Digital Video Recorder - What is a PVR Or a DVR?

The Personal Video Recorder replaces your VCR

Don't things move quickly nowadays? It seems only yesterday that the first VCRs became available and changed the way that we used our TVs forever. Now it seems that you will soon have to replace all your old analog TV equipment including your VCR with digital TV receivers and digital video recorders (DVR) if you haven't done so already.

Analog satellite TV, cable and terrestrial TV transmissions will soon be turned off and when that happens you will need digital TV equipment if you plan to continue to watch TV.

If you don't want to change your VCR at this time you will still be able to record digital TV from the analog AV output of your digital receiver but you won't be able to take advantage of all the new features on offer. In fact you will have fewer options available to you than before unless you upgrade to a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) or a DVR.

Digital Video Recorder or DVR explained?

A DVR captures digital video or digital TV and records it onto a hard drive like the one in your computer. In fact a DVR is a computer dedicated to the task of recording and playing back digital video. All a computer needs to be able to do this over and above all the usual stuff is a digital TV tuner.

Your DVR tuner has to be able to receive and decode signals from your chosen provider so there are different types available depending on whether you use digital satellite TV, cable or terrestrial TV.

Some systems that provide premium pay for channels will insist that you use their own equipment to receive their programming and you may have to pay even more to use their PVR or DVR equipment

What does a DVR do for you?

With a DVR you can capture and record digital TV programs onto a hard drive that's inside the unit. You can typically record up to about 40 hours of video onto the internal hard drive.

A DVR makes it possible to record a live transmission while you are watching a recording and if you have a DVR with two digital tuners then you can watch one channel while you are recording another or record 2 programs from different channels while watching a recording made earlier.

Your DVR will also pause live TV if you want it to and restart it later. It turns live transmissions into recordings on the fly.

Personal Video Recorder or PVR explained?

A PVR or Personal Video Recorder is a DVR with some advanced features. For instance with a PVR you might find that it can learn what programs you watch and automatically record them for you if you forget to set the recorder. You can also use a PVR to create a recording playback list and have it record only the best programs and then watch them as if it were your own personal TV channel.

The Future of Video - Production and Broadcast Standards

In the United States, the NTSC standard has been used since the 1950's for video broadcasts. NTSC is also used in certain parts of Asia, while PAL and SECAM are standards used in Europe. Each standard carries its own specifications - and in fact there are several variations of each standard - but the video standard you will be using is going to be mainly determined by the country in which you live.

Frame Rate

Frame rate describes the number of frames, or images, that are displayed per second of video. The human eye can detect jumps in anything below about 15 frames per second, but every video standard is well above this number. The NTSC standard frame rate, for instance, shows 29.97 frames every second.

It might seem odd that NTSC uses a fraction of a frame. This came about because the original television broadcasts in the 1950's were at 30 frames per second in black and white. The fractional frame is missing because engineers found that when color was added to the signal the easiest way to incorporate the added information into the signal was to slow it down very slightly. PAL and SECAM are both 25 frames per second, while film is shot at 24 fps.

Timecode

Timecode measures video frames in realtime, and is set to Hours, Minutes, Seconds, and Frames. Since NTSC runs at fractions of a frame each second, it uses a type of timecode called drop-frame that adjusts itself every minute so that those 29.97 frames match exactly to the actual amount of time that has passed. By contrast, non-drop-frame timecode does not make this adjustment, so as time goes by the timecode becomes further and further offset from the actual amount of time that has passed.
Resolution

Great strides have been made in the realm of resolution, and broadcast standards in the US have shifted to HD - High-Definition video. When you pop in a standard definition DVD and sit down to watch, you're looking at video that is 720x480, or 720 pixels wide by 480 pixels high, which is a total of 345,600 pixels. High-definition video starts at the 720p standard and goes up from there. 720p is 1280x720, or 921,600 pixels of resolution. There is also 1080p and 1080i, which are each 1920x1080. So you can see that high-definition broadcast standards have significantly increased the ways in which we experience video.

The i and the p in these formats stand for interlaced and progressive. An interlaced video is one where each frame actually contains a split image of two separate frames. When the video is played back, the frames are deinterlaced and the two images are split so that they can be viewed separately again. This method is used to save bandwidth, while progressive scan imagery uses full-frame transmissions.

Aspect Ratio

Aspect ratio is the measure of height in relation to width. A video's resolution is measured in pixels, and its aspect ratio tells you the relationship between its vertical and horizontal pixels. The standard television aspect ratio is 4:3, meaning that for every four horizontal pixels, there are three vertical ones. Widescreen video used in widescreen televisions is 16:9, or sixteen horizontal pixels for every nine vertical ones.

There are a few other commonly used aspect ratios, for example those used in some films which are even wider than 16:9, the anamorphic formats 1.85:1 and 2.39:1. The term anamorphic refers to using a wide lens to record onto normal 35mm film, which is traditionally formatted to capture a standard 4:3 image. This is why when you watch an unedited widescreen film on a regular television you see black bars above and below the picture; these are the areas of the film's frame where no image has been recorded due to the use of the anamorphic lens.

Resolution and Aspect Ratio

It's important to understand the distinction between resolution and aspect ratio; resolution measures the total size of a video's frame in pixels, whereas aspect ratio is a measurement of the relationship between its vertical and horizontal dimensions. Take the 4:3 aspect ratio, for example. You could have one video at 640x480 resolution and another at only 320x240. While the smaller 320x240 video has only 1/4 as many pixels of resolution as the larger one, they are nonetheless both still in the 4:3 aspect ratio.

4 Channel Active UTP Video Balun Receiver, 4x BNC to 1x RJ45

4 Channel Active UTP Video Balun Receiver, 4x BNC to 1x RJ45 Review

4 Channel Active UTP Video Balun Receiver, 4x BNC to 1x RJ45 Feature

• One Year Warranty
• 30-Day Money Back Guarantee!

4 Channel Active UTP Video Balun Receiver, 4x BNC to 1x RJ45 Overview

Video transmission via UPT CAT5 cable
4 Channel video signal transmission up to 1200 Meters
Outstanding interference rejection/transient protection
Enables cost-effective, high quality image
Video in/out: BNC (male)
Transmission distance: Max.3000 (B/W) 2400(Color)
Video format: NTSC/PAL/CCIR/ SECAM
Operation Frequency Range: DC--10MHz
Transient Protection: 6000V
Twisted Pair Connector: One Pin Connector
Common Mode Rejection: 70db
Input Impedance: 75 ohms
Output Impedance: 100 ohms
Weight: 1000G
Video input: 4 Channel
Wire Type: UTP2-24AWG or Better,UTP Category 3,4,5,5e or 6
4ch Active, DC12V
Requires DC12v DC Power Adapter, optional

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 19, 2010 16:24:04

What is DisplayPort?

Displayport is one of the newer video digital interfaces that serve as a cathode ray tube, or CRT for monitors and televisions. Displayport is one of the Video Electronics Standards Association's (VESA) newest vision in simplifying and standardizing video connections, including the common and much used VGA, DVI and HDMI interfaces.

The maximum capacity in transfer for a Displayport interface is around 8.6 gigabits per second over a 2m cable. The Displayport connector acts as a direct competitor with the HDMI, featuring richer colours, higher resolutions and being able to hold a variety of different channels which handle device control instructions.

This particular cable has been in the markets since 2008. While the original VGA port has been extremely reliable and compliant, the Displayport cable sets a new standard which is on par with the HDMI. Possible uses for the Displayport cable range from a home entertainment system to a computer monitor. The Displayport connection allows for a direct connection from the computer onto a digital entertainment system, greatly simplifying the process and cutting out any messy wires.

Utilising a USB connection supporting 1 of 4 pairs of data including audio, video, and clock signals, the Displayport cable boasts a maximum resolution of 1080p. Although the Displayport cable itself is compliant with other HD systems such as DVI and HDMI, the Displayport connector itself is not cross compatible.

Security measures implemented into the cable includes DPCP, or otherwise known as DisplayPort Content Protection. DPCP allows for users to optionally enable content protection that can help protect transmission data from being intercepted and sent to unauthorized users from a distance. The Displayport system is also being constantly upgraded, with its development backed up by Intel is releasing new versions to the market much like the way HDMI does so.

And in comparison, when looking at Displayport and HDMI, which one is better than the other? There are a variety of answers to this, but one advantage of using Displayport is that it is currently license free, meaning that developers and computer technology manufacturers are more likely to use the Displayport connector since it is more cost effective than the HDMI which requires licensing fees. In terms of quality, the Displayport would be more or less on the same level as a HDMI, which is by far one of the best means of display HD media. Displayport has received much positive feedback from the market, and it will probably continue to do so.

HP Color LaserJet CP1518ni Printer - Your Definite Business Partner

The HP Color LaserJet CP1518ni Printer is the type of unit that everybody can use, may it be for business, school or even for a home office. This printer can meet the needs in every department of a person's life.

The excellent-quality images and text documents that necessitate speed and efficiency can be easily produced by this color laser printer. With the remarkable speedy performance of this laser printer, you could immediately spot its difference from an ordinary printer.

The HP Color LaserJet CP1518ni Printer can modestly produce 12-pages of black and white documents, like articles and word documents, and 8 pages of colored images, such as an advertisement or a photograph, in a minute. Photographs are boasted to have a realistic photo quality showing natural skin tones and even better-looking gloss. This printer can immediately respond to changes quickly and easily with features that will be benefited by such materials.

This compact HP printer has a round silver and gray exterior. Though it is slightly heavy and bulky, its size fits it function as it can be effortlessly eased into any space.

This type of printer is best suited to home offices and small business as its input tray can cater a maximum of one hundred fifty sheets, while its output tray can handle around a hundred and twenty-five pieces of paper. In addition, it contains a special priority tray specifically intended for other media, like CD arts and envelopes. This input tray could also be adjusted to accommodate an 8.5x14-inch document size.

HP Color LaserJet CP1518ni Printer can work very well with several desktop operating systems, including Windows and Mac. Although it is not wireless enabled, it still has the capacity to cater several people over a network via a wired connection. Despite the fact that its setup can be achieved online, it is still very simple to install. In addition, it contains several connectivity features such as a USB port for digital cameras and memory card readers. This way, printing photographs becomes so easy, as the highest quality settings are automatically selected as a media is inserted.

Although the toner ink for this color laser printer is quite expensive, the excellent-quality sharp text documents and colored images are just about enough for its reasonable price. The important thing is you get to enjoy an impressive set of both color and text-rich outputs.

Lastly, you could finish a lot faster because of the presence of the Instant-on Technology that immediately begins printing from the powersave mode. With this feature, you could gratefully save at least 50 percent of energy. Moreover, its packaging is made of 10 to 30 per cent recycled materials. Apparently, you could not only acquire high-quality documents, but you could also save the environment and energy.

Overall, the reasonably economical HP Color LaserJet CP1518ni Printer will be able to help you both grow your business with print-shop quality outputs and color pages in your home. You could rely on Hewlett-Packard in producing good-quality units that will help you further enhance your business and other projects.

Vivotek VS7100 Real-time Dual-codec MPEG-4 IP Video BNC Server

Vivotek VS7100 Real-time Dual-codec MPEG-4 IP Video BNC Server Review

Vivotek VS7100 Real-time Dual-codec MPEG-4 IP Video BNC Server Feature

• Real-time MPEG-4 and MJPEG Compression (Dual Codec)
• Up to D1 Resolution
• Supports Simultaneous Dual Streams
• Built-in 802.3af Compliant PoE (Power over Ethernet) (Optional)
• Supports Privacy Masks

Vivotek VS7100 Real-time Dual-codec MPEG-4 IP Video BNC Server Overview

The VIVOTEK VS7100 is a professional 1-CH video server for remote surveillance. Embedded with VIVOTEKs VVTK-1000 SoC, it not only provides dual-codec video compression in MPEG-4 and MJPEG formats to efficiently optimize image quality and bandwidth, but also can simultaneously deliver dual streams with different resolutions up to D1 and video quality upon separate devices. Users can easily migrate to an IP-based digital open system from the existing analog close system and meet different requirements for live viewing and recording. The VIVOTEK VS7100 also comes with versatile functions to meet specific applications such as 3GPP mobile surveillance, power over Ethernet (PoE), digital I/O for external sensor and alarm, RS-485 interface for PTZ camera control, and privacy masks and so on. Together with the free-bundled 16-CH recording software, this video server provides a cost-effective solution for a transit from CCTV to IP video.

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*** Product Information and Prices Stored: Apr 13, 2010 18:25:08

Car Audio Subwoofer Basics

Typical car audio systems have small speakers with limited ability to reproduce low-frequency sounds. Car audio subwoofers can add more depth to a car audio system by reproducing frequencies below 150 hertz. A subwoofer can add strong and powerful basses to your car audio.

Most car audio subwoofers are installed in the trunk due to space limitations in the cabin of the car. Subwoofers are usually 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter although they can be as big as 34 inches and as small as 4 inches.

Wider subwoofers allow for more efficient air displacement which is critical for low frequencies.

The amplifier for car audio subwoofers can be integrated into the cabinet or installed as a separate unit. The amplifier should have an electronic crossover to filter out high-frequency sounds before the signal is passed to the subwoofer.

Although car audio subwoofers are usually round in shape, recently manufactures have been introducing subwoofers in new shapes. Square subwoofers have been released by Stillwater Designs and other companies have introduced triangular and hexagonal subwoofers. These innovative designs may be easier to install in cars with limited space, but there is no acoustical advantage to nonround shapes.

The type of enclosure for car audio subwoofers influences the kind of sound that is produced.

There are five basic types of subwoofer enclosures -

* sealed,

* ported,

* bandpass,

* passive radiator and

* transmission line systems.

For car use, the most practical type of enclosure is the sealed enclosure because it requires the minimum space and matches the audio requirements of a typical car interior.

There are many premade enclosures for car audio subwoofers on the market. Alternatively, you can have one custom-made or build one yourself. When you buy a subwoofer driver, you will usually receive a spec sheet which gives you guidelines for enclosure requirements. Also check out the spec sheets for power requirements and linear response - a flat response will give the truest sound.

Many people are tempted to crank up the sound when they have car audio subwoofers installed. Although it sounds great, take care - prolonged exposure to loud sounds can permanently affect your hearing.