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Multimedia - Home Servers

Netflix Offers Better Sound With High Quality Audio

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Netflix Offers Better Sound With High Quality Audio

Netflix looks to further close the gap with physical media with the announcement of "high quality audio," an adaptive technology taking advantage of available bandwidth to ensure the best audio experience.

Essentially, Netflix high quality audio ups the maximum bitrate of a 5.1 audio mix from 192 to 640 kpbs, and a Dolby Atmos mix from 448 to 768 kbps. As mentioned earlier the technology is adaptive, meaning audio quality goes up or down depending on the network speed on the customer side, similar to the approach the streaming service takes to video quality.

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Apple, Netflix Rival

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Apple, Netflix Rival

The rumours have been making the rounds for a while, and now Apple is set to confirm them-- the iPhone maker is indeed launching a video streaming service, the imaginatively dubbed Apple TV+.

Presented at the "show time" event held at the Steve Jobs Theatre, Apple TV+ promises to be "home to some of the highest quality original storytelling that TV and movie lovers have seen yet." And Apple appears to be backing up such claims to rival Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by opening its massive chequebook, since the service will offer programming featuring the likes of Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Octavia Spencer, J.J. Abrams, Jason Momoa, M. Night Shyamalan and even Steven Spielberg.

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A DVR for the Streaming Age

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A DVR for the Streaming Age

Texas-based Modulus Media Systems claims to have a DVR designed for the streaming era-- the M1, a multi-function media hub able to record all streaming shows, and organise said recordings in folders for easy enjoyment.

First announced 2 years ago and 7 years in the making, the M1 was originally set for a late 2017 release. It promises to be a combination of multiple pieces of home entertainment hardware software, with the features of a DVR, function-rich media centre, multiple streaming boxes, Blu-ray/DVD player and personal media organiser.

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Atari Gamebox Gets Renamed to VCS

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Atari Gamebox Gets Renamed to VCS

The Ataribox, a games console based on the Atari machines of old, gets renamed as the "Atari VCS" at the Game Developer Conference 2018, together with the reveal of joystick and controller prototypes.

Described as an "all-new video computer system inspired by more than 40 years of history," the Atari VCS was first announced back at E3 2017. The device was originally set for launch on December 2017 via the Indiegogo crowdfunding platform, but the campaign was canceled following unspecified development delays.

The VCS retains the same design from the previously revealed Ataribox, one clearly inspired by the original Atari 2600 Video Computer System. The Classic Joystick shares the same retro look, while gamers wanting a more modern input device get a Modern Controller options. Atari is still to detail the software side of things, but insists it will "serve up lots of classic content" while being a "connected device designed for today's living room."

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Google Rivals Echo Show With Smart Display

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Google Rivals Echo Show With Smart Display

Google clearly means business at its first CES 2018 appearance, with a massive booth hosting the reveal of Smart Display, the search giant's take on the Amazon Echo Show devices.

Smart Display is, essentially, a platform for Google Assistant-powered smart speakers featuring a display. Google insists such devices are not mere Android tablets, since they use a full voice interface and actually run on Android Things, a variant of the OS designed for IoT. Smart Display devices cannot run apps and present traditional assistant functionality using what appears to be a card-based UI.

YouTube support comes out of the box-- unlike the Echo Show, following the recent Google-Amazon kerfuffle-- while a built-in camera allows for Google Duo videoconferencing. It can also act as a home automation hub when paired with other Google Assistant-compatible devices, such as Nest cameras or thermostats.

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