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Panasonic's Wireless 3D Miracast Streaming Viera Connect Media Player Now Available[teaser]Panasonic is also offering a more basic 2D Media Player. [/teaser] Among Panasonic's 2013 model are two new Media Player models. Both models offer Miracast Smartphone and tablet Android streaming capability, DLNA certification, USB-based media playback, as well as support for Netflix, Hulu Plus, CinemaNow, Vudu, Amazon Instant, and Youtube. The higher profile DMP-MST60 is priced a $100, and is capable of 3D playback, 2D to 3D conversion, a Web browser, and legacy Viera Connect. Lacking those features, the DMP-MS10 is priced at $80. The players connect though HDMI, and offer a LAN jack in addition to Wi-Fi. File formats supported include FLAC, WAV, WMA, AAC, MP3, MKV/MP4, JPEG, and MPO. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed Apr 10, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Dolby 3D Will Enhance 3D Viewing Across the Board After Striking an Agreement with James Cameron's 3D Production House[teaser]Dolby 3D encode brings full resolution to 3D glasses devices and glasses free 3D streaming to any device regardless of the display technology.[/teaser] Dolby Laboratories, Philips and the Cameron |Pace Group have signed an agreement to make Dolby 3D a direct part of CPG's 3D video Content production. Cameron |Pace Group is led by co-founders James Cameron and Vince Pace, and is responbsible for 3D film capture of a majority of the top 3D films, concerts, sporting events, and other live and prerecorded content. Films such as 'Life of Pi,' Transformers: Dark of the Moon,' and 'TRON: Legacy' join concerts from Justin Bieber and U2, and nearly all 3D sports content as part of the Cameron | Pace Group's production credits. Dolby 3D is a multifaceted 3D tech that aims to enhance and give viewers some control over 3D playback across the 3D ecosystem. Dolby boasts the ability to restore half resolution 3D content back to full using their technology. The main thrust of the agreement is to enable glasses free 3D content to reach its largest audience. Dolby claims to be able to create a glasses free 3D experience that eliminates the need for a specific viewing position. The tech can be used to convert 2D content in real time to 3D, but by working with the Cameron | Pace Group, Dolby plans to source accurate 3D to all devices that support H.264 streaming in addition to 3D Blu-ray formats. Dolby cites the ability to bring glasses free, multiview 3D to tablets and Smartphones while only growing the data footprint by ten percent. Dolby's tech also supports adaptive bandwidth conditions. In announcing the agreement, Vince Pace, Founder and Cochairman, CPG said, "James Cameron broke new ground in entertainment with his use of 3D in film, but it’s been a challenge to bring his vision to the home and to smartphones and tablets. The Dolby 3D format gives filmmakers the means to bring an artistic vision through production and distribution all the way to presentation, while delivering what we believe to be the best possible 3D experience to consumers—without the need for special glasses." Source: Cameron |Pace groupPosted Wed Apr 10, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Google Glass Hardware Diagram Includes Eyeball[teaser]The mini projector uses a prism to direct the projection right at the user's retina. [/teaser] Gizmodo has posted a infographic from Brille-kaufen that not only shows how Google Glass projects an image directly into the user's eye, but also labels each major hardware location on the device. The right side of the device houses the hardware with the battery situated at the edge behind the user's ear. In the corner closest to the user's right eye is the speaker, CPU, GPS, camera, projector and prism. The projector shoots the image at a perpendicular vector from the user and into the prism. The prism directs the image into the user's eye transparently, which provides the overlay/augmented reality effect. There is a focus adjustment available by twisting the Glass apparatus. The location of the overlay is dependent on how the user wears the glasses. Google's SXSW presentation made it clear that the intention is to have the overlay just above the user's eye line. Brille Kaufen concludes by stating, "Google Glass is a technical masterpiece. It is based on a projector and a very clever prism, that projects the image directly on the retina... The biggest challenge for Google will now be to make the Google Glass also usable for people with normal glasses." Source: GizmodoPosted Tue Apr 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
JVC Offering the BC50R TV Specifically "without the built-in apps and media streaming that is redundant in many consumers’ AV systems."[teaser]JVC's new 50 inch wishes only to be judged on its picture and sound. [/teaser] JVC is offering a edge-lit LCD that is free of any Smart TV features. Channeling TVs of just a few years ago, the set has three HDMI inputs and a USB port to go along with a list of features that are strictly sound and vision relegated. There is one caveat to that list, the TV's bezel, which is listed as "Ultra slim & narrow." From Drew Pragliola, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at AmTran Video Corp, "Today’s television is, by and large, bifurcated into two distinct classes: the upper end, which boast superior picture quality and enhanced smart streaming connectivity; and the value-oriented end, which lacks both. With the BlackCrystal line, we’re offering consumers a middle alternative—stunning video and audio performance, but without the built-in apps and media streaming that is redundant in many consumers’ AV systems. And with the addition of the BC50R, we’re delivering it all at a new large screen size, with a gorgeous new ultra-slim, narrow-bezel design to boot." JVC is also stressing that the BC50R does has reasonably good audio output by virtue of the twin 10 watt speakers. Nevertheless, the TV does support an Audio Return Channel. As refreshingly practical as the JVC' model is with regard to Smart TV features, it seems largely a result of JVC's current production set-up. AmTran not only powers JVC's TV, but they are major player behind the production of Vizio's TVs. The JVC is BC50R is expected later this month is available for pre-order. Source: Digital TrendsPosted Tue Apr 9, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
DTS is Ready to Bring DTS-HD Layered Audio to the Next Generation of Streaming Formats[teaser]Adaptive bit-rate audio will be rationalized into a single efficient encode. [/teaser] DTS has introduced its adaptive solution to the varied needs of media streaming. DTS-HD Layered Audio has several goals, but namely the idea is to deliver the best quality audio to consumers whenever they are streaming video. How DTS plans to accomplish this is in a design that streamlines the effort and space required by streamer's host and video encoder. As with other DTS designs, DTS-HD Layered Audio contains down step streams, which allow for one single encode to handle a variety of bandwidth and hardware configurations from the best available on the high end to the only realizable on the low end. Along with streamlining the encoding process and resulting single container of multiple adaptive bit-rate audio streams, DTS has also applied binary compression techniques learned from development of lossless standards like DTS-HD MA in order to keep the footprint of a DTS-HD Layered Audio encode to a minimum. From DTS: "Benefits of DTS-HD Layered Audio include: Enables adaptive bit-rate audio streaming at almost no additional cost from a single encode Ideal for live streaming, eliminating the need to time align multiple encodes of the same track at various bit-rates Smaller storage footprint compared to traditional adaptive bit-rate audio solutions" Source: DTSPosted Tue Apr 9, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Mastered in 4K' Blu-ray Discs Boast the Highest Quality Source for both UHD and HDTVs[teaser]Sony Home Entertainment ready to offer the oft-demanded better-sourced Blu-rays. [/teaser] Amid Sony's recent array of 4K Ultra HD blitz is a newly marketed Blu-ray standard. From Sony: "Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is also bringing to market a lineup of 'Mastered in 4K' Blu-ray™ Discs. With 1080p high definition picture that’s derived from the highest quality 4K source materials with new expanded color, consumers will enjoy a dynamic and vibrant picture that’s both optimized for the 4K Ultra HD TVs and plays back on all existing Blu-ray™ players and HDTVs." Sony will get some of these 'Mastered in 4K' Blu-ray discs in the market by offering free copies of 'Spider-Man' (2002), 'Ghostbusters,' and 'Angels & Demons' discs to purchasers of the newly detailed XBR-55X900A or XBR-65X900A while supplies last. While utilizing the newest masters is typical practice for home video re-releases, Sony is emphasizing that these 1080p discs have been optimized for 4K UHD sets, which would theoretically mean that these discs are ideal for Sony's current 4K X-Reality PRO scaler. Nevertheless, Sony is also saying that these new discs are the best option for 1080p sets, which should make eventual comparisons even more elaborate. Source: SonyPosted Mon Apr 8, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Details a 4K Ultra HD Delivery System and Media Player[teaser]Summer will see the 4K Media Player bring the UHD content home. [/teaser] Just as Sony announced pricing and pre-orders for new more affordable 4K Ultra HD models, the issue of 4K content once again has reared its challenging head. Sony's current solution is the FMP-X1, which will be available this summer for $699. The player comes bundled with ten UHD mastered films as well as some video shorts. The Sony mix of films included are 'Bad Teacher,' 'Battle: Los Angeles,' 'The Bridge on the River Kwai,' 'The Karate Kid' (2010), 'Salt,' 'Taxi Driver,' 'That's My Boy,' 'The Amazing Spider-Man,' 'The Other Guys' and 'Total Recall' (2012). Unfortunately, the recently 4K remastered 'Lawrence of Arabia' is not part of the ten film bundle. The player's key function will be to host and playback movies from Sony's new 4K distribution service, once it launches in the fall. Sony has yet to release specs for the device's capacity, prices and terms to download new films, or expected download times. Sony has also promised that owners of the XBR-84X900 will be available to exchange that model's included home server for the FMP-X1 once the distribution service launches. Source: SonyPosted Mon Apr 8, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony to Bring Ultra HD Home for $4999.99 April 21st[teaser]XBR 4K Ultra HD TVs available in 55" and 65" [/teaser] Recently, Sony has been touting the extravagant 84" XBR 4K with its $24,999 price tag as the best option for customers to enter the era of Ultra HD. Now though, Sony will begin accepting preorders April 21st for two more affordable options. The 55" 4K Ultra HD TV XBR-55X900A starts at relatively accessible $4999.99. The set is an edge-lit LED design that offers passive 3D and offers a 3,840 x 2,160 resolution. The TV scales content by virtue of the 4K X-Reality PRO. The set also boasts Sony's Triluminos display for color depth. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Sony Entertainment Network, MFL Smartphone mirroring, Smartphone second screen control and info access, and rarely supported PS3 SimulView. The 65" 4K Ultra HD TV XBR-65X900A is similarly featured and will be a available for $6999.99. Source: SonyPosted Mon Apr 8, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Bonus View Digest - April 5, 2013[teaser]More contests? Are we crazy! Apparently so. This week is your chance to win a free copy of the newest version of 'Les Miserables.'[/teaser] Blu-ray News In case you missed the previous paragraph, let me reiterate: we're having a contest and you can win a free copy of Tom Hooper's 'Les Miserables.' The deadline is Friday, so enter now. Last week's contest was for a free copy of 'The Borgias: Season 2.' Check out the results of that contest here. In his Blu-ray Highlights column Josh covered a the sparse offerings this week. The biggest release was Fox's TV miniseries 'The Bible.' In the Steelbook department, check out the mighty fine metal packaging that can be purchased for 'Django Unchained' and 'Inglourious Basterds.' Theatrical News This weekend has some interesting releases. We have a review for the highly anticipated horror remake, 'Evil Dead,' along with a review of Danny Boyle's new flick 'Trance.' Check out Bryan's takes on both films and see if they're something you want to see this weekend. Josh continues to revisit the literary world of Ian Fleming. Find out what he thought about Fleming's Bond novel "Live and Let Die." Video Game News Brian Hoss continues to mourn the loss of video game company LucasArts after Disney closed them down and laid off all their employees. In Episode II of his series on LucasArts, Brian takes a look at some of the best games the company produced, along with some games we'll likely never see. TV Recaps 'Game of Thrones' began its third season last week. Follow along as Josh continues recapping the wildly popular fantasy show. Another big television event happened last Sunday. 'The Walking Dead' concluded its third season with, what Aaron thought to be, an extremely anti-climactic finale. We also have recaps for 'Doctor Who' and 'Happy Endings' for your reading pleasure. Special Features Last week in the Weekend Roundtable we wanted to know your thoughts on your favorite zombie movie. Take a few moments to think about it and then let us know. That's all we have for the first week in April. Have a safe and happy Springtime weekend.Posted Fri Apr 5, 2013 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Project Glass Video Here to Show You the Way[teaser] SXSW Presentation seeks to illustrate how Glass will remove the barrier of tech by bringing tech closer to the user.[/teaser] Google's Project Glass is not yet to the point of having people waiting in line overnight and down the street, but in order to get there, Google is still trying to solidify the varied applications of its eye-glass style screen. At a high level, Google is pushing the idea of each moment in a day where people pull out there phones and tablets, their portable screens, and place those screens between themselves and the surrounding world, can be restored and enhanced by Project Glass. At the practical level, however, Project Glass is still grasping for a killer application. Many users may find that glancing up at the Glass for its readouts, is the enabling information delivery system that the concept has teased. The Glass touch interface and personal audio output are among the device's characteristics that may muddle its potential. Google's pitch currently emphasizes that technology is too involved in users' day-to-day interactions, and creates limits. Glass solves these limits without removing the technology. Unfortunately in pushing this new lifestyle concept and searching for a killer app, Google is discouraging application porting. The company wants apps (beyond the basics like photo capture) developed exclusively for Glass. "Designed for Glass. Specifically for Glass." Glass is expected to have a 2013 general launch, which should allow plenty of time to see if it will be a device that augments the other devices that people currently carry, or stands on its own as some kind of new lifestyle. Source: CNETPosted Fri Apr 5, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by:
