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Prepare to Light Your Music on Fire with New Sound Torch Speaker[teaser]The upcoming speaker literally burns with the beat. [/teaser] Are you looking to add an extra layer of danger to those daily Taylor Swift jam out sessions you have every morning before work? (I can't be the only one, right?) Well, how about an exposed dancing flame to go along with every chorus about cheating ex-boyfriends? That's right, the upcoming Sound Torch brings fiery pyrotechnics to Bluetooth audio! The speaker features a pyro board on top that turns whatever music you play into a burning fire pattern that increases in intensity based on the beat of the track. Likewise, users will also be able to control the flames with their smartphones, highlighting the instruments that they want the fire to react to. The developers are hoping that the Sound Torch will be a perfect fit for clubs, house parties, and even picnics. To see the device in all its blazing glory, check out the video below! The Sound Torch developers will be launching a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign soon, and interested parties can now sign up for their email waiting list. Only 100 units will be produced for the first wave... so you'll probably have to act fast before the sale is extinguished. Flame on! Source: Sound Torch via EngadgetPosted Thu May 7, 2015 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Sharp Details New Roku TV Models, Prices Start at $380[teaser]Sharp is now the latest company to offer Roku TVs. [/teaser] Roku and Sharp have announced a partnership to manufacture Sharp brand Roku TVs. The new displays will now join models from previously revealed Roku TV partners like TCL, Hisense, Insignia, and Haier. "We are pleased to offer Sharp smart TVs that run the Roku OS and provide consumers with an easy and elegant way to enjoy their entertainment," said Vishnu Rao, director of technology planning for Sharp Electronics. "We believe the benefits of the Roku platform combined with the superiority of the Sharp brand makes an appealing combination for consumers looking for a great smart TV experience." The Sharp Roku TVs will feature 1080p LED LCD panels with 60hz native refresh rates. Models will be available in 43-inch ($380) and 50-inch ($500) screen sizes exclusively at Best Buy later this month. The displays will run the Roku OS and offer access to the growing Roku Channel Store. Likewise, each Sharp Roku TV has earned the new Netflix Recommended TV designation. In addition to the new Sharp models, Roku has also announced release dates and pricing for its Insignia Roku TVs as well. The 32-inch Insignia Roku TV ($230) and the 55-inch Insignia Roku TV ($550) will both go on sale at Best Buy stores this month. Both models also feature 1080p panels and 60hz refresh rates. Sources: Business Wire, RokuPosted Wed May 6, 2015 at 03:30 PM PDT by: -
Comcast Readies Xi4 Ultra HD Set-Top Box with 4K Content from Starz, Syfy, USA and More[teaser]The cable giant will release a 4K set-top box later this year. [/teaser] Comcast has announced plans to expand its Ultra HD support to include a 4K set-top box. The Xi4 will allow Comcast customers to access the Xfinity in UHD catalog on their 4K TVs. "With Xfinity in UHD, our customers can easily and seamlessly enjoy some of the best 4K programming available today as part of their subscription with no additional equipment or costs," said Matt Strauss, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Video Service for Comcast Cable. "We are committed to providing the highest-quality entertainment experiences across platforms and our next-generation set-top boxes deliver on that promise—providing our customers with UHD and HDR programming on the biggest screen in the home." The Xi4 will feature the company's growing Xfinity in UHD library of 4K content, including upcoming IMAX film additions like 'The Ultimate Wave Tahiti,' 'Antarctica,' 'Rocky Mountain Express,' 'Fighter Pilot' and 'Dinosaurs: Giants of Patagonia.' Full current seasons of popular TV series like Syfy’s 'Defiance,' USA's 'Suits,' STARZ shows like 'Outlander' and 'Power' will also be available. Customers will also be able to watch unlimited virtual 4K linear channels by creating personalized playlists from the Xfinity in UHD catalog. In addition to the Xi4, Comcast is also planning to release the Xi5 set-top box with HDR (high dynamic range) support next year. An exact release date has not been announced, but Comcast's Xi4 Ultra HD set-top box will be available later this year. Meanwhile, Xfinity subscribers with select Samsung 4K TVs can currently enjoy the Xfinity in UHD library through the Xfinity in UHD app. Source: ComcastPosted Wed May 6, 2015 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
HDD Demos Sharp Wireless High Resolution Audio PlayerWhile the consumer electronics market has been relatively quick and enthusiastic about making the jump from SD to HD to Ultra HD video, the industry has seen a slightly different trajectory when it comes to digital audio over the years. With the increasing popularity of compressed MP3 files and bandwidth limited streaming music services, for the most part, the way we listen to music has actually been regressing when it comes to quality.Thankfully, manufacturers and content providers are now starting to sing a new tune when it comes to audio gear and music playback. I mean, why should only digital movies benefit from higher bitrates and less compression? Aren't our ears just as important as our eyes? We can finally watch 'Lawrence of Arabia' with the high quality video it deserves on a digital format, but shouldn't we also be able to listen to The Rolling Stones with the high quality audio they deserve as well? In an effort to tap into the growing digital audiophile market, while simultaneously trying to extend that appeal to more mainstream music listeners, several companies are now starting to embrace high-resolution audio components in a big way. With high-res audio, listeners are treated to lossless digital audio files at up to 24bit/96kHz. By avoiding lossy compression methods (like MP3), high-res audio tracks retain greater dynamic range and frequency responses, letting music fans hear their favorite tracks undiluted. CES saw the arrival of many new high-res audio products, and now Sharp is ready to embrace the technology wholeheartedly with the SD-WH1000U, bringing a full wireless high-resolution audio solution to living rooms and home theaters. Last week, High-Def Digest was invited to demo the versatile new player in Sharp's swanky (a piano makes any space classy, doesn't it?) listening setup at the Savant NYC Experience Center. In the elegant and modern living room style locale, we were treated to several demonstrations of the player's high-res audio quality capabilities and vast feature set, giving us an impressive glimpse of what buyers and custom installers can come to expect from the product. Design & Features [teaser]The SD-WH1000U is a fully featured wireless high-resolution music player and home theater hub, serving as an extensive audio/video solution primarily geared toward installers and integrators. [/teaser] The player features a custom honeycomb disc drive that includes support for Blu-ray, DVD, and SACD, as well as integrated NJR/JRC Muse Op Amps, and an ESS9018 DAC. Using the WiSA (over 5.2-5.8 GHz band) and WiHD standards, the device is capable of wirelessly transmitting up to 1080p video and up to 7.1 channels of high-resolution audio. To achieve wireless audio playback, consumers can simply pair the device with WiSA capable speakers (like models offered from Bang and Olufsen), or with any pair of speakers or audio equipment using a separate Sharp Wireless Bridge (one per channel). To achieve wireless video playback, users simply need to attach the included WiHD dongle to their display device -- which is perfect for projectors or TVs placed in unconventional locations. In addition to offering support for full wireless options, users can also mix and match wired and wireless equipment. For instance, if a customer already has a wired 5.1 speaker and receiver setup but wants to add two additional rear speakers to create a 7.1 setup, they can just add two WiSA speakers to the configuration without having to worry about additional wires. Beyond the optical disc drive, music playback is also supported from hard drives & USB drives (two USB ports), home networks, and high-resolution download services like HDtracks. In addition, customers can connect other HDMI devices like streaming media players and game consoles to the unit's three HDMI inputs. Likewise, the Sharp mobile app lets customers select files and control playback from their smartphones and tablets. Integrated support for the DTS-HD MA and Dolby True HD lossless home theater codecs is included, and the device features playback support for a variety of high-resolution and compressed music formats including WAV, FLAC, DSD, WMA, and MP3. Demos & Impressions To show off the SD-WH1000U's vast capabilities as both a high-resolution audio player and a wireless home theater hub, Sharp offered a few demos of music tracks and Blu-ray content. For demo purposes, the music was played through two large floor standing McIntosh speakers with Sharp Wireless Bridges, and the video was sent to a Sharp television. Playback was controlled from a tablet using the Sharp app. For the audio-only samples, we listened to a few Blu-ray Pure Audio discs and several FLAC files from a USB drive, all wirelessly transmitted to the speakers from the player. Songs from artists like Jeff Beck, Nirvana, Otis Redding, and Paul Simon were played, and the high-resolution 24-bit/96kHz music files did not disappoint. Each track had a full, wide presence that maintained crisp highs and full-bodied lows, at both loud and soft volume levels without distortion. Separate instruments, vocals, and layers within the recordings were easily distinguishable. And though not every music style is poised to show off the benefits of high-resolution mastering and encoding (Nirvana's trademark grunge sound, in particular), the eclectic style of Paul Simon's Graceland was a real standout, revealing fantastic dynamic range. To demonstrate the wireless video feature of the player, a Blu-ray concert disc was transmitted to a television on the other side of the room (about 30 feet away) which was connected to a WiHD dongle (included with the player). 1080p playback was smooth with no lag or signs of compression. In other words, the player appeared to work exactly as advertised -- and while most home theater users likely won't need to take advantage of a wireless video setup, it's a great option for custom installers and projector systems. Unfortunately, as impressive as the listening demos were, Sharp would not offer any direct MP3 to high-resolution audio comparisons. To this end, the Sharp representative admitted that the differences between a compressed and lossless audio file are not always readily apparent during a quick A/B comparison. Instead, the nuances and added benefits of the extended dynamic range and frequency response take more time to appreciate. While this may sound like a cop-out, there is indeed some truth to this reasoning, and most audiophiles who have tried to go back to MP3s after spending a lot of time with high-resolution music files know just how substantial the upgrade in quality can be with certain tracks on high-end equipment. Conclusion After listening to a few music samples and getting a better feel for its many wireless home theater features, I definitely came away impressed by the Sharp SD-WH1000U. For users looking to setup a high-end music system or home theater room with high-resolution audio support and minimal use of pesky wires, this really is an attractive all-in-one solution that offers Blu-ray, SACD, USB, home network playback, and more. With that said, there are some caveats that potential buyers should be aware of. Though the unit's HDMI 2.0 connection can technically pass-through wired 4K video (from a connected streaming player or future Ultra HD Blu-ray player), the device does not currently support HDCP 2.2 copyright protection. Likewise, the system does not include integrated Dolby Atmos or DTS:X playback, meaning that users will still have to connect the player to a separate receiver to make use of those formats. Finally, this system truly is a premium product and comes with an equally premium price tag. The SD-WH1000U costs around $5,000 and the VR-WR100U Wireless Bridges sell for $999 each. This means that customers who want full wireless 7.1 capabilities with their existing traditional speakers can expect to pay around $13,000. Still, professional installers and audiophile consumers who want a premium wireless high-resolution audio system and a fairly robust home theater hub, should definitely consider checking out the Sharp SD-WH1000U. If nothing else, our demo left us wanting more time with the unit to listen to more high-res audio tracks (Paul Simon songs tend to really stick in your head). While I might not be ready to delete all of my MP3s just yet, the benefits of lossless audio tracks and wireless players are clear, making devices like this a potentially essential component for future home theater setups. For now, what do you think about Sharp's High Resolution Audio Player? Do you think the benefits of lossless audio and wireless playback justify the price tag? Does this look like a tempting option for your latest home theater upgrade? Or are you content with MP3s and cables? Let us know your thoughts in the forum!Posted Wed May 6, 2015 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Apple TV Adds CBS Sports & USA Now Channels[teaser]The set-top box now offers two more channels. [/teaser] Apple has announced the addition of two new channels to its Apple TV streaming lineup. CBS Sports and USA Now are both available now via a free over-the-air update. The CBS Sports channel offers free sports clips, exclusive content, scores, stats, news, and select live events. Meanwhile, USA Now features full episodes of many popular USA series. Users with an authenticated pay-TV subscription can access select new episodes the day after they air, a library of previous episodes, special clips, interviews and behind-the-scenes video. In addition, some content is also available to users for free without an existing subscriptions service. The Apple TV is currently on sale for $68 following a recent price reduction. Rumors persist that Apple will announce a new version of its streaming media player in June. Sources: 9to5Mac, iTunes 1, iTunes 2Posted Tue May 5, 2015 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Comcast Launches Xfinity Share App, Lets Customers Send and Stream Live Video[teaser]The new feature allows users to stream live video and send photos to each other. [/teaser] Comcast has announced the arrival of the Xfinity Share app. The app lets Xfinity customers on the X1 Entertainment Operating System live stream or send recorded videos and photos to their TVs and to other customers from their mobile devices. "We're giving our customers the power to share special moments in their lives as they happen," said Patti Loyack, Vice President of Communications, Comcast Cable. "Whether a child's baseball game, a graduation or just a beautiful sunset, Share lets users broadcast whatever they see in real time to the biggest screen in the home. So now a grandmother in San Francisco can watch along on her TV at the exact moment her grandson in Philadelphia blows out his birthday candles." Your browser does not support iframes. With Xfinity Share, Comcast subscribers can live stream or send photos and recorded videos to their TV, or to the TV of another X1 customer from their smartphones. The app is now available on iOS and Android mobile devices. Comcast is utilizing WebRTC, an open Internet standard for real-time communication over web browsers, to power the software. In addition, Comcast will be adding several more features to the app later this year, including the ability to share content through a URL via email, content sharing to up to five people at the same time, stop/pause/rewind functions for live streams, and live stream storage. In order to access Xfinity Share, both the sender and receiver must be Xfinity Triple Play customers with X1 DVR capable set-top boxes. Source: ComcastPosted Mon May 4, 2015 at 06:00 PM PDT by:
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SNL Streaming App Heads to Android, iPad, and Apple TV[teaser]Thousands of SNL clips are now available to stream. [/teaser] NBC has announced an update for its Saturday Night Live streaming app. The app initially launched on iOS mobile products, but the new upgrade adds playback support for Android devices, iPads, and the Apple TV via AirPlay. The SNL app offers thousands of free clips from all 40 seasons of the long-running sketch comedy series. New and classic skits are available to stream, along with personalized recommendations and extensive search tools to browse content by season, cast member, episode and more. In addition, the app includes exclusive never-before-seen clips and access to full SNL episodes through the NBC app. NBC's SNL app is now available through the Google Play store and iTunes store. Source: NBC via EngadgetPosted Mon May 4, 2015 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Up to 48% off 4K Ultra HD TVs![teaser]Amazon is offering a limited time discount on select Ultra HD displays! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronics sales and promotions, Amazon is running a special sale on Sony and Samsung 4K TVs. Samsung UN50HU8550 50-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV - Currently $1,300 (48% off). Samsung UN55HU9000 Curved 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV - Currently $2,498 (38% off). Samsung UN55JS9000 Curved 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV - Currently $3,498 (13% off). Sony XBR70X850B 70-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV - Currently $3,998 (27% off). Sony XBR79X900B 79-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV - Currently $6,998 (22% off). These deals will only be active for a limited time. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Fri May 1, 2015 at 02:30 PM PDT by: -
Sling TV Bolsters Content with Latino Add-On Packs & Bloomberg News[teaser]The internet TV service has added more content options. [/teaser] Sling TV has announced the addition of more channels and add-on packs. The new options include more Latino stations and Bloomberg News. Bloomberg News is now part of the standard $20 "Best of Live TV" package, offering users up-to-date business and financial news. In addition, Sling TV is also now offering two Latino add-on packs. The Deportes Extra pack includes Azteca, beIN Sports en Español, beIN Sports HD (English), Univision, Univision Deportes and UniMás. Meanwhile, the Películas & Novelas Extra pack includes Az Corazón, Cinelatino, De Película, De Película Clásico, Pasiones, Univision tlnovelas, Univision and UniMás. Both packs cost an additional $5 per month each. The Sling TV platform is now available on Roku players, Roku TVs, the Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, PCs, Macs, Xbox One, and Android and iOS devices. Support for more products is expected in the near future. Source: Sling TVPosted Fri May 1, 2015 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
HTC One M9 Smartphone Adds RAW Support[teaser]The phone's camera app has been updated. [/teaser] HTC has released an upgrade for its camera app on the One M9 smartphone. The new software allows customers to capture pictures in the RAW format. The RAW format lets users capture unprocessed Digital Negative files from a camera's sensor, allowing for more adjustment options. The HTC One M9 features a 20MP rear camera with 4K video recording support, and an UltraPixel front camera with low-light capture support. The phone uses a 5-inch full HD 1080p LCD display along with an elegant all-metal unibody design. Under the hood, the smartphone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810, octa core 64-bit (4 x 2.0GHz + 4 x 1.5GHz) CPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 2840 mAh battery running Android 5.0 with HTC Sense 7. In addition, the device includes HTC BoomSound along with dual front-facing speakers and simulated Dolby 5.1 surround sound. RAW support is now available through the HTC Camera app in the Google Play store. Source: Google via EngadgetPosted Fri May 1, 2015 at 12:30 PM PDT by:
