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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Black Death—Magnolia Pictures/Magnet
Kris Deering  |  May 17, 2011
Video: 3.5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 3/5
The year is 1348. Europe has fallen under the shadow of the "Black Death". As the plague decimates all in its path, fear and superstition are rife. There are rumors of a village, hidden in marshland that the plague cannot reach. There is even talk of a necromancer who leads the village and is able to bring the dead back to life. Ulric, a fearsome knight, is charged by the church to investigate these rumors. Their journey to the village and the events that unfold take them into the heart of darkness and to horrors that will put their faith to the ultimate test.
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Lexicon MC-12 Upgrade
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 17, 2011
I am thinking about possibly replacing my Lexicon MC-12 preamp/processor, which has version 3 software. The unit is getting a bit buggy (the onscreen display has stopped working), and not having HDMI is somewhat annoying. I hear rumors that a replacement for the MC-12 may be coming out some day, but with all the technological advances in the last five years, I suspect I can get equivalent or better performance for a lot less money. For example, I've been considering the Marantz AV7005. The rest of my system includes an Oppo BDP-83 Blu-ray player, Aragon amps, Energy Veritas speakers, Triad Gold subs, and a Vizio 42-inch LCD TV.

Larry Solomonson

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Digitizing Commercial Videotapes
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 17, 2011
Over the years, we have collected around 600+ movies on VHS. Is there anything on the market that I can use to copy these to DVD? Most are copy-protected, so I can't just dub them in my Panasonic VCR/DVD recorder. I have two Panasonic DVD recorders that I've been able to copy a few movies on, but most will not let you copy them. I would hate to have to buy all these movies again on either DVD or now Blu-ray.

Tom Shewell

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Audio Video News
Netflix Snags Miramax
Mark Fleischmann  |  May 17, 2011
For the first time, Miramax movies will become available on a digital subscription service. And the name of that service? Netflix, of course.

Miramax and Netflix have signed a multi-year agreement to stream hundreds of movies including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love, The English Patient, Good Will Hunting, Bad Santa, Scream, Spy Kids, The Piano, and Kill Bill. Look for them starting in June 2011.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
The Big Bang—Anchor Bay
Kris Deering  |  May 16, 2011
Video: 4/5
Audio: 3/5
Extras: 2/5
In Ned Cruz, iconic screen legend Antonio Banderas brings to life a detective as smart as he is tough, who in his search for a missing stripper, goes up against determined cops, a brawling prizefighter, and, quite possibly, the end of the world as we know it.
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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
I Am Number Four—Dreamworks/Disney
Kris Deering  |  May 16, 2011
Video: 4.5/5
Audio: 4/5
Extras: 3/5
John Smith is an extraordinary teen masking his true identity to elude a deadly enemy sent to destroy him. Living with his guardian in the small town he now calls home; John encounters unexpected life-changing events - his first love, powerful new abilities and a secret connection to the others who share his incredible destiny.
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Game Review: Brink
Timothy J. Seppala  |  May 16, 2011

Brink (Splash Damage/Bethesda)
Xbox 360 (also for PS3/PC)

Everything about Brink feels like a missed opportunity. I wanted to like it because I'm a sucker for objective-based shooters, and I was jonesing for something new. Instead, it feels too much like other shooters, not to mention the fact that it recycles its own few new ideas ad nauseum.

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Audio Video News
Too rich? Nah...but never too thin.
Michael Berk  |  May 16, 2011

The folks at Irish cable designers RedMere agree with us (and our longtime contributor Geoffrey Morrison) that there's no real call for avphile HDMI cables - a bit's a bit, and so long as a good portion of the same ones that came outta your gozoutas end up at your desired gozinatas,

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Large Screen Followup
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 16, 2011
Thank you for responding to my question about large-screen TVs in a bright room, which begs a follow-up. In large screen sizes (70 inches and larger), which has better picture quality, flat panel or rear projection?

Henry Hollander

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Premiere Design
Audio Power 833TNT Monoblock Power Amp
Scott Wilkinson  |  May 16, 2011
Founded in 2009, Audio Power Labs is a newcomer to the audiophile community. Its first—and so far only—product is the 833TNT monoblock power amp, a tour de force that will be hard to surpass.
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