STRONG – the new digital TV and home networking division part of the consumer electronics giant Skyworth Digital Group – has announced the UK launch of its Android TV-based LEAP-S1 4K Ultra HD box, featuring HDR, Google Assistant voice search and Chromecast built-in.
Offering instant access to over 5,000 applications and streaming movie and audio services via Google Play Store (including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BT Sport, My5, YouTube, YouTube Kids), the LEAP-S1 offers cinematic 4K picture quality with vivid colours, pin-sharp clarity and contrast levels, along with Dolby audio as well.
Meanwhile, gaming fans will also be able to access a huge – and growing – collection of top-tier video games courtesy of Google’s Stadia. Hit titles such as Cyberpunk 2077, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, Hitman World of Assassination, F1, FIFA, Red Dead 2, Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six and Borderlands 3 can be played directly over broadband internet using the LEAP-S1 (using a compatible controller), without any need for a game console or PC and streamed seamlessly over home Wi-Fi networks (minimum 30 Mbps bandwidth recommended)
Players can either purchase individual titles or sign up to the Stadia Pro monthly subscription service. Many of the games are delivered in 4K HDR 60fps video quality with 5.1-channel surround sound audio (via compatible display and sound systems).
Powered by Android TV 10 OS, the LEAP-S1 is ultra-responsive for day-to-day use, thanks to a powerful quad-core, 1.8 KHz ARM Cortex-A53 processor, combined with Dual Band 802.11ac Wi-Fi 5, 2GB of DDR4 RAM plus 8GB of Flash storage.
“The STRONG LEAP-S1 gives both movie lovers and gamers easy access to an enormous range of 4K Ultra HD and HDR content, all easily locatable using the built-in voice search facility,” commented Rob Peacock, Commercial Director of STRONG TV (UK), who joined the company after 14 years at rival company, Humax.
“With an above average range of storage and connectivity options, it’s one of the most versatile streaming boxes in its category.”
Other features of the box include Chromecast (for streaming music and HD movies from your smartphone), Bluetooth 4.2, a pair of side-mounted USBs, plus a useful Micro SD slot as well as Ethernet LAN and HDMI (2.1a).
A 3.5mm stereo analogue audio output will also allow users to hook up external headphones/amplifiers/speakers while a SPDIF (optical) connection delivers digital audio to external DACs and AV receivers.
