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Audio Video News
Disney Gives Bambi 2nd Screen Treatment
Mark Fleischmann  |  Mar 11, 2011
Disney's latest video release of Bambi will use Second Screen technology to simultaneously display the movie and derivative features on multiple platforms, including TV, computer, or iPad.

Download the Disney Second Screen app and you'll be able to sync a broadband-connected computer or iPad to the movie as it plays on your primary video display. Then you can "dive deeper into the film by engaging with fun interactive elements like animated flipbooks, galleries, photos, trivia, and more," says the press release.

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Blu-ray Movie Reviews
Love & Other Drugs (Blu-ray)
David Vaughn  |  Mar 11, 2011
Smooth-talking playboy Jamie Randall (Jake Gyllenhaal) is on the fast track to the top of the pharmaceutical-sales industry promoting a new miracle drug called Viagra. However, when he meets Maggie (Anne Hathaway) during one of his sales calls, he falls madly in love with her and is forced to choose between his career and the girl who captured his heart.

The trailers made this look like your typical romantic comedy, but it’s anything but. While it has its funny moments, it takes a very serious tone when tackling the subject of Parkinson’s disease and its effects on relationships. Hathaway and Gyllenhaal display great onscreen chemistry, but the supporting cast can be distracting, especially Gyllenhaal’s onscreen brother (Josh Gad), who’s quite annoying with his sophomoric behavior. If you find Hathaway attractive (I certainly do), then you’ll love the multiple sex scenes as she shows a lot of skin (and looks marvelous)!

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Sweepstakes
Digital Projection M-Vision Cine 230 Projector Sweepstakes
Jon Iverson  |  Mar 10, 2011  |  First Published: Mar 11, 2011
Register to win a M-Vision Cine 230 DLP projector from Digital Projection we are giving away, valued at $6995!

As readers of UltimateAVmag.com, HomeTheaterDesignMag.com and HomeTheater.com know, the ultimate home-theater experience can only be achieved with a front projector firing onto a screen, which can produce a much larger and more immersive image than any flat panel. Unfortunately, this is also the most expensive type of display system—that is, unless you're the winner of our latest sweepstakes!

[This sweepstakes is now closed.]

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Premiere Design
Mitsubishi WD-92840 DLP 3D RPTV
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 10, 2011
As I've said all along, you need a really big screen to get the most out of 3D video, and that usually means a front projector, which, in turn, means big bucks. But Mitsubishi will soon offer a more affordable alternative—the WD-92840, a DLP-based rear-projection 3D TV with a ginormous 92-inch screen for much less than most 3D front projectors and separate screens.
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Audio Video News
Panasonic Debuts New Blu-ray Players That Open With a Wave
Thomas J. Norton  |  Mar 10, 2011
Panasonic's name may evoke sound, but its reputation is built on video. Nevertheless, the company does produce audio products, though its U.S. offerings in that space differ from those of many Asian manufacturers. It has never been a major player here in AV receivers or stand-alone speaker systems, but instead puts most of its efforts into home theaters in a box (HTiBs), compact one-piece stereo systems, and related all-in-one packages. Panasonic's new 2011 introductions in these categories include a single sound bar (the fully-powered, $400 SC-HTB520, which includes a wireless subwoofer), four compact stereo systems, and three new Blu-ray HTiBs with 3D capability. Four new stand-alone Blu-ray players were also launched.
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Audio Video News
Sony Enhances iTunes Movie Downloads
Mark Fleischmann  |  Mar 10, 2011
Though disc releases are festooned with special features, movies sold as downloads tend to be unadorned. However, Sony Pictures is beginning to add features to movies sold as downloads through iTunes.

You'll be able to search for actors and dialogue, choose clips to share on social networking sites, and find songs embedded in soundtracks. Not surprisingly, the latter will be linked for purchase in the iTunes music store.

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Custom Installation How-ToHome Movie Theaters
Into the Mystic
Kim Wilson  |  Mar 09, 2011
This DIY theater is one homeowner’s journey toward their dream theater that includes a bar and lounge area for relaxing before and after watching a movie.
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Ask S&V
TV Resolution, Apps, 3D Compatibility
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 09, 2011
How much resolution am I actually seeing on my CRT RPTV? Is it better to have apps in the TV or Blu-ray player? Are there compatibility issues between 3D content and active or passive glasses?
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Home Theater Geeks Podcast
Podcast 56: David Bales
Scott Wilkinson  |  Mar 09, 2011
David Bales, Manager of Product Planning for Pioneer's home A/V products, reveals details about four new Pioneer-brand A/V receivers, which were unveiled on Monday, March 7, in San Francisco. Among the new models' many features is tight integration with the Apple iPad and iPhone, including a super-cool interactive user's manual. He also discusses automatic room correction with Pioneer's MCACC, class-D vs. class-AB amplification, the evolution of user interfaces and iPod connectivity, and answers to chat-room questions.

Run Time: 55:51

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Audio Video News
Pioneer Announces 2011 Receivers, Apple AirPlay Support and More
Thomas J. Norton  |  Mar 09, 2011
For its 2011 lineup of AV receivers, Pioneer has gone Apple in a big way. The four new models, introduced at a press event in San Francisco, range in price from $249 for the VSX-521 to $549 for the top-of-the-line VSX-1021.

To various degrees, depending on model, the receivers incorporate a high level of compatibility with iDevices from Apple, including iPhone and iPad, with no external dock required. All four feature at least 110 watts per channel (120W per in the VSX-1021, all measured at 1kHz and 8Ω) using traditional class-AB amplification. The two lower end models sport 110W x 5 and the top two are equipped to drive 7 channels. Among their features are compatibility with today's most widely used audio formats (including Dolby Pro Logic IIz's height-channel option), 3D pass-through via multiple HDMI 1.4 inputs, and Pioneer's proprietary MCACC room calibration. All of the new units are Bluetooth-ready (with the addition of an optional adapter).

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