in depth: HDR: welcome to the next big shift in home entertainment

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="in depth: HDR: welcome to the next big shift in home entertainment" src="http://ift.tt/1Bs1UMU"/><br/><br /><h3>Introduction and the impact of HDR</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>UPDATE: Netflix won't be the only HDR in town anymore. Amazon has unveiled that it will bring HDR content to its Prime Instant Video service in later this year, starting with its own original content.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Talk of <a href="http://ift.tt/1rpEYr2">4K TV</a> has become pervasive, and if the hardware on display at <a href="http://ift.tt/1sJsISY">CES 2015</a> was any indication, a plethora of companies are lined up to ride the momentum.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Several other home entertainment innovations became ubiquitous at the trade show, such as <a href="http://ift.tt/1AC9Psa">LG's Quantum Dot LED TVs</a>, or Samsung's line of premium <a href="http://ift.tt/1HCwULO">SUHD TVs</a> that will supposedly upgrade the already-existing Ultra-HD standards.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>But in the shadow of these improvements, conversations stir of another development – it's called high dynamic range, or HDR, and it could spark the next shift in TV hardware.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>What is HDR?</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>High dynamic range isn't completely new, at least outside of TV hardware. High-end cameras and recent smartphone apps utilize HDR for higher quality photos. By combining several photos taken during a single burst, HDR leaves less room for error, and in most lighting conditions, garners striking results.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Separate photos are taken at different exposures during the process. These are called stops, and the amount of light is doubled from one to the next. So while the first stop produces an extremely dark image, the last result is exceptionally bright, lending better luminosity to the final portmanteau photo.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>HDR video, though, is shot with an expanded range – it captures darker shadows and brighter whites during the shooting process. It doesn't really combine the lights and darks, but separates them even further, creating a wider array of possible colors – HDR TVs are the only foreseeable option for doing the image justice on the screen.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="HIgh Dynamic Range" src="http://ift.tt/1562wMk" title="HDR creates a wider gamut of colors, allowing for a more vivid image" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Different cameras have varying numbers of stops when using HDR imaging, but all in all, the process allows for images that regular digital photography wouldn't be able to capture. HDR is bringing media closer to what the human eye sees, and by doing so, is creating more realistic images, from scenes bleached with sunlight, to nighttime shots on city streets.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>How will HDR affect the viewing experience?</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>4K is the biggest trend in viewing hardware today, and for good reason – it delivers four times the normal amount of pixels than 1080p, presenting finer detail and better textures. Companies such as Sony, Samsung, Panasonic and LG are busy moving their 4K TVs onto store shelves this year, and improvements in hardware will allow more viewers to see content with the increased resolution.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="High Dynamic Range" src="http://ift.tt/1CgOKAq" title="4K TVs show images with four times the resolution of the current standard" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>But HDR is markedly different because of how it actually changes the picture. Colors are more vibrant, blacks are deeper, objects more pronounced. Hues are also more exaggerated, alternating between cool and warm in the same image.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The key here is brightness: the majority of TVs today have a typical brightness of 400 nits (the unit for luminance), while some made the leap to about 750 in 2014. HDR TVs, though, have a maximum nit count of about 1,000. That increase means the difference between normal outdoor scenes and more realistic ones.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>So in movies shot with HDR-compatible cameras, desert scenes will be much clearer, with colors and brightness more akin to actual sunlight. Winter shots will present a higher disparity between buildings and surrounding snow. While 4K increases the resolution quality of the picture being shown, HDR increases the colors, contrast and all around realism.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Once HDR becomes a household viewing standard, more and more film and TV crews will likely begin shooting with HDR-compatible cameras.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>What can I watch in HDR and when?</h3><br /><br/><br /><h3>What content is (or will be) available to watch in HDR?</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Because of the novelty of HDR at this stage, there isn't much content to prove its staying power. The technology is still in the experimental phase for movies, and only a few instances are on the horizon for TV. However, there are more on the way.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Dolby and Warner Bros. announced three movies on the way in HDR: "Edge of Tomorrow," "Into the Storm," and "Lego Movie." The partners plan to stream these movies on Dolby TVs, and while the current models won't fully demonstrate HDR's potential, it may encourage more entities to follow suit.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="High Dynamic Range" src="http://ift.tt/1562wMm" title="Marco Polo is Netflix's first series to be remastered in HDR" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Netflix in particular has been a vocal proponent for HDR. Marco Polo, a Netflix original about the explorer and his encounter with Kublai Khan during his younger years, is the first series to be presented with HDR, and Netflix said about 10 of its 60 original series this year may follow suit.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The streaming company has been looking past 4K <a href="http://ift.tt/1ghzt83">for some time now</a>, and recognizes HDR as the next development in viewing potential. Netflix's Chief Product Officer Neil Hunt said he doesn't think 4K will be enough for many viewers, and that resolution innovation will be in the rearview mirror by 2016. And as a company that prides itself on watching the road ahead, it may be safe to assume more of Netflix's series will be compatible with HDR.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>When will HDR be available?</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Companies such as Sony and Samsung are already in the process of rolling HDR into their "Ultra-HD" TVs, but have yet to announce when HDR will be fully finished at the lab – as with 4K, the hype took a while to catch on before numerous companies jumped onboard.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>And with 2015 being the supposed year when 4K TVs will finally become an industry standard, it's not reaching to think HDR will be on par or even above 4K's level of attention by the end of the year.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Judging by the number of hardware and content companies trying to stay ahead of the HDR curve, though, it seems as if the viewing standard won't stay the same for much longer.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>In that vein, it could be safe to expect widespread adoption of HDR by 2016. Like any trend in the wider world of technology, it might take a while to catch on. But with so many companies and creative entities betting on HDR, it may be only a matter of time.</p><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1D50JDj" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FtJjno" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1D50JDp"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1FtJjnq" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1D50JTH"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1D50JTK" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1FtJhMg"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1D50IiA"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1D50IiI"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1FtJhMl" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1FtJjnw" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1z3Dohh<br/></div>

in depth: HDR: welcome to the next big shift in home entertainment

Introduction and the impact of HDR UPDATE: Netflix won't be the only HDR in town anymore. Amazon has unveiled that it will bring HDR con...

Read more »

Amazon Prime video now streams to any Android tablet

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Amazon Prime video now streams to any Android tablet" src="http://ift.tt/1jAWYyY"/><br/><br /><p><a href="http://ift.tt/1fvXFRJ">Amazon Prime Instant Video</a> has a rocky history with <a href="http://ift.tt/1sh4T3i">Android</a>. First it was only available on <a href="http://ift.tt/1tueTKi">iOS</a>, and then, when it did come to Android, it was limited to Amazon Fire tablets and Android phones, but not most Android tablets.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>That changes today, as the latest version of the Prime Instant Video app is now available on all Android tablets.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The app is still slightly gated - it requires you to go through Amazon.com in a web browser before actually playing a video in the Prime Instant Video app - but at least it works on more devices.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>And you still have to get it through the Amazon Appstore instead of Google Play, but hey, at least things got a little bit better today.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Thankfully there are plenty of other options for watching Prime Instant Video. It's not natively supported, but when you mirror your entire device to a TV using <a href="http://ift.tt/P1XUOT">Chromecast</a>, you can even stream Prime content to the big screen.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>Samsung's <a href="http://ift.tt/1zQe66z">Galaxy S6</a> is a beauty</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1F9TIzk" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Dwlnzm" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1F9TIzm"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1Dwllb1" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1F9TKXT"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1F9TIPE" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1Dwllrf"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1F9TIPG"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1Dwllrh"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1F9TIPI" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/pnk8nlzZNGA" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1BZ5KKS<br/></div>

Amazon Prime video now streams to any Android tablet

Amazon Prime Instant Video has a rocky history with Android . First it was only available on iOS , and then, when it did come to Android, i...

Read more »

The first Apple Watch prototype was an iPhone with a Velcro strap

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="The first Apple Watch prototype was an iPhone with a Velcro strap" src="http://ift.tt/1IVFuFY"/><br/><br /><p><img alt="Apple Watch prototype" class="lft" src="http://ift.tt/1HnGl0Z" width="210"/>There are 38 <a href="http://ift.tt/1yEiMfn">Apple Watch</a> designs to <a href="http://ift.tt/16LmblC">choose from</a>, and thankfully none of them include an iPhone rigged with a Velcro strap.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>But that's exactly how the "iWatch" began to crudely take shape when it was first prototyped at Apple's campus in Cupertino in 2013, according to a new expose.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>"The goal was to free people from their phones, so it is perhaps ironic that the first working Watch prototype was an iPhone rigged with a Velcro strap," writes <a href="http://ift.tt/1FkE6vv">Wired</a>.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>"In a sense the first true Apple Watch prototype was, like 10,000 Kickstarter projects, just a weird iPhone case with a strange accessory sticking out of it."</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Matured components</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Apple Watch certainly didn't end up like that. Its high-end components now include options like 18-karat gold cases and 100-piece stainless steel bands that take nine hours to cut.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Wired also touches on the subtle intricacies within the smartwatch, like the Taptic Engine and various gesture controls like Short Look.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Taptic Engine vibrations vary in pace, number and force of vibrations. A phone call, in theory, can feel more urgent vs a text message that feels like a finger tapping on your wrist.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Playing off that, Short Look gestures show text message previews like "Message from Joe" and either stay unread if you put your wrist down or display the message if you keep it up.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Apple Watch seems to have a little more backend complexity and frontend ease of use to it, spicing our <a href="http://ift.tt/1ASCOUr">Apple Watch vs Android Wear</a> comparison. We'll all know more for our <a href="http://ift.tt/1seQ3O2">Apple Watch review</a> on April 24.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li>See the <a href="http://ift.tt/1ND856B">Apple Watch price range</a> breakdown</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1NEXQvM" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1bS31wz" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NEXQvO"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NEXTHT" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1NEXQvQ"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1bS31wB" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1bS30bZ"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NEXTHX"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1bS30c1"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1NEXQM7" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/6-XIdAvFw3A" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1BSIU6D<br/></div>

The first Apple Watch prototype was an iPhone with a Velcro strap

There are 38 Apple Watch designs to choose from , and thankfully none of them include an iPhone rigged with a Velcro strap. But that's ...

Read more »

