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VIZIO SmartCast TV Launches Amazon Video Support and LG webOS Adds Sling TV App[teaser]The VIZIO SmartCast TV platform now includes Amazon Video streaming.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the addition of Amazon Video to its lineup of supported SmartCast TV apps. The service now joins previously available apps like Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and Crackle. "With the recent launch of SmartCast TV, one of the things we're most excited about is providing consumers with added entertainment options," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer, VIZIO. "Amazon Video brings an array of content options to the screen, all accessible on the traditional remote via the Amazon Video button. We're glad to continue to bring in-demand content and solutions to our customers." Amazon Video allows users to buy or rent titles from a growing collection of movies and TV shows. Likewise, Amazon Prime subscribers can also sign into their accounts through the app to access Prime Video content like Transparent, The Grand Tour, and Manchester by the Sea. Amazon Video is now available through the SmartCast TV platform directly on VIZIO 2017 P-Series and M-Series displays. In addition, the SmartCast TV update is also set to arrive on other models, including the E-Series, later this summer. 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. Meanwhile, LG has also announced new additions to its own webOS smart TV platform. As part of the update, Sling TV is now available on 2017 LG OLED and LG SUPER UHD webOS 3.5-enabled smart TVs. The subscription service provides access to live streaming channels and on-demand content. Likewise, the Channel Plus streaming service on 2016 and 2017 LG smart TVs running webOS 3.0 and 3.5 now offers even more content, surpassing 100 digital channels. The app includes live and on-demand streaming content through an interface that provides over-the-air broadcast channels alongside over-the-top (OTT) streaming channels. "The addition of Sling TV and more Channel Plus content provides LG OLED and LG SUPER UHD TV owners access to a robust slate of live TV and on-demand content," said Matt Durgin, LG Electronics USA's director of content innovation. "With literally hundreds of channels from top-tier content providers at their fingertips via our webOS smart TV platform, consumers can enjoy the content they love when they want to see it and on some of the top-rated TVs on the market." Sources: VIZIO, LGPosted Mon Aug 7, 2017 at 10:35 AM PDT by: -
Sony Announces 'Men in Black Trilogy' for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The Men in Black are heading to 4K just in time for the first film's 20th Anniversary.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is prepping the Men in Black Trilogy for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on December 5. The collection will include Men in Black, Men in Black II, and Men in Black III. Men in Black - Follows the exploits of agents Kay (Tommy Lee Jones) and Jay (Will Smith), members of a top-secret organization established to monitor alien activity on Earth. The two MiB find themselves in the middle of the deadly plot by an intergalactic terrorist (Vincent D'Onofrio) who has arrived on Earth to assassinate two ambassadors from opposing galaxies. Men in Black II - Agent J and Agent K are back! Agent J needs help with a new breed of alien terror intent on destroying the planet. He is sent to find Agent K, restore his memory and enlist him in the fight of a lifetime. Men in Black III - Agents J and K are back... in time. J has seen some inexplicable things in his 15 years with the Men in Black, but nothing, not even aliens, perplexes him as much as his wry, reticent partner. But when K's life and the fate of the planet are put at stake, Agent J will have to travel back in time to put things right. J discovers that there are secrets to the universe that K never told him - secrets that will reveal themselves as he teams up with the young Agent K (Josh Brolin) to save his partner, the agency, and the future of humankind. The 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray set will feature 2160p video with HDR and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack on each film. Supplements will likely mirror those found on the previously released Blu-ray editions. You can find the latest specs for the Men in Black Trilogy linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 5. Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Mon Aug 7, 2017 at 09:20 AM PDT by: -
4K Apple TV with HDR & Dolby Vision Likely in the Works[teaser]New leaked firmware indicates an upcoming 4K Apple TV with high dynamic range playback is on the way.[/teaser] According to posts made on the Twitter account of developer Guilherme Rambo, Apple may have just inadvertently revealed details on its latest Apple TV model. Potential info on the rumored device was discovered by examining the firmware for Apple's upcoming HomePod Smart Speaker. After examining the HomePod code, Guilherme Rambo came across a few different references to new Apple TV features, including lines that indicate support for 4K Ultra HD playback, along with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) high dynamic range formats. In addition, some iTunes users recently discovered several titles in their purchase history, including Passengers and Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, listed as 4K HDR. Though the service still only supports HD content at this time, these listings hint that iTunes is gearing up to launch support for Ultra HD titles with HDR, which meshes well with news of a potential 4K Apple TV. While there are several 4K HDR media players on the market now, including the Roku Ultra and NVIDIA Shield TV, Apple's current 4th Generation Apple TV is only capable of Full HD playback. Under the hood, the player is powered by a 64-bit A8 chip with Bluetooth 4.0 and Wi-Fi. The device also comes with an advanced remote with Bluetooth 4.0, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a glass touch surface for intuitive navigation, and a Siri voice search feature for comprehensive voice search results. Official confirmation from Apple about a new 4K HDR Apple TV is still forthcoming. Sources: Guilherme Rambo Twitter via Engadget, 9to5Mac, Apple InsiderPosted Mon Aug 7, 2017 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Streaming: 'Transparent,' 'Narcos,' 'Mindhunters,' and More[teaser]New trailers for Transparent, Narcos, and David Fincher's Mindhunters are among the latest streaming updates.[/teaser] Netflix, Amazon, and Hulu have released new trailers, date announcements, and other info for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including Comrade Detective, One Mississippi, Transparent, What Happened to Monday, Narcos, American Vandal, First They Killed My Father, Mindhunter, A Little Help With Carol Burnett, and Futureman. Check out a full rundown of the latest streaming news and trailers below: Comrade Detective (Amazon Prime Video, Now Streaming) - In the 1980s, millions of Romanians tuned in to Comrade Detective, a gritty and sleek buddy cop show that not only entertained its citizens but also promoted Communist ideals and inspired a deep nationalism. It has now been digitally remastered and dubbed into English for the first time by a cast featuring Channing Tatum, and Joseph Gordon Levitt. One Mississippi: Season Two (Amazon Prime Video, September 8) - A dark comedy inspired by comedian Tig Notaro's life. Tig returns to her hometown in Mississippi, where she contends with the death of her mother and her own mortality as she embarks on a painful yet hilarious journey that unearths uncomfortable truths about her family and her self. Transparent: Season Four (Amazon Prime Video, September 22) - The Pfeffermans take off on a spiritual and political journey as they dig deep into their family's history. Maura heads to Israel to speak at a conference and makes a startling discovery. Before long the rest of the family joins her for an explosive adventure. Adrift in the desert, each member of the family ultimately set off on their own paths to find acceptance, love, and truth. Starring Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Amy Landecker, Jay Duplass, and Gaby Hoffman. What Happened to Monday (Netflix, August 18) - In a not so distant future, where overpopulation and famine have forced governments to undertake a drastic "One Child Policy," seven identical sisters live a hide-and-seek existence pursued by the Child Allocation Bureau. The Bureau, directed by the fierce Nicolette Cayman (Glenn Close), enforces a strict family-planning agenda that the sisters outwit by taking turns assuming the identity of one person: Karen Settman (Noomi Rapace). Taught by their grandfather (Willem Dafoe) who raised and named them - Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday - each can go outside once a week as their common identity, but are only free to be themselves in the prison of their own apartment. That is until, one day, Monday does not come home… Narcos: Season Three (Netflix, September 1) - 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. American Vandal (Netflix, September 15) - From co-creators Tony Yacenda (Pillow Talking) and Dan Perrault (Honest Trailers), and showrunner Dan Lagana (Zach Stone Is Gonna Be Famous), American Vandal is a half-hour true-crime satire that explores the aftermath of a costly high school prank that left twenty-seven faculty cars vandalized with phallic images. Over the course of the eight-episode season, an aspiring sophomore documentarian investigates the controversial and potentially unjust expulsion of troubled senior (and known dick-drawer) Dylan Maxwell. Not unlike its now iconic true-crime predecessors, the addictive American Vandal will leave one question on everyone's minds until the very end: Who drew the dicks? First They Killed My Father (Netflix, September 15) - An unflinching portrayal of the Khmer Rouge's reign of terror and genocide, from the view of a five-year-old survivor cut off from her family in 1975. Starring Sareum Srey Moch, Phoeung Kompheak, and Sveng Socheata. Directed by Angelina Jolie. Mindhunter (Netflix, October 13) - How do we get ahead of crazy if we don’t know how crazy thinks? Two FBI agents (Jonathan Groff & Holt McCallany) set out on a sinister investigative odyssey to discover the brutal answers. Also features Anna Torv (Fringe) and Hannah Gross (Unless). The show is directed by David Fincher (Gone Girl, The Social Network, Zodiac), Asif Kapadia (Amy, Senna), Tobias Lindholm (A War, A Hijacking) and Andrew Douglas (The Amityville Horror, U Want Me 2 Kill Him?). In addition, Fincher, Joshua Donen (Gone Girl, The Quick and the Dead) Charlize Theron (Girlboss, Hatfields & McCoys) and Cean Chaffin (Gone Girl, Fight Club) are Executive Producers. A Little Help With Carol Burnett (Netflix, 2018) - Comedy legend Carol Burnett will make her return to series television and her Netflix debut in 2018. A Little Help With Carol Burnett features Carol, celebrity guests, and every day people receiving advice to their real-life problems from the straightest-shooters around: little kids. Futureman (Hulu, November 14) - From Executive Producers Seth Rogen (Sausage Party, Knocked Up, This is the End) and Evan Goldberg (Preacher, Sausage Party, Superbad, Knocked Up), Future Man follows a janitor by day/world-ranked gamer by night who travels through time to prevent the extinction of humanity after mysterious visitors from the future proclaim him the key to defeating the imminent super-race invasion. Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, The Kids Are Alright) stars as Josh Futterman, an uninspired and dejected gamer who quickly becomes earth’s unlikely hero. Eliza Coupe (Happy Endings), Derek Wilson (Preacher), Ed Begley Jr. (St. Elsewhere) and Glenne Headly (Don Jon) also star. - A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 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. In addition, ad-free playback is available for $12 per month. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), Amazon (YouTube), Hulu (YouTube)Posted Fri Aug 4, 2017 at 09:15 PM PDT by: -
This Week In Gear: Onkyo & Pioneer Launch DTS Play-Fi Update, Hisense Expands Smart TV App Lineup, and More[teaser]We've compiled the latest gear news, including a DTS Play-Fi firmware update for select audio products, and new apps for Hisense TVs.[/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 a DTS Play-Fi update for select Onkyo and Pioneer devices, the addition of new apps to Hisense's Smart TV lineup, Phiaton's latest headphones, and the arrival of Daydream VR support for Samsung's Galaxy S8 smartphones. So, without further ado, here's a rundown of some of the latest gear and tech news: Onkyo & Pioneer Launch DTS Play-Fi Update Onkyo and Pioneer have announced the launch of a DTS Play-Fi firmware update for several of their products. The upgrade is now available for the Pioneer MRX-3 Wireless Speaker and FS-EB70 Elite Network Soundbar System, and the Onkyo SBT-A500 Network Surround Sound Bar System and NCP-302 Wireless Network Speaker. In addition, DTS Play-Fi firmware updates for all network-enabled 2017 Onkyo and Pioneer audio components, along with the 2016 Onkyo PR-RZ5100 Network A/V Controller, TX-RZ1100, and TX-RZ3100 Network A/V Receiver, and the 2016 Pioneer SC-LX901, SC-LX801 and SC-LX701 receivers are set to arrive by the end of September. With DTS Play-Fi audio products, users can wirelessly play high quality lossless music from smartphones and tablets over an existing home Wi-Fi network to Play-Fi components throughout the home. The tech can synchronize playback of a single source to multiple speakers; can stream different sources to different speakers simultaneously from the same mobile device; and can support individual music streams to separate speakers from different devices at the same time. Likewise, Play-Fi is not brand exclusive. This means that Play-Fi audio products from different manufacturers can actually work together seamlessly. And beyond the firmware update, Onkyo and Pioneer have also both released new Music Control apps that include DTS Play-Fi integration. Source: Onkyo Hisense Adds New Apps to Smart TV Lineup Hisense has announced the addition of TikiLIVE, XUMO, and iTalkBB to its collection of live TV apps. Likewise, the company also released its new media sharing application, Qview. "The addition of TikiLIVE, XUMO and iTalkBB to our extensive app library truly enhances our ability to provide live, cord-cutting viewing experiences," says Mark Viken, Vice President of Marketing at Hisense US. "Above all, we designed the Hisense Smart TV platform to bring consumers back to the living room to enjoy their favorite shows on large high quality TVs." The TikiLIVE app provides access to premium TV channels, video on demand (VOD), and commercial-free music stations to its monthly subscribers. Content includes more than 200 channels, thousands of on-demand episodes, and live premium sports, news, drama, lifestyle, travel, comedy and indie programs. Meanwhile, XUMO offers free live and on-demand streaming content with over 100 different channels, including access to music, news, epic fails, stand-up comedy, sports coverage, and more. In addition, iTalkBB includes access to live channels like CCTV, Phoenix and ETTV, along with thousands of series, shows, movies, and more. Likewise, the app includes free VOD and DVR features. Finally, Qview is Hisense's new proprietary media sharing application. The app can be downloaded on Android or iOS mobile devices, enabling users to view photos and videos on Hisense displays that are 43-inches or larger. Up to 10 connected users can take turns sharing and displaying content from mobile or tablet devices to their TVs. The new apps are now available on a wide variety of Hisense Smart TV models. Source: Hisense Phiaton Details BT 390 Foldable Headphones Phiaton has announced the release of its latest headphone model. The BT 390 Foldable Headphones are geared toward users on the go like travelers and commuters. The compact Wireless headphones feature 40mm drivers with an optimized vibration system for extra emphasis on high frequency clarity and an improved sound stage. Likewise, the headphones use oversized Neodymium magnets to offer rich bass. In addition, Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity with multipoint technology is included as well, and battery life is rated for 30 hours of music playback. Meanwhile, padded ear and head pads are integrated for added comfort, and the foldable design makes storage easy. Finally, the headphones include multifunction buttons and a microphone on the ear cups for wireless control and phone calls. The Phiaton BT 390 headphones are now available in black and white for $79 on Amazon. Source: Phiaton Samsung Galaxy 8 and Galaxy S8+ Add Daydream VR Support Google has announced the launch of the Daydream-ready update for Samsung's Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones. With the update, users will be able to use both models with a Daydream View VR headset. Previously, Samsung smartphones were only compatible with the company's own Samsung Gear VR headsets. The Daydream View is currently on sale for $60 and comes in Slate, Crimson, or Snow colors. The headset is made with flexible and soft breathable fabrics, allowing the device to be 30% lighter than similar products while providing added comfort. To use the Daydream View, customers simply need to drop in a Daydream-ready smartphone and lock it into place. From there, the phone and headset connect wirelessly with an auto alignment system. In addition, the product includes a compact controller packed with sensors, letting customers interact with content through movements and gesture. And when not in use, the controller can slide right inside the headset for easy storage. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch AMOLED quad HD screen with a resolution of 2960x1440 and 570ppi, and the Galaxy S8+ features a 6.2-inch AMOLED quad HD screen with a resolution of 2960x1440 and 529ppi. Both models offer an Infinity Display bezel-less design with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 on the front and back. Under the hood, the phones are powered by an Octa core (2.3GHz Quad + 1.7GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm process or an Octa core (2.35GHz Quad + 1.9GHz Quad), 64 bit, 10 nm processor with 4GB of RAM running Android 7.0. A rear 12MP camera and a front 8MP camera are integrated as well. In addition, the devices have been certified by the UHD Alliance as MOBILE HDR PREMIUM. Likewise, each smartphone comes with new high-performance earphones from AKG by Harman. The Daydream VR app is now available for Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ users through the Google Play Store. Sources: Google via EngadgetPosted Thu Aug 3, 2017 at 09:30 PM PDT by: -
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LG Announces New Flagship Smartphone with OLED FullVision Display & HDR10 Support[teaser]The new premium handset will use an OLED screen with high dynamic range and wide color support.[/teaser] LG has announced plans to release the first ever smartphone with a plastic OLED FullVision display. The currently unnamed OLED flagship handset is set to mark the extension of LG's OLED leadership in the premium TV market to the mobile space. "Expertise in OLED has long been a core competency of LG, and the technology has always been seen as a potential value-add for smartphones," said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. "With competition in the global smartphone space fiercer now than ever, we felt that this was the right time to reintroduce OLED displays in our mobile products." Though full specs have not been announced yet, the smartphone will feature a 6-inch FullVision OLED screen with a QHD+ resolution of 1440 x 2880, 4.15 million pixels, and HDR10 support for high dynamic range video playback. Meanwhile, the upper and lower bezels of the device have been reduced by 20 and 50 percent compared to LG's V20 smartphone model, and the LG logo has been moved to the back of the phone to further maximize viewable screen space. In addition, the display will support a wide color gamut with 148 percent of the sRGB color space for digital images and 109 percent of the DCI-P3 color space for digital cinema. Likewise, the OLED tech offers an operational response time that is tens of times faster than an LCD, making it ideal for VR applications. Finally, the smartphone will also incorporate Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with shatter-resistant technology for screen protection, and advanced encapsulation and pixel-scanning technology to greatly reduce the chance of burn-in associated with OLED technology. More details on LG's upcoming P-OLED FullVision flagship smartphone will be revealed at a later date. Source: LGPosted Thu Aug 3, 2017 at 09:00 PM PDT by: -
HDD First Look: Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-rayUPDATE: We've also reviewed the VUDU 4K UHD streaming version with Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos. Check it out HERE. ``` What's up, everybody! I hope you're all getting ready for a fun movie-or-TV-filled weekend. I just got back from a press preview of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray where we demoed three of the HD Exclusive behind-the-scenes featurettes, a new music video starring 80s icon David Hasselhoff and the rest of the GOTGV2 cast, and about 15 minutes of the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray itself. Director James Gunn and David Hasselhoff were on hand to chat about working together (the Hoff had just arrived from Berlin because of course he did and he's also a German icon in addition to an American one) where I learned his "We Are Groot" appearance in the closing credits was shot on Gunn's iPhone. As previously reported, Guardians Vol. 2 will be available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, Blu-ray, and a 4K/3D Best Buy Exclusive SteelBook on August 22nd. The 4K Blu-ray version will be encoded in HDR10 (not Dolby Vision, unfortunately, but don't worry it still looks AWESOME -- more below) and Dolby Atmos, while the HD & 3D Blu-rays will feature 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio sound mixes. (no sign of 4K UHD digital yet via Disney Movies Anywhere Pre-Order) Guardians Vol. 2 will also be available August 8 via Digital on a bunch of different streaming platforms, including Disney Movies Anywhere, iTunes, Amazon Video, VUDU, Google Play, Microsoft, or Fios by Verison. FYI, as I'm writing this, you can pre-order the movie in HD on iTunes, Amazon, and VUDU. Today we confirmed with Disney that VUDU.com will be offering a 4K UHD streaming version of Vol. 2 in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, although it doesn't appear to be up for pre-order at this time. It's not clear where one can stream the film in HDR10 or if there will be any other Dolby Vision streaming options (Google Play?). Stay tuned, we hope to know more next week. During our Q&A period, Gunn reiterated his passion for Dolby Vision saying, in regards to the theatrical release, "I love the Disney 3D version, but I also really love the Dolby Vision so putting that version on home video was really important because I thought it was the best version." Also import and kinda bad news: Disney PR reps informed me that the digital code included with the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray will NOT unlock the 4K UHD digital / streaming version, which is a big bummer for those who are fans of Dolby Vision, but also enjoy the reliability and increased bitrate of physical media. That said, they didn't seem 100% sure and a month ago Disney PR reps told other journalists, incorrectly, that the 4K Blu-ray would feature Dolby Vision. So we'll have to play the waiting game to see what happens. I'll be checking a Disney-provided code on August 8 to see what happens, and we'll check again when our 4K Blu-ray screener arrives for M. Enois Duarte to review. IF YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT If you're reading this article and aren't up to date on terms like HDR or HDR10 or Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos or even 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, no worries, we have a whole bunch of articles explaining those technologies which you can read here: -What is HDR?-What is Dolby Vision?-What is Dolby Atmos?-Everything We Know About 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray The short version: 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is a year-old physical media format that displays content at a 4K resolution that's been graded for HDR, which improves contrast as well as visible details in dark and ultra bright imagery, and Wide Color Gamut, which gives you access to more vivid colors (and colors that more closely reproduce the theatrical experience) even when the images themselves are brighter. It's basically the best physical media format ever (in terms of capabilities) and Guardians Vol. 2 is actually Disney's first 4K disc. GUARDIANS OF THE SPECIAL FEATURES As a reminder, the 4K and Blu-ray versions of Guardians include the following HD Exclusives (there are no bonus materials on the DVD): -The Making of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2-Visionary Intro with director James Gun-Guardians Inferno Music Video-Gag Reel-Four Deleted Scenes-Audio Commentary with director James Gunn And the Digital HD versions exclusively add: Three Scene Breakdowns and a look at the new Disneyland ride, Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: Breakout. In our demo, we saw three of the four chapters from the aforementioned Making Of documentary as well as the music video. The Director's Chair with James Gunn. Behind the scenes footage, movie clips, and talking-head interviews make up this love letter to James Gunn. The filmmaker talks about his intentions with, and success of, the first film and how he hopes to carry it into Vol. 2. Then everyone talks about how great Mr. Gunn is at writing and directing. And, by the looks of it, they all worked very hard and had a great time doing so. Mr. Gunn oozes confidence talking about his story and while leading on set. Showtime: The Cast of Vol. 2. Similar to the director's chair in construction, James Gunn talks about how he collaborates with each actor to build their characters and what they each bring to the production. Again, from hours in makeup to goofing around between takes to high-wire green screen stunts, everyone is having a visibly grand time and it really translates to the final product. Reunion Tour: The Music of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Before Spotify lists, there were honest-to-God mixed tapes. In the Guardians universe, the soundtracks are characters in and of themselves, born early in the writing process and used to build emotions and drive action. Here, Mr. Gunn describes the backstory behind a number of his musical selections, like how he used Fleetwood Mac's The Chain at key parts of his characters' arcs, along with his musical score collaborations with Tyler Bates. Guardians Inferno Music Video. Speaking of which, Gunn and Tyler Bates further collaborated to write a 70s disco-rap song, performed by 80s icon David Hasselhoff, which you might recognize from the film's end credits. Actor/filmmaker David Yarovesky directs a love letter to the ultra cheesy late 70s disco music videos, featuring long-haired ladies and mustache-and-super-chopped adorned guys draped in glittering polyester and blown out across the screen through kaleidoscope-inspired video effects (sadly, no star wipes). Definitely watch this one for the cast cameos. GUARDIANS OF THE 4K ULTRA HD BLU-RAY While we didn't get a full home cinema experience with surround sound -- so I can't tell you anything about the home theatre Dolby Atmos mix (though I have high hopes because it sounded pretty dang great at the premiere) -- we did do a side-by-side demo comparing the HDR/WCG 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray and the SDR/Rec.709 Blu-ray using two LG G7 OLED 4K displays (with all noise reduction and motion enhancements flipped OFF) and two Oppo UDP-203 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray players in a darkened conference room. During our demo, we started (I think) around Chapter 2 where the Guardians are in the blue and gold Sovereign throne room and watched all the way to the scene where Sylvester Stallone and The Ravagers confront Yondu at the neon-covered city of ill-repute. (BTW, I know these places all have specific names, but I forgot them and haven't been able to find them online, so my apologies for the lack of specificity). Make no mistake, the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray DESTROYS the Blu-ray in every possible way (even when said Blu-ray is up-rezzed by what's probably the BEST 4K player on the market on arguably the BEST 4K display available today). I'm not kidding or exaggerating. No hyperbole whatsoever. The difference is visible and dramatic. I'll still need to check out the VUDU version and watch the whole disc to be certain, but unless there are serious flaws hiding somewhere, Guardians Vol. 2 is probably going to set a new standard as the best, demo-worthy 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray the young format has ever seen. How so? I'm glad you asked. First, we need to talk about highlight details. From chandeliers to lights reflecting off spaceship windows to suns blazing in cloudy skies to fiery explosions, GOTGV2 features a ton of in-frame bright objects. On the Blu-ray, these bright spots are hazy and monolithic and, pretty much, one tone of white or off white. On the 4K Blu-ray with HDR, the light sources themselves are smaller and more precise, especially during shots of the sun (or a star, I suppose, since it's not Earth, but I digress). You can see the glowing orb along with clouds and window frames around them. You can see the fine details of the billowing clouds. You can see Mantis' antennae as she emerges from Ego's ship (where in the Blu-ray they vanish). In other words, these details make the Guardians universe dramatically more realistic and realized. Next, let's talk sharpness. Many 4K Blu-rays are, admittedly, not noticeably sharper than up-rezzed Blu-rays. Most of this comes down to source materials and, while I don't know the specifics of the Guardians Vol. 2 post-process (I believe it's was finished in 4K, but don't quote me on this), again the differences are clear as can be. The Blu-ray is sharp-ish as presented on the 2017 LG OLED. Details are defined. Locations are well rendered. You can see the textures and fabrics and sets, but they're never wholly CRISP. In side-by-side comparisons, the Blu-ray looks evvvvvvvver-so-slightly out of focus and washed out. The 4K Blu-ray, by comparison, is razor sharp to the point where you can see wrinkles in Nebula and Gamora's makeup, gold flake in the Sovereign citizens' skin, individual tree branches as they're crash landing on the planet with the green forests, each whisker in Kurt Russel's beard, and the paint on the set walls. To be fair, many folks won't appreciate these fine details, but, again, they add to the realness of the world and picky perfection-demanding viewers are going to love peeping pixels because it's all there. Moving on to black levels Sometimes, especially with OLEDs, HDR10 encoded movies with really dark scenes crush shadow details. There are ways around this and the 2017 OLEDs are brighter than the 2016 model we reviewed HERE, but still, it's a concern given the way HDR10's static metadata is encoded. I'm happy to report, even in darker scenes like the space battle and the interior of the Guardians' ship and the early-evening scene with Yondu, there was no crushing or lost details. This is a very good HDR transfer even though it lacks dynamic metadata. Black levels are, as they tend to be with OLEDs, perfect. Lastly, let's talk color volume. Much like my press events at Fox where we demoed The Revenant and Deadpool, doing side-by-side comparisons offers a far quicker and more perfect demonstration of how 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray bests Blu-ray because A-to-B-to-A-to-B testing allows just enough time to pass for one's memories to cloud. Seeing the same images moving in (semi) sync allows your eyes to linger over both frames at once and it's here you realize that, while Guardians doesn't have a dramatically different color palette like The Revenant, Vol. 2 boasts a much more vibrant and richer color palette that is so gorgeous, you can imagine this very disc and demo selling HDR capable TVs to the masses. Like Pixar and other CGI animations, the colors in this movie are perfect for showing off your display. From the blue Sovereign palace and Nebula's skin to the green forests and Gamora's skin to the Neon-adorned buildings of the shady world where Yondu meets up with the other Ravagers who all hate his guts. In every single scene, the 4K Blu-ray's BOLD colors pop and catch your eye, even in those brighter areas mentioned above -- where the Blu-ray pushes into white when it runs out of a certain color in Rec.709, this P3 color space allows for blue skies and orange flames and red laser blasts, which all adds to the overall sharpness and vibrancy. FINAL THOUGHTS (IS IT TOO SOON TO GIVE IT 5-STARS?) The featurettes and music video were definitely fun, and fans are going to love those, but I went to this event to see the demo and the results are, to put it mildly, spectacular. The Blu-ray is like watching the movie with sunglasses on, where as the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray is like watching after you've had laser eye surgery. I can't wait to own it. To be fair, we've only seen 15 minutes of GOTGV2 on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray, so we can't go giving out the 5-Star score just yet, but, caveat aside, this movie looks bolder, brighter, and more colorful than Pacific Rim and The Great Gatsby, my favorite HDR10/WCG demo discs thus far (and unlike those 2K-up-rezzed titles, I didn't notice any other flaws that would chip away at a perfect score). Honestly, guys and gals, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 looks shockingly good in 4K and I'm so very excited for you to see what I just saw. Is it a bummer that Dolby Vision isn't available on the disc? Sure, but after seeing this 4K Blu-ray with HDR10, you're going to be very, very happy. That said, look for a VUDU 4K UHD review as well in the coming days so we can describe the Dolby Vision version as well as what the lossy Dolby Atmos track sounds like on streaming. Stay tuned and thanks so much for reading!Posted Thu Aug 3, 2017 at 07:12 PM PDT by: -
Coming Soon to Blu-ray: 'Gilmore Girls,' 'The Stranger' and More[teaser]Orson Welles, the residents of Stars Hollow, and more are coming to Blu-ray.[/teaser] New info has been revealed for several upcoming Blu-ray releases from Arrow Video, Sony, Paramount, Olive Films, Acorn Media, Universal, Sentai Filmworks, Disney/Buena Vista, Warner Bros., and Kino. Here's a full rundown of recently revealed details and title announcements: First up, Arrow Video is bringing a Limited Edition SteelBook version of Brian Yuzna's Society starring Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, and Evan Richards to Blu-ray on August 22. Supplements will include: - Brand new audio commentary by Yuzna- Governor of Society – a brand new interview with Yuzna- The Masters of the Hunt – a brand new featurette including interviews with stars Billy Warlock, Devin DeVasquez, Ben Meyerson and Tim Bartell- The Champion of the Shunt – new featurette with FX artists Screaming Mad George, David Grasso and Nick Benson- 2014 Q&A with Yuzna, recorded at Celluloid Screams Festival- Brian Yuzna in conversation backstage at the Society world premiere- 'Persecution Mania' – Screaming Mad George music video- Collector's booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Alan Jones, illustrated with original archive stills and posters In addition, the label is prepping a Limited Edition SteelBook version of Brian Yuzna's Bride of Re-Animator starring Jeffrey Combs, Bruce Abbott, and Claude Earl Jones for Blu-ray on September 26. Supplements will include: - Audio commentary with Yuzna- Audio commentary with Yuzna, star Jeffrey Combs, special effects co-ordinator Tom Rainone and the effects team including John Buechler, Mike Deak, Robert Kurtzman, Howard Berger and Screaming Mad George- Audio commentary with stars Jeffrey Combs and Bruce Abbott- Brian Yuzna Remembers Bride of Re-Animator featurette in which the director looks back at the making of the first Re-Animator sequel- Splatter Masters: The Special Effects Artists of Bride of Re-Animator FX featurette with a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Robert Kurtzman of KNB, Screaming Mad George, Tony Doublin and John Buechler- Getting Ahead in Horror archive making-of featurette- Deleted Scenes- 24-page illustrated collector's booklet featuring writing on the film by programmer Michael Blyth Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray As previously reported, Universal is preparing Gabriela Cowperthwaite' Megan Leavey starring Kate Mara, Edie Falco, Ramón Rodríguez, Bradley Whitford, and Common for Blu-ray, and now the release date has been announced as September 5. Supplements will include Never Give Up Featurette. In addition, the studio has announced an October 3 release date for Colin Trevorrow's The Book of Henry starring Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob Tremblay, Lee Pace, Sarah Silverman, and Dean Norris. Newly revealed supplements will include: - Filming The Book of Henry – Filmmakers and cast discuss the long process of getting this passion project to the big screen.- The Book of Henry: The Cast – Hear the cast talk about what drew them to their roles. Filmmakers also weigh in on what each cast member brought to their part, and why they were the perfect ensemble. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Mill Creek Entertainment is set to release a SteelBook Edition of Joel Schumacher's Flatliners starring Kiefer Sutherland, Julia Roberts, and Kevin Bacon on September 26. Supplements have not been announced. Order the Blu-ray Paramount is reissuing Michael Winner's Death Wish starring Charles Bronson, Hope Lange, and Vincent Gardenia on Blu-ray on September 26. No other details have been announced at this time, but the disc will likely be the same as the previous Warner Bros. release. Order the Blu-ray Sony is releasing Claudio Fäh's Sniper: Ultimate Kill starring Chad Michael Collins, Billy Zane, Tom Berenger, and Danay Garcia on October 3. Supplements have not been announced. Order the Blu-ray Acorn Media is prepping The Good Karma Hospital: Season 1 starring Amanda Redman, Amrita Acharia, James Floyd, Darshan Jariwalla, and Sagar Radia for Blu-ray on November 7. No other details have been announced at this time. Order the Blu-ray Sentai Filmworks is bringing The Squid Girl: Seasons 1 & 2 Complete Collection to Blu-ray on November 28. Supplements will include: - Japanese Promos & Commentaries - Mini Squid Girl Short Stories - I Th-INK That's English?! - Clean Version Short - Clean Opening and Closing Animations In addition, the label is also releasing a Premium Edition version in a Chipboard Box with Two Hardcover Booklets, Art Cards, a Chibi Keychain, Lenticular Card, Authenticity Card, Button Pack, CCA Donation Card, and CCA Donations. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray Olive Films is prepping Orson Welles' The Stranger starring Orson Welles, Edward G. Robinson, and Loretta Young for Blu-ray on August 29. No other details have been announced at this time. Disney/Buena Vista is bringing a Target Exclusive version of Joachim Rønning and Espen Sandberg's Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales starring Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem, and Brenton Thwaites to Blu-ray on October 3. Target Exclusive Digital Bonus Content will include: -From the Depths -How to Steal a Bank And non-exclusive supplements will include: - Dead Men Tell More Tales: The Making of a New Adventure – Get unique access into the making of this exciting new "Pirates of the Caribbean" movie with this collection of revealing and entertaining stories that you can view individually or as a "play all."- Bloopers of the Caribbean- Jerry Bruckheimer Photo Diary- Deleted Scenes Kino is prepping Paul Wendkos' Cannon for Cordoba starring George Peppard, Giovanna Ralli, and Raf Vallone for Blu-ray on October 31. Supplements have not been detailed. In addition, the label is also set to release Platoon Leader / Soldier Boyz on Blu-ray later this year. No other details have been announced yet. Scream Factory is bringing Austin Reading's Darkness Rising starring Tara Holt, Christian Ganiere, and Bryce Johnson to Blu-ray on November 7. No other details have been announced. Likewise, the label is also prepping Damien Power's Killing Ground starring Harriet Dyer, Tiarnie Coupland, and Aaron Pedersen for Blu-ray on November 7 as well. Supplements have not been revealed. In addition, Scream Factory will release The Paul Naschy Collection II on November 14. The package will feature Hunchback of the Morgue (1973); Devil's Possessed (1974); The Werewolf and the Yeti (1975); Exorcism (1975); and A Dragonfly for Each Corpse (1975). Supplements will include: - U.S. Theatrical Trailers- Spanish Credit Sequences- Alternate Clothed Sequences- Deleted Scenes (Night of the Werewolf)- Spanish Theatrical Trailer Finally, Warner Bros. is preparing Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life starring Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel, Kelly Bishop, and Scott Patterson for Blu-ray on November 28. No other info has 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 Thu Aug 3, 2017 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
Samsung Releases 88-inch Q9 QLED 4K TV for $20,000[teaser]The ultra-large Ultra HD TV is now shipping.[/teaser] Samsung has announced the launch of its 88-inch Q9 QLED 4K TV in North America and Korea. The new model joins the previously released 65-inch QN65Q9 and the 75-inch QN75Q9. "At Samsung, we are aiming to expand our footprint in the ultra-premium TV market with our ultra-large QLED TV models that embody the perfect combination of technology and art," said Jongsuk Chu, Senior Vice President of the Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "With their superior picture quality and innovative features, we are confident that our QLED TV lineup will continue to drive sales and solidify Samsung’s leadership in the global TV market." The 88-inch Q9 display uses Samsung's new metal quantum dot technology to deliver wide color gamut support and 100 percent color volume. Likewise, the set includes HDR10 support and is among the first displays to include new HDR10+ support (but not Dolby Vision). In addition, the unit features a boundless 360 Design and a 1.88mm, transparent optical cable (dubbed the Invisible Connection), allowing users to connect peripheral devices without messy wires. Finally, a No Gap Wall-mount is also offered, enabling the screen to be mounted flush against a user's wall. Samsung's 88-inch Class Q9F QLED 4K TV is now available in the US for an MSRP of $20,000. The ultra-large model is also set to launch in Europe later this month. In addition, the 65-inch QN65Q9 is currently on sale for $3,998 and the 75-inch QN75Q9 is currently on sale for $8,998. And beyond the Q9 Series, Samsung's QLED lineup also includes the Q8 QLED Ultra HD TV Series and the Q7 QLED Ultra HD TV Series. Source: SamsungPosted Wed Aug 2, 2017 at 01:25 PM PDT by: -
VIZIO Expands App Support to the Big Screen with SmartCast TV Update for P-Series & M-Series Ultra HD Displays[teaser]The new update lets users access apps directly from their displays.[/teaser] VIZIO has announced the launch of its new SmartCast TV update. The upgraded user experience offers two ways for customers to control streaming content, adding support for on-screen navigation with the new VIZIO SmartCast remote. Previously, users could only access apps from a separate mobile device or tablet remote. "The introduction of VIZIO SmartCast TV is all about giving consumers additional options when it comes to accessing their favorite content," said Matt McRae, Chief Technology Officer ,VIZIO. "We focused on developing a best-in-class smart platform for all users; from traditional TV fans who enjoy a dedicated remote control, to digital natives and second screen users who love using their mobile devices to search and control their viewing experience. 2017 is all about expanding SmartCast to give users multiple ways to stream the entertainment they love, the way they want it." With the SmartCast TV update, users can now access settings and a new home screen with content recommendations and popular apps like Amazon Video, Crackle, Hulu, iHeartRadio, Netflix, Pluto TV, Vudu, and XUMO directly on their displays. In addition, the "Discover" section aggregates trending and popular content from multiple sources all in one place, letting customers browse titles without having to switch between multiple apps. Likewise, users can also continue to use their mobile devices to access and control content and settings as well. The SmartCast TV upgrade is now rolling out to 2017 VIZIO SmartCast P-Series and M-Series Ultra HD Displays through an automatic internet update. The upgrade will also expand to additional lines like the 2017 VIZIO SmartCast E-Series Ultra HD Displays later this summer. To access the SmartCast TV experience some users with previously purchased eligible displays might need the new VIZIO SmartCast remote. For a limited time and while supplies last, owners of eligible models can receive the new VIZIO SmartCast remote either free or for a nominal fee by visiting vizio.com/remote (some conditions apply). Source: VIZIOPosted Wed Aug 2, 2017 at 11:45 AM PDT by:
