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TiVo's Multi-Room DVR Debuts Through RCN[teaser]It starts rolling out in Washington D.C. and will move forward from there. [/teaser] The TiVo Premiere Q and TiVo Preview are the result of quite a bit of work and should be causing a great deal of excitement for those that have access. The combination of the two allows for whole-home enjoyment of a single DVR, with full functionality to each room. For $29.99 a month, RCN customers can get a Premiere Q and a Preview. The Premiere is the more traditional of the two units - it works just like any other TiVo. The Preview goes elsewhere in your house and allows you access to content from the Premiere. At launch, the Preview will lack a bit of functionality, like pausing live TV, rewinding and fast fowarding. That should all be ready to go in early 2012, according to RCN. Source: EngadgetPosted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Killer Elite' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]The action-packed thrill-ride will shoot up Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal Studios says 'Killer Elite' will have a Blu-ray release on January 10. Based on a shocking true story, 'Killer Elite' is a gritty battle between guns-for-hire that has been hailed as “one of the best action thrillers of the year!” by Richard Roeper, ReelzChannel. Pitting two of the world’s most elite operatives against the cunning leader of a secret military society, Killer Elite stars Jason Statham ('The Transporter,' 'Death Race'), Academy Award® winner Robert De Niro ('The Godfather Part II,' 'Raging Bull') and Academy Award®-nominee Clive Owen ('Children of Men,' 'Closer'). Featuring unstoppable action and a tremendous cast – including Dominic Purcell (“Prison Break,” 'Straw Dogs'), Yvonne Strahovski (“Chuck”), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (“Lost,” “Oz”), Aden Young ('Sniper,' "The Starter Wife”) and Ben Mendelsohn ('Trespass,' 'Knowing') – 'Killer Elite' is “a classic action thriller that will keep you guessing till the last scene.” (Patrick Carone, MAXIM). The Blu-ray/DVD/UV digital copy combo pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include deleted/extended scenes, My Scenes, and Pocket BLU. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Killer Elite' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's now indexed under January 10.Posted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Study Says Consumers Aren't Cord Cutting - They're Supplementing[teaser]While alternative content providers are doing quite well, they're not taking as much away from cable subscriptions as people like to think. [/teaser] It's obvious to even the most casual observer that less traditional viewing methods are on the rise. Streaming to PCs, game systems and phones is becoming more common and there are plenty of workarounds for those that don't want to shell out cash for cable. According to the NPD Group, over a quarter of cable subscribers subscribe to Netflix. A similar amount watch VOD content and nearly half of all cable subscribers also pay for a premium movie or sports channel. That's quite a bit of supplemented entertainment. "There may be too much emphasis on so-called ‘cord cutters’ who represent a small group, as opposed to potential ‘cord throttlers,’ who are a massive segment of the subscribing population," says NPD analyst Russ Crupnick. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 09:45 AM PST by: -
HDD Deal of the Day: 'Stanley Kubrick Limited Edition Collection' Blu-ray $62.99 at Amazon[teaser]Save over fifty percent on the director's limited edition megaset at Amazon![/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'Stanley Kubrick Limited Edition Collection' on Blu-ray for only $62.99 (58% off suggested retail price). The 10-disc collection contains nine films including: 'Spartacus,' 'Lolita,' 'Dr. Strangelove,' '2001: A Space Odyssey,' 'A Clockwork Orange: 40th Anniversary Edition,' 'Barry Lyndon,' 'The Shining,' 'Full Metal Jacket,' and 'Eyes Wide Shut.' Click here to pull the trigger on this amazing today-only deal!Posted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 08:43 AM PST by: -
'Bettie Page: Dark Angel' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 2004 low-budget biography is coming to Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, independent company Cult Epics has revealed 'Bettie Page: Dark Angel' is planned for Blu-ray on February 28. The drama directed by Nico B. stars Paige Richards, Frederick Bald and David Boller and tells the story of the last three years of Bettie Page's brief career. Specs, supplements, and suggested list price have yet to be revealed. You can find the latest specs for 'Bettie Page: Dark Angel' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 28.Posted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Russound Launches First AirPort Express Capable Outdoor Speaker[teaser]When attached to an AirPort Express you'll be able to listen to music from your iPhone or iPad outside with ease. [/teaser] Outdoor speaker systems can get complicated fast, especially when trying to make sure you can listen to whatever you want when you're outside. The new Russound AirGo Outdoor Sound Station makes things nice and easy. The speaker includes a weather-proof chamber where you can attach an AirPort Express to enable a Wi-Fi connection to the speaker. From there, you can stream simply from your iPad, iPhone or iPod. Russound also mentions that once you've attached the AirPort Express you get more than just AirPlay compatibility. The AirPort can extend your home Wi-Fi network, giving you even more range to use your devices. The Russound AirGo Outdoor Sound Station is available now at $399. Source: eCousticsPosted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'I Don't Know How She Does It' Blu-ray Announced and Detailed[teaser]We don't know either, but Sarah Jessica Parker's latest comedy based on Allison Pearson’s critically acclaimed bestseller is still coming to Blu-ray in the new year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is working on 'I Don't Know How She Does It' for Blu-ray on January 3. From director Douglas McGrath ('Emma,' 'Infamous') and producer Donna Gigliotti ('The Reader,' 'Let Me In'), Sarah Jessica Parker ('Sex and the City') leads a top-notch ensemble cast that includes Pierce Brosnan ('Die Another Day'), Greg Kinnear ('Little Miss Sunshine'), Christina Hendricks (“Mad Men”), Kelsey Grammer (“Boss”), Seth Meyers (“Saturday Night Live”), and Olivia Munn (“The Daily Show with Jon Stewart”). NBC’s ‘Moms & the City’ call 'I Don’t Know How She Does It' “a hilarious comedy about having it all” and “the perfect film for a girls night out!” The New York Daily News’ Elizabeth Weitzman describes the film as having “plenty of humor and poignancy”, while SHAPE magazine’s Karen Borsari calls it “hilarious!” Finally, New York Magazine’s David Edelstein proclaims, “Sarah Jessica Parker reminds you what an all-in, high-risk comic actress she can be.” The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack, and the only supplement will be a conversation with Allison Pearson. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'I Don't Know How She Does It' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 3.Posted Thu Nov 10, 2011 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Attends: Dolby Presents The Art of Entertainment/FLIGHTby Michael S. Palmer [teaser]On Tuesday, November 1, High-Def Digest was fortunate enough to attend The Art of Entertainment at Dolby Laboratories in San Francisco, California. [/teaser] Because the government's always up in my bid'ness, federal law mandates I tell you that Dolby footed the bill for my travels and lodgings, and hosted one heck of a cocktail party and dessert hour. Basically, I need to tell you right now that I will write anything these people tell me to say. Just kidding. I love free stuff as much as the next guy, but getting to talk to the wizards at Dolby and screening films in their laboratory-cinema is a privilege for which I'd actually pay (just don't tell them). So, what was The Art of Entertainment? Like last year's Fidelity Forum, there were Dolby demos on mobile phones and laptop computers. There was even a Dolby PRM-4200 Professional Reference Monitor on display. This monitor, by the way, was used to color correct 'Apocalypse Now' last year; it purports to be the most accurate monitor available because it can approximate the full gamut of film while being able to emulate the capabilities of LCD, Plasma, and CRT displays. I'm sure its price tag tens of thousands of dollars will prevent most of us from having one in our homes, but it's nice to know the pros will be able to make sure we're not too far behind perfect. Fun toys aside, the real reason we were all up in San Francisco was to screen 'The Art of Flight', a new snowboarding adventure documentary directed by Curt Morgan. Boarders Travis Rice, John Jackson, Mark Landvik, Scotty Lago, Jake Blauvelt, Nicolas Muller, Gigi Ruf, DCP and Pat Moore travel to Alaska, Wyoming, Colorado, British Columbia, Chile, and Patigonia in search of an endless winter… and snow conditions of a non-lethal variety. Click on the film's title to read the full review, but this enthralling movie brims with exotic landscapes, death-defying stunts, crushing avalanches, beautifully photographed slow motion, and a reference quality 7.1 Dolby TrueHD surround track that was mixed in the hallowed halls of Skywalker Sound. Imagine 'Planet Earth' meets 'The X Games' with all the slow motion from 'Braveheart' or the opening scene from 'The Hurt Locker'. Filmmaker Curt Morgan was on hand, along with many others who contributed to the film, to discuss how Curt isn't sure if he made a snowboarding film with some helicopters, or a helicopter film with a bit of snowboarding. Seriously, hats off to the pilots who may be just as crazy as the extreme snowboarders. It's flat out incredible how they plow a chopper's nose into the side of a mountain ledge -- routers inches from ice, rock and snow -- to let out or rescue passengers. For a 40 minute look behind what goes into making an HD extreme sports film on two continents over two and a half years, here's the entire panel: The Art of Flight Panel from Dolby Laboratories on Vimeo. 'The Art of Flight' is available now online and in some snowboarding stores; it will also head to Best Buy as a Blu-ray on November 15. Many thanks to Dolby for inviting us up to see this amazing film in your deafening laboratory-cinema (seriously, you guys could turn it down just a little – my ears are still ringing!), which is one of the two best auditory experiences I've ever head. [PS. Keep your eyes on The Bonus View for an exclusive chance to win a free copy of the film.] Oh, and the government told me I have to thank you for the free t-shirt.Posted Wed Nov 9, 2011 at 12:45 PM PST by: -
'Margin Call' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The acclaimed drama inspired by the riveting true events behind the American financial crisis is coming to Blu-ray next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'Margin Call' for Blu-ray on December 20. This "impressively cast" (The New York Times) Wall Street drama stars an A-list ensemble including Oscar® winners Kevin Spacey and Jeremy Irons, along with Oscar® nominee Stanley Tucci and Golden Globe® nominee Demi Moore. The film also features Mary McDonnell (TV's "The Closer"), Paul Bettany ('The Tourist'), Simon Baker (TV's "The Mentalist"), Zachary Quinto ('Star Trek') and Penn Badgley (TV's "Gossip Girl"). Hailed as "dazzling" (The New York Times) and honored as an official selection of the Sundance and Berlin International film festivals, 'Margin Call' revolves around the key people at an investment bank who are faced with the unimaginable task of navigating the first 12 hours of the financial crisis. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: Audio commentary with writer/director J.C. Chandor and producer Neal Dodson, deleted scenes, and behind-the-scenes featurettes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Margin Call' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 20.Posted Wed Nov 9, 2011 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Blockbuster Boasts a $3.3 Million Profit Since Dish Buyout[teaser]Looks like the rental giant may have been counted out too soon! [/teaser] It seemed like things were all over for Blockbuster and, if you look at it a certain way, they are. The company fought bankruptcy, dealt with creditors and did its best to stay afloat and eventually got sold to Dish Network. Dish made some major changes to the company, resulting in some incredible results. In the time between April 26th and September 30th, Blockbuster has made $3.3 million. That's not a huge amount in the profit column, but being able to report a profit is downright impressive. Dish says that the new Blockbuster streaming service has helped out with profits significantly and already gained 600,000 subscribers. It's still too soon to tell, but it seems like this Dish acquisition could be a new start for Blockbuster. Source: Home Media MagazinePosted Wed Nov 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM PST by: