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Coming Soon to Streaming: SPACE FORCE, UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT, and More[teaser]A new comedy series from Steve Carell and Greg Daniels headlines this week's collection of streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes (Netflix, January 24) - Brings the infamously twisted mind of serial killer Ted Bundy into the light for the very first time and invades our psyche in a fresh yet terrifying way through exclusive, never-before-heard interviews from the “Jack the Ripper of the United States,” himself. This unique and gripping docuseries focuses on a man whose personality, good looks and social graces defied the serial-killer stereotype, allowing him to hide in plain sight as he committed the brutal sex-crime slayings of more than 30 women before being caught in 1978. While on trial, Bundy received extraordinary adoration from American women, which made his gruesome crimes doubly haunting, even in an era of anything-goes mayhem. Black Earth Rising (Netflix, January 25) - A contemporary thriller that follows the difficult journey of a woman, a Rwandan orphaned by the genocide, raised in London by an adopted mother, trying to discover the truth of her past. The series examines the West’s relationship with Africa, set in a world of prosecution of war crimes. Starring Michaela Coel and John Goodman. Written and directed by Hugo Blick. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt: Final Episodes (Netflix, January 25) - Every miracle, every song, every discovery has led to this! Find out if Kimmy gets her happy ending in the final season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, only on Netflix. Club de Cuervos: Season 4 (Netflix, January 25) - The Iglesias and the Crows have more enemies than ever and their reputation is at risk. The have now to face the final battle to save the team and their family. The series is produced by Alazraki Entertainment. Leonardo Zimbron and Gaz Alazraki are the executive producers and Moises Chiver and Monica Vargas are producers of the series. Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias: One Show Fits All (Netflix, January 29) - Following the success of his first comedy special, Netflix has doubled down with a second comedy special from Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias entitled "One Show Fits All." Don’t miss this comedy rock show as Fluffy shakes the roof off of the sold-out Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. High Flying Bird (Netflix, February 8) - In the midst of a pro basketball lockout, sports agent Ray Burke (André Holland) finds himself caught in the face-off between the league and the players. His career is on the line, but Ray is playing for higher stakes. With only 72 hours to pull off a daring plan, he outmaneuvers all the power-players as he uncovers a loophole that could change the game forever. The outcome raises questions of who owns the game – and who ought to. One Day At a Time: Season 3 (Netflix, February 8) - A reimagining of the Norman Lear classic, centering on a Cuban-American family. Our heroine is a recently separated, former military mom (Justina Machado) navigating a new single life while raising her radical teenaged daughter and socially adept tween son, with the “help” of her old school Cuban-born mom (Rita Moreno) and a friends- without-benefits building manager named Schneider. Paddleton (Netflix, February 22) - An unlikely friendship between two misfit neighbors becomes an unexpectedly emotional journey when one of them is diagnosed with terminal cancer. Starring Mark Duplass, Ray Romano, and Marguerite Moreau. Directed by Alex Lehmann. Space Force (Netflix, Coming Soon) - Workplace comedy centered around the people tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services… Space Force. The show comes from creators Steve Carell and Greg Daniels. Carell will also star in the series. The Kominsky Method: Season 2 (Netflix, Coming Soon) - The sun isn’t setting yet on the once famous Sandy Kominsky and his longtime agent Norman Newlander. Academy Award® Winners Michael Douglas (Kominsky) and Alan Arkin (Newlander) star as two friends tackling life’s inevitable curveballs as they navigate their later years in Los Angeles, a city that values youth and beauty. PEN15 (Hulu, February 8) - Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle star in this adult comedy, playing versions of themselves as thirteen-year-old outcasts in the year 2000, surrounded by actual thirteen-year-olds, where the best day of your life can turn into your worst with the stroke of a gel pen. Ask Dr. Ruth (Hulu, Coming Soon) - Chronicles the incredible life of Dr. Ruth Westheimer, a Holocaust survivor who became America's most famous sex therapist. With her diminutive frame, thick German accent, and uninhibited approach to sex therapy and education, Dr. Ruth transformed the conversation around sexuality. As she approaches her 90th birthday and shows no signs of slowing down, Dr. Ruth revisits her painful past and unlikely path to a career at the forefront of the sexual revolution. White Dragon (Amazon Prime Video, February 8) - What kind of person will you become when your life is a lie? In White Dragon, a new Prime Original thriller, Professor Jonah Mulray travels to Hong Kong where he discovers his recently deceased wife led a double life that led to her murder and begins to unravel the conspiracy surrounding her murder. This Giant Beast That is the Global Economy (Amazon Prime Video, February 22) - This globe-spanning docuseries brings the smart, stylized storytelling of Adam McKay’s The Big Short to a quirky and compelling exploration of the global economy. In each episode, host Kal Penn – with the help of some celebrity friends – answers a burning question like: How can I launder a bag of dirty cash? How scared should I be of a rubber apocalypse? And is it easier for dicks to get rich? - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Fri Jan 18, 2019 at 07:35 PM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deals: VIZIO P-Seres Quantum 4K HDR TV on Sale for $1,499[teaser]The company's premium 4K TV is on sale now for a limited time![/teaser] As part of a special Super Bowl promotion, VIZIO is currently offering a big discount on its flagship 2018 65-inch P-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV (full review here), bringing the MSRP of $2,199 down to just $1,499. The sale is now live via Costco and is set to remain active through February 3. In addition, the company has also announced a new firmware update for the display, enabling enhanced Dolby Vision support to take full advantage of the TV's UltraBright 2000+ Nit peak brightness. The P-Series Quantum 4K HDR TV features a bezel-less design with 4K Ultra HD resolution and Active Full Array Max powered by 192 zones of local dimming. Likewise, the set includes support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats with UltraBright 2,000 for up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and advanced Quantum Color Spectrum technology with a quantum dot film to offer close to 100% P3 wide color gamut coverage and about 82% coverage for the Rec. 2020 gamut. And unlike the company's 2017 display lineup, VIZIO's 2018 models do include TV tuners. In addition, the display uses VIZIO's SmartCast OS with integrated access to popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Vudu, iHeartRadio, Crackle and Xumo directly through the TV screen using the included remote. Meanwhile, customers can also download the free SmartCast Mobile app to use their smartphone as a touchscreen remote, and Google Chromecast built-in allows users to cast thousands of Chromecast-enabled apps to the display from their supported mobile device. Finally, voice-control support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is offered as well. Order via Costco "The P-Series Quantum combines the best VIZIO picture quality technologies and wraps them in a beautifully modern aesthetic," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "With up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, 192 zones of local dimming and advanced quantum dot technology, viewers enjoy the ideal blend of brightness, contrast and color for a home-theater experience that rivals the cinema. Our 2018 SmartCast OS opens the door to an expansive collection of streaming options while also allowing the P-Series Quantum to fit seamlessly into Amazon and Google smart home ecosystems thanks to voice-control support." And beyond its 2018 lineup, VIZIO also recently revealed its 2019 4K HDR TV collection with Quantum Color tech. Source: VIZIOPosted Fri Jan 18, 2019 at 01:25 PM PST by: -
Netflix Announces Price Increases for Subscription Plans[teaser]The company's monthly plans will now cost as much as $2 more.[/teaser] As reported by CNBC, Netflix is raising the price of its various monthly subscription tiers. The new pricing will take effect immediately for new customers and is set to roll out to existing users over the next three months. Here's a rundown of the new pricing plans: Basic Plan - SD streaming with one screen at a time, $8.99 per month (previously $7.99) Standard Plan - HD streaming with two screens at a time, $12.99 per month (previously $10.99) Premium Plan - 4K Ultra HD streaming with four screens at a time, $15.99 per month (previously $13.99) Netflix previously raised its prices back in 2017. This latest increase likely comes as a result of the streaming service's continued investment in original film and TV content in the face of growing competition from new digital platforms. On that note, the company is expected to release as many as 90 original movies throughout 2019 under the guidance of Scott Stuber, Head of Original Films at Netflix. That number includes upcoming documentaries, animated titles, and the potential for 55 new live-action narrative films with about 35 marked for budgets of up to $20 million and about 20 marked for budgets of $20 million to $200 million. Upcoming Netflix original content include movies from Hollywood filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, Dee Rees, Guillermo del Toro, Noah Baumbach, and Michael Bay. Likewise, Netflix's 2019 schedule also includes the return of popular exclusive streaming series like Stranger Things, Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, Jessica Jones, and more. New subscribers to Netflix can receive a 30-day free trial. Source: Netflix via CNBCPosted Tue Jan 15, 2019 at 12:15 PM PST by: -
LG Launches Super Bowl Sale on B8 Series OLED 4K Ultra HD TVs[teaser]Select LG OLED models are now available for their lowest prices ever![/teaser] LG has announced the launch of a limited time Super Bowl sale on its B8 OLED 4K Ultra HD TVs. The discounts will be active now through February 2 at LG-authorized retailers nationwide. LG OLED55B8PUA 55" 4K Ultra HD OLED TV via Amazon - Currently $1,496.99 (regularly $2,299) LG OLED55B8PUA 55" 4K Ultra HD OLED TV via Best Buy - Currently $1,499.99 (regularly $2,,299) LG OLED65B8PUA 65" 4K Ultra HD OLED TV via Amazon - Currently $2,296.99 (regularly $3,299) LG OLED65B8PUA 65" 4K Ultra HD OLED TV via Best Buy - Currently $2,299.99 (regularly $3,299) "If you can't be at the big game, there is no better way to enjoy it than on an LG OLED TV," said Tim Alessi, head of home entertainment product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "We are very excited to offer consumers a chance to elevate their experience with this limited time promotion on our stunning LG OLED B8 TV." The LG B8 features an OLED panel with inky blacks and wide color support powered by the company's α (Alpha) 7 processor. Likewise, the TV also supports onboard Dolby Atmos audio and LG's 4K Cinema HDR suite of high dynamic range formats, including Advanced HDR by Technicolor, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). Meanwhile, the TV's ThinQ AI tech allows customers to take advantage of advanced voice assistant features by speaking directly into the remote, enabling users to search for information, images or videos through verbal requests. Source: LGPosted Tue Jan 15, 2019 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deals: TCL 65" 6-Series 4K Roku TV on Sale for as Low as $799[teaser]TCL's highly-rated value TV is now on sale just in time for the big game![/teaser] In anticipation for Super Bowl LIII, Best Buy and Amazon are now offering discounts on the TCL 65" 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TV, bringing the price down to as low as $799.99. The 6-Series recently won our Editor's Choice Award for Best Value TV of 2018. TCL 65" 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TV (Standard Roku Remote) via Best Buy - $799.99 (Regularly $969.99) TCL 65" 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TV (Roku Voice Remote) via Amazon - $849.99 (Regularly $999.99) The TCL 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TV features Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, along with the Roku OS smart TV platform. In addition, the set uses Contrast Control Zone Technology with 120 dimming zones on the 65-inch model. Likewise, the panel uses NBP Photon technology with LED phosphors to provide Wide Color Gamut support. A new iPQ Engine is implemented as well to maximize coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut and provide accurate color settings right out of the box. An HDR Pro Gamma feature is also offered to maintain details in dark and bright scenes regardless of a room's lighting conditions. And beyond the 65-inch model currently on sale, TCL also recently launched pre-orders for a larger 75-inch 6-Series TV for an MSRP of $1,799.99.Posted Mon Jan 14, 2019 at 10:15 AM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: VELVET BUZZSAW, HANNA, LORENA, and More[teaser]The latest film from writer/director Dan Gilroy (Nightcrawler) is among this week's crop of streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Carmen Sandiego (Netflix, January 18) - Carmen is a modern day Robin Hood traveling the globe and stealing from V.I.L.E. and giving back to its victims. Carmen is publicly perceived as a criminal by most law enforcement agencies – correction, make that a master criminal due to the sheer scale and theatricality of her heists. We will follow her escapades and get to determine not only where but WHO in the world is Carmen Sandiego? Marvel’s The Punisher: Season 2 (Netflix, January 18) - After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld. Now known throughout the city as The Punisher, he must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than his family alone. Grace and Frankie: Season 5 (Netflix, January 18) - Jane Fonda (“Grace”) and Lily Tomlin (“Frankie”) star as two women whose lives are suddenly turned upside down when their husbands reveal they are gay and leave them for each other. Both sparring partners and partners-in-crime, they form an unlikely bond to face an uncertain future together and discover a new definition of “family,” with laughter, tears and plenty of mood enhancers along the way. IO (Netflix, January 18) - Sam, one of the last survivors on a post-cataclysmic Earth, is a young scientist dedicated to finding a way for humans to adapt and survive, rather than abandon their world. But with the final shuttle scheduled to leave the planet for a distant colony, her determination to stay is rocked by the arrival of another survivor, Micah. She must decide whether to journey with him to join the rest of humanity and begin life anew, or stay to fight for Earth’s survival. IO stars Margaret Qualley, Anthony Mackie, and Danny Huston. Trigger Warning with Killer Mike (Netflix, January 18) - “'Trigger Warning' is about examining cultural taboos and giving viewers the space to examine the 'what ifs' and 'why nots' that limit how some people move and operate in the world," said Michael Render, pka Killer Mike. "In six episodes, we explore the human condition using nontraditional approaches. Not everyone will agree with my methods (and some of what we’re putting out is fucking crazy), but this show is about embracing your freedom to challenge societal expectations and conformity. This show is if an anarchist determined the status quo." FYRE: The Greatest Party That Never Happened (Netflix, January 25) - Created by Billy McFarland and rapper Ja Rule, Fyre Festival was promoted as a luxury music festival on a private island in the Bahamas featuring bikini-clad supermodels, A-List musical performances and posh amenities. Guests arrived to discover the reality was far from the promises. Chris Smith, the director behind the Emmy Award Nominated documentary Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, gives a first-hand look into disastrous crash of Fyre as told by the organizers themselves. Polar (Netflix, January 25) - The world’s top assassin, Duncan Vizla, aka The Black Kaiser (Mads Mikkelsen), is settling into retirement when his former employer marks him as a liability to the firm. Against his will, he finds himself back in the game going head to head with an army of younger, faster, ruthless killers who will stop at nothing to have him silenced. Velvet Buzzsaw (Netflix, February 1) - A thriller set in the contemporary art world scene of Los Angeles where big money artists and mega-collectors pay a high price when art collides with commerce. Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Toni Collette, Zawe Ashton, Tom Sturridge, Natalia Dyer, Daveed Diggs, Billy Magnussen, and John Malkovich star in the new mind-bending film written and directed by Dan Gilroy. Russian Doll: Season 1 (Netflix, February 1) - Follows a young woman named Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) on her journey as the guest of honor at a seemingly inescapable party one night in New York City. Russian Doll is co-created by Natasha Lyonne, Amy Poehler and Leslye Headland, who all serve as executive producers, with Headland and Lyonne as writers for the series. Siempre Bruja: Always a Witch (Netflix, February 1) - Follows 18 year old Carmen, a Colombian slave and witch from the 17th century who, in a desperate attempt to save her loved one, travels in time to present day Cartagena. Navigating the waters of this exciting new world, Carmen will soon discover that once a witch, always a witch. Lorena (Amazon Prime Video, February 15) - On a sleepy night in 1993, Lorena Bobbitt sliced off her husband’s penis after years of abuse. John and Lorena Bobbitt’s dueling narratives exploded in a ravenous 24-hour news cycle, igniting a renewed battle of the sexes. Lorena became a national joke, her suffering ignored by the male-dominated press. But as John spiraled downward, Lorena found strength in the scars of her ordeal. This four-part docuseries from Executive Producer Jordan Peele, revisits the events of this American scandal and sheds a new light on one of the most sensationalized tabloid stories of our time. Hanna (Amazon Prime Video, Coming in March) - A high-concept thriller and coming-of-age drama, HANNA follows the journey of an extraordinary young girl raised in the forest, as she evades the relentless pursuit of an off-book CIA agent and tries to unearth the truth behind who she is. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Sat Jan 12, 2019 at 09:25 PM PST by: -
LG Showcases OLED Falls Exhibit & Other OLED Innovations at CES 2019[teaser]Several stunning OLED demos and installations are on display at CES.[/teaser] As part of the company's CES 2019 showcase, LG is demoing new advancements in OLED tech. Highlights include a beautiful OLED Falls exhibit, an 88-inch 8K Crystal Sound OLED, a 65-inch UHD Crystal Motion OLED, and a unique flower sculpture made from OLED panels. Constructed from 76 concave, 72 convex, and 112 flat 55-inch LG OLED screens, the stunning OLED Falls Exhibit flows down from the ceiling to the ground like a waterfall. The installation measure 20 feet high and 65 feet wide, and presents visitors with beautiful images of deserts, waterfalls, oceans, and light. Likewise, the exhibit implements immersive audio tech as well, further enveloping attendees. Check out a video of the OLED Falls below! Meanwhile, LG's Display division also showcased a few new developments in OLED TV tech. As part of the show, the company demoed a new 88-inch 8K Crystal Sound OLED (CSO). The panel features an advanced 3.2.2 channel sound system integrated right into the screen itself. Using Dolby Atmos tech, the panel allows users to hear audio from the top, bottom, left, and right. In addition, a new 65-inch 8K OLED display has also been revealed, along with a 65-inch UHD Crystal Motion OLED (CMO). According to LG, this set features the world's fastest Motion Picture Response Time with an MPRT of 3.5m/s -- enabling the display to present fast-moving content like sports and action movies without motion blur. Finally, the company presented a unique flower sculpture created from four 65-inch UHD OLED displays. The TVs have had their edges curled inwards to resemble petals -- highlighting OLED tech's rollability and bendability. "LG Display has been leading the global display market by proactively responding to rapidly changing market trends and needs based on our highly differentiated technology," said Dr. Sang Beom Han, CEO and Vice Chairman of LG Display. He added, "As a leader of the large-size OLED business, we will apply the premium value of OLED beyond TV to grow the market as well as proactively responding to the fast-changing next-generation display industry. Doing this, we can continually provide highly differentiated value to the market and customers, and cement our position as the display market leader." And beyond new display installations and tech demos, LG also announced its 2019 consumer lineup of OLED and NanoCell LCD TVs at the show. Sources: LG, LG DisplayPosted Fri Jan 11, 2019 at 02:20 PM PST by: -
Amazon Launches IMDb Freedrive Ad-Supported Streaming Service[teaser]The free streaming platform is now available[/teaser] Amazon has announced the launch of IMDb Freedive. The new streaming service integrates with IMDb.com, offering free, ad-supported access to a variety of movies and TV shows without a paid subscription. "Customers already rely on IMDb to discover movies and TV shows and decide what to watch," said Col Needham, Founder and CEO of IMDb. "With the launch of IMDb Freedive, they can now also watch full-length movies and TV shows on IMDb and all Amazon Fire TV devices for free. We will continue to enhance IMDb Freedive based on customer feedback and will soon make it available more widely, including on IMDb’s leading mobile apps." IMDb Freedive is now available via laptops or computers at www.imdb.com/freedive or via a new app for Fire TV devices. Likewise, links to play titles through Freedive are also included on their respective IMDb.com listings when applicable. And viewers can also use the X-Ray feature when watching Freedive titles to discover information about cast, crew, trivia, soundtracks, and more from IMDb. Currently available titles include films like Awakenings, Foxcatcher, Memento, Monster, Run Lola Run, Closer, Drive, Donnie Brasco, Big Fish, The Illusionist, The Last Samurai, and True Romance, along with TV series like Fringe, Heroes, Quantum Leap, Kitchen Nightmares, The Bachelor, and Without a Trace. In addition, the service also offers access to IMDB original content like The IMDb Show, Casting Calls, and No Small Parts. Beyond the current lineup, Amazon plans to add new titles to Freedive on a regular basis. IMDb Freedive is now poised to compete with a similar ad-supported streaming service from Roku, dubbed The Roku Channel. Source: IMDbPosted Fri Jan 11, 2019 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
High-Def Digest Editors' Choices: Best Gear of CES 2019This week, the tech industry held its annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Packed with all of the latest gear and gadgets from just about every AV brand on the market, the show set the stage for many of the major home theater products and technologies we can expect to see throughout the next 12 months and beyond. With a seemingly endless lineup of new gear littering the exhibit space, manufacturers strutted out a wide-array of showstoppers, highlighting everything from a bevy of new 8K panels to a rollable TV and a massive 219" Wall MicroLED display. But while there was no shortage of impressive new tech to go around, a few products managed to stick out from the crowd just a bit more than others. [teaser]Here are our picks for the very best gear on display at CES 2019[/teaser]: Best 4K TV: Samsung 75" MicroLED Ultra HD TV Building upon the gorgeous 146" model the company debuted last year, Samsung is now bringing its MicroLED tech to a more mass market friendly screen size. This new 75" MicroLED 4K TV features a unique modular design consisting of individual tiles made of self-emissive MicroLEDs. These MicroLEDs feature millions of inorganic red, green, and blue microscopic LED chips which are capable of producing their own light -- resulting in a superior contrast ratio and near perfect color. Basically, the tech has the potential to offer all of the black level and viewing angle benefits of an OLED panel while also providing greater brightness capabilities and less risk for burn-in. There's still some questions about how well MicroLED displays will hold up to more critical home viewing conditions (visible seams between modules could be a key drawback), but based on what we've seen so far, this is definitely the most promising and exciting 4K TV tech of the show. Pricing & Availability: No word on either yet, but the display is expected to be released this year. More details will likely be announced in March. Best 8K TV: LG 88" Z9 8K SIGNATURE OLED TV To be honest, we're still not quite sold on the necessity for an 8K resolution panel just yet, but when a TV looks as good as LG's new 8K Z9 88" OLED, it's hard to argue with the results. Powered by the company's new Alpha 9 Gen 2 Processor, the display is able to use a deep learning algorithm to optimize picture and sound quality based on the source content being played, along with the ability to adjust its tone mapping curve and screen brightness to better match ambient lighting conditions in a user's room. Likewise, while there isn't really any native 8K content to watch right now, the set's advanced processing capabilities offer 8K upscaling and improved noise reduction to improve lower resolution videos. Add in support for HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG, along with the superior black levels and contrast that OLEDs provide, and the Z9 is shaping up to to be the 8K TV to beat in 2019. Pricing & Availability: An exact price has not been announced yet, but early adopters looking to jump into the 8K market can likely expect to pay a pretty high premium for those extra pixels when the TV launches sometime later this year. Best Value TV: VIZIO 65" M Series Quantum 4K HDR TV Offering a nice upgrade over the company's 2018 iteration, the newly improved 2019 M-Series now boasts Quantum Color with quantum dot technology for superior wide color gamut support. In addition, the company has also upped the number of full array local dimming zones for this year's sets, providing up to 90 zones. Likewise, select 55-inch and 65-inch models also include UltraBright 600 capabilities for up to 600 nits of peak brightness with HDR10 and Dolby Vision support. And like all 2019 VIZIO TVs, the display includes SmartCast 3.0 with access to many popular streaming apps, along with support for Apple AirPlay 2, Chromecast built-in, Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. Basically, if VIZIO can maintain its trademark competitive pricing, the 2019 M-Series is poised to be one of the best 4K HDR values on the market. Pricing & Availability: Prices have not been detailed yet, but the 2019 M-Series is set to launch this spring with sizes ranging from 43-inches to 65-inches. Honorable Mention: Though previously available in 55-inch and 65-inch screen sizes, TCL launched pre-orders for a new 75" 6-Series 4K HDR Roku TV at CES 2019. With HDR10, Dolby Vision, wide color gamut support, full array local dimming with 160 zones, and a very attractive MSRP of $1,800, the 75R615 is now easily one of the best TV values around. Best Projector Setup: Hisense 100-inch TriChroma Laser TV Serving as the next step in the company's Laser TV lineup, the new 100-inch TriChroma Laser TV (100L7T) from Hisense uses a proprietary X-Fusion Laser Light Engine which combines independent red, blue, and green lasers. The results? According to Hisense, a short throw projector capable of producing a wider color gamut than any other current consumer display product... period. With that in mind, the 100L7T is now the first of its kind to achieve Rec.2100 (Rec.2020 color space with HDR extensions). In addition, the system utilizes a TI DLP Chip, and offers 3,500-lumens of brightness and a micro-smooth Response Time. Finally, an Ambient Light Rejecting Screen and Harman Kardon audio round out the package, blending much of the simplicity of a standard smart TV set with the immersion of a larger projector system. Pricing & Availability: No word on either yet, but if the projector does make it to market in 2019, it likely won't be until later in the year. Best 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player: Panasonic DP-UB450 As the only 2019 4K Blu-ray player announced so far with both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, the upcoming Panasonic DP-UB450 should satiate all high dynamic range needs. In addition, the unit features High-Resolution Audio playback (DSD 11.2MHz/5.6MHz/2.8MHz, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, AIFF), dual HDMI outputs for separate video and audio transmissions, and a digital audio output (coaxial), along with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities. Pricing & Availability: Alas, like most of the products on this list, pricing and a release date have not been revealed at this time. Best Sound Bar: LG SL10YG 5.1.2 Sound Bar System Offering Dolby Atmos and DTS:X capabilities, LG's SL10YG is a 570W 5.1.2 audio system with front left, center, front right, side-firing left and right, and upward-firing speakers all integrated into one sound bar unit. Likewise, the package includes a wireless subwoofer and support for Meridian Audio's Image Elevation technology and Meridian Upmix technology. In addition, users can extend the soundfield even further by adding LG's optional Wireless Rear Speaker Kit (model SPK 8), creating a 7.1.2 system. Finally, AI smart connectivity and voice recognition features are implemented as well via integrated Google Assistant support, allowing users to control the sound bar and search for information through voice commands. Pricing & Availability: Sadly, no details on price yet but the sound bar will likely start shipping this spring. Best Home Theater Technology: WiSA Want Hi-Fi surround sound without having to buy an AV receiver or needing to run a bunch of speaker cables throughout your home? Well, a WiSA compliant device might be exactly what you're looking for. WiSA tech offers support for wireless audio transmission of up to 8 channels of uncompressed 24-bit audio, including immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. Likewise, the tech's network performance offers superior latency over standard Bluetooth and Wi-Fi at just 5ms of lag time. With a WiSA compliant TV, like one of LG's new flagship 2019 displays, users can enjoy wireless audio with low-latency speaker synchronization and hi-fidelity sound via WiSA USB Transmitters and a variety of WiSA Certified speakers, including Klipsch's upcoming 5.1 Powered Wireless Home Theater System -- all without a separate amp or pesky speaker wires. Pricing & Availability: LG's upcoming WiSA compliant flagship OLED and NanoCell TVs are set to launch in the spring. Meanwhile, Klipsch's second generation 5.1 Wireless Home Theater Speaker System is expected to arrive early this year for about half the price of the company's first generation models. So, there you have it. Those are our top picks for the very best products at CES 2019. From MicroLED displays to wireless surround sound, there was no shortage of showstoppers in attendance. For now, though, what do you think of our selection? What new gear and tech announcements are you most looking forward to? Let us know your thoughts in the forums!Posted Fri Jan 11, 2019 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Sennheiser Announces AMBEO 5.1.4 Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X[teaser]The premium immersive audio sound bar is set to launch this spring.[/teaser] Sennheiser has detailed its newest audio product. The AMBEO 5.1.4 Sound Bar is designed to offer enveloping 3D audio from an all-in-one device. "We are thrilled to be introducing the AMBEO Soundbar as Sennheiser's first foray into the home entertainment speaker category. We have developed it with the ambition to create one of the best soundbars on the market – an elegant all-in-one solution for all those seeking an immersive 3D, audiophile-grade home entertainment experience," said Stephane Hareau, Global Head of Products – Consumer at Sennheiser. The AMBEO Sound Bar features 13 drivers and uses the company's latest virtualization technology to produce a 5.1.4 soundscape. Likewise, the unit includes support for Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and MPEG-H, along with the ability to upmix stereo and standard 5.1 content. In addition, the system comes with an external microphone for room calibration, allowing the sound bar to automatically optimize its performance to fit a user's specific room and seating position. Google Chromecast, Bluetooth, and HDMI eARC/CEC connectivity are included as well, along with three additional HDMI inputs, an optical audio port, and an AUX (RCA) input. Finally, the device is compatible with Sennheiser's Smart Control App for iOS and Android, offering access to extensive audio adjustment options. "We believe that the AMBEO Soundbar will set a new reference in sound quality," said Maximilian Voigt, Product Manager at Sennheiser. "It delivers the spatial 'as if there' experience of a 5.1.4 sound system and powerful bass, but without the need for additional speakers or an external subwoofer." The AMBEO Sound Bar is set to start shipping in May. Though US pricing has not been confirmed yet, the current press release mentions an MSRP of 2,499 EUR. Source: SennheiserPosted Thu Jan 10, 2019 at 01:45 PM PST by:
