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THE LION KING Bound for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The animated classic looks to be getting a 4K release in December. [/teaser] According to The Digital Bits, Disney will be bringing The Lion King to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on December 4. A young lion cub named Simba just can't wait to be king. But the sudden death of his father, Mufasa, and the treacherous actions of his Uncle Scar lead Simba into exile and ultimately on a hero's journey of self-discovery. Adopting the "hakuna matata" philosophy of his comical jungle guardians — a warthog and a meerkat (Pumbaa and Timon) — Simba eventually comes to terms with his destiny and returns home to Pride Rock to help put things right. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for The Lion King - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray linked from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 4.Posted Tue Oct 9, 2018 at 08:24 AM PDT by: -
WRECK-IT RALPH Dated for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The animated family film is getting a 4K upgrade this November. [/teaser] In early announcement to retailers, Disney is set to release Wreck-It Ralph on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on November 6. A SteelBook will also be available on the same date. For decades, Ralph has played the bad guy in his popular video game. In a bold move, he embarks on an action-packed adventure and sets out to prove to everyone that he is a true hero with a big heart. As he explores exciting new worlds, he teams up with some unlikely new friends including feisty misfit Vanellope von Schweetz. Then, when an evil army threatens their world, Ralph realizes he holds the fate of the entire arcade in his massive hands. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for Wreck-It Ralph - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray linked from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 6. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K SteelBookPosted Tue Oct 9, 2018 at 07:45 AM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: Onkyo Details New Stereo Amp, TiVo Launches BOLT OTA, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including details on Onkyo's newest stereo amp, TiVo's new BOLT OTA, and more.[/teaser] From product announcements and streaming app updates to general industry news and recent gear trends, keeping up with the latest tech news can be a daunting task. With that in mind, we're here to offer you a roundup of some of the latest gear and consumer electronics news that you may have missed. For this edition, we're covering Onkyo's new 2-channel amp, TiVo's latest DVR model for OTA users, and the launch of a Dual Tuner adapter and bundle for the AirTV player. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Onkyo Details New A-9110 Stereo Amp Onkyo has revealed its latest 2-channel audio component. The A-9110 Integrated Stereo Amp is now available for a current sale price of $249 (MSRP $349). "The introduction of the A-9110 continues Onkyo’s impressive legacy of innovation and function with its 2-channel product offerings," said Don Milks, Director of Marketing & Product Localization for Onkyo USA. "With vinyl and other stereo components enjoying a renaissance, we are pleased to offer such a high-quality, performance-driven amp like the A-9110." The 2-channel amp is rated for 50W + 50W, 4 ohms, 20Hz–20kHz, 0.9%, 2-ch driven, FTC. In addition, the unit features Wide Range Amplification Technology (WRAT), Onkyo’s high-current platform with a high-output EI transformer, low-ESR filter capacitors, and discrete power transistors. Likewise, Phase Matching Bass Boost and Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry technology are integrated as well, offering better bass, clearer vocals, and improved performance at lower volumes. Finally, when it comes to connectivity, the amp features four RCA line-level inputs, discrete MM phono equalizers, line-level outputs, subwoofer outputs, and non-magnetic speaker binding posts with clear knobs. Here's a full rundown of key specs per Onkyo: 50 W + 50 W (4 ohms, 20 Hz-20 kHz, 0.9% THD, 2-ch driven, FTC) WRAT (Wide Range Amplification Technology) Direct Mode for source-authentic audio reproduction Phase Matching Bass Boost High-current EI transformer, large custom audio capacitors, and discrete output stage MM phono input, 4 x RCA New fine display for easy source selection Optimum Gain Volume Circuitry for clear low-volume playback Source: Onkyo TiVo Announces New BOLT OTA TiVo has detailed the latest addition to its DVR lineup. The new BOLT OTA offers 4K Ultra HD media player capabilities along with OTA DVR support. "TiVo BOLT OTA is the perfect solution for a broad range of TV enthusiasts, including those considering cutting their cable TV subscription or those who might have cut the cord but are missing some programs that are only available via live TV," said Ted Malone, vice president of consumer products and services, TiVo. "We've seen growing demand for our over-the-air products, and BOLT OTA is a major upgrade that will continue to keep TiVo at the forefront of the market." Designed for use with cord-cutters, the TiVo BOLT OTA features support for almost any HD antenna (sold separately), allowing users to watch and record HD OTA content. The DVR features four tuners and 1 TB of storage for up to 150 hours of recorded HD video. Likewise, the unit includes a SkipMode option to skip entire commercial breaks on recorded programs, along with a voice search feature via the included TiVo VOX Remote. And in addition to OTA playback, the device also offers access to 4K Ultra HD streaming from services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Hulu. With that said, the press release makes no mention of HDR playback support. The TiVo BOLT OTA is now available for an MSRP of $249 and a monthly service fee of $7 or an annual fee of $70. Source: TiVo via BusinessWire AirTV Releases Dual Tuner Adapter and Bundle Dish has announced the launch of its new AirTV Dual Tuner Adapter. With the Dual Tuner adapter, AirTV users can now watch and record two over-the-air channels at the same time. "We are committed to making it as easy as possible to view free local channels alongside other popular streaming content through our AirTV products," said Mitch Weinraub, director of product development for AirTV. "Now, with the dual-tuner adapter, customers are able to watch their hometown team on a local channel while recording an episode of a popular show on a separate local channel, meaning they won't miss any of their favorite programming." The AirTV player is a 4K Android TV-based media player with access to Netflix, Sling TV, YouTube and thousands of content options through the Google Play Store. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and HDMI connectivity are integrated as well. Likewise, the device can also play free local OTA (over-the-air) channels with a separate AirTV adapter (available as a bundle or separately) and OTA antenna (sold separately). In addition, the new Dual Tuner adapter model allows viewers to watch one OTA channel while they record another, or record two OTA channels at the same time. With that said, DVR recordings require the use of an external hard drive (sold separately). The AirTV Player Dual-Tuner Adapter Bundle is now available for $120. Likewise, the new dual-tuner adapter can also be bought separately for $30. And beyond the AirTV Player, DISH also offers a separate OTA device dubbed simply AirTV ($120). This model does not include 4K Android media player support. Instead, the AirTV connects to an OTA antenna (sold separately) and Wi-Fi connection, allowing users to stream live HD OTA broadcasts to the AirTV app or Sling TV app on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or iOS/Android mobile devices. Likewise, DVR recordings are also supported via an external hard drive. Source: AirTVPosted Mon Oct 8, 2018 at 10:45 AM PDT by: -
A STAR IS BORN 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Up For Pre-Order[teaser]Bradley Cooper's film starring himself and Lady Gaga is already up for pre-orders at Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is working on A Star is Born for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray later this year. A movie star helps a young singer/actress find fame, even as age and alcoholism send his own career into a downward spiral. An update of the classic rise and fall fable about the perils of hitting the big time in show business. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for A Star is Born linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under PENDING. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Sat Oct 6, 2018 at 11:44 AM PDT by: -
VENOM 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray Pre-Orders Live[teaser]Both releases are already up for pre-orders at Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says Venom will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray later this year. Journalist Eddie Brock is trying to take down Carlton Drake, the notorious and brilliant founder of the Life Foundation. While investigating one of Drake's experiments, Eddie's body merges with the alien Venom -- leaving him with superhuman strength and power. Twisted, dark and fueled by rage, Venom tries to control the new and dangerous abilities that Eddie finds so intoxicating. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for Venom linked from our 4K and Blu-ray Release Schedules, where it is indexed under PENDING. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Sat Oct 6, 2018 at 10:29 AM PDT by: -
Jason Momoa Prepares for Battle in New Extended AQUAMAN Trailer[teaser]The DC superhero is swimming toward theaters in December.[/teaser] Warner Bros. has released a new 5 minute trailer for Aquaman starring Jason Momoa, offering an extended look at some of the movie's action scenes. The film is set to hit theaters on December 21, 2018. From Warner Bros. Pictures and director James Wan comes an action-packed adventure that spans the vast, visually breathtaking underwater world of the seven seas, Aquaman, starring Jason Momoa in the title role. The film reveals the origin story of half-human, half-Atlantean Arthur Curry and takes him on the journey of his lifetime—one that will not only force him to face who he really is, but to discover if he is worthy of who he was born to be…a king. Check out the extended Aquaman trailer below! Aquaman also stars Amber Heard as Mera, Willem Dafoe as Vulko, Patrick Wilson as Orm/Ocean Master, Dolph Lundgren as Nereus, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta, Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, Ludi Lin as Captain Murk, and Temuera Morrison as Tom Curry. The film is written by David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick and Will Beall from a story by Geoff Johns & James Wan and Will Beall. Other upcoming films set in the DC Universe include Wonder Woman 1984 from director Patty Jenkins. The movie is scheduled to hit theaters on November 1, 2019, and stars Gal Gadot, Chris Pine, Pedro Pascal, and Kristen Wiig. Likewise, the studio is also currently filming a Joker movie starring Joaquin Phoenix from director Todd Phillips. The movie will not be connected to the other DC Universe films and is set to premiere on October 4, 2019. Source: Warner Bros. (YouTube)Posted Fri Oct 5, 2018 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Sonus faber Unveils Electa Amator III Loudspeaker[teaser]The company's latest speaker has been detailed.[/teaser] Sonus faber has announced the launch of its Electa Amator III Loudspeaker. The new special edition serves as the successor to the previously released Electa Amator (1987) and Electa Amator II (1997). The Electa Amator III is a 2-way bookshelf loudspeaker marked by the company's trademark premium design with a solid walnut wood body, Carrara marble base, and a brass insert to enhance the cabinet. A 28mm tweeter and a 6.5-inch mid-woofer are integrated as well. Here's a full rundown of key specs per Sonus faber: A 28mm tweeter featuring the DAD TM – Damped Apex Dome ™ technology (the tripod recalls the peculiarity of its predecessor) "Paracross topology™" crossover design with Clarify Cap ESA capacitors, for a sweeter sound that remember the voice the 90ies models A 6.5 inch mid-woofer specifically developed for this special project Cross-Over - 2500hz Frequency Response - 40 hz – 35.000 hz Sensitivity - 88 db spl (2,83v/1 m) Nominal Impendance - 4 ohm Suggested Amplifier Power Output -35w - 200w, without clipping Long-Term Max Input Voltage (iec 268-5) - 20 v rms Speakers Dimensions (hxwxd) - 148 x 93 x 142 in Weight - 32.2 lb ea – net weight Stand Dimensions (hxwxd) -284 x 118 x 138 in Stand Weight - 21 lb ea The Sonus faber Electa Amator III Loudspeaker will be available this November in Europe and this December in North America and Asia for $10,000 per pair. In addition, the company is currently celebrating its 35th anniversary at the Rocky Mountain International Audio Fest from October 5 through October 7 at the Denver Marriott Tech Center. Source: Sonus faberPosted Fri Oct 5, 2018 at 11:10 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: DAREDEVIL, CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA, and More[teaser]"The Devil of Hell's Kitchen" and a teenage witch headline this week's crop of streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix and Hulu have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Malevolent (Netflix, October 5) - Brother and sister team Angela (Florence Pugh) and Jackson (Ben Lloyd-Hughes) are nothing more than scam artists. Preying on the grief stricken and the vulnerable, they convince the bereaved that Angela has the ability to contact the dead. It's a simple con, until Mrs. Green (Celia Imrie) summons the pair to her home -- the orphanage that was once stage to a string of murders of young girls -- and Angela grows less and less certain of what's actually real. The fake paranormal investigators suffer the ultimate reality check when they are confronted by the true horrors and terrifying past that lie hidden within the haunted orphanage. Dancing Queen (Netflix, October 5) - A hilarious and heartfelt docu-series set in the dancing, prancing, world of the multi-talented, multi-layered Justin Johnson - aka Drag Superstar Alyssa Edwards - as he juggles his dance life, drag life, family life, and love life. Filmed in Justin’s hometown of Mesquite, Texas, Dancing Queen goes behind the makeup and into the drag performer’s highly competitive Beyond Belief Dance Company as he prepares a young class for an intensely competitive season. Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat (Netflix, October 11) - Master these four elements, master the kitchen. Based on Samin Nosrat’s best-selling book, Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat is the essential guide to the basic elements of good cooking. Across the four part experience, the spirited guide Samin travels to home kitchens of Italy, the southern islands of Japan, the heat of the Yucatán and back to Berkeley's Chez Panisse—where she started her culinary career—to demystify and explore the central principles of what makes food delicious and how each of us can easily incorporate those elements into every dish. Feminists: What Were They Thinking? (Netflix, October 12) - Netflix’s latest documentary takes a look into the women's movement of the 1970s through the collection of feminist portraits captured by photographer Cynthia MacAdams. 40 years later we look at the culture then and now. ReMastered: Who Shot the Sheriff? (Netflix, October 12) - Investigates high-profile events affecting some of the most legendary names in music, presenting groundbreaking discoveries and insights beyond what’s been previously reported. The first track of the ReMastered series investigates who is responsible for the shooting of legendary musician Bob Marley. The Boss Baby: Back in Business (Netflix, October 12) - Boss Baby, with the help of his big brother and partner-in-crime Tim, continues to navigate the cutthroat corporate jungle gym of Baby Corp., while angling to achieve the near-impossible: the work-life balance of a modern career baby. The Curious Creations of Christine McConnell (Netflix, October 12) - Wickedly talented baker and artist, Christine McConnell welcomes you into her terrifyingly delicious home to create delectable confections and hauntingly disturbing decor with the help of her colorful collection of creatures. Marvel's Daredevil: Season 3 (Netflix, October 19) - Missing for months, Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox) reemerges a broken man, putting into question his future as both vigilante Daredevil and lawyer Matthew Murdock. But when his archenemy Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) is released from prison, Matt must choose between hiding from the world, or embracing his destiny as a hero. Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix, October 26) - Half witch. Half mortal. On her 16th birthday, Sabrina (Kiernan Shipka) has to make a choice between the witch world of her family and the human world of her friends. With her aunties (Miranda Otto, Lucy Davis), her cat Salem, and her boyfriend Harvey Kinkle (Ross Lynch), Sabrina will face horrors and new adventures in the mysterious town of Greendale. From the executive producers of Riverdale comes a haunting new tale. Been So Long (Netflix, October 26) - Romance, rage and revenge. Been So Long is a neon soaked, modern day romance set on the streets of London’s musical hot-bed of Camden. We follow Simone (Michaela Coel), a dedicated single mother who, on a rare night on the town is charmed by a handsome yet troubled stranger, Raymond (Arinzé Kene), igniting old and new feelings. Set against the backdrop of an ever-changing city, Been So Long is a fresh take on love, life and moving on. Puppy Star Christmas (Netflix, November 22) - From the world of PUP STAR, and the creators of AIR BUD & AIR BUDDIES, comes a new holiday treat for the whole family, PUPPY STAR CHRISTMAS! The family just got bigger! And the new pups: Cindy, Rosie, Charlie, and Brody will have to learn the true meaning of Christmas. When Pup Star’s mean team, scheme to ruin Christmas, the pups venture to the North Pole to save Santa & the holiday spirit. Their adventure is filled with great pup-tastic songs to spread holiday cheer all-year-round. Also available on Digital HD on November 20. Light As A Feather (Hulu, October 12) - An innocent game of “Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board” goes wrong when the five teen girls who played start dying off in the exact way that was predicted, forcing the survivors to figure out why they’re being targeted – and whether the evil force hunting them down is one of their own. Marvel's Runaways: Season 2 (Hulu, December 21) - Every teenager thinks their parents are evil. What if you found out they actually were? Marvel’s Runaways is the story of six diverse teenagers who can barely stand each other but who must unite against a common foe – their parents. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Hulu subscription starts at $8 per month with commercials. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Thu Oct 4, 2018 at 05:25 PM PDT by: -
20th Century Fox Digital Copies Are Finally Redeeming in 4K!The move to an Ultra HD home entertainment ecosystem has been a lot more complicated than the transition from SD to HD. In addition to resolution variances, multiple HDR formats, and consistency questions across each TV brand and model, there's also been a question of digital copy resolution. In the HD era, most digital copies redeemed for HD digital copies. But in the 4K era, results initially varied by studio. Studios like Warners Bros instantly offered 4K redemption while others, Disney and Fox come to mind, stuck with HD. Then Disney waffled back and forth, customers were frustrated by the lack of clarity, and Disney ultimately shifted with 4K redemption. And almost every other studio followed. Sony, Lionsgate, Paramount, Warners, Universal, and Disney all include 4K digital copies with the purchase of a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray. 20th Century Fox was the last (major studio) holdout. And so we redeemed 4K codes for movies like The Greatest Showman, Deadpool, Logan, and two versions of The Martain in plain old high definition, which is a shame, because they're all terrific 4K movies. (At least on iTunes, these movies are now available with Dolby Atmos even if you only own the HD version.) [Teaser]Great news. It's looking like Fox has quietly updated their Digital Copy redemption policy.[/Teaser] Readers first reported their digital copies included in Predator and the Predator Trilogy redeemed in 4K via Movies Anywhere. I recently redeemed the code included in the Deadpool 2 and experienced similar. And another reader says they just redeemed the X-Men Trilogy in 4K as well. Sure, Fox still doesn't support Dolby Vision, but if you buy a new-release Fox 4K disc, redeem that code as instructed, you will now get instant access to the 4K HDR10 version on streaming platforms like iTunes, Vudu, and the Microsoft Store. (Another great tip: if you own an older Fox Blu-ray that includes a Digital Copy with the option to redeem IN iTunes directly, iTunes will automatically upgrade you to 4K if possible. But, again, you have to redeem your Digital Copy in iTunes. If you redeemed elsewhere, you'll be stuck with HD. The only catch? Newer Fox Digital Copies require you to use Movies Anywhere, which may or may not lock you to HD.) Is this a permanent change for 20th Century Fox? We can't guarantee anything, but it's looking very promising. Let's hope Fox keeps this up because it's a must-have feature for any 4K enthusiast who maintains a digital library along with physical one. The only bad news is this policy change doesn't appear to effect previously-released 4K digital copies (at least, not in my library). What about you? Have you redeemed any other 4K Fox movies and received a 4K digital copy? Are you seeing any of your previously-redeemed Fox movies, that were in HD, in 4K now? Are you able to redeem any of those older codes for 4K now? If so, let us know in the comments below and we'll make sure to update this article. Cheers and thanks so much for reading. NOTE: this article was updated to reflect that Predator, not Deadpool 2, appears to have been the first Fox movie to redeem in 4K.Posted Thu Oct 4, 2018 at 02:41 PM PDT by: -
Dolby Vision & HLG HDR Finally Come to the Denon AVR-X6200W[Teaser]Exciting news for anyone who owns a Denon AVR-X6200W[/Teaser] AV Receiver, which we first reviewed back in 2016! A long, long, long-awaited firmware update, promising Dolby Vision and HLG HDR passthrough capabilities, arrived this morning, takes about 45 minutes to install, and makes an already capable AV Reciever whole again. Dolby Vision -- fully explained HERE -- is a proprietary end-to-end HDR format that is more capable than the open-format HDR10 because it (DV) uses dynamic metadata to adjust contrast and color as often as the filmmakers need. It's also helpful for certain display technologies incapable of hitting a full 1,000 nits of brightness. It's already built into many LG, Vizio, and Sony TVs. HLG -- fully explained HERE -- or Hybrid Log Gamma is a royalty-free HDR format that will be used for live broadcasts. It's already built into many LG, Vizio, Samsung, and Sony TVs as well as a few consumer-grade mirrorless camera systems. The Denon AVR-X6200W was previously limited to 4K/60p HDR10 passthrough along with internal 5.2.4 or 7.2.2 Dolby Atmos & DTS:X amplification, which you could jump up to 7.2.4 or 9.2.2 if you added an external amp. Before today, anyone with a Dolby Vision capable 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player or Apple TV 4K had to either bypass the X6200W or stick with HDR10 playback. We're happy to report that, immediately after updating the X6200W's firmware update, our Apple TV 4K noticed the change and asked if we wanted to adjust our settings to full-time Dolby Vision. We're now enjoying a full range of 4K content in Dolby Vision, HDR10, and Dolby Atmos via iTunes, Netflix, and Vudu. The Denon AVR-X4200W may have also gotten the firmware update, but we don't have one of those on hand. If you do, let us know in the comments and we'll update this article. If you want to know if your Denon AV Reciever is compatible with the Dolby Vision and HLG HDR formats (in addition to HDR10), have a look at THIS LIST over on Denon's website.Posted Thu Oct 4, 2018 at 02:09 PM PDT by:
