-
Comcast Loses Just 17,000 Subscribers in Fourth Quarter of 2011[teaser]Considering that the company lost 460,000 subscribers in the year, that number is incredibly small. [/teaser] It may sound like a bit of a backhanded compliment, but Comcast just wowed the industry by losing a mere 17,000 customers. Nearly every cable provider – aside from Verizon – seems to be bleeding out, but Comcast seems to have found a way to stop that. Or at least delay it. In the fourth quarter of 2010, Comcast lost 135,000 subscribers. In the fourth quarter of 2011, just 17,000. That’s a significant change to be sure, and goes to show that those trying to discount cable companies may be a bit premature. Comcast chairman Brian Roberts says that one of the influencers that kept people on was TV Everywhere Xfinity, which allows customers to watch on their portable devices as well as in their homes. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Chuck: Seasons 1-5' Blu-ray Set Dated[teaser]The complete series of the cult action comedy will be released on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is set to release 'Chuck: Seasons 1-5' on Blu-ray on May 8. Chuck Bartowski, ace computer geek at the BuyMore, is not in his right mind. That’s a good thing. Ever since he unwittingly downloaded stolen government secrets into his brain, action, excitement and a cool secret- agent girlfriend have entered his life. It’s a bad thing, too. Because now Chuck is in danger 24/7. The 19 disc set is expected to carry over the same specs and supplements as the individual season releases including: Declassified Scenes; Chuck’s World – An inside look at character development and casting sessions; Chuck on Chuck – Series Stars Zachary Levi and Joshua Gomez join creators Josh Schwartz and Chris Fedek for some point/counterpoint; Chuck vs. the Chuckles – aka: The Gag Reel; and Chuck’s Online World – a gallery of web originated mini-featurettes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Chuck: Seasons 1-5' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 8.Posted Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Antelope Audio Releases a $4,000 Digital Audio Converter for iPad[teaser]Once you’re spending four grand to make the thing sound good, maybe it’s time to consider using another device for your audio. [/teaser] Some people have too much money. Have you noticed? Of course, high end consumer electronics companies aren’t complaining – that’s where their sales come from. The Antelope Audio Zodiac Gold is a definite exercise in excess. It’s a digital audio converter for your iPad that aims to improve the sound that the tablet puts out. It’s one of the very few 384kHz DACs on the market and one of the fewer converters aimed at the iPad. It’s a slick looking device, but the thing that draws the most attention is the price. If you want to get the best audio possible out of your iPad, you’ll be spending 3000 euros, or around $3,900. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Princess Diaries 2 Movie Collection' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]Both Garry Marshall films starring Anne Hathaway and Julie Andrews will be crowned on Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista is preparing 'Princess Diaries 2 Movie Collection' for Blu-ray on May 15. 'The Princess Diaries' - A socially awkward but very bright 15-year-old girl being raised by a single mom discovers that she is the princess of a small European country because of the recent death of her long-absent father, who, unknown to her, was the crown prince of Genovia. She must make a choice between continuing the life of a San Francisco teen or stepping up to the throne. While Mia makes up her mind, she's pressed into taking princess lessons from her grandmother. 'The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement' - Now settled in Genovia, Princess Mia faces a new revelation: she's being primed for an arranged marriage to a English suitor. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Princess Diaries 2 Movie Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 15.Posted Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Nearly a Third of Broadband Customers Watch TV and Movies Online[teaser]Internet-connected video players like the Roku and Apple TV now have a 13 percent market penetration, which puts much of what’s left on game consoles and connected components. [/teaser] Streaming video is quickly becoming the mainstream. According to a recent survey by Parks Associates, 31% of households with broadband internet service are using that connection to enjoy TV and movies online. That’s helped, in part, by increased sales of dedicated streaming devices like the Roku player and Apple TV. “In the 2011 holiday season, 4% of households bought one of these inexpensive, single-function devices,” says Parks VP Kurt Scherf. “Nearly 20% of these holiday-season buyers are over 45 years of age, so these devices have achieved relatively broad appeal among multiple consumer segments.” Scherf goes on to say that just because these devices have been adapted does not mean that people are cancelling their television service. He does say though that “it can mean shaving some premium channels for a set of households.” Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Lethal Weapon Collection' Dated for Blu-ray![teaser]A boxed set of all four films is coming stateside to Blu-ray in June! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is planning a new 'Lethal Weapon Collection' for Blu-ray on June 12. The box set will include all four films remastered in high-definition with loads of content including audio commentaries, featurettes, deleted and extended scenes, and trailers. Also included will be an exclusive fifth disc with over 2 hours of never-before-seen new material including: Psycho Pension: The Genesis of Lethal Weapon Lethal Weapon and the Hollywood Monster It Created, A Family Affair: Bringing Lethal Weapon to Life, Pulling the Trigger: Expanding the World of Lethal Weapon, and Maximum Impact: The Legacy of Lethal Weapon. Check out our review of the UK edition (which appears to be identical) here. View the Blu-ray trailer here: Suggested list price for the set is $79.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Lethal Weapon Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under June 12.Posted Thu Feb 16, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order[teaser]One of the best action films of 2011 will explode on Blu-ray this year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount's 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' appears to be coming to Blu-ray in the near future. In this fourth installment of the action franchise, the IMF is shut down when it's implicated in the bombing of the Kremlin, causing Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise) and his new team to go rogue to clear their organization's name. Specs, supplements, and a release date have not been set yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $44.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Onkyo Announces New Entry-Level Home Theater Systems[teaser]Onkyo is all about the entry level in early 2012. [/teaser] The folks over at Onkyo are doing their best to ramp up entry-level components with features that you might not expect to see included. In addition to the newly announced receivers, Onkyo will be launching a pair of home theater systems complete with receiver, speakers and a subwoofer. The HT-S3500 is the lower priced of the two and gives you 5.1 channels of audio. It decodes Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, 3D video, Burr-Brown 192kHz/24-bit DACs and discrete output components instead of the integrated amps you’ll find on most HTiB solutions. Onkyo’s HTS5500 bumps things up to 7.1 channels and offers features the S3500 doesn’t. You’ll find Dolby ProLogic IIz for height channels and Audyssey 2EQ acoustic calibration that adjusts your settings based on the room you’ve set your speakers up in. The HT-S3500 will run $399 while the HT-S5500 will cost $649. Both will be available in March. Source: OnkyoPosted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Black Butler' Blu-rays Announced[teaser]The first two seasons of the fantasy anime series is planned for Blu-ray in April.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, FUNimation will be releasing 'Black Butler: Complete First Season' and 'Black Butler: Complete Second Season' on Blu-ray on April 3. Ciel Phantomhive is the most powerful boy in all of England, but he bears the scars of unspeakable suffering. Forced to watch as his beloved parents were brutally murdered, Ciel was subsequently abducted and violently tortured. Desperate to end his suffering, the boy traded his own soul for a chance at vengeance, casting his lot with the one person on whom he could depend: Sebastian, a demon Butler summoned from the very pits of hell. Together, they’ll prowl the darkest alleys of London on a mission to snuff out those who would do evil. They’re a rare sight, these two: the Butler who dismembers with dazzling cutlery – and the Young Master who carries the devil’s marking. Rest assured that wherever they may be headed, it’ll be one hell of a ride. Specs have yet to be revealed, but each release will be a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and supplements for the first season include: Episode commentaries; The Story Thus Far with Narration from Tanaka (English 5.1 & Japanese 2.0 with subtitles); Bonus episode: His Butler, Performer (English 5.1 & Japanese 2.0 with subtitles); Musician profile with bio information on Becca Textless opening song – Monochrome Kiss; Textless closing songs – I’m ALIVE! and Lacrimosa; and Trailers. Supplements for the second season will include: Episode commentaries; OVA 3 commentary; Outtakes; U.S. Season 1 & 2 Trailer; Textless opening song – SHIVER; Textless closing songs – Bird and Kagayaku Soru no Shijima ni wa; and Trailers. Suggested list price for each Blu-ray set is $69.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Black Butler: Complete First Season' and 'Black Butler: Complete Second Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 3.Posted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Panasonic Reveals a Top of the Line 3D HD Camcorder[teaser]The camera is an improvement over last year’s model and offers full HD 3D thanks to an optional 3D conversion lens. [/teaser] Whether you’re shooting home movies, filming your own cinematic masterpiece, or taking the kinds of videos that aren’t fit for public consumption (that guy look familiar?), adding a third dimension can make things a lot more interesting. If you’re equipped with a 3D TV it can even make watching little Billy’s soccer game tolerable for the extended family. Panasonic’s HC-X900M is an improvement over the previous model, adding the 3MOS System Pro which improves specs across the board. It handles low light shooting better, with 40% less noise than the older version. The brightness of the 3D conversion lens has also increased, from f3.2 to f2.0. “Panasonic has really improved the core components of the HC-X900M,” says senior product manager Chris Rice. Improvements range “from its lens to its processor to its engine to ensure that it can power full 1080/60p at a 28-Mbps bit rate, thus resulting in absolutely stunning video, but also capturing rich deep sound.” The HC-X900M is available for preorder now at a price of $1,199. Source: eCousticsPosted Wed Feb 15, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by:
