Not all HD is the same. For that matter, just because you have an HDTV, that doesn't mean you're actually watching high-definition video. A variety of factors could be conspiring to create an image that's not nearly as good as what your TV is capable of.
Make sure you're getting the most from your TV with this guide.… Read more
It's good to be reminded sometimes that automated technology solutions can't fix everything. That reminder came recently with the announcement of the impending big-screen return of The Beatles' trippy 1968 animated film, "Yellow Submarine."
A team of specialists at Triage Motion Picture Services and Eque is responsible for the restoration effort. Sure, it's a digital restoration, but that's not all that was involved with bringing it back to life. The team couldn't just load the film into a powerhouse computer, press go, and wait for the remaster to spit itself out.… Read more
Recently I went shopping for a Blu-ray player. Call me old-fashioned, but there are some movies I want to see in full 1080p glory and hear in full 5.1-channel surround.
Plus, I'd just purchased my first 3D-capable TV and needed a 3D-capable player to go with it. (If you're in the same boat, be sure to check out my recent post, "Where to find 3D movies to watch at home.")
Given that I wasn't planning to buy another Blu-ray player for a long time -- possibly ever -- I wanted a decent model with features like Netflix streaming, built-in Wi-Fi, and, of course, support for 3D. I was also hoping for a price below $100.
My usual process for buying something like this is to browse sites like Amazon and Newegg in search of the models with the highest user ratings, then check the professional ratings at sites like CNET to see how well they match up.
Just one problem: I was hard-pressed to find a single Blu-ray player with uniformly positive user ratings. I perused models from LG, Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, and Vizio, and nearly every one had reviews that were all over the map.… Read more
If I had to recommend just one Blu-ray player for 2012, it would be Panasonic's DMP-BDT220 ($130 street price). It's in the sweet spot of Panasonic's Blu-ray lineup, with built-in Wi-Fi and an excellent set of streaming-media services, including Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Instant, Vudu, MLB.TV, and Pandora.
And while competing players from Samsung and Sony offer just as many streaming apps, they're hamstrung by awkward user interfaces.… Read more
Here's a happy fact: 3D-capable HDTVs now cost little more than their non-3D counterparts.
Here's another happy fact: 3D-capable Blu-ray players now cost little more than their non-3D counterparts.
And, finally, a sad fact: You can't rent 3D movies from Netflix. Or your local Redbox kiosk. Nor can you stream or download them from Amazon, Netflix, or iTunes.
So now what? What good is the gear if there's no content? Turns out there are a few sources that can deliver 3D goodness to your home, either through the mail or over the Interwebs. Here are your … Read more
You can call it "Mission: Impossible 4" or Tom Cruise's comeback flick after a career that suddenly hit the skids. But whatever it's called, Paramount's done another stellar job with the video transfer and the Blu-ray version offers impressive fine detail along with an equally dynamic soundtrack to back up the picture quality.
As for the movie, well, it's also pretty good, so this one might very well be worth a purchase rather than a rental.
I know, I know, a lot of you don't buy discs anymore, you just stream everything or … Read more
The BP620 is LG's "flagship" Blu-ray player for 2012, but you couldn't tell by its $130 street price or ordinary feature set. It includes all the important features that manufacturers are charging for this year, such as 3D compatibility, built-in Wi-Fi, and a suite of streaming-media services.
The big catch, especially if you were familiar with LG's platform last year, is that Amazon Instant will not be included on 2012 players, which could be a deal breaker for cord cutters. However, LG continues to have one of the best-designed streaming-content portals, with a dead-simple user … Read more
Despite being plagued with high prices, low sales, and difficulty with program distribution in the U.S., Google TV is expanding to Europe. Come September, Sony will sell Google TV-based products in Europe, according to GigaOM via a translation of a Les Echos article.
Slated to go on sale in France, Spain, Germany, and the U.K. are two devices: a set-top box costing 200 Euros ($266) and an integrated Blu-ray player for 300 euros ($399), according to GigaOM.
Google Chairman Eric Schmidt announced Google TV's rollout to Europe last August and Sony confirmed that two Google TV-compatible set-top … Read more
Not long ago I asked if DVDs still had a place in the world. The response was incredible, with plenty of readers professing their love for the convenience and quality afforded by disc media.
And let's not forget 3D (which I did in that initial post). If you like your movies up-close and personal, you'll need a 3D-savvy Blu-ray player. Like, say, this one: TigerDirect has the Toshiba BDX4150 3D Blu-ray player for $62.99 shipped. That's after applying coupon code OMH57403 at checkout.
The BDX4150 is new, not refurbished. That's a rarity for a name-brand … Read more
A few weeks ago Paramount released the Blu-ray for "Hugo," which has a nearly flawless video transfer and offers incredibly sharp video and great sound. The studio returns today with the Blu-ray release of Steven Spielberg's "The Adventures of Tintin," which famously combines performance capture with digital computer animation to create a unique hybrid look.
Whether you love that look or not (some people find it funky), the Blu-ray delivers stunning video that's both vivid and impressively detailed. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 lossless soundtrack is also highly detailed and will give your home … Read more
Internet & Media
Tech Culture
1kFacebook Likes
933Tweets
153Google Plus Shares
184Comments
Take the best in technology for a spin with Brian Cooley.
