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Alex Gibney's 'Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed documentary will be downloaded to Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia will be releasing 'Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine' on Blu-ray on March 15. Oscar-winning director Alex Gibney (Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief) pulls no punches in his portrait of Apple founder Steve Jobs and his legacy. This probing and unflinching look at the life and aftermath of the bold, brilliant and at times ruthless iconoclast explores what accounted for the grief of so many when he died. Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine is evocative and nuanced in capturing the essence of the Apple legend and his values, which continue to shape the culture of Silicon Valley to this day. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 15. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Jan 4, 2016 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Samsung Unveils Updated Smart TV User Experience with Samsung Smart Control Remote[teaser]New improvements have been made to the company's smart TV platform. [/teaser] Samsung has announced details on its latest smart TV innovations. The features include an upgraded Smart Hub interface and a new Samsung Smart Control Remote. "The world of TV is constantly changing, with more choices and more connected devices than ever before, so we have made it easier for people to discover and watch the content they want, when they want" said Won Jin Lee, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "In 2016, Samsung’s Smart Hub and Smart Control remote are providing the most streamlined, convenient and intuitive TV user experience. Together, they offer the choices and performance consumers expect from today's home entertainment technology." The updated Smart Hub allows customers to use one integrated content and services platform, providing switchable access to linear content, OTT content as well as other connected devices, including videogame consoles and Blu-ray players. A search feature and a customizable interface are offered as well, letting users find popular content and arrange selections on their home screen. Meanwhile, the new Samsung Smart Control Remote can act as a single control for nearly all devices connected to a Samsung smart TV. The remote is designed using the Tizen platform and includes an automatic source recognition feature that can recognize set-top-boxes, OTT boxes, Blu-ray players, game consoles and other connected devices. Source: SamsungPosted Mon Jan 4, 2016 at 09:30 AM PST by: -
TCL Preps First Roku 4K Ultra HD TV, Dolby Vision HDR Models Also Planned[teaser]The first 4K Roku TVs will arrive in the spring. [/teaser] Roku and TCL have announced their first Ultra HD TV models. The TCL 4K Roku TVs will offer UHD resolution along with the full Roku smart TV experience. "The introduction of 4K UHD TCL Roku TV models is a significant step in our partnership with Roku," said Chris Larson, vice president of sales and marketing, TCL. "We're confident we'll deliver one of the richest experiences available on a 4K smart TV, and that consumers will love the complete 4K entertainment package these TVs deliver. TCL is also thrilled to be one of the first partners using the new Roku TV HDR reference design to enhance the great picture quality of TCL Roku TVs." The Roku 4K TVs will use the company's Roku OS and offer access to a growing collection of 4K UHD streaming channels and unique features like Roku’s 4K Spotlight Channel. TCL Roku Ultra HD TVs will launch in two series, the US5800 and the UP130. Sizes will range from 43-inches to 65-inches. In addition, Roku has also announced the release of the Roku TV HDR reference design, allowing TV partners to incorporate HDR technology into future 4K UHD Roku TV models. The company is also working with Dolby to include support for Dolby Vision into the design, as well as the HDR 10 standard. Pricing has not been detailed yet, but TCL's first Roku 4K Ultra HD TVs will launch in the spring. Roku 4K TVs from other manufacturers are also expected to arrive later this year. The TCL Roku 4K UHD TVs will be on display at CES this week in Las Vegas. Sources: BusinessWire, CNETPosted Mon Jan 4, 2016 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Alberto De Martino's 'Shadows in an Empty Room' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1976 crime drama also known as 'Blazing Magnum' is planned for Blu-ray next year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scorpion Releasing and Kino will be bringing 'Shadows in an Empty Room' to Blu-ray in the new year. An Ottawa police captain searches for the person who poisoned his sister, who was attending the university in Montreal. So desperate is he for revenge that he begin to use his own brutal methods to find the killer. Soon he discovers that not everything is what he thought it was. Soundtrack by Armando Trovajoli (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Captain Fracassa's Journey). No other details have been released at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Shadows in an Empty Room' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Mon Jan 4, 2016 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
Questyle Audio Reveals New Premium Audio Systems for CES 2016[teaser]The company has detailed its latest premium audio products. [/teaser] Questyle Audio has announced its CES lineup of audiophile gear. The award winning QP1R portable music server/digital audio player, new Gold-finish Reference Editions of their desktop components, the 600i DAC-headphone amplifier combo, and a new 7.1 channel 5GHz Wireless Amplifier system will be showcased at CES this week. "The response to our current desktop systems and QP1R DAP has exceeded our expectations," says Bruce Ball, Vice President of Questyle North America, Inc. "Our CMA-800R desktop amplifier has earned rave reviews for superior audio performance this last year and the QP1R has won numerous awards, including several Product of the Year award." "In addition, we are going even further with new, gold-finished Reference Edition separates. With the recent release of so many lossless audio albums, great new headphones and our portable or desktop systems, music lovers no longer have to sacrifice performance" added Ball. As part of the lineup, the company has created newly refined Reference Editions of their desktop systems with premium gold-colored designs. The new versions of the CAS-192D DAC ($3,000), CMA-800P headphone preamplifier ($3,500) and CMA-800R headphone amplifier ($3,000) use Rogers ceramic printed circuit boards and hand-picked system components. In addition, Questyle will also showcase the MA600i Desktop DAC with Headphone Amplifier ($1,300) which uses the company's patented Current Mode headphone amplification technology. Likewise, the new T8 8-Channel Wireless transmitter for 7.1 home theaters (Price TBA) will also be highlighted, offering support for 8-channel 5G wireless audio transmissions without any compression and with only an 8ms delay time. Similarly, the R200i 5GHz Wireless 200W Mono amplifier (Price TBA) will be on hand as well. Questyle's new audio lineup will be on display at the Venetian Hotel suite 29-317 for CES from January 6-9 in Las Vegas. The new products are expected to start shipping in spring and early summer. Source: Questyle AudioPosted Mon Jan 4, 2016 at 07:30 AM PST by: -
Herbert L. Strock's 'Gog - 3D' Dated for Blu-ray 3D[teaser]The classic 1954 science fiction film will be getting a Blu-ray 3D release in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino will be releasing 'Gog - 3D' on Blu-ray on March 1. Newly restored in HD and 3-D! In a remote, underground research laboratory two scientists, engaged in space travel research, are frozen to death in a cold chamber when their instruments comes under the control of an unknown power. A security agent, Dr. David Sheppard (Richard Egan, The 300 Spartans) arrives at the secret space research base, home of two experimental robots to investigate the possible sabotage. Early in his investigation, Sheppard finds that the underground laboratory under the control of the Supercomputer NOVAC and experimental robots GOG and MAGOG. Herbert L. Strock (The Crawling Hand) directed this Sci-Fi/Horror classic with a stellar cast that includes Constance Dowling (Black Angel), Herbert Marshall (The Letter) and William Schallert (TV s The Patty Duke Show). Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Audio Commentary by Film Historians Tom Weaver, Bob Furmanek and David Schecter; and Trailers. You can find the latest specs for 'Gog - 3D' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under March 1. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Jan 4, 2016 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Warner Bros. Unveils First Ultra HD Blu-ray Titles, Including 'Mad Max: Fury Road'[teaser]The studio has announced its first batch of Ultra HD Blu-ray titles, including 'Mad Max: Fury Road' and 'The Lego Movie.' [/teaser] Warner Bros. has revealed its initial lineup of Ultra HD Blu-ray Discs due for release in early 2016. The first wave of Warner Bros. Ultra Blu-ray titles will include 'Mad Max: Fury Road,' 'The Lego Movie,' 'San Andreas,' and 'Pan' Likewise, the studio plans to follow this first wave with theatrical new release titles available day and date with their initial home entertainment release, as well as a selection of catalog titles throughout the year including 'Man of Steel' and 'Pacific Rim.' "We are excited to take this next technological leap which will allow us to bring our audiences the best possible home viewing experience with crystal clear images and immersive audio," said Ron Sanders, President, Warner Bros. Worldwide Home Entertainment Distribution. "Ultra HD with HDR is the next, and most exciting, advancement in home entertainment, and with the anticipated proliferation of Ultra HD televisions in the coming years, our Ultra HD Blu-ray product offerings will truly complement the stunning capabilities of this new generation of home entertainment hardware. Warner Bros. is fully committed to releasing a wide range of Ultra HD Blu-ray titles, including both new release titles and offerings from our vast catalog." Warner Bros. Ultra HD Blu-ray titles will feature a resolution of 3840x2160 with HDR (high dynamic range), offering four times the resolution of HD along with superior contrast and colors on supported displays. In addition, select titles will also include support for Dolby Atmos immersive audio. Warner Bros. expects to have over 35 titles available on Ultra HD Blu-ray by the end of 2016. Full specs, exact release dates, and suggested list prices for Warner's Ultra HD Blu-rays have not been detailed yet, but the discs are set to debut in early 2016. In addition to Warner Bros., Sony and 20th Century Fox have both previously announced their own Ultra HD Blu-ray launch lineups. You can find the latest specs for all of the Ultra HD Blu-ray titles listed above linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under PENDING. Source: Warner Bros. via PR NewswirePosted Sun Jan 3, 2016 at 08:00 PM PST by: -
Samsung Details New Audio Lineup, Including Dolby Atmos Soundbar[teaser]The company's CES audio lineup has been revealed. [/teaser] Samsung has announced the latest additions to its home audio offerings. The collection includes a new Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar model. "Our 2016 lineup of audio products offers the most immersive sound ever experienced in the home," said John JY Kim, Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Samsung's new Soundbar with Dolby Atmos® technology, delivers the ultimate in cinematic home entertainment, especially when paired with Samsung’s new SUHD TVs." The HW-K950 Soundbar features integrated Dolby Atmos technology. In addition, the system includes a subwoofer and a pair of Dolby Atmos-enabled wireless rear speakers, offering a full 5.1.4 immersive audio experience. The soundbar uses three forward-facing and two upwards-facing speakers to create ear-level and overhead sound. Meanwhile, Samsung has also revealed new colors and patterns for its Wireless Audio 360 speaker series along with an improved multi-room app and new Smart Home functionality. Pricing and availability for the HW-K950 Dolby Atmos Soundbar have not been announced yet, but the speaker system will be on hand at Samsung's booth at CES in Las Vegas from January 6-9. Source: SamsungPosted Sun Jan 3, 2016 at 07:15 PM PST by: -
LG Announces SUPER UHD TV Lineup with HDR Plus Support, Debut Set for CES 2016[teaser]The new premium TV line offers enhanced picture quality features. [/teaser] LG has revealed the latest additions to its 4K Ultra HD TV collection. The upcoming SUPER UHD TV lineup will include three primary series that will range in size from 49-inches to 86-inches. "We're confident our 2016 HDR-enabled SUPER UHD TV will generate much excitement not only in the industry, but also with consumers in general," said Brian Kwon, President and CEO at LG's Home Entertainment Company. "We are the only company with a dual strategy focused on both OLED and UHD TV technologies and this is proof that we’re committing to delivering the most advanced picture quality and home entertainment innovations to consumers around the world." The UH9500, UH8500 and UH7700 LCD/LED SUPER UHD TVs feature IPS screens with advanced picture quality features like True Black Panel and Contrast Maximizer for enhanced contrast and limited reflections. The company's new webOS 3.0 smart TV platform is integrated as well. In addition, the displays have been classified as HDR Plus, which combines LG’s ULTRA Luminance technology, improved black level performance, and Color Prime technology to support 4K high dynamic range content with heightened performance over regular HDR compatible models. Likewise, an SDR-to-HDR conversion option is included as well, allowing customers to watch near-HDR content from any standard source. The UH9500 and UH8500 series also add Color Prime Plus tech, offering support for about 90 percent of the Digital Cinema Initiative (DCI) color space. Finally, LG has also announced plans to show off the first production-ready 98-inch 8K SUPER UHD TV (model UH9800). LG's new SUPER UHD TV lineup will be on display at the company's booth during CES in Las Vegas from January 6-9. Source: LGPosted Sat Jan 2, 2016 at 08:00 PM PST by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: December 2015Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with High-Def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for attention, and with so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month. From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted an emotional animated adventure, a masterpiece of Japanese cinema, and a promising TV spinoff. Be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November 2012, December 2012, January 2013,February 2013, March 2013, April 2013, May 2013, June 2013, July 2013, August 2013, September 2013, October 2013, November 2013, December 2013, January 2014, February 2014, March 2014, April 2014, May 2014, June 2014, July 2014, August 2014, September 2014, October 2014, November 2014,December 2014, January 2015, February 2015, March 2015, April 2015, May 2015, June 2015, July 2015, August 2015, September 2015, October 2015, and November 2015. [teaser]For December, we're covering a groundbreaking sci-fi series, a very tiny superhero, and an impossible mission (if you choose to accept it). [/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in December, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'The X-Files: The Collector's Set' - The current golden age of TV owes a lot to several key shows that helped pave the way for the many complex, cinematic series that now flood cable networks. And hovering high atop that list like a shimmering UFO, is Chris Carter's 'The X-Files.' Balancing classic episodic storytelling with an ever-expanding conspiracy-fueled mythology of serialized plotlines, the show has had an invaluable influence on small screen narrative structure and remains a brilliant mixture of sci-fi, horror, and mystery. Alien abductions, black oil, human cloning, shapeshifting bounty hunters, super soldiers, Lone Gunmen, and an infamous Cigarette Smoking Man are all just part of what makes the show's evolving mythology so engrossing and addictive. And in in between all of these serialized bits, the writers make sure to turn in some truly memorable "monster-of-the-week" episodes as well. In fact, some of the shows very best installments are self-contained mysteries featuring creepy cases that force Mulder and Scully to question everything they think they know... even if Scully still refuses to believe. And it's this central dynamic between "believer" and "skeptic" that becomes the heart of the series, allowing the characters' relationship to evolve and grow even as little green men, parasite monsters, in-bred horrors, and the deadly effects of secondhand smoke threaten them on a weekly basis. Sure, the final two (mostly) Mulder-less seasons definitely reveal a drop in quality and the show's once compelling mythology does start to become rather convoluted as it reaches the home stretch… but when viewed as a whole, 'The X-Files' remains one of TV's very best shows. Available in a fantastic Collector's Set and as individual seasons -- all with great video, audio and supplements -- the series hits Blu-ray with the love and care that it deserves, resulting in the month's top release. Yes, the truth is indeed out there… and it's in this box-set! Buy the Blu-ray 'Ant-Man - 3D' - I love comic books. At their best, they can be just as entertaining or artistically deep as any other medium… but even I can admit that sometimes they can also be pretty damn silly. Case in point? The general premise behind Marvel's Ant-Man -- a superhero who can shrink down to microscopic size and communicate with ants. Even in a cinematic universe that already includes a talking raccoon, bringing such a character to the big screen is by far the studio's riskiest move yet, requiring just the right balance of tone to avoid a complete and utter embarrassment. Thankfully, despite some behind-the-scenes shuffling, director Peyton Reed's take on the famous pint-sized Avenger proves that good things can come in small packages. That is, as long as those good things look and act like Paul Rudd. When it was first announced that original director Edgar Wright was leaving 'Ant-Man,' I was extremely disappointed. The initial prospect of Wright getting to play in Marvel's big-screen sandbox always seemed too good to be true, and when their relationship fell apart I pretty much lost all interest in the flick. A few ho-hum trailers didn't help matters much either, and I actually ended up missing the movie when it ran in theaters. Thankfully, I've now had a chance to make up for that mistake, as the resulting film is an absolute blast. Peyton Reed's sensibilities fit nicely within Marvel's established mold and the director does a great job of balancing the movie's potentially tricky tone, resulting in a genuinely funny superhero flick that doesn't take itself too seriously or come across as unintentionally dumb. Likewise, despite the lighter mood, the emotional stakes still feel real and there is some solid character work. Hell, I even cared about the ants! Sure, this might not be one of the studio's very best efforts, but the sheer fact that the creative team somehow manages to make a film that features a tiny man riding a flying bug that isn't a laughable mess is a rather impressive accomplishment on its own. Much of this success can likely be chalked up to star Paul Rudd's limitless charm -- a charm that somehow turns Scott Lang into a perfectly believable everyman ex-con expert thief divorced-father turned superhero. A comic book heist flick marked by some creative shrinking special effects and a playfully self-aware sense of humor, 'Ant-Man' strikes just the right balance, salvaging what could have easily been Marvel's first real disaster. In fact, the flick is so entertaining that it almost makes me forget what could have been if Edgar Wright had stayed on to direct. Almost… Buy the Blu-ray 3D 'Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation' - What's a sure-fire way to keep a long-running movie franchise fresh? Well, why not replace the director with each new installment? At least, that's what seems to work for the 'Mission: Impossible' series. Taking the reins from previous filmmakers like Brian De Palma, John Woo, J.J. Abrams, and Brad Bird, franchise newcomer Christopher McQuarrie places his own adrenaline fueled stamp on the TV show turned big-screen blockbuster -- and the results are appropriately explosive. But while the man behind the camera might be different, series mainstay Tom Cruise is once again back in action… and he's found a whole slew of new and exciting reasons to constantly be on the run! Seriously, the man is a cardio beast. And as he races through exotic streets by foot and by car and by motorcycle, Cruise effortlessly reminds us why he remains one of Hollywood's most enduring action stars. In fact, he genuinely shoves it in our faces by hanging off a damn airplane! Was climbing up a towering 2,722 ft. skyscraper in 'Ghost Protocol' just not harrowing enough? Of course, Cruise doesn't get to hog all the action, and Rebecca Ferguson turns in a memorable performance as the kick-ass Ilsa Faust -- a woman so dangerous that she turns a piggy-back ride into a deadly attack. Throughout it all, McQuarrie brings an assured and exciting sense of style to the loud set-pieces while handling the plot's "everybody's gone rogue!" conceit with enough twists and turns to result in a very satisfying ride. Among the franchise's most entertaining and spectacular entries, 'Rogue Nation' ramps up the action while still giving audiences a reason to care for Ethan Hunt and his fellow IMF agents. After all, what good is seeing Tom Cruise perilously hanging from an airplane as it takes off, if viewers won't give a damn if he falls? With solid supplements, stellar video, and a powerful Dolby Atmos soundtrack, this disc is an easy mission to accept. Buy the Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there were many titles worth picking up this December, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for December's must own titles?Posted Thu Dec 31, 2015 at 07:00 AM PST by:
