3-D(eath!)

Source: Samsung.com

“Warning: Children and teenagers may be more susceptible to health issues associated with viewing in 3D and should be closely supervised when viewing these images.”

So starts the fine print on Samsung Australia’s new 3-D site. There are of course the legitimate health warnings that need mentioning of course, but these are the ones you see before any movies or video games. It is the ones that are more familiar to roller coaster enthusiasts that should make you raise an eyebrow.

Here are a couple of my favorite excerpts; the first one is my personal favorite:

“Viewing in 3D may cause disorientation for some viewers. Accordingly, DO NOT place your television near open stairwells, cables, balconies, or other objects that can be tripped over, run into, knocked down, broken or fallen over.”

And a warning for all you fashion gurus out there trying to make 3-D glasses en vogue:

“Do not use the 3D glasses for any other purpose than for viewing 3D television. Wearing the 3D glasses for any other purpose (as general spectacles, sunglasses, protective goggles, etc.) may be physically harmful to you and may weaken your eyesight.”

And this one you are more likely to see at the gate to the Tilt-a-Whirl:

“Pregnant women … those who are sleep deprived or under the influence of alcohol should avoid utilizing the unit’s 3D functionality.”

Well crud everybody, what does this all mean? 3-D movies, which are for a large part directed at children, are more likely to cause health problems in our youth. People will be falling over themselves, down stairwells, over balconies and face planting into their TV screens. Are you expecting? Then expect not to be watching anything in the third dimension. Have you been boozing while watching Avatar again? Poor choice, I predict puke-age in your near future.

It’s the 3-Docalypse! Or maybe (more likely) it is just Samsung Australia trying to cover its assets. Humorous none the less!

Fox Celebrates 75 Years of Filmmaking

Source: MovieWeb

20^th Century Fox will be celebrating it 75^th anniversary in style by re-releasing over 300 hundred films, on both DVD and Blu-ray. These films that span the studios rich history will be released over the course of the next 12 months.

Throughout the coming year Fox will be releasing both individual films along with various themed boxed sets. Many of which will also be available for the first time in Blu-ray. Over the next few weeks the full catalog should be public, but the first wave is already available for purchase at their new site, Fox75th.com, dedicated to the year-long celebration.

Keep an eye on Fox75th.com for both information on the upcoming releases and the ability to purchase them online. On top of having the chance to own part of what will be an extensive library, ranging from award winners to box office hits, you will also have the opportunity win various prizes such as Blu-rays, DVDs, Posters and for one lucky winner $75,000.

Stay tuned, looks like the next 12 months are going to be the Year of the Fox.

Apple Gets In Your Face

Source: Apple Insider

That’s right, Apple just applied for a patent on a new dock for your iPhone that you wear on your face like some kind of ridiculous View-Master or what Apple likes to call a "Head-Mounted Display Apparatus for Retaining a Portable Electronic Device with Display." Look at those patent plans at the right. Ok, now stop laughing for a second and consider the following:

• Why?
• Is this legit?
• When can I get mine?
• Again, Why?

As for the why, Apple is not satisfied with any current head mounted devices and feels this new model will both be easier to wield and do away with redundant features. Yup, this should do the trick.

As for the legitimacy of this patent upon further inspection it was announced on April 1^st … not exactly the best time to unveil new products. But I would not put it past Apple to apply for a patent on this technology, as unnecessary as it may seem now, for its future applications.

If you are asking yourself, “These are totally rad, dude! Where can I get my hands on the hardware?” Then all I have to say to you is the 80’s called and they said they want to hang out on Friday and maybe see that new Schwarzenegger flick. Or you can just pick up some of these bad boys!

And in case you (like me and probably every other sane mind) are still wondering why, can you imagine somebody wearing this monstrosity on their face? I just hope these are real so I can watch Steve Job’s try to make these look cool.

Nota Bene: According to these extremely detailed plans the iPhone goes through the bridge of your nose. So is rhinoplasty covered in the warranty or what?

Audiophiles, You're Welcome

Source: DTS.com

DTS Digital Entertainment has always taken sound seriously. If you were to look at your DVD or Blu-ray collection chances are a large portion of your discs are a product of their engineering genius. They continue to push the envelope on audio quality with the release of two new products that promise a more quality viewing experience.

While these two new tools developed by DTS may not be something that every Joe Schmoe will use personally they will surely benefit from them. Regardless if you are a sound mixer or not it is worth noting that improved audio quality is on its way and DTS made it possible.

First up is the Neural Upmix™ by DTS which will allow upconversion from 5.1 surround sound to the more immersive 7.1 system spreading the noise without losing the punch. This pug-in will allow for better soundtrack quality and customizability from scene to scene. This device will make it possible so that when you’re watching the Michael Bay masterpiece that is Pearl Harbor the explosions can be more bombastic but that tender kiss between Ben Affleck and Kate Beckinsale will only make your retinas bleed and not your eardrums.

Second on the menu is a new version DTS-HD Audio Suite™ v.2.5, streamlining already one of the fastest audio encoders used in Blu-ray discs, aims to prepare for what is sure to be an onslaught of 3-D home media and the ever expanding online services offered by companies such as Netflix.

“With DTS-HD becoming the primary audio codec on Blu-ray Disc, DTS continues to look for ways to streamline production workflow for our customers for both 2D and 3D Blu-ray Disc, as well as online digital delivery,” says Ronny Katz, Director of Professional Audio, DTS, Inc. “Our DTS-HD Encoder is already the fastest lossless audio encoder for Blu-ray disc. Our goal with version 2.5 is to deliver even higher efficiency and automation, and to address the demands of 3D production.”

Nota Bene: Good, now let’s add some 7.1 surround sound to some classics. Singing in the Rain, anyone?

Buy Blu, Save Green

Source: Amazon.com

From now until May 10^th Amazon.com is having a great sale on select Blu-rays and the more you buy the more you save. You can save up to $45 while picking from the list of 21 movies, many of which are actually good!

• Buy three Blu-ray discs, save $15.

• Buy five Blu-ray discs, save $27.

• Buy seven Blu-ray discs, save $45.

Feel thrifty here!

Universal Goes Criminal

Source: Blu-ray.com

Universal Studios has just announced three Blu-ray releases for July 17^th; Alpha Dog, Assault on Precinct 13 (2005 remake) and genius In Bruges, along with some decent special features.

Let’s break it down:

Alpha Dog:

• A Cautionary Tale: The Making of Alpha Dog
• My Scenes

Assault on Precinct 13:

• Audio commentary with director Jean-François Richet, writer James DeMonaco and producer Jeffrey Silver
• Armed and Dangerous
• Behind Precinct Walls
• Plan of Attack
• The Assault Team
• Deleted scenes with optional commentary by director Jean-François Richet
• Caught in the Crosshairs: Behind the Scenes of Assault on Precinct 13
• My Scenes

In Bruges:

• Gag reel
• A Boat Trip around Bruges
• My Scenes

Nota Bene: If for nothing else you got to love In Bruges for this one nsfw scene.