Terms 6Terms 6

Definitions and QuestionsDefinitions and Questions

Pixel, Megapixel, WebcamPixel, Megapixel, WebcamPixelPixel: : The basic unit of the composition of an image on a television The basic unit of the composition of an image on a television screen, computer monitor, or similar display.screen, computer monitor, or similar display.

An abbreviation of the term 'picture element.' A pixel is the smallest picture An abbreviation of the term 'picture element.' A pixel is the smallest picture element of a digital image. Like the fibers of a fabric, individual pixels are element of a digital image. Like the fibers of a fabric, individual pixels are too small to notice, but together they make up the whole. The smaller the too small to notice, but together they make up the whole. The smaller the pixels, the higher the resolution. A display resolution described as being pixels, the higher the resolution. A display resolution described as being 640x480 has 640 pixels across the screen and 480 down the screen, for a 640x480 has 640 pixels across the screen and 480 down the screen, for a total of 307,200 pixels. The higher the number or pixels, the higher the total of 307,200 pixels. The higher the number or pixels, the higher the screen resolution. screen resolution.

MegapixelMegapixel: : The imaging term for an image sensor of one million pixels The imaging term for an image sensor of one million pixels or more. The higher geometric pixel resolution of these sensors or more. The higher geometric pixel resolution of these sensors produce higher quality digital photographic images.produce higher quality digital photographic images.WebcamWebcam: : A camera designed to take digital photographs and transmit A camera designed to take digital photographs and transmit them over the Internet or other network.them over the Internet or other network.

Pixel, Megapixel, Webcam Q/APixel, Megapixel, Webcam Q/A

Q: Is a 5 Megapixel camera always better Q: Is a 5 Megapixel camera always better than a 3 Megapixel camera? Why or why than a 3 Megapixel camera? Why or why not?not?

A: No. See: A: No. See: http://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htmhttp://www.kenrockwell.com/tech/mpmyth.htmhttp://www.majid.info/mylos/stories/2004/02/13/megapixel.htmlhttp://www.majid.info/mylos/stories/2004/02/13/megapixel.html

http://megamyth.homestead.com/http://megamyth.homestead.com/

WebcamsWebcams

Q: Does IU run any webcams?Q: Does IU run any webcams?

A: Yes. See A: Yes. See http://www.indiana.edu/~college/msb/webcam.phphttp://www.indiana.edu/~college/msb/webcam.php

and and http://registrar.iupui.edu/webcam/http://registrar.iupui.edu/webcam/

Fixed StorageFixed Storage

Fixed storage is an internal storage Fixed storage is an internal storage medium used by computers. The most medium used by computers. The most common type of fixed storage is an common type of fixed storage is an internal hard drive. internal hard drive. Although fixed storage devices can be Although fixed storage devices can be removed from a computer for reasons removed from a computer for reasons such as upgrading or repair, they typically such as upgrading or repair, they typically are not removed from the system. are not removed from the system. Fixed storage capacities are usually in Fixed storage capacities are usually in gigabytes. gigabytes.

Removable StorageRemovable Storage

Removable storage is a data storage medium that is Removable storage is a data storage medium that is located outside of the computer. located outside of the computer. Removable storage tends to come in three varieties: Removable storage tends to come in three varieties: magnetic (e.g. Zip disc), optical (e.g. CD-R/RW), and magnetic (e.g. Zip disc), optical (e.g. CD-R/RW), and solid-state (e.g. Flash memory). solid-state (e.g. Flash memory). Capacities of removable storage devices run from 1.44 Capacities of removable storage devices run from 1.44 MB for a floppy disc up to multiple gigabytes for external MB for a floppy disc up to multiple gigabytes for external hard drives. Removable storage devices also provide hard drives. Removable storage devices also provide conveniences such as the ability to make back-up copies conveniences such as the ability to make back-up copies of data, transfer data between computers, and copy data of data, transfer data between computers, and copy data to give to someone else. Many MP3 players, digital to give to someone else. Many MP3 players, digital cameras, and PDAs use removable storage.cameras, and PDAs use removable storage.

Removable StorageRemovable Storage

Magnetic: Microdrive

Solid-State:SmartMedia Card

Removable/Fixed Storage Q/ARemovable/Fixed Storage Q/A

Q: How do removable storage and fixed storage Q: How do removable storage and fixed storage apply to things like digital cameras?apply to things like digital cameras?

A: Most cameras now have both. They have a A: Most cameras now have both. They have a small amount of fixed internal storage, and an small amount of fixed internal storage, and an expansion slot to accept removable storage expansion slot to accept removable storage media. This allows you to take pictures on fixed media. This allows you to take pictures on fixed storage if you don’t have an expansion card, but storage if you don’t have an expansion card, but to expand the memory if you do.to expand the memory if you do.

Removable Storage and PrintersRemovable Storage and Printers

Newer printers designed Newer printers designed for digital photo printing for digital photo printing have slots for removable have slots for removable media. You can take media. You can take media with pictures out media with pictures out of the camera, plug it of the camera, plug it into the printer, and print into the printer, and print photos, without even photos, without even needing a computer.needing a computer.

Digital Photo PrinterDigital Photo PrinterSome of them also have screens so you can preview the pictures.

This one takes 4 types of memory cards: Compact Flash, SD, xD, and Memory Stick.

Flash MemoryFlash Memory

A form of memory that allows multiple A form of memory that allows multiple memory locations to be erased or memory locations to be erased or written in one programming operation. written in one programming operation. It is a form of rewritable memory chip It is a form of rewritable memory chip that holds its content without the need that holds its content without the need of a power supply.of a power supply.Flash memory gets its name because the microchip is Flash memory gets its name because the microchip is organized so that a section of memory cells are erased organized so that a section of memory cells are erased in a single action or "flash."in a single action or "flash."

Flash Memory TypesFlash Memory Types

Secure Digital Card - The SD card's nimble, portable data transfer Secure Digital Card - The SD card's nimble, portable data transfer and low battery consumption makes it ideal for high-speed digital and low battery consumption makes it ideal for high-speed digital cameras, camcorders, MP3s, cell phones, PDAs, and global cameras, camcorders, MP3s, cell phones, PDAs, and global positioning systems. Interface options include an SD interface or a positioning systems. Interface options include an SD interface or a serial peripheral interface.serial peripheral interface.Memory Stick - Memory Stick is about the size of a stick of gum and Memory Stick - Memory Stick is about the size of a stick of gum and comes in many capacities. Memory Sticks can be used in an array comes in many capacities. Memory Sticks can be used in an array of applications, including video cameras, audio recorders, and of applications, including video cameras, audio recorders, and computers with a Memory Stick slot.computers with a Memory Stick slot.USB Flash Drive - USB Flash Drive - A USB flash drive is essentially NAND-type flash A USB flash drive is essentially NAND-type flash memory integrated with a USB 1.1 or 2.0 interface used as a small, memory integrated with a USB 1.1 or 2.0 interface used as a small, lightweight, removable data storage device of up to 16 GB. Can be lightweight, removable data storage device of up to 16 GB. Can be used with most USB memory devices and as a small, portable used with most USB memory devices and as a small, portable computer hard drive.computer hard drive.

Flash Memory Q/AFlash Memory Q/A

Q: These are 3 of the most common types of Q: These are 3 of the most common types of flash memory cards. Can anyone identify them?flash memory cards. Can anyone identify them?

AA BB CC

Flash Memory Q/AFlash Memory Q/A

A:A:

AA BB CC

SD CardSD Card Compact FlashCompact Flash Memory StickMemory Stick

Other TypesOther Types

USB Flash DriveUSB Flash Drive xD CardxD Card

SmartMediaSmartMedia

Physical Size ComparisonPhysical Size Comparison

USB Drives (Weird)USB Drives (Weird)

Lossy CompressionLossy Compression

Refers to data compression techniques in which some Refers to data compression techniques in which some amount of data is lost. Lossy compression technologies amount of data is lost. Lossy compression technologies attempt to eliminate redundant or unnecessary attempt to eliminate redundant or unnecessary information. Most video compression technologies, such information. Most video compression technologies, such as MPEG, use a lossy technique. as MPEG, use a lossy technique.

Lossless compression is a slower and less efficient Lossless compression is a slower and less efficient compression technique, but is often used for compression technique, but is often used for spreadsheets or text files where the loss of words or spreadsheets or text files where the loss of words or data would cause problems. Also, lossless algorithms data would cause problems. Also, lossless algorithms are easier to understand. are easier to understand.

Zip FileZip File

A file that has been reduced in size to allow A file that has been reduced in size to allow faster transferring between computers, or to faster transferring between computers, or to save storage space. Originated with PKWARE, save storage space. Originated with PKWARE, the technique is widely used and the term is the technique is widely used and the term is used frequently to describe any compressed file. used frequently to describe any compressed file. Some compressed files have the .EXE Some compressed files have the .EXE extension, indicating the file is self-extracting.extension, indicating the file is self-extracting.

A file format used to compress PC A file format used to compress PC computer data into smaller files. Often used to computer data into smaller files. Often used to speed up Internet downloads.speed up Internet downloads.

Tar FileTar File

Short for Short for ttape ape ararchive,chive, a a UNIXUNIX utilityutility that that combines a group of files into a single file. The combines a group of files into a single file. The resulting file has a resulting file has a .tar.tar extensionextension. The . The tartar command does not compress files. Frequently, command does not compress files. Frequently, therefore, a tar file is compressed with the therefore, a tar file is compressed with the compresscompress or or gzipgzip commands to create a file commands to create a file with a with a .tar.gz.tar.gz or or .tar.Z.tar.Z extension. extension. These are comparable to files that have been These are comparable to files that have been compressed with WinZIP on a PC platform. Most compressed with WinZIP on a PC platform. Most PC compression utilities, including PKZIP, can PC compression utilities, including PKZIP, can open (open (untaruntar) a tar file. ) a tar file.

Lossy Compression Q/ALossy Compression Q/A

Q: MP3 and WAV are two audio formats. One Q: MP3 and WAV are two audio formats. One uses lossy compression and the other uses uses lossy compression and the other uses lossless. Which is which?lossless. Which is which?

A: WAV encoding is lossless. MP3 encoding is A: WAV encoding is lossless. MP3 encoding is lossy. This is why low-bitrate MP3s don’t sound lossy. This is why low-bitrate MP3s don’t sound as good as CDs (WAV format). However, WAVs as good as CDs (WAV format). However, WAVs are usually around 10x larger than MP3s, are usually around 10x larger than MP3s, making MP3s or similar compressed formats the making MP3s or similar compressed formats the choice for portable audio and large collections. choice for portable audio and large collections.

Common ZIP/TAR File Q/ACommon ZIP/TAR File Q/A

Q: If I zip a file and then zip it again Q: If I zip a file and then zip it again repeatedly, will it keep getting smaller?repeatedly, will it keep getting smaller?

A: No. Eventually you hit a point where the A: No. Eventually you hit a point where the file is as small as it can be and still have file is as small as it can be and still have all the original data be recoverable. This is all the original data be recoverable. This is because ZIP files are lossless encodings. because ZIP files are lossless encodings.

Common ZIP/TAR File Q/ACommon ZIP/TAR File Q/A

Q: I want to archive a large data file to CD Q: I want to archive a large data file to CD for backup. It’s 1 GB. CDs store 700 MB. for backup. It’s 1 GB. CDs store 700 MB. When I zip it, it goes down to 850 MB. Am When I zip it, it goes down to 850 MB. Am I out of luck for burning this file to CD?I out of luck for burning this file to CD?A: No. Most ZIP utilities allow you to make A: No. Most ZIP utilities allow you to make archive files that span multiple disks. So archive files that span multiple disks. So you could store a ZIP file on several floppy you could store a ZIP file on several floppy disks or CDs. To recreate the file, you will disks or CDs. To recreate the file, you will then need all of these disks.then need all of these disks.

QuizQuiz

Please put away your notes, take out a Please put away your notes, take out a sheet of paper and put your name and sheet of paper and put your name and today’s date on it.today’s date on it.

QuizQuiz

1.1. What has higher bandwidth, a T3 or a What has higher bandwidth, a T3 or a T1?T1?

2.2. The magnetic disks inside of hard drive The magnetic disks inside of hard drive are known as ________.are known as ________.

3.3. Define VRAM.Define VRAM.

4.4. Which is bigger, a bit or a byte?Which is bigger, a bit or a byte?

QuizQuiz

1.1. What has higher bandwidth, a T3 or a What has higher bandwidth, a T3 or a T1? – T1? – a T3a T3

2.2. The magnetic disks inside of hard drive The magnetic disks inside of hard drive are known as _are known as _plattersplatters_._.

3.3. Define VRAM. – Define VRAM. – Video Random Access Video Random Access MemoryMemory

4.4. Which is bigger, a bit or a byte? – Which is bigger, a bit or a byte? – a byte a byte is 8 bitsis 8 bits