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June 2008 Newsletter
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First film-based photography transitioned into digital photography, now it is video’s turn. After years of discussion, debate, prototypes and wrangling over standards, analog television will soon be switched off, replaced by high definition television (HDTV). The mandated move to high definition broadcast will free up an enormous spectrum of frequencies that can be used for non-digital broadcasts such as police, fire and military and civil uses. Plus viewers will be able to enjoy higher quality video display with better sound quality than with standard definition TV.
February 9th 2009 will be the first day that ALL broadcast TV stations must surrender their non-digital broadcast frequencies and convert to all-digital. Beginning then, if you have an antenna and receive your television signal off-the-air, you will need a converter box to continue using your analog television. To learn more, visit http://www.dtv.gov/. If you have cable reception, your cable system will continue providing an analog signal.
High definition video can be defined as any image that is higher than standard definition as measured by screen resolution.
- Standard definition TVs and broadcast signals have a screen resolution of 480 horizontal scan lines. These scan lines are interlaced.
- Extended definition TVs were available for a few years and had either 480 or 576 horizontal scan lines. These scan lines are progressive. Some DVD or VHS players with S-video could take advantage of Extended Definition TV’s
- High definition TVs have either 720 horizontal scan lines progressive (720p), 1080 horizontal scan lines interlaced (1080i), or 1080 horizontal scan lines progressive (1080p).
Most over-the-air broadcast TV stations will be at 720p, few will use 1080i or 1080p. This is because more information can be broadcast at the slightly lower resolution.
INTERLACED – (Standard definition, Extended definition, 1080i high definition) An interlaced TV signal as used today creates a single frame on a TV screen by combining two individual frames. Each of these sub frames has either all of the odd scan lines or all of the even scan lines. By scanning first one and then the other sub frame on the screen at the rate of 60 scan per second (30 odd frames, 30 even frames) the TV signal creates the full image and motion.
 Interlaced sub frames
PROGRESSIVE – (720p or 1080p High definition) progressive TV signals displays each frame whole, there are no sub-frames of odd or even numbered scan lines. The frames per second can be as low as 24. More frames per second equals smoother motion and less “flicker”.
 Progressive frame
With few exceptions the highest resolution 1080p type video will be confined to prerecorded DVD movies, select premium cable / satellite channels and select personal camcorders. For any manner of transmission the 1080p signal requires a lot of band-width.
Because of their comparatively small size, it is highly unusual to find a TV with 1080p resolution below 37” in size. At the sub-37” screen size even 720p resolution far exceeds the visual capabilities and acuity of most adults.
CODEC – A contraction of the phrase “coder / decoder”, a codec accepts digital input and codes it into a specific file format. It also reads a specific file format and decodes it into a digital signal. There are many types of codec available and not every computer or piece of equipment can read all codec.
There are standards though, such as the MPEG-2 file format. MPEG-2 is the file type used in most DVD players, DVD-ROM drives and for digital broadcast. MPEG-2 can be used to create standard definition video only.
Blu-Ray is another specific codec and file format combination. It is the now accepted standard for pre-recorded movies in high definition on DVDs and for home movie recording.
The complication: A Blu-Ray player has in its programming the ability to use either the MPEG-2 decoder or the Blu-Ray decoder, thus it can play both types of disk. The standard DVD player only has the MPEG-2 decoder and therefore cannot play the Blu-Ray disk.
AVC-HD – This is a format agreed upon by Sony and Panasonic as a standard for recording high definition video to solid state memory (memory cards or hard drives). AVC-HD has many advantages over MPEG-2. One advantage is that files may be copied from the media to a computer at rates substantially faster than the real time playback required of MPEG-2 media.
While the transition to HDTV may be bumpy and confusing at times, in the long run the improved picture and sound quality will make all forms of video entertainment more enjoyable.
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We Have A Winner!
 
Congratulations to Ron Lowe for winning the May Porter's/Tamron Calendar Photo Contest! The theme of the contest was “Blue” and Ron’s winning entry is ready for downloading as an May 2009 monthly calendar. Be sure to check out the themes for the 2009 Calendar Contest and send us your best shot! To see the contest entries, subject themes, prizes and other information and to enter, visit www.porters.com/images/tamron_entries/gallery/index.php.
Porter's Featured Products!
Visit Porter’s Digital Printing
Service at www.porters.com and explore all the ways
you can display your images.
• Conventional prints from
wallet-size to 8 x 12”
• Greeting cards, invitations and
announcements of all types in a wide range of styles
• Digital scrapbook pages that look great and
are easy to design
• Hardcover photo books, perfect for
celebrating events such as weddings, graduations, retirements, and
anniversaries
• Photo calendars for desk or wall display in
many styles and sizes
• Add your photos to make one-of-a-kind
keepsakes and gifts such as tote bags,
boxes, puzzles, T-shirts and much more
• Just click on "Order Prints" on
the home page to learn more about all the exciting ways you can do
more with your photos.
Why join
PortersBoard?
Now is the time to join the PortersBoard. As a member you get promotional items that no others get. There are many other good reasons to join PortersBoard including:
• Have your own Online Portfolio!
• Ask questions, learn from the shared answers and
experiences
• If you want a critique, we have professionals to do
that.
• Get the latest reviews of new cameras and lenses
from our own members.
• Now featuring a “Photos of the Week” gallery
• It’s FREE!
• Click
here to learn more about the PortersBoard |
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REBATES
AND
PROMOTIONS TO $AVE YOU MONEY!
CLICK HERE for a list
of all current REBATES.
The following manufacturers have exciting rebate and promotion programs to save you money. All offers are direct to you from the manufacturer after the time of purchase. Just download PDF files of the rebates from our web site at http://porters.com/education_station/rebates.php.
BOGEN/MANFROTTO - get $25 back when one of the following tripod heads is purchased with Bogen/Manfrotto aluminum legs by June 30, 2008. The rebate increases to $50 when any listed head is purchased with the 160358 Bogen/Manfrotto Magfiber 055MF4 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs.
| HEADS: |
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160133 Manfrotto 3265 Grip Action Ball Head
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160173 Manfrotto 3130 Micro Fluid Head
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160189 Manfrotto 3275 Mini Geared Head
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160230 Manfrotto 390RC2 Junior Pan/Tilt Head
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160263 Manfrotto 488RCO Midi Ball Head
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160285 Manfrotto 322RC2 Grip Action Ball Head
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160335 Manfrotto 804RC2 Pan/Tilt Head
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160338 Manfrotto 808RC4 Tripod Head
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160345 Manfrotto 701RC2 Mini Fluid Video Head
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| LEGS: |
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160177 Manfrotto 3021BN Tripod
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160178 Manfrotto 3246 Professional Tripod
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160342 Manfrotto 190XB Tripod
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160343 Manfrotto 190XDB Tripod
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160344 Manfrotto 190XPROB Tripod
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160351 Manfrotto 055XB Tripod
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160352 Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod
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The rebate increases to $50 when any listed head is purchased with the 160358 Bogen/Manfrotto Magfiber 055MF4 Carbon Fiber Tripod Legs.
CANON - save from $100 to $350 with the purchase of Pixma 13 x 19” Inkjet Printers by August 2, 2008.
PIXMA PRO9000---$100 rebate, or $300 when purchased with an EOS 5D or 40D camera
PIXMA PRO9500---$150 rebate, or $350 when purchased with an EOS 5D or 40D camera
CANON - save now thru July 19 with instant rebates on the following SLRs, lenses and flashes. Prices shown in Porter’s Online Store reflect the instant rebates.
EOS 40D - $200 instant rebate
EOS 5D - $300 instant rebate
EF 17-40mm f4L USM Zoom Lens - $50 instant rebate
EF 70-200mm f2.8L IS USM Zoom Lens - $125 instant rebate
EF 70-200mm f4L IS USM Zoom Lens - $75 instant rebate
EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS USM Zoom Lens - $100 instant rebate
EF 100mm f2.8 Macro USM Lens - $35 instant rebate
Speedlite 430EX - $15 instant rebate
Speedlite 580EX II - $30 instant rebate
FUJI - get a $20 rebate with the purchase of a FinePix S1000fd or Z100D digital camera by June 30, 2008.
LEXAR MEDIA - save up to $20 with rebates on Pro-Series 133X Memory Cards when purchased by June 30, 2008.
Lexar Pro-Series Secure Digital Card, 2GB - $15 rebate
Lexar Pro-Series Secure Digital Card, 4GB - $15 rebate
Lexar Pro-Series Compact Flash Card, 2GB - $20 rebate
Lexar Pro-Series Compact Flash Card, 4GB - $20 rebate
PENTAX - get back to $375 in rebates with the following purchases by July 26, 2008.
K20D Digital SLR - $100 rebate
K200D Digital SLR - $100 rebate
DA 16-45mm f4 ED/AL Zoom Lens - $100 rebate when purchased with camera
DA 16-50mm f2.8 ED AL Zoom Lens - $100 rebate when purchased with camera
DA 50-135mm f2.8 ED Zoom Lens - $100 rebate when purchased with camera
AF-360FGZ Flash - $50 rebate when purchased with camera
BG 2 Battery Grip for K20D - $25 rebate when purchased with camera
SANDISK MEDIA - receive a Porter’s gift check worth up to $30 towards future orders when Extreme III memory cards are purchased by June 30, 2008.
Sandisk Extreme III Secure Digital Card, 2GB - $10 gift check
Sandisk Extreme III Secure Digital Card, 4GB - $30 gift check
Sandisk Extreme III Compact Flash Card, 2GB - $10 gift check
Sandisk Extreme III Compact Flash Card, 4GB - $20 gift check
TAMRON LENSES - save from $10 to $30 on select Tamron lenses purchased by July 31, 2008.
AF11-18mm f4.5-5.6 Di-II - $50 rebate
AF17-35mm f2.8-4 Di - $10 rebate
AF17-50mm f2.8-4 Di-II - $10 rebate
AF18-200mm f3.5-6.3 Di-II - Free Tamron Camera Bag
AF18-250mm f3.5-6.3 Di-II - Free Tamron Camera Bag
AF28-300mm f3.5-6.3 XR Di - Free Tamron Camera Bag
AF28-75mm f2.8 Di - $10 rebate
AF200-500mm f5-6.3 Di - $30 rebate
Application forms will be included with purchases for all applicable items. Instant rebates are deducted from your purchase price. All other offers are direct to you from the manufacturer after the time of purchase.
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LET US HEAR BACK FROM
YOU!
We welcome your feedback. If you have
any questions, comments or suggestions,
e-mail us at pcsgeneralmail@porters.com.
Call: 1-800-553-2001
Cedar Falls Store:
323 Viking Rd., Cedar Falls, IA 50613
Phone: 319-266-0303
Directions
Cedar Rapids Store:
224 Collins Rd. NE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
Phone: 319-373-0658
Directions
Copyright 2008
Porter's Camera Store,
411
W. Viking Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613-6930
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