The TV station in a box！--News from CNET

TV broadcasting stations are going portable.

NetTVworld is working on a device that will essentially let people or small organizations more easily broadcast their own TV programs via the Internet, according to the company's CEO, Steve Baker. The black box in the picture digitizes and packetizes video streams and then sends them over the Internet.

The box itself can only broadcast 10 streams at once, but NetTVworld hopes to leverage peer-to-peer networks. With peer-to-peer, a single box can effectively send out 20,000 streams. The company has hit this number of streams in lab tests and it can probably do more, Baker said. Although the box can potentially deliver 20,000 simultaneous streams, it actually only broadcasts one single show at a time.


The NetTelecaster box, which will cost around $5,000, is far cheaper than conventional broadcasting equipment. (Technically, you could probably rig up a standard server to do the same thing, but this takes the configuration and complexity out of the equation.) The company will aim it at national franchises or chains. Automakers such as Ford or Honda, for instance, will be able to broadcast programs, videos and reviews to their nationwide network of dealers. The private ad network is similar to what Focus Media has accomplished in China.

Colleges, Baker said, are looking at the device to set up networks for broadcasting games for their alumni. ESPN, after all, doesn't show the Drake versus Oberlin game every year.

"Channels will be springing up to cover every niche," he said.

The company has also developed a portable version that TV reporters could sling over their shoulder to broadcast live from a disaster--or a celebrity wedding. The same portable device could be used by police or emergency workers.

These new Internet TV stations, moreover, won't have to have FCC clearance or worry about getting room on cable or satellite networks.

Source from: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9825035-7.html

HDTV and digital TV

High-definition televisions or HDTV as we know the term today have been around for the last decade. Although it is already been adopted worldwide, there are still some consumers who do not understand terms such as “HD ready”, “DTV-ready” or “Full HD”. This has led to some frustration as consumers have been let down when they found that there was a need for additional electronics and accessories to receive HD content on their “HD Ready” television display. So how High Definition should be defined?


DTV actually means “Digital Television” and is not an HD ready platform but merely a switch over to digital broadcasting. There are instances where DTV may mean the 720p HD broadcasting standard but they are rare. An HDTV is TV that can support and display high-definition images and content in one of three formats, HD 720p, Full HD 1080p or 1080i.

In Europe and other countries, broadcasters began making the digital switchover in 2009 while most US & Japan based broadcasters had already completed the digital switch the same year. The big question and debate is around how High definition should be defined because there are two major image scanning technologies and several picture formats that are used by different companies. For DVD/Blu-Ray platforms, HD is defined as 720p (or 720 lines of progressive scanning) or the Full HD 1080p. When it comes to broadcasting, there is 720p HD, 1080i (1080 lines of interlaced scanning) and 1080p Full HD (although this format is rarely used). 1080i is the most common especially in the US although some say is not actually full HD despite using the same 1080 lines, the argument has been that because the images are interlaced and based on a previous analogue system and not the progressive system that was introduced on computers and the DVD player, 1080i is not full HD.

Although 1080i fills the entire screen, for a user to face 1080i, their HDTV will need to support the format which most HD ready Televisions claim to support.

In selecting a new HDTV, it is important that the HD television can support all 3 formats to avoid disappointment and confusion. Although it is not clear when the HD format ‘war’ will end, the best insurance any consumer can take when purchasing HD televisions is to make sure it can support the 3 broadcasting and media formats, 720p, 1080i and Full HD1080p.

Which HDTV is right for me?

Buying an HD Television has its advantages and disadvantages, as a growing industry and segment of the electronics category, HDTV represent a lot of things to a lot of consumers. The new digital age of technology is upon the world and as many nations around the world begin widespread adoption of particular digital broadcasting and media standards including broadcasting in 720p and 1080p or Full HD, consumers will have no choice but to begin to also purchase new HDTV sets. There are some consumers that will not be able to afford new HD Televisions but with prices of materials and products constantly falling, it should be no surprise that the price of HDTVs will also fall sharply.

As a prospective HD television buyer, this article will help you understand in simple terms exactly how an HDTV works and how the coming digital switch will affect TVs around the world. Read on to find out more.
An HD Televisions are TV set displays that are able to display high-definition or high quality digital video and audio. Most HD televisions do this very different from the way a lot of analogue TVs did it, since digital video is broadcast as data bits or using computer code, HD televisions can de-code the computer code and enhance the picture for the TV display. Analogue TVs are not able to do this without additional equipment and because their screen sizes are limited will not be able to take advantage of the wider screen aspect ratio that digital TV broadcasting is able to produce. Only HD television sets can do this without additional equipment. Given that most broadcasters are switching to a digital broadcasting standard, analogue TVs will be challenged to process and display digital TV without an additional set up box. Most HDTVs have a built-in tuner, which is capable of receiving high definition programming signals.

As a lot of users move online, it is no surprise that they are seeking to view their content on multiple devices. Blu-ray systems have been able to do this with their Blu-ray Live feature, which allows consumers to download content from the internet. Also more HDTVs are integrating internet connectivity into HDTVs making it possible for more enjoyable entertainment experience.

Buying HD Televisions today means buying into the future with the ability to not only watch high-definition pictures, provide internet connectivity and interaction and the power to bring consumers back to the couch again, even as the digital world evolves.

Comparing Pocket Camcorders – Which ones are the best?

Often ideal for practical storage in hand bags, pockets and pouchs, pocket camcorders are ideal for vacation recording, events and even blogging. For the blogger who uses bloggy setwork and loves to travel light and still wants the power of video, a pocket camcorder is a worthy option. This article serves as a mini guide to the main types of camcorders available and their distinct features and uniqueness. It is no way an endorsement of any of the pocket camcorders mentioned but rather a guide to the most common pocket camcorder brands:

Pure Digital’s Flip Video: Pure digital was the pioneer pocket camcorder company that introduced the original Flip Video in 2007. The company has since introduced several other models including the Flip Mino HD. Known for their simple use and built in capabilities, Flip Video pocket camcorders are ideal for first time and aspiring videographers. Their size and practicality and features can make them a worthy contender for the wallet of a prospective buyer but they are not without their disadvantages including the size of the view finder LCD screens and limited camera capabilities (video recording only) and storage expansion

Sony Bloggie Series: One of the foremost leaders in the camera industry, Sony first introduced pocket camcorders in 2008 under another name and had to refine their offering to give birth to the bloggie series in 2009. The Bloggie series consists of several models including a touch screen model. The camcorders have duo functions (photos and video) and can shoot up to 1080p Full HD video. They have an larger view finder screens than other models and are quite affordable. Major disadvantages may include ease of use and software compatibility.

Sanyo: Japanese electronics firm, Sanyo is famous for the “shooting gun” style pocket camcorder series that are capable of taking 14.1MP photos as well as 1080i video which is ideal for fast paced action. The series is known for its sturdy design and great specs and is only let down by its battery life and lack of additional camera capabilities.

Kodak: one of the original camera brands, Kodak has bought into the pocket camcorder market with its Zi8 series camcorders that include models that are water resistant, amongst other things and able to take 5 MP photos, output via HDMI and have expansion card slots which are great for additional storage. The series may only be let down by additional camera specifications and lack of internal storage.

Essential Differences of Pocket Camcorders vs Other Camcorder type

The appeal and popularity of pocket camcorders has brought a new debate about whether pocket camcorders can actually be the future of cameras. When originally introduced in 2007, pocket camcorders were viewed as alternative camcorders for those who did not want to carry around then bulky camcorders. Following their successful run in the market, many camera makers introduced smaller cameras and camcorders, like the bloggie camera among others in an attempt to drive consumers to buy other cameras instead of pocket camcorders. While pocket camcorders have become one of the fastest growing areas of the imaging market in the past year or so and their key distinguishing features give answer to their appeal, there is still the question of which option is better, a traditional camcorder or a pocket camcorder. Taking a look at the several common features, battery life, memory storage format and bundled accessories and memory storage format can give some perspective on key differences.

Memory Storage: Both camcorders and pocket camcorders have internal storage, although the type of memory tends to vary, with some traditional camcorders using hard disk drives to store video although flash memory based storage is becoming very common these days. Older camcorders that support formats, like mini DVDs and tape, have been all but phased out. A flash memory based camcorder will be lighter in weight and smaller in size than a hard drive-based camcorder, but won't offer as much internal storage although flash memory card based camcorders can add additional memory storage.

Battery life: Keep in mind that the storage format you choose will affect the battery life and some system performance. If you want to record non-stop video, the average pocket camcorder may not be suitable as they tend to have shorter battery life. You may need to turn to a traditional camcorder for that kind of functionality. There are some pocket camcorders that have removable batteries though.

Bundled Accessories: Most camcorders come with cables and connections to share and connect video and photos on computers and on the internet but pocket camcorders add a bonus by their often embedded video sharing/editing software. Although the inbuilt software is a great option, there are some people who prefer to use their own software to edit and share. For those who are into more advanced editing, pocket camcorders and most traditional camcorders and cameras support most photo editing and video software.

Ultimately the choice of camcorder type is determined by the function and performance of the camcorders. Pocket camcorders are appealing to those who want simplicity and ease of use. For those who want something more, traditional camcorders are the way to go.

Basics For Pocket Camcorder Choices

Todays’ camcorders are small and light weight, drawing from the influence of pocket camcorders. Many manufacturers are choosing light and weight over the feature list as more and more consumers are looking for less bulkier. Most pocket digital camcorders like bloggie camera are about 2.5” x 4.5” and are smaller than a cigarette pack which can fit into a normal pocket.

Pocket camcorders like the Sony bloggie series have dual functionality being able to take still images and digital video, some even do both at the same time.

The biggest marketing point for pocket camcorders is their ability to function as still cameras and video recording. For the average person, these two features can come in handy for spontaneous moments and fun times. Although this is always the case, professionals can also use pocket camcorders to record video because of their smaller size and recording power. Adding to the size of the pocket camcorder is the essential viewing screen which is often smaller than that of a traditional based camcorder. A traditional camcorder has a LCD screen size of about 2.7” whereas the average size of a pocket camcorder can be about 2” inches screen size although there are some camcorders that have larger screens with up to 3”inches for touch based models.

Some camera makers are also adding expandable memory with card slots. With HD video, most pocket camcorders have 4GB memory which is enough to able to record up to 1 hour of High-definition (HD), some have more memory but a real extra is find a pocket camcorder that has memory expansion slots for SD/SDHC cards or other types. Some like the Sony bloggie series come with two memory card slots.

Recording is great but having a good battery life is also important, finding a removable battery packs is better for the long trips where a power plug may be scarce for a bit. This enables users to buy additional batteries to use with the pocket camcorder.

With so many features and options, the choice of pocket camcorder should ultimately be about a good mix of features such as battery life, expandability, and screen size as well as any bonus features.

Facts to Consider before Purchasing an HDTV

In today’s market, buying an HDTV Televisions can be a complex decision making process. Almost every month, new HD televisions are been introduced that have ‘more advanced’ features and better viewing rates and the list goes on. Prices also affect the decision making process and sometimes the lowest price doesn’t offer the best value for money. There are some things that can help anyone that is looking to make a new purchase of an HD Television.

Today’s HD televisions have many benefits over the original generation of HD TVs released in the late 1990s. One of the biggest benefits has been the quality of the picture resolutions that are displayed on today’s HD televisions. With the introduction of the digital age came next generation gaming systems such as Sony’s Playstation game consoles & Microsoft Xbox Series; also DVD systems have already replaced VHS systems that were used during the analogue television era, in some instances Blu-ray and 3D have also pushed the digital age further. Add to the mix, online media platforms ranging from Hulu to Youtube and everything else in between and you will see a clear picture that the digital age has brought forth a viewing-on-demand culture.

Today most media is available on demand and can be viewed on many platforms. The PC played a part in bringing this forth and the PC has helped HD televisions move into the digital era with LED and LCD technology. While others may focus on picture quality, there are some things to consider that affect the quality of picture quality, namely picture contrast settings, the display technology (LED is brighter than LCD and uses up to 30% less electricity than LCD or CCFL backlit HD TVs).

What does this mean for the average consumer, if the HDTV on sale does not connect to digital media platforms and systems with ease, it may not be a worthwhile purchase. Making a decision about purchasing an HD Television is a mix of several things, the HDTVs ability to display and connect to multi-media platforms/systems, its picture resolution settings and the lighting technology. If everything mixes well enough, there, the decision can also incorporate price, after all, who would want to buy something they couldn’t afford?