The association with the term is such that MP3 is considered synonymous to songs. What few know is that it also offers the facility of Pod casting which is fast turning into a hot trend in the field of online audio. Pod casting is a term evolved by fusing digital music players (Pod from I-Pod) transmission (or broadcasting). In Pod casting programmes the participants hold an interactive session of chatting, playing songs, etc and convert the recording into a digital audio file. Pod casters mostly patronize the MP3 format.
In a compact disc (CD) the sound quality is superior as musical sounds are recorded on it by turning them into digits. 44,100 samples per second, 16 bits per sample and two channels (for stereo sound) are required to store music on a CD. About 10 million bytes (megabytes) of data per minute of music are stored on a CD and for a three-minute song 30 megabytes of data are needed. Anybody who has tried to download files on the Internet would understand that 30 megabytes is a massive quantum of memory space and using a modem for the purpose of Internet connectivity, 30 megabytes of data could take several hours to download.
For the purpose of recording/storing video data, MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) has created systems of compression. Thus, to fit video and movie data into smaller spaces for movie; DVDs, HDTV broadcasts and DSS satellite systems, MPEG compression is used. A subsystem that compresses sound is called MPEG Audio Layer-3. The MP3 system enables a 30-megabyte sound file from a CD to be compressed to 3 megabytes and stored in an MP3 disc. It makes no difference to the sound quality and on downloading an MP3 file it plays as well as the original file. It is also possible to download an MP3 file and stretch it back to the original size for the purpose of recording it on a writable CD that could be played on a CD player that cannot read MP3 files. It is mere conversion of different formats to make the process of downloading that much easier.
Copyrights protected article written by Andrew Stratton for Surveillance Technology. More articles and information about the Music and Entertainment can be viewed easily altogether at this location http://www.surveillancetechnology.com/entertainment-system.htm. Please be free to explore the website for more information on every surveillance products and their features.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrew_Stratton
Friday, October 12, 2007
Alpine Car Audio Systems - A Brief Overview
Get yourself grooving to your favorite tunes even in the car. Stay tuned to music 24/7. With the latest Alpine car audio systems, you can spice up those monotonous long drives.
A standard Alpine car audio system (Like any other car audio system) includes various components like amplifiers, subwoofers, head units, CD changers, crossovers and remotes.
I will talk about a few of them here. I hope this will help you make a more informed choice. That is, decide if an Alpine car audio system is the best for you.
Let's roll...
Alpine Amplifiers
Amplifiers basically amplify or boost an audio signal. There are mono, 2-channel and multi-channel amplifiers. Let's use the Alpine MRP-M650 for our case study...
It is a 400W mono subwoofer amplifier. It has the following features:
• It has a frequency response range of 20Hz-200Hz.
• It comes with gold plated screw terminals.
• It has built-in crossovers and a variable low-pass filter.
Alpine amplifiers are highly recommended for their high sound quality and value for money. This particular product has received amazing reviews from users. It is priced at approximately $200.
Alpine CD players/Head units
The Alpine CDE-9846 is a CD player with a built-in amplifier. It has the following features...
• It provides a maximum power of 45 watts.
• It has CD text. This means that the receiver can display song and disc title information.
• It comes with a detachable face and source tone memory.
On the flip side, this product does not come with remote controls. It also does not have CD changer controls and is not compatible with satellite radios. Nevertheless, it has received excellent ratings -- So it's worth giving it a look. It is available for around $140.
Speakers
The Alpine SPS-13C2 is a two-way 175W car speaker with the following specifications:
• The woofer has an Aluminum coated polypropylene cone.
• It has an RMS power range of 35 Watts. RMS stands for Root Mean Square, which is an accurate means of measuring and comparing the power of a speaker.
Car speakers are usually priced in pairs. These speakers are available for approximately $50.
There are other accessories like the subwoofers, crossovers, overhead monitors, headphones and CD changers that make an audio system complete. Go ahead, buy an Alpine car audio system. Your car deserves nothing but the best.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chimezirim_Chinecherem_Odimba
A standard Alpine car audio system (Like any other car audio system) includes various components like amplifiers, subwoofers, head units, CD changers, crossovers and remotes.
I will talk about a few of them here. I hope this will help you make a more informed choice. That is, decide if an Alpine car audio system is the best for you.
Let's roll...
Alpine Amplifiers
Amplifiers basically amplify or boost an audio signal. There are mono, 2-channel and multi-channel amplifiers. Let's use the Alpine MRP-M650 for our case study...
It is a 400W mono subwoofer amplifier. It has the following features:
• It has a frequency response range of 20Hz-200Hz.
• It comes with gold plated screw terminals.
• It has built-in crossovers and a variable low-pass filter.
Alpine amplifiers are highly recommended for their high sound quality and value for money. This particular product has received amazing reviews from users. It is priced at approximately $200.
Alpine CD players/Head units
The Alpine CDE-9846 is a CD player with a built-in amplifier. It has the following features...
• It provides a maximum power of 45 watts.
• It has CD text. This means that the receiver can display song and disc title information.
• It comes with a detachable face and source tone memory.
On the flip side, this product does not come with remote controls. It also does not have CD changer controls and is not compatible with satellite radios. Nevertheless, it has received excellent ratings -- So it's worth giving it a look. It is available for around $140.
Speakers
The Alpine SPS-13C2 is a two-way 175W car speaker with the following specifications:
• The woofer has an Aluminum coated polypropylene cone.
• It has an RMS power range of 35 Watts. RMS stands for Root Mean Square, which is an accurate means of measuring and comparing the power of a speaker.
Car speakers are usually priced in pairs. These speakers are available for approximately $50.
There are other accessories like the subwoofers, crossovers, overhead monitors, headphones and CD changers that make an audio system complete. Go ahead, buy an Alpine car audio system. Your car deserves nothing but the best.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chimezirim_Chinecherem_Odimba
The importance of mp3 Player during your day and life
There are many electronic gadgets that have a very important role in your life, I'll talk about the most important gadget nowadays, it's the mp3 player, I'll tell you how mp3 player can change your life for the better.
There are many electronic gadgets that have a very important role in your life, I'll talk about the most important gadget nowadays, it's the mp3 player, I'll tell you how mp3 player can change your life for the better, and I'll inform you how you can enjoy it during your day.For traveling, mp3 player is perfect for traveling, you can enjoy your favorite music during long travels to not get bored. In fact, mp3 player can really change your mood for the better in the traveling time.For sports, mp3 player is very cool and helpful during sports, it can help you to not feel tired while you enjoy your favorite music, it can get you do more sports to be a good athlete.At your free time, why you may get bored at free times, listen to your favorite recordings, songs and music while you spend your free time, anytime and anywhere. It will be very exciting to spend your free time with your favorite music.For lectures, record your lecture, representation, interviews using recording option in your mp3 player, according to the light weight and small size of the mp3 player, the recording process is very easy now.During your routine work at home, while you listen to your favorite music, it will be more easy to finish it at the perfect time.In your car, it's very easy to listen to your music by mp3 player using the mp3 transmitter which can convert the digital voice to radio waves which can be received by the car antenna.At rest time in your work, it may be more exciting to have your rest time with your music, it will be a very nice rest time to complete your work in a better mood.You can discover more important uses for the mp3 playerFeature Articles, when you know that you can enjoy it anywhere and anytime.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/the-importance-of-mp3-player-during-your-day-and-life.html
There are many electronic gadgets that have a very important role in your life, I'll talk about the most important gadget nowadays, it's the mp3 player, I'll tell you how mp3 player can change your life for the better, and I'll inform you how you can enjoy it during your day.For traveling, mp3 player is perfect for traveling, you can enjoy your favorite music during long travels to not get bored. In fact, mp3 player can really change your mood for the better in the traveling time.For sports, mp3 player is very cool and helpful during sports, it can help you to not feel tired while you enjoy your favorite music, it can get you do more sports to be a good athlete.At your free time, why you may get bored at free times, listen to your favorite recordings, songs and music while you spend your free time, anytime and anywhere. It will be very exciting to spend your free time with your favorite music.For lectures, record your lecture, representation, interviews using recording option in your mp3 player, according to the light weight and small size of the mp3 player, the recording process is very easy now.During your routine work at home, while you listen to your favorite music, it will be more easy to finish it at the perfect time.In your car, it's very easy to listen to your music by mp3 player using the mp3 transmitter which can convert the digital voice to radio waves which can be received by the car antenna.At rest time in your work, it may be more exciting to have your rest time with your music, it will be a very nice rest time to complete your work in a better mood.You can discover more important uses for the mp3 playerFeature Articles, when you know that you can enjoy it anywhere and anytime.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/technology/the-importance-of-mp3-player-during-your-day-and-life.html
MP3 Players - Buying Guideline
The articles describes the main types of MP3 player and some guiding points of choosing an MP3 player: which are the main features of an MP3 player, what should one pay attention to when choosing a player and other issues.
MP3 is today one of the most popular acronyms, the complete name of which not many know. At the same time it is the most popular audio formats for the time of traveling. Many, many people buy new MP3 players and get rid of their old CD MP3 players. Why does this happen? Because the new players, based on flash cards, mini hard disks or had disks are more 'portable' and in most cases are able storing more information, i.e. more music and more hours listening to your favorite tracks.
So what should one pay attention to, when buying an MP3 player? There's actually not much to know about, but there are some key moments everyone should mind.
There are three main types of MP3 players, which are distinguished by the type of storage they have:
* Flash-based;
* MicroDrive-based;
* HDD-based.
A Flash-based MP3 player means the gadget has an integrated flash memory with a fixed amount of memory. However, some devices are equipped with a slot for additional flash cards of a certain type, whether SD (Secure Digital), MMC (MultiMedia Card) or any other multimedia flash cards, compatible with MP3 players.
The storage of such gadgets starts with 128 megabytes (this is not the minimum of a flash card, but having less megabytes is absolutely useless for an MP3 player). This is however very little for today and it is a rarity. You can only store about 20-30 files (depending on the quality and length of the tracks). Maximum storage is limited only to what the manufacturer of the player limits it to. On the other hand the storage is limited to the capacity the gadget is able to read. For example today many manufacturers start producing 8 GB and more Secure Digital flash cards, which would not be read by every device. So when buying any device with flash cards slot, be aware of what is the storage limit of the gadget.
Such a device would be perfect for working out, as there are no movable parts within and the player doesn't need any buffering, as the old CD players did.
An MP3 player with a Micro Drive will store, in most of the cases, more files, i.e. up to 6-10 gigabytes, but the ability to store files is more convenient, and it would be rather enough to have all the favorite tunes at hand.
HDD-based MP3 players are able storing a great amount of files, which is actually not that necessary. A person can hardly have so much favorite music: such a gadget can store from 20 to 60 gigabytes. This is rather much for a media player, which is able to play only audio files. Yet there are players, like iPods, which can playback video files and show them on the small screen. This function of the media player is rather useful for traveling long distances.
Since the HDD and the Micro Drive based players are actually based on hard drives, it is strongly not advisable to use them during workouts, as there are movable parts inside the hard drives and they could be damaged when shaken.
All the MP3 players, whatever their storage is, have a USB compatibility with the PC, as there should be a place to copy music from. However, some players are able downloading music from the internet via a wireless connection.
It should be also taken into consideration the power supply of the gadget: the flash-based devices will be delivered with disposable batteries, mainly AAA or AA (but a pair of rechargeable batteries can be always found), whereas the other two types of players would be delivered mostly with a rechargeable battery, compatible only with this particular model.
Modern MP3 players are not limited only to playback of MP3 files, as some can also playback WMA files, audio tracks from WMV files, AAC files, and other formats. So be sure to find out he exact list of formats the player you chose can playback.
Be careful to choose a gadget, which suits your lifestyle. For example if you like to travel a lot, then a micro drive player (or even one with a HDD) is the one for you, because so you can store all your important files near you. But if you often work out and music is an important part of the exercise, the flash MP3s are right for you.
Once again, be careful what you choose. Even if an MP3 for someone is a small thing, keep in mind that small things build up you life, so be wise when you choose them.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/multimedia/mp3-players-buying-guideline.html
MP3 is today one of the most popular acronyms, the complete name of which not many know. At the same time it is the most popular audio formats for the time of traveling. Many, many people buy new MP3 players and get rid of their old CD MP3 players. Why does this happen? Because the new players, based on flash cards, mini hard disks or had disks are more 'portable' and in most cases are able storing more information, i.e. more music and more hours listening to your favorite tracks.
So what should one pay attention to, when buying an MP3 player? There's actually not much to know about, but there are some key moments everyone should mind.
There are three main types of MP3 players, which are distinguished by the type of storage they have:
* Flash-based;
* MicroDrive-based;
* HDD-based.
A Flash-based MP3 player means the gadget has an integrated flash memory with a fixed amount of memory. However, some devices are equipped with a slot for additional flash cards of a certain type, whether SD (Secure Digital), MMC (MultiMedia Card) or any other multimedia flash cards, compatible with MP3 players.
The storage of such gadgets starts with 128 megabytes (this is not the minimum of a flash card, but having less megabytes is absolutely useless for an MP3 player). This is however very little for today and it is a rarity. You can only store about 20-30 files (depending on the quality and length of the tracks). Maximum storage is limited only to what the manufacturer of the player limits it to. On the other hand the storage is limited to the capacity the gadget is able to read. For example today many manufacturers start producing 8 GB and more Secure Digital flash cards, which would not be read by every device. So when buying any device with flash cards slot, be aware of what is the storage limit of the gadget.
Such a device would be perfect for working out, as there are no movable parts within and the player doesn't need any buffering, as the old CD players did.
An MP3 player with a Micro Drive will store, in most of the cases, more files, i.e. up to 6-10 gigabytes, but the ability to store files is more convenient, and it would be rather enough to have all the favorite tunes at hand.
HDD-based MP3 players are able storing a great amount of files, which is actually not that necessary. A person can hardly have so much favorite music: such a gadget can store from 20 to 60 gigabytes. This is rather much for a media player, which is able to play only audio files. Yet there are players, like iPods, which can playback video files and show them on the small screen. This function of the media player is rather useful for traveling long distances.
Since the HDD and the Micro Drive based players are actually based on hard drives, it is strongly not advisable to use them during workouts, as there are movable parts inside the hard drives and they could be damaged when shaken.
All the MP3 players, whatever their storage is, have a USB compatibility with the PC, as there should be a place to copy music from. However, some players are able downloading music from the internet via a wireless connection.
It should be also taken into consideration the power supply of the gadget: the flash-based devices will be delivered with disposable batteries, mainly AAA or AA (but a pair of rechargeable batteries can be always found), whereas the other two types of players would be delivered mostly with a rechargeable battery, compatible only with this particular model.
Modern MP3 players are not limited only to playback of MP3 files, as some can also playback WMA files, audio tracks from WMV files, AAC files, and other formats. So be sure to find out he exact list of formats the player you chose can playback.
Be careful to choose a gadget, which suits your lifestyle. For example if you like to travel a lot, then a micro drive player (or even one with a HDD) is the one for you, because so you can store all your important files near you. But if you often work out and music is an important part of the exercise, the flash MP3s are right for you.
Once again, be careful what you choose. Even if an MP3 for someone is a small thing, keep in mind that small things build up you life, so be wise when you choose them.
http://www.articlesfactory.com/articles/multimedia/mp3-players-buying-guideline.html
DIY lab scanner made from standard CD drive
Fixing two additional light sensors to a normal CD or DVD drive can transform it into a highly accurate scanner for chemical or medical tests, Spanish researchers have shown. The team has developed a modified CD drive that detected tiny quantities of pesticide in samples placed on top of an ordinary compact disk.
Biologists and chemists often detect and measure compounds of interest, such as disease pathogens in blood or pollutants in water, by triggering interactions between these compounds and known proteins and antibodies. These immunoassay tests produce further compounds that can then be measured accurately, typically using light.
However, the machines used for light detection are expensive, normally costing between 30,000 and 60,000 euros, says Angel Maquieira, of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain.
Maquieira and colleagues found that an off-the-shelf CD drive can be modified to do the same job. While a laboratory machine has to precisely scan samples with light and record the results, a CD player uses similar precision to read the tiny pits that encode music or data on a disk.
"The main advantages of using a CD reader are versatility, simplicity, ease of operation, and portability for point-of-need applications," Maquieira told New Scientist.
Measuring light
Maquieira and colleagues soldered two extra light sensors inside a CD player, and used software to control the way the device "plays" a disk.
The first sensor identifies the sector of a disk containing a sample using black marks on the edge of the disk. The second analyses the sample itself, measuring the amount of laser light that is able to pass through the disk. The off-the-shelf disks used normally reflect around 30% of the laser beam onto the reading head, with the rest passing through.
In experiments, the researchers used their modified drive to detect traces of three different pesticides. A sample – half a millimetre across on a disk – was treated normally, using a set of reactions that produce an amount of dye or silver that is inversely proportional to the amount of pesticide in the sample.
The amount of laser light that passed through the disk to the second sensor indicated the levels of dye or silver. The modified drive was thus able to detect levels of pesticide as low as 0.02 micrograms per litre.
Although the hacked device lags behind the performance of specialised machines, it is accurate enough for many lab tasks, the team says.
High capacity
Other researchers have previously used the reading head from a CD drive to scan chemical samples. Using the whole drive is both faster and cheaper, Maquieira says.
He adds that thousands of samples could be placed on a single disk. "Currently, working at minimum capacity, we can manage 3072 dots, but the real capacity is much higher – more than 10000 per CD," he says.
Patrick Corran, who uses immunoassays at the London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine, says modified CD drives could be perfect for use in poorer countries. "I study malaria and I'm always aware of the importance of making equipment available to developing countries," he told New Scientist. "A cheap-and cheerful device made from mass produced and easily available products could help with that."
However, Corran believes that the Spanish team's procedure needs to be developed further. "They still do part of the assay in a normal plate. Until the whole thing can be done on a CD it doesn't have a great technical advantage."
Corran adds that future disk drives may be even more useful, since next-generation systems like Blu-ray and HD-DVD use shorter wavelength lasers that are closer to those found inside laboratory machines.
http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn12688-diy-lab-scanner-made-from-standard-cd-drive.html
Biologists and chemists often detect and measure compounds of interest, such as disease pathogens in blood or pollutants in water, by triggering interactions between these compounds and known proteins and antibodies. These immunoassay tests produce further compounds that can then be measured accurately, typically using light.
However, the machines used for light detection are expensive, normally costing between 30,000 and 60,000 euros, says Angel Maquieira, of the Polytechnic University of Valencia, Spain.
Maquieira and colleagues found that an off-the-shelf CD drive can be modified to do the same job. While a laboratory machine has to precisely scan samples with light and record the results, a CD player uses similar precision to read the tiny pits that encode music or data on a disk.
"The main advantages of using a CD reader are versatility, simplicity, ease of operation, and portability for point-of-need applications," Maquieira told New Scientist.
Measuring light
Maquieira and colleagues soldered two extra light sensors inside a CD player, and used software to control the way the device "plays" a disk.
The first sensor identifies the sector of a disk containing a sample using black marks on the edge of the disk. The second analyses the sample itself, measuring the amount of laser light that is able to pass through the disk. The off-the-shelf disks used normally reflect around 30% of the laser beam onto the reading head, with the rest passing through.
In experiments, the researchers used their modified drive to detect traces of three different pesticides. A sample – half a millimetre across on a disk – was treated normally, using a set of reactions that produce an amount of dye or silver that is inversely proportional to the amount of pesticide in the sample.
The amount of laser light that passed through the disk to the second sensor indicated the levels of dye or silver. The modified drive was thus able to detect levels of pesticide as low as 0.02 micrograms per litre.
Although the hacked device lags behind the performance of specialised machines, it is accurate enough for many lab tasks, the team says.
High capacity
Other researchers have previously used the reading head from a CD drive to scan chemical samples. Using the whole drive is both faster and cheaper, Maquieira says.
He adds that thousands of samples could be placed on a single disk. "Currently, working at minimum capacity, we can manage 3072 dots, but the real capacity is much higher – more than 10000 per CD," he says.
Patrick Corran, who uses immunoassays at the London School of Hygeine and Tropical Medicine, says modified CD drives could be perfect for use in poorer countries. "I study malaria and I'm always aware of the importance of making equipment available to developing countries," he told New Scientist. "A cheap-and cheerful device made from mass produced and easily available products could help with that."
However, Corran believes that the Spanish team's procedure needs to be developed further. "They still do part of the assay in a normal plate. Until the whole thing can be done on a CD it doesn't have a great technical advantage."
Corran adds that future disk drives may be even more useful, since next-generation systems like Blu-ray and HD-DVD use shorter wavelength lasers that are closer to those found inside laboratory machines.
http://technology.newscientist.com/article/dn12688-diy-lab-scanner-made-from-standard-cd-drive.html
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