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Samsung UHD F9000 Models Priced and Dated for the US[teaser]65 and 55-inch models begin shipping in August.[/teaser] Samsung's F9000 is the company's more accessible UHD follow-up to the $40K S9, and now it is on its way to the US in two screen sizes. Pre-orders for the 65 and 55-inch models begin July 21st, and the models are expected to ship in August. While the prices for these sets reflect the tumbling trend for 4K sets , Samsung is pushing a feature set that includes their Quagmatic Picture Engine, Precision Black Local Dimming, Smart TV functionality, 70-watt sound, and an Ultra Slim Bezel. From Samsung, "Following in the footsteps of the award-winning Samsung S9 UHD TV introduced earlier this year, the F9000 series offers four times the resolution of Full HD TV for a vivid, crystal-clear picture. The F9000 UHD TV utilizes Samsung's proprietary Quadmatic Picture Engine, a four-step process including signal analysis, noise minimization, UHD up-scaling and detail enhancement to seamlessly upconvert SD, HD or Full HD content to UHD-level picture quality. Both the TV and its software can be upgraded to be compatible with future UHD standards with a separate Evolution Kit." The F9000 series are also 3D sets and host Wi-Fi connectivity. The models even include a built-in camera to work with Samsung's Smart TV bundle of apps. Suggested pricing for the two F9000 models starts at $5500 for the 55-inch and $7500 for the 65-inch. Source: Engadget Author: Brian HossPosted Thu Jul 11, 2013 at 07:30 AM PDT by: -
Elmo Now Offering Ultra Short Throw Mobile Projector[teaser]MP-350 BOXi Mobile Projector checks in at 1.1 pounds.[/teaser] Elmo's latest projector is a mobile offering that emphasizes small. Small footprint at 5.2 " x 5.6" x 1.7", small output at 68 inches , low price at $650, low heat, low noise, and low maintenance at 20,000 hours for the LED lamp. Even with the small footprint the mobile projector still manages a nice set of connectivity options including RGB/VGA, USB, HDMI and Wi-Fi. A remote and a single speaker round out the projector's features. With its included carrying case/sleeve and AC adaptor, the BOXi can be up and running within moments and can project a 50 inch image with only 3.3 feet of space between the projector and the projection surface. Sadly though, while the projector can handle inputs up to 1080p, the output is limited to 1280 x 800. The hope remains, however, that this projector will be followed up a by a higher resolution version. While the model is targeted towards office applications, and can even natively display certain Office formats like PowerPoint, the model follows Elmo's educator's line, and is meant for simple and dependable use, making it perfect for introducing projectors to various family members and vacation getaways. The MP-350 BOXi Mobile Projector is priced at $650 and is currently available to order. Source: TWICE Author: Brian HossPosted Wed Jul 10, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
BBC Dropping 3D By the End of the Year[teaser] "I have never seen a very big appetite for 3D television in the UK." [/teaser] After a year and a half of broadcasting 3D content such as 'Doctor Who,' the London Olympics, and even the last Christmas' Queen's Speech, the BBC is calling it quits on 3D. Kim Shillinglaw, BBC head of 3D, "I have never seen a very big appetite for 3D television in the UK. "Watching 3D is quite a hassly experience in the home. You have got to find your glasses before switching on the TV. I think when people watch TV they concentrate in a different way. When people go to the cinema they go and are used to doing one thing – I think that’s one of the reasons that take up of 3D TV has been disappointing." With 1.5 million UK homes in possession of 3D sets, the BBC's 3D coverage of the Olympics Opening Ceremony was only viewed by half that number. The Christmas 3D broadcast of the Queen's Speech was worse by far with only 5% of 3D set owner's in the UK watching the 3D broadcast. Shillinglaw did say that the BBC would reconsider 3D broadcasts some three years from now. First, this year's remaining 3D content, including their 'Hidden Kingdom' program will be broadcast, followed by the hiatus. "I am not sure our job is to call the whole 3D race." With the BBC shutting down 3D broadcasts, viewers in the UK are left to rely on Sky TV for their 3D broadcast content. Source: The Verge Author: Brian HossPosted Fri Jul 5, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Samsung Acquires Boxee[teaser]The $30 million buyout just the latest chapter in the two companies' struggle. [/teaser] Boxee, the former makers of the Boxee Box and more recently the Boxee Cloud DVR, has been acquired by Samsung. Presumably, the two will try to accomplish together what they failed to manage apart, a smart TV product that sees Roku levels of adoption. That is not to say that both companies have not had successes with Samsung in particular probably managing to have the most popular smart TVs. Still, Boxee's origins with the Boxee Box promised an XBMC like set-top box that would never want for software and is now sadly out-of-date with support from Boxee mainly dropped altogether. In comparison, Samsung has had attempts with both Google TV and Android-based displays that were meant to captivate buyers, but still suffer from typical smart TV clunky interfaces and quick outdating of functionality. It is reasonable to surmise that Samsung will take the small Boxee workforce and assets and try to infuse them into future smart TV models. The question is though, will the Boxee brand be rolled into Samsung's offerings or eradicated outright. Source: The Verge Author: Brian HossPosted Wed Jul 3, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Sharp's New 32" UHD Monitor is a Touchscreen[teaser]The IGZO LCD designed for pen input and multi-touch. [/teaser] Yesterday, Sharp unveiled a new UHD display for sale in Japan. The Sharp PN-K322B is described as a "professional-use monitor" that combines a 3820 x 2160 display with high-precision touchscreen. The IGZO LCD LED makes for a thin 36 mm that can be articulated into a drawing position with the display's included stand. Connectivity options for the PN-K322B include two HDMI ports, two stereo mini jacks for audio in and out, and the ever crucial DisplayPort. For the touchscreen, the display support pen input as fine as 2mm in size, as well as multi-touch support. The display has a "palm cancellation function that prioritizes pen input even when the user's hand is resting on the touchscreen." From Sharp, " Demand for ultra-high-definition 4K displays is growing for numerous business and professional applications such as graphic and video content creation and editing. To further grow demand for 4K displays, Sharp will propose usage applications in other fields too, such as in customer service applications at retailers and showrooms or in exhibition displays at museums and art galleries." The PN-K322B will go on sale in Japan on July 30th, at a yet undisclosed price. Source: Sharp Author: Brian HossPosted Wed Jul 3, 2013 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
HDTV Display Lag Measured Against 'Street Fighter 4' Competitive play[teaser]The 170 rated displays yield some interesting results. [/teaser] Display Lag, the theoretical enemy of completive game players. From 'StarCraft' to 'Team Fortress' to 'Street Fighter,' players know that any kind of lag can be the difference between victory and defeat. Rarely though, do players seem to find an issue with their HDTV sets and 'Street Fighter 4' and its variants. On the other hand, competitive 'Street Fighter 4' player Adeel Soomra has found that some sets are better than others. As a result, Soomro has taken a database of displays with display lag time measured by Leo Bodnar's Lag Tester and applied his own personal ratings. These ratings break down into either 'Excellent," "Great," "Okay," and "Bad." The resulting list can be found here. As detailed at Display Lag, the Samsung F7100 gets a top nod due to a combination of factors, "This HDTV boasts a 40ms input lag rating in our database, meaning it will be responsive for the majority of gamers. Normally, a HDTV with a low input lag rating would offer the expected bells and whistles such as Smart TV, 3D, etc. However, the F7100 goes an extra mile offering a true 240hz 3D LED panel, as well as micro-dimming! Most LED HDTVs suffer from terrible black levels and poor motion clarity when compared directly to their plasma counterparts, and can be a real pain for serious gamers to deal with. With the F7100′s 240hz panel, fast paced gaming will be noticeably clearer than other HDTVs in its class, and micro-dimming allows the HDTV to darken its pixels where dark content is present. This means that your shadows will be deeper, your contrast will pop, all while delivering the smooth motion clarity of 240hz, all housed into a thin LED panel! If you’re the kind of gamer that wants outstanding picture quality with a fast controller response time, look no further than the F7100. This HDTV comes in 46, 55, 60, and 65-inch varieties, starting from just under $1500 on Amazon." Naturally, the concept of display lag is easy to understand. The actual application of the concept, however, is another story. Source: Joystiq Author: Brian HossPosted Wed Jul 3, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
ASUS PQ321Q 31.5 inch UHD Monitor Priced and Dated[teaser]PQ321Q feature set positions the model as a "professional" one. [/teaser] ASUS' impressive UHD 31.5 inch IGZO-powered LED LCD is now available for pre-order and is set to release on July 16th, 2013. The display's panel runs at 3840 x 2160 with 10-bit color support. The panel's specs boast a 176 degree angle and built-in speakers. More importantly, in addition to HDMI 1.4, the PQ321Q includes a true 4K necessity, DisplayPort 1.2, which supports UHD playback at 60 frames. As a monitor with DisplayPort, the PQ3231Q would seem to overcome two of the most vocal objections to UHD displays, viewing distance and playback support. The debut cost of this envious set of features debuts at $3500. While ASUS is pitching the PQ321Q as a "professional model," the company is quick to point that the PQ321Q is the thinnest 4K monitor available at 35mm. Source: ASUS Author: Brian HossPosted Tue Jul 2, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: June 2013by Steven Cohen Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with high-def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for affection, and with so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month. From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted a well-crafted Hollywood action thriller, a spooky contemporary horror flick, and an esoteric excursion into experimental science fiction. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November, December, January, February, March, April, and May. [teaser]This month, we're covering an undead comedy romance, a classic of world cinema, and an imaginative cartoon for all ages.[/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there might be some spoilers for the films listed. If you can only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in June, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Warm Bodies' - Paranormal romance flicks are a dime a dozen these days, and it's rare to find a title in the genre that's not only enjoyable but actually brings something new to the equation. Thankfully, Jonathan Levine's endearing and hilarious 'Warm Bodies' does just that, slowly dragging, shrugging, and mumbling its undead way into viewer's hearts and the top spot on June's Essential List. Right off the bat, Levine instantly distances the movie from usual 'Twilight' clones by introducing a supernatural hero that is the antithesis of the increasingly popular brooding, perfectly dressed, flawlessly manicured, sparkling vampire variety. Indeed, unlike typical Hollywood bloodsuckers, werewolves, ghosts, aliens, or witches, our zombie protagonist -- with his decomposing flesh, insatiable hunger for brains, and incapacitated speech -- proves to be an inherently unromantic choice for a movie monster heartthrob, and the filmmakers play up this fact brilliantly. Through "R" (Nicholas Hoult), we're given an atypical perspective and his voice over narration guides us through the trials and tribulations of being a lovelorn undead corpse with clever wit and surprising heart. The decidedly unconventional courtship that develops between our zombie lothario and the living object of his affection, Julie (Teresa Palmer), is funny, sweet, a bit morbid, and appropriately odd in all the right ways, and their burgeoning relationship is set to a truly awesome soundtrack fueled by old school and new school hits. The filmmakers even add their own twist to the usual zombie mythology, playing up the tried-and-true slacker metaphor with a rather poignant new supernatural rule. You see, these brain feasting corpses can actually absorb and relive the memories of their victims, potentially reigniting sparks of emotion that lay dormant in their own decaying minds. By borrowing a dead man's memories, R sets off a revolution, proving that even in the face of the zombie apocalypse, "all you need is love." It's all really quite sappy actually, but the film's unapologetically romantic sensibilities ring true and are wonderfully balanced by humor and horror. Charming, original, and entertaining, 'Warm Bodies' easily rises above the many inferior efforts in its increasingly crowded genre, and this Blu-ray release comes packed with great video, audio, and extras. If nothing else, the movie finally dethrones 'My Boyfriend's Back' to become the best zombie, comedy, romance film of all time (I can't be the only one who remembers that "classic"). And that alone has to earn it the top spot on June's list, right? 'Wild Strawberries' - There are some filmmakers so legendary in their contributions to cinema, and so consistent in their execution of brilliant filmmaking, that no Top 10 list of greatest movies could be complete without at least one film from their impressive repertoire. In fact, some directors' filmographies are so storied, that any number of their works could be included with little protest. Hell, in some very rare cases, an entire Top 10 list could almost be comprised using only the director in question's films, and most would still be hard pressed to argue with the results. Ingmar Bergman is such a filmmaker. Throughout his celebrated career, the Swedish director brought his own unique vision of contemplative, brooding, bittersweet storytelling to the silver screen, giving self reflection and inner turmoil striking visual form. From 'The Seventh Seal' to 'Persona,' his movies weep with introspection and devastating insight -- and his 1957 masterpiece, 'Wild Strawberries,' is easily among his very best work. From the very first frame, Bergman instantly reveals a complete mastery over the screen, harnessing his images to control a sense of space, isolation, emotion, and eerie stillness. Through this pensive visual style, the director weaves a bittersweet story of self reflection that sees an aging man, Dr. Isak Borg (Victor Sjöström), look back upon his life. As he embarks on an existential road trip of the soul, his past and present blur, causing memories and dreams to play out before him in a spectral theater of grief and delight. Interestingly, despite these frequent excursions into recollection, we never actually see Isak's younger self. Instead, we are forced to learn about the character's past exclusively through the perspective of others, and the portrait they paint is frequently contradictory. Throughout the entire film we are told what a cold and callous man Isak is (particularly from his daughter-in-law), but Bergman deliberately refrains from fully showing us this side of him. All we see is a kind old man increasingly overcome by melancholy and regret. We see various past instances that might have helped shape his future insensitivity, but we don't actually see this behavior in action, creating a fascinating disconnect that seems at odds with what we are repeatedly told. Victor Sjöström is simply heartbreaking as Isak, and the actor carries a wealth of emotional baggage in every wistful stare and longing glance. There is a gentleness to his demeanor in the present that is instantly likeable, and yet there are still moments when one can see hints of the icy detachment that his daughter-in-law continually condemns. Bergman mainstay Gunnar Björnstrand is also great as Isak's seemingly heartless son, and through his cold behavior we catch a glimpse of the arrogant, unfeeling man Isak supposedly is. As the aging doctor walks through the halls of his past, a portrait of love, pain, loss, resentment, and healing is formed, allowing Bergman to probe the deepest recesses of the human soul through rich themes, insightful dialogue, and haunting imagery. Surreal dreams and arresting metaphors bolster the otherwise modest content, and the director manages to find an elegant visual beauty in mere conversation. A painful but ultimately joyous reverie on the past, 'Wild Strawberries' is an infinitely rich examination of human connection, life, death, and memory. One of Bergman's very best films, it's also one of the shining achievements of world cinema. The Criterion Blu-ray features a great technical presentation and worthwhile supplements. This is a release that belongs on every cinephile's shelf, and if you still need more reasons to pick it up, here's three more straight from Criterion: 'Adenture Time: The Complete First Season' - What's that? A children's cartoon is capping off June's list of must own titles? This must be some kind of mistake, right? Wrong! Believe it or not, Pendleton Ward's 'Adventure Time' is one of the most unique, creative, intelligent, and wonderfully silly shows on TV. Through the story of a young boy and his magical talking dog, the writers and animators have tapped into something truly wondrous, creating an offbeat sense of humor that somehow appeals to all ages in equal measure. As I detailed in my full review, 'Adventure Time' really is something special. In fact, it's so distinct in its style and voice that it's actually a little hard to describe. Take aspects of 'Dungeons and Dragons' and other classic role-playing adventures, add a dash of video game questing logic, throw in a healthy dose of fairy tale magic, sprinkle in a bit of Lewis Carroll inspired surreal randomness, and finish it off with a pinch of subversive wit and you'll start to form a pretty good idea of what the series is all about. But despite all these clear influences, the show's quirky sense of humor and atypical storytelling rhythms really defy explanation, and the series needs to be seen in order to truly understand its silly madness. With an endearing cast of characters brimming with life and personality, and a fantasy world bursting with limitless possibilities, each episode takes viewers on an imaginative 11 minute journey that creates its own narrative rules. Though seemingly random and nonsensical, the writers actually do build up a pretty comprehensive mythology over the show's run, and all that groundwork is set up here in season one. Filled with fun action, juvenile gags, surprisingly intelligent jokes, offbeat vocal deliveries, and plenty of songs, the show has something for everyone. There's a bubblegum princess, a rocker vampire, a kingdom of candy people, and even a (not so) devious Ice King, and the show plays against typical archetypes, clichés, and storytelling beats to create characters, locations, and plotlines that are wholly unique and refreshingly weird. June saw the release of not only the first season, but season two as well, and both sets are equally strong with great presentations and appropriately odd supplements (the atypical commentaries are especially amusing). Though some might balk at the idea of owning a "kid's show," 'Adventure Time' is one of those rare series that challenges typical demographics. Young or old, this is a show that will appeal to anyone who loves idiosyncratic humor, goofy fun, sharp wit, imaginative fantasy, and good old fashioned (and extremely bizarre) adventure! So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this June, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for June's must own titles?Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
Celebrate DTS' Twentieth Birthday on 7.1 Dayby Michael S. Palmer Get ready to feel old, surround sound fans. [teaser]DTS, which launched in cinema with Steven Spielberg's blockbuster 'Jurassic Park' in 1993, is turning twenty.[/teaser] On the upside, digital multi-channel surround sound has advanced since those early days and revolutionized the way we experience movies in cinemas and our home theatres. Crazy enough, and thanks to lossless codecs like DTS-HD MA, there were a few years where 7.1 channel mixes ONLY existed in our homes. Speaking of which, did you know that today is a multi channel surround sound holiday? No joke. Starting in 2009, the State of California officially declared July 1st: 7.1 Day. To kick off this holiday and to mark their twenty-year anniversary, DTS has created a fun infographic entitled, "Making the World Sound Better", and they're running a month-long sweepstakes over on their Facebook page / Twitter feed. This week, you can enter to win one of twenty 'Jurassic Park' Blu-rays. Over the next month, they'll also be giving away a Yamaha soundbar and Toshiba tablet. Sounds like fun. So good luck trying to win free stuff and grab your favorite 7.1 DTS-HD MA encoded Blu-ray to join in the festivities. Here's the infographic, followed by the full press release below. DTS Infographic: DTS Celebrates 20 Years of ‘Making the World Sound Better’ CALABASAS, Calif. (July 1, 2013)—In recognition of its 20th anniversary, DTS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTSI), a leader in high-definition audio solutions and audio enhancement technologies, today released an infographic titled, “Making the World Sound Better,” commemorating key company milestones and accomplishments that have occurred since DTS was founded in 1993. The anniversary infographic has also been introduced as part of “DTS 7.1 Day,” a July 1 holiday declared by the state of California which honors DTS’ cutting-edge technologies—such as its 7.1 surround sound solutions—and longstanding economic and entertainment contributions to the arts. “These last 20 years at DTS have been a tremendous experience and I can’t wait to see what the next 20 years will bring,” said Jon Kirchner, chairman and CEO at DTS. “In the course of the past two decades, DTS witnessed the CE and entertainment industries undergo several substantial changes, including the shift from film to digital cinema, the Internet boom, the rise of Blu-ray™, the rapid evolution of processing power in CE products, streaming media, social media and the transition to digital content consumption. Embracing the many changes that span the industries in which we do business, DTS is still here and stronger than ever, proving that sound matters.” Major points noted within the infographic include: In its founding year, DTS had a total of 46 patents. In 2013, 20 years later, the company now holds 695 patents. [1] By its 10-year anniversary, DTS’ audio technologies had shipped in more than 200 million CE products worldwide In 2009, the state of California officially recognized July 1 as 7.1 Day Celebrating this year’s 7.1 Day, DTS will be hosting a month-long 20-year anniversary sweepstakes across its Facebook and Twitter pages that will award prizes such as a Yamaha soundbar, Toshiba tablet, Jurassic Park Blu-ray discs—the film that introduced DTS master-quality sound in 1993—and more. Fans are encouraged to use the #DTS20Years hashtag to enter and more entry details can be found via facebook.com/dts.inc and @DTS_Inc. For more information about DTS, please visit www.dts.com, or connect with DTS on Facebook and Twitter (@DTS_Inc). [1.] Patent figures represent the combined sum of those pending and issued. About DTS, Inc. DTS, Inc. (Nasdaq: DTSI) is a premier audio solutions provider for high-definition entertainment experiences—anytime, anywhere, on any device. DTS’ audio solutions enable delivery and playback of clear, compelling high-definition audio, which is incorporated by hundreds of licensee customers around the world, into billions of consumer electronic devices. From a renowned legacy as a pioneer in high definition multi-channel audio, DTS became a mandatory audio format in the Blu-ray Disc™ standard and is now increasingly deployed in enabling digital delivery of compelling movies, music, games and other forms of digital entertainment to a growing array of network-connected consumer devices. DTS technology is in automotive audio systems, digital media players, DVD players, game consoles, home theaters, PCs, set-top boxes, smartphones, surround music content and every device capable of playing Blu-ray™ discs. Founded in 1993, DTS' corporate headquarters is located in Calabasas, California with its licensing operations headquartered in Limerick, Ireland. DTS also has offices in Los Gatos and Santa Ana, California, Washington, China, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Copyright 2013, DTS, Inc. DTS, the Symbol, and DTS and the Symbol together are registered trademarks of DTS, Inc. All other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners. All rights reserved. SOURCE: DTS, INC.Posted Mon Jul 1, 2013 at 02:15 PM PDT by: -
Intel's Planned Internet TV Service Rumored to be Part of Massive Testing of New Set Top Box[teaser]2,000 employees in three states testing set top box and streaming service. [/teaser] Intel has long been rumored to be working to break into the living room with some kind of content delivery device. As detailed in The Seattle Times, Intel is finally talking about bringing those plans to fruition. Eric Free, vp and general manager at Intel, "Ultimately we want to deliver a better form of television. We’re very confident we’ll get the content we need to launch later this year." Naturally, a big part of the chip maker's plan is delivering a set top box ready to compete with the likes of Time Warner, DirecTV, Apple, Roku, and Microsoft. Intel's "The Black Box Project" is not only underway, but is reportedly reaching the homes of 2,000 Intel employees spread throughout California, Arizona, and Oregon. Despite the massive testing group, the hardware and software involved is said to be far removed from the planned final product, and the testing is focused more on the logistics of delivering Internet TV. Ultimately, Intel may be wise to offer trial versions of the final product to consumers in the hopes of building a user base and proving that their TV content solution is as viable as, if not more than, other options. Source: CNET Author: Brian HossPosted Wed Jun 26, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by:
