Category: Technology

In its first 60 days of release, Elden Ring became one of YouTube’s biggest ever gaming launches, seeing well over 3 billion combined video views.

In stats shared exclusively with IGN, Elden Ring saw 3.4 billion views in the two months after launch, dwarfing the next name on the list, GTA 5 on 1.9 billion. Of course, YouTube has grown since GTA’s launch in 2013, making that something of an unfair comparison – but the far more recent Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) saw 1.4 billion, so it’s clear quite how successful Elden Ring has been.

YouTube Gaming stops short of calling it the biggest gaming launch ever, but it’s clear that FromSoftware’s open world masterpiece has set an incredibly high bar for games on YouTube in the future. In large part, that’s down to the hunger for different kinds of video about the game, from Let’s plays, to guides, to lore explainers.

Elden Ring’s YouTube infographic. (Image credit: YouTube Gaming)

AMD Ryzen 7000 is launching this quarter

AMD confirms Zen4-based “Raphael” desktop CPUs are on track to launch within the next 8 weeks.

During Q2 Earnings call AMD CEO Dr. Lisa Su confirmed Ryzen 7000 series will launch this quarter. That narrows the launch date from previously communicated ‘this fall’ (so September – December) to just September. According to the rumors AMD might reveal the new series on September 15th, which would be the date of the product announcement with launch later that month.

“Looking ahead, we’re on track to launch our all-new 5nm Ryzen 7000 desktop processors and AM5 platforms later this quarter with leadership performance in gaming and content creation,”

— AMD CEO, Dr. Lisa Su

The company is set to unveil more details on X670E motherboard designs from their partners this week. AMD is hosting the Meet The Expert event for enthusiasts and professionals where representatives from all major board partners will talk about their AMD 600-series motherboards for Ryzen 7000 series.

Furthermore, Lisa Su also reaffirmed that Radeon RX 7000 series are on track to launch ‘later this year’. This means that there are no changes or updates to the previously communicated launch window.

Source: Tom’s Hardware

Samsung’s new S95B OLED 4K Smart TV combines QLED’s quantum dot technology and OLED’s self-lit pixels for a truly spectacular fusion of color and contrast.

OLED has long been the flagship of 4K HDR TVs in terms of picture quality, utilizing individual self-illuminating pixels that eliminate the need for a backlighting source. The result is incredible contrast, inky blacks and vivid life-like colours.

Samsung’s first quantum dot OLED 4K smart TV, the S95B, has a staggering 8.3 million of these self-lit pixels that work in conjunction with 4K AI processing to deliver virtually limitless contrast. Add the quantum dots – nanocrystals that improve brightness and color gamut – used in QLED panels and you get the best of both worlds in a hybrid display.

Along with quantum dots, the difference here to traditional OLED TVs is that each pixel has three sub-pixels – red, green and blue – to optimize brightness. As there are no white sub-pixels to compromise color reproduction, RGB creates a more vibrant image overall, particularly when viewing HDR content.

High Dynamic Range is further enhanced by Quantum HDR10+, which, like Dolby Vision, renders an even more detailed picture by using dynamic metadata – scene-by-scene image optimization – to add extra pop to colors and contrast on supported content.

“…you get the best of both worlds in a hybrid display.”

OLED TVs are also renowned for their wide viewing angles, maintaining consistent contrast, color and detail regardless of where the viewer is sitting in relation to the TV. The S95B’s viewing angle is ultra-wide, so even those perched on the periphery will still enjoy a prime position.

On the audio front, the S95B features 40W 2.0. two channel sound, with in-built up-firing speakers and True Dolby Atmos support for an immersive 3D soundscape that belies the TV’s laser-slim design. It also has the capability to transmit the Dolby Atmos signal wirelessly to a compatible Samsung soundbar – a world first!

The audio is highly directional and will follow objects on screen, with voice tracking and an adaptive voice amplifier to ensure you never miss a word of dialogue, even in a noisy room.

All the features and functionality of Samsung’s Neo QLED range is included here. Intelligent mode uses smart sensors to auto fine tune picture and sound in tandem with the adaptive picture mode that optimizes brightness to suit a room’s light levels. Samsung’s QLED and Neo QLED TVs have always delivered a stunning image in brightly lit rooms, and now with the boosted contrast and true blacks of OLED, the quality is even more amazing. And there’s an Eye Comfort mode that cleverly detects local sunrise and sunset times, adjusting color temperature and brightness levels for a picture that’s always easy on the peepers.

Smart connectivity includes Google Assistant, Alexa and AirPlay2 support, as well as wireless screen mirroring from compatible devices, while multiview allows you to watch what’s on your smartphone screen simultaneously – useful for checking live sports scores and stats. Bluetooth connectivity facilitates smart home ecosystem integration and voice control with compatible devices.

Available in 55” and 65” screen sizes, the S95B really is the complete package when it comes to 4K Smart TVs and represents a quantum leap forward for OLED technology. Movie buffs and gamers take note – this is the TV you need.

The Samsung S95B is coming very soon to a JB Hi-Fi near you.

ADVANCED GAME MODE
The S95B takes gaming to the next level with the Real Game Enhancer, 4K 144Hz and high bandwidth HDMI 2.1 support (with compatible consoles), keeping graphics consistently clear and fast-moving action smooth even at high velocity speeds. And in another Samsung first, AMD Premium Pro tech syncs the frame rate of the TV with the graphics-processing unit (GPU) to prevent screen tearing and stuttering.

The field of play can be expanded using Ultrawide Game View, which offers flexible aspect ratios of 32:9 and 21:9, and gamers also have convenient control with Game Bar providing quick navigation of settings like the TV’s variable refresh rate and other features designed to enhance play.

2022 TV Buying Guide – live bigger with Samsung!

August 3, 2022

Drobo looks done…New Instax smartphone printer + app does interesting things…Doing it in the dark…

Drobo looks done

High-end storage device manufacturer drobo has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in California, which may be of concern to photographers and videographers who use Drobo external drive systems.

Drobo has been around since 2005 and has attracted photographers with its proprietary technology and early examples of RAID software, multi-drive units and hot-swappable drives.
Drobo products have had some pretty punishing high-profie reviews over the years, such as this one by the influential photography writer, Scott Kelby: I’m done with Drobo. There have been no new product releases in recent years.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows for a business to trade out of its difficulties, but Drobo doesn’t seem to be in a position to do so – it is reportedly out of stock.

Local authorized distributor, Droboworks.com.au warns visitors that ‘Due to unprecedented delays all Drobo products are backordered indefinitely and cannot be purchased.’ A visit to Drobo’s own online store in the US marks all products as ‘SOLD OUT’.

Instax smartphone printer + app do interesting things

Fujifilm has released the Instax MiniLink 2 smartphone printer, with customizable frames and image color modes.

The accompanying Instaxair app allows the user to hold the Mini Link 2 in the air and use it to ‘draw’ in the air and apply painted effects directly onto a print. Here’s Fujifilm’s slightly confusing explanation of the apps functionality: ‘The Instaxair App feature allows users of the Mini Link 2 to add graphics to their prints, including bubbles, petals, neon, spray paint, or a glitter look by simply holding the Mini Link 2, pressing the feature button on top, and aiming the side LED to draw in the air.

‘What is drawn in the air will then appear on the print preview in-App, and once the user is happy with the look, the graphics will appear on the print itself when printed with the Mini Link 2. The app can even record a video of the drawing and share the moment as a printable QR code that appears on the print. The QR code can be scanned to view the video, download it, or share it on social media.’ Got that?

Prints can be set to be either high color or normal.

In addition to smartphone compatibility, the Mini Link 2 works with the Fujifilm X-S10 mirrorless X series camera. You can send photos from the X-S10 directly to the Mini Link 2.

A new instant film, Instax Mini Spray Art, featuring what Fujifilm describes as ‘a rainbow spray design that reflects light’ accompanies the new printer release.

The Fujifilm Instax Mini Link 2 is available in three colors: pink, white and blue. The new printer and film have been available since late June. RRP for the Mini Link 2 is $179.

https://www.fujifilm.com/au/en/consumer/instax/printers/minilink2

Doing it in the dark

Earlier this year we shared a link to a podcast taking a deep dive into photographic film manufacture.

Here’s the link to the one-hour first episode, which deals with the manufacture of film base: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQKy1KJpSVc

Making photographic film is an extremely sophisticated (‘elaborately transformed manufacturing’) process – with tolerances similar to those of the semi-conductor industry.

Podcaster Destin Sandlin has just released the second in the series, which looks at the coating of photo-sensitive emulsions onto the film base.

Sandlin is taken through the coating of Ektar 100 color negative film.

Here’s the link to the second podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAAJUHwh9F4

August 3, 2022

Hong Kong optics manufacturer, Meike, rose to prominence somewhat suspiciously in 2018 with affordable M43 cine prime lenses, and has gone on to rapidly expand its stills lens range. It’s suspicious as Meike’s break out products were ‘nearly identical’ to a line of cine M43 prime lenses by a fading competitor, Veydra, which shut up shop just a year later.

There is lots of talk about Chinese manufacturers nefariously reverse-engineering innovative products by established brands to create cheap knock-offs. An established brand will sub-contract a Chinese factory, and someone there will steal the IP and re-create the product with inferior materials. While it sounds plausible, and accusations have been thrown around, this isn’t the case with Meike. Rather, it’s speculated the Chinese optics manufacturer cut a deal with a Veydra co-founder as the company headed towards turmoil.

Meike has now built a reputation in cinematography, but remains a ‘cheap and cheerful’ option for stills photographers.

It’s unusual that Meike has been slow to develop quality stills optics, while winning over some in the cine lens market. But what it may lack in stills photography quality, it makes up for in quantity. Meike offers a range of lenses for Canon EF and Z, Nikon Z and F, Sony E, Fujifilm X and M43 cameras.

For some perspective on its rapid expansion in stills, Meike recently announced an ASP-C 10mm f2 manual focus prime lens for five mounts, including the Canon RF. Canon has only just unveiled its first line of crop-sensor RF cameras.

So the team at Meike are either preternaturally intuitive, being tipped off, easily able to adapt a design to a different mount, or all of the above.

According to Meike

Meike’s roots go back to 1997 with a plastics molding factory. Its clients mainly included ‘global well-known companies in Japan’s photographic equipment industries’, the company bio states.

At this stage the Meike brand wasn’t established. But the mold factory operators thought they could try their hand at designing products similar to what they were helping the Japanese build.

So in 2005 – or 2007, depending on where you get your information – Meike was established ‘to facilitate operating our own brand, strategically steering its main business to R&D, manufacture and sales on photographic equipment, including lens for camera’. Perhaps this may have included a few reserve-engineering experiments?

We don’t want to mimic that slightly pompous, worldly friend who corrects everyone’s pronunciation of ‘pho’ or ‘paella’ when going out for lunch, but let’s quickly clear this up. Having pronounced it ‘Meek’ for a while, research suggests it’s apparently ‘May-kuh’.

Despite launching in the mid-noughties, Meike was slow to gain much interest. Vigorous Googlin’ ​​shows few mentions of Meike until 2017. For about a decade it was a truly obscure brand, likely sold direct via eBay to bargain-hunting cheapskates who care not for red dots and brand names.

YouTube camera hardware reviewer, Christopher Frost, a softly-spoken Brit who has reviewed almost every budget contemporary lens on the planet, uploaded a review of a Meike 35mm f1.7 lens in 2017. It looks like a clunky bit of gear – completely manual , including focus and aperture control. But it produced decent results for the low price of £80 (AUD$140).

So it was essentially competing with low-cost second-hand analog lenses, which photographers could mount to a digital camera with an adapter.

Meike’s big break

Veydra was a start-up cine lens company established in 2014 through a Kickstarting crowdfunding campaign. It proved unexpectedly popular, with the two founders, Ryan Avery and Jim Zhang, raising US$272K to build prime cine lenses for M43 cameras.

According to a blog post by Matthew Duclos, who worked with the Veydra team, the fledgling company was a ‘small batch’ manufacturer, driving overheads sky high.

In March 2017, the Veydra warehouse was robbed after receiving a major shipment, crippling the company and halting production. Behind the scenes Zhang and Avery were apparently having disputes regarding the company’s direction, which according to Duclos led to nasty lawsuits.

Here’s an excerpt from his post:

‘Perhaps not so coincidentally, when Veydra stopped producing inventory after the lawsuit in 2017, a curious new lens began popping up around the web in 2018: Meike. These lenses looked nearly identical to Veydra Mini Primes but at a fraction of the price tag. Speculation began flooding the Veydra Facebook group and forums. How was this possible? Could someone have copied the Mini Primes that carefully? Was Veydra selling off old stock under a different name? Did someone sell the designs to another company to skirt around litigation?

The truth is locked up in lawsuits but it’s not hard to read between the lines. I suspect that Jim contracted the optical and mechanical designs to an outside factory during the original Veydra production. The exact relationship and manufacturing path is still unclear but what is clear is that Meike has a much larger, more sophisticated manufacturing operation than that of the original factory that Veydra lenses were produced in.

According to Duclos, Meike’s optical and mechanical design was ‘strikingly similar’, but better ‘in almost all areas’. Cheaper, too, thanks to Meike’s large-scale in-house manufacturing capabilities.

Substance to the speculation was provided when an online video showed Avery, ‘the original co-founder of Veydra’ promoting Meike lenses.

‘In 2019 Veydra went out of business. But out of that came the birth of Meike cine lenses,’ Avery says in the video. ‘The Meike cinema primes have improved coatings and performance and optical qualities, as well as mechanical quality. This enabled a very significant increase in production quantity, which also lowered the cost.’

Online pundits speculated this video was somehow linked to the outcome of lawsuits.

Meike has since gone on to design stills lenses with features like autofocus and aperture control, but unlike in the cine industry it’s yet to establish a reputation for designing high-quality products, affordable though its lenses are.

The first autofocus lens, released in 2018, was criticized by Frost – who is normally quite kind and forgiving – for having sluggish, inaccurate and extremely noisy AF. The AF noise sounds like the zoom lens on an old analog point-and-shoot. Almost nostalgic enough for hipsters to embrace!

The AF noise issue has been somewhat resolved with the inclusion of a stepping motor in a recent upgrade. But apparently the AF accuracy is still ordinary.

While Meike’s new product releases are often covered in the global photo media, the local presence in the Australian specialist retail sector is virtually non-existent. Whereas the likes of Laowa, Yongnuo, and Viltrox are available at some of the bigger retailers.

This miniseries of article by Inside Imaging has explored the story behind the lens manufacturers listed above. Each brand has gained popularity in the global market for a specific line of products, and then what follows is typically rapid expansion. Yongnuo with flash triggers; Viltrox with lens mount adapters; Laowa with quirky niche lens products; and Meike with M43 cine lenses.

But what’s remarkable is these brands all emerged in the last few years. And for all of these more ‘established’ Chinese players, there are many others still peddling cheap wares via eBay, Amazon, or Alibaba. Waiting for that big break.