-
LG Releases Dolby Vision Firmware Update for UP970 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player[teaser]The company's Ultra HD Blu-ray player now supports Dolby Vision disc playback.[/teaser] LG has released the Dolby Vision update for its UP970 Ultra HD Blu-ray player ($237). Customers can now download the new BD.37.767.70811.C firmware by navigating to the software update section of the settings menu. The UP970 offers Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback, along with Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD, and 4K streaming capabilities. And in addition to the newly added support for Dolby Vision, the player also includes HDR10 support. With that said, while Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback is now provided, LG's site currently states that Netflix Dolby Vision streaming support for the UP970 will not be added until later this year. Here's a rundown of additional player features per LG: - Support for 10-bit color and Rec. ITU-R BT. 2020 color gamut, as well as playback of high-efficiency video coding (HEVC)- Compatible with a variety of leading sound formats, including Dolby True HD, Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio, for a truly cinematic audio and video experience- HDMI 2.0a port for Ultra HD video output and an HDMI 1.4 for audio output that can connect with hi-fi devices LG is now the second manufacturer to launch support for Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-ray playback. Oppo previously updated its UDP-203 & UDP-205 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Players to support Dolby Vision back in June. In addition, a Philips branded Ultra HD Blu-ray player with Dolby Vision support is also in the works, and Cambridge Audio just announced its own Dolby Vision compatible player as well. Notable Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-ray discs currently on the market include titles like The Fate of the Furious, Despicable Me, Despicable Me 2, Power Rangers, and Resident Evil: Vendetta. Source: LGPosted Wed Aug 23, 2017 at 05:00 AM PDT by: -
Roku Schedules Partial Service Interruption for August 23[teaser]Access to certain Roku functions will be temporarily disabled tomorrow morning.[/teaser] In an email to its users, Roku has announced that it will conduct planned maintenance for its streaming tech on Wednesday, August 23 for a six hour period from 5am to 11am PT/8am to 2pm ET. The process will involve a partial service interruption that will disable some options on Roku devices. During the maintenance window, Roku customers will still be able to stream content through channels they have already installed on their Roku products. With that said, users will not be able to activate new Roku devices, access the Roku Channel Store to add new channels, or make purchases through certain channels until the temporary interruption has concluded. Roku's current lineup of streaming players includes the Roku Express, Roku Express+, Roku Streaming Stick (model 3600), Roku Premiere, Roku Premiere+, and Roku Ultra. The flagship Roku Ultra offers support for 4K Ultra HD streaming and HDR10 with access to access to 450,000+ movies and TV episodes across 4,500+ paid or free channels. A Dolby Digital Plus decoder, USB input, Optical Digital Out, enhanced point anywhere remote with voice search, premium headphones for private listening, and gaming buttons are integrated as well. Full review here! In addition, the company also implements its streaming OS into a variety of HD and Ultra HD Roku TV models from several manufacturers, including TCL, Hisense, Sharp, RCA, Insignia, and Hitachi. The 55-inch P-Series 4K Roku TV features support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision streaming along with an advanced Roku remote with voice search support and a headphone jack for private listening. Source: RokuPosted Tue Aug 22, 2017 at 01:25 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'The Punisher,' 'Good Omens,' and More[teaser]A teaser for Marvel's The Punisher and a trailer for Amazon's Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams are among the latest streaming updates.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon has released new trailers and other info for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including Resurface, Fire Chasers, Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected), The Punisher, Ozark, Good Omens, and Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams. Check out a full rundown of the latest streaming news and trailers below: Resurface (Netflix, September 1) - Surfing has become medicine for military veterans suffering from physical and mental trauma. Resurface follows veterans who find that the ocean is the one place they can go to for peace. Fire Chasers (Netflix, September 8) - From the vast visual ferocity, to the earnest and emotional personal stories hidden behind the smoke, Fire Chasers takes viewers into the heart of California’s devastating recent wildfires alongside the brave men and women of Cal Fire and the Los Angeles County Fire Department. Their mission is to battle the flames that erupt during fire season, threatening wildlife, natural terrain, and tens of thousands of homeowners. Climate change, altered vegetation patterns, and an increase in fire-prone landscapes have multiplied those crises -- forcing firefighters across the state to confront epic disasters that cost lives, millions of dollars in damage, and a massive scarring of the Earth. Fire Chasers is a Netflix original documentary series produced by Appian Way, Stone Village Television, and Original Productions. Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father (Netflix, September 22) - Based on the comedic viewpoints of Jack Whitehall, Travels with My Father follows Jack, as he embarks on the trip of a lifetime with his father, Michael. The two set off on a journey across South East Asia to partake in a series of adventures, mishaps and escapades with two very different perspectives. The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) (Netflix, October 13) - From writer/director Noah Baumbach, The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected) is the emotional, and comic intergenerational tale of adult siblings (Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, and Elizabeth Marvel) contending with the long shadow their strong-willed father (Dustin Hoffman) has cast over their lives. With an original screenplay by Baumbach, the film also stars Emma Thompson, Grace Van Patten, Adam Driver, Candice Bergen, Judd Hirsch, and Rebecca Miller. The film was produced by Scott Rudin, Baumbach, Lila Yacoub, and Eli Bush. Marvel's The Punisher (Netflix, Coming Soon) - After exacting revenge on those responsible for the death of his wife and children, Frank Castle (Jon Bernthal) uncovers a conspiracy that runs far deeper than New York’s criminal underworld. Now known throughout the city as The Punisher, he must discover the truth about injustices that affect more than his family alone. Ozark: Season Two (Netflix, Coming Soon) - This money-centric present day story revolves around financial planner Marty (Jason Bateman) and Wendy Byrde (Laura Linney) and their family's sudden relocation from the suburbs of Chicago to a summer resort community in the Missouri Ozarks. Rather than the familiar skyscrapers and trading floors, Ozark explores capitalism, family dynamics, and survival through the eyes of (anything but) ordinary Americans. For Ozark, executive producer and director is Jason Bateman, with executive producer/writer Chris Mundy, and executive producers Bill Dubuque and Mark Williams. The series is produced by Bateman’s Aggregate Films in association with Media Rights Capital for Netflix, and was created by Dubuque and Williams. Philip K Dick's Electric Dreams (Amazon Prime Video, Coming Soon) - A 10-episode sci-fi anthology series with stand-alone episodes based on the works of Phillip K. Dick. The writer's short stories and novels have previously inspired films and TV shows like Blade Runner, Minority Report, Total Recall, A Scanner Darkly, and the Amazon original series The Man in the High Castle. The show comes from Sony Pictures Television, producer Bryan Cranston (Sneaky Pete), and Ronald D. Moore (Outander, Battlestar Galactica). Screenwriters contributing to the show include Dee Rees (Bessie), Tony Grisoni (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), Jack Thorne (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), Matthew Graham (Life on Mars), David Farr (The Night Manager), Travis Beacham (Pacific Rim), Ron Moore (Outlander), and Michael Dinner (Justified). Cast memebers include Steve Buscemi, Greg Kinnear, Janelle Monáe, Anna Paquin, Juno Temple, and producer Bryan Cranston. Finally, the stars for Amazon's upcoming original series Good Omens have been revealed. According to a report from Variety, David Tennant will play the role of a demon named Crowley and Michael Sheen will play an angel named Aziraphale. The six-part limited comedy series is based on Neil Gaiman (American Gods) and Terry Pratchett's (Colour of Magic) novel of the same name. Good Omens takes place in 2018 when the Apocalypse is near and Final Judgment is set to descend upon humanity. According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch (the world's only completely accurate book of prophecies), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner. So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, and tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except Aziraphale, a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley, a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth's mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming war. And…someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 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), Trailers Promos Teasers (YouTube), VarietyPosted Mon Aug 21, 2017 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
TCL Scraps Plans for 50-inch and 65-inch P-Series 4K Roku Ultra HD TVs[teaser]The model will remain limited to a 55-inch version.[/teaser] According to a report from CNET, TCL has decided to cancel its upcoming 50-inch and 65-inch P-Series 4K Roku Ultra HD TVs. Instead, the company will only sell the currently available 55-inch model. It's not entirely clear why TCL decided to terminate plans for the other screen sizes, but when speaking to CNET, the company stated it was shifting gears from its 2017 lineup to focus on its next-gen P-Series models with new technology. Likewise, the manufacturer said it would elaborate on the decision at a later date. The 50-inch and 65-inch P-Series displays were set to launch later this year for a tentative MSRP of $500 and $1,000 respectively. The 55-inch P-Series 4K Roku TV was released in June for $650 and has been met with strong reviews thanks to its mixture of budget-friendly pricing and advanced picture quality features, cementing itself as one of the year's best bang-for-your buck TVs. The display offers support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range formats, along with wide color gamut capabilities with NBP Photon technology. Likewise, the set uses the Roku OS smart TV platform with access to more than 4,000 streaming channels and 450,000+ movies and TV episodes. An advanced remote offering voice search and a headphone jack for private listening, high-speed 802.11ac wireless and Ethernet networking, and three HDMI 2.0a ports with HDCP 2.2 are integrated as well. In addition, the 55-inch P-Series offers HDR Contrast Control Zones, allowing contrast to be individually optimized across 72 zones to achieve deeper blacks and brighter whites. Beyond the P-Series, TCL recently launched its 2017 C-Series in 55-inch and 65-inch models. The C-Series also includes Dolby Vision and wide color gamut support but does not feature Contrast Control Zones. Source: CNETPosted Fri Aug 18, 2017 at 10:15 PM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: LG Products Win EISA Awards, VUDU Heads to Apple TV, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including LG's recent honors from the European Imaging and Sound Association, 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 LG's recent EISA awards, the upcoming addition of VUDU to the Apple TV lineup, the integration of DTS Headphone:X tech into the ASUS ZenFone 4, and McIntosh Group and Sonus faber's sponsorship of Ferrari's 70th Anniversary. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: LG Home Theater Products Win EISA Awards LG has received several honors from the European Imaging and Sound Association for its new lineup of home theater devices. Honored products include the OLED65E7 4K TV, the 55SJ850V SUPER UHD TV, and the SJ9 Dolby Atmos Sound Bar. "Global accolades like the coveted EISA awards recognizes our work in advancing LG OLED technology as the ultimate premium home entertainment experience," said Tim Alessi, Senior Director, Home Entertainment Product Marketing, "Our OLED TVs will continue to lead the premium TV market with products that are recognized for their advanced technology, astounding picture clarity and superb design." The 65-inch E7 OLED Ultra HD received the Best OLED TV award. The display includes Dolby Vision and HDR10 support (with an HLG firmware upgrade coming soon), improved picture performance over 2016 models, perfect black levels, wide viewing angles, wide color gamut playback, a Picture-on-Glass design, and a Dolby Atmos 4.2 Ch 60W sound bar stand. In addition to the EISA award, the LG E7 OLED also recently swept all three categories at the 2017 CE Week TV Shootout. Meanwhile, the 55-inch SJ8500 SUPER UHD TV earned the LCD TV award. The set features Nano Cell LCD technology, Active HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support, Harman Kardon custom-tuned audio and LG's webOS 3.5 smart TV platform. Finally, the SJ9 Sound Bar won the Soudbar award. The device utilizes multiple speakers, including two powerful up-firing drivers for bouncing sound off a user's ceiling, and a wireless subwoofer to offer a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos experience. Judges for the EISA Awards include editors from AV magazines based in 20 European countries, the US, and Australia. Criteria includes technology, design and innovation. Source: LG VUDU Set to Arrive on Apple TV VUDU has announced plans to bring its platform to the Apple TV. The app will be available on fourth generation Apple TV devices with a tentative launch date of August 22. With VUDU for Apple TV, users will be able to access the digital media platform's library of over 100,000 titles for rent or purchase. Likewise, customers can also use VUDU to play their UltraViolet digital copies. And though the current 4th generation Apple TV only supports Full HD playback, VUDU offers a growing collection of 4K Ultra HD titles in Dolby Vision HDR. On that note, rumors indicate that Apple's upcoming next-gen Apple TV model will include support for 4K, HDR10, and Dolby Vision. In addition to VUDU, Apple also recently announced plans to add the Amazon Prime Video app to its Apple TV channel lineup as well. The fourth generation Apple TV is available now in 32GB ($149) and 64GB ($199) models. Under the hood, the player is powered by a 64-bit A8 chip with Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi. The device also comes with an advanced remote with Bluetooth 4.0, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a glass touch surface for intuitive navigation, and a Siri voice search feature for comprehensive voice search results. Source: Variety DTS Brings Headphone:X Tech to ASUS ZenFone 4 Smartphone DTS has announced the integration of its Headphone:X audio technology into the new ASUS Zenfone 4. In addition, the handset will include a new built-in Audio Wizard, offering audio personalization and DTS Headphone:X optimization. "DTS Headphone:X technology maximizes the personalized listening experience of the ZenFone 4," said Geir Skaaden, chief product and services officer at Xperi. "Consumers are now choosing smartphones based on their features and performance capabilities. No matter the brand or model of headphones or ear buds the user selects, DTS Headphone:X technology enhances all smartphone-based audio content, delivering a premium entertainment experience." DTS Headphone:X simulates the 3D environment of an audio track's original mixing stage, providing an immersive 360-degree surround sound experience with 11.1 support and overhead audio through any pair of headphones or earbuds. New Audio Wizard personalization features integrated into the ASUS Zenfone 4 include: - Eight setting presets designed for a variety of music genres (Normal, Classical, Dance, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Vocal and Custom). - A library of more than 400 headphone models to custom-tune audio for specific listening devices. - The ability to create customized listening profiles enabling the DTS Headphone:X technology to adjust audio output based on the user's listening preference results. "DTS Headphone:X is an integral part of providing our consumers the ultimate entertainment experience in the new ZenFone 4," said Jone Chang, division director, Phone BU, ASUS. "We are excited to offer these unique features available through DTS Headphone:X technology that ensure quality audio from any headset on the market." Source: DTS McIntosh Group and Sonus faber Sponsor Ferrari's 70th Anniversary McIntosh Labs and Sonus faber have announced sponsorship of the 70th anniversary of Ferrari. As part of the sponsorship, the brands are displaying several of their products at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance features 200 of the most prized collector cars in the world rolled onto the famed 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links to compete for top honors. To help celebrate Ferrari's 70th Anniversary, McIntosh Labs & Sonus faber are displaying a collection of their gear at the McIntosh Labs & Sonus faber Lounge during the event. Products on hand include the RS100 Wireless Loudspeaker, MT5 Turntable, and PRYMA 01 Headphones. The RS100 Loudspeaker allows users to bring streaming music to any room. The speaker uses DTS Play-Fi tech and can connect to a Wi-Fi network to stream tracks from a customer's mobile device. The RS100 is now available for an MSRP of $1,000. Source: McIntosh GroupPosted Fri Aug 18, 2017 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
