Posted Thu Jun 15, 2017 at 06:20 PM PDT by Steven Cohen
We've compiled the latest gear news, including new headphones, TV rankings, and app updates.
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 new Pioneer headphones, new honors received by LG's TVs, Cloud DVR updates for Sling TV, and the arrival of FilmStruck on Roku devices.
So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news:
Pioneer has announced the latest addition to its audio lineup. The new fully enclosed SE-Monitor5 dynamic stereo headphones are now available for a suggested retail price of $1,000.
The hi-res headphones feature Pioneer's proprietary cellulose nano-fiber headphone transducer with an organic wood pulp refined on the nano-scale serving as the basis for a 5 Hz–85 kHz-capable 50mm (1.96") driver designed for optimized fidelity. In addition, the headphones include three cords: two unbalanced bi-wire cords featuring gold-plated 3.5 mm (1/8") stereo connectors, and one balanced audio cord with a 2.5 mm (3/32") 4-pole stereo plug for compatible digital audio players.
Likewise, the device has been built to minimize distortion with a magnesium alloy housing; advanced dual-chamber system; diffuser technology; and floating structure with rubber insulators that reduce vibration and cross-channel interference.
Source: Pioneer
According to a recent Consumer Reports listing, LG's Signature OLED W7 has earned the top spot among all current Ultra HD TV models. Likewise, the company's 65SJ9500 SUPER UHD TV also ranked highly among LCD models, coming in just below Sony's XBR65X930E 4K Ultra HD LED TV.
"LG pioneered OLED TV technology and since its inception has continued to dedicate enormous resources to its growth to the benefit of all consumers," said William Cho, president and CEO, LG Electronics North America. "Top TV reviewers consistently rank OLED as the best TV technology available, and we’re the only manufacturer to offer a variety of OLED TV screen sizes and models – there is no better time to purchase the best TV technology on the market."
Per the report, LG OLED TVs earned top scores for picture quality, viewing angle, and versatility resulting in an overall score of 89, the highest among the included displays. The Signature OLED W7 features perfect blacks, infinite contrast, an expanded color gamut, and wide viewing angles. Likewise, the set includes Active HDR with Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) support. In addition, the display uses a unique Picture-on-Wall design. Beyond the W7, LG's 65" LG SIGNATURE C7 OLED Ultra HD TV earned the second place spot on the list.
Source: LG
The Criterion Collection and Turner Classic Movies have announced the addition of FilmStruck to the Roku TV and Roku media player channel lineup in the US. The ad-free subscription platform offers a curated and constantly refreshed library of streaming independent, art-house, international, cult, and contemporary cinema.
FilmStruck offers a mix of contemporary and classic arthouse, indie, foreign and cult films from many major studios and independent distributors, including Janus Films, Flicker Alley, Icarus Films, Kino, Milestone, Zeitgeist, Film Movement, Global Lens, First Run Features, Oscilloscope Laboratories, Shout Factory, Warner Bros., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Likewise, the platform also features extensive bonus content, filmmaker interviews and rare footage. Titles currently streaming include films like Babette’s Feast, Blow Out, Boyhood, Breaker Morant, Chicago, A Hard Day’s Night, My Life as a Dog, Our Song, The Player, A Room with a View, Seven Samurai, The Seventh Seal, Thelma & Louise, The Times of Harvey Milk, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, and more.
And beyond the standard FilmStruck library, subscribers can also sign up for the Criterion Channel -- a premium add-on service dedicated to the Criterion Collection with access to the company's entire streaming library of films and special features.
Here's a full rundown of subscription plans:
- FilmStruck Subscription: $6.99/month, offering hundreds of constantly refreshed, hard-to-find and critically acclaimed films, plus exclusive bonus content including hosted introductions, originally produced pieces, interviews and rare footage.
- FilmStruck + The Criterion Channel Subscription: $10.99/month, offering everything in the FilmStruck subscription plus unlimited access to Criterion's entire streaming library of films and special features, along with channel-exclusive original programming such as filmmaker profiles, master classes, and curated series by celebrated guests from the film world and beyond.
- Annual Subscription: $99/year for FilmStruck + The Criterion Channel (a $30 annual savings).
In addition to Roku devices, FilmStruck is available on Apple TV (4th generation), Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, web, iOS and Android devices. New users can receive a special 14-day free trial.
Source: Roku
Sling TV has announced an expansion of its Cloud DVR option with support for new channels, devices, and features.
With the Sling TV Cloud DVR, subscribers using an Amazon Fire TV or tablet, Android device, Apple TV, Roku, or Xbox One can purchase 50 hours of storage for $5 per month with any channel package. Likewise, support for more platforms, including Windows 10, AirTV Player, and iOS devices will be added in the coming weeks. In addition, the company has announced new DVR support for FOX channels, including FOX local networks, FOX Sports 1 (FS1), Nat Geo, and FX.
Finally, several new Cloud DVR features have been added as well. Here's a rundown per the announcement:
- Protect: Want to watch that epic sports play over and over or keep a favorite movie from being deleted? Now you can! If you want to keep a recording, simply choose “Protect” in the “Manage DVR” section, and the recording will stay on your DVR as long as you subscribe.
- DVR Folders: We know it can be time-consuming to scroll through all your recordings, so we’ve made it simpler by grouping shows from one series into a single folder. That way, if you’re looking to catch up on every Game of Thrones episode before the premiere or binge-watch House Hunters, you’ll find all your recordings in one place. Roku users can currently see the new DVR Folders feature, and we will continue rolling it out to other devices soon.
- Record from Franchise: Now you can record a show or series from its franchise screen, so if you search for a show like “The Walking Dead,” you can see episodes available on demand and set a recording for new episodes as they come out.
Source: Sling TV
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