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Panasonic Reveals Six New Blu-ray Players - Four of Which are 3D Capable[teaser]The 3D players can convert streaming content from Netflix, YouTube and more to 3D.[/teaser] While some of the biggest news from CES has been the launch of new TV technologies, Blu-ray players aren't to be forgotten. Panasonic has six that they'll be releasing in 2012, a few of which offer some potentially exciting features. All four of Panasonic's new 3D Blu-ray players are capable of smartphone control, 24p output for VOD movies, a new processor and the ability to convert 2D content to 3D. That includes DVDs, Blu-rays and anything on Viera Connect aside from Skype, which means 3D Netflix is possible. Three out of the four players also give you a 192kHz/32bit Audio DAC. Panasonic's whole line of new players get some nice new features, like the ability to play back FLAC files. They also feature what they call "Digital Tube Sound" which helps to simulate the warmth of an actual tube amplifier. Source: PanasonicPosted Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Gremlins 2: The New Batch' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The sequel to Joe Dante's classic dark comedy will be bringing mischief and mayhem to Blu-ray in May. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers says 'Gremlins 2: The New Batch' will have a Blu-ray release on May 8. Billy Peltzer (Zach Galligan) and Kate Beringer (Phoebe Cates) move to New York City and meet up with their Mogwai friend, Gizmo (Howie Mandel), when a series of accidents creates a new generation of diverse gremlins. Billy, Kate, and Gizmo must once again use all their experience to prevent another catastrophe. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Audio Commentary with director Joe Dante and producer Michael Finnell, over 20 minutes of never-before-seen deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes documentary, and cast/crew filmographies. Suggested list price for the release is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Gremlins 2: The New Batch' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 8.Posted Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Sony Announces Three New TV Models for 2012[teaser]It's a much more streamlined lineup than last year, something Sony has been aiming for.[/teaser] One of Sony's big initiatives recently has been to completely rethink its TV business, and that's certainly clear from the company's CES offerings. Instead of the usual glut of sets with slight differences, the company has launched just three new product lines. At the entry level is the BX, which includes the 1080p BX450 and the 720p BX330. All the BX models offer the ability to connect to the Sony Portal for access to Netflix, Pandora and other streaming sources. They also boast Sony's Color Resolution Enhancer and Digital Noise Reduction. The EX line is a step up from the BX and gives you Motionflow XR 240 and LED edge lighting. It also provides Wi-Fi out of the box, though it's in the form of a dongle. Of course, the flagship HX sets are the exciting ones, packing built-in Wi-Fi, 3D capability, DLNA certification and can be controlled via smartphone apps. They also include Skype, though you'll need the Sony camera and mic - sold separately - to use it. Source: EngadgetPosted Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Columbus Circle' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The dark and suspenseful psychological thriller will debut on Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios is preparing 'Columbus Circle' for Blu-ray on March 6. When a murder mystery next door forces agoraphobic heiress Abigail Clayton (Selma Blair – 'Hellboy,' “Kath and Kim”) to face her terrifying new neighbors, the safe and solitary world she created for herself violently unravels. In order to escape the hounding public and press, Abigail, the famous daughter of a wealthy industrialist, secluded herself in her Manhattan loft on the day she received her enormous inheritance – her eighteenth birthday. Sequestered at the top of the Columbus Circle luxury apartment high-rise, Abigail remained seemingly secure for nearly 20 years until the day her elderly neighbor was suddenly slain. Abigail’s world is now disrupted by strange new neighbors and a police investigation that brings the inquisitive and intrusive NYPD Homicide Detective Frank Giardello (Giovanni Ribisi – 'Contraband,' 'Saving Private Ryan') to her door. Peering anxiously through her peephole each day, Abigail soon learns that the dangerous new tenants, Lillian Hart (Amy Smart – 'The Butterfly Effect,' 'Varsity Blues') and Charles Stratford (Jason Lee – 'Alvin and the Chipmunks: Chip-Wrecked,' “My Name is Earl”), may threaten more than just her privacy. 'Columbus Circle' also stars Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award winner Beau Bridges ('The Descendants,' 'The Fabulous Baker Boys') as Abigail’s only confidant Dr. Raymond Fontaine, and Kevin Pollak ('The Big Year,' 'The Usual Suspects') as 'Columbus Circle’s eccentric concierge. Jason Antoon ('Minority Report,' “No Ordinary Family”), Robert Guillaume (“Benson,” 'Big Fish') and Samm Levine ('Inglourious Basterds,' 'Not Another Teen Movie') also star. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and there doesn't appear to be any supplements for this release. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $26.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Columbus Circle' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 6.Posted Fri Jan 13, 2012 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas' Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D Features Added[teaser]Features have now been added for the third film in the comedy adventure franchise arriving on Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] As previously reported, New Line Cinema is preparing 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas' Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo pack and 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas - 3D' Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy combo pack on February 14. Following years of growing apart, Harold Lee (John Cho) and Kumar Patel (Kal Penn) have replaced each other with new friends and are preparing for their respective Yuletide celebrations. But when a mysterious package mistakenly arrive at Kumar’s door on Christmas Eve, his attempts to redirect it to Harold’s house ends with the “high grade” contents – and Harold’s father-in-law’s prize Christmas tree – going up in smoke. With his in-laws out of the house for the day, Harold decides to cover his tracks, rather Than come clean. Reluctantly embarking on another ill-advised journey with Kumar, through New York City, their search for the perfect replacement tree takes them through party heaven – and almost blows Christmas Eve sky high. Specs have yet to be detailed, but the releases will also include the Extra Dope Edition – Extended Cut Feature (Presented in 2D) and supplements include: Through the Haze with Tom Lennon, Bringing Harold & Kumar Claymation® to Life, and Additional Scenes. Suggested list prices are $35.99 and $44.95 for the Blu-ray 3D. You can find the latest specs for 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas' and 'A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're both indexed under February 14.Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 02:45 PM PST by: -
'Footloose (2011)' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The remake of the 1980s pop classic will dance its way to Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount has revealed 'Footloose (2011)' for a Blu-ray release on March 6. The struggle between innocence and rigid morality is revisited when city-boy Ren finds himself in an uptight town where dancing has been banned. Filled with contemporary music and iconic classics from the original, this fresh look on youth culture is sure to win fans of young and old. The Blu-ray/DVD/Ultraviolet Digital Copy will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Commentary by Craig Brewer; three behind-the-scenes featurettes: (Jump Back: Re-Imagining Footloose, Everybody Cut: The Stars of Footloose, and Dancing with the Footloose Stars); Deleted scenes with optional commentary by Craig Brewer; three music videos; and Footloose Rap. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $44.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Footloose (2011)' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 6.Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 12:30 PM PST by: -
'Battle Royale' and 'Battle Royale: The Complete Collection' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]One of the most controversial films of all-time arrives for the first time in North America this March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay says 'Battle Royale' and 'Battle Royale: The Complete Collection' will be coming to Blu-ray on March 20. 42 students, Three days, One survivor – No Escape. Welcome to the world of Battle Royale! A title that has shocked, thrilled and unnerved audiences. A film whose fiendishly simple premise has inspired many imitations, including the upcoming 'The Hunger Games' motion picture. Based on the 1999 global best-seller by Koushun Takami, the futuristic tale first came to the screen in 2000, directed by the legendary Kinju Fukasaku. Authors, filmmakers and film fans the world over consider the film and its 2003 sequel 'Battle Royale II: Requiem' sacred cinematic classics. 'Battle Royale' - In the near future, the economy has collapsed, unemployment has soared and juvenile crime has exploded. Fearful of their nation’s youth, the Japanese government passes The BR Law: Each year, a 9th grade class is sent to a remote island where they will be locked into exploding neck collars, given a random weapon, and forced to hunt and kill each other until there is only one survivor left. Chiaki Kuriyama ('Kill Bill') and screen legend Takeshi Kitano ('Boiling Point,' 'Brother') star in the movie that has been argued, acclaimed and banned around the world. More than a decade later, it remains one of the most savage, shocking and emotionally powerful films of all time. Now experience the complete Director’s Cut of Kinji Fukasaku’s uncompromising masterpiece – nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards® – available uncensored and unrated for the first time ever in America. The Blu-ray will feature the Director's Cut in 1080p, a Dolby TrueHD 7.1 soundtrack in Japanese (5.1 in English) with optional English subtitles, and no supplements. 'Battle Royale: The Complete Collection' - In 2000, director Kinji Fukasaku unleashed 'Battle Royale,' his violently poetic epic about an innocent group of Junior High students forced by the government to hunt and kill their classmates for sport. It was nominated for 10 Japanese Academy Awards®, launched a global phenomenon, and banned from screens by frightened civic groups and distributors across America. Three years later, the equally disturbing sequel – featuring a new class, new rules, and a brutal terrorist plot by the first film’s young survivors – triggered its own tragic firestorm around the world. Now for the first time ever, you can see it all: Experience the entire Battle Royale saga on 4 discs that forever blasts open one of the most potent, shocking and savagely influential sagas in motion picture history. The 4-Disc set includes three Blu-ray discs: 'Battle Royale: Director's Cut' with 1080p video and Japanese Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (English 5.1) soundtracks, 'Battle Royale: Theatrical Cut' with 1080p video and Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtracks (English and Japanese), and 'Battle Royale II: Revenge Director's Cut with 1080p video and a Japanese Dolby TrueHD 5.1 soundtrack with optional English subtitles. The set also includes a bonus DVD with loads of supplements including: The Making Of BATTLE ROYALE, Filming On-Set, BATTLE ROYALE Press Conference, Instructional Video: Birthday Version, Audition & Rehearsal Footage, Special Effects Comparison Featurette, Tokyo International Film Festival 2000, Battle Royale Documentary, Basketball Scene Rehearsals, Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, Original Theatrical Trailer and TV Spots (Special Edition and Tarantino Version). Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $29.99 and the Complete Collection is $49.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Battle Royale' and 'Battle Royale: The Complete Collection' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under March 20.Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Vizio Unveils Three Cinema Wide 21:9 TVs[teaser]You'll be able to pick them up in 50", 58", or 71" sizes. [/teaser] When HD TVs came out, the way television was filmed and watched changed significantly - we went from 4:3 to 16:9, giving us a nice wide frame. It's a nice step up and it helps out with watching movies, but it's not as nice as it could be - black bars are black bars. Vizio's new line of Cinema Wide TVs set out to please hardcore movie fans. In 50", 58" and 71" sizes, the Cinema Wide TVs give you a long enough screen that you'll get a full frame without those black bars. The 21:9 sets aren't just 1080p TVs stretched out, of course. They sport a resolution of 2560 x 1080. The 50" and 58" sets offer Razor LED edge-lighting with smart dimming and a 120Hz refresh rate. The 71" TV steps things up significantly by including Full Array Tru LED backlighting with 120 zones across the TV. It also gives you a 240Hz refresh rate. You'll also find things that have become standard for higher end TVs, like a controller with a QWERTY keyboard, built-in Wi-Fi and, because it's a Vizio, passive 3D capabilities. No prices or release dates have been revealed yet, but we should be seeing these sometime in 2012. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Wizards: 35th Anniversary Edition' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The epic animated fantasy from renowned director Ralph Bakshi is getting a limited edition digibook Blu-ray release in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'Wizards: 35th Anniversary Edition' on Blu-ray on March 13. Set on a post-apocalyptic Earth, this fantasy adventure follows the story of Avatar, the kindly, eccentric sorcerer-ruler of Montagar, a rainbow paradise inhabited by elves and fairies. Avatar's evil brother, Blackwolf, dominates Scortch, a bleak land of goblins and wraiths. When the power-hungry Blackwolf attacks Montagar, Avatar, accompanied only by a spirited young woman and a courageous elf, must enter the darkness of Scortch to save his world. The limited edition digibook Blu-ray release is a must-have for fans and collectors, featuring 24-pages of amazing artwork from the film, some of the artwork never-before-seen, and a special message from Bakshi! Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $19.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Wizards: 35th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 13.Posted Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Sony Shows Off their OLED Competitor - Crystal LED[teaser]The company says this self-emitting display uses three ultrafine LEDs per pixel. [/teaser] Sony ditched consumer OLED some time back, but that doesn't mean they're giving up on the quest for a better TV. The company unveiled its latest creation at CES this week - a Crystal LED television that boasts some incredibly impressive stats. This potential OLED competitor is an LED TV in the true sense of the word. It's not an LCD TV with LED backlighting - it uses LEDs only. In all, Sony's set uses 6 million incredibly small LEDs to recreate the picture. That's three per pixel - one red, one blue and one green. One other big difference between the Crystal LED and OLED sets is that Crystal LED is still in prototype form. There are no plans currently in place to mass produce or release these sets. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Jan 12, 2012 at 09:00 AM PST by:
