Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit - Hard to See. A Pleasure to Hear

We're all content creators now, aren't we?

Even if it's just a video for your family and friends showing them around the resort you're staying at on holiday, you still want it to be good.

What if you're a travel agent and you need to use that video to impress your customers?

What if you want to stream that video to the world?

Sure, it needs to look good - that comes down to what kind of camera you're using - but how will it sound? No point yakking away if all your words will be blown away before they get recorded. 

There are plenty of podcasting mics on the market but that's not going to be much help when you're out and about and besides, there's nothing very natural about having to share the shot with a big, fat microphone.

That's why Shure now brings you quite the opposite.

Although Shure has a long history of delivering audio excellence and while I've definitely used Shure products over the years, I've never reviewed something from Shure until now. So in terms of a good first impression, I don't think I could do much better than the MoveMic Two Receiver Kit. 

The kit is essentially made up of four main components; two MoveMic lavalier microphones, their charging case and the MoveMic Receiver - which I'll get to soon enough.

Starting with the MoveMics themselves though, they're absolutely tiny. It's kind of ironic, given the microphone Shure is probably most famous for is that groovy, oversized, Unidyne design artists like Elvis were famous for caressing in one hand while they sang. The MoveMics couldn't be more different, with their durable construction, firm springloaded clip and wireless charging case.

Shure promises about eight hours use on a full charge, which is impressive enough. You'll get another two full charges from the case which is not much bigger than the charging case for most true wireless earbuds. In fact, using the MoveMics is a very similar experience to using earbuds; as long as you put the case on to charge when not in use, you should never be caught short.

These mics really are very inconspicuous. I've used wireless theatre mics before and while they're smaller still - usually able to be disguised in your hair, worked into your costume or sometimes just taped to your face, that sort of microphone still needs to be wired into a mic pack stashed away somewhere else on your person - usually in a pocket or often just stuffed down the back of your underwear.

Shure's little MoveMics are entirely self-contained and can be clipped anywhere; collars, pockets - even on hats or jewellery.

The great thing about this pack is there's a MoveMic for you and one for your guest, which they can clip on easily themselves - no socially awkward and potentially inappropriate frisking required.

Once charged it's a simple matter of pairing them with your phone via the Shure Motiv Video app (Android or iOS). There's also an audio-only Motiv app but that seems a bit redundant unless all you want to do is make sound recordings.

The catch here is you can't pair your MoveMics with your phone directly - you must use one of the Motiv apps - but the good news is, Motiv Video is a very good mobile camera app, with a list of features you're unlike to find on your phone's default camera interface.

Not only can you adjust gain levels, EQ and compression for each mic individually, you can also alter sample rates, video resolution and yes, there's a noise-reduction toggle which is so crucial when you're recording outdoors.

In the video below, I've done a little demonstration of just how superior the MoveMic audio quality is compared to the default, built-in mic on my phone. I think you'll be impressed. Fortunately, the MoveMics are rated IPX4 for splash resistance, so you can take them out in the elements without too much worry.

There are preset EQs for speech or singing, or you can leave it flat and create your own. 

Motiv Video even lets you stream directly to Facebook Live. Alternatively, you can set up a live stream on a different platform and just punch in the link to connect.

But for real flexibility, you need the Motive Receiver. This is about the same shape and size of a small digital action camera but instead of a lens, it has a wee colour display so you navigate through the various pairing and settings menus. The receiver is attached to a universal fitting so you can mount it on a DSLR camera and you can connect via USB-C or AUX cable.

This means the Shure MoveMics can become your next podcasting mic, with the Receiver plugged into your computer. Plug it into your phone for use with any recording app. Plug it into your camera for an instant audio boost to your next vlog. Maybe even plug it into an amp or a sound desk for that big presentation or performance.

The MoveMic Receiver offers you most, if not all of the features and tweaks you'll find on the app and the handy thing is, any customisations you make will stay with the paired mics, no matter which device you plug the receiver into.

The whole package results in a highly professional end-product and you'll easily hear the difference it makes in the video below. What's more, given the MoveMics easily clip on, your hands are then free to gesture, demonstrate or maybe even play an instrument - I keep thinking of different ways you could use the MoveMic Two Receiver Kit every day.

 

    

Click here for more information on the Shure MoveMic Two Receiver Kit.

HP Envy Move - All In One, Anywhere You Like

As technology has become more and more miniaturised, all-in-one desktop PCs are now more the norm than the exception. Unless you've decided on a mini-PC to make the most of an existing monitor perhaps, having your whole computer built into the display itself just makes all kinds of sense.

Apart from the obvious space-saving advantages, if you're plugging fewer things into other things, you tend to get a more efficient and reliable performance.

But why bother with a desktop PC at all? Surely a laptop would suffice? And then you're no longer chained to a desk - you can take your work - or your entertainment - with you wherever you go.

However, the desktop setup still always has one crucial advantage; display size. Who knows? Maybe there are 24-inch laptops out there... but I've never seen one.

Now HP has come up with the next best thing.

The Envy Move is a great-looking PC. The body is a modern off-white colour and it features a matching fabric-covered speaker bar across the bottom of its ample, 23.8-inch, QHD touch display.

The screen itself is one of the first ways the Envy Move sets itself apart; most PC/Monitor combos don't offer a touch screen and I can't think of many (if any) other all-in-ones that do either.

Part of the reason the Envy Move does is because this is a computer designed to be used all around the house - sometimes with a keyboard, sometimes not. Yes, this all-in-one has its own battery so you can unplug it and take it anywhere.

Admittedly, we're not talking laptop-like all-day battery life here, after all, this is a very large, bright display to keep powered up. In saying that, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover HP's promise of "up to 4 hours" use was no idle boast - more of an understatement.

The overall design has a robust durability that also surprised me. There's a large, comfortable handle to carry this 4.1kg device which which flops down tidily out of the way when not being used. The handle actually magnetises to the back casing to guarantee it won't be a nuisance when you don't need it.

But the kickstand feet are the truly innovative components here. When you set the Envy Move down on any flat surface, the two feet swivel around into place automatically, providing very stable support for such a big screen. It takes a while to get used to how secure everything feels but I soon came to trust I wasn't going to knock the whole thing over just by tapping and swiping the touch display. You can even tilt the screen to face up to you more ergonomically.

Then, as soon as you pick it up, those clever little feet swivel back out of the way, so they won't catch on anything while you're carrying the Envy Move around.

Unfortunately, there are limitations to this design - the feet won't pop out if you set the computer down on thick carpet for example. However, I've found all I have to do is twist the feet out manually and the Envy Move will sit on the carpet quite happily.

Another unique feature is the fabric pocket on the rear to stow the keyboard when you're not using it. HP has really thought out every aspect of this breakthrough design and nothing about it feels experimental or sketchy.

If the Envy Move has a weakness, it's definitely the keyboard. The typing experience is mushy and unresponsive - I'm not the world's greatest typist but when using this keyboard I was constantly missing the second letter in double-letter words and would rarely make it through a sentence without having to go back and rearrange some characters.

Mysteriously, it's not really a full keyboard either - no number pad, no Home or End keys and very small cursor keys. No backlighting or flip-down feet for a more ergonomic angle either. It's all a bit of a mystery because I usually find HP keyboards to be excellent. It's not like there isn't enough space in the rear carry pouch for a longer keyboard with more keys - this is a big device remember?

Perhaps compromises were made to accommodate the built-in trackpad - which I will admit is excellent. It's accurate and very forgiving when it comes to right and left clicking.

Of course, there's nothing stopping you from pairing a different keyboard and mouse via bluetooth or perhaps a 2.4GHz wireless dongle. To be honest, I found the included keyboard so frustrating, that's exactly what I ended up doing.

The Envy Move is powered by a 13th-gen Intel Core i5-1335U chip - not the most powerful available but none too shabby either. This is combined with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD. None of that adds up to being some kind of desktop publishing powerhouse or gaming juggernaut but I can assure you, the Envy Move hasn't failed me yet.

I've browsed, streamed and yes, even gamed a little and although this is not a machine capable of ultra-high frame rates, I thought Bikini Bottom looked fantastic as Spongebob, Patrick and I battled for supremacy over relentless rampant robots.

In fact, everything looks good on this display, from 3D animated games to the latest releases from Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus and all the other plusses. It all sounds good too, thanks to the Bang & Olufsen-tuned speaker array - a much bigger and bassier soundscape than you'll experience from most other laptops, that's for sure.

I have mixed feelings about the Envy Move's online meeting abilities - mostly because of user error. You'll see a sample of video filmed with the built-in camera and mic at the end of the video below. While I'm reasonably impressed with the video quality - better than average at 5MP and up to 1440p - you'll hear the sound is a bit off, my voice weirdly compressed and clipped.

It was only after the fact I discovered some secret settings hidden away in the pre-installed myHP app. I had the mic set to conference mode and the noise cancellation toggled on - neither "enhancement" all that conducive to a single-host video shot close-up in a quiet room. Sure enough, once I turned those features off, I came through clear as a bell.

I actually quite like the myHP app - it lets you access all kinds of cool tweaks including a separate Video Control app with advanced options like autoframing, backlight compensation and even the ability to live stream, shooting with two cameras simultaneously. However, sometimes you can have too many options as I discovered with the sound settings. I guess in this case I should have left everything on default.

That's the thing with this device, it's a very versatile, accessible family computer that just works, straight out of the box.

It even has one more trick; you can use it as an external monitor for other computers and consoles. There's an HDMI input on the bottom right-hand corner and you can easily switch from PC to Monitor mode by pushing the button just above it. Sadly, there's no universal VESA mount option on the back to raise this up as part of a multiscreen, desktop array - but then, bolting down something named "Move" would be a bit silly now, wouldn't it?

The NZ$2,699.00 price tag feels about right to me. I'd happily hand over about that much for a more conventional all-in-one that performs as smoothly as this does, with these kinds of specs. But the fact you can use it in so many different ways, in every room of the house makes it very good value indeed. 

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the HP Envy Move.

Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe - Minimal Footprint. Maximum Charge

Of all the tech innovations I've seen evolve over the years, I think wireless charging might just about be the coolest. Being able to transfer power from one device to another without physically connecting them seems so damn sci-fi - even today.

Then Apple took a good idea and made it great - as Apple often does - with the introduction of its MagSafe accessories.

Think about it; you already had the magic of charging with no cables, then you add the magic of sticking one thing to another using magnets. That's double the magic!

And because Apple generally executes this kind of magic expertly and to the highest standard, I became instantly addicted to MagSafe as soon as I tried it.

I have a MagSafe charger on my desk, a MagSafe charging cradle in my car and a MagSafe charger on my bedside table.

This created its own issue - as a tech reviewer, I'm often using phones that aren't iPhones as my primary handset. Luckily, third-party accessory manufacturers have caught on and you can now buy MagSafe-compatible cases for most popular phones, Apple or not.

However, there's always room for improvement and the most recent generations of iPhone and Apple Watch have upgraded their wireless charging capacity. To make the most of this, you'll need an accessory like the latest charger from Twelve South.

The HiRise 3 Deluxe, like a host of similar chargers, lets you power up three devices simultaneously; typically a phone, an Apple Watch and a pair of earbuds. I say, "typically," because while the wireless charging pad at the back of the device is best suited for an AirPods case (or indeed any other kind of earbuds with wireless capacity), there's nothing stopping you setting a second handset down there instead.

That second phone will only charge at 7.5W, while the handset on the primary MagSafe charger will charge twice as fast - at 15W. This is as good as it gets when it comes to wireless charging an iPhone - but as I've already mentioned, with the right case you can charge other phones on this magnetic stand too.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the Apple Watch charging disc - for some reason smartwatch makers don't seem to play nicely with others, even in 2024. I don't know why every brand of smartwatch requires its own, specific charger but at least the latest Apple Watches charge a bit faster. However, those Apple Watches will only fast charge on a 5W charger like this one. Not all chargers, especially older ones, charge at this speed and it's almost impossible to tell them apart. Fun, right?

So if you're lucky enough to own the latest generations of iPhone Pro, Apple Watch and AirPods, this is the all-in-one charger that will get all three devices topped up at maximum speed. In order to do that though, it requires more power from the wall adapter than most standard USB bricks provide, so interestingly, Twelve South has gone with its own 36W adapter. This restricts things a little because you'll need to take the power adapter with you if you're travelling with the charger and it'll be a real pain if you lose it.

I'm not sure the HiRise 3 Deluxe is your ultimate travel companion anyway. Although the Apple Watch charger folds down flat into the base, the primary phone charger is up on a fairly tall stand and there doesn't seem to be any way to collapse this or even unscrew it. In saying that, the full range of international wall-socket configurations is included in the box so if you do pack it in your suitcase there'll be an option to fit any plug you're confronted with.

Not an issue for me though, as my HiRise 3 Deluxe isn't leaving my bedside table and there are several reasons why it has become my new favourite nighttime companion. Firstly, the front-to-back design of the charger means it takes up very little space on my nightstand - in fact, the base of the HiRise 3 Deluxe is smaller than an iPhone Pro Max if it was just sitting there charging by itself.

It also looks and feels as deluxe as its name implies, with everything except that confounded Apple Watch charging disc covered in soft vegan leather. Not only does this give a premium appearance but it's practical too, preventing any scratches on those shiny, glass-backed handsets.

The primary MagSafe charging disc also tilts through a range of 35° which means you should be able to face it directly at you - whether you're using the charger at your desk or down on a lower bedside table. This is more important than ever now iPhones feature StandBy Mode - the custom always-on display that triggers automatically when you attach an iPhone to a MagSafe charger in landscape profile. This way your phone becomes a calendar, photo frame, bedside clock or any of a growing list of other useful, widescreen widgets.

But the absolutely best thing about the HiRise 3 Deluxe is what it doesn't have; no annoying little status LED to tell you if it's powered on or charging. I've never understood these silly lights - you know if your device is charging because it's charging and with MagSafe, you're never in any doubt because your phone sits in the exactly right place every time. Nobody wants unnecessary illumination on their bedside table in the dark of night and it seems with this device, Twelve South has done the right thing and left the lights off.

I admit, NZ$279.95 is a lot to pay for a charger - in fact, it's a premium. But this is a truly premium device. I've been using wireless chargers for a long time now and one thing I've learned is you can do a lot of damage with cheap, unofficial knock-offs. Worse still, you might not be charging your devices as efficiently as possible. The HiRise 3 has been specifically designed to make the most of the latest and greatest Apple has to offer; faster wireless charging and both StandBy Mode and and Nightstand Mode for your iPhone and Apple Watch respectively. Best of all, you'll still have space on your bedside table for a lamp and your favourite book.

    

Click here for more information on the Twelve South HiRise 3 Deluxe.

Logitech MX Brio - A More Natural Me

Logitech knows what it's doing when it comes to high-quality PC peripherals.

I've been using Logi mice and keyboards for years now and they still perform superbly, even after all this time.

So I was excited to try the latest edition to the Logitech Master Series, even if it meant looking into my own eyes for hours on end.

The MX Brio is a pretty solid piece of work, as webcams go. Although constructed in large part from recycled plastic, it has a classy, metallic look in either Pale Grey or Graphite and a genuine heft that gives you the confidence to use some of the special features I'll discuss shortly.

The mount is ultra-versatile, easily adjusted to provide a snug fit at the top of any screen, thick or thin. As an insurance policy, the supporting pad that holds everything in place is not just soft, it even has an adhesive backing if you wish to fix the MX Brio in place permanently. So far I've found it unnecessary to resort to the sticky pad - it's solid enough just like it is and besides, I wanted to try the camera on a few different devices.

There's another, even more innovative aspect to the way the mount works; the camera itself attaches to it magnetically. This allows you to easily swivel it in either direction or even take it off completely - perhaps if you want to show your viewers something specific that's not currently in shot. Obviously, it still needs to remain connected by its USB-C 3.0 cable but that cable is a generous 1.5m so it gives you a bit of freedom.

Then there's "Show Mode" - one last trick up the MX Brio mount's sleeve. This enables you to flip the camera forward a full 90 degrees to show your viewers your desktop (or benchtop or whatever top you're working on). When you flip the camera this way it automatically reorientates the shot (upside down) so anyone watching sees what you're doing from the same angle you do. You might be unboxing, sketching, assembling something or perhaps even cooking. Show Mode basically eliminates the need for a second camera shooting from above and means less editing too.

There's a satisfyingly physical privacy shutter which closes in a very cool letterbox style when you twist the lens. All in all, the MX Brio is a very well-built, nice-looking device.

So it's just as well what's inside delivers too. 

Logitech describes this as a 4K Ultra HD camera, an important and noticeable step up from the usually disappointing built-in cams on laptops, monitors and all-in-ones. These sub-par webcams usually top out at 1080p and even then perform badly in variable light conditions.

Conversely, the MX Brio shoots at the high frame rate of 60fps at 1080p and does a very satisfactory job of 4K at 30fps. You'll see the difference in fine detail right away in the video below - even though I've had to compress it somewhat to fit the formatting of this website, you'll still definitely get the idea. Unfortunately, those extra details will be the disturbing number of lines, blemishes and countless other asymmetries on my face... just think of it as a gory science experiment.

Actually, if I'm being totally honest, I don't mind the way I come across using the MX Brio - and it's mostly to do with the way the camera deals with light. Again, to quote Logitech, "AI face-based image enhancement keeps you looking sharp." As with most claims about AI, I have absolutely no idea what that's supposed to mean. What I do know is the MX Brio does a fantastic job of automatically adjusting to uneven lighting to come up with a really natural image.

Like most people who regularly post video online or attend a lot of virtual meetings, I've made it a habit to use extra lighting to ensure I don't appear as a backlit silhouette from the witness protection programme. I'm not saying the MX Brio eliminates the need for lights like these but if you're using them, you're far less likely to experience the washed-out, over-exposed effect you maybe prone to which is potentially even worse than the shadows you would have had if you'd left the lights off.

There are toggles for auto-exposure, auto white balance and auto-focus which seem to do a much better job than if I was tweaking those settings manually. That kind of fine-tuning is possible, although confusingly, the settings are accessed through a choice of three different Logitech apps.

This is my main gripe with an otherwise brilliant piece of tech; why are there three different apps that all do more or less the same thing? G Hub, Logi Options+ and LogiTune all seem to offer some fine-tuning controls - although the LogiTune app seems to present the most options in a more user-friendly way. I mean, you don't actually need any of them to get the camera working - you can just plug and play. But if you want to access firmware updates and make use of special features like Show Mode and RightSight, downloading the LogiTune app is definitely the way to go.

By the way, RightSight is Logitech's version of auto-framing - keeping the presenter in the middle of the shot utilising the MX Brio's digital crop and zoom functionality. This feature is itself tweakable - you can adjust the speed of the zoom and how tight you want to keep the shot.

While the MX Brio does a wonderful job of reducing image noise, it's designed to keep the noise you hear down as well. The dual beam-forming mic array uses AI to eliminate as many background sounds as possible, which is crucial if you're a work-from-homer like me. Unfortunately, while the mic is sensitive enough and does an acceptable job of clearly transmitting your voice to your audience, I've still found the end result a bit echoey - more like that of the built-in laptop mics we all know and loathe. If you're serious about decent sound on your online content I'd suggest adding a dedicated microphone to the mix - perhaps even something from Logitech's own Yeti range.

At NZ$359.95 the MX Brio is definitely not a cheap option but then, who wants a cheap-looking video? If you're passionate about your camera content and want to give it a more professional edge, you could do a lot worse than this.

    

Click here for more information and pricing on the Logitech MX Brio.