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Redbox Subscription Streaming Plans are Official[teaser]Just who they're working with is still a mystery, but Walmart, Amazon, and CinemaNow are all rumored. [/teaser] Redbox is doing just fine financially, but that doesn't mean that the company is just going to sit there complacent and collapse under its own weight and failure to evolve. That's more of a Blockbuster thing. Instead, Redbox is going to be the next company stepping into the highly profitable business of subscription based streaming, making them the first real competitor to Netflix. Mitch Lowe confirmed this in a meeting with analysts this week, but stated that just who they'll be working with is up in the air. "What we're looking for is a partner that, yes, has customers, but also more importantly has a lot of quality entertainment rights," said Lowe. CinemaNow has often been touted as the logical choice, but the Seattle Times is reporting that Walmart's Vudu service and the upcoming Amazon streaming service are possible Redbox partners. Walmart might be the most logical, since Redbox kiosks are already in thousands of Walmart stores around the country. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
LG Announces The First 3D Phone With 3D Camera[teaser]The phone can take pictures and record video in HD. The glasses-free display gives you an easy way to view the results.[/teaser] It's rare that we write about phones here on High-Def Digest. From a home theater and HD standpoint, there really aren't too many phones worth talking about. The new LG Optimus 3D is an exception to be sure. LG's new 3D phone offers a 4.3 inch WVGA touchscreen that allows you to see 3D images without having to wear special glasses. In addition to 3D playback, it can take 3D pictures and record 3D video. You'll get 1080p out of the LG Optimus 3D's two dimensional recordings, but scaling up to 3D will drop you down to 720p. It also boasts an HDMI 1.4 connection for simple playback on your 3D television. Getting your video online is easy too - you can upload directly to YouTube 3D. Source: eCousticsPosted Fri Feb 18, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Roku Goes 3D With Wealth TV[teaser]Don't touch that priceless vase! It's another first for the pairing of Roku and Wealth TV. [/teaser] Roku and Wealth TV are all about innovation. First the pair brought live television to the Roku set-top box, and if that wasn't enough, now they're bringing 3D. Subscribing to Wealth TV will get you the 24/7 live feed as well as over 30 on-demand titles which includes 3D content like "The Enchanted Hill: Inside Hearst Castle" and "Wheel on Wheels: The Classic Benz." "3D set owners can now turn to Roku as a source for family friendly and highly entertaining 3D content, says Roku founder and CEO Anthony Wood. "With Wealth TV's inaugural launch of 3D programming on Roku, we’re pleased to be a recognized source for consumers looking for a new dimension in television viewing." Source: Streaming MediaPosted Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Launching in March: Hustler HD/3D[teaser]Because what good would that 3D TV be if you couldn't watch porn parodies? [/teaser] There's something severely lacking in the 3D content that's available now. Almost every 3D Blu-ray is family friendly and the rest of the 3D lineup tends to be either documentaries or sports. That's all well and good, but somewhere along the way we forgot about smut. Never fear - Hustler HD/3D is here. The channel, which will launch on the Hotbird satellite in March of this year, will have access to a wide range of Hustler's HD content and plenty of 3D as well. After all, it seems like a waste to watch 'This Ain't Avatar XXX' in 2D, doesn't it? "With the huge slate of true HD productions that we currently have, and continue to produce monthly, along with our production of high budget true 3D features," says Michael Klein, president of Hustler, "the Hustler HD/3D channel will best the best of the breed of adult broadcasting offerings." It appears that - at least initially - this is a European launch. Digiquest Electronics Limited will be handling the exclusive Smartcard distribution. Source: PR NewswirePosted Thu Feb 17, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Warner Launches App Editions of 'The Dark Knight' and 'Inception'[teaser]The app lets you preview the movie and special features on your Apple device or just buy it outright. [/teaser] Trailers, by and large, are an unsatisfactory way to get a feel for a film. They're also full of spoilers for people that are concerned about that sort of thing. The new App Editions of 'Inception' and 'The Dark Knight' solve that issue by simply letting you watch the first five minutes of the film and bits of the special features if you so desire. Here's where things get really interesting. If you like what you see, you can buy the movie directly from iTunes. This purchase gives you unlimited streaming access to the film as well as access to a wide array of bonus content. In addition to the US, the new app also makes the films available to countries that previously didn't have the film available through iTunes. Menus are available in 16 different languages and subtitles are available in 34. 'The Dark Knight: App Edition' and 'Inception: App Edition' are available to download now. The full version of 'The Dark Knight' will run you $9.99 while 'Inception' comes in at $11.99. Source: DeadlinePosted Wed Feb 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM PST by: -
'The Resident' Starring Hillary Swank Gets Simultaneous VOD and Theatrical Release[teaser]DISH Network subscribers will be able to watch the movie on the 18th. [/teaser] 'The Resident' probably isn't a film you've heard of. It's a smaller movie that's getting a limited release. It stars Hillary Swank and Jeffrey Dean Morgan and will be hitting theaters on the 18th. What sets 'The Resident' apart is that it's one of the movies being used to test the waters for early VODs. The movie will be available as an on-demand option for DISH network subscribers on the 18th as well - the same day it hits theaters. 'The Resident' will cost $4.99 for a standard definition VOD and $5.99 for HD - not bad considering the premium VOD price estimates being tossed around by most companies. More important that just being a movie available early, this test is a good way to voice your opinion on premium, or just early, VODs. Money talks, and if you really want to start seeing VOD content like this pick up, ordering 'The Resident' is a good way to show it. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Feb 16, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Netflix Finally Comes to the Boxee Box[teaser]Both US and Canadian customers will have access to the service. [/teaser] Netflix streaming today is as common as remote controls. If you don't have a device that can stream Netflix then you're in the minority. TVs, Blu-ray players, videogame systems and even phones can access the service and bring streaming content to you. There's something to be said about having it all on one box though, or to be more specific, one Box. The Boxee Box has been hailed as an impressive device for those that get a majority of their entertainment from the internet, but until now it's lacked Netflix. "Netflix on the Box is different from the version you see on the PC/Mac versions of Boxee," writes Boxee founder Avner Ronen. "It has the brand new Netflix UI which they constantly update, test and improve." If you own a Boxee Box, you can download the update now, or wait 24 hours for the automatic update to hit your Box. Source: Boxee BlogPosted Wed Feb 16, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
More Than 150 Criterion Collection Films Come to Hulu Plus[teaser]Over the next few months, at least 650 more will be added. [/teaser] Looking for a reason to subscribe to Hulu Plus? Criterion just gave you one. Actually, they gave you 150, with a total of 800 on the way. "Starting today, there are more than 150 of our most important films online on the Hulu Plus subscription service," writes Peter Becker on Criterion's release. "Over the coming months, that number will swell to more than 800 films." That's a huge number, and an incredible contribution to the service. Being able to scroll up some of the most important films in the history of the medium at a whim is something that many will find to be well worth the cost of admission. Criterion is known for their high quality transfers and excellent film selections, but to some they're even better known for their extra features. Never fear - Becker says that supplementary material is on the way. Swing on over to Hulu.com/Criterion to check out the selection. Source: CriterionPosted Tue Feb 15, 2011 at 12:30 PM PST by: -
1080p LCD Sets Dominate the Market[teaser]Over 50 percent of the TV market is now 1080p LCDs. [/teaser] For the first time since the start of high-definition television, the majority market share is held by 1080p LCD televisions. For all of 2010, 1080p LCDs made up 51 percent of all TV shipments with 720p sets taking up the other half. Other resolutions - more common a few years ago - are nowhere to be seen. One of the biggest factors, according to Tamaryn Pratt of Quixel Research, is that more small sets went to 1080p. "There is little, if any, cost delta at the component level under 32-inch and that is a very competitive space," says Pratt. "TV manufacturers and branders can promote a higher resolution regardless of necessity. Comparing 2010 to 2009, 1080p LCDs under 40 inches saw a growth of 36 percent while 720p sets decreased 16 percent. Source: TWICEPosted Tue Feb 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Premium VODs May Come With DVD/Blu-ray[teaser]Studios seem to be sticking with the idea of premium on-demand content, but they're hoping to sweeten the deal. [/teaser] There's no question that a market exists for premium on-demand content. Paying $30 to see a movie that's still in the theaters - or just out of them - is a fair price point to some. For the majority of potential customers though, it's still just too high. Steve Beeks of Lionsgate revealed an interesting idea to make premium VOD more appealing to customers on a conference call over the weekend. Instead of shelling out $30 for a one-night rental, you would also get a copy of the movie when it came out as well - either in digital or DVD form. "Some of the cable operators have brought that up as a potential idea," says Beeks. "I don’t think we have settled on anything - we are actually anxious to see how the market develops." The idea of premium VODs that include a copy of the film seem incredibly appealing, especially if a Blu-ray option was offered. $30-$40 for an early on-demand rental plus a copy of the Blu-ray when it comes out could be an offer too good to refuse. Source: Home Media MagainzePosted Tue Feb 15, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by:
