MultichannelAudio
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Corsair's ear-straddling HS1 headset earns high marks in early reviews
You had to know that Corsair wouldn't stride into a new product category with just so-so hardware. Its new HS1 gaming headset has been sent out to a couple of UK reviewers and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Both Hexus and Bit-tech praised the circumaural (made to fit around, rather than on top of, your ears) design for its weight distribution and memory foam-assisted comfort, while also giving the thumbs up to sound quality. Bass reproduction is said to be somewhat weaker than desirable, but the bundled software gives you plenty of adjustment options. It's a shame that you'll have to install the drivers in order to avoid the in-line remote control blinking madly at you, and it's also not too awesome that you won't be able to use the mic on a Mac, but so long as these vices don't bother you unduly, you should find the $99 investment in an HS1 set more than worth it. Hit the links below for more detailed impressions.
Corsair sails into gaming headset waters with noise-isolating HS1 cans
For some people, the association of Corsair and quality PC components is so strong that they'd buy anything that bears the triple sail logo. It makes perfect sense, therefore, for the company that made its name by producing memory sticks to diversify its portfolio even further, this time into gaming headsets, with the introduction of the HS1. It's a USB headset offering multichannel audio via 50mm drivers, a noise-isolating closed design, noise-cancelling and articulating mic, and inline volume and microphone mute controls. Aside from the larger than usual drivers, we're not seeing anything particularly unique here, but that ethereal element of quality is rarely apparent on black and white fact sheets. Availability is said to be immediate, though our quick pricing investigation threw up only a UK pre-order for £84 ($129). So yeah, Corsair's certainly pricing the HS1 as a premium product. [Thanks, Mark S.]
Widevine DRM upgrade enables new features (multichannel audio) on streaming services
It's not that we're in love with DRM, but if you enjoy any rental video services online it's an inescapable part of the deal. The good news from Widevine today is a number of new features added to its platform in version 4.4.4 which could help change the way we use services from its customers like CinemaNow. DVD-style chapters, live streaming, progressive downloads, and adaptive streaming features are all great features we've seen before in various forms, but the most anticipated one around these parts is multichannel audio. Netflix has mentioned its use of WMDRM as a reason behind the lack of surround sound on Watch Instantly streams, but as a new customer mentioned (alongside Blockbuster) in the press release, a shift in solutions will likely coincide with the feature arriving later this year.
