Introduction
In this specific Four Part Series, we will examine: Satellite TV regarding PC (PCTV)
� Part I: This fresh technology, just what exactly it truly is as well as how this performs (briefly),
� Part II: How to buy this specific new know-how Online (in wonderful detail),
� Part III: What the particular ramifications of your brand-new technology are (in extended detail) and finally,
� Part IV: What sorts associated with goods are offered (in serial installations).
The Series:
SatelliteTVSeeker.info Exclusive Reports: Satellite TV to get PC: Part I: Satellite TV and Satellite TV on PC: Great Expectations. (Now Available!)
SatelliteTVSeeker.info Exclusive Reports: Part II: Satellite TV to get PC: Buying Satellite TV to get PC. (Now Available!)
SatelliteTVSeeker.info Exclusive Reports: Part III: Satellite TV for PC: Disruptive Technology. (Now Available!)
SatelliteTVSeeker.info Exclusive Reports: Part IV: Satellite TV for PC: Product Reviews. (Now Available!)
Satellite TV regarding PC: Part IV: Product Reviews:
1. A Software Solution: TRACK just one of 2
In prior installments: Parts I, II, in addition to III, this stage has also been established for actual Product Reviews, I include things like here, and inside Reviews to follow.
If anyone overlooked a number on the initial about three installments, you can without difficulty capture upwards by visiting: www.satellitetvseeker.info Archived Articles Page.
In Part IV of the Series, we're about to measure (3) Solutions within a rising range associated with Products destined in order to bring PCTV entirely to the World marketplace.
Here, with the course of your number of weeks, many of us will probably examine a Software Solution Part IV-1, a Hardware Solution Part IV-2, plus a Noware (No Software along with No Hardware) Solution, Part IV-3.
Preparation
First, I will expose one or two terminology I'll possibly be making use of to describe in addition to classify Software Solution PCTV: Thanks in portion to help The Free Dictionary, plus Wikipedia. Visit: www.thefreedictionary.com and
www.wikipedia.com
Origination along with Delivery
Live TV v. Recorded Programming: Live TV has experience (very nearly) back then occurrences are now consuming place. Recorded Programming is actually Pre-recorded content, commonly planned with regard to after transmission and/or viewing.
For example: Live athletics products get to tv audiences just about as they quite simply happen, because famous from equipped Video Clips, and also Instant Replays, which have been classified when Pre-recorded Programming.
Streaming: (Media) Continuous Video and/or Audio Transmission. According that will my Wikipedia, Streaming Media is storage devices that is definitely taken (read heard, viewed) as it is being delivered. Streaming will be far more a property in the shipping system versus marketing itself.
The difference is frequently ascribed to media that are sent out through computer networks; other techniques usually are possibly inherently Streaming (radio, television) or maybe inherently Non-streaming (E-books, Video Cassettes, plus Audio CDs).
Buffering: (Streaming Media) Downloading the best prohibit of data. In Streaming Media, buffering looks at earning extra degree of facts (filling that buffer) before trying to play this Audio or Video.
Having much more Audio Data or perhaps Video Frames in (Computer) storage area than can be necessary with each correct moment, compensates with regard to temporary delays around tranny with the source.
When some sort of network is speedy enough maintain with playback, Buffering just isn't necessary; however, that isn't the case with the Internet where packets could traverse 20 routers coming from supply for you to destination, in addition to delays regarding just about any length might occur at any time.
Practically speaking, Buffering is a practice which usually should precede transmission with Audio and Video with Streamed Media. Re-buffering happens when transmission can be disrupted and also records have to be supplemented or maybe reloaded.
Synchronization: (Audio/Video Pairing) Media images as well as audio is often bundled this kind of of which the notions associated with Audio/Video (A/V) events, even though independently channeled, is actually imperceptible.
For instance, even though enjoying Satellite TV, in case you notice closely enough, you're competent to pick up on some sort of moderate time lapse, on the time period the simple truth is phrases pronounced, to the moment an individual truly hear the sounds on the noises involving actors.
Bandwidth: The number of records that is passed around a marketing and sales communications channel in a very assigned time of time.
Picture Quality
Definition: A expression accustomed to relate into the degree of detail from a video image, little bit of artwork, or any other object.
Most almost all current Satellite as well as Cable TV is considered within exactly what is classed as Standard Definition (SD). High Definition (HD) presents images that are related to (4) to help (5) occasions crisper as compared to SD.
Clear: No interference.
Grainy: Having accessible dots, pocks and also working outlines for instance aged celluloid movies.
Focus: Blurred that will Sharp.
Sharp: Well-defined objects.
Fuzzy: Poor definition.
Saturation: Relating to Color. Vividness of hue; gradation regarding variation coming from a dreary connected with the exact same lightness or brightness. Saturation is additionally identified as intensity.
Bleed: The colour with one subject dispersing in to another.
Brightness: The result as well as sexual enjoyment by means of which in turn an observer is able to identify distinctions with luminance. The facet of an colour of which presents its similarity to 1 of the a line achromatic colors ranging out of extremely poor (dark) that will very shiny (dazzling).
Luminance: The strength of light source per unit division of it's source.
Flicker: Unstable Images which often jump and/or vary throughout intensity in addition to brightness.
Jaggies: Jagged sides or points at the actual perimeter of objects, which should or else glimpse smooth.
Pixels: The essential component belonging to the structure of an graphic upon a television system screen, computer monitor, or same display. Ideally, when it comes to good quality development and course delivery, these Pixels are never identified from the viewer. Pixels, observed, are also called "Artifacts."
Pixelization: Squarish hindrances or perhaps tiles associated with color, or written agreement chips, which usually are evident for the viewer.
Images: A various stuff on screen, including things like Graphics and also Stills and other objects, relatively while in the foreground, superimposed on the background.
Graphics: Logos as well as alpha-numeric messages superimposed on a screen. Sharp for you to Blurred.
Stills: Photo photos with out clear motion. Sharp to be able to Blurred. Also referred to as "Freeze Ups" once they happen with Streamed Media.
Drop Outs: Visual discontinuity.
Motion: Sharp that will Blurred Images.
Motion Ghosts: Trails of Images residual from one particular second for the next, creating Blurred Images.
Audio Quality
Bass: A low-pitched seem or perhaps tone. The ringtones inside most affordable sign-up of your instrument.
Treble: The maximum part, voice, instrument, or range.
Fidelity: The level to which usually an electronic process accurately reproduces that noise or maybe impression of its input signal.
Drop Outs: Audio discontinuity.
Distortion: An unwanted transform from the waveform of an signal. A result of this type of change, particularly a new loss of faithfulness within wedding reception or reproduction.
For example, every presented acustic clip from the Human Voice, given as a result of any kind of sound technique with top volume, may be known as for being distortion.
The Software Solution Test
Objectives: To provide a fair, regular and good assessment on the Solution by means of and subsequent great "scientific" methods.
Methodology: The application of your observable in addition to repeatable battery power connected with tests connected with Audio as well as Visual characteristics and functions with the Solution.
Tested: Satellite TV intended for PC 2006 Elite Edition: $49.95 USD.
URL:
Variable Test Factors: The following Factors all influenced the Results in addition to Conclusions (which are shown below) to somewhat of a cheaper as well as larger extent.
The Test Equipment Factor
The functions with the Personal Computer (PC) made use of should be considered. Newer, bigger PCs will of course supply superior additional rewarding all round experiences.
For that Tests, I used my personal 2006 HP Pavilion ze2000 featuring a 15" Diagonal Screen (9" Measured Vertically x 12" Measured Horizontally).
The built-in audio system is Altec Lansing, who has supplied reasonable fidelity in addition to volume.
My HP PC is actually effective at getting Internet alerts Wirelessly.
I used MicroSoft Windows XP plus Windows (Free) Media Player 11 to do all of the testing by using this Software. Alternately, Real Player could possibly be used, however you will need to get a Basic Download, for the reason that Free Version may perhaps forget to install.
Other when compared with Volume/Performance "hardware acceleration (set that will Full)" along with one thing called "sample rate conversion quality (set to help Best)" my personal PC audio system just permits the conventional equalizer settings: Balance and Volume.
Beyond that, there isn't any serious objective around major this Audio Characteristics with PCTV. There is just practically nothing extra associated with skilled dallas pest control to measure.
In preparing with the Test, I downloaded the Software and readied everything on the HP in advance, down to the Software Manufacturers recommendations.
The controls included changing this Display Resolution that will 800600, in addition to modifying Dots Per Inch (DPI) to be able to 96.
For each of our reasons here, I here's mentioning the standard with the discovered shots while using PC Display and also Settings fine-tuned regarding viewing PCTV: 800600 Pixels, at 96 DPI, with the Display or else within default mode, for the MicroSoft XP Control Panel.
For comparison, I employed some sort of Factory Burn DVD of Average Standard Definition (SD) Quality. The audio was generally [8] Very Good quality having well-modulated Base along with Treble. The Video quality appeared to be also [8] Very Good.
Note: See under Numeric Rating Factors indicated "[ ]"
As the particular DVD Test I performed leading to a Software Test, gave this sort of good results, I did not correct just about any regarding your Color Settings available on my personal Monitor.
The Internet Factor
It needs to be considered that the Internet, itself, delivers a varied product. All other things getting equal, generally, the reduced the particular assistance intended for testing, extra users to the Internet at any offered time, plus the more extreme the demands, the actual not so quick the actual Internet delivery speeds are going that will be.
Ultimately, intended for assessment Software Solutions, therefore Buffering could slower to a stop, which in turn means that taking a look at could be disrupted by simply interim, or even Re-buffering sometimes necessary to continue Streaming.
In these types of instances, Still Images could stick around within the Display until full Streaming might be restored.
The Internet Connection/Delivery Factor
� Dial Up Services (Not Tested): A Software Solution might not exactly work satisfactorily with Dial Up Internet levels, expected the particular quite a bit associated with information that must traverse your own Internet Connection many at once.
Dial Up speeds, pegged at 56Kbps* as well as lower, are usually typically consequently slowly of which Software might neglect to place Programming. However, while you will discover some routes given with regard to Dial Up on the Software I tested, seemingly quite a few concern have been granted to match Dial Up Users.
� Cable Internet Services (Not Tested): If rate in addition to wired connections are essential in order to right functioning, this kind of Software Solution could work very effectively for everyone who're fortuitous enough to obtain Cable Internet Access!
The attribute fast connections with Broadband Cable, all-around 4Mbps*, may also supply uniformly Good, to be able to Very Good Audio and also Video when using the tested Software, together with fewer Freeze Ups along with Drop Outs.
� Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) Services (Not Tested): This sort of Broadband assistance may possibly are very effective for yourself by using a Software Solution.
Because on the character of the service: Relatively large Bandwidth, at 1.5Mbps*, along with Wired Delivery; DSL may provide a pretty rewarding PCTV experience.
� Satellite Internet Services (As Tested): With Bandwidth approximately close to 400Kbps* and also up, plus Wireless Delivery, you will experience the identical forms of stuff (Freeze Ups, Drop Outs, Re-buffering, etc.) which will I have documented here.
As I take note below, with the Home Office Test, so that you can carryout every testing, this seemed to be needed to link this PC to it's Router having an Ethernet Cable.
� Broadband WIFI Services (As Tested): With Bandwidth calculating all-around 1.5Kbps* along with up, as well as Wireless Delivery, you may expertise the very same sorts of issues (Freeze Ups, Drop Outs, Re-buffering, etc.) which I have noted down here.
*Comparison Data Courtesy: www.internetfrog.com
The Test Services Factor
The using Tests ended up run with a pair of different regions under the examples below conditions:
Test 1. Home Office Test: High Speed Satellite Internet Service with DirecWay 6000 Modem valuable at 700Kbps down/128Kpbs up, along with LinkSys Router: Wired Connection. (Wireless Connection Trials more often than not failed.)
Test 2. StarBucks Test: T-Mobile WIFI Network (Wireless) Connection. T1 Speed advertised. (At 1500Kbps or maybe 1.5Mbps, T1 is usually over twice the velocity truly furnished by simply my own Satellite System.)
The Human Factor
My personal set of foibles, biases, hopes, along with yes, Great Expectations, has to be consumed into account.
What I really would like through the PCTV Software will be the similar TV experience I realize in addition to love, because I have experienced at home, Tube Side.
Only now, I need my personal Satellite TV intended for PC to be fully portable, plus ideally, free of charge of month-to-month subscription fees.
The Quality Factor
DVD/CD-ROM/OTA Quality: Used these while yardsticks pertaining to contrasting and different the high quality regarding test out PCTV experiences.
Rating System: Here is the ranking (Best to be able to Worst) I will work with when describing PCTV Audio along with Video.
Note: While High Definition (HD) provides definitely one of the best excellent TV signal available, from this particular time, 09/01/06, consequently handful of HD Sets have been in use, HD is just not a good measure for comparison.
Therefore: The next Rating System will end up being used here:
Supreme: High Definition (HD) MPEG-4 DVD Best Quality (Factory Burn) as enjoyed over a Lap Top PC. (This Rating is definitely appointed intended for relative requirements only.)
Excellent: Standard Definition (SD) MPEG-2 DVD Average Quality (Factory/Home Burn) because performed on a PC.
Very Good: CD-ROM Quality while played on a Lap Top PC.
Good: Off-The-Air (OTA) Quality, substantial volume radio signals, as played using a TV Set or perhaps Lap Top PC with a Hardware PCTV Solution.
(More with this subject inside Part IV-2.)
Fair: Off-The-Air (OTA) Quality, high frequency stereo signals, as enjoyed with a TV Set or maybe Lap Top PC with a Hardware PCTV Solution.
(More on this subject theme with Part IV-2.)
Poor: Off-The-Air (OTA) Quality, substantial consistency r / c signals, because gamed with a TV Set or Lap Top PC having a Hardware PCTV Solution.
(More on this theme around Part IV-2.)
Unacceptable: Too poor to rate.
Numeric Rating Factors
For each of our Tests, i will often be comparing Standard Definition (SD) Factory/Home Burned DVD, equating it towards the exact same SD good quality seeing that Satellite TV MPEG-2, in addition to contrasting all these equals towards Software Solution PCTV experience. Ratings established "[ ]"
Video (Picture Quality): [10] (Perfect) - [5] Adequate - [1] (Awful)
Audio (Sound Quality): [10] (Perfect) - [5] Adequate - [1] (Awful)
Synchronization (Audio/Video Pairing): [10] (Perfect) - [5] Adequate - [1] (Awful)
Based about the on top of criteria, and here is precisely how your Bench Mark, DVD Average, Standard Definition (SD) Quality rates:
Video (Picture Quality):
Small Screen Option:
Color: [9] Excellent. Full Red/Green/Blue (RGB) Palette.
Graphics: [9] Excellent. Clear in addition to Sharp.
Resolution: [8] Very Good: Sharp. Clear Stills, Graphics in addition to Smooth Motion, without apparent Blurring or even excessive Jaggies.
Video (Picture Quality):
Full Screen Option:
Color: [8] Very Good. Full Red/Green/Blue (RGB) Palette.
Graphics: [8] Very Good. Clear and also pretty Sharp. Some Motion Ghosts.
Resolution: [8] Very Good: Sharp. Clear Stills, Graphics plus Smooth Motion, with out evident Blurring or even extreme Jaggies.
Audio (Sound Quality): [9] Excellent: Very Clear without having Drop Outs or perhaps obvious Distortion. Uniform sound quality with [8] Very Good Bass and Treble.
Synchronization (Audio/Video Pairing): [9] Excellent. No apparent lapse concerning Audio and Video perception.
Definition (Standard): Unless otherwise noted. [8] Very Good.
Resolution: [8] Very Good.
Audio Factors
Because the Satellite TV regarding PC Interface analyzed features solely one Audio Control, Volume, there is certainly zero position with considering your sound high quality besides in order to note your obvious: Volume Controls, along with Audio Drop Outs.
Note: If that Streamed Media can't often be over heard at the fair taking a look at distance, from 2' in order to 3' far-away through the particular PC Display, there's a Audio problem.
Satellite TV for PC 2006 Elite Edition Interface Volume Control: My knowledge ranged through Satisfactory to Unsatisfactory.
Note: Having to adjust the actual PC Volume around the XP Control Panel, besides maxing released the particular Software Interface, was your hassle. Drop Outs from the Audio Stream were way too frequent.
Video Factors
Picture Quality attributes benefit considerable attention: Color, Graphics as well as Resolution, are usually good steps on the level of quality on the PCTV experience.
Therefore most interest are going to be centered here.
Installation Factors
Software Download from Web Site: Degree of difficulty: Easy
Interface 1: "Satellite TV for PC". Configured during Download.
Interface 2: "TVAnts". Two additional Servers must be manually configured soon after Download: Easy.
Pop Ups-and-Downs Blizzard Factors
On this drawback of this relatively easy plus otherwise uneventful placed with events, seemed to be the overall blizzard with pops-everywhere offering Chinese advertising: discovered the two through Download, and since I recall through Installation!
If you package on buying this Software, possibly be advised! StopZilla (a excellent suppressant) can be exactly what to employ, prior for a Download!
Interface Control Factors
Satellite TV for PC 2006 Elite Edition Interface Controls:
Interface 1. as well as Interface 2.
Launch: Quick along with sure.
Menu Bar: Easy to work with together with Drop-down Sub Menus.
Controls: Play and Stop: Easy to operate, as well as obedient.
Full Screen along with Shut Down: Easy in order to operate, and also obedient.
* *
Test 1: Following is really a recap of my personal practical experience together with (6) favorite US-Based TV Channels, within my Home Office:
Fox (WVUE-TV): Loaded around 1 second and also less.
Audio: [7] Good: Audible along with Interface Volume 50-100%.
Video: Small Screen:
Colors: [4] Fair: Muted along with Washed. Pink Flesh tones: Like enjoying tinted Black plus White Video.
Graphics: [6] Good: Readable Graphics.
Resolution: [4] Fair: Hard to help recognize presenters through backgrounds. Focus differs from Sharp to help Fuzzy.
Video: Full Screen:
Colors: [4] Fair: Muted in addition to Washed. Pink Flesh tones: Like watching tinted Black and White Video.
Graphics: [4] Fair.
Resolution: [2] Poor. Jaggies along with Blurring Motions. Fuzzy Images.
Synchronization: [6] Good, regardless of noted Focus issues.
ABC (ABCNEWS): Loaded throughout just one minute or maybe less.
Audio: [7] Good. With Interface Volume 50-100%.
Video: Small Screen
Colors: [4] Fair: Strong blues in addition to blacks. Otherwise Muted: Like reviewing tinted Black as well as White Video.
Graphics: [6] Good.
Resolution: [6] Good Video Images. Motion Blurring.
Video: Full Screen
Colors: [4] Fair: Strong Saturated Blues and also Blacks. Otherwise Muted: Like viewing tinted Black plus White Video.
Graphics: [4] Fair.
Resolution: [4] Fair: Jaggies apparent. Motion Blurring.
Synchronization: [4] Fair.
ESPN: (2) Attempted loadings crashed Program.
Audio:
Video: Small Screen
Colors:
Graphics:
Resolution:
Video: Full Screen
Colors:
Graphics:
Resolution:
Synchronization: Good
Bloomberg: Loaded in one particular minute and also less.
Audio: [7] Good. With Interface Volume 50-100%.
Video: Small Screen
Colors: [7] Good Flesh tones. Strong Saturated Blacks as well as Blues.
Graphics: [7] Good. Readable.
Resolution: [4] Fair: Jaggies. Motion Blurring.
Video: Full Screen
Colors: [4] Fair: Good Flesh tones.
Graphics: [4] Fair.
Resolution: [2] Poor: Motion Ghosts along with Jaggies. Fuzzy images.
Synchronization: [2] Poor.
C-SPAN1: (2) Attempted loadings crashed Program.
Audio:
Video: Small Screen
Colors:
Graphics:
Resolution:
Video: Full Screen
Colors:
Graphics:
Resolution:
Synchronization:
QVC (British Version): Loaded in one particular instant or less.
Audio: [4] Fair: Muddy but Audible at Interface Volume 50-100%.
Video: Small Screen
Colors: [4] Fair: Strong Saturated Darks in addition to Reds. Otherwise Muted. Pink Flesh tones.
Graphics: [4] Fair.
Resolution: [3] Poor: Pronounced Jaggies.
Video: Full Screen
Colors: [3] Poor: Strong fuzzy, bleeding Darks along with Reds. Otherwise Muted. Pink Flesh tones.
Graphics: [3] Poor.
Resolution: [1] Awful. Jaggies. Motion Ghosts. Blurry. Video in plus beyond Focus.
Synchronization: [4] Fair. Despite Video issues.
* *
Download/Play Program Evaluation
Scoring: Test 1: Out on the field of 6, 2 beyond some Channels still did not heap at all.
The QVC Channel was merely available in the British Version, making the sum useful USA Programming (3 Channels outside 6 Tested) during a great abysmal 50%.
* *
Best Regards,
Craig Guest
CEO, Satellite TV Seeker
stsinfo@satellitetvseeker.info
Fair Use Policy: This Article may be published or even if not modelled in total, provided this particular resource will be cited:
www.satellitetvseeker.info
Continued on TRACK 2