Monday, March 14, 2016

Roku 4 vs Fire TV (2015): Best Box for Streaming 4K movie to 4K TV

When you get a 4K TV, you may want a 4K streamer, even though there's not a lot of 4K content available at such a high frame rate. As the leader of 4K streamers, Roku and Amazon both launched 4K media streamers last year, letting users watch higher-resolution video without having to rely on the often-clunky interface of a smart TV.

Unfortunately, we can't both after all. So which one will be the best 4K streamer for 4K TV? How can we choose the most suitable box for streaming 4K movies to 4K TV? It is sure that some differences will help make the buying decision a bit easier: different prices ($100 for the new Fire TV, $130 for the Roku 4), different shapes and sizes, varying levels of 4K app support. But the Roku 4 and second-gen Amazon Fire TV still have little in common, which can make us confused which one should choose. Read on for our guide to choosing the right 4K media streamer.

What’s the deal with 4K?

The new all-singing Roku 4 boasts 4K Ultra HD streaming, the same as the new Fire TV box, but it also supports frame rates of up to 60 frames per second (fps), double what Amazon's new streaming box can muster. While that's impressive, it's something of a moot point right now. While most 4K TV sets these days come with an HDMI 2.0 port (which supports 4K up to 60fps) there aren't any providers besides YouTube out there that are currently offering 4K content at such a high frame rate. Netflix and Amazon's own 4K content is currently delivered at 24fps, so there's not a massive advantage to plumping for the Roku 4, at least not from day one.
On the other hand, you'll find more to enjoy with the Roku 4. Right now, Amazon's Fire TV only supports 4K video from Netflix and Amazon, and the company isn't even allowing 4K playback in third-party apps. The way Fire TV handles 4K playback might be to blame. Instead of outputting in 2160p all the time, the Fire TV runs at 1080p, then switches to 2160p output when playback begins. The process feels a bit clumsy, and as AFTVNews speculates, Amazon may want to be careful about opening it up to any app.
Whatever the reason, the result is a much wider 4K app lineup with the Roku 4, which always outputs in 2160p (with an upscaled 1080p interface in apps and menus). In addition to Netflix and Amazon, users can buy or rent 4K videos from Vudu, M-Go, and UltraFlix. Plex can serve up 4K videos from a networked storage device, and YouTube's vast 4K video library is available for free. Smithsonian Earth offers subscription nature videos in 4K format, and you'll even get higher-resolution images in the photo apps Flickr and 500px.
You can see a side-by-side comparison of Roku 4 and Fire TV (2015) in spec, features and apps below:

Fire TV (2015)

Roku 4

SPECS
Performance1
8x
3x
CPU
Quad-core, 64-bit
Quad-core, 32-bit
Memory
2 GB
1.5 GB
User Storage2
8 GB
Not advertised
Ethernet Performance3
1x
1x
Wi-Fi Performance3
3x (802.11ac)
3x (802.11ac)
HDMI
HDMI 1.4
HDMI 2.0
MicroSD Card Slot
USB 3.0 Ports for
expansion/accessories
1 USB 2.0
1 USB 2.0
Game Controller (included)
HDMI Cable (included)
FEATURES
Resolution
4K 30 Ultra HD & 1080p
4K 60 Ultra HD & 1080p
Voice Search
Voice Commands
Cross-App Search
Cast to your TV
Mobile Compatibility
Android
Android & iOS
Private Listening4
Console-Class Games5
Stream Games from PC
Cloud Gaming
720p
APPS
Netflix
4K Ultra HD & 1080p
4K Ultra HD & 1080p
YouTube
4K 30 Ultra HD & 1080p
4K 60 Ultra HD & 1080p
Hulu Plus
Sling TV
Pandora
HBO Go
HBO Now
Amazon Instant Video
Google Play Movies
Google Play Music
Showtime
VUDU
PBS & PBS Kids
Vevo
MLB
NBA
Plex
Kodi (XBMC)
Twitch


Which 4K Box You should Choose?


If you want higher resolution and frame rate, Roku 4 will give you more ways to enjoy them.On the other hand, The Fire TV (2015)doesn’t have as much 4K content—or as deep of an app catalog in general—but it’s a better box overall for people who plan to consume a lot of Amazon Prime video. And given that 4K is built into the $99 product, you can dabble in the higher-res format without having to spend even more on hardware (those 4K TVs aren't cheap).

Related Software Recommended to Help You Enjoy 4K on Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015)

Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate is an all-in-one media solution. It can convert your MKV, AVI, MP4, H.265, FLV,MOV, WMV, TS, VRO, M2TS, etc video, no matter downloaded from YouTube, Netflix, YIFY and other torrent sites, to Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015). It also can batch upscale SD/HD video to 4K video for Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015) playback.
Pavtube ChewTune can remove the DRM protection of iTunes M4V video then convert them to 4K video for Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015). If you have some 4K content in iTunes and want to stream the 4K content with Roku 4 & Fire TV (2015), this software can help you.
Money Saving Tips: There is a bundle software promotion to help you save money:
Video Converter Ultimate($65) + ChewTune($29) = Only $74.9, Save $19.1
Check More Guides on Roku 4 & Fire TV:

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Playing Blu-Ray BDMV folder with VLC?

VLC maybe is the most popular media player software, which can run on Windows, Mac OS X, Linux, etc. Its official site claims that the 2.0 and later version support Blu-ray media playback with some extra operations. But strangely, some people will have troubles in playing Bluray BDMV folder in VLC:

“I have a Blu-Ray folder and I've tried opening the BDMV file in it with VLC but it doesn't open it properly, displaying a menu and all that Jazz. Instead, it seems it just parses that file to play everything inside it willy nilly, choking on JAR files and other stuff.”

If you can’t play Bluray BDMV folder in VLC, you should make sure you use the "open BDMV folder" function in the open panel, and you need to choose the upper folder which contains the bdmv folder (with VLC 2.1.3). Still failing? Maybe because VLC bluray support is still rather experimental. And your Blu-ray producer just make it harder to play its discs.

Or, you can try to rip your Bluray BDMV folder to VLC supported digital format like MP4, MKV, etc with a Blu-ray Ripper.Pavtube ByteCopy is a nice choice. It can rip and convert any copy & region protected Blu-ray, Blu-ray BDMV folder to VLC supported MP4, MKV, MOV, WMV, etc with excellent video quality and fast speed. 

It also can convert DVD, DVD IFO/ISO to VLC supported MP4, MKV, etc with original video quality. It allows you to adjust video/audio codec, resolution, bitrate, channel, frame rate, display aspect ratio and deinterlacing video, rotate video, add/extract subtitle to Blu-ray/DVD video, add watermark, trim/crop video. 

Free download and install:
          

Other Download:
- Pavtube old official address: http://www.pavtube.cn/bytecopy/
- Cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/Pavtube-ByteCopy/3000-7970_4-76158512.html
How to convert Bluray BDMV folder to VLC?

Step 1: Load Bluray BDMV files 

Click “File” to load Bluray BDMV folder to Pavtube BDMV to VLC converter. Or you can simply drag and drop the Bluray BDMV folder to the app. You can see all the chapter added will be listed. The main title will be automatically detected to convert. But if also can select certain chapter to convert.

Tip: 
1. At the bottom of the chapter list, you can choose desired subtitle/audio track in “Subtitle” and “Audio” box. You even can keep forced subtitle
2. You can preview the video on the right window and take a snapshot of your loved scene.



Step 2: Choose MP4 for VLC

Click the “Format” bar to get the drop-down menu and you can get “HD Video -> H.264 HD Video (*.mp4)” as the best output format for playing in VLC.



If the default A/V settings cannot fit your needs, you can click “Settings” button to custom the output video and audio settings by yourself. But if you are not good at it, you’d better use the default parameters, they will ensure you a good balance between file size and image quality basically.

Step 3: Start to convert Bluray BDMV to VLC

Press the “Convert” button on the bottom-right corner of this Bluray BDMV to VLC Video Converter to start doing video conversion. The larger the Bluray BDMV folders are, the more conversion time should be taken.

After converted Bluray BDMV to MP4, then you can add it to VLC to play now.

if you want to convert VOB to VLC, MKV to VLC, AVI to VLC, WMV to VLC, ISO to VLC, Blu-ray to VLC, DVD to VLC, etc, you can use Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate. There is a bundle software promotion which can help you save money when you want to purchase these two apps:

Monday, March 7, 2016

List of Best Animation Movies 2016 and Guide to Rip Animation Movie DVDs

Animated movies have enthralled generations of people, whether they are kids or adults. From Disney's groundbreaking "Inside Out" to the more recent efforts of Universal Minions, all the animated feature films have left a deep impression on us. So do you get interested in the upcoming new best animated movies in 2016? Below is a list of animated feature films that will be released in 2016.

Kung Fu Panda 3

Continuing his "legendary adventures of awesomeness", Po must face two hugely epic, but different threats: one supernatural and the other a little closer to his home.

Directors: Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh

Writers: Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger

Stars: Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman

Zootopia

In a city of anthropomorphic animals, a fugitive con artist fox and a rookie bunny cop must work together to uncover a conspiracy.

Directors: Byron Howard, Rich Moore

Writers: Jared Bush (screenplay), Phil Johnston (screenplay)

Stars: Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Idris Elba

Sing

A koala named Buster recruits his best friend to help him drum up business for his theater by hosting a singing competition.

Director: Garth Jennings

Writer: Garth Jennings

Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Matthew McConaughey

Finding Dory

The friendly-but-forgetful blue tang fish reunites with her loved ones, and everyone learns a few things about the real meaning of family along the way.

Directors: Andrew Stanton, Angus MacLane

Writers: Andrew Stanton (screenplay), Andrew Stanton (story)

Stars: Idris Elba, Michael Sheen, Ellen DeGeneres

The Secret Life of Pets

Taking place in a Manhattan apartment building, Max's life as a favorite pet is turned upside down, when his owner brings home a sloppy mongrel named Duke. They have to put their quarrels

Directors: Chris Renaud, Yarrow Cheney

Writers: Ken Daurio, Brian Lynch

Stars: Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Lake Bell

Ice Age: Collision Course

Scrat's epic pursuit of his elusive acorn catapults him outside of Earth, where he accidentally sets off a series of cosmic events that transform and threaten the planet. To save themselves...

Directors: Mike Thurmeier, Galen T. Chu

Writers: Michael Berg, Aubrey Solomon (story)

Stars: Melissa Rauch, Stephanie Beatriz, Jennifer Lopez

Norm of the North

When a real estate development invades his Arctic home, Norm and his three lemming friends head to New York City, where Norm becomes the mascot of the corporation in an attempt to bring it down from the inside and protect his homeland.

Director: Trevor Wall

Writers: Daniel Altiere, Steven Altiere

Stars: Rob Schneider, Heather Graham, Ken Jeong

The Angry Birds Movie

Find out why the birds are so angry. When an island populated by happy, flightless birds is visited by mysterious green piggies, it's up to three unlikely outcasts - Red, Chuck and Bomb - to figure out what the pigs are up to.

Directors: Clay Kaytis, Fergal Reilly

Writer: Jon Vitti

Stars: Kate McKinnon, Jason Sudeikis, Peter Dinklage

Kubo and the Two Strings

Kubo lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down by re-igniting an age-old vendetta. This causes all sorts of havoc as ...

Director: Travis Knight

Writers: Marc Haimes (screenplay), Chris Butler (screenplay)

Stars: Charlize Theron, Rooney Mara, Matthew McConaughey

Trolls

Lovable and friendly, the trolls love to play around. But one day, a mysterious giant shows up to end the party.

Directors: Mike Mitchell, Walt Dohrn

Writers: Jonathan Aibel (screenplay), Glenn Berger (screenplay)

Stars: Anna Kendrick, Justin Timberlake, James Corden

Recommended DVD Ripper for 2016 New Animated Movies

For animation movie fan, when the new animation movie 2016 are released, I believe that there will be many people buying the DVD discs to collect or play. But the fragile DVDs of animated movies t are easy to be jammed or damaged by kids. So for keeping the animation movie DVD discs safe, you can backup DVD with DVD Ripper. Learn >> DVD Ripper vs. DVD Copier

Pavtube DVDAid is the best animated movie DVD ripper that helps to backup and rip copy-protected DVDs, including the newly released animated DVD movies, to MP4, AVI, M3U8, WMV, MOV, etc for you to playback on the latest mobiles, such as iPhone 5se, iPhone 7, iPhone 6S/6S Plus, iPad Air 3, iPad Pro/Mini 4, Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5, Sony Xperia X/X Performance/XA, Nexus 6P, etc. (review)

Free download and install Pavtube DVDAid:


Other Download:
- Pavtube old official address: http://www.pavtube.cn/dvd_ripper/
- Cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/Pavtube-DVDAid/3000-7970_4-76158510.html

How to Backup & Rip 2016 New Animated DVD Movies for Kids

Step 1: Load the animated movie DVD or DVD Folder and launch the best animation movie DVD ripper. Click "File" button to import the DVD animation movie.

Step 2: click "Format" to open the a new windows. Here, you can choose any format you want.

Step 3: Select Output Folder. Click "Browse" button to choose the path where you want to save the output files in.

Step 4: Start ripping DVD of animation by hitting the "Convert" button.

Related Articles:

Thursday, March 3, 2016

Top Christian Movies 2016 for Kids & Families on Easter

Easter is an uplifting time of the year, spring is just arriving and we celebrate the most important part of our Christian faith which is the “Resurrection of our Lord.”  Easter occurs on a different Sunday every year, but the message is always the same; come to the Lord, give your sin over to him, and receive salvation in the Risen Christ.  While there are not a lot of Christian Easter movies on the market I have compiled a list of some of the top Christian movies for kids and family watch on Easter weekend.

Top 10 Christian Movies 2016 for Kids & Families on Easter

A Place in the Heart



God’s Club


The Book of Genesis


Eternal Salvation


The Last Adam


The Young Messiah


Beyond the Darkness


Miracles From Heaven


The Bridge


The Letters: The Epic Life Story of Mother Teresa


Pavtube Video Converter Ultimate is an all-in-one media solution. It can convert downloaded Christian movies in MKV, MP4, H.265, FLV, WMV, MOV, etc to portable devices such as iPhone 5se, iPad Air 3, LG TV, Galaxy S7, Surface Pro 4, LG G5, Xperia Z5 Tablet, etc. It also can rip and backup Blu-ray/DVD Christian movies to H.265, M3U8, MP4, MOV, MKV, WMV, etc for HD TV, WMP, QuickTime, Plex, Roku, Kodi, VLC, etc. 

Free download and install
          

Other Download:
- Pavtube old official address: http://www.pavtube.cn/blu-ray-video-converter-ultimate/
- Cnet Download: http://download.cnet.com/Pavtube-Video-Converter-Ultimate/3000-2194_4-75938564.html

Related Articles: