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Fast & Furious Blu-ray Trilogy reviewed, D-BOX shines
The new Fast & Furious, not to be confused with the old Fast & Furious, is all set to become the first major theatrical release with D-BOX baked in. And as TheHDRoom points out, these movies were just born to be felt as well as watched. When reviewing the trilogy on Blu-ray, they found these discs immediately among their favorite D-BOX discs. More specifically, they noted that the sensation was strong and engrossing throughout, especially when cars were changing gears -- though they did confess that Tokyo Drift suffered from jolts that were just too faint to really enjoy. Of course, you'd have to be the world's biggest F&F fan to let this trio of flicks convince you to pick up one of those pricey D-BOX motion chairs, but if you're leaning that way, give the read link a look beforehand.
D-BOX rumbles to best ever quarter in terms of sales
The major news outlets seem to think there's some sort of "recession" going on, but those with cash are still spending like it's 1999. D-BOX, the outfit famous for its rumbling theater seats and corresponding Motion Code system, has just reported its best ever quarter in terms of sales, notching revenues of $1,227,340 for the third quarter of its 2009 fiscal year. Sales increased some 29 percent year-over-year, and it's hoping to keep the momentum going with its comparatively affordable hybrid GPH-120 system ($2,999; available summer 2009) for gamers who love to rock. And to think, most of us laughed this company off. Kudos, D-BOX.
D-BOX ventures into video game sector with Motion Code
First it was home theaters, and then came the rumors of actual theaters. Now, D-BOX is officially getting into bed with video games, though we can't say for certain how well it'll be received. For those in the dark, D-BOX's Motion Code system enables specialized chairs to rumble and bumble along with the on-screen action, and thanks to a new deal with Electronic Arts, synchronized buzzing will be a part of Need for Speed Undercover on the PC. There's no word on what other titles are lined up for Motion Code treatment, but we've all ideas this one here will be a litmus test of sorts to see how things pan out. Call us crazy, but we'll take an actual Sunday drive over a simulation.[Via TheHDRoom]
Rumbling, bumbling D-BOX motion chairs coming to cinemas?
Chalk this one up as a rumor for now, but CTV has it that those pricey D-BOX chairs you've been ignoring (due to cost, obviously) could wind up underneath your tush, regardless. According to the report, unspecified theater chain owners are contemplating the addition of the motion-simulation chairs as yet another way to bring in legions of customers willing to fork out cash to see new films on the big screen. It's also bruited that the firm will be introducing a new version of its chair at ShowEast 2008 which will be aimed squarely at "commercial theaters." $10 says the butt-kicking experience won't be gratis, even if it does make it into a cinema or two.
D-BOX Motion Code system gets explained
Considering the prohibitively high costs associated with D-BOX's admittedly intriguing Motion Code system, it's no real shock that we haven't heard much about the product since 2006. Fast forward a year and change, and The Man Room's Dan Bradley was able to sit down with the firm's Marketing Director and find out a good bit more about the technology. Essentially, the firm encodes films (over 750 are currently in its database) frame by frame with Motion Effects (MFX) that enable at-home movie viewers to actually feel as if they're a part of the action. Interestingly, the shakes aren't created from sound, but rather by a sophisticated actuator system which comes built-in to its own line of seats or can be retrofitted into furniture you already own. Currently, D-BOX has partnerships with Disney, Fox and Sony, and it's hoping to ink deals with a few other studios in the not-too-distant future. In the end, the tech is still too pricey / niche for most, but if you're curious, the full interview awaits you in the read link.
Fox rolling out Blu-ray movies with motion-sensing technology
Fox is utilize some of that extra space on a Blu-ray disc with codex's for D-Box motion-sensing furniture. In case you aren't familiar with the 'theme park in your home' chairs, D-Box seats synchronizes the on-screen motion with the the seat. (think the Back to the Future Ride) Their systems start at $3,200 for a universal strap-on system and climb all the way up to $10,000 for their leather recliner, but currently users need to have a box hook'd up to the Internet and their DVD player in order to utilize this system. Not anymore, thanks to these pre-loaded Blu-ray discs from Fox. The plans is to distribute 10 to 30 currently unnamed discs over the next year and D-Box hopes to bring HD DVD and even more studios on board sometime soon. If they can succeed in getting these codex's embedded on the discs, their hope of moving from niche to mainstream will become a reality. A price drop wound't hurt ether.
