Audio and video trends 2018

Here are some audio and video trends for 2018.

Buying headphones in 2018 is going to be a fragmented mess because of a silent goodbye to the 3.5mm audio plug, Majority of new headphones introduced at CES were wireless and there are several different wireless systems. Bluetooth audio has historically sacrificed sound quality for convenience relative to a wired connection. However, there are a couple of standards now that promise “better-than-CD” audio quality. For wired connections where we once had the solid reliability of a 3.5mm analog connector working with any jack shaped to receive it, there’s now a divergence of digital alternatives:Lightning, USB-C, and Sony’s 4.4mm Pentaconn connector.

Voice, connectivity and AI took center stage at the Consumer Electronics Show. Alexa Skills and the Voice Experience is really getting off. With over 15 million Amazon Echo devices shipped and 244 million projected by 2022 it is expected to take lead with Google Home Assistant and Apple Homepod with Siri following. Also Google Assistant was mentioned a lot in CES. Google Sold 6.75 Million ‘Google Home’ Devices In the Last 80 Days. ‘Language assistants  were a big topic at this year’s CES. More and more manufacturers like JBL and Creative are integrating smart helpers into their WLAN speakers. Alexa support comes to 2018 TVs from Sony, Hisense and LG. Google launches smart displays with JBL, Lenovo, LG and Sony. There will be also other competitors aiming to this market, for example “China’s Google,” shouted out most loudly for voice. Microsoft’s Cortana had a crappy CES so it seems that Amazon Alexa will soon arrive on Windows PCs (HP, ASUS, Acer and others). Introducing Single-Chip Solutions for Building Alexa-Enabled Products.Sony launches a bunch of new headphones and adds Google Assistant functionality to the line.

Binaural, ambisonic, spatial, surround, 3D will be talked about. The most accessible exhibitions of this technology are in Youtube VR and Facebook 360, where users can interact with 360º videos that contain spatial audio. AR/VR was hot topic at CES 2018.

Sound bars are popular for compact home theater setups. Traditional home cinema systems with AV receivers and large speaker arsenals are only used by film and sound enthusiasts who sacrifice space in the living room for this purpose.

People listen to four hours of audio content every day. Streaming platforms like Spotify take a big bit of that. Streaming accounts for 41% of music consumption was the 2017’s most jaw dropping statistic. People will also listen a lot of music from YouTube.

Acoustics-based NFC is being pushed to market as it requires only a microphone and speaker, eliminating tags and chips. Chirp and LISNR are two emerging companies facilitating soundwave communication.

Wireless headphones and speakers become more common. Portable loudspeakers without cables are more popular than ever with music listeners. Most popular connection technology is Bluetooth.More and more manufacturers are breaking away from the cable and are showing new models and updates of completely wireless in-ear headphones at the CES 2018.

There is a bit of nostalgia involved: Several traditional technology tries to make come-back in 2018. The traditionalists among the music lovers continue to use records, so new record players keep coming. Cassette tapes making a comeback thanks to young, independent artists. Artists like Justin Bieber, Eminem and Metallica have all put out material on tape recently as a recent blockbuster film “Guardians of the Galaxy” put a hero center stage with a Sony Walkman. Tube amplifiers are back for traditionalist audiophiles that think that tubes can make your music to sound better.

4K video resolution is hot and 8K going to be pushed to market. TV has progressed to the 4K ultra-high-definition stage with its 3,840 × 2,160 pixel resolution. LG Display has made a 65-inch rollable 4K OLED TV. LG displayed 8K OLED TV at CES. Samsung has technology scales the image resolution to a 8K with AI. LG, Panasonic, and TCL put the spotlight on the chips that do the video processing: For the foreseeable future, any advances in image quality will be coming from these chips, not from the displays themselves.

Welcome ATSC 3.0 in USA: In November, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued new rules that will let TV broadcasters adopt the next-generation wireless TV standard designated ATSC 3.0. This new standard defines the specifications for ultra-high-definition (UHD) or 4K over-the-air (OTA) digital TV. But over-the-air is minority in USA as roughly 75% of households pay for their TV reception for cable or satellite distribution.

Home theater headsets have come a long way. AR/VR is hot. Oculus partners with Xiaomi to launch the Oculus Go and Mi VR Standalone.

Wired peripherals and electronics are still a major part of the market. Cabling for AV systems will have new features:  a new HDMI standard and how active cables will provide both power and video to consumer devices.

3D cameras are hot. HP’s Z 3D Camera puts Sprout’s scanning power on your PC. Intel’s new cameras add human-like 3D vision to any machine.

When almost all AV products are pushing more and more features, it seems that almost Everything is too complicated for an average Joe.

Sources:

https://www.smartbrief.com/original/2018/01/10-audio-marketing-trends-2018

http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/avf-News-Audio-Trends-CES-2018-11264743.html

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/cassette-tapes-making-a-comeback-thanks-to-young-artists/9161938

https://www.marketplace.org/2017/11/22/business/cassette-tapes-make-comeback

http://aeaaudio.com/why-tubes-are-back-and-how-to-get-in-on-it/

https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/could-an-old-school-tube-amp-make-the-music-you-love-sound-better

https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/coolest-best-audio-gadgets-ces-2018/

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/18/16903516/headphones-wireless-analog-jack-future-ces-2018

https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/08/alexa-support-comes-to-2018-tvs-from-sony-and-hisense/

https://www.eetimes.com/document.asp?doc_id=1332845

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYhgJlEn880

http://www.etn.fi/index.php/13-news/7368-tekoaly-skaalaa-televisiokuvan-8k-tarkkuuteen

https://spectrum.ieee.org/view-from-the-valley/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/ces-2018-look-to-the-processor-not-the-display-for-tv-picture-improvements

https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/consumer-electronics/audiovideo/ces-2018-active-hdmi-cables-and-harmony-in-the-smart-home

https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/12/cortana-had-a-crappy-ces/?ncid=rss&utm_source=tcfbpage&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=FaceBook&sr_share=facebook

https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/6/16859102/lg-display-rollable-oled-65-inch-ces-2018

https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/08/eagle-wearable-home-theater/

https://tech.slashdot.org/story/18/01/07/171214/google-sold-675-million-google-home-devices-in-the-last-80-days

http://www.electronicdesign.com/community-home/free-tv-keeps-getting-better-welcome-atsc-30

https://www.engadget.com/2018/01/18/intel-realsense-ready-to-use-depth-cameras/

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2018/01/hps-z-3d-camera-puts-sprouts-scanning-power-on-your-pc/

https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/08/google-partners-with-jbl-lenovo-lg-and-sony-to-launch-echo-show-and-spot-smart-display-competitors/?ncid=rss&utm_source=tcfbpage&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&sr_share=facebook

https://developer.amazon.com/blogs/alexa/post/ba17fd33-6510-45d6-b682-ee9ed9ef589c/single-soc-dev-kits-for-avs

https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/08/sony-launches-a-bunch-of-new-headphones-and-adds-google-assistant-functionality-to-the-line/?ncid=rss&utm_source=tcfbpage&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Techcrunch+%28TechCrunch%29&utm_content=FaceBook&sr_share=facebook

https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/08/oculus-partners-with-xiaomi-to-launch-the-oculus-go-and-mi-vr-standalone/?utm_source=tcfbpage&sr_share=facebook

 

841 Comments

  1. Tomi Engdahl says:

    About GrafX2
    http://grafx2.chez.com

    GrafX2 is a bitmap paint program inspired by the Amiga programs ​Deluxe Paint and Brilliance. Specialized in 256-color drawing

    The program is mostly developed on Haiku, Linux and Windows, but is also portable on many other platforms.

    Reply
  2. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Daniel Frankel / Multichannel News:
    Google says Android TV has now been deployed by 100+ pay TV operators worldwide and is used by “tens of millions” of customers, mostly in Europe and Asia — Google’s open video operating system proliferates as AT&T readies deployment of set-top powered by platform in the U.S.

    Android TV Now Claiming Over 100 Pay TV Operator Partners Worldwide
    https://www.multichannel.com/news/android-tv-now-has-more-than-100-operator-partners

    Google’s open video operating system proliferates as AT&T readies deployment of set-top powered by platform in the U.S.

    Reply
  3. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Vinyl Sucks
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5rE9bNN_fs

    Any REAL audiophile or home theater enthusiast knows the truth…that vinyl sucks. It does. It sucks, BUT I LOVE IT. Here’s a fun little video explaining why vinyl sucks AND WHY IT STILL MATTERS.

    Comments:

    In a world where technology continues to make things easier and more accessible, the record player forces you to stop, sit down and listen. This isn’t the only way to consume music, but in my opinion it’s the best way.

    Well, that pretty much sums it up! I grew up with vinyl, went away from it for a long time (went all digital) but brought vinyl back into my life this year, and I’m glad I did. I hadn’t even realized how much I missed it.

    1987 ” cds, how music was meant to be heard”
    2015 ” vinyl, the way music was meant to be heard”( flogging vinyl at 30 pound a time to the mugs)
    The music companies are laughing all the way to the bank
    The artwork is better with vinyl.
    Otherwise nah.

    Reply
  4. Tomi Engdahl says:

    REVIEW: Sonarworks Reference 4 for Studio Speakers
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh7GJvJmy1w

    Review video about my thoughts of the Sonarworks Reference 4 software, including how to measure using their measurement microphone, a before and after comparison and some critical notes. Check more about Sonarworks over here:
    https://www.sonarworks.com/

    Reply
  5. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How this top producer turns his laptop into a studio
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FUHcYX1-9Y8

    Advancements in hardware and software have made it possible to do the bulk of producing on a phone or laptop. Mobile music production has become increasingly popular – out of convenience and sometimes necessity. Even for artists and producers with access to professional studios, there is a need to create hits on the fly. And these same mobile tools have now put the power of a studio in everyone’s hands. Dani Deahl heads to L.A. to meet with Grammy-nominated producer Oak Felder to see how he is using mobile production in his work.

    Reply
  6. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Flicker-Free Lights, and Why They are Important to You
    https://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/video/tips-and-solutions/flicker-free-lights-and-why-they-are-important-you

    If you only shoot outside, using the sun and reflectors for light sources, it is highly unlikely that you will encounter flicker problems. However, for the rest of us, flickering light sources can become a daily headache when shooting video. What is important to remember is that most electrically generated light sources flicker in some manner, but what matters is how perceivable that flicker is when we are shooting. I can hear you thinking: “Wait, that’s not true—tungsten lights don’t flicker and neither do LED lights, because they are DC powered.” Now, while that may be true for many applications, it is not always the case. Read on to see how to avoid having flicker ruin your day.

    Under normal conditions, tungsten bulbs don’t flicker on video, but there are times they will

    As you increase the camera’s frame rates, or run off speed, you end up with frames that don’t have a consistent number of light pulses per frame, and these frames will exhibit flicker.

    At this point you may be thinking, “I don’t shoot high speed (above 100/120 fps), and I’m using fluorescent lights anyway, and these don’t flicker.” If you are thinking this way, then you may be surprised to find out that flicker can be even worse with standard fluorescent lights than with tungsten lights

    For many years, in the US, the common setup for shooting under fluorescent lights was to use a 180-degree shutter and shoot at 24 or 30 fps.

    A standard US household fluorescent light turns completely on and off 120 times a second

    n reality your camera is probably running at either 29.97 or 59.94 frames/fields per second (and not a true 30 or 60)

    However, if you are shooting at variable frame rates, or high speed, especially at frame rates that don’t easily divide into 60 (in the US) you are likely going to encounter flicker problems. To avoid this, you want to stay away from using household fluorescent fixtures, because they usually have very inexpensive ballasts, which have a very low flicker rate. You want to use “Flicker-Free” fixtures, which flicker at up to 250,000 times a second (250,000 Hz), such as Kino Flo or, if you are trying to light your scene using practical bulbs, you can try Lowel compact fluorescent bulbs

    This brings us to LED lighting, which can be powered by either Alternating Current (AC), or Direct Current (DC). LEDs that are powered by AC power supplies that step-down household voltage to levels appropriate for LED lights will exhibit similar frame-rate flicker issues as fluorescent lights. Most, if not all, LED light fixtures for video production are DC powered, either through a coax power input or batteries, which would seem to make these units flicker free. However, when powering an LED light from an AC outlet using an AC/DC power supply, you may run into a problem.

    Another consideration, when working with LED lights, is dimming. Dimming a light can cause problems across tungsten, fluorescent, and LED lighting.

    Dimming an LED light is often accomplished using a method known as Pulse Width Modulation, which works by cutting the power to the LED, essentially introducing off periods to the LED. This causes the light to be less bright over time by pulsing the LED. If the pulses happen rapidly enough, they are undetectable to the human eye and camera. Nonetheless, as with fluorescent lights, you now have a light source that is flickering. If the pulses don’t align with your frame rate, then your footage can show flickering, even if it is not noticeable to your eye.

    Reply
  7. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How Ian Kirkpatrick, producer of Dua Lipa’s “New Rules,” makes vocals hit-ready with VocalSynth 2
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nj4xSYyj328

    Ian Kirkpatrick, the producer who has worked with pop royalty like Dua Lipa, Justin Bieber, and Britney Spears, uses VocalSynth 2 to explore new sonic territory with vocals.

    Reply
  8. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Gift Guide: So your [friend, partner, kid, parent] wants to be a Twitch streamer…
    https://techcrunch.com/2018/12/07/gift-guide-so-your-friend-partner-kid-parent-wants-to-be-a-twitch-streamer/?utm_source=tcfbpage&sr_share=facebook

    Got a friend or loved one who believes they have the skill, personality and wide open schedule to be successful on Twitch? The right gift might get the ball rolling.

    Reply
  9. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Abhimanyu Ghoshal / The Next Web:
    Inside digital music piracy and sharing in the 2000s via P2P networks like Napster, LimeWire, Gnutella, as well as IRC and internet music service Audiogalaxy

    A nostalgic look back at digital music piracy in the 2000s
    https://thenextweb.com/insights/2018/12/28/a-nostalgic-look-back-at-digital-music-piracy-in-the-2000s/

    Reply
  10. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Top 5 Tips to Shoot Incredible Video with a Smartphone!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KH9C2-F4Dc

    Do you want to shoot incredible video with an iPhone 6/6Plus, Samsung Galaxy S6/S6 Edge, LG G4, Nexus 6 and more? Here are Top 5 Tips and Tricks on how to shoot stunning video just with your phone. Watch to find out. Here are all of the equipment used in this video.

    Must Have Filmmaking Accessories for iPhones & Androids
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ycpqv36s0Fg

    Shooting on any mobile device like an iPhone, iPad, Pixel, Galaxy S, etc… has become a much more viable solution. Today we show some accessories that will help take your mobile filmmaking up a notch.

    Reply
  11. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Convert your VHS tapes into digital files
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYiukdB0SVc

    A step-by-step guide to transferring your old home movies to your computer.

    Reply
  12. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Give your camera an Alexa 65 sized sensor – A crazy experiment and tutorial with 12K footage
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HN29l3ouR64

    Wonder how your Camera would look if it had one of this fancy large format sensors like the Alexa 65? Emulate the large format look of films like “The Revenant”, “Rogue One”, “The Hateful 8″, and “2001″ using some cheap gear and the camera you already own.

    We are going to do a little math and built a crazy rig that will allow us to reposition a smaller sensor behind a medium format lens in a fashion that will allow us to capture an Alexa65 equivalent sensor size. We will then compare the large sensor against the same framing with the original sensor size.

    For your viewing pleasure, the 12K large format composition was downscaled to 8K to fit YouTubes maximum 8K resolution.

    Reply
  13. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Neutral Density Filters: How To Remove People From Your Photos
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HS1MxRxgKxQ

    In this video, I use a Polar Pro 15 Stop Neutral Density filter to remove traffic and people from my photograph all in camera without any post production.

    Reply
  14. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How to Make Better Timelapses
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUDULcNgoXI

    In this short photography tutorial, we show you how you can improve your timelapses by taking long shutter exposures and exporting them in Adobe Premiere. By using a Polar Pro 10 stop neutral density filter, Patrick Hall increases his shutter from 1/3rd of a second to 2 full seconds when shooting in bright sunlight.

    How To Time-lapse. Properly.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jOsDj7AKrjM

    Learn how to lapse through time like it was a piece of carrot cake…!

    Reply
  15. Tomi Engdahl says:

    “Audiophiles don’t use their equipment to listen to your music. Audiophiles use your music to listen to their equipment.”
    Alan Parsons

    From http://www.stagecenterblog.com/the-live-sound-engineer-toolkit-diy-phantom-power-sniffer/

    Reply
  16. Tomi Engdahl says:

    A Defense of 24 FPS and Why It’s Here to Stay for Cinema
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM16aiSSpFk

    In this #IQBiTS video, John responds to 7 myths that are commonly brought up by folks on our Frame Rate Video who hate 24 FPS. He further give 2 concrete objective arguments on why 24 FPS is here to stay.

    Reply
  17. Tomi Engdahl says:

    24, 30 or 60 FPS? What’s the Best FRAME RATE For VIDEO?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMhBlSTN4Lw

    I discuss and demonstrate some popular video frame rates and explain what situations each of them are primarily used.

    Video Frame Rates: What You Need to Know
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dR7B8uKc0JU

    Choose the right frame rate for slow motion/fast motion/regular speed. In-depth tutorial from basic to advanced.

    Reply
  18. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why HDMI ISN’T Always The Answer
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpxXJ-jwN2M

    You’ll find a huge variety of connectors on the back of your TV or A/V receiver – what are they all used for?

    Reply
  19. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Audio File Formats – MP3, AAC, WAV, FLAC
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIIKXOrt3bk

    Video File Formats – MP4, MOV, MKV
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvgxn8v–8Q

    Reply
  20. Tomi Engdahl says:

    10 Best Uses of Color of All Time
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tILIeNjbH1E

    Color is one of the most effective tools in a storyteller’s arsenal. From fiery red, to the coldest blue, a great filmmaker knows just what colors to paint on the screen. Move over light and shadow, lets take the color wheel for a spin! Here are the very best uses of color in a movie ever!

    Reply
  21. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Top 10 VFX Innovations in the 21st Century!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G0cPeEAhzWU

    Last time we talked about VFX, we covered everything up to the turn of the century, where bullet time and CGI were just starting to change the game. But movies today are enhanced (or perhaps overloaded) with a amazing technologies that can bring almost anything to life.

    Why CG Sucks (Except It Doesn’t)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bL6hp8BKB24

    Are computer generated visual effects really ruining movies?

    We believe that the reason we think all CG looks bad, is because we only see “bad” CG. Fantastic, beautiful, and wonderfully executed CG is everywhere – you just don’t know it. Truly great visual effects serve story and character – and in doing so are, by their very definition, invisible.

    Reply
  22. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Incredible Process of How a GIANT 70mm IMAX Film is Played
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gENOhw1Q3vM

    It’s not all digital yet! This short film takes you deep inside an IMAX projection booth revealing the meticulous process of threading a 70mm film print through a Mini Cooper sized film projector. The resolution of 70mm film is still far greater than what 4K digital projectors can produce. IMAX has been around since the 70′s and still boasts a higher quality image than today’s digital. So if you’re wondering why IMAX costs a little bit more, think of the projectionists!

    So if you think IMAX projectionists just put in a Blu Ray and press play, think again.

    Reply
  23. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Top 10 Cinematographers of All Time
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3NRvrmKeMA

    This week we’re looking back at best DPs to ever let light touch film. From every era, from all over the world, from all walks of life, these are the best cinematographers of all time.

    Top 10 Movie Sets Ever Built
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apR5KRWvL0c

    Reply
  24. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Turn Your Phone into a Cinema Camera with This Adapter
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RVmilrBvdAc

    Ever wonder what it would look like to have a Leica or Cooke Lens on an iPhone or Samsung? Well, wonder no longer. Cinematic International Company Limited has a product that will connect almost any lens to your phone.

    Turn your phone into a Cinema Camera – Pixel Addix Cinema Mount Impressions Review! | 4K
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGuS3ApBXdY

    Reply
  25. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Ways to turn your phone into a movie-making machine
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3KY08DuomM

    Your phone can professional photos and great quality movies with the right equipment. Here’s everything you’ll need to take advantage of your phone’s camera.

    Reply
  26. Tomi Engdahl says:

    How a TV Works in Slow Motion – The Slow Mo Guys
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    If you are reading this, you’ve seen a screen with your eyes. But have you REALLY seen it though? Like real proper seen it? Don’t worry, Gav is here to help you out. This is How a TV works in Slow Motion.

    Reply
  27. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why Audiophiles Hate Bose | TDNC Podcast #93
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ6RM3XMfKg

    Bose is a household name when it comes to speakers and headphones — so just why do audiophiles hate it so much?

    Comments:

    In theory Bose “attempts to enhance” the audio quality, where an audiophile wants to hear the most accurate / pure representation of a recording, not an enhanced version.

    I always worked for companies that produced loudspeakers that directly competed with Bose products. This commentary video makes too many generalized assumptions about Bose and the examples are technically vague. It should have been about five minutes long.

    Reply
  28. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why don’t audiophiles care about recordings?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAjev77wMdg

    If musicians don’t care about high-end audio, why is it audiophiles don’t seem to care about quality recordings—some even listening to electronic music rather than classical.

    Reply
  29. Tomi Engdahl says:

    I Recorded A Song With High-Tech Invisible Drums
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_s_Oz7ropA

    These cutting edge invisible drums are seriously awesome.

    Reply
  30. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Practical Applications for SPL Meters
    https://www.audioxpress.com/article/practical-applications-for-spl-meters

    Originally, SPL meters were developed to measure absolute volume levels, but some models can do much more. In this article we’ll consider some practical applications for a basic SPL meter, using the Galaxy Audio CM-130 as an example, then move on to a more sophisticated model, the NTI Audio XL2.

    Reply
  31. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why can’t we see the Apollo lunar landers on the Moon from Earth ?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkaNqud_VxU

    Reply
  32. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Amplifier slew rate
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r07UWh7gDLk

    We all hear these very technical terms like slew rate but not everyone of us understands what it means or how it affects sound quality in a stereo system.

    Reply
  33. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Why do preamps make popping noises?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuhyKbbsV_8

    We all know the routine of amp on last and reverse the procedure on shutdown. But why? What makes the preamp and other equipment make nasty and possibly damaging noises in our systems?

    Reply
  34. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Do-It-Yourself PIXAR?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HTde_bj_-bM

    Let’s discuss the future of do-it-yourself 3D animation.

    Reply
  35. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Are recordings from the 60s and 70s any good?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1Lm6QDWNss

    Many recordings from this era were simply God-awful sounding: thin, lacking bass, and unlistenable, yet their music was great. What a shame! Why was this?

    Comments:

    What actually sounds better than Fleetwood Mac, Rumours? In that era you also had Dark Side of The Moon, Wish You Were Here, The Wall, etc, some of the best recordings ever. Late 70s on 16 track 2″ tape was probably the peak of recording fidelity.

    I would prefer to listen to so called poor recordings of great music, than a perfect recording of the un-inspired drivel that these hacks produce today.

    Confused on this one. Yeah there are crap sounding recording from this era. But I can think of some pretty darn good sounding records from the 70s

    He’s obviously listening to a potato if he thinks 70s music is badly recorded, 50s recordings are great, 60s are passable and 70s are amazing, anyone ever listened to CCR? Amazing recordings, period.

    WHAT??!?!? To me, the late 70′s were the pinnacle of the best mastered, best sound quality recordings. Where the technology pretty much caught up with the what the engineers were capable of, before digital came along and brought with the the abuses and fake digital sounds.

    Sorry Paul I shouldn’t pick on your choice of music, BUT classical recordings from Philips and Duetsche Grammaphone from the 60s are wonderful. Columbia is generally great recordings throughout the 60s and 70s. In the late 60s and through much of the 70s the music in all venues was great. Maybe “popular” rock and country of the early 60s and 70s sucked so why bother to make a good recording.

    My only problem with 60s recordings are that they can be quite harsh and distorted in the upper midrange especially on the motown records. My only problem with 70s recordings is that the noise reduction kills the high end. With that said they are still a million times better than what came out in the late 90s and the 2000s, most of which had extreme digital compression and clipping.

    Yes.. EQ required in those case, and some carts tackle them nice, smooth things out but at expense of some general mid range.

    Reply
  36. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Yi 4K Action Cam Review – The GoPro Killer!?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28k7uBDojb8

    The Yi Action Camera 2 is, quite frankly, the only Chinese action cam that has impressed me so far.

    $20 4k Action Cam Review – Is it Worth it? | $20 GoPro | 4K
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GWc8JO4OCqg

    Cheap Budget GoPro…. $20 4k Ultra HD action cam silver review / overview. $20 Sports camera is this the best budget GoPro replica/ fake go pro for under $20? Eken H8, Nikon, stoked or this

    Comments:

    “Disappointed at video quality” What do you expect it is $20

    To be honest I don’t know whether to be impressed or disappointed by this action cam.

    No offense, but “The resolution of this camera is so low I can’t even read the number plate of the car next to me” , “this could be a good dashcam…” Recording a number plate of a car near you seems like a vital function of a dashcam, no?

    Reply
  37. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Audio Myths Workshop
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYTlN6wjcvQ

    This is a video version of my Audio Myths workshop from the October 2009 AES show in New York City. Because of a few music examples I used, this video blocked in some countries. So watch it here:

    http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x59xvic

    Reply
  38. Tomi Engdahl says:

    The Audio Expert, Part 3: Common Audio Myths
    https://www.prosoundweb.com/topics/studio/the_audio_expert_part_3_common_audio_myths/

    “I thought cables didn’t matter, so I tried running my system without them. Huge difference!”
    — Posted on a hi-fi audio forum

    Reply
  39. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Testing The Premise: AC Power Coupling Into Audio Signal Cables?
    https://www.prosoundweb.com/channels/av/testing-the-premise-ac-power-coupling-into-audio-signal-cables/

    Challenging the long-standing warnings that claim electromagnetic (EM) radiation from AC power cables will couple into audio signal wires to create hum.

    For years we’ve been told never to place AC power wires near audio wiring, especially cables carrying mic-level signals. The warnings claim that the electromagnetic (EM) radiation from the power cable will couple into the signal wires to create hum. When AC and signal wires must be adjacent, the standard suggestion is to cross them at 90 degrees to minimize coupling.

    But professional audio wiring is balanced to reject hum and other common-mode signals. Even microphone cables should be able to reject hum adequately. In my home studio I have many mic cables, all standard-issue stuff that didn’t cost a lot. I don’t own a single Star Quad cable and I’ve never had a problem with hum due to radiation from nearby power wiring.

    A similar concept was recently being discussed in an online audio discussion group, highlighting the importance of keeping XLR cables away from AC power wires, so I figured this was worth testing. No surprise, it turns out to be a myth, at least for balanced wiring.

    Reply
  40. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Cables Ep 02 | Cheap vs Expensive XLR Cables | Detailed Breakdown | GLS Audio | Hosa pro edge
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=um9Ohx-rrBc

    DJ Tutorials – Cheap XLR cables | Audio Cables | Expensive XLR cables | Full breakdown | DJ cables knowledge | Everything cables

    Comments:

    Come on man, you’re sponsored by the cables you champion, that’s ok and all but it’s difficult to believe there is absolutely zero bias on your part. While there are certainly problems with super generic China cables, there is little reason any XLR has to be priced at $2.00 per foot. There are quality options less expensive. I enjoy your videos, just keeping it real. Cheers

    Hey I’m all for taking quality products and giving them positive press but call it what you wish “care packages” are comps that save you from buying gear from your own pocket, that’s a form of sponsorship and I’ll just assume if your review isn’t glowing you wont be getting more from them.

    Reply
  41. Tomi Engdahl says:

    $900 vs $3900 Portrait Setup – Godox vs Elinchrom
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83tGK7zAcw0

    Can you see the difference? Testing a $900 AUD Godox AD200 / 165cm Umbrella setup against a $3900 AUD Elinchrom ELC500 / Elinchrom Indirect 190cm Octa setup with some studio portraits with the very lovely Jessica

    Reply
  42. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Andrew Scheps: “Lost in Translation: Audio Quality in Streaming Media” | Talks at Google
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXbH-yzGNfg

    Lost In Translation with Andrew Scheps provides an engaging, revelatory and humorous presentation of current audio format comparisons. The demonstration showcases the auditory differences of master recordings played back in different formats such as vinyl, CD, MP3, AAC and online streaming models.

    Scheps has engineered and mixed for some of the biggest acts in the business, including Adele, Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Linkin Park, Green Day and U2.

    https://www.uaudio.com/blog/artist-interview-andrew-scheps/

    Reply
  43. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Andrew Scheps live workshop at AES NY 2017
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Yc_Vg6EqQc

    Panels, Q&As & Mixing Sessions on a SSL Duality with Andrew Scheps, Tony Maserati, Andy Wallace, Al Schmitt, Ed Cherney, Peter Katis, Joe Chiccarelli, Tchad Blake, Eddie Kramer, Russell Elevado, Joe Chiccarelli, Greg Wells, Chris Lord-Alge, Tom Lord-Alge, Jacquire King, Michael H. Brauer, Jack Joseph Puig, Jimmy Douglass, …

    Reply
  44. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Test Drive Vayyar’s 3D Imaging SoC with a New Evaluation Kit
    https://www.eeweb.com/profile/eeweb/news/test-drive-vayyars-3d-imaging-soc-with-a-new-evaluation-kit

    Vayyar Imaging has released its new mmWave Evaluation Kit (EVK), the Walabot-60Ghz, providing engineers and developers access to the company’s high-resolution 3D imaging SoC, together with a SDK/API. Enabling engineers to move quickly from a new product idea to demonstration, the kit includes a highly advanced chip with a 40-transceiver array (40 Tx/Rx), complete with field-of-view (FOV) embedded antennas, and wide-band 60-GHz imaging radar.

    Reply
  45. Tomi Engdahl says:

    Is a $60 Chinese Four Channel Amp Any Good?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3r4VX5x_ko

    Let’s check out this super cheap four-channel Coeus Pow VA-4.100 amplifier.

    SMD Amp Dyno (AD-1)
    https://www.wccaraudio.com/smd-amp-dyno-ad-1.html

    The AD-1 Amplifier Dyno is a tool that is designed to be used any place an amplifier exists. It can be used in a lab or production line to test true amplifier power output, quickly and easily. The operator of the AD-1 does not need to be an engineer to use it. It is simple menu driven, does not require a computer, and cannot be cheated as the load banks are internal. It can be used in an automotive audio install shop to test true amplifier output while the amplifier is installed in the customer’s vehicle.

    Reply

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