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THX Announces New Spatial Audio Platform[teaser]The new positional audio solution is designed to create an immersive sound experience through headphones and speakers.[/teaser] To coincide with the 2018 Mobile World Congress in Spain, THX has announced its latest advancement in audio tech. Dubbed the THX Spatial Audio Platform, the new end-to-end universal positional audio solution has been designed to support immersive object-based and ambisonics formats, open standards, and legacy content through mobile, PC and other electronic devices over headphones and speakers. "THX has a rich history of ensuring high fidelity audio and visual experiences for consumers and as technology continues to evolve, so do we," said Ruben Mookerjee, Senior Vice President of Product, THX Ltd. "We look forward to working closely with Qualcomm to bring next generation entertainment experiences to life with THX Spatial Audio using MPEG-H." The THX Spatial Audio Platform covers various elements of content creation and audio playback, including the use of the MPEG-H audio standard to offer next generation high-fidelity audio support on mobile products, PCs, and other media devices. As part of the demo at Mobile World Congress, the company has teamed up with Qualcomm to demonstrate the THX Spatial Audio Platform's ability to encode, decode, transport, and render content using MPEG-H audio to create an enhanced sense of immersion on mobile devices. And though we're not on hand in Barcelona to hear the new demo, THX was kind enough to treat our Editor-in-Chief, Michael S. Palmer, to a BETA demo of the tech back at CES in January. Hands-On First Impressions Written by Michael S. Palmer Technologies like DTS:Headphone:X and Dolby Headphone have been around for a few years, and they do quite well at synthesizing a full surround experience for music, movies, and video games on just about any pair of stereo headphones. THX Spatial Audio offers a similar immersive quality for headphones, but takes everything one step further. We had a chance to do a secret BETA-demo of THX Spatial Audio at CES 2018. The demo consisted of listening to music that was captured using binaural recording -- Pink Floyd's Money & Wycliffe Gordon's Dreams of New Orleans -- as well as a clip from the film Gravity on three different devices -- over-the-ear headphones, an Android phone with stereo speakers, and PC laptop with stereo speakers. Binaural recording, for those who aren't aware, is a form of stereo recording that places two microphones in such a way that the recorded audio mimics what it's like for human beings to hear live music in a room. In our music demo, switching between THX Spatial Audio and conventional stereo created a dramatic effect. With Spatial Audio engaged, it was like being IN the recording studio itself, surrounded by various instruments, an illusion that was akin to virtual reality with one's eyes closed. Testing out the same music tracks with the stereo phone or laptop, the results were less dramatic, but still quite effective in how it seemed to erase the location of each device's speakers and replacing those with a wall of clear, lifelike, stereo sound. A bit more like attending a concert than listening to a recording. Moving on to the scene from Gravity, it's no surprise today that headphones can deliver a seamless surround-esque experience, but what really surprised me was how much this translated to the Android phone and the laptop. Effectively, using the worst speakers possible to try to enjoy a thrilling action setpiece is a not a great idea, yet with THX Spatial Audio, it sounded like Sandra Bullock's screams and Steven Price's heart-pumping score were floating out in front of the displays. It wasn't a surround experience, mind you, but the stereo panning and imagine was perfect and a bit like listing to a Dolby Atmos sound bar. (By the way, I'd love to see this tech built into sound bars.) So, we don't really have anything to report about specific devices or content just yet, but know this: it works quite well, demonstrably so, and lives up to the THX legacy. When you start to see THX Spatial Audio as a feature on your gear, music, movies, or games, definitely check it out. Source: THXPosted Sun Feb 25, 2018 at 10:00 PM PST by: -
Samsung Details Galaxy S9 and S9+ Smartphones[teaser]The new smartphones are set to arrive on March 16.[/teaser] To coincide with the 2018 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Samsung has officially unveiled its latest flagship Galaxy smartphone lineup. The collection includes the Galaxy S9 and S9+. "The way we use our smartphones has changed as communication and self-expression has evolved," said DJ Koh, president and Head of IT & Mobile Communications Division, Samsung Electronics. "With the Galaxy S9 and S9+, we have reimagined the smartphone camera. Not only does the Galaxy S9 and S9+ enable consumers to shoot the best photos and videos anywhere, it's a smartphone that’s designed to help them connect to others and express themselves in a way that's unique and personal to them." The Galaxy S9 features a 5.8-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED screen with 570ppi. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S9+ features a 6.2-inch Quad HD + Curved Super AMOLED screen with 529ppi. Under the hood, both models are powered by 10nm, 64-bit, Octa-core processor (2.8 GHz Quad + 1.7 GHz Quad) running Android 8 (Oreo). A Super Speed Dual Pixel 12MP AF sensor with OIS (F1.5/F2.4) rear camera setup and a front 8MP AF (F1.7) camera are integrated on the S9 as well, offering support for low light photography through an aperture that can automatically switch between F2.4 and F1.5 to let in more or less light to better suit the environment. Likewise, the camera is also capable of 960 frames per second super slow-motion video recording, and features Bixby integration with augmented reality and deep learning tech to generate helpful info about objects and locations in the camera's view. Meanwhile, when it comes to audio, the S9 and S9+ both feature stereo speakers tuned by AKG (one at the bottom and one at the earpiece) with performance that is 1.4x more powerful than previous Galaxy models. Likewise, the phones also include a Dolby Atmos surround sound mode to simulate multi-dimensional, 360-degree audio through the speakers or connected headphones. The feature analyzes how key variables affect the audio to provide a more immersive soundfield for Dolby Atmos-exclusive content or other media types, and can be toggled on or off in the drop-down settings. Samsung's Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will be available in Lilac Purple, Midnight Black and Coral Blue in the US. Pre-orders are set to launch on March 2 through various mobile carriers and retailers for a March 16 release. The Unlocked Galaxy S9 will retail for $720 or $30/month for 24 months financing, and the Unlocked Galaxy S9+ will launch for $840 or $35/month for 24 months financing. Source: SamsungPosted Sun Feb 25, 2018 at 04:20 PM PST by: -
Disney Loses First Battle in Lawsuit Against Redbox[teaser]Disney's motion for a preliminary injunction against Redbox has been denied.[/teaser] Disney has been dealt a major blow in its legal battle against Redbox. As reported back in December, the studio is suing the rental kiosk company for reselling digital copy codes of its films. And now a California federal judge has rejected Disney's motion for a preliminary injunction to stop Redbox on the grounds of copyright misuse by Disney itself. Redbox first began selling digital copy codes for Disney films in October for around $5 - $15 per title. The company obtains the codes from inserts that are included with the retail discs it buys for its DVD and Blu-ray rental kiosks. The selection of movies includes many popular titles like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, The Jungle Book, Moana, Frozen, and more. After buying a code, users can pick-up a printout with details on how to use it from one of Redbox's kiosks. The codes can then be used to redeem a digital copy of the selected movie through various supported services and devices. As part of its lawsuit, Disney is claiming that by reselling these codes Redbox is violating the studio's contracts and copyrights since Disney clearly states that these codes are not for sale on its packaging. As such, Disney was seeking an injunction on the sale of its digital codes through Redbox, but now that injunction has been denied in court. California federal judge Dean Pregerson based his ruling on copyright misuse by Disney itself. According to Disney's licensing terms, individuals who redeem digital copy codes from combo packs must also be the owners of the physical disc the code came with -- and it's here where the studio is actually running into trouble. You see, as part of copyright law's first sale doctrine, customers are allowed to resell copyrighted discs that they have purchased. But by requiring buyers of a combo pack to retain ownership of a physical disc they bought in order to redeem a download code, Disney is effectively forcing buyers to waive away their right to resell the disc. As far as the judge is concerned, this type of restriction and leveraging goes beyond the ordinary rights given to the studio by copyright law, which means Disney has been engaging in copyright misuse. And though Disney is free to appeal the decision, if the ruling is upheld it could have a huge impact on the future of digital combo packs and copyright law itself. According to copyright scholar James Grimmelmann speaking to Ars Technica, if the copyright misuse sticks it could actually prevent Disney from enforcing any of its copyrights on combo pack titles until the misuse stops. In other words, films like The Force Awakens and Frozen could suddenly lose their copyright protection altogether until Disney stops bundling the download codes or somehow finds a way to lawfully reword the fine print on its packaging to avoid the misuse. As such, the ruling could potentially force Disney and other studios to stop selling combo packs with download codes entirely in order to maintain enforcement of their copyrights. Likewise, video games and other products that come with similar redemption codes or bundled software could also be impacted by the ruling. With these wide-ranging ramifications in mind, however, it's very unlikely that this conclusion will be maintained on appeal. The next step is set for March 5, when a hearing will be held to consider Redbox's motion to dismiss Disney's case entirely. Sources: Ars Technica, The Hollywood Reporter, Engadget, Document CloudPosted Fri Feb 23, 2018 at 08:00 PM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Lost in Space,' 'The Dangerous Book for Boys,' and More[teaser]"Danger, Will Robinson!" New trailers for Lost in Space and more streaming titles have been revealed.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new previews for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including Seven Seconds, The Push, Flint Town, Gad Elmaleh: American Dream, The Outsider, Jessica Jones: Season Two, Nailed It, Collateral, Roxanne Roxanne, Lost in Space, The Innocents, The Remix, and The Dangerous Book for Boys. Here's a full rundown of upcoming titles set to hit each streaming service: Seven Seconds - (Netflix, February 23) - In an instant, life is forever changed for Brenton Butler and his family. After a white cop accidentally hits and critically injures a black teenager, a northeastern city explodes with racial tensions, an attempted cover up and its aftermath, and the trial of the century. Derren Brown: The Push (Netflix, February 27) - Psychological Illusionist Derren Brown makes his much-anticipated US debut with the groundbreaking special The Push. In The Push, Brown exposes the psychological secrets of obedience and social compliance. He expertly lifts the lid on the terrifying truth that, when confronted with authority, our natural instinct is to unflinchingly obey without question – to such an extent that even the most moral people can be made to commit the most horrendous acts, simply because they are told to do so. Flint Town (Netflix, March 2) - In the aftermath of the Flint water crisis, Flint Town takes an intimate look at the state of policing in America through the lens of the Flint Police Department. Flint, Mich. is consistently named one of the most violent cities in America and the community is still grappling with the coverup of a citywide water contamination, leading to a massive distrust in law enforcement officials. Over the course of eight episodes, filmmakers embed with the police officers faced with infrastructure issues and decreasing resources as they risk their lives to protect and serve the community, while simultaneously struggling to gain their support. Flint Town is produced in association with Anonymous Content; executive producers are Steve Golin, David Pritikin and P.G. Morgan; co-directors are Zackary Canepari, Jessica Dimmock and Drea Cooper. Gad Elmaleh: American Dream (Netflix, March 6) - French comedy sensation Gad Elmaleh is back on Netflix with his second original stand-up comedy special, “Gad Elmaleh: American Dream.” Filmed at The Town Hall in New York City, Gad throws his audience into hysterics as he recalls his experiences moving from Paris to New York, struggling to flirt with women in New York clubs, and how he wants to visit the Paris that Americans always talk about, but doesn’t really exist. “Gad Elmaleh: American Dream” marks the comedian’s first full English-language stand-up special. Jessica Jones: Season Two (Netflix, March 8) - Jessica Jones is back as New York City’s tough-as-nails private investigator. Although this time, the case is even more personal than ever before. Fueled by a myriad of questions and lies, she will do whatever it takes to uncover the truth. The Outsider (Netflix, March 9) - An American soldier imprisoned in postwar Japan enters the dark world of the yakuza, adopting their way of life in repayment for his freedom. Starring Jared Leto, Tadanobu Asano, and Kippei Shîna. Directed by Martin Zandvliet. Nailed It (Netflix, March 9) - This is Nailed It, the show where everyday home bakers attempt to recreate amazing treats…and don’t always get there. From gingerbread men that look like monsters to wedding cakes that would make any bride say, “I don’t.” If you’ve ever tried to make something epic and wound up with an epic fail, this is the show for you. The baker who comes closest to success will walk away with $10,000 and the chance to finally say…Nailed It! Collateral (Netflix, March 9) - Set over the course of four days in London, Collateral explores the spiraling repercussions surrounding the fatal shooting of a pizza delivery man. Detective Inspector Kip Glaspie (Carey Mulligan) refuses to accept that this is a random act of violence, and is determined to discover if there is a darker truth. Roxanne Roxanne (Netflix, March 23) - In the early 1980s, the most feared battle MC in Queens, New York, was a fierce teenage girl with the weight of the world on her shoulders. At the age of 14, Lolita "Roxanne Shante" Gooden was well on her way to becoming a Hip-Hop legend as she hustled to provide for her family while defending herself from the dangers of the streets. Get ready for Roxanne Roxanne, a new Netflix Original Film from the producers of "Fruitvale Station" and "Dope", written/directed by Michael Larnell and starring Mahershala Ali, Nia Long and introducing Chanté Adams. Lost in Space (Netflix, April 13) - Taking its cues from the original series, the show centers around the Robinson family, who is forced to come together in a time of crisis. Stranded light years from their intended destination, they find themselves battling a strange new alien environment and also their own personal demons. Equal parts family drama and sci-fi adventure, it is a survival story for the ages. The Innocents (Netflix, Coming Soon) - June embarks on a journey with her boyfriend, Harry, to run away from their lives and start over. Or so they think. They quickly realize that nothing is what it seems. And in this world, the only way to survive is to change. The Remix (Amazon Prime Video, March 9) - A music reality show where DJs and singers pair up to add their own flavor to popular Bollywood tracks offering a musical treat to audiences with heart pumping performances. Here Trap meets Bhangra, Future Bass goes with East Asian Sounds, Blues mixes with Desi Beats and much more. It is all about reshuffling, rejigging, remixing and RE-CREATING the sound of Indian Music. The Dangerous Book for Boys (Amazon Prime Video, March 30) - Inspired by the best-selling book, The Dangerous Book for Boys, an Amazon Original Series, is a heartwarming story of a family overcoming loss with the help of a book filled with life lessons that was handed down from a father to his three boys. The book inspires adventurous fantasies in the youngest son, Wyatt, that teaches him how to bring his family closer and move forward. - 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. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Thu Feb 22, 2018 at 01:45 PM PST by: -
This Week in Gear: New HP 4K Monitors, YouTube TV Updates, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including details on new 4K monitors from HP, updates for the YouTube TV service, 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 HP's newest 4K monitors, the addition of more channels to the YouTube TV platform, the release of VLC 3.0, and expanded support for Plex's Live TV feature. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: HP Details New 4K Monitors HP has announced four new 4K monitors geared toward business use. The lineup includes the HP EliteDisplay S270n, HP Z27, HP Z32, and HP Z43. All four models offer a 4K UHD resolution of 3840 x 2160. The 27-inch S270n is the company's first 4K EliteDisplay to include a USB-C connection capable of pulling video and data, and sending up to 60W of power to the PC with just one cable connection. Meanwhile, the 27-inch Z27 and 31.5-inch Z32 both feature IPS LED panels with factory color calibration. In addition, the 42.5-inch Z43 also uses an IPS LED panel, and all three 4K Z models feature 10-bit color and a USB-C connection for video and data connections, along with support for sending 65W of power back to the PC. The HP EliteDisplay S270n (MSRP $549), HP Z32 (MSRP $899), and HP Z43 (MSRP $799) are now available for purchase. Meanwhile, the HP Z27 is set to launch in April for an MSRP of $559. Source: HP YouTube TV Adds More Channels and Increases Price Google has announced the addition of several new channels to its YouTube TV streaming service, along with an expansion to even more markets. Likewise, the company is also prepping a $5 price increase for new members starting March 13. The new channel lineup includes the addition of TNT, Adult Swim, TBS, CNN, Cartoon Network, truTV, and Turner Classic Movies. Meanwhile, NBA TV and MLB Network will also be added soon. And when it comes to availability, the service will be expanding to all top 100 US markets in the coming weeks. Though YouTube TV currently costs $35 per month, the price will be increasing to $40 per month for new members who sign up on or after March 13. Beyond the new channels detailed above, the platform offers access to more than 40 other live streaming networks, regional sports channels, and cable stations, including ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, The CW, ESPN, Fox News, MSNBC, USA, Syfy, FX, Disney Channel, Sprout, E!, Bravo, and more. Likewise, the service also includes an unlimited Cloud DVR feature, allowing users to record as many shows as they want at the same time with no storage limitations. Each recording will be available across supported playback devices and will be stored for nine months. In addition, the internet TV service provides access to YouTube Red original series and movies as well, along with the option to add Showtime or Fox Soccer Plus to the channel lineup for an extra fee. The YouTube TV app is supported on Apple TV (4th generation), Apple TV 4K, Roku products, Android and iOS mobile devices, computers, Google Chromecast, Chromecast built-in TVs, the NVIDIA SHIELD, Sony smart TVs, Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X consoles, and smart TV models from LG and Samsung. Source: YouTube Blog VLC 3.0 Includes Chromecast and HDR Support VideoLAN has announced the release of the newest version of its VLC media player. VLC 3.0.0 offers several new features, including HDR playback and support for the Google Chromecast. Here's a rundown of key features for VLC 3.0 per VideoLAN: - VLC 3.0 activates hardware decoding by default, to get 4K and 8K playback!- It supports 10bits and HDR- VLC supports 360 video and 3D audio, up to Ambisonics 3rd order- Allows audio passthrough for HD audio codecs- Can stream to Chromecast devices, even in formats not supported natively- Can play Blu-Ray Java menus: BD-J- VLC supports browsing of local network drives and NAS VLC 3.0 is available for Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Android TV, Chromebooks, Windows RT 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, Windows 10 Mobile, Xbox One, GNU/Linux, and Ubuntu platforms. Source: VideoLAN Plex Brings Live TV Feature to Xbox One Plex has announced the expansion of its Live OTA TV streaming feature for Plex Pass users to the Xbox One. In addition, the company has upgraded the Plex Live TV experience on Roku devices to include a new full time shifting feature, a current time/place marker above the progress bar on the player controls, an instant replay option, and a closed captioning mode. Likewise, live TV with full time shifting is also available via the Plex Web App and PMP desktop client. With Plex Live TV and DVR, users 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 newly added support for Xbox One, Plex Web App, and PMP desktop client, Live TV streaming through Plex is also available via the company's Roku, Android TV, Apple 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: PlexPosted Fri Feb 16, 2018 at 10:30 PM PST by: -
Optoma Unveils 10,000 Lumen ProScene Laser Projector[teaser]The new laser projector is rated for an impressive 10,000 lumens of brightness.[/teaser] Optoma has announced the launch of its latest ProAV projector. The ProScene ZU1050 is designed for professional installations and features high brightness performance making it an ideal choice to illuminate large venues like meeting rooms, auditoriums, museums, houses of worship, and broadcast environments. "Optoma's brightest and highest lumen, laser projector, the ZU1050, fills a specific category need for the ProAV market, providing flexibility, reliability and incredible performance," said Brian Soto, head of product management, Optoma Technology. "As one of the largest selling projector brands in the U.S., we are committed to delivering innovative solutions within our ProScene line of projectors that promise maximum adaptability and versatility to meet the needs of the ProAV market." The ZU1050 is a laser phosphor projector with support for a WUXGA resolution of 1920 x 1200 and up to 20,000 hours of light source operation. In addition, the device is rated for 10,000 lumens of brightness and a 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio with Extreme Black enabled. MultiColor laser (MCL) technology for a wider color gamut is implemented as well. Likewise, the projector offers a motorized lens shift, zoom, and focus with 360-degree and portrait operation mode, along with an IP6X-certified dust rating and seven interchangeable optical lens options. Here's a full rundown of key specs and features per Optoma: - Resolution: 1920 x 1200 WUXGA- Brightness: 10,000 ANSI lumens- Light Source: Laser phosphor, providing up to 20,000 hours of virtually maintenance free operation- Laser Type: MCL (red and blue laser)- Optical engine: Airtight optical engine independently dust certified to IP6X- Contrast Ratio: 2,000,000:1 with Extreme Black enabled; 2,000:1 full on/off- Vertical and Horizontal Lens Shift: 50% vertical, 15% Horizontal- Motorized lens shift, zoom and focus- Edge Blending and Warping: Yes, built-in with portrait and 360-degree operation mode- Throw Ratio: 0.36:1 to 5.5:1, with seven interchangeable lens options, including the BX-CTADOME for dome applications- Connectivity: A wide array, including HDMI, DVI-D, VGA, 3D sync in and 3D sync out, HDBaseT and 3G-SDI The Optoma ProScene ZU1050 projector is now available for an estimated street price of $16,999. Source: OptomaPosted Fri Feb 16, 2018 at 04:10 PM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Love,' 'Bosch,' 'A Series of Unfortunate Events,' and More[teaser]Detectives, con men, and more are all coming to your favorite streaming device.[/teaser] Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have released new trailers and info for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including Marlon Wayans: Woke, Love: Season Three, Benji, A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season Two, Rapture, The Week Of, The Rain, Sneaky Pete: Season Two, Bosch: Season Four, and National Treasure: Kiri. Here's a full rundown of upcoming titles set to hit each streaming service: Marlon Wayans: Woke - (Netflix, February 27) - Comedian and actor Marlon Wayans brings down the house in his honest, energetic and animated debut Netflix Original stand-up comedy special, "Marlon Wayans: Woke-ish." Filmed at MGM National Harbor's The Theater in Washington D.C. in front of a packed audience, Wayans doesn’t miss a beat as he opens people’s eyes about the White House feeling like a reality show, jokes about rappers aging with their music, addresses the blatant racism in America, and reflects on the conversations he’s had with his teenage children. Love: Season Three (Netflix, March 9) - After a long, complicated, and somewhat messy journey, Gus and Mickey enter Season 3 in a place we’ve never seen them before: a fully committed relationship… And while to some people, a committed relationship feels like the end, for Gus and Mickey, navigating this new state together is only the beginning showing us that love, for all it’s weird ups, downs and hilarious in-betweens, is both incredibly complicated and wonderfully simple. After all, all you need is love. Benji (Netflix, March 16) - A modern day retelling of the classic, the story of Benji follows one orphaned puppy and Carter and Frankie, two capricious New Orleans school kids who strike up a friendship with the tenacious street dog. When danger befalls them and they end up kidnapped by robbers who are in over their heads, Benji and his scruffy sidekick come to the rescue. A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season Two (Netflix, March 30) - Based on the internationally best selling series of books by Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler), season two of the Netflix original series plunges further into the epic world of this darkly comedic mystery. Executive produced by Emmy Award-winner Barry Sonnenfeld and Daniel Handler - the new season of A Series of Unfortunate Events consists of ten cinematic one-hour episodes. Starring Emmy and Tony Award-winner Neil Patrick Harris, A Series of Unfortunate Events recounts the tragic tale of the Baudelaire orphans – Violet, Klaus, and Sunny – and their extraordinary encounters with the devious Count Olaf who will stop at nothing to get his hands on their inheritance. Foiling his many dastardly plans and disguises, the young siblings discover clues to their parents’ mysterious death, links to a covert organization, and begin to unlock long-held family secrets. Rapture (Netflix, March 30) - From Mass Appeal, Rapture stares directly into the bright light that hip hop culture shines on the world and doesn’t blink. Throughout 8 episodes and featuring a diverse swath of artists -- Nas and Dave East, T.I., Rapsody, Logic, G-Eazy, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, 2 Chainz and Just Blaze – Rapture dives into the artists’ lives with their families and friends, to sitting front row in the studio and grinding on tour, to experiencing the ecstatic power of moving the crowd. 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. The Rain (Netflix, Spring 2018) - The world as we know it has ended. Six years after a brutal virus carried by the rain wiped out almost all humans in Scandinavia, two Danish siblings emerge from the safety of their bunker to find all remnants of civilization gone. Soon they join a group of young survivors and together set out on a danger-filled quest through abandoned Scandinavia, searching for any sign of life. Set free from their collective past and societal rules the group has the freedom to be who they want to be. In their struggle for survival, they discover that even in a post-apocalyptic world there’s still love, jealousy, coming of age, and many of the problems they thought they’d left behind with the disappearance of the world they once knew. Who will you be when the rain comes? Sneaky Pete: Season Two (Amazon Prime Video, March 9) - On the verge of starting fresh, Marius (Giovanni Ribisi) is dragged back into the role of Pete Murphy when two thugs—believing he’s Pete—threaten to kill the Bernhardts if he doesn’t take them to Pete’s estranged mother and the millions she stole from their employer. Now Marius must tread a dangerous line to find her and protect the family, all while keeping up the Pete con. Bosch: Season Four (Amazon Prime Video, April 13) - Detective Harry Bosch returns for a new explosive season. He is assigned a new case that has the city of Los Angeles on a verge of a riot. Bosch finds himself at several crossroads both professionally and personally. He remains relentless in his pursuit of his mother’s killer and will stop anything to pursue justice. This will be a season unlike any other. National Treasure: Kiri (Hulu, April 4) - Written by Jack Thorne, this four-part drama is the story of a young black girl in the process of being adopted by a middle class white family. We follow Miriam, as the fingers of suspicion and blame point at her and her judgement is questioned; Kiri’s birth family, as they find both their past failings and their present dysfunctional relationships put under the microscope; and Kiri’s adoptive family – particularly Alice, Kiri’s fiercely articulate white foster mother, as they are thrust into the national limelight. All of them are asking the same two questions: what happened to Kiri, and who is to blame? - 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 Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials ($6 limited time promotional price now available). In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Thu Feb 15, 2018 at 09:15 PM PST by: -
Sony Announces Limited Time Sale on PlayStation VR Headsets & Bundles[teaser]PlayStation VR headsets and bundles will be available for $100 off their regular MSRPs.[/teaser] Sony has announced plans to offer limited time discounts on its PlayStation VR headset and bundles, with sale prices set to start at $200. The deals will be active from February 18 through March 3. Here's a rundown of the upcoming PS VR deals: PlayStation VR Standalone Headset - $200 ($100 off regular MSRP of $300) PlayStation VR Gran Turismo Sport Bundle - $200 ($100 off regular MSRP of $300) PlayStation VR Doom VFR Bundle - $300 ($100 off regular MSRP of $400) PlayStation VR Skyrim VR Bundle - $350 ($100 off regular MSRP of $450) Designed for use with a PS4 and PlayStation Camera, the PS VR headset features a 1920×RGB×1080 (960×RGB×1080 per eye) OLED display with a 100-degree FOV (Field of View) and up to a 120Hz refresh rate. The default standalone package includes the headset along with a processor unit, PlayStation VR headset connection cable, HDMI cable, USB cable, Stereo headphones, AC power cord, and AC adaptor. Meanwhile, the Grand Turismo Sport Bundle includes a PlayStation VR headset, PlayStation Camera, and Gran Turismo Sport. The Doom VFR Bundle includes a PlayStation VR headset, PlayStation Camera, the PS VR Demo Disc 2.0, and the Doom VFR Blu-ray Disc. Finally, the Skyrim VR Bundle comes with a PlayStation VR headset, PlayStation Camera, two PlayStation Move controllers, the PS VR Demo Disc 2.0, and Skyrim VR with the core game and Dawnguard, Hearthfire, and Dragonborn add-ons. These deals will only be active through March 3 while supplies last at participating retailers. Source: SonyPosted Thu Feb 15, 2018 at 01:10 PM PST by: -
Acer Releases VL7860 4K UHD Laser Projector[teaser]The compact projector is now available.[/teaser] Acer has announced the launch of its newest Ultra HD projector: the VL7860. Designed with flexible placement options in mind, the device is now the world's smallest 4K UHD 3000 lumens laser projector model on the market (according to Acer's most recent internal survey). "Ultra high-definition projection offers the ultimate home theater experience," said Ronald Lau, Acer America director – stationary products. "Combined with a compact design that provides flexibility in placement options and dynamic 10W audio, the Acer VL7860 will delight even the most discriminating customers." The VL7860 DLP projector uses a laser light source with laser diode technology and features support for projecting 120-inch 4K UHD (3,840 x 2,160) resolution images with 8.3 megapixels on screen. In addition, the unit is HDR compatible and can produce 110% of the Rec. 709 color space. Brightness is rated for up to 3,000 ANSI lumens and the unit offers a 1,500,000:1 DynamicBlack contrast ratio by dynamically adjusting lamp power to optimize black levels. An AcuMotion frame interpolation system, 1.6X zoom, ISFccc-certified (Certified Calibration Controls) Professional Calibration mode, and vertical lens shift are featured as well. Connectivity options include VGA and dual HDMI ports (one with MHL), and the projector also come with two built-in 5W speakers. Finally, lamp life is rated for 20000 hours under the Normal Mode and 30000 hours under the Economy Mode. The Acer VL7860 4K UHD Laser Projector is now available in the US for an MSRP of $4,000. And in addition to the new VL7860, Acer also sells a V7850 4K projector model with 2200 ANSI Lumens of brightness, HDR, and a 1,200,000:1 contrast ratio for an MSRP of $2,500. Source: Acer via PRWebPosted Wed Feb 14, 2018 at 11:55 AM PST by: -
HDD Gear Deals: Up to 25% Off Amazon Fire Tablets[teaser]Select Fire and Fire HD tablets are now on sale.[/teaser] As part of a limited-time offer, Amazon is currently discounting several Fire HD, Fire, and Fire Kids Edition tablets. Here's a full rundown of the models included in the sale: Fire HD 8 Tablet 16 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $60 (25% off) Fire HD 8 Tablet 32 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $90 (18% off) Fire HD 10 Tablet 32 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $120 (20% off) Fire HD 10 Tablet 64 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $160 (16% off) Fire 7 Tablet 8 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $40 (20% off) Fire 7 Tablet 16 GB, Black - with Special Offers - Currently $60 (14% off) Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case - Currently $80 (20% off) Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet 32 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case - Currently $100 (23% 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 13, 2018 at 12:30 PM PST by:
