Up to 24m in US lack access to broadband
As many as 24 million U.S. citizens have no access to broadband Internet service and are unlikely to get the higher-speed connection any time soon, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission said yesterday.

Read more on telecomasia.net

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The Federal Communications Commission is presenting a new national broadband plan to Congress, aimed at encouraging companies to expand high-speed and wireless Internet access across the US Jeffery Brown talks to Julius Genachowski, chairman of the FCC.

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X8350A is the ultimate PC TV tuner which supports both digital cable (Clear QAM) and free-to-air HDTV with the built-in dual tuners. You can enjoy the crystal clear HDTV with resolution up to 1920 × 1080i. With its bundled player software Total Media by Arcsoft, your viewing experience is like a breeze. The player software also offers personal video recorder, picture viewer, music and DVD player capabilities. A fully functioning remote control is also included.

Highlights:
* Support both digital cable and OTA HDTV
* Let your LCD monitor do its second duty by displaying crystal clear HD pictures for you.
* The bundled software and the card also act as a PVR; you can record your favorite shows for later viewing.
* Listen to FM radio.
* Support video capturing for external video signals.
* Bottom-line, a big return for a little investment

Features:
* Watch digital cable HDTV on PC (QAM)
* Supports HDTV for ATSC over antenna(US/Canada/Mexico format)
* Supports up to 1920x1080i(HDTV)
* Supports NTSC/FM Radio
* Very easy to use interface (Arcsoft's Total Media)
* Support Electronic Program Guide(EPG)
* Fully functioning remote control
* Scheduled recording of your favorite show for later viewing
* Support still image capture in BMP or JPEG format
* Support multiple inputs (RCA and S-Video) for capturing external videos in DVD format (MPEG)

Specifications:
* Interface: PCI
* Digital TV Tuner: 75 Ohm (UHF/VHF) TV Antenna
* Video: -S-Video Input: 4-pin Mini-Din -- Composite input: RCA jack
* TV system Frequency: -54MHz-806MHz
* IR:Infrared Remote Control
* Dimension: 15×8 cm

Mygica HDTV Thriller ATSC, QAM, NTSC, FM, HDTV PCI card for Desktop PC - PCI HD TV Tuner Card with Remote - Supports up to 1920 x 1080i Resolution

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The use of Voip (voice over IP) is increasing rapidly year on year. It is predicted that by the end of 2009 there will be 256 million users of VOIP around the world. The advantages of VOIP in terms of scale, cost and easy of use are now commonly agreed upon. But where did VOIP begin? Who invented VOIP?

The history of Voip extends further back into the world of pre internet that most people would think. The first Voip calls where made as far back as 1973. The capability to send voice across a digital network was pioneered on the ARPANET network, the precursor to the modern Internet. It only carried data and voice between the private network of computers on the APRPANET grid but the seeds for the VOIP revolution where sown by these pioneers.

Voip continued to developed amongst a small cache of computer users who used the technology to communicate with each other in a sort of geeky version of CB radio. Any two computers connected on the same network could use voip technology but there was no widespread adoption of the technology.

The first major step towards the VoIP services that many of use to today was the introduction of the software called "Internet Phone" from a US based company called Vocaltec. The first publicly available of f the shelve internet phone software from Vocaltec was the catalyst for the explosion in VOIP use. The Vocaltec software was able to run on a home PC and utilized much of the same hardware products that Voip services use today in terms of soundcards, speakers and headsets. The Internet Phone software differed from most modern VOIP services in that it used the H.323 protocol instead of the SIP protocol that is more ubiquitous today.

Although Internet Phone was an immediate commercial success it did suffer from a variety of problems. The lack of high speed internet access meant that the quality could be poor and the flow of voice slow. Early voip calls where like using walkie-talkies to communicate in terms of quality of signal. Another issue was the fact that the two computers that where talking to each other needed to have the same soundcards with the same drivers for the software to work. This obviously limited the use of the software and the effectiveness of the process. Much of the transmission was done via modems and was therefore utilizing traditional telephone lines and providing a service that was of a worse quality to that of a normal phone call.

Once Vocaltec had laid the foundations the increase in the use of VOIP was fairly rapid accounting for 1% of all US phone calls by 1998. Other companies began to develop software for the VOIP market and also hardware in the terms of hard phone and network switches. The expansion of broadband also aided the growth of VOIP by increasing the quality of calls and reducing the latency issues that effected VOIP at the beginning. By the year 2000 VOIP calls in the US where about 3% of the total.

The popularity of VOIP has increased since the turn of the millennium and with free VOIP provider Skype currently having registered a staggering 400 million user accounts at the end of 2008. With the growing availability of VOIP services for mobile phones it looks as if the adoption of VOIP will continue to expand rapidly.

Tony Heywood ©

Voip is the word on everyone’s lips as far as cheap and fast calls is concerned. This article aims to outline a little of the history of the development of VOIP and the companies behind its growth.

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An introduction for engineers, technicians, students and electronics buffs, covering the latest digital systems, hardware, transmission methods, and government involvement. As the Federal Communications Commission prepares to choose a standard high-definition television system for the US market, HDTV continues to advance both technologically and legislatively towards full acceptance in North America. The book gives users an inside look at the technical aspects of this revolutionary video technology. The only journalistic member of the FCC's panel of experts testing HDTV systems, Stan Prentiss is able to bring to this new edition the most current information possible on transmission and receiving systems, their advantages and disadvantages, and the methods being used to produce them. A supplement to, rather than an update of, the first edition, "HDTV", 2nd edition will help communications specialists and marketers profit from the new age of video communications.

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Recently, my neighbor asked me about how to call international long distance with no-minute charge. He also was interested in learning how to lower his home phone bill. I told him about a phone system called VoIP that would benefit his interest. This article is a brief information to introduce VoIP to you.

First, do you know how many people are using VoIP services? Here are interesting numbers… In 2007 there were almost 65 million worldwide voip subscribers. In the USA, over 16 million US VoIP subscribers, with continue to grow 6-8 million new subscribers every year, about 24 million US VoIP subscribers expected by 2008. By 2010 , US VoIP Subscribers will reach 44 millions, and the number of worldwide subscribers is predicted to rise to over 197 millions.

So what is VoIP - VoIP is standing for " Voice over Internet Protocol ". VoIP also is referred to as Internet Telephony, IP Telephony, or Voice over the Internet, VoIP Telephone, Broadband Telephony, Broadband Phone, Voice over Broadband, or simply Internet Phone.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is a protocol optimized for the transmission of voice hrough the Internet or other switched networks. It's described as the transmission of voice traffic over IP-based networks, a unique technology that allows us to make calls using a broadband Internet connection ( through broadband modem ) instead of a regular (analog) phone line. At first, the Internet Protocol (IP) was originally designed for data networking systems. Later, with its success in data networking field and the explosion of Internet Era, the IP has been developed in voice networking and nowadays it is bringing us the most profit in this field. VoIP has become more and more popular because of the cost advantages to consumers compares to traditional telephone networks.

A brief explanation on how does VOIP work? - The traditional phone system is using analog phone signals to deliver and receive calls, with VoIP system, it’s using digital signals that can be sent over the Internet. If you have quality Internet connection - DSL (digital subscriber line), described as High Speed Internet Service which makes fast Internet connection ) you can get phone service delivered through your Internet connection instead of from your local phone company. In basics, here is how system works:

PC to PC: Computer connects to Broadband Modem connects to Internet connects to Broadband Modem connects to Computer

PC to Phone: Computer connects to Broadband Modem connects to Internet connects to Telephone Network connects to Telephone

Phone to Phone ( using Router ): Telephone connects to Phone Adaptor connects to Router connects to Broadband Modem connects to Internet connects to Telephone Network connects to Telephone

Benefits of using VoIP: There are two major reasons to use VoIP: Low Cost and More Profits

Low Cost: Phone services via VoIP costs less than equivalent services from analog systems. With the traditional analog phone services, users pay a flat monthly fee for the service, and pay other fee for long distance call service plus per-minute charge. With VoIP, the users who already have High Speed Internet service (DSL), can take advantage by using VoIP over this service - Many VoIP Service Providers allow you enjoy unlimited in-network calling - it means you can call any other in-network customer without charge. Other companies allow you to call any number, including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. For International calling, the users who using VoIP can get big savings with lower rates. Depends on each VoIP service offer, you can enjoy unlimited calling worldwide to many destinations for a flat monthly fee with no minute charge or low rates.

More Profits - Compares to analog phone networks, VoIP has more advantage functions. You can make calls from your personal computer to other’s computer or other’s regular phone, or you can make calls directly from your regular phone to other’s regular phone. Besides, The digital signals let you enjoy high quality voice and many advantage services such as Voice Mail, Caller ID, 3-Way Calling, Call Waiting, Speed Dial, Repeat Dial, Do Not Disturb, Call Forwarding, Emergency 911 Service, Online Account Management, Virtual Calling Card, access the service to your cell phone...

Further more, Incoming phone calls are automatically routed to your VoIP phone where ever you plug it into the network, so you can take your VoIP phone with you on a trip, around the world - anywhere you can connect it to the High Speed Internet, you can call and receive your incoming calls anytime. The VoIP Router can be set up anywhere with High Speed Internet, it provides you the advantage of savings. For example, a VoIP provider allows you get the US number and connect the router outside of the US. So when you call to that number, just like you call locals, and the person who is in other country calls you by using this service ( connected through router ) just pay a very small charge per minute, or sometimes it’s free.

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HDTV or High Definition Television offers many benefits over traditional analog television. The FCC is pushing broadcasters, electronic manufacturers, and consumers to switch in 2006. Are you ready to join the experience?

HDTV Highlights

HGTV has excellent digital superiority.
Crisp Detail.
Progressive scanning.
Digital audio.
Wider viewing area.
Best quality DVD playback.

HDTV Then and Now

In 1987, the FCC issued a ruling indicating that all analog televisions would become obsolete in 2006, therefore bring the idea of HDTV to the forefront. HDTV was to become the wave of the future setting the tracks we are arriving on in 2006.

The Japanese had already developed a successful high definition television and the US was anxious to catch up.
Thus the Americans formed the "Grand Alliance", and inventing digital HDTV.
In 1990, the FCC announced that HDTV would be broadcast at the same time as NTSC broadcasting service.
Hoping to give broadcasters additional channel space for digital and analog, the old channels would then become obsolete. To make this work all TVs had to become digital, unless you purchased a converter box.
Converter boxes cost about $100, so they are not cheap.
As more televisions change over and converters are purchased costs are creeping down.
HDTV Benefits

There is no doubt that many are impressed with HDTV; here are some of the benefits you get with HDTV;

Better picture resolution.
No snow from weak signals, double images caused by ghosting or picture sparkles caused by impulse noise.
Surround sound is said to be the ultimate in viewing experience.
Wide screen view is similar to a movie theatre.
No part of viewing area cut off at top or button on HDTV, which is common on analog sets.

HDTV Availability

As popularity increases so will the access to HDTV broadcasts. There are currently about 40 channel networks that broadcast in high definition. Some of the channels are movie networks like HBO and Showtime, and sports like ESPN. Japan, Australia, and South Korea are all leaders in bring high definition television to consumers. In Europe, HDTV is just beginning. Some networks are offering set blocks of time to offer HDTV. Professional sports are the most common things broadcast in HDTV.

Getting Started With HDTV

In order to get HDTV you must first purchase and HDTV ready or HDTV capable television. There are several to choose from, such as;

Rear projection
Plasma
LCD
Television with a HDTV tuner and converter box. The cost for the converter is dropping quickly

Go Forward With HDTV and Enjoy!

The last and most important step of HDTV is to sit down and watch a broadcast in HDTV!!

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HDTV: Reasons For Getting It

As soon as supporters of HDTV introduced it back in 1998, word spread that people would have a radically new TV viewing experience. With high definition television, you would be watching your favorite TV shows with improved picture quality and hear it through digital surround sound that made you feel as though you were part of the scenes.

HDTV: What Is It?

HDTV surpasses regular analog television technology. With HDTV you'll notice crisper and clearer images that your older analog television can't match. With the older analog technology, the television receives wave signals on the air. The quality of the picture is diminished when these signals are converted to the screen. Signals to LCD HDTV or plasma HDTV are sent digitally, without losing the overall quality of the images received.

HDTV: Function and Benefits

The US is phasing out analog broadcasting and replacing it with digital broadcasting. When the deadline arrives in 2009, your analog TV will not work, unless it has a converter. Right now, your analog TV set will still work so you might be wondering why you would want to have an HDTV right now:

The picture quality of HDTV is better and you can see tiny details even on bigger screens.

HDTV multicasting allows stations to broadcast several programs in one line.

Viewers can participate in shows or movies, which have interactive content, such as games or contests.

HDTV will use the entire screen to display its signal, whereas analog sets use only every other pixel line.

You can expect to see all the brilliant colors and images from channels that broadcast HD.

HDTV Problems

Some HDTV models are quite expensive. It's impossible to get High Definition programming through your older analog television. However, new televisions are built to be able to receive HD signals. If the television you buy doesn't have a built-in tuner, you'll need to look at HDTV antennas or HDTV tuners.

Shopping For An HDTV?

It's best to see HDTV for yourself. By studying HDTV reviews and listening to only good buying advice, you'll soon be enjoying a new way of watching television you've never seen before.

Copyright (c) 2006 by Leroy Chan

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I am planning on getting both a PDA (Pocket PC) and a Laptop.

My understanding is that a big part of this choice has to do w the Wireless Broadband Provider - Sprint, Verizon, Cingular, etc.

I have been told that each provider has its own 'hardware' - towers, etc. So, signal strength varies from one carrier to another. That is a big deal.

How do I determine which providers are better and which are worse in my area ? (North Metro Atlanta - 30076).

I don't travel very often, and if I do, it's to other larger cities in the US.

99% of my connection time will be in/around Atlanta.

I have also been told that I should / have to get both of these from the same provider (the PDA service and the Wireless Broadband service for my laptop). The PDA will be my cell phone, also.

Please enlighten me.

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Introduction

HDTV technology was first introduced in the US during the 1990s by a group of electronics companies called the Digital HDTV Grand Alliance. HDTV is capable of "theater-quality" audio because it uses the Dolby Digital (AC-3) format to support "5. HDTV offers a degree of clarity that is much closer to this. HDTV can be recorded to D-VHS (Data-VHS), W-VHS (analog only), to a HDTV-capable digital video recorder (for example DirecTV's high-definition Digital video recorder, Sky HD's set-top box, or TiVo's Series 3 or HD recorders), or an HDTV-ready HTPC. HDTV is just one part of the DTV transition. HDTV is best viewed on a new high-definition television. HDTV requires an HDTV tuner to view and the most detailed HDTV format is 1080i.

Definition

The term "high-definition" can refer to the resolution specifications themselves, or more loosely to media capable of similar sharpness, such as photographic film and digital video. High-definition television (HDTV) potentially offers a much better picture quality than standard television. NTSC system, established in 1941, were high definition only in comparison with previous mechanical and electronic television systems, and NTSC, along with the later European 625-line PAL and SECAMs, is described as standard definition today.

Television

While some early analog HDTV formats were broadcast in Europe and Japan, HDTV is usually broadcast digitally, because digital television (DTV) broadcasting requires much less bandwidth if it uses enough video compression. To get a better picture HDTV televisions require a High Definition (HD) signal. As of 2007, broadcasters may demand, or cable-television operators may elect, to place HD signals in a premium band that requires higher cable fees. HDTV has at least twice the linear resolution of standard-definition television (SDTV), thus allowing much more detail to be shown compared with analog television or regular DVD.

Resolution

It should be noted that while HDTV is more like a theater in quality than conventional television, 35 mm and 70 mm film projectors used in theaters still have the highest resolution and best viewing quality on very large screens. Digital NTSC- and PAL/SECAM-like signals (480i60 and 576i50 respectively) are transmitted at a horizontal resolution of 720 or 704 "pixels". In Australia, the 576p50 format is also considered a HDTV format, as it has doubled temporal resolution though the use of progressive scanning. For example, you can get a 72" projection HDTV that has 1920×1080 resolution from $2500 to $5000 depending on the brand and model.

Satellite

Satellite services and a Cable TV providers are providing an increasing number of HDTV feeds. Satellite-based TV companies, such as Optimum, DirecTV, Sky Digital (In the UK and Ireland) and DishNetwork, offer HDTV to customers as an upgrade. To receive an HDTV broadcast you need either a TV with a built-in HDTV tuner, like this Panasonic plasma HDTV, an HDTV receiver which can pick-up off the air HDTV channels, cable HDTV, or satellite HDTV receiver like Dish Network HDTV and this DirecTV H10 receiver.

Technology

While high definition has become a reality for many consumers, the technical jargon associated with this exiting new technology is causing much confusion. Through the evolution of display technology, a new television has emerged; so totally different, a new TV 'paragon' has been created. it doesn’t require a degree in TV Technology.

In addition, lack of enthusiastic co-operation between broadcasters, cable/satellite providers, and manufacturers has injected further confusion for retailers on how to sell HDTV and consumers as what products to buy, how to use them, and to what programs are actually available in HDTV. On the other hand, a very high resolution source may require more bandwidth than is available in order to be transmitted without loss of fidelity.

To watch high definition television or HDTV you will need three things: A Satellite or Cable program subscription to HD Programming; An HDTV Satellite Receiver or Digital Set Top Box; A high definition television set (HDTV). But beyond all argument, HDTV offers the ultimate in TV Picture Quality. We believe you're interested in what you need to know, to buy and enjoy a Digital-HDTV – NOT, how to build one.

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U6012A is the latest generation hybrid USB HDTV tuner for your laptop and PC. It integrates multiple tuners supporting following: Digital Cable (Clear QAM), ATSC free-over-air HDTV, traditional NTSC TV, and digital FM radio. You can enjoy the crystal clear HDTV with resolution up to 1920 × 1080i. With its bundled player software Total Media from Arcsoft, your viewing experience is like a breeze. The player software also offers personal video recorder, picture viewer, music and DVD player capabilities. A fully functioning remote control is also supported. Features:

*

Supports HDTV for ATSC (US/Canada/Mexico format), Analog TV for NTSC
*

Watch free Digital HDTV on PC
*

Supports up to 1920x1080i(HDTV)
*

Supports FM Radio
*

Very easy to use interface (Arcsoft's Total Media)
*

Support Electronic Program Guide(EPG)
*

Fully functioning remote control
*

Scheduled recording of your favorite show for later viewing
*

Support still image capture in BMP or JPEG format
*

Support multiple inputs (RCA and S-Video) for capturing external videos in DVD format (MPEG)

Specifications:
Input : 75 Ohm PAL-NTSC Connector
Clear QAM Tuner
Fully ATSC 8VSB Compliant
Input Signal Level (Channel power) : 0 to -75dBm 0 to -75dBm
Tuner Input Frequency Range: 48.25-863.25 Mhz
FM: 88 - 108MHz
External Connectors: PAL-NTSC F Type Female
IF Frequency: 44MHz

System Requirements:
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista
P4 2.4 GHz and above, or AMD equivalent
512MB RAM or above
Video card 128MB for HDTV and 64MB for SDTV
USB 2.0 Compatible
Microsoft Direct X9.0 or above
Microsoft media Player 9.0 or above
UHF/VHF Antenna for ATSC Terrestrial TV (A small bonus indoor antenna is included for strong signals) or
Cable TV for Clear QAM HDTV/NTSC broadcasting

Package Contents:
Geniatech U6012A
Infrared Remote Control
Mini RF to F connector converter
Mini Antenna
Multifunction Cable
Software CD (Driver and Total Media 3.5)

* One year standard manufacturer warranty.

USB ATSC/QAM Digital Cable HDTV Tuner For Laptop and Desktop/Digital Video Recorder

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There is certainly a lot of excitement these days where many people are talking about the benefits of VOIP phone service. At many colleges across the country, students frequently do not even have a traditional phone in their dorm or apartment but use VOIP services instead. Did you ever feel like they know something that you need to know about?

Let's talk about VOIP and what it can mean for you. VOIP phone service is not without its own set of disadvantages, so be sure you consider all the angles before you run out and sign up for VOIP.

VOIP phone service uses your existing high-speed Internet connection and allows you to make and receive phone calls over the Internet. That is the entire bottom line summary of what VOIP is. But you need to dig under the surface a bit in order to determine if VOIP is right for you.

First of all, not all parts of the country can get a local phone number. If you live in a rural area, chances are that a LOCAL telephone number for your VOIP service is not going to be available. What that means is that if someone local wants to call you, even your next door neighbor, they may have to make a long distance call to reach you.

Can you move or "port" your existing phone number to your VOIP phone service? Supposedly the answer is yes but I do not recommend it. I have seen too many horror stories where the local phone company has screwed this up and then you end up losing the phone number you have had for the last 50 years.

Next you need a high-speed Internet connection. This is NOT provided with your VOIP service. The majority of homes in the US who would be good candidates for VOIP phone service already have a high-speed Internet connection, so it is going to use something you already have anyway. But be aware of two caveats here:

1. A high-speed Internet connection does NOT include satellite. If you have a satellite high-speed Internet connection, do not consider VOIP because you will not be happy. Sure they will SELL it to you but with a satellite high-speed connection, you will not be happy and you will sound like you are talking from the bottom of a bathtub in best case.

2. How reliable is your high-speed Internet connection? If it is not reliable, if it is iffy, if it has frequent outages or if you are getting a very slow speed, perhaps due to the distance limitations of DSL where you are at the very end of the service area, VOIP is not going to work well for you. Remember, if your Internet connection goes out, so does your VOIP service.

Now if you have not been scared away yet, then VOIP phone service might be a good idea for you. VOIP conversation quality is typically as good as or better than your traditional phone conversation. But the big draw for VOIP is the economic considerations. With your phone company, a phone line costs about $25 a month and for that you get a dial tone and perhaps unlimited local calling. That is it and everything else is extra. But with VOIP phone service, you get unlimited calling throughout the entire continental US (some VOIP providers also include Canada), plus caller ID, plus voice mail, plus call waiting, and the VOIP service costs about the same amount of money, and with some VOIP providers, even under $20 per month. Even if they are the same, the fact that long distance is already included in your VOIP service is a huge benefit.

VOIP phone service may or may not be right for you, but once you have considered all the factors, it can save you a ton of money each month.

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There is wide-spread concern in the US telecommunications industry that public policy may be impeding the continued development of the Internet into a high-speed communications network. Broadband policy is controversial in large part because of the differences in the regulatory regimes faced by different types of carriers. Cable television companies face neither retail price regulation of their cable modem services nor any requirements to make their facilities available to competitors. Local telephone companies, on the other hand, face both retail price regulation for their DSL service and a requirement imposed by the 1996 Telecommunications Act that they "unbundle" their network facilities and lease them to rivals. Finally, new entrants are largely unregulated, but many rely upon the incumbent telephone companies for the last mile or "loop" to connect their customers to their high-speed transport services. This asymmetric regulation is the focus of this volume, in which telecommunications scholars address the public policy issues that have arisen over the deployment of new high-speed telecommunications services.

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The proper role of government in the US economy has long been the subject of ideological dispute. This study of industrial policy as practised by administration after administration, explores the variations from a "hands-off" approach to protectionist policies and aggressive support for businesses.

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