18 Jul
Blog

Vizio V Series 5.1 Soundbar Review: Putting The “V” In Value

Vizio V series soundbar

Vizio V Series 5.1 soundbar

"Vizio's V-5.1 5.1 soundbar is a cost-effective way to add good surround sound."

  • Easy setup

  • Immersive surround sound

  • Warm music playback

  • The middle channel is a weak link

  • Some lackluster "features"

For more than a decade, Vizio's stance on sound bars has consistently been about delivering tons of value without breaking the bank. If you were on the market to improve the sound of your TV without making a large investment, Vizio was often the best place to look.

Well, although we all live in the wrong world of 2020, at least one thing hasn't changed. Vizio's new $ 250 V-Series 5.1 soundbar system is an affordable surround sound setup – even if a few too many cost-saving measures have been taken this time.

Out of the box

I will always be amazed at how easy it is for Vizio to set up a soundbar. I was in no hurry to plug it in for testing, but if I raced a watch I would bet I could go from unpacking to listening to music in 10 minutes.

Vizio V series soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The system includes the bar itself, a pair of surround sound speakers, and a wireless subwoofer. Admittedly, there is not a ton here that could slow you down. But it's really just a matter of connecting your bar and your subwoofer to the power supply, making a physical connection between the bar and your display, laying the supplied speaker cable from the surround sound speakers to the subwoofer and turning everything on.

From there, the bar automatically searches for a content-generating entry. Be ready to act quickly and connect your phone via Bluetooth or stream something on your TV as the Vizio voice prompt is out of date after the first announcements that it is looking for an entry.

Apart from this little annoyance, that's all. No WiFi can be configured with this bar – which we'll discuss in more detail later – and there are no other setup frames that you can jump through. It's probably as close to plug and play as a soundbar system.

design

According to Vizio, this year's budgetary system was treated rather inconspicuously, which may be an understatement. The bar itself does not differ significantly from the latest sound bars that were on my media stand: With a length of 36 inches, it is only two inches shorter than the Sony HT-G700 that stood before it.

Vizio V-series soundbar remote controlNick Woodard / DigitalTrends

However, the rear speakers and subwoofer are small. The sub-cabinet houses a 5-inch woofer, and the speakers are slightly outshone by some older Vizio-Rears that I dug up for comparison. The size, frankly, worried me that Vizio might have become too compact (are we making ants home theater?) And sacrificed the sound. But as we will see shortly, the system grabs a punch for its size.

There are three drivers in the bar, one each for the front left, middle and right channel in a 5.1 system. Go to the back of the soundbar and you will encounter multiple connections. There's a retro 3.5mm stereo audio input (the good old red and white inputs) as well as an optical connector, an HDMI ARC connector, a 3.5mm AUX input and a USB connector Vizio says he only supports WAV and MP3 formats.

Would I have liked to see Vizio drop the old school stereo audio inputs in exchange for another HDMI port? Yes. Is this a pretty solid lineup of connections for the price, regardless of that? Also yes. Just keep in mind that certain connections limit your sound format options. The stereo inputs naturally only produce two-channel sound. You can receive surround sound through the digital optical link, but you will miss the DTS Virtual: X format that the V-Series is equipped with.

Vizio's standard soundbar remote control is also updated to be a bit rounder and gentler than its more brick-like older relative. The new remote control also appears to be more functional. With the buttons for EQ, Setup, Level and Effect you can play with the sound settings. I've never been a big fan of these old Vizio remotes, and it seems like Vizio is moving in the right direction with something that reminds me of my Nvidia Shield clicker.

properties

There are some legitimate features built into this bar, but some things that are "technical" are strangely cloaked by Vizio Marketing to be far more important than they really are.

Vizio V series soundbarNick Woodard / Digital Trends

You can stream music – and only Bluetooth. And that's good. The connection was solid and the sound was good. Despite all the advances in Bluetooth technology, Wi-Fi is still the king when it comes to streaming audio, and bars like the Yamaha YAS-209 have proven that it is possible to have this type of function in a budget bar.

The V-Series bar has a useful function called Front Surround Mode for setups where it is not possible to mount surround speakers in the back of the room. This workaround is to attach the rear speakers on either side of the soundbar, move the subwoofer to the front of the room, and then access Front Surround mode using your remote control. According to Vizio, the bar will use DTS Virtual: X to create virtual surround sound in this configuration. The result is acceptable, but there is a reason why speakers in the back of the room are called "ideal setup".

Then there are things like dual stereo mode – an example of a function we have termed “technical” – that sends the same audio to all five speakers. This feature works to be clear, I'm just not sure when this is needed or wanted. Watching movies is generally best in normal surround, where dialogs and actions take place in the front left, center, and right, and the back provides background noise. And listening to music is literally designed for left and right stereo sound. Although the dual stereo mode is functional, there is no ideal time to use it.

Vizio also advertises its soundbar as "Voice Assistant Ready" due to its aux port and Bluetooth connection. This is total marketing: If this soundbar is considered "Voice Assistant Ready" according to this standard, this also applies to every modern loudspeaker, receiver or even television with the same two connection options. Yes, you can connect an Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant device to the soundbar and it sends audio through the system. In fact, "voice assistant should be ready" to have a Wi-Fi connection and offer direct control through these smart devices. With this terminology, Vizio disguises its otherwise standard connections so that they are not.

To be fair to Vizio, there is a feature that allows the voice assistant in the bar to be active, even if the soundbar plays audio from another input, and the bar automatically mutes other sources so that the assistant can be heard. The same applies if you have a phone that is connected via Bluetooth. Unfortunately, you can accidentally transmit TikTok videos through your movie audio.

Audio quality

A few hundred words ago I teased how in love I was with products as small as the Vizio-Sub and the rear speakers that produce such a significant sound – and that's a lot of truth. For a solid week I've been throwing different content on it – from all kinds of music to various Netflix documentaries and TV shows, as well as the occasional Marvel movie and a Hamilton watch (or two) – and I can say that for sure people Those who buy this bar will be completely satisfied with this type and quality of surround sound.

Vizio V-series soundbar surround speakersNick Woodard / Digital Trends

It contains all the basic elements that make for a good surround setup. The front stage effectively captures action scenes, the rear speakers provide adequate immersion, and the sub, although it is only designed for 50 Hz, rumbled enough to elicit a random bark from my previously deeply sleeping dog. I was also pleasantly surprised by listening to the music, as the Vizio bar produced a generally warm sound that was balanced enough to have fun.

Overall, it's the sound you should expect from a $ 250 package. But this bar is certainly not without its quirks. In my experience, the apparently lackluster center channel is the most important among them. When viewing vocal dominant content like Netflix’s comedy series The Degenerates or the Down to Earth documentaries, this wasn’t a big problem. However, when switching to action sequences in Guardians of the Galaxy or the busier areas of Hamilton, the dialogue couldn't keep up with all the other events in the scene.

You can turn up both the center channel and the dialog using the Vizio remote control, which is helpful to a certain extent. However, it is clear that some content simply outperforms the center compared to the rest of the sound produced by the system. Also, I wasn't a big fan of the various EQ presets – including the movie and music options that you can switch between with the remote – as they seemed to bloat the sound. Essentially, these EQ settings turned up all frequencies, making the action a little more booming but much less sophisticated. Listening in direct mode was preferable to me.

DTS Virtual: X is also available in this soundbar. DTS Virtual: X is essentially the less popular alternative to Dolby Atmos and is said to be able to add virtualized 3D sound to any audio sent through the soundbar. It should also work with almost any speaker configuration, and although I had a more immersive experience when I turned it on, my partner could not notice it without pointing it out. This result makes sense because with everything that virtual technologies promise in terms of audio, you can only achieve so much with three front-firing drivers.

In addition to changing the levels of the dialog and center, you can also adjust the bass, treble, subwoofer, surround level and surround balance. Although this sound may have its flaws, it was a smart move by Vizio to make the bar's audio so customizable that it pleases the palate of most people.

Our opinion

Vizio's new 5.1 soundbar system may not be the best way to add surround sound to your setup – which is a traditional home theater, by the way – but it is once again one of the most enjoyable. With the decent characteristics and good sound it throws into the mix, the V-Series is a value for the masses.

Are there any better alternatives?

Frankly, it's hard to find another bar in this price range that offers a full 5.1 system with a subwoofer and rear speakers. The Yamaha YAS-209 is still our favorite bar because of its versatility, features, and sound, but it doesn't have surround speakers and is currently a bit more expensive for $ 300. I prefer the sound of the Sony HT-G700, although I don't prefer the price of almost $ 600.

How long it will take?

Not only are they cheap, the Vizio soundbars also seem to have a knack for durability. They have a standard one-year warranty, but the Vizio system I bought for my parents eight years ago still works. I can't guarantee that this bar will have the same durability, but it should last for a while.

Should you buy it

Yes. At this price, you really can't get real 5.1 sound anywhere else. Even if you need to fine-tune the audio and deal with the lack of meaningful features, the Vizio V Series 5.1 soundbar is undoubtedly a lot.

Editor's recommendations




18 Jul
Blog

Urbanista London Review: $149 AirPods Pro With A Fatal Flaw

Urbanista London ANC earphones

"Good ANC cannot compensate for subdued sound and poor controls at this price."

  • Well designed and comfortable

  • Very good ANC for the price

  • Bad sound quality

  • Mediocre call quality

  • Average battery life

  • No Bluetooth multipoint coupling

  • No skipping tracks

In terms of popularity, it is hard to beat Apple's AirPods when it comes to real wireless earbuds, which is why Amazon is littered with cheap wannabe AirPods. However, when it comes to true wireless earbuds that also have Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), Apple's AirPods Pro, worth $ 249, stole the limelight.

When the Swedish audio brand Urbanista launched their new London True Wireless ANC earbuds with a laundry list of features that connect them from head to toe with the AirPods Pro, but with a price tag that's $ 100 cheaper, this caught our attention.

Can the London True Wireless ANC really deliver AirPods Pro-like performance for just $ 149?

Let's find out.

design

Urbanista London ANC earphones and AirPods ProApple AirPods Pro (left) and Urbanista London Simon Cohen / Digital Trends

It may not be fair to compare a set of $ 149 real radio buds to a pair that costs almost twice as much, but Urbanista wants you to think of the London as AirPods Pro alternative.

They are among the most comfortable in-ear buds I've ever worn.

That is clear when you look at them. From the elongated stem that falls from the main earphone, to the gently rounded shape of the bud itself, to the placement of the silicone tip and in-ear detection sensors – practically all of Apple's design features are present in the London. This is especially true if you order them in the mother-of-pearl white color. However, the London are also available in the colors navy, black and rose gold.

As much as I would prefer Urbanista to pick up on the true formula for wireless earbuds, there's no denying that following in Apple's footsteps will produce good results. Londoners look and feel good too. In fact, they're among the most comfortable in-ear buds I've ever worn. As long as the main part of the earbud fits into the concha of your ear (the part that is on the outside of the ear canal), you should have no problem finding a comfortable fit by choosing from the four sizes of silicone earplugs that Urbanista contains. Speaking of earplugs, they are made of very high quality silicone, which I really appreciate. Too many earphone manufacturers are cheap for this important part.

Londoners have an IPX4 rating for water resistance. This is good enough for a very sweaty workout on a rainy day.

Charging case

Urbanista London ANC earphone caseSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The charging case differs from Apple's design, but that's usually a good thing. It has a noble shell shape with rounded corners and clearly visible LED indicators for the battery life under the front lip. The lid is easy to open and can be closed securely thanks to magnets that are perfectly balanced in their strength. With slightly larger overall dimensions, it's not quite as portable as the Apple charging case, but it's very narrow – and it's practically the same weight.

Plugging and unplugging the earphones into the recessed docks is easy and they stay seated.

The case uses a modern USB-C port for wired charging, but there's also wireless charging – just place the case on a Qi-compatible mat.

Battery life

The similarity to the AirPods Pro continues in terms of battery life. In this case, however, Urbanista should have set its own course.

With just five hours of play per full charge, Londoners are comparable to Apple buds, but that doesn't say much these days. Most new real wireless earbuds – even those that cost far less – exceed this number by two to six hours.

A 10-minute quick charge gives you an hour's play, and the charging case fully charges the London four times, for a total of 25 hours of unplugged action.

Noise cancellation

Urbanista London ANC earphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

In the ANC spectrum, you'll find everything from the light touch of the Amazon Echo Buds, which use Bose's noise reduction technology to smoothly smooth out unwanted noise, to the AirPods Pro, which deliver an almost annoying cone of silence.

The Urbanista London fall somewhere in the middle, which means they actually block a lot of sound – particularly predictable, constant sounds like fans. To get significantly better ANC performance, you have to spend a lot more than the London price of $ 149.

I think it's good that you can choose between ANC on and off and that there is an ambient mode that lets in some outside noise – handy when talking on the phone and when walking or walking through an urban landscape. However, I wish there was a way to adjust the ANC level through an app, which has become a standard option for ANC earphones and headphones.

Sound quality

Urbanista London ANC earphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I wish I could praise London more, but unfortunately I bumped into a wall here. Saying that they sound average would mean setting a very low bar for the average set of real wireless earbuds, which is pretty good. No, the Londoners sound much worse. Imagine taking a really good set of earphones like the Sony WF-1000XM3 (hard to imagine if you haven't really heard it, but join in), but before you put it in your ears, plug it in Bundle of cotton balls first in front of the eardrum.

Saying that they sound average would mean setting a very low bar for the average set of real wireless earphones.

This risky-sounding combination is more or less what Londoners sound like. You can see that a full, rich sound can be heard somewhere deep in its components. Bass, mids, and possibly some decent high frequencies are there, but it's as if they're all trapped behind an invisible, wafer-thin layer of material that flattens everything into a dull, lifeless signal.

I literally pulled one of the earplugs off to see if there was a physical obstacle.

Unfortunately, Urbanista does not have an app for Londoners, so there is no way to optimize the EQ to compensate for this. Not that I think it would make a big difference.

Call quality

The Urbanista London can certainly be used for phone calls, but if the call quality is very important you may want to look elsewhere.

They tend to pick up background noise more than some other wireless earbuds I've tried, and the quality of your voice when speaking to callers is mediocre. The person who normally makes my earphone test calls said it sounded like I was very far from the microphone.

Control and ease of use

Urbanista London ANC earphonesSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Pairing the London is very easy – just open the case with the buds inside and find the device in your Bluetooth accessories list on your phone. Unfortunately, they are not equipped with Bluetooth multipoint, so you can only pair them with one device at a time.

There's also no way to use just a single earbud as the wear sensor automatically pauses the music when you remove an earbud – a feature that can't be disabled.

Surprisingly, there is no way to skip tracks, which I think is more important than volume control.

The only exception is making or receiving calls that can only be made with one of the earphones alone.

Londoners use a touch-sensitive control area on each earphone, which is identified by the Urbanista logo on the top of the stems. As with many touch controls, you have to be reasonably accurate when typing. Tap the stem too deep and it won't respond.

Londoners are more picky about touch than I would like them to be. Double knocking was often interpreted as single knocking, which became annoying after a while.

You get the standard set of controls, including play / pause, volume up / down, answer / end call, but surprisingly there's no way to skip tracks, which I think is more important than volume control when you do this A choice between these two functions.

You can turn ANC on and off and activate the environmental mode. For voice assistants, however, only Siri is fully supported.

Due to the lack of an app, it is not possible to reconfigure what the different typing sequences do or which earphones are assigned to them.

Our opinion

Feature by feature, the Urbanista London should be a blast given its relatively affordable price and the available ANC. You will surely do many things right, especially in terms of design, fit and comfort. Unfortunately, Londoners miss the mark in key areas such as sound quality, call quality, and non-customizable controls.

Is there a better alternative?

If active noise cancellation isn't a must, there are almost too many great real wireless earbuds to list. Most of them cost less than $ 100, and I think they all sound better than London.

If ANC is the key and you want to stay below the $ 200 mark, check out the Edifier TWS NB and Panasonic RZ-S500W. Both offer excellent sound quality, ANC and much more features than the Urbanista London for $ 200 or less.

How long will they last?

With a one-year limited warranty, the Urbanista London seems to be well built and made of high quality materials.

Their IPX4 protection class protects them from the effects of water. As long as you don't abuse them, they should last as long as most real wireless earbuds you can currently buy.

Should you buy them

No. As tempting as it is to buy a set of active noise canceling earbuds for just $ 149, I doubt you will be happy with their sound.

Editor's recommendations




17 Jul
Blog

Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch Review: Not So Smart

Eufy Smart Lock touch dial pad

Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch review: Not so intelligent

"It looks scary, but its functionality is too tame."

  • Robust design

  • Unlocked quickly with your fingerprint

  • Can set up temporary codes

  • Not a good value

  • Bluetooth connection only

Eufy was in a tear on the smart home market last year. So far it has been shown that the product line strikes a balance between functions, performance and price. The company has tackled everything from robotic vacuum cleaners to surveillance cameras. Now Eufy is breaking into the world of intelligent locks.

Enter the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch, which appears to be business. What is a bit surprising is the price, which at $ 250 is a bold statement for a company that is proud of the budget prices for many of its devices. Is this reward worth it?

Long installation

Here's the first thing you should know. To use Eufy's Smart Lock, you must replace the entire existing deadlock. I was not particularly impressed by this, because it means that I have to replace my existing key set. Even if you, like me, are familiar with installing smart locks, the installation process can be tedious.

The entire installation process from start to finish took approximately 30 minutes.

Overall, the entire installation process took 30 minutes from start to finish. This is more than twice the time it took me to install the SimpliSafe Smart Lock and Level Lock. With both you can use your existing lock.

Why does it take so long? On the inside of your door there is a mounting plate for the internal assembly, in which the batteries and the locking switch are located. Positioning and assembling is not a challenge, but a bit fussy.

Solid design that means business

I admit that the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch has an intimidating presence. The design includes a metal frame, shiny plastic accents and a striking fingerprint sensor. Seams are barely visible on the outer assembly, while the keyhole is protected by a metal cover. The digital keyboard appears invisible to the eye unless it is touched, which activates the backlight.

Eufy Smart Lock touch dial padJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

The durability is low because it has a weatherproof protection rating IP65, so that it can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions.

Although powered by four AA batteries, there is a micro USB connector on the bottom of the external assembly that can be connected to a power source. This is useful when the battery is empty and you don't have the physical keys. The battery is designed for one year and still shows all five bars after two weeks.

It may look chunky, but given its durable design, I agree with the bulky and intimidating look.

It could be smarter

Convenience is important, so I like an intelligent lock that can get me in in no time. The fingerprint sensor is without a doubt my preferred method of unlocking the lock as it can recognize me in less than a second. It was just right to see my fingerprints.

The digital keyboard is my next choice. However, you will encounter the problem that fingerprints are visible on the surface. This problem can make it easier for someone to guess your passcode by examining the keys you pressed in the past.

There is a function in the Eufy Security app, the scramble password, with which you can enter random numbers before or after entering the passcode. It's a nice idea, but seems too annoying to use at any frequency.

Of course, you can also use the Smart Lock app to unlock it. However, it relies heavily on a Bluetooth connection, so it will take a few seconds for the connection to be established when you approach the lock.

This means that you can't unlock remotely through the app when you're not at home. Alexa and Google Assistant are not compatible with Eufy's lock. While other smart locks can detect when your phone is nearby and unlock it automatically, you won't find this feature here. These restrictions bother me because they seriously affect the comfort of the lock.

Still, there are options to set up temporary access for individuals. You can select the dates and times when these temporary codes are active. This is ideal for guests or dog walkers. You can also check in the app who unlocks the door at what time.

If you're concerned about data protection, you just know that fingerprints and in-app data are stored locally with a bank-quality AES128 encryption chip.

Our opinion

Eufy had a number of solid smart home devices, but the Eufy Security Smart Lock Touch lags behind the competition. With an inflated price of $ 250, it's a huge investment that lacks the intelligence of other locks.

Is there a better alternative?

The August Wi-Fi Smart Lock achieves the same amount as this, but offers more features and easier installation while keeping your existing lock. The level lock is also a similar option that turns any existing lock into a smart lock. If you are on a budget, the $ 100 Wyze Lock is hard to beat.

How long it will take?

It's solidly built and Eufy offers a 1-year limited warranty for defects. Smart locks are not misused much because they are fixed in one position. So I would expect Eufy's castle to last for years. You will probably want to replace it with newer locks due to upgrades long before it breaks.

Should you buy it

No. Eufy's expensive Smart Lock Touch lacks too many features that are common among competitors.

Editor's recommendations




17 Jul
Blog

Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Review: A Surprising Superzoom

Tamron 28 200mm f28 56 test product 3

Tamron's 28-200mm f / 2.8-5.6 super zoom exceeds expectations

"This super zoom is small and light and is perfect for casual photography."

  • Compact, light

  • Bright aperture of 1: 2.8 (at the wide end)

  • Generally fast auto focus

  • First class fit and workmanship

  • Strong vignetting

  • Bad edge sharpness

I'm not a fan of super zooms. These "do-everything" lenses usually make everything bad, and my expectations for the Tamron 28-200mm f / 2.8-5.6, a full-frame lens for Sony e-mount cameras, were also low. At $ 729, it's a relatively affordable multi-purpose lens, and here I thought the story would end.

I was wrong.

I mostly shoot with prime numbers – fixed focal length lenses that don't zoom at all. Prime numbers are sharp, bright and compact (not always) and can be optimized as such due to their single focal length. In contrast, the more zoom range you put in a lens, the softer, darker, and bigger.

But the Tamron 28-200mm surprised me. It's light and compact for a 7x zoom, but also brighter than most others and at the wide end achieves an impressive aperture of 1: 2.8, 2/3 better than most other similar lenses.

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tamron 28 200mm f28 56 test example 06 "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/tamron-28-200mm-f28-56 -review -sample-06-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAATamron 28-200 mm at 200 mm

However, my expectations of sharpness remained conservative. When I mounted the lens on a 61-megapixel Sony A7R IV that was intended for this Lensrentals test, I knew intuitively that it couldn't tap the potential of this camera – and I was right.

The thing is, it didn't have to. While it's easy to question why someone would invest in an expensive full-frame camera just to stock it with cheap glass, there are indeed many reasons why we take pictures, and for most of us, it's not the biggest Capturing detail is the most important.

Daven Mathies | Digital trends

The Tamron 28-200mm is not a professional lens, but it doesn't have to be. It is the perfect "Uncle Bob" lens that you can use as a wedding guest, much to the annoyance of the professional photographer who was hired to document the event. But I really mean that. This is a lens for the way most people take pictures most of the time, and it's excellent in this role. Even the professional wedding photographer mentioned above may want to take the lens out on her days off.

design

With a length of only 4.6 inches (compressed at 28 mm) and a weight of only about 20 ounces, you don't feel overwhelmed with the Tamron 28-200 mm. I carried it and the Sony A7R IV in hand on a three-hour hike and never felt tired. I didn't even have a camera strap.

This is the greatest strength of the Tamron. Full-frame cameras, including mirrorless ones, can rise to unwieldy sizes in combination with some lenses, and it's impressive to incorporate so much zoom into such a mobile package.

Daven Mathies | Digital trends

The lens is also moisture resistant, which I appreciated when taking photos near the base of a waterfall.

About half of the outer lens barrel is dedicated to the zoom ring, which is wrapped with a non-slip rubber that feels good in the hand. The zoom action is very fluid and gives the lens a first-class feeling that is not often associated with the Superzoom category. The focus-by-wire ring is a little weaker, but I doubt that a lot of people will use manual focus anyway.

A zoom lock is the only switch on the lens that can keep it at 28mm when not in use to prevent the lens from creeping. Even if you forget to use it, there is enough resistance in the zoom to make this not a problem in normal use. I had to shake the lens quite violently so that the zoom tube could move at all.

Daven Mathies | Digital trends

Visually, we look at 18 elements in 14 groups, and Tamron lists "a number of specialized elements" to improve sharpness. I take that as a huge grain of salt because it really doesn't do an outstanding job in terms of image quality, but more on that later.

The aperture range is 1: 2.8 to 1:16 at the wide end and 1: 5.6 to 1:32 at the telephoto end. At 70 mm the maximum aperture is 1: 4, a point that is brighter at the same focal length than at Sony 24-240mm f / 3.5-6.3. This is another real benefit of the Tamron compared to other superzooms, as this extra light-gathering capacity can help reduce ISO sensitivity or shutter speed, reduce noise, or avoid motion blur.

Auto focus and image quality

The 28-200mm uses Tamron's RXD autofocus motor (Rapid Extra-Silent Stepping Drive). In practice, I found that the lens was focused quickly and accurately most of the time, although it occasionally stayed behind when my subject moved towards me. In fairness, most of my tests were done while hiking through a fairly dark forest. Even though it was in the middle of the day, I often took pictures at ISO 3,200 or higher, so I didn't work with a ton of light. The focus performance would probably be even better in brighter conditions.

In terms of image quality, the 28-200 mm fall behind here. On the plus side, the f / 2.8 aperture provides good depth of field at the wide end, and the way the lens renders defocused areas is actually pretty good in terms of super zooms. The tele-compression at 200 mm ensures a decent portrait even if the aperture is only 1: 5.6. Subjectively, I don't hate it, but it's nothing exciting either.

Daven Mathies | Digital trends

However, it is not all good news. The lens falls short in several ways. The vignetting is intense, and as it decreases at the telephoto end, the overall light transmission also decreases. Images at 1: 5.6 at 200 mm appear to be about 1/3 darker than 1: 5.6 at 70 mm. Thankfully, the transmission across the zoom range is essentially the same for smaller apertures.

There is also strange behavior when it comes to details. At the wide end, the sharpness drops significantly from the center to the edges of the frame, but the edges improve noticeably when you stop at 1: 5.6. However, the center doesn't seem to get much sharper. At the telephoto end, I noticed that the details in the entire image are of course more uniform, but I didn't notice any advantage when I switched off the lens. F / 5.6 and f / 11 looked equally sharp – or not equally sharp.

Part of it probably has something to do with the camera. With 61 megapixels, the A7R IV is diffraction limited somewhere by 1: 5.6. Even if the lens sharpens at 1:11, chances are that I just can't see it. The A7R IV is an incredibly unforgiving sensor, and I'm not surprised that the Tamron 28-200mm never looks particularly good when you look closely.

However, this is a lens designed for occasional real world use. If you don't want to make large prints, you probably won't be dissatisfied with the quality. If lens corrections are enabled in the camera, you probably won't even notice many of its shortcomings. The ability to take a variety of shots with reliable autofocus from such a light package is a significant advantage for the average customer who easily outweighs the incomplete optical performance.

Our opinion

One day, opticians will find a way to build a super zoom lens that doesn't affect image quality. Today is not this day. If you're looking for a lens that shows what your Sony full-frame camera can do, it isn't.

But in this case that's fine.

The Tamron 28-200mm f / 2.8-5.6 doesn't try to be the only lens that can do it all. If your expensive Sony G Master lenses get you through the week, this Tamron is what you get out of the weekend. It is the lens that you take with you for an international flight or pack it in your hand luggage (if this is allowed again). It's the lens you choose when you stop worrying about megapixels, curvature, and bokeh, and instead want to focus on creating memories.

And that's exactly what most of us are about to take pictures.

Is there a better alternative?

Sony makes a 24-240mm f / 3.5-6.3 that is not much more expensive at $ 1,050 and offers more range than the Tamron, but at the expense of a slower aperture. It's also bigger and heavier, at 27.6 ounces, which makes it less suitable for activities like hiking.

What strikes me most about the Sony lens is the larger angle – the difference between 24 mm and 28 mm is larger than you might think, but I personally don't find the additional 40 mm at the telephoto end so useful. In my opinion, it is not worth it for most people to do without 2/3 light stops and to give your camera bag more volume.

How long it will take?

The solid build quality should give this lens a good longevity and, like most lenses, last for many years. However, if you consider it the first lens, you can quickly grow beyond its limits.

You should buy it

Yes, if you want a flexible, walk-in lens for a mirrorless Sony camera. Don't expect optical size, but the Tamron 28-200mm is perfect if you need a portable solution with a lens for any casual photography.

Editor's recommendations




16 Jul
Blog

TiVo Stream 4K Review: Media Streamer Made For Cord-Cutters

TiVo Stream 4K

"With 4K, Dolby Vision, Atmos and Chromecast, the Stream 4K offers a lot of value."

  • Affordable

  • Great remote control

  • 4K, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

  • Chromecast and Google Assistant integrated

  • Only supports Sling for live TV

  • Dolby Atmos support is inconsistent

When TiVo announced the Stream 4K at CES 2020, we were a little surprised. The company, which built its reputation (and arguably an industry) on the invention of the DVR, showed a device that could not record TV shows on a hard drive and could not even be connected to conventional TV sources such as cable, satellite, or free antenna broadcasts.

The Stream 4K is also a price departure from TiVo's past. With an introductory price of $ 50 and no additional fees, the Stream 4K is by far the cheapest TiVo product. But has the company sold its soul to harness the power of the streaming video revolution?

Let's take a look.

What is the TiVo Stream 4K?

TiVo Stream 4KSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Before we go into the full test, let's discuss what the Stream 4K is – and what isn't.

Despite the TiVo branding, the Stream 4K has practically nothing in common with DVR devices such as the TiVo Bolt OTA and the TiVo Edge. It cannot be used in the same household as these other TiVo products to access your DVR recordings or conventional live TV (in case you hoped it could serve as a much cheaper version of the TiVo Mini). But one thing the TiVo believers will not miss: the fee for the TiVo service (since this is not a TiVo DVR).

Instead, it's a $ 50 streaming media dongle that is supported by the Android TV operating system. TiVo has added some proprietary software improvements, but for the most part, the Stream 4K should be viewed as an Android TV.

At an extremely affordable price of $ 50, the Stream 4K may be the best Android TV in the world right now. But it is definitely not a TiVo in the traditional sense.

design

TiVo Stream 4KSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Stream 4K looks like a cross between a Google Chromecast and a Roku Streaming Stick +. The main dongle is a small, rectangular device that is designed to resemble TiVo's latest DVR, the Edge, and has the same offset-square look.

TiVo knows a thing or two about remote controls. You could say it's one of the company's greatest strengths.

A flexible HDMI cable makes it easy to connect to the back or sides of a TV, and a standard micro USB cable is powered by the included power adapter. Although it is possible that an available USB port on your TV is used for the power supply, TiVo expressly recommends not to do so.

There is a USB-C port on the side, but it is currently only used to add a third-party Ethernet adapter.

What sets the Stream 4K apart from the streaming dongle competition is its remote control.

TiVo knows a thing or two about remote controls. You could say it's one of the company's greatest strengths. The Stream 4K's remote looks like someone took a regular TiVo remote and shrunk it in their laundry.

The classic peanut shape is retained and is pleasant to hold and use. It contains most of the expected keys such as volume, channel, a special number pad and even the famous TiVo key "Skip". Some of these buttons, like the "Skip" and "TiVo" buttons, work a little differently on the Stream 4K than on the PVRs, but overall this is a very familiar experience.

A notable exception is the Google Assistant button, which replaces the blue voice button. You use this for all voice-based commands.

The only button I wished for was a dedicated play / pause. As with some older Android TVs like the 2017 Nvidia Shield TV and earlier, the central D-Pad button is an "OK" function for menus and a play / pause button when streaming, but sometimes it has to be done twice pressed when you want to pause or play.

configuration

TiVo Stream 4K setup

Setting up Stream 4K is easy with a step-by-step on-screen wizard. Usually, you have to create a TiVo account for TiVo devices as part of the activation process. However, since this is also an Android TV device, you need a Google account to download apps from the Google Play Store and use the Google Assistant.

The only difference from other streaming devices is TiVo's personalization step, which takes you through a range of A or B options using popular TV shows to set a benchmark for your personal taste.

After making about a dozen of these decisions, TiVo's personalization engine offers a number of suggested titles for your My Shows collection. If, like me, you are not particularly enthusiastic about the suggestions, you can always add your own shows and films to your "My Shows" library later.

In the last step you will be asked to select the streaming services to which you have access. Options include Sling, Amazon Prime, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney + as well as Google Play Movies and TV.

Wondering what is the difference between Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime Video? Amazon Prime includes all of the content included in your Prime membership, while Amazon Prime Video is Amazon's paid program – shows and movies that you can only rent or buy.

If you're concerned that your preferred streaming service isn't one of the options, you shouldn't. This is simply the list of streaming services that TiVo currently has access to for its personalized streaming app, which we'll discuss next. In the Google Play Store, you can choose from a variety of additional streaming services. A notable exception is Apple TV +.

The TiVo Stream experience

TiVo Stream 4K screenshotSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The TiVo Stream 4K is incredibly affordable considering that it has both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. However, TiVo would argue that the biggest attraction of Stream 4K is the included TiVo Stream app, and this is an argument with some value.

Much like Apple's TV app tried to create a curated streaming experience that collects content from multiple streaming platforms (including your own Apple TV + if you have a subscription), the TiVo Stream consolidates all of yours Services in a user-friendly interface.

All of the curated content is divided into well-known categories such as movies, TV shows, sports, and children (though strangely no "news" option), and each is divided into deeper categories like "superhero films". This is a great way to search multiple content sources from a single user interface. Equally valuable is the search tool, which, as the name suggests, allows you to search the entire curated content.

It's incredibly affordable considering that it has both Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos

The stream app is also home to the free, ad-supported live TV platform TiVo +, a collection of hyper-specific channels such as Unsolved Mysteries, Conde Nast Traveler and Food52. You can access these channels using the Guide button or by switching to the Guide view in the Stream app. If you have a Sling subscription, this will also be shown here.

TiVo regards the Stream app as the real “home screen” of the Stream 4K, although you can still access the normal Android TV home screen. In fact, each of these user experiences gets its own button on the remote control. The stream app is triggered via the TiVo button, which is located on the front and center of the remote control, while the Android TV start screen is accessed via a small circular button next to the Google Assistant button.

Do you find these dueling home screens confusing? First, yes. You'll likely stumble around a bit, especially if you've never used an Android TV.

However, you will quickly find that the Stream app is just like any other app in the bigger Android TV experience. It's there when you want it, as is the dedicated button, but it's easy to ignore if you don't find it valuable.

How valuable you find it depends on how many of the supported streaming services you subscribe to. If your only paid subscription is Netflix, the stream app can only offer you Netflix suggestions and everything it can find on its own TiVo + Live TV service.

This pales in comparison to Roku's The Roku Channel, which not only curates among most paid streaming services, but also finds the best free streaming options from a much wider range of services.

Made for Sling, somehow

TiVo

To get the most out of the Stream app, you need a Sling TV subscription. This is currently the only live TV service (except TiVo +) that the app supports. Sling TV effectively replaces the role that cable, satellite or antenna television plays on TiVo's DVRs by allowing the Stream app to access a variety of broadcast channels and broadcasts.

Without a Sling subscription, the Stream 4K is a powerful Android TV with some useful extras. A Sling subscription gets a little closer to the TiVo experience that made the company's DVRs so popular, but with some important limitations.

Sling channels are displayed in the Guide interface, where you can see what is currently playing and what is on the program. However, if you've subscribed to Netflix or another streaming service that contains the same shows as a Sling channel, clicking on future scheduled episodes in the manual will only allow you to watch them immediately instead of seeing the expected Sling recording option.

In a way, that's good. Why wait to record an episode when you can see it on another service now? But I think the guide should give you both options, not just one. The only way to trigger a sling recording of a "double" show is to switch from the Android TV start screen to the standalone sling app and use its instructions.

When you schedule a recording in the Sling app, the Sling manual shows that the recording has been scheduled. However, this information is not shown in the manual of the Stream app.

There is also no way to access your sling recordings via the Stream app. You'll need to return to the Sling app to find, view, and manage it.

performance

TiVo Stream 4KSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Unlike Roku, Amazon Fire TV, or Apple TV, which all have tight control over the software and hardware that delivers their experiences, Android TV can feel a bit like the wild west, with some devices delivering a snappy performance while others feel sluggish.

Fortunately, the Stream 4K is one of the earlier ones, which switches quickly and quickly from app to app, and there was no noticeable delay in using the buttons on the remote control.

This is probably due to the internals of the Stream 4K. It has 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of onboard storage and can wirelessly stream over 802.11 AC Wi-Fi. But I find the CPU, the Amlogic S905Y2, particularly interesting. This is the same chip that Google is using for its Android TV developer platform ADT-3, and probably the same chip that Google will be using in its upcoming Android TV device, codenamed Sabrina.

If you are an Android TV power user hoping for a cheap alternative to Shield TV, keep this in mind. TiVo does not offer some advanced options, e.g. B. Pass-through for Dolby Atmos or DTS HD. There is also no way to handle switching and exiting apps, a standard feature of most Android TVs.

Audio and video quality

If you have a 4K HDR TV, the contents of the Stream 4K should look great, and even more so if your TV also supports Dolby Vision. In a back-to-back test against an Apple TV 4K with a LG OLED TV, I found that the Stream 4K produced pictures that were just as detailed and colorful, whether I was from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video or Plex streamed.

I had problems getting one of the streaming apps to deliver Dolby Atmos to my A / V receiver or TV

I also managed to outperform my other Android TV, an Nvidia Shield TV for 2019 for $ 150, with slightly more vivid tones.

Oddly, there were some cases where the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen (which is the case when playing movies with a ratio of 2.35: 1 like Ford versus Ferrari) appeared gray and not black. However, this was inconsistent and may have been a bug with the Plex app rather than a problem with the Stream 4K.

I also occasionally encountered screen fades where the signal from the Stream 4K was temporarily interrupted, although this only happened while navigating the user interface and not while streaming video.

The audio quality is great, but Dolby Atmos fans are warned. Despite the fact that the Stream 4K supports a variety of audio formats such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS HD and Dolby Atmos, I had problems getting one of the streaming apps to deliver Dolby Atmos to my air conditioner receiver or television.

TiVo's representative admitted that the Stream 4K has not yet received a software update to be compatible with Netflix's Dolby Atmos requirements, and said that this update will be available soon. However, I didn't get a clear reason why Disney + and Amazon Prime were in the same boat.

In a way, this shouldn't come as a surprise. TiVo has brought products to the market in the past – the TiVo Bolt OTA comes to mind – that promised functions such as 4K and HDR but did not have the necessary support for streaming services so that these functions work at least when started.

Since the Stream 4K is clearly Dolby Atmos compatible, it is now a waiting game to see when or if TiVo and the streaming services update their apps to activate it.

Integrated Google Assistant and Chromecast

TiVo Stream 4K remote controlSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Two main advantages of choosing Android TV as a smart TV operating system are Google Assistant and Google Chromecast. Both work well with the Stream 4K, which means that this $ 50 dongle outperforms Google's own $ 69 Chromecast Ultra in every possible way.

I haven't tested the Stream 4K for performance with Google's Stadia game service, but the Chromecast feature was a spell for other tasks like initiating and controlling streams from YouTube or Plex.

Our opinion

Android TV may not be for everyone, but at $ 50, the TiVo Stream 4K is a compelling argument that you should give it a try. With the support of Dolby Vision and a curated viewing experience that should improve over time, the Stream 4K has a lot of potential. The company must keep an eye on its relationships with streaming providers to ensure that the potential is exploited.

Is there a better alternative?

If you're looking for an affordable remote-controlled media streamer, you have a wide choice. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K for $ 50 works with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, has an integrated Alexa function and a library with over 8,000 apps. However, not everyone loves the Fire TV interface, and there is no native casting option for Android or iOS devices.

The $ 50 Roku Streaming Stick + has one of the best smart TV interfaces we've ever used, as well as countless apps. However, Dolby Vision is not supported. Google Assistant or Alexa are not supported (although Roku has its own voice command system). Casting is limited to what you can do with the free Roku app.

Both devices are worthwhile alternatives, but given the unique features of the Stream 4K, I won't call them "better" for the time being.

How long it will take?

This is a difficult question. The hardware is solid, but when it comes to streaming devices, software support plays a much bigger role.

Google likes to update its software regularly and Android TV is no exception. If TiVo stays up to date with these Stream 4K updates, you're in good shape. However, if the Android smartphone world is an indicator, this support may only continue for one or two important updates.

If this is a problem, Roku and Amazon have excellent track records for updates. Nvidia has also remarkably taken care of its Shield TVs, which are updated five years after the launch of the first models.

Should you buy it

Yes. At an introductory price of just $ 50, the TiVo Stream 4K packs a lot of value into a small package. Even if you never use the signature stream app to manage your bingeing sessions, this is currently the cheapest way to get started on Android TV.

Editor's recommendations




15 Jul
Blog

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR TV Review | Value verified

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR television

"Iridescent picture quality, especially for the price."

  • Very good black levels

  • High brightness

  • Impressive contrast

  • Solid HDR performance

  • No support for HDMI 2.1 functions

  • Requires moderate color correction

I'm still shocked at how great TVs under $ 1,000 can be these days. Time was, if you wanted premium picture quality from a 55- or 65-inch television, you'd spend at least $ 1,500 to $ 3,000.

The Hisense H8G Quantum is part of a new generation of TVs from China that are bursting the price models of competing brands. At $ 700, the 65-inch H8G Quantum looks like an almost ridiculously good value. But what about this picture quality?

To be honest, I've felt lukewarm about the last Hisense TVs I've checked. Recently the Hisense H8F worked well in bright rooms, but it lacked the deep black levels and vivid colors that I got from the TCL 6 series for the same price. The operating system was also sluggish and frustrating.

When I went into this H8G Quantum test, I hoped quantum dots, a more advanced backlight system, and Android TV could bring the H8G Quantum from good to great. Spoiler alert: I have not been disappointed.

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR TV details

While we tested the 65-inch H8G model, our test also applies to the 55-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch models.

Screen size Model number RRP
50 inches 50H8G $ 400
55 inches 55H8G $ 600
65 inches 65H8G $ 800
75 inches 75H8G $ 1500

Out of the box

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR televisionDan Baker / Digital Trends

I am pleasantly surprised by the aesthetics of the H8G Quantum. It has remarkably slim bezels and a fairly thin profile.

Like most TVs today, the TV stand consists of two blade feet. Unlike many TVs that offer a range of foot positions at the other end of the TV, the H8G Quantum also has a narrow placement option. If you choose the narrower set, the space requirement is about 36 inches wide and 9.7 inches from front to back. The wider stance, which offers more stability and honestly looks better, is just under 44 inches wide.

I am pleasantly surprised by the aesthetics of the H8G Quantum.

There are limited options for cable management. A simple cable clip is attached to the back of each stand.

The included remote control is an old-fashioned wand-style model with more buttons than you probably need. I'd love to see an update for a more modern remote, but I won't complain for $ 700.

properties

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR televisionDan Baker / Digital Trends

The H8G Quantum offers four HDMI 2.0 inputs, one of which supports ARC, but there is no eARC support. There is also no support for VRR (Variable Refresh Rate) or ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode). Players should consider both features later next year with next generation consoles.

If you have older video components, there is a composite video input next to two analog audio inputs. All three cinch connections are integrated on the back of the TV. There is no need for a breakout cable and no support for component video connections, although the need for them quickly subsides.

Under the hood, the H8G Quantum has a VA LCD panel with a FALD backlighting system (Full Array Local Dimming). The combination of these two should help the TV achieve deeper black levels and minimize the halo effect that rings of light creates around bright objects on a dark background.

Using the VA panel also means that viewing from outside the angle doesn't look very good. The colors are washed out, the contrast is badly affected and you can see the backlight in action more easily – all very typical.

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR televisionDan Baker / Digital Trends

Hisense tried to solve these common problems with some kind of extended viewing angle, but I'm just telling you now that I don't think it works particularly well. Nevertheless, the H8G Quantum offers exactly the same performance as other televisions that have no additional layers to improve off-axis display.

Adding quantum dots should mean that the H8G Quantum not only offers a much wider range of colors, but also offers a richer HDR experience. Speaking of which, the H8G Quantum supports the HDR10, Dolby Vision and HLG HDR formats. Hisense also claims the TV supports HDR10 +, but I could never use it for Amazon Prime Video, which is my only source for that particular format. I don't think this is a TV fault, but a strange mistake.

As previously mentioned, the H8G Quantum runs Android TV and it runs surprisingly well. Android TV has been notoriously difficult to operate in the past, but I had no significant delay or lethargy.

performance

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR televisionDan Baker / Digital Trends

Full disclosure: The first H8G Quantum test sample Hisense sent me was defective. I'm not sure if the problem is related to the image processor, the panel, or both, but it didn't look right to me. I recorded my experience with this TV in this video and requested a replacement that was broadcast immediately. The defective device has been returned to Hisense for analysis, and I will update this review when Hisense reports to me about the exact error.

Hisense assures me that the problems I have had are not common, and I can confirm that there are no widespread reports of problems.

I am very impressed with the image quality of the H8G Quantum.

Within seconds of turning on the replacement pattern, I was able to determine that I had a properly functioning television. However, as I dug deeper, I began to suspect that the TV I had received might work a little too well in some ways. More on that in a moment.

In general, I am very impressed with the image quality of the H8G Quantum. Sitting in front of the TV, I was surprised at how well the backlight system controlled the dark areas around bright objects, especially in HDR mode. A popular test in the real world is watching a dark film with letterbox bars at the top and bottom of the picture while subtitles are activated. The white text at the bottom of the screen often colors the surrounding black bars medium dark gray, and although I've seen part of this effect, it has been impressively minimized.

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR televisionDan Baker / Digital Trends

The H8G Quantum I received is also able to achieve impressive brightness. Here I began to suspect that the TV I had received might perform better than expected for this model. According to Hisense, this television should output a maximum of 700 nits of peak brightness.

I measured the model I received using a SpectraCal C6 HDR colorimeter and Portrait Displays Calman 2020 color calibration software and got a peak brightness value of around 920 nits – significantly higher than Hisense's claimed and higher than that of values ​​measured by other experts.

Commentators on YouTube have indicated that I may have received some kind of “juiced” or “optimized” television from Hisense, but I don't think this is the case. Not only did Hisense assure me that I had received a standard sample, I was doing a factory reset on all the TVs I checked before I rated them, and supposedly deleted any changes that were made to me before the TV was shipped. In short, I think I was lucky.

It was clear that the color was slightly different.

The feeling of hitting the jackpot with this TV continues in the fact that the sample I received has a flawless screen uniformity. When using a full color gray pattern, I did not see any vignetting or other dark spots on the screen. This TV has an extremely clean panel.

Not everything was great. Without taking any measurements, it was clear that the color was a little different. Not bad, just not exactly. Yellow seemed to be particularly intense, and I felt that the orange colors were also a bit overboard. After taking more measurements, I noticed that the blue pixels on the TV were too pronounced. I made a little adjustment and everything clicked into place.

Hisense H8G Quantum 4K HDR televisionDan Baker / Digital Trends

The H8G Quantum is immediately very powerful in the modes Theater Day and Theater Night. Color could use some work, and if you're the type of person who values ​​accurate color, consider some of the money you save on buying this TV and pay a professional calibrator to make some adjustments .

Otherwise, I think people will be amazed by the picture quality of this TV. The black tones are deep, the colors vivid and the HDR material is extremely pleasant to look at. The television looks vivid in a room with daylight and even better in a dark room for a movie night.

As for processing, I feel Hisense is making some progress. When viewing Netflix and Hulu's low bit rate content, the H8G Quantum was unable to clear the image as well as the Sony X900H. This is hardly a fair comparison, but the fact that the H8G is even in the stadium with a TV that is twice as expensive really says something.

Our opinion

The Hisense H8G is an impressive television, especially for the price. With sizes from 50 to 75 inches and prices from $ 380 to 1300, the H8G Quantum line offers a model that meets the needs of a wide range of TV buyers, especially those who want premium picture quality in a budget-friendly set.

Is there a better alternative?

At $ 700, I'm having trouble making comparisons until the Vizio and TCL TV casts arrive. I can say the H8G is well above its price range, and I suspect the IT models will outperform competitors like Samsung's TU8000 and LG's UN7300.

How long it will take?

I don't have enough years of experience with Hisense TVs to make a qualified judgment about how long this TV will last. However, I will say that Hisense's television track record in the US seems to be going in a positive direction.

warranty

Hisense grants a one-year warranty on parts and labor on the Hisense H8G Quantum. The guarantee is full of provisions. Read them carefully here.

Should you buy it

Yes. Most people will love the picture quality of this TV for the price. I wouldn't recommend it to avid gamers who are excited about the arrival of next generation consoles, but it is an extremely practical purchase for most users.

Editor's recommendations




14 Jul
Blog

Ghost of Tsushima Review: Finding Peace In A Violent World

"There is a lot of pain in Ghost of Tsushima, but there is just as much healing."

  • Outstanding storytelling

  • Massively interactive open world

  • Well done fight

  • Unique tasks and side tasks

  • Cumbersome movement mechanics

Spirit of Tsushima combines effortlessly solid swordplay with a captivating story.

This new open-world role-playing game, exclusive to PlayStation 4, takes samurai Jin Sakai on a daunting search as he recaptures his home island of Tsushima from the Mongols. Its story is interesting, and it would be easy for developer Sucker Punch to use the ghost style as an excuse to call the mechanics. Instead, the game features one of the best sword fighting systems in recent times.

Ghost isn't perfect, but my grips are pale compared to the joy I had while playing. It, along with The last of us part II, enables the PlayStation 4 to go out with a bang. Both games illustrate the best titles of the late generation, albeit in very different ways.

Ghost of Tsushima screenshotPhoto courtesy of Sony

A world full of wonders

Tsushima Island is a wonder of the open world.

The world feels really open because you can enter every building, climb roofs and explore without tiredness.

The world shows different landscapes, from gentle fields to snow-capped mountains. The varied surroundings are very reminiscent of Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, but ghost goes a little further. The world feels really open as you can enter every building, climb the roofs and explore without tiredness. Every mountain is scalable and often worth climbing. The game features supplies and collectibles across the landscape, as well as small groups of enemies that you can take out to improve your standing.

Spirit of Tsushima includes small tasks to improve individual stats that felt well integrated into the game. For example, you can compose haikus or meditate on certain topics.

All of this made exploration, which some open world games make compulsory, an important pillar of the game. You can fully experience the game without feeling rushed to continue with the main story.

Ghost of Tsushima screenshotPhoto courtesy of Sony

A truly cinematic game

While crossing the world is magical, the game sometimes lacks environmental details. I was surprised to be able to walk straight through full-grown bamboo, which gave the “spirit” of Tsushima a new meaning. I understand that this will make traveling less cumbersome, but additional details, like bending the leaves away, would have felt more haunting.

Still, Ghost from Tsushima Otherwise takes the idea of ​​a “film game” to a new level and is inspired by the film author Akira Kurosawa. You have the option of increasing the contrast or activating Kurosawa mode, which is supposed to emulate the look of black and white samurai classics.

This visual setting is special because the image is not only converted to grayscale. The contrast is further increased. Projectiles and leaves floating in the wind multiply. The sound mimics that of an action film. It is clear that a lot of care has been put into this attitude.

Unfortunately, it's not the most useful look for combat and a lot of fun, and I doubt that you want to play the entire game with Kurosawa mode enabled (although this is possible). Fortunately, you can switch back and forth at will as the mode can be turned on or off via a simple menu and no game restart is required.

All of these functions, combined with an already impressive world, can easily be captured in photo mode. This feature is now common in console games with premium graphics, however Spirit of Tsushima offers more options than I've seen before.

In addition, Ghost offers serious (but not class-leading) input help. The last of us part II had many options to make the game playable for players with different skills. However, it is nice to see this kind of consideration again Spirit of Tsushima Options aren't that wideng. These controls make it easier to press keys in sequence or type once instead of holding down a key. For example, they also make it easier to recognize projectiles. However, The Last of Us Part II has specific controls for various actions and more customizable visual cues.

Ghost of Tsushima screenshotPhoto courtesy of Sony

Fighting fight

I couldn't spend all my time traveling or taking photos, and the gameplay and the fight didn't disappoint.

Parrying parades, figuring out how to defeat an opponent in a duel, and pulling combos all feel immensely rewarding. Most of the fight, especially at the beginning, takes place from sword to sword. If you set a block correctly, you can ward off an attack. As you progress through the game and defeat Mongolian leaders, you will unlock new positions that will help you fight different types of enemies. However, you will see all kinds of enemies from the start, so starting the game is a little more difficult than you might expect.

There are two main indicators you can track: your health indicator and your determination. You get determination through parades and by defeating enemies, and special attacks and weapons are unlocked. Parrying is important and you will likely rely on it more than in other games. However, you can also roll or run away from an enemy or come closer to take the final blow.

Ghost of Tsushima screenshotPhoto courtesy of Sony

It is possible to adapt your equipment and accessories to your preferred fighting style, be it melee, ranged or stealth. I've spent a lot of time looking at upgrade charts to see what my weapons or armor do, or what new skills I can learn. I have carefully planned my upgrade order according to my wishes (close combat until the end).

You can unlock spells by honoring shrines in the game. Hot springs increase your maximum health, and a series of quick keystrokes on a bamboo stand increases your determination. You'll unlock new weapons and armor by completing stories that include the main story and side quests. To upgrade your equipment, you need to stock up on the resources available worldwide.

Differences in armor and equipment are clearly visible, and you can easily switch weapons in combat. I was able to combine my experiences and often found myself changing charms or outfits depending on the task at hand.

Combat sequences are mostly a highlight, but there's nothing more frustrating than dodging an enemy blow just to roll into nowhere because you're on a slightly elevated platform. Many games are more forgiving and allow you to change heights, but there is no such luck here.

I found the game pretty easy. How easy it is depends on the player, of course, but I personally spent 75% of the game on the tough attitude. The game has only three options: easy, medium and hard. I started on Medium to hold out as much as possible, but I quickly became unchallenged. There is also no new Game + mode to unlock, although this could come later, much like Fallout 4's survival.

Open world, closed book

The story is less open than the world it is in, but I would argue that this is a good thing. In many open world games, players can take the liberty of how they want to go about it, but cannot back up their free-form efforts with reasonable consequences. Spirit of Tsushima gives players smaller choices so that their relatively low impact feels appropriate.

Still, I tried to maximize my selection. When I found out that it was against the samurai code to kill an enemy instead of giving them an opportunity to fight back, I tried to avoid stealth. However, the game still punished me for breaking code. I took every opportunity to do what I thought was good or right, and I felt that I should be rewarded for it.

But Spirit of Tsushima had a different story to tell. I was initially frustrated, but when I realized I was out of control, I relaxed. I played based on what was working right now, not what I thought the game wanted me to do.

This linearity is also not a mistake. I thought it made history more effective. Spirit of Tsushima is focused. It tells a story and tells it well.

However, there are many side quests, many of which are character-based. I often find side quests boring. Games like Fallout 4 and Death stranding, With its infinite amount of tasks, I was particularly exhausted from straying too long from the main story.

However, Spirit of Tsushima has finite side quests and each is its own self-contained story. The missions feel more unique than repetitive and have shaped the world around me. Non-player characters didn't feel like peasants on the hero's journey, no matter how heavily represented in the main story. It was easy to invest in their stories.

The biggest disappointment in Spirit of Tsushima is his facial animation. In a game that relies so much on emotional scenes and a character-based storyline, they should have been polished. Instead, the facial animation work is only functional.

Ghost of Tsushima screenshotPhoto courtesy of Sony

A philosophy lesson disguised as a game

During these stories Spirit of Tsushima asks the player a question. "What is the right way to win a war?" It's not about using your katana or bow. How do you kill and get the honor?

Jin grew up and learned the samurai's ways of killing with honor by looking your enemy's eyes instead of literally and figuratively stabbing him in the back. But the old methods don't work, and Jin begins to wonder whether it is more honorable to maintain traditions or to abandon them when fewer people die.

There is a crucial moment when Jin asks one of his allies if he has crossed a line. The answer is ambiguous but hopeful: "If so, we are on the right side."

Spirit of Tsushima does little to glorify the war. Memories of death and loss appear in every corner, and corpses shape the country. Nobody comes out unscathed. The invasion brings out the best in some, the worst in others.

It makes sense that you are forced to observe yourself when you draw haikus and meditate in hot springs. You cannot decide how Jin's story develops, but you can decide how you view loss, destruction, and rebirth. You can also determine how the haikus end at least.

Jin asks one of his allies if he has crossed a line. "If so, we are on the right side," replies his ally.

The problems you encounter are not always solved in a single side quest, and sometimes they are not solved at all. It’s very painful Spirit of Tsushima, but there is just as much healing. For example, after an area is liberated, people return to rebuild it. It feels great to see people returning to everyday life after so many tragedies.

I saw characters who felt in their hearts that they could be good, but didn't yet know how. I saw others overwhelmed with vengeance, but pulled away from the edge. Ultimately, I saw the Tsushima congregation coming together. Simple peasants took up arms or used their unique skills to help in every possible way.

These things point to the double nature of the game. On the one hand, it is extremely violent. On the other hand, it is mediative and thoughtful. This combination is not easy to implement and therefore makes Ghost of Tsushima worth playing.

Our opinion

Ghost of Tsushima is one of the beingsThe first games I played this year – it might have been my favorite if not The Last Of Us Part II. The story of Jin Sakai is violent but thoughtful and offers an experience that feels unique on the PlayStation 4, although 2020 is the last year of the console before the PlayStation 5 overtakes it.

Is there a better alternative?

There's nothing like Ghost of Tsushima. There are a few new elements, but the game is more than the sum of its parts. If you're looking for other open world games, the Fallout series or Breath of the Wild are good bets. But you can only get this story here.

How long it will take?

I finished Ghost of Tsushima in just under 60 hours. During this time I finished the entire main story, every side quest and got most of the collectibles. I expect it will take about 10 hours to find the rest of the game's collectibles.

Should you buy it

Yes. There are several big new titles to round off this generation, like Cyberpunk 2077, but this is one that PlayStation fans will surely keep in their back pockets as evidence of Sony's dominance.

Editor's recommendations




13 Jul
Blog

Abode Starter Kit Review: A decent but flawed home monitoring system

Residence Starter Kit rating upright in front

"The basic hardware with low specifications is disappointing, but with a smooth app experience, Abode is a smart home platform that shouldn't be ignored."

  • Beautifully designed web and app dashboard controls

  • Z-Wave, ZigBee, Wi-Fi and Abode RF connectivity

  • Support for more than 200 device integrations

  • Voice control via Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant

  • Cheap, relatively weak hardware

  • Low resolution camera with blurry, smeared images

  • Inconsistent sensor connection

This year there was a revival of smart home security solutions, with August, Nest, Ring and Samsung SmartThings announcing all lines. Companies like Abode are, of course, old hands in intelligent security and sell gateways, sensors, remote key fobs and motion detection cameras after a successful Kickstarter start.

With Abode introducing a 1080p surveillance camera, door sensors, and a variety of third-party device integrations and compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, we thought it would be a good time to get the starter kit for $ 199 (originally $ 299 Dollars). You can find out how it developed in our test report for the Abode Starter Kit below.

The entire hardware range from Abode includes a comprehensive range of hardware, including a gateway alarm system, door and window sensors, motion and occupancy detectors, surveillance cameras, sockets, smoke detectors, temperature sensors and much more. The Abode Starter Kit is designed to introduce you to the ecosystem with a clear entry-level package that the bank does not break.

It contains the Abode Gateway, a relatively compact hub that serves as the heart of the security network and contains a siren with 93 decibels to deter even the bravest intruders. The gateway includes two door / window contact sensors, a motion camera and a remote control key to activate or deactivate the system with a simple push of a button.

Not a modest place of residence

The Abode Starter Kit is attractively packaged in a buff and cyan box, which describes itself as the "future of security at home". At first glance, it is certainly not a modest place to stay. The hardware itself is relatively well built, but does not quite match the premium feeling you experience with Nest or August products. The strict, modernist aesthetics of the black and white Abode Gateway will divide opinions. We're not big fans of the look of the device, which resembles a simple rectangular router from 2011 – fortunately without antennas. We were concerned about the sharp edges and sharp corners of the device. The Abode Gateway is covered with glossy acrylic, which easily takes fingerprints, stains and smudges. While it looks sharp (and literally feels that way), it also feels a little cheap.

Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

The remaining hardware that is included in the starter kit has a different build quality. The door / window sensors feel similarly weak, but the motion camera and two-tone key fob are more robust, with the latter feeling good in your hand.

Several radios connect a wide ecosystem of security devices with optional surveillance services

Perhaps the greater part of the construction costs were invested under the hood. With integrated Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, ZigBee and AbodeRF (the latter is a proprietary protocol for long-range connectivity), the Abode Gateway can be connected to a variety of sensors, intelligent sockets and controllers. Up to 155 devices can be connected. With Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, you can control some of your devices with your voice. You can also enable the Alexa Guard ability to enable and disable the system.

It's good to see a number of options, and the plans themselves are easy to understand

Some third-party devices also work with Abode, including Nest Cam, Nest Protect and the Nest Learning Thermostat, Philips Hue, Amazon Echo and IFTTT. In addition to the company's own devices, the gateway also plays with hardware from Aeon, Enerwave, Fibaro, GE, Kwikset, Leviton, Schlage and others.

In addition to this powerful 93 decibel siren, the Abode Gateway has a 10-hour battery backup that provides protection in the event of a power outage and an optional cellular network connection that is available for a monthly fee of $ 10.

Abode is billed as a professional security system. Therefore, it makes sense that the company also offers 24/7 professional monitoring bundled with a cellular backup for $ 30 a month. This Connect + Secure plan also includes a 90-day timeline and media storage, compared to just three days of storage available in the basic starter kit. You can decide whether professional surveillance is required for your home. However, it is good to see a number of options, and the plans themselves are easy to understand without temporary locks.

Smooth system installation with a little hiccup

As expected, installing a reasonably comprehensive security system at home is not a two-minute task, but Abode is clearly committed to making the process as smooth as possible. The gateway connects to your WLAN router via a replacement Ethernet connection. Pressing a quick button on the back of the device activates the backup battery.

From there you can configure the gateway with the free Abode app, which is available for iOS and Android devices. You need to create an Abode account and then continue the setup on your mobile device or desktop web browser.

Abode Starter Kit checking flat portsTerry Walsh / Digital Trends

Terry Walsh / Digital Trends

An activation code included in the scope of delivery identifies your gateway and is required to connect the starter kit to your account. After entering your Abode gateway will be found and activated quickly on the Internet. It's quick and easy.

Of course, you will then have the fun of installing the sensors and the camera at home. Fortunately, the Abode app guides you through the device installation with practical tips for placing and aligning the sensor. Depending on the size of your doors, windows, and frames, the sensors may be more than a little bulky. Although they increase safety, they certainly do not improve aesthetics. At the very least, they are easy to install, as double-sided adhesive strips ensure that no tools are required.

Abode clearly strives to make the installation process as smooth as possible.

The installation instructions for the motion camera was less successful. First we were asked to remove a clear plastic tab to activate the batteries, but the tab on the device could not be found. At this point we noticed that the batteries were in the box and were not installed. Not a drama, but a bit sloppy from a user experience perspective. Inserting the batteries was a quick task, but required a screwdriver to remove the back plate of the camera.

After switching on, you can try out different positions for the motion camera that takes still pictures when the integrated PIR sensor is triggered. Preview the resulting images and you're done.

A rear bracket snaps into the device for corner mounting. Adhesive strips stick to each wall to hold the camera in place. Alternatively, you can use another self-adhesive pad for the flat wall installation, which is included in the scope of delivery. While the adhesive pads are certainly practical and keep the equipment in place, we want wall anchors and screws to be supplied as a more permanent option as well. Attention tenants! The pads remove paint from the wall when removed. A stand for the camera that would allow more freedom in positioning as well as easy relocation would also be a great addition.

With the hardware set up, you can use the Abode app to grant family members and friends account access. Only two user accounts are supported in the free basic plan. However, if you sign up for one of Abode's monthly services, this restriction will be removed. A quick tour of the app and you're good to go. Allow at least 15 minutes to set up Abode, with more difficult camera positions requiring more time. Apart from this battery error in the camera, installing the Abode system was a breeze.

Simple and responsive hardware with little specification dilutes the experience

One aspect of living with Abode that we really liked was that you are not limited to monitoring the system through a mobile app. Log in to the Abode website using a desktop browser and you have full visibility and control over your home security. The system combines the convenience of controlling mobile apps with the convenience of desktop monitoring – a perfect combination.

When Abode first delivered its all-inclusive security package, it included an app for Android, which, to put it bluntly, was a first effort. Since then, Abode has been updated to version 5.0.4 and is miles better than the previous version. The first time you open the app, you will be asked for a PIN. You can also integrate your phone's fingerprint reader to bypass the lock.

As soon as you get into the app, you get access to your system status as well as quick actions and camera views via the dashboard. Quick actions allow you to create shortcuts to common tasks that prevent you from having to rummage through menus.

In the lower navigation bar you will find the most important information for the system. The timeline shows you all the events that have occurred. CUE is an automation function that we discussed in detail earlier. Your device list shows you what you have and what status you have, and all are just a tap away. Even the general app settings have been organized in a much better interface. The first edition of this app had most of what this version does, but the main difference is that they're in places that make sense. To put it cautiously, the last iteration of the app didn't quite reach this bar.

Overall, this is an important update to the software that is running your smart home security that was badly needed. The previous app relied heavily on using the in-browser interface while referring to mobile devices. You can still use the web interface, but it is much less reliant on it now. This app gives your phone a lot more control. This is the device most of us will turn to most anyway. This is a fundamental facelift for the app and the entire company.

Access Abode from a desktop browser and take advantage of an expanded range of features beautifully presented in a modern, web-based dashboard. Again, you can view a clear timeline of events and warnings, monitor and manage device status and settings, create quick actions (e.g. macros for multiple devices), and configure automatic home and away perimeters to activate the system based on or disable your smartphone location and more.

The gateway alarm was quickly triggered by the camera and was extremely loud.

On the other hand, you have to repeatedly deal with attempts to buy additional hardware or subscribe to one of the company's premium service plans. You can't blame Abode for starting a business, but once the plans are rejected at launch, these prompts really have to go away instead of popping up all the time. Overall, Abode supports a variety of monitoring and management functions that are well presented and very responsive on both mobile and desktop dashboards.

The starter kit hardware itself is a little less fancy. Images taken by the motion camera have a very low resolution (standard 320 x 240, maximum 640 x 480), which leads to blurry, smeared images that can be used to detect presence, but are not suitable for identification . Without night vision support, the camera relies on an integrated flash for pictures in the dark. The flash does a decent job of illuminating a dark room, even though the pictures are a little yellow. However, the low resolution is the main problem. You should definitely consider upgrading to Abode's newly announced 1080p indoor camera for $ 149, which offers live streaming video, triggered recording, and built-in night vision.

We also found the window / door sensors a bit spirited. While the system correctly recognized the opening of a door or window, it was far less successful in recognizing the same door or window. This caused complaints when we tried to activate the system. Abode repeatedly and incorrectly informed us that the door was open. Maybe with more time to fine-tune the positioning of the sensors, we could improve detection in both directions, but we were frustrated that the detection worked in one direction but not the other.

We had no complaints about the gateway alarm that was triggered by the camera or door window / sensor and was consistently loud. After triggering, we received a notification on the phone within seconds with practical options for notifying the police or disabling the alarm. The system responded quickly when we deactivated the alarm and the bat stopped in a few seconds.

Overall, we were pleased with Abode's simplicity and responsiveness, but as with any multi-device system, your experience will be determined to some extent by the smart home sensors and other hardware you choose to connect to. The Abode Starter Kit will certainly familiarize you with the basics, but it won't be long before you want to upgrade.

Add Alexa and other smart home devices for perfect partnerships

Of course, you can't start a smart home system these days without familiarizing yourself with a number of third-party devices. Since Google (via Nest) and Amazon both enter the smart home security game, startups like Abode have to deliver breadth, depth and quality when it comes to integration. At first glance, Abode seems to have hit the ground.

Abode's Alexa capability enables you to monitor and control the system with an Amazon Echo or other Alexa device. If you have security concerns, a verbal PIN number is used to confirm certain commands, e.g. B. deactivate the system or deactivate an alarm. In addition to core functions such as the gateway alarm, the capability supports a wide selection of commands, the control of connected locks, sockets, garage doors and configured quick actions.

We have found that Alexa integration works well. If you detect intrusion, you can verbally trigger (or disable) a panic alarm faster than when you search for your phone. It only takes a few seconds to activate the system using a voice command, and we have found that Abode is consistently very responsive.

We connected a Nest learning thermostat and were pleased to see that not only could you synchronize Abode's absence status with that of the thermostat, but that manual temperature control was also available through the Abode desktop dashboard and the mobile app. This is also not a quick and dirty implementation. In both dashboards it was clearly considered to create a simple, intuitive user interface that connects the overall design of Abode with the device to be controlled.

With a strong and flexible platform, Abode should not be ignored.

Abode has developed a strong and flexible platform that can easily serve as a control panel for many smart homes.

While the Abode Starter Kit isn't perfect, it does provide a convenient introduction to the company's smart home platform at a reasonable price. Given the Kickstarter roots, it's no surprise that the gateway hardware and sensors are a bit rough around the edges (sometimes literally) and we want second-generation devices from Abode to feel higher with higher specifications and higher reliability. The cameras and sensors included in the starter kit don't show the Abode ecosystem as well as it should, and although the gateway works well, it won't be the prettiest or best built device in your home.

However, if you look beyond these entry-level devices, you can see that significant investments have been made in Abode's underlying platform. The Abode app and the web dashboard are well designed and beautifully designed and support simple, intuitive control without being unnecessarily conspicuous. The third-party integrations we tested were easy to connect and worked well. This demonstrated Abode's potential as a comprehensive smart home solution that combines heating, lighting, entertainment and security.

Since large companies are now dominating the smart home market, Abode must certainly work on its hardware in order to continue the early dynamic. However, with a strong and flexible platform, Abode should not be ignored.

Warranty information

The Abode Starter Kit is covered by a one-year guarantee that covers material or processing defects.

Our opinion

The Abode Starter Kit offers a cost-effective introduction to the company's smart home platform. However, the included gateway, camera and sensors offer disappointing build quality and specifications. Abode's software platform, however, is simple, intuitive and can be connected to a variety of smart home devices. Abode may not be at the top of our list of smart home platform providers, but it's certainly one you should check out.

Is there a better alternative?

Before you decide to buy a Smart Home Security, you should opt for the higher-quality and more expensive Nest Secure system for $ 499 or the cheaper $ 199 ring alarm.

How long it will take?

After four years, Abode is doing an excellent job adding new features and upgrades to its platform. As a small company with installations of thousands instead of hundreds of thousands, time will tell whether the company can take over the power of Nest, Amazon and other technology giants. Smart home security is reviving and there will likely be casualties. So there is a certain risk of choosing a smaller provider that may be acquired or lost in the struggle for supremacy of smart homes. However, we are currently not aware of any specific problems that would indicate that Abode will not be available in the medium term.

Should you buy it

With a variety of companies announcing security solutions for smart homes this year, Abode would not be our first choice. The platform looks good, but the starter kit hardware is clearly Kickstarter class. Be sure to check out bigger competitors like Nest, Amazon, and Netgear before you get started.

Updated July 13, 2020: The updated app experience has been noted.

Editor's recommendations




13 Jul
Blog

Razer Blade 15 (2020) Review: A Trailblazing Gaming Laptop

"Razer's Blade 15 is the most attractive gaming laptop you can buy for money."

  • Sleek design

  • Comfortable keyboard and touchpad

  • Exceptional gaming experience

  • 300Hz refresh rate

  • Ideal port selection

All other gaming laptops swim in the course of the Razer Blade. It is a design that others want to emulate in both aesthetic and portable terms.

But with two years on the same chassis, the Razer Blade may not be as impressive as it used to be. The latest version is a refinement of the formula that offers more power and a faster 300 Hz screen with just a few minor adjustments to the formula.

Razer offers models for up to $ 1,600, but my test device costs $ 3,000. Does the Razer Blade still stand out to justify its premium, or has the competition caught up?

Design and keyboard

The Razer Blade's greatest achievement is not what it accomplishes, but what it completely avoids. It is a gaming laptop that defeats any design cliché that is normally associated with its competitors. It resists decorations and facades and instead focuses on straight lines and minimal chrome. Put it next to the Acer Predator Triton 500 or the Alienware m15 and you will see what I mean. The Razer Blade looks like a normal laptop.

This makes it a good option for someone who wants to use the device not only for games but also for other tasks, especially since it only weighs 4.6 pounds. It fits in your backpack as well as a MacBook Pro 16-inch or Dell XPS 15. The quality of machined aluminum is also exceptional as long as you can forgive how quickly fingerprints are captured.

There have always been exceptions to the blade's ethos and they include glowing lights. Razer's iconic green snakes still shine on the lid. It's dimmed on the silver version of this laptop, but it still glows outrageously here. The same applies to the RGB-loaded keyboard, which is backlit per key in a spectacular way and has become synonymous with the Razer brand.

Speaking of the keyboard: Razer has slightly adjusted the layout. The keyboard was previously equipped with full-size arrow keys, which forced a separation between question mark and shift key. Players may have appreciated the roomy arrow keys, but it was frustrating to type.

The layout is now more conventional, which I consider an upgrade. However, the keycaps on the Dell XPS 15 feel a bit small. It's a minor issue, but I would like to see less space between the buttons in a future design.

If you press a key, you will be rewarded with a fantastic key loss. There is a lot to travel with a satisfactorily springy mechanism that made me feel comfortable straight away. The glass touchpad is also a winner. It's big, responsive, and quiet. You won't find a better keyboard or touchpad on a gaming laptop.

Ports and security

All the bells and whistles are here, far beyond what your standard gaming laptop offers. Razer even throws an IR camera over the top bezel for Windows Hello face authentication. It is typical for gaming laptops to include HDMI and lots of USB 3.2 Gen 2. The blade contains both with a total of three USB-A and a single USB-C connector.

However, Razer goes one step further by including both Thunderbolt 3 and a full-size SD card slot. Creative professionals and content creators will appreciate it, which can support high-speed storage and quick access to camera files. Your photo shows how Razer wants to position the blade.

Although you can power the laptop through the Thunderbolt 3 port, Razer has a proprietary charging port on the left for full performance.

The Razer Blade even supports the latest connectivity standards like Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1.

performance

Owners like to use the Razer Blade for everything from video editing to gaming, but the balance of its performance tends towards the latter. This has ramifications for performance in productivity applications, which are not bad, but lag behind laptops that tend to work rather than play.

This year's model features the latest 10th generation Intel Core i7-10875H. The eight cores and 16 threads are a major advance over the six-core processors of previous generations. This is promising if you don't want to use the Razer Blade just for gaming.

In the Cinebench R20 multi-core benchmark, the latest Razer Blade 15 is a significant leap over the previous year. Again, it can thank these additional cores and threads for the bump. However, the Razer Blade lags behind some other non-gaming laptops that use the same processor. For example, it is 29% behind the Dell XPS 15.

Interestingly, the blade is a whopping 36% behind the Dell G5 SE. The G5 SE is a gaming laptop, but uses an AMD GPU and CPU, as well as SmartShift technology to share the performance between the components.

Handbrake video encoding tells a similar story. The Razer was 9% slower than the Dell XPS 15 and 19% behind the XPS 17.

That doesn't mean the Razer Blade 15 is a bad choice as a content creation laptop. If the GPU can be used, it is quite powerful. For example, it is a powerful video rendering rig in an application like Adobe Premiere Pro. It exported a 2 minute 4K video clip to ProRes 422 in 7 minutes and 42 seconds. This is much faster than the configuration I checked last year, which had an Intel processor with six cores and an RTX 2070 Max-Q .

Options like the Dell XPS 17 or the Microsoft Surface Book 3 are still unsurpassed in these tests. Although the Razer has a charged RTX 2080 Super, the XPS 17's RTX 2060 finished the same rendering in Premiere 46% faster. That's what a bigger chassis and improved thermal system mean to you.

All versions of the Razer Blade are equipped with 16 GB of dual-channel RAM as standard and no longer allow anything. Most other performance-oriented laptops offer up to 32 GB, including the Acer Predator Triton 500 and the Dell XPS 15.

Gaming performance

The greatest power of the Razer Blade is gaming. It comes with either the Nvidia RTX 2070 Super Max-Q or the 2080 Super Max-Q. These new Nvidia GPUs add just a few frames per second (fps) than the previous non-super versions. Fortunately, the Razer Blade was already an extremely powerful gaming laptop.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is the most challenging test game, and the Razer Blade still reached an average of 60 fps with graphics details at Ultra High. This and Civilization VI were the only two games in which the Acer Predator Triton 500 came up a bit and offered up to 8% faster frame rates at the highest settings in both games. Still, you probably won't complain about the Razer Blade, which averages 134 fps.

Returning to a 60 Hz screen feels chunky by comparison.

Elsewhere, the Razer Blade dominates. Fortnite and Battlefield V performed spectacularly and exceeded the Triton 500 in both cases. In Battlefield V at Ultra, the blade achieved an average of 98 fps. When I pulled the settings back to medium, the system released 122 fps, which is a new record for 15-inch laptops. This is really impressive for such a small laptop.

Fortnite was similarly fast, and the Razer was again one of the fastest 15-inch laptops I've tested. With epic settings, it easily reaches 110 fps. But responsiveness really came alive with lower settings. For example, 161 fps with settings at high felt incredibly smooth. The return to a 60 Hz screen on my XPS 15 felt chunky by comparison.

I even tried the Rocket League, which had no problem reaching its maximum speed of 250 fps with the highest graphics quality. That's not quite 300, but the animations are still incredibly smooth.

These games were all played with the native screen resolution of 1080p. You could connect to a higher resolution external monitor and I suspect it would handle 1440p quite well. While 4K would be a stretch in some games, turn-based strategy games like Civilization VI shouldn't be a problem.

The Razer Blade is of course quite expensive. Though it's equivalent to the $ 3,000 Asus ROG Zephyrus S15, it's $ 400 more than the Triton 500, though the performance is very similar. With the Alienware m15, you get a similar package for almost $ 800 cheaper. Some of these options, such as B. the Triton 500, also offer G-Sync support. The Razer Blade lacks this feature, but the high refresh rate is surprisingly good to avoid tearing the screen.

In general, the Razer Blade is still running hot. Surface temperatures can be roasted during the game, but that's not too surprising. The frustrating part is idling temperatures. Since nothing is running, the palm rests and keyboard are still a bit warm, and this can be uncomfortable.

Display and speakers

Razer offers two 15.6-inch viewing options, one for content creation and one for gamers. The game-oriented screen I tested is a 1080p display with the above-mentioned refresh rate of 300 Hz. The option focused by the creator is a 4K display, which is intended for photographers and video editors who need this high number of pixels. The 4K screen also has a glossy surface, a touchscreen and a refresh rate of 60 Hz.

While the 4K screen undoubtedly offers a sharper picture, the 1080p screen looks great. The contrast is high at 1,010: 1, and although it is maximum at only 310 nits, the matte screen excellently blocks glare. The screen is also fairly color accurate, though if you need a wide range of colors you'll need to go with the 4K OLED panel.

The Razer Blade offers a decent set of speakers shooting up. They are on par with the Dell XPS 15, although they lag behind the MacBook Pro 16-inch. They still lack the bass and there is certainly room for improvement.

Battery life

Because the Razer Blade doesn't have G-Sync, its battery life doesn't suffer the same fate as other gaming laptops. These models, like the Predator Triton 500, only last a few hours in normal use.

The five hours of the Razer Blade are, of course, nothing to write home about. Despite the 97-watt-hour battery, you still can't get through a full working day without needing a charge. Less powerful laptops like the ROG Zephyrus G14 or the Dell G5 SE can last an extra hour. Even the 4K Dell XPS 15 lasts up to 7 hours.

Of course, it all depends on how you use it. In our lightest test, where a local 1080p video is repeated, the Razer Blade lasted almost 7.5 hours. If you run heavy applications or games, you can expect no more than 3 hours on a single charge.

That may not sound that impressive, but you won't find a laptop with an RTX 2080 Super that lasts that long.

The basic edition

The Razer Blade Base Edition

When you buy a Razer Blade, you will come across an "Advanced Edition" and a "Base Edition". I have reviewed the Advanced Edition and it is the version that gives you the latest parts.

However, the Base Edition has its advantages. It offers the same processor and memory options. You can even opt for the same 4K OLED screen if you want.

The differences depend on the housing and the refresh rate. The Base Edition reaches a maximum speed of 144 Hz for the 1080p model, and the case is slightly thicker and heavier. The Base Edition also offers a different selection of graphics cards, from the Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti to the RTX 2080 Max-Q.

Razer also offers a “Studio Edition” that supports Nvidia's RTX Quadro 5000 graphics and comes with Windows 10 Pro.

Our opinion

The Razer Blade does not require you to use it in any particular way. It tries to satisfy the modern player – the one who could also use his laptop for work or as a content creator. The design of the Razer Blade is no longer as revolutionary as it used to be, but there is no question that it is still the best.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Acer Predator Triton 500 offers similar performance at reduced costs to the Alienware m15. However, these laptops look brighter and do not work as well as everyday laptops.

If you're looking for a subdued design that matches the Razer Blade, the MSI GS66 Stealth is a close rival. The build quality is not that good and previous versions didn't work as well.

How long it will take?

Like most premium laptops, the Razer Blade should last at least four or five years. The build quality is second to none and the components are all up to date. It comes with a standard one-year warranty, but Razer offers three years of protection with its two different warranty plans, starting at $ 250.

Should you buy it

Yes. This is the best gaming laptop you can buy, and it works great in just about any other environment.

Editor's recommendations




11 Jul
Blog

Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K Review: Covering The Basics

Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K on the table

Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K

"Eufy's Indoor Cam 2K delivers impressively sharp video quality."

  • Excellent 2K video footage

  • Inexpensive

  • Local storage option

  • Easy setup

  • Boring design

  • Weak internal speaker

Inexpensive cameras usually have a less than excellent reputation. But now and then someone comes and surprises us. One example is the Wyze Cam V2, which offers exceptional functions at a very low price.

We recently put Eufy's latest offering, the Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt, through its paces and were amazed at what a $ 50 surveillance camera could offer. Now it's time for another affordable camera – the Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K. It has all the functions of its sibling, minus the pan and tilt function. And it's only $ 40.

2K material that won't disappoint you

By far the best thing about the Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K is the razor-sharp 2K video material that has a resolution of 2304 x 1296 pixels. The quality looks the same as in the pan-and-tilt version. This is not a big surprise as the same 1 / 2.7-inch sensor with a 125-degree field of view is used.

Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K camera close-upJohn Velasco / Digital Trends

Details are plentiful, while colors tend to get a little saturated. Overall, the footage is impressive, but the dynamic range could be better as the highlights tend to be overblown compared to the scene's neutral exposure. Impressively, there is no major deterioration even with night vision material. It's good to keep details, even in almost pitch-black conditions.

Not much to see

Eufy didn't think much about its design. The Security Indoor Cam 2K is made entirely of plastic and is lightweight and is supplied with power via a micro USB connection. The camera's square box is located on the top of the base so that it can be adjusted for the ideal view. It does the job, but there's nothing noticeable about the design.

It's good to keep details, even in almost pitch-black conditions.

Since it is a static camera, you have to be strategic when placing it, as the field of view is 125 degrees narrower than most other cameras. Corners are ideal and offer the best vantage point to cover rooms. It comes with a mounting plate with which it can be attached to a wall. However, you should still be careful (or bring an extension cable), as the power cord is only about 3 m long.

A basic surveillance camera

As is to be expected in view of the price, it is a basic surveillance camera. It marks all the markings in what you want to include so that a simple setup is done in no time and nothing more.

Once you've downloaded the Eufy Security app, you'll find controls for motion zones, notifications, and motion detection. It does a great job of detecting people and pets that appear as a notification with a small screenshot. You can set the sensitivity so that you are not bombarded every time something is discovered.

The choice is always a good thing, which is why I appreciate that the Eufy Security Indoor Cam offers 2K cloud and local storage options. If you choose the former, you get a free 30-day trial of Eufy's cloud storage, saving you up to 14 days of recordings. You will then see $ 2.99 per month for a single camera or $ 29.99 for an annual subscription.

Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2k Rating 7 out of 8

Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2k Rating 8 by

Whenever the camera is accessed for a live view, the camera's LED status indicator lights up blue.

The built-in speaker isn't particularly loud. So don't rely on the siren's alarm to scare someone away. However, your pets may be scared at first when the camera detects them and shouts, "Hey, what are you doing there?"

It is possible to switch off the camera in the app and effectively switch off the camera and microphone. If you're worried that Big Brother is watching, you can rest easy. However, Eufy is still missing two-factor authentication, and that's a privacy issue.

Our opinion

If you can exceed the additional $ 10, choose Eufy's other camera – the Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K Pan and Tilt. I think Pan and Tilt's heading feature is worth the extra $ 10. Nevertheless, the Indoor Cam 2K works just as well as its siblings, and you can save yourself a Hamilton if you absolutely do not need the pan / tilt function.

How long it will take?

This should hold better than the rotating model because there are fewer moving parts. In the event of a malfunction, Eufy grants a 1-year limited warranty for defects.

Is there a better alternative?

As mentioned earlier, the Eufy Security Indoor Cam 2K Pan & Tilt is the better buy at $ 50. You pay a little more, but you get this 360-degree coverage – and more security in terms of privacy because the camera is not visible. Alternatively, the Wyze Cam V2 remains the benchmark to beat due to its outstanding cost of $ 20.

Should you buy it

Yes. The price is affordable and the image quality of the camera is impressive.

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