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LG 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs Set to Include CalMAN Auto Calibration[teaser]LG's upcoming 4K TVs will offer auto calibration capabilities.[/teaser] Portrait Displays has announced a new partnership with LG to incorporate an auto calibration options for LG's 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TV lineup. The feature is being demoed this week at CES in Las Vegas using a pre-release version of Portrait's flagship software CalMAN by SpectraCal. "The LG TVs with CalMAN AutoCal blur the distinction between the professional reference monitor and the consumer television," said Martin Fishman, Co-CEO of Portrait Displays. With auto calibration, users can connect CalMAN software on their computer to a supported LG TV model using Wi-Fi or Ethernet. From there, the feature allows CalMAN's AutoCal to determine the picture setting adjustments in minutes, greatly simplifying what is usually a much more complicated and time consuming process under the typical manual method. In addition, the AutoCal feature also allows the software to access the display's internal look-up tables (1D and 3D LUTs) enabling the process to go beyond the adjustment ranges of manual on screen controls, resulting in color accuracy precision that could rival professional reference monitors. "The addition of the world's leading auto calibration software from Portrait Displays to our 2018 LG OLED and SUPER UHD TV models will greatly streamline the process for professional calibrators and ensure that consumers will be able to enjoy the full potential of their LG OLED or SUPER UHD television," said Neil Robinson, LG's Director of Technology Partnerships. CalMAN AutoCal by SpectraCal for 2018 LG TVs will offer support for standard dynamic range (SDR), HDR10, HLG, and Dolby Vision calibrations. The AutoCal solution is expected to launch in tandem with LG's 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TV lineup later this year. Source: LGPosted Mon Jan 8, 2018 at 09:30 AM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'Lady Bird,' 'The Clapper,' and More[teaser]Movies starring Ed Helms, Saoirse Ronan, Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and more are all coming to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from Olive Films, Lionsgate, Sony, Hannover House, Discotek Media, Milestone, PBS, Kino, and Twilight Time. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, Olive Films has announced its upcoming slate of Blu-rays due for release on January 30. The lineup will include... Brian Dorton's Preexisting Conditions starring Brian Dorton, Douglas Conner, and Gerica Horn. The disc will feature: - "A Handsome Dick" short film- Deleted and Alternate Scenes- Katrina's ALS Ice Bucket Challenge- Outtakes and Blooper Reel- Photo Gallery- Trailer Julio Medem's Tierra starring Carmelo Gómez, Emma Suárez, and Karra Elejalde. Julio Medem's Vacas starring Emma Suárez and Ana Torrent. Julio Medem's The Red Squirrel starring Emma Suárez, Nancho Novo, María Barranco, Karra Elejalde, Carmelo Gómez, and Cristina Marcos. Bigas Luna's Jamon Jamon starring Penelope Cruz, Javier Bardem, and Stefania Sandrelli. Fernando Trueba's Belle Epoque starring Penelope Cruz and Jorge Sanz. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Lionsgate is prepping Hèctor Hernández Vicens' Day of the Dead: Bloodline starring Sophie Skelton, Johnathon Schaech, Jeff Gum, Marcus Vanco, Mark Rhino Smith, and Lillian Blankenship for Blu-ray on February 6. No other details have been announced at this time. In addition, the studio will bring Greta Gerwig's Lady Bird starring Saoirse Ronan, Odeya Rush, Jordan Rodrigues, Laurie Metcalf, Timothée Chalamet, and Kristen Cloke to Blu-ray later this year. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but the disc is now available for pre-order. Order the Blu-ray Hannover House is set to release Alison Eastwood's Battlecreek starring Bill Skarsgård, Paula Malcomson, Claire van der Boom, and Delroy Lindo on February 6. No other details have been revealed at this time. Order the Blu-ray Milestone is preparing Lois Weber's Shoes starring Mary MacLaren, Harry Griffith, and Mattie Witting for Blu-ray on February 6. Supplements have not been announced yet. In addition, the label is also set to bring Lois Weber and Phillips Smalley's The Dumb Girl of Portici to Blu-ray on February 6 as well. No other details have been announced at this time. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Discotek Media has announced plans to release Mamoru Oshii's Urusei Yatsura 2: Beautiful Dreamer starring Fumi Hirano, Toshio Furukawa, and Akira Kamiya on February 27. Supplements have not been announced yet. Likewise, the label will also bring the anime series Library War to Blu-ray on February 27 as well. No special features are currently listed for the disc. In addition, NieA_7 - The Complete Series will also hit Blu-ray that same day. No other details have been revealed at this time. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Sony is prepping Dito Montiel's The Clapper starring Amanda Seyfried, Ed Helms, Brenda Vaccaro, James Ransone, Russell Peters, Adam Levine, and Ed Helms for Blu-ray on March 6. No other details have been announced at this time. Order the Blu-ray Full Moon Features is bringing Charles Band's Hideous! starring Michael Citriniti, Mel Johnson, Jr., Jacqueline Lovell, Jerry O'Donnell, and Andrew Johnston to Blu-ray on March 13. Supplements will include: - Original Hideous! Full Moon Videozone - Audio Commentary with actors Mel Johnson Jr and Michael Citriniti - Full Moon Features trailers Order the Blu-ray PBS has announced plans to release Peter Bratt's documentary Dolores featuring Dolores Huerta, Gloria Steinem, Angela Davis, Hillary Clinton Order the Blu-ray Redemption is prepping Christian Marnham's The Orchard End Murder starring Raymond Adamson, Cyril Cross, and Jessie Evans for Blu-ray on March 13. Supplements have not been announced yet, but the film will feature a new master. Kino is bringing A. Edward Sutherland's It's the Old Army Game starring W.C. Fields, Louise Brooks, Blanche Ring, William Gaxton, and Mary Foy to Blu-ray on March 13. The disc will feature a new 2k master Supplements will include: - Audio commentary by film historian James L. Neibaur, author of The W.C. Fields Films- New score by Ben Model Likewise, the label will also release Gregory La Cava's Running Wild starring W.C. Fields, Marie Shotwell, Mary Brian, Claude Buchanan, and Frederick Burton on March 13 as well. The disc will feature a new 2k master Supplements will include: - Audio commentary by film historian James L. Neibaur, author of The W.C. Fields Films- New score by Donald Sosin In addition, Kino is prepping Ray Milland's A Man Alone starring Ray Milland, Mary Murphy, Lee Van Cleef, Raymond Burr, Arthur Space, Ward Bond, and Martin Garralaga for Blu-ray later this year. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but the disc is set to feature a new 4K remaster. Twilight Time has announced several upcoming titles set for a March 20 release. The lineup includes: Samuel Fuller's Underworld U.S.A. starring Cliff Robertson, Dolores Dorn, and Beatrice Kay. Richard Fleischer's The New Centurions starring George C. Scott, Stacy Keach, and Jane Alexander. Philip D'Antoni's The Seven-Ups starring Roy Scheider, Tony Lo Bianco, and Victor Arnold. Roy Ward Baker's Don't Bother to Knock starring Richard Widmark, Marilyn Monroe, and Anne Bancroft. Supplements have not been announced yet, but each disc will be limited to 3000 copies. You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Mon Jan 8, 2018 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung Reveals 8K QLED TV & Modular MicroLED Display[teaser]Two new premium TVs have been announced.[/teaser] In advance of CES 2018 which is set to officially kick off this week, Samsung has revealed two of its biggest display innovations for 2018: the 8K Q9S and the MicroLED "Wall" TV. "At Samsung, we are dedicated to providing consumers with a wide range of cutting-edge screen experiences," said Jonghee Han, President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "As the world's first consumer modular MicroLED television, 'The Wall' represents another breakthrough. It can transform into any size, and delivers incredible brightness, color gamut, color volume and black levels. We're excited about this next step along our roadmap to the future of screen technology, and the remarkable viewing experience it offers to consumers." "The Wall" is a MicroLED TV based on tech used in the company's commercial Cinema Screens. The display uses self-emitting picture technology with micrometer (µm) scale LEDs that do not require a backlight or color filters, offering superior contrast, deep black levels, and close-to-perfect viewing angles. Likewise, the screen also features a modular, bezel-free design with support for up to a 146-inch display size, allowing users to make the TV larger or smaller by adding or removing modules in any configuration with no impact on performance. Though full specs have not been detailed just yet, the MicroLED TV has already been named a "Best of Innovation Award" winner at CES. In addition to "The Wall," Samsung has also announced its upcoming 85-inch QLED Q9S TV. The display will feature 8K resolution, offering four times the number of pixels found on a standard 4K Ultra HD display. Likewise, the set will incorporate AI upscaling technology. This feature uses a proprietary machine learning algorithm to intelligently upscale the resolution of the content being displayed, allowing the TV to produce advanced upscaled 8K images from any source. And beyond the new 8K set, the remaining 2018 QLED lineup will also offer notable improvements over last year's collection. Though specific models have not been detailed yet, here's a roundup of some key features that are set to be included on 2018 QLED displays: - 100% color volume - Improved efficiency - Full array local dimming (FALD) - Enhanced contrast with an anti-blooming algorithm - 16bit color mapping - HDR10+ support - Bixby voice assistant capabilities - Universal browsing of all online content - SmartThing Dashboard app with control for all Samsung devices and appliances Exact pricing and availability for Samsung's Q9S 8K QLED TV and MicroLED TV are still pending, but more details on both displays are expected to be revealed at CES 2018 in Las Vegas this week, along with more information on the company's full 2018 AV lineup. Source: SamsungPosted Sun Jan 7, 2018 at 06:00 PM PST by: -
Warner Bros. Announces HDR10+ Support[teaser]Another studio has pledged support for the new HDR format.[/teaser] Though exact titles and platform specifics have not been detailed yet, Warner Bros. has announced plans to start offering HDR10+ content. In addition, updates to the format's associated certification and logo program have also been detailed, allowing more manufacturers and content creators to begin implementing the tech into their titles and products. "Warner Bros. has always strived to provide the best next gen home entertainment experience to consumers," said Jim Wuthrich, President of the Americas and Global Strategy, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. "With HDR10+ dynamic metadata, WB can continue to more accurately bring the filmmakers' vision of our 2018 releases and our vast catalog of over seventy-five 4K HDR titles to the home across a broad range of HDR10+ capable TV’s." Currently, the standard HDR10 format uses static metadata that does not change during playback, offering a fixed picture enhancement across an entire piece of content. This can lead to inconsistent HDR quality in certain scenes, especially if a movie has an overall bright color palette mixed in with a few dimly lit sequences. But with HDR10+, the format is now introducing dynamic metadata which will allow a compatible display to adjust brightness levels, color saturation, and contrast, on a scene-by-scene or even frame-by-frame basis, producing images that are closer to the director's intent. Likewise, this upgrade makes the new HDR10+ standard more in line with the competing Dolby Vision HDR process, which already incorporates dynamic metadata along with higher specs for max color and brightness performance compared to HDR10. "It was important for us to create an open system that is flexible and offers a viewing experience much closer to the filmmaker’s creative intent for the film," said Danny Kaye, Executive Vice President of 20th Century Fox, and Managing Director of the Fox Innovation Lab. "Together with Samsung and Panasonic, we aim to standardize the licensing process making it easy for partners, including content creators, television and device manufacturers, to incorporate this technology and improve the viewing experience for all audiences." As part of the new license program, manufacturers and content creators will gain access to the technical and testing specifications needed to properly implement HDR10+ technology into various Ultra HD TVs, Blu-ray disc players/recorders, set-top boxes, and SoCs. In addition, the associated certification program will then ensure that products that earn the HDR10+ logo meet the format's standards for picture quality. Beyond the newly announced support from Warner Bros., HDR10+ is also supported by 20th Century Fox, Samsung, and Panasonic. Likewise, Amazon Prime Video is already streaming a growing collection of HDR10+ titles through 2017 Samsung QLED and UHD TVs. "Samsung is committed to technological innovation across our TVs and HDR10+ represents an evolution in display quality for the best possible viewing experience," said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "We have also designed the HDR10+ platform to encourage future development in order to deliver further enhanced technology in the years to come." HDR10+ content and devices will be demoed at CES 2018 on January 9-12 in Las Vegas. Source: SamsungPosted Sun Jan 7, 2018 at 03:45 PM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'Darkest Hour,' 'All the Money in the World,' and More[teaser]Films starring Gary Oldman, Lily James, Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, and more are all heading to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from Warner Bros., Universal, Sony, Magnolia Pictures, MVD Rewind Collection, and Scorpion Releasing. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, Warner Archive will release Delmer Daves' The Hanging Tree starring Gary Cooper, Maria Schell, Karl Malden, George C. Scott, and Karl Swenson on January 23. No other details have been announced at this time. In addition, Warner Bros. is bringing Hunter x Hunter: Phantom Rouge to Blu-ray on February 20. Supplements will include: - English Cast Interviews - Art Gallery - Japanese Movie Premiere - Japanese Cast Interviews - Trailers Meanwhile, Junpei Mizusaki's Batman Ninja starring Kôichi Yamadera, Wataru Takagi, and Rie Kugimiya is also in the works for Blu-ray. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but the disc is now available for pre-order. Likewise, the animated flick Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay is coming to Blu-ray as well. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but the disc is now available for pre-order. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Universal is prepping Jason Hall's Thank You for Your Service starring Miles Teller, Haley Bennett, Joe Cole, Amy Schumer, and Beulah Koale for Blu-ray on January 23. Supplements will include: - Staging a War- The Battle at Home In addition, the studio will bring Marc Forster's All I See Is You starring Blake Lively, Jason Clarke, Ahna O'Reilly, Miquel Fernández, and Xavi Sánchez to Blu-ray on February 6. No supplements are currently listed for the release. Likewise, Universal is set to release Jon Lucas and Scott Moore's A Bad Moms Christmas starring Mila Kunis, Kristen Bell, Kathryn Hahn, Christine Baranski, and Susan Sarandon on February 6 as well. Supplements will include: - Gag Reel- Additional Scenes- Crew Music Video- Trailers And rounding out the studio's upcoming slate will be Joe Wright's Darkest Hour starring Gary Oldman, Ben Mendelsohn, Kristin Scott Thomas, and Lily James. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but the disc is now available for pre-order. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Sony is set to release Joseph Kosinski's Only the Brave starring Josh Brolin, Miles Teller, and Jeff Bridges on February 6. Supplements will include: - Deleted Scenes- "Honoring the Heroes: The True Stories"- Feature Audio Commentary with Director Joseph Kosinski and Josh Brolin- "Behind the Brotherhood: The Characters"- "Boot Camp: Becoming a Hotshot"- Dierks Bentley featuring S. Carey's "Hold The Light" Music Video & Featurette In addition, the studio is prepping Agnes Varda's documentary Faces Places for March 6. No other details have been announced at this time. Likewise, Sony is also bringing Ridley Scott's All the Money in the World starring Mark Wahlberg, Michelle Williams, Christopher Plummer, Timothy Hutton, Olivia Grant, and Romain Duris to Blu-ray later this year as well. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet, but the disc is now available for pre-order. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Magnolia Pictures is preparing Takashi Miike's Blade of the Immortal starring Takuya Kimura, Hana Sugisaki, Sota Fukushi, Hayato Ichihara, and Erika Toda for Blu-ray on February 13. Supplements will include: - Manji vs. 300 - Featurette- Takuya Kimura Interview- Cast Interviews- Poster Gallery- Original Trailers Order the Blu-ray MVD Rewind Collection has announced plans to release Richard Schenkman's Went to Coney Island on a Mission from God… Be Back by Five starring Jon Cryer, Rick Stear, Rafael Báez, Ione Skye, Frank Whaley, and Peter Gerety on April 24. Supplements will include: - Audio commentary by the director- Behind the scenes documentary feature- Photo gallery- Original theatrical trailer- Actor biographies- And More... Likewise, the label will also bring Pierre De Moro's Savannah Smiles: Collector's Edition starring Mark Miller, Donovan Scott, Bridgette Andersen, Chris Robinson, and Michael Parks to Blu-ray on April 24 as well. No other details have been announced at this time. And rounding out MVD's upcoming slate will be Jim Wynorski's The Return of Swamp Thing starring Louis Jourdan, Heather Locklear, Sarah Douglas, Ace Mask, Monique Gabrielle, and RonReaco Lee later this year. Supplements and an exact release date have not been announced yet. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Scorpion Releasing is prepping Mark Rosman's The House on Sorority Row (Remastered Limited Edition) starring Harley Jane Kozak, Kate McNeil, Eileen Davidson, Mark Rosman, and Michael Kuhn for Blu-ray later this year. An exact release date has not been announced yet, but the disc will be limited to 1500 copies and the movie will feature a brand new 2K scan of the original negative with over 45 hours of color correction done exclusively for this release, and a brand new 5.1 surround sound mix from the original 3-track Mag. Supplements will include: - Isolated music score track- Watch the film in Katarina's Nightmare theater mode- Audio commentary with director Mark Rosen and stars Eillen Davidson and KateMcNeil- Audio commentary with director Mark Rosen- Storyboard on the original ending- Interviews- Original trailers- Collectable slip-sleeve In addition, the label is also bringing Alberto Negrin's Enigma Rosso starring Fabio Testi, Christine Kaufmann, Ivan Desny, Jack Taylor, and Bruno Alessandro to Blu-ray. An exact release date has not been announced, but the disc will feature a brand new remaster of the film with exclusive extensive color correction, and supplements will include: - NEW audio commentary by film historian Nathaniel Thompson You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 06:00 PM PST by: -
This Week in Gear: AT&T Preps 5G Network, Magnavox Readies Roku TVs, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including the AT&T's plans for mobile 5G, new Roku TVs, 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 AT&T's plans for mobile 5G support in 2018, new Roku TVs from Magnavox, a new Raspberry Rose edition of the LG V30 smartphone, the arrival of ESPN and Freeform streaming on 2017 Samsung smart TVs, and the release of BuddyPhones WAVE headphones. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: AT&T Preps Mobile 5G Launch AT&T has announced plans to launch mobile 5G service in a dozen markets by late 2018. The move is poised to make AT&T one of the first US companies to introduce widespread 5G support. "5G will change the way we live, work and enjoy entertainment," said Melissa Arnoldi, president, AT&T Technology and Operations. "We're moving quickly to begin deploying mobile 5G this year and start unlocking the future of connectivity for consumers and businesses. With faster speeds and ultra-low latency, 5G will ultimately deliver and enhance experiences like virtual reality, future driverless cars, immersive 4K video and more." AT&T will u se the industry standard for 5G as a basis for its 5G services. On that note, 3GPP (the international wireless standards body) recently completed key elements of 5G new radio standards, and these specs will allow hardware, chipset, and device manufacturers to start developing 5G products. And beyond an increase in connection speed, 5G is also set to offer much lower latency, reducing the delay that occurs between the moment a user starts requesting data from a network and the moment the network actually starts sending that data. In addition to upcoming mobile 5G offerings to consumers, AT&T also plans to trial 5G tech with businesses. Likewise, the company is working on other network technologies as well, including LTE upgrades, Fixed Wireless Internet, AT&T Fiber, and G.fast. Source: AT&T Magnavox Joins Roku TV Program Roku has announced the addition of Magnaox to its Roku TV program. Other manufacturers and brands already part of the program include TCL, Hisense, Philips, Insignia, Element, Sharp, RCA, and Hitachi. As part of the new agreement, Funai Electric will start producing Roku smart TVs under the Magnavox brand. Though exact models have not been announced yet, Magnavox Roku TVs will all run the Roku OS, offering access to more than 500,000 movies and TV episodes and more than 5,000 streaming channels, along with automatic software updates to make sure that the sets remain up to date with all of Roku's latest features. An firm release date for Magnavox's first slate of Roku TVs has not been announced yet, but the initial lineup is set to debut in the US sometime in Spring 2018. In addition to new smart TVs, Roku also recently announced a new wireless whole home entertainment feature dubbed Roku Connect and a new voice assistant feature dubbed Roku Entertainment Assistant. Source: Roku LG Reveals Raspberry Rose Edition V30 Smartphone LG has revealed the latest version of its flagship V30 smartphone. The upcoming Raspberry Rose edition debut at CES 2018 next week, and will feature an eye-catching red design scheme geared toward fashion-conscious buyers. The LG V30 smartphone features a 6-inch 18:9 QuadHD+ OLED FullVision Display with a resolution of 2880 x 1440 and 538ppi. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 with 4GB LPDDR4x RAM. A rear dual 16MP/13MP camera and a front 5MP camera are integrated as well, along with a non-removable 3,300 mAh battery. In addition, the phone includes support for HDR10 playback from apps like Netflix. HDR is an advanced display and image mastering technology that offers expanded brightness to improve contrast between dark and light aspects of an image, bringing out deeper black levels and more realistic details in specular highlights -- like the sun reflecting off of an ocean -- in specially graded HDR material. An exact release date for the new Raspberry Red LG V30 has not been announced yet, but the device is expected to roll out in Korea following CES before expanding to additional key markets in Europe and Asia. The new model joins the previously available Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue and Lavender Violet color options. Source: LG Samsung Adds ESPN and Freeform Streaming Apps to Smart TV Lineup ESPN and Disney have announced the arrival of their Freeform and ESPN streaming apps on the Samsung smart TV platform. As part of the launch, all 2017 Samsung smart TV will support the apps. The ESPN streaming app allows users with an authenticated pay-TV subscription to stream live sports events, clips, highlights, and on-demand sports programming, including the upcoming Alabama-Georgia College Football Playoff National Championship presented by AT&T, and ESPN's MegaCast production, the Titans-Chiefs NFL Wild Card game, and the NBA. Meanwhile, the Freeform app allows users with an authenticated pay-TV subscription to access 24/7 live viewing of the network, along with on-demand content, including series like grown-ish, Alone Together, and The Fosters. Beyond 2017 Samsung Smart TVs, the ESPN and Freeform apps are also available via computers, smartphones, tablets, and an assortment of streaming devices. Source: ESPN BuddyPhones Details WAVE Wireless Headphones for Kids BuddyPhones has detailed its latest headphone model. The WAVE is a wireless and waterproof headphone with a volume-limiting feature designed for kids. The headphones are currently available on Amazon for $80 and are set to be on hand at CES 2018 next week in Las Vegas. The headphones include four listening modes geared toward different age groups and surroundings, including a Toddler Mode (75Db), Kids Mode (85Db), Travel Mode (94Db), and Study Mode (94Db). The latter mode uses proprietary technology pioneered by ONANOFF to offer clearer vocals and speech to help kids focus on educational videos or streaming lectures. In addition, the device features Bluetooth wireless connectivity and over 24 hours of battery life. An optional travel kit including a protective hard case with a water-resistant zipper and an airplane plug is also available. Source: BuddyPhonesPosted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 05:30 PM PST by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Narcos,' 'Animaniacs,' and More[teaser]Yakko, Wakko, Dot, and more are all coming to your favorite streaming device.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new trailers or info for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman, Somebody Feed Phil, Disjointed - Part 2, The Open House, Step Sisters, Narcos: Season 4, and The Widow. In addition, Hulu and Warner Bros. have announced plans to develop a new version of the 90s cartoon, Animaniacs. Steven Spielberg will return to executive produce the new series which has already been given a two season straight-to-series order set to premiere in 2020. In addition, Hulu will also now be the exclusive streaming home to all 99 episodes of the original Animaniacs, along with Pinky and the Brain, Pinky, Elmyra and the Brain, and Tiny Toon Adventures. Here's a synopsis for the new series per Hulu: The Warner brothers, Yakko and Wakko, and the Warner sister, Dot — three inseparable, irascible siblings — have a great time wreaking havoc and mayhem in the lives of everyone they meet. They have been locked away in the Warner Bros. water tower for a very long time, but they have found a way to escape. And escape they do — every day! Causing chaos and comic confusion, Yakko, Wakko and Dot run loose in the city, turning the world into their personal playground. And fan-favorite characters Pinky and the Brain will also return to make appearances in each episode. "We cannot wait to work with Steven Spielberg and the entire Amblin and Warner Bros. teams to bring more sketches, catchphrases, songs and laughs from the Animaniacs to kids and adults everywhere," said Craig Erwich, SVP of Content, Hulu. "Now one of the most beloved, inventive and funny animated franchises in history, Animaniacs and its cast of witty characters can live on, on Hulu. This marks yet another big move for us as we continue our efforts to be the #1 streaming destination for premium animated content." My Next Guest Needs No Introduction With David Letterman (Netflix, January 12) - The six-episode series has Letterman combining two interests for which he is renowned: in-depth conversations with extraordinary people, and in-the-field segments expressing his curiosity and humor. In each hour-long episode, Letterman will conduct a long-form conversation with a singular guest - and will also explore topics on his own, away from the studio. Dave's lineup of influential guests includes George Clooney, Malala Yousafzai, Jay-Z, Tina Fey, Howard Stern and President Barack Obama. Somebody Feed Phil (Netflix, January 12) - 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. Disjointed: Part 2 (Netflix, January 12) - A workplace comedy starring Kathy Bates as a lifelong advocate for legalization who’s finally living her dream as the owner of an L.A.–area cannabis dispensary. Joining her are three budtenders, her twenty-something son and a deeply troubled security guard. All of them are more or less constantly high. The Open House (Netflix, January 19) - A teenager (Dylan Minnette) and his mother (Piercey Dalton) find themselves besieged by threatening forces when they move into a new house. Step Sisters (Netflix, January 19) - Jamilah Bishop (Megalyn Echikunwoke) seems to excel at everything: She's president of her sorority, captain of the step dance crew, liaison to the college dean and a star student who is on her way to Harvard Law School. But when Jamilah is asked to teach a misbehaving, mostly white sorority how to step, success seems impossible. Without telling her own sorority sisters, Jamilah begins training rivals Sigma Beta Beta (SBB) for the "Steptacular" competitive dance competition. Narcos: Season 4 (Netflix, Coming Soon) This raw, gritty series chronicles the gripping real-life stories of the drug kingpins of the late 1980s and the corroborative efforts of law enforcement to meet them head on in brutal, bloody conflict. It details the many, often-conflicting forces - legal, political, police, military and civilian - that clash in the effort to control cocaine, one of the world's most valuable commodities. Finally, Amazon and ITV have greenlit a new eight-episode original series called The Widow. The show comes from writers Harry and Jack Williams (The Missing, Fleabag), and is set to star Kate Beckinsale. An exact release date has not been announced yet, but The Widow will premiere on ITV in the UK and on Prime Video in the US and more than 200 countries and territories. Here's a synopsis per Amazon: The Widow follows Georgia Wells (Beckinsale) who has cut herself off from her previous life and is no longer the woman she once was. After seeing her “late” husband on the news, she is pulled back to face the world and will stop at nothing until she gets the truth about her past. This emotionally gut-wrenching thriller will take Georgia into the depths of the African Congo where danger and revelation will greet her at every turn. "We are thrilled to continue our existing relationship with Kate Beckinsale on the heels of her incredible performances in Amazon Studios' critically acclaimed films," said Brad Beale, Vice President, Worldwide TV Content Acquisition, Amazon Prime Video. "Harry and Jack Williamshave created a powerful story, which will be brought to life by one of the world's most talented actresses, and we are excited to bring this thrilling series to Prime members around the world." - 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 $99 per year or $11 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 ($6 limited time promotional price now available). In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon, HuluPosted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 04:30 PM PST by: -
Roku Announces Roku Connect Whole Home Entertainment Solution[teaser]The company has announced a new wireless multi-room audio platform.[/teaser] Roku has detailed its latest tech innovation. Dubbed Roku Connect, the new whole home entertainment system will allow users to connect supported audio devices together and to their TVs. "We've always focused on making it incredibly simple for consumers to find and enjoy streaming entertainment on their TVs, and with an expanded Roku ecosystem, consumers will be able to add great sound to their TVs and audio around the whole home in a modern way," said Roku CEO Anthony Wood. "Consumers will love the benefits of a home entertainment network, such as having more affordable options, adding one device at a time, using their voice, having a simplified set up and Wi-Fi connectivity, and holding just one remote control. And, of course, OEM brands benefit by offering their products in a more appealing way to our already large and engaged audience of millions of active accounts." Roku Connect can be implemented by OEM brands into various sound bars, smart speakers, surround sound systems, and multi-room audio setups to create a home entertainment network. Different Roku Connect audio devices can then connect wirelessly to each other with support for voice command controls from a single remote. OEM brands will also be able to license smart sound bar and smart speaker reference designs and the Roku OS. In addition, a new voice assistant feature, dubbed Roku Entertainment Assistant, is also in the works for Roku devices. The Roku Entertainment Assistant will allow customers to access content on voice-supported Roku products through verbal commands like "Hey Roku, play jazz in the living room." Roku Connect and Roku Entertainment Assistant support are both set to be available via free software updates to the Roku OS this Fall on most Roku TV models and Roku players. And though specific audio devices with Roku Connect have not been revealed yet, Roku has announced that TCL will be one of its main OEM partners and the company plans to unveil its first Roku Connect product at CES 2018 on January 8. Source: RokuPosted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 02:30 PM PST by: -
Meltdown & Spectre CPU Bugs Threaten Mac and PC Security[teaser]Two big CPU security flaws have been discovered.[/teaser] Researchers have recently come across two potentially devastating hardware flaws built into many modern CPUs used in PCs and Apple devices. Dubbed Meltdown and Spectre, the two widespread CPU bugs could lead to exploits that would put a user's data at risk. According to a recent support document released by Apple, both bugs rely on "speculative execution," which is a CPU performance feature found on many modern processors. The feature works by allowing a CPU to predict and start executing code before it knows for sure whether or not that path is correct. If the prediction ends up being wrong, the execution is then rolled back in a way that is supposed to be invisible to software. Unfortunately, the Meltdown and Spectre bugs could take advantage of this process to enable a malicious app to access privileged memory. In other words, worst case scenario, the flaws could lead to the theft of personal data from other programs on your system like passwords, emails, photos, and other documents. Per researchers at Meltdownattack.com, Spectre is said to be a threat to "all modern processors capable of keeping many instructions in flight," including Intel, AMD, and ARM CPUs. Meanwhile, Meltdown is currently thought to only affect Intel CPUs, but its reach covers virtually every Intel CPU made since 1995. Thankfully, while there are no known exploits for these bugs at this time, there are now patches available to help guard against Meltdown. Likewise, software updates for programs that could be susceptible to Spectre are also in the works. For its part, Apple says that its recent December updates for iOS 11.2, macOS 10.13.2, and tvOS 11.2 should mitigate against Meltdown exploits without any discernable performance hit. Meanwhile, the company is expected to release an update for Safari on macOS and iOS in the coming days to help prevent potential Spectre exploits that would use JavaScript. Users who want more information about what hardware is affected by these flaws and what steps can be taken to help secure their systems, can head over to Meltdownattack.com for more detailed information. Sources: Apple, Meltdownattack, SlashgearPosted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 01:25 PM PST by: -
Top 10 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays of 2017'Tis the season for taking part in that long, time-honored tradition of sharing an unsolicited "Best of List." And while these lists were relatively easy to create back in the HD Blu-ray days, 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is an entirely new beast. For starters, 4K resolution is important and all, but when we start adding source material and sitting distance into that equation, the resolution conversation is pretty moot and trivial. Ultimately, the real benefit of the Ultra HD format is the improved high dynamic range (HDR), which is the difference between how bright and dark an image can display, and the expanded array of colors (WCG – wider color gamut) available in that same image. In other words, while not always "sharper", 4K Ultra HD Blu-rays offer the promise of improved contrast and more vivid colors. As such, [Teaser]here are our picks for the best 2017 4K Blu-rays that make the most of the HDR/WCG format and should be among your go-to demo discs.[/Teaser] Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Expanding on the mythology of the wizarding universe, Fantastic Beasts introduces a new brand of hero in the reluctantly timid and neurotically insecure Newt Scamander. And on Ultra HD, J.K. Rowling's whimsically fantastical world truly comes alive, oozing with rich, velvety midnight blacks and a magical array of sumptuous colors. Inside Newt's suitcase, we are treated to a starry-eyed picturesque vision straight from a dream, but the film's last third when Porpentina and our hero stand on a rooftop is the best demo-worthy moment. The brightly-lit sign standing behind them is the perfect example for demonstrating what HDR is actually all about, as the incandescent bulbs radiate with crisp, tight specular highlights without sacrificing the minute details within the most intensely brilliant areas. Planet Earth II Ten years after their award-winning nature documentary series, BBC returned with another awe-inspiring six-episode sequel, Planet Earth II. Produced intentionally for 4K Ultra HD using the latest camera technology, the doc delivers the most jaw-droppingly razor-sharp details ever seen on home video, taking audiences to some of the harshest environs on Earth. Pick any random scene in its 360-minute runtime and gasp at the distinct minuscule veins of leaves, the microscopic edges of insects' exoskeletons, the ultra-fine filaments in individual feathers, the rugged, jagged bumps in every reptile's scaly body and the rough textured fur coat of each animal with remarkable lifelike realism. From beginning to end, the 2160p video is an endlessly dazzling, hypnotizing feast for the eyes, washing the screen in a smorgasbord of vibrant colors. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk Honestly, Ang Lee's war drama is arguably the weakest film on the list, thanks to a clichéd, derivative plot about a young soldier returning home to a hero's welcome. However, as Shannon Nutt pointed out, it will not likely be remembered outside its experimental filming style. Shot exclusively on the Sony CineAlta F65 digital camera system, Lee and cinematographer John Toll decided on taking advantage of the camera's full potential and filmed the whole thing in 4K resolution at 120 frames-per-second (fps). On Ultra HD disc, producers, once again, took full advantage of the format by releasing it at 60fps in 12-bit color depth and 4:2:2 chroma sampling. If one can overlook the strange digital video effect, the result is one of the most fascinating hyper-realistic 4K presentation available and the best disc for testing a display's true capabilities. Hacksaw Ridge After his career hit an embarrassing snag in the early part of the century, controversial filmmaker Mel Gibson makes a surprising comeback with this impressively stirring war drama. Based on the life of Army medic Desmond T. Doss, the plot follows a young pacifist struggling to remain true to his religious convictions while at the height of WWII. The poignantly powerful film is brought to life on Ultra HD thanks to a stunningly beautiful 4K presentation that reveals the tiniest piece of debris, fragment, and rubble with remarkable detail. But what earns this disc a spot on the list is the superbly brilliant contrast and dazzling specular highlights, which maintain exceptional clarity and visibility within the brightest, hottest areas of explosions. Needless to say, the chaotic scenes of battle are pure demo material. Sing Gathering inspiration from the current trend of reality TV talent shows, Illumination Entertainment takes to the stage with this anthropomorphic tale of discovering talent in the most unusually normal of places, the unconventionally ordinary and the most uncommonly mundane. Filling the screen with familiar stock characters living clichéd, formulaic lives, the animated musical offers little surprises but nonetheless makes for easy entertainment. The contest's glitz and glamor steal the 4K spotlight with a squeaky-clean, highly-detailed encode, exposing the minute and meticulous features of every scene. The screen is awash in a wide array of colors, from richly saturated primaries to sumptuous pastels that light up the lives of the characters. With crisp, radiant whites and silky, inky-rich blacks, the video makes this title worth the purchase. Despicable Me 2 (Dolby Vision) Although it doesn't quite capture the same level of heart-warming enthusiasm as its predecessor, directors Pierre Coffin and Chris Renaud still manage to deliver plenty of unexpected goody laughs and silly charm in this sequel. While introducing a new character into the mix, Gru's new adventure is about balancing parenthood and a career as a spy working for the good guys, but a major source of merriment comes from those yellow, pill-shaped Minions. Gru and the girls battle villains, boys and mutant minions in gorgeous, eye-catching Dolby Vision, showcasing a lavish display of pastels and resplendent primaries. Pick any random scene and the screen lights up with significantly brighter contrast, outstanding highlights that provide a realistic sparkle and luxurious blacks, making this a superb, reference-quality 4K presentation. Power Rangers (Dolby Vision) Arguably, the most surprising film on the list. A reboot of the martial arts superheroes based on the widely popular 90s television series, the plot brings together five unruly, misunderstood outcasts to discover their disruptive, defiant feelings of angst are actually a deep-rooted energy source for fighting a scene-chewing Elizabeth Banks. On Ultra HD Blu-ray, the mighty morphing power rangers battle to save Earth equipped with a striking, reference-quality Dolby Vision encode, and like the title above, this gorgeously vibrant 4K presentation radiates with a lush array of colors, especially when the kids don their costumes. Contrast is crisper and tighter with better detailing within the brightest areas while silky blacks provide a three-dimensional, cinematic appeal, delivering several looking-out-the-window sequences that make this a must-own. Christopher Nolan Collection Christopher Nolan rapidly grew to prominence after a pair of impressive psychological thrillers, making one box-office hit after another. Now, fans can own a collection of his greatest hits on Ultra HD in this convenient 21-disc box set. Granted, Inception and Batman Begins are the weakest in the bunch, but they are still a nice improvement over their Blu-ray counterparts. The other five discs, on the other hand, offer beautiful 4K presentations with The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises being the stand out discs to own, delivering exceptional black levels and specular highlights that make certain sequences as if watching the action erupt on actual film. Dunkirk and Interstellar are close behind with razor-sharp images, and The Prestige benefits nicely from the HDR and wider color gamut, making any or the whole set highly recommended. Blade Runner: The Final Cut What else could possibly be said about Ridley Scott's flawed but massively influential sci-fi work of art? With themes exploring what it means to be human and our innate fear of death, Scott plunges his audience into a dystopic vision of Los Angeles cluttered with haunting, somber visuals that are as lovely to gaze upon as they are melancholic. With all the other titles being recent releases that translate well to the 4k Ultra HD Blu-ray, it's nice to see a 35-year-old film benefit from high-dynamic range and a wider color gamut. Amazingly, Blade Runner is a stunner to behold, serving as the perfect demo disc of what can be accomplished when the still relatively new format is utilized with care. With improved colors, brightly crisp highlights and more dynamic contrast, no 4K library is complete without this cult neo-noir sci-fi classic. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial This timeless tale of friendship almost immediately grew to become the hallmark film of the 1980s, a pop-culture phenomenon that defined the decade. Celebrating its 35th Anniversary this past year, Steven Spielberg's masterpiece remains the heartwarming tearjerker families watch together, ranking as one of the greatest films ever made. Now available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, the classic sci-fi family drama has gained a new lease on life, sure to expand its shelf life for another thirty-five years. And like the other sci-fi classic above, the beauty of seeing E.T. in 4K is not only the marked improvement in definition and resolution but also enjoying the brighter true-to-life whites, the exceptional specular highlights, and the richer black levels. Proving once again what can be done when HDR is applied with care to older films, this UHD BLu-ray is another must-own. Honorable Mentions Allied Atomic Blonde The Dark Tower Despicable Me 3 (Dolby Vision) The Fate of the Furious Ghost in the Shell Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 La La Land Trolls Spider-Man: HomecomingPosted Fri Jan 5, 2018 at 12:04 PM PST by:
