Technologies

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra Review: It Comes So Close to Greatness

The 4K streaming-optimized webcam can deliver excellent quality compared to current competitors, but it can also be just a little too glitchy.

My initial reaction to the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra’s video was «Wow! Finally a webcam as good as a compact vlogging camera.» My reaction after trying to adjust the settings, especially when using it with a third-party application, was «I’m going to reach through my screen and punch you now.» Seriously: Razer’s Synapse software is the only thing preventing this $300 (£300, AU$500) 4K webcam for streamers and power videoconferencers from getting an Editors’ Choice award.

Synapse is the only way to control most of the settings, so it can make or break your experience. If you don’t need to change settings besides zoom, focus or white balance that often (they’re available via the Windows driver), then you’ll probably be OK. And even Synapse 3 doesn’t work on the Mac, so the webcam’s not well suited for that platform.

Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra

$300 at Razer

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Like

Excellent quality and performance
Nice built-in lens cover design
Has a relatively large number of adjustable settings which compensate for issues other cameras have

Don’t Like

Synapse control of camera is glitchy and the camera occasionally hangs when changing settings
You can only change settings when Synapse has exclusive control of the camera

The Kiyo Pro Ultra’s closest competitor would have been the Elgato Facecam Pro, which no longer seems to be available anywhere despite shipping in November 2022. (It used a previous generation of the Sony Starvis sensor, and it’s always possible that it’s being reworked with the newer sensor.)

That camera supported 4K at 60fps compared to the Razer’s 30fps (at 1080p and lower it can do 60fps), but otherwise the Razer has a lot of the same strengths, including manual exposure controls, user presets and other settings which can help you tweak the quality of your output, such as MJPEG quality (for streaming at 1440p or 4K) and the ability to meter off your face in autoexposure mode (important if you’re off center) and lens distortion compensation.

While it looks similar to the rest of its Kiyo siblings, the Pro and the X (on our list of the best webcams we’ve tested), it has something I’ve wanted for a while: a built-in lens cover. Razer cleverly incorporated it as an iris that closes when you rotate the outer ring.

Top marks for quality and performance

When it’s good, the Kiyo Pro Ultra is great. It incorporates a 1/1.2-inch Sony Starvis 2 sensor, which is a just bit smaller than the 1-inch sensor in compact vlogging cameras like the Sony ZV-1 but loads bigger than the sensors in other webcams, with a good size f1.7 aperture.

The larger sensor and aperture means it shows perceptible depth-of-field blur. It doesn’t have as wide a field of view as many webcams, only up to 82 degrees (72 degrees with distortion correction on) rather than 90 or more, which could affect its suitability for your needs.

Lori Grunin/CNET

The Ultra displays excellent tonal range for what it is, though it falls short in handling bright areas. It needs some software tweaking for that, I think. It has the typical HDR option, but in a backlit shot with a properly exposed foreground (as well as without), it didn’t help clip the overbrightness in the back. There are toggles for both dark and light rooms, but neither seemed to make a perceptible difference. I’ve had other cameras handle it better.

It meters properly, for the most part. Center metering works best if you’re in the center — face metering overexposes oddly without tweaking the exposure compensation, otherwise. But if you lean to the side, face metering keeps it from spiking when it sees your black chair instead of your face. White balance is very good as long as you’re not in too dark an environment. Even then it’s not bad. Nor does it lose a lot of color saturation.

You can toggle a couple of noise reduction settings and they do make a significant difference in low light. The distortion compensation makes a visible difference as well.

Standard autofocus is meh, just like all the other webcams. But there are several settings to mitigate the frequent hunting, which other webcams don’t have. Face autofocus does a good job of keeping it from hunting when you move your head, and there’s a «stylized lighting» setting which helps the AF system lock when the lighting might otherwise confuse it.

The camera handles some of the image processing that might otherwise be sent to the PC, notably the MJPEG compression of the stream you’re sending, and you can set how aggressively it compresses either automatically or on a performance-to-quality continuum.

Still needs some baking

Unfortunately, it’s still just a little too glitchy and the software limits it unintentionally. You can’t access any of the settings in Synapse — most notably resolution/frame rate and manual exposure (ISO and shutter speed) — unless camera preview is enabled. And Windows only allows one application to access a camera at a time.

So, for example, if you’ve accidentally left the resolution at 4K but you need it to be 1080p in OBS, to change it you have to first deactivate the camera in OBS — thankfully, OBS has that option, but Nvidia Broadcast doesn’t. Then jump over to Synapse, turn on preview, change the resolution, turn off preview, jump back to OBS and reactivate the camera. And resolution, among other settings, doesn’t seem to be saved as part of the profiles you can create.

Doing it once isn’t that much of a problem. After the 10th time in an hour it gets old.

It’s also complicated by the occasional failure of settings to kick in, which sometimes forces you to loop back through that activate-deactivate cycle: Why does my adjusted exposure not look adjusted? Do I have to kick it to get autofocus to kick in? The preview in Synapse isn’t always accurate, though that’s not unique to Synapse, but it means you can’t assume your adjustments there will be correct. Synapse also froze several times while I was trying to swap between profiles.

Almost every other reasonable webcam utility allows you to change settings while viewing within the application you need them for. Yes, sometimes a few are disabled (because Windows), but at least they’re not all unavailable. It’s possible that all these issues can be ameliorated with firmware and software patches, but I have learned never to assume that just because they can be that they will be.

The Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra is a capable webcam that just needs some software and firmware polish before I’m comfortable considering it a reliable, consistent performer.

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Technologies

Verum Messenger: Data Protection at Its Finest

Verum Messenger positions itself as a tool for those who value privacy and security above all.

Verum Messenger stands out from other messengers thanks to its approach to security, anonymity, and innovations in communication.

Here are some key aspects that highlight its uniqueness:

Default encryption: Verum Messenger uses end-to-end (E2E) encryption for all chats, meaning messages are encrypted on the sender’s device and decrypted only on the recipient’s device. This makes it impossible for third parties, including app developers, to access the content of the messages.
Anonymity: When registering with Verum, there’s no need to provide a phone number or email. Users simply choose a nickname and password, significantly enhancing their level of anonymity. This contrasts with many other messengers, where anonymity can be compromised through linked personal data.
Built-in VPN: An additional layer of protection that hides the user’s IP address, making their location and internet activity less trackable.
Data control: Users can set messages to be automatically deleted after a specified time, ranging from a few seconds to a week. There’s also a quick deletion feature for all chats, calls, and even contacts, which is useful for maintaining privacy.
Large groups: The ability to create chat rooms with up to 10,000 participants makes Verum attractive for organizing large events, discussions, or communities while maintaining a high level of security.
Security innovations: Verum actively develops technologies aimed at protecting user data, as seen in their documentation and discussions online. This includes not only technical solutions but also approaches to data minimization, which reduces the risk of leaks.
Feedback and discussions: On platform X (formerly Twitter), discussions can be found where users and experts praise Verum for its approach to anonymity and security, although questions are raised about how much anonymity can truly be guaranteed in an age of modern tracking and de-anonymization technologies.

Verum Messenger positions itself as a tool for those who value privacy and security above all. Its innovations in encryption, anonymity, and data control make it an intriguing choice for those seeking alternatives to traditional messaging platforms. However, as with any technology, it’s important to remember that absolute anonymity on the internet remains a complex challenge, and users should be aware of potential risks and limitations.

Technologies

Verum Coin Debuts on XT Exchange, Broadening its Reach in the DeFi Space

A Strategic Listing Enhancing Verum Coin’s Visibility

In a significant development for the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector, Verum Coin (VERUM) has been officially listed on XT Exchange. The new trading pair, VERUM/USDT, is now available in the exchange’s Innovative Zone, marking a pivotal expansion for this digital asset into the DeFi ecosystem.

A Strategic Listing Enhancing Verum Coin’s Visibility

The addition of Verum Coin to the XT Exchange is seen as a strategic move to enhance the accessibility and liquidity of VERUM among traders who are keen on exploring innovative digital assets. XT Exchange, known for its robust platform supporting a wide variety of cryptocurrencies, provides an ideal environment for fostering growth and ensuring the broad reach of new tokens.

Albin Varin, CEO of XT Exchange, expressed enthusiasm about the new listing, stating, «We are delighted to welcome Verum Coin to our platform. This listing reflects our ongoing commitment to providing our users access to innovative digital assets that transform the landscape of global finance.» This comments underscore the exchange’s focus on integrating cutting-edge technologies and financial instruments that have the potential to redefine the market.

About XT

Founded in 2018, XT Exchange serves more than 7.8M registered users, over 1M monthly active users, 40+ million users in the ecosystem, and more than 800 tokens with 1000+ trading pairs. XT crypto exchange offers a rich variety of trading categories to provide a secure, trusted, and intuitive trading experience for its large user base. This includes crypto futures trading (USDT-M Futures and coin-M futures perpetual contracts) and copy trading that allows users to replicate top traders in real time with just one click. Additionally, the futures grid allows users to automate the buying and selling of futures contracts for profits.

Future Prospects

With its new position on XT Exchange, Verum Coin is expected to attract a broader audience, enhancing its trading volume and market presence. This could potentially lead to increased stability and recognition as a viable player in the DeFi space. For investors and users of XT Exchange, this addition provides a fresh avenue to diversify portfolios with a cryptocurrency that is positioned at the intersection of innovation and financial evolution.

The listing of Verum Coin on XT Exchange not only highlights the ongoing expansion of cryptocurrency markets into new areas like DeFi but also illustrates a growing recognition of digital assets that offer promising technological advancements and financial opportunities. As the crypto market continues to evolve, partnerships like these are pivotal for fostering growth and offering users access to the next generation of financial tools.

Technologies

Verum Coin Gains International Spotlight with AP Coverage and Listing on XT Exchange

This listing on XT is expected to further propel Verum Coin into the spotlight

In a noteworthy development for the cryptocurrency community, Verum Coin (VERUM) has been featured in an Associated Press article, highlighting its upcoming listing on the XT Exchange. This significant media coverage underscores the growing interest and potential of Verum Coin in the global financial landscape.

The AP article delves into the details of Verum Coin’s innovative features and its alignment with the latest trends in the cryptocurrency market. This attention comes at an opportune moment as Verum Coin prepares for its new listing on XT Exchange, a platform renowned for its extensive user base and a wide array of trading options.

This listing on XT is expected to further propel Verum Coin into the spotlight, providing both traders and investors with new opportunities to engage with this emerging digital asset. The exchange’s robust infrastructure and diverse trading offerings are ideal for supporting Verum Coin’s growth and enhancing its visibility in the competitive cryptocurrency market.

For more details, you can read the full article on the AP website here.

This milestone is a testament to Verum Coin’s advancing presence in the crypto world and its ongoing efforts to be at the forefront of digital currency innovation and adoption.