Hasta La Gadget!

The Blu-ray Disc Association has teased that a 4K-friendly disc format is coming, but Singulus isn’t willing to wait to make some announcements of its own. The German company just finished production tests of a Blu-ray disc that squeezes 100GB into three layers, making it “ideal” for 4K movies. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, the company hasn’t said much more about the technology — we don’t know if the discs have the BDA’s support, whether they’re compatible with existing players, or when they enter mass production. We’ve reached out for more details; in the meantime, we’d advise saving up for the exotic TV you’ll need to watch 4K movies in any format.

[Image credit: Diego Correa, Flickr]

Filed under: Home Entertainment, Storage, HD

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Via: TechRadar

Source: Singulus

Rogers’ patience in finding a replacement CEO has paid off in spades. The Canadian telecom giant has just confirmed that Guy Laurence, Vodafone UK’s current chief executive, will be its new leader as of December 2nd. The hire gives Rogers a CEO who’s not only well-versed in mobile and media services, but has a reputation as a reformer — he shook up Vodafone UK’s corporate culture shortly after taking the reins in 2008. While it’s not certain that he’ll repeat history at Rogers, we wouldn’t expect him to maintain the status quo for very long.

Filed under: Cellphones, Home Entertainment, Wireless, HD, Mobile

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Via: The Globe and Mail

Source: Rogers

We know that the PS Vita TV will play PSP, PSOne and Vita titles, and will even (eventually) be able to stream PS4 titles once both devices are on sale. But how about PS3? Andrew House, Sony Computer Entertainment CEO, explained in a round-table interview that the tiny streaming set is “technically” capable of supporting PS3 titles through the same cloud-based streaming that will bring PS3 titles to its successor. It makes sense, (if it can stream fancier games from the PS4, titles from console iteration no.3 should be a cinch, right?) but it’s the first time we’ve heard that Sony is considering it. We’re hoping the feature eventually makes it, if only to make amends for the confusing backwards–compatibility saga that the PS3 previously suffered.

Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, Sony

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Source: Nikkei Electronics

However good TiVo’s new Roamio DVRs may be, not everyone can justify purchasing them — especially not TV providers that would have to buy in bulk. TiVo could make that experience more accessible with its just-unveiled Network PVR. The service (not yet pictured) puts the Roamio interface in the cloud, letting operators offer similar recording and streaming features though cheaper set-top boxes and mobile devices. Network PVR should also let providers offer perks that aren’t possible with locally-stored shows, such as sharing a recording with friends who missed the big season finale. There’s no estimated launch time frame for Network PVR, although that’s more likely to be dictated by the providers; don’t be surprised if it takes a while for the technology to reach viewers.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Via: CNET

Source: TiVo

We all know the drill by now, and if you forget there’s usually a warning: please turn your mobile devices off / silent, the movie is starting. For a special Second Screen Live showing of Disney’s The Little Mermaid however, it’s going to be different as moviegoers are encouraged to use their tablets for an augmented experience. Disney has created an iPad app for viewers to download before they get to the theater, which mirrors apps we’ve seen for home viewing with synchronized games, sing-a-longs and trivia. That’s no coincidence, since the movie’s return to theaters is timed ahead of its Blu-ray release on October 1st.

Viewers shouldn’t worry about this encroaching on their Oscar-season previews however, as it’s limited to a monthlong run at the El Capitan in LA starting on the 15th, and limited showings at select other theaters (listed after the break) nationwide starting on the 20th. This is Disney’s first public use of the tech after a trial run last fall alongside Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas, which had a response it described as “positive.” For a family movie likely loaded with kids we can see where this might be more enhancement than distraction and maybe even for certain niche midnight screening-type environments — but if anyone whips out a slate at Machete Kills, Her, 12 Years A Slave or Gravity we’re calling the usher.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

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Source: iTunes, Disney