British Universities Film & Video Council

moving image and sound, knowledge and access

Science in Focus Special: Beyond the Square Window

Synopsis
Based on the Faraday Lecture, 2001, these two 20-minute programmes were made in collaboration with the Institution of Electrical Engineers and are sponsored by the Independent Television Commission. After showing how digital signals work, by analogy with Morse Code, the compression of picture and sound is explained. Demonstrates how five digital television channels can be sent through the same bandwidth as one analogue channel. The programmes explore the idea of interactivity and how digital can allow everyone to take a more active role in their own viewing. The two programmes are:
1. How digital television works
2. The applications and implications of the new digital technologies
Language
English
Country
Great Britain
Year of release
2003
Year of production
2001
Documentation
Programme notes available online at www.channel4.com.secondary
Uses
14 years +
Subjects
Technology
Keywords
digital television; digital images

Distribution Formats

Type
VHS
Format
PAL
Price
£19.99
Availability
Sale
Duration/Size
2 x 20 minutes
Year
2006

Sections

Title
How Digital Television works
Synopsis
Discusses pixels, compression, bandwidth, the use of multiple digital channels by Skt Sports Active, potential uses for viewers with disabilities, problems of over-compression, virtual reality presenters.
Duration
20 mins

Title
Applications and Implicationsof the New Digital Technologies, The
Synopsis
Discusses the building of virtual characters using movement sensors, the uses for an avatar which is made from four images of a person, new types of television including wall and mobile units, research into how 3-D environments with interactive characters can be used to train people in public speaking or to overcome phobias.
Duration
20 mins

Production Company

Name

4Learning

Email
sales@channel4learning.com
Web
http://www.channel4.com/learning/ External site opens in new window
Notes
Use for: Educational Television Company

Sponsor

Name

Independent Television Commission

Web
http://www.itc.org.uk External site opens in new window
Phone
020 7306 7763
Fax
020 7306 7750
Address
London W1P 7LB

Distributor

Name

4 Learning

Notes
Channel 4 Learning has now closed. This used to be the educational broadcasting arm of Channel 4. The online shop sold educational DVDs and CD-ROMs for use in primary and secondary schools.
Name

AVP

Email
info@avp.co.uk
Web
http://avp.100megs28.com/ External site opens in new window
Phone
01291 625439
Fax
01291 629671
Address
School Hill Centre
Chepstow
Monmouthshire
NP16 5PH
Notes
Use for: Audio Visual Productions. Ceased trading.

Record Stats

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