Latest news with #DTS:X
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Xiaomi X Pro QLED TV review: Premium cinema magic at a budget price
The smart TV space is crowded, but Xiaomi's X Pro QLED TV manages to cut through the noise by offering a compelling mix of premium features at a competitive price. After spending time with the 65-inch variant — a perfect fit for most living rooms — we walked away impressed not just with what it delivers, but how consistently it does so. Price & Availability The X Pro QLED TV is available in 3 sizes and can be bought from Xiaomi's store & online vendors as well. Screen Size (in inches) Pricing 43' INR 31,999 55' INR 44,999 65' INR 64,999 Design & Connectivity The X Pro Series adopts a minimal, bezel-less design that's clearly intended to blend into various home environments — from compact bedrooms to open-plan living spaces. While the aesthetic feels a bit too safe, it remains elegant and unintrusive. On the hardware front, it includes 32GB of internal storage, which is more than most in its class. Connectivity is generous too: 3 HDMI ports (including one with eARC), 2 USB ports, Ethernet, AV input, and Bluetooth — covering all your external device needs. We tested the 65-inch variant, which is ideally suited for living rooms and large entertainment spaces. The immersion is excellent at this size. However, if you're working with a smaller area or secondary room, Xiaomi also offers a 55-inch version — packing the same performance in a more compact footprint. AV Quality At the heart of the experience is the 4K QLED panel, which delivers vivid colors, deep contrasts, and crisp detail. From animated adventures to cinematic thrillers, it holds its own admirably. One standout is the Filmmaker Mode — a feature usually seen in higher-end TVs. It strips away unnecessary post-processing, giving you a more faithful, director-intended experience. Not everyone will love it — some may miss the glossy enhancements — but for purists, it's gold. However, you do get more modes here like gaming all of which utilises the TVs prowess efficiently. Visuals aside, Xiaomi's taken audio seriously too. The X Pro Series features integrated Xiaomi Sound paired with 34W box speakers, bolstered by DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, and Dolby Audio. The result? Whether you're watching a high-octane chase or a quiet documentary, dialogues remain clear, and the spatial sound adds real atmosphere. Software Xiaomi continues to differentiate itself with its content-first ecosystem. The X Pro supports PatchWall and Xiaomi TV+, offering live TV channels, curated recommendations, and easy content discovery. Kids Mode brings parental controls and age-appropriate filters, while Google Assistant integration makes it easy to control the TV with your voice. For content streaming, it includes Google Cast, Miracast, and Apple AirPlay 2, making it versatile across Android and Apple ecosystems. All the features work smoothly across the smart TV. The new Xiaomi remote deserves credit for its thoughtful upgrades. It includes dedicated buttons for popular streaming apps, a mute button, and quick access to Google TV and PatchWall. Voice commands via Google Assistant are smooth, and the remote also features DVB-T2 buttons — currently inactive in India but included for future compatibility with free-to-air standards. And here's where it gets interesting — Xiaomi has integrated a chip that lets users access free-to-air channels in compliance with the Indian government's DTH mandate, making it one of the first to future-proof on this front. Verdict The Xiaomi X Pro QLED TV is more than just a budget pick — it's a smart, feature-rich product that respects the user experience. From vibrant QLED visuals and immersive sound, to forward-thinking software and smart regulatory compliance, it's one of the most well-rounded TVs in its price bracket. While the design could use a bit more flair, the core package is strong, refined, and smartly aligned with how modern Indian households consume content today.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is one of the coolest bits of tech I've seen in years, and it's finally coming in a speaker you can buy
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. The first speaker that works with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, the TCL Z100, has finally been unveiled – though as with most announcements in these days of regularly changing tariffs, there's no exact price or release date yet. Announced back in 2023, the idea with Dolby Atmos FlexConnect is that you don't need to think about where you're placing the speakers to get home theater sound – you don't even need to have pairs of them placed symmetrically. Put one next to the TV, one on the shelf to your right, one directly behind you – whatever's convenient for your space is fine. The system will then map the placement acoustically and will adjust the speaker output to give the best version of Dolby Atmos-powered surround sound that it can from those positions. You can have up to four of the TCL Z100 speakers in one configuration, and each speaker is a 1.1.1 audio configuration on its own (a forward-facing driver, a bass driver, and an upfiring driver) – though when combined, they can produce something akin to virtual 7.1.2 audio, according to TCL. That includes a compatible TV providing two channels, including the center channel. Speaking of which, the speakers must be connected to a suitable Dolby Atmos FlexConnect hub, which can handle the mapping and processing. Right now, that means getting one of TCL's 2025 mini-LED TVs. TCL is the only company offering products for the launch of FlexConnect, though other companies have pledged support in the future – and it should also be possible for one of the best soundbars to be the FlexConnect hub in the future. They also support playing music over Bluetooth – two can work in a stereo pair to play music from your phone. As you might expect for a Dolby-specific product, there's no built-in DTS support. However, the TCL TVs that are necessary to make the system work all support DTS:X, and the idea is that they'll decode the DTS sound (including DTS:X), process it in 7.1.2 channels, and then convert it for the virtual surround system for your configuration, so you should get something close to full-fat DTS. Although there's no price, we've been told by TCL's European arm to expect a price approaching €300 – and usually Euro and US Dollar prices convert very closely, though the final amount will depend on the latest tariffs. UK prices will be close to the Euro price. I've seen this technology in action a few times since its announcement in 2023, and it's very impressive – though the speakers I saw it demoed with were more elaborate than the TCL Z100 have turned out to be. Those had side-firing drivers as well as forward and up-firing drivers, potentially giving them more control over the steering of virtual sound. It was amazing in my demos how two speakers – one at the front to the right of the TV, and one behind and to the left of me – could create a broadly immersive sound with steering of sounds in basically all directions. Whether the Z100 can do this as well remains to be seen, and either way, the system isn't going to match just having speakers in all the right places – but that's just not possible for everyone. I think there's real value in having speakers that can be placed not just imperfectly, but in totally odd places, and still get something more immersive than TV sound alone from them. The one other thing missing from this announcement, though, is bass. I've been told that the FlexConnect system can support a subwoofer, but there's no sign of one here – hopefully that will come before too long. Update: Dolby and TCL have informed me that a subwoofer that's compatible with the system is coming in summer 2025, which also gives us an indication of when to expect these speakers to launch. Loewe unveils a wireless Dolby Atmos TV speaker system that's half the price of Sony's Bravia Quad, and I'm tempted Dali's mega-powerful 16-inch ported subwoofer wants to shake your home theater to bits, in a good way I've been watching the latest 4K Blu-rays with a flagship OLED TV and soundbar setup for six months – here are my 7 favorites so far
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Business Standard
16-05-2025
- Business Standard
Xiaomi X Pro QLED TV review: A big-screen experience that gets basics right
Xiaomi's latest addition to its smart TV lineup – the X Pro QLED series – aims to deliver a premium visual experience at an accessible price point. Available in 43-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch variants, the television features a 4K QLED panel and comes equipped with Dolby Vision, HDR10+, DTS:X audio, and Google TV with Xiaomi's PatchWall interface. I tested the 65-inch model to assess its performance in everyday use. Here is what I found: Design The X Pro QLED TV is available in 43-, 55-, and 65-inch screen sizes, with the largest model (used for this review) making a bold visual impact. It supports both wall mounting and tabletop installation with the included stand. The design boasts minimal bezels for an almost edge-to-edge viewing experience, while the slightly thicker bottom chin in dark grey brushed metal finish adds a modern, premium touch. Its minimalist aesthetic allows it to blend seamlessly into most living spaces. The TV includes a comprehensive set of ports: two USB 2.0 ports, three HDMI ports (one with eARC support for high-resolution audio), an Ethernet port, AV input, antenna port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Display The 65-inch 4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160) QLED panel supports HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Filmmaker Mode. The latter disables post-processing features such as motion smoothing and sharpening to preserve the original creative intent. The display quality lives up to expectations, delivering vibrant colours without over saturation. Dolby Vision content on platforms like Netflix appears particularly rich, with vivid highlights and deep blacks. Even standard HDR and non-HDR content on YouTube maintains good dynamic range and contrast. Although the TV operates at a native 60Hz refresh rate, it supports up to 120Hz via DLG (Dual Line Gate) technology, which helps reduce motion blur in fast-paced scenes like live sports and gaming. The wide 178-degree viewing angle ensures visual consistency from various seating positions. Audio The audio performance complements the display effectively. While the TV lacks Dolby Atmos, it supports DTS:X and DTS Virtual:X for a simulated 3D soundstage. Dolby Audio further enhances output with balanced tones and clear vocals. The 55-inch and 65-inch models include 34W speakers, which are sufficient for medium-sized rooms. The 43-inch variant features a slightly lower 30W speaker setup. For users seeking higher audio fidelity, one HDMI port supports eARC for external sound system integration. Performance and software Powered by a quad-core A55 processor, Mali-G52 MC1 GPU, and 2GB of RAM, the TV handles everyday tasks like app launches and interface navigation adequately. However, occasional sluggishness is noticeable, especially when quickly switching between apps using the remote's shortcuts. Onboard storage is ample at 32GB, allowing users to install a range of applications. The TV runs on Google TV, offering a familiar interface for Android users, complete with access to the Play Store, quick settings, and features like Google Cast and AirPlay 2. It also includes built-in Google Assistant for voice commands. Xiaomi's PatchWall interface is layered on top of Google TV, aggregating content from various streaming platforms and live TV services to offer personalised recommendations in a unified layout. The bundled remote is simple and functional, with six dedicated hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, YouTube, SonyLIV, and Live TV. It also provides quick access to Xiaomi TV+ and PatchWall. Verdict At Rs 64,999 for the 65-inch variant, the Xiaomi X Pro QLED TV offers strong value for money. It delivers solid performance in key areas like picture and audio quality and includes premium features such as Filmmaker Mode and DTS audio codec support. While it falls short in a few areas—occasional interface lag and a 60Hz panel with conditional 120Hz support—the absence of Dolby Atmos is unlikely to be a dealbreaker for most users.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sony Bringing New Bravia Soundbars With Dolby Atmos for 2025
Sony has unveiled two new Dolby Atmos soundbars for 2025: the Bravia Theater Bar 6 with a wireless sub, and the Bravia Theater System 6 surround set. Both systems include various sound modes, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X and Sony's Voice Zoom 3 for clearer voice reproduction. The soundbars can be controlled with the Bravia app or on a TV such as the new Bravia 8 II. The Bravia Theater Bar 6 is a 3.1.2-channel soundbar with a wireless sub and a dedicated center channel. It can be paired with Sony's new stereo-only rear speakers, the Bravia Theater Rear 8, to make a complete 5.1.2 system. The Bravia Theater System 6 is an all-in-one 5.1-channel powerful sound system, which one Sony representative told CNET was similar to a "home theater in a box." It comes with a subwoofer and rear speakers. As the system lacks up-firing speakers, Dolby Atmos is enabled courtesy of digital sound processing. Based on my testing, Sony has consistently made some of the most advanced soundbars, but the trade-off is that they are also typically more expensive. Pricing and availability will be announced later this spring.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Yahoo
Best AV Receiver for 2025
If you're serious about bringing theater-like sound into your home, then an AV receiver is the best choice. It gives you much more control over how you set up and use your home theater system. It acts as a video switch between components like a streaming box or gaming console, and it decodes and amplifies audio signals so you can hear them through your speakers. The best receivers offer excellent sound quality and come equipped with 8K video, Dolby Atmos and music streaming capabilities, and they connect to your TV via HDMI cable. You can start with as little as a pair of stereo speakers and add new speakers and a subwoofer as your budget allows to get the best movie, video game, TV show or music experience. We've tested many of the big-name brands in sound, including Denon, Sony, Yamaha and more, to discover which deliver the best sound. With more than 20 years of home entertainment experience, I've personally had hands-on time with each of the models included on this list and reviewed them based on price, features, sound quality and performance. I'll update the list as more products are released in 2025. The Onkyo TX-NR6100 is our top choice because it's an excellent sounding speaker with an array of features. The TX-NR6100 is a 7 x 100-watt-per-channel receiver with Dolby Atmos support and DTS:X audio formats to support premium streaming of TV shows, movies and music. The latest video standards, namely 8K and 4K/120Hz, support the advanced gaming features found on the Xbox Series X and Sony PlayStation 5 consoles. It includes six HDMI inputs at the back, with three able to pass 8K video; the remaining three ports include HDR10 and Dolby Vision compatibility. There is a Zone 2 HDMI output as well. Other connections include five analog audio inputs, two digital audio inputs (optical and coaxial) and two USB ports. Vinyl is still in the middle of a revival and the NR6100 enables users to take advantage thanks to a dedicated phono input for turntables and record players which lack an onboard phono preamp. Streaming options include Google Cast, DTS Play-Fi, Spotify Connect, Sonos, AirPlay and Bluetooth. Being able to ask your Google Nest mini for a song and have it play automatically on your AV system is an excellent time-saver. If you have an Alexa household, it will control the Onkyo, too. See at Best Buy Onkyo's TX-RZ50 is a perfect step-up model for those looking to upgrade their home theater systems for a set of better-quality speakers or to add a turntable. Like its budget-oriented label mate, the TX-NR6100, it's stacked with features including the audiophile-level calibration called Dirac Live, as well as the best streaming suite offered in an AV receiver. On that point, being able to request songs directly from Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa is a real boon. What improvements does the $1,000 TX-RZ50 offer over the $800 TX-NR6100? Firstly, it offers double the number of 8K compatible inputs (six versus three) plus it boasts more power (120 watts versus 100 watts). It also has two-way Bluetooth for streaming as well as listening on wireless headphones. The TX-RZ50's performance was excellent whether listening to streamed music or watching a movie: I hadn't heard Dolby Atmos sound this convincing in a long time. The addition of Dirac Live adds its own complexities in setup -- please, only use the Onkyo Controller mobile app in combination with the supplied microphone -- but doing so rewards with a highly involving performance. See at Crutchfield I'm a big fan of the Yamaha RX-V6A, so I was curious to see what the step-up RX-A4A brings to the table. As it turns out, this Yamaha offers even better build quality and a huge, cinematic sound. Look through the fancy top grille and you'll see neatly packed components and a distinguished, stamped transformer. The system is capable of a beefy 110 watts per channel (stereo) and has seven HDMI ports for your connectivity needs. I tested the Yamaha A4A against the Onkyo RZ50 and the Denon X3700. The Yamaha's sound quality tended toward the cinematic rather than the musical, and it offered a big, roomy sound perfect for blockbusters or conspiracy thriller TV shows. What was surprising is that the onboard phono preamp was even better than the one on the rival Onkyo RZ50, so I can recommend the Yamaha for people who don't want a separate preamp for their turntable. The Yamaha is great as a home theater receiver but doesn't sound as good with music streaming. Still, as the Onkyo offers balanced performance across both, it's my current favorite. See at Best Buy If you're a gamer, this receiver will be able to keep up with the latest games and consoles like the Xbox Series X and the PlayStation 5. The Sony STR-AN1000 is a 7.2-channel Dolby Atmos receiver that offers a whole host of new features, including HDMI 2.1 (4K/120Hz) support and Sony's own 360 Reality Audio. It boasts superb connectivity with six HDMI inputs (two with 8K compatibility) and two 8K outputs. The receiver also includes support for video standards such as Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG for high-resolution gaming. As far as analog inputs, the Sony offers four, though it does lack a dedicated phono input. The Sony also has one of the most sophisticated setup routines yet, so dialing in great sound is even easier. It offers an upgraded version of its calibration routine, now called Digital Cinema Auto Calibration IX. This involves a new stereo microphone and a natty plastic stand -- where competitors' are cardboard -- and it now accommodates multiple seating positions. If you prefer to do a manual AV receiver calibration, then the system is quite powerful, as it now lets you set the height of the screen and speakers; most receivers do not let you do this. But the main reason to buy it is its outstanding performance, especially for video games. See at Amazon If you're spending under $1,000, there are four main receivers to choose from -- the Sony STR-AN1000, the Yamaha RX-V6A, the Onkyo TX-NR6100 and the Denon AVR-970H. All offer excellent performance, so the short answer about which to buy is whichever is available for the lowest price. At the moment, that is either the Denon or the Onkyo, which are both on sale for under $600 as I type this. I especially recommend the Onkyo TX-NR6100 for its combination of excellent performance and connectivity. The Onkyo offers easy setup, excellent usability, solid looks and useful features, including the best streaming suite alongside Sony. As an added plus, the Onkyo was never prone to the 4K issue that plagued early versions of the Yamaha RX-V6A. Meanwhile, the step-up Onkyo TX-RZ50 is an excellent receiver if you're looking for the next level of features and a performance bump over sub-$1,000 models. It offers an excellent, if slightly scary, calibration routine from Dirac Live and the best number of streaming features on the market. It sounds great with music and movies alike. Lastly, if it's home theater thrills you're after, the Yamaha RX-A4A offers crisp, dynamic sound and fantastic build quality for $1,300. AV receivers are notoriously complex, with reams of features and confusing technical specifications. (For example, what's 4K/120Hz anyway?) Yet, what are the things that really matter when buying a new model? I'm going to sum up the most important ones right here. With most TVs and set-top boxes supporting HDMI, you should buy a receiver that has as many of these HDMI input ports and outputs as possible. Front-mounted HDMI ports are kind of like a human appendix -- unneeded, because most users don't hot-plug HDMI devices -- making the number of rear inputs what's most important. (How else are you going to connect your Roku, Blu-ray player, Nintendo Switch and all your other devices?) The Onkyo TX-NR6100 and Denon AVR-S970H have six rear-mounted HDMI inputs, while the Yamaha RX-V6A goes one better with seven. If you want to connect two different displays -- a TV and a projector, for example -- all but the Yamaha offer a second HDMI output. You should also be sure you have an extra HDMI cable or two on hand -- these things are like the second sock of a pair as you can never find them when you need them. Most receivers in the $500-and-above price range include Dolby Atmos capability and DTS:X, but the effect these formats have on your home theater movie-watching can be subtle, or in most movies, nonexistent. In other words, don't worry about missing out on these formats by not installing a ceiling-pointing speaker or two. Mounting your rear surround speakers high on the wall will get you halfway there in terms of quality, immersive sound. Most midrange receivers have onboard Wi-Fi network connectivity for wireless music streaming via your speaker system. There are plenty of standards for wireless streaming services, but the most universal are Spotify Connect, Apple AirPlay and Google Cast. If you're looking to build a multiroom system with a variety of AV systems and speakers with wireless connectivity, these are the three flavors to aim for. Onkyo and Sony are the only devices to support all three. The Denon receiver model lacks wireless streaming via Google but ups the ante to AirPlay 2 and the proprietary HEOS system. Meanwhile, Yamaha has its own MusicCast system. At CNET, I test audio equipment from compact soundbars to surround sound systems, but regardless of the device, my methodology is the same. I always compare products against one or more reference devices that offer the best performance at a similar price. When it comes to receivers I want to see how well a system performs with music and movies, as most people will want to do both. I watch test scenes from 4K Blu-ray or streamed from a 4K streaming service (Fandango at Home, for example) and evaluate aspects such as Dolby Atmos surround sound performance and dialog clarity. I also use several test music tracks and test streaming features such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Systems that can perform well with both types of entertainment inevitably score the highest. Check out CNET's receiver buying guide for more about the features and things you should consider when looking for a new system. Denon AVR-A10H ($4,699): If you hear the words "home theater" and think "dedicated room with a screen and leather recliners" then the AVR-A10H is the kind of receiver you would use to would power it. It has all of the features you need including Dolby Atmos, music streaming, 4K/120Hz on all seven HDMI inputs and more. Yet, while it does sound good (I tested it powering a set of Klipsch Fortes), the Denon's 13 powered channels (@ 150W/Ch) are overkill for most living rooms. Yamaha RX-V6A ($750): This Yamaha RX-V6A offers a fresh look at AV receiver design, with its futuristic edges and simple controls, while maximizing sound quality. The Yamaha might even make you forget about visiting a cinema ever again, and it's no slouch with music, either. It offers plenty of connectivity with Wi-Fi bringing AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth and Yamaha's MusicCast system for streaming from your devices. Notably, the TSR-700 is identical, and it was an exclusive model for some outlets. Find out more in CNET's Yamaha RX-V6A review. ($1,699) Denon has a reputation for quality sound and powerful amplification, and the AVR-X3800 will be able to power most systems with ease. In terms of features, the Denon has everything you need in a modern receiver including Dolby Atmos and six 8K HDMI inputs. Based on my head-to-head testing, I found that the Denon was even-handed with movies and music, but not as good as the equivalent Marantz SR6015 with music or as good at home theater as my current pick, the Onkyo RZ50. Read CNET's first take on the Denon AVR-X3800. A stereo receiver is an audio-only, two-channel amplifier that includes source switching and an AM/FM tuner -- if it lacks a tuner it's called an integrated amp. Meanwhile, an AV receiver is typically a surround sound system amplifier that enables HDMI switching and playback of audio and video. Most also include tuners onboard as well. An AV receiver is more versatile than a two-channel model because it can be used for both stereo and surround sound. You can add as many speakers to them as you have, starting at just two -- so they're pretty flexible to build out your surround sound system. Standards change all the time, but the bare minimum right now is support for HDR and Dolby Vision, and at least HDMI version 2.0 or better. All of the models above support not only 4K and HDR video but 8K support as well, even if 8K content is hard to find. Be aware that all 2020 8K-compatible receivers were prone to a bug preventing them from displaying variable refresh rate video, and from the Xbox Series X in particular. Denon, Marantz and Yamaha announced fixes for existing models, while compliant models from Yamaha RX-V6A began shipping in the summer of 2021. Denon and Marantz receivers sold after April 2021 should be 4K/120Hz compatible. Yamaha users can check for 4K compatibility here while Denon and Marantz users should check with their dealer. The TX-NR6100 is the first receiver I tested that I found to both pass 4K/120Hz and which I would also recommend to new buyers. If you have a relatively new TV you should be able to use a single cable -- an HDMI cable, to be exact -- to connect your receiver to your television. If you have an HDMI port labeled ARC/eARC on the TV you can connect that to the main HDMI ARC output of the receiver. Doing so enables you to hear onboard Netflix from your TV when you set the receiver on the "TV" input, while also enabling video to be transmitted from your other AV sources. If you have an older TV without an ARC-compliant port you will need to connect both an HDMI cable and an optical cable to the back of your TV. However, if you have a CRT or rear-projection TV which has composite or component inputs you will need a $1,000-plus receiver such as the Marantz SR6015 or Onkyo TX-RZ50. Many receivers no longer offer switching for these legacy connections. The short answer is: Yes, but only if you own an Xbox Series X and a brand-new TV. As I write this, there is a growing number of Xbox Series X games that support this optional mode -- including Halo Infinite and Fortnite, to name a couple -- but the advantages of 4K/120Hz over 60Hz are minimal as far as I've seen at this point. Future games and even video sources may make the differences clearer, and that's why you may want a receiver that's fully compatible. If you do buy an older receiver, you don't care about the Xbox Series X, you can always hook a fancy new console directly to the TV, then use eARC to get audio to the receiver.
