The Sony PlayStation 5 console will debut on selected markets tomorrow. In Poland, as well as in the rest of Europe, we will have to wait until 19 November. We have been testing the device itself for almost two weeks – we have already provided a lot of information, and more details will appear in the next few days. As is well known, one of the console’s novelties was to be full support for HDMI 2.1. This is due to the possibility of playing in 4K resolution with a maximum 120 FPS, but also technologies such as Variable Refresh Rate or Auto Low Latency Mode. Even before the premiere, a lot of confusion appeared on the network about the supplied HDMI cable, officially not supporting HDMI 2.1. However, there will be more problems, at least for the premiere.
According to information disclosed by Digital Foundry, the Sony PlayStation 5 console does not currently support all the features of the HDMI 2.1 port, namely Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode.
Review of Sony PlayStation 5 and Spider-Man: Miles Morales
Although the PlayStation 5 console has an HDMI 2.1 port, it will not use all the functionalities at the time of release. The team from Digital Foundry confirms the lack of support for VRR – Variable Refresh Rate and Auto Low Latency Mode. The first mode is responsible for better frame synchronization, getting rid of the image tearing phenomenon. The second, on the other hand, allows you to automatically switch to the game mode, reducing e.g. delays. We do not know what the reason for the lack of these techniques is, Sony has not yet made any official statement in the matter. We know that at the time of release, the HDMI 2.1 connector will allow you to play at a maximum 120 frames per second at 4K resolution or in 8K at 60 FPS (of course only in those productions that allow it), while supporting HDR 10.
DualSense controller – The test is falling on the example of Astro’s Playroom
This is not the only PlayStation 5 limitation that will appear at the time of its debut. Initially, an additional M.2 port for SSD will be inactive. Therefore, it will not be possible to expand the console memory subsystem from scratch. The manufacturer will soon start the disk certification program and will monitor which media will meet the requirements for PS5 and only after obtaining the appropriate certificate will it be possible to add an additional disk (along with updating the system software, unlocking the possibility of using the M.2 connector). The console will appear in Poland from 19 November (or at least pre-release orders will be carried out in stores that are official PlayStation Polska partners), and among the premiere games we will receive: in. Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Suckboy: Great Adventure and Demon’s Souls: Remake. We, in turn, will soon share more details about the PS5 in the sphere of the operating system and the entire multimedia envelope (applications, Ultra HD Blu-ray player).
AMD has introduced the processor series Ryzen Embedded V 2000 with code name Gray Hawk, which the now 2.5 years old Ryzen-Embedded-V 1000 – replaces CPUs. This enables a change from Zen (1) with Globalfoundries’ – Nanometer technology on Zen 2 with TSMCs 7 nm structures. A doubling of the CPU cores, new architecture and high-clocking Vega graphics units promise a significant leap in performance.
The Ryzen Embedded V 2000 are similar to the Ryzen notebook combination processors 4000 U / H (Renoir) strong and should use the same silicon. When it comes to embedded CPUs, however, AMD is focusing on the industry, including with Memory Guard including ECC error correction and Secure Boot. In addition, AMD promises ten years of availability for long-term partnerships.
Manufacturers use corresponding processors, for example, in gaming machines, video walls (digital signage) and generally in embedded systems. The predecessor Ryzen Embedded V 1000 is also used in mini PCs such as the Asrock 4X4 Box-V 448 M, the EEPD EM Pro mini and on the mainboard Udoo Bolt for Use.
Eight fast CPU cores The top model Ryzen Embedded V 2748 uses eight CPU cores including simultaneous multithreading (16 threads) and works with 2.9 to 4, 25 GHz with a configurable Thermal Design Power (cTDP) of 35 to 54 watt. Seven compute units (60 shader cores) reach up to 1600 MHz. The Ryzen Embedded V 2748 corresponds almost exactly to the mobile Ryzen 7 4800 H.
Below that, AMD positions the Ryzen embedded processors V 2546, V 2718 and V 2516. The last digit stands for the number of CPU cores, the penultimate for the standard TDP of 15 or 45 Watts. The Ryzen Embedded V 2718 largely represents a Ryzen Embedded V 2748, just with a 1.2 GHz lower base clock due to the lower TDP.
Specifications of the Ryzen Embedded V 2000 with six and eight CPU cores.
(Image: AMD )
DDR4 – 3200 and HDMI 2.1 All models support DDR4 3200 RAM in dual-channel including ECC error correction and are soldered to mainboards. DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.1 are available as display outputs – four of them can be connected at the same time. The transfer rate is also sufficient for 8K screens with 7680 × 4320 Pixels and 60 Hertz. Additional chips and cards can be purchased via 20 PCI-Express Connect 3.0 lanes.
First systems with Ryzen Embedded V 2000 should come from ASRock Industrial, Advantech and Simply NUC. Sapphire is updating the current V 448 motherboards (4×4 and 5×5 formats) with the new processors that Simply NUC installed in mini-PCs. With the cExpress-AR, Adlink has announced a COM Express Compact Size Type 6 Module for COM Express base boards.
With a long list of FAQs, Sony reveals that PS5 games are not region-locked, but also that the new console supports PS Now, which means that older PS2 and PS3 titles can be played
by Rosario Grasso published 10 November 2020 , at 14: 51 in the Videogames channel Sony Playstation
Good and bad news for fans eagerly awaiting the arrival of PlayStation 5 in their homes . Details on geo-blocking, PlayStation Now, external USB devices, 8K resolution support and many other aspects of the new console arrive, via a long list of FAQs posted on Sony PlayStation official website .
From the long list of frequently asked questions we learn that PS5 games are not blocked at the geographic area, i.e. the new console is region free . This means that it will be possible to buy, for example, a Japanese or North American version of a game and play it on the console purchased in Europe.
PlayStation 5: support for Futuristic 8K
Less exciting is the lack of resolution support 8K at launch : “PS5 can be connected to a display 8K at launch and, following a future system software update, will be able to play resolutions up to 8K, when the content is available, with supported software “Which is somewhat predictable, given the fact that 8K resolution support should be considered as futuristic. In fact, in order to benefit from it, you will need not only the suitable TV but also the content compatible with this resolution.
PlayStation Now is already supported by PS5, allowing you to play some titles through Sony’s cloud gaming resources. Among other things, just like for PS4, it is the only way to play old titles for PS2 and for PS3 .
There are restrictions instead , about gaming via external USB storage drives : we read, in fact, that “players cannot transfer PS5 games to a USB drive. For game play, PS5 titles must be stored on the drive. Ultra-high speed internal console SSD. We are considering allowing players to store (but not play) PS5 games on a USB drive via a future update “. At launch, external USB devices will then allow you to play PS4 games but not PS5 . Obviously they can be used for the management of multimedia contents and for the installation of system updates .
USB peripherals such as mice and keyboards are supported at the PS5 operating system level, but obviously the availability within the games is determined by the choices of the developers.
HMD Global, the current owner of the rights to the Nokia brand, intends to expand its product portfolio with a smart TV device. However, it is not a smart TV, but a set-top box that extends the capabilities of any compatible receiver. Considering the potential equipment of the Streaming Box 8000, because that is the name of the equipment, I dare to say that it has a real chance for market success. Of course, a lot depends on the price in specific markets. I think that the premiere is a matter of weeks, so today it is worth taking a look at what the Streaming Box model 8000 is with the characteristic logo of the Nokia brand. In addition to the partial specification, we managed to get to know the appearance of the set-top box.
We already know what the Streaming Box TV set-top will look like 8000 signed with the Nokia brand. Here is the equipment that will hit our store shelves.
Xiaomi Mi Box 4S Pro – new TV set-top box with 8K support
Streaming Box 8000 is the upcoming a set-top box with the Nokia logo, well-known on our market, The device will work under the control of Android TV 10, which means the possibility of installing many useful applications, the core of which are programs offering access to platforms VODs such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and YouTube. The Amlogic S 905 X3 will be responsible for performance. Users can count on 4K resolution support, but there is no information about Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos.
OPPO TV S1 smart TVs with QLED 4K and OPPO R1
The price of the add-on is to be around 100 dollars, which makes it slightly more expensive than the Xiaomi proposal. All electronics are enclosed in a black rectangular ascetic housing. On the back there is a power socket, LAN port, HDMI, AV and AUDIO outputs and a USB-C port. On the right edge you will find a single USB port. An equally elegant remote control resembles a typical TV accessory with a large number of buttons and buttons dedicated to streaming services, the Google Play shopping platform and the Google Assistant. Now we can wait for the official presentation of the device.
– Android TV Guide (@androidtv_rumor) November 4, 2020
NVIDIA today released the version 553. 30 WHQL of its Game Ready drivers , which incorporate support for new games, fix some bugs which could be found in previous versions, add support for G-Sync monitors and update SLI profiles.
In this case, we find support for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Godfall , while the SLI profile for Black Desert has also been updated. Similarly, these drivers also add G-Sync support for monitors Acer CP 3271 UV, Asus XG 27 AQ, MSI MAG 274 QR and Xiaomi Mi 245 HF , so if we have one of these monitors, we will already have official support for them.
Last but not least, among the bugs fixed with this version are FPS drops in Warzone , a bug where some laptops would show flashes on the built-in display when coming out of a sleep state , and a bug that affects Ampere GPUs where the screen could go black if we connected a G-Sync panel with HDR and 8K resolution.
We can get the new version of NVIDIA drivers at this link or to t through GeForce Experience if they have not already been automatically updated.
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Jordi Bercial
Avid enthusiast of technology and electronics. I messed around with computer components almost since I learned to ride. I started working at Geeknetic after winning a contest on their forum for writing hardware articles. Drift, mechanics and photography lover. Don’t be shy and leave a comment on my articles if you have any questions.
NVIDIA’s new drivers include a Game Ready stamp for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and the latest optimizations for Assassin’s Creed Valha and Godfall.
NVIDIA has released new drivers for its graphics cards. GeForce 457. 30 drivers are available for Windows 7, 8 (.1) and 10 and support the company’s desktop graphics cards Kepler and mobile graphics cards since the Maxwell generation
The most significant update to the GeForce 457. 30 drivers is the official Game Ready stamp for Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. In addition, the drivers come with the latest optimizations for Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Godfall games. In addition, the drivers include an updated SLI profile for Black Desert.
As usual, NVIDIA has also fixed issues with previous releases in the drivers. Bugs fixed this time include performance issues in Warzone with GeForce RTX 30 series graphics cards, flashing of the laptop’s built-in display at startup, and black screen issues with Ampere architecture graphics on Dual-head HDR 8K G-Sync displays. Known issues include jerking YouTube videos while scrolling up or down the screen, changing the color format from RGB to YCbCr 422 when the screen refresh rate is set above 100 hertz , Green graphics corruption in Sunset Overdrive when the Depth of Field effect is enabled and black lines appear on the edges of some of the old familiar Forza Motorsport 7 tracks. You can review all driver changes in their release notes (PDF). NVIDIA’s Game Ready article on drivers does not work when writing news
Mustafa Mahmoud 5 hours ago Console, Featured Tech News, Software & Gaming
With the launch of the next generation of consoles, one of the advertised improvements by both Sony and Microsoft is the ability for the consoles to run games at 4K 120fps and even 8K. Though the consoles have yet to release, we now already know of one game which will take advantage of that higher resolution. Ori and the Will of the Wisps has been confirmed to be able to run at 6K on the Xbox Series X.
In a post on its website, the Ori team detailed exactly what improvements will be coming to Ori and the Will of the Wisps on the Xbox Series S and X. The Xbox Series X will benefit from 4K HDR locked at 120 FPS; Highest Graphics and Visual Effects settings; Instant Input Response; Faster Loading Times; High Fidelity Audio with increased Dynamic Range and Convolution Reverb for ambiences. Interestingly, the console will also offer an optional resolution mode which will allow for “6K Supersampled mode at 60FPS outputting in 4K HDR.”
While 8K TVs are still few and far between, they do exist, and so it is interesting to see the 6K resolution being supersambled down to 4K seemingly regardless of the output device. While there is no doubt that the picture will benefit from this supersampling, it would be even more visually impressive if the 6K resolution is able to run natively on an 8K display.
The Xbox Series S meanwhile will share many of the benefits coming to the Series X. Where resolution is concerned however, the Series S will offer 1080p HDR locked at 120 FPS and a 4K mode at 60FPS instead. Lastly, both consoles will include “Sharpness Settings added in Graphics Settings for additional control of the image sharpness.”
The full patch notes, including bug fixes can be found HERE.
KitGuru says: What do you think of this update? Which of the two modes would you play at? Do you think we will see any 8K games on the Series X? Let us know down below.
Last month we looked at some phones from unexpected brands, but that wasn’t nearly all of them. Today we’ll look at some more oddball phones from companies whose business is quite different (sometimes completely unrelated to electronics).
Pepsi P1
Is Pepsi okay? Regardless of your soft drink preferences, you probably didn’t expect Pepsi to make a smartphone. There were two phones, actually, the Pepsi P1 and P1S, and they tried launched in China with a crowdfunding campaign on JD.com.
The Pepsi P1 and P1s tried to launch with a crowdfunding campaign
That plan backfired on the company. The campaign can still be seen on the site and you’ll notice that it only reached 43% of its funding goal. Which is odd as the P1 was going to be available in very limited numbers, only 1,000 units were on offer, and they were quite cheap. The asking price was CNY 700 ($110/€100 at the time). This was a marketing campaign meant to drum up some attention rather than turn a profit.
There wasn’t much to them beyond the Pepsi branding, however
The Pepsi phones were manufactured by a Chinese ODM and ran “dido OS” – an Android skin that was also used by some Doogee phones. Of course, this one had a Pepsi theme installed. And though they were cheap, the hardware was actually pretty good. The P1 had an aluminum body, a 5.5” 1080p screen, octa-core processor, 13MP camera and LTE connectivity.
PS. While Red Bull runs an MVNO on the A1 Telekom Austria network, there aren’t any own-branded phones (the ZTE Redbull V5 certainly isn’t related to the energy drink company). We didn’t find any Coca Cola phones either.
Onkyo Granbeat DP-CMX1
Onkyo is famous for its audio and home cinema equipment, but the company dabbles in portable electronics too. Things like portable audio players and the Granbeat DP-CMX1 smartphone.
The Onkyo Granbeat DP-CMX1 looked like the company’s portable audio players
In many ways this is similar to the Marshall London we saw last time. It had both a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a balanced 2.5mm jack. Balanced jacks send the audio signal twice, the so-called “hot” and “cold” signals are mirrors of each other. This setup is much more resilient to picking up interference from noisy electrical equipment compared to the standard unbalanced jacks you see every day (or used to see, anyway).
The phone was equipped with two DACs as well as two amplifiers. It was a hefty piece of kit machined out of aluminum and had physical playback buttons on the side and a volume dial, giving you fine-grained control unlike typical volume buttons.
Two jacks and a volume dial • Hardware playback controls
The Onkyo Granbeat DP-CMX1 had 128GB storage – not much for FLAC files, you may be thinking. The phone did have a microSD slot (rated for up to 256GB cards). Some reports claim there were two microSD slots (like on the Onkyo DP-X1 player), but those proved to be incorrect.
While impressive as a portable music player, the Granbeat wasn’t a great Android phone. It ran 6.0 Marshmallow on a Snapdragon 650 chipset and offered a 5” 1080p screen. The 3,000 mAh battery promised 25 hours of music playback. A 16MP main camera and 4MP selfie camera round off the basic spec sheet.
Kodak Ektra
Photography buffs may recognize the name as an old 35mm camera from the 1940s, but this is about the camera-centric Android smartphone that launched in 2016. Kodak’s first Android, the IM5, was a bit of a dud, but the company didn’t give up and had another go at it.
Kodak Ektra
The highlight was the 21MP camera on the back with a 1/2.3” sensor, f/2.0 aperture, 6-axis optical image stabilization and 4K video capture. The design of the rear was quite evocative and there was a neat genuine leather carrying case that completed the retro camera look.
Genuine leather carrying cases for the Kodak Ektra
As Leica does today, Kodak leaned into its film camera expertise and offered cool retro modes. For example, the Super8 video app added film grain, vignetting and shifted colors to simulate the 8 mm film look. There was a black and white mode dubbed Tri-X too. You don’t hear these names anymore, but they are legendary films by Eastman Kodak.
Camera samples from the Kodak Ektra
Anyway, the Kodak Ektra had a 5” 1080p screen and was powered by a Helio X20 chipset with 3GB of RAM and 32GB storage (expandable with a microSD card). It launched in the UK first at a price of £450, reaching Europe in December of 2016 with a €500 price tag and then the US in mid-2017 at $400. Kodak also partnered with Archos to release a few Kodak-branded tablets around the same time.
RED Hydrogen One
A more recent attempt at an Android smartphone from a camera company is the RED Hydrogen One. RED cameras have exploded in popularity and are used both by small productions and big Hollywood blockbusters. So, you’d expect this to be the best camera phone ever made, right? Well…
The RED Hydrogen One had a unique utilitarian design
Even though the Hydrogen One was announced in 2018, it was oddly focused on 3D – it had two 12.3MP cameras on the back and a autostereoscopic 3D display. This was allegedly more advanced than 3D screens we’ve seen in the past, RED called it “4 View” (or 4V).
It was supposed to create a holographic effect by outputting four images instead of the usual two. Seeing it in person was quite underwhelming, this was quite far off R2D2 projecting a hologram of Leia. The dual camera’s holographic photos didn’t deliver on RED’s promises of camera revolution either.
The company was preparing an interesting addition for the Hydrogen One – the mother of all camera add-ons, the Lithium 3D. Prototypes weighed a massive 3kg (6.6lbs) and this was without a battery. The add-on was intended to shoot high-quality 3D video with the phone serving as its display. The only phone that could do the job, really, as that 4V display was needed to properly preview the holographic footage shot by Lithium.
And it would have been mightily impressive footage too, as the dual camera system could capture 8K video. This was intended to be tool used by professionals, but the project was canceled before completion. The phone itself had a limited launch and quickly faded away.
We hoped you enjoyed the second edition of weird phones from unexpected brands. Again, there are many we didn’t cover so there might be a part 3 in the future. By the way, we loved your suggestions in the comments on the previous article, so keep them coming.
(Pocket-lint) – In a matter of days, the next-generaton of gaming will kick off and the PlayStation 5 will be available in both standard and Digital Editions. And, from our review testing, it’s a true beast of a machine.
But is that enough right to get you to cough up a fair penny right now to upgrade from a PS4 or PS4 Pro, or should you wait?
And, if you are only just considering a PlayStation for the first time, which will be best suited to your needs and budget?
We hope to help answer those questions right here.
Design
Both the PS4 and PS4 Pro have a similar design aesthtic – like a console-flavoured sandwich. The Pro is fatter, but they each sit in a similar footprint in your AV cabinet.
The PlayStation 5 on-the-other-hand is mammoth – considerably taller and heavier than either PS4. It also looks different, with white elements and a form factor that looks far better standing on its end than laid flat. It has fateplates either side and will be tricky to cram into an average TV cabinet or stand.
But its size isn’t just for aesthetic reasons. The faceplates hide and enormous fan and vacuumable dust ports. More powerful processing usually comes at the cost of cooling, so the PS5 is designed that way to keep it as cool as possible. Certainly, in our review process, it runs silently.
Not so our PS4 Pro. That sounds like a helicopter taking off these days, it runs so hot. The PS4 is known for its fan noise too.
Processing and graphics
Naturally, the PS5 represents a next-generational leap in tech, so the processing unit and GPU are singinifactly more advanced that the ones used in the PS4 models.
All three consoles – base PS4, PS4 Pro and PS5 – use custom AMD CPUs, but the processing potential greatly improves as you move up the family.
Both the PS4 and PS4 Pro sport the same octa-core x86-64 AMD “Jaguar” chipset, while the PlayStation 5 adopts a much more recently crafted processor modelled on AMD’s octa-core Zen 2 design. It runs at 3.5GHz per core for starters, which makes it a heck of a lot faster than the current gen alternative.
As for graphics, this is even more diverse. While all feature Radeon chips, the standard PS4’s GPU is capable of 1.84 TFLOPS, the PS4 Pro 4.20 TFLOPS. In comparison, the PS5 has 10.3 TFLOPS of power (running across 36 compute units) available for developers to make the most of.
Basically, this means the PS4 maxes at a 1080p resolution, the Pro at 4K (mostly checkerboard rather than native) and is most comfortable at 30fps. The PlayStation 5 on the other hand is capable of full 4K 60fps gaming, even 120fps, games permitting. There is also potential for 8K resolutions somewhere down the line but it could be years not months before we see anything of the sort.
It also has the ability for games to use ray tracing visual technology, which makes for much more accurate lighting effects. The PS4 models are not compatible with that relatively new tech.
Memory and storage
RAM will also make a difference in terms of speed and number of processes each console can handle at once.
The PS4 and Pro models each include 8GB of DDR5 RAM, while the PS5 ups the ante to 16GB of GDDR6.
Storage too will make a considerable difference, considering its use in the PS5.
The base model of the PS4 incorporates 500GB of HDD storage, while an enhanced version ups that to 1TB, much like the one found inside the PS4 Pro. And, although the PlayStation 5 will come with slightly less storage capacity than the Pro, at 825GB (667GB available to the user), it uses solid state drive (SSD) technology instead. This has considerably faster read and write times, making games load in just a few seconds, both when you start them up and during play.
All of the PlayStation consoles can be upgraded through USB with an external hard drive to greatly increase capacity, although native PS5 games will not run from an external drive – only PS4 titles through back compatibility.
You can upgrade the hard drives in both PS4 and PS4 Pro right now, while you’ll have to wait until Sony activated the SSD expansion slot in the PS5 to accept third-party cards.
Controller
After years of DualShock controllers, with the PS4’s DualShock 4 being the current iteration, PlayStation has developed a new controller for the PS5.
The DualSense looks slightly different, more like an Xbox controller, but also has haptic technology on board that replaces the age-old rumble packs. There are also adapative triggers.
You can read more about the new PS5 controller here: PS5 DualSense controller: Key features, details and all you need to know.
Games and accessories
One of the best surprises we got in recent times is that PlayStation 5 is backward compatible with the vast majority of PS4 games. That means you can take your back catalogue with you when you upgrade. Some even run with greater/more stable frame rates and resolution.
Also, some games, such as Cyberpunk 2077, enable free upgrades whereby, if you purchase the PS4 version first, you’ll be able to get the PS5 version at no extra cost after you upgrade.
One accessory that we are thrilled to see return is the Media Remote. The dedicated remote control for PS5 will help navigate through streaming services and Blu-ray playback.
Strangely, Sony decided against releasing an official one for PS4, even though it proved popular on the PlayStation 3 before.
Home Entertainment
Although Sony was bullish about only including a Blu-ray deck on the PS4 and PS4 Pro, even though the latter is capable of 4K HDR video playback, it has decided to add a full 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray player to the PlayStation 5. Better late than never.
Naturally, the PS5 Digital Edition won’t have a drive at all.
All of the consoles have or will have access to numerous video and music streaming services, with the Pro and PS5 capable of 4K HDR. The standard PS4 has HDR capabilties, but is locked to 1080p.
Price
Here’s the key. The PlayStation 5 costs £449 / $499 for the standard model, £349 / $399 for the discless Digital Edition.
That might prove a bit spicy for your budget. If so, the PS4 Pro currently costs around £410 (although we expect that to drop quite soon), while a 500GB standard PS4 will set you back from around £280 to £300.
Conclusion
There is clear that the PS5 makes for a big shift in gaming graphics and potential but it is worth considering that, traditionally, the first wave of next-generation games have always been available on the previous generation too. And, with such incredible machines already available (just look at The Last of Us Part 2 running on a PS4 or PS4 Pro) you might not feel the itch to upgrade just yet.
Still, the PS5 is a proper powerhouse of a machine that is truly futureproof, so there is every chance your bank manager is already sweating.
(Pocket-lint) – PlayStation and Xbox are head-to-head once again. The Xbox Series X is duking it out with the PlayStation 5 in the battle for next-gen supremacy and we’ve tested both in our Pocket-lint labs.
Here’s how they stack up against each other.
Oh, and if you want to compare the consoles with their sister models, check out our Xbox Series X vs Xbox Series S and PS5 vs PS5 Digital Edition features roo.
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Pocket-lint
Design
We are being treated to two very different-looking consoles. Quite unlike anything we’ve seen before – as you can see above, with both consoles shot alongside the smaller Xbox Series S.
The PS5 is massive – the tallest games console we’ve ever seen. It is also uniquely-designed, with two faceplates protecting the main console unit sandwiched between.
It retains some of the company’s flair for curves (remember the original PS3?) but adopts white as a launch colour for the first time. It can be stood on end or laid horizontally, but either way it could be struggle to fit it in an average-sized AV cabinet.
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The PS5 Digital Edition dispenses with the disc drive, so is slightly thinner, but is still extremely tall.
Microsoft has gone for almost the opposite – chunky and squat. There are few curves to be found here. The Xbox Series X looks more like a mini-tower PC than a games console, which is essentially what it is. We suspect heat dissipation is playing the biggest role in the design of both next-gen machines this time around.
Luckily, the Series X too can also lie flat, not just stand on its end, so you’ll have a bit of control over how you align it near or under your TV.
Both consoles weight roughly the same – the Xbox Series X is 4.44kg, the PS5 is 4.5kg.
Processing and graphics hardware
Each of the new consoles is clearly and significantly more powerful than their predecessors, but by how much? And which is the most powerful full stop?
The Xbox Series X is “four times more powerful than Xbox One X”. It sports a custom Zen 2 eight-core processor running at 3.8GHz per core.
The PlayStation 5 runs on an eight-core Zen 2 processor too, but at 3.5GHz per core.
RAM inside both is similar: 16GB GDDR6.
They also both run RDNA 2 graphics. However, the Xbox Series X has a slight upper hand with its GPU having 12 TFLOPS of power across 52 CUs. In comparison, the PS5 has 10.3 TFLOPS of power across 36 CUs.
This effectively means that developers could potentially eke more from the Series X than PS5. But, in reality, both display excellent handling over games with ray tracing, full resolutions, even 60fps enabled.
Graphical capabilities
In terms of their initial graphics capabilities, both are ably matched with similar features.
Both manufacturers say that they will be able to output 8K video/games but that’s unlikely to be reached for some time (if ever) and is more that the HDMI 2.1 output on each has the bandwidth for it.
In the here and now, however, they are capable of up to 4K (2160p) resolutions at 60 frames-per-second. They can also output 120fps, which will be an option on some games, but likely only at up to 1440p on Series X, 1080p on PS5.
They each include support for ray tracing, which will put them on a par with modernPC graphics cards. It introduces accurate and realistic lighting to great effect.
Storage and memory
SSD is where it is at with both next-gen consoles. Both have adopted solid state drives for storage in order to speed up loading times.
The Xbox Series X features a 1TB internal SDD, with approximately 802GB available to the user after system software, etc. The PS5’s has less storage space, with an 825GB SSD, but only 667GB of that is available for games.
This could be important to you as some modern games can be well over 100GB in size.
Both have the ability to increase that storage through expansion cards. In the case of Xbox, you can purchase an official 1TB Storage Expansion Card that slots into a dedicated port on the rear.
The Sony machine will also be able to be boosted, through third-party PCIe Gen4 SSD cards, but that option is not activated at launch, we understand.
Each of the consoles can also play games stored on external hard drives and SSDs, but some of the next-gen features, such as loading times, will not work in that case. In fact, PS5 games stored on an external drive will not work at all – external storage is for PS4 games only, therefore.
Optical disc drives
Neither manufacturer wants to ditch the physical disc drive yet. Both the Xbox Series X and standard PS5 will sport 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray drives. Neither the PS5 Digital Edition nor Xbox Series S have disc drives though.
It’s worth noting that while the Xbox Series X is the only console to boast Dolby Vision support, for media streaming and future games, its 4K Blu-ray drive is not compatible with it at launch. The PS5 does not have Dolby Vision at all.
Cloud gaming
Here’s a major differentiator between the two consoles.
Xbox has Cloud Gaming with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate (formerly known as Project xCloud). It comes as part of the montly Game Pass Ultimate subscription service and allows you to play over 100 Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S games on mobile devices.
We are yet to see whether the PlayStation 5 supports PS Now – Sony’s own cloud gaming service.
Backward compatibility
Both PlayStation and Xbox backward compatibile with thousands of their respective back catalogues – often introducing performance and frame rate enhancements to older games.
How PlayStation 5 backward compatibility works: What PS4 games will play?
In Xbox’s case, that means almost everything that runs on an Xbox One, including Xbox 360 and original Xbox games, will also work on Xbox Series X. In some cases where HDR wasn’t originally implemented, they will even make use of the console’s Auto HDR feature for a wider colour gamut and greater contrast.
All Xbox One accessories work on Xbox Series X (and S) too.
The PlayStation 5 is also compatible with the vast majority of PS4 games already out there. And the PS4 DualShock controller will work with them running on a PS5. It won’t be able to be used to play native PS5 games, however.
Other older accessories will work with PS5 too, including PSVR, although you do need a PlayStation Camera adapter that Sony is offering to eligible customers for free.
Can you play Xbox One game discs on Xbox Series X or S?
Price
Probably the most important factor of all, both the Xbox Series X and PS5 cost around £450 in the UK, $500 in the US. However, should you not need a disc drive, the PS5 Digital Edition is significantly cheaper as you can see here:
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With both costing around the same amount, the main choice could come down to the games and, we have to say, PlayStation 5 slightly edges it in the exclusive title list.
However, owners of Xbox Series X can pay for Xbox Games Pass membership and instantly have access to more than 200 games (albeit mainly Xbox One titles). It’s an intriguing choice between the two for sure.
Xiaomi has announced the Mi Box 4S Pro, a streaming box capable of 8K video playback. The product was revealed on Weibo and is already available to order in China for 399 yuan, or about $60.
The box has 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, and supports HDMI 2.1. It comes with a Bluetooth remote that offers voice control. It’s not clear exactly which services will have 8K content available, or whether there are other ways to view your own 8K files on the device.
The Mi Box 4S Pro runs Xiaomi’s own MIUI for TV software. A company representative tells Android Authority that there are currently no plans to share for a global release, although Google’s own new Chromecast is an excellent option in the US at $49.99. (But no 8K support, of course.)
Xiaomi briefly made the only Android TV streaming player that Google sold in the US, 2016’s Mi Box. The company followed up with the Mi Box S in 2018, which was sold through Walmart, though it’s now out of stock.
Xiaomi announced a successor to its Mi Box 4 Pro called Mi Box 4S Pro and even though it looks identical to the old one and the name implies a rather incremental update, this is definitely not the case here. In addition to its long feature list, the Mi Box 4S Pro gains 8K video decoding, which is probably the most notable addition.
Mi Box 4S Pro
The HDMI standard has been bumped up to 2.1 to accommodate the 8K video playback above 30fps. There are also 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage – the latter has been doubled compared to the 4 Pro. The device ships with MIUI for TV in China but we can expect it to adopt Android TV if it hits the global markets. However, Xiaomi said that it doesn’t have plans to release the Box 4S Pro internationally.
Anyway, the pre-orders start today and the asking price is CNY 399 ($60), which is understandably slightly more expensive than its predecessor.
Our first response on the new Xbox Series X, the console that kicks off the ninth generation. Waiting for the PlayStation 5, here are the performance considerations, the tests on consumption, noise and loading times, and everything we can expect in the tomorrow of video games
by Rosario Grasso published on November 2020 in the Videogames channel Microsoft Xbox
“The ninth generation begun is” as Master Yoda would say. Well, after the endless flurry of rumors, rumors, more or less definitive specifications, announcements, denials and the usual process that anticipates the debut of a new generation of consoles, Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are between us, or at least in the hands of the specialized press. A point that should not be overlooked so superficially, given the difficulties that producers are encountering in churning out the new systems en masse, with the health crisis that complicates everything.
new generation of consoles starts from two assumptions: greater computing power with the ability to play, even on consoles, at high refresh rates , resolutions up to 8K in upscaling and with latest generation visual effects such as Ray Tracing . The second assumption is the SSD , which will significantly speed up uploads and remove some historical obstacles for developers, who will be completely free to structure their game worlds without having to mind the restrictions related to the bottleneck generated by mechanical discs.
Let’s start from one point, the Xbox Series X review , with this type of timeline, cannot be exhaustive: it’s not so much because we have the console in the editorial office for only two weeks, but it is more a matter of vision and perspective. Evaluating if a console is presenting the specifications and has the prerogatives to be successful is almost impossible in such a short time, because “win” a “console race” depends on many factors, not all, or perhaps few or very few, controllable by console manufacturers. It would be better to say that it is a challenge, a bet that is launched by trying to guess what the entertainment tastes of current and future players will be (considering that PS4 and Xbox One have been on the market for 7 years now).
We can immediately make some assessments on energy consumption, temperatures , operating efficiency, skin characteristics, interface user, noise, loading times , but then the quality of the next exclusive and non-exclusive games, the capacity to update systems with new firmware, future features and offers for customers will, as usual, make a difference.
Although PlayStation has hands down won the previous generation, the two rivals (Nintendo, for obvious reasons, plays on a separate field) are very close. We saw it in the war of embargoes they triggered at the time of unboxing and we see it on many other fronts, starting with the technical specifications. Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 are both based on Zen 2 architecture for the CPU and RDNA 2 with hardware support for Ray Tracing as regards the GPU. This obviously comes with a lot of advantages, and could be considered indispensable from the point of view of developers, who are not so forced into a laborious conversion work when switching from one console to another.
Xbox Series X features a GPU at 52 Compute Unit , i.e. a significantly higher architectural density than to PlayStation 5, which stops at 36 Compute Unit . So, in terms of theoretical maximum computing power we are at 12 TFLOPS versus 10, 23 TFLOPS . Microsoft has thought of a fixed frequency system, with the CPU (practically identical between the two consoles, 8 cores) running at 3.8 GHz and the GPU set to 1825 MHz, against the variable frequencies of PS5, i.e. up to 3.5 GHz for the CPU and up to 2, 23 GHz.
It is very difficult, if not impossible, to say which of the two producers has guessed the correct path. Because it depends on how the games are made and to what depth they can exploit the hardware they run on. It can be said that a game well optimized for the Xbox Series X hardware has the potential to run better than the corresponding version of the PS5. This is what currently happens with Xbox One X and PS4 Pro : Several games feature a more stable frame rate and slightly higher resolutions on One X than on PS4 Pro. But in the coming months, this comparison will be done game by game .
Technical specifications
Here are the full technical specifications of the two new Xbox consoles.
Xbox Series X
CPU
3.6 core custom Zen 2 CPU GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT)
GPU
Custom RDNA 2 GPU 12 TFLOPS, 52 CU a 1, 825 GHz
SOC size
360, 45 mm
Processing
7 nm Enhanced
Memory
GDDR6 from 16 GB with bus from 320 bits wide
There memory bandwidth
10 GB a 560 GB / s (memory accessible by games), 6 GB at 336 GB / s
Internal memory
1TB Custom NVME SSD
Actual I / O Speed
2.4 GB / s (Raw ), 4.8GB / s (compressed, with custom hardware decompression lock)
Expandable storage space
support for the 1TB Seagate Expansion Card for Xbox Series X | S perfectly matches the internal memory (sold separately). Support for external HDD with USB 3.1 (sold separately).
Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos, L-PCM up to 7.1
HDMI
1 HDMI 2.1 port
USB
3 Gen 1 USB 3.1 ports
Wireless
802. 11 ac dual band
Ethernet
802. 3 10 / 100 / 1000
Radio accessories
Dedicated Dual Band Xbox Wireless Radio
Format
15, 1 x 15, 1 x 30, 1 cm
Weight
4.4 kg
Xbox Series S
CPU
3.6 GHz (3.4 GHz with SMT) 8 core custom Zen 2 CPU
GPU
4 TFLOPS, 20 CU a 1, 565 GHz
SOC size
197 , 05 mm2
Memory
GDDR6 from 10 GB with bus from 128 bits wide
Memory bandwidth
8 GB a 224 GB / s (memory accessible by games), 2GB a 48 GB / s
Internal memory
NVME SSD customized by 512 GB
Actual I / O Speed
2 , 4GB / s (Raw), 4.8GB / s (compressed, with custom hardware decompression lock)
Expandable storage space
Support for Seagate 1TB Expansion Card for Xbox Series X | S perfectly matches internal memory (sold separately). Support for external HDD with USB 3.1 (sold separately)
Performance target
1440 pa 60 fps, with support up to 120 fps. It also supports native 4K if the developer chooses to render at 4K. It also contains advanced scalar hardware if connected to a 4K TV
HDMI 2.1 Features
Auto low latency mode. HDMI variable refresh rate. AMD FreeSync
Audio functionality
L-PCM up to 7.1, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1, Dolby TrueHD with Atmos
HDMI
1 HDMI 2.1 port
USB
3 Gen 1 USB 3.1 Ports
Wireless
802. 11 ac dual band
Ethernet
802. 3 10 / 100 / 1000
Radio accessories
Dedicated Dual Band Xbox Wireless Radio
Format
6.5 × 12, 1 × 27, 5 cm
Weight
1, 92 kg
Test
These assessments must also be made in the light of the cooling systems and the energy efficiency of the two systems. Consoles, even more so than traditional desktop PC systems, must not overheat and must not incur energy inefficiencies, so that they can be used by the widest possible audience. After our first tests, we must say that they both work well and that they give a feeling of efficiency and stability greater than previous console launches. Xbox Series X features a voluminous fan at the top , and blows the hot air through a grille, towards the top.
In other words, if you are playing a Gears 5 and put your hand over the console, then you can feel a flow of hot air. Perhaps disturbing, certainly unusual if it is true that we are used to systems that emit the air from the rear. That said, based on the tests we’ve had so far, Xbox Series X overheats less than Xbox One X, is significantly less noisy, and is more efficient on the floor. of energy consumption . Immediately above the fan we have a perforated structure where, for each hole, there is a part in reflective green which returns a pleasant aesthetic effect, recalling the I find the typical green of the Xbox world. As for the power supply, the Xbox Series X comes with a 315 W and, as with all Xboxes from Xbox One S, the power supply will be internal. The regulators supply up to 100 W per square inch, with a charge peak of 128 TO.
The temperature test was done with the thermal imaging camera FLIR One , already used here in the editing of Hardware Upgrade for other works, for example for the thermal tests of laptops. We recorded a temperature of almost 48 ° C in the upper part of the console, which is the one that, for obvious reasons, heats up the most. Even after hours of gameplay, however, the Xbox Series X does not overheat excessively, and it always remains very quiet.
We were surprised that with the game running there is no noticeable increase in noise compared to the console at idle. We also tried to run Gears 5 for several hours and noises and temperatures increase a little: the console is therefore confirmed to be really very efficient in both aspects. The figure of just over 30 dB means that it is almost completely silent. Of course, as long as it is positioned in an airy environment and with the upper part completely free from obstacles.
Rather, it is the optical reader, when engaged in reading a disc, that generates the conditions of greatest noise. Moreover, it is a much quieter reading than that of the PS4 Pro player, which represents one of the sore points of the previous generation Sony console. Xbox Series X also is the most efficient console in terms of power consumption .
We ran the consumption test in idle and with three different games, Halo 5: Guardians, DooM Eternal and Gears 5 . Xbox Series X always holds firmly under the 190 Watts of power consumption and, beyond the case of Gears 5, always shows superior performance to the previous generation console. A very interesting data, which confirms the excellent manufacturing quality of the Xbox Series X power supply.
Given the debut of the SSD on consoles, it is very interesting how they improve i loading times of the games. It’s not so much how much it takes for the console to boot up in wonder, but how game loading times are cut, as our graph shows. The tests were carried out under normal conditions and not the presence of the Quick Resume functionality, which we will see better later.
The importance of the SSD does not end in the loading times because, as mentioned before, the very approach of the game developers, and will affect the shaping of the game worlds of future titles. We will explore this point further below.
Xbox Series X also gives the feeling of being a very compact system from the point of view of internal components, pursuing an approach already started with Xbox One X. An excellent engineering, therefore, which allowed to contain the dimensions and to give the console a minimalist aesthetic appearance, in line with the trend of the moment in terms of furnishings. In other words, if the designers of Microsoft Xbox drew on the way of thinking of an interior designer when they thought about the design of the new console, it seems that those of Sony were more based on the tastes of gamers and younger audiences.
The new Xbox Series X gamepad
The Xbox Series X gamepad is certainly not an evolution from previous generation Xbox gamepads. When you have it in your hand it immediately gives the feeling of great agility, with a very stable grip thanks to the increase in the knurled surface. This type of motif is in fact more accentuated and now also affects the upper part of the gamepad, starting with the triggers. Microsoft has also revised the buttons, since now they return a consistent sound feedback, as well as tactile, to the pressure, which provides greater guarantees about the fact that the pressure has occurred. The directional cross has also been significantly improved, and is now much more precise, with interesting implications also as regards the typing of the texts.
In addition, a vibration effect has been applied to the two upper triggers that reproduce a different type of feedback depending on what is happening in the game. These triggers have a different operation than the Xbox One pad triggers: inside them, in fact, there is an ERM (Eccentric Rotating Mass) motor , i.e. a system similar to the one already integrated into the controller handle. These vibration motors are activated at specific points and at different levels of intensity through a mechanical oscillation that rotates around a point of balance. This is a different technology than those based on sound waves (at the base, among others, of the Linear Resonant Actuators of the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con), which on paper guarantee more articulated vibrations and different levels of intensity.
Compatibility with a multitude of devices, apart from Xbox, is very important. The new controller, in fact, works with both Xbox Series X and Xbox One through the classic Xbox Wireless Radio proprietary protocol. At the same time it is compatible with PC, Android and iOS via the Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) protocol . Compared to the past, change the type of port on the controller, now type USB-C where up to the past generation was mini-USB type. The console, on the other hand, has no USB-C input on the body (unlike the PlayStation 5).
In addition, the new controller uses a higher frequency of communications with the system, in order to reduce latency. It falls within the concept that Microsoft with the new console is identifying with the name of Dynamic Latency Input (DLI) , that is a series of system-wide improvements that include a specific technology in the console and that also affects the HDMI connection to the TV / monitor.
At the bottom of the device we find the share button . With a single press we will create a screenshot, while with the double press on the screen the acquisitions and shares section will open where we can configure the type of acquisition. In all cases, however, these are clips with strong compression, basically usable for editorial purposes like ours (we had to proceed with the acquisitions with external box with the contents on the new consoles you see on the site these days).
SSD
With Xbox Series X debuts in console world the SSD as a reference point for storage. This has very important advantages not only in terms of game loading times, but also and above all of gameplay. Developers will have more design freedom for game worlds and will be able to manage large open worlds and populate them with very different polygonal objects.
At the same time, we have lower specifications compared to PlayStation 5. Sony beat a lot on this point in the advertising phase of its new console: where PS5 is inferior in terms of GPU, it catches up compared to Xbox Series X thanks to the technology behind the SSD . If at Microsoft the declared performances in terms of Throughput I / O are the following, 2.4 GB / s (raw) 4.8 GB / s (compressed) , Sony declares 5.5 GB / s (raw), 8-9 GB / s typical (compressed) . Also from this point of view it is extremely difficult to immediately verify what the real repercussions of the theoretical specifications are, because we will have to wait for the work of the developers from the point of view of optimizing their games on the basis of the new hardware.
Microsoft has inserted a new chip of custom I / O located in the SoC of the new console and a decompression system that has been designed to deliver data in a precise and timely manner. With the new API DirectStorage and the new hardware decompression, Microsoft is able to further improve the performance of I / O and reduce CPU overhead, both of which are essential for speeding up loads. Looking ahead, the Xbox Series X Streaming Feedback Sampler (SFS) is a game changer for streaming game worlds and their levels of visual detail.
SFS can be further exploited to increase the level of detail of the textures by loading on the memory only the strictly necessary contents. In fact, much of the latency of a hard disk is that it employs a mechanical head that moves across the surface of the disk (platter) to search for the data it needs: a mechanism that takes more time to search than to do. actual reading. Therefore, the same data is often duplicated hundreds of times simply to make it easier to find.
One point where Microsoft seems weaker than Sony is the available storage expansion system. . On the rear of the console is one slot for the Seagate Branded 1TB Expansion Card , at prices not exactly affordable. Sony, on the other hand, has thought of a more versatile NVMe SSD slot inside the console, to which it is possible to connect a traditional NVMe SSD, easily available on the market.
Microsoft has the advantage if you look at the size of the main unit inserted into the console. If in the case of PS5 it is 825 GB, of which just over 650 GB available to the user, Xbox Series X offers a 1 TB drive which, net of the console operating system installation, offers approximately 900 GB freely manageable by players.
HDMI 2.1 and 120 Hz
A separate discussion must be made regarding the connection HDMI 2.1 . If up to Xbox One X we had two HDMI ports (one input and one output) now we only have one port, but of the HDMI 2.1 type, which is capable of providing enough bandwidth to handle image streams up to to 4K and to 120 Hz . It is precisely this latter aspect that interests us most, since now, even on consoles, you can enjoy very high refresh rates, with a consequent reduction in latencies.
Who plays on console is used to much higher latencies than 100 thousandths of a second, with disadvantages especially from the point of view of the integrity of the competitive multiplayer gaming experience. Now, since launch, Xbox Series X allows you to play Gears 5, in multiplayer mode Versus , with latencies wandering around on 30 / 40 thousandths of a second . But be careful, because to enjoy the 120 Hz you need to have the right monitor / TV, considering that traditionally in the PC environment, high refresh rates are managed via DIsplayPort and not HDMI. It may therefore happen that your monitor to 144 or 240 Hz has the HDMI 1.4 connection, insufficient for new consoles (bandwidth level to play in 1080 p requires at least an HDMI 1.4b connection).
Once the connection is successfully established, the Xbox Series X dashboard will immediately detect the ability to activate the 120 Hz and will ask if you want to switch to high refresh rate. From the display and TV options in at any time the user can choose the resolution and refresh rate based on the specifications of the connected monitor / TV. There is also a diagnosis screen, where Xbox Series X clearly highlights what the TV supports and what it doesn’t: for example, with the monitor 360 editorial Hz reports that “Your TV configuration supports up to 1080 p natives to 120 FPS “.
To these is added the tool to calibrate the TV: step by step, right from the console point of view and therefore in such a way that it is affordable for everyone, it explains how to perform a precise calibration for any type of television. A similar tool allows you to calibrate the HDR for games. Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are able to leverage an innovative HDR rebuild technique to enhance existing SDR games with no developer work and no impact on available CPU, GPU or memory resources.
Xbox Series X, like the previous generation, can read discs Blu Ray 4K Ultra HD .
Xbox App
The new Xbox Series X debuts Xbox App (also available for Xbox One). This is associated with the console and allows you to remotely manage its contents, then start a download, manage friends lists, chat with them, search for new contents and purchase them, manage the acquisitions made on the console and share them, and much more. yet. As happens for a device like Oculus Quest 2 , even the Xboxes are in this way manageable via the smartphone.
Xbox Game Pass
A key component of Microsoft’s offering for this generation is Xbox Game Pass, to the point of being integrated directly into the console dashboard. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate includes all the benefits of Xbox Live Gold and beyond 100 quality games for console, PC and Android mobile devices, all at a low monthly price.
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate members can also access the EA Play at no additional cost. EA Play subscription includes more than 60 among the best games for PC and Electronic Arts consoles, such as FIFA 20, Star Wars Battlefront II, Titanfall 2 and Need for Speed Heat. It also includes some of EA’s most popular franchises, such as Battlefield, Mass Effect, Skate and Sims, access to trial versions of the games and discounts on EA digital purchases.
To Regarding backward compatibility , Microsoft has done a great job, making almost all games from the past Xbox available also on the new Series X and Series S. There may be problems only with certain games built around the logic of Kinect , but otherwise it almost always goes smooth as oil. While in the case of PS5 there may be some more hitches, probably due to the major architectural changes especially related to the functioning of the storage unit.
Smart Delivery and Quick Resume
These are two of Microsoft’s most touted Xbox Series X features. Very interesting is Smart Delivery , the technology of Xbox Series X that allows you to play the best version of games in based on your console. All Xbox Game Studios games that are optimized for Xbox Series X, including Halo Infinite , will support Smart Delivery. This means that if you purchase the Xbox One version of a supported title, Microsoft will identify it and serve you the optimized version for the new console on the Xbox Series X, at no additional charge, when available. Smart Delivery is implementable by all Xbox developers.
For some years now, Microsoft’s strategy has provided for a decentralization with respect to hardware , in order to allow for gamers to choose which device to play on while remaining in the Xbox ecosystem. This started with Xbox Play Anywhere and reaches a later stage with Smart Delivery. In the future, the approach will be further expanded when the cloud gaming technology Project xCloud is sufficiently refined.
The Quick Resume technology, on the other hand, will allow you to resume the game from where you left off . Quick Resume allows you to resume several games at the push of a button, instantly switching to the action, where you left off (even weeks later), “for multiple games at the same time”. It needs to be specifically supported by games, so it may not work with the 60% of titles.
Think you are playing a game and turn off the console later. Upon reopening, if you decide to return to play with that specific game, just click on the corresponding icon and the game will be immediately restored, as can happen in a Windows environment with an application running and immediately available through the taskbar.
Conclusions
Ultimately, what is Xbox Series X like? It certainly represents a very important evolution in hardware compared to the previous generation, from a certain historical point of view in consideration of the fact that Zen 2 and RDNA 2 are recently introduced technologies also in the PC world. The GPU configuration gives it more computing power than the PlayStation 5 which, together with the SSD, will allow developers to release gaming experiences that in many ways are unprecedented in the console world.
Xbox Series X gives the feeling of being engineered in an accurate and very precise way, and offers interesting performances both in terms of silence and temperatures. In addition, it is the most efficient console ever in terms of energy consumption. Of course, as we mentioned, there is insufficient data to be able to give a complete judgment, because the performance on the market will depend on other factors, on the future support and on how the video game and entertainment industry will change. From these points of view, despite recent efforts, Microsoft could still pay a gap compared to Sony PlayStation, in terms of games and exclusives.
Xbox Series X is also minimalist, not only in appearance but also in functionality. Microsoft gives the feeling of having wanted to develop something “clean”, without overdoing it. It provides a very competitive hardware, for the price at which it is granted, but leaving doubts about the level of innovation of the Series X project. Microsoft gives the feeling of having taken great care in improving the hardware, but the rival has focused on the ‘to offer players a different experience compared to the past generation, in terms of controllers, user interface and other elements in such a way as to convey the idea that something changes in the way of playing, beyond the power made available to the players. We close with a scheme of Pros and Cons in comparison to PS5 .
PRO
More powerful hardware than PS5, especially the GPU
Quiet and optimized from the point of view of energy consumption 5873
The Chinese producer of consumer electronics offers several types of Mi Box TV set-top boxes. These devices extend the capabilities of TVs with a lot of useful functions available in applications. Importantly, these attachments can be purchased for extremely reasonable prices. Xiaomi, seeing the growing interest, decided to present the next version of the Mi Box, but it was not given the number “5”. Does this mean that the novelties it contains are too modest? Yes and no. Well, the Mi Box 4S Pro does not differ much from its predecessor, the Mi Box 4S model. The main difference is the 8K resolution support and the higher 100 yuan price. So is it worth considering buying an updated variant?
Xiaomi Mi Box 4S Pro is a new TV set-top box known for its reasonable price policy from a consumer electronics manufacturer. Interestingly, the technical specification includes support for video materials in 8K resolution.
Smart TVs OPPO TV S1 with QLED 4K and OPPO R1
Although the standard in terms of video resolution today is 4K, in smartphones from the higher price range more and more more often we meet with the possibility of recording in twice the quality, i.e. 8K. This progress is impressive, but at the same time it becomes a source of fragmentation. It turns out that the real possibility of comfortable video playback in 8K resolution can be used by only a few. Take, for example, set-top boxes that have been gaining popularity recently, making the average TV a powerful smart TV terminal. So far, it has been in vain to look for this solution. This is what is changing.
Free Apple TV + extended by 3 months. What’s worth watching?
Mi Box 4S Pro, the latest model of the adapter from Xiaomi, introduces support for 8K content. In addition, the manufacturer has equipped the device with HDMI 2.1, 16 GB of data memory and 2 GB of RAM. The Bluetooth remote control with voice navigation is responsible for the operation. The whole is connected by the MIUI system dedicated to this type of equipment. Xiaomi Mi Box 4S Pro has been priced at 399 yuan, i.e. approximately 240 PLN excluding tax . The predecessor priced at 100 yuan costs less than PLN 300 less in Poland, and what hence, I bet that you will have to pay “with us” about PLN 400 for the Xiaomi Mi Box 4S Pro.
By activating the dynamic refresh rate from the menu, in fact, problems were found on the black level and on the gamma curve, with a washed out rendering of the darker areas. Problems of instability and flickering have also been reported, in particular on the OLED TV range 2019 by LG
by Roberto Colombo published 05 November 2020 , at 10: 31 in the Audio Video channel LG OLED G-sync Freesync
At the launch of its TV range 2020 during the CES of Las Vegas, last January, LG placed a lot of emphasis on the possibilities of gaming use of its OLED TVs, thanks to the presence to both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync technology, which allow perfect synchronization between the frames generated by the video card, eliminating problems with delays, stuttering and frame tearing.
Many 8K, new wall-mounted OLEDs and 48 “for LG at CES 2020 [/HWUVIDEO]
Variable Refresh Rate: OLEDs are not optimized
Software support for Variable Refresh Rate works well, but according to some tests, also confirmed by the OLED-A ( OLED Association ) the hardware of the OLED panels do not best support VRR or VFR (Variable Frame Rate) technologies . By activating the dynamic refresh rate from the menu, in fact, problems were found on the of black and on the gamma curve , with a rendering of the darker areas washed out (while the advantage of the OLED is owner I the one to offer deep blacks). Problems of instability and flickering have also been reported, in particular on the OLED TV range 2019 by LG.
The explanation is to be found at the hardware level in the panel. LG’s OLED panels that equip TVs are born to operate at a fixed
refresh rate of 120 Hz at the subpixel level , with a fixed charge time of the pixels (which are active and emit light). Activating VRR forces the subpixels to operate at slower refresh rates, resulting in a longer frame duration, resulting in a overcharging of the pixels , which then emit light no longer respecting the original gamma curve. This overload occurs at all brightness levels, but is more perceptible to the human eye in the gray tones of the darker areas.
A solution, cited in closing of the press release from OLED-A, could be that of adopt gamma curves optimized for lower frame rates , in order to compensate for the overexcitation of the pixels and eliminate the problem.
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