Chapter 8 Multimedia Devices

1. The Complete A+ Guideto PC Repair 5/e Chapter 8Multimedia Devices

2. Chapter 8 Objectives After completing this chapter you will be able to: Differentiate between various CD and DVD technologies Determine a CD or DVD X factor from an advertisement or specification sheet Explain the basics of how a CD/DVD drive works State the various interfaces and ports used to connect CD/DVD drives Recommend, install, configure, and troubleshoot CD/DVD drives Explain the basic operation of a sound card Install, configure, and troubleshoot a sound card Use Windows to verify CD/DVD drive and sound card installation Explain the basic principles of how a scanner works Install, configure, and test a scanner Define digital camera connectivity and options Provide support with a positive, proactive attitude

3. Multimedia Overview The term multimediahas different meanings to different people because there are so many different types of multimedia devices. This chapter focuses on the most popular areas – CD and DVD technologies, sound cards, cameras, and speakers.

4. CD Drive Overview • A CD drive (compact disk) is sometimes called a CD-ROM (CD read-only memory) and it uses discs that store large amounts of information (628MB and higher). The disk for the CD drive is known as a CD, CD-ROM disc, or simply disc. • A CD has pits or indentations along the track. Flats, sometimes called lands, separate the pits. Reading information from a CD involves using a laser diode or similar device.

5. Inside a CD Drive Figure 8.2

6. CD Drive Speeds • CD-ROM drives operate much slower than hard drives. • CD-ROM drive specifications • Average Seek Time - the amount of time the drive requires to move randomly around the disk. • Average Access Time- the amount of time the drive requires to find the appropriate place on the disc and retrieve information. • MTBF (mean time between failures) - the average number of hours before a device is likely to fail.

7. What Affects Drive Performance The particular CD drive performance depends on several factors—the processor installed, how much RAM is in the system, what video card is used (PCI-E, PCI, AGP, ISA), and how much video memory is on the video card. Note that DVD drives have the same dependency factors and also use X factors.

8. CD Drive Transfer Speeds Table 8.1

9. CD Drive Buffers/Cache • Ways to reduce CD data transfers time: • Buffer memory located on the drive • Buffer sizes typically range from 64KB to 2MB and higher • Buffer memory cannot usually be upgraded

10. CD Technologies

11. Tech Tip How to read the CD-RW numbers CD-RW drives are frequently shown with three consecutive numbers such as 52X32X52. The first number is the CD-R write speed, the second number the CD-RW speed, and the last number is the read speed used when reading a pre-recorded disc.

12. CD Writing Modes Multisession • Store data on a disc and then add to it later. Disc-at-Once (DAO) • Disc is created in one pass. Contrast with TAO. Track-at-Once • The laser stops writing normal data after a track is finished. Session-at-Once • Multiple sessions. Cannot be read by audio CD drives.

13. DVD Technologies • The DVD drive has made the CD drive obsolete.

14. Decoders • Decoders - are used to decompress the video and audio from a DVD. • Hardware Decoder -requires a PCI adapter and handles the decoding. • Puts less work on the computer’s CPU • Software Decoder - puts the burden on the CPU to decode and uncompress the MPEG-2 video data from the DVD. • Does not need a PCI adapter, but CPU power is needed

15. DVDRegion Codes • Region Codes – A setting on a DVD drive or disc that specifies a geographic region. The drive’s region code must match the disc’s region code in order to play.

16. Blu-ray Drives • Blu-ray – A type of optical disk technology that uses a blue laser instead of a red laser; used in CD/DVD drives to achieve higher disc capacities. • Blu-ray has a higher data transfer rate (36Mbps) compared to DVD (10Mbps) and stores 25GB on a single-sided disc and 50GB on a dual-side disc.

17. Tech Tip – Drive cannot read Blu-ray discs Currently installed CD/DVD drives cannot read Blu-ray discs because the CD/DVD drive uses a red laser and Blu-ray uses a blue-violet laser. Drives that have both lasers installed are available.

18. CD/DVD Drive Interfaces and Connections 1 PATA IDE – most common for internal drives 2 SATA IDE eSATA 3 SCSI 4 USB – most common for external drives 5 IEEE 1384 6

19. CD/DVD Drive Upgrades • Questions to analyze whether to do a CD/DVD drive upgrade: • Is the drive going to be an external device? • Is the drive going to be an internal device? • Does the customer plan to add more devices such as scanner or tape backup unit in the near future?

20. CD/DVD Drive Upgrades • If the customer wants to upgrade a drive, find out why? • Many times, slow access is due to other components in the computer, not the drive. • You can use the same questions listed previously for a new drive, in addition to these questions.

21. CD/DVD Drive Upgrades • Does the customer want sound (speakers)? • Is there an available slot in the computer for a sound card? • Is the customer going to be using discs that are video intensive? • Does the customer have enough RAM on the motherboard for the type of disc used? • In order to achieve the best DVD effects, connect a sound system that accepts digital audio input.

22. Preventive Maintenance for CD/DVD Drives and Discs • Laser Lens- A component of the CD drive that reads the data from the compact disc; susceptible to dust accumulation. Also known as the objective lens. • Air-tight enclosure • Self-cleaning laser lens • Air • Cleaning CDs and DVDs • Use a cleaning cloth or soft cloth • Wipe from inside to outside (not in a circular motion) • If scratched, a mild abrasive or special disk repair kit

23. Tech Tip Handling CDs and DVDs Always handle a disc by the edges and keep the disc in a sleeve or case. As with audio CDs, handle the disc on the outside edge on the disc. Never touch the surface of the disc, and store the disc in a cool location.

24. CD/DVD Drive Installation • Install any necessary mounting brackets on the drive. • Set the appropriate master/slave, SCSI ID, or termination for the drive interface. • Turn off computer power, and install appropriate adapter or expansion hub if necessary . • Install the drive. • Attach the appropriate cables to the drive. • (Optional) Attach the audio cable from the drive to the motherboard or sound card.

25. Tech Tip Always test the installation • As with any hardware installation, test the installation by using the device. • Ensure the customer tries the device and is comfortable with the changes caused by installation.

26. Laptop CD/DVD Drive • Many laptop computers have drive bays that allow storage devices to be exchanged. PATA or SATA IDE interfaces are commonly used for internally mounted drives including CD/DVD drives. • Usually these drive bays have a lock on them that prevents the drive from sliding out. • The removal of the keyboard may be necessary to access internally mounted drives. • For external notebook connectivity, use a USB, eSATA, or IEEE 1394 connection.

27. Troubleshooting CD/DVD Drive Problems • Windows XP and Vista have troubleshooting tools in the Help and Support Center. • Click Start and select Help and Support • Select the Fixing a problem Help topic (XP) or CDs and DVDs (Vista) • Select the Games, Sound, and Video Problems link (XP) or an appropriate topic (Vista) • In the right panel, use the Games and Multimedia Troubleshooter link (XP)

28. Troubleshooting CD/DVD Drive Problems • The following is a list of problems with possible solutions or troubleshooting recommendations: • If a drive tray cannot be opened, make sure there is power attached to the drive. • If a CD or DVD drive is not recognized by the operating system, check cables, power cords and configuration. • If a CD or DVD drive busy indicator light flashes slower than normal, the disc or the laser lens may be dirty. • If a CD/DVD drive cannot read a disc, refer to the drive manual to see what discs are supported.

29. Stuck Disc? • Use a paperclip and the emergency eject hole

30. Troubleshooting CD/DVD Drive Problems • If a CD-R or CD-RW drive is not recognized as a recordable device, a registry edit is required. • If a DVD sound track works, but the video is missing or distorted, check the cabling between the video adapter and DVD decoder. • If a DVD movie suddenly stops playing, the DVD may be a double-sided and needs to be flipped over. • Additional troubleshooting tips can be found on pages 275 and 276.

31. Tech Tip You can see video, but you can’t hear sound or you can hear sound, but cannot see anything from the DVD. Verify that your computer has the hardware and software requirements for DVD playback.

32. Sound • MIDI – (musical instrument digital interface) An interface to create synthesized music. • S/PDIF(Sony/Phillips digital interface format) - Defines how audio signals are carried between audio devices and stereo components. It can also be used to connect the output of a DVD player in a PC to a home theater or some other external device.

33. Sound MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer) A sound format that compresses an audio file and has the extension of .mp3. AAC (Advanced Audio Compression) A sound file format that provides file compression.

34. PC Design Symbols Figure 8.10

35. Sound Ports

36. Sound Card Theory of Operation • Sound Card – An adapter card (also known as an audio card) with several ports that converts digital signals to audible sound, and also the reverse. • Sound cards have a variety of options that can include an input from a microphone, an output to a speaker, a MIDI interface, and the ability to generate music. • Sound waves are shown as an analog waveform. • Frequency Response – The number of samples taken by a sound card.

37. Sound Wave ANALOG SIGNAL (8-bit) DIGITIZED SIGNAL (8-bit) Figure 8.11 Figure 8.12

38. 16-bit Sampling Figure 8.13

39. Tech Tip – What to look for in a sound card Be sure it is a PCI/PCIe adapter that uses a minimum of 16 bits for sampling. For DVDs, make sure the sound card supports 48KHz.

40. Tech Tip Disable motherboard sound when installing an adapter If you install a sound card into a computer that has sound built into the motherboard, you must disable the onboard sound before installing the new adapter.

41. Sound Cards Using Windows XP/Vista • The Sounds and Audio Devices (XP) or Hardwareand Sound (Vista/7) control panel link is used to change sound and adjust multimedia settings. • All Windows operating systems allow controlling volume through a taskbar volume icon located in the lower-right portion of the screen. • This icon, can be used to mute or adjust sound.

42. Sound Cards Using Windows XP/Vista

43. Portable Sound • Portable computers are more limited in what sound options they can have, but some laptops have upgraded sound integrated into the motherboard. • Another option for laptops and desktop computers is adding an USB sound card.

44. Speaker Features

45. Speakers • The following is a list of extras for speakers: • An external volume control • Headphone jacks • Headphone and microphone pass-through connectors • AC adapter • Proper connectors to connect speakers to the sound card • If the sound card is capable of 3D sound, a four or six speaker system is an enhancement.

46. Tech Tip When choosing speakers Listen to the speakers without headphones using an audio (non-software) CD.

47. Tech Tip

48. Troubleshooting Sound Problems • If the speaker is emitting unwanted sounds, make sure there are no empty adapter slots in the computer. • If sound is a problem or if any solution directs you to update your sound driver, access Device Manager and expand the Sound, Video and Game Controllers or System Device option.

49. Troubleshooting Sound Problems • If the sound card is not working, check Device Manager to see if the sound card is listed twice. • If audio is low no matter what disc or system sound is played, the speakers may not be amplified speakers or they may not be connected to the correct sound card port. • If one disc does not output sound, but other discs work fine, the disc may use a later version of DirectX than the one installed. • A detailed list can be found on page 284.

50. Scanners • A scanner is a popular input device that allows documents including text and pictures to be brought into the computer and displayed, printed, emailed, pressed to CD/DVD, and so on. • The most common types of scanners: • Flatbed – Most popular; can scan books, paper, photographs, etc. Takes up desk space. • Sheetfed – Document is fed into the scanner; good for multiple documents. • Handheld – Portable unit that takes a steady hand. • Film – Scan picture films. • Barcode reader – Handheld used in retail.