With the warmer months coming up, I’m looking forward to spending more time outdoors, having fun with friends, chilling with family, and, most importantly, grooving to our favorite tracks. The gorgeous Beats Pill speaker is the perfect way to do all of that, especially now that you can get your hands on one for just $100 on Amazon. This is the most recent version of the Beats Pill (released in 2024) with a smaller and lighter build with IP67 water/dust resistance, more powerful output, and up to 24 hours of battery on a single charge. When it runs low, you can recharge it via USB-C cable and regain 2 hours of playback with just 10 minutes of charging. Say what you will about the brand, but Beats knows how to make a great design, and this one’s perfect to take with you down by the lake or to the pool. Despite its handheld size, the speaker can produce enough high-quality sound for both indoor and outdoor entertainment, complete with punchy bass if you care about that sort of thing. The Beats Pill works with both Apple and Android devices, so you’re good to go no matter which ecosystem you prefer. Just make sure to place your order soon because this deal won’t last forever, and $100 is still the best price we’ve seen for the Beats Pill. The Beats Pill is a trendy bargain at 33% offBuy now at Amazon Read...

Powerful gaming laptops usually come with big price tags, but you can save hundreds if you wait for deals like this one. The Gigabyte G6 KF laptop is only $950 at Best Buy right now, which is a lovely 23% discount off its original MSRP and a nice bargain for the specs. This “gaming” laptop is perfectly good for non-gamers, packing enough power to breeze through work, leisure, entertainment, and creative endeavors like video editing. Jump from Excel to Netflix to Adobe Premiere Pro, then hop into your favorite Steam games and enjoy them on decent settings at great frame rates. This laptop will get it done for you. With the G6 KF, you’re getting a 13th-gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 discrete graphics card, a copious 32GB of DDR5 RAM, and a fast SSD with lots of storage at 1TB capacity. It’s an all-around well-equipped machine that can crank out high performance when you need it. The large 16-inch display is easy on the eyes, even with the rather standard 1920×1200 resolution. But the speedy 165Hz refresh rate grants you smooth visuals at higher frame rates, which is perfect for today’s immersive 3D gaming experiences. It’s a nice laptop at an even nicer price, so don’t miss out on this chance to grab a Gigabyte G6 KF for just $950 at Best Buy. This deal won’t last forever and it might be a while before we see big sales again. Save $250 on this RTX 4060 laptop with powerful specsBuy now at Best Buy Read...

Anna Mowbray and Ali Williams want a 12,500 seat stadium alongside community sport, high performance, med-tech, hospitality and live entertainment facilities. Read...

Just like with hockey and baseball, your options for watching local NBA games this year can vary drastically based on where you live. In 2025, all but one NBA team offers standalone streaming options, allowing you to watch in-market games without an expensive pay TV package. Six NBA teams are also broadcasting local games over the air, so you can watch for free with an antenna (don’t miss TechHive’s top TV antenna recommendations). Meanwhile, a couple of pay TV holdouts remain. Wouldn’t it be nice if someone provided a single page on which to look up your local NBA team and see what you needed to watch in-market games without cable for the 2024-2025 season? That is precisely the service we are providing right here. (If you missed it, here’s a similar resource for this season’s NHL coverage.) NBA in-market streaming options: An overview for 2024-2025 Below is a chart showing every National Basketball Association team, its corresponding local channel or regional sports network, the live TV streaming services that carry those channels, and whether any standalone alternatives exist. Note that these options only apply for locally televised, in-market games. We’ll get to the options for nationally televised games—including most playoff coverage—in a bit. If you find this chart difficult to read, you can also view a version on Google Sheets. NBA TeamLocal channel/RSNStreaming bundle optionsUnbundled optionsAtlanta HawksFanDuel Sports Network SoutheastDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Boston CelticsNBC Sports BostonYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo, DTV StreamPeacock sub required, plus $15/moBrooklyn NetsYES NetworkDTV Stream, FuboYES on Gotham Sports ($25/mo or $240/yr)$360/yr with MSGCharlotte HornetsFanDuel Sports Network SoutheastDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Chicago BullsChicago Sports NetworkDirecTV StreamCHSN ($20/mo)Free over-the-airCleveland CavaliersFanDuel Sports Network OhioDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Dallas MavericksKFAA and WFAADTV Stream, FuboMavsTV ($15/mo or $125/yr)Free over-the-airDenver NuggetsAltitude SportsDirecTV Stream, FuboAltitude+ ($20/mo)20 games over-the-air (9News and My20)Detroit PistonsFanDuel Sports Network DetroitDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Golden State WarriorsNBC Sports Bay AreaYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo, DTV StreamPeacock sub required, plus $18/moHouston RocketsSpace City Home NetworkDTV Stream, Fubo–Indiana PacersFanDuel Sports Network IndianaDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Los Angeles ClippersFanDuel Sports Network SoCalDTV Stream, FuboClipperVision ($20/mo or $125/yr)Los Angeles LakersSpectrum SportsNetDTV StreamSpectrum SportsNet+ ($20/mo or $195/yr)Memphis GrizzliesFanDuel Sports Network SoutheastDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Miami HeatFanDuel Sports Network SunDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Milwaukee BucksFanDuel Sports Network WisconsinDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Minnesota TimberwolvesFanDuel Sports Network NorthDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)New Orleans PelicansGulf Coast Sports & Entertainment NetworkFuboPelicans+ ($15/mo or $100/yr)Free over-the-airNew York KnicksMSG NetworkDTV Stream, FuboMSG on Gotham Sports ($30/mo or $280/yr)$360/yr with YESOklahoma City ThunderFanDuel Sports Network OklahomaDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Orlando MagicFanDuel Sports Network FloridaDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Philadelphia 76ersNBC Sports PhiladelphiaYTTV, Hulu Live, FuboPeacock sub required, plus $25/moPhoenix SunsArizona’s FamilyFuboSuns Live ($15/mo or $100/yr)Free over-the-airPortland Trail BlazersRip City TV Network–BlazerVision ($120/yr)Free over-the-airSacramento KingsNBC Sports CaliforniaYTTV, Hulu Live, Fubo, DTV StreamPeacock sub required, plus $18/moSan Antonio SpursFanDuel Sports Network SouthwestDTV Stream, FuboFanDuel Sports Network+ ($20/mo or $190/yr)Toronto RaptorsTSN–TSN ($20/mo, $80/half-year, $120/yr)Utah JazzKJZZ14DTV StreamJazz+ ($20/mo or $125.50/yr)SEG+ (Utah HC bundle, $175/yr)Free over-the-airWashington WizardsNBC Sports WashingtonYTTV, Hulu Live, DTV StreamMonumental ($20/mo or $200/yr)Note: DTV Stream stands for DirecTV Stream, and YTTV stands for YouTube TV. Out-of-market NBA streaming As in previous years, NBA League Pass lets you watch any out-of-market game that isn’t nationally-televised. If your favorite team plays in a different city from where you live, you can forgo the regional sports options above and get League Pass instead. It costs $17 per month or $110 for the season. What about nationally televised games? The unbundled options above won’t entitle you to NBA games that air on national television, including the playoffs and in-season tournament (now dubbed the “Emirates NBA Cup”). Those games are split between ESPN, ABC, and TNT, with a small number of playoff games on NBA TV, so figuring out the best course of action can get tricky. TNT’s basketball coverage is still included with Max at $10 per month with ads or $17 per month without. While Warner eventually plans to charge an extra $10 per month for live sports, it’s not doing so yet. NBA TV is available on a standalone basis through NBA League Pass, which also includes out-of-market games. It costs $17 per month or $110 for the season. As for the other channels, you could try to pick up ABC’s coverage with an antenna, but that still doesn’t help you with the games on ESPN. All of which brings us to live TV streaming services, which are the best way to bundle everything together: Sling TV Orange is the cheapest option at $40 per month (plus an extra $11 per month for NBA TV), but it’s missing ABC in all but a handful of markets. YouTube TV is a more complete option at $73 per month. Hulu + Live TV costs $83 per month but does not carry NBA TV. Fubo includes regional sports in many markets, but is much pricier at $92 per month (or more, depending on regional sports fees) and lacks TNT, a major source of NBA coverage. DirecTV Stream also includes regional sports for most markets in its “Choice” package, but it’s expensive at $115 per month. Ultimately you’ll have to decide whether to piece things together (or even forgo some NBA coverage) in pursuit of greater savings, or pay more for the convenience of a bigger bundle. For more help navigating the streaming sports landscape, check out these useful tools. And consider signing up for my Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter to get money-saving streaming advice every Friday. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Spectacular battery life Attractive and robust design Plenty of RAM and solid-state storage for the price Cons Cramped keyboard and touchpad IPS touchscreen’s image quality doesn’t stand out Lackluster CPU and GPU performance Our Verdict The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo doesn’t score high marks in performance benchmarks, but it does achieve superb battery life. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a 13-inch Windows 2-in-1, which is part of a rare breed. Though once considered the future of Windows, 2-in-1’s have gone out of fashion and many companies have turned attention towards larger 14-inch laptops. That has consequences for the Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s performance, but some will forgive its modest benchmark scores once they see its battery life.  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Specs and features The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s specifications are towards the high end of what’s typical for a thin-and-light Windows device. That’s not because of the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, which is found in many devices, but instead because of the memory and solid-state storage, which weigh in at 32GB and 2TB, respectively.  It’s certainly possible to find 13-inch devices with this much RAM and storage (or more!), but it’s not common and better-equipped laptops are usually much more expensive. Model number: A2VMTG-017US CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V Memory: 32GB LPDDR5x Graphics/GPU: Intel Arc 140V  NPU: Intel AI Boost up to 47 TOPS (Int8) Display: 13.3-inch 1920×1200 60Hz IPS Touchscreen Storage: 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD Webcam: 1080p 30fps camera with physical privacy shutter, dual array microphone Connectivity: 2x Thunderbolt 4 / USB-C 4 with Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm combo audio jack Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4 Biometrics: Fingerprint reader  Battery capacity: 70 watt-hours Dimensions: 11.82 x 8.75 x 0.64 inches Weight: 2.98 pounds Other features: MSI Pen 2 active stylus Operating System: Windows 11 Pro Price: $1,599 MSRP The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo comes in two flavors: 012US and 017US. I reviewed the slightly more expensive 017US model. The two variants are mostly the same, as the only difference is the solid-state drive, which is upgraded from 1TB to 2TB in the 017US model. That upgrade adds $100 to the price.  The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a thin-and-light 13-inch 2-in-1 with an attractive design and great battery life. These traits will appeal to shoppers who don’t need a high-performance PC but do want outstanding battery life that may allow use over multiple days without needing a charge.  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Design and build quality IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo makes a good first impression. Clad in black with gold accents, it strikes a distinctive and luxurious profile. I suspect the gold accents won’t be to everyone’s taste, but I like them, and they set the laptop apart from its peers. Material quality is a highlight, too. The laptop is clad in stiff aluminum that holds up to rough handling. There’s minimal flex when opening or closing the laptop or when picking it up from one side or corner. This is typical for small, premium 2-in-1s like the Summit 13 AI+ Evo, but it’s still good to see.  And, yes, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a 2-in-1, though you could be forgiven for missing that. The design’s sharp edges and lines don’t scream “use me as a tablet!” and make it uncomfortable to hold if you chose to do that. The Summit ships with the MSI Pen 2 (which typically retails for $100).  The Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s design will appeal to people who travel light. It weighs just 2.98 pounds, measures 0.64 inches thick, and is less than a foot wide. This is similar to most competitors though some, like the Qualcomm-powered Dell XPS 13 and Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, are even smaller. MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Keyboard, trackpad IDG / Matthew Smith I never felt comfortable using the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s keyboard. The layout is acceptable but opts for large spaces between keys which, due to the laptop’s small size, means many keys are smaller than usual.  All of this makes for a cramped experience. It’s workable, and individual key feel is good, but a Dell XPS 13 or Surface Laptop 13 will feel more spacious. The Summit’s touchpad is small, too, measuring just under five inches wide and a tad more than 2 inches deep. It’s among the smallest touchpads I’ve used in the past year, and it’s noticeably cramped when trying to execute Windows multi-touch gestures (like vertical scroll or pinch-to-minimize).  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Display, audio IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo ships with a 1920×1200 IPS-LCD touchscreen. It looks nice, but it’s far from the best display available from a laptop or 2-in-1 in this price range.  You can expect bright, vivid color, but the limited contrast ratio of IPS-LCD panels can make the display look washed-out in comparison to competitors with an OLED panel. The dreaded “IPS glow” — a hazy gray sheen over darker scenes — is noticeable when viewing the display in a dark or dim room. The IPS display is a touchscreen. It’s responsive and smooth. But, like most touchscreens, it opts for a glossy display finish. Glare can make the display difficult to see outdoors or near bright lights.  Motion clarity is mediocre, too, as the Summit’s display has a refresh rate that never exceeds 60Hz. That’s disappointing, as many competitors (especially those with an OLED panel) have a refresh rate of 90Hz or 120Hz. A pair of downward-firing speakers provide the laptop’s audio. They can reach impressive volumes, but they lack bass, which means music, movies, games, and other entertainment will sound harsh and tinny at higher volumes. Even so, I think the audio is slightly above average for a small 2-in-1 and fine for entertainment at lower volumes.  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Webcam, microphone, biometrics MSI ships the Summit 13 AI+ Evo with a 1080p webcam that looks reasonably sharp and vibrant (for a webcam). However, many competitors now offer a 1440p webcam, which looks even sharper. Still, it’s a fine camera, and good enough for Zoom calls.  The same is true of the microphone array. Nothing about it stands out, but it provides good audio capture and does a reasonable job of canceling background noise. Biometric login is available through both Windows Hello facial recognition and a fingerprint reader below the keyboard on the right-hand side. I prefer facial recognition, but both options work well.  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Connectivity IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s connectivity is limited and focused on modern ports.  It has two Thunderbolt 4 ports. Both support Power Delivery and DisplayPort, which means both can be used to charge the laptop and/or connect to a monitor. The ports also provide USB-C.  These are joined by a single USB-A port, HDMI 2.1, and a 3.5mm audio jack. A wired Ethernet port is not included (though that’s typical for thin laptops and 2-in-1s in 2025).  That’s not a lot of ports, so the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo will need to be paired with a hub or dock if you want to connect multiple monitors and USB peripherals at once.  Also, all the USB ports are on the left flank. You’ll be fine if your dock would normally sit to the left of the 2-in-1 but, if it sits to the right, cable management is finicky.  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Performance The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is built for portability more than performance. It has an Intel Core Ultra 7 258V inside with four performance cores and four efficient cores (a total of eight cores). As usual, this is paired with Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics. The model I reviewed also had 32GB of memory and 2TB of solid-state storage.  That’s a lot of memory and storage. But the processor’s limited core count and the thin profile hold performance back. IDG / Matthew Smith PCMark 10 is a holistic test of CPU, GPU, and storage performance. The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo gets off to a rough start with a combined score of 6,734. Scores of around 7,000 or more are common, so the MSI lags the pack. However, it’s notable that the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, another thin-and-light 13-inch laptop, barely beats the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo, while the 14-inch laptops steam ahead. As you’ll see, that’s a trend across all the benchmarks.  IDG / Matthew Smith Cinebench 2024 is a demanding multi-threaded processor benchmark. It also offers x86 and Arm-native variants, so I can bring a Snapdragon-powered laptop (the Asus ProArt PZ13) in for comparison. The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo struggles to stand out. Though it defeats the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon, it otherwise failed to beat the competitors in its price bracket.  IDG / Matthew Smith Our Handbrake test is a heavily multi-threaded, long-duration test that transcodes a 2-hour-long movie. It serves as a gauge of performance over longer and more demanding workloads. The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo struggles once again. Though it performed better than the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (which is notable, as the Carbon is over $500 more expensive), the MSI otherwise falls way behind competitive systems. IDG / Matthew Smith Next up is 3DMark Night Raid, a 3D graphics test. This test has x86 and Arm-native versions, so I’m once again able to bring a Qualcomm-powered system into the graph. Intel’s Arc 140V graphics are quite capable and leave Qualcomm’s Adreno in the dust. However, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo delivers modest performance for a laptop with Arc 140V graphics, defeating only the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon. Unfortunately, the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s overall benchmark performance falls behind many similarly priced competitors. I believe this comes down to the laptop’s performance tuning and size. There’s no cheating physics, and the MSI’s compact design (which, as you’ll soon see, is stuffed full of battery) leaves less room for cooling the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V.  MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Battery life A large 70 watt-hour battery sits inside the MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo. The battery’s size is an advantage against the competition, as many 13-inch alternatives provide a battery in the 50 to 60 watt-hour range.  IDG / Matthew Smith The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo delivered over 21 hours of battery life in our standard battery test, which loops a 4K file of the short film Tears of Steel.  As the graph shows, many devices in this category can reach about 18 to 20 hours of battery life—but the Summit 13 AI+ Evo stands out even among this tough competition. It’s a great pick if battery life is important to you. The Summit’s endurance is the upside to many of its compromises. The Summit has a large battery and Core Ultra 7 258V, though not the quickest in multi-core tests, is economical about its power use. On top of that, the Summit’s 1200p IPS-LCD display with 60Hz refresh rate is a good choice for battery life. That’s because higher resolutions, higher refresh rates, and OLED panel technology all draw a bit of extra power. The test results were backed up by my subjective experience. I used the 2-in-1 for several coffee shop trips and found that spending a couple hours away from a power outlet shaved just 10 percent off the battery. That’s excellent performance for a real-world use case.  When it does come time to charge the Summit, you’ll do so with a compact 65-watt power brick that connects to either of the 2-in-1’s Thunderbolt ports. The device’s low power requirements mean it’s easy to power with a wide range of power adapters. Even USB-C chargers that deliver a lot less power, like a 45-watt adapter, can slowly charge the laptop so long as it’s not running demanding software. MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo: Conclusion The MSI Summit 13 AI+ Evo is a thin-and-light 13-inch 2-in-1 with an attractive design and great battery life. These traits will appeal to shoppers who don’t need a high-performance PC but do want outstanding battery life that may allow use over multiple days without needing a charge.  The Summit 13 AI+ Evo’s lackluster performance is certainly a downside and it makes the laptop harder to recommend, as 14-inch competitors often deliver a better balance of portability and performance.  If battery life is your number one priority, though, the Summit 13 AI+ Evo should be on your list. Read...

New Relic`s latest report reveals that 35% of media and entertainment firms leverage observability to boost AI adoption, aiming for improved content streaming and user engagement. Read...

You don’t need a satellite dish to watch DirecTV anymore, but before you sign up for a DirecTV streaming plan, make sure you pick the right one. DirecTV offers two streaming services today, one called DirecTV Stream and the other called DirecTV via Internet. They have nearly identical branding and many of the same channel packages, but they’re different in several important ways. The short version: If you want to avoid sneaky fees and long-term contracts, sign up for DirecTV Stream. But if you’re after a more traditional pay TV service with lower up-front costs, DirecTV via Internet might be worth a look. Let’s break down those differences in more detail: Channel lineups are the same, but prices vary If you’re looking for a big bundle of pay TV channels, DirecTV via Internet and DirecTV Stream offer the exact same channel lineups: Entertainment includes local stations, cable news, national sports channels, and entertainment channels. The total, non-promotional price is $87 per month with DirecTV Stream and $90 per month for two years with DirecTV via Internet. Choice adds more sports channels and regional sports networks. The total, non-promotional price is $115 per month with DirecTV Stream and up to $123 per month for two years with DirecTV via Internet (with a $10-per-month discount for new subscribers). Ultimate adds more sports and movie channels. The total, non-promotional price is $130 per month with DirecTV Stream and starts at $153 per month for two years with DirecTV via Internet (with a $10-per-month discount for new subscribers). Premier adds premium networks such as Max and Starz. The total, non-promotional price is $170 per month with DirecTV Stream and starts at $198 per month with DirecTV via Internet (with a $10-per-month discount for new subscribers). For an in-depth comparison of the two services’ channel lineups, consult these PDFs for DirecTV Stream and DirecTV via Internet. DirecTV via Internet has long-term contracts with early termination fees Beware the fine print.Jared Newman / Foundry If you take only one thing away from this article, it’s that DirecTV via Internet has contracts, while DirecTV Stream does not. Read the fine print on DirecTV’s plan selection page, and you’ll see that the advertised price requires a 24-month commitment. Cancelling early invokes an early termination fee of $20 for each month left on your contract, up to $480 in total. By contrast, DirecTV Stream allows you to cancel anytime without penalty, the flip side being that prices aren’t locked in, so they can increase at any time. DirecTV via Internet has extra fees DirecTV via Internet has a couple of notable fees: Advanced Receiver Service: This mandatory $15-per-month fee covers the cost of a DirecTV set-top box for a single TV. Each additional box costs $7 per month, although you can use DirecTV’s streaming apps on third-party set-top boxes like Roku at no extra charge. Regional sports fees: These vary by market but can cost up to $18 per month. With DirecTV Stream, the advertised price is what you get, with no additional fees for equipment or regional sports channels–albeit with no guarantee that prices won’t go up in the next two years. Only DirecTV Stream has cheaper “Genre Packs” DirecTV DirecTV Stream now offers a handful of cheaper TV bundles that are focused on specific genres: MyEntertainment ($35 per month) includes a broad mix of entertainment channels and cable news, but no local or sports channels. Disney+ and Hulu (with ads) are also included, and Max will be added soon at no extra charge. Notable channels include HGTV, History, Discovery, and Bravo. MyNews ($40 per month) has the big three major cable news networks along with local NBC and Fox stations, plus CNBC, CNBC World, Fox Business, CNN International, i24, and Newsmax. MySports ($70 per month) has local ABC, Fox, and NBC channels, plus ESPN channels, Fox Sports channels, Turner channels (TNT, TBS, TruTV), all four league-specific channels, and USA, along with cable news. ESPN+ is included as well. MiEspañol ($35 per month) includes Univision, Telemundo, and dozens of other Spanish-language channels. DirecTV Stream’s bundle picker page has a full channel list for each genre pack, along with some optional add-ons. As of now, these cheaper genre packs aren’t available with DirecTV via Internet. DirecTV via Internet includes a streaming dongle, DirecTV Stream is bring-your-own DirecTV’s Gemini Air dongle and remote provides a more traditional TV experience.DirecTV So far, DirecTV via Internet doesn’t seem to have much going for it. Compared to DirecTV Stream, the service is more expensive, it locks you into a long-term contract, and you can’t take advantage of DirecTV’s more flexible genre packs. The one advantage DirecTV via Internet has is its Gemini Air streaming dongle that you’ll plug into your TV’s HDMI port. It closely mimics the cable TV experience, jumping right into live TV when you turn it on, and its remote is loaded with shortcuts for things like recording, channel-flipping, and the grid guide. It even includes number keys for jumping to your favorite channels. The dongle provides access to streaming apps such as Netflix and Hulu as well. With DirecTV Stream, you supply the hardware. DirecTV offers apps for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV/Google TV, Samsung TVs, iOS, and Android (there is currently no DirecTV Stream app for LG’s WebOS). It also works on the web and supports casting via Google Cast. On these devices, DirecTV Stream will behave like any other streaming app that you’d launch from the home screen. The DirecTV app is available for most streaming devices and works with either DirecTV via Internet or DirecTV Stream.DirecTV Can you buy a Gemini Air box to use with DirecTV Stream? Officially, no. But it is available from SolidSignal for $220, and many eBay sellers offer it for less. Once installed, it will work the same way with DirecTV Stream as it does with DirecTV via Internet, and you can still use it with other streaming apps if you cancel service. Still, the set-top box does represent an additional up-front expense with DirecTV Stream, whereas with DirecTV via Internet it’s rolled into your monthly bill. Depending on your choice of channel package and your level of commitment to DirecTV, you might come out ahead choosing DirecTV via Internet instead of DirecTV Stream. What about satellite? DirecTV still offers satellite service for new subscribers. The costs are mostly the same as DirecTV via Internet, and new subscribers get a Gemini box that’s similar to the Gemini Air model for internet customers. The only notable difference—aside from the delivery mechanism and the need to install a satellite dish—is that DirecTV via Satellite allows you to opt out of local channels for a $12-per-month discount. Which DirecTV should you choose? Most folks who are considering DirecTV should opt for DirecTV Stream. It’s cheaper in most cases, offers more flexible channel packages, and it doesn’t lock you into a long-term commitment. DirecTV via Internet is only worth considering if you don’t plan to change your TV habits for the next couple of years and want to use DirecTV’s own streaming dongle to access the service. Even then, you may still come out ahead choosing DirecTV Stream and buying a Gemini dongle on your own. Of course, there are lots of other ways to get TV these days. Check out our guide to the best live TV streaming services, or consider going bundle-free to maximize your savings. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more streaming TV advice. Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Many display quality options, software, and bundled remote Excellent color accuracy and gamut performance Lots of Thunderbolt and USB-C connectivity Great motion clarity for a work/productivity display Cons Limited contrast ratio HDR is supported, but not great 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors are stiff competition Our Verdict The BenQ PD3226G is a monitor for creative professionals, but it’s not bad in PC games, either.   Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Monitors meant for gaming and entertainment have traditionally existed in a separate realm from monitors for professional and creative productivity. That, however, has started to change with the rise of remote work and the proliferation of independent creative professionals who work for themselves—and, as a result, find themselves at the same desk both on and off the clock. The BenQ PD3226G is a monitor built for this modern vision of work, as it combines an accurate image and great color performance with a refresh rate of up to 144Hz and adaptive sync for smooth PC gaming. Read on to learn more, then see our roundup of the best monitors for comparison. BenQ PD3226G specs and features The BenQ PD3226G is a 31.5-inch widescreen monitor with 3840×2160 resolution. However, unlike many high-end monitors meant for professional creative work, the PD3226G has a refresh rate of up to 144Hz and supports adaptive sync. Display size: 31.5-inch 16:9 widescreen Native resolution: 3840×2160 Panel type: 10-bit IPS LCD Refresh rate: 144Hz Adaptive sync: AMD FreeSync Premium HDR: HDR10, VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified Ports: 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x Thunderbolt 4 with 90 watts of USB Power Delivery and DisplayPort, 1x Thunderbolt 4-out with 15 watts of USB Power Delivery, 1x Thunderbolt 3-out for daisy chain video connection, 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 upstream 10Gbps data only, 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 downstream with 10Gbps data and up to 4.5 watts USB Power Delivery, 1x USB-C Gen 2 downstream with 10Gbps data and 4.5 watts USB Power Delivery, 3.5mm headphone jack VESA mount: 100x100mm Audio: 2x three-watt speakers Warranty: 3 years Additional features: Wireless remote, KVM switch Price: $1,099.99 MSRP (U.S.) It also leans heavily into Thunderbolt. Though it lacks the extensive connectivity of some recent Dell monitors, which include Ethernet, it can connect to a PC over Thunderbolt and provides both Thunderbolt 4 and USB-C downstream ports. It also has a Thunderbolt 3 port for daisy-chaining a video connection to a second monitor. BenQ asks $1,099.99. That’s expensive but not uncommon for a high-end 32-inch monitor. It places the BenQ PD3226G in the same price range as 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors, however. BenQ PD3226G design The BenQ PD3226G is part of the company’s Designer series. That word—“Designer”— speaks to its target audience, but also describes the monitor’s look and feel. It’s a slick, elegant, well-built monitor that uses silver and white materials for a modern look. The design is subtle and doesn’t immediately grab attention, but the plastics used feel sturdy when handled. Looks aside, the BenQ PD3226G is functional. It has an ergonomic stand that adjusts for height, tilt, swivel, and can pivot 90 degrees for use in portrait orientation. While many 32-inch monitors in this price range can adjust for the first three, pivot is less common and sets the PD3226G apart from less expensive competitors. Matthew Smith / Foundry The stand has a small, flat base, which means it doesn’t take up excessive desk space, and the space it does occupy can still be used. The stand also provides cable management in the form of a clip-on cable guide, though it’s a bit finicky and may not be enough to handle every cable if you end up using all the monitor’s many ports simultaneously.  A 100x100mm VESA mount is available and makes the display panel usable with third-party monitor stands and arms. BenQ PD3226G connectivity The BenQ PD3226G’s video connectivity includes one HDMI 2.1 port, one DisplayPort 1.4, and one Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort. That makes for a total of three video inputs. I would have liked to see a fourth, but three video inputs is enough for most people. Thunderbolt connectivity is a key feature, and the monitor uses it in several ways. The Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort also includes 90 watts of Power Delivery, so it can be used to power a connected laptop. There’s also a Thunderbolt 4-out port for data that handles up to 15 watts of power, which is enough to charge a smartphone and many tablets. A Thunderbolt 3-out is included, too, for daisy-chain connections to a second display. If you connect a laptop to the monitor’s Thunderbolt 4-in, for example, you can connect a second monitor to the BenQ PD3226G’s Thunderbolt 3 port. It’s a handy feature that most monitors don’t provide, though competitors like the Dell U3225QE also offer it. Additional connectivity includes USB-C upstream and downstream ports and three USB-A downstream ports. A KVM switch is included, as well, for easy swapping between multiple connected PCs. BenQ PD3226G menu and features The BenQ PD3226G’s menus and features can be controlled with a responsive joystick behind the lower-right bezel. You might never touch it, however, because the monitor also ships with BenQ’s unique puck controller. This dial-shaped control (which, with the PD3226G, is wireless) provides full access to menus and settings. You can also bind it for use in Windows software (to scroll, for example). It’s incredibly useful if you’re the type of user who needs to dig into the options to customize and calibrate the image or frequently use features like the monitor’s picture-in-picture/picture-by-picture modes. The monitor’s features can also be controlled with Display Pilot 2, a software utility for Windows and Mac. Matthew Smith / Foundry The monitor’s image quality options are extensive and include color temperature values in specific degrees kelvin (like 6500K), specific gamma modes, 6-axis color hue and saturation controls, a luminance uniformity mode, and sRGB, DisplayP3, DCI-P3, and Rec.709 presets, among other features. These features mark the BenQ PD3226G apart from monitors that target more general professional productivity, like the Dell U3225QE, and from monitors that target both entertainment and professional use, like the HP Omen Transcend 32. You’ll also find support for a range of software utilities designed to help users target specific color accuracy targets and conform to a specific color gamut. These include Palette Master Ultimate (which is used for image calibration with a hardware calibration tool) and ColorTalk (which is used for color matching without a calibration tool). As I’m not a professional designer or artist, I can’t judge these tools in much detail. Even so, they’re another feature that sets the PD3226G apart from a more general-use productivity monitor, which won’t include such software. What about audio? The BenQ PD3226G includes a pair of three-watt speakers that provide acceptable sound at lower volumes but, like most monitor speakers, they sound hollow and tinny when the volume is turned up. Most people will want to use external speakers or headphones, and the monitor has a 3.5mm audio jack for passing audio through to these devices. The PD3226G comes with a unique puck controller that provides full access to menus and settings, and can also bind to Windows software (to scroll, for example). BenQ PD3226G SDR image quality SDR image quality is important for the BenQ PD3226G. Shoppers planning to buy this monitor don’t just want a display that looks nice, but one that objectively achieves high scores and has great color performance. The PD3226G delivers, though its competitors are right there with it. Matthew Smith / Foundry First up is brightness, which is a strength of the BenQ PD3226G. The monitor can achieve a maximum brightness of up to 468 nits, which is high for any monitor in SDR, and better than most competitors. Brightness this high isn’t usually required and, in fact, many users will prefer to use the monitor at a much lower level of brightness. I’d even recommend leaving the brightness at a low level, as an overly bright display can cause eye strain. However, a high maximum brightness means the PD3226G remains usable in brighter rooms and lighting conditions. That’s handy if your room has poor light control, or if the monitor will be used in an office with bright lighting. Matthew Smith / Foundry Contrast, on the other hand, is a weakness for the PD3226G. It achieved a maximum measured contrast ratio of 1180:1 at 50 percent of maximum brightness. As the graph shows, this is low for a monitor in this category. It’s not that the PD3226G’s IPS LCD panel performs poorly. On the contrary, it’s good for a conventional IPS LCD panel. However, competitive panel technologies, including IPS Black and OLED, deliver much better contrast performance. Both the BenQ PD3225U and Dell U3225QE have an IPS Black panel. In practice, the PD3226G’s limited contrast is noticeable. The image can look dull and flat next to some alternatives with IPS Black and OLED panels. I also noticed significant “IPS glow,” which caused a grayish sheen to appear across darker images. This is a trade-off, however. The IPS display’s contrast doesn’t hold up, but going for this panel allows the display to provide better motion clarity, which I’ll touch on later in this review. Matthew Smith / Foundry The BenQ PD3226G strikes back in color performance. It provides color that spans 100 percent of sRGB, 99 percent of DCI-P3, and 92 percent of the AdobeRGB color gamut. As the graph shows, this is towards the upper end of what’s typical for even high-end monitors. The PD3226G’s performance in DCI-P3 was particularly strong, as very few monitors have ever achieved 99 percent of DCI-P3 in this test. On the other hand, the HP Omen Transcend 32’s QD-OLED panel might be preferable if you intend to work with the AdobeRGB gamut (or Rec.2020). Matthew Smith / Foundry The BenQ PD3226G also does well in color accuracy. While the graph might seem to show a loss, in truth an average color error below 1.0 is effectively indistinguishable to the human eye and considered an extremely good result. As the graph shows, many high-end monitors can now achieve this level of accuracy. The Asus ProArt PA278CFRV is the only monitor that falls much behind the pack, but it’s also by far the least expensive monitor in this comparison. Importantly, the BenQ PD3226G’s great color accuracy is matched with great gamma and color temperature performance. I expect a gamma curve of 2.2 and color temperature of 6500K, and the PD3226G hit both targets. However, different people may expect different targets. Here, too, the PD3226G again does well, as it provides both image quality controls and calibration software to finely tune the image for your needs. It’s not uncommon for price-competitive monitors to offer at least some of these features, but the PD3226G hits all the marks. BenQ PD3226G HDR image quality The BenQ PD3226G supports HDR and is VESA DisplayHDR 400 certified. However, it’s not a great display for enjoying HDR. This is not only because of its brightness, which in my test didn’t exceed the monitor’s SDR brightness while in HDR mode, but also its contrast, which isn’t any better in HDR than in SDR. As a result, the PD3226G can’t provide the extra luminance detail that HDR is meant to offer, and HDR content tends to look flat and dull compared to a more capable HDR monitor. However, this flaw is rather common to monitors in the PD3226G’s category which have an IPS LCD panel, including monitors with newer IPS Black panels (like the Dell U3225QE and BenQ PD3225U). You’ll need to opt for a Mini-LED or OLED monitor for better HDR performance. BenQ PD3226G motion performance BenQ doesn’t come out and say that the “G” in PD3226G stands for gaming, but it’s an easy connection to make. The monitor’s 144Hz refresh rate is the highest I’ve yet seen from a monitor meant for creative professionals, beating Dell’s IPS Black alternatives, which reach up to 120Hz. BenQ’s marketing pitch says the refresh rate is optimized for “game development and animation,” among other tasks. The PD3226G also provides official Adaptive Sync and AMD FreeSync support, which is notable, because many monitors in this category omit it. A refresh rate of 144Hz already puts the PD3226G ahead of most competitors, which typically have a refresh rate of 60Hz to 120Hz, but it’s not the whole story. The PD3226G also quotes gray-to-gray pixel response times down to 1 millisecond. By comparison, monitors like the Dell U3225QE quote response times of 5 to 8 milliseconds. Put simply, a lower pixel response time means pixels can change color more quickly, which reduces ghosting behind fast-moving objects. The benefit is obvious. While displays like the Dell U3225QE offer good motion clarity compared to a 60Hz office monitor, they still look a bit blurry. The PD3226G’s motion clarity provides a lot more detail to moving objects and significantly reduces ghosting behind moving text. Reading text that scrolls on the PD3226G is often quite comfortable, which isn’t true on many competitive monitors. This is the silver lining to the PD3226G’s modest contrast ratio. IPS Black panels in monitors like the Dell U3225QE and PD3225U offer much better contrast, but I’ve yet to see an IPS Black panel that quotes a pixel response time below 5 milliseconds. So, the PD3226G has an advantage in motion clarity. Of course, there’s an elephant in the room: OLED. An OLED monitor like the HP Omen Transcend 32 can provide a refresh rate up to 240Hz and pixel response times down to 0.03 milliseconds. Because of that, 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors will clearly defeat the PD3226G in motion clarity, which makes OLED preferable for PC gaming. Even so, the PD3226G’s motion clarity is great for a professional monitor. Should you buy the BenQ PD3226G? The BenQ PD3226G is another strong option in the company’s line-up for professional artists, designers, and content creators, and it stands out from the competition in several areas. It has a wide range of connectivity, good motion clarity, many image quality features and options, and top-tier color performance. These strengths are balanced, though not outweighed, by the monitor’s lackluster contrast and so-so HDR, which are noticeable downsides when compared to 32-inch 4K QD-OLED peers. Even so, the PD3226G is a great choice for people who want a monitor for professional creative work that also holds up in gaming and entertainment. Read...

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