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LG Details New 4K & 5K Monitors with HDR & Nano IPS Tech[teaser]The new displays include high dynamic range support.[/teaser] In anticipation of CES 2018 next month, LG has revealed its latest monitors. The upcoming models set to debut at the show include the 32-inch 32UK950 UHD 4K monitor and the 34-inch 34WK95U 5K UltraWide monitor. "Most of us spend hundreds of hours in front of monitors every month and yet it's one of the least likely products to get upgraded when higher productivity is desired," said Chang Ik-hwan, head of LG’s IT business division. "With these latest premium monitors from LG, we wanted to communicate that LG is absolutely committed to delivering the best possible screen resolution and the best user experience on a desk or workspace." The 34WK95U is geared toward video editors, photographers, and software developers, and features a 34-inch UltraWide 21:9 panel with a 5K resolution of 5120 x 2160 pixels. In addition, the display uses Nano IPS technology which employs nanometer-sized particles to the screen's LED in order to absorb excess light wavelengths. Likewise, the screen supports HDR600 with a peak high dynamic range brightness of peak brightness of 600 nits. Meanwhile, the 32UK950 is geared toward media prosumers and features a 32-inch 4K panel with Nano IPS tech, HDR600 support, and 98 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color spectrum. Finally, both models incorporate Thunderbolt 3 connectivity. Exact pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but LG's 32UK950 and 34WK95U will be on hand at CES 2018 in Las Vegas from January 9-12. And beyond the company's new 4K and 5K offerings, LG will also highlight its QHD 34GK950G gaming monitor with Nano IPS technology and high-speed G-Sync technology as well. Source: LGPosted Thu Dec 21, 2017 at 11:15 AM PST by: -
Samsung Reveals New Wall-Mountable Lifestyle Sound Bar for CES 2018[teaser]The new sound bar model will be on display at CES next month.[/teaser] Samsung has unveiled its latest home audio product. The upcoming NW700 Sound+ sound bar is designed for easy wall-mounting underneath the company's thin displays and utilizes audio tech developed at the Samsung Audio Lab in Valencia, California. "Samsung continues to invest in product development that fuses lifestyle and technology in a seamless, innovative manner," said Jurack Chae, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "With our NW700 Sound+ soundbar, we are not only committed to superior product design, but also to delivering unmatched sound quality to our consumers." The NW700 Sound+ features a slim, wall-mountable design with a width of 53.5mm, making it an ideal complement for thin wall-mounted TVs. The device uses wide-range tweeters with three channels and an integrated subwoofer. In addition, the speaker offers distortion-cancelling technology which is able to predict and adjust distortion at the end of the speaker movement before the distortion actually occurs. Finally, the sound bar includes three sound modes: Standard Mode; Surround Mode for expanded surround sound performance; and Smart Mode for automatic volume and surround sound adjustments. Pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but Samsung's new NW700 Sound+ will be on hand at CES 2018 in Las Vegas from January 9-12. Beyond the company's new sound bar, Samsung also recently earned VESA DisplayHDR 600 certification for its CHG90 gaming monitor. Likewise, Amazon just launched HDR10+ streaming support for Samsung's 2017 4K HDR displays. Be sure to check back with High-Def Digest for more CES 2018 related news and coverage from Samsung and other manufacturers at the show. Source: SamsungPosted Wed Dec 20, 2017 at 03:15 PM PST by: -
Alamo Drafthouse Preps New Video Rental Store with Discs & VHS Tapes[teaser]The new video store will rent Blu-rays, DVDs, and rare VHS tapes.[/teaser] Alamo Drafthouse has announced plans to open a new video rental store dubbed "Video Vortex" in the lobby of the company's upcoming 11-screen theater in Raleigh, North Carolina. The shop will offer a growing collection of discs and VHS tapes. "It gives me hope for humanity to see VIDEO VORTEX grow from a series at the Alamo to an actual video store," says Ziemba. "VHS is still the only way to see hundreds of forgotten genre movies. But in this era of rare tapes selling for insane amounts of money, VIDEO VORTEX will make them easily accessible for everyone in the Raleigh film community." The upcoming shop gets its name from the Alamo Drafthouse's long-running Video Vortex programming series which highlights straight-to-video flicks from the 1980s through the early 2000s. With that in mind, the store will rent DVDs, Blu-rays and a large selection of rare VHS tapes, including several movies that are not available on digital formats. Likewise, customers will also be able to rent VCRs (along with HDMI to RCA adapters free of charge). Rentals can then be returned to the store itself, or DVDs and Blu-rays can also be sent back through the mail via a return envelope. Beyond rentals, the store will offer a selection of curated Blu-rays, film-related merchandise, and Mondo releases for sale as well. A gallery of vintage exploitation-era movie posters will also litter the walls and there will be a lounge with 40 local draft beers on tap. The Alamo Drafthouse and Video Vortex in Raleigh are set to open in the first quarter of 2018. Outside of this new location, there are currently 29 Alamo Drafthouse theaters in operation. Sources: Alamo Drafthouse, VarietyPosted Tue Dec 19, 2017 at 06:00 PM PST by: -
Samsung QLED Monitor Earns VESA DisplayHDR Certification[teaser]The gaming monitor is the first to meet the industry's new HDR performance standard.[/teaser] Samsung has announced that its CHG90 monitor has been certified as DisplayHDR 600 compliant by the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA). The new standard has been designed to help evaluate HDR performance for PC and laptop displays, and Samsung's monitor is now the first to receive such certification. The 49-inch CHG90 uses QLED Quantum Dot technology with a new metal core and support for 125 percent of the sRGB color space and 95 percent of the DCI-P3 color space. Likewise, the monitor offers HDR (high dynamic range) capabilities with 600 nits of brightness, AMD's new Radeon FreeSync 2 technology, a curvature of 1,800R, a 178-degree viewing angle, a rapid 1ms response time, and a 144hz screen refresh rate. In addition, the display features a resolution of 3,840x1,080 and an ultra-wide 32:9 aspect ratio. Performance criteria for DisplayHDR Certification covers testing for categories like white luminance, color gamut, black level, bit depth, and rise time. Based on the results, displays can then be certified under one of three levels: DisplayHDR 400, 600, or 1000. The CHG90 has received the DisplayHDR 600 designation, ensuring that its HDR performance is well suited for bright indoor lighting conditions. VESA has referenced the monitor's 3,000:1 HDR contrast ratio, color accuracy, and overall presentation vibrancy as key factors contributing toward the display's certification. The 49-inch CHG90 is now on sale for $999 (MSRP $1,499). In addition to the CHG90, Samsung also offers the 27-inch CHG70, and 32-inch CHG70. Both monitors feature a resolution of 2560x1440 and a 16:9 aspect ratio, along with QLED Quantum Dot technology with 95 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 color space and HDR capabilities with 600 nits of brightness. Source: SamsungPosted Tue Dec 19, 2017 at 12:10 PM PST by: -
RCA Reveals CES 2018 Display and Projector Lineup[teaser]The company has detailed several new home theater products.[/teaser] RCA has announced its upcoming gear lineup for CES 2018. The collection includes Roku 4K UHD TV, UHD TV, and HD projector models. "The 2018 CES lineup showcases an ever-expanding variety of RCA products and highlights the best collaborations with our licensees," said Claire Villeneuve, head of Trademark Licensing for Technicolor (Owner of RCA Brand). "After the tremendous success of the launch of our 4K RCA Roku TVs, we continue to strive to uphold the values the RCA company stands for; bringing affordable, high-quality products to our customers." RCA's 4K Roku TV lineup includes 50-inch ($500), 55-inch ($800), and 65-inch ($1,100) models. Each display uses the Roku smart TV platform with access to 5000+ streaming channels, including the 4K Spotlight channel. In addition, the sets feature 2160p LED panels with HDR10 support, three HDMI inputs, built-in WiFi connectivity, and an Ethernet port. In addition, the company will also showcase its RTU7575 75-inch 4K UHD TV ($1,600). This model features a 2160p 120 HZ LED panel with 4 HDMI inputs and digital tuner parental control functions. Meanwhile, RCA is highlighting a couple of projector products as well. First up, is the 100-inch Portable Indoor/Outdoor Projector Screen ($80) perfect for movies, video games, and sports. And to go along with the screen, there's also the RPJ116 Home Theater Projector ($150) which features 1080p compatibility, an extra large LCD projection panel and ultra high power LED light source for up to a 150-inch picture size. RCA's new products will be on display at CES 2018 in Las Vegas from January 9-12. Source: RCAPosted Tue Dec 19, 2017 at 11:20 AM PST by: -
Test News Post To See If We're Getting Error MessagesAre we getting error messages?Posted Mon Dec 18, 2017 at 10:42 AM PST by: -
This Week in Gear: Optoma Reveals New Projectors, Sling TV Arrives on Samsung Displays, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the release of new Optoma projectors, Sling TV support for Samsung TVs, 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 Optoma's latest projectors, the expansion of Sling TV to Samsung displays, new markets with YouTube TV support, and the addition of new features for Hulu's Live TV service on the web. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Optoma Details New High Brightness Projectors Optoma has announced its latest lineup of high brightness projectors designed for classrooms, corporate boardrooms, and multipurpose offices. The collection includes the WU465, EH465, EH460ST, W460, and X460. "When designing projectors for classrooms and corporate installations, we wanted to offer a number of high-brightness, PC-free options that deliver incredibly sharp images and allow for seamless, wireless media sharing and viewing," said Brian Soto, head of product management, Optoma Technology. "Our channel partners and end users have asked for high performance projectors that deliver big on brightness and meet all of their presentation needs, and this line does just that and more." The Optoma WU465 (ESP $1,299) and Optoma EH465 (ESP ($1,199) offer super bright WUXGA and 1080p HD projection with 4,800 lumens of brightness. In addition, both models feature a 20,000:1 contrast ratio and a 1.5x zoom. Meanwhile, the Optoma EH460ST (ESP $1,099) features 1080p HD projection with high brightness and a short throw ratio. The device offers a 20,000:1 contrast ratio and 4,200 lumens with support for projecting a 152-inch image from only 5.5-feet away. Finally, the Optoma W460 (ESP $849) and Optoma X460 (ESP $799) offer WXGA and XGA resolution respectively with a 20,000:1 contrast ratio and 1.2x zoom. The W460 features 4,600 lumens of brightness while the X460 features 4,500 lumens. In addition, all of the projectors offer 2xHDMI (with MHL), VGA-in/out, Audio-in/out, RJ-45, USB reader, RS-232C, and a 10-watt speaker. Likewise, the units feature USB display screen mirroring and wireless screen mirroring capabilities for Android, iOS, PC, Mac OS X and Windows devices. Source: Optoma Samsung Adds Sling TV App to 2017 TV Models Samsung has announced the addition of the Sling TV app to its 2017 smart TV lineup. The app previously launched on 2016 Samsung smart TVs a few weeks ago. To access Sling TV, owners of Samsung 2017 or 2016 smart TVs simply need to find the Sling TV app in the Samsung Smart Hub. Sling TV offers a variety of live streaming and on-demand programming packages. The base Sling TV Orange plan currently costs $20 per month and features more than 30 channels, including Disney/ESPN stations. Meanwhile, the base Sling TV Blue plan costs $25 per month and features more than 40 channels, including FOX and NBC stations. Finally, customers can also opt to combine both plans for $40 per month. In addition, new subscribers can receive a 7-day free trial. Source: Sling TV YouTube TV Expands to More Markets Google has announced expanded availability for its YouTube TV live streaming service. As part of the expansion, the platform is now available in 34 new metro areas for a total of 83 locations. Click here for a full list of supported cities. YouTube TV costs $35 per month and offers access to more than 40 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 platform 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 service is currently available through 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, smart TV models from LG and Samsung. Likewise, support for more smart devices and the Apple TV is coming soon. Source: YouTube TV (Twitter) via Engadget Hulu Upgrades Live Streaming Features for Web-Based Devices Hulu has announced the addition of several new features for its live TV streaming service on the web. The new features include My Stuff, picture-in-picture, and a more extensive Search option. The My Stuff section allows users to add shows and movies that they want to keep track of. Meanwhile, the picture-in-picture mode lets customers continue watching content while they browse the rest of the UI. Users just need to click the "minimize" button which will enable multitasking with a small video player window that can be moved anywhere on the screen. Finally, the improved search now offers results for episodes and sporting events. Likewise, the search will also now populate results based on movie descriptions if you forget the title. Hulu's Live TV service is available for $40 per month and includes access to content from ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC with local live broadcast affiliate programming immediately available in many markets, along with additional channels like CBS Sports, ESPN, Fox Sports, NBC Sports, TNT, CNN, CNBC, Fox News, Fox Business, MSNBC, Bravo, E!, Food Network, HGTV and Travel Channel, A&E, Cartoon Network/Adult Swim, Disney Channel, Freeform, FX, HISTORY, Lifetime, National Geographic, TBS, USA Network, Viceland, and more. Live TV subscribers also get to enjoy Hulu's existing streaming plan with limited commercials and more than 3500 TV and film titles. In addition, users can subscribe to add-on packages for HBO, Cinemax, and Showtime. The new features are now available through beta.hulu.com for live TV subscribers and Hulu users who have HBO or Cinemax premium add-ons. Source: HuluPosted Fri Dec 15, 2017 at 09:45 PM PST by: -
FCC Votes to End Net Neutrality Protections[teaser]The net neutrality repeal has passed -- here's what it could mean.[/teaser] The Federal Communications Commission has voted to repeal the net neutrality rules previously approved back in 2015. Though there are still some steps that can be taken to overturn the decision, the controversial move could have some very negative ramifications for proponents of a freely open and fair internet. The net neutrality rules were initially enacted in order to ensure that ISPs (internet service providers) handle all internet data equally. In essence, the regulations prevented ISPs from prioritizing, blocking, or throttling access to specific services or websites. But with the repeal, these rules are now being removed. As a hypothetical example, without net neutrality, an ISP can now decide to limit speeds for Netflix streaming in favor of its own media platform or force a company like Netflix to pay more in order to get its content delivered at the speeds it used to have access to without an upcharge. Preferential treatment, fast lane premiums, or outright content blocking could allow ISPs to give certain services or websites an advantage, helping some to succeed while others can't afford to get off the ground. With that said, ISPs must now indicate to consumers when they employ such tactics, and these moves will be investigated by the FCC and FTC. Unfortunately, certain loopholes could be used to get around this. Many prominent websites and tech companies have all pledged their support for net neutrality and many of them have voiced plans to continue the fight for an open and fair internet in response to today's news. In a tweet, Netflix posted, "We're disappointed in the decision to gut #NetNeutrality protections that ushered in an unprecedented era of innovation, creativity & civic engagement. This is the beginning of a longer legal battle. Netflix stands w/ innovators, large & small, to oppose this misguided FCC order." On that note, the issue may not be entirely settled with this vote as there are still some legal options which may force a court decision on the matter. Likewise, Congress also has the power to reverse the repeal through a resolution of disapproval, though it will need support from two thirds of the House and Senate. Sources: Save the Internet, CNN, Netflix (Twitter), Gizmodo, EngadgetPosted Thu Dec 14, 2017 at 02:40 PM PST by: -
Amazon Announces Plans to Sell Google Chromecast & Apple TV Devices[teaser]The streaming media devices will finally be available for purchase again through Amazon.[/teaser] According to a report from CNET, Amazon has confirmed plans to begin selling Apple TV and Google Chromecast products. The online retailer previously stopped offering media players from both companies a couple of years ago due to competing interests related to its own Fire TV lineup and Prime Video app. Product listings are already up for Apple TV 4K, Apple TV 4th Generation, Google Chromecast, and Google Chromecast Ultra models, though sales are not live as of press time. The decision comes following the recent addition of the Amazon Prime Video app to the Apple TV lineup. Meanwhile, Google recently announced plans to remove YouTube from Amazon's own line of Fire TV devices due in part to the retailer's refusal to sell its Chromecast dongles. This new change in policy should hopefully now result in YouTube remaining on Amazon players, though no confirmation has been made yet. Google's Chromecast Ultra ($69) plugs into a display's HDMI port, allowing users to cast all of their favorite content from thousands of apps using a smartphone, tablet, or laptop. In addition, the device supports 4K, HDR10 and Dolby Vision content, offering playback capabilities for videos with higher resolution, expanded colors, and enhanced contrast. Meanwhile, the Apple TV 4K ($179) 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. Users can currently view 4K HDR titles from iTunes, Amazon, and Vimeo, and HDR support for other services like Netflix is expected to be added in the coming months. 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. Finally, Amazon's latest Fire TV ($70) device offers access to a growing collection of apps and Alexa skills. Under the hood, the device is powered by an Amlogic Quad-core 1.5GHz processor and Mali450 MP3 GPU, along with 2GB of memory, dual-band 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and 8 GB of storage. The player also features a new compact dongle-like design that fits behind a user's TV. In addition, the unit includes support for up to 60fps 4K Ultra HD playback with HDR10 and Dolby Atmos audio. Source: CNETPosted Thu Dec 14, 2017 at 01:15 PM PST by: -
Redbox Announces New On Demand Movie & TV Service[teaser]The company is returning to the digital streaming market.[/teaser] Redbox has announced the launch of its new Redbox On Demand platform. The service allows users to rent or buy digital movies and TV shows via streaming or mobile download options, serving as a complement to the company's existing physical disc rental kiosks. "Redbox customers have asked, and today we're delivering an On Demand option that offers them the best of both the physical and digital worlds," said Galen Smith, CEO of Redbox. "Redbox provides our customers with choice – the value they want and expect from our kiosks, the instant gratification of On Demand rentals and purchases, and the availability of new-release content, all without monthly subscription fees." Redbox On Demand offers access to many of the same new-release movies that are available at the company's disc kiosks, along with a broader collection of movies and TV shows. Titles can be rented or purchased for streaming with prices starting at $3.99 for 48-hour VOD rentals and $9.99 for EST transactions. In addition, purchased content can also be downloaded for offline, mobile viewing. "The newest-release movies are not available in subscription streaming services," said Ash Eldifrawi, Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer at Redbox. "Redbox's stronghold on new releases has played a big factor in our ongoing relevance to consumers who crave the latest content." The Redbox On Demand service is now available in public beta through the Redbox website, the Redbox Android and iOS app, Apple TV, Chromecast, Roku players and TVs, and LG and Samsung Smart TVs. Prior to its new on demand platform, Redbox previously offered a subscription steaming service called Redbox Instant which was terminated back in 2014. Sources: Redbox, RokuPosted Thu Dec 14, 2017 at 08:30 AM PST by:
