Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch has been announced for the global market. Ahead of the launch, the company took to Twitter to reveal some key specifications of the soundbar. The latest audio device from the Chinese smartphone giant will feature a one-touch NFC pairing support and 430W of maximum output. The Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch will offer Dolby Atmos support and feature a wireless subwoofer as well. The brand had unveiled the Mi Soundbar in India back in 2019, but this time, Xiaomi’s Soundbar 3.1ch is meant for global markets.

Xiaomi announced the arrival of the new Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch through a couple of tweets. The images shared by the company offer a glimpse into the design as well. Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch is seen in a Black colour. As mentioned, it comes with one-tap NFC pairing support. The device features a smart LED display on the front; a power button, and volume buttons along with connection toggles can be seen on the top of the Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch.

Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch will come with Dolby audio and DTS Virtual:X sound. It will have a wireless subwoofer along with the main unit. Additionally, the soundbar will offer a 430W maximum output. It is expected to come with a wall mounting option like the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar. Xiaomi, however, has not revealed the launch date, pricing, availability details, and other specifications of the Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch as of yet.

To recall, the Xiaomi Mi Soundbar was launched in India with a price tag of Rs. 4,999. It features two 20mm dome speakers and two 2.5-inch woofers. The budget soundbar has eight drivers spread across the 83cm length of the unit. This includes two tweeters, two wide-range drivers, and four passive radiators for ensuring good bass.

The Mi Soundbar supports Bluetooth 4.2, and its physical inputs include optical as well as coaxial S/PDIF, stereo RCA line in connectors, and a 3.5mm socket. The soundbar offers a frequency response range of 50-25,000Hz. Xiaomi Mi Soundbar debuted without a remote, so it is unclear whether the company would provide a remote with the upcoming Xiaomi Soundbar 3.1ch.

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Netflix has started streaming AV1 codec to select TVs and PlayStation 4 Pro. AV1 codec is the latest video codec in the industry with a royalty-free license from the Alliance of Open Media (AOMedia). The codec is backed by a group of tech brands including Amazon, Apple, Facebook, Google, Intel, Netflix, Microsoft, and many more. Netflix is now rolling out AV1 streaming on a handful of TVs. However, thanks to the PS4 Pro compatibility, any TV connected to the gaming console can stream Netflix content in AV1. Netflix started rolling out AV1 video streaming on its Android app in February last year.

Netflix announced the launch of AV1 playback on TVs through a blog post on November 9. As AV1 needs more CPU hours to encode, Netflix will initially offer some of its popular titles with the new codec, including Money Heist.

“We have a stream analyser embedded in our encoding pipeline which ensures that all deployed Netflix AV1 streams are spec-compliant. TVs with an AV1 decoder also need to have decoding capabilities that meet the spec requirement to guarantee smooth playback of AV1 streams”, explained Netflix in the blog post.

During playback, Netflix said that it observed a 2 percent reduction in play delay with AV1 streaming. Additionally, on some TVs, noticeable drops in streaming quality were reduced up to 38 percent.

As mentioned, Netflix has started streaming movies and shows encoded in the AV1 codec to compatible TVs as well as TVs connected with PS4 Pro. The AV1 streams require a TV device with an AV1 decoder that meets the specification needs. Netflix assured that they are working with external partners to enable more devices for AV1 streaming. However, the details about the supported devices are not yet revealed by the streaming platform.

As per a report by The Verge, select Samsung 2020 UHD Smart TVs, select Samsung 2020 UHD QLED Smart TVs, and select Samsung 2020 8K QLED Smart TVs will support AV1 codec in Netflix. The list includes Samsung The Frame 2020 Smart TVs, The Serif 2020 Smart TVs, and The Terrace 2020 Smart TVs. According to the report, select Amazon Fire TV devices with Fire OS 7 and above and limited Android TV devices with Android OS 10 and above will also offer AV1 streaming support.

In February last year, Netflix has begun streaming AV1 encoded content through its app for Android mobile devices, replacing the VP9 codec. It was initially unveiled for select titles only.

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1. Redmi X55|L55M6-RA (2021)

Redmi X55|L55M6-RA is a 4K ultra-HD (3840×2160 pixels) TV that comes with 60Hz refresh rate, and offers 178-degree viewing angles. The TV comes with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. It packs 30W speakers with Dolby Audio, and DTS Virtual: X surround sound technologies. Other smart TV features include Android TV 10, and Kids Mode with Parental Lock.  

Kids Mode

Redmi 139 cm (55 inches) 4K Ultra HD Android Smart LED TV X55|L55M6-RA (Black) (2021 Model)

₹ 40,999

Redmi X55 comes with three HDMI ports, two USB ports and Bluetooth v5.0 for connectivity.

2. Sony Bravia KD-55X80AJ (2021)

Sony Bravia KD-55X80AJ is a 4K ultra-HD (3840×2160 pixels) TV that comes with 60Hz refresh rate. It is powered by an X1 processor, and features a 4K X-Reality Pro engine for high-quality picture reproduction. Other features include Motionflow XR100 for sharp images. The TV is equipped with 20W X-Balanced speakers with Dolby Atmos, and Ambient Optimisation.

4K X-Reality Pro

Sony Bravia 139 cm (55 inches) 4K Ultra HD Smart LED Google TV KD-55X80AJ (Black) (2021 Model) | with Alexa Compatibility

₹ 77,990

Sony Bravia KD-55X80AJ features four HDMI, and two USB ports for connectivity.

OnePlus Q1

3. OnePlus Q1 Series (55Q1IN-1)

OnePlus Q1 Series is a 4K ultra-HD (3840×2160 pixels) TV that comes with HDR10+ support and Dolby vision certification, the company says. The display is paired with 50W Dolby Atmos speakers (2 speakers + 2 subwoofers). The TV is powered by a quad core processor which is paired with 3GB of RAM and 16GB storage. Other smart TV features include built-in Chromecast, OxygenPlay VOD selection and Bluetooth stereo mode.

Great Audio

OnePlus 138.8 cm (55 inches) Q1 Series 4K Certified Android QLED TV 55Q1N-1

₹ 62,899

OnePlus Q1 Series TV comes with four HDMI, and three USB ports for connectivity.

4. Mi 4X|L55M5-5XIN

The Mi TV 4X is a 4K ultra-HD (3840×2160 pixels) TV that features a vivid picture engine for high-quality picture reproduction. The TV sports 20W Dolby Atmos speakers and DTS-HD technology for great audio experience. Other smart TV features include built-in Wi-Fi, PatchWall, Google Assistant and Data Saver.

Data Saver

Mi LED TV 4X 138.8 cm (55 Inches) Ultra HD Android TV (Black)

₹ 34,999

The Mi TV 4X supports 4K HDR 10 and comes with three HDMI and two USB ports.

5. Samsung UA55AUE60AKLXL (2021)

The Samsung UA55AUE60AKLXL is a 4K ultra-HD (3840×2160 pixels) TV with 60Hz refresh rate. The display supports HDR 10+, UHD Dimming and comes with an Auto Game Mode. The TV comes with 20W speakers with Dolby Digital Plus and Q Symphony technologies for great audio experience. The bundled remote features hotkeys for Netflix and Amazon Prime Video platforms.

Auto Game Mode

Samsung 138 cm (55 inches) Crystal 4K Series Ultra HD Smart LED TV UA55AUE60AKLXL (Black) (2021 Model)

₹ 51,990

The Samsung UA55AUE60AKLXL comes with three HDMI and a single USB port for connectivity.

Hisense 55A73F

6. Hisense 55A73F 

Hisense 55A73F is a 4K UHD (3840×2160 pixels) TV that comes with a 60Hz refresh rate. It comes with features like Dolby Vision HDR, HDR10+, and HLG support. The TV has a 102W 6-Speaker System by JBL with Dolby Atmos. The TV is powered by a quad-core processor, which is paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB storage.   

JBL Speaker System

Hisense 139 cm (55 inches) 4K Ultra HD Smart Certified Android LED TV 55A73F (Black) (2020 Model) | With JBL 6 Speaker System

₹ 46,990

Connectivity options on Hisense 55A73F include three HDMI ports, two USB ports, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

7. iFFALCON 55K71 (2021)

iFFALCON 55K71 is a 4K UHD (3840×2160 pixels) TV that comes with a 60Hz refresh rate, and features like HDR10 support as well as micro dimming. The TV has 30W Dolby Audio speakers, and offers hands-free voice control. Connectivity options on the TV include three HDMI ports, two USB ports, and Bluetooth.

Voice Control

iFFALCON 139 cm (55 inches) 4K Ultra HD Smart Certified Android LED TV 55K71 (Sliver) (2021 Model)| With Voice Control

₹ 35,990

iFFALCON 55K71 has a slim-bezel design, and it runs Android 9.0.

Best Deals on TVs to Check Out for Your Home

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Kodak CA Pro Android TV series has been launched in India. The new CA Pro range comes in 43-inch and 50-inch display sizes. The TVs run on Android 10 and come with Google Assistant support. The new Kodak CA Pro series features 4K ultra-HD displays and come with 40W sound output. The models offer Dolby MS12 and DTS TruSurround features, dual-band Wi-Fi to support 5GHz Internet bandwidth and a metallic design with slim bezels. The Kodak TVs come with inbuilt apps such as YouTube Learning and Google Classroom.

Kodak CA Pro series price in India, availability

The new Kodak CA Pro series is priced in India at Rs. 27,999 for the 43-inch model and Rs. 33,999 for the 50-inch model. The sale of the new TV range starts October 28, during the Flipkart Big Diwali sale. Early access will be offered to Flipkart Plus users starting midnight. At the time of writing, the TVs were listed on Flipkart as ‘Sold Out.’ Launch offers on Flipkart include a 10 percent discount on SBI Bank debit and credit cards.

Kodak CA Pro series features, specifications

As mentioned, the Kodak CA Pro Android TV range comes in two display sizes —43-inch and 50-inch. It runs on Android 10 and has a 4K ultra-HD display. The CA Pro series is powered by the ARM Cortex A53 processor and offers multiple connectivity options like USB 2.0, HDMI 3 (ARC, CEC), dual-band Wi-Fi for 5GHz Internet bandwidth, and Bluetooth v5. The new TV range supports Chromecast as well.

Kodak CA Pro series has 40W sound output, supports Dolby Audio, and provides additional device support for speakers, headphones, game controllers, mouse, and keyboard. It also comes with support for Dolby MS12 and DTS TruSurround. The TV range has a bezel-less design and a metallic frame.

The company claims that the new Kodak TVs support over 6,000 apps and games such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, Zee5, Sony LIV, and more. It also offers access to Google Play store. The remote control comes with dedicated hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Play.

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Priced at Rs. 45,999 in India, the Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55-inch Ultra-HD LED Smart TV is very impressive on paper and promises capable performance, without forcing you to spend too much. Some of its key features include support for Dolby Vision, hands-free Google Assistant voice controls, and the combination of Android TV 10 and the company’s popular PatchWall UI. Is this the best 55-inch television you can now buy under Rs. 50,000? Find out in this review.

Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 design and specifications

Televisions from Xiaomi’s Mi brand have sported the Mi logo thus far, but with the Mi TV 5X, there’s a big change. The company announced that it is switching to ‘Xiaomi’ as its brand name on future products, and the Mi TV 5X shows that, even if it’s still called a ‘Mi TV’.

Displayed prominently right below the screen is the new Xiaomi logo on a silver strip, just above the module that has a few indicator lights and the power button. The rest of the borders around the screen are considerably slimmer and similarly silver in colour, giving the Mi TV 5X a distinct look that stands out among the competition as well as other televisions from Xiaomi such as the Redmi TV X Series and Mi TV 4X range.

The Mi TV 5X isn’t quite as slim as some of the flagship TVs I’ve reviewed recently, but it’s reasonably well built and not too thick even at the bottom, which bulges a bit. It looks good for a TV in its price range, whether placed on a wall or on stand mounts. The lower part of the back of the TV has a carbon-fibre-like texture, with one set of inputs and ports facing downwards, and a second set facing to the left of the screen.

The less frequently used ports, including the Ethernet, optical audio out, composite AV input, and antenna port all face downwards, while the two USB ports, three HDMI 2.1 ports, and 3.5mm audio out socket face to the left. The television can be stand-mounted using the metal stands included in the box, or wall-mounted using any aftermarket VESA-compatible kit. Xiaomi can provide a wall-mount kit at an extra cost at the time of installation.

The Mi TV 5X sports the company’s new ‘Xiaomi’ brand logo, instead of ’Mi’ 

While I’m reviewing the 55-inch model in the Mi TV 5X series which is priced at Rs. 45,999, you could also choose the 50-inch and 43-inch models, priced at Rs. 41,999 and Rs. 31,999 respectively in India. All three are Ultra-HD TVs with support for up to the Dolby Vision format for HDR.

The Mi TV 5X 55 has a 55-inch Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) LED-backlit screen, with support for the Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range formats.

This television has a rated sound output of 40W, and support for Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD through its two-speaker system. HDMI ARC is supported on one of the HDMI ports, and there’s also dual-band Wi-Fi ac and Bluetooth 5 for connectivity. The TV has a quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of storage for apps and app data.

Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 remote and features

While the general design and branding of Xiaomi’s televisions have changed over the months and years, the company’s approach to the remote has been largely the same. The Mi TV 5X has Xiaomi’s familiar, minimalist remote, and expectedly yet still disappointingly, the needed AAA batteries are not included in the sales package.

The remote itself is one that I’m very used to, and the company’s software tweaks such as Quick Mute and Quick Settings access have long since made up for its physical shortcomings. It’s suitably equipped to get you anywhere within the TV’s software quickly, and you can navigate around both the Stock Android TV UI and Xiaomi’s own PatchWall UI easily enough.

Other key features of the Mi TV 5X include hands-free Google Assistant access, Google Chromecast built-in with support for Ultra-HD and HDR casting from supported apps and services, an auto low-latency mode for use with gaming consoles, and the ability to use Alexa as your default voice assistant if you prefer.

The remote of the Mi TV 5X is a familiar one, with a minimalist, compact design

The television has a microphone that can be set to always-on mode to listen for the ‘OK Google’ or ‘Hey Google’ wake words, just as you’d have it on a smart speaker such as the Google Nest Audio. It’s possible to turn off the microphone if you have privacy concerns or just don’t want to use voice commands; there’s a physical sliding switch to control this at the bottom of the TV, just below the Xiaomi logo.

Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 software and interface

Just like the remote, the software experience on the Xiaomi Mi TV 5X remains familiar for anyone who has used a Xiaomi television before. The television runs on Android TV 10, with both the stock Android TV user interface, as well as Xiaomi’s own PatchWall 4 launcher. All major apps are supported, and users have full access to the Google Play Store for Android TV to download any of over 5,000 apps available.

The stock Android TV UI will be familiar for users of other Android TV devices as well, since it works without any real manufacturer-enforced limitations here. The settings are accessible from anywhere in the interface, including if content is playing, by long-pressing the Mi button on the remote. A short-press of the button will switch to the PatchWall launcher, which shows a wide selection of curated content from various streaming services.

PatchWall 4 is slightly improved over previous versions, with IMDB ratings integrated into most titles, a new look for the information pages for titles with additional details, and more. PatchWall allows for easy access to the TV’s settings and other source inputs, as well as different apps that you might have installed on the TV.

Users who like a lot of recommendations and content curation will enjoy what PatchWall has to offer, thanks to its content-centric approach. Also worth mentioning is that the Mi TV 5X supports the Mi Home app through the PatchWall launcher, allowing you to control IoT devices in your home through your TV or through voice commands, if you have the Mi Home app linked to your Google account. This could be convenient if you own and use devices such as the Mi Robot Vacuum-Mop P and Mi LED Wi-Fi Smart Bulb.

Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 performance

Good looks and features aside, the Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 is also well equipped to deliver a pleasant viewing experience, driven by its focus on value. Picture and sound performance are very good for a 55-inch television priced under Rs. 50,000, delivering the sheer impact of a big screen TV, while also doing a good job across resolutions and content types. That said, I did face occasional lag and UI performance issues, which I’ll elaborate on in this section.

Ultra-HD Dolby Vision content brings out the best in the Mi TV 5X 55

The Mi TV 5X 55 is a high dynamic range (HDR) television with support for the HDR10+ and Dolby Vision formats. Naturally, the 55-inch screen means that this TV is best considered for top-quality content, such as Dolby Vision movies and TV shows on Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar which looked considerably better than anything else I watched.

Watching Korean hit TV show Squid Game in Ultra-HD and Dolby Vision on Netflix, the Mi TV 5X made for an enjoyable experience. The picture had a gentle, easy-going tone to it, with colours that didn’t quite pop as much as on more premium TVs, but were refined and impactful nonetheless. The bright pinks and greens of the uniforms worn by the guards and contestants in the show were subtly, yet strongly brought out by the TV.

The picture is sharp and detailed, without appearing too jarring and edgy. There was a sense of smoothness to Ultra-HD content, with Dolby Vision content looking even better through brightness and contrast. Visually striking shows such as Our Planet looked impressive on the Mi TV 5X, as did gentler and less impactful viewing such as Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime Video.

While there is a definite boost in brightness, and the ability to have varying levels of contrast and impact in the same frame with HDR content, the biggest benefit of Dolby Vision on the Mi TV 5X was in the tone. This television usually captured the feel and essence of TV shows well, providing a sombre, dark feel to shows such as Squid Game and movies such as Greyhound on Apple TV+, while the light-hearted Somebody Feed Phil looked bright and fun as Phil Rosenthal explored cities and their unique eateries.

The television retains the tone of shows and movies with Dolby Vision; Squid Game looked sombre and haunting, even while the colours looked good

Many LED-backlit TVs, particularly those priced at under Rs. 50,000, tend to choke a bit when it comes to black levels. The Mi TV 5X, while not quite as impressive as televisions such as the OnePlus TV Q1 Pro (which has local dimming), does a reasonably good job with darker scenes and black tones. Although there was a mild grey wash on the screen, it wasn’t as intense or distracting as on the Redmi TV X55, which costs about Rs. 5,000 less than the Mi TV 5X. Dark scenes looked decent in dully lit rooms as a result, while bright scenes were watchable even with sunlight striking the TV.

Standard dynamic range and standard definition content, while naturally not as attractive to watch as HDR, was decent on the Mi TV 5X 55 nonetheless. The Last Dance on Netflix, as well as assorted full-HD content such as The Good Place, Parks and Recreation, and Schumacher were good to watch, with the TV handling the older, upscaled footage of the Bulls’ historic championship runs and Michael Schumacher’s F1 dominance in the 1990s particularly well. In general, this TV made for a consistently bright, sharp, and clean viewing experience across resolutions and content.

Sound on the Mi TV 5X is comfortable and acceptable in ordinary viewing situations; the TV can get quite loud thanks to its 40W speakers. The sound is well-tuned and uniform, without too many jarring volume spikes. Interestingly, while Dolby Atmos is supported on the TV and was activated with a slider switch in the sound settings menu, the Mi TV 5X doesn’t support Dolby Atmos detection by content platforms – Netflix and Disney+ Hotstar both showed support for 5.1-channel audio at best.

Instead, enabling Dolby Atmos on this TV seems to upscale the sound signal at the hardware stage. This still made a slight difference in sound quality with most content. Some virtualised surround effects could be heard while watching Squid Game, and the sound felt a bit more refined and detailed overall. Even with this switched off, or with content that doesn’t really benefit from the format, sound was decent enough. That said, a good speaker system such as the Sony HT-S40R, which I reviewed alongside this TV, might help improve the listening experience.

PatchWall shows a growing collection of curated content from across various streaming services and content providers

Although the picture and sound were generally good, and the software experience was satisfactory for the most part, I did experience some performance glitches with the Mi TV 5X. These included occasional lag and stutter in the picture when streaming Ultra-HD content, delayed responses to button-press commands from the remote, and a few Wi-Fi connection drops.

I also experienced delays in subtitle timing on some occasions, with the words appearing on screen about a second or two late but clearing on time, making it hard to read along when watching foreign-language content. While these issues weren’t very bothersome and were often fixable by turning the TV off and on again, they did come up every once in a while, so they are worth pointing out.

Verdict

Xiaomi’s focus on value for money and competitive pricing continues to pay off for the company, and the Mi TV 5X is a good example of why affordable TVs are worth considering. Priced at Rs. 45,999, this is quite easily my top pick among 55-inch televisions priced at under Rs. 50,000 right now. It delivers a good blend of design, features, and performance, and gets very little wrong. Above all, it offers you exactly what you would want and expect from a television at this price.

While most things were on point with the Mi TV 5X, I did experience some performance glitches that held the overall experience back a little. However, these weren’t too bad in the larger scheme of things, and the Xiaomi Mi TV 5X 55 is definitely an excellent pick for the good all-round experience it offers, and its price.

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Samsung said on Thursday it expects component shortages to affect chip demand from some customers in the current quarter, after reporting its highest quarterly profit in three years. The warning comes as producers of goods from televisions to cars have faced a host of supply chain issues ranging from a shortage of logic chip parts, manpower shortages, logistics snarls, and delays at parts plants due to power cuts in China.

“A longer-than-expected component supply issue may need to be monitored due to potential impacts” on the manufacturing of devices that use memory chips, Samsung said in a statement, although it added there was “strong fundamental demand for servers from increased investments from technology companies.”

The world’s top maker of memory chips and smartphones posted a 28 percent jump in operating profit in the July-September quarter to KRW 15.8 trillion (roughly Rs. 1,01,090 crore) on the back of an 82 percent on-year profit surge in its chip business, where earnings rose to KRW 10.1 trillion (roughly Rs. 64,620 crore).

Rising memory chip prices and shipments, plus a jump in profitability at Samsung’s chip-contract manufacturing business boosted the chip business’ operating profit.

Samsung said demand for server DRAM chips, which temporarily save data, and NAND flash chips that serve the data storage market, is expected to stay robust in the fourth quarter due to expansion of data centre investments, while personal computer manufacturing growth is expected to hold in line with the previous quarter.

Although supply chain issues could limit demand from some mobile chip customers in the fourth quarter, demand for server and personal computer chips is expected to be robust in 2022 despite uncertainties, it said.

Samsung did not comment on the outlook for memory chip prices, which has weighed on the company’s shares as investors expect prices to have peaked in the third quarter before falling until mid-2022.

Smaller rival SK Hynix on Tuesday struck a more bullish note than US peers and forecast steady demand for memory chips. Earlier, chipmakers Intel and Micron had said shortages of some components were stopping their customers from shipping PCs.

Operating profit at Samsung’s mobile division slid about 24 percent on-year to KRW 3.36 trillion (roughly Rs. 21,495 crore) on the third quarter, as sales of Samsung’s new foldable smartphones were tempered by marketing costs.

Despite uncertainties over component supply, year-end holiday shopping is expected to boost demand for mobile devices in the fourth quarter, and Samsung aims to maintain a double-digit profit margin in the mobile business by selling more foldable phones and other premium models as well as wearable accessories.

Net profit rose 31 percent to KRW 12.3 trillion (roughly Rs. 78,700 crore). Revenue rose 10 percent to a record KRW 74 trillion (roughly Rs. 4,73,450 crore).

Samsung’s shares rose 0.3 percent in early trade on Thursday, compared with the wider market’s 0.1 percent rise. It shares have fallen about 13 percent year-to-date.

© Thomson Reuters 2021

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South Korea’s LG Display on Wednesday saw its third-quarter operating profit more than triple as strong television demand boosted panel prices but said it expects the buying spree prompted by the pandemic to slow next year.

The Apple supplier posted an operating profit of KRW 529 billion (roughly Rs. 3,390 crore) or the July-September quarter versus KRW 164 billion (roughly Rs. 1,050 crore) a year earlier.

It missed an average analyst forecast of KRW 600 billion (roughly Rs. 3,840 crore) compiled by Refinitiv SmartEstimate.

Revenue rose 7.2 percent to KRW 7.2 trillion (roughly Rs. 46,110 crore).

“Panel shipments in the fourth quarter are expected to increase by mid-10 percent compared to the third quarter, with the delayed shipments affected by the industry’s component shortage …while the prices of LCD TV panels are expected to remain on a downward trend,” LG Display said in a statement.

LG Display added the strong demand for screens seen during the pandemic would likely slow down starting next year.

“Panel makers including LG Display have enjoyed strong demand of their panels for both TVs and IT devices, including monitors and laptops, because people spent extra time amid COVID shutdowns, but such demand will likely ease as vaccinated people already have begun to spend less time in front of screens,” said Park Sung-soon, an analyst at Cape Investment & Securities.

Prices of LG Display’s mainstay 55-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) panels for TV sets increased by about 57 percent in the third quarter year on year, market data from TrendForce’s WitsView showed.

Prices for those panels eased 7 percent in the third quarter from the second, according to WitsView.

But the pace of growth has started easing and may weaken further in the current quarter due to rising supplies and softer demand as more people get vaccinated and spend less time in front of screens, analysts said.

Shares of LG Display ended down 0.3 percent, versus the benchmark KOSPI’s 0.8 percent fall.

© Thomson Reuters 2021

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Priced officially at Rs. 33,499 in India, the Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 is touted by the company as a ‘do-it-all’ screen. As the name suggests, it’s a 32-inch productivity-focused monitor for work, with an Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) LED HDR panel, plus smart functionality that means you can also use it as a television. This could be right for anyone with very limited space, who wants a single unit that can work comfortably as a monitor as well as a smart TV. Is this the most versatile 32-inch monitor you can buy right now? Find out in this review.

The Samsung Smart Monitor M7 has a 32-inch Ultra-HD screen with a 16:9 aspect ratio

Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) design and specifications

Although there are plenty of Ultra-HD monitors around the 32-inch screen size, TVs of this size with this resolution are extremely uncommon. Naturally, this is because of the need for sharpness and precision with a monitor that you’d sit much closer to than a TV. The Samsung 32-inch M7 monitor is meant to be used primarily with a computer, but its features and specifications make it well suited to serving as a television, too.

The Samsung 32-inch M7 monitor has an Ultra-HD (3840×2160-pixel) Vertical Alignment (VA) LED-backlit LCD screen, with the 16:9 ratio that is seen on practically every modern television. The screen has a typical brightness level of around 250 nits, a maximum refresh rate of 60Hz, a response time of 8ms, and support for high dynamic range content up to the HDR10 format. These specifications aren’t typically suited for enthusiast-level gaming; the monitor is best used for everyday productivity, as a large screen to replace or supplement the smaller one on your laptop. Of course, the resolution and HDR support also makes it suitable for occasional TV use.

When it comes to design, the Samsung 32-inch M7 monitor is simple and discreet, keeping the focus on the screen. It has thin borders all around, a small Samsung logo at the bottom, a slim profile, and just a few ports and inputs at the back. For connectivity, the Samsung M7 monitor has Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.2. There are two HDMI 2.0 inputs (one supports ARC); a built-in USB 2.0 hub with two Type-A ports (and one more for service functions); one USB Type-C port; and a power inlet for the included power cable.

USB Type-C connectivity is particularly interesting and versatile here, since it allows for power up to 65W, data, and a display signal. You can use the monitor to power a laptop or smartphone using the port, with the right cable. The USB Type-A ports can be used to power devices, and also to play content on the TV from a storage device.

A remote is included with the Samsung M7 monitor, which is needed to control the smart interface and other functions

The sales package includes a centre-mounted stand that raises the screen of the Samsung M7 monitor by around 10cm. Although the monitor stays firmly in place with the stand, I did notice that it swayed a bit because of my ceiling fan. This wasn’t bothersome for me, but the constant slight movements might be an issue for many. You can also wall-mount the monitor, if you prefer, but a wall-mount kit isn’t included in the box.

The Samsung M7 smart monitor weighs 6.5kg with the stand attached. A 1.5m power cable, an HDMI cable, and a remote are included in the box. Since this is also meant to be used as a TV, the Samsung M7 monitor has speakers built in, although the output isn’t mentioned and no major audio formats are supported by the UI directly.

Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) features and software

As the name suggests, the Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 is a ‘smart’ screen, with its own software interface and access to apps. The monitor runs on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, which gives access to a number of apps and games, including major streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, Apple TV, and various others focused on Indian language content. When not in use as a screen for your computer, the monitor can therefore double up as a capable smart TV.

You can, of course, just stream media and content from a connected computer, but the smart connectivity adds versatility and ease of use; simply kick back at the end of the work day and use it with a remote, like you would a television.

Other key features include mobile connectivity options such as Apple AirPlay 2, Samsung’s Wireless DeX for use with its smartphones and tablets, and Office 365 apps when used with an active subscription. If you only use Office apps, cloud storage, and a Web browser, you don’t even need to connect a PC to the Samsung M7 monitor; this can be used as a terminal for your work. That said, such use cases would be limited and niche, since you’d likely have your computer at hand as well.

Most popular streaming services have apps available for the Samsung M7 monitor, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video

The monitor has Bixby and Google Assistant support. There is also auto source switching, which changes to a newly connected device when it’s plugged in. Google Assistant worked well on the monitor, with the same functionality I’ve seen on most smart TVs.

AirPlay was particularly useful for me on the Samsung M7 monitor, as I was able to use it both to wirelessly mirror my MacBook Air’s screen, and to quickly watch content on the M7 monitor while using my iPhone 12 mini (Review) as a controller. The feature worked well for me, activating within seconds and with no drop-offs or instability in the connection.

Usefully, the Samsung M7 monitor includes a remote, with which you can control every aspect of the device. The remote has a d-pad for navigation, a microphone button to invoke the voice assistant, navigation and playback buttons, volume and channel controls, and hotkeys for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and the Web browser. All apps natively support up to Ultra-HD HDR10 content, and support for AirPlay 2 means that you can wirelessly connect to Apple devices.

Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) performance

Most monitors use HDMI for connectivity to source devices, and you could really use any monitor as a television simply by plugging in a streaming device or set-top box. However, thanks to its embedded operating system and ability to function as a standalone device with independent Internet connectivity, the Samsung M7 is perfectly suited for use as a 32-inch television after work hours.

I had the Samsung M7 set up at my home work desk, primarily to be used as a computer monitor for this review. It was positioned around 1m away from me, and directly behind my MacBook Air. For connectivity, I used an HDMI-to-Mini DisplayPort cable most of the time, but I also occasionally used AirPlay.

I had the display optimised for use as a monitor; I got a full-HD (1920×1080-pixel) signal on the monitor in both cases, due to the limitations of both AirPlay 1 and the Mini DisplayPort cable. To test the Ultra-HD capabilities of the Samsung M7, I relied on content from Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Apple TV+.

Indeed, the Samsung M7 functions best as a monitor for your laptop, and despite the fact that I was limited to full-HD, the monitor significantly enhanced my daily productivity. I found the picture to be sharp and clear from a viewing distance of around 1-1.25m, allowing me to clearly read text against backgrounds of all colours, and also view images clearly.

The Samsung M7 monitor runs on the Tizen operating system, which is also seen on Samsung smart TVs

I was able to use all the screen real estate optimally for writing, image editing, Web browsing, and the occasional watching of videos. Colours were accurately portrayed, motion was clean and artefact-free, and the size of the screen itself made all the difference in improving my work and productivity.

Switching to the smart UI, it was a unique experience for me to watch typical streaming television shows and movies on a 32-inch screen in Ultra-HD resolution. Although Ultra-HD content is best enjoyed on larger screens at typical TV viewing distances, I watched streaming content on the M7 monitor at the same distance as I used it for work while sitting at my desk.

Watching episodes of Somebody Feed Phil in Ultra-HD, and Parks and Recreation in full-HD on the Samsung M7 monitor was an interesting experience; since I was watching from much closer than I’d have typically placed a 32-inch television, the screen didn’t seem too small, and it didn’t put too much strain on my eyes either. Colours with standard dynamic range content seemed a bit dull, but HDR content looked better despite the low peak brightness, and the sharpness of Ultra-HD content was prominent and easy to distinguish.

Sound quality on the Samsung Smart Monitor M7 isn’t particularly special, or even anything more than ordinary. However, I found it very useful to have a built-in speaker system on the monitor, and it was considerably louder than the speakers on my laptop. At moderate-to-high volumes, the sound is more than capable of handling regular computer functions, although you might want to use good headphones if you’re listening to music. For TV viewing at around 1-1.5m from the screen, the sound was just about adequate.

Verdict

Televisions and monitors are typically considered separate product categories, but the Samsung Smart Monitor M7 is a great example of how these can merge into one. Although positioned and functioning best as a monitor, the Samsung M7 works well as a television for occasional viewing. It’s also a rare example of a 32-inch Ultra-HD screen that can directly and capably stream from sources such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and Apple TV.

Priced at Rs. 33,499 in India, the Samsung M7 monitor is a bit expensive for what’s on offer, and sound quality is ordinary at best for TV viewing. However, these are small drawbacks on a device that is otherwise excellent at what it does; if you’re looking for a productivity and entertainment focused monitor, or even a 32-inch Ultra-HD TV, the Samsung M7 is worth considering, and could particularly come in handy in small spaces where you want to combine both functions into a single device.

Is Samsung Galaxy S21+ the perfect flagship for most Indians? We discussed this on Orbital, the Gadgets 360 podcast. Orbital is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts.

The post Samsung 32-inch Ultra-HD Smart Monitor M7 (LS32AM700UW) Review: Productivity and Entertainment Combined appeared first on Technology News.

Redmi Smart TV X and Redmi Router AX1800 were launched in China on Wednesday. The Redmi Smart TV X comes in two display sizes — 55-inch and 65-inch — and features a dual 120Hz display refresh rate, MEMC (Motion Estimation Motion Compensation) for a smoother picture, and 4K resolution. The Redmi Smart TV X also has FreeSync Premium and Dolby Vision support. The Redmi Router AX1800 features Wi-Fi 6 support and is powered by an unnamed dual-core 880MHz CPU paired with 128MB of RAM. There is no information on when these devices will launch in India.

Redmi Smart TV X, Redmi Router AX1800 price

The Redmi Smart TV X 55-inch is priced at CNY 2,999 (roughly Rs. 35,100), while Redmi Smart TV X 65-inch is priced at CNY 3,999 (roughly Rs. 46,800). The Redmi Router AX1800 will retail for CNY 229 (roughly Rs. 2,700). The Redmi TVs are offered in a single Black colour option while the router will be available in a White colour option.

Redmi Smart TV X specifications

The Redmi Smart TV X sports an ultra-HD (3,840×2,160 pixels) display in 55-inch and 65-inch display sizes with a greyscale response time of 6.5ms, 10bit (8bit + FRC) colour depth support, and 94 percent P3 colour gamut coverage. Furthermore, the Redmi TV models support FreeSync Premium along with Dolby Vision. The display of the Redmi Smart TV X features a 120Hz refresh rate and MEMC for an enhanced viewing experience.

For audio, the Redmi Smart TV X comes with four in-built speakers with Dolby Atmos support. It also gets two ducts, a sealed box with 2×0.38L large sound cavity, and a total output of 2×12.5W. Under the hood, the TV is powered by a MediaTek MTK 9650 processor paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of onboard storage. Furthermore, the Redmi TV has support for MediaTek’s AI-PQ and AI-AQ picture and audio enhancements.

Connectivity options on the Redmi Smart TV X include an HDMI 2.1 port, two HDMI 2.0 ports, an AV port, two USB ports, an S/PDIF port, an RJ-45 port, ATV/ DTMB, and four microphones that support far-field voice.

Redmi Router AX1800 specifications

The Redmi Router AX1800 reportedly supports Wi-Fi 6 connectivity with Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). The router has four external 5dBi high-gain omnidirectional antennas that support LDPC error correction algorithms to improve the anti-interference capabilities and signal coverage for data transmission.

The router is powered by an unnamed dual-core 880MHz processor paired with 128MB of RAM. Connectivity options include a WAN port and 3 LAN ports. The Redmi Router AX1800 supports beamforming, BSS colouring, WPA3, MU-MIMO, and IPv6. The Xiaomi Easy Connect extends support to Android and iOS devices.

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Hisense on Thursday expanded its range of smart QLED TVs in India by launching its new models that feature full array local dimming backed by Quantum Dot technology. The built-in technology is claimed to help deliver brighter whites, deeper blacks, and an enhanced contrast ratio by controlling the backlight evenly across the screen. The new smart QLED TV series by the Chinese manufacturer features three distinct variants that are called the Hisense 55U6G, Hisense 65U6G, and Hisense 75U80G, with 55-, 65-, and 75-inch sizes, respectively. The new QLED TVs run on Android TV 10 and support Dolby Atmos sound as well as Dolby Vision display technologies.

Hisense 55U6G, Hisense 65U6G, Hisense 75U80G price in India

The Hisense 55U6G has been given an inaugural special price of Rs. 59,990, while the Hisense 65U6G has a special price of Rs. 84,990 and the Hisense 75U80G is priced at Rs. 3,99,990. On the availability front, the Hisense 55U6G and Hisense 75U80G will go on sale through all leading e-commerce platforms and retail stores in the country starting this week. The Hisense 65U6G, on the other hand, will be available in the beginning of November.

Hisense 55U6G specifications

The Hisense 55U6G features a 55-inch 4K UHD (3,840×2,160 pixels) LED-backlit QLED display that has the Quantum Dot technology, along with full array local dimming. The display has 60Hz refresh rate and 700 nits of peak brightness. It also carries Dolby Vision support — alongside HDR10, HLG HDR, and HEVC (H.265) decoder. There is 24W audio output that is backed by Dolby Audio and Dolby Atmos technologies. Under the hood, the Hisense TV has a quad-core CPU, coupled with Mali470MP GPU and 2GB of RAM. The TV also includes a dedicated Hi-View Engine for enhancing graphics processing.

To support content recorded using older technologies, the Hisense 55U6G has an upscaling technology that is claimed to upgrade a normal 2K picture to 4K resolution by reducing noise, supplementing details, and defining edges and text.

The Hisense 55U6G also comes with Google Assistant support and has preloaded Google Play store for installing compatible apps. The TV includes dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on the part of wireless connectivity. It also carries Ethernet, HDMI, and USB ports.

Hisense 65U6G specifications

Similar to the 55U6G, the Hisense 65U6G has a 4K UHD (3,840×2,160 pixels) LED-backlit QLED display with the Quantum Dot technology and full array local dimming. It, however, comes in a 65-inch size. There is also support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos technologies. Further, the TV has 24W audio output and is powered by a quad-core CPU, along with a Mali470 GPU and 2GB of RAM. It also includes Hi-View Engine for graphics processing.

The Hisense 65U6G comes with dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.0, as well as Ethernet, HDMI, and USB ports. The TV includes Google Assistant and has Google Play access.

Hisense 75U80G specifications

The Hisense 75U80G comes with a 75-inch 8K UHD (7,680×4,320 pixels) QLED display that has 120Hz of refresh rate. The TV includes Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support and is powered by a quad-core CPU, along with Mali G52 MC2 GPU and 5GB of RAM. It also has 36W audio output.

Just like the 55- and 65-inch models, the Hisense 75U80G comes with Google Assistant and has Google Play access for downloading apps and games. The TV carries dual-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth v5.0, alongside Ethernet, HDMI, and USB ports.

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