Tech
Cage fight: Musk, Zuckerberg both up for face-off
Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, two of the world's leading tech billionaires, have agreed to face off in a cage match.
Musk said on his Twitter account that he was "up for a cage fight" with Zuckerberg, reports BBC.
Also read: Zuckerberg promises a privacy-friendly Facebook
Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook and Instagram parent company Meta, subsequently tweeted a copy of Musk's message with the comment "send me location."
"The story speaks for itself," a Meta spokesperson told the BBC.
Musk responded to Zuckerberg's remark with the words "Vegas Octagon."
Also read: Musk takes control of Twitter, fires CEO Parag Agrawal
The Octagon is the fenced-in enclosure and competition mat used for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fights. The UFC is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, said the report.
Musk, who turns 52 later this month, also tweeted: "I have this great move called 'The Walrus,' where I just lie on top of my opponent and do nothing."
"I almost never work out, except for picking up my kids & throwing them in the air," he tweeted.
Meanwhile, Zuckerberg, 39, has begun practicing mixed martial arts (MMA) and has lately won jiu-jitsu contests, added the report.
Also read: Elon Musk says he's found a woman to lead Twitter as new CEO
The back-and-forth has gone viral, with social media users arguing who would win the battle and others posting parodies such as made up ads advertising the fight.
Meta presented coworkers layouts for a text-based social network aimed to compete with Twitter earlier this month, sources told the BBC.
It may allow users to follow profiles they currently follow on Meta's image-sharing app Instagram.
It may help the firm to gain followers via decentralized networks such as Mastodon, the report also said.
A Meta representative acknowledged to the BBC that the platform was in the works.
The text-based network, called P92, may prove to be a more formidable competitor to Elon Musk's Twitter than BlueSky or Mastodon.
vivo Y36 Review: Does Price Meet Performance?
vivo recently launched Y36, an update to their Y series, globally on 27th May 2023. The smartphones under vivo Y series offer premium looks. Like its predecessors, the vivo Y36 blends in modern design elements in a compact mid-range package. Let’s look at the detailed review.
Key Specifications of vivo Y36
Design and Build Quality
Much of the design elements of the Y36 have been carried forward from the outgoing Y35. The Y36 takes a more toned-down design approach compared to the flashy refractive back of the Y35. This design choice is purely subjective as some might prefer the minimal look over the flaunting one. The large rectangular camera housing on the back is almost becoming synonymous with the Y series design and that is probably a good thing. It’s adding a distinct design element that highlights the Y36 from the rest.
At 202 grams, the device is on the heavier side for an all-plastic device. Much of that can be attributed to the footprint of the device which comes in at 6.46 x 3.00 x 0.32 in. The front of the device houses the 6.64-inch display which with an 85.4% screen-to-body ratio, looks like an entry-level smartphone from yesteryear.
Read more: 15-inch MacBook Air M2 Review: What’s new?
Other than the front with its large chin, there aren’t any design loops with the Y36. Ports and buttons are all placed as usual with the 3.5 mm headphone jack staying for another iteration. There is also a dedicated micro SDXC slot on the device which will be necessary if one goes with the entry-level 4/64 GB variant.
Overall, the device feels great in looks. The weight distribution felt even with a good balance all around. For anyone looking for a minimal yet stylish device at a mid-range budget, the Y36 can be a perfect pick.
The Display
While the display bezels might not be all that pleasing to look at, the story is completely different from the display itself. The 6.64-inch display is an IPS LCD panel with 1080P by 2388P FHD+ resolution, 90 Hz refresh rate, and a 550 nits HBM. The 395 PPI is more than enough for an LCD panel making it a pretty solid performer.
Read more: Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Being an LCD panel, the 550 HBM isn’t all that great. Even with max brightness, legibility under direct sunlight will still be a strenuous ordeal. But most people won’t be using the device in the scorching sunlight as is.
The performance of the panel itself is satisfactory. It will not compete with the likes of AMOLED with washed-out blacks. But the display has its own perks. Unlike most LCD panels, the display on the Y36 doesn’t suffer from weird color shifts here and there. The viewing angles are good with accurate color reproduction.
The 90 Hz refresh rate is another plus point of the device as it delivers a smooth interactive experience. Overall, the display on the Y36 isn’t the best of the lot out there. But it certainly produces passable results.
Read more: Hollyland Mars 400S Pro Review: A must-have gadget to make flawless videos
The Camera
The camera on the Y36 is a bit confusing. The device has a triple camera setup with 50 MP main sensors, 2 MP depth, and a 2 MP macro shooter. However, the macro shooter is not available in every region. For the South Asian market, the macro sensor has not been included in the design.
Moving on to the performance of the camera, it's exactly what one would expect from a mid-range device. vivo has come a long way from their over-processed photo era and it honestly makes a big difference. Photos under direct sunlight look natural and crisp with great details all around. The depth sensor aids well in portrait shots though the edge detection is a hit or miss at times.
However, the camera performance drops a bit in indoor or artificial lighting conditions. It's not drastically different but the images overall become a bit soft.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review with Price in Bangladesh
The story is the same with the 16 MP front camera as well, great daylight pictures and moderate low light images.
The Y36 videography is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. With the main camera resolution and processing power, vivo could have provided 4K technology on the device. But the guess is that lack of OIS or EIS may have deterred the move.
Bangladesh to become 4th country in the world to join G-Cloud: Palak
Bangladesh will become the fourth country in the world to join G-Cloud in June next year, said State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak on Tuesday.
Oracle Academy will provide technical assistance and free training to the talented youth of the country in the field of differentiated technology, he said while speaking as the chief guest at the announcement ceremony of the ICT Division's agreement with Oracle Bangladesh as a knowledge partner to build skilled manpower in the public and private sectors in the capital’s Agargaon on Tuesday.
Also read: Nagad became a billion-dollar company in just 3 years, 5 more Bangladeshi unicorns by 2025: Palak
The Blended Education Task Force has been formed to develop industry-friendly technology and skilled manpower in the country. As a member, the ICT Division will work with all ministries including the Ministry of Education, said Palak.
Also read: Open Russian tech universities’ offshore campus in Bangladesh: Palak to ambassador
In addition, the ICT Department will take the initiatives to teach AI, machine learning and data analytics in addition to teaching coding from primary education to build innovative, creative, solution-solving skilled human resources to build smart Bangladesh, he added.
Also read: Youths are the architects of Smart Bangladesh by 2041, says Palak
Presided over by Naveed Shafiullah, additional secretary, ICT Division, the meeting was addressed, among others, by Garrett Ike, president of Oracle Japan and Asia Pacific Region, and Rubaba Daula, managing director of Oracle Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
15-inch MacBook Air M2 Review: What’s new?
Apple enthusiasts and tech enthusiasts alike have eagerly awaited the arrival of the highly anticipated 15-inch MacBook Air. With its larger screen size and enhanced features, this latest addition aims to redefine the consumer laptop experience. Released on June 13th, the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 is generating tremendous buzz as Apple's online store prepares for the surge of eager customers. This article delves into the latest features, pros and cons of Apple’s latest Macbook Air M2 15-inch model.
Key Specs of 15-inch MacBook Air M2
Design
The 15-inch iteration of the MacBook Air, powered by the M2 chip, adheres to the design principles established by its 13-inch counterpart. Its sleek and lightweight construction remains a focal point. The laptop retains a flat and uniform chassis, featuring elegant flat edges.
Read more: Apple is expected to unveil sleek headset aimed at thrusting the masses into alternate realities
With dimensions of 13.4 x 9.3 x 0.45 inches and weighing a mere 3.3 pounds, the MacBook Air 15-inch M2 is among the thinnest and lightest laptops available. With a 0.45-inch thickness, the M2 claims to be the slimmest 15-inch laptop in the market. Noteworthy competitors, such as the Samsung Galaxy Book 3 Pro 360 and Dell XPS 15 OLED (2023), measure 0.5 and 0.71 inches in thickness, respectively.
Facebook’s importance as source of news sees significant decline in 2023: Reuters Institute Report
A new report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism suggests that Facebook is becoming significantly less important as a source of news.
The report titled “Digital News Report -2023” found that only 28% of people surveyed accessed news through Facebook in 2023, compared to 42% in 2016.
The figures were based on interviews with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford.
“Facebook remains one of the most-used social networks overall, but its influence on journalism is declining as it shifts its focus away from news,” Lead author Nic Newman said in a press release.
Also read: CNN head Chris Licht is out at the global news network after a brief, tumultuous tenure
Newman highlighted that Facebook now faces new challenges from established networks such as YouTube and vibrant youth-focused networks such as TikTok.
“The Chinese-owned social network reaches 44% of 18–24s across markets and 20% for news. It is growing fastest in parts of Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America,” he said.
Meanwhile, the report found that influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people across almost all social media platforms except for Twitter and Facebook.
A new report by Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism suggests that Facebook is becoming significantly less important as a source of news.
Also read: Lack of transparency exposes Bangladeshi news sites to disinformation risks: new report
The report titled “Digital News Report -2023” found that only 28% of people surveyed accessed news through Facebook in 2023, compared to 42% in 2016.
The figures were based on interviews with some 94,000 people across 46 countries, conducted for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, part of Britain's University of Oxford.
“Facebook remains one of the most-used social networks overall, but its influence on journalism is declining as it shifts its focus away from news,” Lead author Nic Newman said in a press release.
Newman highlighted that Facebook now faces new challenges from established networks such as YouTube and vibrant youth-focused networks such as TikTok.
Also read: Trial begins in case against Fox News for false election claims
“The Chinese-owned social network reaches 44% of 18–24s across markets and 20% for news. It is growing fastest in parts of Asia-Pacific, Africa, and Latin America,” he said.
Meanwhile, the report found that influencers and celebrities are increasingly taking over from journalists as the main source of news for young people across almost all social media platforms except for Twitter and Facebook.
According to the report, 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" — compared to 33 percent of Tiktok, 36 percent of Snapchat and 42 percent of Instagram users who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young.
“We find that, while mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, where personalities, influencers, and ordinary people are often more prominent, even when it comes to conversations around news,” Newman said.
Also read: Tucker Carlson leaves Fox News
Trust and interest in news
Among other indicators, the news industry has seen a sharp decline in terms of trust and interest.
According to the report, trust in the news has fallen across markets by further 2-percentage points in the last year, reversing in many countries the gains made at the height of the pandemic.
“On average, 40% of our sample say they trust most news most of the time,” the lead author of the report said.
Meanwhile, around 36% of the interviewees said they actively avoided the news sometimes or often, seven points above the figure in 2017 but two points lower than last year.
Read more: Journalism award to recognize outstanding reporting on Bangladesh-China trade, investment ties
In interviews, many said that news stories are too repetitive or too “emotionally draining”.
According to the report, 55 percent of TikTok and Snapchat users and 52 percent of Instagram users get their news from "personalities" — compared to 33 percent of Tiktok, 36 percent of Snapchat and 42 percent of Instagram users who get it from mainstream media and journalists on those platforms, which are most popular among the young.
“We find that, while mainstream journalists often lead conversations around news in Twitter and Facebook, they struggle to get attention in newer networks like Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok, where personalities, influencers, and ordinary people are often more prominent, even when it comes to conversations around news,” Newman said.
Trust and interest in news
Among other indicators, the news industry has seen a sharp decline in terms of trust and interest.
Read more: Women’s participation in journalism still very low: Dialogue
According to the report, trust in the news has fallen across markets by further 2-percentage points in the last year, reversing in many countries the gains made at the height of the pandemic.
“On average, 40% of our sample say they trust most news most of the time,” the lead author of the report said.
Meanwhile, around 36% of the interviewees said they actively avoided the news sometimes or often, seven points above the figure in 2017 but two points lower than last year.
In interviews, many said that news stories are too repetitive or too “emotionally draining”.
Read more: Russian House lauds growing presence of online journalism in Bangladesh
Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review with Price in Bangladesh
The A series from Samsung has seen several denominations over the years. The series entitles Samsung’s premium mid-range smartphones. Samsung recently launched the A34 5G globally on 24th March 2023. Traditionally, the Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is supposed to be a lower spec than the A54. But this year, things are different. Here’s why.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
Design and Build Quality
For a few years now, Samsung has started to incorporate the flagship S series design into their A-series lineup. While it is not feasible to bring every element to the A series, the overall dimension , and back design surely represent the premium line.
This year too, the A34 is reminiscent of the current S23 flagship, at least on the back design. The same vertical camera design is found on the A34 with a frosted finish. Anyone would be hard-pressed to tell the difference from afar.
Read more: Hollyland Mars 400S Pro Review: A must-have gadget to make flawless videos
The difference becomes obvious on the front. Unlike the S23, there is a significant amount of bezel all around. Yet Samsung has worked to streamline the overall bezel to give the front a more unified look and it works to some extent.
The build of the device is all around plastic with a glass front and Gorilla Glass 5 protection. Weighing 199 g, its design (6.35 by 3.07 by 0.32 inches) is quite manageable with one hand. The device has an IP67 dust and water resistance meaning it can withstand 1 meter water for 30 mins max.
Moving on to ports and buttons, users will have everything standard from Type C ports to volume rockers and power buttons in their usual places. Unfortunately, the headphone jack is not present on the A34 as well.
Read more: Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Overall, the design and build quality of the A34 are satisfactory as it follows its predecessors and the current flagship.
Display
The 6.6-inch display on the Samsung Galaxy A34 is a Super AMOLED FHD+ one with a 120 Hz refresh rate. The 120 Hz refresh rate is an upgrade from the 90 Hz on the last-gen A33. The panel also features a 1000 nits HBM which makes it perfect for outdoor legibility.
The resolutions of Galaxy A34 are 1080 by 2340 pixels, with 19.5:9 ratio and around 390 ppi density. Speaking of display performance, it's every bit what’s expected from Samsung. It’s safe to say this is the best display in its budget. The colors looked bright and crisp with a slightly warm tone. The viewing angles are also excellent with no weird color shift or blue tint.
Read more: Google Pixel 7a Review: Mid-range Smartphone with Enhanced Camera Features
The high refresh rate makes interacting with the panel a buttery smooth experience. To sum it up, the display on the A34 is best as it gets in a mid-range device and is a strong selling point for the device.
The Camera
The camera on the A34 is a triple sensor setup vertically aligned on the back. The main sensor is a 48 MP wide-angle shooter. The complementing sensors are an 8 MP ultrawide and a 5 MP macro shooter.
It might seem like a downgrade from the A33 as it loses the depth sensor. But in practicality, the enhanced main sensor more than makes for the lacking.
Read more: Top 10 Upcoming Smartphones in Bangladesh on June 2023
In the test, the camera produced decent results. Images taken in bright light appeared to be highly detailed and the subject separation from the background also seemed to be much better than on the A33. There have been improvements in night photography as well thanks to the more optimized variable shutter on the stock camera app. Pictures looked well exposed with minimal noise and grains. The latter only appears in extremely dark conditions.
Surveillance 10 years ago ‘child’s play’ compared to highly intrusive tech today, Edward Snowden says
Edward Snowden has warned that today's surveillance technology is so advanced and intrusive that it makes what he exposed in 2013 by US and British intelligence services appear like “child's play”.
On the 10th anniversary of his revelations about the extent of surveillance — some of it unlawful — by the US National Security Agency and its British equivalent, GCHQ, he said he had no regrets and underlined constructive advances, reports The Guardian.
However, he is concerned about invasions of privacy in both the physical and digital worlds. "Technology has grown to be enormously influential," stated Snowden. “If we think about what we saw in 2013 and the capabilities of governments today, 2013 seems like child’s play.”
Read more: Edward Snowden gets permanent residency in Russia
Snowden was concerned not only about the risks presented by governments and Big Tech, but also by commercially accessible video surveillance cameras, face recognition, artificial intelligence, and intrusive malware like Pegasus, which was used against dissidents and journalists, said the report.
“We trusted the government not to screw us. But they did. We trusted the tech companies not to take advantage of us. But they did. That is going to happen again, because that is the nature of power,” he said looking back to 2013.
Snowden has been in exile in Russia since 2013, after fleeing Hong Kong, where he gave media access to tens of thousands of classified papers to journalists.
Read more: Regulation must to control AI for surveillance, disinformation: rights experts
His critics criticize him for being in Russia, despite the fact that it looks to be his only realistic alternative other than jail time in the United States. Since the invasion of Ukraine and his obtaining of Russian citizenship last year, two years after applying, criticism has grown, it also said.
End-to-end encryption “was a pipe dream in 2013 when the story broke”, Snowden said. “An enormous fraction of global internet traffic traveled electronically naked. Now, it is a rare sight.”
“The idea that after the revelations in 2013 there would be rainbows and unicorns the next day is not realistic. It is an ongoing process. And we will have to be working at it for the rest of our lives and our children’s lives and beyond,” he also said.
Read more: Probe: Journalists, activists among firm’s spyware targets
The US intelligence agencies and the UK admit that the debate over privacy that Snowden sparked was beneficial, but they say that this was offset by the harm done to their capabilities, particularly the closure of MI6's human-intelligence activities.
Their third criticism is that in 2013, the narrative depicted the NSA and GCHQ as the only bad actors, disregarding what Russia and China were doing on the internet.
UK to host global AI Summit to assess 'most significant risks'
The United Kingdom will hold a global artificial intelligence (AI) summit this autumn to assess the technology's "most significant risks."
A number of alarming warnings have been issued concerning the possibly existential threat that AI poses to humans, reports BBC.
Regulators throughout the world are trying to create new laws to mitigate that danger.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that he wants the United Kingdom to lead efforts to guarantee that the advantages of artificial intelligence are "harnessed for the good of humanity."
Also read: Regulation must to control AI for surveillance, disinformation: rights experts
"AI has an incredible potential to transform our lives for the better, but we need to make sure it is developed and used in a way that is safe and secure," he said.
The summit's attendees are currently unknown, but the UK government stated that it will "bring together key countries, leading tech companies, and researchers to agree on safety measures to evaluate and monitor the most significant risks from AI."
Speaking to reporters in Washington, DC, where Sunak is meeting with President Biden on the matter, the prime minister stated that the UK was the "natural place" to lead the discourse on AI.
Downing Street pointed to the prime minister's recent talks with the CEOs of key AI businesses as proof of this. It also mentioned the 50,000 individuals engaged in the sector, which is worth £3.7 billion to the UK.
Also read: UNESCO reveals new AI roadmap for classrooms
'Too ambitious'
Some have questioned the UK's ability to lead in this sector.
According to Yasmin Afina, a research fellow at Chatham House's Digital Society Initiative, the UK "could realistically be too ambitious."
She stated that the EU and US had "stark differences in governance and regulatory approaches" that the UK would struggle to reconcile, as well as a number of existing global efforts, such as the UN's Global Digital Compact, that had "stronger foundational bases already."
Afina went on to say that the UK was home to none of the world's most innovative AI startups.
Also read: How to Use AI Tools to Get Your Dream Job
"Instead of trying to play a role that would be too ambitious for the UK and risks alienating it, the UK should perhaps focus on promoting responsible behaviour in the research, development and deployment of these technologies," she told the BBC.
Deep unease
Since the chatbot ChatGPT first came on the scene in November, astounding people with its ability to answer complicated queries in a human-sounding manner, interest in AI has skyrocketed.
It can do so because of the enormous processing capacity of AI systems, which has sparked widespread concern, the report said.
Geoffrey Hinton and Prof Yoshua Bengio, two of the three so-called godfathers of AI, have been among those to issue concerns about how the technology they helped design has a high potential for disaster.
Read more: China warns of artificial intelligence risks, calls for beefed-up national security measures
These concerns have fueled calls for effective AI legislation, while many uncertainties remain about what that would include and how it would be implemented.
Regulatory race
The European Union is drafting an Artificial Intelligence Act, but even in the best-case scenario, it will take two and a half years to become law.
Last month, EU technology head Margrethe Vestager said it would be "way too late" and that the EU was working on a voluntary code for the industry with the US, which they anticipated would be completed within weeks.
China has also taken the lead in developing AI rules, including ideas requiring corporations to notify users anytime an AI algorithm is employed, the report added.
Read more: ChatGPT's chief to testify before US Congress as concerns grow about artificial intelligence's risks
The UK government published their opinions in a White Paper in March, which was criticized for having "significant gaps."
However, Marc Warner, a member of the government's AI Council, has suggested a stricter approach, telling the BBC that some of the most powerful kinds of AI may eventually have to be outlawed.
According to Matt O'Shaughnessy, visiting fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, there was nothing the UK could do about the fact that others were leading the charge on AI legislation - but it could still play an essential role.
"The EU and China are both large markets that have proposed consequential regulatory schemes for AI - without either of those factors, the UK will struggle to be as influential," he said.
Read more: AI & Future of Jobs: Will Artificial Intelligence or Robots Take Your Job?
But he added the UK was an "academic and commercial hub", with institutions that were "well-known for their work on responsible AI".
"Those all make it a serious player in the global discussion about AI," he told the BBC.
A ‘vast paedophile network’ connected by Instagram's algorithms, says WSJ report
Instagram's recommendation algorithms linked and encouraged a "vast network of paedophiles" seeking illicit underage sexual content and conduct, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
These algorithms also marketed the sale of unlawful "child-sex material" on the network, it said.
The report is based on a joint investigation by the Wall Street Journal and researchers from Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst looking into child pornography on Meta's platform. Buyers might even "commission specific acts" or organize "meet ups" on some accounts.
Also read: Instagram adds new tools to help content creators earn money
"Pedophiles have long used the internet, but unlike the forums and file-transfer services that cater to people who have interest in illicit content, Instagram doesn't merely host these activities. Its algorithms promote them," the WSJ report said. "Instagram connects pedophiles and guides them to content sellers via recommendation systems that excel at linking those who share niche interests."
According to the investigation, Instagram users may search for child-sex abuse hashtags.
According to the researchers, these hashtags directed users to accounts that offered to sell paedophilic items and even included footage of minors harming themselves.
Also read: Meta brings Facebook Reels to Bangladesh
Anti-paedophile campaigners alerted the corporation to accounts purporting to belong to a girl selling underage sex content.
The activists got automated answers that stated, "Because of the high volume of reports we receive, our team hasn't been able to review this post." In another situation, the message advised the user to conceal the account in order to avoid viewing its material, the report said.
A Meta spokesperson confirmed receiving the reports but failing to act on them, attributing the failure to a technological glitch, it also said.
Also read: Instagram adds new tools to help content creators earn money
The company told the WSJ that it has repaired the flaw in its reporting system and is offering fresh training to its content moderators.
"Child exploitation is a horrific crime. We're continuously investigating ways to actively defend against this behaviour," the spokesperson said.
Meta claims to have shut down 27 paedophile networks in the last two years and is preparing more. It also stated that hundreds of hashtags that sexualize minors, some with millions of postings, had been banned, the report concluded.
Read more: Wish you could tweak that text? WhatsApp is letting users edit messages
Hollyland Mars 400S Pro Review: A must-have gadget to make flawless videos
In the world of videography, seamless communication among camera operators and directors is paramount. The Hollyland MARS 400S Pro emerges as a game-changer in this realm. This video monitoring device is specifically designed to cater to the needs of small film crews and videography teams. With minimal latency, the MARS 400S Pro allows directors and staff to remotely monitor the camera operator's footage, providing a hassle-free and efficient workflow. This article delves into the features and capabilities of this remarkable video transmission device.
What is Hollyland MARS 400S Pro?
It is a specially designed wireless video transmission tool. The Mars 400s PRO features a fresh and enhanced design. This innovative system boasts a lower center of gravity, resulting in a more compact setup.
Notably, the transmitter and receiver are equipped with an integrated cold shoe, ensuring a stable and convenient installation. Additionally, the system includes an OLED screen that intelligently conserves battery power by automatically entering low power mode and reducing brightness when idle for more than 5 seconds.
Read more: Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router: Buyers' Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Key Features of Hollyland Mars 400S Pro
Input/Output
Transmission: The MARS 400S Pro comes equipped with 5G SDI ports on both the transmitter and receiver, in addition to a full-size HDMI port. While many smaller consumer cameras do not utilize SDI, it is a common feature among monitors and recorders. Both the SDI and HDMI ports allow simultaneous video signal output, enabling a maximum of four devices to monitor a single camera, along with an additional four devices viewing on smartphones.
Hollyland emphasizes the range of their Mars 400s PRO system. They claim a distance of 400ft (122m) when the transmitter and receiver face each other in an unobstructed setting. For optimal performance, they recommend positioning the devices 1.7m above the ground.
To cater to the growing popularity of streaming, Hollyland allows the receiver to be connected to a computer through a USB-C to Ethernet dongle (not included). This enables direct recording of the stream into software like OBS or VLC.
Read more: Top 10 Upcoming Smartphones in Bangladesh on June 2023
- Firmware: Firmware updates can be easily performed through the USB-C port located on both the transmitter and receiver. A straightforward procedure allows for updates in the field if necessary.
- Battery Power: There are multiple ways to power the devices as well. You have the choice to employ Sony NPF batteries, USB-C, or the included DC power adapter. When using NPF batteries, the device will indicate the remaining battery voltage. Conversely, if you power the device using USB-C or the DC power adapter, it will display a power icon indicating the power status instead of the battery voltage.
- External Power: DC power is supplied through a high-quality socket with a threaded design, ensuring a secure connection with the power plug.
- Antennas: RF signals are transmitted via two 2 x RP-SMA Male connectors, allowing for easy connection to longer range antennas. The package includes a spare antenna for convenience.
- Mount: Each unit features a female 1/4-20 tripod thread on the base, enabling vertical or horizontal mounting options.
Read more: Mini DC UPS for Wi-Fi Router: Buyers' Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh
Video Resolution
The maximum supported resolution is 1080p at 60fps. The MARS 400S Pro automatically detects the incoming signal's resolution, eliminating the need for manual configuration. While it would be great to have 4K monitoring capabilities, the MARS 400S Pro offers satisfactory resolution for its price point, especially when considering prevalent usage scenarios.
Latency
The MARS 400S Pro offers low latency, with presets available for adjusting the latency settings. While the latency may be noticeable in certain situations, it remains within an acceptable range for most applications. HollyWood claims the MARS 400S Pro’s latency to be less than 0.1s. Professional-grade devices provide even lower latency, but they come at a significantly higher price.
Video Quality
The video quality delivered by the MARS 400S Pro is superb. The receiver outputs video that is virtually indistinguishable from the source, especially in scenes with minimal motion. While there are distinctions between professional and consumer-grade devices in terms of compression methods, the MARS 400S Pro offers sufficient performance for its price point.
Read more: Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Cooling
The MARS 400S Pro is equipped with running fans to dissipate heat generated during the encoding process. There are three cooling modes available: auto, low and off. In the auto mode the fan speed adjusts automatically depending on the external temperature.
Smartphone Monitoring
The MARS 400S Pro allows for simultaneous connection of one transmitter to up to four smartphones for video monitoring using the Hollyview app. The app's interface is user-friendly, providing access to a range of tools and features. While smartphone monitoring may have occasional video glitches, it remains entirely usable and adds significant value to the product.
Other Uses
In addition to its primary function as a wireless video transmitter, the MARS 400S Pro can serve as a viable option for recording, video sending, or even as a CCTV solution. Its versatility opens up exciting possibilities for creative applications.
Read more: Google Pixel 7a Review: Mid-range Smartphone with Enhanced Camera Features
Pros and Cons of MARS 400S Pro
Pros
-Lightweight and compact design-Low latency transmission with line-of-sight range up to 400'-Multiple power options-Bright OLED display-Up to 1080p60 SDI or HDMI video transmission capacity-Multiple monitoring options-Sturdy all-metal body construction
Cons
-HDMI cables not included-Slight latency delay-Comparably limited range-Additional accessories may be required for mounting and antenna options.-The case for transportation needs to be purchased separately.
Read more: realme 11 Pro Plus Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
Price of Hollyland MARS 400S Pro
The Hollyland MARS 400S Pro is priced at INR 37,000 or BDT 48,203. The conversion rate here is INR 1 = BDT 1.30. However, the official price of MARS 400S Pro may vary in Bangladesh due to tax and other issues.
Verdict
The Hollyland MARS 400S Pro is a robust and versatile wireless video transmission system, offering impressive features like low latency, multiple monitoring options, and a sturdy all-metal body. However, it does have minor drawbacks like a slight latency delay, limited range, and the need for additional accessories.
Despite these, its benefits outweigh the cons, making it a valuable tool for small film crews and videography teams. It may not be the best fit for those seeking zero-latency or long-range transmission. But for those looking for a reliable, high-quality, and cost-effective solution for on-set monitoring, the MARS 400S Pro is a worthy investment.
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