#it's either blu-ray or dvd or 4k or 4k/blu-ray but not blu-ray dvd :/

[softgrungeprophet]

real talk if anyone on here ever wants to like... buy me a DVD i will totally draw a real quick bust or whatever in exchange, i have a target wishlist registry thing and everything 😂

Like it says in the note thing on the page, DVD or DVD/Blu-Ray are both fine, regular (not 4k) Blu-Ray is probably fine since my PS4 should be able to play those, but I only have a regular-ass PS4, not a PS5, I cannot play UHD, so if something is 4K UHD please make sure it has either a DVD or a regular Blu-Ray as well...

Anyway it should be set up so you can buy stuff off my registry without me having to blast my address to the world (lol) so if you do this, send me an ask or something off anon (so I can like, contact you) (that or like, send me a message on discord if we're friends, or w/e) and I will def draw you a little drawing as thanks 👍

[stevefriel1988]

I love the box art for the older DVD releases of the 2003 TMNT show. I was disappointed that they edited the scene where Hamato Yoshi's spirit sliced Tengu Shredder in half. Some scenes in some of the episodes had a weird blurring effect. Some of these OOP box sets are a bit expensive if you're looking to get them in the best condition possible but it's totally worth it though. Turtles Forever in the Ultimate Collection box set wasn't the uncut version either sadly. At least they did release the uncut version in the UK. Nice to own my favourite TMNT show with everything intact.

I bought some of the volumes too because they had special features on them like interviews with Peter Laird. The Australian and UK releases of Vol: 6 Shredder Strikes Back had an alternate ending for the episode 'The King'.

Nice to have all of the 1987 and 2012 episodes on DVD too. I wish they did Blu-ray releases for 1987, 2003 and 2012. That Japanese OVA was a bit random lol

Even have Next Mutation in the collection despite the majority of TMNT fans hating it. I grew up with it so I have a soft spot for it lol Can't wait for the 4K release of the 1990 movie which I think is coming next year. TMNT 2014 and OOTS look good on 4K. Batman vs TMNT looks awesome on 4K too.

I wish they would do an official complete series Blu-ray release of Rise and for the movie too. The artwork on the 4K Mutant Mayhem steelbok looks cool too.

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Kaiju Week in Review (March 3-9, 2024)

Shin Ultraman took an eternity to reach home video, but Godzilla Minus One will proceed as a more reasonable pace (by Japanese standards). Toho will release roughly one billion different editions on May 1, with Amazon- and Godzilla Store-exclusive physical bonuses both on offer. Godzilla Minus One/Minus Color is included with some of the pricier versions, or you can buy it as a standalone Blu-ray or DVD.

The black-and-white version of Shin Godzilla, SHIN GODZILLA:ORTHOchromatic, also hits Japanese home video on May 1. Like Minus Color, no 4K edition, just Blu-ray and DVD. A handful of new bonus features about ORTHOchromatic are included.

As is standard for Toho, none of these releases will be English-friendly. But given the films' popularity (and the lack of any legal way to watch Minus One since it left theaters), expect bootlegs to circulate at light speed.

Unsurprisingly, Godzilla Minus One cleaned up at the Japanese Academy Awards, with eight victories out of eleven nominations: Picture of the Year, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Art Direction, and Best Lighting. That's one more than Shin Godzilla, and pretty much guarantees that the Toho Godzilla series will keep the prestige pictures coming. Strange times!

We'll see if Minus One can also capture Best Visual Effects at the American Academy Awards tonight. The Creator remains its biggest competition. The Gareth Edwards film is better-positioned by the usual metrics, with a second nomination for Best Sound and five wins at the Visual Effects Society Awards, but the enthusiasm gap for the films themselves may prove decisive. I'll be doing a much lengthier analysis during Wikizilla's Oscar stream tonight, which will start at about 6:00 PM ET, an hour before the ceremony begins.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire tickets may not be on sale yet, but Cinemark theaters have rolled out the above merch (much more efficiently than Target and Walmart have rolled out the toyline, if my local theater's any indication). I have a suspicion those plushies will be worth a mint a few years from now, small as they are; don't know about the other stuff. I bought the larger popcorn tin when I saw Dune: Part Two on Thursday. The promo image is deceptive, as the green area is transparent plastic and the Titan image is on the opposite wall of the tin, so that popcorn's either defying gravity or being held up by a hidden insert. There are Kong and Skar King variants as well, the latter revealing his height (318 feet). Poor Shimo; being the "secret" villain really narrows the amount of merch you get.

The other interesting GxK news this week (apart from the endless TV spot variants, which I'm not even trying to keep track of) is a collaboration with the American Red Cross, of all institutions. Donate blood, platelets, or AB Elite plasma from March 25 to April 7, get a free T-shirt. And for completion's sake, I'll mention the Roblox and Call of Duty cross-promos too.

Chibi Godzilla Raids Again, an unexpected delight last year, is getting a second season starting April 3. The official site revealed that Minilla is joining the cast, while those silhouettes to his right look like Titanosaurus (unjustly neglected in recent years), Gigan, and Gabara. Expect to follow the first season in being uploaded to the GODZILLA OFFICIAL by TOHO YouTube channel with English subtitles.

Here's another chance to watch Tsuburaya and Toei Animation's Kaiju Decode short, originally released in 2021. (It goes away at the end of the month, because every Japanese studio is apparently hellbent on making short films ephemeral, so download it now.) It's the basis for a recent mixed reality game for the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest Pro, hence its return to the spotlight.

UniVersus, a collectable card game predicated on pitting characters from various franchises against each other, is going all in on Godzilla after offering a couple of Minus One cards through highly convoluted means last year. They're releasing a couple of Godzilla Challenger Series (preconstructed decks) on June 21, one based around Godzilla and Mothra, the other around King Ghidorah and Rodan, with Mechagodzilla thrown into the mix for both. I've never played this game in my life, but the prospect of a shiny Godzilla card with James Stokoe art is sort of tempting.

[marciabrady]

What is Cinderella's hair color?

This is totally up to interpretation! Ilene Woods was pretty much the basis of everything when they were creating Cinderella, from her temperament to her facial structure to her coloring to her sayings to her eye placement when she smiled, and even Ilene's hair color is hard to read. She was definitely objectively blonde- she was referred to as such on radio shows and even in the press announcement that was released when she was cast as Cinderella. But in a lot of photographs, her hair appears brunette on camera- and there's a few reasons for this. First and foremost, the relatively primitive nature of cameras from that time period really couldn't capture nuances in natural tones- so unless your hair was platinum white or bleached, it would probably read brunette, and everything else would register as darker, inevitably. Plus, we're used to seeing people with bleached/colored hair these days, so what is truly considered a natural blonde- albeit dirty or a darker or just a more "natural" toned blonde- many contemporary people refer to, on a superficial lens- as brunette. So, I think Ilene was a dirty blonde, even though I've seen pictures of her later in life where she looks like a neutral blonde that is neither very light or very dark.

When it comes to Cinderella's intended/official hair color, that's also a can of worms. So, people are quick to discredit the platinum blonde Cinderella has appeared with in the 80s/90s/2000s/2010s merch and say she's a 'strawberry' blonde. They claim this is because of how she looks in the 'original' movie, but they're using the 2013 blu ray/2005 dvd master to go off of, which is even influencing current artwork of Cinderella in the Disney Princess franchise, and that master- beyond scrubbing all the linework out of the film (see screenshot below- look at how even the 1988 VHS maintains the lines in the bedding better than the 2005 and 2013 rubbery effect) also had inaccurate representations of the color relationships between elements in the film, which- again- means that you're not going to see what was intended.

The team that worked on remastering the current 4K edition of Cinderella that came out this year (which I love btw! I'm still not super pleased with certain changes BUT it's a MASSIVE, MASSIVE improvement over the 2005/2012 master that had been done in 2003 and is far more pleasing to look at and, generally, my favorite restoration Disney has officially done) said that they referenced the original cel artwork, as well as promotional materials like lobby cards to better understand what the artistic intent was...and that's tricky. Because, while they interpreted it better than remasters of the 2000s/2010s which sought to LITERALLY make the film look exactly like the raw cel art, these movies were not meant to be viewed as, I do think they still stuck too close to the cel colors. Due to the nature of technicolor, a lot of color tests had to be done so that the artists could see what the finished product would look like after it had gone through the process of being printed on film- because it was always apt to differ greatly from the artwork on cel. A good example of this is the fact that blonde hair didn't read so the artists had to color it with a green tint on the original cels (see first screenshot below) so that it'd appear blonde on camera. However, again, I think the team looked too deeply into this and now we've ended up with a master, a gorgeous one, but a faulty one that depicts Cinderella's hair as almost green in 2023 (see right screencap from 4K remaster)

When it comes to lobby cards, they're not going to be accurate either. I've seen lobby cards that were released in 1959 that depict Aurora as a brunette, blonde, and redhead, and they even change the color of her peasant dress to green, blue, pink- anything you can think of. And Cinderella's hair differs greatly in the lobby cards from the 50s themselves

The funny thing is, it really seems to be decade dependent. I actually have access to a 1973 print and I think that's what the basis for the 2005/2013 master was, because the colors are very similar to that strawberry blonde and even the hues of the hallway in the chateau look nearly identical to the 2005/2013, and we never seen those colors again outside of those two masters. It's so odd it premiered in the 70s, that specific master, because in that decade, and in the 60s, they marketed Cinderella more as a brunette and gave Aurora the blonde title (which was reversed in the 2000s, where they almost made Aurora a light brunette and made Cinderella platinum beyond belief):

You can even see Disney's confusion at what her hair is supposed to be; in the sequel, they gave Cinderella the platinum hair of the marketing at the time, but in the third movie, they tried to be more 'faithful' and cinematic and went off of the current, faulty, master of the time...which resulted in an unappealing turnout, imo? Like her skin and hair shouldn't be that close, color relationship wise, on film? (again, merch is always a different color)

Also in House of Mouse, which is generally accurate with a lot, they make Pete put a red wig on when he's in Cinderella garb, indicating they thought that was the color of her hair at that point:

Also, I feel like she's not supposed to be a true redhead or lean as close to strawberry blonde or people say she is? Again, cels shouldn't be viewed strictly for the color themselves, but if we observe the color relationship between her hair and that of Anastasia's- who is a true redhead- there's a huge difference:

There are also a few production notes that we do have that can help a little. We know Cinderella's Prince was made to have much darker hair to contrast hers, so they could be visually striking with one another, again leading us to the conclusion that she does have light hair (which kinda dodges the 60s/70s artwork where she's a dusty brunette). We also know that Disney tried to make the Prince in Snow White sandyhaired, but it came across on camera as dark brown and didn't provide that much of a contrast to Snow White, which they were able to capture more successfully in books of that era, all through even the 80s/90s. I, personally, really love this book especially and I find the colors of everything- the interiors, Cinderella, her dress, etc- ring true to me, personally:

And this color can be seen anywhere as brunette to some, to sandy, to blonde, to dirty blonde, to slightly red- and that's how I think Cinderella's hair is. I think she's a warm level 7, if we're going by a professional hair chart, and it's like a russet blonde color? Hints of red that could make someone see her as a redhead, or just a blonde, or to some who view blondes as solely being platinum, she'd almost even appear as a brunette. That being said, Aurora is definitely a blonde and in the current master we have, her skin appears pink/red and her hair looks greenish, so if anyone who's working on the future 4K master of Sleeping Beauty could fix that, it would be greatly appreciated!!

[hollywoodoutbreak]

When the original Jumanji film was made in 1995, CGI was still in its infancy, so a lot of the movie's dangerous jungle beasts were "real" -- either animatronic devices or lifelike models controlled by actors or crew members. That made life on the set very interesting for the movie's star, the late Robin Williams. When we spoke to Williams at the time the film opened, he talked to us -- in his usual, inimitable rapid-fire comedy way -- about how he kept his composure while working with the realistic-looking animals.

Jumanji is currently streaming on Netflix and available on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, and most digital platforms.

[mariocki]

hi! apologies for the long ask but i read your tags on that post about physical media and i thought you might like to know my experience with 4ks versus my experience with other physical media

i''ve seen that post about all 4k discs requiring access to the internet to work before and i've never encountered that, i have a decent collection of 4k discs both from boutique distributors and mass releases from regular stores at the mall. i play them on a 4k player that has never been connected to the internet in any way, only plugged into a power outlet and my dumb tv which is not connected to the internet in any way either, and they all work perfectly.

the only time i've ever been denied access to a disc was when i put a regular blu ray in a ps4 that had never been connected to the internet and it said i had to connect to enable bluray playing (it plays games offline fine so i thought this was weird). i said fuck that and put the same disc in my blu ray player and it worked fine.

i've never connected any of my disc-playing machines to the internet in any way and the only one that has ever shown limitations like that is my ps4 (it can't play some newer games or download things or upload stats etc but who cares lol i just use it to play older games as they are). my regular blu rays and my 4ks play perfectly in their respective completely offline players. maybe it's an issue with PS5s? i've never had one but i know they can play 4ks (unlike the ps4), and maybe they exhibit similar limitations when it comes to playing movie discs vs games?

i love my regular blus, and have a lot more of them than 4ks, so i'm not one of those people that think upgrading is necessary, but i've had a lot of fun getting into 4k so far and they can look incredible if they're done with care (there's heaps of enthusiasts on youtube that scope out releases and let you know which ones make the most of the format and are worth spending money on)

so if you're curious about 4ks, don't be discouraged by the idea you can never "own" one in the way you can with standard bluray, because like i said, i buy them regularly from multiple sources and watch them all 100% offline and have never once encountered this problem so it's definitely not a format-wide issue at all.

Ooh OK, thank you! Truly appreciate the input.

Tbh I don't see myself getting into 4k personally, but that's mostly bc I already have a too big blu ray collection and my bf would kill me

Plus the backbone of my collection is shitty Italian horror films from the 70s, and I'm not convinced they really require the upgrade. I have one 4K disc, from a dual format set, of Ark of the Sun God, a film that probably looks at its best on battered VHS. That being said, I've no prudish notions or anything about the format and fully appreciate what it can potentially do for, yknow, genuinely beautiful films. Eh, maybe one day. I swore off blu ray at first... come to that, I swore off DVD initially too!

[kylesvariouslistsandstuff]

Truly the end of an era... Isn't it?

According to The Digital Bits, the home entertainment division of Disney will essentially be closing up shop... After over 40 years of existence. While Disney had provided some forms of home media in the 1970s, such as 8 and 16mm film reels and videodisc releases through a deal with MCA DiscoVision, Walt Disney Home Video - as it was known back then - was established in 1980 and through several decades transformed the home media market in many ways.

Not like one of my little special interests is... Collecting the historic and vintage '80s and '90s releases of some of their movies...

So this hits kind of hard for me...

But, the possible upside is... You're likely still going to see Disney films - old and new, mainline Disney and 20th Century Studios and everything else that they own - come to physical media in the future. They have allocated all home video duties to Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, per a huge deal. And as Bill Hunt notes in his article, given what Disney's home media division has become over the past decade... A shell of its former self and a poorly-managed nightmare... Maybe this will mean good news for releases going forward.

Maybe better care will be put into certain titles that have been lacking and rushed as of late, maybe films that have been collecting dust will finally debut on disc (looking at THE EMPTY MAN, BARBARIAN, SEE HOW THEY RUN, and ALL OF US STRANGERS as recent examples, to say nothing of several classic titles), who the heck knows. But what's dunderheaded to me is the pending shuttering of the Disney Movie Club, which could still be used as a fantastic outlet for releasing these movies on disc... Because we just saw Best Buy completely give up on physical media, and many other stores aren't really pulling the weight, either. You go to the Blu-ray/4K/DVD section of a Walmart or Target, and it's honestly kinda depressing in a way...

Now unless Disney starts up a new online shop of sorts, not dissimilar to say the Warner Archive, this would be moot. Although all of those memberships and perks, mine included (I've been a DMC member since 2010), won't mean anything anymore.

This is all developing news, and this could all go either way. I certainly hope we get other movies on disc that haven't been released to any of the more recent formats, and with good additional stuff as well, but we shall see. Physical media is in a weird place right now, where companies are convinced that people no longer want it (like companies usually do), but people have shown that they do want it... There should be a way, because the digital and streaming world only gets you so far, and the streaming bubble has really burst recently. Plenty of ramifications aaaaaall around.

It's just kinda bizarre to think that Disney, who had done so much with home media formats in the '80s, '90s, and '00s, has significantly left it. The idea of them leaving all operations to Sony, or any other company, it just hits different...

But if this means better things for the films going forward, then maybe this is for the best...

[ryukang1995]

The full behind the scenes look at Mortal Kombat (1995) that aired on TNT prior to the film's theatrical release.

This is a great special, and it further frustrates me that this movie never got the special edition treatment, when it came to the DVD and Blu-ray releases.

You'd think that this movie would have gotten a New Line Platinum Series DVD at least when Deadly Alliance was coming out back in 2002, but there was nothing along those lines.

And the Blu-ray that Warner Bros. put out was not much better. Sure, it had better quality, but it was still lacking in special features (other than The Journey Begins as a feature, which was trash).

I would LOVE for this movie to get either the 4K treatment from Warner Bros. or even a collector's edition from Shout Factory, but who knows if either will truly happen or not?

A real shame as I feel this would make an excellent special feature. Enjoy.

[aflawedfashion]

You make such beautiful gifs, the quality and coloring are simply wonderful.... I'm slowly getting into making gifs myself but I'm really struggling since my results come out looking muddy/low quality whenever I upload them (for example, uploading on twitter) .

And so I was wondering if you were ever up to making a tutorial on what your process is to get the results that you get.

Thank you for sharing your work with us, always a pleasure to see.

Thank you! Happy you like my gifs!

Learning to gif is a journey, and most people's first gifs don't turn out as nice as they want them to, so you're not alone. There's a lot of trial and error involved.

As for tutorials, I follow the same steps as most of the gif tutorials you'll find on tumblr. If you're not using Photoshop to make your gifs, you might want to try it. I'd recommend just finding a tutorial on how to make gifs in Photoshop on tumblr and working from that. Aside from one caveat, which I'll get to later, I don't have much to add about the gif making process that hasn't already been said.

The requirements for Twitter are a bit different than Tumblr as Twitter processes gifs differently than tumblr (and Twitter is worse). I don't make twitter gifs very frequently, so I can't give you the best advice for that. What I can say is that you'll need your gifs to be large enough for Twitter. You'll want to look up the optimal size for gifs on twitter because the last time I posted gifs to Twitter, the optimal size was larger than Tumblr. Once you figure this out, you should be able to make pretty good gifs for Twitter.

In terms of general gif making, for best results you should use HD files. This is going to be key. You want to use either 1080p or 4k, and in my experience, 4k doesn't significantly improve gifs unless you want to zoom in, in which case the extra resolution of a 4k file helps a lot. I use 1080p unless I want to zoom in.

You also want to make sure the file you download isn't overly compressed because overly compressed video is much more difficult to brighten and color. If you're looking to download an episode of a tv show, you may find a few different files. I usually go for the largest 1080p version because that will give me the best quality. The smaller 1080p files are noticeably worse quality than the larger 1080p files. They both say 1080p, but they are not the same - that smaller file size came with sacrifices. Ripping straight off a blu ray will usually give you great results, but the files can be very large.

Now on to the one thing I do differently than what you'll see in a lot of gif tutorials - I don't sharpen in Photoshop. I use Topaz Video AI. This is a resource-intensive program, and I run it on an expensive laptop which allows it to run quickly. It's not going to run well on everyone's computer, so if you're working with 1080p files, it's absolutely not necessary. I use it a lot because I like it, but sharpening in photoshop will be fine if you're gifing an HD file.

If you're working with standard definition content, Topaz Video AI makes a world of difference. If you're asking me about my gifs because you saw my Scrubs gifs, then, unfortunately, Topaz Video AI is the secret to how they're much higher quality than anything you'd make from the SD/DVD files that are available.

I do know that a lot of people have used Topaz Video AI (or a similar program) to upscale many older series, so if you're looking to gif a standard definition series, someone out there may have already done the work for you. For example, I know you can find upscaled Xena episodes pretty easily these days, which was not the case when I first started using topaz to make my gifs.

And if you can't find an HD file, you just have to make the best with what you have. Sometimes that's the only option.

Hope this is helpful!

[demifiendrsa]

New 4K scans of James Cameron's The Abyss, True Lies, and Aliens will be available on digital on December 12, 2023, and on 4K Ultra HD combo pack on March 12, 2024.

With the exception of Aliens, every release will have never-before-seen behind-the-scenes content as well. Both the theatrical and special editions of The Abyss and Aliens will be included on both 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray.

Press release

ABOUT THE ABYSS

In this underwater sci-fi adventure written and directed by James Cameron, a nuclear sub mysteriously sinks and a private oil rig crew, led by foreman Bud Brigman (Ed Harris), is recruited to join a team of Navy SEALs on a search and rescue effort. The group soon finds themselves on a spectacular life-and-death odyssey 25,000 feet below the ocean’s surface, where they find a mysterious force that could either change the world—or destroy it. The Abyss also stars Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio and Michael Biehn.

Street Date

Digital: December 12, 2023

Physical: March 12, 2024

Product SKUs

Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD

Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Code)

Theatrical Version Run Time: Approx. 145 Minutes

Special Edition Run Time: Approx. 171 minutes

Rating: U.S. Rated PG-13

Aspect Ratio

Digital: 2:39:1

Physical: 2.39:1

Disc Size

4K UHD: 100GB

Blu-ray: 50GB

U.S. Audio

Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio (some platforms)

4K UHD Theatrical Version & Special Edition: English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 DTS-HDHR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Blu-ray Theatrical Version & Special Edition: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 DTS-HDHR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

U.S. Subtitles

Digital: English SDH, Spanish, French (some platforms)

Physical: English SDH, Spanish, French

BONUS FEATURES (NEW):

Deep Dive: A Conversation with James Cameron – An exclusive new sit-down with James Cameron as he revisits the origin of the project and addresses some of the myths behind the production.

The Legacy of The Abyss – Discover the lasting legacy of The Abyss with stories from James Cameron and the crew about how and why the film continues to have an impact on filmmaking today.

ADDITIONAL BONUS:

Under Pressure: Making The Abyss – The original documentary about the infamous production of The Abyss, with candid commentary by the actors and crew.

Archives

**Deepcore Timelapse – Watch this production timelapse of the Deepcore set being created.

**Videomatics Montage – Watch a montage of behind-the-scenes production videomatics.

**Montana Bridge Flooding – See behind-the-scenes footage of the Montana bridge flooding.

**Engine Room Flooding – See behind-the-scenes footage of the engine room flooding.

**Surface Shoot Montage – Watch a behind-the-scenes montage of the surface shoot.

**Crane Crash Shoot – Check out behind-the-scenes footage of the crane crashing sequence.

**Visual Effects Reel – Watch a reel of visual effects progressions to see how they were developed for the film.

**Miniature Rear-Projection – Watch behind-the-scenes footage of how production used rear-projection techniques on miniatures.

Motion Control Timelapse – Watch this production timelapse of the motion control technology being used.

**Teaser Trailer

**Main Trailer

**Reviews Trailer

**Still Gallery – Presented here are extras as they appeared in the “Imaging Station" on the Special Edition DVD release of The Abyss, along with the trailers. Since their original presentation has been preserved, resolution and clarity will vary from element to element.

ABOUT TRUE LIES

Writer-director James Cameron creates an exhilarating mix of non-stop action-adventure and romantic comedy. Secret agent Harry Tasker is a top spy in the ultra-secret Omega Sector—although to his wife Helen, he’s just a dull computer salesman. But while Harry’s been busy saving the world, Helen’s been gathering secrets of her own. When their two lives unexpectedly collide, Harry and Helen find themselves in the clutches of international terrorists, fighting to save not only their marriage, but also the world. True Lies stars Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Arnold and Bill Paxton.

Street Date

Digital: December 12, 2023

Physical: March 12, 2024

Product SKUs

Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD

Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Code)

Feature Run Time: Approx. 141 minutes

Rating: U.S. Rated PG-13

Aspect Ratio

Digital: 2.39:1

Physical: 2.39:1

Disc Size

4K UHD: 100GB

Blu-ray: 50GB

U.S. Audio

Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio (some platforms)

4K UHD: English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital AD, French 5.1 DTS-HDHR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Blu-ray: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital AD, French 5.1 DTS-HDHR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

U.S. Subtitles

Digital: English SDH, Spanish

Physical: English SDH, Spanish, French

BONUS FEATURES (NEW):

Fear Is Not an Option: A Look Back at True Lies – Unveil the explosive behind-the-scenes secrets of True Lies with the cast and crew as they share untold tales of daring stunts, cutting-edge technology, and the comedic genius that brought this spy-thriller to life.

Archives: Script, Artwork, Marketing – Dive into the production secrets of True Lies with these exclusive behind-the-scenes documents and more.

ADDITIONAL BONUS:

Theatrical Trailer

ABOUT ALIENS

The terror continues in this chilling, critically acclaimed sequel written and directed by James Cameron. Ripley, the sole survivor of the space tug Nostromo’s deadly encounter with the monstrous Alien, is found after drifting through space in hypersleep for 57 years. She agrees to accompany a team of Colonial Marines back to LV-426—and this time it’s war. Aliens stars Sigourney Weaver, Michael Biehn, Carrie Henn and Paul Reiser.

Street Date

Digital: December 12, 2023

Physical: March 12, 2024

Product SKUs

Digital: 4K UHD, HD, SD

Physical: 4K Ultra HD Combo Pack (4K UHD + Blu-ray + Digital Code)

Theatrical Version Run Time: Approx. 137 minutes

Special Edition Run Time: Approx. 154 minutes

Rating: U.S. Rated R

Aspect Ratio

Digital: 1.85:1

Physical: 1.85:1

Disc Size

4K UHD: 100GB

Blu-ray: 50GB

U.S. Audio

Digital: English Dolby Atmos (UHD only, some platforms), English 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, Spanish 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, French 5.1 & 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio (some platforms)

4K UHD Theatrical Version and Special Edition: English Dolby Atmos, English 2.0 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 DTS-HDHR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

Blu-ray Theatrical Version and Special Edition: English 5.1 DTS-HDMA, English 2.0 Dolby Digital, English 2.0 Dolby Digital Descriptive Audio, French 5.1 DTS-HDHR, Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital

U.S. Subtitles

Digital: English SDH, Spanish

Physical: English SDH, Spanish, French

BONUS FEATURES

James Cameron Introduction – A message from writer/director James Cameron introducing the Special Edition version of the film.

2003 Audio Commentary by James Cameron and the Cast and Crew-Special Edition – 1990 Special Edition Commentary by James Cameron and the cast and crew.

The Inspiration and Design of Aliens – For the 30th anniversary, writer/director James Cameron reveals new insight into his own inspiration and the design elements for Aliens.

2003 Audio Commentary by James Cameron and the Cast and Crew – 1986 Theatrical Version Commentary by James Cameron and the cast and crew.

Isolated Scores

**Final Theatrical Isolated Score – This isolated track presents, as accurately as possible, James Horner’s music score in its final form following extensive reworking during the post-production process.

**Composer’s Original Isolated Score – Although there are a few instances where the length of individual sequences was changed slightly after the music was recorded, this isolated score track presents, as accurately as possible, James Horner’s original intentions.

Superior Firepower: Making Aliens – Immerse yourself in the world of Aliens with 11 fully-loaded featurettes that deconstruct all that went into making this sci-fi thriller, from casting to creature design to post-production and everything in between.

**57 Years Later: Continuing the Story

**Building Better Worlds: From Concept to Construction

**Preparing for Battle: Casting and Characterization

**This Time It’s War: Pinewood Studios, 1985

**The Risk Always Lives: Weapons and Action

**Bug Hunt: Creature Design

**Two Orphans: Sigourney Weaver and Carrie Henn

**Beauty and the Bitch: Power Loader vs. Queen Alien

**The Final Countdown: Music, Editing and Sound

**The Power of Real Tech: Visual Effects

**Aliens Unleashed: Reaction to the Film

Superior Firepower: Making Aliens Enhancement Pods – Supplemental video pieces to complement Superior Firepower: Making Aliens.Without Sigourney Weaver

**Origins of Acheron

**Building Hadley’s Hope

**Cameron’s Design Philosophy

**Finding an Unused Power Plant

**Cameron’s Military Interests

**Working with Sigourney Weaver

**The Importance of Being Bishop

**Paul Reiser on Carter Burke

**The Paxton/Cameron Connection

**Becoming Vasquez

**On Set: Infiltrating the Colony

**Props: Personal Light Unit

**Simon Atherton Talks Weapons

**Praising Stan Winston

**Test Footage: Chestburster

**Fighting the Facehugger

**Test Footage: Facehugger

**Stan Winston’s Challenge

**Test Footage: Queen Alien

**Stan Winston’s Legacy

**Cameron’s Cutting Edge

**Sigourney Weaver’s Triumph

**Re-Enlisting with Cameron

**From Producer to Stunt Double

Pre-Visualizations: Multi-Angle Videomatics

**Angle 1: Videomatic

**Angle 2: Videomatic/Final Shot Comparison

**Audio Commentary by Miniature Effects Supervisor Pat McClung

Direct Access to New/Additional Scenes From Special Edition

**Ripley’s Daughter – Burke informs Ripley that her daughter died two years ago.

**Van Leuwen’s Verdict – Van Leuwen reads the findings of the court of inquiry.

**The Colony/The Jordens’ Discovery – The colony is bustling with life and activity. Newt, along with her brother and parents, come upon the Derelict ship.

**Burke’s Answer – At Ripley’s apartment, Burke explains why he’s making the trip to LV-426.

**INT. Sulaco – Establishing shots of the interior of the Sulaco before the crew awakens from hyper-sleep.

**Hudson’s Hubris – As they descend in the drop ship to LV-426, Hudson boasts about their advanced weaponry.

**False Alarm – Hudson and Vasquez detect motion in the colony, only to find it is pet hamsters.

**Ripley Pauses – As she enters the colony, Ripley hesitates for a moment.

**The Sentry Guns – Hicks reveals they have robot sentry systems. While examining the colony blueprints, Ripley and Hicks discuss where to place the robot sentries.

**Fire in the Hole – Hudson and Vasquez set up the UA 571-C remote sentry weapons and following a quick test, seal the tunnel.

**Last Line of Defense – The Sentry Guns dutifully scan the tunnel for incoming targets.

**Newt’s Questions – Newt quizzes Ripley about the fate of her parents.

**Hudson’s “Ant” Theory – Hudson speculates on how the Aliens are organized and reproduce.

**The Aliens Attack – The Sentry Guns unload on multiple targets.

**The Aliens Retreat – Under withering fire from the sentries, the Aliens are temporarily repulsed.

**First Name Basis – As Ripley departs the drop ship to try and rescue Newt, she and Hicks share their first names with each other.

Deleted Scene: Burke Cocooned – Long one of the most sought-after lost moments from the entire Alien Anthology, this scene depicting Carter Burke’s fate is now revealed.

Deleted Scene Montage – This collection of scene extensions and omitted moments represents the remainder of deleted scenes not appearing in either the Theatrical Version or the Special Edition.

Still Galleries and More

**Original Treatment by James Cameron

**Storyboard Archive

**The Art of Aliens

**Cast Portrait Gallery

**Production Image Galleries

**Continuity Polaroids

**Weapons and Vehicles

**Stan Winston’s Workshop

**Colonial Marine Helmet Cameras

**Video Graphics Gallery

**Weyland-Yutani Inquest: Nostromo Dossiers

Post-Production Aftermath

**Image Galleries

**Laserdisc Archives

**Main Title Exploration

**Teaser Trailer

**Theatrical Trailer

**Domestic Trailer

**International Trailer

[anotheruserwithnoname]

Wishful thinking

It's no secret that the powers that be are moving away from allowing us to keep copies of TV shows and movies on our bookshelves. While of course there are still many TV shows and movies being released to DVD, Blu-ray and 4K, these days - especially if a series is made for streaming - it's getting rarer to get a permanent media release.

Which is sad for collectors of certain performers or TV shows. For example, the first two seasons of The Orville, which aired on Fox, are available on disc. Season 3, which aired on streaming service Hulu, is unlikely to get the same treatment; with it likely being that show's final season, that means people who want discs of the whole series pretty much need to bootleg their own.

Of course there are exceptions. The current generation of Star Trek series, despite being made for streaming, are still reliably getting disc release (even the cancelled Prodigy).

And in some parts of the world, you will still see even streaming shows released. Jenna Coleman's The Serpent got a DVD issue in the UK because it aired on the BBC. Here in North America, where it was on Netflix, no release is expected. The Cry was out on DVD in the UK within a couple weeks of its BBC broadcast; in North America it was streamed so we had to wait more than a year.

So I don't have a lot of hope at seeing Wilderness getting a release on DVD or Blu-ray (despite a recent article about deleted scenes teasing of them maybe appearing on a DVD). Likewise, with the confirmation that Klokkenluider is going to streaming in North America, and strong hints Jackdaw will likely do the same, I don't really have an expectation of finding either film in my local Walmart (unlike Victoria, Me Before You, Doctor Who and even The Cry).

BUT, then came the news that, despite being a Netflix series, The Sandman Season 1 is scheduled for DVD release next month. And then, just a few days ago, I was in a DVD shop and saw a set (a steelbook, yet) for Marvel's Loki Season 1 - the first time I've seen a Disney+ series on disc. (I have since learned that some of the Disney+ Star Wars spinoff series like Andor and Mandalorian are also getting disc release)

So I guess never say never. Though I have no illusion that Wilderness is at all on the same level as a TV show based on a famous comic book and what is arguably the most popular TV series to date based on the MCU, and, well, Star Wars, the fact permanent releases for streaming have not been completely abandoned has given me a little hope that one day the Jenna Coleman Library (except for Room at the Top; we don't talk about Room at the Top LOL) might one day be complete.

[fishmech]

absolutely deranged how people keep reccomending DVDs for "preservation". girl it's obsolete as hell. if you want a poor quality 480p encode so badly watch a bad pirate copy or an old YouTube upload.

like please love yourself and watch stuff on blu-ray at least, uhd blu-ray if it's something that has 4k release natively.

even standard definition TV shot on video and low end movies originally shot for VHS look better on blu-ray because you get newer and better encoding than DVD supports natively - as well as having more room for special features and alternate audio tracks and all those other features streaming often removes!

and of course HD era TV, nearly all movies, and those TV shows that were shot on good quality film stock benefit greatly from the full HD support of regular Blu-ray - and many even benefit from the 4k ability of uhd blu-ray. Classic stuff like the original Twilight Zone all the way up to that show that came out 4 years ago and suddenly got pulled from streaming.

It's not like it's hard or super expensive to get players either. Someone's old PS3 or PS4 or Xbox One will play all regular Blu-ray discs fine. The Xbox One S (also old, typically cheap now) and Xbox One X as well as the new PS5 (with optical drive) and Xbox Series X will play the UHD Blu-ray discs too.

And standalone plain Blu ray players can be had brand new for 50 to 70 bucks, even less used. Standalone UHD Blu ray players usually cost like 150 to 200 bucks new so it's better to look for used or pick up a used Xbox one s or x for similar prices. Either way, you almost always get a better video and audio quality out of the discs than any mainstream streamer will offer!

If you'd prefer to get a drive for your computer, you can get good quality Blu ray usb drives for around 40 to 50 bucks new, and the ones that support uhd blu-ray are now down to about $120. And of course all this stuff can still read DVDs and cds and usually handle the weird variants like early 90s Video CD or Super Video CD as well.

Honestly if we allow our ideas of preservation and physical copies to be restricted to cds and DVDs we are screwing up that preservation. Aside from nearly a quarter century of home media intended for HD display, we have all the vast amounts of media before that which benefit from their digital representation being brought up to Blu ray or uhd Blu ray standards, hell even HD-DVD was a step up. It's not just about watching it, it's about having widely distributed sources to reuse it, to cite from it, to bring it into future works where we can examine history!

[joshhhhhhhhhhhhhhh]

gonna talk about physical releases of Sonic media because having bought the 4K blu-rays for the 2 movies a few days ago I felt like researching what was available and planning what to buy because I want to own it ALL

AoStH is nice and easy because it has a like modern release with literally everything on it so like the pilot episode and Christmas special are included, and it’s all on blu-ray too and has actually nice cover art which from my research is not a guarantee at all lmao. So yeah this is on my like Amazon wishlist. It’s region locked to the USA and I’m in Scotland but whatever I don’t really care lol.

Sonic Boom meanwhile has this cool steelbook blu-ray, which isn’t region locked too which is a neat bonus even if I want it mostly to have instead of specifically to watch, but nice to know all the same. Really big fan of the boxart here too it looks dope. And yeah it has everything which is like, the main prerequisite I care about lol.

Sonic X wise I’m waiting for this. There’s actually a basically identical modern blu-ray release by the same company but it’s dub only and in the case of Sonic X I’d want to go original language because yeah. Plus from the description this one should also have better video so. And also the boxart is cooler. So this is another wait for it to release and then like, yeah. Neat.

And from here! It goes to shit.

It appears that the only complete home release SatAM has is this DVD release from 2007, featuring cover art from Ken Penders in what is tbf one of his better pieces. It’s an okay release I’m sure! But apparently it lists the episodes in a different order than they broadcasted in and has a couple bugs somehow. That and in being from 2007 I don’t think I’d be getting a new copy possibly either. And while DVD is fine for a show that’s like from the 90s anyway it’s still ehhhhhh. I’d definitely put off buying this until I’ve got the above 3 at least, and hope that within that time SatAM should miraculously get a new release. Considering the 3 we just spoke about I want to be optimistic at least.

Underground seems almost more tragic than SatAM with fortunately 2 complete series releases in the UK! But they both have shit box art and appear to have cardboard sleeves that are like badly deteroriated from just how old and preowened these are. And DVD too. Really not optimistic about the currently available Underground releases. This is another case where I’d really want to hope that it can get a new blu-ray release or something for the same justifications as before but like. Hard to be confident there lol.

in terms of the OVA it seems like this DVD release from 1999 is the best we’re gonna get lol. The cover’s okay and even in DVD quality the OVA looks pretty damn good - and in just being 50 minutes instead of trying to cram entire TV shows on DVD I’m pretty confident the quality would be fine too. But like you know I want blu-rays! I do not expect this to get newly licensed (especially with the confusion of Paramount’s Sonic movies) but imagine if it did! I want that. tbh even in this state it’s higher in my priority list than SatAM and Underground, mostly because I really do think this is literally the best we’ll ever get, and also I enjoy the OVA more anyway.

As for the stragglers. Sonic movie 3 will inevitably get a 4K blu-ray release like the first 2 movies did, and I’ll be happy to buy that in uhhh 2025 lmao. Sonic Prime is only a few days away from dropping on Netflix, and I am. Not sure how confident I should be in that getting a home release ever. I know those types of rights things are very annoying and Netflix aren’t great for home video releases and I imagine that might be even more the case for an animated series aimed at kids too. But in an ideal world it gets a physical release on like blu-ray and shit. And there’s the live action Knuckles series for Paramount Plus that we’ve really not learned anything about yet lol. Part of me wants to assume that that’d be more likely to get a physical release but I don’t actually know enough about how Paramount operates to really comment. But like, praying.

Anyway that’s the post lol.

[avtechnologysworld]

Understanding the Basics: AV Receiver Connection Diagram Explained

An AV (audio/video) receiver is a must-have device for enjoying high-quality home theater experiences. It acts as the central hub, connecting all your sources like Blu-ray players, streaming devices, gaming consoles and more to your speakers and display. However, setting up all the necessary connections can seem daunting if you're not familiar with how an AV receiver works. In this blog post, we will explain the basics of an AV receiver connection diagram to help you get started building your custom av rack.

Introduction

In this section, we will provide a brief introduction to AV receivers and why understanding connection diagrams is important. Proper planning and cable management will result in a smoother setup process.

What is an AV Receiver?

An AV receiver is an electronic device that receives audio and video signals from various sources and processes them while also amplifying audio to drive multiple speakers. Modern AV receivers typically have 5-9 channels of built-in amplification to power surround sound home theater systems with front left/right speakers, center channel, surround speakers and subwoofer. They allow you to seamlessly switch between multiple input devices and provide surround sound processing based on the content.

Why Connection Diagrams are Important

Connection diagrams serve as a visual guide to show the ins and outs of an AV receiver. They illustrate what type of cables are needed to connect each component in a home theater setup. Taking time to understand a receiver's connection diagram beforehand makes the physical installation process much simpler. It ensures you have the correct cables and helps avoid common connection mistakes that could negatively impact audio/video quality or functionality. Well-planned cabling is also important for aesthetics and ensuring good airflow in a custom av rack.

Connecting Audio Devices

This section covers the basic audio connections between an AV receiver and source components or speakers.

Connecting Disc Players

Most Blu-ray and DVD players connect to an AV receiver using an optical or coaxial digital audio cable for pristine sound. These cable types transmit compressed digital audio signals. Connect the output on the disc player (such as optical/coaxial digital out) to a corresponding input on the receiver (optical/coaxial digital in).

Connecting Streaming Devices

For streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku or gaming consoles, an HDMI cable is preferable. It transmits high-quality surround sound formats as well as video through a single cable. Make sure to connect the HDMI output of the streaming device to a free HDMI input on the receiver.

Connecting Speakers

Standard speaker wire connects receivers to speakers. Strip back some insulation and attach the bare copper ends securely to the receiver's binding posts and speakers. The receiver amplifies and distributes audio to the different channels. Ensure speaker wire polarity (black/red) matches on both ends for best performance. Bi-wire/bi-amp compatible speakers use thicker gauge wire.

Connecting Video Sources

Here we'll explain how to connect video sources like cable/satellite boxes and Blu-ray players to an AV receiver.

Connecting Set Top Boxes

Most cable/satellite receivers connect to TVs using HDMI. To retain surround sound, connect an additional HDMI cable from the set top box to an HDMI input on the AV receiver. Then run another HDMI cable from the receiver's HDMI output to the TV. This passes both audio and video through the receiver.

Connecting Disc Players

Blu-ray and 4K Blu-ray players can be connected to receivers in two ways for video. You can either connect the player directly to the TV using HDMI, and use a separate optical/coaxial digital audio cable from the player to the receiver. Or, connect an HDMI cable from the player to a receiver HDMI input which then passes video to the TV through an HDMI output cable. For 4K HDR compatibility, use HDMI throughout this connection.

Connecting the Display (TV)

Finally, use an HDMI cable to connect the receiver's HDMI output directly to the TV's HDMI input. This passes along processed audio and video from all connected sources. Make sure HDMI ports on devices and TV support needed formats like 4K/HDR.

Other Connections

A few additional connections complete the basic AV receiver setup:

Connect the receiver's FM/AM antenna inputs to the corresponding outdoor/indoor antenna for tuner functions.

Connect the subwoofer using speaker wire or line-level input if active.

Connect the receiver to your home network using an Ethernet cable for accessing music streaming services. Some receivers also support Wi-Fi.

If applicable, connect trigger cables from source devices to automate system control.

Conclusion

Understanding an AV receiver's connection diagram is key to properly configuring your home theater. Taking time to learn each connection type and plan your cabling ensures a smooth setup process. With the basics covered in this guide, you can now start wiring up sources and speakers in your custom av rack. Happy listening!

[hollywoodoutbreak]

ie-hard fans of the Hellboy movies know all too well that it was supposed to be a trilogy. Yet, after plenty of rumors and false starts following 2008’s Hellboy 2, the third movie still hasn’t gotten off the ground. (There was an attempt at rebooting the franchise with a movie in 2019, but it wasn’t received well by either the Hellboy fan base or the general public, with underwhelming reviews and a box office gross of less than $22 million in America.) Even though Hellboy’s star, Ron Perlman, is now in his mid-70s, he’s still expressed an interest in completing the trilogy — if he’s physically able. During a Q&A session at GalaxyCon Raleigh, though, he took a question that posed an interesting compromise: Make the third movie as an animated feature, which would give him the opportunity to provide the character’s voice without the role’s physical demands. So, what did Perlman think about the idea? 

Hellboy and Hellboy  are available on DVD, Blu-Ray, 4K, and most digital platforms.

[gemtvusa]

Samsung S95C vs Sony A95L vs LG G3: The Best 2023 QD-OLED TVs

Samsung S95C vs. Sony A95L vs. LG G3 OLED: A Close Competition Let's take a look Samsung S95C vs Sony A95L vs LG G3 Review:The OLED TV arena showcases three outstanding competitors: LG's G3 OLED, Sony's A95L, and Samsung's S95C OLED. Each delivers top-tier performance, with the S95C perhaps marginally outshining the rest. LG's G3 OLED, in particular, impresses with its brightness, reaching higher peaks in HDR compared to the S95C and excelling in SDR, especially when the screen is dominated by vivid content. However, it's worth noting the G3's dip in HDR brightness in Game Mode, a contrast to the S95C's steady brilliance. Outside of gaming, while the G3 is luminous, the S95C, in Samsung's trademark fashion, radiates bolder colors, rendering it the more vivid option for most viewers. Gamers are in for a treat with both, but the S95C's 4k @ 144Hz support offers a slight advantage over the G3's 120Hz. Audio enthusiasts should be aware that the LG G3 OLED has embraced DTS audio formats, a boon for those passionate about DVDs or Blu-rays often encoded in DTS. Shifting to Sony, their Bravia XR A95L OLED TV showcases Sony's ambitious strides in the QD-OLED domain. Remember, these innovative panels merge the brilliance of quantum dots with OLED to elevate the viewing experience. While its predecessor, the Sony Bravia XR A95K OLED TV, set a high bar, the 2023 A95L model ventures even further. Aimed at giving stiff competition to Samsung and LG's offerings, it brings enhanced brightness, a grander 77-inch variant, and the much-anticipated dedicated gaming interface. Additionally, the A95K is equipped with the Bravia Cam, a versatile webcam adept at tweaking picture and sound based on viewer placement, among its other impressive utilities. Having had the opportunity to experience the Sony Bravia XR A95L OLED TV firsthand, I'm eager to share my initial thoughts on its aesthetics, capabilities, novel attributes, and more, especially as it vies for the top TV spot this year. Samsung S95C vs Sony A95L vs LG G3 Specifications Sony A95LLG G3Samsung S95CScreen size55'' to 77''55'' to 77''55'' to 83''Resolution4K (3840 x 2160)4K (3840 x 2160)4K (3840 x 2160)HDRDolby Vision, HDR10, HLGQuantum HDR OLED+Dolby Vision, HDR10Refresh rate144Hz120HzPanel typeQD-OLEDOLEDOLEDPriceStarting at $2,499Starting at $2,499Starting at $2,499

Samsung S95C vs Sony A95L vs LG G3 Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRqt8cdwY14

Review: Samsung S95C OLED TV

The Samsung S95C OLED TV stands out as a top-tier choice for a variety of viewing experiences. In dark environments, movies come alive due to its remarkable contrast ratio, offering viewers deep, consistent blacks and shimmering highlights without the nuisance of blooming. The brilliance of HDR content is amplified with its extensive color range and striking peak brightness, making visuals appear more vibrant and true to life. Daytime show-watchers will appreciate its peak brightness and adept reflection management. The TV doesn’t falter with sports either, displaying crisp visuals attributed to its superior uniformity and swift response rate. For gamers, the experience is next-level with its low input delay and almost immediate response time, complemented further by gaming-centric features such as HDMI 2.1 bandwidth and support for variable refresh rates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Z75q6gNNs PROS: - Exceptional contrast delivers pristine blacks. - Outstanding management of reflections. - Intensely vibrant color display. CONS: - The aggressive ABL may be a distraction when viewing bright, expansive scenes. SIZE & PRICE BUY AMAZON.COM USABUY AMAZON.DE(EUROPE)US MODEL55″ $2,197.99Buy NowBuy NowQN55S95C65″ $2,797.99Buy NowBuy NowQN65S95C77″ $4,197.99Buy NowBuy NowQN77S95C

Sony A95L Review

Our hands-on experience with the Sony A95L was notably more detailed and open than many typical preliminary reviews. Though it doesn’t equate to the comprehensive time we usually spend with a TV for a final assessment, it gave us a significant insight into what the A95L has to offer. This TV is not just about brilliant brightness and exuberant colors. In the right settings, it harnesses its capabilities to render movies and TV series with a fidelity that seems to surpass its competitors. However, a word of caution: our final opinion awaits a thorough, side-by-side evaluation in our testing labs over an extended period. Yet, as of now, the A95L stands out as truly remarkable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTLX0HYhj1Y Pros: - Noticeably brighter with maintained authenticity - Enhanced gaming capabilities - Luxurious design coupled with an upgraded UI Cons: - Limited to only two HDMI 2.1 ports SIZE & PRICE BUY AMAZON.COM USAUS MODEL55″ $3,299.99Buy NowXR-65A95L65″ $3,998.99Buy NowXR-65A95L77″ $6,199.99Buy NowXR-65A95L

LG G3 OLED TV Review

The LG G3 OLED stands tall, embodying excellence without glaring flaws. Its impressive brightness, whether in SDR or HDR, ensures a captivating viewing experience whether you're indulging in classic SDR TV shows, movies, or diving into the latest HDR cinematic masterpieces. Coupled with its top-tier reflection management, this brightness makes it adaptable for any setting, from luminous rooms showcasing its radiant display to dim environments where the OLED's impeccable contrast and profound blacks take center stage. Its minuscule input lag promises gamers an almost immediate translation of their actions on screen, while its unparalleled response time guarantees clarity and precision for dynamic content, from high-octane sports to rapid-paced games. This TV doesn’t just stop at visuals; it excels in the gaming feature domain and is adept in supporting nearly every conceivable audio format, making it a truly multifaceted entertainment hub. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJOUb3ZVN-g PROS: - Impeccable contrast delivering unparalleled blacks. - Outstanding reflection control. - Wide and consistent viewing angle. - All four ports support HDMI 2.1 bandwidth. - Remarkable brightness, especially for an OLED. CONS: - The pronounced ABL may become intrusive in scenarios with extensive brightness. SIZE & PRICE BUY AMAZON.COM USABUY AMAZON.DE(EUROPE)US MODEL55″ $2,096.99Buy NowBuy NowOLED43C3PUA65″ $2,796.99Buy NowBuy NowOLED48C3PUA77″ $4,196.99Buy NowBuy NowOLED55C3PUA83″ $5,796.99Buy NowBuy NowOLED65C3PUA Samsung S95C OLED TV Strengths: - Contrast: Exceptional near-infinite contrast for deep black levels. - Reflection Handling: Superior reflection management, ideal for various lighting conditions. - Color Brilliance: Vibrant and brightly lit colors, making HDR content stand out. - Gaming: Emphasizes gaming performance with low input lag, swift response time, and HDMI 2.1 support. Weaknesses: - ABL: Aggressive ABL can be distracting in bright scenes. Sony A95L OLED TV Impressions: - Display Quality: Exceptional brightness and color vibrancy. It may outshine competitors in rendering TV shows and movies. - Preliminary Feedback: Initial impressions are positive, though comprehensive testing is still awaited. LG G3 OLED TV Strengths: - Contrast: Flawless contrast inherent to OLED design. - Adaptability: Noteworthy reflection handling and brightness make it suitable for diverse viewing environments. - Viewing Angles: Wide and consistent, ensuring a stable picture from multiple angles. - Connectivity: Full HDMI 2.1 bandwidth support on all ports. - Brightness: Particularly bright for an OLED TV, standing out in its category. Weaknesses: - ABL: Just like the Samsung, ABL might be noticeable in bright scenes. Overall Comparison: - Brightness: While all three models emphasize brightness, the LG G3 and Sony A95L stand out for their exceptional brightness capacities. - Gaming Features: Both the Samsung S95C and LG G3 put a strong emphasis on gaming capabilities, with mentions of HDMI 2.1 support, low input lag, and swift response times. - Reflection Handling: Samsung S95C and LG G3 are particularly praised for their reflection management capabilities. - Contrast: All OLED TVs inherently offer outstanding contrast. However, the Samsung S95C's emphasis on its near-infinite contrast ratio deserves mention. - Overall Assessment: While each model might appeal to different consumer needs, the LG G3 seems to be the most comprehensive in terms of features, closely followed by the Samsung S95C. The Sony A95L has significant strengths in terms of display quality, but its overall capabilities would need further exploration. In real-world scenarios, the best TV will largely depend on individual preferences, room conditions, and specific use-cases (like gaming, movie watching, etc.). Always consider these factors and, if possible, view the TVs in-store before making a purchase.

Ultimate TV Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best TV

Choosing the right TV can be a daunting task, given the myriad of options available today. This guide will walk you through the essential factors to consider when buying a TV to ensure you get the best viewing experience tailored to your needs. 1. Determine Your Budget: Decide how much you're willing to spend. There are great TVs at various price points, but setting a budget narrows down your choices. 2. Screen Size: - Room Size: Measure the distance between your seating area and the TV. A common recommendation is that the viewing distance (in inches) should be 1.5-2.5 times the diagonal size of the TV for HD and 1-1.5 times for 4K. - Available Space: Consider wall space and stand dimensions. 3. Resolution: - HD (720p): Suitable for smaller TVs. - Full HD (1080p): A standard choice for many sizes. - 4K/Ultra HD: Becoming the norm, offers sharper images. - 8K: The future, but not much content available yet. 4. Display Technology: - OLED: Offers deep blacks, high contrast, and vibrant colors. - QLED: Quantum Dot technology; brighter than OLED but may not achieve as deep blacks. - LED/LCD: Most common, affordable, but may lack in contrast compared to OLED. 5. Refresh Rate: - 60Hz: Standard for most viewing. - 120Hz or higher: Best for fast-action content like sports or gaming. 6. Connectivity: Check for the number of HDMI (preferably HDMI 2.1) and USB ports, as well as other inputs like component, composite, and audio outputs. 7. Smart Features: - Operating System: Platforms like Android TV, Roku, Tizen (Samsung), or webOS (LG). - Streaming Apps: Ensure your favorite services are supported. - Voice Control & Integration: Compatibility with Alexa, Google Assistant, etc. 8. Sound: Built-in TV speakers are usually average. Consider a soundbar or home theater system for a richer audio experience. 9. Brand & Warranty: Opt for reputable brands and ensure a good warranty is included. 10. Additional Features: - Gaming: Look for features like low input lag and variable refresh rate. - Ambient Mode: Some TVs can display art or blend with the wall when not in use. - Energy Efficiency: Look for Energy Star ratings. 11. Read Reviews: Before finalizing, check online reviews, and user feedback to ensure the TV performs well in real-world scenarios. 12. In-store Viewing: If possible, visit a store to see the TV in action. Check for color accuracy, brightness, and viewing angles. Final Thoughts: Buying a TV is an investment, so take your time and do thorough research. Make sure to prioritize the features that matter most to you. Whether it's a cinematic experience, gaming prowess, or smart capabilities, there's a perfect TV out there for everyone. Read the full article