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printcontentsfull screenprint28 VIDEOMAKER >>> APRIL 2019
The best new video tech at CES 2019
system is compatible with Windows,
Mac and Linux computers.
This fl exibility extends to the
available RAID confi gurations. These
include Individual mode, JBOB, RAID
0, RAID 1/10 and RAID 5. The TR-004
even supports the partitioning of drives
for multiple RAID confi gurations. The
enclosure’s Software Crtl mode allows
RAID confi guration to be controlled
through a QNAP NAS or a computer
with the QNAP External RAID Manager
utility. This utility can also be used to
monitor the health and status of the
enclosure and installed drives.
The QNAP TR-004 is available now
starting at $225 for the enclosure only.Best NAS: QNAP TVS-472xT
The QNAP TVS-472XT is a four-bay
NAS solution designed for content
creators. It runs on an 8th generation
Intel Pentium Gold dual-core 3.1GHz
processor and 4GB DDR4 memory. Up
to 32GB of RAM is available for more
demanding workfl ows. This four-bay
NAS supports SATA 6Gb/s drives and
provides AES-NI data encryption to
protect your fi les.
A big highlight of this NAS is that
it offers both Thunderbolt 3 and
10GBASE-T connectivity, promising
speedy fi le access for both Mac and
PC users with transfer speeds of up to
1158 MB/s download. Thunderbolt 3
connectivity allows for two Thunder-
bolt-equipped Mac or PC computers
to simultaneously access and process
media fi les stored on the NAS without
impacting performance.
Two PCIe Gen 3 slots mean you can
upgrade the 472XT with a discrete
graphics card, a QM2 M.2 SSD for
faster fi le access through caching or a
10GbE card for additional connectivity.
Users can also use the PCIe slots for a
10GbE/40GbE adapter for even faster
fi le transfer, or add a wireless network
card for another way to connect.
Built-in Qtier Technology allows the
NAS to automatically organize data be-
tween M.2 SSDs, 2.5-inch SSDs and larg-
er HDDs according to how frequently
users access specifi c fi les. IO-awareness
promises to further optimize perfor-
mance by reserving space for burst I/O
demands. Both features aim to increase
workfl ow effi ciency and maximize the
advantages of using SSDs.Also included is an HDMI 2.0 output
for 4K videopreview. The TVS-272XT
also supports 4K H.264 hardware de-
coding and real-time transcoding.
This NAS is available now starting at
$1,149 for the enclosure.Best Mobile Workstation:
MSI PS63 Modern
MSI is breaking into the mainstream
market with its PS63 Modern creator-
focused laptop. The PS63 is a 15.6-inch
laptop that’s just 0.6 inches thick and
3.6 pounds. That’s pretty portable for
a 15-inch laptop. While it’s small, the
PS63 doesn’t seem to be lacking in the
effi ciency department.
Going inside of the PS63, it’s
powered by the current Intel Core i7
processor and a GeForce GTX 1050
Max-Q. It also offers up to 32 GB
DDR4 RAM and up to two M.2 SSDs.
The 15.6-inches 1080p display
should be able to accurately repro-
duce color for most video work with
nearly 100 percent sRGB coverage.
The laptop comes with a touchpad
said to be faster and more respon-
sive, according to MSI. MSI claims the
touchpad is 30 percent more respon-
sive and 35 percent larger. Plus, it sup-
ports more than 10 gestures optimized
with Windows 10.
For cooling, the PS63 features
Cooler Boost 3 dual-fan cooling.
There is support for both HDMI and
microSD, in addition to USB-C and
USB-A. However, there is no support
for Thunderbolt 3.
Pricing for the MSI PS63 Modern
starts at $1,299.Best Streaming Switcher:
Roland VR-1HD
This dynamic multi-camera mixer can
connect, switch and stream cameras,
presentations and gameplay, as well as
smartphones and tablets with HDMI
converters. The device offers “amazing
picture quality and sound that outper-
forms video live streamed from just
a mobile phone or static webcam,”
according to Roland.
Each of the three inputs on the
VR-1HD accepts HD and computer
video resolutions. The device can also
be used as an audio mixer with two
studio-quality XLR microphone inputs
and a line input.
The VR-1HD also allows users to go
hands-free and headset-free while live
streaming with a top-mounted mic in-
put. This lets users use a gooseneck mic
to operate the VR-1HD with dedicated
controls. The mixer can switch cam-
eras based on who is speaking into the
microphone. If more than one person
talks into a mic, or if everyone is silent,
the VR-1HD will switch to a wide shot
capturing both speakers.
Additionally, the Scene Switching
functionality allows users to instantly
switch between scenes with transi-
tions. Other functions include Auto
Scan function, which gives users the
ability to pre-set a specifi c time for
switching between sources. Also, Beat
Sync Switching listens to the tempo of a
performance and automatically selects
which camera inputs to switch between.
This mixer just needs to be plugged
to a computer’s USB port for a fully pro-
duced live cast or recording. Those whoBest SSD:
SanDisk Extreme Pro SSD 500GBBest HDD:
Lacie Mobile Drive 5TB383 CES Awards.indd 28 2/19/19 2:49 PMVIDEOMAKER >>> APRIL 2019 29
Best Headphones:
Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT
Audio-Technica has upgraded its ac-
claimed M50x headphones. The new
ATH-M50xBT offer wireless connec-
tion over Bluetooth and promise up
to 40 hours of battery life. They also
have a detectable wired connection
for times when fi delity is a priority.
Audio-Technica continues to cross
over into the consumer market with
the ATH-M50xBT. While the compa-
ny’s M-Series models were made to be
pro-headphones, Audio-Technica also
wants to appeal to consumers.
Coming off of a full charge, the
ATH-M50xBT can last up to 40 hours.
But you can choose to use the head-
phones with a USB wire if the battery
starts to get low or if you just want to
have a wired connection.
Audio-Technica retains the robust
construction, fold-fl at design withstream on Twitch, YouTube or Facebook
can all fi nd use out of the Roland VR-
1HD. This switcher is priced at $1,495.Best Microphone: Shure MV88+
Shure at CES 2019 unveiled the MV88+
Video Kit, which looks to give con-
tent creators everything they need to
capture pro-level audio with a mobile
device. The kit includes a digital stereo
condenser microphone, a Manfrotto
PIXI tripod, phone clamp, and iOS and
USB-C cables for connectivity.
The updated MV88+ iOS Digital
Stereo Condenser Microphone is the
main star here, however. It’s the latest
digital mic in the Shure MOTIV line.
According to Shure, the mic is tailored
for videographers, podcasters and
content creators on the go. It promises
to record “immersive, rich, high-quali-
ty audio wherever.”
Compatible with iOS and other
devices, the MV88+ Video Kit seems
to offer variety and versatility. For
instance, you can use the headphone
jack to monitor the audio in real-time
and you can use the phone clamp and
tripod stand to record in numerous
environments and situations.
Additionally, according to Shure, the
kit allows users to easily thread de-
vices into the mounting platform for
quick transitions between setups. And
you can use the kit without removing
the phone from its case. The phone
mount is also compatible with exist-
ing setups that use a 1/4”-20 connec-
tor. The MV88+ Video Kit is open for
pre-order right now for $249.90-degree swiveling earcups, and the
“professional-grade” earpads and
headband found on the ATH-M50x.
Additionally, there are mounted con-
trols on the left earcup for managing
phone calls and music playback. The
headphones are closed-back and de-
ploy a 45mm large-aperture driver that
can reproduce frequencies from 15 to
28,000 Hz. The Audio-Technica ATH-
M50xBT headphones go for $199.Best Gimbal:
Zhiyun-tech WEEBILL LAB
Zhiyun-tech showcased its WEEBILL
LAB gimbal at CES 2019. This small
gimbal is similar to phone stabiliz-
ers but instead balances mirrorless
cameras. Zhiyun-tech equipped the
WEEBILL LAB with an external fol-
low focus motor that should support
“precise and smooth” focus control
for all camera systems, according toThe best new video tech at CES 2019
Best Raid:
QNAP TR-004Best NAS:
QNAP TVS-472xTBest Mobile Workstation:
MSI PS63 ModernBest Streaming Switcher:
Roland VR-1HDBest Microphone:
Shure MV88+Best Streaming Switcher:
Roland VR-1HD
This dynamic multi-camera mixer can
connect, switch and stream cameras,
presentations and gameplay, as well as
smartphones and tablets with HDMI
converters. The device offers “amazing
picture quality and sound that outper-
forms video live streamed from just
a mobile phone or static webcam,”
according to Roland.
Each of the three inputs on the
VR-1HD accepts HD and computer
video resolutions. The device can also
be used as an audio mixer with two
studio-quality XLR microphone inputs
and a line input.
The VR-1HD also allows users to go
hands-free and headset-free while live
streaming with a top-mounted mic in-
put. This lets users use a gooseneck mic
to operate the VR-1HD with dedicated
controls. The mixer can switch cam-
eras based on who is speaking into the
microphone. If more than one person
talks into a mic, or if everyone is silent,
the VR-1HD will switch to a wide shot
capturing both speakers.
Additionally, the Scene Switching
functionality allows users to instantly
switch between scenes with transi-
tions. Other functions include Auto
Scan function, which gives users the
ability to pre-set a specifi c time for
switching between sources. Also, Beat
Sync Switching listens to the tempo of a
performance and automatically selects
which camera inputs to switch between.
This mixer just needs to be plugged
to a computer’s USB port for a fully pro-
duced live cast or recording. Those who383 CES Awards.indd 29 2/19/19 2:49 PM