Tag: movies

Categories
Television

GT TV promises Hollywood movies at home in best quality

The problem of movie distribution has become such a minefield. Execs sit in one corner wanting to keep their properties valuable, the general public wants an unlimited selection at a low price in another, and torrenters watch from the sides getting everything for free but without a proper selection. Although the problems may seem insurmountable, the GT TV attempts to satisfy everyone by being an expression of the compromise necessary.

The product is a slickly-designed set top device that acts a controller that allows users to navigate the GT TV catalogue of movies. Instead of using adaptive bit rate protocols like most other VOD services, the store is built upon what’s called the Secure Peer Assist technology. It blends the streaming capabilities of service providers with peer-to-peer technology to facilitate true HD quality content, all the time, without degradation. The GT TV campaign is looking for a whopping $1,807,019 AUD (~$1,500,000 USD) to make it a reality. $250 AUD (~$210 USD) will get backers a standard GT TV, $350 AUD (~$290 USD) will add a hard drive, and $750 AUD (~$630 USD) will add a solid state hard drive, all due out in July 2015.

The good thing about GT TV is that the content downloaded comes with fair rights use, so users can take it anywhere with them, and there are no subscriptions fees to use the service as well. However, the device and service only works in New Zealand and Australia, so most of the biggest markets are out of luck for now.

Categories
Cell Phone Accessories

Snapshot is a simple clamp for steadier smartphone videos

96c751161fd85f5bd5a0bbd05e3e540c_largeIf you look hard enough, most problems have pretty simple solutions. For the problem of shaky videos, pipilala has created Snapshot: a simply designed, lightweight clamp that you can carry around anywhere by attaching it to your keychain. The product lets you prop your smartphone up on a stand so that you can experience a a stable video-recording experience, something many of us could use to begin our Oscar worthy films, according to the creator. But don’t worry as it doesn’t come with a Oscar-level price tag: each Snapsot goes for just $10 if you’re early enough. Pipilala is looking for only $3,000 by mid-October.

Categories
Video Games Wearables

ANTVR seeks to make gamer attention undergo an Oculus drift

The Premise. Virtual reality headsets have been on the cusp of being widespread technology for decades, but now it seems like all of the pieces are finally here and this long-promised device will be in homes across the world in a matter of months. Everyone knows about the Oculus Rift, but one company wants to make people forget that name already.

The Product. ANTVR is an all-in-one virtual reality headset designed for movies and of course, video games. The product has a number of refinements to it that make it a step above the competition, from a fully wireless model to an aspherical lens designed to reduce distortion and eye strain. Packaged with ANTVR is a gun controller that is perfect for first-person shooters, providing unparalleled control, but for those that prefer other genres, ANTVR has them covered. The gun can disassemble down to a grip designed to function as a joystick or sword, and can itself unfold into a traditional-style controller that doubles as a racing wheel.

The Pitch. The ANTVR team is excited about VR and its passion for the medium shows in the countless features that it shows off in the launch video. With so many options and styles of use in mind, there’s a lot of ground to cover and the Kickstarter campaign page has a lot of information, all of it exciting. ANTVR needs $200,000 to bring their virtual dream into reality.

The Perks. The beta ANTVR setup, complete with the transformable bag/vest, controller, headset, and all the other necessary hookups and goodies will ship out in September of this year to those that pledge $300 or more. To take things a step farther and provide more freedom of movement, the wireless ANTVR is available for $500, while developers that want ANTVR early to have a game or app ready at launch can get their equipment in July for $1,500.

The Potential. VR headsets are primed to be the next big thing in media, not just in gaming. Anyone with a device ready to go around the same time that the Oculus Rift launches stands to achieve a great deal of attention. That being said, the ANTVR system looks like a fantastic alternative to the Oculus because of its built-in compatibility, application flexibility, wireless setup, and jaw-droppingly transformable controller. As an all-in-one system with no need to get anything else, the ANTVR looks like something that will be a must buy for anyone who wants the best immersive experience right out of the box.

Categories
Video

Invisivision glasses offer customized content to different viewers watching the same TV

The Premise. The more options viewers have to interact with traditional video content, the more likely they are to make a connection with that content. 3D glasses have been around for more than half a century, and having to rely on a tablet for supplemental data takes viewers out of the action, so what’s the next logical step? The Product. Invisivision isn’t far off from current-era 3D theater glasses in terms of look and style, but the flip-up lenses offer something that 3D doesn’t even compare to. With the Invisivision technology, videos can provide two different sets of visuals for those looking through the glasses and those that aren’t. From subtitles to completely unique camera angles, hidden content can come in all forms with Invisivision. The applications for the technology will work with movie theaters, televisions, and video games as well. The Pitch. It’s easy to tell right off the bat that Invisivision creators PipeDream Interactive are all about entertainment and making an experience fun. The quirky, high-energy video featuring the company’s CEO, CFO, and COO also showcases the different functions Invisivision can bring to a cinematic or broadcast viewing experience. The campaign video features the acting talents of JP Manoux, and the film created by PipeDream to demo this technology will feature Manoux as well as Aaron Ashmore. PipeDream needs $200,000 CAD to make their pitch to the major movie companies of the world as firm as possible. The Perks. For $25 CAD, supporters can get their own pair of Invisivision glasses complete with a protective case. If something more subtle than blue and green is wanted, limited frame color options are available at the $50 CAD level. The Potential. While the technology for the Invisivision glasses is easy to get excited about , it has a few obstacles ahead of it. First is the North American practice of getting glasses at the showing of any 3D or special screening movies, not bringing an owned pair for home. Second is the hurdle in getting filmmakers to adopt the technology – the PipeDream Interactive team is making their own film, but others may be slow to follow suit. Something like these glasses could be great for cooperative gaming or certain kinds of television viewing, and it will take time and those bold enough to experiment to give Invisivision a proper place in the market.