Articles about 4K

Acer is giving gamers two new reasons to upgrade their setups -- the Predator X32 X2 and Predator X27U X1. These new monitors ditch the old LCD tech in favor of vibrant QD-OLED panels.

The Predator X32 X2 comes in at 31.5 inches and pushes out a crisp 3840x2160 resolution. But it’s not just about pixels -- this thing hits a wild 240Hz refresh rate with a 0.03ms response time. Thanks to AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, gameplay stays smooth even when things get hectic on screen.

Continue reading →

The Super Bowl is this Sunday, and I suppose I’m excited. As a New York Jets fan, I can never truly enjoy football -- it’s a miserable existence. However, I enjoy all things sports, so even though I hate both the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles (and refuse to cheer on either team), I will still tune in and watch the big game.

This year, you can watch the Super Bowl in 4K for free, which is definitely cool, but taking things a step further, if you have Xfinity TV service and the right hardware, you can experience the game in Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos too. This upgrade is part of Comcast’s new “Enhanced 4K offering” on X1.

Continue reading →

BenQ has established a reputation for producing high-quality monitors that cater to the needs of various users, and the PD2706UA is no exception. This monitor has been designed specifically for creative professionals who require the best possible color accuracy, resolution, and viewing angles.

The PD2706UA is a 27-inch monitor that boasts a QHD resolution of 2560 x 1440. The display is made with an IPS panel that provides excellent color reproduction and wide viewing angles. This makes it ideal for professionals who require accurate color representation, such as graphic designers, photographers, and videographers.

Continue reading →

All the 4K webcams I have ever used have been 30 FPS max. To get the preferred 60 FPS, you typically need to set the quality to 720p or 1080p. As far as I know, there are no 4K60 (2160p60) webcams on the market.

Until today, that is. You see, Elgato (a Corsair subsidiary), has launched what it claims to be "The World's First 4K60 Webcam." Called "Facecam Pro," the camera is designed to sit atop your computer monitor or laptop display, but it can be used with a tripod too. Facecam Pro connects using a removable USB-C cable.

Continue reading →

USB-C docking stations are very common these days. Hell, websites like Amazon are littered with countless makes and models. Of course, not all of them are good, nor do they offer the same things. Features can vary from dock to dock, such as the number of USB ports or video outputs. I recommend sticking with reputable brands such as Kensington, StarTech.com, and Plugable to name a few.

Speaking of Plugable, today, that company launches a USB-C docking station that can push two 4K displays at 60Hz at once. Called "UD-6950PDH," the dock also offers 100W of charging and provides an impressive 13 useful ports, including Gigabit Ethernet, USB-A, and both SD and micro SD card readers.

Continue reading →

According to Plugable, its UD-ULTC4K USB-C 4K Triple Display Docking Station has been wildly popular. While the company has not shared sales numbers, it has apparently sold many of these docks since it launched back in 2017. This doesn't surprise me, as Plugable products are consistently great.

Since it has been five years since the UD-ULTC4K launched, Plugable though it was time to refresh it, so it has done exactly that -- while confusingly keeping the exact same product name. The biggest change is the inclusion of six video outputs -- three HDMI and three DisplayPort -- of which three can be used simultaneously. You also get 100W Power Delivery, meaning this dock can quickly charge up any laptop with USB-C PD. My favorite addition, however, is the SD card reader.

Continue reading →

Not all products need to be exciting. Sometimes, a device can just serve to accomplish a task without wowing anybody. Take the all new Monoprice 5-in-1 USB-C to 4K HDMI Display Adapter and USB Hub, for instance. There are countless products like it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't check it out. Why? Because while it is not exciting, it is very affordable.

As the name implies, Monoprice's new offering pulls double-duty as a USB hub and display adapter. It will turn one USB-C port on your computer into three USB-A ports and one HDMI port. The video output supports resolutions up to 4K@60 (depending on your computer's USB-C port). And yes, it has a USB-C port for pass-through power delivery -- it can handle up to 100W.

Continue reading →

Anyone can become a YouTuber or Twitch streamer, but not everyone can become rich and famous from doing it. Many young folks have big dreams about becoming the next big video-game-streaming star, but sadly, that is not at all likely. And so, if you are passionate about streaming yourself playing video games, it would be wise to simply do it for fun -- forget about money. Look, if you get fame and fortune from the hobby, just consider it an added bonus.

While streaming yourself playing PC games is incredibly easy, what if you would rather do it with a console (such PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, or Nintendo Switch) while also sharing your PC webcam? Ah, that is a bit more tough. For this, you will need an HDMI capture card. While PCIe variants do exist for desktops, there is a much simpler route -- USB. Yes, an external capture card is easier to install and works with both desktops and laptops.

Continue reading →

USB-C docking stations are a dime a dozen these days. There are so many on the market, it can be hard to get excited about new models. For one to stand out in the crowd, it has to be exceptional or offer functionality to make it special.

Well, folks, it seems Plugable has managed to announce a USB-C docking station that is legitimately exciting. Called "UD-6950PDZ," it supports up to three monitors running at 4K. While that is cool, it is not what makes it so special. Actually, the truly cool aspect is that it has six video outputs -- three HDMI and three DisplayPort. Only three of the six can be used at once, but by offering six ports, you can connect to three monitors using HDMI or DisplayPort without ever needing a dongle.

Continue reading →

So, you need a docking station for your laptop, eh? OK, cool. If it has Thunderbolt 3/4, you should buy a Thunderbolt dock. If not, you should cop a USB dock instead. It's not complicated, folks. With that said, it can be a bit confusing when trying to pick a make and model. After all, Amazon is littered with so many USB docks and docking stations. My advice is to stick with a known company.

Well, VisionTek (a very reputable brand), has a new such product that looks rather impressive. Called "VT4510," it is a Dual Display 4K USB-C Docking Station with 100W Power Delivery. This means a single cable can connect the dock to your laptop while charging it (up to 100 watts) at the same time. It can even simultaneously push two 4K monitors at 60Hz. If you use just one DisplayPort connector, a single 5K display can be used at 60Hz. And yes, both a USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cable are included in the box.

Continue reading →

Yeah, COVID-19 changed the world -- we all know this. But nothing changed more than office work environments. Even as the pandemic slowly fades away, many employees are still working from home, with no plans to ever return to a physical office. And so, videoconferencing is more crucial than ever before.

With all of that said, if your webcam is of poor quality, it can reflect on you negatively. Look, it may not be your fault, but a grainy video feed is akin to going into an in-person meeting with a big stain on your shirt. In other words, investing in a high-quality camera can be very impactful on your perceived job performance -- it could literally have an affect on other peoples' perception of you.

Continue reading →

I'm a big believer in paying for quality, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate value. When I can save a buck, I try to do so. Do I regret buying pricey Apple TV devices for my home? No, not really; they work well and I have been satisfied overall. If I had to do it over again, however, I'd probably go with Roku devices. That company's streaming media boxes are much more affordable and largely just as capable as Apple's offerings.

And today, Roku takes its value game up a notch. You see, the Roku Express 4K+ is insanely inexpensive given its features. For a mere $39.99 you get a media box with 4K, HDR, and a rechargeable voice remote control. Yes, folks, this new Roku remote does not require changing batteries. Hell, you even get an HDMI cable in the box.

Continue reading →

Bomaker has announced that it will soon launch a 4K ultra-short-throw laser projector on Indiegogo, and early birds can grab a substantial discount on the device when it goes live for crowdfunding.

Bomaker, which manufactures sound bars as well as projectors, has revealed the specs of the Polaris 4K Laser TV, which the firm promises delivers much better results than rival projectors (DLP or laser).

Continue reading →

For many consumers nowadays, a computer monitor isn't a very exciting purchase. Instead, it is merely a necessity for desktop computer users. While people were once wowed by flat screen displays -- and later, to a lesser extent, curved displays -- these days, there just isn't much innovation.

Today, however, BenQ launches a new monitor that has excellent specs and some unique features. The 32-Inch "EW3280U," as it is called, has an impressive 4K resolution, AMD FreeSync, and HDRi, but that is merely the start of the fun. Believe it or not, it has 2.1 audio. Wait, how can a monitor do 2.1? It has an integrated subwoofer! Cool, eh? For connectivity, you get HDMI and DisplayPort, but also, USB-C. There is even a neat ePaper mode, which provides a more comfortable eBook-reading experience.

Continue reading →

While 4K monitors are finally affordable these days, it is important to remember that they are not all created equally. There are varying specifications and features, plus different levels of quality. Ultimately, you should buy the 4K display that best meets your needs. If you are simply using it for computing and consuming media, you can probably get by with an inexpensive and basic monitor. Professionals, however, will need to focus on something more high-end.

Today, Dell announces an insane monitor for professionals that should make both photographers and videographers giddy. Called "UP2720Q," this 27-inch UltraSharp 4K display features Dell's 10-bit PremierColor technology and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity -- the latter can charge a laptop (up to 90 watts) over TB3 too.

Continue reading →