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Missing pages: 749-752
CONTENTS Editor
Daniel J Salt
01322 611270
[email protected]
October 2006 Vol.56 No.12 Production
Editor/Designer
Tania King
699 Comment 734 Pace Micro
01322 611271
Technologies
700 News Solution for multi -dwelling Production
Full spectrum TV digital delivery Executive
Dean Turner
706 DAB Radio 739 Notice Board
01322 611206
The DRDB completes its report Display Sales
Executive
708 50 Years Ago 740 Hamlet
Matthew Dawe
VidScope-vx broadcast testing
By Keith Wilson 01322 611 261
solution
Fax 01322 616 339
710 CCTV
Opportunities in CCTV 742 WEEE Directive Report Editorial Assistant
New measures come into force Caroline Fisher
712 CEDIA 01322 611 263
Insight into custom installation 744 A/V Eye Managing Editor
Weird and wonderful A/V Svetla n a Josifovska
714 Letters products 01322 611 250
718 Digital Update Publishing Director

748 Plasma TV
The state of play in the switch to Tony Greville
Plasma market update
digital TV
Note that we are unable to answer
750 HDTV technical queries over the telephone and
722 LG Innovation Part three of the HDTV tutorial cannot provide information on spares
LG's latest products and other than that given in our Spares
technologies Guide.
752 DXTV
Roger Bunny reports Disclaimer
725 Fault Reports We work hard to ensure that the
information presented in Television
733 Ofcom Report 754 Amazon is accurate. However, Television's

publisher - Nexus Media
Examination of media On-line giant adds download Communications Rd - will not take
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with the laws relating to dealing
with your customers and suppliers,
and with safety practices relating
to working with electrical/
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and explosions.
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NEW ADDITIONS
form or by any means without the written per- First of all I would like to thank all of those who have contacted me over the
mission of the publishers.
past few weeks with your views on the magazine and the industry in general. It
All reasonable precautions are taken by
has been a busy few weeks and this month's news section carries stories on
Television to ensure that the advice and data
everything from revolutionary pixel technology, Pioneer and Sky HD
published are reliable. We cannot however
guarantee it and we cannot accept legal experiencing compatibility issues to Apple getting in a stew over patent
responsibility for it. disputes.
This month also sees the introduction of some new features which I hope
CORRESPONDENCE
you will find of interest. The first is a long running series of articles by Mike
All correspondence regarding advertisements
Tennant, of TAVCOM, specialist training organisation from the CCTV sector.
should be addressed to the Advertisement
Manager, Television, Nexus Media
Mike started out as a TV engineer and believes there are many opportunities
Communications, Media House, Azalea Drive, for experienced TV bods in the CCTV sector (see page 710). The second is
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Newstrade Enquires definition (HD) disc formats. This could be good news for service and repair
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86 Newman St, London, W1T 3EX. high -quality products outside the commodity/throw-away categories that have
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TELEVISION October 2006 699

Polymer gratings could create more realistic blues and greens (picture Universal, Jurassic Park 3)
telecommunications.
The prototype consists of
Pioneer
arrays of 10 pixels, each 80
micrometres across. The
ramps -up
diffraction gratings consist of
a piece of the polymer plasma
covered with ridges tipped
with gold. When white light production
is shone at the polymer from
one side, it reflects out of the
polymer screen and is also
split into different
wavelengths. A slit above the
polymer then ensures that
only one wavelength of light
Full spectrum escapes, which gives the

pixel its colour. However,
because the special polymer
contracts under voltage, the
TV a reality fan of light -waves can be

moved which changes the
colour that is fed through the
Reports from Japan
suggest that Pioneer is
planning to establish a
Researchers in Switzerland activated. The process slit. The team behind the new plant for the
claim to have developed allows different wavelengths research are working on manufacture of plasma
technology that will allow of light to escape generating pixels that mix the output of TVs. The project is
TV screens to produce the the full spectrum of colours three tuneable gratings to expected to be located in
full spectrum of visible within white light. produce the full range of the country's Yamanashi
colours. Work at the Swiss The polymer is arranged visible colours. Work is also Prefecture and could be in
Federal Institute of in special screens called being done on lowering the production by the time
Technology has produced diffraction gratings which are voltage required to make the the company begins its
prototype pixels that change already used in projector system work, currently at next fiscal year. The move
colour as special polymer is systems or fibre optic around 300V. is being seen as a bid to
maintain Pioneer's 10%
global market share in
Next generation Dolby Plasma TV in the face of

stiff competition.
The facility is expected
to be able to produce one
Summary of Dolby codec support in each format
Dolby has announced details technology million plasma TVs each
of its next generation delivers year. Coupled to the
surround sound audio true high - company's existing sites,
codecs, Dolby Digital Plus definition this should boost
Codec CM1 I Max Barate
and Dolby TrueHD. The sound, Pioneer's annual plasma
company says Dolby Digital with D mandatory 5.1 / 448 k 5.116106 capacity to around 1.7
Plus offers greater fidelity, lossless million units by fiscal
mandatory 7.1 / 3.0 M
more surround sound audio 2009.
channels (7.1 on HD-DVD quality that eici To, PLO: mandatory 2/ 504 k 5.11356k Conversely, some
and Blu-ray) and less is bit -for -bit reports have suggested that
pp oolsr"x?'s
compression artefacts than identical to TRUE 7. mandatory 8118 M
Sony plans to exit
DVD Video. Dolby Digital that of a altogether the Plasma
Plus operates at 24bit/96kHz studio master recording. on the as yet unreleased market. IT web -site
and up to 6Mbps although TrueHD can support up to Toshiba, HD-XA1 and HD - Digitimes quoted Katsumi
this is limited to 3Mbps on eight full -range channels of Al and Panasonic's DMP- lhara, executive deputy
HD-DVD and 1.7Mbps on lossless surround sound and BD10 Blu-ray player. Again, vice president of Sony's
Blu-ray (Dolby Digital is supports 24bit/192 kHz in a both codecs are mandatory procurement strategies and
448Kbps on DVD 5.1). The 5.1 mix at up to 18Mbps or for a HD-DVD player and TV and video business, as
codec is a mandatory feature 96kHz in a 7.1 set-up. Again optional for a Blu-ray player. saying that the company
of a HD-DVD disc and the codec is mandatory for a However, it is difficult to see planned to stop producing
currently optional for a Blu- HD-DVD, but is currently why any Blu-ray deck Plasmas, but planned to
ray disc. optional on a Blu-ray disc. manufacturer would not ramp -up shipment of 40"
Dolby says that TrueHD Both systems are included include both. and over LCD TVs.
100 October 2006 TELEVISION

European commission not come back with an
official response and Sony
are keeping tight lipped
probes HD format licensing also.

Meanwhile a new report
from Screen Digest,
The EU is to look into the (including Sony and Toshiba) Without details of the specialists in analysing
licensing structures for Blu- as well as the major studios communication sent by the trends in audiovisual media,
ray and HD-DVD. asking for information on the Commission, what has offered its view on what
A Commission licensing of both formats." precisely it is concerned will happen as Blu-ray and
spokesperson told The Commission stated it about is difficult to say. HD-DVD compete for
Television that a was too early to say whether However, possible issues centre stage. The report
request had been the enquiry might lead to a could be the concludes that the most
send to the, full anti-trust investigation and 'encouragement' of studios likely outcome is that
"..founders and it was waiting for replies from and tech companies to neither format will achieve a
promoters of Blu- the major stakeholders before support both formats or the 'knock -out' position of
ray and HD-DVD making any further comment. use of a strong position in a market dominance. The
related market report believes both will
to drive sales, coexist until combi-format
such as Sony solutions become cost-
putting a Blu- effective and eventually
Ray drive into dominate, mirroring the
the PS3. current market for
Toshiba did recordable DVDs.
The future of HD-DVD and Blu-ray is uncertain
Apple crumbles on Compatibility

patent dispute issues
Apple has agreed to pay significantly expanding the Some Pioneer plasma screens
£52 million ($100m) to company's market are experiencing compatibility
rival music player maker potential. problems with the Sky HD
Creative in a long -running The move follows a service.
patent dispute. tough period for Apple The problem affects a small
Regulators began which has seen product number of Pioneer sets (4th, ioneer has experienced pr ui wit
looking into the dispute in recalls on some laptop 5th and 6th generation screens) opy protected t0 data like Men its
June after Creative accused batteries and accusations and occurs when viewers try to of a Geisha, hot* Sky HO service.:
Apple of using its patented of unlawful working access copy protected
technology, namely the practices at one of its channels via HDMI. The investigate a problem reported
sorting software used in its Chinese manufacturing problem appears to be related by a number of Sky HD
own Nomad and Zen partners. to the copy protection system customers with Pioneer TV
players, in the iPod. for HD High Bandwidth Digital screens.
In the deal, Creative has Content Protection (HDCP). "Before Sky HD launched,
agreed to accept the £52 Creative has won a patent dispute with
The problem manifests itself by we ensured that the Sky HD
million in return for Apple loss of picture and a screen box had passed independent
licensing a software patent message stating: 'This display tests for compliance with
to Apple for use in does not support HDCP'. industry protocols and we
all its products. Whether the problem lies in tested it with more than 75
Creative also the Pioneer machine or the different models of TV."
will be permitted Thomson -made Sky box is not Pioneer's official line reads:
to produce clear at present. For now the "UK customers owning a
accessories problem can be solved in two Pioneer Plasma TV, with a
for the ways, either a free component confirmed HDCP compatibility
i Pod, cable through Sky or a free issue, following connection to
call -out from Pioneer. a Sky HD Box, will be entitled
Sky's official response to the to an FOC repair undertaken
issue states: "We're working by a Pioneer plasma authorised
closely with Pioneer to service centre."

NEW*.
Fujitsu offers high- TV Licensing
evasion hits
performance PVR chip all time low
Fujitsu Microelectronics FME's SmartMPEG-E delivers mufti-tunctionality to PVR builds Evasion levels have dropped to
Europe (FME) has announced an all-time low of 4.7%,
the release of an integrated according to TV Licensing
MPEG decoder that combines estimates. "We're netting more
high-performance with than 1,100 people a day," said
complete PVR functionality. TV Licensing spokesperson
The SmartMPEG-E Chris Reed, but he added that
(MB86H30) is the latest that, "..fewer people than ever
member of Fujitsu's MPEG are dodging the licence fee."
decoder family and More than 200,000 people
incorporates advanced were caught watching
features, such as high-speed 1 television without a valid
USB 2.0 and On -the -Go licence in the first half of
(OTG) functionality, which 2006, the TV Licensing
allows connection to an agency reports. Around 12%
external host device and OTG of those were in London with
products. Glasgow providing the next
In host mode, the memory system that allows viewed in Time Shift mode, or largest figure with around 5%.
MB86H30 can control slave faster read and write speeds. two channels can be recorded Most evaders come from
devices, such as hard disk or The device comes with while viewing one from the big cities with Birmingham
USB Flash, while in device comprehensive PVR hard disk or a live stream. The and Manchester also in the
mode the decoder can be middleware and drivers from two video decoders also top five.
controlled from a PC. FME, which the company says support Picture in Picture (PIP) However, TV Licensing
It is possible to connect one will enable faster design -in and mode, where two programs says it has stepped up efforts
hard disk via the ATA interface a quicker time -to -market for can be decoded and displayed to find people who are
and another hard disk or USB developers. The single -chip at the same time. This allows avoiding the licence fee in
Flash drive via the USB 2.0 solution is also designed to the viewer to watch one rural areas by adding
interface, with the ability to reduce power -consumption program and see the actual motorcycles and 4x4 vehicles
transfer video/audio data and lowers overall costs. recording in the PIP. The Fast to its fleet of detection vans.
between these devices. A wide variety of viewing Mosaic Mode allows the Mr Reed said that evaders
FME says high-performance and recording modes is offered display of multiple pictures on had been caught, "from the
is provided by an ARC for PVR implementation. One the screen, with one running Scottish Highlands, to the
Tangent -A4, six -channel DMA channel can be recorded and in real-time and the others southernmost Channel
controller, supported by a fast another channel can be updated every 2 seconds. Islands".
currently standing at 30 to radios is further

Dixons 1 through the group's
internet store.
evidence that we're
living in the digital
ditches Dixons says the move
has been driven by
age."
Other products on
analogue improvements to coverage

of the DAB signal, better
availability of stock, new
Dixons 'endangered
species' list include
the personal CD
radio portable models,
investment in new
player and the so-
called "boom box",
transmitters and the need reflecting the changes
Dixons is discontinuing the to reflect the early adopter that MP3 players are
sale of analogue radios profile of its on-line having on the
from its on-line site customer base. portable audio
www.dixons.co.uk. The Nick Wilkinson, group market.
decision follows managing director for Dixons has announced it will only
substantial growth in the Dixons, said: "The growth sell digital radios like Robert's
sale of digital radios, in demand for digital CRD19

Sony simplifies Toshiba
recalls
camcorder recording LCDTVs
suite includes Hi -Speed Toshiba LCD
USB 2.0, DV digital video televisions; 14VL44B,
(i.LINK /FireWire/ IEEE 20VL44B, 27WL46B
1394) and analog S -video and 30WL46B have
and composite video been recalled due to a
inputs. The VRD-MC3 potential safety issue
The DVDirect family transfers recorder also features concerning the plug
content to DVD without a PC Memory Stick and Memory and cord set.
Stick Duo, Compact Flash, The sets with the
Sony has released details virtually any type of Secure Digital (SD), and xD potentially faulty
of two DVDirect recorders camera or playback card slots and can connect BETTER WIRE plug
which allow users to device, including non - directly to PictBridgeTM and cord set-up were
transfer video and photo Sony brands. compatible photo printers. on sale from
data direct to a DVD. Various digital and Both models support September 2004 to
Both models, the video analog video inputs mean Dolby Digital 5.1 surround August 2005.
and digital photo -capable that users can connect sound as well as 4:3 and Users in possession
VRD-MC3 and the video - tape, DVD or HDD (hard 16:9 aspect ratios to of any of the sets
only VRD-VC30, provide a disk drive) camcorders. preserve the full quality of should be advised to
'PC free' way of archiving DVDirect can also hook-up the original video footage. turn off the TV
data as well as featuring to HDD based digital video The multifunction VRD- immediately,
built-in LCD control recorders (DVRs) and VHS MC3 recorder boasts a disconnect it from the
screens, multiple interfaces video cassette recorders to 2.5"colour LCD for easy mains and not to use
and fast real-time DVD maximize the amount of previewing of video and the TV until a
recording. The DVDirect sources the recorders can images when used in replacement plug and
recorders work with handle. The connection stand-alone mode. cord set is supplied.
Owners can
telephone the free
iTunes could be hardware Toshiba customer care

line in order to obtain
a replacement plug
'Trojan Horse' and cord set and

arrange the return of
the Better Wire plug
According to ABI Research, consumers' and cord set on 0800
analysts in broadband and growing interest 33 43 53.
multimedia, Apple's iTunes in digital media In the republic of
service has the potential to connectivity and Ireland the number is
allow the company to enter a growing 1800 777 000.
the hardware sector of the interest in Toshiba says that in
home AA/ market ahead of products that certain rare
its competitors. have the circumstances, it is
As sales of iPod flexibility of possible that these
compatible music systems portable BETTER WIRE plug
continues to rise from the products like NV manufacturers have a big opportunity to exploit the success and cord sets could
likes of Bose and Denon, the iPod, but of the iPod melt, causing a small
ABI believes Apple has an can deliver a quality around the home. risk of injury and/or
opportunity to get home - sound/picture around the To a certain extent this is fire. However, the risk
based multi -media products home. There is also a big already catered for by media is low and no injuries
onto the market through opportunity for centric PCs including have been reported.
tying devices to its manufacturers to build Apple's own Mac Mini, but Only models which
successful iTunes service. products that can ABI believes there is big are equipped with a
ABI believes that the key 'repackage' content already potential for hardware in this BETTER WIRE plug are
to this opportunity is bought from download sites sector. affected.

Philips supports HDMI Power to
the people
1.3 with ESD chip
Philips Electronics has international product an absolute must. Solar energy products will
announced the introduction marketing manager, "Philips' new ESD be available for the first time
of what it describes as the Integrated Discretes Product protection chip makes life on the UK high street as
industry's first Electrostatic Line, Philips easier for the designer and Sharp and Currys are to offer
Discharge (ESD) protection Semiconductors, said: reduces total costs by a range of solar energy
chip to support HDMI 1.3. "Ongoing pressure to delivering high solutions for the home.
Philips' integrated solution miniaturise feature sizes has performance, ultra -low line Sharp says that
provides high-level ESD meant that ICs developed capacitance and HDMI 1.3 technological advances
protection, back -drive compliance in a single mean that the solar panels
protection and level shifting fully integrated are perfectly adapted to the
and supports the latest package." UK climate because,
HDMI 1.3 specification as Philips says the although they do require
well as previous standards IP4776CZ38 chip daylight, they do not need
such as HDMI 1.2. Philips delivers up to 8kV of direct sunlight to work.
says the IP4776CZ38 offers ESD protection in Andrew Lee, general
ultra -low line capacitance to contact mode for 4 manager for Solar, Sharp
ensure high signal integrity HDMI transmission Electronics (UK) Ltd, said:
for video formats such as channels, 12C -bus,
Solar power has made its debut on the
1080p. Philip's IP4776CZ38 Is consumer electronics high -street
The maker also says that compatible with HDMI 1.3 control (CEC) and Hot
the higher speed today are Plug Detect (HPD) lines.
requirements of optimised The IP4776CZ38 is
interfaces such as for area, equipped with back -drive
HDMI 1.3, performance protection and 4 bi-
combined with the trend and leakage directional 3.3V to 5V level
towards smaller feature power shifters for 12C, CEC and
sizes, make additional consumption - not for ESD HPD signals. Total line
board -level ESD protection performance. The result is capacitance is only 0.7pF,
essential for semiconductors highly sensitive ICs which with excellent capacitance
developed at 90 nanometers burn at low clamping matching of less than 0.05
and below. voltages, making external pF for Transition Minimised
Dr. Dirk Wittorf, board -level ESD protection Differential Signalling pairs. "This partnership between
Sharp and Currys is a major
step forward in making
renewable energy easily
Analog Devices used SHARC provides the audio bite for
Toshiba's HD-DVD players
available to the consumer.
"Customers will benefit from
for HD-DVD player the convenience of Currys'

stores, where they can
discuss their options in-
Analog Devices, specialists The company store, as well as Sharp's
in semiconductors for signal says the SHARC experience and heritage in
processing applications, has processors are able solar power, meaning
announced its SHARC to decode multi -channel quality, reliability and
processor has been selected streams in a wide array of The unrivalled service."
by Toshiba to power the audio formats. Leveraging company adds There will be a full
audio signal chain in its HD- the 32 -bit floating-point SHARC's processing power training and accreditation
DVD players the HD -A1 and capabilities of the SHARC is critical for the programme offered to
the HD-XA1. Analog says ADSP-2126x family, the HD - simultaneous decode of the installers that Sharp chooses
the HD -A1 and HD-XA1 use Al and HD-XA1 are able to Dolby Digital Plus streams, to work with - this will be
four SHARC processors to support lossy and lossless which can reach up to 3 called Sharp Solar Installer
deliver multi -channel audio, formats from DTS and Dolby Mbps, and the simultaneous Accreditation. Anyone
providing the high-fidelity Labs - including Dolby conversion to backwards interested in the scheme
audio needed to support Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD compatible Dolby Digital should contact Andrew Lee
HD-DVD. and DTS-HD (Core decode). streams. at Sharp on 020 8734 2000.

NE NEWS
Panasonic unleashes to high-level performance
and the DMP-BD10 provides
generation that creates each
pixel from 60 surrounding
the power of Blu-ray 16 -level motion detection

with pixel -based motion
adaptation. The P4HD
pixels of information.
High quality sound has
also been catered for in the
categorises the image motion shape of a 192kHz/24bit
Panasonic has released the pixels per second and of each pixel into one of 16 D/A converter for each of the
DMP-BD10 Blu-ray Disc applies the optimum levels, from stationary to machine's eight channels.
player, a machine that the processing to every pixel in super fast. For areas with Panasonic says the D/A
company believes unlocks the video data on the disc. stationary images, it applies converter uses advanced
the true potential of Blu-ray BD -Video supports a the progressive processing segment D -A processing,
or BD -Video. number of formats. The best suited to still images. which applies multi -bit
The company says that to highest -quality format (1920 When playing a BD - processing to establish the
get the best HD images from x 1080 pixels) can be Video or DVD disc, the audio reference and 1 bit
a BD -Video disc, a player recorded at any of four P4HD also up -converts processing to
that renders high -quality different frame rates (59.94i, content recorded in the render the
progressive images, 50i, 23.976p and 24p) and 480i/p, 720p or 1080i format delicate
expresses motion smoothly the compression format can to 1080p with precise pixel nuances.
and draws sharp diagonal be MPEG2, MPEG4 or VC -1.
Panasonic says the DMP-BD10 unlocks the power of BD -Video
lines is needed. The DMP- Panasonic says its player
BD1O's P4HD (pixel detects these instantly and
precision progressive performs progressive
processing for HD) deals conversion when necessary.
with more than 15 billion Motion detection is also key
Scientists choose site to Plasmas preferred to

detect alienTV signals diamonds
Scientist are in In a recent US study 77% of men were only slightly in
the final stages women questioned said the lead with 6.9. The study
of planning a they would prefer a new also found that four out of
radio telescope plasma TV to a diamond every five women said they
so powerful it necklace. felt comfortable using
will be able to The survey was technology with 46% doing
search for commissioned by cable their own computer trouble-
alien television operator Oxygen Network shooting.
or radio (owned and operated by The study found that
signals. women) and found that any over the next five years
Dubbed the assumptions made about women see themselves
Square male and female interest in increasing their activities in
Scientists will begin search for alien TV with a new radio telescope
Kilometre new technology maybe six key areas: digital
Array or SKA, the system is might not be able to decode behind the times. cameras, cell phones, e-
fifty times as powerful as the transmissions, however, The study found that on mail, camera phones, text
any current radio telescope it may be possible to get a average women owned 6.6 messaging and instant
and gets its name because it general idea that some sort technology devices while messaging.
will have radiation of TV transmission was
collecting surfaces totalling occurring and build a
a square kilometre. stronger telescope to read it.
Scientists say the Scientists are also not clear
telescope would, for the how to recognise such
first time, enable searches signals, even if they are
A US survey finds
for unintentional emissions there. However, it is hoped
women would
or 'leakage' at power levels that they would feature choose a plasma
comparable to that of organised patterns over a diamond
terrestrial TV transmitters. suggestive of intelligence necklace
Any search would have not attributable to any
limitations. The instrument known celestial sources.

DABs the way I like it!
In the concluding part of its study Figure 1
DAB multiple ownership increasing

into the digital radio landscape, the NEARLY 1 IN 4 (23%) NOW ALREADY OWN
A DAB RADIO
DRDB considers the impact of
To 15 May
further innovation and looks at the

16 Sept to 4 Jan 06 20%
international scene
Jan Mar 05 15%
The relationship between digital radio and the emerging Oct - Dec 04 13%
concept of mobile TV is an aspect that is increasing in
importance. The DAB family of standards now includes
Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) and Internet Protocol Jul - Sept 04 12%
over DAB (DAB-IP), both of which deliver broadcast digital

television services alongside audio DAB.
811121ENJ 8%
Commercial audio visual broadcast services using DMB
have already launched in Korea where more than a million Source: DRDB
mobile devices have been sold in six months. The UK became

the first European country to launch a similar commercial music over a mobile network using DAB digital radio spectrum
service, this time using DAB-IP, in the summer of 2006. Live to send downloads to phones.
mobile TV is set to become a reality as Virgin Mobile and BT Trials are due to begin in the UK this year using technology
Movio bring digital TV and radio services to mobile phones developed by UBC Media Group with BT Movio. Digital radio
using broadcast technology. Broadcast via the UK's national spectrum is designed for broadcasting data streams to a large
commercial digital radio multiplex operator Digital One's number of listeners at the same time, making it more efficient
existing DAB network, the Virgin Mobile service will deliver a for distributing music files than 3G. Radio stations could
reliable, high -quality viewing and listening experience to an therefore charge lower prices for downloads than mobile
infinite number of mobile users. BT MovioNirgin Mobile are operators.
partnered with HTC, TTP and Microsoft for launch device and Digital radio consumers are keeping up with the pace of
software development. change and listening habits are changing as people are
consuming more media than ever before.
Music Downloads From the Internet to the iPod, from digital TV to digital
The DRDB also sees potential for DAB in the music radio, consumers are offered more choice in more places than
download arena. The radio industry could offer consumers a ever before. The ability to receive new radio stations has
cheaper and more efficient alternative to 3G for downloading consistently been the number one reason for purchase since
the DRDB began tracking
"reasons to buy". More
Figure 2
13.6 than 1.5 million DAB
digital radios were sold in
the year ending April
2006. With 30 million
DAB ownership at home adults in the UK already
(% of adults) DAB aware, consumers
8.1 are getting the message
INI and liking what they hear.
5.3 11111
Nearly one quarter (23%)
4.4 it 5 VS OM M
II II OM
IN
MIIV of DAB owners are repeat
3.9 IN OS OS NO II II IN NI II
purchasers and 13.6% of
II II SO II II II IN NO IN
MN
II
II
IV
II
MI
IN OS MI
1111 SS OS
SO
II
SO
II
NO
ON 000
II MII
the UK adult population
SO
II
SO
NO
SO
SI
MO IS NO
II SO SO
NO
II
II
MI
OM
OM
MO MI SI
II II II iii now has a DAB digital
II IN II OS M 1111 radio at home, that's 6.7
II S
IOS IN SO II M
OOM NO NI III
million people. (see
Oa OS OeGOy Figures 1 & 2)
No% Delving into the figures
Source Rajar Quarter 1, 2006
even deeper shows a

DABs the way I like it!
continuing snowballing of DAB momentum. More than 50% of of DAB in a selection of countries around the world. Korea
the UK adult population listens to digital radio services via one has the potential to be a massive market for DAB and its
platform or another, that's 25.5 million people. This represents family of standards. DMB (Digital Multimedia Broadcasting)
an increase of nearly one million in just three months (Rajar services launched commercially in South Korea in December
Q1, 2006). Of all listening via digital platforms, DAB 2005 and by June 2006, more than one million devices had
represents the majority share at 55% (DTV 27%, Internet 1 6%). been sold. China is a key market for the DAB, DMB and
When people listen to a DAB digital radio they tune in for 16% DAB-IP family of standards. Not only is it the powerhouse of
longer than average, consuming 27.6 hours of radio a week the global supply chain for products, with the largest
versus the average of 23.8 hours a week. In terms of age profile population in the world, the adoption of DAB in China will
23% of DAB owners are aged 15-24, and 60% are under 44 have a huge effect on the worldwide development of DAB.
years of age. The profile is becoming younger as new designs Trials are underway in several parts of the country with
and integrated form factors come to market. The top three broadcast licences issued covering Guangdong Province,
reasons for buying a DAB digital radio are to receive new Beijing and Shanghai, with commercial DMB services due for
digital stations, achieve better sound quality and improve launch in 2006.
reception of existing stations. (see Figure 3)
Broadcasters Figure 3
Naturally broadcasters are trying to keep pace DAB owners satisfaction
with an ever increasing demand. With a DAB
digital radio listeners can recieve around twice as 87% OVERALL SATISFACTION
many stations as they can on FM and AM. There RATED AS EXCELLENT
are 414 DAB services on air in the UK, of which
OR GOOD
55% are only available with a DAB digital radio
(with the remainder being analogue simulcasts).
More than 30 completely new formats have
emerged since the inception of DAB in the UK,
including dedicated services for country music,
children's radio, ethnic stations, rolling news,
comedy and drama channels, sport, dance, rock
and chill -out. Later in 2006 the regulator Ofcom
will advertise the licence for a new national
commercial DAB multiplex, bringing up to ten
new national DAB radio stations to the UK. Over
the next 18 months to two years, up to 30 new
local and regional multiplexes will be advertised
by Ofcom, leading to an expansion of the overall
DAB network and up to 250 additional services.
Some digital radio stations have seen their best
ever listening audiences reported this year, with
figures up 50% and even 60% year -on -year.
The International Picture

DAB digital radio has become an
internationally adopted standard that can be
seen and heard in nearly 40 countries from
Canada to Australia, across Europe and the Far
East. Countries including India, China and
South Africa, are testing DAB and developing
consumer trials. More than 500 million people
worldwide are within range of a DAB digital
radio transmitter and there are nearly 1000
services on air. Around the world, DAB sales
showed encouraging growth trends in 2005.
*
e,e,
9P {, e AJs'" e*
40cv
.p
'lie - , b° 0b '
,,,, . .
4.--
While the UK continues to lead the charge,
\* er
other countries are following the pattern
established by trade bodies such as the DRDB
.-- e
and WorldDAB, and sales are growing as a
result. The following is a snapshot of the status 'OF

50 YEARS AGO By Keith Wilson
e've all done it, haven't we? producing RFI that, when I was very good use of battery -operated television
Settled down, I mean, like the young, I used one in conjunction with a was the then Australian Prime Minister,
guys in our October 1956 long wire aerial as a crude spark Gordon Menzies. The news pages report
cover picture, with a nice cup of tea and transmitter to communicate with a that, during a visit to London for
a slice of cake to watch the test card for friend who lived close by. No one in the discussions on the Suez crisis, he had a
an hour or two! Actually, given the area could watch their television while television installed in his car. Obviously
average entertainment value of today's we were on the air, but at the time that he wanted to keep right up to date with
programmes, the test card is often didn't seem important! If anyone the latest Suez developments.
preferable, but surely things weren't that reading this lived in Kidderminster in the But hang on a minute, this was long
bad in 1956? late 1950s, please accept my belated before rolling news or even regular
The cover picture introduces an apologies. daytime TV news bulletins. No,
article which explains the intricacies of Someone who appears to have made Menzies' car TV, according to the
that old favourite, Test Card C. It's a
design classic -a simple test pattern that Tea and the test card - who could ask for more?
simultaneously provides checks for
aspect ratio, resolution, video
bandwidth, contrast, scan linearity, sync
separation, LF response and uniformity
of focus.
From my recollections, one of the
checks most desperately needed was
linearity. It was common to see sets
which displayed circles as very egg -
shaped indeed. In fact, it always amazed
me how people could live with such
badly distorted pictures. Perhaps they OCTOBER 1956
thought that all actors and presenters
naturally had very tall foreheads!
Another article covers the operation
of televisions from batteries 'for country
dwellers' and serves as a reminder that
many areas of the country at that time
had no mains supplies. As a method of
producing an HT supply, the circuit
diagram of an early switch -mode power
supply is shown. Don't get too excited,
however, there are no MOSFETs here,
just a vibrator.
Glorified buzzers
For those too young to remember,
vibrators were once normal stock items
for the service trade. They were, in fact,
glorified buzzers with extra contacts to
chop the DC supply from the battery so
that it could be applied to a transformer.
Some types even had another set of
contacts to provide synchronous
rectification. Pretty clever, huh?
The downside was that these things,
which were common in car radios,
produced lots of Radio Frequency
Interference (RFI). Not exactly what you
want next to your television, especially
if you lived in a fringe area.
In fact, vibrators were so good at

A switch -mode supply, 1956 style
report, had a much more important

purpose - to allow him to follow
Australia's progress in the test series!
Not that it did him much good, as
England won.
Story of the tape tape moving at just 15" per second. recording and could achieve
A report that was arguably to have Transverse scanning of the tape was, comparable quality. However, this
more long-term significance mentions of course, the key. system had the slight drawback of
that, in the USA, the Ampex In the UK, the BBC was working using a tape speed of around 200"s
Corporation had managed to record on VERA (Vision Electronic Recording per second. A 20.5" spool of tape
good quality television pictures on Apparatus) which used longitudinal gave a recording time of 15 minutes.
It's not hard to see why the Ampex
Test Card C, a design classic
system won out.
Finally, if you thought that CCTV
systems that spy on you as you drive
around town were a new idea, think
again. It is reported that, in August
1956, Durham installed what must be
the ancestor of all modern traffic
management CCTV systems.
It comprised two cameras, one
mounted on a lamppost, the other in
a convenient first -floor window. The
pictures were relayed to a policeman
on point duty who, by directing
traffic according to what he saw on
the screen, was able to 'considerably
reduce congestion'.
Great idea, but I guess today's
practice of recording the images for
later use as evidence of traffic
offences would have been a bit
inconvenient. Those 20.5 -inch tape
spools would need changing every
quarter of an hour!
It w s working fine until it rained!

Forget the Suez crisis - the cricket's on!
I Ittif Ft( SIG

vAct,c, AHE

In the first of a new series
on CCTV, Mike Tennant,
director of training at
CCTV education specialist
TAVCOM, takes a look at
the opportunities in
this sector Use of CCTV is expanding across the UK, increasing service and repair opportunit
Opportunity Knocks!
Iwonder how many of you remember production video and medical before Common problems include:
the earlier days of television when heading off into the security sector. I think III Underrated power supplies (that nice
larger -than -life presenter Hughie the current changes in CCTV offer fishy smell at the end of a bit of hot
Green introduced the hopeful 'would-be' enormous potential to those with a solid wire!)
stars of entertainment to the delights of background in TV and consumer Hard drives that have given up the
stage, screen and television? electronics to add this dynamic revenue ghost
I remember those days clearly - a fact stream to their business. To encourage you Fans that have clogged, equipment that
that probably gives you an all too clear all to examine and seize these far reaching has overheated and fuses that have
indication of the age of your author! opportunities, I will be providing a series popped.
But, there is a serious message behind of 'distance learning' articles over the next BNC connectors that are badly crimped
this quick trip down memory lane for few months. Cable runs that are too long
everyone who is currently beavering Good levels of service and repair IN Microsoft Windows causing a problem
away in the television service industry. opportunities exist in the sector because in the registry
I would like to suggest that this is also most display screens, recording equipment Resetting needed due to unskilled
a time of great opportunity for you. Now and cameras were not originally designed tampering
is the moment for those who have an for the extremely long hours of operation
appetite for change and a hunger for they are expected to achieve. CCTV equipment
developing their skills to take advantage I suspect that many a MTBF (Mean Many of these are problems that will
of new openings offered by the emerging Time Between Failure) figure quoted by already be familiar to those with
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) and manufacturers is a little economical with experience in TV and video repair.
Internet Protocol (IP) industries. the truth. In fact, I would wager that the I recall providing a training course for a
Opportunity is knocking loudly at the figures are based on the average usage of group of Sony broadcast engineers three
door of all of you who are seeking the domestic market in recording and years ago from the European and Middle
advancement in your professional lives. displaying of a few hours a week, not the East regions. Naturally we could not really
24/7 treatment that security equipment is teach them anything about the video
Why CCTV and surveillance? often subjected to. So things do go wrong signal, vertical intervals and basic
I came through the ranks of television - indeed you will find it is the normal state television techniques. However, what they
and video servicing and 'graduated' into of affairs. really enjoyed was the tremendous

diversity of transmission methods, the type transmission methods we deploy every inherent latency issues. There are also
of picture information possible and the day. other difficult feats to master like back
sheer vastness of the CCTV market. Twisted Pair (these days more CAT 5) focusing the installation and following a
Because of the size of the market, where we can run up to 1.5 Kilometres for suspicious person using telemetry (PTZ).
repair and service skills are definitely each camera fed through either an active Then there is video management
required nationwide in the security sector. BALUN (balanced and unbalanced) equipment including Matrix switchers,
Systems use CRT, TFT, Plasma and rear transformer at each end, or by using the GUI's (Graphic User Interface Screens)
projection for display. Setting up with more expensive launch and equalising VDA (Video Distribution Amplifiers) and
video test signals is naturally essential and amplifiers. These need servicing every six Peak White Inverters.
importantly not all security and months at least. Then of course there are those 'days
surveillance rated products are in the in Many a system is connected with out in the country' when you can find
the throwaway commodity market. There multi -mode and single -mode optical fibre. yourself climbing up towers and poles or
are a wide variety of Digital Video Great stuff for video, being totally having bags of fun in 'cherry pickers'
Recorder's (DVR) with high recording impervious to external electrical getting up to the cameras.
capacities. Typical hard drives are terabyte interference and of course you won't get
size to enable up to 16 cameras to be those infernal ground loops. However, Opportunities abound
recorded 24 hours a day for a 31 day there are accidents of broken fibre and the Ours is a fascinating and growing
cycle. This is not to mention the breaks need fusing together with the least industry in which there is a definite need
reprogramming necessary when the amount of dB loss. for technical skills based on your existing
'wrong fingers' have tried to reset a Then there is free space transmission, expertise. Whether you are interested in
system. microwave signals at 60gHz, 2.4gHz and CCTV system design, planning,
PTZ's (Pan, tilt and zoom) units also go a range of specially attributed frequencies. installation or repair and maintenance, a
wrong and need repair and service. Dome These all need setting up and servicing little bit of effort can enable you to
cameras have a limited life, lenses stick, from time to time. Laser (active infra red) develop your career in any of these
motors perish, leads come apart and has great advantages in installation costs in sectors.
camera housings have heaters with major cities, no cable laying costs for Tavcom is the UK's leading security
resistors that pop or are just underrated for example. Still, the downside is they need systems training company providing 'real
the job. careful setting -up and the brackets need to world' hands on training for CCTV and
be not of a material that would expand other electronic security equipment.
Cable ties and contract and cause the transmission to Training is carried out at our purpose
CCTV uses 75ohm rated cable just like shift by a micron or two. built training centre in Hampshire which
the television industry. The bandwidth In this sector your skills also need to offers state of the art lecture theatres and
frequency of course is only 5.5MHz which include the computer industry with workshops for the optimum learning
means that we cannot utilise the same stuff knowledge of the IP range of transmission experience. We can also conduct courses
used for our domestic television down for LANS, WANS and of course VLANs. at a client's own chosen location both in
feeds. However, what is really interesting The problem here, as we all know, is the the UK and across the globe.
to note is the wide range of other limited available bandwidth and the Our expert qualified tutors are all
experienced engineers with a proven
track record in installation, design,
operation or project management.
For more details of our company and
services take a look at our website at
salesetavcom.com
Many familiar
-ales like
nasonic have
esence in
CO/ world

0 3 ooqunities
In the first of a new series, Matt Nimmons,
operations manager at CEDIA, the Custom
Electronic Design & Installation
Association, outlines the opportunities
available in the custom installation market
e trade in a competitive world. installation offers real market opportunities varied range of system supply, design and
Global markets, internet and training support for service engineers installation service contracts to match.
shopping and supermarket as well as cable and aerial installers, keen These contracts have equipment and
dominance have all had a huge impact on to take advantage of this situation and labour elements which allow businesses to
consumer's expectations and shopping integrate new technologies into their charge for their time. They have extended
habits. This is especially true in the TV and business strategies. time frames, often extending over a year,
consumer electronics business. so there'll be an order book with some
If a specialist TV retailer or service What's the job? predictability, which will allow businesses
engineer does a 'good' job then they're Custom installers specialise in the to budget with greater certainty. No more
still not guaranteed that they will make planning, design, supply and installation of waiting for increasingly erratic through -
enough of a living to pay the bills and may discrete, automated, electronic systems for the -door traffic or reactive telephone calls.
well, in this competitive world, end up the modern, intelligent home. At one end Even more beneficially, individual client
going out of business. 'Excellent' it embraces high -end TV's and home spend on a typical custom installation
performance may generate enough profit cinemas (the boxes many retailers and project can be considerable (six figure
to pay the mortgage, feed the kids and installers are incredibly familiar with contracts are not unusual), not least
maybe take the odd holiday. But this already) and can extend to the integration because the customer is frequently buying
brings its own problems because it maybe of these systems with complete home more than one service from a custom
necessary to work so hard to achieve networks and sub -systems which can installation business.
"excellent" that there is not even enough intelligently control multi -room audio, So what's required to take your business
time to take a holiday. Supplying boxes or lighting, security, HVAC (heating, forward into this market place? That's
repairs, however good the service might ventilation & air conditioning), and even where CEDIA comes in. CEDIA is the
be, can only get independents so far. garden facilities, from lighting to watering. international trade organisation for the
Competing with high -volume multiple Custom installation is, in many ways, a custom installation sector, spanning three
retailers or commodity based product lines natural business development for many continents and with a global membership
can be a dispiriting business. Meanwhile, service engineers and cable and aerial of nearly 4,000 companies. CEDIA was
cable TV and aerial installation companies installers, especially in the common entry founded in 1989 in the United States and
are also increasingly keen to develop their point area of high definition TV, plasmas, came to the UK in 1996. From a standing
skill sets to give consumers something LCDs and home cinemas. Most start, the Association now boasts well over
extra, sharpen the difference between importantly it allows them to differentiate 400 member companies. These range from
themselves and their competitors and add and add real value to a client (a client designers and installers of home electronic
value to their own business offering. where the trust relationship may well systems to equipment distributors and the
The fast-growing world of custom already be in place), with a first class and leading brand manufacturers.

Responding to demand Moore, the founding Chairman of CEDIA to individuals, consumers and
CEDIA members are responding to in the UK who has been in the industry manufacturers, by establishing clear,
increasing demand for their services not for over 20 years, the course provided a objective standards for the required skills
just direct from homeowners, but also thorough grounding in all aspects of the and knowledge of electronics system
from interior designers, architects and integrated home business. The course designers and installers. Through CEDIA
house builders. As this market growth took place in CEDIA's purpose-built certification, designers and installers will
continues, CEDIA's task is to help training facility at its UK headquarters in be recognised as the most qualified
members take full advantage of the St Neots and featured seven 90 -minute contractors to perform the design and
opportunities by providing them with modules, with two one -hour workshops. installation of home electronic systems.
essential education and marketing CEDIA will be looking to repeat this Through CEDIA's training programs,
support. This will ensure that the high course at a later date and details should designers and installers can obtain
standards of quality, professionalism and be sought in the first instance from continuing education in both technical
credibility which CEDIA membership www.cedia.co.uk and business skills to enhance the
brings, will be maintained for the benefit Additional CEDIA courses can help growth of their employees and their
of consumers and the building industry build on the knowledge gained on this business.
professionals they employ. course and explore the different CEDIA-certified professionals must
To this end, CEDIA runs a whole requirements of the market in fine detail, take a minimum number of continuing
series of courses both at the annual providing the opportunity to enrol on the education units (CEU's) to maintain their
CEDIA Expo, held at ExCeL London in CEDIA Professional Certification certification through regular training over
June, and at various regional training programme. These courses cover, for a three year period, ensuring the highest
sessions throughout the year. A number example, cabling infrastructure design degree of professionalism and
of these courses are specifically designed and termination, TCP/IP and networking, competency. As a result, certified
to take existing businesses, with an an introduction to audio systems and designers and installers will always
established track record in one calibration and an introduction to possess the most up-to-date knowledge
environment, and equip them with the control systems. Other CEDIA courses and stay current in their skills and
tools they need to take on the include how to communicate with expertise. So, if you are already keen to
demanding but ultimately exciting and wealthy clients, how to document your move your business forward, get excited,
rewarding area of custom installation. jobs, how to behave on a building site get equipped and step up to the new
In September CEDIA ran a specific with all the essential health and safety opportunities of custom installation, visit
course for new entrants into the sector, requirements, and many, many more. www.cedia.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1480
entitled, "Introduction to the UK Custom The CEDIA Professional Certification 213744 to learn more on the courses
Installation Business". Presented by Steve programme delivers a range of benefits available.

Letters
The return of Mr Angry Mr Angry, the subject of a previous his receipt which he promptly
I'm going to have a good day today I letter and if you remember he vowed slammed down on the front desk.
thought as I swung the van into the never to enter my shop again. I studied the receipt but it was not
industrial estate. However, the alarm "This remote thing that I purchased one of mine. "This receipt sir is not
on our building was making the most from you has failed again," he from here," said. I thought he was
I
terrible sound. I checked for broken complained. It was not the same going to burst, the veins were sticking
windows but fortunately there were handset he had presented me with out of his neck and his fists were
none. With the alarm practically earlier in the year. This one looked clenched. "Just give me my money
bursting my eardrums, I managed to almost new and had COM3186 back," he screamed. The other
prise out the bolts from the shutter stamped onto it. A little investigation customer left the shop. This was my
door and raced to the control panel told me this was a Toshiba cue to stand up to this character. "No
to stop the noise. The alarm went replacement and as luck would have I can't give you any money back
quiet but the ringing in my ears it we had a reconditioned Toshiba on because I didn't take any money in
carried on for some time. display. Pointing the handset at the the first place, your receipt is from
This didn't dampen the unusually TV, I pressed the volume button and the shop down the road." There was
good mood that I was in, so I settled up came the sound, so I changed a a brief silence. I could read in his
down to make myself a nice cup of few channels and it all seemed to face that he realised his mistake,
tea before starting the day's work. I work. "Looks OK to me," I said. Mr would he apologise I wondered. The
filled the kettle and switched it on, Angry's face went bright red. silence continued for what seemed
there was a loud explosion and the "Don't try to smooth talk your way like an age. "Well why don't you take
top of the kettle plug blew off and out of this one as well," he screamed, it down there," he snapped.
landed black and smouldering next to "It doesn't work my TV and I want a "Sir you're just being unreasonable
my feet. No worries though, it was an refund." now and I would like you to leave," I
old kettle and I used the microwave Another customer walked through said, picking up his receipt and
to boil the water for my tea. the door as Mr Angry was in full flow handing it to him.
Enter the first customer of the day. about how I had refused to exchange "Don't worry," he said, "I'm going
As I've said before my memory for his last handset and how he wasn't and don't expect to see me again any
faces is poor, but I was sure I had going to let me get away with it. As time soon." I do hope he means it
seen him before. When he started to there was a customer waiting to be this time.
speak I instantly recognised him as served, I gave in and asked him for Well by now my mood had
darkened somewhat, I sat at my
workbench to tackle my first set for
Life gets difficult when angry customers go ape the day an Hitachi C28WF460N. A
nice easy one I thought as it had a
partial frame collapse. As I was
measuring supply voltage someone
shouted shop!. It made me jump and
the meter probe slipped. I saw sparks
across adjacent pins of the frame IC
then the TV switched itself into
standby. Now I was really fed up. I
went to see what the loud voiced
character wanted.
"I wants me fuse box moving mate,
we can't get our ironing board in the
cupboard where you've stuck it and
we needs it sticking somewhere
else."
Great someone else who was in
the wrong shop. I said: "You need the
offices next door sir we don't do
electrical installs."
"Well you lot put it in," he sang
back.
"No we didn't it's the company
Please send letters to: Television, Nexus Media Communications Ltd,
Media House, Azalea Drive, Swanley, Kent BR8 8HU
Email: [email protected], using subject heading 'Television letters'
next door you need." to have to be treated with kid gloves. up. Hello appears on the display and
"So your not gonna move it for me And do, do, try to retain a sense of the Cobolt logo appears on the TV
then?" humour and not let yourself be screen. However, the set-up button
"I can't I'm not an electrician but wound up so. does not work and no other functions
the company next door are so please My very best wishes to you, Geoff. work and it will not power -off from
go there." I have enjoyed our little fencing the power button. I did not get a user
"Well you fixes tellys don't you, match no end and I wish you every manual with it. Is there a special code
what's the difference?" success as you wend your explosive I have to use? I would like to obtain a
Eventually he did leave and I way through life. user manual and a circuit diagram for
watched him go next door. Chas E Miller the infernal machine. The remote
I'd had enough, I'd earned no seems to work OK.
money, made a few enemies and was Alexandra Palace Les Hanran
hot and fed up. I'll finish the Hitachi (Ed. Keith Holder, general manager of 286 Stuart Drive,Townsville,
tomorrow I thought, so I set the alarm Alexandra Palace, responds to the QLD,Australia,4811.
and locked up. I joined the rush hour August article on the future of [email protected]
traffic and set off for home. I was just Alexandra Palace). (Ed. Can anyone help Les on this
about to pull out onto the A420 when John Thompson's article on the one?)
there was an extremely loud bang impact of Alexandra Palace's
from under my bonnet followed by redevelopment plans on the building's Telstar
the sound of grinding metal. Then broadcast heritage, contained a (Ed. We had quite a bit of feedback
nothing, just the sound of horns number of inaccuracies that gave a on the Telstar article from August
behind me. I waited an hour in the skewed account of the Alexandra issue, here are a couple of examples.
heat for the RAC who said my cam Palace Charitable Trust's motives and We are trying to find out a little more
belt had snapped and I was looking actions. about the fate of Telstar, maybe some
at a very expensive repair. Why does The aim of the redevelopment readers have some info?)
everything go wrong at once I project has been to secure the future
wonder? of the Palace for future generations, to Telstar 1
A.D Lyon Visiontech remove ongoing financial risk from I was very disappointed with your
the London Borough of Haringey and article 'Whatever happened to
A final word to bring the half of the building that is Telstar?' in that it failed to answer
Would you permit one final (I hope) currently derelict back into use. your own question.
rejoinder to our friend Geoff Darby. Respecting the broadcast heritage The front of the magazine sported a
(Letters August 06) of the Palace has been a priority for prominent picture of Telstar 1 which
When I glanced through your the Trustees from the start and a pan - led me to believe you would be
latest effusion, Geoff, I have to admit industry group including the BBC basing your article on this important
that my first reaction was that it was remains actively involved. Indeed, the satellite's history.
better out than in. I don't mind if you draft lease as it stands includes Your article, however, only went
wish to call me a grumpy old man - specific clauses about developing the as far as reminding us (and possibly
sticks and stones, etc - although with former studio space. informing your younger readers) of the
great respect, it appears to me that it For reasons of commercial significance and achievements of
is you who is doing most of the confidentiality, the lease negotiations Telstar 1.
grumbling, not I. And what an between the Trust and the preferred From the title of the article I was
adventurous life you lead with investment partner, Firoka (Heythrop hoping to be informed of its entire
exploding fuses to add to erupting Park) Ltd. have been conducted in lifetime. Answers to how long the
condensers! It makes my peaceful private. As a result, speculation about satellite remained in service and its
workshop seem positively mundane the content of the draft lease has no eventual fate.
by comparison. Seriously, though, basis in fact. Is it still in orbit or was its orbit
Geoff, you do seem to be permitting Keith Holder allowed to decay and Telstar 1 ended
yourself to stray considerably from its life burnt up in the atmosphere?
the point that my reference to Cobalt blues Alternatively was it pushed out into a
variacs, which you appear to find so I bought a Cobolt DVD recorder graveyard orbit or some other fate?
provocative, was in connexion with Model Cl 7P0093 last year. I cannot Telstar 1 is the star and to just end
vintage radio receivers and not with use it as it won't set-up. I connect it to your article by telling us that there are
arcane and exotic modern pieces of the power and the clock lights up, I still subsequent Telstar satellites in
equipment which, poor dears, appear press the power button and it powers orbit is not the information the title

and front of your magazine led me 1 and remained in service until standards, and also stated (perhaps
(and probably many others) to expect. November 1978. It is interesting to rashly) that: 'Earthing domestic
Telstar 1 deserves better! note however, it was not taken out of products is not an industry -supported
Mr. I. M. Williams, service because of a fault, rather its view'.
Sutton Coldfield 36 channel capacity rendered it As an example, I examined the
uneconomic to keep in service. mains input circuitry of a Panasonic
Telstar too If readers are interested in this VCR (NV-HD100B/EB) in the service
First of all may I take this opportunity technical achievement more manual. The UK model has a serial
to thank Television for all the quality information can be found in the dual inductor and single capacitor
information I have learned in the special edition of the Institution of EMC filter between each AC input
thirty one years I have purchased the Post Office Electrical Engineers and earth. However, the European
publication. journal 1956. (SECAM, VHF/UHF) model has three
I am totally self-taught and was in Philip Jones capacitors in series with no inductors.
the trade in the late seventies and Thus the UK model has a single
early eighties. Then I left to join the Shocking design capacitor (C1106 2.2nF) isolating it's
then Post Office Engineering I share Martin McCluskey's concern case from AC mains.
Department. Recently however there about electric shock from the metal This VCR carries the double
have been some articles that were not casing and I/O connectors of isolation standard logo. I always
of such high quality. The recent unearthed VCR/DVD/TV equipment understood that the double insulation
debate on electrolytic capacitors is (Television Letters, August 2006). I standard requires two separate
one such example. I nearly lost an believe the most common cause of barriers between dangerous voltages
eye when an electrolytic in a Bush this phenomenon is the presence of and the equipment user. But in this
TV161 exploded over my shoulder. It EMC filtering components between example a single component failure
was so violent that its innards totally mains input and the equipment earth. would present mains voltage to the
left the can taking all the terminated I had a particularly notable metal case. The European circuit
wires with it. It ended up stuck to the experience with a Panasonic DVD version with three capacitors in series,
workshop wall some twelve feet away recorder of sparks when connecting appears to have less risk by tolerating
and the bang caused injury to my leads, and a 'tingling' sensation as double component failure.
right ear. Ever since then I don't trust well as illumination of a neon voltage An earth connection via the AC
electrolytics with a bulged end. tester when touching the case. This power lead prevents case voltage
Modern electrolytics are made in a prompted me to report this to effects resulting from mains input
totally different way and don't seem Panasonic customer support. filtering, regardless of other
to deteriorate in storage. The response explained that: 'The equipments being interconnected,
But it was an article in August circuit has direct connection between and also provides a high degree of
2006 issue that has made me put live parts and parts safe to touch'. protection from internal
fingers to keyboard. I don't expect 'The components are specially electrical/mechanical failure which
poorly researched information to designed and tested to meet could otherwise result in parts
issue from the pages of such a well recognised safety requirements and accessible to touch becoming 'live'.
respected publication as Television. only permit extremely low levels of John Westmoreland, C.Eng MIEE
refer to the article 'Whatever
I current flow'.
happened to Telstar'. On the third 'We always recommend More shocks
paragraph we are informed that: connecting equipment whilst mains Re - Electrical Safety issue mentioned
'Before Telstar, transatlantic supplies are disconnected'. by Martin McClusky about electrical
communication was achievable only 'This especially applies to aerial leakage from double insulated
over telephone cables linking France connections where several appliances.
and the United States'. equipments could be connected to This is an ever increasing issue. I
What is it about us British that the aerial'. too agree that it's puzzling that in an
makes us so ignorant about our Whilst the instruction to age of CE marking and rigorous safety
technical past? disconnect all mains supplies to all specifications, filter capacitors within
The first transatlantic telephone equipments when making DVD players, TV's, and VCRs provide
cable was between Oban in Scotland connections is indeed given in the enough leakage to make the
and Newfoundland Canada. From operating manual, I doubt if the appliance perceptibly live to the
there it was routed to New york. The average consumer adopts this touch, especially when appliances are
system was designed by the British procedure. used together. Single units can also
Post Office and AT&T and was laid in Panasonic advised that its give shocks if, for example, one leans
1956. The system was known as TAT equipment conforms with class II against a nearby radiator whilst

Letters
plugging in the TV aerial. 20 to 25 feet above the bench, were forming process is similar to
I too have noticed sparks when pointed out as a salutary warning of anodising aluminium, anodised skin
connecting aerial leads to live TV's. the dangers stemming from such being virtually an insulator when
There have also been reports of events. properly formed.
shocks received when using Karaoke Some years later as a RADAR It is this inductance in conjunction
machines with hand-held metal instructor at No 1 Radio School, RAF with the capacitance, that effectively
microphones plugged into the Locking, helping to teach fault finding form the cut-off filter implied by the
offending TV's. I'm surprised the techniques, I received a new phrase "to go completely open circuit
matter hasn't been raised before in the electrolytic capacitor reforming unit. at 15kHz".
trade press! Reputedly the second purchased by One of my apprenticeship
A while back we had an enquiry the RAF. This was in the early months experiences was producing the
from a local prison where contractors of 1961 and it was made by Pye of combined transformer and capacitors
had installed an aerial distribution Cambridge - if my memory serves me for a 400cps power supply for aircraft
system and portable TV's in each cell. correctly. use. I first made the transformer,
Prisoners had reported receiving shocks It was one of the very few brand which was impregnated and
from the TVs when plugging their new units issued to the section, as we encapsulated in Araldite, which had
Playstations into the SCART sockets. used mainly faulty RAF equipment, previously been "thinned" using MEK
The prison's maintenance plus specially -made radio and TADAR (Methyl -Ethyl -Ketone) - an impressive,
department had found that the chassis in which we planted faults. highly exothermic reaction in itself.
cumulative leakage from several score Two of our support fitters became When the transformer was finished,
of TVs connected via a single aerial experts at producing the 'faulty' I then made-up the foil sandwich for
system was enough to cause the components, eg capacitors with their the capacitor - thin copper sheet, kraft
problem. We advised earthing the internals replaced by high -value paper, thin copper sheet and kraft
aerial outlet plates in each cell and this resistors, resistors with changed paper. This sandwich was wound
cured the problem. colour -coding etc. The test gear was tightly round the transformer. It was
As we are involved in pub and mainly Avo 7's and Select -Tests (vide protected by a layer of elephant
nightclub electronic entertainment Television April 2005). paper, also used as the basic winding
systems, we always provide an earth To demonstrate the use of the core of the transformer. This complete
path for double insulated CD players, reforming unit, I was authorised to assembly was again impregnated and
Karaoke machines and plasma screens. appeal to the camp population for encapsulated.
By design, many of these have switch - suitable civilian radios. A major Appropriate C -cores, clamps and
mode power supplies with the filters source was car radios probably due to terminations were added, including a
and we think it's best to be safe than the heat from the valves in a very small tag board using Harwin Turret
sorry. Normally it's done at the mixing confined space. Terminals. Rectifiers were mounted
desk which provides the closest 'star I recollect one radio where ten out on the tag board, producing the full
point' for these appliances without of eleven capacitors were successfully PSU.
causing earth hum loops, especially revived. And then we had the problem of
important to avoid in audio/video In the article on page 608, 'Peak testing it!
installations. Atlas Enhance digital ESR meter', Alex Dow,
It's a shame we have to think about (Television August 2006) there is no Cowdenbeath, Fife
this type of thing, I thought that class - mention of the
2 was meant to be the safest option? inductance encountered
Kevin Edwards, in the generally,
Leisure Electronics, Staffs helically wound foils
structure, particularly of
Re-Ecko small table set higher -value
Television August 06 electrolytic capacitors.
Back during my apprenticeship in The internal
Edinburgh 1952 to 1957, a colleague resistance and
and former school friend, narrowly inductance being
missed serious injury when an effectively proportional
electrolytic capacitor exploded during to the path length from
bench testing of a prototype numerical the respective
control system for milling machines. connecting tabs. There
For several years the splattered was also no mention
One reader gained exptnence of electrolytic capacitors whilst in the RAF
remains on the factory ceiling, some that generally the

Digital update
The switch to digital TV is the most
significant change in broadcast
technology since the dawn of the
age of television. The move will
present big challenges as well as
opportunities. Television tunes
into the latest developments
Broadcasting Minister, Shaun Woodward and Industry a release of information on when each main transmitter and
Minister, Margaret Hodge recently wrote to MPs to lay- its relays will switch is continuing. Further details of this
out the latest roll -out plans in the switch to a digital UK. process will be released as and when the proper planning
The latest details revealed that Whitehaven in Cumbria will studies have been completed.
lead the transition as its analogue signal will disappear in
autumn of 2007, closely followed by the rest of the boarder Appetite for information
region. In the fourth quarter of 2008, the Selkirk transmitter Since the government committed to digital switchover
and its dependent relays (which serve the eastern part of the in September of 2005, appetite has steadily grown for
Scottish borders) will switch and in the second quarter of details of the programme so engineers, manufacturers and
2009, the conversion of the Caldbeck transmitter and its broadcasters alike could plan their strategies. The
dependent relays (which serve Cumbria, Dumfries and government states that since that time consumer awareness
Galloway) will be completed. Details on the transmitter has steadily increased with over 72% of UK homes now
timetable for the West Country, Wales and Granada, will having converted at least one TV set to digital - the highest
follow later in the year. level in the world.
Speaking about the impending switch, Ford Ennals, chief The recent ministers' letter to MPs also pointed to
executive of Digital UK (independent body set-up to lead the research published by Digital UK that found while
digital switch) said: "Today's announcement puts Whitehaven nationally 66% of people are aware of switchover, in the
at the forefront of the most exciting change to television for a Border TV region (the first to switch) awareness has
generation. Switchover will significantly add to the choice of reached an encouraging 82%.
channels available and give people options in how to go Ministers argued that the encouraging figures could be
digital. put down to the awareness campaigns carried out by
"Digital UK's job is to make sure everyone knows how to Digital UK since May of 2006.
prepare for the change and that no-one is left behind. In the However, Digital UK is not only responsible for
coming months, we will be working closely with many providing advice and information for consumers to help
different organisations in Whitehaven to ensure everyone is them to switch to digital TV. The body also has a mandate
prepared for switchover and the benefits it will bring." to work with retailers and aerial installers to support them
in providing a good service for consumers and in
Timetable for switchover delivering the Targeted Help Scheme.
The start date for the rest of the process in each TV region
is expected to follow the timetable set out by Tessa Jowell, the Targeted Help Scheme
Secretary of State for the Department of Culture Media and This scheme is designed to back-up the Government's
Sport. (see map) determination to prevent any 'digital divide'. The initiative is
designed to provide the necessary help to those most in need
Switchover date TV region of assistance in switching. The Government says a recently
Starting in 2008 Border completed trial in Bolton clearly showed that older and
Starting in 2009 West Country, Wales and Granada disabled people embraced digital television if they had the
Starting in 2010 West, Grampian, Scottish appropriate help and advice.
Starting in 2011 Central, Yorkshire, Anglia Those qualifying for extra help will be:
Starting in 2012 Meridian, London, Tyne Tees, Ulster All households with one person aged 75 or over
All households with one person with a significant disability
The Government says that switchover will be a transmitter - (receiving attendance allowance or disability living
by -transmitter process and that the planning needed to enable allowance)

All households where perception of an industry that, at times, has
one person is Digital switchover suffered from a poor image."
registered blind or Also at the time of launch, Ford
By ITV region starts:
partially sighted. 2008 Border Ennals, of Digital UK, added: "We
Help will also be 2009 Westcountry, Wales (previously HTV Wales), Granada intend to maximize awareness of this
available free of charge 2010 West (previously HTV West), Grampian, Scottish
scheme through our marketing and
2011 Central, Yorkshire, Anglia
to the poorest eligible 2012 Meridian, London (previously Carlton/LWT), free digital helpline. Digital UK
1114..
households (e.g. those Tyne Tees, Ulster will promote the qualification by
receiving pension advising viewers to seek
credit, income support professional assistance from
or jobseekers allowance). All other recommended digital installers
households will pay a modest fee. who display the digital tick. This
Assistance will consist of equipment pioneering scheme will confer a
Grampian
designed for the needs of older and disabled 2 010 new level of credibility on the
users and will also offer participants an aerial installation industry."
installation visit, replacement aerial if Qualified installers are
necessary as well as follow-up support and expected to benefit from increased
specific assistance for blind or partially Scottish business, because the public
sighted viewers. 2010 will be assured that those with
the RDI certificate are the
Getting qualified Border
Tyne best source of help and
2008
Back in March the Ulster
Tees advice on aerials during
2012
Government launched a 2012 Air switchover.
scheme to establish a gold The scheme will
standard for installers and be administered by
Yorkshire
advisors to help deliver its 2011 the Registered
Granada
Targeted Help Scheme as 2009 Digital Installer
well as help in the general Licensing
switchover process. Under Body (RDI-
the Registered Digital LB). Bill
Installer Scheme (RDI), Central Anglia
Wales 2011 2011 Twigg, chair
engineers will be awarded 2009
of the RDI-
the 'digital tick' London LB, said:
certification mark if they 2012
"This
West
obtain a Level 2 National Region by region analogue 2010 Meridian scheme is
Vocational Qualification 2012
signals will disappear
Westcountry
the result of
(NVQ) in Electrical and 2009 collaboration
Electronic Servicing, between a range of
undertake criminal records bodies including the Science,
disclosure and have public liability insurance. Engineering, Manufacturing Technologies
Speaking at the time of the launch Alun Michael MP and Alliance (SEMTA) and the trade associations, to produce
Minister for Industry and the Regions said: "This a skilled and reliable workforce which the public can
qualification will ensure that registered installers (of reply upon during and following the switch to digital."
aerials) carrying out the work have the right skills needed However, the RDI qualification is not just designed
to ensure that switchover will be done well and on time. to deliver on the digital switch strategy, it is also hoped
It will also raise standards and improve the overall that the body will form a lasting legacy of high
standards benefiting the
industry long after analogue
switch -off is complete. In
the longer term,
apprenticeships will be
available to attract high
quality people into the
sector.
So it would seam that
there are going to be major
opportunities for this sector,
and with the knock -on
business that installing
aerials can generate by
getting through the front
door, the RDI scheme may
well be worth a serious look.
Further details are available
Digital UK's promotional campaigns have tried to rairawareness of the UK switch over at www.rdi-lb.tv or on
01246 252 857.

Getting on track
The digital awareness campaign is getting
inside the heads of UK consumers
There has been a flurry of promotional

activity surrounding digital switchover
The first in the new regular quarterly reviews from the about switchover is getting through, particularly to older
Switchover Tracking Survey revealed that two-thirds of viewers.
the population are aware of the UK's switchover to "We still have a lot of work to do in order to ensure
digital television. No massive surprise there, but more everyone knows about switchover and understands what
significantly the report said older viewers were the most they need to do to prepare. This includes knowing that all
aware of any age group. televisions need to be able to receive a digital signal.
In the three months to June of this year, 66% of those Nevertheless, this is a good start to our programme of
surveyed had heard about the switchover process. But across communication and support, and we will continue to build
the UK as a whole, awareness was highest among those aged on it in the coming months and years."
65-74, at 78% and actually lowest among the 16-24 age Jim Egan, Ofcom strategy director, said: "The switchover
group, at 47%. tracker research will provide valuable intelligence on
Of the 66% that were aware of the switchover, awareness consumer attitudes and expectations in the run up to full
was highest in the Border TV region, where switchover digital switchover. It will also be an important means of
begins in 2008, with 82% of people aware of the change. monitoring progress in the critical years ahead." The
The national survey of more than 2,500 adults also Digital UK campaign featured national and regional
echoed the Government's assertion that recent awareness advertising backed up with information leaflets sent to
campaigns were working. The report noted a marked three million homes in the first three television regions to
increase in public awareness following the campaign, switch (Border, West Country and Wales). It prompted
increasing by 13% points nationally and by 11% in the 20,000 calls to the Digital UK information line and
Border region. West Country and Wales, the TV regions that 130,000 visitors to its website, www.digitaluk.co.uk. The
will follow Border in the switchover sequence, also have next phase of Digital UK's campaign is due to begin in the
above average awareness of switchover. In the West Country autumn with national and regional communications. This
77% of people are aware and in Wales the figure is 71%. will include, for the first time, a big push in the Granada
Publication of the findings coincides with the area which is the fourth area in line to be switched some
announcement of the national switchover flagship project in time in 2009.
Whitehaven, Cumbria. Switchover in Whitehaven will now Television will be regularly revisiting the figures
take place ahead of schedule in 2007, increasing the generated by the Switchover Tracking Survey in an
number of channels available through a normal aerial from effort to keep readers up -to date on the latest regional
four to 18. promotional campaigns, and to assist in judging when
Ford Ennals, Chief Executive of Digital UK said: "These demand for installation and advice is likely to peak in
results are encouraging and demonstrate that the message the different regions.

Digital update
The shape of things

to come The switch to digital has many
implications for the shape of
broadcast content and its
providers. Ofcom is keen to high-
light areas that need to be
planned for as the country moves
towards digital with particular
Ofcom says that in the digital age the provision of news needs to emphasis on the future of Public
be monitored. Picture supplied by Jeff Overs, BBC
Service Broadcasting IPSBI
The first area that Ofcom has come up with proposals for is world, but is also to help in preparations for the Government's
the issue of spectrum charging. The organisation has review of funding for PSB, which will take place before digital
published proposals to introduce pricing for spectrum switchover is completed.
used for digital terrestrial radio and digital terrestrial television Three specific issues are of concern to Ofcom. The need for a
from 2012 and 2014 respectively. financial review of Channel 4; the future provision of news in
Known as Administered Incentive Pricing (AIP), the proposals the digital world and the introduction of a new concept called a
will bring radio and television spectrum users into line with public service publisher (PSP).
other spectrum users who are already charged AIP.
The proposals back-up the government's position that AIP The work ahead
should be extended, but that digital television broadcasters Ofcom says that for nearly 25 years Channel 4 has played a
should not have to pay until some time between 2010 and key role in providing plurality in the public service broadcasting
2014, the end of their initial license periods. system with its remit to provide a broad range of high quality
However, to simplify matters, Ofcom wants AIP to become and diverse programming with a particular focus on innovation,
liable on the same date for all licensees, from 2014 for digital distinctiveness and cultural diversity. Ofcom argues that over the
television multiplexes and 2012 for digital radio multiplexes. next five years television audience fragmentation and the shift to
Of the broader issues that Ofcom wants to draw attention to, new media will test how far Channel 4, commercially funded
there is particular emphasis on the way PSB is funded. One of but publicly owned, can sustain its public service remit.
the main contentions from Ofcom is that the BBC will not and Ofcom's financial review will examine in depth Channel 4's
should not be the only provider of PSB in a digital world. financial and operational performance and efficiencies and how
Therefore Ofcom believes that some careful thought is necessary Channel 4's contribution to PSB will evolve.
to assess the need for public money for the provision of PSB Ofcom identified news as the most valued programme genre
outside the BBC. on television. The body says that although all PSB providers are
To deal with specific issues of concern Ofcom has published obliged to carry news as part of their services, the ability to
its work programme for 2006/7. In general this programme is enforce these obligations will become more uncertain as the
designed to help sustain PSB through the privileged value of licence and spectrum scarcity erodes for the
transition to a fully digital ft iik commercial PSBs. Ofcom also believes that changes to the
Ofcom says the future of

gb'
oms. IIII N commercial environment for non-PSB news providers may also
have implications for the provision of news, including regional
Channel 4 needs careful news. Ofcom appears to believe that news coverage may
consideration develop an increasingly metropolitan bias as advertising
pressures encourage broadcasters to concentrate their
coverage towards these areas.
Ofcom has also asked whether there is a case for
institutional innovation in public service broadcasting
beyond the BBC and Channel 4, with a new media focus.
This concept of a PSP would see the setting up of the
first provider of public service content rooted in
the ideas, creativity and ethos of new media
(on-line and video -on -demand for example).
Ofcom will work at developing more detailed
proposals on the PSP's creative remit and how
it would work in practice.

Above: LG has developed a new version
of the XD Engine for its top line sets
Below: The PY2R is the pinnacle of LG's

Plasma production line
G recently unveiled its key CrystalVue's job is to improve
product lines for 2006 picture quality by a new three stage
including several eye catching process. Firstly a noise reduction stage:
new Plasma and LCD TV models. XD Engine 2005 was limited to noise
James Attkins of LG says: "We are in reduction within only the current frame.
a very fortunate position in that we are However, the 2006 version is able to
one of the very few companies who apply a 3 -step control mechanism by
manufacture both LCD and Plasma data analysis of the current, previous
screens. This gives us the ability to and next frame which allows for an
manoeuvre within the market to take improved flow of images. There is then
advantage of where consumer trends a HD scaling stage and finally a stage
drive development. which improves quality by emphasising
"We have seen LCD sizes creep up edges and shapes.
into areas where, traditionally at least, XD Engine also includes ContrastPRO
Plasma has been dominant. But in turn which analyses the input signal and
Plasma sizes have gone up and those optimises the contrast by making dark
over 50" have started to sell very well. areas darker and bright areas brighter.
"We have tried to shift to The XD Engine controls the contrast of
accommodate a more high -end each picture through the APL(Average
In recent years LG has customer. We are still a mass market Picture Level) as each image's dynamic
company but we do want to cater for range is identified and extended to
not only built its market the 'step-up' customer. produce a more bright, delicate and
"However, this does not just mean detailed picture.
larger screen sizes but more OptiGrade technology offers a more
share but has also importantly extra features. For instance detailed colour image by upping the bit
the new PY2 Plasma's both have two rate from 8bit to 10bit. Standard 8bit
worked hard to build a SD card slots which can read nine processing offers 256 grades of
different card types and many of our brightness for each primary colour. LG
TVs include two digital interfaces for says 10bit offers 1024 grades for each
reputation as an HDMI and DVi." primary colour, corresponding to an
LG is also proud of its recently increase in the number of possible
updated screen driver called XD colours from 16 million to 1.07 billion.
innovator of new Engine. Several of the new range of TVs also
LG says the chip takes low or have a box of tricks called Eye
technologies. Television standard resolution signals to near Intelligence. This, says the company,
high -definition levels by improving senses the amount of ambient light in
brightness, contrast, detail, enhancing the room and automatically adjusts the
talked to James Attkins, colour and reducing signal noise. screen's contrast, brightness and
sharpness to ensure the best viewing
overall marketing XD Engine explained experience whatever the light
XD engine has a whole range of conditions or position of the screen.
features that are designed to take on
manager for LG UK, about different challenges within the picture The future
reproduction process. Pure Palet acts in In LG's home country of Korea home
a similar way to the equalizer of an networking is beginning to emerge as a
its key products and audio system, automatically controlling genuine phenomenon and LG has been
images to re -produce natural skin tones at the forefront of this. In fact at LG
plans for the future and colours. headquarters there is a fully -working

LG innovation
The 32 LB1 D has two HDMI connections and Eye Intelligent technology
on both platforms. LG have handsets
available with mobile TV but since the
frequencies are not ready in the UK,
these handsets are not available in the
mock-up of a totally networked house As far as CRT is concerned, LG UK at present." The company
where appliances can even be announced its decision to leave the completed trials in Europe during the
controlled remotely via a PC or Mobile format behind in terms of new product World Cup which it says were a big
phone. Alternatively a parent can and production as far back as 2003. success, so as soon as the opportunity
control the use of TV and Internet The company is completely out of CRT presents itself LG are likely to want to
within the home by locking the systems in the UK and believes it made the right expand into the UK as well.
off from a master control panel. These decision, allowing it to concentrate on
systems are mostly aimed at the new - developing its flat panel lines. Still, Key products
build integrated market and although logic dictates that there must still be a LG plans to back-up its technological
progress has been quick in Korea, James fare amount of LG CRT sets out there advances with what it believes is a
Attkins says anything similar in the UK that will need servicing and repair in strong new line up in TVs for 2006. The
is a long way off. Still, networking is the future. James Attkins admits that highlights include the 32LB1 D LCD TV
something LG wants to move the UK back -to -base solutions are only part of with two HDMI connections and Eye
market ahead on and next year should the solution and that the company Intelligent on -board, integrated speakers
see the introduction of a Wi-Fi enabled needs to deliver on the field service side and the option of wall -mounting or set-
media centre to act as a storage and as well and work is continuing to bring up using the swivel stand.
delivery platform for content around the improvements here. The LC2D LCD TV series includes
home. James Attkins also says that LG is The company has also been one of 47", 37" and 32" models and
working on developing an 'N Version' the fastest to attach itself to the HD incorporates a speaker built into the
of Wi-Fi that will increase bit rates, future, and already sells very little VGA lower edge of the screen and a wave
however timing on this will depend on in the UK. In fact LG says that the design in a silver finish, intended to
the launch date of Windows Vista. concept as a whole is slowly but surely give the sets a curvaceous and slinky
Regarding the ever looming becoming the de -facto standard with look. The really big guns come in the
controversy over Blu-ray and HD-DVD out the need to really push the form of the PY2R series plasmas in 50"
James Attkins says: "We are caught right technological side of the concept that and 60" versions and the 42PC1D for a
in the crossfire. Basically it all depends hard. According to LG 62% of all flat more affordable plasma option. All
on the Hollywood studios. Until they panel sales from June 05 to May 2006 these are HD ready and carry the XD
stick a flag firmly in the ground one in the UK were HD panels. Engine and HDMI connections. The
way or another, it is difficult for us as a Mobile TV is another area where LG 42PC1D also has LG's 'Clear Filter'
company to invest lots of money in has looked to lead, John Barton, which replaces the traditional thick
developing a machine. We are officially Marketing Manager for LG Mobile glass filter with a single thin film filter.
a member of the Blu-ray camp, but to explains: "LG are currently developing This has been included to eliminate
be honest that situation could change two formats for mobile TV, DMB and reflection, glare, double imaging and
for almost any of the manufacturers." DVB-H. They are producing handsets reduce the weight of the screen.

FaultREPORTS
TV/Satellite/DVD/VCR Faults
Matjuz DVD Recorder Model DVDR100

Test Case 526 Bush RF6684VPL
John Parker Bush DVD144RC

Akura NR AB28W-S
Chris Plaice Vestell (chassis 11AK37)
Toshiba 36ZP38B
Michael Dranneld
Grundig GDS3000
Donald Bullock Pace BSKYB1000 mini box
Sharp 28" CTV model 66GF63H (chassis DASOW)
John Coombes Philips 23" LCD TV model 23PF99445/12 (chassis LCO3E)
Black Diamond 28" CTV model MD2850PFS
Solution to Test Case 526
Alba 28" CTV model CTV6683 (chassis 11AK19E3)
Samsung 21"CTVmodel CW2144TN (chassis KS3A)
1- Toshiba 24W33B (chassis AK37) Philips 21" CTV model 21PT1663/05 (chassis L72EAA)
Philips 28PW6520/05 Daewoo 28" CTV model DTY2880 (chassis CP520)
Toshiba 28YT5 (chassis AK49) Alba CTV model: CTV4851 (chassis 11AK19)
Philips 28PW6518/05 (chassis LO4E-AA) Goodmans 28" CTV model W288NSA (chassis Formenti F19)
Toshiba 36ZP18Q Goodmans CD Player model Delta 800CD 11
Philips 32dw6559/05 (chassis L04.E) Toshiba DVD player model SD340ESB
Philips 36PW9308/05 (chassis EMS) Goodmans model GTV34R3
Sony KV32DX3OU Philips model LC4,2E / LC4.3E LCD
Grundig 32WF8000 (chassis 2500) Philips model 32PW9618/05 (chassis EM6E)
Philips 32PW6518/05 Toshiba model 28YT56 chassis 11AK49
LG44SZ8R DLP projector Goodmans model GTV76W2DT chassis 11AK33
Compacks 14 TV/DVD Model P1430 Panasonic model TX32LXD1 (chassis LH18)
Gundig 28" widescreen, various models JVC model AV28ED5 chassis 11AK52
Panasonic TV model TX21 Goodmans chassis FPC2001
Tatung 28" w/s, model 28ZKE Goodmans model W322NS (chassis 519)
Daewoo 28" w/s model DTZ2881 JVC model HR-V616EK VCR
Bush 28" TV, 2877 NTZ (AK37) Philips model VR765 VCR

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no tuning or reception of any TV (0.47ohm) being open circuit.
JOHN PARKER channels. Before diving into the Replacing these parts cured the
circuit with your meter it's a good fault.
Toshiba 24W338 (chassis idea to check the option codes.
AK37) These are on a label on the back of Philips 28PW6518/05
This was a simple fault. I had no the tube. In my case these were (chassis LO4E-AA)
picture and the HT rails were correct. Next I checked tuner supply This set was totally dead. The fuse
present along with the line and voltages along with its clock and on the main PCB was blown. I
frame drive. The heater supply to data lines, all were correct. found the chopper FET 7512 to be
the tube was missing, this was due Replacing the tuner cured the fault. short circuit. I could not find any
to Plug PL600 on the main PCB near other damaged components. I did
the LOPT being dry jointed along Toshiba 28YT5 (chassis however find the chopper
with the heater feed resistor R648 AK49) transformer 5512 to have several
being dry jointed. This set had a frame collapse. The dry joints. Re -soldering these and
frame IC IC601 (TDA8359J) had no replacing 7512 and the fuse got the
Philips 28PW6520/05 supply voltage due to diode D610 set working. A soak test showed all
This set had a straight forward fault, being short circuit and R529 was well.
TEST CASE 526

VCR repairs are quite rare now, especially on types also in series, a 100k52 and a 1501(52. But
machines which are not rented. It's not only none of them were faulty when (after
because of the growing number of DVD discharging the reservoir capacitor) he tested
recorders, but also a result of the ridiculously them with an ohm -meter. The transistors and
low price at which VHS machines have been diodes in the PSU section measured OK and by
selling in supermarkets. Dealer -collection and this point the attempt at diagnosis had advanced
delivery of VCRs for repair is virtually unheard of about as far as it could without a service
these days. At a typical going rate of £25 it manual, or at least a circuit diagram.
would make service even less viable. So how So a manual was obtained, and with its help a
come this run-of-the-mill Philips VHS deck had more thorough check was made on the power
been brought to the workshop in Todd's van supply section. But no faulty components were
from ten miles away? Because its owner had found. None of the semiconductors in the
just purchased a couple of thousand quid's primary or secondary circuits were at fault, and
worth of Philips LCD screen, and this was on the a test with an oscilloscope showed that there
van's return run from its delivery. was a quick burst of conduction in the power
The model number was VR750, for which switching transistor at the moment of
there was no service manual available in the connection to mains power. The next check was
workshop. for any heavy loads on the secondary circuits.
The symptom here was a simple one: no go. Nothing obvious showed up, indeed had there
There was no sign of life, no pumping, no light - been any such (at least amenable to meter
up on the front panel. Maybe a blown mains checks) they would have been indicated in the
fuse or an open -circuit kick-start component in -situ secondary diode tests.
was responsible here? Workshop Sage removed Whither now? Should the opto-coupler be
the top cover and the front panel and checked checked or the chopper transformer by
the mains fuse F001, T1.6A type. It was in -tact substitution? Was this repair project going to be
and conveying mains voltage to the bridge worthwhile?
rectifier. After removing the deck and PC board Maybe, because Sage found in his treasured
from the cabinet, Sage established that there scrap pile a very similar machine with damaged
was about 320V at the primary reservoir video heads. This could provide a complete
capacitor C004 and at the drain of chopper FET supply of spares. First its PCB was tested for
Q001, which was not switching on. Our man electrical operation. It was OK in the scrap
found a wealth of high -value resistors around machine, but 'dead' in the one on the bench.
here: three 1M52 in series, a couple of 390kQ What ailed here? See page 732.

FAULTS
Grundig 32WF8000 (chas- CHRIS PLAICE

Toshiba 36ZP18Q sis 2500)
This set was totally dead. I found This set would come out of
fuse link Z898 to be open circuit. standby, but would not produce Compacks 14 TV/DVD
This was because a short circuit any picture. The main HT rail was Model P1430
was present on the 5V rail which present at the line output Set dead. The cause was a
comes off voltage regulator transistor TL2, but there was no microscopic dry joint at the line
Q840(L78MR05). Lifting various line drive at its base. I traced the output transistor base connection.
links in the main board and line drive back to the line driver
following the PCB track, I came to FET TL1. Line drive was at its gate Gundig 28" widescreen,
pin 47 of the main micro QAA1 but not at its drain. I measured the various models
(cxp750010). Un-soldering pin 47 supply voltage to TL1 drain and it Line tearing, caused by C605 47pF
removed the short circuit. The micro was at OV. I found Resistor RL1 160V and C606 10pF 250V, in the
was short circuit on its supply pin (15ohm) to be high in value at power supply.
47, replacing this micro cured the 22ohm along with zener diode
fault. DL12 and DL2 being short circuit. Panasonic TV model TX21
Replacement of these parts and a SIT fault, set trips off
Philips 32dw6559/05 general solder up of the joints in intermittently. The cause was a dry
(chassis L04.E) the line and power supply stages joint on the earth -pin of the LOPT,
This set had a bright white raster showed all was well. the one that is separate to the
with flyback lines. The 200V supply other pins.
rail was missing to the tube due to Philips 32PW6518/05
R3458 (4.7ohm) being open circuit, After 5 minutes the picture and Tatung 28" w/s, model
caused by diode D6453 being short height contracted by 2". I found 28ZKE
circuit. all the HT rails present and The fault was lack of width and
correct during the fault. Using slight curving at the sides. Also
Philips 36PW9308/05 freezer spray I found spraying after a couple of minutes the
(chassis EM5) around the Hercules IC picture had horizontal tearing
This set had no picture but with IC7200(TDA1200) cured the fault. which gave the appearance of two
normal sound. I had red/green/blue However closer inspection around pictures side by side. It turned out
video drive at the tube's cathodes, IC7200 showed a surface mount to be due to RF21 being open
but there was no G2 voltage or resistor R3249 had never been circuit. It was discoloured and I
heater supply. I had to replace the soldered. It's a serial clock feed had no info on this set, so by trial
LOPT. Make sure you get the correct resistor to the audio stages. Why and error I found that a 33ohm
type as there are several and an this poor joint affected the picture fusible resistor worked best. The
incorrect LOPT can get no start-up is a mystery. set worked fine and hasn't come
or incorrect frame drive as was in back in! I also went over the line
my case. Replacing the LOPT and LG44SZ8R DIP output stage to check for any dry
setting -up showed all was now well. projector joints.
This digital light projector came in
Sony KV32DX3OU with the fault symptom of no Daewoo 28" w/s model
The picture on this set would start to SCART inputs on 1 to 3 and DTZ2881
flash after several hours. I first noticed limited remote control functions. Set dead, except for degauss hum
on channel 4 digital and eventually Using the service remote to access at switch on and green "on" LED.
on ITV analogue. Changing channels the service mode and with No HT at line output transistor
seemed to temporarily cure the fault. reference to the service manual, I collector but HT going into LOPT.
The picture had a strong red tint and found the area option code to be The cause was an invisible dry
adjusting the G2 control produced wrong. It was set to 1 when it joint under the blob of solder at
the fault. I had to replace the CRT, should be set to 4. When you set the line output transistor collector
you have to also transfer over the the area code to 4 all other option pin.
scan coils from the old tube. The new bits are set appropriately. Once
tube does not come with any scan this was entered and stored, all Bush 28" TV, 2877 NTZ
coils. Setting up the purity and functions returned including full (AK37)
convergence showed all was now use of the remote. I have now had The complaint was that the set had
well. this several times. been taking longer to start, with

rvFAU LTS
funny noises and interference. On the micro was inhibiting the line Toshiba 36711,
the bench the set was dead with drive. Every component between This monster set had an
just a faint, occasional squeak. R639 and the jungle chip was intermittent digital picture fault and
Now I'm a firm believer in 'look found to be OK. The line pulse is I found that a slight tap on the
before you leap', so I got out the also fed into a small stand-up 5 pin digital module HX01 would make
trusty magnifying binocular head- sub -panel marked on the diagram it come and go. The fault was
set and sure enough I instantly as PL407. Disconnecting pin 5 on traced to dry joints on the 208 pin
spotted C827, 4700pF 16V bulging. this panel brought the set on (this is chip, but as this was a big set and I
It's at the front centre of the PCB. I connected to a chip IC100 didn't want it back in a hurry, I
replaced it and the set was back to CD4538BCN). The set seems to decided to re -flow all the other two
normal. This was one of those work OK with this chip removed, 86 and 80 pin chips as well to
repairs where you put your hands but I fitted a new one anyway, my provide a lasting cure.
together, look at the workshop circuit has no diagram of this small
ceiling and say thank you! sub panel. Satellite fault finding
Grundig GDS3 0 Ob
Matjuz DVD Recorder Bush DVD144RC Wasted a lot of time on a wild
Model DVDR100 The complaint with this set was the goose chase with this box. The
Set dead, except for blue LED. The remote control would work the fault was no satellite signal
cause was an obviously bulging DVD but not the T.V section. The received on the horizontal
C14. I also replaced C14A next to it fault turned out to be the remote channels. On vertical channels the
as a precaution. control handset itself, a new one LNB voltage was 13.6V, but on the
from SEME was not expensive and horizontal polarised channels there
cured the problem. was only 15.35V instead of the
MICHAEL DRANFIELD usual 18V. Now the power supply
Akura NR AB28W-S in this model looks very much like
Bush RF6684VPL This set was tripping, the cause was the earlier models, but is in no way
The customer that brought this set a dry joint on one of the east -west interchangeable. One of the black
in said it was lightning damaged. diodes D507 (BY228). The diode wires carries a voltage, while on
She also brought in a Grundig itself had been damaged, it was earlier models all the blacks are
GDS300 digibox, supposedly with a leakey along with the line output earths. Much time was wasted
blown -up modem. When I removed transistor and the east -west feed trying to trace the LNB switching
the chassis of the TV, I spotted a resistor R516 (47ohm). signal, which on earlier models is
burn in the line output stage R639 carried out by taking the green
(10K) and C653 (47nF) had both (t issk wire on the PSU either high or low.
burnt to a crisp. This was traced to Aki 7, Eventually I found the green wire
a dry joint on C621 one of the This set was a big Bush but I forgot to on the GDS3000 PSU is not
capacitors in the east -west bridge write down the model number, it was connected to anything. Then I saw
circuit. This had caused all the scan however fitted with the popular my mistake, on earlier models the
current to flow through C621 R639, 11 AK37 chassis and the customer LNB voltage is generated on the
so without doubt there had been a complained of picture jitter which power supply itself, on the
lightning strike but it played no part was intermittent. On test I noticed GDS3000 the LNB voltage is
in the failure of the TV. If it had well before the picture jitter occurred generated on the main board, not
failed at the same time it was just that the frame linearity would change the power supply.
coincidence. After replacing the as the set warmed up. The top of the Now with this out of the way fault
faulty components and checking picture would be compressed, then finding was simple. Just trace the
the value of the capacitor that had after a couple of hours the picture LNB voltage from the power supply
the dry joint, the set came out of would jitter vertically on channel to where it is switched. This led me
stand-by but was still dead with no change. The problem was caused by to Q43, a surface mounted
line drive from the jungle chip capacitor C604 (100uF 63V). One leg transistor which had an open
IC403 (STV224C). I replaced this to had not been pushed through the circuit emitter connection. It is
no avail. Now R639, C621 forms a board from new. However, with this important to use the correct one
potential divider that pots down the fixed the fault was still present. The though, a FMMT591 A, don't use
line pulse and feeds it back to the frame output chip had also been the one without the A on the end
micro for OSD sync and the jungle damaged and had to be replaced as the HFE is only 100 and for the
chip, but it seemed very unlikely IC601 (STV9306). A version its 300.

FAULTS
Pace BSKYB1000 mini -box. replacement did the trick, restoring trouble was a collapsed frame.
The customer who sent this box in the sound to the high quality This circuit is driven by the 15V rail
complained of the picture freezing standard one expects from this developed at pin 5 of the LOPT and
up. He also stated it was model. rectified by D806, a BA157 diode.
intermittent and if left the box on
I In this case the diode had gone
channel 509 with a card inserted, I Philips 23" LCD TV model short-circuit. A new one restored its
would see the fault. It seemed a bit 23PF99445/12 (chassis frame, its brightness and its owner's
odd to me as channel 509 does not LCO3E) smile.
need a card as it's a free channel. This modern miracle would have
Sure enough after a couple of hours pleased its owners more if it hadn't Samsung 21" CTVmodel
channel 509 started freezing on the developed the habit of intermittently CW2144TN (chassis KS3A)
picture and the sound would blanking out. A lengthy fault-finding "How much will a new tube cost for
hiccup, sometimes it would say no spell failed to reveal a concrete this set?" asked the anxious
satellite signal was been received. If component fault, and we eventually customer. It was a pleasure, from
I removed the viewing card the fault did what we should have done in his viewpoint and ours, when we
would disappear immediately. As the first place. We turned to the were able to clear the tube and
this is a 12V box I tried it on my surface -mounted integrated circuits allay his fears. The set had
bench power supply. With the card in its digital signal stages, painted developed a faint crackling noise
inserted the box draws an extra 40 their legs with liquid flux, and before losing its picture and now
to 50mA so this explained why the treated them to a dose of hot air displayed a bright screen relieved
viewing card caused a problem on a from our hot-air station, which only by its flyback lines.
free channel. A scope detected a delivers a 480 degree air flow. The cracking sound had been due to
large ripple was occurring on the In no time the existing solder re - R519 burning up and becoming
5.7V rail when the viewing card flowed, re-establishing good open -circuit. It's a 0.47ohm safety
was inserted. The problem was continuity between the legs and the resistor in the 200V supply line and
traced to capacitor C2910 that printed conductors. A lengthy soak it had expired because of the
decouples the input to the 5V test subsequently confirmed that the trauma visited upon it by IC501
regulator I.0 U2901. It was causing trouble had cleared. suddenly developing an internal
the 5V regulator chip to oscillate, short-circuit. It's a type STV5109
beware though, this capacitor is not Black Diamond 28" CTV and replacing both the resistor and
an electrolytic, it's a brown ceramic model MD2850PFS the IC restored an excellent picture.
surface mount with a value of 10uF This giant, we were assured, had
and is not polarised. I also replaced suddenly erupted into a bout of Philips 21" CTV model
for good measure C2921 same type frantic squealing before expiring 21PT1663/05 (chassis
with ordinary low ESR electrolyics. after which it continued to squeal. L72 EAA)
Strangely enough the old capacitors Again we concentrated upon its "Blew its top and died", said its
tested OK both for capacitance and electrolytic capacitors, directing our owner, with more accuracy than he
ESR. attention to those in its secondary knew. Upon opening it up we found
supply circuits. quite a little local mess. C2518, a
We were soon rewarded when we 470pF 1 kV working capacitor, had
DONALD BULLOCK found that C173, a 1 uF, 250V suffered a dead short-circuit and
working electrolytic capacitors rated blown open and in a chain reaction
Sharp 28" CTV model at 250V in the secondary power had caused R3506, its 4.7ohm 5W
66GF63H (chassis DA50W) circuit, was of low capacity at supply resistor, to expire as well
This solid monster was producing a 0.60uF. A new one stopped its going completely open -circuit.
pronounced hum from both its squealing and restored it to life. Replacing both items cured the
central and left speakers. Bringing a problem.
lifetime's prejudice to the fore we Alba 28" CTV model
settled to studying the circuit's CTV6683 (chassis Daewoo 28" CTV model
electrolytic capacitors. 11AK19E3) DTY2880 (chassis CP520)
We were soon rewarded when we The customer complained that the "He made a noise like a whizzing
discovered that C365, a 220uF 25V set showed no screen illumination. Catherine -wheel and died in front of
electrolytic rated at 25V working, Nevertheless, the line time -base was us," was the graphic description
was leaking to such a degree as to running and judicial 'upping' of the offered by the lady of the house.
be virtually short-circuit. A Al voltage revealed that the real Was she mistaking me for the

II/FAULTS
doctor, I wondered? I darted my megacycles, and that it had lost red picture. This set spent many a
eyes about to catch a look at the both of its legs due to some form of hour working correctly and at times
victim, but saw only the huge and green corrosion. We chemically this turned into days before we even
weighty television set. cleaned the stumps, soldered a pair saw the fault. The greyscale altered
Upon examining it we found that of wire 'stilts' to them and after re- with the red becoming very
component 1800, a STRF6653 fitting the crystal we re -tried the prominent, but this only appeared
power IC had blown apart and player. It sprang to life and provided for a short time. With the aid of the
taken the life of R804, a 0.22ohm a fault -free performance whilst we freezer spray we finally traced the
safety resistor, which had flown obtained a replacement crystal. fault to the red output IC. Due to
open -circuit. Replacing these the heat of these components we
components was only half of the Toshiba DVD player model changed all three R.G.B. IC7330,
repair, for we were then obliged to SD340ESB IC7340 and IC7350 (3 x
re -programme the set's EPROM No audio or clock display was the TDA6118JF/N2/S1). Replacement
system. trouble with this DVD player. This restored normal operation.
was because the relevant circuitry
Alba CTV model: CTV4851 was being fed with a severely Toshiba model 28YT56
(chassis 11AK19) rippled voltage. This in turn was chassis 11AK49
This imposing servant had suddenly due to an open -circuit C833, a The HT from the power supply was
but quietly died whilst on dutiful 470uF 16V electrolytic capacitor in correct at (144V) with the line stage
service. Our examination revealed its power supply secondary circuit. disconnected, but when the line
that R806, a substantial 10k 5W A replacement restored both its 12V stage was reconnected there was a
supply -resistor, had crept high to DC supply and proved most loud whistle and the relay would
almost 1.5Mohms. Replacing it therapeutic to its owner, who had click very loudly. We quickly traced
restored the set to life and it recently bought it from a shop that this to the line output transistor
produced an excellent picture. had soon afterwards folded. Q600 (BU2508AF) which had gone
short-circuit. Checking the LOPT
Goodmans 28" CTV model JOHN COMMIES T600, this also proved to be shorted
W288NSA (chassis turns. After replacement we thought
Formenti F19) this would then be alright but no,
According to its aggravated owner, Goodmans model GTV34R3 the HT (144V) still dropped low and
this set had issued a clicking noise If the set is dead and the mains the relay started to click loudly
as its picture suddenly turned to a input fuse is alright, check the once again. On carefully touching
brilliantly lit screen displaying only power supply for resistor RP4 the line output transistor it appeared
its flyback lines. (330kohms) for open circuit. to be getting very hot in a short
We soon found that R619, a space of time. This was soon traced
100ohm safety resistor in the 200V Philips model LC4,2E/ to the scanning coils having gone
HT rail had blown open -circuit - LC4.3E LCD shorted turns and this is all part of
but why? Our studies took us to a If the battery life on the remote the C.R.T. assembly
bloated and short-circuit IC600 on controls RC155 (312814715821) (W66ELCO21 X131). With the set
the tube base panel. It's an and RC4343 (313923810301) only still under warranty we were
STV5112, and replacing both last for 1 to 3 months, this is due to surprised to hear the C.R.T. was no
components cured both the cause the TV LED lighting up for more longer available, so this meant a
and effect of this fault. than 60 seconds. To overcome this return to the manufacturer for
problem there is a new remote credit.
Goodmans CD Player control with improved software
model Delta 800CD 11 supplied with the latter production Goodmans model
This stacking -unit showed no sign of of sets. The new remote controls are GTV76W2DT chassis
life except for its display and we for LC4.2E (312814715822) and 11 AK33
expected to find a faulty motor drive LC4.3E (313923810302) these will If the set is tripping when first
belt. But the motor was un- increase the battery life. started up and the red LED flashes,
powered. Whilst turning the unit check the power supply, secondly
over to examine it further, a metal - Philips model check capacitor C164 (4700uF,16V)
cased crystal dropped out. 32PW9618/05 (chassis for high E.S.R.
Examining it, we saw that it bore its EM6E) If when the set is switched on the
operating frequency of 16.9344 This set displayed an intermittent power supply just starts to tick,

FAULTS
check the primary circuitry and coupler IC801 (TCET110G). Also present and also there is sound,
check capacitor C173 (1 uF 250V) replace mains input fuse to restore check resistor R35 (12kohms) for
for high E.S.R. normal operation. open circuit.
If the power supply transistor Q802
Panasonic model (P6NC601 F) and resistor R448 (0.22 JVC model HR-V616EK
TX32LXD1 (chassis LH18) ohms) fail when set is switched on VCR
If the set is dead then check for check capacitor C809 (470pF 1 kV) VCR was dead. This problem I have
faulty power regulator IC801 for short circuit. encountered before on several
(STRL351 LF428), if this is faulty occasions. It seems to occur when
then also check resistor R808 Goodmans chassis FPC2001 we have had a storm or in some
(5.6ohm 5W) for open circuit. If the set is dead and transistor TR19 cases a power cut. This can be
(S2055N) is short circuit and resistor traced to zener diode D5301
JVC model AV28ED5 chas- rl 68 (6.8kohms) is badly burnt, this (MTZJ15C-T2) having gone short-
sis 11AK52 is caused by dry -joints on capacitor circuit.
If the set is dead and the standby C172 (.015uF). Re -soldering
LED does not light up and IC804 capacitor and replacing components Philips model VR765 VCR
(MC44608P) has split open, then will restore normal operation. VCR was dead. Check the power
replace the following in the power supply, if this is dead the fault can
supply. IC804, Q802 (P6NC6OFP), Goodmans model W322NS usually be traced to diode D6165
R834 (1 kohm SMD), R806 (chassis S19) (BYW98/200 ) check for short-
(10ohms), D802 (HER107) and opto If there is no picture, but a raster is circuit.
SOLUTION TO TEST CASE 526

Workshop Sage was amazed to find that electronic section. You might think that the
the known good electronics of the scrap result of this would be a 'pumping' action in
VCR failed to work with the mechanics of the power -supply department rather than
the other machine. The obvious thing to do complete shutdown.
then was to connect together the scrap One by one the electrical components of
deck and the customer's PC board. This the deck were checked by substitution: the
was not easy, even though the deck and PC loading, head -drum and capstan motors. It
board are hard -wired together to achieve was the latter which was the culprit, with
low factory production costs. It was found some kind of internal leakage or short-
that these two worked perfectly well circuit. The cost of acquiring and fitting a
together, so the no-go, no light -up new motor would have been prohibitive, but
symptom was due to some problem in the the customer settled for the motor from the
customer's mechanical deck rather than the scrap deck, with a three-month guarantee.
We welcome reader's fault reports

Semi your reports to: [email protected]
Preference will be given to reports emailed as Word.doc attachments, and reports submitted on CD. Send to:
Television Magazine, Fault Reports, Nexus Media Communications, Azalea Drive, Swanley, Kent BR8 8HU
Please do not send handwritten reports. Payment will be made after publication

NEWS s oecial
Ofcom has published its Flagship shows like the Today Programme have been strong for BBC radio
annual Communications
Market Report for 2005.
The report reveals new
trends in the television,
radio, telecommunications
and wireless communi-
cations industries and

networking websites (compared to 41 Television diversifies
analyses consumer usage of all UK internet users) and 37% of 18- Despite the BBC's strong showing in
24 year olds have contributed to a blog radio, a more mixed picture was
of communication services. or website message board (compared to apparent in terms of television viewing
14% of all UK internet users). habits. The report found that in Freeview
Extensive use of the internet has also households more time is now spent
Household usage and adoption of influenced 15-24 year olds' watching digital -only channels than any
communications services consumption of other media, with radio one of the five main public service
continues to accelerate. The consumption lower by an average of 15 broadcasting channels BBC1, BBC2,
number of households with broadband minutes a day compared to the wider ITV1, Channel 4 and five. However, the
connections increased by 63% between population. public service broadcasters' own digital -
2004 and 2005, to a total of 9 million only channels (such as BBC3, ITV2 and
and the number of households with BBC radio waving goodbye to More4) continue to grow their audience
digital television also increased by 18% opposition share, gaining nearly 6% points of total
between March 2005 and March 2006, The gap between total BBC and viewing between 2001 and 2005.
to a total of 18.3 million. commercial radio audience share Subscription revenue remains the
The report also revealed what it widened even further in 2005. By March largest source of funding for
described as striking evidence that a 2006 the BBC led the commercial sector commercial television, with 2005
new 'networked generation' is turning by a margin of 30%, up from 24% a revenues up by 8.5% to £3.9 billion for
away from television, radio and year previously. Compared to 2001, all pay TV services, £343 million more
newspapers in favour of online services, when the margin was 13% in the BBC's than total net television advertising
preferring to download content onto favour, the gap has more than doubled. revenues for the same period. Overall,
mobile devices or interact with on-line Total radio industry funding television industry revenues increased
communities. Perhaps even more (including the BBC Licence Fee) fell by by 4% year -on -year to more than £10.6
surprising is that the report concluded 2.2% during the last year to £1.15 billion.
that television is of declining interest to billion. The BBC's expenditure on its Ofcom chief operating officer Ed
many 16-24 year olds. On average they radio services now accounts for around Richards, believes that taken as a whole
watch television for one hour less per 55% of total UK radio funding. the report reveals significant and
day than the national average. Of the DAB digital radio continues to grow permanent changes: "Our research
television they do watch, an even in importance (see the conclusion of the reveals dramatic and accelerating
smaller proportion of their time is spent DRDB's annual report on page 706). For changes across all communications
viewing public service broadcasting the first time, sales of DAB portable industries.
channels, down from 74% of total radios outstripped sales of analogue "The sector is being transformed by
viewing among this age group in 2001 portable radios in 2005 (accounting for greater competition, falling prices and
to 58% today. 54% of sales, up from 45% in 2004). the erosion of traditional revenues and
It is the internet that increasingly is Overall digital listening (including radio audiences. A new generation of
playing the central role in younger age channels via digital television) consumers is emerging for whom online
groups. More than 70% of 16-24 year accounted for 11% of all listening hours is the lead medium and convergence is
old internet users log -on to social in 2005, compared to 6% in 2004. instinctive."

Keeanc
with technolocy
Steve Jenkins, chief
technologist, cabled
systems, Pace Micro
Technologies, argues
urban areas. The appetite to government legislation or building
redevelop existing buildings and rules that either ban individual
that the company has brown -field sites is fuelled by the dishes or limit them to specific areas
protection of green -field sites and such as the roof.
the answer to the increased travel times and costs. Analogue transmodulation
Another factor is that it is more converts a limited bouquet of
difficult to provide services into channels from digital to analogue,
problems of MDUs than SFUs as additional but this is not popular with service
specialist equipment and skills are operators as they have no sight of the
distributing TV and often required, thereby incurring end users and often suffers from a
additional cost. The dominant poor picture. Digital transmodulation
proportions of the costs are from often has similar visibility issues and
other digital content labour and the administration is an expensive option.
involved in getting authorisation A more popular choice is a
around multiple - from all involved parties. structured cabling system such as
Possibly the main reason that Satellite Master Antenna Television
digital services in MDUs lag behind, (SMATV) shown in Figure 1. In this
dwelling buildings is because service providers naturally system one coax per satellite
ramp up their subscriber numbers quadrant provides all channels at
starting with the lowest acquisition intermediate frequency (IF) to a
costs. In many countries pay -TV multi -switch. The multi -switch
yen though around 50% of the operators are approaching subscriber switches the appropriate quadrant
world's population lives in saturation and are now targeting spectrum onto the coax drop, which
multi -dwelling units (MDUs), MDU residents to grow their connects to the household's wall
when it comes to providing business. plate. Due to the number of coax
advanced digital services their cables involved (five for one orbital
residents are often considered to be a Satellite TV position, nine for two positions etc)
hard -to -reach market and therefore There are a number of approaches there are often access problems in
receive an inferior service. One to providing satellite TV services routing a 5 -wire bus around the
reason for this has always been within MDUs. The most simple is to building. Furthermore, most
socio-economic demography. People treat each household as an SFU by installations only provide a single
living in MDUs typically have had installing a dish for each individual drop -cable per household, which
less disposable income than those in subscriber, usually on the balcony. makes it impossible for operators to
single family units (SFUs). In recent There are a few pitfalls to this increase their revenue through PVR
years this has begun to change as it approach however. What if the or a secondary STB, without up-
has become more fashionable, balcony does not have a line -of -sight grading the system.
convenient and exclusive to live in to the satellite? Also there is often Satellite single cable distribution

0 0 0 0
(SCD) is a recent development

designed to address the
PVR/secondary STB issue. This works
best when the single cable services a Multi - Distribution
switch network
single household. However, this is E
unsuitable for communal systems
due to limited number of clients
supported, channel change latency
Figure 1. SMATV Network
and frequency theft.
Cable TV/IPTV, HD and broad- challenge in the final/first mile with legacy services already being
band access network. Today's services are provided. Users should be able to
Cable operators generally treat generally delivered using ADSL or extend services to other rooms
their MDU customers in the same ADSL 2+ over local loops that are up without loss of quality.
way as SFU customers by running a to 6km in length. The only Thirdly, it should not be
connection direct from the street to technology available today to necessary to alter the infrastructure
the customer's wall plate. This provide the minimum 64Mb/p in at any time in the future when; a
approach is only suitable for ground 2016 is VDSL 2 which will be new subscription is made by a new
and first floor dwellings because of capable of providing 100Mb/s over or existing customer, a customer
rules governing ladder heights. The UTP cables no longer than 100 wishes to alter their subscription, or
cost of connecting subsequent floors meters. This short -length capability an operator offers additional
from access platforms makes the relies on massive investment to services.
connection impractical. provide fibre deployment very deep The simple way to provide more
Tethered IP services are almost into the network. Of course is to install more. Satellite services
exclusively carried over unshielded technology will have advanced by can be supplied using SMATV
twisted pair (UTP) cable from a then, and equipment costs will systems with multiple drop cables
telephone exchange. However, many decrease, but manual labour rates per household. Cable services can
MDU residents do not have land - are likely to increase. be provided if the operators install
lines and rely on mobiles. In larger bidirectional high frequency
buildings the additional UTP loop Fulfilling future requirements networks into all buildings. Similarly
length reduces the headline data rate It is assumed that services in the IPTV operators can install FTTx
thereby limiting service capability. future will be multi -play. infrastructures to provide high
One remedy would be to install an A system that provides multi -play bandwidth. Again the cost here can
additional network such as CAT6 or services to an MDU must deliver in be unattractive.
fibre, but the cost of this is three key areas. Firstly, the system A second way that is not
prohibitive in most situations. should be fast and simple to install. dependent on labour cost is to
Many countries are now rolling Ideally there should be no additional extend the data carrying capacity of
out HDTV services. HDTV provides infrastructure to install, and services the networks already in place. This
more than four times the resolution should be carried on whatever is would involve either using higher
of standard definition (SD) MPEG-2, already available. There should only frequencies or more elaborate
and even with an advanced codec be one single point of power for any modulation schemes. This technique
such as H.264 it can still require additional network equipment and is the basis of xDSL, but bandwidth
about three times the bandwidth of the installation and commissioning is only increased over short loop
SD MPEG-2 content. The additional of the system should not be lengths. Cable and satellite operators
capacity required to carry HD or dependent on any specialist skills or cannot provide their services
services like video on demand (VOD) tools. The installation must cause no directly over an existing MDU
and network PVR is often not disruption to tenants, both in public network simply because they do not
available in MDU infrastructures. and private areas. Infrastructure fit. A typical satellite operator may
World-wide, Internet service data equipment should remain transmit more than 50 transponders
rates tend to double approximately maintenance -free for ten years at 36MHz wide, which requires
every two years. This means that by minimum. 1.8GHz of spectrum. Similarly cable
2016 the average connection will be Secondly, there should be no operators generally require 870MHz
64Mb/s with high -end rates of disruption to existing services and of spectrum. The existing
256Mb/s. This poses a huge any new services must not interfere infrastructure that comes closest to

Description Spectrum Frequency band
(MHz) (MHz)
5 intentional analogue TV channels 40 470-870
5 unwanted TV channels from a local repeater 40 470-870
6 DTTV multiplexes 48 470-870
DAB 66 174-240
FM 20 88-108
Total 214
Table 1
Modulation 13itt ate

cameras, but there is a lot of free
spectrum available. In the UK a
64-QAM 38Mb/s
typical MATV network might carry
256-QAM 51Mb/s
Table 2 the signals in Table 1. In this case, the
total spectrum available would be:
[870 -50]- [214] = 606MHz = 75 x
Number of households in the MDU 20 8MHz channels.
Number of Pay TV subscriptions 10
Not all of this spectrum is usable
due to interference caused by noise,
Average number of simultaneous TV services per subscriber 4
intermodulation distortion and
Maximum number of simultaneous TV programmes in MDU 40
unwanted transmission sources.
HD bit rate for one programme (H264) 9 Mb/s
Many service providers have more
HDTV bit rate for MDU 360 Mb/s
content available today than will fit in
Number of broadband subscriptions 10
the available spectrum on the MATV
Headline data rate per subscriber 30Mb/s network, and even those who could
Usage profile (max amount of resource in use at any time) 20% manage this have expansion plans in
Broadband bit rate for MDU 60Mb/s excess of the available spectrum.
Total bit rate required in MDU 460Mb/s What this means is that the content
passing onto the MATV network must
Table 3: Example of service requirements for an MDU in five years time be managed in an efficient manner.
The most efficient method is to
pass only the content that people are
consuming onto the network in real
time. For example, if the only non -
terrestrial service that residents were
consuming was MTV, then only that
programme would be passed to the
MATV network. However, if one
resident changed channel, a second
programme would be instantly
switched through. This requires an
intelligent mini head -end to receive
programme change requests and to
perform the tuning and switching
functions.
Using this content switching
philosophy we can significantly
Figure 2. The Pace multiDweller system reduce the amount of bandwidth
required to carry all the services
requested by the end users.
being able to provide this Intelligent use of MATV is the The obvious choice to carry data
performance is the Master Antenna answer over a coax network in the UHF and
Television (MATV) network, already The only ubiquitous 'no new VHF bands is QAM, which is the
in place in many MDUs. However, wires' mechanism available to deliver same technology used in digital cable
this is typically unidirectional, multi -play services reliably is the systems. Depending on the depth of
carries terrestrial services and is existing MATV network. This is coax - QAM modulation, different data rates
often band -limited. based and is generally designed to are possible. With 8MHz channels,
The only option that meets all the carry signals in the down -stream the payload capacity for a single
necessary requirements is to use direction in the approximate channel is shown in Table 2. Table 3
existing infrastructure in an frequency range of 50 to 870MHz. Of shows some assumptions that can be
intelligent way that permits all course, some of the spectrum is made to identify the data bandwidth
services to be carried without the allocated to analogue and digital required to supply typical service
need for labour intensive terrestrial TV, FM, DAB and locally requirements, in this case based on
infrastructure modification. inserted services such as security high bandwidth HDTV signals.

'Kee Ding with techno ogy
Pace MultiDweller
Satellite
DVB Transport
receivers N aggregator
\r -V and QAM
Cable modulator
Content MAW
selection network
IP IP receiver
Internet I transceiver
Local
storage
Installation and commissioning

Figure 4 shows a satellite
Figure 3. Conceptual block diagram of Pace MultiDweller
application for PMD. The
installation work is minimal because
Original MATV network PMD automatically adds its digital
carriers into unused spectrum on the
MATV network. During set-up, PMD
carries out a spectral analysis of the
network to identify the frequencies
ry
ti Distribution
- network and powers of legacy signals. It then
assigns its own carriers to the
optimal frequencies at power levels
where no mutual interference is
caused between new and legacy
carriers. Once the downstream
carriers are present, the client
devices detect the signal and then
begin the sign -on process.
Figure 4. Satellite application for PMD Communication in the upstream
direction is at lower frequencies,
similar to CATV networks. This
MDU multi -play system solution then routed to the transport allows the upstream signal to be
To provide the services outlined aggregator inside the PMD (Figure transmitted at high power levels so
in Table 3, using 256-QAM would 3). Because the transport stream that network irregularities such as
therefore require ten channels. does not need to be decrypted, the one-way amplifiers, splitters and
Considering there is spare capacity conditional access (CA) functionality cable losses can be overcome.
for around 75 channels on the employed by pay -TV operators is Significant analysis, simulation
MATV network, intelligent unaffected by the PMD. The STB and trial work has shown that the
bandwidth management would decodes the CA protected signals in system can overcome around 80dB
require only 14% of this capacity to the same way as when connected of upstream loss without causing the
deliver an unlimited choice of TV directly to the receiving antenna. distribution amplifiers to distort.
content and broadband access, Similarly, IP data from the While in-built diplexers protect the
while maintaining all legacy internet, and content from the system's downstream receivers, an
terrestrial transmissions. optional local storage device, can in -line filter is required to protect
The Pace MultiDweller (PMD) is a also be included in the same legacy receivers.
technology designed to receive any transport aggregation. The interface
signal from DVB and IP sources, and for broadband data is a gigabit Clients
switch them onto the MATV network Ethernet port which enables In a rapidly changing market,
in response to requests from client connection to the internet through a inventory management is of utmost
devices (Figure 2). variety of interfaces such as xDSL, importance to operators. Currently a
Put simply, the PMD de- cable, WiMAX, mobile networks and typical operator may be supporting a
modulates, de -multiplexes, re - satellite return channel. large range of products such as SD,
multiplexes and re -modulates the Because PMD re -organises HD, SD-PVR, HD-PVR and modems,
services selected by each of the channels to appear at different these are usually sources from
clients available in the network. The frequencies, the broadcast service multiple providers, and of course
various audio, video and data information, which allows the STB to there are legacy devices to consider.
components of DVB programmes are select specific programmes and It is not unusual for an operator to
carried in an MPEG2 Transport build the electronic Programme be managing more than 40 product
Stream, and are uniquely identified Guide (EPG), also has to be variants.
by their PID. When a service is modified. PMD has a service Since PMD operates in a similar
selected by the client, the relevant information (SI) manager that caches way to a typical CATV network, then
programme components are selected the SI and modifies the channel a cable operator's standard DOCSIS
from the appropriate source, and information accordingly. set -top boxes and modems are

Kee ping Pace with technology
In -apartment scenario for cable receivers

Distribution
network is PMD overcomes all these
complications because there is
already an MATV outlet in each
apartment. Installation simply
involves removing the MATV feed
In -apartment scenario for satellite receivers from the TV set and putting it into
Distribution
network 1
Figure 5. Different senarios
4 At the client. A secondary installation
requires an inexpensive standard
splitter to be installed after the wall
plate, which does not affect the
signal levels in other apartments.
Another difficult task for
Figure 4 - Upgrading an NIA.1 V netuork to multi -play (apartment end)
traditional systems would be to
introduce more services. SMATV
systems are designed to carry
compatible with PMD, which means governments will be implementing quadrants of satellite signals,
no addition to the existing operator analogue terrestrial to digital typically high -band and low -band in
product inventory is required (Figure switchover strategies. This horizontal and vertical polarisations.
5). Current STBs include an Ethernet mammoth task and aggressive If a satellite operator was to roll out
port which can be connected to a timescale, means that there are not new services in a new quadrant, this
wired or wireless router to provide enough installers to carry out the would require infrastructure upgrade.
broadband throughout the household necessary work and prices are For cable operators new services
as shown in Figure 5. Alternatively escalating rapidly. also typically means the use of
embedded Multi -Media Adapters The most successful solutions will higher frequencies. In MDU's where
(eMTA) can be deployed which be those that can be installed the infrastructure is incapable of
provide an Ethernet connection and quickly. Since PMD is a 'no -new - carrying higher frequencies, again
two separate phone lines for POTS. wires' solution that does not require infrastructure upgrade is required.
Satellite operators also have the access to be gained to individual PMD is designed to handle these
option to use QAM clients, but an homes, it can be installed in a situations. Additional transponders
alternative approach is to use an fraction of the time of solutions that from the same orbital position are
adapter device. This adapter require new infrastructure. automatically provisioned, whereas
translates the QAM transport into a With current systems, operators signals from an alternative orbital
form that the satellite operator's consider the cost of providing position can be provisioned to the
standard clients can operate with. secondary boxes, or new entire MDU without the need to run
The adapter also provides an subscriptions where there is not additional cabling. Higher
Ethernet connection to a wired or already cabling installed, to be frequency channels are managed
wireless router that provides prohibitive. automatically for cable networks
broadband throughout the This is because the infrastructure because PMD is provisioned to
household, and two separate phone requires modification by a receive all channels. In both cases
lines for POTS. professional installer. In its simplest increased channel choice will not
form this entails the installation of a overload the MATV network,
Delivering the desired new coax drop from the SMATV or because more available services
capabilities cable network, gaining access to the does not mean residents will be
The ability of PMD to self -install, building and apartment, running the watching more channels
self configure and to operate over cable in existing conduit or fixing to simultaneously.
the MATV network satisfies many of the surfaces, drilling holes, Currently, the complexity and cost
the high-level requirements needed, mounting and terminating the wall of solutions preclude many services
in particular those relating to cost. It plate then finally installing the STB. being extended to MDUs. The Pace
is widely accepted that the cost of This is before any potential MultiDweller overcomes all of the
technology typically decreases over problems such as insufficient RF difficulties associated with MDUs in
time, whereas the cost of labour taps, or insufficient system gain to an extremely reliable and cost
typically increases. From now until compensate for additional splitters, efficient manner - with 'no new
2012 most of the world's have been tackled. wires'!
Mier 2005 TEDIUM

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Soft machine:
Broadcast solutions
expert Hamlet is
introducing software to
free broadcast testing

from its machine
specific past
Test equipment installed in a Hamlet says VidScope-vx can deliver big savings
television facility has a traditional
form factor as well as traditional
functionality. The two key instruments -
the waveform monitor and the
vectorscope - were often to be found
side by side, in identical cabinets, each a
half rack width and 3U high.
Hamlet continues to make devices
that match this shape, albeit with LCD
displays rather than CRTs, thereby
eliminating the need to recalibrate the
screen at regular intervals. We did start a
move to break out of this straitjacket, by
developing tools which delivered the
output to a separate display, which could
be routed and placed anywhere.
However, advances in digital technology
have called for new sorts of quality VidScope-vx migrates testing from hardware to a software envorinment
control devices, and parallel advances in
processing power have led to new ways
of implementing them. For example
handheld instruments like the Flexiscope
make the vectorscope and waveform
monitor completely portable.
The logical conclusion of this process
is that, as computing power gets faster, so
the application -specific hardware of a test
device can be discarded altogether and
the metering implemented purely in
software. That is what we have done with
a new product, VidScope-vx, an
integrated suite of Windows programs
which decode, analyse and display video
content.
The big idea

The initial concept grew out of the
growing interest in DV, which is really a Hamlet's software displays multiple information streams

The Vic Scopevx .11MMINNIMN.
file format rather than a video format. The polar locus, with the phase correlation at the production company has had to
connection between the camera and the superimposed into it and with a colour create those tapes, a courier company
editor is a data interface: Firewire (IEEE audio spectrogram rendered into it. has had to be paid to deliver the tapes,
1394), so why not treat the content as You can monitor quality in real time then someone at the broadcaster has to
data rather than real time video? just as you would with a conventional copy the tapes into the video server. That
We found that engineers liked the device, or you can load the material into is why broadcasters are very keen for all
concept and wanted it for other formats. the PC and check it later. To move content - commercials and trailers as
Therefore we have extended the through files the user interface has video well as programmes - to be delivered as
capabilities so that now VidScope-vx can recorder -like transport controls. These files over IP networks direct into the
act on content in any format that can also be used to control a camcorder broadcaster's server network.
Windows drivers can see. That content or other device over Firewire. The one problem is that, while
could be DV or HDV over Firewire, a To obtain real time performance the ingesting the content into the server, the
real time digital video or high definition code within VidScope-VX has been broadcaster's engineer can do a technical
feed, an analogue capture card or - and carefully tuned by Hamlet's software audit checking the waveform monitor,
this is a significant point-files stored on developers. The principle analysis core is vectorscope and audio meters to make
the computer or its attached storage. written in SSE2 assembly code to achieve sure that the programme is technically up
Variants of VidScope-vx are available for the maximum throughput. Displays use to standard. If there is no manual ingest
HD -SDI and dual -link HD, SDI, DV and the pixel and vertex shaders in the 3D process, how is the content quality
HDV. processing engine within the PC's GPU. checked?
Provided the PC has sufficient VidScope-vx can perform the
processing power, it can operate in real The advantages technical audit offline, automatically and
time. Interestingly, the biggest challenge At the beginning of this article it was unattended. All the quality control tasks
is HDV in that the software has to unpack noted that Hamlet continues to make the are performed in a single pass, and if
the compressed format before it can start traditional form factor test and there are any problems they are reported,
its measurements. For HD and HDV a measurement equipment and some more with matching time codes, to the asset
Dual Core processor is recommended modern implementations of the same management system. Given a powerful
because of the sheer amount of data to systems. What, then, is the point of enough computer, this can even happen
be handled. VidScope-VX, a software -only faster than real time, with an operator
The output of VidScope-vx is a multi - implementation? only involved if there is a technical issue
window display on a standard computer The first is cost. The vast economies of to be resolved.
monitor. The user can layout up to six scale present in the IT industry mean that As a software product, it will continue
windows as required, including a even today's high powered PCs can be to evolve in functionality and at the same
confidence monitor (the picture itself), manufactured at remarkably low prices. time it benefits fully from increases in
vectorscope, waveform monitor, colour Add a professional third -party video processing power of the host computer.
gamut display, digital data statistics, interface board and the VidScope-vx With today's computers VidScope-vx is
audio levels and surround sound phase. software, and you have a comprehensive capable of processing two or three SD
The windows can be resized to meet the test and measurement solution at channels simultaneously. With
user's needs. considerably less cost than is normal, continuing development of CPU and
Users can highlight on screen out of which still delivers the same GPU speeds, and VidScope software,
specification readings. The audio meters uncompromised technical standards. processing two channels of HD
can literally go into the red, for example. The second point is that the software simultaneously or processing HD at twice
Colours which are outside the legal does not care where the video comes real time or faster, is foreseeable soon.
colour gamut in the broadcast system are from, as long as it is available to the VidScope-vx is available in a number
made to sparkle with zebra stripes. processor. Files stored on disk, either of versions. If the engineer just wants to
High definition television usually locally or over a network, in any format check DV content, the software can be
features 5.1 channel surround sound, that Windows drivers can handle, can be downloaded from the Hamlet website.
which is a nightmare to monitor as you analysed by VidScope-vx. To measure anything else then a
have to check relative phases between One of the biggest trends in broadcast specialist video card in the computer is
each channel as well as their relative and engineering at present is the move to a needed from companies such as
absolute levels. Included in the HD tape -free environment. Digital content Blackmagic Design.
version of VidScope-vx is a new way of can be stored as files in an IT The software is then delivered on a
audio metering which is unique to infrastructure and moved short or long USB stick and runs direct from the stick.
Hamlet. distances using IP networks. It means the engineer can move the
It uses both shape and colour to give At present content producers will software around from computer to
an instant visual guide to level and phase. typically deliver programmes to a computer as needed without worrying
The sound intensity is displayed as a broadcaster as a pile of tapes. Someone about user licences.

Under WEEE retailers will be obliged
to accept old products
Television takes a look at
some of the implications of
the European directive on
Waste Electrical and
Electronic Equipment (WEEE)
Aii iir am mom ima 910 ale

It has finaly been announced that the rather than dumped." there has been much concern voiced
WEEE directive legislation will come However, what the above statement over the impact the obligation will
into force on July 1, 2007. Speaking does not address is the impact that new have, particularly on smaller
at the announcement in July, Energy obligations on retailers might have. operations. However, it is worth noting
Minister, Malcolm Wicks, said: Under the scheme retailers (large or that the scheme does appear to be
"Electrical equipment is the fastest small) will act an exchange site for old working in Ireland, which to a large
growing category of rubbish across the products. If a retailer sells a new extent is an independent led retail
European Union, with around 20kg per product, the consumer will have the environment.
person produced every year. The UK right to exchange their equivalent old The other significant change, this
alone is now generating around product upon collection or delivery of time for the manufacturers, is that the
1 million tonnes of the stuff every year. the new product. This will apply even if directive introduces producer
"These proposals are good for the original product was not bought responsibility for the waste. Producers
consumers, good for responsible from that outlet. Retailers will then have will have to finance treatment and
producers and good for our to store the product until it can be fed recycling/recovery of separately
environment. By providing a way of back into the distributor takeback collected WEEE in the UK to specified
ensuring that electronic waste no longer scheme. This will funnel old product treatment standards and recycling/
has to go to landfills, manufacturers and into the main recycling process. How recovery targets. This has received
importers will have the responsibility to this will actually work is not presently mixed reactions amongst the major
ensure that they plan for both their new clear. Apart from the storage, this part producers, which appears to have been
and existing products to be recycled of the scheme will not cost retailers. But one of the main factors in the

Government delaying publication until
it was confident it could get relatively The Government says the key proposals are:
trouble free compliance. One of the
incentives for manufacturers to reach A national distributor takeback scheme which will establish a
the targets set is the proposal for: 'an network of designated collection facilities enabling consumers to
end -of -year settlement to ensure return their used items for recycling or reuse.
producers are able to meet their
obligations via an exchange system'.
Obligatory registration for producers through approved compliance
This means that producers will have a
schemes
yearly target for the percentage of the
total waste recycled based on its market
share of products sold. If the target is Authorised treatment facilities, which will process WEEE and
exceeded manufacturers will be able to provide evidence to producers on the amount of WEEE received for
'sell' their excess to other companies treatment
who have not met their targets.
The proposals have left the general Accredited
consumer relatively untouched with no reprocessing/recycling
legal responsibility to comply with the facilities who will provide
scheme. Householders will still be able evidence of reprocessing
to dispose of products by throwing to producers
them away with general domestic
rubbish.
So the main body of the proposal in
A voluntary approach for
now in the open. However, with such a producers to show the
complex nexus of stakeholders cost of handling historical
involved, the workability of the scheme WEEE.
is likely to only become apparent when
actually put into practice.
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HP 182T with 8557A 10kHz-350MHz £3001400 HP 81650 Programmable Signal Source HP 53166 UnWersal Counter 0-100MHz HPIB 495
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KENWOOD CS4035 Dual Trace 40MHz HP 86600 Sig Gen 1.3GHz £450 HP 8111A Pulse Generator 20MHz 400 TTI 19058 5H digit Bench £60
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HITACHI V525 Dual Trace 50MHz Cusors £96 HP 86603A RF Plug-in for 8660C 1.2500MHz LEADER LAG12013 Sine/Sq Audio Generator 10Hz/1MHz £50 AVO DA116 31/2 digit with Batteries B Leads 120
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HITACHI 0425 Dual Trace 40MHz Cursors £75 HP866326 Modulation Section for 8660C ..... TTL °BOLA, Amplhutde Meter £60 AVO 8 MIA with Leads etc 150
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HITACHI V223 Dual Trace 20MHz Delay £60 MARCONI 2019 Synthesised AM/FM 80kHz-1040MHz 1325 FARNELL LF1 Sine/Sq Oscillator 101-B-1MHz RACAL 9300 True RMS Millivoltmeter 5Hz-20MHz
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HITACHI 0212 Dual Trace 20MHz £50 LEADER LSG221B Sig Gen 25-950MHz £209 MARCONI SANDERS 60556 Signal Source 850-2150MHz 1125 RACAL 93006 as 9300 £45
FARNELL DTV12-14 Dual Trace 12MHz £40 HP 86568 Synthesised 0.1-990MHz £500 MARCONI SANDERS 60568 Signal Source 2-4GHz £t25 GOODWILL GVT427 Dual Chan AC Millivoltmeter 10rnV in
HP 8656A Synthesised 0.1-990MHz £400 MARCONI SANDERS 60576 Signal Source 4.58.5GHz ...1125 12 ranges 10Hz-I MHz Unused £75
STORAGE HP 86400 AWFM 500kHz-512MHz £150 MARCONI SANDERS 60596 Signal Source 12-113Ghlz £125 KENWOOD VT176 Dual Chan Millivoitmeter £40
PHILIPS PM3320 Dual Trace 200MHz 250Ms/S £300 HP 8620C Sweep Osc with 862908 2-18.6GHz £500 MARCONI SANDERS 60706 Signal Source 400-1200MHz £125
LECROY 9400 Dual Trace 125MHz £325 HP8620C Sweep Osc with 862226 001-2.4GHz £400 FLUKE 6011A Synthesised 11MHz .. .................
TEKTRONIX 468 Dual Trace 100MHz Delay Sweep Digital HP8620C/B/A with any of the following plug -ins £1501200 PHILIPS 55140 Colour Bar Generator Video £195 POWER SUPPLIES
Storage 6200 HP 862206 Plug in 15-1300MHz BLACK STAR ORION Colour Bar Gen £50
VELLEMAN HPS5 1MHz 5MHz Sampling. Handheld Unused NO HP 862308 Plug in 1.5-4GHz BLACK STAR ORION Later Version Metal Case £75 FARNELL XA35.2T 0-35V 026 Twice Digital 496
HP 86235A Plug in 1.7-4.3GHz FARNELL LT30-2 0-300 0-2A Twice £110
HP 86240A Plug in 2-8.5GHz FARNELL B30/20 300 29A Variable No Meters £110
ANALYSERS HP 862400 Plug in 3-0-8.6GHz FREQUENCY COUNTERS/TIMERS FARNELL B30/10 300106 Variable No Meters £55
HP 862450 Plug in 5.9-12.4GHz FARNELL LT30-1 0-3000-1A Twice £75
ADVANTEST R3265A 100Hz-8GHz 4500 HP862506 Plug in 8-12.4GHz EIP 371 Source Lacking Microwave Counter 10Hz-1801-0 £325 FARNELL L30.2 0-30V 0-2A 155
TEKTRONIX 492P 50650-21GHz £2250 HP 862500 Plug in 8-12.4GHz EIP 331 Autohet Microwave Counter 825MHz-18GHz £195 FARNELL L30.1 0-305 0-1A £40
HP8560A 50Hz-2.9GHz Built In Trac1/2ing Gen £3250 HP 86260A Plug in 124-18GHz HP 53866 Counter 10Hz-3GHz £350 FARNELL 5350 0-3500 0-203mA £125
HP 8560A 50Hz-2.9GHz £2950 MARCONI TF2015 AM/FM 10-520MHz £95 FEEDBACK SC230 Counter 1.3GHz £75 FARNELL 030-2T 0-30V 0-2A Tyke Digital £95
HP 8569A 10MHz-22GHz £950 MARCONI TF2016 AM/PM I0KHz-120MHz £95 RACAL 9916 Counter 10410-520MHz £75 THURLBY PL330 0-321/ 030 Digral (Kenwbod bedded) . £75
HP 8565A 10MHz-22GHz £750 PHILIPS PM5328 100kHz-180MHz with RACAL 9906 Universal Counter 200MHz £95 THURLBY TS30215 0-30V 0-2A LCD £65
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HP 182T with 8559A 1001d-1z-210Hz £750 PANASONIC VP8117A AM/FM 100kHz-110MHz RACAL 1991 Counter/Timer 160MHz 9 Age £195 TAKASAGO GM035-3 0-351/ 0-3A 2 Meters £45
HP182T with 8558B 100kHz-1500MHz 2600 FM 0 100kHz Digital Display et, Unused £225 MARCONI 24316 Frequency Meter 200MHz £50 TAKASAGOTM035-2 0-359 02A 2 Meters £35
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A/V eye Every month Television looks at some of the more
technically impressive, highly engineered or just plain
mind boggling products launched onto the market
Marantz WEAVES a new product story

Hi-fi and home cinema manufacturer Marantz, has
unveiled a new innovation which it reckons is as ingenious
as it is simple to use. The Wired Entertainment Accessible
via Electricity or WEAVE products mean music can be
played around the home taking advantage of the one
network every house already has pre -installed -the mains.
Marantz calls the technology behind the idea Power
Line Communication (PLC) and the system is comprised of
two main elements. At the core of the user's main AA/
system there must be a WEAVE amplifier or receiver, for
example the company's the ZR6001 NV. The main system
can then feed audio signals from a CD, radio or any other
signal via the mains to its little portable cousin the ZC4001
receptor. The user can add as many as six receptor units to
deliver music around the home without going down the
Wi-Fi or multi -zone custom installation route. the system works Marantz wants to WEAVE its way into
The WEAVE concept uses a method of bi-directional via existing AC consumer's affections with the ZC4001
signal communication using AC power lines as a power lines, there
transmission channel. The audio signal is transmitted by is no possibility of interference from other wireless systems
superimposing high frequency signals over the AC power such as WiFi, Bluetooth or even a microwave oven.
line. The components can communicate as soon as they are The ZC4001is comprised of two loudspeakers, its own
plugged into the mains, offering quite literally plug and built-in amplifier as well as an RDS text display, clock, sleep
play operation. and wake up timer.
Marantz says the ZR6001 and ZC4001 have been Quite a clever and genuinely simple idea this one and
specially designed for transmitting audio streaming data, Marantz seams pretty pleased with it as it has plans to add
providing real-time streaming of full CD -quality more products to the WEAVE family.
(44.1kHz/16-bit) audio. The company also says that because
Crystal clear
Standing an imposing eight feet high and hand fashioned fact part of the 'Sound of Art' family of loudspeakers
from solid wood, this bit of kit would not look out of from Crystal Audio. Ballad is designed to be used in
place on a plinth in the Tate Modern. However, it is in conjunction with the company's Melody speakers which
fact the Ballad sub - are from the same family.
woofer from Crystal The Ballad sub -woofer is a two-part construction built
Audio. from exceptionally thick plywood, which is then treated
Not by accident does with wax to deliver a striking finish. Crystal says the outer
the product look the enclosure is totally inert and lacking in all resonance, thus
way it does. It is the creating an incredibly dynamic presentation.
creation of sculptor Ilirian Shima crafted the lower element from more
Ilirian Shima and than 40 concentric circular wood segments. These were
exemplifies Crystal bonded together to create a multi -layered enclosure.
Audio's raison d'etre - Crystal claims the assembly affords excellent acoustic
which the company properties thanks to the inert nature of wood, while the
says is the bringing lack of parallel surfaces completely removes standing
together of art and waves.
technology. The design has taken inspiration from the world of
The Ballad is not on classic musical instruments and sits at an angle, thanks to
its own in this an end -pin similar to that on a cello or double bass. This
endeavour and it is in set-up means there is minimal energy transmission with
the floor. It also means that the 30.5cm long -throw driver,
powered by a 200W amplifier, is not parallel to the floor
The very weird but
which means there is less reflection back onto the driver
equally wonderful Ballard
and therefore the design delivers a cleaner sound.
sub -woofer from Crystal
Audio
144 TELEVISION September 2006

A/V eye
Panasonic is proud of its 103" plasma

Panasonic's current favourite baby is its 103" plasma
display panel (PDP) with full 1080p (progressive) HDTV
resolution. Limited in actual customer numbers for these
screens, the manufacturer's aim is more about grabbing
attention and showcasing the company's latest
technologies or achievements. Panasonic is particularly
keen to point out the difficulties in maintaining stable
discharge and high picture quality across the entire surface
of a panel this size.
The company got around these problems by developing
a new rib (which divides each gas cell and prevents
interference between adjacent cells) as well as a new type
of phosphor. Panasonic says the 103" 1080p plasma panel
features consistent and uniform discharge, delivering the
same accurate images from the centre to every corner of
the screen, and the same brightness as the company's 50"
HD model (TH-50PX500). The panel also incorporates
Panasonic's 1080p HD high-speed pixel drive. The same
high-speed pixel drive is used in the TH-65PX500 65"
1080p Plasma TV, which the company says have done well
in Japan. Panasonic waves the company flag with a 103" HD plasma screen
with technology
Philips says its ultra -slim HTS9800W home cinema system The system comprises of the main DVD unit, three
combines contemporary styling with the very latest front speakers and three wireless rear speakers which are
innovations. These include HDMI connectivity as well as connected to a wireless receiver box and a subwoofer.
720p/1080i video up -scaling for near high definition Both the main unit and flat -panel speakers are afforded
video quality, multi -channel Super Audio CD playback a sleek flat design produced to match the look of a flat
and wireless rear speakers. panel LCD or Plasma. Both can be wall -mounted or
Philips says the system is one of the first to offer Dolby placed freestanding. The unit has also been produced to
Digital EX 6.1 surround sound processing over a wireless deliver on Philip's promise to create high technology
rear speaker delivery system. The company hopes that its product's that are instinctive and easy to use. To this end
wireless solution will deliver on the technology front there are no unsightly bulbous buttons, but instead there
whilst placating those consumers is a touch -screen control with backlighting illuminating
who do not want the clutter of lots all the key functions.
of cables. The unit is compatible with DVD, DVD+/-R/RW,
(S)VCD, SACD, MPEG4, CD-R/RW, MP3, WMA/MP3-CD
L and JPEG CDs. The digital amplifier boasts an 800W
Total RMS output across the 6.1 channels and is
equipped with Dolby Digital EX, DTS and Dolby Pro
Logic II decoders. The flat -panel speakers each
utilise a ribbon tweeter with neodymium
magnet assembly for sharp detail and smooth
precision in the higher frequencies, while two
3" woofers cover the mid -band. The
subwoofer is equipped with a 6.5" high -
efficiency driver delivering deep low -frequency
output down to 30Hz. Connectivity offers a
number of ways to hook-up to a flat display and other
Philips is looking to NV equipment. These include HDMI for digital pictures
combine good looks and and sound, premium -quality progressive scan -enabled
the latest technology component video output, RGB SCART output and digital
with the HTS9800W coaxial input for connecting audio devices such as CD or
home cinema system MP3 players.
TELEVISION Kum 2005 145

distribuler of ellootronfic
Flat Wall Mount Universal Close Fitting Universal Single Arm Universal
LCD Bracket LCD Bracket LCD Bracket
Basic but robust wall bracket for Close fitting yet has tilt and Single Arm with tilt at
mounting LCD screens upto 30" swivel fuctiions. swivel movement.
in one fixed position.
Display Size : 10" - 24" Display Size : 10" - 2
Display size : 10"-30" Max. display weight : 15kg Max. display weighl
15kg
Max. display weight : 20kg
VESA standard : 75/100
VESA standard : 50/75/100 VESA standard 75/1(
Carriage Charged at £ 3.00 + vat Carriage Charged at £ 6.00 + vat Carriage Charged at £ 6.00 + vat
Order Code : LCDBKT8S Order Code : LCDBKT9S Order Code : LCDBKT1OS
Price : £ 6.00 + vat Price : £ 13.00 + vat Price : £ 20.00 + vat
Fully Articulated Universal Universal LCD Tiltable Wall Mount Univers
LCD Bracket Small Plasma Bracket Plasma Bracket
Fully articulated A versatile design thats ideal for Universal tiltable
bracket with tilt and Small Plasma and LCD's ( +15% / -15% ) wall suppc
swivel movement. upto 32" for large plasma and LCD
Display Size 10" - 24" Display size : 20"-32" (50-82cm) Tiltable : +15° / -15°
Max. display weight : 40 Kg Display size : 30"-63"

Max. display weight
15kg VESA standard : 75/100/200 Max. display weight : 75k
VESA standard 75/100
Order Code : LCDBKTIIS Order Code : LCDBKT4S Order Code : PLASBKTIS
Twist Arm for Universal Wall Mount Simple Wall Mount Univers.
PLASBKT1S Plasma Bracket Plasma Bracket
Twist arm with two articulations This plasma bracket can be Simple but very robust wall
to apply to the above used with most plasma and bracket for mounting Plasma
Plasma Bracket. LCDs, due to its universal big LCD televisions to the wall
mounting possibilities. one fixed position.
Two turningpoints
180° and 40° Display Size : 30"-50"
Distance from wall Display size : max. 61" Max. weight : 60 kg
min. 6 cm, max. 30 cm
Max. display weight : 80kg VESA standard : 50/75/100
Max.weight : 75Kg
Distance between TV screen and wall: 2,5 cm
Order Code : PLASBKT3S Order Code : PLASBKT4S Order Code : LCDBKT8S
Length Code Price
HDMI Cables
1 m 19 pin HDMI to 19 pin HDMI HDMI1 £12.00 +
2 m 19 pin HDMI to 19 pin HDMI HDMI2 £ 15.00 + w
3 m 19 pin HDMI to 19 pin HDMI HDMI3 £ 17.00+vt
5 m 19 pin HDMI to 19 pin HDMI HDMI4 £ 20.00 +
7.5 m 19 pin HDMI to 19 pin HDMI HDMI5 £ 25.00 + w
20 m 19 pin HDMI to 19 pin HDMI HDMI8 £ 65.00 + w
HDMI Switch Box 2 and 4 way HDMI Switch boxes
Ideal for connecting different HDMI sources devices to a single HDMI connection on your TV
Selection carried out manually
All inputs are HDMI female connections
Output is HDMI female connections
2 Way Switch Order Code : AVS20 Price : £ 20.00 + vat

4 Way Switch Order Code : AVS22 Price : £ 30.00 + vat
Carriage Charged at £ 6.00 + vat
LIM
stributor of allectronk componangs
Universal RF Modulator Ideal for distrution of Scart signals via aerial amplifiers.
Small, stylish design
Simple selection of RF channels with a digital Display
RF , Phono and Scart Inputs
Combines existing RF signals to new one
No scart break box required - comes with scart out
Order Code : ILS102 Price : £ 20.00 + vat

IIIIIICE2M111111111 Unique design allows out of sight installation

Mini AV Trasmitter
This systrem is ideal for satellite , cable , VCR and

Connects directly to scart outlet of DVD, LCD TV,
audio systems.
PLASMA TV...etc.
Also acts as an infred remote extender Extend the signal upto 50m
Built in antenna
Stylish and Moderm design
Come with scart locking connectors
Video Transmitter Operates upto 80m
Remote Extender Operates upton 5m
Order Code : VIDT150 Price : £ 35.00 + vat Order Code : ILS103 Price : £ 15.00 + vat
Carriage Charged at £ 6.00 + vat Carriage Charged at £ 6.00 + vat
48 Element CAI
New and improved 48 element high gain Aerial suitable for all UK TV reception areas,
Wideband Aerial covering UHF bands 21 to 68.
Receives both digital and analogue TV signals.
Suited for weak and poor signal strength areas.

bN 4 \
*fr Supplied with F connector and clamp for vertical or horizontal
polarity (fits 57mm masts).
Order Code : 27884R

Price : £ 20.00 + vat Box of 5 - Price : £ 80.00 + vat
111111Ilr 41111011i1 4111111111k
TV Ma ns Switches Transistors IA IC's
nom Price Ham Pale*
2SD 1880 £ 3.60 + vat STRS 6707 £ 4.50 + vat
2SK 2545 £ 2.50 + vat STRS 6708 £ 4.50 + vat
BU 2508AF £ 1.10 + vat STRS 6709 £ 4.00 + vat
Suitable for Matsui Suitable for Vestel , JVC,
BU 2508AX £ 1.30 + vat STV 9379 £ 2.00 + vat
Median , Tevion
BU 2508DF £ 1.20 + vat STV 9379FA £ 3.00 + vat
Drder Code : SW50 Order Code : SW52 BU 2520DX £ 1.50 + vat TA 8427K £ 2.00 + vat
BU 4508DX £ 1.50 + vat TDA 1541A £ 6.00 + vat
Price: £3.00 + vat Price : £ 2.50 + vat LA 7845N £ 1.00 + vat TDA 3654 £ 3.50 + vat
MC 44608P40 £ 2.50 + vat TDA 3654Q £ 3.50 + vat
MC 44608P75 £ 2.50 + vat TDA 7293V £ 5.50+ vat
STK 392 - 010 £ 7.00 + vat TDA 7294V £ 5.50 + vat
STK 392 - 040 £ 8.00 + vat TDA 7295 £ 1.00 + vat
Suitable for Philips Suitable for Sony 1-554- STK 392 - 110 £ 7.00 + vat TDA 7296 £ 5.00 + vat
276.13603 762-51 and ITT 4112 2170 STRF 6653 £ 3.50 + vat TDA 8174AW £ 2.00 + vat
STRF 6654 £ 4.50 + vat TDA 8177F £ 3.50 + vat
Drder Code : SW54 Order Code : SW53 + vat TDA 8350Q £ 2.00 + vat
STRF 6707 £ 5.00
Price : £ 1.50 + vat Price : £ 2.00 + vat
Check out our Online Catalogue at

WW W4 randataa coauk
This advertisement is just a selection of our stock.
Please contact us if you cannot find the part you are looking for.
* Please add £1 p+p and VAT to all orders (Unless Otherwise stated) * All components are brand new E & OE
* We accept payment by Access , Switch , Visa , Cheque and Postal Order
* All prices quoted are subject to availabilty and may be changed without prior notice
KA House , Unit 93 , Pop In Commercial Centre , Southway , Wembley , Middlesex . HA9 OHB Englar
Tel v (020) 8900 2329 Fax : (020) 8903 6126 Email : [email protected]
The Philips 42PF9631D boasts a 1,024 x 1,080i ALiS pan(
Plasma continues to
hold its own despite
pressure from
competing technologies.
Television takes a look
at the big picture
There is no doubt that plasma is - comparable to a direct view display more in sizes over 30", plasma has
now experiencing more pressure system for film positives. distinct benefits over LCD in the large
as LCD continues to improve its "PDP uses direct emission, as screen category. Plasma is known at
large -screen performance in terms of colours are reproduced by phosphors as these sizes to have a wider viewing
picture and cost. However, plasma still with CRT. Thus each technology angle and better colour reproduction.
has many fans, particularly in the home produces a completely different "In contrast to LCD's the image
cinema sector. Plasma has also experience for the human eye." quality of a plasma gets better and
managed to grow its sales, taking These inherent differences mean that better the darker the room - the ideal
particular advantage of the growth in plasma produces a set of performance environment for the home cinema
the 50" and above category. Samsung characteristics that will continue to experience. Plasma screens are also
puts the increase at 36% in the UK in attract a fan base. Peter Johnson, much more cost effective at this size."
terms of market value year -on -year technical sales manager, Hitachi says:
since May 2005. "Plasma has certain qualities that make Technological advances
Martin Bischoff, senior applications it better for large screen viewing than Inherent advantages argued for by
engineer for display products at panel LCD. With LCD, the backlights are manufacturers are one thing, but no
manufacturer Fujitsu, Hitachi Plasma always on which means that any black technology can survive unless it is
Display Ltd (FHP) sums up: "As LCD content can look grey or blue because improved upon and the performance
has achieved larger display sizes it has of light 'bleeding' through the LCD envelope is consistently pushed. Most
become a competitor technology to structure. This is particularly noticeable of the manufacturers have been trying
PDPs. Some time ago there were clear when watching at lower room light to add extras to give themselves a
boundaries between both technologies levels. technological edge. Steve Lucas,
in terms of size. It was not efficient to "The other major issue is response product specialist, Panasonic UK, says
go over a certain size for one time. Plasma panels react much faster that energy consumption has been
technology, while for the other it was than LCD and this means that you will reduced (by around 26%) as has heat
not possible to produce below a certain not see the blurring that is evident on production (resulting in the introduction
size. fast moving content viewed on LCD of fan -less panels) and a reduction
"It is important to remember that the screens. This becomes even more (35%) in the amount of glass used in the
technologies cannot be compared important with HD content." panels has been introduced on
directly. TFT LCD uses indirect light, Dominic Feeney, Pioneer product Panasonic plasmas.
controlled by light valves, passing executive, backs up this view: "Whilst Dominic Feeney of Pioneer describes
through colour filters to create a picture LCD screens are available more and his company's latest advances: "Recent

Israeli forces enter Lebanon at night - live pictures (W1) Test card from conflict area (W1) Unknown PM5544 test card (W1)
APTN SOUTH
OF LEBANON
Eutelsat W1 ; 'SAVANA-7' often sighted 16° East and were found @ 12.550GHz- 2000' appeared over NSS-7, 211/2° West
in the early stages of war disappeared - as Horizontal (5632+3/4) moving to over the normal 'BTNA WASHINGTON'
did three 'ISOL' feeds - both were using 12.555GHz-H (2816+3/4) later in the day. slot -11.670GHz-H (5632+3/4). Roy
W1. An 'ABC IRAQ MOBILE' SNG unit The Israeli satellite facility R -R -Sat' also Carman (Dorking) notes that the NBA
signed as UKI-690 which may have been appeared over W2, 12.519GHz-H basketball feeder has resumed back on
a hired -in flyaway terminal. The (5632+3/4) at the same time with live war the 11.609GHz-V slot on Intelsat 907 @
mysterious 'EEIIEAMOBOBFCS' that also footage from Northern Israel. 271/2° West with the commonly used
was seen over AB -1 using BBC Sports enthusiasts are well advised to SR5632+FEC3/4 parameters.
parameters was never identified. check out PAS -12, 45° East Saturday Unfortunately the PGA golfing
August 10 was the day that the UK afternoons through the autumn for rugby tournaments are now often encrypted but
airports ground to a halt when security football from South Africa. The ABSA AB -1 recently were carrying footage in
forces arrested a large number of people Currie Cup is being fought out from late the clear - 11.010GHz-H (1333+3/4). On
in connection with suspected planned summer onwards and can usually be the day that the Open Golf Champion-
attacks on air -liners. Early AM and found on or around 11.517GHz-V ship at Hoylake was played, a 3 channel
'BSKYB-LONDON' and later 'SKY NEWS (6109+3/4). Late July the Sharks v. bouquet was operational - two encrypted
LONDON SIS CREW - SKY NEWS UKI- Cheetahs game was being played at the but a 3rd was in the clear, not unlike the
588' were entrenched outside Heathrow Durban Stadium - the Cheetahs won! The old GLOBECAST 3 channel bouquet
taking pictures of stationary traffic. As Michigan International Speedway is the which often carried PGA golfing action
usual Sky remain loyal to Eutelsat W2, spot for racing action. The 'Indy Series up to a few months ago.
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les of favourites like Heilboy will be the future
Amazon enters the

download jungle
mazon's service, with its suggesting that only 1 in 4 people
Just ahead of its own freely downloadable were happy to watch movies on PCs.
PC software, similar to Amazon certainly has some cards up
launch date in iTunes or Sony's Connect service, will its sleeve that can address this
join other recently launched services weakness. Back in July Amazon
including Starz Vongo, iTunes, as well bought CustomFlix, a service that
August, Rethink as services from Google, Sony, Clear holds films on a central server, and
Channel, 4Flix.Net and Blinkx. Arvato, which can write them to a DVD after
LoveFilm and NTL have all launched an online order is received and mail
Research Associates services in Europe, and DirecTV has them out. The main focus of services
announced it will have a service by like this is to offer films that there is
year end. some demand for, but not enough to
(the body dedicated to With the exception of Apple, none of warrant paying for another
these services has made much of an manufacturing run for a DVD.
helping the industry impact and have yet to issue any details Interestingly on the Amazon Internet
on how well their services are going. Movie database
Apple sells H.264 (MPEG-4) (http://www.imdb.com) within the top
develop successful compressed video requiring 750kbps ten films in the view of Amazon
for video, plus 128kbps for sound, voters, only 1 or 2 are still in DVD
aimed at PC and iPod viewing. These issue. Out of its top 250 films Amazon
digital strategies) took are fine for viewing in that way, but a probably only has less than 10% in
little too low quality for showing on a stock as DVDs at any given time. If it
large TV screen. We expect Amazon to leverages from this Internet Movie
a look at the implica- do a better job than this, perhaps Database (IMDB) service, Amazon
targeting a 50% improvement in could be in a great position to offer
tions of Amazon's density, but as yet no details have combinations of download plus a
slipped out about how such films will DVD burned and posted subsequently.
find their way onto a TV screen, if However, there is a danger here that
entry into the video indeed they will. All services that offer Amazon will build its service in such a
downloads to view only on a PC have way that it is more about augmenting
drastically limited their appeal, with its existing DVD sales and less about
download sector one survey last year replacing them.

The Boume Supremacy is one of
the first films available to
download on
Moving ahead limited to distribution in Wippit in the UK
Universal Studios is known to be the US or in one other

licensing online services such as Wippit country.
and LoveFilm in the UK, with a super The issues of international film
expensive service that automatically distribution are far worse than music
gives you two files now, one for a PC only. One reason is that films must also
and one for a portable player and then get permission for distribution from
puts the DVD in the post. Amazon must every piece of music that is used in the
avoid that kind of limitation on its film as well as from the multiple layers
service or it will be stillborn. In our of the talent that went towards creating
view Amazon is one of the last few the film. Those commenting on the
brands that has a chance of challenging Amazon deal have said little about
iTunes on film video distribution. detail so far, except that the film service
Recently Amazon's CustomFlix added will work alongside DVD sales and that
Blu-ray and Microsoft formats to its programs will include TV series as well
already licensed HD-DVD format for as films, and that all of its content will THEY STOLE
H/5 /DENT'
NOW HE WANTS/TB/4C /7
film files to be written in. be advertising free. They have not
Another danger here is that even specifically stated whether it will
Amazon's service uses a Data Reference be a rental or download to own service, "would you like a DVD
Model that allows files to be written to or subscription, and one report suggests emailed to you" all the time. Once both
the DVD where the DVD can be tied to that it will be all three. The service is Amazon and Apple have launched into
the PC that it is burned on, or other referred to internally as Amazon Digital the film download market, there is likely
tethered devices. This wouldn't get Video and leaks suggest that originally to be an immediate rush for cover and
Amazon around the problem of shifting it was to be as much a music service as some sector consolidation. It is likely that
the film to the TV set. CustomFlix a film service, but the music side was many of the new services launched this
already has content deals with NBC dropped because of Apple's year won't last 12 months, as long as the
Universal, A&E Home Video, and the stranglehold on that market. In the long basic mistakes we have pointed out are
PBS (Public Broadcasting Service), so it run Amazon is almost certain to fall into avoided. If Amazon doesn't avoid those
would seem likely that these same firms the trap of using the service to drive its mistakes, then it could deliberately
will appear on Amazon's actual video core entertainment sales on music CDs hamper sales by offering a business
download deal, perhaps with one or and DVDs. In their existing format this model where online downloads are
two others. represents some $3 billion of revenue more expensive than DVD purchases,
Back in March the rumors about for Amazon, and really it could be which would neither make sense, nor
which studios Amazon was in talks with launching into this market for all the work effectively, because it just wouldn't
included Paramount, Universal and wrong reasons - trying to protect the be competitive. Amazon could, of
Warner Brothers, with Sony, Disney and revenue it has, rather than open a brand course, decide to only allow file
Fox being less successfully courted. new, even larger business segment. downloads of titles that are currently not
ABC is reported to have said worth stocking as DVDs, which would
categorically that it has no deal with The winner takes it all also make this a weak service. We
Amazon, nor is it close to one. This The winner in the film download doubt it will do anything other than
may be due to its loyalty to the Apple market will be the company that makes come out with a solid execution on a
brand, which was first to push ABC TV it easiest to buy content and enjoy the business that will effectively end up one
series for download last year. process. It is essential that a PC based day replacing one of its biggest money
One of the nice things about Apple application, not a web site, is the front spinners. After all, DVD sales have
and Amazon doing an online film deal end and that it allows samples, flattened, leaving even Amazon looking
is that they are both used to putting in downloads in the background, for its next round of revenue growth.
the licensing effort to take their services recommendation lists, and plenty of Rethink Research can be contacted at
global. Almost every film download site information on films generally. The [email protected] or on +44
that has been launched has been winner will not be one that keeps saying (0)207 407 9848.
Control of franchises it: Star Wars, will

strongly influence the download future
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TELEVISION DIGITAL TV FINDING AND HANDBOOK Electronic
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TECHNOLOGY Television Covering all aspects of digital Robin Pain (Design A collection of all the key
& Video television, this text Engineer, Cotag nternational Ltd) data, facts, practical guidance
Eugene Trundle Technology
encompasses the electronics A text using simple circuit examples to illustrate and circuit design basics
An exploration of television of the equipment, data needed by a spectrum of students, electronics
principles and concepts fundamental to the
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COMPUTERS AND This title aims to provide the Eugene Trundle
Only a basic knowledge of service engineer with all the
electronics is assumed for this COMMUNICATIONS necessary information to carry
A practical hands-on
guide for service
collection of electronics projects, and it is ideal for Mac E Van Valkenburg; Edited by out work on domestic electronics
all electronics and DIY enthusiasts and Wendy Middleton equipment. The coverage ranges from satellite
engineers, installation technicians and servicing
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experimenters. Designed by the RSGB, the UK Written by professionals for professionals, this is reception to NOM. Both analogue and digital
business of fault diagnosis and repair of TV,
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TELEVISION TELEVISION IC TV FAULT- VALVE
MICROPROCESSOR DATA FILES FINDING AMPLIFIERS
IC DATA FILES J Edwards Television IC GUIDE Morgan Jones
1111612111111111MIN
J Edwards A compendium of data on Edited by The author's
Data Files Peter Marlow
all the most common straightforward approach,
Microprocessor ICs are the most complicated part
integrated circuits used in A distillation of the most - using as little maths as
of Pi equipment and present special problems to
televisions. Each device is used fault reports from 11 possible, should be of use
the engineer. This text covers the most popular
illustrated with a pin -out years of Television to those with only a limited
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data in the book were taken under actual make and model, it features over 200 reports on well as being the standard reference for experts
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transformers (including Matsui 2196N) service kits, CRT ( Stiil big sellers!)
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28PW6520 £129 32PW6520 £159
ASK ABOUT OUR SERVICE MANUAL LIBRARY 28DW6720D £149 32DW6720D £199
FOR TN VIDEO & MICROWAVE & AUDIO. Distributors required for High Quality Stands
MOST CREDIT & DEBIT CARDS
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[classic] TEL: 01684 296902
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Service Lin
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SERVICE DATA SERVICE DATA SERVICE DATA
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11 419 LANGSETT ROAD
SHEFFIELD S6 2LL
HARVEY ELECTRONICS
43 Loop Road, Beachley,
Chepstow, Mons, NP16 7HE
www.atvcircuitsandservicemanuals.co.uk
Tel/Fax No: 01291 623086
Special Price £49* MANUAL COLLECTIONS PURCHASED,
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Circuit Descriptions, Parts Lists, www.televisionmagazine.co.uk
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Files in Acrobat Reader Format. TIMELAPSE VIDEO RECORDERS SPARES
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REFURBISH -NEW- SECONDHAND PARTS AVAILABLE
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All enquires via e-mail or fax only www.televisionmagazine.co.uk
For a
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MATTHEW
01322 61126
PC2400 I2C FIELD SERVICE PROGRAMMER
EARCH
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EASY TO USE
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The PC2400 is ideal for reprogramming EEPROMs in TV sets and similar products.
It is fitted with high -quality DIL and surface -mount (SO), zero -insertion -force (ZIF)
sockets for programming components.
A special lead with clips for DIL and SO parts is provided for in -circuit programming.
USB CONNECTIVITY
Works with modern PCs which do not have RS232 or Centronics ports
PROGRAMS NVM 24CXX EEPROMs

Also programs other I2C parts
Displays checksum after all relevant functions
SPECIFICATIONS
OPTIMISED FOR IN -CIRCUIT PROGRAMMING
PHYSICAL
An LED is lit when correctly connected Dimensions: 115 x 75 x 35mm
Can program selected devices on the same bus Weight: 125g
Automatically caters for different Vccs ACCESSORIES
USB lead
Extensive protection against wrong connection
In-drcuit programming lead
Master data can be downloaded from a file or another device 8 -pin DIL dip
8 -pin SO clip
CD-ROM
OPTIMISED FOR FIELD SERVICE
Self -test facility to save time in case of a suspected fault
As the programmer contains no firmware, updates for new
devices or facilities can be distributed by simply updating
the PC program
Data can be read from a device and stored in a file
The device type can be automatically indicated from the data file
Easy -to -use file viewer with edit facility
Lloyd Research Ltd

7 & 7A Brook Lane, Warsash, Southampton, 5031 9FH England
T +44 (0) 1489 574040 F +44 (0) 1489 885853 [email protected] www.11oyd-research.com
WHAT BETTER CHOICE ?
FOR QUALITY, PERFORMANCE & AFTER SALES SERVICE
OTV
V610 101
OW:1-T COFDM AP KO 30,
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' -5mummemi
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1024s7.
4:3 4010'
01,133T .34.00 NH, Component
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-15 kHz POWER: 75.1 deplf IIIITWORK TV net TO 12,43
CH: MEN 26.9 dB
-COEN 7.1E-4
VIER: <1.0E-7
TERRESTRIAL
LEVEL: 71.4dBpV
DVB-T COFDM 10 3.0 SO 70 ,90 110
POWER: 66.2 dBuV FREQ: 645.25 MHz -LEVEL- 71.4 d1109

CH: NM= C/71: >38.1 dB
20 40 100 120 WA: 18.4 dB
FREQ: 6 .00/4Hz as
-3 kHz 66,2 0146
CH:
=Mg MEN
COEN
24.7
3.40.4
dB
,
VIER: <1.0E-7
MPEG-2
111311111011-DVB-C QAM
BER: >1.0E-2
-8
FREQ: 802.0014H C/N -17.2 de
POWER: <34.0 4896
MEN <0.0 WI
BEN <1.0E-2
PROLINK 3C PREMIUM
PROLINK zit; PREMIUM 1.111.t.
55=35';
PRODIG 1+ PRODIG 2 MC 577
ALBAN ELECTRONICS LIMITED
(Alban) TEL
THE PROMAX SERVICE CENTRE
6 Caxton Centre, Porters Wood, St. Albans, Herts, AL3 6XT.
01727 832266
:
www.albanelectronics.co.uk
FAX 01727 810546
[email protected]
SALES + SERVICE + CALIBRATION
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OCTOBER 2006 £3.

CCTV servicing Insight into UK

FAULT FINDING FOR TV AUDIO SATELLITE VIDEO IT

fax. 01298 700

Handheld Test Gear - Cool, Smart.

718 Digital Update Publishing Director

733 Ofcom Report 754 Amazon is accurate. However, Television's

Next issue, dated

Yes I would like to subscribe to Television for:

I enclose a cheque made payable to Nexus Media Communications Ltd

Please invoice my company

Please debit my card

Visa Mastercard Amex Switch Delta

Issue No (Switch only) Expiry date

1. Are pu 2. Your intension: 3 Your conpav Ins:

International Address: Debbie Jenner, Television, Media House,

Newstrade Hotline Daniel J Sait

TELEVISION October 2006 699

Full spectrum escapes, which gives the

TV a reality fan of light -waves can be

Next generation Dolby Plasma TV in the face of

100 October 2006 TELEVISION

probes HD format licensing also.

Apple crumbles on Compatibility

TELEVISION October 2006 101

currently standing at 30 to radios is further

analogue improvements to coverage

102 October 2006 TELEVISION

iTunes could be hardware Toshiba customer care

'Trojan Horse' and cord set and

TELEVISION October 2006 703

for HD-DVD player the convenience of Currys'

704 October 2006 TELEVISION

the power of Blu-ray 16 -level motion detection

Scientists choose site to Plasmas preferred to

TELEVISION October 2006 105

DAB multiple ownership increasing

further innovation and looks at the

over DAB (DAB-IP), both of which deliver broadcast digital

mobile devices have been sold in six months. The UK became

706 October 2005 TELEVISION

The International Picture

TELEVISION October 2006 101

108 October 2006 TELEVISION

report, had a much more important

It w s working fine until it rained!

I Ittif Ft( SIG

TELEVISION October 2006 709

on CCTV, Mike Tennant,

CCTV education specialist

TAVCOM, takes a look at

710 October 2006 TELEVISION

TELEVISION October 2006 111

operations manager at CEDIA, the Custom

Electronic Design & Installation

Association, outlines the opportunities

available in the custom installation market

712 October 2005 TELEVISION

TELEVISION October 2006 713