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Samsung Introduces Galaxy Round Smartphone[teaser]The new mobile device is the world's first smartphone to feature a curved-screen design. [/teaser] Samsung has detailed the latest addition to the Galaxy family, the Galaxy Round smartphone. The phone is most notable for its curved-screen that promises several unique features. The Galaxy Round includes a 5.7-inch 1080p Full HD Super AMOLED screen that curves inward slightly within its rigid body to better fit the contours of a user's face. The phone is powered by a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 3GB of RAM, and a 2800mAh battery running Android 4.3. In addition, a 13MP rear camera and a 2MP front camera are also included. The device measures 7.9mm thick and weighs 154g. Due to its curved-screen, the Galaxy Round offers consumers several new features that take advantage of this unique design. The Roll Effect lets users access information like the date, time, missed calls and battery levels when the home screen is off by rolling the phone to its side. Likewise, the Gravity Effect offers visual interaction with the display through titling the phone. Similar tilts and rolls can also be used to control music playback through the Bounce UX feature, or videos and pictures through the Side Mirror feature. The Galaxy Round is set to launch in Korea on October 10. A U.S. release date and pricing have not been detailed yet. Sources: Samsung Tomorrow, CNETPosted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Casshan: The Complete Series' Gearing up for Blu-ray[teaser]All 35 episodes of the 1973 anime are heading to Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Section23 is preparing 'Casshan: The Complete Series' for Blu-ray on January 21. When lightning strikes the prototype android BK-1, a new horror is unleashed on the world as the resulting monster Buraiking begins taking over all other robots on Earth, setting them against their creators in a massive orgy of planet-wide destruction! With humanity helpless in the face of the new Neoroiders and their mechanical armies, mankind's only hope may lie in the hands of Tetsuya Azuma, son of the creator of BK1, who transfers his consciousness into an android body to become a Neoroider himself… the ultimate robot fighter: Casshan. Now, together with his robot dog Flender and the beautiful Luna Uetsuki, the daughter of another scientist and wielder of the most robot-lethal gun on the planet, Casshan is on a mission to clear his father's name, avenge his mother's death, and save the Earth from the iron clutches of Buraiking. But things aren't going to be easy, not when you're three against thousands, and Buraiking has some shocking surprises in store that will rip Casshan's world in two. It's the ultimate blast from the past as the battle for the future pits the good bots against the bad in Casshan. Supplements have not been detailed yet, but the 4-disc set will feature 1080p video and lossless audio. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $59.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Casshan: The Complete Series' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 21.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Gravity' Director Alfonso Cuarón Talks Dolby ATMOSby Michael S. Palmer As a film geek, it's all too easy to slip into hyperbole. Movies are emotional, right? When you have certain gut reactions, you can't help but let fly with, "this flick is the worst-best-least-most I have ever-seen-this-year-used-to-love-changed-my-life-made-me-want-to-shove-a-hot-poker-in-my-eye." Personal weakness not withstanding, I say with zero reservations that Alfonso Cuarón's 'Gravity' is probably a masterpiece (we'll let time and multiple viewings inform here), and is most definitely a technological marvel and a filmmaking master class. Honestly, not everyone's going to connect with 'Gravity' -- and that's totally cool too -- but for my money, it's one of the most visceral and effective and suspenseful thrillers ever. Regardless of whether or not you love or hate (or just don't care about) the film afterwards... 'Gravity' is a Must See In Cinemas movie. If you are at all able, go find the best auditorium with the biggest screen in the nicest theatre in your town or city. For some, that's going to be in IMAX 3D and its proprietary 7.1 surround sound format (5 front channels, stereo rear). For others, if you are one of the lucky few to live anywhere near the 300-400 screens worldwide equipped with Dolby Atmos, run-don't-walk to hear this extraordinary sound mix as soon and as often as you can. There aren't enough Atmos auditoriums yet in the world, and the movies that play in these houses don't last long. If you love surround sound, and I know many of you do, don't miss out. Other than the glorious 'Life of Pi', 'Gravity' is hands down the smartest and most precise Atmos mix to date (granted, there haven't been many). It literally makes you feel like you are in space -- that you are the camera -- and Sandra Bullock and George Clooney are floating all around you. And then when the music and the sound effects spin up into full effect… Just go hear it for yourself. [teaser]There's a reason director / co-writer Alfonso Cuarón calls Atmos the sound system he always dreamed of. It's a system that offers perfect separation, depth, and full range in every single one of the speakers. [/teaser]The speakers on the ceiling also compliment the experience, the immersive experience of cinema." To learn more about the film's sound mix, here are a couple videos with Cuarón and re-recording mixer Skip Lievsay talking about their process and how they took the base 7.1 sound mix and, "doubled down, made it even more precise." SoundWorks Collection: The Sound of Gravity from Michael Coleman on Vimeo. Gravity: Interview with Alfonso Cuarón from Dolby Laboratories on Vimeo. UPDATE: The original version of this article stated 'Gravity IMAX 3D' had a different aspect ratio than the non-IMAX formats. This was incorrect. All versions 'Gravity' are in the director's intended 2.40:1 aspect ratio. Thanks to IMAX and to our readers for helping to correct this.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 09:20 AM PDT by: -
JBL Announces Two New Surround Sound Systems[teaser]The Cinema 510 and the Cinema 610 offer 5.1 speaker packages with affordable prices. [/teaser] JBL has detailed two new 5.1 speaker systems, the Cinema 510 and the Cinema 610. Designed for convenient plug-and-play use, the compact speakers offer an easy to install surround sound option that won't take up too much floor-space. The Cinema 610 features five voice-matching satellites including a dedicated horizontal center channel with dual 3-inch woofers and 0.5-inch tweeters. An 8-inch Bass Reflex 60W subwoofer is also included. The frequency response for the speaker system is rated at 38Hz–20kHz. The Cinema 510 also has five voice-matching satellites but lacks a dedicated horizontal center channel. The speakers feature 3-inch drivers and also come paired with a 6.5-inch 60W subwoofer. The frequency response is 46Hz–20kHz . With a suggested retail price of $399.95, the Cinema 610 is now available. Meanwhile, the Cinema 510 is up for preorder for an October 25 release at a suggested retail price of $299.95. Sources: JBL, TWICEPosted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'The Big Gundown' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The classic 1966 spaghetti western will ride onto Blu-ray in December. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Grindhouse Releasing is preparing 'The Big Gundown' for Blu-ray on December 10. Jonathan Corbett is a gunman so brave to have eliminated all the bandits of Texas. For this he is proposed for the candidacy to the Senate of the United States. In exchange he has only to support the construction of one railway line. Only after he accepts does he come to know that the Mexican Cuchillo has raped and killed a 12 year old girl. Corbett leaves on a long manhunt during which he gets to know his adversary better and discovers a variation on the crime for which the accused Cuchillo may not be as guilty as he first thought. The release will be a Four Disc Deluxe Limited Edition Combo Pack (Two Blu-rays, one DVD and one bonus CD) individually numbered and limited to 3000 copies and will feature a spectacular new 2k digital restoration of the original uncensored english language version, Newly Expanded With Three Additional Scenes. Supplements will include: LA RESA DEI CONTI - The Complete, 110 Minute Director's Cut Presented In Italian With Optional English Bubtitles And Special Musical Subtitles; Bonus CD - THE BIG GUNDOWN - Original Soundtrack By Ennio Morricone; Compelling In-Depth Interviews With Director Sergio Sollima, Star Tomas Milian And Screenwriter Sergio Donati (ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE WEST); Audio Commentary By Western Film Experts C. Courtney Joyner And Henry C. Parke; Liner Notes By C. Courtney Joyner And Euro-Music Expert Gergely Hubai; Extensive Still Galleries, Trailers And TV Spots; And Other Surprises... You can find the latest specs for 'The Big Gundown' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under December 10.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Poll: Do You See New Movies on Opening Weekend?Are you the sort of viewer who must see a new movie in the theater as soon as it opens, or do you prefer to wait for bargain shows, or even the eventual Blu-ray release? Vote in this week's blog poll.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Companeros' Blu-ray Planned for 2014[teaser]Sergio Corbucci's 1970 spaghetti western will saddle up Blu-ray next year. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Blue Underground is working on 'Companeros' for Blu-ray sometime in 2014. Yodlaf Peterson (Franco Nero of 'Keoma') is a suave Swedish arms dealer with a love for fast money. Vasco (Tomas Milian of 'Traffic') is a trigger-happy Mexican bandit with a hate for suave Swedish arms dealers. But when the two team up to kidnap a professor who holds the key to a fortune in gold, they find themselves hunted by the American army, stalked by a marijuana-crazed sadist (Academy Award winner Jack Palance) and trapped in the middle of a revolution about to explode. Can these two enemies blast their way across Mexico together without killing each other first? Specs, supplements, and a suggested list price have yet to be revealed. You can find the latest specs for 'Companeros' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING.Posted Wed Oct 9, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Despicable Me 2' Announced for Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D[teaser]Gru and his mischievous minions will be back on Blu in December! [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Universal will release 'Despicable Me 2' on Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D on December 10. In the animated family sequel, Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal. Each Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, lossless soundtracks, and supplements include: Three all-new mini-movies featuring the mischievous but lovable Minions; A Closer Look at the Evil Minions; Deleted Scenes; and Much More! Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.98 and the Blu-ray 3D is $49.98. You can find the latest specs for 'All is Bright' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under December 10.Posted Tue Oct 8, 2013 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
'Getaway' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Ethan Hawke and Selena Gomez are speeding toward Blu-ray in November. [/teaser] As previously reported, Warner Bros. is preparing 'Getaway' for Blu-ray, and now the release date has been set for November 26. Brent Magna (Ethan Hawke) is a burned out race car driver who is thrust into a do-or-die mission behind the wheel when his wife is kidnapped. With Brent's only ally being a young hacker (Selena Gomez), his one hope of saving his wife is to follow the orders of the mysterious voice (Jon Voight) who's watching his every move through cameras mounted on the car Brent's driving. The Blu-ray/DVD/Digital Copy Combo Pack will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements will include: Crash Cams; Destroying a Custom Shelby; Metal and Asphalt; Selena Gomez: On Set; and The Train Station. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is set at $28.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Getaway' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under November 26.Posted Tue Oct 8, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
Sony Details Third Generation Head Mounted HD Display[teaser]The wearable Personal 3D Viewer features twin OLED screens and is now available for pre-order. [/teaser] Sony has announced plans to release it latest Personal 3D Viewer, the HMZ-T3W. Lighter than its predecessors, the new head mounted display offers users an entire theater experience in a portable, wearable package. Featuring dual OLED screens, the 720p display simulates a 750-inch screen from 65 feet away. The device also offers 3D capabilities and support for Blu-ray players, tablets, smartphones, PCs, and gaming consoles. Full 7.1 virtual surround sound options are also integrated through Sony's Virtual Surround Technology, letting customers use the headset's included 16mm driver in-ear phones or their own headphones to create an immersive soundstage. In addition, the HMZ-T3W comes with a mobile battery and gives users WirelessHD support for cordless playback. The HMZ-T3W Personal 3D Viewer is now available for pre-order at Amazon, Sony Stores, and select retailers for a suggested list price of $1,000. Source: SonyPosted Tue Oct 8, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by:
