Understanding Universal Remotes

A universal remote is a smart way to consolidate the operation and management of your home entertainment system into a single, convenient controller. Virtually every modern home audio and video component comes with its own remote, so if you are suffering from an overabundance of remotes on your coffee table, a properly equipped and configured universal model may be the perfect cure. A universal remote is also a quick solution if you lose or damage one of your other remotes, unless you don’t mind shuttling between your couch and TV every time you want to change the channel.

Universal remote controls range from basic, inexpensive units that control a TV and a small handful of associated components, to big, LCD touchscreen-equipped models costing $400 or more. There is no reason to purchase an expensive, top-end unit if you only need to control your TV, DVD player and VCR, but if you are thinking of expanding your home entertainment system in the near future, make sure your universal remote is up to the task.

A budget universal remote operates your TV and several associated components, such as a DVD player, VCR, cable box and satellite receiver. It handles basic tasks like power on/off, volume adjustments, channel changes and simple tape or disc playback. More sophisticated remotes can control additional components such as home theater receivers and DVRs. Other components may include dedicated buttons for Blu-ray disc players or DVD recorder controls, as well as illuminated buttons. Some have small LCD screens that show menu options and other information. High-end models control as many as 20 devices, and some have large color LCD touchscreens with simple-to-use icon-based user interfaces.

A common feature on more advanced universal remotes, and appearing more and more in less expensive models as well, are user-programmable macro controls. Say you want to watch a DVD. Instead of individually turning on each component and setting it to the proper input or mode, simply press the button you have configured with your “play DVD” macro. The remote then sends the necessary commands to turn on your TV and switch it to the DVD input, power up your home theater receiver and set it to the correct surround sound mode and turn on your DVD player and start playing the disc. It doesn’t get much easier than that.

There are a number of ways to configure your new universal remote control to work with your TV and other components. Just about every universal remote includes preprogrammed codes for a broad range of manufacturers. To set the remote to operate your DVD player, for example, just find your player’s manufacturer (and in some cases, the model number or family) on the supplied list and enter that code into the remote. This may present a problem if you have obscure or old components, however. In addition to preprogrammed codes, remotes with learning capabilities are able to copy the signals of your old remotes, thus “learning” the proper signal to send to your A/V gear. This is great if you have an old component or one that isn’t commonly included in preprogrammed code lists, but it obviously won’t help if you are trying to replace a damaged or lost remote.

How to Shop

When choosing a universal remote, you first need to identify the number and type of components you wish to control. This can include obvious items like a TV, DVD player and VCR, as well as a home theater receiver, cable box or satellite receiver, DVR, HD DVD or Blu-ray disc player, DVD recorder, tape deck and even some home network controls. Once you know your requirements, think about your budget. It is nice to have expansion possibilities, but there’s no need to spend extra money when a less-advanced (but still very capable) controller will do.

Another consideration is a remote’s shape and weight. This may not seem important at first, but since the remote will be your primary user interface with your home entertainment system, you should make sure a potential purchase’s chassis and button layout are comfortable to you. If possible, try out a remote at an electronics store before making your final decision.

Most universal remotes operate on standard batteries, but a few (especially those with power-hungry LCD screens) come with internal rechargeable batteries, as well as chargers that double as stands. Some units include motion sensors and light up their screens when they are moved or touched, so you don’t need to fumble in the dark for the “illuminate” button.

A majority of remotes, universal or otherwise, rely on IR (infrared) light signals to communicate with their associated components. This requires a direct line of sight between the remote and the receiving hardware. However, a few utilize RF (radio frequency) signals, which have the handy ability to transmit through walls or home theater cabinets. If your A/V setup is in a closable cabinet, or if you often listen from a different room, an RF remote is a wise choice.

There are many options available, but if you know your needs and keep your budget in mind, you should have an easy time selecting the right universal remote control for you.

What is Whole House Audio/Video?

Imagine having hi-fi music in every room of your home with nothing more than an elegant Wall Mounted Keypad and virtually invisible in-wall or in-ceiling Speakers showing. This is the dream system of interior decorators and is typically only found in multi-million dollar homes. We can show you how this can be done in your home with your existing equipment and at a reasonable cost. Whole house audio/video refers to a centralized audio/video system that pipes music and video/cable signals throughout the home. Because the system is centralized, the only components present in each room are speakers and TV screens. Control of the system is made through a handheld remote or wall mounted control panels. The centralized components can either be hidden away in a closet, or if you prefer, mounted in an impressive Rack System array in your living room. (Some systems may have additional VCRs and CD players located locally in various rooms for convenience. If correctly configured, these VCRs and CD players can be viewed or listened to in the room they are located as well as any other room.)

There are many ways of configuring a whole house audio video system. We will describe the basic methods below. Choose the method that best suits your requirements and budget.

Single Amplifier/Receiver Driving Speakers in Multiple Rooms

This is the simplest and lowest cost method. The output from a single amplifier or receiver is split amongst several rooms. All rooms will receive the same music. Volume Controls can be located in each room to adjust listening levels (or a centralized volume controller can be used if preferred). Whenever the output from a single amp/receiver is split between 2 or more speakers, an impedance matching system must be used. To control the master volume and source (CD, tuner, tape, etc.) from each room an Infrared (IR) Distribution system can be added.

Multiple Amplifiers/Receivers Sharing Sources

If different rooms need to listen to different sources at the same time, multiple amps/receivers are required. Use one amp/receiver for each listening (a zone refers to one or more rooms that listen to the same source simultaneously). The amp – receivers can be stacked together and the source inputs can be shared (ie. 1 CD, 1 tape, 1 DSS shared amongst 2 or more amp/receivers). To control the volume and source from each zone a zoned Infrared (IR) Distribution system can be added.

Purpose Made Multiple Zone Amplifier Systems

Many higher end amp/receivers now come with a built-in second discrete amplifier for a second zone. If your needs do not require more than 2 zones, this may be a cost effective solution. For a larger number of zones consider the NUVO or Russound 6-Source/6-Zone System which have six discrete amplifiers and a volume/source distribution system built-in.

Workplace: LCD vs Plasma vs Projection Systems

Plasma and LCD TVs have finally hit their stride.  Major electronics stores have all but phased out the old CRT televisions, relegating them to the unseen corners.  Meanwhile, hordes of consumers are forced to make choices between two new technologies that they know little of.  Of course you have the helpful sales associates giving out their advice.  But without background information they may be able to take you for a ride. They may sell you something not quite right for you, or may forget to mention possible alternatives if they don’t carry them.

So, below we have created an LCD TV versus plasma comparison guide to help navigate the differences between the two technologies.  We have also included a column for front projectors, which are an option frequently ignored by major electronics retailers.

Comparison	Plasma televisions	LCD televisions	Front Projectors	Advantage
Screen Size	Average screen sizes range from 32 inches to 63 inches (measured on the diagonal). Larger plasmas, like a 103 inch unit from Panasonic, are in production, but are still prohibitively expensive for consumer use. Panasonic has announced plans to release a 150-inch plasma display by 2010.	Average screen sizes range from 13 inches to 65 inches (measured on the diagonal). As with plasma, there are larger LCD TVs made, like a 108 inch display which is to be released in later this year (2008) by Sharp, but they are not readily available or affordable at the consumer level.	Typical screen sizes from as small as 40 inches to as large as 300 inches (measured on the diagonal). Projectors do not have a fixed image size so most projectors list their screen size as a range (i.e. 40-300 inches. Most buyers opt for sizes from 76-inches to 120-inches if they purchase a screen. Optimally the image should not be over 300-inches.	Front projectors are able to create the largest images by far. Projectors are also the only option which is not a fixed size (meaning your screen size can change if desired) and projectors are also more portable than an LCD or Plasma. Plasma and LCD TVs are comparable in size now with the maximum sizes over 60-inches. Maximum recommended projector image sizes are around 300-inches.
Viewing Angle	Up to 178°. Plasma images do not suffer from the same degradation at higher viewing angles that LCD TVs do because of the nature of the technology.	Up to 175°. LCD TVs were originally designed for a one user experience, as a computer monitor. As the applications for the technology grew for larger to larger displays and audiences , an issue with viewing angles emerged. Although the LCD TV can be viewed from up to 176 degrees, there is a “sweet spot” which will produce brighter, higher contrast images.	Viewing angles are not an issue with front projectors because the light source is coming from in front of the screen, and not from behind. The surface on which you project (screen or wall surface) may have a slight impact on viewing angles.	Unlike rear projection TVs, front projectors do not have an issue with viewing angles, so they have the advantage here. Between LCD and Plasma; Plasma TVs have the advantage, but by a small margin. However, your viewing experience won’t be ideal at 160 or 175 degree angles for any technology.
Screen Refresh Rates / Pixel response time	Plasma displays refresh and handle rapid movements in video about as well as CRT televisions, which is about the standard most viewers expect.	LCD TVs were originally designed for static data display, and not moving video. Therefore refresh rates had to be improved. LCD TVs with refresh rates below 16 ms or lower (5-15 ms) show very few noticeable artifacts. LCD TVs are now available with refresh rates specified by manufacturers as low as 5ms.	Projectors designed for home theater use will handle video better than a projector designed for business (though there are some good cross-over projectors on the market). Response time is not usually specified by projector manufactuers so it is difficult to compare directly to LCD and plasmas by comparing specs.	Plasma still specs faster than LCD for pixel response time, however LCD has closed the gap significantly in the past 3 years or so. For most consumers, projectors, plasma and LCD displays will have sufficient response times. For video gamers, or others to whom instantaneous response is a must, the lower the ‘ms’ spec…the better.
Burn-in or Stuck Pixels	Plasma TVs can suffer from burn-in produced by static images. After extended periods, stationary images “burn in” and produce an after-image ghost which remains permanently on the screen. With technologies such as ‘pixel orbitor,’ new plasma TVs have addressed burn-in and significantly reduced the issues of older models.	LCD TVs do not suffer from burn-in, but can have a “retained pixel charge” which may also produce ghosting. Stuck pixels are also possible with an LCD display.	Projectors can suffer from dead pixels, though there are some manufacturers with a ‘zero dead pixel’ warranty. The bigger concern for projector buyers is lamp life. After long term use, the projected image will not be as bright as it was over the first few hundred hours. Lamps are replaceable, however, and cost between $200 – $400.	There is no clear winner here. Manufacturers of each technology have worked hard to minimize issues. If stuck pixels or burn in are major concerns for you, check the manufacturer warranty for their return or repair policies. Some manufactuers offer a ‘zero dead pixel policy’ and others will repair or replace products with pixels out in the ‘sweet spot’ of your picture.
Product Life-span	Plasma TVs have a reported half life of 30,000 to 60,000 hours. Half-life is the time it takes the lamp to fade to half its original brightness. Panasonic recently reported life span’s approaching 100,000 hours.	LCD TVs have a backlight that is specified to last between 30,000 and 60,000 hours. LCD TVs also have replaceable backlights, but the expense of replacing one when the time comes may be greater than simply replacing the entire TV.	Projectors have lamps that last up to 5000 hours (usually when opperated in a low-power mode). Projector lamps are replaceable, and cost up to aproximately $400. Projector lamps can be changed more than once. A projector may not be the best choice for everyday viewing, but it is the best value by cost per viewing inch for a home theater.	Both Plasma and LCD technology should more than adequately satisfy most consumers. The average CRT TV (the kind most of us have at home) has a half-life of around 25,000 hours. If the average American household watches an average of four to six hours of television a day, even a 30,000 hour backlight would give you over 16 years of use. By then you’ll be enjoying your new ‘Holodeck.’ A video projector has a shorter lamp life, but the lamp can be replaced multiple times. Projectors are better suited for a dedicated home theater than as the sole display for a household. Projectors are the best value by cost per viewing inch.
Weight	Plasma displays are fairly heavy, and may need additional supports to be mounted onto a wall.	LCD TVs weigh less than comparably sized plasma TVs.	Single chip DLP and 3LCD projectors typically weigh between 10 – 20 lbs. They can be shipped for less than an LCD or Plasma TV over 19-inches in most cases.	Projectors are lighter and less bulky to ship and to install than an LCD or Plasma TV. Projection screens are bulky and large however. LCD TVs are second least heavy, followed by plasma.
Durability	Plasmas are somewhat fragile making them tricky to ship and install. Unlike the commercials where plasmas are mounted on the ceiling, plasmas are best installed by a professional, and should be installed on a wall that can bear a good deal of weight. However, recent improvements to plasma screens have made them significantly more durable and lighter weight.	Somewhat more durable than older plasmas. End users can easily mount an LCD TV themselves if desired, although LCD TVs should still be shipped with special care, and the screen itself should be cleaned with a streak free cleaner.	Projection surfaces vary, but a wall or screen are obviously less fragile than an LCD or Plasma TV. Screens can be washed and walls can be repainted. The projector itself is also as durable as either a Plasma or LCD TV.	A projector screen is durable and cleanable, and walls can be painted. Projectors are also very durrable. Because of this, projectors win this battle, with LCD TVs in second place, followed by plasma.
Shipping	Due to their fragile nature, plasma TVs need to be shipped by specialty carriers. Overnight or fast delivery options are not recommended. Special shipping methods and their heavier weight add to higher shipping costs.	Shipping LCD TVs is not difficult, and is not as expensive as shipping plasma displays.	Single chip DLP and 3LCD projectors typically weigh between 10 – 20 lbs. They can usually be shipped for less than most LCD or Plasma TVs over 19-inches.	Projectors are cheaper and safer to ship overall. If you purchase a screen, that will add significantly to the cost of shipping. In some cases, whether an LCD, plasma, or projector, the shipping will be paid by the reseller. Plasma’s are typically heavier and may require that you ship them on a pallet, adding to the cost of shipping.
Installation	Plasmas are heavier, use more power, and run hotter than LCD TVs, and therefore require more planning when mounting them. Plasmas are generally best installed by professionals.	End users can easily install LCD TVs themselves, or can use them just as they use a traditional TV using a stand.	Depending on how polished you want your home theater to be, a projector can be very easy to set up, or can be a longer and more involved installation. Projectors are lightweight, and can be removed from an installed location and used in other applications – like a make shift outdoor theater.	LCD TVs are easier to install than plasmas because they weigh less. Most TVs sold in the consumer market will come with a stand. Projectors are a more complicated installation than either a plasma or LCD TV when they are ceiling mounted. TVs with a stand and projectors set on a table top require similar efforts to set up.
Brightness / Contrast	Plasma TVs report higher brightness and contrast levels than LCDs. Under ideal conditions (no ambient light) this is a true advantage of plasma technology, because LCD TVs are backlit and therefore light must be blocked to create blacks. Plasmas have individual pixels that either on or off, creating deeper blacks and better contrast.	LCD TVs can often look better in ‘real-world’ situations. Plasmas are made with a special glass surface that can reflect light, which dulls the brightness and contrast of the image. LCD TVs reflect very little light, allowing them to maintain levels in well-lit rooms.	Projectors now have contrast ratios of 50,000:1 and higher, making them nearly equal by specification to many LCD and plasma TVs. However, with ambient light in a room, contrast and brightness can be significantly impacted. For best contrast that rivals LCD and plasma, low light or no light environments are best. Different specifications are used to measure brightness in a projector, so it is difficult to compare directly.	Just about any LCD TV or plasma will satisfy the expectations of most consumers need for brightness and contrast. Videophiles will look for the hightest contrast ratios and will likely ignore the brightness specs on an LCD or plasma TV. Newer home theater projectors (1000 ANSI lumens or brighter) should also satisfy in any controlled lighting environment. Projectors are not ideal for rooms with a lot of ambient light unless they have more than 2000 lumens of brightness.
Thickness	As thin as 3 inches deep.	As thin as 2 inches deep.	Projectors are simply projecting light onto a surface, so on a screen or wall the image will not take up much space. The projector itself will need to be placed on a flat surface or mounted out of the way.	The projected image is (obviously) very thin, and create a truly ‘flat’ image. LCDs TVs and plasma’s are just about equal to each other in thickness (around 2-3 inches, and for most this is not an issue. But a projector is the solution that can be easily stored away out of site (using a retractable or portable screen).
Performance at High Altitude	High altitudes can affect the performance of plasma displays because the gas held inside each pixel is stressed, and has to work harder to perform. Some manufacturers make plasmas that are specifically designed for high-altitudes, but they may be priced higher than standard models.	LCD TVs are not affected by high altitudes.	Most projectors are only minimally affected by altitude. The one difficulty with projectors will be a more active fan, which may make the projector run slightly louder.	LCD TVs or projectors have the advantage. New plasmas and projectors have evolved with new methods of dealing with the altitude issues. Ask your sales person for details if you live in a high altitude.

Product Review: Universal Remote Touchscreen MX-3000

The MX-3000 from Universal Remote, is one of the flagship products in the home theater master line.  The MX-3000 is a universal color touch screen remote control.  The screen size is 3.8 inches and has the ability to operate by infra-red, radio frequency, or both.

For anyone who has ever lusted after color touch screen remotes, such as those offered by Crestron or AMX, but unwilling to sink what could equate into a few mortgage payments into a remote, take note this might be what your looking for.  While the MX-3000 doesn’t offer quite the level of customization a Crestron system does, it has more than enough features to handle the average home theater or media room setup.

At about 7 inches wide and 5 inches high the remote fits comfortable in your hand, and the color LCD screen is easy to read.  The contrast of the screen seemed quite high and made punching in channel numbers a breeze but, I’m getting ahead of myself.  Any programmable remote that uses PC based software is really only as good as that software, if it’s hard and cumbersome to program, your unlikely to get all you can out of it.
Earlier I’d mentioned the MX-3000 was IR or RF or both. To use the RF ability, you’ll need the separate MRF-350 which reads commands from the remote and then spits them out via infrared emitters attached to the front of the equipment.  I highly recommend this option, as pointing the remote at the equipment is no longer necessary, six infrared emitters are included.  This option pretty much guarantees the codes will be sent, regardless of where the remote was pointed at the time, also the range is increased from the infrared distance of 30 to 50 feet, to over 100 feet via RF.

Other features include custom background files, the ability to import .ccf files from other remotes such as the Philips Pronto, and the ability to “smart route” commands.  This gives you the ability to remotely control identical devices separately.  Overall, I really liked this remote, while my MX-900 RF offers many of the same functions, the color LCD display of the MX-3000 was really alluring, not to mention how it felt in my hand, it was really comfortable.  So as said previously, if you’ve considered touch panels from Crestron or AMX in the past, but didn’t need that level of control, not to mention the price tag, the MX-3000 is highly recommended.

Video Conferencing: Seeing is Believing

Video conferencing is a powerful multimedia tool that improves communication and increases your organization’s productivity. Along with e-mail, instant messaging, Web conferencing, and other collaboration technologies, video is a vital part for any organization looking to improve its competitive positioning and the quality of life of its employees.

In an organization where response time is important, all communication tools work seamlessly together, allowing users to move from one form of communication to the next without a break in the flow of conversation. Imagine an Instant Message between two co-workers escalating to a real-time video meeting over IP, then patching in a supplier on his 3G mobile phone, and later streaming over the Web to those who couldn’t make the live call.

Video offers an essential element of communication that other technologies cannot – the face-to-face experience.  If 55 percent of communication is determined by nonverbal cues, namely tone of voice and body language, how many important details are you missing in an e-mail exchange or teleconference?

A recent survey found that 56% of business professionals estimate they waste more than 30 minutes a day using inefficient communication methods. Face-to-face communication is more personal, builds higher trust, reduces confusion, and makes people more accountable for their actions.

That’s why the ability to communicate via video is the driving force behind much of the IT convergence we are seeing today.

Choosing the Right Projector for your Conference Room

You’ve been asked to purchase a new LCD/DLP projector for one of your company’s meeting rooms but there’s so many features/options to consider.  Choosing a projector that will never be used will not only waste your company’s money, but could reflect poorly on your decision-making skills. Read on for tips on how to choose the right projector for your meeting room.

NOTE: Your plans for the projector will determine how important each of the following qualities are.

Brightness
Consider how large the projected image must be in order for the audience to see it clearly, and whether you want to have the lights on during projection for attendees to take notes. These factors will help determine the level of brightness you require in a projector.

Projector brightness is measured in ANSI lumens. Generally, projectors run between 500 and 2100 lumens. If you are in a large conference room and you need an image bright enough to be seen from a distance without dimming the lights, you’ll need higher lumens since the light from your projector disperses over distance.

Here’s a guide: 1000 – 2000 lumens: works well for a screen of about 8′ – 10′ (244 – 305 cm) in medium-sized room with about 10 – 30 people and dim lighting 2000 – 3000 lumens: best for larger screens of about 12′ – 25′ (366 cm – 762 cm) in large meeting rooms with regular lighting and 30 – 100 people in the audience Above 3000: good for 12′ – 25′ (366 cm – 762 cm) screens and larger rooms with audiences of over 100 people, but can also be used in various room sizes with bright lighting

Resolution
Resolution is the clarity of the picture produced by your projector. The resolution you choose for your projector will depend on the computer you’ll be using. Your projector resolution must be equal to your monitor resolution. Most desktop computer monitors feature 800 x 600 pixel display or SVGA resolution. Laptops usually have 1024 x 768, (XGA resolution), or an even higher screen resolution of 1280 x 1024 (SXGA). If you want your meeting-room projector to offer guest laptop support you’ll need to buy a projector with XGA resolution, rather than SVGA.

Another consideration when deciding on the resolution of your projector is that if you plan to project AutoCAD, video or other information that requires highly detailed image projection, you will need a projector with SXGA resolution in order to have a clear image.

Price and Brands
The price of multimedia projectors has dropped dramatically in recent years. Prices range from a low of US$2,000 to US$11,000 and up. Some of the more popular projector manufacturers include InFocus, NEC, Sharp, Sony, Panasonic and Toshiba.

Ceiling Mount
Are you planning to mount your projector on the ceiling of your meeting room? If so, be sure to specify that to a dealer because you’ll require a projector with an inverted lens.

Home Theater Setup

In a home theater setup process having the right components is just half of the equation, and the other half is how the components are placed and calibrated, and how the design of your room affects the sound and visual presentation. Today, it is no longer a matter of a small television set with pictures could hardly be seen from across the room. It is no longer even just sitting on a sofa and watching your favorite show from a big television. There is now more to everything in home viewing.

Today’s home theater systems are more complex than ever. It’s true that you can enjoy amazing pictures and high quality sound via high-resolution displaying sets and high performance audio systems. But, there are many connection options available in home theater setup. There are components that are basic to any home theater; these are the source, the video display, and the audio speakers. The most essential component of them is the source. This is the device that gives out television feed – with picture and sound – be it satellite, antenna or cable, DVD or DVR.

The screen is a very important component of the system; so many people would be looking for high-definition widescreen to get a better image. Whether it is an LCD, a Plasma TV or HDTV, the widescreen format copies the exact shape found in cinemas displaying more real image. Audio speakers are also an important part of home theater setup. So, if you want to enjoy a 3D surrounding sound, you will distribute the audio speakers through out the location. Having speakers in different spots will make you actually feel the sound coming from everywhere.

The key to picking a surround sound receiver is to find one that matches your speaker layout requirements. Most Receivers will work for Dolby Digital 5.1. Then depending on the model, they should also work for 6.1 or 7.1 surround. See the diagrams below to help you pick the right receiver type.

Each speaker of your home theater needs its own channel of amplification.  These amplifiers are typically built into audio/video receivers, but there are also many stand-alone multichannel power amplifiers for use with preamp/processor components. (Subwoofers, the “.1″ channel, frequently incorporate their own built-in amplification and need only a line-level connection from the subwoofer output to the receiver.)

Dolby Digital 5.1 Setup:

Dolby Digital 6.1 Setup:

Dolby Digital 7.1 Setup:

1080p- Does it matter?

1080i vs. 1080p: It’s all a matter of time.

1080i is the highest resolution format of the HDTV ATSC specification as well as the recently launched HD DVD and Blu-ray media. 1080p is often quoted as being a higher resolution than 1080i, and though from a certain point of view (which we will touch on) that’s true, in the broad context it is not.

In a very real way, 1080i and 1080p are the same resolution in that both consist of a 1920 x 1080 raster. That is, the picture is comprised of 1080 separate horizontal ‘lines’, with 1920 samples per line (or pixels per line, depending on your point of view). In other words, both 1080i and 1080p represent an image with 1920 x 1080 unique points of data in space.

The difference between ‘i’ and ‘p’ can only be appreciated in the time domain.

In a “true” or “native” 1080i HDTV system, the temporal resolution is 60 Hz. The image is sampled, or updated if you prefer, every 1/60 of a second. As with any interlaced format though, only half the available lines are sampled, or updated, every 1/60 of a second. The capture device (say, a video camera) does not sample the entire 1920 x 1080 at one time. Rather, it samples fields. A single field consists of every other line out of the complete picture. So we have the “odds” field which has lines 1, 3, 5, 7, etc and the “evens” field which has lines 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.

So, in an interlaced system, the camera samples one field (say the “odds”), then 1/60 of a second later, it samples the opposite field (the “evens”), then 1/60 of a second later it refreshes the odds, then 1/60 of a second later the evens, and so on. The alternating set of fields of a 1080i source each make up half the image.

The shorthand for this format is 1080i60.

The subject being captured is updated every 1/60 of a second, but only half the lines are used for each update. This has one benefit and many drawbacks.

The one virtue of this format is its high subject refresh rate: Think of a sporting event where the ball is traveling fast. We get an update on its position every 1/60 of a second. That’s really good compared to film’s 24 Hz refresh rate (even IMAX HD is only 48 Hz).

The downside on an interlaced format is that the alternating fields only truly compliment each other if the subject is stationary. If it is, then the alternating fields “sum” to form a complete and continuous 1920 x 1080 picture (everything lines up perfectly between the two fields). If the subject moves though, it will be in one position for one field and another position for the next. The interlaced fields no longer compliment one another and artifacts such as jaggies, line twitter, and other visual aberrations are a normal side effect of the interlaced format.

This animation demonstrates how objects in motion end up in a different position for each field, resulting in the “comb” effect.  Note however that areas not in motion maintain “full” resolution	This animation simulates the “twittering” of detail, inherent to an interlaced display system.

What does all this have to do with 1080p?

1080p differs from 1080i in that the entire 1920 x 1080 raster (all of the 1080 lines side to side) is sampled and/or displayed at one time. No fields. Just full, 1920 x 1080 frames. No combing. No line twitter. Just perfect pictures. But how, if our HDTV system does not incorporate 1080p does it become at all relevant?

We’re going to show you.

First we will explain how and why 1080i must be processed as best as possible into 1080p in order to maximize the potential of today’s digital displays, including LCD and Plasma flat panel TVs, as well as LCD/DLP etc, projection systems.

Let’s look at some illustrations:

If this were a scene shot at 1080i, and displayed at 1080i, it would look like this.  But today’s digital TV’s cannot do this.  The signal must be de-interlaced.
If we de-interlace it the WRONG way, it would look like this. The entire scene is reduced to 540 lines worth of resolution. Hint: look at the hands. If you display this on a 1366×768 TV (a common resolution right now), you will be wasting 1/3 of the resolution you paid for!
If we de-interlace it the RIGHT way though, to 1080p, it would look like this. Only the areas in motion are reduced in detail.  The rest remains at the full 1080 line resolution. Though you need a full 1920 x 1080 TV to maximize the detail present, on a lesser TV, say a 1366 x 768 model, you will still realize the device’s full potential.

Still wonder if you should care about 1080p?

But do you really need it?

Well, the first thing to come to terms with is, that, as we’ve pointed out, there is an abundance of 1080p24 material out there, encoded into 1080i60 format. If you want to view it at its full potential, you need not only a device capable of displaying it, a so called 1080line TV, but the ability to actually de-interlace it properly.

Some will argue that if you are seated far away and/or the screen is not enormous, one won’t “appreciate” the full detail of 1920 x 1080 (as compared to lower resolution TVs). Well, if you look at a 27″ 480i TV from 20 feet away, you could make the same argument. We could also make the argument that most people don’t appreciate, or even know of, reasonably good video quality to begin with. The strongest argument for that is to look at the quantity vs. quality of channels available from your satellite or cable provider in standard definition digital format vs. a good DVD in the same format, or even a standard definition terrestrial broadcast with a reasonably good signal. Even the most massive compression artifacts are apparently acceptable enough to most viewers such that most broadcast content providers fill up bandwidth with hundreds of programs (and maximize compression to do it) with little complaint from their subscribers.

In that realm, if that’s your baseline, then yes, the 1080p vs. 1366 x 768, or whatever your number, is more of a feel good numbers game. But, that’s not us, and if you’re reading this, we’re betting that’s not you either.

The point is, if you want to view the inherently 1080p24 content which is out there (and even native 1080i content) with maximum resolution (and we maintain that an enthusiast who sets up their viewing environment to get the most out of it can see the difference), you need a display capable of 1080p that keeps the signal in a 1080 line format from input to display surface.

(Article Source: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_14_1/feature-article-1080p-3-2007-part-1.html)

San Diego LCD Installation

GotUWired has been providing professional San Diego LCD installation services for more than ten years now. We are offering wide variety of solutions for you to select what best meets your home or business needs. We exceed our competition through our high quality work standards, competitive prices and excellent customer service. You will be thrilled after dealing with us; as all what you will have to do is just to sit back, relax, and watch our experienced technical team cleverly installing your new LCD.

With GotUWired you are guaranteed to be provided with the best state of the art San Diego LCD installation. We do all types of installation; mounted on the wall, inside the cabinetry, or above the fireplace, with all cables and wires concealed. And we also innovate and create totally new customized installation techniques. Skillfully customized solutions are tailored for you so as to go with the setting of your home so you do not feel the LCD is intruded into your room. We make sure that your new LCD is being installed in a way that goes with the surrounding layout.

Your satisfaction is at the top of our priorities. If you are looking for the best San Diego LCD installation service provider, then you are looking for GotUWired. Before the start of the installation process, we provide you with a large number of well-known products, and tell you the specs of every one of them so as to make sure that you are selecting the correct one. During the installation process, our professional technical team will expertly apply the finest techniques to make sure that your LCD is properly connected and functioning as it should be. After the installation process, we will not leave until you are one hundred percent satisfied with our done work. That is why we are considered to be the leading LCD installers in San Diego.

San Diego Home Theater

For over 10 years, GotUWired, has been the leading San Diego home theater installation company. Whether you are looking for a HDTV, LCD installation, Plasma TV installation, or home automation, you can choose from a wide variety of products that best suit your needs. What ever system you decide on, we will spend what ever it takes to teach you how to use it. If there is ever a problem with your system we will be there for you.
We can professionally handle the design, planning and execution of high quality custom made electronic systems. We give you a 6 months guarantee for our work. We pay high attention to every detail, bearing in mind future changes, upgrades, and additions. If you are looking for the best state-of-the-art home theater installation, GotUWired has the experience and expertise to tailor you an excellent high-tech solution.
One privilege of the home theater system is the surround sound experience. That is when you enjoy listening to sounds from all different directions. You can use a subwoofer or an amplifier to reproduce the surround sound. You may also use an Audio/Video receiver that is considered to be the core of your home theater system, for it tackles all the inputs and outputs, including the TV. Among San Diego’s home theater companies, GotUWired provides this type of receivers with competitive prices.
If you are dreaming of listening to your CD player, radio, etc. in every room of your house, this dream can be true. GotUWired, number one provider of San Diego home theaters has the skilled staff to get this idea to life. We can help you planning and setting up such a complex audio system. We will give you a hand in each and every step of the project till you enjoy it all.

« Previous Page — Next Page »