VIZIO Internet Apps Plus Smart TV Platform Adds Google Play Movies & TV Support[teaser]The company's D-Series Smart TV platform now includes the Google Play app.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the launch of Google Play Movies & TV on its lineup of VIZIO Internet Apps Plus Smart TVs in the US and Canada, including the D-Series Full-Array LED displays. The VIZIO Internet Apps Plus platform uses the TV's built-in Wi-Fi, and also offers access to other popular apps like Netflix, YouTube, and more. "An intuitive and well-rounded smart TV experience continues to be at the core of VIZIO's mission to provide consumers with expansive and seamless solutions for consumers to enjoy their favorite shows and movies," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "We're excited to announce that Google Play Movies & TV is now available through the VIZIO Internet Apps Plus smart TV platform. Thanks to Google Play's expansive library of movies and TV shows, consumers can now unlock more content than ever before." With the Google Play Movies & TV app, D-Series customers can buy or rent tens of thousands of new release movies and next day TV shows right through the display's smart TV interface. The D-Series ranges in size from 24-inches to 70-inches and includes HD and 4K Ultra HD models with support for Ultra HD Blu-ray players and 4K streaming content. Likewise, select units use full array LED backlighting with up to 12 Active LED Zones for improved contrast and light uniformity over traditional edge-lit panels. In addition, the TVs feature Clear Action 180 with 120Hz effective refresh rate for enhanced detail in quick moving scenes. The 2017 VIZIO D-Series with the VIZIO Internet Apps Plus smart TV platform is now available for purchase through VIZIO.com, Walmart, Sam's Club, Target, and Best Buy. Source: VIZIOPosted Fri Aug 18, 2017 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Cambridge Audio Details CXUHD 4K Ultra HD Universal Blu-ray Player with Dolby Vision[teaser]A new Ultra HD Blu-ray player has been revealed.[/teaser] Cambridge Audio has announced the upcoming launch of its CXUHD 4K UHD Universal Blu-ray Player. A release date has not been announced yet, but the company's website currently has the player listed for an MSRP of $700. The CXUHD offers support for 4K UHD Blu-ray disc playback at 3840 x 2160, along with standard Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D playback via a high-precision, balanced laser optical disc loader. In addition, the player supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and includes a conversion option for older SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) displays. Likewise, the CXUHD includes bitstream pass-through for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats. Two USB 3.0 ports, two HDMI outputs, and one HDMI input are integrated as well. Finally, the unit features a customized quad-core video decoder and has been designed without DACs for noise reduction and improved audio and picture quality. Here's a full rundown of specs per Cambridge Audio: DISC TYPES: UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD, SACD, CD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE BD PROFILE: BD-ROM Version 3.1 Profile 6 (also compatible with BD-ROM Version 2.5 Profile 5) ARCHITECTURE DECODER: Mediatek MTK8591 EXTERNAL STORAGE: 2 x USB 3.0 VIDEO FRAME RATES: 24Hz/50Hz/60Hz VIDEO FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED: MPEG2, MPEG 2 HD, MPEG4, MPEG4 HD, AVC, VC-1, XVID, AVI, AVC, MKV (4.1), DAT, VOB, WMV, MOV, MP4, MPEG-PS, FLV, MTS, M2TS, M2T, M4V, QuickTime AUDIO FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED: AAC, WMA, MP3, APE, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV PICTURE FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG HDMI 1 (INPUT & OUTPUT): Video: UHD/1080p 24/1080p/1080i/720p/576p/576i/4 80p/480i, 3D frame-packing 720p/1080p24 Audio: up to 7.1ch/192kHz PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD, Bitstream HDMI 2 (AUDIO OUTPUT ONLY): Up to 7.1ch/192kHz PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD, Bitstream ETHERNET: 1000 BASE-T WI-FI: 802.11B, G, N (2.4GHz), 802.11A, N, AC (5GHz) PSU: Universal Switch-mode 100 – 240V AC, IEC Inlet MAX POWER CONSUMPTION: 35W STANDBY CONSUMPTION (QUICK START MODE OFF): <0.5W DIMENSIONS (H X W X D) (INCLUDING FEET): 82mm x 430mm x 312mm (3.2” x 16.9” x 12.3”) WEIGHT (UNBOXED): 5.0kg (11.0lbs) Source: Cambridge Audio via AVS ForumPosted Fri Aug 18, 2017 at 05:20 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic EZ1002 OLED 4K TV Earns Top Honors at HDTVtest 2017 TV Shootout[teaser]Panasonic's latest OLED display earned the "Best TV of 2017" award.[/teaser] The winners of the 2017 Crampton & Moore/HDTVtest TV Shootout have been announced. The annual display competition was held in England on August 13 and pitted five premium 4K Ultra HD TVs against each other in a head-to-head contest. The competing sets included: - LG B7 OLED65B7V OLED TV- Panasonic EZ1002 TX-65EZ1002B OLED TV- Samsung Q9 QE65Q9F QLED LCD TV- Sony A1 KD-65A1 OLED TV- Sony ZD9 KD-65ZD9 LED LCD TV All of the displays were calibrated before the competition by Vincent Teoh from HDTVtest and Tyler Pruitt from Portrait Displays, and all guests in attendance were allowed to vote. Judging categories included contrast, color accuracy, motion, video processing, uniformity, HDR, bright-room performance, and gaming. After calculating the results, Panasonic's EZ1002 OLED 4K TV received the top honor of "Best Overall TV of 2017." Sadly, Panasonic does not currently sell displays in the US, so the EZ1002 remains exclusive to the European market. And while the two LCD sets did earn the highest marks for bright room performance, the three OLED models managed to sweep all of the individual awards. Here's a full rundown of the winners: - Best Overall TV of 2017: Panasonic EZ1002 OLED 4K TV - Best Home Theater TV: Panasonic EZ1002 OLED 4K TV- Best Living Room TV: Sony A1 4K OLED TV- Best Gaming TV: LG B7 4K OLED TV- Best HDR TV: LG B7 4K OLED TV In addition to the Crampton & Moore/HDTVtest shootout, CE Week also recently held its own annual TV Shootout in New York City. LG's 65E7P OLED Ultra HD TV swept all three major awards at the contest, and the competition included many of the same displays used in the HDTVtest Shootout -- minus the Panasonic OLED since it is not available in the US. Sources: HDTVtest, Forbes, AVS ForumPosted Thu Aug 17, 2017 at 06:30 AM PDT by: -
See One Movie a Day in Theaters for $10 Per Month with MoviePass[teaser]The service lets users see one theatrical release every day for just $10 per month![/teaser] MoviePass has announced a new $9.95 per month pricing plan for its movie ticket service. As part of the subscription, users will be able to see one 2D theatrical film every day with no contract or blackout dates. After signing up for the plan, users are sent a special MoviePass debit card. Customers can then select a theater and movie showtime from the MoviePass app. Once a user's smartphone GPS registers within 100 yards of the selected theater, subscribers can then check-in for the film they want to see. Credit is then transferred to the MoviePass debit card which can then be used to buy the tickets. Currently, the service only covers standard 2D showings and does include support for 3D, IMAX, or other premium format presentations. Likewise, the app does not allow customers to buy tickets for future dates -- only showings for the day of purchase. Theaters currently supported by the app include AMC, Cinemark, Regal and several independent chains. With that said, AMC is now attempting to prevent the service from supporting its theaters and is even threatening legal action against what it sees as an unsustainable program. In order to fund the company's ambitious new pricing plan, MoviePass recently sold a 51% stake to Helios and Matheson Analytics for $27 million. In the past, the service has offered more expensive plans, including a two movie per month option for $15. Interested film fans can sign up for MoviePass at the company's website but, as of press time, the site is currently down -- likely due to the high amount of traffic that demand for this new $9.95 plan has brought. Sources: Variety, Engadget, Engadget 2, Business InsiderPosted Wed Aug 16, 2017 at 07:00 PM PDT by: -
Gift Guide: Back to School Gear 2017As summer vacation enters its last stretch, new and returning college students around the country are now preparing to head back to their "cozy" little dorm rooms. And for many gear-loving undergrads, this probably means saying goodbye to your parents' 65-inch TV and hello to a cracked 5-inch iPhone screen for all of your movie watching needs. But, college life doesn't always have to mean giving up on a quality home theater experience. Sure, while most dorms might be stuck halfway between a claustrophobic apartment and a broom closet, there are still some very solid AV gear options out there that are perfect for students looking to conserve money and space -- all while still leaving just enough room in your budget for a text book or two. With that in mind, we've put together a buying guide filled with price and space conscious gear items that are an ideal fit for the university lifestyle. [teaser]From compact TVs and sound bars to streaming sticks and wireless speakers, these are some of the best home theater products for any college dorm.[/teaser] So, without further ado, here's HDD's BACK TO SCHOOL GEAR GUIDE 2017 Note: All prices below reflect current Amazon discounts and do not include taxes or shipping. DISPLAYS While a 75-inch Ultra HD TV with advanced HDR features or a 4K projector with a giant screen might be the best way to experience movies at home, fitting such a large display in a dorm would likely prove to be a bit challenging. Thankfully, a smaller sized TV doesn't always mean poor quality, and there are some very worthy budget friendly options out there with screen sizes under 50-inches and great cord-cutter friendly smart TV platforms. TCL 32S305 32-Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV ($170) - Though it might be as basic as a TV gets when it comes to picture quality, this HDTV from TCL still provides decent performance for its price. With a direct-lit LED VA panel and Roku's robust smart TV platform, the unit features solid contrast and a great assortment of streaming apps without the need for an external player. And while it's only a 720p display, at just 32-inches, the benefits of a higher resolution would likely be hard to discern on a screen this size. All in all, an appealing choice for students on a tight budget. VIZIO 43-inch D-Series Ultra HD TV ($420) - Stepping things up to Ultra HD, this entry-level 4K display from VIZIO boasts a 3840x2160p resolution panel, but lacks advanced next-gen features like HDR (high dynamic range) and wide color gamut support. With that said, D-Series models do include full-array local dimming with up to 12 zones for improved contrast. Likewise, the unit offers VIZIO's Internet Apps Plus Smart TV platform and, unlike the company's higher-end display series, the device features an integrated TV tuner. Samsung UN40MU6300 40-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV ($498) - Offering 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR10 support, the MU6300 series brings a more advanced level of picture quality to the under 50-inch screen class. Likewise, the unit boasts Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform and a direct-lit LED backlight with a surprisingly good native contrast ratio for a panel without local dimming. But while the set can display HDR content, it's nit performance is on the low-end (about 350), and the display does not support a wide color gamut. Sony XBR43X800D 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV ($680) - Though a 2016 model, this Sony Ultra HD TV remains one of the best smaller-sized 4K displays on the market. With 4K resolution, HDR10 playback, and wide color gamut support, the set boasts most of the major next-gen picture quality features a user could want (minus Dolby Vision). The edge-lit backlight can lead to some clouding around the sides of the screen, but the VA panel still offers superior contrast over Sony's new 2017 model which uses an IPS screen. And with Sony's Android smart TV platform, cord-cutting students should find plenty of apps to enjoy in between cramming for finals. SOUND BARS & SOUND STANDS Ideally, dorms would be able to fit a full-fledged Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system, but the limited space students get is usually best reserved for items a bit more important to daily life... like a bed. With that in mind, a sound bar or sound stand is a great alternative to wimpy integrated TV speakers without costing too much money or taking up too much room. Some models even feature simulated surround sound modes, wireless subwoofers, and Bluetooth support. VIZIO SB2820n-E0 Sound bar Home Speaker ($78) - This incredibly affordable 28" sound bar model might not include a subwoofer or advanced audio features, but it provides a simple, inexpensive 2-channel upgrade to shrill TV speakers. The unit is rated for 95 dB with less than 1% Total Harmonic Distortion and a frequency response of 70 Hz - 19 KHz, and offers Dolby Digital playback and DTS sound enhancement through a digital optical connection. And though HDMI and Wi-Fi are not included, the device does support Bluetooth streaming. Fluance AB40 Soundbase ($250) - If you'd prefer to slide your sound system directly under your TV, this Fluance sound stand model provides very solid audio quality and surprisingly robust bass without the need for a separate subwoofer. It lacks advanced features and adjustment options, but the simple plug-and-play nature of the unit should mesh well with a casual dorm setting. With that said, some modern TV stand designs with feet on each side (like the aforementioned VIZIO and TCL sets) probably won't be able to rest on a soundbase like this. Full review here! Yamaha YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer ($300) - Yamaha's latest sound bar model is one of the first products on the market with DTS Virtual:X support (via firmware update). The new simulated surround sound tech is capable of virtualizing audio in multiple dimensions, including height, without upward-firing drivers. In addition, the unit offers a slim design, a wireless subwoofer, and advanced video pass-through support for 4K HDR sources, making it a great match for students who want a budget-friendly, compact system without missing out on next-gen features. Full review coming soon! WIRELESS SPEAKERS While sound bars and sound stands make great space-saving home theater solutions, many college students are just looking for a compact solution to play all their Spotify playlists. Thankfully, there's quite a few well-performing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers on the market with support for numerous apps. Likewise, some models even offer battery-powered modes, letting students bring the party out to the quad for outdoor listening. Yamaha MusicCast WX-010 Wireless Speaker ($180) - This compact 25 watt wireless speaker features a two-way design, a 3-1/2" woofer, 1" tweeter, and two passive radiators. In addition, the device uses Yamaha's MusicCast multi-room audio platform with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay support, offering a wide-array of music streaming options. Likewise, users can even link two speakers together for left/right stereo playback. Full review here! RIVA Arena Wireless Speaker ($249) - Suitable for both in-dorm use and portable, outdoor playback thanks to an optional 20+ hour battery pack, this is a very versatile wireless speaker with Wi-Fi, hi-res audio, and Bluetooth support. The unit features full-range custom ADX drivers with 3 passive radiators to create up to 101dB, along with RIVA's patented Trillium audio tech which up-mixes a traditional two channel stereo signal into a true left, center, right experience. STREAMING DONGLES Most displays on the market now use integrated smart TV platforms with access to many popular streaming apps, but it's still possible that some college students might be stuck inheriting an old "dumb" TV. And since it's unlikely you're going to want to pay for cable, the best solution for any cord-cutting undergrad is a dedicated streaming dongle. Able to turn any HDMI equipped set into a genuine smart TV, compact media sticks offer robust app support without breaking the bank or taking up any valuable space. Amazon Fire TV Stick ($40) - Amazon's compact streaming stick offers access to over 15,000 apps, games, and Alexa skills including Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, YouTube, Amazon Video, NBC, WatchESPN, Disney, and more. Likewise, the device includes the Alexa Voice Remote, allowing users to control functions through voice commands. With that said, unlike more expensive full-fledged set-top boxes, the Fire TV Stick does include 4K playback. Roku Streaming Stick ($40) - Roku's latest streaming stick provides access to 450,000+ movies and TV episodes across 4,500+ paid or free channels with a powerful quad-core processor. Voice control is also offered through the mobile app (but not the included remote). Like the Fire TV Stick, however, the device only supports up to 1080p playback. Google Chromecast Ultra ($69) - This puck-shaped dongle plugs into a display's HDMI port, allowing users to cast all of their favorite content from thousands of apps to their TVs using a separate smartphone, tablet, or laptop. In addition, unlike the other players on this list, the Chromecast Ultra supports 4K, HDR (high dynamic range) and Dolby Vision content, offering playback support for videos with higher resolution, expanded colors, and enhanced contrast. So, there you have it. Those are our top gear suggestions for new and returning college students living the dorm lifestyle. For now, what do you think about our suggestions? Will you be picking up any of these products for your college dorm? Do you have any back to school gear suggestions of your own? Let us know in the forums!Posted Mon Aug 14, 2017 at 01:18 PM PDT by:
