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Denon Reveals 2010 Receiver Line[teaser]A total of ten new receivers will be available across a broad range of prices starting next month. [/teaser] Denon unleashed a torrent of information about their upcoming products, including a total of ten new A/V receivers. The Retail Home Theater line consists of entry level Denon products. It's the stuff you'll find at places like Best Buy, but probably not in the Magnolia section. Three new 7.1 channel models and two new 5.1 channel models are coming to stores starting next month. Among these is the incredibly affordable $249 AVR-391 which strips down to bare bones functionality. Even at the low end, it's got HDMI v1.4a repeater inputs and an audio return channel, but it ditches features like analog to HDMI upscaling and HD audio decoding. Two more advanced 7.1 channel receivers – the $599 AVR-1911 and $399 AVR-1611 – will be arriving in June. They include Anchor Bay deinterlacing and upscaling as well as multi-zone music functionality. You can, for example, watch a movie in one room while channeling music to another. The final three receivers coming from Denon this year are in the CI class. They're made for custom installers and the prices and functionality reflect it. At the top of the line is the $1,999 AVR-4311CI due out this September. It's a 9.2 channel receiver with Control4 certification, MultiRoom EQ correction and a handful of features to improve video, including Anchor Bay VRS processing. Source: Denon via EcousticsPosted Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 11:30 AM PDT by: -
Toshiba Creates 21 Inch Glasses-Free 3-D Display[teaser]Using a multi-parallax design, Toshiba Mobile Display is hoping to break the glasses-free size barrier. [/teaser] Parallax displays seem to be all the rage with R&D teams these days. The release of the Nintendo 3DS is almost certainly going to help kick development into high gear, but Toshiba, it seems, is already there. While most companies are sticking with smaller screens, Toshiba has announces a 21 inch display. 21 inches isn't much, but it's a lot more than most other companies are doing. It's also pretty risky, considering the technology. Parallax technology incorporates a very small viewing angle, and Toshiba's new set is no exception. There's only a 30 degree viewing angle for a 3-D picture. There are, however, nine different directions that the picture can be viewed from. Toshiba's display is also a bit different in that it's not just meant to be looked at straight on like a computer monitor. Toshiba calls that 'vertical mode,' and says that while the 3D is good in that mode, it doesn't compare to 'horizontal mode' which is when the screen is lying flat on the ground, or on a table. "Compared with the front view," says Toshiba, "the 3D images seen face-up from the bird’s eye view are more stereoscopic and realistic." Source: Toshiba Mobile DisplayPosted Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Two New 3-D Ready Blu-ray Players From Denon[teaser]Both players feature YouTube and Netflix connectivity as well as DLNA 1.5 compliance. [/teaser] Denon has a pair of new Blu-ray players that will be hitting shelves in the next few months. They were designed to be universal players, which means they can play back "virtually all 5-inch silver discs," as Denon's press release puts it. The DBP-1611UD (June) and DBP-2011UDCI (August) are marketed as 3-D ready players, but they won't handle three dimensional video right out of the box. You won't have long to wait, since Denon has a 3-D firmware update slated for this fall. Both players offer DNLA compliance, so streaming video from your PC should be nice and easy. You can also stream from YouTube and Netflix, but since Denon doesn't mention WiFi, you can expect to plug these in. The DBP-2011UDCI separates itself from the 1161UD when it comes to Blu-ray playback though. Though the $399 1161UD does offer HDMI v1.4a outputs and 36-Bit Deep Color, it doesn't have the Anchor Bay decoding engine that the $799 2011UDCI has. The higher-end model also sports the new Burr-Brown 32-Bit Audio DACs. Source: Denon via EcousticsPosted Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Hulu Will Offer Premium Subscriptions at $9.95 a Month[teaser]Subscribers will have access to older episodes of current shows and a better selection of classic shows. [/teaser] Rumors of Hulu becoming a pay site have been out there almost as long as the site's been up. After all, getting a ton of content for free is just a bit too good to be true. If the rumor is true though, non-paying visitors won't be losing out. If you use Hulu to catch up on new TV shows, you shouldn't run into any problems when Hulu starts testing a subscription based service, called Hulu Plus, on May 24th. They still plan to offer the five most recent episodes of newer shows for free, according to the Los Angeles Times. The subscription service will primarily allow access to older episodes. If you want to relive the first few seasons of 'Lost,' check out some old 'Saturday Night Live' sketches, or finally watch some shows you might have missed, like 'Arrested Development,' you'll have to shell out the cash. Since many of the most popular shows in Hulu's back catalog are available on Netflix, and since Netflix is available in HD and on a huge range of devices, it's hard to imagine Hulu Plus succeeding with what they're offering. Source: LA TimesPosted Wed Apr 28, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Have You Checked Out THE BONUS VIEW Today? Enter To Win A Blu-ray Player![teaser]If you haven't checked out The Bonus View today, well, what are you waiting for?![/teaser] In case you missed the announcement, High-Def Digest started a new HD Blog yesterday that lets us show you the world of HD from a few new angles. You can learn a bit more about our mission here. Just as importantly, Josh Zyber is giving away his old Blu-ray player. Find out how to win it here! As for what's new today, well, so far we've covered 3-D, 'Glee' vs. 'V', some gizmo called the "iPad", the weekend box office, and some show called 'Lost' (which I think is produced by Rick Steves). Oh, and you don't want to miss this bizarre movie with a young Don Johnson and his telepathic dog! So there you have it, visit the blog, leave your comments, share your favorite stuff on Facebook and come back tomorrow for more. Check out The Bonus View now!Posted Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 03:30 PM PDT by: -
Enjoy 'Iron Man 2' on May 7 by Avoiding "Fake IMAX"by Michael S. Palmer [teaser]High-Def Digest was lucky enough to catch a press screening of the new Paramount/Marvel release, 'Iron Man 2' last week, and boy was it…[/teaser]well, truthfully press embargoes don't allow for a review just yet, but because I know you're all going to see this one, think of this is as a friendly reminder, a public service message if you will (and so help me, you will!), on how to get the best out of your 'Iron Man 2' experience. Because, as our new blog The Bonus View attests, this isn't a Blu-ray website, it's a hub for all high-definition enthusiasts. And friends, ain't nothin' you have access to, save for looking out your own two eyes, that's more high-definition than IMAX, but do not -- let me repeat -- DO NOT see 'Iron Man 2' (or any film for that matter) in a fake IMAX theatre. To be blunt: it looks horrible, and you're wasting your hard-earned cash for a non-upgrade. What you want, what you NEED, is to either find a real IMAX, or the largest, high-quality DLP or 35mm screen in your area. Fake-IMAX hating isn't exactly breaking news. Roger Ebert and comedian Aziz Ansari have been complaining about this since last year. Even our own trusted HD Advisor, Josh Zyber, has weighed in on the topic. But for those unaware, here's what's going on: For nearly a decade, IMAX big-screen-format theaters have been up-converting Hollywood blockbusters to fit their 70mm film stock (referred to as IMAX 15/70) for display on their monstrous screens, which are typically 76 feet x 97 feet in dimension. While Josh and I may disagree on the quality of said up-conversion, IMAX is my preferred opening weekend venue -- I've been convinced you really do see more than in a traditional 35mm (or digital projection) venue ever since I noted, among other details, perceivable peach fuzz on the teenage cast members in 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban'. That, and it sometimes makes me feel like I'm flying. More recently, IMAX decided to expand their brand. Teaming with cinema chains including AMC and Regal, they retrofitted existing non-IMAX theatres. Ladies and gentlemen, the birth of "fake IMAX." Apparently these retrofits were almost called "Digital IMAX" or "IMAX Digital", but executives were worried the "Digital" moniker would hurt "older" (real) IMAX15/70 screens. And who knows, marketing people are occasionally right about these things. But here's the truth: the digital IMAX screens are only 28 feet x 58 feet. Sure, that's still a nice-sized screen, but with a minimum $5-per-ticket surcharge for the IMAX brand, you're not getting the same spectacle, quality, or size. What's worse, the movies look terrible. Colors are harsh and washed out, and resolution is destroyed thanks to all the extra tinkering (films are first up-converted to 15/70 and then down-converted to 2K) and what James Hyder calls the "screen door" effect: "Every IMAX digital theater I’ve been in has also had a noticeable “screen door effect,” that is, a visible dark grid pattern separating the pixels. It is particularly noticeable in lighter image areas, and is less visible the farther you are from the screen. But even with my 53-year-old eyes, I was able to see it from the front half of most of the five theaters I’ve been in. If you move back to eliminate the pattern, your field of view becomes narrower, and hence no different than an ordinary movie theater." The screen door effect is real, and highly distracting from the opening moments of "Iron Man 2'. Even the IMAX brand "Think Big" trailer is an embarrassment when directly compared to its IMAX15/70 older brother (which I witnessed two days later in finally getting a chance to check out the very awesome 'How to Train Your Dragon IMAX 3D'). Personally, I can't wait to go see 'Iron Man 2' again opening weekend at my local IMAX 15/70, if for no other reason than I won't have to sit there wishing it didn't look terrible. Seriously, if you're an High-Def Digest regular, you clearly care about quality. That's why you're supporting Blu-ray at home. It's worth your money, because quality directly translates (well, if you want to believe Martin Scorsese, but what does he know?) into an immersive, cinema experience. Now that we know the problems of fake IMAX, here's how to avoid it: --You're gonna have to do some homework. Not sure if your local IMAX is real or fake, call up your local cinema and ask about the screen dimensions, and whether or not it uses "two digital projectors." Remember, you want 70mm film, and a screen to be around 76 feet x 97 feet. --You can check out this guy's map for a few hints. But be warned, he gave up last year, so it might be incomplete. For those in Los Angeles proper, always watch IMAX movies at The Bridge or Universal's City Walk. Avoid AMC Century City (the IMAX part of it) at all costs. Fans of the forum, post away for your local theater gems (IMAX or otherwise). --Generally, the major sinners of fake IMAX are AMC and Regal, but when in doubt, do your homework (as described above). --No IMAX in your area? I'm sorry, but don't worry. The trick is to get the biggest screen at the nicest (most well maintained) theatre to which you have access. Many blockbusters open on multiple screens, and it's not too hard to ask which showtimes correlate with the largest available theater (this might sound like a lot of work, but keep in mind that James Cameron made multiple prints in various aspect ratios of 'Avatar' to ensure that each cinema had the largest presentation available). And, thanks to 3D, tons of cinemas have gone digital. Digital projection in a non-IMAX cinema looks fantastic, and is a direct copy of the original movie file, as prepared by the filmmakers. Meaning, no projectionist can scratch it. And of course, despite being a century-old technology, film is still amazing. One last thing, friends. I here by evangelize all of you to get the word out. Facebook. Twitter. Blog. Email. Snail mail. Share. Tell friends. Parents. Kids. Cousins. Coworkers. Just don't be snobs. This is simply about how everyone can get the biggest bang for his or her buck. The fiercest enemy in our technological universe is "good enough." DVD looks 'good enough.' My SD cable looks 'good enough'. You and I know it's not true, but guess what, maybe for some people, it is. However, I draw a line when 'good enough' (meaning, regular 35mm cinemas) looks vastly superior to '50% more expensive for no reason.' Boys (and gals), we've got a job to do... Huntin' Nazis! Oh, I mean, boycotting fake IMAX.Posted Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 10:10 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic Reveals 3D Plasma Pricing and Release Dates[teaser]50 and 54 inch sets will be hitting shelves on May 3rd, but if you want something bigger, you'll have to wait until June. [/teaser] The release of the VIERA VT25 line of 3D plasmas is only a week away, as long as you don't mind sticking with a 50 or 54 inch set. Panasonic's new TVs will sell for $2,599 and $2,999 respectively. They've got plenty of cool tech built in and they come with a pair of 3D glasses. Each additional pair of glasses runs $149. "The arrival of our VIERA VT25 Series truly defines the phenomenal capabilities of Panasonic’s Full HD 3D technology," said Henry Hauser, VP of Panasonic Display Group. "Full HD 3D imagery is delivered in stunning realism and clarity to create a truly immersive viewing experience." Panasonic's larger plasma sets are slated for a June release, though a specific date hasn't yet been given. Just like the sets coming in May, these sets include Skype capability, built in WiFi, and a THX certified picture. The 58inch TC-P58VT25 will run $3,399 while 65 inches runs $4,299. Source: PanasonicPosted Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest Presents: A Mother's Day Shopping Guideby David Krauss [teaser]Flowers, candy, and a sappy Hallmark card always make good Mother's Day gifts, especially in a pinch, but many sons and daughters often forget movies can also warm Mom's heart, especially those with a romantic, historical, or (ssshhh!) sexy twist.[/teaser] And if dear old Dad has taken the plunge and upgraded the archaic family entertainment center with a spanking new HDTV and Blu-ray player, then how 'bout shaking things up a bit this year by presenting Mom with a couple of high-definition discs that will brighten up her world just as well as a standard low-tech bouquet. (They'll last a lot longer, too!) But what to choose? Never fear, dear reader, your friends at High-Def Digest are here to help, armed with plenty of great gift ideas that will turn your mild-mannered 480i mother into a raging 1080p fanatic. Let's start with Oscar and the two front-runners in this year's Best Actress category – Sandra Bullock and Meryl Streep. Both stars enjoy a loyal female following, and both have several noteworthy Blu-rays from their film canon hitting the shelves just in time for Mom's big day. Of course, first up would have to be Bullock's award-winning turn in 'The Blind Side' as an impassioned mother who takes in a homeless African-American teen and seamlessly weaves him into her family's fabric. Though some might call the picture sentimental, I found it to be a surprisingly forthright family drama that will touch and inspire moms everywhere…and the football angle should snag Dad's interest, too. But if a typical romantic comedy is more your mother's "speed" (sorry, couldn't resist), two of them featuring Bullock at her perky, sassy, and irresistible best are ripe for the picking. Last year's 'The Proposal,' which casts Sandra as an uptight Canadian executive who tries to engineer a quickie marriage of convenience with her browbeaten American assistant (Ryan Reynolds) to avoid deportation, possesses plenty of spunk and humor, along with a priceless supporting performance from the indomitable Betty White, while 2000's 'Miss Congeniality' finds Bullock as an undercover FBI agent infiltrating the beauty pageant world in the hope of preventing a mad bomber from wreaking havoc at a huge televised event. (The latter film comes bundled with its eminently forgettable sequel, 2005's 'Miss Congeniality 2: Armed and Fabulous,' but no one says Mom has to watch that one…) If Streep is more your mother's cup of tea, there's a plethora of Blu-ray offerings showcasing the legendary star to wet her whistle. Even if your mom doesn't like to cook, she'll certainly eat up 'Julie & Julia,' which features Streep's uncanny channeling of the iconic chef Julia Child, a joyous performance that earned the actress a well-deserved 16th Academy Award nomination. Nora Ephron's light-as-a-soufflé film serves up enough delicious dishes to make anyone hungry, as it chronicles both Child's personal and professional evolution and the challenge of a young blogger (Amy Adams) to prepare all the recipes in The French Chef's magnum opus in one frenzied 365-day period. Streep also scored last year in the fiftysomething romantic comedy, 'It's Complicated,' as a harried divorcee juggling a new romance with Steve Martin while still fanning the flames with her randy ex (Alec Baldwin). And if ever a movie was tailor-made for mothers, it's 'Mamma Mia!' If Mom doesn't already own this blockbuster (and even if she does), be sure to pick up the flashy limited edition giftset, which features a soundtrack CD, 32-page full-color booklet, and musically enhanced bejeweled packaging (quite festive!). The long-running Broadway hit may have made a clunky transition to the screen (to put it mildly), but not many women cared, as they sung along to a dozen or more ABBA hits, relished the unfettered girl power, and drooled over all the bare-chested men. Streep (in one of her worst portrayals, which means she's still twice as good as most actresses) plays the owner of a broken-down bed-and-breakfast in the idyllic Greek Islands who comes face-to-face with three ex-boyfriends on the eve of her daughter's wedding…one of whom is the girl's mystery father. The lush settings add interest to this mindless bit of jukebox fluff…just make sure to tell Mom to hit the mute button when Pierce Brosnan starts singing. (Talk about tone-deaf…) Of course, what mom doesn't appreciate haute couture? If yours is anything like mine, she'll savor Streep's incisive, Oscar-nominated incarnation of ice-cold fashion magazine mogul Miranda Priestley in 'The Devil Wears Prada,' one of the decade's most delicious chick flicks. (All right, all right, I admit it, I love it, too!) High fashion and low blows fuel this slick tale of a harried editorial assistant (Anne Hathaway) who struggles to meet the demands of her impossible rhymes-with-rich boss. And if your mom likes to travel (and whose doesn't?), go ahead and send her to The Dark Continent along with Robert Redford. 'Out of Africa' may chronicle the unconventional life of author Isak Dinesen (another pitch-perfect, Oscar-nominated Streep portrayal), but it's also one of the great romantic epics of the '80s, bursting with beautiful scenery and all that repressed passion moms love. (I think Redford was way too old for Streep, but trust me, moms won't care…) And who says moms can't get a little frisky now and then? With the outrageous sequel opening May 28th, why not surprise mom with the original 'Sex and the City' movie, featuring Carrie (Sarah Jessica Parker), Miranda (Cynthia Nixon), Charlotte (Kristen Davis), salacious Samantha (Kim Cattrall), and a host of hot hunks romping through the bedrooms, showers, and department stores of the Big Apple? And speaking of hunks, every mother's fantasy, George Clooney, shows off his sensitive side in Jason Reitman's funny, bittersweet satire of corporate America, 'Up in the Air,' while suave Pierce Brosnan savors such delicacies as fine art, fine living, and the oh-so-fine Rene Russo in 'The Thomas Crown Affair.' Thankfully, Brosnan doesn't sing a note in this slick, intoxicating remake of the Steve McQueen classic. Want more eye candy? Moms just go ape over Patrick Swayze, and what better way to honor the late actor than by purchasing the 'Dirty Dancing Limited Keepsake Edition,' which features all the bumping and grinding that made this romantic musical an instant phenomenon, as well as a newly remastered transfer, commemorative book, and a host of all-new extras. Got a history nut for a mom, or an Anglophile, perhaps? Or someone who just enjoys a good period drama? Then propel her back in time and across the pond, where she can admire the strength, determination, and brazen behavior of such admirable women of substance as the future Queen Victoria ('The Young Victoria') and embattled Elizabeth I ('Elizabeth' and 'Elizabeth: The Golden Age'). Emily Blunt plays the former and Cate Blanchett (who received Oscar nominations for both of her stellar performances) the latter in films that also feature eye-filling sets and sumptuous costume design. 'Atonement' is another exceptional work, adapted from Ian McEwan's heartbreaking novel about the devastating ramifications of an adolescent's false perceptions of a series of events one fateful day before the dawn of World War II. James McAvoy, Keira Knightley, the amazing Saoirse Ronan, and luminous Vanessa Redgrave bring this tragic tale to brilliant life, along with stunning direction by Joe Wright. (Mom may not appreciate the jaw-dropping five-minute SteadyCam shot on the beach at Dunkirk, but by all means point it out to her…) And be sure to include a box of Kleenex with the disc; she'll thank you later (and you might find it comes in handy, too). Finally, all moms are classics, so if you really want to honor the most important woman in your life (sorry, honey, but I had to say that; my mom might read this!), go out and buy her a movie that's as timeless and impeccably preserved as she is. Of course, the perfect choice would be (duh!) 'Gone With the Wind,' David O. Selznick's mammoth adaptation of Margaret Mitchell's saga of the Old South. Take it from me, your mom does give a damn about Scarlett (Vivien Leigh), Rhett (Clark Gable), Ashley (Leslie Howard), Melanie (Olivia de Havilland), Mammy (Hattie McDaniel), and the rest of the cast of thousands that populate this sweeping, melodramatic epic. And if you can't afford the exquisitely appointed 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector's Edition (Mom would understand…maybe), don't hesitate to go for the cut-rate Scarlett Edition, which includes the movie and all the supplements without the fancy packaging and collectibles. The same options hold true for another unforgettable masterwork, Michael Curtiz's 'Casablanca,' available in both a super-deluxe collector's box set filled with memorabilia galore and a stripped down single-disc edition. Filmed in glorious black-and-white, the unforgettable story of love, defiance, and "the problems of three little people" stuck in Nazi-occupied Morocco stars – do I really have to tell you? – Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, and a host of terrific character actors, and features more quotable dialogue per capita than almost any other film in Hollywood history. (You can even sign your accompanying greeting card, "Here's looking at you, Mom…" Just give me credit.) Other can't miss classics include David Lean's superb adaptation of Boris Pasternak's tale of Russian romance and revolution, 'Doctor Zhivago.' Not only will Mom dab her eyes over the unrequited love between Omar Sharif and Julie Christie, she'll be humming 'Lara's Theme' for days afterward. For moms with an adventurous spirit, Alfred Hitchock's 'North by Northwest' is a no-brainer. Here we have a breakneck plot that crisscrosses the country; Cary Grant at his tanned, witty, and sophisticated best; some steamy love scenes with Eva Marie Saint; and a transfer so pristine even Mom's eagle, hyper-critical eye won't be able to spot any imperfections. But if all of Hitchcock's playful innuendos are still too suggestive (in other words, if your mom's a prude), don't despair. John Huston's 'The African Queen' has finally arrived on home video after an interminable wait, and the sweet, spiritual romance between Humphrey Bogart (in his Oscar-winning role) and Katharine Hepburn will warm the cockles of any mom's heart. Was there ever a more unlikely pair than the drunken riverboat captain and pious missionary? Probably, but this one is pretty unusual, and watching them navigate the treachery of an untamed African river to ultimately confront the Germans during the first world war is both thrilling and fun. So, that's it! There are enough options here to tide Mom over for several Mother's Days. But if you think none of these great films will appeal to that persnickety woman who bore you, well…you can always go back to flowers and candy.Posted Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
Vudu Outdoes Blu-ray with 'Avatar' Extras[teaser]Want some extras with your 'Avatar?' Vudu's got you covered. [/teaser] 'Avatar' came out on Blu-ray last Thursday, and there's no question that the film looks great. If you're one of those people who buys a movie and never delves deep into the disc, you'll be satisfied. If you crave documentary content, interviews, and commentary, you may be clamoring for some extra features. That's where Vudu comes in. Unlike the Blu-ray version of 'Avatar,' there are some extras available to complement your Vudu purchase. There are a total of five mini-documentaries, one of which is labeled as a Vudu exclusive. The mini-docs are comprise a series of promotional specials available in standard definition, and they're about 25 minutes long total. The Vudu HDX version doesn't quite compare to Blu-ray in terms of video quality though. It's not bad, but the general consensus is that Vudu's version of 'Avatar' comes off looking just a bit softer. At $25, it's also five dollars more than the current Amazon sale price. Then again, if you're really planning to shell out for special features, you're probably gonna want the "Ultimate Edition" this November. Source: cravePosted Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
New Site Feature: High-Def Digest Presents "THE BONUS VIEW" and Kick-Off Contest[teaser]High-Def Digest is excited to announce the launch of a new section that will let us cover the world of HD from a few new angles. Check out The Bonus View! And while you're at it, take part in our Kick-Off Contest![/teaser] So what is The Bonus View? What does it add to High-Def Digest? Well, Josh Zyber has posted a mission statement that's a great place to start. As he says, HDD "is not and has never been “Blu-ray Digest.” This is High-Def Digest. Blu-ray is a terrific format, and we’ll continue to give it all the attention it deserves, which is a lot. At the same time, there’s so much more to high definition than just Blu-ray. It’s time to expand our scope. After seeing the interest in our weekly HD Advisor Column (which isn't going anywhere, don't worry!), it's clear our readers have an appetite for all things HD. So we're turning the camera on a few other subjects, including 3D, HD gear, broadcast television, video downloads, gaming, and more, and offering our insights, experiences, and commentary on each. Since this new branch of the site is a blog, expect things to be a little less formal and continually evolving as we figure out what we like, what you like, and where we want to go with The Bonus View. We're excited to get started. We hope you enjoy it! Check out The Bonus View, leave us some comments to tell us what you'd like to see us cover, and take part in our KICK-OFF CONTEST!Posted Mon Apr 26, 2010 at 01:10 PM PDT by:
