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Denon Details New IN-Command X Series Receivers with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
Posted Thu May 18, 2017 at 02:00 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Integra Announces DRX-3.1 & DRX 2.1 Receivers with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
Posted Tue May 16, 2017 at 01:40 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Marantz Details New NR1608 and NR1508 Slim Design AV Receivers
Posted Mon May 15, 2017 at 05:50 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Onkyo Details New RZ Series AV Receivers with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
Posted Tue May 9, 2017 at 04:40 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Yamaha Announces AVENTAGE RX-A 70 Series Receivers with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
Posted Mon May 1, 2017 at 04:45 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in Dolby Cinema
Posted Mon Apr 24, 2017 at 11:32 AM PDT by Michael S. PalmerLast week, I had the extraordinary privilege of attending the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 world premiere at The Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, CA. As I've written before, Hollywood premieres are a unique because they are a few hours where the magic of Hollywood, rather than the often mundane business aspects, shine brightest. There are screaming fans, stars on the red (or in this case purple) carpet, free concessions, and a cavernous auditorium where filmmakers, performers, and craftsmen also gather for the Academy Awards.
On top of all of this generally good buzz, we had a ginormous laser Dolby Vision projection system with its 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio with one of the most expansive Dolby Atmos configurations in the world. So technically, The Dolby Theatre isn't a true Dolby Cinema (or Dolby Cinema at AMC), but for you to experience the movie like I did, you'll need to see out the Dolby Cinema format.
THE MOVIE ITSELF
With the original Guardians of the Galaxy -- heretofore known has Vol. 1 -- director/co-writer James Gunn and his creative collaborators put a fresh spin on the comic book and space opera genres. Fusing together meta-comedy, a band of rogues, '70s rock music, a neon color palette, and a unique tonal balance, the filmmakers arguably produced one of Marvel's best pictures in its growing canon.This week sees the release of Guardians Vol. 2, which is a rare comedy sequel -- like 22 Jump Street -- that stands shoulder to shoulder with its predecessor. I'll leave our full in-depth review to Phil Brown over in the Bonus View, but, for me, Vol. 2 feels as fresh as the original while simultaneously giving you a heaping serving of the elements that worked so well the first trip 'round the galaxy. Much of this is due to the way Gunn and team give the story time to breathe. In place of the now-standard bloated, overly plotted "turn off your brain" blockbuster, Vol. 2 focus on its characters and thematics, pairing people (and aliens) off to deal with their fears and flaws... all while making the audience laugh themselves silly and -- somehow -- feel a genuine connection to main, CGI, and secondary characters alike. (#BabyGroot4Ever)
In other words, if you enjoyed Vol. 1, get your walkman ready because Vol. 2 is gonna be on repeat for a long time.
DOLBY VISION
You know how there are movies like Gravity or The Jungle Book that define a premium technology? Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is the single most vibrant and resplendent Dolby Vision title to date.Projected on a large screen with a proprietary, dual-4K laser projection system, Dolby Cinemas boast more brightness, wider color capabilities, and the best contrast ratio of any commercial cinema experience today (IMAX Laser is also all kinds of wonderful). Guardians Vol. 2 is simply glorious in Dolby Vision, offering start-to-finish eye-candy that is colorful and sharp with pure black levels.
Not only are there moments where the screen simply vanishes, plunging the auditorium into darkness, but I'm fairly certain there are extended sequences that feel like they've been graded to the wider Rec.2020 color space (I'll make sure to update this when I confirm). If that's true, it's only the fourth production to do so since Pixar's Inside Out. (the sub-conscience scene) & The Good Dinosaur (the bad fruit scene), and the entirety of The LEGO Batman Movie. If I'm wrong, then this is one of the most visually stunning uses of the DCI P3 color space I've ever seen.
My comments must sound like hyperbole -- and, make no mistake, the tech geek in me is genuinely excited -- but, sincerely, this movie is a visual stunner. Play close attention to the fauna of Kurt Russel's planet, or to the exotic worlds and planets visited as Rocket space-jumps between them all, or to what's best described as celestial fireworks near the film's final moments. I very much enjoyed the movie along, but couldn't help but sit back at least once a scene to marvel at all the digital artistry on display. Jaw... dropped.
Since Disney has yet to support Dolby Vision or HDR10 in the home entertainment landscape, if you get a chance to see Vol. 2 in a Dolby Cinema, take it. It's quite honestly the best HDR/WCG I've ever seen, sitting next to Pacific Rim for pure eye-candy glory.
Let's just hope we get to take this one home someday.
[4/26/17 RUMOR UPDATE: there are rumors going around saying James Gunn was SO impressed by releasing Vol. 2 in Dolby Vision and Atmos that he's pushing Disney to release this movie on Ultra HD Blu-ray with both technologies. So will Guardians Vol. 2 be The Very First Disney UHD title??? Gosh, I have no idea, but I sure hope so.]
DOLBY ATMOS
While Vol. 2 doesn't define Dolby Atmos in the same way Mad Mad Fury Road or Gravity did, the latest Marvel adventure uses the object-based surround format in consistently engaging ways, proving filmmakers are thinking about sound mixes as Atmos-first rather than multi-channel affairs that get an Atmos upgrade.Vol. 2 in Dolby Atmos offers an ultra dynamic and immersive aural experience that surround geeks will be drooling over. Dialog is spectacularly clear, even when characters are off screen -- there's a terrific demo moment where Chris Pratt is trying to find tape, his voice bouncing around up and down and behind the audience left ear. LFE levels are also on point, providing heart-pounding heft to gunfire, explosions, and crashing ships. The classic rock tracks have never sounded this clear. And the effects themselves range from whole room immersion down to, as describe above, smaller little Atmos moments.
I wasn't in the Dolby Theater's sweet spot, but from where I was sitting, the whole thing was impressively technical but never exhausting. I look forward to revisiting it from my favorite dead-center seating in the next week or two.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 is a fun and fantastic example of how modern blockbusters can be clever and dramatic and laugh-out-loud funny all while delivering compelling character arcs and thrilling action set-pieces. In other words, you need not turn off your brain to enjoy this one, but you'll probably want to check out Vol. 1 to get the most out of Vol. 2.Even if the movie weren't enough to warrant a recommendation all on its own, Vol. 2 features one of the most jaw-droppingly beautiful Dolby Vision HDR wide color gamut gradings I've ever seen, right up there with Pacific Rim, The Jungle Book, and Inside Out (which featured one scene in Rec.2020). In all my years of cinema-going, I've never seen colors as vibrant. The Dolby Atmos mix is also brimming with immersive spectacle and quieter moments making use of pinpoint precision.
There will be many fantastic ways to see Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 when it opens May 5th (well, May 4th the night before), but there won't be a truer way to experience it than a Dolby Cinema. I know I'll be going again and I hope to see you there too.
To find a Dolby Cinema at AMC location near you, click HERE. Thanks again to everyone at Dolby for such an amazing night.
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Pioneer Reveals VSX-832 5.1 Channel Receiver with 3.1.2 Dolby Atmos & DTS:X Support
Posted Thu Mar 30, 2017 at 02:10 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Microsoft Updates Xbox One Blu-ray Player with Bitstream Audio Support for DTS:X & Dolby Atmos
Posted Wed Mar 29, 2017 at 04:45 PM PDT by Steven CohenStarting next week, the Xbox One will be able to bitstream audio to your receiver for decoding.
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Onkyo Preps Two New AV Receivers and Dolby Vision Firmware Update
Posted Wed Mar 29, 2017 at 08:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Yamaha Announces RX-V 83 Series AV Receivers with Dolby Vision Support
Posted Wed Mar 29, 2017 at 06:30 AM PDT by Steven Cohen -
StormAudio Brings Dirac Live Room Correction Tech to Immersive Home Theater Product Lineup
Posted Tue Mar 28, 2017 at 12:20 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
Denon Details New S-Series AV Receiver Lineup, Prices Start at $279
Posted Thu Mar 16, 2017 at 04:30 PM PDT by Steven Cohen -
LG Details Pricing & Availability for 2017 OLED UHD TV Lineup, Prices Start at $3,499
Posted Thu Feb 23, 2017 at 01:15 PM PST by Steven Cohen -
HDD's Super Bowl Sunday Audio-Video Gear Guide
Posted Fri Jan 20, 2017 at 10:30 AM PST by Internet BrandsThe perfect Super Bowl party requires a delicate balance of many ingredients -- an endless supply of crunchy munchies; several gallons of your favorite nacho cheese, lager, and/or ale; comfy seating for friends and family; and, of course, the biggest screens with the most bombastic sound.
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Sony Unveils STR-DN1080 HiFi AV Receiver with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X
Posted Wed Jan 11, 2017 at 05:30 AM PST by Steven Cohen -
CES 2017: Onkyo Details SBT-A500 Network Soundbar with DTS:X & Dolby Atmos
Posted Fri Jan 6, 2017 at 09:30 AM PST by Steven Cohen -
CES 2017: Pioneer Releases Elite FS-EB70 Network Soundbar System with DTS:X & Dolby Atmos
Posted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 12:45 PM PST by Steven Cohen -
CES 2017: Sony Introduces New Soundar Lineup, Including Dolby Atmos Model
Posted Thu Jan 5, 2017 at 07:30 AM PST by Steven Cohen -
CES 2017: LG's New OLED UHD TVs Better Than Ever with Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos
Posted Wed Jan 4, 2017 at 08:19 AM PST by Michael S. Palmer -
Samsung Reveals New M9500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player
Posted Wed Dec 28, 2016 at 10:00 AM PST by Steven Cohen