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CES 2017: Pioneer & Onkyo Prep Chromecast Built-in Support[teaser]The casting tech will be added to AV products from both companies.[/teaser] Onkyo and Pioneer have announced plans to support Google's Chromecast built-in technology. The feature will be added to several network-enabled AV and stereo receivers, sound bars, and wireless speakers. "We expect that the current trend of multi-room entertainment will continue to expand," said Nobuaki Okuda, Chief Technology Officer. "We are pleased to support Chromecast built-in with a broad range of products that meet the demand from our global customers." Chromecast built-in tech allows customers with Chromecast-enabled AV products to use their mobile devices to stream music, radio, or podcasts, and control the audio from anywhere in the house using Cast-enabled mobile apps for iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac and Windows laptop, and Chromebook. Chromecast built-in functions will be activated through firmware updates starting this spring for select Onkyo and Pioneer products (see list below). Here's a full rundown of Pioneer and Onkyo devices set to receive Chromecast built-in support: Pioneer Elite A/V Receivers - VSX-LX101 - VSX-LX301 - SC-LX501 - SC-LX701 - SC-LX801 - SC-LX901 Pioneer A/V Receivers - VSX-S520 - VSX-831 - VSX-1131 Pioneer 2-Channel Components - XC-HM86 - SX-S30 Pioneer Mini Stereo System - X-HM76 Pioneer Sound Bars System - FS-EB70 - Pioneer Wireless Speaker - MRX-3 Onkyo A/V Receivers & Pre-Amp - TX-NR555 - TX-NR656 - TX-NR757 - TX-RZ610 - TX-RZ710 - TX-RZ810 - TX-RZ1100 - TX-RZ3100 - PR-RZ5100 Onkyo Home Theater Systems & Sound Bars - HT-S7800 - SBT-A500 Onkyo Wireless Speaker - NCP-302 Beyond the Chromecast built-in announcement, Pioneer and Onkyo are currently showcasing several products at CES 2017. The lineup includes the MRX-3 and NCP-302 wireless multi-room speakers, Pioneer's next-generation XDP-300R digital audio player, Onkyo's DP-X1A digital audio player, the Onkyo SBT-A500 Network Surround Sound Bar System, and the Pioneer Elite FS-EB70 Network Sound Bar System with 360 degree DTS:X and Dolby Atmos surround sound support along with full 4K Ultra HD HDR 10 passthrough. Source: Pioneer, OnkyoPosted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 11:45 AM PST by: -
'Aria: 30th Anniversary Edition' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 1987 compilation film from ten great directors is headed for Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Entertainment One and Lightyear Entertainment is working on 'Aria: 30th Anniversary Edition' for Blu-ray on March 28. Imagine that ten of the world's most well-known highly regarded filmmakers were given a free hand to make real any vision. Aria is that history-making film. Sexy, violent, thought-provoking and funny, here is the movie critics raved about, audiences flocked to see, and no one could stop talking about. Includes Bridget Fonda's electrifying film debut, a revealing and breathtaking performance from Elizabeth Hurley, and Theresa Russell as the trigger-happy King Zog of Albania. From ten world-class dierctors: Robert Altman (segment "Les Boréades"), Bruce Beresford (segment "Die tote Stadt"), Bill Bryden (segment "I pagliacci"), Jean-Luc Godard (segment "Armide"), Derek Jarman (segment "Depuis le jour"), Franc Roddam (segment "Liebestod"), Nicolas Roeg (segment "Un ballo in maschera"), Ken Russell (segment "Nessun dorma"), Charles Sturridge (segment "La virgine degli angeli"), and Julien Temple (segment "Rigoletto"). No other details have been revealed at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Aria: 30th Anniversary Edition' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 28.Posted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
CES 2017: LG Readies UP970 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player with Dolby Vision HDR[teaser]The company's first Ultra HD Blu-ray player has been revealed.[/teaser] LG has announced its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player model. The new Dolby Vision-capable UP970 Ultra HD Blu-ray player is now on display in LG's booth at CES 2017 from January 5-8 in Las Vegas. "The LG UP970 Dolby Vision-capable Ultra HD Blu-ray player is an excellent example of our commitment to offering an amazing home HDR viewing experience to our customers," said Tim Alessi, head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA. "We are proud to have an innovation partner such as Dolby to enhance our OLED and Super UHD TVs with their superior technology." The UP970 is set to include Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback and 4K streaming, along with Dolby Vision HDR (through a future firmware upgrade) and HDR10 support. Likewise, the player offers 10-bit color and Rec. ITU-R BT. 2020 color gamut support. Wi-Fi and Ethernet connectivity are included as well. Here's a full rundown of features per LG: - Enhanced dual format HDR compatibility with support for the generic HDR format (HDR10)- Robust portfolio of movies and episodic content in Dolby Vision- Support for 10-bit color and Rec. ITU-R BT. 2020 color gamut, as well as playback of high-efficiency video coding (HEVC)- Compatible with a variety of leading sound formats, including Dolby True HD, Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio, for a truly cinematic audio and video experience- HDMI 2.0a port for Ultra HD video output and an HDMI 1.4 for audio output that can connect with hi-fi devices The Dolby Vision process combines high dynamic range mastering and an expanded color palette to produce enhanced brightness and contrast along with more life-like colors on supported discs, players, and displays. The format is currently supported by several streaming services and TV models from VIZIO, LeEco, and LG, including LG's newly announced 2017 OLED lineup and 2017 SUPER UHD TV lineup. Likewise, TCL's new 2017 Roku TV lineup, and Sony's new 2017 BRAVIA OLED A1E Series and X930E/X940E Series Ultra HD TVs will feature Dolby Vision support as well. In addition, Lionsgate, Universal, and Warner Bros. have all announced plans to release Ultra HD Blu-ray discs mastered in Dolby Vision. Specific titles have not been announced yet, but the first Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are set for an early 2017 release. Pricing for the LG UP970 Ultra HD Blu-ray player has not been revealed yet, but according to Forbes, the player could launch as early as March. Outside of LG, Panasonic just announced three new Ultra HD Blu-ray players, the DMP-UB400, UB310 and UB300. Likewise, Samsung revealed its M9500 second gen Ultra HD Blu-ray player as well, and Sony detailed the UBP-X800, its first consumer Ultra HD Blu-ray player model. Of the models announced so far, only the upcoming LG UP970, Philips BDP7502, and the recently released Oppo UDP-203 have confirmed plans for Dolby Vision support. Source: LG, ForbesPosted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 08:30 AM PST by: -
'The Level: Series 1' Blu-ray Detailed[teaser]The crime drama is heading to Blu-ray in February.[/teaser] As previously reported, Acorn Media is preparing 'The Level: Series 1' for Blu-ray on February 21. Detective Nancy Devlin, a good cop with a dark secret, finds her professional and personal life colliding when she becomes too deeply involved in a murder investigation in her hometown of Brighton. Karla Crome, Noel Clark, Laura Haddock and Amanda Burton star in this gripping crime drama. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: - On Set & Behind the Scenes- From Page to Screen- Where Truth Meets Fiction- How They Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside- What's Location Catering Like?- Why are Murder and Cop Dramas So Popular? Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Level: Series 1' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 21. Order the Blu-rayPosted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Arrow Video Details March 2017 Blu-ray Titles[teaser]The distributor has revealed its upcoming slate of March releases, including Giuseppe Tornatore's 'Cinema Paradiso.'[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Arrow Video is preparing 'Ludwig,' 'Property Is No Longer a Theft,' 'The Creeping Garden,' 'The Story of Sin,' and 'Cinema Paradiso' for Blu-ray throughout the month of March. 'Ludwig' (March 7) - Ludwig. He loved women. He loved men. He lived as controversially as he ruled. But he did not care what the world thought. He was the world. A string of masterpieces behind him including Ossessione, Senso, The Leopard and Death in Venice the great Italian director Luchino Visconti turned his attentions to the life and death of King Ludwig II of Bavaria in 1972, resulting in an epic of 19th century decadence. Dominated by Helmut Berger (The Damned, The Bloodstained Butterfly) in the title role, Ludwig nevertheless manages to find room for an impressive cast list: Romy Schneider (reprising her Elisabeth of Austria characterisation from the Sissi trilogy), Silvana Mangano (Bitter Rice), Gert Fröbe (Goldfinger), John Moulder-Brown (Deep End) and Trevor Howard (Brief Encounter) as Richard Wagner. As opulent as any of Visconti s epics Piero Tosi s costume design was nominated for an Academy Award Ludwig is presented here in its complete form in accordance with the director s wishes and features the English-language soundtrack for the first ever on home video. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, uncompressed Italian and English mono soundtracks, and supplements will include: - Two viewing options: the full-length theatrical cut or as five individual parts- Brand-new interview with actor Helmut Berger- Luchino Visconti, an hour-long documentary portrait of the director by Carlo Lizzani (Wake Up and Kill, Requiescant) containing interviews with Burt Lancaster, Vittorio Gassman, - Francesco Rosi, Claudia Cardinale and others- Speaking with Suso Cecchi d'Amico, an interview with the screenwriter Silvana Mangano: The Scent Of A Primrose, a half-hour portrait of the actress- Theatrical trailer- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet containing new writing by Peter Cowie Order the Blu-ray 'Property Is No Longer a Theft' (March 7) - Having tackled the corrupting nature of power with Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion and taken an angry, impassioned look at labour relations with The Working Class Goes to Heaven, Italian master Elio Petri next turned his attentions to capitalism for the darkly comic Property is No Longer a Theft. A young bank clerk (Flavio Bucci, the blind pianist in Dario Argento s Suspiria), denied a loan by his employer, decides to exact his revenge the local butcher (Ugo Tognazzi, La Grande bouffe) who is not only a nasty, violent, greedy piece of work but also one of the bank s star customers. Quitting his job, the clerk devotes all of his time tormenting the butcher, stealing his possessions one-by-one, including his mistress (Daria Nicolodi, Deep Red). Told in an off-kilter fashion by Petri, abetted by the woozy sound design and another outstanding score by Ennio Morricone, Property is No Longer a Theft presents a caustic, blackly comic look at a corrupt society. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, and supplements will include: - Brand-new interview with actor Flavio Bucci- Brand-new interview with producer Claudio Mancini- Brand-new interview with make-up artist Pierantonio Mecacci- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Nathanael Marsh- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector's booklet containing new writing on the film by Camilla Zamboni Order the Blu-ray 'The Creeping Garden' (March 14) - A REAL-LIFE SCIENCE-FICTION MOVIE EXPLORING A WORLD CREEPING RIGHT BENEATH OUR FEET, WHERE TIME AND SPACE ARE MAGNIFIED AND INTELLIGENCE REDEFINED. The Creeping Garden is an award-winning feature-length creative documentary exploring the extraordinary world of the plasmodial slime mould as revealed through the eyes of the fringe scientists, mycologists and artists who work with them. Long overlooked by biologists, in recent years this curious organism has become the focus of much research in such areas as biological-inspired design, emergence theory, unconventional computing and robot engineering, much of which borders on the world of science fiction. The film transports us from the laboratory into its natural habitat, depicting these otherworldly lifeforms using startling time-lapse macro-cinematography to reveal hidden facets of the world around us. Co-directed by the artist film-maker Tim Grabham (KanZeOn) and author and film critic Jasper Sharp, with an original soundtrack composed by celebrated musician and producer Jim O Rourke (Sonic Youth, Grizzly Man), The Creeping Garden is a unique exploration into a hitherto untapped subject matter, immersing the viewer within the worlds of the observers and the observed. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, an English uncompressed 2.0 soundtrack, and supplements will include: - Audio commentary by directors Tim Grabham and Jasper Sharp- Biocomputer Music, a short film by Grabham on the first biocomputer music system, allowing a two-way musical dialogue between man and slime moul- Return to the Fungarium, a featurette revealing further treasures of the fungarium at Kew Gardens- Feeding Habits of Physarum, a featurette on the feeding preferences and dislikes of slime moulds- Three cinema iloobia short films: Milk (2009), Rotten (2012) and Paramusical Ensemble (2015)- Angela Mele s animated slime moulds- Gallery- US theatrical trailer- Reversible sleeve featuring two pieces of original artwork- THE CREEPING GARDEN SOUNDTRACK [Limited Edition Exclusive]- Bonus CD containing the rearranged soundtrack to The Creeping Garden by legendary producer and musician Jim O Rourke- PLUS... FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Illustrated collector s booklet containing writing on the film by Jasper Sharp Order the Blu-ray 'The Story of Sin' (March 14) - The life of a beautiful, young and pious woman is thrown into chaos when her parents takes in a dashingly handsome lodger. Having embarked on a torrid affair, the lodger goes off to Rome to seek a divorce from his estranged wife. Unable to live apart from her beloved, our hero leaves home only to fall prey to the infatuations and lusts of a band of noble admirers, unsavoury criminals and utopian do-gooders... The only feature Walerian Borowczyk (The Beast, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Miss Osbourne) made in his native Poland, Story of Sin transforms Stefan Zeromski s classic melodrama into a deliriously surrealistic meditation on l amour fou. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, and supplements will include: - New 2K restorations from the original negatives of Borowczyk's ground-breaking Polish shorts: Once Upon a Time (co-directed by Jan Lenica), Dom (co-directed by Lenica) and The School- New introduction by poster designer Andrzej Klimowski- New interview with Story of Sin lead actor Grazyna Dlugolecka- New interview featurette on Borowczyk's career in Poland by Daniel Bird (co-founder Friends of Walerian Borowczyk)- New interview featurette on Borowczyk s innovate use of classical music in his films by writer and filmmaker David Thompson- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Andrzej Klimowski- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Fully illustrated collector s booklet featuring new and archival writing, including an exclusive interview with the producer of Story of Sin, director Stanislaw Rozewicz; a text by art historian and one-time Borowczyk collaborator, Szymon Bojko; and excerpts from Borowczyk s memoirs presented in English for the first time. Order the Blu-ray 'Cinema Paradiso' (March 21) - A CELEBRATION OF YOUTH, FRIENDSHIP, AND THE EVERLASTING MAGIC OF THE MOVIES A winner of awards across the world including Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, five BAFTA Awards including Best Actor, Original Screenplay and Score, the Grand Prize of the Jury at the Cannes Film Festival and many more. Giuseppe Tornatore s loving homage to the cinema tells the story of Salvatore, a successful film director, returning home for the funeral of Alfredo, his old friend who was the projectionist at the local cinema throughout his childhood. Soon memories of his first love affair with the beautiful Elena and all the high and lows that shaped his life come flooding back, as Salvatore reconnects with the community he left 30 years earlier. Presented in both the original award-winning cut and the expanded Director s Cut incorporating more of Salvatore s backstory, newly restored from original negative materials. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, Italian stereo and DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtracks, and supplements will include: - Audio commentary with director Giuseppe Tornatore and Italian cinema expert critic Millicent Marcus- A Dream of Sicily A 52-minute documentary profile of Giuseppe Tornatore featuring interviews with director and extracts from his early home movies as well as interviews with director Francesco Rosi and painter Peppino Ducato, set to music by the legendary Ennio Morricone- A Bear and a Mouse in Paradise A 27-minute documentary on the genesis of Cinema Paradiso, the characters of Toto and Alfredo, featuring interviews with the actors who play them, Philippe Noiret and Salvatore Cascio as well as Tornatore- The Kissing Sequence Giuseppe Tornatore discusses the origins of the kissing scenes with full clips identifying each scene- Original Director's Cut Theatrical Trailer and 25th Anniversary Re-Release Trailer- FIRST PRESSING ONLY: Collector's booklet by Pasquale Iannone illustrated with archive stills, behind-the-scenes images and posters Order the Blu-ray Suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $39.95, except for 'Ludwig' which carries a suggested retail price of $49.95. You can find the latest specs for all of the titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed throughout March.Posted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
CES 2017: Sony Introduces New Soundar Lineup, Including Dolby Atmos Model[teaser]Several new soundbar systems have been announced.[/teaser] Sony has revealed its upcoming 2017 soundbar lineup. The collection includes the HT-ST5000, HT-CT800, HT-MT500, HT-MT300 and HT-CT290 soundbar. The flagship HT-ST5000 is a 7.1.2ch 800W soundbar system with Dolby Atmos tech, Hi-Res Audio support, and twelve advanced speakers, including an upward firing pair for overhead sound. In addition, the device features three HDMI inputs, one HDMI ARC output, a USB input, Bluetooth, NFC, digital optical, and analog connections. Likewise, the soundbar offers 4K and High Dynamic Range (HDR) passthrough via HDMI HDCP 2.2, along with multi-room capability and Google Home compatibility. "With the combination of Dolby Atmos and our original audio solution S-Force Pro Front Surround Technology, HT-ST5000 will provide consumers the powerful, best sound experiences for the home just by connecting one device," said Yoshinori Matsumoto, Senior General Manager, Sony Video & Sound Products Inc. . "HT-ST5000 is a soundbar, with a very compact design, that can be easily placed in front of TV and we are confident that our customers will want to upgrade their system with Dolby Atmos to deliver the ultimate home theater entertainment." Meanwhile, the HT-CT800 is an ultra slim soundbar with Dolby TrueHD & DTS-HD Master Audio format support and 4K HDR compatibility with HDCP 2.2. Likewise, users even have the option to use compatible Sony wireless speakers with the soundbar as additional discrete rear surround sound speakers. Next up, the HT-MT500 and HT-MT300 soundbars provide slim, compact designs with soft angles and wireless subwoofers that can be placed under a user's sofa. In addition, the HT-MT500 also includes Chromecast built-in, Spotify Connect, and hi-res audio playback. Finally, the HT-CT290 features 300W total output power, a space-saving design, Bluetooth, and wireless subwoofer, along with a virtual surround sound mode. Pricing has not been announced yet, but the Sony HT-ST5000, HT-CT800, HT-MT500, HT-MT300 and HT-CT290 soundbars are set for release in Spring 2017. Source: Sony, DolbyPosted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
CES 2017: Sony Announces UBP-X800 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player[teaser]A new consumer model Ultra HD Blu-ray player has been detailed.[/teaser] Sony has announced its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player designed for the consumer market. The UBP-X800 now joins the company's previously announced ES Series UBP-X1000E Ultra HD Blu-ray player designed for custom installation. "With this new lineup of products, consumers – especially home theater enthusiasts – have the opportunity to create a truly immersive audio and video experience in their home," said Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics. "With Sony's expertise throughout the entire process, from the studio to the living room, Sony Electronics is uniquely positioned to provide customers with the best possible listening and viewing experience. Just as some of our sound products are tuned by some of the best audio engineers in the business, select video and home theater products, like the 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Player, are developed with collaboration from our colleagues at Sony Pictures." The UBP-X800 offers Ultra HD Blu-ray disc, DVD Video, DVD Audio, CD, Super Audio CD, Blu-ray 3D, and BD-ROM media playback through its Sony developed Precision HD drive, along with support for 4K streaming and almost any format available via USB. In addition, the device is capable of High Dynamic Range (HDR) playback and wide color space BT.2020 support. Likewise, the player includes Hi-Res Audio playback at up to 192kHz/24-bit and DSD 11.2MHz. 4K upscaling and Bluetooth connectivity are included as well. Pricing has not been announced yet, but the Sony UBP-X800 will be available in Spring 2017. In addition to the new Ultra HD Blu-ray player, Sony also just announced its new 2017 BRAVIA OLED A1E Series and X930E/X940E Series Ultra HD TVs. Source: SonyPosted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 06:30 AM PST by: -
CES 2017: Sony Details X930E/X940E Series Ultra HD TVs[teaser]The company's latest LED LCD TVs have been revealed.[/teaser] Sony has announced its new X930E/X940E Series Ultra HD TVs. The X930E Series will be available in 65 inch and 55 inch models, and the X940E Series will be available in a 75 inch model. The displays feature Sony's LED backlight driving technology along with the X1 Extreme processor and Slim Backlight Drive+, which offers an improved grid-array backlighting system in a slim form factor for even more precise local dimming control. In addition, the X940E features a full-array boosting and dimming backlight. Likewise, the TVs offer Dolby Vision HDR support along with Android TV integration. Here's a full rundown of key features per Sony: - Features Slim Backlight Drive+ with a unique quad-edge LED structure, allowing precise local dimming control which provides exceptional brightness and deeper blacks than a conventional full-array LED TV in an ultra slim design. (X930E only, the X940E is built in with full-array direct LED backlight.)- 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme provides the ultimate 4K HDR viewing experience by incorporating three new technologies: object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping 4K HDR and dual database processing.- X-tended Dynamic Range PRO enhances HDR and non-HDR content by boosting and dimming the backlight levels precisely for each zone of the screen with a unique backlighting algorithm. [i](10 times XDR contrast*)- Features vibrant, expanded color with TRILUMINOS Display, further enhanced for color accuracy.- Uses 4K X-Reality PRO to produce stunning detail with Sony’s unique algorithm of reality creation database for any content, such as TV broadcasting, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Internet video and digital photos.- The ultra slim design allows for flush with the wall mounting and clean cable management for table top mount.- Flush swivel mount gives easy access to ports and connections, while allowing the TV to sit flush to the wall- Android TV lets you explore a world of movies, music, photos, games, search, apps and more, including PlayStation Vue and Ultra services. Voice Search to find content, ask questions and control your TV. With Chrome Cast built-in, you can easily send content from your smartphone or tablet to the TV. With access to Google Play, you can enjoy what they like to do on a smartphone or tablet, from their TV. With Google Home compatibility, voice-control the TV via the Google Home device for a smarter connected home.- HDR compatible to receive and process the new video standard signal with higher brightness, higher contrast and more vibrant colors via Internet video services, HDMI and USB port. Supports Dolby Vision HDR format. Pricing and availability for Sony's upcoming X930E/X940E Series Ultra HD TVs have not been announced yet. Source: SonyPosted Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 05:27 PM PST by: -
CES 2017: Sony Unveils BRAVIA A1E Series 4K HDR OLED TV with Dolby Vision HDR[teaser]The company's first OLED Ultra HD TV lineup has been detailed.[/teaser] Sony has officially announced its new BRAVIA OLED A1E Series TV lineup. The collection will be available in 55 inch, 65 inch, and 77 inch versions. "Sony continues to make consumer choice a priority especially for those seeking the very best viewing experience, and we are proud to introduce our new XBR-A1E BRAVIA OLED series," said Mike Fasulo, President and COO of Sony Electronics. "Sony delivers incredible innovation and excitement to customers with all of our premium 4K HDR TVs through a powerful mix of technology and our exclusive image processing." The BRAVIA OLED A1E Series Ultra HD TVs feature Sony's 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme, the world's first Acoustic Surface sound system that produces audio directly from the screen itself, and a unique, cutting-edge stand-less form factor design. In addition, the displays' OLED panel offers superior black levels and viewing angles over traditional LCD TVs. Likewise, the sets include Dolby Vision HDR support. Here's a full rundown of key features per Sony: - Features OLED display technology. 8 million self-illuminating pixels brings a significantly enriched visual experience with unprecedented black levels, authentic color, blur-less image and a wide viewing angle.- Features Acoustic Surface technology: the entire screen resonates with great sound emanating directly from the screen itself. This allows a perfect unification of picture and sound that conventional TVs cannot deliver.- 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme provides the ultimate 4K HDR viewing experience by incorporating three picture-enhancing technologies: object-based HDR remaster, Super Bit Mapping™ 4K HDR and dual database processing.- Features vibrant, expanded color with TRILUMINOS™ Display, further enhanced for color accuracy.- Uses 4K X-Reality™ PRO to produce stunning detail with Sony’s unique algorithm of reality creation database for any content, such as TV broadcasting, DVD, Blu-ray Disc, Internet video and digital photos.- The cutting-edge design: The Acoustic Surface technology lends to cutting-edge design of the A1E series by doing away with conventional speakers usually located around the TV. The result is a unique stand-less form factor with no distraction from the picture- Android TV lets you explore a world of movies, music, photos, games, search, apps and more, including PlayStation™ Vue and Ultra services. Voice Search to find content, ask questions and control your TV. With Chrome Cast built-in, you can easily send content from your smartphone or tablet to the TV. With access to Google Play™, you can enjoy what they like to do on a smartphone or tablet, from their TV. With Google Home compatibility, voice-control the TV via the Google Home device for a smarter connected home.- HDR compatible to receive and process the new video standard signal with higher brightness, higher contrast and more vibrant colors via Internet video services, HDMI and USB port. Supports Dolby Vision HDR format. Pricing and availability for the Sony BRAVIA OLED A1E Series TV lineup have not been announced yet. Source: SonyPosted Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 05:02 PM PST by: -
CES 2017: R.I.P. 3DTV[NOTE: this article was updated after Sony's CES 2017 press conference.] Samsung, LG, TCL / VIZIO, Hisense, Panasonic, Westinghouse... [Teaser]CES 2017 is upon us and while all the big guns are out slinging a plethora of voice activated, self-driving, Dolby Vision, nanocrystal, quantum dot equipped gadgets, there's one former CES-darling with no buzz at all...3D. My friends, the end is nigh.[/Teaser]3DTVs and Blu-ray 3D debuted in 2009 and 2010 with studios and display manufacturers chasing the public's newfound and 'Avatar'-fueled fascination with stereoscopic 3D content. At the time, simply converting a movie into 3D could drive up box office considerably. Blu-ray (the format) was fortunate in that, with upgraded HDMI ports and cables, it too could offer 3D. The results were immersive and sharp, but marred by the need to wear active or passive glasses and some horrible (cheap) stereo-conversions. Basically, despite landmark 3D features like 'Gravity' and 'Life of Pi' and 'The Jungle Book', trend-chasers made too many 3D movies, reducing audience appetite, while physical media sales continued to fall. Meaning, the market share of people actively buying and watching 3D content for the home was niche on the best days. Plus, certain display technologies suffered from more cross-talk issues while some viewers experienced headaches.As Plasma TVs were phased out, the signs were not good for 3DTV. Market leaders Samsung and VIZIO dropped support across their entire product lines while companies like Disney were and are inconsistent at best -- some of their brands get 3D day-and-date...some wait for special editions... some skip the format altogether.Today and yesterday, LG announced their 2017 OLED and SUHDTVs as Panasonic and Sony announced their own OLED UHD TVs. While these displays will likely win a crap-ton of awards this year, LG confirmed it is officially out of the 3DTV business in a move that, if Sony and Panasonic follow suit, will be the final nails in 3DTV's growing coffin.To be clear, I fully expect 3D to live in the theatrical environment for some time (especially when it comes to premium auditoriums and/or blockbuster movies) while many 1080p and UHD front projectors still support the format, as do the Ultra HD Blu-ray players. So you can still watch the movies you already own, and studios are still (for how long, I don't know) releasing 3D Blu-ray titles.What we're talking about is next generation DISPLAYS... 3DTV. As this transition from HD to Ultra HD progresses -- fueled by affordable large screens, Super Bowl sales, and pretty demo reels in big box stores -- most major display manufacturers have dropped 3D support from their feature sets. (It probably doesn't help that Samsung and LG make a lot of panels for other manufacturers.)The question then becomes what will our 3D fans do moving forward?I'd love to option up a discussion in our forums about whether or not you plan to keep a 3D display in your main system. If so, will you snag one of the 2016 Ultra HD models as prices drop (the LG E6 is incredible and offers excellent 3D)? Or do you have a projection setup? Or will you slowly be backing away from 3D?I personally wish 3D would stay on as a feature, but also have to admit I go months at a time without watching 3D at home AND that HDR is striking and engaging and far easier for everyone to enjoy at the same time.Alas, it seems the future of TVs is here and until the next 3D craze (glasses-free?), it is 2D-only. R.I.P. 3DTV. 2009-2016. May you have a sequel.Posted Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 03:47 PM PST by:
