JPEG Images Could Soon Have DRM Protection Baked In

The same technology to protect movies, music and books could soon be coming to your images. The Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) recently announced an initiative that may one day bring digital rights management (DRM) to the most common image format in the world.

While the concept is still in discussion and no actual changes to the JPEG format have been announced, the proposed change could potentially protect EFIX and metadata but also prevent you from copying or even opening images. Imagine not being able to repost images on social media or in blogs on the web. Imagine all the memes we would be without!

The proposed actions have some people quite upset, especially fair use rights supporters. The proposal of DRM on a photo could make it difficult for news organization, education and others to use images.

This caught the attention of the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) who sent representatives to Brussels where the JPEG meeting was taking place. They argue DRM does not in fact work and would inhibit, again, fair use.

“We warn against any attempt to use the file format itself to enforce the privacy or security restrictions that its metadata describes, by locking up the image or limiting the operations that can be performed on it,” the EFF wrote.

Now is DRM JPEGs a good or bad thing? I'm not a privacy expert so I don't have the answers. But imposing this kind of content management on the world's most popular image format doesn't seem like a good idea. As photographers, we all deal with protecting our images with how easy the Internet has made it to copy and repost work without attribution. The option could be available to a accepted format for sensitive information, but opening up the floodgates to suddenly make anyone with Photoshop a license manager isn't what I had in mind.

Should all JPEGs be copy-protected? Or are there better ways? How are you protecting your images?

Xiaomi launches 4K smart TV with upgradable smarts… and a self-balancing scooter

Chinese electronics company Xiaomi may be best known for its smartphones, but for the past few years the company has been offering fitness trackers, TV boxes, and even blood pressure monitors, among other things.

The company also has a line of smart TVs, and the company’s latest is a 60 inch model with a 4K display, a slim design, a relatively low price tag, and an upgradable module that could let you make your smart TV smarter in the future without scrapping the display itself.

The Mi TV 3 is priced at about $786 in China, and it’s a big-screen TV with an aluminum frame that’s just about 11.6mm thick at the thinnest point and 36.7mm at its thickets.

Xiaomi says the TV supports high color gamut and MEMC motion compensation. But the cool part is the Mi Port which lets you connect the new Mi TV Bar which is sold separately for about $157.

The Mi TV Bar is basically an external sound bar with the guts of an Android computer. The Bar has a quad-core ARM Cortex-A17 processor with Mali-T760 graphics, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth 4.1, three HDMI ports, a USB 3.0 port, a USB 2.0 port, an Ethernet jack, VGA port, AV input, and audio output.

As Xiaomi points out, a typical TV can last for 10 years or longer, but smart TV hardware can be outdated in a year or two. Theoretically you could just buy any old TV and keep it smart by plugging in the latest third-party TV box like a Roku, Chromecast, or Amazon Fire TV. But the Mi TV Bar isn’t just a media streamer. It’s also a speaker system and input device for the TV.

The Mi TV Bar runs Xiaomi’s Android-based Mi TV user interface, allowing you to stream internet video and run third-party apps on the TV. And since the audio and video inputs are on the sound bar, you can mount the TV on a wall and run a single cable to the sound bar to hide the usual tangle of wires you’d get when connecting gaming devices and other peripherals to a TV.

Xiaomi has also introduced a $16 Bluetooth voice remote control that looks an awful lot like a cheaper version of the Amazon Fire TV remote, and a $94 Mi Subwoofer 6.5″ speaker unit.

Oh yeah, Xiaomi is also branching out into yet another area: the company has launched a cheap, self-balancing two-wheel scooter called the Ninebot mini.

It’s basically a tiny Segway that sells for about $315 and which has a bar that can rest between your knees, but which doesn’t go all the way to your hands. You can control it using a smartphone, and Xiaomi says the electric vehicle should be able to travel about 13 or 14 miles between charges.

A new HDMI certification program will make it easier to avoid crappy cables

One HDMI cable is as good as another, right? Wrong. The old saying “an HDMI cable will either work or it won’t, because digital is all or nothing” is a myth. A poor-quality HDMI cable can deliver a degraded signal, resulting in a snowy picture or worse. A crappy HDMI cable, especially a long one, can also cause problems that you can’t see: radiating enough electromagnetic interference (EMI) to cause problems on your Wi-Fi network.

Having said that, bad HDMI cables are pretty hard to find, at least when asked to carry 1080p video just a few feet. It can be a different story when you enter the realm of 60-frames-per-second 4K video with high dynamic range, high-resolution multi-channel audio, and perhaps even ethernet. According to the standard, an HDMI 2.0 cable should be capable of delivering “ultra-reliable performance at the full 18Gbps bandwidth.”

To that end, HDMI Licensing LLC—the group responsible for developing and maintaining the HDMI standard that’s used on nearly every TV, PC, monitor, projector, Blu-ray player, A/V receiver, and media streamer shipping today—has announced a new cable certification program. Instead of hoping for the best—or paying ridiculous prices for cables made by companies with marketing budgets that dwarf what they spend on manufacturing—you could just shop for HDMI cables labeled “HDMI Premium Certified Cable.”

HDMI LICENSING, LLC

Certified HDMI cables will carry this authentication label.

Cables labeled as such will have gone through expanded cable speed tests at an HDMI-authorized testing center to certify that they are capable of delivering bandwidth of 18Gbps, and that they radiate very little EMI. The certification label will have a QR code printed on it that you can scan with your smartphone to verify the cable’s certification status and that it’s not a counterfeit product.

The impact on you at home: The certification process and the labels, however, are completely optional, and manufacturers that choose to participate must pay a fee on top of the royalty they pay for the right to use HDMI in their products in the first place. Consumers will be expected to pay that cost—and probably a little more—in exchange for the assurances the certification program provides. But cables labeled “High Speed HDMI Cable” or “High Speed HDMI Cable with ethernet” (minus the “Premium Certified” and the label with the QR code) shouldperform just as well—provided they’re made by a legitimate manufacturer.

HDMI LICENSING, LLC

You should be able to find certified Premium HDMI cables in the first quarter of 2016.

If you’re wondering why you’d ever need an HDMI cable that can also carry ethernet data, you probably never will. When I asked HDMI Licensing President Rob Tobias about that during a briefing last week, he said “We’ve seen it in industrial applications where it was useful to use just one wire. For consumer applications, the growth and maturity of Wi-Fi has been good enough.”

“HDMI has a lot of diversity,” added HDMI Licensing Tech Evangelist Jeff Park. “The spec has optional features to give manufacturers flexibility. It would be great if every device had every feature, but then every device would cost $10,000.”

The HDMI Cable Certification Program became available to HDMI adopters at the end of September. Certified cables should be available in the first quarter of 2016.

How to connect a laptop to TV with HDMI and more: watch movies and video from a laptop on a TV

Basic Home Theater—Connect Directly to Your TV

The simplest way to configure your home theater is to plug all your devices directly into the TV, as shown here:

To switch from one HDMI source to another (for instance, from your cable box to the Blu-ray player) simply use the TV’s remote control.

If you have more source devices than available input ports on your TV or if you need flexibility to add and remove mobile devices quickly, you can purchase a stand-alone HDMI switch.

Home Theater with AV Receiver

In systems that include an AV receiver, source devices are typically routed through the AV receiver to the TV, as shown here:

In this type of system, switching between HDMI source devices is controlled by the AV receiver’s input selector controls.

TIP: If your TV has a port labeled “ARC,” it supports the Audio Return Channel. This can be used to route audio from your TV to an HDMI-enabled sound bar or other audio gear.

Selecting the Right Cable

Cable length - Always round up when estimating connection distances. It’s better to have a bit too much cable than to come up short.

Cable Type - If you plan to enjoy 1080p content (i.e., Blu-ray Discs) or any advanced display technologies (3D, 4K, Deep Color, 120Hz refresh rates, etc.), a High Speed HDMI Cable is recommended. For 1080i or 720p signals (most cable, broadcast, and satellite HD signals), a Standard HDMI Cable is recommended. For more information about HDMI cable types, see here. (Link is http://www.hdmi.org/manufacturer/hdmi_1_4/finding_right_cable.aspx). 

Longer Cable Runs

In complex home theater set-ups, such as multi-room environments, components can be placed relatively far from each other. There are several technologies available for these installations:

25 to 100 feet - If you need to send a 1080p signal more than 25 feet, or a 1080i signal more than 49 feet, active electronics will help boost the HDMI signal to compensate. You can purchase either a stand-alone booster box or an active cable, where the circuitry is embedded in the connectors themselves. Both types require an external power source.

Tips from the Pros

•  Make sure you are buying genuine HDMI products from Licensed Adopters or HDMI Associates.
      If you have any doubts, contact HDMI.
•  HDMI ports on your equipment are always "female,"
•  The connector plugs on the cables are always "male."
• If you need to run cable through walls, ceilings, or floors, a 7/8" drill hole will accommodate most HDMI connectors.
• Don’t staple directly to walls or studs; use cable cleats instead.
• As with any electronics cable, don’t tug or manhandle the cable, or twist the connectors.

HDMI Buyers Guide!!!!!

Having trouble choosing the right HDMI cable? It's easy with Cable Chick's HDMI Buying Guide!

Setting a Goal

With so many types of HDMI cables available, we're often asked which one is the best choice. We're here to answer that question, and also determine when it's a good idea to spend a little extra, and when it's safe to save your money. Not all HDMI cables are created equal, and while throwing money at a problem may fix it some of the time, Cable Chick is here to save your wallet as much stress as possible!

First, we'll dispel some of the myths and mysteries about HDMI, but you're welcome to skip straight to the guide section that interests you if you prefer:

Shopping by Length   Shopping by Install Type   Shopping by Features


Boosted Cables & Extender Kits   Mini and Micro HDMI

True Lies

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, we should clear the air about HDMI cables, and why both cheap and expensive ones exist.

There's been a lot of half-truths and hot air being blown around about HDMI cables - some of it coming from marketing departments trying to upsell you on a costly cable, and some of it due to HDMI themselves letting the industry run wild on labelling in the early days. Only recently have they put their foot down to stop retailers selling cables according to HDMI version numbers, but with customers conditioned to expect these stats to be listed on the cables they purchase, it's harder than ever to make everyone happy. So what is the truth?

The truth about HDMI is that spending more on a cable won't improve your picture or audio quality. That fidelity is set exclusively by the source quality; eg: Blu-ray vs DVD etc.

The truth about HDMI is that, for lengths under 10 metres (or so), cheap cables perform pretty much the same as expensive ones.

The Digital Cliff
Because the HDMI signal is digital, it has a very narrow margin for error before failing (known as the cliff effect or 'digital cliff'). Whereas analogue signals gradually fade to snow, digital is more or less perfect right up until the signal is weak enough to drop bits of data - at which point it dies almost immediately.

Why Pay More?

Some people make the argument that there's no reason to pay extra for fancier cables, but in some cases that's exactly what's called for. As the price of the cable increases, so to does the quality of materials, the durability of design and the inclusion other features which help make sure the cable can live up to expectations over longer distances.

A cheap cable at the low end may not have Nylon braiding, which is preferable for in-wall installations. Conversely, at the expensive end you may not get moulded plugs, which sacrifice beauty for being practically unbreakable.

There are four major categories of HDMI that Cable Chick stocks:

Basic HDMI

Available Lengths:
0.5m to 20m

Pro Series HDMI

Available Lengths:
0.5m to 20m

Premium HDMI

Available Lengths:
1m to 15m

Extreme HDMI

Available Lengths:
1m to 20m

Cable Chick won't ever sell you a HDMI cable that doesn't work, but since cable testing is done under the best possible conditions, your individual circumstances, environment and needs must be considered. There are no one-size-fits-all solutions.

Shopping by Length

When customers come to us and ask "Which HDMI cable should I buy?" the first question we ask is: How far do you need your HDMI cable to go? Length is the predominant determining factor in most cases.

The following table shows where we draw the line for cable lengths supplying certain content. Bold shows the best performance-to-cost ratio.

	Basic	Pro Series	Premium	Extreme
720p SD 1080p HD 1080p HD 3D 4K @ 30Hz 4K @ 60Hz	20 metres 20 Metres 15 Metres 5 Metres 3 Metres	20 Metres 20 Metres 20 Metres 7.5 Metres 5 Metres	20 Metres 20 Metres 20 Metres 10 Metres 5 Metres	20 Metres 20 Metres 20 Metres 10 Metres 7.5 Metres

These recommendations are by no means applicable in all circumstances - after all, these figures come from our own testing under perfect conditions with a set of known variables. Things may work out differently under more difficult conditions.

Shopping by Install Type

Both customers and tradespeople regularly come to us for advice on which cables are best suited for running inside walls and ceilings. These cables need to be rugged, and also perform well over longer distances or through wall plates.

Whenever possible, we recommend Nylon Braided cable for in-wall installations for the added protection against strain, physical damage and pests, but it's not essential. On shorter runs or for cavities above the ground floor, you may be able to save money with a basic cable.

	Max Length In-Wall/Ceiling	Braided?
Basic Pro Series Premium Extreme	5 Metres 12.5 Metres 15 Metres 20 Metres	-

These recommendations may be a bit controversial to some - if a cable works fine outside of a wall, why won't it be just as good inside? It comes down to this: due to the trouble it takes to get cables in and out of building cavities for replacement or warranty claims, we'd prefer to see you install a cable which has an impeccable track record.

Boosted Cables
You may be tempted to install a boosted HDMI cable in a wall or ceiling, but don't forget: Boosted cables are directional and require a bulky booster chipset which won't fit inside narrow conduit. Consider an Extender kit instead.

Shopping by Features

At Cable Chick, we only stock HDMI cables rated as High-Speed with Ethernet. That means that no matter which cable you purchase, you'll have access to CEC, ARC, Ethernet, Deep Colour, Multi-Channel Digital Surround Sound and many more. The cable doesn't limit the features of HDMI itself, but physical differences may come at a cost. Here's another handy table:

	Basic	Pro Series	Premium	Extreme
Moulded Plugs			-	-
Metal Alloy Plugs	-
Gold Plated Contacts
Nylon Braid Sheath*	-
Triple Shielded	-	-
*Braid not available on all lengths

Boosted Cables and Extender Kits

Having regular HDMI cables top out at 20 metres can be a real pain if you have a large home or are working on a commercial installation, but we have a couple of ways around this limit - both of which have their drawbacks.

	Pros	Cons
Boosted	No External Power Needed 1080p up to 40m No Signal Conversion	No 3D Support Bulky Booster Casing Won't fit through regular conduit Directional
Extender Kit	Cheap Go-Between Cable 1080p up to 40m 3D Support Can fit cables through conduit Additional HDMI cables required	Needs Mains Power Signal Conversion Required Directional Costly

Mini & Micro HDMI Cables

Most of the time, you'll only find Mini and Micro HDMI on portable devices like tablet computers, netbooks, cameras, camcorders – things that run on battery power. They don't typically have the grunt to supply a strong HDMI signal, and the smaller connectors mean smaller gauge wires inside the cable. This means that Mini and Micro HDMI cables generally top out at 5 metres for 2D 1080p content, and 4K may only be possible on 1 metre cables. When shopping from Mini and Micro HDMI, always select the shortest possible length you can live with.

Toslink Cables Brief

Toslink Cables

Toslink Cable

                                   

The cables that transform the signals and use a beam of the light and it was a choose topic for science friction writers few years ago. The Toslink cables or it can be called as the EIAJ optical.

These signals have the equal format because the electrical S/PDIF signals which are expect and the usage of the high/low voltages that would have on the copper which would represent the 1’s of the binary and 0’s of the digital information.

These Toslink cables uses the series of the on and off pulses that of the red transmitting lights. They would have no laser that is used in the audio optical digital transformation which was the popular belief. 

These source of the light would be the simple and less expensive LED’s this did continue till a major drawback that is the fiber optic transmission was attenuation with the optical cables. 

For the Toslinks the audiophiles give more drawbacks to that interface. The Sony company reference player with CDP R -1 ES has launched the optical interface that would use the two conductors. 

These two conductors, that are one to the signal and one to the clicking data. It would get the Parasound for the host and others to opted for that different and bigger bandwidth optical interface which is the AT&T ST glass.

HDMI Splitter Buying Guide

An HDMI splitter is a device that allows the HDMI signal to be split between two displays. While traditionally, signals were broadcast via analog signals, recent advancements in high-definition television have necessitated a move toward HDMI. An HDMI splitter is used to divide the signal coming from one HDMI input between two HDMI outputs. This splitter is a sophisticated piece of equipment that requires its own power source.

The biggest consideration when buying an HDMI splitter is that the splitter uses the lowest resolution of the available devices, so if the two displays have different resolutions, the splitter defaults to the lower one. Other things for buyers to consider include the brand, port number, and price.
 

When to Use an HDMI Splitter

The most common situation where an HDMI splitter is needed occurs when an individual has only one HDMI box and would like the signal to be broadcast to other displays, likely in other rooms or offices. For example, a DVR can be split between two displays in different rooms without having to purchase a second DVR.

An HDMI splitter is often more cost effective than buying a duplicate item. One consideration when using an HDMI splitter is the wiring needs to be run between the two displays. This is sometimes complex depending on the circumstances.
 

Things to Consider When Purchasing an HDMI Splitter

The biggest factor to consider for an HDMI splitter is that it accepts the lower resolution of the two displays it is connected to. The result is that a display with a higher resolution can only be viewed at a resolution that matches the other display connected to the splitter. Most HDMI splitters come with restrictions on how long cords can be. Some HDMI splitters are limited in the amount of power they have, and thus cannot transmit a quality signal beyond a certain distance. Some HDMI splitters also do not need their own power source, but these are often of lower quality and cannot broadcast a signal very far.

HDMI splitters also come with a different amount of ports. Commonly seen are 2, 4, 8, and 16-port splitters. The price of the item is increased when additional ports are added. This is useful for buyers who want to connect many displays to one HD input but again, the lowest resolution display sets the resolution for all the displays. Thus, buyers probably want to ensure that all of their displays are reasonably close in terms of resolution capabilities to not have a significant drop off due to one low-quality display. Finally, HDMI splitters cannot switch between HDMI inputs. That device is known as an HDMI switch and is sold separately, but combination units are also available.
 

Popular HDMI Splitters

There are a variety of HDMI splitters available to consumers. They have different amounts of ports, prices, and power sources. The table below outlines some of the more popular HDMI splitters, their cost, and their capabilities. Price is indicated as ₹ (₹500 to ₹1000), ₹₹ (₹1500 to ₹2000), and ₹₹₹ (₹2500 to ₹3000).

Some splitters also have the capability to be an HDMI switch as well as an HDMI splitter. The three brands listed above work for different buyers depending on their needs.

HDMI splitters are known for affordability and high quality. They are also extremely easy to set up and use. Each provides high-quality resolution and has an external power source ensuring the device is never underpowered. HDMI splitters also commonly include HDMI switching capability, allowing the user to switch between two different HDMI inputs. No HDMI cables are included with the splitter, so the additional hardware necessary must be purchased separately.

Cmple

The Cmple HDMI splitter is a passive splitter, meaning it does not require an external power source. This is more energy-efficient but can result in an underpowered device. Also, there are different types of HDMI cables and the Cmple HDMI splitter is compatible with all of them. The Cmple HDMI splitter also comes with a remote control allowing the user to wirelessly switch between HDMI inputs and outputs.

Sewell

The Sewell HDMI splitter is the most expensive model of the options described here; it is also the highest quality. It produces an excellent picture, has a remote control, external power source, and exceptional customer service. It has HDMI switching capabilities built in. It is lightweight and easy to install and set up. It is also compatible with most versions of HDMI cables. It quickly and easily connects to Blu-ray players, HDMI cable, and other HDMI inputs.
 

How to Buy an HDMI Splitter Online

Buying an HDMI splitter is easy when shopper's use any online sights to find the right product. Many Sites has so many options that buyers can always find an excellent product at a great price. The best way to search  is to begin with a basic keyword search, such as "HDMI splitter". This search provides shoppers with all of the available options. 

Conclusion

An HDMI splitter is a cost effective way to distribute an HDMI signal to numerous displays without having to purchase more expensive and duplicative devices. A few things for buyers to consider when purchasing an HDMI splitter include how many ports the item has, what type of power source it relies on, and which type of HDMI cables it is compatible with.

Once buyers have answered all these questions, they can begin to understand what kind of budget they need for the item.