Plasma TV and LCD Buying Guide

Panasonic TH-42PD50U 42 in. EDTV Plasma Television

2005-11-19T21:51:00.000-08:00

By Katie Ong

Price: Around $2,000

Pros: Great sound, gets very loud and remains clear. Picture is amazing for great price.

Cons: None yet.

If you are looking for a quality plasma television at a great price, then look no more. Panasonic is an industry leader in manufacturing plasma TVs and this particular model is no exception. I purchased my TV about a month ago for around $2,000.

When deciding which set to purchase, I looked at two factors... price and picture quality. The price is great for the size of the screen and the picture quality is second to none. I couldn't find a better picture on any other set... even the more expensive models. The picture quality is top-rate! A standard hook-up from my digital cable box is all I am using at the present and the picture is magnificent. I'll have the quality cables shortly but can't imagine the picture being better. The sound is ok, but through a sound system it is incredible.

Short notes:

The Panasonic Plasma TH-42PD50U features a high contrast ratio of 4000:1, making for a super bright, razor-sharp picture. With 853 x 480 native resolution, the Panasonic TH42PD50U is an Enhanced Definition Television (EDTV) unit. It includes an integrated ATSC/QAM tuner for receiving DTV broadcasts. The new Panasonic-pioneered CableCARD feature allows you to receive digital cable television without a bulky, separate set-top box, and HDMI input allows for fully-digital signal tranfer.

Samsung SyncMaster 193P (Silver) 19" LCD Monitor

2005-10-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

By: Alvin

Price: Around $550

Pros: Brightness, Crispness, Game Playing, Quality
Cons: Higher price that other 19 inch LCD monitors

This monitor is by far the best 19 in. lcd you can buy right now. Starting with the physical aspects, this monitor is sleek. There are no buttons on the panel except the power button, which makes it look clean and crisp. The power button only requires a very light touch to activate, which kind of scared me at first, because I was not sure if I even did anything when I first pressed it. The pivot on the monitor makes adjusting it very easy, both vertically and to rotate it.

The package also comes with a cd, which contains the analog and digital drivers. The Magictune software allows you to adjust the monitor, color, brightness, contrast, ect. Wow, there is also another utility on the cd called Pivot Pro, which allows you to rotate the image on the screen with a right click of the mouse. I found this program quite useless, but it probably just depends on what you are planning to do with the monitor.

The connections on the base of the monitor allow for both analog and digital, which is nice, but was kind of complicated to get working at first because I forgot to install the digital driver before connecting the monitor. The height adjustment on the monitor is a very cool way of doing it...

World's highest resolution LCD TV panel

2005-09-27T02:52:00.000-07:00

Chi Mei Optoelectronics (CMO) claimed it has developed a 56-inch LCD TV panel that has the world’s highest resolution and expects to volume produce the panel in the third quarter of next year.

The quad full high definition (QFHD) panel has a 3,840×2,160 resolution, featuring 8.29 million pixels, which is four times the resolution of current high-definition (HDTV) panels (1,920×1,080).

The new panel consists of over 24.8 million transistors, with a data transmission speed of over 1.4 gigabytes per second. The 56-inch TV panel is the largest panel developed by a Taiwan-based TFT LCD maker, the company said. CMO will showcase the panel at FPD International 2005 in Yokohama, Japan from October 19-21, 2005.

The panel is produced from CMO’s 5.5-generation (5.5G) plant; a 5.5G substrate can be cut into two 56-inch TV panels.

Panasonic TH-37PX50U 37 in. HDTV Plasma Television

2005-09-21T19:43:00.000-07:00

By Darren

Price: around $1,800

Pros: Picture, Input options

Cons: No TV Guide/Program Listing feature.

I'm impressed with the pic. It's a very nice display. Even with Standard (cable) signal, the picture is clear and bright. I'm awaiting digital HD cable installation which should make the picture even nicer.

TV Setup is simple. The menu functions are also simple and easily configured. Sound is great, even though the speakers are fixed and can't be moved around.

Please shop around for prices. I found a large margin of prices out there.

Latest and complete LCD news (1st Edition)

2005-09-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

Enables users to search for the latest and complete LCD news. The links are:

Westinghouse HD-Grade LCD display technology

TFT-LCD Monitors by Samsung

Home Gaming and LCD Display

Sony with LCD

Taiwan LCD watch

WiFi-enabled LCD TVs

NEC LCD Technologies

AMX Corporation and LCD

TVIA and LCD

LG.Philips LCD

Samsung LN-R328W 32 in. HDTV-Ready LCD Television

2005-08-28T19:14:00.000-07:00

By Jeff

Price: $1500-$2500

Everything can be customized, although it doesn't really need it as the factory presets are spot-on. All menu's are simple to understand and easy to use.

I watched an ESPN Sports through this set and was absolutely amazed at the quality of the picture. Watching the broadcast in widescreen with HD quality made me feel as though I were watching some new form of entertainment that I've never experienced before.

Pros: Great picture, extremely easy to move from room to room if needed.

Cons: Maybe a little pricey, but worth it in the long run.

Sharp Aquos LC-13B4U-S 13 in. EDTV-Ready LCD Television

2005-08-21T18:22:00.000-07:00

By Christine

Price: $265.00 to $300.00

For years, I had a 9 inch, standard TV on my kitchen counter. It took up half the usable area. I knew I wanted a flat screen TV, but the cost was prohibitive. Prices have come down a lot, but I had seen some "cheap" models that were really awful, with poor resolution and bad angle of viewing. They looked more like the screens you see on airplanes.

I usually do my research, and this was no exception. I went to Costco, BestBuy, Target, and Walmart to see the various models. In most places, the price for a 13 inch quality LCD tv was about $450.00 or higher. Costco had some low priced ones, in the 300s, but I didn't care for the picture quality. The best picture I had seen, at BestBuy, was the Sharp Aquos line. It seemed to have the blackest black background and sharp images. NOTE: if you are really picky about picture quality, no LCD will match a CRT screen at present, unless you pay A LOT).

For the reviewed Aquos, the lowest price I found was for a refurbished unit from refurbdepot.com and that is where I ordered from at $299.00. Their website was easy to use and the product was shipped as promised. I was not disappointed. The unit has a medium shade silver cabinet in front and grey in the rear (it also comes in black and they have that unit as well), and the picture quality is excellent for an LCD screen. The viewing angle is as advertised, up to 170 degrees, which means you can see it from everywhere in the kitchen (except behind, of course), and the 2.1 watt speakers on each side of the screen really put out big time sound. I have always figured that refurb products are good if they are direct from the manufacturer. This one came directly from Panasonic with their factory seal. Once repaired, there is not likely to be any further trouble, and after a month, I have had none. I ordered a second one for my second home (again from the same vendor). The specs are shown below, but suffice it to say the TV picture will impress you, and that's what you are buying. The only quirk is that they placed a master on/off button on the top of the unit. This is where most people would go to turn the unit on if not using the remote. But using this button turns off the master power, so the remote won't work. However, pressing again, turns on master power AND the set, so just use the remote and avoid this issue. There is a cable jack on the back, RCA inputs, S video, and although the set has component inputs, I suspect that a tv this size will not be used in conjunction with high end receivers, but it's there if you want it. You can even claim to be an environmentalist as it uses a miserly 33 watts of power, thus saving forests, or rather oil.

Channel and volume controls are conveniently on the top along with a menu and tv/video switch. But don't forget the power button on top is a master power, not a standard on/off button. Go figure!

The 60,000 hour lamp sounds like you might wear it out, but if you have the tv on 10 hours per day, that allows for 16 years of lamp life, so unless you have it on 24/7, it should last a very long time.

The remote control is silver, and shaped like a Y, with good controls. There is the standard circular oriented arrow function buttons around a "enter" center button, along with buttons for menu, sleep mode, flashback, mute, tv/video, display, vol and channel of course, and a quick brightness control button, and a curious picture flip button. I don't know what this is for, but it allows the picture to be flipped upside down, or flipped into mirror mode (the picture looks backwards and would look normal if you watched it in a mirror). Maybe these options are for a projector? I personally found the remote to be somewhat strange looking, being used to rectangular remotes, but this was obviously a style effort on Sharp's part.

The unit has sufficient weight that it swivels nicely on its stand, so that when you rotate it, the base stays put. The swivel is very fluid and well engineered. I really like the picture and you will too! Unlike projection tvs, you can look at this screen from above, below or to the side without any change in the appearance.

AND NOW THE SPECS FROM SHARP:

• The AQUOS™ LC-13B4U-S with built-in cable TV tuner is less than 3" deep with an elegant design and features 480p (EDTV) compatibility for progressive DVD players. And with Sharp's proprietary Advanced Super View LCD panel, a 500:1 contrast ratio and 170 degree viewing angles, it is truly "TV where you want it," for any room in the house!
• ======================================================
• 13" ASV (Advanced Super View) LCD Panel
• is a Sharp proprietary panel with Black TFT low reflection coating.
• EDTV Monitor
• allows for 480p (progressive) DVD compatibility.
• High Brightness (430 cd/m2)
• AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions are very bright, so you can put them anywhere -- even near windows, doors or other light sources -- and their picture will still be vivid.
• Auto Clock
• allows you to display time of day on the screen.
• viewing angles are so wide that you can view AQUOS Liquid Crystal Televisions from almost anywhere in the room!
• 60,000-Hour Lamp Life
• Sharp's LCD backlight life is long enough to give you viewing pleasure for many years.
• 500:1 Contrast Ratio
• provides incredible images whether you're watching dark or bright scenes!
• Specifications:
• Panel Type 13" Active Matrix (a-si TFT) LCD1
• Pixel Resolution 921,600 dots (480 x 640 x R/G/B=VGA)
• Video System NTSC/PAL/SECAM
• Brightness 430 cd/m2
• Lamp Life 60,000 hours
• Viewing Angles 170 degree
• Audio System 2.1W + 2.1W
• Tuner Type Electronic PLL Tuner
• Aspect Ratio 4:3
• Contrast Ratio 500:1
• Color Temperature 8,000 degreeK
• Component Input Y/Pr/Pb x 1
• S-Video Input 4-pin DIN x 1
• Composite Video Input RCA x 2
• Cabinet Color Silver
• Power Consumption AC 33.5W
• ENERGY STAR Yes
• Dimensions
• (w x h x d) 16 7/8" x 13 19/64" x 7 25/64" (with stand)
• 16 7/8" x 10 11/16" x 2 27/64" (without stand)
• Weight 9.7 lbs. (with stand)
• 8.2 lbs. (without stand)

Lower price for 65-inch plasma TV

2005-08-19T17:32:00.000-07:00

(August 20, 2005) Osaka — Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, maker of the Panasonic brand equipment, will sell new 65-inch plasma televisions for less than 1 million yen, over 30 percent less than the price of similar models currently on the market, company officials said.

The new products will be put on the market at the end of this year. At present, 65-inch plasma TVs are sold at around 1.5 million yen.

Flickering light prevents TV image smearing

2005-07-25T19:13:00.000-07:00

Smearing, also known as ghosting, is a problem in thin liquid crystal display (LCD) televisions because the tiny pixels that create the image take time to switch on and off.

The problem, widely recognized as the main drawback of LCD TVs, is apparent in fast moving objects such as tennis balls, but even slower moving images get fuzzy around the edges.

Old-fashioned tube TV screens have no such issue, because they light up 50, 60 or 100 times per second for just a split second -- much shorter than the time to light up a flat screen pixel -- with large inactive or dark periods in between. The viewer is not conscious of the dark periods and combines the flashes to a seamless moving image.

Philips has combined an LCD screen with an idea from a CRT, a fast refresh rate based on turning the backlight on and off. The new technique is supposed to help eliminate image "smearing" and give a sharper picture. They say they will have a television on the market soon in 2006 with this tech.

Dual View LCD Dislpay

2005-07-18T07:45:00.000-07:00

Sharp will begin mass production of the display, billed as the world’s first dual-view LCD, by the end of the month, with the product hitting the shelves later this year. This LCD if used in a TV would allow viewers sitting to the right and left of a screen to watch different channels by simultaneously displaying different images into the right and left sides of the screen through a backlight.

This double-vision display technology could eventually be used in mobile phones, personal computers, car navigation systems and in various commercial applications.

The panel could be used to display two different advertisements on one screen at the same time. Placed next to an escalator, for example, passersby would see one advertisement on the way up and another on the way down.

Toshiba 42HP84 42 in. HDTV Plasma Television

2005-07-05T18:40:00.000-07:00

By James Wong

Price: Around $2,199.00

Pros: great picture, great value
Cons: speakers are fixed, remote somewhat dodgy

Picture is breathtaking. Progressive scan DVD is great, but real HD content is simply amazing. Tune it to discover HD and leave it! Colors are brilliant and easy to adjust. standard cable feed picture is "ok" at best, so investigate your local HDTV offerings before diving in!

Menus are easy to navigate and adjust. Onboard speakers are impressive to say the least, but are not removeable if you have a home theater setup. So they make for a fairly large "footprint".

The illuminated remote is a powerful tool indeed. It would be nicer if it had separate "mode" buttons for DVD/TV/Cable instead of one button you use to scroll. cumbersome but really my only complaint.

You won't regret if you by this one.

Panasonic TH-42PWD7UY 42 in. HDTV-Ready Plasma Television

2005-07-02T01:15:00.000-07:00

Plasma, 42 inch Display, HDTV Monitor / HDTV-Ready, Resolution: 852 x 480 pixels, 930 cd/m² Brightness, 4,000:1 Contrast Ratio

$1450-$2299

Pros
Price, performance.

Cons
Add-ons are expensive, if you need them.

The Bottom Line
Can't go wrong with this plasma in the 42" size for the money and the performance, especially if you can do without the exclusions.

Star Wars fans

2005-06-13T01:09:00.000-07:00

I came across this funny site - Store Wars. It's very creative and a must see for Star Wars fans.

This Flash movie is bringing in the background of Star Wars story line to promote organic vegetables.

NEC Plasma Technology

2005-01-26T08:44:00.000-08:00

NEC 42XR3 Plasma TV

Key Features of the NEC 42XR3 42" Plasma Monitor

* 42" NEC Plasma TV, HDTV (1024 X 768) Resolution
* Long lasting: up to 60,000 hour half life
* Best in class image quality and accurate image reproduction
* Includes a 3 year maufacturer's warranty!
* AccuShield features prevent screen "burn in"
* Split screen functionality: Control PIP size, location, and aspect ratio
* Flexible Input Options including DVI, VGA, and Component Video
* Gamma 12 Color Processing: Industry-leading 68.7 Billion Colors!
* Stereo Sound: Built-in 18W stereo amplifier
* Exceptionally quiet operation
* Dimensions: 40.1" x 24" x 3.5"
* Weight: 64.0 lbs.

NEC Plasma Technology

High resolution. Crystal clear larger than life images.

High brightness and contrast. Allows for commanding video in most viewing environments.

Greater Brightness and Contrast
Making it easier for audiences to see presentations, lectures or signage, and delivers a true home cinema experience at home from DVD and HDTV.

Real life colors. Image processing technology improves white balance, color accuracy, dynamic range and varying levels of black in an image.

Mass Area Superior Sampling (MASS) Advanced video scaling eliminates jagged lines and corrects color bleeds to create clear and defined images from any video source, while while Digital AccuDevice all-digital video processing allows for artifact and noise free video.

Gamma 12 Color Processing Provides the highest color processing in a plasma display. An indutry-leading 68.7 billion colors(4,096 gardient steps) delivers more detail than you've ever seen before!

Deinterlace video processing. Circuitry detects frame rate and then selects the proper processing to reduce line flicker and jaggies in video.

Picture management. Multiple adjustments enable for personalized modifications to fine tune image display.

Video noise reduction. Specialized circuitry assists in filtering video noise in VHS, cable and satellite sources.

HD signal compatibility. HDTV (1080i, 720p) and SDTV (576p, 480p) for superior high resolution video.

Advanced AccuBlend. Converts non-native resolutions to the resolution of the display for flawless images.
Convenience Features

Easy to use, easy to navigate. Full function back lit remote puts common features at the touch of a button.

Long lasting. The new NEC Plasma TV features a revolutionary 60,000 hour plasma panel half-life. "Half Life" is an approximate time for the display panel to reach half of it's original brightness. The panel life is based on motion video as the input source and all display settings at factory default. This time may vary if the source varies and monitor settings are not at factory default.

Unsurpassed product reliability and service. Ranked #3 by PAC Media for product quality/reliability and product warranty repair/return programs.

Extremely quiet operation. Listen to your movie, not your equipment.

Extensive connections. Connect to virtually any source including a satellite receiver, DVD, VCR, computer, video games and more.

DVI with HDCP. Allows you to display HD content that is protected (HT1100/Plasma).

Compliment any room. NEC provides a full assortment of accessories.

Sleep timer. Allows for automatic shut off.

Multiple aspect ratio modes. Display the image based on the source or viewer’s preference.
Terminals and Connections

RGB 1 (analog) 15-pin mini D-sub (in/out selectable)
RGB 2 (analog) 5 BNC (RGB/HV) (RGB/HD Video selectable)
RGB 3 (digital) 25-pin DVI (digital only)
Video 1 Composite BNC x 1 (in/out selectable)
Video 2 Composite RCA x 1
Video 3 S-Video 4-Pin DIN
HD Video 1 RCA Component (Y,Pb,Pr/Y,Cb,Cr)
HD Video 2 BNC Component (Y,Pb,Pr/Y,Cb,Cr) (RGB/HD Video selectable)
Audio 3 sets RCA stereo + external speaker jacks

HDTV Television - An Introduction

2005-01-26T08:21:00.000-08:00

The original impetus for HDTV came from wide-screen movies. Soon after wide-screen was introduced, movie producers discovered that individuals seated in the first few rows enjoyed a level of participation in the action not possible with conventional movies. Evidently, having the screen occupy a great field of view (especially peripherally) significantly increases the sense of "being there".

By Professor Kelin J. Kuhn

Panasonic TH-42PX25U/P 42 in. HDTV Plasma Television

2005-01-13T05:35:00.000-08:00

$3,499.00 - $6,000.00

The VIERA plasma line features new designer cosmetics, a fully integrated ATSC tuner for high definition reception, built-in CableCARD slot - Panasonic was the first manufacturer to receive certification from CableLabs® for an integrated digital television set (DTV) that connects directly to cable television systems and receives digital services without requiring a set-top box - and HDMI (High Definition and Multimedia Interface) input. The Panasonic TH-42PX25U/P (42-inch diagonal) features an ATSC integrated tuner,3000:1 contrast ratio, Picture-in-Picture, SD Memory Card slots and HDMI input With the use of an authorized CableCARD, this model is also able to receive digital cable television systems services directly from the cable operator (for a fee) without requiring a separate cable box. This plasma TV also offers both SD Memory Card and PCMCIA slots.

Sony WEGA KDE-42XBR950 42 in. HDTV Plasma Television

2005-01-11T07:49:00.000-08:00

$5,350.00 - $8,000.00

Pros:
Extremely elegant looks, excellent picture, wow-factor, good sound, low noise, uncluttered wiring, extremely flexible!

Cons:
Price, only 16.7mil colors, non-removable speakers

The bottom line:
Through great menus, great picture, great sound, and great aesthetics the Sony won us over, and we love it. A flexible, fantastic piece of art!

Sharp LC-32GD4U

2005-01-11T07:44:00.000-08:00

$2469-$3999

The good:
Stylish look; blacks are deep for an LCD; clean video processing; excellent connectivity; extensive picture controls.

The bad:
Expensive; inconsistent grayscale; minor false-contouring artifacts.

What's it for: Displaying TV, DVD, HDTV, and computer signals.

Who's it for: Big spenders who want a flat-panel television.

Essential extras: HD source; DVD player.

The bottom line: This big-bucks set represents the cutting edge of flat-panel LCD technology and image quality.

Panasonic TH-50PHD7UY

2005-01-11T07:35:00.000-08:00

$4129-$5166

The good:
Good color decoding; excellent black-level performance; good video processing.

The bad:
Limited connectivity options included; few consumer features; basic industrial design.

What's it for: Displaying TV, DVD, HDTV, and computer sources.

Who's it for: Big spenders who don't mind a minimalist aesthetic and feature set.

Business use: Conference room display.

Essential extras:
HDTV receiver; DVD player; speakers or home-theater audio system.

The bottom line:
Dollar for dollar, this is the best-performing 50-inch plasma on
the market, although you'll probably have to invest in additional inputs.

42" Widescreen Plasma Television (Philips)

2005-01-11T07:25:00.000-08:00

$4320.00

*Operates like a fully specified top end TV.
*TV tuner box with Nicam, Text, PIP etc.
*1000cd m2 brightness & 1000:1 contrast.
*Latest HD plasma technology, resolution 1024 x 1024i.
*High quality integral speakers.
*Pixel Plus 2 technology delivers more vivid details.
*Digital Natural Motion produces smooth, judder free images.
*Full colour ambient lighting enhances the viewing experience.
*Enjoy faster access to 1200 teletext pages.
*Progressive Scan for razor sharp and flicker free images.
*Comprehensive range of inputs & switching.

Plasma Television: Product Features (Part 3)

2005-01-10T08:43:00.000-08:00

Built-in Tuner
There are various types of tuners that may be built into a television:

NTSC (National Television System Committee) is the analog television broadcasting standard used widely in North America. It is referred to as a 525-line standard, but actually displays only 480 lines. NTSC is to be replaced with new DTV (Digital TV) standards in the coming years.

The PAL (Phase Alternating Line) standard was introduced in the early 1960's and was implemented widely in Europe. It has a wider channel bandwidth than NTSC as it runs on 635 lines.

ATSC (Advanced Television Standards Committee) creates the technical standards for the US digital television system (DTV). These standards are expected to be used in most new televisions, as the US television system shifts from analog to digital.

World Largest Plasma TV

2005-01-09T02:04:00.000-08:00

Samsung’s 102-inch plasma TV

Samsung SDI has developed what it claims is the world's largest PDP (plasma display panel), measuring 102 inches diagonally.

The new unit is almost three times the size of the 42-inch model which is now the flagship model in the PDP market.

What you think? Tell us...

Plasma Television: Product Features (Part 2)

2005-01-08T19:38:00.000-08:00

Display Format
The Display Format refers to the type of digital signal that a TV can display. The ATSC, which governs digital TV standards, has designated 18 formats for transmitting digital television. These are the ones that are used most frequently:

480i - This resolution is used by Standard Definition TV (SDTV), and provides a vertical resolution (lines per frame) of 480 interlaced and a horizontal resolution of 704, for a total of 337,920 pixels.

480p - This resolution is used by Enhanced Definition TV (EDTV), and provides a vertical resolution (lines per frame) of 480 progressive and a horizontal resolution of 704, for a total of 337,920 pixels.

720p - This resolution is used by High Definition TV (HDTV), and provides a vertical resolution (lines per frame) of 720 progressive and a horizontal resolution of 1280, for a total of 921,600 pixels.

1080i - This resolution is used by High Definition TV (HDTV), and provides a vertical resolution (lines per frame) of 1080 interlaced and a horizontal resolution of 1920, for a total of 2,073,600 pixels.

Plasma Television: Product Features (Part 1)

2005-01-05T08:10:00.000-08:00

Below are some common Plasma HDTV terms:

Flat Panel Type
Flat Panel TVs use either LCD or Plasma technology. LCDs (Liquid Crystal Displays) use liquid crystals as optical shutters, which control the amount of light passing through the thin display screen, creating vivid, life-like colors. LCDs are commonly used on microwaves, calculators and computers, as well as projection (up to 60") and direct view (10"-30") TVs. Plasma displays use a complex gas-based system. The benefits are a vivid, bright, clear picture with a slim form factor that can be mounted on a wall or on a pedestal. Plasma TVs range from 42 inches to 63 inches.

Screen Size
Diagonal Screen Size is the size of your TV screen, measured diagonally in inches.

Digital TV Standard
Digital TV Standard refers to the way in which your television receives and displays signals. Here is a guide:

Analog - Analog is not a digital format. It is the traditional display type that uses the NTSC system and is what we have been watching for years. Analog televisions have an almost square screen (4:3 aspect ratio) and are unable to display HDTV signals. Because the federal government has mandated that broadcasters begin switching from analog to digital television signals, manufacturers have begun producing televisions that are capable of displaying the new digital format. In the future, analog TVs will only be able to receive digital signals with the addition of a receiver that will decode digital signals.

HDTV Monitor - HDTV refers to "High Definition Television," which is the highest quality of digital television available. HDTV Monitors are also known as "HDTV-Ready" or "HDTV-Capable" TVs. With the addition of a separate receiver, these televisions can display high definition signals (1080i, 720p, etc.) that result in images that are many times clearer and more detailed than those from analog televisions, as well Dolby Digital Sound. HDTV is displayed using an aspect ratio of 16:9, or "widescreen." The separate receivers may also be referred to as set-top boxes, digital decoders or digital tuners. These sets are usually less expensive than sets that have the receiver integrated with the television.

EDTV Monitors - EDTV refers to Enhanced Definition Television, which provides lower image quality than HDTV, but still higher quality than a standard digital (SDTV) signal. EDTV Monitors are also known as EDTV-Ready" or "EDTV-Capable" TVs. With the addition of a separate receiver, these televisions can display enhanced definition signals (at least 480p) that result in images that are clearer and more detailed than those from analog televisions, as well as Dolby Digital Sound. EDTV may use an aspect ratio of either 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3 (square-shaped; same shape as analog television). The separate receivers may also be referred to as set-top boxes, digital decoders or digital tuners. These sets are usually less expensive than sets that have the receiver integrated with the television.

HDTV - HDTVs have built-in digital receivers/decoders and do not require the purchase of any separate components in order to display digital signals. They may also be referred to as an "integrated set" or "HDTV built-in." These televisions can display high definition signals (1080i, 720p, etc.) that result in images that are many times clearer and more detailed than those from analog televisions, as well Dolby Digital Sound. HDTV is displayed using an aspect ratio of 16:9, or "widescreen."

EDTV - EDTV refers to Enhanced Definition Television, which provides lower image quality than HDTV, but still higher quality than a standard digital (SDTV) signal. EDTVs have built-in digital receivers/decoders and do not require the purchase of any separate components in order to display digital signals. They may also be referred to as an "integrated set" or "EDTV built-in." These televisions can display enhanced definition signals (at least 480p) that result in images that are clearer and more detailed than those from analog televisions, as well as Dolby Digital Sound. EDTV may use an aspect ratio of either 16:9 (widescreen) or 4:3 (square-shaped; same shape as analog television).

SDTV - SDTVs have built-in digital receivers/decoders and do not require the purchase of any separate components in order to display digital signals. SDTV refers to "Standard Definition Television," which provides lower image quality than EDTV or HDTV, but higher image quality than analog TV. SDTV is displayed using an aspect ratio of 4:3, the same square shape as analog television.

Display Resolution
Display Resolution measures picture quality in pixels. The more pixels a television can display, the sharper the image. More pixels also provide higher-quality color.

What's on tomorrow? Product Features (Part 2)
Highlights:
Display Format, Built-in Tuner, Aspect Ratio, etc.

Important features Plasma TVs

2004-12-26T05:57:00.000-08:00

Plasma TVs have most of the features that are now standard on direct-view, CRT-based TVs, plus some features that are less common--such as picture-in-picture (PIP), which enables you to watch two images at the same time on one screen: the first, full-size; the second, in a small box within the larger picture.

If you watch many movies, look for motion compensation, also called 3:2 pulldown compensation or brand-specific names such as CineMotion. This will reduce the slight jaggedness otherwise visible in the edges of moving images. This feature confers no additional benefit when used with a progressive-scan DVD player, which smoothes film images before they reach the set.

Cable/antenna, or radio frequency (RF) inputs permit the most basic connections; the next step up is composite video. S-video input lets you take advantage of the superior picture quality from a satellite-dish system, a DVD player, or a digital camcorder. Component-video input offers even better quality, useful with equipment that comes with component-video output, such as progressive-scan DVD players, high-definition satellite receivers, and digital-cable boxes. Sets with more than one of either input will allow greater flexibility in connecting devices. For a camcorder or video game, front-panel A/V inputs are helpful.

Not all plasma sets include speakers. Many consumers, however, use sound systems with high-end TVs, negating the need for built-in speakers. Another reason for separate speakers: Some plasma sets have fans, and their noise can be heard in a quiet room.

Audio outputs let you direct a stereo TV's audio signal to a receiver or to self-powered speakers. An automatic volume leveler compensates for the jarring volume jumps that often accompany commercials or changes in channel. A headphone jack, when available, lets you watch (and listen) without disturbing others.

Many plasma sets also come with the ability to double as a computer monitor. And a few come with a separate control unit--a video receiver, in effect, that accepts connections more readily than a panel you've had mounted onto a wall.

Virtually all TV sets come with a remote control to change channels and adjust sound volume and picture. A universal remote will control all or most of your video (and some audio) devices once you program it by entering codes. (Aftermarket universal remotes typically cost $10 to $90.)

Digital TV revenues to double in 2005

2004-12-23T08:55:00.000-08:00

The combination of government deadlines and the continued emergence of advanced TV technologies will cause digital television shipments to rise at a 44.5% compound annual growth rate, from 19.9 mln in 2004 to 86.6 mln by 2008, according to iSuppli. Revenue from digital TV sales will double in 2004, from $31.4 bln this year to $62.8 bln in 2008.

1.8'' hard drives up due to high demand, iPods
10.87 mln cable set top boxes sold in 2004
11 mln digital cable set top boxes shipped in 2004
11 mln DVD burners will sell over the next 18 months
11 mln US households will have digital TV set by year-end 2004
13% of consumers plan to buy a DVD recorder
15% of US adults plan to get HDTV
18% of Brits have digital cameras
19 mln digital radios will be sold in 2007
20% of DVR owners use the word "love", when referring to DVR
200K digital TV subscribers in China in 2003
25% of people think they own an HDTV, 50% don't buy the product due to difficulties in using it
27% of consumers want a single-tasking music player, 13% want a single-tasking video player
29% of British households will own a digital radio in 2008
33% of all hard drives sold in 2008 will be inside consumer gadgets
37 mln US households to subscribe to HDTV by 2008
4.4 mln IPTV subscribers in Europe by 2008
4.7% of TV sets sold in US are US-made
40% of Americans own a digital camera
40% of US households will own an HDTV-ready TV set
410K cars and SUVs sold in first half of 2004 had pre-installed DVD systems
42% of Americans will have digital camera by the end of 2004
450 mln DVD players by 2008
5.6 mln rear-projection TVs will be sold in 2004
50 mln Flash-based music players will be sold in 2008
55 mln DTT households in EU by 2009
70% of Americans know about DVRs, 48% know what TiVo is
70% want media servers from consumer electronics, not PC manufacturers
70K HDTVs sold in EU in 2003
72% would buy a media hub, only 41% know how to use them
8 mln LCD TV units sold in 2004, 13.8 mln will sell in 2005
8.24 mln DVD recorders will sell in 2004
8.6 mln digital TV sets will be sold in 2004
89 mln European households to use digital TV in 2007
9 mln LCD TVs sold in 2004
90% of leaked movies leak from cinema camcorders
Americans spent $36 bln on cable TV in 2004
Average digital TV to cost $690 in 2008
Both digital cameras and phones to grow
Cameraphone sales to double this year, triple next year
Cameraphone sales up 200% in 2004
China digital camera sales up 280% in Q2 2004
Consumer electronics prices fall 2%
Consumer electronics prices fell 3.1% in May
Demand for HDTV tuners u[p
Digital camera market leaders: Sony, Kodak, Canon, Olympus
Digital camera sales reached $24 bln worldwide in 2004
Digital projection TVs outsell plasma screens
Digital satellite to generate $70 bln in TV subscriptions by 2008
Digital TV set-top boxes grew 28% in 2003
Digital TV sets will net $70 billion in 2008
Disposable cameras the only bright spot in film camera market
DVD player profit margins hit $1
DVD recorder shipments increased 200% in 2003
DVR growth rate is expected at 46.9%
DVR market to grow 59% yearly till 2008
DVR penetration to reach 41% by 2009
Flat panel TV pricess will fall 30% in 2004
Home theater installations to rise 12-15% in 2004
IDC revises LCD TV forecast to 50 mln units in 2007
Interactive program guides for PVRs to generate $1 bln by 2008
LCD TV market to double in 2004
LCD TV sales went up 23% in Q4 2003
Less than 10% of TV sets sold in 2004 are LCD TVs
More digital than film cameras sold
Most popular gift in 2004: digital camera
MPEG2 DVD-recorder chip prices to fall
Nielsen estimates DVR penetration at 4-5%
Only 7% of consumers will definitely purchase Portable Media Center
Plasma TV sales up 169% YTY in Q1 2004
Plasma TV, cameraphones "hot" among consumers
Rear-projection TV sales
Russian plasma TV sales grew 93% in 2003, will grow 78% in 2004
Satellite customers are bigger fans of PVRs
Sweden to lead the world in digital TV
TV industry conducts own DVR survey, finds 42.7% returning the device
UK digital TV penetration is 38.79% in 2003
US consumer electronics prices experience the biggest decline in 5 months
US consumer electronics sales data
US digital camera penetration to reach 40% by year-end 2004
Wishlist for Christmas 2004: HDTV, MP3 player, digital camera
Yankee Group ups DVR penetration forecast to 33.5 mln DVRs by 2008

Sony Says Not Leaving U.S. Plasma TV Market

2004-12-23T08:43:00.000-08:00

Wed Dec 22, 2004 06:32 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Sony Corp. (6758.T: Quote, Profile, Research) on Wednesday said it had no plans to abandon the market for plasma-screen television sets in the United States in the near term, though it did not say specifically what its intentions were internationally.

"Sony has absolutely no intention of abandoning our plasma television business in the U.S. in 2005 or the foreseeable future," Sony Electronics said in a statement.

A spokeswoman for Sony Electronics said she could only comment for the United States and that corporate representatives in Japan were not available to comment.

Earlier this week Sony representatives in Japan said the company may consider abandoning the market for plasma TVs at some point in the future but for the time being would continue to make the TV sets.

Japanese media had reported that Sony, the No. 2 plasma TV maker, could pull out of that market as soon as the spring of 2005.

Sony executives have said they will focus their attention in future on Liquid Crystal Display, or LCD television sets, a different technology than plasma that up to now has been used primarily for smaller screens.

Plasma sets use tiny pockets of gases to display images, while LCDs use crystals sandwiched between glass. Prices have fallen steadily on both though they remain more expensive than traditional TVs with retail prices starting at over $2,000 in the United States.

Sony has a joint venture with Samsung Electronics (005930.KS: Quote, Profile, Research) for mass LCD production starting in 2005. By contrast, it has to source all of its plasma panels from outside manufacturers.

© Reuters 2004. All Rights Reserved.

BenQ 46W1 Plasma Display

2004-11-22T19:58:00.000-08:00

The BenQ 46W1 Plasma Display features high illumination, the finest digital resolution, and a body that's wafer thin and super lightweight. It is a cinch to fit into any space or hang anywhere. Experience perfect digital sensory immersion in the home, and in your most important business presentations, advertising, shop-front displays, briefings, educational training and other commercial applications.

*Flicker-free Picture
BenQ Plasma's De-Interlace and P-Scan capabilities go further than simply accepting stable, non-flicker 480p signals; they can convert ordinary 480i signals into the finer 480p format too, giving you exquisite, flicker free images. Even after lengthy viewing times, your eyes will not feel tired.

*3D Audio WOW
BenQ's SRS Surround Sound and booming True Bass is complimented by a clear and penetrating treble purified by the Focus technique. The high fidelity audio works in unison with life-like images to present you a realistic digital experience.

*Distinct and Detailed Data Screen Display
When ordinary 16:9 screen ratio Plasma TVs present 4:3 signals converted to 16:9, picture quality is lost and the image becomes blurry. This haziness is the result of compressing and reproducing the signal. It is normally impossible to accurately and completely match each pixel to the original signal.

Pioneer PDP-5040HD

2004-11-22T19:45:00.000-08:00

Pioneer’s exclusive Pure Drive™ keeps video signals entirely in a lossless digital domain, for greater signal control and far higher video quality.
With Pioneer’s new Advanced PureCinema with 3-3 pulldown, film-based material on DVD, videotape, and even regular TV will match the smooth, natural reproduction you’d see in a theater.

ACE II (Advanced Continuous Emission II) uses 10-bit processing to produce 1,024 gradation steps for each cell—creating a palette of over 1.07 billion colors and delivering reproduction accuracy up to 16 times greater than competitors’ panels.
Deep Encased Cell Structure: Each individual lamp is encased in its own “cell”, with walls on all sides so that light doesn’t bleed into neighboring cells. This energy-efficient design allows each lamp to deliver a more concentrated beam of light, for truer colors and brighter images.

Black Stripe Coating: Pioneer places a patented black coating between each row of plasma cells, absorbing the light hitting the panel. This significantly reduces reflections coming back to your viewing position and nearly doubles the effective contrast.

Full 1280 x 768 resolution.
The PDP-5040HD comes fully loaded: its outboard media receiver is equipped with an ATSC terrestrial HDTV tuner and a full set of interfaces, including a next-generation High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). This all-digital, high-bandwidth consumer interface can transfer huge amounts of pure, digital data at very high rates of speed. Two-way stereo speakers and a swivel stand are also included.

*Full High Definition WXGA Resolution (1280 x 768p)
• 16:9 Aspect Ratio
• Advanced PureCinema with 3:3 Pull Down
• First Plasma Capable of 72 Hz Display
• ACE II (Advanced Continuous Emission II). Capable of over 1 Billion Colors
• New Pure Drive Technology
• Ultra Bright, 1,000Cd/m2
• Deep Encased Cell Structure with Black Stripe Coating
• Adjustable Color Temperature, 3 Settings w/ 6500 Degrees
• Multi Picture Window P-I-P or Split Screen with any Source (NTSC, HD, PC)
• Dual HDMI Connections
• IEEE-1394 Digital Interface
• Component RGB with BNC Connectors
• Integrated ATSC Tuner
• 3 Dimensional Y/C Separation
• Includes Plasma Panel, Media Receiver, Speakers, Swivel. Stand, Smart Remote and 3 Meter Digital Connection
• Optional 10 Meter Digital Connection Cable
• Optional Flush Mount Wall Bracket
• Optional Tilt Wall Bracket
• Antenna Input, VHF x 3 (75 ohms unbalanced F connector)

*Antenna Output, VHF x 2 (75 ohms Unbalanced F Connector)
• A/V Input (Front) x 1 (RCA Pin)
• A/V Input (Rear) x 3 (RCA Pin)
• S-Video Input (Front) x 1
• S-Video Input (Rear) x 2
• S-Video Output (Rear) x 1
• Component Input (Front) x 1
• Component Input (Rear) x 2
• D-Sub 15 Input (Front) x 1 (for PC Input)
• Digital Audio Output (Rear), Optical
• i.LINK, 2 Terminals
• HDMI Input, 2 with HDCP
• SR In/Output (out=SR+)
• Display Dimensions: 50" x 29" x 3 7⁄8"
• Display Weight: 83 lbs., 13 oz.
• Media Receiver Dimensions: 16 9⁄16" x 3 9⁄16" x 11 11⁄16"
• Media Receiver Weight: 12 lbs., 9 oz.
• One Year Warranty, Residential Application Only.
Image Persistence is not Covered.

Price: $14,500.00 (Approx)

ViewSonic VPW425 42in Plasma TV

2004-11-08T20:02:00.000-08:00

The ViewSonic VPW425 42" plasma TV with built-in TV tuner brings stunning video images into your home or boardroom. Revolutionary NextVision technology brings images to life with spectacular brightness and depth. XtremeView performance with viewing angles up to 160 degree delivers vivid images with unmatched picture quality. Picture-in-picture and split-screen (picture-on-picture) capabilities make it easy to view multiple windows at once. Professional-grade features allow you to tailor images to your particular application. Built-in virtual surround sound speakers and progressive scan technology round out the multimedia experience with a clean, professional look. For the home or office, get the powerful, slim (3.7" depth) plasma TV -- the ViewSonic VPW425.

*Displays HD signals including 480p, 480i, 720p, 1080i.

*Audio amplifier, image shadowing management tools, precise white balance adjustment, and external RS-232C control interface. (RS-232 cable is optional)

*Price: $2935.00 (approximately).

About the company

Since its inception in 1987, ViewSonic has consistently grown and evolved its business, finding new ways to add more value for its customers. For the first ten years, the company primarily focused on selling CRT monitors to businesses. To make the customer's visual experience easier and more enjoyable ViewSonic expanded its product line to include LCD monitors, LCD TVs, projectors, plasma displays and peripherals, as well as advanced mobile and wireless products, such as tablet PCs and wireless displays. Today, the company offers comprehensive visual display solutions for business, education, consumer electronics and professional markets.

ViewSonic is committed to meeting and exceeding its customers' expectations in quality, value and innovation because the visual experience matters. The company remains the number-one monitor display company in the United States, has won more than 1,000 awards from independent global publications and has leveraged its display expertise to develop the first products in several new categories. The company's annual sales have risen from $4 million in 1987 to more than $1 billion in 2003.

Plasma Televisions: A Buyer's Guide

2004-11-04T06:40:00.000-08:00

Plasma Televisions Brief History

In 1996, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) enacted legislation compelling the nation's 1600+ television stations to change the way they broadcast their programming-i.e., to start transmitting it digitally. Thus began the rise of digital television (DTV) in America. For now, the FCC has allocated an additional channel spectrum to the media. This has allowed the media to offer digital broadcasts in parallel with their existing analog ones, giving consumers the opportunity to watch regular TV while they make the switch to DTV.

Once the transition to digital is complete-by the year 2006 or by the time 85% of US households get digital feeds, whichever occurs later-the federal government will auction off the original analog channel spectrum. And DTV will be the new standard in broadcasting. Sure, you'll still be able to watch your favorite shows in analog like always, but you'll need to "update" your existing TV with a device that converts digital signals into analog ones. All of which begs the question: Why not just go with the digital flow?

What exactly is plasma TV?

Most people know plasma TVs as those unbelievably thin display monitors that can be hung on your wall just like pieces of video art. (To give you an idea of the space-saving advantages of plasma technology, consider this: A 40-inch TV may be two feet deep and weigh upwards of 150 pounds, while the same size plasma display might have a depth of, say, 6 inches and weigh half as much.) But this isn't your average slimmed-down television set. The display itself consists of thousands of "cells," which are individual glass compartments injected with neon-xenon gas suspended in plasma-hence the "plasma" appellation. These cells are the basic elements comprising the picture you see on your TV screen. When the gases are electrically charged, they strike red, green, and blue phosphors. Just like that, an image (which is nothing more than the sum of the aforementioned colored elements, commonly known as "pixels") is born.

What are the advantages of having a plasma TV?

The picture is smooth, colorful, and (best of all) wide. Plasma TVs have none of those annoying scan lines that conventional sets do. This owes to the fact that each pixel cell has its own transistor electrode, which creates smooth, evenly lit images across the entire surface of the display. Many of the newer plasma displays also have built-in line doubling to improve the image quality of even low-resolution video signals. And they are saturated with color; some high-end plasma TVs are capable of displaying 16.77 million colors! Plasma sets offer super color realism and exceptional gradations among colors. In fact, these color-saturated images are what give plasma displays an edge over other types of video displays in the eyes of many consumers.

Plasma displays have a 16:9 aspect ratio (i.e., 16 units wide to 9 units high), the proper one for viewing HDTV and for watching DVDs. But most television shows are still broadcast in the more traditional 4:3 aspect ratio, the one that more closely approximates the dimensions of conventional TV sets. Does this mean that you'll have to watch some shows where the image is distorted or stretched unnaturally? No. When displaying a "normal" or 4:3 picture image from satellite, VCR, or cable TV, the image can be viewed in a number of ways-in its original format (with black or gray bars on the sides of the screen), or in "full" mode (where the image is converted or "stretched" using specially designed algorithms to reduce the visible stretch marks as much as possible). This is only a temporary dilemma, of course: Since HDTV is shown in widescreen, this is the format of the future for broadcast television.

The display is multi-functional and long-lived. A plasma display is a television monitor, capable of displaying HDTV, regular TV, and home video. It's also a computer monitor. In fact, it can accept any video format. Plasma displays typically include inputs for (a) composite video, (b) S-video and component video, and (c) one or more RGB inputs from a computer. You can expect to use you plasma display in many capacities and for many years: The average lifespan of one of these displays is 30,000 hours. That's about 3.5 years of 24/7 usage! If watching TV was your full-time job, and you did it for 8 hours a day, it would take you more than a decade to wear out your plasma display.

A plasma TV will perform exceedingly well under most ambient light conditions. A very bright light does not "wash out" its picture, nor does backlighting cause a glare on your TV screen. The beauty of these flat screens is that, unlike front view projections screens, you don't have to turn out the lights to see the image clearly and easily. Moreover, you can watch TV from almost anywhere in a room, since flat screens have a 160° viewing angle.

Samsung 56" Widescreen HDTV Monitor TV

2004-11-04T04:35:00.000-08:00

Features:

TV/VIDEO

* DLP (Digital Light Processing) TV
- Compact Light
-Weight Design-Fits Where Others Won't
* Samsung Cinema Smooth Gen 3 HD Third Generation Light Engine
- Single Panel Digital Micro-Mirror Device (DMD) Design for a Crystal Clear Picture Without Any Possibility of Convergence Errors
- High Output 0.55" DLP Technology by Texas Instruments
- Smooth Film-Like Pixel Free Images
- 1500:1 Contrast Ratio with Outstanding Color and Deep Black Levels - 30% Quieter Operation (48db)
* Samsung's Latest Generation DNIe Video Enhancer
* Samsung's Cinema Smooth Film-Mode 3:2 Pull Down powered by Genesis™
* 1280 x 720 Digital Format Converter for All Inputs
* HDTV Performance with Add-On HDTV Tuner or HD Receiver
* New HDMI and DVI Inputs for True Digital Performance
* No Screen Aging or Burn-In Effects for Worry-Free Enjoyment

AUDIO

* 30-Watt Stereo Audio System with SRS TruSurround XT

DIGITAL CONNECTIONS
* DVI HDTV Input (Digital Visual Interface)
* HDMI Input (High Definition Multimedia Interface)
* 2-Component Video Inputs (480i/480P/720P/1080i)

TiVO

2004-11-02T20:51:00.000-08:00

In 1998, design engineers at TiVo, the Silicon Valley company that helped introduce the digital video recorder to the world, set out to produce a distinctive remote control. The result was a textbook blend of complexity and ease of use.

555 Timer Tutorials & Examples

2004-11-02T04:58:00.000-08:00

http://www.uoguelph.ca/~antoon/gadgets/555/555.html

http://www.williamson-labs.com/480_555.htm

http://ourworld.compuserve.com/homepages/Bill_Bowden/555.htm

http://www.see.ed.ac.uk/~kap/Hard/555/aplications.html?http://oldeee.see.ed.ac.uk/~kap/Hard/555/aplications.html

555 timer designer

Scanning tips for photos and documents

2004-11-02T04:43:00.000-08:00

Photovoltaics: Turning Sunlight Into Electricity

2004-11-02T04:41:00.000-08:00

Boeing Marks Completion of Its 757 Commercial Airplane Program

2004-10-31T17:33:00.000-08:00

Boeing marked the completion of its 757 commercial airplane program, as thousands of employees and special guests saluted one of history's most successful passenger airplanes.

The 1,050th and final 757, a Shanghai Airlines 757-200, was the centerpiece of a ceremony at the company's Renton, Wash., factory. The 757 is one of only seven large commercial jetliner models that sold more than 1,000 units.

more

SAMSUNG Introduces World’s First 5-Megapixel Camera Phone

2004-10-31T17:24:00.000-08:00

Samsung Electronics unveils the world's first mobile phone (model: SCH-S250) equipped with a 5-megapixel camera. Just one year after the introduction of its first 1-megapixel camera phone and 3 months after its first 3.2-megapixel camera phone, Samsung proves its technological prowess again with this revolutionary product.

More

Convert MP3 file into ogg format

2004-10-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

Easy to use -- Just one right click of the mouse. Convert MP3 file into

CD compatible WAV
MPEG I Layer 3 resampling (.MP3)
Window Media Audio 8 (.WMA)
NTT Cyber Space Lab's Audio (.VQF)
Ogg Voribs file (.OGG)

Mp3 To All Converter can be used to create custom CDs or free your hardisk's space with wma, vqf, ogg which is two times smaller then 128kpbs mp3, but has great quality! Convert all your mp3 to ogg now.

Modern Cellular Phone System Block Diagram

2004-10-24T01:19:00.000-07:00

A modern cellular phone provides 2-way communications using one of several cellular standards (GSM, CDMA, TDMA, AMPs, etc.).

It often integrates one of more of the following functions:

* vibrating ringer
* polyphonic ringer
* touch-screen
* still and/or video camera
* broadcast radio receiver (FM, AM)
* MP3 player
* PC connection

Turn the Windows XP taskbar into a Mac-like Dock

2004-10-20T22:06:00.000-07:00

You may not use a Mac, but now there's a way for us PC users to get the stellar moving and popping icons that make OS X look so cool!

ObjectDock is a little application that turns your Windows 2000 or XP taskbar and QuickLaunch bar into a slick-looking takeoff of the OS X Dock. You'll have the same Windows functionality, but the graphics will float onto your screen when you mouse over them.

ObjectDock is really easy to use. Install the program and launch it. The change to your desktop will happen immediately.

The program also has an awesome extra feature. Minimize a window and look at the bottom of the page you have open. You'll be able to see a screen shot of the last page you worked on. You'll love it!

SequoiaView

2004-10-18T10:44:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered why your hard disk is full? Or what directory is taking up most of the space? When using conventional disk browsing tools, such as Windows Explorer, these questions may be hard to answer.

With SequoiaView however, they can be answered almost immediately. SequoiaView uses a visualization technique called cushion treemaps to provide you with a single picture of the entire contents of your hard drive. You can use it to locate those large files that you haven't accessed in one year, or to quickly locate the largest picture files on your drive. The screenshots below give a first impression of the original cushion treemaps:

Orbitron

2004-10-18T10:19:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder where the many thousands of satellites are located at any moment? Wonder no more with Orbitron.

Orbitron gives you a colorful world-map overview screen and lists dozens of satellites for your tracking pleasure. Simply check the box next to a satellite name and it will show up on the map at its present location. Also try clicking on individual satellites to get more information such as position and altitude.

Cool Beans System Info

2004-10-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

You can never know too much about what's going on behind the scenes on your PC. Let's face it, CPU, RAM, and network usage are three important measures of how well your PC is working. Today's free file brings those measures to the forefront. Cool Beans System Info will work on most versions of Windows, including 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP.

System Info gives you all the information about your network-upload and network-download usage. It also monitors your CPU usage, and how much physical and virtual memory is available. There's a list of running applications and processes. Sure, lots of this can be found in XP and 2000. But much of this is harder to find in Windows 98. Plus, there's one cool feature not found in any operating system: a network download stopwatch. If you don't have XP, you'll definitely want this. If you do have XP, you should still take a look at it.

Agnitum Outpost Personal Firewall

2004-10-18T10:06:00.000-07:00

The Agnitum Outpost Personal Firewall combines the security features of personal firewalls like ZoneAlarm with ease and usability perfect for most novice PC users. Today I'll show you how to use it.

After a simple installation, the Agnitum firewall is up and ready to go. When you access any network function, such as email or a browser, the firewall presents a question dialog box asking whether or not you want to allow this transaction to go through. You can set it for once (this time only), never, or always for this application.

Other outstanding features include the ability to filter sites for inappropriate material and scan email for spam. It also acts like a mini antivirus program, preventing potentially dangerous email viruses or worms from infecting your machine. Add a simple plug-in and it will act as a pop-up killer, stopping banner and pop-up ads.

Aerodynamics of Formula One (F1)

2004-10-14T19:49:00.000-07:00

In modern Formula One (F1), aerodynamics are the field in which the biggest steps forward in performance are to be made. Ever since the introduction of the first wings by Lotus and Ferrari in the 1960s, what was formerly a hit and miss technique has evolved into a near-exact science. Every square centimetre of today's cars is carefully honed to optimise airflow. The basic equation engineers face is simple: to inverse the physical principle that enables a plane to stay airborne.

The work of aerodynamicists is to find downforce – the vertical force that pushes cars to the ground by forming a zone of low pressure underneath its wings – and to minimise drag, the associated longitudinal force that resists the car's forward movement. The performance of any single-seater car is a function of this inevitable standoff. Accordingly, engineers have become obsessed with the tiniest of details, and that's no surprise when you consider that a nosecone-mounted aerial with an excessively big diameter can cost the equivalent of around 10bhp in engine power. Yet this spectacular example does not mean that Formula 1 cars are profiled like razor-sharp arrows. On the contrary. Their large, exposed wheels produce turbulence that makes them as about as aerodynamic as a tank. The drag coefficient of an everyday Clio is much lower… but a Clio generates significantly less downforce. Launched at full song at 250kph, a Formula 1 car benefits from more than a tonne of aerodynamic load.

Over the past thirty years or so, engineers haven't left a single stone unturned in their quest for downforce. Successive inventions such as fan cars, skirts, so-called side pod-mounted penguin flaps, vanes on engine covers or deformable body components that flex at speed all brought spectacular performance gains before leading the sport's governing body to step in. Today's regulations mean that aerodynamicists must work within a restrictive, strictly pegged out framework. The most recent rule changes introduced before the start of the 2001 season dictated an increase of 50mm in front wing height and a maximum limit to the number of elements that can make up rear wing. When the regulations are stable, however, engineers are capable of finding between 5% and 10% extra downforce each year, a rule of thumb that applies equally to the Renault F1 Team. Outwardly, the R202 might seem very similar to its predecessor, the B201, yet the efficiency of its aerodynamic package has progressed significantly. And so, in turn, has its performance.

Aerodynamics are just as fundamental for the drivers. In the same way that an airplane is not able to take off in the immediate wake of another, it is not possible for two single-seater cars to follow each other too closely through a corner because of the turbulence produced by the leading car. The risk for the second car is quite simply sliding off the track. Along straights, however, it is possible for the chasing car to benefit from the slipstream of the one in front, a phenomenon that can facilitate overtaking.

Finally, the efficiency of an aerodynamic package is only revealed at full song since downforce increases exponentially with speed. Ironically, a corner that may not be particularly difficult at 250kph can pose a problem at 180kph. Aerodynamics and driver bravery are intimately intertwined.

Two years ago, aerodynamics were the principal shortcoming of the Benetton team. Today, this department has been significantly reinforced since the arrival of Mike Gascoyne as Technical Director. A staff of over forty currently works on Renault F1 Team's aerodynamics programme under the leadership of John Iley. Although the way it is organised may not be unique to Enstone, it is worth highlighting all the same, its most notable feature being the fact that two distinct shifts work out of the team's ultra-modern wind tunnel facilities. "Competition in F1 today is such that our wind tunnel functions 17 hours a day," explains John Iley. "It's impossible to get our engineers to work that long! So we have decided to split the staff into two teams. Each shift is independent and is given a precise programme to work on." Doesn't that run the risk of creating rivalry between the two? "I wouldn't call it rivalry. More a sort of emulation. Each one wants to outdo the other," smiles Iley. "And that can only be beneficial for results."

The engineers give their maximum but they also have a free reign as far as their research goes. Having said that, many of their ideas never get used. Less than 20% of the aerodynamic solutions examined actually ever find their way on to the race car. That doesn't mean the engineers aren't up to the job; it's just that every avenue is considered to be worth exploring. "The technical regulations are so restrictive today that it is no longer possible to make a single major stride forward. We progress bit by bit in all areas, which means it's the teams with the biggest budgets and best infrastructures that have the edge," underlines Head of Aerodynamics John Iley. Certain teams are effectively thinking in terms of a second wind tunnel to function in parallel to the first and there is already talk of annual aerodynamics research programmes based on 5,000 hours of wind tunnel time. At Renault F1 Team, the plan is to introduce regular modifications to the R202 as the season progresses. Even as early as the second Grand Prix of the year, at Sepang, the cars featured a new rear wing and a new extractor.

There is little to be gained from spying. "Each car has to be considered as a complete package," comments Iley. "What works for one team doesn't necessarily work for everyone. Obviously, we all observe what everybody else is up to, and if an idea proves effective it will always turn up sooner or later on all the cars."

And what about looks? Here again, aesthetics tend not to weight heavily in the balance. Efficiency is all that counts. "A car that wins is always beautiful", quips John Iley. "OK, if two solutions produce identical results, then we will go for the most stylish solution, but such cases are rare."

Although Formula 1 cars obey precise physical laws, they cannot take their inspiration from nature, despite the temptation to look at windswept landscapes or the fins and wings of certain animals. "It's true that an organ is dictated by its function and there could be something to be gained from looking at nature," smiles John Iley. "Unfortunately, nature doesn't have to work to Formula 1's technical regulations…" Pity!

In principle the aerodynamic design has to take three things into account; Down force, suction and airflow. To produce down force and suction, the airflow has to be optimized around and under the car. The effectiveness of the down force is measured by the 'weight' that the airflow produces on the car. The amount of pressure that is produced is so great that, at approximately 250 KMH, an F1 racecar could drive inverted on the ceiling. The extremely fast air under the car is used to create a vacuum that, in addition to the down force, sucks the car onto the track.

More information:
http://www.f1technical.net/article10.html

Kazaa

2004-10-14T19:47:00.000-07:00

Search for and download music, movies, games, software, images and documents.

Skype

2004-10-14T19:42:00.000-07:00

Skype is for calling other people on their computers or phones. Download Skype and start calling for free all over the world.

Sometimes not all the voices you would like to hear use Skype. With SkypeOut you can call anyone anywhere in the world at local rates.

Easy way to earn money!

2004-10-14T06:20:00.000-07:00

Join LinkShare Today!

AcronymGenie (487 KB)

2004-10-14T05:32:00.000-07:00

AcronymGenie is a simple little program that can be minimized to the System Tray for quick reference. It contains more than 17,000 acronyms/abbreviations. Just start typing letters into the search field and the acronym you're looking for will magically start filtering its way to the top of the list.

Be sure to click on the "Smiley" tab for the most comprehensive smiley dictionary I've ever seen. You'll be able to wow your chat buddies with all kinds of smiley emoticons.

Download a must-have app for any hard-core DOS gamer running Windows NT, 2000, or XP

2004-10-14T05:19:00.000-07:00

VDMSound lets you run virtual DOS soundcard drivers within Windows, complete with sound drivers, DOS Himem support, and CPU slowdown.

To make the most of VDMSound you also need to download the VDMSound launchpad, a GUI front end for VDMSound that makes it easier to create a custom VDMSound setting for each game you wish to run.

1. Right-click the game executable and choose VDMSound.
2. Select Custom Configuration. I recommend this option over the default settings since not all DOS games work with the defaults.
3. You'll have the option to reuse an existing setup or create a new one from scratch. If you choose to create one from scratch, click the Advanced button on the next screen.
4. Set how much RAM to allocate VDMSound for the game, himem.sys options, MIDI emulation, and processor slowdown.

Start playing!

N Korea has more capable missile, US officials say

2004-10-14T05:14:00.000-07:00

North Korea has used Russian technology to develop a new intermediate range ballistic missile that may be the most capable and accurate system in Pyongyang's inventory, U.S. officials said.

There also are "indications" the North Koreans have begun limited production of the longer-range Taepo Dong 2 missile, which can reach the continental United States, and this could mean the weapon is nearly ready for export, a senior U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Experts said if the North has built a new missile based on a new design instead of the old Scud technology, this would be a significant development. But some were skeptical and one U.S. official said he believed the Bush administration remained divided on its assessments of Pyongyang's missile program.

In addition to working to improve the accuracy and range of all its three existing missile systems, the North Koreans have been "developing and perfecting a completely new and different missile system, an intermediate range missile system based on an improved different technology," one official said.

U.S. officials said the missile is based on Russia's SSN6, a submarine-launched ballistic missile deployed in 1969 with a range up to 3,400 miles. Other North Korean missiles -- the Scud, No Dong and Taepo Dong -- are based on Russia's Scud missile, which has a shorter-range and is less accurate.

One U.S. official said North Korea is believed to have acquired the SSN6 Russian missile expertise in the 1990s when post-Soviet Russia was a "free for all" bazaar and everything was for sale. "There is absolutely no indication that the Russians are now or have recently -- within the last couple of years -- been involved in this program," he said.

RUSSIAN ROLE

But other officials said this is not definitive. Russian officials deny cooperation with North Korea but they also deny cooperating with Iran, and Washington knows that Russia-Iran involvement is going on, they said.

The existence of a new missile was first reported in recent days by Asian media, including the South Korean newspaper Chosun Ilbo. But U.S. officials revealed more details about the system, its military import and its impact on six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear crisis held in Beijing last week.

It was widely reported that Pyongyang was expected to showcase the new intermediate range missile during festivities marking the country's 55th anniversary.

That did not happen. U.S. officials said one reason is that participants in the Beijing talks -- especially Russia and China, the North's only allies -- strongly urged Pyongyang not to do anything provocative that might jeopardize the talks.

Also, U.S. intelligence sent a delegation to Moscow last week to urge Russia to lean harder on Pyongyang.

Like most other issues involving North Korea, this was hotly debated within the administration, officials said.

Secretary of State Colin Powell, leader of U.S. pro-engagement forces, backed the push to persuade Pyongyang not to display its new system while Vice President Dick Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, who have been hostile to negotiations, wanted to stand back and let the North do whatever it might choose to do.

Last month's six party talks in Beijing, designed to launch a negotiating process with Pyongyang, ended with no progress other than agreement to meet again, probably in November.

U.S. officials said there have been hints about the new intermediate range missile for several years but only in the past year has its existence and derivation been confirmed.

It shows Pyongyang can work with a much higher quality design, perfect and manufacture against that design, U.S. officials said. There is more confidence it will work because it is based on a well-established Russian design, they added.

But skeptics noted that, while it continues to ground test missile engines and other components, Pyongyang has observed a moratorium on missile test flights since 1999 and its 1998 test of a Taepo Dong 1 missile failed to achieve orbit.

Day to dance?

2004-10-14T04:44:00.000-07:00

After coming back from dinner, my friend, Mr. L invited me to learn Sakura dance. He showed me the video clips that illustrate the steps of this unique dance. We both watched and try to remembered by heart. Ah, it was tough! Not simple at all.

Midterm on 14 October 2004 (subject M)

2004-10-11T18:48:00.000-07:00

Three chapters are included.

Ghost Mouse

2004-10-10T05:14:00.001-07:00

GhostMouse 2.0 records system-level mouse events that can be played back so the computer can execute and operate applications on its own. GhostMouse can be placed in the Windows startup group so preprogrammed tasks are carried out when Windows starts up. v2.0 offers improved performance, two new features, and smaller program size.

Hallo, I'm back!

2004-10-10T04:51:00.000-07:00

Just came back from two-day holiday...
Nice to see you all again. Now, I've to start preparing my midterm exam.
However, I promise you all that I'll post articles from time to time.
So, remember to check back regularly...

ßye!

Spectrum Analyzer & Field Strength Analyzer

2004-10-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Spectrum Analyzer
An instrument which displays the frequency spectrum of an input signal, usually amplitude vertical vs. frequency horizontal.

Field Strength Analyzer
Practical field-strength measurements call for an analyzer that is portable yet powerful. The model 3290 RF Field Strength Analyzer from PROTEK Test and Measurement (Allendale, NJ) is a handheld instrument that contains not only a full-featured spectrum analyzer capable of measurements from 100 kHz to 2.9 GHz, but also a sensitive frequency counter, a host of demodulators, and the choice of operating on batteries, AC, or vehicle DC power.

Download PSpice 9.1 Student Version

2004-10-07T18:55:00.000-07:00

PSPICE is a computer program used to perform simulations of electronic circuits. The Student Version of PSpice is intended for use by college students and professors who are interested in learning about analog and mixed-signal simulation. Limitations of this student version are a maximum of 64 nodes, 10 transistors, 65 digital primitive devices, and the sample library is limited to 39 analog and 134 digital parts.

# What is SPICE and what is PSpice?

SPICE is an analog (originally) circuit simulator that was developed at the University of California at Berkeley. PSpice is one of the many commercial SPICE derivatives, and has been developed by MicroSim Corporation.

# What does SPICE stand for?

SPICE stands for Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis.

# How does PSpice help in circuit design?

PSpice's strong point is that it helps the user simulate the circuit design graphically on the computer before building a physical circuit. Hence, the designer can make any necessary changes on the prototype without modifying any hardware. As soon as the test design is completed, PSpice can help you run a check on it before deciding to commit yourself to building a hardware model. Hence, PSpiec allows you to check the operability of the circuit model in real life simulations to validate its viability. Since all the tests, designs and modifications are made over a terminal, the designer can save a lot of money that would have otherwise been spent on the building of models and modifying them.

Useful Links for Pspice tutorials:
Virginia Tech PSpice Resource Center

4th game - Racer (14,921 KB)

2004-10-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

There are 7 different tracks to race on, some of these are night time races and some day time. Racer contains loads of different cars to choose from. Just a few of these include the Ford Focus, Dodge Viper, Renault Megane, BMW Z3, Audi A6, Audi TT and many more.

Like all these types of games it can be hard in the beginning because you can only afford the cheapest cars and all the other players have better ones, but if you race well, soon you will be driving something like the Dodge Viper or Audi TT.

One nice feature is the training option which lets you race any of the cars so you can atleast try out the faster ones if you never manage to get there in Career mode.

Download now!

Third Game - Little Fighter 2 (12,372 KB)

2004-10-07T06:32:00.000-07:00

Little Fighter 2 is multi player with up to 4 players at a time. Not to worry if you don't have people to play with, one area Little Fighter 2 excels in that many other freeware games fall short is AI. The computer players are very challenging.

The makers of the game (Marti Wong & Starsky Wong) are continually updating the game and adding new characters so it will never get boring.

Download now!

Highly recommended: LF2 character guide v1.9
Written by Jiquera. With this guide you can learn everything about LF2!

Second game - Silver Knights (4180 KB)

2004-10-07T06:12:00.000-07:00

Silver Knights is a fun 3D mech game that is too good to be ignored. It is a Japanese game, though the language in the game is English. Right now, there is only a Battle Mode, where you can play three different game types. There is a story mode planned, as well, but don't expect it to surface for a few months. The game gets updated every now and then, so check back to the website every couple of weeks for updates.

The graphics in Silver Knights are wonderful. The mechs look cool and are done in Japanese style. The game is all in 3D and the special effects and explosions look great. It looks and plays like a newer PS1 game, which is quite a feat for a freeware game. There's never a hint of slowdown, but I found the camera angle to be slightly annoying. It jerks around a bit too much for my liking. The many levels in Silver Knights are done beautifully, and each plays very well. Though some levels were a bit boring in previous versions of SK, the levels in the latest version are all very enjoyable.
The controls in the game are a bit aggravating, but can be changed in the options menu. Still, locking onto an enemy remains a bit frustrating. On the other hand, the gameplay is simply excellent. You choose one of several mechs, decide which team you'll be on, and battle it out in one of a dozen arenas. You have 3 projectile attacks, and many hand-to-hand combos are possible, as well. All of the characters are fairly balanced, and each one has different attacks and capabilities. You can adjust the AI to be as easy or difficult as you want, which adds loads of time to the replay value. Not to mention, with a separate program (downloadable at the author's site), you can give the robots emblems. You can also edit their paint jobs with the main executable.

The music is jazzy and upbeat, and very pleasing to the ears. There are at least five tracks, too, so the music you'll hear while playing SK won't still be in your head throughout the day. It beats the single track of boring piano music of past versions by a mile. The sound is also pretty good, but isn't particularly amazing. Sounds of boosts and gunshots from your mech can be heard, but the clanks and whirrs heard in some other mech games (e.g. Bachan-On) aren't to be found.

Overall, Silver Knights is one of the the best freeware mech games found on the internet. As of now, I'd say it's THE best. No doubt about it. It's still progressing nicely, too.

Download now!

First game -- MindArms (9232 KB)

2004-10-07T05:43:00.000-07:00

MindArms is a great 2D fighter, one of the best freeware fighting games coz it got smooth character animations, a gameplay style that anyone can grasp after only a few minutes of play, and catchy music. What more do you need? A more in-depth review? Ok...read on!

MindArms' gameplay is fast, fun, and easy to learn. Unlike the complicated button presses used for special moves in games like Street Fighter, MindArms' special attacks are executed by pressing only a couple of keys in order. But don't think that you can just perform one attack over and over again to win; the AI is fairly aggressive compared to what is found in other freeware fighters, even if it won't offer a great challenge. MindArms has only five characters available from the start, but each is very unique (most fighting games like to use variations of the same character and give them different names), though the small roster of fighters may annoy some. It must also be noted that the game uses a distinctly Japanese style. I think that three of the characters are guys and the other two are girls, but I wouldn't be surprised if I was wrong. You won't find any big, muscular guys in this game, just girly men. MindArms' graphics are very good, and could compete with most 2D commercial fighting games on the market today. Also, the character animations are very fluid, and could easily beat most 2D commercial fighting games. Without a doubt, MindArms is real eye candy. MindArms' sound is the average stuff you would find in any other fighting game, and the music is slightly above average. The game's got some catchy tunes, but none that really stand out. Needless to say, you won't be annoyed by MindArms' sound and music, but you won't be amazed, either.

Overall, MindArms is a great fighting game, one of the best fighting games you can download for free. If you don't think you'll be annoyed by the Japanese style or small roster of fighters, MindArms is worth the download.

Download now!

Free Games are available for download now!!!

2004-10-07T05:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your support!

For rating, please use the system shown below.For example, the best is 10/10, the worst is 0/10.

Hope u all enjoy urselves!

WiMAX and the last mile potential for wireless broadband

2004-10-07T02:52:00.000-07:00

Internet and intranet users need broadband access that extends over longer distances to more locations. The industry's solution is the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standard, developed to create certified standards-based products from a wide range of vendors.

The WiMAX standard enables system vendors to create many different types of WiMAX-based products, including various configurations of base stations and customer premise equipment (CPE). WiMAX supports a variety of wireless broadband connections: * High-bandwidth metropolitan-area networks (MANs) to home and small-business users, replacing DSL and cable modems; * Backhaul networks for cellular base stations, bypassing the public switched telephone network; * Backhaul connections to the Internet for WiFi hotspots. Where they exist today, these applications use expensive proprietary methods for broadband wireless access. This expense can be dramatically reduced by using interoperability-tested WiMAX silicon solutions based on the IEEE 802.16d standard. Leaders in semiconductor technology, such as Fujitsu Microelectronics America, Inc., will deliver the expanded broadband wireless capability by working in close partnership with infrastructure and equipment manufacturers.

Like WiFi (IEEE 802.11) before it, WiMAX promises explosive growth. The key to taking advantage of WiMAX opportunities is to understand the technology's evolution and anticipated deployment.

FCC lets startup deploy 4.9 GHz mobile mesh nets

2004-10-07T02:51:00.000-07:00

The Federal Communication Commission has granted startup MeshNetworks an experimental license to deploy a number of fixed and mobile mesh networks in the 4.9 GHz band.

MeshNetworks has been working on a wireless mesh networking solution that couples radio technology with routing capabilities. At the heart of MeshNetworks solution is a Layer 2 protocol that relies on such metrics as received signal strength, error rates, and data rates to derive the optimum route within a network. The FCC grant allows MeshNetworks to deploy a total of 1000 nodes, with a maximum of 200 per demonstration network. Each node is licensed to operate with a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of up 16 W.

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) IC market worth 2.9 billion in 2004

2004-10-07T02:49:00.000-07:00

The worldwide GaAs device market will grow from $2.7 billion in 2003 to $2.9 billion in 2004 and reach $3.7 billion in 2008. Strategy Analytics, which had previously described the digital GaAs market as dead, is forecasting a compound average growth rate of 7 percent for the 2003 to 2008 timeframe for the overall GaAs market. While volume demand for bulk and epitaxial GaAs substrates will increase, the total market for GaAs substrates, bulk and epitaxial, would only grow at a CAGR of 7 percent from $387 million in 2003 to reach $541 million in 2008.

Overall market growth for GaAs devices will continue to be dependent primarily on the wireless markets, with the cellular handset market being the primary driver. Demand from other applications, such as automotive radar, will increase, but cellular handsets will still account for at least 33 percent of the GaAs device market in 2008.

Computer Games Magazine

2004-10-06T21:23:00.000-07:00

Hard-hitting reviews of computer games and equipment, plus in-depth news from the gaming world.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)

2004-10-06T08:55:00.000-07:00

What is VoIP/Internet Voice?
VoIP allows you to make telephone calls using a computer network, over a data network like the Internet. VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the internet then converts it back at the other end so you can speak to anyone with a regular phone number. When placing a VoIP call using a phone with an adapter, you'll hear a dial tone and dial just as you always have. VoIP may also allow you to make a call directly from a computer using a conventional telephone or a microphone.

How Can I Place a VoIP Call?
Depending on the service, one way to place a VoIP call is to pick up your phone and dial the number, using an adaptor that connects to your existing high-speed Internet connection. The call goes through your local telephone company to a VoIP provider. The phone call goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephone company for the completion of the call. Another way is to utilize a microphone headset plugged into your computer. The number is placed using the keyboard and is routed through your cable modem.

What Kind of Equipment Do I Need?
A broadband (high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through a cable modem, or high speed services such as DSL or a local area network. You can hook up an inexpensive microphone to your computer and send your voice through a cable modem or connect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.

Is there a difference between making a Local Call and a Long Distance Call?

Some VoIP providers offer their services for free, normally only for calls to other subscribers to the service. Your VoIP provider may permit you to select an area code different from the area in which you live. This means you may not incur long distance charges if you call a number in your area code regardless of geography. It also means that people who call you may incur long distance charges depending on their area code and service.

Some VoIP providers charge for a long distance call to a number outside your calling area, similar to existing, traditional wireline telephone service. Other VoIP providers permit you to call anywhere at a flat rate for a fixed number of minutes.

If I have Internet Voice service, who can I call?
Depending upon your service, you might be limited only to other subscribers to the service, or you may be able to call any phone number, anywhere in the world. The call can be made to a local number, a mobile phone, to a long distance number, or an international number. You may even utilize the service to speak with more than one person at a time. The person you are calling does not need any special equipment, just a phone.

What Are Some Advantages of Internet Voice?
Because Internet Voice is digital, it may offer features and services that are not available with a traditional phone. If you have a broadband internet connection, you need not maintain and pay the additional cost for a line just to make telephone calls.

With many Internet Voice plans you can talk for as long as you want with any person in the world (the requirement is that the other person has an Internet connection). You can also talk with many people at the same time without any additional cost.

Free Digital Camera Enhancer

2004-10-06T07:10:00.000-07:00

Thanks, CHarneyCHRIS for suggesting this freeware!

Already upload to http://www.geocities.com/mmusoft/index.html
The old page still there, waiting for the new page to refresh.

The program works best if you have bad light condition (indoor, shadows etc..) and your image is somehow off. So if some of your images are already fine, you won't see much difference. One thing makes DCEnhancer different from other tools - reducing the noise and skin smoothing algorithm. It makes DCE ideal for making cool portraits and close-ups! More

Norman Antivirus

2004-10-05T09:17:00.000-07:00

AV-Test, the leading independent research house specializing in the IT security industry, just completed a comprehensive evaluation of the anti-virus market, this time placing special emphasis on so-called “proactive virus protection." The study awarded Norman the highest mark among 23 competing vendors and singled out the company’s SandBox technology as the clear leader in the fight against computer viruses.

Award-winning antivirus vendor Norman, together with anti-spyware leader Lavasoft, introduces Norman Ad-Aware SE Plus and Professional respectively for single users and organizations. These new programs from Norman are made available to protect computers against undesired programs installing themselves while connected to the Internet. more

Tell us what you think about this antivirus?

suggest a freeware & get your name listed

2004-10-05T08:30:00.000-07:00

If got problem uninstalling Norton Antivirus, try this...

2004-10-04T18:38:00.000-07:00

Iif you have Norton anti-virus and having difficulty to uninstall it, then you can try using Norton Online Uninstaller.

This apply to Norton AntiVirus 2003 or earlier.

Nokia support

2004-10-03T19:47:00.000-07:00

Nokia Support is your online center for downloads, services, and instructional and troubleshooting material related to your Nokia product.
Nokia support

ReadPlease 2003 : Text-to-speech software

2004-10-03T08:11:00.000-07:00

Features:

Microsoft voices: Mike, Mary, Sam
Customize font and background colour
Reads text via Windows clipboard from any program (copy/paste)
Control reading from system tray
Reads e-mail emoticons such as :) or :(
Adjustable voice speed (rate)
Low vision colour option more

Viral movies possible with RealPlayer flaw

2004-10-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

A software slipup in RealNetworks' music player means that Windows, Mac and Linux computers could be compromised by a fake movie file, a security company said Friday.

The problem means that fake movie files could be created that, when played by vulnerable Real software, would run a program instead. The flaw appears in RealPlayer 10 for Windows and Mac OS X, the RealOne Player for Windows and Mac OS X and the Real Helix Player for Linux. Read more

Welcome on board

2004-10-03T07:38:00.000-07:00

This is Erwin speaking, your host for tech discussions. Welcome on board.