Intel is revamping its Atom processor platform in a move that will yield more powerful netbooks, better efficiency and smaller designs. Will Intel set off another netbook boom?

On Monday, Intel made its overhaul of its Atom platform official (statement, Techmeme). The biggest item is that the Atom will integrate graphics with the CPU for the first time—something the Federal Trade Commission may notice. Intel said the new Atom has lowered power consumption by 20 percent from the previous generation. Meanwhile, there’s an army of netbooks set to be released Jan. 4 at the Consumer Electronics Show.

The chip giant notes it has 80 design wins lined up. Simply put, there’s another armada of netbooks coming your way—and maybe even a few desktops.

Intel’s new Atom processor, the N450 rides shotgun with a new chipset designed to lower power. Atom also has a lineup for entry level desktops—the D410 or the dual core D510. Atom’s role for the desktop will be to facilitate smaller designs, fanless units and unique all-in-one PCs.

Here’s the overview:

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In 3D computer graphics, 3D modeling is the process of developing a mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object (either inanimate or living) via specialized software. The product is called a 3D model. It can be displayed as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering or used in a computer simulation of physical phenomena. The model can also be physically created using 3D Printing devices.
Models may be created automatically or manually. The manual modeling process of preparing geometric data for 3D computer graphics is similar to plastic arts such as sculpting.

Models

3D models represent a 3D object using a collection of points in 3D space, connected by various geometric entities such as triangles, lines, curved surfaces, etc. Being a collection of data (points and other information), 3D models can be created by hand, algorithmically (procedural modeling), or scanned.
3D models are widely used anywhere in 3D graphics. Actually, their use predates the widespread use of 3D graphics on personal computers. Many computer games used pre-rendered images of 3D models as sprites before computers could render them in real-time.
Today, 3D models are used in a wide variety of fields. The medical industry uses detailed models of organs. The movie industry uses them as characters and objects for animated and real-life motion pictures. The video game industry uses them as assets for computer and video games. The science sector uses them as highly detailed models of chemical compounds. The architecture industry uses them to demonstrate proposed buildings and landscapes through Software Architectural Models. The engineering community uses them as designs of new devices, vehicles and structures as well as a host of other uses. In recent decades the earth science community has started to construct 3D geological models as a standard practice.

Modeling Processes

There are five popular ways to represent a model:

Polygonal modeling - Points in 3D space, called vertices, are connected by line segments to form a polygonal mesh. Used, for example, by 3DS Max. The vast majority of 3D models today are built as textured polygonal models, because they are flexible and because computers can render them so quickly. However, polygons are planar and can only approximate curved surfaces using many polygons.
NURBS modeling - NURBS Surfaces are defined by spline curves, which are influenced by weighted control points. The curve follows (but does not necessarily interpolate) the points. Increasing the weight for a point will pull the curve closer to that point. NURBS are truly smooth surfaces, not approximations using small flat surfaces, and so are particularly suitable for organic modeling. Maya and Rhino 3d are the most well-known commercial software that uses NURBS natively
Splines & Patches modeling - Like NURBS, Splines and Patches depend on curved lines to define the visible surface. Patches fall somewhere between NURBS and polygons in terms of flexibility and ease of use.
Primitives modeling - This procedure takes geometric primitives like balls, cylinders, cones or cubes as building blocks for more complex models. Benefits are quick and easy construction and that the forms are mathematically defined and thus absolutely precise, also the definition language can be much simpler. Primitives modeling is well suited for technical applications and less for organic shapes. Some 3D software can directly render from primitives (like POV-Ray), others use primitives only for modeling and convert them to meshes for further operations and rendering.
Sculpt modeling - Still fairly new method of modeling 3D sculpting has become very popular in the few short years it has been around. There are 2 types of this currently, Displacement which is the most widely used among applications at this moment, and volumetric. Displacement uses a dense model (often generated by Subdivision surfaces of a polygon control mesh) and stores new locations for the vertex positions through use of a 32bit image map that stores the adjusted locations. Volumetric which is based loosely on Voxels has similar capabilities as displacement but does not suffer from polygon stretching when there are not enough polygons in a region to achieve a deformation. Both of these methods allow for very artistic exploration as the model will have a new topology created over it once the models form and possibly details have been sculpted. The new mesh will usually have the original high resolution mesh information transferred into displacement data or normal map data if for a game engine.

Modeling can be performed by means of a dedicated program (e.g., form•Z, Maya, 3DS Max, Blender, Lightwave, Modo) or an application component (Shaper, Lofter in 3DS Max) or some scene description language (as in POV-Ray). In some cases, there is no strict distinction between these phases; in such cases modeling is just part of the scene creation process
Complex materials such as blowing sand, clouds, and liquid sprays are modeled with particle systems, and are a mass of 3D coordinates which have either points, polygons, texture splats, or sprites assign to them.

Compared to 2D methods

3D Photorealistic effects are often achieved without wireframe modeling and are sometimes indistinguishable in the final form. Some graphic art software includes filters that can be applied to 2D vector graphics or 2D raster graphics on transparent layers.

Advantages of wireframe 3D modeling over exclusively 2D methods include:
Flexibility, ability to change angles or animate images with quicker rendering of the changes;
Ease of rendering, automatic calculation and rendering photorealistic effects rather than mentally visualizing or estimating;
Accurate photorealism, less chance of human error in misplacing, overdoing, or forgetting to include a visual effect.
Disadvantages compare to 2D photorealistic rendering may include a software learning curve and difficulty achieving certain hyperrealistic effects. Some hyperrealistic effects may be achieved with special rendering filters included in the 3D modeling software. For the best of both worlds, some artists use a combination of 3D modeling followed by editing the 2D computer-rendered images from the 3D model.

Web 2.0 is the term given to describe a second generation of the World Wide Web that is focused on the ability for people to collaborate and share information online. Web 2.0 basically refers to the transition from static HTML Web pages to a more dynamic Web that is more organized and is based on serving Web applications to users. Other improved functionality of Web 2.0 includes open communication with an emphasis on Web-based communities of users, and more open sharing of information. Over time Web 2.0 has been used more as a marketing term than a computer-science-based term. Blogs, wikis, and Web services are all seen as components of Web 2.0.

Introduction
Plasma Displays are very large and thin, with high contrast ratios, smooth images and superb colour reproduction. The difference between conventional CRT Televisions and modern Plasma Screens is huge, and with a HD Ready Display, you can watch films in Movie Theatre quality. You can also view television broadcasts in High Definition, and Next Generation Gaming in glorious colour.
LCD Technology is advancing rapidly, and as a result, LCD Televisions are now a viable alternative to Plasma Displays. They have a longer life span and use less power than Plasma and CRTs, and can double as Computer Monitors with their ability to display very sharp images. Like Plasma TVs, LCDs are also very thin, and recent improvements have given them better viewing angles of up to 170 degrees, making them perfect for family viewing and playing games. With the introduction of HD Ready models, the future of home entertainment is brighter than ever before.

Head to Head Comparisons
Size and Resolution
Plasma – Most Common Sizes: 42” – 50”
LCD – Most Common Sizes 26” – 32”
The larger average size of Plasma TVs means that you get a bigger screen for your money, however, LCDs often have a higher resolution, which means that more individual dots of colour (pixels) occupy a smaller space. If you intend to watch the TV from a closer distance than average, or the TV is relatively large compared to its environment, then LCD would be the best bet. If you intend to watch the TV from further back, or the TV is relatively small compared to its environment, then Plasma is the ideal choice.

Brightness and Contrast
Plasma – Typical Brightness Levels (cd/m2): 1,000 – 1,300
LCD – Typical Brightness Levels (cd/m2): 500 – 600 Plasma – Typical Contrast Ratios: 3,000:1 – 10,000:1
LCD – Typical Contrast Ratios: 500:1 – 3,000:1
Taking into consideration the fact that a typical movie theatre will project a contrast ratio of about 500:1, the exceptional levels produced by Plasma TVs is a result of their ability to show very dark blacks, with no light leakage even in a totally dark room. Plasma TVs generally have a more “glassy” screen than LCDs, which gives them their higher brightness levels, but this is misleading as to the human eye, they don’t appear any brighter when placed side by side with LCDs. In high brightness environments, especially where there may be sunlight in a room, LCDs are better, because they won’t reflect as much light and background objects as a Plasma might do.

Life Expectancy
Plasma – Average Life Expectancy: up to 60,000 hours
LCD – Average Life Expectancy: 60,000+ hours
Until recently, Plasma TVs had a much lower life expectancy than LCDs. However, they have now virtually caught up, and as such, life expectancy is no longer a stumbling point for Plasma TVs. If the TV was on for 5 hours a day, it would take 27 years to reach the 60,000 hour mark, and many would keep going strong for years after that. But, life expectancy is measured differently for the two types, because of the way in which they deteriorate over time. An LCD display will work as good as new until the day it dies, whereas a Plasma TVs brightness will fade over time. The life expectancy of a Plasma TV is the time that it takes to reach 50% of the brightness it started with, so in theory it will still keep going after that.
Plasma – Average Life Expectancy: up to 60,000 hours
LCD – Average Life Expectancy: 60,000+ hours
Until recently, Plasma TVs had a much lower life expectancy than LCDs. However, they have now virtually caught up, and as such, life expectancy is no longer a stumbling point for Plasma TVs. If the TV was on for 5 hours a day, it would take 27 years to reach the 60,000 hour mark, and many would keep going strong for years after that. But, life expectancy is measured differently for the two types, because of the way in which they deteriorate over time. An LCD display will work as good as new until the day it dies, whereas a Plasma TVs brightness will fade over time. The life expectancy of a Plasma TV is the time that it takes to reach 50% of the brightness it started with, so in theory it will still keep going after that.

Viewing Angle
Plasma – Perfect Viewing Angles
LCD – Picture can be affected when viewed from sharp angles
With LCD TVs, colour and brightness can be affected when viewed from a tight angle, sometimes noticeably, but usually only within the last few degrees until you’re viewing it side-on. Plasma TVs don’t suffer from this effect at all, and have perfect image reproduction whatever the viewing angle is.

Latency
Plasma – Not Applicable
LCD – Can show slight blurring during fast moving sequences
When an LCD pixel changes colour, it takes time, depending on how much it has to change by. In a fast moving sequence, where they have to change colour very quickly, this can cause the picture to blur, if the response time is too high. Most current LCD screens have a response time of 12ms or 8ms, which makes it difficult to spot an incidence of this effect.

Screen Burn-in
Plasma – Possible
LCD – Not Applicable
Screen Burn-in could happen when a Plasma TV displays the same still image for a long time, and leaves a ghost of that image on the part of the screen where it was. This could be temporary or permanent, and could take 15 minutes to happen, or the image could be displayed for 6 hours and leave no effect.

Colour Reproduction
Plasma – Incredibly accurate colour reproduction
LCD – Second best, but no flickering possible
Plasma TVs have a more accurate colour reproduction, although in certain circumstances the image may be subject to a bit of flickering. LCDs cant flicker because of their latency, but their blacks are not as deep as those of a Plasma.

Power Consumption
Plasma – Average Power Consumption: 250W for a 42” screen
LCD – Average Power Consumption: 150W for a 42” screen

Conclusion
Despite any drawbacks outlined here, LCD and Plasma screens are the best quality display devices you can get for their price. To put their negatives into perspective, they only surface when compared with each other head to head, and scrutinised with far more detail than an untrained eye could notice. They are two technologies that are neck and neck with many differences and no clear winner, while both are a world away from traditional CRT televisions. The decision of LCD or Plasma boils down to individual preference as both sides have done much to address their shortfalls and deliver a stunning public or home entertainment experience.

What is HDTV?
High-definition television is a new format for broadcasting TV programming. The existing analogue formats are NTSC and PAL, which have been used for decades. The new digital formats, or DTV, are replacing analogue. DTV is broken down into two subcategories, SDTV, and HDTV. SDTV is higher quality than analogue, and is the format that free digital television services will be broadcast in for the foreseeable future. HDTV is the top tier of digital television providing the best quality picture and sound.

Do I need a new television set to watch HDTV?
Yes. You must have a high-definition tuner and screen to properly decode HDTV signals and display them accurately. HD channels are also broadcast in standard format, so today, no programs are ONLY for HDTV users. A regular television set simply ignores HDTV signals that are being broadcast. When you want to step up to watching HDTV, you'll need to get a new HD Ready TV set.

What's different about HDTV versus the existing signals?
The HDTV signal is digital resulting in crystal clear, noise-free pictures and CD quality sound. For the technophile, there are about 20 megabits per second of information per broadcast channel. HDTV has many viewer benefits.

Benefit: Aspect Ratio
Most televisions manufactured before a couple of years ago are manufactured in a 4 by 3 aspect ratio, which means the screen is 4 units wide by 3 units high. But theatrically released movies are usually in a much wider aspect, taking advantage of the human field of vision (which is wider across horizontally). HDTV signals are sent in a 16 by 9 aspect ratio, mimicking the wide scope of movies. HDTV's aspect ratio makes for a more immersive and intense viewing experience.

Benefit: Picture Resolution
Resolution is a measure of picture sharpness. Current analog television contains about 480 active scanning lines resulting in a picture resolution of about 330 lines of resolution. By comparison today's VHS VCR's have about 240 lines of resolution which is why VHS recordings don't look as sharp as the original picture. DVD's offer higher resolution typically on the order of 400-480 lines of resolution. (Note the number of scanning lines does not equal resolution. For example, both the VHS and DVD formats have 480 active scanning lines but have different resolutions.) HDTV offers resolution that is at least twice that of analog television. You can expect razor sharp images from HDTV.

I have heard that there are two HDTV formats — 720p and 1080i. Is there a difference between these and can my television receive both?
Regardless of the HDTV format being broadcast, all new HDTV receivers can receive both formats. New HDTV televisions will convert any received signal to a format that is compatible with your new display. The 720p format uses progressive scanning, which is just like your computer monitor. Progressive scan offers crystal clear images that virtually eliminates those scanning lines that are visible on most large screen televisions. The 1080i format uses interlace scanning just like today's analog televisions. Scanning lines are less visible on big screens due to the number of lines. Most older projection HDTV's use 1080i.

Benefit: Digital Sound
Just as your CDs sound better than your old audiocassette tapes, HDTV's digital audio signal sounds better than standard television's analogue sound. Also, some HDTV programs include Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound. Properly decoded, each audio track can be sent to a different speaker, creating a three-dimensional sound field in your living room. Many prime time programs contain Dolby Digital surround sound for your listening pleasure.

What do I need to receive HDTV?
In most areas, HDTV is only available as an over-the-air broadcast signal. This requires the use, in most cases, of an outdoor aerial pointed in the direction of the broadcaster's tower. You will also need a new HDTV receiver that can decode the digital signals. HDTV channels are typically different than your cable or over-the-air channel.

The High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) is a compact audio/video connector interface for transmitting uncompressed digital streams. It represents a digital alternative to consumer analog standards such as Radio Frequency (RF) coaxial cable, composite video, S-Video, SCART, component video, D-Terminal, and VGA. HDMI connects digital audio/video sources such as set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, personal computers, video game consoles, and AV receivers to compatible digital audio devices, computer monitors, and digital televisions.

HDMI supports, on a single cable, any TV or PC video format including standard, enhanced, and high-definition video along with up to 8 channels of digital audio. It is independent of the various digital television standards such as ATSC and DVB as these are encapsulations of compressed MPEG video streams (which can be decoded and output as uncompressed video stream on HDMI).

HDMI products started shipping in autumn 2003. Over 800 CE and PC companies have adopted the HDMI specification (HDMI Adopters). HDMI began to appear on consumer HDTV camcorders and digital still cameras in 2006. Shipments of HDMI are expected to exceed that of Digital Visual Interface (DVI) in 2008, driven primarily by the Consumer Electronics (CE) Market.