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HDD Gear Deals: Up to 44% Off Klipsch Reference Speakers & Sound Bars[teaser]Klipsch is offering discounts on select Reference Series gear![/teaser] Klipsch is running a special sale on its Reference Speaker lineup. It's not clear how long the deals will be in active, but some models are available now for up to 44% off their MSRP. Klipsch R-10B Bluetooth Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer - Currently $280 (44% off) Klipsch R-15M Bookshelf Speaker (Pair) - Currently $181 (28% off). Klipsch Klipsch R-28F Floorstanding Speaker (Each) - Currently $339 (24% off). Klipsch R-12SW 12-Inch Front-Firing Subwoofer - Currently $349 (22% off). Klipsch R-25C Center Channel Speaker (Each) - Currently $198 (21% off). Klipsch Klipsch R-24F Floorstanding Speaker (Each) - Currently $199 (20% off). Klipsch Reference RSB-11 Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer - Currently $499 (17% off). 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!Posted Mon May 14, 2018 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
HDD Gear Deals: 2017 TCL 55-inch P Series 4K Roku TV on Sale for Just $499 Today Only at Best Buy![teaser]The highly rated and affordable 4K HDR TV is now even cheaper.[/teaser] As part of a special one-day sale, Best Buy is offering a $100 discount on the 2017 TCL 55-inch P Series Roku TV, bringing the price down to just $499. As one of our top budget picks for 2017, the 55P605 still offers some of the best bang-for-your-buck value of any 4K TV on the market. The display offers support for Dolby Vision and HDR10 high dynamic range formats, along with wide color gamut capabilities with NBP Photon technology. In addition, the panel features Full Array Local Dimming, allowing contrast to be individually optimized across 72 zones to achieve deeper blacks and brighter whites. Likewise, the set uses the Roku OS smart TV platform with access to more than 4,000 streaming channels and 450,000+ movies and TV episodes. It should be noted, however, that the Best Buy version of the TV does not include a voice remote. Order 55P605 from Best Buy This deal will only be active today, Saturday May 12, until 11:59 pm CT while supplies last. Make sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for more sales and special promotions! Beyond the 2017 model, TCL also recently released its 2018 P6 Series Roku 4K TVs in 55-inch ($650) and 65-inch ($1,000) sizes. Sources: Best Buy via AVS ForumPosted Sat May 12, 2018 at 07:40 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Luke Cage,' 'Sense8,' and More[teaser]Check out the latest trailers for upcoming streaming shows and movies. [/teaser] Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have released new previews for several of their upcoming programs and films. Here's a full rundown of titles scheduled to arrive on each service: Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife (Netflix, May 13) - Two years after giving birth to her daughter, a very pregnant Ali Wong returns to Netflix in her second original stand-up comedy special, Ali Wong: Hard Knock Wife. The always unapologetic and nasty first time mom gets real on why having kids is not all it's cracked up to be, including the challenges of breastfeeding, balancing family and career post pregnancy, and why all women deserve three years of paid maternity leave. Filmed at Toronto’s Winter Garden Theatre. 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 (Netflix, May 18) - Season 2 picks up in the aftermath of Hannah's death and the start of our characters' complicated journeys toward healing and recovery. Liberty High prepares to go on trial, but someone will stop at nothing to keep the truth surrounding Hannah's death concealed. A series of ominous polaroids lead Clay and his classmates to uncover a sickening secret and a conspiracy to cover it up. Tig Notaro: Happy To Be Here - (Netflix, May 22) - Comedian Tig Notaro brings her signature deadpan silliness in Tig Notaro Happy To Be Here. Filmed at the historic Heights Theater in Houston, Tig tackles the comedic sides of marriage, parenting and being invited to an Ellen DeGeneres party, then closes the set with a tease that will leave you on the edge of your seat. Sense8: Series Finale (Netflix, June 8) - Capheus (Toby Onwumere), Kala (Tina Desai), Lito (Miguel Angel Silvestre), Nomi (Jamie Clayton), Riley (Tuppence Middleton) , Sun (Donna Bae), Will (Brian J. Smith) and Wolfgang (Max Riemelt) come together both physically and mentally, plunged into the middle of each other’s tragedies and triumphs. On the run from Whispers (Terrence Mann), and forced to question their very identity, it's a matter of survival as the Sensates must find a way to live with, understand and protect one another against all odds. Alex Strangelove (Netflix, June 8) - High school senior Alex Truelove (Daniel Doheny) has it all - the grades, the girlfriend (Madeline Weinstein), and the motley crew of hilarious friends. Everything is smooth sailing until Alex shares that he's decided to part ways with his virginity - and meets Elliott (Antonio Marziale), a sweet and confident gay boy who isn't shy about his instant crush on Alex...who may or may not feel the same. Rocketed into a endearing and amusing journey of sexual and self-exploration, Alex ultimately learns that like so much of growing up, love can be confusing. And that's okay. Marvel's Luke Cage - Season 2 (Netflix, June 22) - After clearing his name, Luke Cage has become a celebrity on the streets of Harlem with a reputation as bulletproof as his skin. But being so visible has only increased his need to protect the community and find the limits of who he can and can’t save. With the rise of a formidable new foe, Luke is forced to confront the fine line that separates a hero from a villain. Somebody Feed Phil - Season 2 (Netflix, July 6) - The new original documentary series from the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, Phil Rosenthal, takes viewers on a goodwill eating tour of the world (Tel Aviv, Lisbon, Saigon, Mexico City, New Orleans and Bangkok.) Along for the ride are Phil's friends, family and his trademark sense of humor. Sacred Games (Netflix, July 6) - A policeman, a criminal overlord, a Bollywood film star, politicians, cultists, spies, and terrorists—the lives of the privileged, the famous, the wretched, and the bloodthirsty interweave with cataclysmic consequences amid the chaos of modern-day Mumbai. The series is based on the critically-acclaimed best-selling novel Sacred Games by author Vikram Chandra. The Joel McHale Show (Netflix, July 15) - The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale is a new, weekly half-hour topical series that takes a sharp, absurdist look at pop culture and news from across the globe. It’s a fast and funny distillation of everything people are talking about that week. Featuring celebrity guests, comedy sketches, and insane video clips from the worldwide realms of TV, sports, politics, celebrity culture, and every corner of the internet, The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale is destination viewing for comedy lovers, or people who just really, really like green screens. You Are Wanted: Season 2 (Amazon Prime Video, May 18) - In Season 2, a new nightmare begins for Lukas Franke. He loses his memory and control of Burning Man, a classified data collection program that everyone from intelligence agencies to international criminals, hackers and activists want to get their hands on. As a result, Lukas is forced on the run, his only chance at survival is retrieving Burning Man, the world’s most powerful cyber weapon. Jim Henson’s Doozers (Hulu, May 25) - They’re green, they’re cute and they’re awesome – they’re the DOOZERS! DOOZERS stars four best friends who live in Doozer Creek, a wonderful blending a the fantastical, modern and eco-friendly community. Dubbed “the Pod Squad,” Spike, Molly Bolt, Flex and Daisy Wheel bounce from one fabulous kid adventure to the next. - 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 May 11, 2018 at 09:30 PM PDT by: -
This Week in Gear: New VR Headsets, Focal's Latest Speakers, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the release of new VR headsets, additions to Focal's speaker lineup, 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 release of the Oculus Go VR headset, the launch of Lenovo's Mirage Solo VR headset, Focal's newest Utopia III Evo speakers, and Key Digital's latest HDMI HDBasedT Extender Kit. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Oculus Go Standalone VR Headset Now Available Oculus has announced the launch of its first standalone virtual reality headset, the Oculus Go. Unlike most other VR headset models, the Oculus Go does not require an additional smartphone, PC, or game console to work. Instead, the device has its own integrated display and CPU. The Oculus Go features a fast-switch LCD screen with a WQHD resolution of 2560X1440. In addition, the headset offers a super lightweight form factor that uses adjustable straps and a new soft, breathable fabric for the facial interface. Optimized 3D graphics and spatial audio support are integrated as well, along with built-in speakers. Likewise, the device includes a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening. A motion controller similar to the Gear VR model is also be included. And though the headset is designed to be worn comfortably with or without glasses, customers can also purchase VirtuClear prescription lens inserts. Apps designed for the Gear VR are compatible with the Oculus Go as well, along with the best of the company's mobile VR content library -- offering access to over 1,000 VR games, social apps, and 360° experiences. The Oculus Go is now available in 32GB ($199) and 64 GB ($249) models. Source: Oculus Lenovo Releases Mirage Solo Standalone Daydream VR Headset Lenovo has announced the release of the Mirage Solo. Like the Oculus Go, the Mirage Solo is also a standalone VR headset that does not require an additional smartphone, PC, or game console to work. But unlike the Oculus, the Mirage Solo uses Google's Daydream VR platform. The headset features a 5.5-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) LCD display with a 110° FOV. Under the hood, the device is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 VR processor with 4GB of RAM and a 4,000 mAh battery running Daydream 2.0. In addition, the device uses new WorldSense technology with 6 degrees of freedom to enable PC-quality positional tracking without any external sensors thanks to two inside-out tracking cameras and built-in proximity sensors to detect the position of nearby objects and measure depth. Lenovo's Mirage Solo Standalone Daydream VR Headset is now available for $400. Source: Lenovo Focal Details New Utopia III Evo Loudspeakers Focal has revealed the latest additions to its Utopia III Evo Line of speakers. The new Grande Utopia EM Evo and Stella Utopia EM Evo were officially unveiled earlier this week at the 2018 High-End Trade Fair in Munich. The Grande Utopia EM Evo and Stella Utopia EM Evo both feature several exclusive Focal audio technologies, including TMD (Tuned Mass Damping) suspension and the NIC (Neutral Inductance Circuit). Likewise, the structure of the loudspeaker has also been strengthened compared to previous models thanks to the new MRR (Machined Reinforcement Rings) system around the drivers. In addition, the speakers use a redesigned crossover and other modified components to provide a more accurate sound. Stella Utopia EM Evo Specs Type: 3-way, floorstanding bass-reflex loudspeaker Drivers: Electro-Magnetic 13" (33cm) 'W' woofer, 2 Power Flower 6 1/2" (16.5cm) 'W' midrange drivers with TMD suspension and NIC magnet, IAL2 pure Beryllium inverted dome 1" (27mm) tweeter Frequency response: (+/- 3dB) 22Hz - 40kHz Response at - 6dB: 18Hz Sensitivity: (2.83V / 1m) 94dB Nominal impedance: 8 Ω Minimal impedance: 2.8 Ω Filtering frequencies: 230Hz / 2,200Hz Recommended amp power: 100 - 1,000W Grande Utopia EM Evo Specs Type: 4-way, floorstanding bass-reflex loudspeaker Drivers: Electro-Magnetic 16" (40cm) 'W' woofer, Multiferrite 11" (27cm) 'W' midbass, 2 Power Flower 6 1/2" (16.5cm) 'W' midrange drivers with TMD suspension and NIC magnet, IAL2 pure Beryllium inverted dome 1" (27mm) tweeter Frequency response: (+/- 3dB) 18Hz - 40kHz Response at - 6dB: 14Hz Sensitivity: (2.83V / 1m) 94dB Nominal impedance: 8 Ω Minimal impedance: 3 Ω Filtering frequencies: 80Hz / 220Hz / 2,300Hz Recommended amp power: 150 - 1,500W Both models will be available this September in Metallic Blue, Ash Grey, British Racing Green, Black Lacquer, and Carrara White finishes. Grande Utopia EM Evo is set to retail for $120,000, and the Stella Utopia EM Evo is set to retail for $65,000. Other previously released models in the lineup include the Maestro Utopia Evo ($32,500) and Scala Utopia Evo ($20,000). Source: Focal Key Digital Announces D-X444L HDMI HDBasedT Extender Kit Key Digital has detailed its newest product, the D-X444L HDMI HDBasedT Extender Kit. The KD-X444L is designed for professional system installations that require long range 18 Gbps video signal extension. The kit is the company's first with full bandwidth support for the HDMI 2.0a video spec, and is capable of extending UHD/4K (4096x2160 or 3840x2160 24/25/30/60hz at 4:4:4) 18 Gbps digital video with Dolby/DTS HD audio and IR/RS-232 control signals up to 70 meters. Likewise, 1080p video can be extended up to 100 meters (328 ft) with CAT6 cabling. In addition, the KD-X444L offers HDBaseT via Single CAT5e/6 UTP/STP extension, and the set offers HDCP 2.2 compliancy with support for HDR10 High Dynamic Range. For more information, check out Key Digital's KD-X444L product page. Source: Key DigitalPosted Fri May 11, 2018 at 05:00 PM PDT by: -
Polk Audio Reveals Polk Assist Smart Speaker with Google Assistant[teaser]The new voice-controlled speaker will be available next month.[/teaser] Polk Audio has detailed its latest product, the Polk Assist Smart Speaker. The voice-controlled device is set to launch in June for an MSRP of $199. “Polk Audio is committed to providing premium audio solutions enabled by the Google Assistant and Chromecast. With the addition of the Polk Assist smart speaker, consumers can easily add Google Assistant’s hands-free convenience and Chromecast’s hi-res multi-room audio streaming to their home,” said Michael Greco, global brand director, Polk Audio. “Polk Assist complements and works with our existing Chromecast-enabled sound bars, including the MagniFi Mini and MagniFi Max.” The Polk Assist Smart Speaker is built on the Android Things platform with Google Assistant, enabling hands-free music streaming, control of other compatible smart home devices, and more through Google's intelligent learning algorithms. In addition, the unit also offers Chromecast built-in support, allowing customers to group multiple Chromecast-enabled speakers and sound bars together for multiroom playback from apps like Pandora, TuneIn, Google Play Music, iHeartRadio, NPR and Spotify. To get started, users simply need to plug in the Polk Assist and then download the free Google Home app for iOS or Android mobile devices. Here's a full rundown of key features per Polk Audio: ● Heritage Sound—For the love of music™ Polk designed the tweeter, woofer and amplifier to deliver amazing room-filling sound from users’ favorite music app.● Hands-Free Control—Powered by the Google Assistant and Chromecast, users can easily stream music, find answers on Google Search, plan their day, set timers, make calls, and control smart home devices.● Chromecast Built-In—Users can cast from compatible audio apps, including Pandora, TuneIn, Google Play Music, YouTube Music, iHeartRadio, NPR and Spotify.● Multi-Room Playback—Group multiple Chromecast enabled speakers and sound bars for a whole-home wireless music experience.● Easy Setup with Google Home app—Simply plug-in power and download the free Google Home app for iOS or Android devices.● Always Getting Smarter—The Assist will automatically update itself with the latest Google Assistant features. The Polk Assist will be available in midnight black and cool gray colors this June. Source: Polk AudioPosted Thu May 10, 2018 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
'The Predator' Stalks its Prey in Explosive First Teaser Trailer[teaser]The hunt will begin again in September.[/teaser] 20th Century Fox has released the first teaser trailer for The Predator. The film is the fourth entry in the Predator franchise and is set to hit theaters on September 14, 2018. From the outer reaches of space to the small-town streets of suburbia, the hunt comes home in Shane Black's explosive reinvention of the Predator series. Now, the universe's most lethal hunters are stronger, smarter and deadlier than ever before, having genetically upgraded themselves with DNA from other species. When a young boy accidentally triggers their return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a disgruntled science teacher can prevent the end of the human race. Check out the teaser trailer below! The movie stars Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes, Jacob Tremblay, Keegan-Michael Key, Olivia Munn, Sterling K. Brown, Alfie Allen, Thomas Jane, Augusto Aguilera, Jake Busey, and Yvonne Strahovski. Shane Black (Iron Man 3, The Nice Guys, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) serves as director and co-writer with Fred Dekker. Black is also best known as the writer behind Lethal Weapon. The original Predator was released back in 1987 and starred Arnold Schwarzenegger as a US Army Major who finds himself being hunted by an extraterrestrial warrior in a South American jungle. Sequels titled Predator 2 and Predators followed in 1990 and 2010 respectively. Likewise, two cross-over films with the Alien franchise were also produced, Alien vs. Predator in 2004 and Alien vs. Predator: Requiem in 2007. Other upcoming films from 20th Century Fox include David Leitch's Deadpool 2 starring Ryan Reynolds Josh Brolin, and Zazie Beetz. Deadpool 2 is set to premiere on May 18, 2018. Source: 20th Century Fox (YouTube)Posted Thu May 10, 2018 at 08:10 AM PDT by: -
10 Movies Based On Books You (Probably) Didn't Read[Teaser]Books have long served as the inspiration for movies. Some of the very first feature films were adaptations of great works of literature making them instant hits with audiences. Hollywood has routinely gone to the printed page to fill movie theaters ever since. Some adaptations are major cinematic events designed to sell movie tickets as well as tie-in copies of the novel. Other films fly under the radar with the relationship to their printed origins to the point that most fans are completely unaware they were based off a book or short story in the first place! Here are a few of our favorite flicks with literary counterparts you should consider reading - as well as watching.[/Teaser] John Carpenter's The Thing (1982) While most fans of Carpenter's tense potboiler of science fiction terror know it was a remake of Howard Hawks' The Thing From Another World, few know that both films were actually based off a short story called "Who Goes There" by science fiction author J.W. Campbell. While the Hawks film was a little looser in the adaptation, Carpenter and co-writer the late Bill Lancaster maintained a more faithful adaptation about a team of scientists who made a chilling discovery of extra-terrestrial life deep in Antarctica. Both are exceptional and creepy sci-fi films and worthy adaptations of this terrific short story. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Short Story HERE Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1978) Similar to The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers has enjoyed multiple turns at movie theaters over the decades. And like The Thing, Invasion of the Body Snatchers is based on a literary work and wasn't made up to cash in on the alien invasion craze of 1950s B-movies. Jack Finney's original novel has been adapted multiple times over the years, with each film taking various liberties. The most glaring difference between the novel and the various films - in particular, the exceptional 1978 version - is the tone of the ending. I won't give specifics, but Finney opted for a decidedly different outcome to his sci-fi yarn. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE A History of Violence (2005) Director David Cronenberg is well known for making solid adaptations of great literary works, but for A History of Violence, he took on the exceptional graphic novel written by John Wagner with gritty artwork by Vince Locke. Cronenberg admittedly never read the graphic novel as he felt screenwriter Josh Olson's script was good enough (it was nominated for an Oscar). As great as the movie is, it differs wildly from the source - in particular, the latter half where Viggo Mortensen's Tom Stall confronts the demons from his past. Even with the differences, it's an excellent movie and a great read. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Pick Up The Graphic Novel HERE Apocalypse Now (1979) Some of the best adaptations take great liberties from their source material and instead focus on the theme and inner workings of the source. Francis Ford Coppola and John Milius transported Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" from the African Congo to the Vietnam conflict. Obviously, there are notable differences between the book and the film from time period, setting, and characters, but after reading the book, it's hard to deny that Apocalypse Now is an effective and brutal thematic adaptation of the story. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE Jackie Brown (1997) Jackie Brown is undeniably a Quintin Tarantino film - however, most folks often overlook the fact that it is the only film to date that Tarantino didn't write an original screenplay for. Based on Elmore Leonard's exceptional novel "Rum Punch", Tarantino nailed the tone, dialogue, and the colorful criminal characters. This film is not only one of the best adaptations of an Elmore Leonard story but also one of Tarantino's best films. The storytelling stylings of Tarantino and Leonard were a match made in heaven. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1992) Most people know that Die Hard was an adaptation of Roderick Thorp's thrilling novel "Nothing Lasts Forever" which could have seen Frank Sinatra reprise his character from The Detective before Bruce Willis was cast and the story altered a tad. However, most fans don't know that Die Hard 2: Die Harder was also inspired by a novel - albeit from a completely different author. Walter Wager's "58 Minutes" was the perfect source material for a Die Hard sequel as it featured a hardened cynical New York cop waiting at the airport for his daughter to come home for Christmas from California when terrorists seize control. Swap some names, change the daughter to a wife and you can already see a dirty and bloody Bruce Willis running around an airport knocking off terrorists one by one. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE Return of the Living Dead (1985) After his successful novelization of Night of the Living Dead original co-screenwriter, John Russo sought to create his own Living Dead universe with "Return of the Living Dead". Picking up shortly after the events of Night of the Living Dead, Return was originally intended to be a straight-forward horror sequel - that is until Dan O'Bannon came along and transformed it into a Horror-Comedy hybrid that has little to do with NOLD. While it may not be a faithful adaptation of the admittedly rough around the edges novel, Return of the Living Dead has become a celebrated cinematic classic. The original paperback is out of print and can be difficult to find, but you can check out Russo's original screenplay that he intended for the movie to be and see the differences for yourself. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Original Screenplay HERE John Carpenter's Vampires (1998) John Carpenter went back to the literary well for his Action-Horror-Western Vampires. In this case, he took the basics of John Steakley's novel "Vampire$" of a Vatican sanctioned vampire hit-squad lead by the rough and tough Jack Crow. That's about all from the book that made it to the movie. While some plot points remain the same, Carpenter took the action of the novel and placed it in the American Southwest and made some drastic alterations to the film leaving little room for most of the events and characters of the source material. It's a fun flick and a good read, but they're very different animals. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE The Howling (1981) Director Joe Dante and screenwriter John Sayles' The Howling is a classic werewolf movie about a reporter and her husband who travel to a secluded resort community so she can recover after being assaulted while covering a story. The original novel by author Gary Brandner is only vaguely similar. The plot setup, characters, main events differ - about the only thing from the movie that is in the novel is a secret community of werewolves no one knows about. In fact, as far as adaptations go, The Howling IV: The Original Nightmare is actually a far closer adaptation of the original Brandner novel than the first film. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE First Blood (1982) When one first thinks of the character John Rambo, most people immediately think of series star and steward Sylvester Stallone. Rarely do people think of the film's original 1972 source novel by David Morrell that inspired it. That's largely because they are very different beasts. While many characters and events are the same, the book had a more nuanced focus where the film was more content to be a rampaging action movie with Rambo as a misunderstood anti-hero. The novel even saw Rambo dead, but Stallone was already thinking sequels and the book had a notably different ending that didn't leave room for any sequels - so some obvious changes were made. Worth noting, Morrell's involvement with the franchise didn't end with the first book, he actually stayed on to write the novelizations for Rambo: First Blood Part II and Rambo III. Buy The Blu-ray HERE Read The Book HERE As long as novelists keep writing new material, Hollywood is sure to come knocking on their door with a suitcase of cash and a hope that sequels are in the works. Movie adaptations of obscure and popular literary works are a cornerstone of the film industry. The only thing we can do is sit back and hope the creative team in charge of the adaptation does right by our favorite novels. What about you - are there any obscure novels that were made into movies you think deserves to be on this list? Sound off in the comments!Posted Wed May 9, 2018 at 09:33 AM PDT by: -
VIZIO Releases New 36" 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers[teaser]The company's latest sound bar model is now available.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the launch of its new 36" 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers. The SB362An-F6 is now available through VIZIO.com for an MSRP of $140, and will expand to more retailers like Walmart.com, Costco, and Meijer soon. "The all-new 36" 2.1 Sound Bar with Built-in Dual Subwoofers is one of VIZIO's most versatile audio solutions yet," said Bill Baxter, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "The flexible design ensures consumers don't have to choose between style and performance. The space-saving form factor is packed with room-filling, deep-bass technologies engineered to amplify the home entertainment experience." The 36" 2.1 sound bar system is designed for use with TVs 40" and larger, and can be positioned in front of a display or mounted on a wall. Under the hood, the single unit system features two internal subwoofers paired with four deep bass modules to produce full bass without the need for a separate subwoofer. In addition, the device is rated for 97dB of sound and includes support for Dolby Audio and DTS Virtual:X sound tech to simulate overhead and surround sound. Bluetooth wireless connectivity is integrated as well, along with analog audio and optical audio inputs. Finally, the package comes complete with a remote control and all necessary cables. Beyond the SB362An-F6, VIZIO is also prepping two new Dolby Atmos sound bar models, including a 36-inch 5.1.2 sound bar system and a 46-inch 5.1.4 sound bar system. Both systems feature upward firing drivers to simulate overhead audio, separate rear satellites, and dedicated subwoofers. Pricing and availability have not been announced yet, but be sure to click here for our hands-on impressions of all three sound bar models. Source: VIZIOPosted Wed May 9, 2018 at 09:10 AM PDT by: -
Hisense Details Pricing & Availability for R7 Series Roku 4K TV Lineup[teaser]The company's new Roku TV collection has been detailed.[/teaser] Hisense has announced the launch of its latest Ultra HD TV series. The new R7 Roku TV lineup ranges in size from 43-inches to 65-inches with prices starting at just $349. "Consumers are looking for two things when they’re in the market for a new TV: a design they can be proud to have in their home and a great user experience," says Mark Viken, VP of Marketing, Hisense USA. "Hisense is committed to providing TV shoppers with both of these brand promises and they are at the heart of our 2018 lineup. We’re excited to continue to partner with Roku to deliver their exceptional smart TV platform to our customers." The R7 features 4K UHD resolution with HDR10 high dynamic range support. In addition, the set offers DTS TruSurround and Motion Rate processing technology for superior sound and sharper action. Dual-Band Wi-Fi is integrated as well for wireless connectivity, and the display uses the Roku OS smart TV platform with access to more than 5,000 streaming channels. Likewise, customers can use the Roku mobile app on iOS or Android devices for control functions, voice search, private listening with headphones, and more. Here's a full rundown of key features and pricing for the R7 Series: - 4K Ultra HD Resolution- HDR-10- UHD Upscaling- Motion Rate 120- 500,000+ movies and TV episodes to stream- 30 watts of sound on the 65”- 20 watts of sound on the 50” and 55”- 14 watts of sound on the 43”- 43” MSRP: $349.00- 50” MSRP: $429.00- 55” MSRP: $499.00- 65” MSRP: $799.00 The R7 will be available through various retailers, including Costco, Sam’s Club, and Best Buy in June. Source: HisensePosted Tue May 8, 2018 at 11:35 AM PDT by: -
LG Launches Native Google Assistant Support on 2018 ThinQ OLED & SUPER UHD TVS[teaser]New AI features are now available through compatible LG displays.[/teaser] LG has announced the launch of Google Assistant integration through its 2018 lineup of ThinQ OLED & SUPER UHD TVS. The tech offers support for advanced AI features directly through the TV's remote without the need for any additional hardware or devices. "With the Google Assistant now available natively in 2018 LG AI TVs, LG has truly elevated the TV to a whole new level of AI adoption in the home," said Tim Alessi, head of home entertainment product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "Beyond the unrivaled picture quality that LG TVs deliver, LG's partnership with Google creates a true visual hub for information and connectivity in the home. LG has only begun to scratch the surface of what we will innovate in the AI ecosystem working collaboratively with cutting-edge, industry leading partners such as Google." The Google Assistant for LG ThinQ TVs uses advanced machine learning and natural language processing technologies to allow users to manage daily tasks, access information, and control other compatible smart home devices through the TV's voice functions. In addition, LG's own ThinQ tech allows users to control their displays, change settings, search for content, and activate playback through spoken commands. Users simply need to press and hold the mic button down on their remote, enabling quick access to TV options, content, and information via natural questions and commands like "Switch to Discovery channel," "Search for the soundtrack of this movie," "Turn off the TV when this program is over," or "What’s the weather this weekend?" And beyond integrated Google Assistant support, 2018 LG ThinQ TVs are also compatible with existing Google Assistant products (like the Google Home), enabling voice control of the TV through separate Assistant devices. Source: LGPosted Tue May 8, 2018 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
