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Sony Brings PlayStation Vue to Roku Players, Android Support Coming Soon[teaser]The streaming TV platform is now available through Roku devices. [/teaser] Sony has announced the expansion of its PlayStation Vue internet TV service to Roku products. The cloud based streaming platform is now available on Roku media players, Roku Stick, and Roku TVs. In addition, the service is set to launch on Android smartphones and tablets next week PlayStation Vue offers live and on demand content from a growing collection of channels. The platform enables viewers to easily search through available programming with an intuitive interface and convenient personal recommendations. In addition, if customers tag a favorite series they will be given cloud access to episodes of that show for 28 days with no storage restrictions. Likewise, PlayStation Vue offers up to five simultaneous streams across different devices, including up to three mobile devices outside of the home. Here's a rundown of current plans: - Access: 55+ channels, including live cable TV, movies, and sports channels for $29.99 per month ($39.99 in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Miami) - Core: 70+ channels, including all the channels from Access with the addition of live national and regional sports networks for $34.99 per month ($44.99 in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Miami) - Elite: 100+ channels, featuring all the channels from Core with the addition of top movie and entertainment channels for $44.99 per month ($54.99 in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, and Miami) In addition to Roku devices, PlayStation Vue is currently available through the Chromecast, Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, iPad, and iPhone. New customers can sign up for a seven-day free trial option through the PlayStation Vue website. Source: SonyPosted Tue Jun 21, 2016 at 04:30 PM PDT by: -
Epson Announces New Pro Cinema Projectors with 4K Ultra HD Signal Input and HDR[teaser]Two new projector models with 4K Enhancement Technology and HDR support have been revealed. [/teaser] Today at CE Week in New York City, Epson announced the latest additions to its home theater projector lineup. The upcoming Pro Cinema 6040UB ($3,999) and Pro Cinema 4040 ($2,699) will be available in August. "With mesmerizing resolution, up to a million-to-one dynamic contrast ratio and a full range of premium cinema features, the new Pro Cinema projectors are nothing short of amazing," said Rodrigo Catalan, senior product manager, Projectors, Epson America. "Moreover, the flagship Pro Cinema 6040UB offers a level of performance that challenges any 4K projector currently available on the market. Viewers will enjoy stunning quality 4K UHD movies whether delivered from a UHD Blu-ray disk or streaming services." The Pro Cinema 6040UB and Pro Cinema 4040 both offer 4K UHD signal input and use 4K Enhancement Technology to shift each pixel diagonally by 0.5 pixels, effectively doubling their Full HD resolution to 3840 x 2160 (resolution remains 1080p in 3D Mode). Likewise, both models offer HDR (high dynamic range support) and the ability to display the full sRGB color space, even in the brightest mode, and the entire DCI color gamut in Digital Cinema Mode. In addition, the Pro Cinema 6040UBm meets the ISF Certification standard with independent image calibration tools and lockable memory modes. Here's a full rundown of additional features per the press release: - High Brightness: Ideal for dedicated theater rooms, the Pro Cinema 6040UB features 2,500 lumens of color brightness and 2,500 lumens of white brightness2 and the Pro Cinema 4040 features 2,300 lumens of color brightness and 2,300 lumens of white brightness2 - Image Enhancement Features: Super Resolution delivers defined edges and rich image quality, making content come alive; Detail Enhancement refines surface detail for true-to-life images; users can adjust levels of sharpness and detail enhancement - Exquisite Contrast: Up to 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio for Ultra Blacks (Pro Cinema 6040UB) and up to 140,000:1 contrast ratio for rich detail in bright and dark scenes (Pro Cinema 4040 - Frame Interpolation: Generates multiple new frames between the originals, reducing motion blur and providing a smoother, theater-like experience - Auto Iris Technology: Adjusts the aperture to provide the optimum contrast and brightness for each scene - Centered Lens Design: Makes installation easy to plan and carry out with simpler lens-to-screen alignment - Picture-in-Picture Mode: Enables twice the content at once from two HDMI inputs on a single screen - Home Entertainment Hub: Supports HDMI for seamless compatibility with cable/satellite boxes, Blu-ray Disc/DVD players and gaming consoles. It even connects to smartphones, tablets, and streaming devices such as Chromecast™, Roku®, Amazon Fire™ TV and Apple TV®; also connect your computer, GoPro® and more - Color Brightness Specification: Brilliant image quality requires high color brightness; Epson projectors utilize 3LCD, 3-chip technology and offer up to 3x higher color brightness than leading competitive projectors - Pro Cinema Kit: Features a three-year limited warranty (90 days on lamps), ISF certification, a ceiling mount, cable cover, and extra lamp for added installation flexibility The new Pro Cinema projectors are now on display at Epson's booth #116 at CE Week June 21-23 in New York City. Source: Epson via PR NewswirePosted Tue Jun 21, 2016 at 03:45 PM PDT by: -
BroadwayHD Readies First Livestream of a Broadway Show[teaser]'She Loves Me' is set to be the first Broadway production livestreamed over the internet. [/teaser] BroadwayHD and Roundabout Theatre Company, in association with Ellen M. Krass Productions, Inc., have announced plans to offer the very first livestream of a Broadway show. The stream will feature a live performance of 'She Loves Me' on June 30 at 8 PM EST. 'She Loves Me' follows Amalia and Georg, two parfumerie clerks who aren’t quite the best of friends. Constantly bumping heads while on the job, the sparring coworkers can’t seem to find common ground. But little do they know the anonymous pen pals they have both been falling for happen to be each other! Will love continue to blossom once their identities are finally revealed? The Tony award winning play stars Laura Benanti, Zachary Levi, Jane Krakowski, and Ilona Gavin. The production is directed by Scott Ellis, with a book by Joe Masteroff, music by Jerry Bock, and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. 'She Loves Me' will be livestreamed via the BroadwayHD app available for Roku devices and the Apple TV, or through the BroadwayHD website on smartphones, tablets, and computers. BroadwayHD offers a monthly streaming subscription service for $15 per month or a yearly service for $170 annually. Non-subscribers can also watch the 'She Loves Me' livestream for a single purchase price of $10. The performance will be available for on-demand viewing for one week following the livestream as well. In addition to 'She Loves Me,' BroadwayHD previously livestreamed Off Broadway shows like 'Buried Child' and 'Old Hats.' Likewise, the service also offers a growing collection of on-demand stage to screen theatre productions. Sources: BroadwayHD, Engadget, VarietyPosted Mon Jun 20, 2016 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Roku Expands Universal Search Feature with Support for More Entertainment & News Channels[teaser]The Roku Search option can now find results from even more sources. [/teaser] Roku has announced an update to its Roku Search feature on Roku media players and Roku TVs. As part of the upgrade, Roku Search will now include results from news channels for the first time. Roku Search is a universal, unbiased search tool that allows Roku customers to get search results from a variety of streaming channels. Results for movies and TV shows are even organized by price, letting users see which services offer their desired title for purchase or for free. Likewise, Roku is now adding news channels to the universal search. Here's a full list of Roku Search supported channels: ABC, ABC News, Acorn TV, Amazon Video, BIGSTAR, Bloomberg TV, CBS All Access, CBS News, CinemaNow,Comedy Central, CONtv, Crackle, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, Docurama, Dove Channel,DramaFever, Encore Play, FandangoNOW, Fandor, Fox Business Network, Fox News Channel, FOX NOW, Freeform, FXNOW, Google Play, HBO GO, Hulu, Indieflix, Met Opera on Demand, MTV, NAT GEO TV, NBC News, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., Premiere, Popcornflix, Pop Flix Classic Movies, Shout Factory TV, SHOWTIME, Smithsonian Channel, SnagFilms Watch Free Movies, Starz Play, Time Warner Cable, Tribeca Shortlist, Tubi TV, VH1, Viewster, VUDU, WATCH Cooking Channel, WATCH DIY Network, Watch Food Network,Watch HGTV and Watch Travel Channel. With select news channels now integrated into Roku Search, users can search for specific topics to receive popular headlines related to their query going back a week. Users can also simply search for today's date to receive the day's specific headlines. In addition to finding news through Roku Search, customers can also click on the "News" menu in the Home Screen. This option will bring up the top news headlines from AOL across many different categories. Roku's flagship Roku 4 is now available for a suggested retail price of $130. Source: RokuPosted Mon Jun 20, 2016 at 10:45 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Readies 'David Brent: Life on the Road' Starring Ricky Gervais[teaser]The feature film spin-off of 'The Office' is heading to Netflix next year. [/teaser] Netflix has announced the acquisition of its latest movie. Ricky Gervais's 'David Brent: Life on the Road' will premiere through Netflix in select territories, including the US, in 2017. "We are thrilled to welcome the iconic character of David Brent back to Netflix, as we were the home to the first digital deal for The Office, starring Ricky Gervais. Our existing collaborations across series, for Derek, and in film, with Special Correspondents have been fruitful, and it’s only fitting for us to have Ricky’s upcoming feature film available to as many of our viewers as possible," said Ted Sarandos, Netflix chief content officer. The feature length film sees a documentary crew catching up with David Brent twelve years on from the BBC2 documentary The Office. Brent is now a travelling salesman, chasing his dream of rock stardom by self-financing a UK tour with his band, 'Foregone Conclusion'. Check out the trailer below! 'David Brent: Life on the Road' is written and directed by star Ricky Gervais. The movie will receive a theatrical release by Entertainment One (eOne) this August in the U.K., Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, Netflix will debut the movie in the US and other international markets next year. "I'm so glad the mighty Netflix have once again outbid all competitors in North America to show my movie exclusively. It is the perfect platform for me, giving complete creative freedom and also millions of instant viewers who can watch again and again. I can't wait for David Brent to follow it up with his US live tour!," said Gervais. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Fri Jun 17, 2016 at 01:45 PM PDT by: -
Value Electronics 2016 4K Ultra HD TV Shootout to Be Held During CE Week in NYC[teaser]The annual shootout will crown a new 4K Ultra HD TV champion next week. [/teaser] Value Electronics, a leading independent audio video retailer in Westchester County, NY, has announced plans to host its 13th Annual TV Shootout during the upcoming CE Week tradeshow. The event will be held on June 22 and June 23 in New York City. "Our TV Shootout has proven to be a 'must attend' event among true video enthusiasts and industry leaders each year, demonstrating how the premium TVs perform and compete with each other," said Robert Zohn, found and president of Value Electronics. "With the continuation of Ultra HD and OLED as well as the great advancements of TV technologies, this will be a great year for flat panel displays." Every year, the Value Electronics TV Shootout places the industry's best TVs side by side in order to choose the new "King of UHD TV." The selected TV models will be measured and compared against each other based on various display aspects, including contrast ratio, peak brightness, black level, color accuracy, color saturation, motion resolution, lag input time, and energy efficiency. The audience will then vote on each of four picture quality attributes to determine a winner. Joel Silver of the Imaging Science Foundation will host the event. Likewise, professional TV reviewers, professional ISF certified calibrators, and product specialists will also be on hand. Sessions will be conducted on June 22 and June 23 and a Q&A will be held at the end of each presentation. Currently there are three TVs confirmed for this year's shootout: LG's 65-inch G6 OLED Sony's 75-inch X940D FALD LCD Samsung's 78-inch KS9800 FALD LCD Additional displays could be added to the competition as well. AV enthusiasts who are interested in attending the shootout can email Value Electronics for an invite. And for those who can't attend, the event will be available to view online through a live webcast. High-Def Digest will be on hand at the competition, so stay tuned next week for more details and impressions from the shootout! Sources: CE Week, PR Newswire, AVS ForumPosted Thu Jun 16, 2016 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Lionsgate Set to Offer Titles with Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos for Home Entertainment Market[teaser]Another studio has announced plans to support Dolby's video and audio technologies for home releases. [/teaser] Lionsgate and Dolby are teaming up to offer home entertainment content mastered in Dolby Vision and mixed in Dolby Atmos. The upcoming lineup will include new releases and catalog titles from Lionsgate's growing library. "Dolby's commitment to enabling spectacular experiences is realized through this collaboration that combines our industry-leading audiovisual technologies and Lionsgate's incredible pipeline of exciting titles," said Curt Behlmer, SVP, Content Solutions & Industry Relations, Dolby Laboratories. "With this development, Dolby continues to enhance entertainment by giving people the ability to enjoy movies with stunning visuals and immersive object-based audio that draws them into the story on-screen in the comfort of their own homes." Dolby Vision is an end-to-end video technology that uses high dynamic range and wide color gamuts to create and display content with superior brightness and contrast, resulting in more realistic highlights and shadow detail on supported TVs. The process is currently integrated into several display lines, including VIZIO's Reference Series, 2016 P-Series, and 2016 M-Series, along with LG's SUPER UHD TVs and 2016 OLED TVs. Meanwhile, Dolby Atmos is an immersive object-based audio format that allows for the addition of overhead sound in the home theater through ceiling mounted speakers or up-firing drivers. "We remain committed to being at the forefront of expanding and enriching the home entertainment experience for our audiences by incorporating state-of-the-art technologies," said Lionsgate Worldwide Home Entertainment President Ron Schwartz. "We're proud to partner with our friends at Dolby to master titles in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, giving consumers the opportunity to experience their favorite Lionsgate movies in an entirely new way." Exact titles, release dates, and distribution platforms have not been announced yet, but Lionsgate plans to start launching content with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in the coming months. Source: DolbyPosted Thu Jun 16, 2016 at 10:45 AM PDT by: -
Motor Trend OnDemand Debuts 'Daily Fix' with Carlos Lago[teaser]The new daily show is launching today on Motor Trend OnDemand. [/teaser] TEN: The Enthusiast Network has announced the latest addition to its Motor Trend OnDemand content library. 'Daily Fix' with Carlos Lago is now the subscription streaming platform's first daily program. "I am thrilled at the opportunity to return to the TEN team with launch of Daily Fix," said Lago. "There is so much happening at the TEN offices, we never know who or what amazing piece of hardware might be in house. With this more 'run and gun' less produced format, I can grab a camera, capture the magic and turn it around immediately. The show will be the first of its kind to deliver new content to gearheads when, where and how they want it." 'Daily Fix' will offer new content every day, providing coverage on various automotive topics, ranging from in-depth breakdowns on specific car models to behind-the-scenes looks at the people who work for TEN automotive brands. Host Carlos Lago previously worked as Motor Trend's Associate Road Test Editor and as a writer/host/producer for several of TEN's YouTube shows. Beyond Lago, the show will also include guests and co-hosts from other Motor Trend OnDemand programs like Roadkill, Head2Head, Dirt Every Day, Ignition, Hot Rod Garage, and more. "As the publishing and content industry continues to evolve, we're leading the category in original programming as well as in production and distribution models with Motor Trend OnDemand, our Motor Tend YouTube and Facebook LIVE initiatives," said TEN CEO Scott Dickey. "With Daily Fix and Carlos' return, we're continuing our innovation and giving our fans more of what they want, now on a daily basis." 'Daily Fix' premieres today at 8 AM ET through Motor Trend OnDemand. Special live shows will also be available at 5 PM ET on Fridays. Motor Trend OnDemand is now available through supported platforms for a promotional price of $4.99 per month/$49.99 annually. Source: Motor Trend OnDemandPosted Thu Jun 16, 2016 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Snags Rights to Charlie McDowell's 'The Discovery' Starring Rooney Mara[teaser]The movie is heading to Netflix and select theaters in 2017. [/teaser] Netflix has announced its latest film acquisition. 'The Discovery' stars Rooney Mara ('Carol'), Robert Redford ('Truth') and Jason Segel ('The End of the Tour'). The film is set to premiere through Netflix and select theaters in the US next year. Directed by Charlie McDowell and written by McDowell and Justin Lader, 'The Discovery' is a gripping love story set one year after the existence of the afterlife is scientifically verified. Redford plays the scientist responsible for the discovery, with Segel portraying his son Will and Mara playing Isla, a woman haunted by a tragic past who Will falls in love with. "To describe the story as original doesn't begin to capture the world that Charlie has created that will envelop you," said Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos. "Our global viewers are going to love this film." 'The Discovery' also stars Jesse Plemons ('Breaking Bad'), Riley Keough ('American Honey,' 'The Girlfriend Experience') and Ron Canada ('The Strain'). Filming was conducted on location in Rhode Island. Producers include Alex Orlovsky of Verisimilitude and James D. Stern of Endgame Entertainment. In addition, Executive Producers include Mike Goodridge and Dimitra Tsingou for Protagonist, and Julie Goldstein and Lucas Smith for Endgame. Charlie McDowell previously made his directorial debut with the 2014 film 'The One I Love,' starring Mark Duplass and Elisabeth Moss. Other upcoming Netflix premieres include season four of 'Orange is the New Black' on June 17, '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, 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 Wed Jun 15, 2016 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Hulu Expands Virtual Reality App Support to Oculus Rift Headsets[teaser]Oculus Rift owners can now access the Hulu VR app. [/teaser] Hulu has announced the release of its Virtual Reality app for the Oculus Rift. The Hulu VR app previously launched on the Samsung Gear VR. With the Hulu VR app, Oculus Rift users can now enjoy Hulu content through an immersive virtual reality experience. The app includes access to a growing collection of 360 degree videos and exclusive VR content, placing audiences right in the middle of the action. Currently the app offers more than 30 pieces of exclusive and premium content from Baobab Studios, Discovery Communications, Las Vegas, The National Geographic Channel, RYOT, Showtime Networks, SilVR Thread, Spoke, Studio Transcendent, The Uprising Creative and Viacom with or without a subscription. Likewise, the library includes Hulu's first original VR short film, 'The Big One.' The short was produced through a partnership with Lionsgate and invites users to witness a meteor shower that soon turns into an apocalyptic nightmare. Finally, the Hulu VR app also lets users watch the company's entire 2D library of content in 360 immersive virtual environments -- allowing viewers to watch programming in settings like a comfortable living room, a big screen theater, or a scenic beach. In addition, fans of the SyFy series, '12 Monkeys,' can now watch the entire first season in a virtual space designed to look like the show's Temporal Facility. The Oculus Rift is now available for $599. New orders are expected to ship in August. Beyond the Oculus Rift, the Hulu VR app is also available through the Samsung Gear VR. The Gear VR is a virtual reality headset that weighs just 318g and offers an FOV of 96 degrees. Gear VR currently works in conjunction with Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 edge, Galaxy Note5, Galaxy S6 edge+, Galaxy S6, and Galaxy S6 edge smartphones, using each device's super AMOLED display to help create an immersive VR experience. Suggested retail price for the Gear VR is $99. Source: HuluPosted Wed Jun 15, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by:
