” I mostly Wander” –Bertrand
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* Wifi*
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Cisco to Buy Video Surveillance Firm BroadWare
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Although Cisco is much better known as a leading maker of routers and switches that provide the backbone for directing traffic over Internet, the San Jose, Calif., networking equipment company has recently been expanding into video equipment and software with the goal of selling a broader range of products.
Cisco already sells video surveillance products, including video encoders, which enable users to connect their analog surveillance equipment to a digital Internet protocol network. The buy, however, will likely enhance its presence in the industry
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http://www.technewsworld.com/story/57517.html
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T6 Commentary: A few years ago Crestron went to INFOCOMM with the marketing tag of Convergence. The purpose was to point out how the AV Geeks and the IT dept were already encroaching on each other playgrounds and that each better get ready to play nice and learn a little bit about the other. Corporate AV presentations teams who did not take convergence to heart watched as day-to-day operations were enveloped by IT. Now the IT equipment manufactures are within striking distance of traditional home AV.
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Wilson Adds SO/HO Cellular Repeater
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The 50dB-gain 800/1900MHz repeater, or amplifier, improves in-door cellular coverage and simultaneously amplifies the signals of multiple phones operating on multiple carrier networks.
The amp, which can be installed in an out-of-the-way interior location, connects to a separately available window-, roof- or attic-mounted antenna. A second antenna inside the house or office wirelessly redistributes the cellular signal to multiple handsets to reduce the number of dropped calls, improve call quality, accelerate data downloads and reduce battery drain
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http://www.twice.com/article/CA6444600.html
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T6 Commentary: Another addition to cellular in house repeater systems marketed to the average homeowner as well as commercial establishments such as hotels. The creeping of whole home cellular technology could explode suddenly into a massive market. Every one of us knows at least 4 people who no longer have standard POTS lines or even VoIP installed as they use their cellular phone as THE phone. This is true even when the same people have high-speed connections via a company that offers phone service as part of a package. I have often invoked the Swanni inverse square law –(the more Phil Swan states no one wants to watch small screens, the audience for such content doubles)- a viable in home | building infrastructure only increases the potential speed for mass deployment. Many of these in home devices are DIY not needing a custom installer for the first application – insuring your cell stays connected at home –(Pssst, com’on kid try it the first one is simple to install). Sooner then later other manufactures and consortiums will jump in to fill this pre installed base with all manner of ‘network’ devices.
See article quote –“ Hawking Begins Shipping The HomeRemote System”
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* Automation*
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Hawking Begins Shipping The HomeRemote System
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.Hawking Technologies, Inc … announced that it has begun shipments of its long awaited HomeRemote home control system. HomeRemote is an affordable, easy-to-use system that lets users control their household appliances and lighting both from within their homes and from anywhere in the world via a standard Internet web browser or mobile phone. For added security, HomeRemote also allows users to monitor their home with live video from HomeRemote Wireless Video Cameras . The HomeRemote System consists of an InternetGateway and a handheld remote control for convenient, in-home control of lighting and appliances. |
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http://www.z-wavealliance.org/modules/iaCM-ZW-PR/readMore.php?id=188743680
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T6 Commentary: With the recent announcement of DDG (Digital Delivery Group) partnering with the Z-Wave alliance things have begun to get interesting- [see T6 issue 3 Volume 2 for more detail and links ]-http://www.twice.com/article/CA6446159.html ]. The Z-Wave alliance has some interesting players. The official website http://www.z-wavealliance.org list over a hundred members which include the likes of Intel and Leviton. It is interesting to note that a google search for Z-Wave brings up hits for X-10 above the Z-wave links. The alliance is no hobbyist effort as this is meant to be a full attempt to push home automation into the main stream as well as insinuate themselves into the predicted total home media distribution and control via wireless. Currently all purchases are via each manufacture or as the web site FAQ states “…your home/building products retailer…”, no major retailer has stepped forward yet.
For those who have not heard of Hawking they are a high level wireless manufacture who produce very nicely made – (the units feel real nice in your hands, heavy and solid) – Wifi routers and access points. The Z-Wave centric product announced on the alliance website provides for access and control of home systems from nearly any Internet capable phone, not just Windows Mobile. You have read here where I prattle on about WiMax and I have some high hopes for the medium –[so long as it is really not killing all the bees] – Here is where a test of a similar infrastructure can prove out a great deal. If mid-level customers are willing to trust the cell based interface, If such customers are ready in numbers sufficient to support the economics of such an alliance and if it all continues to work in harmony in the years to come.
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A Programming Language Like Playing With Blocks
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Scratch is a creativity tool from the M.I.T. Media Lab that turns abstract programming concepts like recursion into snap-together puzzle pieces. It is like a multimedia sandbox, where children 8 and up are welcomed as media producers, following the same philosophical blueprint that inspired software projects like Logo and Squeak.
Scratch’s drag-and-drop programming technique demands experimentation, and the software’s programmable objects, called sprites, can take on the form of your pet dog in a maze, or haiku words that self-narrate when clicked
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http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/24/technology/24program.html?ref=technology
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T6 Commentary: This is a very cool application that is damn easy to learn and Loads of fun to play with. I have always been a proponent of learning most concepts new to me by looking over the Kid books that boil things down to a less technocrat babble and more straight conceptual explanations. The Dummies series of books and their plethora of copycat publications are exactly based on this sort of premise. (Although I do feel that the dummy, et al, books in attempting to be the Cliff Notes of EVERY subject are beginning to lose sight of this founding concept. Or maybe I am just getting old).
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* Displays*
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Sony Makes Paper-Thin Video Screen
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Sony has developed a display screen so thin it can bend like a piece of paper while at the same time showing full-color video.
In the continuing race to shrink the size of gadgets while increasing the amount of cutting-edge technology crammed inside, Sony has topped its competitors with the release of a 2.5-inch display that is only 0.01 inch thick.
"In the future, it could get wrapped around a lamppost or a person's wrist -- even worn as clothing," said Chisato Kitsukawa, a Sony spokesperson. "Perhaps it can be put up like wallpaper."
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http://www.technewsworld.com/story/qcdPkJQualzsiT/Sony-Makes-Paper-Thin-Video-Screen.xhtml
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* Format Wars *
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WHV HD Title Passes 100K
. . Warner Home Video (WHV) said combined retail sales of its Blu-ray and HD DVD versions of “The Departed” passed the 100,000-copy sales mark, making it the first HD disc title to reach the milestone. Warner shipped “The Departed” to retail on Feb. 13 as both an HD DVD/DVD combo disc ($39.99 suggested retail) and a Blu-ray Disc title ($34.99). Both HD disc versions shipped day and date with the standard DVD ($28.99) and a special edition two-disc DVD ($34.99). |
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http://www.twice.com/article/CA6446363.html
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T6 Commentary: The 100K number is based on the sale of both formats and while remarkable Sony still has the milestone of being able to ship more then 100K of the Blu-Ray version of ‘Casino Royale”.
Do note the distinction here; Sony claims a total shipment to retailers and the Warner Home Video numbers appear to be from actual units sold. Unfortunately no break down of sales in relation to format is given in the article.
So, for those of you looking for a sign of true victory in the war will have to wait a bit more.
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Blu-ray Will Win HDTV DVD Price War
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Swanni says says player prices will drop below $200 this year.
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http://www.tvpredictions.com/bluvideo052207.htm
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T6 Commentary: I have been reading Phil Swann’s HD commentary all the way back to his Broadcast Television Magazine days and I respect his knowledge, opinions and even his predictions. First, the link above goes to Swanni’s link to his YouTube videos. In the video linked he comments on the coming summer price wars and predicts Blu-Ray to become the clear victor with Sony’s ability to withstand cutting margins. I will not take issue with this prediction, as I see no clear winner – at least from the sales figures and data. I do wonder what the box stores must be feeling right about now with yet another high ticket \ high profile product losing its margins. No wonder Best Buy fired all its “high paid” and knowledgeable floor sales staff, drastic measures were needed to prop up earnings in light of this and flat panels.
Secondly: I am not sure what to make of Phil’s Video Vignettes. For a man who so mercilessly skewers actors who look awful in HD and berates those who would demand special filtering, Phil baby – you look very uncomfortable. The audio is great –better than most ‘pro’ You Tube offerings I have seen- but what is with the background. It looks like he is sitting at a preschooler’s desk and their little shelves just behind him. Somebody RocketBoom this boy STAT!
In all honesty Mr. Swann has the pretty camera loving face but lacks the snarky charm of Amanda Cogden. Phil, baby, I am asking you as a friend, lose the crib sheets at your feet! Try taping them just under the camera – connect with your audience, look them in the eye. But hey, I love ya man. I see what you are trying to do, hell I want a video blog, but right now you look like a poor mans David Pogue– your better than that.
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* New Media *
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Trying to Figure Out HD Radio
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In a survey released May 23, radio researcher Bridge Data estimates there are only 450,000 weekly listeners of HD Radio—compared with 15 million satellite subscribers and 57 million Internet radio listeners. (About 93.5% of all Americans tune into traditional radio every week.) "A majority of Americans are now aware of the term HD Radio. But fewer than 5% of them understand what it is, what is the benefit,"
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T6 Commentary: What is it with large numbers of the populace and HD anything being mystifying. It is bad enough that HDTV has so many – who will be forced one way or another to give up Analog – who clearly have no idea what makes it better, let alone care. The way many feel outrage about how so few shows are in HD video, I have begun to feel about HD radio. The clarity, fullness of sound is fantastic, but the potential for dramatic variety of programming offerings is what whets my pallet. I have in the past and continue to criticize the cookie cutter Clear Channel-esque content and formats but it appears there is some improvement. The potential is obvious, exponentially more stations filling nearly every niche market demand while still giving the consumer ‘free’ radio. Advertisers get wider exposure and hip cache across several sub-cultures all in one shot. The problem is that the edgy content of Sirius and XM is not entirely possible on terrestrial radio, and this is a card that trumps superb audio in HD. Satellite Radio may already have the vast majority of alternate genre demanding clients out there. How many Can | Could HD-Radio draw over and is this enough to sustain an advertising base?
The article quoted above states “(About 93.5% of all Americans tune into traditional radio every week.)”. My question is just what they are lisenting to. From the Arbitron ratings I have read –( and I am admitidly stating from memory, not having time to find the supporting links, but I feel confident anyone researching will see I am correct) –show a good percentage of this 93.5% are listening to News|Talk and for Traffic| Weather. Most listen to radio – by choice- only a small portion of the day. Folks like me, and I suspect a fair number of you dear readers, listen to or download podcasts of numerous formats from stations as diverse as WFMU, WNYU, NPR, ESPN-radio, WKCR and search out downloads of BBC music programs or Oddball podcasts via iTUnes.
Terrestial Radio is by no means suffering the loss of listener base in numbers equal to subscribers to Satillite radio or as dramatically as print media, yet many question the viabilty of HD-Radio’s format diversity and business plan. To be sure more manufactures and vendors are coming on board but I do have to question under what incentives from HD- Radio industry. Even with the insuing death of true internet radio diversity would I switch to HD to get my fix? Not yet.
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Check out T6’s ‘Culture Corner’ with links to bands you should know and Inspired technical links from those who inspire me.
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Does anyone actually read the liner notes? Let me know, the comments section of T6 is now open. At the end of every issue find the Comments link.
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All quoted material is the copyright of the respective sites and \ or authors- except were noted or comments are clearly mine.
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All T6 commentary opinions expressed are mine alone and are not necessarily those of Crestron Electronics, its employees, associates or even their families. Just my big mouth
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