Audio Video News

The latest research from Dallas-based Parks Associates reveals that almost 40 percent of internet-connected U.S. households now have a streaming media player.

Here's a mouthful. A team from the Institute of Multidisciplinary Research for Advanced Materials at the Tohoku University announced that they've discovered a way to increase the storage capacity of a standard DVD to 42GB. They can also multiply...

The 4K revolution has begun, led by none other than Hollywood heavy-hitter Will Smith as Hancock. Yup, the much advertised movie is finally here (don't you love this time of year with all the summer blockbusters?) In a style befitting a big-budget...

At the recent Showest trade show for the commercial-cinema industry, one the most important announcements was a $315M deal between Sony and AMC, one of the country's largest movie-theater chains, to install Sony 4K SXRD digital-cinema projectors for all 4628 screens in its 309 theaters over the next few years. Currently, AMC has 150 Sony 4K projectors in 11 theaters.

This week at ShoWest 2005 in Las Vegas—the premier gathering for commercial-cinema owners and operators—HD entrepreneur Mark Cuban and partner Todd Wagner announced at they are taking a big step toward the digital future with the purchase of six Sony SRX-R110 digital-cinema projectors for their Landmark Theatres, the nation's largest "art-house" theater chain, currently with 209 screens in 22 markets. The SRX-R110 provides 4K (4096x2160) resolution and 10,000 ANSI lumens of light output using SXRD (Silicon Crystal [X-tal] Reflective Display) technology, Sony's version of LCoS. The projectors will be installed in six Landmark Theatres—two each in Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco—with the eventual goal of converting all Landmark locations to 4K SXRD projection.

Recent success with streaming trials of live 4K sporting events, including the first live North American soccer broadcast in 4K by Univision Deportes on February 10, will lead to more live 4K streaming events through the summer, according to Sony. The game/test event, which took place at Marlins Park in Miami, was streamed live to audiences in Florida, New York, and California via late model Sony HDR-capable 4K Ultra HD TVs, which have NeuLion’s 4K streaming platform integrated.

Upwards of half of all U.S. households will own a 4K/Ultra HD TV over the next three years, according to research firm Strategy Analytics, which begs the question: How much 4K content will be available?