-
'The Angry Birds Movie' Blu-ray & Ultra HD Blu-ray Pre-Orders Live[teaser]The animated flick is flying toward Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Sony will be releasing 'The Angry Birds Movie' on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and Ultra HD Blu-ray later this year. In addition, a Target Exclusive Blu-ray will also be available. In the 3D animated comedy, The Angry Birds Movie, we'll finally find out why the birds are so angry. The movie takes us to an island populated entirely by happy, flightless birds - or almost entirely. In this paradise, Red (Jason Sudeikis, We're the Millers, Horrible Bosses), a bird with a temper problem, speedy Chuck (Josh Gad in his first animated role since Frozen), and the volatile Bomb (Danny McBride, This is the End, Eastbound and Down) have always been outsiders. But when the island is visited by mysterious green piggies, it's up to these unlikely outcasts to figure out what the pigs are up to. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $38.98, Suggested list price for the Blu-ray 3D is $45.99. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray is also $45.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Angry Birds Movie' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-ray 3D Order the Ultra HD Blu-rayPosted Thu Jun 2, 2016 at 12:00 PM PDT by: -
High-Def Digest's Essential Picks: May 2016Every month, dozens of Blu-rays hit shelves, littering stores with High-Def temptation. New releases, catalog titles, complete TV seasons, and elaborate box-sets all vie for attention, and with so many worthy releases targeting our wallets, choosing which discs to spend our hard earned cash on can be rather tricky. To make things a little easier, we here at High-Def Digest thought it might be helpful to bring you our top three must own recommendations for the month. From important classics to contemporary blockbusters, these are the discs that we consider to be the absolute cream of the crop. High quality releases with great video, audio, and supplements, these are the Blu-rays that are truly worth every penny. Last month we spotlighted a galaxy far, far away, a very angry bear, and a daft old man who stole a magic box. Be sure to check out the Essential Picks for November 2012, December 2012, January 2013,February 2013, March 2013, April 2013, May 2013, June 2013, July 2013, August 2013, September 2013, October 2013, November 2013, December 2013, January 2014, February 2014, March 2014, April 2014, May 2014, June 2014, July 2014, August 2014, September 2014, October 2014, November 2014,December 2014, January 2015, February 2015, March 2015, April 2015, May 2015, June 2015, July 2015, August 2015, September 2015, October 2015, November 2015, December 2015, January 2016, February 2016, March 2016, and April 2016. [teaser]For May, we're covering a "merc with a mouth," a classic film noir, and an explosive blockbuster. [/teaser] Please be aware, that if you haven't already seen them, there are some SPOILERS for the discs listed. If you only buy three titles that hit Blu-ray in May, here's what we suggest you pick up, starting with the most essential... 'Deadpool' - The first time Ryan Reynolds graced movie screens as Wade Wilson, he got his mouth sewn shut and his head chopped off. And I can't really say that I was all that heartbroken when he died. Barely recognizable as the infamous "Merc with a Mouth," this initial attempt at adding 'Deadpool' to the 'X-Men' cinematic universe was a complete and utter mess. But thankfully, Reynolds and Fox have decided to put their trusty healing factor to good use, giving the character a second chance. And this time, they wisely keep his mouth open. Playfully self-aware, gleefully violent, and unashamedly juvenile, the movie makes the most of its R-rating offering a decidedly less family friendly alternative to Marvel's in-house titles. And while all the blood, sex, and profanity might teeter toward excess, it suits the source material and rebellious spirit of the character perfectly. Clever meta-jokes and constant quips join the barrage of bullets as well, layering the runtime with loving jabs at superhero conventions. With that said, despite it postmodern genre flourishes, this is still a relatively formulaic comic book tale at heart -- but thankfully, that heart actually ends up being surprisingly big. Turns out that beneath that mask and charred up skin, Wade Wilson is a big old romantic softie. You know, when he's not pumping bad guys full of lead. On the technical front, this Blu-ray release is pure demo material, offering great video and audio, along with a strong assortment of entertaining supplements, easily earning the number one spot on May's list. Likewise, the Ultra HD Blu-ray is similarly stellar, adding 4K video with HDR and a Dolby Atmos soundtrack to the mix. Brimming with snarky personality and sarcastic wit, 'Deadpool' more than makes up for the character's original less than stellar appearance in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' -- a movie so forgettable, that this flick literally forgets it ever existed. Buy the Blu-ray Buy the Ultra HD Blu-ray 'In a Lonely Place' - With his world-weary brow and brooding charm, Humphrey Boggart just might be the very essence of film noir on screen. And this shadowy penchant for prickly cynicism and weathered detachment is perhaps no better evident than in Nicholas Ray's 'In a Lonely Place.' Featuring one of the legendary star's best performances, the movie extends beyond mere murder mystery to become an increasingly complex examination of dwindling love and tragic self-destruction -- all cast under the sparkling facade of golden age Hollywood. Playing with both the audience and characters' sense of doubt, for much of the runtime we are unsure whether Dixon Steele (Humphrey Boggart) is truly innocent of the crime he's under suspicion for. This level of ambiguity gradually thrusts a dark shadow over the film's central romance, turning an initially idyllic Hollywood coupling into something far more dangerous. Though cynical and ostensibly detached on the outside, Steele at first seems like an overall decent man, and we see nothing in his behavior that would suggest that he's capable of murder… until suddenly, we do. Boggart plays this slow burn reveal perfectly, steadily unveiling the unbridled rage that lurks just beneath his character's laid back exterior -- a rage that is ironically spurned on by the accusations of his guilt. Director Nicholas Ray further exemplifies this propensity toward violence through key visual choices, including one particularly noteworthy shot that lights up a sliver of Steele's almost manic face while he describes how the murder could have happened with disturbing intensity. In the end, however, the distinction between Steele's actual guilt and innocence becomes irrelevant. Doubt, rage, and paranoia have already done their damage, creating a tragic portrait of doomed love. A striking examination of the unsavory choices we make to push others way, 'In a Lonely Place' becomes a film noir character study steeped in self-imposed alienation. With a top-notch presentation from Criterion, this marks one of the month's most essential classic releases. Unlike the true nature of the film's protagonist, there's little doubt about the quality of this disc -- it's a clear must own. Buy the Blu-ray 'Independence Day: 20th Anniversary Edition' - Blockbuster filmmaking has evolved a lot since 1996, but in many ways 'Independence Day' remains the pinnacle of the art form. Or at least, in all the ways that really matter. Forget narrative cohesion or character development or cinematic depth or even state-of-the-art effects -- this movie has explosions, aliens, laser blasts, one-liners, rousing speeches, bombastic music, and Jeff Goldblum! It might not be 'Citizen Kane,' but when it comes to blowing things up on a massive scale, the flick is a genuine milestone for mass market genre moviemaking. When the world is under the threat of total annihilation from an alien invasion, who you gonna call? Judd Hirsch apparently. Well, Judd Hirsch and Will Smith. 'Bad Boys' may have been the Fresh Prince's first step toward big screen success, but 'ID4' truly cemented him as a genuine movie star. And as an added bonus we also get a generous helping of Randy Quaid, Bill Pullman, Mary McDonnell, Vivica A. Fox, Mae Whitman (her?), the aforementioned Goldblum, and even a bit of Harvey Firestein for good measure, rounding out one of the most seemingly random and eclectic blockbuster casts this side of the 'Transformers' franchise. While the writing might not be Oscar caliber, the characters are all likeable and the basic plot sets the groundwork for one hell of a ride. A ride that happens to include some killer set pieces (slightly dated effects notwithstanding) and some unashamedly crowd pleasing moments. Also, did I mention that Will Smith punches an alien? It's no wonder this thing sold so many tickets. Sure, Spielberg and his dinosaurs might have the edge when it comes to blockbusters starring Jeff Goldblum, but 'Independence Day' still holds up surprisingly well -- as long as you're willing to embrace its sillier moments. This 20th Anniversary edition comes just in time for the upcoming sequel, and Fox has included a great new 4K transfer and fantastic DTS-HD MA mix. And if that's not enough, an Ultra HD Blu-ray edition is also available with a DTS:X soundtrack for even more spectacle. With grand action and even some genuine fireworks, this is the quintessential flick to kick off the summer movie watching season! Buy the Blu-ray Buy the Ultra HD Blu-ray So, there you have it. While there were many titles worth picking up this May, those are our top three must own recommendations. We'll be back next month with three more essential picks, but for now, what do you think of our selection? What are your choices for May's must own titles?Posted Wed Jun 1, 2016 at 12:20 PM PDT by: -
'Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock: On A Mission Live In Madrid' Ultra HD Blu-ray Announced[teaser]The musician will hit the stage in 4K Ultra HD this July. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, Inakustik is preparing 'Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock: On A Mission Live In Madrid' for Ultra HD Blu-ray on July 8. A line-up that leaves connoisseurs of the international music scene rapturously clicking their tongues in appreciation. A sold-out theatre saw convincing evidence of just how powerful and exciting a concert from Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock is. The musicians clapped along with the fans as they sung along to old and new songs. All musical phases of Michael Schenker's career were included. Specs have not been detailed yet, but supplements will include: Rehearsal; The Tour Starts; Outside the Theater; Soundcheck Sketches; Michael and his Guitars; and Interviews with Band Members. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray is $44.95. You can find the latest specs for 'Michael Schenker's Temple Of Rock: On A Mission Live In Madrid' linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under July 8. Order the Ultra HD Blu-rayPosted Wed Jun 1, 2016 at 08:00 AM PDT by: -
X-Men Unite! Apocalypse Invades Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray This Fall![teaser]Pre-orders are up for Bryan Singer's mutant-filled blockbuster on all three formats at Amazon. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox will be releasing 'X-Men: Apocalypse' on Blu-ray, Blu-ray 3D, and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray later this fall. Worshiped as a god since the dawn of civilization, the immortal Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac) becomes the first and most powerful mutant. Awakening after thousands of years, he recruits the disheartened Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and other mutants to create a new world order. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Professor X (James McAvoy) and Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) lead a team of young X-Men to stop their seemingly invincible nemesis from destroying mankind. No other details have been released at this time. You can find the latest specs for 'X-Men: Apocalypse' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it is indexed under PENDING. Order the 2D Blu-ray Order the 3D Blu-ray Order the 4K Blu-rayPosted Tue May 31, 2016 at 01:00 PM PDT by: -
NBC Set to Offer 4K Ultra HD Coverage of Rio Olympics[teaser]Select portions of the upcoming Olympic Games will be covered in 4K and HDR. [/teaser] NBC has detailed its 4K Ultra HD plans for this summer's Rio Olympics. The broadcaster will provide select coverage in 4K Ultra HD to its cable, satellite and telco distribution partners. 4K Ultra HD coverage will be available for specific events with a one day delay, including the opening and closing ceremonies, track and field, swimming, basketball, the men's soccer final, and judo. In addition, the opening ceremonies will also be available in HDR (high dynamic range) with Dolby Atmos immersive object based audio. NBC will distribute their 4K coverage provided by Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) and Japan's NHK to various US distribution partners. Each distribution partner will then decide individually how to make the content available to their customers with compatible equipment. The Rio Olympics will kick off on August 5 and conclude on August 21. 4K Ultra HD content for the games will begin on August 6 and run through August 22. Outside of 4K Ultra HD coverage, the Olympic Broadcasting Services also recently announced plans to offer select 8K and virtual reality coverage as well. 8K Super Hi-Vision broadcasts with a resolution of 7680 x 4320 and 22.2 channel immersive audio will be available in Japan only for select events, including swimming, judo, athletics, basketball, and football, along with live coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies. Meanwhile, VR content from the games will be available around the world. Users with compatible headsets will be able to enjoy select footage in immersive VR, including the opening and closing ceremonies and one key event per day. VR broadcasts will be available live and on-demand, and highlights will even be viewable to users without a headset. Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Broadcasting & CablePosted Fri May 27, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
'Divergent' & 'Insurgent' Bound for Ultra HD Blu-ray in July[teaser]The sci-fi adventure films starring Shailene Woodley are heading to Ultra HD Blu-ray in July.[/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Lionsgate is preparing 'Divergent' and 'Insurgent' for Ultra HD Blu-ray on July 12. 'Divergent' - In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late. 'Insurgent' - Beatrice Prior must confront her inner demons and continue her fight against a powerful alliance which threatens to tear her society apart with the help from others on her side. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for each Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack is $22.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Divergent' and 'Insurgent' linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where they are indexed under July 12. Order the Ultra HD Blu-ray Order the Ultra HD Blu-rayPosted Fri May 27, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Humpback Whales' Dated for Blu-ray & Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]The nature documentary is swimming toward Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray in August. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, Shout Factory is preparing 'Humpback Whales' for Blu-ray on August 2. An Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D version will also be released on that same day. Narrated by two-time Golden Globe® nominee Ewan McGregor, HUMPBACK WHALES is an extraordinary journey into the mysterious world of one of nature’s most awe-inspiring marine mammals. Set in the spectacular waters of Alaska, Hawaii and the remote islands of Tonga, this ocean adventure offers audiences an up-close look at how these whales communicate, sing, feed, play and take care of their young. Captured for the first time with IMAX® 3D cameras, and found in every ocean on earth, humpbacks were nearly driven to extinction 50 years ago, but today are making a slow but remarkable recovery. Join a team of researchers as they unlock the secrets of the humpback and find out why humpbacks are the most acrobatic of all whales, why they sing their haunting songs, and why these intelligent 55-foot, 50-ton animals migrate up to 10,000 miles round-trip every year. Specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $19.99. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray 3D/Blu-ray/Digital Copy combo pack is $39.93. You can find the latest specs for 'Humpback Whales' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under August 2. Order the Blu-ray Order the Ultra HD Blu-rayPosted Tue May 24, 2016 at 06:00 AM PDT by: -
'Deadpool' 4K HDR Demo with Director Tim MillerThis is my final 'Deadpool' post this week, I swear!After getting some hands on time with the stunning 'Deadpool' Ultra HD Blu-ray (and the very strong Blu-ray) over the previous weekend, our friends at the Fox Innovation Lab invited journalists for a direct UHD vs HD demonstration. Unlike our previous demo, this time we were treated to consumer grade encodes as both the HD and UHD sources played on IDENTICAL Samsung Ultra HD displays.Hashtag: Science!For an in-depth understanding as to how this demo went, please check out the video portions of my Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray reviews.The short version is this: the Ultra HD Blu-ray absolutely CRUSHES the Blu-ray in side-by-side comparisons. To be fair, this effect wanes slightly in A-to-B comparisons with any sort of time delay, so don't feel too bad if you haven't upgraded yet. But side-by-side? Shoot. This is the release the earlier adopters have been waiting for. The Ultra HD offers deeper black levels, more vivid colors (hello, red!), and oodles of added highlight and CGI detail. I was really impressed. [NOTE: the above cellphone pic is to show the demo configuration ONLY. NOT to judge either format, let alone the fine details instantly visible in UHD HDR material.] To help take us through what we were observing on the two displays, 'Deadpool' director, Tim Miller, as well as the film's colorist, Tim Stipan, lead a panel discussion moderated by Schawn Belston, EVP of Media and Library Services, Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, where they chatted about their post-production process, the benefits of HDR, and answered a few questions. The entire panel is a little too long to transcribe here, so what I've done is broken down key information using direct quotes. Enjoy! Our Demo Setup Schawn Belstin: These are two identical monitors that have been calibrated to match each other. The content on one is HD, standard dynamic range, compressed the same way it is on the Blu-ray. And on the other monitor is the HDR 4K compressed the same way it is on the UHD disc. Two Firsts for Fox Ultra HD Blu-ray Schawn Belstin: This is our first disc that features all HDR content, so the menus and logos and everything are in HDR. Also, object-based audio. Dolby Atmos is on the entire disc. This might not seem like that big a deal, but trust me when I say it was. We had to re-imagine all of our technical work flows behind the scenes to make this actually possible. To give you an example, we spent two months rendering and re-rendering, trying to figure out the best way to render the Fox logo in 4K, in open EXR, to get the most out of this HDR experience, and that was just the logo. So you can imagine what goes into an entire movie. But you didn't come here to hear me talk about the logo so let's get to the movie. Deadpool's Multiple DI Timeline Tim Stipan: First we did the normal theatre pass, which is called P3 color space. Concurrently we also did two version of IMAX; we did a Xenon bulb and then we did a laser pass also. Then, actually, we did the Rec 709 HD pass. And then we did the HDR pass.Tim Miller: Actually, so it's six if you count that, because then we did the Dolby [Vision] pass.Tim Stipan: Oh, yeah, I almost forgot that. I felt like every time we were going through it we were seeing more and more and more. And the last pass that we did was the [UHD Blu-ray] HDR pass, which you are seeing here, and we were just like, "wow, gosh, we wish we had that at the beginning because you're not seeing so much detail in the skies and flames and Colossus and Deadpool's suit." Things of that nature. [HDR] allowed me to be better at my job because I could see more color information, I could match things better. By seeing all that extra color information and detail, I felt like I was doing a better job being a colorist. I felt a lot of shots now had this painterly quality to them, which I didn't quite notice as much when we were doing the normal theatrical color grade. HDR First Impressions Tim Miller: For a first-time filmmaker every time I walked into DI, I'd get to see it on a big screen, thinking to myself, "I made a movie, fuck yeah!" [laughter] And then for this last pass they brought me in and sat me down in front of a monitor and I'm like, "well I've done this before..." But then it started playing and I truly thought it was the best looking -- format and display medium aside -- it's the best looking version of the movie by far.Tim Stipan: Yeah, the amount of detail you get in flames. You see so much more of actual flame. I wouldn't say [SDR] looked like a 2D image, but all of a sudden [with HDR] it has extra dimension to it, it's almost like 3D. HDR Extra Detail Tim Miller: Having done DIs for four different outputs, the Ultra HD is just fucking amazing at the level of detail. Especially since we did it at the end of the process. Especially the skies is where I noticed it most. In a lot of the shots, particularly on the freeway fight, there is just so much more detail. It's like suddenly the sky was not a white mass the way it had been in all the other formats. Also Deadpool's costume was the other big thing I noticed. It's got a really fine weave to it and, suddenly, all the detail in that costume comes out in a way that turns to mush in all the other formats. And VFX too. Explosions, fires, things like that, the fight in the lab looks particularly cool in this super high res format.Tim Stipan: We're taking advantage of the camera. The camera captures this and now with HDR you're allowed to see what the camera's actually capturing. HDR's Effect on Filmmaking Tim Miller: We shot ['Deadpool' in] 3K on the Alexa. If we shot in 6K, which is the newer stuff, or I could have shot on the RED, how much better would this [Ultra HD Blu-ray with HDR / WCG] look there? Where [the Blu-ray] wouldn't benefit from the extra resolution, [the Ultra HD Blu-ray] would. So aside from all the other compositional benefits, from being able to fuck around with framing, I think we'll get a huge bump in the level of detail. But to answer your question, [HDR] would probably have a negative effect on the filmmaking process because suddenly I'd be less forgiving about all that shit I know were going to see in the background.Tim Stipan: The thing I keep thinking about is the faces ... I think this happened when HD first came out is that people were all of a sudden saying, "we gotta put extra makeup on". That would be my only concern with HDR, but otherwise all the extra detail you're seeing is a huge benefit. HDR vs CGI Tim Miller: It could help or hurt depending on how good the CG is. If it didn't integrate well, it would excentuate ... and just more clearly illuminate where you fucked up. HDR vs SDR Color Timing Differences Tim Stipan: It was something that just happened. We saw [the big explosion during the film's climax] in HDR and there was more of a boldness, more detail to it. It's not that we didn't like what we did in the SDR version, but the HDR version looked great and we were like, "let's go with it." Could we have tweaked the SDR to get it closer to the HDR, yes, but it still wouldn't have the detail because there is a difference between the color of the flames.Tim Miller: But don't you just have more range to work with [in HDR]? If you had gone after that in [SDR], it would have fucked up other things.Tim Stipan: It's not something we were isolating. We didn't isolate the flames, but once we color corrected the image, they kinda fell into place. Thanks again to the Fox Innovation Lab for the invite. It's great to know, outside of our home theatre geek circles, filmmakers are as excited about this new format's capabilities as we are. Because, at the end of the day, HDR means audiences are experiencing more of a film's production than ever before.And for Heaven's sake, people, don't just sit there reading this, go check out the 'Deadpool' Ultra HD Blu-ray for yourselves... OR, if you're reading this on or before May 22, 2016, enter for a chance to WIN A FREE copy from your buds here at High-Def Digest.Posted Fri May 20, 2016 at 09:15 AM PDT by: -
LG Kicks off Summer With OLED Ultra HD TV & SUPER UHD TV Deals & Bundles![teaser]Several OLED and SUPER UHD TVs are going on sale. [/teaser] In preparation for Memorial Day Weekend and Father's Day, LG is running a special promotion on its OLED 4K Ultra HD TV and SUPER UHD TV lineup. Starting May 22, select LG displays will be on sale along with special bundles that include options for soundbars, additional TVs, and gift cards. Here's a rundown of the upcoming deals: LG Curved OLED 4k Smart TV (65EG9600) & LG Flat OLED 4K Smart TV (65EF9500) - Normally $5,999 - EARLY BIRD: From 5/8 to 5/21 priced at $4,499 (a $1,500 savings) - From 5/22 to 6/11 priced at $4,999 (a $1,000 savings) and deal also includes choice of TV: 55UH6150/55UH6550; or Sound bar: LAS855M/SH7; or $300 Gift Card; or/$500 Instant Rebate LG Curved OLED 4K Smart TV (55EG9600) & LG Flat OLED 4K Smart TV (55EF9500) - Normally $3,999 - From 5/22 to 6/11 priced at $2,999 (a $1,000 savings) and deal also includes choice of TV: 43LH5000; or Sound bar: SH5B/SH4; or $200 Gift Card/$200 Instant Rebate LG Curved OLED 1080p Smart TV (55EG9100) - Normally $2,499 - From 5/22 to 6/25 priced at $1,999 (a $500 savings) and deal also includes choice of Sound bar: SH5B/SH4; or $100 Gift Card/$200 instant Rebate LG Curved OLED 1080p Smart TV (55EC9300) - Normally $3,499, now $1,799 (a $1,700 savings); while supplies last LG Super UHD 4K HDR Smart LED TV (65UH9500) - Normally $3,999 - From 5/29 to 6/18 priced at $2,799 (a $1,200 savings) LG Super UHD 4K HDR Smart LED TV (65UH8500) - Normally $2,999 - EARLY BIRD: From 5/22 to 5/29 priced at $1,999 with Instant Rebate (a $1,000 savings) LG Super UHD 4K HDR Smart LED TV (65UH7700) - Normally $2,799 - EARLY BIRD: From 5/22 to 5/29 priced at $1,799 with Instant Rebate (a $1,000 savings) Source: LGPosted Thu May 19, 2016 at 01:30 PM PDT by: -
Philips Readies Ultra HD Blu-ray Player for June Release, MSRP Set for $400[teaser]The BDP7501 will be the second Ultra HD Blu-ray player to hit the US market. [/teaser] Philips has announced pricing and availability for its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player. The Philips player will be available in two models: the BDP7501 with a brushed aluminum chassis and the BDP7301 with a piano black chassis. Both units are set for release in June for a suggested retail price of $400. "4K Ultra HD Blu-ray provides consumers with the opportunity to own and enjoy stunning 4K content without the glitches that can occur when streaming large 4K files," P&F USA executive vice president of sales and marketing Karl Bearnarth said. "This is a significant step in the transition from HD to 4K Ultra HD, and one that we believe will quicken consumers' adoption of 4K, especially as they see what the combination of 4K, HDR and Ultra HD Blu-ray's wide color gamut can achieve." The BDP7501 and BDP7301 Ultra HD Blu-ray players feature a compact design along with HDR support, HDMI 2.0a and 1.4a outputs, a dedicated HDMI audio out, and HDCP 2.2 compliancy. In addition to Ultra HD Blu-ray disc playback, the device offers Blu-ray 3D support and 4K upscaling. HEVC and VP9 decoding are integrated as well, allowing customers to watch 4K videos from streaming apps like Netflix and YouTube. Likewise, the players include Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding, and passthrough for Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats. Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB connectivity are also included. The Philips Ultra HD Blu-ray player will now join Samsung's previously released UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray Player, which also retails for $400. In addition, Panasonic recently released its own DMP-UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray player in Europe for £600, but exact US pricing and availability have not been detailed yet. Likewise, Sony has announced plans to offer an Ultra HD Blu-ray player as well, but it is not expected to arrive until 2017. Sources: Yahoo News, TWICEPosted Tue May 17, 2016 at 05:45 PM PDT by:
