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B&O Play Releases Bluetooth Speaker[teaser]The new portable speaker features True360 sound and a rechargeable battery. [/teaser] B&O Play has announced the launch of the BeoPlay A2. The new Bluetooth speaker is geared toward portable and outdoor use. The BeoPlay A2 measures 1.7 x 5.6 x 10.1 inches and weighs 2.4 lb. The speaker uses 2x3" full-range drivers, 2x3/4" tweeter, and 2x3" passive bass radiators, and offers 180 W peak power provided by 2x30 W digital class D amplifiers. In addition, the device features Power Response Enhancement technology with two channels on each side to deliver True360 audio in all directions. Finally, a rechargeable Li-ion battery for up to 24 hours of playback is included as well. Suggested retail price for the BeoPlay A2 is $399 and the speaker is now available from BeoPlay.com and select retail stores. Source: BeoPlayPosted Thu Oct 23, 2014 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Series 'Bloodline' Premieres in March[teaser]The new Netflix original series starring Kyle Chandler will start streaming next year. [/teaser] Netflix has announced a March 2015 premiere for its latest exclusive show, 'Bloodline.' The drama series is produced and written by the creators of 'Damages' and stars Kyle Chandler, Ben Mendelsohn, and Linda Cardellini. 'Bloodline' is a dramatic thriller that explores the demons lurking beneath the surface of a contemporary American family. The Rayburns are hard-working pillars of their Florida Keys community. But when the black sheep son comes home for the 45th anniversary of his parents' hotel, he threatens to expose the Rayburns' dark secrets and shameful past, pushing his siblings to the limits of family loyalty. Check out the teaser trailer below. An exact premiere date has not been announced, but all thirteen episodes will be available to stream sometime in March 2015. A monthly Netflix subscription currently starts at $7.99 for SD streaming and $8.99 for HD streaming. The service is available on a variety of smart TVs and media players, including the Fire TV, Roku 3, Apple TV and Chromecast. Sources: Netflix, VarietyPosted Thu Oct 23, 2014 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
LG Tests Futurecast Ultra HD Broadcasting[teaser]The new next-gen broadcast system supports 4K content and mobile streams. [/teaser] LG has begun testing its new terrestrial TV broadcasting system dubbed Futurecast. The demonstration is being held in Madison, Wisconsin through Quincy Group's WKOW-TV. "It's exciting to play a role in the establishment of next-gen standards that will usher in the future of television," said Brady Dreasler, chief engineer for Quincy Group, parent company of WKOW-TV in Madison. "Based on what I’ve seen in these FUTURECAST tests, the new standard will enable exciting new business models for broadcasters and exciting new services for viewers." Futurecast complies with the new ATSC 3.0 standard for digital television transmissions. Initial tests have allowed for the delivery of 4K content and two mobile TV streams simultaneously through a single 6-Megahertz channel. In addition, the new system offers a 30 percent data throughput increase, improved multipath performance, energy-saving features and enhanced indoor TV signal penetration for mobile reception, advanced modes for very high data rates and robust transmission capabilities, state-of-the-art error correction coding and signal constellations, future extension frames to support changes in new broadcast systems, and improved single frequency network service. "Initial testing results show the promise of the ATSC 3.0 standard to redefine television broadcasting. The FUTURECAST system is designed to fully meet broadcasters’ requirements for the ATSC 3.0 physical layer and advances the goal of moving rapidly to next-gen broadcasting," said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and Chief Technology Officer, LG Electronics, co-developer of the FUTURECAST system. Sinclair Broadcast Group and Technicolor also recently conducted a similar ATSC 3.0 4K test signal. There's no word yet on when customers can expect to receive actual 4K broadcasts, but tests like this continue to help pave the way toward regular Ultra HD TV transmissions. Source: LGPosted Wed Oct 22, 2014 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
FX Launches Simpsons World[teaser]The streaming website and app are now live, offering every episode of the long-running animated series! [/teaser] FX has officially launched "Simpsons World." The digital experience provides streaming options for all 25 seasons and 552 episodes of the beloved show. The service lets users with an authenticated cable subscription stream every installment of the series, providing countless hours of "Dohs!" and "Ay carambas!" whenever they want. In addition to the complete library of 'Simpsons' episodes, the digital service also lets viewers create personalized playlists, share clips, learn more about the show's famous characters, and engage in other interactive features like a running tally of each episode's streaming popularity. New episodes from season 26 will be added to the app the day after they air as well. Episodes are now playable through SimpsonsWorld.com and through the FXNow app for Android/iOS devices, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and set-top boxes. Limited content is also available to users without an authenticated cable provider. Source: Simpsons WorldPosted Wed Oct 22, 2014 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
LG Details HD Portable Projector[teaser]The upcoming projector features an ultra-portable design. [/teaser] LG has revealed it latest portable HD projector. The MiniBeam PH300 features an integrated battery for a mobile cinema experience. "The new LG HD MiniBeam is an ingenious device that can be enjoyed just about anytime and anywhere," said In-kyu Lee, vice president and head of LG Electronics' TV division at LG Electronics. "It allows users to turn any flat surface into a display — both indoors and outdoors — and immerse themselves in crystal-clear HD quality images. Rendering bright, crisp images measuring an impressive 100 inches diagonal, the LG HD MiniBeam is ideal for both impromptu movie nights and important boardroom presentations." The HD MiniBeam PH300 uses an RGB LED light source to produce 1280x720 images with a brightness of 300 ANSI lumens and a contrast ratio of 100,000:1. In addition, the projector features LG's Auto Vertical Keystone technology to automatically adjust the projection angle while minimizing distortion. The LED is rated for 30,000 hours of use and the built-in 3,000mAh battery can provide up to 2.5 hours of playback on a single charge. An exact release date and price have not been revealed yet, but the new HD MiniBeam projector is expected to launch this month in key markets throughout North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Source: LGPosted Wed Oct 22, 2014 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Speakers and Receivers[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering significant discounts on select speakers and receivers! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronic sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on Pioneer Andrew Jones speakers and Yamaha AV receivers. Pioneer SP-BS22-LR Andrew Jones Designed Bookshelf Loudspeakers - Currently $109 (16 percent off its retail price). Pioneer SP-C22 Andrew Jones Designed Center Channel Speaker - Currently $76 (24 percent off its retail price). Yamaha RX-V375 5.1 Channel 3D A/V Home Theater Receiver - Currently $200 (33 percent off its retail price). Yamaha RX-A1030 7.2-Channel Network Aventage A/V Receiver - Currently $800 (33 percent off its retail price). 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 Tue Oct 21, 2014 at 06:00 PM PDT by: -
Panasonic Readies New 4K TVs[teaser]The new Ultra HD displays are set to release next month. [/teaser] Panasonic has announced plans to launch their latest line of flagship 4K TVs. The AX850 and AX900 series are expected to hit Best Buy retail locations and Panasonic's online store in November. The TC-85AX850 is an 85-inch LCD Ultra HD display and the TC-65AX900 is a 65-inch LCD Ultra HD display. Both TVs feature THX 4K Certified picture, HDCP 2.2 support, H.265 decoding, and smart TV options. In addition, the premium TC-65AX900 offers direct LED backlighting with full-array local dimming using five-by-five matrices for superior black levels and contrast without the halo effect found on similar models. We recently got to see both sets in person at the Luxury Technology Show in Beverly Hills, and came away very impressed by their picture quality. An exact release date and pricing have not been confirmed yet, but the TC-85AX850 is rumored to retail for around $14,000 and the TC-65AX900 is rumored to retail for around $7,000. Official details should be announced soon. Source: TWICEPosted Tue Oct 21, 2014 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
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Dish Customers Lose Several Turner Channels[teaser]The satellite service has lost select channels from Turner Networks. [/teaser] Dish has announced that Turner Networks has removed several of its channels from the satellite subscription service. The channels have been eliminated due to the companies' failure to agree to terms for a renewed contract. "In the past year, DISH has successfully renewed agreements with many large content providers," said Warren Schlichting, DISH senior vice president of Programming. "As a result, we are confident that we have offered a deal to Turner that reflects an appropriate value for our customers." The Turner channels now removed as part of the dispute include Boomerang, Cartoon Network, CNN, CNN en Español, HLN, truTV, and Turner Classic Movies. With that said, other notable Turner stations like TBS and TNT have not been effected as both of those channels fall under a separate agreement between the companies. "DISH has had a productive relationship with Turner Networks for many years," said Schlichting. "We regret the service disruption to our customers, and remain committed to reaching an agreement that promptly returns this content to DISH's programming lineup." It's unclear when Turner and Dish will be able to work out their issues, and for now the channels will remain suspended from the service indefinitely. Source: DISH, EngadgetPosted Tue Oct 21, 2014 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Denon & Marantz Set to Offer Auro-3D Audio[teaser]Both companies will be offering firmware upgrades for the new audio format. [/teaser] Denon and Marantz have announced that they will be providing downloadable updates for select AV components that will add support for the Auro-3D audio format. The upgradeable devices will include the Denon X4100W ($1,299), Denon X5200 ($1,999), Marantz SR7009 ($1,999), and the Marantz AV7702 ($1,999). Each component also currently offers Dolby Atmos support. Auro-3D is a surround sound format that aims to create a three dimensional soundfield by adding height and top layers to a traditional ear-level speakers setup. The format uses standard 5.1 and 7.1 speaker configurations as a base and then users can add height speakers above their corner speakers at around 30 degrees. Likewise, if space permits, Auro-3D also supports ceiling-mounted speakers. Auro-3D audio can be mixed into standard surround sound PCM tracks on Blu-ray discs, and with the upcoming firmware upgrade, the Denon and Marantz receivers will be able to decode the extra height audio information. The Auro-3D firmware upgrade for Denon and Marantz components is expected to be available in December. Customers will be required to pay an update fee for the download, but pricing has not been announced yet. Sources: Auro-3D, AVForumsPosted Mon Oct 20, 2014 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
Lionsgate & Tribeca Announce Streaming Service[teaser]The two companies are partnering for an on-demand streaming platform. [/teaser] Lionsgate and Tribeca Enterprises have revealed plans to launch their own subscription video on-demand service called Tribeca Short List. Aimed at delivering premium content to the online market, Tribeca Short List is scheduled to launch in the first half of 2015. "The launch of the Tribeca Short List service unites two powerful brands and underscores our commitment to collaborate with blue-chip partners around the world to deliver premium content to online audiences," said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. "The Tribeca name resonates with movie aficionados everywhere, and our service will encompass a highly curated, diverse and prestigious portfolio of quality films." While specific films have not been announced yet, the service will include select titles from Lionsgate and Tribeca, along with movies from foreign markets. Content will be specially curated by Tribeca and will be updated on a weekly basis. "We are pleased to join with Lionsgate, a world-class brand synonymous with innovation and exciting, quality entertainment, to create a highly curated experience that disrupts the 'more-is-more' model in today's streaming on-demand landscape," said Jane Rosenthal, CEO of Tribeca Enterprises. "Tribeca Short List aims to be a service where you can see films you never got to watch, forgot to watch, and want to watch." Pricing has not been detailed yet and it's unclear what devices the service will be available on. Tribeca Short List now joins a growing number of new and upcoming subscription on-demand platforms, including streaming services from HBO and CBS. Source: PR NewswirePosted Mon Oct 20, 2014 at 03:00 PM PDT by:
