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VIZIO Releases 2018 P-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV[teaser]The company's premium 4K TV is now available for purchase.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the launch of its flagship 2018 65-inch P-Series Quantum 4K HDR Smart TV. The PQ65-F1 is now available for an MSRP of $2,100 from retailers like Best Buy, Costco, and Sam's Club. The P-Series Quantum 4K HDR TV features a bezel-less design with 4K Ultra HD resolution and Active Full Array Max powered by 192 zones of local dimming. Likewise, the set includes support for Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats with UltraBright 2,000 for up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness and advanced Quantum Color Spectrum technology with a quantum dot film to offer close to 100% P3 wide color gamut coverage and about 82% coverage for the Rec. 2020 gamut. And unlike the company's 2017 display lineup, VIZIO's 2018 models do include TV tuners. In addition, the display uses VIZIO's SmartCast OS with integrated access to popular apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Vudu, iHeartRadio, Crackle and Xumo directly through the TV screen using the included remote. Meanwhile, customers can also download the free SmartCast Mobile app to use their smartphone as a touchscreen remote, and Google Chromecast built-in allows users to cast thousands of Chromecast-enabled apps to the display from their supported mobile device. Finally, voice-control support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant is offered as well. Order from Best Buy "The P-Series Quantum combines the best VIZIO picture quality technologies and wraps them in a beautifully modern aesthetic," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "With up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness, 192 zones of local dimming and advanced quantum dot technology, viewers enjoy the ideal blend of brightness, contrast and color for a home-theater experience that rivals the cinema. Our 2018 SmartCast OS opens the door to an expansive collection of streaming options while also allowing the P-Series Quantum to fit seamlessly into Amazon and Google smart home ecosystems thanks to voice-control support." Beyond the new P-Series Quantum, VIZIO also recently launched its 2018 E-Series, M-Series, and P-Series 4K HDR TV lineups. Source: VIZIOPosted Tue Jul 24, 2018 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
Samsung Readies Production for "The Wall" Modular MicroLED 4K Display[teaser]The company is prepping mass production for its 146-inch MicroLED display. [/teaser] According to a report from The Korea Herald, Samsung is gearing up to begin production for its giant MicroLED screen dubbed "The Wall." Though pricing has still not been confirmed, mass production is expected to commence in September. Samsung's The Wall is a next-gen 146-inch 4K display. Using a modular MicroLED design based on the tech used in the company's commercial Cinema Screens, the display features self-emitting picture technology with micrometer (µm) scale LEDs that do not require a backlight or color filters. As a result, the screen is capable of achieving incredible contrast, deep black levels, high color volume, and close-to-perfect viewing angles. In addition, the screen's modular, bezel-free construction allows users to make the TV larger (up to 146-inches) or smaller by adding or removing modules in any configuration with no impact on performance. Likewise, customers can also reconfigure the modules to match whatever aspect ratio they desire. The Wall measures 80mm thick and is initially being geared toward the luxury market and businesses like hotels, shops, stadiums, museums, and convention centers. A thinner, more household friendly version is also being developed. This model is slated to launch in 2019 and is expected to measure 30mm thick or less. Samsung has not announced a price point for The Wall just yet, but Han Jong-hee, Samsung's Head of Visual Display Business, has stated that the MSRP won't be as high as some have predicted. Likewise, costs are expected to go down once production increases and the 30mm model launches. While a full verdict on the screen will have to wait until the final version is released, we got to demo The Wall display at CES 2018 and a Samsung Launch Event earlier this year, and came away very impressed. Based on our initial impressions, MicroLED tech is poised to merge the deep blacks and wide viewing angles found on OLED panels with the higher brightness and reduced risk of burn-in associated with LCD tech, offering a next-gen 4K HDR display that seemingly combines the best of both worlds. Sources: The Korea Herald, ZDNET via EngadgetPosted Mon Jul 23, 2018 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: GeForce NOW Launches on NVIDIA Shield TV, Corning Reveals Gorilla Glass 6, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including GeForce NOW support for Shield TV, Corning's latest Gorilla Glass for mobile devices, and more.[/teaser] From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed. For this edition, we're covering the launch of the GeForce NOW beta for NVIDIA Shield TV, the reveal of Corning's Gorilla Glass 6, and the arrival of new features for the DTS Play-Fi Headphones app. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: GeForce NOW Service Launches on NVIDIA Shield TV NVIDIA has announced the launch of its GeForce NOW platform on Shield TV devices. The streaming game service allows users to play high-end titles without expensive high-end gear. GeForce NOW is a cloud-based video game service that can stream games from premium GeForce-powered PC rigs to a user's NVIDIA Shield TV, allowing customers to play games with premium graphics on lower-end hardware. The service includes access to a selection of free titles, along with the option to play PC games a user already owns or the ability to purchase new titles from digital stores like Steam and Uplay. In addition, the platform features cloud saves and cross-play support on laptops and desktops, allowing customers to play games exactly where they left off on different devices. Beyond GeForce NOW, the Shield TV features video streaming support for up to 4K HDR content at 60 FPS, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS-X surround sound pass-through over HDMI and high-resolution audio playback up to 24-bit/192 kHz over HDMI and USB. Under the hood, the device is powered by an NVIDIA Tegra X1 processor with a 256-core GPU and 3 GB RAM running Android 7.0. Supported services include Amazon, Netflix, YouTube, Google Play Movies, VUDU, Plex, and more. In addition, the system offers robust gaming capabilities, voice search, and several AI functions. The standard 16GB Shield TV model with remote and gaming controller is on sale now for $180, and the step-up 500GB Shield TV Pro model is available for $299. Sources: NVIDIA, Engadget Corning Reveals Gorilla Glass 6 Corning has detailed its latest advancement in mobile cover glass technology. The company's new Gorilla Glass 6 offers even more robust durability compared to previous versions, helping to prevent smartphone screens from shattering. "As consumers become more dependent on their smartphones, the opportunity for potentially damaging drops is also on the rise. Now more than ever, it’s critical that the cover glass provides outstanding protection," said John Bayne, vice president and general manager, Corning Gorilla Glass. "Corning Gorilla Glass 6 improves upon Gorilla® Glass 5 by surviving drops from higher heights, but, more importantly, has been engineered to survive multiple drops." Designed for next-gen smartphones, Gorilla Glass 6 uses new material specially engineered to better survive multiple drops. According to Corning's lab tests, Gorilla Glass 6 survived 15 drops from 1 meter onto rough surfaces. In addition, since manufacturers are now starting to produce phones with glass backs as well, Corning has developed the new cover glass to be uniquely suited for such use. "In addition to addressing drop height and drop frequency, Gorilla Glass 6 was also developed to meet the requirements of modern designs that use glass for more than 85 percent of the enclosure. With both its aesthetic and performance advantages, glass is on the right side of the technology curve and will continue to be the material of choice for mobile consumer electronics," said Scott Forester, division vice president, Marketing and Innovation Products, Corning Gorilla Glass. Specific devices set to use Gorilla Glass 6 have not been announced yet, but the material is expected to reach the market in the next several months. Source: Corning DTS Expands Play-Fi Headphones App to Android & Adds New Features Following the recent release of the Play-Fi Headphones app for iOS devices, DTS has announced the launch of Android support as well. Likewise, the company has detailed several new features users can now take advantage of. With the DTS Play-Fi Headphones app, users can stream audio over Wi-Fi that is playing on any DTS Play-Fi-supported device to any pair of headphones connected to a phone or tablet. Up to four listeners can join an audio streaming session and individual users can adjust their own volume levels when using the app in tandem with Play-Fi’s whole-home TV audio streaming feature. Here's a rundown of new features recently added to the app per DTS: - Recent Activities: The DTS Play-Fi app (both iOS and Android) now remembers the last several audio sessions that were played, including audio source, rooms played in, and volume levels, so users can quickly select a previous session and get back to streaming. Tap the + icon and tap “Recents” to see them. - Preset Activities: In addition to viewing recent audio sessions, users can now save them as a preset via the app for quicker selection in the future. Tap on the Presets button on the Now Playing screen or the Zone module to save whatever is playing. Then tap the + icon and tap Presets to see, edit, and recall them. Presets can recall the music service, station, linked speakers, volume levels, repeat, and random settings. - Play Queue for Media Servers: Available on the DTS Play-Fi Android app, users can now create and edit a queue in a media server when selecting tracks, albums, and more. - Global Play Queue: Available on the DTS Play-Fi iOS app, users can now create and edit a queue across track-based services, as well as from the phone/tablet music or a media server. DTS Play-Fi products currently compatible with the Headphones app include smart speakers, sound bars, and receivers from companies like Definitive Technology, Klipsch, McIntosh, Onkyo, Pioneer, and more. For a full list click here. Source: DTSPosted Fri Jul 20, 2018 at 10:00 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Star Trek: Discovery,' 'Iron Fist,' and More[teaser]The U.S.S. Discovery is setting a course for CBS All Access in 2019.[/teaser] Netflix, CBS All Access, Hulu, and Amazon have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Star Trek: Discovery Season Two (CBS All Access, Early 2019) - Discover the next adventure of Starfleet. Watch the first look trailer of the highly anticipated season two premiere of Star Trek: Discovery, which makes its epic return to CBS All Access in early 2019! Premiered at Comic-Con International in San Diego during the series' Hall H panel with cast and executive producers, this trailer previews the continued voyage of the U.S.S. Discovery and its crew's mission to discover new worlds and new life forms. Iliza: Elder Millennial (Netflix, July 24) - Filmed February 23, 2018, aboard the USS Hornet, comedian Iliza Shlesinger brings an ‘elder millennial’ perspective to her audience. Recently engaged, she dives into undeniable truths about life at age 35. Looking back at the insanity of the road traveled and what’s to come, Iliza talks first apartments, a woman's inner she dragon, peacock mating calls, and her newfound urge to squeeze a chubby baby leg. All About The Washingtons (Netflix, August 10) - World-wide rapper superstar Joey Washington (Joseph ‘Rev Run’ Simmons) is retiring from the hip hop game. With dad now home to hold down the fort, it’s Mama Justine’s (Justine Simmons) time to shine, fulfilling her lifelong dream of becoming an entrepreneur. Catch Joey and Justine as they explore new family dynamics with the Washington kids, coding teacher Veronica (Kiana Ledé), music producer Wesley (Nathan Anderson), child genius Skyler (Leah Rose Randall), and young Daevon (Maceo Smedley). Insatiable (Netflix, August 10) - A dark, twisted revenge comedy starring Debby Ryan, Dallas Roberts, and Alyssa Milano. For years, Patty (Debby Ryan) has been bullied, ignored, and underestimated by those around her because of her weight. But now that she finds herself suddenly thin, Patty is out for payback against anyone who has ever made her feel bad about herself. Bob Armstrong (Dallas Roberts), a disgraced attorney whose true passion is coaching beauty pageant contestant, is the only one who sees Patty’s potential, and takes her under his wing -- first as a legal client, and then as a pageant contestant whom he coaches toward becoming the top pageant queen in the country. But Bob and his wife Coralee (Alyssa Milano) have no idea how deep Patty’s rage goes, or how far she will go to exact revenge on anyone who has ever wronged her. Bullies beware: payback’s a bitch, revenge is sweet, and if you cross Patty, you’ll be her next treat. Ghoul (Netflix, August 24) - From the makers of Insidious, Get Out and Udta Punjab - Ghoul is a chilling series about a prisoner who arrives at a remote military interrogation centre and turns the tables on his interrogators, exposing their most shameful secrets. You can fight the demons of this world but what about the ones that aren't? Marvel’s Iron Fist: Season 2 (Netflix, September 7) - Billionaire Danny Rand (Finn Jones) returns to New York City after being missing for years, trying to reconnect with his past and his family legacy. He fights against the criminal element corrupting New York City with his kung-fu mastery and ability to summon the awesome power of the fiery Iron Fist. Lore - Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video, October 19) - From an executive producer of The Walking Dead and an executive producer of The Exorcist, this season of the critically acclaimed anthology series will explore real-life frightening and disturbing tales that give rise to modern-day myths and legends. Season two will feature new tales based on the award-winning podcast as well as original stories not yet available in podcast form. Homecoming (Amazon Prime Video, November 22) - Heidi Bergman is a caseworker at Homecoming, a Geist Group facility helping soldiers transition to civilian life. Years later she has started a new life, living with her mother and working as a waitress, when a Department of Defense auditor questions why she left the Homecoming facility. Heidi quickly realizes that there’s a whole other story behind the story she’s been telling herself. Casual: The Final Season (Hulu, July 31) - From the Academy Award Nominated Director of “Up in the Air” and “Juno” comes Casual, a new comedy series about a bachelor brother and his newly divorced sister living under one roof again. Together, they coach each other through the crazy world of dating while raising her teenage daughter. Created by Zander Lehmann, Casual is executive produced by Jason Reitman, Zander Lehmann, Helen Estabrook, and Liz Tigelaar. Minding the Gap (Hulu, August 17) - Compiling over 12 years of footage shot in his hometown of Rockford, IL, Bing Liu searches for correlations between his skateboarder friends' turbulent upbringings and the complexities of modern-day masculinity. As the film unfolds, Bing captures 23-year-old Zack’s tumultuous relationship with his girlfriend deteriorate after the birth of their son and 17-year-old Keire struggling with his racial identity as he faces new responsibilities following the death of his father. While navigating a difficult relationship between his camera, his friends, and his own past, Bing ultimately weaves a story of generational forgiveness while exploring the precarious gap between childhood and adulthood. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current CBS All Access subscription costs $5.99 per month with reduced commercials or $9.99 per month for a commercial-free plan. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Fri Jul 20, 2018 at 06:15 PM PDT by: -
Atmos Arrives! tvOS 12 Makes the Apple TV 4K The Best Streaming Device EverUPDATE 8/20/18: Apple has continued to improve tvOS 12 Beta, giving us our first look at Dolby Atmos in iTunes, as well as fixing stability issues. We've updated this article throughout to reflect these updates. [Teaser]Dolby Atmos is finally available on the Apple TV 4K and it's everything you want it to be... or will be once Apple and their partners fix a few beta bugs.[/Teaser] When HDD Team Member, Bryan Kluger, reviewed the Apple TV 4K last September, he was impressed by its power, performance, and convenience. But there were frame-rate issues, most apps lacked native 4K + HDR support and, of course, there was no word on whether the device would ever include Dolby Atmos, an ultra-immersive hemispherical surround sound format we've enjoyed on Blu-rays, 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, and other 4K streaming devices like the Roku Ultra. The challenge, of course, is that Apple prefers closed ecosystems. For example, the Apple TV 4K debuted without the ability to match dynamic range or frame rate to the content -- instead favoring only your TV's best HDR and frame-rate capabilities -- because Apple wanted the overall experience to be clean and seamless. Cinephiles and home theater enthusiasts spoke up -- native 24fps movies look bad at 60fps -- and Apple brought out a patch. For similar reasons, Apple TVs haven't offered traditional audio bit-streaming -- ie, passing through audio mixes to your AV Receiver or sound bar for decoding -- since Apple preferred the seamlessness of internal decoding OR decoding-then-re-encoding. But Dolby Atmos soundtracks can't be internally decoded. Dolby Atmos requires an AV Receiver because the Atmos decoder needs to know how many speakers and subwoofers you have and how they're arranged in your room. tvOS 12 adds Dolby Atmos capability to the Apple TV 4K by internally decoding Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital Plus mixes and bit-streaming only Dolby Atmos mixes. While the full version won't launch until September, the public beta is available now and you can try it, along with other public betas, out yourself by enrolling any of your tvOS, iOS, or macOS devices, if you so choose. Please be aware, though, that it's a lot of fun to test things out early, but you may lose some app compatibility and functionality. How To Update Your Apple TV 4K's tvOS Once you've enrolled your Apple TV 4K in the public beta program, it's as simple as going to Settings >>>> System >>>> Software Updates >>>> set Get Beta Updates to ON >>>> Update Software. If you're already enrolled and have Automatically Update turned ON, your current firmware version is listed both on the Software Update page as well as under General >>>> About. If you see tvOS 12.0, you're ready to go. Our tvOS Beta Demo The Apple TV 4K product page lists nine Dolby Atmos titles as coming soon -- iTunes movies Ready Player One, Paddington 2, Blade Runner 2049, Justice League, The LEGO Batman Movie, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, as well as Netflix Originals Mudbound, Lost in Space, and Altered Carbon. Seven movies and two TV series may not seem like a glut of Atmos soundtracks, but I suspect there will be more and what's most exciting is that Netflix is expanding its Atmos support beyond Xbox, Windows 10, and LG OLEDs. Unfortunately, at this time in the beta test, Netflix and iTunes aren't isn't offering Atmos. For its part, Netflix still says 5.1 on all of its titles that should be in Atmos. And, while Blade Runner 2049 listed "Dolby Digital Atmos" as its audio format in iTunes, it's still internally decoded 5.1 and sent to my AVR as PCM. (small update: the image pictured to the right changed after I captured it, and it now says 5.1 under Languages.) 8/20/18 UPDATE: While Netflix remains Atmos-free on the Apple TV 4K, over a dozen Dolby Atmos movies are now listed in iTunes. Most fascinating, Apple differs from Vudu, offering Dolby Atmos along with HD streams (I confirmed this via Gravity and The Greatest Showman) as well as with 4K HDR and 4K Dolby Vision titles (Mad Max Fury Road, etc.). In other words, Apple appears to be launching Dolby Atmos as a resolution-agnostic feature, so even if you don't have a 4K TV or when a movie's not available in 4K, you can enjoy hemispherical surround sound. (You will need an Apple TV 4K, though.) The only remaining bug is that some titles are listed as having Atmos when they are still playing in 5.1 or 7.1. In terms of sound quality, my thoughts with the iTunes Dolby Atmos mixes match my thoughts on Vudu, discussed below. Overall, it's very good for lossy DD+ audio, but disc-based lossless Dolby Atmos retains an edge in terms of dynamic range and fidelity. Vudu UHD, which was already available with Dolby Vision or HDR10, also boasts a large catalog of Dolby Atmos movies available to demo right now! I dove into my growing UHD collection, bouncing from A Quiet Place to Pacific Rim to Wonder Woman to Kong: Skull Island to Fury Road to The Last Jedi to Black Panther before, finally, settling in on an extended demo of Blade Runner 2049. I'm happy to not only report that Dolby Atmos appeared on my AV Receiver's front display for every title I checked, but also that everything sounded as it should. Blending world-building immersion, aggressive sound effects panning, and Hans Zimmers LFE-heavy score elements, the Blade Runner 2049 mix is dynamic and authoritative. And if you don't do an a-to-b demo comparing streaming Atmos (which uses a lossy Dolby Digital Plus base) vs disc Atmos (which uses the lossless Dolby TrueHD), you might not know you're listening to lossy audio. I have a pair of Klipsch RF-7 III speakers, which cost $1,800 each, in for review right now. They're not the best Klipsch speakers I've ever heard (they spoiled us at CES 2018), but the RF-7 IIIs are quick to highlight flat, lossy audio with poor compression. And, whenever I demo Dolby Atmos via Vudu -- be it a TV, Roku Ultra, or now the Apple TV 4K -- it sounds almost lossless. 8/20/18 UPDATE: Having used tvOS 12 Beta for a while now, I'm happy to report the instances of app freezing and crashing has all-but-disappeared. My only remaining critique is simply wondering when Netflix and Amazon will support Dolby Atmos too. While the Dolby Atmos tracks I tested sounded good, the overall beta experience is extremely buggy. My Vudu app crashed multiple times and, if I exited a movie without pausing it first, the movie's audio would keep playing over various menu screens or even over the next movie selected. Then it froze. And crashed. Restarting the Apple TV 4K seemed to help. On another occasion, I paused the movie and went to get a drink and, when I came back, I couldn't un-pause it. Then it froze. And crashed. My advice, if you do this beta? Make sure you always pause a movie before going back to the Home screen or the Vudu menu, but not too long. I also wasn't in love with the video quality, noticing some banding I don't typically see when watching my Roku Ultra. I'm not sure what caused this, but we'll make sure to continue testing and follow up on everything once the beta turns into the public version. Lastly, I revisited the Amazon Prime app (fka Amazon Instant Video), which gives Prime members access to their digital libraries as well as movies and TV shows included with the service. You can also rent movies from Amazon, but you have to set up the rental via the web rather than in the app. Amazon Prime initially debuted on the Apple TV 4K last December, but didn't offer HDR. I'm happy to report most Prime Originals (and some third-party movies) are available in 4K + HDR10 and they look great, but the audio is a disaster. Forget Dolby Atmos, the app appears limited to stereo sound and there are some serious sync issues and audio delays that make watching Amazon Prime impossible at times. How To Find Dolby Atmos Content on an Apple TV 4K When tvOS 12 launches to the public, iTunes, Netflix, Vudu (and possibly Amazon sometime this year) will offer Dolby Atmos movies and TV shows. To check the native format(s) of anything you're already watching on the Apple TV 4K, simply swipe downwards on the Apple TV remote to see an Info menu where you'll see resolution, HDR, and audio information. Also, here's how you can figure out whether or not a title is available in Dolby Atmos while browsing: In iTunes aka Movies, select a specific movie and you'll see Dolby Atmos listed next to the video resolution and HDR status. Again, Dolby Atmos is working with HD, 4K HDR, and 4K Dolby Vision titles. In Netflix, select a specific movie and Netflix list both the video and audio formats next to the movie's poster & description. For video, you'll see HD (1080p), Ultra HD (4K in standard dynamic range), HDR (HDR10), or a Dolby Vision logo. For Audio, you'll see nothing (stereo), 5.1, or a Dolby Atmos logo. In Vudu, you first need to make sure you set the Playback Quality to 4K UHD under Settings. If you don't, the app will default to HDX, which is limited to 5.1 or 7.1 audio. Then, select a specific movie and scroll down to More Info where you'll typically see Dolby Atmos listed next to a film's HDR formats. Generally speaking, if a movie or TV show isn't available in Ultra HD aka 4K, it likely won't have Dolby Atmos audio. Should I Get tvOS 12 Public Beta? 8/20/18 UPDATE: Yes. Dolby Atmos may not be fully supported everywhere, but I'd say tvOS 12 Beta is very close to its public release. I've found the whole thing stable and the audio performance upgrades a joy. Definitely check it out. I wouldn't recommend it just yet unless you have a lot of Vudu UHD movies and are an Atmos diehard. As experienced, tvOS 12 is extremely buggy at the moment, with major app-crashing and audio sync issues. And, with iTunes and Netflix still waiting in the wings, there's only one app with Dolby Atmos to demo. If those issues change or you're curious, you should definitely check it out. Final Thoughts While tvOS 12 Beta was the buggiest tvOS beta I had ever experienced, it's a lot more stable, and Dolby Atmos is available on both iTunes & Vudu. There are some inaccuracies in the iTunes menu, but I'm willing to give Apple the benefit of the doubt that they'll have it cleaned up soon. Without all the bugs of the early Beta, and even with a few typos and missing features, the Apple TV 4K has already become the best 4K streaming device and ecosystem available to buy in 2018. Compared to the Roku Ultra and most Smart TV OS platforms, the Apple TV 4K is simply faster and cleaner than all of its competitors while, of course, offering what's currently the largest selection of Dolby Vision and HDR content. Add in Dolby Atmos, and it's everything a 4K streaming enthusiast could need... unless you're heavily invested in Google or Microsoft streaming and/or don't have access to fast Broadband. But, if you're an iTunes, Netflix, Vudu, and/or Amazon customer, it's the current best of the best. Or will be soon.Posted Thu Jul 19, 2018 at 02:54 PM PDT by: -
DC Universe Streaming Platform Debuts Trailer for 'Titans' and Announces Subscription Pricing[teaser]Annual memberships for the upcoming DC streaming platform are now available for pre-order.[/teaser] Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have announced pricing for their upcoming DC Universe digital entertainment service. A one-year membership for the subscription streaming platform is now available for pre-order for $75 via DCUniverse.com. Meanwhile, monthly subscriptions will cost $8 per month once the service launches in fall 2018. And to help celebrate the news, DC Universe has also released the first trailer for its live-action original series Titans. Check out the trailer below! Titans follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and loveable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes. Beyond Titans, DC Universe will feature several exclusive original live-action and animated series based on DC Comics characters, along with classic TV series and films, a curated selection of digital comic books, breaking news, a DC-centric encyclopedia, and access to exclusive merchandise. Additional original shows set to debut on the platform will include a live-action series based on the Doom Patrol comic, a live-action show based on the Swamp Thing character, a continuation of the Young Justice animated series dubbed Young Justice: Outsiders, and a new animated Harley Quinn show. DC Universe will launch in the US this fall on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, web, and mobile web devices. In addition, a beta launch for the service is scheduled to go live in August. Fans can sign up for the beta here. Source: DC ComicsPosted Thu Jul 19, 2018 at 01:20 PM PDT by: -
Klipsch Details Heritage Theater Bar[teaser]The high performance passive sound bar is now available.[/teaser] Klipsch has announced the release of its latest Heritage series audio device. The new Heritage Theater Bar blends classic design with modern tech. The sound bar features three channel support with left, center, and right channels. With that said, this is a passive speaker device so users will need a separate amplifier or receiver to power it. Under the hood, the sound bar uses Tractrix horn technology and titanium tweeters. The standard model measures 49.5" wide making it an ideal match for 55-inch TVs. In addition, customized versions are also available with width options up to 80", four furniture-grade wood veneer finishes, raw and primed for paint versions, and a choice of four removable grille cloth types. Here's a full rundown of key specs per Klipsch: - Black Ash/Walnut Real-Wood Finishes- Low-Profile Wall-Mounting System- Exclusive 90x90 Tractrix® Horn-Loaded Technology- Three 3/4" Linear Travel Suspension Tweeters- Six 4" Cerametallic™ Woofers- 49.5" Wide- Passive Speakers (Amplifier/Receiver Required)- Frequency Response: 95Hz – 20kHz +/- 3 dB, -10db @ 75Hz- Sensitivity: 92dB @ 2.83V/1M- Maximum Continuous Output: 108 dB (114 dB peak)- Power Handling (NOM./PEAK): 75W / 300 W- Rec. Amplifier Power: 50W – 150W- Nominal Impedance: 8 ohms compatible- Crossover: 2,800 Hz The standard 49.5" Klipsch Heritage Bar is now available for an MSRP of $2,199 in an American Walnut or Satin Black Ash wood veneer finish and a black knit grille cloth. Meanwhile, custom models from 49.5" to 65" run $2,699, and custom models from 65.1" to 80" cost $2,999. Sources: Klipsch, AVS ForumPosted Thu Jul 19, 2018 at 10:45 AM PDT by: -
LG's "B&Binge" Contest Will Transport Winners into the World of a Netflix Show[teaser]Winners will be able to binge watch shows in specially themed locations.[/teaser] LG has announced the launch of its "B&Binge" contest, offering fans the chance to win a trip to binge watch select Netflix series in show-themed settings like a palace or a yacht. "TV today has become such an immersive experience. Viewers form deeply ingrained connections to the characters, settings and plots," said Michelle Fernandez, head of home entertainment marketing, LG Electronics USA. "With this campaign, they'll be able to see, hear and feel the same things their favorite characters encounter. Our goal is to celebrate this new form of viewership and offer Serious Watchers much more than just a front row seat by placing them in the center of the action." The "B&Binge" contest will recreate iconic settings tied to The Crown, Arrested Development, and a third mystery Netflix series. Winners will then receive a two-night stay at one of the three locations where they can watch the show in question on 2018 LG 4K OLED TVs while being fully immersed in the atmosphere of the series -- complete with Easter eggs and memorabilia scattered around the room. Here's a full rundown of the different experiences fans can enter to win per LG: Arrested Development - Live like a Bluth aboard a yacht inspired by the Lucille, the Bluth's infamous yacht. Whereas Gob previously sunk the Lucille as part of one of his "illusions," this yacht is above water and safely anchored at the Marina in Los Angeles. Never nudes welcome. The entry period is open now and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on August 12. Winners will be announced on or around August 24. The Crown - Relive the royal drama from a palace in Yorkshire, England fit for a Queen or King. Royals know no needs and neither shall you; a butler will be there to attend to your needs. There will be royal garb fittings, royal etiquette boot camp, and afternoon tea shall be served promptly at 3 o'clock. The entry period is open now and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on August 26. Winners will be announced on or around September 7. Mystery Binge - This final location will involve a full sensory experience and is not for the faint of heart. Located in the depths of New England, winners will leave questioning if only seeing is believing. The entry period is open now and ends at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 27. Winners will be announced on or around October 12. Interested parties can find more details on how to enter the contest by visiting www.lg.com/us/bnbinge. Two grand prize winners will be selected for each location and each winner will be able to bring a guest. Source: LG via PR Newswire, LGPosted Wed Jul 18, 2018 at 11:25 AM PDT by: -
Steve Harrington Heads to the Mall in 'Stranger Things' Season 3 Teaser[teaser]The Starcourt Mall is coming to Hawkins, Indiana![/teaser] Netflix has released a playful promo video for the upcoming third season of Stranger Things. The clip plays out as an advertisement for Hawkins' new shopping mall, complete with an appearance by everyone's favorite baseball bat wielding bad boy turned babysitter, Steve Harrington (Joe Keery). Check out the teaser below! Coming to Hawkins in the Summer of 1985...the Starcourt Mall! Starcourt Mall will be one of the finest shopping facilities in America and beyond with options for the entire family. Including The Gap, Waldenbooks, Sam Goody, Claire's and more! Don't forget to cool off at Scoops Ahoy Ice Cream shop. Starcourt Mall has it all! In addition to Steve, the promo clip also features new cast member Maya Hawke as Robin. Accroding to Netflix, Robin is "an alternative girl who is equal parts sharp and playful. Bored with her mundane day job, she just wants a little excitement in her life... and gets more than she bargained for when she uncovers a dark secret in Hawkins." Stranger Things comes from The Duffer Brothers and stars Winona Ryder, David Harbour, Finn Wolfhard, Noah Schnapp, Millie Bobby Brown, Caleb McLaughlin, Gaten Matarazzo, Cara Buono, Natalia Dyer, Charlie Heaton, Joe Keery, Dacre Montgomery, and Sadie Sink. Plot details and a release date for the new season have not been announced yet, but seasons one and two are now available to stream through Netflix. In addition, the first season is also available on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), NetflixPosted Tue Jul 17, 2018 at 02:55 PM PDT by: -
Yamaha Announces RX-S602 Slimline AV Receiver with Alexa & MusicCast Support[teaser]The new receiver features a compact design.[/teaser] Yamaha has revealed its latest home audio component. The RX-S602 Slimline AV Receiver offers 5.1 channel support, voice control compatibility via an external Alexa device, MusicCast Surround wireless playback, and more. "The RX-S602 makes powerful surround sound a reality for those living in a limited amount of space," said Robert Goedken, general manager, AV division, Yamaha Corporation of America. "With MusicCast Surround capability, in addition to Alexa voice-control, this slimline receiver opens up a broad range of wireless options for the compact home audio setup." The receiver features a slim design with a height under 4.5", allowing for more versatile placement options in tighter spaces. Traditional wired 5.1 channel support is integrated as well, along with Yamaha's MusicCast Surround wireless technology. Building upon the company's MusicCast wireless multi-room audio platform, the MusicCast Surround feature enables users to configure 5.1-channel surround sound systems with wired front channel speakers and wireless MusicCast 20 or MusicCast 50 surround speakers. In addition, the RX-S602 offers Alexa voice control compatibility when paired with an Alexa-enabled device like an Amazon Echo or Echo Dot. And when it comes to video pass-through, the receiver supports 4K video at 60 frames/second and HDR (high dynamic range) formats like HDR10, Dolby Vision, and Hybrid Log-Gamma. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Apple AirPlay, and Spotify Connect are featured as well, along with access to built-in streaming services like Pandora, SiriusXM Internet Radio, TIDAL, Deezer, Napster, and thousands of free internet radio stations through the MusicCast app. Finally, YPAO auto-calibration and Cinema DSP tech are also integrated. The Yamaha RX-S602 Slimline 5.1-Channel AV Receiver is set to launch in August for an MSRP of $649.95. Source: YamahaPosted Tue Jul 17, 2018 at 10:00 AM PDT by:
