The new Elgato Neo range of devices — condenser microphone, webcam, LED key light, capture card and stream deck — simplifies video calls, content creation and video streaming for newbies, the company said Thursday. The gear also looks good doing it, with a unified white design across all five devices.
All the Neo products are compatible with iPad, making them an excellent choice for creators who use their tablets for content creation.
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Elgato intends the new Neo lineup to augment and simplify live streaming and video calls. The five products are simpler versions of gear Elgato already makes, having captured a good chunk of the creator and gaming markets. Now, apparently, it wants everyone else — like anyone who might hop on a conference call.
An earlier move in that direction came when Elgato put out an affordable teleprompter that virtually anyone can use. And its Facecam and Stream Deck are also popular for good reason.
These affordable products are designed to be plug-and-play, making them easy to set up and use. The devices also feature compact designs that make them portable and easy to use in smaller spaces or on the go.
Check out the lineup of more accessible, user-friendly gear, below.
All five new Elgato Neo devices appear in this computer-setup shot. Photo: Elgato
Stream Deck Neo
Stream Deck Neo, priced at $99.99, makes for a highlight of the Neo lineup. Like the company’s line of Stream Decks, the device operates as a command center. It features eight LCD keys you can program to automate various tasks, such as adjusting lights or joining video calls. Stream Deck Neo also features a display that functions as a digital clock, making it a versatile tool for streamers and professionals alike.
Facecam Neo, priced at $99.99, is a high-quality webcam that supports 1080p video at 60fps, ensuring clear images. It comes with an integrated privacy shutter. You can easily mount the camera on top of a monitor or laptop. But it’s not out quite yet, though you can get notified about the release date on Elgato’s website.
Wave Neo, priced at $89.99, is a condenser microphone that offers high-quality audio capture with reduced background noise. It features a tap-to-mute function and is designed to integrate seamlessly with Elgato’s advanced Wave Link app.
Maybe it’s time you looked and sounded better on your video calls. Photo: Elgato
Key Light Neo, priced at $89.99, is a compact LED light that pairs perfectly with a webcam. It offers adjustable settings to enhance visual presentations and can be mounted on top of a laptop or monitor, freeing up desk space.
Game Capture Neo, priced at $119.99, is a capture card designed for high-quality game streaming. It supports capture at up to 1080p 60fps, making it ideal for Twitch or YouTube streaming.
In addition to user-friendly design and high-quality performance, the Neo products also feature artificial intelligence. For instance, the new Stream Deck Neo works with an SDK that allows app developers to create profiles for controlling their apps. This makes it possible for the Stream Deck Neo to work with a wide range of applications, providing a versatile tool for streamers and professionals alike.
You can buy all Neo devices now except for Facecam Neo, which comes out in the coming weeks, Elgato said.
The major players in live TV streaming are YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, FuboTV, Sling and DirecTV Stream, with Philo rounding things out as a good budget option. Each one purports to replicate cable with vast channel offerings, local news, sports and linear programming — and most services promise to be cheaper than cable, too. That’s true in some cases, but depending on which and how many add-ons and packages you get in addition to the base service, it can also end up being far more expensive than basic cable. To help you get the most bang for your buck, we break down just what live TV services offer and suggest the best ones for different viewers.
What to look for in a live TV streaming service
How to stream live TV
Streaming live TV is a lot like using Netflix. You get access through apps on your phone, tablet, smart TV or streaming device and the signal arrives over the internet. A faster and more stable connection tends to give you a better experience. Most live TV apps require you to sign up and pay via a web browser. After that, you can activate the app on your device.
Price
When I started my cord-cutting research, I was struck by the price difference between live TV and a standard streaming app like Netflix or Peacock. Where the latter cost between $5 and $20 per month, many live TV services hit the $75 mark and can go higher than $200 with additional perks, channel packages and premium extras. The higher starting price is mostly due to the cost of providing multiple networks – particularly sports and local stations. And, in the past year or so, every service except Philo and Sling has raised base plan prices.
Local channels
Only two of the services we tried don’t include full local channel coverage for subscribers and one of those makes no effort at carrying sports. That would be Philo and, as you might guess, it’s the cheapest. The next most affordable option, Sling, only carries three local stations, and only in larger markets, but it still manages to include some of the top sports channels.
When you sign up with any provider that handles local TV, you’ll enter your zip code, ensuring you get your area’s broadcast affiliates for ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Of course, you can also get those stations for free. Nearly all modern television sets support a radio frequency (RF) connection, also known as the coaxial port, which means if you buy an HD antenna, you’ll receive locally broadcast stations like ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. And since the signal is digital, reception is much improved over the staticky rabbit-ears era.
Sports
One reality that spun my head was the sheer number and iterations of sports networks in existence. Trying to figure out which network will carry the match-up you want to see can be tricky. Google makes it a little easier for sports fans by listing out upcoming games (just swap in NFL, MLB, NHL and so on in the search bar). When you click an event, the “TV & streaming” button will tell you which network is covering it.
That just leaves figuring out if your chosen service carries that regional sports network. Unfortunately, even with add-ons and extra packages, some providers simply don’t have certain channel lineups. It would take a lawyer to understand the ins and outs of streaming rights negotiations, and networks leave and return to live TV carriers all the time. That said, most major sporting events in the US are covered by ESPN, Fox Sports, TNT, USA and local affiliates.
It’s also worth noting that traditional streaming services have started adding live sports to their lineups. Peacock carries live Premier League matches and Sunday Night Football. Max now airs select, regular season games from the NHL, MLB, NCAA and NBA with a $10-per-month add-on. You can watch MLS games with an add-on through the Apple TV app, and Apple TV+ includes some MLB games. And finally, if you subscribe to Paramount Plus, you can see many of the matches you’d see on CBS Sports. While these options won’t cover as much ground as live TV streamers, they could scratch a sports itch without too much added cost.
Amy Skorheim / Engadget
Traditional cable networks
Dozens of linear programming networks were once only available with cable TV, like Bravo, BET, Food Network, HGTV, CNN, Lifetime, SYFY and MTV. If you only subscribe to, say, Netflix or Apple TV+, you won’t have access to those. But as with sports, standard streamers are starting to incorporate this content into their offerings. After the Warner Bros. merger, Max incorporated some content from HGTV, Discovery and TLC. Peacock has Bravo and Hallmark shows, and Paramount+ has material from Nickelodeon, MTV and Comedy Central.
Other channels like AMC+ have stand-alone apps. The Discovery+ app gives you 15 channels add-free for $9 per month. And a service called Frndly TV costs a mere $7 per month and streams A&E, Lifetime, Game Show Network, Vice and about 35 others. Of course, most live TV streaming options will deliver more sizable lists of cable networks, but just note that you may already be paying for some of them — and if all you need is a certain channel, you could get it cheaper by subscribing directly.
How to stream live TV for free
We also tested a few apps that offer free ad-supported TV (FAST) including Freevee, Tubi, PlutoTV and Sling Freestream. They let you drop in and watch a more limited selection of live networks at zero cost. Most don’t even require an email address, let alone a credit card. And if you have a Roku device, an Amazon Fire TV Stick or a Samsung TV, you already have access to hundreds of live channels via the Roku Channel, the live tab in Fire TV or through the Samsung TV Plus app.
Digital video recordings (DVR)
Every option we’ve included offers cloud DVR storage, so you don’t need a separate physical device like you often do with traditional cable. You’ll either get unlimited storage for recordings that expires after nine months or a year, or you’ll get a set number of hours (between 50 and 1,000) that you can keep indefinitely. Typically, all you need to do is designate what you want to record and the DVR component will do all the hard work of saving subsequent episodes for you to watch later.
Aside from being able to watch whenever it’s most convenient, you can also fast-forward through commercials in recorded content. In contrast, you can’t skip them on live TV or video-on-demand (VOD).
Most live TV subscriptions include access to a selection of VOD content including movies and shows that are currently airing on your subscribed networks. This typically doesn’t cover live events, local shows and news programming. But it does let you watch specific episodes of ongoing shows like Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives or BET’s Sistas. Just search the on-demand library for the program, pick an episode and hit play.
Tiers, packages and add-ons
Comparing price-to-offering ratios is a task for a spreadsheet. I… made three. The base plans range from $25 to $80 per month. From there, you can add packages, which are usually groups of live TV channels bundled by themes like news, sports, entertainment or international content. Premium VOD extras like Max, AMC+ and Starz are also available. Add-ons cost an extra $5 to $20 each per month and simply show up in the guide where you find the rest of your live TV. This is where streaming can quickly get expensive, pushing an $80 subscription to $200 monthly, depending on what you choose.
How we tested
When I begin testing for a guide, I research the most popular and well-reviewed players in the category and narrow down which are worth trying. For the paid plans, just six services dominate so I tried them all. There are considerably more free live TV contenders so I tested the four most popular. After getting accounts set up using my laptop, I downloaded the apps on a Samsung smart TV running the latest version of Tizen OS. I counted the local stations and regional sports coverage, and noted how many of last year’s top cable networks were available. I then weighed the prices, base packages and available add-ons.
I then looked at how the programming was organized in each app’s UI and judged how easy everything was to navigate, from the top navigation to the settings. To test the search function, I searched for the same few TV shows on BET, Food Network, HGTV and Comedy Central, since all six providers carry those channels. I noted how helpful the searches were and how quickly they got me to season 6, episode 13 of Home Town.
I used DVR to record entire series and single movies and watched VOD shows, making sure to test the pause and scan functions. On each service with sports, I searched for the same four upcoming NHL, NBA, MLS and NCAA basketball matches and used the record option to save the games and play them back a day or two later. Finally, I noted any extra perks or irritating quirks.
Here’s the full list of everything we tried:
Free ad-supported live TV:
YouTube TV
Base plan: $73/mo. | Local channels: Yes | DVR limits: Unlimited, 9 mo. expiration | Profiles per account: 6 | Simultaneous at-home streams: 3 | Picture in picture mode: Yes
Google’s option makes a strong case for delivering the best streaming service for live TV. Compared to our top pick for sports, YouTube TV covers major and minor teams, regional games and national matchups almost as well. It gives you clear navigation, a great search function, unlimited DVR and broad network coverage. It’s not quite as affordable as it once was, as YouTube recently raised the price to $73 per month – and it’s even more financially precarious if you’re not great at resisting temptation.
Upon signup, you’re presented with nearly 50 different add-ons, including 4K resolution, premium channels and themed packages. Even if you fight the urge to roll Max, Shudder and AcornTV into the mix at signup, the enticement remains as it’s dangerously easy to add more to your subscription. If you search for a program on a network you don’t have, you’re prompted to add it. And of course, you can also rent or buy movies that aren’t currently showing on any channels, just like you can via YouTube. While it’s convenient to be able to order up anything you might want on a whim, I imagine this pushes many users’ bills far above Google’s listed $73 per month.
Still, it’s nice to have all your entertainment in one place. And if you only want the add-ons, you can actually subscribe to most of the standalone networks without paying for the base plan. Either way, you get a familiar user experience, with navigation you’ll recognize if you’ve spent any time on regular ol’ YouTube. Unsurprisingly, Google’s search function was the best of the bunch, finding the shows and games I searched for quickly and giving me clear choices for how to watch and record.
At signup, you’ll also pick the shows, networks and teams you like, which are added to your library. YouTube TV then automatically records them. You get unlimited cloud DVR space (though recordings expire after nine months) and it’s dead simple to add programming to your library. Like a real cable experience, YouTube TV autoplays your last-watched program upon startup by default, but it was the only service that allowed me to turn that feature off by heading to the settings.
Searching for and recording an upcoming game was easy. Once the game was recorded, I had to hunt a little to find it in my library (turns out single games are listed under the Events heading, not Sports). But after that, playback was simple and included a fascinating extra feature: You can either play a recorded game from the beginning or hit Watch Key Plays. The latter gives you between 12 and 20 highlight snippets, each about 10 seconds long. It focuses on the most impressive shots in an NBA bout and includes every goal in an MLS matchup. The feature was available for NCAA basketball and in-season major American leagues (hockey, soccer and basketball at the time of testing). Foreign and more minor games didn’t have the feature.
Sports fans will also appreciate the new multiview feature that YouTube TV added last year that lets you pick up to four sports, news and weather channels from a select list and view them all at the same time on your screen. If you find yourself constantly flipping back and forth between games, this could save you some hassle.
YouTube TV also gives you the most in-app settings. You can add parental controls to a profile or pull up a stats menu that shows your buffer health and connection speeds. You can lower playback resolution for slow connections and even send feedback to YouTube. It was also the best at integrating VOD and live programming. For example, if you search for a show that happens to be playing live, a red badge in the corner of the show’s image lets you know it’s on right now. Other services didn’t display this info as clearly.
Pros
Intuitive and smooth interface
Accurate search functions
Cool multiview feature
Good coverage of sports, news and linear programming networks
Base plan: $77/mo | Local channels: Yes | DVR limits: Unlimited, 9-month expiration | Profiles per account: 6 | Simultaneous at-home streams: 2 | Picture in picture mode: No
After YouTube TV went up to $73 per month, Hulu + Live TV shot to $77. But if you already or plan to subscribe to the regular Hulu app and/or Disney+, Hulu’s live component still makes better financial sense. It gives you live TV streaming, plus all the content from Hulu, ESPN+ and Disney+, much of which you can’t get elsewhere. Note that $77 gets you the content with ads — for ad-free Disney+ and Hulu components, it’s $90 monthly.
Hulu + Live TV carries your local affiliates and most of the top cable channels. For sports, you get all available ESPN iterations plus FS1, FS2, TBS, USA, TNT, NBC Golf and the NFL Network. You can also add on premium VOD channels like Max and Showtime, and it’s the only provider that includes Disney+ at no extra cost.
Navigation on Hulu + Live TV isn’t as smooth as most of the other options – it felt like the live component had been shoehorned into the standard Hulu app. But if you’re already comfortable with (and paying for) Hulu, upgrading to the live TV bundle might be worthwhile.
Base plan: $80/mo. | Local channels: Yes | DVR limits: Unlimited, 9-month expiration (maximum of 30 episodes per series) | Profiles per account: 1 | Simultaneous at-home streams: Unlimited | Picture in picture mode: No
gives you the most cable-like experience without a contract — and that’s both a good and a bad thing. Probably the worst part of cable is the binding contract that’s hard to cancel, but like all streaming services, there’s no contract here. The service also gives you the serendipity of flipping from one channel to the “next” (yes, DirecTV Stream numbers its channels) with your remote just like the good old days. But like cable, DirecTV has started to make it more difficult to buy only what you want, instead bundling packages together at a higher price. As of this writing, the lowest-priced tier, the Entertainment Pack, is only available bundled with the Sports Pack, making the cheapest non-promotional pricing $95 per month.
You’ll get nearly all of the most popular cable networks and can add multiple packages and premiums like Showtime, Starz, AMC+ and Discovery+. You can also add Max, just like on YouTube TV and Hulu + Live TV, but DirecTV is the only one we tried that also lets you add Peacock. Of course, you can just add those apps separately to your smart TV, but for anyone who wants to approximate the all-in-one convenience of cable, it’s a nice perk.
When you fire up DirecTV Stream, whichever network you last watched automatically starts playing. It continues when you switch over to the guide or other menu pages. If you’re used to the quieter experience of traditional streaming apps (after you turn off autoplay), you might find that a little distracting.
The navigation didn’t feel intuitive, partly because the menu options overlay the currently playing show and because there are so many ways to browse, access and control live, recorded and on-demand content. The search function found the shows and movies I searched for and accurately presented the upcoming games I wanted just from typing in one of the teams.
You can’t add new channels or packages through the app, which might be a relief to anyone worried about succumbing to subscription overload. Everyone else may just find it annoying.
Base plan: $80/mo. | Local channels: Yes | DVR limits: 1000 hours, no expiration | Profiles per account: 6 | Simultaneous at-home streams: 10 | Picture in picture mode: Yes (Apple TV only)
If you want to stream live sports, you should probably opt for Fubo. When you first sign up, it asks which teams you follow across all kinds of associations. Pick teams from in-season leagues and you’ll quickly have DVR content to watch. That’s because Fubo records every game your chosen teams play as long as it’s aired on a supported channel – and its sports coverage is vast.
I tested out a premium subscription and the guide said there were 118 sports networks to choose from. In addition to the usual suspects from ESPN, Fox, NBC and CBS, you can watch motorsports, international leagues, adventure sports and even poker. Add-ons give you NBA TV, NHL Network, NFL Red Zone and MLB Network. And if you need access to all one thousand games the NBA plays in a season, you can add the NBA League Pass to your lineup for $15 per month. Fubo even has its own sports channels.
Yes, the coverage is comprehensive, but Fubo also made finding and recording specific games very easy. Searching for an upcoming game was simple, as was sifting through the ample amount of recorded games I ended up with. I particularly liked FanView for live games, which inserts the video into a smaller window and surrounds that window with continually updating stats plus a clickable list of other games currently airing.
Fubo has made an obvious effort to win at sports, but recently it’s tried to deliver on the live TV experience as well. Based on what I’ve seen so far, it’s certainly made strides. The guide was impressive in the number of ways it let you organize live TV, yet everything felt clean and uncluttered. The Home, Sports, Shows and Movies pages were filled with recommendations and many iterations of categories, with almost all suggestions being live TV.
Where Fubo falls short is in VOD access and DVR playback. It wasn’t the best at finding the shows I searched for, and navigating available VOD content wasn’t as breezy as browsing through live programming. The lack of a pop-up preview window as you fast forward or rewind through recordings makes it tough to gauge where you are in a show. As for price, Fubo ties with DirecTV Stream for the most expensive base package at $80. But if you need all the sports – and want some nicely organized live TV during the few moments when there’s not a game on – this is the way to go.
Pros
Best coverage of sports networks
Automatically records your favorite teams
Informative FanView feature
Uncluttered live TV interface
Cons
DVR and VOD experience is inferior to the live component
Base plan: Starting at $40/mo | Local channels: ABC, FOX, NBC in limited markets | DVR limits: 50 hours, no expiration | Profiles per account: 4 | Simultaneous at-home streams: 1 or 3 | Picture in picture mode: Yes
To me, the idea of spending time fine-tuning channel choices sounds exhausting. But if you’re the type who wants to get exactly what you want without paying for too much of what you don’t, Sling TV may be your best bet. It breaks its base plan into two packages, Blue and Orange, with different channels on each. Blue, which costs $45 a month, carries a larger number of networks, while Orange seems to have spent its lineup dollars on ESPN and ESPN 2. But at $40 monthly, Sling Orange is the cheapest way to get those two sports outlets.
After picking a plan, you can choose from a stable of add-on packages, with monthly prices ranging from $6 to $11. These include blocks of sports or lifestyle channels, kid-friendly fare, the Discovery+ bundle and a news package. There are 41 individual premium offerings, including Showtime, Starz, MGM+, Shudder and Acorn, which go for between $2 and $10 per month. Sling has pay-per-view movies, too.
As far as local coverage, Sling Blue grants access to ABC, Fox and NBC local affiliates in about 20 of the larger US markets including Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, NYC, Miami and DC. ABC coverage began in March 2023, but unfortunately, that raised the price of Sling Blue in supported markets from $40 to $45. For people not in those areas (or who opt for Orange) Sling is currently running a promotion for a free HD antenna to catch local stations.
Navigation is speedy and the interface is nicely organized, putting an emphasis on what you like to watch, with recommendations that are pretty accurate. The UI also makes the add-ons you’ve chosen easy to find. In my tests, though, the app froze a number of times as I navigated. While most services froze once or twice, it happened enough times with Sling to frustrate me. I had to force quit or back out of the app and start over five or six times during the three weeks of testing. Compared to others, Sling’s DVR allowance is on the stingy side, only giving you 50 hours of recordings, though they won’t expire. You can pay for more DVR storage, but that will increase your overall costs.
I tried not to wander too far off-path during testing, but I feel it’s my duty to inform you that Sling has an Elvis channel, a Bob Ross channel and ALF TV (yes, an entire station devoted to the ‘80s sitcom starring a puppet). There’s also a Dog TV network intended to be played for your dogs when you leave the house, which you can add to Sling or get as a standalone app.
Base plan: $25/mo. | Local channels: No | DVR limits: Unlimited, one year expiration | Profiles per account: 10 | Simultaneous streams: 3 | Picture in picture mode: Yes (browser only)
At just $25 per month, Philo is one of the cheapest ways to get a cordless live TV experience. The biggest caveat is that you won’t find any local stations or sports programming on it. If that’s not an issue, Philo is great, with a clean, streamlined interface and generous DVR limits.
I’m a fan of minimalist design, so I appreciated the way Philo presented its menus and guide. There are just four top navigation headings: Home, Guide, Saved and Search. And instead of the usual guide layout that stretches out or shortens a show’s listing to represent its air time, Philo’s guide features monospaced squares in chronological order with the duration of the program inside the square. Another nice touch is when you navigate to a square, it fills with a live video of the show or movie.
Philo doesn’t limit the amount of programming you can DVR and lets you keep recordings for a full year, which is more than the nine months other providers allow. Like all live TV streamers, Philo won’t let you fast forward VOD programming. If skipping commercials is important to you, I recommend taking advantage of that unlimited DVR policy and hitting “Save” on any show or movie you think you may want to watch, then fast forwarding it on playback (you can do this with all the services we tried).
As far as channels, Philo covers many of the top cable networks, with notable exceptions including Fox News, CNN, ESPN and MSNBC. Anyone looking for great news coverage should look elsewhere anyway, but the lack of a few must-have entertainment outlets like Bravo and Freeform was a little disappointing.
Many standard streaming apps have added live components to their lineups. You’re paying for the service, so it’s not technically “free,” but you can get a dose of live TV without spending more than necessary. Peacock includes some regional NBC stations and Paramount+ subscribers can watch on-air CBS programming. The standard Hulu app has a live ABC news channel and Max now includes a live CNN outlet with its service.
Amazon Prime Video contains a live TV tab, as does the Fire TV interface. And, if you use Roku or Samsung as your smart OS of choice, their built-in, proprietary services include hundreds of live channels at no extra cost. Plus there are free apps from Plex and PBS — even NASA has a free streaming service.
But if you want a full suite of live TV networks, and don’t want to sign up for any paid service, there are a number of free ad-supported TV services that have live TV. Here’s the best of what we tried:
Pluto TV
Pluto TV has the most attractive interface of the free apps. It’s granularly organized, even including a kids and a gaming/anime section among the live categories. Pluto has a number of its own stations such as Pluto Sports, Pluto News, Pluto Movies, and Pluto Pixel which appears to be mostly Let’s Play Minecraft videos. The service’s (also free) on-demand content is shuffled into the live TV menu, so the service feels even bigger than its 250 live channels would otherwise.
A series of mergers and acquisitions put Pluto under the ownership of Paramount, which also owns CBS and MTV brands, so your selection of what to watch includes channels built around Star Trek, MTV and Comedy Central. Regional news options are limited to about a dozen CBS stations, and live news-stream channels include NBC News Live, Bloomberg Television, Cheddar News and others. As for sports, you get CBS Sports HQ, a version of Fox Sports and league-specific programming from the NFL, MLB, and Golf Channels.
You also don’t need to give Tubi any of your information to start watching live content. In many areas, it’ll grant access to your local ABC and Fox station and also includes the news-stream channels that other similar services carry, like NBC News Now, Fox Live Now and ABC News Live. Fox is Tubi’s parent company so you get picks like Fox Sports, Fox Soul and over a dozen regional Fox networks.
The live TV component lives within the Home menu and, from there, the stations are organized by category, making it easy to browse the more than 200 live channels. Navigation is speedy and, along with a good library of on-demand movies, shows and kids’ stuff, Tubi has the most regional news stations of any free service we tried.
It was first called IMDbTV, but Amazon changed the name of its free streaming option to Freevee to better hint at its price. What’s available is pretty similar to the Live TV menu option you’ll find within the Prime Video app — in fact, the interface on that app is actually better organized, with listings by category. Freevee’s live TV menu is just a long, single list of channels. Prime’s version is speedier, too.
However, Freevee is, true to its name, completely free. You don’t even have to sign in, though you’ll be prompted to do so when you first open the app (just select “Watch as a guest” in the lower corner to bypass that). There are currently around 350 channels with news networks like ABC News Live, Fox Live Now and NBC News Now. Sports showcases include the MLB Channel, NBC Sports and Fubo Sports. Tons of reality, true crime and current and classic TV avenues round out the offerings, including entire stations playing 24/7 rotations of single shows, like Top Gear and Unsolved Mysteries. Do you need a channel that plays the 1960s Addams Family non-stop? If so, you can find it on Freevee.
At first, I thought Freestream was a browser-only service. It was easy enough to find it through the web, but not as easy on my TV. Freestream uses the same app as the paid Sling service, and when you first get the app on your TV you’re prompted to sign in on your phone. I created an account, but then couldn’t find the Freestream option, only the paid ones. Thinking I was doing something wrong, I exited the browser on my phone then backed out of the Sling app on my TV. Only then was I offered the Freestream version, as sort of a “Wait, don’t go” tactic.
Once you’re in, you can access more than 250 channels, though finding them is a little tough as the only categories to pick from are news, sports, movies and kids. There’s an “All” menu choice, which seems to arrange things by popularity, but a little more organization would be nice. Despite that, Freestream does have a fascinating array of channels, including magazine channels from Vogue, GQ and Wired, lots of live movie channels and more than 100 foreign and foreign language news, music, sports and lifestyle networks. And despite the hard-to-navigate interface, I did appreciate the picture-in-picture that pops up when you’re surfing the guide.
FuboTV does the best job of letting you organize live channels to help you find just what you want to watch. The interface is uncluttered and when you search for something, the UI clearly tells you whether something is live now or on-demand. YouTube TV also does a good job making that info clear. Both have just over 100 live channels on offer.
What is the most cost effective TV streaming service?
Free TV streaming services like PlutoTV, Plex, Tubi and FreeVee show plenty of ad-supported TV shows and movies without charging you anything. Of course, they won’t have the same channels or content that more premium subscriptions have. Ultimately it depends on what you want to watch and finding the service that can supply that to you in the most streamlined form so you’re not paying for stuff you don’t need.
Is it cheaper to have cable or streaming?
A basic cable package used to be more expensive than the base-level live TV streaming service. But now that nearly all major providers have raised their prices to over $75 per month, that’s no longer the case. And with add-ons and other premiums, you can easily pay over $200 a month for either cable or a live TV streaming service.
What streaming service has all the TV channels?
No service that we tested had every available channel. Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream carry the highest number of the top rated channels, according to Neilsen. Hulu’s service will also get you Disney+ fare, which you can’t get elsewhere. FuboTV has the most sports channels and YouTube TV gives you the widest selection of add-ons.
What is the most popular live TV streaming platform?
YouTube TV has the most paying customers. According to this year’s letter from the company’s CEO, the service has over eight million subscribers. Disney’s 2023 fourth quarter earnings put the Hulu + Live TV viewer count at 4.6 million. Sling reported two million patrons and FuboTV claimed 1.1 million, both in respective year-end reports.
In the increasingly competitive world of the best streaming services, the hard bit isn’t just deciding what to watch – it’s deciding which service to subscribe to in the first place. With prices going up and wages… not so much, more and more of us are starting to think much more critically about the services we subscribe to.
There are even those that are cutting their TV streaming bills by 75% with subscription hopping. But wouldn’t it be great if there was an app that could help us decide which to keep and which to ditch by pointing out which streamers are best suited to what we want to see?
That’s what the recommendation app Watchworthy is promising with the launch of some new streaming features. The first is a collaborative watchlist you can use to get recommendations for your family or friend group. But it’s the second one that’s more interesting, because it can help you decide which streaming subscriptions are worth paying for.
How does Watchworthy help you decide which services are worth watching?
The Watchworthy app (pictured above) is available on both iOS and Android. (Image credit: Watchworthy)
The new streaming recommendation feature, which is called Worthy Services, is a recommendation service for platforms rather than individual movies or shows. It asks about your taste in TV and then looks at each of the streaming services to see which ones have the most shows you want to see. It also works across paid streamers including Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Apple TV Plus, Disney Plus and Max.
If you’re already using the app you shouldn’t need to do anything, but if you’re new you’ll first need to tell the app which movies and shows you want to see. It’ll then show you which shows and movies are available on what service. Each recommendation gets a “worthy” score: the higher the percentage, the more the subscription is worth having. And the lower the number, the more thought you should give to perhaps unsubscribing.
As with any recommendation engine the downside here is that what you watch and what you say you want to watch reflect the shows and genres you already know you like, not the shows and genres you don’t know you like yet. But that’s where the rest of the app comes in: its core purpose is to show you new stuff, so it uses your watchlist as a starting point for its own recommendations.
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Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is still rolling on. While the offers aren’t as extensive as what we typically see during Black Friday or Prime Day, there’s still more than a few discounts worth calling out. And if you’re specifically looking to make an upgrade without spending too much, a few of the sale’s best deals apply to budget tech we’ve recommended in our various buying guides. To help you cut through the noise, we’ve picked out the best Amazon Spring sale deals under $50 below. The highlights include our favorite affordable earbuds, a handful of good Bluetooth trackers and Amazon’s own Fire TV Stick streaming players and Echo smart speakers. As a refresher, Amazon says the sale will run through March 25.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is the top pick in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, and right now they’re on sale for $49 at Amazon via Anker directly. That’s an all-time low and $10 less than their typical sale price over the last couple of months. The deal applies to the black version; if you’d like a different finish, the blue and white models are also on sale for a dollar more.
The Space A40 provides the kind of feature set we expect from earbuds that cost twice as much: strong active noise cancellation (ANC), multi-device pairing, wireless charging, a transparency mode, custom EQ tools and a solid eight hours of battery life per charge. They aren’t the most detailed-sounding earbuds you’ll ever hear, but they have a warm profile that plays nice with most music out of the box. The main trade-offs are that they lack automatic wear detection, so they won’t auto-pause your music when you remove an earbud, and that the built-in mic isn’t especially clear for phone calls.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has brought the most recent Echo Dot down to $35, which is $12 more than the lowest price we’ve tracked but still $15 off the smart speaker’s usual going rate. It also matches the best price we’ve seen for the device in 2024. The Echo Dot is the “under $50” pick in our guide to the best smart speakers. It can still do just about all of the expected Alexa features, and it sounds decently balanced for something this compact. It can also serve as a node to extend an Eero mesh Wi-Fi system, if you own one of those. So long as you’re comfortable having a voice-activated speaker in your home in the first place, this is a good way to see if you’d find an Alexa device useful.
If you can pay a little bit extra, the full-size Amazon Echo is also on sale for $65. Again, that’s not an all-time low, but it’s $35 off Amazon’s list price. This model offers all the same functionality as the Echo Dot but sounds louder and fuller across the board, so it’s better for streaming music.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is back on sale for $40, which is a deal we’ve seen for a good chunk of the last few months but still matches the 4K streamer’s all-time low. It’s also a $20 drop from Amazon’s list price.
The 4K Max is the fastest streaming stick in Amazon’s lineup, and it supports Wi-Fi 6E for those with a compatible router. All the major streaming services and HDR formats work as well, as does Dolby Atmos audio. The main hang-up, as usual, is software: Amazon’s Fire OS is fairly aggressive about promoting the company’s own content across the UI, and it’s not shy about displaying ads. For most, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Google Chromecast will feel a bit cleaner to navigate. Still, this may not be a huge deal if you regularly use Amazon services like Alexa and Prime Video anyway, and the Max’s hardware is good value if you just want a cheap, fast thing to stream apps on a 4K TV.
Other Fire TV devices are on sale as well. The standard Fire TV Stick 4K, for one, is down to $30. That’s not an all-time low, but it’s $5 less than the device’s typical sale price in 2024. This model has a slightly slower processor than the Max; it tops out at Wi-Fi 6 instead of 6E; and it lacks Amazon’s Ambient Experience mode, which displays artwork and pertinent info when the TV is idle. But its core experience isn’t that different, so it’s a fine buy if you really want to save $10.
The Fire TV Stick Lite, meanwhile, is available for $20. That’s $5 more than the lowest price we’ve ever seen but $10 below its MSRP. This one is slower than either of the 4K models above, and it can only stream up to 1080p. Its remote also lacks built-in TV controls. But if you just want an ultracheap stick for an older TV, it might be enough.
If you want a Bluetooth tracker and use a Samsung Galaxy phone, we recommend Samsung’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 in our buying guide. Amazon’s Spring sale has dropped those down to $21 apiece, which is $2 off the tracker’s all-time low but $9 below its list price. This tracker is a breeze to setup with a Galaxy device, and its water-resistant, fob-shaped design is easy to clip to a keychain, luggage or pet collar. It also has a replaceable battery. It’s not quite as pinpoint accurate as Apple’s AirTag, as Samsung’s SmartThings Find network isn’t as huge as Apple’s Find My setup, but we still found it to work reliably in testing. This is a Samsung-only affair, though, so you should only buy it if you’re a dedicated Galaxy fan.
A two-pack of Tile Bluetooth trackers that includes the Tile Mate and the Tile Slim is also on sale for $42. We saw the bundle go for a few bucks less around the holidays last year, but this deal still takes about $7 off its usual street price and matches its biggest drop thus far in 2024.
We consider Tile trackers to be worthy alternatives to Apple’s AirTags for non-Galaxy Android users. Again, they’re not as precise as Apple’s pucks, but their crowd-finding network is still fairly large and they offer most of the same features. They also come in a wider range of designs: The Mate has a built-in keyring hole, and the Slim can slip easily into a wallet. We highlight the latter in our buying guide. Tile says each device should last up to three years, though their batteries aren’t replaceable. They also lock separation alerts — which let you know when you’ve traveled too far from a tracked item — behind a subscription fee.
If you do own an iPhone and want something to help keep tabs on sensitive items, single AirTags are currently going for $24. We’ve seen that price for about two months, however, so it’s not much of a deal.
The latest Amazon Echo Buds are back down to $35 for the Big Spring Sale. That matches their all-time low and comes in $15 below their normal going rate. This is another pair we recommend in our budget earbuds buying guide, specifically for those who prefer an open design that lets in outside noise instead of totally sealing off the ear canal. This form factor means they can’t produce much in the way of deep bass, but they’re comfortable, and they can still sound better than most cheap unsealed earbuds with a little bit of EQ tweaking. They support automatic wear detection, multi-device pairing and hands-free Alexa access as well. That said, their five-hour battery life isn’t great, they don’t support wireless charging and they have a weak IPX2 water-resistance rating, so you won’t want to use them in the gym. We gave the Echo Buds a score of 77 in our review.
A few Anker charging accessories are discounted for Amazon’s Spring sale, including the recently released MagGo Power Bank 6.6K for $48. That’s $22 off Anker’s list price and a new low. This is a newer iteration of magnetic power banks we’ve previously recommended. It supports the Qi2 standard, so it can deliver a 15W wireless charge to compatible phones such as the iPhone 15. Many older wireless power banks along these lines can only provide a slower 7.5W charge. This model has a 6,600mAh capacity, so it should get close to fully refilling most handsets, and it supports pass-through charging, so it can refill a phone while being charged from its USB-C port. Its fold-out design lets it double as a charging stand, too, though it’s fairly bulky for something you might want to fit in a pocket.
If you’re willing to trade charging speed for something thinner, the variant of the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery with a PopSockets grip is also on sale for a low of $40. That one is slower to charge and has a lower capacity, but it can still provide a bit of extra juice when your phone is about to die, and the built-in grip makes it a little easier to hold.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is here, and we’re rounding up the best tech deals we can find as it rolls along. If you’re specifically looking for a new gadget on the cheap, though, we’ve sifted through the trash and picked out a few discounted devices that are genuinely worth your time and now available for less than $50. The offers include our favorite pair of budget wireless earbuds, Amazon’s own Echo speakers and Fire TV Stick streamers and a few of our favorite Bluetooth trackers, among others. Here are the best Amazon Spring sale tech deals under $50. As a reminder, Amazon says this sale will run through March 25 and isn’t exclusive to Prime subscribers.
Photo by Jeff Dunn / Engadget
The Anker Soundcore Space A40 is the top pick in our guide to the best budget wireless earbuds, and right now they’re on sale for $49 at Amazon via Anker directly. That’s an all-time low and $10 less than their typical sale price over the last couple of months. This pair provides the kind of feature set we expect from earbuds that cost twice as much: strong active noise cancellation (ANC), multi-device pairing, wireless charging, a transparency mode, custom EQ tools and a solid eight hours of battery life per charge. They aren’t the most detailed-sounding earbuds you’ll ever hear, but they have a warm profile that plays nice with most music out of the box. The main trade-offs are that they lack automatic wear detection, so they won’t auto-pause your music when you remove an earbud, and that the built-in mic isn’t especially clear for phone calls.
Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has brought the most recent Echo Dot down to $35, which is $12 more than the lowest price we’ve tracked but still $15 off the smart speaker’s usual going rate. It also matches the best price we’ve seen for the device in 2024. The Echo Dot is the “under $50” pick in our guide to the best smart speakers. It can still do just about all of the expected Alexa features, and it sounds decently balanced for something this compact. It can also serve as a node to extend an Eero mesh Wi-Fi system, if you own one of those. So long as you’re comfortable having a voice-activated speaker in your home in the first place, this is a good way to see if you’d find an Alexa device useful.
If you can pay a little bit extra, the full-size Amazon Echo is also on sale for $65. Again, that’s not an all-time low, but it’s $35 off Amazon’s list price. This model offers all the same functionality as the Echo Dot but sounds louder and fuller across the board, so it’s better for streaming music.
The Fire TV Stick 4K Max is back on sale for $40, which is a deal we’ve seen for a good chunk of the last few months but still matches the 4K streamer’s all-time low. It’s also a $20 drop from Amazon’s list price.
The 4K Max is the fastest streaming stick in Amazon’s lineup, and it supports Wi-Fi 6E for those with a compatible router. All the major streaming services and HDR formats work as well, as does Dolby Atmos audio. The main hang-up, as usual, is software: Amazon’s Fire OS is fairly aggressive about promoting the company’s own content across the UI, and it’s not shy about displaying ads. For most, the Roku Streaming Stick 4K or Google Chromecast will feel a bit cleaner to navigate. Still, this may not be a huge deal if you regularly use Amazon services like Alexa and Prime Video anyway, and the Max’s hardware is good value if you just want a cheap, fast thing to stream apps on a 4K TV.
Other Fire TV devices are on sale as well. The standard Fire TV Stick 4K, for one, is down to $30. That’s not an all-time low, but it’s $5 less than the device’s typical sale price in 2024. This model has a slightly slower processor than the Max; it tops out at Wi-Fi 6 instead of 6E; and it lacks Amazon’s Ambient Experience mode, which displays artwork and pertinent info when the TV is idle. But its core experience isn’t that different, so it’s a fine buy if you really want to save $10.
The Fire TV Stick Lite, meanwhile, is available for $20. That’s $5 more than the lowest price we’ve ever seen but $10 below its MSRP. This one is slower than either of the 4K models above, and it can only stream up to 1080p. Its remote also lacks built-in TV controls. But if you just want an ultracheap stick for an older TV, it might be enough.
The latest Amazon Echo Buds are back down to $35 for the Big Spring Sale. That matches their all-time low and comes in $15 below their normal going rate. This is another pair we recommend in our budget earbuds buying guide, specifically for those who prefer an open design that lets in outside noise instead of totally sealing off the ear canal. This form factor means they can’t produce much in the way of deep bass, but they’re comfortable, and they can still sound better than most cheap unsealed earbuds with a little bit of EQ tweaking. They support automatic wear detection, multi-device pairing and hands-free Alexa access as well. That said, their five-hour battery life isn’t great, they don’t support wireless charging and they have a weak IPX2 water-resistance rating, so you won’t want to use them in the gym. We gave the Echo Buds a score of 77 in our review.
A number of Anker charging accessories are discounted for Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, including the recently released MagGo Power Bank 6.6K for $48. That’s $22 off Anker’s list price and a new low. This is a newer iteration of magnetic power banks we’ve previously recommended. It supports the Qi2 standard, so it can deliver a 15W wireless charge to compatible phones such as the iPhone 15. Many older wireless power banks along these lines can only provide a slower 7.5W charge. This model has a 6,600mAh capacity, so it should get close to fully refilling most handsets, and it supports pass-through charging, so it can refill a phone while being charged from its USB-C port. Its fold-out design lets it double as a charging stand, too, though it’s fairly bulky for something you might want to fit in a pocket.
If you’re willing to trade charging speed for something thinner, the variant of the Anker 622 Magnetic Battery with a PopSockets grip is also on sale for a low of $40. That one is slower to charge and has a lower capacity, but it can still provide a bit of extra juice when your phone is about to die, and the built-in grip makes it a little easier to hold.
A two-pack of Tile Bluetooth trackers that includes the Tile Mate and the Tile Slim is on sale for $44. We saw the bundle go for a few bucks less around the holidays last year, but this discount still takes about $5 off its usual street price and matches its biggest drop thus far in 2024.
In general, we consider Tile trackers to be worthy alternatives to Apple’s AirTags if you use an Android phone. They’re not as precise as Apple’s pucks, but their crowd-finding network is still fairly large and they offer most of the same features. They also come in a wider range of designs: The Mate has a built-in keyring hole, and the Slim can slip easily into a wallet. We recommend the latter in our Bluetooth tracker buying guide. Tile says each device should last up to three years, but their batteries aren’t replaceable. They also lock separation alerts — which let you know when you’ve traveled too far from a tracked item — behind a subscription fee.
If you do own an iPhone and want something to help keep tabs on sensitive items, single AirTags are currently going for $24. We’ve seen that price for about two months, however, so it’s not much of a deal.
If you want a Bluetooth tracker and use a Samsung Galaxy phone, however, we recommend the company’s Galaxy SmartTag 2 in our buying guide. Amazon’s Spring sale has dropped those down to $21 apiece, which is $2 off the tracker’s all-time low but $9 below its list price. This tracker is a breeze to setup with a Galaxy device, and its water-resistant, fob-shaped design is easy to clip to a keychain, luggage or pet collar. It also has a replaceable battery. It’s not quite as pinpoint accurate as an AirTag, as Samsung’s SmartThings Find network isn’t as huge as Apple’s Find My setup, but we still found it to work reliably in testing. This is a Samsung-only affair, though, so you should only buy it if you’re a dedicated Galaxy fan.
Upgrade your iPhone photography with this $23 portable LED stream light. Photo: Cult of Mac Deals
Social media and FaceTime mean we’re all shooting more iPhone videos and photos than ever — sometimes in lighting conditions that are far from ideal. This Mini Foldable Stream Light is easy to take anywhere, so it provides better lighting anytime (and anywhere) you plan to be streaming video or taking pix.
Mini Foldable Stream Light delivers better lighting for streaming
The big advantage this streaming light provides is a wide range of color temperatures. If you’ve ever shot a video and thought it looked too red or too blue, what you’re observing is the color temperature of the light out of balance with what your iPhone perceives as white. Fortunately, this portable iPhone accessory can fix this widespread problem easily.
With 24 LED RGB modes to choose from, it’s easy to match your light with the illumination around you. Or, you can use color effects to set the mood. The 66 professional bright eye care beads provide smooth and even light with no flickering, so you can focus on capturing your image without worrying about the darkness or contrast.
This portable key light doubles as an iPhone stand
The Mini Foldable Stream Light serves dual purposes, as it also unfolds into an iPhone stand. Adjust the plastic stand, clamp in your iPhone and then flip up the light (or leave it down if you need a more natural effect). The stand also can serve as a handle for stabler shoots as you’re moving.
The entire package can be stowed in a pocket when folded up, so it’s always with you when you’re ready to shoot. It runs on its own separate 1,000mAh battery that lasts up to eight hours, so it won’t sap your iPhone’s juice.
Save on portable streaming light for better iPhone photos and videos
Get crisper and more effective videos and photos on your iPhone with this Mini Foldable Stream Light, now just $22.99.
In the ever-expanding universe of digital entertainment, the allure of free streaming apps has never been stronger. As we navigate through 2024, the landscape of free streaming services offers a rich tapestry of content, from timeless classics to the latest blockbuster hits. If you’re on the hunt for quality entertainment without the price tag, you’re in luck. We’ve curated a list of the top 10 free streaming apps that promise to keep you engaged without dipping into your wallet.
Freevee (formerly IMDb TV) shines as a beacon for those who revel in a vast array of movies and popular TV shows. It stands out for its well-produced original content that keeps viewers coming back for more. While it’s ad-supported and its interface might feel a tad outdated, the trade-off is a treasure trove of entertainment that’s hard to pass up, it is owned by Amazon and comes in the form of an App.
The Roku Channel offers a compelling reason to invest in a Roku device, thanks to its free live TV channels and a robust library of on-demand content. With an increasing roster of Roku Originals, it’s carving out a niche for itself. Bear in mind, its full potential is unlocked with Roku hardware, and yes, it includes ads.
Pluto TV mimics traditional TV with its impressive lineup of linear-style channels alongside a selection of on-demand movies and shows. It’s a fantastic option for those who miss channel surfing. However, pinpointing specific on-demand titles can be a bit of a scavenger hunt. Advertisements are part of the package here as well.
Tubi is the hidden gem hunter’s dream, boasting an extensive collection of movies and TV shows. Its library is peppered with both mainstream hits and lesser-known titles, ensuring there’s always something new to discover. Ads support the service, and some content may not be the latest releases.
Crackle delivers a nostalgic mix of classic and recent movies and TV shows, often surprising viewers with unexpected hits. While it’s ad-supported and its selection isn’t the largest, the quality of what’s available makes it a worthwhile stop for entertainment seekers.
Sling Freestream offers a varied selection of live news, sports, and entertainment channels, complemented by some on-demand content. It’s a free offshoot of Sling’s paid subscriptions, bringing a taste of its premium offering to the table without any cost, aside from the presence of ads.
Vudu is a movie lover’s paradise, featuring a vast catalog of popular films available for free viewing (with ads) or for purchase/rent. While it’s more movie-centric, offering fewer TV show options, its selection is regularly updated with fresh content.
Xumo focuses on live news and sports, providing a good mix of channels for those interested in staying updated or catching the latest game. It’s ad-supported and might lean less towards movies and popular shows, but its live content is a strong draw.
Peacock, the home of NBC’s beloved shows, presents a decent mix of movies and series. It operates on a freemium model, where its best shows are reserved for the paid tier, but the free content is still abundant and engaging.
Kanopy sets itself apart by catering to fans of documentaries, foreign films, and educational content. Access requires a library card, making it a unique partnership with libraries across the country. It’s a treasure trove for the intellectually curious.
Availability and Content to Note:
It’s important to remember that the availability of these free streaming services can vary by region. Additionally, being predominantly ad-supported means you’ll encounter commercial breaks. Content libraries are also in constant flux, so your favorite show today might not be available tomorrow.
By exploring these free streaming apps, you unlock a world of entertainment without the financial commitment. Each platform has its unique strengths and potential drawbacks, but together, they offer an impressive range of choices for every type of viewer. Whether you’re a movie buff, a TV series aficionado, or someone who loves stumbling upon hidden gems, there’s something for everyone in 2024’s lineup of free streaming services.
Image Credit: Tech Daily
Filed Under: Entertainment News, Guides
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Welcome to the future of video recording and streaming. The OBSBOT Tail Air is a revolutionary 4K smart streaming PTZ camera that’s designed to take your content creation to the next level. With its advanced features and user-friendly interface, this camera is a game-changer for vloggers, content creators, and anyone who wants to capture their world in stunning detail.
The OBSBOT Tail Air is packed with innovative features that make it stand out from the crowd. Its 1/1.8″ CMOS 8MP sensor ensures crystal clear image quality, while the updated AI human/animal/object tracking and Gesture Control 2.0 make it easy to capture dynamic footage. With its micro-HDMI output and 3.5mm audio input jack, you can easily connect it to your devices for seamless streaming.
Key Features of the OBSBOT Tail Air
4K@30fps & 1080p@60fps with 1/1.8” StarLight CMOS for high-quality video recording.
8 prime lens & ƒ/1.8 Aperture for brighter frames & less noise in low light.
Compatibility with HDMI, USB-C, Ethernet, & Wi-Fi; it also supports NDI, RTMP, RTSP, and VISCA for versatile streaming options.
Smart remote controller for smooth control of up to 3 Tail Airs.
Intuitive Gesture Control 2.0 for effortless video shooting and dynamic gestures for precise zoom adjustments.
The OBSBOT Tail Air is not just about high-tech features. It’s also designed with user convenience in mind. It’s lightweight, weighing just 344.5g, and compact, making it easy to carry around. Plus, it comes with a storage box, a USB-C Male to Dual USB-C Female Splitter, a USB-C Cable, and a USB-C to USB-A Adapter, so you have everything you need to start recording right away.
So why wait? Elevate your content creation game with the OBSBOT Tail Air. With its advanced features and user-friendly design, it’s the perfect tool for capturing your world in stunning detail. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to take your videos to the next level. Order your OBSBOT Tail Air today and start creating content that stands out.
Remember, the OBSBOT Tail Air is more than just a camera. It’s a tool that empowers you to unleash your creativity and share your world in a whole new way. With its 4K video recording, smart tracking, and gesture control, it’s a game-changer for content creators. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to elevate your content creation game. Get your OBSBOT Tail Air today and start creating content that stands out.
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Imagine taking your streaming and gaming to a whole new level with a piece of equipment that’s designed to make your content stand out. That’s exactly what Roland has done with their latest offering, the BRIDGE CAST X. This new device is a powerhouse for streamers and gamers alike, offering a suite of features that can transform your online presence. With a price tag of $499.99, it’s a serious piece of kit for those who are serious about their content creation.
The BRIDGE CAST X is a dual bus streaming mixer and video capture device that acts as a central hub for all your connectivity needs. It’s equipped with a variety of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and audio inputs, allowing you to hook up high-quality cameras and gaming consoles without the hassle of constantly switching cables. For those who want to ensure their commentary is crystal clear, there’s an XLR microphone input that promises to deliver your voice with exceptional clarity.
When you’re live on air, having control at your fingertips is essential. The BRIDGE CAST X understands this and provides six control pads that you can assign to different functions, alongside an easy-to-use control panel. This setup means you can manage your stream effectively, keeping your focus on engaging with your audience and creating great content.
Roland BRIDGE CAST X
Audio quality is a big deal when it comes to keeping viewers hooked, and the BRIDGE CAST X doesn’t disappoint. It builds on the legacy of its predecessor, the BRIDGE CAST Dual Bus Gaming Mixer, by allowing you to mix audio channels for both your personal monitoring and the live audience. This ensures that everyone gets the best possible listening experience. Here are some other articles you may find of interest on the subject of streaming :
Streaming video capture and mixer
But the BRIDGE CAST X isn’t just about the hardware. It works in tandem with the BRIDGE CAST app, which opens up a world of customization. The app gives you control over audio processing, voice transformation, and Game EQ presets, so you can tweak your sound to perfection. Plus, you can personalize the hardware controls to suit your streaming style.
No stream is complete without background music and sound effects, and the BGM CAST service has you covered. It provides a vast library of royalty-free tracks and sounds, so you don’t have to worry about licensing issues. And if you’re looking for even more creative assets, a Roland Cloud Core membership offers an abundance of resources to enhance your content.
The BRIDGE CAST X is set to hit the U.S. market in February, and it’s poised to become an essential part of your streaming and gaming arsenal. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or just starting out, this device is designed to be a key component in your creative endeavors. With the BRIDGE CAST X, Roland is offering a tool that promises to elevate your online presence and help you produce professional-grade content with ease.
Filed Under: Hardware, Top News
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In the dynamic world of live streaming and content creation, AVerMedia Technologies has stepped up its game by unveiling two new PCIe capture cards that promise to take your streaming experience to the next level. The HDMI 2.1 Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575) and the Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571) are the latest additions to AVerMedia’s lineup, designed to cater to the diverse needs of content creators, from the tech-savvy to those just starting out.
Live streaming capture cards
Live Gamer 4K 2.1: Available now at a suggested retail price of US $269.99.
Live Streamer ULTRA HD: Available now at a suggested retail price of $179.99.
2.1 Live Gamer 4K 2.1 (GC575)
The Live Gamer 4K 2.1, with a price tag of $269.99, is a top-of-the-line option for those looking to produce the highest quality content. It boasts a 4K144 pass-through with HDR and VRR, ensuring that your gameplay is displayed in the most vivid and fluid manner possible. Additionally, it captures video at 60 frames per second in 4K, making it an ideal choice for creators who aim to deliver ultra-high-definition content to their audience.
Make sure that both your display and console (PS5, PS4 Pro, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One X) support HDMI 2.1 connections.
If your monitor supports built-in DSC (Display Stream Compression), be aware that the maximum supported video pass-through might be 4K120.
Live Streamer ULTRA HD (GC571)
For those who are mindful of their budget but still want to produce high-quality streams, the Live Streamer ULTRA HD is an attractive alternative. Priced at $179.99, it offers 4K streaming and capturing capabilities, providing your viewers with crisp, high-resolution visuals. Its ease of use and compact size make it a great fit for newcomers to streaming or those with space constraints.
Both capture cards are designed to integrate smoothly with AVerMedia’s RECentral software, which simplifies the process of streaming to multiple platforms simultaneously. This means you can share your content with a wider audience across various channels with minimal hassle. The software’s intuitive interface also helps you focus more on creating engaging content rather than getting bogged down by technical details.
AVerMedia’s commitment to enhancing the streaming experience is evident in these new offerings. The Live Gamer 4K 2.1 and the Live Streamer ULTRA HD are packed with features that address the needs of streamers at different levels of expertise and financial considerations. With the ability to capture 4K60 video and support for 4K144 pass-through with HDR/VRR, these capture cards are set to improve the quality of your live streams significantly. Whether you’re a seasoned content creator or just starting, AVerMedia provides the tools you need to produce top-notch content and grow your audience.
Filed Under: Gaming News, Top News
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