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Pioneer Refreshes A/V Receiver Line-up with New VSX Models[teaser]All four new models sport Ultra HD pass-through and Eco Mode. [/teaser] Pioneer has announced the feature set for its new VSX line-up of A/V receivers. All four models support Ultra HD pass-through for 4K support with the VSX-1123-K capable of Ultra HD upscaling. Eco-Mode is also part of each, and allows HDMI switching and network standby to function even when the receiver is off, which is just the beginning of how Eco Mode adjusts to conserve power when possible. After the value-centric 5.1 channel VSX-523-K, the VSX-823-K adds On Screen Display, a front HDMI port, and networking capability, including MHL 2.0, Apple AirPlay, HTC Connect, Pandora, and vTuner. The VSX-1023-K adds 7.1 support and Powered Zone 2 Audio. The Zone 2 capability allows a separate HDMI source from the main to be output to another room. Pioneer's iControlAV app allows control for both the VSX-823-K and VXS-1023-K, while the new iControlAV2013 is crucial for bringing the VSX-1123 HDZONE to bear. HDZONE, allows a third audio-only source to be routed to another room. The VSX-523-K is listed at $279.99. The VSX-823-K is $429.99. The VSX-1023-K is $529.99, and the VSX-1123-K is $629.99. Source:PioneerPosted Thu Mar 7, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
Building a Home Theater: The HeartbreakIn his quest to build a new home theater, High-Def Digest's Josh Zyber has discovered that nothing about home ownership can ever be easy. Read about the enormous setback he's suffered in the latest update to his tale. You can also catch up on previous entries at the following links: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4 Part 5Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'The Four' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The action flick based on Wan Ray-an's classic wuxia novels is bound for Blu-ray in April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Well Go USA says 'The Four' is planned for Blu-ray on April 9. Touted as China's X-Men, 'The Four' are extremely skilled assassins and detectives who are hired by the Chinese Emperor to arrest and kill the most deadly criminals roaming throughout the country. The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements have yet to be revealed. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'The Four' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 9.Posted Thu Mar 7, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Lincoln' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]Steven Spielberg's Academy Award nominated biopic is heading to Blu-ray! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista has revealed 'Lincoln' will hit Blu-ray on March 26. Inspired by the true-life events confronting Abraham Lincoln and his monumental moral and political challenge to amend the United States Constitution to permanently abolish slavery, “Lincoln” is a rich and compelling historical and human drama that has been hailed as one of the best film of the year. As a 2013 Oscar® and Golden Globe® Award-winner for his performance as America’s 16th president, Daniel Day-Lewis leads an all-star cast including Academy Award® winners Tommy Lee Jones and Sally Field. Also starring David Strathaim, Joseph Gordon-Levitt and James Spader, “Lincoln” is based on a screenplay by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tony Kushner. The film is scored by multiple Oscar-winner John Williams. With two Academy Award®-wins for “Best Performance By An Actor In A Leading Role” & “Best Achievement In Production Design”; a Golden Globe for “Best Performance by An Actor In A Motion Picture-Drama”; a BAFTA for “Leading Actor”; and AFI “Movie Of The Year,” “Lincoln” is this year’s must-own motion picture to add to any collection! The Blu-ray/DVD combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: The Journey To Lincoln: Steven Spielberg and his collaborators discuss the challenges and excitement of bringing this story of a complex and very human president to the screen; and A Historic Tapestry - Richmond, Virginia: Spielberg and his team discuss the historical significance of Richmond, Virginia, and why they chose to shoot the film there. The 4-Disc Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack will add a few exclusives including: In The Company Of Character: Delve into Daniel Day-Lewis' portrayal of Lincoln, and discover the authenticity and openness created by the actors and filmmakers on set; Crafting The Past: Examine the re-creation of Lincoln's era through authentic period details in production design, costume and makeup; Living With Lincoln: Follow Steven Spielberg, the cast and crew through the shooting of the film, from the battle at Jenkins' Ferry, through the epic 13th Amendment showdown in the House of Representatives, to Lincoln's tragic end; In Lincoln's Footsteps: Explore the film's editing, sound design, and the subtle yet poignant musical score by John Williams, and discover how relevant and inspiring Lincoln still is today. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $39 while the 4-Disc combo is $45. You can find the latest specs for 'Lincoln' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 26.Posted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 01:25 PM PST by: -
'Brubaker' and 'The Verdict' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Two classic 1980s dramas from directors Stuart Rosenberg and Sidney Lumet are bound for Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'Brubaker' and 'The Verdict' on Blu-ray on May 7. 'Brubaker' - Robert Redford stars in this potent drama based on the real life story of Tom Murton, the prison superintendent who rocked Arkansas politics when he exposed scandalous abuses and murders in a state prison. Posing as a new prisoner, Brubaker (Redford) discovers vast corruption in a state penitentiary before revealing himself to be the new warden. His personal crusade to bring reform puts him in grave danger, especially when he insists on exposing a series of secret murders that took place years earlier. Powerful and disturbing, Brubaker won acclaim for its gritty realism and Oscar-nominated screenplay. 'The Verdict' - Nominated for five Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor. Frank Galvin is a boozy washed-up attorney with a losing streak a mile long. So when he's handed a lucrative out-of-court settlement, everyone expects him to take the money and run. But Frank is tired of running and recklessly brings the case to court...only to discover that if finding the whole truth is a little like trial and error, then finding real justice is a lot like trial by fire. Specs, supplements, and suggested list price haven't been revealed yet. You can find the latest specs for 'Brubaker' and 'The Verdict' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under May 7.Posted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
'Stand Up Guys' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The crime-comedy starring Al Pacino, Christopher Walken, and Alan Arkin will con Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate says 'Stand Up Guys' will have a Blu-ray release on May 21. Directed by Academy Award winning producer Fisher Stevens ('The Cove') and co-starring Golden Globe winner Julianna Margulies (TV's "The Good Wife"), the tough but touching film centers on three retired gangsters who reunite for one epic final night. However, one of the friends is keeping a dangerous secret - and his time to find an acceptable alternative is running out. As the sun rises on the guys' reunion, their position becomes more and more desperate and they finally confront their pasts once and for all. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: American Muscle: The Stand Up Stunt Driving Scenes featurette; The Lowdown On Making Stand Up Guys featurette; The Stand Up Songs Of Jon Bon Jovi" featurette; Deleted Scenes; and Audio Commentary with Director Fisher Stevens. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Stand Up Guys' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 21.Posted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Sharp Infused with $110 Million from Samsung[teaser]Samsung takes a 3% stake in the troubled Japanese LCD pioneer. [/teaser] Sharp, one Japan's biggest TV and display producers, has struck an important partnership with Samsung as signaled by Samsung's investment of $110 million. Sharp is currently responding to the turmoil that lead to $4.4 million October bailout. Samsung's investment, which nets a 3% ownership in Sharp also follows Qualcomm's December investment of $120 million. For Samsung, one rational for the investment according to Deutsche Securities analyst Yasuo Nakane, is "a possibility that Samsung in return for its investment, may demand more preferential pricing in parts supplies." Considering the rarity of partnerships crossing over between South Korea and Japan, Samsung is likely also looking to gain access to Sharp's solar panel business. Sharp currently supplies displays for both the iPad and iPhone, at least in Japan. Unfortunately for Sharp, it does not supply screens for the iPad mini, whose popularity has taken business away from the full-size iPad. News of Samsung's investment helped shares in Sharp to jump as high as 19 percent, and time will tell whether the move will help Sharp overcome its troubled times. Source:ReutersPosted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'On Approval' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The classic 1944 British comedy will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Inception Media Group is working on 'On Approval' for Blu-ray on March 19. Clive Brook adapted and stars as George, the 10th Duke of Bristol, in this hilarious adaptation of Frederick Lonsdale's play. George and his equally impoverished friend Richard (Roland Culver) are invited to spend a month at a Scottish mansion by two wealthy women (played by Beatrice Lillie and Googie Withers) to test their compatibility as potential marriage partners. What follows is a delightfully witty romance described by Lindsay Anderson as the funniest British light comedy ever made. Specs have yet to be revealed, but the Blu-ray will feature a transfer struck from the original 35mm film and supplements will include: Googie Withers remembers On Approval with film historian Kevin Bronlow, Audio commentary by film historian Jeffrey Vance, and an essay by film critic and historian Scott Eyman. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98. You can find the latest specs for 'On Approval' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 19.Posted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Jack Reacher' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The action-thriller starring Tom Cruise will debut on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount has revealed 'Jack Reacher' for a Blu-ray release on May 7. Tom Cruise tackles the title role with the brute force his character is known for and his “tightly controlled performance holds our attention all the way through to the tense finale” (Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News). Based on best-selling author Lee Child’s wildly popular series of novels, 'Jack Reacher' was adapted for the screen and directed by Academy Award®-winner Christopher McQuarrie (Best Original Screenplay, 'The Usual Suspects,' 1995). Filled with heart-pounding action, thrills and a “killer chase scene” (Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News), 'Jack Reacher' is “hard-boiled detective story entertainment” (Richard Corliss, Time) that “will have you gasping in surprise at the velocity and ferocity of the action” (Marshall Fine, Huffington Post). The film also boasts “a top flight ensemble cast” (Claudia Puig, USA Today) including Robert Duvall ('Apocalypse Now'), Rosamund Pike ('Die Another Day'), Werner Herzog ('Rescue Dawn'), David Oyelowo ('Rise of the Planet of the Apes'), Richard Jenkins ('The Cabin in the Woods') and Jai Courtney ('A Good Day to Die Hard'). The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy combo pack will include 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Commentary by Tom Cruise and director Christopher McQuarrie; Commentary by composer Joe Kraemer; When the Man Comes Around; You Do Not Mess with Jack Reacher: Combat & Weapons; and The Reacher Phenomenon. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Jack Reacher' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 7.Posted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
Roku offers Third Generation Model and Software Interface[teaser]The Roku 3 is HDMI only and features a remote with a headphone jack; other Roku models promised a software update. [/teaser] Roku has announced the Roku 3, the latest Roku model and replacement for the former flagship model, the Roku 2 XS. The Roku 3 adds dual-band wireless, a faster processer, and a headphone jack located on the remote control. When the headphone jack is in use, audio output on the Roku will automatically be muted, granting users an instant, simple privacy mode. The Roku 3 also gets Roku's new on-screen experience with one-stop search, which is designed to allow the user to search multiple content providers with one input. Roku has also promised that several other Roku models, including the Roku LT, Roku HD (model #2500), and the Roku 2 line-up will receive the new search capability between now and May. One feature that the new Roku has dispensed with is any kind of analog connectivity, and an HDMI port is the only way to go. Roku is still offering several older models for analog and SD users. The Roku 3 is currently available from Roku's website for $99.99, and should appear on Amazon within a week. Source:RokuPosted Wed Mar 6, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by:
