-
Coming Soon to Streaming: Marvel's Iron Fist, Alfonso Cuarón's Roma, and More[teaser]The latest film from the director of Gravity and the second season of Marvel's Iron Fist headline this week's crop of streaming trailers.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new previews and info for several of their upcoming programs and films. In addition, Hulu has announced the streaming debut of Jeopardy! with Alex Trebek on its platform. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Follow This (Netflix, August 23) - In partnership with BuzzFeed, this pop-doc series takes viewers behind-the-scenes of BuzzFeed’s award-winning journalism — exploring stories through the lens and personalities of its diverse editorial team. Each episode will immerse viewers in a variety of topics and settings worldwide — from unexpected underground phenomenons to evergreen global conversations. Follow This is produced by BuzzFeed News; Jessica Harrop serves as Showrunner. Bert Kreischer: Secret Time (Netflix, August 24) - Comedian Bert Kreischer is ready to take his shirt off and “party hardy” with his debut Netflix Original stand-up special, Bert Kreischer: Secret Time. Considered one of the best storytellers of his generation, Bert regales the audience at the Trocadero Theatre in Philadelphia with stories about zip-lining with his family, his daughter practicing softball with an imaginary ball, and upstaging ex-NBA player Ralph Sampson at a childhood basketball camp. Marvel’s Iron Fist: Season 2 (Netflix, September 7) - Billionaire Danny Rand (Finn Jones) returns to New York City after being missing for years, trying to reconnect with his past and his family legacy. He fights against the criminal element corrupting New York City with his martial arts mastery and ability to summon the awesome power of the fiery Iron Fist. City of Joy (Netflix, September 7) - Follows the unlikely friendship that develops between Congolese doctor Dr. Denis Mukwege (2016 Nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize), The Vagina Monologues playwright Eve Ensler, and a charismatic Congolese human rights activist who join forces to create a safe haven for women survivors in the middle of violence-torn Eastern Congo. Next Gen (Netflix, September 7) - A friendship with a top-secret robot turns a lonely girl's life into a thrilling adventure as they take on bullies, evil bots, and a scheming madman. Starring John Krasinski, Charlyne Yi, and Jason Sudeikis. From directors Kevin R. Adams, Joe Ksander. The Angel (Netflix, September 14) - Directed by Ariel Vromen, The Angel is the true story of Ashraf Marwan, who was Egyptian President Nasser's son-in-law, and special advisor and confidant to his successor Anwar Sadat, while simultaneously one of Israeli Intelligence's most precious assets of the 20th century. Wild District (Netflix, October 19) - Jhon Jeiver, a lethal guerrilla fighter who escapes the jungle after the signing of the Colombian Peace Agreements. He arrives in Bogotá escaping from his past, and tries to reinsert himself in society while looking to reconnect with his long lost family. But he soon finds himself wrapped in a web of crime and corruption, struggling to understand the ways of the concrete jungle, protect his family from his past, and faced with the moral dilemma of choosing what side of the law he wants to be on Roma (Netflix, Coming Soon) - The most personal project to date from Academy Award-winning director and writer Alfonso Cuarón (Gravity, Children of Men, Y Tu Mama Tambien), ROMA follows Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio), a young domestic worker for a family in the middle-class neighborhood of Roma in Mexico City. Delivering an artful love letter to the women who raised him, Cuarón draws on his own childhood to create a vivid and emotional portrait of domestic strife and social hierarchy amidst political turmoil of the 1970s. Cuarón’s first project since the groundbreaking Gravity in 2013, ROMA will be available in theaters and on Netflix later this year. In addition, Netflix and Sky Dance Media have revealed two new cast additions to Michael Bay's upcoming original film 6 Underground starring Ryan Reynolds. Mélanie Laurent and Payman Maadi will join the previously announced ensemble, which also includes Reynolds, Corey Hawkins, Adria Arjona, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ben Hardy, Lior Raz, and Dave Franco. Though full plot details have not been revealed yet, the action film is based on an original idea from writers and executive producers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick (Deadpool, Deadpool 2). Director Michael Bay will produce, along with David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, and Ian Bryce The Romanoffs (Amazon Prime Video, October 12) - From the creator of Mad Men, The Romanoffs is a contemporary anthology series set around the globe featuring eight separate stories about people who believe themselves to be descendants of the Russian royal family. Starring Aaron Eckhart, Diane Lane, Isabelle Huppert, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Amanda Peet, Jack Huston, Kathryn Hahn, Noah Wyle, Paul Reiser, Andrew Rannells and more. Finally, Jeopardy! is now available to stream on Hulu. As part of the game show's streaming debut, the platform is now offering curated collections of some of the series' flagship special events, including a Tournament of Champions, a College Championship, a Kids Week, and the Battle of the Decades. In addition, Hulu will continue to offer a refreshed selection of popular Jeopardy! episodes with host Alex Trebek. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $11 per month for HD streaming and $14 per month for Ultra HD streaming. - A current Amazon Prime subscription costs $119 per year or $13 per month. Likewise, Prime Instant Video is available as a standalone service for $9 per month. - 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), Amazon (YouTube)Posted Fri Aug 17, 2018 at 12:35 PM PDT by: -
Samsung Details Pricing & Availability for New Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Sound Bars[teaser]Two new immersive audio sound bars have been revealed.[/teaser] Samsung has announced the launch of its latest premium sound bar lineup. The new HW-N950 and HW-N850 have both been developed in partnership with Harman Kardon, and are set to start shipping on August 20. "Our collaboration with Harman Kardon – an audio leader for 65 years – is a major leap forward as we continue to push the boundaries of premium sound and design for our consumers," said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung’s market leading display technology and design paired with premium sound quality of Harman Kardon products is a winning combination for consumers." Both sound bar modes feature support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats. The HW-N950 features a main sound bar unit with up-firing and side-firing speakers, two wireless surround sound speakers with up-firing drivers, and a wireless subwoofer to complete a full 7.1.4 system. Meanwhile, the HW-N850 features a main sound bar unit with up-firing and side-firing speakers and a wireless subwoofer to complete a 5.1.2 channel system. In addition, both models have been certified by Harman Kardon through objective and subjective testing. "Samsung is the world leader in soundbars and we are extremely proud that they are enlisting HARMAN to enhance their audio quality and play a key role in growing their premium soundbar business," said Dave Rogers, President of Consumer Audio at HARMAN. "Partnering with Samsung, one of the most admired brands in the world, will broaden the reach and appeal of Harman Kardon and help us build our business in other consumer and car audio branded solutions. Introducing the new co-branded Samsung Harman Kardon premium soundbars is a win for Samsung, HARMAN and consumers, who now will have the best of video, sound and design altogether in one striking package." The HW-N950 7.1.4 Sound Bar carries an MSRP of $1,700 and the HW-N850 5.1.2 Sound Bar carries an MSRP of $1,198. Source: SamsungPosted Thu Aug 16, 2018 at 08:20 AM PDT by: -
Criterion Details November 2018 Blu-ray Titles[teaser]Billy Wilder's Some Like It Hot, Orson Welles' The Magnificent Ambersons, and more are all in the works for Blu-ray.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion is preparing A Story from Chikamatsu, Some Like It Hot, The Magnificent Ambersons, and True Stories for Blu-ray throughout the month of November. In addition, the label will also release the previously detailed Ingmar Bergman's Cinema: Collector's Edition that same month as well. A Story from Chikamatsu (November 6) - One of a string of late-career masterworks made by Kenji Mizoguchi in the early 1950s, A Story from Chikamatsu (a.k.a. The Crucified Lovers) is an exquisitely moving tale of forbidden love struggling to survive in the face of persecution. Based on a classic of eighteenth-century Japanese drama, the film traces the injustices that befall a Kyoto scroll maker’s wife and his apprentice after each is unfairly accused of wrongdoing. Bound by fate in an illicit, star-crossed romance, they go on the run in search of refuge from the punishment prescribed them: death. Shot in gorgeous, painterly style by master cinematographer Kazuo Miyagawa, this subtly sensuous indictment of societal oppression was heralded by Akira Kurosawa as a “great masterpiece that could only have been made by Mizoguchi.” New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray New interview with actor Kyoko Kagawa Mizoguchi: The Auteur Behind the “Metteur-en-scène,” a new illustrated audio essay by film scholar Dudley Andrew Trailer New English subtitle translation PLUS: An essay by film scholar Haden Guest Order the Blu-ray Some Like It Hot (November 13) - One of the most beloved films of all time, this sizzling masterpiece by Billy Wilder set a new standard for Hollywood comedy. After witnessing a mob hit, Chicago musicians Joe and Jerry (Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon, in landmark performances) skip town by donning drag and joining an all-female band en route to Miami. The charm of the group’s singer, Sugar Kane (Marilyn Monroe, at the height of her bombshell powers) leads them ever further into extravagant lies, as Joe assumes the persona of a millionaire to woo her and Jerry’s female alter ego winds up engaged to a tycoon. With a whip-smart script by Wilder and I. A. L. Diamond, and sparking chemistry among its finely tuned cast, Some Like It Hot is as deliriously funny and fresh today as if it had just been made. New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray Audio commentary from 1989 featuring film scholar Howard Suber New program on Orry-Kelly’s costumes for the film, featuring costume designer and historian Deborah Nadoolman Landis and costume historian and archivist Larry McQueen Three making-of documentaries Appearance from 1982 by director Billy Wilder on The Dick Cavett Show Conversation from 2001 between actor Tony Curtis and film critic Leonard Maltin French television interview from 1988 with actor Jack Lemmon Trailer PLUS: An essay by author Sam Wasson Order the Blu-ray The Magnificent Ambersons (November 20) - Orson Welles’s beautiful, nostalgia-suffused second feature—the subject of one of cinema’s greatest missing-footage tragedies—harks back to turn-of-the-twentieth-century Indianapolis, chronicling the inexorable decline of the fortunes of an affluent family. Adapted from an acclaimed Booth Tarkington novel and characterized by restlessly inventive camera work and powerful performances from a cast including Joseph Cotten, Tim Holt, and Agnes Moorehead, the film traces the rifts deepening within the Amberson clan—at the same time as the forces of progress begin to transform the city they once ruled. Though RKO excised over forty minutes of footage, now lost to history, and added an incongruously upbeat ending, The Magnificent Ambersons is an emotionally rich family saga and a masterful elegy for a bygone chapter of American life. New 4K digital restoration, with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray Two audio commentaries, featuring film scholars Robert Carringer and James Naremore and critic Jonathan Rosenbaum New interviews with scholars Simon Callow and Joseph McBride New video essay on the film’s cinematographers by scholar François Thomas New video essay on the film’s score by scholar Christopher Husted Welles on The Dick Cavett Show in 1970 Segment from Pampered Youth, a 1925 silent adaptation of The Magnificent Ambersons Audio from a 1979 AFI symposium on Welles Two Mercury Theatre radio plays: Seventeen (1938), an adaptation of another Booth Tarkington novel by Welles, and The Magnificent Ambersons (1939) Trailer PLUS: An essay by critic Molly Haskell and (Blu-ray only) essays by authors and critics Luc Sante, Geoffrey O’Brien, Farran Smith Nehme, and Jonathan Lethem, and excerpts from an unfinished 1982 memoir by Welles Order the Blu-ray True Stories (November 20) - Music icon David Byrne was inspired by tabloid headlines to make this sole foray into feature film directing, an ode to the extraordinariness of ordinary American life and a distillation of what was in his own idiosyncratic mind. Byrne plays a visitor to Virgil, Texas, who introduces us to the citizens of the town during preparations for its Celebration of Specialness. As shot by cinematographer Ed Lachman, Texas becomes a hyperrealistic late-capitalist landscape of endless vistas, shopping malls, and prefab metal buildings. In True Stories, Byrne uses his songs to stitch together pop iconography, voodoo rituals, and a singular variety show—all in the service of uncovering the rich mysteries that lurk under the surface of everyday experience. New, restored 4K digital transfer, supervised by director David Byrne and cinematographer Ed Lachman, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack, supervised by Byrne, on the Blu-ray New documentary about the film’s production, featuring Byrne, Lachman, writer Stephen Tobolowsky, executive producer Ed Pressman, coproducer Karen Murphy, fashion-show costume designer Adelle Lutz, consultant Christina Patoski, actor Jo Harvey Allen, and musician Terry Allen CD with 23 songs, containing the film’s complete soundtrack, compiled here for the first time (Blu-ray only) Real Life (1986), a short documentary by Pamela Yates and Newton Thomas Sigel made on the set of the film No Time to Look Back, a new homage to Virgil, Texas, the fictional town where True Stories is set New program about designer Tibor Kalman and his influence on Byrne and role in the film, featuring Byrne and Kalman’s wife, artist Maira Kalman Deleted scenes Trailer PLUS: An essay by critic Rebecca Bengal, along with, for the Blu-ray edition, new pieces by journalist and author Joe Nick Patoski and Byrne, a 1986 piece by actor Spalding Gray on the film’s production, some of the tabloid stories that inspired the film, and a selection of Byrne’s preproduction photography and writing about the film’s visual motifs Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout November.Posted Thu Aug 16, 2018 at 06:30 AM PDT by: -
Denon Launches AVR-X3500H Receiver & Apple AirPlay 2 Support[teaser]The company's latest receiver is now available along with an update for AirPlay 2 support.[/teaser] Denon has announced the release of its newest X-Series receiver. The AVR-X3500H is now available for an MSRP of $999. In addition, Denon has also launched a firmware update for Apple AirPlay 2 compatibility on select receivers, including the AVR-X3500H. "Denon consumers are on the technological forefront. They turn to us to ensure they have the latest and greatest features in their AVRs to stay in sync with industry trends, formats and content," said Yoshinori Yamada, technical category director for audio and video at Sound United. "The AVR-X3500H does not deter from this path. Our classic discrete power amplifier design paired with custom-made high current transistors on all channels, compatibility with nearly every advanced AV format, and the added benefit of Amazon Alexa and Apple AirPlay 2 really drive home our dedication to delivering the best home theater experience possible." The 7.2 channel receiver is rated for 105 watts per channel (8ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD). In addition, the unit offers Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support for 5.1.2 immersive audio systems, along with DTS Virtual:X tech to create virtual height effects in 5.1, 7.1 or even 2.1 configurations. Likewise, the device features an AKM 32-bit DAC with support for ALAC, FLAC and WAV files at up to 24-bit/192-kHz, and 2.8/5.6-MHz DSD files. Video passthrough support for 4K Ultra HD 60Hz video, 4:4:4 Pure Color sub sampling, Dolby Vision, High Dynamic Range (HDR10), Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG), and BT.2020 content is included as well via HDMI with HDCP 2.2. Here's a full rundown of key specs and features per Denon: 7.2 channel AV receiver with 105W per channel (8ohms, 20Hz-20kHz, 0.08% THD) Dolby Atmos, DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X Supports Apple's AirPlay 2 Amazon Alexa voice control compatibility 8 HDMI inputs with full HDCP 2.2 support and 3 HDMI outputs (Main, Sub, Zone 2) Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC) (via future firmware update) 4k/60 Hz, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG, 4:4:4 color resolution and BT.2020 Award-winning Denon guided setup assistant and graphical user interface Supports "ihiji Invision" and "Domotz Pro" remote system monitoring and management technology Auto Low Latency Mode for best Xbox one gaming experience (via August 2018 firmware update) Supports Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Sirius XM, TIDAL, Amazon Music, Deezer and more Built-in HEOS wireless multi-room audio technology Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support, plus built-in Bluetooth® High-resolution DSD (2.8/5.6MHz), FLAC, ALAC and WAV support Audyssey MultEQ XT32, Dynamic Volume and Dynamic EQ, LFC and Sub EQ HT CI friendliness - IP control, Web UI, remote management capability via ihiji invision or Domotz pro, HDMI diagnostics mode for on-site trouble-shooting, RS-232C, IR remote in/out, 12 V Trigger output Meanwhile, Denon has also launched Apple AirPlay 2 support for select devices through a new firmware update, including the AVR-X3500H. Apple AirPlay 2 allows users to stream audio from Apple Music, YouTube, Netflix, and more via any iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple TV to a supported receiver. Likewise, the tech also offers Siri voice control via iPhone/iPad/Mac/Apple TV/HomePod to play Apple Music in a specific room or throughout the house. In addition, users can group Apple AirPlay 2 devices with Apple Music or the Apple Home App for multi-room control. CLICK HERE for a full list of AirPlay 2 compatible Denon, Marantz, and HEOS products. Sources: Denon, Denon via Home Theater ReviewPosted Wed Aug 15, 2018 at 10:45 AM PDT by: -
Steven Spielberg's Hook Soars to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The 1991 star-studded fantasy-adventure is getting a 4K upgrade this October. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is preparing Hook for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 9. A high-flying adventure from the magic of Steven Spielberg, Hook stars Robin Williams as a grown-up Peter Pan and Dustin Hoffman as the infamous Captain Hook. Joining the fun is Julia Roberts as Tinkerbell, Bob Hoskins as the pirate Smee, and Maggie Smith as Granny Wendy Darling, who must convince middle-aged lawyer Peter Banning that he was once the legendary Peter Pan. And so the adventure begins anew, with Peter off to Neverland to save his two children from Captain Hook. Along the way, he rediscovers the power of imagination, friendship, and of magic. A classic tale updated for children of all ages, Hook was nominated for five Academy Awards® including Best Visual Effects in 1991. The release will feature a 4K RESTORATION FROM THE ORIGINAL CAMERA NEGATIVE, with approval on the 4K High Dynamic Range master from director Steven Spielberg; 11 Never-Before-Seen Deleted Scenes; and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. You can find the latest specs for Hook - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray linked from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 9.Posted Wed Aug 15, 2018 at 08:32 AM PDT by: -
The Matrix Trilogy Dated & Detailed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Neo will dodge more bullets in 4K this October.[/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Bros. is preparing The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and now the release date has been confirmed as October 30. In addition, a Trilogy Box Set with all three movies, and separate Best Exclusive SteelBooks will be available that same day as well. The Complete Matrix Trilogy presents the complete adventures of machine battling truth-seekers Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) in all three of the Wachowskis ground-breaking monumental sci-fi feature films. All three films will feature remastered 2160p video -- taken from new scans of the original camera negatives -- with Dolby Vision and HDR10 supervised by director of photography Bill Pope. Likewise, each film will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack. Supplements for each movie will include: The Matrix Written Introduction by The Wachowskis “Philosopher” Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilbur “Critics” Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson “Cast & Crew” Commentary by Carrie-Anne Moss, Zach Staenberg and John Gaeta “Composer” Commentary by Don Davis with Music Only Track The Matrix Revisited Follow the White Rabbit Take the Red Pill Marilyn Manson “Rock is Dead” Music Video Teaser Trailer Theatrical Trailer TV Spots The Matrix Reloaded In-Movie Experience – Cast and creative team guide you through a unique infiltration of the filmmaking Written Introduction by The Wachowskis “Philosopher” Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilbur “Critics” Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson Behind The Matrix Car Chase Teahouse Fight Unplugged I’ll Handle Them The Exiles Enter The Matrix: The Game Enter The Matrix P.O.D Sleeping Awake Music Video Theatrical Trailer TV Spots The Matrix Revolutions In-Movie Experience – Cast and creators navigate you through the Trilogy’s thunderous conclusion – all as you watch the movie Written Introduction by The Wachowskis “Philosopher” Commentary by Dr. Cornel West and Ken Wilbur “Critics” Commentary by Todd McCarthy, John Powers and David Thomson Behind The Matrix Crew Hel New Blue World Siege Aftermath Theatrical Trailer TV Spots You can find the latest specs for The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions linked from our 4K Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under October 30. Order the 4K Trilogy Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the 4K SteelBook Order the 4K SteelBook Order the 4K SteelBookPosted Tue Aug 14, 2018 at 02:25 PM PDT by: -
Ethan Peck Cast as Spock on Star Trek: Discovery[teaser]The iconic character will be featured in the show's upcoming second season.[/teaser] CBS has announced a new cast addition to Star Trek: Discovery. Actor Ethan Peck is set to appear as Spock on the CBS All Access streaming show. The role was first played by Leonard Nimoy in Star Trek: The Original Series and is also currently played by Zachary Quinto in Paramount's big-screen Star Trek franchise. "Through 52 years of television and film, a parallel universe and a mirror universe, Mr. Spock remains the only member of the original bridge crew to span every era of Star Trek," said Executive Producer Alex Kurtzman. "The great Leonard Nimoy, then the brilliant Zachary Quinto, brought incomparable humanity to a character forever torn between logic and emotion. We searched for months for an actor who would, like them, bring his own interpretation to the role. An actor who would, like them, effortlessly embody Spock’s greatest qualities, beyond obvious logic: empathy, intuition, compassion, confusion, and yearning. Ethan Peck walked into the room inhabiting all of these qualities, aware of his daunting responsibility to Leonard, Zack, and the fans, and ready to confront the challenge in the service of protecting and expanding on Spock's legacy. In that spirit, we're thrilled to welcome him to the family." The second season of Star Trek: Discovery is set to premiere on CBS All Access in early 2019. Spock serves as the half human, half Vulcan Science Officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Likewise, the character is the foster brother of Michael Burnham (Sonequa Martin-Green), the main character of Discovery. In addition to Spock, season two will also feature actor Anson Mount as Christopher Pike, the original captain of the Enterprise. A current CBS All Access subscription costs $5.99 per month with reduced commercials or $9.99 per month for a commercial-free plan. A new Star Trek series starring Patrick Stewart as Captain Jean-Luc Picard is also in the works for the streaming platform. Source: CBS All AccessPosted Tue Aug 14, 2018 at 12:20 PM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: Samsung Releases Galaxy Tab S4, Onkyo Distributes TEAC Products, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the launch of Samsung's new Galaxy tablet, Onkyo's acquisition of TEAC product distribution, 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 the launch of Samsung's Galaxy Tab S4 tablet, Onkyo's acquisition of TEAC product distribution in the US, and the integration of Dirac Live into miniDSP's new Streaming HD devices. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Samsung Releases Galaxy Tab S4 Tablet Samsung has announced the launch of its latest Galaxy tablet. The Galaxy Tab S4 is now available for an MSRP of $650. "At Samsung, we believe tablets play an increasingly important role in making lives easier and improving the mobile experience for everyone," said DJ Koh, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics. "With the Galaxy Tab S4, we’re introducing a premium tablet, equipped with Samsung DeX that helps consumers perform their absolute best wherever they go. We look forward to providing our customers with a sense of leisure and comfort knowing that this new addition to our ecosystem of connected devices is also packed with features to help them stay entertained." The tablet features a 10.5” WQXGA Super AMOLED display with a resolution of 2560x1600, 287 pixels per inch (PPI), and a 16:10 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Octa Core (2.35GHz + 1.9GHz) CPU, 4G RAM, and a 7,300mAh Fast Charging battery, all running Android 8.1. 13MP AF rear camera and an 8.0MP front camera are integrated as well. In addition, the unit includes four speakers tuned by AKG, along with Dolby Atmos immersive sound technology. Meanwhile, the Galaxy Tab S4 also offers support for an optional Book Cover Keyboard, allowing customers to switch to the Samsung DeX desktop experience. Likewise, users can connect the tablet to an external monitor with a compatible HDMI to USB-C multi-port adapter. Finally, the unit comes with Samsung's S Pen for note-taking and other productivity tasks. The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is now available in 64GB ($650) and 256GB ($750) models in gray or black. Source: Samsung Onkyo Snags Distribution Rights for TEAC Products in US & Latin America Onkyo USA has announced the acquisition of exclusive distribution rights for TEAC home entertainment products in the US and Latin America. "TEAC is a world-renowned brand with high-quality offerings across a variety of price points that give the line retail flexibility as well as access to a wide audience – from the professional recording studio right down to the casual listener," said Jason Sausto, CEO of Onkyo USA. "Onkyo USA has built its reputation on excellent customer service and channel expertise, and TEAC’s newly refreshed and diverse lineup should benefit from both." The first TEAC products set to be distributed by Onkyo include: NR-7CD Network CD Player / Integrated Amplifier: Reference 7 series all-in-one amplifier, network player and CD player. Supports high-res master audio sources like DSD 5.6MHz and PCM 384kHz/32-bit, MQA formats through online services like TIDAL, and Bluetooth playback. NT-505 USB DAC Network Player: Flagship dual monaural USB DAC with network playback capabilities. Uses AKM VERITA DACs geared towards network audio from PC or NAS (Network Attached Server) devices and controlled via free TEAC apps for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets. Supports services like TIDAL and Qobuz, is Roon compatible, and also features a built-in MQA decoder. CG-10M Master Clock Generator: Master clock generator (MCG) for Hi-Res Audio. Features a crystal oscillator encased in in a temperature-controlled "oven." This creates an accurate 10MHz clock signal which is within ±3 ppb of frequency temperature characteristics and within ±0.1 ppm of frequency precision. TEAC now joins Onkyo USA's existing portfolio of consumer electronics brands, including Onkyo, Pioneer, Pioneer Elite, Integra, and Esoteric. Source: Onkyo MiniDSP Streaming HD (SHD) Series Integrates Dirac Live Tech Dirac Research has announced the inclusion of its Dirac Live room correction platform into miniDSP’s new Streaming HD (SHD) series stereo processor. "Few in the industry are as passionate about audio as those at miniDSP, which is why our years of extensive collaboration have yielded such astounding results," stated Niklas Thorin, Dirac's GM of High Performance. "The Streaming HD series is the ideal product to introduce Dirac Live to the streaming market, as it truly captures the full potential of our room correction capabilities. With this SHD series introduction, the bar has now been raised for high definition audio streaming." Dirac Live is a patented room correction technology that uses multiple measurement and mixed phase correction to fix the frequency response and impulse response of a room's speaker setup, resulting in a more natural and realistic sound. The miniDSP SHD series implements this tech into a powerful stereo processor and streamer. The device features a floating point processor, 32bit converters, quad core ARM streamer, multichannel USB audio, and Volumio network audio support. The embedded Volumio network audio music player allows for streamed audio to be controlled through a user's smartphone, tablet, or desktop-based app. The SHD series will include two versions: the SHD full rack mount unit, which is an analog and digital All-In-One-Does-It-All unit; and the SHD Studio, which is a compact, all-digital solution better suited for buyers who already own a DAC. "Regardless of hardware design and sophistication, certain external variables are always going to negatively impact audio quality – that is unless you implement a digital room correction solution like Dirac Live," stated Antoine Rouget, CEO at miniDSP. "Dirac Live reduces these variables and equips our products with the degree of performance consistency necessary to satisfy the discerning ears of the miniDSP community. We're excited to work yet again with Dirac to introduce its Dirac Live room correction solution to the streaming processor market." Source: Dirac Research, miniDSPPosted Tue Aug 14, 2018 at 10:15 AM PDT by: -
Sicario: Day of the Soldado Announced for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The thriller starring Benicio Del Toro and Josh Brolin will raid both formats in October. [/teaser] UPDATE 8/29/18: Sony has now informed us that the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray WILL NOT include Dolby Vision. The Dolby Vision listing on the original press release was an error. Instead, the disc will feature HDR10. Previous Report: In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says Sicario: Day of the Soldado will be available on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 2. In Sicario: Day of the Soldado, the series begins a new chapter. In the drug war, there are no rules – and as the cartels have begun trafficking terrorists across the US border, federal agent Matt Graver (Josh Brolin) calls on the mysterious Alejandro (Benicio Del Toro), whose family was murdered by a cartel kingpin, to escalate the war in nefarious ways. Alejandro kidnaps the kingpin's daughter to inflame the conflict – but when the girl is seen as collateral damage, her fate will come between the two men as they question everything they are fighting for. The 4K UHD will feature Dolby Vision HDR10 and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack, and supplements on both releases include: "From Film to Franchise: Continuing the Story" "An Act of War: Making Sicario: Day of the Soldado" "The Assassin and the Soldier: The Cast & Characters" You can find the latest specs for Sicario: Day of the Soldado linked from our Blu-ray and 4K Release Schedules, where it is indexed under October 2. Order the Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Tue Aug 14, 2018 at 09:10 AM PDT by: -
The Big Lebowski Officially Dated and detailed for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The dude will abide in 4K this October.[/teaser] As previously reported, Universal is prepping The Big Lebowski for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on October 16. Likewise, a Limited Edition release will also be available that same day as well. The hilariously twisted comedy-thriller stars Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Steve Buscemi and Julianne Moore. Join the "Dude" and his bowling buddies on their journey that blends unforgettable characters, kidnapping, a case of mistaken identity and White Russians. Enter the visually unique and entertaining world from the creative minds of the Coen brothers and remember: the Dude abides. The 4K UHD will include a native 4K scan of the film in 2160p and will feature a DTS:X soundtrack. Supplements will include: Worthy Adversaries: What's My Line Trivia The Dude's Life The Dude Abides: The Big Lebowski Ten Years Later Making of The Big Lebowski The Lebowski Fest: An Achiever's Story Flying Carpets and Bowling Pin Dreams: The Dream Sequences of The Dude Interactive Map Jeff Bridges Photo Book Photo Gallery An Introduction No Kid Hungry PSA U-Control: Scene Companion U-Control: Mark It, Dude U-Control: The Music of The Big Lebowski You can find the latest specs for The Big Lebowski linked from our 4K Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 16. Order the 4K Blu-ray Order the Limited EditionPosted Mon Aug 13, 2018 at 09:08 AM PDT by:
