Talk to Me, Fridge

A world in which humans communicate with household objects—partly to better the environment—is closer than you think

by Drew Lanza

Imagine a world where our things could talk back, where exchanges such as the following are the norm.

Sprinkler: Hey, horticultural genius! Did you realize you’re using 20% more water in your garden than last year? It’s costing you an extra $50 per month! And by the way, it’s raining and the Internet says you should expect 4 in. tomorrow. So why am I still on?

Me: O.K., bring up the map of the garden with the current watering schedule and we’ll change it.

Before long, you won’t have to imagine it. Interactions like this one represent—if you’ll pardon the expression—the Internet’s next big flowering. We’ll soon witness the emergence of what’s come to be known as the Internet of Things, a confluence of technologies and tools that gives us the ability to interact virtually with most of the objects in our lives.

This new ability represents the logical next step for computation in its evolution from centralized and expensive to distributed and cheap. Today we can use information gleaned from a Google (GOOG) search on the Internet to reprogram our stuff—from Sony (SNE) TVs, to Whirlpool (WHR) washing machines, to Boeing (BA) jet engines. Tomorrow, those things will be able to collect that digital data themselves and then act upon it by grabbing our attention. In some cases the things will be able to respond to the new information independently.

Continues at Business Week

Alesis ProTrack turns your iPod into a pro audio recorder

Looking for a digital audio recorder with up to 160GB of storage? The Alesis ProTrack will turn a standard iPod into a high quality digital audio recorder, complete with XLR and 1/4th inch inputs. The ProTrack is due out in Q3 of 2008. No word on pricing yet, but here’s a rundown of the specs:

• Built-in stereo condenser mics in an XY pattern
• 2 combo XLR-1/4th inch jacks that function as line or mic inputs
• Provides 48V phantom power
• 1/8th inch stereo output
• 16-bit, 44.1kHz or 22kHz stereo recording
• Universal iPod dock
• LED indicators
• Limiter
• Volume control
• Provides up to 5 hours of recording time with 4 AAA batteries
• Threaded mount for use with a tripod

Continues at Brand Linder’s Blog

Mobile studio for Hire

DCS STUDIO

If you’re looking to shoot tethered in studio, we supply everything you need. We set up a blazing-fast 8-core Mac Pro with dual 30” monitors, top-of-the-line capture software, and an experienced technician to run it all.

Want to get started on editing and retouching right away? We can set up a second computer with a retoucher on set. At the end of the day, the photographer or client walks away with a hard drive containing the images they need.

LOCATION/TRAVEL

Do you need portability? There’s no need to sacrifice the advantages of a digital tech when you’re shooting on location, or even when traveling.

We have packages available that allow you to shoot to our Macbook Pro, which is conveniently mounted on top of our Location Station. The Location Station keeps the laptop powered for up to 8 hours, and has two removable hard drives that speed up the shooting process.  It also allows for simultaneous backup, ensuring that no files are lost.

With our talented digital technicians and the Location Station, the World Becomes Your Studio.

Imagine a state of the art, mobile, digital van pulling up to your shoot location instantly ready for you to pick up the camera, take your first shot and begin your digital workflow.

Imagine being able to shoot tethered from up to a mile away from that van. Picture an on-set retoucher working on your images as the shoot is happening. See your client in a cool, comfortable place conducting business while on location.

This van provides it all. Even if your client is unable to be on-set, the images can be uploaded to the web for remote viewing in near real-time. All this comes with knowledgeable, professional digital technicians running everything and keeping your shoot flowing. (see van)

Produce Terrific Black & White Photos

From Wired How-To Wiki

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Slinky photo by Chris J via Flickr

Digital cameras can take beautiful monochrome shots — even today’s mid-range point-and-shoot models. But you’ll need to do more than just flip the switch to Black & White mode. Here’s our guide to taking better black and whites.

This article is a wiki. Got extra advice? Log in and add it.

Shoot in color. Digital cameras grab a wider range of tones in color mode because they’re capturing data for three channels – red, green and blue. For this reason, it’s best to shoot in color and convert your images to black and white in post-production. Since you’ll be doing more post-production work than usual, shoot in RAW if your camera allows it. Also, if you can adjust your ISO settings, shoot with the lowest ISO possible. This will help reduce image noise, which tends to surface during your post-production tweaks.

Continues at How to Wired

AudioVisual over IP

AudioVisual over IP

Running communications over IP is increasingly becoming a matter of importance for many of our customers. In response to these demands Focus 21 have developed our services and are at the forefront of this audiovisual revolution. AudioVisual over IP (AVoIP) allows IP enabled audiovisual equpment to be connected over an IT infrastructure allowing central control and remote monitoring. This includes presentation systems, videoconferencing, distributed TV and control systems. Amongst the benefits of this is better functionality with a lower cost of operation and maintenance. http://www.focus21.co.uk

Audio Visual Experiments

IMMERSION Night 1

Developing Standard for Radio Frequency-Based Remotes

Consortium Developing Standard for Radio Frequency-Based Remotes

Consumer electronics giants, Philips, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic,
announced last week that they are collaborating on the development of
a standardized specification for radio frequency-based remote controls
for audio-visual consumer electronics devices. Together with Freescale
Semiconductors, OKI and Texas Instruments, the companies have
formed an RF4CE (stands for “Radio Frequency for Consumer
Electronics”) Consortium that will attempt to create a new protocol to

enable the development of radio frequency remote controls that offer
richer communication, increased reliability and more flexible use.
While no radio frequency remote control standard currently exists for
audio-visual consumer electronics devices, the companies say, there is
a growing demand for advanced remote control functionality that
cannot be supported by the infrared technology currently used in most
remotes. They claim that radio frequency remotes will meet this need,
not only enabling non-line-of-sight operation, but also providing
features based on bi-directional communications, such as “display
feedback for an enhanced entertainment experience.”

Continues at itvt

Music tech to tickle you in 2008

Guitars, like gadgets, bring out the child in you. Although it’s unlikely you’d smash your phone onstage in front of thousands of people. Then set fire to it.

Thankfully there was none of that behaviour at the recent London International Music Show, just a lot of cool music tech.

Vox’s JamVOX is a clever piece of software that rifles through your itunes library, and separates out your favoured guitar solo so you can jam along with Queen sans Brian or analyse the May genius all by itself.

More at Stuff TV

A guide to basic audio measurements

Audio testing is concerned with performance benchmarks, dubbed the “Big Six” measurements, which include level, frequency response, total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N), phase, crosstalk and SNR.

This article looks at the types of testing required for different audio devices. Then, a device and a signal path are chosen as an example for testing. Basic setup considerations are discussed. Each of the Big Six measurements are covered in detail, and each measurement is performed using analyzer reading meters and one frequency sweep.

View the PDF document for more information.

Singing Tesla Coils

Singing Tesla Coils - ArcAttack - Creepy Circus Song