial and justify his lifelong fears in order to advance to the next phase of existence; or be sent back to earth to do it again. The film stars Albert Brooks, Meryl Streep and Rip Torn. 'Looking for Comedy in the Muslim World' - To improve its relations with Muslim countries, the United States government sends comedian Albert Brooks to south Asia to write a report on what makes followers of Islam laugh. The film stars Albert Brooks, Sheetal Sheth and John Carroll Lynch. 'Lost in America' - A 30-something married couple, inspired by the film Easy Rider, decide to drop out, quit their jobs, sell their home and travel across America in a Winnebago. The film stars Albert Brooks and Julie Hagerty. 'Modern Romance' - A successful film editor with far too many issues affects the relationship between him and his remarkably patient girlfriend. The film stars Albert Brooks, Kathryn Harrold, Bruno Kirby and George Kennedy. 'Mother' - A neurotic successful sci-fi writer is finalizing his second divorce, and is perplexed by the issues he has with women. He decides to initiate a project that will help him understand what went wrong in his relationships -- he moves back in with his mother. The film stars Albert Brooks and Debbie Reynolds. 'The Muse' - A Hollywood screenwriter seemingly has it all, but he's hit an artistic dry patch, so his writer friend recommends the services of a woman he swears is a veritable muse. Steven takes her on and is suddenly more inspired to create. Her services, however, come at a very steep price and Steven becomes suspicious about who Sarah really is and what she wants. The film stars Albert Brooks, Sharon Stone, Jeff Bridges and Andie MacDowell. 'Real Life' - In his directorial debut, Albert Brooks stars in this spoof of the 1973 reality television program “An American Family” and portrays a documentary filmmaker who attempts to live with and film a dysfunctional family for one full year. The film stars Brooks, Charles Grodin, Frances Lee McCain, J.A. Preston and Matthew Tobin. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Fri Jul 1, 2016 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
CE Week 2016 Highlights: HDR Projectors, Ultra HD TVs, Dolby Atmos Speakers and More![teaser]Last week, High-Def Digest was invited to attend the 2016 CE Week tradeshow in New York City. [/teaser]The annual mid-year event spotlights the latest tech, gadgets, and consumer electronics from some of the industry's top manufacturers -- and this year's show featured several exciting new products from companies like Epson, Samsung, Pioneer, Onkyo, and more. From High Dynamic Range projectors and Ultra HD TVs with quantum dots to premium headphones and Dolby Atmos speaker systems, the show floor was packed with tantalizing AV gear and demos for all the eager eyes and ears in attendance. And few were as eager as my own! So, with my CE thirst now quenched and my senses thoroughly impressed, I've returned with a list of highlights from the event. And in addition to the picks below, be sure to check out our detailed impressions from the Value Electronics 2016 TV Shootout, which was also held at the show. Pitting four premium Ultra HD TVs in a head-to-head competition, the Shootout crowned LG's G6 OLED as the new "King of TV." But thankfully, the G6 wasn't the only showstopper in attendance… Epson Not content to be outdone by any measly 65-inch display, Epson debuted its latest premium projectors, including several new HDR (high dynamic range) equipped models. The full lineup features the Home Cinema 5040UB ($2,999) and wireless Home Cinema 5040UBe ($3,299), and the Pro Cinema 6040UB ($3,999) and Pro Cinema 4040 ($2,699). All four models incorporate the company's 4K Enhancement Technology, allowing them to accept 4K signals while shifting each pixel diagonally by 0.5 pixels, effectively doubling their Full HD 1080p resolutions to 3840 x 2160 (resolution remains 1080p in 3D Mode). Likewise, the projectors include HDR playback and support for the entire DCI color gamut in Digital Cinema Mode. Nestled away in a spacious demo room, Epson had the Pro Cinema 6040UB model set up and ready to go. To highlight the projector's HDR and 4K enhancement tech, the company played back scenes from 'Kingsman: The Secret Service' on Ultra HD Blu-ray, along with stock clips of nature footage and cityscapes from a Redray hard drive. To put it simply, the projector looked spectacular with gorgeous colors, bright contrast, and very strong black level performance. Likewise, detail was astounding, especially on the stock footage reels, revealing tiny intricate textures in leaves, snow, and fur that appeared to offer a rather noticeable step-up from standard 1080p material. For comparisons sake, Epson also switched back and forth between the Pro Cinema 6040UB and a $15,000 projector from a competing brand. Epson wouldn't confirm exactly which manufacturer it was, but certain clues seemed to point to the unit being one of Sony's high-end models. Both projectors were calibrated by Kevin Miller (owner of ISFTV) to ensure optimal performance, and the Epson model was demonstrably brighter and punchier, while still retaining more realistic contrast and detail. And while I spent much of the event up and close and personal with some of the industry's best Ultra HD TVs, even with local diming and OLED tech, it's hard to beat the epic scope of a projector. With that said, I did notice one slight yet still noteworthy issue involving visible false contouring in the sky during the parachute sequence from 'Kingsman.' I'm not sure if this was an equipment, calibration, or source issue, but the banding was just apparent enough to warrant a mention (though I didn't see any artifacts from the Redray footage). Regardless, the Pro Cinema 6040UB left quite an impression, making it genuinely hard to pull myself away from the demo room. The Epson Pro Cinema 6040UB ($3,999) and Pro Cinema 4040 ($2,699), and the Home Cinema 5040UB ($2,999) and wireless Home Cinema 5040UBe ($3,299) are expected to start shipping in August. Samsung Though LG's flagship OLED may have won the Value Electronics shootout, Samsung's premium 2016 Ultra HD TV is still quite the beauty. With their own booth at CE Week, the company showed off its flagship KS9800 Ultra HD TV along with its UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player. The Premium SUHD TV features a cadmium free 10-bit, curved-screen Quantum Dot Display with 1,000-nits and full-array local dimming. In addition, the display meets the "Ultra HD Premium" specs and includes support for HDR10 and 96% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Sadly, however, like all of Samsung's new displays, the TV does not include 3D playback. To highlight the TV, Samsung had two units side-by-side. One played back scenes from 'Deadpool' and 'Eddie the Eagle' on Ultra HD Blu-ray, while the other played back scenes from a demo reel of nature and cityscape footage. All of the videos looked absolutely fantastic, especially scenes featuring a lush green forest and bright red fire, showing off the display's punchy HDR performance and knack for fine details. For more impressions on the KS9800 Ultra HD TV's performance, along with details on how it stacked up against competing 2016 Ultra HD TVs, check out our write-up from the Value Electronics TV Shootout. In addition to the two sets playing demo material, a third unit was also on hand and happened to be demonstrating HDR calibration with new CalMAN 2016 software when I visited the booth. The calibration tools were released for the first time during the show, finally giving new Ultra HD TVs owners the option to fine tune their sets to meet HDR and wide color gamut standards. And outside of Samsung's booth, the KS9800 Ultra HD TV also made one more appearance at the show -- this time at the Nanosys booth. Nanosys is the company that provides the display with quantum dots, a technology that uses nano-crystals that emit different colors when exposed to light depending on their size. When the dots are placed on a film over an LCD backlight with blue LEDs, they allow the panel to produce higher brightness levels with more realistic colors. This lets TVs with quantum dots support expanded color gamuts beyond the traditional Rec. 709 color space. For comparisons sake, Nanosys had the Samsung TV sitting side-by-side with the LG 65-inch OLED65G6P OLED (Samsung left, LG right). And though the G6 does offer numerous benefits of its own, in the bright room setting of the show, the OLED looked quite dim and washed out compared to the KS9800 -- revealing the unique strengths of LCDs with quantum dots. DarbeeVision While Ultra HD TVs with HDR and wide color gamuts are mightily impressive, what's left for customers who are just looking to get a bit more bang out of their existing displays? Well, that's where DarbeeVision comes in. The company is known for their standalone digital image enhancers, and they had their latest device, the DVP-5000S ($249), on hand at CE Week. The DVP-5000S is a compact, plug and play image enhancer that works with any HD HDMI display, TV, or projector. Customers simply need to connect the device between any product's HDMI output and their TV's HDMI input. Once connected, users can select from three different viewing modes: High-Def for high quality sources like Blu-ray discs, Gaming for computer generated images, and Full Pop for low res and low quality content. The DVP-5000S uses DARBEE Visual Presence™ V 2.0 Processing at the pixel level to embed 3D depth cues in real time, offering new detail and enhanced depth without altering color, contrast, sharpening, or resolution. Though the device cannot pass native 4K Ultra HD content, it does support HDMI 1.4 with 3D playback. Likewise, the company is working on 4K implementation for future models. To be honest, I'm pretty skeptical of "enhancement" products like this and usually prefer for my video signals to be as "pure" as possible. With that said, the demo looked rather nice, offering a scrolling before-and-after image on a Hisense display. With the DVP-5000S processing activated, the image did indeed look more detailed and I couldn't see any egregious artifacts. Of course, I'd need more time with the unit to make a full judgement, but it might be a worthwhile product for those looking to milk a bit more quality out of 1080p images. Pioneer/Onkyo Coming to CE Week in full force, Pioneer brought a variety of home audio products to the show, including the VSX-1131 7.2 Channel Receiver ($599, full review coming soon!), the Elite SC-LX501 7.2 Channel Network AVR ($1,000), the SE-MASTER1 ($2,500) and SE-MHR5($300) headphones, the SP-EBS73-LR Dolby Atmos-enabled Elite Concentric Compact Speakers ($749 per pair), the SP-T22A-LR Dolby Atmos-enabled add-on speakers ($200 per pair, full review coming soon!), the compact SP-BS22-LR Bookshelf Speakers ($130 per pair), the XDP-100R Digital Audio Player ($669), the SX-N30 Network Stereo Receiver ($600), and the PL-30-K Turntable ($297). Of the bunch, I took some time to listen to the XDP-100R Digital Audio Player through the SE-MASTER1 headphones playing a Dire Straits track. The song was available in FLAC and MQA formats and both sounded fantastic with full, lush fidelity. With that said, I can't say that my ears were blown away enough to warm up to the headphones' $2,500 price tag, but since a noisy tradeshow isn't really the best place to demo audio gear, more one-on-one time would likely reveal many nuances and performance benefits. In addition to the previously detailed gear on hand, Pioneer also debuted their new line of Micro Systems. Designed to serve as simple and compact stereo audio solutions perfect for apartments and college dorms, the Micro Systems include models with separate speakers and integrated speakers, along with CD players and wireless Bluetooth playback. Exact pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but Pioneer expects there to be options under $600. Pioneer's sister brand, Onkyo, was also in attendance at the show with their DP-X1 Digital Audio Player ($799). The device is based on the Android OS and offers support for several High Res Audio formats, including up to DSD 11.2MHz, 384kHz/24bit FLAC/WAV audio files. Likewise, the player now includes support the MQA format as well. MQA is an end to end audio tech that provides authenticated master quality audio in a file that's small enough to stream or download. Under the hood, the Audio circuit design uses ESS technology's SABRE DAC ES9018K2M and SABRE 9601K amp in a dual setup with a 2.5mm 4 pole jack for full balance output with support for normal BTL balance and Active Control GND drive. Finally, the player also provides the option to expand its storage to up to 432GB along with Google Play access. For demo purposes, I listened to Metallica's "Enter Sandman" in FLAC and MQA encoded formats, and both offered a deep, expansive audio experience. Though, once again, I'd need some more quality time with the player (away from a crowded show floor) to really offer full impressions. Kiss AV Joining the many already established brands at CE Week, was newcomer Kiss AV, a start-up hoping to crowdfund its new K.I.S.S. AV X4 2.1 speaker system through Kickstarter. Meant to serve as a better sounding solution to integrated TV speakers and dedicated soundbars, the K.I.S.S. AV X4 audio system features two speakers and a wireless subwoofer. Designed to be placed on a bookshelf or stands, or mounted to any wall surface, the thin speakers weigh less than two pounds each and measure just three inches thick (light enough to mount with Command Strips). Connection options include Toslink digital optical audio, digital coaxial, stereo line-level audio, and Bluetooth 4.0 AptX receiver. In addition, the speakers also implement the company's Sonic Vortex® Technology -- a patented speaker design technology that separates the main port of the speaker's enclosure into multiple smaller ports that are spread throughout multiple stacked sections called "fins" that are tuned to spec. While Sonic Vortex® Technology might sound like usual marketing fluff, after hearing the speakers in person, the tech does seem to have some merit. Despite the demo being situated amidst the large, crowded, and rather noisy tradeshow atmosphere, the K.I.S.S. AV X4 audio system produced surprisingly rich and genuinely room-filling sound at about 3-quarters of its max volume output. I'd need a quieter environment to really evaluate the nuances of the system's sonics, but what I heard left me wanting to hear more. The K.I.S.S. AV X4 speaker system Kickstarter campaign is now live. Early bird prices for the left and right speaker package start at $200, and prices for the 2.1 system with wireless subwoofer start at $399. Final Thoughts CE Week 2016 was filled with many impressive audio and video products, running the full gamut from budget gear to premium high-end devices. And beyond traditional AV items, the show also offered a varied assortment of tech gadgets, including 3D printers, drones, and even a car... because what tech show could be complete without a car? For now, though, what do you think of the products highlighted here? Will you be investing in an HDR projector or a digital music player? Let us know your thoughts in the forums!Posted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Launches New Ultra HD TVs with HDR Support, Prices Start at $1,000[teaser]Three new series of 4K Ultra HD TVs have been revealed. [/teaser] Sony has announced the latest additions to its Ultra HD TV lineup. The new displays include five models across three new series: the XBR-X800D, the XBR-X750D, and the XBR-X700D. The new Sony Ultra HD TVs deliver over 8 million pixels and near 4K quality up-conversion from HD sources. Likewise, the XBR-X800D series comes with integrated HDR (high dynamic range) compatibility, and the XBR-X750D and the XBR-X700D series are set to receive HDR support through a firmware upgrade later this year. High Dynamic Range technology offers enhanced brightness and contrast on supported content and displays, resulting in superior highlights, shadows, and colors. In addition, the TVs feature the Google Android TV operating system for streaming, Google Cast, media downloads, and gaming from a variety of apps like Google Play, Amazon Video, YouTube, Netflix, Hulu, PBS and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment's ULTRA streaming service. Finally, the Android TV platform also offers support for Home Automation control directly from the TV's user interface with a Logitech Harmony Hub, allowing customers to control IoT various (internet of things) devices like lights, shades and thermostats. Here's a full rundown of the upcoming XBR-X800D, XBR-X750D, and XBR-X700D series Ultra HD TVs: - XBR-49X800D, 49" class (48.5″ diag), $1,499.99 MSRP - XBR-43X800D, 43" class (42.5″ diag), $1,299.99 MSRP - XBR-65X750D, 65" class (64.5″ diag), $2,299.99 MSRP - XBR-55X700D, 55" class (54.6″ diag), $1,499.99 MSRP - XBR-49X700D, 49" class (48.5″ diag), $999.99 MSRP Pre-orders for the Sony XBR-X800D, XBR-X750D, and XBR-X700D series Ultra HD TVs wil start today, and the displays will be available for purchase from retailers like Amazon and Best Buy in July. Source: SonyPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Readies New 'Lost in Space' Series for 2018[teaser]"Danger, Will Robinson!" A new version of the 1960s sci-fi classic is rocketing toward Netflix. [/teaser] Netflix has announced its latest original series. From Legendary TV, 'Lost in Space' will be a one our sci-fi drama based on the original 1960s TV series. "The original series so deftly captured both drama and comedy, and that made it very appealing to a broad audience. The current creative team’s reimagining of the series for Netflix is sure to appeal to both fans who fondly remember the original and to create a new generation of enthusiasts around the world," said Cindy Holland, Netflix Vice President of Original Content. The show centers around the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, it is a survival story for the ages. 'Lost in Space' is being developed by feature writing team Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless ('Dracula Untold,' 'Last Witch Hunter'). Zack Estrin ('Prison Break') is on board as showrunner. While an exact release date has not been announced, the 10 episode first season of the show is set to debut worldwide exclusively through Netflix in 2018. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Marco Polo' season two on July 1, the documentary 'Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru' on July 15, season three of 'BoJack Horseman' on July 22, 'The Little Prince' on August 5, 'The Get Down' on August 12, 'Project Mc2' season two on August 12, 'XOXO' on August 12, and 'The Crown' on November 4. Likewise, the streaming platform is also prepping a new sci-fi series called 'Travelers' from writer Brad Wright. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Thu Jun 30, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Quick Look: 'The Legend of Tarzan' in Dolby Vision & Dolby AtmosMost of my days are spent hunched over a laptop working on my carpel tunnel and twisting my back in ways I'm going to regret in ten to twenty years.Then there are days when I go to movie premieres.Last Monday, Warner Bros and Dolby kindly hosted the world premiere for its latest feature, 'The Legend of Tarzan'. Walking into the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood California is an odd experience. First, it's in a mall. Literally. A high end shopping center with restaurants and jewelry stores and huts hawking sunglasses as tourists snap pictures from passing buses. But it's also this extravagant venue for musicals and, of course, home to the Academy Awards.In that sense, the Dolby Theatre is a magical palace of movie geekdom where you get a free popcorn and soda and the fleeting chance to see your favorite filmmakers and stars. The other great thing is the collective sense of buzz. While celebrities fill some seats, you're generally amongst the people who, in one way or another, devoted time to this production, or are in the middle of their own endeavors. That is to say premieres are generally warm rooms where the thrills chill and the jokes land.Like I said, an odd experience, but a special one I've very grateful to attend.Since Dolby took over the naming rights from Kodak several years ago, they set their genius pro cinema engineers to an impossible task -- make a venue that was in no way designed for cinema look and sound as good as it can. Today that means a Dolby Vision dual-4K projection system capable for 31fL in 2D (and 14fL in 3D) coupled with a custom Dolby Atmos setup. Dual 64-channel arrays (and processors) are necessary to run overhead and surround speakers for floor, mezzanine, and balcony seating. To be fair, it's not the best Dolby room in town, and some seats are more acoustically placed others, but given the restrictions faced, I'm always impressed. THE MOVIE ITSELF Let me begin by saying I have a huge amount of respect for the folks who made this movie. David Yates absolutely crushed his work in the 'Harry Potter' universe. Craig Brewer is an versatile writer-director (I'm not familiar with the other screenwriter's work). Alexander Skarsgård was unforgettable on 'True Blood'. Margot Robbie stood toe-to-toe with Leo in 'The Wolf of Wall Street' in a star-making performance. Christoph Waltz is one of the best all-time screen villains. Samuel L. Jackson is great in everything (even this). And Djimon Hounsou has an unmatched commanding presence.But, man, I just couldn't get into 'The Legend of Tarzan'. Dramatically. Emotionally. Tonally. It was all a miss for me.The basic plot revolves around Tarzan returning to the Congo at the invitation of Belgian's King Leopold II because England is hoping to broker a deal for mineral rights. Tarzan, or John Clayton (Skarsgård) as he likes to be called now, doesn't want to go back for reasons unknown, but his wife Jane (Robbie) very much wants to see her friends in the local tribe. Add in George Washington Williams (Jackson), an American Civil War vet who suspects Leopold might be enslaving the peoples of the Congo, and Tarzan has no choice but return to his past.Shortly after said reluctant return, the villainous Leon Rom (Waltz) kidnap Jane in hopes of luring Tarzan to his death. Tarzan, understandable pissed off, then sets off across the plains and the jungles with Williams to confront his past, rescue his wife, and possibly save the Congo from slavery.Much like the most recent Edgar Rice Burroughs adaptation, 'John Carter', 'Tarzan' manages to thrill at times with some wonderful action and beautiful photography -- Tarzan is effectively a 19th Century super hero -- but the filmmakers opted to treat characters' emotional-motivations as secrets rather than clear driving forces. In that sense, this film also features a flashback structure with all the origin story beats we've seen before, and where the scenes themselves are less engaging than the present day narrative and slow the film's overall pacing. There are also some odd tonal choices (Sam Jackson wondering if he should lick a gorillas testicles) and even though Jane has been modernized and she says she's no damsel, Ms. Robbie's character is woefully underwritten. Honestly, if it were my cinema dollars, I'd probably go see 'The Jungle Book' again or just Netflix Disney's animated 'Tarzan' (which admittedly has its own flaws).That said, if you're curious, completely disagree, or simply wish to stare at Skarsgård's abs for two hours... do yourself a favor and click HERE to find a list of Dolby Cinema locations where you're going to see and hear the best possible version of this film. DOLBY VISION 'The Legend of Tarzan' swings into Dolby Cinemas with Dolby Vision high dynamic range graded in the (I believe) DCI P3 cinema color space. While much of the movie has a muted and gritty color pallet -- jungles and Greystoke manner soaked in oppressive mist -- Dolby Vision has such good contrast and black levels that it makes the whole experience much more vivid than conventional digital cinemas. You can see the rich costume colors even in the darkness. Day time sequences are vivid in their own right. The on-location areal photography is some of the most eye-dropping I've seen since the original 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy. Cascading waterfalls dumping into jungle-lined river basins. It's a paradise. And the grassy plains seem to extend outward infinitely. Pay special attention to the brighter skies, where you'll glimpse more clouds and other details that will be washed out in standard dynamic range. In comparison to other Dolby Vision titles, 'Tarzan' is somewhat limited by its intended color palette (the warmer, saturated 'The Jungle Book' is more classically demo material), but it looked quite good to my eyes. DOLBY ATMOS 'The Legend of Tarzan' Dolby Atmos mix doesn't evolve the format in any way, but succeeds in implementing Atmos' inherent strengths to bolster the film's technical merits. Surround placement, including bullets and character voice panning, is above average. The Dolby Theatre auditorium is a vast space, but I knew at all times where the characters were going (and what threats were hunting them). Gorilla roars were guttural and deep. And I enjoy the sensation of movement as characters swing through dense jungles. My favorite aural sequence involves rain drenching your senses from the overhead speakers; it was quite effective, even if overall overhead usage is only moderately aggressive. If I had any suggestions, I wish there was a little less epic orchestral music and more jungle environment sonic nuances. Small note. Overall, though, this is a pretty good Dolby Atmos mix and I enjoyed its sonic flourishes more than 'Captain America: Civil War'. FINAL THOUGHTS While 'The Legend of Tarzan' wasn't for me, personally, it is a beautifully photographed film with a few thrilling set-pieces. If you're going to see it, I feel no regret in suggesting a Dolby Cinema auditorium. This type of color grading could easily find itself awash in grey-like black levels. Not so in Dolby Vision, which pushes the blacks and brings out dimensional colors even within the sometimes-muted pallet. Bright skies also resolve well. And, though not life-changing, the Dolby Atmos mix is quite good too, offering bursts of action and rain-soaked environmentals that make for an immersive experience. It should make for a nice Ultra HD Blu-ray and streaming experience.Another plus: after seeing what David Yates did with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos the first time out, I can't wait to see how 'Fantastic Beasts' looks and sounds. Are you going to see 'The Legend of Tarzan'? If so, where?Posted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
NVIDIA Shield Update Adds Netflix HDR Streaming, VUDU 4K, Dolby Atmos, Plex, and More![teaser]The powerful streaming media player now boasts several new features. [/teaser] NVIDIA has released the latest software upgrade for its NVIDIA Shield set-top box. The update includes high dynamic range support for Netflix HDR titles, VUDU 4K playback, and more. Under the hood, the NVIDIA Shield is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor; 256 core NVIDIA graphics 64-bit CPU; and 3 GB of RAM. The player is also Android TV Google Cast Ready and offers 4K Ultra HD playback at 60 fps. Likewise, the streaming box includes support for 10-bit color and HDR (high dynamic range) content. The base model includes 16 GB of storage; a microSD card slot; Wi-Fi; Gigabit Ethernet; USB 3.0; and a micro-USB SHIELD controller along with support for next-gen Android games. In addition, a larger 500 GB model is also available. With the new update, NVIDIA Shield owners can now stream select Netflix titles in HDR (high dynamic range). High Dynamic Range technology offers enhanced brightness and contrast on supported content and displays, resulting in superior highlights, shadows, and colors. Over 100 hours of HDR programming will arrive on Netflix by