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News From CES 2009: Samsung thinks "skinny."[teaser]Just like Oprah, Samsung has one goal in mind for 2009, to slim down with some low profile HDTV and Blu-ray player offerings.[/teaser] First up among its CES 2009 unveilings is the Samsung Series 8 Plasma HDTV, which the company says is the world’s slimmest 1080p resolution plasma set to feature a built-in ATSC tuner. At just over one inch in depth, the TV features a luxurious design, with a chrome like translucent surface, high dynamic contrast ratio, and Ultra FilterBright technology to minimize glare and maximize contrast. The sets are also equipped with the Internet@TV – Content Service platform to bring web content to the television using the Yahoo! Widget Engine. Users can use this feature to browse videos, share photos, and interact with their friends and family members. The displays are also wireless DLNA-compliant. Samsung is taking bold steps forward with its 2009 plasma line-up,” said Steve Panosian, director of Visual Display Marketing at Samsung. “By combining superior picture quality, energy efficiency and networking options with the latest audio-visual technologies, the Series 8 and 6 plasmas are sure to become the model of excellence in plasma HDTVs.” Just as exciting is the HT-BD8200 Blu-ray Home Theater Sound Bar, which Samsung calls the first of its kind to incorporate Blu-ray technology. The self-contained, wall-mountable unit is only 2.6 inches deep, features a fully integrated Blu-ray player with Full HD 1080p playback, virtual 5.1-channel surround sound, a wireless subwoofer, Samsung's "Smart Volume" technology, and is capable of seamless playback of video, photos, and music from, mobile phones, and digital cameras, using the built-in USB port or Bluetooth. The player is also capable of wireless networking, BD-Live, Netflix streaming, and Pandora music playback.Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009 at 11:45 AM PST by: -
News From CES 2009: Sharp Announces First LCD TV with Built-In BD Player[teaser]Sharp is focusing its energy on the High-Def LCD and Blu-ray markets with a series of TV announcements and the first LCD TV with a built in Blu-ray player.[/teaser] “Sharp continues to show why we are an LCD leader. But we’re also introducing several new products that complete the home theater experience," said Bob Scaglione, senior vice president and group manager, Product and Marketing Group, Sharp Electronics Corporation. Some of the highlights of the products introduced this week at CES 2009 in Las Vegas include two new widescreen LCD TV lineups, an 82" 1080p LCD option, and what it calls the world’s first LCD TV with a built-in Blu-ray player. First up are the E77U and E67U model lineups of AQUOS LCD TVs. According to the company's press release, the E77 models feature the new 10-bit Superlucent Advanced Super View (ASV) panels, which allow for brighter, crisper pictures with reduced haze and reflections. The units also make use of enhanced technology for 120 Hz Frame Rate Conversion and a dejudder feature to eliminates background motion artifacts on BD movies. The units also feature a 176 degree viewing radius, five HDMI inputs (yowsers!), two component inputs, and a dedicated PC input. As for the E67 models, they also make use of the ASV technology, while offering four HDMI inputs (still not too shabby), 24p input capability, and two component video inputs. All units are capable of 1080p video resolution. In addition to these offerings, Sharp is also proudly touting its new 82" class LCD display. Finally, the company has announced the AQUOS HDTV BD Series, the first high-definition series with a built-in Blu-ray player. Available in 52 inch, 42 inch, 37 inch, and 32 inch screen sizes, the unit take advantage of AVS panel technology, while incorporating stylish new design specifications, and a convenient swivel stand. You can find out much, much more about each of these units by checking out the company's press release here.Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
News From CES 2009: Panasonic Focused on High-Def[teaser]As CES gets into full swing, some of the biggest early news is coming from Panasonic, with the company making some exciting announcements regarding HDTVs and Blu-ray.[/teaser] First up, Panasonic has announced the debut of its first 3D Full HD Plasma Home Theater System (3D FHD) which incorporates a 103-inch Plasma HDTV and a Panasonic Blu-ray player. According to a company press release, the system takes advantage of Blu-ray's increased bandwidth and resolution to provide two different images, one for each eye. Wearing special active shutter glasses, viewers are able to experience 3D movies in full surround sound, while taking in dual images captured, recorded, and displayed throughout in full HD quality. “This goes well beyond conventional 3D” said Bob Perry, Executive VP of Panasonic. “Plasma is currently the only TV capable of delivering a 3D Full HD experience due in great part to its ability to refresh at a speed which enables multiple image display without loss of resolution." He says Panasonic is "fully committed to making [3D Home Theater] a reality, and soon." In other news, the company is also debuting some new super thin Plasma and LCD HDTVs, which use technology that has been dubbed NeoPDP and NeoLCD, respectively. The NeoPDP technology has been utilized in two different plasma displays. A highly efficient 42-inch plasma model that uses 1/3 the energy of the company's 2007 model (the TH-42PZ750SK), and an ultra-thin 50-inch plasma display that provides 1080 lines of resolution in a unit that's only 8.8 mm thick. The NeoLCD technology has been utilized in LCD displays in order to provide high moving picture resolution with a wide viewing angle. The technology also promises dramatically improved image contrast while consuming only 90 kWh per year (roughly half that of the 2008 model (the TH-37LZ85). Finally, there has been much talk of Panasonic's DMP-B15, which is being touted as the first portable Blu-ray player. The player, which features an 8.9-inch WSVGA LCD screen, internet accessibility, and BD Live functionality, is capable of displaying images in full 1080p. The player will go on sale in May.Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009 at 10:15 AM PST by: -
Warner Brings 'An American in Paris' to Blu-ray[teaser]Warner has unveiled its latest classic release for high-def, bringing the romantic favorite 'An American in Paris' to Blu-ray in late-March.[/teaser] Previously released as a lavish two-disc DVD last year, Warner will bring the musical masterpiece to Blu-ray on March 31 (where it joins another recent classic release, 'Gigi'). Comparable to the standard DVD, bonus features include the "Concerto of a Commentary"hosted by Patricia Ward Kelly and featuring unreleased interviews with cast and crew, the "2002 American Masters Documentary: Gene Kelly: Anatomy of a Dancer" and additional "‘S Wonderful: The Making of An American in Paris" making-of, a pair of classic shorts, additional video and audio outtakes, radio interviews, and the theatrical trailer There are no final tech specs as of yet, but we'll keep you posted. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'An American in Paris' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 31.Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Snow White,' 'Monsters Inc.' Lead Disney 2009 Blu-ray Slate[teaser]Disney is previewing its Blu-ray plans for 2009 in a CES announcement, including official confirmation of the highly-anticipated high-def debuts of 'Snow White,' 'Sin City,' 'Pulp Fiction,' and 'Monsters, Inc.'[/teaser] Unveiled today via press release, Disney says it will be releasing "an expanding Blu-ray slate" of top titles throughout the coming year, a mix of both new releases and catalog favorites boasting "new technological advancements" and extensive bonus features. A mix of previously-announced merely hinted-at titles, the press release does offer the first official confirmation of the studio's next Platinum Edition animated classic release, which will be 'Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs' premiering in October 2009. The studio additionally confirmed that 14 of its scheduled Blu-ray titles will contain a DisneyFile digital copy for use in portable video devices. While not the studio's complete line-up for 2009, the titles outlined in the release (for North America) are as follows: January 13: 'Swing Vote' February 3: 'Space Buddies' February 10: 'Miracle at St. Anna,' 'Pretty Woman' February 17: 'High School Musical: Remix,' 'High School Musical 3: Senior Year' March 3: 'Beverly Hills Chihuahua' Also in 2009 (Dates TBA): 'A Bug's Life,' 'The Greatest Game Ever Played,' 'Good Will Hunting,' 'Lost: The Complete First Season,' 'Lost: The Complete Second Season,' 'Microcosmos,' 'Miracle,' 'Monsters, Inc.', 'Morning Light,' 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Rounders,' 'Sin City' and 'Sling Blade.' Full specs for the titles were not outlined in the release, but expect further details as Disney continues to roll out its Blu-ray announcements in the weeks ahead. The latest disc specs for all announced titles can be found in our Blu-ray Release Schedule.Posted Thu Jan 8, 2009 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Who Ya Gonna Call? 'Ghostbusters' on Blu-ray this June[teaser]After months of speculation, Sony has at last confirmed a June Blu-ray debut for the '80s blockbuster 'Ghostbusters.'[/teaser] One of the most highly-requested titles in the studio's vault since the launch of the Blu-ray format, Sony will release the comedy classic in a long-awaited 25th Anniversary Edition on June 16, day-and-date with a new DVD re-issue. The confirmation comes after months of painful delays for fans, with Sony quickly vaporize a planned October release just a few weeks later. Newly-remastered, 'Ghostbusters' will be presented on a BD-50 dual-layer disc in 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video. At press time, there are no confirmed audio formats, but we'll keep you posted. Features exclusive to the 25th Anniversary Blu-ray include the "Slimer Mode" picture-in-picture "Graphical Viewing Experience" which includes an examination of the spook-hunters' firehouse headquarters, an in-depth exploration of the creatures in the Ghostbusters mythology, behind-the-scenes discussions of making the movie, and new cast, crew and special effects artists interviews. Also new is the featurette "Ecto-1: Resurrecting the Classic Car," the "Ghostbusters Garage" still gallery and a collectible 32-page booklet. Extras carried over from the previous DVD edition include audio commentary with Ivan Reitman, Harold Ramis, and Joe Medjuck, a trio of featurettes ("1984 – The Making of Ghostbusters," "Interviews with Cast and Crew," "SFX Team"), deleted scenes and storyboard comparisons. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $38.95. At press time, Sony has not announced a Blu-ray release for 'Ghostbusters II,' but we'll let you know of any further updates. You'll find the latest specs for 'Ghostbusters' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under its new date of June 16.Posted Wed Jan 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'In the Electric Mist' to Materialize on Blu-ray this March[teaser]Image Entertainment has announced an early-March Blu-ray release for the indie thriller 'In the Electric Mist.'[/teaser] Following a very brief theatrical run last year, Image will debut the bayou mystery, which stars Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman, on March 3, day-and-date on Blu-ray and DVD. Specs for the Blu-ray will see a BD-25 single-layer presentation with 1080p/AVC MPEG-4 video and a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround soundtrack. There are no announced extras. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $35.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'In the Electric Mist' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 3.Posted Wed Jan 7, 2009 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
Universal Outlines 'Changeling' Blu-ray Specs, Exclusives[teaser]Full specs are in for 'Changeling,' which Universal will bring to Blu-ray this February with a raft of exclusive content.[/teaser] As previously announced, the Clint Eastwood-directed period drama will receive a Blu-ray bow February 17, day-and-date with the standard DVD. Final specs will see a BD-50 dual-layer presentation with 1080p video and a DTS-HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 Surround track. Standard extras are slim, with only a pair of featurettes ("Partners in Crime: Clint Eastwood and Angelina Jolie," "The Common Thread: Angelina Jolie Becomes Christine Collins"). Blu-ray exclusives boast a picture-in-picture track, two additional U-Control features ("Archives," "Los Angeles: Then and Now") and My Scenes Sharing via BD-Live. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'Changeling' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 17.Posted Wed Jan 7, 2009 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
'Bolt' Bound for Blu-ray this March[teaser]Walt Disney has the set a March Blu-ray date for the animated canines of 'Bolt.'[/teaser] A slow starter at the box office and dubbed "Pixar-lite" by many critics, 'Bolt' nevertheless turned itself into a sleeper hit, with a domestic gross that has now passed $100 million. Disney has alerted retailers to a March 24 Blu-ray date for the John Travolta-Miley Cyrus-voiced starrer, day-and-date with the standard DVD. An official media announcement has not yet arrived, so we'll keep you posted on specs and bonus features as soon as they're confirmed. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $34.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'Bolt' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 24.Posted Wed Jan 7, 2009 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
Look for 'Role Models' on Blu-ray This March[teaser]'Role Models' is coming to Blu-ray in a new unrated version, with Universal Studios announcing an early March date for the hit comedy.[/teaser] Starring Paul Rudd and Seann William Scott, the $66 million-grossing sleeper will arrive on Blu-ray March 10, day-and-date with the standard DVD. The film will be presented in theatrical and unrated versions on a BD-50 dual-layer disc. Extras shared between both versions include audio commentary with Rudd, Scott, and the filmmakers, a trio of featurettes ("On the Set of Role Models," "Game On: Creating a Role Playing World," "In-Character & Off Script"), deleted scenes and bloopers Exclusive to the Blu-ray is a picture-in-picture video commentary (on the unrated version only), My Scenes and BD-Live content. Suggested retail price for the Blu-ray has been set at $39.98. You'll find the latest specs for 'Role Models' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 10.Posted Tue Jan 6, 2009 at 12:00 PM PST by:
