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Denon Adds Four New IN-Command Receivers Starting at $500[teaser]IN-Command line includes smartphone, web, and home automation control options. [/teaser] As Denon continues to thread the needle with a somewhat prestigious and somewhat exclusive air about its products with the "Denon Difference," four new networked receivers join the company's product offerings. The IN-Command feature set not only includes smartphone control through Denon's iOS and Android app, but also control through a web browser, or through a home automation system. At $500, the 5.1 80 Watt per channel AVR-X1000 features 6 3D ready HMDI inputs, USB input, DLNA 1.5 certification, and multi-zone pre-amp output (audio only) in addition to the IN-Command feature set. At $700, the 7.1 95 Watt per channel AVR-X2000 adds 4K Ultra HD pass-through and scaling, and a RS-232 port. At $900, the 7.2 105 Watt per channel AVR-X3000 adds a second HDMI output, HDMI SACD support, +12v Trigger Output, multi zone video output, a second parallel LFE output, and digital to analog audio conversion. At $1300, the 7.2 125 Watt per channel AVR-X4000 adds a third HDMI output, Denon Link HD capability, phono input, three zone audio output, analog and digital multi zone output, 11.2 channel pre-amp output, DSX surround, and AL24 Processing Plus. Source: TWICE Author: Brian HossPosted Thu May 2, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Screen Innovations Adds Pure Zero Edge to Its Line of Pure and Black Diamond Screens[teaser]Rigid screen design supports up to an 8K resolution, frameless edge, and LED backlighting. [/teaser] Screen Innovations, credited for producing affordable screens that excel in dark and light environments, is now offering the Pure Zero Edge line of screens. From SI, "Filling a void onscreen and in the marketplace, our new Pure™ projection screen materials feature an enhanced texture that is 9x finer than that of the best screen available. Redefining what white and gray screens can do to enhance the visual entertainment experience, our proprietary Micro Texture delivers absolute perfection when reproducing resolution from 1080P to 8K. The image is razor sharp with perfect color and uniformity, providing a sensory experience unlike any other." The aluminum-backed rigid screen design aims to offer the kind of appearance that consumers normally seek in bezel-less screen design without compromising image quality. Pure White and Pure Gray now join the company's Black Diamond screens. SI promises that these screen options in a two piece projector set-up yield much larger screen sizes than comparably priced flat panel TVs. One capability being pushed by Screen Innovations is LED backlighting, which can easily be included in the Pure Zero Edge backing. The idea behind LED backlighting is to complement onscreen content while making it easier to watch bright content in a dark room. Source: Screen Innovations Author: Brian HossPosted Wed May 1, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: April 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 noir mystery with an animated twist, a controversial historical thriller, and a visually stunning examination of survival. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November, December, January, February, and March. [teaser]This month, we're covering an unconventional romance, a revisionist "spaghetti southern," and a harrowing story about familial bonds and hope. [/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 April, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Silver Linings Playbook' - Much more than just that movie with all that "ho heying" in its trailer, David O. Russell's Oscar nominated film is a romantic dramedy with a refreshing edge. Avoiding most (but not all) of the clichéd tropes that plague its genre, the movie's characters feel fresh, and there is real insight layered within the drama and humor that helps the film dance into the hearts of even its most jaded viewers. Through the story of two broken individuals who find common ground within their mutual distress, Russell taps into a very raw component of humanity. The film's examination of mental illness is multifaceted, finding both sorrow and humor in dysfunction without ever being too flippant or heavy handed. Granted, it's not exactly 'A Woman Under the Influence' when it comes to nuance, complexity, and realism, but Russell's display of sensitivity and honesty with the material is commendable. Not afraid to delve into some potentially dark and unsettling realities, the director doesn't shy away from the hardships his characters' face, nor does he ignore their joys and triumphs, lending the film some genuine bite in both content and cinematic form -- something that most of its genre contemporaries sorely lack. In her much deserved Academy Award winning performance, Jennifer Lawrence easily cements herself as one of the best actresses working today. Fearless and unfiltered, her manic, spirited portrayal of Tiffany is like a force of nature, oscillating between feisty vigor and devastating vulnerability. There's a palpable level of electricity to her on-screen presence as her character rides a rogue wave of mixed temperaments. Her breakdown in the diner sequence is particularly impressive, unleashing a honed in display of unbridled emotion bursting into fits of passion, frustration, and pent-up fury. Though slightly up-staged by his co-star, Bradley Cooper is also very impressive as Pat, filling the character with a likeable, earnest positivity that's dashed by dangerous anger. They're both wholly flawed and damaged human beings, scarred by trauma, loss, and heartache, and both performers lend their grief real weight and surprising levity. Despite their fifteen year age gap, the pair shares completely natural chemistry, and one never thinks twice about their potential coupling. When they're on screen together, they simply fit -- even when they're nearly at each other's throats. Actually, especially when they're nearly at each other's throats. As atypical and multi-layered as Russell's approach is, the film does falter slightly here and there. The scene where the climactic bet is made feels a little out of place, with some tonal choices that seem at odds with the rest of the picture. Likewise, the conclusion adheres to tried-and-true romcom sensibilities, and though the destination is disappointingly predictable compared to the more unconventional path that precedes it, the execution is more than strong enough to make it work. At the end of the day, this is really a film about optimism, but unlike other inferior efforts, it doesn't find its positivity through sugarcoated contrivance. It finds it through genuine struggles and pain and hard work. In other words… "Excelsior!" 'Django Unchained' - A spaghetti western about slavery. If it was directed by anyone else, I might have outright balked at such a notion, but under the insane guiding hand of Quentin Tarantino, this precarious concept becomes a pitch-perfect piece of cinematic exploitation. A stylistic throwback remixed with modern sensibilities, 'Django Unchained' is pure motion picture bliss. Fueled by an incredible soundtrack, amazing performances, playful wit, sumptuous dialogue, and wavering pangs of over-the-top cartoon violence and disturbing savagery, the flick is an impossibly bloody and richly verbose gunshot of filmic excess, carefully concentrated into an engaging and wholly satisfying story of revenge. After his star making turn in 'Inglorious Basterds,' Christoph Waltz reteams with Tarantino, and this time the pair create a character on the complete opposite end of the moral spectrum from the infamous Hans Landa. A perfectly mannered, surprisingly cordial and business-like bounty hunter, Dr. King Schultz is an utterly likeable killer marked by a high code of ethics. A softie at heart, he gets swept up in Django's romantic quest, risking everything to reunite the former slave with his beloved Broomhilda (Kerry Washington). Sickened by the cruel realities of slavery, the man is slowly unraveled by the hellish horrors he sees, revealing his one, sadly fatal flaw… his conscience. In the title role, Jamie Foxx oozes cool and icy determination. Willing to do anything to save his wife, the character exposes a sometimes unsettling level of fortitude, begrudgingly accepting injustice in order to free his love. Unlike Schultz, he really is willing to walk through hell to get what he wants. Making that hell a reality, is Leonardo DiCaprio in the part of the gleefully detestable Calvin Candie. A very special kind of evil, Candie is like an overgrown spoiled child, selfish and without morals. DiCaprio essentially disappears into the role, displaying so much dedication that he apparently went so far as to literally bleed for the movie. Violent, disturbing, exciting, funny, and unabashedly entertaining, 'Django Unchained' is a true cinematic anomaly. Tarantino's approach to the potentially controversial content really has no right to work, and yet it does. Through a perfectly balanced mixture of spaghetti western, old school exploitation, revenge thriller, over-the-top action, crackling dialogue, and fully realized characters, the director funnels all of his disparate influences into something bizarrely unique. One could argue (very justly) that a topic like slavery shouldn't be dealt with in such an ostensibly immature manner, but Tarantino's command of tone and style is so secure and tight that it somehow works -- bringing thrills, laughs, and genuine emotion to the story. An explosive culmination of all of the director's varied sensibilities and inspirations, the film is among his very best work, and it easily earns a spot on this month's must own list. 'The Impossible' - An intense, inspirational film about love, hope, and endurance, 'The Impossible' is a non-stop, unrelenting roller coaster of emotion. Through one family's true story of survival, the filmmakers reveal mankind's universal propensity for compassion and unity in the face of unimaginable crisis. While director Juan Antonio Bayona technically spends very little time setting up the characters and relationships, he uses this comparatively quick preamble to say so much with so little. Economic but potent, these early scenes perfectly establish the family through key interactions, giving the audience just enough to latch onto throughout the following chaos. Brilliantly juxtaposing the peaceful stillness that comes before and after, the tsunami sequence itself is simply horrifying, creating a breathlessly visceral experience that is uncomfortable, disorienting, and frequently painful to watch. Using a mixture of heavy practical effects with fairly minimal CG compositing and embellishments, the rushing waters and raging debris carry a distressing level of reality. Getting swept up in this violent onslaught, Naomi Watts is simply incredible, turning in an equally primal and affectionate performance as Maria, the mother of three who fights to survive. Nearly torn apart by the disaster, she somehow clings to life, determined to care for her son Lucas (Tom Holland), while her husband (Ewan McGregor) and two other children remain missing and presumed dead. Of course, her wounds make this task incredibly difficult, forcing an occasional role reversal where Lucas has to become the protector and leader. As the character states in the movie, they "took care of each other." To this end, Holland is actually called upon to carry the film during several stretches, and the young actor does an exceptional job. Faced with unrelenting confusion and chaos in the wake of the tragedy, both mother and son do everything they can to not only help each other, but fellow survivors as well. Throughout it all, Bayona maintains a heart-tugging air of inspiration and emotion, and while his methods occasionally veer toward excess sentiment and dramatic contrivance, the core of the story is so powerful and harrowing that these slight oversteps become easily forgivable. Some have criticized the filmmakers for focusing on white characters and changing the nationality of the protagonists, and while these concerns certainly have merit, judged for what it is, the movie remains a rather striking piece of cinema -- both from a technical and an emotional level. As the real-life Maria imparts in the included special features, this is a film about "people helping people," and on that front, it succeeds wholeheartedly. With incredible, disturbing visuals and powerfully immersive audio, the Blu-ray itself offers a fully enveloping experience that totally engulfs the audience in the characters' plight. This isn't always an easy movie to watch and there are some issues here and there, but the filmmakers and actors do the inspirational story justice, helping to cement this disc a spot on this month's essential picks. So, there you have it. While there are many titles worth picking up this April, 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 April's must own titles?Posted Tue Apr 30, 2013 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Mother's Day Gift Guide 2013by Steven Cohen [teaser]With Mother's Day just around the corner, many of us will soon be scrambling to find the perfect gift to fully express our great love and appreciation. This can be an extremely daunting task, so we here at High-Def Digest thought we'd make your life a little easier with this handy Mother's Day Gift Guide![/teaser] Filled with movies for (and in some cases actually about) mothers of all types, this list will make shopping for mom a breeze. And in addition to Blu-ray recommendations, we're also throwing in some great gear suggestions. From tablets to digital cameras, there are plenty of expensive and budget gadgets for tech savvy and tech clueless moms to enjoy. And as a very special added bonus, this list is officially "Mother Approved." That's right, my very own mom actually had a hand in selecting the titles below, and will even be providing some very motherly commentary on all the included flicks! So, without further ado, here's our Blu-ray disc and gear suggestions for Mother's Day 2013: Blu-rays 'Love Actually' - The go-to film for all females in your life, there really is no going wrong with this one. Academy Award nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis' directorial debut just might be the most popular romantic comedy of the past decade. With an extremely likeable ensemble cast, sweet story, and genuine laughs, the movie defies the often soulless and clichéd tropes that plague most similar Hollywood efforts, making it a guilt-free purchase for your mom that everybody can enjoy. Mom Says: "This movie makes me laugh, cry and just feel happy. I love the various storylines all depicting different types and perspectives of love." 'Modern Family: The Complete First Season' - Among TV's most successful and top rated shows, this is one of those rare series that actually earns every inch of its massive popularity. A multifaceted and hilarious look at contemporary family life, the show is filled with many easily relatable mishaps, dilemmas, and heartwarming resolutions that are sure to ring true to any mother. If you already have season one, seasons two and three make great gifts as well! Mom Says: "This show always puts me in a great mood. It makes me laugh and I love the relationships among all the family members. I never miss an episode." 'Les Misérables (2012)' - We both actually haven't seen this one yet, but we've been looking forward to it. I mean, it's an acclaimed adaptation of a celebrated Broadway musical that features Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway singing their hearts out -- what more could a mother want?! Mom Says: "The music is so beautiful and I love Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway!" 'When Harry Met Sally' - Rob Reiner's 1989 classic really hasn't aged a day, and it's still one of the most entertaining and enlightening films about the precarious divide between men and women. With a comically perceptive script written by the late Nora Ephron, and iconic performances from Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan (who share effortlessly natural chemistry), this is easily among the most enjoyable romcoms out there, and would make a great gift for any movie-loving mother. Mom Says: "I love how the film shows the two characters growing throughout the years, and how their close friendship slowly evolves and changes into romance. And it's so funny!" 'The Impossible' - Not just a truly harrowing story of survival, this movie also features one of the most affecting displays of motherhood ever put to screen. Naomi Watts really is incredible here, and even as her body nearly breaks apart, she never once loses the drive to take care of her children, or the determination to reunite her family -- even in the face of total devastation. Mom Says: "This is one of the most intense movies I've seen in a very long time. It's such a powerful and inspirational story about family bonds and survival." 'Brave' - Through bursts of magic and fantasy, Pixar's 'Brave' perfectly distills the changing dynamics that eventually rattle every mother/daughter relationship. While it might not be among the studio's very best efforts, it's still home to all their trademark wit and sincerity, and the animation is simply breathtaking. Mom Says: "This was really clever and cute. The growing conflict between mother and daughter rings true, and the resolution is very sweet. And the little bear cub kids are adorable!" 'Parenthood' - Ron Howard's ensemble comedy is filled with universally relatable horrors and triumphs dealing with family. Inspired by the filmmakers' real life experiences in parenthood, the film is sure to make any experienced or burgeoning mother laugh and cry. Also, this gets bonus points for featuring a young Joaquin Phoenix who was still calling himself Leaf at the time. Yes, Leaf. Mom Says: "What a great movie that really shows the wild roller coaster ride of being a parent. Enjoy it while you hang on tight!" 'Rosemary's Baby' - Yes, mothers like horror too! A classic example of psychologically driven supernatural terror, the film remains a true benchmark of its genre. Polanski's command of mood and tone makes for an exceedingly creepy experience that slowly builds as the runtime goes on, often drawing scares from what's not shown. Mia Farrow's turn as the increasingly tormented expectant mother is perfect, and the film's final shots might actually offer the most telling and enlightening depiction of true motherhood found in any of the films on this list. Mom Says: "I just remember this being so creepy and scary, and Mia Farrow's performance as the unsuspecting mother-to-be remains frighteningly compelling to watch." 'The Tree of Life' - For the more cinematically adventurous mothers, Terrence Malick's poetic masterpiece, 'The Tree of Life,' is a beautiful examination of family, love, and the history of the universe. Through its examination of the dueling forces of nature and grace, the film keys in on how parents can shape their children's lives, leaving a very lasting impression. As Mrs. O'Brien, Jessica Chastain comes to represent the very essence of compassion, tenderness, and motherly love. Its avant garde flourishes make it the least accessible title on this list, but this would make the perfect gift for any big cinephile mothers out there. Mom Says: "Through a stirring visual poem, the film juxtaposes a mother's gentle protection and nurturance, against the practical, tough upbringings of a father. 'Crazy Stupid Love' - AKA "that movie my mother has been continuously trying to get me to watch for the last two years." Seriously, every time we're together and there's an opportunity to watch something, this is always the first suggestion that jumps out of her mouth. In fact, I'm kind of shocked that I've somehow managed to go so long without seeing it. And it's not like I'm actively avoiding it. I mean, the cast is great, the trailers made it look solid, and the flick received many positive reviews. Hmm, I have a feeling I know exactly what I'll be watching this Mother's Day… Mom Says: "You still haven't seen this?! This is one of my favorites. I love the marriage bump in the road and its consequences while everyone discovers what loves really means to them. How have you not seen this?!" Gear Tablets - Portable, convenient, versatile, practical, and a whole lot of fun, tablets make the perfect gift for mothers, letting them browse the internet, watch movies, listen to music, or play games comfortably from anywhere in the house or even on the go. The iPad remains the reigning champion when it comes to overall performance, available apps, and additional features, and the latest 4th Generation iteration ranges from 16GB all the way up to 128GB, with the former starting out at $499. Of course, Apple isn't the only game in town, and Samsung and even Amazon all have very solid tablets that should more than meet most mother's needs. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0 are both strong bets for those open to Android devices or adverse to Apple. The former features a 10.1 inch screen and the latter has an 8 inch screen, and they start out at $499 and $399 respectively for their 16GB models. While it doesn't boast the same feature set, performance, or robust app store as the other options, The Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9" also makes for a great, cheaper media centric tablet, and starts out at $269 for its 16GB version. Really, whether you go with Apple, Samsung, Amazon, or any other reliable brand, the basic internet and entertainment functions are all relatively similar, and if your mom is anything like my mom, they're all just "iPads" anyway. My own mother recently got the Samsung Galaxy Tab2 10.1 (MSRP $349), and it has more than met all her needs (which basically means she gets to play Angry Birds). E-book Readers - Don't have the cash for a full-blown tablet, but still want to give mom the option to easily read books on the go within one convenient device? Well then, a standalone e-book reader sounds like the perfect gift. The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is one of the best readers available, and offers users a built-in light, adjustable font styles and sizes (an option my mother loves), great battery life, and enough space to hold up to 1,100 titles. The Kindle Paperwhite starts out at $119, and an ad-free version is available for $139. If a built-in light and touch screen aren't high on your mother's priorities, the cheaper standard Kindle is available for $69 or $89 for the ad-free version. Barnes and Noble also offers a solid assortment of readers, headlined by the Nook Simple Touch with GlowLight, and while the screen isn't as nice as Amazon's, it's still a comparatively priced, ad-free alternative with similar features. Noise Cancelling Headphones - Now that she's got her brand new tablet, how is mom supposed to enjoy her music, audio books, movies, and games with all that constant noise going on in the house? The solution: a pair of noise canceling headphones. The Bose Quiet Comfort 15 is a good choice for those looking for great sound quality and comfort. They're on the pricier side ($299), but they'll effectively cut out all the noise, and are rated for about 35 hours of battery life. On the cheaper side (MSRP $129.95 but currently available on Amazon for about $80), the Audio-Technica ATH-ANC1 QuietPoint is also a solid product. Though not as comfortable or sturdily built as the Bose headphones, this option is more compact and, unlike the former, these headphones can be used with or without the noise cancelling feature. Digital Cameras - Yes, it might be the most annoying part of family gatherings, but there's no denying that mothers love to take pictures, and there are plenty of great, simple point-and-shoot options that will help make the experience a little less painful. The Canon PowerShot ELPH 300 HS is an affordable (MSRP is $229 but Amazon currently has it for about $165), high quality, ultra thin, compact camera with a 12 megapixel backside-illuminated CMOS sensor. Perfect for taking pictures conveniently on the go with the auto setting, a camera like this will ensure that mom can always capture those special family moments whenever or wherever they strike -- and as quickly as possible. For a comparatively less compact alternative, the Canon PowerShot SX260 HS is another highly rated point-and-shoot option that offers more robust controls and an ultra zoom lens (25-500mm). MSRP is $349.99 but it can be found for as low as $215 on Amazon. Well, there you have it. Those are our Mother's Day gift suggestions for 2013. No matter what you end up buying for your mom, just make sure it comes from the heart… and with a receipt. I mean, who are we kidding, gift guide or no gift guide, mom's are still really hard to please! Of course, they’re more than worth the effort. We hope you all have a great Mother's Day!Posted Mon Apr 29, 2013 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
LG begins Accepting Pre-orders the 55" Curved OLED[teaser]Features include WRGB display tech and transparent speakers. [/teaser] LG and Samsung are so ready to compete with each other that the two companies had to develop a new off-shoot product, the curved OLED TV. LG has now announced that the company is accepting pre-orders for the LG 55EA9800 in South Korea. The expectation is that the set will ship next month, and the price for 55 inch version is currently $13,500. Havis Kwon, LG President and CEO, "Our Curved OLED TV is not only the proof of LG’s unmatched leadership in next-generation displays but also a testament to LG’s commitment to bringing to market the most exciting TV technology available today." The set is naturally characterized first by its concave screen, which claims to invoke an "IMAX-like" viewing experience. LG explains the curve by stating that "With more than five years of research behind developing the optimum curvature, the entire screen surface is equidistant from the viewer’s eyes, eliminating the problem of screen-edge visual distortion and loss of detail." The OLED set also contains LG's white pixel display tech, which through adding white to the standard red, green, and blue pixel base enhances the possible color gamut. With a .17 inch thickness, the curved set is not only thin, but maintains a special footprint that allows the model to be set adjacent to itself to produce a curved chain of OLED displays. The set's design includes a clear stand that contains the TV's transparent speakers. LG has promised that pricing and dates for the rest of the world can be expected in the coming months . Source: LG Author: Brian HossPosted Mon Apr 29, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
TCL TV Powers the Upcoming 'Iron Man 3'[teaser]TCL set featured in Tony Stark's living room.[/teaser] Product placement in Hollywood movies is nothing new, and TCL has been teasing its involvement with 'Iron Man 3' for some time. Now a TCL set, said to be the one the company's newest models, is featured prominently in an 'Iron Man 3' trailer. TCL is teasing new 58 inch and 50 inch models that are coming to the US, but the model most Tony Stark like is the 110 inch 4K UHD 3D Multi-touch halo set from TCL. From TCL CEO Li Dongsheng, "The successful launch of our 110-inch screen with our patented technology including our Fine Stereo Performance technology application once again proves TCL's research, design and development capabilities. Not only will TCL benefit from the development of this breakthrough technology, all TV manufacturers in China and overseas will be able to capitalize on this revolutionary product design and provide people with even more enjoyable entertainment experiences." TCL has previously partnered for 'Transformers: Dark Side of the Moon,' and recently acquired the naming rights for the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. On the 'Iron Man 3' parntership, TCL gerneal manager Q.C. Liang said, "Our partnership with Marvel’s ‘Iron Man 3’ has been very fruitful, as we share a number of common grounds. Throughout the Iron Man franchise, the lead character Iron Man is one of the very few superheroes that does not possess supernatural abilities, but relies on his innovative ideas, deep engineering expertise and advanced technology to solve problems and create a better world. Similarly at TCL, we always strive to deliver inspiring and a brand-new experience to our consumers through technology innovation.” Source: TWICE GooglePosted Fri Apr 26, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
Sony HT-CT660 Surround Sound Bar Available for Pre-order[teaser]3 HDMI inputs, wireless sub, Bluetooth, and NFC top the list of features. [/teaser] Available for pre-order is Sony's new HD sound bar. The 330 watt 2.1 channel set-up features connectivity options that include HDMI, optical, analog, Bluetooth, and NFC. Sony is also pushing an IR Repeater Pass-through, which essential allows the sound bar to reside in front of a TV's IR sensor without obstructing it. The sound bar includes Sony's S-Force PRO Front Surround 3D, which when coupled with the sound bar's ability to handle HD sound formats promises some of the best sound bar faux surround sound. The three HDMI inputs and one output include 3D and 4K UHD pass through and Bravia Sync. Sony sees the system as a great option for those looking for wireless smartphone pairing. Not only does the system use NFC, but the Bluetooth capability includes stand-by activation. Whenever a Bluetooth-enabled device attempts to connect to the sound bar, the sound bar will power up and be ready to stream music. Naturally, anyone unwilling to commit the space for a full receiver set-up, but still wanting better than TV speakers and HDMI routing will want to consider pre-ordering the $400 Sony HT-CT600. Source: Sony Author: Brian HossPosted Fri Apr 26, 2013 at 08:30 AM PDT by: -
Sony Reports First Profit Since 2008[teaser]Ninth straight annual loss for TV side of the business. [/teaser] Sony has managed $2 billion in profit from selling off several assets, including healthcare data provider M3 Inc., social game website operator DeNA Co., and offices in Tokyo and Manhattan. Sony's fiscal year was also buoyed by the weakening yen. As with so many Japanese manufacturers, the weakening of the record strong yen permits Japanese goods to priced more competitively in the global market. That $2 billion profit from asset sales resulted in $403 million in net income, and those numbers illustrate how Sony still needs to get various parts of the company into the black. Unfortunately, both Sony TVs and Sony Xperia phones top the list of products that need to become money-makers if Sony is to remain profitable. Ace Securities Co. analyst Hideki Yasuda, "Asset sales are one-time gains, and the challenge this year will be to generate as much profit from businesses." Chief Executive Officer Kazuo Hirai has already bet heavily with upcoming PlayStation 4, while 4K UHD seems to be Sony's next step for attracting new sales of TVs amid slowing demand and competition from Samsung and others. Still, the new CEO has been in charge one year and turned a profit. Sony is set to disclose a full earning report on May 9th, which will hopefully be accompanied by a firm plan to rescue some of Sony's less certain products. Source: BloombergPosted Thu Apr 25, 2013 at 07:30 AM PDT by: -
'Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark: 2nd Edition' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The second edition of the calibration disc adds tests for 3D televisions and more. [/teaser] Spears & Munsil will be releasing 'Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark: 2nd Edition' early next week. The first edition of this disc was recommended by the New York Times, Widescreen Review, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity®, and many other print and online publications. The second edition adds even more features and patterns and sets a new bar for the term “state of the art.” The Spears & Munsil disc is the first (and at this time only) disc to offer stereoscopic patterns for calibrating and testing 3D televisions. It has audio level and phase tests created using the latest noise-shaping algorithms. And for the professional or advanced enthusiast it contains a complete set of patterns suitable for precisely calibrating contrast, grayscale, gamut, and other settings using test equipment. “We didn’t just want to add a few new features here and there,” said co-creator Stacey Spears, “we went back to the drawing board and re-thought every pattern.” There are more than twice as many patterns on this new disc as on the previous disc, covering every aspect of home theater testing and calibration. Like the previous edition, the Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark, 2nd Edition uses patterns created from scratch using Spears & Munsil’s own in-house software. “We still feel that there isn’t anything else out there that meets our quality standards across the board,” said co-creator Don Munsil. “So every pattern was created from scratch, using custom software, in the native color space that is most appropriate for that pattern. All of the scaling and color conversion was done using our own software as well.” The disc includes new editions of some of the favorite patterns from the previous disc, plus many new ones that are exclusive to Spears & Munsil. “We’ve created what we think is the best pattern for setting color and tint ever made,” said Spears. “The problem with the classic color bars pattern is that it was designed for broadcast engineers and is confusing for the new user. We re-thought the entire pattern from scratch and made something anyone can use, with step-by-step instructions right on the pattern. We did the same re-thinking for essentially every pattern we made, though the classic patterns are on there as well for the purist.” “The enthusiasts and power users took to our previous disc right away,” said Munsil, “but we got feedback that the disc was still too daunting for inexperienced users who’ve never tried to calibrate a television before. We tried to address that with even more comprehensive guides and help in this disc, and we think we have created a disc that allows someone with no home theater experience to jump right in and get a basic calibration in less than an hour.” The power users have not been forgotten, however. The new edition also contains patterns suitable for the professional calibrator or serious amateur who wants a complete suite of test patterns usable with spectroradiometers and colorimeters. “The people who tested our professional patterns perform calibrations for Hollywood studios and famous movie directors. These people are the pickiest customers you could ask for,” said Spears. The Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark, 2nd Edition is the first test disc to contain tests and demo material in 3D, for users with a 3D Blu-ray Disc player and 3D display. In addition to patterns for testing the 3D features of the display, the disc contains a full set of 2D calibration patterns that are encoded in 3D mode so the user can do a calibration of the 3D modes on the display. “Most televisions have completely different settings for 2D and 3D modes,” said Spears. “Calibrating one doesn’t affect the other. Without these patterns, you can’t really ensure your 3D movies look as good as the rest of your video.” Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Spears & Munsil HD Benchmark: 2nd Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under April 30.Posted Wed Apr 24, 2013 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
Blu-rays Can Now Be Purchased and Downloaded Directly to a Kaleidescape Server[teaser]Warner Bros. licensing allows Kaleidescape owners to bypass disc-ripping and housing. [/teaser] The Kaleidescape movie server has existed as one of the more extravagant options to wrangle in an overflowing Blu-ray and DVD collection. While using the server to rip all of the owners DVDs and Blu-rays has allowed the user to maintain the quality of disc-based media without having to store and sort through the discs, Kaleidescape has now eliminated the disc entirely, allowing users to purchase and "download movies in exactly the same audio/video quality as Blu-ray discs." Of course many users may prefer to keep purchasing discs, ripping them, and housing them, as opposed to waiting for 50GB of data per full dual layer Blu-ray to download. While titles are limited to Blu-rays distributed by Warner Bros., Kaleidescape's Blu-ray prices are competitive and include a digital copy that can be accessed by the user for use on tablets, smartphones , and computers. Even better, Kaleidescape owners can upgrade their ripped "DVDs to Blu-ray quality" downloads through the Kaleidescape store. The Kaleidescape does not currently support 3D playback, and thus 3D titles are not supported. Still, if Kaleidescape does offer 3D Blu-ray support in the future, then users should also be able to upgrade ripped Blu-rays to 3D Blu-rays. While buying a Kaleidescape server and player can easily run over $15,000, the ability to own digital versions of movies that are bit-for-bit identical to Blu-rays is a significant feat for HD enthusiasts. Kaleidescape is looking to get more studios on board, and their trail-blazing may pay dividends beyond their current niche. Source: Electronic HousePosted Wed Apr 24, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by:
