B&H Photo News Roundup: Week of January 5, 2024

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B&H Photo News Roundup-Week January 5 2025

It’s 2025 and we are back with our weekly roundup of new product releases! With CES in full swing, we’ve been working hard to keep you up to date with all of the notable announcements. On top of that, Shure, OBSBOT, DJI, and Hollyland have new products to share. From microphones and PTZ cameras to drone add-ons and headphones, we’re giving you a little something from every category.

CES 2025

The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) is winding down, and, as usual, there were a ton of new products and exciting announcements. In fact, so much new stuff came out of this year’s event, there’s no way we could cover it all here—which is why we created a separate page for all of our CES 2025 coverage. Be sure to check it out!

Shure Combines USB Mic and Audio Interface

Shure is levelling up its MV7 and MV7+ USB mics by combining their audio capabilities with a built-in audio interface for an all-in-one streaming machine. Whether you’re gaming on Twitch, chatting on a podcast, or creating VO content, the MV7i Smart Microphone + Interface has got you covered.

Shure MV7i Smart Microphone + Interface
Shure MV7i Smart Microphone + Interface

With the combined interface and microphone technology of the MV7i, there’s no need to worry about desk real estate. The mic chassis features a combo XLR-1/4” input for adding additional microphones, instruments, and line-level signals. Record directly to your computer while capturing your voice with the dynamic mic capsule for simultaneous vocal and instrument recording or 2-person podcasts.

The input supports 48V phantom power to integrate condenser microphones. A built-in preamp adds up to 60 dB of gain for dynamic mic support without the need for an external signal booster. Taking inspiration from the ever popular SM7B, the MV7i boasts SPL support up to 128 dB and a wide 50 Hz to 16 kHz frequency response with a unidirectional cardioid pickup pattern. Not recording in a sound-treated space? No worries. The MV7i includes a companion noise-reduction software to mitigate any humming from your AC or computer. Utilize the touch panel interface to control your levels, headphone volumes, and monitor your overall mix.

DJI Helps Upgrade Your Drone

Turn your non-FPV drone into an FPV drone using the DJI O4 Air Unit system. It consists of a camera module, transmission module, and a single antenna—all of which fit onto drone frames as small as 2” for maximum compatibility. The system is compatible with DJI Goggles and can transmit real-time 1080p footage up to 6.2 miles.

DJI O4 Air Unit system
DJI O4 Air Unit system

The O4 Air Unit’s camera module features a ½” CMOS sensor to record 117.6° wide-angle footage at up to 4K60 resolution. An internal 23GB memory stores your footage for when you’re ready to edit together your vlog, short film, or surveying video. RockSteady 3.0+ facilitates electronic image stabilization at high speeds to eliminate shaking in your video capture. Customize your OSD data display in your separately available Goggles for clearer flight data configuration.

A Pro version of the O4 Air is also available, adding an additional antenna to the system’s configuration to extend its transmission distance to 9.3 miles and a 1/1.3” CMOS image sensor for increased 155° FOV. It also unlocks Racing Mode, a lower 15ms latency, 10-bit D-Log M color mode support, and 2.7K video. The Pro unit also has expanded storage capabilities with the inclusion of a microSD card slot.

DJI O4 Air Unit System Pro
DJI O4 Air Unit System Pro

If you hesitated to upgrade to an FPV drone when you had the chance and now you have regrets, there’s no need to buy a whole new unit. The O4 Air gives you the option to expand its capabilities with the trusted technology DJI drones have to offer.

Hollyland Refreshes the LARK Lineup

The newest iteration of Hollyland’s compact wireless microphone lineup is the LARK M2S, taking the audio performance of its predecessor and squeezing it into an even smaller transmitter form factor. Better yet, the pearl-sized transmitters forgo the typical logo one might expect to see front-and-center for a far more discreet appearance.

LARK MS2 two-person wireless microphone system
LARK MS2 two-person wireless microphone system

Despite their tiny construction, the transmitters have maintained RF interference-resistant circuits for improved sound quality in noisy environments, not to mention environmental noise cancellation on top of that. They can easily capture 24-bit, 48 kHz audio with a 70 dB signal-to-noise ratio and a 116 dB SPL and transmit that to your receiver unit from up to 1000’ away.

Speaking of receivers, the LARK M2S has no shortage of options. Much like the previous LARK M2, the full M2S system comes in multiple configurations, some of which come with two different receivers. The LARK M2S DUO could be considered the base system and includes two transmitters with a USB-C plug-in receiver. The LARK M2S Mini Combo includes two transmitters, a USB-C plug-in receiver, and a camera-mount receiver with an intuitive onboard dial for quick control. The LARK M2S Combo expands on that even further by adding a USB-C to Lightning adapter cable to encompass all mobile devices and tablets.

LARK MS2 Transmitter

Charging cases for both the mobile and combo versions are also available to keep your system running for long shoot days. Some of the components are available separately to construct a system that best suits your content creation needs. Control additional parameters of your system with the LarkSound app which helps facilitate playback even when your plug-in receiver is connected.

In other news …

  • Whether going for a run, taking the subway, or sitting at your desk, SHOKZ offers open-ear headphones that allow you to listen to your favorite tunes while still being aware of your surroundings. Their newest offer, the OpenFit 2, offers DualBoost and DirectPitch 2.0 technology for enhanced audio, an expanded battery life, and increased sweat and water resistance.

  • OBSBOT has given their AI-powered PTZ webcam an update. The Tail 2 facilitates 4K smart streaming with remote control over its PTZ functions. The second iteration offers improved AI tracking, enhanced auto framing, and updated gesture control.

  • Customize your Thunderbolt 4 workflow with the modular ProGrade Digital PG20 Pro Thunderbolt 4 Hub, thanks to its USB4 ports, USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, and magnetic top base. Secure up to two ProGrade Digital card readers to the interface depending on the needs of your setup.

That’s it for this week! Check back next time for more product releases and news.

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