Review: mini review: Sony XBA-H1

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Review: mini review: Sony XBA-H1" src="http://ift.tt/1F3QBsv"/><br/><br /><p>Being as small as they are, one might be quick to think that in-ear headphones generally can't push out sound performance that's worth writing home about. While there are endless examples that prove that thought to be a valid one, there are plenty of exceptions.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The Sony XBA-H1 is one of them. Proving that not all in-ear headphones are created equal, Sony's $150 (£84, AU$150) set is worth every penny if sound quality is a must. But those looking for a feature-dense headphone might want to look elsewhere.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Design</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>A step up in audio quality isn't reserved only for earphones with large speaker modules, like the Shure SE215. The XBA-H1 do good work in providing that boost, doing so while impressively retaining the compact shape of familiar earbuds that many of us have used before.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Sony XBA-H1 review" src="http://ift.tt/1DvYBpM" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Upon first glance, it's plain to see that the Sony XBA-H1 boasts a design that doesn't play it safe. Instead of striding the line between subtle and sporty, it's comfortable being both.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Coated in plastic and rubber, each earpiece is pieced together with a primary focus on offering comfort and lightweight portability. Despite the lack of premium build materials here, the construction is top-notch.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Sony XBA-H1 review" src="http://ift.tt/1F3QDRj" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>The earpieces that house the sound drivers are featured prominently with a shiny, metallic-colored plastic piece that lists the model name. Flipped over, there's a colored marking that makes it clear to see which earpiece is designated for your left ear and for your right.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The XBA-H1 are able to achieve a comfy, noise-isolating fit while inserted into the ear, thanks to the included ear tips. There are seven sets of tips to choose from: four silicone and three foam tips. Once you find the right fit, these headphones cancel out a good deal of outside noise. Not only that, these headphones score big design points because their tips rarely ever come into contact with your outer ear cartilage while nested inside.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Hanging down from the earpieces are multi-colored, flat cables. Coated on one side with red and black on the other, this roughly three-foot cable is a saving grace for those of us who are all too familiar with knotted headphones. Unfortunately, inline controls are nowhere to be found on the XBA-H1, so keep your phone handy.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Sony XBA-H1 review" src="http://ift.tt/1DvYzOS" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Included in the retail packaging that Sony sent to TechRadar for review is one more goodie: a slick, little tote. It's nothing flashy, but it's an appreciated inclusion given the $150 price tag.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Performance</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Visually, the Sony XBA-H1 offers up an appealing design that will likely draw in fans of sporty and clean designs alike. Inside the earpieces, Sony has engineered powerful sound performance that will also appeal to the lot of music lovers.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>But before I could get to listening, I had to go through the process of fitting them inside my ear. Yes, it's a bit of a process, but it's no harder than trying on shoes. It's an important step, and the end result is so worth the effort.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Sony XBA-H1 review" src="http://ift.tt/1F3QBsD" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Sitting at my desk, things are relatively quiet, so the silicone tips work well in that scenario. But once I head home on the noisy subway, switching over to the foamed tips is basically a must. These offer a huge increase in noise isolation, a welcomed inclusion in the package.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The sound performance put out by the Sony XBA-H1 packs a punch. This is all thanks to the hybrid driver unit, which just by the name itself requires a little explaining.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>When choosing between in-ear headphones, some will differ in driver designs. Two commonly used designs are the balanced armature design and the dynamic design. Each type comes with a list of supposed pros and cons.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Dynamic driver design reigns supreme in bass response and offers a warmer sound signature. Indeed, the <a href="http://ift.tt/1DvYzOU">Shure SE215</a> provided both of those qualities.</p><br /><br/><br /><p><img alt="Sony XBA-H1 review" src="http://ift.tt/1DvYzOW" width="420"/> </p><br /><br/><br /><p>Alternatively, balanced armature design offers snappier, more detailed mids, but tend to lack the deep "oomph" found in dynamic drivers. You'll find this type of driver packed into the <a href="http://ift.tt/1F3QE7G">Klipsch X10i</a>, for example.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Sony's hybrid driver unit somehow combines both driver designs into one in the XBA-H1. This is quite the achievement, as the sound is crisp, responsive and, in my findings, the bass more than met my liking.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>The unique driver design paired with excellent noise isolation yields great results. My only tiff, – and it's a big one to me, at least – is that these headphones don't have inline controls.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Because of this omission, these earphones might be great plug-and-play options for computer use, but present an issue when you have to grab for your music device for every song or volume change.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>We liked</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>Instead of choosing one over the other, Sony included a driver unit that features the best of both the balanced armature and dynamic designs. Not only does this add value, it sounds wonderful.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Plus, the design is flat-out appealing. Extra goodies, like the flat cable and the included ear tips, work as fantastic value-adds.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>We disliked</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>However, at $150, it's fair to expect a little more. The lack of inline controls doesn't go by unnoticed. In fact, if not for this omission, the XBA-H1 would have otherwise been a must-have product despite the high price tag.</p><br /><br/><br /><h3>Final verdict</h3><br /><br/><br /><p>The Sony XBA-H1 excels by extending a hand to the sporty and minimalistic types. It also does well to include the best of two types of in-ear drivers in one package, which makes for a fantastic sound profile.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Where some people might fall off the XBA-H1 bandwagon is the price, considering the lack of inline controls. Regardless, if you can swing the cash and don't mind this limitation, you're in for an incredibly nuanced and rewarding listening experience.</p><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyoV2" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NCaJqv" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyrjN"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NCaJGJ" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyoV4"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NCaKKM" rel="nofollow"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyoV9"/> </a><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/><br /><a href="http://ift.tt/1NCaJGP"><img border="0" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyrA7"/> </a> <img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1NCaKKO" width="1"/><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/_rkD8K9GKPk" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1DwbC2Q<br/></div>

Review: mini review: Sony XBA-H1

Being as small as they are, one might be quick to think that in-ear headphones generally can't push out sound performance that's wor...

Read more »

Here's another way to watch the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Here's another way to watch the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere" src="http://ift.tt/ZzBOmz"/><br/><br /><p>HBO is moving further and further away from its once-strict cable TV-subscription model, today announcing its first deal with a live internet TV service.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>And wouldn't you know it - it's just in time for the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>HBO has struck a deal with <a href="http://ift.tt/1ASJeY0">Sling TV</a>, the live TV internet service run by Dish, that will let Sling TV users subscribe to HBO for an additional $15 a month.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>These users will get basically the same deal that cable subscribers get when they pay for HBO - a live HBO channel and access to HBO's on-demand back library.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>HBO on Sling TV will be available in time for the April 12 premieres of Game of Thrones and Silicon Valley, with more details coming soon.</p><br /><br/><br /><ul><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /><li><a href="http://ift.tt/P1XUOT">Chromecast</a> is smart TV in a stick</li><br /><li style='list-style: none'><br/> </li><br /></ul><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyrjJ" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/pojYHJT1wfE" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/1DwbBfd<br/></div>

Here's another way to watch the Game of Thrones season 5 premiere

HBO is moving further and further away from its once-strict cable TV-subscription model, today announcing its first deal with a live interne...

Read more »

Netflix is getting its own button on your next remote

<div xmlns='http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml'><div xmlns='http://bit.ly/16Db7GR'><img alt="Netflix is getting its own button on your next remote" src="http://ift.tt/1DpA6MC"/><br/><br /><p>You know you've arrived when you get a dedicated button on someone else's remote control. That's what's just started happening to <a href="http://ift.tt/11atV9p">Netflix</a> in the UK but it's something US companies have been doing since 2011.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Netflix announced at CES that it would be backing certain TVs that gave a good Netflix experience with its "recommended TV programme". In order to be part of that TV manufacturers will need to have a certainly quality of experience to take part, including a dedicated button and fast startup times for the app.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>Panasonic, Philips and Sony are all participating in the initial run of sets that feature the dedicated button. Interestingly, nothing is mentioned about LG, which was a key partner with Netflix at CES this year, with the company being involved in the roll-out of HDR video to TVs this year.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>It's clear that Netflix is stepping up its game in 2015. A long-awaited Australian launch will happen in the next few weeks and as we reported yesterday, Netflix wants to abolish the idea of <a href="http://ift.tt/1CIs7bj">one country being able to see video before another</a>. Along with all that, the company is pushing for net neutrality in the US and making it clear that it's going after broadcast networks.</p><br /><br/><br /><p>This month, Netflix will introduce its new original TV series Daredevil following on from the success of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt in March and, of course, the recent return of its mega-hit House of Cards.</p><br /><br/><br /><img border="0" height="1" src="http://ift.tt/1GMyrjH" width="1"/><br clear='all'/><br /><br/><br /><img alt="" height="1" src="//feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/allnews/~4/TCgl5SKGb90" width="1"/><br/><br /><br/><br /><br/> </div><br /><br/><br /><br/><br />from http://bit.ly/19GW5B8<br/></div>

Netflix is getting its own button on your next remote

You know you've arrived when you get a dedicated button on someone else's remote control. That's what's just started happeni...

Read more »