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Surround sound is the concept of expanding the spatial imaging of audio playback from 1 dimension (mono/Left-Right) to two or three dimensions. It is often employed for a more realistic audio environment, actively implemented in cinema sound systems, technical theatre, home entertainment, video arcades, computer gaming, and a growing number of other applications. Many popular surround sound formats have evolved over the years. They include ambisonics, quadraphonic, Dolby 5.1 Surround sound, DTS, and MP3 Surround.

Surround sound can be created using several methods. The simplest to understand uses several speakers around the listener to play audio coming from different directions. Another approach involves processing the audio using psychoacoustic sound localization methods to simulate a 3D sound field using headphones. The third approach, wave field synthesis, uses a very large number of speakers to generate the “audio hologram” of the original audio in the whole room (as of 2004 the only commercial implementation of this is Iosono). Surround sound is not limited to placement of speakers along a flat (2-dimensional) plane. Vertically-located audio sources can be considered.

Dolby Digital (DD) uses the AC-3 file format, which any Dolby Digital Decoder can decode to produce 5.1 audio. Dolby Digital is the technical name for Dolby’s multi-channel digital sound coding technique, more commonly referred to as Dolby 5.1. A six-channel sound coding process originally created by Dolby for theaters, AC-3 was subsequently adapted for home use and is now steadily becoming the most common sound format for DVD.

Six discrete audio channels:

•3 for speakers at the front – left (L), center (C), and right (R)
•2 for surround speakers at the side or rear – surround left (SL) and surround right (SR)
•1 low-frequency effects (LFE) channel carries supporting deep bass sound effects, ranging from 10 Hz to 120 Hz, which can for example be used by a subwoofer. (This is the ‘.1′ in ’5.1′.)

DTS is an encode/decode process that delivers 5.1 channels of “master quality” audio on CD, CD-R, and DVD. Each DTS encoded disc represents a sonic “clone” of the original film soundtrack.

The difference between Dolby Digital (AC-3) and DTS is:

•DTS provides a deeper and tighter low frequency presence
•DTS allows the sound to breath – transparency
•AC-3 leaves the impression that something is missing from the mix
•At lower bit-rate AC-3 starts to sound like MP3′s encoded at a low-quality 96kbps
(artifacts)

DTS is more three dimensional. The sound actually moved forward from the individual speakers to sound more full. This fullness was most apparent with the music. Instead of simply coming from the speakers, the DTS filled the front soundstage not only side to side, but with more depth as well. Bass reproduction was also more defined in the DTS version, leaving the DD edition sounding muddy.

Dolby Digital incorporates dialog normalization, which alters the decoded level of the soundtrack. The typical setting reduces level by 4 dB; other reduction levels are possible. In most decoders, this leads to a reduction in signal-to-noise and dynamic range.

Dolby Digital also provides a “stereo down mixing” feature as a substitute for a dedicated stereo mix. However, many production engineers have admitted that they often have to modify the original 5.1 mixes in order to attain acceptable stereo down mixes. Therefore, the 5.1 mix on many Dolby Digital DVDs may differ from the original master.

5.1 Surround Sound Headphones:

While the traditional method of surround sound described above uses numerous speakers to produce the entire sound field, the surround sound mix is limited to a two-channel stereo mix when using headphones. That is why recent developments in surround sound technology include 5.1 surround sound headphones, to allow you to have the same sound quality and surround sound experience without waking the neighbors or disturbing roommates.

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Mitchell Medford is a popular reviewer of consumer electronics and technology. He has written for numerous publications and served as a product development consultant for several consumer electronics manufacturers. Visit his site or more information on HDTVs, LCD, and plasma televisions.

A lot of gaming fans within the industry automatically assume that once the next-generation video game consoles are released, their previous generation consoles become automatically obsolete. But that simply isn’t the case. You see, it used to be that the gap between each generation of consoles, in terms of graphics, were so big, that once the new systems were released, no one would want to touch the systems that they already had in their house or where ever it may have been.

It’s different now though. The gap between each new console release in terms of graphics has decreased a lot. So, what this essentially means, is that to the naked eye, there really isn’t much of a difference for the consumers, in terms of the graphics. Because of this, the value you of your previous generation console skyrockets. So if you do have an Xbox don’t get rid of it. Whether you know it or not, there is still a lot of life left in that system of yours.

First things first, one of the ways to extend the value of your Xbox, is to actually have it modded. There are a lot of mods that can be done, and that is to the discretion of each individual, but one of the mods that I, myself use, is to have games of the past be played on my console. The selection of games that can be played on your console could be many. For example, I have the ability to play games from the Nintendo entertainment system, Sega Genesis, Super Nintendo, Atari, and the list goes on.

Another great way to utilize your Xbox is to actually go to the used game sections of your local videogame retailers. This is an incredible way to find games that you’ve always wanted to play but never got the chance to. Or, play the games that you never even knew existed but once you do play it you find yourself enjoying it a lot. On top of this, typically games at the used section can be found for very very cheap prices. Let me give you an example: at my local Blockbuster, I purchased three Xbox games for only $15. Yes, only $15!

If you look at today’s videogame consoles, you would be hard-pressed to find brand-new games for less than $50. In some cases, software titles for the current generation consoles which include; Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, could go upwards of $50 to $100 dollars, or more in some cases. So, those are just two of the ways you can add extra value to your Xbox. So, if your console is in your closet collecting dust, do yourself a favor and dust it off. The games have just begun.

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Andre Garcia is a video game fanatic and keeps a close eye on the industry. You can view his guide on How to Mod Your Xbox You can also learn to see if it’s possible to test video games at home and be paid for it.

Communicating face to face without being in the same location has become easy with the arrival of video conferencing technology and its related software. For business, it is the best way to interact with colleagues worldwide for meetings and conferences. For medical professionals, it provides an invaluable service in that patients can be treated long distance in real time by specialists without the time and hassle of travel. And now for the everyday person, video conferencing software has given opportunities for education and communication like never before.

A video conference is achieved with a set of interactive telecommunications tools that give 2 or more parties in different locations the opportunity to work together using 2-way video and audio at the same time. The history of video conferencing can be traced back to the beginning of television. Video conferencing pretty much began with the advent of the television, by using closed circuit televisions that were connected by means of cable. This tended to be expensive to carry out, and was not the most efficient over long distances for such functions as business meetings or distance learning.

In the 1980′s, digital telephony technology opened the doors to more efficient and effective transmission of audio and video over longer distances, with a guaranteed minimum bandwidth (approximately 128 Kbps). The technology remained expensive and therefore not highly sought after, especially for smaller businesses, until the 1990′s. The fast progress of the technology and its capabilities along with the burgeoning prevalence of the Internet helped to make video conferencing software and hardware more reasonably priced. In addition, these factors contributed to making the technology a more appealing and convenient way to communicate long distance.

For a basic video conferencing setup, there are certain pieces of hardware and software that are required. These include a video input for recording video, such as a webcam. There also needs to be a video output for displaying video images, such as a monitor or television set. An audio output device, such as a microphone, is required for recording sound. Audio output devices such as speakers are needed to playing the audio. And finally, there needs to be a method of data transmission from one location to the other. This can be accomplished via the Internet, or even a LAN (Local Area Network). The more bandwidth, the better.

For the general population, there are ways to take advantage of video conferencing. There are lower quality services available in the form of downloadable programs like Googletalk, Yahoo Messenger, MSN Messenger, among others. The downloadable software is usually free of charge, and if you have a webcam, a microphone, and broadband Internet access, you can be connected with friends and family sans the long distance phone bills. It is an ideal way for grandparents to witness the development of far away grandchildren, and for long distance friends to keep in touch.

Another use to video conferencing software is for educational purposes. Students can use the technology to participate in distance learning programs worldwide, without having to leave home to do it. This technology offers no limits to the possibilities of expanding your educational and cultural horizons, no matter where you are in the world. And yet another positive use for video conferencing software is in the field of medicine. The technology allows doctors and nurses to consult with patients and colleagues in real time and send and receive x-rays and other pertinent images quickly. In addition, health problems can be diagnosed by specialists from anywhere in the world, without the need to travel to do it.

Video conferencing software is not only for business meetings anymore. The Internet has provided a means of allowing the average citizen a way of taking advantage of this technology. In addition, the uses for video conferencing continue to develop all the time. In business, medicine, education, and personal computing, video conferencing software is a highly convenient and easy means of face-to-face communication.

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Learn the essential information for picking the right conferencing software at Video Conferencing Software

Is gaming a waste of time?

This is a questions that is asked time and time again. Non-gamers fail to see the value in gaming and the gaming community? Let’s take a look.

Gaming unlocks the imagination. Nowadays video and computer games are so bright and colorful that you can’t help but have your mind get swept up in that virtual world. Early education teachers claim that having a healthy imagination is important to development, so something has to be said for gaming.

Gaming encourages problem solvingskills. Yet another educational benefit. All video games have some sort of puzzle-like component that you have to figure out in order to progress through the levels.

Gaming can help teach important life lessons- like right from wrong. I know that more press is done on the subject of video gaming fostering negative behavior and anger, but it can also be argued that by experiencing or engaging in games that have morally “wrong” elements to them a child learns that it’s wrong. (As a side note however, it might be helpful if a parent is also around to talk about and help the child formulate the right moral opinion)

Gaming can prevent serious illness. (Yes, I expect some head scratching over that comment, but it’s true!) There are links to how, and how much, we use certain parts of our brains that are linked to development or resistance of illnesses like Alzheimer’s.

There are certainly other benefits that could be offered up, but I think the above is enough to validate the point that gaming DOES serve an important purpose.

Even if you don’t know much about Asus you have probably almost certainly heard about the Eee Pc 1000h – no wonder, because it is a very popular sub notebook computer. It was the first affordable sub notebook, or net book computer to be launched.

The original EEE PC’s had 7″ screens which was far too small for most people. Recently Asus has added two new models to its line: among them we can mention the EEE PC 901 and EEE PC 1000. The 901 has a larger screen and is available in both Windows XP and Linux configurations. Although the 901 is a great computer more people are excited about the EEE PC 1000. These are more expensive than the original EEE PC’s, however they are still very good value.

These are the specs

10″ Screen
92% size keyboard compared to standard laptop keyboards
1.6GHz Intel Atom Processor
A choice of windows XP or Linux
40GB SSD

Asus also produced an EEE PC 1000H model which is identical in spec, with the exception of the SSD being replaced with an 80GB conventional hard drive.
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The 1000H is the first EEE PC to come with a conventional hard drive. This machine is designed to compete with the already popular HP Mininote computer. The only real complaint that people had with the original EEE PC was that was the keyboard and screen size was a little too small. Now thanks to the 901 and 1000 there are two different options people have available.

The EEE PC 1000 is available with Windows XP preinstalled, or a Linux version. The Linux version is cheaper than the XP version. Again this could be in line with competing machines.

The keyboard size is a very impressive improvement, the keyboard is only slightly smaller than a standard laptop computer keyboard it’s actually 92% the size of a standard laptop computer keyboard. This makes typing much easier than with the original models.

There will no doubt be plenty more EEE PC’s released further down the line, what’s in store for us? Well we’ll have to wait to find out! A touch screen would be a fantastic addition to the EEE PC as it would make it even easier to use. But to make sure that you choose the best, learn how to digest notebook comparison review.

The great thing about these computers is that they are very affordable, even models with windows XP are much cheaper than many other subnotebook computers. All of the EEE PC 1000 models are run using Atom processors, which are a new processor created by Intel, this makes it very efficient to use Intel. The EEE PC 1000 does not have any optical drives, and when using the SSD drive there are no moving parts inside the computer. This makes it the ideal PC to travel with. For more info and video clips about EEE PC, look?utube.

Asus vs Mini NoteBooks

If you are interested in a small, cheap and durable computer then you will probably be very interested in Netbooks, which are also known as subnotebooks, and mini notebooks. We can start from having a look at the most popular models:

Asus EEE PC: 7-10″ Display, Linux/XP, 900MHz (Celeron/Atom), 2-80GB, 512MB – 2GB
HP Mini Note 2133: 8.9″ Display, Linux/Vista, 1-1.6Ghz, 4-120GB, 512MB – 2GB
Cloud Book: 7″ Display, gOS, 1.2Ghz, 30GB, 512MB
NoahPad: 7″ Display, Linux, 1Ghz, 30GB, 512MB

People that are familiar with computers will already know about Asus, however if you know very little about a computer then you might not know who Asus is. This could be the major reason why the HP Mini Note computer is becoming so popular. Almost everybody will know who HP is; it’s one of the most famous computer manufacturers in the world.

The HP Mini Note is a tiny computer which has an 8.9″ screen, what’s fantastic is that the keyboard is almost the same size as a normal keyboard which is a great achievement! These are available running Vista, or Linux. The HP 2133 is very competitively priced to compete against the EEE PC, and features a conventional hard drive rather than an SSD drive.

All of the major net books available feature Linux; however the HP and EEE PC also have windows options. On earlier EEE PC models it was possible to install XP yourself; newer models do include XP as standard. The HP 2133 computer is however a much more advanced computer which is capable of running Windows Vista.

If you’re familiar with Linux then you will know that it’s available in a number of different flavors, or distributions. The majority of these come with no support, however the operating system on the HP2133 is from Novell. The difference with this and other Linux operating systems is that they do offer support. Linux isn’t always very easy to use, so the support will be very useful.

Make sure you check the specifications of the HP2133 sub notebook computer in your own country as the specs do seem to be varying in different countries. Be sure to check on the HP website and select your own country. This will make sure you know exactly what the computer will be like that you are purchasing.

Although there are many different netbook computers on offer, still the HP and ASUS are the most popular sub notebook computers on offer. I personally think that it’s a tossup between these two computers. The two have slightly different specs, and the HP reportedly has a better build quality.

The newer ASUS models do have larger screens and better specifications; however the HP may still be your machine of choice.

We also highly recommend you that do the due diligence – compare laptops review – part of the success before the purchase.

Netbooks or subnotebook computers are a fantastic way to take your computer everywhere you go! They are almost as convenient as a PDA, but are fully featured computers. For more information and video clips, look?at utube.

It’s fair to say that if you are reading this article then you already know that most of your notebook problems or errors are originated from the registry of your system. However, the chances are you have never asked anyone how to go about cleaning the registry. There are two major causes of the errors which will affect your PC’s performance that you need to know before cleaning up your system.

Not going through the process of uninstalling software when deleting it causes you to have an unclean registry and explains why you will often find unused files/data saturating your registry. If you perform this task regularly you will be aware how your computer is affected. Registry Crash could be a much greater problem and one of the possible causes is incompatible hardware driver. Sometimes, forcing a software to install even though an error message occurs during the installation, could be the problem as well. The problem known as blue screen of death may appear which is more serious.

It is important to note that even if you always carry out the process of keeping your registry clean and safe, your computer will still slow down gradually. Using your PC/notebook for months without ever carrying out routine maintenance makes this particularly likely to happen. To help you keep your computer registry organized, Windows has its own maintenance programs such as disk defragmenter or disk clean up. Performing maintenance regularly does not necessarily mean your computer is clean just because it is organized although it should perform better. When you carry out this routine maintenance regularly with windows tools, all of those unused files are kept together in a particular space of your disk. The system has these files spread all over it if you never perform the maintenance.

Created to help you clean this essential part of your computer system, there are many registry cleaning software packages available on the market. To make sure your computer never runs slow and to ensure you do not become frustrated with the constant errors again, you may perform the scanning every day. There are some versions of registry software that provide many features within the program. Built-in scheduler, junk file cleaner and more are features given in order to make it more convenient for its users. You are advised not to make a buying decision too early because you might end up buying registry software that is not of the best quality and this can cause even more errors!

Data recovery is what all businesses do. Protecting data is what SMART businesses do. Smart businesses understand that if they lose their data they lose their business.

If you are considering taking steps to ensure the integrity and safety of your important computer data you may be concerned about the security involved when dealing with such a task. When considering a third party such as an online backup solution there are a few things to consider.

It is critical that your data be secure not only while in the possession of a third party but also while in transit to them. Most modern online secure data backup providers make their services available via the Internet and will provide you with the necessary software to back up a predefined set of your critical data, which is then encrypted (typically up to 448 bit), before it is transferred over a high speed connection to a secure data storage facility. You can be assured that your sensitive data (such as financial reports, company memos, and client databases) are safe from prying eyes. For ultra-critical, or highly sensitive applications, the data may be transferred over a completely encrypted channel (also known as an encrypted “tunnel” or virtual private network). If you will be backing up sensitive data that demands the utmost of privacy be sure to inquire about the level of encryption offered by the online secure data backup you are considering.

When considering a remote data backup vendor you should also take into consideration the facilities in which your sensitive data will be physically stored. In addition to encryption technology other things to be on the lookout for are fully secure facilities, biometric security systems, facility lockout policies, and human security.

Be sure to do your research and investigate the track record and reputation of the online data backup company you are considering doing business with and never hesitate to ask questions when it comes to ensuring the security of your mission critical confidential data.

How long have you been doing business online? Whether you are new or an old timer you need to understand the one important truth of the e-world

Online data backup is not just for huge multinational corporations and computer geeks anymore. More and more everyday computer users are saving important data to their hard drives.

If the statements above describe you, you should consider utilizing an offsite data backup solution. These online-based backup providers come in many forms but can be very easy to use and convenient for end users to implement no matter what the platform or how large the network. That is why before buying a laptop and during notebook comparison review, make sure you remember about these matters.

Although there are several methods to accomplish online backup and data retrieval the simplest method is for the end user to install a backup package that has been pre-configured to connect to the service provider’s offsite servers (supplied by the offsite backup service provider). This software will allow you, the end user, to select a number of customizable settings, including what directories and files to backup, how often to back them up, number of file revisions to archive, etc. These packages take care of the complicated details such as server IP addresses, encryption levels, and secure logins for you so you can concern yourself with the important choices of what and when to backup.

Once you have set up an account with a service provider and have configured your software the rest of the process is typically transparent and requires little to no interaction from you.

Whenever disaster strikes the most critical asset that every company should have protected from sudden loss due to fire, flooding, or theft is their data. No matter what happens to your hardware you can be sure to be able to be up and running no matter how sudden or how severe your damage or loss is – if you use an online backup system.

Online data back up is the most cost effective way for you to protect your investment by securely storing your data with an offsite data backup provider. No matter when incidents of data loss occur you can be sure that you will have immediate and complete access to your critical documents as you need it. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year you will be able to access and restore countless hours of work and unlimited amounts of data and documents of any type.

You can choose to restore an entire backup of your account or just the documents you need to get going in the event of a system failure. Access is available to any machine connected to the Internet (with proper authorization to the system) at any time, so you can access your backups from any remote location you choose. Access to backup data can keep employees up and running so even while facilities may be shut down indefinitely, your team can continue to do business as usual with little to no downtime.

Upon configuration of the backup software, offsite remote backups are performed transparently to the end users, so backups are performed thoroughly and consistently without the need for user interaction. There is nothing to remember when using a remote secure backup, you can just “set it and forget it” and be comfortable in knowing that your data is protected from accidental loss due to disaster or user negligence 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Think That $27 Ebook Is Going To Boost Your Sales? Check Out What A “New York Times Bestseller Has To Say About Exploding Profits Into The Stratosphere!

Step Into The Mind Of The Ultimate Sales Machine As He Exposes Closely-Guarded Secrets to Boosting Your Profits And Catapulting Your Bottom Line!

The Corporate Trainer For NBC, Citibank, Warner Bros, GNC, Wells Fargo, Estee’ Lauder, Merrill Lynch, And Almost a THOUSAND Other Companies Spills The Beans On How To Put Your Company On A Path To Success…And Help It STAY There!

Here Are The Ultimate Sales And Business Growth Tactics You’ll Discover:

The absolutely BEST business to be in (most entrepreneurs totally screw this up and, as a result, never have the freedom and independence they deserve!!!)

The one BIG DARN secret of the top producers in a business. (This is what separates the “wheat” from the “chaff”…and enables the top businessmen to annihilate any competition that comes their way!)

The one characteristic you MUST have if you want to survive in sales and business (Chet was going to name his book after this, but he was turned down…that’s how shocking it was!)

The fastest growth strategy in the world and how you can implement it in your business (99.4% of businesses fail miserably because they lack this!)

How Chet follows up with potential clients (It’s this strategy that allows him to reach ANYONE…no matter how high their status!)

Read more at The Secret Sales Machine (MRR)

Marketing Renegade Reveals The ‘Closely-Guarded’ Secrets On How He Banked Over 40 Million Dollars In Two Years In Direct Response Marketing!”

This is stuff you won’t hear in ANY business book or internet marketing course. Read about how you can kiss the day job you hate goodbye with marketing addict T.J. Rohleder’s “insider” direct marketing secrets!

Discover the exact tactics you’ll discover during this important audio.

How you can get new customer acquisions and start right away (this is something most of the internet marketers are royally ticked off about!

How you should imagine your customer when they get their direct mail piece (this will allow you to determine if your direct piece is going to rake in the money or BOMB!!)

The secret for making a humongous offline list (Hint: it has nothing to do with opening up the SRDS manual and looking around!)

The tactics that’ll allow other people to do your work for them (why become an entrepreneur when you have to work all the time?)

Read more at Renegade Direct Mail Secrets (MRR)