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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Little Fockers—Universal
Kris Deering  |  Apr 09, 2011  |  0 comments
Video: 4.5/5
Audio: 3/5
Extras: 3.5/5
It has taken 10 years, two little Fockers with wife Pam and countless hurdles for Greg to finally get "in" with his tightly wound father-in-law, Jack. After the cash-strapped dad takes a job moonlighting for a drug company, however, Jack's suspicions about his favorite male nurse come roaring back. When Greg and Pam's entire clan - including Pam's lovelorn ex, Kevin - descends for the twins' birthday party, Greg must prove to the skeptical Jack that he's fully capable as the man of the house. But with all the misunderstandings, spying and covert missions, will Greg pass Jack's final test and become the family's next patriarch... or will the circle of trust be broken for good.
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Is 3D Here To Stay?
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 08, 2011  |  12 comments
This is an autostereogram; to see the 3D image, relax and cross your eyes slightly, or shine a small flashlight at the screen and concentrate on the reflection until you see the 3D effect.

These days, few topics engage—or enrage—home-theater enthusiasts like 3D. This was clearly demonstrated by a recent news story on our sibling website HomeTheater.com—3DTV Boom Fails to Materialize. The story cites an online poll conducted by Vision Critical that indicates little support for the fledgling format among consumers in the US, Great Britain, and Canada.

As soon as that story was posted, a flurry of comments followed, some quite lengthy and thoughtful, which I encourage you to read. Meanwhile, I wonder if you think 3D is here to stay? After all, it has come and gone several times over the last few decades in commercial cinemas, so perhaps the current craze is nothing more than another cycle that will soon disappear. On the other hand, perhaps the Vision Critical poll was premature, and improvements in the technology and strong support from TV manufacturers and movie studios will tip the scale toward a permanent presence in the entertainment landscape.

I really look forward to reading your thoughts on this question, which is sure to stir strong sentiments on both sides of the debate. So let 'er rip!

Vote to see the results and leave a comment about your choice.

Is 3D Here To Stay?
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
A.I. Artificial Intelligence
David Vaughn  |  Apr 08, 2011  |  1 comments
In the future, the polar ice caps have melted, the sea waters have flooded coastal cities, and you must obtain a license to have a child. Science has evolved to the point of creating artificial beings, called mechas, to serve humans and preserve precious natural resources. One such mecha, David (Haley Joel Osment), is the first of its kind; an artificial kid that can give and receive unconditional love to his adoptive parents.

Of all of Spielberg's films, this is probably my least favorite. Its pacing is horrendous, it runs much too long at 145 minutes, and its last 40 minutes are a bizarre waste of time. While the acting and special effects are very good they can't overcome the boring second act and the horrendous ending(s).

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Audio Video News
Cablevision App Uses Own Network
Mark Fleischmann  |  Apr 08, 2011  |  0 comments
Cablevision has followed Time Warner Cable's introduction of a live cable TV app with one of its own. But unlike the TWC app, which has some program producers crying foul over unauthorized internet distribution, Cablevision's app uses the company's own Advanced Digital Cable network.

Therefore, Cablevision says, it has the right to distribute programming to iPads "under existing distribution agreements." As a plus, iPad-loving Cablevision TV subscribers needn't get internet service just to use the app. It "allows the iPad to function as a television," says CEO Tom Rutledge.

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Audio Video News
Samsung Offers $50 Active 3D Glasses
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 07, 2011  |  0 comments
One of the biggest impediments to the adoption of 3D in the home is the cost of active-shutter glasses—typically around $150 a pop, making it prohibitively expensive to outfit an entire family, even after you account for the one or maybe two pairs included with some (but not all) 3D TVs. So when I read that Samsung will be offering active 3D glasses at less than $50 each, I sat up and took notice.
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Premiere Design
BMC M1 Monoblock Power Amp
Scott Wilkinson  |  Apr 07, 2011  |  0 comments
As anyone interested in high-end audio knows, balanced signals are far superior to unbalanced ones because of their ability to reject induced noise and interference. German newcomer BMC knows this well—in fact, the company name stands for Balanced Music Concept. Its products are distributed in the US by Aaudio Imports and include the M1 monoblock power amp profiled here.
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Audio Video News
For Japan
Ken Richardson  |  Apr 07, 2011  |  0 comments

Songs

Another major aftershock has hit Japan - which, again, hits home the fact that the country needs our help.

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Power Amplifier ReviewsSurround Processor Reviews
Test Report: Onkyo P-3000R preamp and M-5000R power amp
Michael Trei  |  Apr 07, 2011  |  1 comments

 

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Power Amplifier Reviews
Test Report: Onkyo P-3000R preamp and M-5000R power amp Page 2
Michael Trei  |  Apr 07, 2011  |  0 comments

 

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Audio Video News
Never mind the Grammys, here's the National Recording Registry
Michael Berk  |  Apr 07, 2011  |  0 comments

The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress-created by the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 to preserve sound recordings of particular significance-yesterday announced its

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