Digital Media Computer Hardware SM1001 Digital Media, Semester A, 2010 School of Creative Media © Week 03, 2010

Digital MediaDigital MediaComputer HardwareComputer Hardware

SM1001 Digital Media, Semester A, 2010School of Creative Media ©

Week 03, 2010

Computer: A Brief HistoryComputer: A Brief History First Digital computers appeared in First Digital computers appeared in 19441944..

Semiconductor was invented on December 24, Semiconductor was invented on December 24, 19471947, , which initiated the digital revolution that we experience which initiated the digital revolution that we experience today.today.

The Internet started in The Internet started in 19691969 with only 4 sites. with only 4 sites.

First personal computers appeared in the late First personal computers appeared in the late 1970s1970s..

IBM PC arrived in early IBM PC arrived in early 1980s1980s which run on DOS which run on DOS developed by to Microsoft.developed by to Microsoft.

earliest:earliest: electromechanical relayselectromechanical relays

solenoid with mechanical contact pointssolenoid with mechanical contact points physical switchphysical switch closes when electricity animates magnet closes when electricity animates magnet

1940’s:1940’s: vacuum tubesvacuum tubes

no physical contacts to break or get dirtyno physical contacts to break or get dirty became available in early 1900’sbecame available in early 1900’s mainly used in radios at firstmainly used in radios at first

1950’s to present1950’s to present transistorstransistors

invented at Bell Labs in 1948invented at Bell Labs in 1948 John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley Nobel prize, 1956 Nobel prize, 1956

On/off switches in digital On/off switches in digital computerscomputers

First Generation - 1940-1956First Generation - 1940-1956

The The IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled IBM Automatic Sequence Controlled CalculatorCalculator ( (ASCCASCC)),, called the called the Mark IMark I by by Harvard University, was the first large-scale Harvard University, was the first large-scale automatic digital computer in the USA. automatic digital computer in the USA.

The machine contained more than 750,000 components, was 50 feet long, 8 feet tall, and weighed approximately 5 tons!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Mark_Ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_Mark_I

Harvard-IBM Mark 1,Harvard-IBM Mark 1,

Harvard-IBM Mark 1Harvard-IBM Mark 1

First Generation Computer: Vacuum tubesFirst Generation Computer: Vacuum tubes

ENIACENIAC

ENIACENIAC (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer (Electronic Numerical Integrator And Computer ) ) patent (No. 3,120,606), filed 26 June 1947.patent (No. 3,120,606), filed 26 June 1947.

It weighs 30 tons with over 18,000 vacuum tubes and was able It weighs 30 tons with over 18,000 vacuum tubes and was able perform 5000 additions per second! (8.5 by 3 by 80 feet )perform 5000 additions per second! (8.5 by 3 by 80 feet )

The ENIAC's design and construction were financed by the The ENIAC's design and construction were financed by the United United States ArmyStates Army during during World War IIWorld War II..

A vacuum tube

First Semiconductor, the humble First Semiconductor, the humble device that started it all…device that started it all…

In the Christmas eve of 1947, this was demonstratedIn the Christmas eve of 1947, this was demonstratedin the Bell Labs which heralded the electronic era.in the Bell Labs which heralded the electronic era.

John Bardeen, William B. Shockley, and Walter Brattain John Bardeen, William B. Shockley, and Walter Brattain shared the 1956 Nobel Prize.shared the 1956 Nobel Prize.

Early Semiconductor Devices Early Semiconductor Devices

TransistorsTransistors

Second generation of computing (1956-1963)

• Replaced vacuum tubes by transistors and magnetic cores

• Dramatic reduction in size• Computer could fit into a single room

• Increase in reliability of computers

• Reduced costs of computers

• High-level programming languages • The programmer occupation was born• COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) and FORTRAN (Formula Translator) were used

IBM 360 (Mainframe)IBM 360 (Mainframe)

IBM delivered the first System 360 mainframe processor to the Bank in Hong Kong over 40 years ago to run the Bank's pioneer computer project

Third Generation – 1964-1971Third Generation – 1964-1971

Integrated Circuit (IC)Integrated Circuit (IC) are are transistors, resistors, and transistors, resistors, and capacitors integrated together capacitors integrated together into a single into a single ““chipchip””

Operating SystemOperating System Getting smaller, cheaperGetting smaller, cheaper

Integrated Circuit (IC)Integrated Circuit (IC)

4th Generation – 1971-4th Generation – 1971-PresentPresent

MicroprocessorsMicroprocessors Getting smaller and Getting smaller and

smaller, but we are still smaller, but we are still using microchip using microchip technologytechnology

The First Microprocessor The First Microprocessor –– 1971 1971

• Intel 4004 chip• The 4004 had 2,250 transistors• four-bit chunks (four 1’s or 0’s)108Khz• Called “Microchip”

IMSAI Microcomputer 1976IMSAI Microcomputer 1976IMSAI 8080

Manufacturer IMS Associates, Inc.

Type Hobbyist computer

Casing Aluminum

Production August 1975

Discontinued 1978

CPU Intel 8080A @ 2MHz

RAM 256 bytes

Expansion Card-cage with S-100 bus

Software IMDOS, BASIC

Storage Optional cassette or floppy drive

Apple IApple I (1976) (1976)

Apple I, released April 1976By Steve Wozniak and Steve Jobs

Apple I board

Apple II (Apple Apple II (Apple Computer, 1977) Computer, 1977)

IBM PC (IBM, 1981) IBM PC (IBM, 1981)

Intel 8088 microprocessorIntel 8088 microprocessor used in first IBM personal computerused in first IBM personal computer IBM PC released in 1981IBM PC released in 1981 4.77 MHz clock4.77 MHz clock 16 bit integers, with an 8-bit data bus16 bit integers, with an 8-bit data bus

transfers took two steps (a byte at a time)transfers took two steps (a byte at a time) 1 Mb of physical memory address limitation1 Mb of physical memory address limitation

8-bit device-controlling chips8-bit device-controlling chips 29,000 transistors29,000 transistors 3-micron technology3-micron technology speed was 0.33 MIPSspeed was 0.33 MIPS later version had 8 MHz clocklater version had 8 MHz clock

speed was 0.75 MIPS. speed was 0.75 MIPS.

electrical paths nowas small as .13 micron

Pentium 4 chip has42 million transistors

The first Macintosh The first Macintosh (1984)(1984)

Generations of Electronic Generations of Electronic ComputersComputers

First Generation

Second Gen.

Third Gen.

Fourth Gen.

Technology Vacuum Tubes

Transistors Integrated Circuits (multiple transistors)

Microchips (millions of transistors)

Size Filled Whole Buildings

Filled half a room

Smaller Tiny - Palm Pilot is as powerful as old building sized computer

Fifth Generation ComputerFifth Generation Computer(1997-Present & Beyond)(1997-Present & Beyond)

Used in parallel processingUsed in parallel processing Used superconductorsUsed superconductors Used in speech/face recognitionUsed in speech/face recognition Used in intelligent robotsUsed in intelligent robots Used in artificial intelligenceUsed in artificial intelligence

21st Century 21st Century ComputingComputing

Great increases in speed, storage, and Great increases in speed, storage, and memorymemory

Increased networking, speed in InternetIncreased networking, speed in Internet Widespread use of CD/DVD, memory Widespread use of CD/DVD, memory

stickstick Cell Phone/PDACell Phone/PDA Mobile DevicesMobile Devices WirelessWireless

Computer HistoryComputer History

Futureworld (1976)Directed by Michael Crichton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJ61MkKXoTc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gas2Xi0rW6A&feature=related

The ComputerThe Computer

In In principleprinciple, all computers are the same., all computers are the same.

How computer system work?How computer system work?

High-levelLanguage

AssemblyLanguage

Firmware

Machine Code Hardware

User

ApplicationSoftware

Operation System

Computer HardwareComputer Hardware

Basic ComponentsBasic Components

Three basic components:Three basic components:

1.1. Memory (RAM)Memory (RAM)

2.2. Central Processing Unit (CPU)Central Processing Unit (CPU)

3.3. Input and Output devicesInput and Output devices Input Device: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Input Device: Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner,

Webcam, Microphone, Digital Camera…etcWebcam, Microphone, Digital Camera…etc Output Device: Monitor, Printer, Speaker…etc Output Device: Monitor, Printer, Speaker…etc

Structure of Structure of computer system computer system

CPU

All in Hardware!!

Let’s open the case!Let’s open the case!

Inside the computer Inside the computer

Central Processing Unit (CPU)Central Processing Unit (CPU)

““BrainBrain” of computer” of computer

Two leading manufacturers:Two leading manufacturers: Intel (eg. Pentium 4 Intel (eg. Pentium 4 3.8Ghz3.8Ghz)) AMD (eg. Athlon XP 3200+)AMD (eg. Athlon XP 3200+)


Intel Pentium 4 Intel Pentium 4 ProcessorProcessor

AMD Athlon XPAMD Athlon XP


CPU SpeedCPU Speed

CPU speed is measured by the number of CPU speed is measured by the number of completed completed instruction cyclesinstruction cycles per second per second

Currently, CPU speeds range from Currently, CPU speeds range from megahertzmegahertz (MHz or million cycles per (MHz or million cycles per second) to second) to gigahertzgigahertz (GHz or billion cycles (GHz or billion cycles per second).per second).

1000 megahertz (Mhz) = 1 Gigahertz (Ghz)1000 megahertz (Mhz) = 1 Gigahertz (Ghz)

Different CPU may have Different CPU may have different size and socketsdifferent size and sockets

Hard Drives (HD)Hard Drives (HD)

Main storage space inside your PC. It is a Main storage space inside your PC. It is a permanent storage componentpermanent storage component unlike the unlike the RAM (system memory) RAM (system memory)

A hard Drive Inside the HD

Hard Drives (HD)Hard Drives (HD) Used to store operating system, application Used to store operating system, application

software, utilities and data.software, utilities and data.

Magnetic storage device.Magnetic storage device.

Hard Disk capacities are huge: Hard Disk capacities are huge: 40 Gigabytes (GB) to 750 Gigabytes (GB).40 Gigabytes (GB) to 750 Gigabytes (GB).

1 GB = 1,024 Megabytes (MB).1 GB = 1,024 Megabytes (MB). 1 TB = 1,024 Gegabytes (GB).1 TB = 1,024 Gegabytes (GB).

Hard Drives (HD)Hard Drives (HD)

For digital artists, hard drive capacity is task-For digital artists, hard drive capacity is task-dependent.dependent.

A video editor will need to store a lot of video A video editor will need to store a lot of video footage on her hard drives for future reference footage on her hard drives for future reference since they might need over 250GB or even more since they might need over 250GB or even more than 1 HD.than 1 HD.

A web designer will probably not need so much A web designer will probably not need so much HD space: 80GB will be adequate for the job.HD space: 80GB will be adequate for the job.

Memory (RAM)Memory (RAM)

It works much like a It works much like a short-term memoryshort-term memory systemsystem in a in a person’s brain where retrieval of information is fast, but person’s brain where retrieval of information is fast, but not permanentnot permanent

Holds instructions for processing data, processed data, Holds instructions for processing data, processed data, and raw data.and raw data.

Main memory is at least Main memory is at least 10 times faster10 times faster than a hard than a hard drive (HD).drive (HD).

Currently, the speed of RAM is ranged from 512 MB to Currently, the speed of RAM is ranged from 512 MB to 2GB2GB



256MB RAM 512MB RAM

To add more books on the desk, you would have to put it on top of another book, making that book unavailable to

you (as good as closing and putting that book away).

Because you have added the space on your desk, you can add more books and still keep

the old books open which gives you fast access to them

It is one of the major factors that slows down your computer even It is one of the major factors that slows down your computer even if you have a fast CPU, which is why you are often advised to have if you have a fast CPU, which is why you are often advised to have upgrade to a larger (main) memory.upgrade to a larger (main) memory.

Video/Graphics CardsVideo/Graphics Cards Generate and output images to a displayGenerate and output images to a display

For high speed, the video card is used for some of the For high speed, the video card is used for some of the video processing on the computer.video processing on the computer.

It has its own on-board memory.It has its own on-board memory.

The major companies who make video chipsets in this The major companies who make video chipsets in this market are:market are: nVIDIAnVIDIA ATIATI

Video/Graphics CardsVideo/Graphics Cards

Heatsink-Fan on top of video card chip.

Outputs that are connected to the monitor.

GPU inside

Video/Graphics CardsVideo/Graphics Cards GamesGames:: Many 3D graphics intensive games Many 3D graphics intensive games

require a lot of video processing power for require a lot of video processing power for smooth game play.smooth game play.

3D Animators3D Animators and and Video editorsVideo editors also need also need good quality and fast video cards to help speed good quality and fast video cards to help speed up their workflow.up their workflow.

Digital photographersDigital photographers and and some other digital some other digital designersdesigners don’t need to worry too much about don’t need to worry too much about video cards.video cards.

Monitors (LCDs and CRTs)Monitors (LCDs and CRTs)

A Cathode Ray-Tube (CRT) Monitor

A Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Monitor

Monitors (LCDs and CRTs):Monitors (LCDs and CRTs):ContrastContrast

Digital artists need a lot of contrast on their Digital artists need a lot of contrast on their screens to see different shades of colors clearly.screens to see different shades of colors clearly.

CRTs have greater contrast than LCDs.CRTs have greater contrast than LCDs.

When you go to a store and see LCDs say When you go to a store and see LCDs say something like something like 500:1500:1, that is their contrast ratio. , that is their contrast ratio. A higher ratio generally means more contrast.A higher ratio generally means more contrast.

Monitors (LCDs and CRTs):Monitors (LCDs and CRTs):ColorColor

Another factor important to digital artists is Another factor important to digital artists is colorcolor..

Currently, some top line LCD monitors is weaker Currently, some top line LCD monitors is weaker at displaying colors when compared to a CRT at displaying colors when compared to a CRT monitor.monitor.

This can greatly affect the color precision in a This can greatly affect the color precision in a digital workflow and proper color management.digital workflow and proper color management.

Monitors (LCDs and CRTs):Monitors (LCDs and CRTs):ambient lightingambient lighting

CRT Monitors reflect more lights than an CRT Monitors reflect more lights than an LCD.LCD.

With bright ambient lighting, LCD may be With bright ambient lighting, LCD may be a better choice, but in many cases you a better choice, but in many cases you may control the lighting condition.may control the lighting condition.

Motherboard (MoBo)Motherboard (MoBo)

This is like the This is like the basebase of the computer to of the computer to which you can add different components.which you can add different components.

The board is the motherboard

You need to be careful in choosing MoBo, because different MoBo support different hardware (e.g CPU, RAM, port….etc)You need to be careful in choosing MoBo, because different MoBo support different hardware (e.g CPU, RAM, port….etc)

Specification of Specification of Computer Computer

(Cityu Ownership Program Notebook 2009)(Cityu Ownership Program Notebook 2009)

http://www.hkedoffer.com/cityu2009/

More about Computer More about Computer SystemSystem


Metric Prefixes Metric Prefixes


PC vs. MacPC vs. Mac

PC vs. MacPC vs. Mac People often think of Apple Macintosh (Mac) People often think of Apple Macintosh (Mac)

computers to be computers to be the designer’s computerthe designer’s computer..

Others think of the Personal Computer (PC) as Others think of the Personal Computer (PC) as the the general user’s computergeneral user’s computer..

But this is really up to the user: a lot of designers But this is really up to the user: a lot of designers use PCuse PC

Mac AdvantagesMac Advantages More stable because of an extremely robust UNIX-based More stable because of an extremely robust UNIX-based

operating system (OS) which is operating system (OS) which is open sourceopen source software. software.

Built with designers in mind – They don’t only look good, Built with designers in mind – They don’t only look good, but also feel good to use.but also feel good to use.

Handles color management very well.Handles color management very well.

Works better with video.Works better with video.

Very user friendly.Very user friendly.

PC AdvantagesPC Advantages Much cheaper.Much cheaper.

More customizable. More customizable.

More software options.More software options.

More support/help because more people use it.More support/help because more people use it.

Can pretty much do everything a Mac can do.Can pretty much do everything a Mac can do.

Some useful resource Some useful resource WebsitesWebsites

http://www.hkgolden.com You can learn about the prices of the latest computer You can learn about the prices of the latest computer

hardware being sold in Hong Kong.hardware being sold in Hong Kong.

http://www.slashdot.org Read about the latest computer-related news and Read about the latest computer-related news and

happenings.happenings.

http://www.tomshardware.com Learn about the hottest computer hardware as well as Learn about the hottest computer hardware as well as

read reviews to help you make better choices in the read reviews to help you make better choices in the next computer you buy/build.next computer you buy/build.

SummarySummary We have given a brief introduction of computer:We have given a brief introduction of computer:

MemoryMemory CPUCPU Input and outputInput and output

Digital technology changes very rapidly, but its principles Digital technology changes very rapidly, but its principles and concepts remain stable.and concepts remain stable.

Learning digital technology will make you a proficient and Learning digital technology will make you a proficient and competitive media professional.competitive media professional.

Work on it and be prepared!Work on it and be prepared!

See you next week!!See you next week!!

LinksLinks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gas2Xi0rW6A&feature=relatedv=gas2Xi0rW6A&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvQQxPN1j-Y&feature=relatedv=rvQQxPN1j-Y&feature=related

Documents

Digital Media Computer Hardware SM1001 Digital Media, Semester A, 2010 School of Creative Media © Week 03, 2010