5 - Technical convergence

Abstract

This chapter reviews the possibilities raised by audio, video, and computer convergence. One of the key features of the information revolution is the convergence of the various technologies for handling information such as computing, audio, video, and telecommunications. Another term used to express a similar idea is multimedia, that is, the bringing together of the various media technologies and harnessing them to the power of the computer. Virtual reality systems, compact disc interactive systems, and other new and exciting products are the direct result of work in this area. Computers deal with information in digital form, that is, as sequences of binary 0s and 1s. Audio and video systems handle information mainly in analogue form. Technological convergence, therefore, demands that devices are available to convert information between these two forms. The conversion of analogue information to digital form, or digitization, involves measuring the wave at frequent intervals and converting the results to digits (whole numbers). These readings, converted to binary form, comprise the digital message. Once in digital form, the information can be processed and stored with a 100% fidelity. However, in the case of audio or video, it is necessary to convert the information back to analogue form when it is finally reproduced from a loudspeaker or TV.