The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) today introduced the ClearMR Compliance Test Specification (ClearMR), an industry standard and logo program that provides a new quality metric for grading motion blur in digital displays. ClearMR is applicable to both LCD and emissive display products, including display panels, TVs, monitors, and computers with embedded displays, such as all-in-ones, laptops, notebooks and tablets. The new metric Clear Motion Ratio (CMR), as defined in the ClearMR standard, provides a clear numerical value based on the ratio of clear pixels to blurry pixels, which enables consumers to easily compare the amount of motion blur between VESA Certified ClearMR displays. CMR replaces Motion Picture Response Time (MPRT) and other methods of blur characterization since these other metrics do not accurately reflect the true nature of blur.

Dell has launched a pair of new gaming focused displays under its Alienware badge and both are high refresh rate monitors. The 25-inch (or rather 24.5-inch) model goes under the model name AW2523HF and has a 1080p panel with a 360 Hz refresh rate. It supports Freesync Premium and it also supports VESA AdaptiveSync. It's said to have a 400 nits peak brightness fast IPS panel that has a colour gamut that covers 99 percent of the sRGB spectrum. Inputs consist of one DP 1.4 and two HDMI 2.0 ports, as well as a USB-B 3.0 input and four USB-A 3.0 outputs

The 27-inch model is called the AW2723DF and it sports 1440p resolution and here we're looking at a fast nano IPS panel that has a native 240 Hz refresh rate, but it can be pushed up to 280 Hz using an overclocking option. It supports FreeSync Premium, G-sync Compatible and AdaptiveSync, so here all your bases are covered regardless of which GPU you hook it up to. It's also an HDR 600 display with a typical peak brightness of 450 cd/m² and it has a wider colour gamut that supports 95 percent of the DCI-P3 spectrum. This is still an edge lit display, so don't expect amazing HDR performance. Connectivity is the same as for the AW2523HF, although it's said to support Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture, which the 25-inch model apparently doesn't. The AW2523HF will be available in early September for $450, while the AW2723DF will launch in early October for $650.

AVerMedia Technologies, Inc., a leader in digital video and audio solutions, is thrilled to announce the launch of the Live Gamer EXTREME 3 (GC551G2). As AVerMedia's latest plug-and-play external 4K capture card, it can capture up to 4K 30fps in SDR while passing through gameplay at up to 4K 60fps in HDR. It is also AVerMedia's first capture card that supports variable refresh rate (VRR).

With VRR, the Live Gamer EXTREME 3 brings out the best performance for a competitive streaming session. VRR allows the monitor and gaming device to synchronize each frame to provide smooth tear-free gameplay so gamers can focus solely on the actions without getting distracted by any graphic delay. Additionally, the Live Gamer EXTREME 3's ultra-low latency feature enables zero lag between the gaming device and the monitor, ensuring the capture signal is delivered to the live stream equally fast. These two features allow gamers to enjoy the highest video quality for their gameplays and streams. And thanks to the use of UVC standard, the Live Gamer EXTREME 3 works out of the box without the need to install any drivers.

Samsung Electronics today announced the global launch of Odyssey Ark, the world's first 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen, adding a completely new form factor to the industry-leading Odyssey lineup. The huge display delivers a 165 Hz refresh rate, 1 ms response time (GtG), plus an all new Cockpit Mode and an exclusive controller, the Ark Dial—offering the ultimate window into the world of gaming with unparalleled immersion.

"We are excited to unveil this totally unique, next-generation gaming screen, the Odyssey Ark. This 55-inch 1000R curved gaming screen brings together premium, cinematic picture quality, immersive surround sound and an incredibly flexible interface which gamers increasingly demand," said Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "The gaming community craves new experiences and Odyssey Ark delivers access to a new world of gaming that will raise standards across the entire industry." The groundbreaking Odyssey Ark is built to deliver incredible cinematic experiences, superior gaming performance and an interface that offers completely optimized flexibility. Originally unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show earlier this year, the Odyssey Ark was recognized as a CES Innovation Award Honoree.

ASUS has unveiled its first 32-inch ROG Strix monitor with 4K resolution in the shape of the XG32UQ. It comes with all the features you'd expect from a modern 4K display, such as HDMI 2.1 and a 120 Hz mode for consoles. It obviously also has a DP 1.4 port and supports up to 160 Hz refresh rate thanks to its Fast IPS panel. It's certified for FreeSync Premium Pro and is G-Sync Compatible, as well as having a DisplayHDR 600 certification. Oddly enough, ASUS didn't implement USB-C support, nor can the XG32UQ function as a KVM, a feature that has become pretty standard on higher-end monitors like this. It does have a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) Type-B input and two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A outs though.

The panel meets 96 percent of the DCI-P3 and 130 percent of the sRGB colour space and the typical brightness in SDR mode is 450 cd/m². ASUS has also implemented it's game visual features and what the company calls extreme low motion blur. The panel comes factory calibrated, so the XG32UQ should be possible to use for work as well as gaming. ASUS has also taken a leaf out of Corsair's playbook by implementing a screw mount at the top of the stand, to which something like a webcam mount could be fitted. There's no word on pricing, but based on pricing for similar products, we'd hazard a guess that it'll end up around the $1000 mark.

ProScreenCast has announced their newest 4K 60 Hz with HDR screen casting adaptor, the SC01, is now available worldwide. SC01 build with HDMI 2.0b and is capable of streaming true 4K resolution up to 60 Hz refresh rate with HDR color, it is designed to stream video wirelessly to TV, projector or any display with HDMI. This allows you to experience 4K image quality on a big screen from your mobile phone or PC, without having to run cables across the room.

SC01 allows you to stream video from your mobile phone, Pad or PC to a big screen without using any cables. The plug-and-play installation is simple and you do not need to install additional APP to do the setup, everything can be done in the web browser. SC01 supports both 2.4G & 5G Wi-Fi to give you stable connection and is very compact in size and have internal Wi-Fi antenna, which allows you to carry around easily.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a world leader in advanced semiconductor technology, today introduced the 200MP ISOCELL HP3, the image sensor with the industry's smallest 0.56-micrometer (μm)-pixels. "Samsung has continuously led the image sensor market trend through its technology leadership in high resolution sensors with the smallest pixels," said JoonSeo Yim, executive vice president of sensor business team at Samsung Electronics. "With our latest and upgraded 0.56μm 200MP ISOCELL HP3, Samsung will push on to deliver epic resolutions beyond professional levels for smartphone camera users."

Since its first 108MP image sensor roll-out in 2019, Samsung has been leading the trend of next-generation, ultra-high-resolution camera development. Through the steady launch of new image sensors and advancements in performance, the company is once again forging ahead with the 0.56μm 200MP ISOCELL HP3. The ISOCELL HP3, with a 12 percent smaller pixel size than the predecessor's 0.64μm, packs 200 million pixels in a 1/1.4" optical format, which is the diameter of the area that is captured through the camera lens. This means that the ISOCELL HP3 can enable an approximately 20 percent reduction in camera module surface area, allowing smartphone manufacturers to keep their premium devices slim.

Samsung Electronics, a global leader in the gaming monitor industry, announced the global availability of the 2022 Odyssey G85NB, G75NB and G40B gaming monitor lineup, further reinforcing the Odyssey's industry-leading position in delivering the most immersive and lifelike gaming experience available on the market. The G85NB — the world's first 240 Hz 4K gaming monitor — is available in a 32-inch format, offering super-realistic picture quality, rapid response times and premium performance.

"Samsung is excited to unveil the world's fastest 4K gaming monitor to unlock even more opportunities and deliver innovation to the market, creating a new and incredibly immersive experience," said Hyesung Ha, Executive Vice President of Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. "Gamers ultimately desire that immersive experience in unity with their character and scene, and the Odyssey enables this with superior features and lifelike picture quality to give players a thrill."

AMD's upcoming Radeon RX 7000 series of graphics cards based on the RDNA 3 architecture are supposed to feature next-generation protocols all over the board. Today, according to a patch committed to the Linux kernel, we have information about display output choices AMD will present to consumers in the upcoming products. According to a Twitter user @Kepler_L2, who discovered this patch, we know that AMD will bundle DisplayPort 2.0 technology with UHBR 20 transmission mode. The UHBR 20 standard can provide a maximum of 80 Gbps bi-directional bandwidth, representing the highest bandwidth in a display output connector currently available. With this technology, a sample RDNA 3 GPU could display 16K resolution with Display Stream Compression, 10K without compression, or two 8K HDR screens running at 120 Hz refresh rate. All of this will be handled by Display Controller Next (DCN) engine for media.

The availability of DisplayPort 2.0 capable monitors is a story of its own. VESA noted that they should come at the end of 2021; however, they got delayed due to the lack of devices supporting this output. Having AMD's RDNA 3 cards as the newest product to support these monitors, we would likely see the market adapt to demand and few available products as the transition to the latest standard is in the process.

CyberLink Corp., announced today the release of PowerDVD 22, the latest version of its award-winning movie and media playback software which lets users enjoy an immersive experience for movies, music, and YouTube. The software plays movies in 8K, 4K HDR Blu-ray, and a wide range of media formats across any PC, laptop, TV, tablet or phone. PowerDVD 22 builds on CyberLink's pioneering media technology by offering exciting new features that offer users more control and customization options. Users can tailor their experience to match their preferences, for example, deeper colors, better lighting, and enhanced audio, such as high-fidelity 7.1 surround sound.

PowerDVD 22 includes a new keep pitch algorithm that maintains audio quality at the highest level during slow-speed playback, ideal for honing in on a video's most intricate details without a distorted soundtrack. PowerDVD 22 optimizes playback between devices. New tools allow users to trim and extract any section of their media's video or audio and convert them into smartphone-friendly formats. This includes MP4 for video and AAC or MP3 for audio. PowerDVD 22 also boasts faster transcode and uploading times, faster playback, and thumbnail generation on any part of the play bar for easy media skimming.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA ) today announced that the first video source and display devices supporting DisplayPort UHBR (Ultra-high Bit Rate) - the higher data link rates supported by the DisplayPort standard version 2.0 - have completed certification through the DisplayPort UHBR Certification Program. To achieve this important milestone, UHBR chipset reference source and display designs provided by AMD, MediaTek and Realtek successfully met the PHY, link and interoperability testing requirements outlined in the DisplayPort 2.0 Compliance Test Specification (CTS). The higher bandwidths enabled by UHBR support a variety of use cases such as uncompressed 8K 60 Hz HDR, 4K 240 Hz HDR, two 4K 120 Hz HDR or four 4K 60 Hz HDR displays through a single cable.

VESA also announced today that qualified VESA DisplayPort Authorized Test Centers (ATCs) are ready to begin testing and certification of UHBR end-products using approved test equipment and reference sink and source devices for interoperability testing. An engineering demonstration of a reference source and sink device setup from AMD and MediaTek operating at UHBR link rates will be showcased at the Display Week Symposium and Exhibition in San Jose, Calif., on May 10-12, 2022 at VESA booth #214 at the San Jose Convention Center.

Gigabyte's latest gaming product seems to be aimed towards console gamers rather than PC gamers, as the S55U gaming monitor is quite an odd duck when it comes to the spec. For starters, it sports a 54.6-inch Quantum Dot VA panel with a 4K resolution, which is said to offer a typical brightness of 500 cd/m² and a peak brightness of 1500 cd/m², as well as a contrast ratio of 5000:1. This is thanks to array based LED backlight, although Gigabyte only has only gone for 132 zones, which is the lowest zone count we've seen to date. It has a refresh rate of 120 Hz and it has a response time of 5 ms on average, although Gigabyte also quotes a minimum response time of 2 ms. The panel is said to deliver 140 percent of the sRGB colour space and 96 percent of DCI-P3. It also supports FreeSync Premium, VRR and ALLM, which means gaming should be pretty much tear free. Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+ and the HLG HDR standards are also part of the package.

However, as the S55U is a not-TV it has two HDMI 2.1 ports (one with eARC), both of which are capable of 48 Gbps signals, as well as two HDMI 2.0 ports, but it lacks a DisplayPort, making it just as PC friendly as your average TV. Other connectivity consists of a USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) port, a single USB 2.0 port, a headphone jack, a Toslink connector and an unspecified Ethernet jack. There's also built-in support for WiFi and Bluetooth, as well as a pair of 10 W speakers. Despite not being a TV, the S55U runs an unspecified version of what appears to be Android TV and it's said to have support for Chromecast, the Google Assistant and maybe more importantly, Google Play.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA ) today announced the first publicly open standard for front-of-screen performance of variable refresh rate displays. The VESA Adaptive-Sync Display Compliance Test Specification (Adaptive-Sync Display CTS) provides for a comprehensive and rigorous set of more than 50 test criteria, an automated testing methodology and performance mandates for PC monitors and laptops supporting VESA's Adaptive-Sync protocols.

The Adaptive-Sync Display CTS also establishes a product compliance logo program comprising two performance tiers: AdaptiveSync Display, which is focused on gaming with significantly higher refresh rates and low latency; and MediaSync Display, which is designed for jitter-free media playback supporting all international broadcast video formats. By establishing the VESA Certified AdaptiveSync Display and MediaSync Display logo programs.VESA will enable consumers to easily identify and compare the variable refresh rate performance of displays supporting Adaptive-Sync prior to purchase. Only displays that pass all Adaptive-Sync Display CTS and VESA DisplayPort compliance tests can qualify for the VESA Certified AdaptiveSync Display or MediaSync Display logos.

Adobe's Premiere Pro, one of the most common video editing tools in the industry, has received a February update today with version 22.2. The new version brings a wide array of features like Adobe Remix, an advanced audio retiming tool. Alongside that, the latest update accelerates offline text-to-speech capabilities by as much as three times. However, this is not the most significant feature, as we are about to see. Adobe also enabled 10-bit 420 HDR HEVC H/W encoding on Window with Intel and NVIDIA graphics. This feature allows the software to use advanced hardware built-in the NVIDIA Quadro RTX and Intel Iris Xe graphics cards.

The company managed to run some preliminary tests, and you can see the charts below. They significantly improve export times with the latest 22.2 software version that enables HEVC 10-Bit hardware encoding. For Intel GPUs, no special drivers need to be installed. However, for NVIDIA GPUs, Adobe is advising official Studio drivers in combination with Quadro RTX GPUs.

EIZO today introduced the first of a new generation of ColorEdge monitors - the 27-inch CG2700X (3840 x 2160) and CG2700S (2560 x 1440). These flagship models support the HDR workflow and are the first ColorEdge monitors to feature a brand-new cabinet design and built-in network connection via USB Type-C connection.

The ColorEdge CG2700X and CG2700S display at 4K UHD and 2K WQHD resolution respectively. The remarkable detail ensures that high resolution content is displayed crisply, while the 27-inch screen provides ample space for displaying editing windows, toolbars, palettes, or other applications. This makes the monitor versatile for video editing, 3DCG creation, game development, photography, and other creative fields.

Acer today announced that it will begin carrying PCs which run on Windows 11 SE, starting with the Acer TravelMate B3 and Acer TravelMate Spin B3 laptops. The portable 11.6-inch laptops were built to survive the school-day, boasting military-grade durability certifications and a 10-hour battery life, and now come pre-installed with Windows 11 SE or Windows 11 Pro Education. Additionally, the devices' chassis have been constructed with over 14% post-consumer recycled plastic.

Acer has been working closely with Microsoft in order to provide devices for pilot programs that bring Windows 11 SE to schools around the world. It is one of the first brands to carry devices featuring the new operating system.

The large screen gaming market has grown by yet another model in the shape of the AOC G4309VX/D, which is built around a 43-inch VA panel with a resolution of 3840 x 2160. The display is rated at HDR 1000, although the peak SDR brightness lands at 720 cd/m², which is still very bright considering the size of the display.

The refresh rate tops out at 144 Hz and the response time is said to be 1 ms, via the DP 1.4 port using DSC or the two HDMI 2.1 ports. There's support for adaptive sync and motion blur reduction, which should make this a good choice for both PC and console gaming. The G4309VX/D also features four USB 3.0 ports, or USB 3.2 gen 1 if you prefer. It should be noted that there appears to be two different versions of this display, with the G4309VX currently selling for around US$1,300 in Taiwan, but it lacks HDMI 2.1, although the rest of the spec appears to be near identical. No word on pricing for the G4309VX/D as yet, but we'd expect it to end up in a similar price bracket.

Recently, Microsoft released the all-new Windows 11, which is available for Windows 10 users to upgrade. One of the biggest improvements of Windows 11 in gaming is the Auto HDR feature. The Auto HDR feature can intelligently take SDR-only games to HDR level for better color/brightness range. MSI announce all HDR supported monitor list and release a how to guide of What is Auto HDR and how to enable on Windows 11?

Windows 11 Auto HDR can automatically calculate the SDR content and tune it to near HDR content quality. However, there are few things you should know. Microsoft's new feature brings big benefits to gamers. It allows gamers to play games that didn't support HDR to be played at HDR quality. Before we start gaming with Auto HDR, there are few things we should beware of.

AU Optronics has recently announced a new 4K 85-inch TV panel with a refresh rate of 240 Hz and support for Variable Refresh Rate technology according to a recent report from DigiTimes. The panel is reported to support HDR however no exact specification was specified and will cover 96% of the DCI-P3 color space. The display also features proprietary technology including an anti-reflective coating and unique surface structure design to reduce glare. We are unsure what type of Variable Refresh Rate technology the panel will support or how much and when it may be available. The panel is not currently listed on the AU Optronics website but has reportedly won the 2021 Ministry of Science and Technology Central Science Park Fine Manufacturer Innovation Product Award.

Say what you want about Apple's ARM based SoC's, but the company has been pushing the envelope almost every time they've released a new chip. However, this year it would seem that even Apple isn't particularly excited about its new SoC, as the A15 Bionic is only described as 50 percent faster than the nearest competitor, which doesn't really say much about the actual performance.

Likewise, the improved GPU in the A15 Bionic is being touted as offering 30 percent faster graphics than leading competition, which says nothing about how much of an improvement it is over the previous generation from Apple. This time around, Apple is also binning its chips based on working GPU cores, as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini only get four GPU cores, whereas the iPhone 13 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max and the iPad mini gets five GPU cores.It's possible that the cost of manufacturing 5 nm chips has something to do with this.

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) announced today that it has added a new 600 performance level to its DisplayHDR True Black high dynamic range (HDR) specification and standard. Based on VESA's widely adopted High-Performance Monitor and Display Compliance Test Specification (DisplayHDR), the DisplayHDR True Black standard is optimized for emissive display technologies, such as organic light emitting diode (OLED) and future microLED displays.

The new DisplayHDR True Black 600 tier offers higher luminance than the existing DisplayHDR and DisplayHDR True Black 400 and 500 tiers. DisplayHDR and DisplayHDR True Black are the display industry's first fully open standards specifying HDR quality for LCD and emissive displays, respectively. VESA also announced today that three products have already been certified to the new DisplayHDR True Black 600 performance level - the ASUS Vivobook Pro 14, Vivobook Pro 14X and Vivobook 15 laptops. ASUS is formally unveiling these products at a separate company event today.

Previously thought to be delayed to 2022, the free upgrade to Windows 11 from Windows 10 will now begin from October 5, 2021. Microsoft announced that from this day, Windows 10 PCs should receive the free upgrade to Windows 11. Desktops and notebooks with pre-installed Windows 11 will also be available from this day. Microsoft however put out this disclaimer: "The Windows 11 upgrade will start to be delivered to qualifying devices beginning on October 5, 2021 into 2022. Timing varies by device." Windows 11 introduces an overhaul to the user interface, with more of Modern UI replacing Win32. To gamers and PC enthusiasts, Windows 11 offers DirectX 12 Ultimate, DirectStorage, and Audio HDR, as well as optimization for the next breed of hybrid-core processors, such as the 12th Gen Intel "Alder Lake."

ASUS today announced the availability of TUF Gaming VG28UQL1A, a gaming monitor designed for PC and next-generation consoles. This 28 inch display has a Fast IPS panel and supports up to 4K 144 Hz gaming with a 1 ms gray to gray (GTG) response time as well as Display Stream Compression (DSC) technology, and it offers native 4K 120 Hz gaming without chroma subsampling on the latest consoles via HDMI 2.1. Compatible with NVIDIA G-SYNC, it also supports AMD FreeSync Premium and ASUS Extreme Low Motion Blur Sync (ELMB Sync) to eliminate smearing and motion blur for fluid and responsive gameplay. In addition, ASUS Variable Overdrive technology ensures consistently smooth visuals at variable frame rates.

TUF VG28UQL1A has an HDMI 2.1 port that enables native 4K 120 Hz visuals (4:4:4) when playing on the latest gaming consoles. An Auto-Low-Latency mode helps reduce input lag to ensure extremely fluid gameplay, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology prevents tearing and stuttering for a completely immersive next-gen console gaming experience. In addition, a DisplayPort 1.4 connection offers stable 144 Hz visuals, with DSC technology handling ultra high-definition video streams at high speeds so there's no perceptible loss in image quality when gaming on PC.

ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of display solutions, announces that the latest gaming monitor, the XG2431, has started shipping. The ultra-sleek 24" display is equipped with an IPS panel that deliver vibrant visuals with an ultra-fast 1 ms response. Approved by industry-renowned Blur Busters* for its motion blur reduction, it gives players the power to compete alongside the pros in the highest levels of First-Person Shooter (FPS), Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA), and Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genres.

With native Full HD 1080p resolution and 240 Hz refresh rate, professional gamers can gain an edge. The sleek borderless design and wide viewing angles ensure that the XG2431 is ideal for multi-display gaming setups with minimal frame distraction, making it perfect for gaming arenas and tournament play. The ViewSonic XG2431 features AMD FreeSync Premium technology, which synchronizes the output of the GPU graphics card and monitor to eliminate screen tearing and provide smoother frame rates. This 24-inch monitor features the perfect combination of speed, control and color. The super smooth 240 Hz refresh rate allows games to run at an ultra-fast framerate for superior performance, while the 1 ms response time ensures faster and more precise gameplay.

Intel today released version 30.0.100.9684 of the Intel Graphics Drivers suite, which is the first non-beta driver to support Windows 11. With this, Intel beats NVIDIA and AMD to Windows 11 drivers, who don't even list out Windows 11-compatible drivers on their websites. To achieve Windows 11 support, these drivers comply with WDDM 3.0, supporting DirectX 12 Shader Model 6.6 compiler.

WDDM 3.0 lays the foundation of Microsoft's future attempts to standardize dynamic refresh rate and supersampling in games (making DLSS and FSR obsolete). The drivers also enable the Microsoft Auto HDR feature of Windows 11 on 10th Gen Core processors with Iris Plus Graphics (or later). This would mean you'll need at least a Core "Ice Lake," Core "Tiger Lake," or Core "Rocket Lake" processor. "Comet Lake" chips with Gen 9.5 UHD 630 Graphics (or older), don't support Auto HDR. Grab the latest Intel Graphics Drivers from the link below.

DOWNLOAD: Intel Graphics Drivers 30.0.100.9684