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2013 HDD Gear & Demo Disc Guide[teaser]We've researched and tested the top equipment available, watched all the latest Blu-rays on the market, and scoured the net for the very best deals, all to give you HDD's 2013 Gift Guide to HD Gear & Demo Material![/teaser] by Michael S. Palmer Happy holidays, HDD Readers! The Christmas shopping season might have been cut short by a week, but decorations and trees are already for sale, my home office just got a new jazzy set of blue LED lights, and that one insane radio station in Los Angeles has been piping classic (and not-so-classic, ahem, Sir Paul) holiday tunes for at least a week. My question to you is this: are you ready for the back-to-back family reunions, forced workplace gatherings, and bloated parking lots? Neither am I. But, friends, here's our chance to live by the work hard, play hard motto. After busting our humps down the office and shopping for an endless list of family and friends, it's time for a little reward. It's time to get some new gear for the home theater. First, let's talk Black Friday. Our sister site, Ben's Bargains, was nice enough to put together an all-in-one page cataloging fliers from the largest stores (electronics and otherwise) as well as a list of Best In-Store deals. The interesting trend this year is that, in addition to opening on Turkey Day itself, many retailers are treating an entire week or two as one great Black Friday. Likewise, Amazon isn't even bothering to wait for the 28th, so you can head over there right now to shop for deals. And the only thing better than Black Friday Amazon deals are Cyber Monday Amazon Deals (another day-turned-week). However, as great as these deals seem, be cautious about so-called "Door Busters". Sure, it's fun to pick up some older Blu-rays at rock bottom prices, but generally the electronics themselves -- the displays, receivers, and Blu-ray players -- are at least year-old tech, and often lack features necessary for reproducing high quality picture and sound. That being said, as secondary setups for the home office or bedroom, these deals might be just right for you. Also, as we reported last month, Panasonic's long reign as the king of Plasma televisions will come to an end when the company stops producing the technology on March 31, 2014. If you have ever considered owning a Panny plasma -- and reaping the benefits of superior black levels, contrast, color reproduction, and refresh rates -- the 2013 Holiday Shopping Season may be your last chance. Long live the King, the King is Dead! Let's face it, the home cinema hobby has never been cheaper than it is these days, but not everyone can break the bank to get the biggest and the best. This annual HDD Gear Guide represents the finest products we've tested throughout the year at varying price points. Bargain 3D: Panasonic VIERA ST60 Series PRO: Other than a few filters and calibration menus like THX-mode, Panasonic's cheaper plasmas include most of the same technology from their current year flagship televisions. This means a 2013 ST60 is (in some ways) BETTER at reproducing inky black levels than my 2012 VT series. Pick up the 50-inch for less than a $1,000, a 55-inch model for under $1,300, a 60-inch version for under $1,500, or spring for the giant 65-incher for under $2200. The ST60 series also includes built-in WiFi with access to Viera Connect streaming services. There are certainly better televisions, and cheaper televisions, but there aren't any televisions that are bigger and better at these price points. CON: As always, plasmas are constructed with a reflective glass panel, which aren't great in overly bright rooms. Active shutter 3D glasses are not included. Screen Not Included: BenQ W1070 DLP Projector PRO: The BenQ W1070 is an extremely affordable entry-level 3D home theater projector that's getting a lot of great reviews. For Less than $900, you don't have to settle for a baby-sized 65, 70, or even 80-inch display. That's right, with a projector, you can have as big a screen as your room dimensions (plus the projector's throw limitations) will allow. This single-chip DLP projector features 2,000 lumens, a 10,000 to 1 contrast ratio, and 2 HDMI 1.4a inputs. DLP technology is the least susceptible to "cross talk" when projecting 3D. There's even a SmartEco mode to save power and lamp life, which is rated to 6,000 hours. CON: You have to purchase a screen and active shutter 3D glasses separately (screen prices vary; the glasses will run you $100 a pop). Projectors are best used in total or near darkness (dedicated home theaters, or space where you can control ambient light). And, according to AVS Forum, "being a single-chip DLP model, some people will see something called the rainbow effect—momentary red-green-blue rainbows trailing bright highlights on a dark background as you move your eyes around the screen." For Brighter Rooms: Samsung PNF8500 Series PRO: Cnet called this "Samsung's best TV ever." Available in three sizes -- 51-inches, 60-inches, and 64-inches -- Samsung's much loved PNF8500 plasmas do Full HD 3D and include a built-in popup camera for Skype and gesture controls, Internet browsers, and software that can interact with your cable box as well as stream movies and TV from Netlfix, Vudu, CinemaNow (and many more). 4 pairs of active 3D glasses are included, and an optional Evolution Kit will allow the TV to replace its entire operating system in the future. Black levels are nearly as good as the Panasonics, but the PNF8500 series is much brighter than the standard plasma, making it a viable choice for rooms where ambient light is an issue. CON: With a price range of $1,900 to $3,400 (at the time of this writing), the PNF8500 series is not cheap and its brightness abilities come at the sacrifice of black level performance. Best Plasma Ever: Panasonic VIERA ZT60 Series PRO: Finally! A TV with better black levels than the legendary Kuro. Panasonic's flagship ZT60 series is available in two sizes -- a 65-incher for under $3,400 and a 60-incher for under $2,900 and includes built-in WiFi, LAN, Bluetooth, THX 3D certification, ISFccc certification, VIERA Link for streaming content, and two pairs of active 3D glasses. Quite simply, this is the best plasma you can buy in 2013 and the best plasma Panasonic has ever made and this might be the last chance you will ever have to own a near-perfect display. Oh, and if you want to save a couple bucks, check out the Panasonic VT60 Series. CON: It's pricey, and there is minor crosstalk with some 3D content. Best Bang for Your Buck: Sony BDP-S5100 PRO: The Blu-ray player to beat in 2013. It costs less than $90, yet still features Full 3D 1080p playback, built-in "super Wi-Fi" (for faster speeds), DNLA certification, quick start & loading, and over 100 streaming apps like Netflix, Amazon Instant, Vudu, YouTube (new to Sony), Hulu Plus, Pandora, the Sony Entertainment Network (not new to Sony) and many more. CON: No Skype, 4K upscaling, and only one HDMI out. Oh, and if you stack your gear (not recommended), nothing could go on top of this. Super Streamers: Roku 3 & Apple TV PRO: The Roku 3 and Apple TV offer "1080p" HD video streaming for movies and television. Each has hundreds of "channels" like HBO Go, MLB, Netflix, Amazon Instant, Vudu, Hulu Plus. The Roku 3 includes dual band Wi-Fi, an Ethernet port, a remote control with a headphone jack, and 7.1/5.1 audio pass-through. It also supports formats like MP4 (H.264) & MKV (H.264) video / AAC & MP3 audio / JPG & PNG image. In fact, you could say the only thing Roku 3 does NOT do... is work with iTunes. For those who own Macs or have iTunes on their PCs, and have purchased music, TV, or movies through Apple, to stream this content to your HDTV and/or AV Receiver, you need the Apple TV. It doesn't have as many "channels" as Roku 3, but Apple boasts the largest rental inventory of HD movies on the net and over 90K TV episodes in HD. You can also connect an Apple TV to your iCloud account and use the Apple TV as a secondary display with the latest version of Mac OSX. The Apple TV also includes dual band Wi-Fi, an Ethernet port, a remote control, an HDMI out, and an optical digital audio out. It supports H.264 video, MPEG-4 video, Motion JPEG, AAC, protected AAC, MP3, Audible, Apple Losless, AIFF, WAV, and Dolby Digital 5.1 pass-through. CON: Plenty, actually. While both of these media streamers offer great value as accessories, neither can compete with Blu-ray's inherent video and audio capabilities. Both streamers are capped at Dolby Digital Plus audio, though the Roku 3 can pass-through the 7.1 version. Also, I don't think either media stream does any form of 3D (they definitely don't do Blu-ray's Full HD 3D). 3D for Older AVRs: Panasonic DMP-BDT330 PRO: For less than $170, Panasonic's BDT330 is an affordable and impressive Blu-ray Disc player capable of 3D playback and 4K upscaling for Ultra HD TVs. This DNLA certified player also features 2 HDMI outputs (one for audio to a pre HDMI 1.4 A/V Receiver), and built-in Wi-Fi for access to its own Internet browser as well as VIERA Connect for streaming services such as Netflix, Vudu, Amazon Instant, etc. The BDT330 is also NT File System (NTFS) compatible to stream all sorts of media -- Jpeg, FLAC, MP3, WMA, AVCHD, WVMV -- from connected external hard disk drives. CON: If you don't need 4K upscaling, NTFS, or dual HDMI outputs, the Sony model above is half the price with most of the same features and performance specs Platinum Performance: OPPO BDP-103D PRO: The BDP-103D Universal 3D Darbee Edition is a lot like last year's BDP-103 -- 3D playback, the ability to play just about any digital file, 7.1 analog audio outputs -- but now includes Darbee Visual Presence, or DVP, which enhances detail, color, and contrast. Oppo has long been the top tier choice for stand alone Blu-ray Disc players and this one is no different. It includes 4K upscaling, true 1080/24p and Full 3D video output, and dual HDMI outputs as well as dual HDMI inputs to run other sources through the player's video processor and DVP. Constant Height Image fans may also find use for the player's vertical stretch mode. CON: At $599, Oppo Blu-ray players are more expensive than many stand alone units and some think this sort of visual processing is nothing more than Blu-ray snake oil. Entry Level Bargain:Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 12:15 PM PST by: -
'20 Feet from Stardom' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]Morgan Neville's music documentary will sing on Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Starz/Anchor Bay is preparing '20 Feet from Stardom' for Blu-ray on January 14. They are the voices behind the greatest rock, pop and R&B hits of all time, but no one knows their names. In this award-winningfilm, director Morgan Neville shines the spotlight on the untold stories of such legendary background singers as Darlene Love (known for her hit “Christmas, Baby Please Come Home”), Merry Clayton (whose voice haunts the classic 1969 track by the Rolling Stones, “Gimme Shelter”), Lisa Fischer, Claudia Lennear, Judith Hill and more. These are the triumphs and heartbreaks of music's greatest unsung talents, featuring rare behind-the-scenes footage, vintage live performances, and interviews with superstars Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder and Bette Midler. The film features rare archival footage of musical legends Ray Charles, Michael Jackson and Luther Vandross. In his Huffington Post review, Marshall Fine proclaims “It's hard to imagine another documentary this year that will be as uplifting, entertaining and moving as Morgan Neville's 20 Feet From Stardom.” New York Magazine critic, David Edelstein calls the film “marvelous” and asserts “to watch and listen to Morgan Neville's marvelous portrait of sundry under-sung backup singers, 20 Feet From Stardom, is to understand how many things Auto-Tune can't do, foremost among them change the pitch of a person's soul." Billboard Magazine’s Phil Gallo raves “It takes the ordinary and transforms it into the exceptional.” The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Deleted Scenes; Q&A with Darlene Love, Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer and director Morgan Neville; and Short Film: The Buddy System. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is still undetermined at this time. You can find the latest specs for '20 Feet from Stardom' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under January 14th.Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
HDD Black Friday Bargain Blitz: 'From Up on Poppy Hill' Blu-ray is $11.99 at Amazon![teaser]This spotlight bargain is for all you Studio Ghibli fans out there!! [/teaser] Amazon is now selling 'From Up on Poppy Hill' for $11.99 (66% off suggested list price). From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, Howl's Moving Castle, and The Secret World of Arrietty, comes another animated triumph. Yokohama, 1963. Japan is picking itself up from the devastation of World War II and preparing to host the Olympics. The mood is one of both optimism and conflict as the young generation struggles to throw off the shackles of a troubled past. Against this backdrop of hope and change, a friendship begins to blossom between high school students Umi (Sarah Bolger) and Shun (Anton Yelchin) – but a buried secret from their past emerges to cast a shadow on the future and pull them apart. From a screenplay by Academy Award-winner Hayao Miyazaki and featuring an all-star English voice cast! Click here to order this animated masterpiece and you can find more excellent bargains in Amazon's Black Friday Deals Countdown page here!Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 10:05 AM PST by: -
'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness' Dated for Blu-ray[teaser]Mark Robson's 1958 classic will be getting the Blu-ray treatment in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox has revealed 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness' is coming to Blu-ray on February 4. The true story of an English missionary (Ingrid Bergman) who led a hundred children over enemy territory in pre-WWII China. Robert Donat plays a Chinese mandarin in his final screen performance and North Wales stands in for the Chinese countryside. Specs and supplements have yet to be revealed, but suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Inn of the Sixth Happiness' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under February 4.Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 10:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Black Friday Bargain Blitz: 'Epic' Blu-ray is $9.96 at Amazon![teaser]Get the family animated film on Blu-ray for an epic price at Amazon! [/teaser] Amazon is now selling 'Epic' for $9.96 (75% off suggested list price). From the creators of 'Ice Age' comes the year’s funniest, most exhilarating animated adventure! Transported to a magical world, a teenager (Amanda Seyfried) is recruited by a nature spirit, Queen Tara (Beyoncé Knowles), to help the “Leafmen” save their forest from evil warriors. The whole family will love this fast-paced thrill-ride, with its astonishing animation and an all-star voice cast that includes Colin Farrell, Oscar® Winner Christoph Waltz and Steven Tyler! Click here to order your copy and don't forget that there are more great deals to be had in Amazon's Black Friday Deals Countdown page here!Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 09:46 AM PST by: -
'The Returned' Bound for Blu-ray[teaser]The acclaimed 8-part Sundance Channel series heads to Blu-ray in January. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Music Box Films has revealed 'The Returned' is coming to Blu-ray on January 21. In a small French mountain town, a group of people find themselves in a state of confusion as they attempt to return to their homes. What they do not yet know is that they have been dead for several years, and no one is expecting them back. As "The Returned" struggle to reintegrate with their families and past lovers, buried secrets emerge and new mysteries develop as they grapple with a miraculous and sinister new reality. But it seems they are not the only ones to have returned from the dead, as their arrival coincides with a series of gruesome murders which bear a chilling resemblance to the work of a serial killer from the past. Specs have yet to be revealed, but supplements include: Collector's Booklet including an introduction by producer Caroline Benjo; Interview with director Fabrice Gobert; and Critical essay by Scott Tobias. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $34.95. You can find the latest specs for 'The Returned' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under January 21.Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 08:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Black Friday Bargain Blitz: 'Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season' Blu-ray Set is $11.99 at Amazon![teaser]Save eighty two percent on the fifth season of the acclaimed series on Blu-ray at Amazon! [/teaser] The online retailer is now selling 'Breaking Bad: The Fifth Season' for $11.99 (82% off suggested list price). Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul return in their Emmyr -winning roles of Walter White and Jesse Pinkman in the fifth explosive season of Breaking Bad. With Gus Fring dead, Walt's transformation from a well-meaning family man to ruthless drug kingpin is nearly complete. Forming a partnership with Jesse and Mike (Jonathan Banks), Walt proceeds to make a killing in the meth business until the fruits of his murderous schemes are threatened by a new development in the investigation led by his relentless brother-in-law Hank (Dean Norris). Executive produced by Vince Gilligan and Mark Johnson, the fifth season charts the murderous rise of Walter White as he reaches new highs...and new lows. Click here to cook up this batch of episodes for your Blu-ray collection and be sure to keep checking Amazon's Black Friday Deals Countdown page here!Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 07:49 AM PST by: -
Blu-ray Highlights: Week of November 24th, 2013Holiday weeks are always a slow time for new Blu-ray releases. Fortunately, this one has a couple of impressive box sets worth taking a good look at. Read our Thanksgiving Blu-ray roundup in the blog today.Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 07:00 AM PST by: -
'Grace Unplugged' Announced for Blu-ray[teaser]The number 1 rated movie for two weeks straight on Fandango fan-rated movies during its theatrical run and one of the best reviewed Christian films ever is planned for Blu-ray in February. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate has revealed 'Grace Unplugged' is planned for Blu-ray on February 11. "A moving and meaningful film that parents and teens should see together" (Focus on the Family),the inspirational film will also be available on Digital HD and Video on Demand on January 28th. 'Grace Unplugged' tells the story of a teenager whose faith and family ties are put to the test when her dreams of becoming a music star start to come true. Hailed by the Parents Television Council as "brilliant...deeply moving...[and] powerful," the film stars AJ Michalka (TV's"Aly and AJ"), James Denton (TV's "Desperate Housewives"), Kevin Pollak (A Few Good Men), Michael Welch ('The Twilight' Franchise) and Shawnee Smith (TV's "Anger Management"). 'Grace Unplugged' is a heartwarming, entertaining film with a star-studded cast, inspiring soundtrack and amazing musical performances. The Blu-ray will feature 1080p video, a lossless 5.1 soundtrack, and supplements include: Own It: Making of Grace Unplugged" featurette; "The Music" featurette; "Gags" reel; and Deleted Scenes. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $24.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Grace Unplugged' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under February 11.Posted Mon Nov 25, 2013 at 06:00 AM PST by: -
HDD Deal of the Week: 'The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Extended Editions' Blu-ray $44.99 at Amazon[teaser]Save nearly sixty five percent on the must-own Blu-ray trilogy this week at Amazon! [/teaser] Amazon is selling 'The Lord of the Rings Trilogy: Extended Editions' for $44.99 (63% off the suggested retail price). This set includes all three films with over 30 minutes of footage incorporated into the theatrical versions. Click here to enter Middle-Earth and beware of the evil eye of Sauron! This offer is available from now through December 1.Posted Sun Nov 24, 2013 at 07:38 AM PST by:
