Microsoft concludes its 1 hour-plus E3 2019 press conference with first details of next-generation Xbox hardware-- "Project Scarlett," a machine the company says is "optimised for one thing and one thing only."
What is the "one thing" the machine is optimised for? Gaming, obviously, at least according to Xbox executive VP Phil Spencer. Developed by the team behind the Xbox One X, the machine promises all the bells and whistles expected from a powerful piece of gaming hardware. A promotional trailer has Xbox employees promising variable refresh rates, real-time ray tracing, 8K resolution and frame rates of up to 120fps.
Details of the actual hardware are scant, but Microsoft does say it carries a custom variant of the AMD Zen 2 processor architecture and GDDR6 memory. Another revealed feature is a "new generation of SSDs" with 40x the performance speed of the HDDs inside current-gen consoles. Microsoft claims the SSD is so fast it can even act as "virtual RAM," allowing for faster game loading.
The Wonderboom 2 retains the same look as the original, being a chunky cylindrical number complete with an IP67 rating against dust and water. It is also able to float in water, making it safe to take around the pool or beach. The update does add a choice of two-tone fabrics, a bigger centre button for pause/play and pairing and a flatter bungee cord loop.
As one might expect, the white paper takes a deep dive into applications, standards and recommendations for use of a variety of cable families. It aims to demystify infrastructure cabling in all kinds of projects, and moves from the history and properties of each medium to advice on future-proofing.
OS 3 supports over 13500 3rd party devices and 7500 Control4 SDDP-embedded products. It promises to scale to the needs of the customer, whether it involves a single-room entertainment experience or a whole-home automation system in a mansion, with intuitive interfaces providing one-touch control of favourite devices and scenes. Also on offer are at-a-glance views for security and lighting and one-touch music and video streaming, among other control features.
The X-Series AVRs also feature eARC (enhanced Audio Return Channel) to deliver uncompressed and object-based audio from the TV to the receiver via single HDMI cable and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) for lag-free gaming. With eARC passthrough, 4K UHD HDMI and full HDCP 2.3 support on all ports the AVRs provide seamless connections with the 4K and upcoming 8K TVs, as well as streaming devices, gaming consoles and other source players.
Such an all-in-one approach streamlines system designs by consolidating essential control system components, freeing up space and easing integration. The ethernet port allows direct control of multiple devices, and the included port expansion adapter makes it easy to add traditional control ports directly at the touchpanel.
