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Mitsubishi's new LCD Sets Use Lasers[teaser]Mitsubishi is combining LCD, LED, and laser technology into one. [/teaser] As if we didn't have enough acronyms and initialism in televisions already, Mitsubishi is bringing another 'L' into the picture. The company has created a prototype LCD television that's said to offer a broader color spectrum than anything out there today, thanks to a combination of technologies including an LCD display, LED lighting and lasers. You may remember a few years back when Sony offered Triluminos televisions that utilized three different colors of LEDs for backlighting. Mitsubishi's new tech is similar, and utilizes cyan LEDs for both blue and green. Where it differs is in its use of lasers for red. Misubishi says that red was the most effective laser color, and that they had to take costs into consideration when creating the new tech, which means going with lasers only just wasn't an option. The company boasts that their new set greatly exceeds the NTSC color spectrum and has a color gamut 1.3 times that of Mitsubishi's current LCD sets. Mitsubishi says we can expect to see the new laser-lit LCD released in fiscal 2011, but it'll probably head to Japan first. Source: Tech-On (via Engadget)Posted Wed Mar 2, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
PlayStation 3 Banned in Europe - Shipments Seized[teaser]A patent dispute between Sony and LG could mean a complete shutdown of European sales. [/teaser] Lawsuits are nothing strange to major tech companies, but results are. Usually something like the current patent dispute between Sony and LG would be settled out of court, but it looks like things are starting to heat up. A preliminary ruling in the Hague demands that all PlayStation 3s coming into Europe be confiscated by officials. Tens of thousands of systems have been seized already, according to the Guardian. If the court decides to extend the injunction, retailers will have to start pulling PS3s off of the shelf. Potentially even worse for Sony, if the company is found to have infringed on LG's patents, Sony will have make financial compensation. That means LG will get a cut of every PS3 sold to date. Source: GuardianPosted Wed Mar 2, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
3D Cameras Used for Final Discovery Mission[teaser]It turns out 3D technology can be used for more than adding $3.00+ to the price of a movie ticket. [/teaser] The era of NASA sending shuttles into space draws to a close with the final Discovery mission. That doesn't mean innovation is over though. The shuttle is packed with technology including the DragonEye 3D FLC. The folks at Advanced Scientific Concepts (ASC) are planning to use the 3D technology of the DragonEye as an automated docking solution that takes humans out of the picture. The same tech is currently being used at Langley to test automated landing procedures. "We are confident this test run will be the final before the DragonEye is regularly deployed for AR&D solutions," says ASC CEO Roger Stettner. "The DragonEye 3D Flash LIDAR camera allows new solutions for space, making unmanned or manned autonomous rendezvous, docking and landing a reality." Source: PR NewswirePosted Tue Mar 1, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
A Third of Netflix Subscribers Would Switch to Prime if Comparable[teaser]Amazon's big announcement has had a big impact on Netflix already and it might get even bigger. [/teaser] When Amazon announced free streaming for Prime members, it entered into the same arena as Netflix. Whether Amazon can step it up and compete with the popular streaming service is yet to be seen, but it's going to be one hell of a fight and Amazon undoubtedly has the money to wage war for a while! According to a recent survey, 32 percent of Netflix subscribers say that they'd be willing to go with Prime instead if the service was comparable. When the survey was limited to only those that currently subscribe to Netflix and hold Prime memberships, 36 percent said they'd switch while 32 percent said that they'll be using both services. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Tue Mar 1, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Amazon, Best Buy, and Coinstar Are Potential Blockbuster Buyers[teaser]The final sale of the company is expected by April. [/teaser] It's amazing how quickly things turned around for Blockbuster. They were a giant in the rental industry, and they even became a brand name that describes a product. Like Band-Aid and Jell-O, Blockbuster became the one notable name in its business. The company is up for sale with a minimum offer of $290 million, or $265 without studio support. Blockbuster submitted a list of potential buyers during its bankruptcy filings. That list includes expected names like Amazon, Best Buy, and RedBox owner Coinstar. It also includes NCR, the folks behind Blockbuster Express, Sonic Solutions, and even Hollywood Video founder Mark Wattles. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 02:50 PM PST by: -
ESPN 3D Adds the NBA Finals to the Lineup[teaser]Select playoff games will also be getting the 3D treatment. [/teaser] Since February 14th, ESPN 3D has been running nonstop. As you might imagine, the lack of readily available 3D content means you're getting a lot of repeats. Things will be heating up later this year though, when the NBA Finals add a new dimension. ESPN has broadcast six NBA games thus far and is planning on a few more before the season draws to a close. In addition to several games of the NBA Playoffs, an additional four regular season games will be broadcast. The Finals themselves kick off on June 2nd and run until June 16th, so you have a little bit of time left to save up if you're planning on seeing the games in 3D. Source: EngadgetPosted Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Box Office Numbers No Longer Indicate DVD/Blu-ray Success Says DreamWorks[teaser]Though profits are up for DreamWorks, the studio experienced mixed results in the home video market. [/teaser] The folks at DreamWorks had a good year in 2010 all things considered. They did quite well at the box office with both 'Shrek Forever After' and 'How to Train Your Dragon,' even if 'Megamind' didn't perform quite as well as they'd hoped. When it came time to tally up the DVD and Blu-ray sales, there was a bit of a surprise. Usually a movie's success on DVD correlates with its success in theaters, but this year was different. 'How to Train Your Dragon' was the most successful title in the home video market despite pulling in $20 million less than 'Shrek Forever After' in theaters. "We had mixed results in the home video market. [Our titles] performed very differently, which we think is indicative of the overall strength and weaknesses of the home video market," says CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg. "The box office success is no longer indicative of home video success, as it has been historically." Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Netflix Captions More Movies - Adds Caption Section to Site[teaser]Now those looking for streaming movies with captions can find them quickly and easily. [/teaser] Netflix has been adding captions and subtitles to their movies slowly but surely. According to the NC-MAC-ASL blog there are currently 800 titles available to watch with English subs. That's not a big improvement since Netflix launched the initiative back in April of 2010, leaving many deaf and hard-of-hearing listeners to give up on the streaming service altogether. For these disgruntled viewers, the latest update to the Netflix website holds a bit of promise. If you scroll on down to the bottom of the Netflix page and look under the "Website" heading, you'll see a selection for captions and subtitles. Clicking this will bring up only those streaming movies and shows with subtitles. From there you can specify between English, Spanish and Korean. The list isn't particularly long, and the functionality is still only available on the website, but it's a start. Source: Hacking NetflixPosted Mon Feb 28, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
The Bonus View Is Live-Blogging The Oscars TONIGHT! We Promise Prizes and SURPRISES![teaser]If you weren’t already aware, the 2011 Academy Awards air TONIGHT!. High-Def Digest will be live-blogging the entire event over at The Bonus View![/teaser] In case you missed it, we had a blast with our Golden Globes live-blog, and we expect this one to be even more fun. How so, you ask? This time, we’re running multiple Blu-ray give-away contests throughout the show!! The best part, even people who’ve won any of our previous contests will be eligible to win! We've been busy sharpening our barbed observations and working our way through stacks of Blu-rays, ferreting out some great award winners and plenty of secret shame crowd-pleasers. We have tons of high brow and low brow goodies to send your way! Check out The Bonus View TONIGHT, and be sure to spread the word! We can’t wait to get started!Posted Sun Feb 27, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Spread the Word! We're Live-Blogging The Oscars This Sunday![teaser]If you weren’t already aware, the 2011 Academy Awards will air this Sunday, February 27th. High-Def Digest will be live-blogging the entire event over at The Bonus View![/teaser] In case you missed it, we had a blast with our Golden Globes live-blog, and we expect this one to be even more fun. How so, you ask? This time, we’re running multiple Blu-ray give-away contests throughout the show!! The best part, even people who’ve won any of our previous contests will be eligible to win! We're busy sharpening our barbed observations and working our way through stacks of Blu-rays, ferreting out some great award winners and plenty of secret shame crowd-pleasers. We should have tons of high brow and low brow goodies to send your way! Check out The Bonus View on Sunday evening, and be sure to spread the word! We can’t wait!Posted Fri Feb 25, 2011 at 11:30 AM PST by:
