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3D Lenses are Messing Up 2D Movies in Theaters[teaser]The misuse of 3D lenses on 2D movies is sucking all the light out of your theatrical experience. [/teaser] If you've been going to 2D movies at theaters that also show 3D, you may have noticed a trend. 3D movies are the main focus of theater owners at the moment, but paying exclusive attention to that new tech may be working against those who prefer their movies in two dimensions. The problem stems from projectionists using the same lens for showing 3D movies as they do for 2D movies. By keeping the dual lens and polarizer in the mix, movies become very dark - to the point that the image can be difficult to see. Part of the reason for the issue, according to one AMC projectionist, is that changing a lens is much more than a simple mechanical operation. Apparently, the change requires security clearances, passwords, and a bit of know-how that most employees don't have. If you're at a 2D movie that's looking dark to you, turn around and check the projector. If you see two beams of light, you're getting a much darker picture than you should be. Source: Boston.comPosted Wed May 25, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Japanese Company Starts Selling Full HD Glasses Free 3D TV[teaser]It's a 52 incher too - perfect for the living room. [/teaser] Fans and haters alike can agree that the glasses are the single most annoying thing about 3D. Buying special equipment just to watch a movie with can be a pain in the wallet, wearing those glasses can be a pain in the head and dealing with batteries and a compatibility issues is a pain in the ass. Nissho has launched a new set that they hope will catch on fast. It's a 52 inch TV that doesn't require the use of glasses at all. It uses lenticular technology to provide a 3D image to the viewer, though there's no mention of exactly what seating angles will work. The specs aren't to impressive - it only has a 2,000:1 contrast ratio and a 60Hz refresh rate - but the glasses-free part should be enough to get people excited. Of course, this kind of tech doesn't come cheap. You'll need to shell out just over $20,000 to pick up the new set. Source:Posted Wed May 25, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 3D' Sony 3D Kit Exclusive[teaser]Those waiting patiently for 20th Century Fox's 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 3D' to hit the Blu-ray 3D format can get it now -- but there's a catch... [/teaser] The title is only currently available in the latest Sony 3D Starter Kit that also includes two pairs of rechargeable active shutter 3D glasses. Not only do these glasses work with your 2011 Sony HDTV with 3D but they also work with Sony's 2010 3D models and the new line-up of VAIO 3D capable computers. The price of this set is $189.99 at Amazon. You can find the latest specs for the retail version of 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed May 25, 2011 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Titanic is Coming Back to Theaters - In 3D[teaser]Because a worldwide $1.84 billion just isn't enough. [/teaser] James Cameron doesn't make a lot of movies, but when he does he makes money. Not just a little money, and it couldn't even be called a lot of money. He makes so much money that it's downright stupid. He pulls in more with one film than most people will ever dream about seeing in their lifetimes. Of course, he doesn't make that money because he's a great director or because he makes great movies - that's a subjective statement and it really depends on the person. He makes the money because he's a great businessman. He makes movies that appeal to the masses and ensure an absolutely ridiculous amount of tickets sold. Before it was eclipsed by newer movies, 'Titanic' was the champion in terms of money coming in. It's a record that Cameron held for a long time and then regained with 'Avatar.' But just because a movie is fourteen years old doesn't mean Cameron is going to stop trying to make a fortune on it. Starting on April 6, 2012 - a few days shy of the 100th anniversary of the real ship's launch - 'Titanic' will be coming back to theaters. And if you couldn't have guessed, it's coming in 3D. Cameron says that he's out to prove that 2D to 3D conversions really work. That and to get enough money to buy yet another small country. Source: EngadgetPosted Tue May 24, 2011 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Audyssey is Prepping "Do Not Disturb" Bass Mode[teaser]The folks at Audyssey have created a new tech that allows you to enjoy bass without waking the whole house. [/teaser] The problem: You're downstairs in the living room watching the 2009 'Star Trek' reboot on Blu-ray while your girlfriend, wife, kids, or significant other is upstairs trying to sleep. Of course, they want you to turn it down so they can greedily get some shut-eye while you suffer with low or no subwoofer sound. The solution, according to Audyssey, is a new technology called low-frequency containment, or LFC. The tech is designed to stop low frequency waves from penetrating walls and limit bass output according to volume changes in the source. It's not just about lowering bass volume though - Audyssey's tech will synthesize the harmonics lost by the drop in audio so you won't feel like there's bass missing. LFC is the first of three new processing technologies that Audyssey is going to be announcing in the next few months. Source: TwicePosted Mon May 23, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
BenQ Debuts a Pair of Full HD DLP Projectors[teaser]Both offer a 1080p resolution, 10 bit color processor and a bright picture. [/teaser] The W1100 and W1200 are the latest projectors from BenQ, both designed to provide "the ultimate in big screen entertainment." BenQ's W11000 uses a twelve-lens optical system to provide an incredibly sharp picture. It offers 2,000 ANSI lumens brightness and a 4,500:1 contrast ratio. It also boasts a color management system that allows you to adjust the basics like hue, color temperature, gamma and more. The W1200 offers 1,800 ANSI lumens and a 5,000:1 contrast ratio and an Advanced Color Wheel Coating that boosts color saturation. It also utilizes a Full HD optical system that virtually eliminates color delays. The W1100 can be had for $1,499 while the W1200 costs $1,999. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu May 19, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix is the Biggest Source of Internet Traffic in US[teaser]Torrents follow just after, with normal web and YouTube traffic falling far short. [/teaser] It wasn't long ago that we reported that Netflix accounted for a fifth of internet traffic during peak hours, but that number has been surpassed with much gusto. Netflix now accounts for 29.7 percent of all downstream traffic at its peak. The daily average puts Netflix at 22.2 percent, or just over a fifth of all traffic in the US. BitTorrent follows just behind it with 21.6 percent. Surprisingly, the ultra popular YouTube accounts for just 8.2 percent. Netflix-like streaming sites make up the brunt of traffic in Europe too - 33.2 percent at peak. The iPlayer from the BBC accounts for 6.6 percent of that. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu May 19, 2011 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
TiVo Pricing Changes Today[teaser]It's getting simplified quite a bit, but lifetime membership costs are going up. [/teaser] Buying a TiVo is weird. Depending on where you get it and how you sign up, you can end up paying a different price. The folks at TiVo are making it a lot simpler. From this point on, no matter where you buy your TiVo Premiere, you'll be paying $19 a month with a one year commitment. No pre-pays or different subscription models. If you want to pick up a lifetime service option, you'll be paying $499, which is the same price you'd pay for 25 months. If you're going to use your TiVo for more than two years, this is the way you'll probably want to go. The units themselves will cost $99 for the Premiere and $299 for the Premiere XL. Source: Zatz Not FunnyPosted Wed May 18, 2011 at 05:50 PM PDT by: -
Samsung and RealD Sign a Deal for New 3D Tech[teaser]You'll get the full resolution of an active shutter display with the low cost of passive. [/teaser] Samsung and RealD have created a new 3D technology that addresses and solves the biggest problems with both active and passive 3D. Specifically, the tech allows you to use the same inexpensive glasses that you get in the theater, but still get the benefit of a full HD picture. The companies were able to achieve this by incorporating active shutter technology into the TV instead of into the glasses. It's a slick setup that should allow for a much better viewer experience. Sadly, it's not coming to large TVs just yet. Samsung's new tech will start in 23 and 27 inch computer monitors, which should be released in early 2012. Only after the monitor roll-out will Samsung start working on the TV version - specifically in a 55 inch size. Source: EONPosted Wed May 18, 2011 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung's Free 3D VODs Launch in UK[teaser]A release of the 3D VOD service in the States is expected to follow. [/teaser] Generally, if you want 3D you're going to have to pay dearly for it. You can see it theatrically, pay for another tier of cable channels or buy the Blu-rays, but Samsung's newest launch brings 3D content to you for free - assuming you live in the UK of course. Over 70 free 3D videos will be available through the "Explore 3D" app by the end of this year. This includes not only short-form content like music videos and trailers, but full length movies and children's features as well. Samsung says that there are 20 videos currently available. When the free 3D service was initially announced for Korean customers, the company said that a release in Europe and the US were soon to follow, so we expect something on this side of the pond shortly. Source: EngadgetPosted Wed May 18, 2011 at 09:00 AM PDT by:
