THE DIGITAL PAPERCHASE

by: Dakota Caudilla

Closed captioning is sometimes called, for short, ‘CC’. Closed captioning is a type of method that embeds written text into videos to help those who are deaf or hard of hearing to enjoy a movie or video. Closed captioning is also widely used to help those who are first learning how to read in a language. Together with the audio/video they are watching, they are also learning how to read from the closed captioning they can see on the screen. This method has been proven to be a very effective way in teaching a language.

Sometimes, closed captioning is not verbatim, meaning word for word. The wordings for closed captioning may not be precise but the meaning is always the same. Some people don’t know how to make the difference between ‘subtitles’ and ‘closed captioning’. Subtitles are different because the text will merely tell you what is being said on the video/audio part. They won’t tell you who said it and what other things (auditory) are going on. Closed captioning will not only tell you what is being said on the screen, but it will also tell you who said it and what other sounds can be heard before and after that.

Example;

Subtitles : What are you doing here? I thought you’d gone to the movies?

Closed captioning: Sarah: (gasp) What are you doing here? (door slams in the background). I thought you’d gone to the movies?

Since closed captioning is beneficial to the less fortunate members of society, the Government (particularly the Department of Education) grants loans to those who interesting in closed captioning their videos, presentations and other audio/video materials. In fact, the Government encourages closed captioning to the extent that in 1998, it became a law that all television programs in the United States should be closed captioned. Close captioning all movies and shows on television will benefit a large part of the American society; this is the view of the US government.

There are, generally speaking, three different methods of displaying closed captioning on TV. The roll up closed captioning version will display one line at a time and when there’s no more space, the entire batch of text moves up, removing the first line and replacing the new line at the bottom. The pop-up close captioning display style is when the entire line of words comes up at the same time. When there’s new text to be displayed, the previous text is completely erased. The paint-on closed captioning style is a way of displaying text one word at a time, anywhere on the screen. There’s no need to erase or roll-up the line of words to make way for the next line.

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by: Dleena Bargas

1. Satellite Dish TV Rules and Regulations

If the landlord doesn’t approve and permit satellite dish TV, under the FCC (Federal Communication Commission) rules and regulations, renters have the right to install dish antennas in permissible areas. The FCC ruled that landlords do not have the right to prevent installation, maintenance, or use of a satellite dish to receive video programming such as satellite TV.

Under the FCC guidelines, renters are allowed a satellite dish in exclusive areas designated to be used by the tenant, but not in common areas. Renters are permitted to install satellite dish television in their own exclusive areas such as their balcony, patio, or other areas that they have exclusive right to use. Renters are restricted to install satellite dishes in common areas that are generally used by other tenants such as shared balconies, patios, and roof decks.

For single family homes and leasehold properties, satellite dish TV may be installed in areas that are part of the leased space which includes inside or outdoor areas. A Satellite dish may be installed upon the home itself or other leasehold property such as outdoor gardens, patios, yards, or other areas accessible to leaseholder’s exclusive use.

For apartment buildings, rules do not apply to common areas such as roofs, exterior walls, or other areas accessible to other tenants. In this case renters may install a dish inside or on their balcony.

2. Satellite Dish TV Restrictions

• Size of satellite dish - The size of the satellite dish antennas must be one meter or less (39.7″) in diameter. The standard 18″ and 20″ dish antennas from dish network and directv comply with this rule.
• Safety restrictions - There are safety restrictions for a dish satellite being on a fire escape or violating any fire or safety codes. Dish satellites are to be a certain distance away from any power lines.
• Historic preservation - Satellite dishes are restricted from Historic preservation properties that have a prehistoric or historic district and are registered in the National Registers of historic places.
• Damage restrictions - There are damage restrictions for having a satellite dish when necessary to prevent property damage such as drilling holes to exterior walls or roofs. Check with installer for installing without holes.

3. Satellite TV Home Compatibility

Outdoors are recommended to get a clear reception. If you are a renter who does not have access to outdoor areas, you may still install a satellite dish TV inside near a window or on a balcony facing south. In order for you to receive satellite television broadcast signals, the satellite dish must be placed facing view of southern exposure that is unobstructed from any large trees, buildings, or other large object that may block and diminish quality of reception.

If you are a renter who doesn’t face southern skies, you can talk to your landlord to workout finding a place to install your satellite dish. You also need to obtain consent prior to installing when installing in common areas. If you do have such an area to install satellite television, the landlords may not charge extra rent, fees, or make you sign a satellite dish addendum mid-lease to have a satellite dish.

4. Satellite Dish Installation

Most satellite dish providers provide free professional installation. So you won’t have to worry about mounting the dish. You may use a clamp or a tripod in order not to make any holes in exterior walls. Tripods should be set up in areas that are not in high traffic areas of walking or people bumping into it. The antennas are sensitive to any movement that may throw off your reception signal which you would have to readjust and reposition tripod to catch signal again.

5. Satellite TV Reception

To make sure you get the most optimum picture quality, connect the receiver directly to the TV and not to the VCR/DVR to receiver. Once your satellite dish is in a secure place of any movement and in a clear view of southern skies; rain, snow or wind won’t usually affect or interfere with the satellite dish reception signal.

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by: David Johnson

Directv’s debut in 1994 turned out to be an auspicious entry into the satellite television market. With a variety of options in programming, some cable subscribers opted for satellite and now more and more are doing so, while others are taking the next technological step by purchasing Directv’s HD receivers as well.

And with the FCC handing down a decision to convert all television to high definition format, commonly known as HD, by 2006, content providers, cable and satellite companies like Directv are in full swing with marketing programs to sell their HD receivers. HD is broadcast digitally at a higher resolution for better picture quality. In the past high definition television used to be a term referred to newer technology in the 1930s that replaced experimental television technology at the time.

Currently, a Directv HD receiver can cost in the five hundred to six hundred dollar range on the cheap side and well over a thousand dollars for higher end receivers. Electronics manufacturers like Hughes, Samsung and others are all touting their HD receivers now for their features, but prices are still a little high, as well as for HD television sets, which average in price over one thousand five hundred dollars

Much has been made of the high definition issue of late and those with a more pessimistic mindset toward HD, some refer to them as hardcore analogue-ers, don’t think a full conversion to HD will be done in time. Even now, those who may purchase an HD receiver are limited to those providers, or television stations or networks that provide content in HD, which some say is up to five times sharper than regular television.

But while Directv has done its part by offering HD receivers, customers recently have complained about the exorbitant price of an HD and Tivo combination receiver, which rings in at a thousand dollars when purchasing it from Directv, a hard pill to swallow for those who may have already spent five hundred to a thousand dollars on a Directv HD receiver to begin with. Tivo allows customers to records hours of television without needing a VHS tape or DVD burner. For the time being some customers are buying a separate Tivo unit and hooking it into their current Directv HD receiver, unfortunately sacrificing some picture quality along the way.

But many customers feel that in time, as with the prices of plasma screen televisions, the Tivo and Directv HD receiver combination will come down in price. So for now, the best bet for those with their Directv HD receivers may be to wait. In time, not only will there be more HD content, but also more affordable receiver options. Standard Directv HD Receivers will likely go down in price as well, along with those with the added Tivo option.

Sources:
http://archive.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/history/topic/182395-1.html
http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2005/04/directvs_hd_pro.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HDTV
http://www.chartercom.com/products/hdtv/hdtv.aspx
http://www.kaptainsatellite.com

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