-
.jpg)
HBO Announces Stand-Alone Streaming Service[teaser]Winter is coming to cord-cutters. The cable giant has revealed plans to offer a streaming, over-the-top HBO service. [/teaser] During the Time Warner Inc. Investor Meeting today, Richard Plepler, chairman and CEO of HBO, announced that HBO will be providing a stand-alone streaming option for customers starting next year. The company hopes to tap into the growing broadband only market. "That is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped. It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO. So, in 2015, we will launch a stand-alone, over-the-top, HBO service in the United States. We will work with our current partners. And, we will explore models with new partners. All in, there are 80 million homes that do not have HBO and we will use all means at our disposal to go after them." Full details on the service, including pricing and an exact launch date, have not been announced yet. Currently, HBO offers a companion streaming service called HBO Go, but access requires an authenticated cable or satellite subscription. This new streaming option will be completely standalone, likely letting cord-cutters enjoy all of the network's popular shows and movies, including 'Game of Thrones' and 'True Detective,' through their internet connection without an additional TV subscription. Source: HBOPosted Wed Oct 15, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Fire TV & BenQ Projectors[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering special deals on the Fire TV and select projectors! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing sales and promotions, Amazon is offering $15 off of its popular Fire TV streaming set-top box. In addition, the company is also offering big discounts on two BenQ Projectors. Amazon Fire TV - Currently $84 ($15 off its retail price). BenQ W770ST 3D 720p HD DLP Pojector - Currently $550 (31 percent off its retail price). BenQ MW870UST PointDraw Ready DLP Projector - Currently $800 (60 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 14, 2014 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
Jamo Launches New Subwoofers[teaser]The company has added four subwoofers to its home theater product lineup. [/teaser] Jamo has announced the release of four new subwoofers. The models consists of the J 10 SUB ($399), J 12 SUB ($499), J 110 SUB ($679), and J 112 SUB ($849). The two lower priced models are geared toward complementing the company's Jamo Studio line of speakers, and the two premium subwoofers are designed for use with the Jamo Concert series. All of the subwoofers feature Class D amplifiers, line-level & LFE RCA connections, low-pass crossover, and phase control. The J 10 is rated for 150W/300W peak, the J 12 is rated for 200W/400W peak, the J 110 is rated for 200W/450W peak, and the J 112 is rated for 300W/600W peak. Finally, the J 10 and J 12 both feature aluminized polyfiber woofers, while the J 110 and J 112 use long throw Injection Molded Graphite woofers with Hard Conical Cone technology. All four models are shipping now to authorized Jamo dealers. Sources: TWICE, JamoPosted Tue Oct 14, 2014 at 03:30 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Confirms Retail Kiosks[teaser]The online retailer is opening pop-up kiosks in California. [/teaser] Following earlier reports of a possible New York brick-and-mortar store, Amazon has confirmed to GeekWire that it will be launching retail kiosks in two California cities. The pop-up stores will open at shopping malls in San Francisco and Sacramento just in time for the holiday shopping season. While it's unclear if these locations will offer online order pick-up or return options, customers will likely be able to demo and purchase Amazon branded gear and gadgets, including the Fire TV media player, Fire HDX tablets, Fire Phone, and Kindle e-reader. The San Francisco kiosk is scheduled to open on October 22 at the Westfield San Francisco Centre mall. A launch date and exact location for the Sacramento store have not been announced yet. Meanwhile, Amazon has yet to confirm or deny previous reports from The Wall Street Journal about a Manhattan retail store. Whether that location becomes a reality or not, it appears as if these California kiosks will launch first. Sources: GeekWire, CNETPosted Tue Oct 14, 2014 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
.jpg)
Netflix Ultra HD Streaming Arrives on Panasonic 4K TVs[teaser]The company's new Ultra HD displays now support 4K streaming through Netflix. [/teaser] Panasonic has released a firmware update for its 2014 line of Ultra HD TVs, adding full 4K streaming support for Netflix content. The 2.10 firmware upgrade also offers updated Network Applications, improvements for myStream, and introduces a Remote Sharing function. While Panasonic's 2014 lineup of 4K TVs shipped with integrated support for the HEVC H.265 codec used for 4K playback, Panasonic and Netflix had not finalized an agreement for streaming rights. Thankfully, the two companies have squared things away, and now Panasonic Ultra HD display owners can take advantage of Netflix's growing lineup of 4K content. The streaming service's current selection of Ultra HD media includes 'House of Cards,' 'Breaking Bad,' 'The Blacklist,' 'Ghostbusters,' 'Ghostbusters 2,' and 'Smurfs 2.' With that said, new 4K TV owners and subscribers will have to pay a slight premium for the added resolution, as Netflix recently revealed an $11.99 fee for 4K streaming -- $3 more than the standard $8.99 monthly fee. Panasonic's new Ultra HD collection includes the 58AX800U ($2,000) and 65AX800U ($3,000). Both LCD models feature local dimming technology and THX certified picture. The new firmware upgrade is available now. Source: Digital Trends, PanasonicPosted Mon Oct 13, 2014 at 07:00 PM PDT by: -
'Joe Dirt' Will Return on Sony's Crackle[teaser]The Adam Sandler produced sequel will debut exclusively on Sony's streaming service. [/teaser] Sony and Happy Madison Productions have announced plans to develop a sequel to the 2001 comedy 'Joe Dirt' for the Crackle streaming network. 'Joe Dirt 2' will now have the distinction of being the first made-for-digital sequel to a major motion picture. "David Spade had a fresh and unique vision for 'Joe Dirt 2' that he could have brought anywhere and we couldn't be happier that he brought it to Crackle for a first-of-its-kind, worldwide release," said Eric Berger, Crackle GM and Sony EVP of Digital Networks. "The original film has been a longtime viewer favorite, ranking among the most viewed in our library, and we decided to produce and distribute the sequel as a feature for fans everywhere." Plot details are slim at the moment, but the movie will once again star David Spade as the titular mullet-clad hero. Production will begin in November for a 2015 release on all Crackle platforms. Sony and Legendary Entertainment also have an original film based on the 'Dead Rising' video game series in development for Crackle. Likewise, Happy Madison Productions and Adam Sandler recently announced a separate four-picture made-for-digital deal with rival streaming service Netflix. "I'm beyond stoked that 'Joe Dirt' will finally hit the screens again on Crackle," said David Spade. "I've been sleeping in this wig for years and it will be nice to wear it in the daytime again." Crackle is available on a variety of mobile devices, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and set-top boxes/streaming players -- including the Fire TV, Roku 3, Apple TV and Chromecast. Sources: Crackle, VarietyPosted Mon Oct 13, 2014 at 03:30 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Raises Price for 4K Streaming[teaser]New customers will now have to pay a little extra for Ultra HD content. [/teaser] Netflix has increased its rate for 4K streaming. New subscribers and current subscribers who buy new Netflix compatible Ultra HD devices, will now have to opt for the company's more expensive $11.99 plan to receive Ultra HD videos. The new pricing is likely a result of the higher costs associated with 4K content production and distribution. Under the $11.99 plan, users will be able to stream shows like 'House of Cards,' 'Breaking Bad,' and 'The Blacklist' in Ultra HD, as well as select movies, including 'Ghostbusters,' 'Ghostbusters 2,' and 'Smurfs 2.' The price change went into effect on August 12. The only 4K customers exempt from the new pricing, are current subscribers who happened to already have 4K streaming access prior to August 12. Those users will continue to receive Ultra HD content through their original $7.99 plan for an additional two years. Netflix 4K streaming uses the HEVC H.265 codec and is available on a variety of 2014 Ultra HD displays, including models from Sony, LG, Samsung, and VIZIO. Source: HD Guru, VarietyPosted Mon Oct 13, 2014 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Sharp HDTVs[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering up to $1,000 off select 1080p displays! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on Sharp HDTVs. Sharp LC-60UQ17U 60-inch Aquos Q+ 1080p TV - Currently $1,787 (29 percent off its retail price). Sharp LC-70UQ17U 70-inch Aquos Q+ 1080p TV - Currently $2,597 (21 percent off its retail price). Sharp LC-80UQ17U 80-inch Aquos Q+ 1080p TV - Currently $4,497 (18 percent off its retail price). Sharp LC-60EQ10U 60-inch Aquos Q 1080p TV - Currently $1,197 (14 percent off its retail price). Sharp LC-60SQ15U 60-inch Aquos Q+ 1080p TV - Currently $1,297 (35 percent off its retail price). Sharp LC-70SQ15U 70-inch Aquos Q+ 1080p TV - Currently $1,897 (30 percent off its retail price). Sharp LC-70EQ10U 70-inch Aquos Q 1080p TV - Currently $1,797 (18 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 Fri Oct 10, 2014 at 08:30 PM PDT by: -
SVS Introduces Prime Speaker Series[teaser]The upcoming speaker collection offers high-quality audio at mainstream prices. [/teaser] SVS has detailed its latest assortment of audio products. The new Prime Speaker Series provides a more affordable alternative to the company's currently available Ultra line. The Prime Series includes the Prime Tower, Prime Bookshelf, and Prime Center. The Prime Tower features a 1" aluminum dome tweeter, a dedicated 4.5" midrange driver, and dual 6.25" woofers. Meanwhile, the Prime Bookshelf model uses a 1" aluminum dome tweeter and a single 6.25" woofer. Finally, the Prime Center offers a 1" aluminum dome tweeter, a dedicated 3.5" midrange driver, and dual 5.25" woofers. In addition, the company is also releasing a Prime Satellite Speaker with a 1" aluminum dome tweeter and a single 4.5" woofer. The Satellites can be purchased separately or as part of a 2.1 or 5.1 system that includes an SB-1000 subwoofer. The Prime Tower ($500), Prime Bookshelf ($250), Prime Center ($350), Prime Satellite ($135), Prime Satellite 2.1 ($700), and Prime Satellite 5.1 ($1,000) are all expected to start shipping in late October. Source: SVS, TWICEPosted Fri Oct 10, 2014 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
Tidal Hi-Fi Music Streaming Heads to US[teaser]The new streaming music service offers CD quality audio. [/teaser] Aspiro Group has announced plans to launch its Tidal Music Streaming platform in the US and UK. The high fidelity audio service will be available across several products and brands in the fall. Tidal offers more than 25 million songs in lossless 16-bit/44.1kHz FLAC and ALAC formats. In addition, the service also provides access to more than 75,000 HD music videos, personalized recommendations, curated playlists, articles, and interviews. The streaming platform will be available on computers, iOS & Android devices, and various audio products from several popular brands, including Sonos, Denon HEOS, Harman Omni, Bluesound and NAD, Meridian, Auralic, Electrocompaniet, Simple Audio, Raumfeld, Dynaudio, Audiovector, Pro- ject, Airable by Tune In Media, HiFiAkademie, and ickStream. The ad-free Tidal music service will launch in the US this fall for a monthly subscription fee of $19.99. Sources: Tidal, TWICEPosted Fri Oct 10, 2014 at 01:30 PM PDT by:
