HDMI cables are now standardized into three official bandwidth tiers: Premium High Speed (18Gbps), Ultra High Speed (48Gbps) and the new Ultra96 (up to 96Gbps), per rules from the HDMI Licensing Administrator that ban using version numbers alone in marketing. Most 4K streaming only needs the 18Gbps tier, while 4K/120Hz gaming requires Ultra High Speed, and Ultra96 is reserved for extreme formats like uncompressed 4K/240Hz or 8K/60Hz. Buyers are advised to check the certification label and QR code on packaging rather than relying on price or brand name.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-01
Sonos has introduced the Beam Ultra, a premium successor to its mid-size soundbar lineup, featuring nine drivers including two upward-firing tweeters for genuine Dolby Atmos sound rather than simulated surround. Pre-orders start today ahead of a September 29 release at $699, and the device supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI eARC for building out a broader home theater setup with other Sonos gear.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-01
An analysis compares using televisions versus dedicated monitors for computer use, focusing on refresh rates, input latency, and color depth. It finds monitors generally offer higher refresh rates, lower latency (1-4ms vs 9-12ms on TVs), and better color support at lower price points than comparable TVs.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-01
A review highlights how having two USB-C ports on a laptop simplifies connecting peripherals like portable monitors, since one port can handle power while the other manages video and data. The piece notes that laptops with only a single USB-C port force users to rely on multiple adapters and cables—such as HDMI-to-mini-HDMI and USB-A-to-USB-C—to achieve the same functionality, especially when battery life requires the laptop to stay plugged in.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-31
A developer released sm750hdmifb, an experimental Linux DRM driver specifically for the SE-DP750A-HDMI PCIe card built around the Silicon Motion SM750G10-AC GPU and SiI9024ACNU HDMI transmitter. It enables true 2048-wide output or a scaled 2560x1080 ultrawide desktop with more efficient colour conversion and update handling than the older sm750fb kernel driver it replaces.
github.com
· 2026-08-30
Amazon is selling LG's 34-inch curved UltraGear 34GX900A-B ultrawide OLED gaming monitor for $599.99, half its $1,200 list price. The panel offers a 3440x1440 resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, 0.03ms response time, and support for both FreeSync Premium Pro and Nvidia G-Sync compatibility.
tomshardware.com
· 2026-08-30
A new explainer breaks down why many viewers assume they're watching 4K content when they're not, pointing to factors like device settings, HDMI cables, subscription tiers, and per-service quality controls. It walks through specific examples including Disney+'s data usage settings, YouTube's on-demand quality selector, and Amazon Prime Video's new Ultra tier that gates 4K access behind an added fee.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-30
ASUS has released its first gaming-focused soundbar, the ROG Gjallar, in the US market at a price of $600. The device features a 5.1.2-channel setup with Dolby Atmos support, a wireless 65W subwoofer, and a control hub with built-in microphones designed to enable headset-free multiplayer voice chat while filtering background noise.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-25
Retailer Very has published an early listing for an unannounced Philips Hue Play Sync Box Lite, a stripped-down version of Hue's HDMI light-syncing device. The Lite model offers just one HDMI input versus four on the current 8K model, caps out at 4K/60Hz, and drops IR remote support, but costs £109.99 versus £299.99 for the full version.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-24
Analogue's FPGA-based N64 remake, the Analogue 3D, outputs video at up to 3,840 x 2,160 pixels, but the original games it plays were rendered natively at far lower resolutions, typically around 320 x 240 and occasionally up to 640 x 480. The console upscales and cleans up that old output—removing blur, distance fog, and choppy frame rates—rather than generating new high-resolution textures or geometry.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-23
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