They want to dig a hundred kilometers long, circular tunnel near Geneva. That will take ten years, estimate the scientists from the international nuclear research center Cern. In their eyes, the step is logical and consistent. At the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), the world’s largest accelerator at Cern, the still missing Higgs particle was detected for the first time 2012 , but the energy of the LHC is insufficient to discover “new physics”. The next generation of the accelerator, the “Future Circular Collider” (FCC), is supposed to collapse elementary particles with ten times more energy – and that needs more distance and stronger magnets. 2060 the final stage of the FCC should be ready. Cost: around 20 Billion euros, at least.
Too much money for an experiment with an uncertain outcome, say critics like the theoretical physicist Sabine Hossenfelder from the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies. “The standard model of particle physics would not work without the Higgs particle. That’s why you knew you had to find something, and that’s why it was a good idea to build the LHC. There is no similar motivation for the FCC, ”says Hossenfelder. Instead, physics should focus on questions that are “scientifically promising” – that is, those that “solve actual problems in theory”.
“Problems in theory”? That’s a friendly way of saying it. The two fundamental physical theories of the 19. Century – general relativity and quantum theory – made technical advances such as microelectronics, laser and GPS possible. But there are “a lot of observations that cannot be explained with the general theory of relativity and the standard model of particle physics,” says Hossenfelder. Worse still, both theories don’t go together – they’re inconsistent. If you think quantum theory to the end, there should be no universe.
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An excellent 4K projector that delivers an exciting and vivid picture
For
Fantastic 4K detail
Excellent motion processing
Solid contrast control
Against
Image can lack subtlety
The Sony VPL-VW590ES is Sony’s top lamp-based, native 4K projector. There are more premium models in the family, but they feature laser light sources instead. This more traditional approach keeps the VW590ES relatively affordable, as native 4K projectors go, while still offering plenty of contrast and, according to Sony, stunning detail and rich, faithful colour.
Key to the experience is Sony’s SXRD projector panel technology. It’s a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) solution engineered by Sony to produce deep blacks, clear motion and a smooth picture with enough heat and light resistance to ensure a stable image. Sony has stiff competition at this end of the market, so will need a superb performance to hold off the likes of JVC.
Build
(Image credit: Sony)
The Sony VPL-VW590ES is an update to the VPL-VW550ES, a projector we gave five stars when we reviewed it back in 2017. The new model is much the same in terms of size and core spec.
At 50cm wide and weighing 14kg, it takes up the kind of space one would expect of a native 4K projector and is suitable for either ceiling- or rack-mounting. There are two HDMI 2.0 ports and a single USB 2.0 for your source material. The internet connectivity is for firmware and service only.
Sony VPL-VW590ES tech specs
(Image credit: Sony)
Resolution Native 4K (4096 x 2160)
Brightness 1800 lumens
Dynamic contrast 350,000:1
Throw ratio 1.38:1 to 2.83:1
Lamp life 6,000 hours (Low mode)
HDR formats HDR10, HLG
Dimensions (hwd) 20.5 x 49.6 x 46.4cm
Weight 14kg
The 280W high-pressure mercury lamp offers a picture at up to 1800 lumens of brightness, which is best used in a room with the lights off. Sony predicts that it will last 6000 hours in ‘Low’ mode before you need to change it, but if you watch in ‘High’, expect that number to be lower. Watching in High also causes the fan noise to be louder than the 26dB stated, but the sound is steady and smooth and won’t spoil your big screen experience.
On the front sits the x2.06 zoom lens. It can throw a picture of between 60-300in, with a 100in image possible at distances between 3.1m and 6.4m. It also allows plenty of positioning flexibility with the ability to move the image up to 85 percent in each direction vertically and 31 percent horizontally. Naturally, the lens is fully motorised with the shift, zoom and focus functions all easily managed from the fully-featured Sony remote control.
That remote offers handy, direct switching between the picture presets as well as shortcuts to almost all of the picture processors and settings you’ll want to use. The remote does have a backlight but, sadly, the button to toggle it on and off does not glow in the dark, so finding it can be tricky. A motorised lens cap would also be of benefit. It’s currently a removable plastic cap, which can upset the lens settings if care is not taken.
Features
(Image credit: Sony)
The key upgrade of the Sony VPL-VW590ES over the older model is the ‘X1 for Projector’ chip. It’s the same picture processor as used in Sony’s Bravia TVs, but optimised for projectors.
It’s not quite as premium as the X1 Ultimate processor found in Sony’s more expensive laser models but it brings what Sony describes as ‘high-precision frame analysis’ for features such as Dynamic HDR Enhancer, Super Resolution and, of course, Sony’s excellent 4K Motionflow motion processing.
The HDR Enhancer works on a frame-by-frame basis to analyse each scene and, with the help of the dynamic iris, adjust contrast on-the-fly. The Super Resolution uses algorithms to match the patterns it sees in each image and reinforce them. Combined, the idea is for a sharper, better-exposed picture than its predecessor.
Those who still want to watch in 3D should note that, unlike the rival JVC DLA-N5, the Sony VPL-VW590ES has a 3D emitter built-in. You’ll still have to buy your 3D glasses separately, though.
Picture
(Image credit: Sony)
There are seven Sony-calibrated picture presets to flick through with the best of the bunch being the two Film modes, Reference and Bright Cinema. Thecolour temperature of all of them is worth a little tweaking, depending on the source, but the Clear White filter in the Expert Settings will solve most issues.
Once set, the colour performance from this projector is breathtaking and the 4K detail superb. Watching the North American episode of Seven Worlds, One Planet, we get some stunning views of wildflowers on the Canadian mountain pastures and a vivid palette of greens from the lichen, seaweed and foliage of the pine trees at the country’s coastal forests.
Using the Reality Creation menus, it’s possible to add an intense and granular level of 4K detail that’s outstanding for a projector at this price. The fur of the Black Bears that roam this habitat is picked up beautifully as are the crusty barnacles and gritty edges to the rocks that these creatures clamber over in search for food.
As ever, Sony’s Motionflow tech does a superb job of keeping the picture looking both smooth and natural as the camera zooms over the earth below. True Cinema rubs off the big judders while maintaining the action’s 24fps appearance. The more processed Smooth Low option works well too.
The Sony VPL-VW590ES also does some excellent work with HDR. As day turns to night, the levels of darkness in the forest are adjusted to deliver the maximum amount of tonal detail. Light from the firefly abdomens is intense, while the details of their heads and limbs are clear to see. The water droplets sitting on the threads made by the orb-weaving spiders hang like silver jewels in the moonlit woodland, each one under pinpoint contrast control with nothing lost to the shadows.
(Image credit: Sony)
Stepping down to The Book Thief on Blu-ray, without the benefits of HDR, is a more difficult test. Between light touches on the Dynamic Iris and Contrast Enhancer settings, though, we still get a workable balance between black depth and dark detail.
The Sony’s character is more binary, in terms of contrast, rather than smooth and subtle in its shading, and that results in an appearance that’s dynamic but less truly natural than some. It makes for an engaging watch that never fails to capture the sense of place throughout the film, though.
In the candle-lit scenes in the Hubermann’s basement, for example, we can still make out the wooden boxes and glass jars, even in the thick of the shadows, with enough care on textures to pick out details such as the worn leather on Liesel’s oxblood boots.
In scenes with more mixed lighting, such as the train station, there’s enough differentiation in the whites of the steam and cloud in the sky even while the projector has to produce the heavy blacks of the train and the dark platform in the foreground.
Down at standard definition, the picture isn’t too bad either. Turn the Reality Creation settings right down to avoid noise at this resolution. You may also need to set your disc player to output 480p and alter the aspect ratio on the projector remote control to get it upscaling properly.
No projector or TV is going to make much of a treat of detail when a DVD of Die Hard 2 is upscaled to more than 25 times the size of the source material. Nonetheless, we’re happy to get stuck into the action as John McClane races around Dulles International Airport trying to take down a terrorist plot, armed with a handgun and a clip full of wry one-liners.
Verdict
This is an exceptionally good projector and a marked upgrade on both its predecessor and the step-down native 4K projector from Sony, the VPL-VW270ES.
If you’re looking for a projector at this level it would be wrong to ignore the VPL-VW590ES, but you should be sure to check out the Award-winning JVC DLA-N5 as well.
Short tests: Fast AMD processor, NAS hard drive and a video conference camera AMD Ryzen 5 Pro 4650 G Seagate Ironwolf NAS Logitech MeetUp The AMD combination processor Ryzen 5 Pro 4650 G with six processor cores, the latest Zen 2 architecture and integrated Radeon graphics almost everything a fast PC needs.
Seagate increases the hard drive capacity with conventional recording technology and nine Slices on 18 TByte. First there is the technology of a NAS hard drive.
The video conference camera MeetUp from Logitech transmits large teams in small conference rooms.
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There’s a lot to be said for hi-fi separates – for one, they allow for more step-by-step upgrading – but the hi-fi system often gets one over on it where convenience and space efficiency goes (especially nowadays as the increasingly popular concept continues to evolve). If those two attributes are high on your priority list, a microsystem, just-add-speakers solution or an all-in-one stereo speaker system could be just what’s needed to satisfy your music listening appetite.
Here we have five class-leading options for you, with Denon, KEF, Naim and Marantz all picking up Best Buys in the What Hi-Fi? Awards 2020 systems category for their very different, but equally satisfying, take on the music system.
(Image credit: Future)
Up first is the ever-reliable Denon D-M41DAB (above), a microsystem that pairs a very capable CD-playing, Bluetooth-streaming, DAB radio-featuring box with a talented set of (SC-M41) stereo speakers. A modest offering of not-so-modest success: the D-M41DAB and its ancestors have won more What Hi-Fi? Awards that we can count.
More serious – and wi-fi streaming-inclusive – propositions can be found in the Marantz PM7000N (below) and, to a greater extent, the Naim Uniti Atom. Both also repeat winners, they offer comprehensive network streaming platforms, AirPlay and Bluetooth and a whole host of connections – and, with sources and amplification built in, just require the addition of stereo speakers to sing.
The former complements its fruitful features with a big, spacious and insightful sound that you’d be hard-pushed to find better than from similarly priced separates, while the latter justifies its extra outlay with an even more entertaining and transparent performance and a thoroughly modern aesthetic.
(Image credit: Marantz)
The KEF LS50 Wireless II (pictured top) is the category’s only first-time winner this year, arriving just weeks ago and proving worthy of a top accolade. The successors to the LS50 Wireless (a former Award winner), these do-it-all active stereo speakers are all you need to be the proud owner of a thrilling, all-inclusive and neatly compact system.
Everything’s there – network streaming, Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Bluetooth, HDMI eARC, Roon support, you name it – and KEF’s new Metamaterial Absorption Technology (which you can read all about in the review) help secure them an instantly likeable, punchy and clean sound.
The KEF LSX, meanwhile, flies the flag for the concept in a cheaper, more compact package, remaining the all-in-one system to beat for the money. You don’t get the sonic maturity or quite the expanse of features as the LS50 Wireless II, but package neatness and both feature and performance value are still all there.
Only one Best Buy in each category can win a distinguished Product of the Year Award, which will be announced on Thursday 5th November – so which will it be? The dependable Denon, either of the sensational just-add-speaker solutions, or one of the two innovative KEFs? The wait to find out is very nearly over…
While most attention is undeniably focused on the imminently arriving new HomePod Mini, Apple is keen that we don’t forget its flagship smart speaker, the original HomePod. To that end, it’s just released software update 14.1, which brings with it a bunch of new features that were highlighted during the iPhone 12 event.
The big news is the arrival of the Intercom feature, which allows you to send messages from one HomePod to another, or even every HomePod in the house. “Hey Siri, tell everyone dinner is ready”, for example, or “Hey Siri, intercom to the kitchen, can you grab me a beer please?”.
It might all sound a bit lazy and we can’t imagine that there are lots of people out there who already have lots of HomePods, but if you live in a palace and/or are planning to buy lots of HomePod Minis, we can see Intercom having its uses. In future you’ll be able to send Intercom messages to and from other Apple devices, too, such as iPhones, iPads and even CarPlay. We can certainly see it being useful to be able to send a message home from the car.
(Image credit: Apple)
Another handy new feature added with HomePod Update 14.1 multi-user support for Podcasts. Simply put, the HomePod will identify who’s talking to it by their voice and will play or resume their specific podcasts.
HomePod users can also now set multiple, named timers, which is a real boon for cooking. Set one timer for the roast chicken and another for the boiled potatoes and never be confused again.
The HomePod’s Maps support has been boosted, too, so you can ask about nearby traffic or directions to local places and have the results sent to your iPhone, ready for the walk/drive.
(Image credit: Apple)
One thing that’s missing from HomePod Update 14.1 is the so-called Home Theater feature, which allows the HomePod (or a pair of HomePods) to be paired with an Apple TV 4K for virtualised 5.1, 7.1 and Dolby Atmos sound. This will apparently come later in the year.
MORE:
Apple HomePod Mini: official release date, features, design, specifications
Apple HomePod Mini vs HomePod: specs, price and features compared
New iPhone 12: price, release date, specs and pre-order details
Huawei today added a new mid-range smartphone to its Y series, dubbed Huawei Y7a. It is built around a 6.67″ FullHD+ LCD, that has a hole up top in the center for the 8MP selfie camera.
Around the back, you get a 48MP primary camera that’s joined by an 8MP ultrawide, 2MP macro and 2MP depth sensor units.
On the inside, the Huawei Y7a has a Kirin 710A SoC paired with 4GB RAM. The smartphone boots Android 10-based EMUI 10.1 sans Google services and has two storage options – 64GB and 128GB. The former will be restricted to Latin American markets, but you do get a memory card slot in both variants for storage expansion by up to 512GB.
Completing the package is a side-mounted fingerprint reader, 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port, and a 5,000 mAh battery with 22.5W charging. All this might sound familiar to you because the Huawei Y7a is a rebranded P Smart 2021 that was announced last month.
The Huawei Y7a is priced at RM799 ($190/€160) for the 128GB variant and will go on sale in Malaysia starting October 30 with three color options – Midnight Black, Crush Green, and Blush Gold.
Huawei Y7a in Midnight Black, Crush Green, and Blush Gold colors
It is no secret that the market for budget smartphones is very strong in India , especially with brands like Xiaomi, Realme or Oppo, that have several terminals that have been launched first there, or even variants designed specifically for India in a bet to increase its market share in the region.
However, as we can see in the Economic Times , the telephone company Reliance Jio is planning to launch a smartphone with 5G connectivity at a price of only 5000 Rs, about 68 dollars , making it in itself the cheapest 5G terminal in the world .
Anyway, this is not the lowest price you will see this device, as it is expected that as production increases and sales accelerate, the price of the terminal could fall until 2500 Rs, about 34 dollars , putting it on a par with feature phones at the price point.
While this might sound crazy, the reality is that Reliance Jio is no stranger to the price cuts, launching at the time the 4G Jio Phone at a price of 1500 Rs, about 20 dollars , so that, for practical purposes, this 5G terminal is notably more expensive than its predecessor, but it is still well below the rest of 5G smartphones, even the most cheap.
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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.
SVS is a name that you the seasoned surround enthusiast does not have to propose. A range of award-winning subwoofers have fully established its position as a premium earthquake generator builder. In this review we also look at a subwoofer, but a very special one. This PC – 2000 Pro has a small footprint, but is by no means a mini performer.
Most subwoofers on the market are square boxes, with one or two woofers that face outward and with an open or closed enclosure. Every now and then you will also find one with a driver that faces the floor. However, the PC – 2000 Pro is something completely different. It presents itself as a large, anonymous cylinder slightly more than 86 cm high . That seems like a lot, but because the footprint is a diameter of 42 cm the visual impact is not too bad. Apart from the acoustic benefits of this shape, the PC – 2000 Pro is all about that (relatively) unobtrusive profile. You can put this SVS in places where a classic sub might not fit, also because you can use it in an open or closed mode. This makes the PC – 2000 Pro perhaps an attractive option for music lovers who want to take the step to 2.1. You can lose one or two of these barrels in a larger listening room in the area behind your speakers.
SVS’s promise is that the special shape will not affect performance. The PC – 2000 Pro, which is for 1. 099 euro is in the store, contains a 12 – inch long throw woofer that promises up to 16 Hz deep and has a power rating of 550 Watt (1. 500 Watt peak). That all sounds really promising, but does the subwoofer deliver? Does it have the LFE performance needed to make a movie night thunderous and at the same time the subtlety to accompany a set of good stereo speakers when you want to listen to music?
Award Winning Series The PC – 2000 Pro is part of the new 2000 SVS Pro range. As is often the case with the American brand, this family consists of three members: an open housing version (PB – 2000 Pro), a closed model (SB – 2000 Pro) and then this sub with barrel shape. The idea is that if you are looking for certain performance at a certain price point, there is always a model that suits your setup. The performance level of the 2000 Pro family earned SVS another EISA Award for best subwoofer this summer.
SVS is indeed much more than a subwoofer builder â ???? see also the previous review of the SVS Ultra bookshelf speakers â ???? but it is with this category that the company established its image. Very well known are the excellent top models, such as the ultimate (and also gigantic) SB – 4000 and the SB – 3000, but we also looked at a smaller budget model, the SB – 1000 (more reviews here). The 2000 Pro range is clearly in a higher category and features features of those larger SVS subs. We consider the DSP control via an app an important plus. But equally important, the 2000 Pro subwoofers still have a â ???? normalâ ???? format. They are subwoofers that deliver good performance but are not the subwoofer equivalent of an American pickup.
Well insulated The PC – 2000 Pro arrives in a pretty big box with “two man job” in it. shines. Since previous tests of SVS subwoofers turned out to carry quite a few kilograms, we were already mentally prepared for a weightlifting session. Strangely enough, and despite the warnings, this time it was really not too bad. You have to be careful when you take the device out of the box, but otherwise it was easy to move. It does help if you have longer arms.
What immediately stands out is how anonymous that PC – 2000 Pro is. It is really a cylinder, almost completely wrapped in a dark speaker fabric. Our test model had a glossy black finish. Very nice and it gives some class to this device, but of course it also catches some dust. Even in a home cinema that is only partially darkened, the device will completely blend into the background, we suspect.
We find the provided legs positive. It may seem like a detail, but with a subwoofer, good acoustic decoupling is crucial on some surfaces. Those two-piece SoundPath feet transfer less vibrations to the floor, which reduces the chance of noise and complaints from neighbors. In our test room we have a wooden plank floor, and those feet are really a good idea there. They’re important for another reason too: the PC design – 2000 Pro requires it to be an inch above the ground floats because it has a 12 – inch woofer that points down and makes a very large movement.
As an experiment, we placed the SVS on a high-pile mat that we have in the test room to dampen the room. The difference was immediately noticeable â ???? much more muted, much drier – which of course makes perfect sense. We also found how inert the housing remained, even with the racing scene of â ???? Ready Player Oneâ ?? ?? which we often use as a benchmark for Atmos performance. In that hectic fragment there are heavy bass effects, for example when King Kong appears on the stage, but even at a very high volume level we couldn’t really feel any disturbing vibrations on the PC – 2000 Pro Box.
Open or closed Despite its round shape the PC – 2000 Pro has a back cover. Here you will find the necessary connections in the form of a stereo cinch. You use the right one if you only want to reproduce the LFE channel in a surround mix, both if you want to connect the subwoofer to a stereo amplifier without a dedicated sub-out. Because two subwoofers are not overkill at all â ???? here fits a broadly grinning emoticon â ???? but a smart move in stereo reproduction, there is also a cinch pair as output. So you can daisy-chain PC – 2000 Pro with a second sub.
Via an ingenious button system supplemented with a series of LEDs, you can also set things like the volume, phase and crossover point. That is pretty easy, but you can also do all of this via an app. That works a lot better â ???? and you get a lot of options.
At the back we also find a bass port, connected to a long bass reflex tube that runs internally thanks to a kink almost to the top of the subwoofer. Out of the box, the PC – 2000 Pro is therefore an open sub, but you can also close the port completely. In the app you choose â ???? sealedâ ????. That will cost you a little bit at the bottom of the bass reproduction, but can make the reproduction tighter. It partly depends on the room characteristics and where you place the device. Close to a corner we would try with the gate closed anyway, maybe that contains more.
Great app- control The extensive DSP control via an app is in our opinion the secret weapon of SVS. It is available on a lot of their subwoofers, including the PC – 2000 Pro. Where some rivals bet on a total solution via a room measurement, SVS prefers to give you extensive control via this app and to leave any room correction to your AV receiver or smart amplifier.
The SVS app gives you many options but remains easy to use. On our Huawei P 30 Pro, the app itself detected the subwoofer (via Bluetooth LE) and the connection was established in a few seconds. That connection also remains active so that you do not always have to wait until your smartphone can communicate with your subwoofer. Another detail, but if you are busy setting up your listening room and listening critically, it is nice if you can quickly adjust something and not have to wait a few seconds each time. A human is an impatient animal, right?
The main screen of the SVS app takes you straight to the essentials: the volume control. You can also load a preset, a custom movie, music playback profile or the default SVS preset. It is also possible to set your own preset.
If you dive a little deeper into the SVS app, you can set everything you can think of. Things like the low-pass filter point and phase are fairly standard, but the parametric equalizer and room gain compensation in particular are handy things with which a fine tuner is much. In our experience, RGC is very useful in a smaller room. Of course, the added value of these two functions is slightly more limited if you work with a room correction system, but when you adjust a subwoofer to a stereo system, you do not always have that. Smart stereo amplifiers such as the NAD M 33 or Arcam SA – 30 have something like Dirac on board, but most of â? ??? pureâ ???? amplifiers not.
Multitest We visited the PC – 2000 Pro for a long time, which allowed us to put it in a number of setups to try out. The longest we have used the SVS with our fixed surround setup consisting of a Denon AVR-X 6300 H and a 5.1.4- set based on DALI Rubicon and Alteco. The front channels are provided by two Rubicon LCRs, in-wall speakers that provide “hi-fi”. but best supported by a subwoofer. According to THX standards, it is best to select a crossover point at 80 Hz , but with these speakers it is smarter to aim a little higher. This is quickly set via the receiver (including room measurement via Audessey), but it is nice to set it a little higher on the receiver and then fine-tune it a bit while listening via the SVS app.
The scene from “Ready Player One”. is an excellent measure of the performance of a subwoofer. There is so much going on in terms of sound effects in a few minutes of film, it’s actually incredible. There are heavy effects with a lot of impact, such as cars and trains crashing or a T-Rex attacking the racers, as well as many subtle things, such as the squeak of train brakes and gold coins that are collected by gamers while ringing. The Audessey measurement has ensured a good integration, making the PC – 2000 Pro fierce but not overwhelming . You also immediately hear the difference when you switch between the presets â ???? filmâ ???? and “music”, it is not subtle and it is effective. In movie mode, the ultra-low gets a bit more body and is also more smeared, which is fine with an action movie like this one. You can also push the PC – 2000 Pro very far; also at very high volumes it will not let you down.
It is just as good as the more classic 2000 Pro models? Hard to say because we haven’t heard one next to the other, but we’ve always been impressed by the closed SVS subs that come off as powerful as they are tight. Our feelings also say that the PC – 2000 Pro is just a bit more subtle, which with some movies (and music) a plus. At â ???? 1917 â ????, Sam Mendes’ WWI masterpiece that seemingly recorded in one gigantic take, the SVS provides just enough support for the ominous soundtrack as the two main characters crawl through no man’s land. It’s partly in the integration of course, ma At the same time, this cylindrical subwoofer also shows the added value of a slightly more expensive sub at such a time. Should we also say, somehow we got the impression that the PC – 2000 Pro in a smoother way. Maybe that’s because of the downward firing woofer, but as we walked around the room, the bass experience remained consistent.
We also listened to music via the Denon in 2.1, with an Oppo UDP – 203 as Roon Ready source. To â ???? Gold Junkiesâ ???? from Melanie De Biasio, for example, with his nervous bass drum that delivers the SVS perfectly and tightly in music mode. On the track before that, Your Freedom is th
João Silva 2 hours ago Featured Tech News, Headphones
HyperX has just launched a wireless version of its well known Cloud II headset. The Cloud II Wireless headset offers the same design, comfort, performance, and durability of its wired counterpart, with the addition of some extra features.
Aimed at delivering the high-quality audio, the Cloud II Wireless features 53 mm drivers and custom-tuned virtual 7.1 surround sound to immerse yourself in. This wireless headset broadcasts at 2.4GHz at up to 20 meters of range. The battery can withstand up to 30 hours of use.
Larry Gonzales, vice president of sales and marketing at HyperX, states that the company’s goal was to “build on the legendary comfort and sound DNA of HyperX Cloud headsets” with the added wireless functionality. Additionally, Larry said that the new Cloud II Wireless was designed to “carry on the legacy of the original Cloud II”, featuring its iconic design, comfort, and sound at a competitive price.
The adjustable headset band is made of aluminium, pliable leatherette, and memory foam to offer HyperX’s unique comfort. The earcups come with volume and microphone controls for increased convenience. There’s also a noise-cancelling detachable microphone included that improves communication by reducing the background noise. The bi-directional microphone is very flexible, allowing the user to adjust it to its liking, and features a LED to indicate if the mic is muted or not.
This headset is compatible with PC, PS4, and Nintendo Switch, and is certified by TeamSpeak and Discord. You can edit the headset and microphone settings through HyperX’s Ngenuity software. Additionally, the headset comes with a foam microphone pop filter to prevent plosive sounds.
The HyperX Cloud II Wireless headset is available now for $149.99.
KitGuru says: Have you ever owned or tried a HyperX headset? Do you consider them a good headset for gaming and entertainment? Would you consider upgrading to the Cloud II Wireless?
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Cyberpunk 2077 features full lip sync for all of its dubbed languages
There are just a few weeks until the launch of Cyberpunk 2020 , a game to be released with support for dialogues in 10 languages, as well as many others in the subtitles section. However, the game’s developer, CD Projekt RED , aims to add an additional layer of immersion to the game, synchronizing the facial gestures of the characters who speak with the different languages in which we hear the voice.
Due to the large number of languages and the amount of dialogue that will exist in the game, using motion capture techniques was not an option, so it was finally has decided to use artificial intelligence to synchronize the lip movements of the characters with the sound that will actually be played in the dialogues.
This will allow the movements that we see on the screen be as realistic as possible, so that we do not also lose track of what is happening, as there are many games in which the gestures and movements of the face do not match e The sound we hear.
In the tweet we see above we can see a video presentation of this feature, which, without a doubt , seems to work perfectly in the examples shown.
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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.
DJI has launched the new Pocket 2, the second generation version of the original Osmo Pocket.
The new Pocket 2 features the same compact design of the previous model with the gimbal-mounted camera for stabilized images and video. However, it now features a larger 1/1.7″ 64MP sensor that can shoot images in 16MP or full 64MP. You get 8x zoom in 64MP mode or 4x lossless zoom in 16MP mode. Autofocus has also been improved.
The Pocket 2 can also record video in 4K at 60fps. The video is saved at 100Mbps for a cleaner, less compressed image. The camera also supports shooting in HDR. The video mode also benefits from the improved autofocus system.
DJI has also greatly improved the audio. The Pocket 2 has four microphones placed around it to record stereo sound. The software adjusts the audio automatically based on where the camera is pointing. The Pocket 2 also supports audio zoom to narrow the field of sound when zooming in.
The Pocket 2 also comes with additional features, like a pro mode, ActiveTrack 3.0 to track a subject and keep it in frame, 8x slow motion at 1080p, timelapse, hyperlapse, and motionlapse, panoramas, livestreaming to Facebook, YouTube, or RTMP, and a story mode.
The Pocket 2 also supports several new accessories, including a sleek new charging case, wireless microphone set, waterproof housing, a smaller control wheel, extension rod, wide-angle lens, wireless module, and smartphone support system. The base is removable and lets you attach modular accessories like a base to attach the Micro Tripod, and a Do-It-All Handle with a tripod base, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth module, speaker, 3.5mm audio jack, and wireless microphone receiver.
The DJI Pocket 2 is priced at $349 and comes with the Mini Control Stick and tripod mount (1/4”). You can also get the Creator Combo that includes the Mini Control Stick, tripod mount (1/4”), Wide-Angle Lens, Wireless Microphone + Windscreen, Do-It-All Handle, and Micro Tripod for $499. It is available starting today from store.dji.com
The extremely flat 15, 6-inch Lenovo Legion Y 740 It comes in gaming regalia, but you have to buy a graphics card suitable for gaming as an external GPU dock.
Flat notebook with 14, 6-inch display: Lenovo Legion Y 740 You in the test External graphics unit Technical details Conclusion and test table Items in c’t 22 / 2020 read Thin notebooks are nothing special in themselves, with the Len gaming notebook ovo Legion Y 740 You still notice the slim design: In the only one centimeter flat hull of the 13, the 6-inch device does not have a U processor typical of flat notebooks (15 Watt TDP, Thermal Design Power), but with the Core i7 – 10750 H an H-CPU (45 – Watt class) from Intel’s tenth Core-i generation. It provides decent computing power for a gaming notebook, but is a chip with an aged core architecture and 13 – Nanometer transistors. The core comes to the multithreading performance of AMD’s Ryzen 4000 processors i7 – 10750 H not approaching; And when it comes to single-threading computing power, even the U models of the recently introduced eleventh generation of Core i are ahead.
The flat design has two special features. In order to dissipate the waste heat generated under load, four fans are required, and they start to rustle audibly even with short load. If the processing load continues, it gets very loud with over 3 sones. The cooling system has an impact on weight: You have to lug around 1.7 kilograms.
Although the notebook is assigned to Lenovo’s gaming brand Legion, it does not have an additional graphics chip. The UHD graphics unit, which is integrated in the processor and is too weak for all 3D worlds beyond Google Earth, takes care of the screen control.
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Tidal has taken a leaf out of Spotify’s book and launched a ‘casting’ feature that allows subscribers to control music streaming on compatible products directly within the Tidal mobile apps.
Tidal Connect – essentially Spotify Connect for Tidal – allows the native Tidal app to be a controller for connected devices. The new feature is available to Premium as well as HiFi subscribers.
Tidal already supports Chromecast to allow users to easily stream and control music to Chromecast-enabled devices within the app, but Tidal Connect is a more versatile, all-encompassing alternative. Not only does it too support the service’s CD-quality playback, it can also uniquely cast the hi-res Masters (MQA) tracks and Dolby Atmos Music catalogue available to Tidal HiFi subscribers.
Presumably tracks in Tidal’s 60-million-strong library can be cast via Tidal Connect at their maximum quality, and that allowed by the user’s subscription – 320kbps for Premium subscribers and 24-bit/96kHz for HiFi subscribers (some Masters tracks actually go up to 192kHz but a compatible, MQA-enabled DAC is necessary to get that output).
As with Chromecast, users can simply select their Tidal Connect-enabled product in the device selector at the bottom of the ‘Now Playing’ screen.
So what Tidal Connect-enabled products are there? Tidal hasn’t detailed specific device compatibility, but the launch partners for Tidal Connect include Bluesound, Cambridge Audio, DALI, KEF, iFi audio, Lyngdorf, Monitor, NAD, Naim Audio and StreamUnlimited – so we can imagine the lion’s share, if not all, of Tidal-supporting products from those brands will support the feature.
“TIDAL consistently looks for opportunities to normalize and elevate the HiFi listening experience, with its chief aims being uncompromised high-fidelity sound and seamless access to entertainment. TIDAL Connect offers HiFi members another route to discovery, making it easier to control music on a preferred device and motivating users to use TIDAL as intended, wherever and whenever,” said Tidal COO Lior Tibon.
MORE:
10 of the best hi-res albums on Tidal Masters
Best music streaming services 2020: free streams to hi-res audio
Best tablets Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best tablets you can buy in 2020.
Tablets are bigger than smartphones (just) but less capable than laptops (just). If you’re thinking of buying one, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
What screen size do you want? Bigger-screened tablets make films, photos and TV shows look more impressive and are better suited to gaming, but they’re heavier, less portable and usually more expensive.
Which operating system are you after? Android is more open than iOS, but it’s not quite as slick or simple an ecosystem. Or are you happy with Amazon’s FireOS? Members of Amazon Prime might well be, but if you rarely shop at the retail giant, you’ll likely find it unsuitable and downright irritating.
How much storage do you need? Android devices usually come with slots for memory cards so you can add in extra storage, which could be useful if you’ve an extensive library of films, music and photos.
The best tablet for you will come down to how you want to use it. If you’re gaming, you’ll want one with tons of power and long battery life, while if you’re only sending the occasional email, you can save yourself some money and get yourself a cheaper model.
We’ve rounded up the best 2020 tablet choices so you can find your perfect partner. With models big and small, cheap and pricey, there’s sure to be something that fits your needs.
(Image credit: Apple)
1. Apple iPad (2020)
The 8th generation iPad is much the same, but better than before.
It’s the new iPad! Or is it? Because not only does the new model look identical to its predecessor, it has nigh-on the same specs, too. There’s the same 10.2in retina display, same 8MP rear and 1.2MP front camera array, and more or less the same specifications – 3GB RAM, 32GB and 128GB storage options, and a 10-hour battery life. Even the Silver, Gold and Space Grey finishes carry over.
So what is new? Apple has upgraded the processor – inside you’ll find the A12 Bionic, which is the same chip powering the iPhone XS, 2019 iPad Air and fifth-generation iPad Mini. It’s not the newest Apple chip, but still delivers a 40 per cent speed boost on the previous iPad with twice the graphics performance. Despite that, the new iPad has a cheaper launch price than its predecessor.
The screen isn’t drastically better than the 7th Gen’s, but it doesn’t need to be. It still does a fine job of rendering images, with a punchy yet natural colour palette, sharply defined detail, and sleek smoothness. And the audio is still typically Apple, being neutrally toned, detailed and dynamic, but with a touch more clarity.
Not a huge improvement on the 7th Gen, then, but a nice update to keep the iPad at the top of the tablet pile.
On paper, the iPad Air is a tricky sell: the standard iPad is cheaper, the iPad Mini is smaller and the iPad Pro is higher-specced for professionals. It’s not even the thinnest iPad available. So why should you buy it?
Because it’s one of the best tablets Apple makes, which makes it one of the best tablets on the market. Its screen is better than the entry-level model, it’s bigger than the Mini and cheaper than the Pro. If you want a device for consuming content rather than creating it, and like the big screen/less portable tradeoff, it’s nigh-on the perfect tablet.
The HDR-compatible screen is stunning, and while its pixel density is a little lower than the iPad Mini, the display itself is a lot bigger. It depends on personal preference, but in our view, the Air is the better device for content consumption.
The speakers could be better placed (our hands tended to block one when watching in landscape orientation), but they have plenty of oomph. And when delivered to a quality pair of wireless headphones (which is likely to be the most common usage), the audio sounds superb.
If you want a tablet for movies and music on the go, you’ll struggle to beat this.
Read the full review: iPad Air (2019)
3. Apple iPad Mini (2019)
Under-the-skin improvements make the latest Mini even better than before.
Apple’s dinkiest iPad actually offers the highest pixel-per-inch density of all of its tablets and has a few features that are missing from other models: notably, HDR video.
The iPad Mini’s form makes it the perfect portable cinema. At 7.9in, the screen is significantly more cinematic and immersive than that of even the biggest iPhone, the 12 Pro Max, which measures 6.7in. That 21 per cent increase in display real estate is the equivalent of going from a 55in to a 65in TV. At the same time, the iPad Mini remains lighter and more portable than its bigger siblings.
Inside is the A12 Bionic chip, which you’ll also find in the iPhone XS and XR, and storage options come at 64GB and 256GB, with no other choice. The front-facing camera has been given a big boost but the rear lens stays the same.
Ultimately, this iPad Mini is excellent with video, and the screen looks even more gorgeous than the rest of the iPad range. It’s bright and punchy, with distinctive highlights and plenty of detail in the shadows. The image really pops, making it a joy to watch. The sound is tops too, boasting bags of dynamism and detail.
For a small tablet, it makes a big impression.
Read the full review: Apple iPad Mini (2019)
(Image credit: Amazon)
4. Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
The HD 10 is one of the best tablets out there for the money.
Improving on a previous What Hi-Fi? Award-winner was always going to be a tall task, especially without raising the price. But Amazon has cracked it with the latest version of the HD10. So what’s new? There’s a faster processor, a more powerful front camera, USB-C charging (rather than micro-USB), support for higher-capacity microSD cards, and, of course, support for Amazon Alexa.
When it comes to TV and movies, colours are bright, tonally accurate and vibrant, while blacks are inky, dark and detailed. The screen’s 16:10 aspect ratio in landscape mode is remarkably easy to get used to, particularly if you’re accustomed to Apple tablets.
The HD 10’s ‘Dolby Atmos’ integrated dual stereo speakers are somewhat optimistically branded but the sound with music and films is convincing and emotive, with plenty of detail across the frequencies and a pleasing, realistic musical build.
As long as you’re happy to use Amazon’s apps, this remains a bargain buy tablet.
Read the full review: Amazon Fire HD 10 (2019)
(Image credit: Apple)
5. Apple iPad 7th Generation
Sacrifices have been made in the name of affordability, but the iPad remains an excellent tablet.
You might have presumed that the iPad Mini would be the most affordable tablet in Apple’s range, however, that honour actually goes to the standard iPad, now in its 7th generation (it’s even cheaper now that it’s been superseded by the 8th gen model). It is missing some tech featured in the Mini but does come with the bonus of the Smart Connector, which allows the 7th Generation iPad to be connected to Apple’s Smart Keyboard (neither the previous model nor the Mini can be connected).
The iPad’s IPS screen has increased in size to 10.2in and resolution has been increased to maintain the pixel density of 264 ppi. It lacks the laminate layer, anti-reflective coating, True Tone (which automatically adjusts colours and brightness to match ambient lighting) and wide colour support of other tablets. And this is the only iPad in the current range that doesn’t support HDR. It’s also the only model that doesn’t have one of Apple’s newer processors. Instead, the A10 Fusion chip of the outgoing model has been carried over.
When it comes to picture and sound, it has the supremely natural colour balance for which Apple devices are renowned. There’s excellent detail and definition, too, and motion is handled exceptionally well. The iPad Mini pips it with a little more punch and deeper blacks but it’s still a good watch. Audio performance is strong. There’s weight, solidity and dynamic variation here that other tablets, including the current iPad Mini, can’t match.
Undoubtedly sacrifices have had to be made to deliver a large screen at a low price. But Apple’s least impressive tablet is still an impressive tablet.
Read the full review: Apple iPad 7th Generation
6. Amazon Fire 7 (2017)
Those on a budget can’t really go wrong with the Fire 7.
If you’re on a tight budget, Amazon’s tablets are always worth a look. And no more so than the Fire 7 – it’s exceptionally good value. As long as you don’t expect mind-blowing AV quality, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Amazon has given this model a warmer colour palette, making for more realistic skin tones, and as long as you don’t go nitpicking for detail and contrast ratios, it’s perfectly watchable (especially for kids’ cartoons, which we suspect will be its main use). The sound is nicely balanced and suitably detailed, too. And because it’s an older model, its already cheap price is now discounted. Buy buy buy!
Read the full review: Amazon Fire 7 (2017)
7. Apple iPad Pro 10.5in
Powerful, great to use, and capable of excellent video.
Content creators will want an iPad Pro – this is a machine made for creating, while the standard iPad is built for consuming. As such, it’s a little over-powered if all you want it for is watching movies and playing the odd game.
Not that you’ll have a bad time – far from it. The screen is ridiculously sharp and bright, and at this size, films are an absolute treat. It sounds pretty great too, balancing dialogue with the soundtrack nicely and automatically adjusting for the best sound depending whether it’s in portrait or landscape mode.
Sure, you probably don’t need one. But if you can afford it, why wouldn’t you?
This tablet was great value at its original price, so now it’s available for less, it’s an absolute steal. Like other Amazon tablets, its bright colour schemes are more cheap and cheerful than sleek and sophisticated, but that’s no bad thing if you just want a tablet for occasional use around the house (or to let the kids run wild with). Its screen has a natural palate and plenty of detail to get your teeth into, while audio playback is pretty decent for casual listening. Another great value tablet from Amazon.
Read the full review: Amazon Fire HD 8 (2018)
9. Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 8in
A few minor bugbears aside, the Yoga Tab 3 is a budget tablet worth considering.
This might be a budget tablet, but it feels much more expensive than it is. The spine is much thicker than the rest of it, with good cause – it houses a rotatable 8MP camera that can be positioned to be rear- or front-facing.
There’s also a metal kickstand to help prop it up in its many poses (it’s not called Yoga for nothing).
The screen might lack a bit of detail, but the sound more than makes up for it, with plenty of expression and balance on offer.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 8in
10. Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
This Galaxy Tab is good, but not quite out of this world.
This premium tablet comes with the S Pen, which is Samsung’s stylus. Images on screen look so sharp you could cut yourself on them, while motion is handled with aplomb. The only slight niggle with the screen is colour reproduction, which tends to be more bold than natural. But you get superior sound, which you can tweak to your heart’s content, and played right, you’ll get noticeably more detail and dynamism from music. Dolby Atmos also comes as standard.
Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
Find out how to get the best picture and sound on your tablet
DeepCool’s new AS 500 and AS 500 Plus are distinguished by the second fan found in the Plus model.
DeepCool has today released two new processor scooters. AS 500 and AS 500 Plus are both tower-type coolers, the only difference being the number of fans – AS 500 has one AS fan 500 Plus two. As is typical of modern coolers, DeepCool’s novelties include RGB lighting, which is implemented relatively restrained as a strip around the black top of the tower.
The AS 500 series coolers are constructed of five 6 mm heat pipes and a relatively thin tower equipped with a tight aluminum grating and a copper base plate. In the depth direction AS 500 – the chillers of the series have a measurement without a fan only mm and also with the fan should, according to the manufacturer, guarantee full compatibility with the RAMs, leaving the whole behind. The height of the coolers is 164 mm and the width 142 mm
The position of the fan in its coolers is handled by one or two DeepCool’s own TF 140 S PWM fans with a liquid-bearing motor. As the name implies, the fan is 140 in diameter and has a speed range of 500 – 1200 RPM. According to the manufacturer, the fan itself has a volume below 29, 2 dBA, but AS 500 In the case of, the sound output of the entire cooler is multiplied by 26 below 31, 5 dBa.
The top of the radiators is covered by a black protective frame that hides the aluminum grille and the ends of the copper heat pipes underneath. The frame itself is surrounded by addressable RGB lighting that can be controlled directly from the 5-volt connector on the motherboard.
AS 500 and AS 500 Plus therefore differ only in the number of fans, as AS 500 Plus comes with two DeepCool TF 140 S fans in a push-pull configuration. Cooling power is promised by the manufacturer for both AS 500 models 220 watts, although the Plus model transfers heat more efficiently.
Technical data of AS 500 and AS 500 Plus:
External dimensions (without fans): 142 x 48 x 164 mm
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