-
'Portlandia: Season Three' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The third season of the satirical sketch show is coming to Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Video Services Corp is working on 'Portlandia: Season Three' for Blu-ray on July 2. Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein return with their wonderfully unique rendering of Portland, OR. This season, they’ll be joined by a slew of notable new guest stars including Chloë Sevigny as Fred and Carrie’s new roommate, and returning favorites such as Kyle MacLachlan as Portland’s lovable Mayor. Shot entirely on location in Portland, OR, 'Portlandia' is co-created and co-written by Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein and Jonathan Krisel, who is also the series director. 'Portlandia' is executive produced by Lorne Michaels and produced by Broadway Video. Specs and supplements have not been set yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.97. You can find the latest specs for 'Portlandia: Season Three' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 2.Posted Tue Apr 2, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
PRIMA Cinema Brings Hollywood Premieres Home in 4:2:2, 10-bit Quality[teaser]$35,000 and an approved home theater nets you a $500 day and date option. [/teaser] Prima Cinema is now offering first-run theatrical films for private home theaters under a model that is as pricey as it is exclusive. As detailed by a review at Digital Trends, becoming a member of PRIMA Cinema involves having a dealer approve your home theater. Criteria includes having a serious 115" range screen and projector in place to start but also includes a limit of a twenty-five seat maximum. After the $35,000 investment for the 2TB networked, PRIMA player, each 2D film costs $500 while 3D movies cost $600. That fee grants the user one 24 hour period to watch the film a single time. Movies are downloaded rather than streamed and can be paused, but cannot be fast forwarded or rewound. The PRIMA player features dual power supplies, dual Ethernet, and dual output HDMI. The system is designed to work under adverse conditions, such as a power supply failure, but the dual HDMI only uses the second HDMI port for audio. Audio is delivered in multi-channel LPCM. Due to severe levels of concern over security regarding the content, biometric identification supplied from the fingerprint from the living user is required to operate and utilize the player, and any attempt to circumvent the hardware or software will cause the player to lock and require dealer servicing. Attempting to capture the image onscreen will yield a player-specific watermark. The player is essentially option free once set-up by the dealer. Controls are limited to selecting which movie to play. Once selected, movies download in the background, but will only begin playing once completed. The system is capable of HFR films in 2D but not 3D. The 3D signal supplied by the player is full 1080p/24 frame 10-bit 4:2:2 stereoscopic so that neither eye lacks for resolution. As of now, content is limited to films from Universal, Lionsgate, Focus Features, Cinedigm, and Magnolia, but PRIMA is pursuing other major studios. After entreating readers not to overly balk at the system's exclusively priced and designed business model, the review described the playback experiences over a two week period as without stutter, glitch or hiccup. "Lived with it for almost two weeks... Then wept bitterly when it left." Source: Digital TrendsPosted Tue Apr 2, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
'Enlightened: The Complete Second Season' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order[teaser]The final season of the HBO dramedy is in the works for Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 'Enlightened: The Complete Second Season ' appears to be coming to Blu-ray in the near future. Created by Mike White and Laura Dern, this half-hour comedy series centers on Amy Jellicoe (Dern), a well-intentioned employee of a Southern California corporation who, after flipping out and going to anger-management rehab, emerges with a singular, if at times misguided, mission to make her company more responsible. After presenting her research outlining Abaddonn Industries' toxic sins -- and being laughed out of the room -- she strengthened her resolve to expose the company as a polluter and a bastion of corporate greed and corruption. Having convinced co-worker Tyler (White) to let her use his IT password to retrieve incriminating emails, Season 2 picks up with Amy immersed in gathering evidence against Abaddonn. Specs, supplements, and a release date have not been set yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $39.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Enlightened: The Complete Second Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Tue Apr 2, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Sony Announces EPIX App for the PS3 with Free Movies for PS Plus Members[teaser]14-day free trial available for all PSN members. [/teaser] Sony will release the EPIX video app for the PS3 today, and has promised that a Vita version will follow "soon." EPIX exists as both a premium cable channel and VOD demand service. As a movie service, EPIX boasts 3,000 titles with their biggest partners being Paramount, Lionsgate, and MGM. For PSN, EPIX is also offering exclusive content such as songs from their Original Concert Events. The service pushes it exclusive deals with Lionsgate and United Artists, but the service also has a myriad of types of content including documentaries, comedy specials, and even some series. While all PSN members are being offered a 14-day free trial. PS Plus members are promised a free movie every week without having to subscribe to EPIX. The specific movie is likely to be chosen by EPIX. Source: PlayStation.BlogPosted Tue Apr 2, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
Contest: Win 'Les Miserables' on Blu-ray!Sing out loud! High-Def Digest is giving away another free movie! This week, we'd like to offer you the chance to take home a copy of the Oscar-winning musical 'Les Miserables' on Blu-ray. Don't miss your chance to win. Enter our contest in the blog today.Posted Tue Apr 2, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The previously delayed limited edition collection will be assembling on Blu-ray this week. [/teaser] After being postponed from its original September 25 release, Disney/Buena Vista is preparing the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled Limited Edition Collection' is headed to Blu-ray... today! Fans will be able to immerse themselves in every aspect of Marvel’s elite Super Heroes with this limited-edition, 10-Disc 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection.' Complete with glowing Tesseract, this exciting collection includes stunning Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray presentations of Marvel’s 'The Avengers,' 'Captain America: The First Avenger' and 'Thor,' as well as Blu-ray versions of 'Iron Man,' 'Iron Man 2' and 'The Incredible Hulk' in exclusive collectible packaging. In addition to possessing level 7 security clearance, fans will also be granted special access to S.H.I.E.L.D.’s most confidential archives, including a top-secret Bonus Disc filled with never-before-seen deleted scenes, extended scenes, featurettes and more. Also featuring exclusive memorabilia (prop reproductions and artifacts) from the motion pictures, the must-own 'Marvel’s Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled Collection' will verify owners status as the world’s greatest authority on the Marvel Super Hero mythos! Specs will likely mirror those of the previously released discs, and supplements will include: "And Then Shawarma After" featurette; New deleted scenes, animatics and more from each film; Collectible packaging with memorabilia from the Marvel’s Cinematic Universe; and an Exclusive inside look at Marvel’s 'Iron Man 3' and other films from Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray collection is $219.00. You can find the latest specs for 'Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 2.Posted Tue Apr 2, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two' Blu-ray Supplements Detailed[teaser]Special features have been revealed for the hit BBC sci-fi adventure materializing on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] As previously reported, BBC Home Entertainment is preparing 'Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two ' for Blu-ray on May 28. The Doctor kicks off this new run of adventures by searching for his companion Clara – an Impossible Girl he’s already lost twice. Together they find themselves battling monsters on distant alien planets, trapped in a Russian submarine with a deadly passenger, chasing terrifying ghosts, delving into the heart of the TARDIS, facing the Crimson Horror in Victorian Yorkshire, and coming face to face with an army of upgraded Cybermen. The action grows and the Doctor's oldest secret threatens to be revealed as the world's longest running sci-fi series builds toward its explosive 50th anniversary in November of 2013. Also appearing this season are guest stars Dougray Scott (Desperate Housewives, Mission: Impossible II), Warwick Davis (Life’s Too Short, Harry Potter), Celia Imrie (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel), Richard E Grant (Iron Lady, Dracula), Jessica Raine (Call the Midwife) and Tamzin Outhwaite (EastEnders, Law & Order: UK). Additionally, mother and daughter Dame Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service) and Rachael Stirling (Tipping the Velvet) will appear on screen together for the first time. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the set will feature the 2012 Christmas Special and all eight remaining Series Seven episodes, and supplements will include: Clara's White Christmas: Behind the Scenes of 'The Snowmen'; Prequel to' The Snowmen'; Prequel to 'The Bells of Saint John'; and 45-minute Special: The Companions. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Doctor Who: Series Seven, Part Two' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 28.Posted Mon Apr 1, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]The action packed fairy tale re-imagining will be slaying both Blu-ray formats in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is preparing 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' for Blu-ray on June 11. 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters – 3D' (2D included) will also be available on the same date. After getting a taste for blood as children, Hansel (Jeremy Renner) and Gretel (Gemma Arterton) have become the ultimate vigilantes, hell bent on retribution. Now, unbeknownst to them, Hansel and Gretel have become the hunted, and must face an evil far greater than witches...their past. Both theatrical and unrated versions will be presented. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo packs will feature 1080p video, Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtracks, and supplements will include: Reinventing Hansel & Gretel; The Witching Hours; and Meet Edward the Troll. The suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99 and $54.99 for the Blu-ray 3D. You can find the latest specs for 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters' and 'Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters – 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under June 11.Posted Mon Apr 1, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
A Learning Computer: What if a Samsung Smart TV's Features Were Taught to the User[teaser]The idea is to mimic video game feature introductions as a way to save the typical user from being baffled by a Smart TV. [/teaser] Somewhere between all the features that are marketed and all the features that are useful, there are features on mainstream products such as Smart TVs that the non-enthusiast user should be enjoying, but are lost in the deluge of the entire feature package. over at Fast Company, there is an article detailing User Interfaces on products like Smart TVs, receivers, cell phones etc. are failing to win over the majority of users to the tune of a 48% return rate (2002) due to product dissatisfaction. According the article, the issue is that the design of most interactive products fail "to take people’s changing capacity and experience into account." The article then outlines how "learning how to use complex products is like learning a computer game." With a specific example of involving the Samsung E8005 Smart TV, an alternative user interface is defined that rewards the user's ability to operate the TV by opening up more functions. "Based on this concept, the interface of the future television and remote control should match the appropriate level of challenge to the user’s skill level. In this future interface, the skill level of the user dictates which interactions are available. Turn on the TV, can you get 10 XP; chose 'Watch Television' and you get 10 more. At that point, only the least challenging interactions, such as volume and channel, are displayed." The example goes on to detail how this kind of user dependant set of features would gently plod the user to tryout other unlearned features. This could be streamlined into something as simple as an 'advanced mode' that has everything unlocked alongside the proposed learning mode. Ultimately, the idea involves recognizing the level of comfort that the user has with the feature set and trying to increase that comfort level. Source: Fast Company via The VergePosted Mon Apr 1, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'K-11' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Jules Stewart's directorial debut is coming to Blu-ray in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Breaking Glass Pictures is preparing 'K-11' for Blu-ray on April 23. 'K-11' stars Goran Visnjic (ABC-TV's new hit series 'Red Widow', 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' 'ER') as Raymond Saxx, a businessman whose drug use leads him to incarceration in the section of the Los Angeles County Jail reserved for LGBT inmates and firmly under the heel of Mousey (Mexican superstar Kate Del Castillo, 'Under the Same Moon,' 'La Reina del Sur', 'Weeds'), a malicious transgendered inmate. Saxx has no idea how he got there -- all he knows is he needs to get the hell out...alive and intact. Aggressive cellmates, corrupt officials and his own issues are just a few challenges he faces with while he pieces together a way out of this entirely new kind of rabbit hole. Director Jules Stewart, mother to 'Twilight' star Kristen, is a lauded script supervisor with over thirty years of experience in Hollywood. In 2010, Stewart formed Libertine Films with her business partner, producer Tom Wright. 'K-11' is their first feature. The film also stars DB Sweeney ('Taken 2'), Jason Mewes ('Jay & Silent Bob,' 'Clerks'), Portia Doubleday ('Kimberly Peirce's Carrie,' 'Youth in Revolt,' 'Almost Kings') and Tommy "Tiny" Lister ('The Fifth Element,' 'Jackie Brown'). Son Cameron Stewart makes his film debut in 'K-11' as Sledgehammer, while daughter Kristen Stewart ('Twilight,' 'On the Road') makes a special contribution. Specs have not been revealed yet, but supplements will include: a commentary by Jules Stewart and Tom Wright; deleted scenes; interviews with key cast and crew; a behind-the-scenes featurette; the "My Liberty" music video by cast member Billy Morrison; and a photo gallery. The suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'K-11' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under April 23.Posted Mon Apr 1, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
