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Roku Details Roku TV[teaser]The company is partnering with TCL and Hisense to manufacture its own Smart TVs. [/teaser] Roku, the company behind the Roku 3 Streaming Media Player and several other popular streaming devices, has announced plans to license and integrate its software platform into Smart TVs. The initial lineup of Roku TV models will be manufactured by TCL and Hisense. "Consumers will enjoy the ease and satisfaction of Roku TV while manufacturers leverage our design specifications, content relationships and software expertise. At the same time the content community will gain additional distribution and revenues through an already popular and trusted streaming platform – now in the TV," said Roku Chief Executive Officer Anthony Wood. "I'm very excited about our partnerships with TV manufacturers and the first Roku TV models planned for release this fall from TCL and Hisense." The new Roku TV platform aims to simplify current Smart TV design, giving users a more streamlined and convenient experience. A home screen serves as a hub for all the TV's content, making it easy for consumers to access live shows and streaming media, which includes the full Roku Channel Store that offers more than 1,200 channels with 31,000 programming options. In addition, the TV's remote features a similarly simplified design and users can also control the display with their mobile devices using the Roku app. Pricing has not been detailed yet, but Roku TV models ranging from 32-inches to 55-inches are expected to hit US stores in the fall. Both TCL and Hisense will have their Roku TV models on display in their booths at CES. Source: RokuPosted Mon Jan 6, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Lone Survivor' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]Peter Berg's war drama is gearing up for Blu-ray later this year, and you can pre-order it now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal is preparing 'Lone Survivor' for Blu-ray in 2014. '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. Specs and supplements have yet to be detailed, but 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 PENDING.Posted Mon Jan 6, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Dolby Announces "Dolby Vision" with Partners Sharp, Amazon, VUDU, TCL, & Microsoftby Michael S. Palmer [teaser]Just before the holidays, HDD was one of the first sites to preview Dolby's new high dynamic range imaging technology. And now, Dolby has revealed more details about their exciting tech. [/teaser] Check out the link to see an in-depth overview, but the basics are this: Digital cinema cameras are able to capture vivid images with lifelike contrast ratios and dynamic ranges. However, our current gen displays are currently tied to an old CRT-era specification, limiting overall brightness to "100 Nits" and Blu-ray's reduced color specification, REC 709, which can't accurately reproduce colors like the famous red London double-decker buses. Dolby wants to create a new "container" (think codec) with a wider dynamic range that will allow filmmakers to color grade productions for new and enhanced UHD or HD displays that have a peak luminance upwards of 10,000 Nits. The intended result: more lifelike and more accurate displays, regardless of size, frame rate and resolution. Today at CES 2014, Dolby gave their new tech a name: Dolby Vision. Dolby also announced TV manufacturers, Sharp and TCL, will be demonstrating "prototype televisions at CES that show off the benefits of Dolby Vision on various panel types and screen sizes." So hopefully that's, at least, two of the companies who will be producing these new displays, though there's no official word on when TVs will be available to the general public, nor pricing. The other big tidbit we've learned is Dolby's first "ecosystem" partners -- AKA, who's going to deliver the content? -- will be Amazon Instant Video, VUDU, and Microsoft's XBox Video. At the preview event, Dolby implied their "container" would work with broadcast, streaming / digital download, and optical disc technologies, but they didn't specify as to whether or not it would work with Blu-ray. Though there's still no word on which TV and/or film productions will be produced and color graded in Dolby Vision, we do know the first Dolby Vision content will be delivered via streaming (or digital download) once Dolby Vision compatible displays hit the consumer market. Dolby Vision looks incredible, but my demo was done with uncompressed video. Admittedly, when watching services like Amazon and VUDU on my HD display, the idea of "streaming" concerns me a little, given bandwidth limitations when compared to optical formats like Blu-ray. That said, Dolby said its new container isn't bandwidth heavy compared to current UHD content. And I've already purchased TV shows on Amazon Instant and streamed them because they were commercial free and looked better than the muddled DirecTV broadcast. Also, Xbox Videos can be downloaded to your console. I suppose I was hoping for a Blu-ray announcement of some kind, but there's probably a number of challenges and hurdles to integrating something like this into an existing optical disc format. Many more questions remain. Regardless, Dolby Vision should result in some amazing new displays, perhaps a real reason for the 4K / UHD upgrade. And as long as Dolby and its creative partners can deliver content that shows off their technology (it's really night and day when you're in person), we are definitely in for a few interesting years. I just hope Dolby Vision's not limited to streaming. Downloads, most likely an option, will be a must. And hopefully optical as well. Seriously, I can't wait to see what happens next. If you're attending CES this year, I highly recommend heading over to the Dolby/Sharp/TCL booths to see Dolby Vision in person. Here is the rest of Dolby's official Press Release: ABOUT DOLBY'S NEWEST IMAGING TECHNOLOGY Dolby's new imaging technology helps content creators and TV manufacturers deliver true-to-life brightness, colors, and contrast. It augments the fidelity of Ultra HD and HD video signals for over-the-top online streaming, broadcast, and gaming applications by maintaining and reproducing the dynamic range and color palette of the original content. Why this technology is necessary: Even though most television shows and movies are recorded using camera technology that captures the colors and brightness of real life, much of that richness is lost by the time consumers get to watch. That's because current television and cinema standards are based on the limitations of old technologies and require that the original video content be altered – dramatically reducing the range of colors, brightness, and contrast -- before it can be reproduced for transmission and playback. Dolby's new imaging technology changes that, giving creative teams the freedom to use a fuller range of colors, peak brightness, and local contrast with the confidence that once the content is encoded for transmission with Dolby's new imaging technology, it can be reproduced on televisions with Dolby's new technology. More background on our Dolby Lab Notes blog (Is Your TV Bright Enough?) and (Your TV is Missing Some Colors). What it will deliver to consumers: Dramatically brighter and more vivid images with more accurate, beautiful color and higher contrast to make it easier to discern details that might have previously gone unnoticed. An expanded color palette for movies and broadcasts to include more of the colors the human eye can actually see. Why we believe that it will succeed: Thanks to this new technology, creative teams can use the full range of colors, peak brightness, and local contrast already captured with current camera technologies, with the confidence that films and TV shows encoded and transmitted with Dolby's new imaging technology will be reproduced faithfully on televisions with this new technology. Our new imaging technology is already getting support from all points in the ecosystem, from those who create and distribute entertainment content, to those who manufacture the devices to display it. Filmmakers and other content creators get to unleash their creativity with the broader range of colors and brightness already captured by their cameras, and TV OEMs can offer consumers a dramatically-improved video experience, regardless of screen size or distance.Posted Mon Jan 6, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by: -
'Dogs' Blu-ray Bound[teaser]The 1976 horror thriller will be unleashed on Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Scorpion Releasing is preparing 'Dogs' for Blu-ray on March 11. On the quiet campus of the remotely-located SouthWestern University, something strange is happening. All of the dogs in the area, once loyal, gentle pets, are now banding together in wild packs and hunting down their former masters. Could the strange transformation have anything to do with the secret government experiments being conducted in the school's physics laboratory? More importantly, can the dogs be stopped before it's too late? Specs and a suggested list price for the Blu-ray have not been announced yet, but supplements will include: Featurette with cast and crew interview; Fun facts and trivia featurette; Original trailer; and Liner notes by Lee Gambin. You can find the latest specs for 'Dogs' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 11.Posted Mon Jan 6, 2014 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Masters of Sex: Season One' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The first season of Showtime's hit new series is making its way to Blu-ray later this year, and you can pre-order it now. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony is preparing 'Masters of Sex: Season One' for Blu-ray in 2014. 'Masters of Sex' is a one-hour drama starring Emmy and BAFTA Award nominee Michael Sheen and acclaimed actress Lizzy Caplan, who will portray the real-life pioneers of the science of human sexuality, William Masters and Virginia Johnson. The series chronicles the unusual lives, romance, and pop culture trajectory of Masters and Johnson. Their research touched off the sexual revolution and took them from a midwestern teaching hospital in St. Louis to the cover of Time magazine and nearly a dozen appearances on Johnny Carson's couch. Specs and supplements have yet to be detailed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $65.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Masters of Sex: Season One' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Mon Jan 6, 2014 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
HDD's 2014 Home Theater Gear Predictions, Hopes, and Pipe Dreamsby Steven Cohen [teaser]With the new year just getting started, and a whole slew of new products and tech set to be revealed next week at CES, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be fun to give a rundown of our top hopes and predictions for HD gear in 2014. [/teaser] From cheaper 4K sets to continued plasma support, these are our wishes for the home theater industry. Some are already in the works, while others might forever remain unrealistic fantasies, but you can't blame us for dreaming! 2013 saw the arrival of Ultra HD and OLED, the end of Panasonic plasma production, and the continued dominance of LCD panels. But what will 2014 have to offer? Without further ado, here's our list of our top HD Gear expectations and wishes for 2014… More Affordable 4K Sets To their credit, almost all of the major players, including Sony, Samsung, and LG have offered solid price cuts to their initial lineup of Ultra HD televisions since they first launched. With that said, considering how high they were priced to begin with, this still makes 4K adoption a rather pricey endeavor. $3000 for a 55-inch LCD isn't exactly affordable, and if these manufacturers really want to see Ultra HD become mainstream, then they are going to have to find a way to appeal to the average consumer. There are several budget 4K sets currently available, however, most notably from Seiki Digital (and Polaroid just announced their own $1000 model), but their picture quality likely won't be able to compete with the big name brands. Hopefully, this year, Sony and company will take notice of these cheaper alternatives and offer their own more affordable 4K models. 4K Models with Better Tech If more inexpensive 4K TVs are out of the question, then Ultra HD displays should at least have the panel technology to back up their high price tags. Unfortunately, all of the Ultra HD TVs currently on the market use regular old LED/LCD panels, and while there are some benefits to that display technology (most notably brightness), LCDs are still susceptible to several key drawbacks -- namely poor viewing angles, lackluster black levels, and inferior uniformity. Some of the models available from the bigger companies do use edge-lit local dimming, but very few utilize full-array local dimming (Samsung's UN85S9 being the primary exception) which would substantially improve black levels. High resolutions are only one part of picture quality, and all the pixels in the world don't mean much if it all turns into washed-out mush when the lights are off. If manufacturers want to stick with LCD for their Ultra HD offerings, hopefully they will start developing more full-array local dimming options. Of course, an even more desirable tactic would be to expand beyond LCDs altogether. Though plasma support seems to be dwindling, PDP technology provides superior black levels and contrast which would be a perfect fit for Ultra HD's superior resolution. Unfortunately, there have reportedly been substantial cost and development issues related to manufacturing 4K plasmas, which is one of the reasons that the tech is being phased out to begin with. Still, this does leave one viable contender for the future of Ultra HD TVs: OLED. OLED panels feature several of the benefits of LCD and plasma displays without suffering from many of their weaknesses. For now, the technology is still very expensive, but LG will be showing off a 77-inch 4K OLED TV at CES. It will likely cost more than my car (or maybe even a house!), if it ever gets a retail release at all, but hey, it's still a step in the right direction. More OLED Models and Cheaper Price Tags Speaking of OLED technology, though initial impressions of the current offerings from Samsung and LG have been very positive, their price tags are still incredibly high and they remain the only two options available to US consumers. Likewise, both models feature curved-screen designs, which might not appeal to many potential buyers. The recent news that Sony and Panasonic have ended their OLED development partnership doesn't bode well for future OLED models in 2014, but at least for now, LG has reiterated its commitment to the technology and will be demoing several new sets at CES, including a flat screen 55-inch TV that will hopefully make its way to the US. Now if only they can get those prices down. More 4K Content Electronics manufacturers' recent push for Ultra HD is all good and well, but without actual 4K content to display on their expensive TVs, there really isn't much reason to buy them. Currently, the only way to get substantial Ultra HD content is to buy a Sony 4K TV with the Sony FMP-X1 4K Ultra HD Media Player, which puts many early 4K adopters without a Sony set in a pretty bad spot. Thankfully, streaming services like Netflix, Amazon, and YouTube have started to pledge support for Ultra HD content, and through the use of new codes like VP9 and H.265, we could begin seeing 4K streams very soon. Still, streaming technology has clear limitations, and though these new codecs will certainly help, internet speeds and bandwidth issues will no doubt limit quality and lead to compression artifacts -- and who wants that? The solution? A true 4K disc medium. Rumors have been swirling about an official announcement regarding 4K Blu-ray from the BDA for quite some time, and hopefully the association will have something concrete to report this year. Pretty please? Better Quality HD Streams Though 4K might be all the rage right now, good old fashioned HD material still has a lot of room for improvement, especially when it comes to streaming services. Thankfully, the new VP9 and H.265 codecs won't just be useful for Ultra HD content. Instead, their advanced compression methods enable high quality video with limited bitrates, which might finally offer true Blu-ray quality HD streams to your living room. But video is only part of the equation, and when it comes to streaming services, audio is often neglected. One of our main wishes for 2014 is for Netflix and other streaming services to start offering higher quality audio options. Lossless mixes would be ideal, but internet speed limitations might be a preventing factor. Pre-Calibrated Sets Advanced display technologies and higher resolutions are all very exciting, but more than thinner bezels and more pixels, I would love for manufacturers to start providing more pre-calibrated display options. The THX mode offered on several current TVs is a big step in the right direction, but the accuracy of that preset isn't always up to par. I'm a stickler for wanting to see a movie exactly how the filmmakers intended, and is it too much to ask for my TV to come calibrated to the industry standards? As of now, I guess so, but maybe that will change. Sure, consumers can pay for ISF calibration after the fact, but wouldn't it be great if all TVs simply came with the proper color, brightness, and grayscale adjustments to begin with? Sadly, considering the quality control necessary to truly pull off such a feat, and factoring in how much manufacturers love to market their TVs in their blinding "Torch Mode," I have to assume that this wish will remain a pipe dream for now. Panasonic Decides to Return to Plasmas! OK, so this one really is ridiculous, but it truly is one of my main hopes for the year. They may have just recently announced the end of their plasma development, but Panasonic couldn't really mean it, could they? I mean, their PDP TVs are widely regarded as some of the best displays on the market -- they can't really be pulling the plug! Tell me it's all just a bad dream. It's just a really early April Fool's joke, right? No? Fine, but if you don't mind, I'm just going to continue living in denial. After all, as far as I'm concerned, Pioneer is just taking a "break" too, and both companies will miraculously decide to reenter the plasma market this year to create the ultimate TV! If I'm forced to face reality, however, here's hoping that Samsung and LG still stay invested in the technology. Come on guys, don't disappoint me! Surprise Innovations Sometimes the most exciting technological advances are the ones you don't see coming at all. 2014 already seems to be starting off well in this regard, with the recent announcement of Dolby's High Dynamic Range Imaging Technology. The company's push toward better, brighter, and more accurate pixels and color reproduction could prove to be revelatory, and the manner in which they are planning to integrate the tech into the actual film and television production workflow could help bring a director's true vision to the screen in ways that current standards simply can't. Hopefully, 2014 will bring more innovative tech and gear concepts like this, helping to push the boundaries of the home theater experience. For now, we'll simply have to wait and see how the year shapes up. Perhaps some of these wishes will come true, while others might be disappointingly dashed. Either way, we are sure to get a much better sense for the general direction of the industry next week at CES in Las Vegas, so be sure to stay tuned to High-Def Digest for all the latest HD Gear and Home Theater related news.Posted Fri Jan 3, 2014 at 02:00 PM PST by: -
Weekend Roundtable: 2013 in Movie TitlesAs we start a brand new year, let's play a fun little game where we use only movie titles to describe the year that just passed. Take a look at some of the examples in this week's Roundtable and you'll get the idea.Posted Fri Jan 3, 2014 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
YouTube Reveals 4K Plans[teaser]The popular video site will be demoing Ultra HD streaming at CES. [/teaser] According to a report by GigaOM, YouTube will be showcasing new 4K streaming technology next week at CES in Las Vegas. The website will be implementing the VP9 codec for its Ultra HD content. VP9 is a royalty free codec developed by YouTube owner Google that will enable high resolution playback at manageable bitrates. Likewise, the codec will also improve standard HD streaming, reducing the amount of data required to deliver HD content by about 50 percent. This will lead to substantially less buffering times. In order to bolster VP9 support, YouTube and Google have partnered with several manufacturers and hardware developers, including Intel, Broadcom, Samsung, and Sharp. YouTube plans to demonstrate its 4K streaming tech at the Sony, LG, and Panasonic booths at CES next week. VP9 decoding is expected to roll out to PCs and mobile devices first and then expand to upcoming television models in 2015. Source: GigaOMPosted Fri Jan 3, 2014 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]Ben Stiller's daydreaming dramedy will seek adventure on Blu-ray later this year. [/teaser]You can pre-order it now. In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' for Blu-ray in 2014. Ben Stiller directs and stars in 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty,' James Thurber's classic story of a day-dreamer who escapes his anonymous life by disappearing into a world of fantasies filled with heroism, romance and action. When his job along with that of his co-worker (Kristen Wiig) are threatened, Walter takes action in the real world embarking on a global journey that turns into an adventure more extraordinary than anything he could have ever imagined. Specs and supplements have yet to be detailed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING.Posted Fri Jan 3, 2014 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Polaroid Details Affordable 4K TV[teaser]The company plans to reveal a $1000 Ultra HD display at CES. [/teaser] Polaroid has announced a brand new 50-inch 4K television that will make its debut at CES next week. And unlike other Ultra HD offerings from manufacturers like Sony, Samsung, and LG, this model will come in at a very reasonable retail price of $1000 -- though it remains to be seen how its picture quality will compete with those more expensive offerings. "Not many people realize that Edwin Land was a pioneer in developing the polarizing technology used in modern televisions," said Scott W. Hardy, President and CEO of Polaroid. "We are excited to bring consumers a state-of-the-art product at an affordable price point. Families can share more movie nights together with our new home entertainment options." The 50GSR9000 features a 50-inch LED LCD panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160, giving it four times the pixels of a traditional HDTV. In addition, the set comes with 3 HDMI inputs. Also joining the newly announced 4K set, is a new 1080p Smart TV. The 50GSR7100 is a 50-inch HD display that includes a built-in Roku Streaming Stick, giving users access to more than 1000 entertainment channels. Exact release dates have not been announced, but the 50GSR9000 4K TV will retail for $1000 and the 50GSR7100 Roku Ready Smart TV will retail for $600. Both models will be on display at Polaroid's booth at CES on January 7. Source: PolaroidPosted Fri Jan 3, 2014 at 09:00 AM PST by:
