Jul
02
By Aydan Corkern
When you are setting up your high definition home theater, you will find a number of methods to connect your devices. We can go over a few now. The first is component video. This caries an analog video signal which is separated into three separate channels. The first two channels carry information in regards to color. The third carries information about luminance. These cables use RCA connectors.
S-video is another way to hook your devices up to one another. S-video uses a four pin connector and one cable to transmit an analog signal. The third way is DVI or digital vidual interface. This uses a 29 pin connection. It’’s the same connector you see when you hook up your computer monitor. Unlike the first two methods we discussed, DVI will carry digital signals.
In the early days of high definition television, we relied on DVI. It came into the consumer market before HDMI did, and since both systems use the very same TMDS protocol, they are compatible with one another. All you really have to do is connect your HDMI cable to a passable adapter in a DVI port.
There are other similarities between HDMI and DVI connectors. Both HDMI and DVI us a grid of pins to get the signal off of the cable into the intended device. The DVI connector has 29 pins while the HDMI type A connector has only 19. DVI connectors will also have that pair of screws that are used to hold it to the device. Like I mentioned, these are the same connectors used with computer monitors. HDMI plugs do not have this extra feature and those that enjoy HDMI have complained about this. This is because of the extra strain it puts on both the connectors and the circuitry of the device. There is also a min version of the HDMI connector. This is used on devices that are too small for the larger size like digital camcorders. There is a smaller version of the 29 pin DVI connector as well, but most users will just go with the HDMI option.
The signal moves from twisted copper wire into the HDMI connectors pins. Six pins carry audio and video channels. The TMDS clock allows devices to sync up their incoming data and that takes up two more pins in the connector. Each pair of pins on the connector has a shield. There is also another wire that will protect your interface from the next one over so the signal does not get mixed up. These channels with the clock and the shield compose most of the cable pairs you will find in an HDMI cable.
About The Author
Visit Aydan Corkern’’s sites:
http://www.hometheaterinstallation.biz/cities/home-theater-installation-houston.php
http://www.hometheaterinstallation.biz/cities/home-theater-installation-newyork.php
Jul
02
By David Link
The Gartner IT Infrastructure, Operations & Management Summit 2009 kicked off with a bang this morning, literally. Around 5am this morning, we were all woken up by a violent thunderstorm that lit the sky for miles around. Better than a wake-up call. (Side note: I almost fell out of the very odd “princess and the pea” setup I have for a bed; the beds here are so high that they offered me a footstool to get in it.)
So the conference itself started off with Dave Cappuccio talking about the Top 10 Technologies that we should all be watching:
1) Virtualization
2) Data Deluge
3) Energy & Green IT
4) Consumerization & Social Networks
5) Unified Communications
6) Complex Resource Tracking
7) Mobile & Wireless
”8) System Density
9) Mashups & Portals
10) Cloud Computing
1) Virtualization:
This is not a technology issue but an energy issue: on the typical x86 server, 65% of it is doing nothing (draws power but with low utilization). Compare this to mainframes which on average are runnning at 85-90% utilization; mainframes are expensive and there’’s a lot more cost justification that has to happen. x86 seems “cheap” in comparison to a mainframe, but what about power costs?
2) Data Deluge
650% growth in 5 years; 80% will be unstructured! Growth is not the problem - unstructured is the issue. More data will be generated this year than in the previous 5000 years (Over 40 exabytes). Key new storage technologies in the pipeline:
Thin provisioning (IT conditioned to over-allocate - utilization was not the issue, now it is)
Data deduplication
Automated tiering
HSM (hierarchical storage management) principles
Virtual tape
3) Energy & Green IT
“Green is money.” Need the monitoring capabilities to understand energy draw in data center - now and how this hopefully is improving over time: New KPIs based on efficiency. Push to virtualize; need to monitor at the granular level. DCP (data center performance index) = Useful work/Total Facility Power
All those 15K rpm drives are sucking down gobs of electricity for each drive so we have to maximize their utilization. Watch-out: EU and EPA metrics are coming!
4) Consumerization and Social Software
Twitter was the fastest-growing social network in 2008 growing 1,382%. 62% of new users are between 39 and 51. That’’s data about your company that’’s going on that you may not know about.
Not a problem but an opportunity. Consumerization is an attitude not just the use of tech. Generational - need to participate, contribute and be part of a community. Technology examples: Wireless, smartphones, instant and text messaging, social networks
5) Unified Communications
# of text messages sent in the last 24 hours exceeded the total population of the planet (more than 6,700,000,000)
UC is: tightly integrated communications applications - email, wireless, voip, mobility, pbx, presence, im, text/sms, etc. The unified communications “dream” would be everything tied together instead of traditional vertical (IT) entities. Critical time frame - not for a couple of years, 2011-13
6) Complex Resource tracking
Back to energy - New KPIs based on power. Vendors good at monitoring performance of systems - but IT is not the base infrastructure. IT depends on physical facilities/infrastructure, which is what also needs to be monitored - from energy to airflow to temperature. The EPA is going to come out with a Data Center efficiency rating. The goal is to get to a single view across all infrastructure, down to the facilities level, something that no single product currently addresses.
7) Mobile & Wireless
Thousands of new apps coming online.
Mobile apps need new servers for delivery
App delivery complexity
Immature management tools
Next target for virtualization
”8) System Density
At current pricing, opex (energy costs for one) to support a single x86 server exceeds cost of that server within 3 years.
$105,000 energy cost per year (single rack of servers)
Last year, Gartner customers were talking about building new data centers. This year - plans put on hold. Gartner sees companies striving to get to the best density and utilization levels - “scaling up” instead of “scaling out.”
9) Mashups and Enterprise Portals
Real business usage instead of stuck in the corner
10) Cloud Computing
Definition (after much internal Gartner debate):
a style of computing in which scalable and elastic IT-enabled capabilities are delivered as a service to customers using Internet technologies
About The Author
David Link is president and CEO of ScienceLogic (http://www.sciencelogic.com). He and his partners built a thriving company from the ground up by focusing on delivering “products that just work” to the underserved IT management marketplace.
Jul
01
By Amy Nutt
Clean air is something that is quite important for everyone in the world, and since many people do not have the luxury to moderate how clean their air is, it should be taken very seriously for those that do. In the field, there has been very much advancement made, especially in high tech equipment used for duct cleaning. It has been around for quite a long time, and since the conception of robotic duct cleaning, there seems to be many more provisions made so that the costumer gets the best service that is offered.
Why High Tech?
From portable power vacuums, to various agitation devices the implementation of these amazing devices in furthering the duct cleaning world, there is no reason why a person should not have the cleanest duct that they possibly can. To use outdated methods in making sure a duct is clean is to neglect health, which is something that should be the paramount concern in a person’’s life, to be as healthy as they possibly can. If not, there are certain consequences that can be suffered.
Portable Power Vacuums
In the case of the portable power vacuum, a negative pressure system is used to remove the dirt and debris quite easily. The area of effect used in these systems is amazing, as they pull large amounts of contaminants from the afflicted area and capture them with their powerful pressure. This remedy is to combat the truck or van mounted power vacuums, which can be downright cumbersome to operate at max-efficiency. When using these portable power vacuums, they are just as powerful with added mobility, so they can reach the harder to reach places than with the traditional method of.
Portable Air Compressors
In the same vein of portable offerings in the world of cleaning, there are also the portable air compressors. Air compression and duct cleaning are synonymous, and are generally designed with the airflow and air pressure needed for the most efficient cleaning. Obviously, when using a standard air compressor, they are quite heavy and are really not conducive for cleaning ducts in the best way, as are quite unwieldy when the operator wants to do the best job that they possibly can.
Choosing to use a portable air compressor is something that would be in the benefit of every person desiring to do so, and their cost-effectiveness makes them doubly worth looking into.
The high tech world of duct cleaning is one that is rapidly evolving, and the advancements are sure to become better and better for the field as the years come and go. When choosing the best possible way to clean a duct, its usually the best to go with the latest technology, as we know that they are generally an improvement on the faults that were apparent in earlier offerings in cleaning. The best thing about technology is that it generally gets better as the years progress, and in the world of duct cleaning, this is something that is quite welcomed in most cases.
About The Author
Duct Cleaning Toronto Company servicing residential, commercial and industrial customers. Visit one of our locations at: Duct Cleaning North York, Scarborough. http://www.ontarioductcleaning.ca/
Jul
01
By Aydan Corkern
For the past few years, there have been many, many debates about which type of television set is better. Is plasma or LCD better? Which one has more features and gives you more bang for your buck? Many consumers, “experts”, technicians, sales associates, and even representatives from some television manufacturing companies argued about the benefits of their TV of choice while blaspheming the other by stating all of the negatives.
For years, the debate went back and forth. It was said that Plasma televisions can produce better blacks and has better color saturation. LCD televisions are supposed to be better because they are less expensive and weigh lighter. Plasma TVs seem to have better viewing angles so everyone in the room can watch. LCD TVs are better because plasmas leave burn-in images. All of these things were part of the debate. You you were trying to decide which one was right for you, you likely heard many of them.
There is, however, a newer type of television that one company has just released into the market, and those who have seen it are already starting to drool. This new television is labeled and being marketed as the LED TV. It is essentially a LCD television, but it utilizes a series of LED lights to illuminate and bring the screen to life. The technology that it uses can also be called LED edge lighting because the display screen is lit on the edge of the TV rather than from behind the screen, which is what LCD TVs have traditionally used.
It may not seem like a lot has changed from one TV to the next, but it is in fact this new method of lighting the TV that sets it apart from its competition. The light emitting from the LEDs on the edge of the TV is directed at a sheet filled with prisms, otherwise known as a light guide, that reflect the light back to the front of the screen. Since the LEDs line the edges of the set, the amount of prisms increases towards the center so that the light is distributed evenly.
Since it is a new technology that was just released a few months ago, the price for a 46″ TV runs anywhere from $2,800 and upward. It is a steep price to pay, especially during a tough economic time and especially since a LCD can be purchased at $1000+ less. Already, another company has entered the game and will be introducing their first LED TV this fall, September in particular, and more companies will no doubt join the fray. SO, if you thought television technology was really great, it is still getting better all of the time.
About The Author
Visit Aydan Corkern’’s sites:
http://www.indoorhdantenna.com/categories/Antennas/Indoor-HDTV-Antennas
http://www.indoorhdantenna.com/categories/Antennas
Jun
30
By Michael Anderson
Wind power, though largely regarded as a very important source of alternative energy, still remains shrouded by a lot of misconception and general ignorance. Wind power, as the name itself suggests, is derived from the wind. More specifically, it is derived from the natural wind flow that is caused by the differential heating of the earth’’s surface by the sun.
Blowing wind (i.e. wind in motion) contains within it kinetic energy. Wind power essentially involves transforming this kinetic energy into various other forms of energy, mainly electricity and mechanical energy. Wind power, like most other sources of power used by mankind, has its share of advantages and disadvantages. Let’’s take a closer look at them.
What are the benefits and disadvantages of wind power?
As has been stated earlier, wind energy is created by natural winds blowing across the surface of our planet. Differential heating of the irregular earth’’s surfaces and earth’’s rotation and the uneven distribution of heat in the atmospheric layers cause wind flow. And these flow patterns are further regulated by the water bodies and the vegetative covering of the earth. Besides this, the temperature in the Equatorial region varies greatly from that in the Polar regions.
The warm air at the equator expands and rises allowing cooler air from the Polar regions to flow in to fill up the vacuum. This circulation creates a convectional current which is called the wind. The wind, as it blows across the surface of the planet, carries with it a form of energy that is known as kinetic energy. This energy, when harnessed through suitable means, can be converted into other useful forms of energy like mechanical energy and electricity.
Alternative sources of energy production, such as windmill and solar systems, have always enjoyed varying degrees of popularity with the masses. The main advantage of using them is that they keep the environment clean and do not put a strain on our rapidly diminishing natural reserves. In other words, their production is not dependant on consumption of precious fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum.
The energy produced by these systems is clean, ”green”, renewable and sustainable. To add to this, over the years, wind power technology has met with tremendous growth and advancements, resulting in their becoming more user-friendly, less complicated, more affordable and powerful in general.
The main disadvantage, however, is perhaps due to the highly unpredictable nature of wind itself. While it may be blowing fair and strong one moment, the very next could see a sudden drop in its power. And as everybody knows, wind power systems need fairly strong winds blowing consistently to produce any appreciable amount of energy.
Other disadvantages include noise pollution (generated by the rotor blades), visual impact and avian mortality (bats and birds being killed while flying into the rotors). However, these problems can be resolved by carefully choosing the installation site and also through continuing technological developments.
How are the benefits and disadvantages related to the environment and the economics?
The eco-friendly and economical nature of wind power still makes it the top bet in alternative power sources. Just by switching over to wind power, you will be surprised at how much savings you can actually make on your monthly energy consumption bills! And above all, you can also keep the environment clean and green. No wonder these are still the best reasons why millions around the world are turning to wind power every year.
Continuing research in the field of alternative energy production, especially solar and wind power systems, is making these systems more powerful, more dependable and increasingly affordable. It will not be long before all the current disadvantages of using wind power will be gone for good and it will find even wider acceptance around the globe. By embracing wind and solar power, mankind can stop the reckless exploitation of fossil fuels for energy production, curb environmental pollution and halt global warming by eliminating harmful emissions, and thus pave the way for a greener tomorrow for our children.
The ecological and financial advantages of installing a wind power system in your home are truly tremendous. Wind power is one of the best means of cutting your electricity bills as well as keeping the environment clean. So go ahead and install a wind power system in your house to enjoy its many benefits.
Just ensure that you know how to find the best place to install it and have adequate information on installing the system, know where to find cheap parts and free batteries, have enough knowledge on wiring the system and are aware of the safety precautions. Get hold of a good guide to make life simpler for you.
About The Author
This article is based on the book, “Earth 4 Electricity- Renewable Energy Made Easy”. To Learn More about Earth 4 Electricity Unique Step By Step Solar and Wind Power System Visit: http://www.solar-power-advice.com
Jun
30
By Taylor Jensen
I remember a time when my parents never locked their doors to their home. It was not a matter of always forgetting or just living in a false sense of security. There was no need to lock the doors because burglaries just did not happen in my neighborhood.
One Christmas Eve a neighbor families Christmas gifts were all stolen and the entire neighborhood had an awakening to the new reality that is present all across the country now. Everyone is a potential victim to home invasion and theft. Below are a few suggestions for preventing burglary in your home.
Lock your Doors and Windows
The most basic way to prevent home invasion is to lock your doors and windows every time you leave your home. Even if you are going on a quick errand to the grocery store and will only be gone for a few minutes, you still need to lock up your home.
Make Home Appear Occupied
Make your home appear occupied when you are not at home, and especially when you are gone on vacation or for an extended period of time. To make your home appear occupied.
*Leave your blinds open slightly. A home all closed up during the middle of the day makes it look like no one is home.
*Leave a light on inside.
*Ask a family member or a neighbor to pick up your mail and newspapers.
Organize a Neighborhood Watch
When you organize and advertise the existence of Neighborhood Watch, you and your neighbors are sending a strong message to would-be thieves to stay clear. If there is a chance of being seen from any direction or any neighbor, a burglar is going to think twice about hitting your neighborhood.
Invest in a Home Security System
The most reliable and best home security is a reliable home security system. When shopping for security system deals or packages, look for systems with the following features.
*Door and window sensors, all doors should have a sensor and all windows on the ground floor and in hidden, or out of view, places should have sensors.
*An indoor sounder, this will notify you of an intruder or a fire and will scare away intruders.
*A window decal and a yard sign, warn would be intruders that your home is protected.
No one should live in fear that their home will be broken into. If you take the right precautions and are prepared, you will not need to worry about home invasion.
About The Author
Taylor Jensen writes for http://www.yourlocalsecurity.com, is considered an expert in the field of home security, and has published hundreds of articles informing consumers about what to look for when considering a home security system.
Jun
29
By Dominic Donaldson
The way we communicate with each other has changed dramatically over the last few years. The invention of the mobile phone, and then emails and instant messaging have meant a move away from more traditional methods of communication such as letter writing. The personal touch was in danger of being lost in translation, but thankfully there are plenty of applications available, such as creating E cards and sending picture messages that can add that special touch.
It has been widely recognized that there is a certain level of ambiguity in meaning when communicating via electronic text. Text messages and emails can be taken out of context easily. One way that people have attempted to get around this is by using emoticons. These are a set of characters that combine to produce a face displaying a wide variety of expressions such as happy 
sad 
and cheeky ;p to communicate an emotion.
Emoticons still have limited capabilities however, and are not suitable for all applications. Texting especially can be ambiguous due to its abbreviated nature. Since mobile phones have taken on camera capabilities, picture messages have become increasingly popular. They say that a picture can speak a thousand words, and photo messaging certainly has the capability to communicate effectively. Mobile technology is somehow seen as throwaway, so sending a photo message is often translated as a transient way of communication.
Sending messages via computers however have a tendency to offer more permanence. One of the main reasons for this is that large files can be shared, and there is a chance to reproduce communication that has been sent. This technology has led to the appearance of E cards, which are cards sent electronically. They are especially popular with families that live a long way from each other and those who are concerned about the environment and want to save resources.
E cards can be designed and personalised by the sender to include any image and any amount of text. They are essentially the same as traditional greetings cards with the exception that they can be sent via a network connection rather than by post. The authenticity of the communication is greater than what can be conveyed via a mobile phone, and the recipient can always print the E card to keep just as they would a regular greetings card.
As with all methods of communication, E cards have evolved within their own right. It is now possible to have animated cards with audio for something even more exciting. Ultimately communication techniques will continue to evolve, and maybe one day we will be able to send a holographic E card straight to somebody’’s desk top.
About The Author
Dom Donaldson is a communications expert.
Find out more about E Card technology at http://www.katiescards.com
Jun
29
By Michael Gonet
Whenever a bad storm is heading your way, does your roof come to mind? Thousands of people can think of nothing else, other than whether or not their roof will pull through another terrible storm. Storms occur during every season, which prevents this fear from escaping their minds.
There are several problems that can occur with a roof. Most commonly, snow builds up on roofs, which creates ice, and water usually ends up in the household. Problems occur no matter how old the roof is, as well as whether the roof is flat, low pitched, or steep pitched.
The other day while speaking with a homeowner, he mentioned how afraid he was of going on vacation. Why on earth would someone be afraid to go on vacation? Well, this homeowner said that if a storm came through while he was gone, then he would not be able to remove the snow and ice. This would result in major damage in the form of roof leaks. This man was being held back from going on vacation due to the worries of his unreliable roof. This unfortunate situation has been very common for many homeowners this past winter.
What should you do if your roof was just replaced a few years ago with an asphalt roof? Was the roof installed poorly? Were the shingles damaged while being installed on the roof? And what if the seams on your flat roof are coming apart? Roofs become damaged very easily here in New England because the weather is very cruel. For instance, the temperature can change as much as 50 degrees in just one day. In the morning it may be unseasonably warm, but in just a few hours there could be a terrible blizzard. It is important to understand that a roof is the first defense to protect your home from this unpredictable weather. The average roof installed on houses these days just is not good enough to protect your home.
Is there a worry free roof? “Well, my roof keeps rain, snow, and ice out of my home. In addition, not only does it keep me warm in the winter, but it also keeps me cool in the summer. Furthermore, my roof is continuing to save me money.” It is unlikely that you ever heard a homeowner utter those words let alone say “I love my roof.” Actually, if you have no problems with your roof, then you need not talk about it, and you definitely do not need to worry about it.
About The Author
Mike Gonet is a Sr. Partner with Classic Metal Roofs, LLC. Call toll free 866-660-6668. We are the dealer in Southern New England for Classic Metal Roofing Systems, Inc. of Ohio. Our installers are employees of Classic Metal Roofs, LLC.
Visit us at: http://classicmetalroofs.com
Jun
28
By William Gold
Many phones have a tight grip on the consumer smartphone market. Many other phones have come and gone but none are able to take its place as one of the world’’s most popular phones. The proverbial iPhone Killer as it has been labeled has not been released yet. But one smartphone might come close. The new Palm Pre phone is the latest addition to the smartphone family. The Palm Pre phone is a suitable phone for anyone who doesn”t already own a smartphone or for anyone considering switching from the iPhone.
The Palm Pre has very extensive Wi-Fi and 3G service. Meaning you can surf the web and stream media very easily. You won”t experience the lag or slow down that is often times experienced on phones without any 3G support and basic Wi-Fi capabilities. The Palm Pre phones touch screen also make web browsing and watching videos online very simple. While the screen found on the Palm Pre is smaller than the screen found on the iPhone the Palm Pre phones picture quality is noticeably better.
One of the more sought after advancements introduced by the Palm Pre is the ability to multitask. What this means is that the Palm Pre can run numerous applications at the same time. Usually on smartphones if you are operating an app you cannot have more than one open. Also if you receive a phone call while using the app the alert can be quite an annoyance as it encompasses the whole screen putting your app on hold. But on the Palm Pre you have the option to keep your app open while you receive a call because the alert is only displayed on the lower 3rd of the screen. With the alert displayed in such a convenient way you now have the option to answer or ignore a call without having to quit or pause your app.
As of right now the Palm Pre has a short list of apps. This should be expected because the phone was just released. But there is promise for a wider variety of apps that are going to be released within the next couple of months. The list of future apps is quite staggering they include games, networking tools, media management, map functions, and even apps for blogging straight from the phone.
The Palm Pre phone has many functions one would find useful. Despite whatever phone you choose there is one thing you must realize. It is really good to have a variety of choices when it comes to casual consumer level smartphones.
About The Author
Article written by William Gold. He writes about the new Palm Pre. http://www.mbhwireless.com is the best place on the net to get cell phones and cellular accessories.
Jun
26
By David Urmann
Projectors are becoming more advanced nowadays. It has become an essential tool for many businesses. It is helpful for personal needs also. There are several types of projectors depending on its purpose and features. A video projector is one of the popular types. Video projectors also come with different types and models.
Just like any office productivity equipment, video projectors have certain features which you need to know in order to help you decide on which one to buy. Video projectors may differ in terms of its type, lamps, brightness, lens and resolution.
Basically, video projectors are categorized into three. It can be a conference room, ultra-light or fixed installation projector.
Conference Room Video Projectors
If you are going to use the projector for your conference rooms, it is best to choose the not too heavy models but with better performance. Conference room projectors are brighter and adjustable for large rooms than other types of video projectors. Some models include additional accessories such as a computer, laser pointer and many other features.
Ultra-light Video Projectors
Nowadays, portability is among the major demands of many business professionals and sales person who use presentations anywhere possible for business clients or associates. In this case, an ultra-portable projector is ideal for such purposes. As the demand for portable products increased, many projector manufacturers are providing smaller and lighter models almost every year. Latest models even weigh less than three pounds.
Micro-portable versions of these projectors have also been available.
Ultra-lights are designed primarily for mobile business individuals. Many of the portable types even surpass its larger variants in terms of features and brightness. If you are planning to purchase this type of video projector, remember to consider the weight of the product including all its accessories such as cables, remote control and the case. This is very important since you are mostly carrying the device during frequent travels.
Fixed Installation Video Projector
This is the most versatile and powerful projectors. It is also the most expensive variant. It is usually installed in permanent locations. They are purposely designed for large areas such as auditoriums and other similar places. These projectors weigh around 100 pounds. It can also be found installed in the entertainment room of big houses.
A fixed installation projector is capable of handling different resolutions and images. Most models of this type come with complete accessories.
After deciding on what type of video projector best suits your needs, there are other factors that you must consider in purchasing the best projector.
It is vital to get a model which produces the highest quality since projectors are used mainly for presentations. The projection of images of these devices depends on three aspects such as the brightness, type of lamp used and the projection surface.
If the brightness of your projector is not sufficient, it will tend to blur the images. The brightness is measured in terms of ANSI lumens. For ultra-light projectors, the most ideal is around 1,000 lumens while for larger rooms like conference halls should at least be 4,000 lumens. Fixed installation projectors should be 10,000 lumens.
The most ideal surfaces are to use screens rather than walls. Screens produce better quality images. The best background for screens is either white or gray.
The lamp type is the main factor in producing brightness. The most commonly used lamps are the Ultra High Efficiency (UHE) and the Ultra High Performance (UHP). It is common for the lamps to die around 1,000 to 4,000 hours of usage.
It is best to choose lamps with lower wattage since they are more economical and will last longer. Some of the projectors come with an economy mode feature which greatly helps in prolonging the lifespan of the lamp.
About The Author
For more information on Proxima Projectors and XGA Projectors please visit our Website. http://www.saveonprojectors.com/proxima-projectors.html & http://www.saveonprojectors.com/xga-projectors.html