ITGS Chapter 13: Home and Leisure
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT - 'CAVE'
(Cave Automated Virtual Environment) systems take the virtual world concept a step further. The user stands in a small cube-like room while images of the virtual world are projected on each side of the walls surrounding the user creating a more immersive effect.
WHAT MAKES UP A HTPC
A HTPC normally features an optical drive (eg. Blu-ray drive) for playing movies, a relatively powerful processor for decoding HD video content, and a DVI or HDMI interface for connecting a high quality screen or television. Internet access can also be used to view programme schedules, access view-on-demand content and visit film rental sites. A built in TV card allows broadcast content to be displayed a digitally recorded, and a large hard disk is needed to save this material.
peer-to-peer (P2P)
A computer network that relies on the computing power and bandwidth of the participants in the network rather than a centralized server. Each node can communicate directly with every other node in the network.
WHATS A KEY FEATURE OF SMART HOMES?
A home network which centralises control allowing many aspects of the home to be operated from a portable computer or even a mobile phone. (+) Convinient + allows control from anywhere (security, comfort)
E-BOOKS
A method of distributing electronic copies of books, magazines, and newspapers. Can be downloaded for free or purchased from an e-book store. Can be read on a normal computer, but are most often downloaded to dedicated e-book readers such as the Kindle or Nook.
CONCERNS ABOUT GAMES
A number of concerns have been raised both about the content of computer games and the health effects of long term game playing..
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
A product of the intellect, such as an expressed idea or concept, that has commercial value. - Films, music, art, ideas etc.
WHAT SMART HOME FEATURES CAN PROVIDE SECURITY
AUTOMATED LIGHTING AND CAMERAS: Security lighting systems can be programmed to switch on automatically at a certain time of the day, or when movement is detected. A camera can send an alert when abnormal movement is sensed and both of these can work in conjunction. BIOMETRICS- scans of fingerprints or retinas can be used instead of physical keys, providing improved security and reducing the problem of lost or stolen keys
WHAT'S ANOTHER BENEFIT OF DIGITISATION
Allows global access to works, for example through online virtual museums.
STEREOLITHOGRAPHY
Also called 3D printing, produces physical copies of items modelled in a computer. Stereolithography builds up objects by adding layer upon layer of plastic or resin, slowly creating the item from the bottom up. This is often used for producing concept models and prototypes of items before they are created in other, more expensive, materials.
WOULD LEGAL ALTERNATIVES HELP COMBAT ILLEGAL FILE SHARING?
Although cost is seen as the main reason people download media illegally, some studies suggest other reasons such as individuals being able to choose individual music tracks as opposed to a whole album. And although individual tracks can be downloaded from legal music services, they are often locked with DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT (DRM) technology which prevents users from using them on several different devices. It's suggested that the media industry can combat illegal downloads by allowing more flexibility and including more titles in their legal downloads catalogues.
CONCERNS ABOUT GAMES - CONTENT: VIOLENCE [GAMES VS. MOVIES]
Although films often contain violence, in games the player is usually actively participating in the acts which has a larger impact. [They are choosing to be violent]. The use of some input devices which imitate real life weapons has added concerns. Anti-violent game campaigners even use the phrase 'murder simulators' and compare recreational use of video games with the military's use of games to train soldiers - claiming they desensitise players to real life violence.
CONCERNS ABOUT CITIZEN JOURNALISM
Although they raise immediate awareness of events, concerns have been raised about citizen journalism invading privacy - particularly as they are unlikely to be bound by the same ethical codes as regular journalists. Integrity is also a consideration.
VOD..
Another development in the television industry is VIDEO ON DEMAND programming, especially over the internet using the IPTV protocol. Some TV companies allow viewers to 'catch up' with TV programming for free via their websites, usually for a limited time after broadcast. Others make a larger catalogue of programming available - each episode for a small fee. Companies like NetFlix allow users to download a wide range of films and TV programmes on demand, either for individual fees or a monthly subscription.
WHERE IS CITIZEN JOURNALISM MOST COMMON?
At unpredictable events, where normal media are unlikely to be initially present and may have difficult gaining access when they arrive. Eg. terrorist attacks, natural disasters etc. In these cases, national new broadcaster made heavy use of citizens' images which in some cases are the only ones available (eg. when passengers were stuck underground)
HOW DOES OTHER DATA USE DRM
Audo CDs have also used DRM to prevent copying. DRM can be applied to data in various formats including PDF documents, AAC audio, and WM video.
AUGMENTED REALITY
Augmented reality technologies 'add' a layer of digital information to our views of the real world, using a mobile phone or dedicated viewing device.
HOW HAS CITIZEN JOURNALISM BECOME POSSIBLE?
Because many mobile phones now have cameras and Internet access, allowing footage to be shot, uploaded, and shared almost immediately on social media sites such as Twitter or Facebook. Many traditional websites now have sections for reader contributions too (and have contact links for readers to send in information/ photos etc.)
WHAT PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN HOME AUTOMATION
COMMUNICATION- home owners might use mobile phones to receive alerts of... UNUSUAL SITUATIONS such as windows being left open to which they can then respond to with instructions (eg. 'close window'). [This particularly could be used with the weather eg. opening windows if sunny out] DANGEROUS SITUATIONS such as a fire or a break in; the house might be able to contact/ send an alert to the emergency services
BENEFITS OF SMART HOME FEATURES
Comfort and convenience Reducing human workload Security Environmental and financial benefits
EXPLAIN THE CONSIDERATIONS FILM COMPANIES NEED TO MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCTS ONLINE: COPY PROTECTION MEASURES
Copy protection measures such as DRM (Digital Rights Management) which can help reduce financial losses caused by online piracy. However, many genuine users dislike the restrictions caused by these eg. being unable to use the materials on different devices.
DIGITAL RIGHTS MANAGEMENT
DRM refers to technologies which limit what a user can do with a digital file.
HOW DO DVDs USE DRM?
DVDs use an early form of DRM called Content Scrambling System (CSS) to prevent illegal copies being made. DVD content was encrypted and could only be decrypted by the key inside authorised DVD players or drives, to prevent copying of the film using special disk copying software.
DEDICATED GAME CONSOLES AND MODERN CONSOLES - FEATURES
Dedicated games consoles by companies such as Sony, Nintendo and Microsoft are even more powerful with high resolution displays, multi-channel sound, high capacity storage devices, and fast processors capable of generating complex 3D graphics. Modern consoles also feature Internet connectivity for web browsing and use a range of input devices specifically designed for gaming.
PRESERVING DIGITAL DATA
Even digital data may be in need of preservation efforts: as new file formats are developed and older ones become obsolete, it can become difficult or impossible to find software capable of opening files saved in the older standards. The problem is even greater if data is stored on obsolete formats such as 5.25 inch floppy disks or even paper tape, and if programs to read to filed were designed for older systems which are incompatible with modern machines. Commercial software companies who go out of business, taking their source code and file format specifications with them, are another concern: Many digital preservation efforts try to avoid these problems in the future by using open standards.
ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST PIRACY (CONT.)
Governments have also passed legislation aimed at illegal file sharing. The UK's DIGITAL ECONOMY ACT 2010 (DEA) includes measures requires ISPs (internet service providers) to identify people who persistently infringe copyright laws online and take 'technical measures' against them such as reducing the speed of their Internet connections or even disconnecting them. The DEA also allows the UK government to block sites from which a substantial amount of material has been is being or is likely to be obtained in infringement of copyright.
CONCERNS ABOUT GAMES - HEALTH
Health concerns range from common concerns that players don't get enough physical exercise to the extreme cases where players become addicted and 'leave' their education, work and personal lives. There are also concerns such as RSI, eye strain, back issues etc. (all associated with the use of technology). In extreme cases people have died from exhaustion after long periods of playing.
DESCRIBE 2 TECHNOLOGIES WHICH HAVE ASSISTED THE ILLEGAL ONLINE COPYING OF FILMS
High bandwidth internet connectivity which has enabled large files to be transferred very quickly. Modern compression technologies which allow entire films to be compressed to a relatively small size. Peer-to-peer networks which allow users to transfer files to each other, making it harder for authorities to shut them down.
WHAT ELSE HAS AFFECTED DIGITAL TELEVISION AND RADIO?
Higher bandwidth allows a greater number of channels to be broadcast - meaning items such as sport can be covered by numerous cameras at many different locations, allowing viewers to choose how they want to watch. Other broadcasts can include multiple languages or data such as closed captions
POSITIVE EFFECTS OF GAME PLAYING
Improving hand-to-eye coordination, logical thinking abilities and physical fitness
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT - MULTIPLAYERS
In addition to single player - many games feature multi-player options, allowing gamers to connect with each other on a LAN or over the Internet.
HOW ARE E-BOOKS DISTRIBUTED?
In many formats - some of which support Digital Rights Management to control book distribution. The most common formats are ePub, AZW and PDF. Although not all readers supports all formats - conversion between formats is relatively easy.
SMART HOME FEATURES INSIDE THE HOME CONT. - KITCHEN
In the kitchen, a fridge with inbuilt bar code or RFID readers can monitor food levels and produce an automated shopping list/ alert when items start to run low. A connected internet connection could even order the food online and arrange its delivery at a convenient time (based on owner's schedule). Recipes can also be automatically looked up online using the food in the house.
IPTV PROTOCOL
Internet Protocol television (IPTV) is the delivery of television content over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. This is in contrast to delivery through traditional terrestrial, satellite, and cable television formats
AUGMENTED REALITY - REAL LIFE APPLICATION 3
It also forms part of the Future Warrior system for soldiers, displaying the positions of friendly forces. It can also be used to help emergency workers. Fire fighter for example could use the system to help them navigate smoke filled buildings by viewing an overlay of the building's walls, doors and stairs on a display fit into their breathing masks. (+) This could save critical time possibly saving lives
IMPACTS OF SWITCHING TO DIGITAL BROADCASTING
It has economic and environmental costs. Depending on circumstances, veiwers may require a new aerial and a new 'set top box' to decode the digital signals. This begins to raise issues of e-waste as users begin to throw away many pieces of working equiptment many of which contain hazardous materials.
WHY IS THE USE OF DRM CONTROVERSIAL?
It restricts certain activities which have been legal rights (such as making backup copies or copying music to another device such as a portable music player). It can also cause compatibility problems with some systems (eg. 'unauthorised' free and open source DVD player software)
EXPLAIN THE CONSIDERATIONS FILM COMPANIES NEED TO MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCTS ONLINE: LICENSING LAWS
Licensing laws: distributor may only have rights to distribute the content in some countries and therefore must prevent downloads from other countries
IMPACT OF ILLEGAL FILE SHARING/ PIRACY
Loss of revenues for companies [although many of these reports assume that each illegal download is equivalent to a lost sale which may be a false assumption] Music sales have fallen in past years (CD sales dropped, digital sales grew)
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT - HOW DO (REALLY BIG) MULTIPLAYER GAMES WORK/ EXAMPLES
MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE GAMES (MMOG) or MASSIVELY MULTIPLAYER ONLINE ROLE PLAYING GAMES (MMORPG) often feature fantasy or magical themes require players to... Create an avatar (a virtual representation of themselves) and log in to access the virtual world [usually for a subscription fee]. As players progress through the game, they compete missions or quests, improving their avatar's abilities and advancing through the game. Buying in-game items is also an option. [some of these games are so popular that there are black-market for in-game items which are sold for real money]
SOLUTIONS TO VIOLENT/ MATURE GAMES
Many countries restrict computer games using age classifications just as they do films and make it illegal to supply 15 or 18 rated games to people under that age. Systems such as PEGI (Pan European Game Information) and ESRB (Entertainment Software Rating Board) exist to rate games and provide information to parents about their content AND age rating and categories including drug use, sex, violence and bad language.
STAKEHOLDERS OF ILLEGAL DISTRIBUTION OF COPYRIGHT MATERIAL ONLINE
Media industry bodies Creators of material Businesses that legally (and illegally) sell the material ISPs (Internet Service Providers) Consumers
SOLUTIONS TO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
Media industry organisations such as the MOTION PICTURE ASSOCIATION of AMERICA (MPAA) and the RECORDING IDUSTRY ASSOCIATION of AMERICA (RIAA) have focused on educating users about copyright infringement while also trying to target sites which link to copyrighted material.
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT E-BOOKS?
Most e-books use electronic ink displays which are more comfortable to read than traditional LCD screens and consume much less power, although they are usually limited to black and white. E-book readers usually have wireless connections to enable downloading of books. Several companies distribute their own e-book readers which then link to their respective e-book stores, though they are not restricted to these sites.
EXAMPLE/ USE OF P2P SYSTEM
Napster: one of the first P2P systems launched in 1999. Rather than host files itself, Napster allowed users to share files directly from their hard disks. It was focused on sharing music files but as file compression technologies improved and internet speeds (increased bandwidth) increased - it became possible to share large software programmes and entire films online. [allowed ] Other egs: BitTorrent
ON-DEMAND PROGRAMMING (-)
One of the main drawbacks is that users pay to view the content only once, with no physical copy of the content to watch layer. (Not case with Netflix) Because on demand content is usually streamed, a relatively high speed and reliable internet connection is also needed.
ONLINE GAMING
Online gaming presents new challenges when trying to protect children from harmful content. Even in age appropriate games players can be exposed to a range of undesirable content once online and especially if the games are multi-player or with chat rooms. Online predators are also a risk. For this reason, some games heavily restrict their online content or have strict age restrictions. Other companies have tried different approaches and offered alternatives for underage users Eg. the virtual world Second Life created Teen Second Life which required users to prove they were under 18 (reverse verification) and for adults to pass a background check (useful for teachers).
PUBLISHED AND BROADCAST INFORMATION - NEWS
Online news reading is now one of the top 3 activities for internet users. A large number of sites, many of which are now free, provide access to a greater range of news content than would be feasible with traditional newspapers, and also provide access to many years of older, archived articles. Content which would require dozens of pages ot printed news can easily be accessed on the move using mobile devices. Many newspaper sites also let users fetch the latest headlines to their desktops or portable devices using RSS rather than visiting a variety of sites, saving time and allowing users to customise the topic they recieve. Apps are also available which give notifications.
LEGAL USES OF PEER-TO-PEER FILE SHARING
P2P file sharing systems themselves aren't illegal. Because they make it easy to share large files, reducing the load on any one server and providing faster downloads speeds, P2P systems are often used to distribute public domain media and free and open source software such as Linux.
WHAT HAS INCREASED ACCESS TO THE INTERNET ALSO LEAD TO THE INCREASE OF?
PIRACY: an increase in the number of people downloading illegal copies of copyrighted material. This is often done using P2P systems (Peer to Peer)
WHAT CAN THE GOVERNMENT DO TO COMBAT ILLEGAL DISTRIBUTION OF COPYRIGHT MATERIAL ONLINE
Pass laws requiring ISPs to filter access to sites containing illegal material. (-) inconvenience consumers - may be false positives meaning they lose access to legitimate websites Can work with media industry bodies to educate users about copyright infringement and its negative impacts (loss of profits, loss of taxes, consequence of paying fines/ going to prison) Work with media industry bodies to perform software license audits on large organisations to encourage them to use legally acquired software [couple this with harsher laws] Work with law enforcement agencies to shut down web hosts that host sites containing illegal material (-) difficult if sites are located overseas with less rigid law enforcement
DOMESTIC ROBOTS
Perform domestic chores/ tasks: Vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, pool cleaners, security patrollers INPUTS: -Vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers and pool cleaners all sense the perimeter of the area in which they are to work using cameras and pressure sensors. -Security robots also detect movement and/or heat. Processing -Domestic robots build a map of their surroundings from their sensory input. They use this information to decide where to move and how to act. OUTPUTS: -Motors controls wheels and cleaning/mowing equipment/ alerts from security robots
BENEFITS OF SMART HOME FEATURES: ENVIRONMENTAL AND FINANCIAL BENEFITS:
Power consumption is reduced through automated systems which switch off devices when not in use. SMART METRES allow families to see breakdowns of their water, electricity, and other resource consumption enabling them to optimise their use and reduce waste.
WHAT CAN DRM BE USED FOR?
Preventing printing of a book (PDF) Make content expire (unable to open) after a certain date Prevent copying and pasting from documents Prevent copying (including backup copies) Restrict the number of copies possible Restrict a file to opening only on a specific device
EXPLAIN THE CONSIDERATIONS FILM COMPANIES NEED TO MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCTS ONLINE: PRICE
Price - there needs to be a balance between price paid for digital copy and physical copy. If price is too high then users may be inclined to opt for the physical version or the illegal download.
CITIZEN JOURNALISM
Refers to news reported and distributed first by citizens (normal people), rather than professional journalists and for-profit news organizations.
ONLINE NEWS
Refers to newspapers, magazines, journals, news radio and television, and blogs that deliver news and information about current events on the Web. They have been cited as a significant factor in the decrease of traditional newspapers. Most news organisations however, find it harder to generate revenue online than in their print editions as online advertising revenues are generally much lower and many newspapers provide a great deal of news and editorial content for free.
DIGITAL RESTORATION OF PAINTINGS
Restorers can either create a fully digital version of the restored work, or use a digital copy to practice restoration techniques before applying them to the original painting. This reduces the risk of damage to the original and allows the most appropriate techniques to be used.
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT - VIRTUAL WORLDS
Similar to MMOGs expect they often lack defined objectives, and instead simply allow the player to 'live' int he world, interacting with others, building objects and perhaps owning 'land'. Eg. Second life: it has its own currency and gamers, educational institutions and businesses have all established presences in Second Life offering virtual tours, classes and shops.
SMART HOMES
Smart home technology (home automation) uses information technology to improve the convenience, security, and energy efficiency of buildings. Several smart home technologies are already quite common in our homes (but are more integrated and therefore less noticeable) while others only exist in those houses of the rich.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF POPULARITY MAKING DECISION
Some news aggregation sites feature articles selected by human editors, much like traditional newspapers. Social news sites rely on popularity votes to determine which articles are first presented. Google news goes further and selects newsworthy stories completely automatically, based on criteria such as the number of sites they appear on and when they are updated.
TO COUNTERACT NEGATIVES OF NEWS AGGREGATION SITES...
Some news sites have started using PAYWALLS - systems which require payment for access to certain news articles, or after a certain number of articles have been read for free. For a small daily, weekly, or monthly fee - users can gain unrestricted access to news content including archived articles.
BENEFITS OF SMART HOME FEATURES: SAFETY:
Some smart homes can also improve safety by monitoring their inhabitants. Eg. project Gerhome which creates smart homes for the elderly featuring full monitoring systems connected to doctors via the internet which gives elderly people independence while ensuring they have support and assistance if needed
STREAMING
Streaming means listening to music or watching video in 'real time', instead of downloading a file to your computer and watching it later. With internet videos and webcasts of live events, there is no file to download, just a continuous stream of data.
SMART HOME FEATURES INSIDE THE HOME
Technology allows aspects of rooms to be altered based on the preferences of the person there: temperature, music, lighting, artwork display can be changed. Can all be change based on pre-programmed preferences and wearable RFID tags which identify individuals or simply show where a individual is so when they move around the house - lights automatically switch off and on saving energy. Television programmes can also work in this way by 'moving' around the house with the viewer
HOME AND LEISURE
Technology has transformed the way many people live, relax and communicate. Ever-present internet access and mobile devices have enabled almost constant access to communication technologies which have multiple uses (GPS, access to information, entertainment etc). Technology is now seen everywhere and has provided a more convenient way of living. Yet this revolution isn't all positive.
FAMOUS PIRACY SITES AND ACTIONS TAKEN AGAINST THEM (ATTEMPTED/ SUCCESSFUL)
The Pirate Bay - provides links to the Torrent files which allow users to locate and download files on the BitTorrent P2P network. Several attempts have been made to shut down these sites in their host countries as well as block access to them from other countries. Legal action taken has caused some of these websites to be blocked in certain countries. The problems taken with these approaches is that such filters (which block such websites) are often easy to get around. There are also issues of legal jurisdiction and legal issues over whether a site which provides links to copyrighted material is committing a crime.
BANDWIDTH
The amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in a given amount of time. [transmission capacity measured by bit rate] Maximum rate of data transfer across a given path. May be characterized as network bandwidth, data bandwidth, or digital bandwidth
DIGITAL TELEVISION AND RADIO
The biggest change to television and radio services in recent years has been the move from analogue to digital transmissions. Digital signals require less bandwidth, allowing television companies to transmit HIGH DEFINITION footage (HDTV), and offer improved image and audio quality as they are less susceptible to interference.
ON-DEMAND PROGRAMMING (+)
The convenience of on-demand programming is an advantage for users. The wide range of available programming, including older programmes which may no longer be in broadcast, is also attractive. On-demand services usually offer high quality video and audio, and provide good technical support for their users, making them a viable alternative to illegally downloading content.
WHAT QUESTIONS DOES INCREASING THE USE OF HOME TECHNOLOGY RAISE?
The life-styles: how we will spend our newly found free time and if increasing the levels of automation will lead to unhealthier lives. Also raises issues of privacy, security, people and machines, surveillance, reliability, digital divide
P2P SYSTEMS AND COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
The nature of P2P systems makes it difficult for authorities to combat copyright infringement. Napster was vulnerable to legal action because it had a central server which maintained a list of all Napster users and the files they possessed (not files themselves). Later/ (now) file sharing systems use a decentralised approach meaning that shutting down part of the network has minimal, if any, effect on its efficiency. Encrypted file sharing networks have also emerged - making it even harder for authorities to combat these services.
DIGITAL PRESERVATION
The nature of digital data makes it ideal for preserving valuable cultural, artistic, and historical works. Digital data doesn't wear out or decay, and unlike analogue data, every copy made is a perfect copy of the original. Therefore, data can be DIGITISED and preserved in this way, reducing the risk of losing them to theft, wear and tear, or physical decay due to their age.
ANOTHER SOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN EMPLOYED BY SOME MEDIA COMPANIES
The uploading of fake files to P2P systems. These files, named after recent software, music or film releases, are designed to make it harder for users to find working copies of material they want. How P2P search sites 'fix' this though is by incorporating rating systems for downloading to make it easy to 'warn' users about these fake uploads.
PUBLISHED AND BROADCAST INFORMATION
The ways in which we watch television, listen to music, read the news and communicate has shifted dramatically in the last decade. Widespread availability of broadband Internet connectivity, portable devices, and social media sites have all helped change the way we access entertainment, news, and friends.
NEWS AGGREGATION SITES
These fetch headlines and news articles from many different news sites and present them on a single page, allowing users to access large amounts of information in one place. The rise of web 2.0 technologies has increased the number of community and social news sites which not only aggregate stories but rank them based on their popularity with users.
ADVANTAGES OF E-BOOKS
They are considered more convenient than paper books in some circumstances and allow dozens of books to be carried around in a small, relatively lightweight device. Their lack of physical size and their low distribution costs have seen e-books considered as potential educational tools in developing nations.
DISADVANTAGES OF E-BOOKS
They are not suitable for all applications. The need to download books can cause problems for those containing many images, while DRM has caused problems for users and libraries wishing to lend books to others. This problem has been addressed by some e-book readers which have lending features, temporarily disabling the book on the owner's device until it is 'returned' [more in environment chapter]
NEGATIVE SIDE OF NEWS AGGREGATION SITES
They are unpopular with some online newspapers, who believe their copyrighted articles are being illegally copied. At the same time, because aggregation sites present a summary of each article, fewer viewers 'click through; to read the full version at the newspapers' web sites, thus reducing their advertising revenues.
DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT (GAMES)
Users have many game playing options available from simple Java or Flash based games on mobile phones to multi-million dollar productions for the latest game consoles. Technical developments such as improved batteries, faster and more energy efficient processors, and energy efficient LCD screens have enabled increasingly advanced gaming on ever smaller devices.
AUGMENTED REALITY - REAL LIFE APPLICATION 1 + 2
Using a combination of GPS and compass data, a mobile phone can determine its position and the direction in which it is pointing. The image its camera receives can then be analysed and relevant information - determined by the user - can be downloaded from the Internet and displayed. Eg 1. pointing a phone at a street may highlight the restaurants, display their contact details and type of food they serve and possibly even a rating. Eg 2. At tourist attractions such as a zoo, augmented reality could display a map pointing towards important enclosures, display information about the animals currently in front of the user, and update automatically as they move around the zoo.
DIGITAL RESTORATION
Using technology to restore older works: Uses image processing techniques to return works to their original quality, or even add effects which weren't possible when the films were originally released. Dirt, scratches, tears and physical deterioration of the film or paper media can all be partially or completely fixed using image processing techniques.
EXPLAIN THE CONSIDERATIONS FILM COMPANIES NEED TO MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCTS ONLINE
Video quality Copy protection measures such as DRM (Digital Rights Management) Price Licensing laws
EXPLAIN THE CONSIDERATIONS FILM COMPANIES NEED TO MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO DISTRIBUTE THEIR PRODUCTS ONLINE: VIDEO QUALITY
Video quality - particularly when files are being streamed. Lower bandwidth Internet connections may be unable to cope with streaming high-quality content. However, reducing video quality may give a (-) impression due to poor quality.
CONCERNS ABOUT GAMES - CONTENT
Violence has been a feature of many games since the beginning BUT as games became more realistic with the advancements in computing power - concerns over violent games has grown. Higher resolution displays, faster processors (especially graphics processors), and improved sound help to create more lifelike experiences.. Some people worry this exposure to realistic, violent imagery can have a negative psychological effect on young players possibly initiating copycat violence.
CAN YOU GET RID OF DRM?
Yes, like many copy protection systems, it is relatively easy to remove or 'break' DRM using freely available software tools. Though under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) it is illegal to do so in a number of places.
CAN OBJECTS AND PHYSICAL PLACES BE DIGITALLY RESTORED?
Yes. Techniques such as 3D laser scanning and ground penetrating radar can be used to build digital 3D models of locations. Colour and texture mapping can then be applied to recreate how these locations may have looked hundreds of yeas ago. The models can even be extended perhaps to add missing elements, such as an arm which fell off a statue or a collapsed church tower. Archaeologists have used such techniques to increase their understanding of ancient sites.
HOME THEATRE PC
[HTPC]Computer with multimedia capabilities designed specifically for watching television and films. These computers are designed to be a home's entertainment centre, replacing separate devices such as DVD players and televisions.