1. P2 Understand hardware technologies for game platforms
Sound & Displays
Sound: sound cards; audio processor; mono; stereo; 3D; surround; channels; sampling rate; memory;
media communications processor (MCP)
Display: built-in; external; liquid crystal (LC); colour; monochrome

2. What is a Sound/Audio Card?
A discrete or integrated component that allows your device to connect to audio components for general usage and games.
They are built into the motherboard of consoles, mobile devices and most modern PC’s.
External cards with advanced features can also be bought and connected to the PCI slot on some PC’s.
What does discrete or integrated mean?

4. Channels
Mono Channel – One channel of sound. This same channel is outputted even if there are several speakers connected.
2.0 and 2.1 Channel Stereo Systems - Two channels of sound – left and right(2.0) or the same with a subwoofer(2.1)
5.1 Channel Systems - Home theater receivers are distinguished from two- channel (stereo receivers) by having additional amplifier channels to support movie theater sound (e.g. Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1)
7.1 Channel Home Theater Systems - Three front channels, two surround channels, and then two rear channels (plus the subwoofer).

6. Sound - Understanding hardware technologies for game platforms
Explain what we use sound chips/cards for and the differences between discrete and integrated.
Explain the different channel set ups.
Research and find out the Sound specifications for a gaming PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One & PS4 Nintendo 3DS and a high end Mobile phone.
Would you need an external speaker set up or does the system produce the sound itself?
Include references and examples as always

7. What displays do you use for game?
Displays the image rendered by the devices graphics chip.
Can be a TV, monitor or integrated into the device.
There are different ways that the image displays and different resolutions that are supported.
What displays do you use for game?

8. LCD Screens
Liquid Crystal Display, is the fundamental display technology used by most monitors, televisions, tablets and smartphones.
It consists of a panel of liquid crystal molecules that can be induced by electrical fields to take certain patterns which block light or allow it through.
Colour LCD displays have green, blue and red sub-pixels in each pixel. The intensity of light allowed through each sub-pixel is carefully controlled to create a detailed picture capable of displaying millions of different colours.
All LCD HDTVs use a backlight which shines light through the display.

9. LED Screens
Since the lighting is never turned off with an LCD, dark scenes are hard to render properly.
The arrangement of the tubes which light the screen can cause parts of a display to appear brighter than others.
LED’s(Light Emitting Diode), on the other hand, can be quickly switched on or off. This allows much better control of light.
They also can be arranged in a grid across a display or in a ring around a display, which offers theoretically better light distribution.
Finally, LEDs do not consume as much energy.

10. Resolutions Resolution name Horizontal x Vertical pixels Other names
Devices 8K
7,680x4,320
none
Concept TVs
"Cinema" 4K
4,096x2160 4K
Projectors
UHD
3,840x2,160
4K, Ultra HD, Ultra-High Definition
TVs 2K
2,048x1080
WUXGA
1,920x1,200
Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array
Monitors, projectors
1080p
1,920x1,080
Full HD, FHD, HD, High Definition
TVs, monitors
720p
1,280x720
HD, High Definition

11. HDR(High Dynamic Range)
Expands the TV's contrast ratio and color palette to offer a more realistic, natural image than what's possible with standard HDTVs.
The theory is that the higher the dynamic range, the closer a picture gets to real life. HDR for televisions is basically the same idea.
The term originates in photography, and refers to a technique that heightens a picture’s dynamic range – the contrast between the brightest whites and the darkest blacks.
Requires a device capable of outputting HDR and a display capable of displaying HDR.

12. Displays - Understanding hardware technologies for game platforms
Explain what we use Displays for. What devices have displays?
Explain the different types of displays. E.g LCD, LED
List and explain the different resolutions available to current display technology.
Explain what HDR(High Dynamic Range) is.
Research and find out the max display resolution technology supported by the Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS4 , Nintendo 3DS, GeForce 1080 graphics card and a high end phone. Do they support HDR?
Include references and examples as always