27 Jan
Blog

Calorie Deficit: Easy Ways to Cut Down on Calories

What is a calorie deficit for weight loss?

To lose weight you need to consume fewer calories than you expend. When a person's daily calorie intake is less than their daily calorie expenditure, they are in a calorie deficit. If you take in more calories than you expend, you are not in a calorie deficit and you will not lose weight.

Every day the body needs to burn a certain amount of calories to do its job. Calorie needs vary based on the following criteria – age, gender, level of physical activity, etc.

Why is the calorie deficit important for weight loss?

Calories are the units of energy found in food and drink, and a calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than you burn.

The three components of the calories you burn or expend each day – also known as calorie consumption –

Resting Energy Expenditure (REE): The calories your body uses to keep you alive while at rest, such as respiration and blood circulation, are known as REE.

Thermal effect of food: This refers to the calories your body uses to digest, absorb, and metabolize food.

activity energy expenditure : It refers to the calories you burn during exercise and non-exercise activities like gaming or housework.

You put your body in a calorie deficit when you take in fewer calories than it needs to sustain these three components of calorie expenditure. If you do this regularly over a period of time, you will lose weight.

On the other hand, if you frequently feed your body more calories than it needs to do those tasks, you will gain weight. It's called a calorie surplus.

Is it enough to lose weight?

Maintaining a calorie deficit is essential for weight loss, but not the only one. Because the only factor that affects weight is calories.

To lose 1-2 pounds (lb) per week, a person would need to consume 500-1,000 fewer calories per day than their body needs.

When a person is lazy, they move only as much as needed for independent living, but do not exercise or engage in other physical activities. You should start exercising for 30 minutes every day if you can.

How do I achieve a calorie deficit?

A calorie deficit can be achieved by either eating fewer calories, increasing your physical activity, or a combination of both.

Because you may not have the time, energy, or enthusiasm to exercise every day, it may be easier and more sustainable to create a calorie deficit through diet rather than just exercise. Additionally, many people feel that exercise burns more calories than it actually does.

Put another way, it might be easier to eat 500 fewer calories each day than it might be to burn 500 calories through exercise.

9 easy ways to reduce calories

1. Drink fewer calories

Too many sugary drinks can undermine the weight loss process.

According to research, the amount of sugar in the diet influences weight growth. However, most of this could be related to ingestion of sugary beverages.

Beverages are easy to ignore as part of the diet. However, many sugary drinks are high in calories.

Unlike a variety of high-calorie foods, these drinks do not quench hunger and provide the body with insufficient energy. This makes it easy to consume excessively sugary drinks without realizing it.

2. Avoid packaged foods

Sugar, fat, and salt in highly processed meals like sugary drinks, fast food, candy, and cereal in the morning make these high-calorie items more appealing and encourage overconsumption.

If your current diet is high in highly processed foods, gradually replace them with the least processed alternatives. Replace sugary cereals with fruit and oatmeal or lightly salted dried fruit instead of consuming chips.

3. Favor healthy home-cooked meals

Eating home-cooked food can help you take control of your calorie intake. Home-cooked food is lower in calories than outside food. Try to eat more vegetables and fruits and avoid fried foods at home as well.

4. Drink enough water before eating

Drinking water before a meal can make you feel fuller and consume fewer calories.

One researcher discovered that drinking just 2 cups (500mL) of water before a meal reduced calorie expenditure by about 13%.

5. Eat more slowly

Take your time with a meal and chew slowly so you can feel full faster and eat less.

6. Fast intermittently

Intermittent fasting is a popular calorie reduction method that can help with weight loss.

With this diet method, you alternate your eating habits between fasting and eating phases.

It is particularly beneficial for weight loss as it makes it easier to gradually decrease calorie intake.

Intermittent fasting can be done in a variety of ways, so you can easily discover one that works for you.

7. Avoid fried food

Every fried meal adds a lot of unwanted calories and saturated fat. Choose grilled, fried, or poached chicken or fish instead of fried chicken or fish. Don't eat french fries either. A large serving of fries can add over 500 calories to a meal alone. Instead, check whether the daily vegetables or a side salad are sufficient.

8. Do not consume sauce with food.

Ketchup and mayonnaise can add more calories to your diet than you might expect. Adding 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of mayonnaise to your meal adds about 54 calories. Avoiding it is seen as a small but essential step toward reducing calorie intake.

9. Avoid consuming alcoholic beverages.

Many people find that giving up alcohol is an easy approach to losing weight. Because alcohol has no nutritional value, when you drink (drink) it, you're consuming empty calories, up to 500 calories for safely mixed cocktails loaded with syrupy sweeteners, fruit juices, and ice cream or whipped cream.

Another way to achieve a calorie deficit

exercises

Exercising is a crucial aspect of losing weight. If possible, a not very active person should aim to increase their daily activity level.

Find the exercise/exercises that fascinate or interest you the most. This can include things like:

Hiking, leisure sports, cycling, walking instead of taking the lift.

However, if you are interested in intense exercise, we have a diversion for you.

Best full body workout at home without equipment.

Precautions when in a calorie deficit

Don't skimp too much on calories.

A person's health can be at risk if they cut too many calories and don't get enough essential nutrients.

In order to function effectively, the body needs a certain amount of calories. If you cut off too many, you risk a variety of health problems, including:

Not getting enough nutrients can prevent you from building or maintaining bone mass, draining your brain of energy, and slowing your metabolism.

stay active

It would help if you continued exercising or increasing your daily activities to stay fit and active because relying entirely on eating fewer calories can make you lazy.

summary

Maintaining a calorie deficit is essential for weight loss. When a person's daily calorie intake is less than their daily calorie expenditure, they are in a calorie deficit. A calorie deficit can be achieved by either eating fewer calories, increasing your physical activity, or a combination of both.

Simple ways to cut calories include drinking fewer calories, avoiding sauces over food, and intermittent fasting. The other way to achieve a calorie deficit diet is through exercise. You can choose to burn off the calories you eat instead of avoiding those calories.

06 Nov
Blog

TCL Roku TV Alto R1 Wireless Soundbar Review: It’s So Easy

TCL Roku TV Alto R1 wireless soundbar

TCL Roku TV Alto R1 Wireless Soundba

RRP $ 179.00

"Roku and TCL are teaming up to make the sound of your Roku TV a simple plug-and-play experience."

advantages

  • Easy setup with just one cable

  • No additional remote controls required

  • Good audio quality

  • The voice enhancement and volume control features are nice

disadvantage

  • No Dolby Atmos

  • Only works with Roku-enabled TVs

  • No audio input connectors

When building a home theater, one of the first things you can do after choosing a TV is adding a sound system. One of the easiest ways to do this is to buy one of the best sound bars out there. Let's face it, the built-in speakers in TVs won't fill the space and will help you immerse yourself in your favorite movies. Roku knows this and is committed to enhancing your audio experience while keeping setup simple. At CES 2021 in January, Roku announced a partnership with TCL to launch a wireless soundbar for Roku-enabled TVs.

The new Alt R1 is the result.

This new soundbar is designed to work seamlessly with Roku TVs and is virtually effortless to set up. Where more home theater sound systems as a bare minimum require connecting a cable to your TV – the only cable needed to set up the Alto R1 is the one that supplies power. Part of the special sauce that makes this minimalist approach possible is Roku's proprietary Wi-Fi audio streaming technology. What sounds good in theory, how does it look in reality? Follow me and I will answer exactly that question.

Can it really be that simple?

The back and connections of a TCL Roku TV Alto R1 Wireless Soundbar.Chris Wedel / Digital Trends

Unpacking the Alto R1 Soundbar only includes the 31.5-inch speaker, wall-mounting hardware, papers, and a power cord. No additional cables are included as none are required as the only connector on the soundbar is for the power cable.

My skepticism grew when I began to think that pairing the soundbar with the TV couldn't be that easy. So I turned on my 65-inch TCL Roku TV and plugged the Alto R1 into the wall socket. To pair the soundbar with the TV, press and hold the Home button on your Roku remote for 5 seconds, select Set Up Devices, then select Wireless Soundbar. After that, the TV and Alto R1 recognized each other and the soundbar processed an over-the-air software update.

Adding the soundbar to my Roku TV couldn't have been easier. There is no need to manage additional cables or remote controls. The TV will automatically know the Alto R1 is paired, and if the volume is adjusted using the Roku remote, the changes will be made through the soundbar rather than the built-in TV speakers. I use a Caavo Control Center to manage my home theater and after making a few adjustments, I controlled the volume for the newly paired soundbar.

Features and sound quality

TCL Roku TV with an Alto R1 wireless soundbar.Chris Wedel / Digital Trends

In use, the Alto R1 is just as straightforward as the setup. It's a two-channel, 120-watt soundbar that is entirely controlled by the Roku remote and your TV. However, that is not a problem. If you just want to enhance the sound of your Roku TV or use it to play music from your phone via bluetooth, this soundbar can do it for you.

While you won't find fancy features like Dolby Atmos and virtual surround sound in options like the Sonos Beam (Gen 2), The Alto R1 has a couple of tricks like the ability to bring the dialogue of everything you see more into focus and automatically lower the volume of the commercials. There is also a bass boost feature and volume control options within the sound settings that can be accessed by pressing the star button on the Roku remote.

In addition to the skepticism I had about the simplicity of setting up the Alto R1, there were doubts about the audio quality and how in sync it would be with the content on the screen. Since the soundbar is completely wirelessly connected to my TV, I expected a delay in what I saw on the screen and when I would hear it. To my delight, I didn't notice it in the least.

Roku remote control. Chris Wedel / Digital Trends

Roku uses Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth to handle connectivity, which greatly reduces latency and increases information capacity. I've seen 4K HDR movies, live soccer matches, and regular TV programs, and it all worked wonderfully. Of course, even with bass boost enabled, the Alto R1 won't compete with a dedicated subwoofer setup, but it won't try either.

I have a relatively large rectangular living room, so it's difficult to fill it with balanced audio. The sound setup I usually use is a Vizio soundbar with two wireless satellite speakers and a wireless subwoofer – and it works. When I first started using the Alto R1, I lowered my expectations for a full-fledged audio experience. But surprisingly, the wireless soundbar did a good job.

The sound was crisp and the voice enhancement features did a good job. There was no difference between day and night, but there was enough improvement when it was on that I can safely say it was worth it. The soundbar is designed for TVs 43 inches and larger, and I think in most situations the Alto R1 will make most users pretty happy.

Our opinion

TCL Roku TV Alto R1 soundbar under a television on a media stand. Chris Wedel / Digital Trends

I'd love to say that the Alto R1 is a great choice for anyone who just wants better sound for their home theater and doesn't want to mess with a lot of setup – and I almost can. I almost say because it's only true if you have a Roku TV. Now, you don't have to have the absolute best Roku TV, but you do need a TV with a Roku built in. So if you're using one of the many great Roku streaming devices that you plug into your TV, you won't be able to use the Alto R1.

Roku and TCL had a clear focus on what the Alto R1 would be good at – straightforward set-up process and ease of use. For those two points, the two companies did a fantastic job with this product. Moving from out-of-the-box to using the soundboard couldn't be much easier. The Alto R1 does not advertise cutting edge features or even those that are becoming commonplace among other products such as Dolby Atmos and virtual surround sound. By including options like these, the other by-product would be an increase in cost, and at $ 180 it's hard to argue what the Alto R1 brings to the living room.

Is there a better alternative?

There are many soundbars out there that offer a full feature set, but are overpriced. However, if you're willing to pay a little more but don't want too much more, then the Yamaha YAS-209 tops our list of the best sound bars under $ 500 at around $ 350. This soundbar not only offers a wider soundstage with support for DTS Virtual: X, a virtual 3D surround sound profile, but also brings a quiet rumble to your favorite programs thanks to a separate subwoofer. It won't be quite as easy to set up as the Alto R1, and it will cost you a few dollars more, but the Yamaha YAS-209 offers a more immersive home theater audio experience.

How long it will take?

TCL and Roku have both been in the home audio and video scene for a while and bring that experience to the Alto R1 soundbar. Both companies have also done a great job supporting their respective products, and thanks to the Alto R1's Wi-Fi connectivity, the soundbar can receive OTA software updates to ensure it has a long life.

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you're someone who wants to be engulfed by what you see from every angle, this is not the soundbar for you. While the Alto R1 does a solid job of producing good audio with virtually zero latency, it's not a surround sound device. This is because it is limited to 2 channels and does not have the ability to replicate 360 ​​degree audio. However, if your goal is to improve the sound well beyond what your TV has built in, aren't spending a lot of money on it, and have a Roku-enabled TV, then the Alto R1 is worth considering.

Editor's recommendations



02 Sep
Blog

How To Get Rid Of Lip Lines In 3 Easy Steps

Do you wrestle with lip lines? As you age, vertical lines can appear around your lip area that add years to an otherwise youthful complexion. Here's a breakdown of what causes lip wrinkles and how you can minimize their appearance.

What causes lip lines?

Vertical lip lines are caused by a number of factors, including aging, environmental stress, everyday facial expressions, and lifestyle choices:

aging

The skin around your lips is thinner and more delicate than the rest of your face. Because of this, it is more prone to the harmful effects of environmental stress and tends to show the visible signs of aging more quickly. In fact, as early as 20 vertical lines can appear above your upper lip, after which you produce 1% less collagen per year. Over time, as elastin and hyaluronic acid are also broken down, your skin becomes more fragile and less resilient. As your lips lose strength and volume, thin vertical lines can deepen into more prominent wrinkles.

Vertical lines can appear above your upper lip as early as 20, after which they produce 1% less collagen per year.

UV exposure

The aging process is accelerated by exposure to the sun, which further depletes the collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid stores in your skin. Because the lip area is often unprotected, it is at an even greater risk of UV exposure than the rest of your face. UVA rays in particular expose this sensitive area to harmful free radicals, which actively break down and weaken healthy skin cells. This speeds up the aging process and leads to fine lines and wrinkles around the lips.

what causes lip wrinkles infographic

Repetitive movements

Lip lines develop in a similar way to other "dynamic" lines (think frown lines and smile lines). Repetitive activities like speaking, smiling, and tipping your lips cause the muscles around your mouth to contract, creating permanent lines and wrinkles. As Amanda Doyle, MD told Yahoo beauty: “The analogy we like to tell our patients is: remember to fold the corner of a piece of paper and what happens when you unfold and flatten it. You can still see a kink that was left behind. Likewise, a constant feeling of the tip of the lips leads to tiny wrinkles over time. "

smoking

Another culprit for vertical lip lines: smoking. No wonder that prominent wrinkles are also known as "smoker's wrinkles". The repetitive motion of puffing a cigarette, combined with the oxidative stress caused by inhaling smoke, can accelerate the development of fine lines around the lip area. The accumulated damage deepens wrinkles and dries out the skin, leaving the lips looking pinched and puckered.

How to get rid of lip lines

Proper lip care should be an addition to your daily skin care routine. Follow these steps to keep your lips soft, plump, and youthful looking:

1. Peeling

Dry skin can worsen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and make lip wrinkles appear deeper and more prominent. Refine your lip area with the Citrus Enzyme Lip Exfoliator from our Lip Trio. This lip scrub is formulated with citrus and pineapple enzymes to smooth out dry lips and minimize the appearance of lip wrinkles.

2. Treat

Marine Flower Peptide Lip Serum is a luxurious cream serum that plumps up the appearance of the lips and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the area. It is specially formulated to support the appearance of elasticity in the lip area, with immediate and long-term plump.

Follow the step of the lip serum with the instant results of the Hibiscus Instant Line Filler. Avoid lip injections and fillers in favor of these natural ones Advanced instant fX treatment which reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just two minutes.

3. Moisturize

Keep your lips soft and plump with a petroleum-free lip balm that reduces the visible signs of aging and locks in moisture. Our Citrus Lip Balm contains botanical peptides from hibiscus to smooth out wrinkles and plump lips.

Out and about in the open? Sun exposure speeds up the visible signs of aging, including the vertical lines around your lips. Protect your lip area with our Rosehip & Lemongrass Lip Balm SPF 15. This moisturizing balm contains zinc oxide, rosehip oil, and lavender to provide natural SPF protection and soothe dryness.

How do you care for your lip area? Visit a Eminence Organics Spa partners near you for personalized recommendations from a licensed esthetician.

This article was originally written by Alisha Whitley in January 2018.

09 Aug
Blog

Xbox Recon Controller Review: Game Audio Mixing Made Easy

The Turtle Beach Xbox Recon controller is on a table.

Turtle Beach Xbox Recon Controller Review: Game Audio Mixing Made Easy

RRP $ 60.00

"The Turtle Beach Xbox Recon Controller is packed with imaginative and useful on-board features at a shockingly low price."

advantages

  • Great build quality

  • Robust audio control

  • Well placed buttons on the back

  • Useful pro-aim function

  • Excellent value for money

disadvantage

  • Wired only

  • Contradicting functions

Whenever a new video game console drops, third-party manufacturers get to work. There is always a race to see who can make indispensable accessories that trump the console manufacturers themselves. This is especially evident with controllers, where companies are taking on the impossible task of improving gamepads perfectly designed by giants like Sony and Microsoft.

It takes a lot of creative effort to achieve this lofty goal, but Turtle Beach struck gold with its Recon Xbox controller. Instead of trying to surpass the basic capabilities of a regular Xbox controller, it offers a whole new vision of what a controller can do. Turtle Beach essentially built a sound mixer into a controller that allows players to EQ audio, adjust game volume, and even control voice chat on the fly. It's exactly the kind of innovation you can expect from a company best known for their headsets.

The Xbox Recon is not just a niche product for the dedicated audiophile; It's an excellent console companion that rethinks the usefulness of a controller. Its wired setup and some complicated options keep it from being the ultimate Xbox controller, but a low price point makes it a serious alternative to Microsoft's baseline X Series controllers.

Reaching the baseline

With every third-party controller, there is always one major hurdle that must be met: It must have all of the basic functions of its first-party counterpart. Companies like PowerA have developed complex controllers for consoles like the Nintendo Switch that add extra functionality at the expense of rumble and amiibo support.

A close look at the buttons and joystick on the Xbox Recon controller.

The Recon does not cut off such corners. It has everything you'd expect from an Xbox Series X controller. The button layout is identical, with minor adjustments in some positions. The joysticks don't feel too different, it rumbles as expected, and even includes an eight-way D-pad that some other third-party Xbox pads lack. Even with small differences, everything is in its place.

In fact, the Recon even goes a little further in some places. It includes cooling handles and has two mappable buttons on the back, neither of which are found on the standard Xbox wireless controller. Since it doesn't use batteries, it's also a bit lighter than Microsoft's controller.

The Recon does not cut off such corners. It has everything you'd expect from an Xbox Series X controller.

The only downside to this is that the Recon can feel a bit more toy-like than the sophisticated Xbox Wireless Controller. However, that is hardly a blow. Turtle Beach easily passes the first test here by creating a controller that ticks each box and adds some tweaks of its own while maintaining a comparable price range of $ 60.

Superhuman sound

If the recon just stopped there, it would be a perfectly suitable third-party option. But the fact that I haven't even talked about its core functionality speaks to how robust this package ultimately is. The Recon is designed for audio and offers several ways to optimize the sound in a mini command center on top of the controller.

With a few carefully placed buttons, players can adjust game and chat audio separately. This allows anyone to essentially mix audio on the fly without delving into menus and making adjustments. Usually you would need external tools to do this, so the fact that it is built right into the Recon is extremely useful. It even has a mute button that players can use to mute their microphone without fumbling for a button on their headset.

I can't think of a video game controller that ever aimed to do what Turtle Beach achieved here.

I noticed that the chat controls didn't seem to work properly on the PC games I tested. When playing the Back 4 Blood Beta through in-game chat, turning down the chat volume had no effect. This made it unclear to me exactly where I could use this feature outside of playing on an actual Xbox.

When it comes to audio, the controller goes one step further and offers four equalization presets that players can use to switch between different sound profiles. Turtle Beach's Signature Sound option allows players to boost bass, prioritize game chat, boost treble, or get a smoother mix. There's also a one-press button that activates Superhuman Hearing, which amplifies soft noises like footsteps (although I've found it generally just crank everything up).

The sound mixer that appears on the Turtle Beach Xbox Recon controller.

All of this comes together to give players complete control over the game audio. While playing Last Stop, I was able to quickly switch my EQ to prioritize voices on the fly. During a music montage, I might as well turn up the bass to round off the orchestral score. Players will most likely pick their favorite presets and leave it at that, but I just turned the page for novelty.

I have to emphasize how impressive it is that all of this happens without any software or driver installation whatsoever. All of these options are housed in the controller itself. I can't think of a video game controller that ever aimed to do what Turtle Beach achieved here. The ability to set mic monitoring or boost the bass like pressing a button to jump is extremely impressive and makes the Recon a truly unique controller.

Perks and quirks

With all of its bells and whistles, the Recon still has a few notable quirks. Most importantly, it is a fully wired controller which is the main sticking point. For those who don't want to thread chicken wire from their Series X onto the couch, this might be a tough sell. It doesn't help that players have to use wired headphones here as well and add some cable juggling. That makes the Recon more of a focal point for my PC than my Xbox, as playing with tethering is more common in my own PC setup.

It's filled with great features, though each adds to the assembly complexity of the device.

The controller also has two mappable back buttons that are completely unobtrusive, although this is not without its problems. The triggers cannot be assigned to the back buttons for some reason, nor can button combinations. On the plus side, players can set up four different mapping profiles and quickly switch between them. For example, I had mapped A and B to one profile and set the right and left bumpers to a different one.

The back of the Xbox Recon controller, including its back buttons.

The back buttons also have some weird interactions with the Recon's other specialty feature (yes, there are more): Pro-Aim. When enabled, players can hold down the right backspace button to decrease stick sensitivity. For example, you could squeeze it while aiming down to drastically lower sensitivity in the blink of an eye and allow precise aiming. There are even four different presets for Pro-Aim. The only problem is, you can't actually map a control to the back button and use Pro-Aim at the same time, or you could jump every time you try to aim. It's an amazing feature for a controller, but one that bumps into the head with another option.

That is the story of the Recon in general. It's filled with great features, though each adds to the assembly complexity of the device. Trying to flip through EQ presets or map buttons on the fly can be a bit of a circus, and you can't always use all of the functions at the same time. Compared to the elegance of a regular Xbox controller, the Recon can definitely feel confusing the first time you use it.

The Turtle Beach Xbox Recon controller is on a table.

But that's a necessary compromise when you consider how much the controller can do without external software. Turtle Beach loaded up a $ 60 controller with on-board features that other companies have yet to dream of. Considering the price and build quality at Microsoft are perfect, all you really need to do is take advantage of one extra feature to get your money's worth. Even if you just use Pro-Aim or something as small as the mute button, you get more functionality than a regular Xbox controller. It's shocking that this doesn't make players $ 100, but you won't hear me complaining about a good deal.

Our opinion

While third-party controllers can be a risky endeavor, the Xbox Recon reduces the noise by doubling the strengths of Turtle Beach. The audio-first controller offers gamers many practical functions that make it easy to optimize the sound mix in no time at all. Despite some notable quirks, Turtle Beach does something really unique here, which sets the Recon apart in a field that is only going to get more crowded.

Is there a better alternative?

For a simple wireless controller, the Xbox Series X baseline is still the best choice. The hybrid controller mixer setup is somewhat unique, however.

How long it will take?

It's always hard to tell when it comes to third-party controllers, but Turtle Beach is known for quality products. It'll surprise you if you don't spend a few years on it.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Xbox Recon is a surprisingly useful controller for gamers who use headphones in-game or anyone looking for some extra button customization.

Editor's recommendations



12 May
Blog

Roku Express 4K+ Review: Easy, Affordable 4K Streamer

Roku Express 4K +

"Roku is doing it again with a tiny streamer that's huge in terms of features and value."

  • Attractively priced

  • Simple, intuitive user interface

  • 4K, HDR and Dolby Atmos passthrough

  • Voice-enabled wireless remote control

  • Apple AirPlay

  • Limited Dolby Atmos support

  • No Dolby Vision

For Roku fans ready to take the plunge into 4K streaming, there's a new kid in town: the $ 40 Roku Express 4K +, a device that like the $ 30 Roku Express looks, but actually has almost the same features as the $ 50 Roku Streaming Stick +.

But does it make sense to save $ 10 on buying the Express 4K + instead of buying the Streaming Stick +? And how does this new Roku device compare to Amazon's Fire TV family of devices?

You can find all the answers in our full review below.

What's in the box?

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Roku has everything you need to set up. You will receive the Express 4K +, a certified HDMI high-speed cable, a Roku remote control, a pair of AAA batteries, a micro-USB power cable with a power adapter, a quick start guide and an adhesive strip that you can use to mount the Express 4K + on a variety of surfaces, including the bottom or back of your TV.

design

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It's hard to fault the design of the Express 4K +. It is a proven combination of the tiny, curved black box of the Roku Express and the voice remote control of the Streaming Stick +.

It's so small and light that you'll likely need the included tape to keep the HDMI cable from pushing the Express 4K + around.

There are only two ports on the back – a micro USB port for power and an HDMI port. It's not likely that this will be an issue in 2021, but it's worth noting that you won't be able to use the Express 4K + if your TV doesn't have an HDMI input. In fact, none of the current Roku player devices support non-HDMI televisions anymore.

Over the years, Roku has continued to develop its set-up process for new devices and it couldn't be easier.

There's no Ethernet port, but the Express 4K + is compatible with a variety of third-party micro USB Ethernet adapters in case you need one.

When you unpack the box, you will see a sticker on the front of the device that tells you where to point the remote control. If you stick to the included Roku voice remote, then you can ignore it. The remote can communicate wirelessly with the Express 4K + and only uses infrared when it needs to send commands to your TV. It also means you can move the streamer out of sight if you wish – something you won't do with the regular Roku Express or the Express 4K, a $ 35 Walmart variant that doesn't come with WiFi can -enabled Roku voice remote control.

Speaking of the remote control, it has a voice button, a built-in microphone, and dedicated buttons on the side to control the volume and mute a TV.

Wondering what the difference between the Express 4K + and the Streaming Stick + is? Two things: The Streaming Stick + has faster WiFi with greater range and is more portable as it doesn't require an HDMI cable. Yes that's it.

Setup and configuration

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Over the years, Roku has continued to develop its set-up process for new devices and it couldn't be easier.

Once you've connected the Express 4K + to your TV using the supplied HDMI cable (or one of your own), plug it in and slide the batteries into the remote. That's it – you are done with the hardware part.

From there, the Roku interface will smoothly walk you through connecting to your home WiFi and creating or connecting to an existing Roku account.

Pro tip: If you'd like your phone, tablet, or laptop to be ready as part of the setup process, send a confirmation email that you'll need to open and then click the link provided to complete setup.

I didn't have to adjust any audio or video settings. It just worked out borrowing one of Apple's favorite phrases.

I've set up a lot of streaming devices and the Roku process is second most important after Apple in terms of simplicity.

You will be asked to add some highlighted channels (the name Roku continues to use for streaming apps) but you don't have to do so now. Channels can easily be added later through the Roku interface when the Roku app is activated on your phone or even on the web through the Roku website.

My test model immediately recognized that it was connected to a 4K HDR-enabled TV and that I didn't have to manually adjust the audio or video settings. It just worked out borrowing one of Apple's favorite phrases.

Just before you start using the Express 4K +, Roku will play an introductory video that walks you through the main functions of the device and how to use them. This is the perfect way to get started with the Express 4K +, and I think any streaming device manufacturer should follow Roku's lead. It is a device that plays videos. Why not show people a short how-to video?

The interface is very fast with no noticeable lag.

Another tip: The Express 4K + comes with a power adapter. However, you can plug the micro USB cable into an available USB port on your TV and it should work fine.

Even on my test LG TV, which tends to turn off its USB ports when the TV is not in use, the Express 4K + worked just fine and even responded to the remote's power button when everything was shut down.

Ease of use and performance

Roku Express 4K +Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

Roku gave the Express 4K + 1GB of RAM, an updated processor, and a very fast MIMO Wi-Fi AC – and the results are impressive.

The interface is very fast with no noticeable lag. For the most part, channels start up quickly (some a little faster than others), and jumping from an open channel back to the home screen and then to another channel is a breeze.

Selecting content within channels was just as responsive, and movies and shows were streamed just as quickly as on an Apple TV 4K or Nvidia Shield – and significantly faster than the built-in apps on my LG C7 OLED 4K TV.

Roku's user interface hasn't changed much over the years, and that's mostly a good thing. The simple, straightforward menu options are a breeze, whether you're looking for a favorite channel, adjusting device settings, or looking for new channels in the Roku Channel Store.

Bucking the trend of adding a content curation layer to its main interface, Roku has instead relied on the free Roku Channel app (channel?) As the main method to help you find something to watch .

This may not feel as modern as Google TV, the recently redesigned Fire TV interface, or the Apple TV home screen, but I have to admit that I prefer to choose whether to display a range of content or whether I am would prefer to dive straight into a specific streaming service.

Recently, Roku added Apple AirPlay to select 4K-enabled player devices, and the Express 4K + gave me my first taste of this feature on a Roku.

I am happy to announce that it is working flawlessly. The Express 4K + appeared in my list of available AirPlay devices and I was able to quickly set up an AirPlay session. After that, it didn't matter whether I was playing music from Apple Music or Tidal or streaming from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Disney + – the content was displayed on my TV without buffering or other connection problems. I haven't tested the available integration with Apple HomeKit, but both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant were able to control the Express 4K + without any problems.

Remote control voice commands were equally nifty and satisfying, and I was able to open channels and search for actors and movie titles.

Audio and video

Roku Express 4K + audio optionsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

There's no question that if you own a Dolby Vision-enabled television, it makes sense to purchase a Dolby Vision-enabled streaming device. However, if you're determined to stick with Roku, you'll have to spend $ 100 to buy the Roku Ultra, which is the only Roku player device that works with Dolby's dynamic HDR format.

The Express 4K + offers excellent image quality with razor-sharp details.

As much as I'm a fan of Dolby Vision, it's hard to argue that this one feature is worth spending an additional $ 60 (150% more) over the price of the Express 4K + to get it – especially if 4K with normal HDR10 looks damn good. It's also worth noting that the Express 4K + supports HDR10 + despite the lack of Dolby Vision. As a dynamic HDR format, it can look just as good as Dolby Vision. Note, however, that your TV needs to support this (not all HDR TVs) and that you need to find HDR10 + content. So far, Amazon Prime Video is the best choice for HDR10 +.

The Express 4K + offers excellent image quality with razor-sharp details. Even when streaming HD content from sources like Amazon Prime Video, I was completely satisfied with the results.

Perhaps more impressive is that the Express can stream 4K + Dolby Atmos content over Dolby Digital Plus over HDMI.

For me, this resulted in great Atmos audio through both my TV's internal speakers and my full home theater 5.1.2 system.

There is one restriction here: Dolby Atmos support via passthrough (as opposed to native Atmos decoding) is app for app (channel by channel?). Currently, Netflix is ​​the only streaming app that delivers Dolby Atmos on the Express 4K +. Could this change over time? Absolutely, but for now the best thing to do is to think of the Express 4K + as a Dolby 5.1 device.

If you're curious about all of the pros and cons of making great Dolby Atmos sound, check out this handy explainer.

There is an app for that

Roku Remote App

No review of any Roku product is complete without at least mentioning the company's excellent mobile app. Not only can you use it as a full-fledged alternative to the remote that came with your product, but you can also allow private listening (watching on your TV while listening on your phone's headphones), and it gives you the option to add and Remove Roku Channels even when your Roku device is turned off.

Better still, it acts as your mobile version of the Roku channel, giving you access to whatever content you would get on your TV.

The Roku app is an impressive extra that no other streaming device company has yet been able to offer.

Our opinion

The Roku Express 4K + is incredibly easy to set up and use, and it exceeds our expectations for the performance of a $ 40 streaming media device.

Is there a better alternative?

At this price point, the Express 4K + has two very good direct competitors: the recently updated Amazon Fire TV Stick and the TiVo Stream 4K.

The Fire TV Stick and Stream 4K both have native Dolby Atmos decoding. This means that a lot more streaming apps should work with this feature. The Stream 4K also has Dolby Vision – a huge plus for those who have compatible TVs.

Neither of these devices support Apple AirPlay or HomeKit, however, and we would argue that the Roku interface is still a more engaging way to navigate a streaming device than the Amazon Fire TV or Android TV (especially since the stream lacks 4K Google TV ).

And none of these devices match the excellent Roku mobile app.

If you don't think the Fire TV Stick or Stream 4K has a feature that you can't do without, you'll be very happy with the Roku Express 4K +.

How long it will take?

Roku player devices are guaranteed for one year. I have had the experience with most streaming devices that they will work for years as long as you don't accidentally damage them. The Express 4K + is just as well built as the other Roku players – that is, very well built – and the remote is sturdy despite its light weight.

Roku also has an excellent track record of keeping their older devices updated with new software over time.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. If you want to enjoy 4K HDR streaming at the lowest possible price, the Roku Express + gives you that and much more.

Editor's recommendations




05 Jan
Blog

Savant X2 Remote Control Review: Easy to Use, Great Looks

Savant x2 Remote Review Pro screen on

"There is no better remote control for the Savant Smart Home control."

  • Nice aluminum design

  • Big touch screen

  • Solid keys with a satisfactory click / feel

  • Faster response time

  • Two programmable buttons

  • Requires frequent charging

  • No DVR button

Smart home tech is everywhere. Once a thriving tech sector, there are now more brands, ecosystems. and A.I. Integrations than you can shake a stick. This is great news for home improvement, but bad news for large smart home integrators who now need to act quickly to ensure their systems are compatible with all of these new brands and devices while remaining relevant to consumers.

When you have decided on a professional, integrated smart home system, there are only three big brands to consider: Control4, which has the most third party partners in the field; Crestron, the old installer favorite that has proven very reliable but has less innovative third-party partners; and the new favorite, Savant, which is rapidly gaining popularity with installers as the focus is on beautiful interface and hardware design, as well as a growing list of third-party providers in the field.

A couple of years ago we decided to test two of these systems in some of Digital Trends' “test houses”, which included my personal home (as convenient as I know). I chose Savant because I loved the beauty and simplicity of the user interface and the sleek design of the hardware. With Savant you have the option of using your own tablet or phone to operate the Savant software or one of several Savant devices such as Savant Touch, wall keyboards or remote controls. You can even use the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa to control basic scenes.

Savant x2 remote control review per page of 2

Savant x2 remote control review Savan Pro profile

Of all of these options, I personally prefer using a remote control to access the system. Unlike my phone, remote controls have dedicated buttons and are easier to use.

Compared to the larger remote controls from Control4 or Crestron, it was clear that I would forego the interface functionality for a more minimalist hardware design. I would have to use my tablet or phone to access more detailed settings and functions of the system. This is something to think about when choosing Savant. The system is easy to use, but if you want custom, detailed settings and access, it may not be for you.

In order to use Savant Pro Remote X2, I had to update my host software to Savant 9.3.2. If you have an older Savant operating system, you can spend even more money upgrading your system to take advantage of the latest hardware and software features.

Here is a list of the devices associated with this setup:

  • TiVo Bolt DVR with Comcast cable card access (I wouldn't recommend a TiVo setup as I wasn't happy with it)
  • Two TiVo Mini are connected to the primary screw
  • Apple TV
  • Roku TV
  • Sony PlayStation 4
  • Microsoft Xbox One X.
  • Two Sony Blu-ray players
  • Three Savant music servers
  • Two Savant door stations
  • Amazon Alexa Dots / Echo
  • Luma camera system with SNAP NVR servers

Welcome improvements

Savant made a decision to simplify its system interface as much as possible – that is its value proposition and why you might choose it over its competitors. The entire system is controlled by the beautiful hardware. The Savant Pro Remote X2 is the flagship user interface. From a design perspective, I find that both old and new remote controls are equally attractive to look at – both have large, beautiful color displays, and I like the way they stand in their “cradle” docking stations. I don't think one design is particularly attractive than the other, but they are vastly different.

What I like about the older, first generation remote control is its matte black rubber finish and unconventional design – it's wide at the base and narrower at the top – which gives it a more artistic feel that sets it apart from any other remote on the market. I also like the big screen size and that it works like a TV remote first and then like a smart home remote.

Ian Bell / Digital Trends

Unfortunately there is a laundry list with things that are not important to me with the old remote control. The squishy buttons don't have a tactile click and sometimes force you to press the buttons multiple times before the system registers the action. The rubber cover on the remote started peeling off twice, forcing me to use the warranty twice to have it replaced. The old flagship remote also felt very slow and often showed a delay in the devices you wanted to control (as I understand the base of the old remote is connected to the system and the remote needed to communicate with the base). which then communicates with the host – not at all efficiently). The remote control battery life was also poor. I was lucky enough to work for two days before I had to put it back in the charging cradle. Eventually, the remote would occasionally lose connection with the host and wait a long time before trying to reconnect.

Better design

The new remote feels a bit heavier because of its aluminum body, and that's a good thing. You can also get the new remote in three different colors to match your home decor: rose gold ($ 1,200, jet black ($ 1,200), or space gray ($ 850). The X2 base station is great heavy and solid and uses a magnetic docking station to hold the remote in place while standing, this gives the remote and dock a very impressive presence with a beautiful design that calls for visibility.

Features of the Savant X2 remote control

Savant set out to fix the issues with the previous remote with its new Savant Pro Remote X2 and as far as I can tell it has accomplished that mission. The X2 is longer and slimmer, has an aluminum design and still retains the same large display. The buttons now have a solid click / feel and the button layout now includes new PG + and PG- buttons for your device manuals. There are also two buttons that can be custom programmed, or you can use one of the buttons to quickly activate an already set up scene. What is missing, however, is the DVR button, which I used a lot on the old remote control. You'll need to program one of the unnamed buttons to have direct access to your DVR guide if that's as important to you as it is to me.

To keep up with other remotes on the market, the X2 has built-in Siri voice control with Apple TV. It works when you know how to use Siri, but it's a nuisance if you don't take the time to learn Siri. The same applies to Alexa or any other hardware or software controlled by A.I. Do yourself a favor and take the time to learn how to use this feature.

Setup and use

In my testing, I found that the new Savant Pro Remote X2 is significantly faster in accessing my TV and other devices. The delay I experienced earlier seems to have completely disappeared. I found that when setting up the new remote and inserting it into the system, I didn't need to connect the charging cradle to the system, but rather that the remote connected directly to the system via Wi-Fi setup is much easier – this probably explains too the lack of delay. The Savant REM-1000 (BLE) remote control that came with my host, for example, still has to be connected via the docking station and is noticeably slower.

Ian Bell / Digital Trends

Switching between different functions like controlling a camera system and accessing a music server is intuitive – I only got lost occasionally, usually when jumping back and forth between too many screens. I found the remote to really stand out from the previous remote by controlling devices with an IR repeater. With the previous generation remote control, the delay here was unbearable for me. Controlling my Apple TV or Roku TV is now very easy and intuitive, as buttons such as "Menu", "Info" and "Instructions" are perfectly assigned.

Some things to watch out for

Not everything is perfect with the Savant X2 remote. I'm using a TiVo DVR setup for my home and wish I had either stayed with Comcast or investigated other options. Sometimes it takes a while for my TiVo device to go out of sleep mode, which causes my Savant system to time out and for example the TV to go blank. The workaround is to restart the scene activation. The good news is that this only happens after I have stopped using TiVo for a while. Is it the remote's fault? Or the savant system? Or TiVo? I'm not sure, and every technician I ask answers this question differently. Update 12/30/2020: Savants representative said that I should be able to go into the Tivo settings and adjust the time of sleep so that this doesn't happen. You can also let your integrator set a user-defined “trigger” that triggers a number of menu commands to activate the device. Problem solved.

The battery life is still not fantastic. I'd say you're lucky enough to be able to use it for 2.5 days before you have to dock the remote to charge. If you're like me and have moved from a regular consumer system on two AA batteries that lasted six months to a fancy remote control like this one with a color screen, set your expectations accordingly. This remote control is basically a small PC with a display that draws battery juice. If you combine this with a battery icon that is not on the main display but on a sub screen and you quickly forget to check the X2's battery life, have your phone ready as a backup control unit. Among other things, you can adjust the settings for the alarm sensitivity and the time at which the display is switched off. Both of these settings should help you extend the battery life, although I still found the X2 to be too sensitive on the lowest setting. When the remote control sits on a sofa cushion and a dog jumps on the sofa, the screen comes back to life!

One remote control to control them all and anyone can control them

I'm a huge car fanatic and one of the things I've always found funny is how some people complain that a luxury car doesn't have memory presets saved for the passenger seats – but even if they're saved there, hardly anyone uses them. The same applies to remote controls such as the Savant Pro Remote X2. It supports several user profiles in which you can save your channels and favorite scenes and thus control several rooms. I've spent a lot of time creating profiles, scenes, etc. for the family, but the truth is, they hardly remember changing profiles. And if you don't have a family of engineers who will appreciate those extra features, I recommend making the primary profile (yours?) As compatible as possible with everyone else in your family. For example, when you add your partner and children's favorite channels to the remote control, you are probably good to go.

Ian Bell / Digital Trends

While controlling multiple rooms with a single remote is a cool idea, I would recommend either installing Lutron custom scene light switches or using a tablet or your phone for rooms that aren't being used much. Otherwise you will be walking around with a remote control in your pocket, which will frustrate the other users in your household. Savant recently released its own lighting solution that competes with Lutron. It offers a range of cool options like WRGB full color, adjustable LED and even a special daylight mode that syncs with your daily rhythm. I would recommend considering the Savant lighting product when planning your smart home design so that you can compare it to others on the market.

Our opinion

If you are purchasing a new Savant system for your home and are considering adding the Pro Remote X2 or using your phone / tablet for control, do yourself a favor and buy the remote control. It's not cheap, but it's easy to use and looks amazing.

On the other hand, if you have a previous generation Savant remote, you probably don't need to upgrade unless you have money to burn and are fed up with the slow lag – something I can't stand. Keep in mind that you will need to update your host software in order for the X2 to work and this will add even more to the cost.

Is there a better alternative?

For a Savant system, there really is no other option outside of your own phone and other Savant remotes.

How long it will take?

Given that it has been in use for a few months, I'd say the aluminum design is tough enough to ensure a long life. The buttons on the X2 remote are so general that they can be used universally for any new device you add to the system. At the same time, the remote doesn't have any super-specific buttons for Savant OS 9 – which means the developers intended to use this remote for a long time. Savant grants a two-year warranty on the Pro Remote X2, which is above the industry average for a product of this type.

Should you buy it?

You have already spent a lot of money on a savant system. If you don't, you are buying a Porsche without a real steering wheel – you need it to get top performance.

Editor's recommendations




13 Dec
Blog

Eero 6 Router Review: Smart Home Management Made Easy

Eero 6 Wi-Fi Mesh Router

Eero 6 Wi-Fi 6 System (3 Pack)

"When a growing smart home needs to be covered, the Eero 6 is a cost-effective solution."

  • Affordable Wi-Fi 6 mesh system

  • Intuitive device management via app

  • Solid speeds from the router

  • Few ethernet ports on the router

Routers are likely a priority for many people. It's one of those underrated devices in the home that only works in the background, and the only time it ever comes to mind is when things aren't working properly.

A growing smart home presents some challenges as more and more devices require connectivity. This is why you should look into a router that can manage them all. With Wi-Fi 6, an integrated mesh network and a system that can be controlled with Alexa from Amazon, the Eero 6 is undoubtedly an attractive option for the average consumer.

Cover for the whole house

Growing your smart home includes not just the devices, but adequate coverage to ensure they stay connected and are not compromised in any way. The Eero 6 is a dual band Wi-Fi 6 mesh network that allows you to provision extender nodes to cover large rooms. For smaller spaces like my apartment, which is a smidge over 1,000 square feet, the Eero 6 is a bit over the top – but others will appreciate its 5,000 square foot range for larger homes and rooms.

John Velasco / Digital Trends

In my setup, the system packs a router and two extender nodes. I use it as a secondary, complementary network that contains my Internet of Things (IoT devices). My main network serves as the primary network for surfing the Internet with my smartphones and computers. Similar to other mesh routers I've checked out, the Eero router is connected to my modem gateway via one of its two gigabit ports. If you urgently need to make other connections, there isn't much left. I know how quickly things can get out of hand when you introduce smart home devices that require their own hubs or bridges. So it would have been nice to have more ports.

This is exactly what the growing smart home needs.

The extender nodes only act as Wi-Fi hubs to extend the range of the network to every corner of your home. Depending on the signal strength, I like that the Eero 6 automatically selects which node / router the devices are connected to. For example, the two smart displays in my bedroom connect to the extender node, which is in the same room – unlike the main router in the living room. In contrast to the router, the node extenders do not have any Ethernet ports for expansion. Not too surprising, but I still wish they had one or two.

Convenient smart home management

Today's routers are more consumer-friendly than ever, and the Eero 6 is no exception. Setting up is a breeze and all it takes is plugging the router into my gateway and downloading the Eero app. From there, you can attach it to your Amazon account to access voice control with Alexa.

The app does a good job of figuring out which devices are connected to the Eero 6. Since the naming conventions for some devices can be unclear, I would recommend going back to the app as soon as possible to change them. My smart home consists of more than 50 connected devices. So it helps that I oversee their activities, especially if you notice that a gadget appears to be sending larger amounts of data. It's a red flag that will help users better understand how their devices are behaving.

When it comes to the smart home, disabling access to a specific device is made easier with the help of Alexa. Once you've enabled the Eero Alexa skill, you can instruct the voice assistant to stop WiFi for a specific device or the entire network.

It's worth noting that the Eero 6 has an integrated ZigBee smart home hub, similar to the current Amazon Echo (4th generation). This makes it a breeze to connect ZigBee-enabled accessories and devices through the Alexa app without the need to use other third-party apps. That way, you don't have to manage another app or service. So, if you're already deep in the Amazon ecosystem, the Eero 6's ability to control ZigBee devices comes in handy.

Speed, speed, speed

The Comcast Xfinity router I've been using for a while now offers average download and upload speeds of 250Mbps and 40Mbps, respectively. Interestingly, switching to the Eero 6 has boosted performance to around 350 Mbit / s and 41 Mbit / s. The faster download speed is only achieved through the main Eero 6 router.

Eero 6 Wi-Fi Mesh RouterJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

However, when connected to one of the extender nodes, the performance will drop to about the same as my Xfinity router. For most smart home devices, this shouldn't be a problem, unless it's a security camera that uploads footage to the cloud for you to access. The latency response via the extender nodes is roughly the same as that of the main Eero router. This is therefore useful for real-time video conversations that you may have on a smart display, security camera, or other device.

Our opinion

You can't go wrong with the Eero 6 – this is exactly what the growing smart home needs to keep expanding. It has it all: a built-in ZigBee hub, expansion with extenders, device management, Alexa control, and an affordable price of $ 279 for a 3-pack system. For comparison, a similar Google Nest Wi-Fi kit costs $ 349. However, what Google has to offer is the additional utility of its Node Extenders that use Google Assistant for voice control so that they can effectively act as smart speakers.

How long it will take?

The minimalist all-plastic construction of the Eero 6 feels decent. However, since they are unlikely to ever move once they are set up, there is little risk of damage to them. In the event something goes wrong on its own, there's a 1 year limited warranty to cover it.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes and no. The Google Nest Wi-Fi costs more, but the added convenience of the Google Assistant built into its extender nodes makes it a useful utility for the smart home.

Should you buy it?

This is a good option if you are looking for a mesh network system that does not require an expensive investment.

Editor's recommendations




01 May
Blog

Nikon Coolpix P950 Review: Epic Zoom That’s Easy to Use

nikon p950

"The Nikon P950's 83x zoom lens captures great detail, but performance is slow at times."

  • 83x zoom lens

  • Bright wide angle with an aperture of 1: 2.8

  • Macro mode

  • Exposure compensation wheel

  • Easy to use auto modes

  • Slow buffer

  • Occasional autofocus is missing

  • Annoying battery life indicator

As the announcements of point-and-shoot cameras are becoming scarcer, the Nikon P950 is in a remaining category that smartphones cannot touch: the super zoom. With an 83X, 24-2,000 mm equivalent lens, the P950 can capture subjects that you simply cannot see with the naked eye.

As an update to the P900, the P950 offers 4K video and RAW photos, two new features that more advanced photographers will appreciate. Despite these updates, the P950 is still well suited to less experienced shooters in automated modes. A new exposure correction control on the lens barrel enables fundamental brightness adjustments that anyone can use, even without understanding how the exposure works.

Not everyone needs an 83x zoom, but for those who do, the P950 offers an affordable, if incomplete, solution.

Burly design

Nikon coolpix p950 rating 9400

Nikon coolpix p950 rating 9399

Not surprisingly, the housing of the Nikon P950 is dominated by this 83x zoom lens. The lens is so big that you can feel the weight of the camera shifting forward in your hands as you extend it. At 35.5 ounces, the P950 is the weight of a DSLR (but with a much smaller lens). I still managed to carry the camera on a 5 mile hike without feeling terribly uncomfortable. Unlike a DSLR, I didn't have to lug around multiple lenses to take both wide-angle and telephoto shots.

The body style mimics a DSLR, which means the P950 has a large, comfortable grip, extensive physical controls, and a hot shoe slot on the top. The control scheme is similar to that of the P900, with a mode dial and a dial at the top right and a well-known set of menu controls at the back.

Hillary Grigonis / Digital Trends

There's plenty of room for controls, but advanced photographers will have to dig a little more in the menu. ISO, a fairly common adjustment in one of the manual modes, is not one of the link options.

The lens barrel is so large that it contains its own controls. A zoom switch provides a second way to zoom in with your left hand while a button retracts the zoom so you can redesign the subject. A new feature of the P950 is an exposure compensation wheel on the lens barrel. This was one of my favorite controls, resting exactly where my left hand is carrying the weight of the camera, and offering easy access to lighten or darken the photos.

The P950 also has an electronic viewfinder with 2.36 million points. A viewfinder is almost a necessity with so much zoom, because the support of the camera with your face keeps it much more stable than if you hold it at arm's length to use the LCD screen. This screen measures 3.2 inches diagonally, but is somewhat unusual for 2020 and is not a touchscreen. The resolution of both the viewfinder and the screen is not crazy high, but sufficient and expected for the price.

The battery is designed for 290 shots, which was sufficient for hiking and bird watching. You will definitely need a spare part if you want to take the camera with you on long trips. The battery indicator also has only two notches – full and half. This is annoying because you don't know whether you still have 135 or only 5 shots left.

Easy to use but sluggish performance

Hillary Grigonis / Digital Trends

The ability to take a RAW photo is new to the P950. Although photographers with some experience have more options to control the shot, the camera's built-in automatic modes have given surprisingly good results.

I spent a lot of time in bird watching mode. Combined with the exposure compensation wheel on the side of the lens barrel, almost everyone can take good photos of wildlife in 90 percent of the cases. I occasionally had to switch to shutter priority mode and control the settings so that the long zoom didn't cause blurring, and it's a little annoying that the camera didn't automatically know this. However, the P950 could easily be an effective tool for the bird watcher who has almost no photo expertise.

Edited RAW photo Hillary Grigonis / Digital Trends

Despite the addition of RAW files, the P950 remains a camera designed primarily for casual photographers. The manual settings are limited. If you want to work faster than 1/2000 seconds or slower than 1 second, you must set the lens to a certain position and the ISO value to a certain setting and must not be in burst mode.

The camera was good for slow or quiet wildlife, but photographing animals in action was more of a crapshoot. Between slow autofocus and trying to keep the subject in the picture (not easy at 2,000mm), more of my action shots were disposable than goalkeepers.

The P950 can shoot at 7 fps, which is respectable for the class, but it can only process ten shots at that speed before the buffer fills up. Even worse, the camera controls are frozen while these images are being written to the card. For example, you can only adjust the zoom once the photos have been processed. It takes about eight seconds to process a full JPEG burst before recording can resume, while RAW takes about 12 seconds. Despite the long zoom, this isn't the best camera to photograph your child's tee game.

Using auto focus with contrast detection, the P950 focused on most slow or stationary subjects, but auto focus performance was somewhat inconsistent at full zoom. The camera accessed some subjects that I thought were too difficult, while occasionally it was difficult to take a clear picture of something that I thought would have been easier. It grabbed a bird through a jumble of branches, which is impressive, but it wouldn't focus on a sandhill crane in a meadow with the lens fully extended – perhaps because the colors were less contrasting.

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As a budget-friendly superzoom, the slower performance of the P950 is not unexpected, but it can still be annoying.

Sharp, bright pictures

The Nikon P950 has a 16-megapixel 1 / 2.3-inch sensor, the basic size for point-and-shoot. However, this small sensor makes the 83x zoom possible. And zoom performance isn't the only thing the lens has to offer. It also offers a bright one Aperture 1: 2.8 at the widest angle – ideal for point-and-shoot shots with so much zoom.

The story changes as you enlarge it. At the telephoto end, the aperture drops to 1: 6.5. Given that you are likely to only use as much zoom outdoors in sunlight, this may not be too much of a problem. Macro mode also makes the lens more versatile by shooting the subject in the wide-angle position up to 0.4 inches from the front of the lens.

Images come out of the camera with a surprising level of detail: enough to see the texture in the animal's fur and water drops adhering to the whiskers.

This detail is supported by a solid sharpness in real tests. While the P950 can't keep up with image quality with a mirrorless camera or DSLR that uses much larger sensors, of course, these cameras don't offer anything near 83x zoom.

Subjectively, the image quality of the P950 will not be particularly pleasant. At full zoom, the blurred areas either look like a blotchy mess or a painterly impression, depending on how you look at it. Instead of smooth bokeh, the background looks more like oil paints.

For JPEGs, the color is largely accurate directly from the camera without being oversaturated or excessively subdued on the other side. Even the white balance didn't seem to be tending towards green like most Nikon cameras do. However, some of the pictures took on a magenta color indoors. One of the advantages of RAW shooting is that you can now correct the white balance afterwards, which would not have been possible on the P900.

Sample art filter

Image stabilization also plays a role in taking detailed photos with such a long lens. With 5.5 stabilization stops, I was able to use the 83x zoom handheld for most shots. Dim light, however, is still a problem. When I was shooting an hour before sunset, I had to use the full capabilities of the camera to get a sharp shot at full zoom, which resulted in an image that was just too dark. If you don't need to extend the zoom fully, its brighter aperture can give you better results at the wide end of the lens.

With the smaller sensor, the P950 has problems with high ISO values. The noise creeps in early and photos are best at or below ISO 800, while ISO 1,600 and 3,200 are fine. The maximum ISO 6,400 should be avoided. None of this is surprising for a point in a shoot, but remember, just because the P950 looks like a DSLR doesn't mean it works like one.

In video, 4K resolution is an improvement over the P900. Despite all of these extra pixels, the video is still not particularly detailed, although the colors match the quality of still images. If you want to record videos with 2,000 mm, be sure to bring a tripod. There's simply no way to keep the camera steady enough to get a smooth video recording with such a long zoom.

Our opinion

The Nikon P950's zoom is essentially telescopic, making the camera ideal for taking pictures of objects that are normally far away, such as birds, wildlife or the moon. Images are sharp, even though the background is mixed up at full zoom. RAW photos and 4K are nice enhancements to the P900, along with the new exposure compensation wheel on the side of the lens.

While the benefits of such a long zoom lens cannot be denied, the P950 offers slow performance and an auto focus that occasionally fails. And while adding RAW is a start, you still have to reach into the menu to change settings like ISO. Photos in low light conditions are not possible with full zoom, although the bright aperture offers a certain user-friendliness with large settings.

Is there a better alternative?

Since one of the few types of point-and-shoot cameras cannot compete with discounts for smartphones, the Superzoom category offers many competitors. Aside from spending $ 1,000 on the 125x Nikon P1000, the P950 gets you the closest thing to your subject. The Panasonic FZ3000 offers faster performance and a brighter lens, but only with 25x zoom. The Canon SX70 offers 20 megapixels, but the 65x zoom lens is not as bright at 1: 3.4 to 6.5. With its larger sensor, the Sony RX10 IV offers better image quality and faster performance with a 25x Zoom – but at twice the price, it doesn't really try to compete with those of the P950.

How long it will take?

Point-and-shoot cameras typically have a shorter lifespan before they're out of date – and the 16-megapixel sensor can overtake the P950 faster. However, the camera was only launched in early 2020 and should therefore be able to be used for a few years.

Should you buy it

Buy the P950 if you absolutely need an incredible zoom. If you want to photograph action, keep looking. The P950 is decent, but a niche camera for bird watchers and nature lovers, while its poor performance and limited usefulness in low light conditions prevent it from being a great all-round camera.

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