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NPD Expects 600 Million Wi-Fi Home Theater Devices by 2015[teaser]It's not hard to imagine, considering the surge in connected devices over the last few years. [/teaser] Just a year or two ago, only the top of the line Blu-ray players and TVs had wireless capabilities built in. Not much before that, it was unheard of to have a service like Netflix embedded into a TV. Things have changed dramatically and the NPD Group says this growth is only going to continue. Wireless networking functionality is becoming increasingly common, to the point that you can find it in low priced set-top boxes and entry level Blu-ray players. According to the NPD, we're going to end up with somewhere around 600 million Wi-Fi capable units shipped to retail by 2015. "Wi-Fi has moved from a nice-to-have feature to a must-have feature as it provides the connectivity necessary to support IP-based video content," says NPD's Frank Dickson. "It is important to note that Wi-Fi is growing from being simply about getting content from a network to device." In addition to streaming from internet based sources and home computers, Wi-Fi may be one of the technologies that helps enable streaming directly from your laptop's screen to your computer. It also helps to enable smartphone and tablet control options. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 10:45 AM PST by: -
'The Muppets' Dated and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Kermit, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the gang will be bringing their 2011 film to Blu-ray in March! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Disney/Buena Vista says 'The Muppets' will hit retailers in a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack on March 20. 'The Muppets: The Wocka Wocka Value Pack' which will add a digital copy and soundtrack download will also be available on the same date. On vacation in Los Angeles, Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, and his friends Gary (Jason Segel) and Mary (Amy Adams) from Smalltown, USA, discover the nefarious plan of oilman Tex Richman (Chris Cooper) to raze the Muppet Theater and drill for the oil recently discovered beneath the Muppets' former stomping grounds. To stage The Greatest Muppet Telethon Ever and raise the $10 million needed to save the theater, Walter, Mary and Gary help Kermit reunite the Muppets, who have all gone their separate ways: Fozzie now performs with a Reno casino tribute band called the Moopets, Miss Piggy is a plus-size fashion editor at Vogue Paris, Animal is in a Santa Barbara clinic for anger management, and Gonzo is a high-powered plumbing magnate. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary -- With Jason Segel, James Bobin, And Nicholas Stoller; Scratching The Surface: A Hasty Examination Of The Making Of THE MUPPETS -- A Surprisingly Shallow But Profoundly Absurd Look At Muppets And Humans Working Together To Make Cinematic History; deleted Scenes; A Little Screen Test On The Way To The Read-Through -- The Muppets Bring The Wocka Wocka Wocka To A Routine Camera Test; Explaining Evil: The Full Tex Richman Song; Disney Intermission -- Pause The Movie And See What Happens!; Unreleased Theatrical Spoof Trailers -- And More! The Blu-ray also has one exclusive: The Longest Blooper Reel Ever Made (In Muppet History) -- Includes Muppets! Stars! And One Ridiculously Long Chicken Joke! What More Do You Need? Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $39.99 and the Value Pack is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Muppets' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 20.Posted Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Wealth TV Launches a 24/7 3D Channel for Roku - More Connected Devices Coming Soon[teaser]The channel brings documentaries, racing, boxing, vacations, and plenty of expensive homes and toys to your TV, all in three dimensions. [/teaser] 3D televisions have been out for a while now and there still isn't that much content for them when it comes to traditional TV viewing. If you're into checking out luxury vacations and multi-million dollar homes in 3D, you'll be happy to know that the latest channel from Wealth TV brings you just that. They're calling it Wealth TV 3D and it's available to watch now. "Our goal for the network," says Wealth TV VP Cameron Westfall, "is to allow every 3DTV owner to experience the American Dream regardless of their economic status." The channel is available now but only through Roku boxes. It's coming to more connected devices soon and is cable-ready, should a provider wish to pick it up. Source: PR NewswirePosted Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Camel Spiders' Infest Blu-ray[teaser]Roger Corman will be giving Blu-ray the creepy-crawlies at the end of March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is working on 'Camel Spiders' for Blu-ray on March 27. From master creature feature maker Roger Corman comes a spine-chilling tale about the ultimate skin-crawlers: 'Camel Spiders!' Starring Brian Krause ('Cyrus: Mind of a Serial Killer,' “Charmed,” 'Sleepwalkers'), GiGi Ernata ('Risen,' 'Crossed') and C. Thomas Howell, ('The Outsiders,' 'The Hitcher,' 'The Amazing Spider-Man'). To science, they are known as “solifugae.” They can grow up to one foot in length. Stories about these seemingly mythic creatures started surfacing when U.S. soldiers encountered them in the first Gulf War. Google™ “camel spiders” and for anyone with even a hint of arachnophobia, you’ll find videos and pictures of an eight-legged, true life nightmare. Thank goodness they’re thousands of miles away...or are they? The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and there doesn't appear to be any supplements. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Camel Spiders' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 27.Posted Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Buck Privates' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The classic comedy duo of Bud Abbott and Lou Costello will be heading to boot camp on Blu-ray this April. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal will release the newly restored 'Buck Privates' on Blu-ray on April 17. The 1941 comedy was nominated for two Oscars - Best Music Score: Charles Previn and Best Original Song, "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy of Company B": Hugh Prince & Don Raye. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy will feature a 1080p video transfer, a DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Restoring the Classics; The Carl Laemmle Era; Unforgettable Characters; Abbott and Costello Meet Jerry Seinfeld; and a forty-page booklet featuring an appreciation from director John Landis (The Blues Brothers), rare movie memorabilia, vintage photographs, and classic routine scripts. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Buck Privates' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 17.Posted Fri Jan 20, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]One of the best reviewed films of 2011 comes to Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is prepping 'Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel' for Blu-ray on March 27. Fresh from its theatrical release – where it received rave reviews from The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, The Village Voice and more – 'Corman’s World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel' presents a tantalizing and star-studded tribute to Roger Corman, Hollywood’s most prolific writer-director-producer, and seminal influencing force in modern moviemaking over the past 60 years. Roger Corman is perhaps the most prolific and influential Hollywood filmmaker in the history of the medium. His immeasurable imprint on American cinema not only spans over six decades, but has resulted in creating an indelible cinematic body of work as well as a legacy of training the next generation of actors, writer, directors and producers – many of whom have created cinema masterpieces of their own. Directed by Alex Stapleton, 'Corman’s World' interview roster boasts such modern Hollywood icons and cinematic luminaries as Oscar® winners Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jonathan Demme, and Ron Howard; Eli Roth, David Carradine, Peter Fonda, William Shatner, Pam Grier, John Sayles, Brett Ratner, Bruce Dern, Paul W.S. Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, and many more actors and filmmakers. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include extended interviews, special video messages to Roger from select interviewees and the theatrical trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Corman's World: Exploits of a Hollywood Rebel' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 27.Posted Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 01:00 PM PST by: -
'The Three Musketeers (2011)' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]Paul W. S. Anderson's action blockbuster is planned for both Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Summit Entertainment will release 'The Three Musketeers (2011)' starring Logan Lerman, Orlando Bloom, and Milla Jovovich on Blu-ray on March 13. 'The Three Musketeers (2011) - 3D' will also be available on the same date. The hot-headed young D'Artagnan along with three former legendary but now down on their luck Musketeers must unite and defeat a beautiful double agent and her villainous employer from seizing the French throne and engulfing Europe in war. Specs have yet to be detailed, but supplements will include: Audio commentary with director Paul W.S. Anderson, deleted and extended scenes, Cast and Crew Stories, 17th Century Action, and more. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $30.49 and the Blu-ray 3D is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Three Musketeers (2011)' and 'The Three Musketeers (2011) - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under March 13.Posted Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Simaudio Launches High-End Phono Amp, DAC and Streamer[teaser]The components are all packed with impressive specs and are drop dead gorgeous. [/teaser] Some of us are home theater system type people and others of us step it up to separate components. Still others take things to the highest level and shell out thousands of dollars for very specific products like those offered by Simaudio. The company's new Moon 810LP phono preamplifier, for example, does just what it sounds like. It's a preamp that's made just for use with a record player. It has a dedicated circuit board on a gel-based floating suspension, specific voltage regulation, adjustable impedance, capacitance and gain with plenty more to add. It's out next month at $12,000. The Moon 380D digital to analog converter is built around M-AJiC32 circuitry that allows it to perform in 32-bit fully asynchronous mode. It's practically jitter free and features eight different digital inputs including USB, optical, S/PDIF on BNC, S/PDIF on RCA and AES/EBU on XLR. It's out in April at a price of $3,900 for the base version. Finally, Simaudio has announced the Moon 180 MiND music streamer. It handles the usual sources for streaming music - your computer, internet radio, subscription based services, UPnP devices and a computer or NAS device. It supports a wide range of file formats and gives you the power to select, name and group zones. The Moon 180 will be available for $1,250 this April. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 11:16 AM PST by: -
Sharp Announces a 1080p 3D Home Theater Projector[teaser]The DLP projector provides a 50,000:1 contrast ratio and 1600 lumens brightness. [/teaser] Sharp's latest projector, the XV-Z30000, is capable of giving you a 1080p picture and plays nice with all your 3D devices to boot. It's a DLP front projector that Sharp says uses light more effectively than competitors and produces a better 3D picture. The XV-Z30000 offers a center-mounted lens with both vertical and horizontal shift functionality and 2x optical zoom so installation is fairly flexible. It comes equipped with V-Stretch as well, which lets you switch to a 2.35:1 aspect ratio at the touch of a button. Sharp's XV-Z30000 will be available in March at the price of $4,999. Two sets of 3D glasses will be included with it as well as an IR emitter and a remote. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 10:45 AM PST by: -
Paramount Turns 100 - Gives Away Trips to Anywhere in the Continental U.S.[teaser]Every month Paramount will be giving away a trip to a destination of your choosing via their Facebook sweepstakes. [/teaser] Paramount turns 100 this year and they're geared up to celebrate. In addition to the first time releases of classic movies on Blu-ray, the studio will be giving you a chance to win a trip to any U.S. destination of your choosing except Alaska and Hawaii - the freak states. In addition to round trip airfare, you'll get three nights hotel stay wherever you end up. There aren't any limits on where you can travel, but the folks at Paramount suggest somewhere with a movie theme, maybe even a Paramount movie. Source: Paramount FacebookPosted Thu Jan 19, 2012 at 10:15 AM PST by:
