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LG Launches Amazon Alexa Device Support for 2018 ThinQ Smart TV Lineup[teaser]The displays are now compatible with Alexa-enabled devices.[/teaser] LG has announced the launch the of the LG SmartThinQ Skill for Amazon Alexa. With the new skill, users who own a 2018 LG OLED TV or 2018 LG SUPER UHD TV with AI ThinQ can now control their display via voice commands through an Alexa-enabled product. "The addition of Amazon Alexa compatibility to our 2018 LG AI-enabled TVs spotlights LG’s commitment to developing category-leading TVs that combine innovative technologies with the widest range of convenient, user-friendly interfaces," said Tim Alessi, head of home entertainment product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "LG’s open platform-open partnership- open connectivity ecosystem enables LG AI products to work with the most popular smart platforms to deliver the most convenient and customized smart home experience tailored to a consumer’s specific lifestyle." The LG SmartThinQ Skill is compatible with existing Alexa-enabled devices, including Amazon Echo, Echo Show, Echo Dot, Echo Spot and Echo Plus units, enabling voice control for TV functions like volume, play, pause, start, stop, fast forward, channel selection, and content search. Likewise, the feature also allows customers to open specific LG webOS Smart TV apps through simple commands like "Alexa, ask LG to launch YouTube on my bedroom TV." In addition, users can ask Alexa to talk to their LG display in order to control other supported Wi-Fi-enabled smart appliances in their connected ecosystem. And beyond compatibility with Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, LG's 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs also feature LG's own ThinQ AI tech with Google Assistant for integrated voice control via the included remote control. Likewise, 2018 LG ThinQ TVs can be controlled through separate Google Assistant products (like the Google Home) as well. Source: LGPosted Tue May 29, 2018 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deals: Up to $300 Off TCL C-Series 4K HDR Roku Ultra HD TVs[teaser]C-Series Ultra HD Roku TVs are on sale now![/teaser] In celebration of Memorial Day Weekend, TCL and Amazon are offering big discounts on the 55-inch and 65-inch TCL C-Series 4K HDR Roku TVs. The 2017 models offer several advanced features like Dolby Vision HDR and wide color gamut support for very affordable prices. Here's a rundown of the current deals: TCL 55C807 55-inch 4K HDR Roku TV - Currently $499, $200 off MSRP of $699. TCL 65C807 65-inch 4K HDR Roku TV- Currently $799, $300 off MSRP of $1,099. The C-Series displays feature edge-lit LCD panels with support for the Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range formats, along with wide color gamut capabilities and NBP Photon technology. Likewise, the sets also use the Roku OS smart TV platform with access to more than 4,000 streaming channels and 450,000+ movies and TV episodes. An advanced remote offering voice search and a headphone jack for private listening, high-speed 802.11ac wireless and Ethernet networking, and three HDMI 2.0a ports with HDCP 2.2 are integrated as well. In addition, the C-Series uses a super slim, elegant design. And beyond the 2017 C-Series, TCL recently released its new 2018 6-Series and 5-Series 4K HDR Roku TVs. Both models are now featured on our list of Best TVs to Buy on a Budget in 2018. These deals will only be active for a limited time while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions! Source: TCLPosted Fri May 25, 2018 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Dolby Opens 100th Dolby Cinema at AMC Location in the US[teaser]The premium cinema format is now available in even more theaters.[/teaser] Dolby and AMC have announced the opening of the 100th Dolby Cinema at AMC location in the US. The new site is featured at the AMC Loews 34th Street 14 in New York City. "Opening the 100th Dolby Cinema at AMC location is a momentous event," said Doug Darrow, Senior Vice President, Cinema Business Group, Dolby Laboratories. "Dolby and AMC embrace a shared passion to deliver a best-in-class, unforgettable entertainment experience. Our growth was made possible by the incredible response from moviegoers, studios, and filmmakers." Dolby Cinema is a premium theater format that uses the Dolby Vision laser projection system to deliver high dynamic range images with expanded colors and enhanced contrast. Likewise, Dolby Cinema also uses Dolby Atmos object-based mixing to create an immersive surround sound experience with overhead audio. In addition, Dolby Cinema at AMC theaters have been designed with comfort in mind, offering reserved recliners with seat transducers. "Dolby Cinema at AMC provides an unparalleled movie-going experience and the guest response around the country has been remarkable," said John McDonald, Executive Vice President, US Operations, AMC. "To reach 100 locations in just three years is a testament to the strong partnership between Dolby and AMC, but also to the strong preference of moviegoers to enjoy their movies in the powerful and captivating environment that Dolby Cinema at AMC provides." Upcoming films set to be shown at Dolby Cinema locations include Ocean’s 8, Incredibles 2, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Mission: Impossible – Fallout, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, The Equalizer 2, BlacKkKlansman, Venom, A Star is Born, Bohemian Rhapsody, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, Aquaman, and more. For a full list of US Dolby Cinema at AMC locations, click here, and for more info about tickets and showtimes, click here. And beyond the US, more Dolby Cinema sites are located in China, Europe, and the Middle East. Source: DolbyPosted Fri May 25, 2018 at 12:15 PM PDT by: -
Amazon Echo Records & Shares Family's Conversation Without Their Knowledge[teaser]Alexa has been up to no good.[/teaser] According to a report by The Washington Post and Seattle news station KIRO 7, an Amazon Echo mistakenly recorded a family's conversations and then sent them to a person in their contacts list without their knowledge. Though apparently just an elaborate fluke, the issue raises some pretty big questions about privacy in the age of smart speakers and always-connected recording devices. The incident occurred in Portland, Oregon two weeks ago when the family in question received a distressing phone call from one of the husband's employees. The caller alerted the family to shut off their Alexa for fear they were "being hacked." It turns out the Echo had sent recordings of the family to the man without the family ever knowing. According to Amazon via an email statement to the Post, the Echo woke up when it heard a word it mistook for "Alexa." It then incorrectly interpreted the family's conversation as a "send message" request. The device then apparently asked "To whom?" out loud and then misheard the background talk as a name from the family's contact list. In response to the glitch, Amazon told the Post, "As unlikely as this string of events is, we are evaluating options to make this case even less likely." Spying concerns about Alexa devices have arisen before, particularly when a flaw was discovered last month that allowed Echo units to continue listening to customers without their knowledge. Though Amazon fixed the issue after being warned of its existence, continued mistakes like the one in Portland show that the company still has more kinks to work out when it comes to protecting its users' privacy. Smart speakers and even televisions with microphones and voice recognition are becoming increasingly popular additions to many modern households, offering hands-free streaming, control of other smart products, and AI assistant features. But as Alexa's growing pains reveal, we should probably still be very careful about what we say around our appliances. Source The Washington PostPosted Fri May 25, 2018 at 10:35 AM PDT by: -
James Mangold Set to Write & Direct New Boba Fett 'Star Wars' Spinoff Movie[teaser]The infamous bounty hunter is getting his own standalone movie.[/teaser] According to The Hollywood Reporter, filmmaker James Mangold is being tapped to write and direct a new Star Wars spinoff movie focused on Boba Fett. Likewise, Disney is also reportedly working on an Obi-Wan Kenobi standalone film with Stephen Daldry (The Reader) in talks to direct. Boba Fett made his first big-screen appearance in The Empire Strikes Back as one of the bounty hunters hired to track down Han Solo. And though the character met his untimely demise at the tentacles of the Sarlacc in Return of the Jedi, George Lucas elaborated on Boba Fett's origin in the second prequel film, Attack of the Clones. In that installment, the character was played by Daniel Logan and was revealed to be a child clone of Jango Fett (Temuera Morrison). Logan also provided Boba Fett's voice in The Clone Wars animated series. Plot details for the new movie are unknown, and it's not clear if Daniel Logan or Temuera Morrison will return to the role. Other films from director James Mangold include Logan, The Wolverine, 3:10 to Yuma, Walk the Line, and Cop Land. Filmmaker Simon Kinberg (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) was previously rumored to be developing a Boba Fett movie, but it remains to be seen if he's still involved in the project. Kinberg worked as a producer on Mangold's Logan. Beyond the new Boba Fett movie, Disney is set to release Solo: A Star Wars Movie on May 25. Star Wars: Episode IX will then follow on December 20, 2019. The final entry in the trilogy will be directed by J.J. Abrams. In addition, filmmaker Rian Johnson (Star Wars: The Last Jedi) is developing an entirely new trilogy of Star Wars films, and Game of Thrones showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss are also working on new films for the franchise. Meanwhile, Jon Favreau has been tapped to executive produce and write a new live-action Star Wars show for Disney's upcoming streaming platform. Source: The Hollywood ReporterPosted Thu May 24, 2018 at 06:40 PM PDT by: -
Star Wars Movies Ranked: Worst to First UPDATEDNo matter where you go, Star Wars is always there. It's universally known in all languages and ages. People have formed long-term friendships and families over Star Wars since 1977 and it's not stopping anytime soon. [Teaser]With eleven films released, including The Rise of Skywalker, and many more on the way, we thought it would be a great time to revisit each Star Wars film and see where they rank against all the others.[/Teaser] Even though some of the movies might be bad, they are still Star Wars and have their good moments. Below are the current Star Wars films, ranked from least favorite to favorite, and be sure to let us know in the comments below how you would order YOUR list from worst to first. THE PHANTOM MENACE It had been 16 years since George Lucas did anything Star Wars related and those of us who grew up with the original trilogy were super excited at all of the possibilities. When Lucas confirmed that his new trilogy would focus on how Darth Vader became evil and that we'd see how Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side, there was a ton of hope for what we'd get to see. Then the film came out and many of the original trilogy fans were let down. The Phantom Menace did very well, financially, but this film forever put a bad taste in the Star Wars universe, especially for any project with George Lucas writing or directing, despite his vision in creating the universe. To see a very young Anakin Skywalker, a young Obi-Wan, and his mentor Qui-Gon Jinn do not much of anything, save for talking about trade negotiations, was utterly unsatisfying. I know Ewan McGregor and Liam Neeson are good actors, but Lucas gave them almost no direction or what he expected from these characters, thus every single line of dialogue is monotone and void of any emotion. It plays out very bland, uninteresting, and without any suspense or action. Well, there is some minor action, but it's overly produced and choreographed, that the emotion is all sucked out. The one sequence most people still enjoy is the pod race scene, which is shot beautifully. Still, the cutaways to a young Anakin and his delivery is so stale that it's hard not to laugh. This movie had so much potential, but never ever delivers. ATTACK OF THE CLONES There are some better moments in Attack of the Clones, but not by much. In this film, Anakin is now a young man, however, Lucas' script has him come off as a snotty and annoying kid with a bad case of teen angst. While I like actor Hayden Christensen, his Clones performance is super awkward and stagnant. Then came his love interest in Padme, played by a great Natalie Portman. Lucas tries in earnest to craft the love story between these two characters. The major problem, though, was that Lucas has no idea how to write or direct his actors (who had zero chemistry). It's arguably the worst set of sequences in the entire franchise. Through this, we're see the beginning of Anakin turn to the dark side, but he just comes across as an irritating kid who doesn't get his way. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan is dealing with the clones in an uninteresting storyline that also serves as an awful look at Boba Fett's origins. There are a couple stand-out scenes, but they are riddled with so much terrible CGI creatures running around, that you're taken out of the story. With that being said, there is still more to like here as Anakin is slowly being swayed over to the dark side. REVENGE OF THE SITH Revenge of the Sith is unarguably the best of the prequel trilogy. In fact, I would have ranked this higher on the list if it weren't for the completely laughable final shot ("Noooooooooo!") that might be the worst decision in filmmaking history. Not only that, Lucas dropped the ball with Natalie Portman's Padme in this movie too. This movie was the chosen one. This movie was supposed to show Anakin Skywalker fully turning to the dark side and becoming Darth Vader. While that may have happened, it didn't get there so easily. What was great here is that we saw how Anakin was a decent person. He was never true and pure evil. He was brainwashed by Palpatine in a very sadistic way (telling Anakin that Palpatine was his only friend and nobody was good enough for him). Even Hayden Christensen found his footing in the character and delivered a very good performance, one that was truly exceptional in showing his struggle for good and evil. That all being said, Lucas makes the heroine Padme, one person who would stand up and fight for good, completely give up all hope and die when she found out that Anakin sided with Palpatine. It just doesn't make sense, given her character through the previous film. She is strong one minute, then in a split second, weak and ready to die. It's a terrible way to write out the character. ROGUE ONE I firmly believe that Rogue One could have been one of the best Star Wars films ever be released on film, but there are a few problems with character development. What I mean by this is that there are some fantastic characters, however, not everyone has enough time to shine. Star Wars movies take time to develop relationships with the characters, but with only one movie, it's hard to relate or root for someone when there is so little time. Still, there are enough great action sequences and some powerful moments that add up to a very good movie with a couple of great characters -- like the complex and layered Jyn Erso -- but also a ton of very cool but one-note characters that don't develop enough to make us care about them. Still, seeing Darth Vader unleash his power is perhaps the best moment of the film. SOLO One of our favorite characters from the original trilogy finally gets his own film. I'm of course talking about Han Solo. The film has its flaws for sure, mostly in the visual department and a weak-paced opening, but there are a lot of things to like about this new film. The characters, big or small, all have great, fleshed-out story arcs and traits. The start of the film is rough, but it finds its footing fairly quickly, where Alden Ehrenreich settles into Harrison Ford's shoes comfortably by the end. We get just about everything we want in this film, from the friendship of Chewbacca and Solo to the Kessel Run, along with some other great moments, including the arrival of fan favorite and scene stealer, Donald Glover, as Lando Calrissian. It's just that director Ron Howard has no unique or original vision to actually tell the story, visually speaking. It's all quite bland and quite an eyesore, if I dare say. Still, there is enough to like here to warrant a trilogy and some excellent surprises along the way. So far, this is the best spinoff movie in the Star Wars universe. I can only hope for a more visually stunning picture in the future, because the actors and characters have got it right as of now. THE FORCE AWAKENS The Force Awakens is the highest grossing movie of all time by about $200M. Needless to say, people were ready for a new Star Wars movie after the 10-year drought following Revenge of the Sith. I have a good feeling that Disney will only make us wait at most 11 months for each Star Wars film from now on. Episode VII was an impossible task. You have to reboot the biggest franchise in the world without the help of George Lucas and follow up (make up for?) the Prequels. Would it be good? Would it be bad? Would we get a mix of new and old characters? Director JJ Abrams steps into the director's chair with confidence, telling a brand new story while bringing in older characters we have come to love. While there are a few missteps, mostly in how the film reuses a lot of the original Star Wars, there are enough good things to make this to be very worth your while. First, Rey is a brilliant new hero. Actress Daisy Ridley perfectly portrays this character with so much vulnerability and charm. We don't get a ton of backstory to her just yet; instead, we will get several movies to realize just who she is. She's funny, smart, and naive at moments, just like most of us would be in a world like that. The new villain was Kylo Ren, played incredibly by Adam Driver. Kylo is framed like Darth Vadar, a bad guy who could turn back to the light, but he can also change in the blink of an eye. We also get to see some of our favorite characters return, in addition to fun and exciting new characters like Finn and Poe. Despite its minor shortcomings, The Force Awakens is what we as Star Wars fans really needed to get a new set of films off the ground. THE RISE OF SKYWALKER The conclusion of the Skywalker franchise proves that nobody is ever really gone in the Star Wars universe. Since 1977, many film-goers and Star Wars fans have been guessing and clamoring to see how this epic story ends. In The Rise of Skywalker, JJ Abrams came back to the director's chair to put that final bookend in place. Bringing back some iconic characters while introducing new ones, this ninth episode tried to appease almost everyone who has ever watched a Star Wars movie. While there are some story flaws and pacing issues, this finale is a fitting cap and brings everything full circle from that first glimpse of a young moisture farmer on Tatooine and two refugee droids escaping the Empire. In the film, Palpatine shows up while Rey and Kylo Ren star in a video game version of Star Wars, hopping from planet to planet in search of some other-worldly object. New and old characters cross paths while the dark side of the force and the light side have their ultimate battle on multiple surfaces. JJ Abrams is sure good at calling back on the most memorable and important sequences of the original films, which is what guides him here. While that might seem a little lazy, there's enough charm, nostalgia, and great character work to succeed in finishing this momentous film series that conjures up laughs, a few tears, and some surprises along the way. RETURN OF THE JEDI While Episode VI is a great film, it still has some unfortunate missteps at the leadership of George Lucas, who was a heavy-handed producer on the project. If the Prequels taught us anything, it was that Lucas will create any creature or character to sell a toy. This all started with Return of the Jedi when it added the kid-friendly Ewoks to the picture, along with a few other very silly characters and moments. (Although I'm still angry that Special Editions left out the Ewok celebration song Yub-Nub, but I digress.) From the music video sequence at Jabba's place to the wackiness of the Ewoks, Star Wars suddenly seems more like a kid's cartoon than a real movie. You could add to the whole dismay with Han Solo's full turn into hero-mode, which made him less thrilling and fun than his anti-hero introduction. However, what makes this movie so great is seeing Luke Skywalker face to face with the power of the dark side and choosing the light. The fight scene between Luke and Darth Vader is perfectly filmed, with John William's beautiful score evoking all the emotions, and I've never seen anything quite like it since then. The whole turmoil and conflict come to a head in a grand battle and it's just as emotional as it is thrilling. Luke sees he is becoming one with the dark side and seizes the day on the good side. THE LAST JEDI The Force Awakens featured a ton of fan service thanks to its usage of cameos and very similar plot lines to the original Star Wars film. While it was good and fun to watch unfold on screen, there was just something missing. Rian Johnson turns the franchise upside down and make something new, original, and took the franchise in a much-needed direction, while still paying homage to the original characters and story. It was no easy feat, but it works. The whole theme of the film is out with the old and in with the new, which is literally a line of dialogue that Kylo Ren speaks in the film. Speaking of Kylo Ren, this is really his movie to shine, as he uniquely shows us what type of villain he is and will become, which is to say he's not all black or white. In fact, when he asks Rey to join him, there seems to be a genuine connection between them -- they were both abandoned by the ones they loved and left alone. Kylo wants to start anew with someone he respects and likes. His ways of thinking might be off kilter, but he's not evil like Palpatine was evil. Alongside Kylo Ren is where Rey first believes in the force and feels confident with it, as well as Luke Skywalker getting yet another lesson from Yoda in a very emotional scene. The Last Jedi not only flawlessly sets up the next installment with a Skywalker as the villain, but it also shows us a world of future Jedi or people with the force all over the galaxy that might team together to defeat Kylo Ren. It's truly amazing. THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK Blasphemy, I know, but that's how I feel. The Empire Strikes Back is an excellent film, through and through. Its story, the message, the twists and turns, and epic set pieces make this one of the best Star Wars movies to date, if not one of the best films of all time. With George Lucas stepping away from the camera, the visuals are improved in each sequence. The battle on Hoth is a delight to see, Yoda training Luke is incredible and funny at the same time, and meeting Lando Calrissian's intro is simply fantastic. What's even more amazing is how the movie leaves us hanging. Han Solo's life is basically non-existent by the end, the Rebel fleet has a massive loss, and Luke finds out that his father is, in fact, Darth Vader, which brings on all the psychological questions on if he will turn out like his dear old dad. With Darth Vader revealing that he was a Jedi and somewhat cares for his son, we learn there is still good in Vader and that it's not a clear good or evil situation. There is a gray area and that makes for a compelling plot line with every character. The Empire Strikes Back is still one of the best motion pictures out there. STAR WARS (A NEW HOPE) Back in 1977, if someone told you there was a movie being made by an unknown director that took place on weird planets with weird names that followed spaceships shooting lasers with aliens and creatures running around, you'd think that this would fall into the B-Movie arena and be laughed out of the theater. Then again, George Lucas, being the genius he was, gave us all those things, but with so much meaning, heart, and amazing characters that STAR WARS entered our lives forever. The story elements have been told many times before, but Lucas's pop-mythology-fusion made them feel all original again by telling a fantastic and thrilling story with a ton of emotion and visual promise. It was so original for its time that we were all introduced to a new style of filmmaking, genre, and visual effects that inspired most filmmakers that we see today. From Luke Skywalker looking out over the suns in the desert to seeing the Millennium Falcon fly or the first time, these are iconic images none of us will ever forget. It's the story of a normal kid with a lot of talent who gets to improve and use his talent to save the galaxy when all things are against him. If that weren't enough, Lucas gave us an amazing heroine -- Princess Leia -- who was not just a princess but one who could fight, shoot a gun, and take out the bad guys at every turn. If we go deeper than that, Lucas tells his story, as he has told most of his stories in the Star Wars franchise, through the eyes of two droids named C3PO and R2-D2. While these two simple and lovable droids are in part responsible for the success of the rebels, they are indeed servants who were just thrown from owner to owner in the galaxy as we see the big battle of the ages unfold. It's a brilliant way to tell the story and I'm so glad we have them in our lives. If there's ever a grand finale ending to all of Star Wars, I would hope it could be with C3PO and R2-D2 downloading their memory banks somewhere, looking upon statues of their friends through the films, similar to how Luke began his journey looking at those suns. The film franchise started with them and should end with them. This original film, now called A New Hope, broke records, boundaries and paved the way for creative thinking, fandom, and friendship for generations, making this still the best film in the franchise.Posted Thu May 24, 2018 at 07:06 AM PDT by: -
Onkyo Reveals New 9.2-Channel RZ Series Receivers[teaser]Three new receiver models have been detailed.[/teaser] Onkyo has announced the latest additions to its RZ Series of AV receivers. The collection includes the THX Certified Select TX-RZ830 9.2-Channel Network AV Receiver ($1,399) and TX-RZ730 9.2-Channel Network AV Receiver ($1,099), and the TX-RZ630 9.2-Channel Network AV Receiver ($899). The TX-RZ830 is rated for 120 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC) or 250 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD, 1 channel driven). Meanwhile, the TX-RZ730 has 100 W/Ch (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC) or 225 W/Ch (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD, 1 channel driven). Lastly, the TX-RZ630 offers 90 W/Channel (8 ohms, 20 Hz–20 kHz, 0.08% THD, 2 channels driven, FTC) or 215 W/Channel (6 ohms, 1 kHz, 10% THD, 1 channel driven). All three 9.2-channel models feature support for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio configurations. In addition, the TX-RZ830 and TX-RZ730 also include 11.2-multichannel pre-outs and processing to support up to 7.2.4 speaker setups when paired with a separate stereo amp. HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMI video pass-through is implemented on all three models for 4K/60p, BT.2020, 4:4:4, 24-bit, HDR10, HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma), and Dolby Vision signals. Likewise, the collection offers AccuEQ Advance room acoustic calibration technology, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, AirPlay, Chromecast built-in, FlareConnect, and DTS Play-Fi connectivity. Finally, the lineup will also be among the first Onkyo receivers to include "Works with Sonos" certification, allowing the receivers to integrate into a user's existing Sonos ecosystem with a Sonos Connect. When the receivers are paired to a Sonos Connect, customers can send any music or source from the Sonos app to the receiver. Likewise, users can group their receiver to other Sonos devices on the network (firmware for this feature will arrive in June). Source: OnkyoPosted Wed May 23, 2018 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Redbox Begins Renting 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Titles at Select Kiosks[teaser]Kiosks in six test markets now offer 4K Blu-ray rentals.[/teaser] Redbox has announced the launch of 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc rentals at select locations. 4K discs are now rolling out to more than 2,500 kiosks in six test markets, including Los Angeles, Seattle, Austin, Detroit, Miami, and New York City. "This is a major move for Redbox as we focus on expanding consumer access to home entertainment options across price points and formats," said Galen Smith, CEO of Redbox. "As the popularity of 4K content increases and pricing of 4K hardware decreases, we're excited to offer the best viewing experience at the best price for 4K Blu-ray discs." 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc rentals cost $2.50 per night (regular Blu-rays run $2.00 per night). The initial lineup of available 4K titles includes Black Panther, The Commuter, The Matrix, and The Martian. More new releases and catalog titles are set to be added weekly, though the exact number of movies and copies will vary by kiosk. Online reservations are not yet available for 4K discs, but Ultra HD Blu-ray rentals can be returned to any Redbox location. "Redbox has a history of supporting consumer adoption of new technologies and elevating the quality of the viewing experience," said Ash Eldifrawi, chief marketing and customer experience officer at Redbox. "Our nightly rental model makes the ultimate viewing experience a great deal that's more accessible to consumers." Beyond the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray test, Redbox also recently added Nintendo Switch video game rentals to kiosks in San Antonio, Portland, Seattle, Nashville, Denver, and Salt Lake City. Meanwhile, the company continues to be engaged in a heated legal battle with Disney over the sale of Disney digital copy codes through Redbox kiosks. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for June 4. Source: Redbox via PR Newswire, RedboxPosted Wed May 23, 2018 at 01:15 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'Truth or Dare,' 'Sherlock Gnomes,' and More[teaser]Movies starring Lucy Hale, James McAvoy, Mary J. Blige, Emily Blunt, and more are all heading to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from Severin Films, Classicflix, Universal, Paramount, and Lionsgate. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, Severin Films is set to release Bruno Mattei's Shocking Dark starring Christopher Ahrens, Haven Tyler, and Geretta Geretta on May 29. The disc will feature a transfer scanned in 2K from the Director's Cut negative discovered in a Rome lab vault. Supplements will include: - Terminator in Venice? An Interview with Co?Director / Co-Screenwriters Claudio Fragasso and Co-Screenwriter Rossella Drudi- Once Upon A Time in Italy - An Interview With Actress Geretta Geretta- Alternate Italian Titles In addition, the label is bringing Lucio Fulci and Claudio Fragasso's Zombie 3 starring Deran Sarafian, Beatrice Ring, and Ottaviano Dell'Acqua to Blu-ray on May 29 as well. The disc will feature a brand new 2K remaster of the film and supplements will include: - Limited Edition: First 3000 with Remastered Soundtrack CD of Music by Stefano Mainetti- The Last Zombies - Interview with Co-Director / Co-Writer Claudio Fragasso and Co-Writer Rossella Drudi- Tough Guys - Interview with Actors/Stuntmen Massimo Vanni and Ottaviano Dell'Acqua- The Problem Solver - Interview with Replacement Director Bruno Mattei- Swimming with Zombies - Interview with Actress Marina Loi- In the Zombie Factory - Interview with FX Artist Franco Di Girolamo- Audio Commentary with Stars Deran Sarafian and Beatrice Ring Likewise, Claudio Fragasso's Zombie 4: After Death starring Jeff Stryker, Candice Daly, and Massimo Vanni will also hit Blu-ray on May 29. The disc will feature a brand new 2K remaster of the film and supplements will include: - Limited Edition: First 3000 with First Ever Official Release Soundtrack CD of Music by Al Festa- Run Zombie Run! - Interview with Director Claudio Fragasso and Screenwriter Rossella Drudi- Jeff Stryker in Manila - Interview with Actor Chuck Peyton- Blonde vs Zombies - Interview with Actress Candice Daly- Behind-The-Scenes Footage- Trailer Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Classicflix will release Harold French's The Man Who Watched Trains Go By starring Claude Rains, Märta Torén, and Marius Goring on May 29. Supplements have not been detailed, but the disc will feature a new restoration of the film. Order the Blu-ray Universal is set to bring Geneviève Robert's Casual Sex starring Lea Thompson, Victoria Jackson, and Stephen Shellen to Blu-ray on June 12. No other details have been announced so far. Likewise, the studio is prepping Ivan Reitman's Junior starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito, and Emma Thompson for Blu-ray on June 12 as well. Supplements have not been detailed. In addition, Bill L. Norton's More American Graffiti starring Ron Howard, Cindy Williams, Charles Martin Smith and Paul Le Mat will also hit Blu-ray on June 12. No other info has been revealed at this time. As previously reported, Scott Speer's Midnight Sun starring Bella Thorne, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Rob Riggle is also in the works for Blu-ray, and now the release date has been announced as June 19. Newly detailed supplements will include: - Midnight Sun: An Inside Look - Featurette Meanwhile, Richard Levine's Submission starring Stanley Tucci, Addison Timlin, and Kyra Sedgwick will then follow on July 3. No supplements are currently listed for the disc. Brad Anderson's Beirut starring Jon Hamm, Rosamund Pike, Shea Whigham, and Dean Norris is also being prepped for July 3. Supplements will include: - The Story Behind Beirut - Featurette- Sandy Crowder - Behind the scenes with Rosamund Pike Likewise, Andrew Dosunmu's Where Is Kyra? starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Kiefer Sutherland, and Suzanne Shepherd will arrive on Blu-ray on July 3 as well. No supplements are currently listed for the disc. And rounding out Universal's upcoming lineup will be Jeff Wadlow's Truth or Dare starring Lucy Hale, Tyler Posey, and Violett Beane. The disc will feature an unrated director's cut, and supplements will include: - Game On: The Making of Truth or Dare- Directing the Deaths- Feature Commentary with Co-Writer/Director Jeff Wadlow and Actress Lucy Hale Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray As previously reported, Paramount is preparing John Stevenson's Sherlock Gnomes starring James McAvoy, Kelly Asbury, Mary J. Blige, Emily Blunt, and Johnny Depp for Blu-ray, and now the release date has been announced as June 12. Newly revealed supplements will include: - Gnome is Where the Heart Is – Go behind-the-scenes with the all-star cast- All Roads Lead to Gnome: London Locations in Sherlock Gnomes- Miss Gnomer: Mary J. Blige and the Music of Sherlock Gnomes- Stronger Than I Ever Was – Enjoy the brand new music video performed by Mary J. Blige- How To Draw – Learn how to draw your favorite characters- Animating Sherlock Gnomes – Discover the magic behind the movie's animation In addition, the studio is also set to release Bill Holderman's Book Club starring Alicia Silverstone, Mary Steenburgen, Jane Fonda, Don Johnson, Diane Keaton, and Candice Bergen on Blu-ray. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but pre-orders are now live. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Lionsgate is prepping Steven C. Miller's Escape Plan 2: Hades starring Jaime King, Dave Bautista, and Sylvester Stallone for Blu-ray on June 29. Supplements will include: - Making Escape Plan 2: Hades" Featurette- "Creating the Look of Escape Plan 2: Hades" Featurette- "Building the Robot of Escape Plan 2: Hades" Featurette- Extended Cast / Crew Interviews In addition, the studio will release the documentary program Shark Week: 30th Anniversary Edition on July 3. No other details have been announced at this time. Meanwhile, Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg's Overboard is also on deck for Blu-ray later this year. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but pre-orders are now live. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Wed May 23, 2018 at 11:40 AM PDT by: -
Marantz Details New NR1609 & NR1509 Slim Network AV Receivers[teaser]The new receivers feature space-saving designs.[/teaser] Marantz has detailed the latest additions to its home audio lineup. The new 5.2-channel NR1509 ($549) and the 7.2-channel NR1609 ($749) both offer slim profiles for easier placement. "Marantz has a legacy of providing absolute top-notch audio solutions for consumers who value sound quality, visual clarity, ease-of-use and beauty above all else," said Emmanuel Millot, global brand director at Marantz. "The latest slimline network receivers continue to embody this tradition of excellence. Putting audio and video quality first, both receivers are packed with power and the latest video technologies. We’ve also added HEOS for multiroom wireless chops and Amazon Alexa support to easily control content with your voice." The NR1509 features 5.2-channel support while the NR1609 offers 7.2-channel support along with the addition of Dolby Atmos and DTS:X playback. Both models include 4K/60 Hz video pass-through with 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR10, BT.2020, Dolby Vision, and HLG capabilities. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are included as well, and the receivers offer integrated HEOS wireless multi-room audio technology. Here's a full rundown of features per Marantz: NR1609 & 1509 Features - NR1509 boasts a 5-channel discrete power amplifier, 50W per channel (8-ohm, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.08% THD) - 6 HDMI inputs—including one input on the front panel—and one HDMI output with full HDCP 2.2, ARC and CEC support - 4K/60 Hz full-rate pass-through, 4:4:4 color resolution, HDR10 and BT.2020, plus Dolby Vision compatibility and Hybrid Log-Gamma (HLG) - NR1509 supports Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio surround formats - Ability to decode high-resolution audio ALAC, FLAC and WAV lossless files up to 24-bit/192-kHz—plus, DSD 2.8MHz and 5.6MHz tracks via networking and front USB - Built-in HEOS wireless multi-room audio technology - Works with Amazon Alexa via the HEOS Home Entertainment skill - Stream Spotify, Pandora, TuneIn, Deezer and many others via Bluetooth, AirPlay or the HEOS app - Integrated Phono input to connect turntables - Built-in Wi-Fi with 2.4GHz/5GHz dual band support (dual antenna) - Commercial Integrator support; including IP control, Control 4 SDDP, Web UI, Works with Domotz Pro and Ihiji Invision for remote room monitoring and management, Remote In/Out, Flasher Input NR1609-Only Features - NR1609 boasts a 7-channel discrete power amplifier, 50W per channel (8-ohm, 20Hz – 20kHz, 0.08% THD) - 8 HDMI inputs—including one input on the front panel—and one HDMI output with full HDCP 2.2 ARC and CEC support - Supports object-based audio formats Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, as well as DTS Virtual:X height virtualization technology only with floor speakers - Analog to HDMI up-conversion, 1080p to 4K upscaling capability, Picture Adjustment - Commercial Integrator support; including IP control, Control 4 SDDP, Web UI, Works with Domotz Pro and Ihiji Invision for remote room monitoring and management, Remote In/Out, Flasher Input, Zone 2 preouts, ISF image calibration Source: MarantzPosted Tue May 22, 2018 at 06:15 PM PDT by:
