Rapidly evolving computer and communications technologies have achieved data transmission rates and data storage capacities high enough for digital video. But video involves much more than just pushing bits! Achieving the best possible image quality, accurate color, and smooth motion requires understanding many aspects of image acquisition, coding, processing, and display that are outside the usual realm of computer graphics. At the same time, video system designers are facing new demands to interface with film and computer system that require techniques outside conventional video engineering.
Charles Poynton's 1996 book A Technical Introduction to Digital Video became an industry favorite for its succinct, accurate, and accessible treatment of standard definition television (SDTV). In Digital Video and HDTV, Poynton augments that book with coverage of high definition television (HDTV) and compression systems.
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With the help of hundreds of high quality technical illustrations, this book presents the following topics:
* Basic concepts of digitization, sampling, quantization, gamma, and filtering
* Principles of color science as applied to image capture and display
* Scanning and coding of SDTV and HDTV
* Video color coding: luma, chroma (4:2:2 component video, 4fSC composite video)
* Analog NTSC and PAL
* Studio systems and interfaces
* Compression technology, including M-JPEG and MPEG-2
* Broadcast standards and consumer video equipment
Flat Panel Displays and HDTVs
Flat Panel displays and HDTVs are the latest technology incorporated in the field of display, promising two important features that were non-existent a decade ago; unparallel clarity and sleek composition for mobility. Moving from conventional tube-televisions and other video displays to flat panel and HDTVs brings a whole new dimension to the overall viewer experience with increased resolution, deeper colors and unparallel contrast.
Flat Panels, available in various types like Plasmas, LCDs, LEDs, OLEDs and ELDs are known for their sleek form and were primarily developed with mobility of display units in mind. Flat panels are most commonly used on portable devices like cellular phones, digital cameras and laptops. Although their clarity is not up to the mark of tube-televisions, flat panel screens have expanded the boundaries of display viewer ship by taking the screen out of our offices/houses and on to the most basic gadgets we carry around in day to day life.
HDTVs High Definition go a step further in the pursuit for ultimate picture quality thats as close to reality as possible in a two dimensional interpretation. With the progress in data storage/compression abilities came a point where pictures can now be displayed on life size screens without any distortion in picture quality. HDTVs work on a completely different input signal which resembles a computers binary as compared to the traditional analog signals comprising of fluctuating waves. These digital signals employed by HDTVs negate any chances of distortion as they were mostly caused by static build-up on the old analog signal systems. What this translates into is a digital signal that feeds images so sharp, its almost as clear as still image photography of the scene being viewed.
Televisions are an essential source for entertainment and what better entertainment than to enjoy your sitcoms and movies on larger-than-life sized flat panels or HDTVs? An upgrade to the new technology will not only enhance the overall viewer experience, these new bits of technology are also far more energy efficient and reliable when it comes to longevity.
Books and Book Collecting
Books have been an undisputed favourite and a prominent source of information for individuals with a thirst for knowledge. Beginning with the advent of written language and the zest to document our history, books still are the first physical means of communication beyond spoken language and are synonymous with education the world over. Books act as a tutorial to millions around the world owing to the diverse subjects they encapsulate. Reading books quiet simply transforms a layman to a proficient speaker with an impeccable vocabulary and fairly good general knowledge skills.
Book collecting is a hobby thats passionately pursued by voracious readers, or as their famously termed ‘bibliophiles and is constantly evolving as a trend. With libraries, bookstores and book sellers feeding this need to read; people now have an endless choice and can avail of books catering to different genres. One can find fiction, sci-fi fiction, mysteries, fables, biographies, documentaries, fairy tales and fantasy stories as categories to name a few. As readers involve themselves in the aspect of book collecting, they learn of different genres and tend to choose a niche most suitable to their reading pleasure.
With the advent of the internet, online booksellers and virtual book collecting in digital formats, the domination of book collecting is gradually fading in the background as people turn to quicker means of data acquisition. However, for many avid readers, the significance of book collecting is perpetual and will live through the ages. The exclusive element of possessing rare books is an exhilarating feeling in its own right.
Books are the core of information as they bring an array of insights and facts to the table and throw light on different genres. Depending on various genres, books can be used to suit many purposes. Book collecting gives people the opportunity and choice to acquaint themselves with knowledge from various spheres in life and broaden their horizons of understanding.
