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Bang & Olufsen Launches an $8,000 40-Inch Connected TV[teaser]It offers control via tablet, smartphone, or remote and gives you access to the usual assortment of streaming content as well as HbbTV – a new European standard. [/teaser] Bang & Olufsen have launched a new series of connected TVs, including a 46 inch set, a 55 inch set and a 40 incher that's priced right around $8,000. Cost, of course, increases as screen size does. So what does all that money get you? Feature wise, the set is about the same as most, though it doesn't appear to offer as many streaming and app options as its competitors. It packs Wi-Fi and allows control by smartphones and tablets, all of which tie in to streaming, DLNA compliance and similar. The one thing that the new B&O set has that really sets it apart is its compliance with a new Pan-European standard known as HbbTV, which will be used for gaming, voting, and other interactive purposes. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
All Netflix Video Content Will be Closed Captioned by 2014[teaser]It's been a while since we've heard any more about this, but Netflix is finally pledging to get the job done. [/teaser] The folks at Netflix have been a little lax in their plans to add closed captioning to their video offerings. Initially it didn't exist at all and while it's there on most movies and TV shows, there are still plenty to go. Thanks to a recent lawsuit settlement with the National Association of the Deaf, the company has finally announced that all of its streaming content will be closed captioned by 2014. Netflix also gave some information about the speed of future captioning. In 2014, new content will have captions within 30 days. In 2015 that number lowers to 15 and in 2016 Netflix will have captions on their videos within seven days. Source: Mobile BurnPosted Thu Oct 11, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Nextflix Subscriber Gains in Q2 are Less Than Half of Projected[teaser]Disc subscriber count is down by 850,000 to boot. [/teaser] Netflix set a lofty goal at the beginning of this year, hoping to grow its subscriber numbers by seven million people. In response to the last quarter's numbers though, they're looking at significantly less. At this point, the company is hoping for a growth of around 5.5 million users. It's still a growth, but it's 1.5 million less than planned. During this same period, Netflix lost a huge chunk of disc based subscribers. Over the last year, they've dropped by 850,000. Considering the current struggle with streaming content subscribers, this is a very significant number for the company. Analysts point to the increasing competition in the market as one of the big reasons for Netflix losses. Amazon in particular has been gaining ground, and Redbox Instant could make a huge impact when it hits too. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Oct 10, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
LG Smart TV Rents 3D Disney Movies - $50 of Credit to Owners[teaser]The new partnership seems like an incredibly smart move for both companies. [/teaser] Disney wants more people to rent 3D movies and LG wants more people to buy 3D TVs. While $50 of free content may not be a huge sway for the latter, it sure can't hurt. Anyone that buys a new LG 3D TV will be able to claim $50 of free credit good for renting 3D Disney movies, including 'Toy Story,' 'Brave,' and 'The Avengers.' It seems like a great way for Disney to get people excited about 3D rentals and a nice way for LG to show off just what a 3D TV can do. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Oct 9, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
D + M Owned McIntosh Sold off to Fine Sounds[teaser]The new owners also have companies like Audio Research and Sonus Faber under their umbrella. [/teaser] McIntosh Laboratory was sold off this week from D + M to an Italian company named Fine Sounds, which also owns Audio Research, Sonus Faber, Wadia and Sumiko. Usually we see a lot of company boilerplate when sales happen, but McIntosh is psyched for the change. "They’re not in the specialty niche than McIntosh plays in," says McIntosh president Charlie Randall about the previous owners. Fine Sounds, he says, will be a better fit overall, since the two companies have the same goals and similar high-end product offerings. He also says that because all of the products under the Fine Sounds brand are fairly different, there's very little overlap between brands. Source: TwicePosted Tue Oct 9, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
3M and Roku Team for a $299 Streaming Projector[teaser]It doesn't have much in the way of resolution, but for $299 the 3M Streaming Projector may be something welcome outside of your main viewing room. [/teaser] We're just going to go ahead and assume that no one reading this is considering a WVGA (800x480) projector for their main viewing area. Still, the teamup by 3M and Roku could pique the interest of those looking for a secondary screen – a projector to haul outside on summer nights, or something to have set up in the garage/basement while getting some work done. The 3M Streaming Projector gives you a picture up to 120 inches and gives you 60 lumens brightness. It's tiny too, and weighs in at just under a pound. It also comes with the Roku Stick, which gives you access to a wide range of streaming options. The 3M Streaming Projector launches in November at $299. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Oct 8, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Bonus View Digest - October 5, 2012[teaser]Along with all the other great stuff we've got on The Bonus View this weekend, perhaps the most important thing is the fact that today is the last day to put in your entries for our biggest contest yet. Enter to win the 'Bond 50' set on Blu-ray, now![/teaser] Blu-ray News The 'Bond 50' contest is one of the best and most expensive Blu-ray sets we've ever given away on the blog. Today is the deadline to get your entries in so you really should do that now. You never know, you could be knee deep in 'Bond' movies for free. With his weekly post Blu-ray Highlights, Josh covers everything you'd want to know about the most recent Blu-ray releases. With releases like 'Cinderella' and the 'Universal Classic Monsters: The Essential Collection' this was a pretty big week for notable catalogue releases. Monster Movie Madness With the arrival of October we begin to look for movies that will frighten and terrify us. Because Halloween is approaching we'd like to start off a new tournament that is completely centered on the wide variety of blood-sucking, city-crushing, people-munching monsters that have populated movies since the days of Ray Harryhausen. Be sure to join us as we start the tournament next week in an effort to find out which movie monster will be crowned king of the monsters. Theatrical News We're finally getting back into the swing of things at the movie theater. The dog-days of the end of summer are behind us and we can look forward to weekends packed with interesting movies again. This week Luke reviewed Tim Burton's 'Frankenweenie' while Aaron saw and reviewed 'Taken 2.' Which movie should you see this week? I'll give you a hint, it doesn't star Liam Neeson. The new 'Skyfall' theme song was released this week and it's performed by Adele. See what Josh thinks about the newest addition to the long line of 'Bond' movie theme songs. In the Trailer Park, E shares his thoughts on the new trailer for 'Twilight: Breaking Dawn, Part 2' (yikes!) and 'Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters' (double yikes!). TV Recaps The new television season has seen quite a few season and series premieres. Josh is hurriedly covering as many new shows as he possibly can. This week you can see if new shows like '666 Park Avenue,' 'Last Resort,' and 'Elementary' are any good. Along with these series premieres check out the season premiere recap of 'Fringe' and Josh's continuing coverage of 'Haven.' Video Game News Brian covered this week's this week's video game releases and also posted a hilarious video of Conan O'Brien reviewing the new 'Resident Evil 6.' Brian also took time to piece together an informative history of James Bond-themed video games and how nothing measures up to the greatness that was 'Goldeneye.' Special Features Last week on the Weekend Roundtable we talked about our favorite time travel movies and asked you for your opinion on the subject. Thanks for joining us this week. If you haven't gotten the clue by now, seriously how could we make it any clearer? Today is the last day to enter to win the 'Bond 50' set of all 22 'Bond' movies. So do it now before the deadline passes and you're left with nothing but regrets and thoughts of what could've been.Posted Fri Oct 5, 2012 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
iSuppli Predicts UHDTVs Will Have Less Than One Percent of the Market Until 2017[teaser]In 2012 it's looking like only 4,000 will be shipped, but that's expected to grow exponentially over the next five years. [/teaser] Research firm IHS iSuppli has come up with its estimates for what we can expect from 4K in the future and if they're right, we're going to have a while before we see any real penetration. The analysts are expecting the total market share to stay under one percent until 2017. Of course concerns like cost and availability come into the equation, but even more is practicality. There's only so much call for a 3,840 by 2,160 resolution and on smaller TVs there doesn't seem to be much of a place for it. This makes the 60 inch and over market perfect for 4K, but that that's a market that only accounts for 1.5 percent of TVs. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Fri Oct 5, 2012 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Series 'House of Cards' Will Launch February 1st, 2013[teaser]The streaming service has high hopes that the talents of Kevin Spacey and David Fincher will translate into an improved subscriber base. [/teaser] While not the first original series on Netflix, 'House of Cards' is the first of the big ones. It's an American take on a BBC miniseries and it's bound to be the subject of a major marketing push from Netflix. After all, it features some huge names, like star Kevin Spacey and director David Fincher. The series will hit Netflix on February 1st. In true Netflix fashion, all 13 episodes will be available at once, so you can get sucked in and power straight through them in a single weekend. Time will tell just how big of an effect this kind of move will have on the service, but based on what Netflix spent getting 'House of Cards' away from pay TV channels, they're hoping for something big. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Fri Oct 5, 2012 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Bang & Olufsen Announces a Floorstanding Wireless Speaker[teaser]The BeoPlay A9 is equipped with AirPlay, DLNA capabilities, Wi-Fi and a Made for iPod/iPad/iPhone USB port. [/teaser] The folks at Band & Olufsen have been expanding a bit past their existing offerings of ultra-expensive products. The new PeoPlay A9 is an example of that. It's not cheap at $2,699, but it's also a lot more reasonable than TV sets that reach near six figures. B&O's A9 gives you a pair of 3/4 inch tweeters and a pair of three-inch midrange drivers as well as an eight-inch bass driver to bring the lows. Each of these drivers is driven by a separate amp. You can pick up the floorstanding speaker in a variety of colors and the screw-in legs can be made in oak, beech or teak to suit your style. Source: TWICEPosted Fri Oct 5, 2012 at 07:00 AM PDT by:
