My 2021/2022 Resolution

[HarborFront]

This is an ambitious wishlist for it involves high costs unlike my 2020 resolution. The soundbar and the Blu-ray player will depend on the availability of the 8K TV of my choice. This list may stretch into the year 2022 and changes may be made on the way.

1) Started off with added SurfShark VPN besides my ExpressVPN and VyprVPN. SurfShark VPN comes with double-hop feature while the two mentioned do not have this feature.

2) On the Health Front

- Waiting for covid19 vaccine jabs
- To improve my jogging for longer distance

3) Health Watch

Basic health monitoring would include the below. First 5 features are a must as my age is catching on. There are separate smartwatches that has the Blood Glucose monitoring feature for now. Smart and Fitness features are secondary.

- ECG
- Blood Pressure
- Heart Rate
- Blood Oxygen, SpO2
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Blood Glucose
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
- Sleep Apnea
- Fatigue
- Stress
- others

4) Get a new 17-inch 12th Gen laptop, hopefully, with the following features

- Pluton Security Processor
- 8 cores
- 16GB DRR5 RAM
- 4K resolution
- Touchscreen
- TB4(USB-C), HDMI 2.1, DP 2.0, USB 4.0 ports etc. Not all types of ports are available
- Supports WiFi 6E
- Has Dolby Voice support

5) 65-in 8K TV, preferably OLED/hybrid QLED-OLED (also to use as monitor)

- cw 4x/5x HDMI 2.1 ports etc
- native 120Hz refresh rate
- cw streaming apps
- Supports WiFi 6E
- 8K@60Hz
- 8K Upscaler

6) Hi-Res Audio

- Portable Hi-Res Audio player like the FiiO M15 with WiFi for music streaming
- Subscribe to TIDAL HiFi/Qobuz for high-res lossless music

7) Consider Nvidia Shield TV Pro Streamer

8) Get a WiFi 6E mesh router

9) Waiting to get my 1st 5G foldable smartphone for general purpose use. Supports 5G Sub-6/mmWave and WiFi 6E. In my country 5G is still in its infancy stage available in a few places not country-wide yet.

10) Get Pixel 6XL 6.7 inch with 5G Sub-6/mmWave support; WiFi 6E support and install GrapheneOS for security/privacy use. If Calyx OS arrives earlier then I’ll flash it then later re-flash to GrapheneOS when it becomes available.

11) Get either the PANASONIC DP-UB9000 4K Blu-ray player (better in video) or the PIONEER UDP-LX500 4K Blu-ray player (better in audio). Likely to go with the former since 8K TV is what's all about

12) 5.1.4/7.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos soundbar

e.g. JBL (5.1.4) 9.1 or Pioneer Fidelo 7.1.2 soundbar

13) Get a pair of Dolby Atmos headphone. My existing headphones don't support Dolby Atmos

 

[HarborFront]

On the health front.

Completed my 1st Hepatitis A jab end of last year because my blood test showed no antibodies against it. And now completing the 2nd jab. Doctor said can protect me for at least 20 yrs.....................by then I'll be dead. Also, will be going for the covid19 vaccination very soon for my age group has been announced by the government

 

[HarborFront]

For those who are interested in your health I recommend you take health supplements besides exercising, a good diet and a good night sleep. This is especially true if you are past your prime age and into middle and elderly stage

Note: The black bottle is Lutein eye supplement from Japan. The rest are self-explanatory.

 

[HarborFront]

Seriously looking into the SAMSUNG NEO QLED QN900 65-in 8K TV for my small room with the Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q950A soundbar

Note :- Some technical info are not available on the Samsung TV website. After serious inquiries I'm able to obtain them. Some answers I got from net and Youtube reviews, although thorough reviews like from rtings.com and HDTVTEST are not available yet

Specs

PROS

- 8K resolution with 8K AI upscaling
- Native 120Hz refresh rate
- Ultimate 8K Dimming Pro
- 80W speakers
- 6.2.2 surround sound
- Quantum HDR 48x
- Object Tracking Sound OTS Pro
- Vanishingly thin bezel
- 8K@60Hz, 4K@120Hz and VRR/ALLM/eARC/FreeSync Premium Pro/G-Sync compatible
- 12-bit VA panel
- Multi-view (split screen) supports 4 panels e.g. watching TV and phone mirroring side-by-side
- Supports HDR10/ HDR10 Pro (HLG)/HDR10+/HDR10+ Adaptive/HGiG
- Uses Tizen 6.0 UI
- WiFi 6 and BT 5.2 built-in
- ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV)
- cw One Connect Box
- cw 4xHDMI 2.1/3xUSB 2.0 ports. All HDMI ports supporting 48Gbps and VRR
- Brightness - SDR 500 nits, HDR calibrated movie mode 2600 nits
- Can add a compatible LOGITECH webcam for Google Duo and Health Fitness Tracking.
- Motion Xcelerator Turbo+ for more fluid motion enhancement in 4K@120Hz
- Audio features include Samsung Acoustic Beam, Q-Symphony, Space Fit+, Adaptive Sound, Active Voice Amplifier, Tap Sound, 1-click Bass Boost and Game Mode Pro
- Power consumption : Typical 215W, Max 420W
- Size : 1433 x 820 x 15 mm
- Weight : 22 Kg
- VESA mount : 400 x 300 mm
- Screw size : M8 Screw depth : 6.5 mm
- Remote is solar and USB-powered. It comes with dedicated buttons for Netflix/Amazon Prime Video and some programmable hot keys

CONS

- No Dolby Vision/Dolby Atmos support
- Has slight blooming and black is not as great as its 4K equivalent model Neo QLED QN90 i.e the latter is closer to OLED’s black than the 8K model
- G-Sync compatible implies no variable overdrive or as wide a VRR range as a gaming monitor on a higher G-Sync tier unlike full support for FreeSync Premium Pro with AMD
- Cannot play 8K video clips directly from phone to TV using a USB-C to HDMI 2.1 cable. Need to copy the video file to the PC/laptop and play from there using HDMI 2.1 cable to TV
- Q-Symphony only works in Game Mode and Adaptive Mode

Samsung QN900A vs QN800A : What are Their Similarities and Differences? | TV Difference

Samsung’s 2021 Neo QLED 8K TVs use Mini LED, support G-Sync, and offer up to 6.2.2-ch audio

65" Class Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900C | Samsung US

Discover the latest art display TV features and innovations available in the 65" Class Samsung Neo QLED 8K QN900C.

www.samsung.com

Samsung Q-Series Soundbar HW-Q950A soundbar

- cw 11.1.4 channels (7.1.2-ch for the soundbar and 4.0.2-ch from additional side-firing rear speakers)
- Supports Dolby Atmos/Dolby TrueHD/Dolby Digital Plus/DTS:X
- Supports HDR/HDR10+/4K Video Pass
- Wireless Subwoofer and 2x9500S Wireless Rear Speakers. Speakers are AC-powered.
- Ports : 2xHDMI In/1xHDMI Out/1xOpt In – supports eARC
- Adaptive sound for dialogue(Active Voice Amplification)/sports/news/movie
- SpaceFit Sound+ sound calibration for auto customize and optimized room sound. No mic required for sound tuning
- Supports HRA decoding
- BT 4.2 (Codec SBC)
- WiFi
- Size : 1232 x 70 x 138 mm
- Weight : 7.1 Kg
- Operating Power Consumption (Main Soundbar) : 47W
- Operating Power Consumption (AC-powered Wireless Rear Speakers) : 25W
- Operating Power Consumption (Wireless Subwoofer) : 28W
- Total Power O/P : 616W

PROS

- Dolby Atmos + Q-Symphony + Object Tracking gives fantastic sound

CONS

- Fabric covering easily attracts dust
- Info is top display not front display

Buy the Latest Samsung Soundbars & Sound Towers | Samsung Malaysia

Buy the latest Samsung Soundbars online at the latest prices in Malaysia featuring ✔Dolby Audio ✔Subwoofer, Speakers included ✔Bass Boost & many exciting features.

www.samsung.com

 

[HarborFront]

FYI,

It is rumored that the new SAMSUNG 22 Ultra phone will support 8K@60Hz so just nice for the SAMSUNG NEO QLED 8K TV

Another reason is that can use Samsung phone with the TV in multi-screen mode something not available in SONY and LG tvs

 

[HarborFront]

Pairing the Samsung Neo QLED 8K TV with the Samsung upcoming S22 (rumored to encode video at 8K@60Hz) phone will be a perfect match for the

Samsung S21/S22 supports 8K encoding using H.265 and AV1. Note that the current SD888 chip does not support AV1.

Samsung Galaxy S22 review

The Galaxy S22 remains available as a lower-cost alternative to the Galaxy S23

www.tomsguide.com

What is AV1 Codec? What phones support AV1 hardware decoding? - Smartprix Bytes

Video streaming accounts for a sizeable chunk of online traffic and even minor improvements in streaming technology can save costs and determine what markets a service has access to. Streaming services like Netflix and Amazon prime do not take codecs lightly as using the right codecs determines...

www.smartprix.com

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G review

The Galaxy S21 Ultra borrows the selfie camera from the S20 Ultra - a 40MP Quad-Bayer shooter with autofocus. It saves 10MP images, but you can opt for...

www.gsmarena.com

Its 8K TV also supports AV1 and H.265 encoding

Samsung 8K TVs support AV1 hardware decoding to play 8K YouTube videos

Samsung announced its new 8K QLED TV lineup earlier this year during CES 2020. They feature an Infinity Screen design, ...

www.sammobile.com

Can't Play HEVC/H.265 Files on Samsung TV - Solved

Some certain HEVC/H.265 files cannot be played on Samsung TV? This article will figure out why Samsung not playing HEVC/H.265 files and how to watch HEVC/H.265 videos on Samsung TV easily.

www.easefab.com

Quote from 2nd link

Samsung TV only support HEVC/H.265 files in 4K/8K at 60fps. If your HEVC video is in higher bit rate or frame rate, then the HEVC encoded MKV or MP4 files will goes unplayable, stuttering, dropping frames and so on.

Unquote

Which means files encoded at 120Hz or 30Hz will not work for 8K@60Hz. The current Samsung S21 supports 8K@30Hz only. So if a H.265 encoded file at 8K@30Hz is needed to play on the 8K@60Hz TV then file decoding (conversion) to H.264 using a video converter is required. Alternatively, just record and play in H.264 which supports 8K@30Hz on both the S21 and the 8K TV

Some info on 8K codecs like H.265, AV1 and upcoming new codecs

3 things you should know about the AV1 codec

The AV1 codec has been in the news as Netflix and Google have all made announcements around it. Here's what you should know about AV1.

www.androidauthority.com

Samsung, Qualcomm and Huawei Back EVC as an alternative to AV1 - Smartprix Bytes

In a joint statement, Qualcomm, Samsung, and Huawei have backed MPEG-5 EVC as the ‘next-generation codec for 4K and 8K streaming’. The new development comes at a time when AOMedia’s royalty-free AV1 codec that is backed by Google, Apple, Facebook, Microsoft, Amazon, Netflix, and numerous other...

www.smartprix.com

 

[HarborFront]

Some errors in my post #6

Quote

Which means files encoded at 120Hz or 30Hz will not work for 8K@60Hz. The current Samsung S21 supports 8K@30Hz only. So if a H.265 encoded file at 8K@30Hz is needed to play on the 8K@60Hz TV then file decoding (conversion) to H.264 using a video converter is required. Alternatively, just record and play in H.264 which supports 8K@30Hz on both the S21 and the 8K TV

Unquote

Correction

The specs for the Exynos 2100 are here

Exynos 2100 | Mobile Processor | Samsung Semiconductor Global

Exynos 2100 provides multi-tasking with optimal performance through the powerful Cortex®-X1 CPU, 8 CPUs based on the Tri-Cluster architecture.

www.samsung.com

Quote

Video
Up to 8K decoding: 60fps with 10-bit HEVC(H.265), 30fps with 10-bit VP9, AV1
Up to 8K encoding: 30fps with 10-bit HEVC(H.265), VP9

Unquote

 

[HarborFront]

My 65 inch mobile tv stand arrived today

 

[HarborFront]

Just completed my 2nd Pfizer covid vaccine shot a while ago. Too bad can't take photo in the vaccination centre.

Had my 1st shot a few weeks back. That's the vaccine certificate below

So, another milestone met

 

[Venustus]

Need to upgrade my gear to this...

 

[Kuttz]

On the health front.

Completed my 1st Hepatitis A jab end of last year because my blood test showed no antibodies against it. And now completing the 2nd jab. Doctor said can protect me for at least 20 yrs.....................by then I'll be dead. Also, will be going for the covid19 vaccination very soon for my age group has been announced by the government

View attachment 255213

View attachment 255214

At MalwareTips we all know how to bullet proof their computers from viruses and threats. But in life little we can do to protect our-self from diseases, accidents, health emergencies etc....

 

[HarborFront]

The heart of my 8K setup just arrived. It's the

SAMSUNG Neo QLED 8K 65-in tv (QN900A)

 

[Digmor Crusher]

You realize that in front of the window is the worst place for it unless you get some type of blackout curtains?

 

[HarborFront]

You realize that in front of the window is the worst place for it unless you get some type of blackout curtains?

In that rectangular room that is the only place I can put a tv

I'm working 6-day week and only back in the evening till night ao no problem as my room light is brighter than outside. And when I sits down the top part of the window is mostly blocked

 

[HarborFront]

My bundled SAMSUNG Q950A Soundbar and LOGITECH C922 Pro HD Stream Webcam also just arrived. The bundle is for the SAMSUNG Neo QLED 8K 65-in tv (QN900A)

Setup - Soundbar, Wireless Subwoofer and Wireless Rear Speakers (stands purchased separately)

 

[HarborFront]

Just had my Moderna booster shot. The earlier two were Pfizer

 

[HarborFront]

Ok, the year-end is just a few days away. Now to recap and update what I have achieved in the starting post

I have bought/done

1) SAMSUNG QN900A NEO QLED 65-inch 8K TV. Bundled with it is the SAMSUNG HW-Q950A 11.1.4 Dolby Atmos Soundbar (with wireless sub and 2x wireless rear upfiring speakers). Can upgrade from 11.1.4 to 13.1.6 channels.

2) SONY UBP-X700 4K UHD Blu-ray Player. No support for HDR10+ HDR format

3) IPUK UHD8592 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray Universal Player. Supports HDR10+ HDR format for the SAMSUNG TV

4) Start collecting 4K UHD movie discs and also bought an IKEA bookshelf for the movie discs

5) Took the 3rd Moderna booster jab

6) Subscribed for SurfShark VPN



Outstanding for next year, 2022

1) Awaiting the 4th (booster) jab against Omicron

2) Awaiting WiFi 6E launching. WiFi 6E still not being approved in my country so purchase of router, handphone, desktop PC etc still waiting.

3) Health Watch with the following features

Basic health monitoring would include the below. First 5 features are a must as my age is catching on. There are separate smartwatches that has the Blood Glucose monitoring feature for now. Smart and Fitness features are secondary.

- ECG
- Blood Pressure
- Heart Rate
- Blood Oxygen, SpO2
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Blood Glucose
- HRV (Heart Rate Variability)
- Sleep Apnea
- Fatigue
- Stress
- others

4) Camera which can shoot 8K@60fps. Similarly, this will apply to handphone as well. PC must be capable of running 8K@60fps games

5) LG DualUp Monitor for portrait mode use

6) JVC Exofield EP-EXT1 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos Surround Headphone

 

[HarborFront]

Bought the LG UltraFine Display Ergo 27UN880 27 inch 4K monitor in place of the LG DualUp monitor. I find this better than the latter when working on MS WORDS

And my desktop layout becomes

 

[HarborFront]

Just got an electrical contractor to make some changes to my house's Circuit Breaker (CB) box

My 30+ yrs old CB box filled to the brim.

Added a new 40KA SPD(Surge Protector Device). Now I have Type 2 whole-house surge protection. I have also added Type 3 level surge protection at the point of use by using APC power strip protectors to protect my expensive AV equipment

The new and larger CB box with the 40KA SPD added to the extreme right side with some space for future addtion of mcbs to the extreme left side, if needed.

The new ABB Type AC RCCB is now in place of the previous old ELCB

Meggering of wiring still show wires are in good condition of about 2 Mega Ohm(red scale). The higher the Mega Ohm the better. A few hundred Ohms indicates poor wiring condition and need to be replaced.

Also, performed trip test to make sure the RCCB is working

Next up is to change my 30+ years R22 CARRIER System-4 Non-Inverter Aircon (with one compressor down) to the new MITSUBISHI STARMEX R32 System-4 Inverter Aircon

 

[HarborFront]

My APC items just arrived

1) 1xBR1500GI UPS
2) 1xBackUp Battery BR24BPG for the above UPS
3) 1xBR900MI UPS
4) 2xSurgeArrest PM8-UK Power Strips with 8x outlets each

They are for the protection of my electrical/electronic items. They will serve as Type 3 point-of-use protection.

- UPS meant for continuous power supply to router, modem, hubs, ip cameras, safety detectors etc
- SurgeArrest surge-protected power strips for AV equipment, laptop, PC etc