HDTV? You Ain't Seen NOTHING Yet!!!

by: Bob Wood

Remember the Osborn? Or was it the Osborne? Actually, I knew it existed, but didn’t care. This thing was a personal computer. Like we’d ever need one of those? Those new electric typewriters with memory were the rage. THAT was something!

Flash forward and we are upon the reverse engineered UFO goodies. Oh, wait, no, that’s not exactly right.

It’s the dawning of the age of Aquarius, age of Aquarius, Ah QUAR EEEE USSS. Um, no, that was some time ago.

It’s the age of $3 US Gas. Not a good milestone

The age of HDTV!!! Remember when “high definition” included the terms “stems and seeds?” You do? You rascal.

No, this is about High Definition TELEVISION. Personally, I feel the word TELEVISON is so…. Fifties. We need a new one there. So did you jump for the Plasma? Or the LCD projector? The DLP? Have you got the home theater with all the tricked out electronics?

Don’t put your ear directly on the high tech train tracks, then, because there’s another train coming, and you’ll hear it down the line.

UHDV is in the pipeline. On the track. In the lab. In the electron wind. Want to guess? Time’s up. ULTRA HIGH DEFINITION.

Remember the movie where they invent this skull cap that would capture your emotions and immediately the bad guy looped someone having how shall we say – some very intense happy times… and turned himself into peak experience broccoli? Is that where all this is headed? Not for a while, if ever. HOWEVER: UHDV is close to the detail of 35mm film. With 7680 x 4320 pixels, this isn’t far from the 4K (4,000 scan line) digital projection systems for big-screen movie theaters.

Donald Trump will be able to see how bad his hair looks like never before.

UHDV features 33 million pixels with a 60 frame-per-second (fps) progressive scan format.

NHK, the Japanese broadcasting giant who had HDTV in the 1980s… is behind the UHDV format, but reassures us it may be a long time before home theater UHDV becomes reality. That’s corporate talk for, “Don’t let the competition know how close we really are!”

With 32 times the bandwidth demands of HDTV, UHDV would be prohibitive for today’s broadcast, cable and satellite technology. NHK’s demo required a data rate of 24 Gbps. That was a few years back in Amsterdam where some people were close to hurling lunch because the moving car video hi-jinx was that real.

How real?

NHK cobbled together a custom camera of four CCD image sensors; then to show the output built a LCoS projector combining four eight-megapixel panels. Data storage, using 16 synchronized HDTV recorders, provided roughly 18 minutes of recording time, using 3.5 terabytes of total capacity and a screen about 12 feet high and 22 feet wide. NHK researchers called this “the sensation of reality saturation point,” in the hopes of providing a completely immersive experience: 100 degrees of visual field angle, viewing from a distance of three-quarters of the height of the screen (about nine feet) with at least 60 pixels required for each one degree of visual field angle.

And speakers? UHDV offers 24-channel sound, or 22.2, containing vertically arrayed surround sound speakers: nine above ear level, 10 at ear level, three below ear level and two low-frequency subwoofer channels.

The format, according to NHK, is not so much intended for home use as for museums, public spaces and theaters. You tell The Donald.

Once upon a time there was SHOWSCAN. Special effects pioneer Douglas Trumbull had his demo unit in a suburb of Dallas, behind a Chucky Cheese, if memory serves. I saw the demo.

The equipment and the Showscan Film Process of producing and projecting Showscan films are justifiably proprietary and patented. At the time, Showscan’s discovery was hailed as the most significant advancement in film technology since the introduction of sound in the 1929 film “The Jazz Singer”. (Not the one with Neil Diamond.) However, it remained as little more than a technological curiosity until the company developed new camera, high speed projectors, and built special theaters to showcase the revolutionary Showscan images. There was a catch-22 at work. Theaters weren't equipped for this state of the art projection so they couldn't convince investors to make films in that format. Solution: do it all in house.

I can’t remember the specs but it was scarily real, 3-D, multi channel and way ahead of multi channel… or HDTV. I do remember it ran film through the gate much faster than normal projection speeds.

Today the company’s simulation and specialty theatres are open or under construction in 24 countries around the world, located in theme parks, motion picture multiplexes, expos, world’s fairs, resorts, shopping centers, casinos, museums, and other tourist destinations where somebody wants a rush.

If NHK can even come close, well…

Enjoy your puny HDTV now while you can, citizen.

Songs You Love to Love: The Top Ten Romantic Tunes of All Time

by: Scott G (The G-Man)

Ah, the power of love! Your heart beats faster, your eyes open wider, and you're much more likely to listen to a love song. Each February 14, and during the weeks leading up to Valentine's Day, the musical choices of the nation turn more romantic.

Over the years, some wonderfully potent love songs have been recorded. In fact, the most difficult part of writing this article was trimming the list down to just ten tunes.

So, if you don't find your favorite love song here, send me an e-mail at immedia@pacbell.net and let me know your desires on the subject. Meanwhile, you might want to visit www.romantic-lyrics.com or www.theromantic.com for a large selection of songs, often with the complete lyrics.

But right now, sit back, relax, pop a chocolate bon-bon in your mouth, and read some surprising facts about the Top Ten Love Songs for Valentine's Day (in chronological order):

"Someone to Watch Over Me," George and Ira Gershwin, 1926.

The birthplace of this lovely and moody number was an otherwise light and frothy Broadway musical called "Oh, Kay." The song was originally fast-paced, but soon moved to the ballad form, in keeping with the lyrics. There have been evocative renditions of the song every year since it was first composed, with a wide variety of artists contributing notable versions, including Rosemary Clooney, Doris Day, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Elton John, rapper Queen Latifah (although hers is not a rap version), trumpeter Chris Botti, pianist Keith Jarrett, blues legend Etta James, Barbra Streisand, and Sting, who sang it over the opening credits of the 1987 Ridley Scott film of the same name.

"Night and Day," by Cole Porter, 1932.

Written for the play, "Gay Divorce," and also appearing in the film, "The Gay Divorcee," this may be the most famous of Porter's 800+ songs, and illustrates his seemingly effortless flow of words, culminating in the bold statement that all of life's torments won't end "Till you let me spend my life making love to you, day and night, night and day." Such is the economy of Porter's writing that this one phrase combines the singer's desire with a promise of eternal love while managing to invert and restate the title, all in 17 words. It's why many songwriters would want to say to Porter, "You're the Top," which is another of his famous songs, and would have made this list if it wasn't also so full of humor.

"Unchained Melody," Alex North and Hy Zaret, 1936.

William Stirrat was 16 and too shy to approach the girl of his dreams, so he wrote one of the world's most beautiful tales of love and longing (using Zaret as his pen name). The breathtaking melody was by Alex North (who went on to compose scores for "Spartacus," "Cleopatra," and many other films). It took 19 years before their song appeared in the prison picture, "Unchained," where it was nominated for a Best Song Oscar. Al Hibbler sang it in the film, but that same year saw the song hit the charts in versions by Hibbler, Les Baxter, Roy Hamilton, and June Valli. Among the nearly 700 artists who have recorded this song are Harry Belafonte, Liberace, Jimmy Young, U2, Leann Rimes, Neil Diamond, Willie Nelson, Heart, Elvis Presley, and, of course, the Righteous Brothers. Their 1965 recording was a huge hit, and reached the top twenty again a quarter century later when it appeared on the "Ghost" soundtrack in 1990. The duo re-recorded the song the same year and THAT version als!

o hit the top twenty.

"First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," by Ewan MacColl, 1957.

A long, slowly-building flame is how some people describe the version sung by Roberta Flack, which created a sensation when it appeared in Clint Eastwood's 1971 directorial debut, "Play Misty for Me." Experimental playwright and folk singer MacColl wrote it 14 years earlier for his partner, Peggy Seeger, who needed a romantic song for a play. Written in less than an hour, the song virtually defines the term "love song." Flack's is the definitive rendition, but the song has been recorded by dozens of performers in many genres, including Johnny Cash, Celine Dion, Elvis Presley, Mel Torme, Isaac Hayes, Gordon Lightfoot, and George Michael.

"Cherish," by Terry Kirkman, 1966.

Kirkman reportedly wrote this lovely song in a half-hour while he was the keyboard player in the overlooked Los Angeles-based band The Association. Featuring wonderfully expressive vocal harmonies, the song is actually about unrequited love, but its feeling of desire is so strong that this tune still gets played at weddings and anniversary parties. Some Internet sites explain that the recording was nearly three and a half minutes long, which was a bit much for radio play in those days, so the song was sped up to 3:13 but listed on the label as 3:00. It later became the first hit for David Cassidy, star of TV's "The Partridge Family," but that shouldn't dissuade you from checking out the original.

"God Only Knows," by Brian Wilson, 1966.

Although it begins with the line, "I may not always love you," the rest of the song is as assertive about undying love as anything ever written. In the recording by the Beach Boys, Carl Wilson's lead vocal achieves a rarified combination of strength and tenderness and the entire track is ethereal in its beauty. Cover versions of the song appear in the films "Boogie Nights" and "Saved," while the original is at the end of the charming Richard Curtis film, "Love, Actually."

"Your Song," by Elton John and Bernie Taupin, 1967.

It is said that the original lyric sheet has coffee stains on it because Taupin wrote the song at breakfast one morning at the home of John's parents, where he and the soon-to-be-superstar artist were living. While some mistakenly think this was the first John/Taupin collaboration, it was one of their earliest works. John reportedly wrote the melody in 20 minutes. The song perfectly captures the sense of wonder experienced by anyone who has fallen in love.

"I Will Always Love You," by Dolly Parton, 1974.

When Dolly Parton ended her professional songwriting relationship with Porter Wagoner, she wrote this heartfelt breakup song even though they were not romantically involved. The result was a number one country hit for Parton. She recorded another version for the 1978 film, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas," and again hit number one on the country charts. Whitney Houston's version of the song appeared in the 1992 film, "The Bodyguard," and dominated the pop, soul and adult contemporary charts for weeks. Not a day goes by without someone playing it to demonstrate the depth of their love, which is ironic since it is a song about saying goodbye.

"Heaven," by Jim Vallance and Bryan Adams, 1983.

Written for the thankfully forgotten 1983 film "A Night in Heaven," the song also appeared on Adams' "Reckless" album the following year and hit number one. Today, a whole new generation knows the song from DJ Sammy's 2002 dance version, which was recorded with Yanou and features vocals by Do (Dominique van Hulst). This modern, rhythmic version, which has dance floor clout yet still conveys the swirling all-encompassing passion of love, now appears in more than a dozen different remixes and has charted in nearly two dozen countries.

"In Your Eyes," by Peter Gabriel, 1986.

This track from Gabriel's "So" album has been called the most beautiful love song ever recorded. There's no denying its passion and power, with unusual chords and lyrics that touch on spiritual and metaphysical themes. Film director Cameron Crowe worked hard (and reportedly paid two hundred thousand dollars) to get the song into his film, "Say Anything" (in the scene where John Cusack holds a boom box over his head). Another popular story about the song is that it was written for Gabriel's then girlfriend, Rosanna Arquette. If true, it would mean she had two hit songs written for her that decade, as she is the subject of Toto's "Rosanna" from 1982.

Las Vegas Party Theme Ideas

by: Dee Schrock

Bring the fun and excitement of Las Vegas, baby, to your home and friends by hosting a As Vegas-themed party! Throw on your boas and top hats to host in Vegas style!

Activity Ideas

* Give each guest poker chips, play money, and dice when they arrive.
* Rolling dice games are easy, and you can set your own rules such as rolling odds, a specific number, or pairs.
* Blackjack & 21 are easy, popular games.
* Have friends dressed in black & white serve as dealers.

Decorations

* Hanging fuzzy dice and lots of black and red balloons.
* Line the area with casino themed posters and art.
* Use as many mirrors in your party room as you have.
* Dim the lights, and add the flash with blinking white Christmas lights.
* Use poster board to create large playing cards and dice.
* Spray paint gold statues (second hand store items).
* Playing card piñatas.
* Hang large playing cards suit cutouts on the walls.

Invitations

Purchase decks of cards and place an invitation inside. The decks can be mailed or hand-delivered to each recipient.

Food/Drink

* Use a buffet to reflect Vegas style.
* Have different stations throughout the room with finger foods and snacks.
* The best drinks include popular mixed drinks and beer.
* Be sure to have soda on hand for the non-alcoholic set as well as water for all.

Music

Wayne Newton, Frank Sinatra, or Neil Diamond music is a must!

Have a high-rollin' affair!