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Hisense Spotlights H7B Series 4K Ultra HD TVs Just in Time for March Madness[teaser]The H7B series is a budget friendly Ultra HD TV line perfect for sports. [/teaser] Looking for a budget friendly 4K TV for your upcoming March Madness viewing parties? The Hisense H7B series 4K Ultra HD TVs offer solid features without breaking the bank. The H7B series is available in 50 inch, 55 inch, and 65 inch screen sizes. The LCD LED displays feature a resolution of 3840 x 2160, along with 4K upscaling, and HDMI 2.0 connectivity with HDCP 2.2 copy protection. Smart TV functionality is integrated as well with 2x2 Dual-Band Wi-Fi, built-in Netflix, Vudu Movies, YouTube, and more. In addition, the TVs have received the Netflix Recommended classification, ensuring an optimized streaming experience. Finally, The H7B series also uses the dbx-tv Total Technology audio suite with Total Volume for unwanted changes in loudness and Total Surround for a simulated surround experience from just two speakers. Hisense 50-Inch H7B 4K Smart LED TV - Currently $548 Hisense 55-Inch H7B 4K Smart LED TV - Currently $780 Hisense 60-Inch H7B 4K Smart LED TV - Currently $1,399 In addition to the H7B series, Hisense also announced several new 4K Ultra HD TVs at CES back in January. The flagship 65-inch curved H10 series will feature the company's third generation ULED technology, quantum dots, high dynamic range, expanded colors, and Ultra Black full array local dimming. Meanwhile, the 55-inch curved H9 series will also feature Ultra Black full array local dimming, along with HDR processing -- which is based on the UHD Alliance HDR specs to enable HDR content through proprietary algorithms that remap luminance and color information to the capabilities of the TV. The 2016 H8 and H7 series also include HDR processing. In addition, the H8 series features multi-zone local dimming. Source: HisensePosted Thu Mar 17, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
The Fox Innovation Lab UHD vs HD DemonstrationTucked into the 20th floor of Nakatomi Tower -- er, the Fox Plaza Building -- in Century City, California, you will find what first appears to be nondescript office space. There's a communal kitchen. A conference room with dry erase board wallpaper. Even a cubicle bullpen.But then you can't help but notice all the gear.An object-based sound demo room (configured for what looks like an AURO 3D or DTS:X 7.1.4 with height channels placed above surround speakers rather than in-ceiling). A Virtual Reality Room with a D-Box motion seat set atop an insulation pad. And a room where the majority of Fox's Ultra High Definition titles have been graded for High Dynamic Range (both UHD Blu-ray and streaming).[teaser]Welcome to the Fox Innovation Lab, circa 2016. [/teaser]The original Innovation Lab was born nearly 80 years ago to help 20th Century Fox advance sound recording technologies, and later developed the Cinemasope widescreen format. With that same spirit in mind, the current Innovation Lab has been pushing different digital technologies -- their Martian Virtual Reality Experience was a smash hit at CES 2016 -- as well as UHD content. As many of you know, we got our first taste last month when certain Fox Ultra HD Blu-ray titles landed in Best Buy a few weeks early. I personally reviewed 'The Martian' as well as 'Kingsman: The Secret Service', both of which I thought offered visual upgrades over their Blu-ray counterparts. There has been some controversy among enthusiasts about underlying source material resolution, but resolution is only one aspect of Ultra High Definition, whether it be physical media or streaming. The most important features are High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut. Deeper black levels and shadow detail. Brighter whites and highlight details. And richer colors.To be fair, we're in a transition period where we're calibrating our expectations for displays and content, while filmmakers adjust to what's possible much like they have in the years since object-base sound mixing debuted. However, given a chance to compare UHD and HD material side-by-side, UHD often represents a bold improvement. And that's just what we did at the Innovation Lab... UHD HDR P3 vs HD SDR Rec 709 Our demonstration was as follows. Clips from Fox productions ran side-by-side on two Samsung displays in a blacked out room devoid of all ambient light. On the right, Samsung's 2015 UHD flagship, the 65" JS9500, played 16-bit uncompressed Ultra HD in high dynamic range and color graded to P3 (the color gamut used fo commercial cinemas). This TV was specifically calibrated by Fox and Samsung and has been used to grade all of Fox's titles. On the left, Samsung's 2013 HD flagship, the 65" F8000, displayed uncompressed HD in standard dynamic range and color graded to Rec 709 (the color gamut used for Blu-ray). We stood six to eight feet away.In a perfect world, we would have be viewing 10 bit UHD material (rather than 16 bit), and both displays would have been JS9500s to allow for the same in-display upconversion consumers will experience when comparing HD and UHD material at home.Still, this experiment works well for any HD owners wondering if a new 4K UHD display and content are worth the upgrade. After this, I'm convinced they are.Here's what we saw:'The Revenant'. The first thing folks are going to notice when comparing the Ultra HD Blu-ray to the Blu-ray is color timing. The Oscar-winner for best Cinematography has two separate grades. One for HD/Rec 709, one for UHD HDR/P3. Both approved by Emanual Lubezki. The Rec 709 version was done first, and tints blue to evoke coldness. The HDR P3 grading is more naturalistic, tinting a wee bit green. It's an odd choice, to be sure, but I have to say I preferred the UHD version because it was more reminiscent of my theatrical experiences. It also reveals striking details in open flames as well as back-lit subjects. The sequence where the soldiers are riding horses through a dark forest, lit only by their torches, is hauntingly beautiful. And there's one shot of Leo standing on a bright, mountainside under a fallen tree dripping with melting snow. The HDR/P3 incarnation offered more detail in the highs and lows. Given the film's dark photography, I must admit the Rec 709 HD version was quite good as well, and some of the time differences (outside of color timing) were negligible. Particularly in wider shots. Either way, those who opt for the Blu-ray are going to find a top notch transfer, while those with the UHD are going to see upgrades.'Ice Age: Cosmic Scrat-tastrophe'. This short film played theatrically before 'The Peanuts Movie' and serves as semi-backstory for the upcoming 'Ice Age: Collision Course', due out this summer. It is also included as an extra feature on 'The Peanuts Movie' Ultra HD Blu-ray. I had no idea how important HDR/WCG would be to animation until I saw clips from 'Inside Out' in Rec 2020 last year. Simply put, this short film is another shining example for how great CGI animated films are going to look in UHD. It features a bold color palette of blues and purples and greens, all of which are much more vivid in UHD. Shots of outer space also benefited from deeper black levels. Imagery was much sharper. This particular demonstration was night-and-day different. Hopefully Disney, Pixar, and Dreamworks will embrace HDR and WCG for home entertainment.I did notice some banding in a few shots of blue sky backgrounds; this was apparently due to 16bit material playing back on a 10bit panel. The UHD Blu-ray shouldn't have this problem.'Deadpool'. The UHD version of 'Deadpool' is going to be a must own title for many reasons. It's a raunchy good time of a movie and it looks fantastic. Unlike 'The Revenant', the color timing for the HD and UHD versions are similar. However, the UHD version colors popped more, particularly Deadpool's red and black costume, as well as an orange explosion from the movie's climax. Spectral highlights on Colossus' chrome skin were also much more nuanced. And the overall image is much sharper and resolute. The UHD is the hands down winner.'The Martian'. A movie I've seen many times now in 2D, 3D, DVD (an awards screener), Dolby Vision 3D, and most recently in Ultra HD Blu-ray. The ultimate way to see 'The Martian' was the Dolby Vision 3D, but the Ultra HD Blu-ray is a close second. In watching the UHD HDR P3 footage side by side with the HD Rec 709 clips, the UHD material offers an added pop colors and some added sharpness, but perceived resolution is still quite similar at times.'Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials'. A movie I missed theatrically and have somehow only seen in UHD with HDR (first as part of a Dolby Cinema at AMC Prime demo, then at last fall's Luxury Tech Show, snd now here). 'The Scorch Trials' doesn't overall wow in the same way CGI material will, simply because it has a much more muted color palette. That said, glancing between HD and UHD, it was like someone had cleaned the UHD camera lens. Imagery really pops. Sequences with bright blue and cloudy skies really benefit from added visible details in the highlights. Giant post-apocalyptic city shots also offer more detail in the layers of crumbling, sandy-brown concrete. Shadow detail is another strength; the film's opening sequence takes place at night with shots of faceless people trudging through a crowd -- the HD Rec 709 material crushes, while you can see much more clothing in the UHD HDR version. Fox gave me a copy of this title and when I get in my next UHD loaner from Samsung (also a JS9500), I look forward to viewing the whole film. Upcoming Fox UHD Titles Fox was understandably mum on what catalog titles we may or may not see by the end of 2016 (it's really going to depend on available assets and what will look best in HDR with WCG), but the big takeaway is this:Going forward, all Fox feature new releases are going to be day-and-date with the option to buy Ultra HD Blu-ray and Blu-ray (as well as digital HD and digital UHD). That's fantastic news. Object Base Audio (More Please) Though 'The Peanuts Movie' Ultra HD Blu-ray has Dolby Atmos, and DTS is a partner in the Innovation Lab, Fox has been pretty quiet on using object-based sound mixes for Ultra HD Blu-ray. I asked about this, but there's really no new information to glean, or titles to announce.To be completely honest, this bums me out, if only because when you're a studio with titles like 'Life of Pi', which set the bar for Dolby Atmos theatrically, and 'The Revenant', whose Atmos mix is simply transportive, it's borderline tragic (in the artistic sense) that we'll never be able to hear the full mix those insanely talented sound teams and filmmakers put together.Though the purposes of our demonstration was to highlight the visual upgrades of Ultra HD with HDR -- an experiment that was wholly successful -- I would personally implore Fox, and every studio home entertainment division, to release all titles in Dolby Atmos or DTS:X (assuming there are theatrical mix elements available). These sound formats are mind-blowing in the home whether or not you have entry-level or audiophile gear, and drop down wonderfully into 7.1 or 5.1 in legacy surround systems.Okay, off my soap box. Final Thoughts I've been drooling over High Dynamic Range and Wide Color Gamut since Dolby invited me to a demo for a product we now know as Dolby Vision. Everyone still has a lot to learn about what's possible (especially yours true) and what's accurate, but UHD Blu-ray with HDR/WCG paints a future of dazzlingly cinematic imagery. Is it heads and tails better than Blu-ray? Sometimes no, but for key content and lighting conditions, yes, resoundingly so. Especially CGI animation. Either way, it's all about story. Clearer imagery. More accurate dynamic range. Richer color rendering. If all of these things support the story, it's only easier for us to suspend our disbelief and slip into fantastic worlds of drama and comedy.Thanks so much to the Fox Innovation Lab for inviting us for a tour and for showing us the value of Ultra HD with HDR/WCG. It's hard to go backwards once you've seen the differences with your own two eyes. Here's hoping we get as much content as possible to enjoy this format -- either via physical media or streaming -- for years to come.Posted Wed Mar 16, 2016 at 05:10 PM PDT by: -
LG Offers 4K Ultra HD OLED TV Deals & Bundles for March Madness[teaser]Several OLED TVs and bundles are now on sale. [/teaser] In preparation for the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Tournament, LG is running a special promotion on its OLED 4K Ultra HD TV lineup. From now until April, select OLED displays are on sale along with bundles that include options for soundbars, additional TVs, and gift cards. Here's a rundown of the current deals: LG Curved OLED 4k Smart TV (65EG9600) & LG Flat OLED 4K Smart TV (65EF9500) - Currently $4,999 ($1,000 off)- Beginning 3/13 deal also includes choice of 43UF6400/LAS855M/LAS851M/or $300 Gift Card LG Curved OLED 4K Smart TV (55EG9600) & LG Flat OLED 4K Smart TV (55EF9500) - Currently $2,999 ($1,000 off)- Beginning 3/13 deal also includes choice of 42LF5600/43LF5400/LAS551H/LAS454B/SH5B, SH4/or $200 Gift Card LG Curved OLED 1080p Smart TV (55EG9100) - Currently $1,999 ($500 off) -Beginning 3/13 deal also includes choice of LAS454B/SH5B, SH4/or $100 Gift Card The LG March Madness OLED TV promotion will run until April in retail stores nationwide and online. In addition to the above OLED displays, the company is also now taking pre-orders for the OLED65E6P Flat 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV ($7,000) and OLED65G6P Flat 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart OLED TV ($8,000). The premium OLED65G6P Signature OLED Ultra HD TV offer perfect blacks, wide viewing angles, an integrated soundbar speaker system, and a thin Picture-on-Glass design. In addition, the TV has been certified as "Ultra HD Premium" and includes full HDR compatibility with support for HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Likewise, the display uses LG's webOS 3.0 smart TV platform. Source: LGPosted Mon Mar 14, 2016 at 10:30 AM PDT by: -
First 4K Ultra HD Roku TVs Now Available at Best Buy, Prices Start at $400[teaser]Best Buy has released the first Roku Ultra HD TV models under their Insignia brand. [/teaser] Roku and Best Buy have announced the launch of the first 4K Ultra HD Roku TVs. Three Insignia models are now available exclusively through BestBuy.com, and availability will expand to Best Buy retail locations next month. The Insignia 4K Ultra HD Roku TVs are available in 43 inch, 50 inch, and 55 inch screen sizes. Each LED LCD panel features a resolution of 3840 x 2160 and a sleek bezel design. Likewise, the displays all use the Roku OS, offering a convenient smart TV experience with a personalized home screen and access to more than 3,000 streaming channels. Other unique Roku OS features include a comprehensive and unbiased universal search feature that helps users find availability and pricing for movies and TV shows across more than 25 top streaming channels; the Roku Feed which enables users to follow entertainment that they're interested in and be notified when it becomes available to stream; mobile device control through the free Roku app; Netflix and YouTube video casting support from mobile devices; and personal media sharing from mobile devices. In addition, the 4K Roku TVs have extra features to highlight Ultra HD viewing, including a 4K Spotlight Channel that provides instant access to a curated selection of 4K entertainment from a variety of streaming services. A 4K UHD category is also included within the Roku Channel Store with more than 10 channels including Amazon Video, Netflix, PLEX, YouTube, UltraFlix and more. The Insignia 4K Roku TVs are powered by quad-core processors and fast 802.11ac dual-band WiFi to provide optimal streaming performance. The Insignia 43 inch ($400), 50 inch ($500), and 55 inch ($650) 4K Roku Ultra HD TVs are now available through BestBuy.com. Outside of Insignia, TCL is also prepping their own line of 4K Roku Ultra HD TVs, and future models with HDR and Dolby Vision support are planned as well. Source: RokuPosted Thu Mar 10, 2016 at 11:45 AM PST by: -
LG Releases SUPER UHD TVs with Dolby Vision & HDR10 Support, Prices Start at $1,799[teaser]The company's most advanced LED TVs will be available starting this month. [/teaser] After making their debut at CES back in January, LG has announced pricing and availability for its new SUPER UHD TV lineup. The collection consists of three series -- the UH9500, UH8500, and UH7700 -- with nine models ranging in size from 55 inches to 86 inches. "Leading the way with HDR, LG continues to pioneer picture quality innovation in both our OLED and LED UHD TVs. With our new LG SUPER UHD TV lineup, we're delivering our best 4K LED TVs yet offering consumers a superior viewing experience with four times the resolution of Full HD, over a billion rich colors and elevated brightness, along with the first available complete HDR experience," said David VanderWaal, vice president of marketing, LG Electronics USA. "LG SUPER UHD TVs are the first to be compatible with all HDR formats for images that come to life as never before along with access to the most HDR content choices." The UH9500, UH8500 and UH7700 LCD/LED SUPER UHD TVs feature IPS Quantum displays with superior viewing angles and color reproduction. Likewise, the company's new webOS 3.0 smart TV platform is integrated as well. In addition, the displays have been classified as Super HDR, and combine LG's ULTRA Luminance technology, improved black level performance, and Color Prime technology to support 4K high dynamic range content with heightened performance, along with support for Dolby Vision and HDR10. HDR and Dolby Vision streaming content will be available from partners like Amazon, Netflix, and VUDU. Here's a full rundown of pricing and availability for the new LG SUPER UHD TV Lineup: UH9500 SUPER UHD TV - 86-inch class 86UH9500: $9,999 (Spring 2016) - 65-inch class 65UH9500: $3,999 (Spring 2016) UH8500 - SUPER UHD TV - 75-inch class 75UH8500: $4,999 (Spring 2016) - 65-inch class 65UH8500: $2,999 (March 2016) - 60-inch class 60UH8500: $2,299 (March 2016) - 55-inch class 55UH8500: $1,999 (March 2016) UH7700 - SUPER UHD TV - 65-inch class 65UH7700: $2,799 (March 2016) - 60-inch class 60UH7700: $2,099 (March 2016) - 55-inch class 55UH7700: $1,799 (March 2016) Source: LGPosted Thu Mar 10, 2016 at 09:15 AM PST by: -
DirecTV Set to Debut First 4K Ultra HD Channel with Live Masters Tournament Broadcast in April[teaser]The company will offer its first live 4K Ultra HD broadcast next month. [/teaser] DirecTV has announced a launch date for its first highly anticipated 4K Ultra HD channel. The channel will debut live 4K UHD coverage by broadcasting the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 7. This will mark the first ever live Ultra HD broadcast to consumers in the US. "Golf's premier event deserves the best viewing experience that 4K UHD on DIRECTV provides," said Dan York, chief content officer, AT&T Entertainment Group. "Once you see it in 4K on DIRECTV, it's going to be tough to see it any other way – unless you're there in person." The new DirecTV 4K Ultra HD channel will launch in April as part of the company's DirecTV Ultimate and Premier packages. The channel is set to feature 4K content from Audience Network, documentaries and more. Likewise, initial live 4K Ultra HD broadcasts will include all four rounds of Golf Tournament play at Amen Corner at Augusta National during the Masters. Coverage is scheduled for April 7-10 from approximately 10:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. EDT. In order to watch the DirecTV 4K channel, customers will need: - A DirecTV Ultimate or Premier Package subscription with an authorized 4K customer account.- The latest Genie HD DVR (HR54).- A DirecTV 4K Ready TV or a compatible 4K TV connected to the latest 4K Genie Mini. 4K UHD content on a non-DirecTV 4K Ready TV requires a TV with HDMI 2.0, HDCP 2.2, and support for a minimum of 60 fps. DirecTV also currently offers on-demand Ultra HD content to its subscribers with compatible equipment. Source: AT&T, DirecTVDealsPosted Wed Mar 9, 2016 at 11:30 AM PST by: -
'The Revenant' Starring Leonardo DiCaprio Detailed for Blu-ray & Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio and one really angry bear are heading to Blu-ray and Ultra HD Blu-ray in April.[/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'The Revenant' for Blu-ray on April 19. An Ultra HD Blu-ray version will also be released on that same day. Leonardo DiCaprio gives "a virtuoso performance" (Peter Travers, Rolling Stone) in Oscar Winner Alejandro G. Iñárritu’s ('Birdman') cinematic masterpiece. Inspired by true events, 'The Revenant' follows the story of legendary explorer Hugh Glass (DiCaprio) on his quest for survival and justice. After a brutal bear attack, Glass is left for dead by a treacherous member of his hunting team (Tom Hardy; 'Mad Max: Fury Road'). Against extraordinary odds, and enduring unimaginable grief, Glass battles a relentless winter in uncharted terrain. This "boldly original" (Calvin Wilson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch) epic adventure captures the extraordinary power of the human spirit in an immersive and visceral experience "unlike anything you have ever seen" (Jake Hamilton, FOX-TV). The Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack will feature 1080p video and a DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack. Meanwhile, the Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack will feature 2160p video and a DTS-HD MA 7.1 soundtrack. Supplements will include: "A World Unseen" – A Documentary of The Revenant. Suggested list price for the Blu-ray is $39.99. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray has not been announced yet. You can find the latest specs for 'The Revenant' linked from our Blu-ray Release Schedule and our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under April 19. Order the Blu-rayPosted Tue Mar 1, 2016 at 11:00 AM PST by: -
'Deadpool' Ultra HD Blu-ray Up For Pre-Order![teaser]Ryan Reynolds puts on the anti-hero's tights and heads to Ultra HD Blu-ray later this year. [/teaser]In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox says 'Deadpool' will be pummeling Ultra HD Blu-ray in the spring. Wade Wilson (Ryan Reynolds) is a former Special Forces operative who now works as a mercenary. His world comes crashing down when evil scientist Ajax (Ed Skrein) tortures, disfigures and transforms him into Deadpool. The rogue experiment leaves Deadpool with accelerated healing powers and a twisted sense of humor. With help from mutant allies Colossus and Negasonic Teenage Warhead (Brianna Hildebrand), Deadpool uses his new skills to hunt down the man who nearly destroyed his life. Exact specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'Deadpool' linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under PENDING. Order the Ultra HD Blu-rayPosted Mon Feb 29, 2016 at 12:00 PM PST by: -
Best Buy Deal On a Samsung 60" Smart 4K SUHD TV with HDR Coming Just in Time for Ultra HD Blu-ray[teaser]Heads up.[/teaser] Just in time to coincide with the launch of Ultra HD Blu-ray, (or just the ascension of 4K in general), Best Buy has a nice deal in coming for this Sunday. It's not quite a doorbuster, but anyone thinking about getting into 4K, into UHD, and into HDR, might want to take notice. The specific deal, which will be featured in next week's Best Buy circular, is off the current $1999.99 price of the Smasung 60" SUHD TV (UN60JS7000FXZA). It will be $500 off this Sunday, which will bring the price down to $1499.99. Full details on this 60" Smart (flat) SUHD TV can be found here. (LED with Nano-crystal tech, 120hrx, 4 HDMI inputs. It does not support 3D.) That $500 price savings could easily be turned into a Samsung UBD-K8500 Ultra HD Blu-ray player (check out the review here), and even a few Ultra HD Blu-rays (see some of those reviews here). The Best Buy listing for the TV can be found here, while the Amazon listing can be found here. The enterprising High-Def Digest reader might think about ordering now, and getting the price adjusted later. This isn't the best all-time price on the set, but for anyone making the plunge to UHD, this might be the right deal at the right time. Hands down, I'd recommend picking two of the FOX titles, 'The Martian' and 'Kingsman' to go with the TV and the player. Order the Blu-ray Order the Blu-rayPosted Fri Feb 26, 2016 at 10:40 AM PST by: -
'The Peanuts Movie' Ultra HD Blu-ray Up for Pre-Order![teaser]Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the gang are heading to Ultra HD Blu-ray in March. [/teaser] In an early announcement to retailers, 20th Century Fox is preparing 'The Peanuts Movie' for Ultra HD Blu-ray on March 8. Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the rest of the beloved "Peanuts" gang make their big-screen debut, like they've never been seen before, in state of the art 3D animation. Charlie Brown, the world's most beloved underdog, embarks upon an epic and heroic quest, while his best pal, the lovable beagle Snoopy, takes to the skies to pursue his arch-nemesis, the Red Baron. From the imagination of Charles M. Schulz and the creators of the ICE AGE films, THE PEANUTS MOVIE will prove that every underdog has his day. Exact specs and supplements have not been detailed yet. Suggested list price for the Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray/Digital HD combo pack is $39.99. You can find the latest specs for 'The Peanuts Movie' linked from our Ultra HD Blu-ray Release Schedule, where it's indexed under March 8. Order the Blu-rayPosted Mon Feb 22, 2016 at 01:00 PM PST by:
