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Sony Confirms 'Angels & Demons' On Demand Day and Date[teaser]'Angels & Demons' is one of four films that Sony has announced will be hitting retail shelves and On Demand services on the same day. [/teaser] In an effort to test the waters for new ways to sell films, Sony confirmed that they will be releasing four titles through standard retail channels and On Demand on the same day. The biggest of these films, and expected to be the biggest seller from Sony in the fourth quarter, is 'Angels & Demons' which grossed an impressive $133 million at the box office. Also seeing these day-and-date style releases are 'The Taking of Pelham 123,' 'The Ugly Truth,' and 'Julie and Julia.' Specific retailers and cable providers that will be participating in the test have not yet been discussed officially. Sony has said that they will be allowing a 48 hour viewing window, rather than the standard 24 hours. Interestingly, Warner Home Video will be taking the opposite approach. While they have historically debuted DVDs and VODs simultaneously, Warner will be pushing back the On Demand release dates of both 'Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince' and 'The Hangover.' Source: Video BusinessPosted Tue Oct 13, 2009 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
LG Announces New Blu-ray Home Theater System[teaser]The HB954SP features a Blu-ray player, 1000W of power across 5.1 channels, and some rather unusual speakers. [/teaser] LG’s new Home Theater in a Box does everything an entry level HTiB really should do. It sports a Blu-ray player that lets users view Blu-ray and upscaled DVD content in full 1080p. It plays music from an iPod or iPhone, but not video. It streams videos from YouTube and offers USB playback. The HB954SP features a pair of HDMI inputs so that other sources such as game systems and DVRs can be hooked up, and offers 5.1 channel audio. The system is designed with ease of use in mind, and even allows a simple shutoff for the subwoofer so “you do not wake sleeping children,” according to the press release. The system comes with a subwoofer, two surround speakers, and one speaker each for the L/C/R channels. The somewhat egg shaped black speakers look a bit odd, but of course the sound is what truly matters. Boasting 1000 watts of power, the HB954SP should have no shortage of kick. The HV954SP will be available this November. No pricing has yet been announced. Source: Mirror UKPosted Mon Oct 12, 2009 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
Don’t Hold Your Breath – Blu-ray Discs Shall Remain 50GB[teaser]The Blu-ray Disc Association doesn’t want you getting too excited about the announcements made in the last few days from the likes of TDK. Though, 320GB discs are possible, we won’t be seeing them used commercially. [/teaser] VP of communications for the Blu-ray Disc Association Andy Parsons compared the issue to that of VHS tapes. In the early days of the VCR, the only option for viewing was the two hour SP mode, and while blank tapes were able to be recorded in a variety of standards, commercial releases remained almost exclusively in the highly compatible SP mode. While certainly manufactures and consumers would both benefit from the newly announced 320GB capacity, Parsons says that too many Blu-ray players just wouldn’t be able to handle it. “This is because player manufacturers design players to meet published specifications that define maximum media capacity, which in the case of Blu-ray Disc, is 50GB on two-layer media.” For now, it looks like those dreams of enjoying full seasons of television on a single disc or being able to watch the entire Star Wars series without having to move a finger will have to wait. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Mon Oct 12, 2009 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
HD Advisor 31stEditor's Note: Each Friday, High-Def Digest's own HD Advisor will answer a new round of questions from our readers. If you have home theater questions you need answered, send an email to [email protected]. If you've already sent a question and don't see it answered yet, please be patient as we work our way through them. To browse through previously answered questions, visit the main HD Advisor page. Answers by Joshua Zyber Is Film "HD"? Q: I recently went to the one-showing-only theatrical re-release of 'The Wizard Of Oz' in HD. I noticed during the introduction, they said it was, "For the first time ever in HD." Then, "It will look as good as it did on opening night." I recall other questions on this site about how the original film stock has a much higher potential resolution than even 1080p, and that even 1080p is a downgrade from the original film. So, if that is the case, hasn't it always been "HD"? (I realize for this showing, it was shown from a digital source.) Would it be correct to say all movies viewed in theaters are HD? And will we eventually see movies in theaters shown from film be advertised as HD? A: In many respects, this is really a matter of semantics. Technically, "high definition" is a video term that refers to the resolution of a video signal. Film is a photochemical medium that does not have lines of resolution or pixels. Therefore, it is not accurate to refer to film as "HD," even if that film (like 35mm or 65mm) has more equivalent detail than high definition video does. On the other hand, digital projection is a video format and can be called "HD." That recent screening of 'Oz' was projected from HD digital video. Does that mean that you'll never see a film screening advertised as "HD"? Probably not. When it comes to marketing and advertising, technical accuracy rarely comes into play. I've seen 35mm still camera film marketed as "High Definition." I've even seen eyeglasses labeled that way. "HD" is a buzzword that everyone wants to use these days. But just because something is branded like that doesn't mean that the term is being used correctly. Lossless 7.1 Soundtracks from Older Blu-ray/HD DVD Players Q: Toshiba HD-A1, HD-A2, HD-A30, HD-XA1, and Sony BDP-S1. Those models don't support DTS-HD Master Audio format. What happen if I play DTS-HD MA 7.1 movies on these players when connected via HDMI to a receiver that supports lossless audio with 7.1 speakers setup? Will it come out as DTS 5.1 core only or DTS-ES 6.1? A: As you noted, all of those Toshiba HD DVD players referenced, as well as the first-generation Sony Blu-ray player, do not support lossless audio. When you play a disc with a DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, the players will only be able to decode and output the standard DTS core, not the MA extension. So your question is whether that DTS core will be 5.1 channels or 6.1, if the MA track is 7.1? (Standard DTS does not offer 7.1 format.) For example, 'Pan's Labyrinth' (Blu-ray | HD DVD) has DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio on either format. From my understanding, the core of a DTS-HD MA track works the same as regular DTS on DVD. The track can be either 5.1 or 6.1 depending on how the studio authors it. If I had to guess, I'd assume that most are probably authored in 5.1 format, with the added channels included in the MA extension. Connecting Old Video Sources to an HDTV Q: I am trying to connect my Laserdisc player to my new LED Samsung HDTV. However, the TV only has one input set for the old-fashioned RCA (yellow, red, and white). I also have a region-free DVD player as well that I need to connect to that. Is there an adaptor out there that's HDMI on one end of the cable and the old-fashioned Yellow/Red/White on the other end? A: If I'm reading you correctly, your TV has extra HDMI inputs that you're not currently using, and you'd like to plug old analog video equipment into those. What you're asking for would require a device that can digitize the analog signal from a Composite video cable, as well as analog audio, and output them all over HDMI. This is possible, but impractical and probably needlessly expensive for a standalone device. Do you have an A/V receiver with HDMI connections? If so, most modern receivers will do what you're asking. You can plug all of your video sources into the receiver first. Then the receiver will digitize the analog signals, and output everything over a single HDMI connection. You can switch between which sources you want to output over that HDMI connection at the receiver. Failing that, you may just want to try a simple analog RCA A/V switcher. These can be purchased rather cheaply, and will allow you to plug multiple devices into a single TV input. Homework Assignment: You Be the Advisor Some questions that the HD Advisor receives are best answered with a consensus of opinions from our readers. If you can help to answer the following question, please post your response in our forum thread linked at the end of this article. Your advice and opinions matter too! How to Recognize a Bootleg Blu-ray? Q: How can you tell a burned Blu-ray from an authentic one? With such high-tech and sophisticated printers today, I figure someone could easily print a high quality label for the front of the disc to make the burned copy look legitimate. Is there any other way to distinguish a bootleg Blu-ray from an authentic Blu-ray? Check back soon for another round of answers. Keep those questions coming. Joshua Zyber's opinions are his own and do not necessarily reflect those of this site, its owners or employees.Posted Fri Oct 9, 2009 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Cable Television Satisfaction Up Overall[teaser]According to the latest study from J.D. Power and Associates, overall satisfaction with television service providers is up over last year. [/teaser] The industry as a whole got a score of 632 on the 1,000 point scale that J.D. Powers uses, an increase of 23 points over last year’s results. Based on responses from around 30,000 people surveyed, the J.D. Powers and Associates poll is the go to for information on customer satisfaction. Topping the list for the second year in a row in both the West and South regions is AT&T U-verse. AT&T was quick to cite their recent free updates to the service including U-verse Multiview and regular additions to their HD lineup. Taking the North was WOW!, and in the East, Verizon FiOS reigned supreme. Customers subscribing to premium channels and using Video On Demand services declined about three percent each over the year. “While there has been some belt-tightening regarding most additional services,” says Frank Perazzini, director of telecommunications for J.D. Power “DVR usage has risen 22 percentage points to 40 percent this year as more households utilize this tool to shift the view time for their preferred free programming.” Source: JD Power and AssociatesPosted Fri Oct 9, 2009 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
VUDU Adds Criterion Collection Titles[teaser]Over fifty Criterion Collection films have been added to the VUDU service, with more to come. [/teaser] With a specialty in restoration and distribution of, as they put it, “important classic and contemporary films,” the Criterion Collection is a name well known by those with a love of cinema. Their DVD releases have long been praised for their excellence both in quality and in terms of the special treatments such as custom packaging, documentaries, and even commentaries added to classic films. VUDU has announced the addition of over fifty of these films to their lineup including classics like Solaris, Grey Gardens, as well as films by the likes of Fritz Lang, James Ivory and Ingmar Bergman. Available now, these Criterion Collection films can be rented or purchased on any of the increasing number of devices that offer VUDU’s service. Jonathan Turell, co-founder of Criterion Collection, says that the decision to go with VUDU was an easy one. “VUDU’s mission to deliver the highest quality cinematic experience to its customers is consistent with the Criterion Collection’s mission. We’ve been impressed with VUDU’s quality and are proud to make our films available to Criterion Collection fans on VUDU’s on-demand service.”Posted Thu Oct 8, 2009 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
Best Buy Wants To Upgrade Your Old “Scary” Technology[teaser]Well, sort of. Best Buy is running a contest to find the person with the oldest, most broken down home theater system and is offering a full makeover as a reward. The downside? It’s all Insignia gear, except for the stuff that’s Rocketfish.[/teaser] You can find more information at ScaryTechnology.com but the essential information is this: if you have old crap, Best Buy wants to see it, and they want to upgrade it. Simply take a picture of your insanely large cellular phone from the late 80s, or that record player that doesn’t do LPs or EPs, just your grandfather’s old collection of 78s, or even that old PC with a turbo button and a tape drive, and then upload the picture to Best Buy’s site. The top prize for the contest is an Insignia home theater package which includes a Rocketfish Wireless Home Audio System, an Insignia Blu-ray Player, and Insignia 1080p camcorder, and a $2,500 gift card to spend on “additional Insignia HT gear and Geek Squad Installation.” First and second runner up get gift cards as well, but without suggestions on what to spend it on. Source: Best BuyPosted Thu Oct 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Shows $75,000 TRIMASTER Quad HD Display[teaser]On sale in Japan starting November 1st, the Sony TRIMASTER features a 4K2K resolution, RGB LED backlighting and more. [/teaser] Sony’s 56” TRIMASTER is certainly positioned to take the wind out of the sails of Toshiba’s Cell REGZA. Rather than attempt to offer a superior slew of consumer options, Sony has concentrated strictly on the picture and is aiming towards businesses that require precise image reproduction. Though the name could certainly use a bit of work, Sony says the moniker was assigned because of the trio of factors decided to be most important in making the display: “Exact Color”, “Accurate Picture”, and “Reliability”. The TRIMASTER also features three individual display modes. The first is of course the standard 4096 x 3840 full screen display mode. The second, as we’ve seen with 4K2K televisions in the past, is a Quad View mode, which allows up to four Full HD signals to be displayed simultaneously. The final viewing mode is a zoom mode, which allows standard 1080p signals to be blown up to fill the whole screen. There’s no word yet on a US date, but we can expect to hear more as Japan’s CEATEC expo continues. Source: Sony Japan (via Google Translate)Posted Thu Oct 8, 2009 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
B-Vision Delivers 3D Without The Need For Glasses[teaser]Using a piece of angled glass, Holoart’s 3D B-Vision lets viewers experience 3D images without the need for special head gear. [/teaser] Looking a bit reminiscent of arcade games which used angled mirrors to display an image, the unit isn’t the prettiest thing on the market, but what it does is quite interesting. Using a composite or VGA source, the 3D B-Vision projects a stereoscopic image which, when viewed through the glass, assembles to form a single three dimensional picture. This probably won’t be a revolutionary device for home viewing, and the company’s other offerings such as a desk type 3D B-Vision and spherical displays are also unlikely to make a giant splash either, but we’ve got to give it to Holoart though, they’re trying something new. Source: Holoart (via Google Translate)Posted Thu Oct 8, 2009 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Potential Comcast/NBC Universal Deal May Change Market Cycle[teaser]With Comcast rumored to make a majority-share acquisition of NBC Universal, we may soon be seeing Video On Demand presence of new movies before a DVD or Blu-ray release. [/teaser] The deal seems likely, and reports state that if it were to take place, Comcast and NBC would form a new media group, encompassing Universal Pictures, Universal Studios, NBC television, Hulu.com and cable channels such as Bravo, E!, and USA. Michael Nathanson, analyst with Sanford Bernstein, says that Comcast could easily use its clout to move high definition Video On Demand availability up to precede physical media releases. “Charge consumers $7 to $10 per title for the exclusive right to watch a film in HD on their couches without having to drive to Blockbuster or a Redbox kiosk” he states, “No doubt, Warner Bros., and maybe Fox, will follow.” Nathanson suspects that this would be an excellent way to offset the dollar-a-night rentals offered by Redbox. Allowing consumers early access in high definition at an appropriate price could make DVD rental obsolete for many users. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Oct 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM PDT by:
