ConvergenceConvergence

Home entertainmentHome entertainment

andand

computingcomputing

Back in the old daysBack in the old days

Everything was separateEverything was separate

They were not (usually) connected togetherThey were not (usually) connected together You would add a piece at a time (or replace You would add a piece at a time (or replace

older stuff a piece at a time).older stuff a piece at a time). You didn’t have to worry about how to You didn’t have to worry about how to

connect it all togetherconnect it all together BUT – you used each piece separately, and BUT – you used each piece separately, and

there was no sharing of content.there was no sharing of content.

As time went onAs time went on

There was some newer stuffThere was some newer stuff

TV’s became color and got biggerTV’s became color and got bigger VCR’s were introduced (still easy to hook up)VCR’s were introduced (still easy to hook up) DVD players were introduced (getting a little DVD players were introduced (getting a little

less easy to connect)less easy to connect)

Connections multiplied like rabbitsConnections multiplied like rabbits

On the computer side …On the computer side …

And – more recentlyAnd – more recently

Oh – also more devicesOh – also more devices

Yet moreYet more

Schoolin’ about connectionsSchoolin’ about connections Don’t EVER Ass-u-me that any combination Don’t EVER Ass-u-me that any combination

of connections that is SUPPOSED to work of connections that is SUPPOSED to work will actually work!will actually work!

There have been at least a dozen generations There have been at least a dozen generations of connections – and most are NOT backward-of connections – and most are NOT backward-compatible.compatible.

The more expensive the adapter, the more The more expensive the adapter, the more likely you are to be disappointed in it.likely you are to be disappointed in it.

Really OLD computingReally OLD computing Yes – there were connections even before Yes – there were connections even before

VGA. First monitors typically used BNC VGA. First monitors typically used BNC connectors, then there was the CGA monitor connectors, then there was the CGA monitor and the EGA monitor. All these connectors and the EGA monitor. All these connectors were pre-VGA. were pre-VGA.

If your HDTV is early enough, it probably If your HDTV is early enough, it probably only has composite (one yellow RCA jack), only has composite (one yellow RCA jack), component (three RCA jacks) and maybe component (three RCA jacks) and maybe VGA connections (which are probably VGA connections (which are probably 640x480 resolution)640x480 resolution)

You can’t buy it newYou can’t buy it new If you want HDTV on one of these early sets, If you want HDTV on one of these early sets,

you can connect it up with a cable you can connect it up with a cable converter/DVR/HDTV set-top box FROM converter/DVR/HDTV set-top box FROM SuddenLink.SuddenLink.

You can’t buy one – they are only sold to You can’t buy one – they are only sold to cable companies – because:cable companies – because:

The media companies that make the HDTV The media companies that make the HDTV content have gotten the laws set up so that all content have gotten the laws set up so that all you can buy in HDTV stuff is devices that use you can buy in HDTV stuff is devices that use HDCP.HDCP.

HDCP – an evolving standardHDCP – an evolving standard Stands for High Definition Content Protection.Stands for High Definition Content Protection. Doesn’t protect YOU (silly wabbit) – Doesn’t protect YOU (silly wabbit) –

supposedly protects the media companies.supposedly protects the media companies. Makes it difficult for ordinary users to copy Makes it difficult for ordinary users to copy

any protected media.any protected media. Doesn’t really cause a problem for those who Doesn’t really cause a problem for those who

have enough resources and want to make have enough resources and want to make millions of illegal copies – they have devices millions of illegal copies – they have devices built that get around it.built that get around it.

Compatible – YEAH, SURECompatible – YEAH, SURE VGA is NOT compatible with HDCP – period.VGA is NOT compatible with HDCP – period. DVI may be NOT compatible with HDCP DVI may be NOT compatible with HDCP

(there were some devices made that (there were some devices made that supposedly have HDCP compatibility – but the supposedly have HDCP compatibility – but the standards have moved on – and my experience standards have moved on – and my experience is that “compatible” is MAYBE.is that “compatible” is MAYBE.

Especially the MONST** ultra-high priced Especially the MONST** ultra-high priced stuff that the sales people pushstuff that the sales people push

Use HDMI connectionsUse HDMI connections Even though (right now) there are four Even though (right now) there are four

generations of HDMI, and two different sizes generations of HDMI, and two different sizes of connectors.of connectors.

The HDMI connection is developed by the The HDMI connection is developed by the media companies licensing to carry audio, media companies licensing to carry audio, video, and to provide end-to-end encryption video, and to provide end-to-end encryption (this is done inside the devices, the cable itself (this is done inside the devices, the cable itself just has wires in it)just has wires in it)

A modern HDTV/monitorA modern HDTV/monitor From a Samsung P2370hd-1From a Samsung P2370hd-1

More HDMI inputs are betterMore HDMI inputs are better There are external switches if neededThere are external switches if needed

Yet another new connectorYet another new connector NEC, HP, and other computer oriented NEC, HP, and other computer oriented

companies are now using a new connector companies are now using a new connector called “Display Port.” To avoid paying a called “Display Port.” To avoid paying a royalty to the HDMI people. Compatibility is royalty to the HDMI people. Compatibility is claimed with HDCP – but IS IT ????? The TV claimed with HDCP – but IS IT ????? The TV people are staying with HDMI, the computer people are staying with HDMI, the computer companies with Display Port.companies with Display Port.

Even the small things add upEven the small things add up

My HDCP problem: Computer resolution sets My HDCP problem: Computer resolution sets at 1920 x 1024; however TV resolution sets at at 1920 x 1024; however TV resolution sets at 1920 x 1080 (for the 1080p standard).1920 x 1080 (for the 1080p standard).

I recommendI recommend Easiest way – buy it ALL from one vendor Easiest way – buy it ALL from one vendor

who will certify that it will all work together.who will certify that it will all work together. Next best way – research carefully, buy only Next best way – research carefully, buy only

from vendors with a liberal return policy if the from vendors with a liberal return policy if the new device is not compatible with the existing new device is not compatible with the existing devices.devices.

Not the best way – piece it together yourself Not the best way – piece it together yourself with no assurance. Recommendations on the with no assurance. Recommendations on the next slide if you go that way.next slide if you go that way.

Content produced by Jim CasonContent produced by Jim Cason

Promised LAN Computing, Inc.Promised LAN Computing, Inc.

4703 Carolina Avenue4703 Carolina Avenue

Trent Woods, NC 28562Trent Woods, NC 28562

(252) 636-0407(252) 636-0407

http://www.promlancomp.comhttp://www.promlancomp.com

© 2011© 2011