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Forget OLED & 4K UHD, The Samsung F8500 is the Best TV Set This Year[teaser]Digital Trends praises the plasma-powered, gimmick-filled set.[/teaser] Nearly half way through 2013 and 4K UHD sets have made steps towards affordability and content delivery, while OLED remains almost as elusive as ever. In this light, Digital Trends has declared that the Samsung F8500 and its three screen sizes is likely the TV of the year. The conclusion, which gives the PNF8500 the edge over Panasonic's VT60 and ZT60, precisely echoes the recent Value Electronics Flat Panel Shootout . In both cases the message is clear, and Plasma sets remain critical darlings. For Digital Trends, the F8500 is "the brightest plasma" ever seen, and the overall display quality trumps the myriad of gimmicks that have been shoved into the TV. The TV's bezel and stand were also praised by Digital Trends, as was the backlit Bluetooth remote control. The TV's gesture and voice control actually received high marks. The TV's remote's trackpad received less love, much like the TV's set of apps that are said to be less enjoyable than Roku's offerings. The TV's attempt at displaying a program guide and controlling an external cable box seem less than useful as did the TV's "social" features. The poor sound quality for the set was attributed to speaker placement in the rear in order to support a cleaner overall look. Those issues paled in importance though when the set was described as not needing any kind of picture calibration out of the box. Time will tell if 2014 can yield a better plasma, but in the meantime it seems that F8500 is the set of choice. Discerning viewers can find the 60 inch PN60F8500 at Amazon. Source: Digital Trends Author: Brian HossPosted Tue May 28, 2013 at 09:30 AM PDT by: -
Vizio Now Shipping Latest M-Series of TVs[teaser]Ultra-thin bezel leads a packed list of features for Vizio's latest.[/teaser] Vizio is now shipping its new M-series, which consists of a whopping nine models ranging from 32 inches all the way up to 80 inches. The edge-lit LCD/LED sets include Vizio's new and improved Internet App Plus technology, which supports a list of usual suspects such as Netflix, Amazon Instant, HuluPlus, Vudu, YouTube, and Pandora. Scott McManigal, Vizio industrial design VP, "The new Vizio M-series televisions represent a significant step forward in terms of design, picture quality and connectivity. Our smart-TV platform has been upgraded with new apps, new features and new experiences such as dual-screen control from smartphones and tablets. We also focused on the basics that matter to every consumer such as a newly designed remote control and class leading picture quality." The sets are visually characterized by an ultra-thin bezel and screen, as well as a silver finish on the bezel and stand. The M series models starting at 50 inches and larger feature Vizio's passive 3D technology. The M-series line-up starts at the 32 inch M321li32 at $400, the 40 inch M401i at $530, 47 inch M47i at $730, the 50 inch M501d at $800, the 55 inch M551d at $1,200, the 60 inch M601d at $1,600, the 65 inch M651d at $2,000, the 70 inch M701d at $2,500 and the 80 inch M801d at $4,000. Models include a double sided remote, Wi-Fi, and a touted 240Hz refresh with SPS frame interpolation smoothing. Vizio sales partners include Walmart, Best Buy, and Amazon. Source: TWICE Author: Brian HossPosted Tue May 28, 2013 at 09:00 AM PDT by: -
'Charulata' Blu-ray Dated and Detailed[teaser]Satyajit Ray's 1964 romance will also be hitting Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Criterion will be bringing 'Charulata' to Blu-ray on August 20. Based on a novella by the great Rabindranath Tagore, 'Charulata' is a work of subtle textures, a delicate tale of a marriage in jeopardy and a woman taking the first steps toward establishing her own voice. The Blu-ray will feature a 2K 1080p digitally restored transfer, uncompressed monaural soundtrack, and supplements include: New interview with actor Madhabi Mukherjee; Satyajit Ray and the Modern Woman, a new interview program featuring Ray historian Suranjan Ganguly; The Coward (1965), a feature film directed by Ray that also addresses modern female identity and stars Mukherjee and Soumitra Chatterjee; and a booklet featuring an essay by scholar Chandak Sengoopta and an interview with Ray from the 1980s by his biographer Andrew Robinson. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Charulata' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under August 20.Posted Tue May 28, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
Blu-ray Highlights: Week of May 26th, 2013As we return from the long holiday weekend, the Blu-ray pickings are a little slim this week. In fact, perhaps the most interesting title of the week is one of the biggest box office bombs of all time. Read all about the latest releases in the blog today.Posted Tue May 28, 2013 at 07:00 AM PDT by: -
'Scum' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]Director Alan Clarke's controversial British crime drama will bring a hard-hitting punch to Blu-ray in June. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Kino Classics is preparing 'Scum' for Blu-ray on June 4. 'Scum' tells the story of Carlin (Ray Winstone, The Departed), a new reform school inmate with a reputation as a hard case. The authorities encourage gang leader Pongo (John Blundell) to humble Carlin, but he beats Pongo down and takes over the mantle of "Daddy." The guards institute a reign of terror and neglect, with Carlin emerging as an unlikely leader. One of the most important British features of the last 35 years, 'Scum' still packs a wallop. A landmark expose of Britain's violent reform schools, Alan Clarke's 'Scum' is a controversial shock to the system. Originally made for TV in 1977, the BBC withheld the program from release, due to its intense depictions of suicide, rape and racism. Refusing to be censored, Clarke reshot the film as a theatrical feature in 1979, making his attack on the borstal system even more scathing, and it is the latter, more vitriolic version that is included on this disc. Specs have not been revealed yet, but supplements will include: Audio commentary by Ray Winstone; Interview with producers Davina Belling and Clive Parsons; Interview with writer Roy Minton; Interview with executive producer Don Boyd; EPK interview with Roy Minton and Clive Parsons; and Original theatrical trailers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Scum' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under June 4.Posted Tue May 28, 2013 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'The Die Hard 25th Anniversary Collection' Blu-ray $24.99 at Amazon[teaser]Amazon's Blu-ray deal of the week once again features the first four adventures of action-hero extraordinaire John McClane on Blu-ray. [/teaser] The online retailer is selling 'The Die Hard 25th Anniversary Collection' for just $24.99 (58% off suggested list price). The box set includes 'Die Hard,' 'Die Hard 2,' 'Die Hard with a Vengeance,' and 'Live Free or Die Hard' and includes audio commentaries, cast and crew interviews, and a bonus disc featuring a brand new retrospective documentary. Click here to pick up this set for your Blu-ray library while it's available at this price from now through June 2.Posted Sun May 26, 2013 at 08:45 AM PDT by: -
Weekend Roundtable: One Sequel Too ManyThis week, a third 'Hangover' movie and a sixth 'Fast & Furious' grace cinema screens. With that in mind, this week's Roundtable tackles the subject of other movie franchises that have needlessly dragged on for too long and need to be put out of their (and our) misery. Read about it in the blog today.Posted Fri May 24, 2013 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
'Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season' Blu-ray Date and Pre-Orders Live[teaser]Year two of Captain Archer's mission will be beaming to Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Paramount and CBS says 'Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season' will hit Blu-ray on August 20. Set in the 22nd Century, a hundred years before James T. Kirk helmed the famous starship of the same name, Enterprise takes place in an era when interstellar travel is still in its infancy. Captain Jonathan Archer (Scott Bakula) has assembled a crew of brave explorers to chart the galaxy on a revolutionary spacecraft: Enterprise NX-01. As the first human beings to venture into deep space, these pioneers will experience the wonder and mystery of the final frontier as they seek out new life and new civilizations. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements will include: In Conversation: The First Crew; Destination Unknown: Uncharted Territory Retrospective; a collection of newly produced commentary from series creators Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, star Connor Trinneer and director Jim Conway, among others; and more! Suggested list price for the Blu-ray set is $119.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Star Trek: Enterprise - The Complete Second Season' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 20.Posted Fri May 24, 2013 at 11:00 AM PDT by: -
'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective' and 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]A double dose of 90s Jim Carrey shenanigans is coming to Blu-ray in September. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Warner Brothers will be releasing 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective' and 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' on Blu-ray on September 3. He's the best there is at what he does, even though he's the only one there is. He's Ace Ventura, pet detective, and he's on the case to find the Miami Dolphins' missing mascot, as well as the team's kidnapped quarterback, Dan Marino. Ventura goes eyeball to eyeball with a man-eating shark, stakes out the Dolphins and woos and wows the ladies. Whether he's undercover, under fire or underwater, he always gets his man... or beast. The first film in the series also stars Courtney Cox, Sean Young and Tone Loc. Africa's the place and Ace is on the case, setting out to rescue an animal he loathes: a rare white bat which is prophesied to avert a war between two tribes. Carrey returns as the alligator-wrasslin', elephant-calling, monkeyshining, loogie-launching, burning coals-crossing, disguise-mastering pet detective. The sequel also stars Ian McNeice, Simon Callow, Bob Gunton, Sophie Okonedo, Tommy Davidson and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. Specs and supplements haven't been revealed yet, but the suggested list price for each Blu-ray is $19.98. You can find the latest specs for 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective' and 'Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they're indexed under September 3.Posted Fri May 24, 2013 at 10:00 AM PDT by: -
'Blood and Sand' Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The bullfighting drama will head to the ring on Blu-ray in July. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'Blood and Sand' for Blu-ray on July 9. Tyrone Power and Rita Hayworth lead a star-studded cast in this Academy Award®-winning classic. Juan Gallardo (Power) returns home to claim the hand of his childhood love and continue his rise toward becoming Spain's greatest matador. But when he catches the eye of a beautiful seductress (Hayworth), Juan will learn that the battles that matter most are fought outside the ring. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a DTS-HD MA 1.0 soundtrack, and supplements will include a Commentary by Richard Crudo, Director of Photography and 2003-2006 President of the American Society of Cinematographers. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Blood and Sand' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 9.Posted Fri May 24, 2013 at 08:00 AM PDT by:
