Technology and Innovation

Microsoft unveils the wireless LCD that’s at home in any room of the house

Is your home a temple to minimalism? Do you freak out at the sight of ugly  tangles of wires? Sorry, to hear it. Microsoft may just have had you in mind when it came up with its new home conceptJhe Mira is a portable LCD monitor that communicates with your PC over a wire-free network using the industry-standard Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology.
Named after the Spanish verb for”to look” the Philips,ViewSonic and Wyse 10.4-and 15-inch prototypes currently on show are good-looking, but what use they’ll be put to is another matter. Aubrey Edwards, Microsoft’s director of marketing believes the Mira will “free your PC’from the constraints of your desk, so you can pick up your email and surf the Web all from the comfort of your sofa.
Unfortunately the low transfer rate that Wi-Fi currently offers means it only works with low-end applications – and so that means, as yet, no DVD movies in the kitchen or Quake III on the toiletThis does prompt the obvious question; why not use your PDA or laptop? Microsoft argues that as Mira’s only power drain is its display,you’ll get 4-6 hours battery life, and its touchscreen conveniently pops-up a handy “fat fingers” virtual keyboard.
Whether we all go wireless monitor crazy or not, you can expect Mira in the shops by Christmas.

This set is ready to go out of the box, with two pairs of surround speakers to exploit the Dolby Digital and Pro Logic options. There are three Scart sockets, plus the option of component video input. The32ZP18isagood,but not exceptional, model that won’t cause many complaints. Aesthetes will love the super-slim frame, which means the set doesn’t dominate your room like others can.

You get the impression Philips has all the bases covered herewith a solid 100Hz image and superb sound,thankstosix speakers combining to offer 75W output, plus Dolby Pro Logic surround. Compelling picture and sound aside, this model is thoughtfully configured for digital TV, with digital reception, a smart-card slotforpayTVandevena built-in modem all part of the package.

All these models offer multiple Scart sockets for pure images. Look out for extra connection options, such as phono outputs. Some models offer Dolby Surround, but the option is redundant if you prefer to take your audio through your hi-fi or home cinema system.

“Hidden camera” shots by undercover journalists often use cameras placed inside purses or boxes to catch people unaware. Allen Funt made a career with Candid Camera by hiding cameras in plants or in coat closets and playing practical jokes on people.
You Tube and a spate of new reality TV shows have taken this a step further (very often taking an unabashed leap from the realm of questionable to complete bad taste). Spying on people while putting them into increasingly unbelievable situations has become de rigueur at this point. But you can also put your camera in a paper bag and rattle it for a first-hand account of the last thing a mouse sees as your cat charges across the floor to attack.

Next time you’re watching your favorite TV show or movie, take a look at the camera angles the Director of Photography is using; they’re a lot more varied than you probably think. Let’s take a look at a few ways to place the camera that will get your productions out of the doldrums.