High Definition DVD The Format Wars Second Act

Once again, there is a technology format war looming on the horizon. Many people dont remember the VHS - Betamax battle that broke out when video players were first introduced, making it possible for people to watch movies at home. This was a case of two non-compatible technologies, each of which was a format for taping full length feature films. Ultimately VHS won out, and the movie companies put out their products in that format thus dooming Betamax and the product manufacturers that had adopted their technology, not to mention the thousands of consumers that had invested in Betamax players. We now find ourselves on the verge of creating a new set of sore losers.

Skirmishes over LCD versus plasma screen HD TV technology are ongoing, but that type of technology contest isnt as acute because you can watch TV or a movie on either type of screen. Currently, you can also play every DVD available on any DVD player that is in production and on the market. The next generation of DVD players, however, is coming over the horizon in the form of two distinct and incompatible technologies.

Toshiba versus Sony

Toshiba has developed a proprietary technology dubbed high definition DVD (HDDVD) and to support their format has developed alliances with microsoft and Universal Films, among others. The HDDVD disks will be available in 15GB and two sided, 30GB versions.

By way of comparison, the current DVDs have enough storage for two hours of standard definition (SD) images, while the one-sided 15 gigabyte HDDVD disk can store up to eight hours of high definition (HD) images. The difference between SD and HD is simply twice the number of pixel lines displayed on the screen in the HD format, thus providing a crisper picture. The increased capacity of these disks will also allow for interactive features such as screen-in-screen directors discussion of movie scenes playing behind him that todays standard DVDs cannot support.

In the other corner is the Blu-Ray technology developed by Sony, who has lined up support from Apple, Disney and 20th Century Fox. Both formats use blue laser technology, which has a shorter wavelength than red, allowing it to read the smaller digital data "spots" packed a lot more densely onto a standard-size disc. Blu-Ray disks are designed to carry up to 50GB of digital material, which may mean that Sony wins the compression competition.

The Early Rounds

Sony Pictures released the first six films on Blu-Ray disks in June of this year, and have released a few more since. Samsung has a Blu-Ray DVD player in the stores, while Sonys hardware division has released a Blu-Ray compatible PC. Toshiba has its initial HDDVD player on the market and there are a limited number of titles available in the format, mostly re-releases of previous first-run features.

Sony clearly jumped out to an early lead, with support from Dell, HP, Mitsubishi and a number of other hardware manufacturers. In addition, Sony Pictures also owns Columbia and MGM, giving them an enormous library to work with. Sony will also fold its technology into the PlayStation 3 gaming machine, their proprietary product whose 2nd version rules the roost in the videogame market.

On the Toshiba side of the battlefield, proponents argue that the HDDVD disks will be cheaper to produce and that it will be comparatively easy for disk replicators to retrofit their equipment for production purposes. The HDDVD format also makes production of recordable DVDs much simpler than with the Blu-Ray design.

Further, an alliance with microsoft will be a formidable edge in this battle, should it turn into a protracted conflict. Microsofts operating systems are going to be important cogs in the development of future home viewing systems, as the technology moves closer to merging the functions of computers and televisions. If movie downloads become a commercial success, PC compatibility will be critical for these disks.

The Consumer Issues

One of the reasons that microsoft aligned with Toshibas technology is that HDDVD provides for mandatory managed copy. What that means is that unlike with today's conventional DVDs, managed copy allows consumers to make legitimate copies of their HD movies and enjoy this content around the home or across their personal networks. Making this feature mandatory will ensure a consistent consumer experience across all next-generation DVD content.

Then there is the element of iHD, which is the concept of maximizing high definition video for transport across the internet. This is a specific set of video specs which the iHD.org, a group of tech and media companies, is pushing as a cross-platform standard.

The theory is that next-generation HD movies will provide a level of interactive experience well beyond that of today's conventional DVDs. iHD technology is meant to provide a broad foundation to enable new interactivity with standards-based development tools and technologies.

The pitch for this standard is that it will provide consumers with enhanced content, navigation and functionality for HD films. The business reality is that microsoft plans to implement iHD support in its Windows Vista operating system, which will not only be a significant step towards integrated video and computer systems but will make help drive adoption of the new microsoft platform.

Duel to the Death Unlikely

There is some indication that all of these conflicting issues may ultimately force a compromise some sort of merger or unification of the two technologies. hardware manufacturers are hedging their bets, with the latest wrinkle being that Blu-Ray-aligned Hewlett Packard has requested that mandatory managed copy and the iHD standard be included in Blu-Rays feature set. Sony has agreed to include the managed copy feature, but said no to iHD.

The Betamax VHS battle was a tussle over hardware with the movie companies playing a predominant role, one Sony lost. This time around, there is much more uncertainty about how the next generation of home video will roll out. How will the Web and the PC fit in? Will the movies be delivered via disk or via download? How will the film industry protect its content rights and how can the hardware companies maximize their role?

PCs have become a commodity. If a scenario arises where every household needs a new computer to match up with new video technology, the Dells and HPs of this world stand to win big. If competing technology keeps people from investing in either, every involved business will suffer. If the film and DVD houses have to produce two sets of content and two disks for every film, their margins will grow considerably thinner as well. The tech bloggers seem to be increasingly inclined to believe that unification of some sort is inevitable. The corporations with the most to lose are too smart not to insist on it.

Madison Lockwood is a customer relations associate for http://www.apollohosting.com. She helps clients understand how a website may benefit them both personally and professionally. Apollo Hosting provides website hosting, ecommerce hosting, & VPS hosting to a wide range of customers.

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Weight Loss Diets - A Review Of 4 Popular Diets

1000 calorie diet

Trying the 1000 calorie diet is only advisable for one week, due to your body entering starvation mode and conserving fat. Overdoing the 1000 calorie diet is counterproductive to your body so try to stay on it for only 1 week. After 1 week you will lose between 3-5 pounds. The 1000 calorie diet can be used as a starter diet for a long term weight loss program. Try to aim for 2-3 pounds of weight loss and a good exercise program to begin with. After 1 week on the 1000 calorie diet, try upping your calorie intake or reverting back to a not so severe diet, this will prevent your bodys metabolism from slowing down. Here is a simple 1000 calorie daily menu.

Breakfast
Banana sandwich made with 2 slices of wholemeal bread and a small banana
Small glass of orange juice

Snack
1 pot of low fat yoghurt (preferably fruit)

Lunch
1 wholemeal roll filled with tuna and low fat mayonnaise (use tin tuna in spring water)
Mixed lettuce salad, red or yellow sweet peppers, spring onions

Snack
1 bag of lower fat crisps

Dinner
Roast chicken breast (without skin)
Potatoes, mashed with 30ml semi-skimmed milk
Broccoli (all vegetables steamed or boiled)
Carrots
Gravy (made from granules)

Evening
1 low calorie hot chocolate drink made with powder and water

Drinks throughout the day
diet coke, water, black coffee or tea without sugar

The 1000 calorie diet can be used as a starter diet for a long term weight loss program. Try to aim for 2-3 pounds of weight loss and a good exercise program to begin with. Remember after 1 week on the 1000 calorie diet, try upping your calorie intake or reverting back to a not so severe diet, this will prevent your bodys metabolism from slowing down.

vegetarian diet

A well balanced vegetarian diet provides many benefits for the body. Some of those benefits include a reduced risk of chronic diseases, such as:

obesity
Coronary artery disease
Hypertension
High blood pressure
Diabetes
Some types of cancer and more

Your vegetarian diet, must be planned well. If not your body could end up in need of some vital nutrients. Some of these nutrients essential for the body are:

Protein
Minerals (zinc, calcium, iron)
Vitamin b12
Vitamin d

Protein sources include, tofu and other soy-based products, legumes, seeds, nuts, grains, and vegetables

Experts say that in order for a balanced vegetarian diet, you should eat nuts and whole grain cereals for good sources amino acids.

Greens such as spinach, kale and broccoli are a good source of calcium.

For sources of vitamin b12 which comes from animals, can be substituted with fortified breakfast cereals and fortified soy drinks.

Sources of iron are red meats, liver and egg yolks which are all high in cholesterol. Spinach, dried beans and dried fruits are all good vegetarian sources of iron.

A vegetarian diet is healthier than a meat diet. However this does not mean that you have the right to stuff your face with crisps, chocolate and chips everyday. Your balanced diet should include all of the above, i.e. Fruit, vegetables, nuts, dairy produce and soy. Below is a table of some calorie controls in a vegetarian diet:

Food Group 1200 Calorie 1500 Calorie 1800 Calorie
Vegetables 5 servings 6 servings 8 servings
Fruits 3 servings 3 servings 5 servings
Grains 2 servings 3 servings 4 servings
Dairy 2 servings 2-3 servings 2-3 servings
Beans, Nuts and Seeds 5oz 6oz 7oz
Total Fat 30-35g 40-50g 50-60g

You can find a massive rage of diets on the internet free of charge! A vegetarian diet is an all round healthier option, and can go a long way to helping you on the road to losing weight.

Abs diet

The Abs Diet works on the theory that every 1lb of muscle gained, your body intern burns an extra 50 calories per day. So if you can build an extra 10lb of muscle your body will then burn an extra 500 calories per day. Using the Abs Diet your body will burn more energy by eating the correct foods and exercising the correct way. Losing 500 calories per day will loose you 1lb of weight per week. Expect to loose up to 12lb in the first two weeks followed by 5-8lb in the forth coming two.

The Abs Diet allows you to eat 6 meals per day which consist of 12 power foods, such as: chicken, turkey and other lean meat, olive oil, beans and pulses, almonds, low fat dairy products, green vegetables, oats, eggs, wholegrain bread, whole grain cereals, berries, and protein powder. All other food is a not allowed.

For 6 weeks you will eat a series of 12 power foods, which provide the body with all the fibre and minerals you need to stay healthy and build muscle. Along with the diet you will do a 20 min workout three times per week, which will aid in the fat burning.

The Abs diet is mainly aimed at men, however women are encouraged to participate. The range of foods you can eat is still good and you do get an exercise program out of it. Also some very good looking Abs, health and sex life. The full diet book is: The Abs Diet by David Zinczenko from all good on-line book stores.

The Kelloggs Cereal Diet

One of the simplest diets around at the moment is the Kelloggs Cereal Diet. It is not a crash weight loss diet which will lose you pounds upon pounds; however it will allow you to get into those jeans that are 1 size to small.

To start the Kelloggs Diet all you have to do is, eat one bowl of Kelloggs Special K or Cornflakes for breakfast, and also one for a replacement lunch or dinner. Thats all! Carry this on for two weeks then you will see the results. Expect to lose around 3-6lb.

Whist on your diet, Kelloggs allow you to have the same drinks and snacks as you usually would, but recommend that you eat a well balanced meal every day, with more fruit and vegetables. Another tip from Kelloggs, is to keep a food diary to monitor and keep you aware of your current eating habits.

Article supplied by Michael Aldridge. For a complete and extensive guide to losing weight, please visit our web site at http://www.onlineguidetoweightloss.com

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Yoga And Pregnancy

As my babe grew within me, my center became his. The flexible and light body that used to bend over backwards in scorpion pose became heavy and constricted. At eight months pregnant, I had trouble with simple moves like putting-on-shoes-asana. Nevertheless, continuing with a modified yoga practice kept me flexible and strong. By practicing yoga I released shoulder tension and kept my legs strong throughout the pregnancy. after giving birth to my son I bounced back to my familiar shape. My efforts helped me reclaim my center and advanced my understanding of the peace that can be discovered through yoga.

The hormonal changes that took place during and after the pregnancy shook memore like threw me for a few loops. instead of checking into a loony bin or hitting my husband, I hit the mat with and without my babe and breathe. Interestingly, I experienced profound shifts in peace-of-mind when my practice was neglected and when I re-found it.

Giving birth changes a woman. Were all different to start with and so are our changes. When we become mothers our connection with spirit becomes stronger. yoga helps me to embrace this responsibility, and trust that a greater force is taking care of all of us. Ive observed many people be crushed with fear after having a baby. Life is too short to live in a state of fear. Yoga means union and when we practice union, we trust, love and find meaningful balance. Ultimately, practicing yoga opens your heart and makes transformation real for you.

Anne Laderman Swartz is a mom and certified yoga instructor in Olympia, Washington. She has taught yoga in California, arizona and New Zealand. Anne has studied with many master teachers and is especially grateful for her time with Ana forrest, Saul David Raye and Gurmukh. Her classes are a blend of that experience, combining vinyasa flow, anusara, and forrest yoga to create a well balanced, heart opening, ecstatic practice. Annes knowledge of thai yoga massage therapy is frequently used throughout the class to guide students into complete relaxation. Anne is a teacher committed to yoga as a way of life. She unselfishly gives, sharing her boundless energy with all who meet her. For a schedule of classes or more information, email Anne at yogianne@yahoo.com

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Home Security Systems 101 - An Overview

When I was in grade school, I wanted to grow up and live in the future. Today, when it comes to home security systems, those futuristic days are here. There are many, many different features you can get in a home security system that are sophisticated while being cost-effective.

Here is a brief rundown of some of those technologies -- and some features that are just plain simple common sense.

Master Control Panel

The master control panel is the brains of any home alarm system.

All the components -- sensors, keypads, motion detectors, etc. -- will be tied into this controller and feed it information about the security status of your home at all times. In the event of an emergency, the master control panel will send relevant information to the monitoring company.

The master control panel is usually going to be in a locked box. It consists of a motherboard much like your computer. Your alarm technician will need to get to the unit to program it on day one, and to connect it to all the other devices. But beyond that, once it is installed you don't think about it much.

You'll want to mount it on a wall in a locked box. It should go in a secure location that is easily accessible to you. Suitable locations might include a closet, a basement, or even master bedroom.

Master control panels come in three types that we'll call Good, Better, and Best.

The most basic control system contains a control, keypad, siren or alarm bell, and backup power supply -- all in one box. The upside is that it is really easy to install. The downside is that if a burglar breaks into your home and finds the unit, they will smash it with the single blow of a hammer, disabling the system rather quickly and easily.

A better system will cost you a little bit more money. One of the benefits of these sorts of systems is that, while a single component (like a sensor or a camera) can be knocked out of commission, the rest of the entire system continues to function.

The type of mid-range master control panel comes with multiple zones of control. This gives you the flexibility on controlling the security throughout your home.

For example, if you are staying at home you can shut off the inside motion detectors while keeping the door and window sensors armed. Or, say you're relaxing in your backyard. With a better master control panel, you can program the system to allow you to go in and out of the back door, bypassing the door and motion detectors on just that portion of the house.

The best master control panels have even more flexibility. For example, you can preset lots of different security configurations and then activate them with the touch of a single button. Another feature is that they can be serviced remotely when changes are required, which saves everybody a lot of money and time.

Professional Monitoring

Ever hear a car alarm go off in the distance? Did you ever give it a second thought? Of course not. Unfortunately, the same thing applies to your home security system. If you are relying on a siren or alarm bell to scare off a home intruder, you might be disappointed. Just like a simple yard sign might stop some (but not all) potential home invaders, a simple siren or alarm bell may deter a burglar -- but not for very long. And don't rely on your neighbors to react. Get professional support around the clock.

And while you're at it, in addition to notifying you of an intrusion, your monitoring company can notify the local police department (and/or fire, emergency medical services) as well.

Backup Power Supply

Even the best home security system is worthless if your power goes out. For example, I live in south Louisiana. During hurricane season it's not unusual for us to lose our power. Before that, I lived in Michigan where power outages were not uncommon during the winter months. Your home security system should be able to shift over and use an alternate power supply automatically. The best option is to use re-chargeable batteries. This has the added benefit of lowering your maintenance costs while giving you 24/7 protection during any kind of weather.

Multiple Door- and Window-Sensors

Not all burglars come through the front door. some might enter through a rarely used side door or even a random window. So, multiple door and window sensors should be a part of your home security system.

A simple windows sensor will be able to detect if a window is opening. More sophisticated sensors can sense when glass has been broken. These kinds of detectors are also known as "audio discriminators." The way they work is that they detect a burglar trying to get into your house by sensing the sound of breaking glass. The sensor mounts somewhere high up on a wall or ceiling in a central location. When it hears the sound of breaking glass it sets off the alarm.

The technology of these devices has come a long way. Once, these sensors could only detect the sound of glass -- any glass. If you clinked two glasses together doing the dishes, you'd set off the alarm Now false alarms are rare. These glass break detectors have to hear a specific sequence of sounds such as a bump and then the sound of glass breaking (in that order) before sounding the alarm.

Smoke And Fire Detection

Once you have installed the infrastructure for a home security system, it is relatively inexpensive to add a couple of smoke detectors to the master control panel. Besides notifying you of a potential fire, the system can also notify your monitoring company and/or the the local fire department -- even when you are not home.

Multiple Keypads

Of all the devices in your home security system, the keypad is the one that you and your family will use on a daily basis. You need at least one to communicate with the control panel.

If your home has multiple entry doors (or even multiple floors) you should seriously consider multiple keypads. For example, with extra keypads you can disarm your home security system after arriving home, from either the front door and/or the garage entry door. In addition, you can (for example) arm your home security system -- the last thing at night -- by using a keypad in the master bedroom. You can also get secure, keyless entry into your home for all members of your family by using an externally mounted keypad.

There are many different levels of sophistication (and price) in keypads. The simplest units show a series of light emitting diodes (LEDs). For example:

• Green light: system disarmed

• Yellow light: a door or window is open

• Red light: system is fully armed and ready to detect an intrusion.

Another type of keypad uses a liquid crystal display (LCD). This will actually have a display window that'll tell you what's happening. In this display (the better ones can be back-lit to read in the dark) can show the words "system armed" or "zone 2 open."

Similar to this is the unit that uses an alphanumeric readout. You can program these units to talk to you and tell you what's happening with your system. For example, it might say, "master bedroom window is open" or "motion in basement."

Some other handy features of keypads:

• Keys or buttons that are lit to make it easy to read it in the dark
• Single button arming and disarming
• An exit button that will allow you to open the door for a few seconds (if the alarm is on) to let your pets in and out without having to disarm the system.

Many keypads also have buttons for calling medical services with the fire department or the police department.

Keypad should be programmable, with a separate code for each person who lives in the home. Or you can have one code for the entire family and another one for professionals who come in and out of the home such as maintenance companies, friends of the family or even the babysitter. You can remove the code anytime you want -- or even expire it automatically after a set number of entries.

Your keypad should also be able to allow you to program an emergency distress code. For example, when the system is turned on and off with this code, it simulates the normal functioning of the system -- but also sends a signal to your monitoring company that you're in a dangerous situation. Many people don't know they have this feature in their keypad. Ask your home alarm installer about it.

Portable Activation devices

Your car alarm comes with a panic button on a keychain -- so why not have a similar device for your home security system? These remotes are also known as four button keychains or key fobs. One button might arm the system, another button might disarm it. Another button might arm the system and allow you to be in the house and bypass any motion detectors. And yet another button might be a panic button that summons the police or sounds the siren.

Yard Sign/Window Decals

OK, this one is pretty low-tech, but studies have shown that it is proven effective at deterring a certain percentage of home invaders. However, on the downside, it is important to realize that a yard sign will do nothing to protect you once a burglar actually breaks into your home.

Here are a few more features to consider. They're not required, but you might consider them, depending on your individual situation.

Wireless Capability

Many homeowners like the idea of a wireless home security system. In systems of this sort, signals are sent via low power radio frequencies not unlike your garage door opener.

The upside to this kind of system is flexibility and ease of installation, as well as appearance -- no unsightly wires or moldings to install. Many do-it-yourselfers enjoy this convenience.

The downside is that if you ever have to upgrade or add new devices, (or even swap out components like a main control panel), it can be quite costly as not all systems use the same technologies.

Spoken Feedback

Many home security systems now come with the ability to give you feedback on your system's security using a synthesized voice. For example, you'll hear the words "system is armed" or "system is disarmed" or "back door is ajar" or whatever you choose to program into the control panel. Isn't that a lot better than looking at a bank of blinking red and green lights?

Conclusion

Whether you spend a lot or a little, there are lots of choices now for a home security system that will protect you and your family. I hope this article helped. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact me.

For more info on home alarm systems, visit Ara Rubyan's Home Security Systems.

Ara Rubyan is not a part of the home security system industry, nor does he sell home security systems, nor does he pretend to be a guru of any kind. Instead, he is like you: a consumer, a business owner, and someone who has been researching the industry so that he could make an informed decision about the best home security system for his needs. Now, he's put all his research (so far) in one convenient location and he's sharing it with you, no strings attached.

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