WWDC and the future of APPLE - Page 3

ALOG INTERFACES: Virtually all data and graphics grade video projectors sold over the last two decades have offered a RGB (red-green-blue) style video input. This could be used with a external computer for displaying computer graphics output to an audience or with a external line doubler to displaying enhanced video. RGB connectors come in two different common forms. The first is a standard VGA connector common with virtually every PC, desktop or laptop computer. Cables using VGA connectors employ a single 15 pin connector with a multi-conductor cable to carry the RGB and sync signals from the source (i.e., line doubler or PC) to the display (e.g., video projector). While VGA connections are high bandwidth and are suitable for HDTV use, the relative high-loss cable typically used generally limits the cable length to about 10 feet. The second type of RGB connection uses separate coax cables, each approximately 0.2 inch in diameter, to carry the RGB plus vertical and horizontal sync. signals. Generally this involves 5 discrete coax cables each terminated with a BNC type connector. Harnesses are available where the five discrete coax cables are physically bundled together for convenience. BNC connectors are widely used for professional applications. RGB video cables using such discrete coax cables terminated with BNC connectors are relatively low loss and work well for extended cable runs (e.g., typically available in cable lengths up to 50 feet (or more). Also adapter cables are readily available with a VGA connector on one end and discrete BNC terminated connectors on the other end. This allows the flexibility to interconnect DTV receivers and video projectors, or monitors, that uses a VGA style connector for one device with the other device using BNC connectors. Several HDTV manufactures ( e.g., RCA, Mitsubishi, Sharp, etc.) have adopted RGB style, either in the form of VGA or discrete BNC connections, for the interface between the projector/monitor and the DTV receiver box.


While RGB is technically one type of component video interface, the term 'component video' in the world of consumer DTV/HDTV equipment usually refers to an altogether different type of video interface. With the DTV/HDTV 'Component Video' format the luminance (i.e., black and white video) information is separated from the chromance (color) information. The chromance information is then further separated into two differential signals where the red, green, blue components are added and subtracted from one another. Component video uses three external output connectors (using standard phono, or RCA style connectors). Toshiba introduced component video to the consumer video world with their first generation DVD players and a projection TV set using compatible component interface. While this original version introduced by Toshiba for their DVD players and TVs is not compatible with HDTV standards, Toshiba now offers an enhanced version, suitable for HDTV and a number of other DTV manufactures have also adopted compatible component video interfaces.. The various consumer DTV manufactures use a variety of terms to describe the component video interfaces. The common terms are: component video, HD-Colorstream (Toshiba), YCrCb, YPbPr or YPrPb. All of these terms refer to an identical type of component video interface. Some DTV manufacturers (e.g., Mitsubishi) have decided to support both RGB as well as component video interfaces on their DTV monitors/projectors.


The bottom line is there are two incompatible types of analog interfaces between DTV projectors/monitors and DTV set top receiver boxes. Therefore the consumer must be very careful with mixing brands for their DTV projectors/monitors and the DTV set top receiver boxes. The set top receiver box must support an output interface compatible with the projector/monitor input. To further complicate the mixing and matching of set top receiver boxes and DTVs some DTV manufactures also provide an additional interface between the receiver and the DTV projector/monitor that allows the receiver to control the settings of the DTV projector/monitor. One specific example is Mitsubishi whose first generation DTV projectors used an RGB interface that required their own receiver be used to control the projector/monitor. However the new second generation Mitsubishi projectors will interface with DTV set top receiver boxs using RBG, component video or the Mitsubishi box that uses RGB plus control interfaces. The table above of DTV projectors/monitors lists the type of DTV interface(s) supported. Note that some DTV sets support both RGB/VGA and Component Video interfaces. Likewise some HDTV set top boxes also support both types of interfaces. However be certain to check this out before you make your purchase. Monster Cable and Current Design have announced transcoder boxes to convert conponent video to RGB but these are expected to be rather expensive. However a low cost VGA input to component video output transcoder box (model 9A60) is now available from Audio Authority (phone 800-322-8346). RCA has also introduced a similar VGA to component transcoder box at a similar price. Finally Key Digital Systems is also introducing a similar converter for $119. These converts are just the thing for owners of projection TVs with only component video inputs for HDTV to connect to the already available RCA DTC-100 DTV/DirecTV receiver's VGA output or to a PC.


I frequently receive inquiries about how to hook up the RCA DTC100 VGA output (that uses a standard computer style HD15 15-pin VGA connector) to a HDTV RGB input that uses 5 separate 'RCA style' sockets found on certain HDTV ready projectors (such as the Mitsubishi projectors). Many large computer stores carry VGA to RGB cables that use male BNC connectors for the RGB end of the cable (5 connectors: Red - Blue - Green - Horizontal Sync. - Vertical Sync.). You can use one of these cables plus purchase (at Radio Shack) five BNC female to RCA male adapters. Another alternative is to purchase a cable that directly goes from VGA to RGB using RCA connectors. Such a cable is available from www.bettercables.com for $89. They offer several configurations of 'VGA Breakout Cables' so be certain to pick the correct one for your setup (typically HD15 male to 5 RCA). Another source for a wide variety of cables is A2Z Cables. Their produce line includes VGA to RCA (5 wire - RGB) and HD15 connector to RCA 3 wire component video cables. Their prices range from about $33 to $45 for 6 ft. to 20 ft. cables.

DIGITAL INTERFACES: As if the two incompatible types of analog interfaces for HDTV set top receivers -to- HDTV monitors/projectors weren't confusing enough to the less technically inclined consumer, digital interfaces have start appearing on a few consumer products as of late 2001 and will become even more widespread during 2002. DirecTV, Dish Network, a number of consumer electronics manufacturers and several movie studios that combined forces to back the introduction of a high speed Digital Visual Interface (DVI) along with high-bandwidth digital content protection (HDCP) on their planned HDTV products. This new interface will provide the means for movie studios to control the distribution of high definition programming and will provide the means to prevent HD copies from being made. The DVI/HDCP enabled products to be introduced by the end of 2002 were planned to include a new generation of DirecTV and Dish Network HD set top receiver boxes however the pending merger of these two companies could impact their plans for new receivers in 2002. Also several manufacturers of HDTV monitors/projectors have announced plans to provide new models with DVI/HDCP inputs. Some cable TV boxes may also be providing DVI/HDCP interfaces to connect to HDTV monitors/projectors but the alternative type of digital interface described below seem more likely. It is too early to determine what this means to all of the current generation of HDTV monitors/projectors that only support analog HDTV video inputs, but one outcome may be an inability to view certain satellite delivered HD programming on these existing sets. The most likely candidate is where the movie studios will insist on the use of the copy protection provisions of HDCP would be pay-per-view movies but it can not be ruled out that some movies presented on HBO or Showtime would also be affected. At this point the DVI/HDCP discussions do not apply to over-the-air broadcast HDTV programming. Click here for the press release on the subject. Also note that DVI is only applicable to the interface between a HDTV receiver box and the display and it is not suitable for connecting a HDTV receiver to a HD capable VCR (such as the new D-VHS VCRs). A second type of digital interface based on the IEEE 1394 standard and combined with a different content protection scheme (called DTCP or 5C) is the leading competitor to DVI/HDCP and could be used fro a more extensive range of applications, such as from a HDTV set top receiver box to digital VCR interface. The IEEE-1394 interface currently goes under various trade names such as iLink and Firewire but the addition of the content protection provisions will only be provided in DTV/HDTV consumer produces being introduced starting in late 2001 (such as JVC's new D-VHS VCR) and with many more products during 2002. In November 2001 the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA is an associated whose members are the major consumer electronics manufactures) announced the an industry-wide name "DTVLink" and logo to be used with future digital television products (including monitors/projectors, digital VCRs, cable TV boxes, HDTV set top receiver boxes, etc.) that support an IEEE-1394 digital interface combined with DTCP anti-piracy protection provisions. This is intended to help consumers identify which products have compatible digital interfaces for receiving, viewing and recording DTV and HDTV material. The DVI/HDCP vs. DTVLink (IEEE 1394 with DTCP) competition is expected to heat up in some areas such as for the interface from cable TV boxes to monitors/projectors where the backers of both types of digital interfaces are promoting their solution. Some manufacturers, such as Thomson (RCA brand name) plan to release TV monitors/projectors during 2002 that have both the DVI/HDCP and DTVLink digital video interfaces.

hmurchison
Senior Member


Registered: Dec 2001
Location: Seattle
Posts: 285


quote:
Originally posted by Jwalter
The rumored street price for the upcoming Sony HD cam is around $4000.

So all of us hoping to get a 3 chip HD cam for less than $2000 will be disappointed

It will not be the silver bullet that will kill off the JVC.



It's still hard to get a decent 3 chip DV camera today for $2k. HDV is out of the question right now at that price point.

I know plenty of people who will rush to the Sony provided it's a step up from the current JVC models. I doubt Sony even hits $4k. I say they're targetting $5k for their 3 chip.

I'm most interested in seeing how Panasonic handles this over the next few years. They are conspicuously absent from the HDV hoopla. Perhaps they have plans to meet this market with a flavor of low cost DVCPRO HD. That would be sweet but I know i'm dreamin'

I think we have Sub $2k HDV in a couple of years hopefully with 3 ccds. That would really spur a lot of HD porn...oops did I say that out loud? No seriously it would be a boon for HD production.