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New HTC One Smartphone Revealed[teaser]HTC has detailed its latest flagship HD smartphone. [/teaser] After months of speculation and industry leaks, HTC has officially unveiled the successor to its highly rated One handset. The new model, dubbed the HTC One (M8), features several upgraded specs and features. The phone uses a 5-inch 1080p display and a high-quality metal unibody design. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 2.3 GHz processor with 2GB of RAM and a 2,600 mAh battery all running Android 4.4. A Duo Camera is included as well that uses HTC's UltraPixel module and a unique depth sensor for special image effects. In addition, the phone also includes a front-facing 5MP camera and uses the new HTC Sense 6 tech for an assortment of motion controllable gestures and commands.16GB and 32GB models will be offered and each version includes a microSD slot for an additional 128GB of storage. BoomSound technology is also implemented and the handset comes with duel front stereo speakers. The HTC One (M8) goes on sale today at several stores and carriers including AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. An unlocked model is also available for purchase directly from HTC for a suggested retail price of $650. Sources: HTC via PR Newswire, HTCPosted Tue Mar 25, 2014 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
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New Apple TV Could Feature Partnership with Comcast[teaser]Rumors indicate that Apple might be working with Comcast on a possible streaming service for its upcoming set-top box. [/teaser] According to a report from the The Wall Street Journal, Apple is in early talks with Comcast about the development of their latest streaming TV platform, serving as a successor to its current Apple TV. If the alleged deal were to be successful, Comcast would give Apple's service special treatment to free up bandwidth congestion for the device's internet connection. The next-generation Apple TV could allows users to stream live TV and recorded content through the internet, serving as an alternative to traditional cable. Apple is hoping to strike up a partnership with Comcast in order to ensure that the service maintains a fast, stable connection without bandwidth issues or buffering delays. To achieve this, Comcast would have to separate Apple's service from public internet traffic on the last stretch of the connection chain to their customers. A potential agreement is still far from a reality, however, as both companies have different ideas about how the theoretical service would operate and how much access Apple would have to Comcast's subscribers. Still, discussions like this continue to reinforce the evolving television/streaming landscape, pointing to potentially big changes in how we receive shows and programming. Source: The Wall Street Journal via EngadgetPosted Mon Mar 24, 2014 at 06:30 PM PDT by: -
Dolby Highlights Atmos and 3D at CinemaCon[teaser]The company has announced new milestones with their Atmos audio and 3D projection technologies. [/teaser] As part of the 2014 CinemaCon being held in Las Vegas this week, Dolby will be highlighting it latest innovations and achievements, including the expansion of its Atmos audio tech and the advancement of its Dolby 3D process for laser projectors. On the visual side of things, Barco and Christie Digital will be demoing their laser projectors using Dolby 3D. Since laser projectors are capable of rendering brighter images with higher contrast ratios than traditional projectors, they are a perfect match for Dolby's 3D process which uses advanced color separation technology. Coupled with laser projection, Dolby 3D can preserve about 90 percent of the light that reaches audiences from the projector. Moving on to audio, Dolby has revealed several exciting updates related to its Atmos technology. After making its debut in April 2012, Dolby Atmos has been enthusiastically adopted by many Hollywood studios, directors, and theaters, and now its presence is expanding to even more screens and film projects. The object-based surround sound process gives "filmmakers the creative freedom to easily place or move sounds anywhere in the movie theatre." Dolby has announced that a new exhibitor called Cinemaxx will be installing Atmos into 100 screens throughout Indonesia. This latest expansion will bring the total number of Dolby Atmos screens to nearly 600 worldwide. “Dolby looks forward to working with Cinemaxx to bring the ultimate cinematic experience to moviegoers in Indonesia,” said Mahesh Sundaram, Vice President, Asia Pacific, Dolby Laboratories. “With Dolby Atmos, you feel as if you are in the movie, not merely watching it. We are confident that moviegoers will go back again and again to Cinemaxx once they enjoy their first Dolby Atmos film.” In addition to the continued expansion of Atmos equipped theaters, Dolby has also announced a new slate of films that will use the technology in their sound mixes. The upcoming releases include: 'Million Dollar Arm,' 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier,' 'Guardians of the Galaxy,' 'The Avengers: Age of Ultron,' 'The Expendables 3,' 'Noah,' 'Transformers: Age of Extinction,' 'How to Train Your Dragon 2,' 'Edge of Tomorrow,' 'The Hobbit: There and Back Again,' and 'Transcendence.' With these eleven new titles, there are now over 100 films that use the Atmos process. Dolby will be conducting special demos, screenings, and panel discussions throughout the week at CinemaCon 2014 in Las Vegas. To find an Atmos screen near you, click here. Source: DolbyPosted Mon Mar 24, 2014 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Sony 4K TVs, Home Theater Systems, and More![teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering discounts on select Sony 4K displays, HDTVs, receivers, Blu-ray players, and home theater systems! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronics sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on several Sony home theater items. The current lineup of deals includes discounts on: Sony XBR-65X900A 65-Inch 4K TV - Currently $4498 (36 percent off its retail price of $7000). Sony XBR65X850A 65-Inch 4K TV - Currently $3998 (38 percent off its retail price of $6500). Sony XBR-55X900A 55-Inch 4K TV - Currently $2998 (40 percent off its retail price of $5000). Sony XBR55X850A 55-Inch 4K TV - Currently $2498 (44 percent off its retail price of $4500). Sony KDL65W850A 65-Inch 1080p TV - Currently $2298 (23 percent off its retail price of $3000). Sony BDV-N8100W 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System - Currently $598 (15 percent off its retail price of $700). Sony BDV-N7100W 5.1 Channel 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System - Currently $548 (9 percent off its retail price of $600). Sony BDVN790W Blu-ray Home Theater System - Currently $448 (10 percent off its retail price of $500). Sony STR-DN1040 7.2 Channel A/V Receiver - Currently $498 (17 percent off its retail price of $600). Sony BDPS790 3D Blu-ray Player - Currently $178 (28 percent off its retail price of $248). 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 Mar 21, 2014 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
Sharp Details WiSA-Compliant Universal Player[teaser]The Blu-ray/SACD player can transmit high resolution audio and HD video wirelessly. [/teaser] Sharp has announced pricing and availability for its upcoming SD-WH1000U Universal Player. The device uses WiSA technology to deliver unwired, uncompressed audio and high definition video. The player can connect to up to 8 WiSA–compliant speakers for wireless lossless 24-bit/96kHz 7.1 channel audio. Likewise, using Sharp’s separate Wireless Bridge, it can transmit high-res audio to speakers without built-in WiSA tech. Furthermore, the SD-WH1000U is capable of playing full HD 1080p video wirelessly through its WiHD output on WiHD supported televisions. And in addition to its integrated Blu-ray, DVD, and SACD support, the player also comes equipped with 3 HDMI inputs and 2 USB ports, allowing users to access content from connected set-top boxes, streaming media players, game consoles, and other devices. Sharp's SD-WH1000U Universal Player will be available in June for a suggested retail price of $4,999. The VR-WR100U Wireless Bridge will be available in May for a suggested retail price of $999. Sources: TWICE, SharpPosted Fri Mar 21, 2014 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Galaxy S5 Coming to T-Mobile and AT&T[teaser]Both carriers have announced launch details and pricing for the Samsung Galaxy S5. [/teaser] After making its official debut at the Mobile World Congress last month, the Galaxy S5 smartphone is now gearing up for release. Both T-Mobile and AT&T have announced pricing and availability for the device. T-Mobile will be offering the phone through a 24-month $0 down payment structure and no contract stipulations. Pre-orders will open on March 24, and customers who order the phone by March 31 will receive special, introductory pricing of $27.50 per month, bringing the total cost to $660. "This thing is so hot we've already seen over a half a million pre-registrations for the Galaxy S5," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile. "That's a lot of very smart people grabbing this opportunity to pay nothing down, save more than a grand over the life of the other guys' contracts, and have T-Mobile pay off every penny of their family's early termination fees. It's a brilliant move." Meanwhile, AT&T will be offering several different payment options. The phone will sell for $25 per month with the AT&T Next 18 plan, or $32.50 per month with the AT&T Next 12 plan. Likewise, customer can purchase the handset for $199.99 with a two-year contract or $649.99 with no commitments. Pre-orders open tomorrow. "AT&T continues to grow its leading device line and is proud to add the Samsung Galaxy S5 to the nation’s most reliable 4G LTE network," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president – Devices, AT&T. "AT&T was the first carrier to deliver Samsung’s Galaxy family of devices to consumers in the U.S and we look forward to adding to the best selection of Samsung Galaxy models in 2014." The Galaxy S5 features a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 1920x1080. The phone is powered by a Snapdragon 800 2.5GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 2800mAh battery running Android 4.4.2. A 16MP rear camera and a 2.1MP front camera are integrated as well along with HDR and Selective Focus capabilities. In addition, the smartphone also features a Finger Scanner for biometric locking and mobile payments. Likewise, the S5 includes S Health 3.0, a personal fitness tracker with a built-in heart rate monitor. Pre-orders are expected to start shipping to customers in early April. Sources: T-Mobile, AT&TPosted Thu Mar 20, 2014 at 02:30 PM PDT by: -
Samsung Reveals Pricing and Availability for 4K Displays and Content[teaser]Release dates and prices have been announced for the company's 2014 Ultra HD lineup. [/teaser] Following their debut at CES back in January, Samsung has now unveiled pricing and availability for its upcoming 4K display roster. The new slate of curved and flat screen Ultra HD TVs will come in a variety of sizes ranging from 50-inch models to a gigantic 105-inch model. The company's premium UNHU9000 series will feature curved-screen LED LCD panels with edge-lit local diming and a resolution of 3840 x 2160. The lineup will be available in 55-inch ($4000) and 65-inch ($5000) models starting this month. Likewise, a 78-inch model ($8000) will be available later in the year. Next up is the UNHU8700 series, which will also feature curved-screen panels but come with slightly less robust features. 55-inch and 65-inch models will start shipping in late spring, but pricing has not been detailed yet. For those looking for a flat-screen Ultra HD option, the UNHU8550 series will offer traditional flat 4K panels with local dimming. 55-inch ($3000) and 65-inch ($4000) models will be released later this month, and 50-inch ($2500), 60-inch ($3500), and 75-inch ($6000) models will be available in May. Meanwhile, there's still no word on pricing for Samsung's mammoth sized 105-inch curved-screen 21:9 display, but it is set to launch in the second half of 2014. To go along with its new Ultra HD lineup, Samsung has also revealed more details and pricing for its upcoming UHD Video Pack. The pre-loaded hard drive comes packed with 4K movie content from 20th Century Fox and Paramount, including 'Night at the Museum,' 'The Counselor,' 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine,' 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' and 'World War Z.' Much like Sony's similar FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player, Samsung's UHD Video Pack will only work on Samsung Ultra HD TVs. The UHD Video Pack will launch in April for $300. An additional pack with more content is expected to become available later in the year as well. Likewise, Samsung's new lineup will also be able to play 4K video from smart TV apps through services like Netflix, Amazon, Comcast/Xfinity, and DirecTV. Sources: CNET, EngadgetPosted Thu Mar 20, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Oppo Launches First 5.5-inch Quad HD Smartphone[teaser]The new mobile device features a 2,560x1,440 resolution display. [/teaser] Oppo has detailed its latest smartphone, the Find 7. The handset features a 5.5-inch LCD screen with a Quad HD resolution of 2560 x 1440 and 538 PPI. The smartphone is powered by a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU, 3GB of RAM, and a 3,000mAh battery running Android 4.3. A 13MP camera capable of combining images into 50MP photos through the company's Pure Image 2.0 technology is included as well. The phone also features 32GB of memory and a microSD slot. In addition, the company is also releasing a 1080p version with 16GB of storage, a 2,800mAh battery, 2GB of RAM, and a 2.3 GHz processor. This model will be dubbed the Find 7a. The Oppo Find 7 and Find 7a will launch globally next month for a suggested retail price of $599 and $499. Source: CNETPosted Wed Mar 19, 2014 at 06:30 PM PDT by: -
Comcast Bolsters Xfinity TV Go Lineup[teaser]Comcast has added 18 more channels to its live streaming platform. [/teaser] Comcast has announced the addition of several more channels to its Xfinity TV Go app, allowing customers to watch live programming on the go away from their TV and cable box. The new channels include popular networks like A&E, Bravo, Cooking Channel, DIY Network, E!, Food Network, HGTV, HISTORY, mun2, Oxygen, Sprout, STARZ, Syfy, TBS, TNT, Travel Channel, truTV and USA Network. "Everything we do revolves around providing our customers with the very best content wherever and whenever they want it, and the Xfinity TV Go app is just another example of that," Matt Strauss, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Video Services, Comcast Cable. "Xfinity TV customers can now enjoy live programming from more than 50 of the most popular networks. We will continue to aggressively expand both the live and On Demand offerings on the app and provide our customers with the ultimate selection of content across all devices." In addition to live streaming, Xfinity TV Go also offers subscribers access to a library of over 25,000 on-demand content choices, including many popular movies and TV shows. Users can stream the live and on-demand media through the company's app on their Android and Apple mobile devices through any Wi-Fi connection or on the Xfinity.com/TV website. Source: ComcastPosted Wed Mar 19, 2014 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deal Spotlight: Pioneer Receivers[teaser]For a limited time, Amazon is offering significant discounts on select Pioneer A/V receivers! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's ongoing electronics sales and promotions, Amazon is running limited time deals on several home theater items. The current lineup of deals includes discounts on several Pioneer A/V receivers. All of the receivers offer 4K video pass through and MCACC Room Calibration support. The discounted models include the: Pioneer VSX-523 5.1-Channel A/V Receiver - Currently $197 (30 percent off its retail price of $280). Pioneer VSX-8231 5.1-Channel Network AV Receiver - Currently $247 (42 percent off its retail price of $429). Pioneer VSX-1123 7.2-Channel Network A/V Receiver - Currently $397 (37 percent off its retail price of $629). 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 Mar 18, 2014 at 05:30 PM PDT by:
