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'Hit the Deck' and 'The Wind and the Lion' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]Both catalog titles will be available on Blu-ray through Warner Archive later this year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Archive is working on 'Hit the Deck' for Blu-ray later this year. Anchors Aweigh. On the Town. Hit the Deck. Hollywood has always known what to do with sailors on leave: give 'em some pretty girls and some great songs and watch the fans line up to enlist. Hit the Deck hits all the right notes as three sailors (Tony Martin, Vic Damone, Russ Tamblyn) and three cuties (Jane Powell, Debbie Reynolds, Ann Miller) flirt, squabble, run afoul of shore patrol and of course, fall in love to a hit parade of Vincent Youmans tunes. Highlights include Miller's polishing the floor as The Lady from the Bayou, Martin's romantic mastery of More Than You Know and the stage-filling rouser Hallelujah. Music, romance, fun: don't miss the boat! Warner Archive is also preparing 'The Wind and the Lion' for Blu-ray. Academy Award and Golden Globe-winner Sean Connery (The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Finding Forrester) and Academy Award-nominee and Emmy and Golden Globe-winner Candice Bergen (TV's Boston Legal, The In-Laws) star in this Middle East romantic adventure about a Moroccan chief who triggers an international incident when he kidnaps an American widow and her children. Loosely based on a true event, the film co-stars John Huston (Chinatown) and Brian Keith (Young Guns, Hooper). Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for each release is $21.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Hit the Deck' and 'The Wind and the Lion' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Apr 9, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
Amazon Trumps Apple & Hulu in Streaming Usage[teaser]Amazon Instant Video has now surpassed Hulu and Apple in total video streaming traffic. [/teaser] According to a report from Qwilt, Amazon Instant Video now ranks third in total streaming traffic among US broadband subscribers. This puts the online retail giant ahead of Hulu and Apple, but still behind YouTube and current champ Netflix. "We’ve invested hundreds of millions of dollars in great TV shows and movies for Prime members and it’s working," said Bill Carr, VP of Digital Video and Music for Amazon. "As part of their membership, Amazon Prime members can watch their favorite movies and television shows on an unlimited basis, and as we add original content like 'Alpha House,' 'Bosch,' 'The After,' 'Mozart in the Jungle' and 'Transparent,' we have no doubt that customers will be even more delighted with the selection available. And now, with Fire TV, customers have the easiest way to access this content." Qwilt also points out that Amazon's streaming usage in the US has increased about 94% over the last 12 months and nearly 300% in specific US operator networks. This dramatic increase in its video streaming presence has allowed the company to climb ahead of Hulu and Apple, rising from fifth place in 2013 to third place in 2014. Amazon's Prime Instant Video is available on a variety of smart TVs and streaming devices, including the company's recently released Amazon Fire TV. The service currently charges $99 per year and gives users access to a growing library of streaming content, including many exclusives like Fox's '24,' the BBC series 'Orphan Black,' FX's 'The Americans,' and NBC's 'Hannibal.' Sources: Qwilt, AmazonPosted Tue Apr 8, 2014 at 05:30 PM PDT by: -
'Pompeii' Dated for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]Paul W. S. Anderson's disaster flick heads to both Blu-ray formats next month. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is working on 'Pompeii' for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on May 20. Set in the days leading up to the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius, a slave on a ship heading for Naples works to get home to save the woman he loves and his best friend, a gladiator trapped inside the city's coliseum. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99 and the Blu-ray 3D is $45.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Pompeii' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 20.Posted Tue Apr 8, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Small Time' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Christopher Meloni and Dean Norris star in this drama inspired by a true story heading to Blu-ray in June. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing 'Small Time' for Blu-ray on June 3.Al Klein (Christopher Meloni) and his longtime friend, Ash Martini (Dean Norris) own a used car lot. These two know every trick in the book when it comes to selling cars. Martini is a good-time charley, who never settled down. Klein, however, still pines for his ex-wife Barbara (Bridget Moynahan) who left him years ago for a more successful man. After their son, Freddy (Devon Bostick) graduates high school, he decides to forego college in favor of selling cars with his old man. But what's good for Klein might not be the best thing for Freddy, as Freddy quickly transforms from innocent young man into a jaded car salesman... leaving Al with a tough decision to make. Inspired by a true story, small time is written and directed by '24' co-creator Joel Surnow and co-stars Kevin Nealon, Xander Berkeley, and Garcelle Beauvais. A suggested list price has not been announced yet, but the Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Audio Commentary with Writer/Director Joel Surnow and Actors Christopher Meloni and Dean Norris. You can find the latest specs for 'Small Time' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 3.Posted Tue Apr 8, 2014 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
Netflix Now Offers 4K Streaming[teaser]4K streaming is now available for 'House of Cards' and select nature documentaries. [/teaser] After previously announcing plans to support 4k streaming in 2014, Netflix has finally made good on its word. Season two of 'House of Cards' can now be streamed in full 4K resolution. Likewise, the company is also streaming a few nature documentaries in Ultra HD as well. In order to watch Netflix in 4K, users will need to have a 2014 Ultra HD television that supports the H.265/HEVC codec. This includes the majority of recently released and upcoming 2014 4K displays from most of the major manufacturers. Unfortunately, previous Ultra HD models without an integrated H.265/HEVC decoder will not be able to play the 4K streams at this time. The H.265 codec is an advanced compression format that allows for higher resolutions without the need for dramatically increased bitrates. Currently, Netflix is streaming its 4K content at about 15.6 Mbps. According to an eyes-on report from HDTVtest using the Netflix app on a Samsung UNH8500 Ultra HD TV, the 4K stream of 'House of Cards' does indeed yield noticeable improvements over the 1080p stream. With that said, even with the superior encoding technology, the site did notice some occasional compression artifacts, reinforcing some of the inherent limitations of streaming video. In addition to Netflix, companies like Amazon, Comcast/Xfinity, and DirecTV have also announced plans for 4K streaming apps, but so far Netflix is the first to follow through. Owners of Sony 4K Ultra HD displays can also use the company's proprietary FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player to watch 4K content, and Samsung recently revealed its own similar device. Meanwhile, though the BDA has confirmed that a 4K Blu-ray spec is in development, firm details and a release timetable remain elusive. Sources: CNET, HDTVtestPosted Tue Apr 8, 2014 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
'Without Warning' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The sci-fi/horror flick will strike Blu-ray in August. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Scream Factory is preparing 'Without Warning' for Blu-ray. An exact release date has not been revealed, but the disc is expected to hit stores in August.Four teenagers going on a Lake Trip are warned of the strange happenings which occur there. But they ignore such warnings and are consequently attacked by alien creatures. Starring Jack Palance, Martin Landau, and Tarah Nutter. Directed by Greydon Clark. Specs, supplements, and a suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack have not been announced.You can find the latest specs for 'Without Warning' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Tue Apr 8, 2014 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
'Death Spa' Blu-ray Dated[teaser]The demonic fitness club will be accepting new memberships on Blu-ray in May. You can pre-order the disc now. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, MPI is preparing 'Death Spa' for Blu-ray on May 27.The new fitness club in town has everything a health nut could ever want: a variety of workout machines, classes taught by friendly (and frisky) instructors, and a state-of-the-art computer control system for maximum client comfort. Unfortunately it's also possessed by the evil spirit of the owner's dead wife, and before long every dumbbell, leg press, and rowing machine becomes a deadly weapon for her to enact bloody vengeance on the club's beautiful members. So if you're looking for a real workout from hell, enter 'Death Spa' a new exercise in terror! Specs have not been detailed, but supplements will include: An Exercise In Terror: The Making of Death Spa; Audio Commentary; Theatrical Trailer; and Video Trailer. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack is $34.98.You can find the latest specs for 'Death Spa' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 27.Posted Tue Apr 8, 2014 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HP Announces DreamColor Displays[teaser]The company has detailed its latest DreamColor monitors with superior color accuracy. [/teaser] HP has unveiled two new additions to its DreamColor line of displays. The Z27x and Z24x monitors promise more pixels, thinner designs, and more accurate colors over their predecessor. "The HP DreamColor Engine and our line of DreamColor products have become the gold standards for professionals who demand color accuracy," said Jun Kim, vice president and general manager, PC displays and accessories, HP. "This next generation of HP DreamColor Displays will once again disrupt color technology, providing customers with richer and more accurate colors than ever before." The HP Z24x features a 24-inch 1920x1080 screen while the HP Z27x features a 27-inch 2560x1440 screen. Both displays offer 10-bit color accuracy, one-button access to sRGB D65, sRGB D50, Adobe® RGB, BT.709, BT.2020 and DCI-P3 color spaces, easy calibration, and up to 1.07 billion on-screen colors. In addition, the HP Z27x also produces 100 percent of sRGB, 100 percent of AdobeRGB and 99 percent of DCI-P3 color gamuts. Both monitors are designed with professionals and consumers in mind and promise unprecedented color accuracy and affordability. The HP Z24x is available now for a suggested retail price of $599. The HP Z27x is available now for a suggested retail price of $1,499. Source: HP via EngadgetPosted Mon Apr 7, 2014 at 04:30 PM PDT by: -
'That Awkward Moment' Special Features Revealed[teaser]Things are about to get uncomfortable in this romantic comedy coming to Blu-ray in May. You can pre-order it now. [/teaser] As previously reported, Sony is preparing 'That Awkward Moment' for Blu-ray on May 13. Zac Efron, Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan star in the R-rated comedy, 'That Awkward Moment,' about three best friends who find themselves where we've all been- at that confusing "moment" in every dating relationship when you have to decide "So...where is this going?" Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Extended Gag Reel; Moment of Truth: Behind the Scenes; Threesome: More Awkward Moments Sit down with the three stars of the film; and Four Previously Released Character Profiles. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $35.99. You can find the latest specs for 'That Awkward Moment' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under May 13.Posted Mon Apr 7, 2014 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Korean Manufacturer Rumored to be Developing Apple iTVs[teaser]A Korean electronics company is reportedly developing 65-inch OLED sample panels for Apple's rumored iTV. [/teaser] Rumors have been circulating about a television from Apple for several years, and now a new report indicates that the company is finally making some traction in their plans. According to the Korea Herald, a Korean manufacturer is currently making sample OLED screens for Apple's upcoming iTV product. The Korea Herald also points out that Apple's original plan was to use LCD panels in 65-inch and 77-inch sizes for a release later this year, but now that launch window has been delayed. Apparently this holdup is due to the company's new interest in OLED technology. Though they suffer from lower yield rates and are more expensive than LCDs, OLED panels offer many benefits in picture quality, including superior black levels and contrast. The alleged iTV is still in its testing phase, however, and these sample OLEDs might not end up being used for mass production It's not clear yet which manufacturer may be producing the sample 65-inch OLEDs for Apple, but whether the company decides to go with the OLED tech or revert back to LCD, the Apple iTV is now rumored to launch sometime in 2015. Source: Korea Herald via CNETPosted Mon Apr 7, 2014 at 10:30 AM PDT by:
