The new Apple TV 4K is a huge leap ahead from the previous generation with a better remote, higher frame rate HDR and a new Colour Balance feature that puts a world of content at your fingertips in the best quality.

TVs are getting bigger and picture quality is getting better and there is no shortage of content that will showcase their remarkable features.

Apple TV 4K is a product that turns your television into an entertainment hub to view your favourite TV shows, movies, sport, as well as access your music, play your favourite games and access your favourite apps.

This time around while the Apple TV 4K unit itself looks pretty much the same as the previous model, it’s the new Siri Remote which has undergone the biggest change and made viewing your content even easier.

Under the hood of the Apple TV 4K is the A12 bionic chip with 64-bit architecture that adds new video decoding capabilities as well as audio enhancements which means your TV shows, movies and sport will look and sound better than ever before.

Setting up the device takes just minutes with iPhone users able to bring it close to Apple TV to start the process.

And it’s not the only time you’ll be using the iPhone to optimise Apple TV 4K – but more about that later.

The new Siri Remote has an all-new look and design which is bigger and thicker than the previous remote.

The buttons have also been rearranged along with the navigation controls.

The circular click pad is surrounded by directional keys and is touch sensitive so you can use it to swipe down to find out information about what you’re watching and jog through your movie with a simple circular gesture to get to the point you want to watch.

You need to hit the pause button first before running your thumb on the outer ring either clockwise or counter clockwise depending on the direction you choose to move through the timeline.

It will get you to your scene in seconds.

On the side of the controller is a dedicated Siri button which makes it easy for you to find your content with spoken searches and also navigate what you’re watching simply by asking.

For example, you might ask Siri to “find movies starring Tom Cruise” or “go forward two minutes”.

The remote also works to control the volume of your TV and to power it on and off.

The keys are easy to locate so you can find your way around it without the need to look down at the remote.

That’s ideal if you’re in the middle of a movie with the lights down.

Another remarkable new feature is Colour Balance – a feature that uses the advanced sensors on your iPhone to improve your TV’s picture quality.

When held up to the television, your iPhone uses its camera and proximity sensor to guide you to an onscreen target.

It uses the light sensor on your iPhone to create a comparison between your TV’s colour balance to the industry standard specifications used by film makers around the world.

At the end of the process you are presented with the original settings and the balanced settings.

You can toggle between these two settings to see the difference for yourself and choose whether to adopt the new settings or stick with the original.

We chose to go with the new settings which improved the look of the image on our Samsung 4K TV.

I’m sure if you’ve invested in a 4K TV and a decent audio system you want to watch the best possible quality content.

And that’s exactly what Apple TV 4K offers.

Already on board is 4K compatibility so you’re taking advantage of the entire resolution of your 4K TV along with HDR (high dynamic range) for much better contrast ratios and greater colour depth.

The great thing about Apple TV 4K is that it supports both Dolby Vision and HDR10 which are the two leading HDR formats used in the industry.

And that means you’re able to enjoy more HDR content across more sources and on w wider range of televisions.

The other interesting new addition, thanks to this superior processing power, is high frame rate HDR which allows you to watch content at 60 frames per second.

The result is an even smoother and more natural appearance than ever before whether you’re watching fast moving action films or sports.

We put this to the test while watching movies and watching sport and the difference was noticeable.

Apple TV 4K also supports Dolby Atmos so viewers can enjoy three-dimensional sound that runs in all directions in your viewing space, including from above you, if you have a compatible sound system to give you a fully immersive experience.

Of course, one of the best things about Apple TV 4K, is the content it can put at your fingertips.

Users have access to the App Store to download the latest streaming apps including Netflix, Stan, Kayo Sports and all the free-to-air catch up.

And you can also access iTunes and Apple TV to view the latest movies and TV shows in stunning 4K quality.

But Apple TV 4K isn’t just about TV shows and movies.

it can also be your gaming arcade and your gym as well.

The onboard A12 Bionic chip means support for high quality games which you can enjoy on your TV and control with either your PlayStation or Xbox game controllers.

Apple Arcade is where you’ll find these latest games which developers have created to take advantage of the smoother motion and greater responsiveness that Apple TV 4K can offer.

And on the fitness side, Apple Fitness+ allows you to workout with amazing trainers in a fitness class which takes your in-session metrics like your heart rate and calories burned from your Apple Watch and displays it on your screen in real time.

iPhone users can also unlock and enjoy a range of features including using your iPhone as a remote control for Apple TV 4K and entering text via keyboard notification on your iPhone.

You can also connect up to two sets of AirPods to your Apple TV 4K so you can enjoy your content quietly and in private.

Apple TV 4K supports HDMI 2.1 for higher video bandwidth and higher frame rates and also has Wi-Fi 6 on board for higher data connection speeds to improve your streaming experience.

Apple TV 4K is available now for $249 (32GB) and $279 (64GB).

VERDICT

Apple TV 4K is a worthwhile investment and an exciting upgrade for anyone interested in viewing the latest content in the highest quality in the easiest and most comfortable way.

The post Apple TV 4K 2021 review – access the latest content in the highest quality appeared first on Tech Guide.

When Disneyland opened Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge less than three months ago there was a lot of fanfare – a lot of pressure for the $1.4 billion investment to be a success. We decided to check it out for ourselves.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is located in the north-eastern corner of Disneyland and takes up 56,000 square metres of space and took five years to bring to life.

After Disney purchased Lucasfilm and set an ambitious schedule of new films, incorporating Star Wars into an even larger presence at Disneyland was just a matter of time.

So has Disney’s gamble paid off?

Just this week there were reports Disney’s attendance was down three per cent and the expected high crowds at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge hadn’t materialised.

What we can tell you for ourselves that Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is an amazing achievement and a remarkable section of the Star Wars universe that has been brought to life.

Crowd levels were solid – as much as other areas of the park – and you could still easily find your way around.

Here’s our review of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

WHO IS THE TARGET AUDIENCE?

We are massive Star Wars fans and, like a lot of other people around the world, any mention of the franchise will get our attention.

But not everyone is as fanatical as us.

The minute Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened we made plans to get here as soon as we could.

The opportunity wad this week and we weren’t disappointed.

Just seeing the life-size version of the Millennium Falcon almost brought a tear to our eyes.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is meant to be the Black Spire Outpost on the planet Baatu where the evil First Order has an obvious presence but the Resistance is building.

Unlike the other lands at Disneyland, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is designed to be more than just rides and the opportunity to get a photo with a stormtrooper.

The vision for Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge was far greater. It was meant to allow visitors to create their own story and adventure.

The cast members (what Disneyland calls their employees) are all in on their roles and they all stay in character.

As I was lining up for the Smuggler’s Run ride aboard the Millennium Falcon, I asked one of the staff members how long they had been working at Disneyland.

She replied she has been living on Baatu her entire life.

Even store workers talk about wishing to visit my planet when they hear I’m from Australia.

And they don’t talk about things costing dollars and cents. If an item is $7.99 – they say it is 8.64 credits (including tax) – but they do accept cash and all major credit cards.

I bought a hat in one of the stores and the man on the counter offered me the receipt “just in case you get stopped by the troopers”.

I thought this was a great touch and helped you get immersed in this amazing world.

The place itself is remarkable with so much attention to detail that will have Star Wars fans spotting various objects and creatures and masks and ships.

Even if you’re not a diehard fan, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge would still be appealing because it lets you step into the world.

Now if you expect to see Darth Vader, the old school storm troopers and Luke Skywalker you’re going to be disappointed.

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is set very much in the sequel trilogy timeline after Episode VII The  Force Awakens and Episode VIII The Last Jedi.

This will appeal to the kids and your family who were growing up with these new chapters.

But for everyone else, from a tragic fan like myself to those even with mild interest in Star Wars will really enjoy Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge.

You’ll see Chewbacca and Rey and the First Order stormtroopers and, if you’re lucky, Kylo Ren will make an appearance.

And they all stay in character asking if you’re a Resistance sympathiser or if you’d like to join the First Order.

They don’t just stand there like Mickey Mouse and pose for pictures all the time.

Sometimes they do, it just depends on their mood and what’s happening around them.

We went to enquire about the lightsabre building at Savi’s workshop and when the woman behind the counter spotted the First Order storm troopers she quickly removed the lightsaber information from the counter until they left the area.

Even though there is only one ride open – Smuggler’s Run (another ride, Rise of the Resistance is opening in January) – there is still a lot to do at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge that will make you feel like you’ve been transported to another world.

You can’t see the outside world from Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge – you can’t even see the other parts of Disneyland.

There are experiences, encounters and a very clever treasure hunt app to enjoy.

And of course plenty of places to eat and buy merchandise.

SMUGGLER’S RUN

This is the only ride open in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at the moment and is a fun experience that will literally get you into the cockpit of the Millennium Falcon and take the controls.

All of my childhood fantasies of flying the Millennium Falcon were fulfilled on this ride.

When you arrive to come aboard you’re assigned one of six  positions in the cockpit – with two pilots, two engineers and two gunners.

Each has their role to play and has to press buttons and pull levers and actually pilot the ship to complete the mission.

I was lucky enough to get the pilot role in the right-hand seat normally occupied by Chewbacca and my job was to control the ship going up and down. The left pilot’s job was to control left right.

These controls worked to a degree to make you feel like you were contributing, but the ride is pretty much on rails and holding the control just adds to the enjoyment.

The highlight for me was pulling the lever to send the Falcon into lightspeed. In that moment I was a child again and you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face.

The good thing about the ride is the attention to detail in the recreation of the interior of not only the cockpit but also the other areas of the ship which we have seen in the films including the circular holochess table and the padded circular passageways.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Take us to lightspeed!! Jumping into hyperspace aboard the Millenium Falcon at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at @Disneyland. #starwars #starwarsgalaxysedge #disneyland

A post shared by TechGuide (@techguideau) on Aug 13, 2019 at 2:08pm PDT

If the goal is to make you feel like you are actually on the Millennium Falcon – the ride creators have succeeded admirably.

BUILD A LIGHTSABER AND A DROID

Visitors have the opportunity to build their own lightsaber and create their own astro-mech droid.

We opted to build our own lightsaber but a lot of the younger visitors will no doubt prefer the Droid Depot which will allow them to construct their own controllable BB Series or R Series drawings and personalise them with various colours, domes, connection plates, bodies and motivators.

Each droid is priced at $US99.99 plus tax and comes with a carry box and instructions.

To build your own lightsabre, you need to make a booking through the app and, when it’s time for your session, you head to Savi’s Workshop.

This experience is priced at $US199.99 plus tax which brings it to $US215.

Users get to choose from one of four themes for their lightsaber – Peace and Justice, Power and Control, Elemental Nature and Protection and Defence.

We opted for Power and Control.

The experience begins when you are taken into the workshop by the Gatherers and given one of 12 stations inside.

The Gatherers talk to you about the mythology of the lightsaber and explain how it is powered by the various coloured Kyber crystals and take you through the colours the great Jedi and Sith have chosen before you.

You’re asked then to close your eyes and see which colour calls to you before you make your choice. The colour you choose will determined the colour of your blade when it is ignited.

We went for the green Kyber crystal and then a tray of parts was placed in front of us.

You start by inserting the crystal and then choose the activator, grips, emitter and pommel you prefer.

They are all metal pieces and are quite sturdy and we were impressed by the quality.

When you’re done, you’ve got quite a solid and heavy lightsaber handle in your hands.

After placing your completed lightsaber in front of you, the Gatherers come around and inspect each one before inserting it into a small portal below the desktop to attach your blade.

You are then asked to step forward to activate your lightsaber and it fires up and reveals the colour of the blade through the small window on the benchtop.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Building my own lightsaber and Savi’s Workshop at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at @disneyland #starwars #disneyland #starwarsgalaxysedge

A post shared by TechGuide (@techguideau) on Aug 13, 2019 at 1:53pm PDT

The panel slides open and you can see your completed lightsaber for the first time.

What you’re left with is a high-quality lightsaber that you designed.

The Gatherers provide a padded carry sleeve and then ask you to go make your mark in the universe.

We were keen to buy additional crystals for the lightsaber to be able to change the blade’s colour.

Remarkably, changing the crystal not only changes the colour of the blade but also the sound of the ignition and idle and motion sounds of the lightsabre.

So naturally we wanted more.

When we went to Dok-Ondar’s Den of Antiquities to purchase the other crystals we were told we needed to buy a $US49.95 Jedi or Sith Holocron before we could buy another $US12.83 Kyber crystal – a total purchase now more than $US60

I knew that you were able to buy these individually when Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge opened but this is no longer the case.

I was given several reasons why you could not but then I found out the truth.

Customers have been buying every crystal available and then listing them on eBay at vastly inflated prices.

So what does Disneyland do? They forced customers to buy a $US50 item to buy a single crystal thinking this will deter opportunistic customers.

What it has done is made these other crystals people are selling on eBay even more valuable.

An item is valuable because it is rare but giving customers the opportunity to buy as many as they want would make these eBay listings even less important and bring the value back down to normal.

APP TREASURE HUNT

The Disneyland app is excellent – it helps visitors navigate the park, check out the wait times on rides and make FastPass reservations.

But within the app are also games you can play while waiting in line for your ride.

At Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge, the Star Wars: Datapad lets you explore the area even further.

It’s like a virtual treasure hunt which uses Bluetooth and location-based services.

Users build a profile and earn points by hacking control panels, droids, ships and even the Millennium Falcon itself.

The hackable objects show up within the app when you are close by and you are given 45 seconds to solve the puzzle to complete the hack.

When successful there are various reactions from watching the buttons light up and make sounds to louder beeps and chirps and even making the Millennium Falcons lights turn on.

The Datapad also includes a scanner and users will notice numerous crates scattered around Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge which have QR codes on them.

Users scanned these codes and solve a puzzle to find out what’s inside and to include in their stash.

Players can even tune antennas to earn points and build up their profile and their credits to earn rewards.

There were many people who didn’t realise this was a possibility but we found it was a nice touch and made us want to explore Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge even more.

FOOD AND DRINK

And of course, you can’t be roaming the Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge on an empty stomach and there are numerous places for you to eat.

At Docking Bay 7 you can choose exotically named meals of chicken, ribs or salads an order them through the Disneyland app.

We placed a mobile order and skipped the line at Docking Bay 7 and we had our food within 10 minutes.

On one day we had the Smoked Kaadu Ribs and the next have the Fried Endorian Tip-yip (crispy chicken) and both were excellent.

There are numerous other food stations including Oga’s Cantina where you can sample exotic concoctions for young and old – but here you need to make a reservation up to two weeks in advance.

You can also try the blue and green milk made famous in the Star Wars films and other frozen treats at the Milk Stand.

We gave the blue milk a try and it tasted like an icy fruit smoothie.

They also sell spherical Coke and Diet Coke bottles which are only available at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge and make great souvenirs.

VERDICT

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge is amazing and is only going to get better as more rides are added and the experience is fine-tuned.

Whether you are an avid fan like us, have children who like Star Wars or are curious to experience life on another planet it is most definitely worth a visit.

The recent headlines of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge being a failure couldn’t be further from the truth.

The post Here’s our review of Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland – an amazing experience appeared first on Tech Guide.

When it comes to projectors, there are 4K models and True 4K models. The excellent Sony 4K SXRD Home Cinema VPL-VW570ES falls into the latter category and brings a truly cinematic and immersive experience into your home.

This latest model is a massive jump from the previous version – which we own – so we’re in a good position to notice the many improvements.

It’s going to be hard to go back to watching our VPL-VW300ES Sony 4K projector now that we’ve laid eyes on the latest VPL-VW570ES.

For a start the new projector is brighter at 1,800 lumens compared to 1,500 and now also packs in HDR (high dynamic range) which also makes a world of difference.

Even though we are talking about the same number of pixels – there are more than 8 million of them thanks to the 4096 x 2160 True 4K resolution – there is still a noticeable improvement in picture quality, contrast and clarity.

This Sony projector has true native 4K which means it displays every one of those 8 million plus pixels.

Other 4K projectors on the market, which are also thousands of dollars cheaper than the Sony model, offer a 4K experience but achieve this with something called “pixel shifting”.

They take their 1080p chips and shift them hundreds of times per second to provide a 4K image.

But not the Sony projector – it has a native 4K SXRD panel to produce true 4K resolution without the need for any pixel shifting trickery.

What you see on the screen is an actual 4K image and, to us, the difference is huge.

If you’ve gone to the trouble of creating a dedicated home theatre like we have, there is no point compromising on the quality.

For anyone else with that “go big or go home” attitude like us, the Sony VPL-VW500ES 4K projector is worth every penny.

The latest 4K SXRD panel produces stunning picture quality with deep blacks and rich colours.

There is so much detail to enjoy even on a large 150-inch screen. There is nowhere for that picture to hide – it was amazing.

What helped was the 350,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio that helps produce flawless tones and textures.

There are several preset modes to suit movie viewing, TV and even gaming.

But what really does the heavy lifting with the Sony projector is HDR (it’s compatible with HDR 10 and HLG -hybrid log gamma formats) which produces impressive colour and contrast so the viewer can see a lot more detail in the brighter and darker areas of the screen rather than a washout white areas or blacks sections with zero detail.

So what you see on the screen is an even truer representation of what the filmmaker intended.

The VPL-VW570ES includes Reality Creation technology that can enhance image crispness on-the-fly without increasing noise.

This feature also provides excellent upscaling to take existing full high definition Blu-ray disc or DVD content to near 4K quality.

The upscaling is so good, we’re happy to upscale a Blu-ray version of a film we own rather than going out to buy the 4K version.

For movies we truly love (we’re still waiting to see the original Star Wars trilogy on 4K!!) we’d be happy to pay for the native 4K version – we’ve already done that.

But in many other instances the upscale from the BD version still looks incredible.

The projector can handle 4K HDR content at 60 frames per second but we also needed HDMI cable that can handle 18Gbps to be able to showcase the smoother look and feel of the picture.

And you also need a special HDMI cable – an active directional cable that can handle 18Gbps.

We used a 15m Wireworld Sphere HDMI cable which also has a small USB cable that connects to the projector’s USB port near the HDMI port for added power.

And it is directional (which means you need to connect the right end to the projector and the right end to the receiver.

This uni-path structure reduces signal loss and provides superior performance.

And naturally it can handle HDR and is HDCP 2.2 compatible. The HDMI 2 input on the Sony projector is HDCP 2.2 compatible.

Also onboard the Sony projector is 4K MotionFlow which can smooth out any motion blur quite nicely.

But Sony recognises many of the customers who purchase this projector will be cinema purists which is why there is also a True Theatre low which basically shuts off the MotionFlow and retains the original 24fps look warts and all.

We like in motion flow to the Beauty Mode on a smartphone camera that can smooth out all your flaws to produce a better image.

If you don’t mind that look or couldn’t tell the difference anyway, MotionFlow is a great feature.

But users do have the option of getting that true theatre look to the image.

Setting up the Sony projector is surprisingly easy.

You basically aim the device at your screen and then adjust the lens zoom and lens shift to fit your screen.

Sony has included nine calibrated picture modes including two theatre film modes, cinema digital, reference, TV, photo, game, bright cinema and bright TV.

You can also drill down into the settings and even adjust the colour temperature.

And of course you can also get the projector professionally calibrated to suit your viewing environment.

But for us, we hardly had to tweak the settings to see a superb image.

Yes, the Sony projector is expensive at $11,999 and it is designed for enthusiasts who already have or want to set up a home cinema in their home.

This isn’t the sort of product you just set up in your lounge room. It’s meant to be used in a dedicated room set aside for watching movies.

And the result in a proper home set up is simply stunning with the cinema-like experience in your own home.

Having a projector like this, it would take a lot to get us to the cinema – it would have to be an absolute blockbuster to make us line up at the box office.

With this amazing Sony projector, we would be more than happy to wait for the 4K version so we can enjoy the movies in amazing quality and in the comfort of our own home.

VERDICT

If you’re serious about setting up a home theatre then you should be serious about the projector you choose. The Sony VPL-VW570ES True 4K Home Cinema projector should be that choice.

The post Sony VPL-VW570ES 4K projector review – enjoy stunning cinema quality at home appeared first on Tech Guide.

Apple TV has moved to the next level by offering access to stunning 4K content just as customers are buying more 4K Ultra High Definition televisions than ever before.

The new Apple TV 4K is a truly impressive device which puts the latest movies, TV shows, and apps right at our fingertips.

But customers will benefit from all the work Apple has done behind-the-scenes with the major studios to ramp up the amount of 4K movies and TV shows that we will be seeing on our screens.

Only a customer who decides to purchase the Apple TV 4K, will be able to appreciate Apple’s remarkable clout to not only encourage studios to offer more 4K but also keep it at a reasonable price.

The only studio hold out is Disney but hopefully it will be offering 4K movies really soon. And were hoping the latest Star Wars films are among them.

If one were to buy a 4K movie on disk, you’re looking at a cost of about $40.

But it seems Apple has gone into bat for its customers to ensure studios charged the same price for 4K as they would for HD.

And what’s even better is the fact that anyone who’s already purchased a movie in HD it will be updated to the 4K version when it’s available – absolutely free.

Apple TV 4K also delivers HDR (high dynamic range) and Dolby Vision so not only are you seeing more pixels but higher quality pixels as well.

The device itself looks identical to the previous model but the remote control has had a slight upgrade.

Typically, Apple TV 4K is an absolute breeze to set up. It’s as easy as having your iPhone by your side so Apple TV 4K can sign into your account, connect to the same Wi-Fi network and have you up and running in no time.

A nice touch was the Apple TV 4K’s ability to automatically organise the best possible video output where you’ve got a 4K or HD TV.

We were also impressed with the way the device could detect whether the TV had HDR or Dolby Vision.

For our review, we used Apple TV 4K with a Samsung 65-inch 4K HDR TV and an LG 65-inch 4K OLED TV with Dolby Vision.

Each time we connected the device ran a little test to ensure nothing would compromise the experience, including the cable we were using.

Under the hood is the A10X Fusion chip with 64-bit architecture so it’s smooth and fast and delivers impressive graphics performance for games and apps.

The best part of Apple TV 4K is iTunes movies in 4K.

Before this week, Netflix was the main source of 4K content in HDR or Dolby Vision.

Now with Apple TV 4K, iTunes is now the new go-to source for this high-quality material.

There are 16 titles on Netflix with Dolby Vision compared with more than 70 on iTunes

iTunes offers new release movies with some available in 4K and with either HDR or Dolby Vision.

Bottom line, there’s lots of content to choose from and enjoy in 4K.

But how does it look?

The short answer is: absolutely brilliant.

Playing a movie off a 4K disc offers a higher bit-rate than a streamed 4K movie but Apple TV managed to exceed our expectations with the quality it provided.

Yes, it depends on the speed of your internet connection but Apple TV 4K with its A10X processor has got your back to intelligently buffer the stream so all you see is the movie and no annoying screen freezes.

And it maintains impressive 4K resolution at the same time with HDR.

We were pleased to see some of our titles have been updated to 4K including The Martian which looked nothing short of stunning on our Samsung HDR 4K TV.

The detail, colour and contrast was really impressive.

And we had the same result with Dolby Vision.

New release Wonder Woman is one of many movies in 4K with Dolby Vision.

A small badge appears on the top right corner to indicate whether HDR or Dolby Vision is being played with that title.

Siri is also in control for Apple 4K TV users so you can ask to find certain movies and genres and execute commands like opening apps and playing specific TV show episodes and movies.

Users can you control the playback with Siri. You can say things like “go forward 10 minutes” and a second later you’ll land in that exact spot.

You can also get really specific with your searches like asking for movies in 4K, movies of a particular genre and movies starring certain actors.

Siri can be activated from the dedicated button on the remote.

Speaking of the remote, it’s had a slight makeover with a more prominent menu button is easy to find in the dark thanks to a ridge that encircles the button.

It has retained the trackpad and adds a shortcut to the TV app which brings together more than 60 apps and subscription services and organise your iTunes library.

It can help you discover something new as well is remind you of the latest episodes of your favourite TV shows.

And it’s not just restricted to Apple TV 4K. The TV app is now part of iOS 11 on the iPhone and iPad and provides a seamless extension to what you’re watching on your TV.

For example, if you’re watching something on Apple TV and need to head out, you can pick up where you left off on your iPhone or iPad.

Apple TV now also includes all of Australia’s major catch up TV services.

Your nearby iPhone and iPad also come in handy whenever you need to enter text for research or to sign in.

When that screen appears on Apple TV 4K, you’ll feel a vibration on your device to remind you that you can use the iPhone or iPad keyboard.

It’s also possible to navigate Apple TV through control centre on any device running iOS 11.

The App Store is also available on Apple TV 4K with lots of apps and games showcasing the increased resolution and power of the device.

On the gaming side, it’s possible to play sophisticated action packed games and control everything with the Apple TV 4K remote-control which now has a three-axis accelerometer like the iPhone.

It’s also got HomeKit on board so it can act as the gatekeeper to all your connected devices and allow you to still have control when you’re out using the home kit app on your iOS device.

Another cool new feature are the screensavers shot in cities and beautiful landscapes which are also now in 4K quality.

Apple TV 4K

Price: $249 (32GB), $279 (64GB)

VERDICT

Now Apple has stepped into the world of 4K, customers can expect a steady stream of high quality content. It will all come through Apple TV 4K which provides a fantastic home viewing experience.

The post Apple 4K TV review – your gateway to stunning movies and TV shows in 4K HDR appeared first on Tech Guide.

Having a projector opens up so many options if you’re looking for a big screen experience to enjoy your movies and games and great place to start is with the BenQ W1210ST full high definition projector.

Whether you want to set up a home theatre for the first time or plug in a projector on the coffee table at the spur of the moment, the BenQ W1210ST can suit both use cases.

This is helped by the fact the projector is really easy to set up and it offers great quality and value.

The W1210ST has a 1920 x 1080 full high definition resolution with its DLP projection system with a lamp that can run for up to 7000 hours before you need to change it – that’s a hell of a lot of movies and gameplay.

Gamers will also love this projector thanks to some specialty features BenQ has included.

It has a brightness of 2200 ANSI lumens and a 15,000:1 contrast ratio and can project an image up to 300-inches in size.

With the trend to towards bigger TVs gaining momentum, the BenQ projectors offers a way to go big without breaking the bank. It’s priced at just $1,499.

One thing you won’t get with the BenQ projector that you will get with a larger TV is 4K resolution and HDR (high dynamic range).

If you want a 4K HDR projector – that’s a whole new proposition altogether and it would cost a whole lot more.

But the quality of the W1210ST is plain to see – it will surprise you.

Under the hood is a colour wheel running at 6x speed so you get true-to-life images without the rainbow effect and without visible pixels like you’re looking through a screen door.

It also has independent colour control for six primary colours to get the right saturation and hue.

The unit itself is 38cm wide, 27.7cm long and 12.2cm tall.

BenQ’s W1210ST is a short throw projector which means it doesn’t need to be positioned all the way at the back of the room.

If you want a 300-inch screen – and you’ve got the space for it – you will have to position the projector way, way back.

But for most viewers a 100-inch picture is big enough for the room and the BenQ W1210ST only has to sit 1.5m away from the screen – or just a plain wall – to achieve this image size.

There is a simple zoom and focus feature on the lens that will have you up and running in no time.

Once you’re plugged in and ready to go, there is a simple set-up interface that takes you through the installation process and asks you how the unit is positioned – on a table or mounted on the ceiling.

For our review, we hooked up the projector to a Blu-ray Disc player on a table and aimed it at a 150-inch screen. The projector was only 2.2m away from the screen.

On the rear panel there are two HDMI inputs as well as USB and audio in and out connections. You can also connect set-top box, Foxtel box or a gaming console.

One thing to note at this point is that the BenQ W1210ST projector has two 10W speakers to provide stereo sound for your movie or game.

For casual use, the sound is acceptable but you’re not going to get a surround sound experience of a dedicated system.

If you do have sound system, the BenQ projector can be hooked into a surround sound speaker system.

Having that built-in speaker is handy especially if you want to set up the projector each time you want to use it or want to take it to a friend’s house to watch a movie or play a game. You know you’ve got sound even if you don’t connect it to a speaker system.

It comes with a handy carry case as well which makes it easy to store and carry around if it’s not permanently set up.

So, what’s the picture quality like? We were pleasantly surprised at the colour and the crispness of the images. It wasn’t that long ago when this sort of quality would have set you back five figures.

We watched a few movies we knew quite well including Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the colour and contrast was most impressive.

The black levels were also above average as well. Black is a hard colour for a projector to produce but the BenQ unit had no trouble.

There was even enough definition to distinguish detail with these dark areas of the screen.

But gamers will love the BenQ W1210ST even more.

One drawback when playing games through a projector is the lag. That split second longer it takes the signal to hit the screen can affect your experience and could mean the difference between winning and losing in an online game.

But BenQ has cleverly addressed this issue with the W1210ST – the world’s first home projector to come with low input lag.

This means the responsiveness with the projector is virtually the same as you’d see if your console was connected to a regular TV.

It has a dedicated Game Mode as well as a Game Bright Mode so players get a slightly brighter image to cope with the variation with light and shadows in the game without losing picture quality.

BenQ W1210ST

Price: $1,499

VERDICT

The BenQ W1210ST is a great value projector that truly punches above its weight to provide remarkable quality and an excellent experience whether you’re watching movies or playing games.

The post BenQ W1210ST home projector review – big screen experience without the big price appeared first on Tech Guide.

Rogue One! Wow!! The first standalone Star Wars movie is a thrilling rollercoaster ride that will make you cheer, make you laugh, keep you on the edge of your seat and amaze you.

This is a SPOILER FREE review – we will not give away any plot points or any information that you haven’t already seen in the trailer.

Even if you have never see a Star Wars movie before, Rogue One is still an enjoyable experience that’s filled with excellent performances and special effects that will have you picking your jaw up off the floor.

And if you are a Star Wars die-hard fan, there is a whole other level of enjoyment for you as you pick up on the many references – some quite subtle and others front and centre – to the original Star Wars trilogy

Rogue One fits into the Star Wars timeline just before the original 1977 Star Wars film which was known as Episode 4 – A New Hope.

In fact, you could call Rogue One – Episode 3.9. The plot of this new Star Wars film – the theft of the Death Star plans – is mentioned in the opening crawl of that first ever Star Wars movie nearly 40 years ago.

Rogue One, brilliantly directed by Gareth Edwards, does a great job introducing the new characters, creatures and droids and how they fit in with one another.

At the same time, the plot unfolds nicely and the urgency builds quickly as the Empire is about to showcase their latest super weapon – the Death Star.

And while the story line is pretty straightforward, we liked that were some tight little twists and layers that don’t interrupt the flow of the film one bit.

It would have been easy for director Edwards to just dazzle us with special effects and explosions but the characters deserve the lion’s share of credit for why Rogue One is a great film.

Anyone familiar with Star Wars will see lots of things they recognise – Stormtroopers, TIE fighters, X-Wings Imperial destroyers, planets – and Darth Vader.

But despite all of these familiar elements, there are still plenty of surprises for the audience and a cracking story line that hums along on all cylinders.

The environments are striking and the battles and sequences set in each of these worlds will stun you with their ferocity.

The music by Michael Giacchino was another star of the movie. It is bold and dark and includes a few bars of the iconic Star Wars music we all know so well.

VERDICT

All up Rogue One is a really satisfying package.

It’s essentially a gritty war movie that would have still been highly enjoyable even if it wasn’t set in the Star Wars universe.

But the fact it is set a long time ago in that same galaxy far, far away puts Rogue One over the top as the latest must see film.

If you’re a Star Wars fan – this will make you a bigger fan. If you’re not a Star Wars fan, Rogue One could very well turn you into one.

The post Rogue One SPOILER FREE movie review appeared first on Tech Guide.

Laser’s new BD3000 Blu-ray Disc player is not only affordable but it can also play DVDs and Blu-ray Discs from any region in the world so there’s no limit to where you can buy your movies.

We just returned from the US with some Blu-ray Discs – which are all Region A – knowing that the Laser BD3000 would have our back and be able to play the movies.

There’s been a few times when we thought the movie we purchased overseas was OK for all regions and would work in our region-locked (and far more expensive) Blu-ray Disc player – but we got the dreaded “the disc won’t play in your region” message.

We were now the proud owner of the world’s most expensive drink coaster.

But that’s not an issue with the Laser BD3000 Blu-ray Disc player which is priced at just $99.95.

It’s quite a compact unit – just 26cm wide and about 20cm deep so it will easily fit into your entertainment unit.

And not only will it play full high definition Blu-ray Discs bit it can also upscale DVDs to full HD quality as well.

It doesn’t end there. There’s an Ethernet port on the back so you can connect it to your network with a cable – or wirelessly if you purchase a separate wi-fi dongle if don’t have your router close by – so you can access features like BD Live and also any firmware updates.

This also comes in handy for DLNA connectivity so you can access content already within your network off your computers and attached drives.

On the front of the unit is a USB slot which means you can also play files from a USB stick or an external hard drive.

Of course there’s also a HDMI connection so it will plug directly into the latest smart TVs, soundbars and AV receivers as well.

Users will also find the red, white and yellow RCA connection on the back if you’re connecting the BD3000 to an older TV. But this connection won’t be able to give you a high definition signal.

Now the Laser won’t give you the same depth of picture and audio settings that more expensive players offer but the quality isn’t far off those other players despite being hundreds of dollars cheaper.

And plus those more expensive players won’t play multi-region discs.

The Laser’s remote control is also small but it’s not backlit so you’ll have to feel your way or turn it towards some light to find the key you’re looking for.

The main playback keys are located towards the bottom of the remote and can be easily operated without needing to look at it.

The Laser BD3000 Blu-ray Disc player is also backed by a three-year warranty and is available now at Big W, JB Hi-Fi, Harvey Norman and Bing Lee.  It is priced at $99.95.

VERDICT

The Laser BD3000 multi-region Blu-ray Disc player is not only one of most versatile players on the market – it’s also one of the most affordable as well. That’s an irresistible combination.

The post Laser’s affordable BD3000 Blu-ray/DVD player can play discs from all regions appeared first on Tech Guide.

Monitors are going down the same path as smart TVs with curved designs. Samsung, a company that’s been curving its TVs for years now, has applied those smarts to the CF591 27-inch curved full high definition LED monitor.

There’s nothing to say that your computer monitor has to be flat.

Samsung’s CF591 is just one of a range of curved monitors that are designed to immerse you even further into whatever you’re doing whether it’s work, playing a game or watching a movie.

On the design side, the CF591 has a virtually no existent bezel so all you see is the display.

At the bottom of the screen is a 1.7cm silver chin.

And of course, there’s that gentle curve. That 19-degree curvature is designed to imitate the curve of the human eye.

A curve on a TV is one thing – the angle of curvature is different and you’re sitting metres away from it.

But with the CF591, you’re sitting less than half a metre away and the curve is noticeable enough to draw you further in to the screen.

It offers a 178 degree viewing angle and a nice widescreen 16:9 aspect ratio.

It is nicely finished with a white rear panel and a stylish circular stand.

On the connectivity side, there’s HDMI, Display Port, 3.5mm Audio In, D-Sub and a headphone jack.

Also onboard the Samsung CF591 curved monitor are 5-watt stereo speakers which offer decent sound for your movies and games whether it’s connected to a computer, Blu-ray player or gaming console.

The menu system is also easy to navigate the settings and to adjust the picture and sound.

The Samsung curved monitor offers excellent picture quality with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a dynamic 3000:1 contrast ratio.

Black levels are impressive along with the colours thanks to Samsung’s Active Colour Crystal technology.

We connected our computer and a Blu-ray player and the quality was admirable.

For the computer gamer, the Samsung CH591 has features that make the experience even better when every second counts.

AMD FreeSync technology means the image is smooth and dynamically syncs the screen refresh rate with the frame rate of the content to minimise the latency.

Out of the box the screen has a 5ms refresh rate so fast motion offers smooth playback and hardly any motion blur.

There’s also an Eye Saver Mode which, when activated, reduces the blue light emissions and flickering.

Things we didn’t like about the monitor was the lack of USB and Thunderbolt connections. And having a secondary HDMI input would have been handy so you can keep a Blu-ray disc player or gaming console connected without having to disconnect your computer.

In terms of adjustment, you can tilt the screen but to turn the monitor you need to move the whole thing.

It’s also not cheap at $549.95.

VERDICT

The 27-inch Samsung CF591 curved full high definition monitor has a stylish and contemporary design and excellent picture quality but, at $549.95, you should expect nothing less.

The post Samsung CF591 27-inch curved monitor review – high quality and immersive appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has created a way to enjoy your movies at home like never before with its HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbar to deliver three dimensional sound and take your experience to another level.

Audio quality can add so much more to your enjoyment of a movie and Dolby Atmos is the latest standard to provide not only directional sound but also sound from above you as well.

Dolby Atmos (Atmos being short for atmosphere) can require an elaborate set-up with a receiver and speakers placed around the room and even in the ceiling.

But with the HW-K950 soundbar, Samsung has taken all that technology and created a solution that is easy to set-up and that delivers stunning audio quality in up to 5.1.4 channels.

The .4 figure at the end are the number of upward firing speakers that reflect off the ceiling and back down on the viewers.

Tech Guide took a look at the Samsung soundbar and put it through its paces.

Many of the latest movie releases on Blu-ray Disc and 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray include the Dolby Atmos soundtrack so you can hear sound coming from all sides and from above.

DESIGN

The Samsung HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbar is just 5.3cm high which means it can rest unobtrusively in front of the TV and it has speaker grills on the front and top panel.

Also included is a subwoofer and rear speakers which all connect to the soundbar wirelessly – but each of these speakers need their own power source.

The soundbar has left, right and centre speakers built into the front panel and two upward firing speakers on the top panel.

The rear left and right speakers provide the usual directional sounds and they also have an upward firing speaker to complete the Dolby Atmos effect.

All up there are fifteen speakers in the system which were developed and tuned at Samsung’s dedicated audio labs in Los Angeles.

The HDMI connections are tucked neatly into the bottom of the unit and, with 4K pass through onboard you can connect your 4K player and 4K UHD TV to the unit.

If you’re connecting a Samsung TV and Samsung 4K UHD player to the soundbar, you’ll be able to control everything with one of those remotes.

PERFORMANCE

For something that’s so easy to set up, the Samsung HW-K950 has a jaw-dropping sound.

To achieve this with a regular home theatre system you’d need a dedicated receiver, speakers all around you as well as speakers installed in the ceiling and suddenly you’re looking at a system that costs tens of thousands of dollars.

But what Samsung has been able achieve with a $1,999 soundbar is nothing short of remarkable.

We watched several movies which included a Dolby Atmos soundtracks including X-Men: Apocalypse, Transformers: Age of Extinction, John Wick, Mad Max: Fury Road and Game of Thrones.

What we found with Samsung’s soundbar and Dolby Atmos was a fuller sound that went above the horizontal plane.

Those upfiring speakers are responsible for this effect. And as a result the sound appeared to coming down on us whether it was rain or debris or the sound of a plane or a spacecraft.

You might even find yourself ducking for cover.

The result was like being in the middle of a sphere of sound.

Atmos is a great name for this sound standard because it created an atmosphere for the movie.

An atmosphere made entirely of sound that immersed us even further into the movie we were watching.

And it wasn’t just the 3D sound we enjoyed. The clarity from the surround speakers and soundbar were also very impressive.

We could clearly hear the tinkle of broken glass, the patter of raindrops and even the rattle of spent bullet shells hitting the ground.

The wireless subwoofer that’s part of the Samsung system also more than held its own and stamped its authority on the soundscape with some solid bass.

On the music side, the Samsung HW-K950 also has Bluetooth onboard so you can stream your HD audio wirelessly and enjoy the same amazing quality you’ll hear with your movies.

VERDICT

Samsung’s HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbar delivers quite a punch and is an excellent system both in quality and value. It’s one of the best soundbars we’ve heard.

Samsung HW-K950

Price: $1,999

The post Samsung HW-K950 Dolby Atmos soundbar review – three dimensions of sound appeared first on Tech Guide.

The long wait to enjoy 4K content on our 4K TVs is over and now we can watch the latest releases on 4K Ultra High Definition discs thanks to a player like the Panasonic DMP-UB900.

4K provides four times the resolution of full high definition that we see with Blu-ray Disc.

The Panasonic DMP-UB900 is not the only 4K player on the market – Samsung’s UBD K8500 was released earlier this year for $599.

Panasonic’s DMP-UB900 is priced at $1,099 and has plenty of features under the hood to justify its higher price.

And with the growing number of new releases and blockbuster favourites now appearing on 4K UHD disc, there’s never been a better time to consider buying a 4K player like Panasonic’s DMP-UB900.

DESIGN

On the design side, the product has a flipdown front panel that pops down and closes again when you eject or insert a disc.

There is a small display to the right of the disc tray as well as a SD card slot and USB port player to play content off memory cards and USB flash drives.

On the top right edge are two touch sensitive buttons – eject and power – but these are hard to see if your player was placed in a cabinet like ours.

Luckily the remote is excellent and has all of the controls at your fingertips to make it easy to not only play your content but to also navigate the settings.

And it has a backlit keypad so you can easily see all of the buttons if you’re in a dark room.

There’s even a dedicated Netflix button and controls to turn on your TV and adjust the volume and go up and down the channels.

SET-UP

Around the back you’ll find not one but two HDMI outputs – one for video and audio and another for audio only.

There’s a reason for this.

To playback 4K UHD disc on your 4K TV all of the devices in the chain – your HDMI cable, your AV receiver (if you have the 4K player in a home theatre set-up) and your TV must all be HDCP 2.2 compliant.

This is determined by the hardware and is not something you can get with a firmware update.

HDCP 2.2 stands for High Bandwidth Digital Copy Protection and it is in place to prevent illegal copying.

If any of these products are not HDCP 2.2 compliant then the signal will be downgraded to full high definition.

With the Panasonic DMP-UB900 you get a HDMI cable in the box which supports 18Gbps transfer (making it HDCP 2.2 compliant).

Most recent 4K TVs have a dedicated HDMI input that is HDCP 2.2 ready and can pass through a full quality the full 2160p signal.

Now if you’ve got a home theatre set-up with an AV receiver that pipes the video to a TV or projector and the audio through to all of your speakers – your AV receiver also has to be HDCP 2.2 compliant to enjoy the full 4K experience.

We tested the Panasonic DMP-UB900 in our home theatre which had a JBL SDP-45 receiver and a Sony 4K projector.

We also tested the DMP-UB900 player on a 65-inch Panasonic 4K HDR DX900 Series LED TV.

Our JBL receiver had 4K pass through via HDMI Input 8 and HDMI Output 2 and the Sony projector’s HDMI Input 2.

But for those who have a 4K display but have an older receiver that doesn’t support HDCP 2.2 – it’s not the end of the world.

That’s where the two HDMI ports come in to play.

You can use the video/audio output to connect directly with your 4K TV and the audio only HDMI output for your receiver. HDCP 2.2 only affects video – so you can still let your receiver handle the audio with the second.

There’s also an Ethernet port and wi-fi onboard to connect the Panasonic 4K player to your network so you can easily update your firmware or use services like Netflix and access content on other devices on your network.

OK, once you’ve got the set-up right – it’s time to start watching 4K.

PERFORMANCE

The Panasonic DMP-UB900 player provides incredible quality when playing back 4K discs but it is also backwards compatible so it can also play Blu-rays and DVDs as well.

4K discs are region free but the Australian version of the player is locked to playing Region B Blu-rays and Region 4 DVDs.

And it can also upscale Blu-ray and DVD into better quality.

Blu-ray upscaling was brilliant so your older movies will never look better while DVD was definitely brought up a notch but nothing like what the player can achieve with Blu-ray.

Playback of 4K discs through the Panasonic is remarkable.

The detail and crispness of the image blew us away. It was incredible.

The same can be said for the colour accuracy and depth of the image. This is what 4K is all about and why you’ll be thankful for having those extra pixels at your disposal on your TV.

Even on our non-HDR (High Dynamic Range) Sony 4K projector the quality was excellent.

But on the Panasonic 4K HDR TV – the picture quality was breathtaking.

This is thanks to the onboard 4K High Precision Chroma Processor and THX certification to deliver premium video and audio quality.

The Panasonic player will examine your display and suggest the best settings.

In fact, most settings can be set to Automatic so the machine makes the best available video and audio choices that are available to it.

But you can dive in adjust things like the dialogue enhancer to make voices through the centre channel of a 5.1 or 7.1 system even clearer.

I can watch 4K on Netflix, we hear some people saying. Yes, you can. But it’s not in the same ball park.

The Panasonic can provide a playback bit rate of up to 100Mbps – the best we saw was about 95Mbps when watching Star Trek: Into Darkness on 4K disc.

The best Netflix 4K can offer is between 15Mbps to 25Mbps but to achieve that you need a superfast broadband connection with a download speed of at least 25Mbps.

With a Panasonic player and a 4K disc you can enjoy even better image quality every single time on your 4K TV no matter how fast your broadband is.

There are two 4K movies in the box – the Village Roadshow releases Mad Max: Fury Road and Creed so out of the box you’re ready enjoy your movies in quality you’ve never seen before outside a cinema.

VERDICT

The Panasonic DMP-UB900 4K UHD disc player is a remarkable product that delivers quality in every department.

If you’ve got a 4K TV with HDR – there’s no better way to watch your 4K content.

Panasonic DMP-UB900

Price: $1,099

The post Panasonic DMP-UB900 4K UHD disc player review – quality that will amaze you appeared first on Tech Guide.

If you’ve got your 4K TV and have also invested in a 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player, the amount of content has just increased with a range of new releases from Roadshow Entertainment.

And it includes one of the biggest titles to hit the 4K disc format – Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

The other titles are: Creed, The Expendables 3 and Man of Steel.

All of the movies include the 4K disc, the Blu-ray disc and a digital version through Ultra-Violet.

So even if you don’t have a 4K player yet, but are planning on buying one, you can still watch the Blu-ray disc now and have the 4K version up your sleeve when you upgrade.

Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice looks amazing in pristine 4K resolution which is four times sharper than Blu-ray.

The 4K version of the film is actually the Ultimate Edition which has an additional 30 minutes running time.

The regular cut of the movie can be viewed on the included Blu-ray disc.

Roadshow Entertainment has cleverly released Man of Steel at the same time as Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Viewers can enjoy Man of Steel first in stunning 4K before watching Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice which picks up almost where Man of Steel left off.

Creed, the theatrical smash-hit that approached the popular Rocky franchise from an all-new direction, is also a winner on 4K.

All of these new releases have HDR (high dynamic range) which means you can see more in the lighter and darker parts of the screen on a HDR TV.

In Creed, the HDR on the 4K disc was particularly impressive as it added a lot of detail and textures that were invisible in the full high definition version on Blu-ray.

The Expendables 3, is also another feast for the eyeballs as well as being a feast for the ears as well with powerful Dolby Atmos soundtrack as well.

All of these latest Roadshow releases, with the exception of Creed, all have Dolby Atmos.

Dolby Atmos adds a layer of sound which comes from above the viewer if you have your home theatre set up with speakers on the ceiling or with floor-standing front speakers that can bounce the sound off the ceiling.

The post Roadshow releases another wave of exciting titles on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray disc appeared first on Tech Guide.

Before Independence Day: Resurgence explodes into theatres on June 23, you can enjoy the special 20^th Anniversary edition of Independence Day that includes a restored original and extended version of the hit film.

Available now on Blu-ray and DVD and Digital HD, Independence Day 20^th Anniversary Edition also includes an all-new 30-minute documentary – Independence Day: A Legacy Surging Forward.

The original film, released in 1996, was one of the biggest box-office hits of all time and had an all-star cast including Will Smith, Jeff Goldblum and Bill Pullman.

When gigantic alien spacecraft take positions over major cities around the world and launch an attack on mankind over the Independence Day weekend, a band of survivors unite for a do-or-die strike against the invaders.

The upcoming film Independence Day: Resurgence takes up the story 20 years after the initial battle.

Mankind has adapted the technology left within the ruined alien spacecraft of the war of ’96 and must prepare for another attack as the aliens return once more in a fight for planet Earth.

Jeff Goldblum, Judd Hirsch and Bill Pullman have reprised their roles in the upcoming film which also stars Australia’s Liam Hemsworth.

But to prepare yourself for the new film Independence Day: Resurgence – you can take a look at the restored original movie that has never looked or sounded better in this 20^th Anniversary Edition.

And if you really want to go back in time, here’s a link to the original 8-bit ID4 game which was developed to coincide with 1996 release of Independence Day. Enjoy!

The post Experience the restored Independence Day 20th Anniversary edition ahead of the sequel appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, couldn’t have been a better choice as the debut 4K new release title by 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment – it is a visual feast that absolutely showcases the added resolution that 4K offers.

Available today on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray along with the Blu-ray and DVD versions, The Revenant is set in the 1820s and tells the story of fur trapper Hugh Glass and his fight for survival and quest for vengeance after he is left for dead in the wilderness.

The film rightly won Oscars for director Alejandro Inarritu and cinematographer Emmanuel Lubezki along with DiCaprio for Best Actor.

The 4K version of the film looks incredible thanks to the brilliant cinematography and direction.

Director Inarritu chose to shoot the film using natural light and the settings among forests, alongside raging rivers and between mountain ranges is amazing eye candy that is absolutely showcased in 4K.

And even the close-ups of the characters expose every scar, grain of dirt and snow flake while every whisker in the character’s beards and the fur on their coats are so clear it’s like they are there in person.

We watched The Revenant using the Samsung K8500 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player through a Sony 4K projector on a 150-inch screen.

The film also has HDR (high dynamic range) which, when viewed on a HDR-enabled TV, adds even more detail and information in the brighter and darker sections of the picture.

But not only does the film look great – it’s also brilliantly acted with Leonardo DiCaprio snaring his first Academy Award for his stunning performance.

It all adds up to an excellent experience for the audience who will feel like they’ve been transported to the wilderness.

What also adds to the spectacle are the jaw-dropping battle scenes that are captured in a superb single shot without cuts.

The 4K Ultra HD version of The Revenant comes with the Blu-ray Disc version as well as a Digital HD copy.

All of the special features including a 45-minute behind-the-scenes documentary are contained on the Blu-ray Disc which has the full high definition version of the movie.

If you’re ready to enjoy a film that truly showcases the added resolution of 4K, be sure it’s The Revenant.

The Revenant is available today on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD.

The post The Revenant on 4K Ultra HD provides a magnificent viewing experience appeared first on Tech Guide.

Samsung has released the first 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player – the UBD K8500 – which is available to buy now from leading Australian retailers to provide an unparalleled home entertainment experience.

And Tech Guide has already take a look at it.

Now customers who have already purchased a 4K Ultra High Definition television can enjoy the full resolution of their TV – which is four times the resolution of Blu-ray – with the new 4K Blu-ray Discs which will hit the market next week.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment will release hit film The Revenant next week on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray on the same day as the Blu-ray and DVD release.

From now on, customers will see both new releases and older favourites in the new 4K disc format.

Priced at $599, the Samsung 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player has a sleek design with a curved front and back panel that can also suit Samsung’s latest TV range.

The player will deliver native 4K content complete with HDR (high dynamic range) so users can see movies with even higher resolution and more vivid colours as they would in the cinema.

Viewers will enjoy twice the colour range and up to 64 times the colour expressions that you’ll see on a regular Blu-ray Disc player.

It has an onboard octa-core processor and is capable of 60fps ( frames per second) viewing and, on the audio side, 7.1 channel channel Dolby Digital and DTS decoding.

The included remote is small enough to fit in the palm of your hand and is powered with a watch battery so it will run for years before you need to change the battery.

The one downside of the remote is that it is not backlit so the keys are hard to see in the dark while you’re watching your movie.

Of course, the Samsung Ultra 4K Blu-ray player is backwards compatible so it will play your regular Blu-ray Discs and DVDs and even your music CDs.

And when you are playing Blu-rays and DVDs, the UBD K8500 will upscale the content to near 4K quality to look even better.

We played a couple of favourite reference films that we know well – Oblivion starring Tom Cruise and Star Wars: The Force Awakens – and noticed a significant improvement in the resolution and colour reproduction.

The player also has built-in wi-fi or a LAN (local area network) port to connect to your network wirelessly or with a cable.

This means you can stream content located on other network connected devices in your home.

That connectivity means you can also connect to streaming services like Netflix as well.

The Samsung UBD K8500 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc player has been certified as Ultra HD Premium by the UHD Alliance.

The device is available now for $599 from leading electrical retailers.

The post Samsung’s 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Disc player available to buy now appeared first on Tech Guide.

The notion that decent active noise cancelling headphones have to be expensive has been shattered by Philips who has come up with a quality wireless pair for less than $200.

Active noise cancelling headphones can set you back up to $500 and they are usually the wired versions.

But Philips has come along with a value pair –  the SHB8850NC – which have a comfortable design with soft earpads and a padded headband.

There are 32mm neodymium drivers onboard plus a closed-back acoustic design and a soft seal for passive noise cancellation when you put them on.

At the press of a button, users can activate the Philips ActiveShield technology to reduce the ambient noise even further.

It does this by monitoring the outside noise through four exterior microphones to reduce it by up to 97 per cent or by up to 20 decibels.

You can hear the difference when NR is activated – you can’t quite notice it cutting in as clearly as you can on other more expensive brands – but it’s there.

Being wireless is a huge plus for the Philips SHB8850NC so you can connect to your device via a simple Bluetooth pairing.

And then you hardly have to touch that device because you have all of your navigation controls, playback and volume controls on the headphone’s earcups.

It didn’t take long to get familiar with the button layout so we could keep our smartphone in our pocket or in our bag.

And if we got a call – we could also answer it thanks to the hands-free microphone that’s also onboard.

On the audio side, the Philips wireless active noise cancellation headphones deliver an impressive and satisfying sound.

High and mid levels sounded great but the bass levels were about average.

Volume wise – the headphones didn’t have the power to be really loud.

We had to have it at its absolute top volume to get the sort of levels we liked.

This might be a deal breaker for some other listeners who like to crank their music to a decent volume.

The battery life was quite impressive with up to 16 hours of playback before you need to reach for the charger.

But even if you do run out of juice on the move, you can easily connect a 3.5mm audio cable to headphones and then to your device to keep on listening.

There’s also an airline plug adaptor if you want to take the Philips headphones on a flight and connect your audio cable to the onboard entertainment system. Bluetooth connectivity just isn’t available yet on an aircraft for individual passengers.

VERDICT

The Philips SHB8850NC Active Noise Cancelling headphones are great value and offer respectable performance to hear your music without wires and without that annoying ambient noise.

They don’t quite have the same audio quality as the more expensive brands but that’s why those other brands are a lot more expensive.

But these still hold their own and definitely punch a few divisions above their weight.

PHILIPS SHB8850NC Active Noise Cancelling Headphones

Price: $199

The post Philips SHB8850NC Active Noise Cancelling Headphones review – no wires, no noise appeared first on Tech Guide.

Steve Jobs – the movie written by Aaron Sorkin, starring Michael Fassbender and directed by Danny Boyle – paints an interesting picture of the man who co-founded Apple and “put a dent in the universe”.

Based on the official biography written by Walter Isaacson, the film is set around three key product launches – the Mac in 1984, the NeXT computer in 1988 and the iMac in 1998.

It was an interesting structure by writer Aaron Sorkin – who we know as the writer of The West Wing, Newsroom and The Social Network – who chose to dramatise the most interesting conflicts in the high-stress surroundings of these three events.

Did it really happen that way? Of course not.

Sorkin chooses these backdrops to add some urgency to the script and he cherrypicks the most revealing, damning and less flattering parts of Jobs’ life to drop right into the mix.

It is a warts-and-all look at the genius behind the creation and rebirth of Apple.

It focussed on his early denial of paternity of a girl named Lisa, his stubborn I’m right and you’re all wrong attitude, his love/hate relationship with Apple CEO John Scully who was formerly head of Pepsi and his tussles with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak.

But his sparring partner for most of the film is Joanna Hoffman (played brilliantly by Kate Winslet) – Steve Jobs’ suffering “work wife” and long-time Apple PR manager.

Hoffman battles Jobs’ ego and “my-way-or-the-highway” attitude and it seems her job description is tearing down his “reality distortion field” and help him “manage expectations”.

Sorkin’s script mainly focusses on all the battle Jobs fought – from wanting the original Mac to say hello and defending his visionary 1984 Super Bowl ad to taking on the Apple board and being booted out of the company before taking back the reins of Apple when it was just 90 days from insolvency.

Those who’ve read Isaacson’s excellent Jobs’ biography will know there was a lot more to the Apple co-founder than the episodes Sorkin chose to portray in his script.

The fact the film covers a period that were the most turbulent times in Apple’s history is no coincidence. It gave Sorkin the necessary drama and conflict he needed to make the film entertaining.

What isn’t covered is the time after the iMac launch in 1998 that heralded the most amazing corporate comeback and success – the launches of the company’s most iconic products – the iPod (2001), the iPhone (2007) and the iPad (2010).

Nonetheless, Sorkin’s script in the capable hands of Michael Fassbender (Jobs), Kate Winslet (Hoffman), Seth Rogan (Wozniak) and Jeff Daniels (Sculley) is incredible.

It is filled with his typical clever word gymnastics and exchanges that play like a symphony between the actors.

Fassbender and Winslet are spell-binding and have deservedly been nominated for Academy Awards.

The fact Fassbender doesn’t look much like Steve Jobs apart from wearing similar clothing doesn’t hurt the film at all.

He owns the role so much we ignore the dissimilar looks and just accept him as Steve Jobs.

Director Danny Boyle’s biggest challenge was to make a dialogue packed script entertaining and his subtle direction, scene blocking, use of close ups and flashbacks achieves that goal.

While we thought the film was excellent, it won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.

If you are a fan of Aaron Sorkin’s work, you’ll love this movie. As will anyone with an interest in Apple who wants to literally take a look behind the curtain at the company’s early days and be a fly on the wall.

Steve Jobs opens in Australian cinemas on February 4.

The post Steve Jobs movie review – a raw look at the visionary Apple co-founder appeared first on Tech Guide.

The Martian, starring Matt Damon, directed by Ridley Scott and nominated for six Academy Awards, is now available on Digital HD – more than two weeks ahead of the DVD and Blu-ray release.

Based on the bestselling novel by Andy Weir, The Martian tells the story of Mark Watney (Damon) who is injured, presumed dead and left behind on Mars as his crew mates rocket back to Earth.

Watney must use all of his skills and ingenuity to figure out a way to stay alive long enough for a rescue mission to reach him.

While Watney fights for survival on Mars, the scientists back at Nasa are trying to figure out a plan to get him back but it could take years.

Watney, the botanist on the expedition, has to solve one problem after another and fight against the inhospitable surface of Mars to stay alive.

The Digital HD version available on iTunes and the Google Play Store of The Martian includes a range of special features including:

• Signal Acquired: Writing and Direction
  • Learn how the producers brought an acclaimed novel, a master director and a stellar cast together for THE MARTIAN.
• Occupy Mars: Casting and Costumes
  • Matt Damon and his ensemble of incredibly talented actors discuss their roles in THE MARTIAN.
• 5 Theatrical In-World Pieces
  • Ares III: Farewell
  • The Right Stuff
  • Ares: Our Greatest Adventure
  • Leave Your Mark
  • Bring Him Home

• Ares III: Refocused
  • Seven years after the events of Ares 3, take a deeper look at the true story behind Mark Watney’s daring rescue
• Production Gallery
• Gag Reel

The Martian is a gripping story that shows one man’s fight for survival millions of miles from earth and all alone.

Matt Damon’s great performance is backed up by an excellent supporting cast that includes Jessica Chastain and Jeff Daniels with expert direction from the legendary Ridley Scott.

Get The Martian now on Digital HD right here.

The post You can download The Martian starring Matt Damon on Digital HD today appeared first on Tech Guide.

It combines the intrigue and exotic locations of James Bond and the fast-paced action of Mission: Impossible – it’s the reboot of the popular 60s TV series – Man from U.N.C.L.E.

Starring Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) and Armie Hammer (The Social Network) and directed by Guy Ritchie (Sherlock Holmes: Games of Shadows), the Man from U.N.C.L.E. is set in the 1960s at the height of the Cold War.

THE STORY

The film centres on CIA agent Solo and KGB agent Kuryakin who are forced to put aside their longstanding hostilities for a joint mission to stop a mysterious international criminal organisation.

This evil group is bent on destabilizing the fragile balance of power through the proliferation of nuclear weapons and technology.

Solo and Kuyakin’s only hope of infiltrating the organisation lies with the daughter of a kidnapped German scientist as they race against time to find him and prevent a worldwide catastrophe.

And, by the way, U.N.C.L.E. stands for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.

THE GADGETS

Part of the appeal of the Man from U.N.C.L.E. – apart from the characters, the action and the story – are the gadgets.

One of the trademarks of the 60s TV show were the gizmos and gadgets that our heroes used to help achieve their mission.

And it’s no different in the film with gadgets to disable power systems, unlocks doors and to zip line from a roof to a waiting truck.

But what adds to the fascination is the fact that the gadgets are a 1960s version of a high tech device so the filmmakers are careful not to make them too shiny and modern but made of materials and technology that existed in that era.

It could be a gun disguised as a cigarette lighter, a pen communicator or a cigarette case recorder.

THE CAST

The films main stars – Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer – were faced with an interesting challenge when they took on their respective roles.

Cavill – an Englishman – plays an American while Hammer – an American plays a Russian.

“I think the hardest thing for me was the accent.  When we started, Guy said, ‘Okay, I want something a bit like Clark Gable, but not Clark Gable.’  And I said, ‘Okay, cool.’  So I sat down with Andrew Jack, our dialect coach, and he ran me through some Clark Gable stuff.  We worked on it.  We kind of got it down, and then we started shooting,” Cavill said.

“We had to try and finesse it in different ways and eventually, a quarter way through the movie, we then just solidified it as more American.  It became an affected American accent, which was transatlantic and dated.  And that’s why Napoleon sounds the way he sounds now.

Hammer says he just wanted to sound authentic.

“If you go back and watch American films, especially from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s, every Russian is sort of like an arch character,” he said.

“Well, then, that’s not really how Russians speak. It’s sort of like the American interpretation. I really just wanted the accent to sound as universally Russian as possible.  I was just trying to incorporate whatever vowels and sounds I could pick up and hear from native Russian speakers.”

THE PRODUCTION

Director Guy Ritchie had a clear vision with Man from U.N.C.L.E. but he wanted to make his spy film different from a James Bond film.

“The reason we were interested in The Man from U.N.C.L.E. initially was because we felt that we occupied a space that no one else was occupying,” he said.

“It felt like what we saw as the golden era of the thriller spy genre, if you will.  But with retrospect, we could weed out the chaff and keep the weight in from our perspective.

“So it feels like it’s a revisionist diversion—what we like to say in a positive sense—of the amalgamation of the early genre.  We felt we had a unique voice in that, so it’s funny.

But Ritchie says he also had to be careful the film didn’t turn into a parody of a spy movie.

“You want to take it up to the line, but once you cross that line, it’s hard to recover from it,” he said.

“So, there was a non-stop conversation about how far you can push it before you lose the value of the stakes.  And before it turns into parody.”

THE HOME VIEWING EXPERIENCE

The Man from U.N.C.L.E. will be available on Blu-ray Combo Pack and includes the film in high definition on Blu-ray disc, a DVD and a digital version of the movie in Digital HD with UltraViolet.

The Blu-ray disc version will feature a Dolby Atmos soundtrack remixed specifically for the home theater environment to place and move audio anywhere in the room, including overhead.

To experience Dolby Atmos at home, you need a Dolby Atmos enabled AV receiver and additional speakers.

Dolby Atmos soundtracks are fully backward compatible with traditional audio configurations and legacy home entertainment equipment that aren’t Dolby Atmos compatible.

The extras on the Man from U.N.C.L.E. Blu-ray Disc include:

* Spy Vision: Recreating ’60s Cool

* A Higher Class Of Hero

* Metisse Motorcycles: Proper-And Very British

* The Guys from U.N.C.L.E.

* A Man of Extraordinary Talents

* U.N.C.L.E: On-Set Spy

The extras on the Man from U.N.C.L.E. DVD include:

* A Higher Class Of Hero

* THIS IS A SPONSORED POST BY VILLAGE ROADHOW

The post Man from U.N.C.L.E. explores the intrigue – and gadgets – of the 60s appeared first on Tech Guide.

Brilliant. Amazing. Genius. These are the words I would use to describe Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The film has managed to not only live up to the incredible hype but easily exceed it.

And this is coming from me – a Star Wars fan since I was nine years old.

JJ Abrams has knocked this one into orbit. He has picked up the baton and breathed an exciting new life into into the behemoth that is the Star Wars franchise. It is in very good and very safe hands.

This is a spoiler free review so feel free to read on and hear my thoughts on the film.

Still with us? Great.

There are some plot points and information that will literally make you gasp and I would never dream of giving them away here – you have to see it for yourself.

Don’t walk – RUN – as fast as you can to buy a ticket and watch this movie.

The fact that a production of this size managed to keep the storyline and important plot points a secret is an achievement in itself.

The storyline is inspired and lays out the tracks for the new films to follow but also dips back into the beloved original trilogy and ties together some threads.

Don’t forget – it’s been 30 years since the legendary events of Return of the Jedi and a lot has gone on in that period.

The First Order has now taken the place of the Empire and Rebellion has been replaced by the Resistance.

The new cast – especially Daisy Ridley who plays scavenger Rey and John Boyega as Finn – the stormtrooper who finds a conscience (you can work that from the trailer so technically not a spoiler!) – is incredible.

Adam Driver’s performance as the mysterious Kylo Ren wielding his cool cross-shaped lightsaber is also one of the best in the film and his back story will have you spellbound.

Their performances are light years from the wooden acting that marred the prequel Star Wars films.

The chemistry is there in bucket loads and right away you’re cheering for them to succeed.

These new characters play brilliantly off and against the older cast members including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill who pick up their characters again as easily as putting on a jacket.

Throw in Chewbacca, C-3PO and R2D2 and the old gang is back together.

BB-8 – the loveable spherical droid – is also one of the film’s stars and he plays a vital part in the film as well.

Parts of the storyline (which I won’t reveal) and the spirit of the storyline do borrow a little from the original 1977 film and that’s just another reason to love it.

The special effects are jaw-dropping and the action sequences (especially if you’re watching in 3D) will feel like you’re aboard a wild rollercoaster.

JJ Abrams has peppered his Star Wars universe with countless creatures and memorable new characters like Andy Serkis and Lupita Nyong’o who lend their sensational performances through sophisticated motion capture.

There’s even a version of the famous Cantina sequence that we saw in the original 1977 Star Wars film – A New Hope.

But despite all of the special effects and weapons and starships – it’s still the characters that drive the story and hold our attention right to the final frame.

And what a final frame that is!

Bring on Episode VIII.

Star Wars is back and it’s bigger and better than ever.

It ticks every box and then ticks the boxes of ones you didn’t even think of.

Episode VII The Force Awakens is easily one of the best Star Wars ever made.

Is it the best? I’ll leave that up to you to decide. I don’t want to spoil it for you.

The post Star Wars: The Force Awakens review – SPOILER FREE appeared first on Tech Guide.

Foxtel has announced pricing for its new iQ3 set-top box which is available from today for new and current subscribers. Tech Guide had a hands-on look at the device, the new remote control, the new features and the redesigned interface.

The new Foxtel iQ3 box will cost an additional $125 plus an additional $25 for either a self-installation kit or $75 for installation by a Foxtel technician.

Current customers can upgrade through My Account on the Foxtel website or by calling 131 999.

New customers can request the addition of the iQ3 set-top box as part of their subscription when they sign up.

Minimum cost for new customers will be $500 (including $125 equipment fee and $75 standard install fee) or $450 (including the $125 equipment fee and the $25 self-install fee) on a 12-month direct debit plan based on the Entertainment pack with a Foxtel iQ3.

Tech Guide had a first hands-on look at the new Foxtel iQ3 set-top box. The iQ3 is slightly narrower than the previous iQ HD.

The front panel has only one physical button – the on/off button – with the remainder of the controls touch sensitive on a surface that illuminates when it detects a hand close by.

The box has been designed to offer live TV and VOD (video on demand) at the same time and with an HTML5 framework to provide added capabilities in the future.

One of these capabilities will be the ability to stream 4K Ultra High Definition content. Foxtel says this will be possible but has not specified if and when this added service would be available.

There is a 1TB hard drive on board along with 10 tuners – eight satellite tuners and two FTA (free to air) tuners – which means customers can view all of their cable channels with the FTA tuners placing all of the standard definition and high definition FTA channels in the channel list.

The Foxtel iQ3 has 802.11ac wi-fi connectivity onboard, making it capable of high throughput to stream video.

The iQ3 remote is smaller than the previous controller and has a slight button re-arrangement.

It links to the box using Bluetooth which means it has a 10-15m metre range and doesn’t need to be pointed at the box – but old habits die hard as we found ourselves aiming the remote towards the TV when we didn’t need to.

There is a new home button that takes users to a dashboard to provide the easiest access to your favourite shows, regularly watched programs and recommendations.

And any choice on this home page will have a button to give you the best access whether it’s watching it live, watching on demand or watch a recording.

Viewing and finding content has been enhanced in a number of ways.

Start Over is for those times when you’ve missed the start of the program and you want to start watching it from the beginning. If this option is chosen the show will streaming from the start.

Look Back is another handy additional feature to make it possible to check out the TV guide from as far back as 24 hours earlier with the chosen show being downloaded to the iQ3’s hard drive like a regular recording.

And when you want to surf the channels you can see what’s on without leaving the one you’re watching using a feature called direct channel access.

You just have to type in the first number of the channel range to see a list of all channels starting with that number.

Search works in a similar way so it’s easy to search for show and actor names. As you type in more letters the real-time search appears.

The iQ3 has excellent discovery features to allow viewers to see the Trending store – the most watched shows at that point – and Recommended which will help group shows you would like based on what you’ve watched and recorded.

When viewing the TV Guide, viewers used to be presented with mosaic of program from different channels starting at various times.

Now with the iQ3 the TV guide will simply show you what’s on now and what’s on next to navigating the channels and planning your shows even easier.

The Foxtel iQ3 is available from today.

The post Hands-on with Foxtel iQ3 set-top box plus full pricing for new and existing customers appeared first on Tech Guide.