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Brian Bradshaw - EzineArticles.com Expert Author
About the Author: Brian Bradshaw is a Certified Technical Specialist (InfoComm CTS), Microsoft MCTS, and CompTIA A+ technologist. Areas of expertise include Audio-Video, Information Technology, Video Security, WiFi, & Satellite Communications. He has a communications technology business that serves the Southwestern United States with offices in Plano, Texas (Dallas) and an office in Peoria, Arizona (Phoenix) managed by his brother, Keller. More information can be found at the Website.
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- Video Security System Design Guide
[Home-Improvement:Security] This guide has been developed to assist customers with those decisions that are needed to successfully plan a video security system. The guide does not pretend to be comprehensive, but rather, the goal is to provide a tool that initiates a fruitful conversation between the customer and the professional.
- Video Analytics
[Computers-and-Technology:Software] In spite of the economic slowdown, the security business continues to grow. This includes burglar alarms and video security systems. In most large businesses, a centralized video monitoring station is employed as a security precaution with a human technician monitoring many monitors. However, studies have shown human operators can only stay reasonably alert for about 20 minutes when watching eventless images. This is not surprising. Digital and Internet technologies have made it easier to efficiently utilize these video security systems. The newest frontier in video surveillance is content analysis software, also known as "video analytics".
- H.264 Defined
[Computers-and-Technology] Video signals can require enormous capacity for transport and storage. For these reasons, video signals are almost always "compressed" to reduce the signal's size. This is called "video signal compression" (VSC).
- "Mr Outsource" Hired to Lead GM
[News-and-Society:Economics] A recent headline from NBC Los Angeles read "Can't We Build Cars the Way We Make Chips?" The premise of the article was that we could hire a few computer aided draftsmen to put automobile designs onto a computer, and then have the car manufactured overseas, and this would result in a healthy auto industry.
- 300 MM Wafers - The Technology That Failed Many Chip Companies
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] The semiconductor chip industry has been in deep recession for the last few years, but the last year has been especially bad. Recent reports have revenue down 30 per cent from last year. In an industry with huge capital investments, and excruciatingly thin profit margins, this constitutes a disaster.
- Do Red-Light Cameras Work?
[News-and-Society:Crime] There are few issues as controversial as photographic traffic signal enforcement systems, more commonly known as "red-light cameras". This is a technology which reeks of "Big Brother" surveillance. The impact of the technology on the rate of accidents is ambiguous, and the motivation of city leaders is often questioned since the cameras can be a significant revenue producer for municipalities.
- Do Surveillance Cameras Reduce Crime?
[Computers-and-Technology] Many cities, businesses, and individuals have installed Closed-Circuit TV (CCTV) cameras for surveillance purposes. London in particular, has installed thousands of surveillance video cameras. New York City with more than 4000 video cameras in just Manhattan, has adopted many of the same strategies as London, and cities across the U.S. are on a comparable path. These cameras make many people feel safer, but this technology can make other people concerned with a perceived loss of privacy. Do the experiences to date, show that surveillance cameras improve the public's safety?
- New Technology For Security Cameras
[Home-Improvement:Security] Video cameras are being installed in many new applications. Nanny-cams, police and home security networks, traffic jam monitors, and small-business webcams are just a few of the video monitoring devices employed by and for the average American.
- Artificial Intelligence For Security Camera Systems
[Home-Improvement:Security] Mounting video cameras is cheap, but funding human resources to observe the output is expensive. Like so many problems, the solution can be computer technology. Computers cannot do the job by themselves, but they can analyze the imagery and automatically alert a human operator to any suspicious event...
- The Rise and Fall of the American Chip Industry
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] The American chip industry, outside of Intel, is an endangered species. AT&T, Hewlett-Packard, and others are already gone from the field. Others, like Texas Instruments, have set a path for the eventual elimination of manufacturing. These companies have gone "fabless", meaning they will continue designing applications, but leave the process technology and manufacturing to someone else (most often to companies in Asia).
- What is SuperSpeed USB 3-0?
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] "The future of computing and consumer devices is increasingly visual and bandwidth intensive. Lifestyles filled with HD media and digital audio demand quick and universal data transfer. USB 3.0 is an answer to the future bandwidth need of the PC platform." - Phil Eisler, President of the chipset business unit at Advanced Micro Devices.
- Are Solid-State Hard Drives (SSD) In Your Future?
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] While hard-drive memory capacities have increased significantly in recent years, the access speed has remained relatively constant. It's an issue/problem fundamental to the technology. The hard-drive is mechanical, and efforts to improve speed have been receiving diminishing returns. A technology that is competing with the conventional hard-drive (HDD) is the solid-state drive (SSD). An SSD is not mechanical, it is based on "flash memory", the same computer chip technology used to store pictures with your digital camera. An SSD drive was a novelty only 3 years ago, but no longer.
- Grandtec USB to HDMI Adapter
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] You've probably seen a coworker or colleague using multiple LCD monitors at their computer workstation. Research at the University of Utah indicates that the use of multiple monitors can significantly improve worker productivity. It has been possible to integrate multiple monitors if the computer had DVI or HDMI outputs, but computers equipped with this functionality are still rare. Currently less than 2 percent of workstations are equipped with more than a single monitor. There is a need for a simpler solution.
- Movies Online With Vudu
[Internet-and-Businesses-Online:Video-Streaming] Internet downloaded movies appear to be the dominant delivery technique of the future. Vudu, TiVo, Apple's iTunes, NetFlix, and Amazon.com currently offer video content via a online broadband Internet connection. It is likely that the movie distribution business will follow the path blazed by the audio distribution business. The only reason for the time lag is that video files are much larger, and the Internet capability was not yet ready.
- Network Interface Cards (NIC)
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] A NIC (network interface card) is designed to communicate over a computer network. It allows users to connect to each other either by using cables or wirelessly if the NIC is a wireless NIC (WiFi/WNIC). Every entity on a network, a PC, printer, router, etc., that needs to communicate with other devices must have a NIC if it is to communicate over the network.
- Computer Network Routers, Hubs, and Switches
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] When computer networks are working well, which we hope is most of the time, the inner workings of the system modules are transparent to the average user. The most common components on a computer network, not counting cables, are "routers", "hubs", and "switches". Modern network hardware operates on the "Open System Interconnection" (OSI) standard. This standard defines how communications on a network should be implemented.
- HDTV For the UnGeek
[Shopping-and-Product-Reviews:Electronics] This might be a good time to upgrade your hardware. The new standard offers a much better picture. In the current world of digital projectors, LCD, LCOS, Plasma, and DLP are the four different kinds of televisions that dominate the HDTV market. Each has unique advantages over the other. Mitsubishi is now introducing LaserVue, a type of DLP set with much promise.
- Light Emitting Diodes (LED) In the 21st Century
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] The LED has advanced significantly in the last few years. Applications like traffic lights, bulbs for HDTV, and other lighting applications are now part of the portfolio. The advantages include energy efficiency, reliability, and lifetime.
- How Are "Point of Sale" (POS) Systems Different From a Cash Register?
[Business:Retail] Point of sale (POS) is a technology for financial transactions at retail establishments, for example, at a supermarket. A POS system includes the hardware and software used for checkouts, the computer-age equivalent of a cash register.
- Cell Phone Text Messages (AKA SMS, Short Message Service)
[Communications:Mobile-Cell-Phone-SMS] Text messaging has become part of the culture, even a short-hand language has emerged. One can order a pizza, or vote on American Idol, with a text message. Obama announced his Vice Presidential candidate with a text message to 10 million people. According to research by Nielsen Mobile, during the second quarter of 2008, the average U.S. cell phone user sent or received 204 voice phone calls per month and sent or received 357 text messages per month. Teenagers in the United States, on average, send and receive an average of more than 1,700 text messages per month.
- The Problem With Wireless For Surround Sound
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] We all hate cables running all over the floor, especially when they are not easily hidden. We just invested in a top-notch home theater system. We have a great video monitor, an audiophile quality home theater receiver, and some great speakers. So far, so good. Now it's time to connect the rear channel surround speakers.
- Wireless Power For Small Appliances
[Computers-and-Technology:Mobile-Computing] WiFi and Bluetooth are wonderful technologies for freeing our portable devices from cables, except for the power cable, right? Some vendors are ready with a new technology that will allow the charging of cell phones or other small appliances without wires. Is that "Buck Rogers" or what?
- Satellite TV For Automobiles
[Communications:Satellite-TV] Entertainment service in automobiles is getting important new players. AT&T has revealed plans for a satellite TV service called Cruisecast. And MediaFlo, a subsidiary of Qualcomm, is introducing a competing system called FLO TV, that is based on cell phone technology from AudioVox. The U.S. switch to digital TV will free Rf spectrum for the delivery of advanced wireless services such as FLO TV.
- HDMI For HDTV
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) is now the standard digital audio-video cable for HDTV. HDMI accomplishes the task of simplifying the installation by integrating all of the interconnects while simultaneously improving performance.
- OnForce - eBay For Technical Service
[Business:Outsourcing] The service industry is undergoing a major transition. Just as eBay revolutionized the consumer marketplace, OnForce is revolutionizing the technical services marketplace.
- Internet-HDTV Wiring Requirements
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] Prior to the Internet revolution, business and residential applications had only two wiring systems, the electrical service and the phone service. Today, more options are needed to meet the networking needs of consumers. Twenty years of stunningly rapid advances in technology have brought computing into businesses and homes in ways that were recently barely imagined.
- LCD Backlighting For HDTV
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] Many consumers focus on screen resolution when selecting a High Def (HDTV) system. Is this HDTV 720p, 1020i, or 1020p? But when an expert group, the SMPTE (Society of Motion Pictures and Television Engineers), recently ranked the importance of screen resolution, it ranked fourth. The SMPTE ranked contrast ratio, color saturation, color temperature and grayscale ahead of screen resolution in importance.
- Organic LED (OLED) Soon to Dominate HDTV Market
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] At this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas the biggest hit was Sony, with an OLED (organic light emitting diode) display. It's very thin (1/10") and currently sells for $2500. A significant benefit of OLED displays over traditional liquid crystal displays (LCDs) is that OLEDs do not require a backlight to function. Because of this, they draw much less power. And because there is no backlight, an OLED display is much thinner than an LCD display.
- HDTV Installation
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] HDTV systems are complex. The process of planning an installation includes the choice of the video module, the programming source (usually cable or satellite), the audio subsystem, the system interconnects (cabling), and the component locations.
- 3-D HDTV With DLP
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] The commercial successes of recent 3D films like "Beowulf", "Meet the Robinsons", and "Journey to the Center of the Earth", is sparking interest with the movie studios to produce more 3D content material. Disney, Universal, Philips, Samsung, Sony, Thomson and IMAX are currently exploring the potential 3D HDTV market. Disney said it would begin making all its computer-animated films in 3D. According to Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, all of the major studios have 3D projects under way.
- Coaxial Cable For Non-Geeks
[Communications] Coaxial cable is used for transmitting high frequency signals for communications (i.e. video or satellite signals). One of the main factors when choosing a cable is a calculation of signal loss (attenuation). Attenuation is often expressed as in decibels (db) per distance. If the run is short, this may be a minor consideration.
- New Satellites For Internet to Challenge Cable-DSL
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] The demand for Broadband Internet by satellite has been growing so fast, that WildBlue has stopped taking orders in parts of the U.S. Internet communications bandwidth requirements continue to grow at about 50% annually. Satellite Internet Services (like WildBlue) have been struggling to meet capacity.
- Mega HDTV File Downloads Threaten Internet (and Hollywood)
[Arts-and-Entertainment:Movies-TV] The current trend of video downloads is similar to what occurred with audio (Napster). If this continues, it will result in a consumption of internet capacity that will overwhelm infrastructure, and result in a 30-40% loss of revenue for Hollywood. The primary forces impacting this trend include internet capacity constraints caused by video download demand, property rights of the movie producers (and the technical solutions), and an analysis of the who is likely to reap the financial windfall.
- DSL, Cable, Satellite, Or 4G - Comparison For Broadband Internet Service and HDTV
[Communications:Broadband-Internet] Telephone, Internet, and TV service are now routinely bundled by service providers. It is convenient to have a single supplier and one bill a month. In major U.S. metropolitan areas, WiMax is becoming available. WiMax supports peak data speeds of about 20 MBPS. Most major wireless carriers are skipping WiMax, planning instead to build out networks using a similar technology called Long Term Evolution (LTE), a successor to current cellular technology. WiMax and LTE are a new generation of cellular technology called "4G". Also, new broadband satellite service will be available in the near future which will shake-up the status quo even more.
- WiFi Internet For Buildings and Cities
[Computers-and-Technology:Mobile-Computing] The Future is WiMax: WiFi on Steroids. WiFi networks (802.11) are being implemented to improve productivity, add convenience, and reduce costs. WiFi networks, including the newer technologies like WiMax and LTE, will continue to become more important alternatives for providing broadband access in the future.
- A Retrospective on the Hughes Corporation's Contribution to the Exploration of Outer Space
[Reference-and-Education:Astronomy] Hughes Space and Communications built airplanes, helicopters, missiles, radar systems, satellites, and interplanetary exploration vehicles. The company built the first working laser, aircraft computer systems, and ion-propulsion engines. Much of the current interplanetary exploration, and communication satellite industry, has been built on the foundation laid by the Hughes Corporation.
- HDTV - 720p, 1080i, and 1080p?
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] The HDTV industry is extraordinarily dynamic. The Dish Network will begin satellite broadcast in 1080p in August 2008 with 150 HDTV channels, and DirecTV will begin both satellite and Internet broadcast by the end of 2008, with about 130 channels of HDTV programming. But what exactly is 1080p?
- HDTV and Internet Driving Demand For Satellite "SpotBeams"
[Communications:Satellite-TV] High Definition Television (HDTV), which needs a much larger bandwidth for transmission, coupled with the current demand for hundreds of television channels and the growth in Internet communications, is resulting in a radio bandwidth shortage. One tool being used to address this problem is Satellite SpotBeams. ViaSat-1 (another Telesat Canada satellite) is planned for launch in 2011. This system is a very advanced Ka-band broadband satellite ordered by ViaSat. The amount of bandwidth enabled by ViaSat-1, equipped with ViaSat's "SurfBeam" networking system, is unparalleled.
- HDTV Bandwidth Management
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] MPEG is a standard for technology for Compressing Digital Video (CDV). CDV is comparable to using MP3 files for music. It makes the file smaller without damaging it, so that it takes less time to download (less bandwidth), and more songs can be stored on your player. CDV reduces the signal bandwidth requirements of a TV signal to enable its transmission via the Internet, DVD, cable, or satellite. This is necessary because an uncompressed video signal is very large.
- Internet Reliability "Most Common Disruption" to Business, HDTV Offers New Threat
[Home-Improvement:Audio-Video] The U.S. Department of Labor reports that for the fifth consecutive year the most common disruption to business was the loss of broadband internet connection, with 39 per cent of businesses reporting some kind of failure. The current perception is there is a significant excess capacity in carrier networks. This has led to a reduction in investment in optical fiber installation. But according to TIA, this is incorrect. Utilizing data on historical bandwidth drivers, past fiber and equipment usage trends, and an understanding of networks, the system is near its capacity limit. Carriers in the United States are rapidly running out of bandwidth and may face capacity shortages as soon as this year. If the bean-counters react in time and significantly increase funding of fiber projects, none of the worst case scenarios is necessary.
- Internet Communications From Anywhere With Mobile Satellite Systems
[Computers-and-Technology:Hardware] C-Com's iNetVu is now offering a new technology for mobile VSAT. The iNetVu Ka66 has been designed to take advantage a new satellite, Telesat Canada's Anik F2 Satellite. Anik F2 is the world's largest commercial communications satellite. The Ka66 is the first mobile satellite internet offering to operate in the Ka band frequency range.
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