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Sony is releasing 2 new blu-ray disk player models (BDP-S5100, BDP-S1100) on July 27. Their upper surfaces have faceted shapes, which changes the look of the body depending on light reflection. By setting “Quick Start-up Mode”, they can be ready to use only 3 seconds after being powered up.

BDP-S5100

“BDP-S5100″ is compatible with blu-ray 3D and wireless LAN.

As a blu-ray disk player, it features “TV SideView” for the first time. “TV SideView” is a free application that enables you to enjoy internet movies by using a smartphone or tablet. Also, those smart devices can be used as a remote control.

You can enjoy an abundance of contents provided by “Sony Entertainment Network” such as movies and animes.

Estimated price: ¥20,000
Size: 360 x 43 x 194mm
Weight: 1.3kg
Input/output terminal: HDMI output terminal x 1, Digital audio output x 1, USB x 2, LAN x 1

BDP-S1100

“BDP-S1100″ has a compact body which is slightly smaller than an A4 size notebook. Just like “BDP-S5100″, it’s compatible with contents from “Sony Entertainment Network”.

Estimated price: ¥14,000
Size: 290 x 43 x 193mm
Weight: 1.1kg
Input/output terminal: HDMI output terminal x 1, Digital audio output x 1, USB x 1, LAN x 1

LG Electronics Japan is releasing a wireless sound bar system “NB4530A”, a wireless connection and 3D sound compliant blu-ray disk player “NB4530A” and a compact model “BP125″ soon.

NB4530A
NB4530A can connect to an accompanying woofer or LG TV wirelessly. It’s only 35mm thin and you can hang it on a wall as well. Built-in 3D sound processor gives you a rich and realistic sound experience when you watch a 3D movie.

Expected price: ¥45,000
Release date: mid-May
Size: main unit 1038 × 35.4 × 75mm, woofer 221 × 351.5 × 281mm
Weight: main unit 2.4kg, woofer 7.3kg

BP630
3D sound compliant Blu-Ray player, BP630′s “Private Sound Mode” is a useful function especially when you cannot play loud sounds, such as late night. Equipped with Miracast – download a dedicated application to your smart phone, and then you can listen to the sounds that BP630 is producing with your smart phone. Equipped with an HDMI terminal.

Expected price: ¥13,000
Release date: mid-May
Size: 430 × 43.5 × 208.5mm
Weight: 1.5kg

BP125
BP125 is only 270cm across so you can place it at a narrow place. Equipped with an HDMI terminal.

Expected price: ¥10,000
Release date: mid-April
Size: 270 × 39 × 198mm
Weight: 1.1kg

We’ve pretty much exhausted the high profile fall premieres for now, but there still presidential debates and baseball playoff action to be had. Also, while we have not moved so far in the future that we’ve reached the date Marty McFly went to in Back to the Future Part II (that’s in 2015, perhaps by then people will stop reposting photoshopped images), we have reached the data Avatar is available at retail on Blu-ray 3D. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames.

Avatar (3D)
It’s taken a couple of years, but Avatar is finally widely available on Blu-ray 3D after being tied up as a Panasonic pack-in exclusive. The bad news? It’s not the Extended Collector’s Edition, so if you want 3D and extras your wait may continue. Otherwise, James Cameron’s special effects should be enough to thrill the eyes of anyone that snagged a 3DTV in the last few years and is looking for a good demo disc.
($24.99 on Amazon)

MLB Playoffs
We have reached the league championship series and, assuming both series need some extra games, should be in for excellent baseball all week. The Yankees have lost Derek Jeter for the postseason, but are by no means done… unless their bats stay as cold as they’ve been. In the National League the Giants and the Cardinals are duking it out, we’ll see if the 2-3-2 home field format plays into the outcome for either team, after the Giants took three on the road in the last round.

NBA Preseason
It’s finally time for hoops again, and after some overseas exhibitions you can watch NBA teams work their way back into shape as they take each other on this week. If you’re a basketball fan you probably love TNT’s Thursday night broadcasts, and the first preseason one features the Celtics and the Nets at 8PM.

Continue reading Must See HDTV (October 15th – 21st)

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Must See HDTV (October 15th – 21st) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 15 Oct 2012 18:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Despite being one of the most widely viewed 3D movies, and the highest grossing film of all time, viewers still have not been able to buy Avatar on Blu-ray 3D by itself (without paying high prices to resellers) due to an exclusive pack-in deal with Panasonic, but that will change this fall. Fox just announced the Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collector’s Edition will debut globally October 15th, and release in North America October 16th. There’s no word on any extra special features, as producer Jon Landau indicates in the press release (included after the break) it will contain the theatrical cut of the flick inside special packaging. Originally, the delay in releasing the movie widely on disc in 3D was blamed on a lack of 3DTVs in homes. We’ll see if the prospect of watching the $2.7 billion juggernaut “the way it was meant to be seen” according to director James Cameron, nudges more buyers towards a new display this fall. Check below for a video clip of Cameron sharing the news to the movie’s fans on Facebook, plus an extra treat that didn’t make it into the movie.

Continue reading Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video)

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Avatar Blu-ray 3D Collectors Edition finally comes to retail in October (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While Ridley Scott’s Prometheus is still in theaters, it’s been available for preorder on Blu-ray 3D since before the flick debuted, and now Amazon France has exposed the full list of extras on the way. The bad news, pointed out by Movies.com and Prometheus Forum, is that those anticipating a classic Ridley Scott Director’s Cut to fill in plot holes appear to be in for a disappointment — while there are 15 minutes of extended / cut scenes, there’s no indication that you’ll be able to watch the movie with them reinserted. There are a lot of other extras, including a director’s commentary, extensive making-of featurettes, many of the short viral videos that were posted previously and production materials, along with a Second Screen iPad app. The specific set listed includes the other Alien flicks, but since we’re sure you’ve already snagged the Anthology with its MU-TH-UR interactive mode you’ll probably be looking for a more limited release. The release date for the set remains October 9th, hit the source link for the listing or check out the full list of features and a trailer after the break.

Continue reading Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes

Prometheus Blu-ray extras leak reveals Second Screen app and 15 minutes of deleted scenes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 19:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink Movies.com, Prometheus Forum  |  Amazon France  | Email this | Comments