Despicable Me 2 3D Blu-ray
Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet
Universal Studios | 2013 | 98 min | Rated PG | Dec 10, 2013
Gru is recruited by the Anti-Villain League to help deal with a powerful new super criminal.
For more about Despicable Me 2 3D and the Despicable Me 2 3D Blu-ray release, see the Despicable Me 2 3D Blu-ray Review published by Kenneth Brown on December 3, 2013 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Starring: Steve Carell, Kristen Wiig, Russell Brand, Miranda Cosgrove, Dana Gaier, Steve Coogan
Directors: Pierre Coffin, Chris Renaud
Despicable Me 2 3D Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray
The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray
Unleashed Extended Edition / Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet
20th Century Fox | 2013 | 1 Movie, 2 Cuts | 126 min | Unrated | Dec 03, 2013
Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.
For more about The Wolverine 3D and the The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray release, see The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray Review published by Jeffrey Kauffman on November 29, 2013 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, James Fraser
Director: James Mangold
The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Unleashed Extended Edition / Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + UltraViolet
20th Century Fox | 2013 | 1 Movie, 2 Cuts | 126 min | Unrated | Dec 03, 2013
Based on the celebrated comic book arc, this epic action-adventure takes Wolverine, the most iconic character of the X-Men universe, to modern day Japan. Out of his depth in an unknown world he faces his ultimate nemesis in a life-or-death battle that will leave him forever changed. Vulnerable for the first time and pushed to his physical and emotional limits, he confronts not only lethal samurai steel but also his inner struggle against his own immortality, emerging more powerful than we have ever seen him before.
For more about The Wolverine 3D and the The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray release, see The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray Review published by Jeffrey Kauffman on November 29, 2013 where this Blu-ray release scored 4.0 out of 5.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Brian Tee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, James Fraser
Director: James Mangold
The Wolverine 3D Blu-ray delivers stunning video and reference-quality audio in this excellent Blu-ray release
Panasonic DMP-BDT350/300
The main features for me is that along with regular 3D support it also supports the checkerboard format (1080p) that is needed for my two Samsung DLP tvs. Mitsubishi also makes DLP models that support checkerboard. Another great feature is that it has two HDMI outputs so if you purchased a new 3D set that supports HDMI 1.4 it does not obsolete your receiver that that HDMI 1.3.
"DLNA feature [BDT350]
You can enjoy viewing video and pictures saved on a DLNA
Certified media server (such as a PC with Windows 7 installed
etc.) connected to the home network with this unit."
Specifications
Signal system: NTSC
Operating temperature range:
i5 oC to i35 oC (i41 oF to i95 oF)
Operating humidity range:
10 % to 80 % RH (no condensation)
Video output: 1.0 Vp-p (75 ≠)/Pin jack:1 system
Component video output (Y:green, PB:blue,PR:red):
Y:1.0 Vp-p (75 ≠)/PB, PR:0.7 Vp-p (75 ≠)/Pin jack:1 system
Audio output: 2 Vrms (1 kHz, 0 dB)/Pin jack
Number of connectors :
7.1 channel discrete output:1 system
(2 channel + 5.1 channel discrete output)
Digital audio output:
Optical digital output : Optical terminal
Coaxial digital output : Pin jack
HDMI AV output: Type A (19 pin) : 2 system(Main/Sub)
HDMI (3D, Content Type)
This unit supports “HDAVI Control 5” function.
SD card slot: Connector : 1 system
USB slot: USB2.0 : 2 systems
Ethernet: 10BASE-T/100BASE-TX : 1 system
LASER Specification
Class I LASER Product:
Wave length:790 nm (CDs)/650 nm (DVDs)/405 nm (BDs)
Laser power: No hazardous radiation is emitted with the
safety protection
Power supply: AC 120 V, 60 Hz
Power consumption: Approx. 31 W
Power consumption in standby mode: Approx. 0.1 W
Power consumption in quick start standby mode:
Approx. 7.7 W
Dimensions (WkDkH) Including the projecting parts:
430 mmk245 mmk66 mm
(Approx. 16 15/16zk9 11/16zk2 5/8z)
Mass (Weight): Approx. 2.6 kg (5.7 lbs)
Wireless LAN Adaptor (DY-WL10)
Dimensions (WkDkH): 44 mmk72 mmk27 mm
(1 3/4zk2 7/8zk1 1/8z)
Mass (Weight): Approx. 29 g (1.02 oz)
Antenna: Tx 1, Rx 2
Interface: USB2.0
Standard Compliance:
IEEE802.11n / IEEE802.11a / IEEE802.11g / IEEE802.11b
Transmission system:
MISO-OFDM system, OFDM system, DSSS system
Frequency Range:
IEEE802.11n / IEEE802.11a:
5.15 GHz - 5.35 GHz/5.47 GHz - 5.825 GHz
IEEE802.11g / IEEE802.11b / IEEE802.11n:
2.4 GHz - 2.4835 GHz
Transfer rate (standard)*:
IEEE802.11n: Tx Max. 150 Mbps, Rx Max. 300 Mbps
IEEE802.11g / IEEE802.11a: Max. 54 Mbps
IEEE802.11b: Max. 11 Mbps
Access Mode:
Infrastructure mode
Security: WPA2-PSK (TKIP/AES)
WPA-PSK (TKIP/AES)
WEP (64 bit / 128 bit)
(This unit supports WPA and WPA2 encryption.)
First Look: Panasonic's 3D Blu-ray Player and 3D HDTV
3D Movies
3D movies and 3D reviews, 3D Blu-ray release dates for new and upcoming 3D movies, 3D Blu-ray players, 3D HDTVs, 3D projectors and 3D receivers. Check back often as we'll be posting new 3D movie reviews as more and more 3D movies are released on 3D Blu-ray.
3D Blu-ray: Getting started
To enjoy 3D movies at home you need a:
3D HDTV (with 3D glasses)
3D Blu-ray player (PlayStation 3 supports 3D as of September 2010)
3D Blu-ray movies
The state of 3D Blu-ray today
Beginning with the bad first, it's essential to point out that as of today, there are no Full HD 3D Blu-ray discs for sale on the market. Monsters vs. Aliens is available as part of a bundle with Samsung's 3D packages, but buyers of Panasonic's offerings will only be able to enjoy an included promotional test disc that offers a sampling of high quality 3D imagery (packaged inside the box with the BDT300). It remains unclear as to exactly which titles -- and when -- will be available for off-the-shelf sale. Additionally, the Panasonic 3D TV is currently only offered in a 50" model, with larger 54", 58", and 65" variations scheduled for release at a later date.
The TC-P50VT20
Fortunately, everything else about this equipment and the 3D technology -- based off of less than a week with it in-home and only sampled in 3D with the included promotional disc -- proves an exceptionally pleasurable experience. The 67-pound (with attached pedestal) 50" plasma boasts a wide range of external connection options and internal picture adjustment settings to achieve a top-flight home theater viewing experience. Boasting a collection of three HDMI, two component, one RCA, one RF (coaxial), and one PC inputs and a single digital audio out jack on the rear of the set; and two USB ports, one each HDMI and RCA inputs, and an SD-card slot on the set's left edge (that also houses channel and volume controls, menu selection buttons, as well as a power on-off button), there are no shortage of inputs and additional goodies to enhance the connectivity and functionality of the television. Within the set's menu, there are six primary options, most of which include a slew of additional user-adjustable tweaks. The meat-and-potatoes of the options, the picture quality adjustment selections, include four basic pre-set picture modes -- "Vivid," "Standard," "THX" (relabeled "Cinema" in 3D mode), and "Game," -- with a fifth option labeled "Custom" meant for users to input their own set of adjustments (though each label is user-adjustable to some degree) for generalized parameters such as contrast, brightness, color, tint, and sharpness, as well as more advanced options such as color temperature, video noise reduction, and black level. There are also several options through which to calibrate the set's 3D settings, most of which revolve around ensuring the glasses work with the television. This plasma also includes Panasonic's "VieraCast" network connectivity option which will work wirelessly with a currently-unreleased USB dongle and the player's built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The set also comes with a functional but not exceptional remote control; the buttons are suitably large, the unit is fairly lightweight, and most buttons briefly illuminate with a red light by the press of the "light" button located directly under the power button.
The TC-P50VT20's rear connections
The TC-P50VT20's side connections and buttons
The DMP-BDT300
Anyone familiar with Panasonic's previous line of Blu-ray players will immediately find themselves in a comfort zone with the BDT300. Sporting the generalized Panasonic Blu-ray remote control, a pull-open front tray on the player, an easy-to-read display, a host of connection options on the back, and a familiar setup menu, the player is easy to work and get going within minutes of taking it out of the box. Externally, this 3D Blu-ray player features a pair of HDMI outputs (more on that below in the "Connections" paragraph), component and RCA outputs, coaxial and optical audio outputs, analog audio outputs for 7.1- channel surround sound, an ethernet port, and a USB port for use with the included wireless USB LAN adaptor. Like the television, the BDT300 comes equipped with Panasonic's "VieraCast" functionality. Note that the player is bundled only with a fairly useless set of RCA cables (no "High Speed" HDMI cable is included) and no 3D glasses. The player does include, however, the Panasonic Full HD 3D sample Blu-ray disc (see "3D Testing" below).
The BDT300's dual HDMI outputs
The BDT300's additional A/V outputs
The Glasses
Another potential stumbling block. Panasonic warns users several times not wear the included 3D glasses as sunglasses, but considering how unstylish and bulky these things are, it's hard to imagine anyone mistakingly wearing them to opening day at PNC Park. The glasses are what they are and what they need to be; stylish no but functional yes, the included eyewear (one pair with the 3D TV, nothing with the 3D Blu-ray player, and spare glasses going for about $150 each) gets the job done but proves a bit unwieldy and slightly uncomfortable due in large part to their heft after extended viewing. Each pair of glasses (both the included pair with the 3D TV and separately-purchased units) come with a hard plastic storage case, two attachable/detachable nosepiece options, and an optional head strap for 3D viewers that find the glasses falling from their face. The 3D effect works in both a lighted and darkened room, but considering that the glasses don't encompass one's entire peripheral vision, a darkened room is preferable so one need not to worry about other lighted information around the corners. The glasses are powered by a coin-shaped lithium battery in the eyewear frame, found opposite the power button that must be held down for about a second to turn the glasses on and off. Perhaps someday 3D viewing will be possible without the need for eyewear, but there's no doubt that 3D glasses will, over time, become smaller, lighter, sleeker, and more comfortable. Maybe one day they'll even double as sunglasses, but until then, here's hoping that future, lighter models will be compatible with older 3D TV sets.
Connections
Here's another potential deal-breaker, but one that need not worry the 3D customer; Full HD 3D is sometimes said to require "HDMI 1.4" connectivity. However, new HDMI standards dictate that any HDMI cable labeled as "High Speed" will work to provide 3D content. Does that still mean that buyers interested in upgrading to 3D Blu-ray need to shell out several hundred more dollars on a new receiver? With Panasonic's solution, the answer is fortunately "no." While owners will need to make sure they're connecting a "High Speed" HDMI cable for use between the 3D Blu-ray player and the 3D HDTV, the BDT300 actually houses a pair of HDMI outputs. The second -- labeled HDMI (SUB) -- when set to "V.OFF" in the player's "HDMI Connection" submenu will output only audio through to the receiver and allow for FullHD 3D video to be sent via the HDMI "High Speed" cable connected between the player and the television, all without the costly upgrade to a new "3D" receiver.
3D Testing
The 3D HDTV and the 3D Blu-ray player look good on paper (and in person), but how do they fare when the lights go down and the movie starts up? No doubt many have, by now, sampled what 3D is all about on the Best Buy showroom floor, and while a decent enough presentation, there's nothing quite like viewing in a more controlled environment, taking the time to learn the controls, tweak the components, and enjoy the 3D demo disc and a larger sampling of 2D Blu-ray materials at one's own leisure. The included 3D sample disc features four primary "High Quality Picture Contents" presented in 1080p Full HD 3D -- Funny Furry Friends; Rome, The Eternal City; Grand Canyon; and the Astro Boy trailer -- and seven additional "Fun Contents" clips: Drag Racing, Motocross, Canadian Nature, Mexico City, Coral Wonderland, Mexico's Mariachi, and Game, the last being a very basic and very short demonstration of a 3D racing game with crude graphics but a spectacular dimensional feel. Each clip is painfully short, lasting between about 90 seconds and three minutes in length.
Each clip is astounding in its own right; all demonstrate exceptionally good coloring with vibrant hues galore in Rome and breathtakingly natural shades of green and gray in Canadian Nature. Fine detail in rock faces, clothing, puppy fur, dirt paths, and vegetation all rival some of the best imagery yet seen on Blu-ray. The image can get just a touch soft around the edges, however. As to the sense of depth created by the 3D effect, it is, in a word, "extraordinary." While there's some sense of objects "jumping out of the screen" in every video segment, the true strength of the 3D effect lies not in gimmicky "poke the audience" routines but rather in the awe-inspiring sense of depth the images achieve. It's easy to see and get a realistic feel for distance between objects, and it often seems as if there's a good amount of space between the front of the television screen and a cluster of trees, for example. It's like looking out a window in Canadian Nature or standing in front of several circus performers in another segment. Grand Canyon offers perhaps the best moment in the set; water seems to splash straight onto the viewer, resulting in residual droplets of water that seem to be dripping off the lenses of the 3D glasses. Between all the segments, viewers will see a bit of everything, save for actual Full HD 3D live-action movie content. The included Astro Boy trailer is subjectively the least impressive clip; that's not to say that it isn't a wonderful 3D experience in its own right or that actual films such as Ice Age or Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs or even Astro Boy won't look great in 3D, it just lacks quite the same amount of dimension seen in the other segments.
Most importantly, and unlike older "anaglyph" 3D images (the ones that require the flimsy red and cyan glasses), there's only a trace of "ghosting" to be found here. It's practically nonexistent, but there nevertheless for the eagle-eyed viewer that may pick up on a slight shadow around the edge of an object. Nevertheless, the effect is virtually seamless in every sample, and will likely only get better as the technology is refined in the coming years. There's also at least one instance of transparency in Grand Canyon where a man's leg may be seen while he's walking behind a tree, but again, it's easily the exception rather than the rule.
2D Testing
Most early adopters of 3D technology are going to have to survive on 2D Blu-ray content until the studios begin releasing 3D titles on a regular basis, and fortunately, the potent Panasonic 3D-equipped duo produces incredible visuals, reinforcing the best picture quality and showcasing the warts on some of the lesser transfers. Several 2D titles were tested; the sampling of discs included high-quality Blu-ray film transfers (Star Trek, An Education, Armored), lesser-quality Blu-ray releases (The Arrival, "Breaking Bad: Season One"), hand-drawn style animation (The Princess and the Frog), a computer-animated title (Cars), a black-and-white film (Dr. Strangelove), and a particularly grainy film (Predator). The 3D HDTV handled all the 2D Blu-ray material thrown at it superbly; while it only reinforced the plastic texture of The Arrival, it brought out the finest detail in Armored, delivered on the wonderfully intricate blacks in Star Trek, and displayed Predator's heavy grain structure nicely. Colors are exceptionally rendered across the board, whether the steely gray and dark look of Armored, the blue-gray tone of An Education, or the bright shades that practically pop off the screen in Cars.
Conclusion
Both currently exclusive to Best Buy, the TC-P50VT20 (retail $2499) and the DMP-BDT300 (retail $399) make for a potent combination for home Blu-ray viewing, and while 3D content isn't yet readily available (or available at all at the moment), those in the market for a new television and player would be wise to consider these future-proof models from Panasonic. They deliver a practically seamless Full HD 3D Blu-ray experience (though again with the Panasonic test disc as the only frame of reference) and exceptional 2D Blu-ray picture quality. It's difficult to envision a future where 3D hasn't caught on for home viewing. Panasonic definitely has a leg up on the competition with the quality of their Viera Plasma and the wonderful BDT300, and the technology is just too good -- even in this very first wave of products -- not to take advantage of. It's still a 2D world, but 3D has a place in it, and if the included sample disc is any indication, even travelogue and nature-oriented discs may become a big hit with 3D; they look absolutely phenomenal and one can only imagine a trip to the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, or the Glaciers of Alaska in Full HD 3D.
3D movies and 3D reviews, 3D Blu-ray release dates for new and upcoming 3D movies, 3D Blu-ray players, 3D HDTVs, 3D projectors and 3D receivers. Check back often as we'll be posting new 3D movie reviews as more and more 3D movies are released on 3D Blu-ray.
3D Blu-ray: Getting started
To enjoy 3D movies at home you need a:
3D HDTV (with 3D glasses)
3D Blu-ray player (PlayStation 3 supports 3D as of September 2010)
3D Blu-ray movies
Blu-ray 3DAlways striving to offer the best, fastest, and most complete Blu-ray coverage anywhere, Blu-ray.com is once again on the cutting edge of the high definition Blu-ray revolution with this basic overview and review of Panasonic's brand-new 3D hardware that's just now begun to trickle into Best Buy stores over the past weeks. Both the stunning TC-P50VT20 50" 3D-enabled Viera plasma television and its counterpart, the Panasonic DMP-BDT300 3D Blu-ray player, yield an incredible home theater experience practically straight out of the box, delivering a nearly seamless 3D presentation and one of the best 2D Blu-ray picture qualities available on the market today.
The state of 3D Blu-ray today
Beginning with the bad first, it's essential to point out that as of today, there are no Full HD 3D Blu-ray discs for sale on the market. Monsters vs. Aliens is available as part of a bundle with Samsung's 3D packages, but buyers of Panasonic's offerings will only be able to enjoy an included promotional test disc that offers a sampling of high quality 3D imagery (packaged inside the box with the BDT300). It remains unclear as to exactly which titles -- and when -- will be available for off-the-shelf sale. Additionally, the Panasonic 3D TV is currently only offered in a 50" model, with larger 54", 58", and 65" variations scheduled for release at a later date.
The TC-P50VT20
Fortunately, everything else about this equipment and the 3D technology -- based off of less than a week with it in-home and only sampled in 3D with the included promotional disc -- proves an exceptionally pleasurable experience. The 67-pound (with attached pedestal) 50" plasma boasts a wide range of external connection options and internal picture adjustment settings to achieve a top-flight home theater viewing experience. Boasting a collection of three HDMI, two component, one RCA, one RF (coaxial), and one PC inputs and a single digital audio out jack on the rear of the set; and two USB ports, one each HDMI and RCA inputs, and an SD-card slot on the set's left edge (that also houses channel and volume controls, menu selection buttons, as well as a power on-off button), there are no shortage of inputs and additional goodies to enhance the connectivity and functionality of the television. Within the set's menu, there are six primary options, most of which include a slew of additional user-adjustable tweaks. The meat-and-potatoes of the options, the picture quality adjustment selections, include four basic pre-set picture modes -- "Vivid," "Standard," "THX" (relabeled "Cinema" in 3D mode), and "Game," -- with a fifth option labeled "Custom" meant for users to input their own set of adjustments (though each label is user-adjustable to some degree) for generalized parameters such as contrast, brightness, color, tint, and sharpness, as well as more advanced options such as color temperature, video noise reduction, and black level. There are also several options through which to calibrate the set's 3D settings, most of which revolve around ensuring the glasses work with the television. This plasma also includes Panasonic's "VieraCast" network connectivity option which will work wirelessly with a currently-unreleased USB dongle and the player's built-in Wi-Fi connectivity. The set also comes with a functional but not exceptional remote control; the buttons are suitably large, the unit is fairly lightweight, and most buttons briefly illuminate with a red light by the press of the "light" button located directly under the power button.
The TC-P50VT20's rear connections
The TC-P50VT20's side connections and buttons
The DMP-BDT300
Anyone familiar with Panasonic's previous line of Blu-ray players will immediately find themselves in a comfort zone with the BDT300. Sporting the generalized Panasonic Blu-ray remote control, a pull-open front tray on the player, an easy-to-read display, a host of connection options on the back, and a familiar setup menu, the player is easy to work and get going within minutes of taking it out of the box. Externally, this 3D Blu-ray player features a pair of HDMI outputs (more on that below in the "Connections" paragraph), component and RCA outputs, coaxial and optical audio outputs, analog audio outputs for 7.1- channel surround sound, an ethernet port, and a USB port for use with the included wireless USB LAN adaptor. Like the television, the BDT300 comes equipped with Panasonic's "VieraCast" functionality. Note that the player is bundled only with a fairly useless set of RCA cables (no "High Speed" HDMI cable is included) and no 3D glasses. The player does include, however, the Panasonic Full HD 3D sample Blu-ray disc (see "3D Testing" below).
The BDT300's dual HDMI outputs
The BDT300's additional A/V outputs
The Glasses
Another potential stumbling block. Panasonic warns users several times not wear the included 3D glasses as sunglasses, but considering how unstylish and bulky these things are, it's hard to imagine anyone mistakingly wearing them to opening day at PNC Park. The glasses are what they are and what they need to be; stylish no but functional yes, the included eyewear (one pair with the 3D TV, nothing with the 3D Blu-ray player, and spare glasses going for about $150 each) gets the job done but proves a bit unwieldy and slightly uncomfortable due in large part to their heft after extended viewing. Each pair of glasses (both the included pair with the 3D TV and separately-purchased units) come with a hard plastic storage case, two attachable/detachable nosepiece options, and an optional head strap for 3D viewers that find the glasses falling from their face. The 3D effect works in both a lighted and darkened room, but considering that the glasses don't encompass one's entire peripheral vision, a darkened room is preferable so one need not to worry about other lighted information around the corners. The glasses are powered by a coin-shaped lithium battery in the eyewear frame, found opposite the power button that must be held down for about a second to turn the glasses on and off. Perhaps someday 3D viewing will be possible without the need for eyewear, but there's no doubt that 3D glasses will, over time, become smaller, lighter, sleeker, and more comfortable. Maybe one day they'll even double as sunglasses, but until then, here's hoping that future, lighter models will be compatible with older 3D TV sets.
Connections
Here's another potential deal-breaker, but one that need not worry the 3D customer; Full HD 3D is sometimes said to require "HDMI 1.4" connectivity. However, new HDMI standards dictate that any HDMI cable labeled as "High Speed" will work to provide 3D content. Does that still mean that buyers interested in upgrading to 3D Blu-ray need to shell out several hundred more dollars on a new receiver? With Panasonic's solution, the answer is fortunately "no." While owners will need to make sure they're connecting a "High Speed" HDMI cable for use between the 3D Blu-ray player and the 3D HDTV, the BDT300 actually houses a pair of HDMI outputs. The second -- labeled HDMI (SUB) -- when set to "V.OFF" in the player's "HDMI Connection" submenu will output only audio through to the receiver and allow for FullHD 3D video to be sent via the HDMI "High Speed" cable connected between the player and the television, all without the costly upgrade to a new "3D" receiver.
3D Testing
The 3D HDTV and the 3D Blu-ray player look good on paper (and in person), but how do they fare when the lights go down and the movie starts up? No doubt many have, by now, sampled what 3D is all about on the Best Buy showroom floor, and while a decent enough presentation, there's nothing quite like viewing in a more controlled environment, taking the time to learn the controls, tweak the components, and enjoy the 3D demo disc and a larger sampling of 2D Blu-ray materials at one's own leisure. The included 3D sample disc features four primary "High Quality Picture Contents" presented in 1080p Full HD 3D -- Funny Furry Friends; Rome, The Eternal City; Grand Canyon; and the Astro Boy trailer -- and seven additional "Fun Contents" clips: Drag Racing, Motocross, Canadian Nature, Mexico City, Coral Wonderland, Mexico's Mariachi, and Game, the last being a very basic and very short demonstration of a 3D racing game with crude graphics but a spectacular dimensional feel. Each clip is painfully short, lasting between about 90 seconds and three minutes in length.
Each clip is astounding in its own right; all demonstrate exceptionally good coloring with vibrant hues galore in Rome and breathtakingly natural shades of green and gray in Canadian Nature. Fine detail in rock faces, clothing, puppy fur, dirt paths, and vegetation all rival some of the best imagery yet seen on Blu-ray. The image can get just a touch soft around the edges, however. As to the sense of depth created by the 3D effect, it is, in a word, "extraordinary." While there's some sense of objects "jumping out of the screen" in every video segment, the true strength of the 3D effect lies not in gimmicky "poke the audience" routines but rather in the awe-inspiring sense of depth the images achieve. It's easy to see and get a realistic feel for distance between objects, and it often seems as if there's a good amount of space between the front of the television screen and a cluster of trees, for example. It's like looking out a window in Canadian Nature or standing in front of several circus performers in another segment. Grand Canyon offers perhaps the best moment in the set; water seems to splash straight onto the viewer, resulting in residual droplets of water that seem to be dripping off the lenses of the 3D glasses. Between all the segments, viewers will see a bit of everything, save for actual Full HD 3D live-action movie content. The included Astro Boy trailer is subjectively the least impressive clip; that's not to say that it isn't a wonderful 3D experience in its own right or that actual films such as Ice Age or Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs or even Astro Boy won't look great in 3D, it just lacks quite the same amount of dimension seen in the other segments.
Most importantly, and unlike older "anaglyph" 3D images (the ones that require the flimsy red and cyan glasses), there's only a trace of "ghosting" to be found here. It's practically nonexistent, but there nevertheless for the eagle-eyed viewer that may pick up on a slight shadow around the edge of an object. Nevertheless, the effect is virtually seamless in every sample, and will likely only get better as the technology is refined in the coming years. There's also at least one instance of transparency in Grand Canyon where a man's leg may be seen while he's walking behind a tree, but again, it's easily the exception rather than the rule.
2D Testing
Most early adopters of 3D technology are going to have to survive on 2D Blu-ray content until the studios begin releasing 3D titles on a regular basis, and fortunately, the potent Panasonic 3D-equipped duo produces incredible visuals, reinforcing the best picture quality and showcasing the warts on some of the lesser transfers. Several 2D titles were tested; the sampling of discs included high-quality Blu-ray film transfers (Star Trek, An Education, Armored), lesser-quality Blu-ray releases (The Arrival, "Breaking Bad: Season One"), hand-drawn style animation (The Princess and the Frog), a computer-animated title (Cars), a black-and-white film (Dr. Strangelove), and a particularly grainy film (Predator). The 3D HDTV handled all the 2D Blu-ray material thrown at it superbly; while it only reinforced the plastic texture of The Arrival, it brought out the finest detail in Armored, delivered on the wonderfully intricate blacks in Star Trek, and displayed Predator's heavy grain structure nicely. Colors are exceptionally rendered across the board, whether the steely gray and dark look of Armored, the blue-gray tone of An Education, or the bright shades that practically pop off the screen in Cars.
Conclusion
Both currently exclusive to Best Buy, the TC-P50VT20 (retail $2499) and the DMP-BDT300 (retail $399) make for a potent combination for home Blu-ray viewing, and while 3D content isn't yet readily available (or available at all at the moment), those in the market for a new television and player would be wise to consider these future-proof models from Panasonic. They deliver a practically seamless Full HD 3D Blu-ray experience (though again with the Panasonic test disc as the only frame of reference) and exceptional 2D Blu-ray picture quality. It's difficult to envision a future where 3D hasn't caught on for home viewing. Panasonic definitely has a leg up on the competition with the quality of their Viera Plasma and the wonderful BDT300, and the technology is just too good -- even in this very first wave of products -- not to take advantage of. It's still a 2D world, but 3D has a place in it, and if the included sample disc is any indication, even travelogue and nature-oriented discs may become a big hit with 3D; they look absolutely phenomenal and one can only imagine a trip to the Great Wall of China, the Pyramids of Egypt, or the Glaciers of Alaska in Full HD 3D.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Matilda Blu-ray
Matilda Blu-ray
Sony Pictures | 1996 | 95 min | Rated PG | Dec 03, 2013
See The world from a kid's-eye view with Matilda, a modern fairy tale that mixes hilarious humbor with the magical message of love.
Starring: Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman
Narrator: Danny DeVito
Director: Danny DeVito
Sony Pictures | 1996 | 95 min | Rated PG | Dec 03, 2013
See The world from a kid's-eye view with Matilda, a modern fairy tale that mixes hilarious humbor with the magical message of love.
Starring: Mara Wilson, Embeth Davidtz, Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman
Narrator: Danny DeVito
Director: Danny DeVito
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Rush Blu-ray
Universal Studios | 2013 | Rated R | No Release Date
This dramatic portrayal of the intense 1970s rivalry between race drivers Niki Lauda and James Hunt captures the contrasts between the two champions. While Hunt was a charming and handsome ladies' man, Lauda was a loner with a single goal: victory.
The Little Mermaid 3D Blu-ray
Disney / Buena Vista | 1989 | 83 min | Rated G | Oct 01, 2013 (3 Days)
No one factor was singularly responsible for The Little Mermaid's success. It wasn't a surefire hit from the outset. Walt Disney Animation wasn't riding high, gaining momentum or in the midst of restoring its reputation. (Yet.) A new era in Disney animation had yet to begin, much less be realized or dubbed the Disney Renaissance. In November of 1989, acclaim, awards and classic status were still something of a long shot, and animated filmmakers Ron Clements and John Musker weren't assured of anything, especially box office success, critical respect and audience appeal. Having cut their directorial teeth on The Great Mouse Detective just three years prior, Clements and Musker used every minute of the production of The Little Mermaid to do the only thing they could: make the best movie possible with all the tools at their disposal. Those tools included a sharp script based on a cherished fairy tale, by Hans Christian Anderson no less. Colorful characters and memorable villains. Songs of actual quality penned by composer Alan Menken and lyricist Howard Ashman. Innovative animation techniques (among other advances, Mermaid was the first Disney animated production to use the CAPS digital coloring system, although only one CAPS scene made its way into the final film). The list goes on, and even extends beyond the walls of the Mouse House, where Don Bluth, Steven Spielberg, and the VHS home video market all played a role in setting the stage for feature animation's revival.
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