mpeg « WordPress.com Tag Feed

What You Need

digitaltelevision — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 08:00:21 +0000

The equipment needed for DTV depends on whether you use terrestrial, cable, or satellite services. Consumers will, at a minimum, have to purchase a converter to view DTV transmissions on their old television sets. In addition, consumers that use terrestrial services or antennas to receive television signals need an antenna equipped for digital signals. A consumer located in mountainous terrain in an ATSC-compliant country may not be able to receive terrestrial-based digital signals because of multipath effects. This is common even with today's analog television system. In DVB compliant countries, terrain does not affect the reception of digital signals. Satellite users are already enjoying DTV broadcasting, but a larger satellite dish might be needed to view HDTV programming.

A set-top box is a device that enables a television set to become a user interface to the Internet and also enables an analog television set to receive and decode DTV broadcasts. DTV set-top boxes are sometimes called receivers. It is estimated that 35 million homes will use digital set-top boxes by the end of 2006, the estimated year ending the transition to DTV.

A typical digital set-top box contains one or more microprocessors for running the operating system, usually Linux or Windows CE , and for parsing the MPEG transport stream. A set-top box also includes RAM, an MPEG decoder chip, and more chips for audio decoding and processing. The contents of a set-top box depend on the DTV standard used. DVB-compliant set-top boxes contain parts to decode COFDM transmissions while ATSC-compliant set-top boxes contain parts to decode VSB transmissions. More sophisticated set-top boxes contain a hard drive for storing recorded television broadcasts, for storing downloaded software, and for other applications provided by the DTV service provider. Digital set-top boxes can be used for satellite and terrestrial DTV but are used mostly for cable television. A set-top box price ranges from $100 for basic features to over $1,000 for a more sophisticated box.

In the Internet realm, a set-top box is really a specialized computer that can "talk to" the Internet - that is, it contains a Web browser (which is really a Hypertext Transfer Protocol client) and the Internet's main program, TCP/IP . The service to which the set-top box is attached may be through a telephone line as, for example, with Web TV or through a cable TV company like TCI.

To take advantage of Dolby Digital 5.1 channel for satellite broadcasts, a satellite receiver that provides a Dolby Digital output is necessary. For cable users, all digital set-top boxes are equipped with a Dolby Digital two-channel decoder. To use 5.1 channel sound, a 5.1 channel-compliant set-top box is needed or an external 5.1 channel decoder unit.

The most dramatic demonstration of digital television's benefits is through a high-end HDTV, because of the larger screen, wider aspect ratio and better resolution. Like most new technologies, however, HDTV is expensive. Nevertheless, less expensive digital TVs provide a markedly improved viewing experience over regular TV, and for those who choose to retain their old sets, even the addition of a set-top converter will deliver a discernably improved picture and sound.

The FCC's schedule for transition to DTV proposed that everyone in the U.S. should have access to DTV by 2002 and that the switch to digital transmission must be completed either by 2006 or when 85% of the households in a specific area have purchased digital television sets or set-top converters. In practice, the transition was still occurring as 2007 began.

source: whatis.techtarget.com

Samsung LN52A650 52-Inch 1080p 120Hz LCD HDTV with Red Touch of Color

giftzee — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:34:13 +0000

Manufacturer's Description
Samsung adds a Touch of Color to a blazing-fast 4ms response time and rich connectivity features to redefine the role HDTVs play in the home with its forward-looking Series 6 (A650) and Series 7 (A750) LCD HDTVs. Utilizing the award-winning technologies found in all Samsung HDTVs, Series 6 and 7 HDTVs deliver unparalleled picture quality and enhanced connectivity and networking capabilities that create a true entertainment hub for any home. Series 7 takes networking and multimedia management to a whole new level. Consumers can easily enjoy MPEG and JPEG files stored on external devices by connecting through a side-mounted USB 2.0, turning their LCD into a full-scale home viewing gallery, or connect their MP3 players for a dynamic audio experience.

Samsung enhances the clarity of select LCD HDTVs by replacing the light-diffusing plastic face of traditional LCD HDTVs with a natural black panel with a clear anti-glare shield. Reduced reflection of external light creates a new dimension in image clarity, highlighting black and darkened areas, enabling vibrant, more compelling colors and a brighter, clearer picture. Black will never again appear grayish. Black details will show in vivid black even in dark scenes.

The latest version of Samsung’s breakthrough super clear panel technology makes colors appear more vibrant and blacks even deeper than ever. Enhanced films reduce glare and optimize off-angle viewing.
The NTSC (National Television Systems Committee) has established the color standards all TVs in America try to meet. And typical LCD TVs only meet about 72% of this standard. Samsung LCD HDTVs use Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp backlights to give you 92% coverage of the NTSC standard, ensuring truer, more breathlessly vivid colors.