New TCL TVs can hear your every word — even in noisy rooms

By Bruce Brown Published September 3, 2018

Synaptics’ Audiosmart far-field voice (FFV) tech takes voice control to new levels with TCL’s new line of televisions, which have Alexa built-in and were introduced at IFA 2018 in Berlin.

The big deal about FFV is it enhances voice communication and automatic speech recognition in the real world. Background and foreground sounds and sudden and intrusive noises can confuse or block voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Synaptics’ Audiosmart FFV digital signal processors (DSPs) use proprietary algorithms to sort out sound signals, improving the technology.

Recommended Videos

Voice-processing tech in DSPs, in general, is biased toward recognizing speech over doorbells, HVAC fans, music, and traffic sounds. If Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Apple, and a host of other companies are correct in their belief that voice will soon be the dominant command, control, and communications interface, merely differentiating voice from the sound of a garbage disposal isn’t enough.

For example, convenience and security factors both demand finer than chainsaw-level voice differentiation. We already want our voice-connected electronics to know when we are addressing them and we’ll increasingly rely on our devices and systems to recognize who we are, as well as what we say.

Distinctive features include Voice Barge-in, Smart Source Pickup, and Energy Efficient Voice Functionality.

With Voice Barge-in, a TCL television with built-in Alexa will recognize the “wake word,” so you can say “Alexa” using your natural voice even when an action flick with loud dialogue is playing. Audiosmart FFV uses full-duplex acoustic echo cancellation to sort out the signals and their sources to pick up the wake word. You won’t have to outshout your TV, turn down the volume, or press a button to get your smart TV voice assistant’s attention.

With Smart Source Pickup, a Synaptics FFV-equipped TCL not only cancels sounds from other directions but also filters other sounds coming from your direction. If, for example, you and a room full of people are watching a football game and a running dishwasher is directly behind you, the Smart Source Pickup will still detect your voice.

Synaptics’ Energy Efficient Voice Functionality employs low-power DSPs so the TCL televisions can still meet all energy requirements for standby mode while allowing you to use your natural voice to turn the TV on and off.

Former Contributing Editor

Bruce Brown Contributing Editor As a Contributing Editor to the Auto teams at Digital Trends and TheManual.com, Bruce…

Topics

Audio / Video

Google shuts down massive botnet running on 1.3 million Android TV boxes

Google says the Chinese manufacturer Videostrong Technology deliberately infected its devices and sold access to cybercriminals.

Videostrong GoogleTV box

Malware infecting Android devices isn't new, but Google's recent report is grim and concerning. The search giant has taken down a massive botnet that turned over 1.3 million Android TV set-top boxes into tools for cybercriminals. Unlike the usual attacks, where users end up downloading some shady apps from the internet, the malware here was planted inside the devices by the manufacturer itself.

According to the Google Threat Intelligence Group, the company behind it is China-based Videostrong Technology. Google has now cut ties with the manufacturer and banned it from building or supplying software for certified Android devices.

Audio / Video

Audio-Technica’s new wireless StreamSet headset promises studio sound without the cables

Finally, a wireless headset that takes your voice seriously.

Audio technica new headset.

I've lost count of wireless headsets that sound great until the microphone switches on. That is exactly why a cord-free streaming headset from a studio-audio brand earns my attention (with a pinch of skepticism). Audio-Technica wants to change my mind, and I am all up for it.

The company has announced the "ATH-M50xSTS-WL," its first wireless headset in the StreamSet line. What's unique, however, is how the brand has combined the studio sound of its ATH-M50x monitor headphones with microphone tech from its 20 Series studio mics (via Audio-Technica).

Audio / Video

Samsung’s new clip-on earbuds are coming to the US, and they’re not cheap

You can listen to music without blocking out the world around you, but Samsung is charging a premium for the convenience.

Samsung Galaxy Buds On earbuds

Earlier this month, Samsung unveiled its first clip-on earbuds called the Galaxy Buds On. Initially, it announced pricing and availability details only for Korea, but now the brand has revealed them for the US market as well. As per Samsung, the Galaxy Buds On will cost $229 and will be available to buy in early November. Only one color option, Black, will be available initially.

That is quite a steep price, considering the flagship Galaxy Buds 4 Pro go for $250. The Buds On also has no active noise cancellation, weaker bass response, and lower dust and water resistance. All that said, the use case is fundamentally different. While you might choose the Buds 4 Pro as the best daily drivers for your Galaxy smartphone, the Buds On keep your ear canals open, letting you listen to music while staying aware of traffic, conversations, and everything else happening around you. I can see the appeal for people who find traditional earbuds uncomfortable, or those who regularly listen to music while running or commuting.