August, and more than 150 hours will be added by the end of 2016. Current Netflix Ultra HD subscribers can now watch season one of 'Marco Polo' in HDR. Beyond the Netflix upgrade, other new NVIDIA Shield features include Plex media server support, VUDU 4K playback, Dolby Atmos audio pass-through, and more. Here's a full rundown of new features per the release notes: - Netflix in HDR: SHIELD is the first Smart TV box to support Netflix in HDR! Pair with an HDR TV and enjoy brighter highlights, more detail in dark scenes, and a wider color range. One hundred hours of HDR shows coming this summer. Limitations apply (nflx.it/HDR). - VUDU in 4K: Catch up on the latest movies and binge-watch TV series. Joining IS FREE. You only pay for what you rent or buy. VUDU supports UltraViolet and Disney Movies Anywhere playback, as well as 4K and voice search. - Media Streaming At Home and On the Go: With PLEX Media Server built-in, you can stream your personal media collection from SHIELD to mobile devices, even outside the home. Accelerate your media (even from a NAS) with SHIELD’s HD transcode. - Dolby Atmos: Enjoy a home theater experience with rich Dolby® Atmos surround sound pass-through in VUDU, MX Player, SPMC, and SHIELD’s preinstalled Photos & Videos app. - YouTube 4K 60FPS: Watch YouTube videos in 4K Ultra HD resolution at a smooth 60 frames per second—only on SHIELD. - Access SHIELD folders from a network PC or Mac and enjoy drag-and-drop file sharing. Enable in Settings > Storage & reset > Access SHIELD folders on PC. - Mount a network attached storage device (NAS) to SHIELD to access your complete media collection. Stream this media to mobile devices using the Plex app and SHIELD’s HD hardware transcode. Set up in Settings > Storage & reset > Network storage. - Automatically turn off your TV when SHIELD sleeps. Enable in Settings > HDMI > HDMI-CEC preferences. - Enable YCbCr 4:4:4 color space for improved video quality on supported TVs. Go to Settings > HDMI > Color space. - Improves picture quality for RGB TVs - Delivers the latest monthly Android security updates - Improves video playback for 23.976 Hz refresh rate - Improves TV compatibility The SHIELD Experience Upgrade 3.2 is rolling out to customers now. The NVIDIA Shield 16 GB model is on sale for a suggested retail price of $200. Meanwhile, the NVIDIA Shield 500 GB model is currently available for $300. Sources: NVIDIA 1, NVIDIA 2, Engadget, Android CentralPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Customers Can Now Purchase Their Own Private IMAX Home Theatres... For Just $400,000[teaser]You're going to need a pretty big living room. [/teaser] Is your 65-inch OLED Ultra HD TV just not big enough? Well, why don't you upgrade to a floor-to-ceiling IMAX home theatre system? I mean, it only costs a measly $400,000 for the basic setup -- a small price to pay for the gift of larger-than-life entertainment! IMAX is now offering deep-pocketed customers the option to have their very own, very large private theatres. The IMAX Private Theatre Palais is a decidedly luxurious home theater solution that transports the immersive IMAX entertainment experience to the comfort of a user's home with the first turn-key home entertainment system from a holistic source, offering a complete audio/visual package with a giant screen, 4K playback, 3D, Blu-ray, proprietary sound, and more. The $400,000 "Palais" option is designed to accommodate home theatres up to 75 square meters in size with room for 7 to 18 guests. And if that's not enough, the step-up "Platinum" system can house up to 40 audience members for a cool $1 million. In addition to standard playback sources, customers will also have the option to purchase a secure set-top box (about $10,000) to rent and download new release titles directly to their fancy home theatres. Here's a full rundown of IMAX Private Theatre Palais features: - Dual 4K 2D/3D projectors- Daily picture and sound calibration to ensure optimal quality of presentation- Immersive IMAX® floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall screen- Proprietary IMAX® sound system- Complete HD multi-media system including HD television, Blu-ray™, DVD, CD, gaming and karaoke- Exclusive theater design by Theo Kalomirakis- User friendly touch-screen control pad with dedicated control system- World-class after-sales service and 24/7 remote monitoring support IMAX is now expanding sales of its Private Theatre systems into North America and Europe. Sources: IMAX, Engadget, BloombergPosted Wed Jun 29, 2016 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Up to 38% off Dell Monitors & Samsung Ultra HD TVs![teaser]Amazon is offering big discounts on select displays! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing deals, Amazon is running a sale on UltraSharp monitors from Dell and 2016 Ultra HD TVs from Samsung. Samsung UN65KU7000 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Currently $1,798 (18% off). Samsung UN49KS8500 Curved 49-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV - Currently $1,498 (12% off). Dell UltraSharp U3415W 34-Inch Curved LED-Lit Monitor - Currently $744 (38% off). Dell Ultrasharp U2415 24.0-Inch Screen LED Monitor - Currently $255 (36% off). Dell UltraSharp U2515H 25-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor - Currently $350 (30% off). Dell UltraSharp U2715H 27-Inch Screen LED-Lit Monitor - Currently $500 (23% off). Dell UltraSharp U2913WM 29-Inch Ultra Widescreen LED-Lit Monitor - Currently $310 (14% off). These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Tue Jun 28, 2016 at 03:45 PM PDT by: -
Western Digital Offers New Devices with Plex Media Server Support[teaser]Western Digital's new devices are geared toward Plex users. [/teaser] Western Digital has announced the release of two new products. The My Passport Wireless Pro and the My Cloud Pro are both perfect for Plex streaming. The My Passport Wireless Pro is the first fully self contained, battery powered, portable Plex Media Server device. 2TB and 3TB models are available, offering Wireless 802.11ac, SD 3.0 card reader support, up to 10 hours of battery life, USB 3.0 and 2.0 connectivity, and the My Cloud app for iOS and Android devices. And with Plex Media server support, users can wirelessly stream media from their My Passport Wireless Pro to any supported device like a smartphone, tablet, Smart TV and more. Meanwhile, the My Cloud Pro comes in models with either 2 or 4 drive bays. The device is powered by an Intel Pentium N3710 1.6GHz quad-core (burst-mode frequency 2.56GHz) CPU with 4GB DDR3L RAM and USB 3.0 connectivity. In addition, the My Cloud Pro features a hardware accelerated video processor which can transcode up to four 1080p streams at once. Likewise, the NAS storage unit is optimized for the Plex media server, ensuring that a user's HD videos are prepared for streaming whenever they need them and on any compatible device. In addition to the new My Passport Wireless Pro and the My Cloud Pro, Western Digital offers several more hard drive and NAS device options, including the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra Network Attached Storage (full review here!). Likewise, Plex recently announced full media server support for the NVIDIA Shield 16 GB and the NVIDIA Shield 500 GB set-top boxes. And be sure to check out our review of the Plex Pass service. Source: PlexPosted Tue Jun 28, 2016 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Releases Teaser for Baz Luhrmann's 'The Get Down,' Streaming Premiere Set for August 12[teaser]The 'Moulin Rouge!' director's new show is coming to Netflix in August. [/teaser] Netflix has released a new teaser for its latest original series, 'The Get Down.' The show comes from Baz Luhrmann -- the director behind 'Romeo + Juliet,' 'Moulin Rouge!,' and 'The Great Gatsby.' Luhrmann serves as executive producer and directed the first two episodes and season finale for the 13-episode series. Shawn Ryan, creator of 'The Shield,' is also on board as an executive producer. 'The Get Down' focuses on 1970s New York City – broken down and beaten up, violent, cash strapped -- dying. Consigned to rubble, a rag-tag crew of South Bronx teenagers are nothings and nobodies with no one to shelter them – except each other, armed only with verbal games, improvised dance steps, some magic markers and spray cans. From Bronx tenements, to the SoHo art scene; from CBGBs to Studio 54 and even the glass towers of the just-built World Trade Center, 'The Get Down' is a mythic saga of how New York at the brink of bankruptcy gave birth to hip-hop, punk and disco -- told through the lives and music of the South Bronx kids who changed the city, and the world...forever. Check out the teaser below! Part 1 of 'The Get Down,' which includes the show's first six episodes, is set to premiere through Netflix on August 12. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include 'Marco Polo' season two on July 1, the documentary 'Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru' on July 15, season three of 'BoJack Horseman' on July 22, 'The Little Prince' on August 5, 'Project Mc2' season two on August 12, 'XOXO' on August 12, and 'The Crown' on November 4. Likewise, the streaming platform is also prepping a new sci-fi series called 'Travelers' from writer Brad Wright. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Mon Jun 27, 2016 at 01:49 PM PDT by:
