Digital Foundry Direct Weekly DF Direct Weekly #246: The BIG CES Special - Hardware Highlights, Crimson Desert, Intel, Nvidia, AMD
13 snips
Jan 12, 2026 Join the lively conversation from Las Vegas as the hosts dive into major hardware reveals from CES 2026, including Nvidia, AMD, and Intel's cutting-edge announcements. They highlight remarkable advancements in TV technology, discussing the pros and cons of MicroRGB, OLED, and MicroLED displays. Excitement builds around the impressive Crimson Desert demo, showcasing innovative gaming tech. Plus, they explore the quirky side of CES with AI avatars, robot sparring, and even nostalgic mentions of RCA and RadioShack. Buckle up for a tech-filled adventure!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
High‑End Laptops Still Value Serviceability
- Alienware's Area‑51 18-inch and giant desktop showcased high‑end, serviceable designs rather than ultra‑thin compromises.
- Oliver appreciated serviceability features like QR‑coded component tutorials on the motherboard.
HDMI 2.2 Prepares For Higher Uncompressed Bandwidth
- HDMI 2.2 Ultra 96 aims to supply higher uncompressed bandwidth for future 4K/120+ HDR without chroma subsampling.
- Oliver cautions widespread adoption will take years and require expensive fiber optic cabling for long runs.
Crimson Desert Shows Ambitious Custom Tech
- Crimson Desert uses a custom Blackspace engine with path‑trace GI elements, local RT lights, and heavy particle water sims.
- Alex found the demo impressive and expects PC focus with FSR Redstone and ray regeneration support.