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On this week's show we look at a technology that could end HDMI. We also read your emails and take a look at the week's news. News: Sony steps away from 8K TVs – for now Survey: Share of Homes With TV Antennas Falls to 19% DIRECTV unites streaming options under one name and price structure Peacock highlights cool features for mobile users Other: AUBESS Tuya WiFi 16A Mini Smart Switch Is GPMI the beginning of the end of HDMI? Over 50 Chinese companies including Hisense and TCL have joined forces to back an HDMI alternative called GPMI (General Purpose Media Interface). This new wired communication standard is designed to integrate multiple functionalities into a single cable, aiming to rival HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt. The following are some key features: High Bandwidth for Data Transmission - GPMI Type-B: Supports up to 192 Gbps bandwidth, significantly surpassing HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps), HDMI 2.2 (96 Gbps), DisplayPort 2.1 (80 Gbps), and Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps). GPMI Type-C: Offers up to 96 Gbps, compatible with USB-C ports, doubling the 40 Gbps limit of USB4 with Extended Power Range (EPR) under USB PD 3.1. Enables ultra-high-definition video - including 8K at 120Hz or higher, suitable for next-generation displays, gaming, and professional applications. Power Delivery GPMI Type-B: Delivers up to 480W of power, far exceeding Thunderbolt 4 (100W) and USB4 (240W with EPR). GPMI Type-C: Provides up to 240W, matching USB4 EPR capabilities. This eliminates the need for separate power cables - simplifying setups for devices like TVs, monitors, and gaming laptops. All-in-One Cable Solution - Combines video, audio, data transfer, network connectivity, and power delivery into a single cable, reducing cable clutter. Supports bidirectional data transfer - allowing devices to send and receive data simultaneously. Compatibility and Connectivity - GPMI Type-C: Licensed by the USB Implementers Forum ensuring compatibility with existing USB-C ecosystems for smartphones, PCs, and TVs. GPMI Type-B: Uses a proprietary connector, which may face adoption challenges unless widely licensed. Backward-compatible with USB-C and DisplayPort standards - easing transitions without requiring immediate hardware replacements. Universal Control and Device Management - Supports a universal control standard similar to HDMI-CEC, allowing a single remote to control multiple GPMI-connected devices Security Features - Integrates the ADCP (Advanced Digital Content Protection) protocol for secure content transmission. Supports daisy-chaining - similar to DisplayPort, for connecting multiple devices in series. Limitations and Notes While GPMI supports 8K video, HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 2.1 can handle higher resolutions (10K and 16K, respectively), though without power delivery. Adoption is currently limited to Chinese companies (e.g., Huawei, Hisense, TCL), and global traction depends on integration into mainstream devices and compatibility with non-Chinese brands like Sony, Intel, or NVIDIA. The proprietary Type-B connector may face adoption hurdles compared to the USB-C-based Type-C variant. Commercialization is planned for Q1 2025, with consumer products expected by early 2026. GPMI's combination of high bandwidth, power delivery, and multifunctionality positions it as a potential game-changer, particularly for 8K content and simplified connectivity, though its success hinges on widespread adoption and global market acceptance.
Read the full stories here. This week's headlines: Sony Debuts "The Last of Us" proof-of-concept at CES; Updated Valentine's Day Haunt List; Salem adjusts safety plans for Halloween festivities; Former Haunted House of Wax to become a food hall; Vendor & haunt applications open for Spooky Swap Meet; Home Haunter Awards; Haunt Education Sessions.
In this episode, Paul and Alec discuss the new Yu-Gi-Oh! set called Rage of the Abyss, which includes some exciting card reveals. They also talk about Magic: The Gathering's controversial new banlist, which has caused a huge uproar and tanked prices. They wrap up the episode with a discussion of Sony's latest State of Play video game presentation and the controversy surrounding Twitch Con.
Sony manages to be the talk of the town this week in more ways than one... First, we delve into the ridiculous Playstation 5 Pro announcement: a $700 system with NO DISC DRIVE and NO STAND included. Luckily, Astro Bot also released this week and has easily won the hearts of all of us who have played. Brad talks about new indie hotness, Shogun Showdown, and Krispy finally has his opportunity to talk about his extensive time with Star Wars Outlaws; a game he is thoroughly enjoying! Of course, this also leads to bewildering discussions about "Space Jizz" (you read that right) and eventually, more of Chris Davis's hilarious homebuilding shenanigans. News - Sony unveils the Playstation 5 Pro system and it is absurd (2:30) Impressions - Astro Bot (28:00) Impressions - Shogun Showdown (57:25) Impressions - Star Wars Outlaws (1:04:45) Fantasy Critic Update (1:32:40) 4Player Minute (1:40:00)
What a wild (and not great) week it has been in the world of video games! Sony shut down Concord less than two weeks after it launched to middling critical reception and tragic concurrent player counts. On top of that, Hideaki Itsuno - the famed designer behind classics like Power Stone, Devil May Cry, and Dragon's Dogma - announced that he is leaving Capcom after 3 decades. Despite all of the doom and gloom, new and exciting games continue to trickle out. Nick gives us his early impressions of Star Wars Outlaws which has been competing heavily with Black Myth Wukong for his time. Nolan walks us through his experience with the Quest 3 VR headset over the weekend and Brad talks about a cool new "Mesoamerican Fantasy RPG" called Arco. During the 4Player Minute, Chris Davis stuns with a shocking revelation about... Mattress shopping? News - Sony shuts down Concord less than 2 weeks after release (2:50) News - Hideaki Itsuno leaves Capcom (13:05) Impressions - Star Wars Outlaws (19:10) Impressions - Meta Quest 3 VR headset (39:30) Impressions - Arco (57:50) Impressions - Black Myth: Wukong (1:10:20) 4Player Minute (1:18:55)
It's release week for Deadpool & Wolverine and Comic-Con so movie-talk does manage to worm it's way in at the top of the show! After that, Nick talks about a delicious new survival-horror game, CONSCRIPT, which captures the overwhelmingly bleak backdrop of World War 1 through a top-down Resident Evil lens. Brad takes a deeper dive into Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure now that the full game is out (and FREE on Netflix apparently!) and Krispy talks about his time with Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail which has hit a proverbial reset button on the story with this latest expansion. Sony dropped the price of the PSVR2 finally and Chris Davis revisits Pacific Drive and talks late game developments. Movie Talk (1:45) Impressions - CONSCRIPT (17:05) Impressions - Arranger: A Role-Puzzling Adventure (31:50) Impressions - Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail (51:20) News - Sony drops the price of the PSVR2 dramatically (1:09:07) Impressions - Pacific Drive (1:13:04) 4Player Minute (1:28:10)
It's yet another sad day for the industry - Unfortunately just another week of mass layoffs, studio closures, and project cancellations thanks to out-of-touch, overpaid executives and bad management. On the morning of May 7th, Microsoft officially (and unexpectedly) closed down Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roundhouse Games, and Alpha Dog studio. As a result, hundreds of talented folks are suddenly unemployed and the future of promising IP like Hi-Fi Rush, Evil Within, and Prey are now in indefinitely in limbo. Of course, Sony is also in a hell of their own making (albeit a temporary one) thanks to a wildly misguided decision regarding Helldivers 2. It's a lot to unpack this week but it's not all doom and gloom; Nick takes the time to share his thoughts on the wacky world of INDIKA. News - Microsoft suddenly shutters Arkane Austin, Tango Gameworks, Roundhouse Games, & Alpha Dog Studio (2:30) News - Sony stirs up controversy surrounding Helldivers 2 (43:35) Impressions - INDIKA(53:40) 4Player Minute (1:15:20)