4k Movie, Streaming, Blu-Ray Disc, and Home Theater Product Reviews & News

DirecTV Adds 22 More Channels to DirecTV Everywhere App, Now Offers 90 Live Streaming Stations

[teaser]The satellite company's mobile app now includes more channels. [/teaser] DirecTV has announced the addition of several new stations to its DirecTV Everywhere lineup. New channels include popular networks like Comedy Central, MTV, TBS, and TNT. DirecTV Everywhere allows subscribers to watch live streaming channels anywhere they go through their computers, or on their tablets and smartphones with the free DirecTV app. In addition to the 90 out-of-home streaming channels, the service also offers a total of 126 in-home streaming stations. The full list of new DirecTV Everywhere live streaming channels includes: BET, Cartoon Network, CMT, CNN, Comedy Central, Galavision, HLN, MTV, MTV2, Nickelodeon East, OWN, Palladia, Smithsonian Channel, Spike, TBS, TCM, TNT, truTV, TV Land, UniMas, Univision East, and VH1. The new channels are available now. For a full list of all 90 out-of-home live streaming stations, click here. Source: DirecTV via Engadget

Posted Thu Apr 16, 2015 at 02:30 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

DTS Announces DTS:X Support for Blu-ray & Ultra HD Blu-ray Authoring Systems

[teaser]The next-gen audio format will be supported by several Blu-ray authoring tools. [/teaser] DTS has revealed more details regarding the upcoming integration of its DTS:X audio technology on Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray. The new format will be supported by Sony Blu-print 6.6, Scenarist BD Professional, and Scenarist Pro Plus v6.0 authoring tools. "The ability to add DTS:X to Blu-ray Disc content would not be possible without our on-going collaboration with both Sony and Scenarist," said Mark R. Johnson, vice president of streaming and media solutions at DTS. "With the integration of DTS:X into these authoring tools, content creators will be able to create Blu-ray Discs that feature our latest technology. We are very excited to once again work with Sony and Scenarist to establish a higher standard in home entertainment audio experiences." DTS:X is an object-based immersive audio platform similar to Dolby Atmos. Fore more information, check out our DTS:X Home Theater Guide. The DTS:X Encoder offers the ability to create both legacy DTS-HD and next-generation DTS:X audio bitstreams. In addition to standard Blu-ray disc creation tools, Scenarist is also integrating the DTS Digital Bridge Tool Suite into the Scenarist UHD system being developed to support Ultra HD Blu-ray. This new feature will allow end-users to legitimately export Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray content to secure storage devices like hard drives and thumb-drives. No Blu-ray titles with DTS:X audio have been announced yet, but the company is currently working with studios to secure content. The first DTS:X Blu-ray discs are expected to hit the market before the end of the year, while the first DTS:X enabled gear will be available this summer. Source: DTS

Posted Thu Apr 16, 2015 at 09:15 AM PDT by: Steven Cohen

HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Up to 41% off Monitors from Dell & Samsung!

[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering big discounts on select displays! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronics sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on monitors from Samsung and Dell. Dell E2414Hr 24-Inch LED Monitor - Currently $135 (41% off). Samsung S24D360HL 23.6-Inch LED Monitor - Currently $179 (22% off). Samsung S27D390H 27-Inch LED Monitor - Currently $260 (16% off). Samsung S32D850T 32-Inch WQHD LED Monitor - Currently $600 (14% off). As always, 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 Wed Apr 15, 2015 at 06:00 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

Amazon Brings X-Ray Feature to Fire TV & Fire TV Stick

[teaser]The new feature offers actor biographies, trivia, and more right on your TV. [/teaser] Amazon has announced the addition of "X-Ray" for Amazon Instant Video on the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. Powered by IMDB, the feature allows viewers to access instant information about the content they are watching. "We've all been there: you're sitting on the couch, watching a favorite movie or TV show, and a familiar face enters the scene—but you can't for the life of you remember who he is, or what other movies he's been in," said Peter Larsen, Vice President Amazon Devices. "X-Ray solves this—it integrates the vast database of IMDb right into the viewing experience, so you can easily see trivia, actor information and soundtrack music behind TV shows and movies. We think Amazon Fire TV customers are going to love this elegant experience on the big screen at home, and it’s just one simple click of the remote away." X-Ray allows Amazon Instant Video users to find actor biographies, background information about shows and characters, and fun movie and TV related trivia right on their TV screens through their Fire TV and Fire TV Stick remotes. The feature is available for tens of thousands of Amazon Instant Video titles, including award-winning original series like 'Transparent,' and 'Alpha House,' and popular Prime exclusive streaming shows like 'Orphan Black' and 'The Americans.' X-Ray is now rolling out to the Fire TV and Fire TV Stick via a free, over-the-air update. The feature is also available on Amazon Fire Tablets. Source: Amazon

Posted Wed Apr 15, 2015 at 02:30 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

Dell Readies Venue 10 7000 Android Tablet with OLED Display, Prices Start at $499

[teaser]The company's latest tablet promises a sleek design and smooth performance. [/teaser] Dell has detailed the newest addition to its Venue line of tablets. The Venue 10 7000 is a 10.5-inch tablet with an optional keyboard attachment. "Dell customers want more from their tablets. They want to be productive and get work done wherever they are, they want a great entertainment experience, and they want to carry something that turns heads," said Neil Hand, vice president, Dell Tablet Group. "The Venue 10 7000 gives our customers all that and more: enhanced productivity with a full-sized keyboard and Android for Work, a brilliant display and innovative features like the Intel RealSense snapshot depth camera, all wrapped in a gorgeous design." The tablet features a 10.5-inch OLED display with a resolution of 2560x1600. Under the hood, the device is powered by a quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 processor running Android 5.0. An Intel RealSense Depth Camera is integrated as well, along with 16GB or 32GB hard drive options and a microSD slot. A separate backlit keyboard attachment is also available that can position the tablet in five different modes: tablet, slate, stand, tent or clamshell. Front-firing stereo speakers are also included with MaxxAudio Mobile by Waves. Dell's Venue 10 7000 will start shipping in May for $499 without the keyboard and $629 with the keyboard. Source: Dell

Posted Wed Apr 15, 2015 at 12:30 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

VIZIO Announces 2015 Audio Lineup, Including 40" 5.1 Sound Bar at $350

[teaser]The new audio lineup includes soundbars and sound stands. [/teaser] VIZIO has revealed its latest home audio collection. A total of seven new models will be available for purchase. "As the leader in the sound bar category, we're committed to providing consumers with powerful audio solutions that complete the entertainment experience in any room of the home," said Matt McRae, VIZIO Chief Technology Officer. "VIZIO continues to be the only manufacturer to offer a true 5.1 surround sound system right out of the box, and the all-new 40" model gives consumers yet another compelling audio solution to pair with 47" class TVs and up, resulting in the ultimate home theater experience." The flagship 40" 5.1 Soundbar features a metallic surface and is designed for TVs that are 47-inches or larger. The device includes a 3-channel soundbar, wireless subwoofer, and two rear satellite speakers to output a Sound Pressure Level at 102 dB with less than 1% total harmonic distortion. In addition, Bluetooth with aptX support is integrated, along with HDMI connectivity. Dolby Digital and DTS Digital surround sound tech are included as well. 29" 2.0 Sound Bar - $79.9938" 2.0 Sound Bar -$99.9938" 2.1 Sound Bar System - $179.9938" 5.1 Sound Bar System - $249.9940" 5.1 Sound Bar System - $349.992.0 Sound Stand - $149.992.1 Sound Stand - $249.99 VIZIO's 2015 home audio lineup is now shipping to retailers and online stores like Amazon, Best Buy, BJ's Wholesale, Costco Wholesale, Sam's Club, Target, VIZIO.com and Walmart. Source: VIZIO

Posted Tue Apr 14, 2015 at 05:00 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

DISH Adds Netflix App to Joey Clients, Providing Whole-Home Streaming Entertainment

[teaser]The Netflix app is now available on DISH's Joey devices. [/teaser] After bringing Netflix to its Hopper DVRs last year, DISH has now announced the addition of the Netflix app to its Joey units as well. Likewise, the company has also launched the Vevo app on its second generation Hopper DVRs. "We've received a great amount of positive feedback from our customers since the launch of Netflix on Hopper," said Vivek Khemka, DISH senior vice president of product management. "Consumers love Netflix, so today, we've taken this integration one step further, offering instant and affordable Netflix access throughout the entire household on one easy-to-use platform." Now Hopper customers can enjoy second, third, and fourth room Netflix viewing through their Joey devices. In addition to Netflix, DISH is also bringing the Vevo app to its Hopper platform. Vevo offers more than 140,000 HD music videos. Customers can find content sorted by genre, top videos and artists, live videos, premiers and staff picks. Likewise, the Vevo TV option lets viewers watch music videos playing 24/7 on three different channels: popular hits, country, and rap and R&B. Netflix will begin arriving on second generation Hopper connected Joey clients, including Joey, Super Joey and Wireless Joey, within the coming weeks. Meanwhile, the Vevo app starts rolling out to second generation Hopper customers today, and will expand to first-generation Hopper and all Joey clients later this year. Source: DISH

Posted Tue Apr 14, 2015 at 01:30 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

LG Launches MusicFlow Speakers & Soundbars, Prices Start at $179

[teaser]The company's new collection of audio gear is now available. [/teaser] LG has announced the release of its latest home audio lineup. The MusicFlow series includes four streaming speakers and three streaming soundbars. All of the MusicFlow devices support Google Cast, allowing customers to send music from their Android phone or tablet, iPhone, iPad, Mac, Windows laptop or Chromebook straight to their speakers. Google Cast can play audio from several online music services, including Google Play Music, Pandora, Songza, TuneIn, iHeartRadio and Rdio. In addition, the feature offers superior audio quality over Bluetooth streaming because the audio is delivered from the cloud. "We are pleased to announce that LG Music Flow will be among the first devices in the market to feature Google Cast," said David Vanderwaal, Vice President of Marketing, LG Electronics USA. "With Google Cast, music lovers will enjoy a customizable premium sound experience with virtually limitless music options." The MusicFlow collection is also modular, allowing users to add more speakers over time. Other features include a Home Cinema Mode, Multi-Room support, Auto Music Play synchronization, and Bluetooth connectivity. H3 30W Speaker - $179 H4 20W Portable Speaker - $199 (available in May) H5 40W Speaker - $279 H7 70W Speaker - $379 LAS751M Soundbar - $499 LAS851M Soundbar - $599 LAS950M Soundbar - $999 Source: LG

Posted Tue Apr 14, 2015 at 10:00 AM PDT by: Steven Cohen

VIZIO Releases 2015 M-Series 4K Ultra HD TVs, Prices Start at $599

Posted Mon Apr 13, 2015 at 06:40 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

Amazon Confirms High Dynamic Range Content for Prime Instant Video in 2015

[teaser]HDR titles will be available later this year on the streaming platform. [/teaser] Amazon has announced plans to release video content with high dynamic range support in 2015. The first crop of HDR titles should arrive before the end of the year. "4K Ultra HD picture resolution was just the beginning—we're excited that Prime members will soon be able to view movies and TV shows including Amazon Originals in HDR quality," said Michael Paull, Vice President of Digital Video at Amazon. "HDR is the natural next step in our commitment to premium entertainment, and we can’t wait for customers to have even more choice in how they watch their favorite titles on Amazon Prime Instant Video." The first supported titles will be Amazon original productions, but the company is also working with other studios to bring HDR content to their service. High Dynamic Range images provide enhanced levels of brightness and contrast, resulting in more realistic images with greater highlights and more detailed shadows. Several HDR capable displays are now available, like Samsung's SUHD series, and several more are on the way, including VIZIO's recently announced Reference Series. In addition to Amazon, Netflix will also be supporting 4K HDR content and VUDU is set to offer a selection of Warner Bros. titles in Dolby Vision HDR as well. Source: Amazon

Posted Mon Apr 13, 2015 at 01:00 PM PDT by: Steven Cohen

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