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Cambridge Audio Details CXUHD 4K Ultra HD Universal Blu-ray Player with Dolby Vision[teaser]A new Ultra HD Blu-ray player has been revealed.[/teaser] Cambridge Audio has announced the upcoming launch of its CXUHD 4K UHD Universal Blu-ray Player. A release date has not been announced yet, but the company's website currently has the player listed for an MSRP of $700. The CXUHD offers support for 4K UHD Blu-ray disc playback at 3840 x 2160, along with standard Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D playback via a high-precision, balanced laser optical disc loader. In addition, the player supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and includes a conversion option for older SDR (Standard Dynamic Range) displays. Likewise, the CXUHD includes bitstream pass-through for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats. Two USB 3.0 ports, two HDMI outputs, and one HDMI input are integrated as well. Finally, the unit features a customized quad-core video decoder and has been designed without DACs for noise reduction and improved audio and picture quality. Here's a full rundown of specs per Cambridge Audio: DISC TYPES: UHD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, AVCHD, SACD, CD, Kodak Picture CD, CD-R/RW, DVD±R/RW, DVD±R DL, BD-R/RE BD PROFILE: BD-ROM Version 3.1 Profile 6 (also compatible with BD-ROM Version 2.5 Profile 5) ARCHITECTURE DECODER: Mediatek MTK8591 EXTERNAL STORAGE: 2 x USB 3.0 VIDEO FRAME RATES: 24Hz/50Hz/60Hz VIDEO FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED: MPEG2, MPEG 2 HD, MPEG4, MPEG4 HD, AVC, VC-1, XVID, AVI, AVC, MKV (4.1), DAT, VOB, WMV, MOV, MP4, MPEG-PS, FLV, MTS, M2TS, M2T, M4V, QuickTime AUDIO FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED: AAC, WMA, MP3, APE, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, WAV PICTURE FILE FORMATS SUPPORTED: JPG, BMP, GIF, PNG HDMI 1 (INPUT & OUTPUT): Video: UHD/1080p 24/1080p/1080i/720p/576p/576i/4 80p/480i, 3D frame-packing 720p/1080p24 Audio: up to 7.1ch/192kHz PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD, Bitstream HDMI 2 (AUDIO OUTPUT ONLY): Up to 7.1ch/192kHz PCM, up to 5.1ch DSD, Bitstream ETHERNET: 1000 BASE-T WI-FI: 802.11B, G, N (2.4GHz), 802.11A, N, AC (5GHz) PSU: Universal Switch-mode 100 – 240V AC, IEC Inlet MAX POWER CONSUMPTION: 35W STANDBY CONSUMPTION (QUICK START MODE OFF): <0.5W DIMENSIONS (H X W X D) (INCLUDING FEET): 82mm x 430mm x 312mm (3.2” x 16.9” x 12.3”) WEIGHT (UNBOXED): 5.0kg (11.0lbs) Source: Cambridge Audio via AVS ForumPosted Fri Aug 18, 2017 at 05:20 AM PDT by: -
Panasonic EZ1002 OLED 4K TV Earns Top Honors at HDTVtest 2017 TV Shootout[teaser]Panasonic's latest OLED display earned the "Best TV of 2017" award.[/teaser] The winners of the 2017 Crampton & Moore/HDTVtest TV Shootout have been announced. The annual display competition was held in England on August 13 and pitted five premium 4K Ultra HD TVs against each other in a head-to-head contest. The competing sets included: - LG B7 OLED65B7V OLED TV- Panasonic EZ1002 TX-65EZ1002B OLED TV- Samsung Q9 QE65Q9F QLED LCD TV- Sony A1 KD-65A1 OLED TV- Sony ZD9 KD-65ZD9 LED LCD TV All of the displays were calibrated before the competition by Vincent Teoh from HDTVtest and Tyler Pruitt from Portrait Displays, and all guests in attendance were allowed to vote. Judging categories included contrast, color accuracy, motion, video processing, uniformity, HDR, bright-room performance, and gaming. After calculating the results, Panasonic's EZ1002 OLED 4K TV received the top honor of "Best Overall TV of 2017." Sadly, Panasonic does not currently sell displays in the US, so the EZ1002 remains exclusive to the European market. And while the two LCD sets did earn the highest marks for bright room performance, the three OLED models managed to sweep all of the individual awards. Here's a full rundown of the winners: - Best Overall TV of 2017: Panasonic EZ1002 OLED 4K TV - Best Home Theater TV: Panasonic EZ1002 OLED 4K TV- Best Living Room TV: Sony A1 4K OLED TV- Best Gaming TV: LG B7 4K OLED TV- Best HDR TV: LG B7 4K OLED TV In addition to the Crampton & Moore/HDTVtest shootout, CE Week also recently held its own annual TV Shootout in New York City. LG's 65E7P OLED Ultra HD TV swept all three major awards at the contest, and the competition included many of the same displays used in the HDTVtest Shootout -- minus the Panasonic OLED since it is not available in the US. Sources: HDTVtest, Forbes, AVS ForumPosted Thu Aug 17, 2017 at 06:30 AM PDT by: -
See One Movie a Day in Theaters for $10 Per Month with MoviePass[teaser]The service lets users see one theatrical release every day for just $10 per month![/teaser] MoviePass has announced a new $9.95 per month pricing plan for its movie ticket service. As part of the subscription, users will be able to see one 2D theatrical film every day with no contract or blackout dates. After signing up for the plan, users are sent a special MoviePass debit card. Customers can then select a theater and movie showtime from the MoviePass app. Once a user's smartphone GPS registers within 100 yards of the selected theater, subscribers can then check-in for the film they want to see. Credit is then transferred to the MoviePass debit card which can then be used to buy the tickets. Currently, the service only covers standard 2D showings and does include support for 3D, IMAX, or other premium format presentations. Likewise, the app does not allow customers to buy tickets for future dates -- only showings for the day of purchase. Theaters currently supported by the app include AMC, Cinemark, Regal and several independent chains. With that said, AMC is now attempting to prevent the service from supporting its theaters and is even threatening legal action against what it sees as an unsustainable program. In order to fund the company's ambitious new pricing plan, MoviePass recently sold a 51% stake to Helios and Matheson Analytics for $27 million. In the past, the service has offered more expensive plans, including a two movie per month option for $15. Interested film fans can sign up for MoviePass at the company's website but, as of press time, the site is currently down -- likely due to the high amount of traffic that demand for this new $9.95 plan has brought. Sources: Variety, Engadget, Engadget 2, Business InsiderPosted Wed Aug 16, 2017 at 07:00 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer,' 'Batman vs. Two-Face,' and More[teaser]Superheroes, vampire slayers, and more are all heading to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from MGM, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros., Universal, Lionsgate, Cinedigm, The Brain Factory, and Scorpion Releasing. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, MGM is preparing yet another Blu-ray edition of Rob Reiner's The Princess Bride starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright Penn, Mandy Patinkin, Chris Sarandon, Christopher Guest, and Wallace Shawn. This new version is being issued for the film's 30th Anniversary and is set to arrive on September 26. No other details have been announced at this time, and it's unclear if the disc will be any different from the previously released 25th Anniversary Edition. Order the Blu-ray 20th Century Fox is bringing a 25th Anniversary edition of Fran Rubel Kuzui and Joss Whedon's Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Kristy Swanson, Donald Sutherland and Paul Reubens to Blu-ray on October 3. Supplements have not been announced yet. Order the Blu-ray Warner Bros. is prepping Justice League: The New Frontier Commemorative Edition starring Brooke Shields, David Boreanaz, and Neil Patrick Harris for Blu-ray on October 3. In addition, a SteelBook version will also be available that same day. Supplements will include: - Audio Commentary: Bruce Timm, Michael Goguen, David Bullock, Stan Berkowitz, Andrea Romano and Gregory Noveck- Audio Commentary: Writer/Artist Darwyn Cooke- Featurette: Retro Action Cool: The Story of Darwyn Cooke- Featurette: Super Heroes United! The Complete Justice League History- Featurette: The Legion of Doom: The Pathology of the DC Super Villain- Featurette: Comic Book Commentary: Homage to the New Frontier- Gotham by Gaslight Sneak Peek Likewise, the label is set to release Batman vs. Two-Face starring Adam West, William Shatner, Burt Ward, and Julie Newmar on October 17. Supplements will include: - "The Wonderful World of Burt Ward" (featurette) - Spotlighting Burt Ward's life away from acting, particularly his many benevolent activities, and his lifelong devotion to the health and welfare of dogs.- Adam West Tribute Panel/2017 Comic-Con International 2017 - At the 2017 Comic-Con International in San Diego, a panel celebrated the life and times of the late Adam West, the legendary "Bright Knight." Fans laughed, cried and cheered as actress Lee Meriwether (Catwoman from the 1966 Batman movie), director/writer/actor Kevin Smith, actor/radio personality Ralph Garman, producer James Tucker and moderator Gary Miereanu captivated the audience with anecdotes and tales about Adam West.- Actors Burt Ward and Julie Newmar discussing various aspects of their lives, ambitions and inspirations. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Scorpion Releasing has announced plans to bring Ivan Hall's Kill and Kill Again starring James Ryan, Anneline Kriel, and Michael Mayer to Blu-ray on October 3. The disc will feature a new remaster from the original interpositive, and supplements will include: - Audio interview with star James Ryan- On-camera interview with writer John Crowther- Isolated music track from the original 3 track Mag sound- Original Theatrical Trailer Order the Blu-ray The Brain Factory is prepping Jon Schnitzer's Haunters: The Art of the Scare starring Jason Blum, McKenzie Westmore, Slash, Jen Soska, and Jessica Cameron for Blu-ray on October 3. Supplements will include: - John Murdy shares the journey from his first Star Wars home haunt in the ‘70’s to Creative Director of Universal Studios HHN, the top job in the haunt industry- Find out what it takes to become a monster at Knott’s Scary Farm- Cult horror twins Sylvia and Jen Soska share insights and photos of their lifelong love of Halloween, horror and cosplay- Get a backstage pass to the groundbreaking Delusion Interactive Play, that combines storytelling with role playing games and epic Hollywood stunts- Meet the lovable haunters behind one of the most massive haunts in the country, Haunted Overload- Hear the untold genesis story of Blackout and how they teamed up with Jason Blum on a live horror experience of The Purge- Watch the creative process of the most popular hayride in America Order the Blu-ray Universal is set to expand the release of several Best Buy exclusive catalog titles to more retailers on October 10. The lineup includes... Dennis Dugan's Problem Child starring John Ritter, Jack Warden, Amy Yasbeck, Gilbert Gottfried, Michael Oliver, and Michael Richards. There will be no supplements included on the disc. Ron Howard's EDtv starring Matthew McConaughey, Jenna Elfman, Woody Harrelson, Sally Kirkland, Martin Landau, and Ellen DeGeneres. Supplements will include: - Caught in the Camera's Eye: The Making of EDtv- Deleted Scenes- Outtakes- Audio Commentaries- Theatrical Trailer David Zucker's BASEketball starring Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Jenny McCarthy, Ernest Borgnine, Dian Bachar, and Yasmine Bleeth. Supplements will include: - Spotlight on Location- Music Video- Theatrical Trailer Arthur Hiller's The Babe starring John Goodman, Kelly McGillis, Trini Alvarado, James Cromwell, Bruce Boxleitner, and J.C. Quinn. Supplements will include: - Babe Ruth Sports Featurettes- Theatrical Trailer Frank Oz's Bowfinger starring Steve Martin, Eddie Murphy, Heather Graham, Christine Baranski, Jamie Kennedy, and Adam Alexi-Malle. Supplements will include: - Deleted Scenes- Outtakes- Spotlight on Location- Feature Commentary with Director Frank Oz- Theatrical Trailer Sam Raimi's For Love of the Game starring Kevin Costner, Kelly Preston, and John C. Reilly. Supplements will include: - Spotlight on Location- Deleted Scenes- Theatrical Trailer Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Lionsgate is prepping the documentary series America: Promised Land for Blu-ray on October 17. No other details have been revealed at this time. Order the Blu-ray Cinedigm is releasing James Klass' Mother Krampus starring Claire-Maria Fox, Faye Goodwin, Tony Manders, and Michelle Archer on November 7. Supplements have not been announced yet. Likewise, the label will also bring Brian Skiba's The Christmas Truce to Blu-ray on November 7. No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Wed Aug 16, 2017 at 02:00 PM PDT by: -
Disney Shares Behind the Scenes Bonus Clip from 'The Lion King: The Signature Collection' Blu-ray[teaser]The clip offers a peek into an early storyboard meeting for the "Hakuna Matata" song.[/teaser] To mark the recent Digital HD release of The Lion King and the upcoming Blu-ray release of The Lion King: The Signature Collection, Disney has posted a brief clip from the film's assortment of bonus features. Titled, "Inside The Story Room," the video provides a behind-the-scenes look at the Story Room where the filmmakers pitched ideas and sequences for the movie. In this particular clip, co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff discuss developing the "Hakuna Matata" scene, offering archive footage of an early storyboard meeting where they work through the lyrics and shots of the sequence. Of special note, is an extended introductory "Meerkat Verse" that the duo decided to cut for pacing reasons in favor of starting the song with its now famously catchy chorus. Check out the full clip below! The Lion King is now available on Digital HD and the The Lion King: The Signature Collection is coming to Blu-ray on August 29. The disc will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA soundtrack, and supplements will include: - Brand New Sing-Along Version- Audio Commentary- Visualizing a Villain- The Recording Sessions- Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation - Inside the Story Room - Music & More - Galleries - Classic Bonus Features (Digital Only) Order the Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for The Lion King: The Signature Collection linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 29.Posted Tue Aug 15, 2017 at 04:00 PM PDT by: -
10 Best Box Office Bombs of All TimeIt's an old story. The brightest and best talent in Hollywood comes together for a surefire hit only to see their best efforts and millions of dollars in production costs burn out in the box office flames. Whether the audience failed to connect with the project or if critics "just didn't get it," there are hundreds of great films that have endured this fate. However, with the emergence of the home video market over the last thirty years, countless movies have been saved from obscurity to become certifiable classics. [Teaser]Here are our picks for 10 Best Box Office Bombs of All Time (in no particular order)...[/Teaser] The Thing (1982) Universal Studios was banking on 1982 to be "The Year Of The Alien" with their near back-to-back releases of Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and John Carpenter's The Thing. Released only two weeks apart from one another, critics and audiences ate up the family friendly E.T. turning it into one of the biggest block busters of all time while outright rejecting The Thing and the film's dour setting and themes. While E.T. has and will always remain a classic, home video gave audiences and critics a second crack at The Thing allowing the flick to find its proper audience and earn its place as a staple of horror science fiction. The Hudsucker Proxy (1994) After the tense and brooding Blood Simple and the wildly weirdly hilarious Raising Arizona, The Coen Brothers were a hot ticket in Hollywood. However, that box office goodwill quickly faded with a string of back-to-back under-performers Miller's Crossing, Barton Fink, and culminating in the financially disastrous The Hudsucker Proxy. Earning barely $3,000,000, a mere ten percent of its production budget, The Hudsucker Proxy put The Coen Brother's filmmaking careers against the ropes. Thankfully some strong rentals and the success of a little dark comedy called Fargo helped to not only right the careers of the Coen's but also allow folks to take another look at their crazy satire of corporate America. Citizen Kane (1941) It's strange to look at a film that is considered to be one of the very best American films ever made as anything other than a massive success, but, Citizen Kane was a bust. A big one. Hot off his wild and publicized "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast, Orson Wells was afforded the rare privilege of complete creative control over his film. It was a cinematic event everyone was looking forward to - however - William Randolph Hearst had other plans. As the film was loosely based on his life, Hearst put his massive media machine to work to kill the film at the box office. For all intents and purposes, he succeeded. Ultimately Wells had the last laugh as through re-releases, television broadcasts, and home video, audiences found Citizen Kane and have given this gem its due esteem as one of the greatest films ever made. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Considering it's ranking as one of the highest rated films on IMDB as well as its stature as one of the most rented films ever made, it's amazing to think that this prison drama based on the short story by Stephen King and starring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins was a box office under performer. Whether it was the long unwieldy title, the release frame, or the well-reported clashes between the film's star and first-time director Frank Darabont that killed its box office - it was home video and positive word of mouth that redeemed its production costs and pushed the film into profitability. The film remains a favorite and continues to sell well on DVD and Blu-ray. The Fifth Element (1997) Hot off his massive success of Leon: The Professional, French writer/director Luc Besson was a hot commodity. Everyone wanted to work with him and studios were ready to hand over a big budget to a man with a unique and colorful science fiction vision. Unfortunately, audiences didn't find The Fifth Element in the theaters. However, with VHS and DVD The Fifth Element, audiences were able to give this flick a chance and the film quickly grew a fervent cult following. With terrific action, amazing practical effects, and a great cast - a box office failure has become a fan favorite and that following is just as strong as ever and now with the film on 4K UHD - it looks and sounds better than ever! Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me (1992) With the popular television series seemingly canceled, fans of Twin Peaks were clamoring for closure to the adventures of F.B.I. Agent Dale Cooper and the show's titular mountain community. Instead, co-creator David Lynch gave the fans an unflinching, dark, and deeply disturbing prequel depicting the sad events that lead up to Laura Palmer's death prior to the show's beginning. In addition to these sad events, Lynch peppered the film with a swath of enigmatic eccentric characters and events that seemingly had next to nothing to do with the show. As a result, the film divided fans and critics alike and failed to recoup its modest budget. Thankfully, the intervening 20 years with the new revival series currently airing on Showtime has allowed people to reassess the film. Soon they'll get to enjoy a new Blu-ray release courtesy of The Criterion Collection. Live. Die. Repeat. (FKA Edge of Tomorrow) (2014) When a summer tentpole film fails at the box office, it's hard to drum up much enthusiasm when all anyone hears about is how poorly the film did. Even with the star power of Tom Cruise, the strong action hand of Doug Liman in the director's chair, and positive reviews from critics Edge of Tomorrow missed its audience and failed to recoup its production budget. Even with the strong global box office intake, it's difficult to call the film anything but a financial failure when factoring in the film's large and expensive marketing campaign. After a pseudo-retitling effort favoring the film's tagline "Live. Die. Repeat." this time-bending sci-fi action epic found its audience and thanks to strong home video sales, a sequel is in the works. Vertigo (1958) They can't all be North By Northwest or Psycho. While not every film Alfred Hitchcock made during his long career was a hit, it's mystifying that a true genuine classic like Vertigo somehow managed to flop like a dead fish at the box office during its initial release. Even with one of Jimmy Stewarts best performances along with a terrific turn from Kim Novak as the blond bombshell Madeleine could entice audiences into theater screens. Thankfully, several theatrical re-releases allowed audiences and critics to find the film and place the film on the pedestal it rightfully deserves to be. With the film still being shown in theaters and its strong presence in the home video market, Vertigo will remain a classic for generations to come. Blade Runner (1982) After his strong start with The Duelists and Alien, director Ridley Scott could do no wrong. Unfortunately, his terrific turns behind the camera were upended with the unfortunate reception of Blade Runner. As a dark introspective noirish science fiction film, Blade Runner suffered from the heavy hand of studio meddling. After being afflicted with a shorter runtime and an ill-fitting narration, the Harrison Ford starring sci-fi epic endured weak critical reactions and an even worse reception at the box office. Thankfully the emergence of a longer narration-free cut on the home video market gave people the first real glimpse at Ridley Scott's ultimate vision. With the Final Cut coming out on 4K UHD as well as the sequel Blade Runner 2049 about to reach theater screens, fans have a lot to celebrate! Scott Pilgrim vs The World (2010) After the modest back-to-back successes Edgar Wright enjoyed with Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, it was time to move beyond small budgets and go big with Scott Pilgrim vs The World. Critics gave it numerous thumbs up and Wright's band of loyal followers ate the film up. Unfortunately, they're about the only people who went to see this action-comedy gem. Even with a lower than average budget of $60million for a blockbuster, the film only managed to score back an anemic worldwide haul of $48,000,000. Thankfully, word of mouth drove some strong DVD and Blu-ray sales turning this would-be blockbuster into a cult classic. ~~~ Literally, hundreds of films come out each and every year. Some make it to the big time box office bank, others fall to the wayside hoping to gain new life on the home video market. With ballooning budgets, films are having a harder time recouping their production and marketing costs. This list of ten great box office flops is far from being definitive, but they're all great flicks and should be proudly featured in your collection! Honorable Mentions Event Horizon, John Carter, Heaven's Gate, Mars Needs Moms, The Iron Giant, Jupiter Ascending, Superman IV: The Quest For Peace, The Last Action Hero, Cowboys and Aliens, The Wolf Man, Windtalkers, Supernova, Cutthroat Island, The Alamo, Sahara, The 13th Warrior, 47 RoninPosted Tue Aug 15, 2017 at 11:15 AM PDT by: -
'Transformers: The Last Knight' 4K / 3D / HD Blu-rays Dated & Detailed[teaser]The fifth chapter in the robots-in-disguise franchise is coming to Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray in September.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount is preparing Transformers: The Last Knight for Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, and Blu-ray 3D on September 26. Transformers: The Last Knight shatters the core myths of the Transformers franchise, and redefines what it means to be a hero. Humans and Transformers are at war, Optimus Prime is gone. The key to saving our future lies buried in the secrets of the past, in the hidden history of Transformers on Earth. Saving our world falls upon the shoulders of an unlikely alliance: Cade Yeager (Mark Wahlberg); Bumblebee; an English Lord (Sir Anthony Hopkins); and an Oxford Professor (Laura Haddock). There comes a moment in everyone's life when we are called upon to make a difference. In Transformers: The Last Knight, the hunted will become heroes. Heroes will become villains. Only one world will survive: theirs, or ours. Not only will the 4K UHD release be Paramount's first Dolby Vision title -- enhancing the home viewing experience by delivering greater brightness and contrast, as well as a fuller palette of rich colors -- both the 4K and 3D titles will also include a bonus disc with over 80 minutes of behind-the-scenes content and interviews. The releases will feature Dolby Atmos soundtracks and supplements include: Merging Mythologies – Explore the secret TRANSFORMERS history; Climbing the Ranks – Military training; The Royal Treatment: Transformers in the UK; Motors and Magic; Alien Landscape: Cybertron; and One More Giant Effin' Movie. You can find the latest specs for Transformers: The Last Knight linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under September 26. Order the Ultra HD Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Order the 3D Blu-rayPosted Tue Aug 15, 2017 at 10:18 AM PDT by: -
'Rough Night' Announced and Detailed for Blu-ray & 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The outrageous comedy will arrive on both home video formats this September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony says 'Rough Night' will be available on Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on September 5. Five best friends from college (Scarlett Johansson, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell, Ilana Glazer and Zoe Kravitz) reunite 10 years later for a wild weekend getaway in Miami. Their outrageous antics and hard partying result in hilariously unexpected consequences, which land them in a seemingly impossible situation to escape. The Blu-rays will feature a lossless 5.1 soundtrack (Dolby Atmos on the 4K UHD) and supplements include: Scandalous Sing-Along – Follow the bouncing X-rated glasses with this original adult sing-along!; "Killer Cast" Featurette – Hear from your favorite cast of ladies as they discuss their first impressions and favorite parts of the film; "The Dynamic Duo: Lucia and Paul" Featurette – Lucia Anillo and Paul Downs discuss their past projects and how this one came to be; "Playing Dead" Featurette – Learn more about Jay-the-fake-stripper and hear from the cast and crew about working with and casting him; and "Do a Little Dance" Featurette – In this special feature, learn about the work behind the scenes that made this dance number "b'genius." Blu-ray exclusives include: Gag Reel – Laughing along with the ladies of Rough Night in this hilarious collection of outtakes!; Deleted Scenes – 11 deleted scenes saved from the cutting room floor; "Naughty Neighbor" Diaries – Explore Pietro and Lea's one-of-a-kind sensual video dating profile; and Improv-O-Rama – Catch all the improv alternate lines of dialogue in this Improv-line-o-rama! You can find the latest specs for Rough Night linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under September 5. Order the Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Tue Aug 15, 2017 at 09:02 AM PDT by: -
James Cameron Prepping 'True Lies' and 'The Abyss' for Blu-ray[teaser]The long-rumored titles are still in the works for Blu-ray, and we might have Avatar to blame for the delay.[/teaser] During a recent Q&A with James Cameron on the upcoming 3D release of Terminator 2: Judgement Day, the director shared an update on two other highly anticipated Blu-rays that fans have been clamoring for: True Lies and The Abyss. When asked about Blu-ray plans for the films by TheArnoldFans.com, Cameron replied, "I’m working on that. The True Lies Blu-ray and the Abyss Blu-ray have sort of fallen off my to-do list, getting one, not two, but four Avatar sequels stood up and going. But now that that has happened, I can actually take care of business. So yes, that is coming." While release dates and specs have not been announced yet, the director previously discussed preparations for The Abyss Blu-ray with Variety last year. At the time, Cameron said, "We've done a wet-gate 4K scan of the original negative, and it's going to look insanely good. We're going to do an authoring pass in the DI for Blu-ray and HDR at the same time." And though nothing has been confirmed at this time, Cameron's mention of HDR implies that a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray release could also be in the works. Currently, both The Abyss and True Lies are only available on DVD. Meanwhile, Terminator 2: Judgement Day is set to arrive on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on October 3. Order the 4K Blu-ray You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule. Sources: The Arnold Fans, VarietyPosted Mon Aug 14, 2017 at 05:50 PM PDT by: -
Gift Guide: Back to School Gear 2017As summer vacation enters its last stretch, new and returning college students around the country are now preparing to head back to their "cozy" little dorm rooms. And for many gear-loving undergrads, this probably means saying goodbye to your parents' 65-inch TV and hello to a cracked 5-inch iPhone screen for all of your movie watching needs. But, college life doesn't always have to mean giving up on a quality home theater experience. Sure, while most dorms might be stuck halfway between a claustrophobic apartment and a broom closet, there are still some very solid AV gear options out there that are perfect for students looking to conserve money and space -- all while still leaving just enough room in your budget for a text book or two. With that in mind, we've put together a buying guide filled with price and space conscious gear items that are an ideal fit for the university lifestyle. [teaser]From compact TVs and sound bars to streaming sticks and wireless speakers, these are some of the best home theater products for any college dorm.[/teaser] So, without further ado, here's HDD's BACK TO SCHOOL GEAR GUIDE 2017 Note: All prices below reflect current Amazon discounts and do not include taxes or shipping. DISPLAYS While a 75-inch Ultra HD TV with advanced HDR features or a 4K projector with a giant screen might be the best way to experience movies at home, fitting such a large display in a dorm would likely prove to be a bit challenging. Thankfully, a smaller sized TV doesn't always mean poor quality, and there are some very worthy budget friendly options out there with screen sizes under 50-inches and great cord-cutter friendly smart TV platforms. TCL 32S305 32-Inch 720p Roku Smart LED TV ($170) - Though it might be as basic as a TV gets when it comes to picture quality, this HDTV from TCL still provides decent performance for its price. With a direct-lit LED VA panel and Roku's robust smart TV platform, the unit features solid contrast and a great assortment of streaming apps without the need for an external player. And while it's only a 720p display, at just 32-inches, the benefits of a higher resolution would likely be hard to discern on a screen this size. All in all, an appealing choice for students on a tight budget. VIZIO 43-inch D-Series Ultra HD TV ($420) - Stepping things up to Ultra HD, this entry-level 4K display from VIZIO boasts a 3840x2160p resolution panel, but lacks advanced next-gen features like HDR (high dynamic range) and wide color gamut support. With that said, D-Series models do include full-array local dimming with up to 12 zones for improved contrast. Likewise, the unit offers VIZIO's Internet Apps Plus Smart TV platform and, unlike the company's higher-end display series, the device features an integrated TV tuner. Samsung UN40MU6300 40-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV ($498) - Offering 4K Ultra HD resolution and HDR10 support, the MU6300 series brings a more advanced level of picture quality to the under 50-inch screen class. Likewise, the unit boasts Samsung's Tizen smart TV platform and a direct-lit LED backlight with a surprisingly good native contrast ratio for a panel without local dimming. But while the set can display HDR content, it's nit performance is on the low-end (about 350), and the display does not support a wide color gamut. Sony XBR43X800D 43-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV ($680) - Though a 2016 model, this Sony Ultra HD TV remains one of the best smaller-sized 4K displays on the market. With 4K resolution, HDR10 playback, and wide color gamut support, the set boasts most of the major next-gen picture quality features a user could want (minus Dolby Vision). The edge-lit backlight can lead to some clouding around the sides of the screen, but the VA panel still offers superior contrast over Sony's new 2017 model which uses an IPS screen. And with Sony's Android smart TV platform, cord-cutting students should find plenty of apps to enjoy in between cramming for finals. SOUND BARS & SOUND STANDS Ideally, dorms would be able to fit a full-fledged Dolby Atmos and DTS:X system, but the limited space students get is usually best reserved for items a bit more important to daily life... like a bed. With that in mind, a sound bar or sound stand is a great alternative to wimpy integrated TV speakers without costing too much money or taking up too much room. Some models even feature simulated surround sound modes, wireless subwoofers, and Bluetooth support. VIZIO SB2820n-E0 Sound bar Home Speaker ($78) - This incredibly affordable 28" sound bar model might not include a subwoofer or advanced audio features, but it provides a simple, inexpensive 2-channel upgrade to shrill TV speakers. The unit is rated for 95 dB with less than 1% Total Harmonic Distortion and a frequency response of 70 Hz - 19 KHz, and offers Dolby Digital playback and DTS sound enhancement through a digital optical connection. And though HDMI and Wi-Fi are not included, the device does support Bluetooth streaming. Fluance AB40 Soundbase ($250) - If you'd prefer to slide your sound system directly under your TV, this Fluance sound stand model provides very solid audio quality and surprisingly robust bass without the need for a separate subwoofer. It lacks advanced features and adjustment options, but the simple plug-and-play nature of the unit should mesh well with a casual dorm setting. With that said, some modern TV stand designs with feet on each side (like the aforementioned VIZIO and TCL sets) probably won't be able to rest on a soundbase like this. Full review here! Yamaha YAS-207BL Sound Bar with Wireless Subwoofer ($300) - Yamaha's latest sound bar model is one of the first products on the market with DTS Virtual:X support (via firmware update). The new simulated surround sound tech is capable of virtualizing audio in multiple dimensions, including height, without upward-firing drivers. In addition, the unit offers a slim design, a wireless subwoofer, and advanced video pass-through support for 4K HDR sources, making it a great match for students who want a budget-friendly, compact system without missing out on next-gen features. Full review coming soon! WIRELESS SPEAKERS While sound bars and sound stands make great space-saving home theater solutions, many college students are just looking for a compact solution to play all their Spotify playlists. Thankfully, there's quite a few well-performing Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers on the market with support for numerous apps. Likewise, some models even offer battery-powered modes, letting students bring the party out to the quad for outdoor listening. Yamaha MusicCast WX-010 Wireless Speaker ($180) - This compact 25 watt wireless speaker features a two-way design, a 3-1/2" woofer, 1" tweeter, and two passive radiators. In addition, the device uses Yamaha's MusicCast multi-room audio platform with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and AirPlay support, offering a wide-array of music streaming options. Likewise, users can even link two speakers together for left/right stereo playback. Full review here! RIVA Arena Wireless Speaker ($249) - Suitable for both in-dorm use and portable, outdoor playback thanks to an optional 20+ hour battery pack, this is a very versatile wireless speaker with Wi-Fi, hi-res audio, and Bluetooth support. The unit features full-range custom ADX drivers with 3 passive radiators to create up to 101dB, along with RIVA's patented Trillium audio tech which up-mixes a traditional two channel stereo signal into a true left, center, right experience. STREAMING DONGLES Most displays on the market now use integrated smart TV platforms with access to many popular streaming apps, but it's still possible that some college students might be stuck inheriting an old "dumb" TV. And since it's unlikely you're going to want to pay for cable, the best solution for any cord-cutting undergrad is a dedicated streaming dongle. Able to turn any HDMI equipped set into a genuine smart TV, compact media sticks offer robust app support without breaking the bank or taking up any valuable space. Amazon Fire TV Stick ($40) - Amazon's compact streaming stick offers access to over 15,000 apps, games, and Alexa skills including Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, YouTube, Amazon Video, NBC, WatchESPN, Disney, and more. Likewise, the device includes the Alexa Voice Remote, allowing users to control functions through voice commands. With that said, unlike more expensive full-fledged set-top boxes, the Fire TV Stick does include 4K playback. Roku Streaming Stick ($40) - Roku's latest streaming stick provides access to 450,000+ movies and TV episodes across 4,500+ paid or free channels with a powerful quad-core processor. Voice control is also offered through the mobile app (but not the included remote). Like the Fire TV Stick, however, the device only supports up to 1080p playback. Google Chromecast Ultra ($69) - This puck-shaped dongle plugs into a display's HDMI port, allowing users to cast all of their favorite content from thousands of apps to their TVs using a separate smartphone, tablet, or laptop. In addition, unlike the other players on this list, the Chromecast Ultra supports 4K, HDR (high dynamic range) and Dolby Vision content, offering playback support for videos with higher resolution, expanded colors, and enhanced contrast. So, there you have it. Those are our top gear suggestions for new and returning college students living the dorm lifestyle. For now, what do you think about our suggestions? Will you be picking up any of these products for your college dorm? Do you have any back to school gear suggestions of your own? Let us know in the forums!Posted Mon Aug 14, 2017 at 01:18 PM PDT by:
