Nimoy007

Ha! Funny. YouTube avoids serving even HD content if at all possible. I recall Luke demoing it on WAN show at one point. I have my YouTube settings on higher picture quality, but YouTube will almost always play at less than 720p unless I force the quality setting manually which "only applies to the current video." It does this regardless of Wi-Fi/LTE/5G. It's pretty scummy, and I can always tell, however it only really matters when I need a lot of detail, so I guess their BS strategy works. As far as your final statement goes, I agree, but it's always a good idea to keep an eye on what technology companies make obsolete. Sometimes, they really do make unreasonable changes, which is why the tech community has to hold them accountable. It's not like I'm asking for a Windows phone to still be fully functional, but I'd rather a mid-tier phone from 3ish years ago still work for a while (not my device, but they definitely exist). I guess we'll have to see how it all plays out. Not too much point in getting over-speculative about the whims of YouTube

...for now

That's the problem. Software decode is intensive.

Summary With increased >FHD content becoming more common, YouTube will be shifting to the AV1 codec and away from H264. This could be a problem for viewers with older devices that don't have baked in hardware acceleration for AV1, leading to an increase in processing power required for viewing and increased battery drain. Quotes My thoughts This could be a major issue for folks with older devices and may become a benchmark variable to watch for in phone reviews that include battery life tests. On the other hand, this is nothing new. YouTube hasn't been kind on older devices in the past, which is unsurprising given the demands video streaming puts on a device. Consumers should consider their streaming habits when buying especially dated used phones, tablets, streaming boxes and smart TVs. Sources https://www.androidpolice.com/youtube-google-av1-codec-android-video/

GOT 'EM!!! Source: Gamelinked 1/25/24

Just react to the post next time if you're going to quote 2 paragraphs and reply with an affirmation.

>is joke = TRUE >repeat "joke" >is joke = FALSE Sounds like you hate the Windows key, my friend.

I still think you're missing the point. Reviews have nothing to do with this. I wouldn't do any different than you. I'm still going to watch reviews to determine if a product is good. These changes are for quick reference and nothing more. If you see a manufacturer quoting max specs without indication of which settings are possible simultaneously, that should be a red flag. That's why standards organizations exist. It isn't handicapping. A display is made the way it is made. It has maximum capabilities with regards to what hardware and software are used. If a display has a certain bandwidth that is all it can handle. You can't say, "Well, if it can do 480Hz at 1080p, and it can do 240Hz at 4k, then not doing 480Hz at 4k is handicapped." That is asking for something the display can't do, whether it has to do with the display controller or whatever other components are handling high speed signals. You want the 4k 480Hz monitor? Great, buy one. Nobody is stopping you. Meanwhile, the 480Hz@1080p/240Hz@4k monitor will be fine for those that want the monitor at that price point. That doesn't hinder your ability to buy something better, it just gives other consumers more choice and may reduce the number of different models of monitors that need to be produced, which IMHO reduces consumer confusion. It isn't handicapping a product segment to give it extra capability that it didn't have before. It is literally the opposite.

If it is anything like Cortana (it isn't), you might feel more dumb afterwards.

I think you've misunderstood. You don't have to reconfigure your monitor. The monitor is capable of a rated bandwidth, and within that, it could have the ability to display differently depending on what resolution you set your PC to. It's not a matter of handicapping specs. It's an expansion of specs. You want a 4k 240Hz monitor? Great. Maybe I want that monitor to be able to run faster at a lower resolution. That doesn't take any functionality away from you. Also, not everyone will buy the most expensive monitor, so there is definitely a market for running monitors at different settings since they won't all be capable of high resolutions and crazy framerates. Besides, there are plenty of people out there with older GPUs that don't support the latest DP specs. And I agree with you, the advertised specs should work...which is exactly why this change is being made, so companies don't advertise a monitor that is capable of both high resolution and high framerate...but not simultaneously. IMHO, this is like the Right to Repair argument (just less impactful). If you don't want to use this, that doesn't mean you should be against it for those that do. It doesn't change your experience.

Fn varies wildly by keyboard, it's not as straightforward as you've put it. In fact, I'd say that most of the time these days, it just adds more functionality to the function row.

Many keyboards (including the TKL I use) only have the one these days.

The VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) will now begin directing monitor manufacturers to label their products with a two-part system that will describe both 1)High-resolution, low frame-rate and 2)Lower-resolution, high frame-rate display modes. This change comes in the wake of modern displays supporting multiple display modes and will apparently help consumers choose screens that are capable of being used in both high-fidelity and action-packed scenarios. Quotes Sources https://vesa.org/featured-articles/vesa-updates-adaptive-sync-display-standard-with-new-dual-mode-support/ https://www.pcworld.com/article/2191768/there-will-be-a-massive-change-in-how-youll-buy-monitors-in-2024.html

I think it is more accurately the "Context Menu Key" since its functionality depends on the context. It's not really a "right-click." I don't bring this up to be pedantic or correct you, but rather to clarify its use since some may be unaware of its purpose. I have never really used it, but I can definitely see the utility of it for some people, unlike the keys I previously mentioned (scroll and num lock). If anybody has a legitimate use for them beyond extra macros, I'd love to hear it.

I don't see any reason to get rid of that. If you are gaming, many gaming keyboards allow you to disable it. I'd abolish scroll lock and Num lock.

I suppose, but the link you gave said you needed at least a 2019 build of Windows. That's pretty outdated now. Also, just checked, and the Surface Pro 9 keyboard doesn't have the Office key, so I don't think it really took off. Can't imagine needing a LinkedIn shortcut either! XD

Microsoft appears to be adding a Copilot key that launches their AI assistant, Copilot, in supported OS. In older versions of Windows, it apparently will open the Windows Search. Sources: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/01/ai-comes-for-your-pcs-keyboard-as-microsoft-adds-dedicated-copilot-key/

Some gaming headsets have a bump in the higher frequency range that allows for greater detection of game sound effects such as footsteps. That said, in general, the gaming headphones are just good headphones. "Gaming" is very much a marketing term in many cases. As you've said, the mic often suffers, but there are a great many gaming headphones whose mics are also terrible. Other things to keep in mind: Gaming headphones also tend to have a very specific aesthetic. It's up to you whether you are into that as far as appearances go. I personally don't mind the gamer look out on the street, but some others would prefer a more subtle look. If you like headphones with a great street appeal, Steelseries Arctis headphones nails it IMHO. That is in stark contrast to something like a Razer Blackshark V2 or HyperX Cloud II that tend to review well, but to me look like something a pilot would wear. Portability. Some headphones fold for easier storage and/or have swivelling earcups that may make it easier to casually wear around your neck. These tend to be non-gaming headphones like Beats (not recommended), Bose QuietComfort, and Sony WH-1000XM_ headphones. Often, these headphones also come with a travel case, great for protecting them when thrown in a bag (LTTstore.com?). Software and Surround Sound. Often, your experience with headphones can vary wildly based on the ease of setup and customization. Gaming headphones may often greater control and tighter integration with games and chat applications, offering the ability to set profiles with custom equalization and chat/game mixes. The downside can be with software that is difficult to use, or, like Razer's Synapse, require account creation to use. Non-gaming headphones use either no software, or limited, but easier to use smartphone apps. The biggest thing to remember with ANY headphone is that many players TURN OFF the surround features on headphones since most game developers have designed the games around stereo (2.0) headphones. Often, a surround setting on headphones will at best offer no improvement, and at worst will disrupt your ability to tell where in-game sounds are coming from. What games you play will greatly affect how much this actually affects you, but, in general, don't believe marketing hype around "Surround Sound" on headphones for gaming OR music. I personally use Sony WH-1000XM4s for gaming and out and about headphones. My mic is a HyperX Quadcast.

From the latest LTT video: Floatplane: Ridiculous AliExpress Tablet Roundup YouTube: I Bought FIVE Weird Tablets from AliExpress... Ask me anything @00:53 Linus looks like Sid XD (also I threw in an easter egg, see if you spot it)

I mean, I did already answer this question, but it's all good XD As I said before, I've never used a hypervisor, although this blade does have the option apparently baked into the BIOS/UEFI. Why ESXi in particular? Not a criticism, I've just no knowledge on them.

Don't ask me! That's why I posted the question! XD Yeah, I'm thinking the NIC might be the way to go. Tomorrow, I'm probably just going to try to route all traffic out into a switch, then see how that goes. Maybe even physically bridge two ports with a cable, IDK. I need to narrow down the root cause of the issue. Let me know if you (or anyone else) come(s) up with anything else, but I'm going to head to bed for now and give it another crack tomorrow. Thanks!

Ooo! Thanks for that eBay listing. I'd not seen a quad that cheaply! Yeah, I do quote, but it takes up a lot of space. I should have tagged you, though. I haven't even begun to THINK about VLANs and my head is already beginning to hurt XD Well, I'll get there at some point. I'll probably grab a managed 8-port switch at some point, but for now I'm going to avoid additional networking gear purchases if possible. To be clear, the server was free, I just bought a flash drive and 500GB Samsung 870 Pro SSD for it, but I already have a 5-port gigabit unmanaged switch, my Linksys router, and a 16-port 10/100 unmanaged switch.

Ah, well, I think you might be misunderstanding me. It's not a Network Interface Card as such...the ports are part of the mobo. It's sadly not as versatile as that.

Thanks for all of that. I get what you mean about the NICs now. I guess I actually understood you, but couldn't figure out why I would want to give up 2 ethernet ports, but I guess I have enough ports on various network devices (2 switches, old router that I'll use as an AP) that it won't matter.