Tag Archives: DTS:X

Android, Consumer Electronics, Entertainment, News

Play For Dream MR Takes on Apple’s Vision Pro at a Lower Price Point

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Play for Dream Technology, a mixed reality company currently based out of China, is taking Apple’s Vision Pro head-on with its new Play for Dream MR. The new mixed reality headset is not only bringing a lot of the features that made Apple’s Vision Pro notable, but it’s also making some big improvements.

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The Play for Dream MR headset runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon XR+ Gen 2. The processor is built from the ground up for Mixed and Extended-reality experiences. It has 16GB of RAM supporting this processor and is available with up to 1TB of onboard storage. When it comes to optics, the Play for Dream MR comes with two 8K micro OLED screens – one per eye. Unlike other mixed-reality headsets, the Play for Dream MR headset comes with a Pancake optics solution that is developed by the team at Play for Dream Technologies. The company’s solution is made of ultra-lightweight resin which reduces the weight of the lenses tremendously. According to the company, it’s the lightest available right now.

Design-wise, the same approach is also being used when it comes to the design of the wearable. The MR headset is built to not only look futuristic but also be light. The main factor behind this approach is simply the comfort of wearing the headset over prolonged periods of time. The headset is only 33mm thick and even has a built-in battery. You can also get extra juice with an additional power bank for even longer MR sessions. It’s also designed with a 3:2 weight distribution to minimise neck strain.

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There are a total of 11 high-performance cameras that are paired with 7 different types of sensors and 22 infra-red LEDs for precise multimodal interaction. The main cameras on the Play For Dream MR are dual 32-megapixel sensors which are used for view through for extended and augmented-reality application. In addition, these cameras can also be used to capture immersive, 3D content that can be used with the Play for Dream MR. The MR also has a large 103° field of view with about 45 pixels per degree (PPD).

On top of these specs, Play for Dream Technologies has also developed its own MR OS called DreamOS based on Android. This OS while built on Android expands the capabilities of it to include productivity features, the ability to create 3D content and more. What could be a hallmark feature when it comes to the MR is its AI Assistant, Xiao Hu. The cute, furry little creature is the Play for Dream MR’s visual manifestation of Iron Man’s Jarvis. For now, Xiao Hu is able to handle searches, music composition, translation and precise voice control. That said, Xiao Hu is only one of the AI features that will be coming with the MR.

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While augmented- and mixed-reality are amazing, it’s not worth much if there’s no content. Play For Dream Technologies is partnering with over 100 content companies to ensure that the platform has a robust app and content ecosystem. In addition, partners like Unity are helping the company figure out apps as both immersive 3D experiences and regular app experiences. When it comes to content, the headset is able to provide an immersive theatrical experience as the in OS screen can provide experiences that mimic a screen that is over 1000-inches big.

The development of immersive content experiences has also influenced the design and features of the headset. The Play for Dream MR comes with speakers that are able to deliver DTS:X audio and IMAX immersive audio. These speakers are developed in partnership with Xperi (the company behind DTS:X) and IMAX. The built-in speakers are able to deliver simulated 7.1-channel audio that has been IMAX Enhanced certified. The built-in speakers are also able to create 3D immersive sound. CEO and Founder of Play for Dream, Huang Feng, mentioned that the company chose to go with built-in speakers to create a more immersive experience but more importantly, to provide an integrated experience that is more conducive to long hours of use. He iterated that using earbuds may not be the best option.

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Like other VR headsets, the MR comes with controllers or joysticks. These controllers come with 6DoF and lack the halo design we’re used to seeing in other systems. However, they are more accurate and have better range of movement. In addition, the Play for Dream MR has basic and advanced gesture controls. These gestures are developed in collaboration with Sogou, a company that has already made waves with gestures based controls in the past. These gestures are detected by the large number of sensors on the headset. These sensors are supposedly able to track the gestures with increased accuracy and precision.

Pricing & Availability

The only official pricing announced during the launch of the Play for Dream MR is USD$1X99 – which is a fraction of the price of the Apple Vision Pro. However, the MR will be rolling out officially in Malaysia and Singapore starting in October 2024. Other Asia Pacific countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand and more will follow in 2025.

We expect that the headset will be priced at about USD$1,899 or just a tad bit lower. However, at this point, the MR is entering a market which is stagnating barring the interest behind the Apple Vision Pro. However, with an option that is not only cheaper, but more open for everyone with a lower price point and what looks like to be a promising competitor that can invigorate the space when it comes to gaming and even how we consume our conent.

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

Sony Releases the HT-S2000 Soundbar with 3.1 Channel Dolby Atmos 

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If you ask us about buying a soundbar, we will always recommend a Sony soundbar first. They are one of the foremost brands in home entertainment currently, They also sell all soundbars and home theatre audio systems that fits all kinds of budget. You have the HT-A series, if you want top-of-the-line home theatre experience. You also have the HT-S series, that caters to the value seekers. That is the HT-S400, a 2.1 channel soundbar set that will set you back MYR 1,099. There is also the HT-S40R that is a 5.1 channel surround sound set. 

What if you want a budget friendlt soundbar that that is better than the HT-S400? What if you want something less clunky than the 5.1 channel HT-S40R? You have the HT-S2000 3.1 channel soundbar. 

The Sony HT-S2000 

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The new soundbar, as mentioned, offers 3.1 channel surround sound audio. It does this without an accompanying subwoofer though. Sony has started offering their subwoofers separately, we think it is in a bid to make their soundbars more affordable and more attractive to high-density residence homeowners.  

Still, that should not be too much of an issue with Sony’s HT-S2000 soundbar. It is still programmed with a powerful but small woofer module built into the soundbar itself. If you do wish to get an accompanying subwoofer, you can pair it with Sony’s existing SA-SW3 or SA-SW5 subwoofers.  

Even without the subwoofer, the HT-S2000 offers Dolby Atmos surround sound experience for rich and immersive movies. It also offers DTS: X audio algorithm for clear and crisp audio experience. Sony has also fitted the soundbar with a Vertical Sound Engine and S-Force PRO technology. Both the technology combines and offers a rich, three-dimensional audio experience, even if you are playing contents with stereo audio.  

Within the HT-S2000 soundbar, you can find Sony’s highly acclaimed X-balanced speaker units that offer soundstage like no other. You get clear trebles and mids with the speaker units. That also means that dialogues in movies are much cleaner and clearer than before. The driver units are also engineered to work with higher pressures for more punchy, detailed low-end sounds, even without a subwoofer. That means more boom without crackles.  

You want your soundbar to be easy to work with. With Sony’s Home Entertainment Connect app, the HT-S2000 is easier than ever to work with. The app takes you through the entire set up process without a fuss wirelessly. You can even control the soundbar completely with the app. The app offers full volume control, sound fields, and even the equaliser for you to fully customise your sound experience with the soundbar. Of coures, you can update your soundbar’s firmware via the app as well. 

Price and Availability

The Sony HT-S2000 will be available in Malaysia June 2023 onward. There are no colour options for the soundbar, as usual. It will set you back MYR 2,199 when it is available. For more information on the HT-S2000 soundbar, you can visit their website.  

Accessories, Consumer Electronics, Lifestyle, News

LG Releases the Most Compact Soundbar They’ve Ever Produced, the Eclair QP5 in Malaysia for MYR 2,799.

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CES 2021 saw LG release their most compact soundbar yet. They announced the Eclair QP5 soundbar to the world in July of 2021. Sadly, the soundbar has not made its way into Malaysia yet at the time of launch. In some sense, it is a two-year-old product. At the same time, it is still one of LG’s more anticipated products for Malaysia.

The LG Eclair QP5 is not the most compact soundbar there is, but it is still one of the most compact soundbar you can find in the market. Even at its rather compact construction, the LG Eclair QP5 still offers a lot of power at up to 320W. It offers 3.1.2 channel of audio to really push on the surround sound capability of the soundbar.

The soundbar that comes with a subwoofer set-up is tuned by Meridian for the best possible audio reproduction a compact soundbar can get. It is also Dolby Atmos and DTS:X certified, so you can be sure that your movie and music experience is one of the best and most accurate you can find in its range.

As mentioned before, the LG Eclair offers 4K pass-through for optimized 4K and HDR contents with Dolby Vision. LG’s AI Sound Pro also analyses the contents being displayed and automatically tunes the soundbar to optimise the sounds and contents. With eARC on the HDMI port, the LG Eclair is capable of taking on transmission of 5.1-channel or 7.1-channel audio. If you have an LG TV produced from 2021 onward, you benefit from TV Mode Share that cleverly combines the processing power of LG’s proprietary α processors and AI Sound Pro to enrich sounds from any content source. Of course, you want to tamper your expectations a little when you are going through older format videos.

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    Source: LG
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The LG Eclair QP5 compact soundbar is now available in Malaysia. You can get your hands on one or even test them out at LG’s authorized dealers and stores across the nation. Sadly, there are no colour options to speak of. You can only get your hands on the black colour option. At MYR 2,799, it is not what you want to call budget-friendly too. As soundbars go though, the compact soundbar is quite perfect for a desktop set-up or even a small condominium in Malaysia. More information on the soundbar can be found on their website.

Contributed, Lifestyle

Compatibility, Sound Preference, or Location: Which Samsung Soundbar is the one for you?

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When it comes to selecting a sound system, there are various variables to consider. This depends on your goals and demands, how you use your leisure time, whether watching movies or playing video games and even how compatible it is with the rest of your entertainment system. For some, the visual may be the most important factor, while for others, the sound quality is what makes their entertainment come alive.

Curious to know which is most suitable for you? Here are Samsung’s recommendations on which soundbar you should go for based on your needs:

HW A550 A series Soundbar
  • For gamers: If you own a gaming console and have been looking for an immersive sound experience, consider the Q-Series Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. With the ultimate 3D sound coming to you from every direction, you’ll be able to feel like you’ve stepped into your TV and are experiencing the game in the first person. The Q800A Soundbar comes with three channels, one subwoofer channel, and two up-firing channels – which ultimately means that the sound moves around you based on the action on your screen. Not only does it bring your games to life, but you can also experience playing music on a whole other level, as with the ‘Tap Sound’ feature, you can simply tap the soundbar, and it will recognize your device and play the song you’re currently playing on your phone.
  • Seamless compatibility with other devices: If you’re looking for an all-rounder soundbar that can jive with all of your devices, you can consider the S-Series All-in-One Soundbar with Acoustic Beam and built-in Bixby Voice Assistant. You won’t have to worry about where you’re placing it in your house as it’s designed to fill the room with immersive sound and improved audio quality with its dual-sided horn speakers and Samsung’s Acoustic Beam® technology.
Q800A Soundbar with Dolby Atmos and DTSX
  • All about the bass: The bass makes a great sound system for music lovers. If blasting music and dancing to your heart’s desire is your thing, you can go for the A-Series Soundbar with the Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS Virtual:X feature to give you immersive surround sound simulation. Imagine rewatching one of your favourite live concerts with the Powerful Bass Boost that’s connected to its very own wireless subwoofer – surely nothing could go wrong. The A-Series Soundbar can also connect to two different mobile devices simultaneously, allowing you and your friends to switch between your favourite playlists at any given time.
Lifestyle, News

SONOS Beam (Gen 2) Brings New Audio Formats and Dolby Atmos

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Sonos has made a name for itself over the years with its offerings when it comes to wireless sound. The company has one of the largest portfolios when it comes to wireless audio products. Having only just released their new Sonos Roam not too long ago, the company is announcing their new, updated second-generation Sonos Beam.

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The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is a step forward when it comes to home entertainment and soundbars. The second-generation Beam shares some of the hallmark features of the first generation Sonos Beam including its compact size and iconic design. The minimalist design that has become the signature for any Sonos product is also along for the ride. However, the Sonos Beam Gen 2 brings an updated grille design to allow it to stand out in simplicity.

However, while the outsides remain iconic and about the same, the insides bring a leap forward when it comes to the sound experience. The Sonos Beam Gen 2 is the first to come equipped with Dolby Atmos support. It will bring a more immersive sound experience that puts viewers in the middle of their content with object-centered sound. This will allow viewers to immerse themselves as they listen to the sound as is intended by sound designers. Blasts from behind as they escape an explosion in their favorite game or whisper in the corner as danger approaches in the dark.

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The soundbar also packs a faster, more capable processor which allows the soundbar to produce more realistic sound. It’s also equipped with upgraded speaker arrays which allows more complex interactions between the transducers allowing for a more spacious sound space and dialogue clarity.

The new generation Sonos Beam also supports a wider range of audio types with enhancements already in place for high-definition audio. It will be able to support Amazon Music’s Ultra High-Definition audio which will be launching later this year. With this support, the Sonos Beam will be one of the first in the market to support lossless audio with bitrates of up to 48kHz or 24-bit audio.

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Together with higher fidelity audio, the Beam is also able to support more audio formats. It has HDMI eARC support and even supports DTS:X. Controlling and interacting with the Beam will be as easy as touching your phone to the soundbar with its NFC support. You will be able to seamlessly add it to your Sonos groups on the S2 platform. However, daisy-chaining multiple Beam units isn’t an option – yet.

Pricing & Availability

The Sonos Beam (Gen 2) will be in stores in Malaysia starting October 6, 2021. It will be available in white and black and will cost MYR2,699.

If you can’t wait to get your own, it’s available for pre-order starting 14 September 2021 on the official Sonos Malaysia website starting at 9 pm.

Editorial, Lifestyle, Reviews

Samsung Q800T Soundbar In-Depth Review: Immersion on a Budget(ish)

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Sound plays a humongous part in how immersive content can be. When the quality is below par, we tend to be pulled out from the content we’re viewing. On the other hand, when the sound we experience is rich, bold and warm, we’re immersed even more. That said, when it comes to stock speakers on our TVs, there can be a lot to make up for when it comes to sound – that’s where soundbars come in.

Samsung’s Q800T soundbar is one of the latest soundbars from the big blue. Initially announced at CES 2020, the sound bar brings along with it a slew of features that is aimed at creating a more immersive experience. That said, we’re taking a deep dive into the new offering from Samsung and breaking down the experience to see if it’s truly worth your hard earned money.

Design

When it comes to items like the TV and Soundbar, the first thing that we tend to look for is something that can blend seamlessly with our existing setup and enhance the look of our living space or room. We never want to see an item which disrupts our zen in a space we spend so much of our time in.

The Samsung Q800T is one of the more discreet options you can have when it comes to a soundbar. The sleek, black finish of the soundbar allows it to blend into your setup seamlessly. It’s got a minimalist feel with an industrial finish but you wouldn’t be able to tell from a distance thanks to the black colour.

You can tell that Samsung’s design team has put some thought into the aesthetics of the whole living space when it comes to the Q800T Soundbar. It is able to fit under newer QLED and Smart TVs but, more importantly, it has a small enough footprint that you’ll be able to integrate it into your living space effortlessly. You also have the option of mounting the soundbar on the wall if you so please.

The only design cue that felt a little dated is the wire mesh design that has become somewhat of a signature for Samsung’s soundbar design. It’s a very retro feel which hearkens back to the radios and boom boxes of yesteryear. While it does seem a little dated, it does lend itself to a much sturdier feel overall.

Samsung also bundles a wireless sub-woofer which brings the lows to complement the highs and mids of the main soundbar. While it can seem a little tedious to have an extra component to maneuver and assimilate, into your decor, the sleek black design allows you to place it just out of sight and still get the full benefit of theatrical sound.

Performance

The Q800T packs quite the punch when it comes to sound. In smaller living spaces and rooms, the soundbar is bound to provide a really immersive experience. It was able to flood our studio space of about 1,300sqft with good sound. In fact, we wouldn’t be surprised if it was able to accommodate a larger room of about 2,000sqft.

When it comes to the sound quality, the Q800T was pretty impressive. It had very warm mids and highs which made watching cinematic movies enjoyable. The bass on the system was able to carry the explosions in action flicks pretty well too. Overall, it gave a deeper level of immersion when it came to enjoying movies and series.

The soundbar was able to produce really clear audio even when it came to audio. In fact, in its “Voice” mode, the soundbar was able to detect and enhance the audio of news readers which made it a lot easier to hear. This was also true for movies; dialogue was crisp and even whispers were more audible. You rarely miss anything said during movies even when there’s explosions happening.

Our highlight with soundbar came when we were using the PlayStation 4, the sound really brought Horizon Zero Dawn to live. The Dolby Atmos calibration made it so the sounds that we heard felt like we were in the game itself. Objects and creatures behind us in game actually sounded like they were behind us when we were gaming.

Features

The Samsung Q800T soundbar is one of the most feature rich soundbars available. It comes with Dolby Atmos certification as well as DTS:X certification. This means that the tweeters, subs and DSP on the soundbar has been uniquely tuned to be able to reproduce high quality audio to the standards set by Dolby and DTS.

In addition to that, the soundbar is also equipped with an equalizer. You’ll be able to control it manually and cycle through the presets on the controller which comes with the soundbar. However, if you want more granular control, you’ll have to adjust the levels on the SmartThings App.

The hallmark feature on the Q800T is Q-Symphony which synchronises the TV’s built-in speakers to create even more sound depth. It effective adds another two channels to the overall sound setup allowing for better immersion.

Compatibility

The Samsung Q800T soundbar runs on Samsung’s SmartThings platform which is a good thing. All you have to do to set it up on your phone is download the app on your phone and let it do it’s magic – which includes setting up the WiFi on the Q800T as well. Of course, you can manually connect to the speaker through Bluetooth as well and do the setup step by step. However, SmartThings really makes setup a once click step. In addition, the app is universally available – even on the iOS AppStore.

In fact, Samsung’s SmartThings platform also makes it so you can use Bixby to control and play music on your soundbar from your Samsung phone. If your on your Samsung device, you can also connect seamlessly via the SmartThings apps and set your system to automatically connect to the device and playback audio when its in range.

However, be that as it may, the Samsung centric nature of the Q800T is also its biggest handicap. You can’t get the most from the device or the SmartThings platform unless you’re in the Samsung ecosystem; this includes a Samsung QLED TV and a Samsung tablet or smartphone. In fact, one of the hallmark features, Q-Symphony, of the soundbar isn’t readily available unless you have a compatible Samsung QLED TV.

The Q-Symphony feature is actually one of the best features on the soundbar. Thankfully, we got to test it during a technical seminar. In a nutsell, you get an even more immersive sound experience as the speakers on the TV itself sync with the soundbar as front firing speakers complementing the 3.1.2 setup of the soundbar. However, if you’re not using a compatible Samsung QLED TV, you’ll miss out on the extra level of immersion.

A Feature Rich Sound Experience for a Relatively Affordable Price

Overall, the Samsung Q800T soundbar delivers one of the most immersive experiences you can get at it’s MYR3,999 (USD$987.64) price point. In fact, we can say that it’s one of the more complete offering on the market at this time. The unique, feature rich approach Samsung is taking to the soundbar makes a compelling package let down by one handicap – over reliance on a Samsung QLED TV. Other than the lack of Q-Symphony support on every other smart TV, the universality of SmartThings and the quality of the sound produced by the soundbar leaves users wanting little more.