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Sony Announces New Bravias for Japan[teaser]Three new TVs and none of them do 3D. [/teaser] With the way Sony has been churning out 3D capable TVs, 3D videogames, 3D cameras, 3D camcorders and 3D movies, you might think they've forgotten that a demand for 2D content exists. Apparently they haven't, and are releasing a trio of new TVs to prove it. The sets are hitting Japan on March 20th, and all include 500GB hard drives for recording television shows. You can also transfer the video from your hard drive to an external drive using a USB port. The KDL-40EX52H sports an edge-lit display and a 1080p resolution. The lower end models offer up resolutions of 1,336x768. Unfortunately, this seems like the kind of thing we're unlikely to see in the US anytime soon. Source: CrunchGearPosted Wed Feb 9, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
iTunes Still Number 1 in Online Movie Rentals, But Down Significantly[teaser]Before you ask, no, Netflix isn't counted in the study. [/teaser] When it comes to internet based video on demand, iTunes is number one. It's a position they've held for a while, but it looks like Apple's service is losing a bit of the market. In 2010, iTunes accounted for 64.5 percent of total consumer spending on internet video on demand, or iVOD. That's a huge number, but it's a 10 percent decrease from last year, where iTunes held 74.4 percent of the market. At number two is Zune Video which accounts for 17.9 percent of spending. This is likely made up of Xbox 360 owners who rent movies through their consoles. Sony takes the third spot with a 7.2 percent market share - quite possibly due to PS3 owners renting movies. It may come as a bit of a surprise that Amazon and Vudu aren't higher up on the list, but analyst Arash Amel says that we could be seeing both services as major competitors in the coming years. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Feb 9, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest Is There For You On Facebook![teaser]Have you visited the High-Def Digest Facebook page lately? If not, why not swing by and let your friends know that you like us? In return, we'll make sure you never miss a great review.[/teaser] Please check out the High-Def Digest Page on Facebook, click "like," and spread the word, so you and your friends can always find the best Blu-ray and High-Def news and reviews online. Our Facebook page is still going strong, and we'd love you to join in the fun. In addition to our reviews, highlights from The Bonus View, and priceless witticisms, we use the page as one more way of spreading the word about the best high-def releases on the market. If you haven't joined the fun yet, you can check it out here. Hope to see you there soon!Posted Tue Feb 8, 2011 at 03:00 PM PST by: -
Mitsubishi Makes a Giant Cylindrical OLED Screen[teaser]Sure, it's impressive, but it's definitely not going to show up at Best Buy. [/teaser] Dear Mitsubishi, You know we love those exciting prototype OLED screens you've been showing off. They're huge and exciting and great looking - what's not to love? The curved OLED that you showed at ISE 2011 is especially cool. We know you're mainly developing these for commercial displays and advertisements, but it's starting to feel like a bit of a tease. You make giant OLED screens to put on the side of a building, but you're offering us nothing to put in our homes. Instead of focusing on massive screens that none of us could possibly afford or find a use for, how about making a few smaller ones - say 42 inches or so - for us to buy, take home and put in our living rooms? Really, is that too much to ask? Sincerely, High-Def Digest Source: EngadgetPosted Tue Feb 8, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Prices Leak for Panasonics 2011 TVs[teaser]3D plasmas as low as $1,099 - 720p as low as $599[/teaser] When companies show off their new sets at press conferences and industry events the one thing they almost never talk about is pricing. They keep that until the very last minute, unless it's leaked of course. That's just what happened with the 2011 line of Panasonic TVs. That's right, the entire line - not just a few models. The folks over at Cnet have the full list, but we'll highlight some of the more exciting sets here. At the high end, the PVT30 line - the successor to the PVT25 - will be launching at $2,799 for a 55 inch set and $4,299 for 65 inches. The GT30, which replaces the G25 and GT25, will be available in a 50 inch size for $1,899 and on up to 65 inches at $3,699. Those looking for the deals will want to take a look at the PST30, which offers 3D and 1080p at $1,099 for 42 inches. Don't care about 3D? A 42 inch PS30 runs just $799. If you're willing to sacrifice resolution, the PX3 line will get you into a 42 inch 720p plasma for $599. Source: CnetPosted Tue Feb 8, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
JVC Announces a 3D 1080p Consumer Camcorder[teaser]The GS-TD1 is slated to hit stores at just under $2,000. [/teaser] Some are enthralled by the way 3D movies change the viewing experience and some love the heightened feeling of realism from 3D sporting events. Others are less satisfied with simply watching and are looking to create 3D video of their own. JVC says that the GS-TD1 is the first camcorder that can capture 1080p 3D video, and boasts that the new camera can even recreate 3D-like surround thanks to the company's Biophonic technology. It offers a 5x optical zoom, dual back-illuminated CMOS sensors and a 3D glasses-free touchscreen LCD monitor. The camera also comes with a full editing suite that will allow you to capture, record, edit, archive and share your movies. You'll be able to pick up the GS-TD1 for yourself in March for a price of under $2,000. Source: TWICEPosted Tue Feb 8, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
High-Def Digest-Digest: February 7, 2011[teaser]The Super Bowl is over you're running high on the victory of the Green Bay Packers or wallowing in the defeat of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Either way, isn't it about time you caught up on all the news you missed while tracking down green and yellow body paint?[/teaser] Blu-ray News 'The Fighter' Announced for Blu-ray It's still wrapping up its theatrical run, but 'The Fighter' has already been announced for a Blu-ray release of March 15th. Supplements will include deleted scenes, commentary and more. 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1' Blu-ray Announced The penultimate (that's how you use that word correctly) film in the 'Harry Potter' series is hitting Blu-ray on April 15th along with behind-the-scenes footage, commentary and a few documentary featurettes. 'Taxi Driver' Announced for Blu-ray It's about time the Scorsese classic went high-def. 'Taxi Driver' is one of the most highly rated and overly quoted films in the history of the medium and it's hitting Blu-ray on April 5. '127 Hours' Announced for Blu-ray James Franco stretches his acting wings in the Oscar nominated '127 Hours.' In addition to the film you'll get commentary by Danny Boyle, deleted scenes and more when the film comes out March 1. 'Ernest Goes to Camp/Ernest Goes to Jail' Blu-ray Announced Ernest goes to Blu-ray on March 22 with a double pack of 'Ernest Goes to Camp' and 'Ernest Goes to Jail.' Admit it, you'll gladly shell out the $14.95 for Electroman and the turtle song. Best Buy Pushes Blu-ray Exclusives! Best Buy wants to be your Blu-ray shop of choice and they've got the exclusive Blu-ray releases to prove it! Blu-ray Players Could Sell For Under $40 This Year Blu-ray players are getting cheap, but this year we could be seeing ridiculous new lows. At $40, nobody has an excuse NOT to own one. Other News The Comcast/NBC Deal Approved by FCC, Justice Department You know that deal that's constantly parodied by '30 Rock'? It's finally approved and Comcast is taking over...everything. Sharp is Bringing Back Pioneer's Elite TVs Well they're trying to anyway. Elite LCDs are in the works from Sharp with Pioneer's blessing. No word yet on a return of the Elite plasma. High-Def Digest Takes a Trip to Paramount to see Behind the Scenes of 'The Ten Commandments' Michael S. Palmer gets extracurricular with a trip to Paramount where he gets all the details on restoring the classic film and an inside scoop on the special features. 'Let Me In'-terview: Director Matt Reeves Talks About His Vampiric Masterpiece Oh c'mon, that's a clever title. Check out Matt Reeves talking about the most critically acclaimed vampire movie in ages. 'Let Me In'-terview: Richard Jenkins On Playing a Murderous Fiend Drew Taylor talks with 'Let Me In' star Richard Jenkins about his role in the film, his upcoming work and more. The Bonus View Sundance Review: 'Red State' Aaron Peck went to Sundance and reported in with a series of posts including a not-so-shining review of Kevin Smith's 'Red State.' SRS Volume Control Fails to Control Volume Josh Zyber hooks up an external volume controller that promises normalized sound. What he gets is a surprisingly complicated setup that achieves absolutely nothing. Sony Reveals the PSP2 - Hot Damn It's Impressive! Dick Ward breaks down Sony's new handheld and comes away impressed. The one big question is the price.Posted Mon Feb 7, 2011 at 12:55 PM PST by: -
Plasma Sales are on the Rebound[teaser]Plasma shipments grew year-over-year in every quarter of 2010. [/teaser] Plasma seemed all but finished just a few years ago and manufacturers quickly pulled out of the business. It looks like the retreat came too soon though, as plasma shipments are up. According to Display Search analysts, plasma is set to make a strong rebound, going as far as saying that the limiting factor for plasma sales is supply-limited. That's a very good sign for companies still bringing plasma sets to the market. Part of the reason for the success of plasma displays is the relative cheapness when compared to LED LCD sets. When customers can pick up a decent looking 50 inch plasma for under $1,000 all those old plasma preconceptions seem to fade away. Panasonic, Samsung and LG all enjoyed tremendous plasma sales growth averaging nearly 30 percent. Much of that was in sizes of 50 inches and higher. Source: TWICEPosted Mon Feb 7, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
Audiovox is Buying Klipsch for $166 Million[teaser]Klipsch will still run as a standalone operation. [/teaser] In a transaction expected to close within the next 30 days, Audiovox has announced that it will be buying the speaker manufacturer Klipsch for a price of $166 million. This purchase is a big move for Audiovox. Afterall, it isn't just the Klipsch brand the company's acquiring in this deal, they'll be getting the Jamo, Energy, and Mirage brands too. "This highly respected company has for over 60 years been synonymous with premium high-end audio solutions," says Audiovox CEO Patrick Lavelle, "and today enjoys the well-deserved reputation as 'The' preeminent audio brand for residential, professional and personal listening use." Audiovox says that Klipsch will still be running as a standalone operation and that the current management will remain in place. Source: PR NewswirePosted Mon Feb 7, 2011 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
Blockbuster Express Launching 3,000 New Kiosks in 2011[teaser]“We feel good about what we learned in 2010"[/teaser] Blockbuster has been hit hard in the last couple of years. With the popularity of Netflix and Redbox constantly growing, renters have abandoned that once giant chain. They're feeling good about 2011 though, and are deploying 3,000 new kiosks to add to the 8,000 already in the wild. Blockbuster seems to see kiosks as the future, and has had some success with most of their existing kiosks. "We are either addressing site issues or redeploying machines that did not show up to have the rental foot traffic we had expected," says Blockbuster's John Bruno. Bruno also says that the premium rentals for newer titles has paid off, surpassing the company's expectations. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Feb 7, 2011 at 07:30 AM PST by:
