Thursday, March 27, 2014

Video-Conferencing Outlook for 2014

Through the years, I had witnessed several hurdles and unacceptance (I admit I was once a non-believer too) due to mainly to the costs involved and quality of video broadcast (which is mainly due to bandwidth issues), Video Conferencing have gone a long way in just these few years. The ever evolving technological landscape together with the way people are working in this digital era, Unified Collaborative Communication is definitely going to be part of everyone's life. Thus based on the trend that was observed from 2013 and the years before, 2014 is undoubtedly going to be bright and exciting. From the indications I had gathered so far from my vendors and partners, I am really excited with what the year has to offer.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

All About HDMI Cables And Specifications

HDMI stands for high definition multimedia interface, which is a system of connection often used with digital video and audio. A HDMI cable is a special cable that is able to transmit uncompressed digital audio and video simultaneously.
This lead is used in connecting digital input sources to other digital electronic equipment such as computer monitors, televisions and receivers. A HDMI compliant TV, cable and source are required in order to view high definition video, eight channel digital audio and Blu-Ray. HDMI cable works with any TV or PC video format, including standard and high definition.
HDMI was first developed in 2002 to fill the need for a higher quality digital visual and audio system. Many different television, computer and electronic manufacturers have adopted the HDMI specifications. These standards were introduced by an association of electronic manufacturing companies, in cooperation with major music and movie distribution firms. HDMI uses the EIA/CEA-861 standards that define video waveforms and formats, auxiliary data, transport of compressed and uncompressed audio, and also LPCM audio.
Two different types of leads are available in the market, namely category one and two. These categories only apply to versions 1.3 and higher, which were made available in 2008. Category one cables bear the standard HDMI cable label and are suitable for transmitting 720p or 1080i video and audio signals. Leads in category two are also considered fast speed leads, and can carry video and audio signals of 720p and 1080i as well as 1600p. Category two HDMI cables are the only type guaranteed to work with a cable that is greater than 16 feet long.
When choosing a lead, it is important to consider the length.
Because of signal attenuation, there is a limit to how long a lead should be. Cables that are too long transmit very weak digital signal, resulting to blinking images on the screen. The problem of loss of signal as a result of excess cable length can be taken care of by using HDMI extenders, equalizers or repeaters. These are devices that can be used to connect the cables to each other, thereby extending the cable length without losing signal strength. The maximum length that can be used depends on the cable's category. Cables in category five and six can increase the overall cable length to as much as 164 feet. If an extender used is optical fiber based, the overall cable length can increase to 328 feet.

Monday, March 24, 2014

HDMI Cable - Upgrade Your Entertainment

The old style of analogue televisions is long gone, and the only place to find them these days is in second hand stores. That's because high definition flat screen TVs are cheaper than those old TVs ever were and deliver a much greater quality image. In other words, it's easy and affordable to upgrade your entertainment system into the HD dimension.
But the TV and the HD video unit - whether it's a Blu-Ray player, PS3, or HD receiver - are only two of the requirements for getting perfect picture. You also need a good HDMI cable. There are some basic things to consider when you purchase your HDMI cable that will help ensure you get the right one.
First, you'll need to figure out which type of lead you need. The big thing to look at is what you're connecting to your TV. Standard Blu-Ray players, gaming consoles, and television receivers will all use a basic cable to transmit the digital data to the TV. But if you've gone the extra step and bought 3D capable equipment you'll need a higher-speed cable to deliver the 3D images to your TV. They cost a bit more but the experience is well worth the small upgrade in price. These are commonly called HDMI 1.4 cables, so be sure that you purchase these if you're looking for a 3D experience.
Length does matter when it comes to cables, and it's important that you size your HDMI cable accordingly. Choose a lead that is too short and you may not even be able to hook up your system. On the other hand, a cable that's too long will lead to signal degradation. This is because the longer a signal needs to travel, the greater the reduction of its strength. This translates into a reduced picture quality for you. Buy the right length for your needs.
Another thing that bears a quick mention is that if you're connecting smaller HD devices like camcorders, tablet computers, and even smart phones to an HD screen you'll need to look for a mini HDMI cable. These feature smaller connectors that allow the smaller devices to connect to your entertainment system.
These are the basics you'll want to keep in mind when you begin shopping for your wire. Keep them in mind and getting the perfect image transfer for your video will be simple. There are plenty of cables on the market, and it's easy to find the one for you.