7.3. Personal: Digital World [src]

With the convergence of digital technologies, there are many other devices that are related to computing beyond what has been discussed. Most of what is discussed in this module comes directly from the Wikiversity article on "personal" computing.

The concept of a codec applies in many of the items discussed below.

Entertainment

Time Shifting [src]

Time shifting refers to the saving of an audio or visual program to a storage medium for future use. Specific types of devices and software to accomplish time shifting are discussed below.

Space Shifting [src]

A practical purpose of place shifting is to avoid copyright infringement claims, as when viewing content through The Slingbox or similar consumer electronics.

Format Shifting [src]

Format shifting is the conversion of media files into different file format or data compression (video coding format and audio coding format). This may be required to play the media on different devices, for example when converting or ripping audio files on CDs into digital formats such as MP3.

Format shifting is central to preservation and archiving, particularly for sound recordings and films. In addition to efforts to preserve works created in deteriorating formats, format shifting is also necessary to keep works accessible. As technology develops the technical formats get outdated and the technology necessary for accessing original formats is no longer available. Copyright law may not allow libraries and archives to format shift for preservation and archiving purposes. (Unfortunate, because by the time copyright term in a work ends, the original work may have disintegrated or deteriorated to such an extent that the cost of preservation has increased dramatically.)

Digital Video Recorder

A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is a device which allows viewers to record television programs onto a hard disk, enabling the program to be watched at a different time than when it airs. The recording can also be done at the same time as viewing another program; this is called "time shifting". A DVR can be programmed to automatically record specific shows, or even entire seasons of shows. A Tivo DVR is set up with an account, allowing it to be accessed anywhere in the world.

Video on Demand

Video on Demand (VOD) or Audio and Video On Demand (AVOD) are systems which allow users to select and watch or listen to video or audio content on demand, another kind of time shifting. Internet television services technology is often used to bring video on demand to televisions and personal computers. Television VOD systems either stream content through a set-top box, a computer or other device, allowing viewing in real time, or download it to a device such as a computer, digital video recorder or portable media player for viewing at any time. The majority of cable- and telco-based television providers offer both VOD streaming, including pay-per-view and free content, whereby a user buys or selects a movie or television program and it begins to play on the television set almost instantaneously, or downloading to a DVR rented from the provider, or downloaded onto a PC, for viewing in the future. Internet television, using the Internet, is an increasingly popular form of video on demand.[src]

MobiTV

MobiTV is a global television and digital radio provider for mobile phones, palm devices, PCs and Windows mobiles. This service makes it possible for individuals to access several popular TV and radio stations from their personal phone.

Hulu

Hulu is a subscription VOD service offering ad-supported, on-demand streaming video of TV shows, movies, webisodes and other new media, trailers, clips, and behind-the-scenes footage from NBC, Fox, ABC, and many other networks and studios. Hulu videos are currently offered only to users in the United States and its overseas territories. The free content previoulsy available through Hulu was shifted to Yahoo! View.[src]

Digital Radio

Digital radio is the next generation of radio. It has the capacity to provide listeners with more services, clearer reception and sound quality and a range of other features, including tuning by station name, record and rewind capability, text information, graphics, pictures and web pages.

Digital radio receivers are essentially computers that receive and decode a digital program stream into a format that you can hear. Like computers, they also have the capacity to store information. Digital radio receivers can therefore pause, re-wind for a few minutes or store audio (via a memory card) for later listening.

Satellite Radio

Satellite radio is also called digital radio (although in some cases it is analog). This radio service is sent from satellites that are orbiting the earth. Only people that subscribe to this service have access to decoding their signals. Satellite radio allows the subscriber to access more content from different parts of the globe, providing greater variety in their music/talk show selection.

Satellite radio provides CD quality sound with many more channels than broadcast radio. There are fewer commercials, as revenue is supported by subscribers.

HD radio

HD Radio is a higher quality of media output compared to the traditional radio. Using better compression and better delivery methods to propriety equipment, the client will be able to enjoy a wider range of programs at close to CD quality.

Internet Radio

Internet radio is a (generally) free service provided so that you can access a wider range of music just as easily as digital radio. Internet radio can be streamed and played by a software media player in the computer, such as iTunes. Internet radio offers listeners with a continuous stream of audio that the listener cannot alter. It also provides listeners with the ability to listen in on international stations.

MP3 players

An MP3 is a digital audio player used to listen to music (or recordings) portably. MP3 is a format that allows audio recordings to be compressed so they are small enough to be sent over the internet or stored as a digital file. Some "MP3" players support other formats, as well.

Digital television

Digital television (DTV) is a television system that uses digital signals, rather than analog signals used by traditional Standard Definition TV (SDTV). DTV is much clearer than SDTV. Picture and sound quality are noticeably better because digital transmissions are free of snow, ghosts, or static noises.

HDTV

HDTV is short for "high definition television". It has a wider screen and a higher resolution than standard resolution SDTV. HDTV technology was introduced in the United States in the 1990s by the Digital HDTV Grand Alliance, a group of television companies and MIT. According to Neilsen, at the end of 2010, 56% of U.S. households had an HDTV, but "more than 80 percent of television viewing is still a standard definition experience".

3D TV

A 3D television (3DTV) is a television set that employs techniques of 3D presentation, such as stereoscopic capture, multi-view capture, or 2D-plus-depth, and a 3D display – a special viewing device to project a television program into a realistic three-dimensional field.[src]

3D-ready TV sets are those that can operate in 3D mode (in addition to regular 2D mode), in conjunction with a set-top-box and LCD shutter glasses (often sold separately), where the TV tells the glasses which eye should see the image being exhibited at the moment, creating a stereoscopic image.[src]

Passive 3D TVs use an array of pixels (color groups) that are displayed at different angles, allowing each eye to see a different image without the need for glasses. With current technology, it is necessary to find a good location for the proper view.

Digital Cameras

A digital camera is an electronic device used to capture and store pictures digitally, instead of using film like traditional cameras. It then can be downloaded onto a computer to be edited and/or printed. Most digital cameras are multi-functional, being able to record video, sound, and pictures in digital format.

A key statistic for digital cameras is the number of megapixels (millions of pixels). This number refers to the number of independent sensors used to record the image and determines, along with compression software, both the overall digital image resolution and the amount of space required to store the picture. Photo resolution is also impacted by the camera design, especially the quality of the lens in use, movement, air quality, etc. Digital image resolution, or the number of pixels, determines a maximum (limit) on the amount of discrete information that can be sensed and stored.

Images are generally stored in flash memory. The primary concern here is that memory is large enough to accommodate lots of images.

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) screen size and quality can greatly affect the ability to preview or review images, especially in bright light.

Point & Shoot

Point & Shoot cameras are compact cameras designed primarily for simple operation by anyone. Most of them use autofocus or lenses that do not focus, and automatic exposure. Some cameras provide both a view port and an LCD view screen, while many, including cell phone cameras, provide only a screen.

SLR

Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras, designed for photo hobbyists and professionals, provide the actual view through the lens to the viewport, generally in addition to an LCD screen. SLRs allow one camera to accommodate a very wide range of lens focal lengths. Most also provide a variety of automatic focusing and exposure settings, while allowing the photographer to override these settings manually.

PDA

A personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a palmtop computer, or personal data assistant, is a mobile device that functions as a personal information manager. Standard uses include: calculations, calendars, reminders, and e-mails. As all of these are available on a typical smartphone, PDA's are disappearing as the use of smartphones expands.

A PDA has an electronic visual display (usually a touchscreen), enabling it to include a web browser. Some newer models also have audio capabilities, enabling them to be used as mobile phones or portable media players. Many PDAs can access the Internet, intranets or extranets via Wi-Fi or Wireless Wide Area Networks.

GPS Navigation Device [src]

A GPS navigation device is any device that receives Global Positioning System (GPS) signals for the purpose of determining the device's current location on Earth. GPS devices provide latitude and longitude information, and some may also calculate altitude.

GPS devices may also have additional capabilities such as:

• containing maps, which may be displayed in human readable format via text or in a graphical format
• providing suggested directions to a human in charge of a vehicle or vessel via text or speech
• providing directions directly to an autonomous vehicle such as a robotic probe
• providing information on traffic conditions (either via historical or real time data) and suggesting alternative directions
• providing information on nearby amenities such as restaurants, fueling stations, etc.

GPS is also used for exersize (walking, running & cycling) and entertainment (geocaching).

Some PDAs and almost all cell phones have GPS capability. The latter is an implicit mandate of the requirements for Enhanced 911 services in the US and an obvious benefit to those in need of emergency services. In addition, GPS devices have enabled hikers (and drivers) to explore and are the foundation of the outdoor sporting activity called geocaching.

Numerous devices and services are available for tracking and monitoring vehicles and individuals. These are generally marketed as safety devices for children and the elderly or infirm, but are often used simply for spying on spouses (or anyone). Some privacy activists are concerned over the ability of authorities to (perhaps improperly) monitor people via GPS capable devices they own. "Turning off" the GPS locator in your phone does not prevent such monitoring, it only prevents other phone apps from using (and abusing) your GPS location.

Gaming

Online Gaming [src]

Online games are simply games played over the Internet. The expansion of online gaming has reflected the overall expansion of computer networks from small local networks to the Internet and the growth of Internet access itself. Online games can range from simple text based games to games incorporating complex graphics and virtual worlds populated by many players simultaneously. Many online games have associated online communities, making online games a form of social activity beyond single player games.

Second Life is an Internet-based virtual world which came to international attention via mainstream news media in late 2006 and early 2007. A downloadable client program called the Second Life Viewer enables its users, called "Residents", to interact with each other, providing an advanced level of a social network service combined with general aspects of a metaverse. Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialize, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade items (virtual property) and services from one another.

Second Life can be used as a virtual learning environment where the you can take classes as an avatar in a virtual classroom; get a real feeling of meeting other students, borrow books from libraries, etc.

Console Game Systems

There are currently three major players in the console game market: Wii, Nintendo PS3 and the Xbox 360. Emphasizing that these systems are computers, there are currently efforts underway to develop a Linux system for the Nintendo gameCube and the Wii, similar to the Xbox Linux already available.

Rather than try to constantly update the game consoles available, I will suggest that you check out the following:

A Miscellany of LabRats Videos

Other LabRats episodes

At the time of writing, there were 306 LabRats episodes. Many are about specific technology (like connecting your HDTV), new technology shows (conferences), responses to email, etc. If you are looking for more information about your specific device or software, try searching on YouTube.

If you want to check out all the episodes, click on any one of them and "Subscribe" or check out the list I collected for you in 2016.