-
Jon Favreau Set to Write & Produce New 'Star Wars' Series for Disney's Streaming Service[teaser]The director behind Iron Man and The Jungle Book is heading to a galaxy far, far away.[/teaser] Disney and Lucasfilm have announced a new deal with filmmaker Jon Favreau. As part of the agreement, Favreau will executive produce and write a new live-action Star Wars show for the upcoming Disney streaming platform. "I couldn't be more excited about Jon coming on board to produce and write for the new direct-to-consumer platform," says Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. "Jon brings the perfect mix of producing and writing talent, combined with a fluency in the Star Wars universe. This series will allow Jon the chance to work with a diverse group of writers and directors and give Lucasfilm the opportunity to build a robust talent base." Plot details and a release date for the currently untitled Star Wars show have not been revealed yet. The project now joins a growing assortment of Star Wars projects in development from a variety of creative teams, including a new film trilogy from The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson and a new series of movies from Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Jon Favreau's directing credits include films like Iron Man, Iron Man 2, The Jungle Book, and the upcoming reimagining of The Lion King. Likewise, the filmmaker/actor is also set to appear on screen in Solo: A Star Wars Story in a currently unknown role. Specifics on Disney's new streaming service are still forthcoming, but the platform is expected to launch in 2019. Other shows reportedly in development include a new live-action Marvel series and a show based on Disney/Pixar's Monsters Inc. Source: Star WarsPosted Thu Mar 8, 2018 at 10:15 AM PST by: -
The Best 4K TV Deals for March Madness 2018[teaser]With the NCAA March Madness Tournament just around the corner, sports fans now have one more excuse to take advantage of some lingering 2017 4K Ultra HD TV deals before the more expensive 2018 models arrive later this spring.[/teaser] After all, the only thing better than snagging a fancy new 75-inch HDR display for your upcoming viewing party, is snagging one with a nice discount! But even with some solid sale prices still available, picking the right big-screen Ultra HD TV to upconvert every layup, dunk, and three-pointer is no easy task. Thankfully, we've filled out your Ultra HD TV bracket for you with a handy list of some top 4K HDR display suggestions perfect for March Madness parties at every budget level. And since you'll likely want to make your guests feel as close to courtside as possible, all of our recommended displays will come in at sizes 65-inches and above. Please note: prices are subject to change, and do not include taxes or shipping. ENTRY-LEVEL 4K HDR DISPLAYS In this budget-friendly section, we're focusing on display options that came in for prices under $2,000 without sacrificing picture quality and smart TV features. Though these models might not have the very best specs the industry has to offer, they're all hard to beat when it comes to genuine bang-for-your-buck value. 65" VIZIO E-Series SmartCast Ultra HD HDR Display ($700) - This budget 4K model from VIZIO actually offers a few advanced picture quality features usually reserved for more expensive models, including full-array local dimming with 12 active zones and HDR10 support (though not Dolby Vision). In addition, the set uses the SmartCast TV platform, allowing users to cast supported streaming apps from their mobile devices or launch select services directly from the unit's on-screen interface, offering access to several options capable of streaming the tournament. With that said, the display does not offer wide color capabilities or include a TV tuner, so you'll need a separate digital tuner if you're planning to catch OTA games on your local CBS station during the tournament. Full review here. Order from Best Buy 65" VIZIO M-Series Ultra HD HDR XLED Plus Display ($1,000) - Offering some key upgrades over the E-Series, the 2017 VIZIO M-Series remains one of the best bang-for-your-buck displays on the market. Key features include Dolby Vision and HDR10 support with about 350 nits fullscreen output and around 600 nits peak output, along with full-array local dimming with 32 zones and wide color gamut support. In addition, the set uses the SmartCast TV platform, allowing users to cast supported streaming apps from their mobile devices or launch select services directly from the unit's on-screen interface, offering access to several options capable of streaming the tournament. With that said, the display does not include an integrated TV tuner, so you will need to buy an external unit if you want to watch any OTA games. And for those who want to go even bigger, the massive 75-inch model is also on sale now for a great low price of just $1,800. Order from Best Buy 65" Sony XBR65X900E LED Ultra HD TV ($1,498) - At its current sale price, this is one of the most impressive 4K sets in its class, offering a full-array local dimming backlight, wide color gamut support with Triluminos tech, HDR10 support, and a firmware update planned for HLG playback (but sadly not Dolby Vision). Finally, the set uses the Android TV platform for smart TV apps and streaming, offering access to several options capable of streaming the tournament. Order from Best Buy ENTHUSIAST 4K HDR DISPLAYS Stepping things up a notch, this tier offers a selection of impressive 4K HDR displays that come in for around $2,000 to $2,600, providing brighter and more colorful images with advanced LCD screens or perfect, inky blacks with OLED panels. 65" Samsung QN65Q7 Ultra HD QLED TV ($1,983) - This 2017 Samsung Ultra HD TV features quantum dot technology to deliver some of the market's best color performance. The set offers support for 100 percent color volume and a peak luminance around 1,000 nits. Likewise, the TV includes HDR10 support and is among the first displays to include new HDR10+ support (but sadly it does not offer Dolby Vision). But while still impressive overall, the set's edge-lit local dimming panel presents more blooming and uniformity issues during dark room viewing compared to full-array LCDs and OLEDs. Order the 65-inch from Best Buy 65" Sony XBR65X930E 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($1,998) - One of Sony's top 2017 LCD displays, the XBR65X930E offers great brightness and HDR10 performance with wide color support and Android TV streaming. Likewise, Dolby Vision smart TV playback was recently added via a firmware update. In addition, the panel features local dimming, but it uses edge-lit LEDs rather than a superior full-array implementation. Order from Best Buy LG Electronics OLED65B7A 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV ($2,597) - The B7 is the most affordable 65-inch OLED on the market right now, making it one of the top picture quality performers you can buy ... period. Thanks to its OLED panel, the TV features perfect blacks, infinite contrast, wide color gamut support, and wide viewing angles, making it an ideal choice for a viewing party where guests will be spread out around the room. Likewise, the set includes Active HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support. An HDR Effect feature is included as well, allowing the TVs to simulate HDR with SDR content. In addition, the B7 uses LG's webOS 3.5 smart TV platform and is capable of internally decoding lossless, uncompressed Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Atmos audio. Order from Best Buy Flagship 4K HDR Displays In this final section, we've cast aside all budget restrictions to focus on the best flagship Ultra HD TVs on the market. For basketball fans who want the largest and most impressive displays, you really can't go wrong with any these models. 65" Samsung QN65Q9 Ultra HD QLED TV ($3,298) - Samsung's flagship 2017 Ultra HD TV uses metal quantum dot technology to deliver some of the market's best color and brightness performance, making it an ideal display for watching the tournament in a well-lit viewing environment with windows. The set offers support for a wide color gamut, 100 percent color volume, and a peak luminance between 1,500 and 2,000 nits. Likewise, the TV includes HDR10 support and is among the first displays to include new HDR10+ support (but sadly it does not offer Dolby Vision). In addition, the panel features local dimming, but it uses edge-lit LEDs rather than a superior full-array implementation. A 75-inch model is also available at $6,998 for those with big enough living rooms and wallets Order the 65-inch from Best Buy 65" Sony XBR65A1E Bravia OLED Ultra HD TV ($3,498) - Though LG's 2017 OLED displays can get a tad brighter, Sony's 2017 OLED Ultra HD TV rivals them in almost every way while offering superior image processing. Key features include HDR10, Dolby Vision (smart TV streaming for now, HDMI hopefully soon), HLG (via future firmware update), perfect black levels, wide color gamut playback with Triluminos tech, great viewing angles, and a unique Acoustic Surface sound system that produces audio directly from the screen itself. A 77-inch model is also available for $12,998 if you really want to impress your friends. Order from Best Buy 75" Sony XBR75X940E 4K Ultra HD LED TV ($3,998) - As 2017's top-of-line LCD display from Sony, the XBR75X940E comes in at a whopping 75-inches and offers exceptional brightness and HDR10 performance with wide color support. Likewise, Dolby Vision playback for internal streaming apps was recently added, and the set uses full-array local dimming to create superior black levels. Order from Best Buy 77" LG SIGNATURE G7 OLED Ultra HD TV ($9,997) - With a few key design and audio perks not found on LG's step-down models, the 77-inch G7 is one of the fanciest displays on the market when it comes to looks and performance. Key features include Dolby Vision and HDR10 support (with an HLG firmware upgrade coming soon), industry-leading black levels, great viewing angles, wide color gamut playback, a Picture-on-Glass design, and a sound bar stand with Dolby Atmos support. Order from Best Buy Hisense 100" 4K Laser TV ($10,000) - Blending much of the simplicity of a standard smart TV set with the immersion of a projector system, the Hisense 4K Laser TV presents an enticing option for users who want a more enveloping viewing experience without sacrificing ease of installation. The "TV" system is actually comprised of an Ultra-short throw projector unit powered by a Texas Instruments DLP 4K UHD DMD chip and Hisense’s proprietary light source technology with a super-thin, lightweight, 100-inch Screen Innovations Anti-Glare Screen. The device includes support for HDR10, up to 300 nits and 3,000 lumens of brightness, Rec. 709 color gamut coverage, and Hisense's smart TV platform. Likewise, unlike most other projector units, the system also includes a TV tuner for over-the-air content. So, there you have it. Those are our top Ultra HD TV suggestions for the 2018 NCAA March Madness Tournament. We hope this guide helps out in your shopping endeavors. For now, though, what do you think about our choices? Do you have any other display suggestions? Let us know in the forums! And be sure to check out High-Def Digest for more gear deals!Posted Tue Mar 6, 2018 at 01:21 PM PST by: -
LG Announces Pricing and Availability for 2018 4K OLED & SUPER UHD TV Lineup[teaser]The company's new display collection starts rolling out to stores this month.[/teaser] LG has announced pricing and release dates for its new OLED and SUPER UHD TV lineup. The collection features models ranging in size from 49-inches to 77-inches with prices starting at $1,000. "LG OLED has consistently set the standard for picture quality and design in the premium TV market since its introduction a few short years ago," said Tim Alessi, head of home entertainment product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "The new 2018 models launching in the U.S. continue that leadership with the addition of LG ThinQ AI (Artificial Intelligence) in our premium TVs, offering consumers unmatched picture quality and state-of-the-art AI capabilities that combine to deliver an entirely new entertainment experience in the home." The new ThinQ AI tech found on 2018 LG OLED and SUPER UHD TVs allows customers to take advantage of advanced voice assistant features by speaking directly into their remote controls, enabling users to search for information, images or videos through verbal requests like "show me all of the movies this actor has starred in." Likewise, ThinQ TVs can also serve as smart home hubs with access to other smart home devices like robotic vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, smart lights, smart speakers and more. 2018 LG 4K OLED TV Lineup Building upon last year's OLED collection, the 2018 OLED lineup includes the B8 and C8 Cinema Screen Series, the E8 Picture-on-Glass Series, and the W8 Picture-on-Wall Series. With the exception of the entry-level B8, all of the OLED sets use the company's new α (Alpha) 9 intelligent processor for improved image and color performance over last year's models. In addition, the OLED lineup also includes support for on-board Dolby Atmos audio and LG's 4K Cinema HDR suite of high dynamic range formats, including Advanced HDR by Technicolor, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). Here's a full rundown of pricing and availability for LG's 2018 OLED lineup: LG SIGNATURE OLED TV AI ThinQ W8 77-inch class OLED77W8PUA - $14,999.99 (available week of April 16) 65-inch class OLED65W8PUA - $6,999.99 (available week of July 16) LG OLED TV AI ThinQ E8 65-inch class OLED65E8PUA - $4,499.99 (available week of April 2) 55-inch class OLED55E8PUA - $3,499.99 (available week of April 2) LG OLED TV AI ThinQ C8 77-inch class OLED77C8PUA - $8,999.99 (available week of April 12) 65-inch class OLED65C8PUA - $3,499.99 (available week of March 19) 55-inch class OLED55C8PUA - $2,499.99 (available week of March 19) LG OLED TV AI ThinQ B8 65-inch and 55-inch models (TBA at a later date) 2018 LG SUPER UHD TV Lineup The new 2018 SUPER UHD TV collection includes the SK9500, SK9000, and SK8000 series. All of the displays use LCD panels with LG's Nano Cell technology for wider colors and improved viewing angles. In addition, the sets incorporate the new α (Alpha) 7 processor, a step-down version of the company's advanced α (Alpha) 9, for enhanced image rendering. And as a very welcomed new feature for 2018, the SK9500 and SK9000 models also feature Full Array Local Dimming (FALD) support for improved black level performance. Finally, the SUPER UHD lineup also includes support for LG's 4K Cinema HDR suite of high dynamic range formats, including Advanced HDR by Technicolor, Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). Here's a full rundown of pricing and availability for LG's 2018 SUPER UHD TV lineup: LG SUPER UHD TV AI ThinQ SK9500 65-inch class 65SK9500PUA - $2,699.99 (available week of March 19) LG SUPER UHD TV AI ThinQ SK9000 65-inch class 65SK9000PUA - $2,199.99 (available week of March 12) 55-inch class 55SK9000PUA - $1,599.99 (available week of March 12) LG SUPER UHD TV AI ThinQ SK8000 75-inch class 75SK8070PUA - $2,699.99 (available week of April 23) 65-inch class 65SK8000PUA - $1,999.99 (available week of April 2) 55-inch class 55SK8000PUA - $1,199.99 (available week of April 2) 49-inch class 49SK8000PUA - $999.99 (available week of May 7) Source: LG via PR NewswirePosted Tue Mar 6, 2018 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
This Week in Gear: First Gen Apple TVs Lose iTunes Support, Vizio Earns Stevie Awards, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including details on the end of iTunes support for some older devices, Vizio's latest honors, 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 end of iTunes Store access on older products, Vizio's latest customer service awards, new features for PlayStation Vue, and the addition of DVR support for the Plex Live TV app on Apple TV. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Apple Set to End iTunes Support for First Generation Apple TVs Apple has announced plans to end support for the iTunes Store on several older devices. Products set to be affected by the move include First Generation Apple TV models, and Windows XP and Windows Vista PCs. The block will be implemented on May 25 via upcoming security changes that will prevent Windows XP, Windows Vista, and First Generation Apple TVs from accessing the iTunes store. With that said, XP and Vista users will still be able to continue using older versions of iTunes, but customers will not be able to make new purchases or redownload previous purchases. Meanwhile, iTunes store access via an Apple TV will now require a Second Generation model or higher. The newest Apple TV model is the Apple TV 4K. The device utilizes the A10X Fusion chip and offers 4K playback capabilities at up to 60 frames per second with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision content. In addition, the device includes 4K scaling for HD sources, Siri voice search, iCloud support for media sharing, standard AirPlay capabilities, and the ability to serve as a smart home hub for HomeKit accessories with remote access and automated control. Apple TV 4K models are now available in 32GB ($179) and 64GB ($199) versions. Source: Apple via The Verge VIZIO Receives 18 Stevie Awards for Customer Service Vizio has earned several awards for its customer service performance at the 12th Annual Stevie Awards. The company's honors include a Grand Stevie Award for placing fourth overall out of 180 companies, along with four gold, nine silver and four bronze medals. "Among VIZIO's gold medals this year is the award for Customer Service Department of the Year," stated Scott Patten, Sr. Vice President of Operations & Technical Support, VIZIO. "An enormous part of our success is the teamwork and support in place across all departments at VIZIO. Each individual and team plays a vital role in ensuring consistent and superior customer satisfaction with our customers. We are blessed to have a group of support professionals who genuinely care about providing Customer Service Excellence to our 70 million-plus customers." This year's awards evaluated more than 2,500 nominations from various organizations, and entries were considered in 89 categories for customer service and contact center honors including: Contact Center of the Year, Award for Innovation in Customer Service, and Customer Service Department of the Year. You can check out a full list of Stevie Award winners here. Source: Vizio PlayStation Vue Offers New Mobile Sign Up Option Sony has announced a few new features for its PlayStation Vue streaming TV service. As part of the update, the platform now offers mobile sign up, in-home regional sports network access, and out-of-home local broadcast station access. With mobile sign up, users can now register and watch content directly through the PS Vue website on mobile devices or PCs, rather than just connected TVs and media players. In addition, subscribers can also now tune into regional sports networks like Fox Sports or NBC Sports even when they are in another city. Likewise, traveling viewers can also now watch local channels that are available in the market that they happen to be visiting. The PlayStation Vue service provides live and on demand content from a growing collection of channels. The platform enables viewers to easily search through available programming with an intuitive interface and convenient personal recommendations. In addition, if customers tag a favorite series they will be given cloud access to episodes of that show for 28 days with no storage restrictions. Likewise, PlayStation Vue offers up to five simultaneous streams across different devices, including up to three mobile devices outside of the home. Source: Sony Plex Adds New DVR Features to Apple TV App Plex has announced two new features for its Live OTA TV streaming feature via the Apple TV. As part of the update, the Apple TV app now offers the ability to schedule DVR recordings and use closed captioning during live playback. With Plex Live TV and DVR, users with a Plex Pass subscription can watch and record high definition, over-the-air TV broadcasts from a supported digital tuner and antenna through Plex's intuitive and customizable program guide. The feature supports channels in more than 70 countries, including shows from all major US networks like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and CW, as well as local programming, news, and sports (encrypted channels currently not supported). In addition to the Apple TV, Plex Web App, and PMP desktop client, Live TV streaming through Plex is also available via the company's Web, Xbox One, Roku, Android TV, and iOS apps. To use the feature, customers will need a digital antenna and a supported TV tuner, including models from HDHomeRun, Hauppauge, AVerMedia, DVBLogic and more (complete list here). Likewise, users will need a Plex Pass subscription which starts at $5 per month or $40 per year. Alternatively, customers can also sign up for a lifetime membership for $120. Source: Plex via EngadgetPosted Mon Mar 5, 2018 at 06:30 PM PST by: -
ELAC Details New Debut 2.0 Series Speaker Lineup[teaser]The company's latest speakers have been revealed.[/teaser] ELAC has announced the launch of its new Debut 2.0 speaker lineup designed by Andrew Jones. Serving as a successor to the original Debut speaker collection, the new 2.0 series has been redesigned from the ground up for improved performance. The Debut 2.0 Series includes bookshelf, floorstanding, center channel, Dolby Atmos module, on-wall, and subwoofer models. The speakers feature new silk dome tweeters with a wide-roll surround, a waveguide for improved directivity control, and support for up to a 35,000 Hz response. Likewise, the units also use new woven aramid-fiber woofers for a smoother, extended low-frequency response. New, larger MDF cabinets with a black ash vinyl finish are implemented as well, along with reconfigured bookshelf and center channel designs that move the bass ports to the front for more flexible placement options that are suitable against walls or in bookshelves. Here's a full rundown of pricing for each speaker model in the new Debut 2.0 Series: F6.2 Triple 6-12" 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker - $399.98 each F5.2 Triple 5-1/4" 3-Way Floorstanding Speaker - $299.98 each B6.2 6 1/2" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers - $299.98 Pair B5.2 5-1/4" 2-Way Bookshelf Speakers - $249.98 Pair C6.2 Dual 6-1/2" 2-Way Center Speaker - $279.98 each C5.2 Dual 5-1/4" 2-Way Center Speaker - $199.98 each A4.2 Atmos Modules 4" Concentric Atmos Add-On Speakers - $249.98 Pair SUB3010 10" 400 Watt Powered Subwoofer with Auto EQ - $449.98 each OW4.2 4" On-Wall Speakers - $249.98 Pair Listings for the new ELAC Debut 2.0 speakers are now live on Amazon but units are not yet available in stock for shipment as of press time. Source: ELAC, ELAC (Facebook)Posted Fri Mar 2, 2018 at 08:00 PM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'The Week Of,' 'Lore,' and More[teaser]A new comedy starring Chris Rock and Adam Sandler is among the latest crop of upcoming streaming titles.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new info and previews for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including Ladies First, Ricky Gervais: Humanity, Wild Wild Country, The Mechanism, Reboot: The Guardian Code, The Week Of, Bosch: Season Five, and Lore: Season Two. In addition, Criterion has detailed its March lineup of titles set to hit the Criterion Channel on the FilmStruck streaming service. Here's a full rundown of upcoming titles scheduled to arrive on each platform: Ladies First - (Netflix, March 8) - Change begins with her. At the age of 12, Deepika Kumari left home to find a better future. Within four years, she was the number one archer in the world. Ladies First follows the journey of a young woman from her community in rural India to Rio de Janeiro, where she fights to become the first Indian woman to win an Olympic Gold Medal. Ricky Gervais: Humanity (Netflix, March 13) - Filmed at the Apollo Hammersmith in London, the Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning British comedian returns to the stage in London with a scathing special that touches on aging, becoming spoiled, his perspective on having kids and more. Ricky Gervais: Humanity premieres globally Tuesday, March 13, 2018, only on Netflix. Wild Wild Country (Netflix, March 16) - When the world's most controversial guru builds a utopian city in the Oregon desert, a massive conflict with local ranchers ensues; producing the first bioterror attack in US history, the largest case of illegal wiretapping ever recorded, and the world's biggest collection of Rolls-Royce automobiles. Over six episodes, Directors Chapman Way and Maclain Way (The Battered Bastards of Baseball) and executive producers Mark and Jay Duplass (Duplass Brothers Productions) take viewers back to this pivotal, yet largely forgotten moment in American cultural history, one in which our national tolerance for the separation of church and state was sorely tested. Wild Wild Country is historical filmmaking brought to life on an epic scale. It’s a tale so wild that seeing means barely believing. The Mechanism (Netflix, March 23) - Get ready to join a small group of dogged investigators on the hunt to discover the inner workings of the biggest corruption scheme of all time and the impact their pursuit will have on everyone involved - including themselves. From José Padilha (Narcos, Elite Squad 1 & 2, RoboCop) and Elena Soarez (Filhos do Carnaval, Eu Tu Eles), and starring Selton Mello. Reboot: The Guardian Code (Netflix, March 30) - The show is a cool mix of live action and awesome animation about the adventures of four teenagers who become the Next-Generation Guardians of Cyberspace with the help of an artificially intelligent bio-constructed teenage girl. The Week Of (Netflix, April 27) - The comedy tells the story of a devoted, middle class father (Adam Sandler) determined to pay for his daughter's wedding despite the prodding of the wealthier father of the groom (Chris Rock). A series of calamities forces the dads (and their families) to come together and endure the longest week of their lives. Meanwhile, Amazon has greenlit a fifth season for its original series Bosch. An exact release date has not been announced yet. Based on the novels written by Michael Connelly, the show stars Titus Welliver as homicide Detective Harry Bosch, Jamie Hector as Jerry Edgar, Amy Aquino as Lt. Grace Billets, Madison Lintz as Maddie Bosch, and Lance Reddick as Deputy Chief Irvin Irving. "As Amazon Prime Video's longest-running one-hour series, Bosch has long been a cornerstone of our scripted programming, and Prime members consistently clamor for more," said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series, Amazon Studios. "We are excited to give them another season with Harry Bosch, Jerry Edgar, Grace Billets and the rest of the diverse characters that make up the Bosch universe." In addition, Amazon has also announced a second season renewal for Lore. An exact release date has not been announced yet. Based on Aaron Mahnke's award-winning podcast of the same name, the show explores the real-life frightening and disturbing tales that give rise to modern-day myths and legends through a mixture of filmed segments, narration, archive footage, and animation. The upcoming second season will include new stories from the podcast along with original stories not yet told on the podcast. "Customers loved the first season of Lore for its unique blend of narrative and documentary storytelling, and we’re excited to give them another season of this suspenseful hybrid series," said Heather Schuster, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals. "Sean brings great experience in the supernatural genre, and we’re excited for him to help us tell even more frightening and visually captivating stories." Finally, Criterion has revealed its March lineup of films set to hit the Criterion Channel on the FilmStruck streaming service. Here's a full rundown of titles premiering in March: Art (March 6), Adrian Sitaru, 2014 Home (March 13), Daniel Mulloy, 2016 Science Is Fiction: 23 Films by Jean Painlevé (March 14) Frownland (March 19), Ronald Bronstein, 2007 The Colour of His Hair (March 20), Sam Ashby, 2017 Police Beat (March 22), Robinson Devor, 2005 Lira's Forest (March 27), Connor Jessup, 2017 Angela (March 29), Rebecca Miller, 1995 The Ballad of Jack and Rose (March 29), Rebecca Miller, 2005 - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $99 per year or $11 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - A current FilmStruck Subscription starts at $7 per month. In addition, a FilmStruck + The Criterion Channel Subscription costs $11 per month, and customers can also opt for an annual Subscription for $99 per year. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon, FilmStruckPosted Thu Mar 1, 2018 at 05:05 PM PST by: -
LG Reveals New V30S ThinQ, K8, and K10 Series Smartphones[teaser]The company's latest mobile lineup has been detailed.[/teaser] LG has announced the newest additions to its smartphone lineup. The collection includes the flagship V30S ThinQ with advanced AI features, and the mass-tier K8 and K10 Series. "Many companies talk about AI but we're already delivering on our promise by integrating intelligent technology in the LG V30S ThinQ to features most commonly used by our customers for a whole new level of convenience never before available in a smartphone of this caliber," said Hwang Jeong-hwan, president of LG Mobile Communications Company. "And we will continue to introduce new AI capabilities to enhance usability and to demonstrate to our customers that we are committed to delivering a great user experience that continues long after the purchase of an LG phone." The V30S ThinQ features a 6.0-inch 18:9 QuadHD+ OLED FullVision Display with a resolution of 2880 x 1440 and 538ppi. In addition, the display also supports HDR10 playback. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform CPU, 6GB RAM, and a 3300mAh battery running Android 8.0. A Rear Dual 16MP Standard Angle (F1.6 / 71°) / 13MP Wide Angle (F1.9 / 120°) camera and a Front 5MP Wide Angle (F2.2 / 90°) camera are included as well. Also of note, are several new AI features including Vision AI for smarter camera performance and Voice AI for enhanced support for spoken commands. Vision AI includes AI CAM which recommends the best shooting mode based on an analysis of the image being captured; QLens for scanning QR codes, image searches, and accessing more info about landmarks; and Bright Mode which can brighten images taken in low light by a factor of two without noise through special algorithms. Meanwhile, the Voice AI works in conjunction with Google Assistant to enable voice control for running apps and changing settings. Exact pricing and availability for the LG V30S ThinQ smartphone have not been detailed yet. Here's a full rundown of specs for per LG: - Chipset: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Mobile Platform- Display: 6.0-inch 18:9 QuadHD+ OLED FullVision Display (2880 x 1440 / 538ppi)- Memory: V30S ThinQ: 6GB RAM / 128GB ROM / microSD (up to 2TB); V30S+ ThinQ: 6GB RAM / 256GB ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)- Rear Dual Camera: 16MP Standard Angle (F1.6 / 71°) / 13MP Wide Angle (F1.9 / 120°) - Front Camera: 5MP Wide Angle (F2.2 / 90°) - AI: AI CAM / QVoice / QLens / Bright Mode / AI Haptic / Google Assistant- Battery: 3300mAh- Operating System: Android 8.0 Oreo- Size: 151.7 x 75.4 x 7.3mm- Weight: 158g- Network: LTE-A 4 Band CA- Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a, b, g, n, ac / Bluetooth 5.0 BLE / NFC / USB Type-C 2.0 (3.1 compatible)- Colors: New Moroccan Blue, New Platinum Gray- Other: IP68 Water and Dust Resistant / MIL-STD 810G Compliant / 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC / HDR10 / Crystal Clear Lens / Google Daydream / UX 6.0+ / Voice Recognition / Face Recognition / Fingerprint Sensor / Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 Technology / Wireless Charging And when it comes to mass-market models, LG has also detailed the 2018 K8 and K10 (K10, K10+, K10α) series smartphones. The K10 Series features a 5.3-inch HD In-cell Touch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 and 277ppi. Under the hood, the phone is powered by a 1.5 GHz Octa-Core CPU. Meanwhile, the K8 Series features a 5.0-inch HD On-cell Touch display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 and 294ppi. Under the hood, the device uses a 1.3 GHz Quad-Core CPU. In addition, both series offer several advanced camera options, including a new Low Light Noise Reduction feature; HDR photo capture; a Timer Helper that uses the flash to visually countdown the shutter timer; and a Flash Jump Shot mode that can take a photo every three seconds (up to 20 photos) and then combine them all into a GIF. "LG's 2018 K Series range of smartphones is focused on delivering even more value to consumers looking for the right device that fits their lifestyle and needs," said Ha Jeung-uk, senior vice president and business unit leader for LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "We're confident we can capture the hearts and minds of consumers in the fast-moving market with our smartphone camera technology and other convenient features." Exact availability and pricing for the K8 and K10 series have not been announced yet, but both models will roll out to various global markets including Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Here's a full rundown of specs for each series per LG: K10 Key Specifications- Chipset: 1.5 GHz Octa-Core- Display: 5.3-inch HD In-cell Touch (1280 x 720 / 277ppi)- Memory K10+: 3GB RAM / 32GB ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)- Memory K10: 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)- Memory K10α : 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM / microSD (up to 2TB)- Camera K10+ : Rear 13MP / Front 8MP or 5MP (Wide)- Camera K10: Rear 13MP / Front 8MP or 5MP (Wide)- Camera K10α : Rear 8MP / Front 5MP- Battery: 3,000mAh (embedded)- Operating System: Android 7.1.2 Nougat- Size: 148.7 x 75.3 x 8.68mm- Weight: 162g- Network: LTE / 3G / 2G- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b, g, n) / Bluetooth 4.2 / USB 2.0 Type B / NFC- Colors K10+: Moroccan Blue / Terra Gold- Colors K10: Aurora Black / Moroccan Blue / Terra Gold- Colors K10α: Aurora Black / Terra Gold- Other: Fingerprint Scanner / FM Radio / Flash Jump Shot / Music Flash / K8 Key Specifications- Time Helper / Quick Capture / Quick Shutter- Chipset: 1.3 GHz Quad-Core- Display: 5.0-inch HD On-cell Touch (1280 x 720 / 294ppi)- Memory: 2GB RAM / 16GB ROM / microSD (up to 32GB)- Camera: Rear 8MP / Front 5MP- Battery: 2,500mAh (removable)- Operating System: Android 7.1.2 Nougat- Size: 146.3 x 73.2 x 8.2mm- Weight: 152g- Network: LTE / 3G / 2G- Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b, g, n) / Bluetooth 4.2 / USB 2.0 Type B- Colors: Aurora Black / Moroccan Blue / Terra Gold- Other: FM Radio / Flash Jump Shot / Music Flash / Time Helper / Quick Capture / Quick Shutter Source: LGPosted Wed Feb 28, 2018 at 03:05 PM PST by: -
Everything Coming to iTunes & the Apple TV App in March 2018[teaser]Check out all the new digital titles coming to the iTunes library and Apple TV App in March.[/teaser] Apple has revealed its upcoming March lineup of movies and TV shows for iTunes. The collection includes films like Star Wars: The Last Jedi, I, Tonya, Pitch Perfect 3, Phantom Thread, The Greatest Showman, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. In addition, users who purchase Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle will receive access to exclusive iTunes Extras. And beyond iTunes, Apple has also compiled a list of March streaming titles set to be available via the Apple TV App on iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV devices. The Apple TV App allows users to browse through content from over 60 video services without switching from one app to the next, including titles from Amazon Prime Video, HBO Now, Showtime, CBS All Access, Hulu, and many other pay-TV subscriptions. Here's a full rundown of all the upcoming iTunes titles per Apple: TV - *full seasons in bold 3/4 Top Gear Season 25 3/5 Mosaic 3/12 Rolling Stones: Stories from the Edge (exclusively on iTunes through 3/26) 3/26 2 Dope Queens 3/26 Notes from the Field 3/26 Game of Thrones Season 1-7 Digital Box Set Movies 3/1 - Pitch Perfect 3 3/2 - I, Tonya 3/2 - Midnighters (same day as theaters) 3/2 - BEFORE ANYTHANG: THE CASH MONEY STORY (Apple Music doc) 3/6 - Downsizing 3/6 - Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle - Exclusive iTunes Extras (“Pick Your Player” interactive experience highlighting video and image gallery content specific to the player of your choice) 3/9 - Bent (same day as theaters) 3/13 - Jane 3/13 - Breakable You 3/13 - The Last Jedi 3/16 - Furlough (same day as theaters) 3/16 - Allure (same day as theaters) 3/16 - The Forgiven (same day as theaters) 3/20 - The Greatest Showman 3/20 - Insidious: The Last Key 3/23 - What We Started (same day as theaters) 3/23 - I Kill Giants (same day as theaters) 3/23 - Pyewacket (same day as theaters) 3/27 - Phantom Thread 3/27 - Condorito: The Movie 3/27 - All the Money in the World 3/27 - Proud Mary 3/27 - Shopkins Wild 3/27- Dolores And here's a rundown of upcoming streaming content from various services through the Apple TV App: TV 3/1 Atlanta: Robbin Season 2 (FX) 3/1 Unsolved (USA) Free Series Premiere 3/1 Survivor Season 36 (CBS) 3/2 Once Upon a Time Season 7B (ABC) 3/2 Saturday Night Live: Charles Barkley & Migos (NBC) 3/4 The Good Fight Season 2 (CBS All Access) 3/7 Hard Sun (Hulu) 3/7 Back (Sundance Now) 3/7 Riverdale Season 2B (CW) 3/7 Life Sentence (CW) 3/7 Heathers (Paramount) 3/7 Hap + Leonard Season 3 (Sundance) 3/8 Champions (NBC) 3/8 The Oath (Crackle) 3/9 Sneaky Pete Season 2 (Prime Video) 3/9 The Tunnel Season 2 (Prime Video) 3/11 American Idol (ABC) 3/11 Instinct (CBS) 3/11 The Arrangement Season 2 (E!) 3/11 The Royals Season 4 (E!) 3/11 Timeless Season 2 (NBC) 3/11 Deception (ABC) 3/12 Jane (Nat GEO) 3/13 For the People (ABC) 3/13 Rise (NBC) 3/20 Shadowhunters (Freeform) 3/21 Krypton (SYFY) 3/22 Station 19 (ABC) 3/25 Billions Season 3 (Showtime) 3/25 Silicon Valley Season 5 (HBO NOW) 3/25 Barry (HBO NOW) 3/25 Trust (FX) 3/26 Notes from the Field (HBO NOW) 3/26 The Terror (AMC) 3/28 Roseanne (ABC) 3/28 Splitting up Together (ABC) 3/28 Empire Season 4B (FOX) 3/28 Star Season 2B (FOX) 3/28 Alec Inc. (ABC) 3/28 Suits Season 7B (USA) 3/29 The Americans Season 6 (FX) 3/30 The Dangerous Book for Boys (Prime Video) 3/30 Nobodies Season 2 (Paramount) Movies 3/2 The Space Between Us (Showtime) 3/2 Brad's Status (Amazon) 3/3 The Nut Job 2 (Amazon) 3/3 Alien: Covenant (HBO) 3/5 The New Radical (Hulu) 3/5 Brigsby Bear (Starz) 3/8 Aftermath (2017) (Hulu) 3/9 Wakefield (Showtime) 3/9 Power Rangers (Hulu) 3/10 Patriot's Day (Showtime) 3/10 My Cousin Rachel (HBO) 3/10 Churchill (Starz) 3/12 Force Majeure (Hulu) 3/12 McLaren (Starz) Source: iTunesPosted Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 06:15 PM PST by: -
Epix Preps 4K Ultra HD Support & Standalone Streaming Service[teaser]The premium cable network is adding on-demand 4K content to its library.[/teaser] Epix has announced plans to launch 4K Ultra HD content support for select video-on-demand titles. The 4K content will be available to subscribers via the company's apps on select 4K media devices as well as select pay-TV affiliate 4K set-top boxes. The debut lineup of 4K Ultra HD titles will include movies like Star Trek Beyond, Arrival, Transformers: The Last Knight, and several James Bond films like Die Another Day, Goldeneye, License to Kill, From Russia With Love, and The Spy Who Loved Me. Likewise, the Epix original series Get Shorty will also be available in 4K Ultra HD. With that said, it doesn't look like the network's initial offerings will support high dynamic range, though Epix is reportedly considering HDR playback for the future. An exact launch date and list of supported 4K media devices and pay-TV set-top boxes with access to the Epix 4K on-demand content library have not been revealed yet. Meanwhile, Variety is also reporting that Epix is prepping a standalone direct to consumer video subscription option that will not require a separate pay-TV account. The upcoming service will likely be similar to other recent standalone streaming platforms from premium networks like HBO, Showtime, and STARZ. Pricing plans and a release have not been announced yet. The Epix network is currently available through a variety of cable and satellite packages. Likewise, subscribers with an authenticated pay-TV subscription can watch standard live and on demand Epix content through iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, Amazon Fire Tablets, Amazon Fire TV, Android phones and tablets, Desktop and Laptop Computers (via web browser), Chromecast, Honda, PlayStation 4, Roku devices, Android TVs, TiVo (Premiere, Mini, Roamio, Bolt), and Xbox One. Sources: Variety, Engadget, Multichannel NewsPosted Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 11:45 AM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deals: Up to 20% Off Klipsch Reference Premiere Speakers[teaser]The Reference Premiere lineup is now on sale![/teaser] As part of a limited-time offer, Klipsch is currently discounting several speakers and subwoofers in its Reference Premiere Series. The sale prices are set to be active until March 10. Here's a full rundown of the models included in the promotion: RP-280F Floorstanding Speaker - $539 each (10% off) RP-260F Floorstanding Speaker - $449 each (10% off) RP-250F Floorstanding Speaker - $336 each (10% off) R-110SW Subwoofer - $439 (20% off). R-112SW Subwoofer - $519 (20% off). R-115SW Subwoofer - $719 (20% off). These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions!Posted Tue Feb 27, 2018 at 09:30 AM PST by:
