RADIO BITS
TRIVIA
15
(Continued from previous page)
Meanwhile, back at the ranch, at the 2014 NAB Show, it was ALL about the pixels. While the different "K's" were mentioned (2K, 4K, 8K, etc.), the real emphasis was on pixels – and the quality of the pixel itself, rather than how many you could fit on the screen. In addition to how great hi-res is for post and "future-proofing" content, it's not much good unless you can see the difference.
Most people can't really tell the difference between 2K and 4K – these are the limitations of the human eye. But I spoke to somebody at the Show – who requested to remain nameless (for fear of industry reprisal) – who commented that a 2K screen with "enhanced" pixels sitting next to a 4K screen gave a much crisper and sharper image – AND IT WAS TRUE! Well, the illusion was true, anyways. It was like sleight of hand… pick a pixel, any pixel…
Apparently, there is a relatively new "trick" (for want of a better term) applied to LCD's that enables an apparent resolution improvement by controlling individual subpixels rather than the pixels, in a process called "Subpixel-based Downsampling" – in other words, enhanced sharpness via increased luminescence (See the Whitepaper HERE).
Subpixels, you say? Never heard of them! In black and white, you only need the pixel, which shows black and white. However, for color, you need subpixels of red, green and blue. Ah, RGB… sound familiar? Yes, it's all down to that.
Before I launch into my "pixel tirade," let me say a few things about the three main types of monitors – plasma, LCD and OLED. Plasma is almost history – despite its ability to produce the richest and darkest blacks, to get whites and the brightness necessary to make plasma worthwhile, it takes too much power. OLED's use the least amount of power and are the brightest without having to be backlit, but the circuits wear out – the blue element of the RGB trio, first. Also, OLED screens are expensive, because there's a low manufacturing rate of success. But that's a different article. LCD is still the best, of the three, even though it requires a back light and, until recently, could not be bent or created in any configuration other than flat (curved LCD screens now available in the UK).
Back to the pixel. In black & white (or "monochrome") systems, the pixel is the smallest unit that can be addressed. On color displays, each pixel contains red, green and blue "subpixels," making it the smallest unit that can be addressed. (Continued on next page).
Teeny-Tiny
The Pixel is the
smallest unit that
can be addressed
Top 4
right now
Get behind
the wheel...
The term 'broadcasting' comes from which industry?
Agriculture. As in broadcasting seeds on plowed ground.
What topic was discussed on the first commercial radio broadcast?
The election results for 1920.. Harding and Cox won that election.
According to:
the website FunTrivia.com, the World's Largest Trivia Website (http://www.funtrivia.com)
What were the call letters of the first commercial radio station?
KDKA. Dr. Frank Conrad broadcast from his Wilkinsburg, PA garage.
Sporty car racing
Nec ne erant suscipiantur. Harum facilisis adversarium pro ea, cu duis iudicabit sadipscing eam
Broadcast Beat Magazine / Sep-Dec, 2014