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Sling TV Launches A La Carte Channel Options and Free Content Selection[teaser]The streaming TV service has revealed several new features.[/teaser] Sling TV has announced the addition of à la carte channels and services, along with a selection of free content for returning customers without a current subscription. With that said, the company has also enacted a $5 price increase for its Orange subscription plan, bringing the monthly cost to $25. "When we first launched Sling in 2015, we set out to create an entertainment experience that put our customers first, offering unprecedented flexibility and control – no annual contracts, no hidden fees and the ability to customize programming," said Warren Schlichting, president of Sling TV. "The new Sling evolves the experience even further by providing access to great content without anchoring customers to a base subscription." With Sling TV's new à la carte options, customers can pay for select channels and on-demand services on their own without needing any kind of base Sling TV subscription. In addition, users can now buy movies and PPV events like boxing matches and UFC fights as one-time purchases without signing up for a Sling TV base subscription. The current crop of à la carte offerings include: - Showtime: $10 per month- CuriosityStream: $6 per month- Stingray Karaoke: $7 per month- Dove Channel: $5 per month- Outside TV Features: $5 per month- Up Faith & Family: $5 per month- Pantaya: $6 per month- NBA League Pass: $28.99 per month Meanwhile, returning customers who no longer have an active subscription can now access more than 100 hours of free content from channels like TBS, HGTV, and HISTORY without restarting their memberships. Free titles at launch include Wrecked, The Detour, Good Behavior, Flip or Flop, and more. These new Sling TV features are now available via the Sling TV app on Roku devices. Support for more devices will be added in the near future. Finally, the company has also upped its Orange subscription price to $25 per month. The plan includes access to over 30 live channels like AMC, Comedy Central, the History Channel, ESPN, CNN, and HGTV. New customers can now sign up for a 7-day free trial, and the updated pricing will go into effect for existing subscribers on their August bill. Sources: Sling TV 1, Sling TV 2, EngadgetPosted Thu Jun 28, 2018 at 01:25 PM PDT by: -
TCL Expands TV Business to Canadian Market[teaser]The brand is set to bring its TV business to Canada.[/teaser] TCL has announced plans to enter the Canadian TV market in Q3 2018. The Chinese electronics company currently offers several affordable 4K Roku TV models in the US. Steven Abrams, former National Director of Sales for Funai Corporation Inc, has been named as Director of Business Development in Canada. "We are thrilled about the Canadian market opportunity and look forward to bringing our successful TCL Roku TV models to Canada in Q3. In the first quarter of 2018, TCL held the #2 position by units sold in the U.S. and we look forward to replicating our successes in Canada," said Chris Larson, Senior Vice President, TCL North America. "TCL is fortunate to have such a talented, well-seasoned leader like Steven join the team. His vast experience and knowledge, both in the Canadian market and consumer electronics space, will help us maintain our rapid growth while launching the brand into new territory and mirror our booming television business in North America for a stronger worldwide presence." TCL's 2018 lineup is led by the company's flagship 55-inch and 65-inch 6-Series 4K Roku TV lineup. The displays feature Dolby Vision and HDR10 support, along with the Roku OS smart TV platform. In addition, the sets use Contrast Control Zone Technology with 96 dimming zones on the 55-inch model and 120 dimming zones on the 65-inch model. Likewise, the panels use NBP Photon technology with LED phosphors to provide Wide Color Gamut support. A new iPQ Engine is implemented as well to maximize coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut and provide accurate color settings right out of the box. An HDR Pro Gamma feature is also offered to maintain details in dark and bright scenes regardless of a room's lighting conditions. Finally, each TV features a bold, brushed metal finish and includes the new Roku TV Voice Remote. "As a global leader in technology, TCL has successfully positioned itself as a major contender within North America in just a few short years due to its integrated supply chain and massive worldwide scale for incredible value without compromise. My goal is to further solidify TCL's spot as one of the top three TV brands in the world," said Abrams. "I'm excited to come on board and continue the company’s phenomenal achievements by helping to make the TCL name a trusted one here in Canada. Hopefully soon, the fastest-growing TV brand in the U.S. will be the fastest-growing television brand in North America!" Source: TCL via PR NewswirePosted Thu Jun 28, 2018 at 12:10 PM PDT by: -
Warner Bros. Sets Fall Launch for DC Universe Streaming Service[teaser]The DC streaming platform is set go live this fall.[/teaser] Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment have officially announced a Fall 2018 launch window and August beta trial for the upcoming DC Universe digital entertainment service. The subscription streaming platform 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. "Developing new ways for consumers to access some of our most popular and iconic brands and franchises as well as exclusive new content whenever they want, on the devices they choose, is one of our studio's top priorities," said Craig Hunegs, president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks. "The DC UNIVERSE platform gives fans a place to tailor their experience and build a direct relationship with DC in a way they never could before." Exclusive shows set to debut on the platform will include a live-action Teen Titans series called Titans, a live-action show based on the Doom Patrol comic, a live-action series 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. In addition, users will also be able to access various DC superhero films during exclusive streaming windows, including the four original Superman movies and several animated films like Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox and Green Lantern: First Flight. Likewise, classic TV shows will also be available to stream, including the first two seasons of Batman: The Animated Series and the original Wonder Woman series. Here's a full rundown of the exclusive shows set to arrive on the service per DC: Titans (Live Action, 2018) - 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. Doom Patrol (Live Action, 2019) - A reimagining of one of DC’s strangest group of outcasts: Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Woman and Crazy Jane. Led by the mysterious Dr. Niles Caulder, they're called into action by the ultimate hero for the digital age, Cyborg. Banding together these rejects find themselves on a mission that will take them to the weirdest and most unexpected corners of the DC Universe. Swamp Thing (Live Action, 2019) - Follows Abby Arcane as she investigates what seems to be a deadly swamp-born virus in a small town in Louisiana but soon discovers that the swamp holds mystical and terrifying secrets. When unexplainable and chilling horrors emerge from the murky marsh, no one is safe. Young Justice: Outsiders (Animated, 2019) - Features the return of the fan favorite animated series with a huge cast of DC's most iconic young superheroes - plus brand-new characters, many of whom are just discovering their unique meta-powers and special abilities. Set against the backdrop of a rich, deep world that touches all corners of the DC Universe, the season focuses on meta–trafficking, and an intergalactic arms race for control of these super–powered youths. Harley Quinn (Animated, 2019) - Follows Harley's adventures after she breaks up with the Joker and strikes out on her own in this new adult animated comedy. With the help of Poison Ivy and a ragtag crew of DC castoffs, Harley tries to earn a seat at the biggest table in villainy: the Legion of the Doom. And beyond streaming shows and movies, DC Universe will also offer a Comics Reader with a curated library of DC comic book issues available to read across smartphones, tablets, and TV screens. Likewise, comics can be downloaded for offline reading on mobile devices. In addition, the service will provide the ability to create and share personalized playlists and create personalized user profiles, allowing subscribers to connect with other members. Meanwhile, daily video segments with short-form news, interviews, and previews will also be available, along with a DC encyclopedia full of character and location bios. Finally, subscribers will also have the chance to win premium rewards and will be able to shop for exclusive DC collectibles. "DC UNIVERSE is so much more than a streaming service. It's a welcoming place for everyone to immerse themselves in their own level of DC fandom, with the epic characters, stories, and experiences they have come to expect from DC," said Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher, DC Entertainment. "We are investing in and creating original, high-quality shows including the new Titans series, and curating the most beloved nostalgic content, while at the same time elevating the comic reading experience to new heights. Nothing this robust has ever been offered to fans before." Though pricing has not been announced yet, DC Universe is set to 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. Sources: DC Universe, BusinessWirePosted Thu Jun 28, 2018 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
NES Classic Edition Will Be Back in Stock at Retailers This Week[teaser]Nintendo's retro game console will return to stores later this week.[/teaser] After being discontinued in 2017, the NES Classic Edition is now scheduled to be back in stock at several retailers starting June 29 for an MSRP of $60. The system is designed to look like a mini version of the original Nintendo Entertainment System from the 80s, and comes pre-loaded with a collection of 30 8-bit video games, including titles like Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and The Legend of Zelda. In addition, the package includes an HDMI cable, an AC adapter, and one NES Classic Controller. Best Buy will offer the console on a first-come, first serve basis with a limit of one unit per customer when its stores open on Friday. The company plans to use the same ticketing method it uses on Black Friday if lines form. In addition, a certain number of systems will also be available for purchase through BestBuy.com with the same one unit per customer limit. Meanwhile, according to reports by Gamespot and Slash Gear, GameStop is set to have at least ten units of the NES Classic Edition on sale at each of the company's stores. Systems will also be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis. Likewise, the retailer will have an unknown amount of stock available for purchase through its website and through its subsidiary ThinkGeek as well. Additional retailers like Amazon, Target, and Walmart are also likely to have consoles back in stock for purchase on June 29. And beyond the NES Classic Edition, Nintendo has also released a similar SNES Classic Edition. Both consoles are expected to remain available through the end of the year. Sources: Best Buy, Slash Gear, GamespotPosted Mon Jun 25, 2018 at 02:40 PM PDT by: -
First Look: HDR10+ Streaming[teaser]HDR10+ content is now available through Amazon Prime Video, and we've got some first impressions via Samsung's newest flagship display.[/teaser] Developed in partnership with Samsung, Panasonic, and 20th Century Fox, HDR10+ is a new open, royalty free platform for high dynamic range video and displays. Building upon the static HDR10 format, the tech uses dynamic metadata to adjust brightness levels, color saturation, and contrast on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis, producing images that are closer to the director's intent. HDR10+ support is currently available on Samsung 2017 and 2018 4K HDR TVs via Amazon Prime Video streaming. And since Samsung was kind enough to send over a loaner for their new flagship 65-inch Q9 QLED HDR TV (full review coming soon), we thought we'd offer some first impressions of the format based on what we've seen so far. That said, at the moment, HDR10+ content and devices are still limited to just one streaming service and one manufacturer in the US, which makes direct comparisons to other HDR formats a bit tricky. As such, these impressions are not meant to provide any kind of definitive evaluation of the tech or how it stacks up to other platforms. Instead, this is just meant to serve as our initial reaction to the content that's out there now, and we'll be sure to reevaluate as support expands to more services and devices. Am I Watching HDR10+? According to Amazon, all of Prime Video's HDR movies and shows are now available to stream in HDR10+ on supported Samsung displays. Sadly, however, the company doesn't exactly make it easy to verify this fact. While Amazon's website states that a specific "HDR10+" label is supposed to appear in the video details for applicable titles, this is not actually the case. Instead, customer service confirmed that Prime Video is still just using a universal "HDR" badge for all high dynamic range content regardless of the format. Likewise, the Samsung Q9 doesn't offer any kind of specific indicator that it's playing HDR10+ video either. I know this omission might not seem like a big deal, but given the often subtle yet valuable improvements dynamic metadata can provide over static metadata HDR, OCD home theater enthusiasts like myself can't help but desire a clear indication that the format is indeed coming through correctly on a display. Still, Amazon assured me that all Prime HDR videos do indeed automatically play in HDR10+ on supported Samsung TV models like the 2018 Q9. With that in mind, I checked out a variety of Amazon Prime Original series, including episodes of The Tick, Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams, The Grand Tour, and Mozart in the Jungle, along with Amazon Prime Original movies like Manchester by the Sea and Last Flag Flying. First Impressions In general, all of the content I streamed looked rather gorgeous offering some of the punchiest HDR imagery I've seen on any streaming service, seemingly pushing highlights a bit further than most of the Netflix HDR10 shows I watched on the same TV. Mozart in the Jungle was actually the very first thing I demoed after unpacking the Q9, and the series provided an incredible first impression of the HDR10+ format. Beyond the sharp clarity and crisp fine textures of the 4K stream, contrast was rather striking, resulting in rich blacks and clean, sparkling whites while maintaining detail in shadows and specular highlights. A sequence where Rodrigo conducts an orchestra outdoors in episode 7 of the fourth season was particularly impressive, creating a pleasingly deep and glossy image. The Tick was also a great showcase for the tech, with vivid primaries and a wide range of hues visible in colors. The title character's blue suit was especially vibrant, and peak highlights got so bright they occasionally made me squint. The windows in Arthur's apartment brought intense sunlight to the screen while still offering a less overexposed look than the SDR stream. Various colorful lights on Dangerboat's control terminals glowed with precision while Ms. Lint's electric sparks radiated from the screen without blowing out. The Terror's chainmail costume also appeared to benefit nicely from the process, resulting in a realistic metallic sheen while maintaining visibility of each and every intricate link in the armor. Episodes of Electric Dreams were similarly impressive, with vibrant colors that never bled, inky blacks, and lots of pleasing pop throughout the show's sci-fi settings. In fact, the series' main titles sequence, with its bright neon lights and hues, actually serves as a great HDR10+ showcase all on its own. And though not quite as flashy, The Grand Tour looked simply beautiful as well, with lush primaries and nicely balanced contrast throughout the season's exotic locales. The shade of red on one of the supercars was especially bold, making the SDR stream look pale and washed out in comparison. Meanwhile, Prime movies also seemed to benefit nicely from the format, with Manchester by the Sea employing HDR to bring out a more realistic glow in street lamps and Christmas lights. One shot of a cityscape at night in Last Flag Flying was also particularly impressive, using HDR to heighten the contrast between shadows and lights in buildings. With all that said, though generally great, the HDR10+ content I watched was still not free from a few sporadic flaws and quirks. Most of these issues were likely just a result of the compressed nature of streaming, but some were more in line with common drawbacks usually associated with standard HDR10 playback. Bright gradations in skintone highlights occasionally lacked smoothness on faces, giving them a slightly posterized appearance. This was also true on some Netflix HDR10 streaming shows, but was never an issue with 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays, leading me to believe that it's probably just a result of compression. With that said, faces also had a slightly washed out or blown out quality in a few shots, including a scene where Steve Carell's character sits by a window on a moving train in Last Flag Flying. For what it's worth, this was not the case on an older 2016 entry-level Samsung 4K HDR TV that I own when playing the HDR10 stream. It should be noted, however, that the difference in color performance and nit output between that budget model and the Q9 don't exactly allow for an even comparison. Meanwhile, contrast levels were oddly inconsistent in episode 8 of the fourth season of Mozart in the Jungle, giving some shots an unnaturally flat quality and others a more balanced look within the same sequence, particularly during the scene when Rodrigo and Hailey have tea prepared for them. An odd anomaly also cropped up during the season two premiere of The Grand Tour at around the 14:05 mark involving a strange neon glow on some trees or bushes outside a car window. This fleeting shot also looked a bit odd in the SDR presentation but it's exasperated in HDR. Finally, perhaps most puzzling was an overall dimness to dark scenes in Manchester by the Sea. An early sequence set in a bar and a later scene set in Casey Affleck's bedroom were especially dark, much more so than the SDR stream. And though I think the extended black levels did lend both locations a more realistic atmosphere, background details were definitely crushed in the process, making it hard to see the characters' clothes and the rest of the room behind them. Likewise, pumping up the display's brightness in these scenes introduced compression artifacts and a weird flickering effect in shadows. For very rough comparisons sake, the HDR10 stream on my older Samsung was not as dim and instead offered more visible background detail -- which is odd, because dynamic metadata formats like HDR10+ are actually supposed to help alleviate crushed scenes like this. Similarly, Last Flag Flying also looked a bit dim in darker shots as well, but not as distractingly so. It should be noted, however, that none of the HDR10+ Prime Original shows I watched had any notable issues with dark scenes or crushing. Again, without more content and better direct comparisons to other HDR formats, it's hard to really pinpoint if any of these minor issues are symptomatic of the HDR10+ platform itself or just the limitations of streaming or a particular title's grading. Likewise, the Q9 is known to be fairly aggressive with its tone-mapping, so it's possible that some of the occasionally blown out highlights I noticed were just a side-effect of that. Bottom Line Based on what I've seen so far, HDR10+ is capable of some very impressive imagery but it doesn't seem to be completely immune to flaws associated with standard HDR10. Dynamic metadata or not, just as with any other high dynamic range format, certain shows and movies are going to look better and utilize the tech better than others. For now, Amazon's lineup demonstrates a lot of potential for the format and offers 2017 and 2018 Samsung HDR TV owners some great demo material. Still, we'll really need to wait until additional content is available on other services and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray to get a more complete picture of the platform's benefits in action.Posted Mon Jun 25, 2018 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
RHA Reveals New MA390 Wireless Headphones[teaser]The new wireless headphones are now available for pre-order.[/teaser] RHA has announced the launch of its fourth wireless headphone model. The MA390 Wireless Headphones are set to hit stores and start shipping from online retailers on June 28 for an MSRP of $69.95. "We designed the MA390 Wireless using quality materials and technology," said Kyle Hutchison, Head of Product Design RHA. "We packed all our desired functionality into a flexible, robust headphone. It can be taken on adventures without users worrying about battery life or the headphone being too delicate." The MA390 in-ear headphone features a lightweight design for added functionality and freedom of use with IPX4 water and sweat resistance. In addition, the unit offers aptX and AAC enabled wireless Bluetooth audio support, along with eight-hours of battery life, a connection range of 10 metres, and the ability to sync with two devices at once. Noise isolating, interchangeable ear tips are included as well, along with a the three-button universal remote enabling users to switch between music, calls, and digital assistant functions. Here's a full rundown of key specs per RHA: Weight - 24g Metal - 6063 aluminium Bluetooth - Version 4.1 Range - 10m (unobstructed) Bluetooth Codecs - SBC, AAC, aptX™ Frequency range - 16Hz – 22,000 Hz Driver - Custom dynamic (130.8) Battery - Lithium polymer rechargeable Battery life - 8 hours (60%) Charging - USB C: 1.5 hours from 0% Sweat and splash resistance - IPX4 Remote & mic - 3-button, universal Pre-orders for the RHA MA390 Wireless Headphones are now live on Amazon for a June 28 release. Source: RHAPosted Mon Jun 25, 2018 at 08:50 AM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: Samsung Launches QLED TV Tour, Philips Teams Up with Bowers & Wilkins, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including Samsung's QLED summer tour, Bowers & Wilkins new partnership with the Philips brand, 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 Samsung's QLED TV experience tour, Philips new partnership with Bowers & Wilkins, and Amazon's Alexa service for hotel rooms. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Samsung Launches QLED TV Tour Samsung has announced the launch of an experiential US tour for its 2018 QLED TVs. Throughout the summer, visitors in select cities can try out the displays and compete in Forza Motorsport 7 matches on the Xbox One X. The tour will feature custom-built gaming pods and QLED TVs on a traveling semi-truck set to make stops in LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Dallas, and Houston. Guests can then participate in the QLED Cup activation, with participants racing for the fastest winning time in Forza Motorsport 7 on the Xbox One X. Here's a full rundown of tour dates and locations per Samsung: - Fry’s Electronics, Renton, WA: June 22-24- Fry’s Electronics, San Jose, CA: July 6- Fry’s Electronics, Sunnyvale, CA: July 7- Fry’s Electronics, Fremont, CA: July 8- Fry’s Electronics, Manhattan Beach, CA: July 12- Fry’s Electronics, Fountain Valley, CA: July 13- Fry’s Electronics, San Diego, CA: July 14-15- Comic Con, San Diego, CA: July 19-22- Fry’s Electronics, Las Vegas, NV: July 26- Conn’s HomePlus, Phoenix, AZ: July 29- Conn’s HomePlus, Mesquite, TX: August 3- NFM, The Colony, TX: August 5 Samsung's 2018 QLED lineup is led by the flagship Q9 display. The TVs all feature AMD Radeon FreeSync capabilities with adaptive refresh tech, enabling stutter-free gaming. Source: Samsung Bowers & Wilkins Announces Partnership with Philips Brand TP Vision and its Philips brand have announced a new partnership with Bowers & Wilkins. As part of the multi-year exclusive agreement, the companies will work together to make TVs for the European market, combining Philips' expertise in video quality and Bowers & Wilkins' experience in audio technologies "For far too long, as an industry, we have allowed sound quality to be the poor relation when considering TV performance," said Martijn Smelt, Chief Marketing Officer for TP Vision. "A challenge that has been further exaggerated by the outstanding quality of our OLED sets. So, I'm delighted that we have been able to partner with the World's best audio company Bowers & Wilkins to ensure that in future our Philips High End TV sound will offer a uniquely premium experience." Under the new partnership, both companies will share internal engineering resources in Europe in order to develop TVs with superior sound quality. "Our new partnership with TP Vision presents a fantastic opportunity to help redefine the parameters of sound quality & performance on a TV," said Richard Campbell, Chief Revenue Officer for Bowers and Wilkins. "The superb new line of Philips TVs will introduce our well-known audio performance to a new consumer audience who will be able to enjoy first-hand, the incredible experience only we can provide, 'Sound by Bowers and Wilkins'." Though specific models have not been announced yet, the first products to benefit from the partnership are set to be revealed at the IFA Show in Berlin later this year. Source: TP Vision Amazon Brings Alexa to Hotels Amazon has announced the launch of Alexa for Hospitality, bringing its voice assistant to the hotel industry. As part of the rollout, Marriott International will be among the first hotel companies to offer Alexa at select locations this summer. "Customers tell us they love how easy it is to get information, enjoy entertainment, and control connected devices by simply asking Alexa, and we want to offer those experiences everywhere customers want them," said Daniel Rausch, Vice President, Amazon. "Alexa for Hospitality makes your hotel stay a little more like being at home and gives hospitality providers new ways to create memorable stays for their guests." With Alexa for Hospitality, hotels can now offer voice assistant features via an Amazon Echo in their rooms, allowing guests to access services and amenities in a whole new way. Once installed and configured, hotels can enable guests to use Alexa to ask for hotel information like pool hours, request services like housekeeping, call the concierge, control and adjust in-room devices, or play music from services like iHeartRadio and TuneIn. Likewise, the service will also soon support temporary logins enabling guests to link the hotel's Alexa-enabled device to their own Amazon account during their stay in order to access personal music and audiobooks. "Marriott has a long track record of innovating for our guests, and we're thrilled to be among the first to offer Alexa for Hospitality," said Jennifer Hsieh, Vice President Customer Experience Innovation, Marriott International. "So many of our guests use voice technology in their home, and we want to extend that convenience to their travel experience. Guests of Charlotte Marriott City Center and Marriott Irvine Spectrum will be among the first to experience a curated list of Alexa for Hospitality features. We will be evaluating guest feedback and adoption to inform how we expand the skills, features, and functionality offered through Alexa in our hotels." The Alexa for Hospitality experience is set to arrive at select properties in Marriott Hotels, Westin Hotels & Resorts, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, Aloft Hotels, and Autograph Collection Hotels later this summer. Source: AmazonPosted Fri Jun 22, 2018 at 08:50 AM PDT by: -
HDR10+ Technologies Launches Licensing & Logo Certification Program[teaser]Companies can now start certifying their products for the new dynamic HDR format.[/teaser] HDR10+ Technologies has announced the launch of its licensing and logo certification program. The development should make it easier for more manufacturers to start implementing the tech into their devices. "With an increase in demand for larger displays and premium picture quality, we are thrilled to announce a new HDR10+ licensing and certification program," said Bill Mandel, Vice President of Industry Relations at Samsung Research America. "This program was designed with consumers in mind, highlighting our commitment to improving the overall HDR experience while simultaneously extending the HDR10+ ecosystem globally." HDR10+ is an open, royalty free dynamic metadata platform for high dynamic range. The format allows a compatible display to adjust brightness levels, color saturation, and contrast on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis on specially graded HDR10+ content, producing images that are closer to the director's intent. The new HDR10+ license and logo certification program is now available to manufacturers, ensuring HDR10+ compliance for different device categories based on certain technical performance and spec requirements. Though no new partners have been specified, the press release mentions that "content production, distribution and consumption has already gained momentum with over 40 supporting companies." HDR10+ playback is currently available on 2017 and 2018 Samsung 4K HDR TVs via Amazon Prime Video streaming. In addition, Panasonic supports the tech on its new 2018 OLED displays in Europe, and both 20th Century Fox and Warner Bros. have announced plans to release HDR10+ content later this year. "The new HDR10+ licensing and certification program represents a technological step forward for next generation displays," said Danny Kaye, Executive Vice President of 20th Century Fox and Managing Director of the Fox Innovation Lab. "HDR10+ improves the viewing experience for all audiences by delivering higher picture quality to a wider range of affordable TVs and devices." Source: HDR10+Posted Thu Jun 21, 2018 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
See 3 Movies a Week in Any Format for $20 per Month with New AMC Stubs A List Plan[teaser]AMC is taking on MoviePass with its own subscription service.[/teaser] AMC has announced the launch of its new Stubs A List Plan. The upcoming movie ticket service will allow subscribers to see up to three movies every week in any format (including Dolby Cinema, IMAX, and 3D) for just $19.95 per month. "We believe that our current and future loyal guests will be interested in this type of program, as AMC Stubs A-List rewards guests with something that no one else offers: the very best of AMC, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema and RealD 3D up to 3 times per week, for one simple, sustainable price," said Adam Aron, CEO and President, AMC Theatres. With the AMC Stubs A List Plan, users can receive up to three movie tickets per week for any available showtime at any US AMC location in virtually any format, including IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, Prime, and BigD. Tickets can be reserved ahead of time through the use of a virtual card via AMCTheatres.com or the AMC Theatres app. Likewise, customers can opt to buy their tickets at the actual AMC location as well by showing their virtual card at the boxoffice or a ticketing kiosk. The three ticket cap resets every Friday morning with no carryovers or blackouts, and subscribers can even use all three ticket slots on the same day with a two-hour gap in between each showtime. In addition, the service can be used to see the same movie multiple times. With that said, the plan is for one person and can't be used to reserve tickets for anyone else. Meanwhile, outside of the three ticket per week allotment, the service also offers all of the existing benefits of an AMC Stubs Premiere membership. This includes free upgrades on popcorn and soda, free refills on large popcorn, express service at the box office and concession stand, no online ticketing fees, and a points reward system. AMC's Stub A List Plan is set to launch on June 26 and interested users will be able to sign up via AMC's website. The plan will cost $19.95 per month with a 3-month minimum commitment and a 12-month price guarantee. Source: AMC via BusinessWire, AMCPosted Wed Jun 20, 2018 at 09:20 AM PDT by: -
LG Releases New Dolby Atmos Sound Bars & Portable Speakers[teaser]The company's new sound bars are now available.[/teaser] Following the lineup's debut at CES 2018, LG has announced the launch of its latest collection of SK Series Sound Bars and PK Series Portable Speakers, including the SK10Y Dolby Atmos Sound Bar. "LG has long been an innovator in the audio industry, and the addition of Meridian Audio technology in 2018 sound bars and portable speakers reflects LG’s commitment to leading the industry in acoustic performance," said Tim Alessi, head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "LG's next generation of audio products is the perfect solution for the in-home and on-the-go listening experience." The flagship SK10Y ($1,099) is a 5.1.2 550W sound bar model with Dolby Atmos support and two up-firing speakers to simulate overhead audio effects. Users can also adjust the volume for the up-firing speakers to better suit their particular ceilings and room dynamics. In addition, the unit uses Meridian Audio tech and DSP, including Bass and Space enhancements, along with Meridian's Height Elevation technology which brings sound up to the level of the display. Lossless high-res audio playback is supported as well, and the device features Bluetooth and ChromeCast connectivity. Other models in the 2018 SK Series include the SK9Y Dolby Atmos Sound Bar ($899), SK8Y Dolby Atmos Sound Bar ($499), SK6Y Sound Bar with DTS Virtual:X ($379), SK5Y Sound Bar ($279), and SK1 Sound Bar ($99). Meanwhile, the PK Series offers an assortment of portable speakers with Meridian Audio tech and support for the APT-X HD Bluetooth standard for wireless music streaming. Likewise, the units offer mood lighting capabilities for dynamic party lighting that flashes to the beat of the music being played. 2018 PK Series models include the PK7 ($250), PK5 ($150), and PK3 ($100). Pre-orders are now live. Source: LGPosted Tue Jun 19, 2018 at 09:55 AM PDT by:
