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Streaming News Roundup: 'Bright,' 'Voltron,' and More[teaser]New trailers for David Ayer's Bright and DreamWorks' Voltron Legendary Defenders are among the latest streaming updates.[/teaser] Netflix and Amazon have released new trailers, date announcements, and other info for several of their upcoming shows and movies, including Bright, Voltron Legendary Defenders, Homecoming, and Ordeal By Innocence. In addition, Hulu has announced an expanded lineup of content from 20th Century Fox, iTunes is offering digital bonus features for Mad Men, and TEN: The Enthusiast Network has revealed its livestream schedule for the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. Check out a full rundown of the latest streaming news and trailers below: Voltron Legendary Defender: Season Three (Netflix, August 4) - Season 3 picks up in the wake of Zarkon's defeat and Shiro’s disappearance, as the paladins struggle to move forward with no one able to pilot the black lion or the ability to form Voltron. The team must quickly devise a plan as the ascension of Prince Lotor and his generals pulls the team into a perilous game of cat-and-mouse that tests their unity and abilities more than ever before. Bright (Netflix, December 22) - Set in an alternate present-day where humans, orcs, elves and fairies have been coexisting since the beginning of time, this action-thriller directed by David Ayer (Suicide Squad, End of Watch, writer of Training Day) follows two cops from very different backgrounds. Ward, a human (Will Smith), and Jakoby, an orc (Joel Edgerton), embark on a routine night patrol that will alter the future of their world as they know it. Battling both their own personal differences as well as an onslaught of enemies, they must work together to protect a young female elf and a thought-to-be-forgotten relic, which in the wrong hands could destroy everything. Meanwhile, Amazon has announced a new a multi-show deal with Agatha Christie Limited for a series of Amazon Originals adapted from Christie works. The first series, Ordeal By Innocence, started production earlier this month. In the show, old wounds are reopened for the Argyll family when a man suddenly turns up and claims that the black sheep of the family, Jack Argyll, could not have murdered its tyrannical matriarch—for which he was accused just one year earlier. The family must come to terms with Jack’s innocence and with the fact that one of them may be the real murderer. "We are delighted to be working with Amazon in the TV space. They have obviously played a massive part in our book business over the past few years, and it is exciting to move with them onto Prime Video in the U.S.," said James Prichard, Chairman and CEO of Agatha Christie Limited. According to a report from Deadline, Amazon has also picked up a new show titled Homecoming for a two season straight-to-series order. The upcoming half-hour drama comes from director and executive producer Sam Esmail (Mr. Robot) and is set to star Julia Roberts. Homecoming is based on the fictional podcast of the same name created by Eli Horowitz and Micah Bloomberg. The podcast focuses on a caseworker at an experimental facility, her ambitious supervisor, and a soldier eager to rejoin civilian life. A release date has not been announced yet. Hulu has announced a new deal with 20th Century Fox Television Distribution to add nearly 3,000 episodes of Fox content to the platform's streaming library. The deal includes all episodes of shows like How I Met Your Mother, Raising Hope, The Bernie Mac Show, Better Off Ted, Reba, Life in Pieces, NYPD Blue, Bones, Glee, Burn Notice, White Collar, The Practice, M*A*S*H, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, St. Elsewhere, Hill Street Blues, The Bob Newhart Show, Don’t Trust the B—in Apartment 23,The Grinder, Blue Collar, Saving Grace, Lie To Me, Graceland, Dollhouse, Wilfred, The Glades, and more. In addition, Hulu and Fox also recently announced an agreement to bring animated series like Bob’s Burgers, American Dad!, Futurama, and The Cleveland Show to the streaming service as well. In celebration of the show's 10th Anniversary, Lionsgate has announced the addition of over 16 hours of Bonus Content for Mad Men on iTunes. This marks the first time that the series' special features have been made available through a digital platform. Previously, the supplements were only included with the DVD and Blu-ray releases. Mad Men seasons 1 through 7 are now on sale for $9.99 each from July 17 through July 31 at iTunes.com/MadMen. iTunes is now the exclusive digital home for the show's bonus content. Finally, TEN: The Enthusiast Network has announced plans to stream the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance through its AUTOMOBILE brand at Automobilemag.com, Motor Trend OnDemand, and on the Automobile magazine playlist within MOTOR TREND’s YouTube channel. The show will begin on August 20 at 2 p.m. PST. "We are truly excited to bring the most prized collectible automobiles in the world to auto enthusiasts in their home for the third year in a row," says TEN CEO Scott Dickey. "Our livestream hosts provide a unique mix of expert commentary on these beautiful, historic cars that complement and enhance the viewership of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance." The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance features 200 of the most prized collector cars in the world rolled onto the famed 18th fairway of the Pebble Beach Golf Links to compete for top honors. The livestream will be hosted by TEN's International Bureau Chief Angus MacKenzie, American motorsports announcer Bob Varsha, and British race car driver and veteran broadcaster Alain de Cadenet. Likewise, the livestream will also include a preshow segment highlighting the collector cars, and this year's stream will offer additional camera coverage from the awards show ramp. - 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, Deadline, Hulu, Motor Trend OnDemand, LionsgatePosted Sun Jul 23, 2017 at 10:00 PM PDT by: -
Marvel Unleashes New Trailer for 'Thor: Ragnarok'[teaser]The flick is smashing its way toward theaters in November. [/teaser] To coincide with the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, Marvel has released an official trailer for Thor: Ragnarok. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth, Cate Blanchett, and Mark Ruffalo, and is set to premiere on November 3. In Marvel Studios’ Thor: Ragnarok, Thor is imprisoned on the other side of the universe without his mighty hammer and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok – the destruction of his homeworld and the end of Asgardian civilization – at the hands of an all-powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela. But first he must survive a deadly gladiatorial contest that pits him against his former ally and fellow Avenger – the Incredible Hulk! Check out the official trailer below! The movie is directed by Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) and stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki. Additional cast members include Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba, Jeff Goldblum, Tessa Thompson and Karl Urban, with Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner/The Incredible Hulk, and Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange. Kevin Feige is on board as producer along with Louis D’Esposito, Brad Winderbaum, Victoria Alonso, Thomas M. Hammel and Stan Lee serving as executive producers. The screenplay is by Eric Perason from a story by Craig Kyle & Christopher Yost and Stephany Folsom. The trailer debuted during the Marvel Studios panel at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, along with more updates on a variety of upcoming Marvel films, including Black Panther, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, and Avengers: Infinity War. And beyond the trailer, Marvel also released a new poster for Thor: Ragnarok as well. Check it out below! Source: Marvel (YouTube)Posted Sun Jul 23, 2017 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Reveals New 'Stranger Things' Season Two Trailer[teaser]A full trailer for the show's second season has been released.[/teaser] Netflix has debuted a new Comic Con trailer for Stranger Things season two. The new season is set to start streaming exclusively through Netflix on October 27. It's 1984 and the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers has been rescued from the Upside Down but a bigger, sinister entity still threatens those who survived. Check out the new trailer below! Returning cast members for season two include Winona Ryder ('Show Me a Hero'), David Harbour ('Suicide Squad'), Finn Wolfhard ('The 100,' 'Aftermath,' 'The Resurrection'), Millie Bobby Brown (BBC's 'Intruders,' 'Once Upon A Time,' 'NCIS'), Gaten Matarazzo ('The Blacklist'), Caleb McLaughlin ('The Lion King on Broadway'), Noah Schnapp ('Bridge of Spies,' 'The Peanuts Movie'), Natalia Dyer ('After Darkness,' 'Hannah Montana: The Movie'), Charlie Heaton ('Shut In,' 'Urban and the Shed Crew'), and Joe Keery. In addition, new cast members will include Sean Astin, Paul Reiser, Linnea Berthelsen, Sadie Sink, and Dacre Montgomery. The show comes from creators Matt Duffer and Ross Duffer ('Wayward Pines,' 'Hidden') Season two of Strangers Things is set to include nine episodes. Meanwhile, all eight episodes of the show's first season are now available to stream globally through Netflix. Beyond Stranger Things, Netflix also recently released a new trailer for Marvel's The Defenders starring Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, and Finn Jones. The miniseries is set to premiere on August 18. A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Source: NetflixPosted Sat Jul 22, 2017 at 04:06 PM PDT by: -
New 'Justice League' Comic-Con Trailer Released[teaser]The new 4 minute trailer offers the best look yet at the upcoming superhero team-up.[/teaser] To coincide with the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, Warner Bros. has revealed a new extended sneak peek trailer for Justice League. The movie is set to hit theaters on November 17. Fueled by his restored faith in humanity and inspired by Superman’s selfless act, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his newfound ally, Diana Prince, to face an even greater enemy. Together, Batman and Wonder Woman work quickly to find and recruit a team of metahumans to stand against this newly awakened threat. But despite the formation of this unprecedented league of heroes—Batman (Ben Affleck), Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot), Aquaman (Jason Momoa), Cyborg (Ray Fisher) and The Flash (Ezra Miller) —it may already be too late to save the planet from an assault of catastrophic proportions. Check out the Comic Con Sneak Peek trailer below! Justice League comes from director Zack Snyder with a script by Chris Terrio based on a story by Snyder and Terrio. In addition, director Joss Whedon is handling reshoots and post-production on the film following a family tragedy that forced Zack Snyder to step down. The movie will follow previous DC Extended Universe entries Man of Steel, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Wonder Woman. Other upcoming DCEU films in various stages of development include Aquaman, Shazam, The Flash, Suicide Squad 2, Wonder Woman 2, The Batman, Cyborg, Batgirl, Black Adam, Green Lantern Corps, and Justice League Dark. And beyond the new trailer, Warner Bros. has also unveiled a new poster for the flick as well. Check it out below! Source: Warner Bros.Posted Sat Jul 22, 2017 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Warner Bros. Debuts First Teaser for Steven Spielberg's 'Ready Player One'[teaser]Are you ready to enter the OASIS?[/teaser] To coincide with the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, Warner Bros. has released the first teaser trailer for Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One. The upcoming movie will hit theaters on March 30, 2018. The film is set in 2045, with the world on the brink of chaos and collapse. But the people have found salvation in the OASIS, an expansive virtual reality universe created by the brilliant and eccentric James Halliday (Mark Rylance). When Halliday dies, he leaves his immense fortune to the first person to find a digital Easter egg he has hidden somewhere in the OASIS, sparking a contest that grips the entire world. When an unlikely young hero named Wade Watts (Tye Sheridan) decides to join the contest, he is hurled into a breakneck, reality-bending treasure hunt through a fantastical universe of mystery, discovery and danger. Check out the teaser trailer below! Ready Player One is based on Ernest Cline's novel of the same name. Spielberg directed the movie from a screenplay by Zak Penn and Cline. Producers include Spielberg, Donald De Line, Kristie Macosko Krieger and Dan Farah, along with Adam Somner, Daniel Lupi, Chris DeFaria, and Bruce Berman all on board as executive producers. Stars include Tye Sheridan (X-Men: Apocalypse, Mud), Olivia Cooke (Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, Bates Motel), Ben Mendelsohn (Rogue One – A Star Wars Story, Bloodline), T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Silicon Valley), Simon Pegg (Star Trek, Shaun of the Dead), and Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies, Dunkirk). The teaser trailer was first revealed earlier today during the Ready Player One panel at the 2017 San Diego Comic Con with director Steve Spielberg, author Ernest Cline, and several cast members. Sources: Warner Bros. UKPosted Sat Jul 22, 2017 at 12:30 PM PDT by: -
Hands On with LG's 2017 Audio and OLED 4K Display Lineup[teaser]A Dolby Atmos sound bar, floating speakers, 4K Ultra HD TVs, and more were all spotlighted.[/teaser] Earlier this week, High-Def Digest was invited to attend LG's Sound Bites demo in New York City. Held at the Flatiron Penthouse, the event offered a free-flowing look at the company's latest audio and video products, allowing attendees to wander through various rooms to experience the gear in a casual, real-world setting. And all while mixing the demonstrations with a healthy assortment of delicious bites and curated music selections courtesy of Chef Dale Talde. From levitating speakers and Atmos sound bars to OLED TVs and Ultra HD Blu-ray players, there were so many products on display that the showcase required an actual map to navigate through all the rooms full of tech goodies. Seriously, check it out below (click for full size). And now that my eyes, ears, and belly have been fully satiated, I've returned with a roundup of gear highlights and impressions. Note: All prices below reflect current Amazon or manufacturer listings before taxes or shipping fees. OLED DISPLAYS & ULTRA HD BLU-RAY PLAYER Fresh off the LG 65E7P OLED Ultra HD TV's recent sweep of the 2017 CE Week TV Shootout Awards, LG took the opportunity to spotlight another one of its 2017 OLED TV models. Proudly displayed in four different rooms throughout the space, the company had its more affordable 65C7P and 55C7P Ultra HD TVs on hand. To show off the displays, LG primarily played back a variety of Ultra HD clips in Dolby Vision HDR from a connected USB drive. The demo material included scenes from Mad Max: Fury Road, Everest, Batman v Superman, Pacific Rim, and more. I've now had a chance to see this year's crop of OLEDs at a few different events and they never seem to disappoint. With the same panel found on the 65E7P, the C7P model offers the same inky black levels, rich colors, strong viewing angles, and impressive HDR highlights that helped its more expensive sibling earn the "King of UHD TV" title. With that said, this model does not include the E7's fancy Picture-on-Glass design or sound bar stand. But even without those design perks, the C7P looked gorgeous in person and the demo material really shined -- despite seemingly having one of the TV's unnecessary motion smoothing modes enabled. Exploding fire balls during the Mad Max scene flared with smoldering intensity while the title showdown from Batman v Superman offered a great example of the set's impressive contrast, maintaining perfect blacks and shadows while specific highlights and colors, like Batman's glowing eyes and swirling green clouds of kryptonite, popped from the screen. The 65C7P is now available for $3,797 and the 55C7P is currently on sale for $2,497. And beyond the Dolby Vision clips, LG also had its new UP970 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Player connected to one of the OLED TVs as well. For the event, the company played back scenes from the Ultra HD Blu-ray release of The Secret Life of Pets in HDR10. Like the other demo material, the flick looked great with bold colors and sharp detail. And though the player couldn't show off any Dolby Vision discs just yet, LG stated that the highly anticipated Dolby Vision firmware update is expected to be available by the end of the month/early August. In addition to multi-HDR capabilities and Ultra HD disc playback, the device also includes support for Blu-ray/3D Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K streaming playback. The UP970 4K Ultra-HD Blu-ray Player is now available for $297. SOUND BARS Switching gears to LG's new audio lineup, the company also demoed its recently released SJ9 sound bar with Dolby Atmos as part of a living room system along with the OLED and Ultra HD Blu-ray player. The sound bar features multiple speakers, including two powerful up-firing drivers for bouncing sound off a user's ceiling, and a wireless subwoofer to offer a 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos experience. Likewise, the device is currently the thinnest Atmos-enabled sound bar model on the market according to LG. To demonstrate the sound bar, the company again played a scene from The Secret Life of Pets, and though this sequence sounded pretty good it just wasn't a particularly robust showcase of the device's quality. Thankfully, LG played a few clips from a Dolby Atmos demo disc as well, and these videos really revealed the unit's full potential. The first piece, titled Leaf, featured a rustling leaf floating through the trees as birds, frogs, and other nature effects filled the background of the track. The sound bar provided surprisingly wide imaging, spreading the ambient sounds far off to the left and right. Likewise, the leaf itself had some genuine dimension to it as it moved throughout the room, and though true surround presence was lacking, the sound bar did a great job of creating a sense of overhead audio. The system's subwoofer provided some nice kick to the video too, but the levels had to be pushed quite high to overcome the noisy event which did lead to some occasional harshness. Another well-known Atmos clip, called Amaze, was also played. Marked by more nature effects like fluttering wings, thunder, and falling rain, this demo also gave the up-firing drivers a nice workout, offering a convincing overhead effect as the storm opened up and seemed to descend from above the listening position. The SJ9 sound bar with Dolby Atmos is now available for $997. Outside of the Atmos model, LG had a few other sound bars on display as well, including the SJ7 "Flex" Sound Bar and the SJ5Y Sound Bar. The SJ7 is a 320W sound bar system that features a unique Flex option allowing the two-part sound bar unit to be used as a single bar with 2.1 channels; two separate left and right speakers for 2.1 channels; or as a separate front speaker and rear surround speaker for 4.1 channels. Likewise, both pieces have Bluetooth support and the right unit has a battery. In addition, the package includes a wireless subwoofer. During the event, LG had the sound bar configured as separate front and surround units, with the front speaker placed under a TV and the rear speaker placed on a table behind a couch. The Dolby Vision demo reel was played, and though the volume was bit too low to really get a full sense of the system's quality, the sound bar did correctly send front and rear effects to the appropriate unit for 4.1 surround sound. Due to the compact size of each speaker there wasn't really much stereo imaging on the individual units, but the front to back separation created a relatively immersive soundfield. I'd need more time with the product and all of its different modes to form any kind of full opinion, but based on my limited preview this actually looks like a pretty clever design. The SJ7 "Flex" Sound Bar is available now for $427. Meanwhile, the SJ5Y Sound Bar is a more traditional 320W 2.1 channel system with a wireless subwoofer. The sound bar offers Bluetooth connectivity and hi-res audio playback support, along with HDMI 1.4 in and out ports. For the demo, the system was also paired with LG's SPJ4 2.0 Channel Sound Bar Wireless Rear Speaker Kit, adding separate left and right rear satellites for surround sound. A clip from Oblivion was played as a demo, and the system sounded quite lively with a solid sense of immersion for its size, providing performance not unlike similar VIZIO sound bar/rear satellite systems I've reviewed in the past. The SJ5Y Sound Bar is now available for $270 and the additional LG's SPJ4 2.0 Channel Sound Bar Wireless Rear Speaker Kit is available for $127. PORTABLE SPEAKERS In addition to home theater gear, LG also spotlighted some of its new and upcoming portable audio devices, including the PJ9 ZeroG Levitating Speaker, PJ8 Twin Speaker, and PJ3 SoloG Speaker. With its unique floating design, the PJ9 was the most striking of the bunch. The system features a compact 360-degree portable speaker unit that levitates and spins above a separate subwoofer base via magnetic technology. Likewise, the subwoofer base also acts as a wireless charging dock. When separated from the base, the speaker can last for up to 10 hours of portable use and also offers IPX7 Water Resistance. Bluetooth connectivity, speakerphone support, and a 3.5mm connection are integrated as well. Meanwhile, the speaker will also be available as a standalone portable model dubbed the PJ3 SoloG Speaker, which offers the same performance minus the magnetic levitating technology and the subwoofer base. In addition, a PJ8 Twin Speaker version with two PJ3 units connected together via a charging dock is also in the works. Likewise, two PJ3s can be wirelessly paired as well to offer left and right stereo playback. Sadly, it was a bit too noisy at the event to really get a good listen of the speaker, but the levitating feature was genuinely cool in person, giving the device a high-tech aesthetic that definitely demands attention. The PJ9 ZeroG Levitating Speaker is now available for pre-order with an MSRP of $300. Shipments are expected to launch in September. FINAL THOUGHTS Marked by impressive audio gear, gorgeous OLED displays, great music, and delicious food, the LG Sound Bites Event provided a nice sampling of the company's new and upcoming crop of AV products. Though the noise could make it a little hard to hear some of the speaker demos, the casual setting offered a more laid back and real world taste of what these devices can do. And beyond the highlighted gear above, LG also showed off some of their new Hi-Fi sound systems, including the beefy 3500W CJ98 ($897) which brought a fun atmosphere to the event's outdoor terrace via some thumping bass and flashing lights. We're hoping to get more hands-on time with some of the gear from the event, but for now, what do you think about LG's 2017 lineup? Will you be taking the plunge on an OLED display or any of these sound bar models? Let us know your thoughts in the forums!Posted Fri Jul 21, 2017 at 08:30 PM PDT by: -
Netflix Unveils New Trailer for Marvel's 'The Defenders'[teaser]The superhero team-up series will hit Netflix in August.[/teaser] To coincide with the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, Netflix has released a second trailer for its upcoming miniseries, The Defenders. The show will premiere on August 18. Marvel’s The Defenders follows Daredevil (Charlie Cox), Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter), Luke Cage (Mike Colter) and Iron Fist (Finn Jones). A quartet of singular heroes with one common goal – to save New York City. This is the story of four solitary figures, burdened with their own personal challenges, who realize they just might be stronger when teamed together. Check out the new trailer below! The upcoming miniseries stars Charlie Cox, Krysten Ritter, Mike Colter, Finn Jones, Deborah Ann Woll, Simone Missick, Elden Henson, Carrie-Anne Moss, Eka Darville, Rachael Taylor, Rosario Dawson, Scott Glenn, Jessica Henwick, and Elodie Yung -- all reprising their respective roles from various Marvel series on Netflix. Likewise, Sigourney Weaver has joined the cast as the villainous Alexandra. Douglas Petrie (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and Marco Ramirez (Orange is the New Black) are on board as showrunners. In addition, Petrie, Ramirez, Drew Goddard (The Martian, Lost, Alias), and Jeph Loeb will all serve as Executive Producers for the mini-series. The show is being produced by Marvel Television in association with ABC Studios for Netflix. Beyond the new Defenders trailer, Netflix also just confirmed a second season renewal for Iron Fist. The series centers around Danny Rand (Finn Jones). Fifteen years after being presumed dead in a plane crash, Rand mysteriously returns to New York City determined to reclaim his birthright and family company. However, when a long-destined enemy rises in New York, this living weapon is forced to choose between his family’s legacy and his duties as the Iron Fist. All 13 episodes of the show's first season are now available to stream through Netflix. A release date for the second season has not been announced yet A current Netflix subscription starts at $10 for HD streaming and $12 for Ultra HD streaming. Sources: Netflix (YouTube), VarietyPosted Fri Jul 21, 2017 at 07:45 PM PDT by: -
CE Week 2017 Highlights: Focal Dolby Atmos Speakers, Samsung Gear, Headphones, and More!Last week, High-Def Digest was invited to attend the 2017 CE Week tradeshow in New York City. The annual mid-year event spotlights the latest tech and consumer electronics from some of the industry's top manufacturers -- and this year's show featured several exciting new products from companies like Focal, Samsung, Cleer, Merge VR, and more. [teaser]From Dolby Atmos speaker systems and high-end headphones to Ultra HD TVs and virtual reality gadgets, the show floor was packed with impressive demos, allowing me to go hands-on with some exciting new gear.[/teaser] With that in mind, I've returned with a list of highlights and impressions from the event, rounding up the best tech products in attendance. And in addition to the picks below, be sure to check out our detailed rundown of the CE Week 2017 TV Shootout, which was also held during the show. Pitting six Ultra HD TVs in a head-to-head competition, the Shootout crowned LG's 65E7P OLED Ultra HD TV as the new "King of TV." But while those fancy TVs did hog most of the spotlight, they were far from the only worthy products to see... Note: All prices below reflect current Amazon or manufacturer listings before taxes or shipping fees. FOCAL For CE Week, Focal came out in full force, offering an enticing look at some of its new and upcoming products. The French audio brand brought several premium headphones to its booth, but the real show-stopper, and one of the best products at the event period, was the company's Sib Evo Dolby Atmos Speaker System. The compact 5.1.2 package includes three Sib Evo satellites (center and surrounds), two Sib Evo Dolby Atmos loudspeakers (front left and right), and one Cub Evo subwoofer. The standard satellites feature a 3/4" soft dome tweeter and 5" Polyflex woofer with a frequency response of 70Hz to 25kHz. Meanwhile, the Dolby Atmos speakers add an upfiring 4" full-range driver on top to bounce sound off a user's ceiling in order to simulate overhead audio. Finally, the sub features an 8 1/4" Polyflex woofer, a 200W Class-D amplifier, and a frequency response of 35Hz – 150Hz. For demo purposes, Focal had the system set up in a private room mostly isolated from the noisy tradeshow environment. And though the room's high ceilings were a bit taller than the standard recommended height for upfiring Atmos drivers, the company was still able to calibrate them correctly for the demonstration via a Denon receiver. To showcase the speakers, Focal first played a Dolby demo clip featuring lots of nature effects with rain and thunder, creating an impressive dome of sound that reflected effects quite convincingly from above. An additional music clip was played as well which gradually spread cues around the room while expanding the audio in all directions. This demo was a little less directional, creating a more general sense of higher sound. And concluding the showcase with an appropriate bang, the company switched gears to the wildfire scene from the second season of Game of Thrones. As the explosion reverberated around the room, the subwoofer growled with a deep and escalating LFE cue while falling debris boomed from the Atmos drivers. Overall, it was an impressive demonstration, offering upfiring effects that seemed to be on par with other Atmos speakers and modules that I've heard. Likewise, the general audio quality of the speakers themselves was great, with a full, spacious sound and clean dialogue despite the satellites' compact size. Likewise, the sub balanced well with the system, though there were some harsh vibrations in the floor every now and then (likely more a result of the less than ideal room than the woofer). With all that in mind, it's no surprise that the package received a CE Week Best in Show Award during the event. The Sib Evo Dolby Atmos Speaker System is now available for an MSRP of $1,299, making it a very appealing option for users who want a full space-saving surround sound setup without sacrificing Dolby Atmos support. And for users who want to build more extensive immersive audio configurations, additional Sib Evo Dolby Atmos speaker pairs can be purchased for an MSRP of $599. SAMSUNG In addition to competing in the TV Shootout with its QN65Q9 Ultra HD QLED TV, Samsung also had its own separate booth on the show floor, highlighting a few of its other 2017 AV products. The lineup included the 65" Class Q8C Curved QLED 4K TV, the 65-inch Frame Ultra HD TV, and the HW-MS650/ZA Sound+ Premium Soundbar. Though I'm still not crazy about curved-screened panels, the Q8 looked quite beautiful in person. With quantum dot technology to deliver a max of about 1500 nits (according to Samsung), the set was able to maintain a strikingly vibrant and intense image even in the bright lighting conditions of the room. An HDR demo reel of flowers and scrolling hues filled the screen, showing off the model's impressive color performance with lush reds, greens, and blues. Sadly, while the set does offer local dimming, the TV uses an edge-lit backlight which might hinder dark room performance a bit compared to full array local dimming models. Still, for customers looking for a 4K display with great HDR10 performance in bright environments, this is definitely a set to keep in mind. The 65" Class Q8C Curved QLED 4K TV is now on sale for $3,498. Meanwhile, the Frame Ultra HD TV turns its attention to an entirely different consumer base, switching emphasis away from nits and quantum dots to instead focus on aesthetics and design. Developed in collaboration with renowned designer Yves Behar, the display has been built to look like a picture frame hanging on a user's wall when not in use as a TV, complete with customizable accessories like interchangeable bezels and an optional Studio Stand. When the unit is placed in "Art Mode," the screen displays custom-designed digital art pieces instead of fading to black like a traditional television. Likewise, users can also save and upload their favorite personal art work or photographs using "My Collection." At the show, Samsung demoed this feature by defaulting the panel to a sample layout of personal photos before cycling the display through different art pieces and pictures. In general, this all looked quite nice, and the handsome design might be appealing to users who want a display that blends in with their living room decor. With that said, the aesthetics alone likely won't justify the pricing for most customers -- especially considering the set's relatively low 400 nit HDR performance. Samsung's 65-inch Frame Ultra HD TV is now on sale for $2,798. Finally, Samsung also had its new MS650 Sound+ Sound Bar on hand as well. The 3-channel sound bar features 9 speakers with dedicated amps, integrated bass, and the company's wide range tweeter for room-filling audio and a frequency response of 40Hz~20KHz. Dolby Digital and DTS processing are supported as well, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI with 4K HDR passthrough, and HD audio playback. Unfortunately, though the sound bar looked nice enough in person, the device was not actually being demoed in the loud show environment so I can't offer any insights into its performance. Samsung's MS650 Sound+ Sound Bar is now available for $448. CLEER Cleer used CE Week to spotlight some of it latest audio products as well, including its upcoming NEXT headphones. The audiophile headphones feature an open-back, alloy structure with an ironless magnesium driver to provide high-resolution sound with 30x less distortion at higher volumes. In addition, the unit uses soft-touch sheepskin and memory foam earpads and headband for extra comfort. Likewise, a 1.5m four-conductor audio cable with LEMO hardware is also integrated. In person, the headphones' high-tech aesthetic worked nicely and the device felt quite good over my ears. But cool looks and a nice fit are meaningless if the cans don't sound great. And thankfully, the NEXT sounds like it's going to be a strong performer. For the demo, I listened to a few hi-res audio tracks being played from an Onkyo DAP, including AC/DC's "Back in Black" and Daft Punk's "Get Lucky." Despite the loud environment, the audio came through well with a pleasingly spacious and intimate profile that evoked a similar quality to planar magnetic and electrostatic headphone models I've heard in the past. Bass beats were deep and resonant while balancing well with the mids and highs to create a great sense of depth and dynamic range in the vocals and instruments. I'd need to take a longer listen in a quiet space to form any kind of full opinion, but from what I head the headphones rightly earned their Gold Star Award at CE Week. The Cleer NEXT Headphones are set to start shipping in September for an MSRP of $699. MERGE VR No modern tech show would be complete without a virtual reality demo, and thankfully Merge VR was in attendance to satiate that craving. With their VR Goggles and upcoming Merge Cube on hand, I got to demo the company's latest virtual and augmented reality gear. Unlike Google and Samsung's more expensive headsets which are only compatible with specific Android smartphones, the Merge VR Goggles are designed to work with most Android and iOS phones made in the last four years. But with their simplified construction and purple, lightweight foam build, they're clearly geared toward a younger crowd of kids, tweens... and childish adults like me. For the demonstration, Merge was highlighting its new Cube augmented reality hologram toy to go along with the goggles. Basically, it's a normal physical cube that can fit in a user's palm, but when viewed through the VR Goggles it can be transformed into a variety of interactive objects and mini games. For instance, during my first demo, the cube turned into a pirate's telescope, allowing me to look through the cube with the headset on in order to see an island with ships and canons. Likewise, another demo turned the cube into a campfire that I could hold in my hands and another turned it into a bundle of fireworks I could set off and watch explode. In these instances, just the cube itself was altered through the goggles for an augmented reality experience, leaving the rest of the room and my surroundings unaffected. One final mini game I tried, however, turned the cube into a spaceship and then placed me in a full virtual environment, allowing me to move the cube around and click on the headset's buttons in order to fly through space and shoot down enemies. These were all very simple interactive experiences and the mini games didn't really have much depth to them, but I can definitely see this being a fun VR and AR toy for kids. The Merge VR Goggles are now available for $59. Meanwhile, the Merge Cube is set to go on sale later this summer for less than $20. FINAL THOUGHTS With a nice mixture of established brands, boutique companies, and exciting start-ups, CE Week offered a fun assortment of AV tech and gadgets. We're hoping to get more hands-on time with some of the products featured here, but for now, what do you think about this year's crop of gear? Are you interested in any of the items highlighted? Let us know your thoughts in the forums!Posted Thu Jul 20, 2017 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
20th Century Fox Reveals New Trailer for 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle'[teaser]Manners still maketh man in this brand new trailer.[/teaser] To help kick off San Diego Comic Con 2017 in style, 20th Century Fox has released a new trailer for Kingsman: The Golden Circle. The film serves as a sequel to Kingsman: The Secret Service and is set to hit theaters on September 22. Kingsman: The Secret Service introduced the world to Kingsman - an independent, international intelligence agency operating at the highest level of discretion, whose ultimate goal is to keep the world safe. In Kingsman: The Golden Circle, our heroes face a new challenge. When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, their journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US called Statesman, dating back to the day they were both founded. In a new adventure that tests their agents' strength and wits to the limit, these two elite secret organizations band together to defeat a ruthless common enemy, in order to save the world, something that's becoming a bit of a habit for Eggsy... Check out the new trailer below! The movie comes from director Matthew Vaughn and is based on the comic book The Secret Service by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. Returning cast members include Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, and Mark Strong, who are joined by new additions Julianne Moore Halle Berry, Sir Elton John, Channing Tatum, and Jeff Bridges. In addition to the new trailer, Fox will be holding a Kingsman: The Golden Circle panel with stars Taron Egerton, Colin Firth, Halle Berry, Channing Tatum, Jeff Bridges, and Pedro Pascal, along with screenwriter Jane Goldman and Kingsman co-creator Dave Gibbons in Hall H at 11am PT today at San Diego Comic Con. Source: 20th Century FoxPosted Thu Jul 20, 2017 at 09:40 AM PDT by: -
'The Bridge on the River Kwai' Announced for 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]David Lean's war masterpiece will be getting the 4K treatment in October. [/teaser] A must-own for film fans and adventure-seekers alike, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment debuts 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' on next-generation 4K Ultra HD for the first time October 3 to commemorate its diamond anniversary. One of the crown jewels in the Columbia Pictures catalog, the release also includes the existing Blu-ray™ with incisive special features and historical context, making it the perfect holiday gift. Fully restored in 4K resolution and presented with High Dynamic Range (HDR) and Dolby Atmos audio, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI won seven Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Best Director (David Lean) and Best Actor (Alec Guinness.) William Holden also stars in this epic WWII drama of POWs in Burma forced to build a bridge to aid the war effort of their Japanese captors. In 1997, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI was deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant” and selected for the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress. The American Film Institute included it among the best American films ever and in 1999, the British Film Institute voted it the 11th greatest British film of the 20th Century. 4K Ultra HD is the perfect way for fans to immerse themselves in this iconic classic. The 4K Ultra HD features four times the resolution of high definition, high dynamic range (HDR)--which produces brilliant highlights, vibrant colors and greater contrast on compatible displays--and Dolby Atmos audio, remixed specifically for the home theater environment, delivering captivating sound that places and moves audio anywhere in the room, including overhead. When British POWs build a vital railway bridge in enemy-occupied Burma, Allied commandos are assigned to destroy it in David Lean’s epic World War II adventure THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI. Spectacularly produced, THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI captured the imagination of the public and won seven 1957 Academy Awards®, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Alec Guinness), and Best Director. Even its theme song, an old WWII whistling tune, the Colonel Bogey March, became a massive hit. THE BRIDGE ON THE RIVER KWAI continues today as one of the most memorable cinematic experiences of all time. You can find the latest specs for 'The Bridge on the River Kwai - 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray' linked from our 4K UHD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under October 3.Posted Wed Jul 19, 2017 at 09:15 AM PDT by:
