Mashed Articles

Writen by Elizabeth Morgan

USB cables are data cables used to connect a computer or laptop to an outside source of data such as digital cameras, video recorders, mobile phones and mp3 devices. These cables are compatible with the standard USB ports present in computers and laptops.

One end of a USB cable connects with the USB port present in the computer while the other end connects to an external device such as a digital camera. The cable enables direct data transfers from devices that are not a part of the computer. This saves precious time and effort and provides error free data transfers.

Today there is a USB cable available for every electronic device that requires data transfers. In most cases, companies manufacturing electronic devices like digital cameras sell these cables. A customer will need different cables for each device, as a cable for a camera may not be compatible with an mp3 device. A common feature among all types of USB cables is the presence of two power conductors and two signal conductors. The USB port in the computer provides automatic power and external power supply is needed only in some types of computers.

More and more people are opting for digital cameras and other electronic gadgets. This has increased the demand for USB cables. Earlier, USB ports were non-existent in computers, but now they have become standard equipment.

An USB cables is an important tool used to transfer electronic data. However, technology is changing very fast and customers are shifting to wireless technology. Innovations like Bluetooth and Infrared technology enable wireless data transfer. Modern day mobile phones use this technology for data transfer. These advanced methods may soon become a standard part of every electronic device, phasing out the USB cables.

Industry applauds major breakthrough with revolutionary ITU technology

The first global standard offering an in-home, high-speed network capable of delivering room-to-room HDTV has been agreed by ITU.

In apress release from ITU the standard, published under the G.hn banner, promises high quality multimedia over power, coaxial, phone and other home network wiring. It will give up to 20 times the throughput of existing wireless technologies and three times that of existing wired technologies.

The specifications will be used by chip manufacturers to build transceivers that can be incorporated into set-top boxes, residential gateways, home computers, home audio systems, DVD players, TVs or any other device that might be connected to a network now or in the future. Experts say that silicon companies will immediately start incorporating the specifications into transceivers, implying that G.hn-compliant products could be on the market as early as 2010.

Joyce Putscher, Principal Analyst at market research firm In-Stat, said, “Service operators have been looking for an international standard that encompasses multiple existing-wire mediums for video distribution. G.hn meets that requirement and it seems clear that with significant industry backing from service providers, semiconductor and equipment vendors, and the fast rate at which the process is moving to achieve a standard, we will see first equipment by 2010.”

“There’s a clear market need for a unified networking approach,” said Malcolm Johnson, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Standardization Bureau. “With G.hn, every wire in every home around the world can become part of a home entertainment network. This will enable seamless communication between computers, HDTVs and telephones over existing wires. I expect that this exciting new technology will also foster innovations such as energy efficient smart appliances, home automation and telemedicine devices.”

Work on G.hn was started at the instigation of service providers looking to extend broadband and video services in the home. As well as its offer of greater speed, it may be bundled as complementary to Wi-Fi where G.hn offers greater coverage, extending, for example, to areas of a house where Wi-Fi does not reach.

The standard has achieved remarkable industry backing even before its publication. An industry group — the HomeGrid Forum — has been formed specifically to back G.hn. The goal of HomeGrid Forum is to market G.hn worldwide and to create a compliance and interoperability programme to ensure that products based on the standard will operate in any home around the world.

Other industry analysts backing the standard include Michael Wolf, Research Director at ABI Research. “If G.hn sees integration into carrier devices by 2010, we expect that some 42 million G.hn-compliant nodes will ship in 2013 in devices such as set-top boxes, residential gateways and other service provider CPE hardware,” Wolf said.

“A single, unified technology for multimedia networks over power lines, coaxial cable, and phone lines has the potential to enable simple, easy-to-use networking devices in the home,” said Kurt Scherf, analyst with market analyst firm Parks Associates. “We believe ITU’s work is an important step towards eliminating fragmentation in the industry and in achieving the vision of a networked home.”

Recommendation ITU-T G.9960 focuses on the physical or PHY layer, giving the data bit rate and quality of service necessary for triple-play residential services as well as business-type services delivered over xDSL, PON, or other access technology. In step with ITU guidelines on new standards development, several power saving modes have been incorporated. Ongoing work is focused on the media access control (MAC) layer.

Writen by Michelle Carey

Most churches either had to place them on stands or mount them to the wall or balcony. Just recently, portable, adjustable monitor floor stands designed for tilt mounting have become available, making it possible to tilt a screen up to 90 degrees!

This is a great option for anybody using 30″ – 50″ flat panel displays. But beware; some displays may not be able to be tilted as much as you would like. Check your owner’s manual to make sure your specific monitor will work in that application. In a portable church situation or on a stage where the set up often changes, the use of a portable display stand is going to be much better than a permanent installation. Contact Fowler for more information on the portable monitor stands.

The Largest Plasma in the World – Introducing the 103″ Plasma Display

Recently there has been a race to see who can build the largest plasma display. In January 2005, Samsung released an 80″ plasma and then shortly thereafter came out with a 102″ plasma.

At Infocomm, Panasonic unveiled the 103″ plasma display panel (PDP) with 1080p (progressive) High Definition resolution. With a display of 1,920 _ 1,080, it’s not just big, it’s High Definition and it’s GORGEOUS! To give you an idea of just how big it is, this display is the size of four 50″ plasma displays. A plasma that size is a great concept for large presentation display, but a bigger screen size means an even bigger price tag, and in order to be one of the first to get it, prepare to pay top dollar for this gem. It is scheduled to start shipping by the Christmas season.

If you need something sooner, Panasonic has introduced its seventh generation of Professional Series plasma displays consisting of a 37″, 42″, 50″ as well as a 65″ High Definition Panel. The new Professional Series family boasts Panasonic’s phenomenal image quality, high contrast (4000:1 on SD / 3000:1 on HD) and multi-slot functionality, as well as improvements in peak brightness, displayable colors, service life, multi-screen capabilities and customization options. These ultra-thin displays can be horizontally or vertically mounted and offer a wide viewing angle of more than 160 degrees. The panels are equipped with a host of energy-saving functions, and its contrast automatic tracking system senses ambient lighting conditions and adjusts brightness and gradation accordingly. We’re told that these eye-catching displays will begin shipping in July. For more information on plasma and LCD displays call Fowler.

Price Drop

As the price of gas goes up, the price for electronics has been going down. What does this mean for your church? That depends on what you’re looking for. With flat panel displays becoming more affordable, digital signage for the lobby may be within your church’s reach. A confidence monitor for the stage may now become an option. Extra displays could be installed in the sanctuary to overcome any line-of-sight issues (awkward angles, poles obstructing view, etc.) or just to add the “cool factor”. You might even consider a larger display for your kiosk than you originally planned. Regardless of the application, options are becoming available to churches that didn’t exist even a year ago.

Wireless? Will it work in my church?

Digital signage could greatly benefit from the use of wireless technology. Instead of having to run all those cables through multiple walls or ceilings, a signal can be broadcast anywhere in your facility. This means you would be able to transmit graphics or video from a computer, DVD or camera to any number of displays in the lobby. You could put a plasma in the nursery and watch what’s happening in the sanctuary. The only place wireless is not recommended is on stage. The transmission of a wireless signal does tend to have a delay, so it may not the best idea to use wireless monitors in the same place as wired monitors or projectors. Also, long distances and certain types of wall structures or blockages can have an effect on wireless signal strength. Check with a Fowler representative to see if wireless technology is the right solution for your church.

Call Fowler at 800-729-0163 or email us at newsletter@fowlerinc.com.

Copyright 2006, Fowler Productions, Inc. All rights reserved.