Hisense is flexing real hard at IFA 2024. The company is showcasing its innovative large-screen displays and gaming-enhancing partnerships. However, instead of focusing on AI, the company is sharing a new, refreshing approach called “Scenario-driven Tech”.
Gaming Immersion with 100-inch TVs and Partnership with Black Myth: Wukong
Hisense is doubling down on its partnership with the recent hit game, Black Myth: Wukong. The company leveraged its partnership to showcase its new 100-inch displays. The company’s 100-inch U7 and E7 PRO TVs are, specifically designed for gaming. The displays come with vibrant colours, 4K resolution and immersive audio that help bring the world of Black Myth: Wukong to life.
Joining the lineup of TVs is Hisense’s range of laser displays. The Hisense Laser Cinema PX3-PRO, certified as “Designed for Xbox,” offers a super large, immersive projection size of up to 150 inches. The projector’s high refresh rate and advanced features deliver smooth, lag-free gameplay and stunning visuals.
The Hisense Laser Smart Mini Projector C2 Ultra, also certified for Xbox, provides a versatile projection experience with a range of 65 to 300 inches. Its high brightness, contrast ratio, and advanced features make it ideal for gaming and entertainment.
Expanding Home Entertainment with ULED X and Canvas TV Series
Hisense also introduced its new ULED X and Canvas TV series, catering to the diverse entertainment needs of families. The Hisense ULED X Mini LED 110-inch UX offers a cinematic experience with its exceptional picture quality and immersion. The TV leverages Mini LED technology to deliver vibrant, true-to-life colours.
Hisense Laser Smart Mini Projector C2 Ultra delivers a next-level immersive large-screen gaming experience on Xbox
The Hisense Canvas TV 65-inch S7 combines art and technology, transforming into a personal art gallery with its Art Mode. The anti-glare Hi-Matte Display and customizable StyleSwap Frames create a unique and visually appealing experience.
Hisense has not indicated any release date for the devices showcased at IFA 2024. However, it’s worth noting that some of them are already available in markets globally.
A cinematic experience has become more important in recent years as more and more people are looking to spend less at theatres. With the ready availability of several streaming services, this has become easier to achieve. However, with other factors becoming easier, the main factor – the television itself – has become even more complex. Consumers are faced with choices ranging the gamut of technology and prices. It wouldn’t be surprising to be utterly lost with the choices. Do you buy something that is cheaper or do you buy something more expensive?
We’re taking a deep dive into one of the more affordable options available in the market – the Hisense U6K PRO ULED TV. It’s a smart TV that brings Google TV into the home opening up doors when it comes to apps. But, is it really worth investing in it? We’re breaking down the experience of owning a Hisense U6K Pro and putting the TV to the test to find out.
Design
The trend nowadays is to have a large, thin, nearly bezel-less TV. One that can blend seamlessly into your living room and appear to be part of the décor. The Hisense U6K Pro checks most of the boxes off when it comes to these criteria. It’s a near bezel-less display and it appears to be thin. It’s also got two available sizes: 55- and 65-inch to fit your home environment.
However, the TV is a bottom heavy. It’s a large screen with a little bit of a thicc bottom. It’s a bit on the heavier side so don’t try to set this up on your own. Being bottom-heavy isn’t all bad, the added weight near the base and the stand gives it a little bit more stability when it comes to putting it on a console. This also means that your toddler or cat isn’t going to be able to topple the TV over as easily. The stand that comes with the U6K Pro adds some more stability thanks to its T-shaped design. This design also means that you’ll need a little more room on your console when you put it there. It’s about 35cm in depth for your console with about 200cm in length to fit the TV comfortably. You also have the added option to mount the U6K Pro on the wall using a VESA mount.
Once you’ve set up the TV in your preferred setup, the U6K Pro looks stunning. Its bezels are hardly noticeable and it feels like the TV itself is a picture upright. The footprint of the TV for a, now standard, 55- or 65-inch TV is actually on the slimmer side of things. Even with the stand, it can easily fit on a standard TV console.
You’ll appreciate some of the thickness of the base when it comes to audio quality. The base holds most of – if not all of – the tech in the Hisense U6K Pro. This also means that it has tweeters that are on the larger side of things for a TV of its price and size. The benefits of this are pretty obvious when you’re watching things like Blood of Zeus on Netflix where the sound design is immersive and plays a crucial role in the storytelling. We’ll go into more detail when we go into the sound section of the review.
Overall, the design of the TV is pretty standard flair. However, Hisense has made some changes that make setting up the TV less of an issue. It also brings some added benefits thanks to the technology that Hisense is able to fit in with the design.
Features
Specifications
Size(s)
55-inch 65-inch
Resolution
Ultra HD (3840×2160 pixels)
Smart TV OS
Google TV
Input(s)
1x RF-Radio Frequency 1x AV Input 2x USB-A 1x Optical/SPDIF 1x Earphone Jack 3x HDMI 2.0
Connectivity
Bluetooth 5.0 WiFi 5 (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) Ethernet (RJ 45)
Audio System
Stereo speakers
Audio Output
10W
Audio Enhancements
Dolby Digital Dolby Atmos
Misc
Apple AirPlay Miracast Anyview Cast DLNA
Price (RM)
3,999 (55-inch) 4,999 (65-inch)
Google TV
The Hisense U6K Pro features Google TV – the latest iteration of Android TV. This opens up the smart TV’s app offerings significantly. It also means that it comes with a whole bunch of features built-in that simplify things like screen sharing. However, there is a question on what Hisense update policy is when it comes to software. Throughout our time with the TV which was about 3 weeks, we didn’t get any notifications of security updates or OS updates. However, it’s worth noting that, unlike Android on smartphones, Google TV doesn’t have a strict update schedule.
Having the Google Play Store on the TV opens up the U6K Pro to a treasure trove of apps. Even apps that don’t natively come on the TV like Disney+ and Tubi TV can be downloaded from the store which is now a tab called “Shop” in the interface. Speaking of, the Google TV interface has gotten a lot more intuitive since its debut as Android TV. The apps that you interact with most are front and centre. You also have options to highlight “streams” from apps. These “streams” allow you to keep up with releases or shows that you’re watching on apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and more.
Hisense implementation of Google TV on the U6K Pro is pretty smooth. The interface has little to no lag when interacting with the remote that came with the TV. The added benefit of running on Google TV is the fact that the TV can play nice with Google Home. This allows you to be able to control the TV from your smartphone through the Google Home app. It also allows you to use the Google Assistant to turn on the TV. That said, you will need to enable certain features like Wake on LAN or Wake on WLAN to fully leverage the feature.
Google TV also brings along with it Chromecast functionality. This will allow you to project to the TV using your smartphone and laptop. It’s pretty straightforward with Android phones but will require you to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge if you want to cast from your laptop. Apple users will be able to do the same with the TV’s HomeKit compatibility.
Hi-View Engine, AI Picture and Game Mode Plus
The Hisense ULED U6K Pro comes with the company’s own AI-powered chip – the Hi-View Engine. This chip allows the TV to process scenes frame by frame; analysing and optimizing the viewing experience to fit the scene dynamically. This is supposed to ensure that you have the best viewing experience across a wide range of content types. However, in the time we had with the U6K Pro, there were some quirks when it came to how this functioned. It was able to adapt and optimise with movies, series and cinematic content. This delivered a pretty respectable viewing experience with the brights, darks and vignettes of the scenes. The details were clear if not a little muddled by post-processing. That said, when it came to animations and animated content, particularly 2D animated content, the TV defaulted to high contrasts and brightness which resulted in some colours – particularly yellows and reds being overblown. This required a simple fix in changing the display mode to the most comfortable for your viewing.
AI Picture allows it to be able to adapt to the colours and contrast that best suit the scenes. Using this mode actually yielded better results than just relying on the Hi-View Engine processing. This mode was able to get the tuning for animated content pretty quickly and the result was pretty impressive. However, I found myself mostly adjusting the calibration to my own custom settings that I preferred.
Of course, the AI optimisation and modes don’t just end there. The U6K Pro also comes with dedicated modes for Gaming and Sports. Both take full advantage of the 60Hz refresh rate of the panel. Both modes deliver pretty decent performance with some hiccups when it comes to snappy scenes or scenarios. This is mostly due to the lower 60Hz refresh rate that limits the optimisations that can be done – particularly with gaming as most gamers prefer a higher 120Hz for most games. That said, with consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, most games cap out at 60Hz although more modern games are beginning to take advantage of 4K resolution at 120Hz.
ULED Local Dimming & Adaptive Light Sensing
The Hisense U6K Pro is trying to address common issues with the modern TV in modern living spaces. One of which comes as more and more homes are open and allow natural light to come in. This poses a challenge for most TVs, particularly in the U6K Pro’s price range. Mostly, this is caused by glare that occurs due to direct sunlight or even from LED beam lights. Hisense is trying to address this with Adaptive light sensing that automatically turns the TV’s ULED panel to its max 500+ nits peak brightness to combat the glare. This sensor, while becoming increasingly mainstream in newer TVs is still a hit or miss in most TV sets; this includes well-known brands. It’s also worth noting that the finish on the panel while not totally matted also reduces glare. This particular feature was pretty good during our review. There was little glare from our fluorescent lights.
Hisense’s ULED technology is also on display with the U6K Pro. This technology allows the TV to individually dim pixels. This creates deeper blacks and whiter whites when it comes to the picture. This technology paired with the Hi-View Engine and AI picture produced very respectable picture quality in the U6K Pro. That said, some people may be looking for additional HDMI ports particularly if you have cable TV like Unifi TV or ASTRO and multiple consoles as the U6K Pro only comes with 3 HDMI 2.0 ports.
Picture & Sound Quality
The Hisense ULED U6K Pro comes with a 4K UHD resolution. That gives it a resolution of 3840×2160 pixels which is the standard. The ULED panel allows for local dimming resulting in deeper blacks and whiter whites. This, also known as Quantum Dot technology, allows the panel to individually turn off pixels that create deeper blacks. It’s also able to accurately reproduce colours and provide a viewing experience that is close to the content creator’s vision. With HDR10+ Adaptive it’s also able to highlight details and reproduce low-light scenes with detail.
While the Hisense panel did perform well when it came to colour reproduction and depth, the TV did have some issues when it came to picture quality. The panel itself produced some visual blooming particularly when it came to the edges of the panel. This was particularly obvious in low-light scenes or even when displaying a clear white scene. While it didn’t take too much away from the visual immersion, it can be distracting. It is common to see this blooming in LED-based technologies and more so in LCD panels. However, it would improve the picture quality if this could be reduced or done away with altogether. Aside from this, the colour reproduction of the panel was pretty spot on. It didn’t blow out or overcompensate for contrast and brightness. Overall, the picture quality of the Hisense U6K Pro ULED TV is not too bad.
The sound performance of the Hisense ULED U6K Pro was acceptable. It was able to produce sufficiently deep bases and high highs. However, the 10W stereo speakers did struggle when pushed to the max. That said, there shouldn’t be a situation where you’re maxing out your TV speakers as they were able to produce very immersive ambient sounds and even lift the dialogue audio when needed. During our review period, we rarely went beyond 25 for volume. Overall, the sound was pretty acceptable although, if you have the budget for it, a sound bar would take your audio experience to the next level.
A well Rounded Experience with Some Room for Improvement
The Hisense ULED U6K Pro TV is one of the more affordable when it comes to smart TVs running Google TV. It’s feature-rich with a robust app ecosystem which is well supported by 3rd party developers. It’s well-rounded with good picture quality, acceptable sound quality and some of the best technologies available in the market at the moment. However, it does have a few areas where it can improve.
That said, with prices starting at RM2,999, the Hisense ULED U6K Pro is one of the most affordable on the market. Aside from a few small hiccups, it’s built from durable materials. It’s also got sufficient ports for the everyday user although more wouldn’t hurt. It’s an affordable option for those looking to start off on the right foot when it comes to their entertainment setup.
LG‘s TV line up just got a little bit interesting for 2024 with Chromecast functionality finally coming built-in to the new systems. Ahead of CES 2024, LG has taken the opportunity to announce a refresh to its QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs. Notably missing in its refresh announcement is the company’s OLED TVs which we’re certain will take center stage at CES 2024.
Source: LG
The new LG QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs will be coming with one of three different processors: the α9 AI Processor, the α8 AI Processor and the α5 AI Processor. Higher end lines like the QNED99T models will be equipped with the α9 AI Processor. While mid-range lines like the QNED90T and QNED85T will feature an upgraded α8 AI Processor. The processor brings an impressive 30% improvement in AI performance over the previous and a 230% increase in graphical performance. The chip is the brains behind the upscaling and AI capabilities we’re used to seeing in LG’s smart TVs. The lower end models in the QNED80T lineup will be running on LG’s lower-end α5 AI Processor.
A Supersized 2024 LG QNED & QNED Mini LED Lineup
The 2024 QNED and QNED Mini LED TVs are supersized. Capping out at 98-inches with the LG QNED85T line. That said, all the new QNED and Mini LED TVs will be available in 43-,50-,55-,65-,75- and 86-inch sizes. These TVs come with LCD display technology and Quantum Dot and Nanocell technology depending on their product lines. The higher models in the line up will come with QNED (Quantum Dot and Nanocell) panels for the display while mid- and lower-end models will come with LCD panels.
Together with the hardware, the LG TV line up will be coming with a lot of the features we’ve come to expect from LG’s TVs. This includes AI upscaling, AI Picture Pro and AI Sound Pro. AI Sound Pro, which was introduced back in 2021, brings 9.1.2 surround sound to the native without a soundbar. More notably, LG is bringing Chromecast technology to the 2024 lineup of TVs. This feature was noticeably absent for year as LG has already enabled AirPlay 2.
The new line up will come with webOS 24 out of the box. LG is providing 5 years of software updates for its TVs moving forward as part of its webOS Re:new program. This will also apply to retroactively to LG’s 2022 line up of QNED 8K TVs. More details on which models will be provided at a later date.
Pricing & Availability
LG hasn’t announced any pricing or availability information at the time of writing. However, the TVs are being displayed in Las Vegas as part of CES 2024.
Panasonic Malaysia is making a comeback and they’re trying to make it big! The company was once renowned for its cutting-edge TVs that were built to last. Now, the company is announcing its latest range of six cutting-edge TVs that are set to redefine your home entertainment experience.
These new TVs are designed to meet the demands of today’s high-resolution entertainment needs. Panasonic is looking to bring cinema-level experiences into your living room and turn it into your entertainment utopia.
Panasonic’s new lineup of TVs is built for everyone. The company isn’t bringing one or two models to market, instead, it’s coming with a complete lineup offering four different series with a diverse set of features.
The Panasonic MZ2000 Flagship OLED series
Leading the four new series is the MZ200 – Panasonic’s flagship OLED TV for this year. The series will be available in 65-inch (TH-65MZ2000K) and 77-inch (TH-77MZ2000K) sizes.
Panasonic touts this as the ultimate home theatre experience. It comes equipped with Panasonic’s new custom module Master OLED Ultimate. The new module allows the TV to achieve a remarkable increase in brightness, offering a peak brightness boost of around 150%. This is thanks to the Micro Lens Array and multi-layer cooling that Panasonic has developed that allows for more efficient cooling. The HCX Pro AI Processor ensures accurate colours, striking contrast, and exceptional clarity. It can even intelligently optimise the colours based on the genre of content on screen.
Filmmaker Mode in the MZ2000 ensures content is viewed as intended, regardless of the lighting conditions. Gamers will appreciate its NVIDIA G-SYNC Compatibility for tear- and stutter-free gaming. True Game Mode brings colour accuracy features used in the movie industry into gaming, delivering lifelike visuals.
Sound matters too! The MZ2000 offers the Bass Booster algorithm and Panasonic’s 360° Soundscape all-in-one TV audio package tuned by Technics, with Dolby Atmos, providing an immersive sound experience.
The MX940 & MX950 LED TVs
Up next is Panasonic’s LED TVs. This year’s offerings come in two flavours the flagship MX950 Mini LED series and the MX940 Full Array LED Series. The Flagship MX950 Mini LED series comes with options of 65-inch (TH-65MX950K) and 75-inch (TH-75MX950K).
Under the MX950 series, Panasonic’s flagship 4K LED TV features a Mini LED panel for brighter pictures and stunning contrast. Local Dimming Ultra eliminates the common “halo effect” in images while HDR brings more detail with a wider colour gamut. Integrated speakers and a built-in woofer create a Dynamic Theatre Sound, immersing you in the movie.
The MX940 Full Array LED series comes with a single 50-inch (TH-50MX940K) option under this series. The lower-end LED series offers a more affordable option for those looking for LED TVs with most of the benefits seen in the MX950 Series.
The Panasonic MX800 4K Google TV
The 85-inch MX800 4K Google TV brings together your favourite movies and shows from various streaming services into one place. It offers easy access to over 10,000 apps and personalized entertainment through curated recommendations. Features like Google Assistant, Chromecast, Google TV app, and video calls make it a versatile addition to your home.
All these new TV series support a wide range of HDR formats, including Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, 4K Fine Remaster, and Dynamic HDR Effect.
Pricing and Availability
Starting from September 2023, these new TVs will be available for purchase at Panasonic authorized dealers. Prices begin at MYR2,699.
For avid YouTube users, the platform’s abundance of ads during video playback, especially on smart TVs, can sometimes be more than a minor annoyance. YouTube appears to be listening to its viewers and is testing a new approach to ad delivery that could provide a more seamless watching experience, albeit with longer ad breaks.
YouTube is recognizing that how we watch content is evolving. With more viewers enjoying longer videos on their smart TVs, the current frequency of ad interruptions might not align with the viewing experience. In response, YouTube is experimenting with reducing the number of ads shown but extending their duration.
For many viewers of long-form content on TV screens, having ads scattered throughout a video can be disruptive. Google’s research reveals that 79% of viewers prefer ads that are grouped together rather than spread out in smaller interruptions. To cater to this preference, YouTube is exploring options to provide fewer but longer ad breaks, creating a more seamless viewing experience on larger screens.
Improved Transparency
In addition to fewer, longer ad breaks, YouTube is considering enhancing the transparency of its ad experience. This may include providing viewers with better information about the duration of ad breaks, allowing users to prepare for more extended interruptions.
While these changes are currently experimental, YouTube tends to introduce them if they prove successful and enhance the viewer experience. So, if you’re a regular YouTube viewer on a smart TV, you can look forward to a potentially improved ad experience in the near future. However, if longer ad breaks are not your preference, YouTube Premium remains an ad-free alternative worth considering.
YouTube’s efforts to strike a balance between ads and content are in response to evolving viewer habits. As the platform continues to lead in streaming watch time on connected TVs, it aims to provide an experience that aligns better with the expectations of its audience.
Hisense is no stranger to TVs or appliances. The company has built a name for itself creating some of the most affordable and feature-packed TVs available in the market. It’s looking to keep its performance up with two new offerings coming later this month – the new Hisense U7K ULED Mini LED TV and the Hisense U6K ULED VIDAA TV.
The company hasn’t shared many details when it comes to the TVs though. The one thing that is clear is that the two new TVs are taking aim at two very different users. One looks to fill a niche for gamers while the other seems to want to be the go-to TV for the regular Joe.
Here’s a quick rundown of what we know. The Hisense U7K ULED Mini LED TV is coming packed to the brim with features for the gamer. It comes with a Game Mode Pro which pushes the screen’s refresh rate all the way to 144Hz for that crisp gaming experience. As the name suggests, the U7K ULED comes with Mini LED technology and has a 4K resolution. It also comes with over 1,200 local dimming zones. It’s even got Dolby Atmos certification for immersive sound. According to the information Hisense provided, the U7K ULED also comes with 3D technology. We’re not sure if that means that we’re seeing the return of 3D TVs at home but hey… it’s something new. The U7K ULED will be available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to 85 inches.
The Hisense U6K ULED VIDAA TV, on the other hand, comes with full array local dimming technology and quantum dot colour technology. This allows the TV to have lifelike, vibrant colours for stunning, immersive visuals. It’s also got Dolby Atmos for a truly immersive cinematic experience. The U6K ULED will be available in sizes ranging from 55 inches to 75 inches.
Both TVs are going on pre-order ahead of the official launch which is undoubtedly coming soon. During the pre-order period, orders for the U7K and U6K will come with up to MYR3,000 off its retail pricing and a complimentary gaming console. Yep, you’ll be able to get an Xbox Series X, an Xbox Series S or a Nintendo Switch OLED with your pre-order. Pre-orders can be made at any Hisense Authorised Dealers nationwide and Hisense official Shopee Store.
The available sizes, prices and freebies are per the table below.
Model
Size
Retail Price (MYR)
Pre-order Price (MYR)
Freebies
U7K ULED Mini-LED
85-inch
14,999
11,999
Xbox Series X
U7K ULED Mini-LED
75-inch
9,999
8,999
Xbox Series X
U7K ULED Mini-LED
65-inch
7,999
6,999
Xbox Series X
U7K ULED Mini-LED
55-inch
6,999
5,999
Xbox Series S
U6K ULED VIDAA TV
75-inch
6,999
5,999
Nintendo Switch OLED
U6K ULED VIDAA TV
65-inch
4,999
4,299
Nintendo Switch OLED
U6K ULED VIDAA TV
55-inch
3,999
3,299
Nintendo Switch OLED
Keep in mind, that you’ll need to have registered for the product warranty to be eligible for the freebies. The process involves two simple steps: First, fill up the TV Pre-order Google Form and upload the receipt as proof of purchase. Next, register for the product warranty by visiting the Hisense support page. Once these steps and Hisense internal verification are completed, the free gift will be promptly shipped out to the customers.
Samsung only recently made their global WOW announcement promising even deeper immersion and a wider range of experiences with their new Neo QLED televisions. The new Neo QLED TVs are also joined by a new lineup of soundbars and QLED TVs.
The new lineup of Neo QLED TVs comes with Samsung’s Infinity Edge design which minimizes the bezel of the display to insane levels. In fact, this year’s Neo QLED TVs don’t have a bezel at all. You literally see only screen from edge to edge sitting in front of the TVs. The bezels are so minimal – only visible at the bottom where Samsung has packed the sensors.
Both QLED and Neo QLED TVs come with Samsung’s Q Symphony technology which creates an immersive audio experience with Samsung’s Q series soundbars. This is achieved by using the TV’s built-in speakers in symphony with the Q series soundbars creating a wide, Dolby Atmos-certified soundscape that takes the viewer deeper into the content that they’re consuming. This feature is now available even with entry-level Neo QLED TVs.
Together with this, Samsung TVs continue to bring its TizenOS-based operating system. This OS runs on the latest generation of Samsung’s Neural Quantum Processor 8K. The software, paired with the processor brings intelligent, AI-enhanced features that bring even more detail and an even more immersive experience. This includes intelligent upscaling of any content to take advantage of the 8K resolution of the TV. They also come with an AI-enhanced Gaming mode that not only detects when you turn on your console but also changes to the appropriate input and unlocks performance mode with a 120Hz refresh rate on compatible models. With apps like Samsung Health, you’ll be able to access workouts and exercise programs that you can do right from the comfort of your living room.
Samsung’s SmartThings also takes center stage on the new lineup of Neo QLED and QLED TVs. Not only does it appear on your SmartThings app, but you’ll also be able to take advantage of your larger screen to control and customize your other SmartThings compatible devices. With the recent integration with Matter, you’ll be able to connect devices across multiple brands on the larger screen of the TVs. What’s more, if you’re setting up the TV from a Samsung smartphone, you’ll simply need to sign in with your SmartThings or Samsung account and you’ll have your settings seamlessly installed and synced.
Pricing & Availability
Samsung’s 2023 lineup of Neo QLED TV lineup is currently available at Samsung stores and at retail partner stores.
Before LG releases their new LG monitor that you see here, the only manufacturer you could get a smart monitor that works like TV, but for PCs, is Samsung. If you have not known yet, Samsung’s SMART monitors for PCs work pretty much like their smart TVs. You get Tizen OS for smart TV, you can install all sorts of apps for the TV, and work it exactly like a TV, even without a PC connected to it.
While they are the only one producing monitors of this kind, we think that the product comes with a lot of potential for smaller working set-ups and even homes. The larger sized smart monitor at 32-inch offers 4K resolution and affordable entertainment option for those who are looking for a dual function display in a smaller space. You do not need to get a separate TV box or Chromecast for it, and that makes it a viable TV replacement at a much smaller and digestible form factor.
Samsung’s position as one of the biggest names in smart TVs is a big plus for the to produce PC monitors with their proprietary TV Operating System (OS) too. So comes the question, what about others? What about LG? LG answers with this one, the 32SQ780S.
Source: LG
The new SMART Monitor, as LG names it, is a new 32-inch monitor for the PC. Its 32-inch VA panel offers 4K UHD resolution, perfectly in line with the latest of smart TVs. Serving it natively is LG’s WebOS 22 that also powers LG’s latest large form factor TVs. The 32-inch 4K monitor also offers 90% in DCI-P3 colour gamut with HDR10 support for the best in-class entertainment experience. WebOS 22 gives you access to apps like Netflix and YouTube without even being connected to any PC or consoles. At the same time, the built-in 5-watt dual channel stereo speakers should be a good enough audio source for users.
With WebOS, the LG SMART Monitor is not just an entertainment hub too. It can be your smart home hub with ThinQ hub. You can control any compatible smart home appliances with no fuss. While it does not offer Chromecast natively, you can still project your smartphone to the display via MiraCast.
The best part of the LG SMART Monitor is the fact that the monitor comes with LG’s clever Ergo Stand that gives the LG monitor flexibility like no other for monitors in its class. With the stand, you not only save table space and real estate for a larger working surface and storage. You also get to put or orient your monitor in any way you like for your working or entertainment comfort.
Source: LG
Source: LG
Source: LG
Source: LG
Source: LG
The 32-inch 4K 32SQ780S UHG LG SMART Monitor will be available in early November 2022 in the United States first. They say that other markets should follow soon after, that includes Malaysia. There is no official pricing that has been provided yet at least for Malaysia. You can expect them to price the monitor at about the same price as Samsung’s offerings.
Samsung, back in CES 2022, announced a bunch of very interesting products. One of them is a particularly odd-looking projector with rounded body and an odd foot. It certainly does not look like the typical traditional projector.
They call it the Freestyle, and it is not really a portable projector in any case. It does not pack a battery pack within the body. It is a regular projector that requires a power adapter plugged into a wall socket. It is not technically an LED projector either. So, the only thing that is unique about this product could be its striking visual.
Except, it is not just its odd visuals that could make this a projector you want at home. While it is not a portable projector with a battery packed in, it is still a rather light device. At 830 grams, it is one of the lightest, if not the lightest projector of its kind. That also means that if you have a wall socket nearby, you can take this projector and turn any room or space within your home into and entertainment hub. Either that, or just hop it up with an external USB power source capable of pushing 50W/20V output. If you have a powerbank that powerful, you essentially have a portable projector here.
Source: Samsung
Projection wise, you are getting a Full HD image out of the Freestyle, which is actually pretty good. You can get up to 100-inch of projection with no issue too with the Freestyle. With the 180o articulation, even your ceiling can be your cinema display. At the same time, you can technically prop the Freestyle on any surface and its auto keystone function will automatically level your images. It even features its own Smart Calibration in case you are projecting on a wall that is not black or even white.
Surprisingly enough, you can still find a speaker on the compact projector. It packs a 5W 360-degree radiation speaker that should distribute audio evenly in the room. They say that the 5W speakers should also offer cinema-quality sound experience.
It is not just a plain projector that you have to connect your media source to. Even without connecting the projector via cables to your smartphone or PC, it is a smart projector that comes with the Tizen OS for TVs. That also means that you get access to the likes of Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and even Apple TV+. If not, you can always just mirror your smartphone’s contents on the projector wirelessly when you want. It also comes with Samsung’s Bixby smart assistant, so you technically may not need a remote for the Freestyle.
Once you are done with the Freestyle, you technically do not have to turn it off. You can use it to set the mood for your room with ambient mode. It can be an additional lighting source, or it can also display a scene and even become your large format photo frame if you want it to be. Of course, that is going to take up some of its lamp’s life.
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
Source: Samsung
The Samsung Freestyle is available now from Samsung’s Malaysia Online Store, Shopee, and Lazada. You can also find one in your nearest Samsung authorized resellers and concept stores nationwide. It will set you back MYR 4,999, which is a lot of money for a projector still. If you get the Freestyle before 31st of July 2022 though, you are entitled to complementary accessories like the Freestyle Case (Dark Green) and Freestyle Skin (Forest Green) that is worth up to MYR 498 in total. More information on the Samsung Freestyle can be found on their website.
Toshiba is a brand with a long legacy – particularly in the Malaysian market. Once seen as a go-to for nearly everything electrical. However, in recent years, the company has been rather quiet. That is changing with the announcement of their new lineup of Smart TVs powered by Android TV.
The company is bringing two new series of Smart TVs that come equipped with a new generation of REGZA technology for users to enjoy. The two series – the C350 and the V35 series – bring some signature Toshiba technologies with a focus on different resolution propositions. The former comes with 4K UHD resolution while the latter comes with 1080p Full HD.
Both series come with the latest innovations in their REGZA Engine. The C350 comes with the REGZA Engine 4K which enables high performance, 4K resolution video even with lower resolution content. The REGZA Engine 4K also allows better-calibrated colour and contrast. This is augmented by Toshiba’s Colour Re-master technology which focuses on delivering true to life colours together. The V35 come with the REGZA Engine High Grade which comes with all the bells and whistles that allow it to deliver immersive, detailed content in brilliant Full HD and HD resolutions.
The experience of the new Toshiba Smart TVs becomes even more immersive with the DTS Virtual X and Dolby Audio compatibility in the C350 and DTS Studio Sound Technology in the V35. Both the series are able to deliver immersive sound with even more precision. The C350 will enable more audio nuances thanks to the Dolby Audio.
Content will be at users fingertips with Android TV on the new lineups. Android TV will enable apps like YouTube, Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ for easy access to your favourite shows. It will also enable screen mirroring via the built-in Chromecast feature and easy use through Google Voice Search.
Pricing & Availability
The new Toshiba Smart TVs are available in Malaysia now via retailers and online shops. The C350 series is priced from MYR1,899 while the V35 series is priced from MYR1,199. Detailed pricing is in the table below.
