Hometheaterdigest

Ces a Success January 18, 2012

All reports are that CES attendance was outstanding setting records in the process. Here’s hoping this is a positive sign for the upcoming year. Our consumer electronics industry has taken a hard hit over the past few years with companies like Tweeter, Bernie’s and Circuit City going bankrupt during that time. Perhaps the industry, like many others, will come out of these lean years stronger and more in tune with it’s target audience. With new technologies like 3D and 4k the future does look brighter.

“Lion King 3D” Reissue in Theaters Ushers Back Many More Disney Classics October 23, 2011

The Success of the “Lion King” in 3D Has Prompted a Slew of Reissues From Disney-Pixar!

  The recent box office success of the reissue of “The Lion King” in 3D has prompted Disney-Pixar to now date the following titles for theater 3D reissues and eventually new Blu-ray releases as well. You can expect “Beauty and the Beast” to be released to theaters on January 13, 2012. Then “Finding Nemo” next September 14, 2012. “Monster’s Inc” will follow on January 18th, 2013 and “The Little Mermaid” for September 13, 2013.
I would not be surprised to see a new push at other studios to begin looking at old classics in their collections for re-release in the 3D format and then new Blu-ray releases to accompany the short theatrical runs.

Dave Boisvert

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This entry was posted on October 6, 2011 at 11:35 am and is filed under 3D, Beauty and the Beast, blu-ray, Disney-Pixar, Finding Nemo, Monster’s Inc, The Lion King . You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site. Edit this entry.

This Weeks Blu-Ray Notable Releases! October 23, 2011

Get the wallets ready as this week has quite a few must haves for us movie and Blu-ray fans. Lets start with the “Jurassic Park Ultimate Blu-Ray” box set that looks to be top notch all around with online reviews giving high marks for the picture and sound for all three movies. I will withhold my opinions until I get the chance to review these over the next week but as a film lover I know the first film in the series makes this a must buy. Also, the recent summer hit “Captain America:The First Avenger” also hits store shelves and I would consider this the best of the summer superhero films. Needless to say, picture and sound are considered reference level on this release and when you throw in an excellent story and watchable characters you have another must buy. My two mini reviewers-Zac and Jake-my 2 and 6 year olds are excited about the release of this summers “Winnie the Pooh. Can’t comment much on this release except to say probably a great diversion for car viewing by the little ones in the back seat during the long drives this coming holiday season.

Quite a selection of older films make Blu-ray debuts this week as well but one that stands out is “The Conversation” from 1974 and starring Gene Hackman and directed by Francis Ford Coppola from the same year as the release of “The Godfather Part II“. Great film about one man’s paranoia and loneliness, not on par with “Taxi Driver” but with many of the same underlying issues facing the main character. The great thing about this older film is the job done on it’s picture and sound. Remastered for 1080P and at a ratio of 1.78:1, the picture is loaded with film detail never seen before on previous releases. The soundtrack on the Blu-ray includes the original mono track in glorious DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 but a new DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix as well. This looks to be another must own for film lovers.

As I said, an expensive week indeed ahead but it’s only the beginning as we start working towards the holiday shopping season.

Dave Boisvert

Netflix Now Available on Android Tablets October 23, 2011

Netflix is finally available for Android tablets and as of this weekend is ready for download at the Android Marketplace. This also means Canada and Latin America subscribers will have the ability to stream Netflix on both Android tablets and phones.

Source: Netflix Blog

Dave Boisvert

“Conan” Remake on the Way October 23, 2011

Lionsgate has just announced a November 22nd release date for the recently released “Conan the Barbarian” reboot. Expect to see both 2D and 3D versions even though only a 2D version has been announced so far.

Dave Boisvert

iPad May Actually Be Increasing Sales of Dedicated Tablet Remotes. October 23, 2011

When the iPad hit store shelves and created a mass following two years ago, I was one of many who figured it was the end to the expensive touchscreen controllers in our industry. Well, now that the dust has settled it’s beginning to look like the iPad may have actually been beneficial to our industry versus hurting it. I have more clients asking about full system control via a touchpad now then ever before thanks to the popularity of and increasing awareness of the iPad and it’s competitor tablets.

Last week industry mainstay URC showed off a 7″ capacitive-touch panel as part of the companies new Total Control lineup. Not to be outdone, Control4 also has a new touchscreen controller coming out as part of it’s whole house automation line.

I can certainly envision a future home having touchpad controllers mounted on walls that are dedicated to just the home system, seurity, cameras, music etc. Then a separate iPad type tablet for use with cruising the internet, controlling the home theater or cable box etc.. It certainly looks like there will be room for both types of tablet in a automated home.

“Pulp Fiction” Never Looked Better! October 23, 2011

Lionsgate has just reissued the Quentin Tarantino hit Pulp Fiction on a newly remastered blu-ray and the results in my system were simply stunning to say the least.
Although I’ve seen the movie more then a dozen times over the years including just last week on HD cable and laserdisc and dvd in the past, this new edition left my jaw on the floor. I will spare everyone on the actual storyline as I’m sure no one reading this is unaware of it at this point. Suffice to sat, the movie can clearly be considered a cultural phenomena at this point.
In terms of the actual picture quality, the image can literally leap off the screen at points-granted some scenes appeared better then others, but for the most part it was like watching a movie that just been released theatrically, not a movie from 1994. Black levels were deep and added a feeling of 3 dimensionality. Colors were also more vibrant then I ever remember but without seeming washed out. They also seemed more realistic and lifelike with the best fleshtones I can ever remember seeing on home video. I would go as far as saying that this is an even better presentation then the original theatrical run.
Not to be outdone, the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 audio mix is also stunning. The soundtrack is a classic anyway, but this mix made my theater room just come alive. The bass has a new found ooomph that adds a feeling of both excitement and dread that I’m sure was there before but I just don’t remember feeling/hearing it like this before.
I’m not a huge fan of extras and hardly ever delve into them but for fans of the film, this is the definitive version to own. This disc has a slew of extras and documentaries that cover virtually everything about the making and marketing of the film.
Bravo to Lionsgate! This was one of the best blu-ray releases of the year in my eyes and for a price below $15 is a must own for any film fans out there.

Read more: http://technorati.com/entertainment/film/article/pulp-fiction-is-simply-stunning-on/#ixzz1ZwoqUOXh

Welcome to Hometheaterdigest! October 22, 2011

Welcome to my new website dedicated to all things hometheater and movie related. My blogs mission statement: to provide updated news and reviews from the home theater and Blu-ray industries. I have been a custom designer of both small and elaborate home theaters in the Boston area for over fifteen years now and have decided to expand what I’ve learned and continue to learn to followers of my new site.

I hope you continue to visit my new site and in turn I promise to write honest and thoughtful posts about almost anything I find worthy from this and the film industry.

Sincerely,

Dave Boisvert