Monday, September 29, 2008

Sanyo's 4LCD PLC-XP200L projector gets reviewed

Source: http://feeds.engadget.com/~r/weblogsinc/engadget/~3/406677412/

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You're probably wondering if adding in a fourth panel to an LCD projector is really worthwhile. Actually, you're probably willing to bet your bottom dollar that it's a gimmick. Sound & Vision took the time to actually critique Sanyo's latest with an open mind, and believe it or not, it found the all new QuaDrive technology to be everything it was hyped up to be. To be fair, the PLC-XP200L isn't tailored for the home theater; the lowly 1,024 x 768 resolution and 4:3 aspect ratio sound downright appalling. However, reviewers focused more on the actual technology / image quality given that Sanyo already has a compact, quieter, 16:9 QuaDrive beamer slated for 2009. During a demonstration, critics found the new tech to be visibly better than 3LCD rivals, with the picture appearing "dramatically more vivid." Should you rush out and buy the XP200L? Probably not. But you may just want to delay your impending PJ purchase until that HT version hits next year.
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Bluetooth profiles



Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)

Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)

Basic Imaging Profile (BIP) 

Basic Printing Profile (BPP) 

Common ISDN Access Profile (CIP)

Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP) 

Device ID Profile (DID) 

Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN) 

Fax Profile (FAX) 

File Transfer Profile (FTP) 

General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP)

Generic Access Profile (GAP) 

Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)

Hard Copy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP)

Hands-Free Profile (HFP) 

Human Interface Device Profile (HID)

Headset Profile (HSP) 

Intercom Profile (ICP) 

LAN Access Profile (LAP) 

Object Push Profile (OPP) 

Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)

Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)

Serial Port Profile (SPP) 

Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP)

SIM Access Profile "(SAP," SIM)

Synchronisation Profile (SYNCH) 

Video Distribution Profile (VDP) 

Wireless Application Protocol Bearer (WAPB)




Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP)

This profile defines how high quality audio (stereo or mono) can be streamed from one device to another over a Bluetooth connection.[1] For example, music streamed from a mobile phone to a wireless headset.

A2DP was initially used in conjunction with an intermediate Bluetooth transceiver that connects to a standard output audio jack, encodes the incoming audio to a Bluetooth-friendly format, and sends the signal wirelessly to Bluetooth headphones that decode and play the audio. However, many Bluetooth 1.1, 1.2 mobile phones and portable media players do not natively support A2DP, while some newer Bluetooth 2.0 headphones do support it.

Bluetooth headphones, especially the more advanced models, often come with a microphone and support for the Headset (HSP), Hands-Free (HFP) and Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP)profiles.

A2DP is designed to transfer a uni-directional 2-channel stereo audio stream, like music from an MP3 player, to a headset or car radio.[2] This profile relies on AVDTP and GAVDP. It includes mandatory support for the low complexity SBC codec and supports optionally: MPEG-1(usually includes MP3), MPEG-2, MPEG-4, AAC, and ATRAC, and is extensible to support manufacturer-defined codecs. Most bluetooth stacks implement the SCMS-T digital rights management (DRM) scheme. In these cases it is possible to connect the A2DP headphones for high quality audio.


Operating systems
Linux: Initial. A2DP support was added to BlueZ in version 3.15. The instructions to set up A2DP can be found in the BlueZ Wiki.
Mac OS X: As of version 10.5, Mac OS X includes native support for A2DP on Bluetooth-equipped Macs.[3] Version 10.4 does not support A2DP, but can be hacked to enable limited functionality.[4] Softick Audio Gateway for Mac OS X also supports A2DP. Despite being capable of A2DP, the iPhone variant of OS X provides no A2DP support.
Palm OS: A2DP support was introduced in 2006 by Softick with their Softick Audio Gateway shareware program.
Symbian Series60: Devices running Series60 3rd Edition FP1 (S60v3.1/Symbian 9.1) and newer support A2DP [5]
Motorola P2K: Motorola L9 running on P2K supports A2DP Profile.
UIQ: UIQ 3.0 (Symbian 9.1) and newer support A2DP.[5]
Windows Mobile (previously Pocket PC): Version 5.0 and newer (with AKU 2.0), thus far based on the Windows CE 5.0 kernel, fully support A2DP if an appropriate device is present.
Windows XP: Does not natively support A2DP, but newer Bluetooth USB dongles and built-in adapters include drivers with A2DP support.[6]
Windows Vista: Supports A2DP after installing an April 2007 update to the Bluetooth stack, which enables A2DP for supported dongles.[7] No update has been made available through Microsoft as of Feb. 13, 2008, though a Widcomm update may be available to some.
BlackBerry: Supports A2DP in Operating System 4.2.


Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP)

This profile is designed to provide a standard interface to control TVs, Hi-fi equipment, etc. to allow a single remote control (or other device) to control all of the A/V equipment to which a user has access. It may be used in concert with A2DP or VDP.

It has the possibility for vendor-dependent extensions. Additionally, with the version 1.3 release of the specification, there is now capability to transmit information on the status of the music source (playing, stopped, etc), including information on the track itself (artist, track name, etc).


Basic Imaging Profile (BIP)

This profile is designed for sending images between devices and includes the ability to resize, and convert images to make them suitable for the receiving device. It may be broken down into smaller pieces:Image Push Allows the sending of images from a device the user controls.Image Pull Allows the browsing and retrieval of images from a remote device.Advanced Image Printing print images with advanced options using the DPOF format developed by Canon, Kodak, Fujifilm, and MatsushitaAutomatic Archive Allows the automatic backup of all the new images from a target device. For example, a laptop could download all of the new pictures from a camera whenever it is within range.Remote Camera Allows the initiator to remotely use a digital camera. For example, a user could place a camera on a tripod for a group photo, use their phone handset to check that everyone is in frame, and activate the shutter with the user in the photo.Remote Display Allows the initiator to push images to be displayed on another device. For example, a user could give a presentation by sending the slides to a video projector.


Basic Printing Profile (BPP)

This allows devices to send text, e-mails, vCards, or other items to printers based on print jobs. It differs from HCRP in that it needs no printer-specific drivers. This makes it more suitable for embedded devices such as mobile phones and digital cameras which cannot easily be updated with drivers dependent upon printer vendors.


Common ISDN Access Profile (CIP)

This provides unrestricted access to the services, data and signalling that ISDN offers.


Cordless Telephony Profile (CTP)

This is designed for cordless phones to work using Bluetooth. It is hoped that mobile phones could use a Bluetooth CTP gateway connected to a landline when within the home, and the mobile phone network when out of range. It is central to the Bluetooth SIG's '3-in-1 phone' use case.


Device ID Profile (DID)

This profile allows a device to be identified above and beyond the limitations of the Device Class already available in Bluetooth. It enables identification of the manufacturer, product id, product version, and the version of the Device ID specification being met. It is useful in allowing a PC to identify a connecting device and download appropriate drivers. It enables similar applications to those the Plug-and-play specification allows.


Dial-up Networking Profile (DUN)

This profile provides a standard to access the Internet and other dial-up services over Bluetooth. The most common scenario is accessing the Internet from a laptop by dialing up on a mobile phone, wirelessly. It is based on Serial Port Profile (SPP), and provides for relatively easy conversion of existing products, through the many features that it has in common with the existing wired serial protocols for the same task. These include the AT command set specified in European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) 07.07, and Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP).


Fax Profile (FAX)

This profile is intended to provide a well defined interface between a mobile phone or fixed-line phone and a PC with Fax software installed. Support must be provided for ITU T.31 and / or ITU T.32 AT command sets as defined by ITU-T. Data and voice calls are not covered by this profile.


File Transfer Profile (FTP)

Provides access to the file system on another device. This includes support for getting folder listings, changing to different folders, getting files, putting files and deleting files. It uses OBEX as a transport and is based on GOEP.


General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP)

Provides the basis for A2DP, and VDP.


Generic Access Profile (GAP)

Provides the basis for all other profiles.


Generic Object Exchange Profile (GOEP)

Provides a basis for other data profiles. Based on OBEX.


Hard Copy Cable Replacement Profile (HCRP)

This provides a simple wireless alternative to a cable connection between a device and a printer. Unfortunately it does not set a standard regarding the actual communications to the printer, so driversare required specific to the printer model or range. This makes this profile less useful for embedded devices such as digital cameras and palmtops, as updating drivers can be problematic.


Hands-Free Profile (HFP)

This is commonly used to allow car hands-free kits to communicate with mobile phones in the car. It uses SCO (see Synchronous Connection Oriented link) to carry a mono, Continuously variable slope delta modulation or Pulse-code modulation with logarithmic a-law or μ-law quantization audio channel. Currently in version 1.5. In 2002 Audi, with the Audi A8, was the first motor vehicle manufacturer to install Bluetooth technology in a car, enabling the passenger to use a wireless in-car phone. The following year DaimlerChrysler and Acura introduced Bluetooth technology integration with the audio system as a standard feature in the third generation Acura TL in a system dubbed HandsFree Link (HFL). Later, BMW added it as an option on its 1 Series, 3 Series, 5 Series, 7 Series and X5 vehicles. Since then, other manufacturers have followed suit, with many vehicles, including the Toyota Prius (Since 2004), 2007 Toyota Camry, 2007 Infiniti G35, and the Lexus LS 430 (Since 2004). The Bluetooth car kits allow users with Bluetooth-equipped cell phones to make use of some of the phone's features, such as making calls, while the phone itself can be left in the user's pocket or hand bag. Companies like Nokia, Johnson Controls, RAYTEL, Parrot and Motorola manufacture Bluetooth hands-free car kits for well-known brand car manufacturers.


Human Interface Device Profile (HID)

Provides support for devices such as mice, joysticks, keyboards, as well as sometimes providing support for simple buttons and indicators on other types of devices. It is designed to provide a lowlatency link, with low power requirements.

Bluetooth HID is a lightweight wrapper of the Human Interface Device protocol defined for USB. The use of the HID protocol simplifies host implementation (ex: support by Operating Systems) by enabling the re-use of some of the existing support for USB HID to also support Bluetooth HID.

Popular devices that feature support for this profile include: Logitech diNovo Media Desktop 2.0, Microsoft Optical Desktop Elite for Bluetooth. PlayStation 3 controllers and Wii Remotes also use BT HID.


Headset Profile (HSP)

This is the most commonly used profile, providing support for the popular Bluetooth Headsets to be used with mobile phones. It relies on SCO for audio encoded in 64 kbit/s CVSD or PCM and a subset of AT commands from GSM 07.07 for minimal controls including the ability to ring, answer a call, hang up and adjust the volume.


Intercom Profile (ICP)

This is often referred to as the walkie-talkie profile. It is another TCS (Telephone Control protocol Specification)[8] based profile, relying on SCO to carry the audio. It is proposed to allow voice calls between two Bluetooth capable handsets, over Bluetooth.


LAN Access Profile (LAP)

LAN Access profile makes it possible for a Bluetooth device to access LAN, WAN or Internet via another device that has a physical connection to the network. It uses PPP over RFCOMM to establish connections. LAP also allows the device to join an ad-hoc Bluetooth network.

The LAN Access Profile has been replaced by the PAN profile in the Bluetooth specification.


Object Push Profile (OPP)

A basic profile for sending "objects" such as pictures, virtual business cards, or appointment details. It is called push because the transfers are always instigated by the sender (client), not the receiver (server).

OPP uses the APIs of OBEX profile and the OBEX operations which are used in OPP are connect, disconnect, put, get and abort. By using these APIs the OPP layer will reside over OBEX and hence follow the specifications of the Bluetooth stack.


Personal Area Networking Profile (PAN)

This profile is intended to allow the use of Bluetooth Network Encapsulation Protocol on Layer 3 protocols for transport over a Bluetooth link.


Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)

This profile allows exchange of Phone Book Objects between devices. It is likely to be used between a car kit and a mobile phone to allow the car kit to display the name of the incoming caller.


Serial Port Profile (SPP)

This profile is based on the ETSI TS 07.10 specification and uses the RFCOMM protocol. It emulates a serial cable to provide a simply implemented wireless replacement for existing RS-232 based serial communications applications, including familiar control signals. It provides the basis for DUN, FAX, HSP and AVRCP profiles.


Service Discovery Application Profile (SDAP)

SDAP describes how an application should use SDP to discover services on a remote device. SDAP requires that any application be able to find out what services are available on any Bluetooth enabled device it connects to.


SIM Access Profile (SAP, SIM)

This allows devices such as car phones with built in GSM transceivers to connect to a SIM card in a phone with Bluetooth, so the car phone itself doesn't require a separate SIM card.


Synchronisation Profile (SYNCH)

This profile allows synchronisation of Personal Information Manager (PIM) items. As this profile originated as part of the infrared specifications but has been adopted by the Bluetooth SIG to form part of the main Bluetooth specification, it is also commonly referred to as IrMC Synchronization.


Video Distribution Profile (VDP)

This profile allows the transport of a video stream. It could be used for streaming a recorded video from a PC media center to a portable player, or a live video from a digital video camera to a TV. Support for the H.263 baseline is mandatory. The MPEG-4 Visual Simple Profile, and H.263 profiles 3 and 8 are optionally supported, and covered in the specification.


Wireless Application Protocol Bearer (WAPB)

This is a profile for carrying Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) over Point-to-Point Protocol over Bluetooth.

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Social media: Social Approximity?

Source: http://www.centernetworks.com/social-media-approximity

We have moved beyond "generation gap" differences in technology use and moved into the "experiential gap" in terms of use and understanding. Your experience with an application such as Twitter provides an understanding that cannot be communicated by reading about it or even being told about it.

Tom Foremski recently penned on twitter in which he notes the growing experiential gap that separates those who use new social media tools from those who don't. Those who use, get it, and those who don't, don't. Well, not surprisingly, this digitally dividing line is also the void that old media needs to bridge, if it, like its users, are to join the ranks of the initiated. The adoption curve sweeps like the arc of a #suspension bridge (!) plotting the line of escape from the old and tired traditional media landscape to the bright and shiny shores of the new.

As Marshall McLuhan (pictured above) insightfully observed:

"The "content" of any medium is always another medium. The content of writing is speech, just as the written word is the content of print, and print is the content of the telegraph."

Now that bit about the telegraph may be a bit out of dot dot dash date, so simply substitute in "social media" for telegraph and you're back in the present tense. Social media are a recontextualization of old print forms and contents within a new distribution and communication framework (social web). It's not surprising that so many of our social practices (tools and uses) echo, if not amplify, their old media (broadcast) forebears: celebrity, self-promotion, news, anchoring, commentary, top tens, ratings, rankings, and polls (diggs, votes).

Speaking of telegraph, there was also recently a fine piece penned as well as printed by the New York Times on the ambient proximity of new conversation tools like twitter. I prefer talk tools to "micro blogs" because I think the connection is stronger between the acts (talking) than the form (writing). Blogs had sought to be conversational, yes, but clearly twitter is more a talkie than it is a bloggie. (I'll skip the temptation to riff on silent films, inter-titling, and the arrival of the talkies, but the possibilities for extracting something out of "old content and new media" there are rife.)

This Times article artfully testified to the experiential gap, too, describing twitter with the pleasantly fuzzy phrase "ambient intimacy." The intimacy possible over social media is at best approximate, and the proximity at best ambient. Social media can only approximate the relationships and interactions of the real. And in spite of the close contact many of us now have on a daily basis with hundreds of friends and followers, there's an experiential gap between "being there" and simply "there."

French sociologist Jean Baudrillard mischievously likened contemporary media to the peripheral image of thought footnoted at the base of any sideview mirror: "Caution: Objects in mirror may be closer than they appear." Mass media, he believed, distort the real to such a degree that he warned of a new "hyper-reality." Not only do they distort the appearance of reality, but the ambiguity suggested by "may be closer" hinted that media are also destabilizing.

To reverse McLuhan's operational logic, we can deduce that in New Media objects may be more distant than they appear -- which might describe the proximity manufactured across myriad connective webs and online social spaces. In fact, I like to liken social media some times to "social systems in failure mode." Time is discontinuous, communication fails to communicate, relationships are unrelated, attention is unattentive, attraction is distracted, audiences are disaggregated, and so on.

But it is early days still for social media, and were we to look back to the first years of TV, we'd find naught but radio shows revisualized. The migration path from old to new media is yet writing its narrative, and that arc has many more dots to connect before its line can be fully traced. If we overuse (and do we?) mass media forms and contents in how we build and use social media today, is that so surprising? What will come next can arrive only when we have stepped up to it.

Only as cultural and social practices online mature to the point that we can see what we might build next can we stitch a tighter weave, and by warp and woof, wend our way towards a tighter experiential gap.

Adrian Chan is a social media experience expert and analyst. You can follow him on twitter at gravity7.

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xVideoServiceThief Downloads Video from Over 50 Sites [Featured Download]

Source: http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/full/~3/403962783/xvideoservicethief-downloads-video-from-over-50-sites


All platforms: Download your favorite online video clips from YouTube, 5min, Metacafe, and more than 50 other online video sharing sites with free open source application xVideoServiceThief. Enter a URL of nearly any online video and xVideoServiceThief will automatically download the video (unless you specify otherwise). Videos can be downloaded to either FLV or AVI formats. For an alpha build, xVideoServiceThief has a few bugs; not all services were tested error-free. The application does, however, accept anonymous bug reports automatically. Regardless, the interface is pretty slick, with options to pause, cancel, and to delete downloads from the queue. An indicator displays the download status and speeds of each video. xVideoServiceThief's open source approach should mean that downloading videos from your favorite sites should never be too hard to achieve. xVideoServiceThief is a free open source download for Windows, Mac, and Linux.


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