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Sony to Show Off High-Res Audio in Austin[teaser]Sony plans to demo its latest high-resolution audio components in Austin, Texas on March 12 - 14. [/teaser] Several new and upcoming audio products will be on display at the The Heart of Austin Presented by Sony. The event will be held on March 12 - 14 from 4PM - 1AM at The Market on the corner of 4th and Colorado in Austin, TX. Guests will be able to demo the gear and listen to live musical performances throughout the event. With high-resolution audio, listeners get to experience "master quality sound" that delivers the music exactly as the artists and sound designers intended without the limiting compression of lossy formats like MP3. Availability of high-res audio products and content continues to grow, and Sony will be demoing several options, ranging from media players to amps and digital recorders. The full lineup of high-resolution audio components that the company will be demonstrating include the UDA-1 USB DAC System for PC Audio, HAP-S1 High Resolution Music System, HAP-Z1ES High Resolution Music Player, PHA-2 Portable High Resolution DAC/Amplifier, and PCM-D100 High Resolution Portable Stereo Recorder. Source: SonyPosted Mon Mar 10, 2014 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
'House of Cards' Comes to Comcast Store[teaser]Comcast subscribers will be able to purchase the popular Netflix series through the Xfinity store along with several other Sony titles. [/teaser] Comcast and Sony have announced a deal that will give Comcast customers access to the first season of 'House of Cards' without a Netflix subscription. While the series remains a streaming exclusive to Netflix, viewers will be able to buy episodes of the show through Comcast's Xfinity store for playback on a variety of devices. The show has also been available for downloadable purchase from several other services like Amazon and Walmart.com. The deal also grants Comcast the rights to sell several other Sony shows and films through its service, including titles like 'Breaking Bad' and 'Captain Phillips' which will be available in the coming weeks. Likewise, the cable provider will be able to sell and rent many upcoming titles ahead of their regular VOD releases. This includes 'American Hustle' which will be available for rent or purchase starting this Tuesday. In addition, Comcast has signed a separate deal with Lionsgate for the rights to sell another critically acclaimed Netflix series.The first season of 'Orange is the New Black' will be available in the Xfinity store on May 13 (the same date as its Blu-ray release). Titles purchased through the Xfinity store can be viewed through the Xfinity On Demand service on a customer's set-top box, on a computer through the Xfinity website, or through the company's apps for Android and iOS devices. Sources: Variety, ComcastPosted Mon Mar 10, 2014 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Sony and Panasonic Develop Archival Disc Standard[teaser]The electronics companies have teamed up to create a next-generation disc standard aimed at improving long-term data storage. [/teaser] Sony and Panasonic have announced the development of a new optical disc standard dubbed "Archival Disc." The technology offers many benefits over other storage options, including dust-resistance, water resistance and resistance to humidity and temperature changes. Likewise, the discs also feature inter-generational compatibility, allowing previously stored data to be read as the format develops and upgrades over time. The Archival Disc is being developed for professional use and both companies plan to have 300GB discs ready by summer 2015. 500GB and 1TB disc are also planned for the future. The basic spec uses double sided disc technology with three layers per side. The increased capacity could prove especially valuable to professional fields that require increasingly large data storage needs, including the film industry. Sony and Panasonic previously worked together on the development of the Blu-ray disc medium. They hope to promote the new Archival Disc standard as a next-gen high capacity solution for professional data storage and protection. Source: SonyPosted Mon Mar 10, 2014 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Orphan Black' to Stream Exclusively on Amazon[teaser]The first season of the critically acclaimed series is now available to stream on Amazon Prime Instant Video. [/teaser] Amazon and BBC Worldwide North America have signed a deal giving Prime Instant Video the exclusive streaming rights to 'Orphan Black.' The agreement is good for the show's previously aired first season and all future seasons as well. “‘Orphan Black’ is exactly the type of smart, suspenseful TV show that our customers love to binge on,” said Brad Beale, director of digital video content acquisition for Amazon. The show follows "a streetwise hustler who is pulled into a compelling conspiracy after witnessing the suicide of a girl who looks just like her." Season two premieres on April 19, giving Prime customers the perfect opportunity to catch up on any first season episodes that they may have missed. Prime Instant Video is available on a variety of streaming devices and smart TVs. The service currently charges $79 per year, but rumors indicate that Amazon is considering a price increase. With this new deal, 'Orphan Black' joins a growing library of exclusive streaming content, including FX's 'The Americans' and NBC's 'Hannibal.' Source: VarietyPosted Fri Mar 7, 2014 at 05:00 PM PST by: -
Samsung Announces Release Date for Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 Tablet[teaser]The 12.2-inch tablet is now up for pre-order for a March 9 release! [/teaser]Samsung has officially unveiled pricing and availability for its Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 tablet. The 32 GB model will retail for $650 and will start shipping on March 9. The Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 features a 12.2-inch 2560x1600 WQXGA Display. The device is powered by a Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 1.9 GHz processor and uses 3GB of RAM running Android 4.4. An 8MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera are also included. Samsung's Multi Window technology is integrated as well, allowing support for as many as four apps at once. The tablet is rated for up to thirteen hours of battery life. Customers can now pre-order the 32 GB Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 from Amazon. A previously released 10.1-inch model is also available for purchase. Source:EngadgetPosted Fri Mar 7, 2014 at 03:00 PM PST by: -
Sharp Releases AQUOS Q+ Series[teaser]The new line of displays offers customers a midway point between HD and Ultra HD, promising the highest resolution Full HD picture on the market. [/teaser] Sharp is now shipping its AQUOS Q+ collection of advanced LCD LED HDTVs. The displays use proprietary technology to scale 4K content while offering significantly more subpixels than a standard HDTV. The AQUOS Q+ series comes in two variations: the SQ and the UQ line. The SQ lineup comes in 60-inch ($2400) and 70-inch ($3400) models. Meanwhile, the premium UQ line comes in 60-inch ($3000), 70-inch ($4000), and 80-inch ($6000) models, and features THX certified picture, Active 3D with two Bluetooth 3D glasses, an AquoMotion 960 240Hz panel, and Super Bright technology. Both lines use the company's Quattron panel and Revelation technology. Though they still use 1080p panels, each pixel in the display is divided into two, resulting in 16 million subpixels -- 10 million more than a standard HDTV. Likewise, the TVs can accept 4K signals for playback at near-4K resolution, and can upscale standard HD images to make them sharper and more vivid. The LC-60SQ15U, LC-70SQ15U, LC-60UQ17U, and LC-70UQ17U are now available for purchase from Amazon, and the LC-80UQ17U should be available soon. Source: SharpPosted Fri Mar 7, 2014 at 10:15 AM PST by: -
New Roku Streaming Stick Up for Pre-Order![teaser]Roku has announced a new HDMI streaming stick with a suggested retail price of $49.99. [/teaser] Serving as an update to its previously released MHL based stick, Roku is now taking pre-orders for its latest streaming dongle. The new device can plug directly into a display's HDMI port, instantly giving customers access to several streaming media options. The Roku 3500R Streaming Stick offers 1200 plus channels filled with movies, TV shows, music, news, sports, and more. Media can be streamed at resolutions up to 1080p and the stick features Roku Search built into its interface. In addition, the media dongle comes complete with a Wi-Fi remote. Likewise, users can download Android and iOS apps to use their smartphones and tablets to control their media as well. The apps can also be used to stream content from mobile devices to the TV, and support for sending media from a computer to a connected display is also in the works. Pre-orders for the HDMI Roku Streaming Stick are now live on Amazon for a suggested retail price of $49.99. The stick is expected to ship in April. Source: RokuPosted Thu Mar 6, 2014 at 04:40 PM PST by: -
HD Gear Review: Logitech Harmony Ultimate[teaser] The High-Def Digest Review of the Logitech Harmony Ultimate home theater remote is now live! [/teaser] A single remote capable of controlling everything in a user's setup has always been at the top of many home theater enthusiasts' wish lists, and with the Harmony Ultimate Remote, Logitech aims to deliver this fabled dream. But is it truly the answer to all your home theater related prayers? Check out Mike Flacy's full review to find out!Posted Tue Mar 4, 2014 at 03:00 PM PST by: -
DISH Network and Disney Sign Major Deal[teaser]The new agreement ends all legal disputes between the two companies and gives DISH streaming rights to Disney owned channels. [/teaser] After engaging in a legal battle over DISH Network's AutoHop feature, which allows customers to skip through commercials, DISH and Disney have agreed to an expansive new deal. As part of their partnership, both companies have dropped their lawsuits and DISH will now gain expanded coverage of Disney content, including online streaming distribution rights. "The creation of this agreement has really been about predicting the future of television with a visionary and forward-leaning partner," said Joseph P. Clayton, DISH Chief Executive Officer and President. "Not only will the exceptional Disney, ABC, ESPN entertainment portfolio continue to delight our customers today, but we have a model from which to deliver exciting new services tomorrow." DISH will now have the rights to stream live and on-demand content from Disney owned stations like ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel, ESPN and ESPN2 on existing internet apps like WATCH ABC or on a possible internet TV platform from DISH. This could mean that DISH customers might be able to watch live Disney channels through the internet without the need for an actual satellite dish. In exchange for the expanded content package from Disney and the termination of their legal disputes, DISH will now have to disable its AutoHop feature for ABC programming until three days after the content has aired. Anne Sweeney, Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks, and President, Disney/ABC Television Group, said, "We knew early on we had a responsibility with this deal to not only do what was best for our business, but to also position our industry for future growth. After months of hard work and out-of-the box thinking on both sides, led by Bob Iger and Charlie Ergen, this agreement, one of the most complex and comprehensive we’ve ever undertaken, achieves just that. Not only were innovative business solutions reached on complicated current issues, we also planned for the evolution of our industry." As part of its expanded Disney package, DISH will now carry Disney Junior, Fusion, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, Longhorn Network and the upcoming SEC ESPN Network. In addition, the service will offer HD broadcasts for ESPNEWS, ESPNU, Disney Channel and ABC Family. Sources: DISH via EngadgetPosted Tue Mar 4, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Android Trumps Apple in 2013 Tablet Sales[teaser]Android powered tablets overtook iOS tablets in total sales last year. [/teaser] According to a report by Gartner, Android tablets captured 62 percent of the total global tablet market in 2013. Meanwhile, Apple tablets managed to hold on to a 36 percent market share. As a whole, tablet sales grew 68 percent in 2013 with 195.4 million units sold between different brands and operating systems. Of that total, Android tablets accounted for about 121 million units and Apple spoke for about 70.4 million. Meanwhile, Microsoft powered tablets only accounted for about 2.1 percent of sales with around 4 million units sold. Though Apple managed to sell more tablets in 2013 than it did the previous year, Android's healthy sales increase allowed the Google OS to surpass Apple's total market share. With that said, Apple was still the top selling brand of 2013, with a 36 percent hold on the market. Outside of Apple, Samsung was the number one brand, accounting for about 19.1 percent of the total tablet market. ASUS and Amazon follow with 5.6 and 4.8 percent respectively. "In 2013, tablets became a mainstream phenomenon, with a vast choice of Android-based tablets being within the budget of mainstream consumers while still offering adequate specifications," said Roberta Cozza, research director at Gartner. "As the Android tablet market becomes highly commoditized, in 2014, it will be critical for vendors to focus on device experience and meaningful technology and ecosystem value — beyond just hardware and cost — to ensure brand loyalty and improved margins." Source: GartnerPosted Tue Mar 4, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by:
