-
BenQ Releases SW271 27-Inch 4K HDR Monitor for $1,099[teaser]The company's latest 4K high dynamic range monitor is now available.[/teaser] BenQ has announced the launch of its latest display. The SW271 emphasizes color accuracy and is geared toward use for professional photographers. "We are proud to present the SW271, which joins our full line of professional monitors developed for photographers," said Steve Yang, Senior Director at BenQ America Corp. "The SW271 brings users specialized tools and advanced hardware calibration for color-critical applications. It also has USB-C™ connectivity for transmitting video and data signals using just one cable for convenience." The SW271 features a 27-inch 10-bit IPS LCD panel with LED backlighting and an Ultra HD resolution of 3840 x 2160. In addition, the display offers HDR10 capabilities with support for 350 nits of brightness. Likewise, the monitor includes 99% coverage of the Adobe RGB color gamut, 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 color gamut, and 100% coverage of the sRGB/Rec. 709 color gamut. The set's native contrast ratio is rated at 1000:1 and its dynamic contrast is rated for 20M:1. Meanwhile, the panel uses 60Hz refresh rate and offers a 5ms (GtG) response time. An SD card reader, along with USB 3.1, USB Type-C, HDMI 2.0, and DisplayPort 1.4 connections are included as well. Users can also opt to use a detachable shading hood to reduce screen glare. Finally, BenQ's AQCOLOR technology is integrated as well, combining hardware calibration, Palette Master Elements software, and Technicolor Color Certification to ensure that the monitor meets the entertainment idustry's standards. Here's a rundown of key specs and features per BenQ: - 99% Adobe RGB Color Space With IPS technology- 27 Inch 4K UHD Resolution- High Dynamic Range (HDR)- Hardware Calibration With Palette Master Element Software- USB-C™ for transmitting data and video signal with one cable The BenQ SW271 4K monitor is now available for a suggested retail price of $1,099. Source: BenQ via TWICEPosted Tue Nov 7, 2017 at 08:30 AM PST by: -
Thor: Ragnarok in Dolby CinemaWhat's up, everybody? Hope you're having an awesome week. I recently caught a screening of Thor: Ragnarok at our local Dolby Cinema at AMC where Marvel's latest blockbuster is presented in dual 4K laser projection with a million-to-one contrast ratio, Dolby Vision high dynamic range, and Dolby Atmos surround sound (and we haven't even started talking about the super-comfy leather recliners). In this video, we take viewers through the basics of Dolby Cinema at AMC auditoriums, share our quick thoughts on the movie itself, and dive into the audio and picture quality of this particular premium format presentation. The short version, for those who don't' have time to watch... I thought the Movie Itself was a lot of fun and a breath of fresh air for the Thor parts of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It's got all the standard superhero action beats balanced with a quirky sense of comedy and good character beats. The Dolby Vision presentation is quite good and better than most, thanks to its sharpness, excellent highlight details, and vibrant use of color, but it's not quite the best of the best. Likewise, the Dolby Atmos sound mix is, overall, very good, and I loved Mark Motherbaugh's 80s-style score, but it doesn't quite have the finesse and overhead immersion of Gravity, Mad Max Fury Road, or Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. What about you? Have you seen Ragnarok yet? Were you able to check it out in a Dolby Cinema, IMAX Laser, or some other type of premium format? Let us know about your experience in the comments below!Posted Tue Nov 7, 2017 at 07:22 AM PST by: -
Klipsch Launches Black and Copper Friday Sale with up to 56% off Audio Gear[teaser]The company is offering a limited time sale on its home theater lineup.[/teaser] Klipsch has announced the launch of its Black and Copper Friday Sale. As part of the promotion, several Klipsch audio products are now up to 56% off, including many Reference, Reference Dolby Atmos, Reference Premiere, and Reference Premiere Dolby Atmos speakers and subwoofers like the new R-14SA elevation speaker and the R-26FA floorstanding speaker. The holiday shopping discounts will be active from now until November 27 while supplies last. Here's a rundown of some items currently on sale: R-10SWi 10" Wireless Subwoofer - $199 (56% off). RP-280FA Dolby Atmos Floorstanding Speaker - $799 each (33% off). RP-140SA Dolby Atmos Add-on Modules - $399 per pair (20% off). RP-280F Floorstanding Speaker - $539 each (10% off) RP-450C Center Channel Speaker - $584 (10% off). RP-150M Bookshelf Speaker - $377 per pair (10% off). R-110SW Subwoofer - $439 (20% off). R-112SW Subwoofer - $519 (20% off). R-115SW Subwoofer - $719 (20% off). R-14SA Dolby Atmos Elevation Speaker - $299 per pair (25% off). R-26FA Dolby Atmos Floorstanding Speaker - $499 each (17% off). Source: KlipschPosted Mon Nov 6, 2017 at 08:00 PM PST by: -
This Week in Gear: McIntosh Details New Amplifier, YouTube Announces Live TV App for Media Players, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including McIntosh's newest audio component, YouTube's live TV app for smart devices, Netflix 4K support on Xfinity, 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 release of McIntosh's MA252 Integrated Amplifier, the launch of the new YouTube TV app for connected devices, the arrival of Netflix 4K support on the Xfinity X1, and the addition of Amazon Prime streaming to Xbox One systems. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: McIntosh Details MA252 Integrated Amplifier McIntosh has revealed the latest addition to its audio lineup. The new MA252 is the first hybrid integrated amplifier from the company, combining elements of vacuum tube and solid-state circuit design. The device's direct coupled solid-state 2-channel amplifier stage is rated for 100 Watts per channel into 8 Ohm speakers or 160 Watts per channel into 4 Ohm speakers. In addition, the unit incorporates a preamplifier stage with two 12AX7a and two 12AT7 vacuum tubes. Likewise, the device features an all analog design with two unbalanced, one balanced, and one Moving Magnet phono input, along with a full range subwoofer output. McIntosh Monogrammed Heatsinks connected to advanced high current output transistors, a powerful control microprocessor, audio-grade circuit components, and Power Guard technology are all implemented as well. Finally, the device uses a polished stainless steel chassis and includes an OLED screen for displaying settings and input selections. McIntosh's MA252 is set to start shipping this month for a suggested retail price of $3,500. Source: McIntosh YouTube Announces Live TV App for Smart Devices YouTube has announced a new live TV app specifically designed for media players and smart TVs, bringing the company's streaming TV service to the big screen. In the coming days and weeks, the app will roll out to Android TV devices like the NVIDIA SHIELD and Sony smart TVs; Xbox One, Xbox One S, and Xbox One X consoles; Apple TV; and additional smart TV models from LG and Samsung. 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. Here's a full rundown of the new TV app's design perks and main features per YouTube: - Control your live TV experience with your TV's remote control or game controller.- For a more cinematic look, we made the background dark on your TVs.- A new Live guide made for your big screen so you can get a sneak-peek at what's airing soon.- Never miss the action with our background playback experience built for your big screen.- Easily pick up where you left off on another device when you get home. In addition to the new app for smart TVs and media players, YouTube TV is also currently accessible through Android and iOS mobile devices, computers, Google Chromecast, and Chromecast built-in TVs. The service is now available in all top 50 metro areas and new users can receive a free one-month trial. Source: YouTube Comcast Adds 4K Netflix Support to Xfinity X1 Platform Comcast has announced the addition of Netflix 4K streaming support for its 4K-capable Xfinity X1 platform. With Netflix 4K integration, Xfinity users who have an XG1v4 set-top box and a Netflix Premium subscription can now access Ultra HD Netflix content directly through their set-top boxes alongside the live, on demand, DVR, and web programming already included with their Xfinity TV plans. "We remain focused on providing our customers high-quality entertainment experiences across platforms, which includes easy access to the best 4K programming," said Brynn Lev, Vice President, Editorial and Programming, Content Strategy and Operations, Comcast Cable. "We are thrilled to make the popular Netflix catalog of 4K programming available to X1 customers and will continue to rapidly expand the UHD programming choices available on the platform." Netflix currently offers a growing 4K Ultra HD library of over 1200 hours of original films, documentaries, specials, and series, including popular shows like Stranger Things. In order to properly stream 4K Ultra HD content, the company recommends an internet connection speed of at least 25 megabits. The 4K Netflix Premium plan costs $14 per month. Source: Comcast Amazon Prime Video Arrives on Xbox One Consoles Microsoft has announced the launch of the Amazon Prime Video app for Xbox One systems. Users with an Xbox One console can now download the app from the Microsoft Store. In addition, the app will also be available through the new Xbox One X when it launches on November 7 Amazon Prime Video offers a growing collection of movies and TV shows, including several Amazon original series like Transparent, The Man in the High Castle, The Tick, Mozart in the Jungle, and The Grand Tour. Likewise, the service now offers many of its titles in 4K Ultra HD. A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $99 per year or $11 per month. In addition to video streaming, the service also includes free two-day shipping, unlimited music streaming, unlimited reading on any device, free unlimited photo storage, and frees same-day delivery in eligible areas. Meanwhile, Prime Video is also available as a standalone option for $9 per month. Source: Xbox WirePosted Sun Nov 5, 2017 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Countdown to Black Friday Deal of the Day: Up to 40% off Samsung 4K Ultra HD TVs![teaser]Amazon is offering big discounts on select Samsung displays, today only! [/teaser] As part of the online retailer's Countdown to Black Friday Deals Store, Amazon is running a special limited time Deal of the Day sale on the Samsung UN55MU6500 4K Ultra HD TV and the UN65MU6500 4K Ultra HD TV. Samsung UN65MU6500 Curved 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (2017 Model) - Currently $930 (38% off MSRP, Deal of the Day). Samsung UN55MU6500 Curved 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart TV (2017 Model) - Currently $600 (40% off MSRP, Deal of the Day). The Samsung MU6500 4K Ultra HD TV series displays feature curved screen direct-lit LED panels with HDR10 high dynamic range support, Motion Rate 120 tech, and Samsung's Smart Hub for streaming app access. With that said, the TVs do not include wide color gamut capabilities. These discounts are only set to be active until 12AM PT/3AM ET. while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more Black Friday sales and special promotions!Posted Sat Nov 4, 2017 at 01:50 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'The Grand Tour,' 'Godless,' and More[teaser]Orcs, trolls, Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May and more are all heading to your favorite streaming device.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new trailers for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including The Grand Tour: Season 2, Spirit Riding Free: Season 3, Godless, Mudbound, Barbra: The Music... The Mem'ries... The Magic!, Cuba and the Cameraman, Voyeur, Trollhunters Part 2, Bright, and American Vandal: Season 2. The Grand Tour: Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video, December 8) - Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May return for a new season of the world's greatest show about three middle-aged men rampaging around the world having unusual adventures, driving amazing cars, and engaging in a constant argument about which of them is the biggest idiot. Although it's also the only show that combines these things so the 'greatest' title is pretty much uncontested. Spirit Riding Free: Season 3 (Netflix, November 17) - Inspired by the Oscar nominated film Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, Spirit Riding Free follows the heartfelt journey of a wild mustang who could not be tamed. A whole new generation will experience all the daring adventures when Spirit meets a girl named Lucky whose courage matches his own. Together they push limits, harness the power of friendship and discover what it means to be free. With their best friends by their side, they explore a world filled with endless rides, magnificent horses and never-ending fun. Godless (Netflix, November 22) - A seven-part Netflix limited series from Steven Soderbergh and Scott Frank, written and directed by Scott Frank, starring Jack O’Connell, Michelle Dockery, and Jeff Daniels. Frank Griffin, an outlaw terrorizing the 1880s American West, hunts down Roy Goode, his partner turned enemy. Roy hides out at a ranch as Frank's chase leads him to La Belle, New Mexico - a town mysteriously made up entirely of women. Mudbound (Netflix, November 17) - Set in the post-WWII South, Mudbound is an epic story of two families pitted against a barbaric social hierarchy and an unrelenting landscape as they simultaneously fight the battle at home and the battle abroad. The film is about friendship, unacknowledged heritage and the unending struggle for and against the land. Newly transplanted from the quiet civility of Memphis, the McAllan family is underprepared and overly hopeful for Henry's (Jason Clarke) grandiose farming dreams. Laura (Carey Mulligan) struggles to keep the faith in her husband's losing venture, meanwhile, for Hap (Rob Morgan) and Florence Jackson (Mary J. Blige), whose families have worked the land for generations, every day is a losing venture as they struggle bravely to build some small dream of their own. The war upends both families’ plans as their returning loved ones, Jamie (Garrett Hedlund) and Ronsel (Jason Mitchell) forge a fast, uneasy friendship that challenges them all Barbra: The Music... The Mem'ries... The Magic! (Netflix, November 22) - Iconic songstress Barbra Streisand culminates her 13-city tour in Miami with dazzling ballads, Broadway standards and stories from behind the scenes. Cuba and the Cameraman (Netflix, November 24) - For the past 42 years Director Jon Alpert (Alive Day Memories, Baghdad ER) has been following Fidel Castro and three Cuban families affected by his policies. Their lives put us right in the roller coaster of the Cuban Revolution. Because of Alpert's unique access to the island, and the trust and friendships earned over decades, this film is a candid and revealing never-before-seen portrait of Cuba. Voyeur (Netflix, December 1) - Follows Gay Talese -- the 84-year-old giant of modern journalism -- as he reports one of the most controversial stories of his career: a portrait of a Colorado motel owner, Gerald Foos. For decades, Foos secretly watched his guests with the aid of specially designed ceiling vents, peering down from an “observation platform” he built in the motel’s attic. He kept detailed journals of his guests’ most private moments -- from the mundane to the shocking -- but most of all he sought out, spied on, and documented one thing: strangers having sex. Talese’s insatiable curiosity leads him to turn his gaze to a man accustomed to being the watcher, exploring a tangle of ethical questions: What does a journalist owe to his subjects? How can a reporter trust a source who has made a career of deception? Who is really the voyeur? Trollhunters Part 2 (Netflix, December 15) - For centuries, a grand clash between good and evil has been waging between the trolls beneath our feet. Join Jim and friends as they battle the evil Trolls of the Darklands in Trollhunters Part 2 by master storyteller Guillermo del Toro. Bright (Netflix, December 22) - Set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, writer of Training Day) follows two cops from very different backgrounds. Ward, a human (Will Smith), and Jakoby, an orc (Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything. American Vandal: Season 2 (Netflix, Coming in 2018) - A new season will arrive in 2018. The first season is now streaming and takes the form of a half-hour true-crime satire that explores the aftermath of a costly high school prank that left twenty-seven faculty cars vandalized with phallic images. Over the course of the eight-episode season, an aspiring sophomore documentarian investigates the controversial and potentially unjust expulsion of troubled senior (and known dick-drawer) Dylan Maxwell. Not unlike its now iconic true-crime predecessors, the addictive American Vandal will leave one question on everyone's minds until the very end: Who drew the dicks? - 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), The Grand Tour (YouTube)Posted Fri Nov 3, 2017 at 10:50 PM PDT by: -
Xbox One X vs Xbox One S Hands-On Review: Should You Upgrade?With a launch date of November 7th, the Xbox One X is both the newest game console of note to come to market as well as the latest addition to the Xbox One family. While the original One is no longer available, Microsoft isn't dropping the One S anytime soon, leaving you with [teaser]two good gaming / media center consoles for your 4K HDR TVs and Atmos systems, but which Xbox is right for you and should One S owners immediately run out and upgrade?[/teaser] Read on, friends! GEAR USED For this piece, I am comparing my own Day One Xbox One, Storm Grey Xbox One S, and PS4 Pro against an Xbox One X review kit provided by Microsoft. I used both a Samsung QN65Q7F and LG 65UH7700 for the display, and a Marantz SR6011 for the AVR. BOY, HOW THINGS CHANGE The original Xbox One debuted in 2013 at a time when the general population thought 4K was far too expensive, without benefit, and far too lacking in available content to ever really make waves in the marketplace. Today, 4K TVs are the standard, with HDR their must-have feature. As encapsulated as standard in HDR10, High Dynamic Range means brighter brights and a wider contrast ratio that enables a greater range of color representation. And thus, there exists a gap between the 2013 game consoles and the 4K HDR displays that are becoming ubiquitous for anyone in the market for a new TV. Over the past few years, Microsoft worked to steadily improve the Xbox One through lower prices and an ongoing series of software and hardware upgrades (such as the controller revisions). More dramatically, in 2016, Microsoft revealed two new versions of the Xbox One -- the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. (Update: The full review of the Xbox One X can be found here.) XBOX ONE S The Xbox One S debuted in August of 2016, bringing with it a stunning new and compact hardware profile, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray support, HDR gaming and even faux 4K (non-native checkerboard rendering) gaming. Although the Xbox One S shares the same 8-core AMD Jaguar 1.75Ghz CPU and 8GB DDR3 memory (plus 32MB ESRAM) as the original Xbox One, various refinements in the design and memory addressing, namely the bump from the 12 GCN 853MHZ GPU to 914 Mhz, give the Xbox One S a performance advantage that is noticeable, especially in more demanding games. That extra edge, when combined with the recent Fall Update, makes the Xbox One S feel like an upgrade over the original no matter what display is in use. The console's small and stylish footprint contains its own power supply, and that all makes for a welcome entertainment center upgrade compared with the original Xbox One. (Finicky external power supply aside, the original Xbox One is an extremely quiet console, an edge it retains over the One S.) When combined with a modern 4K HDR display such as a Samsung QN65Q7F, the Xbox One S boasts impressive Ultra HD Blu-ray playback (see details here), 4K HDR video streaming (Netflix, Amazon, and VUDU), HDR gaming, and faux 4K (non-native checkerboard rendering) gaming. It's also important to note that, with recent updates, the Xbox One family supports direct bitstreaming for Dolby Atmos & DTS:X discs (via the Blu-ray app) and Dolby Atmos for gaming and some video streaming (this is a system-wide setting). Along with the 2017 LG OLEDs, it's one of the few devices currently capable of Dolby Atmos via Netflix. Dolby Atmos for gaming is, like HDR gaming support and faux 4K gaming rendering, supported on a per title basis. Gears of War 4, for example, is one of the few titles to support both HDR and Dolby Atmos. The entire Xbox One family of consoles now not only supports backward compatibility for a long list of Xbox 360 titles, but Microsoft has also recently introduced limited support for original Xbox titles. Whether users own disc copies or choose to buy digital copies, various beloved classics are now playable with a slight enhancement on the Xbox One platform (with more titles to come). XBOX ONE X As stated in the open, the launch date for the Xbox One X hits is November 7th, and it is the newest piece of hardware of significance to hit since the Nintendo Switch last March. When Microsoft unveiled the Xbox One X (then codenamed Project Scorpio) at E3 2016, it was positioned to be a more powerful variant of the Xbox One S and, at the same time, meant to out-muscle and out-sexy the PS4 & PS4 Pro. At that time, the One X almost seemed superfluous or, at least, too much like the Xbox One S to justify the existence and development of both. It looked to be a premium flavor of the Xbox One S with more power, but a big price. Without trying to step too much on my in-progress full review, the Xbox One X is a major upgrade of the Xbox One S as well as a freaking titan when set against anything in the game console space. Simply put, it does everything the very capable Xbox One S can do -- whether that's running software, capturing and streaming gameplay, or playing Ultra HD Blu-rays and stream 4K HDR Atmos video (see John Wick Chapter 2 on VUDU) -- and does it better. Every. Single. Thing. Having run an Xbox One X around the clock for a week, it's staggering how adroit the compact form is, how much more stable the whole thing feels, how whisper-quiet it sounds compared to the One S. With great system stability and speed affecting every single app on the Xbox One platform (and make no mistake, everything from Settings to the Blu-ray player to the Store is an app), and a quiet, cool, and incredibly sleek bit of kit in the entertainment center, the Xbox One X feels like a new console. It handles system-wide Atmos like a champ and even the new experience Hulu, which seems to clog up whatever it touches, runs silky smooth on the One X. And there are the games. Sure it comes with the fleshed-out backend and catalog of an established generation (and more), but the true bellwether feature of the Xbox One X is how it can push games that deliver on 4K HDR displays. Microsoft has managed to line up the system updates, third-party publishers and nomenclature in a way to benefit the Xbox One X experience to a degree not touched upon by the PS4 Pro launch or any important same platform hardware upgrade (like the New 3DS) in recent memory. As the launch approaches, there are still more things (specifically Xbox One X specific game patches) coming online, and thus the full review is still in progress. But while it's been a given that Microsoft would have their big titles ready to rock, (Gears of War 4 - native 4K, HDR, Dolby Atmos, 60fps option, Forza Motorsport 7 - native 4K, HDR, 60fps, Halo 5 -native 4K, etc.), Microsoft also has Activision, EA, Ubisoft, Warner Bros. and Bethesda on board with their biggest holiday titles. Even publishers like Disney, Square Enix, Capcom and so on are getting on Xbox One X support. Sitting down to play Gears of War 4 in native 4K with HDR and Atmos, or else firing up Middle-earth: Shadow of War in native 4K with HDR or Assassin's Creed: Origins in dynamic 4K with HDR and Atmos or even Super Lucky's Tale in 4K with Atmos reminds of when I first booted up the PS4 with games like Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag. It's the feeling of a new console, a new generation, and yet the games are clearly the product of the previous generation (but with the power to reach and maintain a new level of detail). That might sound like a back-handed compliment but it's not. Turning on the svelte Xbox One X and entering a game with native 4K, HDR, and/or Dolby Atmos has the sexiness of pushing a GPU to its limits at my PC, but the Xbox One is living room friendly as well as being a relatively easy push-button affair. The home theater really benefits from having a step ahead thanks to the popularity of HDR and Atmos (not to mention 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray). The Xbox One X boasts of having an 8-core Custom AMD 2.3GHz CPU, 12GB GDDR5, 36 GCN 911Mhz GPU, and these are specs that easily surpass both the Xbox One S and the PS4 Pro. The amount of memory, in particular, is massive and developers should have the access and bandwidth to make the most of it. There is a little more to the hardware, however, with details like partial liquid-cooling and AMD FreeSync compliant HDMI 2.0b out helping to make the Xbox One X distinct over anything else on the market or even on the horizon. X OR S: WHICH ONE IS RIGHT FOR YOU? It's not hyperbole to say that the Xbox One X is priced roughly double the cost of an Xbox One S. (A 1TB Xbox One X at $500 versus a 500GB Xbox One S with a game at $249.) And the benefits I've outlined above of the Xbox One X over the S, including greater stability, a quieter and sexier machine, and serious select native 4K HDR gaming power are likely to appeal to each user in a different degree. At the same time, a $500 console that can really bring out the best of 2017's Best 4K TVs (which can be found at $2000-$3000 in the 65" range) shouldn't be dismissed by anyone looking for a perfect pairing... Even though neither the Xbox One S nor the Xbox One X offer Dolby Vision HDR (both use HDR10). So, which one is right for you? The Xbox One S is great for its multimedia capabilities and for its gaming catalog. The Xbox One X, however, makes a statement as a premium gaming console with superior performance that we can expect to be supported going forward. Xbox One games marked with either or all three of the "Xbox One X Enhanced," "4K Ultra HD," and "HDR" logos should be the norm from here on, and that will be of special interest for Xbox One X owners. (A running table of Xbox One X Enhanced games can be found here.) Thanks to its power and usability, the Xbox One X is the current living room console champion. Period. Pick up the One X if you have an HDR-capable display and killer surround sound and want to get the most out of your gaming and multimedia experiences. You won't look back. For everyone else, the Xbox One S is still an impressive machine priced to sell. Stick with the One S if you're on a budget, are only a casual gamer, or don't yet have any plans to buy a large 4K HDR TV. Order from Amazon Order from AmazonPosted Thu Nov 2, 2017 at 09:30 PM PDT by: -
RCA Releases 4K Roku TV Lineup with Prices Starting at $600[teaser]Three new 4K Roku TV models are now available.[/teaser] RCA has announced the launch of its new 4K Roku TV lineup. The collection includes a 65-inch ($1,0990 MSRP), 55-inch ($700 MSRP), and 50-inch ($600 MSRP) model. "This is another step towards establishing our company as a leading provider of a full array of quality products featuring the newest technology at an excellent value," said Aaron Herzog, president of Display-Vu, an affiliate of Curtis International and RCA's official television licensee. "Roku offers our customers an incredible experience through its easy-to-use user interface and huge choice of content. With the holiday season almost upon us, we expect our 4K Roku TVs, at a price that won’t break a family budget, to be a firm favorite." The RCA 4K Roku TVs all feature an Ultra HD resolution of 2160p, but sadly the press release makes no mention of HDR (high dynamic range) or wide color gamut capabilities. For smart TV support, the sets all use the Roku platform with access to more than 5,000 channels and 500,000+ movies and TV episodes, along with Roku's unbiased search feature which can find results across 500+ streaming channels. Likewise, the displays are scheduled to receive the Roku OS 8 update by the end of the year with new features like Smart Guide; easier search and voice control; TV Everywhere (TVE) single sign-on; and an updated 4K Spotlight Channel. "Working with RCA on a 4K Ultra HD RCA Roku TV was a natural progression following the launch of the RCA Roku TV line earlier this year. Consumers will love this affordable but sleek designed 4K UHD TV, with access to thousands of streaming channels," said Chas Smith, general manager of Roku TV & players. "Through the 4K UHD RCA Roku TV, customers can also access the newly redesigned Roku 4K Spotlight Channel, making it easier than ever to find 4K content available on the Roku platform." RCA's new 4K Roku TV collection is now rolling out to Walmart's online and retail stores. The Ultra HD TVs join the company's previously released Roku HDTV lineup. Source: RCAPosted Thu Nov 2, 2017 at 06:50 PM PDT by: -
New Apple TV 4K Update Will Fix Forced HDR Video Output[teaser]The streaming player's most troublesome issue is being corrected.[/teaser] Apple has announced plans to implement a new "Match Content" option for the Apple TV 4K as part of its upcoming tvOS 11.2 update. This new setting will allow the player to automatically switch it's video output to match the source dynamic range and frame rate of the content being played. Currently, the Apple TV 4K forces the player's video output to stay in HDR mode (either HDR10 or Dolby Vision depending on the display model) for all content being played on an HDR TV. This can cause some SDR content to look unnatural with incorrect colors and contrast due to the conversion. Likewise, the player also currently prioritizes 60Hz output even if the content being played uses a different frame rate. Thankfully, the upcoming update will allow users to activate a "Match Content" option which will enable the player to automatically switch the video output mode in order to match the native frame rate and dynamic range of whatever video is being played. This will allow SDR and 24Hz videos to be played as originally intended without any forced conversion. With that said, specific video apps will need to include support for the Match Content option in order for it to work. The Apple TV 4K 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. AirPlay 2 support will be added later this year as well, enabling the unit to control multiple AirPlay 2-compatible speakers. Apple TV 4K models are now available in 32GB ($179) and 64GB ($199) versions. An exact release date for the tvOS 11.2 update has not been announced. Source: Apple via EngadgetPosted Wed Nov 1, 2017 at 04:15 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Kicks Off 2017 Countdown to Black Friday Deals![teaser]The Amazon Black Friday Deals Store is now live![/teaser] Amazon has announced the launch of its 2017 Black Friday Deals Store. The store will offer new deals on a variety of products from now through Black Friday. "We're excited to officially kickoff another holiday season, bringing customers better deals than ever before on everything they'll need – from electronics and toys to clothing, home essentials and more," said Doug Herrington, Senior Vice President of North American Retail at Amazon. "Customers shop Amazon year-round for our great prices, unbelievable selection, and free shipping on over 100 million products. During the holiday season, customers love to discover great deals and must-have holiday gifts for friends and family. Some of the most popular starting points for holiday shoppers are our Black Friday Deals Store, Amazon’s curated Home and Electronics Gift Guides, the Holiday Toy List, the newly redesigned Gift Finder, our Handmade Gift Shop, and Interesting Finds." The Black Friday deals page is now home to deals across every category, with new discounts and lightning deals set to launch every day. Likewise, customers can also access new specially curated Gift Guides, including the 2017 Amazon Electronics Gift Guide with more than 500 of the year's hottest technology products. In addition, customers can also voice shop for many of the items featured in the Black Friday store and Gift Guides with their Alexa devices, and users can browse and purchase products usng the Amazon app as well. Here's a rundown of some of today's hottest deals: Samsung UN65MU7000 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV (2017 Model) - $990 Samsung UE510 LED DISPLAY Monitor, 28" 4K (Certified Refurbished) - $230 CINEMOOD 3-in-1 Magic Cinema - $299 Klipsch R-10SWi 10" Wireless Subwoofer - $192 TaoTronics Sound Bar - $76 These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more Black Friday Countdown deals! Source: AmazonPosted Wed Nov 1, 2017 at 10:45 AM PDT by:
