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Manifest Technology Blog
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Home Media:
| Home Media Articles
| Home Networked Media Gallery
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Consumer Home Networked Media Gallery - OLD
Networked digital media around the home: Displays and cameras - HIstorical
by Douglas Dixon
The 2000s Mobile Digital Revolution:
Cell Phones to Smartphones, Walkman to Media Players, CD to Flash to Web Services
Historical perspective on some interesting technology and trends in digital home media.
They include some sample products illustrating these trends.
Information and pricing are summarized from public sources as of when they were added,
and may be incorrect or out of date.
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Home Networked Media
Home Networked Media Technology - UPnP, DLNA
Digital TV Technology
Display Issues - Viewing distance, resolution, scaling, cables - HDMI
Display Technologies
3D TV - Technology and Product Deployment
Display Interfaces - HDMI
Home Networked Media Products
Home Media Sharing Products - Logitech Revue with Google TV, Apple TV, VUDU, Sling
Internet Radio and Music Services
Home Video Monitoring and Webcams
Consumer Web Cams: USB - Logitech
Consumer Internet Cameras: IP - Logitech Alert, WiLife
Video Projectors - Handheld
Home Media Servers - Backup / Archiving
Share, Archive -- NAS - Network Storage, Media Servers
See also:
High-Def DVD Gallery
- Share stored
content around the house over home network
- Connections among PCs and consumer electronics devices
- Don't need to go to a specific room
and use a specific player device to access home media library
- Play music stored on PC (or streamed directly over the Internet) on stereo
system
- Watch movies downloaded to your PC on living room TV
- Watch TV shows from set-top digital video recorder on bedroom TV
See Home
Networked Media Resources: Digital Media Networking Formats
Universal Plug and Play (UPnP)
- Simple and robust connectivity between stand-alone devices and PCs from
different vendors
Consumer electronics, intelligent appliances, mobile
devices
- Members: Computing, printing and networking; Consumer
electronics;
Home appliances, automation, control and security; Mobile
products.
- www.upnp.org
Digital Living
Network Alliance (DLNA),
- Open standards and widely available industry specifications
- Enable wired and wireless interoperable network of Personal Computers
(PC),
Consumer Electronics (CE) and mobile devices in the home
enabling a
seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content
services
- Consumers are acquiring, viewing and managing an increasing variety of
digital content
on their PCs, consumer electronics products and mobile
devices.
They want to be able to easily and conveniently enjoy this content
using any electronic device,
and from any location in their home, and
beyond.
- www.dlna.org
Home Networking Technology
WiFi - see Wireless Media Resources: Wireless Broadband Networking Technology
Home Networking - see Home
Digital Media Resources: Digital Media Transmission Formats
Home Networking Technology
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|
Theoretical
|
Actual
Rate
|
Latency
|
|
Ethernet
|
100
Mbps
|
96
Mbps
|
<1
ms
|
|
802.11g
|
54
Mbps
|
20-25
Mbps
|
20-30
ms
|
|
MoCA
|
270
Mbps
|
135
Mbps
|
5
ms
|
|
HomePlug
AV
|
200
Mbps
|
100
Mbps over coax
50-55
Mbps over powerline
|
20-30
ms
|
|
HPNA
|
240
Mbps
|
80-100
Mbps
|
20-30
ms
|
|
802.11n/e
|
200+
Mbps
|
100
Mbps
|
??
|
Wi-Fi
- 802.11b - 2.4 GHz spectrum with a bandwidth of 11 Mbps
- 802.11a - 5 GHz frequency range with a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps
- 802.11g - 2.4 GHz frequency but with a maximum data rate of 54 Mbps.
- 802.11n - at least 100 Mbps, up to 540 Mbps
WiMAX
- Range 50 km, data rates of 70 Mbps
MoCA (Multimedia over Cable Alliance)
- Fastest: theoretical 270 Mbps, actual 135 Mbps
- Low latency rate: 5 milliseconds actual usage, 20 to 30 for HomePlug AV and
HPNA
- Minimal interference from other TV signals and no interference from
household appliances or devices
- www.mocalliance.org
HomePlug Powerline Alliance - Electrical Wiring
- Electrical is most pervasive wiring in the home
- HomePlug AV - 2005 - maximum theoretical data rate of up to 200 Mbps
- HomePlug Turbo - 2004 - 85 Mbps
- Noise, interference possibly incompatible
- www.homeplug.org
ZyXEL DMA1100Pdigital media adapter
- HomePlug AV Powerline technology, DLNA server
- 1080i high definition (HD) streaming, HDMI connection to HDTV and USB 2.0
support
- Streams digital music and HD video to the home entertainment system with
ease over power lines
- 2/08 - $269
- us.zyxel.com
HD-PLC - High Definition Power Line Communication
- 190 Mbps, nearly four times current wireless home networks
- CEPCA, CE (Consumer Electronics) Power Line Communication Alliance,
established May 2005
www.cepca.org
- HD-PLC Alliance, established September 2007
www.hd-plc.org
- Panasonic
Home Phoneline Networking Alliance - HomePNA - HPNA
- Existing copper phone lines for in-home networking
- Recently added ability to network over coax as well
- International Telecommunications Union, HomePNA 3.0 (G.9954)
- Data rates of up to 240 Mbps, average data rate of 107 Mbps
- www.homepna.org
Home A/V Networking Technology - Wireless Displays
See Home
Digital Media Resources - Home A/V Networking Technology
HDMI (High-Definition
Multimedia Interface) - wired
  
- Replaces tangle of cables with single cable
- Carries uncompressed digital audio and video
- www.hdmi.org
High Definition Audio-Video Network Alliance (HANA)
- Members from IT, content provider, service provider , consumer electronics
industry segments.
- Mission to utilize existing standards and technologies to create a design
guideline for secure High Definition AV networks that will advance
commercial deployment of products and services and will enhance the consumer
HD entertainment experience
- Focus initially on IEEE 1394/FireWire
- www.hanaalliance.org
WirelessHD (WiHD)
- Formed in 2006, 40 companies
Intel, LG, Panasonic, NEC, SAMSUNG, SiBEAM, Sony, Toshiba
- Next generation wireless digital network interface specification for
consumer electronics products.
- Wireless streaming high-definition content between source devices and
high-definition displays
- Combine uncompressed high-definition video, multi-channel audio,
intelligent format and control data, and Hollywood approved content
protection
- Uncompressed HD video, audio and data transmission, scalable to future
high-definition A/V formats
- First generation high-speed rates up to 4 Gbps at ten meters for
CE, PC, and portable devices
- Core technology theoretical data rates as high as 25 Gbps
- www.wirelesshd.org
Pulse~LINK - Ultra Wideband (UWB)
- CWave Whole-Home Interactive HD solution
- Whole-home distribution of interactive HD multimedia content over a hybrid
wired/wireless network
- Room-to-room distribution of multiple HDTV streams and multimedia
content
over both coax and wireless connections simultaneously
from the same chipset
- Data rates more than 400 Mbps
- MAC/Baseband/RF chipset exceeds 1Gbps in UWB communications
- www.pulselink.net
DisplayLink - Networked Displays
- Extended display to multiple monitors -- Real-time video playback across a
USB link
- High-performance Hardware Rendering Engine (HRE) network display chips and
Virtual Graphics Card (VGC) software that power high-quality, fully
interactive 32-bit true-color graphics
- Adaptive compression algorithm and graphics protocol can also transmit
graphics over other standard network interfaces, including wireless USB,
Ethernet or Wi-Fi
- www.displaylink.com
See also - Local Device Networking Technology:
Wireless USB, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication
Top
Display Issues
Room Size - Viewing distance
- Need larger space for viewing distance to appreciate large displays
- Not so close as to see the
dots on the screen
- Not so far back to lose immersion experience
from picture filling the field of view
- Viewing distance should be three times the height of the screen
- 40" screen around 5 to 10 feet
- 60" screen around 7 to 15 feet
- For normal TV viewing distances (8-10 feet)
- Need ~ 42" screen to see improved quality of 720p
(beyond 480)
- Need ~ 60" screen to see improved quality of 1080p
Resolution
- Not all digital televisions are high-definition
- Not all flat-panel displays are high-definition
- HDTV is broadcast in two main resolutions:
- 720p (1280 x 720, progressive)
- 1080i (1920 x 1080, interlaced)
- HDTV is 16:9
widescreen aspect ratio
- Smaller LCD displays may be SD (standard definition), at
much lower 640 x 480 resolution (old PC VGA)
or EDTV (extended definition), at 1024 x
768 (small even for today's laptops)
Scaling
- Multiple digital TV formats, need scaling to match source to physical
display
Resolution, frame rate, and interlaced / progressive
- Scale the input picture format to native resolution of display, actual
pixels
- Convert between interlaced and progressive formats -- fields and frames
- Convert 24 fps film material (inverse telecine),
30 fps progressive, 60 fps interlaced (deinterlace)
- May squish or stretch the signal, frame in black to
keep the correct aspect ratio
- High-end theater systems use separate scaling units
Cabling
- Actual
display (flat panel) is being decoupled from TV tuner and speakers
- Signals arrive through alternative paths -- off-air, cable,
satellite, fiber, DVD, Internet.
- Each path may
require a separate box (with its own digital video recorder), provide different kinds of
signal
- High-quality video and surround-sound
audio can require dedicated cabling for each component
Display Technologies
LCD -- Liquid Crystal Displays
- Lower prices from mass production for both computer and
TV displays,
- Choice for smaller display sizes -- up to around 40 -
50 inches
- Thinner
and lighter
- Improved black level and viewing angle
- Improving fast motion:
- Good for bright room
- Sharp: 65" LCD, CES 05 -- Sharp: 108" LCD,
CES 07
- LG: 100" LCD, CES 07
Plasma Screens
- Dominant for larger screen sizes -- beyond 40 inches to
50 to 60 inches
- Accurate color reproduction
- Wide contrast range, 3000:1 contrast ratio
- Deep black level, movies (Pioneer CES 07)
- Minimal blurring of motion, sports, rivals CRT
- Wide viewing angle, family, approaching 160 degrees
- Old burn-in problems resolved
- Panasonic: 103" plasma, CES 06
- Plasma Display Coalition: Hitachi, LG Electronics,
Panasonic, Pioneer, Samsung
www.plasmadisplaycoalition.org
Rear-Projection
Displays
- Getting flatter, less bulky
- DLP, LCD, and
LCOS technology instead of CRTs
Front Projection Displays
- Developing option for large screen home theater
- Smaller, brighter projectors
- Better, more reflective screens
3D TV - Technology and Product Deployment
- See article: 3D - The Next Dimension
Part 1 - Seeing 3D: Market, Technology, Formats
Part 2 - Using 3D: Products, Shooting, Editing
3D Technology and Glasses
Courtesy Sony
3D Mechanisms
- Spatial: Both images displayed at same time (e.g. alternate lines)
- Lower res - Lose half the image resolution
- Passive - simpler glasses (red/green, polarized)
- Temporal: Alternate frames
- Require double the frame rate
- Darker - Lose half the light
- Active - more expensive glasses (with battery)
- Spectral - Different spectrum bands (Dolby 3D Digital Cinema)
3D Technology
- Anaglyphic - Passive red-cyan glasses
- Works with printed materal
- Polarized 3D - Passive, Polarized glasses
- Display with polarized screen
- Polarized 45 degrees or circular opposite (can tilt head)
- Used for 3D cinema (RealD)
- Shutter glasses - Active, temporal - alternate-frame sequencing
- LCD shutter glasses, transparent / dark, open / block each eye
- Wireless - Sync display and glasses - 240 Hz (120 per eye)
- Autostereoscopic - Without glasses
RealD 3D Technology
- Digital 3D technology for cinema, visualization, displays
- www.reald.com
 
RealD - Theatre - Movie glasses
3D TV Displays for the Home
3D HDTVs announced at CES 2010:
- 3D TV - Display with associated glasses
- "3D ready" - Separate accessories: Glasses + wireless emitter for display
- JVC, Panasonic, Sony, Samsung, Toshiba
"Dimensionalize" - Real-time conversion of 2D content to 3D
- Like colorizing back and white movies
- or DVD players upsampling standard-def content to HD
- Samsung, Toshiba
SMPTE - 3-D Home Display
Panasonic Full HD 3D System
3D Content Delivery for the Home
3D to TV
- Unlike HDTV, no broadcast 3D standard for first products
- 3D Blu-ray in best position
- Possible to support with firmware update (Sony PS3)
- Also support though cable services: DirecTV
Blu-ray 3D
- Blu-ray 3D - 3D in Full HD - 1080p high definition resolution
- Full 1080p resolution backward compatibility with current 2D Blu-ray players
- Display agnostic, deliver 3D image to any compatible 3D display
- Supports playback of 2D discs in forthcoming 3D players
- Enables 2D playback of Blu-ray 3D discs on existing Blu-ray Disc players
- Encoded with Multiview Video Coding (MVC) codec
- Extension to H.264 AVC codec supported by all Blu-ray Disc players
- Compresses both left and right eye views with a typical 50% overhead
- Includes enhanced graphic features for 3D
- Navigation using 3D graphic menus, 3D subtitles
- Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA), 12/09
3D to PCs
- Blu-ray player software supports 3D Blu-ray: CyberLink, Corel
- Requires 3D-capable displays, graphics cards: Intel, NVIDIA
NVIDIA 3D Vision
- Wireless active LCD shutter glasses for 120 Hz LCDs and DLP HDTVs
- 3D Vision Bundle $598 - 3D Vision Kit and 3D Vision Ready Samsung LCD monitor.
- 3D Vision Kit $199 - 1 pair of glasses, emitter and connection cables.
- Extra Glasses for 3D Vision -$149 - 1 pair of glasses and charging cable
- www.nvidia.com/object/3D_Vision_Main.html
NVIDIA GrForce 3D Vision with glasses and wireless emitter
HDMI 1.4 Interface for 3D
Top
- Media sharing over home network
- Media content downloading
- DVR sharing across home network
- See Game Consoles:
PS3, Xbox 360
Google TV
|
|
Google TV
- Easy search - Across cable or satellite programming, Web, apps, recordings from compatible DVRs, shared home media
- Entertainment-based results - TV and web, Netflix, Amazon
- Browse websites - Google Chrome + Adobe Flash Player 10.1 (YouTube)
- Run Google TV Android apps
- Social networks (Facebook, Twitter)
- Entertainment hubs (Netflix, Amazon, Pandora, Napster, NBA.TV)
- Media Player - Access content on home network / PCs (DLNA)
- Dual View - Simultaneous web and picture-in-picture TV window
- Free automatic updates
- Google TV - www.google.com/tv
Sony Internet TV with Google TV
|
Logitech Revue with Google TV
- "Watch whatever you want, wherever it comes from on HDTV"
- "TV gets a homepage" -- "The web is now a channel"
- TV + Search + full Web browser + Android apps
- Pass-through cable box to TV, search and view across sources
- Logitech - www.logitech.com/en-us/smartTV
|
|
Logitech Revue
- Google TV in a box
- Revue companion box - Connect cable or satellite set-top box
- Pass-through to TV (HDMI)
- Plus Internet connection (wired or wireless)
- Connections: HDMI in/out (cable/TV), 2 IR blaster ports (control devices, 1 external blaster included), 2 USB (camera), Ethernet (or wireless), SPDIF audio out
- DISH Network Enhanced DVR integration:
Recordings included in Quick Search
- 10/10 - $299
Logitech Keyboard Controller
- Compact keyboard, navigation panel, touchpad,
- Dedicated keys / shortcuts for remote control functions, video playback
- $99 (included with Revue)
Logitech Mini Controller
- Compact palm-sized keyboard, touch pad, remote control, $129
- Combination touch pad / D-pad with backlit directional controls
- Illuminated backlit - green for navigation, orange for typing & pointing
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery, up to 2 weeks; 6 x 3 1/2 in.
Logitech TV Cam
- Works with Logitech Vid, using TV cam or computer web cam, $149
- Carl Zeiss lens / optics
- Wide-angle lens to see everybody, 5x digital zoom to move in closer
- HD 720p resolution
- Two digital, directional microphones, Hear stereo audio
- Reduce living room noise - Noise reduction, Echo cancellation
- 5 foot USB cable plus 6 foot extension cable
- On-screen notification of caller ID, envelope icon for missed call
- When TV off, camera LED blinks for missed call
Smartphone Remote -
Logitech Harmony App for Android and iPhone
- Keyboard to find shows, touchpad to browse web
- Remote control for home entertainment system
- Gesture controls
- Free app - iPhone, iPod touch, iPad or Android
 Find the Logitech Revue on Amazon.com
|
Apple TV
- 9/10 - 80% smaller, Rental for all content, $99 (was $299)
- 10/09 - Apple TV 3.0 software: Redesigned main menu
- Easier access to on-demand HD movie rentals and purchases,
- HD TV shows, music and podcasts from iTunes Store
- Fullscreen iTunes Extras and iTunes LP, Genius Mixes and Internet radio
- 9/09 - 160 GB lowered to $299
- 1/08 - 40 GB $229, 160 GB $329
- 3/07 - 40 GB $299
- 9/06 - Introduced
- www.apple.com/appletv
Apple TV (2010)
|
 |
- Watch HD movies and TV shows on HD TV
- Rental for all content, no purchasing, no managing storage on box
- Built-in HDMI, Wi-Fi, Ethernet
- Enclosure under 4 inches square - 80% smaller than previous generation
- 1/4 the size, hold in palm of hand, no power brick
- 1 HDMI connector, Ethernet or WiFi
- 9/10 - $99 (was $299)
- Users want Hollywood movies and TV shows on demand, in HD
- Largest online selection of HD movies to rent, first run movies $4.99
- Largest online selection of HD TV show episodes rent for $0.99 (was $2.99 purchase)
- ABC, ABC Family, Fox, Disney Channel, BBC America
- Stream from Netflix, YouTube, Flickr and MobileMe
- Millions of YouTube videos, 200,000 podcasts, 4,000 Internet radio stations
- Music, photos and videos from PCs and Macs
Find the Apple
TV (2010) on Amazon.com |
Apple TV (2008 - 2009)
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 |
- Watch iTunes library, iTunes Store rentals:
Movies, TV shows, music videos
- Free internet content: YouTube videos, podcasts, HD video podcasts
Photos from Flickr or .Mac Web Galleries
- Standard Definition rentals: 720 x 480 anamorphic, stereo,
New releases
$3.99, Library titles $2.99
- High Definition: 1280 x 720, Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound,
New
releases $4.99, Library titles $3.99
- 30 days to start watching, once started have 24 hours to finish watching
- 9/09 - 160 GB lowered to $299
- 1/08 - 40 GB $229, 160 GB $329
Find the Apple
TV
on Amazon.com |
Specs
- Intel processor, 40 or 160 GB hard drive
- Up to 50 / 200 hours of video, 9,000 / 36,000 songs, 25,000 pictures
- A/V: HDMI, Component video, Optical audio, Analog RCA stereo audio
- Network: 10/100BASE-T Ethernet, 802.11n wireless
- Ports: USB 2.0, IR receiver (works with included Apple Remote)
- Footprint: 7.7 by 7.7 inches (197 by 197 mm), Height: 1.1 inches (28 mm)
- Weight: 2.4 pounds (1.09 kg)
Formats
- Video: H.264 / protected H.264 (iTunes Store): Up to 5 Mbps, Progressive
Main Profile (CAVLC) with AAC-LC audio
up to 160 Kbps (max 1280 x 720 at 24 fps, 960 x 540 at 30
fps) in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
- iTunes Store purchased video: 320 x 240, 640 x 480, 720 x 480
(anamorphic), or high-def 720p
- MPEG-4: Up to 3 Mbps, Simple Profile with AAC-LC audio up to 160 Kbps (max
720 x 432 at 30 fps)
in .m4v, .mp4, and .mov file formats
- Audio: AAC (16 to 320 Kbps); protected AAC (iTunes Store); MP3 (16 to 320
Kbps); MP3 VBR;
Apple Lossless; AIFF; WAV; Dolby Digital 5.1 surround
sound pass-through
- Photo: JPEG, BMP, GIF, TIFF, PNG
Logitech Squeezebox
- Browse, organize and play digital music collection away from a computer, anywhere in your home
- Play local music libraries from your computer with SqueezeBox Server software (was SqueezeCenter)
Access personal music collection, create playlists
Connect to music services and Internet radio
Windows, Mac OS X, or Linux
- Access music on NAS drive or MP3tunes music locker
- Tune to Internet radio stations
Access thousands of Internet radio stations, millions
of songs
- Access subscription music services
Custom music - Last.fm, Pandora, Slacker
Music on Demand - Classical.com, MP3Tunes Music Locker, Mediafly, Napster, Rhapsody
Music Stores - Amazon
- Download apps: Music services, podcasts + exclusive content from Queen
Facebook friends, View Flickr photos (Not available on Squeezebox Boom, Classic or Transporter)
- Access and set up through MySqueezeBox.com (was SqueezeNetwork)
- http://www.logitechsqueezebox.com
Logitech Squeezebox Radio - Network Music Player (9/09)
- All-in-one network music player, with integrated amplifier, high-performance speakers, simplified setup
- All-in-one design: Plug in to power outlet, connect to network
- Wired Ethernet 10/100 or Wi-Fi wireless 802.11g networking
- All-digital 30-watt amplifier; Bi-amplified class D design with digital electronic crossover
- Stereo XL technology widens sound stage
- 7-day alarm clock, 6 preset buttons
|
|
- 2.4 in. color LCD, ambient light sensor
- One 3/4-inch, high-def, soft-dome tweeter,
one 3-inch, high-power, long-throw woofers
- Supports MP3, FLAC, WAV, WMA, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, Apple
Lossless;
Internet Radio - MP3, Ogg Vorbis, AAC, WMA
- Line-in via 3.5 mm stereo jack
- Headphone out via 3.5 mm connector
- 8.66 x 5.12 x 5.04 in. (220 x 130 x 128 mm)
- PR 9/09 - Introduced - http://ir.logitech.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=406806
- 9/09 - $199, black or red
Find the Logitech
Squeezebox Radio on Amazon.com |
Top
Live365
- Listings to explore thousands of available stations, search by genre and location.
Last.fm
- Customize your own listening experience.
Develop profile of interests - specific stations, genres, or artists, preview
individual tracks
Explore with personal recommendations, similar, shared music from other users
and groups
Slacker Personal Radio -
Choose genre and style, listen for free (with ads)
Explore new music, customize personal stations with favorite styles and artists
Over 100 expert-programmed stations, 10,000 artist stations
- Licensing
agreements with major record labels, thousands of
independent labels
- Radio-like experience - customize music, skip ahead in playlist over individual
songs
Can't skip backwards to replay a specific song, can pause playback
- Slacker G2 portable player
- Refreshes your favorite stations over USB or Wi-Fi
$199 for 4 GB / 25 stations / 2500 songs, $249 for
8 GB / 40 stations / 4000 songs (with space for personal storage)
- Slacker Premium Radio service - $7.50 to $9.99 a month
Avoid ads, request specific songs (like
calling in a request to the DJ), save favorite songs on computer or Slacker player
 Pandora Radio
- Personalized radio stations
Music with similar music styles related to favorite artist, song, or composer
Based on the Music Genome Project
-
Register for free to save stations, share stations with other listeners
Subscribe for ad-free ($36 a year)
- Available on cell phones from Sprint and AT&T, including the iPhone.
- Available on home players including Sonos and Logitech Squeezebox
Top
- Watch sleeping baby in the nursery
- Monitor out the front window for delivery trucks
- Watch from other PCs on the home network
- Access over the Internet
Open connection
through firewall, register with Web service to make the connection
- Direct connect to PC: Deliver the video over USB connection to computer
- Grab clips, run video conferencing software to
communicate over the Internet
- Run monitoring software on attached PC to act as a video server
- Server can run video surveillance software to alert on motion, changes in
scene
- Connect to the server PC over your home network to watch video from other
computers
- Connectix introduced original QuickCam with eyeball design in 1994 (now
Logitech)
- Creative
WebCams -- www.creative.com/products/webcams
- Logitech QuickCams -- www.logitech.com
- Logitech Video Effects software - www.logitech.com/videoeffects
- Start at around $30
Microsoft LifeCam Cinema Webcam - 720p HD (9/09)
|
|
- Consumer webcam shoots HD widescreen video with native 720p sensor
- 73 degree diagonal field of view
- Video: 1280 x 720, 16:9 widescreen, up to 30 fps
- Photos: Up to 5 megapixel (2880 x 1620, interpolated)
- Auto focus, Automatic image adjustment with manual overwrite, Digital pan, tilt
- Integrated uni-directional digital microphone, 200Hz to 8000Hz, +/- 4dB
- High-precision glass element lens - more accurate colors and sharper video.
- ClearFrame - image-processing technology for detailed video even in low light
- Digital microphone - noise cancelling technology improves speech quality
- Aluminum body - reduces weight and improves durability
- Flexible universal attachment base - Sit on flat surface or clip to display --
- Flex, bend to mount on laptop screen, LCD flat panel, traditional CRT monitors
- Windows Live Call Button on back - See who's online, start video call
- Microsoft LifeCam software: View, capture, post to Windows Live Spaces, e-mail, video calls
- Use Windows Live Movie Maker to edit in HD,
upload to social networking sites (Win 7 and Vista only)
- Use Windows Live Photo Gallery to upload photos, edit, tag, share
- Works with Windows software as standard-def camera: Windows Live Messenger,
Microsoft Office Communicator, Yahoo! Messenger, AOL Instant Messenger, Skype
- Optimized for Windows Live Messenger
- Use LifeCam Dashboard to add video special effects and control webcam
- 2.2 x 1.8 x 1.6 in. (56 x 46 x 40 mm), 3.36 oz. (95.3 g)
- 10/10 - 9/09 - Available - $79, street $59
- PR 8/09 - Announce - www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2009/aug09/08-20CinemaPR.mspx
- www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/productdetails.aspx?pid=008
Find the Microsoft LifeCam Cinema on Amazon.com |
Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 — Full HD (8/10) 
Logitech HD Webcam C510 - Portable HD Video Calling and Recording (6/10)
Logitech Webcam C905 - Clip-on HD Video (8/09)
Logitech Webcam Software (6/10)
|
|
- Logitech Vid HD
- Logitech RightLight 2 technology - Enhance dim or poorly backlit scenes
- Video and photo capture
- MAGIX Photo Manager 9 - Photo editing - Import, organize, basic editing
- MAGIX Video Easy - Video editing - drag-and-drop
- Facebook or YouTube upload HD videos / photos
- Sensible Vision FastAccess facial recognition software - Face-recognition login (trial)
- Logitech Video Effects - with face tracking
- Avatars (virtual characters), Face Accessories (hat, nose, mask)
- Video Masks, Fun Filters (photographic filters or manipulations)
|
Logitech Vid HD - Simple Video Conferencing Software (6/10)
|
|
Logitech Vid HD (6/10)
- HD 720p video calling with Logitech HD webcams
- Easy contacts - use email address
- Easy calling - clicking on friend’s picture
- Free download - WIndows and Mac, any Logitech or other webcam
- At least 256 kbps Internet upload / download for standard definition
- at least 1 Mbps upload / download for HD 720p video calls
- PR 6/10 - http://www.logitech.com/en-us/172/7219
- www.logitech.com/vid
Simple Video Calling
- Simple webcam video conferencing software for PC or Mac
- Use webcam with built-in mic, headset, or external microphone
- Straightforward interface dedicated to video calling
- Minimal controls, picture-in-picture option
- Streamlined setup, register using your e-mail address
Practice Call option to verify set-up
- Add friends by sending e-mail invitation
- Displays thumbnail picture for your contacts, click to start video call
- Doesn't currently connect with Windows Live Messenger, AIM,
Yahoo! Messenger, Skype (but can use on same computer)
Logitech Vid (6/09)
- Good quality: VGA 640 x 480, 30 fps
- Recommend 768 Kbps connection (bi-directional), minimum 256 Kbps
- Free for Logitech webcam users, or if invited to join (with any camera)
Otherwise download free 30-day trial version
- PR 6/09 - www.logitech.com/index.cfm/press/press_releases/6057&cl=us,en
- Built on Logitech SightSpeed Network, www.sightspeed.com
(with video e-mail, 4- and 9-way video conferencing)
Compatible with SightSpeed and Dell Video Chat
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- Camera plugs directly into home network (or wireless): IP server
- Better solution for continuous remote monitoring
Logitech Alert Video Security System - Indoor & Outdoor Cameras (8/10)
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- Up to six cameras, indoor and outdoor models
- Quickly and easily install - Powerline networking over existing power wires
- Motion-triggered recording zones, alerts (email or texts)
- HD video, wide angle - 960 x 720 - plus built-in microphone
- Field of view ~ 132 degrees
- Records locally on camera
- 2 GB microSD card, holds ~ 1 week's recordings to 32 GB)
- Alert Commander PC software - Live view, backup and review, settings
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Monitor anytime, anywhere - Free Web viewer in browser
- Upgrade to Logitech Alert Mobile Commander and Web Commander
- Mobile Commander - View live and recorded video, manage alert settings
- Web Commander - +Camera offline, manage multiple locations
- One-year subscription $79.95
- Powerline networking (PoE) ~ 10,000 kbps
- HomePlug AV - 200 Mbps, 128-Bit AES, password protection
- HomePlug Powerline Alliance - www.homeplug.org
- Master Systems with Powerline network adapter, Add-On Cameras
- PR 8/10 - www.logitech.com/en-us/172/7384
- www.logitech.com/en-us/alert/digital-video-security-system
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Logitech Alert Commander software
- Desktop application for PC (Windows)
- Configure, watch live HD video, store video on PC, review recorded video
- Control and configure up to six cameras
- Video: 960 x 720, 15 fps, 1200 kbps
- Live View - Digital zoom into window (pan/tilt)
- Audio on/off, mic level
- Brightness / Contrast, Flip/Mirror, Audio Night vision
- Store on local PC disk
- Playback View - Review previously recorded video clips
- By calendar day, pause, step, slow/fast
- Protect clips so not deleted over time
- View full-screen or split 4 / 6 cameras
- Back up video from camera SD card to PC disk for viewing / playback
- 20 G can hold months of clips
- Save / print frames
- Save video sequences - mp4 - H.264, 960 x 720, 1.24 mbps, 10.4 fps
- Motion Detection - Up to 16 rectangular zones, with sensitivity
- Alerts - Email (and phone text) - Plain text, with snapshot, mobile phone optimized
- Desktop - Pop-up with sound effect (camera shutter, dog, alarm)
- Limit to every N minutes, Require motion for N seconds
- Remote Access - Web (alert.logitech.com), Mobile devices
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Logitech Alert Indoor Camera (8/10)
- Suction-cup mount - stick to window facing outside or inside
- Desktop mount - easily move to desk or bookcase
- Wall/ceiling mount for a fixed location, office or waiting room
- 10 ft. (3 meter) Ethernet cable from Powerline adapter
- Logitech Alert 750i (Indoor) Master System - $299
- Logitech Alert 700i Add-On Camera - $229
- www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam-communications/...
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Logitech Alert Outdoor Camera (8/10)
- Auto night vision - Infrared illumination (visible red)
- Weatherized - Recommended operating temp -30° ~ +50°C (-22° ~ 120°F)
- Sturdy wall/ceiling mount
- 20 ft. (6 meter) Ethernet cable from Powerline adapter
- Logitech Alert 750e Outdoor Master System - $349
- Logitech Alert 700e Outdoor Add-On Camera - $279
- www.logitech.com/en-us/webcam-communications...
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3M - Camcorder and Mobile Projectors (as of 11/11)
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3M Mobile Projector MP225A
- 32 lumens, up to 80”, 800 x 600 SVGA
- 5.9 x 2.5 x 1.2 in., 10.4 oz.
- Cables to connect to iPad/iPhone/iPod devices included
- ~ 11/11 - $229
Find the 3M Mobile Projector
on Amazon |
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3M Camcorder Projector CP45R
- HD video recording (720p), 5MP still camera
- Record up to six 25-minute videos
- 2.4” LCD display
- 20 lumens, Projects screen size 10” - 65” diagonal, 800 x 600 SVGA
- 2 GB + microSD
- Battery - Project 100 min.
- Built-in microphone and speakers
- ~ 11/11 - $299
Find the 3M Camcorder Projector
on Amazon |
3M - MPro Pocket
Projectors (as of 11/11)
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3M MP180 - Storage + Wireless (~ 1/11)
- Wireless Internet / devices - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Touch-screen display
- Store and display docs, images, audio, video
- 4 GB memory + microSD card slot, USB Mini 2.0
- 32 lumens, 2 x 0.75 watt speakers
- Image size 10 - 80" diagonal
- 5.9 x 2.5 x 1.3 in., 11.9 oz.
- ~11/11- $399, ~ 1/11 - $449
Find the 3M MPro180 on Amazon |
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3M MP160 - 2X Brighter (10/10)
- No storage
- 32 lumens, 2 x 0.75 watt speakers
- Image size 10 - 80" diagonal
- 5.9 x 2.5 x 1.2 in., 10.6 oz.
- 11/11 - $299, ~ 11/10 - $359
Find the 3M MPro160 on Amazon
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3M MPro150 - Storage (1/10)
- Store and display docs, images, audio, video
- 1 GB memory + microSD card slot, USB Mini 2.0
- 16 lumens, 2 x 1/2 watt speakers
- Image size 8 - 50" diagonal
- 5.1 x 2.4 c 0.9 in., 5.6 oz.
- ~ 11/11 - $259, ~ 11/10 - $435 -> $264
Find the 3M MPro150 on Amazon |
- MP 180 & 160
- Double brightness to 30 lumens, ~ 2X heavier
- MP 180 & 150 - Internal storage + microSD slot
- Download presentation and go, Leave PC at the office
- LED light: up to 20‚000 hours, no replacement
- Battery 2 hours
- Output: VGA, Composite Video, Component Video, Audio Out (3.5mm Stereo jack)
- Display formats: VGA, SVGA, XGA, WXGA (1280x768)
- File formats (180/150): Docs: Office Word DOC, PowerPoint PPT, Excel XLS, TXT, Adobe PDF
- Images: BMP, JPG; Audio: MP3, AMR, AAC; Video: MP4, H.264, PAL, NTSC
Imation Link Wireless Audio/Video Extender - Wireless USB - HD Video (8/10)
- Wirelessly transmits HD video and audio from PC or Mac to television or projector
- HD video (720p / 1280 x 720), stereo audio, still photos at 1080p
- Internet TV, movies, photos, games, video conferencing, business presentations
- Extended desktop or duplicate PC display
- Uses Control Panel > Windows Display Properties
- Ultra-wideband Wireless USB 2.0
- Reliable connection, faster speeds, lower power than Wi-Fi
- Directional antenna up to 30 feet wireless line-of-sight
- One-to-one connectivity, no Wi-Fi interference
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- Share, organize, archive digital media collection -- photos, music, video
- At prices under $1 per
gigabyte, can get a half-terabyte or more of storage
500 GB
-- stores some 400,000 photos, 5,000 hours of music, or 40 hours of DV video
- Network drive plugs directly in to home network
- Central home server with no computer required
- Network Attached Storage (NAS)
- Share media files, Back up across the network
- Add built-in support for media streaming to set-top devices
- Add enterprise
features like support for 10X faster Gigabit Ethernet
- Backup the server: USB ports to back up to external drives (or share)
- RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks)
Spreads files across multiple physical drives, still recover if one drive
fails
Netgear ReadyNAS
- Networked file sharing, archive / backup, media streaming, Web / FTP
RAID, Gigabit Ethernet, Continuous System Monitoring and
Backup
- RAID 0, 1, 5, plus hardware ReadyNAS X-RAID single volume auto
expansion
- Hot swappable hard disks, even with additional capacity
- 3 USB 2.0 ports: Shared external hard drives and printers
- Network backup: EMC Retrospect backup and recovery software
- Web browser interface and setup wizard, automatic alerts (e-mail,
text)
- Network File Services: Windows CIFS/SMB, Mac AFP, UNIX NFS, Web
HTTP/S & FTP/S
- Media Streaming: UPnP AV, SlimServer, Network DVD player
compatible, Windows MCE compatible
- Network Security: Selectable Share, User Domain/ADS modes, Windows
ACL , Encrypted network logins, Secure Socket Layer (SSL)
- Network Options: DHCP or static IP, WINS, NTP
- 5-Year hardware warranty
- 9/08 - 1 TB $999 - 4 TB $2499; 06 - Up to 3 TB ~ $2870 (was Infrant)
- Community - www.readynas.com
- www.netgear.com/Products/Storage.aspx
Find the Netgear
ReadyNAS on Amazon.com
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