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LG Extends Mobile Experience to TV Screens with Connect SDK[teaser] The new software allows mobile developers to add second screen connectivity to smart TVs. [/teaser] LG has announced the release of its Connect SDK (software development kit). The open source software is designed for Google Android and iOS developers, giving them more options to connect mobile devices and apps to large screen TVs. "Connect SDK is breaking down barriers to enable apps and devices to work together harmoniously. The screen size, capabilities and social nature of Smart TVs enable experiences that consumers will absolutely love," said Samuel Chang, LG Electronics USA vice president and head of the LG Silicon Valley Lab. With LG's Connect SDK, developers can connect mobile apps with 2014 LG webOS Smart TVs, LG Smart TVs from 2012 and 2013, and Roku, Google Chromecast, and Amazon Fire TV media players. This will allow users to transmit photos, audio, video, and other media from various mobile devices and applications to numerous big screen television platforms. "We’ve already invested in making the best personal media viewing experience on the big screen across multiple platforms," said Scott Olechowski, Chief Product Officer and co-founder of Plex. "With Connect SDK, we were able to quickly extend that Plex experience to LG Smart TVs and we are now exploring ways we can integrate unique webOS capabilities." "The best way to enjoy your music collection with those around you is musiXmatch,” said Massimo Ciociola, CEO and founder of musiXmatch. “TV by nature is a social device, and we’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the best way to extend a big screen experience to our mobile users. The opportunity that is available with Connect SDK made the decision a very obvious one." Connect SDK is now available for iOS and Android developers to download at ConnectSDK.com. Source: LGPosted Thu Apr 17, 2014 at 03:00 PM PDT by: -
Onkyo Announces New "Emotion Delivered" Receivers[teaser]The THX-certified TX-NR737 and TX-NR838 A/V receivers offer high quality audio with HDMI 2.0 support. [/teaser] Onkyo has detailed two additions to its receiver lineup, the TX-NR737 and TX-NR838. Both models are being used to demonstrate the company's new "Emotion Delivered" slogan, highlighting the technology's ability to move the audience through high current sound. Both products are 7.2 channel receivers with THX Select2 Plus certification, ensuring a multiplex theater quality listening experience. Likewise, both models feature Wide Range Amplifier Technology, Three-Stage Inverted Darlington Circuitry amplification, DSP engines, 192 kHz/24-bit Burr-Brown D/A conversion, AccuEQ room calibration, and Built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and DLNA compatibility for music streaming. In addition, the receivers include support for HDMI 2.0 and HDCP 2.2 for 4K/60 Hz video and Qdeo 4K upscaling technology. Finally, the TX-NR838 also features a Pure Direct Analog Path mode for interference free playback of vinyl and SACD audio, and Zone 2 HD playback that allows users to watch 1080p content on a second screen. The Onkyo TX-NR737 ( $899) and TX-NR838 ($1,199) A/V receivers are expected to launch in May. Source: OnkyoPosted Thu Apr 17, 2014 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
'In the Blood' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The action-thriller starring MMA phenom Gina Carano explodes on Blu-ray in June. Pre-order it here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay will release 'In the Blood' on Blu-ray on June 3. Gina Carano stars as Ava, a trained fighter with a dark past. When her new husband (Cam Gigandet) vanishes during their Caribbean honeymoon, Ava uncovers a violent underworld of conspiracy in the middle of an island paradise. Armed with a deadly set of skills, Ava sets out to discover the truth – and to take down the men she thinks are responsible for his abduction, one by one. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Behind The Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $30.99. You can find the latest specs for 'In the Blood' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under June 3.Posted Thu Apr 17, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume Three' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Fifty more classic animated shorts are Blu-ray bound in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is working on 'Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume Three' for Blu-ray on August 12. The 50 classic shorts in this volume include: 1. Hiawatha's Rabbit Hunt 2. A Corny Concerto 3. Falling Hare 4. Little Red Riding Rabbit 5. Hair-Raising Hare 6. Acrobatty Bunny 7. Big Snooze, The 8. A Hare Grows in Manhattan 9. Easter Yeggs 10. Slick Hare 11. Gorilla My Dreams 12. High Diving Hare 13. Hillbilly Hare 14. Bunny Hugged 15. Operation: Rabbit 16. Bully for Bugs 17. Bugs and Thugs 18. Knighty Knight Bugs 19. Honey's Money 20. The Hep Cat 21. Pigs in a Polka 22. Ham in a Role 23. Dog Gone South 24. A Bear for Punishment 25. Steal Wool 26. Porky Pig's Feat 27. Scrap Happy Daffy 28. Plane Daffy 29. The Stupid Cupid 30. Draftee Daffy 31. Nasty Quacks 32. The Stupor Salesman 33. Wholly Smoke 34. Swooner Crooner 35. Life with Feathers 36. Canary Row 37. Tree for Two 38. Sandy Claws 39. Dog Pounded 40. Satan's Waitin' 41. Birds Anonymous 42. Mouse and Garden 43. The Pied Piper of Guadalupe 44. A Gruesome Twosome 45. Guided Muscle 46. Beep Prepared 47. Walky Talky Hawky 48. Rhapsody in Rivets 49. High Note 50. Nelly's Folly Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include commentaries, documentaries, additional rare shorts, and more. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Looney Tunes Platinum Collection: Volume Three' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 12.Posted Thu Apr 17, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Grand Piano' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The thriller starring Elijah Wood and John Cusack is planned for Blu-ray in May. Pre-order it here. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Magnolia will be releasing 'Grand Piano' on Blu-ray on May 20. Tom Selznick, the most talented pianist of his generation, stopped performing in public because of his stage fright. Years after a catastrophic performance, he reappears in public in a long awaited concert in Chicago. In a packed theater, in front of the expectant audience, Tom finds a message written on the score: "Play one wrong note and you die". Without leaving the piano, Tom must discover the anonymous sniper's motives and look for help without anyone realizing... Specs haven't been revealed yet, but supplements include: Behind The Scenes and AXS TV: A Look at Grand Piano. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $29.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Grand Piano' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under May 20.Posted Thu Apr 17, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Avengers' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]The 1998 film based on the classic British TV series will debut on Blu-ray in August. Pre-order it now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers is readying 'The Avengers' for Blu-ray on August 12. Ralph Fiennes is dapper John Steed and Uma Thurman is smartly cat-suited Emma Peel, two secret agents who fight crime with style. Sean Connery portrays Sir August De Wynter, an evil genius out to control the world with his high-tech weather machine. This madman poses quite a threat with raging icestorms, scorching temperatures, and mechanical buzz-bombing bees. Fortunately, come cold, heat or dreaded plight, our two heroes never lose their cool. Tea anyone? Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $14.97. You can find the latest specs for 'The Avengers' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 12.Posted Wed Apr 16, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Sony Details Pricing & Availability for 2014 Ultra HD TVs[teaser]The electronics company has revealed prices and release dates for its new 4K display lineup. [/teaser] After making their debut at CES back in January, Sony's new collection of Ultra HD TVs are now available for pre-sale. The lineup includes the XBR-X950B, XBR-X900B, and XBR-X850B series. The XBR-X950B will be available in 65-inch ($7,999) and 85-inch ($24,999) models. Meanwhile, the XBR-X900B series will launch in 55-inch ($3,999), 65-inch ($4,999), and 79-inch ($8,999) sizes. Finally, the XBR-X850B will hit stores in 49-inch ($2,099), 55-inch ($2,999), 65-inch ($3,999), and 70-inch ($5,499) models. Select display use Sony's 4K X Reality PRO picture engine for 4K upscaling, TRILUMINOS tech for a wide color spectrum, and X-tended Dynamic Range PRO for a brighter picture with deep blacks. In addition, all of the new set support the HDMI 2.0 spec and offer HEVC decoding. Joining their TV lineup, Sony has also announced the FMP-X10, the successor to its FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player. The new player offers 1TB of storage and can download and stream 4K titles from Sony's Video Unlimited 4K service and Netflix. "We continue to be the only company that offers a complete line-up of consumer 4K products, including TVs, front projectors, cameras and camcorders, while also leading the industry in providing 4K content. Sony's new 4K Ultra HD TVs, 4K media player and new 4K content offerings continue to strengthen our growing ecosystem," said Mike Fasulo, president at Sony Electronics. "We strongly believe 4K is the future for entertainment and we remain committed to leading the 4K movement, from lens to living room, in a way that only a company like Sony can." Sony's new lineup of Ultra HD TVs will ship in June and pre-orders are now live on Sony's website. Source: SonyPosted Wed Apr 16, 2014 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
'Longmire: The Complete First and Second Seasons' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order[teaser]The first two seasons of A&E's crime series based on Craig Johnson's novels are now up for Blu-ray pre-orders. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Archive is preparing 'Longmire: The Complete First and Second Seasons' for Blu-ray sometime later this year. Longmire follows Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), the Sheriff of the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, as he returns to work after the death of his wife. With the help of his daughter Cady (Cassidy Freeman), his new deputy Vic (Katee Sackhoff) and his best friend Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips), Walt must investigate a series of major crimes in his jurisdiction while preparing to run for re-election against Branch Connally (Bailey Chase), a young deputy in the department who wants the Sheriff's job. Specs, supplements, and a release date have not been set yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $59.98. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'Longmire: The Complete First and Second Seasons' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Apr 16, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Lone Survivor' Dated & Detailed for Blu-ray[teaser]Peter Berg's war drama gearing up for Blu-ray later this year has been detailed. You can pre-order it now. [/teaser] As previously reported, Universal is preparing 'Lone Survivor' for Blu-ray in 2014, and now the date has been set for June 3. 'Lone Survivor,' starring Mark Wahlberg, tells the story of four Navy SEALs on an ill-fated covert mission to neutralize a high-level Taliban operative who are ambushed by enemy forces in the Hindu Kush region of Afghanistan. Based on The New York Times bestseller, this story of heroism, courage and survival directed by Peter Berg ('Friday Night Lights') also stars Taylor Kitsch, Emile Hirsch, Ben Foster and Eric Bana. The Blu ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Bringing the Story to Light and The Fallen Heroes of Operation Red Wings; as well as a few Blu-ray exclusives including: Will of the Warrior; Recreating the Firefight; Learning the Basics; and The Pashtun Code of Life. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD/UltraViolet combo pack is $34.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Lone Survivor' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 3.Posted Wed Apr 16, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Wind Will Carry Us' & 'On My Way' Blu-rays Announced[teaser]Two foreign dramas are heading to Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Cohen Media Group is preparing 'The Wind Will Carry Us' for Blu-ray on July 22 and 'On My Way' for Blu-ray on July 29.'The Wind Will Carry Us' - Palme d Or winning-director Abbas Kiarostami's acclaimed film documents the arrival of an engineer and his colleagues from Tehran in a remote village in Iranian Kurdistan. Assumed by the locals with whom they form an ambivalent relationship to be archaeologists or telecom engineers, the visitors behaviour and keen interest in the health of an ailing old woman appear strange and their true motives are shrouded in mystery. Haunting and visually stunning, 'The Wind Will Carry Us' is an absorbing abstract meditation on life and death and the divisions between tradition and modernity that stands among Kiarostami's best works. 'On My Way' - Now in her early sixties, former beauty queen Bettie (Catherine Deneuve) finds herself jilted by her lover and left alone to deal with the financial problems facing her family's restaurant. What begins as a quick drive to clear her head turns into a full-fledged road trip, and along the way there are chance meetings, an ex-Miss France gala, renewed ties with her estranged daughter and grandson, and possibly, at the end of the road, love.Specs, supplements and suggested list prices for the Blu-rays have not been detailed yet.You can find the latest specs for 'The Wind Will Carry Us' and 'On My Way' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they=re indexed under July 22 and July 29.Posted Wed Apr 16, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by:
